I Want Out!

It had been another uneventful weekend. Not to say that her family was boring... just that it was a very routine visit and dinner. Her father was witty, her mother doting, her brother quiet, her sister-in-law silly, and her niece utterly adorable. The sort of routine that's pleasant no matter how old it seems to get, because it's family.

But despite how content Katina was, whenever things let up for a bit it felt like something was missing. She couldn't place what it was for the life of her, and couldn't recall feeling anything quite like it in recent memory. If she brought it up while the family was around she'd probably get teased about finding a man, which was another issue entirely.

That feeling reached a peak at night, quietly sharing a drink with her father, eyes turned to the stars. It was like she could reach out and touch what she needed... right there in front of her, but hidden...

A green streak crossed the sky, drawing two pairs of eyes. That was it... this was...

"...I know that look. You've got something you need to do." Her father smiled kindly at her.

She turned to her him, her own smile sad for a moment. "You know me better than anyone, huh?"

He nodded silently, paused, then spoke. "I know you can accomplish whatever you have to. Don't forget that I'm always here for you though."

Katina's smile grew stronger, more confident. "I know... no matter how far away you are." There was a thin cord around her neck, a core drill on the end. "Take care... thank you... and sorry for all the trouble." A brilliant flash, another green streak, and another warrior returned to battle.