Chapter 106: Stern Father

Vyran PoV

I sighed as we followed my sister back to our place. Luckily, I had managed to avoid seeing my parents yesterday. Today, I wasn't gonna be so lucky. Well, I didn't mind seeing Mom. Dad, on the other hand, could be rather stern.

According to Mom, he used to be the exact opposite when they first met. Saying he was like me. That was hard to believe. He was more like Varia if anything.

As we walked through the bustling streets, I couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. It wasn't that I didn't respect my father; it was more that his expectations could sometimes feel overwhelming. Varia, always the responsible one, never seemed to falter under his watchful eye. I, on the other hand, had a knack for finding myself in situations that tested his patience.

"Are you okay, Vyran?" Tessa asked, her voice soft with concern.

"Yeah, just thinking," I replied, flashing her a quick smile. "It's been a while since I've seen my parents, and you know how family reunions can be."

She chuckled. "Tell me about it. My family gatherings are always a mix of joy and chaos. But I'm sure it'll be fine."

I nodded, though I wasn't entirely convinced. As we approached our home, the familiar sight of the tall, elegant building brought a mixture of comfort and apprehension.

"Here we are," Varia announced, pushing open the gate and leading the way inside.

We were immediately greeted by the warm, inviting smell of home-cooked food. Mom must have been busy in the kitchen. The thought brought a genuine smile to my face.

Veronia ran over to greet us. "Yay! Brother and Sister are back! Their friends too."

I nodded and ruffled her hair. "Know if Dad is here?"

She hummed. "Think he is still in his office. Why not use your halo projection to see him?"

Varia chuckled. "He would bite our heads off if we popped up in his office unannounced. Plus, he likes meeting in person."

I sighed, glancing at Varia. "Guess we better get this over with."

She nodded, and we both turned to our allies. "You can make yourselves comfortable here," Varia said. "We'll be back soon."

Day, Deros, and the others nodded, settling into the living room. Veronia, however, had other ideas. "I'm coming with you!" she declared, her eyes shining with determination as she snuggled her bunny plushie. 

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Alright, you can come," I said, ruffling her hair again. "Just try to stay quiet, okay?"

She nodded eagerly, and the three of us made our way upstairs to Dad's office. The knot of anxiety in my stomach tightened with each step, but having Veronia with us made it a bit more bearable.

As we reached the door to Dad's office, Varia knocked lightly. "Father, it's Varia and Vyran. May we come in?"

There was a brief pause before we heard his voice. "Come in."

Varia pushed open the door, and we stepped inside. 

A handsome white-haired man was seated at his desk, surrounded by stacks of documents and holographic displays. Father looked more like a pop idol than a military man. Mom liked to joke that in another life, he probably was one.

Father looked up from his work, his expression stern but not unkind.

"Father," Varia began, her tone respectful. "We wanted to update you on our mission and discuss our next steps."

Dad nodded, gesturing for us to take a seat. "Very well. I appreciate your diligence. What do you have to report?"

As Varia began recounting the details of our recent encounters and the latest developments with Yusan, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her professionalism. She always knew how to present information clearly and concisely, something I often struggled with.

Veronia, meanwhile, had taken a seat on a small stool near the corner of the room, her eyes wide with curiosity as she listened to Varia's report.

When Varia finished, Dad's icy blue eyes turned their attention to me. "And you, Vyran? Do you have anything to add?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "We've been coordinating with our allies and gathering as much intelligence as we can. We're planning to head to the Sotes system next to investigate Yusan's latest attack. We believe it might be a diversion, but we can't afford to ignore it."

Dad leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "Your assessment is sound. Based on what Varia just said, this Yusan fellow sounds like a cunning adversary, and it is crucial to remain vigilant. However, you must also be prepared for the unexpected. The stakes are incredibly high, and the risks even higher."

"We understand," Varia said, her voice steady. "We'll take every precaution and ensure our team is ready for whatever we might face."

Dad nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Very well. You have my support. I will get you the ship you need. And Varia the care she requires."

Varia touched her head and smiled. "Thanks, Dad."

He nodded. "Don't thank me. This is for the good of not only our family, but Quadra and the greater universe.

### Vyran's POV

Veronia, meanwhile, was quietly playing with her bunny plushie on the stool, her little fingers making the toy hop around. Her presence added a touch of innocence to the room, a stark contrast to the weighty discussions we were having.

Dad's expression softened as he glanced at her, a rare moment of tenderness breaking through his usually stern demeanor. "Veronia, why don't you help your mother in the kitchen? I believe she could use an extra pair of hands."

Veronia looked up, her eyes wide with excitement. "Okay, Father!" She hopped off the stool, clutching her bunny plushie tightly. "I'll make sure everything is perfect!" She gave us a bright smile before scampering off, leaving the room with a sense of lightness.

As the door closed behind her, Dad's demeanor shifted back to its usual seriousness. "Now, about your mission," he said, turning his attention back to Varia and me. "Given Yusan's unpredictability, you must be prepared for a variety of scenarios. Ensure your team is well-equipped and that you have multiple contingency plans in place."

"We will, Father," Varia assured him, her tone resolute. "We've already started mapping out potential strategies and gathering the necessary resources."

"Good," Dad said, nodding. "Remember, your success depends on your ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances. Trust in your training and in each other."

He stood up, walking over to a large cabinet in the corner of the room. From it, he retrieved a small, sleek device and handed it to Varia. "This is a prototype communication enhancer. It will allow you to maintain contact with our home base, even in areas with heavy interference. Use it wisely."

Varia accepted the device with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Father. This will be invaluable."

Dad turned to me, his gaze steady. "Vyran, I know you have a tendency to act on impulse. While your instincts can be an asset, you must also exercise caution. Think before you act, and always consider the broader implications of your decisions."

I nodded, appreciating his advice despite the underlying critique. "I understand, Father. I'll do my best to balance my instincts with careful planning."

"Good," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I have faith in both of you. You are capable and resourceful, and I believe you can succeed."

With our briefing concluded, we stood and made our way back downstairs. As we rejoined our friends in the living room, I felt a renewed sense of determination. Dad's support and words of wisdom had bolstered my confidence, and I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Veronia was already busy in the kitchen, her cheerful chatter filling the air as she helped Mom with the preparations. The sight brought a smile to my face, a reminder of the importance of family and the strength we drew from each other.

"Everything okay?" Deros asked, looking up as we entered.

"Yeah," I said with a nod. "Dad gave us some useful advice and a new communication device. We're good to go."

Mom appeared from the kitchen. "Let's enjoy a little break before you head out. You all deserve it. Especially you, Varia. Deros told me about your chip."

She touched her head and sighed. "Yeah, I got it messed up in a battle, but I'm fine. Thanks to Deros and Vyr."

I puffed my chest out and smirked. "You can say that again!"

Varia narrowed her eyes at me. 

Me and the others just laughed.