They were all sat round the breakfast table trying to get one another to eat something, to little avail, when the senior officer arrived.
He was received with the usual courtesy that was more than just a little icy on David and Ella’s front.  Jessica invited him to sit down with them, which, to everyone’s surprise, he accepted.  Though more than one raised eyebrow was passed around the table, no one said a word.
They all sat in silence for a little while, each contemplating how this conversation would progress.
During this silence, Jessica tried to work out how she would react to the news, which she now knew, that the officer had been commissioned to bring them.  Should she act as she felt and play the injured innocent young person, but this could surely be damaging to the brave front that her siblings were currently exhibiting.  She knew they were worried and scared enough at the situation and if she responded the way that she wished she could, if she broke down and begged and pleaded, kicked and screamed, they wouldn’t manage particularly well if there was even the vague possibility of their being separated.
No, she would have to harden her heart if they were all to come out of this with minimal damage.  To go on the offensive was to be her only option at this junction.
Now is she could only harden herself well enough to convince them.  She searched her thoughts and feelings pushing back any that threatened her plan, however no matter how hard she pushed, they would not all stay down.  What would work, what to do?  Suddenly, and without any warning or control, her mind stumbled across the eye, and once again she was flooded with unreasonable and familiar darkness.
For a moment she tried to stem the flow of malice, then came the realisation that those feelings were exactly what she needed to harden herself.  If she could only control their effect on her, if she could isolate the dark cloud that would allow her to suppress the urge to be a victim.
She searched and searched, and within mere moments, that to her had seemed like hours, she had collected all of the emotions and experiences that she needed to overcome her own.  All she had to do now was let them flow.
Suddenly her train of thought was interrupted.  Where her hand was rested lightly on her knee beneath the table she felt another hand cover it.  She looked up to see David staring at her with a face full of concern.  “Are you feeling alright?”
It took her a moment to find her voice, she attempted a smile and nodded, “yes, I’m fine, I was just trying to figure something out in my head.”
But to look in his eyes had confirmed it, and without another moments hesitation she seized upon those selected emotions and applied them.
Closing her eyes briefly she drew in a deep breath, forcing everything into place, there it was to stay until she could fix it all, until everything was cleared up, until she could bring the true murder to justice, even if it meant killing her own father.
Upon reopening her eyes, she found the whole room looking at her, waiting for her to speak.
Her smile bewildered each one of them, it was her smile, or least it looked like it, there was something in it that not one of them could place, a cold sharpness that none of them had seen before.
She turned the unlikely expression on the senior officer, “Correct me if I’m wrong sir, but would I correct in assuming your presence here is other than just to enjoy breakfast with us?”
The officer looked rather startled but managed to reply, “Unfortunately you are correct in this case.”  He glanced at the younger two, “perhaps we’d best speak in private?”
“There is no need for that is there?” she quizzed him, “I’ll wager you’ve already spoken to both Miss Cox and Mr Jacobs,” she cast them a knowing look, “I could read it on your faces,” turning back to the officer, “and my brother and sister and both not only mature enough to hear the news, but they will find out soon enough anyway.”
The looks of shock in the room did not dissipate and eventually David was able to find some words, “Do you know then?” he sent a withering glare to the officer, “How did you find out?”
Patting the hand that held her own, she drew both away and above the table, “I didn’t until just now, but really, it was rather simple to figure out, there’s not enough to convict me but there’s too much to trust me, isn’t that right?” she addressed the officer, “I am to be expelled from the ship,” she told her siblings, “and I presume the fact that both Miss Cox and Mr Jacobs have been informed ahead of us, is because they are to become your temporary guardians until you rejoin me back on earth.”
Seeing the strained look that crossed the faces of the other three she continued with a raised eyebrow, “however I appear to be mistaken in some aspect of my calculations.”
The others looked from one another and all eyes rested again upon the senior officer.
He sighed, appearing, at that moment, very tired, “Unfortunately you are once again correct Miss Faileas, your guesses were all on the mark until the last.
“Your brother and sister will be under the guardianship of Miss Cox and Mr Jacobs for the remainder of the voyage.  However, I am loathe to tell you that your mother has left nothing for you save some relatively large debts.  The result of which is that all three of you are without a penny to your names.”
There was silence, all, save one, were staring at Jessica, waiting for her response.  Before she could reply however, Aurora jumped in, “How is this possible?” she demanded, “I knew that the gambling and drinking was costing more than we knew, but so much that we’re in major debt?  Where are we expected to get the money from?”  She was growing more and more agitated with each question.  So much so that Jessica, who was sat to her left, pulled her chair closer to her sister and putting a comforting arm around her, asked, “I understand that nothing can be sought for me, but my brother and sister must not be condemned to the same fate.  Has my Great Uncle been contacted, surely he would be willing to help out his favourite niece’s youngest children?”
At this, the officer was able to regain his track of thought and inform them of what their Uncle’s help was to be, “not only this but he has arranged for the debt to be paid off, so that his grand niece and nephew are nothing more than poor relatives, and are now in his debt.”
Jessica nodded, “I see, well then I suppose we are to take separate paths then, when does the transport arrive to take me back to Earth?”  “Mid-day,” said the officer, “it will take you first to your old home that you may collect a few personal belongings, it will then take you to any destination that you choose.”
She nodded again but this time said nothing.
All the while, Anthony had kept quiet, watching and listening to everything that was said, so as not to miss any.  Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he found himself suddenly almost screaming at Jessica, “How can you just sit there?  How can you even think of doing this?  You can’t just abandon us!” turning to the officer, “she has done nothing wrong!  But you’re going to force her to leave us, as if loosing our mother wasn’t enough you’re taking our sister as well!”  He turned his glare back to Jessica, “You can’t just let them do this!  You can’t leave us, you won’t, I won’t let you!”  “Anthony.” she glared at him, but he had already stormed off into his room, slamming the door as loudly as he possibly could.
The jarring noise of which made Jessica’s being shudder. 
Had he been closer he would have put a comforting hug around her, as it was however, he had to make do with a sympathetic look.
He could barely see it, but there in her eyes was the pain that this was evidently causing her and he couldn’t stand it.  What right had that insensitive child have to make her feel so?
It was Jessica who was the victim here, if only he would stop acting like… he stopped himself, acting like a teenager who’d just received some exceedingly bad news.
He looked again to Jessica, her face betrayed nothing of what she was feeling, but in her eyes he could sense all of the pain that she was harbouring inside.
Glancing at the clock he realised all to sharply that they had less than two hours.
Was now the time?
He turned to Jessica, to ask her on a walk but she was already on her feet,  “Well if you’ll all excuse me, I’m afraid I have some packing to do.”
“Miss Faileas, if I might…” David began, but he was cut off, “No, you mightn’t,” she interjected a little harshly, then almost as she realised what she had said, she placed a hand on his shoulder, and in a gentler tone said, “There’s still time.”
Then crossing the short distance she called, “If Miss Faileas and Miss Cox wouldn’t mind joining me I have a few things I would like to settle.”  The two women rose, curtsied and went quickly after her.
The last thing the two remaining gentlemen heard was her voice, “Please close the door after you Aurora.” and they were left alone.
The officer wasted no time in excusing himself, promising to return before the transport was due to arrive.
It wasn’t long before Aurora re-emerged clutching a few bags to her person with tears sliding down her cheeks, she gave a quick nod to David before scurrying off into her room.