A World Too Far (Terran Trilogy Book 1)

by Sheron Wood McCartha

  Slapping a palm down on her desk, she retorted, “Damn it, Trajan, I need you here.”

  His eyes widened at her reaction. “Why?”

  She coughed, squirmed a bit, and finally admitted in a lowered voice, “I need the company.” She looked up. “Being captain is an isolating job. Occasionally, I need a breathing body to talk to … if only for holding onto my sanity.”

  An indefinable noise sputtered out of Trajan’s mouth. He paused for a beat and said stiffly, “I imagine Dr. Luttrell is available.” Then added, “And everyone on the bridge is still breathing just fine.”

  She thumped back into her chair. Luttrell! “John Luttrell hasn’t called me in more than ten shifts. He’s too fated busy, wrapped up in some new damn lab project. And the bridge are pleasant co-workers but not intimate friends nor should they be. It’s different. I give them orders that have to be obeyed without hesitation. Mixing that kind of job with personal relationships creates problems.” Even to her, the words sounded childish. She smoothed down her tunic and swung her chair back and forth, embarrassed at her outbreak. Her mood was unfair to load onto him. But there he stood in its path.

  “Have you called him?”

  She jerked upright. “I’m the captain. I can’t call up and whine that he’s neglecting me.”

  “Call it a ship meeting. Officially say that you want a medical update. Then privately suggest dinner.”

  “I hate manipulative females, and now you’re suggesting I become one.”

  Embarrassed, he shrugged. “Maybe Mika could help. I’m not really good at relationship stuff.” He stopped to reconsider. “Maybe not her, but Jazz?”

  “Jazz is bridge.” Abruptly, she realized that she had no idea what Trajan’s personal life was like. She knew he dedicated most of his time to protecting her. He had very little personal time. “You got a girlfriend?” she asked, curious.

  Even with his dusky amber skin, she could tell he blushed at the question.

  “No!”

  “You should find one. Mika’s attractive.”

  “Captain!”

  Silence filled her cabin until she relented. “Oh, okay.” She pushed around the tablet on her desk. “Too much muscle?”

  He stiffened, even more, and ignored the comment. Clearing his throat, finally, he said, “I’ll keep protecting you, but I’d prefer to be more productive. Give me something to do in addition to this job.”

  She threw her hands in the air. “Then find me someone else I can yell at or talk to intelligently. It can be a woman, but I’d prefer an interesting male. I know how women think; men are more challenging. And as a woman ...”

  “Captain!”

  “You want something to do? Find me someone to talk to who can deal with my responsibilities, not be threatened by my position as captain, is available, and not wrapped up in a lab. They don’t have to be pretty, but should make a reasonable appearance—and have smarts. I need an intelligent conversation from time to time.” She smirked a devilish smile. He had asked for a job; let him handle that.

  “Captain, do I look like a dating service?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “I know you’re often in touch with very effective resources.”

  He snorted. “My most effective resources so far have been thirteen and fourteen-year-old kids.”

  “So far you’ve done a good job with them. Be creative. Find me someone to occupy my downtime, and I’ll cut you free, although it won’t make me happy. I’ve gotten used to you being nearby … but if you’re unhappy about the way I treat you…”

  “Captain, you treat me just fine. I’m not complaining. In fact, I like being your guard. I just think you could use me more effectively.”

  She stood up and straightened her uniform with a vigorous tug and headed for the door. “No complaints? Well, that makes for a change from all the others. Come on, I’m going to the bridge to harass someone else for a while and give you a break. Think about who you know who might know someone. Start next shift. I look forward to your results.”

  ***

  Striding down the corridor, Trajan muttered under his breath. “Had to open my big fat mouth. Give me something to do I say. And what happens? She turns me into an escort service!”

  He waved his hands around in the air. “When am I ever going to learn to keep my big mouth shut.”

  He passed two men who looked back over their shoulders at him. After passing them, he heard the comment, “Now she’s got him talking to himself.”

  It didn’t make his situation any easier. He didn’t dare ask his fellow guards for help. They’d laugh him right off the ship. He wouldn’t be able to hold his head up. And Mika! Mika’s gender preference would put the Captain in touch with other women all right, but not the type of companions she had in mind. He could only imagine the gossip.

  Ticking off several other contacts, all guards, he concluded that his social world had become very narrow indeed.

  He passed a few more people who turned to look at him as he stormed past still muttering to himself.

  Chapter 20

  A New Job

  “Dion Ryder would be a good addition to our team. He’s a captain’s nephew and has clout. He’s eager too.”

  Jacob heaved a frustrated sigh. “How many times I got to tell you there is no team? Trajan says it’s too dangerous for kids like us to be out in the corridors.” He sat at Jennie’s kitchenette table sipping tea; at least, he believed it was tea and not some dangerous concoction. He took a sip. No, it tasted like real tea.

  A huff sounded from his companion. “That Stoddard guy’s dead. Mr. Jackson sees that no one goes hungry, and everyone has a job if they can work. People aren’t as desperate as before. We have more than enough food. Besides, Dion would be a good addition. He’s bigger, older and …”

  “What, smarter?”

  “I didn’t say that. I was thinking more…”

  “Better looking?”

  “You really have a self-esteem problem, Jacob. I blame your father. Although I must admit, Dion’s cute, especially with his curly blond hair and dimples. But that has nothing to do with it, he’s just a better talker. Lots of big words come out of his mouth that you could learn.”

  “Okay, I’ll agree he has a big mouth.”

  “See how we get along so well on stuff?” She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “So, he’s in?”

  “I’ll think about it. Right now we need to make a run out to the farm mod. I heard Mr. Hawthorne has plans to tighten security.”

  “This time, I want to get extra tomatoes and beans.”

  Puzzled, Jacob put his cup down. “Why? Extra will just rot if we don’t eat them.”

  She gave him one of those “You’re so stupid” looks. “I plan to can the extra. That’s what they do on Storage Locker. They also dry out herbs and meat to preserve it. I’m going to do it, too, so I’ll always have enough and never go hungry again.” She raised her head, eyes glistening.

  He could hardly swallow when he thought of how vulnerable she was all alone. She needed him to take care of her. He placed his hand over hers. “That’s a super idea. We’ll bring extra bags.”

  “And Dion?”

  He jerked his hand away, glaring at her.

  Her eyes narrowed into a determined gaze.

  With a sigh, he surrendered. “If the bozo can help us pick and carry his own weight, then okay.”

  “So, he’s on the team?”

  “There is no team! We have no job!”

  That’s when the door chimed.

  ***

  “I have a job,” Trajan rumbled, as he entered, although his eyes wandered across to Jennie.

  She motioned for the guard to sit and offered him tea and biscuits. He nodded, sat, and propped up his elbows. While she went to gather another cup, Jacob observed the guard out of the corner of his eyes, wondering what he had in mind.

  Jacob swung around in his chair. “You said no more jobs. You said it was too dangerous. I don’t need
any extra food or stuff anymore. With so many now dead, there’s enough.” He paused, choked, and looked away. “No need to risk life and limb for food,” he whispered. “Not anymore.” His glistening eyes wandered toward the busy young girl.

  Setting a cup on the table in front of Trajan, Jennie glared at Jacob as she poured tea. “Why don’t we find out what the job is before we turn it down?” She plopped into a chair and dealt out biscuits like a card dealer.

  A smile danced along Trajan’s lips as he watched the two of them. “Good advice.”

  Jennie bit into her biscuit, snorting out through her nose. “Harrumph.”

  Overruled, Jacob slumped in his chair. “So what kind of job is it?” He noticed Trajan pause.

  Trajan pulled at his collar and exhaled. “I need to find a companion for the Captain. Or find someone who can find one.”

  The whole idea made Jacob choke on his biscuit.

  Jennie, on the other hand, squealed in delight. “That sounds like a great job, and I want you to pay us with that new money the Captain is circulating. Jacob is growing by leaps and bounds, and he should get some new clothes. He’s a bit raggedy. I’ll make it a birthday present. He’ll be fourteen in a few shifts.”

  Jacob jerked upright in his chair at the insult. “Who made you the fashion expert around here? And when did you get elected my personal stylist?”

  She smirked at him. “Admit it. Those glittery green eyes can take you only so far with the girls. You need new clothes without rips and holes and splotches all over.”

  “What girls? I’m not interested in girls. They’re a pain. Present company included.” He gazed down, embarrassed at the currently blotched shirt with a rip at the elbow.

  “More likely, they’re not interested in you, dressed like you usually are. You dress like a low-level.”

  Exasperated, he retorted, “I am a low-level.”

  Trajan held up his hands. “Okay, enough you two. I’ll pay in new money. Are you in?”

  “Yes!” Jennie almost fell out of her chair with excitement. “Dion knows an older lady. She’s maybe twenty-five, or possibly more, who knows a lot of eligible older men.”

  “Yeah, I know the type.” Jacob picked up his cup and sipped his tea as he smirked at Trajan.

  “Twenty-five isn’t all that old,” Trajan mumbled. I’m thirty. That’s not really so old.”

  Hand on his arm, Jennie leaned forward. “Thirty is getting old, Trajan.”

  Jacob chortled, “You say she knows a lot of guys?”

  Jennie jerked upright, an indignant expression on her face. “She’s just social, not what you’re thinking.”

  Trajan eyed them. “Then, you’ll look into it?”

  Jacob slanted a glance at Jennie’s beaming face. “Yeah, we’re in if the money’s good.”

  ***

  Jacob stood outside Jennie's entrance, fidgeting. For him, this was the dumbest job he could imagine. When he signed on with Trajan, he never envisioned working as a dating service. He pushed the chime again, impatient to get started and finish with this bleeping assignment. The only thing that kept him involved was the excitement on Jennie’s face and the prospect of hanging out with her some more. Someone needed to keep her away from that Dion fellow. He knew that guy was no good for her. Blond curly hair and dimples, for freaking sake! And sparkly blue eyes that she had mentioned more than once.

  Jennie’s face peered out at him. “Oh, sorry, Jacob. Amanda and I were just checking out some prospects on her InterFace Net.”

  “What’s that?”

  Jennie slid open the door and airily waved a hand in front of his nose. “It’s a social media website that she’s put together. Come here and look.”

  She led him to her small table and a young woman. Sea-green eyes raised to regard him, lush lips smiled at him, and a graceful hand flipped back blond lustrous locks, then extended out for a shake.

  “Hello, Jacob. I’m Amanda. Jennie has talked a lot about you. It’s great to finally meet you.”

  He stood, stunned at the gorgeous girl who sat in front of him. He blurted out, “Oh, don’t listen to what she says. I’m really not all that bad.”

  Jennie rolled her eyes while Amanda laughed. “She actually said some very nice things.”

  “Jacob!” Jennie shot him an angry glare. “Really! You think I go around bad-mouthing my friends?”

  “It’s fine.” Amanda raised an admonishing palm.

  So he’d already gone and upset Jennie before they’d even started. “No, Jennie, I…” Best he sit down and shut up, which he did.

  “Amanda works for Admin. She’s doing a census and stuff.”

  Amanda leaned forward, an intense expression flitting across her face. “There are a lot of orphans like you two, and an equal number of parents, who lost their kids in the pandemic. Some people got sick and hid inside their units and are still in them, afraid to come out. They’re now starving themselves due to fear. I want to find them and help them. We need to make sure they get healthy and are taken care of. Most important, we need a count of how many survived the sickness and what the current population is now.

  Elbows on table, Amanda leaned forward. “We are gathering grief counselors to offer support for any bereaved who ask for it. I also want to put adults together with kids who need them. The adults will take care of the kids, and hopefully, the kids will help their surrogate parents move forward from their own losses.”

  “I don’t need anyone that I don’t know telling me what to do!” Jacob pushed back his chair to leave.

  Amanda put her hand over his. “Calm down. The cut off is around fifteen, and you have to show that you can support yourself. You meet those two requirements, so no one will force you to do anything that’s not in your best interests.”

  “I have a job and so does Jacob,” Jennie quickly interjected. “We’re not interested.”

  “Okay. However, just so you know, I’m hiring. It’s an interesting and rewarding position. You’d meet lots of people. Dion said Jennie is good at helping people and maybe a bit lonely.” She faced Jennie. “You might want to consider one of the positions.”

  Jacob jerked back and pulled out his hand. “That guy Dion said what? I say Jennie’s not lonely. I’ve been watching out for her. We just canned tomatoes last shift, tomatoes that I went and got from the farm.” He paused. Maybe he shouldn’t have admitted that last part. “Dion doesn’t know her like I do.”

  That didn’t sound well, either. He stopped before he said more.

  Amanda’s eyebrows rose at the outburst. Glancing at the young girl, she said, “Dion was very complimentary about Jennie’s abilities.”

  “Ahh…” Jacob floundered afraid to say more.

  Jennie shot a warning glare at Jacob. “Let’s settle down and have some tea and biscuits while we show you our candidates,” their hostess intervened in a strained voice.

  “Yeah, thanks.” He sat, saying nothing, irritated that big mouth Dion was shooting out opinions that made him look bad.

  Jennie bustled off to the kitchenette while Amanda opened up her website.

  The door chimed again. “That’s Trajan,” said Jennie. “We invited him, too. Could you grab the door, Jacob?”

  “Fine.” He hauled himself over to the door panel and slid it open. Trajan’s serious face gazed at him and made him feel uneasy. Big, muscular men usually did, thanks to past experiences with Da.

  “Come on in,” he mumbled.

  Trajan edged into the small area and scanned the room. His eyes settled on the lone female sitting at the table. Jacob saw him stop abruptly and stiffen.

  As if feeling Trajan’s gaze on her, Amanda lifted her head, and her eyes widened. They both stared, transfixed, until Jennie swept into the room, hands full of tea and biscuits. Seeing everyone frozen like statues, she stopped, coughed, and put the tray on the table.

  The moment passed. They both glanced away. Jennie raised an eyebrow, which Amanda ignored. “Amanda Hall, this is Trajan M
erek. Trajan, this is Dion’s friend, Amanda.”

  Amanda nodded at Trajan. “A pleasure to finally meet you, Trajan. Jennie has said so many complimentary things about you.”

  Trajan canted his head in acknowledgment. “Jennie is a generous and good-hearted young lady.”

  With that polished remark, Jacob felt like a rube from the low levels. He slouched back into his chair and fingered a biscuit. Self-consciously, he brushed crumbs from his best shirt, finding a small tear in the front.

  “Please have a seat and join us. I made tea, or would you prefer something stronger?” Jennie asked.

  “Tea is fine.” Trajan cast a sideways glance toward Amanda who now busily tapped on her tablet.

  Jacob raised his eyes and peered at the two of them. Something was going on, and he couldn’t figure out what. He nibbled a biscuit, trying to work out what he was missing.

  “Here are our first four candidates,” Amanda swung the tablet around, casually grazing Trajan’s hand.

  The guard jumped, almost spilling his tea.

  “Oh, sorry.” Amanda smiled warmly at him.

  Jacob couldn’t believe that he actually saw Trajan blush. He didn’t think Trajan could turn that color.

  The guard cleared his throat. “No problem.” The man’s voice sounded funny. “Who have you picked?” Trajan bent his head above the tablet, lightly brushing Amanda’s shoulder with his own. The girl acted as if she didn’t notice. Their shoulders made contact—and remained touching.

  Noting the fact, Jacob pursed his lips and eyed a grinning Jennie. What was going on?

  With a flick of the tablet toward Trajan, Amanda said, “My top candidate is Administrator Brad Cameron.” She pointed to a picture of a handsome man with wavy wheat-colored hair and warm brown eyes. An engaging smile dominated a face of even features. “Brad just stepped into Frank Stoddard’s job as Administrator. He’s been a popular choice and everyone appears excited that he got the job. Brad has a peer position to the Captain and is very smart. I think he’s worth considering.”

  Jennie leaned in. “He’s very cute.”

  Jacob snorted and bit into a biscuit.

  Trajan shifted in his chair. “Who else?”