Excerpt
“Thank you for flying Sanders Cosmotronics,” the electronic voice purred as April and the rest of the passengers disembarked from the shuttle. As she exited the craft, April noticed that the alien world was not so alien after all. It had trees, bushes, grass and a village square complete with a band playing in a gazebo surrounded by people dancing. A giant bonfire blazed just off the main square adding a warm glow to an already cozy atmosphere. People danced around the giant blaze merrily singing and cheering. She sighed deeply as she soaked in the ambiance of her new home.



“I can get use to this,” she said as she scanned the crowd for her new employer.



“Good ‘cause you might be here a long time depending on whether you like the job or not,” a man commented from beside her.



Startled, she turned to face him and she caught her breath. “I didn’t see you there.”



“Oh sorry. Didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” the man smirked.



“No problem. My name is April” she said offering her hand.



“Mullen. Yes I know,” he responded shaking it vigorously. “I’m Bart Hesse your greeter of sorts. We generally keep things informal around here so you get me instead of a committee. Welcome to Tertius.”



“Thank you. Beautiful place. It’s not what I expected of an alien world. It looks so much like home,” she replied. “There are so many trees. Are they native to the planet or are they bio-engineered?”



“Let me get those for you,” he said picking up her luggage and motioned for her to follow as they navigated through the crowd of people within the town’s main square.



Light from the planet’s twin moons blinked in and out of shadow as they walked underneath a canopy of lush trees.



“Most of the fauna was here to start but our geological engineers helped with the rest,” Bart explained.



“They did an amazing job,” April replied as they walked by an old fashioned news stand where people milled around glancing through what appeared to be magazines and newspapers. They were the kind she had glanced at in museums as a child. The killing of trees to make paper had been outlawed on Earth for many years. So she found it alarming to see such a practice still carried on. .



“And still doing it everyday.” He said interrupting her thoughts. “By the way, don’t go beyond the zones marked by red signs. They’re still working on those areas,” he said in a cautious tone.



“I’ll keep that it mind. By the way, how did you recognize me?” she asked trying not to be drowned out by the engines of the ascending shuttle.



“We don’t get many visitors around here. And all the people exiting the shuttle were returnees. You were the only new face. So it was easy and besides the guys over at Orbital sent all of your specs of the hyper spatial. I must say, I like your hair darker. It looks good on you,” he remarked casually. As he walked she noticed that his gait looked more like a dance than a walk.



“Thank you,” she replied stroking her long black hair. “I thought I’d try something new. So where will I be staying, in a hotel?” she asked hoping it would be near some action. First time away from home, she was eager to get a better lay of the land.



“Nah. We like to keep our people close,” he said with a bit of hesitation. “But don't worry, you’ll have your own place set up just on the edge of town.” Bart waved to passers-by. Noticing April beside him, some waved back rather friendly. Others shook their heads in disgust.



“I hope you’ll find everything to your liking,” he continued, more friendly than before. “We set you up in a cottage close to the observatory, so you won’t have far to walk. Wouldn’t want you to get lost on your way to work,” he chuckled.



She chuckled back though unsure of the joke.



“So did they tell you anything about the place?” he asked.



Feeling uncomfortable at the looks she was receiving, April scratched her head trying to focus on her conversation with Bart. Some shook their heads, while others smirked then looked away.



“Just the usual. You were in need of an observer with exo-planatory observational experience and that it was possibly a long term position.”



“So have you been off-planet before?”



“Spent some observation time on the moon and Mars. Also on the Chandra II Observatory.”



“Well this is not going to be like any of that. This is basically your run of the mill night sky watching stuff. Tracking the movements of stars, pulsars, quasars looking for exo-planets similar in composition to Earth. Stuff like that.”



“Sounds easy enough.”



“Good. Cause it is. When you think about it, it’s a cushy job. We got a few rules we live by here. As long as you obey them,” he paused, “you’ll be just fine.”



A woman dressed in dark clothes with various pieces of foliage pasted to her body approached them.