“There are nanites infused within the screen material, and that is one of their functions,” Sachuu explained. “Commander Gundar has already contacted the director of the FBI, so your transfer has been approved with immediate effect.”
Peterson nodded. “My director back at the field office got the email while we were talking just now. You guys sure move quick. It will take me a few days to pack up and deal with my apartment.”
Sachuu pursed his lips. “We can take care of that for you, probably much quicker. You could be in your new quarters before the end of tomorrow if you’d like. Of course, you could oversee the actual packing of your things as well as the unpacking. We can handle your landlord and dealing with your utilities and so on.”
“Sure. I hate moving, so if you guys can pack it all up and all that, by all means. I’ll need to figure out what to do about my car, though.”
“You can speak to the quartermaster about that when he contacts you. There are a few things we can help you with regarding that.”
Peterson huffed out a sigh. “Looks like I’m really doing this. Christ on a cracker. Yesterday I was a regular field agent, and today I’m in a sci-fi movie.”
I laughed. “Mitch says the same thing. He keeps talking about a TV show called Star Walking.”
Now it was Peterson’s turn to laugh. “I think you mean Star Trek, and yeah, I can totally see that.”
“Even I have heard of Star Trek,” Klora told me.”
“I enjoy watching it,” Sachuu confided and we all looked at him in amazement. “But if I may get us back to business. Linda Takahashi is going out on tonight’s transport. The FBI informed the commander that the local police will be working with the FBI to investigate the murder portion of our case, so until and unless it is found to involve her other than it being on her property, that’s no longer our problem. The dead Mylos discovered yesterday will be our main focus, once the Chief Medic has done his own forensic examination of the body. The widow arrives tomorrow so will be available to answer questions then.” He looked at me expectantly. “Jolar, did you schedule your wedding and honeymoon?”
“I did, sir. We leave in three days and will be away for two weeks.”
“Then you are on leave as of now. You can catch up when you return.”
I saluted him, then turned on my heel to go. Mitch had been in a bit of what he called a tizzy when we’d parted so it would be nice if I prepared the evening meal after picking Neal up from school myself. I tapped out a message to let him know I’d collect our son so he wouldn’t get there and panic if he was gone. I had a few hours before school was out. I could research local jewelry makers and perhaps check out an episode or two of this ‘Star Trek’, I decided. Entering the elevator, I said, “Take me home, please, Xeranos.”
CHAPTER40
MITCHELL
Oh.My.God.Why did I think three days was enough time to prepare? I glanced wildly at the pile of luggage at our feet, certain I’d forgotten something.
“Relax, sweetheart,”Jolar told me. “We made lists and checked everything off.”
“But what if we forgot to put it on the list?”
“Then we will get it once we arrive.”
“But what if they don’t have it?”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Then we can have it replicated and couriered over.”
I took a deep breath, then let it out. “Okay. My head knows you’re right, and we probably have actually overpacked, but my nerves haven’t gotten the memo.”
Neal looked at me anxiously. “Are we moving?”
“No, honey,” I knelt down, feeling guilty at triggering his fear. “We are going on vacation, and while we are there, Daddy and I are getting married, and then we are going to go to a big party!”
He nodded, looking unsure, and I didn’t miss how he gripped Jolar’s hands tightly.
“This everything?” our pilot asked, looking at our baggage with amusement.
“Everything but the kitchen sink, so yes,” I quipped.
He gestured and a group of Mylos came over and began loading our bags into the cargo hold.
“Okay, if you’ll get in and make sure you’re all properly strapped.”
I followed Jolar and Neal into the shuttle, suddenly reminded of a similar scene, only in reverse. Had it really only been a short time ago? It felt like I’d lived here with them forever already, my life with them both so huge in my mind that everything else from before was like an old, faded photograph.
