“Is this a captain thing?”
He hugged her. “They have to learn it now, Em. They can’t ever forget again. Next time we might not be so lucky.”
After emerging from the hatch, Aaron spoke before the twins could say anything. “Keep your goddamn mouths shut. We’ll deal with this as a crew when we get back. Not a word out of either of you assholes. She’s fine, no thanks to you two.” It was hard to keep her promise. Ford and Caph looked miserable, and not just because of their injuries and hangovers. Both had black eyes, Ford’s upper lip was split, and Caph had several bruises on his face. They looked hopeful when they saw her. Then she felt both of them sink into despair when they thought she was angry. She wanted to reassure them that she still loved them and didn’t blame them, but she’d promised Aaron.
She had to listen to her captain.
Emi pulled it off, glaring at them, letting Aaron take her hand and silently lead them across the facility to Graymard’s office.
Garcia and his men were already there. She noticed with smug satisfaction that both Baxter and McReiny looked worse than the twins. Her boys had done good.
Aaron pointed to two chairs along the wall, and Ford and Caph sat, their eyes on the floor. Aaron held a chair at the table for Emi and sat next to her, across from the Angor Bay’s crew.
Furious, Graymard directed his ire at Garcia. “Well, Captain, tell me why I shouldn’t yank your commission?” Garcia paled, and the other two fidgeted. “Look, I didn’t know they were going to do that. Believe me, if I’d known, I would have stopped them.”
“They shouldn’t need chips to not rape a woman,” Aaron growled, finding Emi’s hand under the table, his thumb stroking her. “They’d be dead right now if it wasn’t for her getting away from them.” Rape by commissioned officers was an immediate executable capital offense if the victim demanded that punishment. “What kind of men are they if they think it’s okay to go after a woman like that? They’re a couple of fucking animals.”
Both men reddened, looking at their hands. Garcia glared at them.
“Well? You tell them.”
“We’re sorry,” the men mumbled.
Under the table, Aaron squeezed Emi’s hand. She briefly met his glance.
Knowing what he wanted, she looked across the table. “Why should I forgive you? Why shouldn’t I demand they pull your rank and toss you on your ass?” She pointed at Garcia. “And you weren’t going to do anything about it until I threatened you, asshole.” If Aaron could swear in here, so could she. “You’re responsible for your fucking crew, Captain.”
Graymard nodded. “She’s right. Captain Garcia, I took a risk allowing you and your boys into the program based on your psych evals, and frankly, I’m disappointed but not too surprised.” He looked at Emi. “It’s your call, Dr. Hypatia. What do we do with them?” She took her time, knowing they grew more worried with every passing minute. Now knowing McReiny was an empath, she held a strong block against him so he couldn’t read her.
“For starters, they get chipped immediately. And I want it set so at least for the next six months, every time they get the urge at all, even to masturbate, they get zapped.” She glared at them. “All three of them, including the captain. Depending on their behavior, maybe if they’re good I’ll consider rescinding that.” Aaron’s hand tightened around hers slightly. She knew he was trying to contain his laughter, not shut her up.
Graymard leaned back, considering it. “It’s unusual. But I like it.
That, and twenty-five demerits.”
The Angor Bay men looked horrified. “But¯”
“Take it or leave it, gentlemen,” Graymard said. “I think she’s being very generous. By statute she has the right to demand permanent chemical castration. It was attempted rape by commissioned officers. Consider yourselves lucky.”
“Maybe next time they’ll think twice about trying to rape someone,” Emi spat.
“I’m sorry,” Baxter pleaded. “We were drunk! It won’t happen again.”
“Oh, thanks for reminding me.” She looked at Graymard. “Also an alcohol restriction. The chips can handle that too, right?” He smiled. “Dr. Hypatia, I’m glad you’re not mad at me.” He looked at Garcia. “Well?”
The three men deflated. “All right.” Graymard called in a technician, gave him the orders, and the men were escorted out of the room. Then he turned to Emi. “Are you still sure you want to stay assigned to this crew?” She looked at Aaron. “I like working with Captain Lucio.” She specifically didn’t mention the twins and felt their remorseful pang from behind her. It took every ounce of will she had to keep her promise. “He’s going to get me extra personal combat training before we leave.”
“Very well. Then we’re done. No demerits for your crew, of course.”
Aaron led her by the hand. Caph and Ford silently fell in behind them. She wanted to throw her arms around them and cry, kiss their wounds, love them. They’d stood up for her, belatedly, but they’d been willing to fight the men who tried to hurt her. She hated doing this to them but understood why. Aaron was right.
She had to trust her captain.
Aaron forced her to keep up the silent treatment all the way to the ship. Once in the crew area, he ordered the twins to sick bay. “Get your asses in there and wait for her to come check you out.” When they were out of sight, Aaron pulled Emi to him, tightly hugging her. “You did great, Em,” he whispered. “Now when you go in there, don’t fall all over them. Make them work their asses off to get back in your good graces. It’s the only way they’ll remember.”
“Okay. Where are you going?”
“To the bridge to work on my logs. They’ll come sucking up to me after you’re done with them, and I’ll make them pay big time.
Remember, make them work for it.” He kissed her one more time and left for the bridge.
She forced herself to wait another five minutes, brewing a cup of coffee before going to sick bay. Ford and Caph looked even more miserable, but Aaron’s words echoed in her brain.
She examined them, silent except to ask about their symptoms and injuries, checking for concussion even though she didn’t suspect it, refusing to meet their eyes. After twenty minutes of cold professional treatment, Caph grabbed her hand.
“Emi, please, baby. We’re sorry,” he said, his green eyes near tears.
She wanted to hold him, rock him, comfort him. Instead, she pulled her hand free. “That’s very comforting, Bates.” He recoiled as if slapped. It hurt her as much to say it as it did him to hear it.
Ford tried next. “Please, honey. How can we make it up to you?” This was so hard, his aching voice shattering her heart. “Caliban, to be honest, I’m not sure.”
They silently watched her. She gave them both medicine for their hangovers and pain from their beatings. When she dismissed them, instead of leaving they sat and watched while she filled out her log reports and their medical charts.
Aaron made this cold and calculating attitude look easy, but then again, he’d had nearly twenty years with these men.
Maybe this was why he never “bottomed.” He needed the extra emotional advantage over them to hold onto his professional veneer.
They had to listen to him, not question him, to keep them all alive.
“Was there something else, gentlemen? You’re dismissed.” They looked practically broken. Both men stared at the floor and shook their heads. How long and hard did she make them work for this?
After another couple of minutes, they filed out, looking dejected.