by Gun Brooke
“And unexplored.” Spinner pressed her lips against the top of Dael’s head. “We have so much to talk about.”
“I know. It’s just…”
“That we’re exhausted as hell.”
Dael could once again tell just how in tune they were. Spinner easily finished her sentence correctly. “Yes.”
“So why don’t we sleep and then talk about things tomorrow?” Spinner suggested. “I mean, the way you made love to me and allowed me to touch you, I’d say we’re well underway, don’t you think?” Spinner bent over Dael, and the faint, barely there hint of uncertainty made Dael ache inside.
“I totally agree.” Cupping Spinner’s cheeks, she tugged her down for a soft kiss. “As long as you realize that after this, after you came to me like this, I—I don’t think that I could ever let you go.”
Spinner melted into the hug. “Dael, surely you know that I love you. I have for a long time.” She was shaking and Dael held her very close. Reaching behind her head, she fumbled for a second blanket and managed to drape it over them.
“Aniwyn, I love you too. I’ve never felt this way about anyone else.” Dael couldn’t even remember being close to this consumed by someone else.
“So, the reason you fought me was…?” Spinner rested her head in her hand, her free hand caressing Dael under the covers.
Realizing Spinner still needed some reassuring before she could fully relax and rest, Dael reached for the roaming hand and pulled it up to her lips. “Fear. Apprehension. Self-doubt. More to do with me than with you, even if you were far from what ‘type’ of person I used to envision myself falling in love with. I gave up on falling in love, let alone meeting my type. And then there were you. You leveled my defenses one by one, just by being you.”
“So when you pulled back from me?” Tucking Dael back onto her shoulder, Spinner seemed to relax some more.
“I thought it was the right thing to do. I know different now. You’ve never known me to lie, have you, Ani?”
“No.” Another kiss landed on her head. “I believe you. Besides, perhaps you weren’t ready. I should’ve realized that.”
“You were just as vulnerable and afraid as I was, I think.”
“Yes.” Spinner literally purred as she settled down into the recliner farther. “But we’re together now.”
Dael held Spinner closer and then melted against her, unable to keep her eyes open. “Thank the Creator,” she murmured.
“Illumination zero,” Spinner said, and the room went dark again.
Dael listened to their respective breathing, so soothing and hypnotic. Without a doubt, this time Spinner would be there when she woke up.
Epilogue
**Dael Caydoc**
**Admiral**
**Day 411**
**Advance mission**
**Admiral’s log**
On our fifth day in orbit around the fourth planet in this solar system, my crew and I are becoming increasingly optimistic regarding its basis for sustaining the life of the Oconodian people. It consists of forty percent landmass and sixty percent ocean. We have found ruins that our archeologists have dated to be more than five thousand years old. The wildlife is diverse, with some carnivores that we need to learn more about, but with a healthy balance between them and the herbivores.
The eight continents consist of grass-plains, jungles, forests, mountains, and deserts. This is similar to Oconodos, and I believe it will help our people to feel at home. Our ships’ counselors agree.
Reports filed by our geologists assure me that the planet is seismically stable and no more prone to earthquakes or volcanic eruptions than Oconodos. I am transmitting all our findings to the Oconodian authorities and will await their judgment. If they want, we will keep looking, but I cannot help but send a prayer to the Creator that this will be the new home for our people. If so, I will lead the initial mapping and stake the claims for the new capital, something that will be a tremendous honor.
The crew has gone through a difficult mourning period after losing the Mugdon and its entire crew and passengers, as well as the crewmembers that were killed on the rest of the mother ships. Now, a hundred days later, the death toll since we left Oconodos is 2,680 souls. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Whether this is our new home or not, our prolonged stay has been a welcome shore leave for the passengers and the crew that is off duty. The long beaches around the equator have provided the opportunity for recreation, which has infused new energy in the people I have come to think of as family.
Until we can officially name this world and call it home, I, and the crew and passengers with me, await the verdict of our government on Oconodos.
End recording.
*
**Aniwyn Seclan**
**Commander and CAG**
**Day 411**
**Advance mission**
**Personal log**
This beach has got to be the most beautiful one in the universe. The color of the sand goes from white to gold, and the sky is so blue, it nearly hurts my eyes. Still, despite being surrounded by such wondrous scenery, the most beautiful thing I see is Dael. She sits right next to me in a beach recliner, reading, and this has got to be the most relaxed I’ve ever seen her. Her hair is down, all the way to her waist, and she’s wearing a sun hat and sunglasses, which make her resemble a rich socialite rather than the boss of all things around here.
Darmiya and Calagan have two temporary habitats set up not far from ours. They have been in contact with their government and are awaiting the same decision we are. They worry about the living conditions of their displaced people; apparently the refugee camps are swamped and the Gemosians aren’t faring well.
I swear, if the Oconodian government doesn’t approve of this planet, I’ll start an uproar. Yeah, yeah, I’m kidding, but this just feels right. There is enough “wrong” with the place for it to be right. The desert that takes up most of the southernmost continent, for instance. The polar ice caps, where nothing grows, where the ice is so thick, the entire part of the ocean is frozen all the way down to the bottom. Too cold for anyone to stay there. These imperfections make me think this world could feel like home.
Then I look up at Dael and I know, no matter if we have to travel with our convoy for yet another 400 days, I’m already home. As long as she loves me, I will have a home. For some unfathomable reason, I know she would never leave me. Not because I’m conceited enough to think I’m such a wonderful catch, but because she makes it clear to me every day how she feels. I’m blessed by the Creator and I don’t deserve it, but I accept it and will do my best to be worthy of her love for the rest of my life.
End recording.
*
**Transmission from the Presidential Palace, Oconodos**
**Received time index D412-H14-M45**
**Advance mission via buoy 129**
**Eyes only: Admiral Dael Caydoc**
Admiral Caydoc,
You have outdone yourself in leading these vessels to our new home. We regret the loss of the Mugdon, but Captain Gossamay and his crew and passengers will be kept in revered memory.
A decision has been made based on the information and data sent by your teams. I trust you will experience the same positive expectation in taking the Exodus plan into its next phase. My cabinet and I are convinced that this planet, temporarily named P-105, is a good choice for our people.
According to our plan we now require your official proof of acceptance of this message and confirmation that the preparations for our arrival have commenced.
The capital is still under martial law, with checkpoints at all major intersections. The knowledge that your team has found a planet well equipped to sustain our people will give hope to our people and hopefully stop the rioting. If not, we plan to begin moving our citizens to the Exodus ships prematurely. We will keep you informed regarding our progress.
Go with the Creator, Admiral Caydoc, until our next exchange of buoy messages.
/> Mila Tylio
President of Oconodos
**End of transmission**
About the Author
Gun Brooke resides in the countryside in Sweden with her very patient family. A retired neonatal intensive care nurse, she now writes full time, only rarely taking a break to create web sites for herself or others and to do computer graphics. Gun writes both romances and sci-fi.
Web site - http://www.gbrooke-fiction.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/gunbach
Twitter - http://twitter.com/redheadgrrl1960
Tumblr - http://gunbrooke.tumblr.com/
Live Journal - http://redheadgrrl1960.livejournal.com/
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