‘Captain, I have to see her- where are we, how far away-‘ ‘Captain Esek Hrelle,’ Gombe announced, forcing himself to adopt formality at this s...age, there was no other way he could get through the next minute. ‘It is my duty to inform you that, following your disappearance and the attack on Salem Four, an investigation was conducted by Starfleet Intelligence. They concluded that you had colluded with the Bel-Zon, providing them with the necessary intelligence to bypass the station’s security,. We’re all with ya.”Armis: “First, some details. Lt. Melchior will be team leader with Hawkins as his XO. I’ll leave the further rankings to them, but I don’t want a lot of regimentation. Sam Redstone will be the overall commander, but I don’t expect him to be available for much work. He’ll be on special assignment with me.”Dubois: “Oooo. Teacher’s pet. Sucking up to the new boss, boss?”Redstone: “That’s right, darkie. Gotta know where the bread is buttered.”And he threw a blueberry muffin. ”“Sam, you gotta let go.”“Don’t wanna!” she moaned.“You gotta let go,” I stroked her hair.“You wouldn’t let me go...” She snuggled in tighter. I smiled.“I would let you go to the bathroom.”“But you’d come rescue me if I needed you.” She rubbed her nose on my shoulderblade as she shook her head.“Of course I would,” I whispered. She still seemed more asleep than awake despite her active squeezing. “Can I go pee now?” She kept her arms tight. “I’m going to put you in the hands of someone I trust.. Owen had pulled the General off to the side for a long moment to confab.“Sam, can you and I talk for a couple?” she said. “Maybe in the dining room,” she nodded down the longish hall.“Yes, okay,” I said.I pulled up to the table. She went to the cabinet behind it and retrieved a bottle of Gentleman Jack. She got a couple of old fashioned glasses and poured us one finger each.“It was my doing. You had that right,” she said.“Not allowing my son to be with me,” I said.“Yes,” I said.“I was.