Page 15 of Star Claimed Omega
Despite his gruff exterior, Wren was fundamentally kind at heart.
The grizzled ex-sapper with oil-stained mitts and a permanent shoulder tremor scowled as he flicked a new work order toward her.
His breath carried the odor of synth-tobacco.
‘You’re back to Deck 27,’ he grunted.
Soleil blinked.
‘I get another pass at the high life?’
Wren raised a weathered brow.
‘Don’t make it strange, girl. Clean is clean. ‘Sides, it appears you made an impact. The request originates from the top echelon.’
‘Who?’
‘Does itfokkin’matter? Means more pay per hour for you, so just shut it and get it done.’
Her brow furrowed, confused. ‘What’s the task?’
‘They want you on the cabin cleaning crew. Starting with the executive-level lodges along the lake. I’ll transmit to you the holo map and entry codes now.’
He dismissed her with another wild gesture.
In shock, Soleil walked out.
Moments later, her shock dissipated, replaced by relief that her earlier encounter had not resulted in censure.
However, Soleil shivered with a suspicious intuition aboutwho requested her.
After securing her gear, she boarded one of the express lifts from the lower decks up through the vessel’s core.
The higher she ascended, the brighter the surroundings became.
The echoing clamor of the corridors down below softened into murmuring conversations, brief bursts of laughter, and the gentle clinking of coffee mugs in the upper lounges.
As the glass lift soared higher, her eyes glimpsed polished screens and murals adorning the walls, the luxurious carpeting in the offices, cafes, and play areas.
Families eating together, dressed in clean attire, children giggling as they chased each other.
It seemed like whipping past a totally different social class and a reality she longed for.
One that was within her reach, because her life before this one was an existence she was keen to forget.
No matter how difficult, her current survival mode was more than she might have dreamed of.
These peeks of the life she dreamed of were why Soleil cherished the ship.
She loved the unusual, floating sanctuary; to her,La Última Sombrarepresented freedom.
It offered peace of mind.
It was a solid roof over her head, a safe space.
Although she had been there for only a few months, her focus on making this her permanent residence was high.
Even if it required starting at the plebeian rung, scrubbing grates, and cleaning filthy sanitation facilities.
