Helen watched Mo’Emori bounce in her seat excitedly as they sat aboard the mid-sized Eskarii starship. The girl’s elation helped distract Helen from her nerves over the two-and-a-half-day travel, as the prospect of meeting the matriarch ruler of the entire Eskarii species as well as serving as a representative of all humanity slowly ate away at her resolve.
Helen had always been rather centered when it came to politics as well as the benefit of all who lived within the Terran territories however, she had been uncertain as to why Solomon asked her to be the liaison of the Inquisition, and by extension, the CoU. Granted, Mo’Emori’s tantrum seemed to give favor to Solomon’s request with ambassador Gra’taul, as well as Torvil’s manic threats yet, she did not feel qualified to be that person to represent all of humanity's positive qualities and well being.
To keep Mo’Emori from babbling endlessly in her excitement, Helen requested that she helped her brush up on her knowledge of the Eskarii language, which had been distracting enough for the most part. That also served to help strengthen Helen’s resolve as intermediary should there be a switch in dialect despite her adoptive daughter having been adamant that the queen spoke perfect Terran.
Her gaze shifted from the ecstatic teal haired Eskarii that stared out the view port of their lounge, towards Torvil, whose teeth had to have been ground to dust at that point. She frowned as she watched him tenderly run his fingertips through Jen’s hair as she slept, her head in his lap.
It was as if she were witnessing two opposite beings clash within one body.
“Torvil… what’s on your mind?” Helen asked pointedly, her motherly concern extending to him as an adoptive son, though he rejected the concept as a whole.
“Nothing…” he gruffed out as his jaw tightened.
Mo’Emori over heard their interaction and turned to her brother, “Brother, there is no need to be so rude to mom. You’re angrier than usual, so what’s going on?” she asked in their native tongue.
Torvil’s eyes narrowed on his sister, his lip twitching defensively at her accusation.
“It is nothing, now stop asking questions,” he bit out aggressively.
“Hey, don’t be like that,” Jen stated loud enough for all to hear, her head turning to look up at him.
Torvil inhaled sharply as he looked at Jen while she sat up, stretching like a cat before turning to the other two women in the lounge.
Jen sighed as she side eyed Torvil who stared at her with wide nervous eyes before she waved her hand back and forth in annoyance, “He’s being an uptight dick because, I’m pregnant.”
Helen looked in shock as Mo’Emori’s eyes went wide, looking between Jen and Torvil repeatedly, the little hamster in her brain running full speed as she connected the meaning of Jen’s words.
“I’m going to be…an auntie?” Mo’Emori forced out, her question rhetorical, as her eyes teared up.
Jen gave her a sheepish grin as she nodded, her own eyes glistening as the realization caught up with her.
“But…when? “ Helen blurted as her eyebrows furrowed. Helen knew that Jen had always been on birth control ever since they first met so many years ago.
Torvil was white as a ghost while the group absorbed the information, his usual stoic features replaced with blatant panic.
Jen shrugged at the question, “With how far along I am, sometime during our trip to the Void Star. Their doctors confirmed it when we had our physicals… guess that's what happens when you're on a ship with nothing to do,” Jen mused with a chuckle, her laughter unable to hide her own concern.
Mo’Emori squealed girlishly as she sped across the lounge and with surprising care, threw her arms around Jen with joyous delight.
“Mem will be so happy! I'm so happy!” she exclaimed.
Torvil winced in contrary displeasure as Jen chuckled again, hugging her pseudo-niece. Helen let out a haggard breath realizing everyone else seemed to be as emotionally troubled as she felt.
Before anyone could comment further on the development, Gra’taul entered the lounge. The hydraulic hiss of the door announced his arrival as his heels clicked on the smooth floor, carrying himself in his usual snide fashion before grunting distastefully at the interaction between Jen and Mo’Emori.
“We will be landing momentarily… prepare yourselves,” he stated sharply before turning on his heels and leaving them to their devices.
Mo’Emori’s attention split from Jen in excitement as she hopped on her feet and sang to herself in happiness.
Helen smiled at the girl before eyeing Jen, giving her a genuinely compassionate smile.
Jen got up and shifted over to her long standing friend and let out a heavy sigh, “I feel like one of those girls who are about to get reamed out by a boy’s parents for getting knocked up by him.”
Helen snickered at that, “I’m not sure about getting yelled at but I suppose this is sort of like that,” she said with mild amusement before grabbing Jen’s hand in support.
Jen looked at her, her eyes still glistening with tears yet to fall, “I… I have no idea what I'm going to do Helen… I'm not mother material,” she whispered harshly as she fought back tears. Torvil watched both women intently however, made no comment or notion about anything they said as he looked just as worried if not more.
Helen squeezed her hand, “Sure you are, you've been helping raise Mori since she was three, and you've been a good aunt to this one here,” she motioned to the dancing teal haired Eskarii who had been oblivious to the world around her.
“Besides, I'll be right by your side too hun. You'll be a great mother,” Helen added sweetly.
Jen leaned against Helen, her head laying against her shoulder as she watched Mo’Emori bounce back to the window. A gentle smile touched her lips as she sniffled as Mo’Emori turned to everyone, “There it is! It’s been so long since I’ve been home!” she cheered and cried in the same breath.
“Helen is right…” Torvil’s voice breaking attention as everyone looked to him. His amber irises reflecting the light that shone through the view port as a knowing smirk creeped across his face.
“If anyone were to be capable, it is you, fy cy’mar,” he said in an earnest tone. Jen and Helen both smiled at his show of support and adoration of the woman he bonded with, whereas Mo’Emori cooed, blindsiding her brother in an impassioned tackle that left him sputtering.
Mo'Emori’s childish antics were always good for diffusing a situation, generally at the expense of her brother. Helen and Jen both laughed as they felt the starship land.
Mo’Emori jumped off her brother in glee as she raced over to Helen, taking her by the hand as she tried to force her adoptive mother to stand.
Torvil groaned as he sat up looking at Jen, “Let us hope it is a boy… as you can see, Eskarii girls are a handful.” He gestured to his sister who turned to him and stuck her tongue out at him before going back to yanking on Helen’s arm.
“Come on Mem! You have to meet my Mem-eni!” she exclaimed.
Helen chuckled as she let the young woman pull her up, “I know sweetie, no need to pull my arm off,” she teased, knowing full well that if Mo’Emori really wanted her to get up at her pace, she could have easily made her.
She blushed and grinned her adoptive mother a 1000 watt smile as she giggled, leading Helen out of the lounge and around the corner.
Torvil held out his hand to Jen, who accepted his hand and locked her fingers with his as they followed after the energetic Eskarii. “Should I be worried?” Jen asked nervous.
Torvil smirked as he brushed his temple against the top of her head, “No… except perhaps my other chwaede if they are around. They can be as emotional like Mo’Emori.”
Helen and Mo’Emori stepped down the ramp only for Helen to become blinded by the bright sun in the sky and cream colored desert sand that magnified the light.
“I thought the Eskarii home world was a jungle?” Helen asked aloud in confusion, shielding her eyes until they adjusted to the brightness.
Mo’Emori giggled as she sprinted across the sand and dirt, “No that's Gelia, this is Escostia! The true Eskarii home world!”
Mo’Emori danced underneath the blazing sun as if had been the most blissful thing she ever felt, the bright colors of her floral sundress becoming more vibrant as she twirled and basked in the light.
Helen huffed as she gauged the temperature to be over 115 degrees, sweat forming along the edge of her hairline, “Sweetie, where are we going? Jen and I can't be in this kind of heat for very long without water…”
Mo’Emori pointed at a mound of sand and dirt, “Over there! Come! It's like 12minutes!” she exclaimed before dashing off in that direction.
“Holy hell, why is it so fucking hot!?” Jen exclaimed as she stepped off the climate controlled starship.
“My sentiments exactly, Torvil, please tell us where we are going is temp controlled?” Helen inquired, forcing herself to appear unfazed.
Torvil chuckled at her question, “Yes, the city is quite cool in comparison to the surface.”
Both women sighed in relief before walking off in the direction Mo’Emori dashed off to.
◇◇◇
Lord Amaranthe sipped his glass of high-end vodka as he browsed through a multitude of reports the Intelligence Division had sorted for him. Most of them contained unexciting information which led to him sighing out of boredom.
“My Lord? Director Herman is here to see you… he says he has mission critical intel,” his secretary spoke through the intercom built into his desk.
He quirked an eyebrow, his interest fully piqued as he leaned forward, pushing the return call button. “Send him in,” he stated.
“Now why would the director come all the way here? He had better have a good explanation,” he thought to himself as he waited.
Within a few minutes, a knock came to the door of his office before Director Herman stepped through the door without waiting.
Amaranthe’s face twisted in anger at the feeble older man’s audacity, “What do you think you are doing?”
Herman froze mid-step for the slightest of moments before resuming his journey across the expansive room. “I’m very sorry Lord Amaranthe however, I think you will agree that this is more pressing than mere etiquette,” Herman stated with faux confidence as he presented a data-slate to him.
Amaranthe quirked an eyebrow at the device before taking it in his hands, his eyes lighting up at the frozen video on the screen. His face split into a grin as his finger touched the play icon.
“I am Inquisitor Clarke of the Inquisition, here to investigate reports of rioting within the Mars facilities. If you do not stand down, your engines will be disabled and you will be boarded by force!” Morrigan’s voice played over the video of the teenage girl, now having broken into adulthood.
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“Ah, my little Rose, I’ve been looking for you…” Amaranthe mused to himself before scrutinizing her image.
She looked different to him, more mature. Not the same innocent girl he spent hours torturing in the delicate dance they shared. Her fresh, feeble yet insurmountably resilient frame at his mercy as he carved and beat into her body.
He frowned as the memories still fresh in his mind did not match the visage of who he saw now. He found it disgusting, as if it sullied each cry of pain she howled into his ears that day.
He shifted his gaze to the old man standing in front of his desk, “So, the Inquisition huh? How cute… a little witch pretending to be all grown up…do we know of their location?”
Herman licked his lips nervously before shaking his head, “Not exactly sir…”
Amaranthe tilted his head, giving the man a predatory look before huffing indignantly.
“Then what do you know?” he demanded.
Herman shifted awkwardly before pushing his glasses up his nose, “Well we know they have to operate somewhere between Federation and the Eskarii territories, if I had to guess… somewhere between Cardassia Prime and Betazed… maybe even closer towards the Bajor system however, that is a large area to comb through.”
Amaranthe hummed in agreement before tapping his fingers on his desk, casually tossing the data-slate onto the solid wood top with a thump.
“Take… three carriers, outfit them with probes as well as some scout ships. Triangulate between all three systems and once you find them, I want a 50-ship fleet on the move towards their home world or station they operate out of,” Amaranthe ordered.
Herman furrowed his brows, “Are you sure sir? That is a massive fleet…”
“Do not question me! Do as I say and while you’re at it, unleash the rest of our ships upon the galaxy. Keep a contingent to guard the Sol system but I want our ships to begin their hunt!” Amaranthe snapped, before giving the old man a sinister grin.
“You are dismissed, I suppose given that you brought me such good news I will forgive your impetuousness. In fact, take a week off, enjoy yourself, just send my orders before you do,” Amaranthe stated with active boredom.
Herman furrowed his brows but gave a slight bow, “It shall be done, Lord Commander.”
With a grin and a flick of his wrist, Amaranthe sent the old man away and picked up the data-slate once more to stare at the frozen image of his prey; the witch of a girl he dubbed The Rose.
◇◇◇
Helen and Jen were enraptured by their surroundings as they walked through and underground cavern of clean cut stone, naturally formed spires and glittering crystals of immense proportions.
Torvil and Mo’Emori had initially led them to the equivalent of a small outpost that had scattered dome shaped buildings that served as housing and cover to the lookouts stationed there in front of a massive hidden blast door. Those they passed regarded them with the highest of respect, even Helen and Jen though they were human, which Helen found both odd and suspicious.
Down a steep and long tunnel, they were greeted by an underground military airfield filled with Eskarii forces and small fighter starships. Unable to contain her rising excitement, Mo’Emori sped them through to a series of smaller tunnels that wound through the subterranean rock until reaching the impossibly expansive cavern city they walked through.
They gawked at the various buildings and burrows they walked past, some unique to the Eskarii architecture with their sharp, twisting spirals and geometric shapes where as some had more of a middle Eastern look, much like the buildings found on Earth.
Along the main cut road running through the city were numerous shops and services being offered to them as well as the citizens of the city though Mo’Emori dragged them deeper into the heart of the subterranean city.
Helen nearly froze in place at the sight of the enormous castle that towered above the city, built into a massive cavern wall, the grey-white stone architecture unlike any thing she had ever witnessed as she eyed the multicolored glowing crystals embedded within the outer walls of the castle.
“Come on Mem! We need to hurry! This is sooo exciting!” Mo’Emori cheered as she pulled on Helen’s hand, Torvil chuckling at the human reaction of their companions.
“Sweetheart, shouldn't we go visit your family first? I'm sure they would be happy to see you…” Helen argued as her nerves frayed at the edges, hoping to avoid a royal audience.
Mo’Emori simply giggled girlishly at her and dragged her along against her will.
“Do not worry Helen, your fears are needless in this endeavor,” Torvil stated as he had to guide Jen up the steps of the castle grounds while she remained awestruck by her surroundings.
Helen let out a nervous laugh, “I guess that's saying something coming from you,” she mused. She knew Torvil was more sound of mind, yet it did not do much to help ease her worry.
The sharp and noisy salutes of the guards they passed distracted both women as Torvil and Mo’Emori rushed them through the main entrance and down the vast hall beyond the front gates. Helen’s eyes drifted from side to side as they passed priceless artwork and sculptures made of materials which filled a small antechamber for an entrance that had to come from another planet, seeing as the majority of the landscape was merely stone or crystal.
Before either woman could register, they were both whisked through a set of large ornate doors of light colored hardwood and silvery metallic trim, with carvings of two Eskarii women, one holding up the sun and the other having her hands around a crystal that depicted the emission of light.
“Mother! We're home!” Mo’Emori called out in a shrill tone that echoed throughout the chamber.
Helen focused on her surroundings, seeing a small gathering of four Eskarii dressed in the finery of what she could only assume were nobles. In front of those four Eskarii, was a massive crystalline throne with an ornate backing that rose up towards the 30 foot ceiling and nearly as wide in a brilliant display of beauty. The crystal that made up the throne was so pure and colorless that it nearly appeared to be made of ice.
Even more surprising, was the woman sitting on the throne. She was an Eskarii who looked barely older than Mo’Emori with long raven black hair, a simply yet impressively elegant geometric crown of radiant silver sitting atop her head with crystalline gems embedded, crystal clear sky blue in color. Her pure white gown flowing over her in a simple fashion with glistening material embedded into the fabric.
Her lavender eyes shifted from the small congregation to the teal haired Eskarii girl bouncing on her heels as she walked, still dragging Helen across the expansive chamber while waving with unrestrained excitement. With a simple flick of her wrist, the four Eskarii in the room shuffled out the nearest exit with controlled haste.
The second the congregation disappeared from the room, her lips spread into a soft smile that radiated the power and authority she held.
“My darling daughter, it warms my heart to see you home again,” she said evenly with the slightest hint of longing in her voice as she stood from the throne. Helen’s eyes widened in horror.
Her eyes shifted to Torvil as she began to step across room to meet them all, “and my dear son,” she said sweetly.
Torvil never left Jen’s side as they met the queen in the middle of the throne room, Mo’Emori finally releasing Helen to throw herself into her mother’s arms as she giggled.
“Mother, it is good to see you are well,” Torvil stated as he caught Jen staring between him and the queen in gaping astonishment out of the corner of his eye.
Jen smacked him in the arm when he gave her a sly smirk, “Why didn’t you tell us!?” she exclaimed as Helen stood behind everyone, frozen in place as her brain made the connection.
Mo’Emori released her mother and turned to both women with a shit eating grin on her face, “Because it’s funny!” she sang before laughing.
“My children… why do you bring two humans to our world? You know it is forbidden,” their mother chastised.
Mo’Emori silenced herself abruptly, “But mom…”
“No buts child! Now I demand an explanation,” the queen demanded in their language, her tone even enough to hide her outrage yet still deliver her displeasure.
“Mother… may I present to you my Cy’mar,, Jennifer Simmons and she, is carrying my child,” Torvil said cautiously.
Jen’s hand instantly tightened against his with enough force that his fingers threatened to dislocated as her eyes went wide at the blatant announcement.
The queen scrutinized Jen, “Who is to say it is yours?” she demanded.
Torvil let out an angry hiss, “Mother, do not dare,” he growled.
The queen looked at him down her nose before shaking her head, “I mean no offense, it is always a mother’s concern, especially given the circumstances.”
Jen broke through her shock and chuckled, “None taken. Honestly, if you would’ve asked three years ago I’d be wondering myself but… yeah,” she trailed off feeling as if she had dug herself into a hole.
The queen smiled at her though, gesturing to her body, “May I?”
Jen had no idea what the queen, Torvil’s mother, intended but nodded anyways, not wishing to be her usual obstinate self.
The queen stepped forward, standing only a few inches taller than Jen before her hand radiated a soft white glow. She held her hand out and touched her palm to Jen’s stomach, the sudden warmth made Jen gasp as she looked down.
The white aura slowly coalesced into a mixture of green and red, interwoven across her hand until it fused into the color yellow. The queen let out a held breath as she smiled brightly, “My first grandchild…”
The queen look into Jen’s wide eyes and lifted her other hand to her cheek, “Jennifer Simmons, you bring a precious gift to this family, a family you belong to now,” she said in adoration.
“…what?” Jen blurted in shock as Mo’Emori squealed and clapped, breaking up the moment to allow the queen to set her sights on Helen who stood there smiling.
Seeing the interaction began Jen and the queen reigned in her nerves. “Now, who is this Terran? Another?” the queen asked, giving her son a questioning glare.
Jen started laughing at the implication as Torvil blushed and shook his head, Mo’Emori jumping between her two mothers, “No, no this is my Mem-ali! She took care of me for years and is absolutely wonderful! Oh! And mathematically older than you Mem!” the Eskarii girl beamed before wrapping her arms tightly around Helen.
The queen’s eyes narrowed on Helen, watching Helen pat her daughter on the head like some pet animal. “My daughter seems quite infatuated with you yes, but who are you, Terran?” she asked sharply.
Helen smiled as she wriggled free from Mo’Emori’s grasp and held out her hand before retracting it, opting to give the queen a courteous bow instead.
“My name is Helen, and your daughter is being honest, we sort of… adopted each other in a sense over the past two and a half years… um, when Mo’Emori and Torvil received your command to return home and she wished for me to join, as did Lord Inquisitor Solomon, he uh… sends his regards and hopes you are well,” she hammered out nervously.
The queen’s eyes flashed in recognition and gave her a respectful nod, “I see, and how fares Lord Solomon? It has been quite some time since I last saw him, though I am curious as to why he has sent you.”
Helen chuckled nervously, nodding along with what she said, “That makes two of us… but, he is good. He did say he wished for me to be a liaison however, I’m no diplomat so I am unaware of what it is he truly expects me to do but it is an honor and pleasure to meet you as both Mo’Emori’s mother as well as queen of the Eskarii.”
Before anyone could say anything, a pair of voices shrieked from the right side of the room.
“Mo’Emori! Torvil!” both voices screamed as they turned to see two young Eskarii girls sprinting into the room towards their group.
Mo’Emori instantly darted in their direction, colliding with the pair of girls in emotional levity.
Helen took a step closer to the queen, both sharing a soft laugh as they watched the trio of girls tangle themselves in their embrace.
Helen looked at the queen, “I’m sorry but is there a name you wish to be addressed by?”
Mo’Emori and Torvil’s mother regarded Helen for a moment before saying, “My name is Myshkali, and the two who just entered are my youngest daughters, Tali and Jae’ron.”
Helen hummed pleasantly, “Well it's nice to meet you officially Myshkali, Mo’Emori has told me many things about her family, though leaving out the bit about her mother being the queen,” she said with a light hearted smile before it faltered, “Also… I'm sorry to hear about your eldest son.”
Myshkali’s eyes cut over to Helen, a curious yet demanding glance as she regarded the Terran woman.
“I was close by when Mo’Emori heard the news… I held her as she cried,” Helen finished with a knowing expression, her too being a mother.
Myshkali nodded respectfully, “Thank you, it is hard on us all, though harder on the youngest of the family,” she said gesturing to her daughters who briskly walked over.
“Mem-Ani! This is Tali and Jae’ron, my chwaede! Oh! This is Mo'dyrb Jen too!” Mo’Emori exclaimed gesturing to both women before leaning closer to her sisters and loudly whispering, “We’re going to be mo’dyr as well because Torvil got Mo’dyrb Jen pregnant!”
All three girls screamed in excitement as Torvil let out a strained groan that managed to overshadow their high pitched celebration before they surrounded Jen in a group hug, Jen dumbfounded yet jovially laughing at the love assault.
Tali was the youngest, yet nearly as tall as Mo’Emori with vibrant green eyes and soft pink hair cropped into a bob, very similar to how Morrigan had kept her hair for years. Jae’ron was the shortest of the three by an entire foot, with sepia colored eyes and golden blonde hair cut short, nearly mimicking Jen’s short, spiky haired style.
Helen watched as her heart felt connected with everyone in the chamber, even to Myshkali, yet, she wished her own daughter were there to enjoy such a grand reunion of family.
“I truly hope our unsanctioned arrival did not interrupt anything… I know you requested your children home and I certainly do not wish to have us alter any plans you may have had,” Helen said, prying at the nature of their visit.
Myshkali regarded everyone present in her throne room and shook her head, “Perhaps not. If Solomon requested you to be here then perhaps you may be helpful in our endeavors… Mo’Emori, Torvil, there is something you are needed for,” the queen announced, diverting her attention to her rambunctious children.
The girls settled as they found their mother’s expression more serious than it had been a moment ago. Given the silence, Myshkali continued.
“The Sybrydian have discovered someone powerful within the universe, with claws of red that sunder everything before them… I have seen things my children and need your assistance in finding this being, so that I may speak with them…” she spoke in their native tongue, unaware that Helen understood every word. Helen bit her lip in nervous amusement as well as hiding her surprise, before Mo’Emori blasted Torvil in the chest with a wave of telekinetic energy.
“Are you fucking kidding me!? You waste our time on that! Seriously mother! We know exactly who you speak of!” Mo’Emori shouted with wild aggression.
Torvil groaned as he got up off the ground, “Why did you hit me?” he growled.
Mo’Emori gave him a look that told him it should have been obvious, “Auntie Jen is pregnant, I wouldn’t dare hit my chwaede, I obviously can’t hit momma Helen or Mem, so you, my dear brawder… she wants to see Mori and we were just there! We just saw her!” Mo’Emori explained before she started to break down and cry, wedging herself into Jen’s arms.
Jen held the crying girl while giving Helen an exasperated look, “I’m so lost… is this what I have to look forward to?”
Helen sighed and wiggled her hand side to side before looking at Myshkali, who furrowed her brows deeply at her crying daughter.
“Myshkali… the person you are seeking to speak to is my daughter, Morrigan… Solomon made her an Inquisitor and we had just been with her when we departed the Void Star,” she explained.
Myshkali’s confusion expanded over the explanation as her curiosity began to rise, “I see… come, we have much to discuss it seems. If this being is truly your daughter, then Lord Solomon’s appraisal of using you as a liaison is no mere coincidence…” she said, uncertainty ringing throughout her tone as she gestured to her right and guided their group out of the throne room.