I tapped at my lookup, setting up a secure call to Marlise, and waited for about thirty seconds before the call was accepted with sound only. “I don’t know what time it is on Zeus,” said a resigned voice, “but I’d like to point out it’s three o’clock in the morning here.”
“Sorry, Marlise, I totally forgot to check time zones, but I’d have had to call you anyway. I’ve just been contacted by General Hiraga.”
She groaned. “What did you do this time?”
“Nothing! She wanted to discuss our next assignment.”
“Already? We’ve only been on leave for a day.”
“The assignment doesn’t start for another two months,” I said.
“If it doesn’t start for two months, why did you have to call me at three o’clock in the morning?”
“Because General Hiraga wants to know which of my team are willing to volunteer for this.”
“Volunteer?” The call suddenly changed to include vision. Marlise was sitting up in bed, wearing a sadly respectable sleep suit. “This sounds interesting.”
I grinned. “Captain Weldon, you are being told this information in strictest confidence.”
She gave a brisk nod. “Noted, sir.”
“I’m speaking to you on a secure link. Are you totally alone?”
She lifted her pillow, theatrically looked underneath it, and put it down again. “I’m totally alone, sir. Where are they sending us?”
My grin widened. “Zeta sector.”
“What! Why?”
“To start setting up the portal relay network there. Our team has the chance to be the first human beings to enter Zeta sector!”
Marlise grinned back at me. “I volunteer, sir.”
“You know you can’t volunteer before I give you the formal warning.”
“So get on with it!”
I sighed. “Captain Weldon, I must formally warn you that the assignment will involve using drop portals to reach uncharted star systems that may contain extreme hazards. You are under no pressure to volunteer for this mission.”
“I formally volunteer, sir.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe this is really happening. Drago, if you’re making this up to tease me …”
“I wouldn’t do that,” I said. “I’d hate to upset you, Marlise. You’re very important to me, as both a deputy and a friend.”
She looked oddly startled. “Thank you.” She seemed about to say something else, but changed her mind, so there was a moment of silence. “I’d better let you carry on and call the rest of the team now,” she said at last.
I reluctantly shut down the secure link, frowned at the blank screen of my lookup, and thought through Marlise’s reaction just then. She usually acted the part of a long-suffering friend, who was tolerating my follies out of resigned loyalty, but I’d caught a glimpse of something deeper and far more vulnerable. I wasn’t deluding myself into thinking Marlise thought me irresistible, but there was something more than just friendship there.
If Marlise cared for me even a fraction as much as I cared for her, then I had every chance of making things work between us. I’d wrecked things for me and Gemelle out of childish selfishness, but I was definitely older now, hopefully wiser, and I had Asante to advise me as well. After running a MeetUp for two decades, Asante was an expert on relationships.
Things would be different this time. I knew Marlise was perfect for me, and I was willing to do anything I could to be perfect for her. We’d soon be exploring new physical territory together in Zeta sector. I hoped we’d be exploring new emotional territory together as well. I hoped we’d be exploring new challenges together for the rest of our lives.
Appendix – Information for Interstellar Travellers
EARTH
Original home world of humanity.
During Exodus century (2310-2409) most of the population of Earth left for new worlds that were less polluted and overcrowded.
Physically located in the centre of Alpha sector, Earth is administered by the main board of Hospital Earth under the moderate culture of Gamma sector.
Warning notes for travellers:-
Hospital Earth requests all visitors to avoid using the “ape” word to refer to its wards.
Special travel information:-
Earth is the only world with more than one inhabited continent. Visitors wishing to travel between continents need to use the inter-continental portals at Transit facilities.
Special safety information:-
Hospital Earth allows its wards free access to all public areas on Earth. Medical experts advise that there is no health risk to visiting Earth or interacting with the wards of Hospital Earth, however some visitors prefer to take the safety precaution of only consuming food and drink from sealed cartons in private.
Earth has extensive ruined cities and wilderness areas that contain dangerous animals and lingering pollution hazards. Visitors leaving the designated safe zones do so entirely at their own risk.
Earth is the only inhabited world that suffers from regular solar storms. These affect the portal network, causing portal shutdowns that can last for periods of up to three days. Visitors are strongly advised to pay close attention to any solar storm warnings
Hospital Earth accepts no liability for any injuries or inconvenience caused to visitors. The main board of Hospital Earth wishes all visitors to Earth a pleasant stay.
ALPHA SECTOR
201 Inhabited Star Systems
1610 Representatives in Parliament of Planets
Colonization began in 2310
Capital planet Adonis
Warning notes for travellers:-
The worlds of Alpha sector are noted for their wealth and historic buildings. They have widely varying customs since many of them were colonized directly from specific areas of Earth. Visitors are strongly advised to check the detailed cultural information for each world before visiting it. They should also be aware that some worlds were selected for colonization when the Planet First selection criteria were less stringent. Length of day, and some other physical conditions, may be slightly outside the current norms.
Special safety information:-
During the partial collapse of civilization after Exodus century, the population of Cassandra was forced to move continent. The sunshine intensity on the new inhabited continent of Cassandra is considered to be a low level health hazard. Travellers are warned to obtain individual medical advice before visiting the planet Cassandra.
BETA SECTOR
203 Inhabited Star Systems
1431 Representatives in Parliament of Planets
Colonization began in 2370
Capital planet Zeus
Warning notes for travellers:-
Beta sector has a distinctive clan based culture, and is widely regarded as the most permissive of all the sectors. Around 17% of marriages in Beta sector involve triad rather than duo relationships. Betans have a minimal nudity taboo, and you will hear words in common usage that are regarded as unacceptable in other sectors.
GAMMA SECTOR
203 Inhabited Star Systems
826 Representatives in Parliament of Planets
First stage colonization began in 2381
Capital planet Asgard
Warning notes for travellers:-
Colonization of Gamma sector began in 2381, but the partial collapse of civilization after Exodus century, and the Thetis crisis, meant the final Gamma sector worlds weren’t opened until over two centuries later. The older Gamma sector worlds are fiercely proud of their struggle for survival during two centuries of chaos.
Gamma sector is widely regarded as having moderate values, and despite its small population has very strong political influence. The votes of its planetary representatives are often the deciding factor in issues that divide the much larger Alpha and Beta sectors. Any assumption of superiority by visitors from Alphan or Betan planets may be met with hostility.
DELTA SECTOR
202 Inhabited Star Systems
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429 Representatives in Parliament of Planets
Colonization began in 2600
Capital planet Isis
Warning notes for travellers:-
Delta sector has very conservative views on the level of intimacy appropriate before marriage. Public displays of affection, such as kissing and holding hands, are strongly discouraged and can lead to prosecution under the decency laws.
EPSILON SECTOR
201 Inhabited Star Systems
201 Representatives in Parliament of Planets
Colonization began in 2698
Capital planet still undetermined
Warning notes for travellers:-
Epsilon sector is still in the frontier stage of colonization, and most settlements are small farming communities. You should be prepared for basic living conditions and the lack of many public amenities. Due to the fact more male than female colonists arrive on the frontier, triad marriages of one woman and two men are strongly encouraged.
Additional notes from the Epsilon Colonization Advisory Service:-
If you’re visiting the frontier worlds of Epsilon, why not consider changing that visit into a lifetime commitment to a new world? The worlds of Epsilon actively welcome colonists of all types, but especially women, as well as those with qualifications in teaching and all areas of medicine. Contact the Epsilon Colonization Advisory Service for more information on how you can help build the future!
KAPPA SECTOR
The worlds of Kappa sector are mostly still in either Planet First or Colony Ten phase. Those worlds open for full colonization are running under standard Colony Ten law. Prospective colonists should contact the Kappa Colonization Advisory Service for more information.
Warning notes for travellers:-
Travel to Kappa sector worlds is strictly limited to incoming colonists.
ZETA SECTOR
Uncharted space.
Additional historical note:-
Zeta sector was originally scheduled to be colonized after Epsilon sector, but Beta sector’s period of independence as the Second Roman Empire resulted in Planet First efforts being redirected to Kappa sector.
Books by Janet Edwards
The prequel novella:-
EARTH AND FIRE: An Earth Girl Novella
The Earth Girl trilogy:-
EARTH GIRL
EARTH STAR
EARTH FLIGHT
The Earth Girl prequel short story collection:-
EARTH 2788: The Earth Girl Short Stories
Other short stories:-
HERA 2781: A Military Short Story
Make sure you don’t miss the next book by signing up to get a newsletter update
More information at www.janetedwards.com
About the Author
Janet Edwards lives in England. As a child, she read everything she could get her hands on, including a huge amount of science fiction and fantasy. She studied Maths at Oxford, and went on to suffer years of writing unbearably complicated technical documents before deciding to write something that was fun for a change. She has a husband, a son, a lot of books, and an aversion to housework.
Visit Janet at her website: www.janetedwards.com
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Janet Edwards, Earth 2788
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