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I head back to my bunk and log onto the holo net. It turns out that there’s all the information you’d ever need.
I’m shocked at how complicated it was. Back when I was in the army, we used to be forbidden booze while on duty, which was all the time since there was a war going on. So we used to make our own hootch using stale rations, water from our canteens, and any kind of fresh fruit.
The resulting brew smelled like piss and tasted worse, but we’d all joked about how we were going to start a business selling it after the war.
Most of those guys from that memory are gone. They didn’t make it off of Horus IV, and the ones who did…they’re more machine than Vakutan now.
I shake off the old memory and concentrate on the here and now. I can order all of the equipment I need off the holo net, but it will take a month to get here.
So I ask around and try to see how much I can get on New Verdan. It turns out, not much. Construction supplies are at a premium on the colony because every person off the boat wants to build a house, and usually some kind of business, too.
I order a basic home brew kit, too, so I can practice my craft before the actual brewing begins. Sadly, it, too, won’t be here for a month.
With all of that out of the way, I sit back in my bunk and put my hands behind my head. I’m staring at the ceiling, but all I can see is the smiling face of the dark-haired beauty of my dreams.
Olivia. I’m so happy she said yes. Tomorrow can’t get here fast enough. Whenever I think of seeing her again, my heart simply soars.
I wonder how much longer she’s going to be on this world? Sooner or later, she said her wanderlust would drive her off. I should probably manage my expectations, but every scenario I play out in my head ends with Olivia and I growing closer after our date tomorrow.
Yes, tomorrow can’t get here fast enough, indeed.
Thirteen
Olivia
Elena stands in the doorway to the guest bedroom, her back leaned casually against the smooth metal. Her eyes dance with mischief, belying her relaxed state.
“So, we’ve graduated from meeting for coffee every morning to a bonafide date, have we?”
I shoot a look over my shoulder at her as I stand in front of the mirror, holding a dress in front of myself.
“It’s not a date, per se,” I say stiffly. “We’re going to look at prospective sights for his brewery.”
“Oh, it’s not a date? Is that right?”
“That’s right,” I say, deciding to go with a sturdy but adorable floral print short sleeved dress. Since we might be walking out in the country, I pair it with equally sturdy but fashionable boots. Sturdy or not, I want to look cute.
“Then why did you go through your entire suitcase trying on different dresses? And why are you putting on ‘do me’ red lipstick?”
Her nose tests the air.
“And you’re wearing perfume. Now tell me again how this isn’t a date.”
I open my mouth to argue, then close it up again.
She laughs triumphantly.
“So it is a date, let’s just agree on that.”
I stuck my tongue out at her and gave my hair the once over. I’d pulled it back into a high ponytail since we were likely to do at least some walking and it was a windy day.
The Beys outside start braying and bleating, and then we hear the hum of a hovercraft. I head out onto the porch of the ranch house and spot Yarvok kicking up a plume of dust behind him as he approaches in a patchy looking hover sled.
It rattles a bit as he put out the landing pylons and settles to a stop a good twenty feet from the house, so as not to kick up dust on us or their home.
He vaults out of the driver’s side without opening the door panel, wearing dark trousers and a sleeveless shirt that shows off his considerably muscular arms. Yarvok’s golden eyes run up and down my body as he approaches.
“Hello, Olivia. You look amazing.”
