For the next three days, Dara, Zuna, and I made the rounds of the shops, trying to find unique little knick-knacks, those minute personal touches for my new apartment that would say… welcome home!
When Saturday finally arrived, the five of us… Marcu, Dara, Naru, Zuna, and I made our way over to the med center. Along the way, people would call out and wave, wishing us well. A few even came up to give me a hug or shake my hand. To a one, they all told me how brave I'd been saving Claru's life.
"Seems you're the talk of the town, Jayden," Marcu chuckled, daringly giving me a gentle hug.
"My first time with a jetpack was a complete disaster!" Zuna sighed, giving my arm a hug. "How many times did my Mark IV go off that day?"
"I lost count at 27," Naru chuckled, giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Nine my first try," Dara laughed, taking me by the other arm. "Good thing it was you in that jetpack, girlfriend."
"What would've happened to Claru…" I wondered, glancing back at the spire. "You know, if I hadn't…"
"CID," Marcu matter of factly declared.
"Wait, he would've implanted?" I gasped, pulling everyone to a stop. "How young are children when they first undergo memory recording?"
"It's generally left up to the parents," Dara replied, once more walking, pulling me along with her. "I didn't have my first session until I was twelve."
"I had mine at eight," Marcu chimed in. "Naru?"
"I was a late recorder," he admitted. "Not until I was fourteen. Zuna?"
"Well, I beat all of you," she said, grinning. "Had mine done at five. Something about me being clumsy as a child."
A sudden chill shooting up my spine stopped me dead in my tracks.
"Jayden, what is it?" Dara asked, taking note of my suddenly pale face.
"What if Claru hasn't had his memories recorded yet?" I whispered, trembling all over. "If I hadn't been there…"
"Then CID and implantation would've been impossible," Saru finished for me, appearing from a nearby passageway. "Claru, your little brother, would be dead."
"Stars above!" I hissed, my knees trembling, ready to give way at any moment.
"Jayden, here, sit down," Dara urged, taking my arm and leading me over to a nearby bench.
I didn't quite make it. After only a couple of steps, my knees gave out. Dara tightened her grip even as Marcu grabbed hold of my other arm. Together, they gently eased me down onto the bench.
"You've a keen insight, Jayden," Saru said, kneeling on the ground in front of me, Dara and Zuna holding me up on either side. "I checked Claru's records."
"He's never had his memories recorded, has he?" I managed to whisper.
"Up until the jetpack incident, no," Saru replied, placing a warm hand over my trembling ones. "But thanks to you, he's been given a second chance." Patting my hands, with a smile, Saru added, "He just completed the procedure in the last hour."
Overcome with intense relief, I burst into tears, Dara and Zuna hugging me between them.
"And that's why I came looking for you, my dear," Saru quietly spoke, giving my hands a firm, comforting squeeze. "You may have had the procedure done prior to implantation, but it might be prudent to do a new one now that you've had some time to acclimate to your new self."
"Unmei," I whispered, shaking my head.
"What'd you say?" Naru wondered. "What's un…"
"Unmei," I answered, feeling a little more color in my face. "It's Japanese for Fate. Maybe I was brought all this way through Time in order to save Claru's life."
"At what cost?" Dara argued, seizing my arm. "Think of all the things you lost because of the coldsleep!"
"And look at what I've gained," I answered back, taking her hands in mine. "My heart and body, finally united."
"Friends who are very dear to me," I added, glancing about at the others. "Friends who have accepted me for who I am."
"Scarpers, Jayden," Marcu muttered, turning away. "You're gonna make me cry!"
"Aw, you big softy!" Zuna teased, giving his arm a hug.
"And a little brother," I wept, only now realizing the truth, "who I was willing to risk my own life to save!"
"Oh, Jayden!" Dara whispered, giving me a hug.
"I don't want to forget all those things," I said, looking straight at Saru. Then, chuckling, I added, "Do we have time to do it before the party?"
"We'll make time, my dear," he replied, grinning softly as he helped me to my feet. "This way!"
The implant rep was thrilled to see me, going on and on about all that I had accomplished in such a short time. His praise, while appreciated, only made me blush a mortified crimson in embarrassment!
The implant table was right where I had left it. I climbed in and the body rep lowered the helmet once more into place. I felt the familiar vibration and warmth of the implant hood and dozed off. When I once more awoke, I noticed nearly an hour had passed.
"I was being extra careful with you, Jayden," he explained as he helped me up off the table. "I wanted to be certain all your memories from the cort-stim sessions remained intact."
"Thank you," I told him, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"And now, my dear," Saru interrupted, taking me by the elbow, "we have a party to attend."
Turns out the med center had its own cafeteria, and the staff had turned the hall into a birthday party fit for royalty.
"Wow!" I gasped, gawking at all the decorations. "Saru, really, you shouldn't have!"
"This, my dear, is more than a mere birthday party," he explained, leading me towards the sea of guests. "This is also to celebrate your courage and determination. Like it or not, Jayden, you are the hero of the hour!"
"Onee-san!" Claru called out, practically bowling me over as he rushed up to give me a hug.
"Otouto-san!" I gleefully responded, returning the hug. "It's so good to see you again! How are you?"
"Great!" he assured me with a smile. Pulling back a bit, he added, "Ogenki deska?"
The broadest smile ever lit up my face.
"Hai! Watashi wa genki des! Domo arigato gozaimas!"
"He's been absolutely frantic trying to learn that old language phrase," a woman remarked, smiling proudly down at Claru as she came up behind him, accompanied by a man holding a small baby boy.
"You must be Claru's parents," I concluded, seeing the familial resemblance. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you!"
"It is we who are deeply honored to meet you, friend Jayden," the man replied, nodding as he spoke. "We owe you the deepest of gratitudes for what you did rescuing our son."
"I'm just grateful I spotted him when I did," I said, ruffling Claru's hair. "That was a very near thing."
"He hasn't stopped talking about his 'big sister'," the woman chuckled, giving her son a hug. Looking up at me, she added, "My husband and I would like to speak with you about that."
"Of course. I…"
"Please excuse this interruption," another gentleman cut in as he approached.
"Counselman Icaru!" Claru's father exclaimed, bowing effusively. "We are honored!"
"You are one of the senior Counsel members that I've heard of then?" I asked.
While we had been decorating my new apartment, Dara had described to me how the city was overseen by senior members of the citizenry.
"Indeed, citizen Jayden," Icaru said, nodding to me. "I have spoken with Saru from the med center. You seem to be adapting well to your situation here in our time."
"It has been a bit of a challenge," I remarked, giving Saru a wink, "but I've had good friends looking out for me."
"I am pleased to hear this," Icaru replied, smiling broadly. "I would like to offer my own personal thanks for your efforts saving young Claru's life. A truly remarkable feat."
"A fortunate occurrence, Counselor," I said, "considering that was my first ever flight with a jetpack."
"Your first?!" Claru's father gasped.
"By the stars!" Claru's mother whispered, hugging her son.
"Then how were you able to handle it so well?" Icaru wondered.
"Because I am no stranger to flying," I explained. "In the time I came from, I used to be a pilot, a flyer of machines that carried humans through the sky. I also used to be a gymnast, a sport that requires strength, agility, and being at ease at all sorts of unusual angles and orientations."
"I see," Icaru remarked, rubbing his chin.
"I simply combined my previous training and experience to rescue Claru," I finished, giving my little brother's shoulder a squeeze.
"Seems good fortune was indeed smiling on you, young Claru," Icaru said, nodding to my young friend.
"Well, that certainly explains why you were so quick learning how to operate a jetpack!" Zuna added, poking me in the shoulder.
"Indeed," Icaru agreed. Then, to me, he said, "Citizen Jayden, I took the liberty of having my staff research your family history."
"And?"
"I regret to say your family's lineage did not survive past the 30th century," Icaru replied, lowering his eyes briefly. "I am truly sorry."
"I see."
Somehow, deep in my heart, I knew that would be the case.
"Which is why I wanted to speak with you, my dear," Icaru went on, laying a hand on my shoulder. "I would like you to become my daughter."
"What?!" Dara and Zuna exclaimed.
"You… want to adopt me?!" I asked.
Counselman Icaru nodded, bowing deeply.
"But… Onee-san…"
A barely heard whisper, but one that instantly brought a tear to my eye. With a gentle sob, more tears trickling down my cheeks, I hugged Claru tightly.
"Given everyone's reactions, Counselor Icaru," I quietly spoke, smiling down at Claru, "I am certain what you offer is a great honor." Looking up at the Counselman, I added, "But I have already offered my hand and heart to my little brother here."
"Onee-san!" Claru sobbed, hugging me tightly.
"That's what you wanted to speak to me about, wasn't it?" I asked Claru's parents.
"But Jayden…" Dara hissed, grasping my arm.
"For the greater good of the community," I said, smiling as I patted Dara's hand, "my place is with my little brother…" Looking up at Claru's parents, I added, "and with his family… if you will have me."
Claru's mother didn't say a word, but her eyes overflowed with tears of joy as we hugged each other.
Claru's father was silent, tears trickling down his face, but there was no mistaking the pleased and proud expression in his eyes.
"Are you certain about this?" Icaru inquired, just a hint of hurt in his tone.
"I am honored you would wish to have me as your daughter, Counselor," I said to him, bowing deeply, "but my place is here."
"A difficult choice, my dear," Icaru relented, giving me a final hug, "but one to be respected. You have my blessing, as well."
"Take good care of your new sister, young Claru," Icaru said, ruffling my little brother's hair.
"I will, Counselor," Claru sighed, hugging me tightly. "I promise!"
With a final nod, Counselor Icaru departed.
"You are just full of surprises, aren't you?" Zuna chuckled, giving me and Claru a hug.
"Oh, wait! Jayden!" Dara exclaimed. "What about your apartment?"
"And after we spent all that time decorating!" Zuna moaned.
"We can worry about that later," I assured my friends as I gave Claru and his mom a hug. "This is my sweet sixteen birthday party. And I think it's about time we had some cake!"