Whichever came first.
"Hopefully, it won't be too much of an inconvenience."
"I have assurances from the Coalition that whatever needs to be done will be to keep everyone safe."
"How long?"
"Until?"
"Until the Galactic Alliance gets a ship here?"
"The system is on lockdown for the time being. No one goes in or out. Not until this is determined."
Janae nodded and sighed. "You're confident in your people."
"I have to be."
"What if it takes years to determine what happened?"
He smiled.
"What?"
"Your friend, Adryel?"
"Yes, what about her?"
"She asked the same question when she was getting settled."
This made Janae chuckle. "Guess you see why we're friends. Thinking alike, and all of that."
"You two can discuss it later."
"If we get a chance." She looked back out the window, unsure when that would be. Some girl time, without the pressure of preparing for the mission, together sounded brilliant to her.
"You should get plenty of chances. She is staying here. You will be able to see her when you want."
"Really?" She grinned at him, elated that her friend was so close. Someone to talk to that wasn’t, well.
Him.
And it wasn’t that she didn’t like him. He just wasn’t a girlfriend.
He nodded. "I made the arrangements myself because I wanted you to have a friend nearby. I imagine this is a difficult change for you. Having a friend will help."
"Thank you, that is a kind surprise."
Until she had to leave, and Janae was here with just him.
Stop that.
She didn’t know what the future would hold. Maybe Adryel would be able to stay. An emissary of sorts or something.
"You're welcome."
She looked him up and down. "You are full of surprises. That much is certain."
"Why do you say that?" He pulled a chair next to hers. Both faced the outside. She watched how the land shifted as the darkness started to pass over everything. Whether he saw it or not, she didn't know. He didn't seem moved by it.
