”I sipped from my ugly skull mug and said.”Good news then. Back working with the Science Corps now?”“Yes and no, Captain. Thanks to your crew ...and that mentioned Science Department, we know the Ypeherix are behind these Shattered Worlds. Thanks to Eduk we also think this is related to the Seeders or the Earlies.”He puffed a blue cloud of smoke. “You take that ship of yours on a tour of unexplored space in the Spinward sector and find out the reason why the Ypeherix do what they do. Find their. Imagine each time you closed your eyes you didn’t know if you’d wake upImagine a well-paid lawyer your family member tells you to lie and say you did somethingImagine what he says seems like the best alternative to keep you safest, alive...Imagine you do it to avoid avoiding a worse hell, perhaps you even fear death if you don’tImagine wondering if your members know what the lawyer’s telling youImagine if the forever treat you as if you were guiltyImagine if they read reports and never. I need to get undressed." She answered, feeling better now that she understood, and she started unbuttoning her blouse.She removed her blouse, then stepped out of her shoes and slacks, but as she reached behind her back to unfasten her bra, the realization struck her that she was undressing in front of Reverend Bishop, a man other than her husband, and a momentary flash of self-consciousness stopped her from proceeding as her sub-consciousness mind tried to tell her a true man of God would not. He kissed her, but after she had expected it and indeed after she wanted it. He never forced her, did not even really seem to lead her, but the time came when her whole body tingled with emotions and sensations he had aroused in her, her mouth almost ached from the exploration of his tongue, and his hand was gently brushing the black tip of one bare raised nipple — for she had not worn a bra under that light white dress. Jasmine got to her feet, closed the top of her dress, and kissing his hand.