Hello to everyone. Thanks for your messages and support, as I know this chapter has been a long time coming. My new job requires a great deal more from me, and often leaves me too tired to write. I apologise for taking so long to add another chapter. On another note, I want to convey my respects to the family, and friends of the extraordinary humble Neil Armstrong. You are one of the three pioneers for humanity, in the world's greatest space exploration achievement. While most of us can only dream, you, Buzz, and Michael proved mankind can achieve what we can imagine... I wonder what the next few centuries will bring.
SGU s04 e07
Hadri'an
In Castell's spare suite on Valeya, Te'arly awoke suddenly next to Everett. She could feel the dampness around her as her mind raced with thoughts.
"Honey, wake up!" she said calmly.
Everett stirred and rubbed his eyes saying sleepily, "You okay sweetheart?"
Te'arly shook her head, "Um, not really... the bed is wet" she replied, a little frightened.
Everett snapped himself awake, "Oh! Your water broke?!" he said more out of shock than as a question.
Te'arly gave a scared chuckle before a tear rolled down her face. "We're having a baby my love... right now it seems!" Te'arly placed her hand on Everett's, shifting it to her firm belly.
Now sitting up, Everett placed his other arm around her as she snuggled into his shoulder. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked gently.
She smiled at him, "No Honey, Valhalla is coming. She will know what to do... just be here with me."
Everett squeezed her shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere..." he smiled back.
Valhalla gracefully entered their room after a quick knock on the door. "Te'arly, Everett...it's time."
Dr Rush was dozing in Kirk's chair on Destiny's bridge. It was around 0400 local time when he was stirred by Destiny's hologram.
"Nick, wake up," she said kindly.
He stirred, stretching out his arms and yawned. "Destiny, what's up?"
"Dr Rush, I am receiving a subspace message from a remote galaxy. I believe it is the Ursini's ship Galassie...shall I open the channel?"
Rush gave a waking cough. "Um yes, thanks Destiny." He wasted no time. "This is Dr Rush, how may we be of assistance?"
A familiar voice returned a greeting. "Dr Rush, this is High Commander Ra'toli aboard Porta Galassie. We believe that the Ori ship you seek may be near our position, hiding in the next galaxy. I have been unable to raise Col. Telford in the Armstrong, and you were the nearest vessel. We have been under attack from several Ori vessels, and have managed to destroy or severely damage most of them. I need you to contact all amalgamated vessels and warn that the Ori have found a way to momentarily disrupt our shielding technology, causing some minor damage."
Nick thought about this for a moment before replying. "Commander, I will contact them immediately. Please keep the connection open." Nick looked at Lady Destiny in front of him. "I don't trust this...there is no way the Ori could penetrate Valeyian shielding, they would have had to get inside the ship to disable it. Something is very, very wrong here" He pondered his next move.
Hologram Lady Destiny spoke. "Dr Rush, the odds of the Ori penetrating our new shields is minuscule and highly unlikely. I believe it is a trap. Perhaps some false information should be returned."
Nick considered the possibility and agreed, but he had no reason not to trust Commander Ra'toli. He knew something seemed off and decided the best action was more information. "Commander, we are experiencing some fluctuations in your transmission. I will rectify the problem on this end and contact you shortly." Nick cut the connection without response. Getting on the com, he called Capt. Scott, Amanda, and Eli to the bridge. While he was waiting, he made a connection to Apollo using a Valeyian secure time transmitter. "Apollo, this is Destiny...please respond."
It didn't take long. "Dr Rush this is Col. Mitchell receiving you loud and clear...How's life on Destiny?"
Dr Rush was sharp and to the point, but kind. "We're all fine, but I have received a subspace transmission from Ra'toli aboard Galassie. He says they have encountered several Ori vessels and fought them, but then made a comment that they have found a way to momentarily disrupt the shields enough to cause damage. Something doesn't gel right with me... if the Ori could break the shields, they would be a sitting duck!" Nick was very concerned as his mind raced through many scenarios.
Cameron's reaction was immediate. "I agree. They would have been destroyed without shields, something is up. Did he give a location?"
Nick scrolled through masses of data on the CI screen. "I can't pinpoint the exact galaxy, but it would take us years to get even close to the origin point. The other thing he said was they couldn't raise Telford on the Armstrong... doesn't sound right to me."
Cameron put his chin in his hand and leaned on his captains' chair, looking out the bridge window. "Rush," he paused, "I don't like it. It sounds screwy to me too. The Ursini have the same communication devices as us, so why not use them?"
Nick looked around as Capt. Scott entered the bridge, followed by Amanda and Eli, still yawning. "Col. Mitchell is on the secure com, we have a problem with Galassie..." was his short description to the new arrivals.
Cameron asked, "Rush, you there?"
Nick nodded as he answered. "Sorry about that Colonel, yes...I agree. Why not use this secure time transmitter, or even a stone... every ship has a set. Stay on the line and I'll try to make a connection via subspace again." Nick looked at Eli who was trying to raise the Ursini's ship.
Eli looked up from the CI saying, "The phones ringing, but no one is answering...wait, I think I got something!" Eli tweaked the subspace controls and only found static and a slight knocking sound. "It answered...but it's like nothing is there, or no one."
Rush called out, "Are you getting this Colonel?"
Cameron responded. "Yeah... what the hell is that?"
Nick looked at Amanda and Matt, who both shook their heads indicating their lack of knowledge of what was going on. A slight tapping noise could be heard in the background.
Nick said to Eli, "Try lock on the end point signal for coordinates, and isolate that sound."
Eli replied, "On it already, transmitting coordinates now, Col. Mitchell."
Cameron got the confirmation from his communications officer. "Thanks Eli, they're about five hours from us. Get in touch with Col. Telford and bring him up to speed... we'll go look for them, Mitchell out!"
Nick filled in the blanks for them as Eli contacted the Armstrong. Col. Telford told them they'd had no contact with Galassie for the past three days, but due to their mission, believed they were maintaining radio silence in a hostile galaxy. He had not received any attempted transmissions of subspace or secure time communications.
Eli thanked him disconnected the call. Changing the subject he said, "I wonder how General Young and Te'arly are doing?"
A muffled groan could be heard through the octagonal lattice walls of the room Te'arly was resting in. This was exciting news on Valeya, as a child had not been born for some time now. They had a custom on their planet, "Any child born on Valeya is a Valeyian regardless of the parental origin, and forth being a citizen of our teachings and technology." This meant that not only would Te'arly's son be the first boy of her race to survive into manhood for many years, but also made him a member of the most powerful race ever encountered by other human beings in the universe.
Everett held her hand tightly as another contraction coursed through her body. "Just breathe Honey, breathe..." he said softly as Te'arly settled from the pain.
The midwife nurse placed a grounding stone under each of Te'arly's feet. "This should help reduce the pain of contractions, without losing your sensations to push" she said.
Te'arly looked at her, as a bead of sweat trickled down her forehead. "Please...no. I want to feel this no matter how much it hurts, it is our custom" she gasped slowly between short breaths.
The nurse looked at Everett who gave confirmation with his eyes. Smiling, she removed the stones and left them.
Everett held her hand tight as Te'arly squeezed with enough force to nearly break it. As the contraction subsided, he said to her, "You are one tough woman Sweetheart... I would have taken the stones!"
Te'arly tried to smile and answer, but it came out harshly. "I would expect that from a man!"
Everett tried not to laugh. He knew she had not meant it in that sense, and her immediate apology was enough to prove him right...
Valhalla entered the room and immediately placed her hand on Te'arly's round tummy. Closing her eyes, she opened them nearly as fast. "Te'arly, your baby is breach...you need to tell him to turn around..." she drew an anti clockwise circle with her finger over Te'arly's belly, "this way, so he doesn't tangle in the cord."
Everett looked on in stunned silence. Never in his life had he heard of a woman "asking" her baby to turn around, and said "Valhalla, not that I would question your wisdom, but are you sure that asking him will actually work?
She smiled and placed her outstretched hand on his cheek, tenderly caressing it. With a gentle smile she replied softly, "Ev darling, your world has much to learn about the bond between mother and child, born or unborn. She will speak, he will listen, and understand" she looked over to Te'arly with a cheeky grin, "They have much to understand, don't they..."
Te'arly smiled back, "Yes, he does..."
Back on Destiny, life was continuing on as normal as life on a ship could be. Military guys were going through training simulations and exercise regimes, people were preparing food or eating, scientist were trolling through streams of data. With the stargate now allowed to open to Earth regularly every two weeks, most of the ship's crew was rotated in four month cycles. During this time, leave was allowed for a two week period to anyone that desired it. The strange truth was, most of the original crew never took it, aside from Eli and Ginn who would use it to visit Eli's mother on Earth. From the advances of disclosure, Maryann's condition had been healed and she was now enjoying normal life once again.
Ronald and Lisa had come to an understanding and reformed a close friendship, which was far more open than previously. They were on leave together, back on Earth for a week of R & R. With disclosure of Earth's new position within the galactic community, crews of star-ships were now being treated as celebrities. Friends and families of those serving "off world" were now able to keep in touch via Face book and Twitter, through regular subspace communications. It didn't take long for word to get out that two of the original crew were back from serving on Destiny. The ship in her own right had become the rock star pinnacle of space exploration and discovery of the unknown. Within hours of their return, offers of interviews and TV appearances were flooding into the military PR department. General Landry had contacted them both and given permission to accept only one exclusive offer with a reporter from CBS 60 Minutes show, and a "no disclosure to sensitive events" warning.
Ronald and Lisa were given the presidential suite at a major hotel for a couple of days to complete the interview. Greer was asked about his actions on Terestay, but used the "I cannot comment on that action" line. The reporter then focused more on their original arrival and survival needs aboard Destiny, asking how they felt about being "trapped" at the time.
Ron spoke candidly and gave some account from his personal point of view. "At first, it was like any other mission to somewhere unknown. But slowly we realised it had been a one way trip, with no way of returning to Earth. Any glimmer of hope was given full attention, but soon people started to realise things were getting worse. Our primary concern was all out survival... Air filter units were failing, water and rations in short supply...it got pretty "touch and go" for a while."
The questions got tricky trying to dig for more exclusive content, with Ron leaping to Lisa's defence by putting up his hands in a gesture, protecting her from a rather personal question about her initial "coping mechanism".
He said in his stern Master Sergeants tone, "Hey, you have no right to ask that! Do it again, and this is over!"
The reporter thought the better of it and sincerely apologised to both of them. Finally it was over leaving Ron and Lisa with some time to rest and enjoy their luxurious surroundings.
Lisa put her arms around the back of Ron's neck, moved her mouth to his and kissed him softly on the lips. "Thank you for defending me...and I'm sorry you had to hear him ask that."
Ron held her around the waist saying, "I'd do anything to protect you..." Before he could finish, Lisa's mouth returned to his beginning a passionate embrace.
Ron lifted her up as he felt himself pressing against her, and carried her to the nearest wall. Within moments their clothes were pulled out of the way, as they began to make love to each other... (Sorry, you will have to use your imagination for the rest!).
An hour or so later with Lisa lying on Ron's bare chest in bed, she snuggled into him saying softly, "You asked me something once... How do you feel now?"
Ron ran his fingers through her dark hair. "I haven't changed how I feel about you...never will" he replied gently.
Lisa turned around and looked deep into his eyes. "I am so sorry I hurt you... I didn't really know what I wanted. You were so...honest and open to me. I guess I just got scared."
Ron's hand found hers as they interlocked their fingers together. "That's in the past Lisa. I love you for who you are...faults and all..." Ron gave a slightly cheeky grin as he said it.
Lisa moved up really close to him and rested her nose against his. "So if there was something you were going to ask me, maybe now is the right time." She wanted the question from him. Not that Lisa was afraid to ask, she wanted to know he wanted it too.
Ronald thought hard for a moment and then... "Okay...Lisa will you...do me the honour...and..." he paused building the anticipation, "...suck my cock?"
Lisa breathed out a disappointed sigh, and went to slap him out of reflex. "That's not funny Ron!"
Ron quickly stopped her. "I haven't finished yet" he said tenderly, reaching back under the pillow with his free hand.
He flipped open the small red box...
"As my wife..."
Lisa's heart began to flutter as she looked at the man holding the "not so small" engagement ring. Now she was sure...he was the man for her. Ron took out the ring and placed it on her finger, watching a tear roll out the corner of her eye, as she cried...
"Yes...yes, yes!"
Sitting over the top of him she now huddled down, as they kissed passionately again. There was no need to say how they felt for each other...their next actions spoke volumes...
Cameron Mitchell stood on the bridge of Apollo 2011 and looked at the Ursini's ship adrift in space, close to an asteroid field. "What have we got so far, 2d Lt Jade Cope?" and smiled at her as he asked.
His communications chief replied, "There is no response to hails, life support is functioning, but the life signs... they're minimal at best, and faint..."
Cameron shook his head. "There are five thousand and five crew aboard that ship...what in the hells gone wrong?" He threw the question open to his crew.
"Sir, they seem to be in stasis. The crew is mainly Ursini with only two Asgard for assistance...I am picking up several human life forms that also appear to be in stasis" she relayed to Cameron.
Cameron picked up the bridge phone hand piece and pushed a button. "Major Dillon, have your ops on standby to do a sweep of Galassie, over." he hung the phone up after a quick "Yes Colonel". Cameron stood looking at the ship and rubbed his hand on the back of his head. "Lieutenant, get remote control of her and bring Galassie about...put her back on all four wheels..." he said as he turned and sat back in his chair.
"Yes Colonel..." she replied instantly, typing away at the touch screen in front of her for a few moments. "I have the ship under control Colonel...bringing Galassie about" she watched the ship right its self and gently move perpendicular to their own position, before bringing her to a full stop..."All yours, Colonel Mitchell."
Cameron turned to face her and gave a quick wink. "Thanks Lieutenant..." he said as she smiled to herself.
Major Dillon from spec ops entered the bridge and walked quickly over to Cameron saying, "What's the situation Colonel?"
Cameron shook his head before answering. "They're all in stasis John...I'm open to suggestions..." He waited for him to speak.
Dillon thought for a moment before asking, "Are there any pathogens in the atmosphere that could have caused this?"
Lt Cope answered. "No Major, life support checked out as normal. There are several human life forms aboard also, Sir."
He looked back at Cameron. "Permission to board Colonel?" asked Maj. Dillon
Cameron nodded. "Go take a look...but remember... We are guests on their ship..." he smiled at his friend.
John smiled back with a simple "Yes Colonel".
A team of six highly trained soldiers appeared from nowhere in a beam of white and blue light. They immediately activated their newest bit of kit...a personal Prior inhibitor. This new device could work individually or in a collective group with greater range than the original devices. They gave the user a clear fifty meter radius of protection from an Ori Prior, with more distance when used as a group.
Methodically the men began to clear a path toward the stasis area. The point man suddenly crouched and motioned to stop, while scanning the area ahead. Off in the distance a clanging noise could be heard.
"Sir," he said in a whisper on his radio, "That may be the noise heard in the communication recording from Destiny."
The answer back was to the point. "Are there any hostiles in the area sergeant?"
"Negative Major... Wait...we've got movement behind the next bulkhead, appears human..." he readied his weapon.
As they crouched with baited breath, one very scared little girl appeared from behind the doorway. The hardened point man lowered his weapon, knowing his men had his back, and held out his hand to her.
"Are you ok sweetie?" he asked gently, as she shuffled forward toward him.
She just nodded her head for yes.
He asked another question as gently as he could, trying not to overwhelm the young girl. "Did you see what happened to everyone?"
Again she just stood there looking scared and nodded for a moment before saying, "A prior was here and he made everyone go to sleep. I was with my daddy in the engine room and he told me to hide".
He guessed the girl to be about six years old, figuring her father was one of the human engineers that accompanied every Enterprise class ship. "Did you see what happened to daddy sweetheart?"
She nodded again as a tear seeped from her eye. "The Prior and his soldiers took him away..."
He held onto her as she began to cry. Thinking of his young daughter who was back on Earth safe with her mother, the battle hardened soldier felt a pull at his heart strings. She clung to him for dear life as he tried to pass her back. Knowing she had been traumatised, he decided to take her back to Apollo himself. Looking over at his CO, without a word he got a nod. The CO called in with a simple "two returning" message. The soldier activated his "beam lock on" unit, and in a flash of whitish blue light he was standing on Apollo hold a very scared little girl. Another point man took over and continued cautiously toward the stasis pods.
Back on Destiny a message came through secure channels.
"Destiny this is Apollo, over" Eli heard the distinct sounds of Cameron Mitchell's voice, as Destiny confirmed it was him.
"Um Colonel Mitchell, this is Eli, I'm with Captain Scott...please go ahead" he replied respectfully.
"Hey Captain, Eli, just an update status... We have found the ship and a little girl of about six years old who has told us an Ori Prior got aboard the ship and well, basically put everyone in stasis. Details are sketchy for now, but spec ops are on-board investigating..."
Matt looked over to Eli with a worried look, as Eli was about to speak. Thinking fast Eli remained silent allowing Matt to take over.
"Colonel, its Capt. Scott here. I don't mean to sound out of line, but has the girl been screened? We all know what happened at the SGC some years ago..." Matt had read the files.
Cameron gave a smile remembering the lone survivor with a potential bomb in her body. "Yes Captain. No stargates or little girls are in danger this time..." he replied slightly bemused.
Eli had something to ask after reading the file data sent from Apollo. "Colonel, the girl said a Prior and his soldiers took away her father..." he said still reading what they had.
"Yeah, that sounds pretty standard for Ori. What are you getting at Eli?" asked Cameron.
It was Eli's turn to glare back at Matt... "Colonel, where's their ship..."
A chill ran up Cameron's spine as he realised they had just sailed straight into a trap. "Oh fuck..." he said as the com disconnected to Destiny.
Major John Dillon managed to beam aboard the Galassie just before Cameron ordered full shields. He joined the fire-fight that his men were now engaged in on Galassie with the Ori soldiers. They managed to distract the Prior long enough to take him down, but it made little difference to the remaining Ori soldiers, who just kept on fighting as though nothing had happened.
Cameron yelled out commands, which rang out across the ship as the first blast wave from the hidden Ori ship hit Apollo's lifesaving shield technology.
"Sága, beam as many of the stasis pods aboard Apollo as you can before a Prior takes over Galassie..." commanded Cameron to the Asgard tech.
"I will not be able to get all of them Colonel Mitchell, not while we are under constant attack" was her monotone reply.
"I know...try and get Ra'toli at least, and the girl's father..." he said empathetically.
"I will do my best Colonel Mitchell" she said while concentrating on her work.
Dillon looked over at his slightly wounded man across the doorway. "Are you thinking what I am Sergeant?" he yelled over their weapons fire.
"Yeah, crack the drive Sir...it's the only way. There is just too many of them to fight off..." he replied during another mag change. "I'll take Digga and head to the genset..."
Dillon gave covering fire as his sergeant took off, grabbing his Australian SAS counterpart by the sleeve and headed toward the auxiliary generator room. A message came through Dillon's headset "Major, Apollo is beaming the pods aboard...we may not have long for retrieval, Sir!" said the voice.
"Okay understood, the Sgt and Digga are on the way to crack the drive...you have until confirmation, Dillon out!" he continued to fire at the entrenched Ori soldiers.
Cameron shook his head in disbelief. "They're going to what?!" he yelled at the Special Forces Captain standing before him.
The Captain didn't flinch. "I understand your anger Colonel Mitchell, but as you know spec ops have their own instructions. If an Enterprise class vessel is in fear of being taken over by enemy forces, the technology is to be neutralised..."
Cameron was fuming but kept a level head. "There are five thousand Ursini on-board that ship...you're just going to kill the ones that we can't get out in time?" the anger was all too apparent in his voice.
"Colonel, I'm sorry...You have as much time as our men can buy you to get them out, and with Apollo beaming the crew aboard, we cannot send reinforcements. Either we stop beaming out the crew and send more men to fight, or you save as many souls as you can. The ship is heavily infiltrated with Ori...even after the Prior was taken out, they're still coming. You have to make a decision now Colonel, if not we will have no choice but to execute the command..." he said solemnly as another blast rocked the Apollo.
Cameron put his head in his hands and scrunched the front of his hair. "Damn it..." he mumbled under his breath. Jumping out of his chair he moved swiftly back to where Sága was busy beaming stasis pods to Apollo's cargo area.
She momentarily looked him in the eyes before looking back at the Asgard beaming console. "I am progressing with haste Colonel Mitchell. You standing there will not increase my intensity" Sága continued without hesitation.
Cameron gave a half smile and nodded his hapless understanding. He knew she was doing all she could to save as many lives as possible.
As he turned to walk away, Sága, one of the newest and first female of the Asgard's new race spoke quickly. "Three thousand two hundred and fifty seven have been transported."
Over on the now ill fated Galassie, two men set C4 charges in strategic positions around the auxiliary Ur'torina generator. One of them tapped his headset saying, "Major...it's done."
Dillon responded quickly, still under heavy fire. "Acknowledged, you two get out while you can...that's an order!"
The men looked at each other, with Digga saying "Where I'm from, we don't leave mates behind...and I definitely know you Marines don't either..." They punched knuckles and headed back to join the fight. A short time later they rejoined their CO, only to find Dillon and another where the only ones left alive.
"I thought I told you two to leave!" Dillon yelled over the firing.
"You know I've always had a problem following orders Major..." Sergeant yelled back. "Where is Tommy gun and Snipes?"
Dillon looked over to him and gave a grim shake of his head, looked away and returned fire without a word. With their ammo running out fast, Dillon was down to his nickel .45 auto firing the last of his six magazines. He tapped his headset as the men realised what they had to do.
"Colonel... Ten seconds...I'm sorry Cam..."
Cameron barked the order, "Get us out of here NOW!"
Apollo vanished into the folds of space just as the detonator on the C4 received its signal. The Ur'torina drive split and went nuclear within milliseconds of the explosion, sending shock waves that tore the hidden Ori Vessel into fragments. The Ursini had lost the star of their fleet.
Safe in the folds of time and space, Sága finally spoke. "Colonel Mitchell, we transported 4876 crew in stasis pods to the cargo bay. 135, including Major Dillon and his team where still aboard at the time of detonation. I am sorry for your losses Colonel." She went back to her work.
A very sombre Cameron Mitchell held back his feelings of despair as he stared at the bluish glow out the ships bridge window. "Thank you Sága...so am I..." he sighed and got up, left the bridge and headed to the cargo bay.
In the cargo bay High Commander Ra'toli greeted him, having been freed from stasis and quickly briefed.
The two beings looked at each other with sadness in their eyes before Ra'toli said, "War is hell..." he paused reflectively for a moment then added, "It was a strategic decision Colonel, and I would have chosen the same had I been in your place. My race will not hold you responsible for any of these actions...the Ori however, as you say, that is another story."
Cameron held out his hand as Ra'toli extended his. "I am deeply sorry for the loss of your crew Commander...and ship. I feel like crap right now..." conveyed Cameron.
"And I for your men too Colonel, they are brave souls who will be remembered on my world for saving so many" replied Ra'toli with sincerity.
A young voice caught their attention. "Daddy!" she cried, as Cameron and Ra'toli turned to watch the little girl run to her father's waiting arms.
Cameron looked back to Ra'toli and said, "At least something good has come from this mess..."
Te'arly sat in her own bed, mesmerised by the small face looking back that she cradled in her arms. She made little goo-goo eyes at him and gently stroked his new born skin with her finger. "What do you think Honey, what should we call him?" she asked a broadly smiling Everett lying beside her.
He moved to sit up and pressed his shoulder tenderly into hers, without taking his eyes off her new born son. "I have no idea..." he said smiling. "But I think it should be you who has that honour, he is yours after all."
Te'arly looked at him and raised an eyebrow, correcting Everett. "No my love, he is ours... You may not have helped create his life, but you will be part of his life, always. Our son would not have a life if not for you, your crew, and Destiny. He is a part of me, and I am a part of you. I could think of no man more worthy than you to be his father...we are all family now my love, so help me decide on a name for our son" she had a way of bringing light to people's hearts, and for the first time ever, Te'arly's own heart, felt complete.
Valhalla came into their room. "Now this is far more comfortable than our medical beds..." she said walking over to see the little one. "It has been so long since I have had the joy of a baby around. Our daughter is not ready for a family yet, it is my hope that it will come soon" she said wishfully.
Te'arly smiled, "Would you like to hold him Valhalla?"
Her heart skipped a beat at the offer. "It has been so long..." she repeated.
Te'arly handed her baby gently to Valhalla saying, "Yes, too long..."
As Valhalla cradled the new bundle of joy, motherly instinct instantly opened her heart as she fell in love with him. With a deep warming sigh and joyous heart she said, "He is so beautiful..." as a tear rolled out the corner of her eye.
Te'arly sensed something about her and surprisingly asked, "Valhalla, what is...what's wrong?"
She passed the baby back with a slight sob. "Castell... I miss him so much. He has been my whole world for so long, we have seldom been apart. Holding your baby just reminded me of when my daughter was young, and how proud Castell was of us both" the ever graceful Valhalla wiped a tear away.
Amongst all the joy, Everett remembered why they were here in the first place. "We'll get him back... even if I have to tear a hole in the universe and pull him out of it... I'll get him back!"
Valhalla walked around to him and placed her hand on his shoulder saying, "I believe you Everett..." She stood for a moment and reflected before adding, "There is one thing you could for him...if you both choose."
Te'arly spoke without hesitation. "Yes, anything..." she left her answer open.
Valhalla smiled again. "Castell was a twin. His brother only survived for a few days...when he passed, Castell's father helped his life force ascend. I know he thinks often of his brother and what life they could have had together. Perhaps it is where his strength comes from... he does not discuss it with anyone, except me and I can still feel his sense of loss."
Te'arly could feel her pain, with her asking a simple question. "What was his name?"
Valhalla looked at the three of them remembering her own family. "His father named him Callum, but it was his second name that I liked. In our world it means "strength through compassion"" she paused for a moment, but knew this was right...
"Hadri'an"
*I will try to post the next chapter somewhat quicker than this one. Again, sorry to keep you all waiting so long...*
*In answer to a couple of PM's I use an Australian Dictionary in Word (because I live there), so some of the spellings are different to the US Dictionary, not incorrect, but thanks for pointing it out... Cheers.