An overwhelming wave of uncertainty washed over me.
The reality of the moment hit me, and my stomach filled with anticipation.
The little voice inside my head, nurtured by years of independence and self-reliance, reminded me I was more than ready to venture into space this time, and it would be incredibly mind-blowing.
I’d figure out how to fit in. No doubt about it. I always did.
WHEN WE DOCKED INSIDEthe Chetok’s hangar, I unbuckled my seat belt and headed out of the shuttle.
Once more, the air was filled with many male voices and the heavy stomping of boots on metal flooring.
Without a clue of where to go, I decided to follow the crowd into one of the ship’s main corridors.
I roamed the corridor for a while, hoping to find someone to ask about Krin’s whereabouts.
The engines started up, and the hallway got quiet. The Chetok was leaving, and I still hadn’t caught up with Krin.
Eventually, a warrior I didn’t know approached, telling me he would show me to my new quarters.
“Where is Krin?” I asked. Was he afraid to be alone with me? Or did he just not care that I’d shown up?
The warrior stared down at me with a scolding look that said I had no business calling him Krin, or asking about him.
“Captain Krin is in the command center. He is busy.”
I grimaced. My plans to seduce Krin and request permission to stay on the ship were off to a poor start.
The warrior began to pick up his pace, strolling down the hall.
Not speaking, I hurried to keep up.
It was a strange feeling to be back on the Chetok after my time on Alara. I was glad to find myself in space under much better circumstances. The possibilities were endless out here.
I hope,I thought to myself.
I brushed a few loose strands of hair behind my ear. “Remind me again, how far are we from the human colony?” I peered up at the turquoise warrior walking a couple steps ahead of me.
“It will take five rotations to reach Novara. It is on the way to our patrol route,” he stated plainly.
Uh oh.That meant I had less than a week to convince Krin to let me stay.
I sighed and pushed him out of my thoughts for a moment, as if my entire future didn’t depend on a decision outside of my control.
“Do you think there’s a chance I will be able to stay on the ship, instead of being left at the human colony?”
I was determined to find a task on the ship that would give me a sense of purpose.
Despite not being a formidable warrior like the rest of the crew, I was committed to earning my place here through hard work.
“I am unsure,” the warrior who didn’t give me his name responded without emotion.
His lack of communication made me laugh out loud as he kept walking.
“You are a chatty one, aren’t you?” I joked. The palace guards were way friendlier than this guy.
Thankfully, he wasn’t walking fast anymore, and I was able to keep up. He looked down at me with a brow cocked, his shoulders back. His face didn’t crack a smile.
“Whatever,” I muttered, shaking my head.
