Chapter Updated On: - 17/01/2010
Chapter Beta Read by: - Specter06.
Chapter 25 (New Life)
The cell sparked with the life force of love, and then it grew into a mass of cells and then it expanded into a strange and wonderful life form. It may have been a passion of love and an unknown reaction to nature's way, but the process has begun and there was no stopping it.
Cann-Li knew something was growing inside her, she could feel it in her soul that was being shared with something else. A experience that engulphed her in joy and worry.
It may have been a short time on her clock and she too was shocked at the sudden development, but she needed answers and was more worried about the health of the children that were growing inside her. Knowing about Jasmine helped her understand what her children's appearance would be and she was relieved that no abomination was being created. Humans have the key for beautiful creatures, and they were growing inside of her.
She ran to the medical bay and almost knocked over Michel who was trying to clean his pile of papers on his desk. Even though he had computers and glass-computerized tablets, he always liked the feel of a white paper in his hands. "Hay, hay, Calm down there…"
Michel took a moment to look up her name on his database before attending to her, "Cann-Li you should be careful not to run in here, you could hurt someone or yourself. What's the problem?"
He grasped her arm in a gentle way and moved her to one side in order to find out what the problem was. He could clearly see her facial expressions on her face and she was in some kind of distress, although she looked tired from running.
"Doctor Michel," she said in a shy and timid tone. "Can humans give us children?"
Michel did not expect a question like that, his mind buzzed with even more questions he wanted to ask her.
Cann-Li looked excited and secretive; through she would not explain why Michel's mind was calculating the possibilities. Someone does not run into the medical bay and ask if a human can give you a baby unless you have a secret to tell.
He tried his best to hide his smile, he always wanted to study a Cataline and human hybrid and this was the moment for discovery. He crossed his arms and processed what he was about to say, but the words did not reach his mouth; McGregor stepped in from the shadowy confines of the medical bay with Arania behind.
"Yes they can! Not only that, the Cataline females are extremely fertile towards humans and if a Cataline is pregnant by a human, she will develop all her embryos together, but they can only have a maximum of six children, after that, they have used all their embryos." McGregor stepped forward, his mind working overtime trying to study her. He looked at her stomach, looking for the tail, tail signs, but found nothing.
Arania looked on, her graceful mouth slightly open in shock, she did not know humans can give a member of her species a large number of children at one time, and she certainly was unaware about the six embryo limit each Cataline has.
McGregor then said in a very serious manor at Cann-Li who looked like a lost puppy with her ears pointing down. "Don't get involved with humans until you are ready!"
For Cann-Li, that was like a warning saying, stay away from humans or stay away from my crew.
But it was too late and before she realized it, Michel was performing a scan with his medical tricorder and the tail-tail signs of the strange beeps caused his face to change into an expression of shock, even if he knew the result already, but it forced him to announce, "Cann-Li, you are pregnant."
Deeper scans then revealed even more shocking news, "Wait, you have five developing embryos," He paused as he tried to catch his breath, "and they are half human!"
Cann-Li was given the proof she needed, her life has now changed and she was filled with joy and excitement. She was too happy to be afraid of the consequences and this made her ordeal on her home world dissolve into nothing, her future was bright with the man she loved and shared her heart with.
Her graceful thoughts were cut short when she saw McGregor plainly snatch the tricorder from the doctor. She decided to use the human word 'Shit' to portray her feelings. Sam was in trouble and he told her many times about McGregor's temper.
McGregor compared the DNA sample with his crew records, and he bolted off out of the medical deck, smoke trailed him behind as he scurried along the passageways, on the hunt. Arania followed trying to find out what happened.
"Captain" she called, almost shouted.
Roaring down the corridors of the ship, McGregor barked at Arania in a semi angry state. "Damn him, I told these people that they are safe on this ship and they will not be abused. And what does he do? He does this! I am going to kill that son of a bitch."
Arania needed to know who it was, or who was going to get thrown out of the air lock. She asked, "Who?"
She could not understand why McGregor was acting like this and she did noticed that his behaviour had changed recently, which seems to be a little out of the ordinary. Worried he might do something wrong, she followed him.
With a violent push, the doors to the space car bay snapped open creating a horrendous blast sound by the bulkheads. A shocked Sam looks in awe as this uncontrollable individual stampedes towards him; he grabbed hold of Sam and orders the computer to transport them to his ready room. Within a flash, they disappear with Sam caught in a headlock.
Arania who was already breathing hard from trying to catch up, then learned she needed to head towards the control centre. She became worried that McGregor might do something he will regret and suddenly stumbled upon Jasmine who was also heading for the command deck too.
As Arania panted away and leaned on the turbo lift wall, Jasmine stared at Arania, who intern looks at her. Arania could not believe her eyes at who she was looking at. She has never seen a Human/Cataline hybrid before and she had heard rumours of a small family, but never seen a young adult one before.
But before Arania fainted at the site of Jasmine, the turbo lift doors opened and she stumbled out, trying not to fall over. With a skipped heartbeat, she then remembered McGregor.
Arania ran to his ready room, shouting and thumping could be heard through the bulkheads as everyone froze in place at their stations unable to do anything about the war that is bellowing out in the room. The atmosphere was of complete utter chaos; it felt like the entire deck would explode if nothing was done.
As the door opened, Sam stood up and leaned on the desk, eyes blazing in his stern resolve and utter defence to himself, he roared! "I am in love with Cann-Li, we have both consented to mating and I did not abuse her, we have had a romantic relationship ever since I saw her in the canteen back at their home world."
Arania walked in to see McGregor as red as a firecracker. "Do you know the fucking problems you have caused for yourself and me at the same time!"
As McGregor spotted Arania, he was about to carry on his abuse at Sam before his eyes fixated on Jasmine and his attitude dramatically seized, as if a switch was turned off.
"Sam, Arania, can you leave us for a moment." Said McGregor causing a sudden and unexpected confusion between the two, However Sam was taking the hint and ran of towards the medical bay to see Cann-Li and their new children.
On his way out Sam looked at Jasmine and realized that his children will look the same as this young female hybrid. However, he needed to get away from McGregor and he bottled his interest for the time being.
Arania looked at Jasmine with a slight confused look and obeyed McGregor's wishes. Jasmine walked up to McGregor after the doors closed, sneaking in a slight sarcastic smile.
"I see you haven't changed." Jasmine commiserated as she walked around the room, snooping at all his belongings, as if she had the free of will to do what she likes.
McGregor shuffled on his chair trying to calm down, "It's been a long time, I am surprised that you are still here. I thought I told you not to join Starfleet?"
Jasmine took note of McGregor's comment but it did not hinder her progress, she proceeded in snooping around, she saw a picture on his desk and took a look; it was the picture he always looks at when he can. "I see you still have this?" Jasmine asked as she teased McGregor with it.
McGregor got up and strode towards the replicator and ordered a fresh cup of tea, the smell alone was enough to free his globed mind. "And how is everyone?"
Jasmine looked at McGregor and sat down holding the image. Her slender body sat gracefully and the skin clothing wrapped itself around Jasmine with graceful effort.
He took a few sips from his sea and sat behind at his desk, he brushed aside a few documents that cluttered his desk and replaced his picture once Jasmine placed it back on the desk.
McGregor looked at Jasmine and felt guiltily and upset for her. They held a lot of secrets that boiled and churned around inside themselves, being apart was the only way to move on with their lives. But destiny had a crewel side
"The others want to talk to you, it's been a long time, it's time to patch things up and move on." Jasmine said feeling a deep and emotional bonding with the image she was holding.
McGregor looked up recalling his past and the eventual situation that let him to the Explorer. He sighed, wishing Jasmine did not come onboard, but she did have a point, perhaps it was the time to fix the past and look for the future.
Sam ran into the medical bay like a child running downstairs on Christmas day. He rushed over to Cann-Li who by this time was on the examination table undergoing some none-invasive tests to determine her condition in exact detail.
The doctor looked at the readings in an overexcited way, rushing and probing her anyway he could, without causing her distress and pain. More interested in the results, he examines all the details with great care.
"Amazing, truly, amazing, I have never seen embryos develop so fast in my life. By this stage Cann-Li will develop into another cocoon within one month and share the development with her children, a total mother and child experience." He paused realizing she had more then one child.
Sam stared at Michel before he asked, "What?" After a moment of gazing he snapped out of his trance and asked the more important question. "Is she OK doctor?"
Cann-Li looked around, wide-awake as she held onto Sam's hand; she gave a small squeeze indicating that she is awake and happy. Sam looked down and gazed into her lovely eyes, he gave her a warm kiss on the lips that caused a slight chatter in the background.
Michel looked over at Sam and felt a little disappointed in him. He should have controlled himself and taken care. He knew humans are supposed to show the Cataline care and compassion and not install fear of being molested, this clearly dictates otherwise. But he had no choice to put his feelings aside and answerer his question, "Well, you've defiantly done it this time, you have gotten this young female pregnant." He pauses slightly as he takes more readings with the medical tricorder.
"Her vital signs are stable and she seems to be developing well according to Starfleet's database, however this will be the second occurrence of something like this." Finishing, the doctor made his last statement clear, "So she will need to check back regularly."
Cann-Li touched Sam in a passionate manor again that can only portray a deep sense of love throughout the entire bay that the inhabitance managed to feel. With such a pleasant and strong positive aroma flowing around the room, anyone sick would feel better. The Cataline knew these two are deeply in love and no ill hearted activities happened, in fact it strengthened their bond with the human race.
But the feelings of love and compassion between Sam and Cann-Li were shorted lived when a voice bellowed over the intercom, as if the devil announced his arrival, "Sam! Get your ass up to my ready room NOW!"