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Soulara’s head tilted as if she was studying Autumn carefully. “Where are you from?”

“Earth.” Autumn bit the inside of her cheek. She had to stop talking, but she’d come out here because the loneliness had been overwhelming, because she was struggling to even exist at the base and she’d finally gotten a few hours to herself. She’d come here to make sure that she still wanted to be here—not that she could leave. They would never let her out of her contract.

“What’s Earth?”

“A planet.” That must be why she was continuing this conversation. She needed the company, and especially the company of another woman, someone who was soft and tender, who maybe could understand the plight of being a woman surrounded by men. Those who didn’t see her as equals.

Soulara shook her head. “I’m not sure I understand what that means.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Autumn answered, trying to sidestep that she may have already given up too much information. “We didn’t think that anyone lived on this planet.”

“What planet?” Soulara dug her toes under the sand, burying them. She flicked her foot up and laughed as the sand dropped to the ground. She seemed entranced with the world around her in a way that Autumn didn’t expect.

“This planet.” Was planet the word Soulara wasn’t understanding? Autumn bent her knees up to her chest. “What are you doing here?”

“I needed a break.” Soulara smiled again. She seemed to always be happy, but her tone didn’t quite match the look on her face. Which told Autumn that there was something under the surface she didn’t understand. “Life has become difficult.”

“I hear you on that.” Autumn sighed. Did Soulara actually understand what she was going through even if she didn’t understand the details of Autumn’s life? “It’s so hard just to exist sometimes.”

“Yes. Autumn Walton. That’s an odd and beautiful name. Just like I like my women.”

A shiver ran through Autumn’s body, a pleasant tingle she hadn’t felt in far too long. She had to stop and remind herself that this was an alien she was talking to, someone who didn’t belong here. They weren’t even supposed to be talking, and yet Autumn was attracted to her? Did her attraction to women have no bounds?

But also to find this alien was attracted to women?

Now that was interesting. As far as Autumn knew, the only race she’d ever encountered that allowed same-sex relationships was humans. But it seemed as though Soulara’s people, whatever they were, allowed those relationships. “Do your people often have women in relationships?”

“Our family pods consist of whatever they are. Men, women, intersex. Two, three, or more. Often more than two. Two is rare.”

“Two is…” Autumn trailed off. What the hell kind of society was this? A dream world? Was she actually dreaming Soulara up because she’d been so damn lonely that she needed an imaginary friend to help her? Autumn shuddered. She hadn’t realized her mental health had gotten so bad. She was now making people up.

“You know,” Autumn started, pushing herself up to stand. “I think I need to head back.”

“Oh?” Soulara seemed saddened by that. But she didn’t move. “Well, I don’t want to keep you. I hope to see you again.”

Autumn paused. She’s just a dream. She’s nothing more than a dream. Autumn blew out a breath. She didn’t want to turn her back on this creature, so she stepped through the trees, keeping her gaze on Soulara as much as she could.

Just as she was about to step out of sight, Soulara’s voice reached her ears. “I think we have a lot in common. Having another friend could be worth it. Am I right?”

Autumn’s lips parted, the yes already on the tip of her tongue, but she pulled it back. If she blinked, would Soulara disappear? Her voice caught in her throat. She didn’t want to leave. Something about Soulara made her want to stay and talk longer. But she was just in her imagination. If her loneliness had gotten that bad that she was dreaming up weird creatures, she needed to figure herself out, and quickly.

“Yes,” Autumn answered.

Then why was she still talking to the illusion? Cursing inwardly, Autumn stalked away. If it was a hallucination, then Soulara wasn’t going to hurt her. She couldn’t hurt her. Autumn’s boots were heavy as she walked back through the woods to the beach. She found her way back to the base that was nestled farther into the woods and hidden from the beach and any intruders who might find them.

She had a mission tomorrow. And she had to be on her toes for it to succeed. One mistake and her entire troop could die. She couldn’t have their blood on her hands. With a breath, Autumn cleared her mind of Soulara as much as she could. She could do this. She could be the soldier she’d signed up to be. No one else. Not the daughter who left. Not the wayward soul who had no home. Not the lonely person who had no friends.

Simply Specialist Autumn Walton.

2

Autumn hummed quietly into the silence of her room. Three bunks filled the space, enough for six female soldiers, even though she was the only one there. The sun hadn’t yet risen, though the heat of predawn pebbled beads of sweat over her skin.

Before the alarm could wake her, Autumn shut it off, rolled out of bed and began her morning ritual. Twenty push-ups, twenty sit-ups, twenty jumping jacks, and ten burpees. Three repetitions of each.

By the time she had showered and gotten dressed, the rest of camp had finally awoken.

“Ready for another collection of the good stuff?” Her commanding officer spoke from the doorway of the female dorms. His voice hinted that either he or her or both of them were actually robots.