Free Keen by Viola Grace Page B

and do your own thing, Kee. It is fine to be satisfied with life, but I want you to find joy in it. Life needs joy and you are not finding it, Kee. So, I am shoving you into a place where it finds you.”
    “Thanks for that. What do I need to do?”
    “Recruiter Hembri will walk you through the process, and then, you will be off and running. Do it, Kee. I will enjoy talking to you more frequently once you get away from home.”
    Kee bit her lip. “If they will have me. I will try.”
    “As long as you try, you will be endlessly closer than if you gave up. I look forward to hearing of your success.”
    The screen went dark and Kee looked over to Hembri. “How did I do?”
    “You are already qualified to archive on nineteen worlds off the top of my head, without any additional training or implanted languages. You will just need a quick physical and you can begin basic training.”
    She nodded. “When can we arrange that?”
    “The medical staff is waiting for you down the hall. You will get a suit fitted for basic training, and in a week, you can be in our training centre.”
    “So soon?”
    He gave her another scary smile. “Do you have something better to do?”
    She had to admit that she didn’t. “Fine. Which way to the medics?”
    He chortled. “I will take you.”
    She rose to her feet and nodded. “Then let’s get this over with.”
    “Remember that mantra. You are going to need it.”
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Ten days later, Kyna faced the rest of the Wenderson family in her living room. As usual, they had not left space on any of her own furniture for her.
    Her sister, Teena, whined, “I thought you were going to have dinner ready for us.”
    Kyna shook her head. “I never said that. I said I needed to speak with all of you and that I needed you here.”
    “Well, I am hungry.”
    Kyna sucked in a deep breath. “Tough.”
    She looked at her parents, her two brothers and two sisters. “I have asked you all here so I can tell you something.”
    Her mother looked at her hopefully. “You are pregnant?”
    Kyna recoiled. “No. I am leaving. As of tonight, I am no longer going to be available to take you to appointments. Teena, you will have to beg money out of someone else. Terry, you have to break up with your own girlfriends. Anthony, the same goes for you and boyfriends. Lea, I am not going to be here for you to crash with when you are too drunk to go home, and, Dad, I am no longer going to cover for your fooling around on Mom. You are all going to have to get along without me.”
    Her family was reeling with the effect of her last statement. They blustered, scowled at each other, Teena sobbed and Lara protested. The only one that looked at her and smiled was Terry. He nodded. “Where are you going?”
    She reached for the hem of her standard bulky sweater and pulled it off over her head. She shucked out of her jeans and stood there in her lightly armoured bodysuit. She smiled at Terry. “I got a new job.”
    He got up from the couch and came over to give her a hug. “Enjoy yourself and keep in touch. Stop being everything for everybody else and be yourself.”
    She hugged him back. “I am. Care to walk me to my car?”
    He glanced back at the emotional storm of the Wendersons. “Yes, please.”
    Kyna walked to her room and grabbed the only thing in it. Her go bag. The rest of the apartment was empty. Every drawer, every cupboard, it was all in storage. The only thing left was her living room set and the keys in her hand. Her apartment had been rented out and the new occupant moved in in a week.
    Tonight had been her last night at home; she felt she needed to speak to all of her family face to face. As usual, none of them was focused on her. They were lost to infighting.
    Terrance was the exception. He may be awkward when it came to dealing with his girlfriends, but he was a genuinely good guy.
    “That is quite the suit.” He paused and looked her over.
    She was wearing the brown and gold of