Explorer X Alpha (31 page)

BOOK: Explorer X Alpha

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“Well, at least you know she loved you. It's more than I can say for my so-called parents. They obviously loved me less than my brothers, because I was the one they dragged to camp. I was the one that my mother didn't cry for as I left,” she said quietly, pushing back emotion from her assumed rejection.

“You have me, and I care about you. I'll not leave you. You're stuck with me. Friends for life, in battle and on the journey home,” he said with a smile as he took her hand.

“Well, lazy bones, looks like we got a lot of work to do if we are going to go home. We can at least get the ship up and running before we are saved. Race ya, bright boy,” Eirena said, instantly smiling at his response as though it was the best gift in the world, and then she smacked the back of Aadi's head. She took off and ran down the hill at top speed. Aadi laughed out loud, knowing that she didn't stand a chance against his super speed. He gave her a small lead and then ran after her and caught her. He swung her up high in the air, then twirled her around, and tickled her. With his heart filled with hope, he leaned in for a hug. And she allowed it right there under the two suns beating down on the red sand.

About the Author

LM. Preston was born and raised in Washington, DC. An avid reader, she loved to create poetry and short-stories as a young girl. With a thirst for knowledge she attended college at Bowie State University, and worked in the IT field as a Techie and Educator for over sixteen years. She started writing science fiction under the encouragement of her husband who was a Sci-Fi buff and her four kids. Her first published novel, Explorer X - Alpha was the beginning of her obsessive desire to write and create stories of young people who overcome unbelievable odds. She loves to write while on the porch watching her kids play or when she is traveling, which is another passion that encouraged her writing.