The Pink Spark

Yesterday, Captain Keller said his goodbyes and Virga joined Rome, Rei and Aason aboard MINIMCOM. Their plan was to take the would-be assassin, Dan Steele, and place him in protective custody until he came to his senses. Keller was rather pessimistic that would ever happen but you never know:

     “How is Nick Greer doing?” Rei asked Virga as he stared out the window at the craggy mountains below.
     “He is settling in,” Virga said. “When you gave him his hand back, it is like he became a different person. He appears to have given up his resentment and violent tendencies. He had a very strong wish to work out in the fresh air. I believe your expression is, he will be OK.”
     “That’s great,” Rei said. “Maybe you could have him go visit Steele some day and explain what happened to him.”
     “Why?” Virga asked.
     “Because Steele ended up losing a hand as well. Maybe it will appeal to him.”
     “How did he lose his hand, if I may ask?”
     Rei looked at Rome. “Well, after we hunted him down, he tried to kill me and I accidentally cut it off.”
     Rome leaned forward. “He pretends he doesn’t care but I sense that he does. Perhaps if he sees hope of repair in exchange for his cooperation, it will turn out the same way as Greer.”
     “It is worth a try,” Virga said. “We will give him a little time to consider his circumstances and then we will broach the subject.”
     MINIMCOM landed outside the sally port for the prison and instantiated a livetar to aid in the transfer of the prisoner. Steele said nothing the whole time as he was being processed and interred. It almost appeared it was something he had experienced before. Their business was concluded very quickly and they were soon on their way back to return Virga to her home.
     After they had passed over the central ridge of mountains, Virga stood up and tapped Rome on the shoulder.
     “Yes?” Rome asked.
     “May I speak with you alone for a moment?” Virga requested.
     “Of course,” Rome replied. She unbuckled and lifted Aason up and put him in her seat and followed Virga back through the archway into the corridor. Rei craned his neck to see what was going on. He considered closing his eyes and activating his sonar vision but he decided to respect Virga’s wish for privacy. He did, however, see Virga whisper something to Rome who nodded vigorously. Virga hugged her. The two women shared a laugh together then returned to the front.
     After dropping Virga off at her home, MINIMCOM took them up into the sky and soon the shushing sound of the null-fold drive indicated they were on their way home at hyper-speed.
     “Care to share what Virga was discussing with you?” Rei asked.
     “You will find out in due time, I assure you,” Rome said, cryptically.

Virga could see that Rome was glowing, even if Rei could not. We know that the pink spark that Rei observed in the Ethereal World was Lupe. Virga sensed it too. Rome was all too happy to confirm.

Well, that's that. Everybody is accounted for. It is time to head home and live happily ever after.