Page 7 of Rebirth

I nod at her slightly. “Anywhere is fine.”

“Nonsense.” She grins. “You might be new here, but you get the same treatment as everyone else. A proper bed. Food. Etcetera. Though,” she glances at the pack nestled between my legs, “you’ve probably got your own stuff, too.”

I nod. I’d packed everything I’d need. More than enough to last me a few weeks on my own.

I’d thank my father for that, if he were still around.

“I know Unity might not be what you thought it was, but we’re committed to making it better. To be fair,” she chuckles, “it’s only taking this long because we’re taking input from everyone on how they want the city to be. You can leave your suggestions with Kolpak or Dri’ro. They’re the main architectural geniuses.”

“Dri…ro?” Definitely not a human name.

“Ah, yes.” Mina grins some more. “He’s Vullan. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to them. They’re really big marshmallows if you allow them to get to know you.”

There’s a growl from one of the tents, almost as if in response to what she said, and if Mina didn’t roll her eyes and chuckle again, I might have thought it was a coincidence.

They can hear us, even with the noise of the children and the distance of the nearest tent.

My eyebrows shoot up.

Mina’s eyes crinkle as one of the children rushes into her arms, almost bowling her over.

“Where’s superman?” the child asks.

Mina’s gaze is warm. “Currently on timeout for almost scaring the lovely lady here.” Mina grins. “Her name’s Sophie.”

“Hi, Sophie,” the little girl says, giving me the sweetest smile. Her innocence, her happiness…it touches something deep inside me. Happy children aren’t something I even thought I’d see again.

I’d expected war-torn people, tired and worn from the strain. But this child… I’d have never guessed she’d endured the last few months. There is light in her eyes.

She giggles as Mina tickles her before she dashes off again, and I watch her go, wondering if it is all really true. If the terror is really all gone?

“Who is superman?” I whisper.

Mina shrugs. “Just a name the kids have given San’ten.”

“So these…Vullan. They’re…friendly.”

It’s more of a statement than anything. A way for my mind to connect the dots. But Mina responds anyway,

“More than you know,” she says.

I nod, eyes searching hers, and there’s nothing within those depths that tells me this is all a trick. That these aliens are using us for some purpose I am yet to discover.

That this is all a lie.

“You’re the epidemiologist, right?”

I blink at her for a moment, wondering how she knew that information.

“The drone…” she supplies.

Ah, yes. The drone that’d appeared on our way here. A human had asked us questions through the device to “prepare” for our arrival. Like if we were carrying any weapons. If any of us was hurt, or injured. If anyone needed immediate medical attention.

“Yes, that’s what I do…did before…”

“Good.” Mina nods, lips pressing into another tight smile. “I’ll tell him you’re here.”

“Him?”

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