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

Because of course you are, Lee thinks, unimpressed.


Another button now appears on the screen: Cancel. If a game isn’t started within thirty seconds, the players get the option to cancel altogether. Another thirty seconds and they’ll both be booted from the arena. Lee almost looks forward to that; then at least he can find another opponent to fight before he has to hit the sack.


Chapter 7