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Abby nodded, but it was clear that she didn't share my sentiments. She'd found both a home and a mate on Kyven.
Atina slid onto the seat on my other side and strapped herself in. She'd fumbled with the shuttle's controls until now, but from the way she looked at me with true sympathy, she'd clearly listened to our conversation. "I understand. I looked for a home for a long time until I found it."
I looked at her curiously. "You found it?"
Atina smiled, contentment mirrored on her no-longer-blue face. "Space is my home. I never feel as much at home as when I'm in the cockpit, steering the P0TA-2 from one exciting planet to the next. Partly it's the freedom, partly the crew. I know some people prefer to have a house on solid ground, but I wouldn't exchange my little cabin on Captain Ellabee's ship for any building in the universe."
Her eyes blazed with passion. I almost felt jealous of her certainty. Once, I'd felt like that about my farm, my sheep, but that had all changed. Would I ever find that feeling of being home again or was I going to feel out of place for the rest of my life?
"Maybe going to the farm will help me draw a line under that part of my life," I said slowly. "And I know all the suppliers in that area. We can get everything we need there, probably for better prices than in the big city. Only question is how long it'll take to get there from here. It's a beautiful part of the country, but I really don't understand why your colleague chose to land here."
The shuttle began to move, although if I hadn't seen the scenery move past us, I wouldn't have known. There was no rumble, no sound, not even the slightest tremor beneath my feet. I hoped we wouldn't run over a poor pedestrian who didn't hear us coming once we got into more populated areas.
"I've set the ground shuttle's speed to emulate that of your planet's standard vehicles. It could go a lot faster, but we don't want to draw attention."
"I like this speed," Abby said, suddenly sounding a little queasy. "But I don't think I'd get used to travelling this way. Seeing the landscape move without any barrier between me and outside is...unsettling."
Sahra squeezed her mate's hand. The Kyven was watching our surroundings with wide eyes, taking everything in. She'd been to Earth before, but I didn't think she'd seen a place as breathtaking as the Dales with their rolling hills, ancient stone walls and endless green fields.
"I can make the shuttle walls visible," Atina offered helpfully.
I wished she hadn't. As soon as the walls around us turned into bronze metal without a single window, I felt sleepy. I'd just been in stasis for who knew how long, but I had trouble keeping my eyes open. If we were travelling at the speed of a normal car, we'd be travelling for at least another two hours. Enough time for a nap. I closed my eyes and let myself drift off, comfortably aware of Atina's calm presence next to me.
16
Atina
Heather's head rested on my shoulder as I watched her sleep. She didn't even wake when we dropped off Sahra and Abby in Leeds, arranging to pick them up again on the way back to the P0TA-2. Both females looked tired as well; a side effect of the stasis. I on the other hand was wide awake. I'd turned the shuttle walls translucent again as soon as they'd left, marvelling at this planet's strange beauty. The area we were driving through now was less wild than the green hills where we'd landed, but it was still fascinating. All around us, humans drove in their primitive four-wheeled vehicles, their hands at the wheel. They hadn't even invented driverless ground shuttles yet. How were they supposed to have a proper conversation - or a relaxing nap - if they had to stay in control of the vehicle?
I checked the dashboard with the coordinates Heather had given me of her farm. Part of me, selfishly, hoped she wouldn’t want to stay. This planet was pretty enough but not very advanced. The colours and primitive structures were cute. There was lots of meadow though, more and more as the shuttle followed the route.
Heather stirred and murmured the cutest noise as she woke up from her slumber. I still found it weird how her species willingly went into an unconscious state but apparently, that was normal for them.
"Hey," she said, yawning. "Where are we?"
"Umm." I checked the coordinates. "We're about fifteen of your... minutes away from our destination."
Heather sat up and glanced out through the window, commenting on the passing landscape. "Ah, yes, I recognise where we are. Oh, these houses are new. What a random place for a new-build. No! The Pig And Swan is closing down? That's a shame, they make the best homemade chips."
"What are chips?" I asked.
"Fried potato wedges. They're fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and bad for the waistline." She patted her tummy. "But so worth it. We'll get you some, they're a must try. Oh, and tea. And cheese. I miss cheese. And cupcakes. You know what, let's just stop at the nearest supermarket."
I nodded. "Great. What's a supermarket?"
"Oh, this is fun. I'm not the one who knows nothing anymore." A big grin tugged Heather's lips up. "Oh, go left here. That's the way to the farm. Careful, the road is quite narrow."
"Got it." I took manual control over the shuttle so I didn't mow down the local flora. Heather seemed fond of it and it was better not to leave any trace of our presence behind.
A long building came into view and Heather visibly tensed. Her hands balled into fists on top of her knees and she was no longer smiling. This had to be her former home.
I stalled the shuttle next to a similar looking vehicle but much lower and in a bright red colour.
Heather got out without saying anything and I hurried after her, making sure to lock the shuttle so no human could get into our vehicle and get the surprise of their lives.
"Looks like someone else lives here now," Heather said in a sombre tone. "I'm not sure why I thought coming here was a good idea."
I gently touched the small of her back. "You wanted to see your former home. It's understandable."
