"Warlock," she began, "I have a personal problem I wish to discuss with you, as it may effect our operations here. I am afraid a great deal of affection has arose between myself and Major Joseph. He has asked me to officially become his wife. Our children get along joyously. I think there is already a romantic involvement between his eldest son and my daughter! But I am not sure if it is right of me to make such a relationship permanent."
"I see no difficulty," Samuel put in. "As long as the relationship does not interfere with your duties your personal life is your own business."
The Warlock looked really troubled. "There's something the major doesn't know," she finally managed. "You see, I had an infection after my last baby. They had to take everything out. I nearly died. I still do it because it pleases my male companions, but I don't FEEL anything anymore. I don't think it's right to enter into a relationship with a man not knowing. The major speaks of us perhaps having children together. He doesn't know I can't any longer. I have not been able to bring myself to tell him."
Samuel stared for several moments. Normally he could make quick decisions, but this situation was definitely not ordinary. "Well, Warlock," he finally managed, "I think you underestimate the man we speak of. I believe he might be disappointed, but I do not think this situation will alter his feelings for you, and I think with the right man, you will find you have more desires than you think you have. Most certainly the major must be advised of this situation before you continue, and I would say, he should be advised immediately! If he wishes to end the proposal of marriage, we will simply let it drop. If he does not, prepare the appropriate papers and present them to him. Why don't you take today off? The Lords know you deserve a lot of them! You haven't taken one day of leave since coming here. No, that's an ORDER! TAKE the day off. See the major. Spend some time together. Resolve this problem. Such an emotional situation will interfere with your efficiency and we can't have that. Go on! We'll cover for you today. DISMISSED Warlock!"
"Yes sir!" Gandhi snapped, giving a sharp salute. "Just one further thing, sir! How's the situation on the west coast?"
"Bad!" Samuel announced. "It looks like the coup has succeeded and this Saint George is taking over the country. His troops are already attacking and looting Spiritist settlements. It looks like it's going to be real trouble. But don't worry about that. Go get your own matters taken care of."
The Warlock hurried out. That afternoon just before Samuel left his office she returned in civillian dress. She said nothing, just put a sheet of paper on Samuel's desk. Without even looking he signed it and put it in the outgoing dispatches, and waved her out of the office.
The approaching wedding was a cause for celebration. The news services picked up and spread it, world wide, something better than the growing horror to the west coast.
The Spir and The Cath, in a virtually unknown little country, were now making it the center of the world's attention. The UN was debating rather or not to send in troops to separate the warring factions. Chris sympathizers were pouring in from around the world to reinforce the dictator's repressive army. Ironically they called themselves Crusaders, a comparison Samuel found ludicrous.
One morning as he was headed for the office he happened to look to the crowd of Somalis that always gathered along the fence, to wish the children good morning as they headed off to work. Among them was a man who seemed out of place. His skin was much lighter, his features different. He looked longingly at the children making their way across the grounds.
Samuel followed his gaze and realized which children he was watching. A sudden incredible thought occured to him. That afternoon he made a point to be outside again. As the children returned from school the odd man was at the fence again. He coughed and brought a blood stained handkerchief up to his mouth, but his eyes never left the children going across the yard. When they disappeared he slowly hurried off.
Samuel went into his office and put in a call to Major Joseph. "I think your marriage plans may have a slight problem," he remarked. "Meet me at the motor pool tomorrow morning just before the children leave for school. There's something we've got to check on."
"Of course!" the major answered. "Do we need troops?"
"No," Samuel assured, "just bring yourself. " He hung up the phone and returned to his paperwork. Tomorrow his suspicions would prove right or wrong and they would deal with it from there.

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