Chapter Thirteen
Odell and Cillian wake early to see us off.
Cal embraces them both. They are too tired and anxious and overcome for words, but I see much love and regret pass between them. So little time together, so much to digest and far too much to process.
‘Good fortune,’ they say, and I feel them willing it upon us.
Our packs are loaded with fresh food as well as EASA-distributed nutrition bars, clothes, blankets, and water. We haul the gear into the cabin of a Hiberdernian. The ship holds six hibernation capsules, a two-seat short haul pod, and one of the city’s genderless droids. It is yet to be activated. The Hiberdernian ship and droid will be part of our trade. The pod will allow our return to Jucca.
Cal and I, under advice from his parents, are wearing armoured vest plates
