Re-lee shook her head. "I still do not understand what orange prisoner clothing has to do with anything."
"Because they're prisoners," both Gianna and Tina said at once.
"Who are?"
"Kolvin, Solkan and Marcin!"
Re-lee blinked. "What?"
Tina slapped her hand over her mouth. How did Re-lee not know that they were prisoners? Didn't they do some kind of entrance interview or something for the guys? She doubted they would be able to lie very well, anyway.
"They're not your miners. They're from a prison ship. They were Terran Empire prisoners of war, and we were escorting them back to Sol now that the war was over. Our ship got damaged, and we barely made it to Disguised Serenity, and for some reason, you thought they were the miners you were expecting."
Re-lee blinked. "And you knew the whole time?"
"Yes," Vinka said. "They were my prisoners. I was escorting them."
"Why, Addigale. I am surprised you did not tell me this." Re-lee crossed her arms, the little antenna on her head swiveled and looked mad as well--which was weird, but they did.
Tina blinked. "Addigale? What's Addigale?"
"It's my first name," Vinka said. "Addigale Vinka."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Tina asked.
She shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I am used to being called Vinka."
"Regardless of her name, you are still going to have to be considered for your position here at the Intergalactic Dating Agency."
"I figured," Vinka said. "The miners are all okay, by the way. They're just coming in about three months. Some issue with their mines that had to be secured."
"That is good to know. I'll adjust the schedule."
"Well, that's all lovely, all the secrets are out. Now, why are you here? Shouldn't you be on your way to the Rhimodian home world?" Tina asked.
"Not without you," Gianna said.
"Listen, I'm not going. I have responsibilities. My grandparents--"
"Your grandfather is fine. And so is your grandmother. You have a humongous family that will take care of them. I guarantee it." Gianna put her hands on her hips. "You have to do things for yourself occasionally. This is for you. Not for them. Stop worrying about them! For once, think about yourself."
"I have been, for the last eleven days! All I have thought about is what I want. My pleasure, my knowledge, and my enjoyment! I knew this was going to come to an end. Even Kolvin knew it. We talked about it, and that we would enjoy it while we had the time and walk when we were ready."
"You're not ready," Gianna said.
"Yes, I am," Tina said. Her gaze darted to the pile of handkerchiefs she'd been crying into, and she nudged them away.
Gianna didn't miss the gesture and raised her eyebrow.
"I can't have them think I drowned or something! They have to at least know that I'm okay, and that I won't be back." Just saying the words made Tina sick. "I mean, I have stuff to see to. A home. My job. All that stuff."
"You going to tell everyone you just went through an inter-dimensional portal and will never be back? Because that's going to go over well with all your scientist coworkers," Gianna said.
She wasn't wrong. That was the thing. "I hadn't really figured out what I was going to do yet."
"Well, you'd better figure it out, because you need to either enter the portal and go back, or you need to stay here. Those are your options." Vinka said.
This time, Tina did have an idea. She looked at Gianna, then back at Re-lee. "So, uh, can we have some time to settle our affairs and come back?"
