Chapter 5 - Mia

Mia woke, stretching as smile played on her lips even before she open her eyes, she secretly loved this time of morning, waking up a few minutes before the day bell. She would snuggle down in her warm bed, wrap her covers around her tighter and enjoy the feel of it.

She let her mind prepare for today’s activities. This morning she was rostered on the gorge run, her favourite run. Then the supply ship was due just after lunch, she had ordered some cargo pants like what they use in the military and new boots for herself, she had waited a full month already and was desperate to know if they fit right. From her only experience of living her whole life on this remote planet, she figured that waiting for her shopping orders was the worst.

Her feet hit the ground and yep, the bell sounded. She dressed in a long sleeve t-shirt, and tights, tossed her shoulder length dark brown wavy hair up in a messy bun. She then slipped her comm into her back pocket and wrapped her eleclace around her neck. She headed out of her room towards the mess hall for breakfast and the daily update.

Mia sat in her regular seat next to Sao, the youngest and newest trainee of only 2 weeks. Sao Jumped, she didn’t see Mia approach “Hey its only me” Mia said “no need to be so jumpy”

“Sorry Mia” Sao shyly said with her eyes down “I didn’t see you come over”

“Hey” Mia said soothingly, while putting her arm around her “How did you sleep, are you still having nightmares”

“Yeah, I didn’t sleep well last night” she admitted timidly

“Oh, that’s no good Little one, hey maybe if we ask Master Dora, you could have a sleep over in my room” suggested Mia

Sao’s face lit up “You really think she would”

“Well yeah, I don’t see why not, but maybe we had better get all of today’s assignments done first”

Excitedly Sao agreed “Ok”

There was now a huge smile on Sao’s face, Mia was happy that it was so easy to make Sao feel better. Sao was a special case, Dora had asked Mia to keep an eye on her because of why she had ended up here. Most children come here because they have no family and are so poor that they get caught stealing food. Sao however, just age six, was here because her parents were brutally murdered while she was trapped in a cupboard in the next room and heard everything, poor girl. She had no other family to look after her and without knowing why her parents were murdered, as a safety precaution she was sent here by her legal team. Sao, the Masters and Mia were the only people who knew of her situation and her identity and whereabouts needed to be kept secret. “I should be finished all my assignments by 4pm, should we go together to see Master Dora then”

“Ok” said Sao

“We can meet back here, yeah?” Mia suggested.

“Ok”

With all that sorted, Mia and Sao got up and headed to the table where breakfast had been served. Mia opted for a lighter breakfast of just half an omelette and coffee. She only had an hour before she had to do her run and you don’t want to do that on a full stomach.    

“What’s your first assignment for today” Mia asked Sao

“Um . . . I have balance training in the gym”

“Oh fun, I liked that, just watch out for the Masters staff, when you think you are getting the hang of it, they will try to swipe your legs out from under you”

Sao giggled “Really”

“Oh yeah, they got me three times before learnt to watch for it”

Then the four Masters entered the hall onto a platform and all the trainees hushed, waiting for any specific instructions for the day. It was as Mia thought, they announced the trainees who would be doing the three maintenance runs, and requested everyone be available to help unload the supply ship that was to arrive at 2pm. Apart from that. Classes would be as normal.

Mia finished her breakfast “See you later, Sao”

Sao, still with food in her mouth said “Yep”

Mia took her dishes to the washing station and stacked them in the tray, that would be slid into the washer. And headed out the door, she had 40mins to go to the bathroom and get ready for her run.