At 1148 hours, Valorie was standing at the large glass windows that looked out onto the dock of Gate 242B. A large duffel bag rested against her leg as she enjoyed the view. The glass was cool to the touch, but fogged where she got too close. The ship before her was the FL Helianthus. In size, it was much less impressive than her previous home on the flagship MRH Anderson. It had more curves, giving it a more organic look than the heavy handed imperial designs. The ship had scars, there was a scaffolding pulled up along one side where a repair team was working. Valorie couldn’t help but admire the imperfections - signs of hard work and survival.


    “Our directions were most likely lost, Maisie. It does not hurt to reach out for help.” Loud voices caught her attention. She listened without looking, her eyes still glued to her new home. Her eyes traced the four petal shaped engines as she listened.


    “Yes, ma’am.”


    “Now you see, we have arrived on time. Surprise, surprise. Come, sit down. I am utterly exhausted. I''m glad we stole away to the market this morning. The produce from Luxe is quite unique.” She did not take any breaks as she spoke, even as she started hunting through the bags at her side.


    Valorie tore her eyes away from the ship long enough to see who was talking. She was surprised to see that the two ladies were not the only newcomers to the waiting room. A well dressed older gentleman was sitting in one of the chairs facing the window. He had one leg over the other, and a holo-display open in front of him as he read. Valorie wasn’t sure when he had arrived. Perhaps she had been a little bit too engrossed by the window.


    The two ladies had long formal wear - suits draped in long scarves. The bossy one was wearing a badge on her right shoulder. They continued to chat about their trip. It was loud enough that Valorie could make out what they were saying. She listened for a little while, trying to imagine the rich world they lived in. She didn’t let the distractions last long, preferring the view outside the window.


    Movement below caught her eye, and Valorie saw one woman leaving the ship. She had a quick purposeful gait as she made her way across the docks before disappearing into one of the halls. Valorie only had a moment to prepare herself.


    The door to the waiting room opened and everyone looked toward the sudden noise. Even the chattering lady went silent.


    “Hello, everyone. It is my pleasure to greet you this afternoon. My name is Sachiko Wywick. I will be your guide today.” She smiled, opening her arms. “Welcome to the FL Helianthus!” She bowed her head. She had short hair dark brown streaked with gray, and her eyes crinkled when she smiled. There was something off about her smile, but Valorie couldn’t put her finger on what.


    “It’s about time.” The bossy woman muttered as she stood up. Her companion struggled to organize their things. Sachiko did not drop her smile, and instead continued as if nothing had been said.


    “I understand we have three passengers and one new crew member.” She counted as she spoke, and nodded to herself. “Passengers first please.” She said, bowing once more. The gentleman finished collecting his things, and bowed in return.


    “Thank you for guiding us, Ms. Wywick.” He said as he readjusted the computer bag on his shoulder.


    “Ah, a passenger with manners,” She smiled more naturally, “How refreshing.” Before the woman could complain, Sachiko continued, “This way, please. Please have your ID ready for boarding.” She indicated the hall behind her and waited while the passengers made their way. She eyed Valorie as she waited. Was she assessing something? “I’ll be back for you. Don’t fret.” She said. Valorie nodded, hazarding a peek into Sachiko’s eyes. They were not friendly - definitely sizing her up.


    “Yes, ma’am,” Valorie said, copying Sachiko''s bow from earlier. When she looked up, Sachiko’s eyes had softened a little. Sachiko turned and left in a brisk movement. Valorie turned back to the window, following Sachiko''s movement across the dock. The group stopped in front of the ship. Valorie could not see what they were doing, but she watched anyway.


    Valorie stretched her shoulders, trying to relieve the tight feeling. Her behavior with Sachiko had been out of line by the SCT conduct standards, but Sachiko had made no comment. The Captain had promised as much, but the whole idea still made her uneasy. She wondered what Sachiko''s assessment revealed.


    As she watched the little group enter the ship, it became so much more real. Her future staring her in the face. Valorie’s stomach dropped. She had been alone while in hiding over the past year. All she had to do was focus on her ultimate goal of escape. With that escape now in her sights, she could not afford to make any mistakes.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    “Valorie? It’s your turn.” Sachiko’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She only appeared in the doorway for a second to grab Valorie’s attention before taking off. Valorie scooped up the bag at her feet and hurried to catch up. When she did, Sachiko was ready with a new demand.


    “May I see your ID, please?” Sachiko asked. She had her own display open from a ring on her thumb. It had a maroon coloring, and elegant curled edging. Valorie admired her personal design, as she pulled up her standard display. A couple swipes and her ID was at the forefront.


    "Here, Ms. Wywick." Valorie said as she held her ID out. Sachiko compared the two as they walked.


    “Good girl. Sachi is fine.” She said, closing her screen. and increasing her pace.


    Valorie wasn’t sure what to say to that. Instead she focused as they neared the entrance to the ship. It was a couple meters wide, and led into a disabled decontamination room. As they walked through, Sachi continued her lecture.


    “We will be leaving the station tomorrow at 1000 hours. Captain Hughes will have a meeting at 0800 hours. We will pass by the meeting room on the way to dorms. I suggest you spend tonight getting acquainted with the layout of the ship. Don’t be surprised if Yulia stops by to help with that.” She said. Her tone was matter of fact as she sped along the hall. Valorie had to work to keep up, both in speed and mental notes.


    “Yulia?” She asked. The hallway was well lit, with a curved design along the walls reminiscent of the outer design of the ship. About halfway down, large posts were visible, alongside several gears.


    “Our pilot. She is always eager to meet new crew mates.” Sachi said. She paused at one the many doors along the hall, and waved her hand over the panel to the side. The door lifted up revealing a room with a smooth glass table at the center. There was room for almost 15 people to stand comfortably. Valorie leaned inside. It matched the hall in decor, but the smooth table at the center did appear to be holo capable.


    “Meeting room. Remember it.” Sachi said, her eyes dead serious. Valorie nodded, unable to utter a response. Sachi continued down the hall. Valorie chased after her. She wasn’t able to draw much from the halls, there were no windows, and few distinctive markings or signs.


    “Uhm, so... Are you the ship counselor or do you handle HR? ”


    “No. No, we don’t have anything like that. It was my turn today.”


    “Oh, what is your official title?”


    “Gardener.” Sachi answered, looking Valorie in the eye. Valorie blinked and her brow furrowed. Sachi smiled at her reaction. “Don’t think about it too hard.” She added. Valorie nodded, but it was obvious she was still considering why a gardener would be needed.


    “You get a choice for your quarters. We have a few for crew to pick from.”


    “Different kinds?”


    “Well, it is what view you prefer. Outside of the ship or the Garden. Generally speaking, the- ”


    “The Garden.” Valorie jumped on her answer without letting Sachi finish. Sachi frowned at this, but nodded.


    “They may be warmer, but I prefer them, too.” She said as she stopped at one of the doors along the hall. This one had room for a name above the door panel. It had a speaker for visitors. Sachi held her hand over the panel and a code entry appeared on the screen. Sachi filled it out, and changed a few more things before moving to the side.


    “Hold your hand over it.”


    Valorie did so, and the imprint turned blue. New Owner Recognized flashed across the screen and New Occupant appeared over the panel.


    “Good, now you can change the settings from inside or through your PD, and use this panel to open the door.” Sachi explained. When Valorie did so, the door whistled open, and her eyes widened. It was one large room with a table and two chairs, alongside various cabinets and a wardrobe. What had her attention was the far wall. Thick glass made up the entire wall.


    “There is a half bathroom to the left side. Eating, bathing, and exercise facilities are shared.” Sachi continued to explain as Valorie stepped inside. She couldn’t take her eyes off the window. It was concave, curving out towards the top as if fitted to the side of a much larger sphere.


    “Furniture is locked to the floor. You’ll have to talk to Quinns if you want to change anything.” Sachi said. Valorie heard her walking to the side, but her fingers touched the glass. Beyond her fingertips, it appeared as if a piece of nature had been ripped from the picture of a planet’s surface and dropped into the center of the ship. A large tree was surrounded by several trimmed bushes, and small squares filled with a mixture of plants.


    “The bed will unfold from this panel here, or through the room settings. You need to set your PD from the inner door panel first. Valorie?” Sachi paused. Valorie wondered how old the tree was. She had only seen the miniature ones on Luxe. Her eldest sisters shared great stories of the world planet side, but Valorie had never been.


    “Do you like it?” Sachi stepped up next to her.


    “Yes.” Valorie felt the pride radiating to her right, and tore her eyes away to glance at the woman next to her. Sachi was looking across the gardens, and a smile played across her face. Valorie looked at the garden again, and felt a connection she hadn’t before. Sachi stepped back.


    “Make yourself comfortable. You will have plenty of time to admire the view later.” She said, crossing the room towards the door. “And don’t be late for the meeting tomorrow.” She added, as the door closed behind her.


    “Yes, ma’am,” Valorie answered before realizing Sachi could no longer hear her. She was alone in her very own room. She rested the duffel bag on the table and set the bed to unfold. Next, she went to explore the bathroom. Sink, toilet, mirror. Her eyes caught on her reflection in the mirror.


    With her goal met, safe inside her new home, it afforded her a moment of peace. Of reflection she had not allowed herself when she was in hiding. Tears reflected in the mirror, streaming down Valorie’s face. The sight was unbearable.