Chapter Twenty-Six Zann
While Corrina and Ensign Liu discuss her ideas for jobs for us, I take the opportunity to study her.
At first, it seemed surprising to me that someone who is so physically small could lead so many soldiers.
After all, my size and skill in combat are what earned me the right to lead my entire clutch, even if now our group is reduced to three.
And yet, it is clear that Corrina has earned the respect of those who follow her.
With the exception of Curran, with whom she shares a peculiar but obviously important bond, Corrina treats those around her with respect and dignity.
Even though she is clearly higher ranking than Liu, she takes the time to listen to his suggestions and feedback, considering them carefully and thoughtfully.
I have seen her do the same with Wenschel and Ryder, despite having both higher rank and many more years of experience than either one.
And yet, I also see how she holds herself apart from others.
Despite her general friendliness with those who follow her, there is always some distance between her and them.
I see it in subtle ways – how she refrains from physical contact unless necessary and how she inquires about others’ lives and feelings but shares little of her own.
For a moment, I wonder if it is lonely for her to be in such a position.
It is hard for me to imagine what it might feel like to live alone.
Curran has his mate Yuva, and I have seen many other soldiers with partners or friends or family.
I, of course, always have my brood brothers by my side.
Perhaps sometime when there are no others around, I will ask her about this.
“What do you think of that idea?” Corrina asks, turning to me. I realize suddenly that I have been so intent on staring at her that I have not been listening to what she has been saying.
“Which idea?” I ask.
“Working as laborers in the shipping docks? It’s not glamorous but it’s steady work and the pay is decent.
And it’s something you could all do together.
There aren’t a lot of other options where someone would be looking to hire three individuals at once.
” She glances at Krish with a smile. “And it would mean meeting and interacting with a lot of new people while knowing they won’t hang around forever.
” Then she turns to Davix and her expression softens.
“It’s also something you could potentially do without having to interact much with anyone else at all if you don’t want to. ”
The fact that Corrina has learned enough about my brood brothers to know what they would and would not enjoy in their daily work is another reminder of her way of seeing those around her.
Krish gives her a wide smile, while Davix simply nods.
“As for you,” she says, fixing me with a serious look, “it would give you the chance to boss around your brood brothers and get paid for it.” I open my eyes in surprise.
I wonder briefly if I have given the impression that I enjoy being about to ‘boss around’ anyone when I see the corners of her mouth curl up slightly.
“You are teasing me,” I say carefully.
“Yes, I am teasing you,” Corrina confirms. “But I do think you could probably easily run a crew once you get settled in if you want.”
Liu chimes in as he looks up from his computer. “One of the dock managers can meet with them tomorrow if they want. Apparently, some of his crew recently jumped.”
“Jumped?” I ask.
“Left Azuris station for their next destination,” Corrina supplies. “It’s not unusual for someone to book passage as far as they can with whatever money they have, then get a job once they arrive and save up for the next leg of their journey. Plus, some people just aren’t the type to settle down.”
I wonder if Corrina is the type to settle down. From the pictures and objects in her outer office, she seems to have been here for many years, so perhaps she is.
“How will we find a place to live?” Davix signs, and I repeat his question.
“Liu can help set you up with someone to look for a place,” Corrina replies.
“But until you start to earn credits, you can stay on base. I can squeeze at least a few more days out of the housing fund before I need to start to find another source. And if I have to, I can pay for it myself for a little longer after that.” She glances at Liu. “We’ll list it under visiting family.”
“You have done so much for us already,” I say softly. “We should find a way to pay you back.”
Corrina shrugs, but I notice that she averts her eyes from mine. “What you went through,” she says softly. “No one should have to experience that.”
“Still, I am grateful.” I glance at Davix and Krish. “We are grateful.”
“You’re welcome,” Corrina says hurriedly. “I’ve got to head down to detention to check on how things are proceeding with getting hearings set up for Vertage and Halstern,” she says to Liu. “I’ll check in later.” And then she is striding quickly from the office.
Liu stares at her retreating back. “I guess that’s it then. I’ll get you the information for the interview. It should be fairly straightforward for you to find your way there and back. And good luck!”
I nod, and then Davix, Krish, and I leave the dark-haired human to his work.
I am disappointed to not see Corrina at the evening meal. I do see Ryder and enjoy sitting and talking with him while I eat, but when we are finished my brood brothers and I bid him goodbye. “I wonder where Corrina is,” I muse on our way back to our chambers.
“Do you miss her when you do not see her?” Krish asks.
I think about his question for a moment. “Yes,” I nod. “It is almost like when we are separated, and yet different.”
“Yes,” Krish agrees quietly. “I hope we will still be able to see her when we have jobs and a new place to live.”
“I hope our new home has a bathing chamber like ours,” Davix signs, and we all chuckle in response.
It will be interesting to see what choices we can make.
Though our chambers here in the base are very comfortable with mattresses and soft blankets and a bathing chamber, we are also used to sleeping on the ground and bathing in rivers.
I am certain we will be able to find something suitable.