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Flower
The Orion family's apartment; Great Island, Japan
November 25, 2200
"Grandpa!" Kathleen ran to greet the snowy-haired old man.
He scooped her up and hugged her. "How's my favorite six-year-old?"
"Great, Grandpa." Kathleen hugged his neck. "You've got to see the cake Momma made." She pointed toward the kitchen. Her grandfather set her down, and she snagged his hand. "Come on." She led him into the other room. "See?" Kathleen pointed to the pink, single-layer cake topped with blue flowers and a little plastic horse. "It's so pretty!"
"Your grandpa has to get back to work soon, dear." Her mother popped her head into the kitchen and beckoned her back into the living room. "Let's open presents while he's here."
"Yes, Momma." Kathleen tugged her grandfather over to his favorite chair. "Here you go." She smiled at him as she settled onto the ottoman in front of her grandfather. Her mother perched on the couch.
"Here's your present from Uncle Patrick," her mother said as she handed Kathleen a small, green box. "He couldn't get off work, but he said he'll eat a piece of cake with you tonight when he gets home."
Kathleen grinned and accepted the box. She pulled the lid off and peered inside. Another box. She picked it up, examining it from every angle before she popped it open. "Wow!" She pulled out a thin, gold chain. On it hung a pink and gold heart charm. She held it out to her grandpa. "Can you put it on for me?"
He smiled and took the necklace, hooking it around her neck, and then pulling her reddish-brown hair out of the chain. "There."
"Here." Her mother handed her a small mirror.
"It's so pretty. I'm never taking it off," she declared.
Her mother smiled. "Are you ready for your other present?"
Kathleen nodded and set the mirror aside.
"This is from your father and me." Her mother held out a long, thin package wrapped in brown paper.
Kathleen accepted the gift, tugging the taped folds open without ripping the paper. When she slid out an old book, her eyes sparkled.
"Momma…" She ran a hand over the glossed cover. "Is it… really for me?" Pictures of flowers, birds and other animals graced the front of the book.
"Yes, dear." Her mother nodded.
"A Field Guide to the Mas–uh–chew–seh–ts low country." Kathleen beamed. "Did I get it right?"
"You did very well," replied her mother.
Kathleen flipped through the book, ignoring the dog-eared pages and scuffed binding. Crisp images entranced her. "So many colors," she wondered. "It's amazing! Thank you, Momma! I'll give Papa a big hug when he gets home."
"He'll be glad you liked it."
Kathleen held out her new treasure. "See! My first real book, Grandpa!" She hugged it. "Will you read some of it to me before I go to sleep?"
"Of course, I will." Her grandfather smiled.
"Pop, you need to get back, don't you?" Her mother headed for the door.
"Soon." He waved her back to the couch. "But first." His eyes met Kathleen's. "I've got something for you." He dug into his work bag and pulled out a plain box.
Kathleen held it in her lap, running a finger along the smooth lid before opening it. "Grandpa!" She lifted a delicate, blue flower out of the box. It was light, resembling a real flower, but the petals were shiny, thick and smooth, with the faint scent of paint lingering over them. "It's beautiful."
"I made it on the way back from Iscandar," her grandfather said.
"What kind of flower is it? It's not in any of my books." Kathleen caressed one of the fine leaves.
"That's because it's Iscandarian," he replied.
"Really?" Kathleen admired the flower's crystal-like center. "Can I see your pictures of Is–can–dar now?"
"Hmm." He tapped his comm's screen. "Here." He held it out.
With great care, Kathleen placed her flower back in its box before taking the device. She grinned at the first picture—a flower just like hers. She flipped to the next image. A herd of wild horses thundered across a field as long blades of grass waved in the breeze.
She scrolled through two dozen pictures. Images of animals and plants thrilled her.
"Grandpa…" she whispered and held up the comm. "Who's this?" A woman, tall, with pristine skin, looked out over a rolling ocean; her golden-orange hair and long, blue dress swept back in the breeze.
Her grandfather's eyes softened. "That… is Queen Starsha."
"Really?" Kathleen asked in wonder. "A real queen? Like in the stories?"
Her grandfather nodded. "Just like that. She's… very brave and kind."
Kathleen gave back the comm and hopped into her grandfather's lap, throwing her arms around his neck. "I'm going to go meet her one day."
He chuckled. "She would love that."
Great Island School District 4, Hiro Elementary
September 4, 2201 – ten months later
Kathleen skipped to the far end of the recess yard. Her shoes bounced on the recycled rubber bits that composed the ground. When she was ten feet from the swings, she overheard a boy, two years older than her bragging to his three friends near the fence.
"My dad says, compared to the Andromeda, the Argo's an old fishing boat," he said.
"How can you say something so awful?" Kathleen marched through the foursome, eyes burning crisp hazel. "Argo is better than An–drom–eda." She stared up into the boy's face, hands curled into fists.
"Yeah, to you—since you can't even talk right," the older boy teased.
Kathleen ignored the jab. "The Argo saved everybody on Earth. What did that other ship do?" she challenged.
"You're a loser." The boy shoved her away.
She stumbled and fell, the rubber chunks digging into her bare knees, but she refused to cry. "The Argo's my grandpa's ship. He helped build it."
"That's why it looks so old." The bully sneered and hauled Kathleen up by a fistful of hair.
She screamed and swiped at the boy's hand as strands of hair ripped away from her scalp.
"Hey!" Another boy, shorter than the four bullies, smacked her attacker's hand away. He caught Kathleen as she staggered back. "Quit it, Javier."
"Or what, shorty?" Javier taunted, his face hovering three inches from her rescuer's. "You gonna blabber about how much you love that tin can too?" he scoffed. "Fine. Whatever." He backed away and motioned for his three friends to follow him. "You two deserve each other."
"You okay?" The new boy's brown eyes smiled at her.
Kathleen nodded and sniffed. "Yeah." She rubbed her stinging head.
"I'm Jordy." The boy put his hands in his pockets. His worn jeans and faded green shirt put her at ease.
She brushed a wrinkle out of her old, blue dress, her hand lingering over a small patch near the hem. "Kathleen." She smiled. "Why'd you help me?"
"The Argo's my big brother's ship." He kicked a rubber chunk. "Javier and me have had a couple… run-ins."
"Why don't the teachers do anything?" Kathleen asked, looking over at the three adults talking near the front of the recess yard.
"They don't care," Jordy said, walking Kathleen over to the swings. "They agree with Javier… A lot of people forgot everything that happened two years ago. Not me. I won't ever forget."
"Me neither," Kathleen said. "My grandpa's one of the bravest people in the world."
Jordy nodded. "That's what I think about my brother too." He claimed a swing and Kathleen took the adjacent one. "Javier can talk all he wants."
"Thanks for saving me," Kathleen said.
"You're welcome. Hey! You said your grandpa was on the Argo. What did he do?" Jordy said.
"He's the en–gin–eer," Kathleen replied, cheeks reddening as she struggled through the word.
Jordy's eyes lit. "Really? Chief Orion is your grandpa? That's amazing!" Using his foot as an anchor, he twisted the swing around, tangling its chain until the whole length wound together, and then he picked up his foot.
Jordy whirled in a dizzying circle. "Woohoo!"
Kathleen giggled.
"Hey." Jordy's swing twisted to a halt. "You wanna come over some time? I've got something really great my brother brought me from Iscandar."
"Oh! I would like that." Kathleen grinned. "I've got something I can show you too."
"Mom and Dad are working the next few days, but how about next week?" Jordy asked.
"I'll ask Momma, but I don't think she'll mind."
"All right!" Jordy twisted his swing chain again, sending himself for another whirl. "This will be great!"
Orion family's apartment; Great Island, Japan
September 7, 2201
The big, fluffy, purple tiger nuzzled her shoulder.
"Stop it, Mr. Hobbes," Kathleen scolded. "I'll fall over."
"I'm not Mr. Hobbes," the tiger replied.
Kathleen's brow furrowed. "Yes, you are."
"No, Kathleen, it's Grandpa."
The dream faded, and Kathleen cracked open her eyes. With a yawn she blinked and rubbed her eyes. She sat up in bed, the chill air hitting her exposed hands. "It's dark outside. It's not time for school yet."
"No, lass," he replied. "I wanted to say good-bye."
"But it's too early for work." Kathleen eyed his clothes. "Where's your uni–form, Grandpa?"
"I'm wearing it." He rolled up his white sleeves. Even in the dark room, lit only by a horse-shaped night-light, she could see the orange insignia on the front of his shirt.
Excitement jolted through her. "You're going somewhere with the rest of the Star Force again. Are you going back to Is–can–dar?" She started to get up. "Can I come?"
"No, little one. Back in bed. We're not going back to Iscandar, and… we won't be back right away."
Kathleen patted her grandfather's knee. "Just like the man said."
"Man?" Her grandfather's brow furrowed.
"I don't remember his name—it sounded funny—but he was there today when school ended. He was nice—tall with big blue eyes. He said you were doing something important, but you'd be back."
Her grandfather hugged her. "I want you to listen." He held her at arm's length. "People will say bad things about the Argo and everybody on board while we're gone."
"That's okay, Grandpa." Kathleen hugged him back. "I know better than to listen to everything people say." She pulled away. "Can I stay up and watch the Argo launch?" She wrapped up in her blanket, her fuzzy-sock covered toes peaking out from under the covers.
"That's up to your parents," he replied.
Kathleen gave him a pleading look.
"I'll ask them for you."
"Yay!" Kathleen hopped out of bed, blanket dragging the floor as she thumped into the living room, her grandfather three steps behind her.
Venture family's apartment; Great Island, Japan
September 10, 2201
Kathleen stood by the railing. "Thanks for inviting me over."
Jordy stood next to her, straining on tip-toe. He leaned on the tiny balcony's railing. "This view is great," he said. "And it's nice to have somebody else to play with. Most of the other kids think I'm weird."
"You're not weird," Kathleen replied. Her face fell. "Nobody talks to me either since Grandpa left three days ago… Not even the teachers."
"Same." Jordy sighed. "Mark left too." He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Kathleen. "He gave me this."
She opened the note.
Jordy,
I've got to go with the rest of the Star Force. I don't know what's going on yet, but Earth needs the Argo again. People will say we're foolish, but they don't understand. Earth needs our help again. I'll see you soon.
Love,
Mark
"My brother talks about your grandpa sometimes," Jordy said, taking the note back. "I want to be the Argo's engineer when I grow up." He stepped away from the balcony. "Come on. I want to show you something."
Curious, Kathleen followed him to his room. It was small—just a little bigger than hers, but Jordy's had two beds. She stared at the bigger one, neat and recently made. A blue uniform spread over it, one sleeve askew.
"Look at this." Jordy held up a gleaming blue-green stone. A few flecks of gold shone within the rock. "It's Iscandarium."
"Is-can-da-rium?" Kathleen managed.
"Queen Starsha gave it to my brother to give to me," he said, eyes bright.
Kathleen pulled a box out of her backpack. "Here."
"That's an Iscandarian flower!" Jordy exclaimed when he opened the box.
Kathleen fingered the smooth petals, and then held it out for Jordy to examine.
"Can I… hold it?"
"Sure." She gave it to him. "It was my birthday present last year." She sighed. "I don't think Grandpa will be back for my birthday this year… But he's doing something important, so it's okay. Maybe you can come instead." She brightened. "It's November twenty-fifth. You don't have to bring anything."
"I'd love to go. I'll ask Mom." Jordy smiled as he studied the flower. "This is so great! You should put it up in your room, somewhere everybody can see it." He handed it back.
Kathleen boxed up the flower and slipped it back into her bag.
Jordy flopped down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. "Hey!" He sat up straight. "You and me should join the Star Force together when we're older."
Kathleen sat next to Jordy. "That's a great idea. Let's do it."
Jordy thumped onto the bed again. "All right!"
"Promise you won't forget?" Kathleen poked his cheek.
"Of course, I promise." He rolled over and pulled a piece of paper out of his backpack, lying open on his pillow. He scribbled on the paper and held it up. "There. Now I'll never forget. You wanna sign it too?" He offered her his pen.
Kathleen snagged the items and scrawled her name under Jordy's.
The boy nodded in approval and folded the paper with care. He wedged it under his Iscandarium shard, sitting atop the dresser.
"We're gonna go on a lot of adventures," Kathleen declared.
"Yup." Jordy nodded. "We sure are."