Jarred was sitting at his desk when a comm call interrupted the semi-silence of the engineering chief’s office. He usually had music playing in the background which created a weird staccato effect as the triple chime of the call stopped the music briefly between rings.

“Commander Alindor. This is Sheila Clayman, Lizzie’s teacher,” she said in the bright and perky tone. “I was wondering if you had a minute.” The tone was chipper but like any call from a teacher it only had one expected response which was, of course, I am free.

Ms. Clayman