Back to Kelticas

Kiara slammed her mug of coffee on the blue diner counter, defeated. She had just spent the last of her sratos on what was most likely her last meal for a long time. She’d thought there was no way she’d run out of the intergalactic currency. She sighed, thinking about all she had done with the fortune of sratos her rich dad had given her when she demanded her share of the inheritance and left home. Wild parties, a new spaceship...the list went on until she’d spent the very last of what she had. She’d worked at the diner for a while, but when a recession hit, they fired her. Asking for help only earned her threats and sideways glances. And now...well, she didn’t know what to do other than become homeless. Kiara drained the coffee in her mug, then dragged herself out of the small diner and down the street. She thought about going back to her dad and asking for forgiveness, but the idea pricked her pride. She walked until her stomach growled, and she remembered the meals her dad provided for his workers every day. Shaking her head, Kiara crossed to the other side of the street. No, she really did need to go back to her dad. She headed toward the spaceport where her ship was docked—well, she called it a ship anyway. She’d traded in her new ship and now her mode of transportation was a retrofitted escape pod that felt like it was about to fall to pieces every time she took off. Kiara walked up the ramp to her “ship” and climbed into the leather pilot’s seat. Maybe she’d ask to join his brigate of hired workers that took care of his large estate. “Better that than becoming homeless,” she muttered to herself as she set her course for her homeworld of Kelticas. When Kiara dropped out of hyperspace and landed near her dad’s estate, her pulse quickened. She was nearly in tears as she walked a familiar path, thinking of all that she would say to him when she saw him. Nearing the mansion, Kiara felt overwhelmed by shame. Just then, she heard a joyful voice shouting her name. “Kiara! How I’ve missed you, my daughter!” Kiar