”“It happened because I am weak, Father Deacon. And I acknowledge that. I’ll speak to Father Nicholas about it when I return to McKinley.”“Y...u want something else besides my forgiveness.”“Your permission to see Tasha again. I discussed it with her on Monday morning when I asked her forgiveness, and it’s what we both want. With whatever restrictions you deem appropriate.”“I need to think about it, as well as speak to my wife and to my daughter.”“Of course,” I said with a nod, then added, “I am. I feel the bones break in the hand where I squeeze. Then, because he has pushed Linda, I pull him into car and strike him. I use the heel of my hand, not the knuckles, so I will not break my own hand.For a time I think I have done ill, because Linda quickly returns to the car and makes it go away fast backwards before she turns to go again in front. When I ask is it wrong what I have done she says no, I did well, but she says she will not talk more now. She still does not wish to talk when we. A hand was covering my eyes. I tried to scream, but a rag was shoved in my mouth. Something, maybe a bag, was thrust over my head. I could hear two or three people in the room. Though the bag, I could just see that they had turned the lights on in my bedroom. I tensed as they started to lift my duvet, knowing they would see that tonight I was sleeping naked. I suddenly felt cold, then hands grabbed my arms, I felt something tying them together behind my back.I kicked out, connecting solidly. ”“That’s it for this sector,” the Maliri smuggler murmured, her eyes roving over the map. “Move on to the next and I’ll search for a nebula we can use...”Calara nodded and shifted the focus of the holo-map. Leaving Tashana to her careful scrutiny of Kintark territory, the Latina continued updating her combat simulation, issuing Kirrix EMP missiles to the two Kintark fleets.Alright, I have a few minutes to chat, Alyssa announced, the relief in her voice palpable. Everyone’s finally getting out.