Episode Three: Meant to Live
"WHAT!?" freaked Renton as Dominic loomed over him.
"You heard him; now fess up!" demanded Holland, standing next to Matthieu, Hap, and Moondoggie.
Renton turned bright red and stuttered non-sense.
"Come on, we're all guys here," assured Matthieu, "This is what we've been preparing you for!"
"You-you g-guys are nut!" he fumbled, still a bit baffled by the whole ordeal.
"You seriously can't expect us to believe that you two didn't do it," challenged Moondoggie.
Renton did not reply and only grew redder.
"One little word is all we're asking for," explained Hap, "Yes; or, No."
"…yes," he begrudgingly admitted after a silent moment.
The room erupted into cheers and high-fives.
"Renton, you dog!" laughed Matthieu, slapping him quite hard on the back, "Way to go, big man!"
"So, how was it?" asked Dominic.
"It was- different," replied Eureka, blushing brightly, "But it was the best thing I've ever experienced. At first, I thought being with Nirvash was; then just being next to Renton was enough, but when we- made- 'love', it was like nothing before; and all that and more, much more!"
"So, was he rough with you?" quizzed Talho.
"I don't think either of us was familiar with the specifics," she recalled, "But he always made sure I was okay and enjoying it. He really wanted to be sure I was satisfied and happy."
"Nice to have a man who aims to please," huffed Hilda.
"So how long did it take before you came together on this?" asked Gidget.
"It was a few months after we were alone," explained Eureka, "He seemed to hint at it during that time, now that I look back, but was reluctant to talk openly about it and I was blissful to his advances."
"So, who made the first move?" inquired Anemone.
"To be honest, it was Eureka," answered Renton.
The group gave him the evil eye.
"What? I hinted at it for a while but didn't know how she would react so I was patient," he explained, "Then, once she started showing interest, I made my move."
"I guess that's acceptable," snorted Matthieu, "So how did it- go down?"
The group chucked at his wording while Renton turned red again.
"Well, it was a cool morning and she was a bit more playful than usual," he recalled, "We had become closer and opened up a lot to each other, but the subject was more inferred through body language. That day she was acting- well, differently. It was like something had come alive inside her."
"Boy did it!" Matthieu snickered, followed by Hap and Moondoggie.
Renton tried ignoring them, "S-So I asked her what we should do for that day and she responded by kissing my neck. Taking a chance, I returned the gesture. She responded to it so I began kissing her chest. Before we knew it, we were both naked and I was straddling her. She seemed driven more by instinct and passion than a conscious effort but that didn't matter to me. At first, it was a little awkward but we figured it out. I'd never seen her so enraptured; and for several days after she took the lead."
"Wow, you go girl!" laughed Talho, "Way to make your move; having him do all the work."
"Well, I was unsure how things operated so I let him show me," explained Eureka, "I figured he knew more about it than I."
"That's debatable," sighed Hilda, causing the others to snicker.
"So you didn't know what you were getting into?" inquired Dr. Mischa.
"I was just reacting to these new feelings," recalled Eureka, "I'd been attracted to Renton for a while but never so strongly or in such a novel way. I just wanted to be one with him; and in a way, I did."
"Sounds like you've finally entered womanhood," smiled Talho, "Though you still gotta lot to learn."
"I know," she sighed.
"Yeah," agreed Gidget, "I mean, 'cause weren't you afraid of getting pregnant?"
"WHAT!?" yelled Renton, flailing back onto the floor.
"You mean you didn't consider that possibility?" asked Hap, shaking his head.
"Renton, Renton, Renton," Moondoggie sighed, shaking his head, "You still gotta long way to go."
"Seriously, dude, you already have three kids to look after," scolded Matthieu, "You're taking on way too much responsibility as it is. Ya can't be goin' on makin' another…"
"Well, had it come to that I would have manned up to my responsibilities," nervously defended Renton, "Like you said, I already have three adopted kids so how could I abandon my own flesh and blood!?"
The room fell silent. The guys all looked at each other and nodded.
"Bravo; that was the only answer," beamed Holland, helping him up, "Welcome to true manhood."
"Seriously, though, from now on try to be a little more careful?" requested Dominic, slipping a couple condoms into Renton's hand.
"So, these will prevent me from conceiving?" inquired Eureka, staring at the gifts.
"They are your best protection," replied Mr. Mischa, "They're ninety-nine percent effective; more than enough to make them worthwhile. Still, since I'm expecting you in the morning for a physical with Renton, how about we check for that; just in case?"
"But I haven't gotten pregnant yet," she reminded.
"Famous last words," laughed Hilda, "It's just to prove the point."
"Oh, okay," agreed Eureka.
"So, have any regrets about you and Renton?" asked Anemone.
"Only that I didn't realize my feeling for him sooner," she smiled.
"Anything else?" pushed Talho.
"Besides making myself look like a fool?" recounted Renton, "No, can't think of any."
"So she's everything you thought she was," suggested Dominic.
"Much more," he smiled, "Sure she's not a normal girl, but everything about her makes me complete."
"Works for me," shrugged Matthieu, "Still think you can handle being the man of the family?"
"Don't have much choice," replied Renton, "But I know where to turn if I need help."
"Far enough," Holland chuckled, "I think we've done enough prodding and poking for one night."
Talho embraced Eureka, "It's so good to have you back, Eureka. Remember, we're always here for ya."
"Thank you," she smiled.
The others said their goodbyes as she was released from her interrogation. Stepping outside, she looked left and saw Renton pushed out from another room nearby. He sighed and she giggled as they met up.
"It's good to be home," he smiled, "…I think."
"Yes, it is," agreed Eureka, "It's nice to know they still care about us."
The two then noticed the other's condoms, making both blush.
"Guess they had 'the talk' with you, too?" concluded Renton.
"I think so," she grinned, "Mischa wants to see us in the morning- to have a 'pregnancy' test?"
Renton turned red, "We-Well, I guess that can't hurt."
Putting the gifts away, the two held hands as they walked to their new room, where they settled for the evening. The night passed without incident. The next morning, the two lovers woke early for their appointment, which took several hours; Anemone and Talho joined them, dragging Dominic along.
"Congratulations, Eureka, it appears you're in perfect health," announced Dr. Mischa with an intrigued smile, "In fact, you're the healthiest I've ever seen; and the tests confirm no pregnancy."
Anemone and Talho breathed a sigh of relief, as did Renton.
"It also appears your evolutionary instability has ceased," continued the doctor, "Greg will be intrigued by this; don't think you'll have to worry about sprouting any more wings either."
"And that is good?" asked Eureka.
"Unless you wanted more," grinned Dr. Mischa, "But yes, it is good. Most likely, you'll be able to fully mature into an adult and live out an otherwise normal life; whatever normal is for you."
Renton squeezed her hand and smiled.
"There is one other thing," she added, before pausing.
The room fell silent as she spoke, "I'm not sure how to word this, as it pertains to Anemone as well, so bear with me; when comparing her files with Eureka's, I noticed similarities in their graviditas impetus biosynthesis, storage, and secretion previously ignored. Cross-checking their latest exams, I found the patterns had become more defined and complex since the Second Summer of Love."
"So- what are you saying?" inquired Dominic as the girls became worried.
"The girls produce specific œstrogens and progestagens not consistent with normal female chemistry," explained Dr. Mischa, "In short; they affectively have 'natural' biological hormonal contraception."
"Hormonal- contraceptive?" questioned Eureka.
"Birth control," explained Talho, "But I though progestagens were synthetic?"
"Both have synthetic equivalents but are produced by the female body naturally," clarified Dr. Mischa, "However, here they are produced to suppress reproduction rather than advance it. For Eureka, I can only assume it is natural. As to why, my only theory is the Coralians wanted to control when or if she could conceive. This also explains why she never had menstrual cycles. Since Anemone was altered to biologically mimic Eureka it stands to reasons she acquired similar chemistry and attributes."
"Come to think of it, we never did come across that topic," she recalled.
"Now that you mention it, I don't think I've ever dealt with it myself," added Anemone, stunned.
"Then count yourself as lucky," sighed Talho.
"Would this explain Anemone's protracted bleeding and mental volatility?" inquired Dominic.
"I might say everything she's been through was more than enough," answered Dr. Mischa, "That said, the specific issues you speak of were likely directly affected by these changes to her body."
"So is this a bad thing?" inquired Eureka.
"No," assured the doctor, "In fact, it's every woman's dream. It means you have influence biologically, perhaps consciously, over becoming pregnant. It also means you won't endure menstruation pains."
"I see," she pondered, a bit overwhelmed.
"You and Anemone are the envy of all women," Talho assured.
"I wouldn't go that far," snorted Anemone, skeptically crossing her arms.
"So then, are you jealous?" asked Eureka, looking to Dr. Mischa.
She was caught off guard and struggled to form an answer, "Well, I'm nearing the end of that part of my life, but I do admit it would have been nice to have."
Talho and Anemone snickered while Renton quietly twiddled his thumbs. On the bridge, Axel stood next to the empty captain's chair drinking coffee while watching the dark yet colorful clouds about the Gekko. Moondoggie operated the helm with Ken-Goh at gunnery and Hap his console. Slowly, Holland made his way down the stairs. Dressed only in tan board shorts and flip-flops, he groggily held a cup of coffee as he neared Axel, dragging his feet the whole time.
"Slacker," he shorted spitefully as Holland plopped into his chair.
"Artifact," he grumbled, taking a drink, "Hap, status report."
"Situation nominal," he replied, "Mostly..."
"Mostly?" questioned Holland with a yawn.
"Well, nothing's goin' on," explained Hap, "No sign of Marcus; but we have encountered this strange storm front once we got off the lay-line."
"Why'd we descend?" inquired Axel.
"We've gained some distance from Bellforest and I figured the storm would help conceal us from any attacks," he explained, "But sensors indicate some weird reading within the clouds themselves, which cover several hundred kilometers; of note, trapar levels drop like a rock below three-thousand meters and ground ceiling is only two. Doggie's been keeping us at four-thousand. Cloud tops are at five."
"Alright; then where are we anyway?" he pushed.
"Above Aokigahara," answered Ken-Goh, as a display appeared, "Also known as the Pine Barrens: a heavily forested region with acidic, nutrient-poor soil; the area is known for odd magnetic fluctuations and general lack of scub-related tectonic activity. It's one of the largest regions never to be colonized."
"This is your plan?" mocked Axel, "Hide within a storm in the middle of nowhere?"
"Marcus is our own problem," answered Holland, "We don't need to get the Armada involved."
"That didn't answer my question," he pointed out, "So, what are you gonna do about him?"
"Disable him if possible and figure out his malfunction," he replied, "Or kill him."
"From what I hear, his objective is very clear," reminded Axel, "He wants revenge."
"It wouldn't matter if he'd just leave Eureka outta it," sighed Holland, "But she's apparently the key to getting at the Coralians; but what then? He wants blood but what good will that do him?"
"Founder of an entire confederation and you still dress like a bum," groaned Talho, as she, Anemone, and Gidget descended the stairs, "Honestly, Holland."
"Keeps me from getting an ego," he rebuffed, taking another drink.
"Well, it fails; now go put some proper clothes on," she huffed.
With a grumble and snort, Holland slowly got up and made his way up to his room. Axel chuckled.
"Where's Vernon?" inquired Hap.
"With the lovebirds," replied Talho, sitting in the captain's chair, "He's old enough to be away from me and to be honest, I need the break; besides, it will give those two some good experience."
"They expecting?" inquired Ken-Goh.
"Mischa says no," she answered, "All the same; it should give them something to think about."
"Think I'll join them," smiled Axel, turning around, "Now that Holland's under control."
Talho smirked. The morning progressed slowly. In the commons, Matthieu, Hilda, and Gulliver joined Vernon and the Thurstons. Maurice took pictures of Vernon on Eureka's lap while Linck showed Renton his improved coloring skills. Maeter sat with Axel and held Gulliver in her lap, who cooed with curiosity. Hilda read the latest ray=out while Matthieu took a nap and leaned against her. The peaceful scene was suddenly interrupted when violent turbulence rocked the Gecko.
"Hap, report!" called Talho, as the bridge crew assessed the situation.
"Massive trapar turbulence from unknown source below us," he informed.
"Doggie, take up to five-thousand," she instructed.
"Unknown target acquired, coming outta the clouds," warned Woz, "Possible source of the turbulence."
"Can we get a visual?" inquired Talho.
"The storm and turbulence are making that hard," informed Hap.
A static-filled display appeared, slowly gaining resolution as it focused on the target. A mix of visible (and invisible) trapars and clouds bombarded the Gekko as it ascended.
"Confirmed, target is modified Nirvash-class K.L.F.," announced Woz.
"I see it," affirmed Talho, "Anemone, Hilda; you know what to do; Gedget, get Holland and Matthieu."
General quarters sounded as Anemone and Hilda raced towards the hanger-bay. Holland launched just as they arrived; Matthieu and Dominic were awaiting them. Within moments, she was catapulted into the stormy skies while the Gekko tried to maneuver out of the swirling air mass. Both L.F.O.s spiraled out of the vortex-like column and converged on TheEND.
"I thought we went through this last night," growled Holland, targeting Marcus, "You're outclassed."
"Piffle!" he retorted over the com, "More a one-way yabber yarn than a shellacking, Boss."
"Don't push your luck again, Aussie," warned Anemone, "You're getting on my last nerves."
"Hey, I give the olive branch a fair go and ya shot the dove," rebuffed Marcus, "Pivot on another burl?"
"Stop with the weather attack on my ship and I'll think about it," snorted Holland.
The assault subsided, allowing the Gekko to stabilize and back off.
"Squizz, ya don't need to give 'er to me, per se, just have 'er where I need," offered Marcus, "I'll take care of the rest and once I got my quarry, you can bail out. No harm, no foul, no worries; savvy?"
"If you can't flesh that B.S. out some more, then no," Holland huffed.
"What more do ya want?" he sighed, "We ain't got nothin' against the lass, Boss. All we'd do is use her as a compass to find these okers, flush 'em out, and blue. Then the rest of ya blokes can shoot through."
"Still not good enough," interjected Anemone, "I suggest you just quit while you're ahead."
"I'm a bastard bloke and get the raw prawn," moaned Marcus, "Just don't come the raw prawn, love."
"All's far in love and war," she smiled, "I doubt you'd beat them away, since you can't even best us."
"Oh really?" he smirked, "Well, avagoyermug! Let's get to brass tacks, since you're so jumped-up!"
Without warning, TheEND looped around in a tight turn and opened fire on the Gekko. Anemone and Holland gave chase as Moondoggie dodged the attack and Ken-Goh returned fire as they closed in. TheEND spun about the projectiles and with war-scythes drawn superficially sliced down the Gekko's underbelly, causing many electrical blackouts throughout the ship.
"Renton, get a flashlight!" instructed Axel as red emergency lighting flickered in the commons.
The children cried out in confusion and fear while Eureka tried to comfort them. Maurice held Vernon as Axel followed Renton to an equipment panel, where they acquired flashlights.
"We should head to the interior," informed Renton, "I know a safe place."
"Not unless you know an alternate way," replied Axel, nothing the main door was jammed.
He reached up and triggered a manual release lever in the upper left corner, "Follow me."
"Backup power still not responding to the Commons grid," informed Waz, "Jobs is working on it."
"Hull integrity down five percent," informed Hap, "Reflection skin damage ten percent."
"He's wisely keeping out of my targeting range," growled Ken-Goh, "He'll keep close this time."
"Tell Matthieu, Hilda, and Dominic to get ready!" instructed Talho, "They may be needed soon."
"So when was listening to voices in your head ever a good idea?" quizzed Holland as he exchanged fire with Marcus, "You never seemed the type."
"When you're a puppet, ya got lil' say," Marcus replied, "But they've been fair dinkum; even hooked me up with this corker bloke. Anemone can't be as cross as a frog in a sock 'bout that, yeah?"
"Then why don't ya hand him over?" she inquired, firing on him as they crossed paths.
"He's got drama, too, love," answered Marcus as theEND shield itself, "You oughta know that."
"Doesn't change the fact he's still a puppet," sighed Anemone as she watched the prototypeT303 lock hands with TheEND, "Just like I was. I know what you must be going through; don't be a bloody fool!"
"And if I did?" he growled, struggling with Holland, "What then? You'd lock me up in the loony! I'm past Bullamanka, love. Like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge, I'm just a Galah who's come a gutzer. She'll be right, this is my lurk. Since ya give no fair go, I'll sink my boot to the rough end of this pineapple!"