Solara sat quietly in her office, filling out reports.

  A gentle breeze passed by the open window beside her desk.

  The door to the office slowly began to creep open.

  Mynxi poked her head inside. "Knock, knock, Auntie. It's me."

  Solara set her pen down and looked up with a small smile. "Who else would it be silly?"

  Mynxi ran in and climbed onto the chair in front of Solara's desk, standing on it and leaning across the table.

  "So are you coming today, Auntie? Don't forget you promised to help me."

  "Of course I didn't forget," Solara replied. "I'm not your silly dad. So who are we shopping for?"

  Mynxi looked around the office before pulling a small folded piece of paper from her Revolutionary Army jacket.

  She covered it with both hands and passed it across the desk.

  Solara opened it.

  She looked surprised.

  "Wow. She's very lucky to get you, isn't she? So what are we thinking then?"

  A knock sounded on the door.

  "Who is it?" Solara asked.

  "Who else would it be?" Caelan said as he walked in.

  Mynxi quickly put a finger over her mouth toward Solara. "Shhh."

  Solara calmly folded the paper and handed it back to Mynxi.

  Caelan suddenly appeared behind Mynxi in a flash and began tickling her side.

  "So who is it? You're not going to tell your dad?"

  Mynxi giggled. "No, it's a surprise, Dad."

  "Alright, you two," Solara said while standing up. "Let's head out. I missed breakfast, so lunch is on Auntie today."

  "Thank you, Auntie Solara!" Caelan and Mynxi said in perfect unison.

  Solara gently bopped Caelan on the head.

  "Not you. Now let's go."

  Mynxi launched herself off the chair and landed on Solara's shoulders.

  She leaned forward with a big smile. "Can I ride you today, Auntie?"

  Solara smiled back. "Why's that, Mynxi, my littlest angel?"

  Behind them, Caelan muttered quietly. "Please don't."

  "Because you're taller than Dad. I can see more," Mynxi said brightly.

  Caelan melted to the ground.

  "Alright, super duper specialist Mynxi," Solara said while walking toward the door. "Where are we off to first?"

  Mynxi pointed forward dramatically.

  "WEAPON SHOP!"

  Solara continued down the hallway. "Are you sure? I don't think she would need anything from there, you silly duck."

  Mynxi laughed. "No, it's something else, silly."

  Caelan followed behind them. "Well, can we stop past the tea shop on the way by?"

  Solara raised an eyebrow playfully. "What are you getting from there, then, Cael? Anything special, I wonder?"

  Caelan looked up at the ceiling. "Please give me a little more credit than that, Sol."

  They walked through the common room toward the front door.

  Solara noticed Katie curled up under her usual pillow fort.

  "Specialist, I hope you've done your shopping," Solara said.

  Katie answered half asleep. "I'm just having a quick nap on it. I'll deal with it later, I promise, Lieutenant."

  "Uh-huh," Solara replied.

  Caelan leaned over the front desk. "Joss, lad, you needing anything from the shops— wait, what the hell is—"

  Joss held up a newspaper.

  "What the hell is she doing!" Caelan shouted.

  Solara rolled her eyes. "What now?"

  "Sarah. God damn Sarah, man. She put the front page 'Revolutionary Day special edition' with the god damn date on it. How the hell did she even find out?"

  Solara looked confused. "Well, don't you think everyone would have figured it out by… I don't know… the other dozen mini yous out there?"

  Caelan paused to think.

  "Good point."

  Joss spoke again. "Caelan, do me a favour and grab my lunch for me."

  "Mate, you know you can get better than Whaa Whaa's if you want. Honestly, my treat," Caelan replied.

  Joss waved him off. "All the emerald tier stuff is too much for me. Prefer the normal stuff."

  Caelan shrugged. "Cool. Alright, little one, you ready to head out?"

  "Woooh!" Mynxi shouted excitedly.

  Solara glanced up over her shoulder. "Did you remember your money, Mynxi?"

  Mynxi patted her pockets.

  "Fudge!"

  "Watch it, young lady," Solara said. "I'll let it off this time."

  Mynxi jumped off Solara's shoulders and ran upstairs.

  Solara watched her go. "She gets that from you."

  Caelan sighed.

  "Oh, I know.

  Solara and Mynxi waited outside the tea shop.

  Mynxi swayed side to side while humming to herself as people moved along the busy street around them.

  The door burst open.

  Caelan walked out loudly. "Who the hell set those prices, man? Jesus, lieutenant, I want a god damn pay rise if you're paying that."

  Solara answered proudly, "I get the same as you get, Captain. Not my fault you waste everything you get."

  "Dad, if you want money, I've got super loads of it," Mynxi offered.

  "No, don't you dare," Solara said immediately.

  Caelan looked half offended. "No. No, thank you, little one, but Dad has plenty of money."

  "Good," Solara added. "Because I've got all her money under lock and key."

  She started walking down the street.

  Behind her, Caelan deflated and mumbled, "Got me under bloody lock and key as well."

  They walked around the plaza.

  Linda pushed a cart filled with flowers, offering them to passing people.

  Mynxi spotted her first and began waving both hands wildly.

  "Hi, Linda!"

  Linda smiled and waved calmly back.

  Solara walked up beside the cart. "Hi Linda. How is it going today? Found anything nice recently?"

  Linda smiled. "Oh, don't you worry, Lieutenant. You would be the first to know."

  Solara pointed frankly at Caelan. "Don't let him cut you cheap. Honestly, the best thing he has done in years was pay you to keep the inn loaded with flowers to match the weather."

  Linda shook her head. "No, no, the captain would never. He's always been a generous man, I assure you."

  "Are you coming for dinner tomorrow, Linda?" Mynxi asked. "Dad, can she come?"

  Caelan smiled. "Of course, Linda can come if she wants to. She knows she can."

  Linda nodded politely. "That would be wonderful, thank you, Mynxi. Are you away, present shopping?"

  Mynxi nodded eagerly. "Auntie, we need to be quick. I want to go to the market after."

  Solara smiled shyly. "Well, we'd better get a move on. We'll be up and down this city if you have your way. Say bye-bye to Linda."

  Mynxi waved again as she and Solara began walking away.

  Caelan moved to follow.

  "Sorry, one moment, captain," Linda said quietly.

  Caelan stopped.

  Solara and Mynxi continued ahead down the street.

  Linda held her hand out.

  "I prefer my gifts in cash."

  Caelan sighed in defeat. "Of course you do."

  He reached into his pocket and handed her a small pouch.

  As he turned to leave, he muttered, "You women will bleed me dry, I tell you."

  Then he called back over his shoulder.

  "Oh, stop past Whaa Whaa's. Got a package for Renn. And no, I'm not calling him his dumb nickname."

  Linda nodded.

  Under her breath, she said, "Happy Revolutionary Day."

  She suddenly looked up.

  "OH WAIT I FORGOT KEIRA'S DELIVERY!"

  Caelan was already too far away to hear.

  Linda looked down at her cart.

  "Yep. He's going to flip his lid."

  She grabbed the handles and began pushing the cart down the street."

  A short while later, Caelan, Solara, and Mynxi walked into Waller Forge.

  "Happenin, Eyrk bud," Caelan called out loudly.

  Mynxi ran in with her knives already drawn.

  "Don't run with those. What have I told you, little lady?" Solara said.

  A small explosion sounded from the back room.

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  Eyrk came walking out, dragging Takeshi by the back of his jacket.

  "I TOLD YOU IT WAS TOO HOT! When will you listen? Go to the market and get parts to fix that, I swear, Takeshi!"

  Takeshi went running past them.

  "Sorry, everyone! Life or death situation! I'll be back!"

  Eyrk noticed Mynxi behind the counter and leaned forward with an intense smile.

  "Well, if it isn't my favourite customer. What are we in for today?"

  Mynxi held both knives up proudly.

  "Super duper sharp, please!"

  Caelan lifted Mynxi up onto the counter.

  "So, has the boss been up to much?"

  Eyrk sighed slightly. "Well, not everything has been all bad, but well..."

  A crash sounded above them, and a spear tip burst through the ceiling.

  Solara took a slow breath.

  "Who is it?"

  "Jett, Artimage, and Lyra," Eyrk answered quickly.

  Solara cracked her neck and shook out her hands as she began walking toward the stairs.

  Caelan half-smiled. "Of course, we will cover any damages."

  Eyrk shrugged. "You two own the place. I only work here."

  "Oh, please, you know you can do whatever you want," Caelan replied.

  Three heavy thuds sounded upstairs.

  A moment later, the sound of boots slowly walking down the stairs followed.

  You could have heard a pin drop in the store.

  Lyra, Artimage, and Jett walked down with their heads held low.

  Solara stepped in front of them and walked them to the counter.

  "Now what do you three have to say to Mr. Waller?"

  All three spoke together.

  "We are sorry we couldn't conduct ourselves correctly."

  Solara smiled proudly. "That's better."

  Eyrk leaned quietly toward Caelan.

  "Does she train them to do that or something?"

  "Honestly, no idea, bud," Caelan replied. "I like to think it's the universe's fucked up system or something."

  "You know I can hear you," Solara said. "Wait... Jett, what are you doing here?"

  Lyra spoke loudly. "See, that's what I said. I mean, Bella — why would she want a weapon? She can kick a hole in a mountain."

  Solara stared deeply at Lyra.

  "Don't you start, lance corporal. I'm still very disappointed in you for not handling that."

  Lyra pouted. "Yes, ma'am."

  Solara turned back to Jett, shaking her head in disbelief.

  "Bella? She's going to— actually no. It's better if you find out on your own."

  She turned to Artimage, who was smiling intensely.

  "So. The spear?"

  "Well, I was demonstrating—"

  Caelan leaned over the counter, waving his hand across his neck.

  "No, no, Artimage bud."

  Artimage nodded quickly.

  "I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I got carried away. I will, in the future, endeavour to become a great image of the standards required of me."

  He bowed.

  "Stop bowing, will you?" Solara said. "And why are you here?"

  Artimage peeked up, grinning.

  "Well, Lumi uses a needle, so I thought what about a really big needle so—"

  "So spear. I get it," Solara said. "Actually, not too opposed to it. Lyra spills."

  Lyra answered quietly.

  "Aidan."

  Down the counter, Caelan stared into space while Mynxi watched Eyrk sharpening her knives.

  "Revolver. Two revolvers," Caelan suddenly said.

  Solara looked over at him. "And since when?"

  Caelan smiled, watching Mynxi sharpen her knife.

  "Got a plan. It might work, might not. We'll see."

  Solara shrugged before looking back to Jett.

  "Just get her socks. You can't possibly—"

  "Well, actually," Caelan interrupted.

  Solara cut him off immediately.

  "I know, I know. The moment it left my mouth. BASIC SOCKS. Ask Lumi. Done. Do you get me, specialist?"

  Jett nodded suspiciously. "Socks, I can do socks."

  Solara snapped her fingers toward Lyra.

  "Get Aidan's present and babysit him for me. I'm not waking up to Bella beating someone again."

  Mynxi suddenly came running from the back room and leapt onto the counter, holding her two shining knives.

  "All done!"

  She flicked her wrists, and the knives vanished.

  Eyrk handed her a small wrapped item.

  "And here is your special order, Mynxi."

  "Shhh!" Mynxi said loudly. "You silly man, you almost fudged it!"

  Solara sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure what's worse at this stage."

  "Hey, respect the girl, she's following the rules," Caelan said.

  "But the intent—"

  "NO!" Mynxi shouted. "It's my present I need to pay for! It's from me, silly, take the money!"

  She pushed a bag of scrap bars into Eyrk's chest.

  "Well, thank you, Mynxi," Eyrk said. "You've been a wonderful customer."

  He glanced toward Caelan.

  "So who wins the arguments?"

  "Pfft, do you think it even gets that far before she wins? She's boss around here," Caelan replied.

  Behind them, Jett lifted an almost cannon-sized gun off the ground and began swaying with it.

  Everyone ducked.

  Caelan smiled brightly before sprinting forward and dive kicking Jett.

  Jett dropped the cannon as he crashed into the wall.

  "Sorry! Forgot not a toy!" Jett shouted.

  He slid down out of the wall.

  Lyra grabbed Caelan's sleeve dramatically.

  "Please teach me your ways, oh wise captain. How I wish to punish such idiotic behaviour as you from that monster in human form."

  Eyrk rubbed his eyes.

  Caelan just smiled.

  "I'll let Mr. Pael know, bud."

  A little while later, Caelan and Solara walked down the street with Mynxi holding both their hands, swinging herself up and down between them.

  They passed along the south side of the plaza.

  "So where next? Whaa Whaa's or Lumi's?" Solara asked.

  "Well, it's up to— oh god," Caelan said.

  Mynxi lit up and started to shout, "Hi sa—"

  Caelan quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

  "Definitely Lumi's. Come on."

  Solara stopped walking and looked at him. "You're not still hiding from her, are you?"

  Caelan pulled a face. "She's a monster, I promise you. Evil little mastermind."

  Solara half laughed. "You just hate that she mapped out what you do and when you do it like a schedule. Honestly, I still have it framed in my office."

  Caelan deflated. "Fine."

  He removed his hand from Mynxi's mouth.

  Mynxi instantly sprinted forward and jumped into Sarah's arms.

  "Hi, Sarah! Where are you going today?"

  Sarah laughed. "Well, I've been looking for your dad all day. Where is the silly man?"

  Caelan stood there dryly. "Ha. Ha."

  Sarah smiled and looked toward Solara. "Good afternoon, Lieutenant. Nice to see you out and about. When I couldn't find him, I knew someone had to be keeping him in check."

  She looked back at Caelan. "What is it now, Caelan? About now, you would be waking up from your mid-day nap, wouldn't you?"

  Solara smiled slightly. "I've put a stop to those. Thank you for the intel."

  Caelan yawned halfway before forcing it shut.

  "You don't know me. Thanks to you, I needed to swap up my whole perfectly little life, you gremlin. And FYI, naps are healthy for you."

  Sarah grinned. "And I take it you've seen today's issue. Took me about six hours but nailed it for today's window."

  Caelan leaned toward Solara and whispered quietly. "Can I invite Sarah?"

  Solara nodded. "You may."

  Caelan straightened up. "Tough luck, kid. Couldn't swing it."

  Mynxi kicked him in the shin. "Dad, play nice."

  Caelan hopped slightly before forcing a smile.

  "Sarah, would you please join us for dinner tomorrow at Whaa Whaa's? Midday surprise after dark and all that."

  "Oh, the fireworks," Sarah replied.

  Caelan's eyes widened. "Who the hell told you that— actually, no, I don't care. Right, let's get going. We need to check in on the south gate."

  Sarah began walking away.

  "Tell Lumi I said hi."

  "Bye, Sarah! Miss you lots!" Mynxi shouted.

  "Miss you too," Sarah called back. "Watch your old dad for me, buddy."

  Solara glanced at Caelan. "Honestly, I don't see why she annoys you."

  Caelan walked along with his hands in his pockets.

  "You know what she's doing. Ahhh, total gremlin."

  Mynxi grabbed Solara's hand again as they disappeared into the moving crowd.

  A few minutes later, they squeezed into Lumi's store.

  The place was packed corner to corner with people looking at everything on the walls.

  Veyra stood behind the counter shouting, "Right! You don't touch that unless you can afford it! You keep your hands off, you need custom that won't fight! LUMI, where's the order!"

  Lumi came stumbling out of the back room with a pile of bags.

  She began throwing them at the nearest people.

  "Wear a top under that one! Bring a jumper or buy one! Ten kilos for one, fifty kilos for three! Oh, hey guys, when did you get here?"

  Veyra stepped onto the counter.

  "LUNCH TIME! GET OUT, OR I'LL THROW YOU OUT!"

  The crowd slowly shuffled toward the door, silent and slightly terrified.

  "Please come back anytime," Lumi said calmly.

  The room cleared.

  Milo walked out of one of the dressing rooms wearing a flowery shirt with a built?in cape.

  Everyone stopped and stared at him.

  The shop went quiet.

  Lumi began to snicker.

  Then the entire room burst out laughing.

  Milo groaned. "I knew you couldn't be serious."

  Lumi suddenly went still and serious.

  "I'm deadly serious. The issue isn't the shirt. It's the sorry piece of garbage wearing it."

  Solara shook her head. "Jesus. I remember before you met Keira. Honestly, never expected this."

  "Rich coming from you," Lumi shot back. "I'll take ten of my usual and suspenders, really, lieutenant?"

  Veyra covered Lumi's mouth.

  "Sorry. She's in fashion diva mode. She gets like this when it's busy."

  Milo leaned on the counter. "Well, what do you expect when you promise a party and fireworks?"

  Caelan blinked. "Wait, how the shit—"

  Lumi suddenly froze.

  "Ahhh, that's it."

  Caelan slowly turned to look at her.

  "Well, the other night, Kei-Kei and I — since you all know I'm her number one and everything — we were doing shots at Whaa Whaa's, and well, Sarah played—"

  "Truth or dare," Caelan and Solara said together while rolling their eyes.

  Solara sighed. "Don't beat yourself up about it. That girl could get blood out of an empty room."

  She glanced at Caelan.

  "It was someone's bright idea to fund an independent newspaper and put her in charge, wasn't it?"

  Caelan slumped. "I thought she would get bored. How the hell was I meant to know she was actually good at it?"

  Braen and Corwin pushed through the door carrying large boxes filled with materials.

  Braen spotted Mynxi immediately.

  She dropped her box in the middle of the floor and hurried over.

  "Oh, Mynxi, my little sweetheart, come to Auntie!"

  Mynxi jumped up and hugged her.

  "So, have you got everything yet?" Braen asked.

  Mynxi shook her head. "Nope. Two more stops to go."

  "Shh," Braen whispered. "You don't want to tell your dad and auntie you're breaking the rules."

  Mynxi grinned and held a finger to her lips.

  "Shhh."

  Braen finally noticed Milo's outfit.

  "Honey... you girls know better than to play with him like that."

  Behind her, Corwin tripped over the box she had dropped.

  The contents scattered everywhere.

  Corwin lay on the ground laughing it off.

  "Oh, nice shirt. You getting it?"

  "I'm taking it off," Milo muttered. "I'm done, Lumi. Less you next time, please."

  "JUST YOU WAIT UNTIL I SEE YOUR SISTER!" Lumi shouted. "Kei?Kei's always got my back!"

  Caelan looked around the shop.

  "Wait, so what did we need from here?"

  Veyra leaned into the back room and pulled out a large bag.

  She handed it to Mynxi.

  "That's none of your business now, is it. Mynxi pre?ordered something, and it's a secret."

  Mynxi looked at Lumi.

  "Did it look cool?"

  "Super duper cool," Lumi said proudly. "Just for my favourite niece."

  Mynxi reached into her pocket.

  Caelan tried to hold the bag for her, but she instantly snatched it away.

  "No! You can't see it yet, Dad!"

  Braen smiled warmly.

  "Do you want me to bring it home and hide it for you, my little angel?"

  Mynxi hugged her again. "You're the best. Thank you."

  Mynxi then remembered the payment.

  She pulled out another small bag of scrap bars, and Braen leaned down so she could hand it to Lumi.

  Lumi waved it away.

  "No, no. The only payment I want from you is cuddles and playing a few games with me. What do you say?"

  Mynxi hesitated and looked toward Caelan.

  "Can I do that, Dad?"

  Caelan thought for a moment.

  "Well, both work out around the same, little one. You see, the time you spend with her in exchange—"

  Solara smacked the back of Caelan's head.

  "Just say yes, you machine."

  Caelan rubbed the back of his head.

  "Yes, little one, that's fair."

  Mynxi smiled brightly and held out her hand.

  Lumi shook it seriously.

  "Alright, everyone. We have fifty minutes until we open again. Clean this mess up. I'm picking up lunch today."

  Veyra side?eyed her.

  "You know I outrank you, right?"

  Braen shrugged. "Oh, don't be like that, Veyra, besides—"

  Solara cleared her throat.

  Caelan slowly stepped in front of her with a smug grin.

  "Alright, lunch now," Solara said. "I'm not waiting any longer."

  Caelan lifted Mynxi onto his shoulder.

  "So, where are we eating, little one?"

  "WHAA WHAA'S!" Mynxi shouted.

  "Not happening," Solara replied immediately. "We have something a little more upscale right across the street. You'll both love it."

  A short while later, Caelan, Solara, and Mynxi walked into the restaurant.

  Caelan looked around the room. "Is this one of ours?"

  Mynxi had already started playing with a large vase near the entrance.

  Solara smiled proudly. "This is our best restaurant."

  Caelan shook his head. "Don't we own like half the city's restaurants?"

  "A little more," Solara replied smugly. "But yes. This is the money pit location. The plan is that any future talks with other factions can happen in places like this."

  Caelan stared at her. "Solara, this is like the one thing I legit know better than you."

  Solara started laughing.

  Caelan stayed completely stone-faced.

  She slowly stopped laughing. "Oh, wait, you're serious. Ehm… well maybe I'll read to you sometime."

  A loud crash sounded.

  Caelan turned around.

  Bella was standing there holding Mynxi while Hector caught the falling vase.

  Hector smiled brightly. "Oh, hey. Didn't know you were coming here for lunch today."

  Caelan slowly turned toward Solara.

  "No. Please lieutenant. Please."

  A waiter appeared beside them. "Table for five."

  Bella clapped happily. "Oh, wouldn't that be lovely. Mynxi, we're all having lunch. Yes please. Table for five. We'll take the round one in the middle, thank you."

  They walked to the table.

  Caelan quietly sat down.

  The restaurant was calm, waiters moving between empty tables in the bright room.

  A waitress approached. "I'll get you all some water to start."

  Hector nudged Bella, and they both looked at a clearly terrified Caelan.

  "So, Captain, have you got—"

  Caelan slowly began banging his head on the table.

  "No. No. No. No."

  Bella laughed. "Works every time. So I've heard a rumour about—"

  Caelan started banging his head harder on the table.

  Later that afternoon.

  Caelan and Solara stood outside a shop in the market district.

  Caelan's forehead was now bright red.

  Solara folded her arms. "You know, sometimes you actually embarrass me, Cael."

  Caelan smirked. "But you still love me."

  Solara rolled her eyes. "Life would be so much easier if I didn't. What's she buying now?"

  Caelan shrugged. "Honestly, not a clue."

  Mynxi suddenly ran out of the shop holding a small bag.

  She ran straight past them into the market crowd.

  Caelan and Solara followed.

  They caught up to her, standing at a stall, looking at something.

  Both of them nodded at the same time.

  "Actually, good choice," Solara said.

  "She's a smart girl," Caelan added.

  Behind them, a formal voice spoke.

  "Mr. Caelan. Lieutenant, ma'am."

  They turned to see Mr. Pael and Aurex.

  Mr. Pael adjusted his sleeves. "I hope everything is in order for the big… what is it called… fireworks tomorrow?"

  Aurex stood with his arms folded. "Oh, you know he does. But yet one thing he might have—"

  "You can come to dinner, idiot," Caelan said dryly.

  Aurex blinked. "Really?"

  Solara frowned. "I left the information with Mr. Pael."

  Mr. Pael looked sideways. "Sorry. Must have slipped my mind."

  Caelan, Solara, and Aurex all answered together.

  "Uh-huh."

  Mr. Pael continued. "We've just been out seeing the new resource depots. The changes will improve the flow of supplies in all directions. Shame you couldn't make it, Lieutenant."

  Solara shook her head. "Sorry. I promised Mynxi."

  Mynxi suddenly jumped onto Solara's back.

  "All done! Can we go see Auntie Keira and Gar-Gar at Whaa Whaa's now?"

  Aurex looked surprised. "I just left there. No one is there."

  Caelan slowly began turning pale.

  "No no no no no. She knew I would be out of the house. Sorry, we need to go."

  He grabbed Solara's hand.

  "What's the emergency?" Solara asked.

  "Beech & Ember now."

  A short while later, Caelan walked up the path toward the Beech & Ember entrance.

  The fire pit outside roared beside the path.

  He stopped at the door.

  Solara arrived beside him with Mynxi.

  Caelan took a slow breath.

  "Please don't be."

  Solara frowned. "I don't know what's got you so worked up… oh my god, what is that?"

  Caelan pushed the door open.

  A massive tree stood in the middle of the common room, reaching up to the double-height ceiling.

  Garron stood holding Keira while she dangled near the top, trying to place a star on it.

  Elyria skipped around the tree, throwing tinsel onto the branches.

  Aidan walked out carrying a box of candles.

  "Sis, are you sure—"

  They all noticed Caelan standing in the doorway.

  Everything froze.

  Keira looked down with a guilty smile.

  "Surprise."

  Mynxi and Solara instantly lit up, looking at the tree.

  Elyria slid to a stop in front of it proudly.

  "What do you think of this beauty?"

  Mynxi immediately started trying to climb it.

  Solara stood quietly, admiring it.

  Elyria walked over to Caelan.

  "Sorry. Keira had the idea. We knew you would say no, but…"

  Garron looked down from the ladder. "Captain, is it true you all keep trees inside your houses on your world?"

  Aidan sighed tiredly. "We've been over this three times, Chief. Not all the time and not everyone. It's a—"

  Keira interrupted from the top of the tree, holding the star.

  "It's a Revolutionary Tree."

  Joss walked out of one of the rooms and looked up at it, confused.

  He opened his mouth to ask something.

  Caelan raised a hand.

  "Don't ask. For the love of God, don't ask."