Minerva smiled. “You don’t understand. We aren’t talking about years or decades; they live thousands of years in some cases. Imagine what you could see with three thousand years of human history in front of you.”
“In some cases, it would only be lifetimes of trees and rainfall. In others, you could see the evolution of civilization.”
“Precisely, history depends on where you are sitting. These beings were sitting in the middle of species development. They have seen it all.”
“Don’t tease. I am drooling.” Libby checked. “Nope. My bad. Not a stroke.”
“How is it that your mind is so sharp?”
Libby finished her tea. “I come from a long line of long-lived grouchy women who married late. I outlived my memorable husband of five years and decided that marriage was an experience best engaged in once only. In my day, you couldn’t do squat until you had gotten married, and then, you were tied to him until he passed on. I was lucky that I knew how to work a bank account and read a financial statement. My father raised a very pretty son with an excellent head on her shoulders.” She smiled. “He was a good man who raised an odd daughter in any way she asked.”
“How much of your life do you remember?”
Libby chuckled. “I have what is referred to as an eidetic memory. It used to be a photographic memory or total recall. When prompted, I can recall almost all dates and times of events. It is like looking for a firework and then filling in the space around it and down to the ground. If I saw it, I can take it all in.”
“Excellent. So, are you interested in entering a contract and heading to the stars?”
Libby thought about it. “Let’s see. Most of my friends are dead. I spend my weekdays going to funerals with occasional trips out for coffee in between. Basically, I spend a lot of time in the restroom disposing of coffee or tea. Sure. Yes. I will take the chance. Even if I break on the way, it will be an adventure, and I am always looking for more to learn.”
“You don’t worry about death?”
Libby laughed. “Oh, honey. He is next to me each and every day. Death hangs over my shoulder and reads the news with me. I am not afraid of it. When it is my time, it’s my time.” She snickered. “That said, if he comes at me in the shower, he is going to get his butt kicked. There are times a lady needs her privacy.”
Minerva chuckled. She got up and pressed a kiss to the middle of Libby’s forehead. “You are a treasure, daughter.”
Libby muttered, “The forehead is fine, and I am open-minded, but I am a little beyond being that open-minded.”
Minerva’s eyes were glowing and swirling green. “You have more flexibility in you than you think, daughter. But I was not hitting on you.”
“There are two people in there.”
“There is one person and then the soul of the world you walk on. Yes.”
Libby sighed. “All my years and I am meeting you now?”
“I woke twenty-five years ago and bound with Minerva. With her mate, we have a daughter, and this is one moment in time that I am treasuring.”
“A daughter?”
“Indeed. She is on the Lunar Base, and she spurred the Reset Project. Minerva had it planned, but Alyla is the one who is excited by it. Minerva’s mate will be delivering you to the monastery. If you wake early, know that Imbolt is far more frightening than he seems, but he would enjoy nothing more than spending time with his family. He is delivering the subjects of the Reset Project to prove their worth. But, if you do see him, do not try to draw out his memories after you leave the tank. His mind is attached to that of a dying star, and you do not want to drop down that particular black hole.”
“Thank you. Good tip.” Libby chuckled at the thought and imagined that she was in a hospital bed somewhere having an end-of-life fantasy. Nah. Her fantasies didn’t involve tea. It was coffee and ham sandwiches all the way.
Minerva’s eyes resumed a more normal colouring. She pulled out a tablet and handed it over.
Libby flicked through it, and Minerva commented. “You are very good with tech.”
“Thank you. My godson’s daughter insists on keeping me apprised of how to use modern technology. She’s a drill instructor when it comes to making me set the clock on my microwave. If there is a flashing number on any of my appliances, she makes me watch a horror movie.” She chuckled as she went through the clauses that indemnified the Alliance against any blame, and the Nyal Imperium took full custody of her person with specific training in the archival arts.
Libby paused and snorted. “What is this clause?”
“Which clause?”
“The citizenship clause for any offspring. I hate to say it, but that ship has sailed and gone down with the Titanic. And then been hit by missile fire.”
Minerva smiled at her. “You are being reset and then enhanced. All of your biological systems will be working at peak efficiency.”
Libby signed the document and dated it, setting her thumbprint in the signature block.
Minerva grinned. “Great. You have two days to settle your affairs unless you need more time.”
Libby snorted. “Honey, I am eighty-two. My affairs are settled before I cross the street. I just need to make a few calls and activate my living will.”
“Excellent. Shall we collect you tomorrow?”
“Please. Now, where is the restroom? That tea is going right through me.”
Minerva helped her to her feet and guided her out the door.
Libby finished up in the restroom and headed out with a business card in her pocket. She had a few calls to make.
Chapter Two
The trip up to the Lunar Base was intensely uncomfortable, even with the sedative, the gel bed, and the breathing mask, but it had been spectacular.
The
