Page 10 of Alien Burn

Roemary checked her reflection in the polished wall.

“You should have worn something brighter.”

Sereya looked down at her dress. Gray, with a soft drape that had made it comfortable through the waiting. Roemary had helped her choose it.

“It seemed suitable.”

“Well, it will have to do now.” Roemary turned toward the exit. “Come on. They're taking us down.”

Sereya followed, folding her hands loosely in front of her. The dress had pockets. She wanted to put her hands in them, but Roemary disliked the way it spoiled the line.

She would put them in her pockets later.

It was a small thing to look forward to. She looked forward to it anyway.

In the cargo bay, the other women had gathered near the main ramp. Graecey moved among them with her data pad, answering a question here, shifting a bag out of the walkway there. Adryel stood beside Janae, her bright curls escaping whatever arrangement she had attempted that morning.

Janae kept touching her bangs.

Sereya remembered lending her a cloth once when the skin along her brow had cracked. They had sat together for a little while, talking about nothing that mattered. The temperature aboard ship. The noise of the engines.

She had liked that.

Then Roemary had asked where she'd been.

Now Janae glanced in her direction, and Sereya looked away before either of them had to decide whether to smile.

“Now, everyone will be taken down in groups,” Graecey called over the gathering. “I have the selections here. You all will be receiving your group placement through your chips any moment.”

A number appeared on Sereya's wrist. Three.

Roemary held hers toward the light. One.

“Naturally.” She lowered her arm. “Watch what the others do. When you come down, I want to know which of them the males notice.”

“I'll be in a different group.”

“I can see that.”

“I meant I may not be able to⁠—”

“You'll manage.” Roemary's expression softened, and her fingers settled on Sereya's forearm. “You always do. I don't know what I'd do without you.”

Sereya looked at the pale hand against her skin.

Roemary had said something very similar on the ship, in the early days. Back when Sereya had believed her.

“Those of you in group one, I need you to come this way. The rest of you, please gather in your groups for each presentation.”

Graecey beckoned, and Roemary released her. She crossed the bay with her shoulders back, the veil moving beautifully behind her.

The pin would have caught the light at any angle.

Sereya let herself have that thought. Then she went to find the women in group three.

The screens came on after the first group cleared the ramp.

Sereya moved where she could see without standing in front of anyone. Kantenan light flooded the image, brighter than the soft illumination inside the bay. Roemary was easy to find. She had placed herself near the front, turning her head just enough to show the curve of her cheek.