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er eyes and
gradually drifted into sleep as Keiko Goto let him stroke her, rock her, and
purr softly in Keiko's ear. All the fear and tension slid from Keiko's during
the brief nap, and later when Shardin gently woke her, Keiko Goto smiled at
him and kissed him on the cheek.
He bought Keiko's some clothes in the store while the taxi waited,
then rode to the shuttle-landing pads. Keiko Goto had quickly recovered from
the shock of this day, and relaxed calmly in Shardin's warm embrace as
they waited for a shuttle.
"What planet are you from, Caitlin?" he asked as he ran his
fingertips up and down Keiko's spine.
"Earth," Keiko Goto replied. "Have you heard of it?"
"Been there once. Beautiful place--from orbit, at least.
That's as close as I got. But it worries me to think that Orion space
pirates have found it. I think the Fleet will have to start
patrolling that sector now, to protect your people."
"That sounds like a good idea. Do you think I'll get to go home
to Earth soon?" Keiko Goto asked.
"No, sweetheart, I'm sorry. Earth doesn't know about us yet,
and you've seen too much. Besides, do you really think you'd be happy
stuck on a primitive planet in the hind end of the galaxy, now that
you know what wonders and excitement await you?"
"I guess I wouldn't. But sti
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