Page 18 of Instinct for Disaster

Chapter Four

She found the tablet that came with the house and began to scroll rapidly through the information options. When she got to a list of inhabitants, she sought out the Terrans. Her family was listed and were nearly finished with their bonds. It was the list of single females that she was seeking out, and when she saw the familiar names, she breathed easy.

They were alive and healthy, and all the girls were adults.

Cassandra had taken her surviving animals to the local camp with the remaining girls who had been on a school trip and the one adult sibling of one of the campers. They got together, did all the prep that they could, and weathered out the storms together for two years. Nessa had gotten the survival radios up and running, and when the signal came through, Nessa notified the shuttle that they had livestock and described them. The aliens on the other end were excited, and a deal was struck. They had a day to get where they needed to be because a terrifying storm was coming toward the pickup point. It had been close, but the girls and the herd had made it, along with twelve emotional support chickens.

Cassandra checked the time and sent a message to Nessa.Hey, is there any place around here to find dinner?

There was silence while Cassandra actually checked the food directory.

You are here? Cassandra? Where are you staying?

I bought a house. I live out of town. Can we meet for dinner somewhere?

Sure. Get to the city gates on the eastern side, and I will meet you there. How are you travelling?

Keffo.

Wow. Okay. I will see you when you get here.

I am an hour out and will start whistling now.

She put her pay link on her belt and headed to the front door. She locked it and saw the surprised guards. “Apologies. I am heading into the city. I am going to have dinner with a friend and won’t be back until later this evening.”

She whistled the summoning notes softly. The thudding of feet happened slowly, but the two that emerged from the woods came directly to her. It would have been easier to have a saddle, but she clucked to them gently, and one of them knelt. She climbed up and settled on the back, squeezing with her thighs so the beast caught the inkling to stand.

“Free Miner, it is dangerous without a saddle.” One of the guards tried to stop her.

She smiled. “It is dangerous with a saddle. Good afternoon.”

She squeezed with her thighs, and the keffo took off. The image of the city gates had been taken from the tablet, and the beast turned and headed straight for the ridge of the city in the distance.

In about five minutes, she and the keffo had an agreement, and his friend was just along for the ride. An hour into the ride, she realized she should have brought water.

When she got to the gate, there were guards to stop her. “Miss, you can’t bring a keffo into the streets.”

She nodded and crooned to her ride. He knelt, and she slipped down his side, patting him and scratching his jaw. “Excellent gentleman. If I meet you again, I will bring you a treat.”

He huffed at her and rocked up to his feet. She petted his friend and then faced the gate where Nessa was standing and grinning.

“Cassandra, I am happy to see you haven’t changed.”

Cassandra walked toward her friend, and they hugged.

The guard came toward them and said, “Miss, who are you?”

“Free Miner Cassandra. I own a house next to the overseer’s, and he or Kiddel can vouch for my legality.”

The guard blinked. “Have a pleasant visit to the city.”

“Thank you.” Cassandra inclined her head. She and Nessa walked into the city, and Cassandra braced herself. This was going to be a lot.

Nessa squeezed her hand. “Just breathe, and if I need to, I can clear a room.”

“Been eating dairy again?” Cassandra looked at her friend, and they laughed.

Nessa sighed. “Damn, I have missed you.”

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