It had been nearly one week since The Retribution had beaten back the Imanji mother ships. She’d spent the past week away from James and Emma except for the few hours she got to sleep. Today was no different, except after she’d gotten off her shuttle duty she’d been given a message to report to Captain Cree’s office. What little time she had with Emma and James was quickly dwindling away.

The shuttle crews were overly busy and there just weren’t enough shuttles to support the demand. Her time with the two was short lived too. Nova knew that James and Emma would be leaving she just hadn’t anticipated that it’d be so soon. Their tiny country town in Georgia had been unscathed for the most part by the attacks. They had a home to go back to and were shipping out first thing in the morning.

There were so many people that had been displaced that they needed the room on the ship for those who had nowhere else to go. The shelters on Earth were overwhelmed with homeless refugees. Two of those refugees were James’ parents.

He had made plans to pick them up and take them back to the farmhouse until other accommodations could be made for them. Both James and Emma were looking forward to reuniting with them. There was no word on Emma’s mother. Unfortunately that was the case for many people. The Imanjis didn’t leave bodies behind. They took them to their ships to feed off them. However, people were still being found in remote areas and broken down buildings. It could be several more weeks before they had a full grasp of the damage that had been done and how many countless lives had been lost.

The Captain’s office doors whooshed open revealing him. “Nova Tidde. Please come in.”

Nova pushed off the wall and ambled into the room sinking into the seat across from him. He sat down and leaned back in his chair studying her. She knew the Livstiks fairly well. Maddox better than Orion. While she’d heard Captain Cree speak and he had motivated her she’d never had the pleasure of personally making his acquaintance.

“Captain Cree.” She bowed her head to him.

“I’ve heard wonderful things about you, Nova. Orion speaks highly of you and you have quite a…colorful past with the academy.” His lips quirked up with his words and she couldn’t help but laugh. Colorful was one way to describe it, though it was more her parents doing than her acting out.

“My parents have made things very interesting,” she admitted.

“The Tidde family has been a huge supporter of the academy…until recently. Can I ask why you decided to join?”

Nova sighed heavily. “It was against my parents’ wishes; that’s for sure.”

Captain Cree inclined his head. “I’d already figured that.”

“Well you already know my parents are very political on Delphi. I was their assistant right out of school and we went to one of your speeches to the council. Your words, your inspiration, are the reasons why I joined.” She shrugged and looked down to the desk.

“Everyone always tells me I’m very inspiring. I guess sometimes it’s hard for us to see. You are no doubt a valuable member of our crew. It’s my understanding that you have personally become friends with some of the humans aboard our ship.”

“Yes, I have.” She assumed he was referring specifically to James and Emma, though she had built quite the rapport with other members of his town and even others who she’d help to rescue. Was there a problem with that? She’d heard that Captain Cree was also involved with a human woman.

“That’s good. It is important that we make friends with the humans. We plan to stay on Earth for the foreseeable future to help them rebuild and prepare in case there is another attack, there is no indication of one yet, but knowing the Imanji there will be.” Captain Cree cleared his throat and leaned forward. “The humans have spoken quite highly of you. We need people like you who can communicate with them and help them feel at ease with our people. How would you feel about a promotion? You and a select few would be liaisons between our people and the humans. Think of it as acting on both species behalves. You would answer any questions they have about us and help them understand our way of living better so they no longer view us as a threat.”

It sounded too good to be true if she was understanding him correctly. She’d really get to make a difference and help people. Maybe she’d get to spend time with James and Emma, too. After the past week she couldn’t imagine not being able to see them on a daily basis, even if it was just for a few short minutes. “I would get to spend more time on Earth?” she asked.

Captain Cree nodded. “You would also get your own private, smaller shuttle so you could travel to wherever you’d like during your time off duty.”

So she could spend time with James and Emma. “That sounds lovely. I’d be honored.”

“Good. Get some rest. Take a day off and report to duty in the shuttle bay a day from tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Sir.” She stood up and bowed to him again before hurrying out of his office. She’d get a whole day to spend with James and Emma and she’d start her new job the same day they left, too. That couldn’t be a coincidence. Captain Cree had probably planned it based on what she knew of him. She smiled; she couldn’t wait to share her good news.

* * *

“So we still get to see you?” Emma screeched. She jumped up and down and hugged Nova tightly.

“Yes. I’m so glad.” She nuzzled the girl and then smiled up at James who had a large grin on his face.

“I’m glad. I can’t think of another person anymore deserving of this promotion than you. You’ve made the transition so much better for not just Emma and I, but for so many people.” James joined the hug. He placed a kiss to her lips. “You know you can stay at our farmhouse anytime.”

Nova kissed him. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

“You know I love you, right?” James said. He pulled back so he could stare into her eyes.

She gasped and swallowed hard. Tears pricked her eyes. “I love you too.”

James closed the distance once again and Emma giggled happily between them. For the first time in her life she had a family, a place to call home, a place to belong. She didn’t know what the future held, but as long as she had James and Emma they could tackle anything.