Oed V Spaceport was visible through the shuttlecraft’s front viewport. Jahok sat at the pilot’s seat, the second seat at the shuttle’s helm was empty. Even with the spaceport in sight, Jahok felt the powerful urge to look behind him. No matter how many times he looked back to study the shuttle’s other occupant nothing changed. Savoh sat upon a passenger seat, his back to Jahok, and the luggage bag holding his mother’s belongings held tight to his chest. The rest of their luggage took up the remaining room in their shuttle.

Jahok was no stranger to silent and tense shuttlecraft trips with his adopted son. Savoh never spoke on these trips, and outright ignored Jahok’s attempts at conversation. It took time and many failures for Jahok to learn to give his son space and peace. Moving placed a heavy strain upon the boy. Traveling by shuttlecraft placed further strain.

The voice of a spaceport operator came over the shuttle’s com, “Hailing Stardust, shuttlecraft designation B-22C, confirm pilot and course.” Jahok pressed a button and answered, “This is Jahok, pilot of Stardust, requesting permission to land at shuttle pad Alpha.” A brief moment’s pause and the operator’s voice returned, “Welcome to Oed V Director Jahok. Permission to land granted.”

Once the craft landed upon the pad, Jahok took a bracing, deep breath, then stood and approached Savoh. The teen remained as he was, sullen and quiet. Seemingly unaware that they had arrived at their new home. Jahok knew better, and in a quiet voice he asked, “Are you ready to go? I have arranged for a transport to take you directly to our new residence while I attend my meeting with the governor.” These were the right words, as Savoh slowly and subtly nodded his head.

Jahok stepped out of the shuttlecraft first, and arranged for the transport of their remaining luggage with a port worker. After a few minutes Savoh stepped out of the shuttle, his mother’s things still held tight in his arms. The boy didn’t look at Jahok, but turned and made a bee-line for main building to find his transport. Though Jahok did not want to let Savoh out of sight, he needed to show the boy trust. So, it was with a heavy heart that Jahok took his own transport out of the spaceport and headed towards the governors office.

On the way Jahok contemplated his new position and life on Oed V. Will this turn out for the best? Or would this job turn into yet another failure? A reflection of his inability to care for his adopted son and provide for him a good life. His mother sacrificed everything for him, and Jahok refused to let her sacrifice go in vain.

Jahok, Director of Spaceport and Orbital Facilities