Page 9 of Real Scale Blazer

“They’re scientifically significant samples.”

Lydia fell back dramatically onto the carpet. “You’re hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.” She propped herself up on her elbows, fixing Quinn with a serious look. “Are you scared? About tomorrow?”

Quinn traced the rim of her wine glass, considering the question. “Terrified,” she admitted. “But also... excited? It’s like when we’re about to start a new research project, and you know you’re on the verge of discovering something groundbreaking.”

“Except this time we’re the ones being groundbreaking. First human geologists to study alien planets.”

“Ifit’s real,” Quinn couldn’t help adding. “This could still all be an elaborate hoax.”

“A hoax where Gerri somehow knew about your board meeting meltdown an hour after it happened?” Lydia shook her head. “Face it, Quinn. We’re about to become intergalactic scientists. It’s literally the coolest thing ever.”

“What if we fail?” The question slipped out before Quinn could stop it. “What if their geology is so different that all our knowledge is useless? What if we can’t help them?”

Lydia sat up, her expression softening. “Then we learn. We adapt. We figure it out like we always do.” She reached over to squeeze Quinn’s hand. “You’re the smartest person I know, Quinn. If anyone can understand alien geology, it’s you.”

“Now you’re just trying to make me feel better.”

“Is it working?”

Quinn smiled despite herself. “Maybe a little.”

“Good. Now help me decide between these three black dresses because they all look exactly the same to me.”

They spent the next hour finalizing their packing, reducing Lydia’s wardrobe to a more reasonable size and convincing Quinn to leave behind at least some of her rock collection.

“We’re really doing this,” Quinn said softly, sealing another box. “We’re really leaving Earth tomorrow.”

“Having second thoughts?”

“No.” The certainty in her voice surprised even her. “I mean, yes, I’m nervous and this is completely insane, but... I’m ready for something different. Something bigger than departmental politics and stolen research.”

“Something dragon-shaped?” Lydia waggled her eyebrows.

Quinn threw a sock at her. “Something scientifically significant.”

“Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that’s all you’re interested in.” Lydia dodged another sock. “I’m just saying, Gerri runs a dating agency for a reason. Maybe the universe thinks you need more than just new rocks to study.”

“The universe needs to mind its own business.”

“The universe,” Lydia said with drunken wisdom, “works in mysterious ways. Like sending us to another planet right after you finally told off those corporate jerks.”

“I still can’t believe I did that.” Quinn flopped back onto her couch. “You should’ve seen James’s face when I mentioned the digital signature he forgot to remove.”

“I bet it was priceless.” Lydia joined her on the couch.

Quinn’s phone buzzed with a text from Gerri:Car will pick you both up at 7 AM sharp. Pack warm—Nova Aurora’s climate might surprise you.

“Warm?” Quinn frowned at her packed boxes. “I thought she said it was climate-controlled?”

“Maybe their definition of climate-control is different from ours.” Lydia jumped up, suddenly energized. “Oh! What if theyhave, like, magical heating systems? Or maybe the dragons keep everything warm with their fire breath!”

“Or maybe,” Quinn said dryly, “they just have different temperature preferences than humans.”

“You’re no fun.” Lydia started rummaging through Quinn’s closet. “Where’s that nice wool coat you got for the Iceland expedition?”

“Already packed. In the box labeled ‘Winter Gear’ because some of us plan ahead.”

“Show-off.” Lydia collapsed back onto the couch. “I can’t believe this is our last night on Earth. That’s such a crazy sentence to say out loud.”

---