The Hodkin Chronicles Part 9: First Encounters
05 Jan 2017S. Hodkin
13th June 3301 - Russell Ring, EravateWell, I certainly have another friend in the galaxy, that much can be assured from tonight. To keep the explanation short, Jem Caesar agreed to a drink at the Nova Bar at Russell Ring, almost a secondary base in-system for me as of late; the contractors don’t care about the arm and don’t even ask about it. When there’s goods to be moved, body status isn’t a factor in Eravate.
It must have been at least a month since I’d actually smartened up of an evening, almost going all out with a decent shirt and trousers, and holding off on aftershave, most bars reeked of it all too often anyway. Almost to the second, Jem appeared on time, and by Gaia she pulled out the stops, dress hugging her comparatively short figure, such that I didn’t feel worthy of her presence.
Before long, we were seated and drinking, gin and tonic in her case and Eravate Brown in my case, and talking about ourselves. I was moved by her past, not wishing it upon anyone, no matter what they did. I could almost see the pain in her blue-tinged green eyes as she recalled what happened to her daughter, and the arsehole who left her a broken woman, literally.
I did the usual spiel of myself and family, speaking highly of my siblings, moreso Sarah, midway through her astrogeography degree and being the student that I didn’t have the chance to be owing to Navy conscription followed by staying on a further two years. I didn’t mention what happened nearly a year ago as I wanted to at least keep my composure.
As soon as Jem mentioned Sol and her plans when she got there, I had almost forgotten that I had earned my permit a few weeks before, having not had to go to Mars during military service. “Well Jem, if you want company on your way to Earth, I’d be happy to be of service.” Even I was slightly taken aback at offering to accompany a woman I’d barely met. She seemed to like the idea at least, and I doubt it’ll be the last drink I have with her either..