Page 9

I see SCOUT and the others coming toward us, and before I think about it, I blurt out, “ Ok , it’s beautiful so what’s the downside?”

SCOUT comes up next to me answering, “ There are issues, Lacie , but none that I feel are not manageable.

The temperatures remain the same for the majority of the year, and that is great for farming.

However , this moon, like many others, does not rotate; the dark side is completely uninhabitable, which makes expansion something that would need to be monitored in the future.

This area is enormous but limited to only being able to maintain a certain number of inhabitants safely.

One concern is the constant light and how that is going to affect your race as a whole.

There is no darkness every few tics like you are used to.

As the moon rotates around Etherium , there is a short span when darkness will approach, and you will need to remain indoors as the temperatures will plummet and become deadly quickly.

Most plant life dies off within half a rotation when this phenomenon occurs.

Thankfully , it is only half a lunar rotation before the light slowly starts returning, and the moon begins renewing itself.

The only positive aspect of this occurrence is that it provides an appropriate time to relax and enjoy all the hard work you have done during the growing season. A vacation, so to speak.”

“ Why is the sky changing colors like that?”

“ What you are seeing is actually only a reflection. The gases on Etherium continuously mix, causing them to change in appearance. Due to its size and location to our suns, their light is reflected directly to this moon.”

Briar and I both follow behind SCOUT , as all the others seem to have chosen a different path forward. Unfortunately for him, my questions are forming faster than he can answer them. “ So , what is this Suet thing the Commander mentioned before?”

“ They are a large feline and the only thing I can reference that would be familiar to you is a Puma or Sabretooth Tiger . They are mostly black, but their skin can easily camouflage to match its surroundings, making them hard to spot in extreme fauna.”

“ Ok , so watch out for big damn cats we can’t see.

That’s going to work out well in my future.

So , now that we’re here, what’s the plan?

I mean, this place is beautiful but I can’t imagine how we would even start.

There are no local electric company workers or construction crews setting poles, waiting for further instructions that I can see.

I have no idea about your life experiences, but roughing it was never my thing. ”

“ I am awaiting MeK and KyT’s arrival before laying out the exact plans for your race’s final approval.

This is not the first time we have had to come in and build or rebuild an entire society.

Disasters are common in all universes. Unfortunately , it will seem overwhelming in the beginning, but with each rising, you will see a change for the better. ”

“ And the guys you’re waiting for?”

“ Two more of the Commander’s sons.”

Briar has been quiet this entire time but nevertheless, I’m glad she doesn’t seem to be green anymore.

However , his words must have triggered her curiosity.

“ Just how many sons does he have? Because I could’ve sworn the doctor and captain on the Destroyer , both announced they were also his sons when we first awakened from the pods. ”

“ The Commander has twenty-three presently.”

We both glance at each other before turning our eyes away from him, searching for the Commander .

I’m not sure who Briar is talking to right now, but she simply voices what I’m thinking.

“ He doesn’t look old enough to have twenty-three kids.

I mean damn, talk about getting around! He’s not stingy with that thing, is he? ”

“ Not all things stated are as they seem, but his story is not mine to tell. He is the most admirable and honorable male you will ever meet in this life or the next.”

I almost whisper to Briar that if he wants number twenty-four, I’m willing but stop myself because I don’t want anyone else to hear me. We walk a little further, and just as I start to reach out to touch the tree in front of me, I stop. “ Hey , SCOUT , is it all right for us to touch things?”

“ I see no harm in it. My scanners are not picking up any abnormalities.”

With hesitation, I place my fingers and then my whole palm against the tree, and I swear I can sense a pulse beneath its thin bark.

That’s when it dawns on me that we are the pioneers, the first humans to ever walk on this moon.

It’s incredibly overwhelming and a blessing to have this second chance to be more than we once were.

Previously , I felt voiceless and powerless, but now I refuse to step aside and let history repeat itself.

This will be my home, and I’m ready to protect it with my life if necessary.

As I run my hand along the smooth surface, I take a moment to truly observe my surroundings, realizing that most of the trees standing around me are the same height.

“ SCOUT , where are all the baby trees?”

“ You mean saplings?”

“ Yeah … I just noticed how clear the underbrush is and the fact that there are no baby trees.”

“ We will have to wait for KyT to answer that question. He has a way with fauna that goes beyond scientific reasoning.”

“ You said two guys were coming? If one is the tree whisperer, who is the other one, and what does he do?”

“ MeK serves as the chief engineer for the majority of newly installed residences … dwellings or ‘homes’ as you call them. His planet produces and manufactures nearly everything required in our section of the solar system, ranging from medical chambers to the bots we utilize each rotation. MeKurem just recently started fabricating all the intelligent and sentient dwellings as our sector is advancing rapidly. At one time, his home planet even assembled Falcor within its airspace. If we need it, he is the male to see it designed and then built for our needs.”

Just as I’m getting ready to ask him what the houses will look like, Briar comes running toward me. “ What are you doing all the way back here?”

“ Looking around, what do you think I’m doing? Where did you go? I had no idea you were even gone.”

“ Come on! You can look at trees later. You’ve got to see this beach and the water.”

She grabs my hand, pulling me along, and that’s when it hits me that SCOUT and I were completely by ourselves, roaming around. Giggling at her impatience I tell her, “ I’m coming crazy ass, you’re gonna pull my arm off.”

Stepping through what feels like a rocky fairy gate, I stop dead in my tracks at the sight before me.

I’m not sure if it’s an ocean or a lake, but I can’t see the other side.

The water shimmers like a mirror, reflecting the ever-changing colors of the sky above.

The sand around me is a flawless pearl color with a powdery texture.

Noticing Carla standing at the water’s edge, we walk toward her, our feet sinking deep into the sand as we get closer to the water’s edge.

She glances over at me as we all stand there in awe.

“ Girls , no one could have dreamed this up.”

I start to lean down to put my hand in the water when a huge black hand grabs my arm, stopping me right before my fingers touch. “ We have not tested the water yet, and your human skin is overly sensitive to some things.”

The Commander pulls me up, and I swear I just swallowed my tongue.

I stand there in a daze, staring at his massive hand wrapped around my arm.

That’s the first time I’ve noticed something moving along his arms. Just as I start to ask him what’s attached to him, Briar bumps my hip with hers, and I jerk out of my own thoughts, mumbling, “ Thanks for the save there. I should have thought to ask first.” Ricky , walking up to talk to the Commander , has him releasing my arm, and I stumble back, only to watch Briar roll her eyes when an unexpected and unwanted voice makes both of us jump.

“ What do you guys think? I can see some skinny dipping in these waters after they say it’s clear, of course.”

Both of us turn toward Eric , but Briar instantly goes on the defensive. “ I believe we all be a little too busy to frolic around like kids, Eric .”

“ All work and no play makes for a bad environment. You have to have things to look forward to.”

“ Wallering around naked when we don’t have a pot to piss in isn’t on the top of my list right now.

If you’d stop thinking with your dick, it wouldn’t be on yours either.

I have no idea what you did on Earth , and I don’t care, but here, being the playboy isn’t going to get you laid.

So , stop trying so hard and maybe try impressing a girl with your actions instead. ”

The expression on his face is unforgettable, and I’m willing to wager that no one has ever addressed him in that manner before.

Reflecting on his actions alone, I believe he must have been the son of someone important back home.

Because for some reason, he feels entitled and like we should be grateful to have his attention here.

Eric starts to open his mouth when James walks up, his voice catching my attention and prompting me to turn away.

“ Commander , I understand that we can only see a small portion of the area around us in the time frame we’re going to be here.

Is there a way that you can scan or possibly map the rest of the locations we might relocate to?

This place is beautiful, but is the soil capable of growth, especially for things not originally from here? ”

“ SCOUT will be able to answer that more accurately.” And just like you flipped a switch he appears right out of the air again.