Stars Gods Wolves by Dan Kirshtein (good books for 8th graders .TXT) 📗

to her and what wasn’t. How could she know? She was hardly around, only deciding to come back into her life, emotionally, once the hard part of raising a child was long over. She hadn’t earned the right to deny her this, and, as far as Gally was concerned, she never would.

She wanted to say all of those things, but couldn’t find the time. Instead, she flung an index finger into the air, which was enough to make Ariel back away. The text appeared full of typos at first, as Gally typed and re-typed the words. Finally, an audio file began to play. Gally leaned in, wanting to hear the words in the recording rather than her own burning prejudice.

“People of the Human Government,” it began in a monotone, as if reading from a script, but not bothering to sound convincing. “Your leader has submitted a request for an apology regarding the sacking of a ship you named The Ballpoint.”

Gally’s lip twitched, her patience running thin as she scrutinized every word.

“I did not live up to the high standards my people have set for ourselves.” It did not sound sad or remorseful, just blank. “And we have, for the moment, failed in our purpose. And for that, I accept full accountability.”

She blinked in disbelief as the words ran through her head.

“I will do better next time.” An ominous tone took over, as if smiling on the other end. “I will do more.”

The clip ended, and a list of recommended clips appeared on the tablet as Gally processed what she’d heard. Ariel stammered. “Now, honey, I’m, I’m sure he meant–”

Gally’s lips pursed as she looked up and stared out the windshield the way one does before a good scream.

“Honey,” Ariel persisted.

Instead of screaming, Gally slapped the tablet with the base of her palm, looking up at the car’s ceiling. After three good slaps, she leaned over the navigation screen in front of her and dialed into it with forceful and impatient fingers. The navigation system dinged in confirmation of the change. Jamming on the brakes and cutting everyone off to change course was impossible in these cars. Their vehicle slowly changed lanes to make a U-turn when it was deemed safe enough to do so. Gally’s eye twitched in impatience.

Despite the lack of urgency from the car’s navigation system, Ariel’s voice still carried a tinge of panic. “Honey, where, uh, where are we going?” She tried not to sound scared, so she added a ‘sweetie’ that sounded rather unconvincing.

“Work.” Gally’s tone was dry and cold. “I want to see something.” Unsatisfied, she sat back in her seat, arms crossed.

Jupiter Proximity Station: a self-sustaining space station orbiting Jupiter in the Milky Way galaxyDocking Bay 2

The Wendigo looked hollow and skeletal: an empty soda can that hadn’t yet reached the garbage. Its bulky frame sat solemnly atop the busy star-port that bustled all around it. The only people who paid any attention to the lonely vessel was the Purple Company. They stood on the dock and stared at the transport that they’d called home for years.

“Shitty way to go,” Boomer grunted, kicking the metallic floor. “Slow and painful.” A detonation tube danced between his fingers like a pen.

Nitro watched the tube thoughtfully. On most days, he would have stopped him from doing it, but he knew that fidgeting was how Boomer dealt with many things, grief being one of them.

The captain looked to Josie, who was quietly and stubbornly staring at nothing. He’d recognized that look in soldiers who were unsuccessfully trying to compartmentalize the death of a friend. “You two were close?”

Boomer snorted a laugh, and Josie snapped her eyes to him in disgust. “What?” Nitro nearly rolled his eyes as the demolitions expert defended himself. “You’re not close to anyone.”

Expecting Josie to throw a punch at Boomer, the captain stepped back. But no punch came. Josie just stood straighter and swayed her shoulders, leaning on her rifle. “No one worth bein’ close to,” she muttered.

Nitro and Boomer both looked surprised. When the captain looked back at the scraggly-haired man, he noticed the detonation tube had stopped spinning. Boomer looked hurt, as if he would have preferred just getting hit.

Nitro glanced at Ox, who had been silent the whole time. The Waykind stood with his head bowed, holding his staff with purpose. With a softened expression, Nitro approached him. “You did your, uh–” the captain waved his hand in the air, as if he wasn’t searching for a word but an action.

Ox patiently nodded as his head rose once again. “I did.” His deep voice was calm and peaceful as he looked up to the ship. His large yellow eyes drifted to Nitro, and a gentle smile appeared on his wide face. “He has crossed.”

The captain smiled through a frown as he patted Ox on the back. “Good shit.” He looked to the others, noticing Boomer still trying to recover from Josie’s harsh words. “Come on.” He walked by the pair of them, clapping each one on the shoulder. “We’ll pour one out.”

They slowly broke off, one by one, until only Ox was left. He took a moment, then turned and followed the others, walking with the aid of his knuckles and staff.

Bridos-1:The Corner of 218th and Main

The car carrying Gally and her mother arrived at its destination and slowed to a halt in front of the large bronze government building. Gally was pulling on the door handle as urgently as polite society would allow. The automated locks, it seemed, would not unlock for Car-Jesus himself, until it came to a complete stop. Once it finally had stopped, Gally no longer had the patience to be polite. “Thanks for the ride, Ma.” The door handle snapped back with a thud and the door slowly unsealed as Gally tried to slide a leg through the small and slowly growing gap.

“Honey–” her mother began.

“Yep, see you later,” Gally nodded with the last remnants of her manners, while she