Disclaimer
Tenchi and all associated characters are the property of AIC and Pioneer LDC. I don't own any rights to them. Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.
*****
A Scientist's Tale
Chapter 5
Birth
*****
I awoke at the soft touch of a presence in my mind. She was active again; I wouldn't be able to keep her in the tube for much longer even though our schedule said she still had another two weeks before we took her out. I glanced at the clock on the bulkhead above the cabin door. Geez, one of the first things I'd have to explain to her was the concept of time, it seemed like she always called to me in the wee hours. Typical child. I sighed and got up, groping around in the dark for something to throw on then headed for the lab.
On the way there I sent patience . I received a feeling of agreement. Over the last few days it had become easier to communicate with her, but we were still on an empathic rather than telepathic level. I didn't know how much of that limitation was hers and how much was my own inexperience with this form of communication. I thought that it was mostly on my end because I'd tried to reach out to Kagato and Yakage and drew nothing but a blank with each. Oh well, practice makes perfect they say and with this girl around I should be getting a lot of practice.
Entering the lab I immediately brought the lights up to a low level and increased the transparency level of the growth tube. The girl smiled out at me and I saw a hint of a sparkle in her golden eyes. I smiled back and waved, then summoned a cushion to sit on (like robes and pencils, these comfy items mysteriously appeared when I wanted or needed them.) I looked up at her watching me and once again tried to send an actual though sequence. No response. I tried again. Still nothing but apparently she could tell by watching me that I was making the effort because her brow furled in confusion. I'd been trying for over an hour by now and was getting a headache. I decided to give it one more chance before giving up and going in search of a buffered analgesic (I wonder if there's one in my robe pocket?)
Grimacing with mental pain I sent out one last questing thought. I felt something tear in my mind as if synapses were being realigned and suddenly I was looking down at myself, but what I saw was wonderful. My body was bathed in a soft light that seemed to pulse with my thoughts. I felt that with a little effort I would be able to see the interior structures and tissues, I realized that what I was seeing was well beyond the visible spectrum. I was seeing myself through her eyes. I was in her head. I lifted my right arm and watched as my body responded. A quick adjustment and this time her body responded although I could feel her fighting my control. I changed my mental perspective and now I could see her through my eyes while a portion of my mind was still focused through hers. This was wonderful. I drew entirely back into my own mind and headache all but forgotten I tried sending a thought again.
Hello, I beamed.
I got a response. Who? Who are you? Who am I? She had a stunned look on her face.
My name is Washu, I'm your mother, I sent.
Name? Your calling is Washu? What am I called? What is my name? What is a 'mother'? She was becoming a bit confused now.
You don't have a name yet, but soon you will. Search your mind for the meaning of 'mother', I replied.
She closed her eyes and thought for a moment. Ah, I see, she opened those golden orbs again. You are my creator.
I laughed to myself. Is that what 'mother' means to you? Your creator? I hope to become much more than that.
She smiled at me and changed the subject. Will you let me out now that we can understand each other? I want to be free.
I knew from being in her mind that her powers were fully developed, if untested. If she really wanted out there was nothing to stop her from breaking the tube. I realized that this was a way to help earn her trust. Yes, I sent with a feeling of triumph. I have a few preparations to make first, but I will release you today. A feeling of relief that I knew came from her swept over me. Once again I warned her not to attempt contact with anyone but me until she was free. Then I told her to go back to sleep until I was ready to let her out. She smiled and closed her eyes. I felt her brain patterns even out as she entered the beginning stages of sleep. I opaqued the tube, turned down the lights and when back to my cabin. I was too excited to sleep so I began making plans for my daughter's birthday.
*****
After a shower and a bit of time brushing out my long hair, I wandered about the Souja thinking about how I would break my decision to my assistants. I found Yakage in his usual place, huddled over a monitor in the small lab, eyeing the readings from our second subject. I tiptoed up to him and clapped my hands together over his head, causing him to jump several feet and almost knock me over. "Rule #1," I said. "Always be aware of your surroundings."
He smiled ruefully at me from his prone position. "I know Professor, I know. But this work is fascinating." He gathered himself up and clambered to his feet. "Why are you in such a good mood this morning anyway?" he asked, dusting himself off (not that there was actually any dust in the lab.)
"Well, I…" I started to reply, a sly smile touching my lips.
"I believe she has an announcement to make," came a voice from the door, startling me. Turning around, I saw Kagato leaning against the doorframe, a wry smile playing about his lips "Tsk, tsk Professor," he said. "Weren't you just warning my erstwhile compatriot about being aware of his surroundings? But you were saying…" he gestured for me to continue.
I smiled at him but something in his look made me keep my mouth shut. He straightened up and stalked into the room. "If you won't continue, then I will," he stated. Watching for my reaction he said to Yakage, "She's going to let the girl out of the tank today, isn't that right Professor?" Without waiting for a reply he continued, "And she's been in mental contact with her for several days at least."
I was amazed at how much he knew but I didn't let it show. Yakage on the other hand… "B… B… But Professor," he stuttered. "The second subject isn't ready yet. And the girl still has two weeks according to the project schedule." I shushed him with my hand.
"Interesting," I said in a dry tone. "And just how do you know all of this?"
"Do you deny it?" Kagato asked, a sneer painting his face.
"Nope," I shook my head. "Everything you say is true but I still want to know how you know."
He chuckled and pointed up to a small, unobtrusive box mounted near the ceiling in one of the corners. "That's easily explained Professor."
I mentally smacked myself in the head. Of course, all the ship's areas except the living quarters were monitored by computer-controlled cameras, an entirely separate system from the regular lab monitoring devices. Every time I'd visited her I'd been recorded for posterity. I'd installed the system myself decades ago then completely forgotten about it.
Finally seeing a reaction from me he chuckled and turned back to the door. "I suppose we'd better start getting ready for our new addition. She's going to need her own room and some clothing. Can't have her running around the place naked now, can we?" He turned and gave me a wink the disappeared through the doorway.
"There's definitely something wrong with that boy," I muttered.
"What's that Professor?" Yakage asked, his attention returning to the second subject now that the excitement was over.
"Nothing," I said in a louder tone. I reached out and touched his shoulder. "I have to go and start getting ready. I'll talk to you later." He nodded absently and I turned and left, still thinking about the sudden mood swings that were becoming evident in my other assistant. I needed to look for a cause, before it was too late for everyone.
*****
Several hours later everything was ready. Kagato seemed to have recovered from whatever had a hold of him this morning and was again his usual cheerful self. He'd even set up a comfortable room for the subject and had scrounged up some clothing for her from somewhere. She was awake again so I decided it was time.
I asked Kagato and Yakage to wait outside the lab since she was used to dealing only with me and I was unsure of what her reaction toward them would be. I wanted her out of the tube and functioning properly before I brought them into the mix. Yakage was nervous and fidgeted from foot to foot, unable to sit. Kagato was outwardly calm and had a look of benign kindness on his face.
Entering the lab I brought up the lights to a dim glow and turned the dial that made the cylinder transparent. Her eyes were open and the corners of her mouth twitched as she attempted a smile. We're going to have to work on muscle control, I sent. When I release you, you'll be terribly weak but that will pass in a few hours.
Weak? she replied.
It doesn't matter, I explained. You don't have a sense of balance yet and you don't know how to walk. We'll train you; it won't take long, your body was built with the muscle memory in place.
She just looked at me strangely. I could tell she understood the words but the meaning didn't make any sense to her. I sighed mentally then continued. Once I release you from the fluid you're going to feel bad for a little while. Even though you don't need to actually breathe, your lungs are filled with the fluid and they'll expel it once you're surrounded by air. You do need to breath to speak and your autonomic reflex will be to suck air. Do you understand any of that?
She closed her eyes in thought. A little. Most of it I think. My body has to adjust from a fluid environment to a gas environment. Will it hurt?
I was astounded. She understood perfectly. How did you get all that and not the part about walking? I asked.
Her mouth twitched again. I understand about the walking now too. I took it from your thoughts. Will it hurt? she asked again.
I could feel my eyes widen in surprise. I'd have to learn how to filter the link somehow. It will be slightly painful, I sent back. But the feeling shouldn't last more than a couple of minutes. Are you ready?
She nodded slightly. Yes. Will the others be here?
I made a slight adjustment then poised my finger over the release button. Not until you're ready to greet them; they're waiting outside for right now. Here we go, don't try to breath until all the fluid is drained.
My finger descended and with a sharp click the tube walls began to lower themselves into the floor as the fluid level dropped with them. As the level sank so did she without the fluid to support her. When the tube was gone and the last of the fluid had drained away she was on her hands and knees on the platform. She gave a mighty cough and her lungs began to empty themselves. I could tell from her expression that the sensation was not pleasant and that she was experiencing the feeling of drowning. After a minute or so the fluid was totally expelled and she drew a couple of ragged breaths.
That… really hurt! she sent. Is this what it feels like to be born?
I actually laughed at this. No, I replied. I understand that's much more painful. I stood for a minute and looked proudly at my creation. Can you talk yet? I asked.
She made some croaking noises and put her hand to her throat. No, I don't know how and it hurts to try.
I smiled and nodded. That's all right, I'll teach you. Your vocal cords are probably still too damp and too tight anyway. That'll pass in a few hours too. I grabbed a handy towel and began to dry her off. You're beautiful, do you know that?
She looked at me with those golden eyes. If you say so, then I am. Mother.
"I do say so." She started at the sound of my actual voice. "Since you need to learn to talk," I said, "I'll talk to you and you can think back to me. That way you can learn the sound of the words. Is this ok with you?" She nodded agreement. "Good. Now we need to get you dressed before I bring the others in. There's usually a robe around when I need it…" I spotted it off in the corner. "Ah! There it is. And look, it's just your size." I helped her put it on. I could see that the feeling of fabric against her skin was uncomfortable but I stopped her from removing it again.
She made a sour face as she fingered the fabric. It feels funny. Do I have to wear this? You said I was beautiful so why should I cover myself?
"Because well-bred ladies don't go around totally naked in public. In most societies anyway. It's just another stupid thing that you'll have to put up with."
Well I don't like it, she huffed. But if you say so…
I chuckled. "That's my good girl. Now, let's get the others in here and we can all get introduced."
*****
To be continued
*****
Author's Notes
Ok, Ryoko's out; Kagato's showing signs of his future self, Yakage's clueless and Washu suspects something. Next time: how Ryoko gets her name and what's that little furry thing scampering about?
*****
Review Responses
Dennisud – Kagato's changing. All will be revealed soon.
Thundergod – Thanks for saving it from a fate worse than death. I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations too.
Solitareone – Have you read any of the other stuff yet? I hope you weren't disappointed; this is the only story of mine in the first-person (so far.)
Smack54 – Well, he hasn't been messing with the projects themselves, Washu's keeping too close an eye on them for that. But the Souja is another matter.
Lizzy Hakubi – I didn't say they were, but sometimes I feel like I'm putting too much dialog in. It's how I write though.
Vsdefender – I like this story too. It hasn't started to drag yet like some of my other stuff seems to do (in my opinion anyway). No, you're not one of the author's I was thinking of, most of them I've only seen on TMFFA. But I am still waiting for your next A-ko chapter.
Wharpt – I'm not going to give anything away here and no, I have no plans to have Ryo-ohki and Ay-ohki have kids in my other stories. But the other two cabbits that were last seen on Jurai…
Taxzombie – In the words of another character from another story "That's a secret…"
Tail-luver – A couple of buffered analgesics (aspirin in layman's terms) will help that headache. I agree that parts of Ep. II are too slow, but except for the pod race, the action in Ep. II is much better than Ep. I.
Alighthawk – Yeah, I like the manga, but I've used it in it's own, separate Reality in my stories. I can't wait until the new manga gets put out in TPB, it looks good from what I've seen.
*****
BobR
7/19/2002