It’s an enormous green geodesic dome built to house any Jeffey ship that could land on New Bohemia. It’s the largest single building at the port, maybe even on the planet.
Usually a calm place, the hanger was alive with a flurry of activity around the Spacer’s ship that betrayed its location. It looked like every mech in the port was there. In their dull orange coveralls they looked like Autumnbees buzzing about a hive. However, the hot, dry wind reminded me it was still summer.
A SecPol stopped my hovercart. I saw a clutch of SecPols, all surrounding a wizened, old man with white hair and a stubby white beard. Now Hank always tells me that when I see SecPols I should get out, but I was fascinated. In addition to the gray uniforms of the Federation I saw a few sky blue ones. It took me a few seconds to realize these were Jeffey SecPols. I wasn’t even sure they existed.
The old man wasn’t wearing any kind of uniform. He had a bright multi-color shirt that danced in the wind. His pants were dark blue and looked substantial and rugged. All this was over some kind of form-fitting space suit.
He turned his oversized head back and forth like a radar dish. Then he spotted me. I don’t know why, especially with Alicia next to me. Where I’m gangly, gawky and, let me be truthful, flat, she is full and curved, with just a hint of plumpness. I keep my orange-red hair cropped short, otherwise it’s thin, wiry and unruly. Alicia’s long black hair always seems composed. Maybe he looked at me because I was the only one in a school uniform. Maybe he liked my freckles -- or my eyes. Hank tells me my eyes are bright as emeralds.