Wandering Star by Steven Anderson

Author:Steven Anderson [Anderson, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, Romance, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780999178805
Published: 2017-08-28T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

THE TARAKANA

ANGELA, PETER, GIZ AND OUR systems engineer, Horace Wicklow returned to the colony the next morning, Velena providing security. They planned to meet with Hetman Skorzeny and work on reintegrating the colony into the Union. Hannah, Charlotte, Sipa and I followed in the afternoon. My task was to collect samples and examine the local geology while Hannah and Charlotte met with the Hetman’s three wives and Sipa looked at the colony’s agriculture.

Hannah and I had a chance to talk in the shuttle bay while we waited for Charlotte and Sipa, who were uncharacteristically late.

“Jake wasn’t too happy about being left behind. He and Alice will be the only ones on board except for crew,” I commented, trying for innocent small talk.

“Maybe you should have invited her. You two seem to work very well together.”

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to make you mad. It’s a small ship and a small team. It’s hard to avoid working with any one person.”

I could see the anger drain away from her face as she fought against it. “It’s the meds. I know it’s the meds but I still feel angry. It’s like the only emotion that’s really back.” She sighed.

“Let me help if I can.”

She nodded. “Just be around, but not too close.”

“I can do that.”

“And not so much time with—” She couldn’t bring herself to say Alice’s name, “—big nose.”

“Humor is coming back.”

“That was sarcasm,” she grinned.

“Close enough for now.”

Hannah and I were standing about ten feet apart smiling at each other when Charlotte arrived.

Collecting soil samples around the colony site made me uneasy. Kneeling in the street scooping dirt into sample bags felt too much like the Margo Islands. More than once I thought I heard a voice behind me that sounded like Sergeant McKellar or the sound of feet on gravel. After a couple of hours I went back to the vacant structure that we were building out as a lab and dormitory. Charlotte was there having completed the interviews.

“Done already, Ted?”

“Just needed a break. Hannah and Sipa?” I asked.

“I think Sipa is still walking through the fields south of town and Hannah went to listen in on the negotiations. I was headed there myself once I finish this report. Why don’t you come along and sit with us for a while?”

“OK. How were the interviews?”

“Read over my shoulder. I want to finish this and get over to the Hetman’s chambers.”

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