An Early Christmas for Some

Aron, having completed his lengthy discussion with the fleet's admiral and granted him leave, sat alone in his VR room, enveloped in silence.

{What’s on your mind?} Nova inquired as she materialized beside him, breaking the stillness of the room.

“I’m trying to imagine the range of emotions they’ll experience during their reunions,” Aron replied, accustomed to her probing questions.

“The majority will feel happiness,” he said, “but there will be a few who experience profound distress. Some of the soldiers might face the harsh reality that their spouses, whom they left behind, were unfaithful—either having cheated out of remorse or used the mission as a chance to welcome others into their lives during their absence.”

“The opposite is also true,” Aron continued. “Some members of the crew, while on the exploration mission, were unfaithful to their spouses. Additionally, some will receive the devastating news of the deaths of their loved ones during their absence.”

He reflected on these s