Allison received clearance to land on the Eclipse. She hadn’t actually made many carrier landings or launches in the real world. This would be her second time under the starfighter’s own power. Shuttles landed in larger bays. Fighters were tightly packed and when they were launched magnetic slingshots were used. Basically, fighter sized railguns. She took it slow and steady. She didn’t rush the landing. She was paranoid she’d hit something. The starfighter’s landing gear touched the deck gently. It had been a textbook carrier landing and Allison allowed herself a little cheer.

Allison engaged the docking clamps to lock Bit down so she wouldn’t go flying if the ship took a hit. Not that she was expecting the carrier to get attacked. Failure to follow proper landing and docking procedures would land her in hot water. That was the kind of thing that got your flight status revoked and possibly suspension of your pilot’s license.

With the docking clamps in place there was no need for a ladder. They could just get out and walk across the raised deck. Made for a quicker launch the pilot could just jump in instead of climbing up. Allison got up and out then held her hand down for Helen. Helen pulled herself up. Allison turned to head into the ship proper and found herself face to face with Olga. Who did not look happy. She had her arms crossed.

“You were supposed to wait for me at the temple. You were definitely not supposed make that FTL Jump to Earth.”

“My flight plan was approved!”

Olga nodded.

“Two hours before you left. If you had checked the update, you would have found out it was denied. I knew you were going to be a pain in my ass. I’m having your cargo transferred to the shuttle. Your fighter can land itself. Come with me. Both of you.”

Helen looked at Allison, who shrugged in response. The trio left the hanger. Olga was still shaking her head.

“You were supposed to be staying overnight on Sauroid Prime.”

“I wanted to go home. Why are you even here? You said you were done with me.”

Olga glanced at Allison.

“I wanted to be, but then I was told to escort you to your front door so that is exactly what I’m going to do.”

Allison frowned. As they walked, she felt the ship shift into hyperspace. Olga led them to one of the shuttle bays and onto a waiting shuttle. Shortly afterwards Allison’s belongings were stowed in the cargo compartment. Olga moved forward and started talking to the pilots. Allison frowned in her direction. She sat down and buckled herself in. Helen joined her.

“Who is that?”

“Olga. Some black ops person for the Alliance Board of Directors.”

“Olga? Hazel said she had a friend named Olga at home. I wonder if that is her.”

Allison shrugged.

“Hazel had bad taste in friends.”

“Hazel told me that Olga was from the nineteen sixties.”

Allison made a face.

“No way she is from the twentieth century. I can’t be sure because she’s showing as human, but I think she’s a full conversion borg. Like her entire body has been replaced with machines.”

Helen watched Olga as she walked back to the passenger area and strapped herself in.

“Olga, my sister Hazel told me about you. She missed you very much.”

Olga showed uncharacteristic emotion when she met Helen’s gaze. Allison blinked. Were Hazel and her a thing?

“So, Enid had another kid huh? Doesn’t surprise me.”

“No, she adopted me when my mother died. Is Hazel the reason you are so cold now?”

“No, she is not. Now shut up before I stake you.”

Olga leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Allison mused Olga and Numari would get along famously. The shuttle launched and flew towards Eden Prime. Allison realized they must have used a built-in wormhole generator to get the fleet here. She looked at Olga.

“Why are they bringing another fleet to Andromeda?”

“You’d know more about that then me, Allison. You’re military, I am not.”

Allison frowned and leaned forward to look out of the cockpit window at Eden Prime. She smiled when she saw the lights of her hometown. She leaned back. The shuttle landed at the base. There was a military transport waiting for them. Helen and Olga helped Allison load her belongings into the transport. Olga hopped into the driver’s seat. Allison got into the passenger seat and Helen sat in the back. Twenty minutes later they were at Allison’s house. Olga was true to her word and walked Allison right to her front door. Allison looked at her.

“Are we done now?”

Olga looked Allison up and down.

“We’ll see.”

Allison opened the door. Her mother was busy in the kitchen. Aryna was sitting with Isis and First Trimark Nutina. Everyone looked when the door slid open. Allison waved to everyone before she started hauling her stuff into the house. Oozie tried to help, in other words she was jumping all over Allison and licking her face. Allison rolled her eyes.

“Oozie, wait until I get this inside.”

Helen quirked her head to the side and watched the nargle with a smile. Allison finally managed to get Oozie to calm down. She picked up the plastic bin of perishables and took it into the kitchen. She kissed her mother on the cheek as she walked past her. She started putting everything where it belonged. Her mom watched her while she stirred the curry every so often.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Did some shopping?”

“No, uh, just, so, umm, there is this other thing we need to talk about. I umm, you see there was this apartment, and well I have an apartment in New Amazon and Eyre, that’s umm Eyre Aurelius, she kind of stayed with me while I was there and helped me get it all set up. She ordered all of this but uh, well it was going to go bad.”

Her mother held up one hand, she spoke in quiet tones.

“We’ll talk about your trip later. In the meantime, get out of that atrocious armor, wash up and get dressed in something nice. We have important guests. You can leave your luggage by the door for now.”

Allison nodded. She picked up the plastic bin and put it with the rest of her things. She motioned to Helen.

“Come on, I’ll show you to the guest room.”

Helen followed Allison who pointed to the room. Allison put her palm on the door panel.

“We have a guest; This is Helen Aurelius. Please authorize her.”

Allison stepped away and motioned to the pad.

“Just put your hand there and say your name.”

Helen did as she was asked. The house’s VI spoke.

“Recognized, Helen Aurelius.”

Allison moved to go to her room then paused.

“Uh, I don’t have anything that will fit you.”

Helen smiled.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure I have something in my bag. I bought this black dress at the mall. Hazel said it would work well in this time.”

Allison nodded and wandered off to her room to get ready for supper. Allison decided to be nice to her mom and wear the blue dress her mother had bought her that she had never worn. She even put on a pair of earrings. Something she hadn’t worn since she’d joined the military. When she walked out into the dining room her mother grinned ear to ear.

“Allison, you look beautiful.”

Helen came in shortly afterwards. Both she and Isis seemed flush. They were both breathing as well. The dining room had a glass ceiling. The snow had melted. Eden Prime’s blue moon was full and filled the sky and was shining through the glass. This left the vampires mortal. Apiyo had brought out the chair that was reserved for Sauroid guests for Nutina. Allison looked over the table. Her mother had made Kuku Paka as promised. She had also made homemade naan. Rounding out the dishes was some tikka masala.

Apiyo started the food at Nutina. A show of respect in the Wanjala household. Conversation was sparse as everyone savored the homecooked meal. Allison helped her mother clear the table of the supper dishes. There was nothing leftover. Everything had been a hit. While they were loading the dishwasher and waiting for the kettle to boil for the dessert coffee and tea, Apiyo spoke to Allison.

“Thank you for wearing a dress. I know how much you hate them.”

Allison hugged her mom and kissed her cheek.

“Thank you for letting me go to Earth. Did Isis explain everything?”

Her mother nodded.

“She did, it doesn’t mean I’m any less angry with your father. You do not keep secrets from your wife.”

Allison kept her mouth shut. She tried very hard to stay out of her parents’ disagreements. Her mother looked at the shipping boxes from Allison’s online orders.

“How much of your savings did you spend?”

“A thousand credits, but if I’d had them shipped here it would have cost like ten times that. I needed new clothes, and some of that is my outfit for the Gala which someone else paid for.”

Her mother started steeping the tea and coffee.

“Well don’t keep me in suspense, show me.”

Allison literally bounced over to the box containing her gala outfit. She pulled out the shoes. Her mother nodded with approval. Allison showed Apiyo the jewelry.

“That looks expensive.”

Allison blushed.

“Like I said, someone else paid, and she can afford it. You are not going to believe the dress. I wanted a pantsuit, but they didn’t have any.”

Allison opened the dress box and pulled it out. Her mother gasped, putting her hands to her mouth.

“Oh, you’re going to look like a queen.”

Apiyo reached out and touched the material. She noticed the designer label.

“How did you get this? You need appointments. These are the dresses holo stars and the elite wear.”

“Eyre Aurelius took me shopping, no one says no to her. We just walked in, and the lady took one look at her and treated me like I was royalty.”

Her mother’s hands went to her chest as she imagined Allison dressed up. Then she straightened her posture and looked the dress up and down.

“Well don’t you ruin it, put it away and don’t you go getting accustomed to this kind of luxury, these high-powered corporate types are notoriously fickle.”

Allison put the dress in its box with care and closed it. Her mother motioned to the two pies she’d baked.

“You get those, I’ll get the drinks. Pantsuit. At least someone on Earth has some sense. Knowing you, you’d wear your armor, or that godawful mess dress uniform you bought yourself.”

Allison smiled at her mother as she followed her into the dining room. She placed the pies on the table. Apparently in their absence the conversation had been lively and friendly. There were smiles and laughter. Allison went back into the kitchen to get the plates and cutlery. Soon everyone was eating pie. As the group drank their respective beverages the banter continued. Allison was happy to be home. She looked at her mother.

“Umm, mom, do we have an after-dinner liqueur?”

Her mother shook her head. Allison looked at Aryna.

“Hey, Aryna can you help me get some glasses?”

Aryna stood up and followed Allison into the kitchen. Allison pointed to the shelf with the glasses.

“Just some tumblers please”

Allison started digging through her things and pulled out one of the bottles of Lofufa juice Helen had purchased for her. She looked at it and smiled. She stood up. Aryna looked at her friend.

“What are you so happy about?”

Allison shrugged.

“I’m home, I’ve been dying to try this. Its Lofufa juice from Sauroid Prime, not that stuff that is mass produced, it was made by a small farm. I hear it’s the best.”

They made their way back to the dining room, it was empty; Everyone had moved into the living room and were talking while enjoying the roaring fire Allison’s mother had started. Aryna put the glasses down. Allison held up the bottle.

“I just got back from a vacation on a world called Sauroid Prime. They make an alcohol out of Lofu berries called Lofufa juice. It is a bit strong, and very sweet. I made sure it was compatible with everyone’s biology, is there anyone who doesn’t want to try it?”

She smiled when no one declined. She poured a good amount in each glass and passed them out. Nutina raised her glass.

“To good meals, good company and good times.”

Everyone raised the glasses and had a drink. Allison ended up drinking hers down. It was better than she expected. She very briefly felt lightheaded, but it passed. Nutina looked at Allison.

“This ‘Lofufa’ juice’s name does not do it justice. It tastes like a noble’s drink but has the punch of a warrior’s poison!”

“Would you like some more?”

Nutina offered her glass. Allison poured a good-sized drink for Nutina. Helen and Isis looked like it had already gone to their heads. Allison offered it to her mother who held up her hand.

“That is, not the same as the one we have on the shelf.”

Aryna asked.

“May I have some more? It reminds me of Qual’sa wine. Not quite as strong, but the flavor is most pleasing.”

Allison poured another glass out for Aryna. Helen and Isis both declined. Allison decided she’d stop at one. Drinking enough to feel it would make her regret her life choices for the third morning in the row. Nutina finished her glass off and put it down.

“You must tell me where you get this drink.”

Allison smiled.

“It’s umm, a few million light years from here. Helen bought me a few bottles; I’d be happy to let you take one with you. As a thank you for rescuing me, and not shooting me when I tried to uh, well shoot you.”

Nutina laughed loudly.

“Engaging in a scuffle as short lived as it was with a warrior such as yourself was gift enough. Few species understand the glory of battle. Rescuing you was a great day! Are you not going to have another? Surely a warrior of your prowess could drink that whole bottle yourself!”

Allison corked the bottle and placed it down.

“I am taking a break tonight. People where we’re from found out about the Sal’nash fight. I went out to celebrate and well, my glass was never empty. It was a rough morning; It’s been a long day.”

Apiyo looked at Allison and narrowed her eyes. Allison sat down and brushed her auburn bangs behind her ears, avoiding looking at her mother. She could feel her ears burning. Her mother was definitely going to ask about that in the morning. Allison made sure to hand Nutina the full bottle of Lofufa juice she’d promised. She was exhausted from her favor to Miles and excused herself politely. She slept extremely well that night… that was until her mother woke her up.