Breaking the Spirit

[Heresy]

All around his front porch were the 63 people that he had rescued, rehabilitated and debriefed. Even the criminals were there, though they were cuffed and had a police escort.

Dumbfounded, Tim just stood there in mute amazement. Silence polluted the atmosphere until one person, near the back of the group, started to clap. The others soon joined in and before long, there was a large ripple of clapping passing through the 63 infront of him.

This gave Tim enough time to get himself together and form a little speech, which undoubtedly this audience wanted.

I... er... This really isnt necessary... He said with a blush on his face.
I was just doing my job, yknow? I just want to say that whoever that fighter was, it couldve gone either way, and I hope youre all okay and not affected too much by your ordeal with that ship... um...

An akward silence filled the air, but it was soon broken by a woman at the front of the pack. She approached him and talked in a quiet voice.

Yes well... many of these people would have died if it wasnt for you. I know what that was, and its a miracle that you managed to beat it, even if it was fluke.

Oh? How so?

The information on the pilot that we have is very sketchy and somewhat unreliable, but its all we have to go on. Oh, by the way, Im Johanna Ashford, and I represent Bretonian Intelligence.

Um... is that so...?

...Yes, I just said so.

... Right.

The rest of the crowd were beginning to disperse, to the relief of Timothy. He was afraid theyd make a scene; well, more of a scene than they were now, anyway. A few stayed though, wanting to do more than clap.

Among those that were still present was the woman from Bretonian Intelligence, a well-kept Libertonian individual, a familiar looking Rheinlandic woman and a family.

---