Jaleah called Daviron that evening to tell him she would be joining the expedition. His response was jubilant, and he immediately scheduled a press conference for the next day so the world could get to know the crew that would take Gaia 3 by storm.
Then Jaleah called her parents. A decision as big as this was something she needed to tell them herself. Plus, if they saw it on the news before she could tell them, she was sure they would disown her.
Finally, her mother picked up the phone.
"Jaleah, don't you have class right now?" her mother asked immediately. Jaleah rolled her eyes.
"Mom, it's been five years. You should have figured out by now that I'm three hours ahead of you."
"I'm just kidding, dear."
"Are you though?"
There was a pause.
"So to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Well, I have some pretty big news to tell you. Is Dad home?"
"He just got back. Do you want me to tell him to pick up the phone?"
"Yeah, that would be great."
"Dane, get the phone!" her mother yelled.
"It's not ringing!" her father yelled back, just loud enough for Jaleah to hear. Jaleah stifled a laugh. She could have sworn she heard her mother roll her eyes.
"Your daughter's on the line. She says she has news!"
"Can it wait?"
"Oh, for the love of - Dane, just pick up the phone!"
A second passed, and finally, her father joined the conversation.
"How's my favorite daughter doing?"
"I'm your only daughter, Dad."
"Exactly. So what's this news your mother's so excited about."
"Well, you know that expedition to Gaia 3? I've been asked to be the lead scientist."
There was silence on the other line.
"Mom? Dad?"
"That's wonderful news, dear," her mother said in a tone that made it clear it was not wonderful news.
"But?" Jaleah sighed.
"Well, we're just worried that it's too dangerous," her father finished.
"Exactly," her mother agreed.
"I know," Jaleah admitted, "But it's the opportunity of a lifetime. I can't pass up on this chance."
"We know," her father sighed, "That's what worries us. We know that you're going to accept this offer if you haven't already, which means you'll be living on a foreign, potentially hostile planet for at least a few months. We just want you to be careful."
"I will be. I promise."
--<<>>--
The next day, Jaleah arrived at a large hall, where she was almost immediately met by Daviron and his girlfriend.
"Jaleah! Glad to see you!" he exclaimed, "I believe you've already met my girlfriend, Dr. Karmyne Noir?"
"Yes, we met at a conference a year ago," Jaleah nodded, shaking Karmyne's hand.
YOU ARE READING
Gaia 3
Ciencia FicciónDr. Jaleah Navin is offered the chance of a lifetime when adventurer Daviron Cailloux invites her to join a crew traveling to explore the faraway planet Gaia 3. However, what started as a standard expedition soon takes a tragic turn, and the crew is...
