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When we reach Kaleidian airspace, all five of us go to the observation deck to catch our first glimpses of Drex’s homeworld from above. When I finally see it, I don’t hold back my gasp of wonder.
The world is mottled with deep greens, reds, and blues, with clouds swirling white through it. I had heard as a kid that the planet is almost entirely jungle, and seeing this, I believe it. I look up at him and catch him staring at me with open fondness on his face.
Blushing, I turn to the twins and pick up Bianca. He follows my lead, and we hold them up to see their new world.
“Look at that,” I say to them. “We’re home.”
28
DREX
It feels strange, returning home again. Naturally, I’ve spoken to my parents from time to time since leaving home, although it’s been pretty sporadic since my enlistment contract.
Sophia claims that it is nostalgia, although I know Kaleidians don’t really experience that sort of thing. Nevertheless, it’s weird to think about seeing an old family home soon, to say the least, but not unwelcome.
My parents and I always had a good relationship, albeit distant by other cultures' standards. It’s not from any strain between us, it’s simply the norm on Kalei. I let them know that I was flying in with my fated one and her friend, but that was the only communication I sent out.
Holding the twins, I watch the girls’ reactions to seeing my home planet for the first time from the ship’s observation deck.
“Oh, I hope we’ll get to do some sightseeing!” Isa manages to exclaim in a hushed tone. Azel and Bianca are finally sleeping after some intense crankiness from being stuck on board transport ships for so long.
“Isa, we’ll have all the time in the world to explore. This is our new home after all.” Sophia smiles brightly, but something in her tone betrays her nervousness. I rest a free hand gently on her as Kalei looms before us and the ship moves closer to the surface.
“What is it, my love?” I question, adjusting the twins lightly in my arms. Kaleidians have unmatched strength and speed, but I suspect it will always be awkward holding two babies at once.
Sophia sighs, though her gaze is affectionate. “I guess I’m just anxious about meeting your parents, you know?”
“Um, no? Why would you be anxious?” I ask, somewhat confused.
She gives me an expectant look. “Well, because they’re your parents, that’s why. I mean, they love you and raised you. So what if they don’t approve of me?”
“It would not matter if they ‘approved of you’ or not,” I explain easily. “You are my jalshagar, my other half. The universe has fitted the two of us together, and there is nothing that can break that bond.”
“Besides, they’re going to adore you,” Isa cuts in, rolling her eyes in exasperation at me. “After all, what’s not to love?”
“Yes, that’s what I said,” I reply evenly. Sophia laughs, and the brightness returns to her eyes.
“Alright then, tell us all about Kalei. We want to know everything about our new home.” This time, there is exhilaration in her voice.
“I don’t recommend exploring on your own, at least until you get a better lay of the land,” I begin seriously. “As you can see, my homeworld is very beautiful, but it can be very deadly to those who are unfamiliar with it. What isn’t ocean is covered by dense rainforest and jungles.”
“That would explain why Kaleidians are so tough and adaptable,” Isa replies.
“Look at all that greenery, though,” Sophia returns. “I might even be able to grow my own garden! Oh, I bet vegetables are incredible here. Munga the size of your head.”
The women’s excitement is palpable as they whisper to each other. I can feel a similar sense of wonder stealing into my bones despite myself, alongside a sense of familiarity.
Everywhere on Kalei is lush with overgrowth, and just as verdant as I remember. Oceans spill into spidery rivers that run through vast tracts of jungle in all shades of emerald and olive, which are only broken up by silvery dots of the few sporadic cities that exist. Even those are full of greenery, as nature is always Kalei’s first conqueror.
Once we land and get through the customary checks, we stop for a quick lunch break. I give them a brief history of how Kaleidians evolved to overcome the perils of our home-world while maintaining a deep respect for the power of nature.
Sophia listens intently, determined to absorb as much as she can, while Isa comments on how delicious her salad containing bits of granthen is. Our server gives us some edible kathor leaves for the children, who are now awake again and seem to want to look around as much as the women.
I reassure them all with promises to take them ‘sight-seeing’ as soon as I can and secure for us a temporary travel-craft in order to effectively move about.
My parents live on the outskirts of one of the smaller cities, a place called Daskquar. It is the closest city to the island of Tremaine, where my mother spent some time working in medicine, while my father did his tours as a contract warrior, much like myself. Now they are mostly retired from what I’ve learned in communications over the past few years.
“My mother still does some consulting work from time to time, though,” I explain as we bring the hovercraft up to the property entrance. “They both like to stay active.”
