Shannon types a few final keystrokes into her datapad before pressing play on her code. She previews it, before playing through each mission level, and glitch testing it. I know I need to hide my witch-like coding skills, but I'm bored, and if I do this right, I can submit a game with great graphics, and Admiral Hemphill won't know that I've done some datapad hacks, she thinks. She types up a message for Admiral Hemphill.

Hello, Admiral Hemphill,

Is this good enough for the last assignment? I mean, the soundtrack isn't amazing, but all the things you wanted are there, plus some extra. Also, I kinda had to do some minor modding to the game engine you gave us, to make some things work. It does have a VR mode, but I can't promise it will be perfect. I tried to not exploit any hardware glitches, so it would work on all hardware, without any custom device specific modding required.

Sincerely, Shannon Foraker

She sends it to Sonja, through the e-learning platform, and gets back to answering letters. Then, Sonja's reply comes in.

Dear Shannon Foraker,

Good job! Those are the best graphics I've seen out of you guys taking my classes, you know. You weren't even supposed to do sound, because it, as you probably figured out, takes a lot of modding to make it work. I did it when playing around with the engine, but didn't think you guys, even you, would have the tech skills to make the code needed to get 3d graphics, in a 2d engine like this one. Thanks for not exploiting glitches. I'm impressed at your game engine modding. I was honestly expecting 2D graphics like Pacman (it's an old pre-diaspora game), out of everyone, even you. I'm sending you the hardest coding texts I can, so you have something to do. I've also been banned by Honor from dumping the contact person job on someone else :(. I tested the VR mode, and it's good :).

Great job,

Admiral Hemphill

Dear Shannon,

Hello from Elvana. It's your Cousin Orla here. I'm writing this during a short break between meeting with kids during Fleet Week. It's gorgeous here on Elvana. I really like Warspite, so far. The crew has all been together for quite a while, and they've got a good record in the Fleet Games. I've been wearing a tiara a lot that I'd think you'd like, if you ever came back to the SDF someday, because it's smooth on top, so it doesn't catch on things. It's silver-colored, with some emeralds in it. How are you doing? There's a joking rumor going around that you've been replaced by a clone. I've tried to crack down on it, but it's not completely working. Thanks for the congratulations on my promotion. Also, Duchess Harrington has arrived in Haven a while back, and is working on negotiating a peace treaty (instead of raiding the system, which she's gotta have enough forces to do), as a piece of good news for you. The kids at many schools in the Republic are organizing food drives to send food to you guys (instead of sending it to the homeless shelters or food pantries), in case the Manties aren't feeding you enough, and are making you claim that you're fine. As some more news, the Sollies had started causing problems for the Manties starting in October last year, and are keeping it up, despite Sollie hardware being below even our hardware, in terms of missile broadside capacity and range.

Take care,

Cousin Orla

Shannon writes a reply.

Dear Cousin Orla,

Thanks for the letter and news. Where did the "Shannon's been replaced by a clone" rumor start, and why did such a thing happen? I haven't been replaced by a clone, don't worry. I don't like such rumors, and I appreciate you taking the initiative to crack down on it, and if I ever get out, will recommend you for dealing with it without official orders. You can drop my name to add legitimacy to the rumor crackdown, if you need to. I trust that you'll do a good job. How has Fleet Week been going? I've been doing well, given everything. I signed up for a coding class a while back (it's pretty easy, although that was the hardest class they'd let me test into), and just made a game, as my most recent assignment. How has the political situation been looking lately, with Her Grace's arrival? Me and the rest of the officers here are getting plenty to eat, though IDK anything about everyone else.

Thanks,

Shannon

P.S. Crack down on any ships being named after me, if there are any. Thanks.

Notes: Next chapter's the first GA chapter! The tiara Orla's describing is based on the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara. The next chapter will be when Shannon finds out about the GA, though I'm having a hard time with it.