The Treasure of Lei Fong Wu

Chapter Forty-Five

ALPHA TEAM –59.43

“That’s a big chasm,” Zoe remarked, peering over the side. “Long way down. Y’know, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever used the word ‘chasm’ in its proper context.”

“Is that meaningful?” Master Lei inquired politely.

“Not particularly. I think the last time was an argument with my husband over reproduction. ‘Chasm’ neatly described the different opinions we held on the matter.”

“A shame,” the General sniffed. “You would produce magnificent children.”

“Yet in such professions . . . hardly the ideal place to raise a child. Their mother a soldier, their father a pilot? Both are dangerous professions. How responsible is that?” asked Master Lei. “They should wait until things settle down. Until they can find the Way of their marriage, and then children will enter into it naturally.”

“Bah!” snorted the General. “Superstitious nonsense. My wife and I waited. By the time we were ‘settled’ she had become infertile. Seize the day, Zoë!”

“Bringing a child into such a situation would be ill advised. Should they birth an orphan?”

“Life is short! There is never a good time. If you wait, you may lose the opportunity.”

“Wash isn’t ready yet!” the monk insisted.

“Zoe obviously is!” the General responded.

“Boys!” she yelled. The two men continued the argument in heavily accented Chinese dialect she had trouble following. They ignored her. They didn’t have time for this. She took a deep breath.

“Atten-SHUN!” she bellowed in her best non-com voice, in the tone that said ‘there is a superior officer observing your childish and unprofessional behavior. Get it together!’. While neither man was young, and each had been accorded respect for decades, they had both served in the military, had endured basic training. Their reflexes responded. The General actually did come to a semblance of attention. The Master straightened as well, and stared at her.

“Perhaps you forget yourself . . . corporal?” General Lei as