She flicks up her eyes and I see a hint of the glimmer they’ve been missing these last few days.

“You’ll do fine.”

“That’s what you keep saying.”

“Because it’s true.”

She snorts and looks at the ground, then slowly pulls out her ID and fiddles with it. I nudge her arm, trying to seem confident.

“Meet you after?”

We stare at each other until she gathers the courage to scan her ID. She walks inside the docking platforms—her feet heavy on the floor—and the gate seals shut, leaving me alone in the dull hum.

I dip my spoon in my soup, lift it to my mouth, and tip it inside. When I swallow, the warmth passes down my throat, radiates within my chest, and settles at the bottom of my stomach. I dip my spoon again and repeat the motion over and over, staring straight ahead at a blank wall the entire time. I’m glad the food court doesn’t have windows.

Less than ten minutes have passed since she left. No matter how much I tell myself I trust her skill, I won’t be able to relax until I see her again. So I dip my spoon and sip my soup.

“Heya.”

I look sideways: Ellin is standing there holding a tray of food.

“Need some company?”

“Go ahead.”

“Done for the day?” she asks when she sits.

“Yeah.”

“Cool. I still have a project to finish this afternoon.”

I nod and sip another spoonful of broth. Ellin bites into her sandwich and stares at me as she chews.

“What’s the project?” I decide to ask, not wanting to be rude.

“Software modification in the LD Labs. Officer Remmit adopted some of Narviid’s software to boost the Ember’s processing power. He’ll be able to collect more data from the Perihelids once Officer Weck and I get this set up.”

“Ah.”

“Have you seen the asteroids yet?” Ellin asks.

“This morning.”

“Cool. Michael and I are going to the observatory later. You and Glacia should come.”

“I’ll ask her.”

I already know the answer, but my mind has closed itself off from saying much right now.

Ellin checks the time. “She’s on her practice flight now, isn’t she?”

“Yeah.”

Again, I dip my spoon and sip the broth. I need the distraction. Ellin, on the other hand, doesn’t touch any more of her sandwich.

“You okay?” she asks.

“Yup,” I say in the most unconvincing tone ever.

Ellin reaches for her drink, then changes her mind. “Need to talk?”

“I’m good.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, then check the time: 2:51. Have Glacia and Captain Fallsten left yet? Or are they still preparing the Molter? How long do I have to wait?

“So, how are you?” I ask to change the topic.

Ellin sighs. “Quite the usual me, I suppose. As they say, work is play.”