by J. Naomi Ay
Nevertheless, Steven longed to reconcile. Despite everything, he loved his dad and wanted to be his son. He didn't need to be an Imperial Prince. In fact, Steven realized he enjoyed working here on Six. Someday, he imagined himself as manager of the hotel.
It was just after midnight, and Steven was browsing the internet. The resort and casino were quiet as it was during the off-season. There was nothing interesting in the news, so Steven switched his console to play a game of Tetris when the sound of heavy boots stomped across the hotel lobby.
"Howdy, partner." A voice interrupted Steven's game.
"Good evening." Steven smiled at the old weathered face. "Do you have a reservation, sir?"
"No, siree, but I don't need a room. I'm looking for some help with my old plane that's sitting outside."
"Sorry, to hear that, sir." Steven called up the number to Vessel Assist. "If you like, I can ring for a mobile repair. You could go enjoy our casino while you wait for them to arrive. Otherwise, the nearest repair port is orbiting Darius III."
"I don't need a repair, son," the old guy said, lighting a cigarette. He blew a cloud of smoke into the air. "I need a pilot, as these old eyes are having trouble seeing these days. Know anybody who can fly an old wreck like Silver? I pay well, and I guarantee it'll be a lot of fun."
"Sorry." Steven shook his head and flipped through his contact list. "I don't believe there are any spare pilots sitting around here waiting to hire out. I can check in the casino and see if anyone knows someone I don't."
"I'm really particular about who can fly my plane," the wrangler said. He blew a cloud of Marlboro smoke into Steven's face, before taking out one of his guns and laying it on the counter. "You wouldn't happen to know how to fly a spaceplane, now would you?" Then, he pointed his gun straight at Steven's chest.
"Me?" Steven stared at the ancient gun with Frontier Six Shooter acid etched on the left side of the barrel. Regardless of its age, the bullets were deadly, and Steven was unarmed. "Uh…actually, I'm licensed for both military and commercial craft."
"Well, how about that," the old guy said and holstered up the gun. He waved his hand at the hotel's door. "Come on, Tonto, we're going for a ride. Old Silver is waiting outside for you to saddle up."
"My stuff?" Steven protested as he marched to the spaceplane parking bay.
"You won't need anything from here on out, I've got it all. We're going treasure hunting, son, and you can call me Tex. Come on, little doggie, you and I are going to have a grand old time. Just make sure you keep writing to your mother every day, so she doesn't worry."
Epilogue
Sara walked hesitantly toward the Empress as Taner said she should. Although, she wasn't frightened by the lady, who sat on the bench above a burial plot, Sara didn't like the cemetery. She didn't like stepping on the cold, hard, granite stones, or the buried bodies that might have belonged to the ghosts that haunted her.
Even though it was a beautiful and warm summer day, Sara was chilled to the bone. Her skin prickled with tiny bumps as she approached the lady. Stopping about ten feet away, Sara turned back and looked at Lord Taner, who waved his hand and urged her on with a smile.
Sara stood nervously for a moment. Then, in a voice that was nearly a whisper, she called out, "Madame, may I speak with you?"
Katie didn't hear the sound at first, for the gentle breeze had swept the child's voice away. The Empress was too lost in her own thoughts to notice Sara's presence. She was remembering her son as the delightful baby he had been. She was telling herself about the first time she had taken him back to space. She had carried him around on her hip, while she surveyed the ship. When she was paged over the com to report to the bridge, Jerry had held out his arms and said 'Give him to me.' When Katie returned from the meeting two hours later, Jerry was feeding Shika a bottle.
How was it that she could remember nothing of her younger son? She had no memories, no joyous moments to recall. She had him now, but how much more did she wish she could have had? How could anyone have so much, and at the same time, so very little?
No one ever said that this life was going to be fair, Katie realized as she dabbed at the tears falling from her eyes once again. It was amazing, she considered, how an old woman had so much water to spare. Her eyes these days could barely see, yet they could endlessly cry.
"Madame," Sara's small voice tried again, a little louder. "Lord Taner said…Madame…he said, I should come speak with you."
This time Katie heard and turned about abruptly to face the girl. Sara quickly stepped backward and bowed her head. As she dipped into a proper curtsey, her heel caught on the trailing hem and tore her new dress. "Oh!" Sara gasped and cried a little herself while she reached around to see the damage that had been done.
"Leave it," Katie whispered. "Look at me, and tell me your name."
Sara wiped her tears with the back of her hand and lifted her chin. Once again, she dipped, but this time very carefully. Her shoe didn't catch, so she managed to stay in position.
"My name is Sara de Kudisha. I am the daughter of June and Pedah. They died in a spaceplane crash more than a year ago. I've been living with Lord Taner and my friend Carolie in Turko. Now, he told me to come meet you, but he didn’t say exactly why. I hope that's okay with you, and I'm not being a bother. I'm sorry, Madame. Do you want me to go?"
Katie studied the girl's face, the ringlets of golden curls that framed her head. Katie stared into the steady gaze from the same bright blue eyes that echoed her own.
"Senya," she gasped. "Oh God, Senya. Did you know this all along?"
"Pardon, Madame?" The girl squeaked, getting even more scared. "Did I do something wrong? Are you speaking to me?"
"Come here." Katie held out her hand. "Come sit with me, Sara de Kudisha. I want to hear all about your life, every moment."
Sara lifted her skirt practically to her knees. That was what Carolie told her to do so she wouldn't trip. Carefully, she sat down making certain to keep her back straight and her shoulders high. Then, while the Empress listened she talked about Xironia. Sara described the events of the previous year that had brought her to the Duke's estate. She talked about Carolie, and Rory and especially their funny Uncle Zem.
Katie's eyes stayed fastened upon the girl's face. In fact, she hardly heard a word, although she drank up every look, every expression. She memorized every feature and the sound of the child's laugh. For in the child's image, Katie saw the people she had loved throughout the years. This girl had Charlotte's little nose and Manny's ears that sometimes stuck out. She had Shika's beautiful blue almond eyes and his brilliant smile.
When taken all together, it was as if Katie had looked in the mirror and seen the reflection of her own face sixty years ago.
"So that's it," Sara concluded. "And now, Lord Taner brought me here so I could meet you."
"Oh, that's not it." Katie grasped the child's hand. "My dear Sara, this is only the beginning."
####
Senya’s bored and looking to play a little game in space.
Join him in
The Two Moons of Rehnor, Book 10
Space Chase
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