Chapter Fifteen
You Are My Sun
The sterile laboratory hummed with static energy, setting my teeth on edge. The stone walls curved inward, and in the center floated a sleek, cylindrical rod, glowing faintly with a soft blue light.
Tessith stood between me and Zephyron's genetic sample. The older Sandari's long ears twitched as his amber-gold eyes narrowed. "Why are you here? You do not have access rights."
I squared my shoulders, meeting his glare. "I'm the Intended with the right to carry his child. As planned."
Tessith's ears straightened, and his tail snapped once like a whip. "You are not yet recognized in the records, and I will not perform the procedure."
There had to be Dara medics who might, but every minute equaled another variable. It only took seconds for my father's life to almost end.
Parker muttered, "Ah, hell, fine..." He stepped forward with his chrome drone aimed at Tessith and slipped into an announcer's voice, "Due to the Gloom, the Volardi desperately need children.
While the empire and Earth search the universe for solutions, we have someone who feels differently.
" He turned to Tessith. "Why are you preventing the birth of a Volardi child? "
The older Sandari's ears twitched before they lowered in subservience. He stepped aside and first mumble-yipped something sharp in his own language before speaking, "Do not blame me if the procedure fails."
"If it does, we can review the footage and everything you did," I said. Tessith stiffened and left to activate diagnostic lasers and prepare my... impregnation.
"Hey," whispered Parker amid the soft light show. "I'm all for big dramatic moments, especially on Ultra-HD, but is this necessary?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You doing this to be a father," Parker's voice then lowered, "or because you think it'll fix something? I was the thing two people hoped would hold a marriage together. Spoiler: I didn't."
I mouthed a 'sorry' and continued. "Zephyron needs a chance."
Parker stepped toward the slanted table as the purple force field locked me in place. "If you feel something special for him, there are other ways. You could just, oh, I don't know... say it? See if they'll let you in."
"After," I snapped. "And... maybe, I do want a kid. Did you consider that?"
His eyes widened. "Maybe?"
"Can anyone ever be sure? Besides, if they think I could be carrying his child, it means I matter, and they'll listen. They can't just turn off the stasis field."
Parker hesitated, voice quieter now, "Or you want something lasting no one can take away.
Nobody handed you a music deal. Nobody back home saw you the way you wanted, and I'm sorry.
I get it. You're bringing a child into the world to save someone.
That's noble, I suppose, but if you're making up for something else? "
My fists clenched. "I've left all that behind." I pointed at my stomach. "This is real, and I can keep him from dying. You can't save a life by plucking guitar strings."
He stiffened. "You and Zephyron are perfect for each other. You both lie to yourselves."
Tessith, who had been watching the exchange, spoke, "The procedure may not result in impregnation. You are a hybrid and could reject the process."
I met his gaze and steadied my voice, "The Volardi speak of serendipity and messages from the beyond. Let's see what their ancestors have to say."
He arched an eyebrow, or what I presumed was one hidden under his fur. "Very well. Prepare yourself."
Parker's voice cut in as a second force field separated us. "You don't really believe in all his ancestor stuff."
I stared back at his now purple-tinted image. "Zephyron does, and that's what matters."
Tessith pressed newly-grown buttons on the console. The air hummed louder, and an overhead blue light intensified. My mouth dried as I lay against the slanted table, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach. It should've been with Zephyron. On our bed. Beneath the twin moons.
Well, that didn't happen, so I have to be practical.
A metal arm descended from the ceiling, with a tube filled with alien sperm. I tried not to think about how cold and clinical it all felt. The insemination began in silence. The force field flickered as the liquid package slid inside. My altered biology reacted with further lubrication.
I thought of Zephyron. His strong, unwavering presence. His sharp purple eyes and the way he had fought for me, even when he didn't have to. There's a life we could create together. A part of him. A part of me.
The procedure ended as abruptly as it had started, and I winced as it pulled out. Tessith watched me, his expression neutral. "It is done."
Dual-ringed muscles I didn't have back on Earth contracted, holding in Zephyron's material. I slid off the table, and my legs shook. "Thanks," I muttered.
As I turned to leave, Parker fell into step beside me. "How do you feel?"
I forced a small smile. "Like I had a long, cold tube inside me." And more.
He chuckled softly, but it didn't reach his eyes.
I placed a hand over my abdomen, imagining what might come. "Now for the next part."
Volardi nanites cleaned away lubrication at the microscopic level, but left Zephyron's genetic material alone. Once done, we hurried to the medical bay. Dara medics moved with the precision of a Simulacrum and the speed of a front-line cook.
They were all attractive, although not as large as Zephyron.
Each had sharp features, broad shoulders, and defined muscles.
Their complexion ranged from lightly tanned to black, while the faces had features I didn't normally see on some skin colors on Earth.
The violet eyes, a stripe of purple hair over their right side, and high-tech alien equipment also reminded me I wasn't in LA anymore.
I barely crossed the threshold before the Dara medic with long red hair and freckles stepped forward. It was the same person who attended to my father on Earth.
"Access is restricted."
"I need to see... my mate."
"He is in critical condition, and disturbances are not permitted. We cannot have you risk further lives."
My jaw tightened. "He is in a stasis field and nothing short of an explosion will penetrate it. I am his mate, and I have the right to be here."
"You are not yet recognized in the formal records. Until then, you hold no authority."
"You believe in signs, right? What are the odds a surfer from a water world ends up on a desert planet? Sounds like more than a coincidence? What do you call that?"
He swallowed slowly. Not all words got auto-translated, and they must have liked how we said it. "Serendipity..." he spoke, if not sung, the word.
The medics hesitated as he studied me. Behind him, a darker-skinned doctor with narrow eyes glanced over, his brow furrowing in thought. All I needed was a nudge.
"I received Zephyron," I added.
The red-haired medic closed his eyes in concentration, and a nearby medical Sim with several arms pivoted and handed him a thin display. He whistled a security code. "I see no record."
"Did you use it right?" I asked.
His purple eyes glared back. "I am a medical specialist trained on Phalos."
I opened my mouth in mock confusion. "That's good?"
He segued into a rant about it being the jewel of the empire for doctors, and how he graduated at the top of his class. A minute of self-congratulation and resume ranting continued. Hope this is enough time.
"Hey! I'm sure you were a wonderful student on Phalos, but maybe they didn't train you on checking records. Can you do it again?"
"Can I check it again? Again?" He tapped at the display, and his eyes widened.
"Hit the wrong key the first time?"
His teeth ground together. "Proceed and make it brief."
I walked as my heart hammered with irregular beats.
Further in, Zephyron lay floating in a glowing stasis field.
The bronze skin was duller than I had seen, and while my implant said he was the same size, his frame seemed slimmer.
Glowing biomechanical wires were connected to his body, with their ends attached to crystals.
I approached him slowly, my throat tightening. "Hey, it's me."
There was no response except the stasis field's hum and rhythmic monitor beeps.
"I did something." My voice shook, "U-used your sample.
Couldn't just sit back and watch you slip away and then disappear with nothing but memories.
I know that's your way, but I needed to know I tried to save you and make sure no matter what, a part of you stays alive.
Not that I wouldn't rather have you, too. "
I placed a hand against the force field, and warmth tingled my skin.
"You were an f'ing jerk when we first met, and I can't blame you for not wanting me around later after what my dad did.
Nothing can excuse what happened. Your mates, Pargith and Elai, deserve to be here with you, and they're not.
It's just me, and soon, maybe your kid."
He lay there, giving no indication he had heard.
"Are you going to let him grow up without knowing you?" After several seconds, I continued. "If the sample works, someone's going to ask about their other father. It'd be nice not to have silence answer them."
As if in response, monitors beeped a hair faster.
***
The Dara medics allowed me to stay. Something about my presence seemed to improve Zephyron, and it was hours of watching his chest slowly rise and fall.
I had vague memories of Parker making his way in, then leaving.
Greyness took my vision before I woke to new beeps.
The implant said I'd been asleep until morning.
"Oh!" I said as my gaze ran over his naked body. His tanned color had returned, and the monitors displayed steady, reassuring numbers.
Zephyron stirred to my gasp, his violet eyes fluttering open. For a moment, he looked disoriented and unfocused. Then his eyes landed on me.
"You stayed." His voice had turned raw.
"Of course I did. You think I'd let you nap through all this alone?"
His lips curled the tiniest bit.
"Perhaps the spirits were right."
"Spirits?" I asked, keeping my tone respectful.
He exhaled deeply, his broad chest rising and falling in a measured rhythm.
"The Volardi do not dream, Thomas. Not in the way you do, but there are fleeting instants.
When random ideas and images intrude upon our minds.
We believe our ancestors use these moments to guide or warn us.
They wait until we have no thoughts, which is rare.
Thus, we must listen since they wait to speak. "
"What have they told you?"
"The words I received were 'No Trust.' At first, I thought it meant you. You are a water child and a being from a planet of chaos and unpredictability. Your people imagine what is not real. My world is discipline and order with no water. Your existence was an affront."
I kept quiet.
"During the battle, you endangered yourself to protect others. I then thought it was not you they warned about. The scribe, Parker, became the new possibility."
"Parker's proven himself. He's annoying, but good people."
His brow furrowed as if he were struggling to put his thoughts into words. "If you vouch for him, I will share your assessment." He sighed. "I believe they were saying I do not trust, and it will cause tragedy."
Earlier, it wasn't him saying he didn't love me, but an admission of guilt. He hadn't shown it.
"The spirits perhaps sought to teach me to overcome my prejudices. To see you as my mate, not as a stranger from a world with water."
He said the last part as if it were a slur, and yet, what happened the minute a light rain hit the planet? Nightmare creatures rose out like zombies and nearly killed us all. Before I could fill him in on missing details, including a big one, a timid voice broke in.
"Excuse me, Sentinel."
The red-headed medic stood in the shadows with others behind him, with glowing instruments. He looked nervous, and his bronze skin was slick with sweat. I could make his life difficult, even without official status.
"This Dara was kind enough to let me see you and believed my presence would help your recovery. Phalos obviously has great medics."
His mouth opened slightly, and he bowed slightly toward me before stepping forward. "A sample, to ensure your recovery progresses as expected."
Zephyron nodded. "Do it quickly."
He pressed a short metal tube against his patient, and blood filled the cylinder. Soft diagnostic lasers danced over sunbaked skin, then stopped.
"So, uh, quick recap," I said to fill the silence. "Zerlites are still a problem, and there are dozens of clusters out there. My new Sim friends, Axios and Solis, are still regenerating. The techs think they might fully reform, but no guarantees. And Parker... well, he's doing his editing thing."
Zephyron grunted. "And you?"
I hesitated, my hand instinctively moving to rest over my abdomen. "I, uh, took your sperm sample, and I guess we'll see if I'm pregnant."
***