The Quality of Mercy: Constant Stars, #2

Chapter One

Ihung around Rainier , closely watching the readouts, hoping that he interpreted my interest as interest in the person in the cryo box, not the holo-rib itself. Lully shifted from foot to foot. I grinned at my nervous friend.

Stop fidgeting, you’ll be fine, I ordered and returned my attention to the holo-rib.

Rainier had special programs on his device to connect to the cryo chambers, but other than that, the procedure was simple. Tekcom handled the main part: bringing a person back to life.

The lid slid off with a click, and Lully shuffled forward. I had never seen him act this way but could understand his fear. This moment was a first impression that one could never get again, and there was desperation to get it right.

She’s one of the older ones, Rainier noted.

Lully frowned at him and then down at the box. The suit unzipped and the chocolate face of Esperanza appeared. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes as I took a step back, letting Lully have a moment.

Hello, he said softly.

Hi, she replied. What year is it?

They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before Rainier supplied: It’s year Twenty-Four or 2168. Your choice.

I could see her doing the math in her head and then frown in surprise. I’ve been asleep a hundred years. Wow.

She moved to rise, but I intervened, placing my hand on her shoulder.

Lully, Rainier, out, I told them.

Dylan, Lully complained.

Out.

I opened the bag I had brought with me, pulling out underthings and clothes to give to Esperanza. She sat up carefully, taking the offered shirt.

I’m Dylan, I said and helped her rise and dress. I didn’t figure you were too shy, but it’s better to make men wait, right?

Who was that? she asked, pulling her hair through the neck of her shirt to rest on her shoulders. She had curls like I did, but hers were jet black compared to my brown. Not that anyone could see my curls from under my cap.

Lully, I answered. But I’ll let him speak for himself. All right, boys!

I’m not a boy, Lully grumbled as they entered. He spared no more words for me, instead rushed to Esperanza’s side. How do you feel?

Just tired, she admitted. After a century, I would have thought I would be done with sleeping.

Your body is still adjusting to being up and awake, Rainier answered. Now just to make sure, what’s your name?

Esperanza Martin, she answered.

What year did you enter cryo?

2064.

How old are you?

Twenty-four. She looked around the room as if noticing that this was not the medical bay on the Aeneid.

We’ve landed? she said in awe. How long?

Twenty-four years, Lully answered.

Then why isn’t everyone awake? she inquired.

Because we’re still building, and we don’t have the resources we thought we would, I answered. Merci, Rainier, we’ll get out of your way.

No problem, Dylan.

He gave me a smile which I forced myself to reciprocate. Lully helped Esperanza walk to the door, but when she stumbled, he scooped her up into his arms.

I can walk, she protested.

And deny me the privilege to carry you? Come now.

She laughed, looking at her new environment as we strode through the hallways. Even so, she was asleep in his arms by the time we made it back to their berth.

I punched in the code, and the door slid open, allowing Lully to glide past me.

Can you get the quilt? he asked quietly. I don’t want to wake her.

I’m not asleep, Esperanza murmured.

But you should be, he told her with a smile. How about you take a nap, and we’ll talk in the morning, pas mal?

S’il vous plaît, she responded.

Lully held her as I pulled back the comforter, and he tucked her in. He was beaming all the while, and I left for the living room to give them a minute. He carefully shut the door behind him and sat down on the couch with me.

Did you get what you need? he asked.

I’m going to have to steal Rainier’s holo-rib, I admitted. The program he uses isn’t standard. But once we have it, then the rest is automated by tekcom. Should be simple enough.

And O’Keefe is still ignoring your previous requests?

I nodded, drumming my fingers on the table. I had Beethoven stuck in my head again. Lully glanced around the room. I knew that he had spent quite a bit of his income preparing for Esperanza, and was excited to show her everything. Still, it would be better that she sleep now and the two of them have the rest of the week together.

I’m going back to work, Lully said with a sigh. I’ll just pace here, and that’s not helpful. Could you wait here in case she wakes up? She wouldn’t know how to contact me.

Of course, I told him. We’ll be fine; I have reports on my holo-rib I can do.

He flashed me a smile and headed to the door.

I can’t believe she’s here, Lully sighed. "Right there sleeping. Dylan, she’s gorgeous."

You are already moonshy over her, I laughed, and pulled out my holo-rib.

None of the charts from the primary scrubbers were unusual, and so I checked these off quickly. The mold and bacteria levels were normal. Oxygen levels were up, which was a surprise. I scrolled through pages of graphs to see where the growth was coming from and concluded the greenhouses were more efficient than we had previously thought. I would have to speak with Anatoly about this.

I called her on my holo-rib, listening to the clicking of the connection until I had reached the other woman.

Dylan! What can I do for you?

I think you’re already doing it, I replied. Oxygen levels are up. Since I don’t think any person has been adding any, I believe your trees have exceeded our expectations.

That’s fantastic! I’ll have Alcott run some tests here and see if we’re getting the same results. It’s nice to be ahead of schedule for once.

Now if filtration would find some another water source, I agreed. Then we could really work.

Seasons willing, we’ll get there, Anatoly promised. Anything else?

That’s all; merci Anatoly.

As soon as the call ended, I sent the information over to my papa, along with an outline for the next week’s construction. The latest earthstorm had been mild compared to some, and I wanted to take full advantage of the clear cycle we had before us. Lully had been invaluable in prioritizing the environmental print docket, and I was grateful to him.

Reports complete; I set my holo-rib down on the table, propping it so I could record a new video log. I saw my face pop up, and I smiled at my image.

Hello, Levi, I said. Today we got Esperanza out of cryo. I finally got to inspect Rainier’s equipment, should be simple enough; I now need to know if it’s his personal holo-rib or one for work; either way, once I get it, we’ll be done. We’ve done some incredible work on the atmosphere in the last three cycles, and the charts are starting to prove it. I wish I hadn’t started that symphony CD last night; the tune has been stuck in my head all day. See you soon.

I knew that I shouldn’t, and I probably would never show any of these to Levi, but having a plan, having even the memory of him helped focus me. I didn’t think I could have made it these past four years thinking that I would be alone forever.

Emerson gave Lully a strange look when the other man entered the printers.

Don’t you have the week off? his friend asked. Why are you here? Did she already reject you?

Because she’s sleeping and I don't want to hover, Lully replied. And if I work today, then I don’t have to count today in my week off. I just have a couple of hours to make up.

If you’re sure, Emerson shrugged. Dylan’s updated the environ queue again. You can start on that.

Lully shook his head, amazed at how Dylan was pushing her team to get the third converter set complete. He wasn't interested in the math and the charts, but he knew that she would have the atmosphere at eighty percent by the end of the year or destroy the printers trying. Even her papa had tried to get her to set more attainable goals, but after everything that happened, no one could reason with Dylan. Lully could get her to relax once or twice a season, but other than that, she focused on her work with an intensity that matched her hatred of O’Keefe.

How’s Bell? Lully asked.

Emerson shrugged. Same as ever. She spends most of her time with Ibsen and Frieda and doesn’t come home until far after I’m asleep. It’s what we can make it; I don’t want to fight.

Lully nodded sympathetically, hoping that Esperanza wouldn’t feel the same way. He was far, far too nervous for comfort and he didn’t like being in such a position. He scanned the environ print list, seeing what he could reasonably manage today. Dylan’s queues tended to be expensive, both in time and in credit. Sure enough, most of them would take six to eight hours, by his estimate. He decided to print the smaller pieces while he was here and worry about Esperanza later.

Bell wants to have dinner with you and Esperanza later this week if she’s up to it, Emerson added.

I’ll let you know, Lully responded, eyeing the print plan expertly before approving the blueprint. Do you want to go to the lake at the end of the week?

To swim or to work? Emerson asked suspiciously.

To swim, Lully grinned. I haven’t gotten approval to print any more decking, and don’t have the credits to do it myself. O’Keefe is all focused on the new berths, which I completely understand, but wish he had some interest outside this base. Or at least some budget.

Emerson rolled his shoulders. He wasn’t the most ambitious of the printers, but as Emerson pointed out, at least he wasn’t constantly in trouble. Lully had tried to follow the rules and regulations, but it was so boring. The lake would be important, Lully knew, but O’Keefe didn’t seem to share his belief.

Lully pulled the plastic taut and prepped the dimensions for the blades he was making. Once that was complete, he started the process. This set would take three or four hours, but Emerson could watch it if Esperanza woke up sooner rather than later.

We need to print another printer, Lully noted. Between Ibsen and Dylan, it’s all we can do to keep up with the official docket, let alone the personal queue.

Not currently in the budget, came another voice.

Lully winced, bobbing his head at his boss, Vertov. They didn’t always see eye to eye, but Lully had been working especially hard not to accrue any more community service, at least not while Esperanza wasn’t working, and he technically had the week off.

What are you doing here, Lully? Vertov asked.

Working seemed like a better idea than pacing, sir, Lully responded. Esperanza’s asleep.

And so you left her on her own? his boss scoffed.

No sir, Dylan offered to stay; she’s working on reports from her holo-rib. She even sent new builds; I’m printing them now.

Vertov checked the queue and whistled. Seasons preserve us, this girl is going to break our printers. Very well. I don’t want to see you around here tomorrow, Lully.

He glanced at the holo-rib again, shaking his head. And I’ll talk to O’Keefe about printing another printer for personal. You have a fair point, for once, Lully Brandt.

Lully bobbed his head as Vertov stalked away. Emerson gave him a wide-eyed expression and laughed.

"You didn’t get yelled at and got a compliment, Emerson said. Print that out and hang it on your wall."

Shut up, Lully grumbled, though good-naturedly.

Esperanza woke up suddenly, remembering where she was and, more importantly, when she was. She was excited to see the planet’s surface but cautioned herself to take it slowly. Cryo was hard on the body, and she was over a century out of her own time.

Slowly, she pulled her feet out of bed, stood up, and walked to the door. Dylan and Lully were seated at the small kitchen table, and both of them jumped up when they spied her.

Would you like some water? Lully asked, helping her to the couch. You can’t...

Can’t eat food, I know, she answered. I worked cryo before. But I would like some water.

He nodded, hurrying to the small kitchenette. The room felt like they were back on the Aeneid again; the design was quite similar. Perhaps slightly bigger.

You worked in cryo? Dylan inquired.

Esperanza nodded. As a nurse. It was the same department as medical, at least on the ship.

They’re pretty closely related now, Lully agreed and brought her a blue cup of water. I’ve messaged Shelley and Rainier inquiring about any opening in their branches. I assumed you wanted to work in the same field?

Probably, she replied. I take you’ve read my files.

Dylan laughed. That he has. So if you fibbed on anything, now’s the time to come clean before Lully starts bartering for cherries.

We have cherries? Real ones?

She faced Lully who nodded with a grin.

I should go, Dylan said, heading for the door. My madre is probably wondering where I am. And Gliére said that her box will be here by the end of the day, but you need to go see him to get her credits and codes set up.

You’re the best, Dylan, Lully called.

I know, she laughed and left the room.

Your girlfriend? Esperanza asked, feeling a little confused.

What? I mean, I guess Dylan is a girl who is my friend, so yes? She’s not my only girl friend if that’s what you mean. I didn’t want you to wake up to an empty berth, so Dylan offered to stay; she sets her own, albeit crazy, hours.

Lully swallowed and gave her a smile. Sorry, I ramble when I’m nervous.

Esperanza would have laughed if it wouldn’t have spooked him. She had emerged on a brand new planet, knowing nothing about the world around her and Lully, this giant, dark-haired man, was nervous, like a boy on his first date. Esperanza had