Homeworld by Gun Brooke

Author:Gun Brooke [Brooke, Gun]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636791784
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2022-07-01T21:01:47+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Darian opened the door to the corridor and found her grandmother standing there, still in uniform.

“Hey, Gran! This is a pleasant surprise. Come in. Can I get you something?”

“No, no. That’s not necessary, darling.” Gran stepped inside but remained just past the threshold, looking fidgety—and Gran never fidgeted.

“What’s wrong?” Darian stepped closer and gently cupped Gran’s left elbow. Immediately concerned, she thought back to the two weeks since they began traveling using the EISD. Things had gone smoothly, and the crew and passengers seemed at ease. It was, however, apparent that Gran was not.

“Nothing’s wrong. Just…well, I have an appointment with Raoul, and I don’t want to worry Geoff, and it’s really a family matter…” She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I would like for you to go with me if you’re free.”

Darian’s stomach felt as if a pound of ice had taken up residence there. Gran used to be so ill, and now that she’d been practically cured by the alien medical treatment, Darian had begun to relax and push back the old, constant worries. Now they rushed back and so did the fear of losing Gran. “What’s wrong? I mean, what symptoms?” Her mouth was so dry, she had to clear her throat twice.

“Symptoms? Oh, darling, no. My symptoms are kept at bay. That’s not it—at least not this time. Raoul has shown me how my body is responding somewhat reluctantly to some of the alien medications, but so far, I’m doing very well. No, this is about the extended DNA screening.”

“You said a family matter.” Darian tried to follow what Gran was saying. “Is something wrong on that front? With the DNA of both of us?”

“Not wrong exactly. Or not at all. Just a surprising discovery. I want you there because it concerns you as well. And Holly is joining us.”

Darian blinked. “Holly?” What the hell was going on?

“I’d rather let Raoul explain everything, since he’ll be able to answer the technical questions. I’ll try to fill in the blanks, so to speak.” Gran was fidgeting again.

Realizing she was only prolonging Gran’s obvious stress by asking so many questions, she bent and kissed Gran’s cheek. “Let’s go, then. We’ll sort things out. I promise.”

Camilla relaxed her shoulders and sighed. “Thank you.”

As they made their way to the infirmary, Darian didn’t say much because her grandmother seemed preoccupied and apprehensive enough to squeeze Darian’s arm hard. Just yesterday, Samantha and Darian had had dinner at Gran’s and Walker’s joint quarters, and all had been normal. They had, again, teased Darian about her concern for the—thankfully alive—chickens after the deployment of the sails. A different Gran now clung to Darian as they took the elevator down to deck five.

Holly was already there when Darian and Gran stepped into Raoul’s inner office. He was busy showing her multicolor charts but turned off the screen as soon as he saw them.

“Camilla. Darian. Please take a seat,” he said and motioned for the chairs around a small round table.

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