Free Starhold by J. Alan Field

Wars, but I do. Thousands of people died, and I won’t bring that upon our citizens again if it can be helped. Therefore, for the time being, Central Command will order all units to step up from Condition Blue to Condition Green, and we will wait for word from the OMI and Task Force Nineteen. That will be all.”
    In short order, everyone had vacated the conference room except Polanco, Maxon, and Darracott. Admiral Maxon obviously wanted to accompany Polanco as he left.
    “Channa, I need a word with the Prime Minister, do you mind?”
    “No sir, not at all,” Maxon replied. “I need to get back to Galatea anyway. Admiral, Prime Minister.” As Maxon left, Polanco spoke into an intercom and ordered that they not be disturbed.
    Darracott eyed the door after Maxon’s departure. “I wish my pets were so well behaved.”
    “She’s protective. OK, sometimes maybe too protective.”
    “So, you didn’t feel comfortable sharing this with me?” Darracott’s hand waved in the general direction of the conference table. “I’m the Prime Minister— your Prime Minister. Didn’t think I could keep a secret, Victor?”
    Polanco laughed and moved over to her, leaning against the edge of the table. “We both know you can keep secrets. It’s just that you didn’t need to know until now. It was nothing personal.”
    She gave him a pointed glare, and then softened a bit. “What’s the situation with the Gerrhans?”
    “President Townsend seems like a decent person, I just hope that his people are too. As I said, we need to find out what’s going on at Earth.” He punched down at the tabletop in frustration. “It’s space, dammit! Everything takes so long to happen and the longer it takes, the greater the chance of someone doing something stupid.”
    “You’re running a hell of a gamble with this, Victor. If the Gerrhans stab you in the back, stab us in the back… But, for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right thing.” She stood to gather her belongings. “And now, I have to be off to a meeting with Roman Zevkov.”
    “Ha! What does the CEO of Stellar March want?”
    “He wants to be in charge, that’s what he wants. Every time we meet, I have to explain to Zevkov that just because he runs the Union’s largest mega-corporation, it doesn’t entitle him to dictate government policy. Oh, and I have to do it while gently massaging his ego. Don’t suppose you want to take my place?”
    Polanco grinned. “No, thanks. There’s no part of Roman Zevkov I’d like to massage, let alone his ego, so I think I’ll pass. However, I do have a few things to go over with you. Working dinner at my place, say tomorrow evening?”
    Darracott’s eyes lit up. “You know, too many working dinners will have people talking.”
    Polanco moved close to her, placing his right arm around her waist as his left hand clasped the back of her neck. “I just need to make sure where your loyalties lie. I need to know that you’re still my Prime Minister,” he said as he tilted his head and moved to kiss her.
    It was a gentle kiss at first, but then she pressed her mouth harder against his. One long kiss receded into several more tender exchanges. “I can’t believe we keep doing this,” she whispered as they embraced. “It’s just a matter of time before people find out.”
    “Rennie, my dear, people have already found out,” Polanco said. “Maxon knows and evidently approves.”
    “How do you know she approves?”
    “Because she hasn’t killed you yet,” he joked. “And, I’m pretty sure Leo Sanchez knows.”
    She broke the embrace and held his face between her hands. “I mean the wrong people, Victor. I’m talking about political opponents, both yours and mine. Leo doesn’t count. Seriously, we—” Just then, there was a chime at the door and the two untangled as Leonardo Sanchez walked into the room. Even with his advanced prosthetic leg, he still limped ever so slightly. Sanchez carried a datatab and a