Hopefully, a happy memory

Fourteen hours before rescue ship arrival

The Overseer broadcasted his message an hour after Bootes and I had left. The reaction from the colony was more enthusiastic than what I expected. Some were upset they couldn't bring all their belongings along, but most were elated at having something to do.

Above everything else, there was a renewed sense of hope. Many people had given up on being rescued. Hearing the promised rescue ships would materialize wasn't only a sense of relief but one of purpose. The Overseer had set a deadline. Missing it would mean you'd be left behind.

Nobody wanted that to be them.

My home vault wasn’t exempt from the apprehention. Many families gathered in impromptu meetings to discuss a plan of action. I saw more than one child saddled with a bag as large as themselves as their parents tried to divide their belongings.

My family was the same. Two half-filled bags and a mountain of objects lay on Father Alcor's sleeping bag while he and Mira debated. A few framed pictures were packed in Father Alcor's bag, while Mira's had some books and jewelry. I found it surprising. Mira rarely dressed up, so I assumed the jewelry carried some sentimental value. I wondered whether Nova's ring was in the bag or whether she wore it around her neck. I hoped the latter.

"Vega?" Mira turned to me as I stepped closer. "Where's your bag?"

"I don't have one," I said.

"I have a spare one if you need it?"

"It's okay." I smiled. "I don't have anything worth bringing along."

"Are you sure? Not even some photos?"

"I have them all on my display." I tapped its resting place in my pocket for emphasis. "I can replace everything else."

"She was never one for hoarding," Father Alcor said while pushing a book into his bag.

"It's a bit sad," Mira remarked.

"How so?" I asked.

"Well, objects carry meaning. It's sad to think there's nothing you can put on your shelf to remind you of a happier time."

"I should frame my high-school graduation certificate by your definition." I chuckled. "Leaving that hell behind me is probably my favorite memory. Next would be when I graduated into the Angel program."

"Don't you have anything to commemorate that? Like a badge or a medal?"

"A graduation badge. I guess that is something special."

"I've already packed it," Father Alcor said. "Both yours and Nova's."

"Thank you." He nodded when I put my hand on his shoulder. "What about you, Mira? What have you packed?"

"Some of my favorite books. I have a first edition of 'The Duke and the Quasar' that I can't imagine parting with. Other than that, a few framed pictures and my mother's jewelry."

"Nothing sentimental from your job?"

"Only a badge. Father Alcor insisted I give it to him."

"I want a memento from each of my children," he said with a nod. "I'll put them in a display case in my next home."

His voice hitched a little bit as he finished his sentence. I didn't need to look to know his eyes were watery. Nobody knew what the future would hold. So many things could go wrong in the next fourteen hours. The future after that was even less certain. Would the three of us buy a house somewhere? Or would the incoming threat split us apart? None of us knew, but Father Alcor wanted to keep his kids close to his heart. He would put their memory somewhere where he could always see it.

Mira seemed to realize this as she took Father Alcor's hand. She didn't say anything, but no words needed to be said. Her touch conveyed enough.

"Vega?" Bootes' voice came through the earpiece. "Are you there?"

"I'll see you guys later." I gave Father Alcor's shoulder a last squeeze as I stepped away. "Go ahead, Bootes."

"We're starting the final checks before the evacuation. How's things looking on your end?"

"I'm in the southern Kaif vault.” I scanned the crowd as I spoke. “Few people will be ready when the evacuation starts, but I don't see any major problems. Not unless the Overseer bans kids from walking with backpacks as big as they are."

Bootes laughed. "I guess there's no use in having kids if you can't use them now and then."

"They're probably finding it one big adventure."

"I hope so. I'd imagine the parents of the unruly ones are at wit's end by now. My youngest has been... particularly challenging the last couple of days. I expect my wife's hair to be a shining silver when she takes off her suit."

"You should treat her when we get out of here," I dodged a mom chasing after her son as I walked toward the door.

"I'll take her to swim on Earth if we survive this. But anyway, no other issues on your side? Nothing from Cerviel?"

"I checked in with her a few hours ago. She's not seeing anything."

"That's good. I've assigned you to the southern Kaif airlock during the evacuation. You should be close to Cerviel if shit hits the fan."

"Good." I nodded to myself. "Anything specific I should do?"

"Make sure people aren't bringing their entire house with them. Other than that, only to help those in need. We'll do a couple of rounds when the evacuation nears its end. I don't expect a lot of trouble. People are at the point where they'll do anything to get off this rock."

"I can't blame them."

"Nobody does. The Overseer even tried to make peace with the guy that accused him of being in league with the demons."

That surprised me. "I hope he brought some protection when he did that."

"One of the engineers accompanied him. The guy wasn't very talkative, but it shows the Overseer is at least trying."

"Has he checked in with the sorting squad yet?" I asked.

"That he has. They're marking the areas where the groups will gather."

"I see." I blew out a breath. "Then this really is our last day on Asbestos."

"I guess it is." Bootes sighed. "I'll tell ya, despite the demonic attacks, I'll miss the place."

"Oh? Were you born here?"

"Nope. I transferred in five years ago as part of my scholarship. Cymmand scouted me when I finished. I met my wife not long after. The rest is history."

"Sounds like you have lots of happy memories of the place."

"That I do. And you?" Bootes asked.

"I was born here, so Asbestos is all I know."

"Never gone off world?"

"Sadly not."

"Should have tried. Lots of fascinating things out there."

I shrugged. "Job requires me to be close at all times."

"Angels don't get vacation?"

"Only when the demons do."

"Oh. How long have you been in the program?"

"Little over a year. Demons attacked three months after I graduated," I said.

"Shit, so you're one of the youngest ones?"

"Third youngest. Crux and Alya were younger than me."

"I see." Bootes paused for a second. "Well, hopefully, you can take a vacation after this is over."

"I'll probably need to help Father Alcor get a new home." I shuddered at the thought. "That's going to take a while."

"At least it's not piloting a mech."

"I'm not sure which one is worse." I laughed. "Is there anything else?"

"Nope. You're the last person I needed to check in with. I think we're all good."

"I hope it's a success."

"Heaven knows we need it."