Chapter Ten

Anderson remained the head of Federation Security. Wiser heads had prevailed over the past several months, and his work on the planned attack had convinced some of the last holdouts that he was still fit for duty.

His concerns about removal were not unreasonable. Chief of Federation Security was as much public relations as operational, and there are always those who think the PR is more important than the operations.

Many of the arguments used in the conferences had been used by Benson and Huang in their reports.

The public relations reasons made use of the fear of negative publicity. Removing Anderson would be a blow to past victims of sexual assault, not to mention future victims. It could set a bad example in the civilian world. If the Federation's chief of security can be forced to retire or leave a job, then why not any victim? Why should victims report the crimes if they will lose their jobs? Police can't investigate unreported sex crimes. How many people would suffer alone? How many criminals would never be punished?

Besides, removing Anderson served Spectra. A new head of Federation Security would need time to become familiar with the current projects and personnel. People would have to get used to him or her being in charge instead of Anderson. Right now, Anderson could bypass a dozen protocols and procedures, based entirely on his reputation. His successor would have to go through channels. Did they really want that during a Spectra attack, or during preparations to counterattack?

Remove Anderson, perhaps his successor becomes a victim. Then what? Remove the successor? Spectra could dedicate personnel to ensuring a near-constant turnover of high-ranking Federation officials, influencing the course of the war.

"He's recovering. They're all doing well," Huang said over coffee in her quarters. "We'll be out of here before another week passes."

"Then we can worry about undue Spectran interest in us." Assuming that agents could find out they were the ones assisting G-Force. There had to be a number of possible candidates. With any luck, there would be too many for Spectra to effectively investigate.

She didn't think they knew enough to make it worth Spectra's while to find them, yet one never knew. What could she and Huang reveal that a good profiler could not have deduced already? G-Force did not reveal their surnames (assuming the ones on record were their real ones), and aside from Jill's restaurant and any given race track, she had no idea where the team spent their off-duty time. But then, it was possible that she knew more than she thought. The right questions could elicit information she didn't realize she possessed. She and Elliott had done the same to numerous suspects and witnesses in the past.

"That's the risk. I'm on the hate lists of a few criminals because of my profiling work."

And she had been stalked in her day. Unhappy people were a hazard of the job.

Mala smiled and caressed her abdomen. So far, so good. No complications with her pregnancy, even with the in utero genetic engineering. Her son would be healthy, and he would be raised as befit a member of House nâl Afés'trin. At the right time, he would learn of the worthy adversary she had chosen for his sire.

"To judge by your face, all is still well." Z'ólt'ár crossed the room to her and felt for a kick. "You should have told me sooner."

"I wanted to be certain. You know the dangers." When she had finally told him, he had been pleased. "And how is your little mouse and her pup-to-be?" That had been a surprise. She still hadn't found any other children he might have sired.

"Extremely pleased with herself. She's already planned which assassination techniques she will teach our daughter first."

"And which of your old toys have you brought out of storage, Brother?"

He blushed. "All of them." A smile. "It seems I can do what needs to be done for my world and people."

"After a great deal of urging." She had also dug out her toys. "What will you name her?"

"There is a list. We're working on it. What are your plans?"

"I want to name him after Father. He began the renewal of our House and our world." So, he was giving Patricia a say in the naming? A non-Spectran? Things had changed with him.

"He would be honored."

Benson and Huang prepared to leave Center Neptune and return to the world of ordinary people. The day before they were to leave, G-Force threw a small farewell party. Few alcoholic beverages, but plenty of personnel who wanted to thank the pair for their help.

"Don't let the lack of booze fool you," Jason said to her. "We do drink. Just not to excess. We only recently became legal in all 50 states." He held up a bottle. "Except Keyop."

Benson wasn't so sure about that. "Really?"

"You haven't been on the receiving end of the Chief's disappointment. If we could tactically deploy it, there would be peace throughout this part of the galaxy."

"What did you do with the lizard?"

"Keyop put it back where he found it."

Princess heard the last part. "I should have known he had something planned. At least it was a small lizard. From Earth." She chuckled. "If I told you some of what I've found in my room, you would call Dr. Huang to prescribe something for me. I don't mind that he collects insects and things. He has a nice collection of mounted butterflies, and would have a terrarium if we let him. What I mind is anticipating a nice, quiet night's sleep and finding an unwelcome guest, instead."

Sounded like a little brother. Benson had heard a few stories from partners about their children, besides seeing the results.

"Thanks for everything, Olivia."

"You're welcome. You know, you can call me if you need to."

It was similar with the others of G-Force. They were all on the way to recovery. Not there yet, but they would be.

Chief Anderson had been talking to some of his female colleagues. He made his excuses and joined her. "Thank you." Looking right at her, not hiding behind a social role or showing nervousness.

"I'm glad I could help."

Dr. Huang dropped her at her apartment building. Captain Cragen met her with the latest mail and her keys.

"Welcome back," he said, handing them over. "How was it?"

"Draining, especially for them. They were fighting their hardest battle."

"How about for you?"

"I felt out of my depth every other day. They fight cyborgs, aliens, robots and gigantic machines on a regular basis. They've trained for just about everything under the sun. For a while, it seemed I was up against a wall. I had nothing in common with them, or so I thought." She separated her mail.

"You had something to offer, or you'd have been back long ago." He had questions, and didn't want to veer into government secrets. "You're back on the roster Monday. I thought you'd like a few days to get used to New York again."

"Thank you, Captain."