Searching the Skies by Thea Landen

Author:Thea Landen [Landen, Thea & Landen, Thea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Decadent Publishing LLC
Published: 2023-05-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

At the end of her two-week stay on Pasurea, nothing had been resolved between Geneva and her parents. They wanted different things, but she refused to give up the life she had built for herself. She’d left her family home with a vague promise to maintain better communication and to make an effort to see them more often, yet deep down, she knew nothing would change.

Marcus had been the one bright spot in her entire trip, and saying her farewells to him had been more difficult. With him, there had been no assurances she would call or write or visit, and he accepted their circumstances. As she had kissed him good-bye, he’d simply wished her well and a safe trip back to the ship, doing her the favor of not mentioning any possible future reunions.

And so Geneva sat on the small shuttle, shooting through the endless expanse of space, leaving her world behind yet again. Though she had enjoyed the lazy afternoons at Marcus’s house, part of her longed to get back to her usual routine and the stricter schedule of the military ship. It was her home. It was where she belonged, and, to her surprise, she found herself looking forward to the bland meals and cramped quarters.

The ship came into view out the tiny window of the shuttle as the device encircling her wrist pinged. She pressed a button, and the glowing green letters of the incoming message popped up. In the darkness of the small vessel, the brief text was easy to read as it shimmered in front of her.

Had a great time, it was wonderful to see you. Maybe we can do it again in another nine years. - Marcus.

She composed the first few words of a response but then ripped the civilian communicator off her arm and shoved it deep in her bag. As much fun as the two of them had had together, it was better, she thought, to leave Marcus behind. Clean breaks were easier, and she’d already severed ties with Pasurea once. Nothing prevented her from doing it again.

The shuttle arrived at the lower dock of the spaceship. Geneva slung her bag over her shoulder and disembarked. It was late at night by the universal military time, and no one roamed the hallways as she headed straight for her bunk. Dropping her duffel bag onto the floor, she stared at it for several moments as she contemplated whether or not to unpack it and decided it could wait for a later time. After a brief change of clothes and a brushing of her teeth and hair, she was glad to collapse into her own bed and plummet into a dreamless sleep.

***

By the time morning rolled around, it was if she’d never been gone. She dressed in the appropriate fatigues for morning duty and made her way to the dining hall for breakfast. The gelatinous blob of indistinguishable food on her tray appeared oddly comforting. As she poked at it with a fork, the entire table shook.

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