The station on Renax was completely different to the one on Werlek 3; brightly lit, clean, with several people rushing by in all manner of uniform. 

Pearl watched from the window as the Trailing Arbutus sailed away, playing with the card Hakeem had given her. It had been easier than she’d thought to leave. As each day passed she grew more energetic and though Bridgers had tried several times to coax her into staying she was certain she could not. The more energetic she was the more certain she became.

“Another ship,” Olaan remarked. Though co didn’t continue, the implication was clear.

“This one will be different,” Pearl assured ceir.

There was no response. Pearl turned from the window.

“I understand that it has been difficult,” she said, bowing her head slowly in apology. “All I can ask is that you trust me one more time.”

 When she raised her head again she caught Olaan’s gaze, hoping to communicate her sincerity to ceir. One last time. If this didn’t work out she would return home.

“Please.”

Olaan stared back at her, ceir conflicted expression melting away. Co tapped the floor with ceir foot, the noise clear to Pearl even in the station’s cacophony. 

“...Of course,” co said, freeing her.

“Pearl, hey!”

The duo turned to see someone fighting their way towards them, waving and jumping to be seen above the crowd. Olaan made a noise of displeasure and Pearl simply watched for several seconds before raising her hand, wondering if she was expected to jump as well.

When Hakeem finally made it to them he looked ruffled but happy, stretching and looking them both over.

“And you must be Olaan, huh? I’ve heard a lot about you!”

Olaan tilted ceir head, holding out a hand. Pearl tapped ceir arm and co dropped it.

“From who?” co asked.

“Pearl,” Hakeem said, pointing. “She tells me that the thought of you orchestrating a daring escape is hilarious. From the looks of you I’d agree but looks can be deceiving. Not mine though, those are right on the money.”

Olaan blinked, holding out a hand to Pearl. She tapped it but didn’t hold on.

“I will explain later.”

Hakeem grabbed the bags Pearl and Olaan had brought with them, hauling them towards the docking bay as their owners followed close behind.

“Anyway, the captain was delighted to have two new crew members! Especially after I promised to take a temporary little pay cut. We also don’t have much room so you’ll have to bunk together. That alright?”

Pearl nodded. “Yes. We often slept in the same bed on Opranov. We were unable to do so aboard the Arbutus.”

Hakeem made a sympathetic noise. “Too bad, that’s love right there.”

Pearl’s hand rose automatically. She wanted to know what he meant but before she could verbalize her question Olaan reached out and grasped that same hand tightly. Someone had nearly bumped into her and the Novian had used one of ceir tendrils to firmly push them away. 

“I thought you were adverse to the idea. It is not very Human.” Olaan said.

“As of now I am not very Human myself.” Pearl responded.

“Huh?” Hakeem asked, laughing. “Ain’t love as Human as it gets?” 

Before either of them could reply, Pearl and Olaan were forced to stop behind Hakeem as he turned towards them with a prideful glow to his expression. 

“My esteemed guests, allow me to introduce you to the love of my life, the O.R.C.A!”

The O.R.C.A was entirely unlike the U.U.C ships Pearl had seen, though they came in a myriad of designs. It almost resembled an animal more than a vehicle in its structure and for a moment she was reminded of the ouen - its wings molded into fins and its largest windows carved like eyes, peering down at the people below. 

However, the most striking aspect of the O.R.C.A was the see-through dome that encompassed the ship’s ‘back’. Inside the faux hump was what appeared to be a tree in bloom, a green so vibrant it reflected on the material that surrounded it. 

The ship was nowhere near as large as the Trailing Arbutus and Pearl had no doubt that its aesthetics, technology and amenities would be inferior as well.

Despite that, when she gazed upon the ship - Hakeem in her periphery and Olaan at her side, she felt light again. For the first time in months she had the energy to move.

“It isn’t much,” Olaan pointed out, squinting.

“It is home,” Pearl said, turning towards Hakeem. “Yes?”

Hakeem smiled at her, saluting airily with a playful wink. “You’re damn right it is.”