'In!', came the reply and I was pushed into the room. The door slammed shut behind me.The captain's quarters were grandiose and imposing. Varnished wo...d lined the room, with pictures of important people and swords dotted around the wall. A double bed with tall sides was fastened to the floor in the corner of the room with portholes on the opposing wall and a large desk. Behind the desk was the captain, who didn't look much older than myself. She too was dressed in the same pirates outfit, as. There was no telling her to do her homework; she'd have it done. Tiffany was very sober, responsible, and competent for a nine-year-old, and somehow, Mike wondered how they'd come up with raising such a child. Henry was more like you expected for a six-year-old, a typical pain in the butt, but Tiffany could keep him under control when Mike and Kirsten couldn't."What's the homework today?" Mike asked."Multiplying three-digit numbers," Tiffany replied, and then frowned, "It's HARD, Daddy."Mike. As I heard the revelry inside signal midnight, I saw Karen signing to me. Happy New Year. I love you.I love you too sweetheart, and Happy New Year! She then turned away from the window and I slipped back inside happy to at least I got to greet the occasion with Karen, even if it was long distance.School started for both of us again and we settled into a routine that included talking on the computer every night and dating every Friday and sometimes Saturday. Our love for each other just kept. "We have a few spies left in Sin Loos who give us information about what is happening in Sin Loos. They tell us two things. First, the situation is deteriorating with more killings of women and even men. Those killings are becoming more frequent and more, well, barbaric. The second thing is more alarming. The armed forces are being expanded and trained for conquest. This is no longer the Sin Loos that I knew. From the rumors we have heard, the direction of their march will be to The Oaks."We.