ISSUE 2: BEST SERVED COLD!

There must be a reason why J’ino’s daughter spawn has demi powers. I believe the sire is human. Grown in an artificial womb perhaps? X’mil didn’t offer much in the way of intel. He was far too incompetent but I was still able to use him to distract Ayeer. Her daughter has no twin brother. There was never any data recorded of it. Both in the main archives and various backups even here upon the surface of Typha. J’ino was always a hopeless romantic. She wouldn’t form a harem. Not like most of us. She believes in monogamy. A rather limited Commons artifact. –E’ratha

Valkyrie has taken a shine to Dexter and Ms. Valcourt. I will continue to guard Jonas and his mate. My instincts tell me that the crew of the Jupiter Rising will have to hit the enemy from multiple sides.—Sparta, Omega Defender

Can’t say I was too shocked. Not in the way my parents thought I’d be. I had seen enough cultures outside of Earth to prepare myself with other kinds of marriage or union customs. No, what got me was the wide gulf between what was considered proper for a decent chunk of Houses vs a majority of Commons. Typha’s good reputation was because of the rugged individuals from the Commons. Each of them had clan ties but never took a surname. That was the mark of a House to them. So they would greet each other via ship name or sector designation. The exception was, ironically enough, when they took a Litari or Human mate by choice. But that’s another thread for another day.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century.

Murphy Household

Camp Osiris (New Ashbury)

July 12th, 2104

J’ino hugged Ith’aria as they transported the last of their family trinkets to the Jupiter Rising. The elder Odessen would be safer here. Abraham Murphy promised. The Golden Bulleteer always kept his word too. Elanore Murphy handed out mugs of coffee. “It's going to be strange.” Ith’aria sat heavily into the rocking chair in the corner of the living room.

“Yes. I had gotten used to the hum of the Jupiter. It helped that Eliza is so welcoming.”

J’ino drank in the atmosphere of the house. What she would be heading back into would be as much of a shock as it would be to Eliza. Mostly because she didn’t see herself as a House member anymore. Earth had given her more in the way of personal freedom than Typha ever did. Eliza would change that. So would Dexter but the important first step would have to come via her daughter. Since House women dominated the political and social spheres.

White Lily’s vines shot out as Eliza entered.

*****

The scent of flowers hit my senses as vines encircled my waist. Pulling me into a bearhug to end all embraces. “Gran-Gran. I’ll be back. Besides I can technically fly faster than my ship. Just yell. I’ll be back in a flash!”

My grandmother tsk’ed me. Waving a finger in front of my face. “I know that! But be careful!” Zach cartwheeled into me. He was staying on Earth with the triplets. I told him, “Watch the homefront!” He gave this serious consideration. I added, “Big brothers are essential you know.” He perked up at this.

His reply, “You got it, sis. Put the egg on all their faces!”

Mom kissed him on the forehead while dad placed one of his Army caps on his head.

“Look after your sister!”

Gwen raced down the stairs. Shouting, “The honey will encase the white tree!”

Tobin and Jace hugged dad’s legs for a moment, both exclaiming, “The wild man is coming for the Wolf!” We all shared looks. This would be studied. Since they all had various levels of Light Shaman and Weave Speaker in them. I knelt, holding out a hand to all 3 of them, “Remember that frequency? The one White told you about?” They nodded. “If you have anything you want to share, no matter what, use that line. I'll relay it to mom and dad ok?” Gwen’s face scrunched up. “The Gray walks with the face of…friend and foe. At the same time.” I picked her up, “From the Houses?” She buried her head in my shoulder. Crying.

Another thread to separate.

Grandpa Murphy came in with some hamburgers. “Let’s eat before you shove off.”

Gwen didn’t let go of my hand throughout the whole thing. She was putting up a brave front but was genuinely concerned. I leaned over, “No matter what time it is, send messages. Trust your gut!” She sniffed. I ruffled her hair. To think I had Anna to thank for preventing another Weave impression mishandling. I had already ordered the Holo Host’s favorite drinks to be delivered to the Jupiter Rising. It was the least I could do. Teddy would pop one open after her baby was due. It slipped my mind ever so often. Doc would tell me stories of the Tower/Box days. But held back during more pensive moments about her power growth.

I focused on enjoying this meal. It would be a while before things would be this calm again. Snoopy joined us with the rest of the extended Bardaxian squad. Sparta and Valkyrie taking time to sample the finest steaks that Texas could produce. Their Dire Wolf ears twitched as Dexter entered with Mary Valcourt. I hid a grin behind my napkin. Unlike my brother, I didn’t offer much commentary on his dating life. Mostly because Valcourt was much shyer in that department and for another, she was still recovering from her Void Walker capture.

Valkyrie’s golden orbs gleamed with excitement as Mary hand-fed the female dire wolf pieces of the steak. Both of them very lady-like in their actions. I’d call it dainty. Sparta's face dived into the bowl offered. Munching energetically. Snoopy followed suit. Doc poked her head out from the kitchen to see what got me bellowing.

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Her eyes warming.

She had helped make the mashed potatoes among other things.

Argax City

House Main Hall

A’tan Odessen allowed the bright double suns of Typha to warm his back. The bright purple skyline shifted with the busy hustle and bustle of starships, hab rings, and Typha’s main H’ysen sphere. Codenamed Bright Wave. What the humans called Dyson Spheres. Some preferred automated benches but he didn’t mind the old creaking of wood. The Hall before him was a shining tan and white pillar of “progress.” He snorted at that. Nowadays he had more in common with the Commons than those within who claimed to be leaders. It would be a delight to see his daughter again. Being a sector military leader meant longer pickets from home.

A shadow fell across his sight as a page handed him a letter. It's archaic paper crunching. The words on its envelope just stating his name and a time. The page bowed and retreated. He pocketed the letter. The date listed not yet upon him. He had gotten a handful of these over the years and they always surprised him. Leading him to interesting avenues that paid off when he least suspected. House maneuvering aside, the writing was always from the same person or individuals from a sect called C’alain’s Memory, a notable figure within Typha’s history. The last true Speaker and Shaman of old. He would not dismiss these elements. Not during the Age of Convergence. It's why he pushed his daughter so hard to take those military advancements. The letters said it would help save his people.

As he entered the main hall, Q’tarin of House Ithar hurried to block him, his eyes wide with fright. >>They just summoned J’ino’s daughter back to the homeworld.<< That explained the harried expression on Q’tarin’s features. Like he had swallowed a horde of rotted Ummatosh bird meat all at once. Not because they hated J’ino or the Ayeers in general but it meant that the House Civil war would commence. They had no idea what V’alkor was thinking but by not announcing the paternal line to the House Authority those within the upper echelons would scream bloody murder at whatever actions this daughter of J’ino’s would enact.

Many of them saw this daughter as an interloper. A bastard at best. But because she had demi abilities unknown to Typha the ruse would play out. A’tan and Q’tarin hastily moved as a House Cyphuskara female rushed past them. Her mind voice dismissive.

>>Vacate or I will have the guards remove you.<<

They exited.

The force fields rising into a locked position as the main hall was denied to them.

“Women,” A’tan muttered audibly. To the shock of his companion.

Odessen smiled. A sardonic smirk formed, “Certain House women specifically. The rest? Quite agreeable!” In his younger days, he had served within Typha’s military. Next to the Commons. He was glad that most knew Typha through them. He only hoped J’ino had a plan. They walked the paths of the courtyards and manicured lawns, flowerbeds, and still, the outdoors didn’t clear the rot from his nose. Typhas insulated House women would need a swift kick to the rear. Three blue Ummatosh birds waddled up next to him. Hoping for a quick meal. He patted their feathered heads. They were each nearly to his waist.

“Hello, boys. Find any good mates lately?”

He scratched the lead bird’s brown beak. Curved with a slight hook on the end. A rather old fellow by the looks of the faint black rings around the avian neck. A’tan missed his wife tremendously. He had taken a vow to stay true to the end. Much like a Commons Typherian would. It was why there was a higher rate of bonding pairs within that community. Some House members practiced this as well. But it was frowned upon because of the Genetic Responsibility.

Q’tarin peered into the placid waters of the lake. >>At least you have some offers. They see my House as a relic!<< Ithar was known for its role as keepers of History, Religion, Rites, and other types of record keeping. He knew from direct experience a majority of House females renounced any religious denominations or beliefs. Preferring to take a more direct approach. Ithar threw a set of pebbles into the waters. Enjoying the ripple effect.

The younger man was only half-joking. He wanted to find someone but not from the slim pickings here. For most Housemen, those within the first rung or Primary House branches got the wider playing fields. A double edged reward. It was rare to find a J’ino or Y’lansa among prospective mates. He pondered why Odessen’s daughter hadn’t Bonded with anyone.

A’tan responded with, >>Yet! She is still vigorous by our prolong standards!<<

Q’tarin could tell that Odessen was worried though. So much road upon those shoulders of hers. They stiffened as saluted with their hands upon their chest as a regiment of Kings Own passed by. Their battlesuits were pristine. Security was tightening around all House sectors across the planet. They continued after the force of rugged Typherian men passed. Wondering what the next few days would bring.

Argax City

Outer Shell District

The Page returned to the Lettering Center. Collected his pay. Never deviating from his course. He didn’t care about the contents. Only getting the job done. Houses and higher social tier people didn’t care about him. Why would they? He was just a “mute.” He was a Typherian born without the ability to mind speak. Most Commons could at least form telepathic signals with their direct family. While House Bloodlines could compel mere mortals to their whims. It’s why he kept his head down. Earning enough to keep food on the table for his refuge. As he entered the lower wards of the city he was greeted by the others. Kids abandoned by failed House pairings. Mostly from Cyphuskara castoffs.

They had no names. No ceremony but were a clan nonetheless.

He opened his bags, passing out sweets and other rarities to people like themselves.

His sister sprang forward. Hugging him, “Thank you, brother!”

He was their protector. He swung the little ones about. Trying to be what he would have wanted from a father. He dreamed of what such a life would be. Constantly looking at pictures of Earth. A place where being mute was the norm. It’s not like this was the slums but it wasn’t made for him. Every convenience here was manufactured to serve the Houses. At least in this city. He pitied V’alkor Ayeer. An empty crown on a guided rotted throne.

Page was ever so right yet wrong at the same time.

Convergence was approaching.

The Twin Suns would encompass all.

T.A.S I’tah (Capital Ship of Utasa Sector)

In Route to Typha

July 15th, 2104

Y’lansa sighed. Resting her head on Ta’len’s expansive chest.

The Jupiter Rising resting safely within the internal docking ring within her flagship.

She laughed as his blond whiskers ticked the top of her head. He had a fabulous mustache. Reminiscent of Typherian knights of old. His green eyes were nearly as dark as Lorain’s. He had even gotten a proper tan while visiting Earth. Even if no one knew his name. She had to thank President Marshall later. He had cut some red tape so Ta’len could gallivant around properly without raising House Ire. It's not like they gave Humanity the time of day either.

“So what can this mute manservant do for your today dear lady?”

She knew he was joking but still detested the fact that he was seen as unworthy of her love or Pairing. They were tied even if he couldn’t mind-to-mind link. Eliza had proven it was more than possible. Even preferable. She couldn’t wait to see the expressions etched on those highly strung faces. When she had first met him he had no name. Just Engineer. Working in the bowls of an old trading vessel. But to a then Lt. Odessen he was a charming yet rough jewel. With very nice borders. Dreamy beefy arms from years of hard toil.

Ta’len could tell where Y’lansa’s mind was even without prompting.

“Well now! I better give you a good workout. Gotta make sure you are up to code.”

She let out a yelp as he took her from the bed to the refresher. With its Earth-based useless water system.

Delightful!