<div class="floatright">(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/jillvader/mw-nmfkmpkarimonero_zps55a1bf27.jpg)</div>Emily’s talking about her family and wanting to be there for them struck Kari like a punch in the gut, one that did manage to nearly line a lot of things up for her just as much as it hurt like hell. “I completely understand your situation, Emily,” She explained as she recovered, hoping that it hadn’t shown too badly or obviously. “You need to be there for your family, and they need you just as much. The last couple of days have made me really appreciate how important that is.”<br/><br/><em>I’m the only family left,</em>she told herself.<em>After me, there’s nobody else, maybe save for a few distant cousins that I never see. But even that’s just reaching.</em>She swallowed a little as she regained her composure.<em>Unless there’s something dad never told me, and I’m not sure how I’d feel about that.</em><br/><br/>She nodded to the lieutenant, trying her best to look warm and supportive. “Emily, as much as I want you to stay on as a combatant and officer, I cannot and will not force you to do such. I do appreciate your staying on to help get the unit together no less, and I would very much ask your assistance in both selection and training of the new recruits. And once that’s done, I will not detain you a moment longer.”<br/><br/>Kari chewed her lip a moment, considering her next words carefully. “I know that I sound mad for what I’m trying to do, but it’s something I feel that I have to do no less,” Kari explained. “And I do not blame you at all for wanting to get off the crazy ride.” She immediately regretted the words, but kept going. “We all need to do what we have to. And if that takes us in different directions, then that’s what will happen. If nothing else, it has been an honour and a privilege to serve alongside you, and I thank you for all you’ve done, both for me and for my father”<br/><br/>“I don’t think any of us could ask for any more”<br/>