I got back to my office and sat in my comfy chair as Vicky appeared "you will adjust to the new you" she smiled. I looked at her and was about to say something when A appeared "sir I think I found a distress signal. It's weak and a bit garbled but after I translated it they were asking for help. They are 19 AU past Pluto, we could jump there in minutes. The translation isn't complete and I need more input but I did get there 3 onboard".
I looked at Vickey "how fast can the new shuttle get there". She smiled "we have better than that sir. Go to the flight deck, I will take care of the rest". I nodded and left.
Getting to the bay I saw a ship landing. It looked like a drop ship type of design 4 big engines that independently rotate at the end of long struts. "Sir this is what I use to gather in the solar system. It's big enough to envelop the other ship, it's only tiny".
I sat in the pilot's seat and just watched as she took us there. "A is there any more contact". He appeared and nodded "yes sir they are transmitting every few min. I've made out that there are 3 onboard and they have limited life support"
"Thank you A for the report and bringing this to me" he nodded then disappeared. I looked out the window and saw a little craft appear as we got there.
"What can you tell me Vicky?" She played the message and I heard clicks and growling "to who can hear my message we have a fuel containment issue that has growl loss of power. Growl support is functional for now". She looked at me "that message repeats". I've scanned them and I have no data on them. The oxygen level is a little lower but comparable to ours. As far as first contact this should be an easy one" she said with a grin.
"As long as they aren't slimy, I'm not looking forward to one of those". My nose crinkled "ewwww that sounds gross" she nodded "yea one of the ones I have on file are like walking jello only slimy and you can see inside them and that's just as nasty"
"let's say we ignore those calls or let those calls go to voicemail" she rolled her eyes at me.
"I will bring it into the cargo bay" I nodded. "How do the translator bots work?" She smirked "all language has key words for things. They listen and work them out. The more they hear the language the better they get. They share data as well, if someone else has nanobots they get the translation as well". My eyebrows went up "that's cool".
"Anyway back to the matter at hand. We have 3 onboard, are they male or female" she smiled a weird half smile." There are 2 females and one male plus 6 babies" I don't think my eyebrows could go any wider or my eyes bigger "6 babies, who the hell travels with 6 babies?"
"Well 6 to be babies I'm showing the older female is in labor"
"Oh, that doesn't complicate things at all, where are they from?" She shook her head "no idea, I have no info on them at all. All I can tell you is that they are the same seeding as you so they are from the Milky Way".
I looked at her "so all 147 is seeded the same". She nodded again "same basic genetic material was used for all of them, yes. It will be interesting to see what each planet comes up with". I nodded and left the cockpit, I walked past the medbed and folded up seats on my way to the cargo bay. I saw the ship for the first time and it's tiny, like a small car tiny. It was squarish with large hooks welded all over, it didn't even look like it had a propulsion system.
The ship silently floated to a stop and the door closed. "They are requesting we don't shut off the antigravity yet" I looked at her and shrugged and she smiled "they need the zero gravity to give birth".
"Ok, makes sense I guess do they need assistance". She shook her head "no I offered and they said it's straight forward" a smile "they said I could have the afterbirth for testing in the medbed". I pinched my brow "that's more than a little gross". She shrugged "maybe so but it's necessary"
All of a sudden the force field disengaged and the room was filled with atmosphere replacing the vacuum. It made a weird thump when the air hit the ship.
With air touching the craft sound could be heard from the ship. 2 female voices were yelling at a male who was trying to calm them down
"We told you not this ship" they said in unison and I almost started laughing "I guess some things are universal" Vicky said.
I was looking at the ship when the hatch opened and out flew a body, ass first and bent at the waist. His head was touching his knees as he hit the wall and floated there. I looked at Vicky "get him to the medbed and flood the interior of that ship with nanobots so I will be understood". she nodded.
I waited a minute then stepped into the gravity free zone and floated to the door/hatch and looked in. And this is when my day got weird, I looked in and saw 2 cats. Not full on cats just about 15% cat. They had the ears and the whiskers but looked like women. They looked at me and screamed, so I did it back to break the tension. An old trick I used to use and it worked.
They just sat there with an odd look on their face.
"Can I be of assistance, your third member is unconscious" they both looked shy and said no. I lowered myself to the floor and went to the medbed with Vickey. "How is he?"
She shrugged "the bed is analyzing him now. He seems to have the same bits and bobs you do but the whole cat thing is interesting" I nodded as I looked at him. Like the females he looked about 15% cat and he was about 5"2 very muscular and I couldn't tell his age. "It's weird his DNA is like yours but there is a third helix. He will be out for a bit he took a pretty good shot to the head".
"Did the door suck him out when it opened" she shook her head "no I think he was thrown".
"Nice people"
Vicky and I left out patient and went back to the bay. That's when I heard it, multiple little cry's hit my ears and it made me smile. A crying baby is a breathing baby.
Looking up at the door the cries started to quiet and I grew nervous.
Then a face appeared and enquired about the male in a quiet and shy voice. I told her he was unconscious and in our medbed. She nodded then looked back in the ship "mom you hurt dad" that's when a second face appeared then exited both females carried 3 little ones each.
"Hello there, thank you for helping us" said the older looking one in a dignified voice as they floated to the ground. "It's my pleasure to meet you and it's my pleasure to help you when you are in need".
"Well on behalf of my daughter, my husband and myself, thank you". They walked to me and handed 6 little ones like I was supposed to take them.
I fumbled and almost dropped 2 and my eyes got wide. Luckily I didn't have an accident and followed behind them going to the medbed. I looked at 6 tiny faces looking back and me, one was yawning. I found out later the one yawning was male and the rest were female. Poor little guy, 5 sisters will be rough.
The younger of the 2 women came to me "you look confused don't your maternal instincts take hold" she cocked her head and looked around "you must have many children, the males of your species must be wonderful. I was the only one of my litter to survive". That made me look at her "that explains why I'm holding these little ones" she looked at me with a questionable look.
"In my world the females are the main caregiver".
She started to apologize and went to take the babies. I put her at ease saying that males can be caregivers as well. I had arranged all 6 little ones in my left arm and they were instantly drawn to their sister's voice and she ducked away.
"First female has to be their mom". She said then got a look of shock on her face, her beautiful eyes widened. I cocked my brow
"Did they look at you?"
"I think so, I don't mind they are super cute"
"males in my species are trained to keep them looking away, they imprint".
"Oh crap" was all I mustered as I reviewed in my head everything I knew on imprinting and my eyes got wide.
I saw mom coming towards me and the daughter met her mom halfway. "He looked at them" she got a look on her face then said gruffly "how do you feel about adoption". The looks on their faces clued me into my situation.
"I'm sorry I didn't know they imprint" I said with an apologetic expression
"It might not take because you are a different species. You might become their favorite uncle. I'm sorry I don't even know your name and you saved our lives".
I smiled "my name is Brad and we are on the way back to my ship"
"this is not your ship?" I smiled "this is a shuttle, my ship is bigger".
"Wow a powerful man" she nudged her daughter and that's when I discovered they blush.
"It's kind of a long story, we can get into that later. May Vickey access your computer to see if I can figure out if I can get you home" she nodded.
"Feel free, I would like to know how we got here. We were in orbit getting ready to become parents again and poof we are here. Vicky appeared scaring both women so they jumped.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you" Vicky said politely "my name is Vickey and I'm an artificial intelligence" they looked confused "I'm a thinking machine".
Both got wide eyed and at one they said "that's not possible" mom spoke up "those are from the old writings". I looked at Vicky and she just shrugged. Mom continued "the old writings span 10 thousand years and spoke of a woman with a thinking machine in her head". Vicky got wide eyed "I live inside Brads head"
Both women squeaked in shock as 2 of the babies sneezed. We all just stood there looking at one another till the babies started to fuss, they must have sensed the lull in the conversation.
My turn to apologize "I'm sorry I didn't even ask your names". They both smiled. Kim and Lisa are the closest to the transition I got. Mom was Kim and the daughter was Lisa. I also found out the husband was Gar.
"Is he going to be ok?" asked Kim. Vicky nodded "I took the tissue samples and calibrated the medbed for your species. It will be a few hours till he is awake." Kim shook her head "he did the same thing when Lisa was born. He grabbed my legs in the wrong spot again causing me to spasm" she lower her head "last time involved medical as well"
Lisa looked at me and went to take 3 of the babies and Kim took 3. Then went to sit when I hear 6 little wails.
"Oh crap" was my only response. They walked back to me and the crying stopped,once again they looked at me.
Kim spoke up "you have the reaching feelings?" She said as a question. I cocked my head to the side "I'm not sure what you mean" Lisa spoke up "can you reach out and affect other's emotions". Vicky spoke up "your aura sir". My eyes shot open "I guess the answer is yes".
"You're 2 out 3 for a holy man in my culture" Kim retorted. "What is the third?" I said, trying not to sound rattled. She looked at me "many more of thee". I had to sit "Vickie could you call the triplets". They appeared and introduced themselves.
Lisa started to cry and Lisa dropped to one knee. "No no no, I'm just a man that was grown in a tank like everyone else" I said trying to make a joke and making it worse.
Kim looked up at me "the holy one will be spawned from silence to lead"
Vickey looked at me "Brad I think you need to stop talking". "I agree" was my only reply as a sound came from the cockpit.
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Vickey broke the silence "we are home"
"You will have to tell me what you need for your stay, I have no idea how to get you home but I will do my best. For now you are my guests so you can relax during your stay" they nodded and we exited the ship into the vast empty bay towards the lift.
They looked around wide eyed, Lisa spoke up "is this all yours?" I hung my head "yes" I said trying not to dig myself deeper. They stepped into the lift Lisa said "ok no more lying, are you the holy one, are we being judged?"
I shook my head "no I am just a man with a lot of technology available to me. I'm not a holy man, I was just chosen myself a short time ago. I'm new to all this, I can't even fly the ship yet" I smiled.
"There are just so many parallels in the storys" Kim said. "Vicky, could you come here" she appeared a few meters away and walked to me "could you go over our time together" we went to the second quarters and sat.
Vicky laid it all out and dismantled their religion. They seemed ok with it with a lot of head nodding and a few questions. I got them drinks of water not knowing what else to get them. They sat in silence for a few minutes when Vicky added "I should be able to make food based on the food in your vessel and info from the nanobots. It's fairly close to the food we have here but I have no idea on flavor".
The girls nodded and we went to the replicator Vicky asked a few questions and they wanted to try steak. I took the kids so they could eat while they described some utensils that they were using. "May we use one of the bedrooms for us" I smiled "no this entire quarters are yours including the bedrooms. Just let me know what you need changed to make your stay more comfortable. You are my first guests so please relax and just enjoy. Feel free to call for Vickey if you have questions"
They looked around then at one another then me, Lisa spoke up "this area you have given us is more than I have ever seen. Our planet is so crowded, this would be an apartment block on our home". I smiled at her "well it's yours while your here"
Vicky's turn "I scanned your ship and it has no engines, just thrusters and life support". Kim took this one "it's not a ship in the traditional sense, we get lifted into orbit in groups. We give birth and call for a pickup. My mate rented a prototype pod as a gimmick and poof we are here. Not that I'm complaining short of being scared for my life I'm comfortable here and I'm in no hurry to go home" Lisa nodded at that "out home isn't much bigger than one of the bedrooms" Lisa said with Kim nodding.
Vickey added "I can make milk for the babies" just as she finished the replicator started up. Kim smiled and went to get the tray as well as bring the other to the recycler.
She came back with bottles and looked at them weirdly. "I scanned the babies and the nipples will fit their mouths perfectly" she nodded at that and took 2 of the babies and expertly held 2 and fed them. Lisa did the same and I fumbled with my 2 but I managed watching them. They giggled at the lack of skills
"Do you have children?" Asked Lisa "I have a daughter and she is an adult now. Our kids are bigger and there is usually only one."
"How odd?" Lisa said as Vickie approached "Lisa your mate is healed and I will keep him asleep until you are there"
"thank you these two are done and they will sleep for a bit". I looked at her "I think you both should go down with the kids and Vickey to answer questions. Let him see his kids and adjust, I just hope he is not mad at me for the whole bonding thing."
Kim looked at me "as long as the kits are loved he will be ok with it, the holy man thing might take a bit. They will be out till we are back"
"Just introduce me as the kits rich uncle" I giggled and they joined me. "I promise they will have a good life".
Lisa smiled "I believe you I'm not sure why I just do" she flew at me faster than I could react wrapping her arms around my neck.
"You have saved me" she wept hysterically.
I wrapped my arms around her and held her and let her cry it out.
She was trying to say something but I couldn't make it out through the sobs. I started to rock her like a child till she calmed down. It was then I realized she passed out "I think she is out".
Kim giggled "it's not every day you get rescued by a god" I rolled my eyes. "She was to marry another she didn't love, you saved her from that." "please tell your mate that I'm not a god, I'm going to put this one on the bed".
Kim nodded and arranged the kits on the sofa. I walked into the bedroom careful not to disturb her and leaned over the bed with intentions of lowering her onto it. I was bent over at 90 degrees when I noticed her grip start to tighten.
"Please don't put me down yet, this is the best I've felt in a long time and I don't want it to end". I tried to look at her as I stood back up but she had her head tucked into my neck. "Turn your head so you can see" is all I said then took her on a tour of her new home while rocking and walking.
She asked over and over if I was sure and if this was real, every time I assured her it was. I joked and told her she has the pick of bedrooms "I chose what one I want" I smiled and gave her a cloth to wipe her eyes.
That's when Kim and Gar walked in and saw their daughter in my arms wiping tears away. I saw the look on Gar's face and Kim took him to see his kids on the sofa. Lisa jumped down and went to her father and hugged him.
They were talking as Vickey appeared "he took it well" I nodded at that then joined them on the sofa looking at the kits.
Gar turned to look at me "I don't know what to say but thank you for saving everything precious to me".
"Not to worry I was glad to help, I'm just glad I found your signal".
We were all sitting around talking when B came through the door with something in tow.
"I couldn't help myself sir, these things will be necessary with this many little ones". I walked over and looked at this egg shaped thing. It was when I touched it and it opened I realized what it was and smiled. I looked at B "where did you get the design". He started to laugh. The show The Mandelorian you know Star Wars. I saw it in your memory and thought it would be perfect. Think of it as a robonanny". I looked inside and saw something, well a bunch of somethings so I pulled one out. It was a little chair with a holder in front for feeding the babies. I looked at Kim "should work" I looked at B. "Thank you". He nodded and disappeared.
I walked over to the sofa and it followed me so Vickey jumped in "you're the only one with nanobots so I only recolonized you". Kim got another look on her face "nanobots?" She questioned "yes Brad has microscopic machines in his body to keep him healthy and safe. They are the ones translating for you, I can modify the more permanent ones as well, that's how I was able to help your mate".
They were all smiling and Kim spoke "are they in us?". Vicky shook her head "you don't have permanent ones just temporary so we could speak. The others have to be voluntary" she smiled. They all looked at one another and shared a look and a smile. Kim answered "we are in, what do we do". Vicky giggled "you just have to spend some time in the medbed" more smiles.
Lisa walked over and once again sat on my lap and layered her head on my chest. She whispered in my ear "would you ever say no to a hug like this". I looked into her eyes "from you, never" she laid her head down "this might sting a bit but it is necessary ok". I nodded not knowing what this was.
She leaned back and looked at her mom and dad. "Mother Father I have chosen". With that she came at me so fast she was a blur. She sank her teeth into my shoulder and drew blood. She sat back up wiping the blood from her lips, looked at her parents, said goodnight and stood walking to one of the bedrooms.
As soon as she disappeared I looked at Kim and Gar "what was that, is that going to be a regular thing?"
I looked at my shoulder and it was already healing, that little girl has some sharp chompers.
"I didn't think I would get to meet a god and get him as a son-in-law," said Gar. My eyes shot open and my eyebrows were on the top of my head
"WHAT". Kim started to giggle "in our culture it's the females that pursue and claim their future mates. You my dear sir have just been claimed by my daughter. I'm assuming it is not the same way here?" I shook my head "in my world the man courts the female for the most part".
She smiled "well you just got claimed, maybe not right away but she wishes for you to be mates".
"Brad" I heard over my shoulder. I looked over my shoulder at Lisa "I feel it in my life being that you are the one" with that she disappeared.
I looked at Kim and Gar "You're ok with this?" I asked. Gar giggled "I have the most powerful person I have heard of as a son-in-law, yea I'm ok with it". His eyes shot open
"Does this mean all of my babies will survive?" I looked at him "I don't know what you mean".
"Lisa is the only kit that survived out of 21. There are parasites on our world that prey on our offspring, do you have anything here like that".
I shook my head "not unless you brought it with you. Vicky scan that ship and let me know of anything living" she nodded "there is a blue slug like creature under the floorboards".
"That's it" Kim yelled. "Do you have any attachment to that ship?". They both shook their heads confirming no. "Vickey scan every square millimeter of this ship and get rid of that pod. Launch it into the sun if you have to" Another nod then she looked away. A video of the ship containing it taking off at high speed then she looked at me "I detect nothing on this ship sir". What are you going to do with it" she smiled." Launch it into the sun. I'm scanning the creature and gathering data before I do". I looked at Gar and Kim. "There is nothing here that will harm them like that. I promise to keep them safe"
They both broke down crying. Kim looked at me "a brood of 6 hasn't survived in 1000 years" her eyes got wide and she sat up and started to laugh. Gar and I both looked at her strangely. "According to my now defunct religion you have 12 kids" she said between giggles. Time for my eyes to go wide and I became interested in the babies.
One by one 6 little beings discovered their voice and told us that feeding should commence. We got the new feeding chairs and bottles and they were a hit right off the bat, I grabbed two and within seconds there were sucking noises.
"If you decide to have your children have nanobots the replicator will tailor the milk for them". That got smiles from both parents. I was shocked to hear the babies start to babble when they are done. I looked at Kim "our young don't do that for months" she smiled "they will be self sufficient in a week or so. They learn quickly to stay alive".
"That's amazing" was my only reply.
Lisa reappeared and came to sit, she looked at me and blushed "I hope mom explained things like I hoped". I just smiled and nodded as one of the kits twisted herself till she fell on the floor. We all looked as she tried to crawl immediately.
Kim looked at me "Brad, Gar sit on the floor on either side of them". I did what I was told and looked at Gar "we will find out about the imprinting" he said and I nodded. We watched over the next few minutes as each kit got out of the chair and picked a direction.
5 came to me and one went to dad. I looked at him "I'm so sorry" he held up his hand "just promise to protect them and I'm good ok". I smiled and nodded "I promise to protect them with the same drive to protect my own children" I said in a stern voice getting smiles in return.
With all 5 of them crawling on me when Lisa came to me, picked up the little ones and sat in my lap. "I'm sorry if I hurt you" she looked for the bite mark seeing none I got a weird look "I don't see a mark"
The second she spoke the kits stopped and looked at her. "That was a bit creepy" I giggled and Lisa joined. "We have amazing hearing, they could probably hear me in the womb".
Vickey walked up to me "Brad could I talk to you for a few min" I smiled and excused myself and closed my eyes. Vicky and the triplets were there "what's up".
"You're not freaking out about this holy man thing"
"Most religions have so many different stories just because I match a few criteria I'm not going to freak out". She got a stern look on her face
"You're not seeing the big picture. If her religion is to believed there was a person like you there. You and them have the same markers that put them from this galaxy so it should have been me who interacted with that planet."
"Oh crap I didn't look at it like that. Well that isn't a mystery we can solve now but keep track of the similarities and we can readdress it later. B thank you again for the baby stuff I think mom wasn't prepared for all 6 to be underfoot" I giggled "Vickey I think you will have to resize a few things for them" realizing the kitchen table was way too high for them and the countertop needed to be lowered as well. "Did you get anything from their ship? You actually threw it into the sun didn't you". She grinned "yup it was the safest way" I laughed "I suppose so"
"I didn't get anything from the ship" I nodded at that "ok if there is nothing else I will get back to it".
I opened my eyes and looked at Lisa "there now where were we" she looked at me "all you did is say excuse me and blinked". I smiled "when I talk to the others it's at the speed of thought so I was In there for 15 minutes" she looked at me like I was nuts then shrugged.
I looked at the kits and they were perfectly formed little cat people. I examined one of their hands taking care as it was so tiny. Perfectly little digits gripped my finger and the owner looked at me pulling a smile from me.
I saw a flash of a claw that I didn't notice on the adults. Lisa saw what I was looking at and smiled as she raised her hand. Out of little dimples on the tips of her fingers she produced her claws.
They were metal and shiny "in the womb our species seeks out the strongest material to build our claws. Once that takes they will build them out of that material for the rest of your life. Mom took pills containing the metal during pregnancy and it took. I had to take more as I aged now I only need them if I lose a nail. Mom took the same for the kits."
"Vicky make sure it's added" she nodded. That's when I realized something "where is the male, I can't tell them apart" Gar smiled and held up his kit "you get all the females and I get the male"
"I can live with this but you get them at the first sign of boys" he started to laugh and he looked at his daughter who blushed.
"They will come to you for support and help during trying times" he smiled "I know they will get it". I nodded at that "I promise to be there"
With that worked out I asked anyone who would answer "where do they sleep". Kim looked at me and replied "they usually sleep in a box beside the bed".
"Vickey could you make a bassinet for beside the main bed please"
"I will use the replicator in the cargo bay, it should be done in a few min". I got up and got a coffee offering to get anyone something. Lisa came over and looked at the screen.
"Vickey is it all safe for me to eat" she nodded and Lisa looked at me "I want something to drink" I smiled "let's try something simple" I got her an iced tea. She tried it through the straw swirling it around her mouth producing a smile.
She got 3 of them and went back to the sofa with mom and dad. Just as she sat the door opened and in came a beautiful bassinet for my new nieces and nephew.
"This will be better than a box". Kim started to tear up "royalty on my planet have things like this" I smiled. "You will have to get used to it I guess" I laughed and she joined in. We moved all the babies to the bassinet as they fell asleep. They would fuss and roll around till they found another to cuddle with. I stood there staring at them squirming to find a comfortable position, some of which looked uncomfortable to me.
I looked at the new family I just acquired "is there anything else you need" Lisa looked at me "you mean there's more". I laughed "I mean before I bid you a good evening and go to bed". She looked at me and laughed "I know my love I'm just teasing".
My love, I think I'm screwed. I bid them a good night and went to my quarters, I wanted a shower. I stripped and let the body jets beat on me for about 20 min before crawling into bed. I laid my head on the pillow and I was out.