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The morning ceremony was formal, resembling a briefing in a very straight-to-the-point style.
“Once again, congratulations, my dear successors, my friends. I believe you'll follow in the footsteps of many dignified men and women before us—people like General Grant, Annette Fleming, Alice Gardner, to name but a few,” concluded Peter.
“Uncle Pete, please, can we just have a word with you in private?” Lianne asked after the ceremony. She actually wanted to make an appeal to him to stay.
Peter, however, seemed quite relentless. “Of course, my children; as I've always said, have patience and when the time comes, your wish will be granted. Anyway, please excuse me, I've had such a busy schedule these days. But now, we can have a chat on the way to the spaceport.
“Let's bid our farewells
