Finding (The Way) Home

Arrival: Chapter 6

Today is the day. The whole ship is abuzz and everyone seems to be running around. I had spent the night packing and was surprised when I discovered how much I actually packed.

I left out an outfit the night before and all the rest were packed away in my suitcases and Tarak, one of the Krelk's who are involved with the program, came and got my bags. Tarak left me a personal bag which I loaded up with everything that would go in my purse in it along with the pajamas I wore the night because I had nowhere else to put them.

It was a tight squeeze and I doubt I can fit anything else into the bag. One thing that I made sure was in the bag was the oil mixture Zakina had given me. It's been three weeks since she gave me the mixture and I had slept through every night I used it since.

This ship may have a lot of great things, awesome food, a pool, and even an atrium-like space. However, I am going stir crazy. I had been through almost every inch of the ship. A large portion I was able to access on my own but for the loading bay and hanger, Zakina had to show me.

I had grown closer to Zakina over the months. At first, I thought we could be something more than friends. But pretty soon I realized we were best as friends and it wasn't worth it to try and step over the line.

And anyways, the age gap was too big. A few days after I met her she told me she's twenty-seven, the youngest person to ever be in her position. Although even after asking her what must be hundreds of times, she's never told me what she did on the ship. After the last time, I finally gave up and realized she wouldn't tell me, no matter how often I asked.

My eyes snap to the door and out of my thoughts when there were three short taps. I had figured out, more like told, that I can simply wave my hand for the door to open and I do so.  Standing on the other side is Gaia, and she's back in the first outfit she met me in.

"Are you ready? We're about to land," She asks and I nod, biting my lip.

"Do I have to do anything special when we land?" I ask, bringing up the question I've had in the back of my mind for ages.

"No, you'll be put into a smaller, more secure shuttle than last time before you step foot outside the ship, you won't ever be exposed given what happened at the beginning of our journey," Gaia says, a frown painted on her face.

"The shuttle will go straight to the palace where the rest of the students will be separated into their own shuttles to go to their own respected host families," Gaia continues,  face lightening.

"What was the original plan?" I ask, noticing that the plans seemed to have changed.

"We were going to have you all go through a parade, to welcome you. But the National Defense Force has decided that would be too risky with how takeoff went. We don't want to  expose you to any more danger than necessary. Speaking of that, you will have your own guard  assigned to you, as will all the rest of the students," Gaia adds and I blink.

"What? I don't think you need to go to those lengths, I'll be fine," I say, trying to  backpedal this thing.

"You can discuss that with the palace guard captain. I cannot make those decisions for your safety as you will no longer be in my care," Gaia says and I blink, trying to catch up.

"I don't understand, I thought you were going to be my host family," I ask, confused.

"Yes, that was the plan. The plan was for all of the exchange students to go to the different regions of Epsilion to different high ranking officials involved with the humans.  However, given the security risks and the fact that you were injured, you and the others will be moved to the most secure host home available. For you, that would be the Entrc region palace," Gaia explains and I frown.