2.2.2

The Return

No one provided a set time to expect the captain, which left Astrid to sit on pins and needles. Every sound of a ship overhead sent her jogging to the nearest window.

In an empty bunkroom Astrid’s books, gear, and personal tablet tucked neatly into a small duffle, ever ready.

Within her tablet, she saved every missive she exchanged with Tenya and the others. She heard from them so rarely, she cherished each message like a secret. A light at the end of an arduous tunnel.

She grew increasingly anxious to know if London’s crew missed her as much as she did them. She couldn’t help but hope she’d make them proud with her dedication to the path set between them. The one that would eventually lead back to the Aldebaran.

Recent muscle wrapped her legs and arms, and she looked no more a scholar. She cut half the length of her hair until it rested just below her shoulders, for easier management. At the shooting range, she’d earned her very own heavy pistol, and developed her skill with it until it became a practiced favorite. And she couldn’t wait to discover what modifications Tenya and Dell could offer.

A fresh set of armor shone in its case to replace the partial plates lost on Tetris. But this one lay painted in Service-regulation charcoal colors and emblazoned with a trifecta of outward facing chevrons over the pauldron. It nearly set her abuzz.

“They lettin’ you out, finally?” The ensign with whom Astrid shared a bunk pried from the doorway with a surprised little smile. Short, neatly combed pixie hair framed a narrow face.

“That’s the rumor.”

“Alas, so ends my brief acquaintance with the famed Channeler Pioneer!” Ensign Eloise Ellis sighed dramatically. She came in to look over Astrid’s packing job while she jibed. “Soon I’ll just be someone you shared a bunk with.”

Astrid rolled her eyes. “I’m no more likely to forget my first bunkmate than you are to forget your first Channeler colleague.”

“I’m not destined for renown!”

“Oh, please, don’t do that.” Astrid slid the lid over her gear and patted the top for added security.

Eloise dismissed Astrid’s rejection. “It’s only a matter of time.”

“Not if I die out there.”

“Are all Channelers this positive, or just you?”

Astrid offered a half-smile in thought.

“Look, Eloise, not everyone here was… okay. With me being here, I mean. I know you were only assigned with me because you volunteered. I just want to say thank you. For giving me a chance.”

“Eh.” The woman let Astrid dangle a moment before she concluded, “You’re alright. It was mostly selfish anyway. I wanted to see you for myself. Rather than let someone else make up my mind for me, you know?”

Astrid huffed. “Yeah, actually, I do.”

“Besides, it wasn’t exactly without self-interest. If more of you join up, the Service will need soldiers willing to work with them. The earliest to adapt get the earliest opportunities, and I love being ahead of a trend.” Eloise grinned. “I can think of worse than seeing my name among the first integrated strike teams.”

“I hope it goes that way. We need more like you,” Astrid reminded her. She extended a hand to the woman who tolerated her morning static-cling. “I hope you’ll continue to spread that view while I’m away.”

“I’ll do my best.” Eloise clasped their fingers together. “You can write, you know. I’ll be stationed here awhile, now.”

As Astrid felt her mouth lift in a gentle smile, a deep whir on the edge of her consciousness stilled her lips.

She sensed a shift with the distant engine.

Eloise, too, turned her head to the line of small windows that ran along the outward-facing wall. Brightness from the desert sun streaked through each frame and made visibility nigh impossible unless they crossed closer.

“I’m almost afraid to look,” Astrid confessed. To yearn, for the thousandth time, to see amber, and find none.

“Well, I’m not!”

Eloise eagerly bounded to the windows on her tiptoes.

Once the hum outside drew closer, its signature droned unmistakable. The same engine that once sent Astrid careening, now called to her like a mother wolf that howled for its lost pup.

Her bunkmate rotated in the sunlight, and a wide grin nearly split Eloise’s face in two.

~~~

Eloise helped her with a gear, which allowed Astrid to spur herself faster to the port with her bag slung over her shoulder.

She worked to evoke professionalism, but she couldn’t seem to keep her gait from lengthening with each step.

Yet nothing prepared her for the beauty of the gleaming sandstone and copper colored hull of the Aldebaran, perched in the sparkling sunlight of the landing bay. It nearly knocked the wind out of her.

And at the cargo ramp, helping load the hull with supplies and fuel, the Aldebaran’s crew shone just as bright.

Down the cargo plank, a small mass of servicemen disembarked, each only a silhouette until Astrid drew closer.

But at the head, Romo and Tenya broke into smiles. The man sped forward upon mutual recognition and opened his arms wide in greeting.

After all her carefully contained excitement, seeing Romo equally thrilled to see her broke Astrid’s resistance. She nearly sprinted to him, and her duffle fell to the ground where she leapt the last step.

“Lightning Bug!”

Romo laughed at her little hop and enveloped her in a bear hug. He spun her in place joyously and Astrid felt her heart might glow out of her chest.

“Damned good to see you, girl!” Romo grinned and planted her on her feet. He looked her up and down, then beamed. “Look at you, you got some sun!”

“Most sun I’ve seen in my life!” Astrid agreed.

“I can’t believe you stole first hug!” Tenya edged Romo aside with her hip and extended her own dark arms with a bright smile. “Kitten!”

“Tenya.” Astrid buried her face in curls as they, too, clasped. The familiar static that enveloped her matched any embrace, awash with relief and comfort.

The rest of the group circled around, and Astrid found herself passed from Tenya to Dell, who gave her gentle pats as though taking inventory of her limbs.

Satisfied, Dell grinned and let her move to shake hands with Ricks and Sugar. Navigator Hammond welcomed her back, and even the business-like Shaely offered her a gentle nod in greeting.

Astrid couldn’t help but seek ever-watchful fern eyes. And she found them, prowling at the back of the pack as though he hunted her, too. Her brief concern over his absence melted away, as over the crowns of their fellows, Anders procured a small smile at their eye contact, as if for her alone. She returned it with a gentle nod. Her own lips lifted to mirror his.

“So many of you came to meet me?” Astrid turned to face the others. Tilly might be the only one unaccounted for when she counted heads.

“It’s a base. We have errands to run, supplies to consign,” Dell listed with ease.

“I can help with that,” Eloise spoke behind them.

Astrid demurred at her own rudeness. She stepped back to present her companion. “I’m so sorry! Everyone, this is Eloise Ellis. She’s been my bunkmate. And my friend.”

“Ellis,” Romo greeted.

“Thanks for taking care of our girl!” Tenya added. “Hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”

“Oh, no!” Eloise shrugged. At least, as much as she could while carrying Astrid’s gear case. “It’s like having my own little pet electric eel!”

Romo snickered.

“We’ve got some reports to file and things to pick up. Think you can lead us to Requisitions?” Dell asked.

“Sure!” Eloise agreed. She shifted Astrid’s armor in her arms. “If someone could take this…?”

“I’ve got it.” Anders broke from the group to receive the chest, and Eloise perked to see him.

“Um, thanks.”

When Anders turned with the crate, Eloise waggled her brows to Astrid behind his back. The specialist traded the gesture with an amused shake of the head instead.

“Well, those of you with business to attend to, can follow me!” Eloise cast her arm in a wave to circle up the herd, and the majority wandered after her.

“Sounds good. We’ll be back shortly, Bug!” Romo assured Astrid. “Need anything from consignment?”

“No.” She caught herself. “Oh wait, yes! Green tea, if you can find it.”

Romo gave her playful two-fingered salute and left with the pack.

Astrid followed their shadows with her eyes, rejuvenated by their collective white noise.

Since her departure, the Channeler gained plenty of perspective on how lonely she could be without it. Now, she recognized the tiny nuances and subtle differences in their energies that identified them. Already, her new life felt returned to her.