“Alright Rondara, go unpack your bags and make sure that Squip has enough to eat.” Jordar said as he unslung a heavy bag from his shoulder and watched as his now 10 year old daughter and her pet Mellanoid Slime Worm made their way into the house, and quickly as said Slime Worm began to try and eat the coffee table “Get him off of that before I throw him into the sea!” Jordar exclaimed as Rondara turned and rolled her eyes at her father, “You know they evolved from aquatic life right? That would probably make him happier…” Rather than get into another fight with his tween daughter Jordar let out a long breath and said, “Just make sure you two are settled in, I’m going to go find Karina.” Rondara took off her jacket and tossed it on the couch, “Good luck dad, she’s probably already moved on. So nice of you to you know, call her or send a single letter....” She said with trademark sass, from her age and her mixed heritage it would be a wonder if Jordar came out of her teen years alive.

She did though have a point.

It had been over a year, no contact, no more an explanation than “I need to focus on my daughter” and he picked up and left. Sure he had relinquished his post and needed to vacate the colony. No use for a former captain and lieutenant governor mucking up the works. He was never an easy man to work with, especially with diplomacy or anything requiring tact. He was a proud Zaldan! Politeness and courtesy were signs of insult, not signs of kindness. He always got along with the Tellarite delegations or businessmen rather well, as they were a species he could really understand and get behind. It had taken quite a lot for him to hold down his command, his status on the colony, but it was never a good fit.

Karina? She just ‘got’ him. She understood him, and he understood her, but he was getting too close so what did he do? He ran away.

Jordar pulled a small chip from his breast pocket and rolled it across his fingers as he walked back towards the shuttle craft the two had used for the move. The chip, was an ordinary isolinear chip in which was contained a few simple lines of text. “Computer, locate and transport this chip to Karina Enger” He said as he held his palm flat and the shuttle’s computer replied, “Acknowledged” as the chip swirled out of existence in a cloud of teal energy.

It would materialize wherever Karina was, a few inches away on a flat surface conveniently close by. It had no trappings, no wrappings, nothing special to draw her attention, but if she were to put in an a PaDD or console it would read out as follows:

“I think it’s time you were the one to throw me in the pool. Care for a swim?”

–Jordar–