I’m sure she let him down easy.

Well, relatively sure.

                                                                                                                                                    


 “Tomato Sauce”

 

By Joseph Manno

 

 

T’Vaar did not often practice her katas in public, and a crowd had gathered to watch. When she’d finished, and the applause had faded, a single admirer lingered.

“I have a proposition, Lieutenant.”

The Vulcan replied with a droll, “From what I have heard, evidently more than one.”

King put up his dukes.

“If I can knock you down, we go on a date.”

Astonishingly, she inclined her head, and assumed a martial posture.

Brett blinked…

…and when his eyes opened, Rhodes was standing over him.

“Is it over? he asked. “Did I win?”

His supervisor chuckled.

“Not quite, Rocky.”