The New Ranger
Chapter One
"Rangers, there's been a development," Kruger started, pausing before continuing. "Kat, will you explain."
"Yes, sir. As you know, many Felinians are unable to have children, my sister and her mate included. They died recently. Leaving behind an adopted daughter."
"Kat, I'm sorry," Sydney said softly.
"It's okay Sydney. I'll be gone for the amount of time it takes to mourn according to our ways. Then we'll be returning."
"Well...wait. Did you say 'we'?" Jack asked, catching the wording.
"My niece was adopted as a toddler. She's originally from Earth, and my sister and her mate wished that if anything happened to them, that she be given to my care, on Earth. They thought that they'd be around at least until she was old enough to have a...crush...traditionally."
"So there's going to be a kid running around S.P.D.?" Sky asked, a little uncomfortable with the idea.
"She's a child according to our customs, but in human years she's about your age."
"Kat leaves at 1500. It's going to be informal, so say your good-byes before then. Dismissed."
"Kat, how long do the mourning rituals last?" Kruger questioned when the Rangers left the bridge.
"About a week. My niece was put in charge of the burial. That was a bit surprising, because Mom should've been the one."
"Was it her or your father who's in the nursing home?"
"Oh, it's both now. That would be a good reason."
"I wish you luck Kat. From what Command said, she's a handful."
"She's always behaved for me. She should especially since..."
(1500--docking bay)
"See ya Kat," Z said, hugging her good-bye.
"Sorry about what happened," Bridge said, looking down.
"It could've happened to anyone. I'll see you when we return."
As the ship took off, Sky couldn't help but have a feeling that when Kat and her niece returned, life around the base was going to change dramatically.
He didn't know how right he was...