“I’m awake. Just thinking.”
“I was dreaming that we took a vacation. I don’t know where we were, but there was a beach, and some drinks.” Her warm breath was lulling my eyes closed.
“We should go on a vacation. Or find somewhere on New Spero to relax for a while.”
“We should. Let’s talk to Magnus about helping us set it up,” Mary said before her breathing deepened again, and I decided to close my eyes. Today could wait; I needed more rest.
Sleep came, and I rolled fitfully as I dreamed of the Shandra, the star map, and the palm-sized Deltra device I still had stashed away.
TEN
“I can’t tell you how good it was to spend some time with you. With both of you,” I said, looking across the table at my sister and James. “You look great, sis.”
“I feel about a million times better. You didn’t have to stay all week, you know. James was here for me.” Isabelle glanced over at her husband. I’d learned they’d been married last year. It brought a dichotomy of feelings to me. On one hand, I was so happy they’d both found love, but on the other, I was upset I hadn’t been there for either of them, and I’d missed my little sister’s wedding.
“It’s been great to see you too.” Mary had met them each once after the Event, but both occasions had been a whirlwind of rushing, interviews, and politics. For us to be able to spend a week with them, just talking and playing games, was priceless.
It still felt strange to see everyone around us seven years older. It was as if we’d blinked and missed out on such a huge important chunk of everyone’s lives.
“Mom would love seeing us like this. She always wanted us to spend more time together. I’m sorry I was such a spoiled brat when I was younger. I don’t blame you for not coming to the coast with us. You had your own life, even though I didn’t know it back then,” Isabelle said. “I’m sorry about Janine too.” She looked sideways at Mary and gave a small smile that said, “Sorry for bringing her up.”
“Thanks. It is all pretty unbelievable.” I’d told her about Mae, and how it was really Janine, the woman I’d met those long years ago in Central Park. To Issy, that was fifteen years ago. Hearing my sister talk about our mother and father over the past few days brought up a lot of pushed-down emotions. It was easy to forget all the things and people who made you what you were when you didn’t have anyone reminding you of them.
“You guys are off?” James asked, stating the obvious. We were at the Terran Five landing pad, inside the hangar to keep the cold blowing snow off of us while we waited for the rest of our crew.
“Back to Terran One, and then we don’t know. We’ll be in touch, one way or another,” I said, spotting Slate coming through the doors and heading our way. Magnus had left the day after the mountain. He needed to get back to his family, but Slate wouldn’t leave until we did. His loyalty was to a fault, and I really appreciated it. We’d been through a lot together.
We took turns doing the hug goodbye dance, Isabelle and I locking eyes for a moment, and my heart longed to go back to those days in the country. Dad would be tinkering in the garage, and Mom’s nose would be stuck in a book, sitting at the front door, letting the sun cast its glorious rays on her for the afternoon. It made me miss them both so much.
Mary must have seen the misting of my eyes, because she kissed my cheek and led me away.
“Keep in touch, buddy,” James said, waving when I looked back.
“You know I will.” These were the people I needed to protect. They all needed protecting, and deep down, I knew we had to go on the offensive. There would be no beach vacations for Mary and me. Not until the Bhlat were dealt with.
The transport vessel that was earmarked for us sat fueled and ready to go, the doors already open. Mary would pilot it, and Slate took the back seat so he could stretch out.
Soon we were lifting off, my tablet full of downloaded images from my sister and best friend’s wedding, my heart full yet heavy at the same time.
“You’re telling me there’s still no word from them?” I asked Patty. She looked like any other woman of sixty in our living room, wearing jeans and a sweater. Some things never went out of style, even on a colony planet.
“None.” She sipped her tea and leaned back on the couch.
“And you still think it’s Naidoo cutting off communication with us?” Clare asked from beside the former Earth president.
Patty nodded. “I do.”
We were in our new house’s living room, which was spacious when it was just Mary and me there, but the space was getting tight with our whole crew and extras hanging out. Magnus and Nat were there, with little Dean in tow. I was positive the kid was far better behaved than I’d been at his age.
Slate stood behind us, listening thoughtfully but not saying much. I’d grill him on his thoughts later, maybe over a Scotch in the backyard after dinner.
The back door closed and Nick sauntered into the room, a beer in hand, wearing an apron that said “Kiss the Cook.” They’d really gone all out, bringing supplies from Earth. “Burgers are almost done. Grab your buns and get ‘em while they’re hot.”
I couldn’t believe we were having a barbecue in a house on New Spero. Not just any house, but one that Patty said they’d built for us years ago. It had stood empty and was only a few miles from Magnus and Natalia, which suited us just fine.
Carey nudged my leg as he came in from outside, leaving his perch beside the barbecue that any red-blooded dog would be happy to drool by. The younger pups came along with him, following his lead, and Maggie plopped down on my right foot. I scratched behind her ear, and Carey looked up at me before moving over to Natalia. He hopped up and lay his head on her lap. I caught Nat looking over at me, to make sure I was okay. I loved my time with Carey, and when they left later than day, I would give anything for Carey to stay behind, but I knew he couldn’t. It had been too long. He had a new family now.
“Dean?” Mary elbowed me lightly. The room was looking at me, waiting for a response.
“Sorry, what was the question?” I had been so lost in thought, I hadn’t heard them.
“Do you think we should send someone to Earth?” Patty asked. I didn’t like the way she was looking at me, like there was a secret being passed between us.
“I think it might be a good idea. Maybe it could be resolved by having a face-to-face with them. I’m sure she was pissed after her little puppet man from the station was apprehended, trying to keep our arrival quiet.” Or the Bhlat had already shown up, destroying Earth and stripping it of all its minerals and water. I closed my eyes and pictured people around the world, chained to each other, faces dark with dirt and backs slumped in exhaustion. I wasn’t going to tell the rest of them what I really thought might be happening.
“Food’s ready,” Mary said, changing the subject. I knew she was tired of speculating. “Patty, if you want to send someone to Earth to check on things, I say do it, but know that Dean and I won’t be on that ship. We just got here and can’t leave it all behind again.” Mary’s words poured out hot and fast, her back turned to us in the living room.
I noticed Patty’s eyes widening just slightly before settling back to normal. “I wouldn’t dare, Mary. I was thinking of asking for volunteers.”
Magnus grunted, and I caught the tail end of Nat’s elbow hitting his stomach. That was her way of telling him there was no way he could stick his hand up. Magnus made eye contact with me and winked.