Chapter 16AE

'You Used to Like it When You Were Four'

'The Force is Driven with You'

'Back Seat Discord'

'Board of Education'

'Sweets for the Sith'

Anakin is speeding down New Republic City Freeway to Exit 68 on Pleasant Spirit Drive. Ana-Lena is incensed. She knows this route by heart and wastes no time to protest.

"So, you're getting rid of me first?"

"That's right."

Kris expresses his displeasure as well.

"Yeah, Dad, you could have dropped me off in town already."

Ana-Lena is still complaining.

"Daddy, I can't believe you would do such a thing."

"Where did you think you were going? You're in boarding school, my dear."

Ana-Lena sits silent.

Anakin makes a sharp right turn at the exit sending Kris sliding on the seat into his sister. Ana-Lena shoves him away. The speeder cruises down a quiet suburban road surrounded by verdant rolling hills dotted with quaint cottages. A group of Jedi monks is trekking up toward the Manarai Mountains to a spiritual retreat for meditation, prayer, and silence. This is what Anakin wishes for as soon as he drops off his two young malcontents.

It is believed that this exercise eases the monk's transition into the afterlife when that fateful time comes.

The Jedi monks have no possessions with them. They all wear the same thin nunaskin slippers that provided no insulation from the cold and no relief from the rough terrain.

Ana-Lena understood the theory in Sunday school of Jedi of all types taking a vow of poverty and suffering; she just thought it was impractical. She knew immediately that this life was not for her. She also believed in a good pair of shoes.

The convent school students would hand out cheese sandwiches and freshly harvested pera fruit to the men as they make their pilgrimage up the mountain. Ana-Lena finds this use of her free time on campus truly rewarding. The girls play the part of poor Tatooine peasant girls, dressed in loosely woven gauze skirts or dresses with ivory linen aprons and peasant lace kerchiefs on their heads. They wear a single braided ponytail or two looped ponytails tied with a simple piece of gauze fabric. Their footwear consists of a pair of soft slippers made of double twill Tatooine linen with a bantha hide sole crafted by the Bestine Nuns on Tatooine.

Each girl is responsible for making her own outfit. The peasant clothing had to appear humble without too much adornment. Ana-Lena makes a new outfit each year. There were simple but beautifully made. She took embroidery tips from her maternal grandmother and created beautiful floral trim for her peasant skirt. They would sing in angelic voices as the Jedi Monks make their journey up the hill:

Accept, these gifts,
These fruits, so sweet
Which we have picked this morning for you
These cheeses, we make with our own hands

We give these gifts to show our gratitude

We are just poor peasant girls
But the little we have,
We gladly give unto you,
These gifts with all our hearts

These gifts with all our hearts

The Good Lady of Bestine tells us,
Your sacrifice will be repaid
The Good Lady of Bestine tells us,
This journey will be ours someday

She will guide you on your way

The Good Lady of Bestine

Will guide us up someday

Ana-Lena is not thinking of the humble Jedi monks right now. She is thinking of the gross injustices inflicted upon her by the Dark Lord chauffeur.

The speeder continues then turns again inside a large gated entrance. A statue of the Holy Lady of Bestine, with arms outstretched, looks out over all who stand before her. Two pera trees stand on either side of the revered figure. A vase of fresh Felucia lilies sits at her feet.

Anakin pulls up the drive to the entrance not far from the steps where nuns are greeting the non-resident day students as the shuttle drops them off.

"Isn't this wonderful? Door-to-door service. Do you need me to walk you inside, Sweet PJ? I can talk to the Mother Superior about the dress code…and the security in this place…I'm truly disappointed..."

The speeder has barely come to a stop. Ana-Lena lets herself out of the speeder before her father has a chance to get out and open the door for her.

"Never mind." She force-slams the rear left passenger door and is about to walk around the back of the vehicle. Her father senses her anger but pretends he has no idea what the problem is.

"What? No kiss 'goodbye' for your old man? You know what? I think I'll go inside after all. I haven't visited with the Mother Superior since parent-teachers day…"

Before her father can continue, Ana-Lena makes an about-face, hurries to the driver side door and leans in to give her father a quick peck on the cheek.

"Goodbye, Daddy."

The very thought of her father shadowing her on campus is horrifying. Ana-Lena starts to make her way in front of the speeder. She looks straight ahead, not turning to look at Lieutenant Karol Needa even though she wanted to. She imagines he must think her rude. The officer barely notices.

The beautiful campus, the trees, and the blooming winter roses amaze him. It is a sharp contrast to the cold steel and black synthetic granite interior of the space station. He does manage to get out of the speeder in time to bow and, tips his officer's cap to her.

"Good luck on your return to school, Miss Ana-Lena."

Ana-Lena continues to walk. Kris looks bemused by the young officer's politeness towards his sister. He thinks it is both a waste of time and just weird. Anakin has a few more fatherly words for his daughter.

"Enjoy your day back on campus. Oh, I've assigned a couple of troopers to stand guard outside the gate…just in case you get 'lost' again and wind up all the way in CoCo Town!"

Ana-Lena rolls her eyes.

"Gee, thanks, Dad."

"It's what I do as a father. You used to love this when you were four. What happened?"

"Humph!"

Kris giggles as he turns down his ear pod. The music is still blasting through the micro speakers.

"Ah-ha! He got you good!"

Anakin looks at his son from his rear view mirror.

"How would you like a whack on the bum with that air board? Huh? It can be arranged."

Kris is quiet and reflects on the idea of such punishment.

"I guess I wouldn't like it at all."

"Well then, there you go. You need to be more sensitive towards your sister. She's a long way from home."

Kris knows this is not true.

"Huh?" Kris checks his wrist and examines his watch. It is a yellow Jedi chronograph watch with both holo and aqua settings. It was a gift from Luke for Kris's 12th birthday. According to his calculations, this was a fifteen-minute trip if you are traveling the HyperDrive Autobahn.

Anakin has a few words of advice for his young son.

"...and turn down that music; I can hear it from the front seat."

Kris complies with his father's request.

"I hope your seatbelt is fastened. you never know when I'll need to make a sharp turn."

Anakin hears the click of the seatbelt. He glances in the rear view mirror. Kris sulks.

Ana-Lena starts up the steps pass the nuns when her father yells out to her.

"Second thought, I'll pick you up this afternoon. We could go into the next town for ice cream. Who knows when I'll see you again? Okay, Sweet Pea Junior?"

Ana-Lena used to enjoy these outings when her parents would visit the school or drop her off after a family holiday. Now it is just an embarrassment. She actually misses the special visits to the Twi'lek Licks Ice Cream Parlor with its retro Old Republic décor and 178 flavors….and she already misses her little brother...but she cannot let him know this.

Ana-Lena cringes when she hears him utter her nickname. She is hoping that no one hears this but a few girls walking nearby giggle. The girls follow her up the steps repeating the nickname, playfully taunting her. Ana-Lena is not in the mood for the early-morning ribbing.

"Not now, Soni."

The girls head towards the chapel after taking a curtsy in front of the statue. They are going to morning prayers before class. Anakin's daughter is thoroughly embarrassed by her father. The nuns smile and bow when they see Anakin's speeder. It is an honor to see their biggest benefactor make an appearance at their convent. Anakin nods and smiles. Kris leans his head forward between the two front seats.

"I…I want to go for ice cream this afternoon."

"You're grounded. Sit back and fasten your seat belt."

"Aw ma-aan! She always gets the perks!"

Anakin does not respond. He waits until Ana-Lena is inside the school building before he drives off and returns to the city.

Anakin is back on the Autobahn again heading back into Coruscant City. Once in the downtown area, he causes uproar. This time, it is Kris who is outraged.

"Hey, Dad! You passed my stop!"

"We're not going to the Jedi Academy."

"I can see that. Dad, Master Kyp is waiting for me. He doesn't like it when I'm late."

"He'll just have to wait a little longer. Gee, I can't believe someone made that knuckle head a master. Must have been a shortage in the Jedi brain trust at Jedi Temple mentor recruiting. Is that why they assigned you two masters, or is it because you're too much of a challenge? Kyp and Kyle…a couple of geniuses. I want to know what sort of Jedi education you're getting from that air-surfer board. "

A few of Kris' friends are waiting near the parking bay ramp of the Jedi Temple as the Skywalker speeder cruises pass them. Kris turns in his seat to watch his friends in the distance. Anakin notices the confused faces of a girl with two long flaxen-blond braids sticking out from under a blue and white earflap hat and two scruffy-looking boys. The images are both pathetic and comical to Anakin. Each child is holding onto an air-surfer board. One of the boys throws up his arms and appears to be saying, 'What the 'eff'?"

Kris watches them from the rear window of the speeder and shrugs.

Anakin mimics Kris' whining, 'Master Kyp doesn't like it when I'm late.' Looks like 'Master Kyp' is going to be disappointed in you as much as I am."

Kris has never spent much time at the former Imperial headquarters. The name was finally changed to 'The Intergalactic New Republic Armed Forces'. Many of the senior officers from the former Imperial division are not keen on the title change. They feel it weakens their influence on the few remaining Imperial strongholds across the galaxy. They say the public will not fear them.

Kris finds the headquarters boring. However, today, according to his father, 'This is your lucky day!"

Anakin parks his vehicle in his executive parking spot not far from the landing bay. A trooper meets them and opens the driver side door. Anakin emerges. He straightens his new cashmere coat but leaves it unbuttoned. The soft black fabric flows behind him as he walks. An officer approaches him with some pressing information. It is Commander Daine Jir.

"Good morning, My Lord." The commander stares at Lieutenant Needa. He wonders why the young officer is with the Dark Lord. Commander Daine Jir reads Needa's nameplate on his uniform. He recognizes the resemblance to young Needa's uncle Lorth Needa. Daine Jir is curious how this officer has gained favor with Anakin Skywalker after Lorth Needa's public tactical blunders years before.

Anakin continues walking as Daine Jir is about to brief him on the days' activities.

"Good morning, Commander. Arrange to have my speeder waxed immediately."

"Yes, my Lord." The officer points to two low-ranking officers and gestures for them to take care of the matter immediately. He speaks to Anakin again trailing him. Anakin finds the commander annoying but efficient and loyal. Today, however, the veteran officer seems distracted by the presence of young Lieutenant Needa.

"And what about the meeting, my Lord? The Admirals have been waiting for over an hour, sir." Daine Jir continues to size up the young officer. His look is one of contempt. He barely pays attention as Anakin speaks.

"Cancel the meeting. Something more pressing has come up."

"They were quite adamant, My Lord. They would rather …"

"Did I mumble or something? Cancel the meeting."

"Yes, my Lord. Anything else, my lord?"

"No. You may go."

Anakin continues to walk ahead. Karol Needa picks up his pace to keep up with Anakin. Kris grabs his rucksack and tucks his air-surfer board under his arm. Anakin does not turn around but continues to speak. He sounds annoyed.

"Why am I still seeing that air-surfer board? You're not going to need that board where we're going."

They arrive in the lobby. The infamous Vader March plays quietly over the P.A. system. All of the officers and guards on duty stand at attention and salute. Kris watches with amazement. A sly smile creeps across his face.

"Sweet! You know, I have a new appreciation for what you do, Dad…whatever that is."

His father does not respond.

Kris follows his father and Karol Needa into a waiting elevator. They get out at the Executive suite and start down the hall. Admirals Motti, Tagge, and several other senior officers stand at attention as Anakin passes. They are stunned to see Needa with the Dark Lord. Kris hears their thoughts. The officers are speaking in hushed whispers then stop abruptly upon the Dark Lord's arrival. One of the officers turns and looks down at Kris. Kris squints suspiciously at Admiral Tagge then slowly catches up with his father and Lieutenant Needa. Kris senses a measure of hostility from the men. Anakin slams the outer door, leaving Motti and the other officers locked in the hallway waiting area.

Anakin, Needa, and Kris enter the reception area. The last time that Kris was in the office, there was a different decor. The Sullustan cherry wood paneling is now Kashyyyk Teak. The furniture in the reception waiting area is navy suede with stainless floor lamps.

Miss DiPesto looks up from her data screen as they enter the office suite. Her toothy smile turns on like a light.

"Good morning, Mr. Skywalker." She sees the lieutenant and looks at his badge. "Oh my! Another officer Needa." She sees Kris. "Goodness, gracious me! The new hires are getting younger everyday! Are you here to work with your daddy?"

Anakin interrupts. He is not in the mood for idle chitchat.

"Good morning, Miss DiPesto. The officer and I will be in a meeting. The boy…" He turns and points to Kris. "Sit and don't move from that chair until I'm ready for you." He turns to Miss DiPesto again. "He's grounded. Don't speak to him."

Kris whines.

"Dad!"

"Do you want me to make it two weeks?"

Kris pouts.

"I didn't know how long it was the first time."

"Don't get cheeky with me. You feel I'm treating you unfairly?"

Kris is about to answer him.

"Well…"

"Don't make me alter your punishment." He sees the air-surfer board. "And I told you to leave that board in the speeder."

"No you didn't."

"Don't look at me. Have a seat."

Kris and Miss DiPesto sit at the same time.

"Not you, Miss DiPesto!"

"Oh!"

She does not know whether to sit or stand. Anakin sighs and shakes his head. He decides not to complicate things anymore and continues into his office. He force-slams his door once he and Needa are inside.

Miss DiPesto resumes her work. She periodically glances across the room at Kris who sits quietly tapping on his air-surfer board. He is listening to his ear pod. He senses that she is watching him. Kris abruptly stops tapping on the board. He shifts his body at least five times in the chair.

Half an hour passes. Miss DiPesto turns in her chair and looks at the closed door to Anakin's office. She slowly slides out of her chair and takes a crystal dish with a lid from her desk. A burgundy grosgrain ribbon holds it closed. She scurries across the room. Kris stares wide-eyed at the woman, scared that his father may pop out at any moment. She removes the ribbon and immediately the variety of fruit flavors fills his olfactory senses. She whispers.

"Paonga Delights. Do you like them?"

Kris licks his bottom lip then nods an emphatic 'Yes.' Unlike the ones in the traditional teal box with the burgundy-colored ribbon, these are individually wrapped in teal-colored waxed tissue. He leans in close and selects the apricot-flavoured one. Miss DiPesto smiles and urges him to indulge.

"If you like the apricot, you'll love the blossom wine, and the pera. Go ahead."

"Blossom Wine? I'm too young to drink."

Miss DiPesto giggles.

"It's not really wine, silly. It won't make you drunk! You'll be fine."

"Oh."

Kris cautiously looks towards the closed door of his father's office before he takes one of each delicate, chewy confection.

"You know, your Dad's not as harsh as you think. He's not going to punish you.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." She takes an apricot paonga sweet for herself then glances behind her and looks at Anakin's door. It is still closed. She continues to whisper. "I know I've been forbidden to talk to you but this is actually fun." She giggles softly then hurries back to her desk.

Kris removes the wrapper from the paonga delight and pops it into his mouth. Something prompts him to leave his seat. He tiptoes across the room to the closed door and places his ear against it. He giggles and places his hand over his mouth then tiptoes back to his seat. His down vest makes a swooshing sound as he plops back into the chair. Miss DiPesto is intrigued. She whispers from her desk.

"What's so funny?"

"They've got company."

"Company? From where?"

Inside Anakin's office. Karol Needa sits in one of the guest chairs facing Anakin. They do have 'company.'

'I do hope this poor kid is being properly compensated.'

Anakin tries to ignore the uninvited guest. He focuses on the matter at hand.

"Okay, officer, who do we have so far?"

"In the first race, I believe it is Huttese Transport for 600 credits to win…Dathomir Witch 500 second...Tipoca Under-Toe…"

Anakin is snapping his finger impatiently as the poor officer examines the handicap sheet.

"How much? Come on! Keep up!"

Karol Needa quickly gives his answer.

"…7600 credits to win, My Lord. It is a longshot, sir, but that's the cash payout. If she shows, the payout is 300 credits."

"Okay…the nags running in the second race didn't even show in the last time. I'm taking them off my racing ticket."

"If you don't mind a suggestion, sir, I would keep these fillys on the card."

"You sense this?"

"No, my lord, it's a statistical calculation. The odds are that these horses will show or win in the second race."

"What are the odds? Punch out the numbers on that number machine thingy."

"You mean the calculator, Sir?"

"Yes, the calculator. Come on! Hurry up!"

"The chance of a trifecta box is 89.999 percent, my lord. I would pick Tipoca Under-Toe. Tatooine Ghost is a good pick, sir."

"And the 10 percent chance that they don't? You know what will happen if you fail me, don't you, Lieutenant?"

"I am ready to die, sir."

"Needa, you're starting to freak me out, and I'm a little insulted that you think I would be so quick to dispose of you."

"So, I won't be punished, My Lord?"

"You've been on that space station, that's a lifetime of punishment. Anyway, I know who sent you yesterday. It's not your fault. I will deal with the responsible parties in due time. Okay, now, where were we?"

The visitor interrupts the 'meeting'.

'Awh, come on…gambling, Ani? Sheesh!'

"What? He said he was good in math. I want to make good use of him."

Qui-Gon sits in the chair next to the one where Karol Needa is sitting.

'Handicapping horses, Ani?'

"I don't hear anyone asking 'Poindexter' here to draw up any tactical plans for our troops."

'How quickly you forget. Remember? He got an award for it at graduation. Anyway, shouldn't you be putting him to good use drawing up the tactical plans?'

"Okay! Point taken!"'

"Are you speaking to me, Sir?" The lieutenant turns in his seat to look for whomever the Dark Lord is speaking.

"No."

Karol Needa is presently confused.

The red light flashes on the intercom. Anakin sighs then contemplates if he wants to pick it up. He presses the release button.

"What is it, Miss DiPesto?"

"Uhm…Admiral Demetrius Zaarin is here to see you, sir."

"Who? What does he want?"

Anakin sound annoyed. He does not want to be bothered with this. He knows full well who it is. He smiles and winks. Lieutenant Needa thinks that Anakin is looking at him. Anakin is actually looking at Qui-Gon. Miss DiPesto continues speaking over the COM.

"He has an appointment with you, sir. The other officers left. He says he will meet with you alone. What shall I do, sir?"

"Really? Is it on my calendar?"

"Yes, sir."

"Oh…Tell him to speak to my son." Anakin laughs at his own joke as he leans back in his black executive chair. Agnes obviously does not understand.

"Sir?"

Anakin senses something and suddenly stops talking.

"Miss DiPesto? Take me off the speaker please."

"Oh! Sorry, sir." She presses the button again. Anakin speaks.

"Can he hear me now?"

"Uh…yes, sir."

"Miss DiPesto!"

Qui-Gon slaps his knee and laughs. Karol Needa is confused.

Miss DiPesto presses the button once more.

"Okay, sir. Go ahead."

"Can he hear me now?"

"No, sir."

"Good. Finally!"

"So, do you still want him to speak to your son?"

Anakin is exasperated with his executive secretary. Her predecessor, Gladys would have caught on immediately. He remembers that he must be patient. He does not remember that he must remain calm.

"I was kidding about that! Give me a minute."

Anakin hangs up. Miss DiPesto puts down the receiver then looks up at the Admiral Zaarin and smiles. He does not smile back. Zaarin is not happy about waiting. He remains standing. There is suddenly an annoying tapping noise. Zaarin turns to discover Kris sitting in the reception waiting area tapping on his air-surfer board. Their eyes meet. Kris looks up and smiles. The officer glares back at him with contempt. Children have no place at military headquarters, especially a child of a former Jedi and Sith. Kris senses the hostility. His innocent smile disappears and he scowls at the Admiral.

Meanwhile, behind closed doors, Anakin has to decide how to handle this matter. He does not want to see the admiral but he knows the man is persistent and will keep calling for an appointment. He swivels slowly in his chair with his hands folded in his lap.

"I really don't have time for this nonsense. He thinks he can push his weight around. What a blow hard…who does he think he is? He didn't even earn half the medals he's got on that bad-fitting uniform. I never signed off on any of them; wrinkled old blockheaded has-been."

Karol Needa hesitates before speaking.

"Are you speaking to me, Sir?"

"Yes, aren't you paying attention? Who else would I be speaking to?"

The poor officer is confused but tries hard to keep up with the Dark Lord.

"Uh…Yes, my Lord."

"Ponderous! That's what this is. I really hate dealing with him." Anakin sighs then prepares to step away from his desk. "We've got to do something about 'Captain Crunch' out there before he makes any trouble. He thinks I don't know what he's up to but he is in for a surprise. I've got a mind to…" Anakin clenches his fist.

Karol manages to hold in a laugh when he hears this. He cannot believe that he is in the executive office commiserating with the Commander-In-Chief of the New Republic Forces. No one ever told him that the Dark Lord had a great sense of humor and no one got hurt in the process! Amazing!

Anakin gives the young lieutenant some wise advice.

"Lieutenant, none of this information leaves this room. We never had this conversation."

Karol is stops laughing. He clears his throat and listens carefully to the Dark Lord. He wishes he could share this moment with his fellow officers but he knows it would turn out badly for him and anyone else who knew.

Anakin thinks of something and begins writing on a notepad. He speaks without looking across the desk at the young and nervous officer.

"Officer Needa, you're allowed to laugh. I do have a sense of humor. I'm not all 'doom and gloom', or whatever the other officers say about me. I like you. Most of the officers I deal with are idiots." He looks at the door, alluding to Admiral Zaarin.

"Yes, my lord."

"Now, that information does not leave this office. I still have a reputation to uphold." He looks across his desk and winks."

Trouble is brewing, however, in the reception area.

Admiral Zaarin stands at attention in the middle of the office. He is anticipating the appearance of Commander-in-Chief Skywalker and refuses to sit in the waiting area. Miss DiPesto has offered him a seat in one of the upholstered leather chairs. Visibly irritated, he steps forward and leans over Miss DiPesto's desk. Zaarin speaks to her in his booming voice. He has an imposing physique and a large square face that appears to grow larger as he speaks. It looks as if it will explode any minute.

"Would you please remind his 'Lordship' that this is the fifth time I have come to speak with him? Each time I am left waiting out here only to discover that he has left the office. How many times must I reschedule before I actually get to see him? Do you understand?"

This is the first time the typically cheerful Miss DiPesto fails to smile. Zaarin uses his imposing presence and overly embellished uniform in an effort to intimidate her. The medals on the uniform jingle like ornaments hanging from a Befana-Eve celebration tree whenever Zaarin moves. His beefy fist bears down on the crystal candy dish that she has just filled with paonga. The crystal dish crumbles into small fragments. Pieces of the expensive confections spill across the desk and fall onto the floor. Agnes DiPesto lets out a gasp. The expression on her face is heartbreaking. She nods quietly.

"Yes, sir."

Zaarin points his finger in her face. Kris is about to stand and defend her but Agnes quickly shakes her head 'No.' The Admiral continues to yell at her.

"Now, I want you get on that COM or walk into that office and tell him I am still here. What do you do all day? Well? I will not be kept waiting."

At this very moment the red light on her desk console flashes. Miss DiPesto fumbles the handset and then nervously presses the button on the console.

"Yes, Mr. Skywalker?...Yes…Yes…Yes, sir." She hangs up and tries to collect herself before she looks up and speaks to the admiral. She is obviously trying to recite verbatim what her boss has told her.

"Admiral, sir…Mr. Skywalker says you should have a seat. He doesn't want you having a heart attack."

She almost hyperventilates as she speaks these words. She is especially shaken now. Kris can tell that she is about to cry.

Just then, the door to Anakin's office swings open. Anakin is speaking to Lieutenant Needa.

"Lieutenant, I am entrusting you to take care of this one thing for me."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Kris, go with Lieutenant Needa."

"What?"

"Go."

"But, Dad…"

Anakin sternly points to the door.

"Must I repeat myself?"

"But I need to tell you something…"

Anakin continues pointing towards the reception office door. Kris reluctantly obeys his father and follows the lieutenant. He turns to take one last look at the admiral and clenches his small fist.

Anakin looks in the direction of Miss DiPesto's desk. He notices what used to be a crystal candy dish at the edge of the desk but does not comment on it. Instead, he summons the Admiral into his office.

"Admiral, Thank you for coming…you're a bit early."

"No, my Lord, you are late."

"Hmmm…That's a matter of opinion." As he ushers the Admiral inside, he pokes his head out of the closing door.

"Miss DiPesto, why don't you take a break? I'll arrange for someone to clean up this mess." His voice fades as the door closes. "Admiral, it's good to see you…come in."

"It's long overdue. We need to talk."

"Well, I'm here to listen. I know you have concerns."

"Some of the senior officers have been talking…"

"Please, go on."

Kris follows Lieutenant Needa down the winding hallway of the executive suite.

"Where are we going?"

"Your father gave me specific orders…"

Kris interrupts him.

"Oh, please! He's always giving orders…so how was your meeting?"

"All I can say is that your father has some unorthodox ways of problem-solving."

"But you can't argue with the results."

"That would be a great understatement."

Kris, who is a precocious self-assured youth for his 12 years, turns quickly into that a fretful child. His voice would break the coldest heart.

"Did you see what that officer did to Miss DiPesto's candy dish?"

"No, I'm sorry, I must have missed that."

"He broke it…on purpose. It made me so angry! That admiral is a big bully. If he is so brave, he should have gone into my dad's office instead of yelling at Miss DiPesto. I tried to tell my dad but he wouldn't listen. That admiral knew he was going to break that dish. It was a mean thing to do. She never hurt anybody. I hope my father fixes him good when I tell him what happened."

"I am sure that your father will take swift and judicious action."

"I could tell that dish meant a lot to her. She looked as if she was going to cry."

"There, there, Master Kris. Don't worry. You have a great gift of compassion. That's a good thing. It will take you far."

Kris nods in agreement. This young officer is nicer than the others he has met over the years. He wonders if this is why the officer was commissioned on that awful space station. It does not matter now.

Lieutenant Needa and Kris stand in the corridor waiting for the elevator. The doors open and they step inside. Kris looks up at the officer.

"So, where are we going?"

The office looks straight ahead.

"Down."