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

Well, they shouldn’t. Technically nothing’s stopping him from leaving his room, but if he’s caught without a reason to be out, he’ll be brought up before his CO. God, that’s the last thing he needs now.


As he’s searching for a way to respond that won’t piss off Joe and still leave open the possibility of a future hook-up, the call for lights out pops up on his screen. At the same time the white bar of light set waist-high into every wall on the Nova turns red, an indication the ship’s overnight watch has begun.


JoTho: going 2 bed already? u got morning watch?


Maullory: no but we can’t do nothing anyway. don’t want to get caught. my co will have my ass.


JoTho: u say that like its a bad thing.


Maullory: you don’t understand, he hates me


Chapter 9