Baby?

Obsidian Arrows

Year of our Lord Creatos 1538, Thursday the 16th of June

Baby?

After a major dressing down by the commandant, one seventh of restricted duty and a formal apology.  We were allowed to return to normal, with the exception that the “little man” was allowed to do his job and impede their progress for two sevenths with his frivolous inspections and unnecessary reports. All in all, the worst of it was over. As for the commander, she was busted to Lieutenant commander and due to the fact that she still outranked everyone else on the ship, she retained her first officer’s position. So, nothing had changed. We were to proceed to Charlie two checkpoint and make our run on Jupiter.

Aboard the Hōkūle‘a, the control room was so small that Tarinnish felt in the way. He would have nothing to do with this operation, so he retreated to the aft day room. He could monitor everything that was going on from his pad and if he was needed, he was only seconds away. Clarish was also bored. As the ship would be in a holding pattern until the eighth hour of the watch. Then they would start the acceleration portion of the test. She wanted to double check the connections to the scouts as they were critical to this test.

She pulled up the schematic and looked over the response times from the controls. .065 nano seconds. That was good. Almost instantaneous. But something was bugging her. She seemed overly occupied with the connections. Tarinnish knew there was something else going on.

Tarinnish came up behind her and slipped his hands around her waist. She didn’t fight it. She was hoping he would come near. Tarinnish whispered in her ear, “What’s wrong?”

She faked like she was studying her pad. “Nothing.”

“Well there’s nothing interesting on you pad, so what is going on in the beautiful brain of yours.” Tarinnish asked.

“I want a child.” She blurted out. She didn’t look around. “I mean…” She paused, “Well.. I mean.” She stopped again.

Tarinnish did not expect this. They had talked about it after Jason Stone was born, but it faded. Now?

“I’m an only child and…” She wanted to choose her words well. “I didn’t think I would ever love someone enough to want to…procreate.”

Tarinnish flushed, “I’m flattered, but”

She didn’t let him continue, “We need to be quick.”

“But how?” He paused, this was not fair, he had no time to think about this. And how were they going to have a child? Surely, they would receive their orders in the next cycle.

“We could use a surrogate.” She turned around, “And my parents would raise him.. or her until we returned.”

“That sounds reasonable, but…” He didn’t get a chance to finish.

“Especially if we don’t return.” She looked down. “My parents could not have any other children. The colony was full, and they weren’t allowed. Then the accident took my mother’s ability to have any more children. So they just have me…” She paused.. “And I’m running off on some fool’s errand.”

“I think you’re apprehensive about our mission.” Tarinnish was looking for some breathing room. He had nothing to offer this… union. His parents were dead, and he was from the Seventh system. They were despised in the colonies. If it weren’t for his mother’s father, he wouldn’t be here. If he were to inseminate his beloved with his seed.

Especially under these circumstances, everyone would know. His child would be despised. And he would be half a galaxy away. Unable to assist his son or daughter. His brain was going a thousand KPH. How could he have let this happen. He was supposed to get on a ship and be gone. Away from this. “I can’t” was all Tarinnish could say.

“You can’t or you won’t.” Clarish asked.

“You don’t understand.” Tarinnish was debating on what to say next. Should he tell his love what he was. Where he came from. Would it matter?

“Forget it.” Was all she said.

But he knew her. Her mind was set. She would be impregnated and then the embryo would be placed in a surrogate. She would be un-detoured.

“No, you don’t understand what I’m saying.” Tarinnish finally said. He had made up his mind to be open with Clarish. “I’m not what you think I am.”

“You’re a man. I know that much.” Clarish said, “What else does it take?”

“I’m from the Sycarine Colony.” Tarinnish said and waited for that to sink in.

“Your from the seventh. How?” Clarish now understood.

“Don’t say that so loud.” Tarinnish instructed. “My mother was Sarack’s wife.” Tarinnish also let that sink in.

“Oh, shit!” Clarish finally said.

“I’m not my father.” Tarinnish continued. “Yes, I lived there until I got my name, but I didn’t like the war and I didn’t participate.” he paused, “My mother managed to keep us away… well until we left.”

“How did you….” She let the question hang there.

“How did I get into one of the most secure posts in the military?” Tarinnish finished her question. Then he answered it, “I had help.” He did not want to implicate any of his mother’s family.

“You said your mother’s father help you.” Clarish said out loud as the memory of what he had told her came to the front of her mind.

“Yes, that’s what I tell everyone.” Tarinnish said.

“So, why the Arrows?” Clarish wanted to understand why he was here.

“I’m a scan away from being detected on the colonies.” Tarinnish started.

“But your scanned all the time here.” Clarish protested.

“Yes, but this database has me as Tarinnish son of Gath, born on Aborhar Five.” Tarinnish said then continued, “If by chance someone has not updated their database I would be found out.”

“That’s why your here, to hide.” Clarish was angry.

“Yes, and to get lost somewhere other than here.” Tarinnish finished her thought again.

  A thought hit Clarish and she turned to Tarinnish with a sparkly in her eye. “We keep our search for a surrogate here. On the station.” Her mind was racing.

 Tarinnish wanted to give his love what she wanted, but her mind was clouded, “No. You don’t understand, our child wouldn’t be here. He would be in the colonies and if it was discovered. We wouldn’t be there to help. If we were still alive, we would be thousands of light cycles away. How fair is that?”

The gleam was starting to fade as she realized the implications of what he was telling her. She wanted this, but it might be a curse. “By Creatos there has to be a way.”

“Truth be known, I don’t pray to Creatos.” Tarinnish was being completely honest. He had to be under these circumstances. He just wished they were on their way to the actual gate and not on a test. That way he would not have to agonize over the fact that Clarish might turn him in before the mission started.

The gasp that Clarish release was like a nail in Tarinnish’s coffin. “You… what?” Clarish was not making since. “I’ve seen you pray. Who… what do you pray to?”

“The God of the universe.” Tarinnish did not want to explain this now.

Clarish walked away, she needed to process this. The man… the only man she’d allowed into her heart, was not the man he pretended to be. Then it hit her, “You hate Creatos because he sent Knorack to destroy your world.”

“I don’t hate him. I just don’t pray to him.” Tarinnish explained

“But your people were brutal… savages.” Clarish was recalling all the reports from the war. “They kidnapped Knorack’s wife, destroyed convoys and disrupted trade throughout the six colonies.” She looked at Tarinnish, “they were monsters.”

“Mostly lies.” Tarinnish said, hoping that she would listen.

“Mostly?” Clarish ask in a way that demanded an answer.

“We had no war ships. Everything we had, was converted from ships of commerce. We cannibalized the ancient warships at Sirious boneyard.” Tarinnish looked at the ceiling, “My father just wanted them to leave us alone.” Tarinnish looked back at Clarish, “They attack us. They came at us with a fleet of warships.” Tarinnish looked down. “They didn’t know what we were fighting for and they fail to understand that we would fight to the end.”

Clarish had to ask one question, “Is that why you killed the 1st Warrior’s wife?”

“We didn’t.” was all Tarinnish said. 

“But...but if you... didn’t?” Clarish did not finish her sentence. Then she stiffened, “So, you are saying what?”

“Your god is devious.” Tarinnish didn’t offer any more.

“No.” Clarish realized what he was saying.

“Yes.” Tarinnish insisted.

“Why?” Clarish asked.

“The First Warrior was waging a measured war, he only applied enough force to subdue us. He never destroyed a disabled ship or used any force beyond what was necessary. He needed to be pushed.” Tarinnish took Clarish’s hand because he was going to tell her something she didn’t want to hear, “Creatos wanted us destroyed and he needed to push Knorack to a point where he would do it.”

“No! Creatos is benevolent. He only wants the best for us.” Clarish shook her head, but her heart told he that that was not the truth.  She had struggled her whole life with this fact. It might be the biggest reason she was here.  She could get away from Creatos and all the religious stuff that didn’t give her peace.

“Give me some time.” Tarinnish said more as a question.  “Let me pray to my God and see what paths we might take in this.”  Tarinnish was waiting for an answer then as he saw that she wanted to think on it he said, “I consider you my mate and our kind mate for life.”

She looked at him.  Not the outer shell, but at him.  Was she ready for this commitment?  The same commitment that her father showed her mother. That lifelong soul sharing commitment that eventually led to two people acting as one. Her heart longed for it, but was this it? Was Tarinnish from Sycarine going to be her mate?  She needed time.  Luckily, they had that with the run on Jupiter, the second largest gas giant in their system, as that would take more than two alunars. Finally, she looked at Tarinnish and said, “Let me think on that...mate thing.” 

Tarinnish was hurt.  He thought she felt the same, but to live with someone for two to three hundred cycles is a huge commitment.  One that is rarely made these days.  The best, most couple would give, is a few decades.  Then they start looking for someone else.  Creatos decreed it as the norm so as to spread the genetic material in a wider pattern.  Making us stronger, but in reality, it made even the strongest relationships superficial.  You just didn’t bother to try and get a soul mate because they would be gone in a few cycles.  So, you selected a mate based on what you could get out of it. Prestige, power, a position in a good company.  It was more strategy than love.  Most marriages were empty civil arrangements.  Nothing more. That’s not what Tarinnish wanted and he was sure that Clarish wasn’t looking for this either.  She told him of how her parents loved, better or worse.  They chose to be together.

The short jaunt out into the solar system was going to get real long now. As Clarish and Tarinnish did not speak to each other for six periods.  They had nothing to do with the operation.  Their only duty was to accomplish the system checks every four hours and that only took about fifteen minutes, so there was a lot of time to think.  They even slept opposite each other so they could perform the “Checks” separately and cover the full 20 hours of each period.  Finally, at the morning breakfast - briefing Tarinnish finished his report and said, “I love you and I miss you.”

Clarish did not look up.  She forced her eyes to stay on her pad. She could not allow herself to look at him.  The man she loved.  She had to stay focused.  He could not provide her or her offspring with anything of value.  Her mother’s voice kept telling her that Tarinnish was the wrong man.  He had nothing to offer the family. But oh, how she longed for his arms to be wrapped around her body.  To have him see into her soul and his ability to read her inner thoughts.  She longed for that again.  

By the end of third seventh the captain told Clarish to resolve the issue with the Lieutenant.  Having 50% of the crew acting in a cold and guarded manner was affecting the other part of the crew. Basically, they were choosing sides and the ensign was sleeping alone as a sign of solidarity.  This small ship was starting to have some big problems.  And the captain guessed right when he told Clarish to fix it.  She was the one with the decision.  She had to accept Tarinnish for what he was or tell him that it was over.  Clarish was just having problems with one thought…”Mate for life.”

End of Chapter 4

Next Chapter 5

If you have enjoyed the final chapter and want to start at the beginning of this book, click the link below. This is an unedited book of the Remnant Series. Book 4

Beginning of Obsidian Arrows

Book 3 is call Graham Heights and starts here: "We Gotta Go"  

Enjoy and please leave a comment and follow this blog.   

Book 1 is available in paperback or kindle The Grey Abyss

R.A. Legg

R.A. Legg © 2016. All Rights Reserved.

The Scouts

Obsidian Arrows

Year of our Lord Creatos 1538, Thursday the 27th of Jubali.

The Scouts

It’s been a long two cycles and we are almost done with the The Hōkūle‘a. We have taken her out twice and she is a beautiful ship. She handles like a corvette but with half the weight. When she’s at full acceleration the ship makes this happy hum. Our Captain and the Lieutenant pilot her with skill and daring as we made an insanely too close pass of Blue Saturn, the largest gas giant, and turned around to head home.  It only took us two and a half alunars to do the round trip.  
The scout ships are ready to be installed and then we can see what she will do in a

acceleration test. We need to get to .25 light in just under ten astronomical units. This has to be done without a significant gravity well, just in case we are hurled to a vacant area of space. Captain Trent and Ashley are visiting their son on the planet. While commander Clarish and I were to receive the two scouts and take them on a run around the moon. Land them after successfully entering orbit and then return to the space port. This would take us about a seventh, as the moon’s gravity was so week we could not possible get up to more than 10% of their speed. This test was not about how fast they could go. This was about fitness. They needed to be able to land in planets both big and small. So, I took Alpha with an A.I named Gee. His designation was G61334, but we simplified his name to Gee. He accepted the nickname and we departed. He was a good pilot as well. And the landing was so soft that Tarinnish had to check the instruments twice to ensure they were down. They took a few core samples and scans then returned to the station. Everything went according to plan. Tarinnish thanks the A.I. and he left. After going through the logs he realized that the commander was not back yet. With the last switch turned off he headed for the starboard hatch. He was just climbing out when he saw the second scout ship on approach. As it rotated for landing he noticed a large gash on the port nacel. What had they done? And why wasn’t their a call for assistance?

The ship made a cautious approach and finally landed. After a lengthy shut down the hatch finally opened. Clarish had her space suit on, no helmet. 

“What the hell happened?” Tarinnish shouted as he approached. It surprised him, as to how much he cared. It was obvious that Clarish was upset, even shaken.

“The forward shields failed and we were struck be a meteor.” Her face contorted as she related the story. Then she looked down. “I screwed up.” She looked at the gash on the necell. “I was too busy trying to reset the deflector when the proximity alarm went off. It was over before I could do anything.” 

“Where’s your A.I.?” Tarinnish asked as he looked over Clarish. “And why didn’t Angle tell you about the incoming meteor.”

She turned away from Tarinnish and in a low voice, almost crying, “They pulled my A.I. at the last minute and I was flying radio silent.” She looked down, “I was simulating conditions after our jump.” She turned around, “I really screwed up.” 

“The captain’s going to have your ass.” Tarinnish shook his head. “That’s going to cost us at least two Alunars.”

“We might as well take it off and get it ready for referb.” Commander Clarish was started to act more like herself.

“Did you decompress at all?” Tarinnish asked, pointing at the suit.

“No. It was just a precaution as I was unable to reset the deflector grid.” Clarish was starting to unfasten the suit. Then she asked, “Help me out, please.” 

Tarinnish took hold of the main collar and held it as Clarish unzipped the waste. She then started to raise her arms as Tarinnish lifted. Once the suit had cleared her head, Tarinnish pulled it toward himself and Clarish stepped forward. That’s when Tarinnish saw the bruises on her neck and shoulder. Her camisole, with spaghetti straps, did little to hide the injury. 

“Oh, by Creatos’ grace, what happened up there.” Tarinnish asked.

“It was a rough ride.” was all she offered.

“You need to go see the fight surgeon. Now.” Tarinnish said as more of a command despite the fact that she out ranked him. 

She tried to protest, but Tarinnish insisted, “Don’t worry about this. I’ll get a couple of BL4s up here and we will start the disassembly tonight.” 

She started to protest when Tarinnish pointed for her to leave and would not let her near the tool shed. She actually made a second attempted to get to her tools and Tarinnish did not yield. She could have put him on report, but she knew he was right and she also knew it would be harder to crawl into bed with him that evening. So she relented and went to the Hōkūle‘a to retrieve a shirt. She didn’t want to parade around the station is just her camisole. 

Tarinnish turned to the tool shed and pulled out the controls for the mobile crane. When Clarish came out of the ship, he wanted her to see that he was serious about repairs on the scout ship. This would give her more of and incentive to actually go to the clinic. He had just put the crane in position when the commander appeared at the hatch. She had on one of her smocks. That must mean that the pain is more than she let on. She obviously did not put on her usual uniform as it would have been much tighter. He so wanted to go with her, but he promised her that he would work, so that is what he would do. He did not watch her. He could not. If he did he would abandon his work and follow her to make sure she went. Instead he turned on his communicator and addressed the maintenance division of the A.I.s. He requested and was granted two BL4 units for a routine pilon inspection. The last thing he wanted to report was a strike to the ship. That would bring Captain Trent back early and then the commander would have to answer for her mistake. No, they would smooth this over as best they could in hopes of doing ninety percent of the repairs long before the Captain was told.

Tarinnish pulled out his visor and adjusted the screen before his left eye. He pulled up the manual on the pillon support and the entire SOP on nacel removal. It was a lengthy process. He would be working all night. And once it was on the deck they could determine the best course of action. Repair or replace.

About four hours into the process BL400546 reported that two of the main retainer bolts has been fused on impact with the meteorite. They would have to be cut away and that the installation of the new pillon secure point would have to be ordered, installed and inspected. 

That ended the rouse and now they were going to have to put in an official request for parts and inspections. He hung his head. Clarish would be reprimanded for this. She knew better, but went out alone. No radio, no A.I. and no chance to change the circumstances. 

Just then Tarinnish’s communicator went off. He answered it. 

“Tarinnish! What the hell is happening up there?” It was the Captain and he was upset. Not angry, but upset.

“The commander had and accident, but she’s fine. I sent her to the infirmary.” Tarinnish wanted to sound confident, even though he was going to have to explain the whole thing to his captain.

“Fine! Clarish is in a coma.” 

The words hit like a bomb. Tarinnish remembered the buses, but she was fine. Her pupils were normal and her respiration was that of a person at rest. That’s when he realized that she was using her mind control shit to keep her body from showing all the symptoms. She should have been more upset. 

“Get your ass down to the infirmary and find out what is going on.” He paused. Then continued, “Forget about the ship, go see her. Tell us if we need to be on the next shuttle home.” This last statement was not said as the captain, but as a friend. They were all friends now, almost family. 

Tarinnish told the BL4s to remove the pilon and place the nacel on the deck. Any further work would depend on what they found once that was done. The primary chirped that fact that they could work for another six hours then they would have to recharge. Tarinnish chirped back his understanding of the limitation and told them to do their best. Worst case they could secure the necklace with the crane and lock the controls. 

 This was the cost of a small crew. When one was down, everyone felt it. And the work stopped. Tarinnish shook off the depressing thought and started for the main corridor. He didn’t make the airlock when the port authority entered. 

“I hear you’ve had an accident.” The inspector chimed. It was as if he delighted in trouble. It gave him purpose.

“I don’t have time for you right now.” Tarinnish tried to get past him.

“Oh, but you do. You see those BL units over there.” The inspector pointed to the scout ship. “They are not to work unsupervised.” The inspector faked like he was looking around, “And you seem to be the only one here.” 

“You know damn well know who is here and who is not here.” Tarinnish knew this little weasley's game. 

“Tarinnish turned and chirped three commands. “Secure the nacelle, cover the damage and quit the work.” 

The first BL4 unit chirped back his reply. “Compliance.”

The units quickly did at Tarinnish commanded and one by one they returned to the far side of the dock to “plug” in. It was not a physical plug, but the units had to be within two centimeters of the docking port in order to charge.

“That’s not good enough.” the inspector almost spat the words out. I don’t know what you told them. For all I know, they will start as soon as I leave.”

“Well you ignorant bastard, maybe you should learn their language.” Tarinnish had no patience for this type of bureaucrat. The type that used the rules as a club to inhibit progress as it suited them. 

“You would do well to keep your tongue.” The inspector threatened. 

“Your a civilian. And this is a military base.” Tarinnish was not going to be threatened. Not by this little man. 

“Just because I’m not in your chain of command, doesn’t mean I can make life... difficult for you.” The inspector threatened.

Tarinnish had to get away from this little man. He was going to do something stupid if he didn’t.

“You got what you wanted, now I need to leave.” Tarinnish turned to go, but the little man stepped in the way.

“No. Lieutenant, I didn’t.” The little man said as he reached for this pad. 

Before the inspector looked up again, Tarinnish had clenched his first and delivered an uppercut to the left side of the little man’s face. He flew backwards and landed on the deck. The pad went further and hit the wall. It was over in and instant. The man was knocked out cold. Tarinnish checked his pulse and respiration. He was breathing and his heart was beating. On Tarinnish’s way to the infirmary he would report that he saw someone fall and not get up. That would buy him some time to visit Clarish and tell his captain what has happened. He would have to answer for this, but what could they do. His crew was scheduled for the loading of their gate and an extended flight test in just three sevenths. They would have to excuse this. Besides he really needed to get to Clarish. 

The rest of the trip to the infirmary was uneventful. Tarinnish was allowed into the room and talked to the doctor. Apparently the commander had ruptured some blood vessels near her heart. They were filling the cavity around the heart and was making it difficult for it to work. How she had managed to walk into the clinic on her own was beyond their comprehension. 

“She’s stubborn.” Tarinnish gave as an explanation.

The doctor thought about that, “Well then lieutenant, you must be very persuasive. She told the nurse that you insisted that she come here.” The doctor had that knowing look. He knew that there was a relationship here. Not just rank, but something deeper, stronger. “You saved her life.” 

“So, why is she in a coma?” Tarinnish asked.

“We had to induce the coma to allow the nanites to work on her blood vessels. And” He pointed at the patient, “It allows us to put a needle through her chest to drain the blood.” 

Tarinnish had not realized that the tent over her chest was there to keep others from seeing the needle. He only looked at her face. Squeezed her hand and wished it was him lying there not her. “So… she will be okay… Then.”

“Yes Lieutenant, she will be up and running by tomorrow.” The doctor was full of confidence.

“Can you tell her..” He paused, “Tell her that I will see her as soon as I can.” 

“What does that mean.” The doctor thought it strange.

“Well I might be in the brig.” 

Just then, two marines stepped through the door, “Lieutenant. You need to come with us.” 

“Gotta go doc.” Tarinnish said with a flat tone. Then to the marines “Well boys, with or without restraints.” Tarinnish put his hands out.

The sergeant spoke for the both of them, “Just come with us and we can forgo the restraints, besides, where the hell would you go?” 

“Good point.” Tarinnish like these guys. He then looked at the sergeant, “Do you mind if I make a call and talk to my captain on the way.” Then more as a question, “to the brig?” 

“We’re taking to you the commandant's office, and yes, make your call.” The sergeant didn’t care either way.

“Thanks guys.” Tarinnish said almost laughing. He wasn’t going to the brig, his.. The commanders was fine and the captain did not have to cut short his, much needed shore leave. This was good. Sort of.

End of Chapter 3
Next Chapter 4

If you have enjoyed the final chapter and want to start at the beginning of this book, click the link below. This is an unedited book of the Remnant Series. Book 4

Beginning of Obsidian Arrows

Book 3 is call Graham Heights and starts here: "We Gotta Go"  

Enjoy and please leave a comment and follow this blog.   

Book 1 is available in paperback or kindle The Grey Abyss

R.A. Legg

R.A. Legg © 2016. All Rights Reserved.