“Oh. Well, that’s efficient.”
“It will also take the log file from the ship’s AI from when we were back in your system, and upload your music, films, and other stored data to the house AI.”
That sounded handy, but she wasn’t sure she liked knowing everything was quite that automated.
“It will also notify the house AI that we have left the orbital station and give an estimated time of arrival. My mother will no doubt have a meal waiting.”
“And you’re sure she’ll like me, for me, I mean, and not because she’s supposed to because I’m this supposed-” Tellan silenced her with a kiss.
“Yes,” he said when they broke apart.
“Okay,” she said. The door to their quarters chimed. The luggage cart was there. She watched as Tellan opened the door and began loading their luggage upon it, giving one last look at the luxurious furnishings of their suite before following him down the corridor and out the door and into the station’s exit hub.This was really it. She took his proffered hand and talked beside him, head held high as the cart responded to the lightest touch of his other hand. Then they were at the scanner barrier and their luggage was scanned, then Tellan, and finally herself. Passing through she found herself facing a large concourse, where shuttle taxis awaited. Tellan passed by those, leading her to another area where personal shuttles were parked. She grinned, it reminding her of long term airport parking back on Earth. Tellan shook hands with the pilot who waited next to his shuttle and helped him stow their belongings.
All too soon, they were strapped in and taking off. Tellan ordered the ship’s AI to display a windowed view so as to not allow Laurel to miss a single glimpse as she made the trip for the very first time. The hull glowed a bright orange as it entered the atmosphere, and then there were fluffy clouds. Laurel was recollected another time she had seen a similar sight. She had been in year 5 and her class was visiting the Thinktank in Birmingham. They were sat in the planetarium and when the lights dimmed, they were thrust into a show that simulated them flying around the solar system. It had ended with a supposed landing back on earth. The ceiling had been awash with the same flares followed by fluffy clouds. This was a different world, yet it was also familiar. That was as it should be, she decided. The first Mylos bride was coming home and home should feel safe and familiar. She knew she was also creating a record, being the first human in Mylos space as well as the first of their human brides, and the first of the human mothers.
Strange, it doesn’t feel like history. It just feels like…life.
“What is the expression? A one hundredth of your basic monetary unit for your thoughts?” Tellan asked.
She looked at him, stifling a laugh. “A penny,” she corrected.
“Oh, yes, that.”
“I was just thinking that is probably going to go down as some momentous moment in history. The first human in Mylos space, the first human bride, and so on. The thing is, it just feels like life. Tense and new, but still, in a way, ordinary.. The heavens didn’t open and a choir of angels appear and all that.”
“I should hope not,” Tellan said. “It would have serious repercussions on several species views of the cosmos if it did.” She smiled and shook his head at his joke. “But I understand where you are coming from. That day I was notified of our match, it was just another day at work. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary for the circumstances until the notice came through, and even then it was only extraordinary because it wasn’t a planned for event. It felt more of an interruption.”
“That’s it exactly!” she said. “I felt that way when I came to the end of street and saw the blockade. Really, though, I suppose to those looking in, it must look as if we were swept along into some exciting events, like it’s a story to be enjoyed.”
Tellan pointed. “That’s where I live. We’ll be slowing down now to pedestrian friendly land speeds to get to our house.”
“So, our story opens a new chapter now.”
“It does.”
“The bride matches happening now, back on Earth, they are making a new story, too.”
“They are, their experience will be different to ours, living aboard the ships of the fleet.”
“Will we ever visit them, the ships, I mean?”
“The supply shuttles we would use to visit your family on Earth will be based within the fleet.”
She nodded. “That will be interesting,” she said. “I’d like to see how they get on. I feel responsible for them, having helped set up the system they are using to be matched and all.”
“That’s understandable,” he replied. “Due to your official position, you will get regular reports, you know. You can request more information if you feel it warranted.”
“That’s true.” She resolved to do so.
The shuttle levelled out and slowed as it followed a paved road. A Mylos male walked a pet along the road. The creature looked up at the shuttle as it passed. It had three eyes, each of them curious.She wished she could take a picture to send back to her niece. “This footage, it’s being recorded?”
“Yes,” replied the pilot.
“So, it could be retrieved? It would be nice to share with my family back home. My niece would love to get to see that little guy back there. Not the Mylos guy. His, uh, dog thing.”
“I’ll see to it personally,” the pilot said. “You will have it by morning,” he promised.
“Thank you.”
“The last time I saw my parents,” Tellan suddenly said, “I was visiting them before leaving.”
The shuttle slowed and came to a stop in front a tall building. It hovered for a moment before beginning a slow, vertical rise that ended when it reached a level near the top where a couple waited on a balcony. The pilot gently nudged the shuttle sideways and she felt a soft thump and heard a loud set of clicks. “Docking clamps engaged,” the pilot said. Tellan rose to open the door, revealing that the shuttle had docked flush with the balcony, which now sported an open gateway.
Tellan’s parents stood, looking expectant and hopeful.He turned to face Laurel who had unfastened her own restraints and now stood. He extended his hand to her and stepped forward to clasp it.
“Laurel, these are my parents,” he said. “Mother, Father, this is my mate,” he moved his other hand from the door frame to her rest against her belly, “and these are our young.”
His mother gasped, her yes going bright as she was overcome with emotion.
“Welcome, Laurel. We greet with joy,” Tellan’s father said, moving in to clasp her in a hug before moving aside for his wife to do the same.
“I am so glad to meet you,” his mother said. “Come inside. Let us get to know each other.”
Laurel and Tellan went.
Yes, as history goes, it feels quite ordinary, yet at the same time, momentous, Laurel noted. “So,” Laurel said to her mother-in-law, “Tellan tells me that you live by the sea.”
“I’ll be right in,” Tellan called out to her, letting go of her hand. “I need to get Pip and Pop and let them know they’re home.”The End (of this book, but you can read about the brides of the Fleet here on Amazon- they’re even available on KindleUnlimited!).
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Tellan: Brides of the Mylos Page 10
