“Coming up,” Nikko said, slump-stomping when he passed her—like he had a slight limp.The low whirring of beans grinding came moments before the rich aroma of coffee filled the space.
“Oh my word, that smells incredible,” she said, drawing all the air she could.
Dieter caught her hand and placed a fork in it.“Eat up, Tiny.”
She inched her hand across the table’s surface, searching for the plate.When her knuckle knocked against it, she gripped and pulled it closer.“I’d just like to say, this is the best welcome party ever.No offense, Grunt.”
“None taken,” he said from opposite her, his mouth full.
With her left hand, she flickered her fingers until she encountered moist softness.There, she thrust in her fork until she hit the plate.“Too big a bite?”she whispered to Dieter.
“Nope, there’s no such thing,” he teased.“Just use your hand if you’re struggling.Shove the cake in your mouth like a toddler.”
She laughed.“My first time eating with my new crew and my table manners fly out the nearest porthole?”
“No judgment here,” Grunt said.“Leah bakes the most delicious cakes, so you’ll be forgiven for being a pig.”
“I haven’t had a bite yet,” Tiny said, then put the fork down to find the cake with her hands.She brought the piece to her mouth and popped it in.A groan slipped free.She squeezed her eyes shut and savored the gooey sweetness engulfing her tastebuds in waves of ecstasy.“So good,” she mumbled.
As a crew, they ate in silence, and the experience was made more enjoyable after a sip of coffee.Dieter added cream and sugar, just like Dad used to make it for her.
Tears pressed at the backs of her eyes.“I’ve died,” she said.“Pinch me, someone.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Leah said, her voice filled with pride.
“You should,” Tiny mumbled between licking her fingers.
“Well, you’ll have to learn, too.No excuses.We all take turns to cook, bake, and churn butter,” Nikko said.
“Really?”Tiny cried out, her thumb still in her mouth.“I get to make butter?”
Dieter nudged her thumb aside and shoved a napkin into her hand.“Usually, we have the new employees take care of the animals, but in light of your lack of sight—”
“Like a cow?”she squealed.
“Two,” Grunt said between slurps.
“Oh, please, I’d love to.”She bounced on the bench at the chance to look after an honest-to-goodness animal.When she was a young girl, she’d wanted a non-robotic pet, but in the city and with her parents’ wages, they were never granted a license.
Dieter chuckled.“We’ll see.”
Sweet from her toes to behind the ears, Tiny let Dieter lead her away.She hadn’t had that much sugar in ages, and her poor body didn’t know how to handle it.Nausea coiled, bile rose, and she swallowed, determined not to throw up that delicious slice of cake.What a waste that would be.
“The med bay is close to the bridge.”Dieter ushered her into a cold space, a chill summoning a shiver.
It had been a while since she’d worked in a sterile environment.After so many years studying, she’d become used to it.Now, in space, with climate control a constant temperature, being cold was rare.
Silence met her ears.
“Where’s what?”she asked, sweeping out a hand.
“Oh, no, you can’t ask me that,” Dieter said.“I know nothing about these machines.I fix engines and other…stuff, not these.”
“So if parts break?”She faced his general direction.
“We make a stop at the first repair port.”His feet shuffled.“I’ll leave you…”
“What?”she squeaked.
