Free Obsolete (Terran Times Second Wave Book 24) by Viola Grace Page A

not known for their amenities.”
    Olena shrugged again. “Good. I can make my own.”
    He raised his brows and chuckled. “I am guessing you can. Very well, I will process the report today. You have gained your languages and are physically fit for the journey. No time to waste.”
    “Just like that?”
    He cocked his head. “Did you wish it to take longer?”
    She shrugged. “No, I just thought that it would take months, not weeks and days.”
    Heilos chuckled and patted her shoulder. “Accept it. You have a talent for this. I wish you success in your future, but I feel that the wish is unnecessary. You are a woman who will make things happen.”
    Olena nodded. “I will try.”
    “Good. I will send the report and get your transport arranged. You will be leaving within the week. Be ready for it.”
    “Are you just trying to get rid of me?”
    He grinned and showed off his fangs. “I would love to watch you in action, but it isn’t necessary. I can see what you can do; I want you to show it to others. This is a skill that should be shared.”
    “At a salvage yard?”
    Heilos chuckled. “A salvage station. You will be taking apart chunks of ancient star ships and seeing what you can make useful again.”
    Her imagination suddenly swirled. “Right. That does sound like fun.”
    “Then, clean up your workspace while I prepare the report. I will see you for dinner in the commissary.”
    She nodded and set about filing and storing her creations. When she was done, she scrubbed her hands and headed for her room to put on a fresh suit. She despised being grimy.
    Life was spinning beyond her control, and she was holding on for her own survival. When she offered to join the Volunteers, she had imagined a lot more training and a lot less practical application of her talent.
    Meeting new species was her favourite part of the lunar base, but with everyone on different career paths, the Terrans needed to apply their social skills to anyone who wasn’t from their home world. They were going to have to get used to alien races as soon as they could. With some leaving and more arriving every day, it was hard to make friends and keep them.
    Her instructor was her constant. Master Heilos Twimath was a male from a blended family. He was married with three children, and his skills in mechanical engineering made him an ideal instructor for the finer points of identifying the pieces she was going to be taking apart. Explaining alien tech was his speciality.
    Olena put on her clean outfit, hung her work suit in the refresher and headed for the commissary to select dinner for both of them. Whoever got there first was responsible for foraging.
    She nodded at a few other trainees and their instructors before grabbing a tray and beginning the shuttling process. Heilos ate a lot, and he needed to keep his strength up. When he was done training her, it was back to his wife and daughters.
    Olena settled at the table and worked her way through the food of five other species that resembled her own in dietary requirements. It was rough to work through some of the legumes, but if she paid attention, she could cobble together the necessary nutrition to get through her days. It was a handy skill to have when she wasn’t sure what the food situation would be where she ended up.
    When Heilos joined her, she smiled and nodded her head for him to sit.
    He slid into a chair and settled. “You leave tomorrow.”
    “What?” She choked slightly and reached for her water to flush the food that had tried to kill her.
    “There is a ship going deep into Alliance space, and from Nodak Station, you will head to the salvage station. Three days of travel and you will be in your new home.”
    Olena took another gulp of water. “So, that’s it? I was on Earth, I am on the moon, and tomorrow, I head into space?”
    “Yes, and I return to my family, so I understand your discomfort, but I am determined that you go so I can return home.” He dug into his