The announcement fell like a meteorite crashing onto an airless moon. You could see everyone racking their brains to think who it could be. There were several men who had been part of the crew for only a few months, Ferris included.

“Let me introduce you to him.” The Colonel gestured and one of the guards opened the door to the outside corridor. To the Lieutenant’s surprise, Peters came in and Ferris found himself looking beyond him to see who the investigator was. Then he realised that Colonel Young was still speaking. “Investigator Major Daniel Peters.”

Ferris’ first reaction was pure horror. Sweet god, he had groped and amorously bitten a major, he could see the words ‘court martial’ flashing before his eyes. Then he started to feel ill. Peters had played him like a pro. He was a pro, a professional undercover agent. He thought back over what had happened in the light of this new knowledge.

Peters had deliberately set him up to make the pass in the stealth pod. Thank god he had done the right thing, in the end at least. A major, for god’s sake. And he, Ferris, had tried to protect him from Hendriks and Sanchez; Peters must have laughed himself silly over that. He couldn’t bear to look at him, he felt so humiliated.

Hendriks gave a bark of astonished glee. “A major! My god you screwed up big time, Ferris. At least we only screwed privates!” he laughed at his own joke, apparently unaware that he had just clinched the case against himself.

Peters sat down stiffly next to Colonel Young. He was so angry with the Colonel he could hardly make himself be civil. He had wanted to speak to Ferris privately, before the meeting, so he could explain what he had done and the reasons for it but Young had forbidden him. He needed only one look at Ferris’ face to fear he would never forgive him.

Hendriks and Sanchez were arrested on the spot. Captain Perez was cautioned and told he would be facing an investigation. Colonel Young had come prepared; his ‘assistant’ proved to be a First Lieutenant from another ship, and he moved him in to take over from Hendriks immediately. The Second Lieutenant’s position would be filled shortly from the fleet’s merit list. Eventually it was all over to the extent that Ferris could leave and return to his cabin. His body was aching and he was still feeling hot and cold inside whenever he thought of Peters. If he had his way, he’d never see him again.

It was not going to be that easy, however. He had just taken some painkiller and lain down for a few moments when Peters flashed his ID at his door. Ferris considered pretending to be asleep but then he thought, what was the point in putting it off? Get it over and done with as fast as possible.

He opened the door and stood there, a wooden expression on his face. “Yes sir?”

“Can I come in?” Peters looked at him uncertainly.

Ferris felt gladdened by his apprehension and hardened his resolve. “Of course, sir.” He stood back and Peters came in.

“I wanted to explain to you, about what I was doing and why.”

“There’s no need, sir, I think it’s fairly clear. You were doing your job. That’s all I need to know, sir.”

“For heaven’s sake, Matthew, stop calling me sir!” Peters ran his hand through his hair.

“You mean you’re not really a major then?

“No, I mean yes I am, a major.”

“Well then, sir. I guess you’re not really twenty years old, are you?”

Peters sighed, “No, I’m thirty, I just look really young.”

Ferris continued to look at him in silence. He was twenty four.

Peters’ shoulders tightened and he ploughed on with his apology, even though he already suspected it was a waste of breath. “I’m so sorry, Ferris. I didn’t like deceiving you, but I had to know if you were part of it. It was my assignment to discover who was involved and then put a stop to it. At least I’ve been successful in that.”

He looked at the stony face in front of him. “I know you probably won’t believe me now, I wanted to tell you the truth but I wasn’t allowed to. You should be proud of yourself, you’ve behaved with honesty and integrity throughout this whole process. I wish I could say the same.”

He reached out and put his hand on the Lieutenant’s arm. For a moment they both looked at it. Slowly, understanding dawned in the Lieutenant’s eyes and Peters snatched his hand away. But it was too late.

Ferris stared at him in frozen disbelief, “Sweet god, you’re not even straight are you? Was any one single thing you told me the truth?”

“I’m sorry.” Peters felt so guilty and upset he blurted out the worst thing he could have ever said. “I suppose that means you don’t want to have sex with me anymore?”

Ferris gave him a long look. “Oh, I’ll have sex with you,” he paused and watched the mix of shock, confusion and hopeful disbelief, pass across the other man’s face. “If you insist on it. Sir.”

Peters went stone white and he flinched as if he’d been hit. “I guess I deserved that.”

He straightened himself and stepped back. “There’s nothing more to say, is there? You’re never going to forgive me and I’m just making things worse. Goodbye Lieutenant, believe it or not, I’m genuinely sorry.”

Ferris was silent as Peters left.