Page 31 of Ava Stargazer

Ava looked at her ship, and Vox’s home behind her.Yes, it’s that obvious, huh.“Alright. But I don’t know about staying there with the women the entire time.”

The three Vorbax women glowed in excitement, a more muted color than the males.

Bria jumped up and down, “We will bring you back afterward.”

Sai grabbed her hand and dragged her out so fast Ava almost missed grabbing her hat on the peg next to the door.

The three of them got on a cart that was pulled by Sai’s shaggy coar. Her coar, named Cam, was even bigger than Erox’s, and it was hitched up to the wagon, the lead lines wound around its shaggy head. Sai gestured to Ava to get in as well.

It was about half and half right now for who was still using carts with the coars and who, like Vox, had upgraded to a more modern hover to travel faster if he was in a hurry. To get to the main area where most of the Vorbax lived was a long walk without the carriage, but still manageable. The main part of the city was condensed around a large lake in the middle, much bigger than the small one Vox shared with Erox.

Ava climbed into the cart and sat next to Bria on the second row of seats.

Sai sat up front and clicked to the fuzzy coar. “Go, Cam-cam.” The coar walked forward until it went into a steady trot, its large feet kicking up dirt clouds.

“Are all the women there now?” Ava asked, adjusting her hat so it sat low on her head to shield her eyes. Her arms didn’t seem to turn red and hurt as easily now and instead were a muted bronze color from the sun. She glanced down at them as the coar plodded along, skin no longer flaking.I like the color.

“Most, including Orla, even though she is in her fertility cycle. I’m glad her mind was relaxed enough for that to finally happen. She was so worried it wouldn’t ... after the Tuxa.”

“I'm glad for her.” Ava took a sip of water from a container in the cart.It’s already so hot, even though it is still morning.“Does everyone live close by?”

Sai shook her head while holding the reins. “Yes and no. The men like to spread out. The only way they can ignore each other’s thoughts is with enough distance. Families only live close, where it isn’t as much of an intrusion to be overheard. We used to be much further spread out but...” Her voice trailed off.

Bria finished for her, “After the Tuxa invaded we came together more to protect each other. It is not all the Vorbax women in general that are here today, just those that live in this sector.”

Hard to believe there's so many more that I never saw.“I don't know much about the war. Did the fighting last very long?”

“No, not really. But we were losing, badly, until our men learned to fight back with their minds. The Tuxa just were initially trying to wipe us all out to claim our planet.”

Ixxi spoke then. “They took us women before they left, on their way out after they were fought off.”

“Oh . . .” Ava didn't know what else to say, thinking of Earth and Humans not being able to repel their attack the same way.

Sai shook her head. “Enough about that. Look, down that road.”

Ava craned her neck to try to see down a road covered in forest.

Sai waved her hand at the pass. “That’s a big area of IO minerals.” She held up her hands, a few scratches on them. “I dug some out a few days ago to trade for some of the spices the Spry brought on their transport.”

Ava nodded, already knowing from when Vox pointed it out on their way into town, mentioning that he would take a turn himself there soon. Right now, he was not expected to join in gathering so soon after being in battle.Credits. I'll need some for Joy and the others.“Maybe I could as well someday. Once I finish sorting what the ship has.”

Sai shook her head. “Probably not. You need to be able to sense where they are. But if you want, we can work together. You can dig while I sense.”

Ava laughed. “That sounds like I get the raw end of the deal.”

Sai looked forward and clicked at Cam to move faster, as the coar had slowed down. “Only a little bit.”

They went a bit farther in the wagon before Ava turned to Sai. “How did you know I would agree to come this time?”

Sai smiled. “Because Vox is gone. You are lonely. Besides, you like having fun with us.”

Am I lonely?Ava grimaced and grudgingly agreed to herself that was true. She did miss Vox already. Her hands clenched, already feeling the absence of her tablet. She touched her arm with the tracker, feeling a bit more grounded with that. She was not lost.

“Yes,”Bria answered without speaking.“We could feel your loneliness before you even opened the door.”

Sai added smugly, “I also was not going to leave until you did.”

Ava wrinkled her nose at her. “Some friend you are.”

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