Why they’d made such a great team.
Something was different between them now, even as
they tried to become something more. But who was he
kidding? It was him – he was the one who was different.
And he couldn’t ever be the same man again.
“By all accounts, you did well at the Academy,” Dr.
Renley read, peering through her glasses. “Top of your
class, well-liked, respected by your peers. No mention of
causing any trouble at all.”
“The Academy was the first place that felt like home,”
Up said. “I needed the discipline. Military life suited me.”
“And you made friends there?”
Up eyed the papers in the doctor’s hands. “What’s the
file say?”
Dr. Renley raised her eyebrows. “It says that you did.
Particularly one Connor Tripp. And that he was the trouble-
maker.”
“Tripp liked to have a bit of fun, that’s all,” Up said. “We
were young and stupid then, can you blame him?”
“You served with Tripp several times in your career, did
you not? You took your fighter pilot certification together?”
“Yes,” Up said. “He took to it better than I did, I’m more
suited for combat.” He paused. “Or I used to be.”
“And when you both served on the Eagle, you made him
your second-in-command when you were unexpectedly
promoted to Commander, is that right?” Dr. Renley was
watching him intently, far more so than he appreciated.
“There weren’t many Lieutenants left to choose from,”
Up said, frowning. “And I knew I could trust him.”
“It was on the Eagle that Tripp first met his future wife,
Dr. Rosie Baker, is that correct?”
“Why are you asking me this? What does it have to do
with anything?”