When a supposed flapjack destroys Jekkh's planet, she relocates to a whole new system to start a new life. But after discovering her planet's long-lost artifact, Jekkh must step into a role she feels unfit for and unite her scattered people across t...
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PERSYTH
Camrun pushed the rack of dishes into the dishwasher, closing the lid to start the machine. It rumbled the whole counter as the dishes were air-washed within. Water was scarce in floating cities.
He tuned out the radio chatter that played in the background as Rhett was cooking at the station behind him. The sizzling processed meats from the moon Repp filled in the space between the talking radio hosts and Rhett's grunts of orders to his sous-chef.
Camrun wiped the grime off of his hands with a towel, eyeing the kitchen around him with scrutiny. It looked as if it was getting busy out front, though he had finished his duties. He walked over to Rhett, looking up at the tall, broad Bisk. His rough, grayish skin was beaded with sweat from the steam and heat coming from the stoves. "Rhett, do you need me to help up front?"
Rhett nodded, his gray eyes meeting Camrun's. "Go ahead."
Camrun took off his stained apron, hanging it up on the rack by the doorway that led to the main part of the restaurant. Nearly every table was full and the murmur of the crowd was thrumming in discordance with the Scotti music* playing on the radio.
Uthor, a cranky, retired dock android, was behind the counter, muttering the orders as he placed them into the system. He looked over at Camrun, his square head rattling. "About time you helped."
Camrun gave him a grim smile. "Sorry," he said, falling into line beside the android, grabbing a notepad from behind the counter. "What tables have you taken?"
"Tables 4 through 16 have been taken care of," he said, monotone voice glitching for a second. "Could you take 3 and 18?"
Camrun nodded, exiting from his place behind the counter. He made his way over to table 18, but his gut fell once he saw who was sitting there. It was a kid from school.
"Still working this job, Cam?" a harsh voice called out from the table, revealing Reff, the son of one of the dock managers. Camrun hadn't seen the boy since their school graduation a few months ago and would have been happy to never see him again.
Camrun put on a smile, clicking a button to erase the previous writing on the notepad. "What can I get you today?"
Reff leaned on the table, meeting Camrun's eyes. "The Sentry dropped you like a faulty wrench, didn't they?"
"Yeah, some are built for it and others aren't," Camrun said, tapping his pen on the notepad. "Can I get you started on anything to drink?"
"The Jumping Jengo Shake please," Reff said, scrunching his nose as he glanced across the metal menu. "Guess you and your folks are stuck out here on the Wastes, eh? Tragic." Reff pursed his lips, tilting his head which made his ash-blond hair look green in the restaurant's cheap lighting.
