Things had all quietened down somewhat when there was a huge commotion in the kitchen. Sarah ran through to discover Stella and Kelly fair yelling at each other. Both were also in tears. Sarah got between them and demanded silence. She got it. Az, Kaz and Li were also there which gave Sarah a small suspicion as to what was coming next. The girls had been talking. She was right. She told everyone else to shut up and asked for Li to explain.
“I Chose Az a while ago. Stella Chose Kaz a few days ago. We all want to go to Petislay. To stay. Simone and Dan and Helene want to come too. Kelly is pretty upset but it was our decision and we discussed it and thought it through. Well first Stella and me…
“Did you know Li wanted to Choose Az?” Kelly demanded of Stella.
“Yes”.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it was none of your business and I approved.”
Sarah winced.
“And what about you? Was that none of my business either?”
Stella could see the hurt in her mother’s face. She blushed but looked defiant.
“Mum I love him. I can’t stand the thought of being apart. I just grew up in an awful hurry I guess. He’s not like any boy I’ve met before. He’s not like Terran men. This was my idea.” She paused and looked at her mother.
“For Li, she was in such pain. Az is so good to her and he really loves her. She needs that. She needs someone to belong to. She needs a family. Az says his parents will love her as a daughter. Her reaction to her parents being killed was that she wanted a family immediately to replace the one she lost. And a safe place to bring children up. I want the same thing. I want off this planet and I don’t want to go to back home. I want to live. I want my children to live. Earth is a nuclear time bomb. We all know that. Torroxell could be attacked again at any time. I feel I’ve done my bit. I’ve just turned 16 and I’ve been in a war and killed People. I want to live. I want to live with Kaz. I want to be safe. I want to live in peace. Is that so bad? I think it’s a very sane decision, especially considering the alternatives. I’m so sick of living in fear. Wondering when Armageddon will start. I guess being brought up on an army base didn’t help. Kaz offered to take me to Petislay as a refugee. He gave me a choice. I made it very clear to him what I wanted. You can’t blame him. It was my decision. He suggested we wait. He actually asked me what the hurry was. I suspect he wanted to give me time to grow up. I decided I already had.”
Kelly had been looking increasingly shocked. She noticeably sagged. Sarah was shocked also at her knowledge that this was a done deal. The girls were going. Kelly knew it too.
“Kelly,” said Kaz softly, “why don’t you come too? You’d get a job easily. You’d actually be in a lot of demand. We could all live together, at least at first. The girls could do with your support, and it would help to have you there.”
“You would want to live with your mother-in-law?”
He grinned, “Yes, if you promise not to kill me.”
“Kelly,” said a soft voice behind her. Kelly turned around to see Mathew. “Bert and Ludmilla are staying. Why don’t you go? The girls’ reaction is rather normal, both due to war and due to the predicament of Earth. My father never thought we would last this long without mutual annihilation. My grandfather was astonished when we reached 1970. He thought that was a decade he would never see. My father is old enough to remember the end of the Cold War. I valued their opinions. It shook me. My father is a very old man now. But if I were to give him the option, he would leave Earth in a flash.
Also, I understand the Niseyen are in trouble. You may be able to help. Your field I gather.” He left leaving all of them looking after him in astonishment.