Free Lost and Sound by Viola Grace Page B

missing. Since she hadn’t known what she could do, her applications were unfocused. This year, she was precise, businesslike and direct. Her research into herself had paid off.
    “Do you need something to eat?” Hermia kept rubbing her shoulders.
    “No.”
    “Your parents are in the common space. You have had a call. I will get you something to drink.”
    Yllin looked up at Hermia and her friend smiled.
    She straightened and walked into the firing line. She sat on the long couch and faced her parents. Their faces told her that they were unhappy with her life choices…again.
    Hermia brought in her drink and Yllin thanked her.
    Her father started. “We received a call today from the recruiters for Citadel Ohkhan.”
    Yllin smiled. “Did you?”
    Her mother scowled. “I thought you were going to give up on that after last year.”
    “Last year I spent the recruitment window in a med station on life support because you refused to immunize me against Urdal fever when I was a child.” She narrowed her eyes. “My dream to touch the stars has never waned.”
    Her mother fluttered. “Your siblings were fine.”
    Yllin sipped at the beverage in her hand. “I went into medical care before I was contagious. Now, I am sterile.”
    Her father waved that away. “Anyway, they called and offered you a position at Ohkhan.”
    Yllin beamed. “Excellent. When do I go?”
    Her mother said, “We want you to decline.”
    Yllin narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
    “It isn’t seemly. It is bad enough that you are a physical talent, and now, you want to sprint around in a suit advertising your body to all and sundry?”
    Yllin looked down at her leather trousers, tunic, belt and boots. “As if this isn’t advertising? You got me this clothing and the rest of my wardrobe for the holidays.”
    Her mother sighed. “That is different. They are traditional clothing, not spacesuits.”
    Yllin put her drink down on an end table and leaned forward. “I want this, Mother, Father. I want this more than I have wanted anything in my life, except for my life. Last year proved that I am not even safe at home. Nearly killed by a simple microbe? That is no way to be remembered.”
    Her father sat back and gave her a considering look. “It seems you have finally grown up. You have my blessing. Keep us apprised of your adventures when you are able.”
    Her mother gasped and spluttered.
    Yllin grinned and got to her feet. “I will let you two hash this out. Know that I don’t have to agree with you to respect you. Excuse me; I have a call to make.”
    She picked up her drink and headed down the hall to her bedroom. She had a call to make.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Four weeks between acceptance and liftoff had been mind numbing, but her mother had come around to the cachet of having a daughter as a member of the Citadel.
    Yllin had posed for pictures with the other recruits, and her mother now put the image in a place of pride next to her siblings’ graduation photos.
    She sat nervously with the other recruits in the shuttle. Their pilot spoke gently, and as the ship lifted off, she looked out the window for one last time.
    Her family was watching from the VIP area, and she tried not to wave as the ship took her further and further away from everything she had known.
    She held her breath and let it out in a rush when her world got smaller and smaller while her potential was suddenly unlimited.
    “Your name is Yllin, isn’t it?”
    The man next to her smiled brightly, and she felt a pressure on her mind. She closed her thoughts and inclined her head. “My name is Yllin.”
    “I am Trobie. My family was sitting in your section at the restaurant on Mikkada Street. You were the best server we have ever had.” He gave her a condescending grin.
    “Ah, the Moringale party.”
    He seemed pleased that she remembered. “Yes, my family was hosting a fundraiser for High Prefect Gerocard’s favourite charity.”
    She nodded. She hadn’t been able to get