Project Prometheus Ch. 63 - Teaser (Patreon)

As the hovercab glided silently through the upscale residential neighborhood on the outskirts of New Toronto, Inari’s heart pounded with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The houses here were grand, each one a testament to the wealth and status of its occupants, surrounded by manicured gardens and pristine, tree-lined streets. The vehicle came to a gentle stop in front of an elegant, modernist mansion, its sleek lines and expansive glass windows reflecting the soft afternoon sunlight.Inari took a deep breath, her fingers trembling slightly as she gazed at the house. This was the home of Dr. Georgia House, the woman who had taken in her daughter Ashaki to provide her with a safe and normal life. The doctor’s reputation was stellar, and her home exuded a sense of calm and security, but Inari couldn’t shake her nerves. Priya, sensing Inari’s unease, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.“It’s going to be okay, Inari. Ashaki is in good hands, and she’s going to be so happy to see you. You’re doing the right thing by coming here,” Priya told her. Zuzanna, sitting on the other side of her, nodded in agreement.“We’re with you every step of the way. You’ve got this.”Their words fortified Inari, and she straightened up, drawing strength from her companions. With a determined nod, she paid the cabbie stepped out of the hovercab, followed closely by Priya and Zuzanna. The three of them walked up the stone pathway leading to the front door, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the lush grass and meticulously maintained flower beds.Inari took a deep breath as she approached the front door of the well-appointed home. The level of elegance and simplicity of Dr. House’s home was met with an approving nod from Inari. To her, this was the kind of environment that Ashaki needed. One of safety, security, and free of worry or care.Flanked by Priya and Zuzanna, Inari raised her hand and knocked, the sound echoing slightly in the quiet, upscale neighborhood. They stood there, looking about the area and admired the flowers that had been cultivated to grow there. Moments later, the door opened to reveal Dr. Georgia House, her face lighting up with recognition as she saw Inari and Priya.“Inari, Priya, what a surprise!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening slightly as she recognized them from their academy days.Dr. Georgia House was a brunette woman who exuded elegance and refinement. She had classical features, with a well-defined jawline, high cheekbones, and a straight nose. Her brown hair was styled in a sleek, practical manner, pulled back into a low bun, keeping it out of her face.Her eyes were a piercing shade of blue, sharp and observant, reflecting her no-nonsense and tough-as-nails attitude. She wore minimal makeup, focusing on a natural look that highlighted her features. Georgia was far older than the last time they saw her, but she had aged with grace, barely looking like she’d put on more than a few years. But the markings were there, as she had a tough job these days as an ER doctor.“It’s wonderful to see you two again! Especially since you’ve been making a bit of a name for yourselves!!”“Yeah, that wasn’t planned, but it is welcome! It’s nice to be the good guy again, after everything that happened in the past,” Inari said with a huff of indignation.“Hey, don’t beat yourself up about it. I heard about the charges you faced while in the Navy and how you had the book thrown at you. It was biased, unfair and more than a little embarrassing to the Navy. Some good did come out of what happened though,” Georgia said with a smile.“Oh really? What would that be?” Inari asked.“We really should step inside, as I like keeping my business my own. Too many nosy, busybody neighbors around here,” Georgia said, inviting them in.“Not a problem! This is Dr. Zuzanna Walczak, our girlfriend,” Inari said, introducing Zuzanna to Georgia.“Ah! It’s nice to meet a fellow doctor!” Georgia said as the women stepped inside the lovely home and took their shoes off. “Wait… did you say her name was Walczak? Any relation to Dariusz Walczak? From the Confederacy?”“He’s my father. Was my father. He disowned me when I deserted the Confederacy years ago. I could not be party to the devastation they were causing against our own species. I disowned him just recently, after he tried to kill me,” Zuzanna said, explaining herself to the woman.