Disclaimer: I do not own "Lilo and Stitch" or any of the characters therein, although the character of Pleakley's mother is essentially mine as my version of her differs greatly from that of the creators of Lilo and Stitch: the series. This is also the same Vay Pleakley as introduced in my other L&S fic, "Pleakley's Story." Also, the concept that Pleakley is an only child remains in firm standing in my stories.

THE VIEWMASTER

CHAPTER ONE

* * * *

Milky swirls of stardust zipped past the Federation spaceship as the slender, one-eyed alien stared sullenly out of one of its many portholes, deeply immersed in her thoughts. Such a lovely little galaxy, she mused. So peaceful, so pretty. She watched the swirl of stars and nebulae that made up this tiny, out-of-the-way system and wondered, for the umpteenth time, about the one habitable planet within it. In her mind's eye she tried to picture the creatures that dwelt upon Ee-arth, the dominant beings called humans in particular, and recalling from memory her father's descriptions of them and the story of his own trip to this planet that had inspired her to go into xenogalactic studies. Just as he had done, she had focused her studies on one galaxy in particular, and as there had only been one even remotely habitable planet in that galaxy, this had narrowed her field of interest even further. Now, as they neared the little planet, she quivered excitedly, for her years of training in the Federation's top academy were about to come to fruition. She was soon stirred from her reverie by an announcement over the intercom:

"WE ARE NOW APPROACHING EE-ARTH. ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE REQUIRED TO SECURE THEMSELVES TO THE NEAREST SAFETY HOLD FOR THE LANDING PROCEDURE."

"That means us," the woman said out loud to the empty room, rising up on three rubbery legs and waddling over to the nearest wall and safety hold. Buckling herself in, she took a deep breath, preparing herself for that first rude jolt that usually accompanies the sudden velocity change required to enter or exit a planet's atmosphere. When it came nearly a minute later, it still succeeded in startling her, and automatically her hands flew down to cover the conspicuous bulge in her abdomen. She felt the frantic squirming of the life within and gave a pained smile. Only a few weeks left to go. Just as soon as this mission is completed, I'll take maternity leave. And this time I mean it. The last two missions weren't nearly as important as this one is. I've lasted THIS long, and I know I can last even longer. We both can. Patting her stomach affectionately, Vay Pleakley took a second deep breath and braced herself for impact.

* * * *

"That was a rather rough landing… certainly a lot rougher than I would have expected. Odd, though; the density of this planet's atmosphere is hardly any different than Turo's. It couldn't possibly have caused such turbulence."

"Let's hope that the escape velocity is also like Turo's, or else we may be stranded on this pathetic rock."

The grand councilwoman of the Galactic Federation did not seem worried by this possibility. Instead, her thoughts seemed to be preoccupied with something else entirely.

"Ma'am?" a petty officer addressed her timidly.

She looked down at the short pinkish female and said, "Where is Agent Pleakley? Has she reported to the bridge since we landed?"

The younger woman glanced around. "No, ma'am, apparently she hasn't. I don't know where she is. I haven't seen her in more than an hour."

"Where do you suppose she could be?"

As if in answer to her question, Vay appeared, staggering into the main control room looking rather greener than usual.

"About time you showed up, Agent Pleakley!" the grand councilwoman said in a less than pleasant tone which she immediately regretted. A second glance at the pregnant woman told her that she had obviously been sick.

"I suppose the landing was a little too turbulent for you. My apologies. How are you feeling?"

Unable to judge how she really felt at that point, Vay merely shrugged and stared down at the floor. One hand rested tenderly over her swollen abdomen, while the other one rubbed the small of her back, which had begun to ache from the weight of the baby inside her. The grand councilwoman regarded her with a concerned look on her face before suggesting that she be seen by the ship's physician.

"No, that's okay. I'm fine now," Vay assured her.

But the grand councilwoman was not convinced. "YOU may be fine, but what about your baby? Surely for ITS sake you will not refuse a simple examination, just to be on the safe side?"

Vay considered this only briefly before complying with her superior. Heading out of the control room toward the physician's quarters, Vay spun around and asked urgently, "You won't leave the ship while I'm in with the doctor, will you?"

At this, the grand councilwoman smiled. "Why, of course not! What would you have me do without the Ee-arth expertise of one of my top agents? I wouldn't so much as open the airlock without your prior approval. Rest assured, Agent Pleakley, this mission would be utterly fruitless without you."

* * * *

Vay emerged from the examination room ten minutes later with the doctor, a male of her own species, following close behind. Without hesitation, she marched straight up to the bridge, seeking out her superior. She found the grand councilwoman in the main control room, exactly where she had left her. The Federation leader broke off from her conversation with one of her colleagues to notice the odd look on the agent's face.

"How did the examination go? I pray you are fit enough to resume your duties."

"Well-," Vay began, but was cut off rather brusquely by the doctor.

"I would strongly advise against any strenuous activity at this time, your highness. It would be risky enough for her to even set foot outside this ship. This is an uncharted planet, and although the air is breathable, there are likely to be numerous biohazards floating around out there. The turbulence we experienced in landing was bad enough, and Miss Pleakley and her baby are both very lucky not to have sustained any sort of trauma from it. It is in the best interest of both mother and child that she remain onboard and get plenty of bed-rest for the remainder of this mission."

For a long moment after the doctor finished speaking, there was silence. Then -

"Agent Pleakley is an integral part of this mission, Dr. Haanlaan. She knows more about this planet and what we are dealing with than all of us put together. Her evaluations are essential here, but if you really believe it is for the best, then we have no choice but to postpone the mission and return to Turo."

The grand councilwoman sounded very disappointed. Shaking her head, she sighed and began to turn away, but stopped when Vay finally spoke up.

"Now wait just a minute! There is absolutely no reason why we should have to postpone this! I did not travel twenty-three-thousand vorrmaks just to turn around and go home! I've been waiting my whole life for this mission, and I'm not about to miss it for anything!"

"Not even for the health of your child?" the doctor demanded coldly.

Vay turned her eye on him and narrowed it accusingly. "My baby is fine," she said flatly. "You may be a doctor, with years of schooling and a fancy diploma to prove it, but you're not the one who's carrying this kid. I am, and I know my baby's going to be okay on this mission. She's tough, and if I can handle it, then so can she."

Turning to the grand councilwoman, she said firmly, "We're going," before heading out of the control room.