Joon-mei sat staring out into the fast dry grassland. It was a sad yet beautiful vision. She could almost see what this place had looked like before the drought had devastated the land. The wind picked up and the high brown grass swayed back and forth in a ballet of desperation.

Clouds were forming to the west and seemed to be rolling in. Perhaps the grass knew that it would bring in rain. Or perhaps it simply hoped in despair. Joon-mei sighed. The moon reminded her so much of her own home. Before she was taken away and sold to that... man.

She shuddered and pushed the memories away. She might have been very young but those few and happy memories are what kept her going during those horrible years. Lady Vera entered the cockpit of the shuttle.

“It has a kind of sad beauty, doesn't it?” she murmured.

“Hmm.”

“I wonder if those clouds will bring the much needed rain or if it'll just bring false hope,” she said more to herself than to Joon-mei.

“From the way the wind moves and the color of the clouds, they'll be lucky if it doesn't bring in hail,” Joon-mei commented.

“Now how would you know something like that?” Lady Vera arched a brow?

“I know a lot of things. Most of what I learned is to keep you safe,” she smiled at her mistress.

Lady Vera gave her a soft smile. “You would follow me to the ends of the 'Verse, wouldn't you, mei-mei?”

“Without batting an eyelash, my lady,” was Joon-mei's response.

“Now, why do I find that comforting and disturbing all at the same time?”

Joon-mei swiveled a look to Lady Vera and arched a brow. But she was not allowed to give a response.

“Lady Vera? Miss Joon-Mei? This is Curate Matthew, are you there?” The curate's voice crackled a bit through the communicator.

Joon-mei reached for her com. “This is Joon-mei, Curate. Is there something amiss?”

“No, Miss Joon-mei. My mother's awake and willing to see you,” was his response.

Lady Vera took the com from Joon-mei. “We shall be there as soon as possible, Curate Matthew. Thank You.”

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