With her backpack hanging from her shoulder by a single strap, Molly leaned against the tactical console with boredom in her face. She knew the procedure. In fact, she knew it well. And watching Cal punching his codes on his command console, was not the most entertaining activity.

They were the last out. Well, Calvin was the last out. Molly was only waiting for him. They had planned for this after her short leave with her uncle a few months prior – that the next time they were planetside, they would take the time to meet each other’s families. However, fate had dictated that such opportunity came after one of their most complicated missions and after a disagreement they had not yet gotten back from. In fact, this was the first time in months, Molly had allowed herself to be alone with Harris, and so far, she hadn’t uttered a single word.

As he lifted his head from his work, Molly’s light brown gaze met Cal’s blue eyes, and she knew he was finally done. Turning, she headed out of the Bridge and towards the corridors that would eventually take them out of the Dresden and into Starbase 1. Molly didn’t have to look back to know Cal was following.

That’s when she spotted the enlisted men lining up outside, neatly on the two sides of the Dresden’s main hatch. Molly rolled her eyes and hurried her pace. She knew what was coming and she didn’t want to be a part of it.

Stepping outside of the ship she had called home for the past three years, Molly walked through the lines of enlisted men and hurried down the access tube that would take them into the main Starbase. The sideboys saluting her as she passed. Reluctantly she returned their salute. An annoyed expression on her features. When she was past them, she leaned against the wall of the corridor and waited for Cal to join her.

Molly