Chapter 14 The Departure, Eve
THE DEPARTURE, EVE
The final morning aboard the Imperial ship Igo arrives with a strange sense of relief and trepidation.
I have packed my few possessions into a small travel bag, also compliments of my new employer: my handbag, the black dresses, the ultra-comfortable boots, my company IC with no contacts, and my e-reader loaded with an entire Earth-based library and included on it, of course, is my copy of the Celestial Spire employee handbook.
A chime sounds, and I open the door to find the Commander.
I blush remembering last night’s activities.
“Your transfer shuttle leaves in twelve standard minutes. I’ll escort you to the docking bay.”
“Thank you for your… hospitality, Commander.” The word feels inadequate, almost sarcastic, but it’s the best I can come up with.
His expression remains unchanged, but his eyes show a hint of amusement at my choice of words.
We walk in silence. My heart is starting to beat faster with each step.
I don’t know if I can do this.
“The Celestial Spire is...” he begins, then pauses as we enter a lift that will take us to the docking level. “It's unlike anything you'll have experienced on Earth.”
“So I've gathered from being on your ship for the last seven days and from your demonstration last night.”
He says nothing, as the lift glides downward. Its transparent walls reveal the heart of the ship. When the doors open, we pass into a wider corridor filled with busy crew members who barely notice me.
“What you saw last night was regulated,” the Commander says after a pause, his voice hushed. “At the Spire, the lines are even less clear. Galactic laws on human rights exist in theory only.”
“Then why recruit humans at all if you—” I stop myself. Using the word you wasn't fair. He hadn't personally created this system, nor did he hire me.
“Because the Ascendant Alliance recognizes the shifting political winds. Having humans as legitimate employees serves their interests, even as they profit from other arrangements.” His voice drops.
“Take this opportunity to act as an equal to your Reima Two colleagues and do better for your species when you can.”
I think about Earth's history and the iconic images of those first to break barriers; children walking into hostile schools and lone figures standing before tanks. “My opportunity?”
“Yes, it’s an opportunity to show the galaxy that humans can be more than companions.”
“I’ve never fought against anything,” I admit. “I’ve always been more of a rule follower.”
Then I think about the public punishments in the Celestial Spire employee handbook.
I know firsthand how those feel. I still remember the nuns lining us “sinners” up in the courtyard, making us kneel on the stone as our knees bled, and the weight of the discipline board hanging around my neck.
My crime? Passing a note from Carrie to her older brother, who was going to adopt her when he turned eighteen.
But Carrie was adopted before that, and I never saw her or him again.
“I’ve studied you for seven days, Eve Eden.
The Sovereigns saw something valuable when they made you their liaison, but I don’t think they recruited you for what I see.
Your empathy. Your ability to notice and to care when most others look away.
That makes you dangerous for them and an asset for humanity.
” He puts two fingers over his heart and says, “I know you will be brave and do what you can for your people. It is your fate.”
I’m momentarily stunned by his deadly serious statement. Then I remind him, “I’m going to be working in the lion’s den.”
He nods. “There's no better place to begin a movement than from within the void of the Leviathan's maw.”
What sci-fi animal is a Leviathan?
I want to ask and answer him, but we’ve reached the docking bay. The air is thick with activity: voices calling out, metal hissing from repairs, and transports coming and going. The sight freezes me.
Beyond the bay’s transparent walls is wide open space scattered with stars I can’t name. And not far off, Falcon Station, a vast ring of light against the dark.
What have I signed up for?
The Commander takes my elbow to steady me. “Should I call the doctor?”
“No,” I say too firmly.
“You’d be a fool if you weren’t afraid of what waits for you out there,” he says. “But you’re brave. And I don’t think this is the first time you’ve had to be.”
I look him in the eyes, and it’s as if he’s reminding me of who I am and what I can do.
With silent understanding, he lets go of my elbow and then gestures toward a transport.
Its hull is stamped with the Empire’s silver goddess insigna encircled by twelve starbursts.
“Go on, Eve Eden. The galaxy is waiting,” he says as I board the transport.
“Remember, The Lost People were never lost. Humans are Imperials. You are sentient with souls. And if anyone can remind the galaxy of that truth, it is you.”
“Lost People? What—”
The hatch seals between us with a pneumatic sigh. Through the small window, I watch the Commander walk away as the deck crew bustles with final checks around my transport, and I’m left alone with a computer pilot and a holographic display showing my route. Three hours to Falcon Station.
I grip the necklace Clay gave me. It’s heavy and cool between my fingers. And I think about the Commander’s words, Lost People. Who the hell are the Lost People?
There’s a light thud as the transport detaches from the Igo. My stomach dips when we pull away, and I watch the great vessel shrink behind me.
Ahead, I see a massive space station. It looks like a gigantic rectangular flower with petals shooting out in every direction as starships of all sizes move to and from it like robotic bees.
And just beyond it, I can make out a slender shape against the stars, a spiraling tower of metal and light. It looks like a hand reaching toward distant constellations.
The Celestial Spire.
My final destination.
My IC makes an alien chime, and I jump at the unfamiliar sound. I dig it out of my bag, and immediately it opens, displaying a new message.
I reread the hotel’s motto again. It reminds me of the old television show Cheers, and I can’t help but smile.
Then, I decide to make good use of my time and read the remainder of the employee handbook.
I’m almost finished. The last chapter seems to be just tables and graphs.
I didn’t think it was that important until I see the time schedule for each day and note that there are no weekends or any days off.
I am expected to always be working. This can’t be right.
There must be something lost in translation.