In dreams parts of the huge banquet held when been accepted into the Academy drifted back to her and she relived them now in a half-awake state. The high hopes of her family, the lies they'd unknowingly told about her future success. The feeling of being surrounded by well-wishers and loved ones rather than cryogenically frozen shipmates.
In the dim light she could hear her older sister praising her. That was something that must have cost Callie a lot given her natural competitiveness, but she'd done it well and sincerely. After each speaker their uncle's voice would raise up, adding a robust, "Hear hear," that set off the rest of their family.
It was a feat for an Earthbound student to get in. In many ways they lived the cushiest lives in the galaxy, despite the state of the planet these days, but those from the Outposts dominated the select schools and high-ranked jobs. They grew up connected to the ships and computers that ran the settled universe in a way the Earthbound didn't.
The cabin lights had been slowly brightening and Alice sat up a second before a digital voice announced, "It is morning. Please rise."
She checked her retinal display to note the time. She had five minutes more to herself before the computer would start nagging her to get ready. Then it would be time to make her rounds.
