The Last Night Chapter 20 Home?

The Last Night 

 Chapter 20

 Home?

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   The ‘eggs’ entrance was a swirling rectangle of gold, silver and blue mist, an example of Terratuan art, very costly, but fun to look at, for a while. However, it was also quite hypnotic. It was as if the officials who had established this office were trying to distract and disorient the people they were hired to serve. But no one knew that for certain, but they were all certainly distracted by the unexpected show, so much so that they found themselves frozen in place and growing a bit nauseated. Vertigo was beginning to set in. 

     It was clear that certain insiders did not want to be bothered by those on the outside. But that did not stop Martha.   

  “So. We push through or just stand here gawking and puking at this stupid thing.” Martha’s words shook them free. They pushed.

  Once inside they walked right up to a long gleaming black onyx counter. It stood about three and a half foot tall. It was a barrier, that blocked off the rear third of the twenty foot wide and fifteen-foot-high pale blue barren room. There was no furniture, not even one chair. 

   Two open U -shaped doors were located behind the counter, but one would have to climb over it, to get to them.

  They were the only people there, no lines, but no one behind the counter either. 

   Forrest cleared his throat several times as they all craned their neck to see if anyone was around. 

  “Those doors are open,” Wyatt said, “but I can’t see or hear anyone back there. I thought repatriating Terratu was of utmost importance.”

  “It is,” said a sweet female voice from somewhere back there. “I’ll be right with you. And thank you for your patience.”

  A few moments later a plumb blonde, rosy cheeked human woman, dressed in the same tan, white trimmed pants and tunic that they also wore, stepped through the open door to the left of them. She looked about thirty and was wearing a happy little smile and a name tag that read Patrice Downing. 

   

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   “And how can I help you, oh an Alurian. What a lovely surprise. Wasn’t expecting anymore Alurian refugees.” 

Siss smiled back, “thank you we just arrived, and…”

  “Would like to proceed with your resettlement, don’t like the word repatriation, so formal, with as little aggravation as possible. We will see what we can do.”

   “You’re not what we expected,” Martha said, “I mean that in the best way possible.”

  “I know, the door, the sparse office, sorry. Orders from on high. I ignore them as much as they will allow. Bosses!” She crinkled her nose as if a foul odor had just drifted into the room. Her fingers tapped against the ‘barrier’ counter’s, embedded access screen. 

   “Um, oh, this is, interesting. There was an incident on Reliant?” 

     “Wyatt bit his lip, “Yeah.”

   “You, um, vanished?”

   “Yes, but.”

  “I’m afraid. Um let me see.” Patrice could see disappointment all over their faces. “There, expunged.”

  “Did you just?”

  “And you must be Martha. It says here you’re the young man’s mother, am I right?”

  “Yes, yes I am.” 

  “Well. The incident is not listed under any kind of military codes or intelligence headings. Not sure why, but that makes it kinda okay for me to brush it away. It appears your Captain was sending a signal for me to do just that. Make it go away, so I did.”

   “Thank you Captain Jerk, I mean…”

  “Martha,” Siss interjected, “he was not acting out generosity but fear.”

  “Don’t care, we’re through, right?”

 Patrice smiled, tilted her head in an odd manner, just before she leaned toward Wyatt. Her entire expression shifted, became cold and deliberate, as if an entirely new person was 

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looking out through her narrow eyes. “You’ll see her soon, Wyatt.”  Patrices’ words hit him like a rock. 

  “Well, so glad I could help you folks out.” Patrice was back, smiling sweetly. “I’ve summoned a hover car for you. Everything you’ll need to know about housing and resettlement, occupation and the like, well I just forwarded all that to your holo disks. Feel free to explore or make your way top side. I’m so glad I could help you folks, come back home.”

  Wyatt eyed her but said nothing.

  “Is something wrong?” Patrice asked.

   “No mam” Forrest answered, “Think we’ll just get back to green grass and blue sky. And thank you so much.”

  “You’re his father.”

  “Yes.” 

“Well Mr. Faraday you’ll be enjoying all the green and blue you want, got your old job back.”

   “Thank you again.”

   “Of course.” Patrice was beaming when they turned and headed back to the street.

  “What a sweet girl.”

  “Yeah Mom. Sweet.” He heard no uneasiness in her voice. It seemed only he heard Patrice’s promise. He would not pick at it, just happily wait and try not to wonder.