The Solaris Irregulars
Part 10: Arrival
SLS Spirit Sight
Nadia Jump Point
System AGE-8932-7670
Federated Commonwealth
Cairo was awoken by a kick to the ribs that sent him tumbling from his bed. He was about to ask Sinead why, when he saw the look on her face: she was in pain. For a moment he couldn't think why and then he remembered: the baby, she was in labour.
He grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his nightclothes, then helped his wife from the bed. She leaned on him, panting like the doctor had told her to, her vice-like grip almost crushing his hand. They managed to make it to the infirmary before Sinead had to collapse onto a bed. The Med-Tech on duty called for the doctor from the Shimmering Star: the Clan doctor on the Corvette had no experience with delivering children. No sooner had the doctor arrived then she ushered Cairo from the infirmary.
McCoy was standing in the corridor, leaning against the bulkhead, smiling "Don't worry; I was the same the first time."
Cairo looked at the gruff old Tech, bleary eyed "Shamus, you only had one kid."
"Aye; and I was just like you are now." McCoy smiled anew, "Any chance of you telling me the names you and Sinead have decided upon? It's just that there is still time to place a bet. Paul closes the pool the moment the baby is born."
Cairo shook his head laughing "My first command: my executive officer get's pregnant, and the rest of you are placing bets on the name!"
Jackson ambled round the corner "True, but it would have helped if you and Sinead had decided you wanted to know what sex the kid is: I have people betting on if it's a boy or a girl, on top of the name."
Over the next hour, every one of the Irregulars found some excuse to pass by the Infirmary. Even Rebecca, although the fact that she was sharing a cabin with Robert Dancer probably had a lot to do with that. The Clan MechWarrior wandered off while Dancer sat down next to Cairo.
"How are thing between you and Rebecca, Rob?" asked Cairo, seeking some distraction from what was going in inside the infirmary.
Dancer seemed to think for a moment "Sometimes it is really good: we got along and have some interests in common. But any time I talk about the future, she freezes up on me."
Cairo was about to answer, but the infirmary hatch opened. He shot to his feet, and ran inside. Sinead was lying in bed, a small bundle in her arms. Cairo tentatively walked forwards, smiling. His wife smiled at him "Steven, meet your daughter, Jane."
There was the sound of running feet from the corridor, and Jackson and McCoy looked through the hatch. "It's a girl, Jane." said Cairo, holding his daughter.
Jackson typed a few commands into a note-puter and shook his head "Son of a bitch!"
McCoy looked at him "Who won?"
Jackson showed him the name on the screen "Simon Clearwater..."
TBC...