Page 52 of Breaking Ties

Nerigot took her to her seat, and the captain stared at the bickering couple in amusement.

Whisper looked at the other humans and said, “So how long were we in sleep, exactly?”

The captain looked up the records. “One hundred fifty-two days.”

The other humans got in a flap, and then dinner was served. Whisper wanted to see what the treatment did. She was looking forward to being more herself.

Chapter Eight

Arriving at Aten was amusing. Aubrey had watched Whisper play merry hell with Nerigot over the last few days. He was constantly around her, making sure she took her courses and got enough food. The treatment from his ship had been moved over to Vress’s vessel, and Whisper was getting better at an astonishing rate.

Aubrey was still pissed about the missing time, but Vress had declared it necessary. Her active mind could be detected by any Hmrain or psychic in the area. She needed to work at closing it until she needed to open it.

The idea of a station that was part garage and part mall was exciting. She walked with Vress to the drop shuttle. Whisper walked with the other ladies, and Nerigot was bringing up the rear.

They saw the sights and got to the drop shuttle. Thousands of humans were on the world below, and Aubrey had to admit that she was excited by the prospect of seeing a human colony.

A bit of investigation let Aubrey know that she and the rest who had been brought up to the Education Station had been put to sleep for three years. The station was too crowded with the last of humanity piling on.

They settled in the shuttle, and Aubrey sat next to Vress. Nerigot was looking back at Whisper as they got clearance, and their pilot began the descent.

Aubrey watched the viewscreen as they approached the surface and gripped Vress’s hand when she saw familiar buildings in the sands near a town that looked lively.

The shuttle they were in set down on a specific spot, and the Hmrain left first; Aubrey went with them.

She kept her senses on Whisper, and she and the others followed. The sun hit her with the subtlety of an open oven, and she was happy for the change of fabric that Vress had insisted on. Layers of gauze let the air get at her limbs, and it was welcome.

Aubrey saw the familiar figures as Vress guided her to them, and she grinned. “Thank you for greeting us, Harwin.”

Harwin handed her baby to Ra. “Thank you for coming, Aubrey, honoured Oracle, beloved of Vress.”

“Seriously? We have to do that every time?”

Harwin laughed. “Just the first time.”

“Thank you, Harwin, Queen of Aten, beloved of Ra, mother of Harwin, the heir of Aten.”

Harwin grinned. “Ooh, nice. Be welcome.”

They held hands, and the Hmrain relaxed. Apparently, companion cat fights were a thing in ancient times.

Ra shifted his child to one arm and shook Vress’s arm with the other. Nerigot walked up and greeted the eldest of their kind, and then everyone relaxed.

Aubrey looked at Harwin. “Do you have repair units that can help humans put on weight?”

“Sure. That’s a simple one, usually. Why?”

Aubrey turned and waved at Whisper. “She came up too skinny, and then she had an enzyme problem, and now she’s gaining weight, but it is so slow.”

Harwin walked over to Whisper and took her hand, ran a thumb over her wrist, and then her collarbone.

Whisper said, “If you are trying to find the best cut, my butt is probably your best bet.”

Harwin chuckled. “You aren’t in my food group.”

“Thank goodness.” Whisper smiled.

“Come on. Ra can show you the right machine. I will be with you, and we will have another stay nearby if I have to leave. Do you like babies?”