Holly looked up through the canopy of leaves. A bird with iridescent feathers hopped along a branch, tilting its head to watch her.
“I’m overwhelmed,” she admitted. “But the outpost is very pretty. The dome is stunning. The forest is bigger than I expected. The gardens and the architecture are as beautiful as the schematics promised.” She sighed. “But it’s all out-of-date. Systems aren’t working properly. The air circulation is sluggish. Half the storefronts are empty. And I haven’t even seen all of it yet.”
“I knew it would be a lot to take on,” her mother said carefully. “Have you met the residents?”
Holly filled them in on the people she had encountered so far. Alyce, the woman who managed, well,everythingwith sharp efficiency. Sam, the big, quiet man who ran the spaceport. Orba and Sula, the Vepins at The Emporium who had somehow known exactly what she wanted. Harry, Mish, and Mish’s fourteen identical, hive-minded, potentially deadly children.
“And a consultant sent by Rest ’N Recharge, who wants to buy the outpost,” Holly added. “He’s staying at the hotel.”
“Rest ’N Recharge?” Her father sounded annoyed. “Ugh, those outposts are hideous.”
“I know,” Holly said. “His name is Rasker Vipp and he’s as unpleasant as his name suggests.”
Her mother made a disapproving noise. “We try to avoid those awful stations. I don’t understand why they must plaster advertisements oneverysurface.”
“Even inside the shower.” Holly watched a beetle crawl across a leaf. “I told him I wasn’t selling. He didn’t seem convinced.”
“You’ll convince him,” her father said firmly.
Holly smiled despite herself. “We’ll see.” She paused, then asked, “Mom, do you remember a third cousin of mine? A guy named Cody Barkois?”
“Barkois…” There was a moment of silence. “Oh, dear. Yes, I think I know who you mean. My second cousin’s youngest son.Only met him once or twice but it was years ago, at a reunion. He was a bit of a troublemaker as a child, as I recall.” Her mother’s tone was thoughtful. “Got into all sorts of mischief. His parents moved around a lot, so we lost touch. Why do you ask?”
“He showed up a couple months ago, before Charles died. Charles hired him as a cook. Apparently, he’s not a good one.” Holly tugged Bean back from sniffing something suspicious in the brush. “I haven’t met him yet. I’ve tried, but every time I go to the lounge, he’s not there. His messes are, though. He leaves it in shambles.” She bit her lip. “I’ll have to go in there and address that.”
“Oh dear,” her mother tutted. “Do you think you’ll have to fire him?”
“Probably,” Holly replied. “Otherwise, I plan to set up a meeting with the residents. I’ve gone over all the records I have on the station, but I want to introduce myself and get a feel for the morale. I have a feeling it’s low.”
“How could it not be?” her father asked. “Upgrading that place is going to be expensive and they surely know it.”
Holly frowned. “Speaking of which, I’m surprised at how low Charles’ accounts are. For someone who took a full fifty percent of all fees collected by the spaceport, I expected there to be more funds to work with.”
“I saw those accounts too,” her mother said. “I don’t know where the currency units went. Charles wasn’t known for his generosity, so I doubt he gave them away.”
“Maybe he spent them on something,” her father suggested. “Or maybe he hid them somewhere.”
“The last expensive thing he bought was a gen-one Homeboti unit…at least fifty years ago.” But Holly would have to look into the idea that therewasa currency chip floating around somewhere, overlooked. She’d need thenitsif she was going to update the outpost.
“Be careful, Holly,” her father added. “I know you want to save that place, but don’t dump allyoursavings into it before you’re sure it can be saved. You have two and a half months to decide whether or not to stay there. Use that time wisely.”
“I will, Dad.” She meant it. She had her own savings, but it wasn’t a fortune by any means. It was enough to support her on the lunar city, which was the most expensive comm-code in the solar system. She had to determine whether the outpost could be turned around and made more appealing to travelers. If not, then maybe she would have to return to Nova and the enhanced aesthetics program, and Beenan’s smug face.
The thought made her stomach clench.
Just then, Bean squatted beside the path and glared up at her, as if unhappy she was present for such a private moment.
Holly cursed herself for forgetting a bag. “Hold on,” she said. “The dog just pooped on the ground and I forgot to bring a waste bag.”
“What dog?” Her father sounded surprised.
“Oh, right. You didn’t know. I inherited Charles’ dog. A beagle. He doesn’t like me. He does his business on our walks—which is where we are right now—and I forgot to bring something to clean it up.”
“My father had adog?” Mirth sounded aghast.
“Yes.” Holly gazed down at the beagle in question. “Maybe he got lonely.”
Mirth snorted. “Why would you need to clean up after him?” her mother wanted to know. “I was a little girl, but I remember cleaning bots coming around.”
