A small group of people enter the lobby, not detecting Bella in the adjacent office. They all wear shiny brown uniforms and stern expressions, standard for high-ranking officials.
Bella's face lights up upon spotting the woman with bright, plaited hair, bronzed skin, perfect posture, and composed facial features.
Bella's attention remains focused on this woman, the one leading the discussion, her mother. "As you all know, E.D.S. developed enough technology forty years ago to allow a
small collective called the External Sector to use one of our shuttles to depart for Earth; the select few who were chosen, have been collecting data and transmitting it to us
every three months," Renée recites to the other officials. "They have also become a resource for us in terms of food and supplies and, given our growing population on this ship,
we have become dependent on this union."
At this point Bella's ear is pressed to the door of the small office, and can hear the gathered officials shuffled feet and dimming voices, meaning they are leaving the lobby.
Knowing little about the External Sector, Bella's curiosity is piqued. She surreptitiously slides the door open and peeks out into the lobby, seeing the group headed to the left of
the main desk. Given Bella's experience shadowing Renée she surmises they are likely headed to the main conference room. Looking around, Bella sneaks out of the office and
casually stands behind a pillar while the officials reach the conference room. The desk attendant droid greets her with a nod, and resumes programming. Bella lets out a small
breath and peeks around the chrome pillar. With the officials not in sight, she casually struts towards the left hallway. When the conference room comes into view, Bella is
unable to see the E.D.S. officials. Searching the connected room with her contact lens scanner she lets out a satisfying, whispered "Yes!" Placing her hand against the door's pad
Bella is again thankful she is registered in the system from having shadowed her mother's management role at the headquarters. The entry doors silently glide open and Bella
crouches toward the connected room. She strains to hear the muted conversation.
Bella again recognizes the smooth, authoritative voice of her mother. "...'s a necessity that our ship get access to the newest food and supply cargo. We have started arranging
for transport, but currently have no volunteers for traveling to Earth."
"Why not send an android?" Bella uses her contacts to identify the voice but can only make out faint shapes, so no identification is made.
"I have already asked our staff to run diagnostics and unfortunately all androids are needed on the ship for full functioning" Renée concludes.
I would volunteer if I met the age requirement, Bella thinks. If I volunteered I bet Edward wouldn't look at me like I'm some nuisance to E.D.S. If I were only two years older
this could have been my chance to prove myself to him and to all of them. Surely even mother would be proud and hopefully stop sheltering me so much. She treats me like I
am still a near-death newborn. Well I'm not, I'm nearly an adult. I would volunteer. I would... and I'd make them all proud. They'd see.
Becoming preoccupied with her thoughts Bella hadn't realized the conversation had come to a close. Startled by the sounds of movement Bella knows she doesn't have time to
reach the doors she entered through, and she obviously cannot leave through the room they are in presently, which leaves her with scrambling to hide. Diving for the corner she
moves a desk to block her body and tries to slow her breathing. She watches through the desk as the collection of officials exit back towards the lobby and starts to relax as
none seem to notice the girl hiding in the corner. Not seeing anyone in the room she moves out from behind the desk and leaves through the main exit. A moment too late Bella
registers her mother waiting for her in the hallway, arms crossed, expression stern. Blast.
Renée lets out a weary sigh. "You need to stop doing this Bella. If someone besides me were to find you, you would be forced to clean the ship's riprap under droid supervision.
I am telling you this because I want what is best for you Bella. And spending a month in the riprap sector is not that... You were not invited to this assembly, nor to the meeting
last month. What did you overhear?"
Bella considers how much she should tell her mother. "I am sorry to have worried you. I will be more careful…." not getting caught, Bella thinks. "As for what I overheard, I
learned you are short Earth travelers. And… I want to volunteer"
Renée narrows her eyes. "Bella you know very well that the minimum volunteering age is 18."
"And you have the authority to lift that limit" Bella fires back.
"NO!" Renée thunders and bristles. "You are not to go. I will not have it. My decision is final." Renée turns from Bella and storms down the hallway.