Prelude to Retribution

Chapter Three: Culture Shock

"Garren, don't you think they need to be careful," Annalisa Prolov asked. She reached for her husband's hand and interlaced her fingers with his. "They are moving a little fast, aren't they?"

Due to her S'Varian genetics, she was nearly 6'2" tall, slightly towering over her 5'11" husband even when seated in the passenger section of their robot-piloted taxi speeder.

Prolov gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "He's a fighter pilot, my dear. They are known to move fast."

Annalisa's jaw dropped. "Look who's talking, mister ace fighter pilot. I practically had to knock you over the head and drag you into the bushes before you'd marry me."

Prolov looked up into her stunning sapphire eyes. "You never heard me complain, have you?"

"You wouldn't have gotten rid of me anyway," she grinned. "I would have chased you from one end of the galaxy to the next to get my hands on you, Garren Prolov. Maybe even hired a bounty hunter or two to bring you before me."

He leaned closer to her and reached up with his free hand. He played with her long blonde hair while admiring her beauty.

"And I would have surrendered to them willingly," he said softly. "You know I find you irresistible."

Annalisa kissed the top of his head. "Feeling is mutual. But talking about Veriss, he is your best friend. Aren't you concerned about this?"

Prolov sighed. "Darling, of course I am. But Tyaal and Taleinia are adults. Besides, they have done nothing that constitutes a conflict of interest."

Annalisa nodded and stared out of the viewport. "I think I made a mistake, though. I suggested Taleinia read Tyaal's service file."

Prolov shook his head. "That was abrupt." He shifted in his seat. "She's a Captain. She has the clearance to view it."

Annalisa gazed at her husband whimsically. "You seem agitated."

Prolov drew in a breath of fresh air and continued to play with his wife's hair. "No, I'm not. But please be careful of what you divulge going forward. Besides, this relationship is between them, and we need to give them their space to grow in it."

"Fair enough," Annalisa replied, releasing his hand and looking down at him. "Do you know anything about her culture? About how the women react to men who draw their attention?"

Prolov chuckled. "I can get an idea. I'm married to a woman who wouldn't let me out of her sight."

Annalisa rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about women from the Renda Noth system, silly."

Prolov sighed, knowing his attempts at deflection would be futile. Rather than die on a selfish hill trying to be right in a war he wouldn't win, he wisely chose capitulation.

"According to the Maynerian Dynasty Archives, when a man does something to win their hearts, they become indebted to them for life," Prolov said. "It can manifest itself in different ways but mostly results in romance. S'Varian women aren't much different, sweetheart."

Annalisa playfully patted him on his thigh. "We grew up together, Garren. Tyaal and Taleinia didn't." She leaned over closer to him. "And I have never forgotten that promise you made to me as a teenager when we were stargazing."

Prolov narrowed his eyes. "Annalisa, you made that promise, remember? I was lying on the grass with you when you mentioned it."

"I remember," she quipped. "And it was such a sweet moment."

Prolov reached for his wife's hand. "How does this relate to Tyaal and Taleinia?"

"It doesn't," she replied with a smile. "I just thought it was worth mentioning."