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flight?”

  “I make sure I get into a simulator often. Two or three times a week.”

  “No, Kei, I mean in flight. In space.”

  “A few years. Since the last designer tour of the First Fleet.”

  “I’m going to speak with the senate oversight. I want you to oversee the psionic ship project. It is the single greatest psionic targeted undertaking and we need a knowledgeable psionic mind to run it. I can’t see a better option than you.” He gestured to a small doorway, darkened by an awning and the shade of the buildings around it. “Come. Let's grab lunch.”Dak crossed the street and entered the small storefront with Kei on his heels. Inside, the store had many rows and shelves of supplies lining deep into the building. Through the far side of the store was a long dark hallway that opened into a patio overlooking the East Bay. Tables of varying sizes lined the patio. Each table held menus in the center and drink dispensers rested on the side. “They make some fantastic Tauwin steamed stew here.”Dak led Kei to an open table, not far from the kitchen.

  When they sat down, Kei looked around at the other patrons. “They don't get too busy here do they?”

  “Like any place, it depends on the day.” Dak used the dispenser to get each of them a glass of water. “Oh, and you'll find the wait staff here interesting as well.”

  Kei accepted the water and began to sip on it, still watching everyone around them. After several minutes in silence she heard a voice in her head and frowned. Speaking to Dak, “Why is there a person in my head?” He gestured to a young girl who was approaching them with a small tray of appetizers.

  The girl set the tray down and projected telepathically to both of them again, ~I'm sorry ma'am. I can't speak like you do anymore. The Ven took that from me, but I'm happy to serve you and I highly recommend the Tulliation salad today. The latest catch was very good.~

  Kei looked at the girl. Taking note of the obvious fact she wasn't old enough to be military, she felt sorry for her. “Okay. If that's your recommendation then that's what I'd like.”

  The young telepath smiled, ~Fantastic. I'll have that for you soon.~ She turned to Dak, ~The usual, sir?~ He nodded and she walked back to the kitchen with their order.

  Kei started picking at the food tray, “How old is she?”

  “I think she'll be fifteen this year, or maybe just turned it.” He picked up a small shell fish tail and sucked the meat out of it.

  “She's too young to have been a Ven target.”

  “Yes, she was too young. Still is really, but that doesn't stop the Ven. Their people are soldiers from very young. They just treat our young the same.” He finished one tail and picked up another, “These are delicious today. You should really try one.”

  Kei absently picked up one of the tails and nibbled on the meat protruding from the shell.

  “I think they took her voice at ten or so. Her family came back here to try to get her help for it. Their best option was to alter her, in part, by having a synthesized voice generator implanted. It would have left her far more scarred than the limited visible now. If it weren't for her telepathy she'd not be able to work or communicate at all.”Dak continued to eat as he spoke.

  “So everyone who eats here are psionic?”

  “Not that I can tell from most of the patrons. Most are used to the nice girl with the smile who talks telepathically.” He shrugged a bit in the direction of a brunette woman with her nose buried in her data tablets, “Watch her. I get no psionic impression from her at all. She's intent on those reports though. Somewhere else, her focus would be interrupted by other activities. Thanks to Ta'la, here she can focus and still get what she wants to eat.”

  Kei watched the woman for several minutes while she ate. Ta'la brought her a plate of stew and bread and returned to the kitchen without the woman ever looking up from her work. Kei shrugs, “I can see why that would be helpful.”

  A small item popped out of the table and dropped back in. Dak grinned, “Looks like the show is about to begin.”

  Kei arched an eyebrow, “Show?”

  “Are you familiar with the group, Spikzer? They are well known traveling performers.”

  Kei nodded, “Yeah. They are the group that performed in senate chambers last year. I was told they bring their own team for everything.”

  “Yes, well, their team and set up crew are virtually the same. They got their start here, so you'll get to see what I mean in a moment. Today is Yura. I love this play, and the actors always bring this to life.” Dak moved his chair so he was open to the back of the patio.

  Several minutes later a small cluster of people walked out onto the patio. One woman sat on the ground facing the East Bay. As she watched the woman, Kei thought she was going to meditate where she sat. While others set up sound equipment, a stage appeared hovering over the bay on the other side of the patio rail. Kei glanced back at the woman and noted a familiar look. She muttered, “Bring it to life?” A moment later their food was delivered and the play began.

  Over the course of an hour and a half the voice actors spoke while images moved around the stage telling the story of a rare, born into slavery, young girl whose heroics bring peace to Xenonia and her people. Yura ended the play with an introspective dialog about how even her oppressive master was a woman who deserved her pity, affection and dedication, like the planet who shunned her to start but welcomed her home with love.

  Having been pulled into the play, Kei forgot it was an astro-projection until it disappeared into the water below. Amazed by the performance, and the longevity of the woman generating the projection, Kei leaned over the table toward Dak, “How do I show my gratitude? That was incredible. I've never seen someone of this ability be able to generate a projection field so versatile and for so long, with such detail.”

  Applauding, Dak leaned over, “Until today, I've never seen someone of that psionic ability able to create an entire squad of Xenonian soldiers.”

  Kei clapped her hands together as the performing group took their bows. “You still haven't.” She picked up a data table and adjusted her credits to pay for the meal and show. “Besides, I'm told duplication wouldn't be a difficult thing for an average projector.”

  Dak grinned a little wider, “There was no duplication. Each soldier had a unique face and hair combination. Some even nodded to the various people along the route through the square and I know none of our new or established squads were scheduled for that march today.”

  Kei remained quiet.

  Dak paid his portion of the bill and they left the restaurant. As they moved back toward the square, Dak spent time bringing Kei up to speed on the goals and intention of the psionic corps creation. He helped her to understand the hope this brought for their people, particularly against the Ven. By the time they reached the transport station in Quly Square, Kei had much to think about.

  “Thank you for the display, Private First Class Palrion.”

  “Thank you for giving me such an impressive projection. I’m confident that you’ll find the team is something worth working for.”

  “PFC I’m not sure that I’ll be here to help your team. You’ve enlightened me a lot, but I’m done fighting with those above me to get things straight for anyone or any other psionic individual. I have extensive time saved, and I’ll be taking some of that to get my plans together.” Kei stepped onto the transport when it stopped near her. “I wish you success in the venture.” The door slid closed and she rode the transport back home.

  That evening she was contacted by another designer who attempted to sway her desire to resign from the ship design team.

  The next morning, Kei Salin retired her position with the shipyard, with reservation for her commission. She left behind dozens of unfinished projects without regret. It was her hope the unfinished projects would encourage the others to slow their pace with the work. Satisfied with her decision she made arrangements to take several days for vacation before deciding what to do next.

  As she packed up Bul
l and the vacation bag, she found her mind drifting back to the reports again. She had been part of those who designed the original psionic energy weapon. She found herself worrying it would be installed before it was done. She dismissed it before she arrived at the ship terminal for her guest passage to the colonies. She was going to force herself to enjoy a tour of the Xenonian territories.

  Kei settled into her quarters on the civilian passenger transport. Bull ran around the room, barking and sniffing everything. She laughed watching him. “Now, come here boy. I know it’s all new. We’ll only be here for a couple of days.” She scooped up the dog and set up his bed. He snuggled down and watched her unpack until he fell asleep.

  The ship departed Xenonia and was scheduled to visit four colonies. The first, Alpha Trax was the most exotic location on the trip’s schedule. The wetlands were warm and full of vivid colors and vegetation. The deserts were beautiful sandy oceans of warm hues and the nightlife in the city was full of new customs, activities and foods.

  Curiel’s Planet, a small M-class moon orbiting a gas giant, was the next stop. The lush forest lands were warm and comfortable to explore. Areas were marked out for visitor hiking and many of the trails led deep into the thickest greenest part of the moon. Dinner that night was held in a large home with bright lights and old fashioned customs. The history of the moon was declared for