28) Jane Shepard, Lieutenant-Commander.

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I placed my hands on the window shield. There was no wind in a ship, no mud or dust; the metal underneath my skin felt cool and impersonal. Everything was so clean, even the light and the painting of stars outside the glass.

Funny. I couldn't remember the last time I actually stopped. I was always moving. Ever since Mindoir, since the orphanage, the training centers, Elysium. If I kept moving, I wouldn't wake up with Marie in my arms and the roof against my back. I would be safe. I wouldn't be caught. But now I was in a ship with no place to flee to anymore. I wondered if Anderson knew this – as he knew everything else about me. If he thought I needed it.

Hey, mom? They say we come from dust but they are wrong. We come from the stars and stars we become.

I was in a ship, four metal walls and a uniform which felt like home over my skin.

What do you think of this, momma? Too much? Too weird? Too right?

Stars couldn't reply. Still, I could swear I knew what she would say.

Why don't you try it instead of moping?