Shoshone Station: The Galactic Consortium season 2

Episode Seven: Homecoming #14

The next four hours passed in a blur. Sophia had never been so tired, not since coming to the station and leaving the street life behind her. They crowded into the cab of Micah's truck, and he drove them all the way to Colorado and the ground station.

For Sophia, the stress of Dad's threat and the relief of leaving home behind her again were palpable. Shaelynn was wedged in the center of the cab, straddling the gear shift. Mom and Sophia were squeezed together on the passenger seat. Sophia leaned her forehead against the cold glass and watched the dark mountains slide by.

She dozed, more in trance than asleep, until the ground station came into view. It had been just after midnight when Brevick had knocked on her door. It was now approaching morning, but early, and the ground station was virtually empty.

Micah said his goodbyes in the parking lot. Sophia tried to get him to come up, see the station. He promised he would when he came to pick Mom up after her treatment, but, for now, he needed to get home.

They were lucky; the elevator was arriving just as they walked up.

When they walked into the medical wing, Bankim spotted them first and rushed down the hall to grab Sophia in a bear hug. "You're back. I was so worried about you."

It felt good, but as he let her go and she saw Mom watching, she blushed bright red. But then Dhanvin was there, followed by Katja and then Craig.

"Well, I see you have lots of people who care about you," Mom said as the last person let her go. She blushed under Bankim's inspection of her breast.

Understanding the look, Sophia turned his head gently and pointed at the corner of his eye. "See that gray dot?" she asked. Mom nodded. "That's a bio-enhancement. Lets his eyes see all sorts of amazing things, like inside your body."

"Really? That is amazing," Mom said, looking a little more comfortable.

Bankim cleared his throat. "Indeed. But we shouldn't stand out here and gawk. Come on, let's show you the medical wing." He offered his arm and led her deeper into the wing.

"I guess this is what I came for," Mom said, her voice uncertain. She looked back at Sophia, who gave her an encouraging nod.

While they ushered Mom back to the treatment area, Sophia collapsed on one of the couches in the lounge. Shaelynn sat next to her, leaning her head on Sophia's shoulder.

The other patients were just starting to rouse for the day. A young girl came out and asked Sophia where she'd been the last few days.

"Bringing a new patient in," Craig told the kid, sparing Sophia. "And she's been up all night. Now shoo."

"Sophia. Her. Guess I'm going to have to get used to that," Shaelynn commented sleepily.

In no time, they were both out.

Sophia was woken by her mom's hand on her cheek. Mom was still wet from the shower, wrapped in a bathrobe. Dhanvin stood next to her, smiling.

"First treatment done," Mom said. "I'm going to lie down and get some sleep."

"You two should as well," Dhanvin put in. "You can come back this afternoon and see your mom."

Sophia nodded and helped Shaelynn up. They both gave Mom a hug and watched while Dhanvin led her down the hall toward her new room. The walk to Sophia's apartment seemed to take forever; they were both so tired. The collapsed upon their designated beds—Sophia taking Craig's and Shaelynn taking Sophia's, as before.