The Bond That Ties Us Read Free Page B

blue hue. She should have been impressed by the scanning device, which clearly wasn’t of human origin. It was too sleek and elegant, an almost organic design. A far cry from the bulky Earth designs. At that moment, the security tool was the last thing on her mind. She really wanted to see the ambassador naked.
    “That’s it—you’re all clear. The system now has your DNA on file and keyed into the system. Welcome to the colony.”
    The security guard shoved the papers into Haylie’s hands and Sara dragged her through the anti-bacterial scanner to the other side.
    “Come on, Chief. I think you need to rest after the cryo sleep,” Sara said dramatically.
    “Yes, that silly space sickness.” Haylie threw a thank you over her shoulder for the official as Sara led her away.
    Her body felt awkward and foreign to her as she tried to navigate through the small space provided amongst the device, the people and the bags. Haylie stumbled and tripped trying to skirt around her own baggage, and blindly she reached out to grab the nearest object. Her eyes flew open at the electric touch that greeted her hand—
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    generated by another person. She looked into the shocked face of Kamran. His eyes were wide and Haylie could see his pulse beating in his neck.
    Strange images flooded her head. People, places, conversations she’d never had were being stuffed into nooks and crannies of her mind. The room around her began to spin, colors that weren’t present bled into her vision. Smells that were strange yet surprisingly familiar assaulted her senses.
    As quickly as the sensation was there, it was broken when Sara pulled Haylie’s hand away.
    “Are you okay, Haylie? Ambassador?” Sara didn’t release Haylie, her grip vise-like.
    Haylie found herself staring at him a moment longer than she should, before Kamran finally gave his head a sharp shake.
    “I’m fine. You should let your friend take you to med bay. Space travel can make some humans quite ill.” The ambassador tried to keep his tone light and smiled at her.
    She tried, but Haylie’s voice didn’t work. She nodded her agreement. Thankfully, Sara spoke up again.
    “That’s our first stop after induction.”
    Kamran hesitated, but then turned and made his way down the hall with the administrator. Haylie kept her eyes on him as Sara led her to where the rest of the new colonists stood. They were quite a distance behind him, but Haylie could still feel where he’d touched her, smell his scent as if he were with her now.
    They entered a vast room bright enough to make Haylie cringe. The chairs were large, the white plastic smooth and shiny under the LED light strips. Haylie flopped thankfully into the cool seat and let the tension in her body relax for a moment. She still sensed Kamran’s presence, even though she couldn’t see him any longer. He was waiting impatiently in the outer hallway. She didn’t know how she knew, but she was right. When she closed her eyes, she pictured him pacing back and forth.
    “Now I know what gerbils feel like in a pet maze.” Sara didn’t try to lower her tone and her comment elicited several snickers from around them. But not from Haylie. She couldn’t focus on anyone or anything but Kamran.
    A hush descended on the room as Kamran and the administrator entered and made their way along the front of the room. Kamran’s gaze quickly homed in on Haylie, which sent a wicked thrill through her. His face tightened and he averted his glance.
    The administrator moved to take his place behind the podium. “Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to colony XT7799. Those of us who have come to love it here have chosen a more appropriate name, Eurus, for only the Greek god of the East Wind could create the powerful sand storms that are generated on the planet’s surface.”
    The crowd broke out in applause, though she doubted it was because they had an appreciation for ancient mythology. But being the first colonists in over a year was