"That got closer than I'd like…" Teboth murmured as the passenger liner moved slowly away from the orbital station, after which he turned to his companion and nodded before adding "The captain of this ship thinks the bribe we paid him to get us and our friends, along with their baggage, on board was worth a little more effort on his part, I think – good, I was starting to wonder".
"As was I" Koralla replied, nodding as she ran her fingers through her hair – She often seems to do that when she's edgy Teboth mused Do all species with hair do that – do they pull at it or play with it when they are nervous? before he thought back to the times he had seen Kalish wandering around and added Kalish don't do it much… maybe it's only that Koralla and I have had more dealings with species outside Scarran space…
He shook himself from his thoughts when Koralla said "Come, we should go to those quarters set aside for us. I know your own aren't great, but we didn't have much time – and where you are would be safer than the leisure facilities available to those with premium-grade quarters".
"This is true" a male Kalish, Harkino, agreed, nodding his head before turning his head to his treblin and smiling briefly before calling "Come, Ellia – we should go to our temporary quarters. They are not good, I know, but the remainder of our voyage will be more uneventful if we are not seen by the crew or passengers".
"I know it, papa" Ellia replied, lifting up a suitcase "These two promised us that mama would be there when we arrive… wherever it is that we arrive. Do you know where we are going?"
"I do not, dear daughter" Harkino replied as he shook his head "For now we should follow these two Scarrans again. They will show us to our quarters. Their own are not far from us – the message they played for us said they would protect us for the full duration of the journey and that we would meet your mother again at the end of the journey. This is amazing, is it not?"
Ellia nodded and actually smiled before picking up her pace a little, telling her father "It is, papa! Scarrans who are nice to us and want to keep us safe! Scarrans who will talk to us and help take us to mother!"
"We only got rations for you in th' room" a man in tech's coveralls told them when they finally stopped "Dunno when you Kalish actually need to eat, either. But you got stuff to sleep on an' food to eat, water on demand, an' a feed to the ship's entertainment stores an' broadcast streams. Youse likely gonna smell a bit ripe when we get where we's goin', there's no refresher this far down near th' power plant, but at least you gonna be warm" before he passed over a slightly-rusted key and jogged off the way he came, muttering about being late for his watch shift.
"We will be in the… quarters…. " Teboth told Harkino as soon as the man had left, clearly not thinking much of the accomodations "…either side of yours. Rest, exercise, eat if you need to – it's a good thing for all of us that there's been no fighting thus far, that we're all uninjured".
"Both Ellia and I thank you for that, Teboth" Harkino replied with a smile "Koralla also. We are both glad to have the chance to see my wife, Ellia's mother, again – and we have both of you to thank for it. Those who authorised you to come too, of course". Koralla actually rumbled softly when Ellia smiled at her, and after the two Scarrans left for their own accomodations Ellia giggled a bit before telling her father "That means a Scarran is happy, papa, if they rumble at you like that – Teboth told me this before. I cannot remember when I have seen Scarrans who are happy like that before".
"It is good to see" Harkino agreed, nodding "We will both have many things to tell your mother when we reach the end of our journey, will we not?"
"We will, papa!" Ellia replied happily, clapping "We will tell her about our journey and show mother our image capture collection – maybe we will even be able to talk to the people who found mother and are looking after her now, papa?!"
"I expect we will" Harkino assured her with a smile, before leading her inside their cramped but temporary quarters. I will be relieved and happy when there is no more flight, more so when my family is reunited and we can begin rebuilding our lives away from Charrids and Scarrans and all the other things and people I have come to dread.
For all that the conception of Palikka's child still brought on the occasional nightmare, she seemed more relieved than frightened when Doctor Nrakal and Moratha confirmed it was time for the birth.
"I will be beside you the entire time" Keyah promised, nodding "You do not have any family members to comfort you – so, as the most senior of our people here, I will be with you".
"Thh…thank you…" Palikka whispered between the ever more frequent contractions "I… expect….this will be… harder than usual".
"Both our doctors are good" Keyah replied "You and your child have the best care available. You will be able to see it before long".
Outside, Amara looked up at Caseya with concern before asking "All good? What ha-pen?" – then twitching a bit and adding "White stuff… doc-tors…".
Caseya wasn't quite sure what to do, thinking Amara has faint memories of that place at Miclatze still… I think she does like living here on this enormous ship, but now and again she still remembers things from there… I do not know if anyone can ever rid her of those, but I can do my best to give her happy memories to replace them – then nodding and drawing Amara close for a hug.
"You are safe here, Amara" Caseya assured the hybrid baby girl in her arms "Palikka, the lady who just went inside, will be as safe as you are. The doctors here like you and they like Palikka too. One of them is Moratha… your second name is…?"
"IT SAME!" Amara shouted happily when she realised this, her memories of Miclatze pushed back for now – despite the slight ringing in her ears from Amara's excited shouting, Caseya smiled and nodded before telling her "It is, Amara – your second name is Moratha. I know you like Moratha a lot, Amara…".
"Like 'Ratha lots" Amara agreed more quietly, nodding "Pa-li-kka be all good if 'Ratha an' Narrr…nrrr… nice doc-tor there" before she looked up and asked "He a nice doc-tor?"
"He is a nice doctor, Amara" Trannak confirmed, his treblin hand reaching out to rest on Caseya's shoulder "He is doctor Nrakal, and he has helped lots of people here to be well again. He is going to help Palikka with something too – do you know what that is, Amara?"
When Trannak told her, Caseya smiled and laid a finger across her lips to stop the excitable shriek she knew would come – though Amara still waved her arms and legs about at length for a momen or two.
"Noo small per-son like me?" Amara asked with both hope and excitement, looking up at Caseya "I go an' see them?"
"I am sure he or she will like you very much, Amara" Trannak assured her, a smile of his own on his face "Just like we do. When the new person comes out to see us for the first time, Amara, they need to see the doctors first and then their mother – when your friend Moratha and your other friend the nice doctor Nrakal says we can go and see, then we will go and see".
"You come too, big nice snee-kee Sca-ran?" Amara asked Trannak next " 'Mara like you, you nice! Like it if you come too!"
"He is very sneaky, is he not?" Caseya asked Amara, giggling a bit as she remembered him sneaking up behind her in the galley queue "…and he is nice to you and to me, yes? Should he come with us to see the new small person when it is time?"
" 'Mara think he come too!" Amara replied, nodding "He nice an' he snee-kee an' he like you an' me!" – when Trannak smiled and rumbled softly, Amara did the same. When she realised she had rumbled as well, she clapped and bounced in Caseya's arms and laughed happily and loudly before calling "Rum-blings! Heeheehee!"
By the time Palikka had given birth and recovered enough for any visitors, almost a day and a half had passed – and when Harrigan told Caseya that Palikka had asked specifically to see her, Amara shrieked loudly enough with happiness and excitement that every Irregular in the galley heard.
"THAT ME, SCA-RAN FRENDS!" Amara shouted happily, clapping "BIGBIG 'MARA NOY-ZEES 'CAUSE I ALL HA-PPY!"
"Tell us all about it when you get back!" Liz laughed, surprised when Amara sniffed and turned to face her before saying "I do that. 'Mara tell you goodgood stuff, Liz frend" and hugging the very surprised human before Caseya took her back again.
A loud bawling greeted the small group when they were let into the sick bay – Amara immediately started looking around, asking "Where noy-see come from? What noy-see for? What make noy-see, doc-tors?"
"Palikka's new baby makes that noise, Amara" Moratha revealed quietly "They cannot speak like you yet, because they are a new person – so they shout and call out like that when they need something".
Caseya watched Amara as the little girl thought about this, though she smiled when Amara asked "Noo bay-by hun-gry?"
"I expect so, Amara" Caseya replied, smiling "You used to call out like that when you were hungry, before you learned to talk".
"Talk goodgood now" Amara replied, nodding "Lots fun".
"We can't make much noise around this new baby, Amara" Trannak told her, leaning a little closer "If we don't make lots of noise, the doctors might let us see the baby and Palikka" before he thought a bit and added "It is a bit like the work I have done before, Amara. I have needed to sneak into places without making noisy things happen. That is what you need to do with us now. A special first sneaky test for you – instead of an alarm going off and people trying to find you, the new baby might be upset and cry. If we are all quiet and good, the new baby may not cry and call out until they have seen us – they may not cry at all if they like us a lot".
"Test for me…" Amara cooed "Snee-kee test…" before she whispered "I do it, big nice snee-kee frend" to Trannak and rumbled very softly.
He likes Amara just as he likes me, I think Caseya thought as the three of them headed inside the sick bay Captain Trannak likes me more than I deserve, that I already know – but he genuinely likes Amara, likes to talk with her, and now it seems he may even be interested in teaching her things. Will he teach me more things as he did before? I would like it if he did, I feel safe and happy and needed with him, Scarran or not.
"We snee-kee…" Amara whispered to Moratha as they headed inside "We snee-kee. We see noo bay-by then. It not noy-see if we snee-kee. Then we see…", though Caseya smiled when Amara followed her little speech by leaning back against her again.
"We will see the baby and Palikka" Moratha confirmed for her, smiling when Amara again rumbled very softly before she whispered "Snee-kee rum-blings…".
"Come on…" Palikka called, easing Caseya's mind considerably when she heard her voice "I am here… both doctors tell me I am well… and my new baby is here. Since you and the quiet Scarran I see with you helped rescue me, the least I can do is let you see my baby…".
"I come too?" Amara asked, cooing softly afterwards "I been all nice and snee-kee. Noo per-son not hear me yet. I come?"
Moratha talked quickly and quietly to Palikka, explaining the situation – Palikka was clearly very surprised, but called "I have not seen you before, little Amara! If you come forward, I can see you and you can see my new baby! Would you like that?"
Caseya smiled when Amara tugged on her sleeve, then whispered "We go an' see? Pa-li-kka say she not seen me! Pa-li-kka want to see me too!"
Palikka was still in her bed when Caseya, Amara, and Trannak reached her – and she was holding a new child, wrapped in a thermal blanket, who by all appearances was huge.
"Your newborn is enormous!" Caseya whispered in awe, before asking "A boy?"
"A boy, yes" Palikka confirmed with a soft laugh "I doubt a half-Scarran baby girl would be this big… and he is very hungry. He feeds often, doctor Nrakal tells me, even for a boy with Scarran genes in him" before looking at Caseya and calling "Come forward! I see a child in your arms as well! Is that Amara?"
Palikka smiled when Amara called "We be snee-kee, so noo per-son not cry an' be lowd" though she told Amara "He is drinking special milk for new babies out of a bottle now, Amara. I think it is his favourite thing to do apart from sleep at the moment".
"Oooo…" Amara cooed when she finally saw his face "He a bigbigbig noo boy per-son", asking Nrakal "I that big when I noo?"
"You were not, Amara" Nrakal said with as much confidence as he could, though he smiled as well "New boys are usually bigger than new girls. This new boy is very big indeed". Amara's eyes fixed on the boy as he drank his way through two bottles – and smiled when he cooed and looked up at her, then sniffed.
"I smell you too, noo boy" Amara called out as softly as she could "It good if you do that like me. I 'Mara. I your frend" before something else occurred to her and she asked "What your name, noo boy?"
"He has two names, Amara" Palikka explained, putting the empty bottle aside and wrapping the blanket more securely around her new son once more "His first name is the same as his papa's papa, Talian" before smiling and adding "I think his second name should be the same as the doctor who helped me bring him into our world – Nrakal".
Nrakal started talking to her at some length, asking questions, but Palikka just looked at Talian and said "I know, doctor. I remember those times whenever I see my new son's face… so when he asks his name he should know, when he hears about it, that his second name is that of a Scarran who helped. Helped him and helped me".
Amara stared in delighted wonder at Talian's face, smiling when he turned to look up at her as well – when Talian heard Amara rumble, far from being frightened of it he tried his best to imitate her before looking up at his mother for approval.
"A good new rumble, my dear Talian" Palikka assured him, smiling back down at him – laughing just a little when Talian tried to sit up and reach out to Amara. Caseya sat on a chair beside the bed, which Talian seemed to love most of all as it meant she was closer to his head level – he even called out loudly when Caseya held Amara up to see.
"Good…" Palikka decided eventually "My son is born into our world free and healthy… all that remains now is to find my husband and daughter. I will need the help of people here to explain to my husband what has happened… it will be hard for him…".
"One of those who wear black told our Commander about that" Nrakal replied "A plan was made to find and retrieve your husband and daughter. We do not know how long it will take to bring them here but they will come".
"Good news…" Palikka replied, a weary smile on her face – before Talian sniffed, his face crinkled a little, then he bellowed unhappily "…until now. Time to change your baby shorts, dear son…".
It appears the affection Captain Trannak has for Caseya is genuine Keyah thought to herself in the galley, some three monen or so later, as she watched Caseya with Trannak and Amara and is even returned in like manner. It is odd to see, and more than a little unsettling… but is becoming less so. He seems genuinely happy, Caseya seems genuinely happy… and so does the child Amara Moratha. Keyah thought about that a bit more and decided that seeing real living hybrids of Scarran and Kalish ancestry was what made her uneasy – but then she smiled and thought These two, this Amara Moratha and Talian Nrakal, they seem to be more like Kalish people in their earliest few monen of life, which can only be good for them. They learn fast, they talk well, and have a seemingly endless curiosity about everything. Good – after which a seemingly regular if not always expected event occurred and an alert siren sounded.
"LOWD!" boomed Talian's young eager voice "NOY-SEES! LOWD!"
"Lots loud, Ta-lian!" Amara replied, clapping "That a spe-cial sy-ren, Ta-lian! It mean spe-cial thing ha-pen right now!" before she turned and looked around, then pointed at Harrigan before calling "Look, Ta-lian! Big funny man there! He talk to per-son on thing called comm – he tell me 'bout it 'fore!"
"OK, all – a quick heads-up…" Harrigan announced – once those Irregulars who had arrived for First Meal so far were watching him, he went on to say "That call I just took was from a cruise liner comin' in from Scarran territory – seems like those two we were told was comin' here are now actually here. Bit late, sure… but here. Sounds like their ship's Captain would like 'em off his ship soonish, so I'm putting food on hold till one of you likely lot fly over there an' bring 'em back".
"Would you, Amara…" Trannak whispered, only a slight smile on his face "…like to be one of the first to see these new people? I think you like to be the first to do something…".
"Heeheehee!" Amara laughed, clapping "That right! Like that lots!"
"It means we will be going flying" Trannak explained next, smiling again "You, me, and Caseya here – you like Caseya a lot, I think, just like me".
"What fly-ing?" she asked next "Not know 'bout that".
Will it be safe for Amara to go flying? Caseya thought to herself as Trannak talked Especially in space! It will not be in the Switchblade this time, it will be in a much smaller and more fragile craft!
"Fly-ing sound fun!" Amara shrieked, startling Caseya and getting Talian calling "LOWD! LOWD 'MARA!"
"We go fly-ing!" Amara insisted happily, clapping "We go fly-ing now! Find noo pee-ple!"
"In the harness" Trannak told Amara, lifting her up – Amara waved her arms and legs around happily as she always seemed to whenever Trannak picked her up, watching with much interest as she was lowered back into a travelling harness Caseya produced from her pack.
"I do not know if it is wise taking Amara to a cruise liner…" Caseya told Trannak "Much less one coming from… there".
"They will be sending shuttles down to the surface in numbers" Trannak explained as the three of them headed back out to the transit platform "We will land at one end of a very full and very busy flight deck, and only those we come to collect will be at that end. They will be safe, you will be safe, Amara will be safe – so will I, too".
As other Irregulars started arriving at the galley, their own car headed off the other way. Amara clapped and waved to everyone, whether she knew their names or not, and bounced up and down with excitement in the harness – and shrieked and wriggled when Caseya tickled her. Amara loves me so much Caseya thought to herself as the car headed to the hammond flight deck I am not her natural mother, nor even a blood relation… but she loves me so much and without any restriction. I do simple things like feed her and clean her and help her to sleep and she hugs me and makes me feel like the most important person in the entire universe.
When they arrived, Amara looked around at all the small craft there as well as the Switchblade with much interest.
"Which one we go in?" Amara asked "Which one ours this time? We go in big one?"
"No, Amara" Caseya replied, stroking Amara's brow-ridges and smiling at the rumbling that came back in return "We are not taking the big one. We will follow our Scarran friend here – he will show us which ship we are taking". Trannak smiled at how Caseya considered him a friend and named him as such these days without even checking to see who might be listening before pointing to a more utilarian craft unobstructed by the Switchblade's bulk.
"We will be taking this one" Trannak told Amara and Caseya "It will not stand out on anyone's sensor screens, there are craft like this one around many worlds… and this one actually belongs to me, anyway. I know it better than other craft".
"It yours?!" Amara shrieked, clapping again "Goodee! Where door? How we get in? We get in now?!" Trannak opened the hammond side hatch and urged Caseya and Amara inside, after which he followed and sealed it behind them.
"That is where I will sit, Amara…" Trannak explained "and that is where Caseya will sit with you", pointing to the two seats in turn – once both Caseya and Trannak were sitting, he added "I don't know if you know the basics of flight safety or small craft handling, Caseya…but since we have a small passenger with us I suggest we put our webbing harnesses on.
I will adjust yours to go over Amara so she knows she is safe as well".
I will shift to the seat Caseya decided in her mind Webbing or no webbing, with Amara here it will be safe that way - but good for Amara to see that everyone needs to wear a harness like these on a small craft.
Amara cooed with interest and poked at the webbing, even trying to chew it a bit until she told Caseya "Taste bad, I not eet it" while Trannak called Harrigan for contact details for the cruise liner and takeoff clearance. Once he got both of these, he powered up his Raider slowly and explained for Caseya and Amara what each task was for – Caseya smiled while Amara actually clapped and called out excitedly, praising Trannak every time he told her something new. Amara shrieked extremely loudly in excitement when Trannak took off, clapping constantly until they slipped under the flight deck doors and went out into space itself.
"That 'mazing…" she whispered "All black… ships an' stuff? What they for? Where they go?"
"Ships come and go here all the time, Amara" Caseya replied "People bring things others need here. Because people know there are good things here, they come to see what is here they might want".
"The people we are going to fetch" Trannak continued "Are in another ship. Our Commander, the one you call 'big funny man', told me how to know which ship that is. We will land inside it, find the people we came to find, then fly back to our home ship with them".
Amara turned her small face to look at anything and everything she could see as Trannak flew to the passenger liner.
"It is very interesting to see space and all these ships" Caseya told her, nodding "Even I have not seen sights like this often. Do you like it?"
"Like it lots" Amara replied immediately "Lots ships… all noo… all nice…"
Only a momen or two later Trannak pointed ahead and called "There it is, Amara and Caseya. The emblem of the cruise line is painted on the hull just forward of the flight deck doors. We land right up at that end, near the wall – you two will stay aboard and I will go and find the people we came for. Then we will all fly back home together".
"We not see them now?" Amara asked, wondering why – Trannak thought a while, then smiled and told her "After a long flight I expect they are hungry, Amara – if we get them back home quick they can eat in the galley with us, yes?"
"Yaaayyy!" Amara called happily, clapping "We land! You find pee-ple! We go to home ship ga-lee with noo pee-ple an' eet!" before she thought for a few microts and added "I hun-gry. I eet bit your food?"
"I will make sure to get a bit extra just for you, Amara" Trannak assured her, smiling "and you can sit with me, beside Caseya, and help me eat". I am happier around Amara Trannak decided as he flew onto the liner's flight deck and landed carefully I don't know if I just have a knack with young ones, but she likes me. If Caseya likes me and Amara likes me then things are going better than I thought they would.
When Trannak stepped out of his Raider, he looked around for a few microts – staff deployed to ensure a comfortable trip planetside for the passengers… not for security. They will not see me he thought.
When he saw two Kalish he nodded and walked towards them – he smiled a bit when he saw Teboth and Koralla and picked up the pace.
"We would salute, sir…." Teboth said "…but that may cause problems if were were seen by crew or passengers".
Trannak nodded before asking "These are the two? Harkino and Ellia?" quite softly, so neither Harkino nor Ellia would hear.
"They are" Koralla replied "Minimal luggage, all of which is here beside them – I think they could both use a meal, and to be honest so could we".
"Then let's move" Trannak replied "First Meal's just about to start over on the ship where I came from – the sooner we get there the sooner we all eat!"
"We are not expected to carry our own luggage?" Ellia asked in surprise as Trannak picked up her case "I do not mind, my case has only a few personal items and some clothing, none of which is heavy…"
"We are going to a big ship where I live" Trannak replied "My own small craft is here, we will fly there in it – and a meal sitting is starting. If we arrive promptly, all of us will have better choices available to us – this includes the two of you".
"Run faster, Ellia!" Harkino called happily as soon as Trannak stopped talking "The sooner we land wherever this man is taking us the sooner we eat – and real food too, it seems! Not rations this time!"
Trannak only had to open the hatch on his Raider's hull just a little way, before Harkino and Ellia squeezed past and ran to the aft cargo area.
"We do not mind the floor!" Harkino replied, waving aside Trannak's apology as Teboth and Koralla joined them and sealed the hatch behind them "Not if there is food waiting! Our eating time should have been yesterday!"
Trannak just grinned and ran forward to rejoin Caseya.
"Pee-ple here now?" Amara asked "Heard new pee-ple! Sownd like Ke-yah frend! They Ka-lish?"
"Two Kalish, two Scarrans" Trannak told her as he brought his ship out of standby mode and lifted gently off the deck before heading spaceward again "The two Scarrans just came to make sure the Kalish are safe – but we should be nice and feed them as well. I think your friend the big funny man wants to talk to them as well, yes?"
"He do that" Amara agreed, nodding "Big funny man talk to me too, he do it lots".
The Irregulars were getting a little impatient for their meal, so when Harrigan held up a hand for quiet they watched intently in case serving started. They weren't all entirely happy when he answered his comm, but they did follow the call as they heard it – and relieved cheers went up around the galley when Annik announced "Looks like we're just waiting for four last-microt guests! We start when they get here!"
Trannak shut down his ship fast as soon as he landed back aboard the Havoc's hammond flight deck, calling "Grab the luggage! Grab your gear! We don't have to run all the way to the galley, there's a transit car nearby, but let's get there quick!" Teboth and Koralla grabbed their own light packs as well as the cases Harkino and Ellia brought with them before everyone ran for the platform – and almost dived in when the car Trannak called arrived less than a few microts later.
"Heeheehee!" Amara laughed, clapping as the car shot off to the galley "We go fastfast! This lots fun! Yaaayyy!" Ellia and Harkino both smiled and laughed a little as well – Amara clapped when she heard them, though Caseya had to soothe and calm her for the entire trip, reminding her "You can see the new people after we all eat, Amara".
"The food is good here?" Ellia asked "We were fed on our journey, but only subsistence rations. It is a lot to hope for that Kalish food may be here… but any real food would be more than welcome…".
Amara started bouncing up and down in delight, but Caseya just smiled and told her "Do not spoil their surprise, Amara".
"WE HERE, FRENDS!" Amara shouted as loud as she could when the car came to a halt and everyone headed for the galley door " 'MARA HERE! FRENDS HERE TOO! EE-TING TIME SOON!"
"Will my wife be here?" Harkino asked with longing "It has been so long since either Ellia or I saw her last…".
"She is here" Trannak replied "I don't know where she's sitting this mealtime. Sit, eat, we will reunite you all when you have eaten something and are more settled".
"OK…" Harrigan called loudly and happily "Guests first, everyone else after that, go for it!"
Ellia and Harkino were still a little scared around so many Scarrans, but the sight of the non-Scarrans at the skulkers' table got them asking a few questions, especially when they saw Keyah there.
"Yes…" Keyah told them almost immediately "Kalish food is served here. If you want some, I will escort you to the queue and introduce you to our head chef and help you with any of the dishes you may be unfamiliar with" before checking to see where Palikka was. Since she appeared to be feeding Talian again, Keyah saw to it that Harkino and Ellia reached the queue without seeing her – both were surprised to see a Scarran serving food, though Ellia said "Kalish food, papa… look…".
"Only bouhl and treel and vrine" Moratha explained "simply because those are the most popular and the ones I can prepare most easily in bulk".
"Scarrans eat Kalish food here?" Ellia asked, completely surprised "They like it? I would not have thought they would eat our foods at all…".
"We do eat it…" Moratha told Ellia with a slight smile "…even though not all of the Scarrans here eat it at every meal. But we also have a number of non-Scarrans, and they eat it a little more often".
"Bouhl and treel and vrine, if we may" Harkino asked, bowing slightly – though Moratha replied "Those … protocols… are not needed here. Whatever it might look like, this is not a Hierarchy ship".
"Kalish food, all three dishes I see…" Harkino asked again, more hungrily "…for Ellia and I… before I risk eating the counter". Ellia watched as a trolley was brought out for them, asking her father "So much – all for just you and me, papa?"
"Just for us, Ellia" Harkino confirmed "We will sit with those who brought us here, with those unusual people whose species we do not know, and eat with them. I was told your mother is here, but we are encouraged to eat first – then we can see each other again on a full stomach".
"Mama is here as well?" Ellia asked "We have come to the end of this long and tiring journey?"
"We have, Ellia" Harkino replied "Now eat – before I finish mine and find yours!"
Ellia just giggled and they both started eating.
Keyah looked between Palikka and Harkino and Ellia, deciding Good, they are all here and happy and eating – they are safe, the husband and daughter are even talking to the other skulkers, all goes well. Amara is happily telling the husband and daughter about every good mealtime she has experienced here, especially the first time she ate adult foods, and usefully keeping them occupied with her other stories as well. Keyah watched Amara and thought a little more about that, thinking She learned to talk, and talk well, quickly – even for a Kalish, she learned speech fast. Amara does not speak either the kind of Scarran I know well yet, nor the kind Karroch and those like him speak – but I doubt at her current rate of progress she will take long to do so.
Ellia did squeak in surprise when Harrigan came over to the table and ask "Everyone doin' good? Got all you need to eat an' drink?"
"My daughter and I thank you for bringing us here…" Harkino replied, nodding "…and especially for feeding us so well! We were told Palikka would be here… but I do agree that a reunion would proceed best once all of us have eaten as much as permitted".
"Eat as much as you like…" Harrigan replied "…as long as you don't explode".
When both Harkino and Ellia looked up with confusion, Amara shrieked with laughter, calling "Pee-ple not go bang like that, big funny man! You tell me that 'fore! Heeheehee!"
"I did, didn't I?" Harrigan replied, grinning at Amara – who clapped before nodding and replying "That right, big funny man!" before turning to face Ellia and Harkino and telling them "There lots ee-tings which not Ka-lish too – they all nice an' diff-rent an' I have some 'fore. I not had all ee-tees here yet. If you have ee-tees that not Ka-lish you tell me 'bout them?"
"Let me get you out of that harness…" Caseya told Amara, smiling "… and you can go with your big sneaky friend here and help him get more food. Hold on tight".
"I do that" she replied with a happy nod "We not get Ka-lish food, we get noo ee-tees, that what 'Mara think" before the two of them headed to the counter.
"The happy singing is your friend Amara, Talian…" Palikka told her son softly.
" 'Ma-ra…" he called back with a smile, then adding " 'Ma-ra frend".
He also looked at Palikka's plate before deciding "Mama eet! Mama eet lots. More ee-tings. None here" and asking "More bo-tul?"
"We will go…" Palikka decided, smiling at Talian's love for her "… and get food for me and two bottles for you, yes? Only a little bit of food, because I think sweet food will be served shortly – there is not much left on the serving area".
"We get some, mama!" Talian insisted excitedly "We get some now! You hun-gree, mama! You eet!"
"Good…" Harrigan told Talannah quietly, while the sounds of eager eating went on around them "Palikka an' the boy are full an' happy – an' the other two can't seem to decide what they'll eat next!"
Talannah smiled and leaned against her husband, replying "I have eaten enough meat and vegetables of quite a few kinds for this meal sitting… there will be enough sweet things to eat even after some of these walking appetites have started. I will stay right here where I am…" before rumbling softly.
"Don't go to sleep there, woman…" Harrigan laughed, stroking Talannah's brow-ridges "Look… Palikka's not far from her husband – if the boy Talian doesn't smell him she should see him soon…".
Harrigan grinned and started counting under his breath – as soon as he reached "…five…" Talian sniffed, then his brow crinkled a little, after which he turned around slowly. His small hand flashed out and he pointed right at Harkino and called "KA-LISH, MAMA! LOOK, KA-LISH!"
"Are your friends Keyah or Caseya there, Talian?" Palikka asked, not turning around – but Talian just bounced in her arms and called "NOT THEM, MAMA! KNOW THEM! DIFF-RENT KA-LISH!" before he sniffed again, shrieked with even more excitement and added "TWO NOO KA-LISH!"
That did get Palikka's head turning – by then almost everyone knew what was happening and turned to watch. Palikka gasped in surprised before abandoning her place in the queue and running towards Harkino, while he held his arms out and told Ellia "Yes, Ellia… your mother is here….really here…" before wrapping his arms around his wife.
"My Palikka…" Harkino whispered with love and joy "It really is you… Ellia and I have missed you so much…".
"I have missed you too, my husband…" Palikka replied with a smile, small tears running down her face "So much…my dear daughter too…" before Talian squeaked and called "Not squash me, mama! I still here!"
Harkino looked down at Talian with surprise, asking "Who is this child, Palikka?"
"I Ta-lian" Talian replied promptly "This mama. Nice mama".
When Harkino's confusion manifested on his face, Palikka told Talian "I need to talk to this new Kalish, Talian, just for a few momens… why not pick one of your friends to help you get puddings? I will come back after the talking is finished".
"You not leave, mama?" Talian pleaded "You still like me? Your Ta-lian love you lots, mama!"
"I love you very much, Talian…" Palikka insisted, holding him tight "Never forget that! But I need to talk to this man and the one your friend Amara calls the big funny man. Then I will come back to you and help you eat pudding".
"Ke-yah frend help with sweet ee-tings" Talian decided after a few microts "She get me bo-tuls too".
Talian wants me to look after him while his mother talks to the Commander and her husband?! Keyah thought to herself, surprised, before nodding slightly He knows I am a female Kalish and that his mother will talk to me – which to him probably means I am safe.
"Come here, Talian" Keyah called out, holding out her arms "I expect you are thirsty and want bottles, yes? I will get you what you need, young one, and tell you about my pudding as I eat. It will be fureen, a favourite of Kalish for many generations".
"FUREEN?!" Ellia almost shrieked, her shyness around so many Scarrans almost forgotten on hearing that news "There is fureen here? Might I be allowed to have some, please?"
"Come with us" Keyah told her "If you can help me put the puddings, and bottles for Talian, on the small trolley then you can come and eat with me while your parents talk to our Commander".
"I am permitted fureen?" Ellia asked again, more conscious of the Scarrans again, though Keyah just nodded and replied "We can eat whatever we want here – if I wanted to, Ellia, I could eat huvnen pudding or any of the other Scarran choices".
Ellia giggled a little bit at the gall of such a thing, then looked back to Harkino for permission.
"Go on, Ellia, make a new friend" he insisted happily "Perhaps you can learn a bit about that boy Talian as well and tell me about him when your mother and I finish our talk".
Keyah looked back occasionally to Palikka and Harkino on her way to the counter, although most of her attention was needed to keep track of Talian's hunger and Ellia's curiosity.
"This per-son not 'Ratha" Talian announced, startling Ellia a bit "This 'Rana. She nice too. She help make ee-tees. Her sis-ta here. They Sca-rans with lots scay-lees on".
Urana clarified Talian's slightly muddled new speech for Ellia, who nodded and said "I have seen low-caste Scarrans before, Urana – even low-caste female Scarrans. Father would not let me close enough to see in detail, though. He said they might hurt me".
"Sca-rans here all nice" Talian replied with insistence, nodding "They like me lots. They like 'Mara lots. That mean they like you lots too, I sure. There some near 'Mara. We go there with ee-tees. You see".
Talian watched with much interest as Ellia shifted up the counter so she could sit on top and see the food more clearly.
"You show me that?!" he asked several times in a row "It look fun!"
"We should get food first" Ellia decided "It is rude to stop a queue like this. We will get our food and move on to sit with these friends you tell me about".
"Bo-tuls for me?" Talian asked Urana, who brings up two full ones from under the counter – Talian clapped happily before reaching out to Urana for a hug. He rumbled loudly and happily, saying "Nice 'Rana frend. Goodee" before he let Keyah lift him again for the return trip to the table.
It took rather longer than a few momens before Harkino and Palikka finished their reunion talk – Harkino was very sad that Palikka endured what she had and more than a little angry with the Scarrans in the room until Talannah explained with surprising tact that the Havoc was not under Hierarchy command.
"Ah…" Harkino replied "This is why you decided to rescue my Palikka, then. You do not have the social baggage which those who are under Hierarchy control would have in regard to Kalish people. As for why you took the risk to rescue my Palikka at all… I can only assume that it is because you are married as well, since I know nothing of your species".
"Couldn't rightly have ordered my guys to leave her there" Harrigan replied, shaking his head "Go on, go an' sit with your wife an' daughter… Talian's a great little guy, you'll love him. I'm sure he'll love you too".
Talian was half way through bottle number two when Palikka and Harkino walked back to his table, though his sensitive nose did alert him of their arrival before Ellia knew.
"That a goodgood trick" Talian said when Ellia asked about it " 'Mara do it too. 'Mara got frend who called whis-pa Sca-ran an' he tell her more 'bout that stuff. He nice an' tell me too. He speak Ka-lish an' Sca-ran"
Juroch smiled when he heard Talian mention Amara's nickname for him and said "You learn well, Talian – now you know what many foods and other things smell like. You even know what some people smell like, and can tell the difference between Scarrans of both kinds, Kalish, Sebaceans, Nebari, and humans".
Ellia would not talk to Hellbolt no matter how often anyone told her that he was safe, but the Irregulars' sole Nebari just smiled at her and got back to his eating.
"He like me too" Talian told Ellia, after which he put down the empty bottle Keyah had just fed him – and clapped before calling "Mama!" as Palikka sat down close by.
"Talian!" Palikka called, lifting him up and over to her "Have you been good and drunk every drop of milk from your bottles?"
"I done that, mama" Talian replied, nodding "Still bit hun-gry but not lots".
"I have good things to tell you, Talian…" Palikka went on to say, though Talian called "Ree-ly?! What good stuff, mama?" before hugging her as tightly as he could manage. Palikka smiled, stroking his thin bristly hair, until he let go and looked up at her to hear the news.
"This girl beside you, Talian…" Palikka revealed "… is Ellia… and she is your sister".
Talian clapped and bounced and shrieked with excitement and would have leapt into Ellia's arms if his legs could have supported him – but Ellia lifted Talian carefully, looking at him in detail, then hugged him again before saying "A new brother… you are very big, Talian!"
Talian just leaned against his new-found sister and rumbled loudly and happily for a half-momen or so, calling "I got noo sis-ta… goodee…" until Palikka lifted him up again, smiled again, before turning Talian to face Harkino and adding "… and here is your papa, Talian. He has been waiting to see you for a very long time…".
Talian did try leaping to Harkino then, his excitement getting the better of him – his legs proved to be just strong enough to hold him steady for a very wobbly jump. Harkino caught him and lifted him up, holding him high above his head, where Talian clapped and waved his arms and legs about and called "This my papa, come an' see!"
"I am your papa…" Harkino confirmed softly, bringing Talian back so his head could rest on his shoulder "…and you, Talian, are a very heavy son indeed!".
Ta-lian on feets for bit Amara thought as she watched That what being on feets like? Ta-lian not old as me, that what whis-pa Sca-ran frend say, that why his legs wob-ling. I ol-da, so that mean I go on feets more. Not tried on feets yet… I try now…
"I go on feets" she insisted "On grownd on feets. See Ta-lian. See noo frends".
"I will be with you, Amara…" Caseya reminded her "Do not be sad if you cannot stand up for very long".
"I do it" Amara insisted again, rumbling with the challenge "Walk on feets!" Her steps were very wobbly at first, making Caseya a little fearful that she might hurt herself – but become at least a little steadier as she walks further. Plod-plod-plod, Amara's first footsteps echoed on the floor as those nearby watched.
I on feets! Amara thought proudly I go see Ta-lian 'gain an' frend not ca-rry me! Ca-rees nice, on feets best! , placing her feet one in front of the other with fierce concentration, looking between them and Talian – who by now was even more excitable than her, calling out as loud as he could to encourage her.
"He is a very loud new brother, mama…" Ellia told Palikka with a smile, leaning against her mother as she watched Talian – Palikka just smiled back and said "Amara is his first friend, dear Ellia, and he loves to see her doing something new – just as we like to see you doing new things too".
Palikka reached out to Amara when she got close enough – Amara tried to concentrate on walking and holding her arms up to be lifted, but started to tip over. Palikka smiled and lifted her up and sat her on the edge of the table before praising her at length.
Amara rumbled again before telling her "On feets all good. Like to see Ta-lian with mama an' papa an' sis-ta. It nice. I sit here. Ta-lian sit on his papa".
"That right" Talian replied, rumbling loudly "This my papa an' I love him lots" before sniffing at Harkino's pudding dish and telling Amara "Papa got fu-reen, 'Mara. I smell it".
"You goodgood at that!" Amara replied with praise, clapping "You do more an' get be-tter!"
Amara is happy Caseya decided happily as she watched the little hybrid girl talk She had done an amazing thing by walking even that far so soon, and even though her efforts exceeded her friends' she heaps praise on him regardless. That comes from bringing Amara here – very few Kalish back on Kalian would act as she has. Most would take pride in their own achievement and say little to those who did not achieve as much as them. Amara watches and learns from these strange people, especially the hoo-mans, and seems to love everyone.
"How you know if you got a mama an' papa?" Amara asked a little later, surprising everyone in earshot "I not know if I got them. How I know?"
"Your mama…" Ellia explained quietly, smiling at Palikka as she started talking "Is usually the first person you see when you are tiny and new – either your mama or a doctor".
"Know doc-tors" Amara replied, nodding "Doc-tor wear white stuff. 'Mara not know lots doc-tors. Know nice doc-tor an' 'Ratha who make ee-tees an' be doc-tor too".
"Mama one who give you ee-tings in bo-tul" Talian added with a happy rumble of his own "Mama do that for me, 'Mara. Mama put me in noo shor-tees when they stin-kee an' make me all kleen 'gain too. Mama put me in nice warm bed when it slee-pee time".
"Your papa might do some of those things too, Talian…" Harkino explained with a smile "Because it makes you happy and because it makes your mama happy too" – Talian just smiled and clapped and called "Goodee!"
Ellia lifted Amara up again carefully, remarking on her weight briefly before sitting her on her own lap and talking to her more about her own early monen of life. Amara watched and listened eagerly, not saying anything, just letting out the occasional coo of amazement. Palikka and Harkino listened happily, arms around each other, watching their daughter and new son.
Who first per-son I see when I noo… Amara thought to herself as she tried to remember First wun who not doc-tor that sca-ree… who give me stuff in bo-tuls… who put me in noo shorts an' make me kleen 'gain… who put me in nice bed that all warm for slee-pees before looking around in case she saw anyone that matched her memories They not a Sca-ran… 'Mara know that… THERE!
Amara is looking at me! Caseya realised She has an amazed and delighted smile on her face and she is looking at me! before she realised why. I performed far below the expected level at so many things for so long… only since Captain Trannak started trying to teach me have I started to improve… yet this child clearly thinks because I do those simple things for her that I am her mother! How can I be worth that much, be accepted and needed and loved so totally by this little girl?!
Moratha saw the look on Caseya's face and strode over to her, whispering "Just love her and help her and teach her good things, Caseya – no, why is not important right now! Just be there for her, with her, as I have been and still am for my own children…".
"I need so much help…" Caseya replied, crying softly – a warm hand rested on her other shoulder and caused her to turn and look, and Trannak nodded and said "I am here, Caseya – I do not know if you trust me enough yet to want me with you all the time, but I am here if you need me".
Amara muttered a little, then climbed onto the table top before trying to walk again. Hard on tay-bul… it not grownd… all stuff on it with ee-tings on. Not put feets on ee-tings… walk on feets hard going 'round stuff… she thought as she plodded slowly across to Caseya. She called out in alarm when her treblin foot slipped on something, but Caseya reached out fast and caught her, calling "Mama has you, Amara… your mama has you…." before bringing Amara to her shoulder for reassurance. Amara flung her small arms as far around Caseya's neck as they would go, calling "Mama! I got a real mama… mama hold me now… goodee… I all good 'gain…" before rumbling loudly and happily for some microts.
"Papa?" Amara called, looking up at Trannak "I not know if I got a papa too – you my real papa? You the right papa for 'Mara?" before pausing for thought for a few microts and adding "…you give mama cudd-lees… you put me in noo shor-tees that not stin-kee and make me kleen 'gain too… you all warm when you hold me an' I not ee-ven in small bed…". Trannak lifted her gently from Caseya's arms, rumbling softly as he did so – Amara smiled and rumbled back before calling "Papa hold his 'Mara…goodee… got nice warm papa too… yayyyy…".
" 'Mara friend got mama an' papa too" Talian told Ellia happily "See? You an' mama an' papa tell her 'bout mamas an' papas an' now 'Mara know she got them too, just like me!"
"She is very lucky, is she not?" Palikka asked her son, who nodded and replied "I all lu-cky too, 'cause I got you an' papa an' sis-ter E-lee-a too!"
"Just in case any of you lot watching think I've taken leave of my senses…" Harrigan called, overriding the occasional murmur among the tables "I remember the rule as much as you lot do. So finish all the nice food while it's still good – Tal an' I will have a word an' sort all this out with the pair of 'em…".
"There is progress to report on the events following the nullification of site fifteen?"
"There is"
"Tell us all, then…"
"More specifically, the two subjects noted as present – their whereabouts have been traced".
"Then where are they?!"
"Outside Scarran space – which I think, for them, is a good thing…"
"But you do not know where in any detail? What of the two women of our people seen participating in the nullification of site fifteen? Are either of them at the same location?"
"An operative passed on their appearance at Talzenadar IV, though they did not know who these two were exactly – we were lucky to hear about this at all".
"The Scarrans in black as well?"
"Unknown at this stage. Another operative thought he saw a Raider-class craft of Scarran origin on the flight deck of his ship, one of the occupants of which may have been the younger of the two women of our people known to be present alongside the Scarrans in black – but was too far away to be sure with any degree of certainty".
"Well… despite not having any real evidence of either the two subjects, or the two women of our people present at the time of site fifteen's nullification… we have some promising leads to go on wi-"
"SCATTER! Police patrol – ten officers and a Scimitar armoured personnel carrier!"
"That had best be all for now, then – the sooner we leave, the safer we are".