A Step Behind
I walked through the gray streets, observing the joyful inhabitants of Valconalla. The elders of the planet had begun going around, sharing the news of departure with everyone. The population wasn’t large, so it wouldn’t take long to load them onto the ship.
The other GOU members moved through the area, observing and interacting with the people. Aureolo had attached himself to Coven. They were flirting—more like trying to flirt with the women. They had the habit—especially Coven. Coope and Doxie were nowhere in sight. They had disappeared as soon as the elders dismissed the meeting and that red-skinned woman named Aourine left the hut.
I walked through the crowded space, trying to reach the other end to head back to the Mothership and report back to Hornet. Did he not get approval from the Chief Arbiter of Resettlement?
I must check in with him before I have any more talks with those stubborn old men in the hut. Why were the men in power the same? Rude, snarky, and… a pain in the ass.
I crossed my arms as I breezed through the crowd.
“Agile, where are you heading without me?”
Coven said from behind. I had grown used to his voice—recognizing it from a single sound thanks to his constant chatter.
“Did I disturb your chance to hit on another woman?”
“Yes, you did.”
I rolled my eyes. He followed behind, quickly catching up.
“Where is Aureolo?”
“He got a chance with a woman named Helta. He isn’t going to waste it.”
He fell under my guidance, yet he was inspired by Coven somehow. I still don’t understand what he saw in Coven to become this close with him.
“Jealous…?”
He teased me.
“Jealous of what?”
My voice remained flat and firm, mimicking Hornet’s.
“There are thousands of reasons you can be jealous. Want me to list them all?”
“No.”
We finally pushed out of the crowd to the open, plain field. There were many figures in the distance, playing—mostly children.
“I’m going to speak with Hornet.”
“Shall I come with you?”
“No need.”
I said sternly before heading towards the Mothership.
I pressed the button next to Hornet’s office door, entering when he said, “Come in.”
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The door slid open and I stepped inside. The door closed behind me.
“Mr. Hornet.”
He lifted his head from the digital file on his desk, adjusting his thin rectangular framed glasses. I folded my arms behind my back just as I was trained to do so.
“Agile, how are things going outside?”
“Fairly well. The elders of this planet have agreed to move somewhere else and slowly, the announcement is being spread through the small population.”
I reported.
“Good.”
His head lowered back to the screen.
“Mr. Hornet, the elders want to know which planet they would be inhabiting?”
He looked back up at me, taking off his glasses and putting it down on the desk.
“You’re here to ask whether or not Vaelor has responded to my request?”
He was an observant man. The most observant man I have known.
I nodded.
“I have passed the message to Vaelor but he has yet to get approval from The Aurelion Immigration Authority**.”
Aurelion was Hornet’s homeworld. A sanctuary planet. Too important, too protected, and buried under layers of Aurelion’s immigration law.
“I will take care of this. You make sure things out there run smoothly.”
“Of course.”
I turned around, walking out of his office on the Mothership.
I walked down the ramp, spotted Coven to the left in the distance, playing with someone. My eyes narrowed as I immediately headed towards them.
Who had he caught in his charm web this time?
On the last mission, it was a poor woman who lost her husband and Coven was more than eager to let her cry on his shoulder.
My pupils widened when I spotted the woman from earlier who we rescued from the collapsing volcano. Her name was Tigeralla or something close.
And there were three young children, as well. The tallest one had locks for hair, the girl had hair similar to Tigeralla’s, and the smallest had soft waves.
The closer I got, I spotted Aureolo playing with them. I didn’t even notice him for a second.
“Coven, you are so slow. It is simple. You need to tag the person by rubbing the dirt on their forehead.”
Aureolo said, sounding exhausted trying to explain the simplest thing to Coven.
Coven felt my presence before I even made myself known. How annoying.
“Agile.”
He made his way over towards me.
“What are you doing?”
“We are trying to play Monomitt* with these cute kids.”
I crossed my arms, looking past his shoulder to watch the tall and lean girl named Tigeralla.
Cute kids…
Was she one of the cute kids Coven talked about?
She didn’t seem cute to me.
“How was your talk with Hornet?”
My eyes snapped back to meet Coven.
“He is still working with Vaelor. In the meanwhile… entertain the Tuttwana.”
“You know I am the best at entertaining others.”
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms.
“Of course you are.”
I huffed and looked towards Aureolo, who seemed to have caught wind of how to play Monomitt*. He was quick to pick up skills and information—hence why he worked under my supervision.
Coven didn’t even try to participate in the game, choosing instead to remain by my side while I observed Aureolo and the young children. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Tigeralla looking in my direction where Coven stood beside me. Was she looking towards me or Coven?
I cleared my throat, taking a few steps towards the area they played. Coven followed behind us, making my jaw clench. I loathed his habit of remaining a step behind me.
The girl continued to stare in our direction.
What was with this woman?
Was she interested in Coven, or just a freak?
???
Txetia Glossary
Monomitt (Mo-no-mith) — a game similar to “tag”.
Notes:
The Aurelion Immigration Authority is the governing body responsible for overseeing arrivals and settlements on Aurelion, including refugee relocations from other planets. Their decisions are highly bureaucratic and politically influenced.
