Choices

loating arsenals of democracy for which Fleet was better known.

But I was first and foremost a spacer. I'd been genengineered for it. From the moment of my conception my fate had been determined. Determined by the choices of my parents. I wasn't a diplomat, and Burrye knew it. As far as he was concerned, that meant I was a risk to the success of this mission. Maybe he was right.

"No offense," Burrye said, continuing in his earlier vein, "but it's a bit of a stretch from commanding a warship to heading a mission like this, don't you think?"

"Not at all," I assured him. "Being the captain of a ship can be the supreme test of diplomacy. When you're dealing with the lives of nearly a thousand men and women, not to mention the frequent confrontations with all manner of ships and worlds, you soon acquire quite a feel for this sort of thing. However, I trust that you'll keep me in line, should I make a misstep." I looked at him forcefully, making it clear that he had better work with me and not