As the fleet flagship, that meant every vessel that had come into communications range.Luisa had been very clever, and very careful, indeed. George ha... finally uncovered a fragment of a message header that Lovell had transmitted while transiting the 10 Ceti System. The scout’s communications officer had been running a diagnostic program at the time, and the message had not been deleted from the Martian’s workstation queue when Luisa had tried to erase it.“It makes sense in a way,” George put. We said “good morning,” and I went to relieve myself and get a cup of coffee. I could tell something was a little off, but didn’t know what it was. Linda was quick to let me know.“I want to ask you something,” she started off.“What?” I said.She reached into the couch cushions and produced one of the paddles I had made for Cindy, and hadn’t even got to use yet.“What is this for? Or who is it for? Do you want to use it on me? Is it for somebody else? Tell me.”So, cornered like a rat, I lied like. He could think of no better allies to have in this situation. They would easily see that none of this was French’s fault – that went without saying. She’d been a pawn her whole life, since before she’d even been born. He was under no illusions about French’s mother, Marcheline. She had probably gotten pregnant on purpose, hoping to secure a cushy future for herself. Goddamn it. He was growing weary just thinking about it. French had lived it, it was no wonder she was skittish. With that. ...and boys. Rachel and Karen talked incessantlyabout European boys and how they were so turned on by their accents.Tabitha on the other hand was opening up about her attraction to her oldfriend Jonas. Rachel and Karen listened in awe as Tabitha wouldemotionally lay her feelings out so explicitly."Wow," said Rachel. "You see him in class all the time. I don't knowthat I've really crushed on anyone in real life like that." I know," said Tabitha softly. "When I sit next to.