Hoshi's Quarters, San Francisco, Monday

Hoshi was not counting down to the new year, but something even better: the end of her probation. Starting at midnight, she was no longer confined to her quarters when she was off-duty. She could even go out to bars and restaurants again. She could probably play poker again, but she had a feeling that wouldn't be such a good idea again when a poker game got her into this mess.

First, though, she had to make it to midnight, and it felt like time was slowing down every time she checked the chronometer.