Colliding Worlds

[Silence]

Kalizda looked so pretty in her gold dress. They were going to a special dinner and he wasn’t quite ready. He just needed to get his beret and then they could go. Running back up the stairs Illya reached into the closet and grabbed his beret, put it on and then he charged up a further flight of stairs before jumping out the window. That didn’t really make any sense, but she was waiting for him and that was all that mattered. Wrapping an arm around her waist he grinned at her and leaned to kiss her cheek. Her little fingers clasped over his and she pulled on his arm even tighter. At first it wasn’t so bad, but she had an incredible grip. It was really starting to hurt and he tried to pull his arm away, but an awful pain shot through his arm and her smile was replaced with screaming.

Slowly his mind started to catch up with where he was and Illya realized he was in the temple. It collapsed and he was inside! The dust in the air was still thick and he coughed when he tried to breathe in. There were a few others he could see. If seeing just a mound of a person counted. A Reylian was close enough that he could tell they were in bad shape. One of the stones trapped his legs and another looked like it must have hit his head. The man’s skull sported a dent and plenty of blood.

He was still only half aware of his own condition and Illya tried to move again only for a radiating pain to travel his arm. Wincing, he waited for several seconds and tried again. After a moment he decided to just close his eyes and try to feel where he was instead of pull around. The right leg, he couldn’t feel anything with that one. So far as he knew it was free. His left leg was stuck, but it didn’t feel injured. There was a good deal of pain in his back and a boulder holding him at the odd twisted angle he found himself in. The right arm was free and the left was crushed by a massive stone. Letting out a shaky breath he tried to move his right leg and he pulled a few times before it came free. His right arm and leg were free, but it didn’t do much good with the boulder pushing him to his left side and pressed tightly into his back. There was nowhere to move to as long as his left leg was trapped too.

“Their base is destroyed, enemy terminated at location, and awaiting further orders.” The voice came over the radio and Illya had a moment of relief his Chippequoti men were successful and that meant they only had to deal with the Tannas here. Reaching up with his right hand he pressed the button to transmit. Hopefully it hadn’t been damaged. “Back up on Quoti.” His voice was gravelly and uneven, but it was clear. After several seconds the reply came back. “Got the message little boy.”

The temple was filled with cries and moans of the wounded. There was something more and Illya strained his ears. He still couldn’t see that well after the flash bomb, but he could hear shooting inside the temple. Breathing in deeply he smelled Tannas. They were here and they were shooting anyone they could find alive. Illya knew they would be able to see him. He could see a blur of light above himself. Slowly he worked his hand along his right side and he found his handgun. Unclasping it from the holster he pulled it out and cocked it.

This was one good reason to have a handgun, because obviously a sword wasn’t a great option at this point. Voices came closer and closer until a shadow of a form stood over him. Firing his weapon he saw the form disappear and then another came over him and he shot that one too. After he killed about 4 Tannas a little grenade toppled and tinkered its way into his space. Illya brushed it away and it fell down into the rocks before it exploded. Bits of metal flew everywhere underneath him and chunks of them planted themselves into his back on the right side. Rocks started to shift and Illya fell a little deeper in the rubble. Momentarily he thought his arm might have come loose, but it was still stuck and his elbow bent back and back until it broke. His weight was still pulling and his shoulder started to give way. Gritting his teeth he tried to turn himself so he could prevent further damage and hold onto the rock. Instead his shoulder dislocated too and he gasped with the pain. With all the shifting of the rocks the one that held his arm started to rock and he could hear the bones being ground and crushed. At this point he couldn’t feel the part of his arm stuck under the rock, so it was a bonus in a way.

Illya still struggled against the fall and he managed to get his left leg free to. With a surge of adrenaline he pulled himself up and pushed against the boulder trapping his arm. With enough space to pull it out he grimaced at the sight. It was a bloody, mangled mess. He couldn’t really see the skin, but he could see that the uniform shirt was soaked in blood. Letting the arm hang limply at his side he winced with every movement. The gun had fallen off somewhere and he looked around for it. There was a moment of luck when he saw that it had been caught instead of falling through the cracks.

Snatching the gun up Illya took up position and started to snipe off any Tannas that tried to enter the temple. He could hold it for a while. There wasn’t any clear entrance and they were awkward at best trying to make their way into the ruins. Crouching in his little hole Illya pulled his broken arm into his lap and cradled it while he aimed his gun toward any figures that graced the temple with their added presence. He hadn’t heard any radio contact to indicate that his men were anywhere nearby. “This is little boy.” Speaking into the radio he coughed some. “Holding temple till I get relief.” They should at least have fair warning that waltzing into the temple would get them killed if they didn’t say anything.

********************************

"Load up!" Eziah made the round motion with his hand in the air. They were done here. There wasn't too much left of the base by the time he and the men had finished with it. Buildings still lay toppled and most of the Tannas had disintegrated already. Ironically the Tannas didn't expect to get hit at their base and then they hadn't really seemed to plan on defending it too much either. When he got the call for backup that explained most of it. The fight was on Old Quoti and that was where they had been concentrating their power. Inside the ship he looked to the pilot. "We're off tah Old Quoti."

Of the 18 Elite that had gone onto the field only 16 of them were going to be in fighting condition, but that was going to be enough to make a few concentrated attacks. On the way in he saw heavy artillery sitting on top the hill. "Give a little extra loving care to that spot." Speaking in Quoti he grinned as he watched the guns light up the side of the hill and then he nodded to his men. "Ready to drop!"

The 15 men including himself ran to the back of the ship and held onto the strap hanging from the ceiling till they felt the ship come to a hover and the back hatch opened. Running out toward the edge the men all dropped onto the hillside. It was stone pock marked with the bullets from the ship. Pulling out their swords the men scanned over the bodies of the Tannas. There was good reason that they hadn't been running the weapons. Something had already got to them. Some of them lay dying and other were already disappearing. Chunks of them had been pulled out of their bodies, but only certain tissue appeared to have been affected. It was odd and strangely disturbing in a way. What in the world could do something like that to the Tannas? "Little boy we're on the ground. Where you need us?"

A voice came in again and this time it was Asher. "I need back up in the valley." It was getting hard to hold the position and he had Tannas from the homes built into the side of the canyon wall firing at him and then he was being forced deeper into the city at the same time by another group that had rounded behind him and they were pushing him into the canyon even further.

"On our way." There wasn't any other adverse orders and Eziah made motion to his men. They could see the part that ran toward the valley. It wouldn't make much sense to go down there with him since then it would just put more them in the same situation. Racing along the top they came to the caved in temple and then spread out along the length of the canyon and pulled out their long range weapons. "Pick off the enemy." The men all laid near the edge and began to pull out their guns until they found the enemy in their sites and started to pick them off while Asher and his remaining group of Reylians fought their way out of the valley. While they made the retreat Asher did his best to watch out for the Tannas packed into the buildings. There was only one way they could have taken the city and it was if they had managed to all separate and drop their bracelets onto the sides of the narrow walkways and then rush in a cloud of gas into the homes to destroy the civilians.

In a desperate attempt the Tannas loaded a missile from one of the homes that they had managed to load weapons into and fired it at the group. A whistle sounded and the warhead plummeted toward the group of men. With a blast it sent them flying and Asher slammed into the stone wall. One of his legs sported a hole nearly the size of a baseball in it. Slumping limply against the wall he gasped a few times and tried to maintain consciousness, but it was slipping away and the sounds of the battle began to fade.

Eziah nodded to the men. "Half you hold pressure others of us taking a way down." Peering down into the temple he though he spied Illya huddled in and shooting at incoming Tannas. There was a fairly consistent flow of them and he laid down on the ground. "Jump in and all I've you cover fire." The first man jumped in and Eziah started to shoot the Tannas as well. "Sir, we're just about to you."

It was relieving to have some of his men close enough to help. Illya yelled back. "Aye, still covering till yah ready to move out and clear city from here." Within minutes there were a good 8 men with him in the temple and he moved to stand up. The troop of men didn't say much about the injuries. Wasn't too much that they could do from here. A few other Chippequoti inside the temple called for help and Eziah sent two men to help dig them out. Some of the men were in fighting condition and the ones that couldn't move much were given weapons and set up in the rubble to hold the ground. Another of them called the Ehaui for support.

*************************************

Illya remained in the temple with the injured and held the ground while his men swept through the canyon. They rushed from one house to the next and tossed grenades in them or stepped in and cleared them out. It was several hours before they returned and another two had been seriously injured. Now it was just the trick of getting them all together again and determining which ships they would be putting each man in.

Already the Ehaui were loading up men and women and children into their medical ships. There were a total of three and one of Ehaui approached Illya. "We've been threatened at nearly every turn in this quadrant. We're coming back to join your Alliance." Without another word or any kind of warning he was hauled into a ship and assessed for a level of threat to his life. The most severely injured were already shoved into surgery and Illya sat in a small section of the ship waiting for his turn. His entire arm ached despite the medicine they had already started. After what felt like forever he leaned back in the seat and then cringed. He'd momentarily forgot about the chunks of shrapnel still sticking out of his back. There wasn't really any comfortable position for now.

When his turn rolled around for surgery one of the Ehaui took him to a scan first and had him lay on his stomach. "Looks like the arm is badly damaged." Quietly the Ehaui woman moved the scan over his back and then the rest of his body. A small surgical team looked over the scans and then the woman looked back at Illya. "We have two options. One, we take the arm just above the elbow, or we can insert metal rods and reconstruct the arm till you have enough bone reformed around it to remove the rods again." Neither choice was fun, but it had to be done.

The options were certainly ugly ones and Illya groaned. "I guess yah jes put rods in." He winced just thinking of how the rods would feel. They were painful for months and it would be another series of surgeries, but he could keep the arm and that was important.

**********************************************************

Slowly Illya opened his eyes and he cringed a little. His back felt better without all the metal in it, but he was laying on it. Asher was laying in a bed across from him. There were probably close to a dozen men just in this one room all packed in and monitors bleeping consistently. It was annoying and Illya hated being in here. It reminded him of the previous war. Glancing down at his arm he was half afraid to discover whether they had to amputate or not. To his relief his arm was there. Several spots had bandages on them where the skin had been tore up and then other places with stitches and some spots where he was sure they made ports to slide the rods into his arm. The cast was an odd sort that allowed no movement, but it would allow some gradual movement in time with adjustments. It was open to make easy access for several of the wounds and then Illya thought of Kalizda. How in the world was he supposed to be building that add on for the house if he had his arm all bumbled up? He'd find a way because he knew she was gonna be mad if he didn't.

Near his bedside were several of his things including his pad. Illya wanted so badly to call Kalizda, but he was going to have to wait till they reached G'koe. Part of him was disappointed. He'd finished with the mission and he was on his way home. Lohgan was still ok last he knew and he wanted to see Cypher and Rose too. All he wanted was to get home and he wanted to be with Kalizda. She would cuddle a little and even if his arm didn't stop hurting it would be nice anyway. With all the drugs from the Ehaui he wasn't awake long and he drifted off to the sound of the monitors from the 11 other patients in the room.

 

[aryamajor]

The Tannas were flooding the hill again as Tikan stepped off the ramp and squinted out over the ridge. Their position was defensible with the men they had, but not for long. "Cover Duncan, and hold th' line," he called into his coms. His men formed along the hill at the outcropping in front of the ridge below where the Tannas were coming from.

Tikan crouched low with his rifle, filling in the gap in the line and covered Duncan as he ran to Asher for reinforcements. The Chips were drawing fire, but they were covered. Reloading his rifle he took his aim and squeezed the trigger, feeling the heavy kickback in his shoulder. Once Tannas dropped, and then another, but if they weren't killed instantly, the bracelets came off and more budded seemingly from thin air. Shots from both sides rang out over the hills side until the whistling of another shell added to the din of war. Tikan's stomach had just enough time to clench as the call to drop echoed over the coms.

Dirt burst from their flank in a deafening crash, causing the ship to rattle as a few men were blown to the side. Red rocks sprayed everywhere, a heavy chunk knocking another of his men down. All the chief could do was cover his head, and hope the others did the same. The sounds sucked up every other noise in his ears with a deafened ringing, as he shook off the "Check th' men, tighten th' line!" Those who weren't stunned dashed to hold their ground and Tikan shifted, making a crawl for his lieutenant nearby though the rubble. The man had taken a hit to the head form a piece of rock and blood oozed from his caved in temple next to vacant eyes. Tikan checked the pulse anyways, to be sure he was truly gone, and felt no pulse at his blood splattered neck.

"It's a push!"

The chief looked up from his dead warrior and saw the Tannas men using the stunning shell hit to their advantage. Men were making their push up the hill to take the ship. Checking his wrist pad, he saw that Josey needed 7 more minutes at the least. They would meet these men and hold the ground for longer. Coming to his feet, the chief emptied his rifle into the Tannas before pulling his war scythe from his back. The other's knew what to do and the sound of gun fire mixed with the soft shink of blades coming into the light.

In his past battles, it was always the first clash of metal he remembered most above the screams and this time was no different. At the six minute mark, the Tannas reached them and the combat began. Tikan swung his scythe, arching across an enemy's chest, digging deep into the armor with a spurt of blood. "Ahg!" With a hard kick, he dislodged the man. Another came from the right and he sheared through the man's arm making him fall in one fluid strike. The Tannas was screaming from loss of his limb, and desperately trying to pull off his bracelet to fade away. To heal. "No, ye don't!" A vicious growl came from the chief's throat as he shoved his enemy to the ground and brought the heel of his boot down over his wrist, crushing it and the bracelet into the broken hand. It bent so the man couldn't take it off without help.

By the 2 minute mark, the Tannas were starting to split again or disappear to regroup and another wave flooded the hill. "Hold it!" the chief called to his men, "We hold this ground!"

"Ooowah!" A unified call replied to his order, as they rallied for the next phase.

As the Tannas came within reach, a great flash of light filled hill side, blinding everyone for a moment for an explosion sent men flying like rag dolls in all direction along with rocky pieces of earth. Tikan felt his feet leave the ground as a strange weightlessness took over, the sky becoming closer in his vision, then suddenly slamming into blackness.

***********

Josey finished tying the last wires together as a shell rocked the cockpit. That one was the closet yet and the screams outside told him that it had met the mark for more than a couple of their men. "One second..one more second..." Crawling from under the panels he stumbled over to the captain's chair as Wynt was trying to establish communications. He heard the General's voice crackle over the comms followed by the Chippeqouti unit at the base. They were on the way to back up Asher and Duncan. Whatever it was that the Chief had wanted to project on the hologram coin, Josey couldn't begin to guess. He could tell it had been modified by someone when he opened it to attack it to the ship mainlines but beyond that he had no idea what would happen when he turned it on.

"It's up! Get them on board!"

Men came running, carrying the injured and what the could of dead as the engines fired up. Chief Tikan was among them, his heavy body slumped over the back of the second lieutenant, part of his left side a bloody mess, including his face. Josey ran a shaking hand over the throttle as the hatch folded up and bullets began hammering over the steel paneled hull. They rocketed upwards, searing off some of the Tannas forces on the ground as they jetted over the city toward the enemy base. A mortar whizzed past, exploding close to the their nose. The jarring from the attack caused a round of pained yells from the cargo hold, but Josey guided them through more bombs bursting through the air. Pitching them left and the right, he weaved a path through to enemy territory then aimed the nose of their craft squarely toward them. If it was a weapon of some kind, he wanted it away from the city and aimed at the base.

As the Tannas artillery calibrated for a target closer to their own base, Josey took their brief chance, and hit the button on the off board cameras, aiming for the weapons themselves. A red beam shot out over the roof top and with tendrils writhing into the air, arching over the watch towers and the posts in bright arcs. Whatever the beam was doing, it was making the shelling stop. Gun dropped where they stood, and men melted before his eyes as he watched on at a total loss as to why his chief would do such a drastic measure. A third of their forces had been buried alive in the temple, but this was sickening to watch.

Wynt caught Josey's eye and cleared his throat. "Th' shells are done, ye turn it off now."

The warrior's shaking fingers fumbled with the button before he managed to turn off the strange weapon. What was that? He had been in battle before, and he'd even seen bodies mangled from bombs, but that had been something else entirely. With the base cleared, and his chief's orders followed, he flew over to the same coordinates as before and the 2nd lieutenant took the men out into the streets to salvage what the could from the temple where many of the men and women they had come to save were.

*********

The Ehaui doctor looked over the Reylian's Chief's scans and frowned. "The maxillary and orbital fractures are the worst, broken arm, and a few ribs." Judging by the looks of the man, he had been hit within 10ft of a shelling and was thrown up. Perhaps he'd landed on his head, but it was more likely a hunk of debris mashed the left side of his face in. Some how, he was still alive and barely breathing when they'd hauled him in. His face was such a burned, skinned mess on one side that it had swollen up almost immediately. They wouldn't know what his eye looked like underneath the swelling until they had him in surgery.

Facial reconstruction was always a tedious task, and the man would need subsequent procedures after this one. The surgeon moved bone, muscle tissue aside, putting the man's jaw back into a pinion, wiring it shut, then began working on the sinus cavity. It was entirely crushed along with the nose, causing him difficulty breathing. Intubation had been the only way to ensure he was receiving adequate oxygen when he arrived, but he would be able to breath from his nose again more or less when the the swelling went down. The orbital socket was the next area in need of reconstruction. The Ehaui carefully pushed around the swelling, picking out rubble mixed with the crushed bone. "Part of the socket will have to be removed, packed, and then rebuilt on Kaereal or Reylia if there was a facility with what we need." They didn't have the time or the materials needed to replace a face's worth of bone on the ship.

Further investigation showed that the chief's eye was beyond repair, having most of the lens crushed and many of the nerves severed or damaged. He could fix it for looks and place it back inside the man's skull of cosmetic reasons or remove it all together saving him pain from scar tissue and damaged nerves. Either way the eye would no longer be functional, so it was really no choice at all. Shaking his head, the Ehaui held out the blackened eye ball and clipped the sinewy muscle till it was free, then cauterized to burn out any nerves left.

*********

It was the dull throbbing that pulsed in time all over the left side of his face along with a strange beeping sound that woke Tikan. Everything hurt, but most of all it was his head and jaw. None of his muscles wanted to work, and he stared up through the slit of swollen cheeks at a brought floresecent light, letting out a groan.

"Doctor, he's waking up," said a female voice from above.

Tikan tried to turn his head, unable to see who was standing to his left. "Ly-"

His wife name brought an intense pain all over his face as if it were a curse. His eyes watered from the sudden shock of it and the beeping grew more insistant in the back ground. '"Auuhugh."

"Give him two more units."

A blurry face appeared over him and the Chief wanted them to back away from his face, but the flinch cause even more agony. The Ehaui nurse changed out an IV bag for a larger one of clear liquid and turned the drip on full throttle. "That amount should be sufficient. Kaereleans burn through certain drugs quick, particularly synthetics. Keep him on two units an hour, and a check in every hour."

The chief blinked up the woman as she dissappeared to his left side, and slowly felt the medicine settling into his muscles. He grew heavier and heavier until he was sure that his body would sink right through the mattress and into the floor.

********

Calysta shifting in her office chair and propped her feet up on the lip of the bookshelf behind her, trying to relieve the plumpness that had invaded her toes. Her feet had just started the achy bits of swelling and it wasn’t comfortable to sit for long or stand for long, adding to the general sense of frustration she had stowed to the back of her mind. Above her head, the sounds of a power drill were grinding away, finishing the final wall that would become her new master bedroom. Kirit had taken over the project on his off days early in the mornings, before going home to work on his own spare room for the three boys. He was a smart builder and a steady worker, but the construction was often loud. Reading a report or writing a reply took all of her focus to power through the noise. Sometimes, there would be a loud crash, a bang, followed by a few curses and it sounded like a battle raging above them.

Kicking off her boots, Calysta eased her back into the chair and dropped her pad to her rotund belly. It was starting to grow even larger now, and while it made a wonderful prop, it made other things more difficult. Her belly hadn’t been so large with Cypher. Lohgan would be twice the size of her brother if she kept growing. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath as her baby wiggled around, kicking on her bladder. “You’re going to make me run upstairs again aren’t you,” she grumbled as the urge grew. “Fine, fine. Don’t dance around on my bladder, yeah?” Hauling herself to her feet, Calysta wobbled upstairs slowly and went to the bathroom while another cursing round could be heard from upstairs. It sounded like he had hit his thumb with the hammer. As she waddled down the stairs, she could hear her pad alerting to a call. It was probably the Terran President, so she scurried a little faster with one arm around her belly. When she finally made it to the pad, she noticed that there was a missed call…from Illya. He had called?! It had been 5 weeks since he disappeared and there hadn’t been a trace of him and now he was calling? Her finger hesitated over the screen before mashing the call back button. There was only one way to find out if this was some kind of joke or misdial.

Illya got to move to the regular bunks in one of the other ships at G'koe and that was a relief. He was tired of being in the Ehaui wards for the injured and sick on a giant ship. Getting into pants was about the only thing he could do with some semblance of normalcy right now. So he settled into the strange hammock on the Reylian ship. A single person hammock was a little easier to stay in, but he still felt like they were crafty little devices meant to inflict pain. The first call he made to Kalizda had gone unanswered and it wasn't even late. Frowning he laid the pad down on his chest and swung for a moment in the hammock till the pad started to ring back. It was Kalizda! A big grin came to his face. He wanted to see her so badly after all this time. "Et's meh Kalizda." Half murmuring the words he stared at the pad before he realized he hadn't answered the call. Laying the pad on his stomach he fumbled around with his one hand to hit the button and then he lifted it and tried to tilt the screen so she couldn't see his left arm. "Meh Kalizda."

The pad rang over and over. Of course, it did. Why wasn’t she surprised that he didn’t want to talk? He had probably dialed her by accident on whatever insane duo mission he’d gone on with Tikan. She started to put down the pad when it rang for the 5th time, but a familiar voice saying her name caught her on the 6th ring. Calysta picked the pad up again to see Illya’s face clear as day on the screen. His eyes were slightly glazed and he had a somewhat slackened grin plastered on his lips. Was he drunk calling her? “Illya?” her voice was tentative a first, before she cleared it. “You...” What in the wilds was she supposed to say? She was glad to see him, but a burning anger sat next to her relief, evaporating it in a steady stream. “What..you…have you been drinking? Where are you?” The second question came out more demanding than anything as her eyes narrowed.

Her question was beyond funny and Illya started to chuckle. Why would she think he was drinking? It was obvious he wasn't drinking anything at all. "I'm nut drinking. Jes decided tah call yah. On meh way home. Jes got in anoter ship at G'kowo." Whatever the name of the place was it was too hard to concentrate on pronouncing and he laughed again. "Yah write very nice. I read all yah letters over and over." Letting out a long sigh he studied her face and then brought the pad closer to his own as if that meant he could see her better. "Are yah upset?"

Illya was laughing at her and there was not a shred of humor in the situation she could find. Not in this. Her jaw worked her teeth to powder as she stared at him, trying to control herself. He was on his way home, but something was obviously wrong, because of the way he was acting. The fact that he read her letters was surprising and a bit sweet, but she wouldn’t have had to write them if he had come home or at least told her what was happening in part. “What do you think?!” The words tumbled out as her throat tightened against hot tears. “You snuck off and did whatever it was you wanted to do. I had no idea if you needed help or if you were even alive! Do you realize the last time you spoke to me, we were discussing your near dead body being dragged from a room? We talked about moving forward. We. Last I checked, that included me!”
If there was a response that he had not anticipated it was the one that Kalizda gave to him. Why in the world would she be so upset? Her explanation didn't even make that much sense. What in the world was she talking about? "I sneak off before we move?" He didn't remember talking to her about moving. "Where did we move to?"
Calysta fought down a squeal as her fists clenched together. There had been only twice that she had ever been quite so mad at Illya in her memory. This was the 3rd and by far the worst. He wasn't talking any sense because he was either drunk, high, or flat out not paying attention. "We didn't move anywhere," she replied, voice trembling with fury, "Why are you acting so strange? What's wrong?"

"Oh...Its still a tiny room." Nodding mostly for himself he grinned a bit. "Yeah I'll be home tahnight. G'koe is a long ways, but I'll be dere." Illya dropped the pad on his face and he rolled his eyes. "Ets broken yah know. Won't stand up by etself anymore."

He was mumbling on about coming home from G'koe and making no sense again. The intergalactic hub was 2 weeks away by straight jumps and there was no way he'd be there soon as that. The man had to be high, and when the pad dropped on his face, gracing her with a very personal view of his squashed nose, it was confirmed. Whatever he said, he was hurt or sick some how and it both upset her and added fuel to the fire behind her eyes. "It takes two weeks to get to Kaereal from G'koe," she said, her voice almost a whisper, "I don't really know where you've been all this time, but I hope it was worth it."

Illya fumbled with the pad and he pulled it off his face after a few efforts. "Yeah, I have some new friends. Some of dem are ugly." One of the men above him started to laugh. It was impossible not to laugh at the comments the General had been making about people the last few days. "Yah know even dey're ugly I tink.......Kalizda are yah coming tah see meh? 2 weeks es too long tah wait. I wanna cuddle wit yah."

Calysta gazed at him trying to figure out what he meant by 'ugly new friends' and then the laughter in the back ground tipped her off that he was in a bunk room, possibly even an infirmary. The grip on her pad tightened as her fingers curled over the edges, secret missions and he was coming home with Wilds only knew what wrong with him. At the suggestion of cuddling, her eyes went wide and she sputtered. She wanted to cuddle and at the same time she wanted to beat him some sense into his drugged up brain. The conflict of urges mad her forget all words for a moment as she opened and closed her mouth in utter disbelief. "You...you! You want to me to cuddle now after you didn't want to talk to me for five weeks?" Despite the fact that he was hurt, and she wanted to be there, she physically couldn't be and if she was honest with herself, she was hurt too. Try has she might to avoid it, tears welled in her eyes out of absolute frustration, then ran down her cheeks.

"Oooh dun cry." Illya sat up in the bed a little bit and started to tip the side. Only a split second later he found himself on the floor and grunted. Crawling toward the pad he turned it upright so he could see her face again. "I want tah talk wit yah. Et couldn't be secret ef I tell yah where I go." Leaning away from the pad again he rubbed at his left shoulder. It hurt landing on it like that. "Kalizda, dun cry. I jes come home fast as I can eh?" Awkwardly he eased his way back into the hammock with her. "I even dream about yah while I was gone. Dats why I tink we should cuddle."

The image on the screen whirled and then clattered face down on the floor, turning to a fuzzy grey. He had dropped his pad again, this time to the floor from what she could tell, as a pained grunt came from somewhere.She took the chance to wipe furiously at her wet eyes, and silently curse for losing control. The whole thing was maddening enough to bring anyone to a boiling point but she was supposed to be better than that. Suddenly, the screen turned bright again as the camera was flipped back around and Illya's face came into view wearing a pained expression as the screen wobbled around. He'd dreamed about her? She'd dreamed of him too. About tyrei's eating him and mismatched eyes coming for them both, leaving her all alone. "Come home," she replied, her voice hoarse, "Just...be safe and come home as fast as you can." She wasn't about to make promises on the cuddling but she did want him home where it was safe.

Illya grinned at her and he nodded slowly. "I come home and safe. Ets all fine." Moving the screen out from his face he attempted to roll to his side and tipped himself again. This time he cursed loudly and he kicked at the netted hammock only to get his foot tangled in it. "Dose dumb ass. Make lousy beds and ....grrr." Growling he fought to get his foot out of the net and then he reached up to grab his pillow and a blanket. Curling up on the floor on his right side he grabbed the screen again without paying much attention to what was visible."Are dah kids ok?" For whatever reason he wasn't sure why, but he felt panicked. "Where's Cypher?"

Calysta winced as the world flipped again, and Illya landed with a hard thud on the floor, as he cursed at the hammock now visible in the background. He reached up and snagged his pillow, giving her another wonderful view of his arm pit before rolling over to his right side. "They're fine, Cypher is at Ehud's playing with Sien..." her voice trailed off, as she noticed his arm. It was practically encased in an immobilizing cast from his shoulder down to his hand. "Illya, your..arm...what did you do?!"

He felt tired and he nodded when she answered. If everyone was ok he felt a little better about going to sleep. In the middle of all that she suddenly burst out asking about his arm. "Ugh..." Giving a little sneer he looked at the monstrous cast his arm was in. It reminded him often enough that his arm hurt, but it had saved him a few times from bending his arm. "I got meh arm stuck in a rock and den I fell over." Setting the pad down he poked his shoulder, "I dislocated meh shoulder, den I broke meh elbow, and I crush meh arm. Even meh hand hurts a little." Picking the pad up again he yawned, "But I keep meh arm warm because I dun tink yah like et ef I get one like meh leg. Too cold tah hold yah wit. I like tah feel yah too."

He wasn't just hurt it seemed, he had been through surgery from the top of his shoulder to the tip of his fingers on his good side and Calysta stared at him for a long moment as she rubbed her temples. Why couldn't he have just trusted her? He had gotten hurt on his own fault and yet she stood there feeling like she could have done something to make the outcome different. It was infuriating to think about why he insisted on running off and doing everything by himself. "You stubborn arse of a Chip," she said through gritted teeth and watery eyes, "Do you always have to sneak off and get yourself hurt while I'm not there to help? Why do you always have to do that?"
Gradually his eyes widened as she complained about him and even called him an arse. "Because ef I tell yah den ets nut black. Ef yah help meh ets nut secret, and den maybe et would be worse and more Tannas dere. Maybe Tannas attack Pytra because dey know nut so many soldier dere." Flopping the pad on the floor again he thumped on his head with his right hand. "Tink wit yah head about dese tings." It was starting to hurt to lay on his right side and he frowned when he grabbed the pad and rolled to his back again. "Can yah jes stop being angry now? I'm tired of yah being like dat.

Had her pad not been made of metal on the back, severe claw marks would have been left behind in the wake of his last comment as her fingernails scratched down the back. "You're tired of me being angry?" she said, her heart roaring in her ears from the sudden rise in blood pressure, "Then maybe you should think about what you just said and stop giving me a reason to be. Even if you are high as a flyer right now." Calysta stared at him for a long moment until another crash came from upstairs, making her wince. " And for the record, I do think. Most of my thinking has been about you. You should rest and since you're tired of me being mad, I suppose it will be a relief. "The words were sharp as ever and she hardly knew what else to say to such a remark other than that.

Illya puffed his lower lip out at Kalizda and shook his head. She was beyond crabby and his arm hurt after he rolled out of the bed a few times. "Dere was noting wrong wit what I said." Grumbling at her he winced a little. "Maybe I jes talk to yah later when yah done being like dis." Without waiting for a reply he shut the pad off and ended the call. Pulling the blanket over his arm he moaned a little. The bones were hurting, or maybe it was the metal was cold and making his arm ache. Closing his eyes he decided the only way to feel better for now was to get back to sleep. Maybe tomorrow she would be in a better mood.

The screen went black and she stared at it for a moment. He hung up on her. He had left her for weeks on end, making her think he was dead? Alone for the next three hundred years and he hung up on her? A growl of rage escaped her in a violent squeak as she tossed the pad into the office chair and stomped out of the room. She was done for the day. The Terran president could wait and everyone else could too for just a little while.

Puffing her way back up the stairs, she wrenched on the attic door and grimaced at the pulling sensation it gave her stomach. She couldn't even be properly mad! Kirit was up the stairs working in the far corner. He had managed to construct their large, new bedroom and make an attached bathroom after sectioning off a new storage space at the back of the attic. Now, when she opened the attic door, it lead to a nice sized hallway and a room at the end connected to a bathroom while the opposite side was for storage. Only the frame works for the bedroom and half the bath were up but it was coming together.

"Kirit?" she called in Kaerelean.

A few heavy footfalls thomped over head and the young General's face appeared over the railing, sweaty from working so long. "Aye, Kalizda?"

"How soon do you think we could at least get the bedroom done?"

Kirit's brows went up as he wiped the dripping sweat from his nose. "Ah, I still need t' do some wiring, th' plumbing, an' reroute th' climate control. When we put th' fixtures in, then finish th' walls." He'd learned that the hard way building Tabit's cabin. It was always best to put the permanent fixtures in first then complete the wall, otherwise you ended up with a mess and a headache. "So, I have ye some walls done with Thomas by th' end of next week if we find no problems with that."

"Aye," Calysta nodded, "Just let me know what I can do, yeah?" She didn't want to press, but Illya couldn't come home to a half remodeled bedroom and if he did he couldn't work on it anyways. It was up to her, along with Kirit and her father to help get it done.

There was no way the general was going to let his senior officer's pregnant wife touch a thing up there until it was nearly complete. Illya would kill him if anything happened to her and he liked Kalizda. He didn't want her to get hurt with the state she was in.


**************

Calysta woke the next morning, and stretched before pulling her feet down from the pillow she had them propped on at night. It helped with the swelling in them, though it was only mild puffiness, the sensation made her feel fat and a bit gross. With careful steps, she made her way down the stairs trying to avoid the spot where the handrail wobbled, then went into the kitchen. The sun wasn't up yet but Cin was already scratching at the door and bawling for his breakfast. The silly bear would have to wait an hour or two before his favorite person besides Illya got up to feed him. Her father had debuted as Cin's caretaker while Illya was out wandering wherever, and the animal liked his Papa well enough there were no problems. "Go back to bed you silly thing," she sighed, making herself some tea.

She poured up a cup and settled onto the couch, feeling tired already, but her mind continued to turn. Illya popped into her head, and she missed him desperately, but he had been out of line. What was it his mother had said? Joy and heartaches. Yvonne had told her that before marrying him but she failed to mention the fact that they could happen at the same time in her chest like a hot fire exploding with a frigid iceberg. Thinking of him, prompted her to reach out blindly to the coffee table for her pad. Her little fingers roamed, patting over the glass until she felt the device, and slid it over to the edge. She needed to make a few messages in preparation for whoever these 'ugly new friends' were. One would be to Fayn in order to have the visitor's center ready, and the other would be to security, alerting them to possible incoming visitors in the next 2 weeks.

Unlocking the pad, she found that there had been a missed call from Illya at 4am. Two hours, he'd tried to call, but had left her pad downstairs having been tired enough to forget it for awhile. It served him right. She had been worried over him for 5 weeks and then high or not, he'd hung up on her as if it were her fault. Still, with him being injured, it could be something serious if he had bothered to call her after that show. She pressed the call back button, ready to handle it, but he didn't answer.

**************

The First Warrior met her Chief's ship on the docks and waited at attention for them to disembark. She had already been alerted by the lieutenant to have medical personnel and transport standing by for anyone needing assistance. Part of that team was there to assist the Ehaui in bringing their Chief ashore as he was in an induced coma.

First the injured were allowed down the ramp, some walking in slow shuffled under their own power, and others being wheeled down. The chief's gurney appeared in the door way along with several sets of equipment. Half of his face was bandaged along with his arm and ribs as he stayed unconscious through the entire trek. It would be her job to escort Lyra to the hospital to see him later. Syo gave her salute, and then began directing the civilian's she had been told were aboard. They began filtering out into the morning sunlight, lead by the men aboard the ship. The poor people looked haggard and kept their heads down against the light as they exited.

Giving them a welcoming bow, The First Warrior introduced herself. "Welcome t' Reylia, my name is Syo and I am in charge of security as First Warrior. We have accommodations for you. There are beds, showers, food an' clothing f' ye all just inside th' gates. Due to th' security protocols here, I must have a small blood sample collected from each of ye. This is to be used to certify ye safe an' unhindered passage through th' security measures. If ye are Tannas, it is required that all ye counter parts be present in body at all times. I have a roster of ye names here. If ye like to stay on Reylia ye welcome t' or I have been told ye have a facility on Kaereal waiting f' ye."

Syo looked down to the first name and called it out before her eyes darted back to see who stepped forward. "Lahna?"

 

[Silence]

The first phone call was fairly bad, but Illya didn't remember much of it. He woke up every couple of hours to eat, use the bathroom, and take more medicine. His arm throbbed and the bruising from the rock crushing his arm wasn't leaving anytime soon. In some places it looked like the bruising had spread and his entire arm up to his elbow and a little beyond turned purple to black.

When Illya woke up it was early and his whole arm felt like it was about explode. Some of the swelling increased because he'd been laying on his side and the very tender, repaired skin bulged around the cast in different parts. He knew that meant he was going to have to get the cold treatments again and he hated those. Each cold treatment made his arm hurt so much worse. It did help with the exploding sensation and it would reduce the swelling, but it made the bones hurt on a much deeper level and especially with the rods in place. While he was laying on the floor with the cold sleeve on his arm he decided to call Kalizda, but she didn't answer the first time, so he tried again. It turned into a sort of game to ring her pad for almost an hour nonstop and then he slowed down a little bit after the first hour and only called her every 10 minutes the second hour. Eventually he fell asleep with the cold sleeve on.

A few hours later his pad rung and he groaned in his sleep. It was too hard to wake up when he was just barely asleep like this again. By the time he managed to get himself awake enough to answer he'd missed the call and he tucked the pad under the edge of his cast and let his head drop back into the pillow. Barely moments later he was snoring again.

As days wore on Illya slept a little less and the bruising did subside, but the swelling was still frequent. The medicine he had ran out and he was back to drinking teas and only taking mild pain killers. It was more or less a fancy anti-inflammatory with some soothing qualities. While his arm ached more and he felt uncomfortable most of the time he still had a lot of things to do. There were reports to sort through and compile into a larger report. Something that he would have to give to Lyra and Calysta. They were both in positions that they were affected by it and they deserved to know. Eventually there would be a broader report to circulate among the Alliance members, but for now it was going to remain quiet and he would work on the preliminary and more informative version to give to the two leaders with people most affected by it. When there was time and it was rather frequent that he had time, Illya would call Kalizda. Not all the calls were pleasant, but they weren't all bad either.

When they reached Reylia, Illya knew that there wasn't much time to get himself ready to get out the door, or to deliver the news and messages to the various families. The Ehaui wanted to come back to Pytra as did several Chippequoti that now took his training idea a little more seriously. As for those that were green eyed there was a surprising number of them once Lahna rounded them up. They had a total of 20 out of the whole planet of mixed Chip blood. For those that they missed there was still a chance for them to escape. It was clear air space when they had to leave and there was a chance that there could be more. Not everyone that wanted to stay on Pytra was going to be able to, but Illya would let them come initially and then he could sort a few things out. Any of the seriously or gravely wounded would be offered to go to Pytra for treatment.

*********************************************

The people slowly stepped off the ship. Some of them hadn't much to wear and what they did have was covered in stains and blood. No matter that they had attempted to wash their clothes, it showed. Most of the Chippequoti despite their ragged appearance shot rather proud looks at these silly little men that wanted to scan them. Pulling their tattered clothes a little straighter they raised their heads so that they wouldn't have to look at these people and walked through the line of scanners. Those with green eyes were pulled aside and they were plenty indignant about it.

Lahna stepped forward when her name was called. She almost appeared flawless except for slightly humored expression she had while the Chippequoti were walked through scanners. She knew they were a proud people. If they thought that the General had been a bit proud and haughty then they hadn't met the high and mighty Chips that thought even more of themselves. General Illya was a humble man in comparison. Walking through the scanners she waited for them to usher her along to the next place and then a holding cell where the rest of her was waiting as Clark. Once she was all together it would be easy to see if she was actually male or female. Once she saw her other part she walked calmly over to Clark and let him remove the bracelet. Slowly she blended and Clark remained standing.

In a way he felt bad for the Chippequoti. He'd lived among them for so long that he had come to admire them in a way. His family he'd hid among them for years and they to had come to admire the Chippequoti. There were plenty that wanted to live in peace among the fellow the people's and this was their chance to fight back against the Federation and Kent.

When the door opened Clark saw many others join him. They were more than his family and perhaps others that had hidden among the Chippequoti. These were not people that fought against the Alliance in any form and yet they were imprisoned as if they should be considered enemies. That was his next goal. Why should they be forced to sit behind these walls when they should be used for real enemies. There was going to be plenty of room to work on this. He'd given them vital information that gained probably 3 times the number of Chippequoti that they had before and now the Chippequoti were ready to fight and they were angry.

******************************************************

Illya looked over his report from Eziah and Duncan. From their compiled list and a little collaboration with the Reylians he had a pretty good account of who was dead and injured. Something that he owed to the Reylians at the very least. Holding a copy of the report in his left hand he checked in the mirror one last time to be sure that his beret looked mostly decent. With a little help he had been able to wrangle himself into a shirt. The arm still throbbed long after he was in the shirt and he loathed the idea of taking it off. Still that would have to be done at some point only because the shirt would stink otherwise and so would he. Straightening up he winced a little. Some of the shrapnel wounds still stung too, but they were better than they had been. Walking himself past the scanners he walked over to the small road that he knew would lead him toward Tikan's house and then he followed the path till he arrived. Knocking on the door with his good hand he waited for Lyra to answer. If she had not already gone out to the ships, surely she would be at home.

There was a shuffling sound from inside followed by thumping foot falls growing stronger as they marched down the hall. When the door swung open, a freckle faced boy of ten with hair sheered short, and a snaggled smile stood before the general. "Hiye General," he announced just a few decibels too strong for indoors, "Ye want t' come in?" As he spoke, Lyra stepped down the stairs, adjusting her uniform sleeve. "Akten who is at-" Her question was answered when she glanced up from her wrist to see the General taking up the door frame. Coming down the last few steps, she gave the customary bow, then met the man's green eyes. "General. Ye like t' come in?"

It was a little startling to have a boy just about yell in his ear and Illya stared at the kid silently for a moment. He always hated this kind of news especially when the kids were there. Nothing was more upsetting than having the children hear that their father was almost dead. Momentarily he stared at Akten and remembered something similar happening when he was young and then wondering if that was how Rose and little Cypher felt. It was one of the most terrifying things to hear as a kid. Looking past the boy he saw Lyra give the bow and Illya stiffly returned it. Wordlessly he nodded and stepped into the room. "I hear dat yah act in place of Tikan ef he es unable tah carry on his duties. Yah have report here of wounded, dead and missing from dah operation." Clenching his jaw he waited for several seconds. "I'm sorry. Yah Tikan es been badly injured. Ehaui take care of him and dey tink maybe dey can do more ef he comes back wit meh to Pytra."

Lyra stepped back, allowing the man space to enter though it really wasn't necessary, given how large the foyer was. He gave a stiff bow in return, unable to to do much more with his arm bound up the way it was. "Aye, that responsibility falls t' me. I have already taken th' work on in his sudden absence, but now it's m' duty officially." Taking the report from his hands, her eyes skimmed over it, spying several familiar names, before looking back to him. Preliminary reports from G'koe had made her aware of her husband's condition, and the results were the red rimmed eyes and ashen complexion replacing her usual rosy cheeks. Tikan had made it his choice to go with the General and he wouldn't have done so if it hadn't been important or the right thing to do, but that didn't make it any less difficult for her to hear. If she released him to go to Pyrta, she would not be able to go with him. As acting chief her place would be on Reylia. The thought of it made her chest ache. "If he has a better chance on Pryta with th' Ehaui, then I release him t' ye care. Reylia thanks ye f' it...an' so do I, General." As soon as she spoke the words, Akten was pivoting to stand beside the general with a square jaw and misty eyes. "Then I go too." Lyra shook her head and beckoned him away from he General before he bumped the injury or worse. "Nai, Pap must go alone. Besides I need ye here, yeah?" He started to argue, but a sharp look sent him stomping upstairs with his arms crossed and sniffling. When Akten was upstairs, his mother turned to Illya and swallowed hard. "I know ye leave on quiet mission but ye tell m' did ye help them? Th' people ye bring t' m' planet? Did ye both do all ye could?"

Thankfully Lyra was a different sort of woman. Some of them burst into tears and held onto him and other times they would slap the messenger or beat on them. Any way it came he took it. He still had a few houses left to visit for those injured and especially for the men that died. Whether the women had been notified earlier or not, this had been a mission of the highest secrecy and it was the right thing to do that he go in person to deliver the news to their wives or husbands. When Lyra's question came Illya held her gaze stead while he answered. "We did all dat we could and dese people, most of dem will fight dah Tannas. Dey had already held off dah Tannas over a week in a city wit ill prepared soldiers. When dey train dey will become deadly to dah enemy and we'll learn from dem."

"Good. Ye bring us people safe an' with spirit," Lyra replied, meeting.his gaze with her blue eyes, "Live or die, Tikan is proud t' serve beside ye. I know that." Her husband wouldn't regret what he did for the most part and she knew that. "Thank ye f' coming t' talk t' me in person, General. I know I cannot go with m' husband, an' I am sending him t' th' best place f' now. If.." This part was harder and just thinking about caused the ache in her chest to climb her throat. Still, she held his gaze steady as ever. "If m' husband dies it would take m' a week t' get there an' I don't want him frozen t' ship back f' burial rights like that. If he passes, will ye see it done?"

It wasn't so uncommon to be asked to be the one to see to the funeral of men and when it came to a mission such as this one Illya never refused. "Consider yah asking tah be done. I tink dat ef he lives dis long dere es good chance he would come back to yah." It was difficult to know how she would react, but he figured it couldn't hurt to say something. "I remember as a boy when meh fater was badly injured. Ets difficult as boy for dis tah happen. When yah see fit Akten can come tah Pytra and I see to et dat he has a place tah stay and he es escorted safely back tah Reylia. Ef he es tah be good warrior he will need tah know what et cost so dat he es nut afraid."

Lyra gripped the reports in her hand tightly, glad that Illya was a military man. He understood what is was for a son to lose his father and what it meant, at least in part, for Akten. A few tears were trying to work their way to the surface and she fought them down by clearing her throat. "Ye finish ye work here an' ye go home. Get settled an' I'll send Akten. He is his father's son in many ways an' one day he will be chief. It's important for him t' understand what it means. I am grateful t' General, ye have honor." About that time, Akten was already peaking down the stairs and Lyra waves him down. "Ye come t' the docks with m' Akten an' we see ye pap before he goes." The boy nodded, quiet for once, as he walked over to the coat rack and put on his cap with the split feather. It was still too big but he wore it anyways. Lyra looked back to Illya and gave him a nod. "We see ya at th' docks, yeah?" Undoubtedly, he things to take care of and his arm had to be painful. It was best if he saw to his work so he could rest.

Since it seemed that Illya's work here was done for the time he nodded and quietly took himself out the door. He didn't know what to say, but he knew that he'd said what he could in any amount of confidence. As for business he still had several more homes to visit. Surprisingly they didn't react like Chippequoti in the least. Not that he should have expected them to, but he did. Illya had thought there would be some sort of outburst of grief and instead all of families took the news quietly and either went to see their loved one or set to arranging for a funeral of sorts.

The bodies they did have would get proper burial and some were irretrievable. Those were the ones that Illya felt the worst about. He hated to deliver this kind of news have no body for the family. By the time he finished the ships were ready to leave and they were packed full of the Chippequoti that wanted to train and they had all piled into the ships with the Ehuai. Illya was glad when he got a few of his men and he got to take the smaller ship back home. At least the beds were decent and he wasn't stuck in Reylian hammocks. If there was one thing about those people that he couldn't quite understand it was their bed. How they managed to sleep in those things he would never know. They were miserable and they made his back hurt if he managed to stay in them.

They were only a week away from home and Illya wanted to get there so badly. Kalizda even seemed to be in a better mood lately. She didn't cry or anything. Mostly he figured that she had thought about everything and determined that it was what it was. There wasn't anything else to do for it at this point and that was the best choice that she could make. Grabbing his pad he almost called her, but realized it was late at home. Instead he settled for writing her a note and then she could call him back when she got up. Kalizda, on my way back from Reylia. Talk with you when you wake up. Call me. Love, Illya. It was in Quoti to avoid making any serious sort of mistakes in translation and he figured she would like to know that he would be back soon.

*************************************************

Each day that got closer only made Illya feel more anxious. He had a few women to visit when he got back to Pytra, but he didn't have as many as he did with Reylia and then he could go home. Finally, the day came that he was going to be home. It would be early morning when they landed and that meant he could get to the house by mid-morning if he hurried.

Even if he didn't have as many people to visit it took almost as long. Some of the Chip women brushed past him and rushed to find her beloved. There was only one that lost their agreed and they cried a good deal at him. Just when he thought that she was done crying she grabbed him around the waist and held on for a long moment and soaked the front of his shirt while squishing his arm. Calmly he waited until she was finished and then he nodded to her. "Don't worry. The unit takes care of you. If you want to live here then we take care of your house and make sure you have all that you need. If you want to live in a different home then we get you a new home, or let you live with one of us." She nodded through her teary gaze and sniffled a little. "You just send me a message what you want when you think about it."

Once the difficult business was done Illya tucked the report for Kalizda into the side pocket of his pants and he started jogging home. It was a few miles, but he could do it. Part way there he held onto his arm to prevent the jarring from making the pain much worse. Rose would already be at school, but Illya was still anxious to get home and see Kalizda and Cypher. He could have time with just them for a while and then when Rose came home Cypher would have had his just dad time and Illya could focus on his little girl. She needed the attention as badly as Cypher. The boy was still tiny and he got nervous fairly easily, but so did Rose and he'd noticed that.

When the house came in view Illya ran a little faster and even managed to trip himself up. Curling into a ball he rolled through it and came back to his feet. Without even breaking rhythm he kept right on running till he reached the front door. Half running into it and pushing at the same time he turned the knob and stumbled into the house. "Kalizda! I'm home!"

 

[aryamajor]

The week passed, seeming to take an eternity, and the only thing that filled the time until Illya came up was work then spending time with her children. She had read all of the offered reports on their return. There were many half Chip defectors along with a few full blooded Tannas coming to live on Reylia and to visit Pyrta before a permanent home could be arranged. She had Fayn prepare the Visitor's Center and a donation was set up to provide clothing along with other essentials the refugees might need. Luckily, it was all work that could be done through her pad and she could be at home. Walking for long periods of time was something she wasn't supposed to do, but he was also finding that she tired more easily than ever before.

Finally, the day arrived when Illya would land on Pyrta, and she could barely focus on anything else the night before. Knowing that he was so close to home had left her antsy all night long and she'd barely slept. The morning rolled around and he still hadn't arrived as she read reports in her chair. Where was he? Hadn't his ship landed yet? She checked the time and saw that his ship had arrived, but he hadn't made it home yet. Was there something else he had to take care of? Shifting in her seat, Calysta put down her pad, then closed her eyes in an attempt to ignore the clock.

The house rattled with the force of a small bomb exploding overhead and Calysta’s eyes snapped open at the sound of her office windows shuddering in their frame. Her hands smacked against the desk lamp as she tried to sit up. It tumbled to the floor and out of instinct she tried scrambled to catch it, bouncing it from hand to hand. Her fingers finally wrapped around the cord in a solid grip and she snatched the lamp from the floor. “What in the Wilds?!” A booming voice, rivaling the shock to the house, met her back. Illya. Calysta tossed the lamp into her chair, shuffling top speed with her belly to the office door and pushed it open. Her Chip was standing there, front door ajar, and grinning despite the contraption on his arm. Leave it to Illya to make it walking through the front door sound like a firework explosion. Her eyes met his and every other thought left her mind, replaced by something else entirely. “Illya!” Without hesitation, she half ran, and half waddled over to her Chip and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Illya's grin grew broader when he set eyes on his Kalizda. It felt so good to be home and she made every bit of the work with it. Sometimes he wasn't even sure what to say. Instead he moved one arm wide to make space for her to hug him. With her pressed against his waist he rested his hand on her back and bent down enough to kiss her head. "I missed meh Little Bird." The last few weeks had been difficult, but he knew he would get back to her. "I tink about yah every day and I..." At a loss for words he chuckled a little. "I jes dun know what I would do witout yah." Kissing the top of her head he whispered to her in Kaerelean. "Yah beautiful."

He had been gone for nearly 7 weeks, and it was all she could do not to bury her face into his chest and cry from relief. They had argued off and on through the last few weeks since his call from G'koe but he was home. Safe and in her hands as he kissed her on the top of the head. A sniffle mixed with a small laugh of joy left her at the sound of his voice in her ear and she held on to him all the tighter for a moment, just to make sure it was some strange dream. "I was so worried...I missed you, Illya. I don't know what I would have done by myself again...not like that..." She was mumbling into his shirt at first, until she looked up smiling with eyes a little misty. "But you came back."

That extra little squeeze from Kalizda sent a radiating burn through Illya's arm and he tensed momentarily. After a second he felt her loosen her grip on him and he rubbed her back gently while she talked. "Kalizda I do everyting I can tah come back to yah. I nut gonna miss dis baby or meh little bird for dah world. Dere was naughting I wanted more den tah hold yah and be here." When she looked up at him with those misty eyes he dropped to one knee and carefully pulled her back to sit on the knee out in front of himself. "Ef yah hold tight I carry yah upstairs eh?"

She settled onto his knee, still dazed that he was standing there in front of her and in more or less one piece. He wanted to carry her up the stairs despite his arm and she wanted him to, even though it was a bit selfish. The back of her cool fingers, swept over his cheek as her eyes scanned over his face. It was the same tan, rosy cheeked expression he always had, and she kissed him gently. "Mmm...I'm a little heavier than I used to be," she hummed between kisses, before looking to her rounding belly, "I don't want to bump your arm by accident."

"Yah won't hurt meh. Yah too tiny." Giving her a cheeky smirk he worked his hand around her back and then under the leg furthest from him. "Yah jes hold onto meh neck and I got one leg. Den yah wrap oter around men back and we get up dah stairs." It was a little harder with only one arm, but he could do it. When he felt her little foot sneak around his back he moved his injured arm out to the side slightly and then gently pressed it in to help give her foot something to hold onto. When they got to the bedroom. Illya sat on the edge of the bed and let Kalizda untangle herself from him. "Yah know," laying down on the bed he sighed and then glanced at her. "I tink dat was maybe exciting." Illya started to roll toward her and then he noticed his arm was not going to enjoy it so much so he made an awkward sort of shift and held himself up with one arm and lingered over her briefly before kissing her on the lips. "I love yah. Tell meh about yah."

That cheeky little smirk coming over his face made her want to kiss him all over again as he snuck his hand around her, lifting her up. She gazed at him all the way up the stairs with her legs wrapped tight around his back. Even with her belly, he made her feel light as a feather, or maybe that was just having him close again. He was warm and if she could hold him any closer she would have. The stairs passed as she kissed his cheeks and he walked into their bedroom, placing her on the bed as if she were made of glass. Her eyes caught on the hair dryer plugged near his side of the bed, but he didnt seem to notice it as he settled onto his side of the bed. It was obvious he was going to struggle with his arm for awhile as it healed but they would deal with it as they had to. She let him settle in and then kissed him for a long moment. He wanted to know about her, but she wasn't entirely sure what to say at first. This was different from the last time and it was hard to encapsulate in a single thought. "I love you too," she replied, her little fingers petting at his chest, "Rose has been writing stories and covering the fridge in pictures. You should see them all. They're quite good. And Cypher doesn't wear diapers too often anymore. He misses you, and walks around the back yard looking sometimes with Cin...and the house...Kirit has been helping build our new rooms. They're almost done..." She rambled on and suddenly realized that none of that was about her. Falling silent, Calysta shifted closer to him and kept her hand going over his chest. "And I'm getting bigger...Lohgan is growing. For awhile I thought that...I would doing this alone again.".

The chatter from Kalizda was good to hear and Illya eventually settled on his left side. His arm was still held at a 90 degree angle and it made his hand stick almost straight up from his side. He looked ridiculous, and he didn't care. Kalizda scooted in a little closer and he felt her fingers over his chest again. It felt good to be back with her and have some time to just talk with her. Talking with her like this was so much better than trying to do it all through a pad. It sounded like he would have to figure out what sort of pay Kirit wanted for the work he had been doing. Illya winced a little at the thought that he'd missed setting up that part of the house for her. At the same time he didn't mind too much. These materials here were odd and he didn't like working with them so much. When Kalizda finally got down to the news on herself he moved to rest a hand on her waist/stomach. "I dun leave yah tah do dis alone. Kalizda, I make dis fast as I can for yah and I wanted tah be here." Letting his hand hover near her stomach he gave her a questioning gaze. "Es she moving?" If the baby was moving he wanted to feel because the last time he felt anything it was so tiny.

For him it was simple. He had gone and come home as fast as he could, which was his best. Maybe he wouldn't understand the fact that she faced down the idea of him never coming home. That her last baby would never meet its father. Perhaps that wasn't his burden to bear though. Maybe she was meant for those things to be on her and that was the fact of life. His hand crept over to her stomach and his green eyes met hers in a hopeful gaze. Calysta smiled a genuine grin and took his hand gently in hers, guiding it under her shirt, to her belly. "She always moves when she hears you. Keep talking, and you feel her...right..there."
Illya almost stopped breathing for the moment when she guided his hand to her stomach. She always knew where the baby was and he waited silently till she said he should speak. "Ets meh little Lohgan. Yah beautiful like yah moter." The grin on his face got even more broad and he looked at Kalizda with bright eyes when he felt her kick back. "I feel her in dere!" A nervous chuckle sounded and he smiled so big that his eyes were squished into half moons. "Yah dun know..." Moving the hand to hold Kalizda a little closer he laid his head down on his pillow and breathed in deeply. "I jes want tah be here. I want dah war tah be over."

Calysta listened to him talk to their baby girl and her smile grew broader. She knew the baby would kick if he kept on whispering to her. Every time they spoke on voice chat, she danced at the sound of her name when he said it. This time was no different, and the little girl nudged against her mother's belly with excitement. As soon as she did the joy on Illya's face was infectious and Calysta laughed. "Aye, there she is. Healthy and always hungry. She loves to hear your voice." when he moved his hand away, she followed him and held him close her cheek resting on his right shoulder. there was a long quiet moment and then he started talking about wanting the war to be over. " I know you don't like the fighting. Is one of the first things I learned about you. There has been too much war and I want you to have some peace." Shifting, she moved to look up at him and search his face with her grey eyes." What if you took on less fieldwork?"

For the time Illya kept his eyes closed and he listened to the sound of her voice. She had no idea how comforting her voice sounded at times like these. The recent conflict was still blaring in his mind and he needed something to drown it. Most of the time the only thing that helped was his family. It was the hardest thing to do in some ways and then easiest too. Carefully rubbing her back he listened to the suggestion and slowly opened his eyes. "Ef meh arm doesn't heal right den I can't do dah field work like I do now. I get et checked in a few weeks tah see ef dah bone es healing around dah metal or nut." He had to feel with his hand and that was it. A prosthetic leg was one thing, but a hand that didn't work right was completely incapacitating for some of the details of the field work. He had to know how hard he was holding something. "Et doesn't feel right. I tink dere es someting wrong wit et healing." Keeping his gaze steady he studied her face for a long moment. "Kalizda, I'm sorry. I tink dis es trouble dat we dun need."

To her surprise he didn't get too upset about the suggestion of less field work. Instead, he sounded worried and she held him all the closer. He was a General and he was good at it, but he also hated the fighting. If he could stay home and work it would be better for him, given the past injuries, and yet she knew field work had a certain appeal to it too. Now, he may not have a choice from the sound of things. The Ehaui may not be able to save his arm and he was apologizing to her as if it were entirely his fault. Illya's green eyes searched her over and she gave him a soft smile, meeting him back. "Illya, sometimes I wish I was there to help you on the field. I'm not a Chip, or a soldier and I know that. I also know that whatever happens we'll work through together, alright? It might be trouble, but you're worth every moment." Her eyes shifted to his purpled fingers and then back to his eyes. Having rods in his bones meant unending pain for a long time. She was all to aware of that, and the images of his infected leg came to her mind. "If it doesn't heal right, then you shouldn't let it linger in pain, hm? Fieldwork or no, I don't want you to hurt and if that means I get cold fingers for 300 years, I'll deal. "

Illya could't help but notice when she looked at his fingers. They were still horribly swollen by the end of the day and he could feel some throbbing in them. "No, I dun want tah have metal arm. Meh leg es one ting, but I want tah be able tah feel yah when yah in meh arms." Shifting the arm a little he frowned at it. "I jes keep meh arm ef I can."

He had misunderstood in part, what she was trying to tell him. She wanted him to be healthy, not to go lopping of limbs because it might be easier. Inching up on his chest gingerly, she cup his face as her thumb stroked his cheek. "I want you to keep you arm, but I know that if you can't we'll work through it alright? I think it will heal. I might..I might have said a little prayer for it while you were gone." It sounded dumb and her cheeks turned pink, but there it was.

"Well..." Illya winked at her. "Ef yah pray for meh I tink den maybe meh arm won't fall off. Eh?" He found it slightly humerus anyway. "Yah know I need tah have some time wit Cypher before Rose come home. Den when she get home I can tell her how many times I listen to her stories. She es a good little story teller." He had listened to the recordings she sent several times on the way home. It was something to think about besides the war and another reason he needed to come home.

She chuckled as he winked at her and kissed his cheek gently. "Aye, I think you're safe." When he mentioned Rose and Cypher, she nodded quickly. "Yes, Cypher will be home soon. He's been spending time over at Ehud's with Sien, playing. I think it's good for them to be playing like that together." She shifted as Lohgan kicked her belly harder than normal. "And Rose...oh I think you're in for a very long story tonight."

"A long story?" Illya grinned. "How long es dis story? Should I have her tell meh in chapters for a few nights?" Kalizda knew his attention span for some of those things. Even if he loved little Rose, she could make some incredible stories and perhaps she would like that he was waiting to hear the next piece.

"That might be the best idea," Calysta giggled, "I"ve gotten to hear them all and she's been excited to share them all with you." Loghan gave her another kick, right into her bladder and Calysta's eyes went wide. "Um, I'll be right back." Wiggle out of his arms, she dashed off to the bathroom, holding her belly all the way to the bathroom. " You keep me running Lohgan...ooh." After a quck run to the bathroom, she came back into the bedroom and slipped in beside him again. He was looking tired as she ran a hand over his hair. "Illya. I think when you're feeling better, we should go somewhere." ,

Illya sat up slightly when Kalizda started a mad scramble out of the bed. What in the world was going on? Was it even normal for a woman to have a sudden need for the bathroom like that? While she was in the bathroom he rolled to lay on his back and closed his eyes. Eventually she came back and he turned his head toward her while her fingers brushed through his hair. "What yah mean? I feel jes fine."

"Hmm..." Of course, he was feeling fine. He would tell her that with his arm looking like tyrei had tried to eat it. "Aye," she whispered, not wanting to rile him up too much, "Maybe when you get your cast off and Lohgan is born. We'll celebrate because we can, yeah?"

Letting out a long breath he lifted his arm to check his watch and then remembered that he couldn't wear it on that wrist anymore. "I tink ets about time I make someting for us tah eat."

He didn't reply and instead check his watch, only to find it was gone. Why he suddenly seemed ready to jump to cooking when he didnt like it, she didn't know. "Glenda will be here soon to help, and bring Cypher home unless you want to cook with me a little," Calysta replied quitely.

"Do yah want tah cook wit meh?" It would feel like a sense of normalcy anyway. "Can yah get up for a little bit, or yah still in trouble ef yah walk too much?" Even if he was tired he wanted to get a little bit of activity in.

A mischievous smile crept to her lips and she nodded. It would make her tired after awhile, but she would do this to spend the time with him."Only for a few minutes at a time but I'll manage. C'mon and I'll race you down the stairs." The latter half of the statement was more of a tease than anything. She moved at the pace of a snail most of the time now and he stood a sporting chance.

When she offered a race Illya chuckled. "Ooh yah tink yah jes run ahead. I give yah 10 seconds tah beat meh." He knew she would get to the stairs before he would, but he didn't feel like moving that fast either. There was a scuttle and flurry from Kalizda and he chuckled while he counted out loud. "7, 8, 9, 10." With a groan he sat up and started to lumber toward the doorway. By the time he was half way down the stairs he saw Kalizda peering back at him and grinning. Her pretty grey eyes flashing. "Oooh I have a speedy little bird. She tinks she's so sly."

Calysta grinned and scurried as fast as her baby belly would allow out of the room to the stairs. He was counting down a little slow, and that was fine. Neither of them were taking it seriously but it was still fun to have him back in the house. Everything seemed a little bit brighter and she even felt hungry. By the time she made it to the bottom of the stairs he was lumbering after her, calling her sly. "Oh, but I am," she chuckled as she smiled up at him, "I'm the first one in the kitchen which means I get to choose dinner." She let the idea sink, before laughing lightly. "I was thinking snake stew tonight since I happen to have all the fixings for it."

Pausing on the stairs he blinked a few times. How was it she could catch him at these little moments. She was choosing dinner. Then she started to laugh and said it was going to be snake stew. "Huh, I knew et. Snake would grow on meh little bird." Trying to act as though that was the obvious choice he worked his way down the last couple of steps and then leaned over to kiss her. "Maybe yah do et jes for meh?" That seemed to be more likely and he smirked."I knew yah love meh."
"Oh, I don't know where you got an idea like that," Calysta replied playfully, kissing him again.

She had missed him more than anything. It had been like life had become a bit watered down, a thinned comparison to when he was around. It wasn't that she needed him to survive or couldn't manage without him. She had always done what was necessary and still would, no matter what happened. The feeling was a warm one of happiness, that she had been terrified of losing when he disappeared for weeks. How strange it was to think that four years ago, she had been more alone then and hadn't realized what was missing.The resignation of living without certain things had crept in, then slowly, so did Illya. He had done some things she didn't approve of but it had been the worry that he wouldn't come home that had made her truly angry. A fear that he would forget again and she would be by herself as she had been with Cypher and void as before she met Illya.

It was an illogical fear, and partially driven by the cocktail of baby building hormones pumping through her. She knew that, but now she also understood. They may not have been together for this latest fiasco, but they hadn't been apart either, not in the same way as before, and that had made all the difference. He hadn't been in battle alone anymore than she had been stuck at home alone. When he called her every day as soon as he could and burst through the door just to be with them, it was obvious to anyone with eyes that was where he wanted to be.

Calysta kissed him deeper, her fingers creeping up to his warm cheeks as she smiled into his lips. "Hmm...I confess, I do. More than I can tell-"

The front door creaked open as Glenda stepped through carrying Cypher and cutting Calysta's words off. Their son's bright blue eyes landed on his father, changing his face from a slackened, sleep to a look of pure joy. His little feet kicked desperate to get down from Aunt Glenda's arms as he squealed with delight. The Chip woman smiled, and sat the boy down who took off running with arms wide. "Dah!! Dah!!"

Their miniature brick of a boy launched himself into Illya's legs, crawling up to his knees. "Dah! See mine!" Illya picked his boy up in his one good arm, and Cypher sat on his father's forearm like bench, his fat fists grabbing into Illya's t-shirt. His babbling sentences were coming out in an incomprehensible mix of Kaerelean, Qouti, and traders tongue as he told his Dah, who hadn't forgotten him, all about his adventures. Pointing up the stairs, he grinned. "Demit Dah!"

"Cypher!" Calysta's eyes widened as she heard the curse come out of her sweet son, and she caught a look from Illya. "I did not teach him that," she said quickly, "I have no idea where he got that from."

"Demit, Dah! Demit Good!"

He kept pointing up the stairs and laughing as he tugged on his father's shirt. The word was thoroughly engrained in his vocabulary at this point, and all she could do was try to correct him from saying it. Hearing him say 'demit!' while she was in a hologram meeting with the entire Alliance was not something that would go over very well among other issues. "Why don't you two go outside and play with Cin for a little while?" she suggested as her cheeks turned pink, "Rose will be home in an hour and you two should have time together. Glenda and I will cook, yeah?" The bear had missed Illya terribly, and her son needed time with his father.

************

Cypher's arrival was only matched by Rose's entrance. Their daughter came home hauling her back pack, which she shoved unceremoniously into the kitchen chair and opened the fridge to inspect what might be a decent snack. "Hi Kalizda, Hey Glenda," she said as her green eyes roamed the shelves, "The teacher said to tell you that I have a field trip coming up. We're supposed to be going to Kinte to learn about all that old government stuff there and she needs a permission slip."

Grabbing a packet of dried omne and nuts in her prosthetic hand, Rose plopped down next to Calysta who had stopped kneading the flat bread dough at the table, a little smile on her lips. "What? I brought the permission slip home this time, I promise," Rose continued, before changing gears, "How's my baby sister today?" The girl always made it a point to ask how Loghan was as she rubbed Calysta's belly excitedly. "Only 4 more months till you're here. I hope she get's to stay in my room when Carrot finishes it. I told him I wanted to help paint it pink."

Calysta chuckled at her daughter as she talked and gave her a nod. "Aye, we'll see what happens we have to get the walls divided first. I know someone who can help with that though."

Rose glanced up from Lohgan and gave her mother a puzzled look. She didn't know of anyone who could help besides Papa Thomas and Carrot. "Who?"

Calysta's smile grew broader as she motioned her toward the back door. "Go outside and find out."

The girl half scrambled out of her chair, abandoning her snack, and pushed opened the back door. Outside, she saw Keysha in the omne tree licking at her paws, and yellow eyes trained on the bear below. Cin was trotting around with Cypher on his back while the boy held on tight to the bear's fur, hugging at it's neck as he giggled. "Dah, Ber. Dah! See?" Rose's eyes drifted up to the tallest figure in the yard and her mouth slipped open. Wolf was walking along with them, grinning down at Cypher. His arm was in a sling, and he looked tired, but that didn't stop her from running full force at the Chip and half tackling him in a hug, causing the bear to skitter away a few steps. "Wolf! You're home!" A big arm wrapped around her back as she latched on to him with big tears of excitement mixed with relief rolling down her face. "You were gone longer this time and didn't reply to any of my stories, then you made Kalizda cry. I was scared you weren't coming home," she scolded him, "You went and got yourself hurt too." Her fussing stopped there as she looked up at him, eyes sparkling with joy, "I missed you!"

************

After a hearty dinner of snake strew, Calysta settled onto the couch next to Illya. The usual tiredness had settled into her bones, but this time is was a welcome exhaustion after having such a good day with her family. Leaning her head against his right shoulder, she slipped her hand into his palm and gave it a squeeze as Rose brought out her pad. She had been biting at the bit to read her story aloud to Wolf all through dinner, even going so far as to load her pictures onto a hologram coin so she could project them into the living room as she regaled them.

Rose came to stand on the ottoman next to the table with her pad held out and the hologram coin displaying the first scene of the forest as if it were a continuation of the first stories she made. "Once upon a time a little girl lived in a wolves den along with a little bird. She was safe and happy almost everyday except for when the wolves went on big hunts. When the wolves went to hunt, they had to leave the cubs behind, but the little girl was brave and promised to take care of them. One day, the little bird asked if she would watch baby egg in her nest..."

The story continued into a first chapter that described the little girl's cub brother and the bird's egg. The little girl had been put in charge of taking care of the egg, but a storm came and the tiny baby bird was blown away to a land far away. It would be up to the little girl and her wolf brother to go out into the world to find it. The image on the hologram changed to picture of a little girl leaving the forest along side a wolf cub with a bushy black tail. "And so the little girl left the trees and walked on the path to the ocean, hoping to find the baby bird."

Calysta had heard the story before, and it was just as good the 5th time as the first. Cypher liked the sound of the clapping and smacked his chubby hands together with a giggle, before crawling over to Illya's lap, to plop down. If he sat there too much longer, he would get sleepy and moving her son while he was snoozing was the equivalent of hauling a bag of boulders nowadays. "That was good Rose," Calysta smiled, "We can read the second chapter tomorrow yeah?" The girl seemed a bit disappointing that she couldn't read it all in one go, her shoulders sinking as she turned off the hologram. "It's just so good, I want it to last longer and reading one chapter at a time would make it last all week."

The explanation from her mother made Rose brighten again and she smiled. "Then I'll read the next chapter tomorrow and Carrot will be here tomorrow to hear it too!"

With the animal's fed, Calysta poured up Illya a cup of his herbal tea, then made her way up the stairs feeling the day's activities wearing on her. Work was a must, and cooking with Glenda was a daily task she was determined to continue no matter how exhausting it was. As she climbed the stairs, she could feel the cerclage pulling with each step of her puffy feet and by the time she reached the bedroom, she was wincing from the discomfort of both.

Illya had already put Cypher in his bed and settled into his side, still swearing his fatigues from the day. It dawned on her, that he would probably need help getting in and out of his shirts for awhile with his arm. Putting aside his tea, she beckoned him to sit up. "You shouldn't wear your fatigues to bed. It won't be very comfortable." And I wont be able to warm my hands up as easily. As he sat up, Calysta helped him out of his shirt, first by letting him release his good arm, then lifted the collar over his head. With the rest of him free, she lead the remaining sleeve down his injured arm with care. "The last time I did this we weren't agreed yet, you know. You teased me about how good looking you were and didn't want to distract me." Tossing the shirt aside, she chuckled and helped him with his belt buckle so he could shimmy out of his pants. "And I told you, I think you liked to distract me."

Once Illya was free of his pants, Calysta let him climb into bed and then joined him on his right side. As if it were automatic, he wrapped his good around around her shoulder held her to himself. Did he know how good it felt to curl up to him after two months? To have him close? Calysta settled into his arms with a sigh of contentment before looking up. "I still think both are true," she mused as she stole another kiss.

Illya tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable with his arm bound in the cast. Occasionally he would sit up and take a drink of his tea and then curl back to her, his warm hands seeking her out. He ended up on his right side, spooning to her with his head tucked over hers and she loved the feeling of it until her heartburn flared up. Whenever she slept on her right side, her stomach rebelled and acid along, with whatever meal she had, crept up her throat causing a burning sensation with rancid burps. It was a symptom of pregnancy she hadn't experienced with Cypher, but she had concluded that was because she had rarely eaten more than one meal a day with him. This time she was eating regularly and her stomach was full enough to react. She was reluctant to move around to her left side when Illya had just fallen asleep for awhile, so she grabbed her pad and read laying on her side for awhile. The report Illya had sent of his mission was something she hadn't been able to thumb through and though she was tired, it would have to be done.

Reaching for her pad, she opened the scanned in documents and began to read through. Clark's warning about the impending genocide on Qouti made her frown. This report was different than the one given to the rest of the the Alliance. He hadn't told her or any of the other council members about the threat and now she knew why. The issue could have very well started a civil war on old Qouti and the Alliance involvement would have dragged them into an conflict they couldn't afford. Instead, he had taken a small team of Reylian's and Chips to the planet to rescue them, their contact being...Lahna. The name made her prickle, especially knowing that the woman was Tannas and Clark's counterpart. Clark had been hitting on her husband. Just the thought was bizarre and she shoved it to the back of her mind as she kept reading. There were details of the battle, and what happened to the temple along with the base.

Old Qouti would be in a poor state after this, but they would be free of the enemy. He and Tikan had saved more than the green-eyed Chips, and had helped the Old Qouti forces push back the Tannas without thought of reinforcement. Whatever the Chips on the home planet did from there, might include retaliation against Illya, but she doubted it. Despite what they believed about him, he had gone to help and nearly died in the process. Knowing that made her feel an odd mix of relief, guilt and pride.

When she finished the report, Calysta put her pad aside and wiped at her eyes. "I'm proud of you, my Wolf," she whispered, "You went back to Old Qouti to save who you could." Rolling over slowly, she moved to look at him in the dark with admiration gleaming in her eyes. He was handsome even in his sleep and she started to whisper something to him, though he couldn't hear. Rather than a sweet nothing, a terrible gurgle came from her stomach and a rancid burp left her lips in a silent, but deadly smell. Calysta clamped a hand over her mouth but it was too late as the gas bubble hit her Chip in the face. Illya's nose curled in his sleep as he coughed against the foul odor before smacking his lips together to rid himself of the taste.

The next morning, Calysta woke tangled with Illya. Some how in the night, her feet had worked their way up his leg and encircled his thigh, drawing him close as possible. Without opening her eyes, she rubbed at his back and hummed, just enjoying the feeling of him there. "Morning." They didn't have long before Kirit would be there to start working on this house again, but she was going to take full advantage of the time they had. When Illya stirred, she finally opened her eyes to smile at him and kiss his cheek. "I'm so glad you're mine... so proud.." Calysta whispered Qouti in his ear as she took the occasionally nibble, until Lohgan was bumping at her belly and calling for a bathroom break. "Oooh, you little rugrat," she chuckled, as she disentangled herself from Illya's arms, "She's always got me on the run."

***********

Kirit climbed the steps to the General's house and knocked on the door, only to be greeted by Rose who let him in without hesitation. She chattered on about the way she wanted her room to be finished, and the younger general let her rattle on, as he met Illya and Kalizda in the kitchen. It was a bit relieving to see his senior officer sitting at the table eating breakfast, though his arm looked the worse for wear. It would have been difficult to have both his Chief and the General out of commission "General," he said with a nod, "Good t' have ye back, sir."

Kalizda invited him to pancakes and he had a hard time saying no to those. She always put the brown chunks in it that were sweet and gooey, though they looked like something else entirely. He put down his tool box and sat down next to Rose, taking the offered pancakes. They used a thick, sweet sauce on them along with a creamy butter, but he didn't like it. Instead, he picked up one of the flat cakes and rolled it up before taking a bite. "You're silly, eating your pancakes like that," Rose told him, "You're supposed to use a knife and fork."

Kirit just chuckled and ate them the way he liked. "Maybe ye try them like this, sometime and I use a fork f' the next breakfast."

Finishing his pancake, he wiped his mouth and turned to Illya. "Ye should come up stairs an' see th' new rooms. Just a few things t'do before we can paint an' then bring in ye furniture." He'd been working double time while the man was gone to make sure Kalizda was taken care of on top of Tabit, but it would be good to have the General's opinion on what he wanted in his own house. Nodding to the man's answer, he waited for the General to finish his meal and then lead him up the stairs to the attic door, flipping on the light as he scaled the second flight of steps.

The attic had been transformed into a hallway, leading to a large bedroom and adjacent bathroom. A large window sat on the back wall of their new bedroom and new light fixtures had been hung from the ceiling which was open the rafters, giving it a loft sort of look. The floors were a polished wood, covered with protective plastic to be removed later while the walls still consisted of plain dry wall. Opening the door to the bathroom, Kirit showed Illya the sandy colored tiles and pointed to the locations where the mounted sink would go along with the toilet. He'd already put in a big garden tub, which had required opening the new window, which had been an accidental development, and hoisting through with the help of the two Chip guards. "I just need t' finish ye bathroom an' then make sure Kalizda can find a place t' stay while I paint," he told Illya, "If ye need me t' change anything I can." The offer was there, but he hoped the General would approve of the work. It had taken hours of figuring to make the attic what it was, and he'd had to back track more than once. Trying to back track on anything didn't appeal to him at all.

*********

While Illya was upstairs, Calysta sat down at her desk reading her morning reports and thinking. Her mind worked over the Tannas defector Clark, the events on old Qouti... the war as a whole. They all wanted an end to the conflict, and Illya's voice rang in her ears. "Yeh jes dont know..." He didn't want to fight anymore and she knew that, if he continued pushing he would hurt himself more permanently than he already had or be killed. Biting her lip, she mulled over the what she knew about the Tannas. It was a sad fact that she knew very little other than what the Old Qouti records described, and what they knew from various reports by Skycorp along with Illya's findings. This war wouldn't end with such a pittance of understanding and the only Tannas they willing to talk was Clark.

Calysta picked up her pad and contacted Lyra. If possible, contact Clark and tell him I would like to meet with him via hologram meeting.

The reply came back almost immediately. I will have it arranged. Please, note that I will also be sending Akten in 3 days time to visit his father. Is this time frame agreeable.

Thank you, and of course. Send him when you're ready.

Thinking of Tikan in such a state at the Ehaui hospital made her stomach turn. Not only was he a good man, and a leader that they needed, but it was disturbing to think how easily it could have been Illya.

No sooner had she sent the reply to Lyra did another message appear on her screen from Fayn. There is a disturbance coming from the Chippeqouti district. A fight has been reported at the bath house.

A fight? Given the amount of newcomers that had so recently filled up the visitors center anything was possible, even if they had been processed. Calysta stood up too fast and shook her head to clear the dizziness as she scuttled to the door way. "Illya!" she called up the stairs, "Kirit!" She called again until both men came piling down to the second floor. "I've just gotten a report that there is something going on at the bath house."

 

[Silence]

It felt like Illya had barely got to the kitchen with Kalizda and everything was upturned. Glenda came back with Cypher and the dinner making process was put on hold for Illya. Momentarily he felt badly that he got Kalizda up to help him and then she was sending him off with Cypher. Still it was good to see his boy. At first Illya didn't quite know what Cypher was trying to say because he didn't understand most of the baby talk in Kaerelean and the boy barely spoke Quoti with any kind of efficiency. That was something that Illya was going to have to change. So far Cypher's best words were all in Trader's Tongue and that was fine. It was a language that they all used and it was good for communicating. Probably important for their son to know how to ask for help and have everyone know what he meant.

With Cypher still perched on his good arm Illya nodded and grinned. "Yeah, I tink yah moter has good idea." Cypher hadn't really been listening to his mother and that wasn't surprising. From what Illya recalled their son had a mind of his own and it was only becoming more independent as he got older. Walking over to the back door Illya opened it just a crack so Cypher could see Cin moping around in the back yard. "We go play wit Cin."

With an excited squeal the boy clapped his hands and started to bounce on Illya's arm. He wanted to get down because he was sure that he could move faster than his dad. If he could just run out there it would be better.

Illya chuckled and he set Cypher on the floor and then pulled the door open the rest of the way. No sooner had he stepped outside then the bear came barreling toward them. Cypher had learned not to be afraid of the bear charging toward him and he giggled. Instead of being plowed over he grabbed Cin's front leg and held on tight when the bear tried to get closer to Illya. With the boy on his leg Cin tried to be more careful and he only bawled anxiously at Illya and nuged at his side and arm. The Chip got down a little closer and he rubbed the bear vigorously. "You watch them for me?" Speaking in Quoti he rubbed behind the bear's ear and ignored the loving maul that he was getting from the animal.

Cin had opened his mouth and he carefully gnawed on Illya's shoulder. All the while the bear chortled while he got close to his mother. Mother's little one played on him like a jungle gym and it managed with a sharp squeak to plant itself on his back. The bear knew better than to dump the baby so he simply released mother and started to walk. It was expected that he would carry the little one.

Gleefully the boy looked up at his father while he rode the bear. It wasn't that often that the bear was patient enough for him to ride it. He'd taken several tumbles and had to settle with walking with Cin most days. The ride was only good for so long and then he slid his little chubby legs to one side and crumpled to the ground. Bouncing back up he reached for Illya's hand. Grasping one finger tightly he toddled next to his father and spoke in child gibberish while he pointed to something ahead. Pulling harder on his father's finger he spoke a little more insistently.

It was hard to tell exactly what it was that the boy had found and then it finally occurred to Illya that it was Cin's little house. Cypher let go of Illya's finger long enough to run to the house and duck inside. Once he was in the house he beckoned for Illya to follow. The General grinned. "I tink I jes look inside eh?" Apparently it wasn't good enough because Cypher grabbed Illya by his hair and shirt and tried to haul him inside. It was funny to have the boy pulling and grunting, but somewhat uncomfortable at the same time. Giving in, Illya crawled inside with Cypher. There was an overwhelming scent of bear and it was enough that Illya coughed. He knew that Cin loved the blankets he had out here and the other bedding, but some of it needed to be changed. Not washed, just changed. Anything natural, like the hay should be changed out and the blankets would stay as they were. Soap would just irritate the bear's nostrils and possibly his skin.

Now that Illya and Cypher were piled into the bear's little den Cin stood outside looking forlorn. Chortling softly the bear decided that he might as well try to fit too. Stuffing his broad head through the doorway first the bear snuffled at Illya and Cypher and then started to shove his way inside.

"Ugh..." Squishing against the wall he grunted when the bear pressed in harder and there wasn't enough room for them all. At least Illya didn't think so, until the bear half flopped on top of him and they they were all packed into the little den and there was almost no room to move. How they were going to get out of this was a mystery. The small house was hardly able to contain them and Illya was sure that it would burst at the seams. One leg was underneath himself and the other was twisted oddly underneath the bear. Cypher was perhaps the only one enjoying being stuffed into the bear's house. He was naturally the only one small enough to maneuver. After a few minutes of discontent the bear started to try and move. It bumped Illya's arm, though it felt more like it was being crushed again. "Ow!" That certainly didn't help when the bear jumped and the whole house rattled. "Jes, back up." Illya used his good arm to push the bear out of the house and guide him. When there was enough room Illya started to crawl out only to get half tackled to the ground by the bear. Forcing himself up with one arm he lunged forward and tackled the bear to the ground. Once he had Cin to the ground Illya got back up and then held his hand out so Cin would know it was not playing time.

Cypher came back out and wanted to ride Cin again. This time Illya helped the boy mount the bear and he walked along next to Cin. His entire arm was throbbing and he tried to ignore the pain. The brief moment of concentration on clearing his face was broken when he heard Rose step out the back door. The girl raced for him and he lifted his injured arm out of the way. Instinctively he wanted to protect it from the wild embrace. Slipping his good arm around her back he grinned. "Eh, I miss yah too. Meh little Rose." He already knew that Kalizda had been upset, but it was just part of work and it was to be expected when he had to leave. "Dun worry. I read yah stories and I listen to dem. Sometimes when I work I can't reply, but I still listen to yah story when yah record yah reading."

The girl's eyes lit up. He had got her messages and even if he couldn't reply he had listened to them and read them. Expectantly she stared at him and folded her little hands in front of herself. "Well?"

At first Illya wasn't really sure what she was asking, but it struck after a moment. "I tink I like dem. Maybe yah tell meh more tonight?" It was so odd to think that after all these years there was only about 4 left that she would be with them as a little girl. Soon she would be a woman and she would get to find a man to agree with and then she would be gone. Rose wouldn't be a little girl for much longer. In only a short time she would be starting to learn what it was to be a woman. "Yah like tah make stories?"

Rose eagerly nodded. She wanted to make lots of stories and she was excited that wanted to hear more. She had a lot more for him to hear. "I have more ideas for stories after these ones."

"Maybe yah like tah have yah stories in books dat all sorts of people read?" If at this age she was already writing good stories then he wouldn't mind getting her a little extra training and helping her to make it a job. It wasn't long before she would need to start preparing herself to be a woman and he'd help her find her first home and get moved out and take care of herself. These were all things that needed to be done and she should only have another two years in the school and that would be to learn her trade and craft of story telling better so she could make a living off of it. Perhaps learn music too. Music went very well with stories and the Chippequoti would pay quite well if she could tell the stories they liked to hear. If she could write it in Quoti it would be even better. Since the girl seemed to be excited for the idea he grinned. "Good, den I'll see what I can do tah get yah into a school for dese tings. Maybe yah learn more about telling stories and writing."

Illya finished with the small chat and idea and then Rose was off to telling him all about the new part of the house, her bedroom and what she wanted in it. The girl had quite a list going. She wanted a bed with drawers under it, a desk, two dressers, two mirrors, pink walls, and a pink rug and then her chair for her desk needed to be pink too. She also had a list of little things that she needed for her writing and her drawings. Several new pencils and lots of new papers and then a pad that would accommodate more of her activity. To end it all she had an entirely new wardrobe picked out too for the next year of school. She was growing and she had already taken inventory of what needed to be replaced and what she wanted to replace it with.

If there was any doubt in his mind about her organizational skills it was swiftly blown away with her little list that she handed him with a sweet smile. Glancing at her list and then back to her he blinked a few times. "Yah need all of dat?" Rose nodded to him enthusiastically and Illya took a deep breath. She had been living in little caves and such for a while, but he didn't really think that she would need so many things. "Den I guess when we get dah room finished yah take meh tru and give meh report on dis list so I can asses et." There were a few things to do with something like this. If she was actually going to be a writer then he would need to get her some of things on that list for sure. Help her get started in her trade.

Since they had both come to an agreement it was settled for now. Folding the list, Illya put it into his pocket and then started into the house when dinner was called. Cypher ignored it at first and Illya walked over to the bear and plucked the boy off Cin. As soon as Cypher caught scent of the food he was ready to run inside. Illya chuckled a little bit when he heard the boy calling out 'nom nom.' It was surely his son if he loved the snake stew that much.

When they were done with dinner Glenda stayed to help clean up and then Illya sat down with Kalizda to listen to the story that Rose had to tell. Her little voice followed common inflections and he started to relax a little more slump even deeper into the couch when Cypher crawled into his lap and fell asleep with his little face planted into the arm of the sofa and the rest of his body draped over Illya. When the chapter was done Kalizda called it a night and Rose seemed disappointed at first, but the explanation was good enough that she still remained excited about it and then got ready for bed.

Since Cypher was already alseep Illya tucked the boy under one arm and took him up the stairs to their bedroom and got him all tucked in. Cypher smelled like a little bear and it brought a smile to Illya's face. That kid inherited a wild streak and he was going to have a lot of fun as he got older. Once he had Cypher all tucked in Illya flopped onto the bed. He was more than ready to sleep and his arm ached terribly after a long day and a little squishing in the bear's house. When Kalizda came in she seemed determined that he wouldn't sleep in his fatigues. Slowly he sat up and let her help him get the shirt off. While she was helping Kalizda talked about when they'd met before they were agreed and he smirked. It sounded like something he would say just to get a rile.

If she hadn't beat him to the belt he would have got it, but Illya didn't mind letting her help. It wasn't like she hadn't pulled on his belt before and he winked at her when he worked the pants off the rest of the way. Illya didn't really feel like putting in the work to put on pajama pants so he got into bed with just his boxers. Getting to sleep was tougher even though he was back in his own bed. The best part was that when he habitually reached for the other side of the bed he could feel Kalizda there.

When morning rolled around, Illya tried to sleep a little longer. His arm was still hurting, but not quite as bad and he wanted to be able to just talk with Kalizda and tell her how much he loved her. Just to be back to the normal routine. He was in the middle of sort of waking up when she scrambled out of the bed and when she came back they didn't have much time, but he still whispered to her in Quoti. "Your hair is soft like shade in the sand and your eyes like the gems on Quoti." Carefully edging himself closer he kissed the side of her neck and then moved up her neck to her ear and nibbled gently on her lobe. "I love you."

They would eventually have to get up and that become evident when Cypher popped his little head up and started to babble at Illya. It was time to be up and that was it. Slowly getting out of the bed he got the boy up and had some time with him before taking Cypher downstairs to have breakfast with everyone. Breakfast was hardly under way when Kirit arrived. Illya quietly ate his own pancakes and he enjoyed the butter with some syrup, but mainly copious amounts of butter. The taste of butter alone was marvelous and he'd gladly take a slice of it and tuck it in the side of his cheek and let it melt there. However, Kalizda always frowned at him when he did that. So he substituted the butter plain for using large amounts on any breads or foods that it would go with and sometimes that it wouldn't go well with.

After the breakfast was done Illya followed Kirit up the stairs to look at the addition. Nodding, he observed the changes and work that Kirit had done. It mostly followed the plan and a few things were slightly different than Illya would have done, but he wasn't about to have Kirit re-do any of it. "Eh, I tink dat et looks fine. Jes need tah find out what yah tink es fair for pay." Momentarily he thought he spied some panic and Illya added, "Dun shoot low. Ets work, yah have Tabit and babies on dah way. A mean learns value of his work and time. Ef yah shoot too low I show yah how tah run estimate of yah wort. Den yah know how tah drive better bargain."

The final price hadn't even been determined yet and there was something going on at the bath house. Illya looked at Kirit and he clenched his jaw. He had half a feeling it was something to do with the new comers. They really shouldn't have disrupted his people and their bath house. Without a word he turned sharply and started down the stairs, marched out the front door and kept his pace steady.

When Illya arrived it sounded like a war inside the building. As soon as he opened the door a naked Chip flew into him and Illya shoved him back into Ehvan who promptly punched the man again and Illya caught him one more time and shoved him back into Ehvan before side stepping and allowing the now unconscious figure to hit the ground. "What happened?" Before Ehvan could answer his question a shriek sounded from the women's side and he knew the answer. The Chips from Old Quoti were looking. Illya barged right past Ehvan and grabbed the first man he caught looking and threw him out toward Ehvan. There were a few more punches and when he reached for the next man this one dodged and swung a bucket toward Illya. A loud clang sounded when the bucket hit the metal on his braced and Illya tore the bucket from his hand and hit the man in the head with it.

Another one of the men reached across and punched Illya in the face. Stumbling back a step he felt a rag slap him on top the head and the women shrieked even more loudly. There was still plenty of slapping of wet hands on bodies as the Dark Chip women drove out the offending Chip women from Old Quoti. Illya winced and he ducked to try and get out of the way only to get kicked in the leg. Turning the other way he let their slaps and screams guide him out of their midst and then resumed his fight with the men that had to be dealt with. Some of the others were already sporting cuts along their skulls or arms from where the man with the bucket hit them.

Jumping back in Illya took the second bucket from the man and hit him in the skull with it. "Get out." Giving a final warning he met the man's gaze and then the Chip grabbed his arm. Illya cringed when he felt the hand dig in and some fingers went between the different supporting chunks. Snatching the man's other arm Illya twisted hard and he pulled it tighter and tighter until he heard the snap and the Chip hit the ground with the pain. "Get out, all of yah! I decide what we do about dis." Once the men were out Illya stepped out of the bath house and started his walk home.

On the walk back to the house Illya took a few steps past a rock he saw and then he decided to back track and use the rock as a kicking stone. He was mad. How could they use the bath house and then violate every principal! Had they no sense of decency. When they lived by themselves if they all wanted to stare it was one thing, but they should have known not to stare in this one. Kicking the rock ahead of himself a few paces he grumbled under his breath and reached over to touch his very sore elbow. "Dirty bastards. Whole lot of em." With a more vicious kick he sent the rock flying off toward a fence and then he looked up to see Kalizda. "Yah nut supposed tah be out walking."

She was only part way to the bath house and already puffing. Hauling Loghan around while walking in deliberate steps to avoid pulling on the clerclage was tiresome as it was, and combined with the low blood pressure it made the trip all the more daunting, but she was curious. She had yet to meet any of the newcomers and on a normal day, she would have already done so as councilwoman. Not to mention she wanted to know what all the ruckus was about in the bathhouse. As she stepped over a puddle left over by a break in the rain, she looked up to see Illya already on his way back with a angry wrinkle on his brow. Had she really missed everything? Holding onto her stomach to keep little Lohgan from bouncing around too much, she scuttled over and tilted her head when he scolded her. "Not really, but I'm using up my 30 minutes," she replied, "What happened?"

The excuse she gave was pathetic and Illya tilted his head slightly. "Yah use yah tirty minutes for dis?" That was a terrible use in his opinion. However, he was more angry about the mishap with the newcomers than anything. "Lets get yah home and I tell yah what dey do." Before she had a chance to respond he almost yelled, "Dey were looking!"

Illya seemed more annoyed than anything that she had ventured out as he started to urge her home, until suddenly he shouted out with what happened. The outburst made her jump at first, and Lohgan gave a strong kick right into her stomach. Wincing, Calysta rubbed the spot on her belly then raised a brow at her agreed. The only ones that would be looking would be the new Chips and Tannas from Old Qouti, as none of the Kaereleans would want to go into the bath house anyways. Apparently, the new Chips from Qouti were still wanting to bathe like they did at home when they have perfectly good showers in each unit at the visitors plaza. She was all too familiar with the roving eyes in the bathhouse when she visited their home planet and the thought of that made her inwardly cringe. No wonder there had been an upset. "The ones from Old Qouti..." she concluded aloud, "I thought they might use the showers in their visitors rooms, but I suppose they decided the bath house was better. They wont stop looking either." Remembering the brawl that had taken place the last time, she stepped a little closer to Illya. "No one got hurt right?"

There was no working around this one gracefully and Kalizda was trying, but it wouldn't work. She was even concerned about someone getting hurt and Illya snorted. "Of course dey got hurt. Some go get stitches from dah Ehuai at clinic. Ehvan made sure tah mash one or two in dah head and dere was good brawl. I tink two or tree broken bones from dah fight too. I will find out later who got hurt." For now he had the bath house temporarily closed to determine what should be done about the issue.

It had been a good, full on, brawl from the sound of it and Calysta shook her head, feeling bad for whichever two Ehvan got ahold of. The man was vicious in a fight, even against Kirit, and there would be no holding back with him. She had been more concerned about one of Illya's men getting hurt, but that was probably a silly thought too considering how undisciplined the Old Qouti forces had been when they visited. " I doubt they'll stop looking and this is going to be a reoccurring issue maybe we'll have to put of a dividing wall? Or build another bath house if they can't behave...or just let Ehvan knock them around until they get the point," Calysta remarked, half joking on the last suggestion.

Illya tilted his chin to the side and let her see the welt he had. "Eh, I tink a few of us got em good. I beat dah hell out of dah one I caught." He was partial at this point to just knocking them around till they got the point, but that wouldn't really do either. In the long run it would create more problems. "I tink maybe I jes have tah get home and cool off before I make any official order." Illya let out a deep breath and he rubbed at his jaw again. His arm hurt too, but he wasn't going to say anything about that.

Calysta's mouth set into a line when she saw the welt. Illya shouldn't have been roughing up anyone, much less participated in a brawl. She'd thought most of the action had passed by the time he'd gotten there, but he'd gotten in on the fight anyways. "Illya... " his name came out a grumble, knowing that he would have jumped in the fighting arm mangled or not, "C'mon, lets get home and I'll make some of the tea for you. We can cool down and work out what to do with this." Offering her hand to him, she chuckled, "As long as you don't mind a slower walk home, yeah?" She could think of a few more issues that would arise with the Old Qouti Chips, being there, but they would have to figure it out as they went.

He was slightly annoyed at her putting herself out there walking, but it seemed the feeling was mutual. She wasn't too happy about the fact that he'd gone and got himself in the fight. Since they were walking home together he made his steps smaller. After a moment Illya winked at her. "Yah should have seen et. Bunch of naked Chips running around pounding each oter wit dere buckets and I barely step in tah get hit and..." Suddenly the irony of it took over and he started laughing. "Somehow I ended up on dah woman side and den I get hit a few times dere too, but dat one Chip, he's trouble I tell yah. Jes swinging his bucket like a mad man."

They started walking along the damp path back to the house and Calysta kept her steps in time with his, glad he had tried to make them smaller so she could keep up. When he looked over with his cheeky wink, describing the fight, she couldn't help but chuckle. The Chip women didn't let a man on their side for any reason and he probably got half his bruises from the offense, just trying to get away without seeing anything. "You ended up on the women's side, hm? No wonder you got a nice wallop under your chin." One of the Chip men seemed to standout to Illya and it made her curious as to who it was. "Do you know who this mad, bucket swinging man is?"

"Nope, but I'm about tah make sure he drills hard. I tink he would make a good soldier." Often times it was these sort of fellows that made the best fighters. He was likely one of them with a broken bone, but Illya didn't really care about the bone as much as he did the man's fighting spirit.

"Aye, we need every man that we can get," Calysta nodded in approval, "As long as he can keep his eyes to himself he might survive long enough to become a good one. " Her steps slowed a little, as she took a deep breath. Lohgan was kicking at the sound of her father's voice and she was getting tired the further they walked. After she had Lohgan, she would be hitting the fields to get back in shape too. "We'll look them up when we get home too."

Illya noticed that she slowed down and he stopped then looked at her. "I carry yah dah rest of the dah way home eh?" Kneeling he waited for her to take up the position she had the night before so that he could carry her the rest of the way home. There was no way he was going to let her hurt herself or the baby. "Besides, I tink dat he will be easy tah find. He grabbed meh arm so I broke his."

"I'm alr-" She started to insist on walking but by that point he was already on his knee and she knew it would become an argument. Gingerly, she sat down on his leg and let him haul her up as she wrapped her legs around his back carefully. Even with his one arm, he'd managed to fight and inflict a fair amount of damage. Enough to break a Chips bone, which took much more force than normal, but in that respect, she didn't blame him. "He grabbed your sore arm? It serves him right if he did. If your arm is hurting, I can walk." She didn't want to hurt him or over tax him on a much longer walk back home.

When she asked about the sore arm he nodded and then shook his head when she offered to walk. "I tink dat carrying doesn't hurt meh arm. Et still jes hang here on one side. Nut even holding anyting in et." After a long moment he turned his head and kissed her gently. "Maybe I jes have some tea when we get back." That sounded good and if he laid down and put a pillow under his arm to raise it up it might keep the swelling down enough that he wouldn't have to use the ice treatment.

He insisted that it was fine and kept walking with her as if she weighed nothing until the house was in sight. Coming to the end of their walk, he turned his head and kissed her which he returned in full measure as her fingers curled into the hair at the nape of his neck. "Aye, some tea and a little rest, then we can see about what to do." Another moment passed as they climbed the stairs, and she gave him a sleepy, but somewhat playful smile. "I'm glad you're mine, you know that? Brawls and all."

Once they got into the house Illya walked with Kalizda up the stairs and then made some tea for himself and came up to lay on the bed with her. His arm was surging with every heart beat and he winced when he lifted it to lay a pillow under. Leaning back into the bed he tried to grin at Kalizda. He was doing everything that he could to try and keep from worrying her. After just laying together quietly for nearly half an hour he sighed. "I tink I jes make times. Dose wit traditional idea get bath house during morning and evening es for dose dat dun care tah follow tradition." It would be easy enough and then everyone knew what to expect if they chanced to go into the bath house at certain times. "Ef dey dun like et den dah Chippequoti from Old Quoti can build dere own bath house and stare all dey want."

Thankfully over the next month the only real disturbances were complaints about the rude Chips from Old Quoti and their uncooperative ways in training. However, they would learn and it might be tough when they found out they weren't so special that they couldn't suffer discipline, which Illya fully encouraged.

*************************************************************

Tabit was starting to feel impossibly large and she was to the point of never getting a good nights rest. No matter which way she laid at night it seemed that one of the boys would find a way to shove an elbow, foot or knee under her ribs. If that wasn't bad enough another one would dance on her bladder and the next would start tumbling around because the others were causing trouble for him and then it was an entire circus in her body. By now she was more than ready to have the babies and she'd walked outside for a long time to try and get her body to go into labor and she'd done everything in the book except one thing and she needed Kirit. As soon as he walked through the door of the house she grabbed him and pulled him tight to her. "We need to have sex. I have to get these kids out. Sometimes sex will sort of put the urge on the body to get rid of the munsters inside." It didn't really matter to her at that point what his thought was on the subject. She'd made up her mind.

Kirit took the steps up to his front door at an easy going pace. Work at been long, particularly with the new recruits, and he was more than ready to cook a bit of dinner, then sit down to eat with Tabit. Opening the door, he started to take off his cap when Tabit was there with a wild look in her eye and snatching him up. He ended up pulled against her enormous belly and smooshed further into her now fairly ample chest as she mumbled out something about sex and babies. Sex sounded good because she hadn't been in the mood lately from the boys making her feel sick or just ill-tempered in general. Then there was another part he almost didn't hear. Sex would make the babies come faster? His mouth slipped open, suddenly going dry as a desert. If he did this, his sons would be on the way and would be real. "I..uh..." There was no true answer to this question, given the look in her eye. Wrapping his arms around her tentatively, he swallowed down the cottony feeling in his throat and nodded. "Um, will it happen..ye know...right away?"

There was no reason for her husband to suddenly look so shy and especially about the activity. He was just as eager as any man and now he didn't seem to be ready. "Oh my gosh, Kirit." Reaching behind him she shut the door on the house. "If we're lucky they'll come out. Otherwise you'll just have to be a wild man. Besides, you're not the one with 3 kids wrestling in your gut. I think if your lungs were punched 50 times a day and bladder kicked to smitherines you'd be ready too."

He had no idea what it was like to have a living thing inside his belly and after her description he wasn't sure he wanted to be adding anything else to the discomfort. Still, they had to come out sometime and maybe then Tabit would turn to her more even natured self. He had to be ready for this no matter how long of a day it had been or how unprepared he truly felt. Besides, it had been awhile since their last spot of fun and it would be good to have. In a fit of boldness, he pulled her back to himself and kissed her playfully on the lips before giving her a smirk. "Ye forget I already a wild man for ye," he remarked, "An' if ye want m' I be right here."

"Mmm is that so?" Tabit ran one of her hands to his belt and plucked at it. "How about you prove it to me?" While they worked their way toward the bedroom she reached into his pants and grinned at him. She was purposefully taunting him so he would for sure do the deed.

When they were done Tabit laid in the hammock for a while longer. She certainly had a good time, but she wasn't feeling the contractions or even any different at all. "Well..." Sighing she sat up and moved herself to the edge of the hammock before sliding off and putting her feet into the slippers near the doorway. "I guess I might as well get dinner fixed and then we'll try again. You know what they say? If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." With a laugh she took herself down the stairs and got the dinner made. By the time Dinner was done Tabit felt too tired to do the dishes and she took herself upstairs. Kirit followed her and she yawned. "I'm too tired to do it again. We'll just have to try in the morning before you go to work."

Settling into the bed she giggled and placed a kiss on his lips. "You look so worried. I don't think it worked." Within a few minutes she was out and sleeping soundly. Tabit shifted in the bed with a little groan and held still for a long moment. After a few seconds she peeled her eyes open. It felt like she just peed the bed. That was slightly embarrassing. Normally she would have just got up and changed herself and then the bed, but he was sleeping. Mumbling under her breath she carefully got up and took herself to the bathroom. How embarrassing was this? Darn kids, they kept on jumping on her bladder and she peed herself for the fifth time today. It had been a steady leak all day long. He was sleeping a soggy bed. That was kinda gross now that she thought about it. After she cleaned up a little Tabit wandered back into the room and woke Kirit up. "Hun we need to change the bed." He gave her a sleepy and dumb gaze so she shrugged. "Well, its wet. Your sons happened to bounce all over my bladder again." That at least got him moving and she felt sick.

Part way through making the bed again she went over to sit on the chair, but felt an odd pressure and there was a wet spot again. "Oh!" Suddenly it occurred to her that she was in labor. "Kirit you need to look up there and tell me if there's a head poking out. I think they're coming and we might have to get a doctor here." Pulling her pajama pants off she glared at him. "C'mon I can't very well see anything down there. You're gonna have to look."

 

[aryamajor]

Kirit looked over his handy work and nodded when the General approved, then asked about payment. "Kalizda purchased all th' materials. So, it's nothing but th' work hours. Maybe ye come over an' help m' or Tabit with th' babies sometime or watch'em?"

Before that proposal could be confirmed, Kalizda's little voice called from downstairs. "Illya! Kirit! " It sounded urgent by the third call of their names, and he sat his tool box on the window sill before following Illya down the stairs. Kalizda was waiting for them at the bottom. Trouble in the bath house? Rubbing at his temples, he followed Illya out to Chippeqouti district that served as the bath house. Already he could hear the screams of women and the bellowing of men from inside. Whatever had happened, there was an all out battle going on.

Kirit stepped inside the parlor area to see exactly that. Naked men were swinging pails at each other, except for Ehvan who had two men by the heads, bashing them together with a ferocious snarl on his face. On the opposite side, his wife was shrieking and beating the back of another Chippeqouti woman with a barrage of fists. Suddenly, something wet smacked hard across Kirit's face. "Augh!" Sputtering, he ducked as another hit struck him over the neck then his should. "Yah nut look at us!" One of the older dark Chippeqouti women was attacking him with her wash rag. "Oi! oi!" Dashing away from her, he found himself in a scuffle between a green eyed man and one of his lieutenants. The man was much taller than the young general and reared back, clobbering the newcomer in the jaw. Even with the heavy blow, the man didn't go down, swinging his bucket around to smack the dark Chip in the face.

"No, ye don't," Kirit growled. While the man was on his upswing, Kirit dropped low and swept at the back of his knees, taking him off balance. The Chip pitched backwards trying to catch his balance, putting himself exactly where the young general wanted him. Kirit leapt up, bringing his knee into the attacker's back and causing him to howl as he hit floor. The bucket came loose from this hands and went sailing away across the room, as he went limp from the stunning blow. He'd never seen a Chippeqouti man go down quite so easily. Had these Chips ever trained at all?

By the time it was over, at least 5 of the men were being sent to the hospital with broken bones and it was his job to round them up. He'd already been informed that some of these newcomers would be part of his division, and he would be sure to inform them their actions outside the service were looked at equally as those within.

************

Kirit watched as his men fell into formation in the early hours of the morning. He had seven newcomer Chippeqouti men in various states of injury standing near the back of his formation. They were all tall, green-eyed, and stood with a slackened posture that the Fringer group once carried. Kirit ignored them, as his dark eyes turned to the men before him waiting silently attention. "Weyn, Usya, Vere't, Yarbrou'gh, forward." The four men, including the former Terran president's son stepped up looking a bit confused, but staying quiet. They knew better than to talk while in formation.

"Ye have all earned promotion for ye work, an' improvement," he announced as he went to each man, "Weyn, private first class. Usya, private first class. Vere't, Corporal. And Yarbrou'gh. Ye made it t' private second class." The Terran's sole eye went wide with surprise as Kirit pinned the star on his shoulder. "Today we drill, an' after I meet with all ye t' discuss ye new duties. Fall out."

The men with promotions stepped back into formation and his unit began jogging toward the training fields without question. Even the Terran had an extra spring in his step. However, rather than joining them, the new Chippeqouti men sneered down at him with a look of contempt. "I dun work for outsiders," one of them declared, "Yah a short man, tinking he's big wit dat General's star. I tink yah ought tah be out wit dat cleaning crew. Bettah suited for dat work den us."

Kirit stared at them for a long moment, sizing them up. They were just like any other wily recruit and he'd dealt with men like them before. " Ye sound confident about that, so I make ye deal. Ye keep up an' beat m' in th' drills, an' ye not have t' work f' an outsider. I make ye transfer." He didn't have to say what would happen if they didn't. "If ye confident ye better than m' self then ye injury won't matter."

With that, Kirit turned on his heels and started jogging out to meet his unit. He didn't need to be wasting his time with men who weren't really there to learn, and if they decided not to join him, there were always more domestic ways they could earn their wages on Pyrta.

***************

Calysta had squeezed herself into a one of her nice black and silver tunic tops, bought extra large to sport the continually growing baby bump. How had it gotten so tight already? It was stretched over her belly, forcing her to wear a black lace undershirt to hide the smallest of gaps. It wasn't ideal, but it would have to work for the hologram meeting. Smoothing down her hair, she sat behind her desk, dusting off the crumbs left by Cypher's granola snack earlier and cleared her throat before pressing the button on her pad. Lyra's face appeared for a brief moment on the screen, as the tied in hologram projector picked up the feed, displaying the chieftess at life size in the office. She looked tired, with purplish circles under her blue eyes. No doubt the worry over Tikan was taking it's toll, but the woman stood with a firm jaw, managing the faintest of smiles. "Ye image is live, Councilwoman," she said, "Good t' see ye again." Calysta nodded. "Aye, good to you see as well. Is Clark ready?" It was right to business this time, and they would exchange more personal questions later on. Lyra nodded, then trained the camera onto the Tannas defector who was sitting comfortably in a private office on a couch without restraint. "Thank you for agreeing to talk with me for a moment," Calysta said.

Of course now that they all knew they had a Tannas defector so many would want to ask questions. Clark was still keen on keeping some sort of edge, a reason for them to keep him and the others around. If there was no mystery then why would they want him? For now he had gotten to a decent living accommodation and the other Tannas were living well enough. They were split up and he had no way of knowing how the others lived. That was something he would find out. A sort of trade of information. When Calysta came on the screen Clark nodded to her. "I gladly meet with you. I'm sure you have a few questions and I've a few of my own. Ready when you are."

She surveyed the man for a moment, remembering how he had acted at the tribunal. He was the kind of person who would try to manipulate easily, and bringing up questions of his own made her naturally put up a little defense in her own mind. She would have to be careful, but also try to remain opened minded as well. "I suppose my first question for you, would be how well are you doing? I understand that you family is with you now, along with the some of the others." It was a stab at making sure they were being treated correctly. Not that she had any doubt about the Reylian's, but she did want it on record.

Calmly he nodded. "We are being treated very well. Now it's my turn to ask a question." Settling deeper into his seat he smiled. "How are my people doing on your planet? Or hasn't the General released that information to you? Has he used his little machine on them?" Clark knew very well that she likely hadn't been told any of those things and he wanted her to have that little seed of doubt.

He certainly liked to command the conversation and it wasn't something she liked, particularly when it came to Illya. In fact, it annoyed her, but the truth remained that he had knowledge on the Tannas and they needed to win the war. "Good, I'm glad to here that," she replied, evenly, "The people here are fine. They have food, clothing, shelter, and general freedom as any other Pyrtan would save for the fact that we do have digital copies of their DNA, same as what we did for you in the interest of security."

"Huh...I don't believe it till I see it. Tannas are safer here among the Reylians than they are with some men." Carefully he shifted in his chair. It wasn't as though he didn't know that he was being watched. "There now, our questions are answered for now. You might as well skip the pleasantries. Councilwoman, I know you're not interested in my family for any purpose, but to try and use the as leverage. What is it you really want to know?"

"You make alot of assumptions," Calysta replied, raising a brow, "Particularly against someone who voted to keep you alive. It's not good to be rude to the hand that's trying to help you, but if you really want to know. I asked to talk with you so I can learn. I want to know more about your race, to understand. That's a much better way to move forward in my opinion. You can start by telling me why the Tannas appeared in this quadrant." The last part was more of a statement than a question, but she didn't particularly care, as her grey eyes trained on Clark, waiting to see what he would do with such a statement

It was quite notable that she didn't bother to answer or respond to his statement about the pleasantries and his family, but he knew she never would. She was much the same as he would expect. "Oh of course. I expected that you'd be curious, but this doesn't come without some sort of mutual trust. What are you willing to do for my people if I tell you this?"

"You're right it does come with a mutual trust," she conceded, "And the way I see it we've done quite a bit. You and your people, who were rescued by Alliance men, are under our amnesty, protection, and being well cared for. The bottom line is, the entities that want to do us harm are now mutual, and so I'm coming to you for a better understanding, which is more than what others are willing to do. So, it's within your interest to share what you can."

Clark shook his head. "And you think that puts us in debt to you? You know very well I didn't have to tell you where to find them all. I didn't have to give myself up and you know that the Chippequoti would never have united without me. I think it's more likely we broke even. What are you going to do for us? It might be common enemy, but we plan to wager and make trade the same as any other people."

"What's normally on the table with amnesty is the same that was offered 6 years ago to the Chippeqouti," Calysta said dryly, "Entrance into the Alliance and all the protections thereof upon a vote. That's what I can offer you, but that also comes at the price of collaboration and cooperation. Just like any other Alliance member. You wanted a deal, and that's the one you've got."

"Councilwoman, don't insult me. They gained much more when they joined the Alliance. They were given a home. Where is our home? Where do my people live? They are scattered and it is because you don't trust us. How can we trust you if we cannot even live in peace in our own sector?"

Clark always seemed to think he had the upper hand. In somethings it was true and other things not so much. Giving him a slight smile, she sat back in her chair. "Trust is earned, and never built over night. Plus, the Chippeqouti did ask a bit more nicely. "

It wasn't going to be a line that would work even if it was true. There was no doubt that her relationship with the General had helped that process. "Indeed, trust is earned. I enjoyed the little chat and our chance to understand one another." Rising from his seat he bowed slightly to her in Kaerelean fashion. She wasn't quite as fast as she thought and he had a few things he wanted before he would talk anymore

The meeting seemed to be done, at least in his opinion, and she kept her face a neutral mask to avoid giving away her disappointment. He hadn't seemed very interested in understanding so much as pushing his own agenda. As a man with amnesty he had every right to do so, but it also didn't lend to much gain in trust. "Aye, it's been insightful. I'd like to talk again soon." With that final invitation, she stood and returned his bow despite her belly, and then cut off the hologram feed.

In part, she understood his mistrust. Their situation wasn't dissimilar from that of the Chippeqouti in some ways. The defecting Tannas and mixed Chippeqouti didn't have a home and they needed one. With Alliance amnesty it was possible to do, and she'd even offered, but he seemed unwilling. He'd even flat out accused her of being insulting, which was annoying considering she hadn't been.

She wanted to help and yet she couldn't simply allow the Tannas to converge in a single place. Not yet. Trust indeed had to be earned, and it wasn't a personal thing. It was simple fact. How many weeks had she spent with Illya? With the Chippeqouti before landing on Kaereal and presenting them to Henaiah? She'd never even met Clark and all she had ever seen of him was his baiting at the tribunal and this failure of a meeting.

Neither of them had gotten what the really wanted out of the meeting. Clark still had his wants, and so did she, but she wasn't about to agree to something so large unless cooperation could be given, which he wouldn't do because he didn't trust her or the Alliance. It was one petty circle that would get them nowhere. One thing remained clear, Clark had very few friends among the Alliance, and if he pushed on like he was, tit-for-tat, he wouldn't make any willing to help him though he was in amnesty. How did she protect them, and then protect everyone else from what might happen too? Was it wrong to think that way?

Calysta sat in her office chair, as images flashed in her mind for a long time. Markus' face... Yvonne's violet eyes...both turning to dust...Rose crying in her cave...Illya shot in the head laying in a pool of his own blood...the Kinte island crumbling...Cypher's smiling up at her with chubby cheeks. Tugging at the end of her braid, Calysta sat up and pecked out a message on her pad meant for Clark.

Trust is earned, but that doesn't mean you or I shouldn't give each other the chance to do so. I would like to invite you to Pyrta in 3 months time to see your people and Kaereal. Bring your wife and children if you prefer to. If I can trust you on the same continent with my family, then there would be equal exchange in trusting me to be on the same planet as yours. Consider this my leap of faith, and I hope it would be met with the same willingness.

Sincerely,

Calysta Marie Monroe

When the message was complete, Calysta sent it and copied Lyra along with Illya on the memo. They were the only ones who needed to know. Illya probably wouldn't like the idea of it, but progress had to be made one way or another. Whether any of them liked it, there were Tannas out there not involved in a war. They were civilians just like Rose, Cypher, Doris...or any of their own people. Sure, Clark was questionable but could they hold an entire group of people responsible for his actions? No. They each needed to learn, and this was an attempt in the right direction.


*************
Kirit laid down in the bed with Tabit snuggling up to him. She had been more or less veracious not two hours before in an effort to put their babies on the move, and he'd obliged. Now, the deed was done, leaving him to wonder if some the major would happen. What if he woke up and they were there? All three of them? He must have been making a face as he thought about his sons coming so fast, because Tabit leaned over, planting a kiss on his list and telling him not to worry. "Aye, maybe it didn't. They come in their own time, yeah?" He would have to wake up early and Tabit wasn't letting him out of the house until they had another round. Taking in a deep breath he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and left a peck on her forehead. A nudge on his shoulder along Tabit's voice pulled him from sleep and he opened his eyes slowly. "Hm?" She was talking about their sons..her bladder...and wet. "Ohnm. Okay." It wasn't the first time this had happened, and she couldn't help it. Rolling out of bed, he stripped out of his damp pajama's with his eyes half closed while she pulled fresh sheets from the small linen closet.

Kirit yawned as he tucked the corners of the sheet on the mattress and smoothed them down before grabbing their blanket. As he flipped the new blanket over the bed, Tabit let out an excited 'Oh' making him look up to her in concern. Her blue eyes were wide as she started taking off her pajama pants. She wanted more sex now? Not that he had any objections but it was a surprise. The surprise only grew when she announced the babies were coming and asked him to look down to see if something was coming out. "Ye want m' t' what?!" The unintentional outburst came out before he could stop it and true panic set on him for first time in his life as he stared in her direction. "I just go get th' doctor now."

Her eyes grew wider as Kirit did the most ridiculous thing. "You can call on the pad while you check to see if I can go to them or if they have to come here. "I need you to get a light and shine it up there or I can lay down and you could look. Either way we need to know if they're coming now. If you run away to get the doctor and the baby comes I might pop one out on the floor." Tabit figured he was panicking, but so was she. "Just look!"

She was explaining away, but a single truth was running through his mind. His sons were coming, one might flop onto the floor and he was in desperate need of a flash light. When she yelled at him his head turned on a swivel and he look at her nodding. "Aye... aye...aye..ye just..ye lay down on the bed s' nothing drops..." He didn't like the idea one his son knocking his head into the floor. While she was getting on the bed he snatched up his pad and sent a message to the doctor. With the message sent, he ran a hand through his hair and half ran to the end of the bed. He'd seen basic anatomy and biology lessons, but nothing prepares him for sight of his son on the way. Whoever said birth was beautiful lied the biggest tale in history. How could she not feel that? Horror struck, he lifted his head to glance at Tabit. "There's uh..something down there. I see it."

"Is it coming out?" Half sitting up Tabit looked to her husband. He wasn't even looking yet and she laid down again when he got to the bed. He still wasn't that helpful. "Yes, there's stuff down there. Is it a baby coming out or can we go to the doctor?" He wasn't all that helpful so she put her hand down to check. "Not crowning yet, but we'd better hurry. Get the pants and have the ship ready." She wasn't about to have her husband try and play catch with the babies.

Whatever crowning was, he wasn't sure but he was positive he didn't want to know. He did understand the need for speed and when she finally told him what she needed he sprang into action. Grabbing up her pants, he handed them to her and then hauled her hospital bag from under the bed. He tossed the bag over his shoulder before running down the stairs to the small skimmer stowed under the awning beside the house. It was pouring rain and it took all of the first two steps in the freezing weather for him to realize he was only in his boxers. He'd forgotten to get himself dressed too. Already committed to being soaked, he ran to the skimmer, shoved the bag inside then started the engines. With them started, he taxied the vehicle to the front porch so she wouldnt get wet, before running back inside. She was already down stairs but he ran past her. "Pants!" Dashing up the stairs he grabbed the closest shirt he could find and tumbled into a pair of pants. Returning down the stairs with his shirt on backwards and his belt unbuckled, Kirit escorted Tabit to the skimmer. "Ye alright, yeah?" He repeated the words over and over every 5 minutes as he flew them toward the hosptial at a near breakneck speed.

Tabit ambled into her pants. She felt sick and she had no idea that labor could feel like that. She was pretty sure that she was close to crowning if not already crowning, but he was too dense for this round to be the one delivering. She was not going throw babies out on the hammock at him. By the time he raced past her she was holding her stomach all the way down the stairs and barely to the skimmer when he was already racing past and helping her inside. "I'm we just need to hurry." Inside the skimmer she rubbed at her sweaty forehead. "Ooh..." Several pants later she looked at him. "I'm fine, just hurry." Reaching across the small center console she grabbed his forearm and squeezed. "Oooh I think I'm close to popping a kid. Hurry up and just park anywhere!"

Tabit's hand reached across and gripped his arm in a vice so tight he was sure she might snap his arm in half. "I cant park ye on th'side of th' road, we're not there yet!" They were only a minute out from the hospital and he could see the lights through the rain. He willed those lights to get closer as he opened up the throttle, careening them over the fields and over the fence surrounding the hospital. He would make it there, because there was no way he could do this on his own. He didn't want to hurt Tabit or the babies. "Almost there!"

Suddenly he was speeding up instead of slowing down and she gripped his arm tighter. "Kirit!" She was sure they were going to crash into the fence. Tabit's eyes went wide and she covered her stomach with one arm while still gripping his arm with her other hand. They were finally to the Ehuai and she stared at him. "We'll talk about that move later." With a huff and a pant she grimaced. "We better scuttle."

She could talk all she wanted after their sons arrived. He hit the dampeners and the skimmer whined as it came to a shuddering stop inside the drop off zone, the wing tip nearly touching the pole to the awning. Kirit launched out of the vehicle, ran around to Tabit's side to wrench the hatch open. Already some of the Ehaui nurses were jogging out of the door to meet them with a wheel chair in tow. They had made it and that was a triumph. "Ye here now," he breathed with a hurried smile. The nurses moved him aside, giving him odd looks and it was then he realized his pants were half hanging off his hips. He gave them a sheepish glance then buckled his pants as they tried to help her into the chair. With his pants buckled, Kirit looked back to Tabit and grabbed her elbow to help her up.

Tabit was doing her best to breathe through the more severe contractions that were starting and she barely made it to the wheelchair with help from Kirit and the nurses. "Ok, lets just get this done." It wasn't horribly painful, but it certainly wasn't comfy either. A few times she looked up the ceiling on the way toward the birthing room. When she arrived there was an odd little bench and a trough of sorts. "No bed?" The nurse shook her head. "Chippequoti always sit when giving birth. Work with gravity. It is why their babies come faster." Tabit had never given birth Chippequoti style and she grimaced at the woman. Still she didn't have a lot of choice, so she perched herself on the small bench and let the rest of her hover over the trough. Glancing to Kirit she beckoned him over. "Get over here. You put em in there and I think you ought to see them come out."

Kirit followed them back to a strange room. There was a bench with some sort of awkward trough underneath that reminded him of the feeding bin in barn for the nyte beasts back on Reylia. His babies were going to be born in something that looked like a beast bucket, but that was fine. At least they would be out. He stood by as Tabit sat on the bench and waited to see if she might need anything else. His part was done because she was here but he didn't know if she needed anything else. Suddenly, she looked up at him and demanded he come over there to see them come out. It was exciting the think they were almost here but he wasn't sure he wanted to see anything else come out. Tabit seemed to expect it though, and he would do what she needed. Running a hand through his hair, he walked over to her and offered his hand. "I'm here f' ye Tabit, I'm not goin' anywhere, yeah?"

Sometimes Kirit was a bit of a sap, but Tabit loved that about him. "Well, that's good. I'm not going to deal with three boys all by myself." One of the nurses pulled up a chair and just waited for a long moment."I'll call the doctor in when the first one comes out. He'll know what to do after that." So far it was just a game of watching and waiting. "Be sure to breathe."

Kirit stood by and waited to see what would happen. Sometimes she would squeeze his hand and he was positive she very well might pinch it off if she tightened her grip much more. When the nurse mentioned that she would have to go get the doctor after the first one came out, Kirit glanced at her with raised brows. What did she mean he would know what to do after the first boy came out? "Shouldn't ye doctor be here f' th' first one too? "

The nurse raised her brow right back at the man. Obviously he'd never been around for a baby delivery before. "No, I deliver the baby and they check the baby afterword and the mother." There were some things that didn't really require the doctor and she figured that he would or should have known that. Every now and then she would lower her head till she saw something. "Ooooh there you go. Miss Tabit just go ahead and push a few times times. I'm pretty sure you're crowning." Kneeling next to the trough she put on a pair of gloves and gently held her hands ready. "Just a few more pushes and that will do it."

Kirit wasn't so convinced but he had little choice since she was supposed to be the expert. After a few minutes, the nurse started encouraging Tabit to push. Her grip tightened and he grit his teeth staying silent for the most part. The nurse, said something about 'pretty sure' and he held his breath. This was it! Baby boy one was almost here. A surge of surreal panic made his eyes go wide as they darted from Tabit, down, and back up again. "Ye ready?"

Grunting a little Tabit pushed and then took a deep breath just in time for Kirit to ask her that dumb question. Her blue eyes darted to his face and she snarled, "Good lord....Of course I am." The woman clenched her teeth and lowered her head. Tabit's eyes closed and she pushed with all she was worth before she felt the baby start to move through the canal. "There he comes." The nurse gently held onto the baby's head. "Go ahead and one more push. Get his shoulders out and he'll slide the rest of the way." With another push she caught the first one and the second nurse cut the umbilical cord and sucked all the stuff out the baby's nose and mouth with a syringe before turning him face down over her lap and giving him a few good pats then wrapping him in a blanket. "There we are. Doctor should be here to check him over any minute now." Tabit rolled her eyes at Kirit. "Only two more to go." She felt tired out and she was ready to be done now, but there were more.

She was aggressive and he didn't blame her when he thought about something as big as a baby coming out of anywhere. With a grunting push that left his hand pale and numb, Kirit watched as the first baby came forth into the world head first with a gush of water. His first boy was pinkish grey, wrinkled and covered in goo as he landed in the nurses hands. Weren't babies supposed to be cute? His first boy resembled more of a boulder than anything as they snipped him up and handed him off to the second nurse who worked equally fast. He wiggled his head, trying to see more of the first one, but the nurse had her back turned until the boy was swaddled up. There wasn't any crying at first until suddenly the first gurgling cry came from the cleaning station. "Ye hear? He's crying," Kirit said, squeezing Tabit's hand. She just rolled her eyes at him and said there were two more to go. "Two more. Ye get two more because ye strong," he chuckled, "Just like m' son..eh...sons."

Kirit was far from helpful. Ye get two more because ye strong... Those words stung and she glared at him again. Still she needed to be nice and she simply turned her blazing eyes toward the doctor who had picked up the first one and made a quick check of him before coming over to watch the progress with the second one. The second baby was just about as fast, but the third one was taking a lot more and she took a few deep breaths and pushed as hard as she could. After a few minutes the doctor decided to make a small check, just to be sure she was alright. It was not normal for a Chip woman to struggle this much.

Kirit watched with growing awe as the second one made it's arrival, just as pink and squawking a little louder than the first. He was clipped, cleaned then wrapped up nice and warm to be alongside his bawling brother. The two crying in concert was surprisingly loud and he knew that with the third one, it would be a thunderous sound in their cabin. Kirit's dark eyes flicked from the baby's to Tabit as he wiped the hair out of her face, and removed the gossamer strands stuck at the corners of her mouth. This baby was taking alot longer than the first two, but he didn't grow concerned until the doctor walked over and felt around, his face settling into a frown of concern. Standing up straight, Kirit gazed at the doctor. "Is Tabit alright? Th' baby too?" If there was a problem, he wanted to know so he could deal with it and keep them both safe.

After a moment the doctor sighed. "The baby isn't head down. I can work on it a little to see if I can get him to move, but otherwise it could be more risky." Tabit still had contractions and she tried to breathe through them, but her body was trying to force the last one out at a bad angle. It was only a few more contractions and the doctor was frowning as he massaged and tried to push the baby from the outside. A tear ran down Tabit's face. She was tired, sore, and ready to be done with the process. Groaning she pushed again and heard the doctor say something, but she wasn't sure what. The nurses scattered and returned a few moments later with extra gear. The baby was barely out and they whisked him away and then left the room with him. Tabit shakily got up and went to lay on the bed nearby. Blinking a few times she looked to one of the nurses. "Where's the last one? Where's my baby?" The nurse looked at her for a long moment before replying, "We're doing what we can. He was a breach birth, had an umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and there was some damage done to his hip."

The young general stood by feeling a bit useless as the doctor explained what was happening. The last one was being a bit stubborn and he didn't want to come out in the correct as the others. There was always a little rebel in the family. When the doctor went to mashing all over Tabit's stomach Kirit wanted to smack him the back of the head and push him away. It was meant to help her but the tears running down her face made it obvious he was causing her pain than she was already in. The nurses broke away from them, only to return with some foreboding looking equipment. This was becoming much more than just simple pushing the baby around, and when he finally emerged, the doctor's carried him off before Kirit could even get a good look at him. What was wrong? Where were they taking him? A sinking feeling settled into his stomach as Tabit started to get up. He followed, holding at her shaking elbow until she could get into the bed without falling. One of the nurses came by, and when Tabit asked, explained what happened to their third son. He had been born wrong, and he was hurt. Would he live? And if he did, would he walk? Run? Kirit looked to Tabit and took in a deep breath as he ran a hand through his hair for the hundredth time. She looked like she was in pain, and scared on top of that. "Ye stay an' rest... hold our first sons," he said to her quietly, "I an' I go t' find our rebel if I have t'." Giving the nurse a solid look, he nodded. "Can I go t' see him?"

Tabit took unsteady breaths as she tried to calm herself. She'd lost a baby. As far as she was concerned she lost one and she didn't want to hold the other two. They kept on wailing and she didn't want to hear it. Kirit blended into the mass of noise and stress. It was all the same and she nodded numbly to Kirit. Whatever he wanted to do for now. The nurse shook her head at Kirit. "No, we're giving him emergency respiration and the doctor is putting his hip back in place. It was dislocated. Right now the greatest concern is his breathing." That was a great concern with any Chip or part Chip baby . If they lacked the strength to breathe they would suffocate and sometimes their little bodies weren't quite ready to move their heavy rib cage.

His wife was breathing harder now more than she had in labor, and a lost look of panic was spreading over her face. What was he supposed to do? What could he do? They wouldn't let him see his own son and all he could do was hope the doctor would do his job. "How could th' doctor not know about this? He should have scanned! There would have been more time. Ye should have..." The words spilling out over the din of crying babies was more than enough to make the entire room sound like battle. One that his 3rd child would miss because he wasn't breathing properly and worst of all, there was not a damn thing he could do for him. The wailing grew louder and Kirit glared at the nurse, trying to calm himself down before Tabit grew anymore blank terror to her face. "Ye do what ye need t' here an' then go help m' son. Please." If he said much more, he was going to start yelling at her again. Softening his expression, he looked to Tabit and took up her hand. "It's alright...Ye be fine..he will too. Look at m' an only m' for a minute, yeah?" He kept his gaze on her, meeting her blue eyes with his dark ones.

There was only so much that they could have done and the nurse stared at him. Do a scan when his wife was obviously in labor and she was barely seated in time to start crowning? What would the scan have done at that point? It would not have stopped it. He didn't understand. A Chip woman had very little time in labor and it was all fast paced. They were lucky it was only a little hip damage. Something that if cared for properly would heal in time. The breathing was the only major problem and it was more than the cord wrapped around his neck. He was smaller than his brothers and his little lungs couldn't do it on their own. When he quit yelling she stopped at the station to check the other two babies and make sure the lamps were warming them properly. Tabit stared into Kirit's eyes and she murmured. "Get the babies out. I don't want them in here."

Kirit looked at her in her eyes, and not for the first time tonight was truly stunned. He stared at her for a moment before he could bring himself to move or say anything. "Ye want our babies out? Why?" He knew they were loud, but he could calm them down for her. Maybe. She was just stressed and tired while also worried over their 3rd son. "Our other sons need t' see their mam and pap, yeah?" Patting her hand gently, he walked over to the first son, swaddled in a green blanket. He still had drying bits of gunk stuck over his head, matted in his shock of black hair. His face was beat red from crying as Kirit picked him like Tabit had taught him, being careful with his head. "There ye are," he whispered, his throat growing a little tight, "Ye mam calls ye little munsters an' I believe it, eh?" He held his son close for a moment, just looking him over as if it wasn't quite real yet, and then walked over to Tabit, holding the much quieter boy out for her.

It was selfish and horrible. Tabit felt a surge of guilt, but it wasn't going to stop her from asking. Kirit still brought one of them over and she turned her head away. "No, I don't want to see him. Take them out of the room." Taking a deep breath she kept her eyes focused on the window and worked her jaw. She didn't even want to look at the baby. The other one was still crying and she clenched her fist. "Kirt, just put them somewhere. Anywhere, I don't want to look at them, touch, them or hear them right now."

She turned her head like he really had brought over a foul smelling monster, nearly begging him to take them away again. What was happening? This was there child. Their sons. They weren't furniture where you could just put them in the other room if you didn't like them. She hadn't answered his question either, and now he was confused. Cuddling the boy back into the crook of his arm, he rubbed at his tiny back, trying to soothe him. "Tabit, these are our sons. An' ye love'em. What's wrong?" He asked gently, trying to understand why it was she didn't want to see their family.

"Kirit!" Almost snapping she looked at him. "I don't want to see them. Go hold them or whatever you need to do to feel better." Pulling the blankets on the bed up to her chin she almost hid behind them. "I'll feed them when it's time, but I'm not going to look at them until I have to."

Kirit's mouth fell open some as she bit his head off and brushed all of them away, refusing anything to do with them. What she said was mildly insulting to him and he had no idea what had gotten into her. A flame of anger flickered in his stomach, but he held it at bay. That would only make things worse. "Tabit, this is not about m' it's about yese'f," he replied finally, "Ye refuse our boys an' ye still not tell m' whats wrong. If ye tell m' I swear, I try t' make what I can right f' ye. I'm not going anywhere an' I say it one more time, ye should hold ye son." It was a last chance effort, beyond which he didn't know what else to do.

The blur of panic had already risen to the base of her throat and she stared at him for a long moment. "Just go away. Take them with you. I don't want them." Bursting into tears she pulled the blanket up and hid her face. She didn't want the babies. They were hers and she hated what happened when she had babies. They were horrible little monsters and they only brought grief. Rolling to her side she clutched the blanket tightly over her head and remained that way for as long as he would let her.

The young General's shoulder's sank as he stared at his wife crestfallen. Here she was saying that she didn't want their sons that they had been surprised, but so excited for too. It didn't make any sense, not with the way she was acting against what she was saying. "Tabit, I love ye, but I think ye bad liar. Ye say one thing, but ye cry f' another," he said finally, "Ye stay an' rest. I be back soon." He put his first son down into the roll away station just like he'd found him, release the wheel lock and pushed them gently out of the room.

Wheeling down the hallway, he found a nurse walking by and she gave him a quizzical look. "Where are you going?"

"I just look f' quiet place t' calm them down," Kirit replied, blinking at her expectantly, "Can ye show m' where...and..ye maybe show m' how?"

The nurse's lip twitched, as she looked the young general over, then she pointed to door at the end of the hall. "There's a small nursing room down there, come and I'll show you."

"Thank ye."

Following the nurse with his two wailing sons, Kirit shuffled down the hall and into a cozy room with dim lights, a rocking chair and a plush couch. This looked like a nice quiet place to calm them down, much to his relief, and he glanced to the nurse. "What's th' best way t' make them happy?"

Chuckling, the woman reached into the bin, picking up the second son, and held him close. She patted his back with the gentlest of touch while whispering into the boy's ear. "Sometimes you won't always know, but holding them close and talking to them is soothing. Like this. They'll know your voice so spend time with them and they will calm down. Being born is a hard business."

Kirit picked up his first son easy as possible in his calloused hands and looked over the tiny face that was to twisted into displeasure. This was their son, and he was really there in his arms. It was still the oddest thing he'd ever seen with such tiny, red features but he couldn't help wanting to hold him for some reason. They were so small and they needed protection. He wasn't quite sure how to do that, and there was nothing he could do for his third son at the moment, but he had to try, "Ye alright...ye alright..." He paused, realizing the boy didn't even have a name yet. "Mycah. Ye be m' Mycah, yeah?"

He held Mycah to his chest and rocked him as the nurse showed him until the wails became pitiful sniffles, then quieted to an easy sleep. "Not s' bad, eh?" Kirit whispered. Glancing to the nurse, he saw his second son still tossing his head fitfully with squeaking complaints. "This one is asleep, ye hand m' that one." The Ehaui woman traded with him, one red bundled boy for a fussy green bound boy. "Oooh ye, gonna be middle. Ye brother's squish ye and ye just got t' be a litt'le munster.... Az'rai. Ye name Az'rai f' the oldest warrior brother. Why th' oldest, ye ask? Cause ye not born first, but ye th' loudest of th' bunch an' so was he."

After an hour his son were snoozing and the tired general shuffled back to the hall. Mycah sat in the crook of his right arm, eyes clamped shut, while Az'rai mewled between soft little snoring sounds, tucking comfortably in his left elbow. They were a handful for sure, but much better now that they were calm. The nurse held open their hospital room door for him as he walked in carrying both of his sons, looking tired but altogether feeling more focused. He knew what to do, at least so far.

Tabit was curled on her side under a thin hospital blanket pulled all the way up over her head. He could see her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm of sleep. Seeing her like that made the confusion return for a moment. Their 3rd son didn't have the easiest start, but he was alive, and that didn't stop them from loving on their two healthy sons while they waited. Maybe she was just overwhelmed. He hadn't popped out 3 boys from anywhere and he had nearly been totally lost in some moments. Tabit just needed time to rest.

Kirit eased himself ever so slowly into the comfortable chair in the corner, using the padded arms to prop his elbows up for both boys. A small plastic cube serving as a side table was beside the chair and he used his foot to push it over with small scoots until he could put his feet up on the top. He hadn't even bothered to lace his boots on the way out of the door. It had been 1am when they left and it was only 4am now. In total, he'd had about 3 hours of sleep, but he wouldn't have traded the sleep for the little lumps in his arms for anything.

Glancing to Mycah and Az'rai, he made sure they were sleeping. Az'rai was moving his mouth, tiny tongue sticking out, but otherwise all was well. "Ye good boys, ye good. An' ye mam is too." Dropping head back, Kirit closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He would wait with Tabit for news on their last son and whatever happened he would be right there.

 

[Silence]

Race him? Why would they even lower themselves to do that. The Chip men watched while the young general jogged off. Glancing from one face to the next the seven men stood there and smirked. Since they knew there were very few who understood their own language they spoke as they pleased in Quoti. "Run, little man run." A round of chuckles went through as they stood in place for a long couple of minutes. When they grew tired of standing the men sat down in place and eventually shifted to lay on the ground. "We get what we want. Good place to stay, safety, food, and now it doesn't matter."

When the other men came back sweaty they just stared at the group with plain, dumb expressions. It looked like too much work. The young general bustled right over and they looked at him with no concern whatsoever. Rising to their feet they saluted him and then waited to see what he would have them do. An entire month of cleaning and cooking duties was fine. Besides, it offered them plenty of time to do nothing.

The first morning they rose with the rest and while they were drilling the Chip men chattered happily while they prepared a breakfast. Cooking wasn't so difficult and when the others finished the breakfast and left for drills they whipped though the cleaning with hardly any effort and then charged through the cleaning and they were done in time for lunch and cleaned again. From here on out the day was theirs. Everyone went home for dinners around here and that meant that until they were dismissed they had a good 2-3 hours of nothing to do. Sitting in the middle of the cafeteria they pulled out their pads and started a few games of cards. With the pads synced there was no way for anyone to cheat and they could lay around wherever they wanted. It wasn't till the end of the day call was made and they all rushed back into the kitchen to wash their hands so that it appeared they had been cleaning so busily.

Dashing out the door they waited for the roll call to be done and then walked home. This army life was going to be easy. All they had to do was keep the young general upset with them and they could live the easy life. What they weren't counting on was individual progress reports to be made by the young general and that would be what got them in the end.

********************************************************

Thankfully it was a few days before they could really do anything with the house. Kirit was finishing a few things here and there, but Illya's arm hurt too much. The fight left it throbbing and he struggled to sleep that afternoon. Illya barely made it through dinner and he went upstairs to lay down and cradle his arm again. To avoid groaning he grit his teeth and squirmed slightly on the bed. Laying on his back hurt and the side still made it worse so he settled with just laying on his back with the arm propped up. By that night he reluctantly let Kalizda help him get his shirt off and then he drank large volumes of the tea, but still couldn't sleep.

Kalizda still needed her sleep and so Illya got up and took one of the extra blankets from the closet to the downstairs couch. Laying on the couch he tossed and turned with only a few hours of sleep here and there. When the morning finally rolled around he felt almost sick. Illya kept his head hidden in the blanket and he remained buried in it till the Rose left. Glenda was already in and she was giving Cypher his breakfast. He wasn't quite decent with just his boxers, but the blanket covered him for now and he didn't really care. Rolling to his side Illya winced and laid very still. Momentarily he started to drift off to sleep, but another sharp pain scrambled its way through his arm. A few minutes later he felt someone pluck the blanket gently away from his face. It couldn't have been Cypher because the kid would have been rougher than that. Squinting his eyes in the light Illya looked at Kalizda and he groaned. "Ugh..." He didn't even feel like talking at this point. However, he couldn't get what he needed if he didn't. "Yah get appointment for meh tah see Ehaui today?"

A cold draft tickled it's way over her arms, and she inched out looking for the warm spot she knew would be next to her. In a half sleep state, her fingers inched around searching for Illya. Where was he? Her fingers had yet to find him and it wasn't like he was hard to miss. Shimmying a little further to his side, she noticed it was cold as her hand reached the opposite edge of the bed. Illya wasn't in the bed. "Illya?" She peeled her eyes open, and sat up slowly and realized she was alone in the room altogether. He couldn't be up with too much to do, given how severe his arm injury was, so where had he gone? Calysta stumbled out of bed, and reached for her red kimono. It didn't quite fit anymore, but it was better than nothing to cover her pajamas and the purple silk robe had been ruined sometime ago when Illya had gotten sick in the bed. Shoving one arm through and then the other, she toddled toward the door and peered over the stair railing to see a mountain of blankets on the couch. "Illya?" Was he alright? She took the stairs at a slow, steady pace, then walked over to the couch, noting he sounded asleep. It wouldn't be good to wake him, but she needed to make sure he was alright, so she picked up the edge of the blanket and folded it back gently to reveal his face. He looked terrible. His eyes were a bit puffy from lack of sleep and his brow was pinched into an obvious expression of pain. When he asked for the Ehaui, that was the final declaration that he was hurting. Calysta nodded and brought her soft hands up to his forehead, using the backs of her fingers to check for fever. "Aye, I'll get you in the earliest possible," she replied as her cool hands checked him over, "Can you get dressed for me?"

Just the thought of getting up made him want to complain, but he did need to be in a little more than his boxers. Half mumbling he answered her, "Yeah." After a few more seconds of laying on the couch Illya took himself up the stairs with the blanket wrapped around him. While he was getting his pants on and his boots Glenda couldn't help overhear that Kalizda was making an appointment for the General. Walking into the living room she nodded to Kalizda. "I get dah ship ready and Cypher come wit, but I watch him." She figured that was the least that she could do. Often times the Ehaui could fit in an emergency visit like this one in an hour or less. Helping Cypher finish up his breakfast she then got him wiped down and took him with her out the front door to go get the ship. Illya had in the meantime laid down on the bed after he had his pants on. There was no way he was going to try and put a shirt on.

Calysta started making plans on how to get him to the doctor, knowing she would have to fly him. It wasn't something she was supposed to be doing, but Illya had to go and there was no way he was taking the controls in his state. As he shuffled up the stairs, Glenda came in from the kitchen and announced that she could fly them and watch Cypher at the clinic. Calysta let out a small sigh of relief, and gave the woman a grateful smile. "Aye, that might be better. Thanks, Glenda." She had no idea the woman knew how to fly a skimmer, but Glenda wouldn't have offered if she didn't know how. With that out of the way, Calysta went into her office and retrieved her pad, sending a message to the doctors who replied promptly that they could see him in 30 minutes. Confirming their appointment, she waddled back up the stairs trying not to bump her belly with her knees as she went, and found Illya laid out on the bed with only his pants on. "I'm guessing a shirt is out of the question," she sighed as she looked him over, "The Ehaui expect us in the 30 minutes and Glenda is flying us." Reaching out she slid a hand behind his uninjured shoulder, and helped him sit up, then kissed his cheek. "Go ahead and go to the skimmer. I'll get dressed and meet you down there." It would matter if he was half naked so long as his arm didn't hurt.

"No shirt." Illya mumbled in return and sat up reluctantly with the slight bit of urging from Kalizda. 30 minutes was good. At the rate he was moving it would take that long to get there. Surprisingly the ship was already waiting by the time he got down the stairs and managed to find a comfortable way to the blanket over his shoulders. Glenda was in the flyer with Cypher and she had it nice and warm inside for them. When Kalizda came out Illya got out of the flyer to help her get in. She wasn't supposed to actually put that much strain on her body right now, but the Ehaui didn't mind a small flight to their office once in a while. As soon as they arrived one of the nurses took Illya and Kalizda back to their little room for the appointment. Glenda sat out in the waiting room with Cypher.

"Here we are." The nurse pointed to a recliner for Kalizda and then a bed for Illya. "Just lay on your side and the doctor wanted me to get you started with this." Pulling a large blanket out of a box she laid it over him and turned it on with a switch. There was a soft glowing light and plenty of heat radiating from it. "Might make you a little sleepy and that's alright." They already knew what he would be coming in for and they were trying out some of the newer technology from the other Ehaui. There was so much that they hadn't learned about the Chip bodies. In addition to trying out the blanket the nurse knew it would give the doctor time to finish his other appointment. Asher had come in with more problems from the injury and they didn't really have time, but they were making time to see the General. She left the room after a few minutes and Illya closed his eyes. His arm still hurt, but the blanket felt good. He was almost asleep when the doctor came into the room and the man was accompanied by one of the Ehuai that had come from Old Quoti sector. "Now then, the bones were nearly powder in some places, but we'll have to run a scan to see how much of the process was disrupted." Talking as if no one was in the room and Illya's arm was a model of sorts the Ehuai gently peeled the blanket back and made a scan. "Hmmm...Some disruption. Basically the blanket creates a positive pressure and it releases a charge that presses and condenses disrupted tissue and bone. The implants in his arm then become the point at which the bone is forced against while the soft tissue absorbs the cream and reacts with the blanket to increase the magnetic pull and push on that specific part of his body. Not good for use over years, but very good on injuries like this for short term treatment." On the scan it showed the metal and then the flecks of bone scattered throughout his arm. "Still, no reason to take the arm yet if he wants it." The other doctor's eyes widened. "You can't leave the metal in there." Illya just listened to them with a frown on his face. He just wanted help and they were arguing about the damn treatment. The first doctor replied, "It won't irritate the bones. It simply has a magnetic coating on it and the blanket helps charge the coating and heat at the same time. It's soothing and considering the condition and disruption of the bone he could probably use it for a month or so. Then we scan again and if there is bone sheath starting around the metal then we're fine. We leave it for a few more months so we know it is solid and prepare some marrow to go into the arm. It should repair it." Turning toward the patient and councilwoman the doctor wrote out a small prescription. "I'll just have the nurse check the blanket out to you for a month. When you go to bed just sleep with that over you. Won't cause any problems with the baby if you share a bed." Scribbling a few more things on his pad he nodded to Illya. "And your done." While the blanket was nice it didn't really fix the issue of the pain that was still persisting.

Illya looked at the doctor and grumbled under his breath, "No, I tink yah should give meh someting for dah pain. Meh arm still hurts and I dun tink I get out under dis blanket witout someting."

Looking at him with a raised brow the doctor shrugged. "Oh well, just use a little of this cream and lay down for about an hour in the afternoons with the blanket. It works as a pain relief. It will soak in and reduce scarring, and alleviate most pain." With that he handed the tub of cream to Illya and then walked out the door. The nurse returned a few minutes later and folded the blanket up. "I'll show you how to carefully open the cast so you can apply the cream." Nodding to Kalizda she had the little woman come stand next to her. "Just have him remain laying down while you open it up." Carefully she worked at the straps till the cast came open and revealed more deep bruising yet. Opening the cream she rubbed a little between her fingers. "Get it soft before putting it on." Then she gently applied it to the back of his hand and did a little more and slowly moved up his whole arm. "Just little bits at a time." When she was done she started to strap the cast shut again. "Always the second notch, that's his size. Too loose and it won't support and if it's too tight it will be very painful. You got that?"

The nurse invited her to sit the arm chair and Calysta nodded, glad to be getting off her feet for a few minutes. It wasn't so much that she was overly tired yet, as it was her toes had begun to puff up in her shoes making them uncomfortably tight. Illya laid down on the bed as he was told and the nurse covered him with an odd little blanket. It looked like every other fleecy sort of blanket she had at the house until it began to glow and she could feel heat radiating from it, even from her corner. It looked like something a child might use. Calysta tilted her head curious to know if the only purpose was to soothe. Not that she really minded if that was the only reason. He was starting to relax and his eyes were drifting closed, which was undoubtedly more rest than he'd gotten in a night sleeping next to her. She propped her feet up, in an effort to get the swelling to go down, and waited for the doctor, hoping they would come in soon. Illya's arm had to be hurting him from the bath house brawl the day before, and carrying her when he shouldn't have. A spot of guilt formed in her stomach as she closed her eyes and tried to wait patiently. To her surprise, not one, but two doctors came into the room after awhile and scanned his arm as usul continuing talking as if she wasn't there. His bones had been crushed so badly they had turned to powder? His arm was entirely full of metal, trying to rebuild what was left of it so they could put more marrow in. The Ehaui were always so blunt and sometimes it drove her crazy. This time, it was driving her into a pool of regret for being so selfish about a few things when he came back, especially now that she knew the truth of why he went. At least they seemed to agree he could safely keep his arm for now, and the strange glow wyrm type blanket would help with that. When Illya asked for something regarding the pain, the nurse offered a cream to be used for an hour so in the afternoons, then beckoned her over to see how it should be applied. Seeing the cast removed made Calysta's stomach churn. She wasn't squeamish, but seeing his arm in such a bruised, swollen state brought back memories she didn't like the last time he had metal implanted implanted in him. Biting her lips, she swallowed and listened carefully to the instructions the nurse gave. "Little bits at a time, and always the second notch. Can it be applied more than once a day if necessary?"

The nurse nodded when the woman repeated the steps back to her. When the question came up she wasn't entirely sure if that was a good idea. "No, too much of the cream isn't good. Just once a day. If he's very sore maybe let him sleep longer when you apply the cream or just wait to apply it before bed. I'm putting it on now because he needs relief right now." Once she had the cast all strapped back on she helped wrap the blanket around his shoulders and turn it back on again. "Just don't fall asleep before you get home." Illya nodded to the nurse and he winced some. The arm was still throbbing, but at least the blanket was soothing and he could feel an odd sort of sensation starting in his arm, but it wasn't bad.

Calysta nodded to the nurse. "Aye. I'll make sure he has time to rest." It would probably be best if they used it at night as much as possible so he could sleep the best of the longest period of time. Shifting closer to Illya, she gave him a little smile and tucked one of his wayward curls from his face. "We'll get you home and you can sleep, yeah?"

It felt absolutely pathetic and he almost felt like a kid all over again. Illya just nodded and let Kalizda walk out the door first. He followed her to the waiting room where Glenda promptly went out with them to the ship and got them both back to the house. Illya took himself upstairs to their room and laid down. With the little bit of pull on the inside of his arm and the occasional sizzle sensation with the warmth he felt a bit better and started to promptly drift off to sleep again.

It was a long trip home between Illya half asleep wrapped in a blanket and Cypher asking for his Dah, going so far as to pitch a minor fit for being denied access to his father's lap. By that point he was growing ill as his nap time neared. Half of Calysta's energy was spent trying to usher both her little man and her big one into the house while Glenda took care of their flyer. "C'mon you two." She managed to get her boy down on the couch where he sniffed, pouting for having been left behind by his father as she covered him with a blanket. "Those little tears," Calysta sighed, tucking him in tightly, "You'll be alright. Dah isn't going anywhere but to bed. Once she had Cypher calmed down, it was a slow walk up the stairs on her swollen feet to check on Illya who was curled up on the bed with his new blanket. He had already fallen asleep or was nearly there, so she pulled their other blanket up over his feet, then added another pillow just behind his neck without moving him too much. "Illya, I'm so sorry you're hurt," she whispered, "I know I didn't help how you felt. Sleep as long as you need." Kissing him on the top of his head, she let him alone to rest.

After a few minutes of getting settled into the bed Illya had kicked his boots off and he didn't notice the blanket over his legs or the kiss on his head. He had already fallen asleep and he didn't wake till dinner time. Whatever the stuff was that they gave him and rubbed on his arm worked wonders with that blanket. Though the arm still hurt it was much more manageable now.

When it was time for bed Illya crawled under the blanket and curled up. He loved the heat and it made him feel so much better. It was even better than the cold pack and his arm still hadn't puffed up too much more. The next day it was a little harder trying to manage the pain till bedtime, but it was possible. By the time he reached 3 days of the treatment his arm started to feel pretty good and he was sleeping like a rock at night. Sometimes he woke up with Kalizda close, but he wasn't holding her mainly because he slept so soundly he hardly moved. With good solid sleep he was waking up earlier and starting to feel better. Rolling to Kalizda's side of the bed he even ventured a small movement of his arm to place the injured hand on her waist. The cast still supported the arm quite well and he found himself feeling accomplished. "Good morning." Gently he kissed her on the cheek and moved a little closer. "I tink maybe yah rest taday and I make yah breakfast." He was a little worried that she had been pushing herself too hard. "Dun worry, meh arm feels much better. I tink even dah bruising es less." When it was mostly covered with the cast he could say it with semi confidence. Otherwise it looked worse when she opened it up at night to add the cream.

Getting up he made the breakfast and then did a little more around the house. He even went into the new addition a few times to look at it and study the layout. It was approximately how he wanted the layout to be, but the bathroom was a tiny bit odd and it had bland colors. They really needed to find a way to make it more exciting. Heading back downstairs to help Glenda get lunch ready he heard Kalizda talking to herself or someone.

With a few days of rest Illya was feeling better and it was time to start painting. He'd overheard Kalizda talking about colors and she was far too shy sounding about them. Why would anyone want to have such boring colors? Wandering over to where she was in the living room he stared at the color sheets she was looking at. "Why nut paint dah room gold?"

Calysta sat wedged in the corner of the couch, having more or less sank there and lacking the real energy to pull herself out to move to the office. Instead, she opened up her pamphlets and decided to look at paint colors. Rose had already chosen a bright pink for her own room , which was to be expected, and she was looking at a nice pale green for Cypher. It would be a color he could grow into. Then there was her own bedroom and small portions of her bathroom to consider. As she looked over a pleasant creme color, comparing it to a darker beige, Illya peered over her shoulder, suggesting of all things, gold. "You want gold? Something like that?" Raising a brow at him, she flipped the page to a lighter brown and pointed.

Moving around to sit next to Kalizda he wrinkled his brow at the suggestion. "No, dats jes brown." He didn't know why they chose all sorts of fancy names for the colors. Stuff like sandy beach or topaz forest. Who cared? It was just a color. Illya turned the page to the next one only to see more brown. "I tink gold. Nut brown or anyting fancy, I want et tah be gold." Trying to describe what he meant beyond the idea of the color was difficult. "Yah know, gold like yah necklace or yah ring."

She held up her finger, glancing at her ring, which she loved, but it was very big...and bright. He wanted their bedroom done like that? "What about a creme color with gold accents like my ring?" she suggested, with a hopeful lilt. It wouldn't be so shining or heavy to wake up to, but still put in something he liked. It wasn't just her bedroom after all.

"Uh..." Illya stared at the creme and gold. He really liked the red and gold part better. Why not keep the whole room bold? "Well, yah like neutral color wit et? Den maybe yah like black and gold eh?" Flashing her a grin he waited to see if she liked his idea or not. It was so hard to tell with her. Kalizda liked gold and black so far as he knew. She really liked black because she wore it with silver sometimes. However, gold was far more fetching when it was matched with the black.

A black and gold bedroom? He didn't want a room, he wanted a cave, and the idea of it almost made her outwardly cringe as she looked up at him. "That would be kind of dark, don't you think? With all the black? It would be alot to wake up to in the mornings," she replied, "I suppose we could always do, black, gold and cream?"

Adding cream to the room really changed it, but she seemed insistent. Kalizda must have liked cream. "Maybe we paint dah room cream wit gold accent and den have one wall all gold wit black palms on et?" He was trying to make a happy medium and that sounded good to him. After all they were sharing the room and she needed to enjoy it too.

Calysta listened to his idea and pulled out the colors as she thought about the suggestion. The gold swatch looked pleasant enough against the cream, but the black was a bit bold. He seemed to like the bold colors though, and if they painted one of the smaller walls with the palm pattern it wouldn't be so overbearing. "Hmm..." It was a good compromise of both tastes that she could live with. "Aye, I think that would be good. The far wall at the end would do nicely where the bed will go. We can make it look like the palms are over us."

"Mmhmm...Dat would work. What about red curtains or maybe green?" With creme in the room and only a tiny section with the gold and black it would be marvelous to have bright curtains. Illya couldn't tell if the look on her face was good or bad. He was completely serious though and he wasn't so sure why it sounded like a bad idea to her.

It was good to hear that he agreed with having their wall of gold behind the bed. That way it wouldn't quite be the first thing she saw when she woke up. No sooner had she solved their difference in paint, than he was on to curtains and of course had to pick the brightest colors he could think of. This time she a flickering of a cringe came across her brow and she paused trying to think of how to answer. "Oh, I thought we could get some nice, airy creme colored curtains with a golden rod going across," she replied, "Why red or green?"

She liked such boring colors and Illya opened and closed his mouth a a few times before he said anything further. "I-I tink dat red and green are nice colors." That was the best reason to pain a room a specific color. If you liked the color there was no other reason to not use it. Momentarily he reached up and rubbed his chin. "Why yah like so much creme?"

He struggled for a moment and then finally gave an answer that red and green were nice. They were nice colors, but not together with the ones they had already chosen. It would make the room overwhelming, busy, and too much altogether. To her surprise, he asked why she liked the creme colors, which was a fair question in turn. "I like it because it keeps the room feeling lighter, a bit refreshing. matches easily with other colors, and ...it...um...reminds me of whipped cream." She didn't want to admit that she knew little of actually decorating a house or how to match colors, and now she sounded like an idiot trying to cover the fact up.

It took a moment for her answer to sink in and he chuckled. "Whip cream? Yah like et cause et reminds yah of food?" Even if it wasn't quite polite to laugh about that sort of thing he couldn't help himself. It was entirely hilarious. "Ok, ets easy tah match oter colors wit, but everyting yah pick es whip cream. Yah like oter colors. What oter colors yah like wit dah creme. Maybe yah want some eh...." Looking toward the closet he tried to figure out what some other colors were that she would like. "Maybe yah like some pink or uh...yah like blue?"

Now, he was laughing because he thought her blunder was funny and didn't like her color choices. Everyting yah pick es whip cream. She wasn't that boring! When he glanced behind her at the coat closet and began rattling off colors to see what she might like, she bit her tongue. Pink would look odd with what the had chosen and blue was not a color you wore unless you were in mourning. What colors did she like? Thinking back on it, she wore mostly plain colors because they were functional and didn't draw attention to herself. She liked the teal green she'd seen some Terrans wearing and purple, which were both appropriate for bedrooms given what the meant. "Oh, um..I like this color..." she said flipping through the booklet to the teal green color, "And I also like purple."

Finally they were getting somewhere. Not everything was going to be creme and that was a bonus for sure. Illya nodded. "Maybe we make some purple in dah room. Purple wall and den gold tree wit cream flowers behind our bed?" That sounded pretty and he liked that thought. "Den yah have purple curtains in dah cremem room and maybe we put some of dat teal color in dah batroom. Batroom es boring, but some teal be nice in dere eh?" So far he liked that idea and he still got a little gold. A gold tree with cream flowers on a purple background sounded amazing. He couldn't think of a better color scheme that would satisfy them both.

Illya was excited about the idea of using the purple, and the way he described the colors, it did sound pretty. There wouldn't be such heavy colors like black and the gold would look classy with the purple combined with the creme. It was a good blend. "I like that. Particularly the tree with the flowers. I think it would be perfect mix of both," she smiled, "As soon as that was settled, he suddenly went on to tell her the bathroom was boring. "Hey, I designed that bath bathroom. I thought it looked relaxing."

A tint of pink came to Illya's face when he heard that she was the one that designed the bathroom. It didn't change what he thought or said, but he could say it nicer. "Well, I tink we need tah put some colors in et. Jes all brown like dat es nut..." Pausing he tried to think of the word. "Et's jes nut exciting. Yah need some color tah make et seem better. Like yah turquoise or maybe some more purple and gold."

"Its not all brown," she defended, "It's 'shady beach' and I picked it because you liked the beach we went to with the kids. I wasn't really going for exciting. I was aiming for relaxing and soothing." How was that boring? She had half a mind to flip through the most horrendous color in the booklet just to get a look from him, but knowing him, he might like it and then it would have looked like she agreed to it. It was far better to settle for a little teal in there rather than whatever other color he could come up with. In the end, it was his bathroom too. "Teal might look nice."

There was all that fancy name for colors again and Illya shook his head. It was just brown. Why would you call it anything else? "Et's colors, but I tink yah need more den brown. I tink yah like teal when I put et in dere." Teal and turquoise meant the same thing to Illya and he let it be for now. They weren't painting if it was all tile, so that meant he would get some lovely gold towel bars and then hang teal towels from them and put a few little teal accessories in the bathroom. A shower curtain in the teal color would be nice and then he could get little fish and things to look like the beach. That was what Kalizda wanted, so that was what she was going to get and with some color. While he was at it there were a few other ideas, but he figured he would surprise her with the thoughts. "Yah decorate dah room after we paint et and I jes decorate dah batroom. Ets good deal."

Since they were all decided on the colors for everything then he was going to head up toward the bathroom and look at it again. In addition to that he wasn't sure of the translation of the colors that she said, so he decided to try and look it up while he was upstairs looking at the bathroom. Getting up from the couch Illya walked back up the stairs and collected his pad on the way to their new bedroom. Once he got into the addition of the house he looked up the colors. "Huh, dey're blue." That was odd considering the fact that she didn't want blue in their bedroom. However, it gave Illya some ideas. Little fish decorations would look quite nice with the blue.

They really needed to do something more with the bathroom. So far he had a tub and a shower stall, but it wasn't exciting enough. Going to the store though the pad he started to browse some of the products and the first one he found was the double head rain water and it could convert to be like a waterfall too. The best part was that it had wonderful blue lighting and it made the whole thing seem that much more thrilling. It was pleasant to look at and sounded comfortable, so that was the first thing that he ordered and then it was off to ordering the brushed gold towel bars and then some of the light blue towels. They had to be a strange color of blue, but everything labeled turquoise, seafoam, and teal looked about the same. With the towels ordered and the soap dispensers and all the little soaps and special things in those odd blue colors he figured the decorating was done. All he had to do was put it together when it arrived.

When the evening came around Illya got some help taking his shirt off and he took care of the rest of it. In some ways it was still odd to see his leg looking so perfect and then the joint at the ankle. At least it didn't hurt, but it didn't really feel like a part of his body either. Walking over to the bed he almost had himself laying down when Kalizda hobbled over to the bed with the cream and another tub.

She looked like she hurt some and he sat up. "Yah ok?" Kalizda said she was, but her feet hurt. "Hmm...I rub dem for yah. Give meh dat oter cream and I put dem on yah feet." Taking up the edge of the bed he sat cross legged and rested her little foot over the warm leg so he could work on the first one. He only had one hand, but it was plenty big for one of her tiny feet. Leaning forward he held his hand out. "Yah put cream on meh hand?" Once he had the cream on the one hand he rubbed it gently over her foot and then started to rub it in starting with the heel of her foot and then moving up. At the ball of her foot Illya worked his thumb over it in circles until it felt a little more soft. He had to remember not to press too hard because she was so much smaller. The most challenging part was working along by her toes because they hard to get around. His fingers were too large to make a decent massage without using his pinkie finger. Illya's smallest finger barely fit between her toes so that he could massage that part and when he finished he worked the top of her foot briefly and then set it on an extra pillow to get some of the swelling down.

Taking the next foot in hand he leaned forward for more cream and then gently rubbed over her foot again. Her poor little feet looked uncomfortable and he remembered that Isla had that problem too, but her feet didn't look this swollen. Maybe the pregnancy was harder on Kalizda than she liked to admit. "I tink maybe yah rest more. I feel better and yah feet tell meh dat yah work too hard." All that being up and around wasn't supposed to happen with the cerclage. "Maybe yah jes lay in dah living room and talk wit meh when I help Glenda make food eh?"

By the time Illya finished with her feet he was more than ready to sleep, but he wanted to wash his hand before going to bed. When he finished washing up in the bathroom Illya returned and laid down so she could unlock the cast. Some of the bruising had faded, but it still hurt some when she rubbed the activated cream over parts of his arm. "Agh..." Taking a sharp breath he tilted his head to the side and took a sharp breath. Thankfully she was very gentle and rubbed the cream in while barely touching. Sometimes it was harder to make it to the end of the day for the treatment, but he slept so much better when they waited.

When they were near the end of the month Illya was feeling pretty good and the bones in his arm didn't hurt very much, but the continued treatment still felt good. There was a few things he had to do with work, including moving the new Chip recruits to work with Chip officers. They were going to train to be soldiers and they were not going to be lazy. Since that was taken care of he was now more focused on getting the last details of the new house taken care of. He was supposed to get the stuff for the bathroom in the morning and Kirit said he'd help install the shower heads because Illya couldn't really get to it by himself. Illya carried the boxes with one arm up to the bathroom. Rose was over in her room busily putting away her things and he knew that little list was gonna come up and then he would have to look at it and see if the items were within reason. He wanted to buy them all for her, but it was best to assess it first. Before Kirit came in Illya was going to try and get started anyway. He could get the towels all washed up and then he could get the towel bars on the wall without help. It was just the shower heads that he was going to need help with. Pulling the towel bar out Illya made a few measurements and then marked the wall where he needed to put the hardware in.

Even with a screwdriver by hand he was more than able to install the towel bars. With the first set of screws in the wall he fixed the towel bar to it and then moved onto the hand towel bar. There wasn't too much to it and he had to remember to stop before he saw the wall sink or pull in because of the pressure. It was just so hard to have a delicate house. Why these other races of people wanted dainty houses with flimsy material he didn't know. It wasn't even enough of a project to take Illya more than half an hour and he was already done putting up all the blue/turquoise/sea foam green/teal towels. At least it was a pretty sort of progression and the rugs on the bathroom floor looked nice. Then the decorative fish that held the toothbrushes looked very pretty too. All that was left was the shower heads and he was starting to wonder if he wanted to wait for help to install them. About time Illya went downstairs to get a step bench and start the process for himself he saw the other box he ordered had come and he snatched it up. Couldn't have anyone open it for him. Not yet.

Illya ran the box back up the stairs and then he realized that he forgot to grab the step bench. About time he reached the downstairs again Kirit was coming through the front door. He had taken a little time off on the weekend to come help. "Oh, I was jes getting started." It was sort of an understatement from Illya, but he figured that Kirit would know that he was already chomping at the bit.

When they got into the bathroom Illya showed him the dual shower head that he got. "Dese are jes about tree inches apart." At least this time he had a step stool for Kirit. As soon as Kirit got up on the step bench Illya took to handing hi parts and watching how he hooked it all up. Once it was done Illya nodded. "Tanks for dah help. So I remember dat yah wanted some hours exchange, maybe I watch dah boys when dey come along and den yah like some money too." It was reasonable. Neither of them took long to decide what was fair for hours and the wages that Kirit wanted outside of that was minuscule. So small that Illya just motioned for him to stay where he was at. Illya went back down the hall and downstairs to his room that he would moving out of. Kirit had put in some wild hours to try and do the painting and all the things that Illya should have been doing. Grabbing a box from the closet Illya pulled out old Federation coin. It was at least gold and should be worth something. He hadn't used something like this for a while, but last he checked it had value. He really didn't know that the individual coins were only worth a few thousand credits each.

Taking the gold coin Illya put about 30 of them in Kirit's hand. "Dey're wort more den credits, but I'm nut sure how much anymore. Yah jes have dem checked and ef ets less den what we agree I jes pay yah wit regular credits or whatever yah like." He was running low on regular credits. There was still a lot of the old gold coins and Illya knew he would have to go exchange them at some point. "Oh and I still owe yah time watching dah boys. Ef dey wort more den what we agree keep et as bonus for yah odd hours and doign all dah work I was supposed tah do."

Now that all that part of the work was done Illya started to move stuff from their old room into the new one. The painting looked nice and he liked the gold tree with the creme flowers. Kirit and Kalizda did a nice job on the painting. By mid afternoon Illya had most of the stuff moved from the closets to the new closet and then the dresser drawers were all over the floor and he was moving the dressers with his one arm. Most of the challenge was balance rather than weight. They had the new room almost done that night, but there was still one last thing to do. Pulling the box out from under the bed he handed it to Kalizda while he prepared to massage her feet. "I got dis for yah. When we go to dah eart. Inside was a long gown, a smaller box with a necklace, and one last tiny box with a new ring. Grinning he watched her facial expression as she unfolded the dress and then opened each box. "I get yah colors dat I tink yah like eh?" She liked creme and purple. He knew that for a fact.

*************************************************

Tabit woke a while later to see that Kirit was sleeping with two of her sons in his arms and the third baby had been returned to the room in a tiny stroller bed with a mask over his face. His little legs were practically fastened together at the hip with a strange little brace and he looked so helpless laying there. With the heat lamps over him and having been bathed she could see his pink skin was healthy, but he wasn't.

Carefully she got herself out of the bed and silently trundled over to where her third son lay. He was whimpering in his sleep and she grabbed one of the extra blankets folded over the edge of his bed and wrapped him in it before picking him up. Gently she rubbed his little back and spoke to him in a whisper. Tabit barely got the third boy to settle down and she started to fall asleep again when a cry woke her. They sounded like a bunch of kittens they way they cried and odd snorting sounds came from the son that she held. He couldn't breathe well enough to actually cry like he should. It was as if they were on a little timer and they all wanted to eat at the same time.

A nurse came in and showed Tabit how to move the mask aside so that the third son could eat, but still get some extra air. Since he had the injured hip he ate by himself and then when he was finished Tabit gave him to Kirit and took the other two. It felt so strange to have herself mostly exposed on top and a hungry little boy on either end. Additionally she was still getting looks from Kirit. he would want answers about earlier and she knew it. This was something she never wanted to tell him, but she would have to at some point. "We'll talk about it when we get home." Glancing down at her two little boys in her arms she carefully kissed each one on top of the head. "It's important to kiss them. They get immunity from you and their bodies learn to fight germs without getting infected." There were lots of little things she remembered from the one baby that she had that did survive long enough for her to know it.

 

[aryamajor]

Moving everyone in a game of 'musical rooms' was a challenge in itself. Rose had gotten her room completed first, having walked through with Illya and telling him about all the other items she needed. Kirit had made her a proper bedframe, paiting it white along with surprisingly delicate flowers, but the desk would have to come on order. For now, all of her writing supplies were crammed into her bedside table and all of her clothes were stuffed into the closet by some miracle. She was so excited to have her own room, all in pink, just for her that she spent the better part of the day arranging things just like she wanted and laying on her bed with Hairy. At one point, Calysta had walked by to see her pinning up flower shaped lights above her bed along with the lantern from her cave.

"You have a big light too, you know," Calysta chuckled, as she walked into the room, offering to hold the pin.

"Oh I know," Rose replied, "I just like these lights better I think."

Her room had been that little cave for so long, having her usual lights made her new space seem perfect, adding just the right touch.

Calysta chuckled and held up the next pin, as a curious question came to mind. "Do you miss your cave on Nuen?"

Rose looked down to Calysta from her spot on the bed and shrugged. "I remember it a little. Illya made it for me when I first came to live with you and it had a neat secret compartment, but that's all I really remember."

What the girl said struck Calysta as little saddening and a little strange all at once. Rose had been very young when she came to live with them and now it seemed she was the only one to remember their home on Nuen.

"Don't you mean Wolf?" Calysta replied with a raised brow.

Rose giggled as she pinned up the last string of lights. "His real name is Illya, and it sounds more grown up to say it."

When had she ever cared about sounding grown up when it came to Illya? Her father was her Wolf protector and had been for going on 6 years now. She couldn't discourage the girl from growing up, but it made her chest a tight to think that Rose wasn't so small anymore. Clearing her throat, Calysta looked to her daughter with a small smile. "I think, he would always want you to call him Wolf."

Rose just called her silly and went about finishing up her lights while they talked a little more. The girl was determined to be a writer and that was a perfectly respectable position in Calysta's opinion. The next room over was Cypher's and she waddled by to check on her boy. Glenda was there helping to fold up some of his clothes into the little yellow chest of drawers while Cypher had his fun jumping on the toddler bed they had gotten just for him. It was a new discovery that he now had a bed just like Mam and Dah, which bounced perfectly. With each spring of his knees, the plastic slip mattress groaned underneath his weight. Judging by the sound alone, Calysta could tell his bed wouldn't last a year if he kept that up. "Why don't you come and help me Cypher?" she offered, holding out her hand. Attention from Mam had been hard to come by when she couldn't do much but sit with her big belly, and the boy wasn't about to pass that up.

Climbing down the bed, he bumped to the floor and scurried over to hold his arms up for her to carry him. "I can't pick you up, little man," Calysta sighed, "Just hold my hand." She took his chubby hand in hers and started guiding them toward the bedroom where her own packing awaited.

Drawers and clothes lay scattered around the floor, emanating in a fallout cloud from their closet. Cypher squealed with delight as he dove into the first pile he saw and burrowed in. When had they accumulated so much stuff? In an effort to make moving upstairs less of a feat, Calysta had decided to go through their clothes. She had old Skycorp clothes that she had set aside to donate along older tunic tops that needed to go too. She was giving up her comfortable grey tunics from her civilian days altogether. It was strange to think that since she had begun living with Illya that her wardrobe had grown four times what she used to have. He had a fair amount as well that she needed to go through. The first shirt of her Chip's she picked up from the pile carried a pattern of holes that was suspiciously bear-like, and the next had a bullet hole along with a brown blood stain near the arm pit. As she reached for the third, Cypher leapt from his pile with his arms outstretched and a toothy grin. "Graar! I deh ber!"

Calysta yelped in false surprise and held Illya's t-shirt up to her face to hid behind it. "The bear?! Oh no!" Cypher giggled wildly before diving back into the clothes pile, ready to strike again when the moment was right. Between picking through Illya's ruined clothing and her son charging out of the clothes to 'bear attack' her, she was growing a little tired. Still, she played with Cypher until he climbed up to their bed, falling asleep in the mound of pillows for his afternoon nap.

Kirit took the coins Illya offered him with a curious gaze. He'd never seen coins like them before, and trade was rarely made in physical metal pieces anymore, but it would do. "Aye, it should be fine as payment," he nodded in approval, "I just take it down t' th' exchange an' have it converted there t'morrow. Tabit is sup'osed t' have the babies soon an' when m'sons are born I just bring them over or ye can come t' th' cabin. Whichever ye like, yeah?" It sounded reasonable enough to him and the General approved to they were square as far as he knew.

By the time she was half way done sorting, Illya came down stairs followed by Kirit who gave them a friendly wave before announcing the rooms were done. Calysta grinned excitedly. She couldn't wait to see their bedroom and bathroom room completed. She climbed to her feet and waddled up the steps, taking them slowly with Illya behind her in case she missed a stair, then peered into their new master bedroom. The deep purple was cozy, and the golden tree above their new bed looked surprisingly pretty with it's cream colors flowers. The window let in natural light when they wanted it, and their closet was much bigger now. Inching further in to the room, Calysta poked her head into the bathroom. The tile remained the same, but there were fish shaped ornaments, and even a decorative fish tooth brush holder next to the sink. There were turquoise towels, golden curtain rods, and a blue back lit shower head, completely different from the one she ordered. He had made a deal to take over the bathroom, and he had done just that. Apparently, the beach theme had stuck out to him, and he had gone all out with it. The bathroom as no longer boring.

Chuckling, Calysta walked over and slipped her hands around Illya's waist. "It looks very exciting, I think it will be good, yeah?" Hugging him close, she stood on her toes and kissed him gently on the cheek. "Now, let's get all of our stuff up here."

It took a good hour between the two of them to move all of the clothing along with the bathroom items up to the top floor, and none of it was put away before dinner. After dinner, they retreated upstairs to finish up their moving. Cypher was none too happy about not being put in his regular bed, and cried for nearly 30 minutes before calming down to curl up in his new bed with his favorite toy snake. Calysta put up his little guard rail and turned on a star night light for him, before making the aching climb up the steps to their scattered room. Together she and Illya put the clothes away in their closet or in their specified drawers, and when the last sock was in its place, Calysta gratefully sank back against their head board. It felt so good to prop her feet up and Illya was already sitting on the end of the bed in anticipation of rubbing them. She never asked him to massage her feet, but he never had to be asked. He simply sat next to her and took up one of her swollen feet with a handful of cream then started to gently work out the puffiness.

Rather than reaching for the cream this time, he bent over the bed and pulled out a box, offering it to her. She took it and untied the ribbon, plucking at the string with her tiny fingers until it came undone, then lifted the lid to find three things. A satin gown of purple and cream, a intricate necklace with a purple gemstone, along with a silver ring in the shape of a flower, set with a another purple stone. Her mouth slipped open as she looked over the gifts. Illya always managed to catch her off guard and he despite how forgetful he could be, he always paid attention to others. It was a present for no reason at all other than to make her happy, something she never asked for or needed, but loved it when he did.

"They're beautiful, Illya. One of my favorite colors," she smiled warmly at him. Opening up the ring, she offered it to Illya along with her opposite hand. "Will you put it on me?" With only one hand available, he had a hard time slipping the ring to her thin finger, eventually catching her on the third try. As soon as it was on her finger, she held both of her hands out, admiring both of her beautiful rings. They didn't match in the slightest in color or style, but she didn't care about that. He had given them to her and that was all the mattered. Sitting up, Calysta hugged him, kissing his cheeks and before gracing his lips with more gentle pecks. "Thank you."


**********************

Things were becoming harder and harder to do over the next few weeks. Calysta had been keeping careful track of her weight and it had been appalling to see she gained 5 more pounds over the 8th month of her pregnancy. Lohgan was going to be the size of a cinder block. She already felt like that, sitting so low in her belly dancing all over her bladder like there was a 24 hour festival going on. There were also tiny cramps starting up, which had prompted her to call the doctor. He assured her they were perfectly normal, but if they grew more severe to come in immediately for an emergency c-section. Otherwise they set a date for Lohgan to be born.

"Exactly, one month from today," Calysta smiled to Illya, " And we will have our baby girl here. My c-section date is set. I'll make a list for everything we need before the day at the hospital, yeah?" She knew he would work best from a list on those types of things.

Sashaying into the bathroom, she started up the hot water in the tub then dropped in a vanilla smelling oil to soak in for awhile. It had been a long day and her feet were screaming at her on top of her aching back and hips too. When the tub was full, she stripped down and carefully stepped inside. Getting a garden tub had been her best idea yet. It was so roomy and deep she could sink into the water all the way to her tensed up shoulders. After a long while of simply soaking in her new tub, she picked up her loufa scrubber, polishing up her skin a bit, then snagged up her razor to shave. Propping her foot onto the side of the tub took effort and when she leaned forward, even her own slender arms couldn't reach her calf. Turning her hip to side for a better angle cause an uncomfortable pull, and sitting crossed legged only exposed half of her leg for deforestation.

Calysta reached stretched as far as she could, in a last ditch effort but her big Lohgan belly was preventing her from reaching her ankle . Every angle she tried, it simply didn't work! Flopping back in the water, she sighed in frustration and wiped off what little foaming shave cream she'd managed to splatter everywhere. She was going to the doctor and her legs were going to be a prickly forest, that's all there was to it. Crawling her way out of the cooling tub water, she wrapped herself in a fluffy turquoise towel and stepped carefully onto the bath mat. At least her feet had relaxed some, with the puffiness gone down substantially from when she had climbed in. Waddling into their bedroom, she found Illya already getting ready for bed, and setting out two creams. One for his arm and one for her feet. Illya. Was she really going to ask him to do that? He liked her legs..when they were smooth and soft, but desperate times required desperate measures. He would have to do this if he wanted her to be silky...and not a cactus for the birth of their daughter. Biting her lip, she shuffled over wrapped in the towel with a bit of a shy look. "Illya? I need a little help with something and I wondered if you wouldn't mind?"

While Kalizda was relaxing Illya got himself set for bed. He'd found ways to wrangle himself in and out of his shirts now that his arm didn't hurt quite so bad. Maybe when he went back the doctors would loosen hinge on the brace and he could move his arm a little bit. While he was setting up the nightly ritual Kalizda stepped into the room. She didn't look like she was quite ready for bed and he gazed at her for a long moment until she asked him for help. "Yeah, I help yah." He had no idea what she needed help with, but whatever it was he was sure he could help with

"Thanks, wait just a second. I 'll be right back." Her cheeks turned a little pink and she nodded, before retreating into the bathroom. She filled Cypher's bathing cup full of warm water, grabbed her razor, and the cannister of vanilla scented shave foam, then wobbled back into their bedroom with a sheepish half smile. "I...I need help shaving my legs. I can't reach them because of..well," she glanced down to her enormous belly, and then shrugged, "I've tried every way I can think of and I don't want to be all prickly. Do you mind helping me a bit?" This was by far the most embarrassing thing she'd ever asked him to do besides haul her out of a corset and he only had one had in which to do this with, but at least he might have a better angle than she did.

Illya shifted on the bed and he waited for only a few seconds. He wasn't really sure what all the stuff was she had with. They were items of mystery, mostly the can. He'd found it once and thought it was a hair oil or maybe a shampoo, but it was definitely not either one of those. Shaving.....It was a strange word and he hadn't really used it before in Trader's Tongue and he didn't really know what it meant. "Nuh, I dun mind helping. I jes dun know what shave es."

Her face turned an even brighter red as she handed over the can. Illya had no idea that she shaved her legs? Chippeqouti were naturally hairless on their bodies and lucky to be so, from what she had seen, so of course they wouldn't know about shaving. Then again, she and Illya had been together for nearly 6 years, and he had never seen her shave? It was almost comical, and she let out a nervous chuckle. "Not all of us are so naturally hairless. I use a razor," she said, holding up the razor, the pointed to the cream can in his hand, "With the shave cream, and shear off all the hair on my legs so they stay nice and smooth." Walking over to their chest of drawers, she pulled out one of his long t shirts and a pair of her old shorts, dressing in them quickly, then laid down her towel over the end of the bed to avoid a mess. She climbed aboard the end of the bed over the towel, holding out her pale legs. "First the cream over them, and then I'll show you how to use the razor, yeah?"

The explanation was about as shocking as they got. She didn't have naturally hairless legs? Illya's eyebrows rose in surprise and he gazed at her legs almost curiously. Why in the world would she grow hair there? Blinking dumbly he nodded and took the can from her. When she came back to the room he sprayed the cream that looked more like a gel on her legs and then rubbed it till it turned into a cream. "I tink et looks like whipped cream." It sounded like he was just supposed to lay the razor flat on her leg and then take it slowly up her leg. "Oooh." Illya grinned nervously and he moved the razor up her leg. It was sort of exciting in a way. He got to see her legs and touch them a little bit. It was probably the most exciting thing they'd done since she got the cerclage.

His reaction made her request all the funnier. He seemed truly shocked to learn that her legs were so wonderfully smooth as a Chippeqouti woman's would be. To her relief, he didn't seem grossed out by the request. If anything he looked at her with an almost curious gaze, as if it was some sort of new revelation. She giggled a little when he spread the shaving cream, then commented on how it looked like whipped cream. "Aye, perfect for a dessert. If only." His hand felt nice, rubbing in the gel until it turned to a fluffy coating and she closed her eyes, leaning back on her elbows to take some relief of her belly. "Mmmm...now, just lay the razor down flat and then move up slow. Follow along with the curve." There wasn't terribly much curve to begin with, but it might keep her from cutting a nick if he did it that way. The first swipe went up her leg with timid progress, and she glanced up to see Illya grinning, his bright eyes sparkling some. "Perfect," she chuckled, "Now dip the razor in the water and follow up half over the first line." It was somewhat relaxing to have him doing this, in slow methodical lines up her legs. She shifted a little closer so he could reach the back of her knee, and sighed in relief. "It feels nice to have smooth legs again."

Shaving legs was easy enough, but it was mildly challenging not to let the little bumps and grooves along the natural curvature of her leg not make his lines sway. After the first leg Illya took a moment to go dump the cup of water and get a fresh one. It felt like there was too much gunk in the water. When he saw the water start to wash down the drain there was a surprising volume of hair. Little brown hairs floated along in the sink and he stared at them perhaps longer than he should have before he filled the cup again. That was just so weird. Now that he thought about it she had little hairs on her arms too. Were her kind full of little hairs? It was just something he'd never noticed unless it was one of the men and hey had a disgusting display of fur on their chests. They really needed to shave their chests. When he returned Illya worked the second leg with the same care and precision. He couldn't help sneaking a few little peeks above her knee and sometimes he would brush her leg by 'accident.' When he was done Illya grabbed one leg and rubbed gently and then the other. "Hmmm....I tink yah legs are nice and smoot. How does et take before yah get more hair on yah legs? Den I know when I shave dem again yeah?"

Calysta couldn't help but notice Illya was having a little fun with the opportunity to touch and look at her legs, brushing over them when he didn't necessarily have to, and letting his eyes wander. By the time he was done shaving up her legs and started rubbing them, she felt thoroughly relaxed and refreshed. "I usually shave about everything three days so they stay soft," Calysta replied, as he rubbed her ankle, right at the heel. Stealing a glance at him, she let a little smile curl to her lips. "You don't mind helping me out again in a few days?"

When he was done Illya almost hated the idea that he was going to have to dump the water and put all the stuff back in the bathroom. Not that he didn't want to have a clean house, but he didn't want to leave Kalizda. "Oh...I dun tink I mind." Grinning at her, he leaned forward and planted his good arm and hand on the bed near her waist and then leaned forward just enough to kiss her on the lips. "I tink I like helping wit dis. Gives meh excuse tah..." About that time he realized what he was going to blurt and he turned pink at the tips of his ears. "Well, I jes get tah look at yah legs. Yah have fine legs Kalizda."

She grinned when he said he didn't mind with that little glint in his eyes. She hadn't expected him to mind it so much, but it was pleasing to hear his enthusiasm as he leaned over and kissed her before confessing he actually liked it. He is ears turned pink and she could helped but lay back and giggle. "Oh, I do? I'll have to remember that after I have Lohgan," she winked as she leaned up to steal another kiss. It wouldn't be too much longer and Lohgan would be born. Not that she hadn't minded being pregnant, but it had limited certain other activities that they both missed and this had been hadn't been the embarrassing moment she thought it would be. In fact, it had been the opposite.

While she was giggling and coming in for another kiss he felt the tinge of pink creep to his cheeks. Illya almost felt like a kid that got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Mmmhmm." After the kiss he grinned at her and then realized he still needed to take care of the other stuff. "Ooh, yeah." Chuckling a bit he grabbed the stuff to go back to the bathroom. While he was there Illya took the time to take a few deep breaths and try to calm himself. It didn't take much to get the engines going and he knew this was not the time. Just a little while longer. When Illya came back he sat down on the edge of the bed and offered his hand for the cream. "Now, I massage dah feet of meh beautiful agreed." A broad grin came to his face again when he brought her little foot to his lap. "Maybe I can move meh oter arm soon and den I could do dis a little better eh?"

As Illya got up to take the shaving supplies, back to the bathroom, Calysta wiggled her way further on the bed and fluffed up one of her new pillows to lay back on. Sitting up with her big belly just wasn't comfortable in any way without a back of some sort now and tired her out faster without one. He was taking awhile, and she wondered for a moment what he was doing, but decided not to ask. It was probably best for both of them to cool down. When he came back, he sat on the bed, dipping the mattress some and then offered his hand out for her feet and the cream as he called her beautiful. "Thank you," she smiled, holding out her plumped toes to put them in his lap gently. His hands were always warm, and half the comfort was the heat from his hand as it worked with the cream on her feet. When he mentioned being able to do it a little better with his other arm soon, it was impossible not to grin. It sounded almost like he was talking about a bit more than a foot massage, and she almost pointed that out, before stopping herself. It wouldn't be fair to rile themselves up again when they couldn't cool down properly. "It feels good even with one hand, " she replied, "I'm glad you don't mind doing it too. Little Lohgan here has had me running all day. I think she must be a dancer for all this moving around here. Or maybe she just can't wait to come out."

To have his Kalizda smile like that made so many of the tasks worth it and he was exited for their baby girl too. They would have 3 children and that was good. 2 of the were his and Kalizda's and he knew it was hard on her. She was talking about the girl moving all around and he smiled at her. "I tink I will be glad for anoter baby. Yah work very hard tah have baby and I know dis." Carefully working her foot he looked down at the toes again. "Even ef she es dah last one, tank yah." Illya met her gaze. "I jes tink sometimes dat I am very lucky man. I have beautiful woman and now two daughters and a son. Dere es nut much else dat a man could have tah make his life better."

Sometimes Illya said things and they were perfect in a way she couldn't explain. It amazed her that he thought like he did, and even more so that he told her what he felt. Maybe that was because he had been married before, or due to what happened to his first family, but what he said was no less genuine when he looked at her with the smile he wore in that moment. The one that made her feel like she was the lucky one too. Gazing at him for a long, moment, she sat up and slipped a small hand around the nape of his neck, kissing him softly and slowly. Taking her time just to love him in a way she lacked the words to express like he did some times, before laying back again. "Thank you, I'm so lucky to have you...I..the truth is I was told I may never have a family or children at all and then you came along," she confessed, "I'm lucky too."

Illya did his best to try and support Kalizda when she sat up. He almost melted into the little bit of extra loving. Not that he asked for it, but he certainly wasn't going to turn it down either. When she started to speak he studied her face and he frowned slightly. "Dey tell yah dat yah never have family? Why would dey tell yah someting like dis?" That was a horrible thing to say and it was curse among his people. To never have a family meant that you were meant to be alone because you were far too wicked. Kalizda wasn't a wicked woman and she wasn't cursed. It had be because they didn't know her so well.

She had been trying to show him what he and the children meant to her, not make him frown. Loving words were always a bit heavy handed, never quite the best in the moment, but he'd had alot more experience on how to say things properly than she had. "It's harder for half breed's like me to conceive and carry their babies to term. Most aren't successful and..well..there was also the fact that not many would want someone with those kinds of problems," she explained evenly, "It's partially why I stopped hiding what I was when I met people. So no mistakes were made on their part. I did the same when we first met."

The explanation made more sense in some ways but not entirely in others. "I tink dat whoever tell yah dis was nut wise." Switching to her next food he held his hand out for a little more cream. "Ef dey dun tell yah dis, den I tink someone would have wanted yah long time ago and den I would nut have yah. Ets good yah liked meh enough tah take a chance." Chuckling some he rubbed the bottom of her foot to get the cream into the skin. "Good tah tink dat yah like meh as much as I like yah."

Calysta smiled softly up at her Chip as he swapped feet and held out his hand for more of the cream. Sitting up onto her elbow, she lifted the canister on the bed side table and scooped a dollop out onto his palm. "It may not have started out so much as 'like' but it grew like I never expected and I did take a chance," she mused, "And I'll tell you my secret." Meeting his gaze with her grey eyes, she smiled broadly. "I'd do it all over again just to be with you and have what we have."

What she said was good to hear and Illya wasn't quite sure what to say about it. Some things didn't require words, but he thought it was best to say something. A mischievous smirk came to his face. "Dat's a good ting. Yah got meh now."

Illya finished up massaging her feet as they made eyes at each other, and Calysta tended to his arm next. She untightened the cast and with the gentlest of touches worked the cream into his skin. His arm still looked miserable, with deep purple bruises and stitches but the blanket had done wonders for the look of it along with the pain. Working it over in sections like the nurse taught her, Calysta replaced the cast on the second notch and then laid him down with the soft glowing blanket that radiated heat. She liked the heat from the blanket, and while it warmed up her hands proficiently, it was no replacement for her Chip. Snuggling a little closer, Calysta chuckled and pulled the glow blanket over both their heads, making a secret tent in their own bed. It was probably childish, but he didn't seem to mind her being so close. "I think the blanket chases away the wilds men," she teased, kissing him on the lips, "Or catches them." Giggling, she gazed into his eyes for as long as she could before her own began to flicker closed with in coming sleep.



***********************

Akten hitched his bag higher on his shoulder and ran a finger under the collar of his black tunic. Why is mother had insisted on him wearing one, he couldn't imagine. It wasn't like everyone was going to be there at the hospital where Dah was and he didn't need to look so fancy. The tunics were restrictive, uncomfortable and not at all what a warrior should wear to do his job. The only answer that had been given was that the get-up was 'expected'. Not only that but his escort, Zerek, had been told to keep an eye on him. Like he needed that? He was a warrior after all, and he was here to make his dad proud. The hatch to the ship opened with a high pitched hiss as he stood there waiting for it to connect to the ramp. Waiting below were two men who he recognized immediately, General Kirit and General Illya. "Go on and don't keep them waiting," Zerek told hin flatly, "And don't forget to bow." Akten ignored the order but stepped down the ramp anyways as the hard winds blew against his cap. Stopping a few feet from them, the freckle faced boy bowed awkwardly, then looked up with a grin. "Ye look shorter," he said to Kirit. The younger general raised a brow and started to laugh. "Ye just taller ye goof." Akten snickered as his eyes turned to Illya. "Ye come t' meet me too, General?" He hadnt expected anyone to meet him at all before going to see his pap.

To be sure that he didn't miss the flight, Illya stood out on the pad for nearly an hour in the wind until he saw the ship come in. The landing process took another 10 minutes or so and then the hatch opened to reveal a well dressed boy. Illya already knew it was Tikan's son. In some ways he looked like his father and he'd seen the boy a few times. The boy's bow was a little awkward and Illya returned it. Almost instantly the proper nature of the boy melted away as he poked fun at Kirit. Even Illya couldn't help smiling when the boy made the comment. After a moment the boy finally seemed to notice that Illya was there. "Aye, I come out tah meet yah. Yah come as delegate of yah people and yah deserve treatment of one. Here yah acting as a man." Holding the boy's gaze steady he saw the little bag he had with him and he nodded. "I have a man take dah bag to yah quarters or yah like tah rest a little before yah see yah fater?"

He was there as a man and a dignitary. The general had said it and the man part he understood, but being a fancy dignitary was a harder job. Still, he held the Chip man's gaze, listening like he should and then shook his head. "I like t' see m' pap first, sir." He had come all this way to see his father and it had been a weeks journey stuck in a metal cage with the stiff guardian and pilot, Zarek. The thought of getting jammed up in a room again was nearly unbearable. "Can we walk it? I like t' be out for a bit."

It was understandable that the boy wanted to go see his father first. Illya would have felt the same. Nodding to one of the other Chippequoti standing off to the side he had him come over and take the bag. "Yah have et taken to his quarters." Illya wasn't really going to leave the boy in regular quarters. He was going to come stay in the house with him and Kalizda. They could put him in Cypher's new room and Cypher could stay with him and Kalizda a while longer. Hugging the jacket around his shoulders a bit tighter Illya nodded to Akten. "We'll walk ef et please yah. Long journey and yah legs need some moving." It was hard to keep his arm warm, but at least he had it mostly covered.

Akten handed over his bag and was relieved when the general said they could walk. He could hear Zarek already grumbling a bit about making the general walk in the slight misty rain, but the man wouldnt have agreed if he didnt mind getting a little damp or hit by a breeze. The boy tugged at his collar again and set out walking beside both of the generals out of the hangar and toward the Chippeqouti side of town. He could see some of the men drilling in the muddy fields, perking up a bit at the sight until they grew closer and he realized it included some of the refugees. Glancing up to Illya, he tilted his head curiously. "Th' Tannas ones train with ye?"

With the mist it felt miserable cold and Illya just lowered his head slightly. At least his hair was good at catching the mist and protecting his face. He could see the boy out of the corner of his eye keep a straight posture. Akten was trying very hard to be a man and Illya wasn't going to criticize one bit of it. Growing up in a day was a difficult thing and he knew that. It was only to be expected that the boy would be distracted by the drilling. "Some of dem train, yes." Illya looked at the boy for a moment. "Perhaps while yah here, yah train wit General Kirit and his men when yah have spare time. Ef et suits yah." There was a good chance the boy would need to get outside and release some of his anger and frustration.

Akten blinked in surprise to hear that the Tannas refugees trained with them, but the invitation to train with the well-known General Kirit was more than appealing. "I think ye refugees must like'it here if they train with'ye like that. They don't like t' do it on Reylia. Syo says they're pains in th' ass," the young man said earnestly. Kirit's eyes went a little wide as did Zarek's, at the boy's frank words. "I think I like t' train with Kirit though," he continued, as if nothing were wrong.

A grin spread over Illya's face. It was always good to hear first hand his new recruits weren't the only ones that proved to be a pain. "Nut all men tink dey are made tah be warriors." Even though the statement was supposed to sound serious there was a hint of humor in it. Illya couldn't help wanting to laugh. His newest Chip's had been pretty uncooperative their first few weeks.

The young man grinned showing off his snaggle-toothed smile and chuckled. "Ye must have gotten all th' ones that did on th' home planet. Th' other ones in Ely'sian like t' clean instead." He said it as though it was a point of amusement. Who would ever choose cleaning over a good run through the mud and the chance to blow something up? They walked along the path into the Chippeqouti quarters which he remembered being much bigger the last time he was there, and passed by a few of the trading spots bordering the Kaerelean parts. There were some blacksmithing shops he spied and vowed to come back later for looking, but another item hanging up caught his eye. A large, green striped pelt was hung on the back wall in the interior of one store, causing another smile to curl to his lips. "Dah told m' ye hunt tyrei. Killed th' most of any man on Kaereal in one hunt. Maybe I get t' go with ye an' pap sometime t' hunt." That would be a true adventure and then he could take part of the prize home to add to the ones his father collected. They walked across the rows of houses and into the fields again toward the hospital. The closer they grew tot he building, the more quiet the young man became until they were shown up to the Chief's room where he stopped right outside the door. He didn't know what his father would look like when he walked in and is some ways that was a bit scary. It had been said his father had take shrapnel to his face and had a fair amount of damage. A broken arm, skinned knee, or even dislocated joint was much different than a mangled mess due to shrapnel, but his dad would be tough about it anyways. Pausing, Akten peered up to Illya. "D'ye know if it's still bad?"

Illya could only assume that the chatter from Akten was because the boy was nervous. He had been looking at everything and talking about anything besides his reason to visit. When he mentioned the Tyrei, Illya only gave him a nod. There was no reason to say more. It sounded like a large tale. Surely he wasn't to be credited as the man to kill the most? His men were with him and they all had a good hunt out of it. Not as though Illya had single handed taken on so many of them. When they got closer to the hospital he noted the silence from Akten and let it remain that way. Personally, Illya was trying to consider how he would tell the boy. When they reached the hospital Akten looked up at him and asked the question. It took a moment for Illya to think of what to say. "He's awake now, but dere are many surgeries tah make his face more like et used tah be. Ets still different den yah remember."

Akten nodded and squared his shoulders as he gripped the door handle. His father was his father, no matter what he looked like and that was the end of it. Pushing open the door, he walked inside to a larger room with a big hospital bed, a multitude of equipment and his father in the center of it all. At least half of someone who looked like his father. The right side of his face looked exactly as it should but the left side was gross looking. Tikan's left brow and cheek were black and purple, swollen into each other over what would be an empty eye socket while the rest of that side was sunken in from the lack of bone underneath. A jagged scar covered with staples tracked its way from his wired-shut jaw up this nose and into his hair line.

"Dah?" Akten's voice cracked when called out to his father. "Ye awake?"

The chief's single eye peeled open and he gave a hoarse chuckle, beckoning his son over. The left side of his face was aching, and his couldn't talk all that much, but seeing his son made a grisly sort of grin arch to the right side. Akten looked back to make sure the door was closed behind him, then walked over curling his knobby hand into a fist and bumped his knuckles against his father's. "Ye been gone awhile dad."

"I know," the chief sighed through clenched teeth, "Ye goo' f' ye mum?"

Akten's eyes kept wandering over to the left side of the chief's face, neither wanting to look but unable to look away. "Aye."

"Ye do schcool?" he asked carefully, "Goo' grades?"

"Mam makes me go. Zarek will make m' go t' school while I'm here too." He was dreading more school, but Zarek would be reporting to his mother, and it was best not to cross her even from this far away. She would keep a tally on how many smacks to the arse he would get if he misbehaved.

"Aye, ye nee' t' go." It wasn't like his son to be so quiet or sitting so still, and Tikan blinked in concern. "It loo's worst' dan it ish," he assured his son, but it seemed to have little impact. Instead, the boy's face grew a little darker. "Ye jus' shay it. What ye need t' shay, son."

Akten's chin trembled as he looked over his father's face and he peeled off his cap, trying not to show how the injury had scared him. He was a warrior and he was supposed to be tough. Warrior's didn't cry over their father's when they were hurt from fulfilling their duty. It was an honor to do that, yet here he was wiping at his eyes. More than anything he was angry. " Why did ye have t' go t' help them? Ye go'to help th' Tannas an' they don't care. It's not right. Ye not come back t' ye people because of them an' they are th' enemy."

Tikan's jawed worked and he wished more than anything he could talk to his son properly. He didn't blame the boy for being angry and for not understanding fully what was at stake. He would never know the entire truth of what happened, and or the longest time the Tannas had been a source of fear living on Reylia. He would have to learn, and the lesson wasn't an easy one. "Not s' easy," Tikan replied, "Not jus' good an' bad. Ye protect ye allies an' th' people who need it. Ye understand?" It was hard to get across everything he wanted to say with his jaw wired shut.

Akten wiped roughly at his brown eyes, not fully understanding. How can an enemy be an ally? Those were total opposites and as far as he knew the Tannas were still dangerous. It wasn't like they had made some sort of treaty with them. Even the kids that had come with those nasty refugees acted as if they were enemies, sneering and hissing at everyone. They had no idea what he had almost lost just because they couldn't take care of themselves. "They not allies," he sniffled, "An' ye almost die f' nothin' pap."

The chief sat up as best he could, ignoring the flare of pain in his face, and snatched up his son by the shirt collar causing the boy to wrestle him. "Nai!" The tussle didn't last all that long, as the chief was still so much stronger than his son who eventually gave in to the pull, hugging his father. Akten cried into his father's shoulder where no one could see in the hospital room while Tikan patted his back. "Ye okeh," he said into his son's ear, "Ye d' goo' an' ye okeh."



*************

Akten returned to General Illya's house after a long time spent with his father and another long walk along the Edge. He wanted to time roam and it was the best thing he could think of to do. As he climbed the porch to the vaguely familiar house, the door opened before he could knock on it. In the light of the doorway the General's daughter, Rose was standing there. She looked different from what he remembered in some ways. Her hair wasn't in pigtails, but in flitting curls down her back and she wore a pink skirt with a white blouse. Silk gloves were slipped over each hand and she had a string of pearls tied at her neck. It wasn't so much the clothes that were different, but he couldn't quite place is finger on what it was. The expectant look she was giving him was all too familiar, however.

"You're late for dinner," she said promptly, "C'mon in and go to the table. We're all waiting on you."

The boy hesitated, staring up at Rose as he tried to figure out what was out of place. "Hi Rose."

She put her hands on her hips and raised a brow at him, "What are you staring at?"

"Your face," he replied bluntly as he stepped inside, "You look different."

Rose rolled her eyes as she ushered him toward the living room and pulled off his cap. "Of course I do," she replied, "So do you."

That was the end of the conversation as he was herded to dinner with the General's family. He was relieved when no one asked him how is father was and he could eat in peace for the most part besides Rose's constant questions about Reylia. "Do you have any good stories from there?" she asked brightly.

"Nai."

Rose frowned. "Not a single one? You have to know at least one."

Akten shot the girl a look and stuffed his mouth full of mashed potatoes with a near violent effort. "I don' like stories. Ye leave m' alone about it." With his plate empty, he swallowed all of the potatoes in one mouthful then took his dish to the kitchen sink before stomping outside to the back yard. He didn't want to talk about stories or anything else. It was hard enough to come here and be a man without having to pretend he could still like those sorts of things. Zarek had followed him out of the door a few minutes later, informing him that he should apologize to the General in his family. It was proper. The word proper was quickly becoming something he hated but his father would expect it. Unbuttoning the high collar of his dress tunic, he walked back into the dining room where the family waited and gave a low bow. "I 'pologize. I request excuse, please."

Kalizda granted him relief and he didn't hesitate to go up the stairs and hide away in the room Zarek said was his. It was a toddlers room, meant for their son, but it didn't matter. He was by himself for a bit. Tugging off his tunic, Akten tossed in the corner and opened the window to sit in the sill to watch the rain. Once everyone went to bed, he could sneak out if he wanted. After a long while, he heard the various foot steps retreat to the different spaces of the house and he could see the lights going out one by one, reflected back from the ground below. An hour passed, and all that remained was Rose's light reflected the puddle below. There was a spot of guilt for being so mean to his friend. She was a good friend, but sometimes she was so bossy. Why did she have to be like that?

The harder the rain came down, the less appealing running out into the night appeared. Eventually, he closed his window and wandered over to knock on Rose's door. She opened it up, a hard look flashing to her face instantly. "I lied," he said, kicking his heels at the hard wood floor, "I like stories, but ye can't tell anyone, yeah?"

Rose gave him a skeptical look before opening her door all of the way and letting him inside. "I won't but only if you tell me some about Reylia."

He scratched at his head as lightening rolled over the night sky. There wasn't much else to do and stories on a night like this sounded better anyways. "Ye got a flash light?"

Akten kicked of his boots and sat cross legged on Rose's bed as she rummaged through a drawer and handed him the flash light. He clicked it on, sticking it under his chin for a good, sinister look. "Ye like bone chillers, Rose? I got ye some good ones."


***************

Kirit woke to the sound of crying and his tired eyes almost didn't want to open. It had been a long night and his sons had just come into the world, but they needed something. Peeling open his eyes, he glanced to Mycah and Az'rai who were both whimpering plaintive cries with tightened faces. Were they in pain? Glancing up, he saw Tabit holding a tiny lump bound in a yellow blanket, letting it suckle at her chest with an exhausted gaze. He watched her for a long moment, somewhat amazed that her body wasn't merely capable of making life but supplying it with food too. She had said to bring them back when it was time for feeding, but it looked like she had gotten their third son of her own accord. Was she feeling better? Had he helped by calming them down just a bit? Tabit asked for the other two boys and he rose up from his chair stiffly to hand them to her. "Mycah," he nodded to the one in red, then to boy wrapped in green, "And Az'rai."

Kirit took up his nameless third son and cradled him as if he were made of glass. Underneath the soft yellow blanket he could feel the metal braces on his legs. The mask over his tiny face was apparently meant to help him breath. "Ye just m' rebel, eh?" he whispered to the boy as the nurse showed him. Every now and then, he would look up at Tabit to see if she had any objections to him or the children. If she did, he was going to have have a bit more to say about it. Instead, he got the simple answer of 'We'll talk about it at him'. Whatever it was that had caused her to act like that must have been something she didn't really want to talk about. He couldn't make her talk though. "Aye," was his only reply. When she said to kiss them, he nodded and kissed each of their heads any time he felt like he should. Their fine hairs sticking to his lips.

Throughout the day, the nurses came in and checked on the boys. They told him more about their third son's condition, stating that he could go home within the next day or two with the mask on and his brace on too. One of the nurses showed him how to change the boy's diapers with the braces on so his leg wouldn't be disturbed too much. It wasn't as easy as the other two, and the little boy wailed at every movement of his tiny legs. Kirit followed the instructions carefully, but remained quiet for the rest of their hospital stay. He didn't have much to say between feedings and rocking his boys to sleep in rotation. They were really were interesting things, their eyes already following him around the room, and reacting to his voice.

When it came time, Kirit bundled up the three boys in a padded seat made for babies in the back of their skimmer and flew them home to the cabin. He was more than happy to be home, away from the constant influx of nurses, and florescent lights. The nursery was ready for all three boys, and he helped Tabit inside while carrying them along in the strapped down seat. He was going to have to get used to juggling his wife and his sons. Kirit brought them into their new room, unstrapping Mycah first and laying him in his red blanketed crib. The boy began to chortle and squish his eyes together, the sure signs of displeasure or hunger. Kirit couldn't tell the difference.

Next, he laid Az'rai in the green crib and he began to wail, having woken up and being hungry to boot. The middle child had the lungs of a falcon, his cries just as piercing and perfectly aimed at disturbing the smallest of the three. He picked up his last son and tried to lull him back to sleep so he wouldn't struggle to breathe in the mask. "Ye good, ye alright. Don't ye cry." Kissing the top of his third son's head, he looked up to his beautiful wife, giving her a small smile. "Ye should help m' name him an' then I think we talk yeah?

 

[Silence]

Early in the morning Glenda walked to the General's house. He was almost healed up enough to take over some of these duties and then Kalizda was near having the child too. It was a lot of work, but she didn't mind too much. Elpsbet was some help, but she was unusually quiet. That was to be expected when she had lost her agreed. Often times it was difficult to accept the loss of one that had been with you for over 100 years. Starting over was even more difficult in many ways. Entering through the backyard she made her way across the yard while the cat rubbed on her and the bear toddled along awkwardly. When she reached the back door both of them looked at her. Cin was more of a longing look as if he wished she were someone else and Keysha gave an expression of disgust. The cat was like any other. It thought that it should belong in the house and it threw its nose up in the air, tail high and trotted off toward the little spot she liked to make her nesting ground.

A mist had settled over the entire island of Pytra and Glenda sighed. It was such a miserable season here. She hated the cold as much as another other Dark Chip. Setting a pot to the stove with some water she got it boiling and then grabbed the Ruby Bush eggs. It was a tasty little breakfast meal and a treat for Chips. Nice, hot, and hearty for the colder days. While it cooked up and expanded to a strange tan looking sort of gel she dropped in some dried fruits and sweet grains. There wasn't much else to it, but it would hold in the stomach for a while.

Since the meal was almost ready she went up the stairs to get Rose ready for school. Most of the time she was up by now, but sometimes she slept more and it must have been one of those mornings. She would have gladly slept longer too. Grey cold days like this were good days to stay inside and sleep. As soon as she reached the top of the steps she could hear snoring from the General's room. Sounded like everyone thought it was best to sleep today. Quietly she stepped into Rose's room only to discover that their guest, Akten was sleeping very close to her. Neither of them were really in a compromised position. Just their hair disheveled and clothes wrinkled with little blankets wrapped tightly around them. Like children they had huddled into little individual balls. Still it wasn't proper and so she reached out and plucked Akten from his place and walked with him toward the hallway before she set him down. "Yah wait here for dah General tah get up." Heading back into Rose's room she got the girl up and then stepped out and gently pushed Illya and Kalizda's bedroom door open. With the creaking on the door she saw Illya lift his head. "General, you need to talk with Akten." Speaking Quoti she kept it quiet as she may without disturbing anyone. "He was sleeping in Rose's room this morning." With her message delivered she took herself back down the stairs to serve up a bowl of the breakfast for Rose. The girl came out of her room and shuffled after Glenda and then the upstairs fell silent again except for the shuffling in Illya's room.

Illya got out from under his nice glow blanket. It had helped with the arm tremendously, but the cool morning air in the room brought a sharp pain to it.

It was obvious to Illya that Akten was struggling with his father's condition. Even when he came back into the house to apologize it didn't seem that he was terribly sorry. At this point it appeared to be more of a formality. He was still young and it was a difficult situation. By the next morning when Illya got up he found that Akten was sitting out in the hallway with a confused expression. Apparently Glenda had found him in Rose's room and she set him out in the hall to have a little chat. Since Cypher was still sleeping, Kalizda was relaxing for a few more minutes and Rose was down stairs with breakfast Illya decided to have a seat.

Cradling his arm, Illya slumped against the wall and he slid down to sit next to Akten. "Glenda jes tell meh dat yah asleep in Rose's room. What happen?" Illya wasn't going to accuse the boy or assume anything. They weren't old enough to be really engaging in anything, but it was better to hear it from his side and then get a little story from Rose before she left for school for the day.

Akten sat with his long legs folded up to his skinned up chest and his hands rubbing at the back of his sheared hair. His He was in trouble, but he didn't know how much trouble or particularly what for this time. When the General came to sit beside him, he scratched at the nape of his neck, before glancing over to the man. "I donno, I fell asleep on th' bed after I tell her some bone chillers like th' ones from home an' she didn't like them because of th' storm."

Bone chillers? Illya had to think for a moment of how that would translate. After a moment he shrugged. "Oh dats et?" Rose wasn't really the sort to enjoy those kinds of stories and Illya remembered plenty of them from when he was a kid too. Those were the best kind at that age. Terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. It could give a sense of danger without ever truly endangering the listener or story teller. "Well, I guess yah jes know dat yah getting older now. When yah start getting to dis age ets nut considered good practice tah spend dah night in a lady's room. Rose es almost a lady." Rubbing the sore arm a little he frowned while he thought of how to say this without making things worse. "I know yah nut expect tah be put in dah place of a man so soon. Still et happen to yah and now yah learn dese ways. Dun worry. I won't expect yah tah be perfect. I still nut figure out how tah always be perfect eiter. So, yah come down and have someting tah eat before yah start some training wit Kirit?"

Akten titled his head, as an entirely new thought came to his head. Rose was going to be a lady? A grown up one just like he was supposed to be a man? He hadn't thought anything about her being a girl really, just that she was his friend. How was he supposed to know that she was a lady too now? She hadn't said anything about it! When the General mentioned it was alright because he hadn't learned 'these ways' he wondered what those ways were. Apparently there was more to this lady stuff, but he wasn't expected to know it all at one time. Even the general didn't know it all. "Aye," he nodded as he climbed to his feet, "I come t' eat an' then go train." That was something he was looking forward to and it got him far away from Rose's forbidden room. As he started down the stairs, he paused and looked back to the General. "If she's a lady now an' I'm a man, we not married because I stay in th' room right?"

At least the boy seemed to be more at ease with the situation and circumstances now that he was on his way to eat and train. However, the question from the boy was laugh worthy. "Eh...no." Illya chuckled. "Ets a good ting et doesn't work dat way. I tink yah jes a little young tah be married yet."

A look of utter relief flashed over Akten's face and he grinned from the sheer knowledge that he wasn't married. "Good, I got some things t' do before I get a lady an' Rose would tell m' no 't' much." With that proclamation, he to the stairs by twos with his heavy foot falls, his hand on the rail until he reached the bottom. Enough momentum built up that he swung himself around at the bottom of the banister and heralded his swinging entrance into the kitchen with an excited whoop.

Just as Akten swung around the banister and into the kitchen both Rose and Glenda shot him a look. Illya stood behind the boy grinning. He knew exactly what Akten meant by his previous statement, but he'd learn in time that sometimes it was nice to have someone care enough to say no. However, it wasn't always fun. It was just as well that none of the ladies said anything to Akten and Illya sat down to have breakfast with the boy. He was barely finished with his own bowl of the breakfast when Akten was ready to race out to train. Illya slowly got up and worked his way into a jacket. "Now, yah jes wait. I'm gonna get yah dere on time and den I give orders for yah training. Yah gonna get tah be dere like a regular recruit, but yah get off a bit earlier in dah day. I want yah tah have time tah see yah fater and den yah get time tah come back and eat."

Once they reached the grounds Illya gave Kirit the order for Akten's training and he also gave notice that the Chippequoti and Tannas from Old Quoti would be transferring in a week. Illya would be there to give the notice and he felt that was only fair. It wasn't going to be pretty and he knew that it would likely draw a bit of criticism for a while. At least till it all started to come into play. Then the others would see how it would work. For now Illya kept it between just himself and Kirit to spare the young General any shock and lessen the brunt of the embarrassment in a weeks time. "I see dat dah newest recruits dun learn under yah. Onleh one more week to impress meh or I move dem." Illya knew there wouldn't be improvement, but it was all setting the stage.

The week passed slowly. Akten would leave in the mornings and hastily get himself to the training. There was a log on him as if he was a recruit and Illya showed it to the boy over the weekend. "I see yah been to yah drills on time. Looks like yah improve too." Illya scrolled through the pad and showed Akten the sheet of progress. "Ets always good dat a General learn tah watch his men. He learn tah know when he has good fighters and when he has lazy men too." It was too wet and cold to really want to go out so instead Illya spent the weekend showing Akten some of the less glamorous details of the work that a General and leader had to do. "Now, I make simulation for yah. I give yah men and yah train dem. Yah track dere progress and yah give meh reports. When dah weekend es over I give yah meh own report and I tell yah how well yah keep track of dem. How many yah tink yah start wit?" It seemed the boy was a bit ambitious and Illya nodded. "Et seems like lots of work. Yah ambitious." A grin came to his face and he couldn't help almost laughing. This was going to be interesting for sure.

When the weekend came to an end Illya checked for the report and he found an odd little scrambled message. It conveyed in part what would be needed. Not quite what a junior officer would present, but good for the age. Illya sat with Akten on the couch and reviewed it before bed. "Et looks good enough. I tink yah men went hungry a lot. Yah sacrifice dere healt for training. Maybe yah train dem too hard like dis for long time and dey get sick." It seemed like something simple, but it was easy to forget in the ambitions to have the best. "Remember, a good leader tinks of his people and how tah make sure dey have water, shelter, eat, and have cloting before he makes dem strong. People are nut so strong when dey are cold, sick, hungry, or tirsty. Even Chippequoti nut so strong ef dey nut taken care of." For now he left it as it was. Some lessons didn't have to be repeated and Illya figured that if the small failure remained that way it would simply remind Akten to think of it in the future. "Next weekend we go out and we hunt wit meh elite men. Yah off tah bed now cause ets early day to yah training."

In many ways Illya was dreading the next morning. It would be a move that for a while would make no sense and possibly bring a lot of ridicule, rumors of favoritism and other things. This was only the second time that he walked with Akten to the training fields. Illya knew the boy would take himself, but this time Illya had his own business. The official movement of the Tannas and Old Quoti Chippequoti to another unit.

Kirit already knew that it would be an announcement and so Illya waited for the men to be gathered. "A few of yah men gonna be promoted to anoter unit above dis." Like usual there was a sort of buzz. "Et was nut a recommendation of yah commanding officer et was because I took special notice of some abilities dat I would like tah see." Carefully he glanced around the group of men that were gathered and then he read off the names of the men and the few women that were in condition to fight. It was obvious that all the men in the unit knew that these were not eligible for promotion, but they got it. There were sharp stares at the Chips and Tannas and mixed breeds that were smugly moving over to take their new position.

It was as if they had finally been recognized. The refugees from Old Quoti sauntered over to their new place and sloppily took up stance beside Illya. None of it met standard or code, but at least he knew what was right. Chippequoti should take care of their own and they weren't about to train with this little slop of a man and his rag tag unit. Besides, they had fought long and hard enough against the Tannas when they had been on Old Quoti.

Illya nodded to the refugees and marched with them to the new commander. The Chip commander had been issued the order that for the first week there was to be no forcing the new comers to do anything that they didn't please. He would offer training and get them up and see what they would do on their own. It was the only chance they were going to get to shape up. After this if they didn't figure out that they were expected to earn their keep it would get a whole lot worse. Illya went home and he almost felt guilty, but he knew that it would only be a matter of time before all the men saw what it would mean. Kirit would get another shot at this and the new comers would learn to earn their keep and they would learn to earn respect and rank. It wasn't a pretty way to do it, but shame was perhaps the only way to get them to take action.

**************************************************

The ride home felt forever with their boys all crying. None of them seemed to like the drive and they were all hungry at the same time. Tabit could tell that Kirit was slightly unsettled and that wasn't any help. Part of her expected him to just get out and walk off when they got to the house. Who would be willing to have that many little pink babies. Not to mention one of them that had a tendency to turn blue if he cried. It was too much work for his lungs and he still tried to push out little cries. The nurse said it would be ok to let him cry some, but it was getting to be long enough that Tabit was worried. He was almost gagging and she'd never dealt this much with a baby and their problems breathing. Perhaps one of the older women could tell her something about that. At the same time Tabit was a little afraid of asking. Who would she ask that wouldn't stare at her like she was an idiot? Then to make it all worse there was still that dreaded conversation with Kirit. When they finally landed she scurried to the back of the little flyer and pulled their third son out of his little seat. He whimpered and fussed whenever his little legs were jostled and that was just about anytime. In fact she was already wanting to get someone to come over and just hold this one. She couldn't stand him. He terrified her in so many ways.

It seemed that Kirit was going to stay long enough to have 'the talk' with her. Enough to get through the feeding frenzy at least. Part of her wondered why he was staying, but she nodded along with his suggestion and fed the youngest one first. He was too delicate to feed with one of the others. Not that they moved much at this age, but they moved enough it could hurt him if he got kicked. Peering into his eyes she watched him with a serious gaze. He suckled and gasped between his efforts to eat. Their youngest struggled for every breath it seemed and he was still hungry. It was so difficult to hold him like that and watch him suffer. When his little eyes started to close she let him continue suckling till he drifted off and then she quietly shifted to put him in his little bed. Holding her hands out she took the other two one at a time and fed them till they fell asleep too. They would no doubt poop their diapers before long and then they would get to change them. Once all three of them were in their bed Kirit gave the announcement that it was time to talk and name the third son. Raising one eyebrow she shrugged. "He was named before he was born. You already told me the story of the three brothers." Clenching her jaw slightly she stepped out of their little room and wandered over to the living room to sit down. "What do you want to say Kirit? What is it? You want to leave me now?"

Kirit closed the door behind them slowly, making sure to keep the doorknob turned to it wouldn't click when the door slipped into it's frame. It wouldn't do to have the boys wake up and him trying to talk some sense into his wife at the same time. Rather than following suit to sit down across from her, he stood there gathering his thoughts and tugging on his beard until Tabit demanded he talk, asking the most absurd question he'd ever heard come out of her mouth. His eyes shot up to her, not angry but entirely bewildered. "Where ye get an idea like that, Tabit? Why would I want t' leave ye?" he replied, "I want ye t' tell m' why ye so upset. Ever since ye babies were born, ye not ye'self an' I know that. I worry about ye. Now, ye tell m' what's wrong."

Squirming on the sofa she stared up at Kirit almost pensively. Was he going to start hitting her? He was standing up and it made her nervous. He was a good fighter and she wasn't sure she could beat him right now if she had to. Her mind was blurred with past experiences and she wasn't sure if what he was doing was sincere or not. "Everything is wrong." Shaking her head she almost lowered it to cry for shame, but she was afraid to turn her gaze away from his just in case he did something. "We had three babies and the third one is sickly. I know you didn't want three, but I can't help it." When he moved she winced and then snapped at him. "I swear if you touch me....I learned to fight for a reason and I'll take the boys if I have to and find a way to make it."

Everything was wrong? That didn't make sense at all. What was so wrong about having three babies? Now, she was accusing him of not wanting his children because there were so many, and one wasn't strong as the others yet, all the while looking ashamed. Never once had he seen such an expression on her face and it was almost painful for him to witness, especially because he didn't understand it. "Tabit..." He stepped toward her and she winced, like a battle reflex, as if she were expecting to be hit. She was afraid of him? Her warning made him freeze in his spot and hold out his hands. "Tabit, I would never touch ye, unless ye wanted m' to an' I never hit ye," he said, keeping his distance. He didn't want want to scare her anymore than she already was, but he also had the want to hold her too. Patting the back of the chair across from her, he inched over and sat down, his gaze never wavering from her face. "Ye know m' by now, Tabit. I do everything I can t' make ye happy, an' our boys are good. It not matter t' me if there was one or more. Sick or healthy They m' sons an' ye wife. I love ye all. Tell m' why ye think I'd hit ye or leave ye?" He waited for her answer patiently, trying to figure out where he might have given her the impression he didn't want their sons or would raise a hand to her.

The tears started to run freely down Tabit's face and she shook her head. "No..." It didn't really matter what she was saying no to, it was just all she could manage to say for now. "I don't know why." Almost whispering the words she wiped at her face and cried all the harder. "All the others except one would hit me and I lost one baby when he beat me and another made me abort a baby." It didn't make sense and none of it was drawn together in a story, but it was enough to give the idea. "You know I'm Chippequoti and you still want me?" Turning her bleary eyes toward him she felt a few more large tears well up. No one wanted a used Chip woman. "I'm afraid you'll leave me with them. I can't take care of three boys all by myself and then they'll end up in jail or dead."

No? She didn't know? Kirit wondered if this was more of that potent pregnancy hormone that had made her seem so off for the past year. Then she started crying even harder as the comments came out between the sobs. He knew she'd had other men before him, but he hadn't known the rest of it. What kind of a man would do that to a woman? An unborn child? He was hardly a father yet, but he knew that if anyone tried to hurt his children or his wife there would be no force to stop him from protecting them. What didn't make sense was the fact that every thing he'd done was contrary to what she believed about him. Maybe she just assumed that he would be like the rest of them, but then why marry him when she thought he would leave? It simply made no sense to him. Then again, it didn't have to. Somehow it was linked in her mind, and that's what mattered most. Taking in a deep breath, he looked a her for a moment, then carefully leaned forward as to get up. Instead, of climbing to his feet, he bent down on a knee in front of her and offered his hand out. Hopefully that wouldn't scare her so much. "Tabit, ye past is ye past an' ye I tell ye this before. I say it again t' ye now. I'm not goin' t' leave. Ye m' woman an' I always want ye' because I love ye. It not matter t' m' that ye Chip'qouti, or that we lucky t' have three sons, an' ye know that, yeah? If ye still not believe m' then just be with m' an' let m' show ye some more? " He didn't know what else to say to her that would ease her mind. What if she would continue to punish him and herself for the mistakes of those past men?

Tabit's eyes darted from Kirit to his hand that he offered to her. It was just so hard to believe that he wanted to stay with her after all this. If anything was the definition of insane it was the fact that he was going to stay with her. Carefully she reached with one pale hand and placed it in his. Tabit nodded slowly and wiped furiously at the tears on her pink tinged cheeks. She knew her eyes were getting puffy and it only made her look horrible. There was always a twinge of vanity that hit when she cried and she tried not to do it because she'd been told she was ugly when she cried. "Ok. We'll just do it together yeah?" Somehow it felt strange to be older than him and yet have him acting like the older person in this situation. Gently pulling on his hand she waited for him to rise slightly. "Just hold me for a little bit?"

He waited for what seemed like an eternity as her bright blue eyes studied his face, and then his outstretched hand. For whatever the men in her past had done, he was not them, and he'd never done anything close to what they had done. What would he do if she refused him? Finally, her hand slipped into his, and he instinctively brought his rough thumb over her knuckles gingerly. She wanted to stay and work together. That was a start, and his shoulders slump a little in relief from having come to some sort of accord. When she asked for him to hold her, he nodded at the little tug on his hand. "Aye, ye come close, hm?"Rising to sit on the couch, Kirit wrapped his arms around her and leaned them both back to lay propped on the arm. He held her close, petting at her pale hair and letting her bury into his chest if she wanted to. "Ye alright." The fact that other men had mistreated her so, made a spot of anger flare in his gut, but this wasn't the time for anger. even if it was a defensive and protective brand. That would probably just scare her worse. "Ye still prettier than a moongoddess, and twice as strong, m' Tabit, but I want ye t' tell m' if ye think I'm wrong or ye worried, yeah? We work t'gether on it." He couldn't be better if he didn't know something needed to be fixed.

When he was finally seated next to her Tabit moved in closer and rested her head on his shoulder. Sniffling a few times she held still and listened to him. Kirit was strangely wonderful in some ways and she didn't say anything for the time. It was easier to just relax and let herself calm down. In response she only nodded and then let out a long sigh. "I think we need to have some time with just the two of us tomorrow. You got somebody that you said would watch the boys right?" They couldn't be gone for too long unless she planned on using a pump and putting the milk in bottles for the boys, but whatever the plan was she was sure she could manage it.

Having time to just spend with Tabit would be good, even if did seem strange to leave them alone with someone else when they had just come home. Still, he knew that Tabit had been more or less stuck in the house for a half a year and he understood a desire to get some fresh air. He kissed the top of her head and gently rubbed her back as she relaxed into his arms. "Aye, maybe I take ye out to Kinte or we go t' Juya for awhile, an' we go see th' waterfalls, yeah?" Those were exotic and only an hour or two away in either direction. "The General watch our boys f' a bit an' they be in good hands with'em."

Tabit raised her head from his shoulder. "Good lord! You can't be serious. I don't even know if he could possibly look at a kid without asking it to do push ups. Seriously, you can't expect the General to be watching our three boys can you?" It sounded very strange. She'd talked with him a few times and seen him at home, but he was so stodgy on the field that it seemed to overpower the glimpses of the kind of person he was at home. Kirit had more experience and time spent with the General than she had, but it still seemed a far fetch.

Suddenly Tabit was raising up with an objection to the General watching their children. Why wouldn't he be serious? Apparently, she thought the man couldn't handle kids and had never seen him interact with Cypher or Rose on much occasion. The thought of Illya making a kid do push ups was a funny vision though, and he chuckled. "Aye, the General likes children, ye should see him with them, " he assured her, " An' he owes m' work hours f' th' renovation on his house. He be good with them all, even Hanyah. Cypher had th' same problem with his breath, an' the General knows what t' do f' him while we gone."

After a long moment she stared at him. It was half in disbelief. He really thought that the General was going to be good with kids. "Well, I'd still rather have him come over an hour before we leave just so I can see that he knows how to hold a baby." Shifting to lean a little more against Kirit she sighed. "If we're gone for only 3 or 4 hours it might be ok." At least she could be home in time to feed the boys and the General would only have to feed them once while she was gone. "Just something small."

She didn't believe him, even though he had spent nearly two years living in their house as an observer. The General would have to pass her muster with the babies and he could hardly object. At least she wanted to make sure they were safe and not leave them alone, which was far better than her demands to have them put from her sight. "I don't think he will object t' that inspection," Kirit replied, holding her a little closer, "I make sure he comes an hour b'fore. If it make ye feel better maybe he bring Kalizda too if she's up for it. Then I take ye t' Kinte, it's the closest, an' we go walkin' or see one of those Terran picture shows they always talk about, eh?" He wasn't sure what Tabit would be feeling up to either, but on Kinte there was plenty to do for sitting as well as exploring.

It sounded reasonable enough and she nodded. "Ok, we'll just see if Kalizda thinks she can come over and help." Not that she'd seen much of her and last she knew the woman was still on some weight restriction. "If she can't maybe we'll just go to one of the picture shows so we can get back to the ship fast if we need to."

It sounded as good of a plan as any. He knew the kids would be safe with the General alone, but if made Tabit feel better to know Kalizda might come to help, than it was all the better. He didn't want her to worry. With that settled, Kirit nodded as he looked down to his wife then smiled. He liked holding her all close like this and it was hard not touch her, even though he would have to be very, very careful with her for awhile. He didn't want her to think he was going to hurt her in any way. "I don't think ye need t' worry. Ye see tomorrow an' if ye still concerned with or without Kalizda we just go t' th' show." Shifting slowly, he brought a hand up to her cheek and kissed her with a gentle peck to see if she would let him, and to show he could be easy going too.

For the time Tabit allowed Kirit to kiss her on the head. She half thought that it was perhaps just a way to get her to relax, but she had to push that thought aside. There was too much past abuse to ignore the constant flare of emotion that would rise and bring panic to the base of her throat. By the time dinner rolled around she noticed that Kirit had ordered food and he didn't make her cook or anything. Not that she couldn't have made the food, but it was still very thoughtful of him.

They were almost ready to eat and then the sound of the babies crying again made her grit her teeth. She really did need someone to watch the boys for a little bit tomorrow while she tried to get her head put back on right. The feeding frenzy felt like it was never ending with the busy little boys wanting to eat every 2 hours and pooping their diapers within about 30 minutes of eating. It was just enough time that she felt exhausted and she knew Kirit was tired out too. There was very little that they could do about the fact that there were three and she couldn't do it all by herself. So he was going to have to be tired with her.

Tabit drug herself out of bed the next day and managed to get herself ready to go to the picture with Kirit while he changed their diapers and made sure that the General and Kalizda could come. When she came out of the bathroom all the boys were sleeping and she kissed Kirit on the lips. "Hurry up and get ready. Only an hour till we have the General and Kalizda arrive." There was an odd look on his face and then he told her that Kalizda wasn't coming. Momentarily Tabit wanted to back out of the plans, but she also wanted to go very badly and just have a day where she could remind herself how much Kirit did love her. It would be therapeutic and she needed it. "Ok." Apprehensively she grinned and agreed though she didn't really feel like it.

The hour seemed to drag by and she made sure that the boys all got to eat just before Illya arrived. What was even worse was the fact that it appeared the General couldn't use one arm. How was he going to take care of 3 babies with only one useful arm? Casting a glance at Kirit she smiled though it was half threatening. He thought this was a great idea. Again she could feel a slight sense of panic rise. "I have their bottles in the fridge and they're probably gonna be hungry in about 2-3 hours. We should be back in about 5 hours and then I can feed them again." Tabit beckoned for Illya to follow her and she showed him the cribs and the fridge and where all the diapers were. "Then uh...I have instructions of what to do if the mask clogs or if he has trouble breathing." Tabit hadn't had any issue with the mask, but it was still good to leave the directions.

Illya followed the woman around the house and when she finished the very brief tour he nodded and waited for them leave. How he managed to get himself into baby sitting he didn't know. Sitting down on the couch Illya stared at the wall long enough to hear the engines start on the flyer. Tilting his head to the side he saw the ship take off and then got to his feet and walked into the room. All three boys. They were cute little guys. The rocking chair even looked like it was sturdy enough to hold a Chip. Had to be if it was for Tabit.

Mentally he scoffed at the idea of the babies being his duty. A General didn't just watch babies for his work usually. This was a very unusual circumstance. Still he couldn't help himself. The one baby with the mask on his face was struggling to breath much the same as Cypher had. Part of it was stress and Illya decided he could at least pick the boy up. The motion was bit awkward, but he could manage it. However, when he started to move the baby he discovered the little braces on his hips. Illya knew all to well what they were. He'd seen them on other babies before and he winced. Still the baby only whimpered a little in his sleep. "Yah jes gonna rest wit meh for a bit eh?" Holding the boy to his chest Illya pulled the little blanket tighter across him and then sat in the rocking chair.

The injured arm could hold the boy ok and then the good hand reached around and rubbed at the baby's back while Illya talked to him gently in Quoti. "I tell you the story of a little bird. When the Chippequoti first discover music." While he was telling the story he felt the baby grunt once or twice and then the aromatic scent of poop wafted up. That was just about to be expected. However, the boy was breathing a little easier. No sooner had Illya changed the diaper than he heard whimpers from one of the others and it quickly turned to a shriek that got all three crying at the same time. Picking the kids up one by one he took them to the sofa and laid them down on their little backs before warming the bottles. How in the world he was going to feed all three was only a matter of mechanics. Couldn't be that bad.

Testing the milk on the back of his hand he determined that each bottle was about right. Holding the bottom of one bottle with his mouth Illya placed the nipple end in one kid's mouth and then held a bottle with each of his other hands to feed the boys. He was kneeling in front of the couch and it put him at an awkward angle, but it got them all fed at the same time and they all stopped crying for the moment. At first he congratulated himself on the brilliant idea until he felt drool from his mouth start to run out of his mouth and dribble along the bottle. Letting go of one bottle he stopped feeding one baby long enough to wipe the drool bottle off and swallow all excess spit before resuming the position. Feeding was over and Illya took the bottles back to the fridge. There wasn't a whole lot left in any of them, but he didn't know if she'd still want it to be saved or not.

For the moment the boys were awake and Illya talked with them. Mostly they were at the stage where they stared and didn't really do anything. It seemed that they realized he was a stranger and started to fuss and then pooped their pants and cried more. Illya got the diapers changed and not without some difficulty. He only hand one hand that he could use for the most part and the other still had some nerve damage that made feeling things difficult, so he tried not to hold them with that hand in case he squeezed to hard on their little legs or anything. Once their diapers were changed Illya laid on the floor and moved one baby to lay on his lap and then cradled the one with the breathing mask to his chest and the third he tucked under one arm and laid back on the floor. They had their little blankets on and they started to nestle in and get comfy. Eventually they fell asleep and Illya laid still for long enough that he eventually drifted off to sleep and he didn't wake till the front door opened. At first he opened his eyes slowly and then he realized that Kirit and Tabit were home. Since the boys were still sleeping he didn't want to move too much and he lifted his head just enough that he figured they could see him. "Hey...dey're jes sleeping."

***********************************************

The next morning Illya accompanied Akten to the fields again. There was another little announcement that Illya was going to be making to Kirit and his men. When he arrived Illya saw that there was a bit of mistrust in some of the recruits eyes. That was about to change and he knew they would be more than happy to carry out this order. "Men, I tink ets time dat some of yah get dat little advancement yah tink yah deserve. Dun worry now es yah chance. A few weeks ago I promote some lazy fighters. Dey dun want tah learn tah fight. Well, dey learn now."

There was a murmur that went through the group and Illya raised a hand to hush them. "2 hours of each drill day now es tah be spent attacking dem wherever yah find dem, whenever yah see fit, and when yah commander gives dah order. Yah attack and attack and attack and yah dun stop even ef dey surrender." It was a chance that most of them Illya was sure had been waiting for. Personally he would have enjoyed this order if he worked with them as well. "Yah commanding officer will take count of men dat have most promising plans of attack and show most skill. Dey will replace dah lazy fighters at dah end of dis routine. I will return when ets over and until en yah have meh orders. When ets over I return and give proper recognition to dah best fighters. Dis es yah opportunity tah show yah skill. Beware dere es nut tah be any real harm. Ef dey dun surrender yah tie dem up and drag dem across dah fields and let dem find dere own way out of ropes."

With that final announcement Illya turned to leave. The people from Old Quoti would learn to fight. They would be mad, shamed, disgraced and probably hate him for this, but they would get the spirit that they needed to survive the war and that was all that counted.

 

[aryamajor]

Kirit woke to a gentle kiss on the lips and Tabit urging him to get up. It had been a very long night with the getting up and down with the babies in turns to feed or change them. The third was fussy from being in pain but their middle son was the real squeaker. He would wail the longest and the loudest so far, making the baby monitors in the nursery near obsolete. They could hear his hungry cries right through the walls of the cabin. "Hurry up and get ready. Only an hour till we have the General and Kalizda arrive." Rubbing at his eyes, he gave her a confused grumble. Hadn't he told her the General responded that Kalizda couldn't come? Maybe he had done that in his sleep instead, because his wife was a little surprised to hear it. "It be fine. Th' General is good with th' babies, eh?" She agreed and for once didn't seem so uncertain about it, judging by the smile on her face. This would be a good day, and he needed to make it count, particularly after the night they had.

Rolling out of bed, Kirit gave her a sleepy smile then shuffled across the loft to the shower. It never took him long to soap down or rinse, but the shave time did add an extra chore in the mornings. There had once been a time when he would simply shave it all of in quick swipes and his hair too, keeping a clean look on both. Tabit liked his scruff and hair longer though and on some nights so did he. One hand held his cheek taut while the other used the straight bladed razor to take swipes at his jaw, then touch up his goatee with tiny taps around his mouth. Every few stripes, he would wipe the blade on the towel draped around his shoulders and then swap sides. It was a tedious sort of task. When he was done, Kirit wiped away the shave cream then put some of the styling cream into his hair. He didn't like it in his face or sitting in every wild direction. Combing down his hair he quickly dressed in a civilian's tunic, being sure to stay far away from the green one hanging in his closet, then bounded down the stairs. The shower had helped wake him up a bit and he was starting to get excited about going out with Tabit for the first time in months.

By the time he got downstairs, Tabit had already started feeding Mycah and Az'rai. They were greedy little things with the feeding time, but that was alright. He had been told by his mother that meant they would grow strong. Finally the general arrived and wife gave him a smile that caught him off guard. What kind of a look was that? Her teeth were clenched and he caught a glint in her eye that bespoke of something dangerous. It wasn't like they were leaving the kids in novice hands. In fact, he was sure the General would do a better job than he could do on some things. Still, Tabit insisted on giving him the tour of the cabin as if the General had never seen a baby in his life. If that made her feel more secure, than he would let her explain all she wanted.

When she was satisfied, Kirit gave Illya an appreciative nod before ushering his wife out of the door to the flyer. Just seeing the craft and knowing that he would get to take Tabit out again put a grin on his face, as he opened up her hatch for her. His take off into the sky was a little more enthusiastic he gunned the engines, then slowed down to a better speed that wouldn't get them fined until they were over the Wilds. The hour and a half flight took longer than expected with the weather turning sour by the time they reached the docks of the southern most island at Kinte.

Kirit took Tabit's hand gently in his, and lead them over the swaying sky bridge to the main island where the city awaited. Thunder was crackling over head from time to time, as rain came down over the worn cobble stone streets. Despite the heavy down pour, Kaerelean and visiting outsiders to the port were walking casually down the streets in stylish rain jackets with matching boots. They passed by several stores the Kaerelean sector and into the intergalactic area where specialty shops of all kinds were waiting. Stalls of foreign foods laid out for sale, among jewelry and fine cloth. Seeing the wares reminded Kirit that he needed to exchange the coins that Illya had given him. "I need t' go by th' exchange house t' get th' credits," Kirit smiled, "Why don't ye look in some of th' shops till I get back. If ye find something ye like, get it an' I be back t' pay, yeah?" Kissing her on the cheek, he left her in a Terran boutique full of clothing and strode down the sidewalk to the small Exchange. There was a small line cued up at the tall dividing desk where the clerks were, so he stepped in line behind a tall alien who smelled distinctly of body stink and smoking spices. The scent was potent enough, Kirit caught himself holding his breath as the line moved slowly forward. When it was the alien's turn, he took in a deep breath, glad to have some clear air.

"Next."

At the call, the young general walked up and placed his satchel of golden coins on the counter. "I need them transferred t' credits, yeah?"

The clerk picked one of the coins up, giving him a skeptical look. She hadn't seen this type of coinage in years, and even then only in museums. How in the Wilds had he gotten ahold of so many? Were they fake? Was he a lucky Wilds hunter who had struck it lucky on the planet surface? "I'll just need to verify that these are real and then give you an exchange rate. Please hold."

She took out a scanner and held up one of the stamped coins, certain that the coins had to be forgeries. When the scanner beeped, a green light shot up on the screen and so did the clerks eye brows. "They're real alright," she marveled, "Let me check the rates for this and count them up." Flipping though her pad, she found the type of coin and her mouth slipped open. They were worth 8,333.00 a piece! How many did he have? Her nimble fingers pulled the coins from the satchel, shaking as she came to the bottom of the bag. "That's thirty....which comes out to $250,000 credits."

Kirit's eyes bugged and he went pale when the clerk reached her estimation as they stared at each other for a long moment. "Ye..ye sure?" It was doubtful she was wrong, but he had never had that much money available to him at one time in his life. The payment was worth far more than the work he'd done and General had just given in to him as if it were nothing! Not to mention he was at home watching the babies as if he had to repay hours.

"Numbers don't lie," she said quietly, "Will that be in credits, sir?"

The young general managed a silent nod, and the woman went to work doling out hundreds upon hundreds of paper credits into a stack, then handed it to him.

"There you go. Have a good day sir, and I good luck." He would need it if anyone found out he was carrying that much cash around with him in his pocket.

"Aye," he replied, stowing the brick of money in his breast pocket. It made a considerable sized lump, but that's where it would be safest, and the fact he was walking around with it didn't bother him. There was the simple fact that Illya had far over paid him. How was he going to tell the man? Couldn't he give some back to make the work fair?

Kirit walked back to Tabit, his mind racing and when he found her admiring some sort of shirt in the back, he motioned to her. "If ye like it...eh..get it." She gave him an odd look, but didn't argue as she got whatever she wanted. Rather than using the hunk of cash in his shirt, the general pulled out his wallet from his back pocket and handed her an indiscriminate amount of credits for her to get whatever she liked. "Ye'll look nice in it," he smiled, as they walked out of the store.

Strolling though the puddled streets they finally made it to the theatre. Bulb lights outlined the box office and the movie posters out front as a delicious, buttery smell was wafting from inside the revolving doors. "What ye want t' see," he asked, tugging at his beard. So many of the digital posters looked enticing, but there was one that looked like it was about a soldier in the desert making daring attacks. "That one looks good. Law'eren'ce of Ah-rabehaa." She didn't turn it down. but seemed to be drifting towards something more rounded. The hologram post showed a trailer for Wild Ways about a wild alien set loose on Terra, and after a seemingly unstoppable rampage there was only one thing that could stop it. Of course, the hologram cut off before it tells the secret of what could stop the mad off-worlder.

Kirit liked the sound of either one, and couldn't wait to get inside to discover what that wonderful smell was either. In their haste to feed the boys and fly to Kinte, they had forgotten to eat themselves and his stomach grumbling loudly. He brought their tickets for Wilds Ways, then lead Tabit up to the revolving doors with a grin. He had always thought these were fun and this time was no different. Stepping into one of the spinning sections he walked with the momentum until it spat him out on the inside. The theatre itself was large, with several rooms playing movies along with red carpets and best of all a snack stand right in front of the entrance. Once Tabit was by his side he took her hand, eagerly leading her toward the stand where the savory smell was coming from.

"What ye have that smells s' good," he asked the worker.

"You mean the popcorn, sir? I just made it fresh with extra butter."

The young general's face sank when he realized the treat was something Tabit would be sick if she ate. It smelled so good! Knowing that she couldn't have any made it unfair though and he wasn't going to tempt her. "Eh, what else ye got?"

The worker ran through his list and Kirit settled on nachos because they sounded spicy along with a soft pretzel and water while he let Tabit order what she liked too. Occasionally, he would catch her giving him uncertain glances to which he would smile at in return. Why she might be uncertain he didn't know. Maybe she was still upset for the reasons she mentioned the night before, or she was worried about the children, or concerned about money. He'd noticed she often thought about funds, but he always had a little stashed away for her to have with no issue on their finances. Whatever it was, he would meet it with smiles as he lead them into their designated theatre room and settled into the reclining seats of the middle most aisle. It wasn't terribly crowded considering this was a Kaerelean workday and they had come to see the show right in the middle of it. Seeing that they had the place more or less to themselves was nice and Kirit finished his food in a matter of minutes before slowly slipping his hand over to Tabit's as the movie started. "We watch an' relax," he whispered in her ear.

The show started out interesting enough, a young Terran woman Robin, who never knew her father, lived in the big city and one night the alien craft crashed in the park near her. Kirit watched with some excitement to see what gruesome monstrosity was going to emerge from the crash site. The hatch flew open with a hiss of steam and a metallic wretch as a hulking shadow emerged revealing a gigantic man with dark hair and glowing yellow eyes. He immediately snatched up the woman, though she told them she meant no harm and was terrified, then went on a near 30 minutes chase against the Terran authorities. After a thrilling chase, they reached a safety point and the 'alien' revealed his secrets to the woman. "I am Ira and I have come to save your planet," he said in a thick accent, "Your world is in danger! I've come here to help stop them." It turns out the woman believes him for some reason, all evidence from his wake of destruction to the contrary. Before more is explained, they were found and went on another rip-roaring chase which ended with the woman captured and bound in the police station as an accomplice. The alien Ira used his hulking strength to break into the depths of the facility to rescue the woman by beating his way through an unrealistic amount of officers, pepper spray, flash bombs and more. Eventually, he leaps off the top of the building with her in tow. They make a break for the ship yard, steeling a boat in the process, and crashing into the docks as they make their escape into the stars. At the end of the film, the Terran woman looked to the alien aboard the ship and questioned why he had left Terra without fulfilling his mission. "But I did, your father sent me and your the key to saving your planet," he replied with smirk. This is all news to the woman, who in a fit of panic, kisses the mysterious alien.

When the last scene faded out, Kirit blinked at the blanket screen a few times and then raised a brow at Tabit. "Maybe I just tired, but didn't that look a bit like..." He voice trailed off and he shook his head. "Nah, can't be. Ye ready t' go?" On their way up the aisles, a slow romantic sort of tune began to play with the rolling credits, spurring the young general into an idea. He pulled her close at the top of the stairs, wrapping his arms around her waist and swaying to the music. "I couldn't resist ye," he grinned, "Ye just too pretty an' I love ye." Gently kissing her lips, Kirit rocked her in time with the music all the way to the the end of the credits before leading her out of the door, his arm at her waist. He had missed her looking quite so happy as she had been in a long time. Maybe he could show her it was alright. Even if it took a long time, he would be patient with her, because there was no better feeling than her in his arm and seeing her smile.

The flight home took less time as the weather had improved to a dull, misty rain rather than storms, and Kirit landed them in their little docking area outside the cabin. On the way home, Kirit had thought about his children some more. They were a handful and they couldn't even walk yet, but he would find a way to make it work. He knew one thing he could already do to help Tabit too. She had grown a little more tense the closet they came to home, and by the time she was opening the front door, Kirit could almost feel her worry. Whatever scene she expected, was nothing compared to the one that greeted them. The general was sprawled out in the floor with all the boys who were sleeping soundly. There were no crying boys, no missing babies, and better yet no holes in the walls.

Tabit's bright blue eyes were wide in a look of obvious shock as she stared at the General holding her children. Kirit couldn't help but chuckle some as he tip toed past his wife and offered to take on of the boys off the man's hands. "See, not a thing t' worry about," he grinned at her.

************

The next day, Kirit had his first day back at work while Tabit stayed home with the boys. He found his mind wandering to his children as he was greeted with the grumblings of his men when they fell into formation. They were still angry about the lazy Chippeqouti getting the random promotions and transfers, but there was little he could do about it. How did you make a man learn to fight when he would rather show belly? He had never had such unmotivated men before. All the men he had trained with had chosen to be warriors, not forced into it. This was a new problem he had yet to find the answer to, other than to report their shortcomings in their personal files. A solution that had took little sting out of the insult to his well trained men who actually were deserving of promotion. "Even that slob of a Terran manages to do better!" one of his men had pointed out. All Ayrn did was agree with the man for once with a non-committal shrug.

As his men came to attention, Kirit spied the General approaching along with Akten who was looking ready as usual to join the training session. Some of the men held questions in their eyes, yet knew better than to speak out as Illya approached to talk to them. As the General explained what he wanted, they all began to grin devilish smiles. They were going to get revenge a hundred times over, teach the arses a lesson and possibly get a promotion? That miserable, rainy day, just became the best training session yet.

Once Illya was gone, Kirit let the men congregate and come up with their own plans to present to him, while he spoke to Akten. The boy was grinning ear to ear, eager as ever to participate after having charge of his own men for awhile. "Ye not going to be fighting in this one," Kirit said to him bluntly, "Th' Chips might b' lazy but they also hit hard. T' hard for ye t' handle right now."

Akten's face turned to a scowl and he crossed his arms in defiance. "I can do it!"

The young general shook his head. "It's like wrestlin.' Ye not go up in ye weight class b'fore ye time, eh? Maybe ye just b' m' scout t'day instead. Can ye d' that?"

Akten shrank a bit more, then reluctantly agreed. He wanted in on the real action but the general wasn't going to let him. At least as a scout he could stay out with an earpiece and get to see the justice delivered as it should be. The chief's son listened as the men proposed their various plans, and they chose one they thought might be effective. That Chip unit would be doing training in the marshes, and the lazy ones wouldn't dare soil themselves in the mud. They would catch them as their troupe entered the bog and then make sure they managed to get nice and muddy, just like everyone else.

With the plan chosen, Kirit dispatched his men toward the marsh, following behind and ordering Akten to stay close to the ridge where he could report. The boy did as he was told and split from the group while the rest went to hiding in teh trees. Kirit waited in the marshy copse of trees just to the north about a mile from the Edge. With the river so close and the rainy season in full swing, the lowland marsh had swollen to twice it's size and was used for training in different sorts of terrain during this time. The bog was thick with trees trapped in thick vines and the ground below was so sodden with mud, it would give way if you weren't careful. It wasn't so deep that it required swimming, but it did have a tendency to trap even the tall Chippeqouti up to their knees or higher. He and his men waited patiently for the other unit to appear over the hill top, and he wasn't surprised to see the last of them were the sloven Old Qouti Chips. The unit leader ordered the men to take the path into the marsh, and the seasoned warriors marched, on gear and all into the sloshing mud. Kirit held his ground and watched the lazy Chips in the rear to see if they would follow.

The morning role call was about all the more the men were interested in and they looked at each other after they made a few small jogging paces into the rain. It was just as well that they went back to the main bunk house and took a nap before coming back out and trying to look like they'd done something. There were already cooks for this group and it was even better being here. Shrugging a bit they turned on their heels and started back for the barracks.

Much to the annoyance of the men laying it wait, the Old Chippeqouti and Tannas men split off from the main unit and ran back towards the barracks. Were they seriously going to show up for all of 10 seconds to report and then go back inside? Apparently so, and Kirit grit his teeth, having underestimated the laziness of these men and he knew the man who came up with the plan was even more greatly annoyed. Still, they had a job to do, and part of that was adaption. He signaled the men to drop down and sent a scout ahead to see exactly where the Chips were going as the rest jogged back toward the barracks.

By the time the men arrived it would have been 20 minutes after Chips arrived, but the scout would have carefully followed each movement unseen. When the young Fringe man returned from his task, he took off his soaked cap and nodded. "They're just laying down in the bunk sir." Kirit frowned and shook his head. This was going to be more straight forward than he thought. One of his men walked up and smiled. "They don't want t'be wet, I say we make'm wet." The plan was a decent one from what he heard and would give at least a little satisfaction. Nodding to his secondary scout, he let the man go to his assigned task. Either way, these men were going to get it one way or another. The scout came into the barracks shivering, but holding a warm pastry from the kitchens as if it were a gift from the gods and sat down on one of the bunks near by the Chip men. Some of them were still awake, maybe, but others had already started to snore.

Once they were settled into their bunks the men laughed and talked a bit in their own language. Kicking their blankets down on the bunks they shoved their feet into them and stared at the heap of soaking boots on the floor. "Think we should clean them up?" Glancing at one another they started to laugh. One of the other men would come in and pick them up. It drove him nuts and they didn't care. After a while some of them fell asleep and some of the others remained in their bunks reading. A cool draft of air came through the barracks and one of the men looked at the stranger that wandered in. "Hey yah. Get out of here. Ets nut yah bunk down dere."

The scout looked up at the man as he bit into the steaming pastry. "Mmm, I can't go back to mine yet, they'll know to look for me there. Just wanted to get out of the weather for a minute," he replied as he chewed.

Leaning over the edge of his bunk the Chip rolled his eyes. "Et dun matter. Get out. Dis esn't yah bunk and I dun like yah kind dat much." With a large heavy hand he reached down and slapped the side of the man's head about time he was preparing to take another bite. One of the other Chips looked at him and shook his head. There was no need to be that unreasonable, but he couldn't very well say much about it either.

The slap to the back of his head was enough to ring his ears a bit and the scout dropped his pastry, trying to block his head as the treat bounced to the wet floor in a spray of crumbs. "Hey, now that's just a waste of good food," he snapped, as he picked up the ruined bite and stood up glaring at them. "You can't make me leave anyways, you hamfisted arse."

Watching the treat tumble to the ground the Chip laughed when the man picked it up off the floor. It seemed that his unwanted visitor was upset. He even tried to threaten that he wouldn't leave and the Chip laughed. "Run little man run." At that those who were awake chuckled as well. It had become their little saying among themselves when they had outsider trouble and big talkers.

The scout gave them all an angry glare as he turned to the Chip mocking him. "I doubt a bunch of lazy weaklings like you could make me even if you wanted to," he replied, puffing out his chest, "Hiding in here like a bunch of old ladies. Do your women like you so soft? I can't see how. " He kept going on and on until finally, the sneaking in from the back hallway had converged behind the Chip men. With in a matter of seconds, pails of frigid rainwater were raining down over the slackers as the unit sneaking in laughed, then went to work round them up. The scout dodged the incoming deluge as his commanding officer made it a point to come at the Chip man who had bothered to hit him. Kirit popped up on the other wide of the the man's bunk and flipped the mattress, dumping the man to floor before he leapt to the man's back, putting a knee squarely in his spine.

Almost as soon as the water hit the sleeping men from Old Quoti jumped to their feet. Those on the lower bunks hit their heads and rattled the bunks ahead of them. With the men right here in their own bunk house and soaking them the Chips were outraged. There were so many men it appeared that they had all been responsible and it wasn't long before they started to throw haphazard punches. A few hit their marks, but most were dodged. The man that got dumped from his bunk cursed loudly as he felt the nerve spot in his back start to give way. Pitar, who had been mostly quiet scrambled for the small cabinet that sat at the end of the bunks and ripped a door off of it. His arm had recently come out of the cast and he was still mad enough to fight. A few of the men dodged outside into the rain to get away from the mess and Pitar decided it was about time to take things into his own hands. Bringing the door at a sharp angle he swung for Kirit or anyone in range.

As soon as the group split with some running and some staying in the bunks to hash it out, so did the attackers. They would follow their orders to the letter, attacking non-stop, and gladly so in the rain or shine. A taller man in the bunch with a wily look to his eye, the one his file labeled as Pitar, was by far the most actionable as he ripped off the metal top too his gear locker and started swinging. The first wave caught one of the fringers, who drew his arm up to block. The man was a big one, and did as his training taught him, but it wouldn't hurt any less to get caught somewhere without the protective armor. A loud clang sounded at the strike of metal against armor, leaving a dent in both before Pitar was already whipping around again. Kirit dodged the second swing, as did the Fringer, and then moved to the offensive, kicking at the back of the man's knee. It wouldn't break, but it wouldn't feel good either.

Those that made a break for the outdoors weren't given any relief and they only found themselves in more trouble than they had been before. It was wet outside, they were cold, had no shoes, and they were still getting attacked. If there was one way out of this they could run. However, running didn't seem to do a lot of good considering the fact that they were terribly out of shape. Even if they looked like they were in shape they were not quite ready to be running all around the place like maniacs. Pitar hit the ground with an odd jolt and he turned onto his back and kicked viciously at anyone in range. He caught one or two men and he aimed for the knees. At the same time he still swung with the metal door he'd ripped off the cabinet. Where he'd hit someone's armor earlier there was was a dent and a slightly torn edge that created a jagged end. It was slightly more dangerous and he liked that. Whatever it took to keep these jerks off he didn't care.

The big Chip tumbled down and kept right on swinging. Something Kirit liked and somewhat admired. What was so hard about applying that sort of ferver to good use? The jagged metal door whipped around as he kicked viciously at any one within range. One of the fringers took a slice the corner of his knee, where his armor gapped, but it only served to make the man angrier. Falling back, he snatched up one of the buckets that had been tossed to the side and sent it careening down on the Chips head with a violent growl. The bucket met the man's forehead while he was kicking at another. Kirit took the chance of momentary stun and kicked at the man's hand, to make him drop the metallic lid. "Get his feet!" He ordered. The remaining men snatched blankets off the bed, tossing them over the Chip and starting to bind him up in a bunting with tight ropes.

Pitar wiggled under the blankets and he fought screaming the whole way. As soon as he felt the ropes he started to shake and quiver all over and suddenly he started appearing every where the ropes weren't. Being half Tannas made him a bit more challenging to pin. He could momentarily force his body to a semi solid state, but remain loose so that he could work his way out of the tight grip. With his feet loose again he kicked one man in the face and rolled underneath the bunks. They would have to get down to grab him and if they tried to pull him out he had every intention of pulling the metal framed bunks over on top of them.

When Pitar rolled underneath the bunks Kirit's men shifted. Over the months, the months they had come together as a decent unit and knew each other well. One of the Fringers, a man with considerable strength due to his Udine heritage nodded to the spined Jax on the other of the bunk. In a swift motion, they grabbed the bunk at the frame under the mattress and flipped the entire set over, topping it over the row behind it and blocking off the chance to roll further away. "Hi," he snorted with a bull like grunt. While the Chip zeroed in on him, the Jax shot some of the smaller spines from his hand into Pitar's shoulder. The toxins would give a normal man a nice 12 hour nap, for a man of Chip size it would make him a bit woozy in the least as it traveled along his nerves rather than his blood stream.

It seemed that they had been rather intent on making him miserable and Pitar jumped up from his place and dove at the large fellow that ruined the hiding spot. Angrily, Pitar snapped and bit the man's hand as hard as he could all while still kicking and punching as hard as he could. Suddenly a stinging sensation went into his shoulder and he started to get a blurry vision. He still fought though he could feel it was getting weaker and weaker. Instead he seethed and snarled as best he could while he started to go numb. Within a few minutes he had been rendered completely useless and he couldn't quite make himself shift or change his current solid state.

"Tha' gentle him up a bit," the Jax hissed, "An' I dunt think he surrendered, jus looksee at th' bite onyer han' there Rix." The Udine noticed a good sized teeth mark indented on his tough skin and shrugged. "Uhuh." The men gathered up the limp Chip and bound his hands behind his back before tying his feet and then wrapping that bundle in a blanket. "Jes sos yah dunt ge' cold," the Jax said patting Pitar's shoulders before pulling out the spines. He wouldn't want to over dose the guy and kill him. With the wild man bound up in expertly tied ropes, they hauled his numb carcass to the fields, the furthest one from the bunk, without much care to his head or anything else, then plopped him into a mud puddle among the empty land. "Work hard anya might ge' out jus' in time for cookin' duty." With that, the men left him there with only the scout keeping watch in a nearby tree who was to turn him over if the mud got too high or call if the man reacted badly to the poison, then report if he got loose so the onslaught could continue. He was too miserable to die that way.

Pitar fought though there was no evidence besides his growling. He tried every which way to move and it didn't seem to work. Once he was covered up and bundled he felt the men start to drag him outside and he could tell when the whole world would jolt that he likely hit his head on something. Finally, they dropped him in a field with mud and he felt it sink into the blankets. He couldn't do much of anything about it besides just lay there and as feeling returned he could tell he was cold, but even shivering was delayed until he got greater control of his muscles. The rest of the men that ran into the cold air and mist scattered around the camp. A few of them went into the kitchens to get warmed up and huddled near the furnace.

The rest of the men ran through the streets and scattered, having broken through the line at the bunk room door. Kirit's unit reported to their general, then heard the order to split into teams. Tunning around the corners they followed seperated men for as long as they would run. A few gave them the slip, but one of the other scouts spied a few meeting up at the kitchens. " We have sights on 4," he whispered, "They're going into the kitchens." He waited for a moment hidden away at the corner in the pouring rain until the order came. "Round up." The Udine, Jax and others arrived waiting until the splinter group was silently gathered. The Udine put a bar through the mess hall door handles, barring them that way and then they moved into positions around every other exit. When the call went out over the coms, the smallest of the men scaled the roof and cut the breaker to the solar panels. The kitchens went pitch black along with the furnace and the men moved in at the same time with their goggles on. It was easy to see them standing defensively in the dark and the Udine struck first, taking a man out by the knees from behind.

While they were warming themselves in the kitchen one of the men grumbled. "Attacking like that. Ridiculous." They spoke in Quoti only for the sake of privacy while they stripped their shirts off and tried to hold them near the stove to dry them. One of them even took his pants off. He'd got drenched pretty well. It wasn't till the lights went out that they realized the others were still after them. Groping along in the kitchen one of the men found the knife block and took one for himself before making sure the others each had one. As each one was attacked they slashed with the knives and jabbed with the full intent to hurt or kill the others.

It was almost humorous to see the men slashing out blinding the dark, only to miss with their knives for the most part. One of the unit became too cocky and took a deep slash to the front of his armor along with the palm of his hand. He stepped back hissing in pain, making the Tannas man follow the sound, the second slash met the Udine. The man grabbed the attacker's wrist and began bending until he dropped the knife, then jerked him forward for a solid head butt. For as hard a head that a Chip man had an Udine blooded soldier could reasonably weather the strike, knocking out his opponent cold. The rest were dealt with in turn being beaten, knocked out, then roped up like wild nyte beasts. "Put them all in separate fields," Kirit ordered, "I don't want them helping each other t' escape th' ropes."

One after the other, the remaining Old Qouti recruits were rounded up in various states of undress and tied down before being tossed in fields. The most annoying of the men was found hiding away in the whore house. It was the best place to get warm, and somewhere no one would want to look. The entire establishment went into an uproar when Kirit and his men came knocking. "You can't just come barging in her disturbing my clients! It's bad for my business!" the owner shrieked as the checked room by room. There were several already occupied and in different stages of service all the way from simple massages to more shocking acts of pleasure. Yelps and indignant yelling came from every room until the found the last man wrapped up with a Kaerelean woman with a cat-like grin. The woman squealed as she skittered away, allowing Kirit's men to tackle the Chip to the ground. He squirmed, trying to perform the same nasty trick with his body that Pitar had, but Kirit had already learned the trick. It was best just to knock them out if they could. Picking up the ceramic tea pot on the shelf, he dashed over and cracked it over the man's head long enough to stun him, then wrestled him into a sleeper hold. The man bucked wildly then slowly faded to unconsciousness. His men bundled him up in a woman's beaded shawl, hog tied him, then left him in field nearest the docks. The mud wasn't so bad there, but anyone one flying low enough to land would get a vision of the man's bare buttocks peaking out of the pink sash.

At the end of the two hours, Akten met up with them and reported with a toothy smile. "No one got loose yet. Th' ones awake look like mad glow wyrms inchin' over th' ground. Ye need m' to go back an' check again?"

Kirit patted the boy on the back and shook his head. "Nai, ye do good work. Why don't ye go see ye pap now. Tell him all about it?"

Akten nodded and started running toward the hospital. He had worked his first real mission! Pap would be proud of him when he heard how the lazy Chips had gotten what they deserved. He ran all the way to the long term care ward, hardly hearing the nurse as she squawked at him about tracking mud and then running with a wet floor on top of it. When he reached his father's door, Akten tumbled in to see his father being looked over by a nurse. She gave the boy a skeptical look before asking him to wash up in the attached bathroom. Tikan nodded, making sure his son knew the woman went business, and Akten obliged, squishing over to the sink in his soggy boots to wash his hands of mud in a hurry.

Wiping his hands on his muddy shirt, Akten bounded back into the room and plopped down into the chair next to his bed. "Ye tell m' why ye so excited, eh?" Tikan wheezed though clenched teeth. He couldn't express much, but he was glad to see his son looking happier.

"I was in m' first training mission t' day dah!" The story spilled out in a series of quick sentences, accompanied by sounds effects and a wild hand gesture than smacked into the heart monitor causing it to come unplugged. Akten sent half the nurses on the floor rushing into the room with a crash cart only to find the chief's son trying to plug the device back into the outlet. "I think that was important one," he grinned. He was left with the order to calm down, and to prove that he could, the boy sat down on the end of the bed and finished his story.

"I proud of ye, son," Tikan said with a sleepy chuckle, "Ye learning. Soon ye be into warrior training."

Akten kept talking excitedly about the prospect of warrior training, but noticed his father had drifted off to sleep with his pain medication finally forcing him to relax. The young man took in a deep breath and slid off the end of the hospital. His dad was still hurt after all of this time and looking at the scarred left side of his face, Akten wondered if he would ever been the same. Things would never go back to the way they were and it was the Tannas' fault. Wasn't it?

The boy went home to the General's house, taking his time on the long walk. He was greeted by Rose who informed him that supper was ready, then peppered him with questions, which he would shrug or reply simple answers to. Even when she got mad for his one word answers, Akten shrugged as he ate in silence. After dinner, the General invited him to the back yard. For what, he didn't know, but he followed the Chip outside into the fading day light. This time there was a rumble from across the yard as a giant animal came bounding towards them, balking loudly. Akten dropped into a defensive crouch, ready to hunt it, but the bear me the General in a giant hug, tackling the man to the ground. The two wrestled for a long time, then Illya called him over to meet the breathless bear.

Akten sat down beside Illya in the stone patio as the big bear brush against him. The boy ran his hands through the animal's thick fur and scratched at his chin. The bear in turn took his cold, wet nose and bopped his chest playfully. "Ye beast is funny, he always like this?" Akten grinned up at the Chip General.

Seeing the boy with the bear was good. Illya knew that animals could be good for the mind and help calm whatever was happening in the mind. When the bear nuzzled Akten it seemed to bring out a little grin and that was enough to put a smile on Illya's face. "Aye, ets about dah normal for Cin."

"It's a good pet," he grinned petting the bear some more, "I found a Cyrn egg one time. Its Mam abandoned it s' it took it home. Pap let me keep it an' show me how t' keep it warm. Sometimes I forget to check on it but Pap reminded me always t' take care of it. When it hatch he show me how t' feed it an' everything but I still forgot sometimes. Pap would remind me an' when it was bigger, he said I had t' let it go." Shifting on the hard stone patio, he compared his hand to Cin's big paw absently, as his dark eyes took him to some place different. "I didn't want t' let it go. Jareyx was a good cryn and I kept him anyways. He got bigger an' then one day he attack m'. He had sharp claws an' a beak but Pap came and wrestle him, took him t' th' back an' snap his neck." He got quiet for a long moment as his fingers combed at the bear's fur again. "I think Pap knew I keep th' bird an' he knew what would happen."

The boy was describing a pet he used to have and Illya could hear the disappointment building. It was like there was a past hurt there and then it all came out in the end that he had to kill his bird. "I tink yah right. Yah fater must know dah animal. He knows many tings dat yah have yet tah learn. I'm sure meh fater knew more den meh still. Ets good tah learn from yah fater as long as yah have him." There was only so much that Illya could say about something like that, but he was doing his best to help with what he could. Akten was holding back it seemed, but there were tiny moments when things would come out and all Illya could do was try to point the boy in the general direction that would get him where he needed to be.

Akten's finger's curled in Cin's fur and he looked up to Illya when the man replied. His jaw was working, in a mixture of anger and sadness as he met the Chip's gaze. "Does that mean ye not know what would happen when ye took m' pap with ye? Did ye know?"

What came out of the boy's mouth was something that Illya was surprised took so long for the boy to get to. For a while Illya had thought maybe it would come out, but it hadn't until now. This was never an easy topic either. Holding his gaze steady Illya answered, "No, I dun know what would happen. Dere es no man dat knows for sure what will happen when he goes tah battle. Each warrior es prepared tah die. Ef I know which man would die or get hurt maybe I would leave him home, but den who would I choose tah take his place?" Shifting in place a bit he reached out and rested a hand on Cin. The bear chortled softly and started to move around to get Illya's hand on a more advantageous place so that the Chip could scratch him. Illya sighed after a long moment. "Dere are tings dat yah learn when yah lead men. Many tings dat yah dun like and sometimes yah decisions are dah same. I dun like everyting I must do tah protect meh people and alliance."

The boy once though he understood, in part, what the General meant. No one knew what was going to happen. He certainly didn' t. His pap had gone knowing he might not come back, leaving his own people along with everyone else. The decision was understandable and yet unforgivable right now. The last part of what the man said struck Akten as very wrong. "They not ye people though," Akten replied, his voice cracking, "Ye go wherever t' help ye people that hate ye. They Tannas an mean. Ye people was here an' th' Alliance is too. I hate th' ones ye bring back with m' pap blown up. I hate them."

Even if he hoped that it would get better there didn't appear to be much hope for that. Akten was getting emotional. His voice wavered slightly as he stated that he hated the new comers. There wasn't any apologizing for what he'd done, but Illya knew how it looked to someone who didn't know. "I dun much like dem mehself" he admitted. "But, dey people dat resist dah Federation. Maybe dey dun care tah fight anymore here. Dey're tired and I tink dey will fight anyway. I make sure dey fight." At times like these it was hard to know what to say and so Illya decided to keep it brief. "War es difficult and sometimes we choose tah be wit people we hate. When we first start dis war I hate all people but meh Dark Chippequoti. Et was hard for meh tah learn dat Alliance could be good for meh and Dark Chippequoti. We still have hard time wit so many different from us. I learn dat nut all Reylia es Federation and so yah learn dat nut all Tannas are Federation."

Akten listened but it was hard not to interrupt. The General didn't like them, but went anyways? They didn't want to fight, but weren't Federation either. It hadn't been them specifically that had hurt his father and knew that, but they were miserable lazies. War es difficult and sometimes we choose to be with people we hate. It wasn't so far from one of the proverbs of Kulytra, the warrioress. It still didn't make it any easier to swallow. "They not all Federation an' they fight, but I dun have t' like'm," Akten said, rubbing at his eyes, "I go t' Syo when I go back an' make sure she know they fight like my pap did."

"No, yah dun have tah like dem." Clenching his jaw Illya stared at the thick, soggy fur on Cin. There were plenty of struggles with this war and the last. Some of which made portions of the day seem more difficult. It wasn't that the task was so hard, it was solely the mentality behind it. "Dey fight and I tink dat many of dem die before I bring dese ones back. Dere are still some where dey come from and I tink dat ef dey dun leave right after meh dat dey probably are dead too." Not that Illya wanted to make the boy like them, but he needed to know that they had died in this war as well. Part Tannas or not they had given up parts of themselves too. "Some of dis I tink yah will understand better when yah get older." Of course there were the part of war that made no sense too, but he figured that would come with time as well.

He was forever hearing that phrase 'when he got older'. The reality was slowly sinking in, that he was older and his Pap wouldn't be the same anymore. It would be up to him to learn these things and do his duty. He needed to know it now, and as he considered the question, it was still a bit hard to fathom. There were Tannas who were not Federation. That he could accept mostly, but didn't like them, even if they had fought and died. So had his people too. Why fight against your own people? The Kaereleans did it, but they were so different from one another that it made sense. The concept became more jumbled in his head the more he tried to reason it out. It would have been far easier just to lump all the Tannas together and let that be the less complicated route. His father and the General had told him that wasn't right though. Akten buried his head into the damp bear fur, muffling out all of the other sounds around him for a long moment before patting Cin again.

**********

A week passed and Calysta sat in her office chair feeling like an over ripe melon. The doctors wanted her to carry Lohgan as long as possible to give the half Chip baby time for her bones to develop more. Easier said than done. There was only a week left until her c-section date and her feet were fat as sausages while the baby constantly rolled about so she could inch lower and lower in her belly. With more of the contractions happening closer together, she was starting to get worried that the cerclage would bust, forcing her to an emergency surgery. There was too much happening that week for Lohgan to decide she wanted out before it was time. Namely, an appointment with the doctor for Illya's arm, and Rose's field trip to Kinte. She swept over her messages again, finally setting the long awaited date for their Terra visit, and working over her own private accounting details for the trip before glancing at the unanswered message she had sent to Clark. Perhaps he would totally ignore replying and that was his choice. She certainly couldn't make the man talk to her, or come to Pyrta. Looking to the third message, she heard Cypher start to cry for the 5th time that morning, his pitiful wails echoing though the house.

Calysta groaned as she wobbled out of her chair to go check on him. Glenda had already beaten her to him, and Elpsbet had come to his aid too from the kitchen. The two women exchanged glances, then looked to her as she shuffled to her boy. Cypher held his hands out for Calysta to hold him. "Eeh! Eaaah! Maaam!" The fat tears rolling down his face was more than enough to get her to sit down on the couch, then pat the cushion beside her. "Can you just put him here, Glenda?" The woman nodded and sat Cypher down on the couch. Immediately, he crawled over to his mam's lap, wrapping his legs around her warm belly, while his arms encircled her neck with pitiful whimpers. "Hmm..what's wrong, sweet boy?" she whispered into his hair. Her hands rubbed at his back, which he normally enjoyed, but this time it set him off into tears."

"He almost acts like he is bone sore," Calysta frowned, "Maybe I should call the doctor." For the first time since her arrival, Elpsbet said more than a few words, and she listened, feeling the same case of nerves she always got when the woman spoke to her at all.

 

[Silence]

Tabit couldn't help her skepticism even while they were riding toward Kinte. The little bit of storm was nothing compared to what was going on in her mind. What kind of mother was she if she just left her kids with a man that was nearly a complete stranger? She just left them so she could go to a movie. When they landed Kirit went to the exchange and Tabit wandered over to one of the shops to look at the clothes. Even if she was still a good size she liked to look at the clothes. There was an undying sense of fashion that followed her regardless of where she found herself. She wanted to be pretty.

While she was busy looking at the shirt Kirit walked up behind her and offered to buy the shirt. Tabit smiled at him. "Really?" Carefully she leaned closer to him and gave the man a gentle kiss on the cheek. If he wanted to see her in it she was more than happy to try it on for him. Inside the shop she dug through the rack till she found a lovely red one. It was a color that she knew would be acceptable in the way that she would wear it. Right now she didn't have a lot of pretty things that would look good on her, but this would help until she lost some of her baby fat. Once she smoothed the front of the shirt she turned in front of the mirror in the dressing room a few times and then stepped out to show it to Kirit. "What do you think?" He seemed to like it and she flashed him a quick smile before disappearing again. Kirit was usually careful with the money, but he didn't seem to be as careful today. Perhaps he had saved for this little outing.

Walking closely with Kirit she sauntered down the rainy street with him till they reached the movie theater. Tabit stepped inside and the first thing that greeted her was the marvelous smell of whatever it was that they were cooking in the place. As it turned out the product was popcorn. That obviously was a pleasure that she would have to forego. Instead Tabit ordered a juice and had some little mint candies. She liked having mint candies and apple juice. "You order what you want." Tabit had a feeling he was trying to be nice and not order popcorn just because she couldn't eat it, but it was up to him to order what he wanted. Going to a movie had been a strange and exciting sort of idea. So far as Tabit remembered she hadn't been to a theater of any kind in decades and she felt the thrill of the moment when they walked into the dark room with speakers blaring only a few moments later.

As the movie started she tilted herself in the seat slightly so that she could feel her shoulder touching Kirits. He was a gentle man and she loved how it felt when he took her special places. It felt like he loved her and deep down she knew he did. However, there was always that little fear that told her it couldn't last forever. Maybe he would get angry and hurt her. For now she had to enjoy what it was to be in love and the story on the big screen gave a strange and haphazard sort of display of love.

What was even more strange about it was the fact that somehow it almost looked like the actors were supposed to look like Kalizda and Illya. By the end of the film Kirit was about to say it and she giggled. "If it was they got it all wrong." Sitting in the movie theater for a few moments she watched as the people started to get up and leave the room. There were a surprising number of men considering it was a romance, but this guy Ira from the film did put in quite a bit of drastic action. Hardly seemed possible that anyone could do that. Terran's had a way of exaggerating things and making them seem more glorious than they really were. Still, it was nice to think that a man might feel that way about a woman and for a moment she fancied that perhaps Kirit thought that way about her. Slowly they stood to leave the theater and then she felt him pull her into a sort of dance in the middle of the walk way. There wasn't really anyone that they were blocking, but it still made her catch her breath.

A little squeak of surprise left her mouth as she swayed with him. "Kirit!" Despite her attempt to whisper his name it was more of a shocked hiss. "What are you doing?" Giggling a little she moved closer and rested her chin on his shoulder. Carefully she turned her head and whispered in his ear. "Maybe when I get home we'll take care of the kids and then I'll get undressed. Might have to make the hammock swing a little tonight."

Tabit felt a bit racy after a day like this. She wanted to get home, but she had a few ideas first. "We need to get something to take home for us to eat so we can have some rest and a little fun between the shifts with the boys." As soon as they were 3 weeks old she was going to start training them to sleep through the night. It could be done and she was intent on getting more sleep after the first 3 weeks. While they were browsing for something to take home to eat Tabit spotted one of her favorites. Nyte Beast roast with sauce and swimming vegetables. It was in many ways a trait that was quite Chippequoti as she had learned. Loving a meal that was drenched in a sauce or gravy and then having everything else stuck in that sauce. "There it is! Stop, it's the Nyte Beast Roast shop." She knew they would have some of her favorite left because it wasn't quite time that people had decided to go out to dinner yet.

With the rain still coming down Tabit raced toward the building with Kirit. She giggled a little when they stepped inside and everyone looked over at them. It was a mildly awkward moment, but it was still funny. When she got to the front of the line she made her order and then waited for Kirit to make his and like any good woman she stepped aside and let him pay the bill. It was a funny little thing that she had gotten used to and almost never questioned. While they were on the flight home Tabit reached into the appetizer box and pulled out some of the little fried fritters. That was what they were called anyway and she would eat one then give one to Kirit.

The closer they got to home the more she wondered if the babies were ok. Her stomach was grumbling despite the fact that she'd been snacking with Kirit almost the whole way home and she knew their boys wold be hungry too. As soon as they were landed she collected the bags of things and raced toward the house with Kirit. Just under the awning of the house she could hear it was all silent and momentarily she wondered if that was a good or bad thing. They hadn't got any messages of panic or anything stating that there were problems. In part she was still worried. What if there was a problem with the breathing mask and her little boy died or was in the hospital? As the door creaked open she was greeted by the image of the General flopped out on the floor with her three little boys nestled in nice and comfy. One of them was laying on his legs, her boy with his mask was on his chest and the third was tucked under one arm like a little ball.

Since it seemed everything was under control Tabit simply nodded and took herself to the nursery. "I'll just be waiting. You bring them to me." She knew as soon as the boys moved they would be awake and they would be hungry. That was just the way of it. However, it was rather impressive that he knew the General could take care of children. They weren't fussy or even upset when she got home. Somehow she had expected that the children and the General would be helpless and miserable. Illya laid still while Kirit moved the first baby off his chest and then he sat up carefully and handed the other two to him when he came back for them. "Dey're good babies." He couldn't remember the names that she told him and neither was he even sure that he would give them to the right boy. They all looked the same. "Dah one wit dah mask breathes better when yah hold him." Kirit probably knew that already, but Illya figured he'd say something anyway.

Kirit looked over his smallest son, a smile curling to his mouth as he walked carefully into the nursery. "There ya go," he chuckled handing him over to Tabit at the rocking chair, "Ye get t' go all by ye self caise ye special f' now." Kissing the top of the mewling boy's head, he grinned at Tabit then went back for the other two. As the General sat up, Kirit held open his arms, taking one in each crook of his elbow, and smiling just as happy to see them too. At mention of their third son breathing better, the young general nodded. "Aye, I think he stays more calm that way. Not up f' so much of a fight, yeah,?" Realizing that the general had done so well with all three of the babies, reminded Kirit that the man shouldn't have had to watch them at all, well behaved or not. But how did he bring this up? Swallowing, Kirit looked up to the General. "I'm glad they good f' ye, but sir I need t' tell ye that ye not owe me nothing f' the work hours The coin ye give me is far too much f' th' work I did." At mentioning the coinage his voice dropped to barely a whisper and his eyes darted to the nursery door, then back again.

From the sound of it Kirit knew that the triplet with the mask did breathe better with someone holding him. He must have just put them all in cribs when Illya came over out of courtesy. It was perhaps a bit demanding sounding to ask someone to hold a baby for a few hours. Illya didn't know, but it was all well anyway. When Kirit leaned in and mentioned the money Illya shrugged. "I tink yah exaggerate." Last Illya checked about 110 years ago it was worth something, but not a terrible bunch. He had been half afraid it wouldn't be enough for the work. "Et was wort a lot to meh what yah did for meh Kalizda while I was gone."

Kirit wasn't sure how to respond at first to such a statement. He would have helped even if it had meant he would have been paid less or nothing at all but hours. Kalizda was running around trying to use a hammer on a wall when Thomas had called him, asking him to come over to see what he could do regarding the renovations. He didn't want the woman to actually hurt herself while Illya was away and couldn't help. Still, it seemed like alot of money over so what was only a little trouble, most days. The clerk had said that the coins were older, maybe he just didn't know how much they were worth? "Sir, I do good work an' ye room is sound. I hope Kalizda an' ye self like th' rooms, but ye give me more than ye think...I think...th' coins ye give are worth over 8k in credits a piece."

"Yeah, et was good work." Illya agreed with Kirit on that one and it had been a relief in many ways for the man to have been there to take care of it. Still Kirit rambled on and he seemed to be very uncomfortable until he mentioned the value of the coins. At first a big grin came to Illya's face and then he started to laugh."Dats a good joke. Dey're nut wort dat much." He had way too many of those coins for them to be worth anything at all. "C'mon jes tell meh what dah problem es. I pay yah more ef ets nut enough. Yah dun have tah crack jokes first."

The General thought he was kidding! Then man had no idea that those coins were worth so much, and as uncomfortable as Kirit felt, he was glad he said something."No..no," he said quickly, as he ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it down,"Ye not understand. Th' coins really are worth that much." Reaching into his breast pocket, he dug down and retrieved the thick wad of credits for the man to see. "Ye give m' thirty coins an' this is 250,000 in credits from th' exchange. See?"

Slowly Illya's eyebrows raised when he heard the man describe the issue. They really were worth that much and he pulled the wad of credits out to prove it. Illya thought for a moment and then he shrugged. "Nut tah worry about. I tink for long time dat maybe yah should get bonus for yah work tah accept placement as General and den yah need tings for yah family. Ef yah still tink et's too much den put et dis way. Yah dun get enough pay for first warrior when yah come tah join us." Illya figured it was fair in a round about way. "Yah keep dah money. Someday yah need et."

The young general gripped the brick of money in his hand a little tighter as he listened to his commanding officer and his comrade speak. A bonus he could accept for the payment, even as extra pay for his time spent as First Warrior, though it had come from the man's private funds. At least that way if he needed it, he had the option of expensing it as such and Kirit hadn't robbed the man blind using coins that nobody had known the value to until today. "Aye..." he nodded slowly, before stowing away the cash again, "I accept as a bonus, yeah? Thank ye." Chuckling, some a tentative smile, came back to Kirit's face. " I save it up an' need it some day. Who knows with three boys."

"Ets good tah save et for hard times. Never know when yah could use et and wit tree boys I have no doubt yah use some of et." Illya started for the door. "I still owe yah time we agreed on. Yah jes let meh know when yah want help. Give meh a few days in advance. Got an appointment every now and den and ets nut good ef I tink I can be two places at one time." He actually had a lot of things that he was putting together for now, but he wouldn't say that.

At first, Kirit started to object to the work hours, the cash was more than payment enough, but then he stopped and gave the man a nod. "Aye sir, I'll make sure t' give ye a few days ahead of time." Though he had sent for his mum to come to Kaereal in order to ease Tabit's stress, he would need the hours at some point given his work and Tabit's. The General wouldn't be available all of the time with his new baby and neither would his mother. Between the four of them, he was determined to patch work together a schedule for awhile to help his wife. "Thank ye."

"Yah welcome." Illya smirked and ducked out the door. He would rather that Kirit had the money anyway. It wasn't like Illya had a shortage of those coins. He was sure he had over five thousand of them between his collection and some of them that he and Asha divided after his mother was gone. There were some coins even older than that too and Illya figured they might be worth more. The walk back was a bit wetter than it had been earlier, but he figured he would survive. Tomorrow was going to be the interesting day when Kirit and his men could take their revenge on the lazy Old Quoti recruits and then the recruits would learn to fight. They could have done it the easy way, but they chose to do it this way.

As soon as the General was gone Tabit finished feeding the boys and then she rushed out to heat up the food so her and Kirit could have their meal and then have a little adult time. She didn't like to leave him with nothing fun after he worked so hard all day to make sure it was a nice day out. While the meal was heating she swayed her hips from oen side to another and looked over her shoulder at him. "Why don't you come get some?" It was a bit of an invitation for food and fun.

********************************

For the next week Illya would read the reports of the attacks on the Old Quoti recruits. The first time they were miserable and found anywhere from the bunk room, to the kitchens, to the prostitution house. It was disgusting. They were absolutely pathetic. Working up a small diagram he sent it back to Kirit to write down the accomplishments of each Old Quoti recruit and then to submit the accomplishments of his men. It sounded like they were good at team work and the Old Quoti recruits had yet to learn some team work. As the week progressed Illya would go out by himself during the 2 hours of attack and he would sneak around to see what sort of progress was being made for himself. The third day was interesting anyway.

This time it seemed that the Old Quoti recruits were catching on that they were going to be attacked and they started to group up and take watch. They weren't quite skilled enough to withstand the onslaught of men, but they put up a far better fight and even managed to injure a few of Kirit's men. Perhaps a few more days would get them out of range. At least then they would be ready to really train.

Despite the Old Quoti recruits best efforts they found themselves out numbered and beaten everyday for the first 4 days and then on the fifth day one of them got smart and decided to actually go drill with his unit. As long as he kept toward the middle of the group he couldn't get picked off, but he wasn't in shape to keep up with them either and he eventually caught it toward the end of the 2 hour mark. Illya figured 2 more days of the fun would put the men back in place and then he would have something to work with. The Old Quoti recruits could see that they were not superior just because of blood and size. They were in fact horrible fighters and easy to kill. If they had been tough they might have held their own planet, but instead they were here now.

When he got home that afternoon Illya checked the pad and sent the message to Kirit. "2 more days and then give me the list of men to promote." That was all there was to it and then he was off to checking on Cypher. Kalizda had sent him a note mid-day saying that the boy had become sick. He needed to get off the field and go home then.

********************************

 

[Silence]

Elpsbet saw the worry on Kalizda's face when her boy cried all the harder when she touched his back. It had to be growing pains. They would sometimes last a week. He was at the age that it would start happening more often. Already Glenda had gone to the kitchen to make up a bottle with tea for him. Like many first time mother's she was worried about going to the doctor and Elpsbet shook her head. "No, it's just growing pains. He's going to get taller and his bones are building."

Despite the news it seemed that Kalizda was still upset looking and her boy cried and cried while he held onto her. Sometimes he would try to nestle in and rest his head against her chest, but he would start crying again when he got too tired to hold onto her neck and his legs were pressed against her. Everything hurt and he just wanted to be held, warm, and comfortable. When he was offered the tea Glenda gently took him from Kalizda's lap and laid him on the pillow that sat in the corner of the sofa and then tucked his little blanket from upstairs around him. "I sweetened the tea." With that simple sentence she nodded to Kalizda and then started to get lunch ready. She would make some hearty broth and gravy for the boy since he was probably feeling too sick to enjoy a full meal. Then on the side she added a few berries because he seemed to love those little blue orbs so much.

While Kalizda sat on the couch with her son and tried to comfort him Elpsbet got up and warmed a few little herb pouches and returned with them. Cypher cried when Elpsbet sat him up, but the woman didn't seem to pay much heed to it. She laid out the hot pads underneath him and then laid him back. Gradually the whimpering started to subside and she took herself back to her room to finish working on a small project.

When Illya got home he could smell the heated herb packs and he knew that Cypher was simply bone sore. It still didn't do that much to make Illya feel better about all that. He knew what being bone sore was like and he pitied the boy.

As soon as Cypher spotted his dad he puffed his little lips out and wailed, "Daaah." He wanted to be held and mom just wasn't very good at it right now. He got tired trying to hold onto her and it hurt when she held his back. Putting one arm up while he held his bottle with the other he made the grabby sign with his fingers. His big blue eyes were still watery from all the crying. "Daaah." Puffing his lower lip out he lowered his bottle and tried to sit up. His chubby little body almost tumbled off the sofa and Illya jumped forward to catch him. He knew how bad it hurt to fall when you were already bone sore.

Illya gently picked Cypher up and then moved over to the rocking chair so he could recline slightly. "Dere yah go." The boy settled on his chest and worked his fingers, flexing and opening them on his dad's shirt while he sniffled and soaked in the warmth of his father's chest. He just wanted to lay still and Illya knew he would likely be here all the rest of the day. His mother had done this for him when he was little. A few minutes later Glenda came in with some broth and berries for Cypher and the boy stared at them, but didn't try to reach them. He was content sitting on dad and he was afraid that if he wanted food his dad would take him to the dinner table. Instead he stared longingly at the berries, but stayed still.

Knowing that his boy was hungry Illya grabbed one of the berries and held it close enough for Cypher to take the little berry and put it in his mouth. It made for a pathetic little scene. Cypher laying on his dad's chest sniffling and waiting for Illya to hand him any little bite of food. When it was time for bed Cypher cried the instant Illya tried to put him to bed. Sighing a little Illya picked Cypher back up and took him to bed with himself and Kalizda. "He's jes sore. A few nights I guess nut so bad."

Cypher enjoyed the heated blanket as much as Illya did and he managed to find a way to squeeze in between his parents. The boy was constantly fussing in his sleep and Illya would turn over in the bed and grab the bottle of sweetened tea for him. After a few loud sucking noises and a little smacking of his lips the boy would pull at Illya's arm and cast and beg for food. He wasn't hungry enough to eat a full dinner and so he was snacking off and on all night and drinking his tea and it meant he was getting up 5 times a night to go use the bathroom too. A little voice would sound along with urgent pulling on Illya. "Pee....dah pee." It was still fussy, but Illya knew that the boy had to go. Illya felt bad for Kalizda because she wasn't feeling all that well either with the baby being so close to coming and none of them were sleeping well.

About time Illya thought that things were getting better on the third night he moved Cypher to his own bed he heard the horrible sound of the cough and then more fussing. The boy couldn't seem to breath well and he'd wake up scared and coughing and crying. This time instead of bringing him into their room to disrupt them both Illya went and laid down with Cypher in his room. Last thing they needed was for the boy to think that he could come share their bed whenever he didn't feel good. For the next 4 days Cypher did nothing, but cough and cry. He was having trouble breathing, but at least the bone aches subsided after 5 days. Illya got Cypher adjusted so he sat up partially in his bed and then he put in a pair of ear buds that were hooked to a monitor so he could hear if Cypher started coughing or choking. After nearly a week of disruptions and wandering between his bedroom and Cypher's he was finally going to get a decent night of sleep, so long as Cypher didn't cry again.

It felt like a minor miracle. Cypher slept through the night, Illya got the first semi decent night of sleep in a few weeks and Kalizda still tossed and turned. He would wake up off and on when he felt her sharp little elbow delve into his chest or her cold fingers start to seek him out. That next morning he didn't feel like an amazing guy, but he certainly felt better than he had for a while. His arm was doing great and even though he still couldn't feel much with his fingers or other parts of the arm, he felt good. It was sadly the day he was supposed to return the blanket and so he folded it up and set it aside before getting ready to go get some breakfast and then head out to the doctor's office.

Illya was feeling hopeful that maybe he would get to take the cast off. It was awkward and it managed to catch on his clothing when he was getting dressed and undressed. If nothing else it would be nice to be able to bend or straighten his arm more than the 90 degree angle it was locked in. Cypher was already up and he was wandering around coughing at everyone and everything. Glenda was busily trying to make breakfast and keep track of the boy. So far Cypher had managed to find a bug and he was carrying it everywhere while coughing on it and he'd walked through her dust pile in the kitchen put water in a pan and was repeatedly dunking his bug in it to teach it to swim. In addition to all that he made little rafts for it to climb on out of dried cat food. If that wasn't enough the boy seemed to have less bladder control when he was sick and he wet his pants and then started to wander around the house holding his crotch and reaching for the clean towels to try and dry himself with.

Just as soon as Illya stepped into the kitchen to help Glenda he saw the disaster and he grabbed Cypher. "We jes..." With one sniff he knew the kid had wet himself and probably more than once. Even Cypher's hair smelled bad. "Yah need a bat before breakfast." Almost instantly Cypher started to fuss and cry again. He didn't want a bath, he just wanted to eat and he made the grasping motion with his hand toward the kitchen while begging, "Nom nom!"

"Nut right now." Illya grimaced while he carried Cypher to the bathroom and got a little bath going for him. The boy relented after a few moments when he saw that dad added the bubbles to his bath. Stripping off his clothes the caramel toned little boy scrambled buck naked into the tub and started to splash around. While he was busily playing with the bubbles and agitating the water Illya stepped into his room and discovered the rank smell of pee there too. Apparently he peed his bed more than once and rolled all over in it and then peed his pajamas too when he got up to wander the house.

By the time Illya had Cypher and his room cleaned up he smelled like he needed to get washed too. Glenda was already upstairs giving Kalizda breakfast and Cypher was downstairs cooing merrily as he ate his berries with breakfast. Blueberries were one way to get the boy to eat anything. He loved a blueberries like nothing else. Illya stepped out of the shower feeling a little better yet and he found that Kalizda had his breakfast ready for him to join her. Sitting down next to Kalizda on the bed he grinned. "Yah ready for dis arm tah work more?" He was more than ready for it and he lifted the casted arm in the slightly. "I tink ets about time dat I get et moving." The rest of the day turned into a mad scramble by the time Kalizda got up and showered and Illya shaved her legs before they went to see the doctor. They got to the waiting room only 5 minutes before their appointment and then got called back early.

Glenda had Cypher in the waiting room because he had a small appointment to. They were going to see about getting him a little cough medicine to help with the cough at night. About time Illya reached the back room where he would be seeing the doctor he remembered that he left the blanket at home. Maybe he could remember to bring it back tomorrow? Might be nice to have it one more night anyway.

Within a few minutes the doctor walked in and he glanced at Illya and then Kalizda. "Well, lets see what we got." He knew that the arm was still going to be sore, but it wasn't nearly as bruised and he figured that they would be able to do a little more with it. "Should have a good guess today at how well the arm will heal." Running his hand along Illya's fingers he waited for any kind of reaction. "Can you feel that?" Slowly the General looked down and he seemed to be shocked that the doctor was touching his hand. For the moment the doctor nodded. "It might take some time." Nerves took longer to heal, but it wasn't good that the General didn't seem to have improved sense of touch yet. Grabbing the first clip the doctor started to unfasten the cast so he could make the scan.

The doctor finished his scan on Illya's arm and he plucked a little tool from his pocket. "Alright." Carefully working it around on the dial of the cast at Illya's elbow he listened for one click then moved it over to the other side and worked it till there was another click. "Bone is still growing and it looks like so far the treatment has been successful. However, it is still too weak for you to be taking the cast off. You can bend your arm now. Just the cast will remain to simply protect the integrity of what grown we've managed to get started in the lower arm." Nodding to Illya he had him extend his arm and noted the frown. "How's it feel?" Illya glanced at the doctor. "Hurts a little tah bend and straighten meh arm." The doctor shrugged. "Probably will for a few weeks. You broke your elbow pretty nasty and you haven't moved it in a while." Since that part of the appointment was done with he nodded to Illya. "I'll step out then and the Council Woman's physician will come in shortly."

Calysta sat in her usual chair, with her feet propped on the recliner as the doctor looked over Illya’s arm. Paying attention to what the Ehaui was saying about her husband’s arm was made more difficult by the stabbing cramp zinging at from her back all the way to her lower belly. She was only a few days away from her c-section appointment and it seemed like forever away with the pre-labor pains pestering her all of the time along with her swollen feet. The doctor worked with Illya’s arm, telling him that he could move his elbow, though the cast would have to remain for a while yet. That was welcomed good news. There was some mention of his joint being stiff, which was to be expected, but the Ehaui didn’t seem overly concerned. When the doctor left, Calysta gave Illya a strained smile as another muscle tightened. “Sounds like your arm is doing much better. That blanket really worked well.” He liked that heated blanket enough she wondered if the Ehaui would be getting it back on time. They waited for her own doctor to come in and she was already dreading having to get up to the exam table. Could he just examine her from here? Her tiny bottom was already thoroughly pinned to the cushion by the weight of her round stomach. The doctor finally came in began his usual routine, asking her about any symptoms. “Have the pre-labor contractions continued? Been more severe?” He could already tell they were by the look on the woman’s face, but he had to ask. Calysta nodded as she tried to sit up. “Aye. Near constant.” To her relief the doctor didn’t ask her to get on the exam table, taking his scan as she sat wedged in the arm chair. A minute went by, then two as he read the corresponding images, then he looked up to the two of them. “You’re baby is healthy, quite large, and moving a little faster than anticipated. We should move your c-section to today. As soon as possible to prevent any danger to you or the baby with the cerclage still inserted.” Calysta’s sat up fast, and immediately regretted the ensuing cramp. “Ooh, now?!” Her eyes darted to Illya, knowing she hadn’t planned on delivering their baby today.

"Yeah I tink so." Illya straightened his arm and bent it a few more times and made faces over it. He hated how it felt and then he noticed she was making faces too. It was a little worrisome that she was having pain like that. She had gotten much larger the last few weeks and the swelling was worse to. Not to mention she was continually shifting in bed trying to get comfortable. It had made the last few nights seem somewhat long. Neither of them slept well, but at least she was healthy so far as he knew. When the doctor came in he didn't make Kalizda move and that appeared to be a relief of sorts for her. Illya watched with concern while the doctor completed the little scan and asked her about any pain. Then suddenly the doctor was going to schedule the c-section for today! Eyes wide Illya looked at Kalizda. "I uh....Yah want meh tah go get yah bag from home?" That was about the only thing he could think of for now. Glenda had brought them again because until he had the cast loosened in the elbow he couldn't move his arm much. "Maybe I jes ask Glenda tah stay for a bit tonight till yah dad comes back?"

Her mind was going a mile a minute as she thought about going into surgery and trying to think of what would be best for the family. She didn't want Illya to go anywhere and that was for certain. When Cypher was born, she hadn't been conscious, and this time she would be wide awake while Illya was there too. "Illya I want you to stay..um...Glenda can take Cypher home and wait with the kids until dad gets there. Then he can bring the bag. By then they could probably see Lohgan too." She had researched and knew that these types of births only took a few hours with no complications. Rising slowly and using the arms of the chair to push up, Calysta rolled to her feet. At least this was happening now and Lohgan would be out. The doctor lead them down the hall way to a surgical prep room, then offered her a pink gown. "Get dressed in that and we'll be back to get you prepped in a few minutes with the monitors and the epidural. Is the General staying in the room?" Calysta held up the dreadful pink gown and nodded. The nurse in the room pulled out a blue gown and a hair cap for the General too. "Scrub up and put that over your clothes and hair," she instructed him calmly.

This was about as far out of tradition as it could get. Illya wasn't supposed to be in the same room when she gave birth, but he could see the look in her eye. She really wanted to have him there and he didn't have much choice. At the same time it was a little bit exciting. They would be having the baby and then he could see Lohgan. "Eh, ok. I jes send voice message tah Glenda eh?" Before he could even get started on it he was being ushered down a hall with Kalizda toward the surgery preparation room. It was even more unnerving to find himself being set to be in the surgery room with her. This was already stepping even further out of bounds then he thought and it occurred to him that maybe she was nervous. She looked a little bit that way. Walking over to the sink he scrubbed his arms and anything that the odd gown he would wear didn't cover. He even got funny slip overs for his shoes. Once he had the net on over his hair he glanced at Kalizda. "What es dis procedure again?"

Calysta untied her tunic, and folded it neatly before struggling out of her boots and leggings. She couldn't bend far enough to take those off properly, so she nudged them down her legs, kicking and flopping her feet until they were in a pile on the floor. She slipped on the pink gown, then clambered onto the surgery bed, not wanting to lay down just yet as she bound her own hair into a bun under the pink papery cap. When Illya turned around in his own surgery garb, a genuine smile crept to her lips. "You look a bit like a rain cloud," she mused, holding her belly. He adjusted the cap with a confused sort of expression, asking what kind of procedure would be happening. Calysta stared at him for a moment in surprise. Surely he knew a c-section was a surgery and not a natural birth? Then she remembered who was talking to and the look on his face said it all. Licking her lips, she let out a long breath trying to dispel her nerves before explaining it to him. "I can't have Lohgan the natural way. She's too big for my body, so the doctors will do the same for her as they did for Cypher. They'll make a small cut in my belly and bring her out."

For all the time he had spent with Kalizda right after Cypher didn't really know what the surgery meant. He knew she had an incision, but he'd never thought to ask why. He had a lot of surgery marks and there were a few old ones that were around his stomach to. Mostly it was to get to his back for the surgeries where they couldn't reach certain parts except through the front. It all made sense and he let out a long breath. They were pulling the baby out of her stomach. Momentarily his face paled and he nodded. "Ugh..." He had to take a few deep breaths and then he grabbed the pad. "I tink I jes send voice message now." Once he had it open Illya recorded the brief message in Quoti. "Kalizda is having her baby. Take Cypher home and when Thomas gets there have him bring her bag of stuff." Ending the message he pressed the send button and then he glanced at Kalizda again. "Are yah gonna be ok?"

Most of the color drained from Illya's face when she told him what would happen and she wondered for a moment if he was going to be sick. He wasn't normally squeamish and had seen his fair share of carnage. A c-section wasn't that grisly, right? Illya went to send the voice message to Glenda and she tried to take a few more calming breaths against the continuing cramps until he asked her if she was going to be okay. Was she? "I hope so," she smiled as she reached out for his hand, "I don't remember going through all of it with Cypher, but this one shouldn't be as complicated and you're here this time." About the time her fingers curled around his, the doctor came through with a few nurses, and asked her to lay on her side. "We'll do your epidural first, then wheel you into the surgery once you're numb." Calysta nodded and rolled to her side, curling up so he could have decent access to her bony spine.

It seemed that Kalizda thought it was all going to be fine this time and Illya nodded wordlessly as she squeezed his fingers. Only a few seconds later the doctor walked in and wanted to shove a large needle up her spine. To make room Illya stepped back and he grimaced when he saw the doctor feed the long needle up her spine. He almost felt nauseated when he thought about the way it had to feel. Still she seemed to be fine and they were rolling her toward the surgery room. Illya waited till they were set and then he decided that he wanted to stand by her head since they left a spot there for him. Deep creases formed in his brow as he peered into her face. He was studying her to be sure she was alright and so far she didn't seem to be feeling anything. After a moment he wondered if the doctor was even doing anything and made the mistake of looking around the edge of the small curtain. His hand on the railing of the bed tightened till his knuckles turned white and he gagged before he turned back to look at Kalizda. "I shouldn't have looked."

The little curtain the nurses put up between her legs and her waist was odd, considering she couldn't feel anything from her hips down. It almost seemed like the rest of her body was entirely gone from that point. The surgery room was bustling as the doctor went to work bathing her in sterilizing liquid, then began his incisions. She could feel slight pressures, here and there, rocking her hips or push in strange directions. The sensation was a bit disconerting, though not painful and she looked up to see Illya wearing a concerned face before he peeked over the curtain. Whatever he'd seen on the other side made he gag and she frowned at him when he made the pitiful confession. Her big, tough Chip sick over something like that was almost funny, and her brow knitted in worry, more for him than her. "I don't feel-" There was a sudden pressure which stole her breath and her hand reached out for his more out of instinct than anything. Her fingers gripped his as the pressure left little bits at a time. On the other side, the doctor was freeing the baby first by the head, then shoulders until Calysta felt the pressure leave altogether. Within a matter of moments, after some wrestling, Lohgan was out and in the arm of the nurse, her air ways being cleared. She was out! Calysta knew it and wanted to see her, but the curtain was in the way as the newborn began to cry. Nurse wiped off the girl's face as the wails started up, and the doctor turned to Illya. "Would you like to cut the umbilical?" He had been told that was a tradition among some Kaerelean cultures, and he offered on behalf the councilwoman as a patient.

Kalizda almost appeared to get some sort of sick humor out of this. She wasn't the one that saw the doctors rearranging her guts and digging past her innards. Normally something like this didn't bother Illya, but it was different when it was his agreed. He loved her and that just looked so awful. To think that she was doing all this to have a baby almost made him feel guilty. It was all the more reason that this was the last baby. It was hard on the body to get cut open like that. After a long moment he heard the doctor offer for him to cut the umbilical cord. That wasn't something that he'd ever done before and he wasn't even sure what that was. Catching the look from Kalizda he grinned nervously and then slowly stepped around the edge to cut the cord. If he didn't know they'd have to be disconnected he would have been worried that maybe it wouldn't hurt her or the baby. After Illya cut the cord the nurse finished wrapping Lohgan in her blanket. The girl's little eyes barely opened a crack and she stared ahead with green eyes and slightly parted lips. After a few seconds she started to mewl softly and whimper. Illya smiled at her. She was mostly bald on top her head except for a few dark reddish brown strands that were plastered to her caramel skin. Speaking in Quoti he walked her over to see Kalizda. "Your beautiful. Maybe you just cry because you want to see your mom. She's prettier to look at." When he spoke the girl seemed to settle down and her eyes got wider. She knew that voice. At this stage she couldn't really see well. Baby eyes were not adjusted to the world around them for a few weeks, but she could hear just fine. Her tiny fists flailed some when she heard Kalizda's voice and Illya helped lay her down in Kalizda's arm before he leaned closer to Kalizda and kissed her.

Calysta watched on the other side of the curtain, stealing glimpses of her girl as Illya was brave enough to cut the umbilical cord. Once the girl was free, it was hard to hold still while the doctor continued cleaning her up for the sutures to be put in. When Illya turned holding Lohgan in his arms, and his grin was one of the most joyful ones she'd ever seen him give as he gazed down at their daughter, whispering in Qouti. Calysta held out her arms, and he helped lay Lohgan into them, so she could get her first true look at her. The girl was beautiful with the same caramel skin as her brother, but her tuft of dark hair held a shine of red and her eyes were a brilliant green like her father's. How had Lohgan turned out so much more beautiful than ever imagined? Illya leaned in close, kissing her and Calysta kissed him back, with a little sob of relief and joy rolled into one. "She's perfect, so beautiful..." Calysta sniffled. She was well aware she looked like a weeping woman, but she couldn't help it. Kissing Illya again, she met his eyes and squeezed his hand with her free one. "She's here and you're here...thank you.." Lohgan watched her parents intently, wimpering with her little fists flailing as Calysta kissed the girl's head, trying to comfort her in the brand new world. The doctor finished up his work and nodded to the new parents.

After all those months and the stress their little girl was here. Momentarily it confused Illya why Kalizda was tearing up. Did it hurt? Had the medicine not worked well enough? It was all explained with that exclamation that almost sounded like relief. Kalizda leaned up slightly for another kiss and Illya met her. "I don't want to miss my agreed when she wants me here for our baby." Still speaking in Quoti he grinned at her and glanced to little Lohgan again. Kalizda held her so gently in her arms. The doctor stepped around the corner and he nodded to them both. "She's quarter Tannas. The green eyes, but I suspected it before this. Even though there was too much damage to have another child the Tannas part of her blood confirms it. Every child quarter Tannas or more born of a mother not Tannas sterilizes the female. She's healthy though and it looks like you'll be recovering much faster than last time Council Woman." Nodding to the staff he had them pull the gown back down and then slide the blankets up on Kalizda after they finished stitching her. "We'll be moving you to another room and I think you can go home tomorrow if all looks good." Then glancing to Illya he smirked. "I know the question all men ask. 2 weeks or till its comfortable for her to have sex again."

She couldn't take her eyes off their daughter unless it was to give her agreed a kiss as she smiled up at him. When the doctor peeked around the corner of the curtain, he made his observations about Lohgan known. The girl would be like her father genetically, a 1/4th Tannas carrier. Her mother would have no more children. Given the beautiful, healthy girl cooing in Calysta's arms, she knew that it was alright in the end. So she would have no more children? Two beautiful ones were more than enough when she thought about being told she'd never have any at all. She was so lucky. "You're worth it," Calysta whispered into Lohgan's hair, "Sweet girl, you're worth it all." The doctor seemed to think she would recover much faster this time, and that was also relieving to hear as well. There would be no down time for them with Cypher, Lohgan, and Rose combined. Her legs were put back into normal position, the gown slipped over to cover the fresh surgery site, and the blanket's pulled over her legs. Everything from her hips to her toes was still numb but that was alright. As they started the process of moving her to another room, the doctor smirked at Illya, informing him smartly when they could start back to having sex. Calysta's eyes widened and she looked at Illya as her cheeks turned a rosy shade. "Let's take it one step at a time."

Since they had planned this to be the last baby it wasn't quite as crushing to hear that Kalizda wouldn't be able to have anymore children. Part of Illya knew that he would always like to have as many children as they could together and 2 were as many as they could have together. That was the limit. On the way out the announcement from the doctor earned a quick look from Illya. He was actually going to ask when it was safe to have sex, but not in front of Kalizda. At least he didn't have to ask, but he still felt slightly betrayed. It was like the doctor outed him on one of the first thoughts that seemed to pop through his mind. Apparently he wasn't the only man to think that either. In a way that was slightly disheartening. Kalizda on the other hand looked almost overwhelmed at the prospect and Illya flashed a quick sheepish grin. "I can wait dis long for a baby I tink a little while longer will be ok." When they rounded the corner to a room Illya found that they already had a bed for him near hers and he adjusted the bed to sit up then put the side railing down so he could be close to Kalizda. "We nut in dah same bed, but we can be close tonight eh?"

Illya was caught off guard with the doctor's comment, but his sheepish grin let her know he had been thinking about asking himself. Seeing that glint in his eye, made her giggle a little and she shook her head, unwilling to admit it was good to know that in two weeks they could have some fun. "It will go by faster than you think," she replied, trying to hide the pink on her cheeks. When they finally made it to the postpartum room, she was put into a bed next to a cot brought just for Illya. He went to work immediately arranging the space for to be closer, taking down the railing and adjusting his own bed to sit up beside her. "Aye," Calysta smiled, offering Illya her hand. "We'll stay close and Lohgan can be with both of us." The girl wiggled and cooed, with a serious sort of expression passing over her tiny features as she tried to settle into sleep. Calysta watched her with a warm smile as she held her close to her chest, and after awhile, she started to get a little tired. Still some thoughts were running through her mind and she glanced at Illya with a sleepy gaze. "Illya she has your eyes and I love her. I love you too, you know that? Our girl is a beautiful one and I wouldn't change a thing. " It wasn't quite what she was trying to say, but if Illya had worries about Lohgan being part Tannas, she wanted him to know that more than anything.

The relief that the baby was here and safe and Kalizda was safe finally started to wash over Illya and he beamed when she said she loved him. "Dats good. Yah can't change et now." Chuckling a little he leaned back in the bed and started to doze until he heard the ruckus of Thomas and Rose coming into the room. Glenda probably took Cypher home because with him coughing it wasn't a good idea for him to be so close to the baby for now.

Rose came into the room and she peered over the edge of the bed to look at her sister. "Look, she has a curl." There was only one on the baby's head, but it was indeed a tiny curl. When she got closer she watched for a long moment before the baby started to stir in her sleep and fuss. "Can I hold her?"

"Nut right now. Maybe later." Illya mumbled half in his sleep. He knew Rose was there and he was opening his eyes only every now and then to check and see where everyone was in the room. His chest felt heavy, but he assumed that was more due to the fact that he was half asleep. Sometimes it felt that way. Somewhere in the blur between sleep and wakefulness he heard Thomas talking to Lohgan. Peeling one eye open Illya glanced up to see Thomas was holding her and grinning as big as could be. Content with the fact that they were all safe for now Illya went back to sleep.

Early in the morning he woke up though he noticed his chest wasn't feeling that much lighter. Illya grumbled a little to himself and he laid out the day after clothes for Kalizda and found that Thomas had discovered the blanket and packed it along. Since Illya couldn't really keep it he set the blanket aside on one of the chairs. He was somewhat disappointed that it wasn't going to be there when he got home. It had been such a nice blanket. Since he was awake first and the baby wasn't awake yet and neither was Kalizda he slipped out to go get some breakfast ordered for himself and Kalizda. When he came back they were still sleeping, but he could tell it wasn't going to be for long. Already he could feel his heart start to beat a little faster. It was just so exciting to be here and have his agreed and new baby healthy. The last time had been very difficult with Cypher struggling for every little breath.

It seemed like the first few hours flew by and they were already on their way home. All of it was so strange and thrilling. She was coming home so soon and they had a baby! Illya was more than happy, but reality had struck for Cypher. As soon as the boy spotted the baby he shrieked and threw his toy snake at it. He still wanted to be the baby and she was going to get too much attention. Already mom was busy holding her and trying to smile and talk to her.

Cypher pushed in as close as he could get and poked at the new baby. There should have been plenty of room on mom's lap, but she wouldn't let him sit with her too. Why did she have to hold the nasty little baby so it took up all the space?

There was no way that Kalizda could hold Cypher and Lohgan while she was nursing the baby so Illya grabbed the boy and took him upstairs. "Yah come help meh." Reluctantly Cypher followed Illya upstairs and he scowled as he watched his dad pull out a box from the closet. When Illya opened it there were thousands of coins inside and it was so heavy that even the Chip grunted slightly. It was a strain on his arm, but he figured it couldn't anything that much. Illya started to pick through the coins till he found the oldest two. They were from nearly 2.5 thousand years ago and he wondered what they would be worth. Some of the regular gold ones only a few hundred years old were worth quite a sum. At any rate it would be good to exchange a few for more credits. Maybe a million would be nice.

The boy almost instantly started to dig through the coins with his dad. He liked playing with them and so far dah wasn't say no. Taking coins out by the handful he would hold it above the rest of the box full and watch them hit the others. Laughing he would repeat the action while Illya was carefully making some calculation of expenses.

While Illya was busy making some of the calculations he realized that he would need to rent another ship before they went to Terra. Kalizda was going to be recovering or just recovered when they flew and they would have to take Lohgan. It was best to make sure it was a good ship. Glancing at his pile of nearly invaluable coins he raised an eyebrow and shrugged. Maybe a few million at the exchange would do it. Momentarily he wondered if he should take the oldest coins to see what their value was or not. Then he decided he might as well, but he took enough of the other coins to at least secure a ship and make a considerable down payment if Kalizda decided that she liked one enough to buy it. He certainly liked the luxury ships.

With all the money he was going to need Illya packed it into another smaller box and he put the large one away. Cypher pouted at him, but followed when he called him to come with. Thomas was sitting in the living room and obviously anxious to hold the baby when Kalizda was done feeding her. With a blanket draped over her shoulder and the baby out of sight Illya knew that was what was going on. "I jes take Cypher wit meh to dah exchange. I tink maybe I get some dinner for everyone and den a toy for Cypher and someting extra for Rose." The girl's list made sense and he wanted her to pick it out from the store and then it would be sent the next morning all boxed up for her. The announcement was all it took and the girl was right with him. Illya got himself and the kids loaded into the skimmer before he flew them to the exchange. "Yah bot say in here." Locking it behind himself he wandered inside and kept the kids on alert on his pad. It was the only legal way to keep them in a vehicle while you were a in building.

Taking the box to the counter Illya set it down and then had the woman scan each of the coins. Naturally the more common they were the less value. It wasn't quite as much as Illya had hoped, but then again it didn't matter. He hadn't thought originally that they would be as much as they were now. Pulling out one of the older coins he set it in front of the woman. "How about dat one?"

Her jaw dropped and she checked it through the scanners. "That coin alone is worth 4 million credits. We can sell it and guarantee it and take only 250,000 cut for the sale. Unless you want to go independent on the market with it."

Illya thought for a moment. He really didn't want to have to find the buyer so he nodded. It was a good thing to keep the second one. It might be worth more later on and then he could use it for hard times. In reality he never thought he had this much money. That one coin was going to buy a nice flyer. One that he could pay for in advance and maybe get a few other favors from the dealer here in Pytra. It would be a stop that he would make after he went to the store with the kids and dropped them off at the house.

The store took twice as long as the exchange and Rose took her time making sure that each of her products were exactly what she wanted. She was so specific that she even instructed the the salesman how to wrap her products and in which colors so she would know what each box contained. Every now and then the man would shoot Illya a look and they would both shrug. There was no one more particular about their products than women. Rose was just a miniature of a woman and she was beyond picky when it came to her items.

Getting a toy for Cypher was much easier. The boy grabbed the first little monster toy that stuck out to him and he roared while swinging it around. Cypher made a gleeful march all the way to the register and then refused to give his new acquisition to the clerk to scan. Illya snatched it away long enough for the toy to get scanned, took the tag off and then returned it to Cypher. Rose methodically laid out each of the tags that represented one of her new items for her room and her clothing for her wardrobe and described each of them in detail to the clerk as they checked out the merchandise. At the end the total was only a few hundred credits. About 607.00 credits to be exact. Illya would have forgot about dinner except that Rose reminded him and he stopped near the favorite store of Kalizda and ordered a good hearty meal of Nyte Beast Taco and some salad with the cream dressing. That was a favorite at the house and then some noodles on the side in case one of the kids determined that they couldn't do the creamy salad tonight.

When he got home with the kids Illya sent Rose running in with her receipt and the meal. Cypher charged in after her roaring and growling the whole way. He was entirely delighted with his find. At the top step he tripped into the house and jumped back up swinging the monster toy around. Illya watched to be sure they were both inside and then he took his extra money down to the port where the dealer was.

As soon as Illya stepped through the door one of the salesmen stepped over. He knew that they made some nice commission off the rental that Kalizda had requested last time. Illya glanced at him and took a deep breath. "I want tah have brand new ship when we fly next. Nut used before. "

"But if you're just renting." The man started and then decided he'd better hear the deal out. "Well, lets just see what we can do for you."

Illya looked around at the flyers. "I want one wit 6 cabins. Main cabin should be large and have ets own batroom. Oter cabins should have dere own batroom too. I want et tah be luxury and I want et powerful." All the while the man was nodding and Illya decided to make one last note. "How about et comes wit all dah furniture in et and some cabinets stocked wit best rations for space travel." They ate mostly fresh, but it was good to have rations just in case. Now that he was done the salesman gave him a flabbergasted expression. "Yah have anyting like dat?"

The man took a deep breath. "W-w-well, yes. That's not what we usually supply for rentals." This was over the top and he knew by reputation that the General got some wild ideas from time to time and he almost always got what he wanted. "I could show you the models we have."

Since he was going to show off models Illya followed him and he didn't like the first few so he pointed to the other more expensive ones. "I want one of dose. How much?"

"We don't rent those. Those are new and they would...." Sighing he took the General over to at least look at them. "What sort of renting deal are you looking at with them besides what you told me? Anywhere in particular you would want to take it or if there is a reason to want one new?" Perhaps that would get him further along.

Illya walked through the first and third ship then nodded in satisfaction. "I take et for long trip and ef meh Kalizda es pleased wit et I buy et. How much?" Looking at the man he repeated his question from earlier.

Still a bit stunned from the answer the salesman gulped. "3.5 million. You picked out the most expensive models."

"Good." Illya nodded to him. "Den yah make meh deal and I give yah credits. Jes 3.3 million. Cause yah get all dah credits today. Den yah let us take et on small road trip tah Terra and back. Ef she dun like et we try different one, but she chooses one we fly and ef she likes et den we own ship eh?"

Having all credits on the spot was unheard of, but he could probably work the deal out the way the General wanted it. "Let me go make sure I can do that for you. We do want to accommodate you and the council woman as best we can." About five minutes later he returned with the owner and a small contract all drawn up. "It's agreed. You'll take whatever model out of the limited line and take it to Terra and back on trail. We sure that the council woman will find it to her liking. When you return if it was not to your satisfaction the deal can be extended only one time and when you're done you'll have to purchase one of the models that you tried."

With a grin Illya signed the paper and handed them the wad of credits. He let them count it out in their office and then started back toward his little flyer. "Tank yah. I make sure tah tell meh Kalizda dat she pick good first time." The men laughed a little in bewilderment and wonder. Neither of them had thought to sell a model that quickly or easily, much less a top model that cost far more than the usual.

When Illya got home it looked like the meal was mostly ready to eat and the kids were all waiting. Taking his place at the table he grinned. "I jes had tah take care of some business. Reserve a ship for dah next trip. Now, we eat."

 

[aryamajor]

Kirit felt better once things were settled between himself and the General. He could finally relax in the evening time with Tabit after she was done feeding the boys, which was something he hadn't quite been able to do during the movie with so much money stashed in his pocket. Rolling up the paper credits, Kirit jogged upstairs and went to the small, fire proof safe his father had brought from Reylia. That had been something Ha'at insisted on. That way if Pyrta was attacked again, and the cabin destroyed, all of their papers and savings could be kept safe. He was always think of things like that, and Kirit knew it was a good idea considering the trouble in past years.

The young general opened up his bedroom closet and crouched down, pressing his hand to the safe scanner. Tabit had access to the safe as well, but she rarely ever opened it. When she did, she always asked first. He had always found it odd for her to ask that. He would give her anything he could, and it wasn't she ran around using money flippantly. A light at the top of the heavy box went from red to green, then the door gave a soft click before opening. Inside were two guns, his ceremonial knife, and all of his savings inside of a velvet bag. He picked up the bag, undoing the drawstring, and slipped the cash inside along with the rest. It would come in handy with three boys some day for sure or in case of emergency. Once the money was stashed, he locked the safe up again and went back down the stairs with a skip in his step. Things seemed to be falling into order much better now. His sons had arrived safe and sound, his wife was feeling better, and he had just improved the family finances nearly 3 fold.

By the tome he arrived on the first floor, Tabit was in the kitchen and the smell of their dinner being heated up was filling the air. "Smells good..."he started to tell her thank you, but his eye caught on something else. Her curvy hips were swaying side to side in a delicious sort of way. "Why don't you come get some?" Kirit's eyes drifted slowly upward from her low back all the way to her shoulders to find her looking at him with a glint in her eyes. She was tempting him, and it was working. Blinking a few times, trying to regain his focus, he sidled over with a grin and wrapped an arm around her waist as he leaned in to nibble on her ear. "Hmm...I think I will." The night was turning out better than expected. Tabit had invited him to touch her, she was ready, and he couldn't resist her when she gave him that look.

The next day started with 3 mewling boys and a wife that he helped prepare for the day by changing their diapers, talking to them, and kissing them all. A peck on the head for each boy because it was good for them and then a kiss for Tabit on the lips. "I be back for lunch and t' help ye. If ye need m' before then, message and I come." He felt confident that their Henyah would be fine, but if there were any issues he wanted to be reachable at least.

He would be using this day as a precursor to deciding who he wanted to promote. As his men, fell into formation behind the flight hangar, Kirit looked them over. Acsel the short and spike skinned Jax would getting the promotion as would Brunnos their half Udine recruit from the Fringe. Those two had more than earned their way to the promotion. As had his scouts, Soren and Kerwa two men from Ewen who had probably tracked over 300 marks over the last week alone while coming up with excellent approaches their their targets. Even Akten had done well, coming up with some fun plans to make the Old Qouti recruits miserable. The kid had a surprisingly devious mind. The chief's son had lead a sneak attack or two and at one point snuck into the barracks, setting a small fireworks display for anyone who might enter before it was time. That stunt had resulted in the Old Qouti men loosing a few eye brows and left them with singed clothes. This morning, they would be running an offensive when the Old Qouti men's unit split into their exercises. Some of them had finally gotten smart and realized if they showed up to work it made them far less likely to get attacked, at least without warning.

The week passed in the same order. Kirit would kiss his wife goodbye in the morning, and run his men for two hours, train, then return for lunch time. He found it interesting watching his sons. They may have been identical, but it was quickly becoming clear that each had their own habits and personality. Mycah was by far the happiest, or the most easy to please. He would lay and sleep for hours and bath time had been a revelation for him. Az'rai on the other hand was the loudest. When he was displeased, which was often, the entire house knew it. Henyah, was fussy about his legs, but more curious than the other too. His little hands would reach up and clasp at anything offered to him. Kirit had been shocked at how strong the boy's grip was when those tiny fingers wrapped around his.

Kirit sent his reports to Illya, and received a quick response. In two more days his men would receive their promotions. He wouldn't tell them the fun would end in 2 days, and risk the men getting antsy over who would get what. It would be best to let them see this through and then have them get their promotions without the time frame. With that done, the general checked the time and then rose from his seat in the field office to go home. It was a rule he had given to himself not to take work home if he could help it. As it was, the day had already gotten away from him a little, and he was running late. He still had to go home, get his flyer and then trek out to the docks to pick up his mother.

Pyra walked through the cabin front door way, arms layered with gift bags and a broad grin on her face. It was pouring rain outside, and her hair was soaked, along with the rest of her, but the nice man at the docks had given her a ride out to her son's house. He hadn't come on time and she had sent him a message that she had gotten a ride with another officer. The same officer was carrying another armful of goodies right behind her. "Tabit!" Pyra's dark eyes landed on her daughter-in-law sitting on the couch in the living room holding one of the babies. "I come t' ye, an' bring things," she said brightly, ushering in the overloaded officer. Dropping the bags into the arm chair, she motioned for the officer to do the same and thanked him in Kaerelean before he left. She couldn't wait to show Tabit all the things she had made for her newest grandsons, and a few other other things, including an entirely fresh line of clothing made just for the Chippeqouti. Her granddaughter's opinion would be paramount in the process and best of all, she could hold the little ones and help as much as possible around the house while she was at it.

*********

The surgery was exhaustive as Calysta remembered from the first time and she couldn't help her eyes as the drifted closed. It wasn't until Rose's cry of excitement that she opened them. Her oldest daughter bounded into the room, curly pony tail swinging, and peered over the edge of the bed. The girl's cheeks were pink with excitement as she asked to hold the baby immediately. Illya gave the answer, and Calysta reached out for her daughter's hand. "When we can sit down at home, yeah? You can help me hold her." They had to be careful with Rose holding her with the prosthetic arm. She couldn't feel things properly and didn't know her own grip strength, though she had learned well with Cypher.

Thomas came in and kissed her on the head with a weepy sort of smile he always got when he was over joyed. He held out his hands, wanting to hold Lohgan and Calysta offered her over to her Papa for awhile. It would satisfy Rose to help her grandfather and Thomas was eager to greet his granddaughter. "Would you look at that? You've got a little red in that curl of yours," he cooed, "You got that from my side of the family. My hair had a bit of that color when I was younger too." He glanced up to Calysta and grinned. "She's beautiful like her mom."

"Aye, she is." Calysta smiled sleepily and let her father dote on Lohgan for awhile so she could doze. It wouldn't be long before the newborn was asking for dinner and then everyone besides Illya would have to go.

The night passed more smoothly than Calysta thought it would have. Lohgan ate, then slept, then ate some more. She was easy to soothe, though it was rare for her to cry. Whenever the girl's tiny face would cloud over, Calysta held her close and stroked a finger over the tiny reddish curl. Lohgan's pout would subside, and she would go back to sleep, or stare at her mother with her green eyes. "There you go, don't cry," she whispered, "Maybe I'll tell you a story, hm?" She talked to her daughter as she had done with Cypher, telling her all sorts of wild tales until Lohgan relaxed into a good sleep.

Returning home with Lohgan in her arms almost felt like a triumph. It had been a long nine months, but her beautiful and bright eyed daughter was entirely worth it. As soon as she stepped though the door Elpsbet was standing there with Cypher. Her poor boy had been sick with bone soreness all week and then the Chip cough on top of that. He'd recovered from the bone soreness after nearly a week along with the cough, leaving him rowdy and stuck in clothing that was just a bit too small. His pot belly hung out of his green t-shirt now, as it wrinkled at the armpits and stretched across his blocky shoulders. Calysta grinned as she shuffled into the door slowly, meeting her boy's bright blue eyes. "Hey big man-"

A violent screech sounded from Cypher has he threw his stuffed snake at her in protest. The sound caused Lohgan's face to crinkle as she started to cry, first with a few hiccups, then a shuddering sniffle from sudden, offensive sound. "It's okay....shhh..." Cypher had always been the one who wanted attention, but she hadn't thought he would react like that to his new sister. Maybe he just needed to really see her? She sat down on the couch, trying to keep her movements deliberate. The incision had been expertly done, but she could feel the staples pulling from time to time, making some moves unpleasant. Tucking Loghan in the crook of her arms, she settled into the corner cushion with a sigh. Cypher was already climbing up the couch to come investigate the newest addition to the family. That would be good. Lohgan would have a big brother and sister to help look out for her. He crawled up beside Calysta, studying the lump in her arms, then began poking at the baby's head, nudging her over with a determined scowl. "Cypher...no.." The word 'no' made him all the more adamant about forcing Lohgan out of his Mam's arms. Rather than being a big brother, he was trying to move her aside. Calysta sighed, shaking her head. "No, don't hurt baby. Why don't you sit beside me instead?" That answer was unsatisfactory too, and eventually Illya had to come whisk her boy away upstairs for awhile.

Calysta fed Lohgan as Rose waited patiently for her turn to hold the baby. "We're home and you promised," the girl grinned. Nodding, Calysta motioned for Rose to come sit next to her on the couch. "Remember how it was with Cypher, yeah?" She held out the baby, careful to support her head, and gently laid it into the girl's waiting arms. Rose gazed down at Lohgan, rocking her gently with a smile. "I want to have a baby some day," she mused. Thinking of Rose coming anywhere close to having children was hard to imagine. She was still a little girl in a few ways and babies were a long way off. At least the girl was selective, and particular about everything she did, and hopefully that habit would include men. "I think you will," Calysta replied, as she tucked a stray curl behind Rose's ear. It was a general enough response for the time being. After about 30 minutes, Lohgan let out a delicate grunt as her nose wrinkled in her sleep. "Ew. Kalizda...she smells...uhg." With that, Rose was eager to return the baby to Calysta's arms, then run off to her room.

A diaper change and a small nap later, Lohgan found herself fussing for more food which Calysta would gladly give. She draped a soft blanket over her shoulders with her daughter held up to her chest. If the girl kept eating like this, she was going to have to learn to like formula too. It was a common problem for half-breeds to have low milk production and Calysta had been no exception when it came to that. Her first pregnancy with Cypher proved that her body didn't make enough, but he had taken to the formula just as easy as her own milk once he could breath properly. As she was feeding, Illya came back down the stairs with Rose and Cypher on his coattails. "I jes take Cypher wit meh to dah exchange. I tink maybe I get some dinner for everyone and den a toy for Cypher and someting extra for Rose."

What he needed to go to the exchange for, Calysta couldn't begin to guess, but it would be good for the kids to get out of the house for awhile. "Alright. Anything you want to bring back would be good." Once Illya had gone, she finished feeding the baby, then passed her over to Thomas who was waiting to hold her again. This would be her chance to doze, but there were a few things she wanted to do first. Picking up her pad, she roamed through the networked shops until she found powdered formula she had supplemented Cypher with, then found a few other things. A handsome, red heated blanket caught her eye. Illya slept better with that heated blanket from the Ehaui, relaxing and waking up with less pain. He had been reluctant to give it up, and the one she was considering would be perfect. She ordered it without hesitation, then dropped her head to the back of the couch to let her rest her eyes for just a moment.

"RAAR!"

The explosion of sound sent Calysta, jumping out of her seat, heart pounding. It wasn't a tyrei coming through their door, but her son with his new toy. His cheeks were pink from running around as he waved the stuffed monster excitedly. "Mam! See it!?" He saw that her lap was empty, and made a dive for the space, digging his knees right into her belly as he clambered up. "Oohf. Cypher...ouch..wait...hold on." Calysta winced as the surgery incision smarted with each of his movements until he was piled on her lap, insisting she look at the toy. "You got yourself a good one, huh?" she wheezed, "Very scary. Who taught you how to growl like that?"

"Dah bear!" he grinned, roaring some more.

Calysta chuckled and shifted Cypher over in her lap, holding on to his belly. "You know what the bear taught me? This." She leaned down and nibbled at his neck with tickling bites. "Om nom nom nom!" She was finally able to play with her son again, and she missed being able to do more with him. Rose came into the room carrying the bag off food in her prosthetic arm and a receipt in the other. "Kalizda, I brought the food, and just wait till you see what I got at the store!" With all the ruckus, Lohgan was started to grumble in her sleep and Calysta knew she would have to get up to contain the others. "Hop down little man," she said, bopping him on the butt gently. He got the idea, and slid down from his mother's lap only to go running around the kitchen with his monster toy at lightening speed. No one would have ever guessed he had been slow to learn walking by Kaerelean standards now. As Calysta rose from her seat, it dawned on her that Illya was not come through the door. "Rose? Where's Wolf?"

The girl was already setting the table with the dishes and the silverware, each utensil setting on the proper side. "He just dropped us off and left in the skimmer again. I'm not sure where he went. He let me pick what I wanted though." She offered up the long receipt and Calytsa read it over, her mouth slowly falling open. Over six hundred credits in one shopping trip?! She hadn't gotten her monthly pay into the shared account yet and while there was plenty in there to cover the expense, the vision of so much money was shocking. Her daughter had expensive taste.

"I got everything I needed," Rose said, proudly.

Calysta handed the receipt back to Rose and cleared her throat. "Yes, you did." At least these items were what she needed and, in truth, Calysta wanted her to have nice things. If they could afford it, her children should have what they wanted within reason, and these were within that for sure. She helped Rose set the table, talking with her on and off about the latest story she was writing and her last letter from Akten. The chief's son had gone home, but Rose had wrangled him into writing her messages from time to time. He had seemed less than enthused, but promised to do so in between his visits. The story was the second part to the first one about the egg, the girl, and the wolf cub. "They'll be going to the desert next. Do you mind if I look at some old holograms from your coins? I want to get the description just right..." The passion her daughter had when it came to her stories made Calysta smile. She wanted her daughter to love her work when she grew up, and to be able to use her talents. It made her proud to see Rose growing.

They set the table together and opened up the Nyte beast fold overs with the creamy salad. Cypher stopped playing at the smell of food, and Thomas helped get him into the chair while Calysta held to Lohgan. Elpsbet came down from upstairs, settling into her usual seat beside Rose. All that was missing was Illya. Where exactly had gone? Calysta had half a mind to go get her pad and message him. He wouldn't be sneaking off to some black mission again would he? Not now? When Illya finally arrived, he walked in with a broad grin."I jes had tah take care of some business. Reserve a ship for dah next trip. Now, we eat."

He had too big of a grin for a simple business trip and having just reserved a ship, though that was something she had yet to do. She wanted to ask, but Cypher had taken his father's words of 'Now, we eat' to heart, proceeding to dig his hand right into his plate of salad and saving Illya from further questioning with a splatter of dressing.


************

Calysta rolled over in bed for the 5th time with a sigh as the mattress shook from Illya's heaving coughs. His hacking had gotten progressively worse over the last few days, and it was undoubtedly the same sickness Cypher had come down with. Reaching up, she checked his forehead with her cool hands and frowned. "You feel a bit warm." If he had the same thing their son had gone through a week or so ago, it meant that Lohgan would be susceptible to it too. She climbed out of bed and went to work with what needed to be done. First, she messaged her father, who came up stairs scratching at his beard, still half asleep. "Dad, Illya's sick with the cough. Help me bring the crib to your room, yeah?" He grumbled back a groggy reply and picked up the wood bed, toting it down the flight of stairs in his pajamas one step at a time. Calysta followed him with Lohgan, who was still asleep by some miracle, and placed her in the crib at the foot of his bed. She covered her with the soft blanket, tucking it around her feet. Not having her in the room was going to be strange and the idea of it made her stomach clench, but that was better than Illya sharing his Chip Cough. She clipped the little baby monitor camera at the corner of the crib, before kissing Lohgan on the head and going down stairs to the kitchen.

Rifling through the cabinets, Calysta pulled out the herbs she would need to make a brew for cough. Ginger, peppermint, and a few others went into the steep spoon before being dunked into the hot water she had made in the microwave. Once the tea had brewed for long enough, she stirred in 3 spoonfuls of honey. The tea would be sweet enough while the honey soothed his cough. With the big mug clutched in one hand, Calysta carefully made her way the two flights of stairs to their bed room. On the last stair on the second landing her scar twinged and she jerked at the sudden pull, causing the brew to spill onto the floor. "Damnit." She could come back to clean that up later.

Illya was leaned over the side of the bed, coughing up another round when she came in carrying the tea. "Drink this slow," she instructed, placing the cup in his tan hands. She left him drinking the tea and back down the stairs to the linen closet. A ragged towel was tossed over the spill, and she let it soak up the liquid while she pulled every blanket they had from the closet. With an armful of fluffy blankets piled almost to her chin, Calysta walked over to the towel in the floor and used her foot to wipe it around, before inching the towel along the hard wood all the way back to the bathroom. It took an flip of her foot to send the towel into the hamper. It spun and landed haphazardly into the basket, half of it hanging out over the tile floor. "That'll work." No one would slip in the wetness and she could mop of the stickiness left by the honey tomorrow.

Making her way back up the stairs to their bedroom, she flopped the armful of blankets on the bed. "Did the tea help?" she asked as she went about unfolding them all over his legs and shoulders. "I can make more if you need it." There were a few pillows they didn't use sitting in the purple chair near the window and she grabbed up a few of them to put behind Illya's back, sitting him up so he could breath. "Better, yeah?"

When Illya seemed to be feeling better, Calysta stumbled back into bed and clicked off their lamp. It didn't take 5 minutes for her sprawl out, asleep with her mouth slightly open. An hour later an alert on her pad informed her Lohgan was awake and ready for a 2am snack. "Mmm.." she mumbled to Illya who was asleep, "Be back." Toddling down the stairs, she went into her father's room and picked up her little girl to feed her. Lohgan ate as if she hadn't been fed in year, and Calysta found she had to swap her from one side to the other, when the chosen breast had run dry. Three in the morning rolled around and once Lohgan was satisfied, Calysta put her back into the crib to sleep.

Going back up the stairs up their bed sounded like a chore. At the rate she was climbing the steps, she'd be back to her pre-baby shape in no time, but at that moment all she wanted was sleep. Yawning, she made the climb to the third floor again and crawled into the bed next to her snoring Chip, not bothering to take off her robe as she went.

**********

After dinner, Calysta sat in the living room with Lohgan in her arms and Cypher playing with his two favorite toys. He had taken to the notion that the monster should hunt the stuffed snake. He would hide the snake in the couch or some spot in the living room, then run around with his monster flailing in his arms until he spotted the older toy. With a war cry, Cypher would attack the snake, making his monster growl ferociously. It was an entertaining enough game and he liked to make sure Mam was watching the whole time. If he couldn't have her lap, he was determined to have her eyes on him. Whenever he caught her looking down at the interloper in her arms, Cypher was sure to remind her where the focus should be. "Mam! MAM! Look!" Mam would always tilt her chin up, praising him for a well done monster hunt, and he liked the sound of it.

He was well into another game when the doorbell rang, making everyone perk up from their spots like a mob of meerkats. It was after dark, pouring rain, and no one was expecting a visitor that they knew of. A Chip would have simply invited themselves in, and a delivery man for one of Rose's purchases would leave the package at the door before retreating, not stand there waiting for someone to open it. Calysta stiffed as the doorbell rang again. There was a surge of caution running through her veins already. She wasn't going to take any chances. "Rose take Cypher to the kitchen then tell Wolf to come inside," she instructed calmly. He had gone outside to smoke 'congratulation' cigars with Thomas, though he was really feeling up it. The girl put down her pad and grabbed Cypher's stuffed snake, enticing him into the kitchen.

When she managed to get Cypher in the room, Rose opened up the back door with her metallic hand and poked her head out into the patio, leaning against the door frame. Papa Thomas was in his usual spot smoking one his nasty smelling cigars with a content look and Wolf was relaxed back into his seat amid the haze of tobacco smoke. "Wolf? Papa Thomas? There's a man here."

How it happened that Illya was always down wind from Thomas he wouldn't know, but he managed to go without coughing too much. While he was rocking in his chair he braced his prosthetic against the railing opposite himself. That leg never fell asleep that way and sometimes it actually felt good to put the foot up. He was thinking about going in to get a drink and then Rose popped her head out. Why in the world would there be a man visiting. "Ok, dun answer I jes go see him at dah door." Letting his prosthetic drop to the ground he rolled forward in the seat and stood up to go find out who was at the door.

Calysta was already standing at the door, her hand over the drawer on their entry way table where a small side arm was kept locked away when Illya came walking in. The doorbell rang again, this time a long pause between the 'ding' and the 'dong' sound echoed from over head. "I wasn't expecting anybody," Calysta her Chip as he came up to the door. She was ready to fight or take the children and run if she had too. As he opened the door, a short man dressed in black with a stiff color was waiting. He carried a small leather bag and a pleasant smile on his face. The General was instantly recognizable and the grey haired stranger nodded, happy to have found the right house this time. "G'eve' to ya, General," he said with a strange accent, "I'm Father Harris."

At least Kalizda was ready to run if she had to. Illya set his blanket aside on the couch as he walked past and he pulled the door open only to see a complete stranger there. Raising one eyebrow he stared at him. "Yah nut meh fater." This man had to be insane to make that kind of claim and he would have closed the door in his face except that it seemed maybe the old man needed something. "What es et yah need? Ets nut usually time I see people unless dere es bad trouble."

Father Harris' lips spread into a wide grin and he chuckled. He'd heard the General could be stern, but the guy seemed to have a sense of humor. "I've been called by many a name, but trouble is one I haven't heard in an age," he replied in good humor. About that time, Thomas turned the corner from the kitchen and caught sight of who was standing in the door in front of the Chip. Luckily, Elpsbet was upstairs, so there was no fear of calling the man by his name. "Father Harris," the old professor smiled as he came over to the door, "I didn't think you were going to make it for another day." The older man shrugged. "All things come in their own time, and so here I am. Not that the weather terrible or anything, but can I come in?" The pouring rain made for slow travel, even in flight and he'd been to several wrong houses already trying to find the place. Thomas nodded to Illya, but he couldn't figure out why his son-in-law and daughter were looking so confused. Maybe he was just being cautious after everything that had happened and that was understandable. Leaning in closer to the Chip, he whispered. "This is the priest who has come to perform the Christening for the children." Calysta stiffened as her eyes narrowed at her father, before darting to Illya. "You called for a priest?"

For the time Illya remained staring at the man. What in the world was he on about and to top it off why was he here? Thomas recognized him and for the moment Illya glanced at the older man and then back to the stranger before he made room for the man to come in. He still wasn't sure what the man was here for. If Thomas planned on having a visitor he certainly didn't say anything. While he was still staring at the stranger with great perplex Thomas came up and whispered in his ear. Illya turned his head to the side and coughed. He knew he was in trouble now. Wincing he caught Kalizda's eye just as she asked the question in an accusatory fashion. "I dun call him...Yah dad did." Going into another round of coughs he knew he would have to finish this one, but he didn't want to. "I jes tell him dat dah holy man can say incantation for blessings. Kids need dem all eh?" Coughing a little more he stepped closer to Kalizda. "I forget tah ask yah, but blessing es nut bad ting."

Calysta's stared at Illya as he explained, only glancing at her father once when he mentioned whose idea this was. She should have known, but it didn't help that it seemed they had plotting already, seeing as Illya knew something about it. Religion had never been something she had ever felt staunchly about, except in rare moments of dire need when all other options had gone until recently. She wanted her children to come to their own conclusions on it, not sanctified into some belief without understanding. The priest was there now and Illya seemed to think it was some sort of blessing for the children. Calysta's jaw worked as she looked over the two of the conspirators, then she glanced to Father Harris who was looking at her with a curious gaze. It had become apparent that she had known nothing about this and her husband believe it to be some sort of magical ritual, still he had been assured the man was trying to walk with God by Thomas. No one learned over night. "Ah, those incantations are what we call a prayer. I save the incantations for dinner parties at the church, lad," the priest joked lightly as he stepped inside and waited for the mother to give her approval. Calysta took in a deep breath and finally nodded. "Then Christen them, but just know that I want no judgment against them if they choose differently." Harris grinned, he had met her type before and they were always skeptical no matter what you did. Stepping into the living room he sat his bag down on the coffee table and pulled out a rosary, a bottle of oil, and a silver flask. "Oh, not that one. They won't be needing that one for awhile yet," he mused, swapping the flask for another silver one. That little joke earned him a look from the councilwoman and he chuckled. "Not worry, lass. It was only a joke." He finished setting up his equipment and then glanced to Illya. "If you would gather up the children?"

Even if Kalizda was going to relent for now Illya had a feeling he would hear about it later. He couldn't help that he forgot. In fact he didn't remember anything about it till her dad said something. Even then it was a vague memory at best. The holy man made a sort of joke about the drinking and Illya looked at him almost pleadingly. He shouldn't joke like that when Kalizda was already upset. It would just make these things more difficult later on. Otherwise the joke was pretty funny by Illya's standards. "I jes get dah older two." Cypher was already over the cough and Rose wouldn't catch it. Kalizda would have to hold Lohgan for the incantation. "Rose yah come down!" Illya called for her and then he went and pulled Cypher out from behind the recliner. Cypher loved to hide anywhere. As soon as the boy spotted the stranger he ran straight for him and held his monster and snake both high in the air and roared at him. Illya had only half tried to catch his son because he was busy coughing again. When he caught up with Cypher he grabbed him and spoke in Quoti. "You quiet now for just a little bit. I tell you when its ok that you talk with the holy man about your monsters." For the moment Cypher agreed, but he was still bursting with energy. Rose came down the stairs and she stared at her parents before she took up part of the line. Before the priest could start Illya decided to ask one last question. "How old before yah God dun let yah give blessing incantation anymore? I tink ef he let meh I need one to."

Father Harris took stock of the gathering children, whom he identified by the list Thomas had sent. An older adopted girl named Rose, the young boy Cypher, and the brand new baby sitting in a pink blanket, bound her mother's arms. That one had to be Lohgan. They were a energetic troupe, particularly the boy. He ran right up without a hint of shyness and present him with two stuffed toys accompanied by a might roar. The priest grinned and got down on one knee to take a look at the curly haired child. He certainly favored his father more than his mother. "You have a roar that would scare prowling lions, son." He let out an excited squeal as the General scooped him up, to hold him still in the line up. As he reached for his Bible on the table, an unexpected and strange question came from the Chip. How much did this man actually know about God? Harris was beginning to wonder how much Thomas exaggerated when the councilwoman tilted her head expectantly. "I think it would be good to explain." The priest put down his book and looked to the General. "God, doesn't have an age limit," he told the man, "Anyone can be Christened at anytime, though as an adult it would be called a Baptism." Turning to the councilwoman, he smiled. She was crafty in some ways, but perhaps she also wanted an honest answer. " A christening is a welcoming to faith and the start of getting to know God who will walk with ya in life. And a baptism is a rebirth into the faith with the same meaning. No matter how long a life that is. If you believe in God, and seek his mercy, then I will baptize ya, if you want General."

The explanation was plenty helpful and Illya looked at Thomas with wide eyes. What kind of priest was this? This was not help. Now he was turning toward Kalizda and Illya knew exactly what and how she felt about this. "No." Breaking silence after a moment he glared at the priest. "We agree dat dey nut put in religion. Dey choose dere own. She nut force dem and I nut give dem tah dah winds. I dun want dat for dem, but I just ask for blessing." Thomas wasn't entirely honest about this thing and it irritated Illya. He would never have committed the kids to this sort of ritual if he had known. "I dun want yah baptize eiter. Ets nut good. Yah God listen when Thomas pray and all I want es blessing. Dey choose when dey get older and I can't have yah God." Leaving it there he nodded to the priest. It was up to him what he would do with that.

Harris listened to Illya despite the glare he was receiving, never moving his eyes away from the man's. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Thomas pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation as she shook his head. He had known Thomas for many years now and the man wasn't exactly brilliant when it came to explaining anything besides mathematics. "General," he said, when the man was done, " I didn't come to put ya children into religion by force and I think you don't understand." Harris put down his Bible on the table, thinking for a moment before looking up to the Chip again. " If I can ask ya, what's the greatest blessing ya wish bestowed on ya children, General? Tell it to me, and don't leave anything out."

This priest made it sound more reasonable and Illya waited though he was feeling a little more nervous. Having to explain what it was that he wanted for a blessing was difficult for a few different reasons, but if he wanted it he would have to ask for it. "Yah God likes bold men." Illya grinned. "Ets good ting I bold den. Yah God likes children too. I remember story of when he was visiting Terra he make his followers let dah children come to him. I jes want yah God tah take care of dere spirits until dey old enough tah choose. Dey dun know now and ets dangerous times. Ef I dun ask yah God for dis den dah winds find dem and take dere spirits and dey battle in dah sky forever. Dere es already enough war. Dis es what I want from yah God. Jes bless meh children and keep dere spirits till dey choose for demselves."

It was a simple request from a man who loved his family and clearly believed he was incapable of reaching the same state of grace. An interesting dilemma and one best not tackled in front of the children for a time. Harris smiled as he looked to the General and his wife whose eyes were set on her husband, filled with stars. "God does love bold men. Those who are bold enough to ask for what they want, and he loves the children too. They always walk in the grace of the Father. When they decide for themselves, will you support them in that decision? Respect it?" Calysta straightened her shoulders, her gaze turning from her husband to look at the priest. "Aye."

Now that it was all straightened out Illya nodded though the question was for Kalizda. They had agreed together to let the children choose themselves when they got older and all Illya wanted was a blessing. It sounded like Thomas' God could do that too. "Good, den yah bless dem." To each of the children he motioned and gave their name. "Meh oldest, Rose, den Cypher, and Lohgan." Watching the priest intently he waited for the man to start the blessing.

"Consider this a blessing and an open invitation then," Harris said as he picked up a Bible again. Flipping through the pages, he read aloud the story Illya remembered about the children before concluding. "God's mercy encompasses the children and all who seek him in earnest, young or old. 'Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away.' " Once he was done, he sat down the book, and opened the bottle of oil, dipping his thumb into it and annointed the children's heads one by one. "Rose ya are beautiful daughter...Cypher a strong son...and Lohgan...ya wee thing are precious... I bless ya three in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy sperit, Amen." Once the children were released to go play, Harris turned to Illya. "They will always be welcome. I can bless ya too General, but before I do, I want ya to understand more. Maybe ya will like it, maybe ya wont. But ya have a choice as an adult too. Ya can choose to seek heaven too. It sounds alot better than what ya other faith has in mind."

Illya thought for a long moment after the priest was done with the blessing. It was a strange offering, but Illya knew he couldn't have it without the baptism. Just as he opened his mouth to speak it felt like another rumble of feathers and gravel gathered in the base of his throat. Letting go of Cypher, Illya turned away and coughed some more. He really needed that cup of water that he had originally thought he was going to get. This time he was having a hard time stopping and he held a hand up and took himself into the kitchen. The coughing was so bad he almost puked. After taking a few moments to catch his breath he got his cup and took a sip of water. Returning to the main room he saw that the kids had already run off and that was probably for the best. Nervously Illya looked toward the stairs just to be sure that nobody was hanging out there. "Yah have tah be quiet. I want et, but I can't have yah baptize. Chippequoti dun leave dere gods. Ef I have yah God ets better, but ef meh people find out dey break meh back and leave meh in dah desert."

Harris let the General take all the time he needed to calm his coughing, waiting quietly. When the man left the room he studied the councilwoman. Her face was a unreadable, save for a pinch of concern for her husband, but her grey eyes had deeper thoughts churning. The General returned, answering the question on his own blessing and Harris tilted his head with a few thoughts of his own. He seemed to understand a bit more now regarding what a baptism would entail and that was good, yet he did have a serious problem. "Hmm...God loves bold men, who choose him and only him. And he also loves smart men," Harris explained, quietly,"I think if ya want to accept, ya have faith as a smart and bold man at the same time. Accept and know in ya mind what ya believe."

It all sounded reasonable enough and doable. So Illya nodded and he just made it short. "I accept." With that he figured they were done and he looked at the priest expectantly. "We're dun right?"

 

[aryamajor]

It was the most bizarre baptism he'd ever been to but he wasn't about to turn down a man who had just chosen God over his former beliefs. A convert was still a decent walk away from the entire debacle and his acceptance was the important part of a baptism anyways."Aye that'll about do it," Harris said holding out his hand for the General to shake, "I would ask for one thing from ya. Study the good book a bit more when ya can. God likes it when ya read his word and ya might like what ya find. Jesus was a bold man too."

Illya grabbed the priest's hand and gave it a firm shake. "I do what I can." He couldn't gauruntee anything, but he certainly gave everything he did his best. Now that the priest here was done with everything that he came for it was best to get lodging for him. There wasn't really anywhere for the man to stay here, but they did have some dessert and a little bit of hot tea or coffee if he cared before Illya escorted him to the guest lodging on the other side of town. "Yah will have lodging at villa. Before I take yah, do yah care for dessert and tea?"

Harris gave the General's hand a firm shake and considered the offer for something hot to drink or something sweet. It would be nice considering the gale outside and perhaps the man might have questions come up while they sat. Spending time in fellowship was important. "I'd be grateful for some coffee or a desert," Harris smiled at the General and then to Calysta. The woman had less of a stern expression, and more one of masked curiosity now. She was a tough nut to crack in certain ways, and given her history he didn't blame her. "I'll get it," Calysta said quietly, as she held up Lohgan for Illya to take into his arms, "Please have a seat." She wanted something to do with her hands while she thought about things. Harris looked around and sat in an arm chair, crossing one knee squarely over the other as he considered the General for a moment, and how he held their newest baby. It wasn't long before the son, Cypher, came roaring around the corner with his monster toy and waving it around, bopping the priest in the knees with it. "Ya're not afraid, eh? Just like ya Pap, brave man." Harris took up the offered toy and growled, playing attack of the monster for a minute before Calysta returned with a slice of cake and coffee. "Thank ya. If ya have questions, about me or otherwise, I can answer," the man said casually, as he sipped his warm coffee. It was surprisingly good and he hadn't had any decent brew since he left Earth."The coffee is so good I wouldn't mind if ya had alot of questions," he joked good naturedly.

It was somewhat disappointing that Illya had got the cough so badly after they had the baby that he hadn't much chance to hold her, but he didn't want her to get sick either. She had even less Chip than Cypher, but it was probably best not to get her sick if possible. However, that momentary thought was broke when Kalizda offered to go get the food instead. With the medicine it was doubtful that Illya was contagious anymore. A grin came to his face when he took the little girl and held her carefully in one arm. He always tried to give her the side that didn't have the cast on it. He knew the cast was horribly uncomfortable for her to be laying on. It was slightly disappointing that he could barely feel anything with his other hand, but that didn't matter in this moment. Carefully sitting down he glanced at Lohgan from time to time while he waited for Kalizda. The priest was a strange man and Illya didn't really know what he would ask him. Instead he just stared at the man and watched when his son came over to roar at him again. Cypher was probably going to take a while to outgrow that habit. At least it was stuffed animals and not something else. It was only a short time and Calysta returned with the coffee and cake for him. Once more the man was hinting that he'd like Illya to ask questions, but Illya really didn't know what to say. "I dun know yah well enough tah ask questions." He doubted the man would be around long enough for that to happen anyway.

"Fair enough," Harris said pleasantly as he sipped on his coffee, then took a bite of cake, "And what about you, Mrs. Monroe?" Calysta settled beside Illya, offering to take back Lohgan if he wanted, but the priest seemed intent on talking. Folding her hands, over her lap, she stared at the man for a moment and then shook her head. "No." The priest nodded and then ate his cake along with his coffee, before picking up his bag. "Thank ya for ya hospitality and the chance to meet with ya all," he said, before offering a quick prayer, blessing the house and all who resided in it. Thomas let out an quiet 'amen' from the back of the room, as Harris concluded and walked toward the door with Illya. Apparently, he was going to be escorted to the villa and that was fine. It was better than walking around in the rain, totally lost. On his way out, he was met by the councilwoman and when he offered his hand to shake, she took it, allowing him to lean closer and whisper to her before being shown out the door.

Illya quietly waited while the priest finished his dessert and the coffee. He wasn't trying to rush the man, but he didn't have anything or much of anything to say either. It was always best with strangers not to say too much. In a way he felt like he'd said too much anyway. Why in the world would he have agreed to have a strange God now? The good news was that the Chippequoti wouldn't believe the man unless he snuck a hologram or something like that into the house to prove it. Thomas wouldn't have set him up like that though. So it was all likely going to be safe and fine anyway. When the man stood Illya walked over to the closet near the door to get his own jacket and some umbrellas. Giving one to the man and then taking the other for himself Illya opened the door and stepped out. However, the priest lingered long enough that he whispered something to Kalizda and Illya didn't like that. He was feeling a bit suspicious of the man now. What business did he have doing something like that? Once they were outside Illya turned with him toward the main road that would take him out of Chip village district. "Yah stay at dah villa and come to meh house for breakfast and coffee in dah morning." That was the only acceptable thing to do when he had a guest and didn't have room for them to stay in the house. Then he was also worried what the man would have said to Kalizda. "Why yah whisper to meh agreed? What yah have tah hide?"

The priest took the umbrella gratefully then stepped out onto the porch where the pouring rain greeted them. He hadn't anticipated this much rain so late in the storm season on Pyrta, and yet it wasn't so bad with the umbrella. Walking down the steps, he opened the umbrella, listening to the pattering sounds as he followed the big General down the road. "Aye, that would be nice of ya. The coffee on that transport ship was not but stump water," Harris admitted. At the accusation of having something to hide, he glanced up the man. Apparently Thomas truly was a dunce when it came to certain things. It was a blessing the man found his calling in teaching of another kind in some ways. "I met Calysta a very long time ago when she was not but Cypher's age," Harris said, "Thomas and I grew up together, and he almost went to seminary with me, but he decided on a different service instead with the Terran Airforce. When he asked, I was called to invite her to the same I offered the children tonight. She doesn't know me and wouldn't remember me, but Thomas and I have kept in touch off and on through the years. If you'd like to know what I told her, I prayed for her too."

After getting all riled up Illya found that it was for nothing. Still, he felt better knowing it wasn't anything so serious. He could still ask Kalizda when he got home to confirm the detail and ensure that the man wasn't a liar. Illya didn't take to liars and neither was his God supposed to. So in that case he wouldn't want any of these things if the man lied. Since he was mistaken so far as he could tell there wasn't a lot to say besides, "Oh. Yah forgive meh. Et es difficult in meh work tah trust strangers."

Harris sidestepped a puddle and kept going as they neared a large plaza surrounded by a white building. "That's alright. Ya two have been through alot I think, and people in my profession tend to like the skepticism. It keeps us honest, huh? I also think Thomas isn't so good at explaining some things. He never has been, frankly, but he's an honest man too."

Well it seemed that the man wasn't offended and that was good. Illya decided to take a small chance. "For however long yah stay here yah welcome tah eat yah meals at meh house." Illya knew that meant he would be helping in the kitchen more, but it was only polite since the man flew all the way here on a transport. It wasn't that comfortable and it meant he didn't have a lot of money. "Where yah from?" Illya decided to ask just to be friendly anyway. There wasn't a lot else he could do for now.

"Thank ya, maybe I'll stay a few days more if I'm welcome. It would be good to get to know ya better and talk with Thomas more. I haven't seen him in many years," Harris replied as the climbed the steps of the plaza. On the question of where he was from, the priest smiled. He wasn't sure if the question was meant to be friendly, or simply to cross check later on. Either way he would oblige it. "Terra originally, I was born on an island there an' moved to Thomas' city as a lad. Most of my work was there, but I have traveled to Kaereal on several occasions, staying a few months at a time. The moon worshipers here are friendly and at least like the stories I bring with me. Ya might be interested in knowing, that if ya ever need a refuge or a group to help ya. There is a small one on Kinte who would welcome ya and ya children."

At mention of the moon worshipers Illya started to laugh. It was impossible not to laugh when he remembered the council man and his last conversation about the fact that he had survived the wilds. "As long as dey're nut dah ones tah tink I must be a god or some kind of prophet." He shook his head and then pulled the door open at the villa and stepped inside. At the front desk he nodded to the man. He would know to send the bill to Illya and give the man a good room. If the General made the escort it was his guest. Illya glanced at the priest and then gave his good night. "Yah stay here long as yah like and I see yah in dah morning."

Harris had heard that little rumor when he was traveling and couldn't help but chuckle himself. The moon worshipers were a strange bunch, but that little bit of news had given him a few good laughs. The stories ranged anywhere from a 'man blessed by the goddesses' to the most extreme 'to immortality and divinity over death itself.' "I think ya find them good people." Once they were in the lobby, he folded up his umbrella and nodded his thanks. "Aye, se ya in the morning."

While Illya was out in the cold rain escorting the random priest to the visitor's villa, Calysta turned her sharp eyes to her father. Not only had he arranged for this Christening, he hadn't bothered to talk with her about it first. He seemed to know he was in trouble already and gave her an apologetic expression. "Caly before you say anything... I thought Illya had talked to you about and that you were okay with me calling Father Harris."

Calysta crossed her arms, her jaw working as she stared him down. "It's a little late for saying anything dad. He's already shown up, scared everyone, and you know what can happen." She didn't have to tell him what consequences Illya would face if he was found out having anything to do with the whole religion mess. "You could have talked to me any time."

"I thought if Illya did, you might not be so opposed to the idea," Thomas replied, honestly, "You listen to him."

"That's because he doesn't go ramrodding his beliefs down people's throats," Calysta growled, "I just..you..gah..I have to get the kids ready for bed."

If she kept talking it wouldn't be good for either of them, so she clenched her fists and marched off. Her father could think about it and she could cool down somewhere else. In truth, it wasn't the idea of their children being blessed that bothered her. They should be free to believe what they wanted, but faith was always something she had struggled with from the time she was young. What kind of a god makes a child sickly, and lets their mother hate them? There were good things in the world, but also bad, and a loving god would want to spare his followers that, right? What happened to all the unanswered prayers? It was hard to think that a God who knew everything really existed at all sometimes.

When Illya returned home, Calysta was tucking Cypher into bed while Rose was brushing her teeth, getting ready for sleep too. The boy was wiggling in the bed, still clutching his toy and tempting his mam into playing with him. She laughed, tickling him until he was breathless, then told him a story so he might actually hold still and listen for a bit. He was half asleep as she finished up, pulling the covers over his shoulders.

lllya announced his arrival at home with a slur of coughing. He couldn't really help it and for whatever reason this particular cough was far worse than the usual. Working his way up the stairs he found Cypher was already tucked in bed and he stopped in just long enough to give the boy a kiss on the forehead. "Good night." Speaking Quoti to his son he smiled when Cypher mumbled it back though the words were awkward. He was learning Quoti and that was good. Cypher understood almost anything said in Quoti, but speaking it was taking a little longer. He wanted his son to speak Quoti well and then he stopped at Rose's room. Knocking gently he waited for her to answer and then stepped in to give her a hug and a kiss on the head. "Good night." Again he spoke in Quoti and then left her room before heading into his own room to find Kalizda getting ready for bed. "I'm back." Coughing off to the side he sat himself down and started to work his shirt off.

Calysta had known he was back for some time, considering his coughing carried through the house and ruined any stealth he might have had. She walked over and slid a hand into his shirt, helping him take if off with practiced hands. With the shirt tossed in hamper at the corner, she brushed his cheek with her little fingers, then reached behind him to pull a folded red blanket toward him. It had a bow on top, but she tossed it to the side and opened it up, wrapping it around his shoulders. She had planned on giving it to him that night, but the priest had made his surprise visit, throwing everything off. "Welcome home," she whispered, kissing his cheek.

It shouldn't have been a surprise, but it was that Kalizda was still helping him take his shirt off at night. He could do it on his own ever since his arm wasn't so sore that he could manage to bump it without feeling like he'd need to curse something. However, he wasn't going to complain about it either. Instead Illya found that she was giving him a beautiful red blanket. It was a nice color and even better was the fact that it was warm and fuzzy inside. "Oh, tanks." Illya held the blanket in place and he turned toward her to kiss her. "Yah tink I need anoter blanket?" Chuckling he looked at his side of the bed that was piled with blankets. He always slept with more when he didn't feel that great and it almost looked like a laundry pile in itself. Then he noticed the little control for the blanket sitting on his side of the bed and he saw it was already set on low. She'd been warming it up for him before he got home. "Ets heated?" The excitement was palpable in his voice and he turned the blanket up a little warmer and almost melted in place with the sheer pleasure of how warm it was. "Ah, et feels so good."

He kissed her as he joked about needing another blanket, and she smiled at him. "Aye, I think you'll like this one." It took him a moment to realize that it was more than just a regular blanket and when he set eyes on the controller, turning the dial higher, she giggled. He was already liking the gift and there was never a happier Chip than one curled into warmth of a heated blanket. It wouldn't have the same glowing or healing effects but it was nice and toasty. "Mhm. Extra large too. I knew how you liked the other blanket," she replied as she settled beside him, "Is it warm enough?"

The mug with his tea sat on the night stand too and Illya grinned. She knew he was still having a hard time sleeping at night when the coughing started. For now he could take a cough drop and that would help get it all settled down before bed. While he was still curled in the blanket he turned it up on high and then closed his eyes to let the heat radiate. "Oh I tink ets gonna get warm enough dat maybe I have tah take meh pants off." It was quickly getting there and he was glad that he remembered to take his shoes off at the door downstairs. About like he expected it was only a few minutes later and he pulled his pants off and tossed them over the side of the bed. He could pick them up in the morning. "Et feels good." He'd already said that, but he could feel his back starting to relax and curled into the blanket a little more so it could heat his sore muscles better. "Maybe yah should get close tah cuddle for a few and den yah get warm too." He was going to start sweating anytime at the rate this was going with all the other blankets on his bed. He might have to shed a few of them too. There was actually such a thing as getting too hot. "I'm sorry. I forget tah tell yah about dah priest. I didn't remember him eiter till yah dad said someting." While he was talking he was reminded that he wanted to ask her something. "Oh yeah, what did he say to yah before he left?"

He seemed to think it was good and her smile grew broader, as he announced it would be warm enough to take off his pants. She could see him starting to relax into the heat as he shirked off his bottoms, depositing them into the floor before curling up again. "I think I should, just to make sure it's nice and warm," she winked before sliding under the covers with him. Scooting close, she twined an ankle around his real leg and laid a hand on his chest, resting her head on his shoulder. He already burning warm, which felt nice on her cold fingers and frigid toes. It was so good just to be able to hold him close again without having too worry too much about her belly or bumping his arm. She had just nuzzled in, when he apologized about the priest. His memory wasn't particularly sharp sometimes, and her father had probably confused him more so with trying to teach him all of that to begin with. Tilting her chin up, she met his gaze with her grey eyes. "It wasn't entirely your fault. Just...very unexpected. As for what he said, he told me. 'For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven' then he blessed me too." Her voice faded out and she shifted on Illya's chest, trying to get comfortable. "He also asked for me to think about something...about a prayer I had made which had gone unanswered."

It was just another prayer and a question that the priest had asked her. Illya sighed. So the man hadn't lied to him, but it still left a lot of other things unanswered. He was slightly curious about Kalizda's unanswered prayer. It was rare that Illya asked her father's God for anything and when he did he usually got semi decent results. What sort of prayer wouldn't this God answer? There had to be a reason, but you didn't really have to know why. "Hmmm...So yah prayer still nut answered after all dis time?" Maybe it was something that the God wanted to wait to answer or he needed to be reminded.

Calysta's thumb began making little strokes at his chest, just next to the scar left by the heart surgery. "That's just it," she whispered back, "I can't think of one that hasn't gone answered. Any time I've prayed for you, it's been alright. Even the last prayer I ever made for myself when I was a kid. I prayed to God to make me well or to end me and he didn't keep either of those prayers until now.

"Oh." Illya thought for a long moment. "Den maybe he es a good God." He hadn't heard anything terrible from Thomas about his God and one should know better than to speak ill of a deity. Still, it was good to know that this God had been gentle even with his Kalizda. "Yah jes make yah own choice I guess." Rubbing one hand along her back he leaned in and kissed her again. They would still have to wait to get more exciting for a few more days or maybe a week, but at least he could get closer to her. "Yah know I love yah no matter what yah decide wit dis. I dun expect dat yah have tah do et cause I did. I jes wanted protection for dah children when dey are young and when I ask yah fater tah pray for meh men dah battle goes well."

She let out a long breath of contentment as he rubbed at her back and kissed her. The feeling made her nestle even further with him even though he was started to get sweaty. It didn't bother her terribly much unless he started dripping, and then she would inch away. He never pressured her with this sort of thing and it was a relief to hear him say that he didn't expect her to follow along if she didn't want to. His reasoning was sweet and she didn't particularly like the Chippeqouti religion, particularly what they believe their afterlife was like. It was a source of concern for Illya, and she'd known that for a long time. A small smile crept to her lips and she arched her neck to kiss him for a long moment. "Aye. I the children should have the chance to learn it if they want to. I think more comes with all of this, but it's not a bad thing. I'll take some time with it, maybe." She kissed him again, then laid her head back on his shoulder gently, enjoying the chance to simply lay with him. "Can I ask you something? Is that why you believe? He answered your prayers?"

It was rare that Kalizda would ask anything about religion and Illya adjusted himself to lay more on his side. "Aye, I tink dat ef a God listens to yah prayer dat yah should consider dem. Et takes long time for meh tah tink dat maybe yah dad's God like meh enough tah hear when I pray. I dun expect every prayer always answered, but I know dat dis God es much more kind in dah after life." That was his primary concern and he wasn't sure how else to describe it to Kalizda. "I dun know how tah explain et. I'm nut a holy man."

Calysta shifted when he did, inching closer so she could tuck into his chest. His answer surprised her in some ways and in other ways it didn't at all. When he told her he wasn't a holy man man, she couldn't help but let a quiet laugh escape her. "I know, but thank you for talking with me about it anyways." It was hard admitting that this was an area she had no clear answer for when she should, but Illya was patient with her and listened rather than talking at her about it, which she appreciated. "Hmm I missed being close like this."

"Mmmhmmm." Illya grunted when she ended the conversation on the religious stuff. He was doing his best to relax and not think about how close they were at the moment. It had been a long time and there wasn't any belly between them. So instead he closed his eyes. It was dark in the room anyway and he could focus on something entirely different. Maybe.....She started to talk about being close and he chuckled a little bit, but was cut off in the middle when he had to move his head away from hers so he could cough. "Yeah, I tink I miss et too." The coughing turned into a fit and he turned over in the bed to grab the travel mug full of hot tea. After a few sips he could breath a little better again. "When yah planning tah get tah Terra?"

She winced when he started coughing again. It sounded like his lungs were crackling with each breath as he turned his head and hacked away. He had been sick like this on Nuen once, but she hadn't remembered that bout of Chip cough to be so severe.sounding. She sat up with him and rubbed at his back while he took a good few sips of his tea, then started to relax again. "I had planned for us to go in three days. That would put me back to being able to walk for a long time among other things, but with you sounding so sick, I'm considering waiting a week. Traveling like this in space wouldn't be a good idea and I don't want it to get worse."

Illya cleared his throat when she told him about her plans. "I jes get checked out at dah clinic again in a few days and den we can leave. Shouldn't be sick when we get dere." He was pretty sure he could get some decent rest when he was on board the ship. Still his cough was miserable and he hadn't had one like this in a long time. "Maybe jes 4 days eh?" One extra day sounded reasonable and he settled into the bed again.

"We'll go to the clinic if you aren't feeling better in a couple of days, and I'll delay the itinerary by a day. If the Ehaui say it isn't good for you to travel, I can always push it out longer," Calysta replied as she looked him over. An alert flashed over her pad, and she glanced down to see Lohgan on the screen getting fussy. She had woken right on time for a feeding, while her father was getting up to check on her. It was a little odd having the baby in her father's room, watched by a baby monitor, but while Illya was sick it had been necessary. Neither of them wanted her to get the miserable cough he and Cypher had come down with. "Lohgan's awake," Calysta told him, as she crawled out of the covers. After slipping on her robe, she kissed Illya's cheek. "Rest awhile, and I'll be back with some more tea too, yeah?"

It felt strange not to have the baby in their room, but Illya knew better. Even when she handed him the baby he had purposefully tried not to breath on Lohgan. While Cypher had got the cough the boy was most recovered and he only had a little cough once in a while though Illya suspected it was mostly forced so he could get attention. The coughs were so convenient as they mostly came when someone was holding Lohgan. "Ok." Illya didn't even bother to argue and he remained curled up in the blanket. Only a few minutes after she left he had to throw one or two of the extra blankets off the top of him and the heated blanket and then he rolled to lay on his back. Illya was partially propped up in the bed to breathe better and by the time she made it back up to their room he was sleeping and partially sprawled out on the bed.

**********


Delaying their flight to Terra was no major issue, but packing for what would amount to a month long trip was an undertaking all on its own. Calysta packed Illya's bags, being sure to include his dress uniform, his casual clothing, and plenty of socks. Her own bags were busting at the seams. She had casual clothes, work clothes, and several dresses, including the beautiful purple gown on top of Lohgan's clothes. The would be taking an entire box of formula and diapers with them too. Packing everything had left little time for cooking, but thankfully, Elpsbet had offered to take on that challenge for the evening. The woman had made a large pot of stew with tons of vegetables and larges hunks of meat.

With everyone seated, and served, Calysta took a bit of the stew and smiled. "This is delicious, thank you for cooking tonight, Elpsbet." The woman nodded and picked at her own bowl quietly. Things fell into a silence besides the clattering of forks, and Calysta knew she was going to have to say something. It wouldn't be good to up and disappear on her children, even if saying they were leaving was hard to hear. The adults already knew, but Rose would would be the one hearing it for the first time. "Tomorrow, Wolf and I will be going to Terra," Calysta said casually, as she exchanged looks with Illya, "We'll be gone for about a month, and Lohgan will be coming with us. Still, we'll be on the pad and we can talk to everyone. It's just a diplomatic mission so it will be perfectly safe while we're there, yeah?"

Rose sat at the dinner table, fork clutched in her hand as she glared at Kalizda and Wolf. How could they be doing this again? Both of them! Not only that, but the new baby was going with them all because she couldn't be away from Kalizda for so long. "It's not fair," she told them flatly, "You both are leaving again and it's to somewhere safe where I can go too, but you won't take me. Instead, just Lohgan gets to go, and she's a baby!"

The girl had a semi fair point and Illya opened his mouth to say something and then closed it again. He wasn't sure how he wanted to say this and he knew that more than likely it wouldn't really help. "Et's nut jes fun. We go for work. Ef we go dere es nut any sight seeing dat wouldn't mean business for us and yah would jes sit on dah ship. Yah call us...." Turning his head to the side he coughed. "Yah call us early in dah morning before school and et will be night time and we can talk wit yah. Make a plan tah visit a safe planet and we'll take yah when we get back eh?"

Rose knew that Wolf would try to deflect it or offer something else. She knew what she wanted though, and she had her arguments already rolling in her mind. "You always say 'when you'll be back' but it always ends up being longer than what you say," the girl replied smartly, "What are you going to do with the baby while you work? If she can go, I can go too. And I wont miss that much school if I ask the teacher for the work ahead of time." Kalizda was already shaking her head. "No, nearly a month out of school will still put you behind. We can go on another family vacation after we come back, yeah? Maybe the beach again?" Rose put down her fork and crossed her arms defiantly. "I don't want you to be gone so long when I can go with you. I want to go on this one."

This time Rose was insistent and it still wasn't going to work. She couldn't just come. "Rose, yah can't. Every reason yah give es good enough ef yah 12 years old. Ef I could tak yah I would. Dis es meeting with security and oter kinds of tings tah talk about. Tings dat yah can't hear because yah too young." It was the first time that Illya had ever gotten close to raising his voice. "Lohgan es too small tah know what's said and only reason I take her es because she can't be witout Kalizda and I need Kalizda dere on Terra." He was starting to feel irritated and he clenched his jaw after he made the short outburst. "Yah jes can't go and dats et. I won't say anoter word about et."

It was one of the rare few times, Wolf had ever told her no and this time he was looking angry. She was angry too.The only reason Kalizda was going was because Wolf needed her and Lohgan needed Kalizda. She stood up from the table, her chair scratching on the floor as she pushed back and then snatched up her nearly full plate. "You don't need me, then fine. I don't want to go anymore because I don't need you. I'll be here just fine by myself. Like always." Kalizda's eyes snapped up to her daughter's face, a flash of anger arching behind them. "Rose, you know that's not true."

No matter how hard he had worked the girl was still angry and he knew that it was inevitable, but he wanted to prevent it. There was a stage that every son or daughter of a General went through. He'd been angry with his father for a long time and even fancied he hated him when he was training. It took a while to work out of it. "Jes leave her be." Illya glanced at Kalizda, "Et's perfectly normal tah be angry."

Rose grumbled and walked out of the dining room towards the kitchen. "Yeah, just leave me alone. You're good at it," she remarked as she disappeared. Calysta's eyes shifted to Illya as she gripped her own fork tightly. "Angry is one thing, but I don't want her being disrespectful either." Even growing up, she said some hurtful things to her father in her teen years, and Rose was close to that time, yet dealing with it was another matter entirely. "She'll be angry with us for awhile this time I think. It's always hard on her when we go."

Tensions were increasing because now Kalizda wanted him to do something about it. Illya blinked a few times and he reached for his cup to get a drink. All sorts of snide and snarky remarks were sitting near the top of his brain and he was trying very hard to think of something more acceptable to say. When he put the cup down he flashed Kalizda a strained smile. "Yes." That was the only thing he could think to say for now.

Why Illya was giving her a smile like someone had just pull his boxers a little too tight, she didn't know. He was agreeing in short words that didn't quite make sense and his pained expression made him look like he actually disagreed instead. Calysta raised a brow at him, and then sat down her fork. "Okay...I'll take that to mean yes, you agree with me," she said, as she stood and picked up her plate as well.

No matter what he said the women in the house were going to do what they wanted. Taking another deep breath he shoved the last bite of food into his mouth. She could say what she wanted to Rose, but it wouldn't make one bit of difference. Their daughter had sufficient reason given to her and now it was going to be up to her to sit down and work through it the same as he had. "I jes go sit outside for a bit." Illya needed to cool off a bit mentally and there were a few ways to do that and one of them was to get out of the house.

Illya left the table and Calysta stayed to help Cypher finish up, wiping down his hands when he was done. When he was set free to go play, Calysta walked up the stairs to check on Rose. There were tiny sniffles coming from the other side of the door when she pressed her ear to it. "Can I come in, Rose?"

"Go away!"

Frowning, Calysta checked the door handle, only to discover it was locked. How had it never occurred to her that Rose would one day lock her out? "Rose, locking this door is not safe. Unlock it, please."

"No! I want you to leave me alone."

Calysta sighed and rubbed at her temple. Maybe Illya was right? Should she just leave it be? Rose had never been one to push them away. "Alright, Rose. I'll leave you alone. But I want you to know something," she said through the door, "Wolf and I love you. When you say things like down stairs, it hurts us too." It wasn't an attempt at guilt moreso than honesty, and there was nothing else Calysta could do.

*************

Calysta stepped up the ramp to their sleek, luxury cruiser Illya had rented himself, pausing at the top of the gang plank. Laid out before her was a crisp, yet cozy sitting room with broad observing windows on either side, a plush couch, chair and mini bar. The panels were of warm Wilds wood and the spot lighting made then entire room glow pleasantly, the shade changing from color to color with a slow fade. Just by the looks of it she could tell that this ship had never once been used. Wandering into the living room, with Duncan, Harris, and Illya behind her, she stepped down into the cockpit. It was more like an official bridge however. Each of the six leather seats had their own comfort controls, including the captains chair which was waiting for her at a glass touch panel. Every setting, and monitor was touch screen or holographic, including the navigation area. Shifting Lohgan in her arms, Calysta walked down the light-lined hallway, passing the fully stocked, gourmet kitchen, a formal dining room large enough for 8 people and 6 different bedrooms, each in the same design except for the Captain's quarters. She delicately slid the door of the captain's quarters open to find a king sized bed, with a glass panel on the wall for any sort of adjustment to the room that was needed, including access to the bridge. There was a large observation window and a bathroom with a shower big enough for three people, lined in sparkling tan tile. The entire ship was the epitome of luxury.

Curious, she walked over to the panel on the wall and pulled up the engine specs for the cruiser. It was a Kaerelean design, and it was a brand new ship which mean it had to have a brand new set of engines. What would the be working with? A squeak of delight escaped her when she read over the specifications, and she looked to Illya who had been following her around expectantly. "It has the Ulta ion twin engines, with the solar panels built in." They wouldn't even need a solar sail and it would run twice as fast, four times longer and with half the fuel cost. The mere thought of getting to try out these engines was exciting and she grinned up to her Chip with a giddy smile. "Illya, how did you manage to rent this one? It's fantastic!"

************

The week and a half to Terra passed by more or less without incident. Harris talked with them occasionally, but never about religion save for one occasion. Calysta had been making a bottle for Lohgan when she found the priest in the kitchen looking for the coffee.

"Mmm, nothing soothes the soul quite like a warm cup of coffee, eh?" he grinned as he finally found the canister, "Thank ya again for inviting me to ride back with ya. This is far better than a transport, I can tell ya."

Calysta nodded as she picked up the fresh bottle from the drying rack. "You're welcome, Father Harris. We were heading this way anyways, so it made sense."

"Aye, indeed it did," he replied. A long moment of silence passed between the two of them, the tension building as each went about making what they came into the room for. Every now and then Calysta's eyes would flicker up to the man, then go back to the hot water flowing from the sink.

"Have ya thought about some things?" he asked, breaking the silence. Calysta bit at her lip and kept her eyes trained on the sink without answering at first. Harris seemed to be in no hurry however, and took his time pouring the fresh brew into his mug.

"Maybe. You asked me to think about a prayer that went unanswered, and I did," she said.

"And?" Harris asked, as he took a sip of his coffee.

Calysta shifted on her feet, knowing what he was getting at. "I couldn't think of one anymore, but I suppose that was your point wasn't it?"

Harris chuckled into his coffee mug, his green eyes dancing as he gazed eye her. "I think ya can answer that for yaself, Calysta. Ya smart woman."

A small smile flashed on her lips before she bid the priest a good night and walked back to her quarters with the bottle in hand.

For the entire trip Rose had refused their called and messages. It didn't surprise Calysta in the slightest, but she had hoped her daughter might come around. Thomas made sure to give them updates with Cypher by his side. Illya continued to cough, with only slight improvement. Calysta had made sure to pack plenty of herbs in their kitchen supplies to make it to the planet where they could buy more.

One afternoon, Calysta was reading while Lohgan napped and glanced up to see Duncan walking in from the kitchen, having put away the dishes from their breakfast. His eyes fell on the baby sleeping in her little bouncing seat, a small smile creeping to his lips. Seeing the Chip grin at her daughter, gave Calysta an idea. Putting down her pad, she smiled up to the tall soldier. "Would you want to hold her for a little while? She likes to be held." He seemed interested, so Calysta picked up her baby, and held the girl up to his arms. "She likes stories too, in Qouti or any other language. Do you mind watching her for just a little while?" Duncan shrugged and held out a big finger for Lohgan to curl her tiny hands around as he held her.

Calysta took that to mean a yes, and scampered toward the captain's quarters where Illya was resting. He was piled into their bed, wrapped in his electric blanket and reading something on his pad. "Hey," she grinned up at him mischievously. Walking over to him slowly, she crawled onto the end of the bed, and used a solitary finger to push his pad down to his lap. "I think we have time for a little fun, if you're feeling up for it."

***********

Landing on Terra was much easier than the last few times they had visited. Of course, it helped that they were actually invited this time and not wanted criminals. Calysta set them down in the port at Tokyo, flanked by two honorary escorts. She had never seen this city on Terra before, and while it didn't look as big as New York, it was equally flashy with bright neons that could be seen far above in the atmosphere.

When everyone was gathered up, she opened the hatch and immediately thought something was wrong. There was a roaring sound when there shouldn't be. No ships were close by and their own engines were cut off. What in the Wilds was that sound? As the hatched lowered along with the gangplank, the source of the thundering was made apparent. Thousands of people were waiting on each side of them with flashing lights, cameras and hologram feeds. There were news reports struggling against guards, shouting questions, as the crowds surged against silver barricades. At the bottom of the gang plank, Harry stood in a prim black suit with his wife Priscilla on his arm and 6 secret service men standing around him. The crowd didn't seem to phase the young man as he walked up the ramp and offered a bow. "Welcome to back to Terra, and to Tokyo, Councilwoman and General." It was nearly impossible to hear him over the crowds but he projected his voice the best he could. "I'm glad you made it. I'm sure you're hungry and I've arranged for dinner for all of us, then for an escort to take you to where you'll be staying."

 

[Silence]

When Illya finished getting cooled off outside he came back into the house. He didn't really see how talking to Rose about this would actually make it any better. It certainly wouldn't have helped when he was a boy. Still, this was what Kalizda wanted. She had pretty much asked him to fix this and it was the only way he knew how. Wandering toward the base of the stairs he started slowly into the hallway and then toward the girl's room. She was probably hiding in there. Sure enough he could hear her in her room moving stuff around. Probably getting ready for her things that were going to be arriving. Perhaps it wasn't a great idea to be leaving instead of helping her put the desk and some of the other things together. It was just the way things fell and that was too bad.

Grabbing the door knob Illya found it was locked and he sighed. "Rose, yah let meh in?" There wasn't any sort of reply and he waited for another couple of seconds before he said anything else. "Rose, yah open dah door I open et for yah." All he got this time was a little indignant snort from the other side. It was like she was challenging him to try opening the door.

Since he wasn't getting anywhere Illya decided to just pick the lock. As soon as he got it turned he heard the lock click back again and he pursed his lips. That was just about the most juvenile thing she could have done and she was still a kid. This time he decided to use the flex blade on his knife. It would work better and he wouldn't have to pick the lock. Sliding the blade along the edge of the frame he worked it in and then felt the door pop open. Stepping forward with one foot he felt the door slam into it, but the door didn't close. Carefully he pushed it open and saw that Rose was staring at him with angry little eyes. "Yah angry and I know et."

This time Illya didn't wait for an invitation and he stepped just inside and then sat on the floor. "Kalizda dun like et so much when yah angry. I dun like et eiter, but I was mad when I was young too. Meh dad and mum had same work." Standing up he sighed. "So I guess yah be angry all yah want. Dun change dat I love yah anyway." As he was getting ready to leave the room again he unlocked the door. "Better leave et unlocked so I can say goodbye in dah morning before I leave eh?"

Rose just glowered at him the entire time. He probably made that story up. Not that Wolf made up stories to make other people do what he wanted, but it was much easier to think that. "What if I don't want to say goodbye in the morning?" Sticking her little nose in the air she tried to be as indignant as possible though she really hoped he would come say goodbye to her in the morning.

"Den I jes tink I say goodbye anyway." Illya shut the door behind himself and heard it lock almost immediately behind him. She was very determined to be let alone. He wasn't going to bother breaking in again in the morning. If that was the way she wanted it he could talk to her through a door. In some ways this was why Chippequoti found life to be easier without doors. It was difficult to be alone when others could easily come to see you. Far fewer barriers. A person could put up their own mentally, but the less physical barriers between family and friends the better.

Heading back to the bedroom he coughed the whole way. The Ehaui confirmed it was just the cough and they were good to travel, but he still didn't sound good. When he got to the bedroom Illya got stripped down to his boxers and crawled into the bed with the red blanket. It was just so good feeling with the Sherpa lining and the heat. In many ways the blanket had been relieving some of the aches he would get in his shoulders and back. Certainly his lower back and it made the nights easier. There was a lot less waking up in the middle of the night to take his lozenges. In fact he was late for his next round, but he still had several left in the bottle. Barring all serious accidents or injuries to his back he wouldn't need anymore of the medication for a while. Still, he planned on packing it just in case. Snuggling in closer to Kalizda, he wrapped the blanket around her to and nestled in as close as he could get while still being careful of her incision from the surgery to get Lohgan out.

Morning came early enough and Illya coughed his way out of bed. Shuffling into the bathroom after Kalizda finished he found himself trying to aim and having a coughing fit at the same time. He cleaned the bathroom a lot these days cause he couldn't aim properly in the middle of a cough. Clean up was fast, but he still hated that it happened. If there was a better way to time the coughing he would. What would have made this even easier was if he could have stepped into the backyard, but Kalizda didn't like that. She'd get after him whenever he stepped into the backyard to pee. If he stood next to the fence it wasn't like anyone could see. Cypher, he imagined was the reason that Kalizda didn't like it because the boy had started to dash into the backyard to pee too. So, now Illya was on probation and he had to pee in the toilet again even if he was sick and it was so much more work. He wasn't going to tell her the reason he preferred peeing in the backyard while he had the cough. Kalizda didn't need that kind of detail. So he cleaned the area around the toilet for the fifth time in the last two days and then got into the shower.

Because the shower was a bit easier and faster than the bath house and it had lots of hot steam he showered before heading down stairs with his bag. Kalizda always packed his stuff and it was kind of nice. If he packed he forgot things. Last trip he remembered packing for he forgot to pack boxers and so he had to buy some when they made the first stop. Now, he had an outrageous number of them.

Downstairs breakfast was ready and Illya grabbed a quick little bread and some butter. Shoving the food in his mouth he grabbed the rest of the bags by the doorway and then started walking out toward the ship. He would get the skimmer loaded and then take it to the real ship he bought/rented for Kalizda before he came back to get her and say goodbye to Rose and Cypher.

The men at the ship dealers yard were more than happy to help Illya get the ship loaded and perform a quick check over before he took off. Either way they were getting a good sale and it was paid for in advance this ship or the next one they flew of equal value. However, they were sure that this one would sell right away because the General had picked the nicest ship with the best engines in it.

Once the ship was loaded Illya headed back to the house. He wasn't terribly hungry this morning, so the little bread he had with the butter was fine, but he did want to have a large mug of tea with to prevent the coughing. It was getting to the point that his chest hurt even if he did so much as think about coughing. Stepping back into the door of the house he found Rose was up and eating her breakfast with a very sullen expression. Cypher came running up to him roaring with his toys and still mostly unaware of the fact that they were leaving. The boy didn't really keep track of those things so well until they were happening. It looked like Harris arrived to catch a ride back to Terra and Illya didn't mind so much. Duncan would meet them there and then he could get the last of those bags loaded into the ship.

"C'mere." Illya snatched Cypher off the ground as the boy attempted to run past. A shriek of excitement surged through Cypher and he wiggled while trying to escape. Dad always played the best games and he was dangling head first over the floor. With another rolling motion he was tilted up to give his dad a hug which he joyfully did. Illya growled and he tickled Cypher's back a little. "Yah be good eh? I have tah go wit Kalizda." As soon as the words left his mouth the boy's face fell and he stuck his lower lip out. That look was one that Illya knew all too well and it bothered him. He wanted to take the boy with him, but it wouldn't be good or safe to. They couldn't have the entire Alliance and Federation knowing what his son looked like. "I come back to yah and I try nut tah get hurt dis time eh?" Even with the small consolation he tried to offer the boy only nodded and looked at his dad before he wrapped himself around Illya's neck again and held on as if it were for dear life.

When Illya had finished forcing the boy off himself he stopped to say goodbye to Rose, but she wouldn't even look at him. Still, Illya set a hand on her shoulder and kissed her on top of her head. "I love meh little Rose. Yah jes remember dat." With the goodbyes said and everything already packed with only passengers to pick up Illya nodded to Kalizda. She said her goodbyes and then he started out the front door. Rose remained sitting at the table with a deep scowl. Suddenly the panic hit for Cypher when he saw his ma'am was going with dah. While the door was closing he tried to race as fast as his fat little legs could carry him. Big tears rolled down his face when he fell short of being able to run out the door with them. Pulling at the knob he cried frantically and tumbled out onto the front porch where he raced for the steps, but they were already leaving in the ship. Slumping down on the first step he cried and refused to be comforted by Elpsbet or Thomas. He didn't want them, he just wanted to go with ma'am and dah. Cypher threw his head back and wailed loudly when Elpsbet picked him up off the step and carried him back into the house.

Illya showed Harris and Duncan to their rooms which they both seemed to be pleased with and then he lead Kalizda on board and followed her while she explored the ship for herself. He had wanted to see if she even liked the one he had originally picked out. Her grey eyes darted from side to side as she would cautiously peek into each new section or room as if she expected it to disappear. Slowly they were making their way to the captain's room and he knew she would have fun with the panels. "Already had dah engines checked so yah can jes check dem trough dah systems."

It was fun to watch her eyes widen when she saw their room. The ship was certainly well stocked and he liked the amenities that it came with. Having it fully furnished saved him problems too. Then Kalizda wouldn't be out shopping and trying to find stuff that fit and matched. She could just enjoy the ship as it was. Finally, they reached the captain's room and Kalizda slid into her seat and got it adjusted before she started to click into her settings to look the specifications over. Illya settled into the co-pilot seat and he squirmed a bit to make sure he was sitting as comfortably as possible before he sat by as the co-pilot for her. However, they started the tradition of her being the pilot every time he didn't know. The only thing that came to mind was the fact that she was a better pilot.

A sudden squeak sounded and Illya jumped slightly. It turned out to be a good squeak and Kalizda's eyes were all lit up when she turned toward him and asked how he managed to rent the ship. With a shrug he grinned and answered, "Oh, I make a good deal. Even got some money off when I came in." That seemed to be good enough for now since she was almost anxious looking to be getting the ship out for a flight.

*******************************************

Tabit had her hands full when Kirit went to work. He was just as tired as she was, but it still didn't change that her boys were exhausting little beings. They were constantly in need of something and when they weren't she should have been cleaning or maybe cooking, but instead she was sleeping. It was just easier to sleep when they did. When their late afternoon feeding came around Tabit would stay up and cook dinner for herself and Kirit. Usually it was enough for left overs so that she would only have to cook one day, do dishes the next and then repeat.

This little method that she had worked out was doing fine. While she was sitting on the couch with Henyah. He always at first and that meant that the other two were finally used to it, but that didn't make the loud one any happier. He usually just laid and kicked his legs while screaming. Today was no different and then her front door opened. Scrambling to pull a blanket over her exposed chest and Henyah she gazed at Pyra and the officer. What were they doing in her house? Why hadn't Kirit said anything? Her mother-in-law trundled right in, soaked and carrying a heap of bags. While Tabit would never say a mean thing to Pyra she felt it was a bit intrusive to just welcome yourself to a house after a woman had babies. Tabit hadn't been able to clean anything properly, her blonde hair was still in disheveled sort of bun and she was wearing her pajama pants with her boobs barely covered by a baby blanket. Wasn't it all a lovely sight?

The Chip woman could have sworn the officer had been gawking in those seconds before she covered herself. It wasn't like men weren't aware that women had breasts, but most of them were fascinated and she'd spent her life trying to get men to talk to her and not the twins. Shooting the man a lethal look she waited for him to leave before she even attempted to adjust herself.

Nervously Tabit started out, "I didn't know you were coming." It was a good thing tonight was the cooking night and there would be enough for her mother-in-law to eat. She was going to have to talk to Kirit about this. He needed to tell his family that they couldn't just show up without telling her. There wasn't a more awkward time for someone to walk in. Smiling as sweetly as she could Tabit did her best to look welcoming even though she was slightly occupied. While she was nursing Henyah her mother in law started to pull out little outfits and other things.

It turned out to be not quite so embarrassing as she thought, but it was still a bit awkward when she had to sit crosslegged to help balance the other two when their turn came to nurse. There was one boy to each breast their bums resting on her thighs and her arms holding their little legs so that they were suspended rather than just hanging in the space at the center of her crosslegged sitting. Unfortunately with a boy hooked to each side there was no such thing as privacy. "You know what, I think Asha, Ahvah, and Kalizda would be great women to talk to about the Chippequoti line. They're a little more in touch with the traditional clothing, but I like it." Tabit enjoyed fashion and clothes very much so. Mostly it looked like Pyra had it right. The clothing for the Chippequoti was a little more boxy in cut rather than focusing on hugging the body super tight. Many Kaerelean fashions hugged the body and that was neither comfortable, or attractive on all Chippequoti.

Kirit was even late getting back and Tabit had already changed the boys diapers and got them napping while she and Pyra cooked. He looked somewhat surprised to see his mother too. A little flash with her eyes told him that they would get to chat a little bit tonight before bed and fun.

**************************************************

For the first week of travel Illya spent a bit of extra time in bed with the blanket and drinking tea. He was still coughing and it improved during the time of rest, but he didn't like the fact that he was still sounding like he was sick. Reading was something he worked on, but he still struggled with it most days. Some of it was getting easier with practice and he read a few articles on the Terran government and their planet details. It was a very diverse sort of place and he clenched his jaw when he read about a particular area. It brought up a lot of angering memories. Things that he'd never really talked about, but he knew enough about the area to feel entirely angered when he saw it was still up and going, and even thriving.

While he was busy looking at the current read outs he sipped at the tea and then changed over to look at something else. Other little areas that he had an interest in. One of them being where they would be visiting. In the middle of his reading Kalizda came in and made a suggestion that he couldn't possibly overlook or refuse. No man in his right mind would.

"Es Lohgan asleep?" It sounded like she was taken care of so he grinned and made room for her on the bed. Closing the pad Illya waited for Kalizda to join him on the bed and then he started out very slowly with some kissing and cuddling. As tempting as it was to just go wild that wasn't the best choice, so he took his time. She needed this to be gentle and slow considering everything that her body went through. Despite the wonders of the blanket, it proved to be too hot for this sort of activity and Illya had to throw it off part way into the cuddling.

*****************

Harris didn't say much if anything and Illya was glad for that. At least the man knew how to keep quiet. For the most part Illya didn't say of anything to the man and only talked on a few occasions though when he did it had to do with math or some sort of game they had going. Illya played some card games and they played for bets on beans. Dried beans at that. It wasn't money and then neither of them had to feel the stress of losing anything of great value. However, Illya did win a significant number of the beans and he chuckled when he saw the miserable little pile that Harris had left. "Ets nut so much gamble when yah know dah mat."

 

[Silence]

*******************************************

Illya hadn't really expected there to be much of a meeting. Probably something quiet, and perhaps more private. It was probably the same as he would do it at home. Keeping things quiet and private was much better for security and he glanced down at little Lohgan who was laying happily in her mother's arms. He had almost got rid of the cough, but it still got him sometimes. Turning his head to the side he coughed slightly and then nodded to Kalizda. They were about as ready as they were going to be. It wasn't the roar of the crowd that bothered Illya so much as it was the constant flash of the lights from the hologram and image captures. Illya tried to turn his head away from one group only for another to start flashing again. This many lights at one time made it feel like they were walking through a strobe hall and he could feel himself getting sick.

Watching from behind, Duncan could tell that the constant flashing was bothering Illya. He knew for a fact that too many flash bombs would give the General seizures and this was about to do him in. Harry was trying to say something and Illya just stared at him completely blank as if he didn't understand a single word the man just said. Reaching into his front vest pocket Duncan walked over next to Illya and he waited for some sort of recognition to come back to his face. He was still slightly dazed and squinted with the constant flashing. "Sir, take this." Speaking in Quoti the officer handed one of the vials to Illya. A little preventative care might be necessary. Illya took the small vial without question and then capped it again and slid it into his pocket. While he was still a little lost he looked at Duncan and then Kalizda hoping they would fill him in on what just happened.

Calysta squinted into the bright flashing lights of cameras and hologram captures, covering Lohgan's face with her pink blanket. She didn't want the little girl scared and didn't particularly want news articles displaying her for all to see either. Why in the Wilds were there so many people here? "That would be nice," Calysta replied to the Terran president, half yelling over the crowd before glancing back to Illya. He had a dazed look on his face and she couldn't tell if it was the crowd making him nervous, or he was having one of his absence seizures. Either way, he was lost and the Terran president was given them an expectant gaze, seeing as Illya had yet to reply. "I don't think he heard you over all of this, " Calysta said loudly to the waiting diplomat. Turning to Illya, she offered her free hand and maintained her smile. "The President says welcome and he would like to take us to dinner first, then have us escorted to our quarters in the city." She said the words loud and in Qouti so he would have the best chance of understanding.

It was hard to hear Kalizda over everyone and Illya frowned slightly. There was no way he could make it that long without seizing. He would need to have a little time to rest before he went out. Even an hour might be enough to give him the rest he needed before going to dinner. Still speaking in Quoti he wanted to make sure she understood without having to let anyone else know besides her and Duncan what was going on. "No, I think we need time to freshen up and get changed before dinner. Hour and a half if we can. I'm gonna seize." Saying the last word he almost grit his teeth. He was feeling sick and it wasn't long before he gave out and he knew it.

The fact that he was telling them right away he was going to seize meant it was a certainty and Calysta nodded. "Mr. President, if you wouldn't mind, we would like to some time to freshen up first. Traveling with a new born isn't easy and I want to make sure she's taken care of before dinner. Is it possible for us to be escorted to where we will be staying first?" Harry nodded quickly and stood to the side for them to be lead to a long, sleek land skimmer with the Terran seal emblazoned in gold on the side. "Of course, I'll have it arranged. Please send me a message when you are ready to meet and I will have the driver come to get you," he said, never once dropping his genuine smile. Secret service flanked them on all sides and the crowed roared with enthusiasm as they began walking down the ramp. Shouts could be heard from everywhere and in every language on Terra, along with traders tongue. Calysta stayed closed to Illya, flashing Duncan occasional glances to be ready for anything, including her agreed falling to the grounds as they were ushered to the car. Harry paused to give a few people a gentle wave, as reporters gave constant updates on the sidelines. Some of them were waving at her and the General, so Calysta gave a tentative wave back, desperate to get to the car out of sight.

Thankfully Kalizda got it taken care of and even managed to put a hint of urgency to it without telling the president what was actually going on. Illya was sweating a little despite the fact it was cool outside by the time he reached the car. It was very uncomfortable knowing he wasn't going to be able to just lay down right now and try to prevent it. Since he made it as far as the car he slipped inside and lowered his head. With his eyes closed the strobe of the image captures wasn't as bad and he just kept his head down till they reached their place. He wasn't even sure if he hadn't experienced absence seizures on the way because from what he recalled it was a silent ride. Duncan watched the General intently while they prepared to get out again. There were more lights and he knew Illya was already trying very hard not to collapse. Finally, Duncan sighed. "Is dere anyway dat yah people stop wit dah image captures? At night time ets very bad and et gives dah General headaches."

Harry sat next to his wife and across from the General as they skimmed along through the streets of Tokyo to the chosen quarters for their visitors, a 5 star highrise hotel in the heart of the city. For the most part the ride was quiet, and he didn't remember the General being quite so stiff. It was probably due to being tired from the trip however, and he chalked it up to that without asking much more. Priscilla did venture to ask about the baby girl sitting in the Councilwoman's arms, and they made basic small talk over the child. When they arrived, there was new crowd waiting on them with more hologram captures ready to get their glimpse of the diplomats. The visiting escort, who was folded into the seat on the opposite side of the Council woman frowned at him, before asking if there was any way to disperse the crowd. "I'm afraid not. The General and Councilwoman have garnered a reputation here and everyone is curious. Those people will be waiting everywhere in public venues at least, but I can have us taken to the back entrance through the underground parking deck. I can't guarantee people wont follow, but there will be less fuss. The councilwoman and I could even exit here, and have him driven around if he likes."

Though the offer was kind enough it wasn't doable. They couldn't leave Illya by himself if he was going to be seizing and there was no telling how soon that would be. Sounded like it would be a very long night. "We'll jes go around back. All of us." Duncan spoke for now and he glanced at Illya who was still keeping his head down for the most part. It would look a bit odd, but glasses might help. None of them had glasses handy at this point so he left it alone. When they reached the other side there was a group of people, but there were fewer. At least that was better than having more. Duncan got out first and waited for the council woman and then the General to get out. Illya winced with the flash of more lights and he started to sway a little on his feet, but still managed to stay upright. The knot in Illya's stomach tightened and he wasn't sure if he'd make it to the room. He was willing himself to make it inside the building and away from as many people as possible. At least that far.

Calysta let Duncan get out of the car first, thankful that the President was willing to go to the back door. Illya obviously didn't feel well and the crowds were only making it worse. There was still a small crowd here, but it was near as voluminous as before, and their flashes were so jarring in the well lit parking deck, but she still covered Lohgan's little face before sliding out. Illya followed her, swaying some as he emerged. The crowd didn't seem to notice though, cheering and continuing to try videoing as much of their approach as possible. "Councilwoman! A baby?! Whats her name? When did you give birth? Is she yours? Come talk with us!" Calysta raised a brow a rabid looking reporter, and gave a wave of 'no thanks' before following Duncan and the President. "General! How does it feel to be proud Papa? Can you tell us more about the Kinte attack..." The questions were unending, as they were ushered to the elevator being held open by two secret service agents.

First the reporters were hounding Kalizda about the baby and then they immediately assumed that Illya would answer. Chancing one look at the reporters he frowned and just walked passed. He wasn't in the mood to answer these sort of questions. Shuffling into the elevator with everyone Illya waited patiently until they were to the room. Cautiously he nodded to the president and his wife. "Tank yah. We'll be ready soon." Once they were inside the room and alone Illya went over to the bed to lay down. He rolled to his side and pulled the comforter over his shoulders while he tried to rest. It was almost half an hour and Duncan stayed with them. Kalizda was busy between the baby and Illya and Duncan knew that they would have to break protocol on the medication to make the night work. They broke protocol to get Illya to function if this happened out on the field and for others with similar issues. Duncan glanced at Kalizda and he nodded. "Jes give et a little longer before yah say yah ready." It was good that she waited because only 15 minutes later Illya started to seize. Calmly getting up from his seat Duncan pulled a syringe out of his vest pocket. "Dun worry. Chippequoti do dis all dah time in dah field. He had oter medicine before he seized earlier and dis medicine should get him trough dah night." Shoving the needle into one of Illya's veins he waited for the General to come out of it. "Ok, now yah jes rest for about half hour and den we can go." Illya was feeling exhausted and he nodded a bit before he closed his eyes and started snoring. It was always a bit odd sounding after he'd had a seizure, but the pattern would even out in a few minutes. Duncan shrugged when Kalizda gave him a look. "Ets nut really good idea tah do dis often, but he needs tah be ready for dah meeting tahnight and I tink dere will be many more flashes. Et will take longer tah work trough his system ef his body doesn't register dat et needs et. Maybe, jes make slow feed and den he can't seize." More than likely Illya would be tired, but it was better than having him collapse in the middle of a diplomatic event.

As soon as they made it up stairs to their living quarters, which were far more lavish than anything they had offered on Pyrta, she breathed a small sigh of relief. Illya gave a short thanks, and walked out, but she knew more would probably be required of them. "Thank you for accommodating us, Mr. President. I appreciate it," she added with a small bow, "I will message when we are ready for dinner." Harry dropped his shoulders to a more natural stance this and waved his hand with a congenial grin. "Of course, Councilwoman. It's the least I could do. Priscilla and I have been looking forward to this and we want you to feel comfortable here on Terra. Message us when you're ready. " With that taken care of, Calysta left the President and walked into the bedroom to check on Illya first. He was already laying on his side in the bed attempting to rest without the heated blanket, having com so close to seizing with the flashes of all the hologram recorders. Frowning, Calysta walked over the the digital thermostat and turned on the heat in the bedroom, then closed the blinds which were letting in the bright lights of the city around them. It looked and felt much more comfortable for him in the room now, and she finished just in time for Lohgan to wake up expecting dinner. "Oh, wouldn't want to miss that would we? I think I have enough. If not it might have to be a snack, yeah?" Their bags hadn't arrived yet from the ship, which included the hungry girl's formula. She fed Lohgan and as much as she could in the arm chair nearby with a blanket draped over her shoulders, until Illya started seizing. Her instinct kicked in to get his medicine but Duncan was already there, jabbing him with the needle. That was a bit out of order and far before the two minute mark. "He hasn't had the liquid yet," she told him quickly, though the deed was already done. Duncan explained his reasoning, but it did little to make her feel better about tinkering with his medication. Simply because the did it in the field, didn't mean it was healthy by his own admission and they were too far from the Ehaui if something did go wrong. "If I need to cancel with the president I will," Calysta said firmly, "I don't like the idea of doing that, even if it is done in the field. We'll see how he feels when he wakes up."

Duncan had his own standing orders and he just nodded in agreement with Kalizda for now, but he would do what he had to. The General wouldn't risk this sort of problem being discovered on a diplomatic mission and neither would he want to appear to be sickly in any way. So it was better to leave it as an excuse of headaches. That was probably one of the more reasonable sounding things and typically after a seizure the General would have headaches anyway. When the half hour was up Duncan walked over to the bed and woke Illya up before Kalizda could stop him. "Sir, yah have 15 minutes before yah hour and half are up." Illya sat up in the bed and he nodded. "Ok, I get changed and yah let president know dat we're ready for dah dinner now." He figured in that time that Kalizda would be ready to go and he felt a little better, though he was still tired and feeling headachy now. Rubbing his eyes he stared at the closet and noticed that his uniform had already been hung up. Kalizda had to have been busy. Slowly he got changed and combed his hands through his hair before he put the beret on. With the cough almost gone he didn't even sound bad by his standard. "Yah almost ready Kalizda?"

Their bags arrived as Illya snoozed and a Terran bellhop brought them into the room for her, placing them on the low couch for her in the living room. It was a relief to have all of their clothes among other things. While her agreed slept, Calysta put Lohgan in her foldup bouncy seat to catch a little nap then put away their things in practiced efficiency. Once that was done, she went to work getting herself ready. She assumed the restaurant would be more upscale given the dress Priscilla wore to greet them, and Illya would be wearing his dress uniform, so she pulled her newest dress from the hang up bag, a little excited to wear it. At first glance, she thought the strapless gown was going to be a problem, as she rarely had enough boob to fill up a bodice like that and she usually had to resort to wearing a push up bra along with a fair amount of stuffing. This time, the gown fit like a glove on top. "Thank you, Lohgan," she chuckled, admiring the temporary boost in her bosom at the floor length mirror. The purple contrasted against her pale skin perfectly and she put on some natural looking makeup before pulling her long hair into a half-up do with a silver pin. Once that was done, she could hear Illya announcing he was ready for dinner now, and picked up pad to send a quick message to the president who sent a reply just as quickly back. "Aye, I'm almost ready. The President's car will arrive in 10 minutes," Calysta replied as she walked into the bedroom, her skirts trailing behind. When she laid eyes on Illya in his uniform, it was hard not to smile at the sight. He always looked handsome, even if he didn't feel great. "Mmm, you look good," she whispered, smoothing down his lapel. It didn't really need to be smoothed down, but she couldn't resist the urge to touch him some how. "How are you feeling?"

The purple dress looked amazing on Kalizda and Illya grinned when he saw her. It was even better when she got close and he could smell the stuff in her hair. He didn't even notice her little hand on his chest. "I feel fine." How could he be anything, but fine when she was looking like that. Sneaking one hand around her waist he looked down into her grey eyes and then kissed her. "Yah look like..." He couldn't even think of how to describe her when she looked like that. "Yah look like," this time he broke off into Kaerelean, "Beautiful." It wasn't one of his more graceful moments, but it worked for now. "I dun know what tah say when yah look like dat." This time he grabbed Lohgan since Kalizda had her strapless gown on. He strode over to the door when the knock sounded and opened it up to see Harry was there. Illya still felt tired, but he was hungry.

He was telling her he felt fine, but she knew he must be tired. A seizure always wore him down. Still, he was beaming at her as he pulled her close to plant a gentle kiss on her glossy lips. Depsite the fact his Kaerelean was lackluster, she knew he meant what his said even with his broken words. Holding him close, for a moment, Calysta relaxed against him, then kissed his cheek when it was time to walk out of the door. This time Harry was waiting for them with his usual guards. "I've arranged for our car to pick us up at the back in the parking deck, and have also had the secret service block the area off. They wont be able to see us getting into the car at least." Once everyone was aboard the elevator, they rode down to the bottom level of the parking deck. Not a soul was in sight, which Calysta was thankful for. Piling into their waiting skimmer, was a task, given her skirts trained behind her some. It was slightly embarrassing to catch her toe on her dress, but Priscilla just giggled. "Oh, honey I do that all of the time." The ride to the restauarant was quiet for the most part. Harry was curious about the baby, however. "I didn't know you would be bringing her or I would have made much more private arrangements," he admitted, "I didnt even know the two of you were expecting. Congratulations. She's beautiful. What was her name again?" Nodding at Illya's answer, Harry grinned. He would like the chance to hold her at some point, once they werent in a moving vehicle. "Priscilla and I have considered adoption. Seeing a how sweet she is makes us all the more interested."

It was a relief that there wasn't going to be anyone watching and trying to capture images this time. Piling into the car only took a moment and Illya held Lohgan in his left arm. The right was still in the cast, but the uniform covered it so there was barely anything visible except for the small part that held his hand in a neutral position. The sleeve on the uniform pulled a bit oddly when he moved his arm, but it settled back in place again and he pushed his hand under Lohgan's blanket to hold her little toes. She was like her mother for sure. Lohgan loved to have her little feet warm. That was something he discovered in the first few times that he held her. A funny toothless grin came to her face when she felt her dad's warm hand on her toes. Illya grinned when the president talked about adopting. "Ets a little different when dey're yah own, but I like adopting too. Love dem all dah same. Her name es Lohgan." For the rest of the ride Illya noticed the looks on their faces. They really wanted to hold the baby, but she was probably a bit heavier than they would be expecting from someone her size. At least there had been a system wide update that would over ride any alerts of Tannas if Illya and Lohgan went anywhere. He didn't have to go through the whole process like he did at Reylia.

"I suppose it is," Harry replied. He just couldn't stop grinning at the cute little bundle in the General's arms. It was almost strange to see a large man being so gentle and tender with a baby like that, but when he thought about what he knew of the man, it wasn't so out of place. "Tomorrow, I hope to give you a chance to see more of the city. Any sight seeing you might want to do can be arranged. Then the next day we'll take a ride out to the mines in Northern Africa for the inspection. It's a fast ride there, 2 hours or so depending on the weather but the inspection might take most of the day. We may need to stay over night if the weather is foul." Shifting in his seat, he glanced to Illya with a more burning question on his mind than the itinerary. "I am curious to know how things are going on Pyrta with the Tannas refugees. If I'm honest the idea of it still sets many of the people here on edge."

Illya nodded as Harry talked about the plans. "I tink tomorrow after a long sleep I like tah see more of yah city." He didn't remember seeing a lot of these things. Then the more tender subject came up on the Tannas and Illya took a deep breath. "Dey're not all pure Tannas. Most of dah defectors are like meh. Dey mixed blood. Some Chippequoti and some Tannas. Dese refugees work like dah rest. First dey're lazy, but I give dem incentive tah work hard and be good soldiers." After a moment a grin came to his face. "I jes give some men dat dun like dem so much permission tah attack dem for a little time. Dey learn tah fight back."

Harry was surprised to hear they were lazy, even as half breeds. Every Chip he'd met, man or woman, had been quite the opposite. Hearing the General's solution to the lazy new additons to the Alliance force, Harry blinked at him. He gave men hazing orders and it worked? The idea of it wasn't so shocking when he recalled his own training days, but it was still an interesting move. "That's one way to get results," he mused, "You knew, and you weren't concerned at all if the refugee rep had any issues with it?" The question was more directed at the council woman, but open to both, and she let a coy smile grace her lips. "Training is left to the men who know it best and no one was harmed by the men. They did hurt themselves a bit when they jumped our fence and met Cin for a few seconds, but otherwise, there was no issue. Why make an problem when there is none?" The president gazed at the two of them, and started to chuckle openly. The skimmer came to a gliding stop outside a two story restaurant with cool blue mood lighting and a Japanese garden out front. Already people had gathered on either side of velvet ropes to greet them with their applause and cameras. "Let's get inside shall we?" Harry smiled as he climbed out, then held his arm out for Priscilla who exited gracefully. As soon as Calysta made her own appearance, the crowd began calling out to her. How did the president deal with all of this? There were so many people in one place, it was astounding and all of them wanted answers to questions or barraged her with speculations. Some of the news reporters were even commenting on her dress. Trying to maintain some sense of order, Calysta stayed close to Illya and ushered him inside. A news crew was trying to follow behind him, but she headed them off. "We are glad to have such a warm welcome from the Terran people, thank you." That was the only remark she cared to make before slipping inside.

For the more delicate issues Illya let Kalizda do the talking and she did quite nicely. All of it smoothed over with the president. It seemed that they arrived at their destination in good time and it was bit disconcerting to find that there were already so many gathered outside. Illya hated being watched by so many people. Carefully he bundled little Lohgan up so she wouldn't have to suffer the cold and then he stepped out behind Kalizda. Carefully he offered her his casted arm. He could feel the very light pressure, but some of the finer sense of feel was still dampened. Mostly it all translated as pin pricks and needles. When they were inside Illya glanced at her and mumbled in Quoti, "Warm my ass. They're pests."

At Illya's quip Calysta bit her lips, fighting laugh. This is why she was the diplomat and he was the General, even if he was absolutely right. "Aye, they are," she snickered back in Qouti, "But, I can handle them pretty easily, yeah?" Giving him a playful wink, she grinned at her Chip as they were lead to a delicate looking table in a lowlit dining room. The space was devoid of any other patrons, which Harry explained was on purpose. Calysta sat down in her seat and took Lohgan from Illya's arms, and she was immediately offered a small seat made for young babies. "Oh, thank you." She said tucking her smiling girl into the seat. As she wrapped the blanket over her toes, another, young waitress came over, freezing right in front of the General. Her almond shaped eyes grew wide as she stared at the tall Chip, then sputtered in Japanese. "You're the General! Ira in the flesh!" She pranced excitedly, "I can't believe it! Please may I have a picture?"

When they finally got into the restaurant it was thankfully very quiet. Illya couldn't quite muster the guts to take a seat. The chairs looked so tiny. While he was preparing to sit in the tiny chair he turned toward Kalizda only to find she was seated and instead he was staring at tiny woman that bounced up and down in front of him while squeaking. The only thing he got out of that whole slur of lady shrieks was the name and it wasn't right. "Nuh, I'm sorry yah have wrong guy. I'm nut Ira. Meh name es Illya."

Everyone was staring at the young woman but only two of them were confused. Harry and Priscilla were gazing at the scene in embarrassment. "No, no, no," the woman said, "Ira...most handsome!" Harry intervened, speaking strictly in Japanese to the girl whose face fell and she turned pink before giving a bow. "Apologies, General." She invited him to take his seat and left them with their menus which were written in Japanese and traders tongue as well. "President?" Calysta said, hoping to hear some sort of explanation. The man seated his wife, then chose his own chair across from Illya, still looking embarrassed. "Harry, if you will," she insisted, "It's a girl mistaken the General for a movie star here on Terra. He starred in an internationally know movie which has produced a fair amount of fans. Have you heard of Wild Ways?" He doubted it given their confusion but he knew the situation was awkward.

Illya frowned in confusion when the woman insisted he was Ira and most handsome. At that final piece he paused, "Uh...." He had no idea how to respond to that and instead he just turned as soon as Harry addressed the woman and took his seat. The room was awkwardly quiet while Kalizda sought out some sort of answer for the strange occurrence. Of all things the misunderstanding was over a movie. Illya knew what movies were, but he hadn't seen one since the first war. A broad grin came to his face and he started to laugh. "I dun watch movies. Nut seen one en long time. Maybe 120 years. Since when do dey have movie stars dat look like meh?"

Harry settled into his chair, and the secret service men dispersed to the corners of the dining room, trying to give some semblance of privacy, and to deter any peeping fangirls from pressing their noses against the glass windows, though the shades were down. The General didn't seem offended or embarrassed in the slightest, in fact, he found the incident funny which was a relief, until he asked about when movie stars started to look like him. A glance passed between the president and his wife, before he sat back in his chair some, looking at the Chip to answer his question. "Well, there was an incident a few years ago, five or six which included a Chippeqouti man breaking a woman out of a New York jail," he replied casually, "It was the first time any of the Terrans had heard of the Chippeqouti actually visiting the planet and it made an...interesting impression for awhile. Recently, a film was made as a creative, and I mean very creative retelling of the event. " The waitress came back, with the same excited look in her eye and filled their water glasses with trembling hands, then vanished with a bow. "If you haven't had the chance to go to the movies in that long, I would be glad to arrange a private box to see it." The General may as well know the movie, considering he would be plagued by fans his entire visit, and the councilwoman was already giving him the eye as if she knew exactly what he was talking about.

Why the incident sounded vaguely familiar Illya couldn't imagine why. He must have read about it. That would have been approximately the time his people were moved to Nuen. At least from what he remembered reading in the reports. It had to have been a rogue of sorts. "Hmmm...Sounds interesting. Maybe I'd go see et. Sounds like I should know dis story. Whoever dah trouble maker es I'm pretty sure I took care of et. I dun let Chippequoti jes run loose like dat."

Calysta turned a rosy shade of pink and picked up her water glass, taking a long sip of water. They had made a movie about that?! And Illya didn't remember it at all! It would look odd if she just swapped to Qouti to explain an entire incident in front of the president and his wife, particularly because the two seemed to know exactly who it was about. She was curious to see this rendition of their escape. It didn't seem to paint Chippeqouti in a bad light, considering the fans were coming up to greet them rather than running away in terror. "I think we should go see it as well. It sounds...interesting," she finally replied. Harry nodded. "Of course, I'll arrange it for you two whenever you like. As for the trouble maker from a few years ago...I suppose we can call it water under the bridge General. I'm sure it was all just a misunderstanding on both parts." Calysta raised a brow at the Terran president. "Aye, I'm sure....that's one was of putting it." The latter half was spoken in barely audible Kaerelean. Harry looked relieved to have jumped that awkward hurdle, knowing at least they would have some sort of forewarning, though he could never confirm if it was the General himself that came to New York with the councilwoman that day or not. A waitress came around and took their order, and Calysta opted for the rice and stir fried vegetables with some sort of fish side. The president ordered them all platters of sashimi, with miso soup and sushi to try, and Priscilla ordered something in fluent Japanese that no one but Harry could understand.

All the conversation seemed a bit pointed as if they were all claiming it was Illya. He would have remembered if he did something like that. "I tink we watch et after dinner and I make a bet." About that time a waitress came around to take the order and Illya realized he hadn't even looked at the menu. Not that he could read it well anyway. He wasn't feel entirely up to reading so he nodded to Kalizda to order for him too. She must not have noticed and so when the waitress looked at him he shrugged. "I jes have same as Kalizda." Whatever it was would be fine. With the ordering done he turned back to the president. "Meh bet es dat ef et turns out dat I'm dis rogue I dress up like dah rogue from dah movie and say hi to dah lady dat tinks I'm Ira." Snickering at the thought he looked at Harry. "So, what yah gonna do ef et wasn't meh and et was jes some trouble maker?"

At Illya's little bet all three of them gazed at him in shock. Calysta choked on her water, Priscilla bit at her red painted lips, and Harry swallowed hard. He had a choice to make and the councilwoman was too busy balking to be of much help. Still, he had spent enough time with the Chip men to know they liked a good bet and to back down would make him look a bit of pansy, even if he had an advantage. "If it turns out it wasn't you, General, I will dress in drag for one day," he challenged back. That was good enough, as he was fairly sure he wasn't wrong, no one would recognize him and, if they did, he was fairly sure he could spin it as a women's equal rights experiment. It had been done before successfully.

Illya had no idea what drag was, but he figured it had to be the equivalent of whatever he had just made a bet on. Probably nothing too extreme. Wasn't like they'd put a guy in some film running around mostly naked or anything. The dinner remained ominously quiet and even stayed that way until after the dinner and when they reached the movie theater. Taking his seat in the top of the theater with the others Illya glanced at Kalizda and winked when the film started. "She kinda looks like yah." Only the woman had more bosom and she was taller. Not that those were bad things, but it was still strange how much she looked like Kalizda. When the alien ship landed Illya leaned forward a little more as if he could see whatever was inside faster if he got closer.

Instead of it being something exciting and monstrous it was just a regular looking guy. "Awe c'mon." Illya sat back in his seat with disgust and then he saw the fellow step out in the vest. "Shit, dat's nut Ira es et?" The answer to his question was shortly announced when the big meat loaf spoke. My name is Ira. Snatching up the woman he scrambled off into his ship again. In response the woman gave an appropriate squeal for help and the two of them dashed across the planets together while she swooned and he went through feats of unbelievable and outrageous proportions. This was definitely not him. A few times something almost seemed familiar, but then the woman would swoon or gaze at the man with obvious lust. It all just threw the whole story off. What in the world was this all about anyway? Nothing was making sense until nearly the end of the film when there was a attack in the streets.

People scattered and the screaming started. She was lost somewhere in the middle of this and she was crying for help. Ira! Ira help me! There hadn't been anyone calling for him. Illya knew that. Somehow his brain was contradicting all this. Instead Ira helped some other woman that he mistook for this lady he'd kidnapped. For the first time Illya wasn't groaning about the lines. He was trying to sort out what was happening. It was like a flood of memories or blips of memories were coming through. The woman was in prison and she was being held in the bottom of the jail and Illya started to sink in his seat. He knew now that was him and he was going to be wearing that hideous vest. "And...Ira goes into dah prison breaks all dah prisoners out and den busts out dah cement wall tah get her. I know how et ends." Grumbling under his breath he watched the fighting take place. It wasn't exactly how it happened, but it was so far the most accurate part of the film.

When Ira reached the bottom of the prison they showed him break out the cement wall and pull the nearly faint little woman from the cell. She gazed into his eyes and gasped, You came for me. With tremendous exaggeration the two mashed faces in the middle of the jail. Illya couldn't hold it back any longer and he busted out laughing again. "Oh nah. I tink ets time yah run. Dats nut what she said anyway." Giving his best girl voice Illya repeated exactly what he remembered except he kept the character name. "Ira, yah nut supposed tah break into jails, yah supposed tah break out." Looking at the others Illya rolled his eyes. "Dats what she would have said."

By the end of the movie Illya groaned. "Ugh....I have tah wear dat ugly little man ting now. Damn et." He was getting odd looks from Kalizda and he shrugged. He couldn't help that somehow the film had triggered memories. Memories that he didn't know he had, but there was something about seeing it all over again in the streets. Little details were starting to fall together and he knew she was the one that crashed on his planet not him on hers. He wasn't that good at flying when they met.

 

[Silence]

************************************

It was a rough night after they finally got back to the hotel. Not only was Kalizda upset, but Illya still had to go find the little vest thing because he wanted to get this done and over with. Since she wasn't really wanting to talk Illya grabbed his pad and sat in Duncan's room for a few minutes. "Do yah suppose dat et would be more awkward tah order et and have et delivered or jes tah go get one?"

Duncan grimaced at the choices. "Sir, I tink yah ought tah jes go get one. Maybe et would be better. What would dah delivery tink ef dey brought et here and den yah wear et tomorrow?"

"I know, but ets dah same ef I go buy one." Illya sighed and thought for a long moment before he stood up."Fine den, yah stay here wit Kalizda and I jes go get one." Illya could take care of himself and he wasn't going to be giving any delivery person the satisfaction or anyone else his name when he picked this thing up. It would stay more private that way. The nearest store was about a quarter mile away and Illya figured it wouldn't take long if he ran it. Sneaking into the lobby of the hotel Illya looked around to be sure that there weren't any wild press people watching. He really didn't need them to know about this. There were a few, but if he ran fast enough they couldn't keep up.

Stepping out the door in his leather jacket he almost went unnoticed until someone recognized him and then he took off running. "I need tah jog!" That was all he called over his shoulder as he darted around the corner and through a few alley ways before he lost them. There was a lot to think about. Nuen, what happened to Rose's parents. He didn't know which ones were hers, but he understood a little better how she was so easily upset when he came home hurt or when he left. Illya was nowhere near figuring this all out and he wandered into the store only to see several items that appeared to be rather indecent to display. What kind of shop was this? It said it was for adults, but he didn't think it would mean that kind of stuff. However, they had advertised the Ira vest and he needed one because of his bet. Clearing his throat he walked over to the man at the counter. "I eh....Yah show meh where Ira vest es?"

The man looked at him and smirked though he didn't say anything. Stepping out from behind the counter he walked with Illya over to a section with all sorts of little play whips and other leather items that looked odd, foreboding, and perhaps a bit raunchy. Reaching into a large rack full of the Ira vests the man handed the General a XXL. That vest had been a big selling point and it was a bit surprising how many women wanted their man to wear it regardless of his shape or build. Walking back over to the counter he rang it up and then grinned. "Have a good night, General."

It would have all been fine, except that the man knew who he sold the vest to and Illya rolled his eyes. "I lost a bet, ets nut what yah tink." The other man only grinned wider like he didn't believe Illya. Rolling the vest a bit tighter Illya kept it hidden in the bag and ran as fast as he could all the way back to the hotel. He stuffed it into the front of his jacket before anyone could see which store he'd been to. That was embarrassing just thinking about it. Jogging past the media again Illya caught the first elevator back to the room. He just felt horrible, like he needed to lay down and sleep. When he got back to the room Illya tossed the vest near the closet door and stripped down to his boxers before he turned his blanket on high and crawled into the bed. Duncan was in the next room over and probably already sleeping, but the doors connecting the rooms were unlocked so that Duncan could get in fast if he needed to.

Whatever Kalizda wanted to talk about Illya dismissed it for now. "I jes need sleep." Burrowing in under the covers he groaned a little and pulled the blanket tighter. Only a crest of thick black curls stuck out from the blanket until he started to roast out again. A few hours after Illya went to sleep he started to seize, but it only lasted about 30 seconds before he kept right on snoring. He never knew if he had small seizures in his sleep. About 4 minutes after the small seizure another one hit and it lasted just under a minute.

Rolling to his side Illya moaned a few incomprehensible words and stirred a little more before he went back to a more solid state of sleep. At 5 am another seizure hit and Illya jerked violently for over a minute before it appeared to subside only to start again after the 2 second lapse. Duncan could hear Kalizda bumping around in the room. She was probably fine, but he figured he would check. Opening the door he saw her pulling out the medication packet. The General was having more seizures. It looked bad enough he came in and walked over to the bed. Getting onto the bed he pushed Illya to his back for a brief moment. "I'll hold him, yah give him dah vial." The council woman wasn't in shape to try and hold the General when he was having a bad one. After the the contents of the vial drizzled into Illya's mouth Duncan held him for a few seconds more and then rolled him to his side. The General was still seizing and he nodded to Kalizda. "I got him. Just give him dah shot."

For a few seconds the shot seemed to work and the seizure started all over again. Duncan growled a little. He had seen seizures like this a few times and he knew what it would take when they didn't have the Ehuai, but they were going to have to make sure that Illya stayed in bed for a long time in the morning and he wasn't going to do much. "Yah give him anoter. We dun have Ehuai here, but ets what we do ef et happens in dah field." It wasn't just Illya it was for injuries and fevers where they couldn't stop the seizing and every Chip carried medication with him in case it happened so that his comrades could dose him up. If it still didn't stop they were in big trouble, but he had rarely seen it that bad with anyone. Kalizda looked nervous when she gave Illya the second dose and Duncan waited with her for a few minutes to be sure that it worked. "Dere," Duncan let out a long breath and pushed Illya to lay heavily on the left side. "We jes cancel anyting for dah morning. General needs tah sleep and den nut do much rest of dah day." He knew they almost blew through a regular month's supply of shots in one 24 hour period, but it had to be done. "I'll send message to dah Ehuai for recipe and we take prescription and orders to a chemist here and dey make up some more. Den whatever we do, no more image captures like dat at night." Duncan was going to have a talk with Illya and if Illya wouldn't say anything to the president Duncan was going to. They couldn't have Illya seizing almost every night like this.

Illya didn't wake up till almost 11:30. His whole head hurt and he had a monster headache as well as some muscle tenderness through his back and his shoulders. "Uugh..." Sitting up in the bed Illya shuddered a little when Kalizda offered him food. None of it sounded good for the time. "Did I have more seizure last night?" It was the only thing he could think of that would give him a headache that bad and muscle tenderness like he had. Squinting his eyes he wandered into the bathroom and decided to get showered and cleaned up before the day got too much further along. He must not have been paying close enough attention because on his way out he slammed into the doorway with his left shoulder. The loud bang brought Kalizda racing around the corner and Illya tiredly met her gaze. "I'm fine. We jes go to dah restaurant now and I get meh bet done wit."

*******************************************

There was a change of shirts in the car as well as Illya's jacket he had worn over the ugly vest. It was a hideous piece and horribly indecent. If he had known that this was what the character Ira wore he would have....probably still made the bet because he didn't really remember all that stuff till after he saw the movie. For whatever reason it triggered a lot of memories and he hadn't even had a chance to tell Kalizda yet.

They were stopped outside the restaurant and it was about 2pm so it shouldn't have been too busy of a time. As expected when the door opened on the vehicle the media was there snapping pictures. One of the men called out. "General! Can you tell us about the outfit? Have you seen the movie?" Another reporter yelled over the crowd. "What did you think of the movie?" There were still dozens more questions popping out everywhere and one of them was even more intrusive than the rest. "General, some say Ira is a depiction of you. Is it true?" Still there were others asking about the cast and then some asking about the scars.

Obviously there wasn't going to be any getting out of this so Illya paused only briefly at the door of the restaurant. "I lost a bet." Dodging inside the restaurant he could hear others asking him if the scars were real. Why would he even bother to put on make up to have fake scars? That was a dumb question if he'd ever heard one. Racing up the stairway into the upper level of restaurant Illya barely set foot inside and he already regretted this bet a 100 times over. Every eye in the room turned and he sheepishly grinned. Looking toward one of the staff he shrugged. "Yah know where Miko es?" That had been the name of their waitress and the person nodded and disappeared before the girl came out with a shriek of joy and slur of something in her own language.

Illya couldn't help the half worried look in his eyes when she came over and stood close to him and had a friend take a hologram. There was no getting out of this place because people didn't even ask. They'd just slip in close and pose and snap a hologram. As if it couldn't get worse some of the media had shuffled in with their hologram capturing devices and they were recording and still asking questions. Illya tried to wade through the people and then he felt someone poke one of the scars in his back. Why would they do that?! Turning around he gave the person a sharp glare. It was someone from the media and they busily started to take notes. "Yah dun touch meh again." That was the single warning he was going to give. Having someone just randomly reach out and jab him in a semi tender spot like that was just plain rude.

"What is that mark on your shoulder?" One of the reporters called out and people were still taking hundreds of hologram images. Illya ignored them and made his way to the stairs where he walked down the first few and then jumped the last 8 to get to the bottom. It was even worse now that people knew he was here. They were packed right up till the secret service kept a small spot open by the vehicle. By the time Illya reached the vehicle he was feeling almost like he'd been exposed even though he still had on quite a bit of clothing. Peeling the hateful little vest off he put the t-shirt on over his head and started to slip the leather jacket back on.

The rest of the day was an easy schedule with just dinner and a few quieter activities. He still had to say something at some point about no flash at night and he felt a little uncomfortable saying anything about it. Since they were just on their way toward dinner and it was quiet Illya decided it was as good a time as any. "I uh, have some bad side effects from dah hologram capture at night time. So I'll wearing glasses when we go out where dey are waiting." Last he knew there wasn't a lot that the president could do about the number of people taking hologram shots, but Illya could explain that he was going to be wearing glasses at the least and that was going to have to be good enough for now.

***************************************

If things couldn't have gotten anymore exciting the next morning Illya opened the news pages and he saw nothing, but pictures of himself plastered all over Terran news. The words, I lost a bet, were strewn everywhere. One of the magazines called SCANDAL! featured a picture with Illya looking like he about to stick his tongue out of his mouth and then more captured him with a zoom in on the scars. The facial expressions of those around him couldn't have been manufactured to look as crazed as they did. It was insane. Then as if that wasn't bad enough the article provided and even more outrageous presentation. "The General arrived in full Ira attire and refused to answer any questions. As you're all aware he famously stated that he lost a bet. What wouldn't you give to be the one he lost the bet to? Post a message with your thoughts!" Down below the small article that mostly consisted of the most awkward and scandalous pictures they could have taken along with the brief message there were dozens of very dirty comments. Some the things Illya had heard of and others he hadn't. Clearing his throat he decided to look for some other news article and one after another brought up him.

That was until one last article popped up that was quite different. A writer that posted as The Mouse presented an odd picture from a supposed old archive along with a picture that had been in the news reel some time during the war and then one of Illya when he arrived and the more recent picture of his Ira outfit. This article was entirely different as the writer claimed to be an investigative journalist who refused to give their name for fear of what might happen if their identity was revealed. Already the count was going up on readers.

Origins of the General:
So many of us have wondered where he came from. Seemingly out of nowhere. Ever since secret of the Federation was revealed so little has been said that I took it upon myself to do a little digging. Federation archives in cities and countryside across Terran were exposed and for a brief time some files were left open to the public. At least until content could be assessed for security reasons when some articles exposed certain details that weren't meant to see the light of day. With the help of an unnamed source I managed to obtain some of those documents and create copies so that I could study them. This has been an ongoing investigation and research that I began conducting years ago and have recently decided it was time to publish my work. The public deserves to know the truth and the General deserves the chance to refute any evidence that I present.

This disappearing act is nothing new. Looking at his most recent holograms then comparing it with the him in his uniform and then to the hologram that had been released willingly from Federation archives, they all match. There is no doubt that it is the General. This hologram from the Federation was revealed during the attack in New York that some suspect he was responsible for. It involved the famous scene as you recall from the film Wild Ways in which the character, Ira breaks into the prison to release the woman held in maximum security. If anything in the film was close to accurate it was the nearly unbelievable scene at the end.

What I'd like to call your attention to is the time before this. A more sinister origin story to the Chippequoti and their cooperation with the Federation. How else did the rest of the Alliance find themselves unaware of this dark agency, but only the Chippequoti knew of it? This picture was obtained because for a time the Federation employed the Chippequoti as security. This story is new to some of you and old to others, but it is much deeper than that as is the origins of the General and his work on Terra. The famous event as depicted in Wild Ways was not his first explosive entrance here.

Breaking with the Federation had its toll, but evidence from the Federation archives revealed that there was an answer to an age old mystery. One that investigators could never solve. Chippequoti won't speak of it because it was a covert operation and the Federation would never release it for shame of their failure. It is old history, but many of you remember the lone, Old Woman Taggart that claimed a slave murdered her entire family and guests single handedly at a party and then disappeared. I had a chance to interview her 5 years ago. It was shortly before she passed away, but the memory was still clear in her mind.

The article switched to a small hologram clip that showed an older woman talking about a slave. "Clearly there were no slaves on Terra. In the Federation there were. I remember because my father was pleased to be the one to get this slave. He was the only Chippequoti we had ever captured alive. Everyone said he was found wandering behind lines, shell shocked, mute, and docile." She went on to describe how as a child she felt badly for the slave. Her father would beat him for seemingly no reason. Still the slave never cried or asked for mercy. He remained silent, his eyes tired, and he almost appeared dumb except for those times that she would find him working outside. Her face darkened as she described a day that the slave rescued her from a wild animal that had managed to get into the play yard area and how she begged her father to let the slave sleep indoors. In time the slave started to get assigned small duties in the house, but she noticed he liked the library. He liked books and he would often sneak in when her father was gone. "I didn't realize that helping him sneak in was what killed my family. I just thought he liked reading and so I'd let him in and he would sit in there for hours. At the same time I recall my father getting increasingly agitated, saying that he had papers going missing. Then one night there was a party and all I remember was the floor breaking open from underneath. Blood, screams, and searing pain. The slave calmly walked into what remained of the dining room and took a sword from the mantle and killed anyone that was still alive. I fancied he left me alive because he liked me, but now I know he left me alive because I was a child and my word in court because of my injuries would be worthless and there was no record of the slave. He was illegal property and no one would hear me. I was no threat to him."

I asked the woman if she could identify the slave and she gave me several holograms of her father's slave. The murder of the Taggert Family and 30 guests. Reviewing files I found that they were all prominent figures of the Federation at that time. Ironically these are the pictures she gave me.

Once more it zoomed in on a hologram with the old woman and she opened a small book with pictures that looked very much like Illya only with slightly longer hair. He looked much younger with the long hair. It had been months as a slave and the beatings were evident in some of the pictures where there were clear bruises all over his back and arms, but the hair had gotten long enough he had to pull it back into a braid. With the hair pulled away from his face it was much easier to see who it was.

I obtained copies from the woman and ran some facial recognition and discovered it was a match with the General. If my findings are correct there is a sordid past at the very least that the General has not reconciled. This is not his first trip to Terra and neither was the rampage 6 years ago. The Chippequoti's best kept secret isn't their age, but their ability to hide behind the obvious. Has anyone stopped to question why he is here now? What could he want to do with all that metal when we already have all the detectors and containment blocks we need for the Tannas? Why do we have Tannas freely roaming among us when it is common knowledge that the Tannas lead the Federation. I urge my readers to observe the facts. As the old adage goes, Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

At the end of the article Illya clenched his jaw and he shut his pad. He didn't need to read anymore news. With the volume of attention that the article gained because the writer had named the piece very well he couldn't help feeling a bit angry. There were bound to be some questions and he was already on shaky ground with some of the Alliance since they had recently discovered that he was part Tannas. When Kalizda stepped out of the bathroom he grinned at her. "Yah ready tah meet with dah President and his agreed...I mean wife?"

 

[aryamajor]

Having his mother already in the kitchen cooking was not what Kirit expected to see when he arrived home. He had just come home to get the flyer to go pick her up, but she had somehow managed a ride there. Tabit was sitting on the couch surrounded by their three boys and piles of baby clothing.

"I'm home." He put his gear by the door and took off his muddy jacket, leaving it on the hook by the door. It would have to drip dry, then be dusted off in the morning to get rid of the mess. Walking behind the couch, he kissed Tabit on the cheek, despite the look she was giving him. Was she mad for some reason? "Ye have a good day? Looks like Mam made it and brought ye some things."

"Kirit?" Pyra walked out of the kitchen holding a spatula at the sound of her boy's voice, her eyes lighting up when she saw him standing there with mud spackled on his cheek. "There you are. I've been wondering when you were going to come in from work. Tabit and I have been having a good time talking."

The young general gave his mother a pained smile. That might explain why Tabit was mad. There's no telling what his mother might have mistakenly said in her less than knowledgeable traders tongue. She had been working hard on the language, but it didn't come naturally to her. "That's good. I know she must be glad to see you. We might need some help for awhile. I didn't know you had already gotten a ride here though. I thought I was supposed to pick you up," he replied in Kaerelean.

Pyra wielded the spatula like a baton as she spoke. "Oh, I sent you a message that I had found a ride. You must not have gotten it yet. I thought I would save you the trouble of coming to pick me up and your officer was nice enough to lend me a hand. Dinner is almost ready now. Go scrub down."

Kirit scratched at his chin and nodded as he turned from the door back into the living room, his eye catching on Tabit. Surely, she knew by now his mother's trader's tongue was terrible at best? He went into the bathroom and grabbed their liquid soap, some fruity smelling stuff his wife had picked out, then turned on the water to get hot while he soaped up. When the lather grew over his arms and face, he rinsed down, making sure any dirt clods found their way down the drain instead of sitting in the sink. Grabbing a fresh towel, Kirit dried off his hands, soaked the water out of his goatee, then walked out to see Tabit. All the boys were in the living room in one state or another. Mycah was on the couch with Tabit sleeping away as usual while Az'rai was working up a good diaper full in his little seat. The tiny grunts of effort meant that a big load was on the way. Henyah sat still in his own seat, watching his father cross the room.

"There ye are. I see ye," Kirit grinned. He leaned down and kissed the boy on his forehead gently. The whiskers on his chin tickled at Henyah's head, making him smile a fascinated and gummy grin. "Oh, ye like that." Kirit reflected his son's smile, bending down to kiss him again. Each in turn got their kisses, until he made it to Tabit with his own grin. He pushed the mound of new clothing to the side so he could sit next to his wife and relax for just a few minutes before dinner. "If m' mam said anything odd, ye know it might be by accident. She work on trader's tongue but not so good at it yet," he admitted. The comment only earned him a more sharp look. What was the matter? Before he could ask, his mother announced dinner was ready, ending the opportunity.

Dinner passed as normal as ever given his mother was bumbling along in trader's tongue just for Tabit. Pyra made a few incorrect words which included the word 'shit' for 'shift'. Kirit nearly choked on his fish when she asked about his next 'shift' at work. After dinner, his mother cleaned up the dishes while he and Tabit tended to the boy's evening dinner. Thankfully, they had started sleeping all the way through the night if they were fed at a certain time, letting them both get some uninterrupted sleep among other things. He finished changing Az'rai's diaper before snapping on his onsie and tucking him into his bed. "Good night boys." Kissing them each again, he tickled Henyah's forehead and pulled Mycah's blanket higher over his tiny shoulders, then slipped out of room, flipping off the light as he went. His next stop was their new spare bedroom where his mother was already putting her clothes away, humming a tune as she went. "G'night mam," he said. She glanced up and smiled. "Good night, son. I'll have breakfast ready for you both in the morning." Kirit nodded, thanking her, but as he turned to go she caught him up in a bear hug, stopping him in his tracks. "The boys are handsome just like their father. I'm so proud of you, General and Tabit too." The last sentence came out a joyful giggle as she kissed his cheek before releasing him. Kirit smiled, patting her hand as she let go. "Thanks, mam."

With his mother taken care of, he went upstairs to find Tabit was already occupying the bathroom, which left him to undress while he waited. Kirit grabbed the hem of his undershirt and shirked it off over his head in one smooth motion before tossing it near the hamper. It was covered in mud, so it was just as well that it landed beside the basket rather than on top of Tabit's good clothing somehow. Running a hand through his dark hair, he left it standing in all directions, then rid himself of the mud stained pants which joined the undershirt. Their hastily made bed was looking better and better to crawl into where it was warm and quiet for the most part, unless Tabit was interested in a spot of fun. He hoped she would be, given that he'd found the activity a surprisingly good stress relief and he liked the time with her, but he was also cautious. It was hard not to be when he wasn't sure if she would approve of a certain move or not, and she had given him a sharper look earlier, indicating that she wasn't happy about something. She hadn't said anything yet. Hopefully she wouldn't have to and he could just wait for her to exit their bathroom before going right along with their night. Crawling across the bed, he grabbed her pillow and fluffed it up for her, before straightening the corner of the sheet on her side so she didn't have to. With that done, he laid back on his own side, and folded his arms behind his head. Minutes passed and his eyes began to droop. What was she doing? "Ye okay, Tabit?" he called into the hallway toward the bathroom. It felt like she was taking ages, or maybe he was simply tired.

Tabit decided to braid her hair extra tight since she didn't want to make her hair in the morning and it would give her a great way to keep it out of the way for the evening. Braiding her hair was always a process since it was thick and had plenty of volume. Tabit was almost done when she heard Kirit. She knew exactly what he was waiting up for, but he was trying to make it sound nice. Rolling her eyes she stared in the mirror while she finished putting a tie around her hair. Pulling the bathroom door open she glanced at him and then turned the lights out before blindly making her way over to the bed and getting under the covers with him. "You know I'm mad that you didn't tell me your mother was coming. She walked in right in the middle of me breastfeeding one of the boys and she had an officer helping her carry stuff and my hair wasn't made and I was wearing my ugly pajama's you hate. That is so awkward. You should tell me when you have family coming."

She didn't reply and Kirit wondered if he might go check on her. If she was crying over whatever had made her give the look earlier maybe it was more serious than he thought. No sooner had he started to fold back the covers, than his wife emerged from the bathroom, her hair in some sort of braid which he only saw briefly before the lights went out and she crawled into bed next to him. "There ye are," he smiled in the dark. He wanted to inch closer to her side of the bed to put an arm at her waist, and instead, got sudden declaration of anger about his mother. She was mad because his mother had come in unannounced with an officer, a male one no doubt, and she wasn't looking pretty. That was understandable and he felt a bit bad for having her caught off guard like that. He'd certainly been caught off guard when his mother had caught a ride to the cabin rather than waiting for him to pick her up like he'd planned. Where the pajama's fit into all of that he couldn't begin to guess, she looked fine in all of her pajamas as far a he knew. "I thought ye might have known, I did promise t' get ye some help f' the house an' general is gone on diplomatic mission. I'm sorry ye get caught like that, " he replied, "I didn't think she be gettin' here without me first."

"That's not the point, Kirit." Grumbling under her breath she pushed on his shoulder to move him away from her a little bit. "The whole point is that you didn't tell me she was coming today. I like having help and I appreciate it, but you should have told me when she was coming so I could have been ready." When she felt him getting closer again she put a hand out to stop him. "Until you understand that I'm not gonna be all snuggly with you." It was all kept to little hisses so that his mother wouldn't overhear. "You can't just get someone and then have them arrive without me knowing. What if it had been the General and my boobs were hanging out when he walked in cause I was feeding the other two. I don't always wear something over myself when I'm home alone and I'm not expecting people."

She was mad and acting as if he didn't understand. He did mostly. She wasn't like his family where they came and went it seemed and she didn't think she looked good enough for company. He hadn't thought it would be such a big deal for his mother to come over like she did at home though. It wasn't like she hadn't seen his sisters in law after they had their children. It mattered to her though. Inching away from her, he sighed and dropped his head back to the pillow. He wasn't going to get anywhere with this. "I tell ye when general comes but m' mam always comes t' help with babies. I thought ye know that. I tell ye from now on if she comes, yeah?"

"How would I know if your mom always comes to help with babies?" Tabit inched a little closer and poked him in the chest with one of her fingers. "Its not like I've had babies with you before." It was so annoying the way he thought that this was all supposed to be ok. That was because he wasn't the one caught looking like a slob with a baby attached to a nipple. "You'd better tell me if anyone is coming in the future." With a grumble she got a little closer and gave him a reluctant kiss. "You're just so rude sometimes."

She was wiggling closer now and he had a feeling it wasn't because she was interested in cuddling again. The poke with her finger on his chest was annoying and then she called him rude. He kissed her back but with a grumpy sort of look. He was rude? He apologized and told her he would say anything if his mom arrived, wasn't that enough? "I thought that's what all family was supposed t'do. It's what m' mam did, Reylian's do, an' what I see family here do too. I just thought its what ye expect, Tabit," he defended mildly, "I say I tell ye next time an' apologize. I can't go back in time an' tell ye or I would."

It seemed she got him on the defense and she was going to keep it that way. "Hmm." With a tiny bit of snot attitude put to it she moved a bit closer to Kirit again and she felt the bed tip, but not in time to stop it. Gasping a little bit she gripped Kirit a bit tighter and the two of them fell out of the bed with him on the bottom. It was loud and she cringed momentarily. Miraculously it hadn't woke the boys and she snickered. "Sooo rude." Leaning a bit closer she kissed him and giggled a little more. "We could always try getting dirty on the floor."

Kirit slammed into the floor, his wife's entire weigh toppling over him, knocking the wind from him for a moment. His head knocked back into the hard wood, but he didn't pay much attention to the sharp pain from that when Tabit was suggesting some fun in the floor. "Ye call me rude, an' I'm not th' one sending ye into the floor," he grinned, "I think I know what t'do now that we here." Wrapping his legs around her waist, he grabbed the blanket from their bed and pulled down on top of them. If they were going to have a little fun in the floor, they were going to do it right.

*******

Dinner had turned out to be more than what Calysta had ever expected or wanted. Why did he have to go off betting something like that? She had wanted to explain to him in private that this movie was definitely about him, about both of them. But no. He went off into some wild bet and now he would be dressing up as some acting star to surprise a raving fan. "Most handsome..."she grumbled under her breath in Kaerelean.

Their food arrived on wooden slats with a variety of simply bites on each platter. Rice she recognized, but there were different kinds of raw fish meat laid over the rice ball or rolled inside with bright vegetables along with miniature cups of brothy soup. Fish was always something she liked no matter what planet it was from. "What is this one?" Using the strange sticks she had found in her napkin, she pointed at the bites asking what kind was each. Some she had heard of, like salmon, and others she hadn't. Picking them up was as much of a challenge as figuring our what kind of bite she was eating. Chopsticks weren't exactly intuitive to use, though Harry and Priscilla were making it look easy, picking up their sushi with delicate hands. Her fingers fumbled trying to get the thin sticks to clamp down on the food, but the injury left by the tyrei did give a strange pull from time to time, and sometimes the food fell apart entirely. A glance at Illya showed he was having the same problem, with bits of rice dropping all over the table. After her third piece landed in the salty soy sauce, Harry looked up to her in bemusement. "Chopsticks take awhile sometime, do you want a fork instead?" She nodded sheepishly as she used her napkin to catch the drips on the glossy table top.

Once the forks arrived for her and Illya, dinner was easier. "Mmm," she hummed. The salmon with rice dipped in the salty, dark sauce was the best one yet, with buttery fish meat and the flavorful liquid soaked in. Looking over the slats, her eyes set on something strange. A bulbous, rubbery thing with little tendrils and purple skin. It looks slimy and it's eyes bulged out of it's gelatinous head as if it could still see her. "What is that?" Harry told her it was a dish called 'steamed baby octopus' and that it was fresh. "Oh." Her fork hovered over the bowl of grotesque looking creatures, wondering if she should try it. They may never get to come back to Japan and she had liked everything so far. Not to mention, she had eaten everything from spiders to scorpions on Nuen. How bad could a steamed baby octopus be?

Opting for bravery, she speared the spongy critter with her fork popping it into her mouth, legs and all. The first chew sent a shiver down her spine, and the second made her grimace. It was rubbery beyond belief and had little flavor besides a slight salt taste. How was this a Japanese treat? The delicacy was anything but delicate as it rolled around on her tongue in an never end cycle of half-chewed gunk. She needed to get it out of her mouth, but there was no good way to spit the disgusting thing out other than to hold her napkin to her lips, pretending to wipe as she deposited it into the napkin.

The rest of dinner was delicious by comparison to the octopus, passing by with awkward small talk. Towards the end, they were offered a warmed alcohol made of rice which she declined due to Lohgan's need to breastfeed. While the rest of them drank a little, she lifted Lohgan from her seat and took her to the bathroom. "We need to make sure you're all clean and sleepy before we go to this movie to see daddy lose a bet, eh?" she cooed to Lohgan. Luckily the diaper only held a bit of pee and nothing messier. Calysta wiped down her girl, then tickled her belly watching her smile. She had just started smiling a week or so ago and had the deepest set dimples on a child Calysta had ever seen. "Oh, look at those cheeks," she chuckled as she left a kiss on each side. Lohgan looked up to her mother with big, green eyes in wonderment of the attention. With Lohgan all clean, Calysta reached into her baby bag and fed the girl a bottle of formula warmed with water from the sink. The girl always made faces when she was given formula, obviously having a preference for what mom could make. "It's not so bad, it's just not what you want, hm? It has to be better than 'steamed baby octopus' trust me."

Lohgan sucked down her dinner greedily after she got over the initial pouting, then Calysta put her over her shoulder to pat out the burps into the cloth. The first hiccup came, then a long burp let out in tiny blurbs. "Aha, I knew it was in there." Holding her arms out, she rested Lohgan in her arms, wrapping her snuggly back into her pink blanket. The entire time her girl grinned and cuddled down into the fleece, happy to be warm. "You're definitely your father's daughter, you don't even mind when I cover your head in the blanket do you? It's a good thing." Lohgan's little fingers wrapped around Calysta's fingers as she left the bathroom, tossing the offending napkin full of sushi into the trashcan on the way out. No one had to know about that fiasco.

They made their way to the movie theatre in relative silence and were escorted to a box seat to the left of the stadium seats. By that time, Lohgan was well into her nap and she could see this movie for whatever it was worth. The seats began to fill and she noticed some fans were there boasting it was their third or fourth time to see it. When the screen started to rise, displaying a woman that looked somewhat like her if she was two feet taller with three times the chest size, Calysta frowned. Robin. That was supposed to be her? Illya seemed to the think so, because he leaned over and commented on it. "I suppose she does." He was actually excited to see this movie and it showed when he wiggled in anticipation making the seat squeak as the alien craft crashed in front of 'Robin.' Her character screamed as 'Ira' stepped out of his ruined craft...in a scant leather vest and low cut pants. Calysta's nails dug into the armrest. Illya was going to be dressing up, marching into a restaurant, and posing in that.

He didn't seem any happier about it either as he cursed over the loud explosions happening on screen. It served him right for making such a bet, yet now he was going to be on display in what amounted to fantasy themed shoe-show outfit. 'Ira' kidnapped the girl bouncing all around the galaxy, then came the scene where the man loses her in the crowd and was supposed to break her out of prison. This was probably the closest to the truth these film makers had come so far, and Calysta was glad it was more action rather than terrible lines.
Calysta's grip on the arm of her seat tightened. "Oh for the love of the Wilds...I don't faint and I-"

"And...Ira goes into dah prison breaks all dah prisoners out and den busts out dah cement wall tah get her. I know how et ends."

What had he just said? Her eyes swiveled up the his tan face, lit only by the light of the movie projector. She could hear the battle scene unfolding on the screen, but could care less about that. Oh Ira, you came! The crowed oohed and awed over the mushy kiss, and Calysta was vaguely aware of it.

"Oh nah. I tink ets time yah run. Dats nut what she said anyway," Illya said, his eye still on the screen, "Ira, yah nut supposed tah break into jails, yah supposed tah break out. Dats what she would have said."

That is was exactly what she had said. To the letter. How did he remember that after all this time? Did he even realize what he was saying. Her focus stayed on Illya the rest of the show, waiting to see if he would say anything else. He didn't seem to notice the fact that he was having memories emerge at all or if he did, he wasn't letting on. After the movie, he griped about the outfit he was going to have to wear for the girl at the restaurant and Calysta shot him a look. He may not have had a memory, which wasn't his fault, but it didn't mean he got to go off making wild bets. "Yes you'll have to go out half naked in front of an entire restaurant full of women who want you, Ira," she grumbled back as she climbed into bed,"That movie was awful but I think..." He wasn't listening. Instead of getting ready for bed, he was heading to living with his pad. "Or not..." The comment came out a tired sigh as she flopped back against the pillows. Maybe it was for the best she didn't talk about what he remembered at the moment. The annoyance over his little bet still stung and while she wasn't normally the one to be jealous, it was harder when that dumb movie showed her as a hot but air headed, fainting ninny. Growling in frustration, Calysta pulled the covers over her head and curled up close to where Illya would be sleeping. The bed was far too empty for sleep though. When her Chip finally came back, he announced he just wanted to go to bed then dove into the covers with much ado. "Okay," was her only mumbling reply.


Sometime in the night, he stared seizing and Calysta bolted up out of the bed once she felt the familiar jolting in the mattress. Duncan must have heard it in his room too, and came into their bedroom unannounced, shoving vials and and needles into him as if they were candy. Even if that was how they did it in the feel, it had to have some sort of affect after awhile. Duncan held him while she gave him another dose of his medicine, the second to last in his box. "I don't like giving him this much at one time," she admitted, "I usually let it run to the 2 minute mark. It's terrible looking, but I don't want to overdose him either." Her Chip managed to go a few minutes without convulsing, and she smoothed his hair, talking to him in his sleep until he relaxed. Duncan gazed at her in disapproval over the petting, but she didn't care. "It keeps him focused and calm," she whispered, "You send the message to the Ehaui and cancel everything for the morning.....thank you for our help, Duncan." Despite her worry, and the fact that she knew how to take care of Illya fairly well, she was sincere. After an hour of watching, she down next to her Chip, rubbing his back and shoulders as his breathing evened out into true sleep.

In the morning, Calysta woke, stretching out her legs and arms with a tired yawn before rolling over to check on Illya. He was nothing but a mountainous lump contained by his red, heated blanket with a patch of hair sprouted from the top. Listening for a moment, she took careful note of his breathing. It sounded even enough to be safe accompanied by some light snoring, so she slipped out of bed to check on Lohgan who was also still snoozing. Walking into the living room, she found Duncan talking to his agreed on the pad in Qouti. It was hard not to over hear him talking about the trip and how much he missed her. She snuck around the Chip so her image wouldn't be caught in the camera and went to the service panel near the mini fridge. As she was placing an order for breakfast, her own pad chimed, signaling a incoming message from home.

"Mam..mam!" Her little boy was waving his monster toy at her with a big grin when she answered the call. It would be late on Kaereal, and if she didn't already know it, her father's tired eyes were a strong indicator. "Hey little man," she grinned, "Have you been good today?" Her father nodded and winced as Cypher bounced in his lap. "Show your mom what you learned Cypher." Dropping his monster toy, he stood tall with his chest puffed out, arms flexed. "I dah man! I dah maaaan!"

Watching her son pose with such blind confidence, pot belly hanging out of his shirt and chubby fists clenched in the air, made Calysta laugh. "Where in the Wilds did you learn that?"

Cypher pointed to his grandfather and grinned. "I dah man!" Thomas chuckled, and ruffled Cypher's curls as he picked up the monster toy. "I show him some old Terran movies. He likes Superman."

They talked off and on as Cypher passed by the camera, hamming up the poses that made his mam laugh with wild giggled. At one point, Rose entered the camera view and at her grandfather's insistence, gave a deadened. "Hi, Kalizda." Then she disappeared upstairs before Calysta could ask how she was. "She's still upset," Thomas said, "But she'll come around. Just come home safe."

"I will dad, tell Rose I love her," Calysta replied, "And I love you too little man. Be good for your Papa and Aunt Elpsbet."

When the call ended, she sat aside her pad and sighed. Would Rose really come around? In truth, Calysta never wanted to be councilwoman, but she had been elected for it and everything she did was for her family. To make the happy and protect them too. Rose didn't understand it and there was nothing to be done except continue to tell her how much she was loved. She and Duncan at breakfast together with nothing but the sound of clanking forks against china plates between them. Afterward, she sent messages to the Ehaui and a few other housekeeping matters, including the president to cancel any meetings he might have planned for them in the morning. It was nearly noon when she poked her head into the bedroom to rouse Illya. "I have some oatmeal with fruit for you," she offered, "You did have some seizures last night. Duncan gave you nearly all of your monthly allowance for the medicine and he's called the Ehaui to ensure they can send the formula for more while we're here." He nodded and turned food down in favor of getting his horrible bet over with. "Alright, I'll let the president know to meet us." The sooner that was done the better.

************

It was a bit sad to note that Illya did look good in that tight leather vest as he retreated into the restaurant. The press was already waiting for them outside the restaurant, and the president looked to her with a small shrug. "It was his bet." Calysta grumbled, knowing that now there would photos of him dressed like that plastered over every media outlet in the quadrant. He had to fight his way through the crowd into the place, then it was taking far too long for him to come out. Had he gotten swarmed? Probably. Calysta started to hand Lohgan off to Duncan to wade through the crowd and find her husband, but he finally emerged almost bolting to the car, sliding over to make room, she handed him the spare shirt they had brought. The crowed flocked to the car like a bunch of birds ready to pick anything apart they could get ahold of, but all they found was a closed door as the car rolled away.

Harry laughed, handing Illya his jacket once the Chip had is shirt on. "I think you just gave half of Tokyo a thrill, General." In truth, he was surprised the man had actually made good on his word and glad it wasn't himself dressing in drag.

The rest of the afternoon was quiet in comparison and Calysta was glad for it, knowing tomorrow morning would yield a slurry of news alert. The media didn't fail her in the slightest. There were pictures, holograms and more of Illya dressed as 'Ira'. One really caught her eye, an article about the General as 'Ira' and a poll rating him...in bed. Reading that little piece made her temper flair, and she cut off all of her notifications for the morning, save for any video chats that might come through, then went to shower. A long shower under near scalding water cooled her anger, and when she stepped out, Illya grinned at her as if nothing were wrong. Of course, it wasn't his wife that had been exposed all over the tabloids in a skimpy outfit. "Aye, lets go."

*************

Later in the afternoon, Calysta turned her pad alerts on again and read the news she really needed to. Updates from G'koe, Kaereal, and Terra. It was all general updates except for an article stirring up some attention on a site she had visited before but never regularly. It was entitled Origins of the General. Her interest piqued, she opened up the piece and began to read. The more she read, the darker her expression became. An investigative journalist had written this and it's contents were disturbing to say the least. It wasn't outright accusatory, but the tone implied everything the journalist was aiming for. Who was The Mouse? And why write this, exposing him now? There had to be a reason, and that possible reason left Calysta feeling a little nauseous. One thing she knew for sure, is that the man in the hologram was Illya, and the accusations were more than likely true. 30 people. Had he read this? Doubtful, as he didn't read when he didn't have to and even if he did, it wasn't likely he would find this. The expose was gaining in popularity, but addressing it now wouldn't do much good and she wanted information first. What if this was dredged up by the Federation just to make waves, even if the information was true? The Mouse could easily be an operative for the enemy and she needed to verify exactly how credible this person was before she did anything.

Running a hand through her hair, she thought for a moment, then sent Michelle Rainer a message, citing the article and it's source. It would arrive in the middle of the night, but Michelle was always up at odd hours snooping. "Michelle, please look into this news article for me. Find me The Mouse." When that was done, Calysta took a long breath and went to get ready for dinner.

 

[aryamajor]

***********************

Calysta stepped out of her golden dress and hung it on the hanger before putting it hastily in the closet. In a matter of seconds, she was shimmying into her blue jeans, a new t-shirt that said 'I <3 Tokyo' in Terran and a baseball cap, tugging her long, black curls through the back. Once she was looking sufficiently, touristy Calysta marched into the bedroom where Illya was getting undressed and picked up a pair of his jeans from the closet, flopping them on the bed next to him. "We're going out tonight," she announced with a crooked smile. She needed to get out and away from here for awhile to be a normal human being with her husband, ad going incognito at near 11pm when the pesky reporters thought they were in bed was the only way that was going to happen.

Getting out when reporters weren't around was challenging, but they were going to make a valiant effort. Kalizda looked almost funny with her little hat on and Illya chuckled. He couldn't help himself when she had to tilt her head so far back just to see him from underneath the brim. "Yah nut tinking I wear one of dose are yah?" Taking the pants he slipped into them and then reached for a plain t-shirt. Something that wouldn't look too wild. At least Lohgan was sleeping through the night now and Illya could get a little time with just Kalizda.

"It would be one of the more tame things you've worn in the last three days," Calysta quipped playfully as she walked across the room. There was a small pistol in her bag she would stuff into the back of her waistband and another plastic bag she had ordered through the concierge at the lobby. Checking over the pistol, she made sure it was loaded and the safety was on before wiggling it under her pants, hiding it under her shirt tail before grabbing the plastic baggie. "I was thinking you might wear these in case we do get caught by the reporters." Opening the bag she pulled out a pair of aviator sunglasses with a golden frame and offered them up. "They might make you look a bit odd at night but it's better than the alternatives, yeah?"

Even Kalizda had cracked a few tiny jokes about the vest and Illya shook his head. "I jes tink dat blown out of proportion." It was the most reasonable response he could give considering how wildly awful it went. He'd never had a bet go like that before and he didn't care to repeat anything. Terran's had a tendency to make everything seem like a much bigger deal than it was. Taking the glasses from Kalizda he grinned. "I tink dese make meh look like secret service man." Slipping them on he made a ridiculous pose just to make fun of the not so secret men.

Calysta snorted, shaking her head at the 'not so secret service' pose. Even she found those men a little ridiculous in how they dressed and acted. Duncan was far better company and there was no doubt in her mind he could do twice the damage in half the time as those men surrounding the president. "C'mon secret service man," she grinned, wiggling her finger at him, "Let's go before Lohgan thinks to wake up." Tip-toeing to the door, Calysta opened it up to the hallway and the backdoor elevator that would lead them to the ground floor of the parking deck. Lohgan would be fine for awhile with Duncan, having been fed some formula along with extra bottles in the mini fridge in case she did wake up with the grumbles. Feeling safe to leave her baby for just a little awhile, Calysta was excited to be getting out for awhile to see what Japan was really like and to cut loose. They piled into the elevator and she mashed the button to take them to the ground floor of the parking deck, bouncing from knee to knee in anticipation. When the doors opened, much to her surprise, there was not a soul there waiting. "Let's go," she grinned, taking up her Chip's big hand, "There's a festival a few blocks from here and it looked like fun, yeah?"

Taking the glasses off again Illya slipped them into the front pocket of his jacket that he grabbed on the way out the door. Walking down the hall at a semi slow pace he let Kalizda determine which elevator they would take. It looked like she was going to choose the one at the back of the building. Since he had yet to experience a night when there weren't camera's flashing he put the glasses on while he was in the elevator. Everything remained dimmed when the doors to the elevator opened and Illya took the glasses off. "Hmm...I guess we better hurry to dah festival ef we gonna make et before reporters find us eh?"

Slipping into the streets was easy enough for her, but Illya did attract more and more attention as they got closer to the festival due to his height alone. At every corner, she was hesitate and poke her head around to make sure there would be no ambush of raving fans. The reporters had to be out there, but where they had scampered off to, was hard to tell. It was almost like a game of cat and mouse, only she wasn't entirely sure who was the feline and who was the rodent. A warm light was emanating from the next street over, signaling that they were close to the festival and Calysta grinned, tugging on Illya's hand until they cut through an alley into the festival. Carts of games and souvenirs lit by paper lanterns filled the streets as performers in bright outfits danced to heavy drum beats set up in the square. Better yet was the smell wafting through the air, hinting at fried foods and sweets. With so much going on , it was hard to know where to look first, but Calysta couldn't wait to try it all. Stepping into the flow of foot traffic with her Chip, she stopped a booth displaying authentic robes she had learned were called 'kimonos' along with hair pins of all kinds and delicate fans. The old woman running the shop, who was even smaller than Calysta was by a fair margin held out her hand and offered for them to look, always willing to let tourists buy whatever struck their fancy. "You like it and I will make a bargain with you," she grinned.

Illya glanced around the streets over the heads of the short people. He couldn't see anything that they needed to be aware of at the time, but he knew Kalizda was more wary in some ways. "Ets all clear." The two of them tried to blend into the crowd, but that was more easily accomplished by Kalizda. As they drew closer to the actual festival the lights got brighter and little lanterns hung all around the streets. Illya walked with Kalizda toward the little robe shop. While the woman spoke to Kalizda he looked at the silky little wraps. The fabric was nice and he felt a little nervous about touching it with his calloused hands. It felt like he'd snag it just by touching. "Yah like et?" Glancing to Kalizda he raised an eyebrow. If she liked it he would buy her one.

The fabric was smooth with beautiful designed embroidered on them. They were supposed to be a tradition from these parts from what she had read, and her eyes fell small one of pale pink and brown, covered in white flowers. From what she could decipher on the price they were fairly expensive and she didn't know if they could afford two of them after renting such a glamorous ship for the flight here. "I think Rose would like that one," she replied in Qouti as she pointed to the silky pink robe, "I know she is angry with us, but I always promise to bring her something back when we go. These are a bit expensive, but I think if we can we should get her one with a fan. What do you think?"

It sounded like Kalizda wanted to be getting one of them for Rose. "Uh yeah." Illya responded in Quoti, but he felt a little confused that she didn't want one. "You don't like it for yourself? I have enough that you could get one too." She should know not to worry about money. He never told her no about anything like this before.

Calysta glanced at her Chip and then back to the silks. "I wasn't sure since we had such a nice ship on the way here," she said honestly. Capitalizing on the tourists hesitation, the older woman picked up a silky white kimono with with pink flowers, holding it over her hands. "Let me try it on you, this color will look excellent." Calysta blinked at the woman, then stepped up to put her arms into the robe. Once it was properly secured, a ribbon like belt went around her waist, tied in the back, and the woman even gently removed her cap, putting a glittering cherry blossom pin in it's place. "Now, it looks like you really love Tokyo," the woman chuckled, before offering her handsome husband a good look at his wife. "You buy two and give me your autograph, I'll give the matching fans at half price." At the offer, Calysta turned to look at the woman in the robe to find she was grinning ear to ear. "Everyone knows Ira and Robin, Councilwoman." Glancing back to Illya, she didnt know whether to be amused or feel lucky they were getting some sort of deal. "I think we'll take two, yeah?"

For a moment Illya remembered that he hadn't ever told Kalizda that they had plenty of money. Over a million in credits at home and nearly a quarter million with them. However, now was not the time. "Yeah, it's fine." Still speaking in Quoti he watched as the woman helped her into the robe and replaced her hat with a blossom. The soft pink contrasted against her black hair brought a grin to Illya's face. She looked good in it and the fabric was soft. Something that he wanted Kalizda to have for herself. At the mention of the deal Illya smirked. "Yah want meh autograph signed as Ira?" He hated that name and it bugged him that people actually thought that was his real name sometimes. Glancing to Kalizda he nodded. "Could have tree ef yah wanted." He wouldn't mind her having more than one if she liked two of them for herself.

Calysta couldn't believe he was offering to buy her three of them. The one she was wearing was more than stunning with it's soft material and craftsmanship. "I think this one is perfect," she told him, "And the one for Rose along with the pin and the fan." The woman waited for their final decision and when she heard that he was planning on taking the deal, she took out a piece of white silk and a black stitching maker, holding it out. "Excellent. Both signatures if you don't mind," the lady grinned, "You as well, Councilwoman. I'd love to have them." She wasn't going to mention the fact that his signature alone would be worth a pretty on the market and combined with his wife's name it would be near in the millions. Calysta took up the pen and opened the cap, careful not to get the flowing sleeve of her new kimono in the ink, and penned her name and then 'Robin' in quotation underneath that. It was outright strange, almost surreal, to think that people were wanting her autograph like that. Once her name was done, she passed the pen and the silk cloth to Illya, with an awkward sort of smile. He had to feel as odd as she did doing this.

To think that they were asked for their signatures was a bit odd. Usually Illya signed paperwork that was for something far more serious. Such things as trial documents, training paperwork, promotions, demotions, executions, and the such. Instead this was just on the whim of some lady that thought it would be nice to have his name. Illya scrabbled out his signature in Trader's Tongue. It wasn't nearly as pretty as Kalizda's and then he pigeon scratched "Ira" underneath. "Eh hopefully yah dun tink meh writing should be pretty. Never was." Shrugging a little he reached into the inside of his jacket and waited for a moment. "How much for dah robe tings?"

The woman took the silk scrap from the General, holding it up to dry and admire it at the same time. His handwriting truly was terrible, but it was legible enough and she could hardly wait to see how much she could get on the market for it. "Oh, yes," she said with a toothy smile, "Let me total that for you....300 credits for your wife's kimono, 20 for the hair pin and 10 for the fan at half price. Then...250 for the child size kimono, 20 for the hair pin and 10 for the fan at half price...that comes out to...620 credits total. Will that be digital credit account or cash credit, General?" Calysta glanced to Illya when the total came out to such an amount. She could read the prices, but hearing it all combined was a bit shocking. He wouldn't have said it was okay to get one if he was worried about money though.

It sounded like the product was a bit expensive, but it was alright. Most of the time Illya didn't get a chance to buy something like this for Kalizda and Rose. They were his girls after all and he wanted them to have beautiful things to wear. Tallying it all up in his head he frowned a little. Did the lady really just miscalculate the whole thing? How in the world could she run a business if she couldn't do math? "Eh.....I dun mind tah pay 620.00, but yah did yah mat wrong." Pulling out the credits from his wallet he laid them on the counter. "Maybe yah use counting machine tah help yah next time."

"So it would seem," the old lady chuckled, "610, is your total." She was altogether pleased to see that the man was more shrewd than his movie star counterpart. Swiping up the credits from the counter, she counted them out then handed a 10 back to the General, before wrapping up the child's kimono in a white fold up box, along with the fan and sparkling pin. When that was done, she tied it with a pink ribbon, then offered the box to Calysta with a bow. "You are most welcome to come see my shop any time, Councilwoman and General." She took the box carefully, and returned the gesture as she assumed was expected. "Thank you...um..Arigato?" The old woman chuckled at the attempt in Japanese as the accent was downright terrible. "Close, but maybe keep practicing, madam." Calysta laughed, knowing exactly how ridiculous she sounded and offered her free hand to Illya so they could walk back into the crowd. As they turned into the street, she leaned up and left a kiss on his rosy cheek. "Arigato to you too," she grinned as they walked along, "Want to try-" Suddenly, a loud squeal let out over the crowd and before she knew it a woman was bouncing excitedly infront of them. "Oh. My. Gosh. Robin and Ira! I can't believe it! Kiss him again, please!" The woman was holding up a camera, ready to capture the moment on camera. The squawking from the woman was causing everyone to stop and stare. People began collecting around them, asking for autographs, photos, and asking for them to kiss again. It was beyond awkward and Calysta had hoped for just a normal night out, but that stupid movie wasn't going to let that happen. A man with a camera sidled up with a grin, a camera in his hand. "Oh, she's blushing. You are so much sexier than anyone imagined in person. Can I get a picture please? " Calysta stepped a little closer to Illya, squeezing his hand. They wanted Ira and Robin, so they were going to get it. "Feel like making a quick escape?" she asked in Qouti through gritted teeth.

People that couldn't do math sometimes annoyed Illya, but he simply grinned. This lady wasn't so bad. At least she didn't argue that she'd done the math correctly. When she returned the 10 credits he quietly put it back into his wallet. It was funny when Kalizda tried to speak in the woman's language and he just shook his head a little. "Nice meeting yah." That was about the only way Illya was going to be saying good night to the woman. First, he didn't know her and then secondly he didn't even want to try speaking her language. Trader's Tongue was hard enough and Kaerelean was almost impossible. Illya waited for Kalizda to indicate that she was ready and her cool little fingers slipped into his palm was the answer. There were so many people that it was hard to tell exactly what was going on in the festival, but Illya was starting to feel hungry. Pausing near the edge of the crowd he felt Kalizda lean heavily into him and then she kissed his cheek. Smirking he glanced at her. He was about to say something when suddenly they were surrounded with people. A woman was shrieking that they were Ira and Robin. Nothing was worse than hearing that because he knew exactly what would happen next. People started to surround them and Illya didn't feel safe at all. It was too much attention and people were too close for comfort. Turning slightly he checked behind himself and there were already people gathering there. Then as if it couldn't have gotten any worse a man started to comment on Kalizda. Briefly Illya's eyes flashed and he only half heard Kalizda when she asked if he wanted to make an escape. Taking a step closer to the man Illya grabbed the cap for the hologram capture and pressed it over the lens. "Dats enough. I'm nut Ira, she's nut Robin and we jes want tah have a quiet night." Pulling Kalizda behind himself he started to wade through the crowd of people without much regard for where they were going. Just anywhere that would get them away from the people with cameras and maybe somewhere that they wouldn't get recognized so quickly.

Calysta found herself grateful that her husband was so large. His big frame carved a path through through the growing crowd around them, pulling her along in his wake. She gripped his hand tightly, taking two strides for every one of his as the fans kept following them. Would they ever give up? She doubted it. Some of the crowd was blocking the rabid fans from them, but the more noise they made, the more attention they drew until Calysta was ready outright run. The street seemed to extend forever though and there were no places to turn until she saw an arbor leading into some sort of garden or park. "Illya..that way.." she said tugging at his hand. If anything it looked like a large enough space to get lost in and it wasn't as brightly lit as the streets. Pulling him toward the park, Calysta stepped into the stone path leading them deeper into the trees, which were filled with pink cherry blossoms. It didn't seem like there were very many people here and that their pursuers had gotten stuck in the crowd. Now that it was quiet, Calysta let out a long breath and started to laugh, mostly from the ridiculousness of it all and a slight bit of stress. How in the Wilds did Harry deal with people following him on a daily basis like this? "This is insane," she breathed through the giggles, "Entirely insane. I'm used to escaping when people are trying to kill us, not take our picture. " Glancing up to Illya, she made sure he wasn't looking sick from the crowd and looped an arm around his waist to slow his pace while they were in the quite park. It would look more natural and maybe they wouldn't be spotted, plus she had to admit the trees were pretty. "That terrible movie....with those dumb lines. Have you ever seen me faint like that? 'Oh Ira'" she mocked, as he held a hand to her forehead, "You remembered what I really said, you know."

It felt like they would likely end up running forever. Illya turned sharply when he felt the tug on his hand and redirected. There were still plenty of people yelling and making a fuss behind them, but maybe they could get free in the small park. It was nice, but he doubted it would work for long. He was tall and easy to spot in a crowd. When they finally stopped and they were alone in the park Illya grinned. Kalizda was laughing, at least she wasn't mad about it. "Oh, I tink yah repress dat memory. Yah faint like bird and I catch yah." He tried to imitate the supposed sexy face that Ira had given Robin, but it was doubtful it had the same appeal. After a second Kalizda started to talk about what he said and Illya shrugged. "Yeah, I know dat."

It was hard not to giggle at the overly suggestive expression he was making at her, teasing about the horrid scene where the two characters sucked face for 2 minutes when they should have been running. "I might have to test that theory some time," Calysta mused. When he replied noncommittally to remembering what she said it was hard not to feel disappointed. She had never pressed him to remember anything but it was always nice when he did. What was so wrong with remembering something like that? She stole a glance at him, holding him a little tighter in her arms. "If you remembered anything else it's always good to hear. I'm glad that you do even if it's only a little," she replied casually, "I'm sure you'd be interested in knowing half the things I was detained for were things you did."

Somehow it sounded like Kalizda was disappointed. There was that strange inflection in her voice and Illya knew she really wanted him to say more, but he wasn't sure what he should or could say at this point. At the same time he realized that she already knew all this stuff and so it wouldn't matter so much if he just told her what he remembered. "Ok, den. Yah tell meh what tings yah got detained for and I tell yah ef I remember doing et. How's dat sound?" Illya figured it was a good way to test his memory and make a sort of game out of it. Not to mention it added a bit of an exchange.

"Deal," she smiled, turning down a path lined with cherry blossom trees. Thinking carefully, she wasn't entirely sure where to start so she opted for close to the beginning. "First I was accused of murdering the Cirellant diplomat, that wasn't something you did obviously, but you did steal parts from a port on the Fringe for our ship once we left Qouti. That was on my record. Then you also stole a Zkreen ship from the hospital. Also on my records. Ooh...and you also destroyed a Cirellant fleet..that went on my wrap sheet too..." she trailed off and glanced to Illya to see if he would remember any of that first.

Hearing all the stuff that he did brought a grin to his face and he started to laugh. It was crazy for anyone to think that Kalizda would do something like that. "Maybe I should check tah see ef it was added to meh file when et all got straightened out." Taking a deep breath he thought for a moment. "First, I steal stuff, parts. Dat's cause we need dem and we get shot at. Steeling ship from hospital es because I eh.....Dere was someone dat was watching us and I tink dey maybe gonna turn meh over to dah Federation and den I did destroy a flee. Hide yah and Arse in a compartment and when I come back yah dropped meh against dah glass. I dun feel anyting, but I know yah angry."

He was laughing which was a good sign and Calysta nudged him. "I was the most dangerous woman in the galaxy for awhile." As he finally managed to catch his breath, she listened as he recalled a surprising amount of what they had done, even going so far as to calling Aryn by his fitting nick name, Arse. "That's because you went off on your own and got stung by a Cirellant barb. You were actually dropped twice, the second time on top of me when Ayrn decided to a limp noodle. I had to turn off the artificial gravity to get you into the med bay," she chuckled. They came to a small wooden bridge over a tidy little creek and she stepped up to the arch. "Hmm...let's see...you also almost got me arrested for cat-napping on the way to Kaereal, the beating of a Braxion bounty hunter, and then rioting, theft of a public transport along with theft of a civilian ship and breaking out of jail on Terra."

Illya immediately started to protest with her partially false story. "Yah didn't get nearly arrested for cat napping. Dat was meh. Yah had tah come get meh out of dere cause dah kids wanted tah take a talking cat." He remembered the stuff that she was talking about, but he wasn't going to let her misrepresent the facts. "Dat Braxion was because yah wander off and den riot wasn't meh fault. Et was dat lady and yah jes happen tah be in dah crowd and get lost and den I had tah go back in and get yah. When yah tell dah story right yah see how much trouble yah make for meh."

He was starting to get defensive and she bit her lip, fighting a smile. He remembered a lot more than he let on, and why he never wanted say it, she couldn't understand. There was a small wrong in what he said, but that's because he didn't know she had to lie her way out of getting arrested by the port authorities and searched the day of the supposed cat-napping. "You were arrested and I almost was regarding the cat-napping, but someone had to come get you out of the litter box, so I lied my way out of it. Admittedly, the Braxion and the riot wasn't your fault." Then she gave her a playful sort of smirk. "You do remember it well though and as far as trouble goes, maybe we turned out even hm?" She had half a mind to ask if he remembered anything about getting married or living on Nuen, but it made her nervous to hear the answer this time.

The smirk on her face seemed to indicate that she was the one trying to make trouble now. Kalizda was just picking at him because she could. Just because he could, Illya hip bumped Kalizda and sent her sprawling, but he caught her and pulled her back closer again. Pulling her tightly himself he held her just above the ground so he could kiss her without having to bend over too much. After the kiss he set her down on the ground again and he chuckled. "Maybe we even now."

His heavy hip bopped into her side, sending her sailing with a yip in a flutter of white robes. She was sure she'd hit the ground, but with a lightening reaction, he pulled her back against him into his warm arms for a kiss. Her fingers tangled into the curls at the nape of his neck as she kissed him back, her feet hovering over the ground until he sat her down. "Naughty Chip," she laughed breathlessly, "I might just have to keep making trouble if that's reward I get."

"Hmm...yah tink? Ef yah make too much trouble you'll see what we'll have tah do tah remedy et. I'd expect a little help from yah. Maybe some input." Illya couldn't help grinning when he was feeling a bit wild and right now this was the best he'd felt in a while. "Yah tink dey have little hide out here somewhere?" He knew that question would get a reaction out of her if nothing else did.

The suggestion of what she could do to make up for trouble was all too clear with that wily grin on his face which only got wider when he wondered if there was a hide out in the park somewhere. Her brows raised and she turned pink as her gown again. "You really do want to give those reporters something to gab about."

A reminder of the reporters only made the grin fade to a look of disgust. "Ugh...Yah right. We need tah get back to dah hotel or find someplace more private. Why yah have tah ruin a perfectly good idea?" Since there wasn't anyone to watch yet he gave her another kiss. "Dat's jes because yah pretty.

She was about to argue that she hadn't ruined a perfectly good idea because it wasn't one, at least in this instance, but he cut her off with a kiss. "Mmm...oooh you..."was all she could manage to say for a moment, because she was feeling wily herself. Taking his had, she started to lead them out of the garden, "I think I know a place." All of that time looking over the city hadn't been wasted in the slightest and she grinned, as they scurried like young lovers down the path.

Their little tryst ended on the observatory tower far above anyone to hear them or see them. It was chilly, but her Chip was warm, and she wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. Fame...infamy..past and present. It was all a swirl in her head that was pushed aside when she could simply be with him and enjoy his company.

************

The flight out to the mines was quiet on the President's private ship. Harry spent his time pointing out landmarks through the window to Calysta, who made note of them, asking questions as they flew along. Soon the land went from a vibrant green to a dull brown with the occasional mountain range. "This is an area that used to be in constant civil and religious war, but the Accords ended those some time ago. And there's Cairo. If you like, maybe we can stop there on the way back." At one point, Harry was eager to hold Lohgan, and grinned in delight when she handed the girl over. Lohgan looked to the two strangers with a curious eye, neither smiling or crying. "I think she likes me," Harry whispered to Priscilla. She wasn't going to tell him the girl liked just about anybody with warm hands and a kind smile.

It took little less than 3 hours time with clear skies to reach the mines, landing in the bright sands below. The area around the mines truly was an unusable desert, but in preparation for miners to live and work, a small town had been created with living quarters, a commissary and more. There was even space for entertaining all contained with a barbed wire, military grade fence with Tannas sensors every five feet and regular patrols by the Terran army

As the hatch opened, Calysta shielded her eyes against the near painful light of day and fought the urge to groan as the heat blasted them. One of them actually did groan, and at first she thought it was Harry, but he was walking down the ramp without hesitation. No, it was the two Chip men and it had been a groan of pleasure rather than dread. Both of them were grinning into the sunlight as they scuttled down into the sand. "Only a Chip," Calysta snorted as she shook her head.

Harry lead them from the docks to through the town then toward the mine entrance. Calysta walked along, glad she layered on the sunscreen. Illya seemed to be enjoying the heat more than even Duncan as he walked beside them. The president lead them right up to the gate of an extra security check point, only to be stopped by one of the MP's dressed in desert print fatigues. His skin was far darker than even Illya's and he looked to them with a respectful but firm nod. "Sir, I've been told to inform you that the mines have been temporary closed for safety. There was a small cave in during the last blasting phase. No one was hurt but we are still determining stability before anyone besides the experts enter."

The president nodded, passing a few words in Terran with the officer before turning to the rest of them. "They say it will be until tomorrow before the mine can be certified safe for us to enter after the cave in. They assure me that it's not serious and in the newly opened part of the mine, but they will still ensure the safety of the entire mine. If you want, go explore or if you'd like a more detailed tour I can give that, but I'm afraid there's no going in until they're done."

It was a little disturbing to hear of a cave in. Then again, sometimes those things happened. "I think maybe some time to explore would be good. Sometime outside in the sun?" Calysta suggested. Illya would certainly enjoy it, even if she had to retreat into the shade for awhile.

Harry grinned and pointed to an area toward the rec house they had passed. "They've made a soccer field over there if you'd guys like to give it a try."

********************

After a long in the sun, Calysta sat down on the end of their bed on the ship and poked at her arms. Her skin would go pale white, then turn to pink again as it stung. She wasn't fried to a crisp at least, only a little tender. Who had known the Terran desert would be as harsh as Old Qouti. Still, they'd had shade and plenty of water which had made all of the difference. She stripped down to her bare essentials and laid gingerly on their silky sheets next to Illya. As soon as she was settled, her pad chimed, alerting her to a message from Michelle. "Still looking for your Rodent. Made contacts with friends on Terra, all confidential."

Calysta read the message and then deleted it as Illya rolled over to scoop her up into his arms. She burrowed down without hesitation, cuddling into his chest and sliding a toe up his pants leg out of habit. It was becoming clear that she was going to have a conversation about this article before she found The Mouse. Illya would see it sooner rather than later at this rate and it wouldn't do any good to have him blind sided by all those pesky reporters when the news went big. Sitting up up her elbow some, Calysta kissed him went a gentle touch, trying to think of how she wanted to start the conversation. "Illya, can I talk to you about something?" Her grey eyes scanned his tanned face carefully as she continued. "I read an article by an investigative journalist yesterday. It was about you...not Ira...but you. It described a slave taken in by a Federation family from the first war..and then killed by that same slave. There were holograms and an interview..." She shifted in the bed, wishing she didn't have talk about it at all, even if it would be better in the end. "The picture was of you. I know you worked ops in the war before, but I don't know how many or what else-" Before should could say anything else an alarm began to blare on the ship cutting her words off. They both knew what the sound meant, having heard it a few times before. The Tannas sensors had been triggered.


kimono kimono

 

[Silence]

Illya held onto Kalizda for almost half hour after while they were in the observatory. He was close to falling asleep when another cool breeze brushed over them. "We should get back eh?" Mumbling to her in Quoti he kissed the side of her neck and then moved to her cheek and lips again. It was plenty exciting what the did, but tomorrow would come early and he knew he wouldn't want to get up.

Once they were both off the floor he checked his watch to see what time it was. "Ugh...Ets gonna be two before we get back to dah hotel." A grin came to his face and he shrugged. "I dun tink et was such a bad idea tah go out late." It had been a long time since he'd done anything like that. The streets were much more quiet on the way home and he wrapped one arm around Kalizda's shoulder. Illya wasn't in any hurry and so he took his time walking back. Even if it was a little chilly outside he hadn't bothered to zip up his jacket this time. He was still a little sweaty and the air felt good for now. The closer they got to the hotel the more he started to think about his blanket. Illya was finally starting to feel some of the cool from the outdoors.

Ducking into parking garage of the hotel Illya decided to sneak another kiss from Kalizda before they got into the elevator. "I dun know yah could be so wild." A big grin was still on his face as he held her close to himself. It was impossible to resist kissing her a little more. They were both tired and it was becoming obvious since they were both busy chuckling between kisses. When the elevator stopped Illya picked her up and kissed her again. "I carry meh lady across dah treshold eh?" When they got to the hotel room door he winked at Kalizda and let her be the one to unlock the door and let them in. The hotel room was quiet and little Lohgan was probably sleeping in Duncan's room, but she would be fine there. Besides that meant that he and Kalizda could have a little more time kissing and enjoying each other's company before they fell asleep.

Illya waited till they were to the bed before he put Kalizda down. Giving her another kiss he let her go to the bathroom first to get cleaned up. Showering tonight was probably going to be best done tonight. Both of them wanted to sleep as much as possible before they had to get up in the morning. Since it was going to be a few minutes till she was done Illya spread the red heated blanket over the entire bed and set it to hot so it would warm both their sides of the bed. At least it would be warm when she got into the bed and it would be warm when he got there too. When she was done Illya got showered in just a matter of a few minutes before he came back out and scrambled into a fresh pair of boxers and hopped underneath the covers. His blanket was already set on hot and he grinned at Kalizda. "Dat's why I let yah shower first yah know? Jes so I know dah bed es warm when I get in." It was half in jest and he pulled her closer to himself. With his Kalizda tucked under his arm he curled slightly to make the big spoon and moved his head so it was closer to hers.

There was nothing better feeling than waking up close to Kalizda. They hadn't been able to sleep this closely while she was pregnant and he didn't know how much he missed being this close till he had her close to him all night the several weeks. Lohgan had woke up before they did and Duncan fed her a little bottle. He didn't mind that, but when it was time to get the parents up he marched into the room and handed the girl to Illya. "Yah get up General. We leave in hour." Illya looked at his content and happy little baby girl. She took her soggy little fingers out of her mouth and reached for his face while making a wide gummy grin. It was impossible not to smile back at her.

With Kalizda so close it required Illya to move away from her slightly to make room for Lohgan to lay down between them. The little girl squeaked with pleasure. She loved to be able to lay down with mom and dad in bed. Pushing up on her little arms she squeaked again and started to try talking to her parents. It was only a few moments of laying between them before her little face scrunched and she started to fuss. Illya picked her up and set the girl on his chest. She liked to lay on him and play the same as Cypher did.

Since there was no such thing as making his hair and he'd showered last night Illya figured there wasn't any hurry on his part. Kalizda would have to get up to make her hair and all that, but Illya only had to get dressed. As for little Lohgan she would be more than happy to just wear her pajama's all day. It wasn't so bad, but she would need to wear something else. Getting the baby changed wouldn't take much time either and Illya was more than glad for that. "Yah jes growl like monster." Giving a growl he showed his teeth and the girl squealed and started to pound away on him with her fists. She got excited when he growled at her. Grabbing her under her arms Illya moved her tummy over his mouth and he made growling sounds before blowing on her stomach. With the odd sound that reverberated off her stomach the baby started to laugh again and she grabbed onto her dad's hair and pulled.

Illya kept Lohgan busy while Kalizda got up to get her hair made. Putting a hand behind Lohgan's head Illya supported her little body as he turned her to lay on the bed and he pretend attacked her again. Each time he'd come in like he was gonna gobble up her tummy she would squeak and grab his hair. Lohgan's mouth would open wide and she'd show off her little gums and giggle with glee.

When they were down to only half hour to go Illya decided it was about time to get dressed. As soon as he got up off the bed and wandered over to the drawers to get his clothes out he could hear the girl coo. She was trying to entice him to come back and she kept trying to talk to him and finally began to cry when she thought he wasn't going to come back to the bed to play with her. Playing with dad was a treat and she wanted to play with him more. He was so much fun. Finally he seemed to have heard her and he came back over to the bed to pick her up.

"Oh, oh ets so sad." Illya puffed a lip out at Lohgan and he smirked when she frowned at him. "Yah dun know why I cry? Hmmm...I guess dats jes tah show yah dat I dun know why yah cry eiter." The girl obviously didn't know what he was saying, but she still tried to talk to him and reached for his face again with little fists. She wanted to hold him still so she could look at him better. Instead Illya laid her down on the bed and he pulled out a little dress Kalizda had packed for her trip. "Mmhmm ets meh turn tah get yah dressed. Meh little Lohgan tadpole." Until she discovered her animal and earned a name he would settle with calling her a tadpole. The dress had a long sleeved onsie and a pair of leggings too. Just to make sure the girl wouldn't get too cold. Thankfully the onsie had the snaps at the shoulders to make the hole for her head big enough. So far the hardest thing about baby clothing that Illya had discovered besides getting kids into the clothing was the snaps. It was just so hard to get those ridiculous little things all snapped up and fastened shut again.

By the time Illya had her little leggings on the girl was losing patience with the whole process of getting dressed. "I know." Illya had spent enough time with his big fingers wrangling those tiny snaps into submission to annoy himself too. Slipping her little dress over her head he grinned. "Yah look like little princess." She just needed her little hat on. Illya took the little hat and slipped it over her head. Her whole outfit on and her brown onsie with brown leggings made it look bright and cute. With her green eyes and that single reddish brown curl sticking out from under the hat she looked beautiful. Illya picked her up and held her on his shoulder and then covered her with her little blanket.

Already the baby had begun to nestle in and get comfy. She loved laying on dad and feeling the heat from his body. It was just so comfy. This was supposed to be a small trip so Illya shoved a few clothes and his gear into a duffel and swung it over his shoulder while he waited for Kalizda to finish getting her things and the baby's. "Yah almost ready?" It felt like he was always waiting on her. It wasn't that it was such an awful thing to wait on her, but she did take her time doing things when they were supposed to be leaving. Holding one arm out he took her bag and Lohgan's. He had the family's bags and the baby. All he needed was for Kalizda to get her jacket on and be ready to go. They were catching a Terran special transport out to the mine.

Illya rode with the president and his wife in a car again and he couldn't help grinning a little bit when Lohgan decided she wanted to look around. She was starting to get curious. So he held her on his lap while she stared wide eyed and in wonder at Harry and his wife. Since they didn't know Quoti it was safe to speak to his daughter in the language. He wanted her to know Quoti when she grew up. "You like other tiny people?" Duncan glanced over briefly and he chuckled.

The ride to the air field was short and the rest of the flight to the desert felt short too. Mostly Illya stayed in the sitting room and he only gave up Lohgan when it was time for her to feed. If she could have Kalizda instead of a bottle that always seemed to take preference. When they finally landed in the desert Illya got in line with everyone else to get out. There was nothing more satisfying than the blast of heat that greeted him."Oooh...yes." Groaning the words Illya almost melted with sheer pleasure on the spot. Duncan let out a long groan as well and both of them wandered into the hot dry climate.

They had to walk toward the mines, but that was even better. It was the first time in years that Illya remembered feeling so good outside. He loved the feeling of the sand shifting under his feet, the burning sun in face, and the nearly suffocating hot winds. There was nothing better than this. So far everything was going fine aside from his fiasco as Ira. That was until they heard about the cave in at the mine All of it sounded a bit suspicious, but he let Harry take care of this. All they could do was wait and see what would come of this event. On the way back to their little camp out spot Illya decided he might try to find a good spot to bask in the sun. More than likely Duncan would be the only one that would want to join him, but that would be fine. Everyone else would burn too easy.

Illya started out toward the hottest spot he could find in the desert. One that was hot and full of sand so it wouldn't be quite as hard when he flopped. It would feel so good. He was almost to the perfect spot and then he heard Harry offer to play a game. "Eh?" Illya glanced at him and frowned slightly. He had never played the game, but he was sure that he could do pretty well at it. So far Illya had never experienced a game that he couldn't play. The two of them wandered over to a field and it was fairly self explanatory with a box on either end. The point was to put the ball in the opposing team's box. Illya crouched slightly and he braced for the moment Harry would try to make a run for it. Kicking the ball was supposed to be a tricky play? Since Harry was close Illya reached out and shoved him over before grabbing the ball and throwing it into the other goal. "Dere, dats easy."

Harry wandered over to the end of their hardened dirt field, and took off his suit jacket along with his tie before rolling up his sleeves. It had been awhile since he'd had a decent soccer match, even a one on one game. No one wanted to play the president and he'd had little time to enjoy the smaller things in life. He plucked a weather beaten ball from the rack under the shade tent, then gestured to Illya. "We'll just have a little one match with only one of the goals. You get the ball into the net, it's your point. If I get the ball into the net, it's mine." Excited to get started, he put the ball at his feet then went forward, letting old instinct kick in. No sooner than he had started around Illya's defense, did the big man shove him hard. Harry toppled to his butt with a hard landing that jarred all the way up his spine as Illya stole the ball and tossed it into the goal. "Whoa!" His bum smarted and he shook his head, climbing to his feet. "Ah, General in this game you can't pick up the ball. Probably should have told you that to start," he admitted with a chuckle, "It's all footwork and no hands. A shove like that would also be a foul, technically speaking, but I think we can let that one slide." Harry twisted his arms over his back, getting the alignment back in his spine. "Want to try again?"

The look from the president seemed to say that this wasn't what he was expecting. He should have. It was dumb to start off kicking a ball and assume the other guy would be scared to get his arms kicked. Instead it turned out to be against the rules of the game to use your hands. Illya chuckled a little. "Eh, I guess ef dats how et's played. I jes use meh feet den." The next round could barely have been considered successful. As the president got them started again Illya moved forward and as tempted as he was to just tackle the president he settled with kicking the man's feet out from underneath him and then booting the ball. The ball caught the tip of Illya's foot and flew off at an odd angle, but it still made a loud pop as it came into contact with one of the secret service men's face. The man was knocked off balance and landed flat on his back. Instinctively Illya grimaced. "Oh, dat had tah hurt."

The president took on Illya for another round, first feinting left before dodging to the right, which he knew was the General's false leg. Apparently, the man was as deadly on one said as the other, having no problem kicking his feet right out from under him. Harry yelped as his legs swept parallel to the ground and he slammed into the dirt on his back with a pained 'oof'. Somewhere in the distance a loud pop rang out followed by a 'Oooh.' Rolling over, he propped up on his elbows to see some of the army trotting over to help one of the secret service men off the ground and cover his bloody nose. "I don't think he saw that coming even with the glasses," Harry winced. "You okay Agent Kessler?!" The agent waved them off as he was lead to the infirmary to get his nose set and he could hear Priscilla calling out to them from the tent. "Please be careful!" Clambering to his feet, Harry dusted himself off causing little puffs of sand to fly away in the wind. "Sweeping feet is also an illegal move. It's all about foot work. You have to be faster than me and steal the ball with only your feet," he grinned. Someone kicked the ball back in their direction and Harry picked in up between his feet for the play to start.

Apparently being Terran didn't lend oneself to being fast, tricky, or sturdy. It was no wonder they were a short lived race. Illya watched as the Secret Service man was walked off toward a medical facility. "He onleh got hit dah face wit a ball. Nut a hard one eiter. It probably hurt, but I dun tink et would have eh...." Catching a look from the president he shrugged. "Et was accident. Maybe I jes check on dah secret service man later." Since they were up for the next round Illya sighed. So far shoving and tripping were illegal, so it was the next best move Illya could think of. As the president tried to scurry around him and dodged one way and then the next Illya stepped in fast and hard and body slammed the president to the ground and then started to make a semi clumsy effort at dribbling the ball. It was a ways out from him with each tap and then suddenly Harry ran in front of him and stole the ball. Illya sped up and body slammed the president again then took the ball and kicked it into the goal. "Dere, and dun tell meh I did anyting against dah rules dis time." If he did something against the rules Illya was going to insist on seeing a rule book of sorts.

Harry didn't get up quite so fast the second time the General slammed into the ground. He laid there in the sand, trying to catch his breath more from the hard hit than the running, the rolled to sit up, propping his elbows on his knees. "That would have gotten you thrown out of the game," he said wiping his brow. It was better that he waited for the burning in his back to subside before he got up and Priscilla squawked at him. "I'm started to think rugby might be more your game."

Duncan had been standing on the sidelines cheering the whole time and encouraging every slam. "Yes! Dat's how yah do et. Take em down." If there was anyone that loved a good game besides Illya it was Duncan. They were both competitive, but Duncan loved to watch almost as much as he loved to play. If a game involved a ball it was all the better. Illya shook his head at Duncan and walked over to the president before he spoke. "I jes tink yah dun like how I play." Illya shook his head with a smirk. If the guy wanted to always change the rules to explain why he was losing he could do that, but it didn't change he was bad at playing ball. "I followed all yah rules. No shoving wit meh hands and I dun trip yah. I jes knock yah over and take dah ball. Noting wrong wit dat." It was completely justified based on what the rules had been stated as. "I dun know dis rugby eiter. Maybe yah like tah try playing ball Chip style?"

Harry used a knee to climb to his feet once more and retrieved the ball from the goal which gave him a good moment to walk of the last play. He had been on the battle field with Illya and knew he was smart, how had he missed the man's stubborn nature? "That's because you used your body for a foul," he told the Chip earnestly, "You're not allowed to take the ball by force like that." When he mentioned playing ball Chip style, the president felt a spot of curiosity. Their drinking games were fun, and it was always best to learn what you could about your allies culture. Sports were always something that people could connect with. "Sure," he grinned, tossing the ball at Illya, "How do you play?" At hearing the president's answer, Calysta stood up in the tent and called out over the sand in Qouti. "Don't break him."

Just when Illya opened his mouth to explain how to play the game Kalizda yelled to him and he waved to her before he looked back at the president. "Chip style es much easier." Holding one hand up he waved it over his face, "Yah dun hit here or kick here. Dats et. Oterwise yah kick, punch, tackle, bite, ef dere's a stick or rope nearby yah can use et. Anyting dat yah tink tah get dah ball and put et in dah box."

From what Illya described it was a much more violent version of rugby without the fouls involved unless it was a blow to the face. That was good. The ball kicked hard by a Chip had broken Kessler's nose for sure and Harry didn't feel like giving speeches while sounding ridiculous for a month as it healed. "Alright, sounds easy enough." Without giving him a chance to do anything else, Harry leapt forward, knocked the ball from his hands and easily recovered it, jetting down the field with it dribbling at his feet. He was all to aware of how fast the general was, so he zig zagged to make himself less of a target. He was nearing the goal but the General was hot on his trail. In a last chance effort before he was caught, Harry kipped the ball of and gave it a mighty kick toward the goal.

Suddenly the ball was knocked from his hands and it looked like the president was running as fast as he could, maybe even faster than he had the last few times. Illya grinned, Harry had gotten the spirit of the game with just one simple explanation. Taking off toward the president he was about ready to make a tackled when Harry made a quick dart to one side and then the next. There was a pattern to it, but there wasn't enough time to stop him from making an attempt at the next point. This was going to require a ground tackle. Illya threw himself to the ground and slide in Harry's way, but until after the president had kicked the ball. Knocking the president to the ground hadn't set his kick off at all and Harry still made the point. Jumping to his feet Illya grinned and then leaned over and pulled Harry to his feet. "Dat's how yah play. Yah got meh dis time, but nut next time."

The next round Illya watched for any movement from the president and as soon as the man started to move Illya slipped one leg between the president's and pulled till the guy fell over and then took the ball and ran down to the goal box. On the following round Illya plowed into Harry, though he tried to be careful about it and not hurt the president. Harry seemed to be a small fellow and he was surprisingly light. Illya would have thought that the man would be a little more dense than that. When they finally finished the game Illya walked over to where Harry was and he offered him a hand up. "Yah play good. I tink I maybe read rule book to yah game of soccer so I play better next time eh?" It seemed that the sport was overly complicated and he didn't know why anyone would want to play a game like that, but perhaps there was more it than met the eye. If there was true skill involved it could be fun.

It was getting late enough in the day that Illya decided they should start to make arrangements for a meal. He wasn't real fond of the special microwave rations that they had from Terra. His experience with them thus far was that they were gross. Not that he would tell the president that, but it was high time they had something decent to eat. After everyone had a time to rest in the shade and Illya and Duncan had their time basking in the sun Illya motioned to Harry. "Yah come get dinner wit meh?" At first it was hard to tell if Harry would even want to come, but he seemed to be more than ready.

Illya took a knife from the front of military vest in the ship and then went marching off into the sand. Along the way he would kick up the sand until he heard a hiss. "Oooh I hear dinner." A grin came to his face and he scanned the sands until he saw the creature. It was coiled and ready to strike. "Mmmhmmm." Kicking a little more sand at the snake he watched it strike fruitlessly and then slither a few inches away before it coiled and struck again at the next spray of sand he sent toward it. Illya wouldn't die if he got bit, but he didn't like the way it felt either. When he had worked his way close enough Illya held the knife in one hand and then kicked at the snake's coiled body. Snakes always went toward the heat and the knife was hot with a broad blade. Holding that out he heard the snake hit it with it's head in the middle of the strike and then he snatched the creature up with his other hand. Holding the snake just behind the head he grinned and then held it's wiggling body down before he chopped the head off. "Dere we go." Leaving the head on the ground he watched for a moment as a scorpion wandered by the head a little too close and the severed head still bit it. "Now I jes clean out dah meat and drain blood. Den we eat."

It was a good sized snake and that was pleasing to Illya. He loved having a good snake. This time he would do the cooking and then he could have bits of the meat so he would know if it was good or not. Naturally it was going to be good since it was fresh, but he wanted an excuse to have some bites. Holding the dripping carcass out to the side Illya walked back to the ship with Harry.

The other Chip was practically licking his lips when he saw the snake. Before Illya could say that they were going to be the cooks Duncan started to prepare some of the ingredients he packed to make the sweet bread and grasses to cook the snake in. Desert grass from Quoti and Nuen were wonderful complimentary herbs to the snake and he had managed to get some to grow at home in Pytra. It was a difficult business, but he did it and it made some extra labor since many Chippequoti wanted the herbs and they would pay premium prices for it. Illya and Dunan set out a little kettle and stove in the desert sand. They liked cooking outside since it was hotter. While they worked Duncan started off humming and then he quietly started to sing an old war song. Since they were alone Illya joined in and the two of them sang the song while they added the seasoning to the meat and ate little bits of it till they got to the taste and texture just right.

By the time they finished making a full Chip dinner it was dark out on the desert and planted a few torches in the sand for the others to come sit by. Duncan went into the ship and he hollered. "Aye, we have food everybody."

Illya was pretty sure that Kalizda had never had a Chip meal like they would make if they were out in the field, but it was good food. It was how many of the Dark Chippequoti had eaten for years. Often times during the war they would move entire villages and sections of people and they would eat like this at night. Once everyone was seated Illya served up the platters and he served his own last before he settled into the sand next to Kalizda. Lohgan was laying in her arms and mostly comfortable from the looks of it, but he wanted to hold the girl. "I hold her and yah eat easier eh?" Taking Lohgan from Kalizda he set his platter on one knee and then ate with one hand and held his daughter to his chest with the other. Lohgan kept right on sleeping with only occasional grunts when she tried to find a way to get closer to the heat source. When they finished with the meal Duncan and Illya scrubbed out the pan with salt and sand. It was the best way they knew how to clean in the desert when there wasn't water enough to waste on washing things. "Dere, ets clean." Illya handed it back to Harry and Priscilla who appeared to be somewhat skeptical. "Chippequoti do dis for many years and we dun die yet."

It was hard to tell if the two Terrans liked the food or not. If they hadn't liked it they were too polite to actually say anything. After they had everything put away they split off into their separate parts of the ship to go to bed. Illya loved the desert, but he wasn't going to be sleeping outside in it. Deserts felt cold at night and he knew that Kalizda and Lohgan wouldn't want to sleep with him otherwise.

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