ORLI COVITZ
With Garrison’s personal mission complete, the Prodigal Son flew away from the Rendezvous asteroid cluster. They set course for Newstation, where both Orli and Garrison knew there would be great changes for them. She had to go to Earth to take care of unfinished business with Rlinda Kett; Seth would study at Academ with other Roamer children; and Garrison planned to fly back to Ikbir with the requested supplies and a repair crew for Yoder’s ship.
He and Orli sat awkwardly during the flight, talking of many things but nothing of consequence. They had been thrown together by circumstances, had found comfort and happiness in each others’ company, but neither of them had been intentionally looking for romance. Garrison had his scars from Elisa, and Orli had her scars from Matthew—and she had just recovered from a deadly plague.
Once they reached Newstation, they would have to make a decision. It seemed as if they were going their separate ways, but it didn’t have to be permanent. This would be a good chance for them to think and decide.
Garrison smiled uncertainly at her as he flew toward the new Roamer capital complex. “I’ll see that Seth gets settled at Academ, but he doesn’t want me looking over his shoulder the whole time. I could take you to Earth, if that’s what you’d like?”
Orli’s smile was troubled. “I think it might be better if DD and I go by ourselves, maybe just for a month. I need some time to think. Is there more to this relationship? Is there a future?”
Garrison took a long time to answer. “I don’t know. You’re great with Seth, and he adores DD, but … we both have a lot to think about.”
* * *
Newstation was a dramatic contrast to Rendezvous. Garrison was upbeat as he piloted the Prodigal Son toward the retro-looking wheel station that rotated above the planet Auridia. Seth pointed to a faintly shimmering comet that hung next to the giant station. “That’s Academ, DD, where I’m going to school.” He hesitated. “I’ll miss you.”
“I will miss you too, Seth Reeves,” DD said, “but the Roamer school has several Teacher compies to assist with your instruction. They are more qualified to educate you than I am.”
Orli felt a pang. “DD and I will be able to visit you, after we make a trip to Earth.”
Garrison added, “Business first. We need to arrange the supplies and equipment for Ikbir.”
Orli knew that the busywork would occupy her mind so she didn’t dwell too much on their imminent parting. She and Matthew had had enough good years in their marriage to give her some fond thoughts, but enough bad years to negate most of it. Having been treated badly himself, Garrison was also cautious. But he and Orli were so good together, and she felt close to Seth.… Maybe it wouldn’t take her a month after all to make up her mind—if Garrison came to the same conclusion.
While Garrison and his son went to arrange for Seth to attend the school, Orli took DD and the list of supplies Ikbir needed. As they moved through the frenetic station, DD maintained a patter of conversation, but Orli was preoccupied.
Early in her life she had experienced so much drama, so much tragedy, that she had wanted to settle down. She and Matthew got married, and she spent years working with compies on Relleker. When that fizzled, she went to her old friend Rlinda Kett and tried her hand at trading. That hadn’t turned out well either. Orli’s life seemed to be a succession of dramas and dead ends, and now she needed to go back to Rlinda for closure. And Garrison … Garrison needed to find his own way.
They reconvened at dinner. Seth ran to DD to tell him all about the classes he intended to take, and Orli was surprised to see Garrison just as exuberant. “Kotto Okiah just posted that he’s looking for qualified engineers to help finish the Big Ring.” His eyes were shining. “The Big Ring!”
Orli didn’t know what that was, and DD promptly explained, “It is a gigantic physics experiment being constructed out at Fireheart Station. The results of the tests could provide extraordinary insights into the structure of space-time.”
Garrison nodded. “This is a chance to be a part of history. They sent an open call for engineers and constructors, and the project will last a month.” He offered her an optimistic smile. “A month—is that the time you needed? We needed?”
“What about the supplies for Ikbir?” Orli said.
He dismissed the idea. “This is Newstation. I can find a dozen Roamers to make the run, and I wasn’t really looking forward to going back there anyway. This is simply too great an opportunity to pass up.”
“It sounds perfect for you.” She grew more serious. “You saved me in more ways than one, Garrison, and I’ll always be grateful.”
He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her, much to Seth’s amusement. “If you start missing me too much, you’ll know where to find me.”
* * *
After traveling to Earth aboard a Roamer passenger yacht, Orli and DD made their way to Kett Shipping headquarters. The big hearty woman came out of her office, and swept Orli up in her massive arms. “I never thought I’d see you alive again, girl!”
“We are very pleased you didn’t see her dead, either,” DD said.
“And that was a close thing,” Orli admitted.
Rlinda herded them into her office. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do. I’ll order a meal for us.”
“I’m not all that hungry.”
“Then I’ll order a meal for me, and it’ll look so delicious, you’ll want to eat anyway. I know it.”
Orli supposed the trader woman was right. In a somber voice, she said, “I’m sorry I lost the Proud Mary. I had no other option—it was contaminated, and I didn’t want to risk—”
Rlinda held up a finger. “Don’t you worry about a thing. I read your message, and that’s all I needed to know.” She lowered herself into the extra wide chair behind her desk. “On second thought, I want to hear everything. From you directly. Sorry you got into so much trouble. I thought I was doing a good thing by asking you to check on that stubborn fool, Olaf Reeves.”
“They’re all dead,” Orli said.
“I know that, but it’s not your fault. They caused their own problems.”
“It was still a tragedy.”
“Yes, it was. But while some tragedies are unavoidable, some are caused by human stupidity.” Rlinda reached forward and picked up a silver capsule mounted on a Lucite stand on her desk. She ran the capsule between her fingers, rolling it, staring at it. A sheen of tears filled her eyes.
“When BeBob died, there was no warning, no way I could’ve known to be there. He just dropped dead walking across the street. That was a tragedy. Unavoidable. Now, after I go, two capsules with our ashes will be shot off into space together, and that’ll be a romantic end to the story.” Rlinda wiped her eyes, replaced the capsule, and glanced back at Orli. “I suppose you want another chance and another ship?”
DD immediately said, “We would like that very much, Rlinda Kett.”
“Maybe…” Orli said. “Or something here?”
“I’ll turn you over to Tasia and Robb, and they’ll find something for you to do.” She smiled. “For myself, I’m off on a special mission for King Peter and Queen Estarra—to negotiate with a secret medical facility that just may have a cure for Prince Reyn. I’m told that the answer is probably going to be no, but I don’t like that answer.” She sighed. “Poor Raindrop. I plan to use my negotiating skills and my charm—or anything else that might be required.”