Log 1 Matter | Antimatter (35 page)

Ara’s younger brothers were still on
Saratoga. Gralten, Ashley, and Henry became her closest friends
outside of Bel, Tekko, and Jesran. All her other friends left
Saratoga and they still kept in contact. Ara missed them though and
saddened seeing how quickly Inferor lives travelled and left her
behind.

“Mail’s in, boss.”

Ara turned but the zookeeper had gone
already. She left the window that she’d walked to at some point,
just now registering the view. It was raining and there was low
cloud. She headed for the table where a letter sat. It had the
Wilds insignia. Heart beating faster, she placed her coffee down
and tore open the letter. It was an invitation to place an
application to work for them. Ara read it several times and then
jumped up and down. A real job! She flushed with mortification as
she had proven herself over and over at the Saratoga Wildlife
Sanctuary. That had been a real job. And then it came crashing
down. Trickster had said she might have to move, and this was that.
The sob caught her by surprise and she quickly ran to the toilets,
trying to hold her grief in. As she cried, she slipped and cut her
hand on the sharp corner of the cupboard that had broken away the
week before. Blood spurted and Ara stared at the cut. She reached
for the medical kit and cleaned the wound. Surprisingly, she felt
better. After dabbing her watery, red eyes Ara headed out, knowing
everyone had gone home by now. She grabbed the letter, waved to
security on the way out and headed home.

Homestead

By the time Ara got home her hand was
throbbing. She entered the carport even missing Gralten’s drumming.
What was wrong with her? Melancholia. Dad was in the kitchen
holding up a hot chocolate.

“Thanks, Dad.”

‘Busy week?”

“Exhausting but I’m going to fix the—”

“Ara, relax for a few days. Work on your
motorbike.”

She sat wearily on the stool. “Do you miss
everyone? I mean the kids?”

Dad sat down next to her. “I do, but not the
same way as you I suspect. Time is faster moving for us, in a
way.”

Ara’s eyes narrowed but she kept her mouth
shut. Her parents, pretend Inferors, how long did the Aether live
for anyway? She pulled out her invitation and, as Dad read it, his
eyes widened. “This is great news, Ara. We’ll need to tell your
protection unit. Though”—he said with a mischievous look that
reminded her of Marc—“they probably already know.”

She nodded and sipped her chocolate. A rumble
nearby made them both look outside.

“Another bad storm,” Dad teased.

Her melancholy took a break. “Fun storm you
mean.”

He seemed relieved at her reply. “What are
your plans for tonight?”

“Movie, sleep in, read in bed, and then I’ll
work on the bike. You?” Ara grimaced. “I forgot; you two are
heading off.”

“Will you be okay? We worry about you.”

Ara sighed. “I’ll be fine. Have a good
time.”

That night, after waving them off, she walked
back up the steps and closed the door. Why on Saratoga did she
suddenly feel spooked? She had been watching a horror film before
they left and decided not to finish it. A creak to her left made
her jump, and Puddy Unit 8 meowed. Ara closed her eyes and laughed
at herself. The “Puddy Unit” was a play on her Mobile Unit status.
Ara had come up with the idea as a kid, and now she didn’t like it
but the new generation of kids thought it a great idea.

Boop
. Ara jumped again and pulled out
her Voice, annoyed with the new tone.

“Hey, want to come and sleep over? Henry and
I are going surfing tomorrow and we’ve got your surfboard still
here. Not that you actually surf.”

Ara didn’t even hesitate, or laugh. “In the
hour?”

Ashley laughed. “Not enjoying alone
time?”

“Not really.”

“An hour it is. We’ve made up the spare room
but expect three kids in with you by morning.”

Ara grinned. “I hope you made up the big bed
then.”

“We did—” One of the kids screeched Ara’s
name in the background. “Have to go. See you soon. Love ya and I
suggest you hurry; they are winding up now they know you are
coming.” There was more screeching.

“Love ya.” Ara hung up and, with a bounce in
her step, grabbed the letter and ran down the steps to pack a
bag.

***

On her day of leaving for Wilds, Mum and Dad
cried. Ashley, Henry, and Gralten left the kids and partners at
home to see her off. She wasn’t permitted to take her Seeker, some
security risk, so she was booked in to take the Space Lift to a
military shuttle and then a heavily escorted ranger cruiser to
Wilds, in the Kovac System. Kovac. Her new home. Ara almost burst
with excitement.

“They are all set up, Ara. So don’t worry
about them.”

She’d been worried about her guards but they
were well ahead of her, apparently already organizing things with
the Wilds Security Teams and administration. Wilds was under the
administration of the Twenty-Fourth Regional Queen and two major
kings. It was also where Korbet had once lived, well, not on Wilds,
but on Jetarn, another planet in Kovac Station. Ashley cried the
most with Ara and she almost changed her mind. A surge of
rebelliousness took hold, sick of doing things she—what? Didn’t
want to do? She did want this and she did want to become a planet
engineer. But maybe that was just programmed into her. Bitterness
threatened to overwhelm her.

“It’s just life, Ara.” Ashley pressed her
chin down with a smile being slightly shorter than she. His dark
blue eyes were watery and black hair short for a change. “I’m going
to miss you.”

“Come and visit, whenever you can.”

“I will. We will.”

They hugged again, and Ara heard the
announcement. It was time to leave. She bravely gave them all one
last hug and smile, and walked out to the space elevator. As it
lifted the occupants into space, she stared at the monitor as
Saratoga landscapes grew in patches, and then she lifted her eyes.
It was time to move on. But first, to confuse her enemy, she had to
take a convoluted route to Kovac consisting of some transportal
routes and some ranger routes.

Iota

Station: Kovac

Galactic System: The Eye

Planetary System: Wilds

Southern Continent – Temperance Island

“I’m sorry we aren’t quite ready for you, but
it was urgent. We’re a little short staffed at the moment.” Malcom
was a friendly, short male with dark hair. He had dark green eyes
and was so thin she wondered if he was sick. She felt quite
protective as she walked next to him. From one of the many
installations dotted around the continent they headed down a steep
path, which leveled out into heavy woodlands and out into a region
adorning a lake surrounded by cottages. Each cottage had trees and
understory interspersed behind and between them.

She’d been on the final cruiser for twelve
weeks. There were a lot of activities to do onboard but Ara felt
she’d had enough rest and had been employed in the engineering room
by the third week after she begged to be put to work.

“But, you are to be a queen—” the captain
stuttered.

Ara was stymied and then grinned. “You know
how difficult we can get when we don’t get our own way so you’d
better let me work.” She winked at the captain and leaned in close.
“Better for your staff that I’m kept busy.”

She’d stared at Ara and then burst out
laughing.

“I’ll talk to our Engineering
Superintendent.”

And now? It was good to breathe in the fresh
air. The sun was low on the horizon and it was thankfully cool,
they’d reached the first cottage and kept walking along the cobbled
path, which was well below each of the little gardens surrounded by
low, dark green picket fences. Hearing Malcom cough she worried but
asked, “Oh, did anything happen?” She held her breath, waiting for
the lie.

Malcom stopped at the second cottage, opened
the little gate, and looked her in the eye. “We had to put all new
security in place ready for your arrival. The vetting process meant
we lost some staff due to discrepancies in their files while others
refused.” He began to walk up a narrow path to the steps. “We are
getting a new batch of eager volunteers though, all keen to work
with you, so don’t be too worried about it. We aren’t!”

He was grinning so widely that Ara laughed,
tension leaving her shoulders.

They walked up a couple of steps and he
opened the door. “It’s basic but warm. Your home will be ready in
several months, and we think you’ll love it here.”

“I think I will too.” The whole planet was
dedicated to wildlife breeding, care, research, and planet seeding.
At a noise at the open door, she turned.

A sharp-faced male with pale brown eyes came
in holding two of her carry bags. “Hi, I’m Denn and dropping your
bags at your den.”

Ara laughed at the jest.

“Since you laughed at my bad pun—” he looked
over his shoulder and yelled “—get a move on and meet my new best
friend.”

He placed the bags by the couch and Ara had a
quick look around. It was all woody, with a fireplace in the middle
of the room, rugs everywhere, cozy, small kitchenette tucked in the
corner to her right, bedroom to her left, she could see the bed
through the open doorway all made up with dark reds and whites.
Malcom was closing what looked like thick drapes in her room. A
large, dark male entered with her largest bags, and a muscular
woman followed and introduced herself.

“I’m Karan and this is Xavier.”

The giant smiled and nodded. He headed for
the bedroom, floorboards creaking under his weight. Denn sighed.
“He doesn’t talk a lot but he’s great with the animals. You’ll be
with our team, Ara. But there’s—”

“I’ve got it, thank you.” Malcom ushered them
all out and they managed a wave before disappearing down the path.
Xavier smiled again and followed them. Malcom closed the door and
palmed a GELpad; soft lighting filled the room and he went to the
fireplace. “I’ll get this started for you if you’d like?”

“Yes, please.”

He smiled at her. “A PuG with manners, I like
that.” The way he eyed her off made her realize he was testing
her.

“I grew up on a farm and hung out with FiGs
mostly.”

He pressed something and flames burst into
life. Ara saw it was gas, not wood. “These are slow burn logs; the
gas just starts it off or you can just run the gas.” But he seemed
relieved with her reply. “I’m sorry to say you’ll be teased about
it once they get to know you, though some will make sly
comments.”

She shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

“There’s food in the cooler and cupboards.
Denn will drop your vehicle around at the back. There’s a road that
runs right around the outer perimeter of these cottages. There’s an
open carport and short driveway. Your Seeker will be here in ten
weeks I believe. What else?” He tapped his brain and Ara wondered
if he was accessing data. “A few days off to get your bearings, and
then a week of inductions and finalizing all your paperwork.
There’s a map of walks, and a list of activities. I heard you
climb?”

Ara nodded, she was keen to try the climbs.
Korbet told her about some of them but only Wilds workers and
escorted friends and family were allowed on the sites. It was one
of the perks of the job.

“I’ll make sure you receive clearance and
there will be the usual safety and emergency seminars you’ll need
to sit on, but we’ll book you in when the new recruits come
through. I’ll leave you now.”

“Thank you very much, Malcom. You’ve made me
feel very welcome here.” Ara had been a little nervous. Most of her
life one of her family members had been there or close by. For the
first time she was independent, as independent as she could be.

Malcom glanced around the room, checked the
fire, and left her. Ara smiled and began to unpack. Her ISVoice
beeped and she lifted it to her ear. “Ashley, I’m here!”

“First, these Inter-Station Voice devices are
awesome. Second, when can we come for a visit?”

Ara grinned as she looked around her
temporary home. “Well, if you are happy to sleep in one bed then
come on over. But aside from that, my new place will be finished in
several months.”

“We’ll book now.” His voice was sour and Ara
walked to the bedroom seeing the bathroom had a door into her room
too. “The Avatara dissention is affecting space routes and more
people are travelling public…” As Ashley talked, Ara unpacked and
made herself dinner. It was good to know they could keep in easy
contact. “…so, what’s your new position again? I’m bursting with
brotherly pride. Everyone I know is jealous.”

“Well, you may need to pretty up my title,
it’s “Wildlife Worker Level 8”, I think I’m just above the kitchen
hands.”

Ashley laughed. “Well, you’ll have the run of
the place in a few thousand years, have replaced all the smelly
critters with realistic robot animals, and be climbing the tallest
mountains drinking hot chocolate.”

Ara giggled over his ridiculous summation.
After Ashley hung up Ara received calls from Henry, Gralten, Mum
and Dad, Marc, Ersen, Sacha, Tara and Caleb, Terzon, Bel, who was
staying over at Tekko’s home, and finally Jesran. After the first
few weeks, most of her friends had called, even Queen Silvia, and
she spent most of her free time talking. With being so busy she had
little time to think about her Mobile Unit status and why she was
really on Wilds.

But beneath her general pride of doing a good
job there was a drive to prove herself. To prove she wasn’t just on
Wilds because of Maya. To prove that she wasn’t just a honeypot or
Mobile Unit, there was more to her than that. Ara knew something
inside her was skewed, and it tainted her perceptions, but since
she had no choice but to comply, she decided she might as well make
something of it. And when her self-esteem wasn’t being battered by
doubts, she tried to enjoy herself, or talked to Ashley.