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"You'll have to read it to me, Jace. Sounds great!" Nathan said softly.
Jason pulled Nathan in and kissed him, "You bet, T'hy'la!" Both boys giggled at that.
"T'hy'la... I like it," Nathan commented briefly before pulling Jason's face in closer for a far more serious kiss.
Antony stood near to the weapons control console and smiled happily at them. Earlier, before transporting up to the Hood, he had been envious when Jason had stilled Nathan's excitement with a kiss. Now, he was not. The cause of that was standing next to him, holding his hand. Telez watched impassively for a moment as the two boys kissed, then he turned and stared at Antony. His antennae were trembling, as was the rest of him. Antony turned at his movement and looked down into his eyes. Telez decided to wait no longer, and so he reached and pulled Antony's head into range and captured his mouth with his own lips.
Antony was startled at the sudden move, but thought soon left him, along with his breath, at Telez' kiss.
Nathan broke his own lip–lock in time to see it and nudged Jason in the ribs. "Look," he whispered. Both turned to smile at the odd looking duo as they lost themselves in their first exchange of affection, as did all the rest on the bridge. Odd looking as Antony was nearly a head taller than the small Andorian, and yet that didn't stop the boy from getting his will. His antennae were also acting oddly, touching and retracting from Antony's face, as if bestowing their own kisses on him.
Victoria giggled, "Awwww... sooo sweet!!"
Angela pulled her daughter into a hug and whispered, "Shh, let them be, sweetheart."
"Yes, mammy," she agreed, looking up at Angela with a sunny smile, "they are just too cute together, though."
Telez finally released Antony from the embrace and stepped back slightly. He smiled up at the taller boy uncertainly. "I... I should have asked. I..."
"No," breathed Antony, "that was... unbelievable!"
"You asked him yet, Tony?" Mary asked her son, a grin spread from ear to ear on her face.
He turned to her with question. "What?"
Mary rolled her eyes. "Have you asked Telez to be your boyfriend yet?" she asked slowly, as if speaking to a four year old.
He blushed crimson, but before he could say anything else, Telez queried, "What is a 'boyfriend', father?"
Graham chuckled and began speaking rapidly in Andorian to attempt an explanation on the human need to name things as compared to Andorians. As Telez worked it out his eyes widened in understanding, "Oh!" he turned and gazed lovingly at Antony; expectantly.
Finally able to ignore the grins and stares from the others, Antony stuttered, "W...will you be my boyfriend, Tel?"
Telez bowed, right hand over his heart and antennae fully retracted. "I am thine, Zan'Fi Na."
Everyone except Graham and Tulek looked puzzled. Graham looked shocked. Tulek simply raised his eyebrow. "Interesting," he stated.
"What? What's it mean?" Victoria asked of Graham.
"'Other half of me'," he replied in awe. "Son? Are you sure?"
"Yes, my father. And I ask thy blessing."
"Given," Graham replied. He walked quickly to the shocked and speechless Antony. He bent down and whispered into Antony's ear the reply he should make if he accepted what Telez was so willingly offering.
"What is happening?" Antony squeaked out quickly. Telez was still bowed over awaiting a response.
"I'd like to know too," Mary asked with a growing sense of panic.
Graham quickly explained, all the while his son remained bowed in Antony's direction. "Telez has offered himself as bond–mate to Antony. It is less than marriage, more than engagement."
Mary's eyes widened further, as did Antony's, although he was beginning to smile; a lot! "But... they have known each other for less than two hours!" she stuttered.
Graham shrugged, "It was more than Theia and I knew each other for before we did this."
Antony was bouncing on his heels and practically begging Graham to tell him what to do, and so the man turned and whispered again to him. Antony nodded as he understood and faced his mother. "With thy blessing, my mother, may I take my Zan'Fi Na as my bonded?"
"Tony... what... what if you don't get along? This is too sudden! I..."
"It is not yet permanent, Mary," Graham assured her. "Tulek and I will explain after. He does need an answer, though. As does my son."
Mary looked uncertainly at everyone; at her son's begging eyes; at the laughter in Nathan and Jason's eyes; at the equal concern in both Dafydd's and Angela's; as well as the impassive stare of Tulek. She looked back at her boy. "If you are sure, love, then yes, I agree and... and give my blessing," she said in surrender. She could not deny her son even a moment's happiness after being friendless for so long. She only hoped it would work out for the best.
Graham bent again to whisper to Antony, and once finished, Antony turned and laid his hand on Telez hair, covering both antennae. "I am also thine, Zan'Fi Na."
Telez stood and embraced Antony fiercely, while Nathan, Jason and Victoria cheered. Mary, Dafydd and Angela looked slightly nervous, however.
Graham looked at them all, "I think we need to talk. Why don't the kids go swimming while we do so? Commander, are you able to leave the bridge?"
"Please wait one moment," he said as he went to his station, "and I shall summon an ensign to man the bridge while I am away."
As the turbolift doors opened the noise level increased considerably. Five children running down the corridor towards the pool giggling and laughing will do that. Dafydd, the only other able to get into that lift with them, shock his head as he tried to keep in his laughter. He waited at the other lift door for the adults.
Down in the pool changing rooms, the kids had come to a total stop. "Don't we need suits or something?" Antony asked with worry.
Telez replied, "Not at the moment, Zan'Fi Na. With the limited crew on board, and since we are in orbit, no–one uses the pool. I swim without, anyway. Most Andorians do." And, keeping true to his word, Telez started stripping off. Victoria and her brothers grinned at each other and followed suit, leaving Antony gapping at them.
"Wha... you've gotta be joking..." he started, but Dafydd's laughter from behind him made him spin about. All the adults were standing there softly laughing; all but Tulek, of course.
"Tony, I've placed a sign for the rest of the crew, such as it is, to not come here if they are offended by such things. When our Andorian crew members swim the sign is put up, so this would be no different. Anyone coming in here will understand and expect to see this. Most of the Andorian crew do tend to wear swim suits, however, but there are times they prefer going as they desire, in the flesh."
"Buuuut..."
Telez giggled mischievously, "Yes. Butt." He yanked off Antony's jeans as Nathan and Jason quickly relieved him of his top. Within seconds he was standing there trying to hide his privates. The adults had since moved off to the lounge area down the hall, but Antony still could not relax.
Victoria saw he was uncomfortable, and surprisingly for a girl her age, said, "Tony, me and my brothers always go about like this at home. I'm not going to laugh at you, I promise. I've seen it all before."
Antony, still using his hands as a shield, looked at her carefully. He screwed up his courage and reached to take Telez' hand and stopped covering up. They all glanced down and Nathan whistled softly. "Damn, you are growing up!"
"Cool! You've got hai..." Victoria's outburst was silenced by Jason's hand and he shock his head.
"Leave off, sis. Come on guys, let's get wet."
Antony moved with the others into the pool area and came close to Jason, "Thanks, Bud."
"S'okay. I'm just as envious as Nath', though!"
Antony blushed, but soon it was all forgotten as they started splashing about in the pool.
"Doc, can you explain what just happened up there?" Mary asked, as soon as they had all found seats. Tulek had moved to the Snack Bar and started making drinks for everyone.
"It's fairly routine for Andorians. From the age of twelve, two Andorians can pledge themselves to each other. If everything remains well between them, at fifteen they are counted as married or fully bonded. At sixteen they go through the Ceremony and at that point it is irrevocable. Up to fifteen they can break it off with ease. From fifteen to sixteen they need to go before the local Council to do so. After they have gone through the Ceremony, they are permanently bonded." he replied.
As Tulek handed him his coffee, Dafydd questioned, "Tel is only eleven, though. And Tony is human..."
"That is why Tel asked my blessing. Any under the age of twelve has to seek parental permission. If the other in the pair is not Andorian, then they have to go by the age requirements of their race. In Tony's case, he needs to be sixteen, so he had to ask for Mary's blessing as well."
Mary sighed and leaned back in her chair, "I just hope they don't get hurt. Tony has never made friends easily, nor has he had any good ones. I'm half afraid he's latching onto Tel's affection without thinking."
Graham shook his head gently, as he explained, "No, you have no fears there. Andorians know if the feelings are real or not. That's something that their antennae can pick up on. Tony has strong feelings for him, and that is shared on his side too. They have a few years to see if what they feel is deep enough to continue, so I'd not be overly concerned."
Mary nodded, and looked happier. Angela half laughed, "I'm just waiting on Nath' and Jace to ask to do the same."
"Can't happen, Angela," Graham disagreed. "Only Andorians can invoke this Ceremony. At least one of the pair has to be a 'Child of the Empire'. Not even someone from another race adopted into their culture can invoke it. You have to be blood Andorian. It's not like the Vulcan T'hy'la concept."
Tulek nodded in confirmation, "I would not be doubtful as to those two asking to be bonded as T'hy'la. If they wish it, I could facilitate the bond–link, and Jason's telepathy would be advantageous as well."
"Nathan is telekinetic and empathic, Tulek," Dafydd offered. "Would that pose a problem?"
"Not in the slightest. In fact, it would assist in the bond. Telekinetic? This is most intriguing. Three children from the same area with heightened gifts."
"Four," Mary said quickly.
Angela elaborated, "Jace scanned Tony, and he's a sensitive at the very least. If you could check him after, Tulek...?"
"Acceptable. I shall check them all again, including Telez, if he and the Doctor are willing."
"Certainly. Be nice to see if this trend will continue." Graham laughed.
Back in the pool, Antony's development was a major staring issue for the first five or ten minutes. In the end he had had enough and gathered his courage, "That's IT..." He got out of the pool and sat on the edge. "Just look and get it over with!"
Telez was obviously the first. He ran his hand over the few fine hairs that Antony had grown before smiling up at him. He too got out of the pool and sat next to his Zan'Fi Na. Nathan, Jason and Victoria moved over and looked, but in difference to the new couple, they refrained from touching.
"Cute," Victoria giggled. "It'll be a while before I get them."
Antony blushed, "I still feel weird being naked in front of a girl."
Victoria smiled with understanding, "Here, I'll sit next to you. If you look then you'll be used to seeing me, just as I'm used to seeing boys. Then we can just play. That sound okay?"
Antony nodded, and Telez grinned. "I have never seen a female human unclad. Would you mind if..."
"Sure thing, Tel," Victoria completed for him. She pulled herself out of the pool and sat on the edge. Telez and Antony slipped into the water and faced her while Nathan and Jason lazily swam off. Nathan had gone through this a few months ago, and Jason... well, it was old news to him.
"Different. You're cute too, Viccy." Antony smiled at her.
"Really? Thanks!"
"Yes. You are pleasing to the eye, Victoria, and I am sure that you will find some lucky boyfriend soon." Telez added.
Victoria giggled as she slid into the pool, "With you gay guys everywhere, what makes you think I will get a boyfriend? I could grow up to like girls instead, anyway!"
"True. And if such is the case, she would be lucky." Telez smiled again, his antennae waving back and forth lazily in contentment. They all swam off towards the other two boys. "What games shall we play, Jason?"
For the next hour, their curiosity now sated, the children played a variety of games: tag, dodge ball, racing. Jason and Nathan took a break first and hoisted themselves out of the pool to relax.
"Jace?" Nathan whispered to his boyfriend as they rested on the side of the pool. The others continued to lazily swimming back and forth, splashing each other as they passed by each other.
"Yeah, cutie?" was the soft reply.
"Why didn't ya tell me you had abilities?"
Jason looked at him for a moment before replying slowly, "I was told not to. When we first met, I didn't know if you'd blab or not, then as I grew to know and love you, I knew you'd keep the secret, but Dad said I should ask him first. I didn't 'cos you were going through such shit with that bastard you lived with. I didn't want to lay all this on you as well."
Nathan nodded slowly. He was surprised that he could feel, in a small way, that Jason was telling him the absolute truth. Jason did trust him, but he loved him so much that he did not want to impose on him with his own worries or concerns. He snuggled into Jason's side and laid his blond head on Jason's shoulder. "I love you, bro."
Jason pulled Nathan in tightly, "I love you too, Nath'."
At that moment, the ship went to Yellow Alert, and the voice of the young, rather excited ensign on the bridge could be heard, "Captain Evans to the Bridge. All Command Officers, to the Bridge. Incoming emergency call from Starfleet Command. I repeat,..."
Nathan looked at the startled faces of the three in the pool before turning to Jason, "Oh, Shit..."
Telez was the first to react, as he had been through this type of thing before. He practically sprang out of the pool and lifted both Victoria and Antony out after him, "Everyone get dressed fast. Forget getting dry. We need to get to Deck D or E quickly."
Dafydd, Tulek and Graham were already in the turbolift headed to the bridge while Mary and Angela made for the changing rooms to get the children organized. Once the Bridge doors opened Dafydd took charge immediately, "Ensign Johnson, report."
"Starfleet Command on Emergency Channel One, awaiting your arrival. Key personnel already recalled and priority beam–ups are now taking place. All systems report ready, Captain."
"Good. Take the Conn until Lieutenant Roberts relieves you. Commander? Put Command on screen, please."
"Aye, Sir," Tulek said as he depressed the controls at Communications.
The viewscreen flickered from an earth and starfield vista to the offices of the Head of Starfleet, Admiral Morrow. Both he and Ambassador Sarek were seated behind the desk, patiently waiting. "I am sorry, Captain, but we need to activate you and the Hood ahead of schedule."
"Apologies are not necessary, Sir," Dafydd replied. "We are still beaming the required crew up, but otherwise ready for orders. However, please note; we are buddy spiked. We have seven civilians aboard, five of which are children."
Sarek's face, passive as ever, did show some small concern. He answered for the Admiral, "I appreciate your concern, Captain Evans, however, the mission we are sending you on is not classed as dangerous at present."
"Very well," Dafydd's relief was heard in his voice, "how can the Hood assist?"
Marrow touched a key on his desk and the Bridge viewscreen split into a dual–screen. Information started filling the other half as the Admiral said, "We have received a call from an outbound Vulcan Trade–Ship that an unknown craft of alien origin is heading towards Jupiter. Its trajectory indicates impact in six hours and three minutes. You are the only ship within distance that can affect a rescue and capture."
Dafydd quickly went over the data on–screen before replying, "Understood, sir. However, I am curious. Why is the Ambassador present for such a minor issue as this?"
"Simple, Captain," Sarek answered. "As of now, you are under the Command of the Vulcan High Council. All your activity for the foreseeable future is classified 'Yon'kur Wuh', and you are to report directly to me on anything other than the operational reports on the shakedown cruise itself. I understand the Hood is carrying new technologies that are planned to be fitted to the rest of the Constitution Fleet, correct, Admiral?"
Morrow nodded, while Graham and Dafydd looked shocked at the sudden turn of events.
Sarek turned back and caught the look. "Do not be concerned, Captain. Our meeting on the 31st of December is still as planned. I shall explain everything then. Just know that anything you do, and anything those on board do as well, is now covered by Vulcan Law, Vulcan Command and the Vulcan High Council. This shall remain in effect until you hear otherwise from me."
"Understood." Dafydd looked at the control on his chair arm as it sounded. "We have finished beam–up of key personnel. We will be underway shortly. Oh, Admiral, a favour if I may?"
"Certainly."
"I know it is probably low priority, but since I don't know how long I will be out of Earth orbit... We left our children's pet in the house alone. We were not intending to be gone longer than a few hours and she is fine for that length of time. This could take days, so..."
"I will take care of it personally, Captain," Sarek broke in quickly. "Please assure your children that their kelek'aushfa will be well taken care of."
Dafydd's eyes opened wide, "Forgive me for saying so, Ambassador, but I did not think that a Vulcan would be that concerned over a pet."
"No apology is required. We too have kelek'aushfa on Vulcan, and if it eases any distress your children may experience of prolonged separation from their kelek'aushfa, then it is logical for me to do this for you. I had a Sehlat, I–Cheya, as a youngster. He passed onto my son when Spock was old enough to look after him. What manner of creature is your kelek'aushfa, Captain?"
"A canine. Her name is Shelly, and she is quite friendly, although a good house dog. She may attack you if she thinks you are breaking into the house."
Sarek nodded, "I believe I can handle a ron'tu without that happening. No matter what, please tell your children I shall take care of 'Shelly' personally."
"My thanks, Ambassador." Behind the Captain, both turbolift doors opened and the Bridge crew came and took their stations. The comm sounded.
"Engineering to the Bridge. All present and accounted for, and the core is online. You have full power to warp at your convenience."
"Thank you, Commander Everett. Lieutenant Roberts, set course for Jupiter and stand by for refined co–ordinates once we have lock on the target."
"Course laid in, Captain."
"Full impulse until past Moon orbit, then go to maximum warp. Admiral, Ambassador; I shall see you both shortly. Hood out."
"Live long and prosper, Captain." Sarek stated as he saluted the Captain.
"CIC out," said the Admiral. The screen changed back to a full starfield view as the Hood spun itself around and made out of Earth orbit.
Jason smiled to himself as he felt the hum of the engines build before breaking into a huge grin as he felt the slight kick of the inertial–dampeners making adjustments for a high end jump to maximum warp. "Woohoo, we're off! Yes!"
Nathan grinned slightly, but the whimpers from Antony and Victoria wiped it away quickly. "Jace, dude. Come on, they need us."
Jason nodded in assent and went over to his sister and friend and helped both Nathan and Telez calm them down.
Mary was in almost the same condition as her son, and it took all of Angela's skill to keep her from bouncing off the walls. She wished she knew what else she could do, or that she had, had full training with her empathy. In the end, she led Mary over to the bed and used her self taught skill to push Mary into a dreamless sleep. That particular ability had come in so handy with her children. She covered Mary with a blanket before going out to see to Victoria and Antony.
Victoria saw her mother coming closer and ran to her, "Mammy, what's happening? Where's Daddy!"
"It's okay, sweety. He's on the Bridge. Everything is fine, and he'll be down soon to tell us what's happening."
"But I'm scared! I don't like this, and I wanna go home," Victoria was fast becoming hysterical, and so Angela quickly did the same for her as she had for Mary. Carrying the sleeping little girl, she laid her down beside Mary and sat to watch over them.
Telez was having an easier time with Antony. The kiss he was giving him certainly did an effective job of keeping his mind occupied.
Nathan grinned, "Dude, that kiss is sure something else! But do you want your own room? Your hands are doing stuff you might want to keep private!"
Telez broke off from Antony, blushing deeply. "Sorry. I think we got carried away."
"We could tell," Jason said with an evil grin as he reached out to take both Telez' and Antony's hands. "Follow me. There's a spare Junior Officers room opposite this one. You could both use some alone time, I think." He lead the two blushing and nervous boys out of his father's room and across into a smaller quarters. "There. I'll tell Mam that you are here. Have fun!"
Leaving quickly, Jason crossed back to find Nathan already speaking with their mother. "Mammy, I'm hungry again. Is there somewhere I can get something to snack on?"
Angela nodded, but Jason said, "Sure, follow me, bro. I could use some ice cream too. We'll go back to the Officer's Lounge on C Deck. Oh, Mam? Tel and Tony are in the room opposite. They are having private time, okay?"
She smiled at him, "Understood, kiddo. I'll be here if you guys need me. Be careful."
"We will. Come on Nath', or I'll eat your share!"
Due to Jupiter's current position being on the opposite side of the sun in relation to earth, Hood had to take an elongated path around the system, following the orbital path of Jupiter. It did not take long.
"Ten minutes to Jupiter Outpost 92, Sir," Lieutenant Roberts stated quickly.
"Very good. Tulek, do we have the co–ordinates of the alien craft as yet?" Dafydd asked as he turned to his first officer.
"Yes, Captain. Target has been located moving without power. The co–ordinate are now being fed into the Navigation station. It is currently passing the solar orbit of Uranus, and will arrive at impact point in five hours, thirty seven minutes."
"Conn, as soon as we are in Jupiter sector, drop from Warp and proceed to target at full impulse. Tractor control, prepare all systems for a low speed ship–capture. Doc, you best get a team ready. Unknown at present as to who is involved but medical aid may be required."
Upon receiving confirmation from all three, Dafydd sat back in his chair and sighed. The unknown was what drew him to Starfleet, but he never expected it to feel like this; he was, at this point, powerless and dependent on those under his command to get the job done. All he could do now that the orders had been given was to wait, and look like he was in full control and everything was going according to plan. Then he remembered: his family was on board. "Commander, take the chair. I will be back in ten minutes. I need to see my wife and children."
Without waiting for a reply he got up and left the Bridge.
"And what would the young master like? We have chocolate, vanilla, toffee or strawberry flavours, and a variety of toppings." the kitchen assistant asked Nathan. Jason had already created his own dessert, but Nathan was still pondering the greatest life mystery of all: would everything fit into one bowl or would he need two? In the end, it took two bowls, and the combined laughter of the kitchen staff, as Nathan carried them out with his tongue caught adorably between his teeth as he tried not to drop either.
Jason could barely eat his own through his laughter as he watched this. As soon as Nathan had set both bowls down he was pulled onto Jason's lap for a full, long kiss. Once he had recovered his breath, Nathan said, "I love you too, Jace, but if my ice–cream melts you are getting the melted results down your pants!"
"Point taken! I'll carry on once we're both finished... however, that does sound interesting. Would you be cleaning it u..."
Nathan's hand stopped him speaking mid sentence. He winked at Jason, "Remind me later... when we have our private time." He turned then and started inhaling his dessert, an evil smirk on his face as Jason blushed.
The kitchen staff's laughter was not being made any better by the antics of the two boys.
"Ange? You in here?" Dafydd called quietly as he entered. He could see Mary and his daughter sleeping peacefully on his bed, and so moved quickly through to the work area. He saw his wife seated in the dinning booth in the corner. He went up to her and enfolded her in a hug.
"What's happening, Daf? I'm barely keeping it together, here. Telez is off with Tony as the poor boy was beginning to freak out, and I had to put both our daughter and Mary into a forced sleep. What's going on?"
"Rescue mission, sweetheart. There's an alien vessel coming into the Sol System, fully powered down, and is going to go straight into Jupiter unless we capture it. We're the only ship in the area, so it's up to us."
Angela relaxed slightly and melted into her husbands embrace. "Thank God! I thought... I was thinking..."
"I can imagine. Don't worry, love. Tell the others it's a simple rescue, but there is a load of stuff you'll all have to know after. Things have just gotten complicated. Where's the other two, by the way?"
"Deck C. Ice Cream. You know your boys, Daf. As long as their stomachs get regular food, they would sit through a war–zone happily."
"And where is Tel and Tony?"
"Room opposite. 'Private time'..."
"That's the room for Lieutenant Hunter, Bio–sciences Division. Gawd, I hope he won't mind the boys breaking in his new bed!"
The ship was coming closer to Jupiter, moving at half impulse speed. Its drive was shut down and it coasted along on momentum only. The hull was scared and pitted with age and countless strikes from space–born objects, and the lettering that once covered its hull was faded beyond recognition. Little did it know that its peaceful solitude would end in the crushing grip of the Sol System's largest Gas Giant. Or so its future once was.
In the vast depths of space, the alien ship seemed minute, yet the advanced sensors of the USS Hood found it easily. The ship's forward motion slowed as a blue beam of sparkling energy found it, snagged it out of its path, and slowly drew it in towards the Hood.
On board, deep in cryogenic sleep, someone slept; unaware that his future was going to change...
Forever...
"Will the Hangar Bay be big enough for this ship?" Dafydd asked, as he turned to Tulek.
"Yes. The fit is tight, but the ship will pass the Hangar Bay doors with one point fifty–seven meters to spare. There is considerable damage to the craft, and where I would suppose the warp nacelles were attached show signs of being sheared off in the past."
Dafydd nodded. He depressed the control on the arm of his chair, "Security, engineering and medical to the Hangar Bay. We are taking no risks here. Lieutenant Roberts, take the Chair. Tulek, please come with me."
"We've cut through the door, Captain. It took a while to get their on board computer to reactivate the atmosphere, but we managed it. There is only one life–sign and it's faint." Chief Engineer Everett said as he put his cutter back in its container.
Graham signaled the other medical personnel to come nearer as the door was swung open, releasing a blast of stale air. Dafydd crinkled his nose as he signaled security to go ahead first, followed by himself and the Doc. Tulek also went forward with security. Inside they found an extremely primitive set up of computer systems and a cryogenic unit. Beneath the ice covering the outside they could make out a vague humanoid form. An extremely small humanoid form.
"The stasis unit is still fully functional, Captain," Graham reported formally as his tricorder completed its scans. "We can initiate reanimation now, but the person within will require sickbay afterwards."
"Do it."
"Captain?" Tulek called from the forwards monitors and consoles. "I think we have a problem with the memory banks; a few of the circuits have shorted out."
"Get what you can from it and report after, Commander. Our first priority..." Dafydd was interrupted by the hiss of the cryogenic unit as the lid opened. He gasped as soon as he saw what it contained, "Oh my God!"
Inside was a little boy.
Jason and Nathan were seated side by side in a loose hug by the windows, gazing into space. Jupiter looked small from their position and Saturn only slightly bigger with the sun peeking out from behind it. The sight was awe–inspiring. Every so often they would turn and stare into each others eyes and kiss each other tenderly before returning their attention to the view outside. The kitchen staff would stop what they were doing from time to time and simply watch them. Not a word was spoken, yet their looks spoke louder than words; 'Ah, young love!'
Jason and Nathan were anything but quiet, however. They were speaking silently to each other. Or, to be more specific, Jason was speaking into Nathan's mind, and then picking up on what Nathan was thinking back at him.
Suddenly Jason sat bolt upright. His father's thoughts and turmoil came shockingly at him. Nathan also shivered, for his weaker empathic abilities also picked up on the large swell of shock radiating from the Secondary Hull. "Shit, Nath'! Come on, let's get the others!"
They ran out and headed for Deck E and the room Telez and Antony were in. They opened the door and charged in without thinking. "OOPS!" Nathan stopped suddenly. Luckily, neither of the two boys on the bed were doing anything other than kissing.
"Guys! Jeez!" Antony yelled.
Jason's serious face never wavered, but he did find the time to quip, "Get used to it. Viccy does it alla time! Now get up fast! Dad needs us!"
Both boys jumped out of the bed, and Antony asked, "What's happening, Jace?"
"Dunno, but Dad needs us."
Nathan looked at the other two boys curiously, "Still dressed? I suppose you didn't have the time for much, then."
Telez smiled shyly. "We're not ready for anything quite yet, cousin."
They all made their way into the hallway. "Do we need Viccy?" Nathan asked quickly.
Thinking quickly, Jason replied, "Yes. Wait here, I'll get her."
He darted into his father's quarters. His mother was dozing in the workroom area and so Jason had to bring his sister out of her empathic induced sleep himself. Her eyes fluttered open. "Sis, come on. There's something we need to do." Jason whispered.
Trusting her big brother, Victoria nodded and took his hand. They ran out and joined the others, and all ran to the nearest turbolift. "Where to, Jace?"
As they entered the lift, Jason briefly sent out his thoughts to his father's mind. "Deck G," he said to the lift computer. "Medical. They're going to medical!"
"Well, this is a test for the new site to site transporter and no mistake," Graham grumbled as he stood over the boy in the cryogenic unit. Dafydd and the others had headed off to the sickbay leaving him alone with the child. "S'okay, kid. We'll have you up and about in no time."
"Dafydd to Doc, prepare for transport." the Captain's voice came over the intercom.
"Energize when ready."
Both the boy in the unit and the Doctor disappeared in a shaft of sparkling blue light.
The gang tore into sickbay just as Graham and the young child materialized in the examination room. Tulek saw them coming and went over to them. "It would be best for you all to remain here. Let the doctor do what he has to first."
They nodded and went to the windows so they could watch. Dafydd came out and stood by them, along with Commander Everett who had worked the transporter controls. The Chief Engineer left, stating that he was going to continue studying the alien craft.
It took half an hour for the readings from the child to appear as normal. Graham nodded to himself, "Good. The cryo–unit was working correctly. Damn surprising considering its age." He looked up at those watching, "He's in good health, I think. His physiology is totally alien, but he seems to be responding well."
"Can we come in, Doc?" Nathan asked softly. As soon as Graham nodded all five children ran over to the examination bed.
The child was not short, but very thin and slender. He looked slightly taller than Victoria, yet she would have made two of him. His pale skin glimmered in the lighting of the room, and his dark, almost black hair shimmered with a deep, blue radiance. He seemed to be lying upon something that was just the same colour as his hair, but they could not yet make out what it was. Victoria reached out and took hold of his hand. His fingers were long in comparison to the rest of his hand, and there was a thin webbing of skin stretched between each. She looked down at his feet and noticed that his toes were also longer than they should be on a human child and also webbed.
Nathan and Jason moved to the head of the bed. Jason laid his hand on the boy's head. "What?" He bent in and stared at the 'hair' on the child's head. "Doc? This ain't hair! It's... Damn, it's like feathers! Very fine, downy feathers!"
"Yes, I know. It's not feathers, though. It is hair, but very fine, like a baby's." The Doc brought up the main screen to display the boy's internal structure. "His bones are like a Raptor's from the dinosaur era. Air pockets, yet remarkably resilient and strong. His eyes are unbelievably powerful, and the muscles in them seem to be more akin to a bird's than a human's. And what he's lying on? Wings."
"Cool! Really? Wow!" Victoria exclaimed as she still held onto the boy's hand.
The comm beeped suddenly, and Commander Everett spoke, "Commander Tulek, we have the first report on the alien craft memory banks."
"Report," he replied.
"You were right. A lot of the memory was irretrievably damaged, but we have managed to download a lot of flight data. The craft has been in flight for over one hundred and seventy years, and looks to have originated from deep within the Beta Quadrant."
Dafydd whistled softly. Tulek asked, "Any data on point of origin?"
"Not as yet, Commander. That information seems to be in the native language of the young boy's race. It will take time for translation."
"Understood. Proceed with investigation and report to either the Captain or myself once you have as much as you can find."
"Aye, sir."
In the Doctor's Office, they all gathered to listen to Graham. "We have a new species here, and very little by way of knowledge. He seems to be responding well to my treatments, and thankfully the Cryo–Unit was in good condition so his recovery will be fast. There is no muscle deterioration nor any signs of brain damage from prolonged cryo–sleep."
Angela and Mary had also joined them and had both been brought up to speed on the new child. Mary asked, "He is winged, you said? Can he fly?"
Graham shook his head, "I would think not, at least not on earth. His own world, maybe, but his wing span does not seem big enough to hold his body up. Mind, I've not seen them unfurled, so again, I'm unsure. Judging by his size and the apparent size of his folded wings, I would say no, though."
Jason raised his hand politely, "Do you know when he'll be waking up?"
"I can bring him around at any point, so it's up to you, Captain. Shall I revive him?" Graham looked at his friend.
Dafydd thought for a second. "Yes. Might be a way to get some answers. Let's wake him up."
The child opened his eyes fully. They were dark blue and huge compared to his face. They seemed to move independently of each other as he looked at all those gathered around him. He seemed to accept easily the children, who were gathered near him, but the adults made him stare, and he blinked rapidly as he laid eyes on Telez and Tulek. "Zer nek thiá ser?"
Tulek moved his tricorder closer to aid the universal translator. "Interesting. His language structure is unlike any we have previously encountered."
"Ghath nek rithÚs. Ma terÚ ánsth!" While they could not understand him, they could hear the panic in his voice. He tried to sit up, yet the examination bed had the muscle restraint field active. His eyes widened even more. "Mezara! MethÚ! TerÚ Mezara!"
Jason sent to Nathan and Victoria, 'Calm him. Still his emotions, I'll try talking to him.' He closed his eyes and sent a probing thought out towards the frightened boy, 'Can you understand me?'
The boy looked up at Jason. His gaze was calmer now, yet still uncomprehending. Jason sent a picture of both himself and the boy talking over and over before nodding at him.
He seemed to understand and started speaking. He continued to do so, and slowly, the universal translator began to catch the phonetic structure of the language.
"Zer are you? I am methÚ, and terÚ my Mezara. Please, where ti my Mezara? I want my mother!"
"Shh," Jason said softly while gently stroking his hand through the boy's fine hair. "Can you understand us now?"
"Y...yes. Please, where is mother? Is father here? I'm scared and I want my mother." He broke into tears, great wrenching sobs that wracked his frail seeming body. Nathan could not resist pressing the release button on the bed and pulling the boy over into a hug. His tearful eyes opened at the action and he really looked at Nathan for the first time. Nathan's golden hair glimmered down at him. "Are you a bad person? Mother said the white–winged were mostly all bad," he blubbered in fear.
Nathan shook his head, "No, and I'm not winged. Look." He laid the boy back down and turned around. "See? Not winged, so not a white–wing. I'm a friend, okay?"
The boy slowly stopped crying and smiled at him, "Friend."
"Yes, friend. My name is Nathan. What's yours?"
"Riti. Riti ThÚraq."
"So, none of you are Lo'Garn?" Riti asked quietly. He looked at the four human children carefully. "And you are not adults yet?"
They shook their heads. Nathan, who was sat nearest, asked, "Your adults are not as big as ours?"
"No, we don't grow up bigger than you. Although you are a lot heavier looking than Mother and Father are." Suddenly, Riti sighed heavily. "I miss my parents," he whispered brokenly, "but I remember now; they sent me away from the bad people. I'm not going to see them again, am I?" Tears once again began to fall, and so Angela moved over and scooped the child onto her lap. Arranging his wings into such a position so as to not cause discomfort was a task, but she managed it.
"We're here, sweety, and we won't leave you. We won't let any 'bad people' get you now, we promise." she whispered softly and soothingly.
He hugged himself fully into her chest, "Thank you." After a moment he pulled back with a curious expression on his face. "What are those?"
"What are what, sweety?" Angela looked puzzled.
Riti pulled an arm free of the hug and rested his finger lightly on one of Angela's breasts, "Those. What are they?"
Jason tried not to laugh, but he couldn't help it. Nathan barely managed to restrain himself. Angela, however, remained impassive and now in full teacher–mode. She explained briefly about the differences that happen when a human female grows from a child to an adult.
"Oh!" Riti's eye's widened even more in comprehension. "I thought you were ill!"
Victoria moved closer to them both, "Don't your Mammy have boobies?"
"Boobies?"
"That's what some children call them, sweety," Angela replied.
"Oh. No, no she doesn't. When we are very young our mothers have some... 'boobies' there, but they don't get that big, nor stay big for long. Only until we can drink and eat ourselves." He looked curiously at Angela again, before regarding Victoria. "So you will grow these things too, soon?"
Victoria giggled, "Not for a few years."
"Sorry," he stated simply.
Victoria's giggles stopped. "Sorry? Why sorry? I want boobies! I want to grow up!" The indignity in her voice startled Riti and he hid his face in Angela's neck and trembled. Victoria stormed off to a corner to sulk.
By now, all four boys had fallen off their seats and were on the floor howling with laughter. Riti pulled back from the hug and glanced with apprehension at Victoria before asking the laughing boys, "What's funny?"
"Nuffin'! Well... ah..." Nathan cracked up more.
Telez was the first to recover enough to answer fully, "You insulted Victoria without meaning to, and what you were asking about, we just found very funny. I am sorry if we hurt your feelings, Riti."
Riti smiled at the blue–skinned boy, "No. I'm okay." He hopped down from Angela's lap and stood on slightly shaking legs before them all.
"You need clothes," Mary stated firmly. "We can't have you running all over the ship like that. A top for you is going to be a problem, though."
"Clothes? Coverings?" Riti looked puzzled. "Are you City–Dwellers? Do you need to wear coverings all the time?"
Jason stopped laughing. "You never wear anything?"
"No. I never have. But then I have been locked inside my home all my life. I was only allowed out at night to fly."
"You can really fly?!" Nathan sat bolt upright. Even Victoria stopped sulking to edge closer to listen.
"Sure, I can fly. I am Lo'Garn. We can all fly."
Dafydd felt things getting out of control and so he stood up. Everyone looked at him as he effortlessly gathered their attention to him. "Riti," he started, "there's a lot of things we need to ask you, and a lot of things we need to know. I don't think you can tell us everything we would like, but as much as you can would be really helpful. Is it okay if just you and I speak and everyone else watch?"
The small boy looked unsure and his furled wings fluttered nervously as he stared up at this impossibly huge 'man' before him. "O...okay, but can that nice white–wing... ah, I mean... can he stay with me?" he asked, pointing to Nathan.
After seeing Nathan and Jason nod, Dafydd consented. "Sure. We'll all stay in here, and you and I will have a nice talk, okay?"
Nathan moved away from Jason and sat on the nearest biobed. He beckoned to Riti who ran over and jumped at him. Their all grew shocked as they saw the ease at which Riti jumped the height to land gently on Nathan's lap. Nathan recovered, smiled and hugged him securely in place. Dafydd sat on the bed opposite, and Jason hopped up next to Nathan and Riti. The others quickly found places to sit.
"Okay, Riti. First, how old are you?"
"Sixteen cycles," he replied quietly, with a touch of pride.
Dafydd looked startled but continued, "Okay. You don't look older than eight to us, though."
Graham leaned in to whisper to his friend, "Genetically, he is eight, or near enough. I think their years may be different lengths to our own."
"Different lengths?" Riti asked. The Doc looked at him.
"You heared that?"
"Yes. What do you mean 'different lengths'?"
Dafydd explained, "Not all planets have the same length to a year. Commander Tulek's world," he pointed out the Vulcan to the tiny child, "has a longer year than my world. Andoria," he then pointed at Telez, "has a slightly shorter one. It's going to be difficult to work out exactly what your worlds years are, though, Riti. We need a common frame of reference that you don't have yet."
"I could help, Dad," Jason interjected. "I could scan him and work it out for you."
Riti looked between them both, unsure as to what they were referring. "What do you mean? What are you going to do?"
"I can read minds. I can read yours and see your memories of how long a day is and how long a year is. I could work it out from there, but only if you agree, Riti."
Riti nodded. It sounded like a very exciting adventure. "Will I feel anything?" he asked in excitement, "will I see anything as you look?"
Jason considered it. "Yes. I think I can manage it. You and I will look together. Does that sound okay?"
Evidently it was, judging by the way Riti tried to nod his head off his neck. Jason closed his eyes as he reached out with his mind. Riti's own eyes fell shut as he was drawn inwards. They stayed quiet for nearly five minutes, while everyone waited patiently.
Jason and Riti opened their eyes at the same time and Riti exclaimed, "That was so much fun. Can we do it again sometime?"
"Sure, little pal. Anytime you like!" Jason turned to his father, "The solar rotation of Riti's home is 182.625 days. Precisely half of our own. Their daily cycle is exactly the same. They even have their own version of a leap–year, but unlike ours, every eight cycles they add five days to the year. For seven years they have 182 days, then they have a year with 187 days. It's a big holiday for them, almost."
"Yes. I was born in the FÚrin Celebrations," Riti added. "And I was sent away on my birthing day."
"So, really, that's today? You went asleep on your birthday? Birthing Day?" Jason corrected.
"Yeah," Riti continued sadly, "my mother said I was special as all who are born then are special." He suddenly looked solemn, "That just meant that I never had friends, though. I never got to play with any children, 'cos I'm black–winged. A monster."
"What do you mean?" Dafydd asked softly.
"I don't know. My mother and father always said that if others saw me they would call me a monster and a demon and kill me, and then kill them. I always had to hide."
"You don't have to hide anymore, Riti. We don't need you to hide. Just to be yourself, okay?"
"Okay," came the soft, doubtful reply.
"Now, you said you never wore clothes. Why was that?"
Riti looked at Dafydd oddly, "'Cos you can't fly with what you are wearing on, sir."
"But you said the 'City–Dwellers' wore clothing. What did you mean by that?"
"They have some type of waist wrapping. It's very tight fitting so that they can move and fly. City–Dwellers, my mother says, are silly. We are Lo'Garn. We should just live and fly." Riti spoke with a firmness that only an eight year old who has never had any true social interaction could. "I'm from the hill country, and I was always told that we are not so stuffy there."
Nathan asked quickly, "How warm is your homeworld, Riti?"
"A little warmer than this room," he replied as he turned his head to look at Nathan's face. His head turned easily and not even his shoulders moved, yet he was almost looking directly behind himself into Nathan's shocked face.
"Wow, now that is cool!" Jason exclaimed.
"It's freaky," Victoria muttered, still feeling offended by Riti's remark earlier. Riti looked hurt to the quick, yet he flashed a murderous glance at Victoria.
"Behave, young lady, or you'll get no TV rights for a week, you hear me?" Angela rebuked her.
Victoria turned her back on them all and continued to sulk.
Nathan brought his thoughts back from the shock of seeing an exorcist movement of Riti's head and continued, "Well, if it's that warm on your world, you might have to wear clothing with us. If you're staying in Wales, that is. Dad?"
"We'll have to talk to the Ambassador before we make any decisions, Nath'. Riti, can you tell us why you were on that spaceship?"
"Spaceship? What is a spaceship?"
"It's a vehicle that travels between planets and stars. You are on a spaceship right now."
"Wow! Really? A TÚi Karí? They are only from stories? I was always told that no–one can go into the void without dying!" He paused, "Then that makes you all Void–creatures?"
"Alien, is what we call it, little dude," Jason said with a smile.
"It takes a high level of technology to travel in space, in the 'void', Riti. It is obvious your race has mastered it. However, it is also logical to assume that it was not widely held knowledge, judging by your reactions," Tulek stated softly.
Dafydd nodded in agreement before turning back to the child, "We'll show you around the ship after, Riti, but do you know why you were sent away to begin with?"
"I was told that some bad white–wings were coming to search our village. Mother thought someone must have known about me and so my parents took me to some other nice white–wings. They said I was going to goto sleep and be sent away to someone who would look after me. I just thought that meant another Tribe. I never thought I would travel the Void!"
Dafydd nodded slowly, "But you don't know why the bad white–wings wanted to hurt you?"
"No, sir. My parents are white–wings, but they were nice. Most white–wings are not, though. At least, that is what I was told."
"And you have never seen Starships? Spaceships?"
"No. We have satellites in orbit, and we have landed a probe on our moon."
Tulek came closer and asked, "Riti, did the 'nice' white–wings tell you who the people you were being sent to were?"
"They said that I would travel far away to some people called the 'Vulcanians' as they liked all children and would look after me, but I never heard of them before."
A wave of shock passed through the room.
Mmm, a little shorter than I thought, but... AAKD attack, so I thought I'd better call it quits on this chapter before things got out of hand!
This is what you get for letting Joel play 'author'...
As with Frontier and 'Lindon', Riti is the result of a Reader's suggestion that took 'flight', pardon the pun. Three of us CSU authors are now planning ongoing story lines to include the 'Lo'Garn' and also, MultiMapper made himself available to bring 'Lindon' into earth... now that is a mystery for y'all :P... who's the OTHER two authors with ideas... hehehe
Hugz!
Ilúvantír
Humphf! I think it's cool! Riti looks like he'd be fun!
Ignore Unca Ilú, guys! He's an old grouch!
Snuggles to all!
Joel
Well I wouldn't exactly call him a grouch, Joel, maybe a bit stuffy, but not a grouch. Remember he loves you and wants the best for you, so try to be kind to him.
AAKD indeed, well, my curiosity is growing with leaps and bounds. I seem to recall reading somewhere else about someone else with wings. I wonder if the two winged people will manage to meet each other? I won't say any more about that, here, since it might be a spoiler.
It looks like all the children are getting along pretty well, if you take into account that sometimes kids say things that accidentally hurt other people's feelings. I am sure that Riti didn't mean to hurt Victoria's feelings. He seems very nice and I am sure things will work out okay for everyone. Let's hope the next chapter will follow very soon.
Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher
Ilúvantír continues to amaze us with the depth of detail in his chapters; he not only brings his characters to life but their innermost thoughts and being. Ilúvantír has created a fantasy world that I would love to live in.
Nephew Joel if you knew all that Uncle Ilú had to worry about you would understand why he may sound like a grump sometime. He still loves you very much though.
It looks like this is going to a wide ranging story covering many locations and several different families and lifestyle. I have a feeling that this story, like "Sa'ren", is going to go where no CSU story has gone.
I am really enjoying the interaction between the characters as it helps us learn a lot more about them and their environments.
The Story Lover – Clan Short Archivist.