Surviving my Scholarship

Destiny

              "Hey aren't you Pierce Galloway," a finger tips back my hood as I shift up in my pod to examine the intruder of my dreams. I uncross my arms and glare at the long blonde haired man leaning over me in my pod. His green eyes look back in shock as he steps back slightly. Obviously he is intimidated by me. 

              "If I was Pierce Galloway would I be taking public transport," I snap back at him before stretching out my arms trying to get the soreness to escape my body. "I mean that guy has an entire fleet of ships."

              The man looks at me confused before nodding with an apology. He then silently slipped through the opening and back into the hallway. I had closed my eyes briefly after getting the report that my stubborn Violet had slipped off of the shuttle before it exploded. I have my resource now figuring out at what stop she escaped. Violet, my weakness and my strength, knows how to drain the energy out of me without even being around. 

                I flicked my Comm open to see fireworks filling up the screen. "I'm happy for the news too, but isn't that a bit over dramatic?" Grog turns around and shakes his head at me before glancing back at the screen. 

               I have analyzed their software over and over and still cannot figure out how they had surpassed their programming and became such powerful, individual little viruses. They were supposed to be standard digital pets. I wasn't complaining. They made everything easier, but I have to keep a close eye on them. They had all information at their fingertips.

              "Grog, call dad. I have to report in," Pierce ordered before pinching his nose. Grog shivered as he opened the Comm link and hid behind Phoenix. 

             "Yes," his father answered sharply before a large commotion filled the speakers. "I'm slightly busy here, son. Do you need something?" 

             "Just letting you know, there was an additional member aboard the shuttle. The mystery person was confirmed to be on it at the time of the explosion. Perhaps prayers should be sent to his family," Pierce stated quickly before sighing. 

            "Of course," Mr. Galloway's expression softened. "They will never want for anything again. How are you doing?"

            "What," Pierce sat up slightly. His father had never expressed concern for him before. 

             "Well it was her shuttle right," Mr. Galloway stated. "I'm sorry, son." 

             He didn't know?! He didn't even care to make sure. Pierce snarled at his father's conflicted expression. Was that a smirk? He shook his head trying to look heartbroken. Did my father order the assassination of Violet? He needed to take a closer look at the contract to make sure. Obviously, he found some loophole or something to want her dead. 

             "Mr. Galloway," a voice shouted from farther away. Lucas waved at him and then clicked off the Comm. Pierce crushed it with his hand as he filled with rage. If his father was behind the deaths of innocent people trying to get to Violet......... 

              Great now how am I going to call the Earl. He glanced down at his sparking unit. Looks like I'm getting off at the next planet. 

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            "I'm exhausted," I cry out as I plop down on the deep red lounge couch in Grison's office. He glances up at me from the work he is doing and starts chuckling. "Those kids really like to play tag. Was I a good girl? Do I get a cookie?" 

            "You did above my expectations," Grison states as he flicks on the projector. "In fact you already have a nickname." 

            I sat up looking at the screen and watch myself run around chasing after the children of the hospital. My white ruffled dress flows along behind me. It turns into a cut scene of me talking with the elderly and learning the polka. No nickname is presented throughout the entire thing. 

           "Lady Hope," I spat out as I turned around and glared at Grison who was now laughing as he poured himself a drink. "Because of three medical units? So what now I'm going to be the savior of the planet? No pressure there." 

           "Don't be daft," Grison scolded. "You know better than anyone what it is to live without the means to be extravagant."

            "Poor, Jon. It's called poor," I rolled my eyes as I turned back around and watched the people praising me for my generosity. It made me feel like throwing money off the balcony to the masses below. "Was this your game plan all along? To make me behave?"

           "You must be joking," Grison argued as he gestured towards the window. "I have created a monster and those people won't go back to their homes without seeing you." 

           I sat up and ran to the window. The curtain shifted slightly as I peered out at the crowd and that was enough to cause an uproar. There had to be at least forty beings out there. I dropped my shoulders as I turned and headed out of the office. 

           "Where are you going," Grison called as he reached out to stop me. "Surely you don't mean to meet with all of them." I glanced back at him and he dropped his hand. "You can't save all of them, Violet." 

           The next three hours was spent slowly interviewing forty people to get them away from the house. A guard would bring in one and I would offer them something to drink as I recorded their information and they begged me to help them with money issues, or unfair living conditions, or saving their innocent family member from prison. I always ended with, "I make no promises on the outcomes, but I will see what I can do." 

         One large notebook later, I sat down on a kitchen stool to enjoy a nice soothing cup of tea. Grison rubbed my head as he sat down to enjoy a midnight treat. 

          "We can't have that trampling through my house on a regular basis," Marzian growled at me. "Honey, get her an office." 

            Grison nodded with a frown on his face. "I guess that would be best. Having them show up here means there could be a security risk. I will get you set up with an office and staff tomorrow."

             "Well," I stated holding my stylus in my as I fumbled through the notebook. With my mouth full of stylus I mumbled out, "I have six people here who just need a job to get their lives back together." 

              Marzian sighed before pulling the tool out of my mouth. "Couldn't just pick up a normal hobby like the rest of us." I smiled and shook my head.  "Well let's see what we can do to help this planet, but be careful. With popularity, comes enemies."

              "Who could possibly hate someone for being nice," I asked.