Page 176 of Alien Burn

On the morning of Tivek's rite, Dhomhes reached the asteroid station's assembly point early enough to be accused of checking the rock for unfair advantages. Beyond the gallery windows lay the bare claim, its citricite workings open to vacuum.

“I've trained for this,” Tivek told him.

“I'm aware. I was there for much of it.”

“Then stop looking at the descent equipment.”

Dhomhes made himself look at his brother instead.

Tivek wore the same pressure suit and issued harness as the others of his year. His hands were steady on the straps. Only the set of his mouth gave away how much it mattered that no one had pulled him out of line.

Sheira stood beside Ruthak near the rail in the pressurized gallery. Her fingers were tucked into the crook of her mate's arm. Sereya waited with them, carrying a small cloth bundle of food because she had been told waiting could take a while.

The examiner called Tivek's name.

No qualification. No extra attestation. His name, followed by the same instructions given to the others.

He looked back once.

Dhomhes nodded.

Then his brother sealed his helmet and went through the lock with the rest of his year to begin the descent.

The waiting took longer than Dhomhes liked. He ate what Sereya put in his hand without tasting it. Ruthak watched the access point with an expression so similar to his own that Sheira eventually looked from one to the other and sighed.

“He will come back filthy and hungry,” she said. “You may prepare for that.”

She was correct.

When Tivek returned through the inner lock, his helmet was under one arm and his hair was damp. His citricite remained inside the sealed sample container, now bearing the examiner's mark. He held it against his chest while the result was entered.

Then he looked at his family.

The grin arrived all at once.

Sheira reached him first. Ruthak put a hand on the back of his neck and drew him close. Tivek endured both attentions with the dignity of a male who had been an adult for several breaths and expected that to matter.

Dhomhes clasped his forearm.

“I'm proud of you.”

Tivek blinked.

“You sound surprised,” Dhomhes added.

“No. I just—” His brother swallowed, then lifted the container. “The obvious seam was poor. I had to go past it. Read the next face properly.”

“And you did.”

“I did.”

Dhomhes held his forearm a moment longer before releasing him.

Sereya offered the food bundle. Tivek took it with immediate enthusiasm.

“You remain my favorite.”

“Your brother brought it,” she said.