He seemed to have shocked herinto silence. It was definitely not the type of subject that should bediscussed in the bar.
He leaned back, relaxing into hischair while she took in his words.
“You got yours the hard way.” His eyes teased, knowing she couldn’t resist.
“What do you mean?”
“By taking me on. It wasn’t yourrank that enabled you to start giving orders. No one gets away with taking meon around here and survives for long. Unless they happen to be occasionallyright.”
“Steve does.”
“He knows how far to push me, andwhen to back off.”
A number of expressions crossedher face.
He guessed at her dilemma. “Goask Steve. I told you once before not to try and figure me out,” he smiled.
The smile was disarming; he lovedteasing her. Go ask Steve! He felt what she really wanted to do was climbover the table, fling him to the floor and demand an answer. That would set areally good example for the crew!
And if she did, he would answerher.
She was still finding her feetamongst the crew. Although they obeyed her and showed her respect, there wassomething that kept her apart. Gillespie and Kowalski had fitted in easily. She probably thought it was because she was a woman and that no matter how muchthings had changed there were still some men with outdated views – even thoughhe’d had to knock some sense into a couple of them over the years. That theorywas only partly true, because some of the women had taken the longest to accepther.
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Chapter twentyone
The Arans were easy enough. Theyforgave John the slight discretion of being partially unfamiliar with theirintricacies as he stumbled over his introductory speech. They were pleasedwith their quarters. A quick tour of the ship familiarised them with areasthey were permitted free access to.
They were sensible. It was theonly word John could use to describe them. They respected the fact that he hadother duties to attend to and detained him no longer than was necessary. Ifall peoples had the same sort of attitude then the galaxy would be a lot betteroff.
The next few pickups were mixed. The Pothids kept to themselves and had very little contact with anyone else. Occasionally, they ventured out for meals. A polite request and John obligedthem and had meals delivered to their quarters.
The Cetoids had a natural aromaof wet dog. Maintaining a pleasant countenance while the aroma slowlyenveloped and filtered nose, throat, eyes and pores sent most of the crewstraight to the shower after any prolonged interaction.
Finook and the Fillarmars assumedan air of superiority over everyone and everything. They were the first tocomplain about the inadequacy of their quarters, the lack of decent food andthe inferior company.
“You want to pump some knockoutgas into their quarters?” McReidy asked as John returned to the bridge fumingafter yet another complaint.
He sank into his chair,appreciating her levity as his mood simmered. “Don’t tempt me.”
More pickups and the ship wasfilling up.
The Senate delegation from Lushonwere to cause as much trouble as John had anticipated. Despite the fact thatBela had promised they would leave the men alone, it was impossible for them togo anywhere without causing distraction. Not only amongst the crew, but for afew other races. And while the crew were respectful and fell back oncorrectness, some of the others did not.
Finook simply assumed his air ofsuperiority and tried to claim whatever he felt was his. Caught at the door,trying to hack into Bela’s quarters, he was unapologetic.
Humphries turned up for duty onenight with a bump on his head. He had accidentally walked into a wall when twoof Bela’s companions passed him in a corridor. No one else would admit it, buthe wasn’t the only one to do so.
Giacomo knew better and kept wellaway. He caused suspicions in Lorraine, but that was preferable to anotherblack eye. It didn’t take long for her to realise what was happening and sheadmired his restraint. Even if it did mean resorting to her for protection onthe few occasions he did run into them.
They had been on board less thanforty eight hours. They seemed completely oblivious to the jealousies theystirred in the female crewmembers. Relationships were on the brink ofdestruction.
John caught up with Bela in thedining room for breakfast and reminded her of her promise. She had not brokenit. It was not her fault if her women were naturally beautiful. They were notusing their seductive charms on anyone – he knew the resultant outcome ofthat. He was the one who would have to maintain better control over hiscrewmen.
“And Ambassador Finook?” heasked.
She relaxed in her chair, aforkful of fruit salad playing on her bottom lip, a drop of juice falling backinto her bowl. “I can handle Finook.”
He stood up to leave.
“Not eating, Commander?” shequeried innocently.
“I have work to attend to,” heanswered.
As he left the dining room, thesmell of wet dog reached him and he quickly ducked down the opposite corridor.
Regardless of her promise, Johnhad the feeling that Bela had set her sights on him. She tagged him everychance she got. He barely had a moment of free time that he didn’t have towatch out for her. She was employing the old fashioned subtle methods ofgetting him – the ones women had used for millions of years.
Off duty, the only place he feltsure of himself was in his own quarters. She wasn’t forward enough to makethat direct an approach.
But his quarters felt cramped. There was always someone there, someone under his feet or a voice talking, acushion moved, a coffee mug put back in the wrong place. Basketball in thecargo bay seemed to be the physical outlet for everyone as much as the bar wasthe social and mental outlet.
John headed to engineering.
“Problem, sir?” Case asked.
John held up a hand to silencethe engineer.
Case glanced to Red, who shookhis head before both engineers turned back to their work.
John slipped past the engine corethrough a rarely used access panel and squeezed
