Weekend Writing Warriors: 3/4

This 8-10 sentence blog hop is hosted by The Weekend Writing Warriors. (Click the link for the list of participants, or rules if you want to join!)

This is a WIP, NaNoWriMo 2016, currently called River, Tree, Mountain. It’s science fiction, set on a colony planet, six generations in–with about 10% of the population born “marvels,” who have special abilities like dowsing, healing, or creating fire. The protagonist, Rekka, is a spark (fire), signed a contract with Brenton to provide him a child, and traveled to be met with an empty apartment and a message saying he’s away on business–a few days later she’s at her first day of work.

“Oh, hey, new girl!” one of the women at the break room table closest to Rekka said, waving.

“Oh, hey, old girl!” Rekka responded, moving forward to stand close enough for comfortable conversation.

“Don’t call me—” the woman began, then blinked, “Right, never mind. The coffee’s over there, and water in the fridge. The best vending machines are down by the restrooms to the right, if you want a snack. We won’t overwhelm you with names right now, but welcome, have a seat.”

“How about one name? I’m Rekka Lang.”

“Oh, you’ll do just fine here,” The woman flipped her golden blond hair, cut in a bob, in a habitual gesture. “I’m Ange–Ange Johansen.”

*    *    *

Life on the colony planet of Kaibou was going uneventfully until the second generation of colonists was born on the planet, at some, at a young age, began showing various psychic abilities. When those people, called marvels, grew up, many of them formed companies, building compounds to live in and raise their children.  Due to population diversity issues, many colonists have children using genetic bank material, or choose a succession of partners. Now on the seventh generation, marvels are born both within and without company walls, and all must work together to use their gifts and make a living on a still wild land. Some of these outsider marvels sign contracts with company marvels, agreeing to give them a child raised within the company, in return for a permanent home in the company compound, a stipend, and other concessions.