Anaya sat at the dinner table with Dalia. Tonight’s meal was one of Anaya’s favorites. Ramaneen with Poca Sauce. Dalila had just sat down to pray.
“Holy Avis, thank you for this blessing of food. May it feed our bodies as you feed our souls. May we live forever in your grace. Protect this home and all who live in it.“ Dalila prayed, “May you always protect this child, keep her in your holy grace, no matter what may befall her.”
“Teemen Emideen,” they said in unison.
Anaya hungrily ate her Ramaneen. There was a lot of noise outside. Dalila had kept her inside for several days. They had been doing extra studies about Earth where the humans came from. Anaya had met one once. He was funny looking but Anaya liked him. He seemed very nice.
“Let us practice your studies, Anaya,” Dalila said firmly. “Can you name the oceans on Earth?”
“Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Pacifist.”
“Pacific.” But very good.” Dailia said.
“Pass – if -ic” Anaya repeated slowly.
Outside, in the central marketplace, there was another riot happening. The riots had been happening daily since Supreme Leader Telaya had been taken into custody by the Planetary Union. The Council of Clerics prayed daily to Avis for a sign.
As factions rose, fights broke out in the streets. Telaya’s enemies were gaining ground in the military. Many in her government were feeling betrayed by her inadequacies, some had called her alliance with the Moclans unholy, and rumors had started to fly about an unnatural child.
Herron kept his head down as he quickly moved through the square. They were following him. He knew they were, even though they were trying hard to make him think they weren’t. There were only three of them. Shots rang out in the marketplace, rival gangs shooting at each other across the street. Herron ran right in between them, hoping to lose his tail or at least buy some time. The people following didn’t pursue through the weapons fire.
Herron stopped briefly at the Meat merchant. “We must do this now,” he told the short portly Krill, holding a stick with cooked meat.
The man put down his stick and said “Bring them here quickly. Around the back.”
Anaya was finishing up her Rameen when Herron came in hurriedly. “ We must go now!” he said.
“Anaya dear, it’s time to go,” Dalila said as she reached into the closet and pulled out a bag. “Go get your things.”
Anaya was excited to be out of the house. She was covered head to toe as always with a hood and scarf. Her eyes were covered by dark goggles. But she was excited to be out. Herron and Dalila had said they were going on a trip and she would get to see a lake. And maybe even play outside.
The Central Market was filled with people and they all seemed angry. Many were shouting. Anaya didn’t understand why.
She thought it might be because of the lady on the broadcast, Telaya. Some people were shouting her name. Others were shouting at those people. Telaya had been elected Supreme Chancellor of Krill. But something happened. Herron called it a war. She was captured by the Union. Now there was no one in command of Krill.
Dalila had taught Anaya the basics of Krill Civics. If the current Chancellor dies while in office their predecessor is supposed to take their place until the Council of Clerics receives word from Avis that a new election can be held. But he had been killed by Telaya and she wasn’t dead, just captured. So no one was in charge.
All of Krill waited for word from Avis to begin an election.
Suddenly, there was a new noise in the air. One that Anaya had never heard. A loud piercing sound. Lights were flashing through the air. It was beautiful and exciting.
Then one of the lights hit Dalia.
She collapsed in the street. She wasn’t moving. There was a black mark on her head and a horrible burnt smell. “Dalia?” Anaya asked. Shaking the woman’s body violently. “ Wake up Dalia, wake up.”
Herron scooped up Anaya and ran.
The hum of the deck plates was usually a constant on the bridge. Usually. It was warm and soft and made Ed feel comfortable.
Lieutenant Brosk was snoring so loud that Ed couldn’t even hear the hum. It was the second day in a row he had fallen asleep at the Navigation station. It was also the third day in a row he had pulled a double shift working both an engineering shift and a second shift at Navigation.
Ed was trying to ignore it. Another captain on a different ship would have berated the man, relieved him of duty, and placed a formal reprimand on his record. Ed was just happy to have someone in the seat. If the Krill or the Moclans suddenly showed up to start a fight, he’d rather have a navigator who at least had a power nap. Brosk was being nice enough to fill in for a couple of days. Ed was inclined to cut him some slack.
The ship was short-handed. Since Charley had died, the main navigator position had remained empty for months with members of the Engineering staff taking turns. At one point there was even a discussion of training Topa or one of the Finn kids to Navigate but Union Command didn’t like the idea of turning the navigation of the ship over to someone with no real experience, knowledge, or training.
Ed looked up from his pad to see Gordon with a marker getting ready to draw on Brosk. “Dude no,” Ed said
“But he’s asleep!” Gordon whispered loudly.
“I know,” Ed loudly whispered back, “Just let him sleep.”
“Shouldn’t we wake him up?” Talla asked.
Kelly squinted her nose and shook her head a bit.
“Let him sleep. It’s his third double shift in a row.” Ed whispered loudly. He turned to Kelly. “Any word on a new navigator?”
“Not yet, they said maybe next week,” Kelly replied.
“Well it can’t be soon enough,” Ed replied.
Lights blinked on Brosk’s panel. Gordon peered over the sleeping man. “It looks like there is a ship on an intercept course with us?” he whispered.
“What kind?” Ed whispered back.
“I can’t tell,” Gordon replied, “ He’s asleep on that part of the console.”
“Someone put it on screen.” Ed quietly asked.
A Horbalck freighter filled the screen.
The comm panel beeped. Talla said, ”Captain, we have an incoming transmission coded specifically for you.”
“Put it through,” Ed replied.
On the viewscreen, a Horbalak appeared. “Captain Mercer?” He asked, momentarily waking Brosk from his slumber.
“Yes, I’m Captain Ed Mercer, and you are?”
“I am Blavaroch. I have a delivery for you. Permission to bring it over by shuttle?” He asked very politely. Far more politely than any Horbalack that Ed had ever met.
“Sure. I guess. What is it?” Ed asked.
“I will bring it right over. You will see.” Blavaroch smiled and nodded approvingly as he ended the communication and disappeared from the screen.
“ Talla, you’re with me.” Ed said, “Kelly…” he didn’t even have to finish
“ I won’t let Gordon draw on Brosk,” She said, finishing his thought.
Gordon looked upset. Ed wasn’t sure if it was because he had been called out or because he wasn’t going to be able to draw on Brosk, either way, he figured it was better that he didn’t know.
Brosk was fast asleep.
In the shuttle bay, the Horbalack shuttle was landing right next to the Pteradon. A stark contrast to its sleek lines and aerodynamic flow, the Horbalack shuttle looked like a shipping crate with thrusters.
Blaveroch looked pretty typical for a Horbalack with widely spaced eyes and a flat little nose on a broad flat face. This Horbablack was different from any Ed had met, he had a very unusually polite manner.
“Here it is,” He said, handing Ed a Krill Communication pad.
“Sir, allow me,” Talla said taking the pad and scanning it with her security scanner.
“It’s fine. I assure you.” Blavarock said. “There’s a message for you on it. “
“If it’s just a message, why not just transmit it?” Talla asked, “And why use Krill technology to bring it?”
“I couldn’t risk transmitting it. It’s a message from Krill.” Balvarock exclaimed.
Talla looked at her scanner, all the lights were green “ It looks clear. It doesn’t seem to be transmitting a signal”
“It’s a very important message for the Captain!” Blavarock stated firmly. He was beginning to get irritated and his Horbalock heritage was starting to show.
Ed took the comm scanner and hit the play button on the message. A familiar face popped up.
“Captain Mercer, I don’t know if you remember me. I am Harron. I was there when you met Anaya. She is in grave danger now. With Telaya gone, her rivals are swooping in trying to take power. Someone has alerted them to Anaya’s existence and they have come for her already and her caretaker was killed. I managed to get her out of Dalakos to a safe house in the country. But I fear there is nowhere on Krill that she will be safe. You must come and retrieve her at these coordinates as quickly as possible.”
The screen went blank. Ed’s heart sank. He looked at Blavaroch and asked, “You smuggled this off of Krill?”
“Yes.” Blavaroch beamed with pride. “Along with a good number of other things. I can get you a great deal on some Kospid Cider.”
“Maybe later. Could you smuggle someone onto and then back off of Krill?” Ed asked
“Captain?” Talla asked.
“Of course, I can. The Krill consider me to be an honorable man.” Balvaroch said. “I trade with them regularly. That’s why they sent me. To pick you up, bring you back, pick up the kid, and bring you back to your ship. They don’t even look at my ship. I am ready to go, right now.”
“Do you mind staying on the ship until I make my decision?” Ed asked.
“Well I don’t know, I’m kind of a busy guy.” Blav exclaimed, “But… This ship wouldn’t happen to have an environmental simulator, would it? I have heard there is a program where you can visit the mines of Galvidar.”
Ed looked at Talla. “See if we have an available environmental simulator for Blavaroch to wait in, then call the senior staff to the conference room. I need to talk to the Admiral.” Ed walked out.
Talla looked at Blavaroch “ If you will follow me I can escort you to a simulator.” They walked out of the shuttle bay and down the long hallway to the elevator.
Blavarock seemed impressed with the ship. “ This is an explorer class vessel correct?” he asked Talla.
“ Yes, it is,” she responded. “One of 789 in the fleet. Out of curiosity, why Galvidar?” It’s not exactly the most scenic or relaxing place.
They exited the elevator and started the walk to Simulator 3.
“ I was born on Galvidar.” The Horbalck replied.
“On Galvidar? “ Talla asked, “That’s nowhere near Horbo Prime. How did you end up out there?”
“My father was a smuggler.” the Horboloch explained. “We had to flee Horbo Prime when I was a child. The authorities were looking for Father. I’m pretty sure he’s still wanted there and he’s been dead for 20 years.”
Talla smiled at him. Pushed some buttons on the door and it opened to Galvidar, the ugliest hunk of rock in the galaxy. Acrid smoke filled the air. The loud banging of mining equipment echoed through the streets.
“Ahh so perfect,” Blavaroch exclaimed. “Thank you so much.”
“ You can wait here. I will come get you when the Captain has made a decision. The controls are voice activated so if you want to go anywhere else, just tell the computer.”
Talla exited the simulator. Taped some buttons on the door. The words “security lock” came up on the panel.
“Do you think you can trust him? “ Admiral Halsey asked from the small viewscreen on Ed’s desk.
“He risked a lot to get me that message, or he could be lying and the whole thing is a trap,” Ed replied.
“The Union has no way to confirm the message,” Admiral Halsey said, “ but we have received intelligence reports stating that the political situation on Krill is in turmoil with multiple factions all trying to gain pull with Telayas followers.”
“I don’t think I can just leave her there,” Ed said.
“She’s your daughter. “ Admiral Halsey said understandingly. “Look, the Union Council can not and will not sanction this trip. “
“Understood,“ Ed said, feeling rejected.
“Maybe you should take some time off,” Halsey said with a slight glint in his eye. “Take a couple of days and get off the ship. Maybe go visit some family.”
“Are you saying what I think you are saying, sir?” Ed asked.
“She’s your daughter Ed.”
“Understood” this time a little less rejected.
The senior staff were gathered in the briefing room. They all looked stunned. Ed wasn’t sure if it was because of the dire straits of Anaya or because he just told them he had a child with the woman who tried to kill them all.
“It is a trap.” Bortus stated plainly “Telaya’s allies want revenge for her imprisonment.”
“I didn’t get the feeling he was a big political supporter of Telaya’s. He was part of a group that supported peace with the Union” Ed explained. “ But this still could be a trap. Even if it is, I have to go. I can’t just leave her there.”
“ You can’t go alone,” Kelly said
“So we’re going into Krill space?” LaMarr asked.
“I can’t let any of you go with me on this,” Ed said. “I have to do this myself. This is completely off the books. It is NOT sanctioned by the Union.“
Kelly looked at Talla. Gordon looked at both of them.
Ed continued, “I just wanted you all to know, so if I don’t make it back… Being the captain of this ship has been the greatest job of my life. And it was an honor and a privilege working with each of you. You are all dismissed.”
They all left the briefing room except Kelly. Ed got up to leave. “Ed, think about this. You need someone with you to have your back. “
“Kelly, I can’t make anyone do this. It’s off the books, it’s probably a trap. There’s a good chance I’m not coming back. But I have to go.” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself knowing I left my daughter in that situation.”
He turned toward the door. “Take care of my ship for me.”
“I’ll have your seat ready for you when you get back,” Kelly said. Ed left the room. Kelly hit the com button on her wrist. “Grayson to Keyali”
Talla responded. ”Gordon and I are already on it.”
Ed had packed light. Just one small bag. No Union insignia. A plasma pistol just in case. He wore all-black civilian attire. As he headed for the shuttle bay he wondered if he needed a cloak. He wore one the last time he was on Krill and no one seemed to notice he was human. It was too late to get one. He needed to get going.
In the shuttle bay, Blavaroch was waiting by the shuttle. Gordon and Talla, both in civilian attire, were being briefed by Kelly. “Take this,” she said, giving a small device to Talla.
Talla looked at it. “Long-range beacon?”
“Just in case,” Kelly said.
Ed stopped as he entered the shuttle bay. “What are you guys doing?” he asked.
“Well,” Gordon replied “Talla and I are both long overdue for some vacation time and we thought we might spend it with our new friend Blav here. Right, Talla?”
“Absolutely,” she replied.
“Guys, if this is a trap, it could be a one-way ticket,” Ed said.
“Sir,” Talla interrupted, “ we’re wasting time.”
On the Horbalach ship, Ed looked over a satellite view of the rendezvous site. It was a very remote cabin snuggled in the mountains of the southern continent. The hard part would be getting to the surface without being detected by global security. 80 kilometers of dense cloud cover to fly through before you even get there. He was glad Gordon and Talla came along. He hadn’t wanted to ask them, but it was nice to know that they were here and ready to have his back.
Gordon was making fast friends with Balvaroch. Blav had been regaling him with tales of his childhood growing up as the son of a smuggler. They had a lot in common, the love of flying, and the wanting to get the hell away from the family.
“So are you named after Blavaroch the Great or Balvaroch the Beautiful?” Gordon asked.
“I’m named after Blavaroch the Unworthy. “ Blav replied “My father’s own joke. Though most of the Blavarochs of my generation are named after one of those two.”
“You’re the fourth Blavaroch I have met. “
“Only four?” Blavarcoh asked. “You must not know many Horbalochs.”
“Not too many.” Gordon admitted, “You’re the best one though. The last one was kind of a jerk.”
The navigation panel beeped. “Entering Krill space now,” Gordon said.
Ed moved behind the pilot’s chair to look over Blav’s shoulder. “You’re sure you can get through their security?” he asked.
“Oh yeah, I do this all the time,” Blav said.
The communication panel beeped. They were being hailed. Blav put it on speaker.
“Horbalock vessel, state your business on Krill.” the voice demanded.
Blavaroch responded, ”Just picking up standard trade. Kaspid cider, Merlavin Fabric, pain sticks… the usual stuff. Hey, is Darkos working tonight?”
There was a pause. “Darkos is off tonight.”
“Well when you see him, tell him that Blavaroch said hello,” Blav said in a friendly way.
There was another awkward pause.
“You are cleared to proceed.” the voice said.
Blavaroch kicked back in his chair and turned off the communications system. “See I told you we were good. “ he said.
The Horbalack freighter descended into a lower orbit right above the cloud cover.
“Ok, this is it Blavaroch.” Gordon said, “If you can just hold this position for an hour, we should be right back.”
“I will be right here.” Blavaroch assured them.
He watched as the shuttle launched and descended into the clouds. He hit the comm panel.” Blavaroch to Captain Karniik, the shuttle has just left. They should be at the coordinates soon.“
A voice came over the speaker,” We have them on scanners. Your credits are being transferred now. Thank you for your service to Krill.”
“Anytime,” Blavaroch replied. He looked at his view screen as the credits were rolling in. He punched up the propulsion and engaged the quantum drive leaving Krill far behind.
The shuttle ride to the surface was rough, but nothing that Gordon couldn’t handle. The limited sensors showed they were alone. This was a very remote location. The scanners showed nothing for 100 miles.
Gordon landed the shuttle in a clearing away from the cabin.
Ed and Talla headed out on foot. “Keep the engine running,” Ed said.
“Will do,” Gordon promised.
We’re on scrambled channel 2,” Talla said to Gordon. “We’ll maintain radio silence unless we need pickup.”
“Understood,” Gordon said. Ed was already out of the door. “Take care of him, Talla.”
“I will,” she responded. And she was out the door too.
The trek through the woods was fairly easy. Ed had never been a big fan of hiking. He traipsed on following the directions on the Krill Comm scanner to a small cabin in a clearing next to a pond. The pond glowed with green algae, illuminating the area with an eerie green. Harron stood on the porch.
“You must hurry. I have just received word that they know you are here. You have been compromised and they are on their way.” he said. “ Anaya, come child.” Anaya stepped out of the small cabin into the green glow of the pond light. “You will go with this man. He is your father.“
“He’s the funny-looking man. Is he really my father? ” she asked.
“By the word of Avis, I swear it to be true. He is your father. You are no longer safe here. You must go with him. He will keep you safe.” Herron said assuringly.
“Are you scared? ” Ed asked.
Anaya nodded.
“It’s okay to be scared. Sometimes things can be really scary. But you don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m going to take care of you. This is my friend Talla. Talla, this is my daughter Anaya.” Ed said smiling.
“It’s nice to meet you. I like your dress. Are you ready to go?” Talla asked the girl.
Anaya looked down at her dress and hid a bit behind Herron.
“Yes,” Harron said, “you must leave at …” Plasma blasts rang through the air.
“It’s a trap!” Talla yelled.
Ed put himself between the blasts and Anaya.
“They have found us,” Herron said, it was the last thing he said. A pulsar blast rang through his skull. He fell to the ground right in front of Anaya.
Anaya screamed. The trauma of losing another parental figure in such a short time was too much, she went into shock and just stood there.
Ed picked her up and took her back into the cabin to find cover. Talla slowly backed through the door while laying down covering fire in the direction of the incoming blasts.
She got inside and barred the door. Then took up a position in the window.
“Anaya, are you hurt?” Ed asked.
Anaya just stared into space. Still in shock.
Ed took off his coat and wrapped it around her.
Outside the window, the Krill were coming out of the woods. About a dozen were converging on the front door of the cabin.
Ed pulled out the Comm. “Gordon, we’re pinned down in the cabin. We need help.”
“On my way.” came out of the comm.
Talla picked one or two off from her spot in the window. Ed took up a position behind her, plasma pistol in hand.
The Krill were practically at the front door. One of them blasted the lock and was preparing to kick in the door, when out of nowhere the Horbaloch shuttle dropped from the sky, right on top of them. A huge splatter of Krill decorated the front of the cabin. A couple of half-crushed Krill writhed in pain around the base of the shuttle.
Gordon opened the ramp. It hit the front porch with a thud, knocking out a half-conscious Krill in the process. “Someone call a cab?” he joked.
Ed carried Anaya in. Talla followed and shut the door. Gordon took off.
The shuttle broke through the cloud cover and into open space. The coordinates were correct but the Horbaloch ship was gone.
“I guess we know who told them we were coming.” Ed surmised.
“Aww man,“ Gordon sighed, “I really liked him. He was really the nicest of all the Balvaroch I ever met.”
“He set us up!” Talla exclaimed.
“Still the nicest Horbaloch I’ve met,” Gordon said
“Set a course for Union space and step on it,” Ed said.
“It’s not going to take long for them to catch up to us,” Gordon replied.
Talla reached down into her bag and pulled out the portable beacon. She hit a button on it.
Gordon was right. They were barely out of the Krill atmosphere when a Krill fighter was on their tail. With no weapons and no shields, they were sitting ducks. Gordon bobbed and weaved in an attempt to keep the shuttle from being blown to bits.
“Looks like it’s just the one fighter,” Talla said looking at the scanners.
Ed didn’t know if he should be relieved or insulted. Obviously, the Krill weren’t worried about them getting away.
Suddenly another ship appeared on the scanners. It was The Orville. Bright blue bolts of energy flew from her weapons array destroying the Krill fighter.
A familiar voice came over the Comms. “Grayson to Mercer, the shuttle bay is open and ready for you to land.”
In sickbay, Dr. Finn ran a scanner over Anaya. The child was silent, still in shock, still traumatized by the death of her caretakers. Dr. Finn put away her scanner.
“How is she?” Ed asked. “Is she going to be ok?”
“Physically she is fine.” Dr. Finn said, “But she’s been through a very traumatic experience. She’s going to need therapy. I’d like to keep her overnight for observation. The good news is the ship’s lighting doesn’t seem to affect her. I don’t think she will have any physical problems adjusting to life on the ship. Mentally, that’s going to be a longer road.”
“Her caretakers were killed right in front of her,” Ed explained “Now she’s on a strange ship with someone she hardly knows, and that person is me…. Claire, I don’t know if I am ready for this.”
Claire Finn laughed. “No one ever is. Parenthood isn’t something you study for or take a test for. You’ll figure it out.” she said confidently “Everyone does.”
“I don’t even know where to start raising a daughter,” Ed said.
“Well,” Claire said plainly, “I would start with getting her a bed. You should go talk to her. She needs you.”
Anaya lay on the medical bed. Staring off into space. Ed approached her slowly. “Are you feeling ok?”
Anaya looked at him. “I’m never going to see my home again am I?” she asked softly.
Ed took a deep breath. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he didn’t want her to lose all hope. “You probably won’t see it again for a long time. But this ship can be your new home. It’s got plenty of fun things to do. And there are other kids here you can play with. And we visit lots of interesting places. And you can still have whatever you want to eat.”
Anaya looked him right in the eyes. “ Are you really my father?”
“Yes. I am your father.” Ed responded, “Look I know you probably miss your mother.”
“I’ve never met my mother.” Anaya answered, “I miss Dailia and Herron.”
Ed was surprised. He had been told Telaya had hidden her away. It had never occurred to her that her daughter didn’t even know her. “Your guardians?” he asked.
Anaya nodded. She looked at Ed “Who is my mother?” she asked.
“Your mother…” he stammered a bit trying to explain “That might be a question that is better answered another day. “She’s complicated.”
“Did you love her?” Anaya asked
Ed was taken aback. This whole conversation was one he hadn’t expected. He was still wrestling with his feelings for Telaya and now he was trying to explain them to a six-year-old.
“Your mom was a very special person in my life.” Ed explained “And I cared a lot about her. But she didn’t really feel the same way about me. So it didn’t really work out. But she is gone now. She did some really bad things and had to go away. I don’t think we will be seeing her again. But I do know she loved you very much.”
Anaya looked so much like her mom. So beautiful.
“Herron and Dalia used to say she sent me away to keep me protected,” Anaya explained sadly.
“She did.“ Ed said, “She had a lot of enemies and she was worried they would try to hurt you.”
“Are you going to send me away?” she looked up with tears in her eyes.
Ed reached out to hold her. “No. No one is sending you anywhere. You are going to stay with me, here on this ship. Hey, are you hungry?”
Ed walked over to the food synthesizer, He hit a button at the top and said ”One bowl of chocolate ice cream.” A bowl of ice cream appeared in the synthesizer deck. He grabbed the bowl and spoon and walked back over to Anaya.
“When I was about your age, I had to get my tonsils taken out. And I was in a medical bay just like this one for about 6 hours. And the best part was I got to eat all of the ice cream I wanted.”
“Is it good?” Anaya asked
“Try it. “ Ed said, handing her the bowl.
Anaya took a small spoonful into her mouth. Her eyes lit up. “It’s cold, but wow… this is delicious.” For the first time since she arrived, a smile crept across her face.
It spread all the way to Ed’s.
Back on the bridge, Kelly was waiting for the inevitable. It sauntered in with a smile on his face.
“How is Anaya?” Kelly asked.
“I think she’s going to be ok. She’s asleep right now in sickbay. Claire is sending her home tomorrow. Hey Kelly, I have a favor to ask.” Ed said predictably.
“You need me to reconfigure your quarters for a second bedroom,” she said plainly.
“Do you mind?” Ed asked.
“I’ve already got John and Yaphit on it,” Kelly said.
“What would I do without you?” Ed asked.
Kelly smiled. “We’ve been ordered to base 432 to pick up supplies for the colony on Taranus 3.”
Ed kicked back in his chair. “Set a course and engage quantum drive.”
In Ed’s quarters, John and Yaphit were finishing up putting in new wall panels.
“You think we should get the kid some toys maybe?” John asked,
“I’m not sure what toys little girls play with,” Yaphit said. “Is Barbie still a thing?”
He reached up to hit the button on the synthesizer when suddenly he ripped.
“Oh no,” he said.
“You ok Yaphit?” John asked. He had never seen Yaphit rip like that or at all. He figured it had to hurt.
“It’s time,” Yaphit said. “Can you help me get to sickbay?”
“Time? “ John asked. “Time for what?”
“Time for me to split,” Yaphit said matter of factly.
John picked up the gelatinous mass trying to hold his parts together as he rushed down the hall to the sickbay.
John wasn’t a doctor but it looked like the rip was getting bigger. “Hey, I need some help here,” he said as he placed Yaphit on the exam table
Dr. Finn rushed out of her office. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“It’s my time doc,” Yaphit said. “Time for me to split.”
“Is there anything you can do?” John asked
“I’m afraid not.” she replied, “Once the mitosis starts it’s impossible to stop.” She hit her com link “Finn to bridge.”
“Grayson here,” Kelly answered from the ridge.
“I need you and Captain Mercer down here now.” Clair pleaded.
Kelly and Ed shared a terrified look for a moment “Is it Anaya?” Ed asked.
“No, “ Clair said somberly. “Yaphit is dying.”
A silence swept across the bridge.
In sickbay, the rip was more prominent now. Yaphit was slowly splitting in half.
“Look Doc, you know I have always loved you, I know you don’t feel the same about me, but if you could look after my kids.?” Yahpit asked, “You’ve been such a great mother to your kids, just look after mine for a few weeks until they are ready to be on their own.”
“You have my word,” she reassured him.
“They should be pretty smart, they’ll each get half of my knowledge. Maybe you could use them in Engineering John?” Yahpit asked.
“If they are half as smart as you, they’ll make great engineers,” He said “ I’m going to miss ya dude. I’m sorry about feeding you to Bortus that time.”
“Water under the bridge dude,” Yaphit replied, giving John a small high five.
Ed and Kelly entered the sick bay “ Yaphit” Kelly said with sad tones “ I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Yaphit replied. The rip got a little bigger. “This is a normal part of my species’ lifecycle. It’s how we reproduce.”
“Father?” Anaya’s quiet voice came from behind Ed.
He turned to see Anaya out of bed and looking at Yaphit curiously. He picked her up. “Yaphit, this is my daughter Anaya.”
“Hello Anaya, “ Yaphit said brightly. “If you wait a few minutes you can meet my kids. I’m naming them Norm and Mac.”
“He’s a ball of goo,” Anaya said, smiling and hugging her father. Ed held his daughter and smiled.
“It won’t be long now,” Yaphit said as the split got bigger. “I can feel them coming.”
“It’s been an honor serving with you Yaphit.” Ed said, “We will watch over your kids until they are ready to be on their own. Everything you’ve done for this crew, we owe you that much.”
On one of the splits, a small mouth appeared.
“Hey, what’s going on mom?” The mouth asked.
“Hey there Mac, where’s your brother?” Yaphit asked.
“Oh, he’s coming. I have a feeling he’s always going to be late.” Mac said
Another tiny mouth appeared on the other side of the rip.
“Can ya keep it down? I’m trying to sleep here.” Norm said
“Good, you’re both here. I have something to tell you before I go.” Yaphit said.
“We’re listening, Mom,” Mac said.
“Remember kids, liquor before beer, never fear. Beer before liquor, never sicker. You may not get that now, but someday you will. “ Yahpit stated emphatically. “Speak like you know you are right, but listen like you know you are wrong. Don’t sweat the petty thing and don’t pet the sweaty things. This is Dr. Finn, She’s a total babe, but don’t bother hitting on her because she’s married. She’s going to keep an eye on you guys until you are ready to be on your own. Your life won’t be that long. But your knowledge and experiences will pass on to your kids just like mine passes on to you. So make it all good. Make it all worth remembering.”
The split got bigger, it was almost done, Yaphit writhed in what looked like pain. But it was hard to tell with a gelatinous blob. And then with one swoop, the rip completed and there were two smaller green gelatinous beings where there had once been one.
“I’m hungry,” said Mac.
“Yeah, has anyone got any food?” Norm asked.
Anaya walked to the food synthesizer, “Chocolate Ice Cream” a dish appeared. She grabbed the dish and spoon and walked over to the bed.
“Try this,” she said.