The Time from Before

Another Step to Functionality

Callie looked apologetic, her face displaying a slight frown.

> Don't worry, you're fine. Besides, you're cuter when you smile.

As soon as she read it, her face flushed red, embarrassment bubbling up from within. She playfully, but painfully, punched Allen in the arm. In the same spot that Marina did. His arm was a tad sore.

But Callie was much stronger. She definitely left a bruise.

> Geez, you can't just say that! There are steps to this sort of thing!

> Well isn't that adorable.

Allen yawned, sleepiness coming out of nowhere. As Callie reached for the PDA to type something, it suddenly vibrated and the screen blinked.

Allen looked at the screen, reading the message.

* Warning, Cv-7 has designated forty targets at mission site. Caution is advised.

A satellite must be overhead right about now. But with Allen closing in to the Alterna site, Cv-7 must be on high alert. Allen is currently half of the Dominion's entire forces. It'll do anything to assist him.

* Alert, translation download complete.

Oh, that's good. No more massive 'UNKNOWN's anymore.

> How far am I from the mission site?

* Seventy-five kilometers. Or, at this speed, you'll reach the site within sixty minutes.

Allen sighed as he put down his PDA. He then looked over to Callie, watching as she fiddled around with her phone. Still, what a weird shape that thing is.

...

...

...

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Harper sighed as she lay on the ground. Her hair was down, and she needed a haircut. It was getting pretty long.

"Hey, are you alright?" An older man walking past stopped and spoke to her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She responded.

"Harpy, you look sick." He walked up to Harper and got on one knee. "You haven't had anything bad, did you?"

"I'm good, really." Harper rolled her eyes as she sat up. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"Can't have my little girl upset. You know, back when I first found you–"

Harper, nearly gagging, stood up. "Ugh, save it. There isn't a damn person on this base that doesn't know that story." She sighed. "Don't you have Captain things to be doing?"

...

"I'm not that old. I'm in my forties." He looked up and down Harper's body, stopping on her left leg. "Did you get that bruise checked out?"

"It's a bruise. And, if you're that worried, I asked a passing Sergeant. He said I was fine." Harper crossed her arms.

"A Sergeant? Not really medic material, Hun." He said.

"It was uh, what's his name... Whatever that guy was. You know, the super mystery guy." Harper sat back down.

"You mean–"

"Sure." She interrupted him.

He sighed. "I get you're on 'leave', but please be mindful of what you do on base. I can't, and won't, cover for you when you're here as a visitor."