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Chapter Six

LACIE

After we returned, things moved quickly.

While we were away, they’d transferred our belongings to new quarters on a smaller ship named, ANDI .

Even though our main living area is a little smaller, it doesn’t bother me at all.

This ship is much easier to navigate and isn’t nearly as crowded since its crew is mostly maintained by what they call ‘bots.’ ANDI’s lifelike presence on the other hand, has become soothing, and his little top hat always makes me smile.

“ Mistress Lacie , you are up and about early. Could you not sleep?”

“ No , I’m restless, it seems.”

“ Change brings on stress, so your inability to rest is understandable.”

“ I feel a little lost. Everyone picked their jobs quickly and they’ve already started working on what they’ll need to do when we get into the moon’s orbit. I didn’t realize I had nothing to offer until they passed out the list of jobs. I feel useless now.”

“ Nonsense ! Just because you did not come with a skill set already matched to what is needed, installed it does not mean you cannot be taught. I was once a small, inferior shuttle, but look at me now, hauling around an entire race. I understand feeling inadequate. When I was unable to activate my hyperdrive because of the extra weight, it bothered me a little. However , I decided to look at this setback as a positive thing, since it gives us more time together. There is always a brighter side, Mistress Lacie , even if you do not immediately see it.”

“ I have to keep reminding myself that you are the ship ANDI . Your presence has been very comforting, and I appreciate you taking such good care of me … us.”

“ I honestly enjoy having so many females on board. I have been told many times that I am a hopeless flirt. Even with that knowledge, my processors cannot compute the reasoning behind why I enjoy conversing with your kind. So , this slowdown simply lets me delight in your company this trip, for as long as possible. Excuse me momentarily, Destiny is hailing me.”

I can’t help but smile when his small holo form bows slightly before he disappears once again.

Settling down before a viewer, I watch our slow approach to the enormous gas giant, Etherium .

I feel incredibly insignificant in this vastness of space.

Several people walk by; everyone speaking as they head one way or another, while I sit here feeling sorry for myself.

I’ve never been moody like this. I wonder if Briar is rubbing off on me, as I never know which version of her I’ll get from day to day.

My random thoughts must have brought her to me.

“ I should’ve known you were out here; I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Briar plops down beside me.

“ Sorry , Briar , I couldn’t sleep, and I swear I’m so fatigued I feel like I could crash hard.”

“ Have you talked to the doctor? Wait a minute, do we even have a doctor on board now?”

“ No , I haven’t, and what would I say if I did? Oh hey, my mind won’t shut off. Can you give me something to help me sleep, even though I was asleep for God only knows how long already? You’d think that as long as we were in those pods dreaming of la-la land, we would never be tired again.”

“ True , but the dark rings under your eyes show you are not getting enough rest.”

“ My mind is all over the place, Briar . I just can’t seem to focus.

My thoughts seem to flip back and forth constantly.

One minute, I’m back home, and then I blink only to realize this is now the new norm.

I have no idea what to do with myself, and then I really felt worthless when they passed around that list. I had nothing to offer; no skills of any kind. ”

“ Oh come on, skills… really? Hell , I’m on the cleaning squad.

You can have my spot if you really want it.

The only reason I picked that option is that I love to organize things.

Being an interior decorator was one of the things I always wanted to do back home.

I sure as shit couldn’t do anything else on that list. The very last place they want me is in a kitchen because I can burn water,”

“ No , I don’t want your spot. Although I like things clean too, that’s not what I want to do every day.

I mean, I’m not a doctor or a healer. I have no teaching ability, agriculture skills, police experience, or knowledge of managing a large municipality.

Food preparation was one of the last categories, and I can fix a mean egg sandwich, but that’s the top of my cooking range, so they really don’t want me for that position either. ”

“ Someone is going to need a set of hands or help with something, so stop worrying about all the little things. This will work out, it always does. After all, you get to look forward to coming home to me every night. How much better can your life be than that?”

I roll my eyes when she smiles big at me. “ You’re a brat.”

“ Damn straight. Come on, let’s go get a snack. I’ve tried just about every button on that replicator in our room and still can’t find coffee.”

“ Did you ask ANDI ? He has come to my rescue several times when I couldn’t figure out the buttons.”

“ No , I didn’t. I was hoping that it wasn’t smarter than me, but it’s 2 and 0 right now, so the machine is winning.”

The rest of the day continues on in this way.

Briar seems to go out of her way to entertain me, and I put on a fake smile, doing my best to appreciate all her efforts.

Just before the lights begin to dim, they announce that we’re to check in with our assigned groups in the morning, as we will be heading planetside for the first day of the rest of our lives.

It feels like I’ve just closed my eyes only to reopen them when Briar gently shakes me. “ Time to get a move on, sleepyhead.”

“ I’m skipping school today Moommmmm , just tell them I’m sick if they call.”

She yanks the blankets off me, “ This is how my mom would wake me up, and I’ve always wanted to do it to someone else. Now get your ass up. I refuse to be late today of all days.”

Swinging my legs over the side, I yawn while giving myself a pep talk: ‘ You said you were going to be more. Now quit feeling sorry for yourself and find out where you belong.’

We eat quickly and then head down to the main dock. Briar waves as she walks away toward the dropship and the crew she was designated to. I stand there wondering what to do next when Carla walks up to me. “ You ready, kiddo?”

“ Excuse me?”

“ I believe the Commander assigned you to me and his mate Kira today. We’re going to distribute drinks and prepare lunch for everyone while they set up the main tent or pavilion, as they call it.”

“ YES ! I can do that, thank you. I wasn’t sure where to go or what to do. Where is your husband?”

“ James will be here in a moment. Even though we’re assigned to different areas throughout the day, I refused to be separated from him on the way up or down. They can just wait for him if they arrive there first.”

“ I don’t blame you.”

Some of the other dropships move into position, but it’s clear they’re waiting on something since we’re still standing outside ours. Just as I start to ask ANDI what we should do, the Commander shows up with his beautiful mate … wife, in tow.

“ Sorry for the delay but I got sidetracked. Being curled up next to this little beauty in the early risings makes it hard for a male to leave his sleeping chamber sometimes.”

We all laugh when she playfully smacks his arm, “ DaR , shame on you. Excuse us for being tardy. I swear I can’t take this man anywhere. Hi , I know we’ve all seen each other from a distance, but I’m Kira . I’m so excited to be a part of this new adventure with you guys.”

DaR stands with his arm around her waist as the introductions commence, then motions for all of us to board. “ I believe we are holding up progress here, Love . We can continue the greetings on board.”

Carla pats the seat beside her as I walk in, and I feel grateful that she seems to have taken me under her wing, so to speak.

For the most part, everyone is all smiles as we wait our turn to launch.

This time, the drop is not as extreme, and I believe it’s because I’ve done it before, but poor Carla is not happy.

The moment we land, she’s up and out of her chair.

“ Someone let me out of this pop can. I’m only doing that again if someone picks me up and forces me back inside.”

James is talking calmly to her as we all walk down the ramp together, and I can’t help but smile as she continues to vent.

The fresh air and the colors dancing in the sky have most gasping as they’ve not seen this before.

I take a moment to close my eyes, trying to soak it all in.

Hearing my name, I open my eyes. Looking over the large field where they’ve landed all the dropships, I see Briar waving at me.

Unlike when we first arrived, the place is now a beehive of activity. Not only are we all on the ground, but there are also other ships nearby that have huge crates being lowered from them.

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

“ Confirmed , Commander .”

“ Welcome everyone to Moon E -311, your new home. This marks the dawn of your future and our shared efforts to ensure your success. I would like to take a moment to introduce three of my sons to you, as you will be working closely with them.”

I’d been looking around without paying much attention, but those words make me turn back to him. How I missed these three walking up to stand next to DaR , I have no idea. But if I thought the ones I had seen up to this point were oddly impressive, I didn’t know what I was missing.