Jerry wakes slowly. The bed he found himself in was spacious, and comfortable, and generally beat the hell out of the bunk he'd had to squeeze himself into aboard the Dauntless. No this was a large, spacious room, with a large, comfortable, brand new bed that was quickly becoming his home as much as his quarters on the Dauntless.

The sensation of Syl shifting against him, still holding onto him even in her sleep encourages him to settle back down. He could certainly get used to waking up like this. It made him think back to his 'old' life on Earth.

He'd devoted his life to service, and liaisons when they happened tended to be short and cordial. He'd just... never connected with anyone entirely. If he'd met the right woman, he could see himself leaving the service. Leaving the Corps. He wasn't sure what he'd have done with himself... but it could have happened.

If he had though, then he wouldn't have met Syl, and that seemed to make everything worth it to him. They just... fit. There'd obviously been mutual attraction there, and physical... compatibility had been... exciting to say the least. He figured the singular alien beauty would be boasting about breaking her bed on their first night together for years to the few people she would speak to about such things.

Still there was so much more to it then that. How they talked to each other, practically finishing each other's sentences after that first night. How she opened up to him and exposed her every secret, sharing her love and her trust, knowing he’d do the same for her.

She was coy in most of her day to day life, a very strict and metered woman. It made how she opened up to him all the more special, and surprised Syl herself. She was a woman that had lived a life of control and discipline, not unlike Jerry in that sense. She'd hacked things solo in one of the most cutthroat markets in the galaxy and built herself a dependable little niche with barely a hiccup.

She was subtle. Cunning. Whip smart and with good instincts. She was a woman who kept her cards close to her chest... but with him, something made her throw her cards on the table... then pull him over the table by the collar and kiss him so deeply they both ran out of breath.

Metaphorically, but she'd damn well do it if he gave her the opportunity. She seemed to take every bit of love, every bit of passion, every kindness or tenderness he gave her and radiated it back ten fold... which created a feedback loop where he just tried to love on her all the more.

Jerry leans down and gently kisses the crown of Syl's head, her broad fluffy ears flicking and tickling his chin before laying back with a smile.

Syl had been at her least subtle when she went about "wooing" him. It was down right aggressive actually, but that was more an amusing memory than anything else. Jerry chuckled to himself as he remembered the shocked expression on his face, reflected in a piece of polished sculpture.

He'd figured Syl was into him, pheromones or no, and he had found himself planning to ask her to dinner if she wasn't entirely sold on altering their client-provider relationship. He hadn't accounted for the fact that he wasn't in Cruel Space any more. Or Kansas for that matter. In this strange land over the rainbow women courted men, and what a courtship it was!

Syl had heard that humans liked to go for things in a very forthright and upfront manner, so she'd gone straight for what she'd wanted, and Jerry hadn't had any mind to refuse her. She was gorgeous, charming, and again, the discipline to not only order a custom item like her nose plug, and the confidence to dress that item up to make a statement had been very intriguing. It didn't hurt that Syl had excellent taste in lingerie, and Jerry was very weak to such things.

She'd walked into her office in a tiny silk nightgown that barely covered below her waist, then cast it aside dramatically, revealing a lot of very tiny pieces of string and lace that had Jerry drooling in a second.

Still. He'd fought his biology like a proper gentleman, sat Syl in his lap... and they'd talked. About something. He couldn't remember what they said. He could just remember Syl's eyes. How warm she was against him. The sensation of her weight on his lap, and finally the kiss. God did he remember that kiss. He'd remember that kiss till the day he died. It had lit him up more than the first time he'd grabbed hold of axiom.

Things had... gone quickly after that. He vaguely remembers stopping for water, and submitting an electronic marriage registration around midnight, then going right back to bed until they passed out.

The morning after had been light, and sweet. With laughter, lingering glances and gentle caresses aplenty. He'd registered for a 48 hour pass so he had time... but he had to report in, and revealed to the command staff what his plan was.

A source on Centris, controlled by an Undaunted member, of human cuisine was considered an immediate priority, and he was able to beg out of honeymoon leave in the name of going straight to work with Syl and Nadi on their new product line. That had been three days ago. Three days of learning the most complicated system he'd ever handled to do what he could to assist his wife and her talented assistant and doing a hell of a lot of taste testing. Meat after all, isn't just protein. It's texture. Density. Moisture. How it takes heat, dark meat versus white for say chicken. Replicating a fat cap for pork belly.

The list of little details when on. Jerry was just glad he was a decent cook. His primary contribution had been cooking samples and tasting them compared to his memory of say, a good steak, and letting the girls help taste test too.

Some things were easier than others.

Pork had been simple, especially when they worked out how to produce a fat cap, and even skin. Separating white and dark meat in chicken had been harder, they were still working on skin there. Beef had also been easy... but specific types of beef, fat patterns and the like had proven... challenging. Which led to today's work. Wagyu.

Reluctantly, Jerry pushes himself up, dragging Syl with him slightly as she holds him tight. Hard to complain when you had affection like that at home, that much was for damn sure.

Jerry leans down and kisses Syl's lips gently.

"Time to wake up, gorgeous."

"Mhmm, five minutes, I'm having such a lovely dream about..." Syl's eyes flutter open, that little hint of surprise making her pupils dilate as she focuses on him.

"Maybe I wasn't dreaming. I was dreaming about holding my husband, lounging in our bed and I was just resting so beautifully in his arms."

"Which you were absolutely doing. You were glued to me all night."

"Goodness, I feel a bit embarrassed."

"Why? I wasn't complaining in the slightest. If I get to wake up like that every morning for the rest of my life I'll be a happy man."

"Mhmm. Just wait till I get some sisters. You'll have all sorts of interesting mornings, but I'll ensure our time together is always special."

Jerry can feel a touch of anxiety cross through his mind.

"I'm still a bit unsure about that, you know."

"I know, but it is the way of the galaxy and while I don't give a hair off my plush, fluffy tail for the social considerations, for business and the like, having capable sisters will provide strong security for our family, and the children when we have them."

"You're right. I suppose that's why you've been having Nadi teach me about a lot of the equipment?"

"She is the expert. I'm a skilled geneticist but she's peerless as a geneticist and a technician. I should really encourage her to finish her medical degree. However... yes. Though I know considering companionship with another woman must be... complicated or you, or even hard to notice when we've been indulging ourselves. I thought I'd allow Nadi a chance to highlight her appeal."

"She's sweet. She's got a lot going on for such a petite little thing."

"People underestimate Kohbs because of their size, but especially in medical fields, they have an almost innate, natural gift. She'd make a good sister in that sense, especially as the business expands. We haven't seen the Undaunted contract yet, but we have had steady pre-orders for our general meats. We'll let that hit the market, and we'll pick a particularly elite restaurant to release the wagyu on the market."

"Should make us a truck load of money, and give us a lot to do. New staff. That sort of thing."

Jerry considers Nadi again slightly, the clever little reptilian alien was charming, light hearted and radiated warmth and grace in a way you rarely saw outside of the devoutly religious. Nadi though, she seemed to only worship making the galaxy a better place in her own little ways. While certainly not human, she certainly had curves in all the right places to make different seem very intriguing.

"I'm more worried about you than me to some degree. I wouldn't want to hurt you."

Syl leans up and plants a slow, gentle kiss on Jerry's lips.

"Impossible. Not like that. I will always be your first wife. Whether you have ten wives or a hundred, or a thousand, I will always be by your side, and together, with the rest of our family as it grows, we're going to make the whole galaxy know our name if I have my way about it. So. Let's find worthy sisters for me, and wives for you, for you are brave, and strong, and wise... and most of all, you're worthy."

Syl punctuates each virtue with a kiss, and treatment like that certainly made Jerry feel like a legendary hero and not just a soldier who was very good at his job.

"Alright. I can do that."

Jerry rises out of bed, stretching as Syl watches on with admiring eyes.

"I will want to close things off eventually. I just... I don't think I can handle a hundred wives. I even briefed my guys and girls on what galactic marriage looks like you know. There's unending possibilities but the idea of being cold and distant... is."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Jerry's brow furrows as he pads towards the bathroom.

"I just don't like it. If I'm distant from my wives then it strikes me I'll be distant from my children too and that thought is... upsetting. I only have so much time. Especially if I continue to work, which I will. Maybe not forever, but in a galaxy where immortality is a lifestyle choice, I can't imagine I'd retire any time soon. I certainly couldn't just be a house husband. I have more to do than that. More to contribute."

Syl sweeps up and wraps herself around him from behind.

"And I would never ask that of you. We stand together, alongside. Hand in hand. Neither in front, neither behind, and we shall seek out women of a similar mind and caliber. In the end you have the final say. That right is yours, and I would never take it from you, especially not on the matter of taking a new wife. I will council. I will advise, I might well refuse an applicant, as that is my right too, but I shall never force anything on you. We are one."

"Mhmmm you make me feel a lot more confident about things like this you know."

"That too is my job, not as your wife, not as your first wife, but as someone who loves you."

"I'd have never believed those words in such a short amount of time from anyone besides you, but I love you too."

Thirty minutes sees Mr. and Mrs. Bridger downstairs and setting up for the day's work. Even with their new experiments going full tilt, there were still orders to fill and customers to take care of. Which left Syl working the main part of the business while Nadi and Jerry began working the final stages of what would hopefully become their business's flagship product.

He can't help but notice that Nadi's extra done up today. Hair styled, a little extra makeup than he'd seen her wear previously. Dressed a bit nicer than you normally would at work to better highlight her appeal.

Yet. She didn't pressure him. She just presented herself a little bit more nicely... and was herself. A kind, caring woman who had seemingly limitless patience. He found himself looking at her out of the corner of his eye, her blueish-green scales delicately reflecting the soft light in the room. She was damn pretty for what appeared to be a dragon sort of creature that barely came up to his waist. Which was another thing in favor of the galaxy's preferred style of relationships. Literal infinite diversity of sizes, shapes and personalities.

With the limitation that 'utterly stacked' was the style that seemingly anything and everyone came in, from transforming robot car women to shortstack dragons and everything in between, but if anyone was going to complain about that little fact of Galactic life, that man was not Jerry Bridger.

Getting over to the tank they’d cordoned off for the wagyu experiments, Jerry takes a look as Nadi quickly gets to work, picking up where they'd left off the day before. They'd hit upon a unique technique, and grown more material overnight to really put it to test.

It was an odd sight, the pink material in the cloning tank. Tiny manipulator tools were slowly 'weaving' the flesh together with a lattice that had delicately been made with beef fat. Something they'd figured out during what Syl and Nadi had considered an exhausting shift of about six hours. Syl had gotten her just reward for that shift. Nadi had been paid a bonus... but he could probably reward his spouse's faithful employee a far more valuable way to the galactic consideration.

It was the way of the galaxy.

"Nadi."

Nadi looks up. "Oh. Yes, Jerry?"

"Are you doing anything for dinner tonight?"

"Mhmm. No I don't think so."

"How about you join us for dinner... we'll... talk about some things. Once we get this done."

"Oh. OH."

Nadi's eyes open wide as she catches what Jerry's implying before she admirably gets control of herself and goes back to work.

It takes another thirty minutes of careful effort, but finally a piece about half the size of a dollar bill is complete. With the procedure set, the flesh weaving is done entirely by the machine this time, and before long, the three of them are taking the meat out of the tank.

“Oh my, that looks delicious. I almost want to take a bite raw.” Notes Syl, checking a few read outs and taking a few pictures of the prototype steak for further reference.

"The marbling looks just about perfect, it was a stroke of inspired genius to start with the fat Nadi."

"Well the fat's the most important part with this meat as you've described it Jerry."

"Quite right young lady."

The fourth voice startles the trio as they wheel around and find a thin, aged old man, with a slouch in his jaw, a slightly faded left eye with a monocle on a chain, the properly dressed old gent offers a slight bow.

"I apologize, I did announce myself and the door to the back had been left open, so I thought I'd come down and see if I could find anyone."

Syl's back is up just a little bit, she was a woman who wasn't entirely fond of surprises.

"I'm terribly sorry I wasn't there to greet you, and you are?"

"Sir Philip Bernard Masterson, at your service Madam Bridger, and congratulations on your nuptials."

Just as the old spy had intended, Jerry sees Syl relax a hair or two. He knew exactly who Sir Philip was, and he knew the old codger was going to do what he always did, and there was nothing to do about it but see what happens.

"Oh. Well, thank you for your well wishes.” Syl is back in control, calm and confident as she switches back to her customer service face. “What can we do for you sir?"

Jerry steps forward and offers the aging English gentleman a firm handshake. For all his supposed frailty, there was still iron in Sir Philip’s grip.

"I think I can answer that as a matter of fact. Sir Philip, good to see you again."

"And you Commander Bridger. Seems married life has been treating you quite well."

"To say the very least Sir Philip. I assume you're here about the wagyu?"

"Quite right, sir."

"Would you like to borrow our kitchen Sir Philip?"

"If you don't mind old chap, do you have any form of butter?"

Syl taps her chin for a moment.

"Yes. We should. Why?"

"Oh I shall demonstrate madam. Please follow me."

Sir Philip leads the way upstairs, shaking out an apron that he apparently pulled out of nowhere, and he immediately sets to work, teaching Syl and Nadi how to cook beef to perfection with all the ease of a man a third his age.

Before long a set of perfect medium rare steaks are laid out on plates, and Sir Philip delicately slices into one of them before popping a bit into his mouth and pulling a napkin from nowhere to cover his lips.

"I dare say that is just shy of perfection, and more than I would have expected if I am at all honest with you. Ladies, Commander, this is exceptional work! A few things are missing, but they are artifacts based on the specific composition of feed that true Wagyu receives, and other things consistent with the raising and care of the cattle that simply cannot be replicated in a lab. Perhaps then the opportunity in the future is to go into the ranching business. I believe you're originally from Colorado, Commander?"

"That's right Sir Philip."

"Quite a bit of ranching out there old boy, maybe you should consider becoming a, oh what was it... a space cowboy? My youngest grandson rather enjoyed a show featuring an interplanetary cattle drive, rather entertaining really."

Sir Philip tugs on his cuff links a bit, resettling his outfit... and somehow making the apron vanish before their eyes.

"Now to business. I'd like to purchase the first batch of cloned wagyu for Admiral Cistern's table. Say twenty pounds of beef or so. I know you haven't set a price yet, but I'm happy to pay whatever you ask."

Syl's brain catches up with what she'd been seeing Sir Philip casually pull off, as if being very impressed by a stage magician.

"Of course Sir Philip, we'd be honored to place meat on the Admiral's table. We should be able to have a twenty pound batch ready... in two days Nadi?"

"I can make it happen in two days. No problem! I'll be able to refine the weaving a bit more in that time. I'll have to develop specialty tools just for this if I'm honest, just to get it perfect for commercialization."

"I'm quite certain Admiral Cistern and Ambassador Tal will enjoy the meal.”

Jerry pauses for a second as he tries to place that name. “Tal… Ambassador Tal… She’s not part of the crew is she?”

Sir Philip shakes his head. “Oh no sir. Nikti Tal is the Ambassador from the world of Bruel, where humanity will eventually be placing a colony.”

Everything snaps into place and the image of a short, green skinned woman wearing a smart business suit mixed with rough carved tribal jewelry came to mind. A Gohb if he recalled correctly, a diminutive race of inveterate tinkerers and explorers who tended to have issues with predicting the long term consequences of their actions.

“Ah right. So… she and the Admiral have become… close, I take it?”

Sir Philip grins. “Oh yes, she’s quite the common fixture around the Admiral’s office these days. In fact, she actually wanted me to ask you, or Lady Sylindra to contact her Commander. Something about a custom commission.”

Jerry exchanges a look with the girls. “Well we’d be glad to be of service of course.”

“Splendid old chap. I’ll have the information sent to your communicator. Now, I must be off. I’d say the Admiral and Ambassador will look forward to the meal, but it’s going to be a surprise from me to them you see. Now that we have our business concluded, I shall take my leave, and return two days hence. Good day ladies, Commander."

Just before he walks out the door that leads to the stairs, the old man stops.

"Oh my, I almost forgot. Ms. Nadi, congratulations on your pending nuptials as well young lady. Ta ta."

And in a blink, and without a sound on the stairs Sir Philip is gone.

Jerry finally lets out the laugh he'd been forcibly holding in, but both of the girls are wide eyed.

"Not once." Syl finally says. "I didn't feel him use axiom once! I also just realized, he was able to open the door to my apartment without a key code or bio code! The scanner didn't even register him, it just opened!"

Jerry nods, regaining himself. "Sir Philip has been doing things like that since before we left Earth, nevermind learned about axiom."

Nadi screws up her snout a little bit, clearly thinking. "He's not just the Admiral's servant is he?"

"He's not. Not in the slightest. I'll have to see if I can find a copy of the Philip Files in Galactic Trade for you girls to have a look at. It's a favorite book in the special forces and intelligence communities for a drinking game. Trying to assess which of the stories in the book are real or not. What is very real however is that Sir Philip Masterson is one of the greatest spies to ever live, out on a final mission to serve Queen and country once again."

The two girls let that sink in for a minute, until Syl finally breaks the silence.

"I'm still having better security put in for access to our living quarters."

"Not a bad idea anyway darling. Maybe put the work order in later? Tonight we'll be busy. We need to celebrate. Sir Philip wasn't wrong after all. I had been intending to ask Nadi if she'd join our marriage tonight. How that old fox figured it out I'll never know if I live to be two hundred. Since he’s spoiled the surprise I suppose I’ll ask now if you’d marry me, Nadi."

"Hmmm, perhaps you'll figure it out at three hundred, darling. Still, I'm very glad to hear it. What do you say Nadi? Nadi?"

The little Kohb has gone very still all of the sudden, clearly processing what she'd just heard for a moment, before leaping onto Jerry like she was spring loaded.

"Yes!"