For a brief moment, there was only static crossing over the communication line.
Then – connection.
The screen stabilised itself, revealing a familiar image that Alex still had some getting used to. Speaking one on one with your girlfriend's parents was always awkward… right?
In the background, Federation officers snapped into attention the instant Alex's face appeared on their end, with murmurs rippling through the background where Alex couldn't see.
Both of the two on the call ignored all the fuss and chatter though.
Althea looked… tired.
That was the first thing Alex noticed about her. Not physically, her posture was straight and her uniform was just as immaculate as Alex suspected it always was. As an S tier and one of the strongest of the Federation at that, few things in this backwards sector of the universe could cause her to show physical exhaustion.
But Alex could see it in her eyes, this war in the Andromeda Galaxy was taking a toll on her, mentally.
