"I told her to go get into her sexy black slip. It is cut up the leg on one side and low in the front at the top. As she did so in the bathroom, I inv...ted the young man in asking him whether he would like to join us in a glass of wine as that was all we had available. He accepted with thanks and came in. It was dark out by then and the room was lit only by a muted TV and a scented candle.Debra came out of the bathroom wearing the slip, nothing else. Introductions were made and Ryan stood as a. Walking up to the kitchen counter to make a bowl of cereal I found a note in my Mom's familiar handwriting."Melissa," it read, "I know how excited you are to fly the coup after all these years, but it couldn't be a moment too soon for your father and me. It seems like just yesterday we took you to your first soccer game. Anyway, I just want you to know how much we love you and are sorry we can't be there to drive you out or even see you off, but college's don't exactly pay for themselves, even. Work hard, and don’t jab him with that thing by accident.” She laughed at her own humor as I shook my head.“Any port in a storm, Angie.”She roared with laughter. “I never realized that about you!”“Me either; musta been the lightning – and that was a joke, by the way, so no need to report that comment to the curious teeming masses.”“I figured. So long, Jon.”“Bye, Angie.”The remainder of the day was uneventful – boring, really. It had gotten to the point where I almost looked forward to the pain. “Also appears to be immune to various pathogens and poisons, so neurotoxins won’t work.”“Interesting,” I heard Torun comment. “So physical weapons are our best bet still.”“Extracting nanite samples into stasis compartment ... bugger!”“Bugger? What’s a bugger?” Pillot asked. “Never mind, tell me later as I take it something went wrong?”“Damned thing died on me,” I commented. “It’s nanites just basically ate it.”“Want another, Sir?” Dalla asked.“If you don’t mind, Monitor Dalla.”“No problem. You.