Reyes sat next to Melody as they at their porridge together for breakfast.
Melody had spent most of yesterday evening and this morning teaching Reyes how to take care of brahmin. Reyes hadn't grown up on a farm. Her father was a radio operator for decent sized town deep in the republic. He had taught her everything she knew.
After nearly a whole day with Melody, Reyes was certain when it came to two things about the girl.
She was desensitized to what the legion did. The poor girl could walk past crucified skeletons like they were as common as a tumbleweed.
The other was that she pretty much worshipped Starved dog. She seemed to talk constantly about "Mr. Dog" like he was a superhero fighting evil and spreading justice across the Mojave.
All Reyes had thought about was her friends who he had killed.
She didn't have the heart to tell Melody the truth. She also known was probably safer with the decani's protection.
After they had first gotten their food and sat down the decanus had showed up and given Melody a few pieces of grilled gecko. He walked off immediately without saying a word but Melody said thank you to him with a smile like she won the lottery. She asked Reyes if she wanted any of the meat. Reyes took only the smallest piece to try and seem appreciative.
They saw someone approaching them.
It was Titas with Siri held bridal style in his arms.
...
Siri hadn't been sure what to expect from Titas at the news.
Anger?
Fear?
Apathy?
She figured she would just have to change how he felt about having a child.
The one emotion she hadn't really expected was happiness. Well, happiness didn't really discribe it correctly. More like complete and utter bliss.
He had held her close all last night like she might break at the even slightest danger and now he insisted on carrying her around instead of letting her just walk.
He finally let her sit down when they got to Melody and Reyes. He even than though he insisted that she stay there while he went and got her food.
"So you told him?", Reyes asked.
"Yes", Siri sighed before leaning closer and whispering in her ear, "I didn't even have to lie."
"Wait... You mean you really are pregnant!?"
"My period was supposed to start two days ago", Siri admitted.
"Pregnant?", Melody asked, "like you have a baby growing in you?"
"Yep", Siri said with a tired smile.
"Cool!"
At that point Titas come back with a bowl of porridge. Siri couldn't help but notice it was nearly twice as much as what slaves usually got.
She wasn't sure if all pregnant slaves got more ration or if this was Titas' doing.
After handing it over to her, he sat behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rubbed his cheek in her short hair and practically purred as she ate her food.
...
Sherman told them about it later after leaving Siri alone. It took nearly two hours of her insisting she was fine for him to finally agree to leave.
"Congratulations!", Julius laughed with a smack on Titas' back.
"Mars smiles upon you, brother", Burning ant nodded.
Starved dog nodded along with Burning ant, but only grunted in response.
"What's wrong?", Titas asked his decanus.
"We have a new mission", Starved dog admitted, "apparently Vulpes Inculta was impressed by us at Nelson."
Titas' heart sank, "when do we leave?"
"In two days."
...
"Two days?", Siri looked at him as they lied together in the tent.
"I'm afraid so", Titas said as he hugged Siri gently.
"Titas", Siri looked at him, "I'm scared."
"Why? You know I always make it back."
"Not for you. For the baby."
"He will grow to be a strong legionary just like his papa.", Titas said with an almost delusional confidence, "We should name him Sherman."
"But what if it's a girl?"
"I'll protect her!", He declared.
"But she will be a slave. What about when you die? She'll be sold off and so will I."
"That won't happen", Titas said as he gripped Siri tightly.
"Titas", Siri lightly held his face in her hands as he made her look her in the eyes, "We can't stay like this. We need to escape."
"The legion is our home."
"The legion will sell your daughter to some legionary with a large wallet. She'll be raped! She'll be beaten!"
Titas said nothing for the longest time. Siri was scared he was going to hit her, but he just looked at her. He looked at her belly.
"Alright", Titas sighed, "What's the plan?"
(Please critique and review)