I’ve got to leave this poor kid alone.

 

“Special Education”

 

By Joseph Manno

 

 

An indignant Samantha McDonald once again employed her favorite phrase.

“It’s not fair! Captain Bligh can’t just make me swab decks for him!”

Cassandra rolled her eyes.

“Cut the crap. Learning basic security procedures ain’t exactly workin’ a chain gang, kid.”

Sam folded her arms, set her jaw and delivered a glare that had Rhodes thinking of the girl’s mother… and not fondly.

The door slid open behind the stubborn teen; she’d essentially frozen over.

“Miss McDonald?”

Winter became spring when Sam turned… and laid eyes on Tertius.

Cassandra almost grinned. “You were saying…?”

“…that I’ll be happy to help.”