Page 16 of Warrin
“You’re alive!”Rory said.Then she burst into tears.“Oh, I was so worried about you.Oh, thank God, Elora.I’m so happy to see you.Are you on a Vaxxlian cruiser?Why are the walls covered in… plants?”
Elora instantly felt like a jerk for not trying to contact Rory sooner.The second she’d stepped aboard theRennsha, she should’ve at least tried.Same with her parents and brother.She would place a video call to them next.Tears pricked at her eyes as she watched Rory wipe her face and take a few deep breaths, trying to get her emotions under control.
“Yes, I’m alive, and I’m happy to see you too,” Elora said once Rory stopped crying.“I’m so sorry I didn’t call or text sooner.Yes, I’m on a Vaxxlian cruiser, and yes, the walls are covered in plants.Warrin is an exo-agrobotanist.There are lots of flowers and plants growing out of the walls all around the ship, at least from what I’ve seen so far.”
“Oh, that’s interesting.What is space like?Have you reached New Vaxx yet?”Rory spoke quickly, her voice filled with excitement—and curiosity.
“I’m still on Earth, actually,” she said, deciding not to point out that her cell phone wouldn’t be working if she’d already left the planet.“There’s a blockade surrounding Grantville, and we’re trapped inside.But we’re parked somewhere safely, with an invisibility shield hiding the ship, and Warrin says we’ll leave as soon as it’s safe.”
“I heard about the blockade,” Rory said with a frown.“It doesn’t quite stretch all the way to Oakdale, but it’s a bit too close for comfort.Rebel hovercrafts have also been spotted nearby.I hope you’re able to leave soon.”
“Who are you talking to, my sweet mate?”a deep voice called out in heavily accented English.A second later, a Vaxxlian warrior appeared next to Rory.“Oh, this must be the friend you told me about.Hello, Elora.I am pleased to meet you.I am Zilann.”
Elora gasped and shot an accusing but playful look at Rory.“You!You signed up for VAMOB!”Despite her shock at the sudden revelation, joy abounded within her—her best friend was coming to New Vaxx too.
Rory smiled, then exchanged an affectionate glance with Zilann.“Yes, yes, I did.About an hour after I received your text telling me about Warrin, I submitted my application.Zilann arrived just a short while ago—sooner than I expected.I hadn’t finished packing yet.He’s helping me gather my things, then we’re headed for New Vaxx, where I hope I’ll see you soon.”
Biting back a laugh, Elora peered at the Vaxxlian warrior who was standing next to Rory.Suddenly, she remembered her manners.“It’s nice to meet you too, Zilann,” she said quickly.“I am so relieved Rory signed up for VAMOB.I trust you’ll keep her safe.”
The new couple exchanged another loving look that made Elora wonder if they’d already consummated their mating union.But she couldn’t ask such a personal question—not with Zilann standing right there.
“I will always keep my mate safe,” the Vaxxlian warrior said.“And I’ve already given her a dose of healing nanobots, just in case we encounter any danger as we leave Earth.”
“That’s good to hear,” Elora said.“Oh, Rory, I’m so happy and relieved by this outcome.I can’t wait to see you.Hopefully Warrin and I will be able to join you on New Vaxx soon.In the meantime, please don’t worry about us—Warrin has assured me that we’ll be safe.We’re currently well hidden.Even if anyone discovers us or tries to stop us from leaving, his ship is heavily armed.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Rory said.“When I see you in Starzzia, I’m going to give you the biggest hug.”
Elora smiled.“I can’t wait.Um, I feel bad ending the call so soon, but I really need to get in touch with my parents and brother.They haven’t heard from me in days.”
“Oh yeah.Your parents.Your brother.About them…” Rory’s voice trailed off, and a look of guilt settled over her.“Spoiler alert—your family knowseverything.When your parents couldn’t get in touch with you, they contacted me.So, I told them about what happened with Tobias and that you’d signed up for VAMOB.I’m sorry.I hope that’s okay.I couldn’t let them worry.”
Well.That explained the dozens of messages she had from her parents and brother—messages she hadn’t read yet.Her guilt deepened.By waiting until she’d safely reached New Vaxx to contact them, she’d hoped to spare them any concern, but in the end, her silence had caused more worry.At least they’d managed to speak with Rory.
“I’m not mad that you told them,” Elora said.“Actually, I’m thankful.I feel like an ass for not telling them what was going on, but…”
“But you didn’t want them to worry.I understand,” Rory said.“They seemed pretty relieved when I told them about Warrin.”
“Good.Thank you.I’m going to call them now.”Elora’s finger hovered over the ‘end call’ button.“I love you, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you too and see you soon, bestie.”Rory flashed a mischievous grin, then ended the call.
Elora skimmed through the various texts from her family.The first few were urgent, begging her to contact them as soon as possible.But the last few were congratulatory—wishing her luck in her mating union with Warrin.
The mating union she hadn’t consummated yet…
She muttered a quick prayer for strength before dialing her parents.Just like Rory, they answered on the first ring.Her parents’ faces rested side by side, their excited expressions almost comical.Before she could speak, her brother’s head appeared on top of theirs.He looked a bit more concerned than her parents, but he also seemed relieved to see her.
“Mom, Dad, Verne… hello.”
“Hello, Elora,” they all said in unison, their voices robotic—part of an inside joke that stemmed from a time in her childhood when Verne had programmed the house’s computer to say “Hello, Elora” every time she entered a room.Even the bathrooms and walk-in closets.
She laughed.Then she burst into tears.God, she was so sorry for what she’d put them through.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.“I should’ve told you right away about…” Her throat burned harder, and she struggled to finish speaking.
“There, there, darling,” her mother said in a comforting tone.“We aren’t mad at you.Rory explained everything, and I know you just wanted to keep us from worrying about you.”
“I’m a little mad,” Verne said.
