Page 15

Unlikewhen we first arrived, the place is now a beehive of activity.Notonly are we all on the ground, but there are also other ships nearby that have huge crates being lowered from them.

DaRmakes a noise, and we all turn toward him. “SCOUT!Canyou make sure the ones in the back can hear me?”

“Confirmed,Commander.”

“Welcomeeveryone toMoonE-311, your new home.Thismarks the dawn of your future and our shared efforts to ensure your success.Iwould like to take a moment to introduce three of my sons to you, as you will be working closely with them.”

I’dbeen looking around without paying much attention, but those words make me turn back to him.HowImissed these three walking up to stand next toDaR,Ihave no idea.ButifIthought the onesIhad seen up to this point were oddly impressive,Ididn’t know whatIwas missing.

“BuKwill assist with the distribution of items and help with the interior of your new dwellings.KyTis overseeing the actual locations of all structures and boundary areas.MeKis the head engineer and building specialist who will supervise your home’s construction until it is completed.Allthree have set aside their own lives to help get your race established.Themain complex plans have changed slightly from what you were previously shown, soIwill allowKyTthe chance to explain why.”

Theone in the middle moves forward, andIwatch in amazement as the leaves in his hair rustle in the wind.Heis tall and willowy, with such tight muscle definition that he looks like he would break if he bent over.Hisskin is pale brown and moves stiffly, like it’s covered in bark.WhatIthought was long hair is actually thin, covered branches.Fromhis hips down, he is covered in some sort of moss.Helooks like a walking plant.

“Greetings, my new friends.AsFatherinformed you,IamKyT, and it is a pleasure to be of assistance on this new journey of yours.Thereare a few things that have just come to our attention sinceIarrived here.Thefauna you see before you, especially the tall timber, are interconnected, forming one large living organism.Afterseveral conversations and a little give and take, they have given their permission for you to build among them,but with terms.Theseterms cannot be ignored; anyone caught doing harm to one of the timbers will not like the consequences.Noliving hardwood can be cut down, nor can anything be attached to it.Ifone has expired, they have granted us the right to remove it and replace it with one of your new dwellings.Thereare plants and insects in this area that you could have a negative reaction to, so please try to avoid interacting with anything until we have given you the clearance to do so.Ilook forward to meeting with you all.”

Hesteps back, andIhave to blink twice when the next one comes forward.He’sseveral inches shorter thanDaRand the oneIswearI’llalways callTreeManin my head, but he is just as striking.EspeciallysinceInever imagined pink looking masculine on anyone, but oddly, somehow it suits him.Smallhorns wrap around his broad forehead, and he has a very pleasant smile.Hisclothing seems to hide most of his mass, but his bare arms are huge and quite impressive.Heseems a little shy as he hesitates to speak.

“Notone for speaking to so many.Iam here to help in any way possible and look forward to getting to know each of you in a smaller capacity.”

Hesteps back and several laugh, as it’s easy to tell that he wasn’t comfortable being put in the spotlight.

Theentire time the other two were talking to us,DaR’sbulk has partially hidden the last one.Butwhen he steps around his father,Igasp.Myeyes trace this new creature from head to toe, especially since they can’t decide what to look at first.Hisdark brown skin pulses with glowing orange symbols that accentuate each and every one of his movements.Hiseyes radiate just as brightly as the symbols, which seem to illuminate as he arrogantly walks forward.IthoughtIwas hooked onDaR, but itlooks like my mind has just changed teams, because this guy is absolutely fascinating.

Withsuch striking eyes, you almost don’t notice the stray hair brushing his eyes until he tosses his head, or the well-trimmed beard covering the lower part of his face.Hischest is so wide he looks like a living tank.Ridgeafter ridge of muscle moves restlessly as he tosses a huge ass hammer back and forth from hand to hand.Hedoesn’t smile or make a single expression, simply stands there looking around.Hiseyes just sweep over each of us like we’re inanimate objects.

“Iam in charge of providing and setting up your new dwellings.Onceyou are assigned a location,Iwill approach you about the specifics you might personally need in your home.Untilthat time,Ido not require your assistance and ask that you allow me the space needed to provide my services to you.”

Afterthat, he simply turns away, not saying hi, my name is … kiss my ass, or anything, but the message was clear: stay out of his dance space.

“Wow, mister personality right there!”

“Briar, you snuck up on me.”

“Anelephant could have snuck up on you.Youonly had eyes and ears for the growly one.Personally,I’vedecidedIprefer pink on a man.”

“Iswear, you’re not right, andInever know what in the world you’re going to say next.Anyway,Ithought you weren’t interested in any guys.”

“Iwasn’t on the ship because there are some slim pickins back there, but if they all look like these guys, my odds are looking up.Igotta go, butI’llsee ya back onANDIthis evening.”

Iwatch as she turns away telling her, “Hey, don’t do anythingIwouldn’t do,” only to laugh when she sticks her tongue out at me.

IseeCarlaandKiraboth walking toward a set of crates and head their way. “So, where do we start?”

Kiraturns toward me, “Rightnow,Iwas told we’re to stay out of the way and watch.DaRis quickly checking withKyTon where he wants the communal tent set up.Oncethey have it erected, our job starts.Luckily, we were able to bring down two maintenance bots with us, even though they still haven’t worked out how to charge them properly.Nevertheless, they will be a huge help getting things going.Youmight as well have a seat;Ihave a feeling this is gonna take a bit.”

Forthe next few hours,Ifeel like a nuisance as every timeIsit down,I’min the way.Atsome point,Carlawalks off when she seesJames, leaving me andKiraalone together.

“So, you and the big guy, huh?Ibet that was a culture shock.”

“Youhave no idea.Istill wake up sometimes wondering whereIam and whose body this is.”

“Heseems smitten with you,Imean, at least in front of us anyway.”

“Oh, what you see withDaRis what you get.Ittook him years to get comfortable showing affection in public.Now, there are timesIhave to remind him there are eyes all about.”

“Wereyou guys hooked on each other from the start?”

“No, not in the least.Wehad a rocky beginning, but he never gave up on me andIwas and am a true handful.Eventhough there are still a few bumps in the road here and there, he is my rock in the middle of this crazy new world.”