“Bunnies.” said Therese looking up, and feeling delirious.

“We prefer Rabbit or Hare, but for you, I’ll be a fuzzy wil wabbit.” Teased the junior medic, causing the senior to laugh.

“I love rabbits.” said Therese, still unsure if she was dreaming. The medics smiled, glad Therese would survive.

“There are a planet full of them who love you, rest daughter.” said the senior rabbit.

“Okay, if you insist.” said Therese, napping and glad to be free of the Gopher King. Ben stared out the door, looking for, but lacking gophers to shoot. David radioed to the 1st Division and was directed to a field hospital run by the Space Navy for the 1st. Even though there was mostly random fire in the sky by the remaining gophers neat them, David came in fast and quick to land, but gently set the ship down at the last second. Several people looked over to see who the skillful pilot was, having watched him dodge fire and go from a rapid speed instantly to a smooth and perfect descent.

Several more medics ran out, both human and hare, and grabbed Therese and Vivo and put them on stretchers and took them into a triage area. “The daughter has several fractured ribs, and her left upper arm is fractured, but we began mending enroute, she was also severely dehydrated and we gave one liter normal fluid IV with enhancement. The Space-Boy received a concussion and lost consciousness, following a particle blast, but is stable, no evidence of inter-cranial pressure.” Reported the senior medic.

“Take them to observation and continue maintenance fluids and bone mending, medicate as tolerated for pain.” Ordered the surgeon.

“More bunnies.” said Therese, looking up, the pain medications were helping ease her suffering. The rabbits and men carried both Therese and Vivo to the far end of the observation structure to distance them from the screams of the more wounded.

“Goodbye bunnies.” said Therese, falling asleep. Ben and Ed entered the tent to check on their friends, and after they were told they were fine, laid down on the next empty cots and fell asleep, exhausted.

Therese awoke later and saw her mother and father sitting next to her, and instinctively checked her wrists for restraints, and relaxed when she saw none.

“You are safe honey, that part of your life is over, and we are sorry you suffered it.” said Therese’s mother.

“We’re just glad you are safe.” said Therese’s father.

“Mom, Dad, I’m a Space-Girl.” Therese told her parents, the pain medications still left her feeling drugged.

“That is wonderful.” said Therese’s mother Mary.

“No, I mean I am a real Space-Girl, and I flew in a spaceship, and the Gopher King, he, he hurt me.” said Therese.

“We know, and we are so proud of you, we knew you would be one day.” Therese’s mother said smiling. The present had come regardless of how hard she had dreaded the future.

“And don’t worry, Space-Girl Erin slew that evil monster Gopher King.” Therese’s father Rodger added.

“You know?” asked Therese, looking around worried she was having a nightmare or hallucination. Therese saw her parents sitting there smiling with Kara next to them. Ben and Ed were still sleeping off their pain and exhaustion.

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“Don’t worry, this is real.” Kara reassured Therese, sensing her concern.

“Like you guys are pretty cool about this.” Therese told her parents, who shrugged their shoulders and smiled.

“Maybe I can help explain.” said an aged rabbit walking in with Space-Girl Susan.

“Space-Girl Susan, would you be so kind to grab us a couple chairs.” asked the old Rabbit.

“Of course.” Susan said, setting up a chair for herself and the aged hare. Therese could tell by the scorches on Susan’s armor she had participated in her own thick of the fighting.

“My name is Angora, I am the elected leader of this free world. I knew you when you were a little bunny, your parents were stationed here as Space-Girl and Boy, your grandparents assisted in our agriculture department, and the other three bunnies of your litter were your sister and brother.” said the old rabbit with sadness in his eyes, and his ears drooped, he could not remember what humans called their bunnies.

“We were attacked, like we were now, by the Gopher King, your parents left your home, and left you with your grandparents, and they fought hard. The Gopher King was not alone though, he was with the leader of the Vax, a hideous reptile breed that liked to eat our children in front of us.” The rabbit sighed, filled with his own horrible memories.

“Your parents defeated the Vax and drove off the Gophers, and they saved the rest of the galaxy too, as if Haremar fell, the Vax would have a foothold in this sector, but in the end, the Gopher King killed both your parents before he retreated, and we found during the battle, your home was destroyed, and you were all who remained. Your grandmother must have been holding you and quickly placed her ring, the purple ring, on you when the gopher attack began. This world adopted you then, all the free Hare’s made you their daughter, go into any home and there is your bed, sit at any table and there is your chair.” explained Angora as best he could.

“But, mom, Dad?” Therese asked her parents.

“I’m sorry, we’re androids, Haremar made us to care for you, and I am so sorry we were not perfect, we had to learn as you grew too, but we really do love you.” said Rodger.

“Oh my God, that totally explains it.” said Therese.

“Explains what, honey?” Therese’s mother asked.

“When I was little I saw you putting makeup on and it scared me so bad, that is why I never wanted to use it, I mean I tried convincing myself it wasn’t real and finally I believed it.” said Therese.

“What is so weird about your mom putting makeup on?” Asked Kara.

“She pulled off her face to do it, it scared the shit out of me.” said Therese.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” asked Kara.

“Seriously with all the other crap I had going on would you have believed me anymore than that there was an implant in my head?” asked Therese.

“Okay, you might have a point there.” agreed Kara.

“I’m sorry, I was still learning how to be a parent then, I hope you will forgive me.” Therese’s mother Mary apologized.

“Mom, Dad, I love you, you are my parents, I love you so much.” Therese said, sitting up and hugging her parents.

Kara started crying. “I still love you too.” said Kara, joining in the hug.

“We will always love both of you, our two daughters.” Therese’s mother said, hugging both of them.

“Well, that certainly went better than I hoped. They certainly chose the right ring when they gave you back the purple.” said Angora.

“What’s purple got to do with it?” Kara asked, looking at her white armor and Susan’s white armor.

“When Haremar, made the space rings, most of them are equally powerful, but a few like the purple one, give their wearer a little extra resilience.” explained Angora, but trying to avoid the long explanation of how Haremar created the great Space Rings.

“What about the black armor?” asked Kara, referencing Erin.

“You are asking about the Shadowbird, That power must be wielded with caution, it can lead to many terrible things, and I am afraid your friend will not return until the fighting ceases on this planet.” finished Angora.

“What was my family like?” asked Therese.

“They were lovely people, your parents were so kind, and your siblings, they loved the grassland. I am honored to have been their friend.” said The old rabbit.

“It’s weird, I like hurt but also I mean I just found out about them, and I mean Mom and Dad, you’re right here, you raised me, you’re all I know. I don’t know what to feel.” said Therese, confused.

“My advice then, is to enjoy those who are with you. Space-Girl Susan, will you help me up, we must get back to the headquarters.” said Angora as Space-Girl Susan helped him up.

“You all did great.” said Susan, before she turned and escorted the rabbit leader out of the observation tent.

“You will always be our mom and dad.” said Therese for her and Kara.

“That’s all we hope for.” said Therese’s father.