January 16th, 2024. Five o’clock in the afternoon. Richard was seated at his desk, deeply engrossed in a pile of paperwork that seemed never-ending. His office, usually a hub of strategic discussions and planning, was quiet except for the occasional sound of stamping and signing documents. He was meticulously reviewing each piece, ensuring everything was in order for the upcoming operation and the integration of the U.S. Pacific Fleet remnants.

As he was about to move on to the next document, there was a knock on his office door. Without looking up, Richard called out, "Come in," expecting it to be one of his staff with yet another report or request for approval.

The door opened, and Mark, his second in command, stepped inside. Mark.

As the door closed behind him, Richard finally looked up, setting aside the paperwork for a moment.

"Mark, what do I owe the pleasure?" Richard asked, his tone shifting from the monotony of administrative work to one of genuine interest. He could tell by Mark’s expression that this was more than a routine check-in.

"Sir...I have been noticing that Sara is off or unwell. She’s been in and out of the bathroom and often complains of nausea. I’m concerned it might be affecting her work and well-being," Mark reported, his tone reflecting genuine concern for Sara’s condition.

Richard’s expression changed to one of immediate concern. He had noticed Sara’s recent discomfort but hadn’t realized the extent of it. "I see. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Mark. I’ve noticed she hasn’t been herself lately, but I didn’t realize it was this serious."

"Well, sir...don’t you think that Sara is..."

"Sara is what, Mark?" Richard interrupted.

"Well her symptoms are indicative of pregnancy, sir. Has she seen a doctor yet?" Mark asked cautiously, aware of the personal nature of his suggestion but feeling it necessary to address the possibility given Sara’s critical role in their operations.

Richard paused the implication of Mark’s words sinking in. The possibility had crossed his mind, but hearing it voiced by someone else made it all the more real. "No, she hasn’t seen a doctor yet, to my knowledge. We’ve both been so caught up with the preparations for the fleet’s arrival and the upcoming operations against Lin Feng."

"I understand, sir. It’s just that, given the timing and the symptoms, it might be wise for Sara to get a medical check-up. It could be nothing, or it could be something that needs attention," Mark advised, trying to tread lightly around the personal issue while expressing his concerns for Sara’s health and its impact on their mission.

"You’re right, Mark. I’ll speak with Sara about seeing a doctor as soon as possible. We need to ensure she’s in good health, for her sake and for the team’s," Richard said, now fully grasping the gravity of the situation. "I appreciate your concern and discretion."

"Of course, sir. Anything for the team, and Sara’s well-being is important to all of us," Mark replied.

"Thank you, Mark. That’ll be all for now. Let’s keep this between us until we know more," Richard added, signaling the end of the conversation.

"Understood, sir. I’ll leave you to it then," Mark said, giving a respectful nod before exiting Richard’s office.

Left alone, Richard sat back in his chair, leaning back, and stared at the ceiling. Sara is pregnant? Well, that is unexpected, but not unwelcome. The prospect that he might become a father soon added a new dimension to the already complex situation they were navigating. With everything at stake, Richard knew this matter needed to be settled with care and sensitivity. Pushing aside the remaining paperwork, he decided that now was the time to address this with Sara directly.

Standing up, Richard left his office. He walked through the command center, passing by teams engrossed in their tasks, coordinating logistics, and monitoring communications.

Richard approached Sara’s workstation, where she was managing the satellite surveillance system. She was key in ensuring they had up-to-date intelligence on Lin Feng’s movements and any other potential threats. As he neared, he observed her concentration, the way she deftly navigated through the satellite feeds. Well, the wave hasn’t yet ended. He already considered the possibility that the wave would end if Lin Feng was eliminated.

"Sara," Richard called out gently, not wanting to startle her but needing to get her attention.

Sara looked up, a hint of surprise crossing her face as she saw Richard standing there. "Richard," she acknowledged. "Is there something you need from me?"

"We need to talk," Richard said, his voice low. "Can you take a break?"

Sara glanced around, noting the presence of their colleagues, and nodded. "Of course, let’s step outside."

They found a quiet spot away from the bustle of the command center, a small area where they could speak privately without the risk of being overheard. The seriousness in Richard’s demeanor told Sara this was more than just a routine check-in.

"Sara, Mark brought something to my attention, and it’s been on my mind too," Richard began, choosing his words carefully. "He’s noticed—and I’ve noticed—that you’ve been unwell lately. Nausea, frequent trips to the bathroom... Sara, is there a chance you could be pregnant?"

There was a moment of silence between them, she crossed her arms and softly spoke. "Yeah...but I haven’t...done a test yet. I’ve been thinking about it, though, especially with how I’ve been feeling these past few days." Sara’s voice was low, mixed with a hint of uncertainty and apprehension about the prospect and its implications on their current situation.

Richard took a moment to process her words, understanding the weight of what she was saying. "Sara, it’s important that we know for sure. I think you should take a test as soon as possible. Whatever the result, we’ll face it together. Your health, and potentially our child’s health, is my top priority right now. Lin Feng comes next."

Sara nodded, visibly relieved by Richard’s supportive response. "I’ll do it first thing tomorrow morning—."

"No, we need to get it checked up now here in the clinic. I’m sure they have the equipment to conduct the test." Richard insisted. "Let’s not wait any longer. I want to ensure you have all the support you need right away."

Sara hesitated for a moment, the suddenness of the situation catching her off guard. However, seeing the genuine concern in Richard’s eyes, she agreed. "Okay, let’s do that."

Together, they made their way to the medical clinic located within the command center complex.

Upon arrival, Richard spoke with the medical staff, explaining the situation privately and requesting a pregnancy test be conducted immediately. The medical personnel, understanding the sensitivity and confidentiality of the request, promptly attended to Sara.

While Sara was being taken care of, Richard waited outside the clinic.

After a short wait, which felt much longer to Richard due to the anticipation, Sara emerged from the clinic with the medical staff, who discreetly excused themselves, leaving the couple alone.

"Well?" Richard asked, hoping for an answer.

Sara took a deep breath before speaking. "It’s positive, Richard."