"You're.. the XO of a gunboat and you didn't tell us?!" "It's.. a long story Dad and I knew exactly..." "What I was going to say?" "Aye for a matter o'fact!" "Try me." "That now your boys are both Lieutenants that we should give some influence to patrol routes and crap like tha'" "Well if ye' know me that well - Why don't you bleeding do something about it?! I raised you tae be more than a simple Navy officer! You as well John! You both should be doing more to protect all of our interests! "YOUR interests Dad, only YOURS!" "OUR! Never forget where ye came from Matth'w! I built this house n'I got tae where I am through hard work, dedication n'common sense! Look where we are now! I need tae protect this lifestyle we all enjoy - It paid for ye tae waste yer life on a bleeding naval career!" "What?! I didn't waste my life!" "Prove it then! Piracy is up 50% over tha' last 5 years! 50%!! That's been hitting Interspace in the pocket and it's gettin' harder fer me tae do business! Business that puts food on the table! Just, protect our bloody transports more. I couldn't give a'rats arse about those other firms ye run off tae protect like the IND! Protect OUR interests!"
The argument became quite heated as Matt's father lectured his sons on how profits were down, piracy was up and how the war was hitting margins and therefore affecting the commission father was making on his stock deals. The mood continued to sour until Matt's mother finally had to step in.
"DAVID! This is not the time or place, it's the festival time and our sons are home. Leave... business.. for another day! "They have to realise Julie! Your Ageria wage will only go so..." "And?! I enjoy my work! You have no idea how close we are to creating some pretty spectacular technologies! "Our grandfathers heard tha' crap an' then Texas blew up!"
Matt turned to Angel and shook his head. In the last hour, Father and Mother had proved why it is so difficult to come home. Realising that he was no longer hungry. Matt put down his knife and fork.