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‘AUNTIE’ CHERRY’S FACE as he left Miki and Nina with her was a picture Kes would never forget. Despite the severity and danger of the situation, he smiled to himself as the Sirocco’s shuttle made its way through the alien planet’s atmosphere. Cherry’s features had been a mixture of discomfort, confusion, and plain fear. He knew she would do a good job caring for the girls nevertheless, or he would never have entrusted them to her. She’d helped bring Nina into the world. She would protect those girls with her life. He wasn’t happy about being parted from them but it was a better alternative than bringing them on the expedition.
Was it a fool’s errand to try to find plants to grow as crops? Most likely.
He hadn’t wanted to throw a dampener on the hopeful, excited discussions abou
