Casela was sitting at the table looking across at Jessie. She liked the part Klingon woman. She had a wicked sense of humor and a drive that just never stopped. She still couldn’t figure out how such a brilliant scientist was being wasted on Levi by cleaning cages. This was not a glamorous mission, but Jessie had a good heart and Casela trusted her to come along. Jessie was also fierce and loyal. She was the one truely wild card in this group because Casela didn’t have a lot of experience working with her. But Delotha always needed brilliant scientiests to help. Either with mining and refining the ore or in the fields with the crops. Here at this village anyway.

Zanya, purple eyes dancing, “Alright Roo.” Jessie had decided on the alias of Cpt Kangaroo. Casela was calling her Roo for short. “Karra told me that the rations are getting scarce. They farm most of their food. Not enough power here for a replicator. Do you think you could go out to the fields and see what might be causing the low yields?” In a lower voice, after making sure there was no one around to hear, she whispered, “Anything you might need we can get from the shuttle replicator. We can make a trip out there or if you’re sneaky enough you can com Alfred to get it to you.” Alfred of course being the HUEY system on board Valkyrja.

“A young man by the name of Vetad can take you. He’s 12 and Orion. Don’t forget, Orions mature faster than other species. Don’t let his ‘age’ fool you. He loves the work and well be helpful to you. And he doesn’t have that arrogance or the hatred of females that most Orions have.” In fact Vetad was one of the 4 orphans left from the mines. The former, ex-governor had being dealing with the syndicate and the Orion slavers. No one on the Orion ships had wanted him. They’d left him behind, and the governor did what he did with all orphaned children, he threw him into the mines. Vetad was a hard worker, and smart. He loved working with his hands and had a passion for bringing forth life from the seeds and soil. He appeared several minutes later, hugging Zanya tightly. “Karra said a Cpt Kangaroo was going to help with the fields?” Zanya nodded towards Roo. “Yep. She is an amazing scientist. She’ll help you figure out what’s wrong.”

Vetad turned with a grin. Young, but eager to learn. “Well come on then, Cpt. I’ll show you where to go.” Vetad headed back through the door to the kitchen and then out of the house. He led Roo through the village out to the fields on the west side of the village. “The miner take this road as well. They travel far past the fields to the new mine.” It was a bit of walk but once they arrived Roo would see several fields all planted, but the plants were small and puny. The seasons were changing to cold, these should be the end of the harvest.
Story Teller EvilJen