Page 52 of Ava Stargazer

Vox hummed, a similar tune as during the ceremony for Orla, as he held her. “This is your home, Ava. No matter what we find at Cipra. I will care for you and you for me. And our home will be here for us when we return.”

Our home.Her gut swirled at the uncertainty those words still evoked in her, staring up at the foreign lights of this planet that was becoming much less foreign as time moved on. “Are you scared too? Of leaving again?”

“Not of the act of leaving and going there. I am scared of how what we will find will affect you, though.”

Ava thought about that and then said in a small voice, “I’m scared too. I think I’ll be able to handle it, but I know it will still be hard. Thank you for going with me.”

Vox pressed his head onto the top of hers as they watched the colors dance. “Always.”

They stayed and watched the colors until they began to fade and only the night sky with the stars remained. The wind whistled in the trees behind them, gently lifting her hair as she looked upward.

“We’ll be amongst those stars tomorrow,” Ava said softly.

Vox sighed and held her closer. His voice rumbled in her ear. “Sweet bird. We’re always amongst them. Sometimes it’s just not as obvious.”

The biologics were a swirl of movement, and Ava watched them spin, clearly happy to spend their excess energy.

Rhutg was in navigation, inputting commands to plot their course as they left the atmosphere. He sent down instructions to the engine hall as the automatic processes kicked on while the ship launched. The AI from the Spry had integrated seamlessly, making the transitions between the launch stages even faster.

Ava moved quickly as well, dashing between the engine room and the biologics tank, excitement and anxiety swirling in her stomach. “Who all is coming with us?” She was monitoring the start-up protocols on the engine like Ebel used to do, checking for tension and any errors. “I know there was talk about more coming. Sai wanted to join us; did she make it on board?” Guilt swirled in her stomach that she hadn’t been able to double-check, other than sending Sai a message the day before to let her know the liftoff time and for her to come.

Vox leaned over, watching her movements. “She did. And she brought a whole cartful of paint?” His tone went up questioningly at the end.

Ava’s lips curled upward, happy that Sai remembered. “Yes, look.”

Vox twisted his head curiously toward her, and Ava thought of the ideas she had for the halls.

His mouth twitched up on the sides. “Ah, I see. That will keep you both busy at least.”

Ava turned and said crisply back, “That is the plan. Who else is coming?”

“A few other males that defended Xai before. Zeed you met during the construction, and another, Tiral, who fought beside my father and me when the Tuxa first came. They are mentoring a few kits that they brought along and are going to be using this as the kits’ first experience off planet, since it should not be intense combat. They are getting situated now. I will have you meet them after we are on course.”

Ava nodded absently as she checked the gauges again, feeling nervous, as this was her first time going through liftoff protocols on her own.Everything looks like it is checking out just fine so far.She bit her lip as she focused, her brow furrowed.I know what I’m doing.

Vox continued, “And two others. Pyra the quorum member wanted to come with, and one of the Spry, Fijjak.” He paused and then added, “And you know Erox stayed behind with Orla. He needs more time to heal.”

Ava frowned, thinking of her visit yesterday with Erox and Orla while Vox visited with the quorum again before they left. The scars left on Erox’s face from the attack were deep, and he still winced in pain when he moved. “Yes, I am glad Orla convinced him to rest.” She tapped the control panel. “That’smore people coming than I thought. I thought it would just be you and Rhutg with how the Vorbax Quorum was so opposed.”

Vox absently cleaned some dust off the counter with a rag. “Individuals can make up their own minds.”

That they can.Ava was beginning to feel the truth of that statement as she watched the control panel carefully. There was a caution warning in one of the sensors. “One of the pistons is a bit loose.”

Vox came over to look. “Is it something that is critical to fix?”

“No. But it should be fixed at some point. We used to do repairs like that often mid trip.”

“Do we need to delay? Have the Spry help?”

Ava bit her lip as she looked at the panel, thinking it through. “This is related directly to the biologics, and how to fix this part is counter intuitive. The biologics’ energy cables run through the piston, so you need to replace it a certain way.”

She gestured with her hands as she spoke, Vox watching but looking mildly lost. “No matter how you explain or I see in your thoughts, it still seems a bit above me.” He glanced upward at the massive engine. “Literally.” Vox looked back at the designs laid on the table.

Ava pointed out where the part was on the diagram of the engine, chuckling at his confession. “I can do this. I used to help Ebel on the bigger repairs all the time. I’ll do it when we’re starborne; it shouldn’t affect anything. I’ll just need another pair of hands.”

Vox looked up at the engine with uncertainty. “Of course.”

Ava smiled, looking down.Vox hates heights.“Sai wanted to learn, so I’ll ask her to help. Fijjak can come see as well. I know he wants to learn more about how it all works.”

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