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no,of course not. Butwhen you’re eight months along, it won’t be good for you, or for the child, to be leading this battleship against the Toralii.”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. Maybe it isgood for me.” Liao withdrew her hand from the desk and placed it around her injured arm, leaning back in her seat. “My understanding was that I am in command of this ship. I know my limits better than anyone.”
    Saeed gave Liao a lopsided smile. “The chief medical officer can remove you from duty if the situation warrants it.”
    “Legally, perhaps.But I’m pregnant , not dying. Have you ever heard the story of Phung Thi Chinh?”
    “Phung Thi who?”
    “Phung Thi Chinh. A Vietnamese general who went into battle pregnant, gave birth on the battlefield, strapped the baby to her back, and fought her way back to safety. She’s somewhat of a legendary figure. Unlike, say, King Arthur, there’s plenty of evidence that she really existed.” Liao flashed a broad grin. “You could say that in these trying times, she’s my heroine.”
    Saeed just shook his head. “Inspiring tales and legends are one thing, Captain, but this is real life. You’re going to have to take leave at some point. I’m going to insist upon it.”
    Feeling vaguely insulted, Liao leaned back in her chair, her mirth fading somewhat. “Perhaps,” she admitted, “but not today.”
    There was a moment of quiet as the two officers stared at each other, as though each were testing the other’s resolve.
    “How’s Jiang?” Liao broke the silence, her voice lowered slightly.
    “She’s still unconscious, Captain. I’m afraid things are looking grim.We may have to move her to a terrestrial intensive care unit. She has moderate intracranial swelling from her head injury. She lost so much blood. There’s likely to be brain damage from the lack of oxygen. I know you want her to return to duty, but that may not be possible—now, or in the future.”
    “I can't afford to lose any more crew, Saeed.”
    The Iranian doctor extended his hand, touching her shoulder across the desk. “I know, but the reality is what it is. Only time will tell.”
    She gave a firm nod. “It will. Keep her onboard for now. I want to be here when she wakes up.”
    He smiled. “As you wish, Captain.”
    Liao wanted to say more, but her radio crackled.
    “Captain, it’s Summer. I took a look at the datastore. I can show you what I’ve found if you like.”
    Liao pulled the small black radio off her belt and pressed the talk key. “Of course, Summer. When are you available?”
    “Now is fine, Captain. I’m in engineering bay one.”
    “I’ll be right there. Liao out.”
    Clipping her radio back to its holster, Liao nodded to Saeed. “Duty calls, Doctor.”
    Saeed, however, did not immediately respond.He cupped his hands in front of him, appearing deep in thought. “Miss Rowe does not sound her usual self, Captain, and she has not for some time. Not since the last battle.”
    Casting her gaze to the man, she just shook her head, unable to refute his words. “I’ve noticed.”
    “If she can’t handle the stress of the position, perhaps you could appoint a military engineer to the position. While I have no doubt as to her technical capabilities, Summer is a civilian. Perhaps someone more adapted to the stresses of living on a military vessel would be a good choice.”
    “Summer is part of my crew.”
    She fixed a firm, unyielding stare on the doctor, who matched it with one of his own.
    “As you wish, Captain.”
    Liao nodded, blowing out a sigh. “She’ll be fine. Rowe’s suffering, but she can work through whatever’s eating at her.” She paused for a moment, her tone softening as she remembered Summer sitting in a decompressed section of the ship. “She just needs a little time.”
    He was silent for a moment, then nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
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    Engineering Bay One
    TFR Beijing
     
     
    Liao turned the handle on the hatchway to engineering bay