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anything when he participated in it. It was all ritual motions, words, and actions, but he experienced no spiritual connection to go with it, no matter how hard he tried. Still, it comforted Miri, so he did his best to project a spirit of support and love to honor her as she prayed.
    Would any of this matter? He asked himself and then heard Miri reciting the closing words and joined her in offering the traditional four-fingered salute to the pantheon.
    Miri’s shoulders sank with her sigh as she finished and looked over at him, warmly. They embraced, holding each other for another moment, then slowly stood and headed back into the passages that would return them to the Palace.
    Whether any of it had been worth the effort for spiritual aid, Davi had doubts, but the confidence it gave his mother was more than worth the time. He hoped it would carry with her throughout the days ahead after they parted. He let his love for her flow back through the embrace. At least he could offer her that.
    O O O
    Davi and Farien arrived at the starport a few hours later, their gray uniforms neatly pressed, and shook hands with Yao. He’d shared so many fun times with his friends, and Davi knew he’d miss having them around. After a few moments, he pulled Yao aside. “I need you to look after mother for me.”
    “Of course. Anything I can do? Is she upset because you’re leaving?”
    Davi sighed, raising his hands in the air as he took a deep breath. “Yes. More than I expected. She seems more weak and frail than I’ve ever seen her. I’m not sure why.”
    “She’s always adored you and kept you close. I’m sure this is hard for her,” Yao said.
    “It’s hard for me as well, but she’s really broken up about it. She even asked me to leave the necklace with her for safe keeping.”
    Yao’s eyes widened and he took an involuntary step back. “The one she’s always been after you to wear? Did she have a bad dream about something happening to you?”
    “I don’t know. She wouldn’t say. Just check on her for me, will you?” Their eyes met and Davi saw recognition there of his depth of concern as his hand reached down to touch the crest where it rested beneath his uniform.
    “Every day, if you want,” Yao replied, eyes locked on Davi’s.
    Davi clapped him on the shoulder. “I don’t think it’s necessary, but I trust your judgment.”
    Yao smiled and they embraced. “You take care out there, okay? I want to hear all about your adventures,” Yao teased.
    “Oh yeah, and you make sure those future cadets are up to standards, all right?”
    Yao laughed. “I’ll be as hard on them as I was on you two.” He twisted his face into a fierce expression.
    “Do us a favor and be harder on them, okay?” Davi said with a grin. He glanced over at Farien, who frowned, pacing beside the shuttle ramp. They both laughed and shook hands one last time.
    “Let’s get this show rolling,” Farien said, glancing at his watch. “Let the adventure begin!” He clapped them both on the back. Yao shook Farien’s hand before he and Davi boarded the shuttle.
    As the shuttle pilots prepared for launch, the engines hummed and ignited. Contrasting with the shuttle’s white exterior, the interior was light gray. The cockpit held two black chairs facing a transparent blast shield, surrounded by controls. It was separated by a bulkhead from the passenger compartment which contained four rows of seats—two lining each exterior wall and two back to back down the center. Each had its own safety harness. The sole decoration was a large Borali Alliance emblem centered above the seats on the ceiling. The cabin smelled stale, used; not fresh and clean like the royal shuttles always did.
    Davi strapped on his safety harness and began mentally reviewing what he knew about Vertullis and his new assignment. From what he’d been told the planet’s capital city, Iraja, was far from impressive when compared with Legon, but Iraja was also one of the Borali