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accurate.”
    “It’s your men who gave me those reports. Are you telling me your own men did a sloppy job?”
    “Don’t try to pin this bullshit on me because some idiots under me did a sloppy job.”
    “Of course I’d pin this bullshit on you since you’re the head of your department. You’re responsible for the quality of their work.”
    “Enough!” Captain Hawk broke our argument. “How do you propose to fix this problem? Headquarters put us on a high priority that we fulfil the contract with the Draconians.”
    Mac crossed his arms, his face stony. “I have a suggestion.”
    “Let’s hear it.”
    “Fuel buster.”
    I snorted. “Are you nuts? You want to put Orient Fevre out of commission?”
    “It’s the only alternative until we can bring her home and have a complete engine overhaul.” Mac turned to Captain Hawk. “You should take my advice into consideration, sir.”
    “Have you consulted with our engineers in Headquarters about this procedure?”
    Mac spread his arms theatrically. “You can read their recommendation on my report, sir.”
    Captain Hawk pondered.
    I had a bad feeling about this. I didn’t know why, I just did. And what my guts told me was always right.
    “Fine,” Captain Hawk decided.
    I groaned inwardly.
    “Have Cross look at your report and arrange what you need to keep us flying to D’Keghan.”
    “I also require grounding continuance, sir. The cryofuel needs to be ordered and loaded into Orient Fevre. This alone would take at least six to ten standard hours.”
    “Granted.”
    Mac shot me a triumphant look and stalked away after Captain Hawk gave him permission.
    My captain turned to me. “What’s your problem?”
    I rose from my seat. “Levy Frye al’Tarakh.”
    Captain Hawk tapped his pen on his writing pad and drew a long breath. “Him.”
    “That asshole doesn’t need round-the-clock protection and I don’t want to move into his stateroom.”
    “I see. Be frank with me, Cross. Did you marry him last night?”
    “What?” My mouth opened and closed. “How did you know, sir?”
    Captain Hawk gave me a chastised look.
    “It was an accident.” Boy, that was lame .
    “You should know better than to mess with the Draconians.”
    “That marriage is bogus.”
    “Sadly, it ’s not.”
    “I must disagree.”
    “Cross!”
    I jumped. “Sorry, sir.”
    “I had a meeting with Prince al’Tarakh and his counsellors earlier. They convinced me that you are now the newest member of al’Tarakh first family and you should be relinquished from all your duties on Orient Fevre once we reach D’Keghan.”
    I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You can’t be serious. With all due respect, sir.”
    “I have to give you an indefinite leave until you solve this problem with your husband. Blue will take your position as the Chief Mate once she returns.”
    “He’s not my husband!”
    Captain Hawk looked as if he wanted to grin, but covered it with a frown instead.
    “As the captain of the ship, can you divorce us, sir?” I pleaded. “You can marry people. Do you have the power to divorce a couple, too?”
    “You’re shitting me, right? Divorcing you while we’re heading to the D’Keghan system?” Captain Hawk’s eyes bulged from their sockets. “We would never get out of D’Keghan territory alive. Find a solution to your problem yourself, Cross. We’re a transport company. Not a divorce court.”
    I felt bummed. Indefinite leave? But I loved my job. It was the best job I’d ever had.
    “If I may suggest something, you should start looking for a lawyer once you arrive in D’Keghan. Find someone who can give you advice on your marital status.”
    “Will it work, sir?”
    “Highly unlikely. You married their crown prince.” Captain Hawk gave me a hearty roar as if this whole ordeal was nothing but a funny joke. My captain had a strange sense of humour. “Dismissed, Cross.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    God damn it.
     
    * * * *
     
    Yule Ball, Chereshaz-X.