The Space Freighter Libereco - Fixing Comms- Chapter 20

The warmth and weight of Navs’ body on yours feels so good as you lie on the small, hard Academy bunk. “I love you.” She whispers and hugs you. “We’ll get married someday.”

Your hand rests on her short blonde hair, cut in the style worn by female cadets. But you are confused, “Aren’t we married?”

“If we were, I’d be with you.” She says, and kisses you. “Wake up. Matenmango.”

You realize the voice isn’t Navs’, but Dani’s. The hard bunk you’re on isn’t an Academy bunk, but a bunk in Dani’s prefab home. You are still in Najran. Still away from your wife.

“Get up, sleepy-head.” Dani says as she takes some strips of lardo, from a pan and on a large serving plate. “You must a had a good dream, Navs must make you happy.” She says.

You realized that while you were dreaming, you got hard and made an obvious tent in your shorts. You pull the blanket across your lap. “Excuse me. I need to use the washroom.”

She nods and focuses on the cooker.

You grab the work trousers and shirt, go into the washroom, use the toilet, then clean up and change.

When you step back into the room, Dani asks “Did you sleep well?”

You nod, “I must have been tired after everything yesterday.” You make the bunk and place your sleep shorts and shirt under the pillow. “Is there a place I can wash my coveralls?”

She finishes cooking a couple of thinly sliced bifstekoj, then places one on each plate. There is a bowl of fresh fruit in the center of the table. “I’ll wash ‘em. Now we have power, I’ll use the washer/dryer. Eat up, then we’ll talk to Joannas about work.”

You cut up a piece of bifsteko and slowly chew the freshly cooked meat. “This is real good.”

“I’m pleased you like it. It’s one of the bovinoj we butchered the other day. Make sure you have some fruit too. We have totmatoj an’ persikoj. Later in the jaro, we have orangoj an’ piroj. But they aren’t ripe yet.”

“You’re in a better mood this morning.” You say.

“Today’s a new day. I prayed, an’ I got my answer. You’re a good man, an’ I should help you. If the Creator sees fit, I’ll be blessed.”

You nod at her comment and continue eating. “I wish we had some ovoj to go with the lardo.”

“I’m sorry. I hadn’t hunted up any.” She says with tone of disappointment.

You smile. “No. It’s okay. It’s just when Cookie makes lardo, she normally fries up some ovoj too.”

“How you get ovoj on a spaceship? You trade for ‘em?” She asks.

“Sometimes. Other times, when we transport kokidoj or anseroj, we negotiate keeping some or all of the ovoj.” You smile and then start laughing, as you think about the dozens of ovoj that Cookie and Meko collected when you were taking a whole flock of kokidoj to a remote colony. So many that Cookie used ovoj in every mango.

As you tell Dani, she smiles and says “I wish Najran had kokidoj. That would be easier than hunting ovoj from wild birds.” She takes another bite of bifsteko, then says “Cookie sounds like a good woman. She’ll make a good wife.”

“Maybe, but it probably won’t be to a man.” You quickly respond.

“Oh. She prefers women?” Dani asks in a matter-of-fact way.

“Yes, is there anything wrong with that?” you ask in a hesitating tone.

“No. We has lots of women like that here. There’s nothing in the Book against it an’ they’re happy. If I didn’t want a baby, I’d find a woman to live with.”

You get a confused look on your face. “I thought that was against the Faith? A man with a man or a woman with a woman.”

“The Patro at Ciono says there is, but he says lots o’ things that aren’t in the Book. The Book says that ‘if a man marries a woman, he belongs to her and she belongs to him. They’re to give to one another in love.’ It don’t say nothin’ about two men or two women. But it’s not right for a man to marry a girl or a woman to marry a boy. It says ‘Children are loved by the Creator an’ be protected at all costs’.”

As she says this, you remember some of her comments yesterday. You ask softly. “Dani, were you a child bride?”

She puts her fork down, bows her head, and silently nods. After a moment she says “My people married me to a man when we got to Ciono. I was real young, when we got to the Rim. My folks bounced a few different colonies until Papa got deeper into the Faith. It took time getting valutos to get to Ciono. When we got here, Papa said he found me a man. I was fourteen. The man I married was old like Papa.” A tear slowly runs down her face. “I’m a good girl. I do what I’m told. He shouldn’ta wanted what he wanted.”

It strikes you what she’s describing. “Oh, Hell.” You get up, walk over, and kneel next to her. You place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “None of that was your fault. You were right to run.”

She wipes her eyes, and gives you a weak smile. “I know. Joannas helped me an’ I help others.” She places her hand on yours. “You’re a good man. Let’s finish an’ get to work.”

After eating, you help wash dishes. “Dani, how old are you?”

She answers after thinking for a moment. “I’m nineteen according to Core Calendar.”

“How long were you with your husband?”

“About 2 or 3 Jaros. Almost as long as I’ve been here.”

As you finish washing the last plate, you ask, “Why haven’t you found a new husband? There are a few men here, like Jorje and Andrew.”

As she takes the plate from you, she answers, “The men here already have mates. Either they were quickly hitched to a new woman, or they hitched to a man. An’ I’m not sure I want to be a wife again.”

That very confused feeling comes over you again. “But you want a baby, and you were disappointed to find out I’m married.”

She smiles and nods. “That’s the truth of it. I wanna be a ma so badly. Wanna raise a child by the Book, with love an’ understanding, teaching ‘em the way Joannas taught me.”

“But doesn’t the Book say that you’re supposed to be married before you have sex and have a child? I’m not a Follower, but that’s what I heard.” You say.

She picks up your coveralls, puts it into the laundry unit, adds soap, and starts it. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be. ‘A man an’ woman, come together, an’ have kids’. But Joannas showed me where in the book it talks about Widows an’ unmarried women. How they, ‘after fasting an’ prayer, should find a loving partner who gives themself to you as you give yourself to them. Honestly an’ openly, not defrauding one another for selfish use or gain.’ Words I never heard from any Pelj Aguloj .”

You think about that as you pull your boots on to leave, “So you would rather be alone, than be back in a bad marriage?”

“Yep” she says as she winds her braid around her head, then puts on her hat. “Let’s go.”

The star is on the horizon and the sky is lightening up. While walking through the colony, you see that people are already busy. Some are leading animals, hanging out laundry, or heading to the large storage cavern where the Tech was laid out yesterday. There is a mixture of power lights and lamps glowing from the dwellings. You notice that Dani nods and waves at various people. Some smile at you too.

In the storage cavern, Delilah is talking to Joannas, pointing to something on the minividi.

“Good Morning, Helm.” Delilah says, “The solar collector has already augmented our power needs. We can recharge storage batteries now. Something we never had power to do.”

Joannas nods. “Yesterday you mentioned that you could help with Comms. Do you also know about jamming?”

“I learned a few things in the Academy, but I never used it. On the Libereco we are more worried about keeping links open than blocking them.”

She thinks about this for a moment. “Do you know about breaking jams?”

You smile, “The best way is to take a hammer to the jammer and smash it. But to punch the signal past a jam, I can try a few things if we need. Why?”

Delilah answers “Maybe Ciono used a jammer to blow our system. They don’t use much Tech. But the Pelj Aguloj have some in the Temple. That’s where they keep their Comms and minividis. Theirs only work in the Temple or when the Patro allows it.”

“Can I borrow yours for a moment?” you ask.

Delilah looks to Joannas, who nods. You try to send a link to Libereco. “Navs or Skipper, this is Helm”. But the message doesn’t connect. You try to see if Libereco’s beacon is active, but you don’t see it. “Damn it.”

“They couldn’t get your link?” Delilah asks. You shake your head as you return the minividi.

“I was worried about that. This morning, I tried to message them. You did well yesterday and wanted them to get you.” Joannas says.

“I thought you need more help.” You ask.

She and Delilah both grin, “You did your part, and said that other members of your crew had skills and knowledge. Maybe if we get you back to your wife, then the others might be willing to help.”

You look at the three women, “What my seed?”

Dani walks closer to you. “Matthew, you been honest an’ true. I thought about trickin’ you, but the Book talks about honesty an’ truth. As much as I wanna baby, I wanna do right too.”

You nod. “Like you said earlier, ‘together honestly, not defrauding for gain’.”

The ladies all smile. “Understanding is a valuable thing.” Joannas says.

Deliliah and you gather the parts for the Comms Center, as you do you ask, “Is there a reason that Ciono might be holding the ship and crew?”

Joannas places a hand on your shoulder, “I can think of many reasons. It depends on Patro.”

“Can we find out?”

“I already sent scouts. We have some who can get info from the outlying ranches.” Joannas says. “ Go focus on the Comms repairs.”

You and Deliliah head to the Comms center. In a cave near the top of the mountain is a Comms Pod. It’s the standard model used by terraformers. You smile seeing it. It’s older Tech, but reliable and easy to repair with standard parts. The antenna line goes up through a borehole in the cave ceiling.

When Deliliah opens the pod door, you notice storage cells are recharging, at a slow rate. You follow the power lines to see where the main power cable connects. “Does the line run directly from the power converter or go through the cells first?”

Deliliah looks at it. “I don’t know. I’m not the one who set it up. It was already set when I joined.”

Deliliah uses the minividi to pull up the recommended layout after you read off the model number from the dataplate. Slowly you follow the line coming into the cells, then from the cells to the main unit. The auxiliary unit is not connected, but still in storage configuration. “Ok. Whoever did this got some things right and a few things wrong. I take it you don’t often use it.”

Deliliah shakes her head. “We don’t really have a need to. Most of the time we can make do with what we grow and craft. It’s only when we need something we can’t get, that Joannas or someone will send a link.”

Using the layout directions, after a few minutes, you reroute the power so the cells are still charging with the main power coming from the line. You replace a couple of the boards that were old and fried from age. The main unit powers up and you run complete diagnostics. While it’s running, you help Deliliah set up the auxiliary unit. She seems comfortable configuring it.

You learn about Deliliah’s past, how she came from the Core as a Believer, practicing the Faith, finding a hard time in the Core because of different values. Making her way to Ciono and being cast out for reading and knowing Tech. 

She fires up the auxiliary unit, and the vidi glows brightly. She runs a diagnostic check too. The main unit diagnostics finishes and it’s ready to transmit. “Use the minividi to link to it.” You recommend.

“It connects.”

“Can you get a link to the Libereco?” you ask.

She tries. “I don’t see it or Ciono either.”

You walk to the main vidi. “Want to see if we can get offworld?”

She shrugs, “Try. We can’t seem to find anything onworld.”

You tap the screen and put out ‘Comms Test Message — Najran Colony’. You ensure the image and audio inputs are configured correctly.

“This is SG Freighter Provizado, we receive you loud and clear, but don’t see your registration code. Is your colony registered with the Shipper’s Guild?”

“Thank you Provizado, we are a break-away from Ciono, and checking our comms station. Please pass a message to Station 059 that you have a confirmed message from Najran. We appreciate it and sorry to disturb you on your route.”

“No problem Najran. Will do, Provizado Out.”

“Thank you, Najran Out.”

Deliliah puts a hand on your shoulder, “Thank you. We know we aren’t jammed. We can link others.”

“Yeah, but we got a SG Freighter. The rest of the ‘verse will know about you.” You say as you switch the system to ‘auto respond’. “The Guild will tell the UGA at 059 that you exist. Confirming Joannas’ earlier message asking for Tech and help.”

Daliliah looks a little surprised, “I knew that Joannas had sent something but didn’t know she asked for help. Is that why your ship landed?”

You nod, “Station 059 asked Skipper to check out your colony. They only know about Ciono. With the way you’re built, you’re hidden from scans.”

She looks a little shocked at this. “We built into to mountain because the caves were already here and good year-round. Some of the other things we partially hid, just in case there are husbands or families looking for runners.”

You nod at this. “Ok, Let’s tell Joannas. Someone should man the Comms Pod from now on. I put it on Auto, to record any messages.”

She holds up her minividi, taps it, and switches it to receive. “I’ll get any links until she assigns someone. Blessed be, it might even be me.” She says with a smile.

At Joannas’ dwelling, Deliliah shows her the minividi, the link that was sent, and explains things are working. You stand there and just listen. When they get to the part about the link to the SG freighter, you add “We tried both the Libereco and Ciono, but neither showed on the vidi.”

“I was afraid of that. Patro must have a jammer or something, and turn it on or off according to their needs.” Joannas says.

Then you ask “Any luck from your scouts?”

Joannas shakes her head, and loose strands of white and dark hair fly up. “No, I am expecting to hear something shortly.” She leads you both to a corral. 

In a bit, you see a young boy ride up. He slides off of the saddle and says, “S-ono Joannas, my geatroj told me they’re locked down. Looking for a missing stranger.” He then looks at you.

“Thank you Kaleb. Want to take anything back to your folks?”

He looks around a little nervously, almost like a shy school boy. “Is Sari in the spinning house or with the flocks?”

The ladies all smile, “She is with the flocks, go ride down, tell her to get you a few skeins from the spinning house to take back to your folks.”

“Thank you S-ono Joannas. I’ll do that.” He says as he climbs back in the saddle and points his cevalo down one of the stone roads.

“Sounds like we need to go to Ciono.” Joannas says.

The Space Freighter Libereco - Taken to Najran - Chapter 19

 

Your hands and feet are tied and you hear soft, feminine voice say, “I’m sorry about this but we was told to bring one o’ you back. To help with Tech and Seed.”

You try to say something but the rag gagging your mouth prevents you from forming words. 

A more masculine voice, behind you says, “Dani, hush up. Joannas will tell him his role.”

“Jorje, I’ve read Scriptures. We’s equals now, and don’t have to wait for Patro or Patrino to tell us the way of it.” She responds. But then is silent.

‘Dani’ might be a woman or a young boy. You didn’t get a good look before the sack went over your head. ‘Jorje’ was the man who was helping to load and unload the wagon. He was probably the one with a pistol of some sort, while Dani had a longer-barreled projectile thrower.

The trip is mostly silent. You listen to the wagon wheels as you travel over dirt, along a river, and then on stone. At one point ‘Jorje’ gets out and you hear a sweeping or raking sound behind the wagon.

You wish you could see. Then maybe you might have an idea of how far you are going or better yet, are there any landmarks that you can tell the Libereco, if you can send them a link. You feel ‘Dani’ checking the knots at your wrist to ensure they aren’t too tight. 

You wiggle your fingers and try to move your wrists. They are secure but not too uncomfortable.

After the raking sound stops, ‘Jorje’ climbs back in. “What are you doing to him?”

“I was checking his wrists. It don’t do us good if we bring him in hurt.” She replies.

You feel him sit next to you again. “Just move away from him and let him be. We’ll be there soon.” It gets quiet inside of the wagon again. 

Soon you hear voices outside of the wagon. Male and female voices “Do you have it?” “What all did you get?” “Did you get some new seed?” You hear people walking along and behind the wagon until soon it stops.

You hear the items at the rear of the wagon being removed and then you are led out. The jupo sack is removed from your head. Around you see dwellings carved into a mountain side with stone roads and walkways leading to them. There are a few prefab, wooden, and stone outbuildings but they are under the cover of taller trees. From overhead the roads might be visible but the color of the stone blends in with the land.

An older woman wearing a loose fitting robe approaches. “Did you have any problems?”

“No Patrino Joannas.” Both ‘Dani’ and ‘Jorje’ reply.

She smiles but shakes her head, “Please release him.” She then turns to you. “I must apologize for this, but we couldn’t think of another way to get what we need.”

You remove the gag and angrily reply, “Lady, I don’t want to be rude but kidnapping is not a great way to get help.”

There is a small gasp and murmurs from the crowd at your tone.

She raises her hands to quiet everyone. “It’s okay everyone. He’s correct. Why don’t you lay everything out in the caverns, and I will assist our guest.”

She focuses on you again and extends her hand. “I’m Joannas.”

You quickly look around, as you see everyone carrying the boxes and cases into the carved dwellings. You then shake her hand. “I’m Matthew, but everyone calls me Helm. Would you like to tell me why I’m here?”

“Of course, please follow me. Would you like something to eat or drink?” She asks as she walks towards a simply carved structure. It reminds you of a bunker or a small hanger carved into the mountain with a leather curtain for a door and a few wooden chairs around a table. There’s also a stone and metal oven and stove producing heat, and you notice a durosteel kettle off to the side.

While sitting in her home, Joannas has tea and explains that everyone there is an exile or runaway from Ciono. They found tools where they could and traded with Independents when they could. She’s an exile because she could read, brought Scriptures with her and taught those who needed. She also explained you were taken to help with Tech. They have some knowledge but need more. Also they want you to have sex with up to three women to impregnate them. They want to add you to help diversify the colony, then return you to your ship.

“Isn’t it against your Faith for a married man have sex with a woman who is not his wife?” You ask.

“It is, but you said that you aren’t a man of faith. Don’t people back in the Core have sex for pleasure with whoever they want, regardless of marriage? And the Scriptures tell of ‘man giving his seed to a barren woman, in time of need’. We have women who have that need.”

You stand up, almost defiantly, “I love Navs, my wife. I don’t want anyone else. I’ll help you with the Tech, but then I’m going.”

She stands up and sighs. “As you wish. It might take a couple of rotations to do, so I have asked for a volunteer to provide for you while you are here. Please follow me.”

When you step outside the door, Joannas points to a person wearing a wide brimmed hat and a long coat. “Dani volunteered. She doesn’t have a mate, and has space in her shelter.”

“Is he ready, Patrino Joannas?” asks a voice you recognize from the wagon.

“Show him around. If he gives you any trouble, call out. And just call me Joannas. Patrino and Patro were the old way, we are building something new.” Joannas says and then walks to where they took the Tech.

Dani extends her hand. “Hi, I’m Dani. I appreciate you helping us out.”

“I don’t really have a choice, do I?” You shake her hand, “You can call me Helm.”

“Helm, that’s not in the Book.” She says with a confused look on her face.

“I’m a pilot so the crew of my ship calls me Helm. My given name is Matthew.”

She brightens up at that. “Matthew is a name from the Book.”

You chuckle, “Matthew or Helm is fine, I’ll answer to either. So tell me more about this place.” Her dark hair is pulled up under the hat, and her dark eyes complement her dark tanned skin. Her long coat hides the rest of her, except for the fur-lined leather boots.

She points to a small prefab structure at the edge of the forest. “Follow me. Let me show you where you’ll sleep. As you walk with her you notice that she’s half a head shorter than Navs. She’s about Meko’s or maybe Skipper’s height.

She points to the pump station, the schoolhouse, storage buildings, and other homes. As you look around, you notice that the majority of the people around you are women and girls.

“Dani, are most of the people in Najran, female?”

She nods. “Yep. Some were shunned by families, others ran from bad husbands, and some just heard the Truth.”

“Which are you?” You ask genuinely curious.

“I fled my husband. I was a girl when I married, and he wanted things that weren’t right. I asked Patro about it, but was told ‘A wife’s duty is to obey and not question.’ I asked where that’s in the Book, but Patro laughed and told me that I had to trust him because women can’t read.”

“In the wagon you said you read the Scriptures.”

She smiles at that. “Yep. When I ran, I found Najran, and Patrino took me in. She taught me to read and write. All o’ us here can, now.”

“So why don’t you go back to your husband?” you ask.

She shakes her head. “Never. What he wanted was wrong and against the Book, and women in Ciono ain’t supposed to read. I’d rather be shunned and with people here, than go back.”

She stops before a plasteel shack that is deep in the shade of the forest. “Here’s my place.” She opens the sliding door, and inside you see simple layout with camp stove, bunks along opposite walls, a small table with chairs, and a door to an area in back.

“What’s behind the door?” you ask.

“Shower and toilet.” She answers as she opens the windows then activates a couple of power lamps. She points to a small bunk. “That’s where you’ll sleep.”

Hanging up her hat and coat you see her dark hair is braided and wrapped around her head. Her plain blouse and trousers show a more feminine shape, but not what you expected. “You don’t wear a dress?”

She shakes her head. “It’s easier to work the fields and herds wearing pants.”

“When do I help with the Tech?”

She looks at you a little surprised. “I thought you might wanna rest and maybe eat first. Then maybe get to know me.”

“No, Dani, I want to do what’s needed and get back to my wife and ship.”

She looks shocked. “You have a wife? Does Joannas know?”

“I told her. She said after a rotation or two the Tech will be set up and then you’ll take me back to my ship.”

She grabs her hat again, and heads for the door. Moving at a quick pace she says, “Come on.”

“Did I say something wrong?” you ask as you catch up to her.

“No. You was truthful. That’s the right of it. Let’s get you to work.” A tone of irritation is in her voice.

In the large cavern, the cases are all opened and everything is laid out. A serious looking woman is using a minividi to record and catalog each item. You hear her say. “This will help. The power converter will plug into the existing water turbine, and the comms unit can be repaired. I’m not familiar with some of this.”

“Can you send a link to my ship?” you ask loudly.

“Not currently. Our comms unit flatlined the last link we cast out.” She answers.

You walk closer. “I’ll help were I can, but the people you really need are Meko and Cookie. They’re part of my ship’s crew and know Tech better than I do.” If you can get your hands on the minividi, you can send a link yourself.

You help by identifying a folto-style solar collector for her, then point to the repair parts for the Comms set, “Maybe I could start there? I should be able to get your comms system back up.”

Joannas comes up behind you. “Maybe later. Why don’t you help Delilah with the solar array. Getting power to the system will be more useful.”

You shrug and walk closer to the woman with the minividi. As you do, you overhear some of what Dani and Joannas are saying behind you. “You said if…But, I’m in season….my choice…..not supposed to have a wife.”

You glance over your shoulder and see Dani walking away in frustration. Maybe when you return to the shelter at the end of the day, you’ll ask her about it.

The woman with the minividi is Delilah. She asks how to best set up the collector. After explaining that direct light is best, and cables are the most reliable method of connection to whatever grid they have, she has a man, Andrew, and a woman, Susanna, help carry it, along with a couple of spools of cable.

Delilah walks in the lead as you climb the path up the sheer face of the mountain. You look around and notice defensive positions. They currently aren’t manned. “Delilah, what are those?” you ask, pointing to the concealed sites.

“Just guard posts. Don’t need them most of the time, but it’s good to have them when we do.” She says in a relaxed tone.

You think more about it. Guard posts, weapons, hidden buildings. “Do you have anything to worry about? It seems like a lot of defensive planning for folks following the Faith.”

Andrew, behind you says, “We’ve had problems with Independents, and there are those in Ciono who might be looking for those who fled.”

“Ok, but what little I saw, things there looked quiet, if a little guarded.” You comment.

“Helm, that’s the face they show to the few outsiders they let land. Don’t be fooled.”

You sort of shrug as you continue getting closer to the top of the mountain.

At the top, you realize it is more of a plateau than a mountain, with meadows and trees visible. All of you walk around the plateau as Delilah talks about how the star travels across the sky.

As a group you talk about the best way to set it up. Finally Delilah comes up with a plan. Using the heel of her boot, she marks off where she wants set up the collector. She has you unfold and set it up as Andrew and Susanna unspools the cables down the mountainside. Soon everything is connected and running. You notice the star is getting low in the sky. “Damn it, the Libereco should have been looking for me by now.” You mutter to yourself.

“Hopefully Patro Dionis isn’t delaying or holding your friends.” Andrew comments in a low tone.

“What do you mean?”

He moves closer, “I don’t want to alarm you, but if Patro Dionis sees something or someone he wants, he might find a reason to detain them.”

“But that’s against SG rules and if they do that to Independents, no one will trade…”

Andrew slowly nods as you realize that ‘Sleepers’ Colony’ doesn’t trade with outsiders.

“Oh damn.”

“There are some of us in Najran who joined because they disagree with how things run in Ciono.”

Delilah used the minividi to confirm power is working, so you can leave. “Delilah, can I use your minividi, to see if my friends are okay?” you ask with a tone of concern in your voice.

She shakes her head. “No. Not until Joannas says so.”

You are lead to a dwelling carved into the mountain, but there is now power and light. They show you were to clean up. After washing up, you are handed a ceramikajo mug full of hot herbal tea. You sniff it, and it smells like the same floral scent of what Joannas was drinking. Andrew takes a mug and sips it. “It’s okay. We aren’t poisoning or drugging you. It’s just we learned that boiled water was safer until we can get a filter unit at the pump house.”

You take a tentative sip. It reminds you of tea that Kurgio drinks.

They lead you through a corridor that connects multiple rooms until it comes out into a large room with smooth polished walls. The lights from the ceiling gently reflect off the walls. There are long tables with benches arranged in lines. There are bowls and platters of food.

“Do you always eat like this?” you ask Andrew.

He smiles, “No, this is in your honor. While we set up the solar collector, others connected to the river turbine, so there is now power to all the homes. We are thankful for it.”

You find an empty seat by Dani. Andrew, Susanna, and Delilah also sit at the same table.

Once you are seated you notice that no one has filled their plates yet. You sip your mug and wait.

Dani asks you how things went, and you and Andrew answer her questions.

Soon the benches are all full, and Joannas asks for silence as she leads in the blessing of the food. As part of the blessing she mentions the blessing of Tech and knowledgeable people, then finishes with “Amyn”.

The food is warm, fresh, and flavorful. You say that your ship’s cook and your wife would love the food.

Delilah and Susanna both look surprised hearing that you are married, but don’t comment.

After vespermango, Dani guides you back to her dwelling. She tells you that you can clean up and that she has clothing you can change into. It’s just a simple pair of woven cloth shorts and a loose pull-over shirt, along with a set of trousers and long sleeved shirt for tomorrow. There is almost a coldness to her tone.

“Dani, have I done anything wrong?”

“No Matthew. You’re doin’ what’s asked of you. That’s all there’s to it.”

She turns her back to you. “Go get cleaned and change. Do you want some more tea?”

“I’m not thirsty.” You say as you take the shorts, shirt, and walk into the washroom. The shower water is hot. Yes, the water heater is working. There are a couple of towels hanging up. You use one to dry off and then hang it back up. The shorts and shirt have drawstrings to fasten them. As you step out you, Dani is on her knees praying. When she finishes she wipes her eyes. “Say your prayers and get some sleep.” There is sadness in her voice.

You walk close to her. “Dani, why are you crying?”

“I’m praying for a baby. I thought you was an answer to that prayer.”

“Oh.” You softly say.

“Just go to bed. Tomorrow’s another day.” She says as she turns off the lamps.

You lie on your bunk. “Dani” you ask softly, “Andrew mentioned that my friends may be in danger. What’s the truth to it?”

In the dark room you hear her answer. “Pray for their safety. Some of us fled danger. Some were cast out. None of us think Ciono is a safe place.”

“Do you know how to use Comms or a minividi?” you ask.

“I ain’t had the schooling for that. I can read but I’m not good with Tech. Go to sleep. We’ll ask Joannas in the morning.” She says with sadness still in her voice.

“Goodnight Dani” you say as you pull a woven blanket over you and fall asleep.