"I had not thought of that," Chang said. "I would not wish to endanger others, of course. Dave and Tiny, then?"
"Right. On permissive TDY—and," she turned to the designated ones, "with orders to call me if the Transportation Office gives you any static about storing whatever she can't or doesn't want to bring along. Not that that's likely, with both of you members of the King's Own."
"True." Bain grinned. "I kind of hope they do, though. You cannot believe how much I'd like to see their faces if Her Excellency the King's Inquisitor had to talk to them."
"Oh, I'd believe, all right," Cortin said. "I've had all the usual
experiences with them myself, which is why I'm kind of hoping you have to call."
Prince Edward tapped on the King's half-open office door. "Good news, Father."
The King looked up from the papers he was working on. "Come in and close the door." When Edward had obeyed and seated himself, the King asked, "How good?"
"Colonel Cortin's just turned Strike Team Azrael into a family, and Lieutenant Chang is pregnant with Lieutenant Pritchett's son. I don't know what the new family name will be, yet."
"That's excellent news," the King said, smiling widely. "I was hoping she'd do something like that, and of course she'd take care of her own people first. Let's see—Chang was waivered with undetermined fertility, but Pritchett definitely tested sterile, so I think that can safely be classed as a miracle. Most gratifying."
"You're not surprised?" Edward asked, a little disappointed.