Star Wanderers: The Jeremiah Chronicles (Omnibus I-IV) by Joe Vasicek

Author:Joe Vasicek [Vasicek, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space travel, science fiction romance, science fiction adventure, scifi romance, terraforming, far future, space colonization, starship pilot, joe vasicek, accidental bride, spaceship romance, planetary colonization, spaceship adventure, accidental marriage
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

Jeremiah watched from the doorway of the bunk room as the three women chatted while making up the beds. The bureaucratic hassles with the Gamman customs office had kept him busy all day, and he felt more than ready for some rest. Fortunately, the two young couples that shared the room had just barely left for the downshift cycle. Sharing the bunks felt a little odd, but Noemi didn’t seem to have a problem with it. It would be better for her here than on the Ariadne, and Jeremiah didn’t want to spend the nightshifts on his own ship alone.

“Here,” said Jakob from behind. “Do you need help carrying anything out from the Ariadne?”

“Not really,” said Jeremiah, turning around. “We’ve just got a few personal belongings. I can get it myself.”

Jakob laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. “Well, let me help you anyway. I insist.” He said something to the women in Deltan, and all three of them nodded in assent, especially Mariya.

Once in the hallway, Jeremiah turned to Jakob and gave him a puzzled look. The sound of the women quickly faded, while passengers and crew slipped past them.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“We need to talk,” said Jakob, motioning for him to lead the way.

Jeremiah’s heart sank as they stepped through the hatchway toward the crew section and docking bays. His mind raced, trying to figure out what Jakob wanted to talk with him about. Had he acted inappropriately toward Mariya? Violated some Deltan norm that he didn’t yet know about? He mentally retraced his steps since arriving at the Hope of Oriana, but couldn’t think of anything that would warrant a private reprimand. Of course, that only made him worry all the more.

They walked in silence through the mess hall and control rooms, stopping at the airlock that led to the Ariadne. He punched the password code on the access panel and led the way through. Once inside, the door hissed shut behind them, cutting them off from the others.

“Is anything the matter?” he asked, stepping into the cabin of his starship. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, not at all,” said Jakob. “Please, have a seat.”

It seemed a bit odd for a guest to offer up the seats like he owned the place. Jeremiah unfolded the chair on the far end of the cabin, while Jakob unfolded the other and sat down facing him.

“Nice place,” he said, taking some time to admire the ship. “A bit cozy, but not much more than the Hope of Oriana. I see you’ve dismantled whatever cot used to be here.”

“I took it out to make more room,” Jeremiah said quickly. “We sleep on a hammock now—it’s stowed in one of the upper compartments.”

Jakob nodded in admiration. “Clever. A very practical solution, given the limitations.”

What’s he trying to get at? Jeremiah wondered to himself.

“I try my best,” he said. “It’s hard sometimes, but Noemi and I understand each other well enough to get by.”

“That’s very good. You’re a good man.

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