Sparkling eyes. We're heading to Eden Prime

Chapter 1. captain MSF The Alliance Systems John Shepard.

— John, thanks to you. — girl has opened eyes, her a little sleepy view was touching faces young human, lying nearby with her. — you wizard. Well, what I had managed to arrive for to you. You are stressfuling?

— Yes, Dayna. — Had said Shepard. — I have such feeling. What I now not soon had returned to the Earth.

— That's your... — had said girl, rising up on the elbows and looking around semi — dark a room. It was early morning and through heavy drapes the dawn the sun breaking through with a big difficult.

— Exactly. They held in reserve and now I have feeling, what's today or tomorrow order will arrive. — Had confirmed John.

— Then even more so good what have I done to come to you until how sent you away... Far, far away. You are guessing?

— Yes. Us Special forces, usually on simple sides they don't prescribe. Means, there will be something complicated and problematic. — Young human hugged The girl By the shoulders. — Day, relax. I'm still around with you and courier from the headquarters did not arrived yet and he doesn't knock through the door.

— John, it's been a long time... since...

— Finish it, Dayna, finish it. — softly Shepard said. — I already... calmed down about it reason.

— If that's what you want Johnny, then... It's been six years even a little more after that how did you get back from Akusa... — timidly girl said, caressing a young man face with her gaze.

— You of course all these years far from being idle you barely got out of the hospital, but...

— Dayna... I want to fly and Don't just sit on the planet and change polygon after polygon. — The captain said throwing back the blanket and sitting up in bed. Dayna immediately clung to his back. She put her arms around his shoulders and snorted lightly in the right ear. It was their special sign propensity. — The training ground for me — Good, but not enough. And... if I'm not mistaken. That's what the higher powers have prepared for me... a serious test.

— Aren't you too...

— No, Day. No. — Shepard shook his head pulling on sweatpants and getting up. — Thank you. We had a great night.

— It's beautiful, Johnny. Agree. — Dayna turned over on her other side. She had sat up in bed, groped for her robe without looking. She stood up simultaneously throwing on his heated body. — Thank you too. She headed for the door bathroom, padding with bare feet on plastic tiles. Johnny, don't go around in the galley. I'll get everything ready.

"Dana," Shepard said, a little reproachfully, turning and seeing as the girl disappears through the bathroom door.

— I know, I know, but try anyway. — It came from behind the door.

Shepard grinned with satisfaction. Dana was in her repertoire. She knew perfectly well. That he wouldn't let her go around in the galley — a small kitchen unit the captain's MSF bachelor apartment And he'll cook breakfast himself.

Early breakfast. He had a day off today. There were no polygons in sight, official tasks have been completed completely and he could control himself for today in weekend mode.

Dana was dropped out bathrobe and was stepped on an enameled pallet shower cabins, Slamming for yourself door and at the same time including water. She was satisfied. John gave it to her once again, a magical night and they spent nearby and together several very pleasant hours. They said, silent, hugged, kissed. For her John was the first with love. She was his first love, too. Since then, they have maintained a close relationship. Since they both left walls the orphanage.

Standing under the steadily changing force and temperature of the jets. Dayna hummed a simple tune, exposing her back and chest to the sprayers. And she knew that John could hear her singing. He hears and rejoices — she certainly knew him.... as if it had been peeled off. The specifics of the orphanage — It's very difficult to survive there in any other way.

John went into the kitchen, turned on the stove, and took out containers of semi-finished products from the cabinets. A few minutes — and a hearty breakfast is set to warm up. A slight sizzle is heard. Neither he nor Dayna liked anything particularly fried. Just a little bit to brown it. Removing the pan from the heat, Shepard put it on a stand. He put away the potholder and looked at the boiling kettle, which was singing its song. He opened a pack of tea — the kind Dayna loved. I poured the tea leaves into a cup, added two pieces of sugar — His Girlfriend wasn't a sweet tooth, but she didn't mind a little, very slight sweetening of her favorite drink. In this, their tastes coincided. John was quietly drinking tea of the varieties, which one she liked. And Dayna didn't mind spending a lot of time with the varieties, which one of tea he liked on rare occasions.

After arranging the casserole on plates, Shepard rummaged in the small refrigerator. He took out butter, bread, and made sandwiches. Thinly sliced bread — so that it does not break, but also does not resemble uncomfortable biting off the "couscous" in Dayna's words. A thin layer of butter — directly cut off with a sharp knife from a piece wrapped in a plastic pack. Top with either cheese or sausage. Low-fat, not smoked, plain. The captain took out a basket of cookies and lollipops from the locker. Dayna loved both, and he knew her tastes well, guessing that she was aware of his preferences. When she was cooking — he was calm because Dayna clearly and completely guessed his mood in detail and was never mistaken which of the rather meager list of gastronomic preferences should be served on the table so that John would be satisfied.

The murmur and splash of water was replaced by the hum of a hair dryer — Dayna dried her hair first — just a little bit, so that they were barely wet. She didn't like to overdo it. She always tried to comb them. She liked simple hairstyles. It was impossible to do anything else with her sports career, although there were several events at which Dayna appeared with a model haircut. Shepard was pleased and she knew that he would accept any of her. Life in an orphanage was not conducive to excess. And Dayna has been involved in sports schools since she was seven years old and traveled endlessly to training camps, training sessions, and competitions. Mode, limits, accuracy, clarity — It was as familiar to her as breathing air.

"You've already made breakfast.", the girl appeared on the threshold of the bathroom, dressed in a T-shirt and sweatpants. Her flip-flops were open, and Dayna never bothered with pedicures. But she respected manicures as much as the requirements of the sports code allowed.

Stopping at the table, she hugged Shepard, who came up to her, snuggled up to him, kissed him on the cheek and froze. "Thanks, Johnny. You are my joy."

The captain nodded, hugged her, lifted her up, carried her closer to an empty chair, sat her down, and pushed her to the table.

Dayna nodded — she liked the action, was completely satisfied with both the type of dishes and the aroma.

"John, sit down. Let's have breakfast. What are your plans for today?"

"I'm free, Dayna."

"I don't have any urgent business either. And?" The girl looked at Shepard questioningly.

"I would suggest, Dey, that we spend the day together today... well..." He squinted at the bed.

"I don't mind, John." Dayna nodded, starting to eat. "I don't mind", she chewed on a portion of casserole. "Delicious. Thanks, Johnny."

"I'm glad you liked it." Shepard also armed himself with a fork and knife, and began to devour the casserole. "I poured the tea into small cups. Or..."

"Don't be big, Johnny." Dayna grinned, shaking her head slightly, causing her ponytail hair to whip over her shoulders. "Don't do it today."

"Okay",— the captain nodded.

After breakfast, Dayna went out onto the balcony, where she usually spent a quarter of an hour in complete immobility in the morning. Shepard didn't know if it was meditation or his girlfriend's habit. He wasn't interested in getting into the details — Dana may have her own reasons for doing this, but not otherwise — let her do it. Through the glass, he saw how the girl sat down in a wicker chair and, assuming a free, relaxed pose, froze. She must have closed her eyes.

While she was "meditating," Shepard tidied up the table, washed and put plates and cups to dry. He did not look at Dayna — he respected her right to a calm "detachment from the world." She'll come when she wants to.

"You're feeling a little better, Johnny." Dayna purred as they lay down on the bed and hugged each other again. "Probably..."

"It's probably only because of you, Day." Shepard said softly.

"Thanks, John." Dayna rubbed the tip of her nose against Shepard's nose and kissed him on the lips. "I am happy and satisfied."

"Me too." the captain returned the kiss, hugged the girl harder. "We'll lie around..."

"Yes. Until you get bored. And we won't get tired of it today for a very long time." Dayna declared.

And it was absolutely true. They were lying on a large double bed and had forgotten very securely about everything in the world. Except for ourselves.

* * *

The doorbell caught them... off guard. Dayna Shepard realized from the changed face that she had already set herself up for the worst that could happen now — a visit from a courier from headquarters.

The captain silently got out of bed, pulled on a T-shirt and sweatpants, slipped his feet into flip-flops, went to the door, opened it. A courier sergeant stood in the doorway.

"Captain Shepard. You need a package." the sergeant, recognizing the officer, handed over the envelope, waited until the landlord signed the bill, saluted, turned around and "spilled" down the stairs, ignoring the elevator.

John closed the door, opened the package, and took out a folded sheet of plastic. A battle order. Not an ordinary one, but a combat one. Clear and incomprehensible. To go there then and there. Or rather, to arrive at the division headquarters at the Arcturus station. Exactly at twenty-three oh-zero of these days. Standard time.

"A challenge?" — Dayna's quiet voice came from behind. "May I?" She grabbed an open plastic sheet. "Challenge. I knew it." There was bitterness in the girl's voice. "I'll walk you out."

Instead of answering, Shepard turned to her. He hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. She clung to him trustingly, hugged him. "That's the end of our... free days...." She said softly. "For a long time... over."

Shepard didn't nod, he just hugged the girl a little tighter, kissing the top of her head. He knew that she needed this kiss now and was more important than any words. And he was not mistaken — Dayna, who was sniffling, raised her head, fixed a gentle and questioning look into his eyes. "John... Come back... to me. I... will be waiting. And write to me... please."

Shepard nodded silently, realizing that Dane wouldn't take anything he said out loud right now. Just that nod. She, like no one else, was able to read it on very deep levels.

Satisfied with John's reaction, Dayna opened her arms and stepped back. She turned around and headed for the kitchen. Incorrigible — she's about to cook a whole bag of food. And it's useless to stop her. John has already seen this more than once. No, if he doesn't take the bag, she won't be offended. He would only close himself off, but for him, a closed Dayna... was unacceptable, and he would do everything to open her up. She knows about it.

While assembling the alarming case, Shepard methodically checked the list, checked the expiration dates, and clarified the integrity of the packages. The combat order required such a procedure. You never know where you'll have to go from the Arcturus station.

From this station, where the government structures and headquarters sectors of MSF the Alliance of Systems were located, ships could go to such God-forsaken corners of the Galaxy that ... one had to forget about the imminent return for a long time. So the pre-assembled briefcase — and Shepard also had it in his bachelor apartment — would have been useful if the question had not been about the flight to the Arcturus.

When he finished packing his briefcase, Shepard put it by the door. He opened the closet doors and put on his uniform. The usual uniform of an MSF Alliance Special Forces officer. No, he did not attach the "En-Seven" sign to its designated place — there was no need for that. Those who need to know about his skill level, but the rest of us don't need to know right now.

Dayna got ready too. A modest plain dress, a small handbag. A sports career teaches you to be organized — a girl got ready quickly and did not waste time on a complete makeover. So, I just "painted up" a little. Shepard could easily read the tension and excitement in her Girlfriend's eyes.

"A military spaceport?" she clarified, bending down and adjusting the slightly stray strap on her shoe.

"Yes." Shepard closed the omny-tool screen. "The flyer is already waiting."

Dayna straightened up, nodded, picked up her purse, and took John by the elbow.

They came out of the entrance. Autumn. Warm, slightly rainy. Rain was promised in the evening, but now the sky was just beginning to frown, confirming the Prognosis of weather forecasters. Settling into the cabin of the hired flyer, Shepard hugged Dayna and pressed the sensor on the remote control to allow the car to follow the route. Of course, he could have taken the controls himself — the status allowed him to pilot such machines in manual mode, but Dayna was too tense and he did not want to let her out of his arms. It is not yet known when he will be able to return to her, so let Dayna be with him for as long as possible.

Hugging the girl, Shepard looked at the cubes of houses floating far below, at people like small bugs scurrying through the streets and alleys. Chester, a small town on the River Dee, was left far behind in just a few minutes. The British scale is, of course, significant, but compared to other countries... quite average.

Dayna was silent. She was always silent at such moments, experiencing the sharpness and uncertainty inside herself. For her, John was familiar and valuable, she did not want to worry him once again. She's staying here, she's got a series of training sessions ahead of her, two training camps, and the next regional competitions in... what difference does it make now? And he has...What awaits John? Is it possible to say in advance?!... So she didn't try. She waited for him from Akusa, visited him in the hospital, then they met regularly when he was sent to the reserve of MSF the Alliance Command. Specialists like John are always kept in reserve.... When they keep it for a long time, when they don't. She was glad that John was here, that he was near, on Earth.