The commander’s white coffin rested on a pedestal in front of the main sight panel, the exact same spot where he used to park his hoverchair and address the congregation. The position was ironic and fitting in so many ways. The planet he’d sacrificed so much of his life to drive us toward sprawled in the sight panel in front of us, a testament to his success. Not long ago, he’d ordered us to take the first steps onto the beach and start our new future.
My family and I, dressed in formal black, shuffled to our row with the other Ws in the back of the ceremonial viewing deck. Sirius turned and waved from his row and I blushed, thinking of how long we’d stayed on top of the ship that morning, lying in the violet sun and kissing. We both had incriminating sunburned faces. There was no way of lying to Solar about my “walk” now.
My sister seemed too preoccupied with the coffin to notice anything. She sat beside me, her hands folded in her lap. “I wish I’d gotten to meet him like you did.”
I thought back to my impromptu meeting with the commander, Crophaven, and Andromeda about the alien ship and then my nightmare, plugging the commander’s tubes back into the input holes in his head. Solar squirmed when she had a bruise on her knee. “You wouldn’t have liked him.”
She stuck out her tongue. “How do you know?”
I opened my mouth to formulate some type of witty response when Crophaven took the podium and everyone quieted. My parents quickly ended their conversation with the people behind us and turned around.
The service lasted for hours. My back ached, and my stomach itched where I’d torn off the skin regenerator pad. Now only a smooth line about three centimeters long showed to the left of my belly button. It was reminder enough of the dangers I’d faced and the nagging doubt we weren’t completely home free.
Solar put her head on my shoulder and braided her hair in tiny braids. To my immense pleasure, my parents held hands and listened peacefully. I’d never seen them sit so close together. Maybe they had their own kissing time. I quickly blotted that thought from my mind. Mega-gross.
Andromeda took the podium after Crophaven, and then each of his great-grand-nieces and nephews, great-grand-sisters-in-law twice removed, and cousins to the cousins. I was surprised they didn’t ask every one of us to go up there and say something.
When the service finally came to an end, Solar sprang up and grabbed my hand. “Now’s our chance.”
I pulled my hand away. “You go back with Mom and Dad. I’m going to stay to pay my respects.”
“Isn’t that what we’ve been doing this whole time?”
“Go on. I’ll meet you back at our family cell.”
People pushed by us, probably just as eager to leave as Solar. Solar put both hands on her hips. “You’re not going to take a ‘walk’ again, are you?”
I tugged on one of her braids, wanting to strangle her and hug her all at the same time. “No, silly. Go! Hurry up, or you’ll lose Mom and Dad.”
She fumed and turned around, weaving through the crowd toward the exit portal. I, on the other hand, had business to attend to. I pushed my way through the thickest part of the crowd to the coffin at the center of the viewing deck. As I glanced at the commander’s skeletal face resting against satin pillows on either side, I silently thanked him for destroying the pairing system. He’d given me a way to know my love was real.
That wasn’t why I’d cut my way through the sweaty crowd. Andromeda stood with a receiving line in front of her, shaking people’s hands and accepting their condolences. I took a deep breath and filed into line.
Andromeda eyed me warily as I approached. I hadn’t spoken to her since she’d chosen me for the team, and that conversation had been less than spectacular. I steeled my nerves, convincing myself I was doing the right thing. In my speech I’d talked about putting aside petty differences, and I had to practice what I preached. This was my chance to make amends.
An older man in line in front of me shook Andromeda’s hand and turned back to the crowded room. Andromeda smiled as he left. “Thank you, Uncle Donny.” Her smile faded as she turned to me. “Nova.”
I took her small hand in my larger one. “I’m sorry about your great-grandfather.” Thank goodness my voice came out sincere. I trusted it more and more these days as I had less anger and frustration inside me to leak out.
“Thank you. He lived a long and fulfilled life.” She shifted uncomfortably under my gaze, as if I had some sly trick up my sleeve. Man, had I been that coldhearted?
I took a deep breath and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
Her head perked up and her blue eyes brightened, reminding me of Corvus’. “Really?”
Shame trickled through me. How could I ever have been mean to this sweet young woman? She looked so fragile, so vulnerable and naïve standing beside her great-grandfather’s coffin like a lost child. I leaned in and murmured under my breath, “Yeah. There’s something I need to tell you. Something I haven’t told anyone about the alien ship.”
She leaned in, her eyes blue pools of uncertainty. “Now?”
I considered waiting until another day. No. This would bring her peace. She needed to know as much as I needed to tell her. “Yes, now.” I gave her a look that said please, trust me.
Andromeda glanced at the others waiting in line. “I’m sorry, folks. I need to take a moment. I’ll be right back.”
She led me to the back of the viewing deck. We climbed the steps to the balcony, which had already emptied. Dust swirled in shafts of violet light as the sun sat low on the horizon, peeking over the jungle. Andromeda took a seat in the front row, the light setting her blond hair aflame. “Standing up the whole time has made my legs ache. It feels good to rest for a moment.”
I sat beside her, collecting my thoughts. I had to include enough details or she wouldn’t believe me. “Deep inside the alien ship, I came across a room filled with large crystals. I was in trouble. One of the arachnids had me pinned to the ground, and I thought I was going to die. The crystals came to life around me, flashing a bright light, warning the arachnid away. After I chased it down the tunnel, I returned to the room and one of the alien ghosts waited for me.”
Andromeda’s face changed from skeptical to pensive.
I paused, but she said nothing.
“He, or it, I’m not sure what gender it was, moved its hands, trying to tell me something. I struggled to understand, but the being was patient, repeating the gesture over and over with three long fingers curling in and out, shaping an oval. I finally realized it meant for me to use the pods against the arachnids. Then it drew me to Sirius. The alien saved all our lives.”
Andromeda nodded and I breathed in relief. My story had rung true. She looked off into the distance, where the jungle met the black crystal beach. “They don’t come to me anymore. I thought they’d left us for good.”
I didn’t want her to think she wasn’t special anymore, that they visited me now instead. “The only reason I think I could see it was because of the way the arachnids heightened the power of the crystals. I don’t claim to have any psychic powers like you. Maybe they only come when you need them the most?”
“Maybe.” She squinted into the sunlight and frowned. “Thank you for telling me.”
I stood, feeling I’d intruded on a moment she should take to be alone. “It was the least I could do.”
“Sirius is lucky to have you.” She turned her head and met my gaze, holding me in place.
“I know you loved him.” I don’t know why I said it. The words just poured out.
Andromeda didn’t seem to mind. She nodded as if it were a cold fact and nothing more. “I did, but I think he loves you more.”
It was the last compliment I would have expected from her. Had she seen us together? Had Sirius told her something? Did she think we were better matched?
“I wish you happiness together.” She smiled, and for the first time I knew it was for me.
“You, too, with Corvus. He’s a fine match.” I meant it.
Andromeda laughed. “He fits me perfectly. I’m lucky to have him.”
“We all ended up lucky.”
She folded her hands in her lap, her eyes reflective. “Yes, we did.”
When I left the balcony, we still weren’t friends, but we were an awful lot closer than a few days ago.