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“No, you are fine.Iwill simply wheel this cart to the other side.Iprefer putting the translator on the left side, as those nerves seem to be more successful.Youknow the stepsLacie, please pull your hair back.”

Briargrasps my hands in hers, small tears still streaming down her face as she tries to focus on me.Ifeel his fingers tracing along the back of my ear before something cold touches my skin.Hepresses what feels like aBand-Aidagainst me, and for a moment,IthinkImight be spared the pain, but then the burning starts.

Imust have made a noise because he grabs hold of my shoulder like he didBriar’s.Inthe distance,Ihear someone scream, only to realize that the sound is coming from me.Thenext thingIknow,Iwake up lying onBriar’sbed.

“Damngirl, you scared the hell out of me.Ithought that thing had burned your brain out or something.Youok?”

Rubbingmy eyes,Iblink a few times for my vision to clear. “Yeah, wow,Iwas not prepared for that.Sorry,Iwimped out on you.Wheredid theDocgo?”

“LeXwaited until your vitals became stable before leaving.Hesaid he’d check back in on you later.Youshould’ve seen him snatch you up in his arms like you weighed nothing.IfIhadn’t been so worried you were going to have brain damage when you woke up,Imight’ve appreciated the gallantry of that a little more.”

“Wasthat normal?You’reeither extremely tough, orI’ma wimp if that’s the case.”

“No, he said you had an allergic reaction to the numbing cream, and before he realized it, he’d already applied the translator.Heput a healing patch behind your ear, but it still looks awful.Don’tever let them put that shit on you again.Hesaid he’d put it in your medical records so that hopefully it won’t happen with another physician.”

“Wow,Ihave a splitting headache now.Sorry,I’mon your bed, butIreally don’t feel like climbing that ladder right now.”

“Quitsaying you’re sorry, it’s no biggie.Innormal situations,Ican sleep anywhere and with anyone, to be honest.Ifyou don’t feel better later, you can just stay there, andI’lltake yours and hope thatIdon’t have to pee all night.Whydon’t you try to sleep it off?I’mjust gonna grab my holo pad and read for the rest of the day.Tobe honest,Ifeel like we should enjoy this downtime while we can.”

Shepulls the blanket up, tucking it around me before dimming the lights.AsIturn to face the wall, her words echo through my mind, causing me to reflect on the numerous changes that have already occurred and thoseIcan’t prepare myself for.

Chapter Four

LACIE

We’rein the middle of breakfast when the subject of being integrated into an existing civilization comes up.Thefact that we are all being asked what we want really relieves many people’s distrust and unwarranted anger.Noone reacts well when faced with the unknown and knowing that we’re completely dependent on an alien race is difficult for most to accept.

Thevote was unanimous for a planet of our own.Notlong after, we received a summons to gather in the lounge.BriarandIboth maneuvered ourselves to the front of the room as it quickly became crowded.Whenthe doors slid open, you could’ve heard a pin drop.Iknew every female in this room, young or old, was standing there with her mouth hanging open.Myeyes roamed over his tall, powerful form from top to bottom, finding not a single flaw in his appearance, and then the moment he opened his mouth,IthinkImay have fallen in love.Thatman could talk to me all day.

“Greetingsall, my name isCommanderDaR.Ispeak not only for myself but for theElders, who are the ruling factor that upholdsthe laws in this sector of space.Weare happy to see so many of you have survived the perilous trip that led you to us.Ihave come personally to help you with the rebuilding of your culture and way of life.Wehave narrowed the search for a habitable planet down to two locations.Thefirst is a moon, and it is the oneIpersonally find more favorable, because the other does not appear to have a long enough growing season.

Webelieve this moon will provide you with the means to advance, survive, and grow as a race.Itpossesses all the same properties as yourEarth, such as atmosphere and water availability, although it lacks the same aesthetics.Itorbits a gas giant calledEtherium, and as of now, it is only a few rotations away from our present location.

Iunderstand your fears and your hesitancy regarding all the unknown and unanswered questions plaguing your minds.Hopefully, in time we will be able to prove we are the ‘good guys,’ as myKirawould say, and put some of this unease to rest.Especiallysince we will be working side by side to help you rebuild your lost world.

Themain reasonIam here is to provide you with some insight into what is coming.First, we need to establish your infrastructure.Necessarypower stations will be first on the list because they are necessary to ensure you have clean water and comfortable dwellings.Oncethat is in place, we will explore opportunities for trade and commerce.

Severalof my sons will be stationed on the planet with you to assist with the construction and planning of your new world.Wealready have a cargo ship filled with essentials and building supplies with us.Otherswill arrive shortly afterward with more complex structures on board.Yoursafety is our top priority; second only to ensuring that you have a roof over your head.

Becausewe will be spending a significant amount of time together,Ihope to get to know all of you personally once we are on the ground.Aswe approach the moon, a ship namedANDIwill dock with theDestroyer.Atthat time, several of you will accompany me on a smaller shuttle to the moon’s surface.Onceyou determine where you would like to start your settlement,Iwill notify my sons,MeKandBuK, so they can begin heading our way.Currently, they are in the process of loading your personal dwellings.BeforeIanswer questions, let me explain my plans moving forward.

Onceyou decide that this moon is where you wish to relocate, you will be grouped into teams.Somewill assist with power, others with planting, and more with housing.However, those are not the only areas that will need staffing.Peopleskilled in medical procedures, food preparation, building design, and safety will all be working hands-on to make your new world a wonderful and productive place to live for each and every one of you.Whenwe have your infrastructure up and running, we will discuss what can be used for trade with other planets in the many markets available throughout the universe.Ourgoal is to make your race self-sustaining.

Iam open to all constructive ideas, so in the next few risings, gather your thoughts on what you can contribute.Wewill convene again once the volunteers return from the surface.Untilthen, rest and recuperate as the tasks ahead will not be easy.”

Suddenly,Ifeel the entire ship vibrate beneath us.Helooks over at the captain,EvO. “Father,Ido believe that isANDI.Hemust have switched into hyperdrive after you left in order to get here this quickly.”

“Itseems our plans will be moved up slightly.Wehave room for around ten volunteers to go planetside.Ifyou are interested in getting a closer look, please meet me in the adjoining room.”

Idon’t even think about it,Ijust step forward. “Whereare you going,Lacie?”

“Iwant to see this moon.”

“Letthe guys go, we don’t know these … people.Thelast thing we need is to be separated.”

“Briar,Inot gonna sit back and allow anyone or everyone else to have complete say in my life.Iwant to see our options firsthand.Ifthe place is a desert wasteland,Iwant to be the first to say no.Ifyou’re so worried, then come with me.”

“Apparently, you’ve never watched many horror films in your life.Becausewe are sure setting the scene for a good one andGod,I’mabout to follow you like an idiot.Fine, let’s go get in another tube and be shot across the stars.Imean, you know we were pushing our luck the first time, and at some point, that luck’s gonna run out.”