Page 36 of Alien Haven

“No light pollution here, thanks to it being mostly pastoral. The location is a sort of hub to view everything we’re taught in our classes. You can explore the farthest reaches of known space from this very spot. There should be an observatory on this planet.”

“Do you think so?” Mitag joined her in eyeing the black stretch of sky overhead.

Charity imagined Haven’s position in her mind’s eye. There were moons, planets, and stations in the area, but far fewer than most colonized planets. Travel routes weren’t heavily trafficked even when Planet Farm Hell wasn’t quarantined. It wasn’t considered a tourist attraction. No big cities. A handful of satellites and one space station orbited. Nothing else.

“It’s the perfect place for an observatory,” she said. “So much wide-open space on the planet…a university study facility would be inexpensive to put here alongside an observatory. A big one, so there isn’t so much wait time to use the study stations.”

“Was that typically a problem on Jedver?” Ilid asked.

“You better believe it. There’s sometimes up to a GC standard month delay to get at the resources at my school. We’re constantly filing extensions to finish our work for our professors.”

“Haven’s colony charter is specific about it being a resource to benefit Earthers and Kalquorians who wish to pursue farming and ranching. However, other colony charters belonging to Kalquor have been changed if the alterations were considered of value to civilization,” Detodev noted. “It’s possible our government would consider an observatory and university facility to be an advantageous addition.”

“It is inside empire boundaries,” Mitag added.

“If the Galactic Council’s university got its shit together after the Darks are shown the door…or Kalquor and Haven residents decided to extend Kalquor’s current university systemto extend studies here…I can see it. Planet Farm Hell could be an important place for stellar investigation.” Charity’s mind boggled. The modest home of cow and ronka patties could become a springboard for a whole field of education and exploration.

“You should send a proposal to the Kalquorian university board,” Ilid said. “As well as the governors of Haven. Groteg and Utber have the connections to get you interviews.”

“The Jennifer Seng Observatory.” Mitag grinned. “Impressive credentials. You’d have Kalquorian clans of high rank beating down your door.”

She snorted, not just at his obvious fishing. Nor because it wasn’t her real name he was using.

She considered her father’s vaunted position on the original Earth. He’d been a high-ranking general, at the Holy Leader’s side when Browning Copeland had wielded all the power. It hadn’t saved her from Copeland’s sick lust. Then there was her sister Hope. She’d joined a high-ranking clan, but they had served as double agents in the empire’s recent civil war. Though they’d been instrumental in saving Kalquor from the enemies determined to destroy it, they were still considered one step above traitors by many.

All those showy titles, all their heroics, yet the Naths weren’t allowed to be together as a family. Charity had no clue when she’d see her father and sister again. Thanks to the dangers inherent in their positions, it was possible she wouldn’t.

“Rank is nothing,” she said. “I can’t imagine anything lower on my list of priorities. I’m only interested in those I can count on to be close. People I can count on, period.”

Reminded of how Detodev had been there outside the barn when she’d run to escape her attacker, she glanced at the big Nobek. True, his showing up when she needed him had beena coincidence…but he’d been there, nonetheless. Her smile of gratitude was sincere.

She must have caught him off guard because he returned it in full. His was a wonderful smile. It transformed what had been a merely handsome man…in a morose sort of fashion…into stunning.

Hello, gorgeous. Why have you been hiding?

Jennifer smiling…really smiling instead of in her teasing, ready-to-kick-you-in-the-crotch smirk…was a revelation for Detodev. Starry Eyes was beautiful. Truly, unequivocally beautiful. It was as if he’d never seen her before.

It had come on gradually, he realized. As she’d spoken of the hypergiant sun she ached to prove, as she’d seen the potential for an observatory on Haven, the snide and somewhat juvenile aspect of her personality had faded to reveal an intelligent woman fully capable of forging a path for herself and those who’d take note and follow. Just as she’d looked at the sky and seen the whole of its possibilities, he now saw that in her.

Is this what it is to fall in love?

Shit.

The notion simultaneously amused and irritated Detodev. The urge to be near Jennifer, to protect her at all costs…an urge setting his teeth on edge…was terrifying because it felt so imperative. It was a desire he couldn’t shove aside.

It was getting late, and Jennifer began packing up her telescope. Mitag glanced between her, Ilid, and Detodev. “Want to come back to my place? Drinks, whatever else?”

Jennifer sighed. “I would, but Groteg already insisted I stay in tonight after what happened in the barn. I’d better keep the old boy on my side.”

“I have to be in the fields early. The east field’s monitors seem to be passing their glitches to each other. In fact, I need totalk to Groteg and Sara about it, get some extra hands over there to work on the machines if they can spare them. I’ll join you another time.” Detodev spoke half-truths blandly, hoping Mitag wouldn’t suspect he was doing so. The Imdiko had an uncanny ability to sense when he was being outright lied to.

“I’ll join you,” Ilid told Mitag after some hesitation. “I told my parents not to wait up. Hopefully, they’ll listen this time.”

Detodev felt a mix of disappointment and relief. The idea he could have hung out with the fascinating Dramok and ebullient Mitag almost made him wish he hadn’t opted to remain behind. At least Mitag was too delighted at the opportunity to better acquaint himself with Ilid to press Detodev on his excuses.

They stuck around long enough to see Jennifer to the back steps of the Amgar home. Then the two men left, their heads close together in conversation as they walked away. Their laughter drifted on the air.

“Good. Ilid needs to make friends. Mitag might keep him from those moods he sometimes gets in.” Jennifer sounded genuinely happy for him.

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