>>5883482“would you mind telling me why...?” It would be easy to slot in a convenient lie here. A phantom captive. An imagined blood-debt. But somehow you cannot bring your fingers to type it in. It's less whether she would believe you (she definitely would), but rather what would happen afterwards. What if she remembers today's chat when writing her next article or book? From the authority of false experience, lies become memory become history. A decade, a century from now, someone will eventually have to pick up the bill. No, the future already has a heavy enough burden to bear. It would be unconscionable to add another feather. On the other hand, risking your ship and men by telling the truth is even worse. Perhaps some flattery will do,
“Barb, your brother could not shut up about you."
“Sharp as the crack of a whip”
“Second-youngest person to get tenure at U Lighton”
"So on and on.” You can hear a slight chuckle from behind. “We have some down time today so I just want to have a little chat :)” And sent.
You know quantum pulse does not have the best throughput, but this is very much slower than usual. Did something happened on the other side? As you are about to type a follow-up message, the reply finally appeared, “I knew it *:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*” Oh that's why. “He always pretend to be stoic and all in front of me, then brags about his smart lil sis to everyone he meets.” Ouch. Did Johnson just slap your head? You turn back to face him and almost die from laughter. Johnson, not knowing whether to be angry, embarrassed, or smiling, has contorted his face into a red mess. Just then a light went bright in your head. “You must miss your brother very much. Lemme delete this convo real quick then Ill pass the call to him.” Time to stand up, courteously pull the seat back for Johnson, give him a devilish smile, and watch the fireworks. Or not since you suddenly remember you still have to meet up with Silas to discuss your response to Yamir.
