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“My first priority, sir. My partner’s safety comes first.”

“Over and above the orders of a senior officer?” Lieutenant Washington leaned forward a fraction in her seat. “You’ve got some balls on you.”

“That’s why you hired Apexians to be on this crew, Ma’am,” Rexx said. “We take risks. That means bending the rules.”

“You broke the rules. You disobeyed orders. You took a shuttle without permission and compromised members of the crew,” Commander Lewton said.

Rexx simply nodded. They didn’t need to lay out for him what he’d done. He’d do it again.

“You took a big risk, soldier,” Jimar said.

“I never let my partners down.”

“Loyal until the end,” Lieutenant Washington said. “It’s true. We specifically chose to work with Apexians because of that trait. It seems you’ve gone the extra mile in this case.”

Rexx simply nodded.

No one spoke for what felt like minutes.

“And with good results,” Commander Lewton finally said.

Rexx noted the glances they exchanged. They weren’t going to fire his ass over this?

Commander Lewton focused back on Rexx. “We’ve been communicating with the individuals who helped you on Laire. Atticus Damiran has an incredible reputation. Everyone wants to work with him.”

“He mentioned more than once that he was a genius,” Rexx said.

“And then some,” Jimar said. “He’s provided information that would have taken us months to uncover if we’d not had his help.”

“Atticus and Estelle were good to us,” Rexx said.

“They’re valuable allies.” Commander Lewton sat up straight. “And they’ve agreed to work with us. On one condition.”

“Which is?”

“You and Daisy remain on board the Apocalypse. You act as liaison between us and continue your work on the search and retrieval team.”

Surprise punched into Rexx. He had no idea they’d been planning to do that. “That’s good news.”

“It is for you,” Lieutenant Washington said. “It means you’re still in a job. However, for the next three months, you’ll file weekly reports with your commanding officer so she can monitor your activities. You’ll also undergo a full psychiatric evaluation and have weekly therapy sessions with your doctor.”

“That’s not required. I’m operating at full capacity.”

“It is if you want to stay on that ship,” Commander Lewton said. “You went rogue, and that’s dangerous. We have to make sure you’re not a threat.”

“I’m not.”

“You were lucky not to be killed,” Jimar said.

“It’s not about luck. I know the risks when I go on a mission. I calculated Daisy’s safety and determined it wasn’t in her best interests to remain on the Apocalypse.”

“She’d have been in our care,” Commander Lewton said.

“I also determined those risks, sir. I work on experience and tactical judgment.” He decided not to mention that he operated on pure lust and desire when it came to Daisy.

“You’ve got to love the Apexian arrogance,” Lieutenant Washington said.

There was another tense silence.