“Noted.Will you be there to help with this?”
“Sure.Why not?Skylar needs a lift to either Aten or Orex when this gets underway.She wants her own ship.”
Skylar chuckled.“I could get into the buddy trip thing.This is fun.”
Chloe snorted.“Tell me that again when you are watching the Pericoff elders fuck.Life finds a way, but some ways you don’t wanna watch.”
Skylar cackled with laughter, Birun grinned, and Trin covered her eyes.
She smiled and began to send Birun the specifications the tree had given her.
Birun said, “How did you learn all of this?”
“Their sacred tree is lonely, and I spoke to it, touched it, and told it I would help if I could.”
Birun paused.“They said it was a cultural significance, but I didn’t imagine how.They didn’t say, and their minds were blank.”
Chloe sat up.“That’s it.That describes the situation.The survival of their tree drives them.They are symbionts.”
“How will new genetics influence that?”
“It will gradually make them more interactive with each other and the world around them.I hope so anyway.I won’t be around to see...”She paused.“Or maybe I will.”
Skylar chuckled.“You and me both, beeotch.”
They continued talking to Birun while he prepared files and made inquiries.The big thing he needed to know was how many male and how many female colonists to ask for.
Chloe smiled.“When I know what the breeding population looks like, I will let you know.”
He nodded.“I will await your contact.”
Chloe nodded.“Now I have to go commune with some moss.Thank you for speaking with me, Lord Birun.”
He inclined his head.“Thank you for acting on behalf of my people.”
She inclined.“Thanks for not mentioning my haircut.”
Trin snorted.“It’s not that bad.What is the colour?”
Skylar smiled.“She’s fire opal; I am dark opal.I am wondering if her skin is going to fade as well.”
Chloe muttered, “I can’t really be paler.I am nearly translucent.”
“But not completely.You still have something to shoot for.”Skylar patted her shoulder.
“Asshole.”
Skylar sang out, “Scaley asshole.”
Trin was grinning and started laughing.Birun looked confused, and Trin said, “I will explain later, Birun.”
Chloe smiled.“Okay, I have a few hours before we go back, so I need to rest and recharge.”
Birun nodded.“Thanks again.I will find out what I can and create a genetic program to favour the Pericoffs.”
She smiled.“Okay.Here we go.”
She disconnected, leaned back, and then got up and hopped back to the main green space.She dropped to the mossy bed and exhaled.
