10-12-2026, 01:28 PM
Loma absorbed her words in quiet reflection, the posture of a junior officer giving way to sincere human concern. He could hear the emotional cost behind her words, and it deepened his respect for her as a person.
"Thank you for sharing that, Commander," Loma replied, his tone gentle and grounded. "It hits very close to home for me. My parents retired right here on Earth, and having them close by while at the Academy let me rebuild that connection—I've made the trip out to see them every month. Leaving Earth means I'm really going to miss having them nearby, but it reminds me how fortunate I am to still have them both."
He turned toward her fully, offering a quiet, supportive nod.
"Watching a parent struggle with their health is a heavy burden to carry, Ma'am, and I'm sorry you have to go through that. But choosing family over deep-space deployment shows real heart. The Cadets passing through your tactical classes are learning from someone who understands what true loyalty and caring look like."
== Tag Whittaker ==
"Thank you for sharing that, Commander," Loma replied, his tone gentle and grounded. "It hits very close to home for me. My parents retired right here on Earth, and having them close by while at the Academy let me rebuild that connection—I've made the trip out to see them every month. Leaving Earth means I'm really going to miss having them nearby, but it reminds me how fortunate I am to still have them both."
He turned toward her fully, offering a quiet, supportive nod.
"Watching a parent struggle with their health is a heavy burden to carry, Ma'am, and I'm sorry you have to go through that. But choosing family over deep-space deployment shows real heart. The Cadets passing through your tactical classes are learning from someone who understands what true loyalty and caring look like."
== Tag Whittaker ==