Transmission Lost (80 page)

Once Aria was free from her responsibilities, she had borrowed a small ship from the Ascendancy Navy and gone off with Jack so they could spend some much-needed relaxation time together. The voyage had taken them off into the border areas between the Ascendancy and human space. When they exited hyperspace, they landed on a planet that was familiar to both of them, though it looked somewhat different now. Both of them were hit with a wave of nostalgia as they emerged from their ship onto the grassy plains of the planet where they'd first met. The forested skyline had changed slightly. Signs of civilization could be seen among the trees beyond the plains, with low buildings dotting the landscape and the faint hum of flying craft sounding off in the distance.

“So you colonized it,” Jack said, walking a little ways from Aria as he breathed the oxygen-rich air. He looked up at the sky, where the sun had set and the stars were beginning to show themselves in the orange-and-pink tinged sky.

“Yes,” Aria said. She was dressed more casually than she normally did, wearing a green top with a short black skirt, appropriate for a vacation. The top stopped just above her lower belly, and revealed the freshly acquired red gem she wore. Finding somewhere to acquire a bonding gem on Cerelis had been a chore, but the proper application of funds to a skilled jeweler had produced the desired results. “One year ago. Was going to be base, but then war end before they finish. Colony, now.” She came over to where Jack was, and they sat down on the grass together.

“It feels weird to be back here,” Jack said. “Weird, but...nice. I like it when we're not trying to dodge predators and climb mountains.”

Aria laughed. “Is nice, yes.” She took a deep breath and let it out peacefully. “So quiet. Will not want return to Lirna.” Jack had decided that he would be going back to the Ailian homeworld with Aria. She had her responsibilities with the Royal Guards, and he had no such responsibilities where he lived. Brooke was independent enough that she could take care of herself quite well on Cerelis, and she was eager to graduate and begin life on her own. He didn't have any reservations about leaving his adopted daughter, knowing that she was ready for it.

They spent a while sitting on the grass with each other, listening to the sounds of the alien environment. Jack slid over so that he was up against Aria, and she reached over and pulled him into her lap. She nestled her furry muzzle against the top of his head, her tail curling around both of them as they enjoyed being close to each other. She purred softly, and he let the subtle vibration spread through his body, her warmth keeping away the slight chill from the cool breeze blowing by.

“So what did the Ascendancy decide to name this planet?” Jack finally asked, as he realized that he had never bother to inquire before.

“Ah, yes!” Aria said. She stroked a finger along his cheek. “Ailian tradition to name planet after first ship which land there.” She hugged him, a little laugh passing through her body. “You ship crash a little before mine. This planet name in Ailian is
Sha'lai-ran
.”

“'Sha'lai-ran'
...,” Jack repeated. His old ship had been the
Star's Eye
. His Ailian had improved since leaving Lirna, and he knew that the planet's name translated literally to “gaze of the sun”. Not exact, but fitting for a species that came from the desert, and close enough. He liked the way it sounded. “Good name. I bet my old boss would be honored that one of his ships founded a colony.”

“Mm...,” Aria murmured. She kissed the top of his head. “Glad to be here with you. Glad to be anywhere with you.”

Jack leaned back against her breast, closing his eyes and smiling. He felt like he was home again. So long as they were together, he could feel that way anywhere.