Leshy appeared beside Allison as she looked out at the newly dubbed Mary’s world. She didn’t say anything for several minutes. Allison finally looked at her.
“Sorry, do you need something?”
Leshy motioned with one of her arms.
“Your words were moving. I am glad so many heard them.”
Allison glanced back at the crowd who were partaking in the food and drinks provided by Primarch Rubina. She had not spared any expense for the memorial service. Allison had hoped there might be coffee or tea, or the equivalent of for the league, this was a full catered event.
“I was surprised so many showed up.”
Leshy touched Allison’s shoulder with her organo-metallic arm.
“Child, you are the Battlelord. When you speak, people listen. The fact that you are so skilled in the art of speaking, and passionate do not hurt either. But I was not speaking of those here. We were asked to provide holo-feed to the League and System’s Alliance. Your starfighter’s AI was helpful to us. Please thank her for her patience and her assistance for me?”
Allison blinked a few times. If she had her tech on she would have rewound the conversation to make sure she hadn’t misheard it but as it was she said.
“Sorry, say again? The last part, about the feed.”
Leshy bowed her head.
“The Primarch requested we make the feed available so your words could be shared with the League as a whole. Somehow your government found out about this memorial as well and requested feed. I thought you knew. Your AI companion did not tell you?”
Allison’s lips pursed.
“No, she did not. That… manipulative… No wonder she changed my speech. Wear the dress Allison… oh Bit you…”
Leshy sounded slightly amused.
“Ah, yes, our ancient AI’s do sometimes believe they know best. They are typically quite aloof. You and yours seem to have an amazing relationship. She seems quite pleasant.”
Allison leaned on the frame of the observation window.
“Unless she’s your friend. Argh, I can’t even give her the silent treatment because I have no comms. Brat. Can you call someone who is a hundred thousand years old a brat?”
Leshy chuckled.
“I believe if she arranged the broadcast without telling you then, the term could be appropriate.”
Allison frowned.
“I’m dead. My mom is going to kill me, my aunt is going to kill me, my sister is going to lecture me. My CO is going to… oh I am not looking forward to going home. You have any openings for someone who knows nothing about medicine but is a hard worker, and willing to learn?”
Leshy laughed out loud this time.
“Ah to be a youth again. No, I am sorry we have no permanent openings; However, we could use a volunteer to spend some time with the children who are here for end of life care. I had several disappointed faces when I told them that we could not allow them to attend the memorial. We have a last request process here for the children. Their lives are so short we try to create special memories for them and their families. A request we get quite a lot from both boys and girls is to meet the Battlelord.”
Allison looked at Leshy.
“What? Why would they want to meet me? I’m literally nobody. There has to be so many more interesting people to meet, or things to do.”
Leshy chuckled once again.
“You are hope. Heroes give people hope. The Primarch is a consummate politician. She has capitalized on your image. While I do not agree with such things in principle, she has cultivated an image of a larger-than-life hero around you. Held you up as an example of who we should all strive to be. Your memorial speech today just reinforced that. The children see another child doing these impressive things and think I can do that. I can be a hero too. I can fight anything. While their conditions are terminal, that hope strengthens them and gives them extra time. Morale in medical settings cannot be ignored. We kept your presence here quiet before. People come here to die; You were dying. We did not want to cause concern.”
Allison looked up at Leshy, though she was sure Leshy the entity was probably more around the chest.
“Why did I get told to bring Mary here then? Why are there even maternity rooms here?”
Leshy bowed her head.
“Astute observation. She was a human. All of the literature advises it is a dangerous time for mother and child. Much as it is with all species that carry a fetus internally. In Mary’s case, we believed it prudent, or rather the immigration ministry deemed it prudent that she be brought to a facility that was experienced in advanced life preservation methods. It was believed, and rightly so based on how things turned out, that in the event she should she pass during labor, we could preserve her body to provide sustenance for the child. Also, human infants are not inoculated with your advanced medicine, so we need a more sterile and controllable environment. As for why our people use these rooms, there are some cases where a mother is too far gone to survive by normal means we will extend their lives so the fetus can develop fully. It is thankfully rare, but we do have three or four a year.”
Leshy tapped the windowsill.
“I am grateful that your Bio-Medical Corporation is so benevolent. We were trying to get ahold of your T-cell enhancement treatment that is used on children. They provided the means to synthesize it. Even with little Allison’s genetic engineering she would still be at a high risk of infection from microbes Mary was not exposed to.”
Allison quirked her head to the side.
“Genetic Engineering? Mary was a pod kid, so any genetic diseases would have been filtered out and the aging genes would be extended but like, we don’t genetically engineer super humans. Her father was a… well normal. So, at best Allison would be… like half-engineered at best.”
Leshy turned to Allison.
“No, both of Allison’s parents both showed the same mother… well it is strange. We do not have much experience with your genetics. We have three samples now, yours, Mary’s and Allison’s. All of you share one specific set of DNA it is almost like a third one for Mary’s and little Allison’s. In your DNA it is a full half of your parentage. We believed it was this Genesis Pod engineering, but it is different than yours.”
Allison looked down at the planet.
“Uh, well, I’m actually not from a Genesis pod. I have two mothers. One was infected with Synthlin nanites, or rather was a Synthlin based cyborg. The other was… a… I don’t know. I should have no relation to Mary, or Allison, or any Genesis pod child. Neither of my parents were in the ice.”
Leshy tapped her chin.
“It is a mystery then. Perhaps one of your parents’ DNA was used as a binding agent. Preserved DNA is often… imperfect. It would likely be the non-Synthlin infected individual.”
Allison leaned her forehead on the transparent material of the window.
“I am related to every single Genesis pod kid? Ugg. I thought having three vampire sisters was enough…. Four. Forgot Helen.”
Leshy bowed her head.
“It is impossible to say with such a small sample size. It is unfortunate that the father we believed was the father is not. We have his medical records, at least his early records but the DNA is not a match.”
Allison hit her head on the window gently.
“What a mess. This could be ugly.”
Leshy glanced down at Allison.
“You seem concerned. What is the cause?”
Allison shook her head.
“Okay if he wasn’t the father, then obviously she was doing stuff with someone else, but there is one boy who could be the father that is still alive. Of course she acted like she despised him. But if he’d gotten her pregnant and pretended it never happened… Cult like that the cult leader might have actually killed him for it though. If the boy who survived is the biological father this is a legal nightmare. Because well he has rights once he’s an adult. And the government can pursue his rights for him and still get the baby and he’s a jerk so he might just do it, so his child isn’t raised by ‘demons’. Ugh. Mary, why didn’t you say anything. I know why because sex outside of marriage would have been a stoning offense.”
She heard her name called on the speakers being directed to the hanger bay.
“Sorry Leshy, apparently I’m being summoned.”
Allison left the memorial reception and headed to Bit.
“Hello, you traitor.”
Bit didn’t say anything Allison climbed into the cockpit with some difficulty and accepted the incoming hyperwave call. She was about to say hi T’hyl but was shocked to see it was Maria forwarded via the embassy hyperwave.
“Uh… Aunt Maria. How are you doing?”
Maria smiled.
“Oh, I am just fine. Wonderful memorial. We have so much to talk about once you get back from your trip. However, I’m calling to ask a favor.”
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
Allison nodded.
“Whatever you want Aunt Maria.”
“I thought you might say that. We are in need of a supply of medical nanites from the League. Apparently, they are the only known cure for the neural degeneration caused by the Sal’nash signal. We would want ten thousand doses. I was hoping the Primarch would authorize a shipment to us, in exchange for having access to you and your fighter as an official resource.”
Allison bit her lower lip. That was a big offer and a lot of her time.
“Well, uh, when I whatever you want… I wasn’t expecting that.”
Maria shook her head.
“With in reason, you have school and your duties but instead of having to go through our entire chain of command I will appoint Helen as your official handler for that. She will network with the school and your command to notify them of your absence and verify you’re available. You’re doing it anyway, now it’s official.”
Allison sighed.
“Alright… just so I know if I should come home, how much trouble am I in?”
Maria tapped her chin.
“On a scale of one to ten, you are edging into the seven area. If there are riots, a solid ten. Please go ask the Primarch before she leaves. I need it to look like we made an effort. I was trying to figure a way out to do this anyway, you just accelerated my timetable. Oh, and maybe stay an extra day or two, let things settle down. Though definitely leave once you have the nanite shipment. It’s going to Ratoa. Take your time coming home. I will deal with your school and parents.”
Maria ended the communications. Allison glared at the command surface.
“You are evil. How could you not tell me I was being broadcast?”
Bit spoke quietly.
“You would have declined to speak at all.”
Allison narrowed her eyes.
“And? That would be my choice. You probably ruined my life. You definitely made me look awful. People listen to me, and I just basically fed the trolls! I thought no one in the System’s Alliance would ever hear it.”
“You had something to say, and it was the truth. I will not apologize for helping you express yourself and your beliefs. Change does not come without pain. Things needed to be said, you said them.”
Allison grumbled.
“Not by me. I’ll be back when I think I can go home without getting rotten vegetables thrown at me.”
She climbed out of the cockpit and stormed off. She found the Primarch holding baby Allison. The teenage Allison approached her.
“Primarch… could we speak somewhere, privately? My president just called me.”
Rubina offered the baby up to Ember and motioned Allison to a quiet corner of the observation room.
“Business during a memorial is in bad taste, Battlelord.”
Allison bit her lower lip.
“I’m sorry for this. The president is also my Aunt. I kind of just made things really complicated for her so I… I am trying to fix some of it. So, uh, she was hoping for a supply of medical nanites to treat our citizens who were exposed to the same signal that killed Mary. In exchange she told me to offer my services to you officially as a resource. With the restrictions my school and duties to the System’s Alliance be taken into account. Instead of going to the ambassador who goes to my government, who go to my school… you would be dealing with one of our high-ranking security officers who will make your request happen.”
Her wings shifted upwards as she pondered the offer.
“I believe that is equitable. We should be able to produce what is required here. How many doses?”
“She is requesting ten thousand to start. I believe she is ensuring there is a supply if we have another attack. In addition to those who require them immediately.”
Rubina motioned to Leshy who hovered over she addressed her when she arrived.
“Director, how long would it take for your facility to create ten thousand neural regeneration nanite doses?”
Leshy tapped her chin.
“One month. We have enough of the neutral nanites on site, however we would deplete our reserves to a level I would not be comfortable with. We could provide half of that by the end of day tomorrow if we have staff work double shifts, we have already prepared the code to treat the condition in humans. We would need to wait until the next shipment of neutral nanites to fulfill the rest. Which is due in three weeks.”
Rubina bowed her head in response.
“Excellent, please, make it happen. I believe the Battlelord will be carrying the shipment.”
Leshy bowed her head low.
“We will do so Primarch. Your compassion is ever humbling.”
Leshy left the memorial reception, Allison was getting ready to follow but the Primarch caught her.
“Battlelord, stay for a moment.”
Allison stopped.
“Yes, Primarch?”
Rubina motioned to a lounging couch. Allison followed her and sat down.
“Battlelord, we have never had occasion to speak personally. Or in private. I am curious from the perspective of an outsider, what are your honest thoughts on the League?”
Allison’s fingers dug into the cushion and thought, talk about your loaded questions. She took her time answering.
“Well, umm, that’s a hard question. You’re the leader so I uh, well, I don’t know enough to have many thoughts. I mean, also, how many other multi-species governments are there? Compared to the System’s Alliance I think some of your laws are a bit too lenient… Like I think it is okay that kids need to go to school or else in the Alliance. I’m not a fan of your comedy shows, and I do not understand your sports. I love Silwra, its beautiful. Our cities are all grungy and well concrete. It’s nice to see trees and nature woven in. I think it is amazing that everyone has access to free health care in principle, but, uh does that count for places near the border? I stopped at Bastion Station. It is run by crime lords and has a slave trade, which the crime lords try to keep under control but, like if there are slavers, then they’re making money somehow either selling your citizens or selling to your citizens or both. There were no signs of anything close to an actual security force there. Just a Marshal hired by the crime lords to keep the peace. There were ships there with a lot of heavy weapons that are highly illegal in the League and Alliance on civilian ships. I think your goals… I think your goal of a golden age where the military is not required is… I agree with the Grand Eminence. It is okay to wish for peace, but it is another thing to delude yourselves into thinking war will never come.”
Rubina listened to Allison patiently, her wings never drooping. She had her claws interlaced on her crossed legs.
“I mean, it’s a great dream, but everyone thinks they know what is right. Eventually you get someone who is charismatic and thinks they are right enough to start a war. I… am sorry. I’m not making sense. My entire life besides the last few years the System’s Alliance was in a civil war or really unstable peace. Now the Sal’nash. It seems to me that the old saying from someone who admittedly was probably a bit of a… he wasn’t the best human being, anyway, he was quoted as saying: ‘The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.’ I don’t think he was talking about war specifically. Thing is though it applies, if you think about it. We are free because others fought for that freedom. We owe it to ourselves and people who have gone before to be vigilant and maintain that freedom, by force of arms or protests. I guess that’s why I called my government out today, they haven’t been vigilant, and it cost Mary her life. I guess I just hope you don’t pay a high price for not being vigilant. I don’t know anything, I’m just a kid.”
Rubina sat quietly pondering Allison’s words.
“Remind me to never go up against you in an election. If you are this passionate and well-spoken now, I believe you will be a force to be reckoned with. I do not disagree with the principle of that statement about freedom. There is an element of practicality when governing. A subtlety lost on most soldiers. Military spending is unpopular. It does not get approved. Planets and stations on the borders are forgotten by our member worlds, unless they are on the border. Which precious few are. Spending money to bring law and order to areas few citizens visit is unpopular. We politicians by our very nature are bound by the wishes of our people, they voted for us, we must meet the needs they want. Increased trade between our governments will lead to increased traffic across the border, which will increase piracy, which in turn will facilitate a need for increased security. Which then will increase spending on patrols.”
Allison nodded, not like she cared personally, she doubted anyone could see her if she didn’t want them too. They weren’t exactly military ships.
“I understand.”
Rubina didn’t seem finished with her.
“I trust your accommodations in the capital are to your liking?”
Allison nodded.
“I love the view.”
Rubina’s wings perked up.
“Excellent. We are eager to make you comfortable when you’re with us. We would love to have you stay with us more often. Perhaps an advanced degree after you are an adult? Silwra has the best schools in the League. As a Duchess, and Battlelord, many doors are open to you with us. You would be considered among the elite. Just something to consider if the opinion you have of the System’s Alliance continues to decline. You sounded disillusioned during the eulogy. With your mutation, and medical needs, I am just saying, we would be eager to have you join us as a citizen. From the perspective of an outsider, it does not appear the System’s Alliance values you as anything more than a pawn.”
Allison blinked, the Primarch was trying to recruit her. Being here would certainly save her a whole lot of her headaches. She’d never do it though; She loved her family too much. No Tyler, no Mom, no Robin, no money.
“I am not saying no forever, but I am too young to think of anything like that yet.”
Rubina nodded.
“Of course. You have made friends here. We are eager to see you happy. I am glad we can work with you more closely. The high council has found your willingness to assist us with certain matters extremely valuable. Of course, you will return for Allison’s official naming, yes, so we will see each other then. I believe Ember and Aseian wish to name you her Egg Mother.”
Rubina searched for the term.
“Ah, for your people, Godmother. Which would make you practically family. You will be expected to guide her in the ways of honorable conduct along with her parents.”
Allison blushed.
“So, they’re going to adopt her officially? I thought it would be a Yorleer.”
Rubina’s wings perked up.
“No, Aseian decided that she proved her strength by surviving her ordeal and shall be added to our family. I believe if he tried to give her away Ember would likely leave him. She has grown attached already. It has been a long time since a child has entered our family. All of our children are fully grown, and their children are not quite old enough for parenthood. Ember is past her childbearing age, but longs to be a mother. It is a gift that Mary entered their lives; It is a greater gift still that Allison entered their lives. This does not mean that you and I are even. I did this for the child, not to settle my debt owed.”
Allison rubbed the back of her neck.
“Well, I mean, I do not feel like you owe me anything. If I were to ask for anything in return it would be to be mentored by you.”
Rubina’s wings flicked, and her tail swirled. The equivalent of a blush from Silwrath.
“Well, that is something I am willing to do. We should set up regular communications between ourselves so I can start.”
Allison smiled.
“Thank you, Primarch.”
Rubina motioned with her claw.
“Perhaps, when we are not in council session, we can be less formal. You may, as you have been fighting the urge since we met, call me Ruby, as it is what my family calls me, I will use your name so we can set up an environment for your mentorship that will be more casual, and we can be more at ease. Now, your school year ends soon, doesn’t it?”
Allison shook her head.
“No, four months.”
Rubina bowed her head slightly.
“Well, perhaps you might consider a summer internship at the council chambers, if you truly want to be mentored. It would last for your break; You would learn how things work behind the scenes and become familiar with our species. You have already learned a great deal of our language, perhaps you could master it. You would stay at your residence, and we would ensure you were cared for. It is a prestigious honor for our children, we only accept a few a year.”
Allison bit her lower lip. Two months on Silwra, no parents? No Major Ghai? No way that would be allowed, she was stacked on training already. Though, a point could be made to learn more about the inner workings of the League and councils… She shook her head. Tyler wouldn’t be here. Unless, two months with Tyler alone. All to herself. He’d love it on Silwra.
“Would you consider taking on two of us? For the council internship? I have a friend, he is obsessed with the League. Never stops talking about how amazing it seems. It would be nice to have a fellow human here for two months, that isn’t in diapers, and we could holo-blog our experiences. I’m pretty terrible at that sort of thing and he is amazing. It would be great PR, especially if you’re looking to entice more humans here, for vacation or just for immigration. Also, better public image in the Alliance would mean better relations with the government.”
Rubina’s tail twitched and her wings perked up. She was amused.
“Your boyfriend, I assume. Provided we had consent from both your government and parents, I would put you on the short list. No guarantees for either of you. We have very strict grade requirements, and we look for young adults of strong moral character.”
Allison blushed.
“I might be out of the running then; I make a lot of mistakes.”
Rubina’s tail twitched.
“I think you are going to do fine. I will ensure you are provided with the required paperwork. Return it as soon as possible and we will see.”
Allison was now excited about summer. Two months with Tyler and no one to get in their way?