“It’s time for spring cleaning. Domestic help wanted. Lodging and food provided. Payment in the form of gold bullion. Must love dragons.”
“Gold bullion?”
“Umm, did you miss the part about the dragons?” June asked.
“It doesn’t say how much gold?”
“Again, you’re missing the part…”
“I heard you.” Madeleine clutched the papers against her chest. “This is our way out.”
“It could be our way in to something much worse.”
“If they wanted to hurt us, they could have made their move years ago.”
“Maybe they weren’t hungry until now.”
“Don’t talk crazy. They don’t want to eat us … right?”
“Even you’re not sure,” June said with a shake of her head. “Why the hell does a dragon need a domestic servant?”
“Maybe they can’t reach their backs in the shower.”
“I don’t know. It sounds a little fishy to me.”
“June, we don’t have much choice.”
“Well, my previous offer still stands,” June said quietly.
“Do you secretly want to bang those dirty smugglers? Just say it. Your smuggler fetish is safe with me.”
“Ewww disgusting!”
“Good. Now don’t bring that up again. I have a good feeling about this.”
“You mean like the good feeling you had about the pink planet.”
Madeleine’s expression changed as if someone had punched her in the gut. “I got us into this and I’ll get us out.”
The flyer said a transport ship would be waiting in the morning for all interested parties. Their father was in a weakened state from the persistent cough, but was still free of the fever. They decided to tell him she had a job interview and might be gone for a few days during the selection process. Madeleine managed to get through the hugs wit
hout crying and walked with June to the arrival dock.
“You need to wish me luck too,” she said, embracing June for a tight hug.
“The only wish I have is for you to not go.”
“Come on now.”
“Good luck,” June whispered.
Madeleine was the last to board the ship as her sister tried to delay her departure by not releasing her hand. As the ship began to hover and move, she made a concerted effort not to look back at her sister. Once they were far enough away, however, she glanced over her shoulder through the back window and took one more look at the settlement’s outline of curved and connected compartments. From the outside, it appeared perfect. A perfect shell unable to completely protect its inhabitants from the surrounding environment. I will get us out of here.
She nervously wrung her hands together and stared at the heads of the passengers in front of her. There was an empty seat between her and the blonde to her right. Madeleine wasn’t closely acquainted with anyone on board, but recognized the woman in her row as someone who helped in the greenhouse. The blonde looked up at her and smiled before scooting over to the empty seat.
“It’s Madeleine, right?”
“Yes. Forgive me for not knowing your name.”