(updated 05-03-2021)

CHAPTER THIRTY
What the Future May Bring

"We received confirmation today about the Invid destroying the Arcadia Task Force with no survivors. I waited before telling Mirya. There were so many with those ships we knew, and now they're gone. I find myself reflecting on all those we've lost over the years… Roy Fokker, Admiral Gloval, Claudia Grant, Ben Dixon. The list is way too long. Now, Paul Colerio's name is on that list. It seems like only yesterday I saw him as a young boy with Alex and Cathy. Then finding that wild-eye emaciated teen running wild on the streets of Brasilia. That kid was such a pain in the ass for me. I worried he would never graduate from the academy, let alone become a squadron leader. Despite all the pain and troubles Paul went through, I know Alex and Cathy would have been proud of their son. While our war with the Invid continues and operations to retake Earth are ramping up, I just hope that Paul has found peace now…"

— From the journals of Captain Max Sterling (Tirol 2042)

oOoOo

"You behaved yourself around Xander and Cassie? Your Father and I are looking forward to having you and Cassandra out for a visit… You two are such a pretty couple."

Alex tried—and failed—not to roll his eyes at his mom's comments as her face filled the video screen.

"Mom, stop it!" he said, shaking his head slowly. The smile on his face betrayed the fake annoyance he tried to put up.

"I'm just saying… You realize I may want to have grandkids one day," Faith laughed, noting the smile on her son's face.

The notion of starting a family caused a slight tightening in Alex's chest. He shook off the panic while his mom's smile grew at his obvious discomfort.

"Grandkids, mom? You still have a house full with Anna and the twins!"

"Well, Anna is heading off to university and then the academy. Rachel and Max, well they've only got a couple of years left in secondary school and then they're gone too. That will just leave your father and me in this big, empty house. I'm just trying to plan for the future."

Again, the idea of family and children caused Alex's chest to tighten. Cassandra and he had talked about their future together, but that conversation had been more focused on their careers rather than starting a family. Kids weren't at the top of his list. Alex tried changing the subject.

"How's dad?"

Faith smiled, picking up on her eldest son's deft maneuver to change the subject, "You know your father. Between advising the Navy and instructing at the academy, he's keeping busy. He told me to tell you he booked time in the simulators when you're here on Tirol. He mentioned something about wanting a rematch because you cheated last time."

"Moi? I never cheat," Alex said, feigning being insulted.

A smirk filled his face, savoring the memory of the first time he'd beaten his dad in the fighter training simulators. It had been an epic duel that had pushed them and the simulators to their limits, but he'd come up on top.

"Dad hasn't been able to beat me in air combat simulators since I was seventeen."

Faith laughed, she was well familiar with Paul's pride-tainted complaining about their matches in the simulators.

"How's Earth? How's everyone else?"

"This old blue-and-white world is holding together. There's a lot of excitement over the new mission. Other than that everyone says hi. Aunt Buffy says to remind you that her, Uncle James and the rest of the family will be out to visit next month."

"Thanks… It's too bad that the SDF-4 will be out of system on fleet maneuvers when they're here. It would've been nice to have Aaron and Dawn here for their visit."

"How are Aunt Rachel and Uncle Giles doing?"

"They're doing well. They're looking forward to seeing you and Cassandra too. Your Aunt Rachel also mentioned something about you, Cassandra, and kids," Faith smirked.

Alex rolled his eyes again, "Yeah, mom."

There was a long pause, and Faith's face took on a more motherly worried expression, "Five years is going to be a long time. Your father says nothing out loud, but he's worried about this mission… going to the other side of the galaxy."

"Mom, it will be fine. This is an exploratory mission… you know, check out the parts we've never been to. See if anyone is there and introduce ourselves."

"You don't have to sell your mom, I watch the newscasts. It's… It's just I've heard your father talking to Alliance Command. He's pushing for a larger fighter contingent and more support ships to go out with you. You guys will to be a long way from home, all by yourselves."

Alex tried to hide any concern and worry on his part from his mom. He'd had the same discussions with his dad about the size of the military support going on this deep space exploratory mission to the other side of the galaxy.

"It'll be okay, mom," he said.

oOoOo

Alex was leaning back relaxing as Cassandra entered their cabin, "So did you tell your parents the big news?" she said, sitting down on the bed next to him.

Alex gave her a roguish smirk as she snuggled up beside him, "No way! I promised you I would wait to tell them about the engagement until we visited. If there are any leaks in this 'operation' it would be on your end," he laughed.

Cassandra gave him a nice long passionate kiss, "Do you think they'll be surprised?" she said, finally pulling away.

Alex smiled, "It's not easy keeping secrets from mom and dad… especially dad, but I think I've kept them in the dark for this one."

Cassandra laughed, "We make quite the pair, don't we?"

"We sure do… me the fighter pilot and you the science officer," he snorted, smiling.

"You looking forward to the mission?" Cassandra whispered, snuggling closer to Alex.

Alex hugged Cassandra tightly, "Yup… especially with you. I like the idea of a long cruise."

She eyed Alex questioningly, "It'll be a different type of honeymoon, won't it?"

Alex gave her a roguish smirk, "It doesn't matter where we are. As long as I'm with you, that'll always be home."

"You sure know how to charm a girl," Cassandra laughed.

"Only you… only you," Alex laughed.

oOoOo

Alex stood by the view port, staring out into deep space, noting the distant stars. He glanced occasionally back at Cassandra asleep in their bed, giving thanks to how lucky he'd been to find her.

His thoughts drifted while watching the distant stars. He realized it was more than mere circumstances that had brought him to this point. He understood that bigger powers were at play, and for everything and everyone there was a plan and purpose.

Some would have argued this, going on about free will and self-determination. He didn't waste time with those arguments because he perceived what was true. He couldn't explain it, but he sensed it instinctively.

Alex sighed, snorting at the thought of how much of a deep thinker he'd become at his age.

Whatever happens… we'll face it and deal with it. Everything worked out for mom and dad…

As tiredness pulled at him, Alex headed back to bed, and Cassandra, deciding he'd done enough philosophizing for tonight.

Sleep came quickly. His dreams took him to places and showed him many things… all the while a woman's voice gently sung to him.