Chapter Twenty-One
Love Letters in the Sand
Time crawled as my belly swelled. The Sudo calendar didn't match Earth's exactly, but I was in month two with symptoms closer to Earth six. My body softened, and life slowed from fatigue as I adjusted to this new me. Even with nanites, I had to pee every five minutes, on a desert planet.
Zephyron hovered around a lot with his protective instincts in overdrive. If I so much as groaned, he was at my side as a 'True Soturi should.' I'm not ungrateful. Some partners didn't care, but I had no space.
My throat closed with a burn. Why am I like this? I have someone who loves me. I'm... mean to him in my head!
I burst into tears, drawing Varek's attention and his Dara medical team.
My redheaded doctor and now friend stared with a look both clinical and pitiful.
A dark-skinned Dara assistant to his left, busied himself with a handheld scanner.
I muttered a curse and wiped the tears and snot away with my robe's sleeve.
"Elevated hormone levels," Varek said with a respectful shrug. "Normal for a Femeni pregnancy and expected with Omegas." He smiled. "This is typical. My friend's mate cried deep into the night after dropping a dish, and DuraMetal doesn't break."
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Varek never spoke of mates. Maybe he'd never found one, or he had, and lost them like Zephyron had. Either way, the silence around it continued.
His Dara assistant turned on the holoprojector and, with a smile, gestured to our child. Zephyron and I had seen him a few days earlier, and my breath always skipped. Something about seeing his limbs tucked close to his chest and his big head just swept away all the stress.
Sometimes Zeph was my universe. Now? Just our kid. The soft beeps played along with my pulse—a duet between father and son. I could teach him guitar like Dad did with me.
"He," said Varek, "is strong for this stage of development."
"He's tiny and I'm so huge."
"The fetus is progressing normally, as is your showing."
I repeated his last word.
His expression brightened. "Yes. The I Love Lucy pregnancy episodes offer fascinating insight into Human cultural attitudes toward gestation. They could not use medical terms and instead said she 'showed.'" He bowed. "I honor your traditions by using your preferred words."
I didn't quite have the heart to correct him, and I appreciated the gesture. So yes, I wasn't knocked up, with child, or impregnated. I showed.
His expression turned serious. "Your son is fine. What about you, Thomas?"
"What do you mean?"
He pointed to the hologram, then me. "My duty is to observe you, and physically you are well.
But other data is... unusual. You've embraced Volardi customs and honored the Sandari.
We find value in other people, yet we never forget our own.
With you, I've seen no Earth traditions and little holo-visits.
Many here are fascinated by Earth's culture, but I do not see you enjoying your planet's creations. "
He let me digest it before continuing. "Tiredness is typical, but you are simply existing. You partake in no recreation. It has been days since I've heard melodic sounds from the guitar instrument. If I may be so bold. You seem sad."
I blinked in surprise. Their society had gaps, like no pop culture or advanced music beyond simple notes. Therapists didn't exist, and yet a medic worried about my feelings.
"I think I'm homesick." I waited while the implant translated the slang.
"LA was next to the water, and I get that there's no ocean.
Surfing's out of the question, even on the sand.
" I gestured to my belly. "Playing the guitar could make me believe I'm back in Georgia, but it draws Zerlites out of nowhere. "
The medic's gaze stayed steady, his voice soft. "This union was meant to bridge worlds. But in reaching so far, take care not to let new distances grow between you and those still on Earth."
"You know what, Doc? You're right."
***
The hologram flickered, rendering Joel, Chase, and Wyatt's images on Sudo. The fourth area for my father remained empty.
On Sudo, we had Zephyron towering over everyone and Karel leaning forward with his oversized ears twitching.
Parker leaned casually against the far wall with a new red and chrome camera hovering near his shoulder.
Solis and Axios stood nearby, their white and black DuraMetal reflecting the overhead sun.
"Wow," said Wyatt. "A real intergalactic family get-together. So, who's the fox?"
"Karel," I said, gesturing towards the young Sandari now dressed in better robes. "He's the other winner from the Festival of the Gold Dust Woman." The nods confirmed they saw it on Earth.
Wyatt gave a mock salute. "Nice to meet you, Karel. Great ears, by the way." My younger brother shifted slightly, arms crossed over his stomach.
My Sandari friend tilted his head.
"He does not understand your speech," Zephyron said. "He will read the translations below." The Volardi were protective of their technology. They had the means to give the natives language implants, but the Sandari medic was the only exception. Maybe I can change that.
"So, little brother," Joel rubbed his beard. "Is this your crew now?"
"You guys will always be mine, but..." I glanced at the collection of faces ranging from Simulacrum, Sandari, Volardi, and Human. "This crew's grown on me, too."
Parker stepped forward, waving lazily at the screen. "Parker here. Documentary filmmaker. Earth's eyes on Sudo. You might say I'm the guy keeping your brother famous."
"Or infamous," said Wyatt. "Your camera missile forced my older brother to race."
Parker's grin didn't falter. "Trouble makes for good stories, and it all worked out. Your brother can vouch for that."
Wyatt rolled his eyes up before Zephyron approached, drawing the attention of everyone. "I am Zephyron, Sentinel, protector of this province and mate to Thomas of Sudo."
Wyatt let out a low whistle. "Mate?" He mimed an 'O' with his hand and extended his pointer finger inside.
Joel cleared his throat. "Thomas, you didn't tell us you were getting married. Why in the hell didn't you invite us?"
Family around during the official mating? Yeah, no.
"It's not exactly like that," I rubbed the back of my neck. "It's complicated."
"It is very much like that," Zephyron interjected, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Wyatt's gaze lingered. "So what's it like? The whole pregnancy thing?" he asked, voice casual.
"Hey, how about my other friends?" I asked to change the subject. "Solis, she's the taller one, and the short, uh, guy is Axios. They're still regenerating from the first Zerlite attack." I tapped my head since they didn't look broken.
Axios nodded curtly. "At present, our structural integrity is essentially complete. We remain with portions of our memory crystals in a dormant regenerative cycle."
Solis, ever the drama queen, bowed with a flourish. "However, they are regenerated enough to allow me to express my delight at meeting you. Thomas has had such amazing experiences, and I'm sure you have similar tales!"
Chase squinted, and his mouth flew open. "Wait! They talk? Can they pass the Turing test? What about their ethical programming? What are their storage capabilities? What functionality do they have?"
"Too much to get into," I said, "but..."
They didn't completely shape-shift—just their faces. Axios picked Chase, perhaps sensing an analytical 'brother.' Solis copied my older brother Joel, complete with a brown beard and mustache.
"Whoa," said Wyatt. "Like RoboCop with the skin stretched over." He turned to Zephyron. "Heard of it?"
He had. Earlier, I showed a smattering of films, including The Muppet Movie, Conan, The Lord of the Rings, and RoboCop. The last one bothered him, and he kept referring to Alex Murphy as The Armored Dead.
"Indeed, brother of Thomas." He said nothing more except stare.
"Anyway," Chase said, "Are they self-aware?"
"You could ask them," I said gently. "I treat my friends like they are."
Karel let out a series of clicks, his ears flapping as he gestured toward the hologram. Zephyron translated. "He wishes to know if all on your planet are as curious as the Chase Human."
Chase grinned. "Depends on the Human."
Joel leaned forward again, his expression softening. "So, how are you holding up?"
"He means you look like hell," said Wyatt.
"Thanks for noticing," I said. "Volardi pregnancy symptoms are basically an emotional apocalypse. Everything aches, and don't even get me started on how often I have to pee."
Wyatt's eyes flicked toward my belly, then back up. "Wild... I mean, it's kind of cool. Right?"
Joel glanced sideways at Wyatt. "Taking notes, huh?" He paused. "Well, you always were like Tommy. Guess that means you're looking to get knocked up yourself."
"Shut up," he muttered. I expected more of a retort. Instead, my mouthy brother just rolled his shoulders and looked ahead.
Chase's expression turned thoughtful. "How's the medical care there? Are they monitoring everything properly?"
"Better than anyone on Earth could, honestly."
Zephyron stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "There is no need to worry. My mate is well cared for, as is our child."
Wyatt leaned in. "And, like, it's safe?"
His voice rose. "A true Volardi would never allow harm to those he loves!"
The room fell silent.
"So," said Joel with a drawl. "What's the plan now? With everything going on..." He spoke to the house AI he got installed. Knowing me had perks. For several minutes, we watched news feeds translated for Karel's benefit.
Riots on Earth still hadn't died down. For some Humans, it was the principle.
Aliens showing up and laying out Humanity's future didn't sit well.
Others attacked their own species, figuring we had a good thing, so don't ruin it.
A large segment couldn't stand that they lost the 'gay argument' against an armed empire.
Then there was the slow rollout of Volardi tech.
A few upgraded power grids, air and water filtration, but no matter-creators. Not even Simulacrums like on Sudo.
Footage of the Zerlite attacks raised the ridiculous question: Could Earth be next? Zephyron obviously couldn't handle them on Sudo, and that put Earth in danger, which was stupid. How were they going to travel the stars? Yet, one aquatic Soturi dangled the bait, and people ate it up.
Tydalos took to Earth's media like, well, a fish to water.
His open-ended comments got repeated by others, which encouraged him further.
For every person calling him opportunistic, five praised him as a visionary.
Why not have someone from a water planet aid Earth?
With me at his side, Humanity would keep its voice.
Zephyron looked down, sensing my turmoil. "I can sense your desire to assist. From a race of what you call 'problem solvers,' trust me. It is not wise to offer solutions to everything."
I shifted uncomfortably, not sure if I felt called out.
"Thomas. You treated your father as a man. Does that not apply to your world?"
"For one thing, it's not just one man, it's billions. Second, he's not trying to take over Sudo." Yeah, it wasn't an alien invasion exactly like Brandon's old movies, but Tydalos wanted the entire planet as opposed to a kingdom.
His booming voice yanked me out of my thoughts. "There is little one Soturi and Omega can do from another planet besides provide an example. If you prefer a solution, then invite him to come sooner. I will then solve the problem directly."
I drew a finger across my throat, and the others understood instantly, even though Zephyron gave up his nanite blade to save my dad. His days of stabbing people were over forever.
My gaze flickered to the empty spot.
"So... elephant in the room time." My voice turned raspy, "Where's Dad?"
There was just enough hesitation to notice. Either Westmore told them to stay quiet, or they didn't know the truth. Official line? Dad was off getting better, hiding from the cameras, the headlines, and the ghosts of two people he killed.
Joel figured it was rehab. Chase thought it was a calculated step back. Distance and healing in one. Wyatt turned away from my gaze and said Dad was probably off hiking somewhere, trying to 'find himself.'
All plausible. None confirmed.
For the first time in a long while, I couldn't reach him.
No matter what he said last time, I missed him.
This little family reunion felt great and was worth holding onto.
My doc was right: I needed to bring more of Earth into this life I'd made, and one person was missing.
I told myself he was off-grid or stubborn.
But what if he wasn't? What if something happened, and nobody knew?
***