Page 2 of Fated to the Orc

My job keeps me busy, too. Speaking of, I used to believe that becoming a geneticist would be a smart financial decision. A stable career, a decent salary, fulfilling work. Right?

Wrong.

My paycheck isfine.I can’t complain, not really. But when you factor in my student debt, and my baby sister’s endless medical bills… what’s left at the end of the month is barely enough to keep the lights on.

I’m late with this month’s rent. Again, unfortunately. When Madelyn was just a kid, our landlord would never kick us out, but now that she’s eighteen…

He just might.

The worst part? After all this time, and all this money spent, we still don’t know what’s wrong with Madelyn. Some days, she’s herself: Upbeat and too smart for her own good. Other days? She can barely crawl out of bed.

It’s been like this ever since she was a kid. Every specialist we’ve seen just shrugs. All the tests come back negative. Sheshouldbe fine.

She isn’t.

Lately, the doctors have been suggesting she’s faking it for attention. I know my baby sis better than anyone, and I know that’s not the case.

That’s part of the reason I became a geneticist in the first place. I thought that perhaps I could solve this mystery and help her get better!

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Rather than solving genetic mysteries, I spend my days studying the sperm samples from lab mice.

Not the groundbreaking work I envisioned, and it’s certainly not enough to pay the bills.

Something’s gotta give.

“Hey, sis, check this out!”

Madelyn’s voice snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts. She practically shoves her phone in my face, blocking my view of my laptop.

Today is Sunday, but I’m working from home, my laptop and my papers taking up the entire dinner table. It’s the only space where I can get some work done in our tiny apartment.

“Maddy, I’m working. We talked about this.”

“No, seriously! This is important! Just look!”

I take her phone. My train of thought is gone anyway, and it’s time for my break.

The screen displays an image of a breathtaking forest. An ancient, untouched wilderness that stretches off into the distance… with two giant moons hanging in the sky.

I blink.Xavros.

The very first human colony. The untamed planet that belongs to the ultra-rich.

“Nice picture,” I say, handing the phone back. “You want to visit Xavros? You and me both, sis. Unfortunately, we’re not billionaires.”

Madelyn rolls her eyes so hard I think she might sprain something. “Read the text, dummy. It’s a job listing. Forgeneticists. That’s you!”

“What?”

I take the phone again and scroll down. My eyes widen with every word.

The Department of Interstellar Affairs is hiring geneticists to study the wildlife of Xavros.And the pay is astronomical.

This isn’t just a salary increase. This is life-changing! This is enough to clear Madelyn’s bills, wipe out my student loans, and still have savings left over. For the first time inyears, I briefly imagine a future that isn’t just survival.

But then reality crashes back in.

“Sounds cool, but I can’t do this.”

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