Free Dark Foundations by Chris Walley

It’s only hours since the speech. And it’s sinking in that we have been attacked and we could be attacked again. We have enemies.”
    In the long silence that followed Vero thought about his father. I long to see him again. He sighed. There’s no time for such thoughts. I must think of the practicalities: There’s work to do here.
    â€œI am going to live at Brenito Camsar’s cottage near Isterrane, P. You must come. There’s a lot of space artifacts.”
    â€œBut why there? Other than that nice setting on the headland.”
    â€œBecause it’s off the beaten track, and it will allow me the freedom to come and go at will. I want to stay out of the way. Keep a low profile. And if I have any spare time I also want to start something of a research project on all Brenito’s material. I live in hope that there might be something there that can help us.”
    He leaned back, looking at the shafts of light coming through the leaves. “And Merral is going to write a detailed account of what happened on the ship. Everything —every last fragment may be of value to us.”
    â€œAre you terribly upset that it was destroyed?”
    He noted how delicately she asked the question. “Yes and no. The idea that we could have taken a working vessel and navigated it all those light-years back to the Assembly was always unrealistic. And who was to say that I might have been on it? The ship would have had limited space and there are lots of people with more pressing reasons to return to Earth than me. So, I suppose I was prepared for the worse.” Was I really?
    â€œI like your attitude. I can sympathize with that.”
    â€œThanks, Perena. I really value your friendship.” I really do—more than I dare say. Yet the words came out. “I’m a long way from home. And, as of yesterday, it doesn’t look like I’m going back any day soon. It’s a pity . . . I’d have liked you to meet my family. I’m pretty certain my father isn’t going to be around in fifty years—or fifty months.”
    â€œThat sounds like an offer,” Perena said with such an out-of-the-ordinary tone of voice that Vero felt a pang of some deep and turbulent emotion. “Is it?”
    Is it? “No—well, yes. I mean— no .”
    A succession of thoughts tumbled through his mind. I admire Perena and respect her. I am fond of her . . . maybe more than fond. I would like to pursue that possibility .
    â€œIs it or isn’t it, Verofaza?” Perena’s smile was inviting.
    There’s nothing to be lost and everything to gain. Take the initiative! “Er, yes. I mean, definitely .”
    Perena touched his hand, then sighed as she withdrew hers. “Normally, I would be delighted to explore that offer of a deeper friendship between us. But now?” She exhaled heavily and her face acquired an expression in which conern and hope seemed mixed. “Do you mind if I walk on my own? I want to think about what you just said.”
    This is going wrong. Vero felt near despair . I shouldn’t have said it . Wrong place, wrong time. Probably wrong planet.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to say anything. I’m just overwhelmed by things. I know that’s not a very good reason for expressing an interest.” He stared at a tree trunk. “It’s probably the worst reason there can be.” I dug myself into a hole and I need to dig myself out.
    â€œDon’t, Vero,” Perena said gently. “Don’t apologize. There are far worse reasons. But in the meantime, I need to think and pray.”
    â€œYou’re right. And I too.”
    He watched her slim, lithe frame walk away with a brisk and steady pace. Then he put his head in his hands and asked for wisdom, clarity, and courage for them both. But he knew that beneath his words, he really asked for what he desired to be granted. I’m