Chapter 45
FORTY-FIVE
Tai
“Iwould kill for a bowl of noodles right now,” Bri says. I hear her stomach grumble over the crunch of the sand under our feet.
We’ve been walking for a few hours. The water hole was nice, but I didn’t want to stay any longer than necessary. I didn’t want to risk another encounter with a Sand Hunter, or any other predator that might be going for their midday drink.
“You’re over there starving, and you’re thinking about noodles? If I could have anything right now, it would be a giant Tilaki honeycake.” I toss her a few strips of jerky. Definitely not as good as honeycake, but it will keep us from starving.
“What’s that?”
Now I have her attention.
“It’s a j’Tilak specialty. It’s the go-to celebration dessert.
Birthdays, weddings, returning home from being stuck on a miserable planet.
That sort of thing. It has more than thirty-seven ingredients and takes hours to make.
It’s fluffy and sweet, and melts on your tongue.
The first time I had it, I thought I’d died. ”
“It sounds amazing. Would I have to wait for my birthday, or could we have it when we get back?” she asks.
“The second we land I’ll find one for you.”
“I’m going to hold you to it. Honeycake first, noodles second, quickly followed by a shower,” Bri says with a faraway look on her face. I hope she’s picturing the shower and not boring noodles.
“Maybe you should get that shower first.” I can’t resist the urge to tease her. I used to be scared of feisty Bri, but now, that one is my favorite.
“How dare you? It’s not my fault I’ve been sweating my tits off this whole time.” She narrows her eyes at me. Her spark has returned, the one that sometimes scorches and other times warms.
“I suppose you blame me for this.” I know she was joking. I’m relieved we can laugh about our circumstances. For a while there, I wasn’t sure she would ever forgive me.
“Well, if the shoe fits.”
“If the shoe fits? What are you saying?”
“Never mind, don’t worry about it.”
“So, what’s the first thing you’re going to do when we get back? After a shower, that is,” Bri asks.
Throughout the conversation, our footsteps have slowed. It feels more like a leisurely walk than a fight for survival.
“First, shower. Second, re-enlist. Mandatory service is almost over, and I’m staying on,” I say without looking at her. Why does it feel wrong to tell her my plans? It feels like guilt for not including her in the decision-making process and that makes zero sense.
“Oh, come on, G.I. Joe, there’s got to be something else you’d want to do.”
“What’s a G.I. Joe?” I ask.
“It’s a who. Not a what. It’s this mythical man who has embodied hero worship for centuries. Every new generation has their own G.I. Joe who fights the enemy of the time. I think it began as a toy.”
“Hm… I don’t think the analogy fits. I’m not re-enlisting to fight. I like the structure, the comradery. I’m doing something that matters.” Out of the corner of my eye, I check her reaction, looking for her approval.
“I get it. I want to feel like that too.”
That’s all I’ve ever wanted. To know what I’m doing matters to other people. That I can make a difference and make life better for others.
I hand Bri the canteen and a nutrigel but don’t take one for myself.
“Mission accomplished then. Your research saved an entire planet.” I can’t refer to Earth as her planet anymore. She belongs on j’Tilak. With me.
“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. I almost regretted it when Earth backed out of the treaty the second it became inconvenient. Regardless of how shitty the politicians are, the people stuck on Earth don’t deserve to slowly starve to death.”
I scan the horizon, looking for any sign of the Boraei. We’ve passed the landmarks from the vague directions Maia’el gave us. The ground is flat and hard, and there’s nothing for miles.
“Let’s stop for the night,” I suggest. The sun is low in the sky. There is no point in pushing ourselves to go any farther today.
Bri looks around, assessing our location as well.
“You won’t hear any arguing from me!” she says brightly.
“Liar.”