”“Shit. I was so pissed at them! I think I really wanted to kill them and then it happened for real. That’s what scared me. I thought I did it o... purpose, my god...” she trailed off.“Well, what your dad said. The guy with the gun was the killer, not you. You do see that, right?” Tom said.“Yeah, I do now. Thanks. Hey, I’m gonna call home—if my mom agrees, can you come for dinner tonight? I know my family will want to thank you in quiet and not like the turmoil before,” Cynthia asked.“Really?. Despite that I couldn’t wait for rest periods to be over so I could be back on the bridge. This was real. No test, no school, not a simulation but a real ship in real space and real consequences.After we had visited the Vanderstraat Nebulae we got orders to patrol a region known for its Shiss raider activity. Escort a convoy of sensitive materials to Sares and then took part in a life fire exercise with the rest of the 41st fleet the Hyperion was part of.It was according to Zezzh, routine. “Can we come, Daddy?” Kiria asked.“If your Mum doesn’t mind, yes. Might be boring though,” I replied with a smile.“If it is, or he gets rude, we’ll leave,” Kirim acquiesced.All of us left Medical Resource in a lift that deposited us in the ante-chamber of one of the High Table courts. There were a few appellants and the various High Bureaucrats on duty were going through them swiftly. Finally Ashlann as Supervisor Monitor was called, along with Cure Vranik and his legal representative, to face. I'll set it up for you tonight. That way Santa can leave his presents for you."Bobby and Tiffany sat around the table eating and it was almost eight that night. Tiffany cleaned up the kitchen and saw that Dylan was in his room. She'd leave him alone and hoped he wouldn't say anything else to upset her or Bobby.The fireplace was roaring with a nice fire and Tiffany laid on the carpet next to the fire talking to a young man that she crushed on. His name was Jason and they kissed a few times after.