Lieutenant Lee Mallory spends his time off duty playing video games. There isn't much else to do while stationed on the USS Nova out in deep space. Unfortunately, a run in with his commanding officer, Jonan Thomas, strips him -- and everyone else onboard -- of their gaming privileges. Thomas has had it in for Lee from day one, when they got off on the wrong foot. Now, banned from using the game server in the rec room, Lee sneaks online in his quarters after hours, looking to play. That's where he meets a fellow gamer onboard who's interested in a different kind of game. As much as Lee wants to hook up, though, he can't afford to get into any more trouble. Can Lee take command -- in the game and in the bedroom -- without further aggravating his CO?

Commanding Officer Thomas

The handful of players JoTho hasn’t bested are the same ones Lee can’t quite conquer yet. No one from the Nova, but a few offworlders Lee thinks win by cheating somehow. But JoTho beat Brenna, and badly, sohe probably thinks Lee’s a sure win.


Without answering the message, Lee sends JoTho a fight request.


He gets a one-word response—lol—then the screen refreshes; JoTho has accepted his request. On screen now is a rotating, 360° view of Lee’s avatar, with callouts highlighting aspects of his armor he can change, if he wants. A display shows his current stats, everything from Strength and Defense to Reflexes and Endurance. Lee gives everything a quick onceover to make sure it looks good, then clicks the pulsing Ready to Rumble! button.


Chapter 6