Prime Blood: Rosa Pax Part 2
a/n If you are confused: Go to Prime's Blood Line and look for Poco. It will explain everything about the di Vinci virus, meteor and relationship between a linguist Monique Poco Garcia and temporary Optimus Prime. 'Kay?
Warning: if you do not like Christianity in your Transformers, read no further. Do not flame me, you have been dully warned.
KA-booooom ricochets out of the hangar and the smoke billows out. The Autobots quickly cover their human teammates and draw their own weapons.
Optimus and Ironhide drop to a crouch and whirl on a heal around with their cannons ablaze. The smoke continues to billow out of the hangar. Ironhide looks around. Bumble Bee puts his hands up in defense also kneeling at their side, "It wasn't me, this time!" Optimus smiles and pats Bee's shoulder.
Just as Ironhide is about to go in to investigate a voice is heard emerging from the smoke, "Father Prime?" It sounds like Rosie. They all stop and stare as the smoke parts and a white semi comes forward. "Papa?"
It's a beautiful new white Freightliner semi with rounded panels. The roof and sleeping cab are white with a black streak. The white front panels have emerald green stems that blossom in to pink roses, instead of the flames like Optimus.
They all gasp as the semi unfolds into a female Autobot. Optimus slowly rises in complete shock. She is just slightly shorter than Optimus. Her helmet makes her look like she has a black pony tail with roses painted to her shoulder panels. She looks like she has the crucifix necklace painted around her neck. She inspects herself like any teenage girl would and then turns to Optimus, "How do I look, Papa?"
"Rosa?" he is in awe. "You are a beautiful sight." Then he embraces her tightly afraid this vision before him will vanish.
Ironhide stares at her, " Holy Spark! A female … Prime?"
Ratchet is also stunned, "Well, I'll be…"
About then the rest of the Autobots come in from the surrounding area. Optimus takes a step back to get a good look at his daughter. One Sherman Tank comes rolling up to Ironhide and proto-forms. He can't help but glance at Rosa with an entranced smile. Rosa sees him too. She steps back and also gives him a smile with her hands on her hips (like her father), "Well, would you look at the guns on that one?"
Ironhide looks between her and Sherman. Optimus turns around and sees Sherman approaching. He steps in front of Rosa as a shield and curls his lip. Ironhide quickly sees the defensive mode Optimus has gone to. Ironhide quickly redirects Sherman physically.
"Sir, is everything alright? We heard an explosion." Sherman says to Ironhide but trying to get a good look at Rosa.
Ironhide turns Sherman by the arm and says quietly, "If you know what is good for you, you would take your optics off Prime's daughter. Or you will be the next explosion." He gives him a gentle warning nudging him to flee.
Sherm takes a hard swallow, "Prime's daughter?" Ironhide nods. "Yes sir!" Sherm heeds the warning and flees. Rosa looks disappointed.
Optimus turns back to Primo. Primo smiles nearly laughing at his father. Yes they need to talk, but Prime currently has his hands full with Rosa. Primo can only laugh with Sarah shaking her head to the previous conversations she warned Optimus. Prime nods to Primo, scowls at Sarah, and then turns to Ratchet with a groan, "What happened?"
Knowing Primo, Prime and the Lennox's all want to know. Ratchet looks to Will with a glint and then back to Optimus. "The most powerful thing in this universe." Optimus looks very confused. Will blushes. "A father's tears. It took the tears of you to complete the transformation."
Optimus looks to his Autobot daughter with a swell of pride. "Ironhide, I need to talk to this young Autobot. Alone." He cups her face tenderly, "My daughter lives."
Rosa smiles and puts her hands over her father's, "I'm okay Papa. It will be okay now." She tries to give him a reassuring smile.
Optimus finally steps back. "Come, Rosa," and folds up. Rosa follows him, folding up and off the base. She hums her mother's favorite song, Now or Never by Josh Groban. Optimus smiles in reflection of memories the song triggers.
Chapter 6
Optimus takes Rosa to the hillside over looking the ocean. The same hillside her mother's funeral was held. The same hillside where Optimus first kissed Poco. Father and daughter unfold and sit side by side. She puts her hand into his.
"You maybe my daughter, but it doesn't automatically make you a Prime. Yes, I would be honored to pass the mantel of leadership to you. But it does not come lightly." He squeezes her hand, "They may call you Daughter Prime. But you are not Prime yet, and I will not let you pretend you are. Understand?"
"I understand," luckily she knows military protocol. But looking to her father's Autobot crest, she asks confused, "Who am I ? What should I be called?"
He smiles to her. "I would like for you to be Rosa Pax."
She ponders that for awhile. She thinks its just to take the name from the story. She doesn't know the truth of the story yet.
"My mother…"
He holds her hand tightly, "Knew me better than anyone. I loved her very much. Even before I became a human. After I lost Elita I really didn't think I would find another one to let my spark out to. But I found a confidant in Poco."
"But Ironhide…?" Rosa asks.
"Do know the difference between a friend and a mate… I mean love?" he asks her quietly. She shakes her head, "I think so, but not really."
He pats her hand, "I hope you will some day." They sit in silence for awhile.
"So where do we go from here?" she asks.
"Do you want to be a warrior?" he asks her simply.
"Can I?" she asks curiously.
"If you want to be Ironhide and I can teach you. You already have some good skills with what Skates has taught you with your balance. You are pretty good at paintball. We can take those skills and teach you. But what I can't teach you is the strength of spark to handle a battle. You are still very young, not a seasoned warrior even like Bee or Hot Rod. If you don't want to do this you can stay back at the base with Ratchet and Wheeljack. They could use another scientist. I know you are smart, too," he taps her helm.
She smiles at him recognizing the real Rosa is still inside. "Wow, some birthday present today. A new life. I guess I'll still be having that slumber party with Skates after all." She laughs. He joins her laugh.
He embraces her, "Thank you Primus for one more day with my daughter."
Rosa looks to the sky, "Thank you God for a new life at my father's side." She curls into her father's embrace, "Now if we could just get Primo to come around."
Optimus looks down at her and smiles, "He's here. Probably here for you."
Rosa smiles and shows her fist, "I'm the big sister now. I'll pound him until he apologizes."
Optimus chuckles, "Have it your way, Sunstreaker."
Her mouth gapes open at her father making a joke referring her two the prankster twins. Thorns in everyone's sides. Mostly the 'Cons. Then she taps her cheek, "You know, they may just have a good idea our two."
Optimus palms his face, "Oh frag." Rosa gasps at the profanity in her presence. He peeks an optic through his fingers, "Yeah, well welcome to Autobot warrior's life." He chuckles, "It's not all paintballs and fudge, Rosa."
Rosa stands up and stretches popping out her weapons, "Nah, didn't thinks so. Now lets see what these babies can do."
"Double frag," Optimus mutters in Cybertronian this time.
Rosa laughs harder, "Papa, I speak eight languages and read twelve. Mama taught me your tongue extensively." She leans in with a smirk he used to see in Orion's mirror, "Even 'Con's preferred dialect."
He groans and closes his optics, "Triple frag and Primus help me now more than ever." His command com pings. "Yes," he answers a little worried.
"Optimus, how is our newest Autobot?"
He looks up to her and shakes his head, "Giving me a processor ache."
Ratchet sounds worried, "Seriously?"
Optimus groans, "No. What's up?"
"I want test results before too much more time passes. Besides, Primo is here. He's asking for you."
Optimus smiles, "Tell my son, I'm on my way."
"Tell him yourself when you get here." Ratchet orders. "Out."
Optimus stands and turns to Rosa, "Well you get to face your first cruelty to Autobot life." Rosa gives him a very confused look. Her father would never allow such a thing on his bases. He smirks back, "Ratchet wants a full medical panel on you. Now go!" Rosa knows this was also his first order to her as one of his recruits. She can't buck this one and complies.
Rosa Pax: Chapter 7
Back in town, the humans had a funeral for Rosa Garcia. All her human friends and basketball team mates were devastated to hear that a genetic illness had taken the life of one of their strongest friends. Primo had been there as the grieving brother. He was very pleased to see how many people she had touched. He hoped that she could still use that talent with her Autobot friends.
But back at base he had finally made peace with his father. Rosa was great fully relieved. The Prime family could finally do things together again. Like a rousting game of basketball. They later had a junk yard paintball fight. This time Rosa had to be on the look out for paintballs. She didn't do so well on this side of the gun. Her brother got her numerous times. The weak points on a Bot weren't the same as a human.
Later that night, the conversation that was held when she got back to the base kind of went over her head. Primo, Optimus, Ratchet and Sarah were talking genetics. Biology and science were something she was strong in. Languages and electronics were her strength. She didn't understand the genetics talk, but what she did understand was that there was not going to be any dating like she dreamed. No fancy wedding like Grace had. No going off to the prom. No first kiss at the dance. Primo would have that life. Not her. She was happy for him, but sad for herself.
Reality was starting to come down around her head. She was to become the warrior. Not her brother. He was to become the poet. Not her. She could also see it was effecting her father. He started to grieve for the life she won't have.
A couple days later, Rosa was the one to drive Primo back to the airport. He couldn't help but laugh at his little sister being bigger than him now. Encouraging Rosie to remember she has a much larger roll she can play on this Earth in her new life. She can now go and beat the snot out of those bastards that killed their mother. Rosie does like that idea.
Just before he gets out, he places a small chip under her Autobot shield centered to her cowl. "Rosie, I know this might not make any sense, but it didn't to me for a very long time. But in Quebec, the day before Starscream tried to kidnap me, two people came to our apartment.
The man pinned this chip to my glasses and told me to give it to my sister when the time was right. You were born later that year. I always kept it with me, never knowing when."
"What's on it?" Rosie is very curious now.
"I have no idea. But the weirdest part, he had Autobot eyes but was a human. Just like me. He told me not to tell Papa. It was like he knew about my future. Weird." {Jolt in Time}
"Ah, okay. I'll take a look at it." Rosie encourages him.
"He said you would know when the time was right too."
"Primo, are you going to be okay?" concerned for her brother.
He smiles, "Rosie, I'm going to be a lot better knowing Papa has accepted my decision. But I want you to watch your back. Remember, these guys have been fighting for a very long time and know their opponents very well. This isn't paintball any more."
Rosie's voice waivers, "Yeah, I know. But on the other hand, I can be here for Papa more."
Primo rubs her cab nose, "Yeah, you just try keeping him in line. I dare you."
She laughs, "Maybe I can help by keeping the wild ones like Skates and that new guy Hot Rod closer to me so they don't end up as Ironhide's new targets."
Primo laughs, "Yeah well, good luck with that!" With a kiss to her nose he heads away, "Love ya Rosie." She toots her horn in response. He shakes his head.
Rosa Pax: Chapter 8
It was only a week later when she had to be left back at the base while her father and the lead team went to battle. But she knew she wasn't ready for a full fledged fight. She was back at base when the message came in and she was ordered to relay it to Primo.
Instead she starts driving as fast as she can towards him while relaying the message. Watch seemed to be taking his time getting Primo on the line and she was getting frustrated with him.
"Primo, Father intercepted a message from a dieing Decepticon. It was being sent to your area," Rosie tells him worried.
"Was is received?" Primo asks.
"He doesn't know."
"What was the message?" "Send the mercenaries. It's father's worst fear."
Primo quietly sighs, "Oh no. They've teamed up with the humans too."
"Worse than that," Rosie tells him.
"Worse?" Primo asks.
"Uncle Ratchet's computer has been hacked from inside the Ark."
"Someone was on the base?" Primo is now beginning to put the pieces of his father's fear together.
"While you were there." Rosie warns him.
"Do they know about me?"
"Primo, we just don't know. But father wants you to leave."
"I'm not going to run. I've done fine so far."
"Primo, please!" Rosie begs him.
"Rosie, you are one of his soldiers now. Not me. You are the heir not me." Rosa heard him crash around in the apartment. "What about Camille? Do they know?"
"Primo… we just don't know. Please, just get out of there. You know how messy this can get. Go now. They could be there-" Her words are cut off by the screech of tires on the street below the window.
"I have to go now Rosie. They are here."
"Father is on his way."
"What?" How?"
"Ratchet gave him flight capabilities. He should be-"
"Rosie I have to make a plan I have to go." He disconnects the phone
Rosa is terrified by the time she arrives. She sees the big, hulking, ugly sillioet of Starscream taunting her brother as she unfolds in front of him. "Leave my brother alone!" Rosie cries as she unfolds quickly in front of Starscream in a challenge.
"No Rosie! Run!" Primo yells out to her. She has a gun drawn on Starscream.
Starscream cackles as he grabs her wrist and twists it , "Who are you? A feisty new Autobot. Let me teach you something Ironhide won't." He sets Primo down and flips Rosie to her back and pins her with a foot to the chest. Then he leans in resting his forearms on his knee… Rosie is very terrified now. She knows she is in the presence of evil. She is now face to face with the creature who answered to no one but Megatron. And many a time not even him! She is scared for her own life and for Primo, too. He protected her for so long, now it was her responsibility to protect him. Isn't that why God made her this way?
She uses her anger to bellow "Wait until my-"
"SHUT UP ROSIE!" Primo bellows this time with all his anger and might and in a voice that sounds like it came directly from their father. Starscream hears that voice and stops. He turns to Primo carefully.
"Brother?" Starscream ponders. Rosa realizes she released a secret.
Primo laughs, "She must me the most cracked Autobot you ever met. Must have been knocked around too many times."
Starscream picks up Primo and with a finger nail, flicks the glasses off. Primo tries to hide his eyes but it's too late. Starscream laughs, "So Optimus Prime had a human concubine! How is this possible?"
Before Starscream can ponder anymore, the roar of jets can be heard and then the ground shakes. A demanding authorative voice rings out, "What do you want, Starscream?"
Starscream holds Primo out like a toy to Optimus, "I know you cared for the humans. But to mate with them? That's gone too far. Disgusting!"
Optimus snorts, ignoring the whole conversation, "What do you want Starscream?"
Rosie tries to get up by pushing at Starscream's foot. He doesn't budge. "Let me at him!" Rosie taunts. She grabs his foot to try twisting it. She feels she has to prove to her father that she can be a warrior worthy of his team. She has to live up to that Prime name.
Starscream keeps his eyes locked with Optimus, "Careful, feisty one. I'm holding your brother."
Primo takes his chance and drives the sword into the softest part of the hand he can find. Starscream releases him with a yell. Rosie cringes at the sight. Just as Primo is about to hit the ground Optimus puts his hand out and lowers him to the ground. Rosie takes this chance and makes the twist of the ankle. The fight is on.
"Back off, Rosie, " Optimus orders.
"I can take him, Father." Rosie challenges, trying to prove herself.
Optimus does not take dissention of his orders lightly. Primo and Optimus yell at her at the same time with the same voice, "SHUT UP ROSIE!" Rosie feels like those two just shoved a sword into her ego.
Starscream can't help but laugh at the family fight. "So you have a daughter too? My, you have been busy. Which concubine bore this feisty one?"
Optimus is infuriated by both Rosie's impetuness and Starscream's ridicule that with one punch to Starscream's chest he his back down on the ground. At about this time the rest of Starscream's mercenaries arrive and Cornel Lennox's team. A couple more Deception's arrive too. Primo retrieves his sword and joins the battle with the humans.
Rosie battles the other 'Con, not very well. Rosie is trying to take this Decepticon down. But she is realizing quickly this is a well trained soldier. She is just a little girl. She is now fighting for her life. This is not a game. "Oh God help me," she prays. She knows if she dies that it would break her father. She knows if she doesn't win this fight she could be wounded beyond repair and she could loose face with her father. She has to not only prove her self but stay alive.
Finally Optimus takes one Decepticon down and is now one on one with Starscream. Rosie is getting her butt kicked, She's not going to make it. Optimus isn't going to be able to save both his children.
Primo's girlfriend hidden the doorway screams. Camille's blood curdling scream makes everyone stop. No one knew she was there. She steps out of the shadows her finger out at Optimus' foot. Cornel Lennox hurries to her side, "What is it?"
"He …He stepped on him…Mac' She points to Optimus' foot. Even Starscream lets go of Optimus' arms. Optimus bends down. He lifts his foot and his face sags, "Oh Primo…no…" His spark breaks.
There is limp Primo in his palm. Optimus lifts him to his face and then covers him with his other hand. Rosie drops to her knees an howls in sorrow, "Oh God no!" It just can't be. But the look on her father's face confirms it. Primo is gone. She has lost another piece of her family. It was her fault!
Starscream laughs heartily, "Oh this is just too good to be true. Optimus Prime accidentally crushes his own son. Megatron is going to be sorry he missed this. Well nothing left for us here." With that he transforms and the other two follow him out.
Cornel Lennox's team wraps up the rest of the mercenaries. Rosie picks up Primo's sword and tucks it into her boot she begs, "Let me carry him, Father."
"No," he states leaving no room to question him.
Rosie folds up in a cowering move. Her heart feels like it has just broken. She knows she is in very major trouble. She has never been grounded by Optimus before. But the worst pain of all, Primo is gone. Just like their mother. Optimus looks to Camille, "I'm so sorry."
He folds up over Primo, "Come Rosie!" he orders. She silently follows him away leaving Camille grieving in Cornel Lennox's arms.
Chapter 9
Halfway back to base, Ratchet comes up beside Rosie. She hears her father order, "Take her back to the Ark. Keep her there, Ratchet. Sit on her, shoot her or remove something if that is what it takes to make her follow my orders. Am I clear?"
Ratchet simply replies, "Yes sir." Ratchet rolls out and keeps Rosie in front of himself all the way back to base. Neither one talks. Rosie sits in the corner with Skates toying with Primo's sword. Optimus comes back briefly to tell Rosie she can attend her brother's funeral but other than that she is to stay at the base. She watches as he welds the casket shut himself. Then he burns an insignia into the top of the casket. He takes a moment and places his hand on the top of it, reverently. Almost like saying a prayer. Just like when he sealed her mother's casket. Then he lifts his head back in Commander mode, strides away leaving Will to handle the rest of the service.
Optimus checks the computer, releases something, palms it, then leaves. Once again, without a word to anyone. He doesn't come back until a week after the funeral.
The day of the funeral arrives. The ground is still fresh from Rosie's funeral as they lay Primo's casket beside it. Rosie is folded up silently at the service. She says her rosary silently. She feels like she has been struck by the flat of her father's sword. He hasn't spoke to kindly to her since Primo's death. Even Ironhide had a sympathetic look for Rosie.
Rosie knows Ironhide is in control of the Ark in Prime's absence, SIC. She asks him with respect , "Ironhide, please, can you speak to him for me?" Ironhide puts a hand to her shoulder and makes her sit.
"You need to stop talking and start listening. You are no longer a child. Correct?" He tells her plainly. She nods her head. "I know you are confused changing from human to one of us. But, this is where you need to remember everything you witnessed about Lennox's and Prime's command. Who was in charge of the home? Who was in charge of this base? Why? You maybe the commander's daughter, but that doesn't make you princess of this base. If anything you should have a lot more respect for him. Do you know why your mother didn't stay at the base?"
Rosie shakes her head. "Primo knew, but he never told me why. He knew a lot but he wouldn't tell me anything."
Ironhide walks away. He comes back a few minutes later with a device. He taps it on the palm of his hand and looks straight at her. "You may be someone very important to my friend, but if you undermine the command structure of this team, I will not hesitate to take you out. We have worked too hard and too long to keep this group together. We are all family here. Is that clear?" She nods her head.
Then he sighs and shows her how to insert the device into her hand and she will be able to see what is on the flash drive. As he starts to turn around, Rosie asks him quietly, "Will he ever forgive me for Primo's death?"
Ironhide turns back to her and smiles warmly, "Rosa Pax, he did not become Prime by holding grudges. That was my job. Read the file."
She watches him leave and looks down at the device. She plugs it in. It's her mother's messages to Ratchet. Ratchet was the one who had sent Poco off with a blessing. Ironhide had also sent her off with his own blessing. They knew that Optimus loved his family very much. Poco knew that if she stayed, the children would be either pawns by the government or the Decepticons. She also didn't want the team to feel obligated to protect the children over the orders of Optimus. She also couldn't bare to watch him go off every time knowing that he would sacrifice himself for any member of his team. Or his family. She loved that about him, but yet it was hard to know that could happen. It had happened before. Numerous times. But also he had been extremely successful in battle.
As Rosa read the file further she became more and more humble. The little girl in her had idolized her father because he was big and strong and everyone followed him. As a little girl she could get her way with him when it came to basketball, paintball and stories. She could climb on him at anytime. When he had to work, he had a way of getting Skates to distract her without her knowing he had a job to do.
But now she was figuring it all out. As soon as she became an Autobot, she was no longer his little human girl. She was a member of his ranks. A rookie. She needed to learn her place. Ironhide was right, she was no Prime Princess. She had a lot to learn. A lot more than the other Autobots. Even the newly arriving Autobots knew of Optimus Prime as an incredible leader. They knew the duty of the barer of the Matrix. They had a past knowledge of Cybertron's difficult past first hand that she didn't. She looked around at everyone else who had lived through it. They had their battle wounds to their bodies and sparks. That hadn't been real to her before.
She needed to learn this. She lays the flashdrive in Ironhide's hand. He asks her, "What have you learned?"
Very humbly she says, "I have a lot more I need to learn. I thought the tender stories of Cybertron were a fantasy. There is a brutal tragic reality. I need to learn more of the facts." He nods to her in agreement. "Who will teach me?"
"I will." She turns very slowly around. She sees her father's commanding stance. She lowers her head in shame. She doesn't know what to say. She hadn't spoken to him since he grounded her to the base. He was back as the commander they all respected and served.
She finally says quietly, "Please forgive me for killing Primo."
"Look at me, Rosa" he says in a soft commanding voice. She's afraid to but finally he lifts her tear filled eyes to him with a single powerful finger. "Remember this, you didn't kill Primo. I did. I need you to forgive me for killing your brother."
"I never blamed you, Father," she manages to choke out. "And I never blamed you," he replies. He smiles at her, "Now, let's start your history lesson."
She now clearly understands what Ironhide was saying. She glances at Ironhide who gives her an encouraging nod. The time for grief was over. Training day had just started. Optimus turns to Ironhide, "I am going to take her to the observatory. Contact me if you need me."
Ironhide nods, "Yes, sir."
Optimus turns to his new recruit, "Come."
They roll off the base.
Chapter 10
Optimus takes her to the observatory. Dusk has fallen. As the stars begin to come out he begins to tell her his story.
"I'm sure your mother told you stories of a great warrior from humble beginnings." Rosa knows it's her time to listen, so she just nods. "I was a data clerk in Iacon with dreams for Cybertron's future. Just a regular 'bot doing his job. Just like my friends Dion and Ariel. A new arrival called Megatron came and offered a better way of life. It sounded exciting, promising and we believed in his ideal. It was too late when we realized what he was really up to. Exploitation. He lied. We were all fools. When he returned, we took up arms to defend our way of life. I ended up leading refugees away. But we took some substantial losses. The biggest loss was our planet Cybertron.
"Those of us who could, fled. I tried to find us a safe haven. The council saw something in me. They blessed me with the mantel of leadership. The Matrix. In taking on the mantel, I went from Orion Pax to Optimus Prime. My Ariel became my mate Elita."
He looks out over the stars letting all this sink in to Rosa. The story he told her while she was dieing was his story. He gives her time to put that all together. She sighs heavily as the weight of all the stories and his truth come together. As well as the whispered stories from the other Autobots about Prime's first mate and lost unborn sparkling murdered during their separation. A horrific burden to bare. Cybertronian mates do not normally survive when one half of their sparks are extinguished: a fair tale she though but now realizing heavily is fact.
He turns to her, "I am no God. I am not to be worshipped. It is my…ah, how did Poco phrase it, 'my cross to bare.' This mantel comes with a blessing and a curse."
She sits quietly looking out at the stars. Rosa knows the faith she was raised with. She knows what Jesus did to save the eternity of the human soul. She believes in Him. She prays to him every night. She knows only He could cause her to become like this. Ratchet had said her and Primo's lives were a miracle. Yes they were.
She glances at her father. She understand what he is saying. He is no Jesus Christ. He is just a mortal. He just happens to be a darn good military leader who has a drive to protect his people and homeland. His goal is to reunite his people in peace.
Unfortunately, there is the other side who is bound and determined to destroy that way of life and anyone who gets in their way. They are bent on being the gods of the universe. They have believed the corruption of power can make them immortal.
Optimus isn't trying to be the leader of his people. He would love to give that up! Fate or faith has gifted him with it. There is no one else ready to carry the Mantel of Autobot Leadership. He is just the caretaker of it until the next leader is ready.
He isn't trying to rule the universe, like the Decepticons are. He just wants peace. Not something very many military personal are after. Optimus would much rather be playing basketball or exploring, but it is his duty to fight. And he will fight with all he's got to protect his people and their way of life.
She just lets all that sink in. The stars become brighter. The moon rises. And then a shooting star comes across the sky. He laughs quietly. She doesn't speak. She just watches. Then he stands up, "It's time to head back."
"I do not mean to be disrespectful, Father Prime. But may I stay and meditate? I promise to be back by dawn." she asks politely.
He smiles at her. She is growing up. He bows his head to her in respect, "Yes. That does sound like a very good idea. I will wait for you back at the Ark."
"Thank you." she says quietly.
As he walks away, he can't help but look back. She looks so much like Poco did when she would say her prayers. He smiles knowing those qualities of Poco would make Rosa a valuable member of the team.
He was very blessed to have her as his daughter. She wasn't Lilly, and he wouldn't want Rosa to think she had to be the sparkling he lost. No, Rosa was Rosa. Nothing more and nothing less. He would have her no other way.
More coming.