Captain Juzee Softcenter was not a maiden, but she had never had a man spend a night in her bed. She tossed and turned for a long time, and against her back, the ship’s new accountant tossed and turned also. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“My father was correct,” he said with amorous shudder. “It is stimulating.”
“Very.”
At that moment her rom emitted a soft tone, indicating that her wake cycle had finished, and that her sleep cycle was beginning.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

"Um..." Her mind worked furiously. “You have to sign a non-disclosure form, Harold.”
He nodded. “Excellent idea, Captain Softcenter. Call me Haree.”
They exchanged kisses to seal the deal, and then another one just for the heck of it.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

“What was that for?” he asked, bewildered.
“That’s how we finalize deals in the Hoop,” she lied.
They exchanged stares for a moment, and then he said, “I’m afraid I’ll need to add an addendum to our deal.”
“What kind of addendum?” she asked, suddenly cautious.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #humor

“To be honest, it’s not that exciting. A lot of rocks are as boring as a trip to the gas giant.”
“I wouldn’t mind seeing the gas giant either. If you’re serious, you’ve got a deal.”
Sudden excitement surged through Juzee Softcenter. She was certain this was one of her best ideas ever. #haroldhardpod

She frowned, considering his words. They were somewhat justified. “All right, I pay you a stipend. Enough to make us break even.”
Harold’s eyes widened even farther. “You would really let me travel with you to the Hoop?”
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“Right.” She waited expectantly, as he regained his composure.
“Not to boast,” he protested, “but my salary is twice what the additional overbilling amount comes to. And I came aboard with nothing to my name. How can I visit the Hoop if I’m penniless?”
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera

They laughed together, and just like that, the idea stuck Juzee.
Bemused by the thought, she said, “You want to see the asteroid belt, huh?”
He nodded. “It’s been a fantasy of mine as long as I can remember.”
She stared at him for a long moment. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory

She grimaced. “Sisters are like that. They’re always smarter, prettier, and more capable.”
“Sorry,” he replied with a gallant smile, “but I find that impossible to believe in your case.”
Juzee stared at him. He was much better looking than she had first thought. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #humor

His face reddened again, and he straightened. “No, my sister got the entrepreneurial brains, I’m afraid. Marketing skills, financial projection skills. She’s the smart one. I’m a big disappointment to my father. I’m a mere accountant in one of our smaller offices.” #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“You don’t stop a spaceship, Harold, you match orbits.”
“However.”
Juzee turned her head slightly to stare into his eyes. “You’re certainly an intelligent Hardpod, I’ll give you that. You must be a big rock in Hardpod Industries.”
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

“And it’s a good thing I did, considering what I found.”
“And what was that?” She swiveled her head to glare at him.
“Well…” his face reddened. “Well, you were right. Hardpod Industries did overbill you.”
“I knew it,” she exclaimed, virtuous satisfaction in her tone.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“I’ve been meaning to do that,” Juzee muttered. “My sisters have been harassing me. I can’t believe you used your own funds to get this.”
“I didn’t. I used your GoodFriends account to pay for it.”
“What!” This time she couldn’t hold back the screech.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #humor

“You know, you really should not use codeword as your codeword. Anyone could axe in to your rom.”
She didn’t ask how he got her signon. The rom provided that automatically.
“So, you got on the graph and sent a message to your father? Asking him to rescue you?”
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #humor

Several hours later, as sleep cycle approached, Juzee reentered the room, using her palm to forcefully help the squeaking, low compliant door to open. Her gaze found Harold sitting at her desk, in front of her personal rom, typing at the keyboard. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #humor

His scowled faded, surprise and a hint of disappointment replacing it. “All boys?”
“All boys,” she repeated, satisfaction in her tone. She slapped the door panel and then gritted her teeth as it crawled on its track until it smugly shut.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

“But no matter,” he said, his tone firmer. “You will not touch our child’s inheritance.”
“I would never touch money belonging to our child,” she retorted, incensed by the accusation.
“Hah!”
Furious, she spun and stomped to the door. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

“It was?”
“Yes.” He paused, and when he continued his voice dropped in volume and took on a thoughtful tone. “It’s true that our child would be quite lovely. She would probably have your silky black hair. Reminds me of a delicate succulent I saw on the coast of Marl." #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“Don’t act innocent. A child is exactly your aim. You think by getting a child from a Hardpod that you can claim her inheritance for yourself. Hah! You are mistaken. It would be years before she came into her inheritance. You would be an old hag. I will admit that it was a good plan.” #haroldhardpod

But his words didn’t ease her temper.
“This is as good a place as any, don’t you think?”
His scowl turned to outrage. “I think I’ve uncovered your insidious plan,” he said in a growl. “You think to strap me down and mount me.”
Her temper rose. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory