3. Change is Gonna Come

He wasn't exactly given free rein to wander the ship – many sensitive sections were inaccessible – but he was allowed to move about freely from his room to the mess and library, the observation deck, gymnasium, and other non-essential areas on the deck where he was housed. After wallowing in a zoo for over a year, Gary may as well have been on a pleasure cruise. Simply having more than one article of clothing and being able to walk more than fifteen feet before having to turn a corner was the height of luxury. Sure, he was on a battleship so everything was cramped and crowded as hell and painted gray and there was a curfew, but anywhere in the universe was better than Tera Con Prime. He didn't try to go anywhere he wasn't allowed. There was plenty to pique his interest in the library, and he found he very much wanted to gain the trust of this dangerously handsome general, the dynamic young prince who had adopted him, and the rebel officers who followed him. He was friendly, polite, and worked on the assumption every move he made was watched.

The fleet was constantly on the move. They rarely stayed anywhere for more than a day, but Avocato and his officers seemed to have contacts and connections everywhere they went. Watching from the observation deck, Gary saw ships come and go, some makes familiar, some not. He saw Ventrexian, Zintabo, and Tryvuulian ships among others. Even some Infinity Guard ships that looked as if they'd been take out of mothballs. Something was in the works. Something big. A strike at the evil imp? Maybe? Hopefully?

He'd been aboard a few weeks - with no pain and daily hot showers and clean clothes and people to talk to and mingle with and a pillow at night and sweet Grabthar's hammer, privacy - before he saw either Cato again. A junior officer tracked Gary down in the gym and informed him he was going to have dinner with the general and his son that evening and that his escort would meet him at his assigned quarters. Not wanting to come off as a total boor, Gary tried researching Ventrexian table manners in the library, ditto flirting with them. He didn't find anything so specific, so he looked up military etiquette instead. Everything he read told him to take his cues from Avocato, and he reckoned that covered flirting, too.

Considering he'd take anything the general was willing to give, Gary was quite prepared to face dinner. Plus, if shooting your romantic interest was an acceptable first overture on Ventrexia, Gary was in like Flynn.

He did just a tiny bit of prying into Avocato's history. Just to know a few basics. Career military. Unmarried. No family to speak of. Enough honors, medals, and ribbons to decorate a Christmas tree.

They ate in a private dining room a few decks up, and down a maze of halls. Gary didn't even try to look at the route they took. Instead, he chatted at the two soldiers escorting him about cards and insects (once he was sure neither species was insectoid, that was). They alternated ignoring him and grunting in response until they came to a door that looked like every other door in the hall, and one of the soldiers hit a chime to announce their arrival.

"Gary!"

An orange and blue blur came running at him the moment the door was opened. Gary spread his arms and caught Little Cato as the boy ran full-tilt into him and gripped him tightly around the waist. With a quick glance at Avocato to be sure he was cool with anyone laying a hand on his kid, Gary returned the hug.

"Spider Cat! How you doing? How grounded are you?"

A little snort escaped the teen, and he looked up at Gary with a wide grin. "Until my school work is caught up to my dad's satisfaction. A few more weeks."

"Sounds fair," he said. "Keep at it. You look good. Nice and clean. Hair all spiky. Sleeping in a bed again suits you."

"Same goes for you!"

"Amen. I'm in love with my pillow." Smiling, Gary looked at Avocato where he stood with one hand on table, taking in the calm and satisfied expression on the Ventrexian's face. He wore a short, fitted uniform jacket that accented broad shoulders and slim waist and damn, if his legs didn't seem to go on forever. And that tail! Avocato wore a blaster on one hip and a sword from the other, and Gary knew the weapons were there in case he turned out to be a threat. Ventrexians did not mess around with the safety of their children, especially this Ventrexian with this child. He didn't care. It wasn't insulting. In fact, it was pretty damned hot.

And I'm in love with your dad echoed in Gary's mind. He kept that detail to himself, however. Aloud he said, "Thanks for the invitation. I'm really glad to see you both again."

"I've missed you," said Little Cato.

He felt a rush of affection for his friend. "Same here, kiddo."

"How are you finding the accommodations?" asked Avocato.

"Dude, anywhere but Tera Con Prime would be an improvement." He gestured at the ship around them. "Trust me, this is like paradise!"

It was just the three of them for dinner. The room was elegant and rather warm. Avocato sat at the head of the table, Gary on his right and Little Cato on his left. It was the best meal Gary had eaten in forever, and very Ventrexian, so it was heavy on the protein. They were served a spicy soup, a small salad Little Cato tried to avoid but ended up eating after an eyebrow was arched in his direction, and then three types of meat with three different sauces, a smattering of vegetables and the best bread Gary had ever tasted. In the monstertorium, Little Cato had complained loudly and often about Ventrexians being classified as apex predators and the relative lack of meat he was fed. It seemed he was making up for lost time, because he was bent on clearing his plate in record time until a look from Avocato made him slow down and chew.

Avocato, Gary noted, took very small bites and ate very slowly, drinking a lot of water throughout the meal and pausing for a while after each swallow. Little Cato didn't seem to find that unusual, and he finished his food well before the adults. Gary tried to match Avocato's glacial pace, but didn't quite manage it because the food was so delicious. It took Avocato more than an hour to finish his meal, but Gary barely noticed the passing of time. Their conversation over dinner flowed, but stayed very safe. Gary asked what classes Little Cato had for school. He told them a little about earth and some of the places he'd been aboard the prison ship, and the really awful Hooblot romance novel he was reading. Avocato listened more than he spoke, but when he did speak, it was always interesting. At least to Gary.

From that point on, he'd get invitations to join the Catos at least once a week, sometimes three or even four times. Sometimes officers or captains of other ships joined them, including what had to be some of Avocato's allies in his rebellion against the Lord Commander. A lot of people hated the Lord Commander, and while many might hate Avocato just as much, the enemy of my enemy and all that. Gary met a lot of different species and ate a lot of weird food, but at least two people present made for outstanding and entertaining company. He gradually got to know the general, at least a little. Gary kept taking his cues from Avocato, and the invitations kept coming.

Avocato, he discovered, could discuss just about any topic and was even smarter than he was handsome. Amazingly, it was possible. Genius, even, which explained how he'd expanded and defended an empire, and how he had avoided the Lord Commander all this time. He was quite the diplomat and negotiator, too, given the people he counted as his allies - many of them couldn't get along at the best of times, which this definitely was not. He had a very dry, understated humor that passed by and boomeranged around to catch the unsuspecting after the fact. It wasn't unusual for Gary to laugh at something said a minute or so before, which amused Avocato all the more. He rarely laughed, and had a complete lock on his reactions and emotions. While not demonstrative, he did manage to convey the depth of his love for his boy with a single gesture or look, and Little Cato lived for his praise and approval.

So controlled was Avocato, so carefully orchestrated each meeting, that it was more than three months before Gary realized there was something seriously wrong with the general. They were seated at the dinner table, celebrating Little Cato's release from being grounded and waiting for the salad course to be served. Little Cato was happily carrying on about the thimbles showdown between the ensigns on decks 20 and 16. Apparently, there was some epic rivalry between the two teams as to who was worse and could claim last position in their shipboard league. It was a matter of honor for them, and it took a lot of skill to be so bad. Little Cato was expounding on the conduct of both teams while the two adults listened and smiled. Avocato had just lifted his glass to take a sip of water when a shudder ran through the Ventrexian's whole body. The glass dropped from his grip and spilled across the table. Avocato stiffened, his head snapping back involuntarily and his mouth open as he struggled to draw a breath.

"Dad!"

In a flash, Little Cato vaulted out of his seat and was bracing Avocato against the back of his chair before Gary could fully comprehend what was happening. He rose, anxious to help but unsure of what to do besides panic.

"Gary, hold him," ordered Little Cato. "Don't let him lean over or stop breathing!"

"Uh- right! On it!"

Having no idea what to do if Avocato didn't cooperate, Gary gripped him by the upper arms as Little Cato had and held him upright and steady. Heavy spasms wracked the general, and he involuntarily jerked against Gary's hands, gritting his teeth. Though he could feel a shivering tremor through his hold, Gary saw no fear in Avocato's eyes. Instead, and to his surprise, there was pain and . . . anger. A lot of it.

Little Cato smashed his hand to the comm unit in the wall. "This is Little Cato! We have a Code Black in the private dining hall. Repeat, Code Black! Stat!"

"Hold on, pal," urged Gary, watching Avocato fight to inhale. His claws dug into the arms of the chair, leaving deep gouges. Little Cato returned, reaching around Gary to loosen the buttons securing Avocato's high collar.

"Breathe, Dad," he begged. "Slow and calm. Small breaths. Come on. Please."

Avocato twisted, his body convulsing against their hands as a feral scream was ripped from his throat. Gary barely registered when the door opposite the hall opened and half a dozen people rushed in. Clearly they had been through this before because they were ready for action and carried a pile of medical equipment with them. Gary was unceremoniously jerked out of the way and a no-nonsense voice ordered, "Your Highness, step aside!"

Someone else ordered, "Get him out of here!"

"No," commanded Little Cato, speaking as a prince and son, and Gary realized they were talking about him.

"But -"

"He was going to tell him."

There were no more arguments. Keeping his silence, Gary stood off to the side with his arms around Little Cato's shoulders, holding him close and letting the doctors work. It wasn't long before Avocato was whisked away, leaving them with two soldiers. They looked expectantly at Gary, ready to escort him to his room. Gary let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. It had been a matter of minutes, but it felt like hours, and so shocking and unexpected that he knew he couldn't rest until he got word of the general's condition.

More for the benefit of the guards, Little Cato said, "Gary can wait with me in our quarters. One of you can wait in there with us."

That satisfied them, and with a silent exchange, the larger of the two soldiers followed them as Little Cato led Gary through the rear doors of the dining room. A few back corridors later, and they entered the Catos' quarters. The rooms were spacious and comfortable for a battleship, with windows and a small kitchen and several rooms off the main living area. It was also as warm, just as the dining room always was. Warmer, even. The soldier stood guard at the door, and Little Cato waved Gary to take a seat.

"No," said Gary. "You sit, Spider Cat. You need to eat and drink. I'll find something."

Under the guard's very watchful eye, Gary raided the refrigerator. He wasn't familiar with all the foods, so he pulled stuff out and held things up one at a time for a yea or nay vote. He threw together a few sandwich-ish plates, found some non-veggie crunchy things, and poured a glass of what he recognized as some sort of milk.

"You want anything?" Gary asked the guard as he set the food before Little Cato. Getting a negative response, he sat down across from the teenager. "Here. Eat."

"Is that human food?" wondered Little Cato, as if the ingredients hadn't just come out of a very Ventrexian larder.

"Only how it's made."

"I never would have thought to put those together," Little Cato said a little while later as he finished the last bite. "Not bad. Thank you."

Gary smiled. "I have no idea what I just ate, but you're welcome."

Sitting back, Little Cato sighed, glancing at the chronometer built into the wall. Gary took it for an opening. He leaned forward on his knees, and softly he asked,

"That's not the first time that's happened to your dad, is it?"

"No. First time that bad since we got back, though," he said with another sigh.

"What is it? Is he sick? Some genetic thing?"

Little Cato grimaced. "No. Almost two years ago, he was poisoned. By the Lord Commander."

It was Gary's turn to sigh and flop. "I knew that tick turd would rear his butt-ugly head again. What did he do to Avocato?"

"Right after Dad got me off Zetakron Alpha, Lord Commander sent a bunch of assassins out after him. It makes sense - take out the leader, you take out the rebellion. They tried a lot of different ways to kill or control him, but . . . Dad's not a general for nothing. Only one was almost successful. It was a Mirror Mage from Teshi Minor. You know, those lizards that can make themselves look like anyone. It killed one of the kitchen staff and took her place and got poison into my dad's drink. Akusan flower pollen. It'll kill just about every species that breathes oxygen. Luckily, Dad knew as soon as the steward didn't leave immediately that something was off and he didn't swallow the tea."

"What about lizard man?"

"It tried to attack him." Little Cato shrugged, a very Ventrexian dismissal of a lesser fighter. Raising his hand to extend a set of fierce-looking claws, he made a swiping motion. "Dad killed it on the spot. Thing is, any exposure to akusan is going to have some impact. If it doesn't kill you outright, it stays in you a long time. Dad was alone when it happened. He collapsed, and it was a while before he was found, so . . . the poison didn't kill him, but . . . it could still work. In Dad's case, it affected his nervous system and he's always cold. He can't go too long without sitting, and he gets tired quickly. He has trouble swallowing, and he's not allowed to eat alone or even be alone, really. And now and then it flares up and . . . well, you saw. At first this used to happen every few days. It was really scary and really hard to hide. Still is. He'll be in medical overnight at least."

That explained a great deal. Thinking back, Gary realized Avocato had almost always been seated when they were together, and on the occasion he was standing, it was always close to a table or rail or something he could lean on for support. The warm rooms, the tiny bites, the slow eating, each careful sip of water - it all made sense.

"No wonder he looked pissed instead of scared. Who knows?"

"Not a lot of people. Some of the doctors. A few officers. Our bodyguards," he added, gesturing at the walking arsenal blocking the door. "Only certain people are allowed to respond to a Code Black."

The enormity of what Little Cato was - and wasn't - saying was not lost on Gary. They were trusting him with Avocato's life. More than that, the life of this rebellion.

Carefully he asked, "So . . . if I happen to hear Code Black, okay if I respond?"

Little Cato glanced at the soldier, making sure he was listening, then fixed Gary Goodspeed with a stern look.

"Yes."