Maya wasn’t deterred. “So you say. But since it’s top secret, and you refuse to tell me the details, I’m just going to have to assume it’s really a mail-order bride deal, and you’ll come home with a pocket full of cute silver babies.”
“It’s a confidential government project. I can’t tell you, or I’d have to kill you.” Emily laughed. The truth was that even she didn’t know what her project really was, yet -- not entirely.
The invitation to visit had come in an encrypted tele-disc from the government office of interplanetary research -- a request directly from Luminar for her to visit and consult on a high-level top-secret patient.
She’d said yes, without a second thought. She’d received clearance, and encouragement, from the government and her institute to participate. Now…she was anxiously awaiting her departure, wondering if her decision was the best one she’d ever made…or the most foolish.
“Well, in honor of your departure, and the way I’m going to miss you, I cooked myself. From scratch! Using real food. Awesome, right? Just in case you starve over the next few months eating their beetles and bark.”
“It smells amazing. And I don’t think they actually eat insects.”
“I just want you to be careful.” Maya grabbed Emily’s hand and squeezed. “Be safe there. I don’t like those crowds of anti-human protesters.” Her brow wrinkled. “Seriously.”
“I don’t like them, either.” Emily bit her lip, nerves jangling. Yet how could she give up the chance to visit another planet? Who got that chance in their lifetime?
She’d never believed in destiny, but from the second she’d heard about Luminar and the fact that scientists would be allowed to participate in joint research, her entire body longed to go there, like it was the only thing that mattered anymore. She couldn’t wait.