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Twenty lashes from an Aurelian whip is survivable – if you’re strong, fit, and the man administering the brutal punishment doesn’t make a point of trying to kill you.

But Theme? Theme won’t last. Twenty lashes will break him. Being blown out of the airlock into the vacuum of space would probably be a mercy to him. You at least die quickly in space – instead of suffering a lingering death by the injuries that lash will leave you wearing.

But while the punishment is cruel, I know Aelon has no choice. Chris had tried to gut one of his men when he’d showed them mercy. If he’d succeeded, Aelon would be punishing a murder rather than an escape attempt.

Chris needs to learn not to make that kind of mistake again, and the hard men of my mining crew need to learn not to follow the orders of such a reckless idiot. They deserve their twenty lashes – and I know they can handle them.

But they’ve doomed Theme. He’s already shaking like a leaf at the thought.

The poor guy. He’s barely an inch taller than me, and I’m pretty sure I outweigh him. His problem is more of body than spirit. He’s always been as physically frail as he’s been intellectually gifted – serving deftly as logistics officer and technician aboard my ship, but leaving the physical labor to Chris and his grunts.

My stomach churns, but I know what I must do.

My voice cracks as I address Captain Aelon.

“Captain,” the use of his rank demonstrates my conviction, “by Aurelian law, the captain of a vessel may take the punishment of their crew.” I nod towards Theme. “I will take the lashes, instead.”

I can’t believe the words that have just left my mouth – but if I hadn’t said them, Theme could die.

Everyone suddenly turns to me – from my crew to the Aurelian guards. Captain Aelon’s suddenly got fire in his eyes.

“Don’t insult me, Captain Tasha,” he snorts. “That’s twenty lasheseach. No human can survive a hundred lashes.” He snorts. “Not even an Aurelian could weather that.”

I say nothing – just standing there defiantly.

Aelon continues:

“My punishment is fitting. It won’t kill your precious crew.” He glances at Theme. “Well, notallof them. It’ll just make sure they’re never foolish enough to indulge in such behavior again.”

I swallow hard. It’s painful against my dry throat, but I’m committed to my path.

“The law is the law, Captain.Iwill take their lashes.”

Aelon is unblinking. I stand tall against that piercing grey gaze. I know he won’t back down, and yet neither will I. My crew might have disobeyed my orders and caused this problem – but they’re still my crew, and I’m still responsible for them.

Allof them – even the ones old enough to be my father. Even the ones old enough to know better, like that hothead Chris.

Aelon looks down at me, and his eyes flash.

“Aye – the law is the law… But didn’t we have a conversation about this earlier?”

My mind replays our talk in his bedchamber – when he’d told me: “You assume I follow the law.”

Aelon repeats that statement now.

“You assume I follow the law –theirlaw - but this ismyship, and somyword is the law aboard The Instigator.”

Again, this rose the question of Aelon’s alignment with the Empire. Was he Rogue? Or an independent? Or was he merely refuting my accusation out of pride?

In any event, this stony-faced Aurelian had shown his hand. He wasconcernedabout me – concerned enough to question what should have been an irrefutable rule of law.

If he’d question that, what else could I make him question?

Taking a deep breath, I raise myself to my full height and point an accusing finger at the Captain.

“Would your law be any different, Captain Aelon? Would you refuse to allow anyothercommanding officer the right to bear the punishment sentenced to his men? It’s not a question oflaw, Captain – it’s one ofhonor.”

I watch Aelon bristle when his honor is questioned. I’m lucky – half of me was concerned he’d adopt the role of a scoundrel, and scoff at my question of his so-called honor…