I'm finally drawn in by a warm, slightly spicy aroma that makes my stomach growl with anticipation.
In the large dining hall, a long line of people is waiting for a bowl of steaming soup and soft grain cakes. I hesitate, unsure if I should get in line, but a girl gently nudges me forward and says, ‘’Come on, you’ll see—Nora made the meal. It’s way better than those nutrition bars. Go ahead!’’
A few minutes later, I’m sitting at a table with a small group of friendly people, all praising Nora’s undeniable cooking skills.
The soup is thick and flavorful, its rich scent as comforting as its taste. The grain cake is just as delicious. I close my eyes for a moment, savoring every bite.
‘’Ah, so this is where you’ve been hiding!’’ exclaims Wingo.
‘’My Wingo, you’re here!’’I say, giving him a quick hug.
‘’Whoa, is that your pet? You don’t see many animals on ships!’’ someone comments.
‘’He’s so weird-looking! I’ve never seen anything like him. What planet is he from?’’ another asks.
‘’That’s wild—you’ve got the most exotic pet I’ve ever seen!’’ laughs a third.
‘’This is Wingo,’’ I explain. ‘’He travels with my partner and me. Would it be okay if I took a grain cake for him?’’
‘’He eats grain cakes? Sure, go ahead—there’s plenty!’’
“Mmm, smells amazing,”my furry companion remarks.
“And I promise it tastes just as good as it smells. Where’s Pherebos?”I ask.
“Working. He’ll join us later!”Wingo replies.
Rather than risk revealing Wingo’s telepathic abilities, I decide to leave the crowded room. His presence is drawing a bit too much attention anyway. I thank everyone warmly before slipping away to find us a quieter spot.
It’s Wingo who finds us a quiet little room—a meditation chamber, from the looks of it. There’s a bunk built into the main wall and a wide bay window overlooking the surrounding space. It’s stunning. It reminds me of BN-35.
“It’s perfect!”Wingo says.“Want me to turn on some light?”
“No, thanks. Like this… you’re right, it’s perfect. Let’s lie down and enjoy the view.”
“And now we can finish those cereal cakes!”
“Shouldn’t we save some for Pherebos?” I ask as we settle onto the bench built into the wall.
“He probably ate during his meeting.”
“Couldn’t you ask him before eating his share?”
“You want me to bother him? Over a snack? No way. Trust me—this wafer won’t disappoint.”
“Wingo, you’re such a glutton! I’m amazed you don’t get fat with all the food you eat.”
“You’re not thinking of putting me on a diet, are you? I don’t need a diet. I’ve already got a perfect body—or close to it. Built for speed, exceptional intelligence, and a killer sense of humor.”
I can’t help but giggle when I hear my furry friend talk. I feel safe and comfortable in this little cocoon we’ve found. The room is dim, but after a while, my eyes adjust and I begin to make out the details of this vast space. It’s beautiful. It reminds me of Prianka, my beloved sister.
On BN-35, we used to go to meditation rooms like this one to take in the vastness of the universe. I miss her so much.
We’re enjoying our meal on the bench when our peace is suddenly interrupted.
“Yes, it’s me,” says the woman who just walked in.
“Where exactly are you? And where’s our mutual friend?” asks a man’s voice—coming from the tablet she’s holding.
