Page 73 of Leveling

Chapter 51

Buzz said, “There’s a ship headed this way.”

Odo turned to look. “Does that look like Navy?”

Buzz said, “No, something else entirely.”

Odo said, “Keep paddling, they’re probably just passing by.” After sometime, Odo said, “I was wrong, they’re headed right to us.” Then louder, “How about we slow down and rest and allow them to catch up and see what they want.”

Buzz said, “They’ll probably read that edict again, and I can’t promise I won’t go ballistic.”

River said, “Now, now, they think they’re helping, they think settlements are a good idea; you can say no without causing trouble.”

Luna listened to this exchange with heavy thoughts. She had grown past worrying about settlements and futures and that had been a relief. Were protective measures a good idea? She didn’t have to worry about it, because she wouldn’t live long enough to meet her future, but now...

Did she need to worry again? To plan?

She watched her paddle create a small spinning eddy beside her board. Odo and Buzz would talk to the ship. All she had to do was sit and rest and wait for her orders to paddle again.

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