“They are now the Neewah.They are a blending people.Their histories are being recorded by the sociologist and anthropologist we brought.The guardians defend them, and the tree is offering fruit to anyone who wants it.Isolde is what Trin callstouched out.The baby got people very excited, and then they began to take some of the fruit that Chloe asked the tree to ripen.After that, couples disappeared quickly.”
Margo whistled.“Wow.Well, hopefully, it’s a successful endeavour.Are you going to create a monitoring settlement?”
He chuckled.“We are.I have recruiters lining up and prefabricated homes being designed.Trin is enjoying the project.”
“Well, if you want to use this vessel, Chloe is the person to ask.It’s hers.”Margo smiled as she increased speed.“Well, technically, it’s Dytura’s.”
“It is a lovely ship.I will ask Orex if he has a ship and crew available.”
“The ship is amazing.Make sure your pilot or gunner has enough time to get the calibration right.The headache from the connection can last for days.”
Birun frowned.“From the guns?”
“Yes.”
“You should not have been able to use them.”
“Well, I hate it when people tell me what I can and cannot do.”
He sighed.“I am making some guesses about Terrans, and you are mostly keeping to them.”
“Oh, if you get a ship from Orex, be warned that the tech is a target to raiders, which is funny considering that everything on this ship is locked to authorized users only.Anyone trying to break in will get a very nasty surprise.”
Birun nodded.“Right.Something to consider.”
She nodded.“Sanctuary in six hours.”
“Excellent.Trin is asking Isolde all kinds of pregnancy questions.Some of the answers are interesting.”
“They tend to be.No two pregnancies are the same.”
Birun paused.“You have children?”
She smiled and repeated the information he already knew.“One.She died after the impact.Skylar has her.Delia.”
“How old was she?”
“Twenty-one.”
Birun looked at her.“How old are you?”
“Over fifty.I had her when I was twenty-six.”
He stared at her.“You do not look to be halfway through your lifespan.”
“Chloe has been tinkering.I think my currently life span is close to three hundred years.”
“Ah.That explains it.”
She smiled, and he left as she sat and fiddled with coordinates and estimates on how to get from Sanctuary Base to Orexi.With the optimal conditions, the drive could get them there in thirty-six hours.
She remained in the chair for the trip back to Sanctuary.Her time as host was done.This was Chloe’s vessel, and she just worked for her.Margo just wished she could shake this headache.
* * * *
Chloe was about toget in her shuttle when a hand gripped her wrist.Delia was standing there, and she whispered, “Something’s wrong with Mom.”
Chloe whirled and ran for the command deck.“Med deck, prep for incoming.”
