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for a moment before he began. “As many of you know and some of you have experienced, Earth was not always a kind place. Especially to those of a different,” he paused as if he was thinking and hadn’t planned this speech out in advance, “race, religion or whatever certain people said was different than the norm. As our Commander has pointed out, we are vulnerable and need all the protection we can get.” He was just getting worked up and was about to let loose when Cole interrupted him.
    “This ends right now. No more bloviating, no more mealy mouthed accusations, no more passive aggressive attacks. Frankly, we don’t have time, and I don’t have the patience. Playing the middle and making statements that you cannot be held accountable for do not fly in this room. If you come in this room and want to accuse someone of something, then do it. If you want to support an idea, do it. So, be a man for once in your pathetic life and spit it out.” Cole had leaned forward in his chair to deliver the tongue lashing to the former senator.
    The senator blanched at being interrupted and called out in front of every last living human. He flushed and tried to swallow to clear his throat.
    “Rumors,” he squeaked out. “Rumors abound that there was a firefight in the Worlder section before they left, and that you were involved. Also that they left to cover up your involvement.” There he had said it; it was out in the open now.
    “Liberating, isn’t it?” Cole asked. “Easy enough answered. I had some issues with the Worlders and lives were lost. They had come to the end of their mission and it was time for them to go. The Nixa left to deliver a message to their leaders and the Kin was allowed to stay behind. Does anyone else need clarification on the matter? No, ok move on then.” The former senator was stunned by the lack of reaction by the crowd. He sputtered something unintelligible and sat back down. Cole gave him a victory smile and settled in for the rest of the discussion. He felt good. Well it always felt good to put that a-hole in his place, but in general, here with his people, discussing the future calmed him and settled his mind. The rest of the day was filled with questions and suggestions from the benign to the esoteric, but it was filled with the voices of hope. Cole glanced at the back wall where Gavreal had been patiently watching the proceedings. The Kin was gone. Giving it no more thought, Cole turned his attention back to his people.
     
    Sky looked around her new home. It was dark, damp, and noisy. She had moved into the maintenance passages shortly after discussing the plan with Bain. Luckily for her, Cole had not been in the hanger when the Worlders and her sister had left. The image of her walking from her room and boarding the ship had been a created image by Bain. The Worlders were in on it and acted like she was there, knowing the whole time she wasn’t. Bain was pretty pleased with himself at coming up with the idea in the first place. Packing up her few belongings, Sky had slipped quietly into a maintenance hatch located down the hall from her room. Bain had guided her to one of the bigger areas located in the passages. Unfortunately, since the only ones ever supposed to use the passages were repair and service bots, the passages were cold and cramped.    Bain had suggested the connecting tunnels where the hot water and power cables branched from their main line to the entirety of the base. It was warmer there than anywhere else and had more room, as well. The constant hum of power and gurgle of water would take some getting used to, but Sky could cope. She lay out the field gear she and Bain had retrieved from storage. She had a small camp chair, auto inflate/deflate mattress, and a sleeping bag. She kept it all packed up when not in use in case she had to move in a hurry. No one could know she was in here or it could cost her life. She had enough food and water for a few days and nearby