Author: Derin

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next I wasn’t sure what to say about Hali’s story, but luckily I didn’t have to say anything because right then came the warning that we were about to start moving toward the Arborea Celestia. We stowed our bags safely in a locker and Plia helped me figure out the … Continue reading 27: Rodge

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next Through the door was a much more normally sized corridor, and in the corridor was a brennan wearing a cleaner and less worn version of the type of jumpsuit the woman wore, waiting for us. Ke smiled and gave us a little wave. “Welcome aboard the Vanguard,” ke said. … Continue reading 26: The Smallest Possible Loop

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next My friends were, of course, not happy that I would be going away for so long. “I’m going to miss you so much!” Arai wailed, throwing her arms around me. Hitan gave me a stiffer, tighter hug. “I’m so jealous,” he said. “You’re gonna have to message us all … Continue reading 25: Vanguard

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next Medical was a pretty interesting jaunt. Kids can’t do real Medical on their jaunt, of course. There’s not too many Medical jobs that the hospitals want to trust us with. And it’s okay for kids to mess around sorting scraps or cooking food but running around a hospital getting … Continue reading 24: Growing Up Fast

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next I tried to find Yamin again for a really long time. The Courageous wouldn’t tell me where he was very often. It would sometimes say he was ‘at work’, but wouldn’t tell me where he worked. (Working in admin and wearing a jumpsuit to work probably meant he worked … Continue reading 23: Plia

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next “What do you mean by that?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “What? Nothing.” “Don’t lie to me. Don’t treat me like a little kid. What do you know about my grandma?” He looked surprised. Maybe he didn’t know anything. Maybe I’d read his expression wrong. “Nothing. I’m sure she’s … Continue reading 22: The Flaw in the Plan

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next Epilepsy? I’d never heard the word. I shook my head. “That’s not surprising. It’s been incredibly rare for a long time, as we identify more of the genetic risk factors involved, and we cure it whenever we do find it, because it’s so dangerous. Epilepsy is a neurological condition … Continue reading 21: Mental Structure

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next Babysitting duty was the absolute worst. I had to look after any of the younger kids in the family whenever any of the adults wanted me to. The only things more important than babysitting were going to my jaunt, sleeping, and any important meetings or celebrations that my parents … Continue reading 20: Secret Meeting

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next My parents frowned at me as I came in, but the strange man smiled. He was older than Mum and Dad, but younger than Grandma. Most of his very short beard was white, with just a little black in the middle; his eyes were surrounded by wrinkles; his hair … Continue reading 19: Apprenticeship

First -- Prev-- Archive -- Next I didn’t, of course, tell anyone where I had been. But the day after seeing Grandma, I asked Dad about citrus trees and about the treegrave. I just told him that it was something that had been mentioned on my jaunt and he believed me. “The history about the … Continue reading 18: Hitan’s Birthday