Jamie double fanged maw yawns open as he stirs awake. His little chest internally thrums as his vocals hollow out in the reflex. His wings part from around his body to allow his arms and legs to stretch out.
As the boy comes to full consciousness, he finds himself dangling above the bed with his tail gripping a ceiling vent grate. He quickly looks around hopeful to see his red furred parent, when he doesn’t his eyes start to burn from gathering moisture.
“Mmmmmmaaammm…” Jamie utters as he wraps himself back up in his wings, his mood souring. Although he doesn’t start to cry yet, he releases a mix of frustrated and disheartening whines and rotates his wrapped body back and forth.
His Watath sibling slightly uncoils from their cinnamon roll position of slumber to lowly hiss at him, trying to get the Manarian toddler to calm down.
Essjay is relieved to hear their brother’s sounds quell and begins to snugly coil back up to get some more sleep. That is until their body is launched into the air as Jamie plummets right next to them on the bed.
Flailing while airborne, the Watath lands on the edge of the bed and rather dramatically sprawls their legs in frantic crawling to prevent falling over to the floor. Able to bring themself back to the center of the bed they glare at Jamie who is still cocooned in his wings.
“Jaaaaaaaaaaahhhh…” Essjay angrily releases from their still underdeveloped vocal processes, having more air than actual tone to it.
“Mmm-mmmammam…” Jamie counters in a dower tone.
Too tired to stay angry, Essjay mimics Simone’s mannerism by rolling their eyes and skitters up next to the Manarian.
“Zzzzzzzzzaaaaaaaaa?” they ask, using their current range of sounds to do so.
“Pzzaaa…” Jamie immediately confirms as his wings part enough to peer back at the Watath.
Nodding, Essjay turns around, moves to the top left of the bed and reaches out for a physical remote device. They press on an indicator that has a sticker of a ‘7’ above it and patiently waits. Not a few minutes later the bedroom door opens up and a machine rolls on in.
“Greetings children, you are awake-ake rather early today. Is there something I can-an do for you two?” Seven inquires pleasantly.
“Pzzzzzza?” Jamie immediately asks while Essjay starts typing on a datapad.
“I can certainly make some-ome breakfast.” the three-lighted cranium of the bot nods.
Essjay taps the pad in rapid clicking jabs and turns it over for the bot to read.
‘Moms today? Home soon?’ they inquire through text.
Seven remains silent for a brief moment.
“I am uncertain, however I will try to contact-act them to see if they are available for-or a call.” the bot promises.
Essjay glances over to Jamie before typing a response.
‘Okay. Thanq you 7.’ they reveal to the babysitter.
“Of course. I will go start your-ur breakfast, would you like to wait here-ere or in the mess hall?” Seven offers.
Admittedly wanting to stay and watch cartoons, the Watath also felt a bit cooped up.
‘We come with you.’ they write in response on their pad before crawling over the side of the bed.
“Very well. Jamie, would you like-ike for me to carry you?” Seven nods while howling their mechanical arms out.
Fully unfurling himself from his own bundle, the Manarian toddler reached out to take hold and drag the rest of him into the machine’s arms. Despite having already learned his lesson several times before, he attempts to bite on the bot for security. Feeling his fangs scrape against solid metal once again he huffs in displeasure.
“You’re parents will be back-ack as soon as they are able, Jamie.” Seven tries to soothe the young boy as they carry him out to the hallway with Essjay skittering at their side, ”I know it’s unfair that they cannot be here with you at this time, and that you are already aware of how it feels to lose parents. But Simone and Chak’s duties to you reach far beyond simply being physically by your side day by day. They are currently trying to secure both of your futures. Because unfortunately most of the galaxy’s future rests upon their shoulders. Which is unfair as well. You may be too young to understand, but one day you’ll look back and see how much you are loved and cared about. You will see how much you mattered, and will continue to matter.” the bot gently says as they bring the children closer to the mess hall, “How does potatoes, scrambled eggs with-ith chopped up sausage mixed in sound-nd to you Jamie? And for you Essjay, your favorite fish-ish filets on top of your own lightly-ly cooked scramble?” Seven proposes, to which both children agree eagerly.
“Very well, after breakfast I will prepare-re for your wing exercises Jamie. And Essjay, I have newly-ly gifted drawing utensils from your-ur uncle that you can try out today,” the bot adds, “After which I will be conducting-ing your circular lessons separately before-ore bedtime.”
Essjay did their equivalent of a sigh, not because of not looking forward to the day, but because they still feel very tired to start it.
Once in the walkway after the cargo bay, the three begin to overhear a tired old Tromple speaking into his comm at his pilot seat ahead.
“Yes of course I understand, but I will have to ask you to remain patient. I am not at liberty to share our recovered information, however once the Security Chief returns from offshore leave she will send everything you’ve earned for your job well done.” Chucknuq assured, “We will not be leaving the protection of these mercenary ships, and I apologize I’m not at liberty to grant access to where the Security chief and princess are in Central. I’m doubtful that I even could do so if I desired to at this time. Right, best of luck.” he hangs up the call.
Curious, Essjay peels away from entering the mess hall to visit their grandfather.
Immediately hearing the tapping of Watath legs against the solid floor, the Captain turns his seat around to face the child.
“Ah! Essjay, good morning! The winged-rascal wake you up earlier again I take it? Bwhaha!” he guesses.
Essjay nods and skitters up the seat to rest on Chucknuq’s shoulders.
“Blazing stars! You are growing faster and faster, soon won’t be able to do this anymore, hehehahah!” the Captain notes as he slightly adjusts the child into a more comfortable position, “But that just makes this time all the more valuable eh?”
Essjay hisses bashfully before lifting their data pad to write a message.
‘I can nap until food is done grandpa?’
“Ahhh of course you can.” the old man granted in a much softer tone of voice. “In fact I’ll message Seven to hold off on your breakfast until you’re ready.”
‘Thank you grandpa. Jamie does not sleep for very long.’ Essjay types, ‘And loud when he wakes up.’
“I know, and you’re doing an amazing job. But if you need a break so that you can sleep in, I’m certain you can sleep in another room for a time.” Chucknuq replies.
‘Mom asked me to watch him. I want to do good.’ Essjay admits.
“Well like I said you’ve been doing amazing. But despite perhaps not stating so, I think your mothers would expect you to take care of yourself just as much. You should look after your little brother, but you aren't his parent. Remember that so you can remind your mothers. Your parents love you very much Essjay, but with Jamie’s circumstances… they may become too focused on it. Yet I know they will be receptive to your boundaries once informed, they’ll understand.” he assures before sending off his message to Seven.
‘Okay.’ Essjay responds as they set down their pad for Chucknuq to take for the time being. They nestle in, and close their eyes to resume much needed slumber.
The Captain chuckles and adjusts himself for a quick nap as well, since his rest was interrupted as well. But instead of immediately going to sleep, an old shanty poem from his youth rose to the forefront of his mind. Well, it was more of a simple poem that Terrans used to chant in a shanty-manner, apparently many of their work-songs and shanties spread far and wide through osmosis alone. Many of which are not commonly known to be of Terran origin.
Almost involuntarily, he begins to hum the tune and soon after starts to softly recite it under his breath for the resting child present.
“In the endless expanse of the void,
A weary traveler roamed,
Their heart set on the distant stars,
Their soul forever roamed.
Their charted new horizons,
And crossed the great unknown,
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Through asteroid fields and cosmic storms,
Their journey onward flown.
Yet with each passing moment,
They longed for something more,
A home to call their own,
A family to adore.
And so they set their course,
Towards a distant light,
A beacon shining in the dark,
A homecoming in sight.
As they soared through the galaxy,
Their heart began to race,
For waiting for them on that world,
Were loved ones they could embrace.
The journey was not easy,
But they knew it was worthwhile,
For at the end of their long voyage,
They'd find a loving smile.
And now they've landed safely,
On their home planet's shore,
Their journey at an end,
Their heart ample to the core.”
-
“Well good news is that we were hardly mentioned in any of the news reports coming out. At most they are calling us ‘witnesses’ though there’s some mild skepticism about that.” Chak updated as she walked towards their hotel room kitchen area which was recently delivered with premium meats from all parts of the universe.
Sonla had eaten through an impressive quantity, but now sits in a partial food coma with a half-eaten steak of some purple-fleshed beast hung out the side of her gnawing mouth.
“We expected as much…” Simone replies as she winces while standing up from the dining area, “Aw shit… I’m gonna be feeling this for a while…” she grunts before stripping her upper body from clothes to expose new nasty bruises. Although her jacket managed to save her life, there’s three distinctly gruesome impact points across her torso from the Thakmaw’s shots.
“Oh dear… oh no that looks really bad…” Chak worries as she comes up in a hurry to get a closer look. Careful to not touch the bruising, the Cali inspects the Terran’s wounds.
“Yeah… it ain’t ideal. But receiving medical care at the scene would’ve exposed more of our involvement. But It’s nothing I haven’t received in my military days so I think I’ll be alright. I’m gonna sink in the tub for a bit though, if it gets any worse we’ll decide on what to do then.” the redhead replies as she starts her way across the hotel room.
“I’ll be keeping an eye on you…” Chak cautions as she remembers the Vapor Perna incident.
“As if you couldn’t resist looking regardless…” Simone teases back with a pained chuckle.
Shaking her head the princess glances back over at their Vorook guest who no longer had the steak dangling out of her mouth.
Walking closer Chak sits herself in a way to have a personal conversation with this reptilian while also overlooking her fiance.
“I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself, mind if I ask you a few personal questions?” she inquires.
“Uhhggghghghhhh…. Yeah… that’s fine…” Sonla struggles to articulate through her meat-bloated state.
“Right… well, first may I ask for your full name and where your from?” Chak begins.
“Uuhhmmmmrhmm my name… is Sonla… no family title so… hrkmnnnmnmhm… Just Sonla… I’m from Vorook homeworld… Morvinta. Worked shipping jobs… then fell into smuggling to pay off debts… I’m good at sneaking into places… I’m very quiet- hurrrknnnnnmnnn… when not stuffed with meat…” Sonla answers.
“Indeed see that you like being stuffed with meat…” Chak says trying to not be grossed out by the sounds the reptilian was making.
Sonla narrows her dark eyes and leaned back in an amused manner.
“Hehehehehehehhehhehhhhhhhhh….” she chortles deviously.
“phraising, hun!” Simone called out from the filling tub.
“I… I don’t understan-oh… I didn’t mean to… I see… alright, moving on. What do you know about the job to kidnap an ambassador’s son?” the Cali diverts.
“Hmmmmnnm… well it was supposed to be simple. Hurt no one, take son, get paid, give him back. It was my first job like that, I’m not very good at kidnapping people. My job was to get in and deactivate power to the hotel, then meet up after the retraining team did their job. I did good! But then things went… crazy.” Sonla replies honestly.
“I’ll say… that tends to happen when my fiance here sees people in need of help. Do you regret what you did?” Chak questions more seriously.
Sonla’s eyes went wide before turning her head back and forth between the Cali, Terran, and fancy room.
“Oh… so the Cali princess really is being plowed by a Terran… ” Sonla comments.
“Ha! More like she plows me!” the redhead laughs out as she fully rests in the heated liquid, the Cali now stares at the table in sheer embarrassment, “For a sheltered royal sure knows how to treat a lady.”
“You’re a female!?” Sonla calls out in shock, “I thought the chest fat sacks were on Terran males… you know, for extra protection when fighting in competition for mates.”
“I outta be insulted, but the imagery of grown men slapping the shit out of eachothers tits to prove who’s most macho is hilarious so I’ll forgive ya.” Simone replies with a chuckle and lift of her hand.
“We are straying from my question.” Chak interjects, “Sonla, I want to know if you regret what you did and your general thoughts on it all.” she insists.
“Ah… yes I regret it. People who hired me were worst than I thought. Much less honorable than it first seemed. Absolute bitches really.” Sonla replies almost dismissively.
“Okay… what about the kidnapping part?” Chak pushes.
“Oh… nope, no regrets. Screw the wealthy elite! Pompous trust-funding, honorless, capitalistic vermin that feed off the work of the masses while the working people get by on systems purposefully built against them by the very bastards rich enough to call the shots because no one else has the lobbying power to sway politics for the good of the majority, the very least they can do is give us a lil’ harmless ransom every now and then… No offense.” Sonla rants.
“Oh… Uhm… none taken? Though it does concern me that despite someone’s inherited wealth, a life is still being needlessly put into danger.” Chak points out.
“A lot of lives it turns out. A lotta people died. And some poor janitors are gonna have to clean ‘em up… hope they get paid enough.” Sonla says, completely missing Chak’s point.
“Alright… so can we trust you to do the job we’re offering you without having to worry about you turning on us as well?” Chak bluntly asks.
“Are you gonna pay me what you promised?” Sonla counters.
“Yes of course.” the princess nods.
“And you’re not gonna leave me for dead?” the Vorook pushes.
“You have my promise that we won’t.” the Cali vows.
“Aaaaaaaand you will help me get a boyfriend?” Sonla says rather quickly.
“E-excuse me? I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean by that.” the Princess replies in confusion.
“The ambassador's son. I think I like him.” Sonla clarifies.
“The… the Z’ah’tuck ambassador’s son? The one you helped kidnap?” Chak asks bewildered.
“Yes!”
“You don’t see a problem with him knowing that?”
“I helped save him too, it evens out.”
“That’s not how that works, Sonla…”
“Sure it can!”
“No… Sonla I believe kidnapping isn’t a common way for couples to meet.”
“Good thing I’m not ‘common’. I’m extraordinary!”
“That’s not… I’m sure you’re great but… the man has a wife, Sonla.”
“A wife with a harem.”
“Alright… granted but still, I believe his heart is just for her.”
“Competition is what drives innovation.”
“Wh-what?”
“You heard me.”
“No, I did. But… What? What does that even mean in this context? Are you planning on trying to officially separate him from his wife?”
“Planning? No. But I’m scrappy and creative. If he chooses me over her then I can’t say what will happen.”
“Wait- I thought you just said you hated his class of wealthy people? Even if you were to succeed in wooing him and somehow agreed to be wed… would you not come to resent who he is?”
“I can fix him.”
Chak stares at the Vorook blankly, before tilting her head to perhaps get some help from her fiance to salvage this interaction.
Simone is now leaning out of the tub while resting her head in her hands. A playful grin already spread across her face.
“I bet it has nothing to do with his father having direct power over the Z’ah’tuck meat markets… huh?” she says with a chuckle.
“No!... Not much… It would be a good perk, yes, but that’s it!” Sonla defends.
“Right… Listen, I admire your spirit, but sometimes you just gotta let-” Simone begins to reply before her Lens receives a message.
‘Glad to see you made out of your ‘lil political spat alright. Achieved more than we are if I’m being honest. But I’ll catch ya up later. I have a request from Seven, your kids wanna see ya.’ from Thorn.
Simone sat up straight, uncaring of her bruising pain she messaged back.
‘Yes.Ten minutes.’
“Hun, we’re gonna call the kids here in ten minutes!” she notified before dragging herself out of the tub and hurting over in pained grunts to throw a bathrobe on.
Chak’s eyes flash in excitement as she gets off her seat.
“Oh! Alright! Great” she chirps back, checking her own person for any stray blood splatter, “Please remain here or rest on the cushioned seating over there, Sonla. We’ll continue this later. Please be quiet, we will be talking to family. Anything you hear or see doesn’t not leave this room, consider that there will be a credit bonus for you” she says before rushing off to the bed to prepare for the call.
Sonla simply watches on as these two baddasses that just stormed, disrupted and then thwarted her previous employers plans in a harrowing chase of peril, death and violence… giddily rush around and checking one another to look as presentable as possible for these ‘kids’.
The two use a datapad as a private screen, so the Vorook couldn’t see any visuals, but once the call started she heard neither Cali or Terran youth talking from the other side. In fact one doesn’t have a voice at all, rather just hisses.
“Is that… A Watathling…?” Sonla whispers in confusion to herself as she moves to the cushioned seat to rest in it.
“Mmmmamamama! Sssssssvvvvn… PZZZZAAAA! Heheheheha!” An unknown to her species speaks up nonsensically.
“Oh yeah? What did Seven make for you?” the Terran replies before apparently seeing the answer through the screen, “Yummy! I’m so jealous!”
“Me too!” Chak joins in, “Potato-based foods always smell so good, but I can’t have them.” she giggles.
“Oh my goodness honey! Look at what Essjay drew!” Simone points at the pad as if the Cali coin’t already clearly see.
“That’s you and grandpa flying the ship, correct? Well done Essjay! I love the colors you chose for grandpa’s uniform!”
The eavesdropping Vorook can’t help but think back to the times she made the Terran swear upon her hatchlings, and then followed through on them. It’s apparent that she really, really meant those promises and that perhaps the job she currently has with these new bosses might actually be a good place to confidently hitch her shuttle trailer to.
Also she didn’t hear a direct ‘won’t do’ on the boyfriend condition.