“Fifty, and there will be room to add more if needed. Right now we only have thirty in our tribe. The Drastans have been great at training our people how to build in a fast and efficient way. Each unit has one, two, or three bedrooms, and they have power and running water.”
“Where are you getting the power for all of that?”
It was the commander who answered her as he opened a door to one of the units. “Solar and wind power. My people have been helping rewire and increase the input and output of the current power source. It was previously solar, but adding wind has increased production tenfold.”
Someone hit the light switch as she entered the apartment, lighting up the space. It was small, with an open floor plan. When she walked through the door she was immediately in the living room, which connected to a kitchen with a breakfast bar. There were two open doors: one leading to a bedroom, and the other to a spacious bathroom. No more communal showers. This was a true luxury.
“It’s amazing,” she said in awe.
Jerry nodded. “The Drastans helped us create new appliances, too. The dishwasher is also a washing machine and clothes dryer.”
“Clean clothes, too?” She looked over at Devlon like he was a god.
Devlon shrugged his shoulders. “It’s a basic sanitizer; all ships have them. We just helped replicate them here.”
This could happen. Her people could actually make a home here, and help rebuild Earth.
“They added full-spectrum UV lighting, that’s why everything seems brighter. It will help prevent people from getting vitamin D deficiency.”
She was simply amazed, and beholden to the Drastan people. “Thank you, Commander. What your people have done here is incredible.”
He nodded but looked away, like he felt uncomfortable being thanked.
“Would you like to see the site of the future shops?” Jerry asked them.
“Yes, please.”
They followed Jerry back out into the courtyard. As they walked across to the other side, Jared approached them.
“You go ahead, Heather and Jerry. I’ll catch up.”
“Sure.” Heather smiled at Jared as she passed him. Jared was one of Devlon’s three sons, the oldest and the one closest to his father in height. They both had dark hair and dark eyes. The Estro men were definitely blessed in the looks department. She wondered what they were talking about.
*****
“Jared, are you okay? Is Lily?”
“We’re fine. Lily is finishing up the treatments. I left her with Lt. Saber and the Earth male, Corey Nash. I heard you’d arrived, but you don’t have your security detail with you.”
Devlon glared at his son. “Liam is being overprotective. I don’t need a security detail.”
“Dad…”
Devlon needed to redirect this conversation. “I thought you weren’t going to let Lily come back down here, now that she’s breeding.”
“She begged me to let her come, since this would be the last time before she has the baby.”
“If we leave Earth sooner than expected, it might be her last chance.”
“Don’t say that to Lily or the other girls. They’re very sensitive about leaving Earth.”
“Lily doesn't want to go to Drasta?” Devlon couldn’t understand their hesitation.
“I think it’s more that she doesn’t want to abandon her people here. Maggie, Rachel, and Hali also feel the same way. We’re trying to ease them into the idea, but Maggie and Rachel are insisting that they need to stay because their parents are here.”
Devlon ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Their father is also being unreasonable about this. The best place for them is Drasta. There they will be able to move around on the surface of the planet and get fresh air and sunshine. How do they not see that would be better for their children?”
“They’ll come around, we just have to be patient with them. Where is your security?”
