Excerpt: To The Stars

The driver stopped the rocking motion and glared at them, before engaging the restraint system. He pulled the cab upwards and waited to merge with upper atmospheric traffic. “Where’re you headed to?” he asked casually.

“Anywhere but here,” answered one muddy form.
“He means the spaceport,” said the other.
“You and your Automaton getting off this rock?” asked the driver. “Why?”
“We’re being chased by—“
“Quick vacation,” said Adam hurriedly, before kicking Jules discreetly.
The taxicab merged with the traffic. “Plenty of great places in the Galaxy to go to. Where’re you planning your ‘holiday’?”
[It was strange that in some people’s speech one can hear the inverted commas.]
“We’re not sure yet,” said the first muddy form doubtfully. “Do you have any recommendations?”
“Plenty. You could relax for ages on the beaches of the Aldabaran planets, go out in gee-coasters near Betelguese, I even hear Arcturus is quite the destination these few light-years. However, I think for you lot, Earth’s a good bet.”
“Earth? In the Sol system?” they asked simultaneously.
“S’right on.”
“But that place is supposed to be—“
“—ow Jules you’re full of—”
“—devoid of Colossi—“
“—insects and creatures and things—“
“—no regular hyperspace ships there though—“
“—wouldn’t be surprised if some wild diseased animal came chasing after us, not to mention—”
“—plenty of time to spend the night—“
“—covered in mud.”
“Sol it is then,” they chorused.