Scouts Read Free

investigations and data requests caught our attention, so we’re here to begin your evaluation and training. But that comes later. For now, we celebrate.”
    Captain Shaunson’s outer office had been transformed into a tiny banquet hall. Our parents stood there, more pleased and proud than I had ever seen. I sat with Shirley on one side, my mother on the other, and Val across the table. Everywhere I looked, there was loving, smiling appreciation.
    The meal went by in a blur. Captain Shaunson made a toast. I think I ate some of the food.
    Finally, Shirley touched my hand. “Get a good night’s sleep, Challers. We leave in the morning.”
    I took Val aside as people began taking their leave. Tears sparkled in her eyes.
    “I can’t believe it. We’re going on a Scout ship!” She wrapped her arms around me and nuzzled my chin, a gesture we had shared a thousand times before.
    As always, my body responded to her touch. It happened whenever we got close.
    “I love you too,” she said, and kissed my neck.
    Fingers to her chin, I raised her mouth to mine to kiss her. “Meet me tonight,” I whispered.
    Shirley put her hand on my shoulder. “I meant what I said. Get a good night’s sleep.”
    I blushed. We kissed once more, just a peck, and separated. I took her hands in mine and looked into her eyes. “Until tomorrow.”
    I thought I wouldn’t be able to sleep, but the stress of the afternoon, as welcome as it was, took its toll. I slept, and dreamed of Valka.

Chapter Two

    I woke to find my mother packing a small duffel. The months since we had discovered that the station was over the population limit had been tough on her, and it was good to see the weight off her shoulders.
    “Good morning, Scout,” she said with a smile. “They’re only giving you a ten milliLowell mass allowance, so I’m making it count. I hope you don’t mind that I let you sleep.”
    I climbed out of bed and kissed her temple. “No, Ma. I don’t mind. Thanks.”
    “Captain Smith said that all your clothing and equipment would be provided, so I’m just packing some mementos. There’s a holo with some pictures of the family, and a data chip with your journals and records. You’re going to want things to remember your life here. Scouts live a very different life than station people.”
    “How?”
    She had never spoken of Scouts before, and the thought that she might have been holding some information back troubled me.
    She shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” She put the duffel on my dresser. “Go ahead and get ready.”
    I showered and shaved, and picked an outfit of pure white to match Shirley’s. I had pretty good shoulders, too, though I hadn’t had nearly as much time to sculpt them. From the look of Masters, the Scouts didn’t lack for workout facilities.
    I hurried through breakfast. I didn’t want to be late, even though we didn’t really have a firm departure time. My mother cried as she waved to me from the hatch of our quarters, and then I was on my way.
    Val met me at the intersection at the end of our corridor. She hugged me, pressing her lithe body to mine. I could feel her heart hammering in her chest. “I still can’t believe it’s real. I dreamed last night, of you and I on a Scout ship of our own, out among the stars. And when I woke up, I almost believed it was all just a dream.”
    “It’s real,” I said, stroking her hair, “but we still have to pass their evaluation—whatever that is.” I pulled away and took her hand. “Come on. The stars are waiting.”
    All along the way, people took us aside to congratulate us.
    “You remember us when you’re out there,” they said. “Remember where you came from.”
    I started to wonder whether Scouts ever came back. They weren’t giving congratulations, they were saying goodbye, and the elation I felt ran with streaks of sadness. It occurred to me that I had never met an ex-Scout, but then I hadn’t met an active Scout