Neva surveyed the ravaged souls boarding ships. The metal felt cool through her uniform where she leaned in sentry. A fluttering wave of happiness curled its way around the thumping in her breast, sliding a smile into place. The cacophony of mutterings, laughter and even relief washed past her. 

A stuffed animal rolled onto her feet. An ebony-haired child ran toward it and stopped short. Neva squatted, grabbing and holding out the toy, nodding affirmatively. Slowly, the child snatched it back. She looked up at her mother, who smiled indulgently. The laughter died away as a chubby hand grabbed that of a man looking down amused. 

The young engineer raised herself back to height, gaze still on the woman before her. Neva’s hand was gripped tight in work-worn hands, relief plain in the other woman’s face. “jolan tru.”  Neva set her other hand on the woman’s and replied, “Sab khut hafeth, fazhannempell was qailefeth” Dark eyes saucered and an even brighter grin covered thin lips. The young officer winked as their hands released. 

A shoulder bumped against the cool surface once more, muscles rippling slightly as her arms crossed. 

The colors of the rainbow

So pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces

Of people going by

I see friends shaking hands

Saying, “How do you do?”

They’re really saying

“I love you”

I hear babies cry

I watch them grow

They’ll learn much more

Than I’ll never know

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself

What a wonderful world