Page 16 of Uprooted
“I’d like to volunteer to do one final survey, to make sure everything is working. I found a broken cleaning bot in my quadrant before they arrived. I’d like to double check to make sure everything's in good order.”
“That’s a good idea. Put Lugo on it. I need you to brief the Council on the humans’ arrival. They want assurances that everything went smoothly.” Rialto goes back to his yuriOS.
“I’m happy to do the inspection myself.”
“As captain, you were overseeing the arrival, and I want you to brief the Council.” Rialto rubs his temples like he’s warding off a headache.
I suspect I might be the headache.
“Yes, sir.” I turn to leave before he thinks of another assignment.
“I want a full report from yesterday on my desk by 0900,” Rialto calls after me. I stop to acknowledge that I heard. I close my eyes, let out a silent sigh, and continue on my way.
Being cooped up in the security hub is going to make it a lot harder to happen to run into each other.
I’m still determined to find her.
12
Elowen
I yawn and push back from the desk. The room is much brighter now than when I first hunched over my microscope late last night.
Oh shit—it’s morning.
The only natural light in MuraDome IV comes from high narrow windows I’m too short to see out of. Exhaustion has kicked in. I can’t decide if I’m more hungry or tired. Both, equally. My stomach rumbles loudly. I’m still getting used to the twenty-eight-hour days here on j'Tilak. I typically finish up in the lab and go straight to my bunk to pass out, but last night I totally lost track of time and ended up working much later than usual.
The airlock engages and blasts me with steam before I’m released to the locker room. My steri-suit hangs unzipped from my waist while I splash some cold water on my face. I jump when the door crashes open with a loud bang.
Bri bursts in. “Where were you last night?”
“I am so sorry. Right when I was finishing up for the night, a new specimen was delivered marked ‘Urgent,’ and I totally forgot. Can I buy you a bowl of noodles to make up for it?” I muster my most apologetic tone.
“I already ate breakfast, but I’ll have a coffee while you eat. And you can’t ‘buy’ free noodles. It’s going to take a lot more to get you out of this. You owe me.”
I haven’t stopped working around the clock, even though the newness of the research has worn off and most people have settled into aroutine which includes off time. Not me. I worry it’s only a matter of time before Bri takes it personally and realizes I’m a terrible friend.
“Girl, you need a shower.” Bri takes a giant step away from me.
“I’ll just throw on a fresh shirt,” I tell her. I’m hungry and want to eat before I pass out.
“I think you’re overestimating the power of clean laundry.” She laughs and waves her hand over her face, wafting air towards herself.
I pull on a white T-shirt and drop my steri-suit in the laundry chute. A shower will have to wait.
“Come on, I’m starving. I will explain the anatomical features of the flower I’m working on.”
“Please, no.” Bri fake cries.
We push our way through the crowd of people leaving the mess. Cleaning bots swarm most of the tables, wiping them down and sweeping underneath. I grab the last bowl of noodles. It's cold and slightly congealed. I make my way towards an open spot, Bri at my heels with a freshly refilled cup of steaming coffee.
There is a raucous group of Tilaks at the other end of the room. The gorgeous aliens are impossible to miss. They appear nearly human, outside of their color and size. Similar facial features, only their brows, cheekbones, and chiseled jaws are more prominent. Hard interior plates and sinew protect their vital organs, making them look even more fierce and imposing. This morning they all match in their white short-sleeved shirts tucked into khaki cargo pants. Bri and I sit down opposite each other, and I tear my gaze away.
“Like what you see?” Bri asks.
“Just observing,” I answer innocently. “So, what did I miss last night?”
“If I’m being honest? Not much. Dr. Lee and I tried to teach a few of the security guys Cubes. They weren’t into it.” She slouches back into her chair with a huff. I’m surprised Bri got her program director to play Cubes. He’s old and stuffy and, unlike Dr. Kahn, has never given us permission to call him by his first name.
