Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Lantis - Five Days Later
Colonel Robert Santana is 41 years old and a graduate of the War College on Lantis. He commanded a battalion (300-1200 soldiers) on another planet in the Pegasus galaxy as a Lieutenant Colonel; and when he returned to Lantis after the war, he went back to the War College for postgraduate professional military education. After he completed his studies he was reassigned to Army Operations on Lantis.
A month after he returned, and after his debriefings, he went to his lover's apartment and was told she'd moved out months ago. While on leave he tried to find her, but to no avail, and realized he'd never met her family who could've helped him. As the years went by, his searing pain turned into a dull ache.
When Robert Santana awoke the morning he was to report to General Dima's office, he still couldn't fathom why the General wanted to see him, but knew he'll find out that morning.
xxx
General Dima's Office
"At ease Colonel, and have a seat," Dima said when Santana was shown into his office.
"Thank you sir," he replied and sat in the empty chair next to another General.
"This is General Boro, the Chief of Military Intelligence in the Pegasus galaxy," Dima said to Santana.
"Sir," Santana said looking at the Three Star General.
"Colonel," Boro replied studying the Colonel.
"This meeting and everything we're about to tell you is classified," Dima told Santana.
"I understand sir," Santana said.
"...and General Brennan will arrive in Atlantis in a few days aboard Thor's Hammer," Dima told Boro and Santana.
"Is she going to greet their Commander?" Boro asked.
"Yes, because he's her counterpart, and we're also going with her," Dima answered. "Dismissed Colonel."
"Yes sir," he said and saluted the Generals before he departed Dima's office.
The Generals talked about other matters.
Colonel Santana was still reeling and thought the General's were crazy, until he saw a few of the recordings and after they explained everything to him – and now knows why he's going with them.
xxx
Eglarest
Eönwë and part of the Host of the Valar rode east to meet the other children of Eru Ilúvatar. He informed the Vanyar about the other mortals and Eru Ilúvatar's other children and told them why they were on Arda. His Captains were given their orders to begin war with Morgoth in the North after their ships arrived and everyone disembarked. King Finarfin and Prince Ingwion rode with the Herald of Manwë.
With Eönwë's keen hearing, he heard the elves asking questions about Eru Ilúvatar's other children, whom they never knew existed. They, like the King and Prince, were also surprised to learn that Eru Ilúvatar had awaken mortals in a different part of Eä long before He awoke the Eldar on Arda.
xxx
Earth - Two Days Later - Onboard Thor's Hammer
General Sloan Reynolds greeted General's Brennan and Jaro when they arrived onboard the Flagship and escorted them to their quarters. General Brennan then gave General Reynolds the order to depart for Atlantis.
"The Fleet is ready and awaiting your order General," her pilot turned and said after hearing a beep.
"Open a hyperspace window and jump," she ordered.
"Yes ma'am," she replied and opened a hyperspace window and Thor's Hammer leaped into the anomaly, and the rest of the Fleet opened their own window and jumped into hyperspace.
xxx
Pegasus Galaxy – Atlantis – One Hour Later
"The Flagship Fleet has just dropped out of hyperspace General," the Corporal turned and said to Dima.
"Ten hut," Dima said when General Brennan transported to Atlantis with her security detail, and everyone stood and saluted the Supreme Commander.
"I want to see you and General Boro in your office," Brennan said when she looked at General Dima.
"Yes ma'am," he replied.
xxx
General Dima's Office
Present: General's Brennan, Dima, Jaro and Boro
"What's the status of the Army heading towards Colonel Salar's Command Post?" Brennan asked.
General Dima told her.
"And the status of the refugees?" she asked.
"They should arrived tomorrow," Dima answered.
"I've read the report on Anwen and I think she's truly exceptional and I want to meet her when she arrives," Brennan told them.
"Anwen has no education General," Jaro said.
"We're going to give her an education and make her a better than she already is, if that's possible," Brennan replied smiling.
Anwen and her brother have no guardian," Dima said.
"That's where Colonel Corrina can help us," Brennan replied. "We have another problem gentlemen, and his name is Galdor. We've all read Colonel Corrina's report on Mr. Galdor and saw the recordings. That tells me he's been doing this a long time, and we're going to have to deal with him."
The Generals agreed and they discussed their opinions. Afterwards, General Dima contacted General Thos and told him when they'll arrive on Arda.
xxx
Colonel Salar's Tent
Colonel Salar thanked Sam when he handed her a tablet while she was walking to her tent after having dinner with her staff. When she arrived, she sat on her cot and read the tablet. "I'll be damned," she said aloud. She'd just read that Colonel Robert Santana, her former lover and the father of her two children, will be accompanying the Generals to Arda and the reasons why. She'd not seen or heard from Bobby in years; nor did she receive any communication from him after he went to war. She knew Bobby didn't know, nor did she, that she was pregnant with his children when he left. Colonel Salar felt numb, but eventually cried herself to sleep after thinking about the years they spent together.
xxx
"We'll arrive tomorrow," Corrina told the Edain during dinner that evening and saw the look of relief on their faces and he knew they were exhausted.
When the sun rose the next morning, everyone headed out on the final leg of their journey and Colonel Corrina and his Company were glad this was their last mission.
xxx
Atlantis
General's Brennan, Jaro, Dima, Boro and Colonel Santana were transported aboard Thor's Hammer a few hours later. When they arrived, General Brennan gave the order to depart; and the Flagship Fleet cloaked and engaged their wormhole drives.
xxx
Arda
The General's security details were transported first and de-cloaked at the assigned coordinates in the tent city. Then the Generals and Colonel Santana did the same after they received the all clear.
"Ten hut," General Thos said when the Generals appeared and he, Colonel's Salar, Daniels and Shaw saluted the Generals.
Colonel Santana's head snapped when he saw Milan Salar, who kept her eyes straight. To say he was surprised was an understatement; and he saw she's also a full bird, like himself. The last time he saw her she was a Major, and wondered how she rose through the ranks so quickly.
"At ease," Brennan said. "Report General Thos."
"The other Army is a few days ride away General, and Colonel Corrina and the others should arrive before lunch," he answered.
"I want to see you Colonel Corrina in the Command Tent when he arrives," Brennan said when she walked up to Colonel Salar.
"Yes ma'am," she replied. "Your quarters are ready."
"It's nothing like being back in the field again," Brennan said laughing.
"Right this way ma'am and sirs," Colonel Shaw said.
When Colonel Santana looked back he saw Milan Salar walking in the other direction surrounded by guards.
xxx
When the stargate came to life an hour later, Colonel Oliver walked through with Major's Avaro (Aldan Male) and Patricia Jones (Human Female), and his security detail. The two Majors saluted Salar.
"Welcome to Arda, Colonel Oliver," Salar said after telling the Majors at ease. "How's everything on Gaia?"
"Busy," he answered laughing.
They turned when they heard riders in the distance.
"Here they come," she said to Oliver.
"The last remaining humans on Arda," he replied. "It's a lot of them."
"That's why it took them so long to get here," Salar said.
Everyone in the encampment saw Colonel Corrina leading the remaining Atani, who were awed of everything around them, including the stargate and they asked many questions at once. Some rode horses; many were in wagons, and a few were walking.
"Welcome back Colonel," Salar said when he rode up to the two Colonel's and got off his horse.
Colonel Corrina saluted the two Colonels. "Thanks," he replied.
"General Brennan wants to see you in the Command Tent," she told him. "Colonel Shaw will get everyone settled in. Follow me."
xxx
Colonel Corrina stood at attention when the Generals walked into the Command Tent.
"At ease Colonel," Brennan said after the Generals took their seats.
Colonel Corrina sat back down in his chair.
"How was trip Colonel?" she asked Corrina.
"Long and tiring ma'am," he answered with a weary smile.
"Tell us about Mr. Galdor," Brennan said.
"What would you like to know ma'am," Corrina asked.
"Everything you observed and what others told you about him," she answered.
"I notice Anwen turned away from him with a scared look on her face and I discreetly asked her about Mr. Galdor. She told me after her mother died she and her brother Adair went to live with Estella and Galdor...and Estella and Galdor are brother and sister. Anwen told me a few years later, Galdor started giving her strange looks that made her uncomfortable. That's when she decided to leave their home with Adair; and they moved into a shack and she's been taking care of him since that day. Anwen is 16 and her brother is 12 and she also told me she wants to leave Arda and live somewhere nice; in fact, all of them want to leave Arda. Mr. Galdor only ogled the young girls that only has a mother as a single parent, but ignored the young girls that have both parents. We kept an eye on him the whole time, but we couldn't stop him from looking at the girls," Corrina told them.
"Mr. Galdor is not stupid and knows the other young girl's fathers will kill him," Dima said.
"You're right sir," Corrina replied.
"This is what we've decided to do with Mr. Galdor..., and I want to talk to Estella.
"Yes ma'am," Corrina said, and was then dismissed.
xxx
Officer's Mess
"May I join you Colonel?" Santana asked with a food tray in his hand.
"Yes you may Colonel," Salar answered, putting her tablet on the table next to her tray. She looked at the tall, medium built man who's black hair was turning grey, the same as hers.
"When I returned I went to your apartment and I found out you had moved," he told her.
"I never heard from you and I had to move," she answered.
"I was very busy and it took longer than any of us expected," he said.
"Wars are a messy business and they're unpredictable," she replied.
"Every time I started to write, something always came up," he told her.
Milan nodded her head and knew it was fate.
"Why did you have to move?" he asked.
"I was pregnant with your children," she answered.
Robert Santana put his fork down and looked at her. "I'm a father?" he whispered, still stunned at the news.
"Yes, but I didn't know that when you left, and that was your parting gift to me," she answered. "You have a son and daughter."
"Twins," he said.
"Yes," she replied.
"What are their names?" he asked.
"Your son's name is Michael Santana Salar and your daughter's name is Dana Christina Salar," she answered.
"Salar is their last name?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"We aren't married Bobby, and I didn't know if you wanted them to have your last name, or if you were ever going to return home," she said.
He nodded his head.
"It's time for me to talk to my children," Salar said after they finished eating.
"May I come with you?" he asked quietly, with a pleading look in his eyes.
"Yes," she answered.
xxx
The Colonel followed her to her tent and they arrived Santana saw a photo of her two children on the stand next to her cot, and almost gasped when he saw their son Michael looked just like him, and he thought his daughter is just as beautiful as her mother. He put the photo down when he heard his sons voice and walked over to the desk where the Milan was sitting.
"When are you coming home mommy?" Dana asked. "You've been gone a long time."
"I know sweetie, I should be home soon," she answered.
"Who's that mommy?" Michael asked looking at the strange man.
"This is Colonel Robert Santana," she answered.
"Hello sir," they both said.
"Hello," he replied smiling at the two of them.
"Are you a friend of mommy's?" Michael asked.
"Yes I am," he answered smiling at his son, and listened to the rest of their conversation. He studied his children's mannerisms carefully and noticed they both had their mother's beautiful brown eyes.
"I love you," Milan said to her children.
"We love you too mommy," they replied smiling and waving before the link was disconnected.
"Do you speak to them everyday?" he asked.
"Of course," she answered. "We have a lot to talk about."
"I know, but not here," he said.
She agreed.
xxx
"Which one is Anwen? Brennan asked Corrina after lunch. She saw many children playing, which brought a smile to her face.
"The one sitting off by herself and drawing on the parchment in front of her," Corrina answered.
Everyone followed General Brennan when she walked over to Anwen.
"May we join you Anwen?" Corrina asked.
"Of course Colonel," she answered smiling.
"This is General Brennan, our Supreme Commander and the Commander over everyone in the AGF Armed Forces," Corrina told her.
"You're in charge of everyone?" Anwen asked wide-eyed with her mouth hanging open.
"Yes I am," she answered smiling at the young girl and sat next to her.
"This is General Dima, General Jaro and General Boro," Corrina told Anwen pointing to each man. "This is Colonel Oliver and Major's Avaro and Jones."
Anwen studied each one.
"May we see your drawings Anwen?" Brennan asked.
"Yes," Anwen answered with a smile and handed her parchments to General Brennan.
"These are magnificent," Brennan said after looking at each one and then passed them to the others.
"Thank you," Anwen replied.
"How did you come up with this Anwen?" Major Avaro asked showing her the parchment of her water system.
"It was in my head and I drew it," she answered and saw everyone smile at her.
"Tell us how it works," Colonel Oliver said.
Anwen explained her water system and other drawings and answered all their questions. "Do you like them?" she asked, looking from one to another.
"Very much," General Brennan answered. "You and your brother, along with the other children are going to school when you arrive at your new home."
"So I can learn to read and write better," Anwen said.
"Yes," Brennan replied.
"What else will I learn?" she asked Brennan.
"Your numbers," Brennan answered.
"Why do I need to learn numbers?" she asked.
"Numbers are very important Anwen and you're going to find that out," Brennan answered. "You and Adair will be leaving before the others and you're going to help Colonel Oliver build your new homes on Gaia."
"I am?" she asked surprised.
"You're very talented Anwen and these drawings are what they're going to use, if that's alright with you," Brennan answered.
"Of course it is," she replied with a bright smile.
"You're what we call an engineer and a builder Anwen – that's why you need to learn numbers – and those numbers will help make you a better engineer and builder in the future," Boro told her.
"You and Adair are under age and have no adult supervision, and the both of you need an adult to look after you," Brennan told her.
"It's not going to be like Estella's home, is it?" she asked.
"No," Brennan answered.
xxx
Gaia
The next morning Colonel Corrina and the elders walked through the stargate to Gaia. When they arrived they were introduced to Colonel Oliver and then were taken on a tour of their new home.
xxx
"Colonel," Elin sand when she saw Corrina.
"Hello Elin," he replied smiling at her and told her why he was there.
"They have no guardian?" she asked with a concerned look on her face.
"No," he answered. "We have to place them with a family because they're under age and I thought of you and the others."
"Tell me about them," she said.
Afterwards the Colonel and Elin met with her's and Balin's folk and told them about Anwen and Adair and they agreed to take in the two young ones.
xxx
Arda
When the elders returned from Gaia they told their people about their new home.
Colonel Corrina also returned with Elin and introduced her to General Brennan.
"You're the one who's the Commander of everyone in the Army," Elin said to Brennan with a smile.
"Yes," he replied. "I understand you're the leader of your people."
"I am," she said.
"We both have something in common," Brennan told her laughing. "Let me introduce you to Anwen."
Elin followed General Brennan and Colonel Corrina.
"Anwen, this is Elin," Brennan said when they walked up to her at the table.
Anwen looked up from her drawings.
"Hello Anwen," Elin said sitting at the table and smiled at the young girl.
"Hello," Anwen replied studying Elin, and decided she liked her.
The General departed and left the Colonel, Elin and Anwen alone to discuss Anwen's and Adair's new living arrangements.
xxx
"They gave us new clothes and boots to wear Elin," Adair said excitedly while Colonel Corrina was helping them pack their new clothes and boots in their large soft black travel satchels.
Anwen and Adair were each given two new pairs of boots and wore one pair on their feet and also new clothes.
"They also gave us new clothes and boots," Elin told the children.
"They've been very kind to us," Anwen said.
"Yes they have," Elin replied and thanked the Lord silently for their fellow mortals.
After Colonel Corrina showed Anwen how to pack her drawings, he handed Adair a present. "Don't open this until you get to your new home," Corrina told him.
"I won't, and thank you," he said smiling up at the Colonel.
"I'll carry your luggage to your new home," Corrina told the children and they left the tent.
"Dial the gate Sargent," Corrina said when they arrived at the stargate.
"Yes sir," she replied.
Anwen and Adair stared at the stargate with open mouths while the chevrons were encoding, and jumped back when the event horizon shot out.
"Do not be afraid," Elin told the children and took Anwen's hand and Captain Riva took Adair's.
"Let's go," Corrina said and walked up the ramp.
The others followed, and they too walked up the ramp and through the stargate.
"Look Adair," Anwen said looking around in awe when they arrived on Gaia," "We're finally home."
Adair also looked around and when he looked up in the sky he saw two moons and smiled.
"This way," Corrina said and the children followed the Colonel, Elin and Captain Riva.
After Anwen and Adair met the others they settled into a tent next to Elin's. Adair opened his gift from the Colonel and smiled when he saw a small wooden boat and set it on the table next to his cot. Adair told the Colonel he wanted to be the Captain of his own ship when he grew up.
xxx
It was decided that afternoon that the final humans on Arda will depart for Gaia in two days and Colonel Corrina will supervise their departure.
The Generals and Colonel Corrina had dinner with the elders that evening and told them when they would be leaving.