Among

Day 0

I've only packed a handful of personal items. A small, black notebook with my identifying code in the upper left hand of the opening flap. A case with several writing utensils. The round, clasped charm on a chain that my mother gave me years ago before my first mission. They are all tucked neatly into a folding case with the Interworld Exploration logo stitched into it.

The rest of what I'll be taking have already been packed and loaded into my craft. Over the years I've fallen out of the habit of double checking my cases because Laina has proven to be more than adept as a Research Partner. Decades working with each other have worn grooves into us that fit perfectly together. She can practically anticipate any of my needs before they even arise. The medals and accolades that line the shelf in my living quarters are there because of her, but I know she'd never want the credit. She's always been perfectly content to operate in the background, tidying up my little messes and giving me little boosts here and there.

I got into this business because I never really felt like I belonged here. Travelling the universe gave me plenty of excuse not to have to settle down. When my mother died, I thought that my last strong tie to this world had died with her. I was content to wander the rest of my days and felt myself slipping away from this world even when I wasn't on mission. But Laina saved me, once again. She stepped in and cleaned up the mess that I'd made of my own world. She gave me the support I needed to pick myself up and go on. She restored the confidence I'd had in myself in my younger years. If it weren't for Laina, I might not have ever come back here. I had imagined that I would set off on a mission one day, pass my assigned destination, and just keep going until this world and all of it's emptiness was a distant memory.

I wouldn't have missed this place. It's never really been my home. But I know now that I would have missed Laina. She's my guiding star. Without her I am aimless.

I think I'll write her a letter and give it to her before I depart tomorrow. She'd love that.