Despite their rank difference the two Marines had first learned to respect the others professionalism then to truly like each other as a person. Upon ...ischarge they had said goodbye with the usual encouragement to look each other up if they ever found themselves in the vicinity of the others home area. Bill was going back to Phoenix Arizona and Tim was going back to his home town of Wausau Wisconsin. Neither really expected to see the other again because that was the nature of most military. Scott Ross was seated near James’ desk. I assumed he’d brought some administrative stuff with him from Earth.His eyes flicked from me to Romy and Anya, then back to me. “Please tell me you haven’t brought me another headache.”“No. Yes. Maybe.” I said. “James, Romy has just told us something – and showed us – that you need to know about.”He sighed and nodded. “Hit me.”I laid a hand on Romy’s arm. “That’s idiom,” I said.“I know,” she responded primly. “I do have several centuries of data now.. He heard footsteps on the staircase outside. Best to be ready, he thought, and got to his feet, head bowed, before the door opened."Hullo Daniel," a husky voice announced.Daniel's heart sank. His hands nervously brushed imaginary flecks from his apron. He knew the voice, Julia Finch. And he knew what was going to happen next."Aren't you pleased to see me?"Daniel nodded reluctantly. The fact that she was there meant that she was still interested in keeping his secret; the problem was that it. “Sally?” he asked, and bent down to shake his classmate’s shoulder.She didn’t move. Her eyes were closed.“Wow...” Jake muttered as he knelt down beside her.Very carefully, he put his hand on her chest, just above her budding breast, right where her heart should be. It was pounding away, strong and steady, maybe a little fast.“She’s not dead,” he said to himself. “She must be knocked out.”He felt around her head, searching for a bump or something. His stomach was churning, and he was starting to.