Torlak rose from his bed, his wife sleeping soundly beside him under a wealth of covers. He moved in a way so as not to wake her. Aleska's clothing was scant and only the cover of sheets covered her regions.

Tor left his room and peered into the rooms of his daughter and son, Alesa and Torlin, respectively. Alesa's room was neat compared to her brother's with few and scant items of discarded clothing upon a chair. Torlin's, on the other hand, was a mess with toys and clothing alike strewn about.

Torlak retreated into the kitchen and began prepping food for his family when he received a call from none other than War Chief Councilman Kallim.

“Torlak,” he started, “How has the time with the family been?”

“It's been delightful,” Torlak replied, “But I sense more to your call.”

Kallim's expression grew dark, “Right you are. We have lost contact with the advanced fleet in Verbus and now recently, the Trill Fleet. I'm ordering a secondary fleet to assess the combat forces, and I wish for you to lead them.”

Torlak's heart sank at the news, “Are you sure it's wise to send a general for a scouting fleet? I find my presence here with the defense much more…crucial. We will need all our ships in the defense of Sella.”

I couldn't agree more,” he stated, “But you have fought them before and survived. Surely, you must have an insight into their tactics.”

Tor thought to himself. Kallim was right, he had fought them before, but they were caught off guard and outgunned, severely outgunned, by what he could recall.

“While that may be true, I still don't know much about their tactics, from what I've seen, they have preferred to get beside our ships and blast them into space dust!”

“That's why your knowledge is invaluable with what you have told us before. We hope you can enlighten us about the scout brigade we are forming.”

“Scout Brigade?” Torlak was confused. This was the first he had heard of them.

“That's right. We're pulling straight from the research department with a series of ships designed not to be seen and that could deliver a devastating blow to the enemy!”

He was even more confused but resigned to his superior.

“Of course, Chief Councilman. When shall I depart?”

“Tomorrow,” Torlak bowed, and the call was cut. As he took a moment to digest the information, he was interrupted, by his eldest, Alesa.

“Are you going away again?” she asked, hiding half her body behind the door frame.

Torlak moved closer and held her in his arms, “Just a little while. I have important work to do.”

He held her tighter, trying to reassure her, but knew that his constant absence was detrimental to his children's upbringing. So, whenever he was home, he vowed to be active in their lives.

By this time, his wife awoke, and following was the young Torlin. She wore baggy sleepwear while his son wore nothing but undergarments and a stuffed animal that he dragged behind him, his eyes still trying to get used to the day's light.

“Arr yuo leaving agwain?”

“That's right son, duty calls,” he replied, placing a hand atop his son's head, “Not until tomorrow, at least. Why don't we spend the day together!”

His children rejoiced and ran to their rooms to get ready. Of course, Aleska and Torlak spent the time it took them to get ready to cook breakfast. It was a mix of pan-fried flour designed in circles with a buttery flavor and sides of meat and poultry.

The aroma was delectable as it wafted throughout the house. It prompted a response from the children as they hurried down from the second story and to their seats around the table.

They ate, happily, as they hurried to begin the day with their father. Torlak and Aleska had planned several weeks in advance activities to do with their children when their father was home. In the months following his time off, they had gone out in the wilderness, exploring rivers and hiking trails in the mountains that overlooked Artray.

They had even gone to play in the snow, however, Torlak had found snow activities dull. They only consisted of throwing snow or sliding down on wooden sleds made by a nearby carpenter. As far as he was aware, that was all there was to snow for the Sellians. So, whenever snow was brought up, he was reluctant to partake but did so for his children. However, this time around, they had something new in mind; it was an amusement park.

He and his wife kept it a secret until they arrived. They took the only tram rail from the town into the capital city of Artray and took a connecting line northbound. The trip in total was about two hours, but when they had arrived, the children grew ecstatic upon the reveal of the rail passed through a long tunnel and the bright light of late morning illuminated the scene. Alesa was the first to shout in excitement.

“Biri Biri Amusement!?” She said with renewed vigor. Torlin replied in the same manner as Biri Biri was famous among the younger generation.

Tor knew of it and even did some research, as was suggested by Aleska. The general theme for it revolved around spaceships of the Sellian fleet. Many of the simulations took the shape of certain fighter ships or transports that go through a harrowing series of events that take the riders through staged combat or evasions of a great space beast.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The technology was top-notch and even Torlak was impressed. Granted, it wasn't like flying a tried and true fighter, but for the civilians, it was enough.

The rail came to a halt and the ten-car rail evicted most of its passengers as they all lined up to the front gates. Torlak and his wife led their children to a gate for prepaid tickets and compared to the rest of the lines, it seemed not many had taken the time to pre-order and the normal lines quickly filled. It was about an hour after they had opened, but the lines still continued to accrue.

Finally, Tor and his family had made it into the gates, and the scene before him was surreal. It felt like he had truly entered another world all on its own. Like a micro-society within a much larger body but separated all the same.

The architecture, the overall design, and the music that played throughout the park were their own. That was its charm and added to the majesty of the amusement park.

Alesa was the first to take the lead and first led them to a simulator of a smuggler's shuttle trying to escape the asteroid home of a great worm with twists and turns. It had only lasted roughly ninety seconds but the joy on Torlin's and Alesa's faces was priceless.

“Taht was fuhn!!” his youngest replied, gripping the hand of his sister, and she replied in kind.

“So much fun! Let's go on more!”

Torlin replied with child-like vigor and the two set off, both Torlak and Aleska trailing behind.

They had spent the rest of the day getting on simulation rides, each a different scenario, as well as some names found around the main pedestrian courtyards. The games were designed with a specific ruleset and a series of prizes based on your final result.

Alesa had set her eyes on a prize of a character from her favorite show. It was brightly colored and designed to pique the interest of children and the game it was the prize for was a ring tossing game. Each participant was given five rings to toss and the amount they made onto the tops of the bottles determined her prize. The prize she had set her eyes upon just so happened to require all five rings to make the toss.

Torlak paid the fare for entry for the game and she was given five rings. She tossed the first two, having met their mark, but as she tossed the third one, she missed and the dramatic ting of the ring against the glass bottles shattered her spirit. She begs for a try once more but failed, this time on the second toss. She had tried to beg her father for another try, but he denied her. She tried to plead until Aleska brought herself forth and paid the host.

Torlin looked in awe and Alesa stopped her tears to witness if her mother would surpass her where she had failed.

The first ring had made its way onto a bottle and cries of joy came from her children, more so from her daughter. The second landed with a dull plunk as it settled around the bottleneck and the third danced nervously before settling. The fourth had struck fear in Alesa's eyes as it danced from the initial bottle but miraculously landed on the bottle beside it. Cheers from a growing crowd rumbled the stand, and now they awaited the final toss. Even now, they could get away with a decent prize, but now Aleska was set to win her daughter the large character she desperately yearned for.

As she prepared a practiced motion, she let go of the ring, and it made a calculated arc in the air as it found its mark in the middle of her previous rings. The crowd watched eagerly as it bounced, not once, not twice, but three times from two other bottles before it made its way onto a golden bottle in the center. A cheerful-toned alarm sounded as did the crowd, and she was handed not one, but two large stuffed characters. The other was a more masculine character that Torlin happened to be fond of.

They were ecstatic at the skill and luck their mother possessed at the game and showered her in praise and hugs.

“Mom! That was so cool! Thankyouthankyouthankyouuuu!!” Alesa professed, hugging her tighter, followed by little Torlin.

“Muhmmy! So cuul!”

She returned their praises with kisses and hugs of her own.

They continued with their day of activities, now with several items in tow. The children went on more rides that delivered the same sensation as before until night had fallen. By now, Torlak was carrying most of the larger items while the rest were carrying backpacks full of small gifts and treats.

Torlin and Alesa had fallen asleep on the rail, and they sat in between Tor and Aleska, who acted as barriers as they slept.

Torlak then turned to his wife, “I didn't know you were that good at amusement shack games.”

She shrugged in a nonchalant fashion, “It's all in the wrist, my love.”

He chuckled at her response, “I'll take note,” as his tone began to shift, “I'm sorry I'm being called so soon, but you know I cannot refuse.”

She nodded, “I know… the War Council has taken hold over my husband and I wish it wasn’t so. But I know duty to our people comes first.”

“No,” he shook his head, “You three are my priority. I do what I do for not only the people but for you. I have done things I am not proud of, and even I must admit, I do not agree with the actions the council has taken nor of what I have ordered…”

She placed her hand on his as it rested on the seat behind his children.

“If you regret what you have done, then see to it that it can be corrected. I do not wish for you to be taken by regret that plagues you.”

He agreed with her silent pleas for him to find a way to remove a lingering feeling he had developed since the invasion of the Dema system. It had continued to eat at him, but he did so under the guise of serving the people of Sellia. However, he knew he could not reverse the decisions made then.

The rail continued and when they reached the connecting terminal, the drowsy children of theirs trudged their way to a new seat and went back to sleep. Perhaps it was a moment of weakness, but Torlak felt nothing but love for them.

As the rail entered their home district, and they departed, Aleska carried Torlin and Alesa walked haphazardly beside her mother until they made it to their home. They put them to sleep and left their gifts in their respective rooms when Tor and Aleska retired to the living room. They sat in silence before Aleska spoke.

“How long do you think you’ll be this time?” she asked.

“I don't know, but I pray not too long. I hope this war can conclude soon. For all of us.”

Aleska moved closer to her husband and caressed him in a soothing manner. It was jarring for Torlak but wholly a welcome move.

“I was thinking,” she started, “Would it be terrible to have a third?”

At the mention of a third, his breathing grew ragged and quick. Without missing a beat, he delivered a kiss, and their actions grew increasingly erotic and lustful. Torlak carried his wife up their stairs and closed the door behind them, locking it, the sounds of hushed love filling their room.