18th October 2013 Friday

Day 291

Happy Friday everyone. In a few, very short weeks I'll be as free as a bird (excellent pun if you knew that one of my projects involves researching a bird) and I should get to updating absolutely every single one of my stories, which I'm hoping will happen on the same day. I wish myself luck.

Disclaimer: Once again, we all know the answer to this.

The pilot soared through the corridors of the habitat, tailed closely by his own son.

"You'll never catch up," he shouted from below, turning in mid-air so that he was floating on his back. "I've had so much more flying experience than you."

A small blur whipped past him, and Zap had to turn around in order to see Max flying steadily in front of him, just a little above his height.

"Keep talking old man," he spoke cheekily. "You don't have the energy like I do."

A huge grin spread on Zap's lips. "Oh that is it, little dude. You are dead meat!" Their race continued through the halls, dodging dead ends until they reached the entrance door to the control room. Their goal; first one to press the activation button wins.

Hands stretched out as far as they can, Zap smirks at his advantage as his finger satisfyingly pressed the little red circle. Both boys landed comfortably at the door, with Max placing his hands on his knees as he gasped for breath.

"Sorry dude, you'll grow longer arms one day," the pilot boasted as he leaned coolly against the metal wall. He smirked a little at the sight of his child continuing to breath heavily. 'Yeah right. I don't have the energy. At least he'll be sleeping through the night.'

Zap and Max strolled in to the control room, where the child lit up at the sight of his mother working at her lab bench.

"Mom!" he shouted in happiness. The clone appeared to juggle with something, before quickly caching it behind her back as she spun in her chair.

"Hey Bug," she smiled down as the tot ran up to her. Zap raised his eyebrow as he walked up to his wife.

"I've been meaning to ask you; how come I didn't get a cute nickname like that?"

"Oh you've got a nickname Hair Boy," the mother retorted with a giggle, to which Max joined in. The bug boy rolled his eyes with a smile.

"No, I mean something cute," he replied, to which Jenny raised her eyebrow. He shrugged to her silent response.

"I thought you guys were going to be out for a little longer," she said, subtly sending a glare to Zap. "Just for a little longer so I would have time to…finish things."

"Ah, well we're just too fast for you," the pilot replied cockily, picking up Max and placing him on Jenny's lap. He was just the right size so his legs were the length of his mother's lap.

"Ok, Max, seeing as it's your birthday, I've made you something very special," he bounced on his tailbone, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Close your eyes…"

The child obliged, but quickly snapped them open as he held up his hands in defence. "Wait, you're not going to punch me in the face are you?"

Jenny stared down at Max quizzically. "What?"

"Oh uh," Zap stammered, placing his hands on Max's shoulders and whispering in his ear. "No buddy, that's only for me to say to Tung."

The clone shook her head with a laugh, but stared expectantly at her child. Max closed his eyes softly.

"Hold out your hands," he splayed out his tiny fingers; Jenny smiling at the cute sight. She removed the item from behind her back and placed it in his hands.

"Open your eyes," Max peeled them open and stared down, his mouth slowly opening in shock. There, in his grip, was his own pair of flight goggles; exactly the same set that his parents wore only in his trademark olive green colour.

"Wow, these are amazing," he cheered, flying up to wrap his arms around his mother's neck.

"Let's go test them out, dude," Zap declared, placing his pair over his eyes. The two boys took flight immediately, leaving Jenny in her peaceful lab once again.

"Happy birthday Bug."

R&R!