Chapter 11There was no one to see them off. The transport ship was largely automated and the crew maintained a separation from the passengers.
Bri was there, waiting, when Jules arrived. She smiled at him.
“Hey there,” he said. He glanced around the small boarding area. “MAR-A?”
Bri shrugged. “I haven’t seen it.”
Jules sighed. “Then expect it to pop out and try to scare you.”
Her eyes widened. “Why would it do that?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” he said. “I’m guessing psychological trauma.”
A dark shape flowed up, joints cracking, from behind the boarding seats. MAR-A loomed up in front of them.
“Scared you.” It paused, the said, “I have no trauma.”
Jules exchanged a look with Bri. Then he gestured at the open hatch. “Shall we?”
MAR-A hissed like an angry cat, spun around, ro
