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“Yes.LikeANDI, my main cruiser is in orbit above us right now.Mostof the cargo coming fromMeKuremis transferred to theIngenuityand then sent here as needed.”

“Wow, you really are a big shot!So, what are our plans for today?”

Heturns away from me only to reach down into his large tool bag to take something out, hesitating before facing me again. “Here, this should make your job easier.”

Ittakes me a minute to realize what it is. “Youmade me my own tool belt?Whoo, how awesome is that?Iwas just looking at my jumpsuit this morning, wondering whereIcould sew in a few more pockets.”Gift-giving apparently isn’t something he’s used to because this is the first timeI’veever seen him not sure of himself.

“Ifabricated some tooling that should fit your small stature better as well.”

Hemotions to a small bag that is identical to his own but more compact.Isit down in front of it, cross-legged, with my new tool belt draped over my lap, going through the tools inside, only to stop whenIcome across a small hammer.It’sidentical to his but a quarter of the size. “Ohh, out of all of these,IthinkIlove my hammer best.Thankyou,MeK.”

Bouncingto my feet,Igrab him in a hug.Myarms barely reach around him andIsqueeze him tight, even though he feels like carved marble under my hands. “Thankyou, thank you …Ican’t believe you took the time to do this for me.”Steppingback,Inotice he has his arms out slightly with his hands balled up into fists like he is fighting against something. “Sorry, didn’t mean to invade your dance space like that.I’ma hugger by nature, andItend to react before thinking.”

“Yourthanks were not expected, nor needed.Thetools are a critical part of what you are doing through the rising.”

Ican tellI’vemade him uncomfortable, soIgrab my little bag of goodies and walk toward the next foundation.Oncethere,Istop to secure my tool belt, grateful he put such wide straps on it, so it doesn’t aggravate a sore spotI’vedeveloped on my hip.

“Whosedwelling is this one gonna be?”

“MasterRicky’s,Ibelieve.Thisis one of my newest models, andIam looking forward to seeing the final product once assembled.Designingsomething on a holo blueprint is not the same as the real thing.”

“Thatmakes sense.Didyou design any of these after your own home?”

“Negative.Ilive in my workshop, asIhave not taken on a companion.Herduties are to obtain and choose our main lodging.”

“Ok, back up a little.Youhave to realize my knowledge of your world, or any other one than my own is nonexistent.Whatis a companion … like a wife, or girlfriend?”

“Inmy society, the women—orIshould say the head female of the household—are the ones who choose your companion.Theyare presented to us, and within certain parameters, we can accept or discard them.However, my mother is becoming persistent, and it will not be long beforeIno longer have the freedomIcurrently enjoy.”

“Areyou saying you guys have arranged marriages, and you have no say-so?”

“Mymother is the head of one of the most prominent families inMeKurem.Shetook her role in my upbringing very seriously.Asthe son ofDaR,Ihave more demands than most, soIam expected to have top pick onceIstart accepting recommendations.”

IknowI’mstanding here with my mouth hanging open, staring at him, andI’lladmitI’ma little heartbroken for some reason. “MeK, you are a grown-ass man.I’mpretty sure you can stand up toMommy, dearest.Youreasy acceptance of all this has me blown away, considering how opinionated you have been all this time.Imean,IknowIhave no right to say this, but your mother is not the one sleeping with the chosen one.”

Hefrowns before answering me, “Lacie, it is simply how it is.Motherkeeps me close and she even cut my training short withFatherwhenIwas a youngling because she was scared of his influence on me.”

“MeK, what if you hate this chick?Areyou stuck with her forever?”

“Therecan be certain respectable discretions once the contract is fulfilled, but she is my main responsibility until her death.”

“That’sjust so sad.Ihave no idea what to say,MeK.Perhapsyou should consider running away or something.Imean, if this is not something you want to do, have you thought about simply sayingNo?”

Hisrunes pulse angrily across his chest before he turns around to put his own tool belt on.Apparently, this conversation is over.Walkingover to the panels,Istart gathering the rivets and things we are going to need to get started.

“Whattype of dwelling would you like to receive,Lacie?Inoticed you have not filled out the questionnaire as of yet.”

Apparently, we’re changing the subject. “Ihave no clue.Somethingwith a porch would be nice, but for the most part,Idon’t care.”

“Doyou want one that can expand so that your entire family can reside with you?”

Ishrug my shoulders.

“Doyou not want a mate and offspring of your own?”

“Inever really thought about it.Imean,Iwas raised in theBibleBelt, where everyone has two and a half kids with a picket fence out front, butIdidn’t see that as my future, maybe because it wasn’t … asI’mhere now.”

“Youcan cut your younglings in half?”