by M. D. Cooper
Nebula Cocktail
GRB (Gamma Ray Burst)
Supernova
Syzygy
Hot Jets
A Black Hole
A Quark
An EVA
A Zero-G
A Galactic Overlord
Ion Chunder
Warp Drive
FLT Starblaster
Mars Margarita
Blue Comet
Blue Flame
Celestial
Xanthian Bloodwort
Intergalactic Warp Ichor
Cosmic Vortex Bomb
Flaming Dragon
Atmospheric Explosion
The Nebula Crawler
The Correllian Mind Sapper
Critical Mass
The Sidereal Sling
A Blazing Blazar
Nanite Disabler
Pico Pickler
Odyssey's Ecstasy
Canaan Delight
Neuron Scrambler
Erin came to a decision and swung her legs as she waited to be served. After a couple of minutes, the new barkeep approached.
“What can I get you ladies?”
The woman’s voice was deep and velvety, but Erin’s attention was immediately diverted from their server’s voice to one of her physical features—or rather, two. The new cocktail waiter was tall, which meant that her cleavage was at Erin’s eye level, and the woman’s mammary features were so large, Erin wondered how she remained upright.
When she tore her gaze from the surprising sight and looked up into the woman’s face, she got another surprise. She looked closer, but she was sure she was not mistaken.
“Mikhail?”
The transformed cocktail waiter laughed. “I knew I would never fool you, Erin.”
“Stars,” Isa exclaimed. “Is that really you? That’s quite the transformation. So, you fancied being a woman?”
“Yeah, I felt like a change, and you know what they say—go big or go home. So, what’s it to be?”
“Uh…” said Erin. It was hard not to look in the obvious place. “I’ll have a….” She’d intended to order a Correllian Mind Sapper, but she was having second thoughts; the cocktail’s name was an unwelcome reminder of recent events. “A Supernova,” she finally managed to finish. She looked at Isa, whose gaze had dropped from Mikhail’s face while Erin had been ordering.
“Impressive, huh?” asked Mikhail.
“Astounding,” said Isa. To Erin, she added,
“Isa,” said Erin, nudging her wife with her toe.
“Oh, er….” Isa snapped out of her preoccupied state. “I’ll have a Cosmic Vortex Bomb.”
“By the way,” Erin said to the transformed Mikhail as she was fixing their drinks, “have you changed your name too?”
“Nothing big, just added a letter to get to Mikhaila.”
“Sure,” said Isa. “We’ll remember that, won’t we, Erin?”
“We’ll find it hard to forget,” Erin replied quietly.
When Mikhaila slid the filled cocktail glasses across the bar to the two women, she said, “When Athens is open to visitors again, will you be going back?”
“It could be tricky for a few years,” Isa replied. “We’re expecting babies. Triplets, in fact.”
“Triplets? Cool,” said Mikhaila. “What are their names?”
“Now that,” said Erin, sipping her drink, “we haven’t decided.”
“But I’m sure we’ll be back in Athens someday,” Isa said.
“Good,” said Mikhaila. “If I’m still a woman then, I’d love to have a go at the limbo-dancing competition.” She winked at them and moved on to serve new customers.
Isa burst into fits of giggles.
said Erin.
A few moments later, Erin was snorting with laughter.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
STELLAR DATE: 05.26.8942 (Adjusted Years)
LOCATION: Marine Eco Station #14, Knossos Island
REGION: Carthage, New Canaan System
“I don’t see why we all have to go,” said Martin.
Erin noticed he hadn’t changed yet. Her husband was sitting on the sofa in his beach shorts and an old T-shirt.
“I could stay here and look after Jude,” he continued. “There was no need for Malcolm to come all the way from Landfall.”
“Firstly,” Erin replied, “Landfall isn’t far. Secondly, Malcolm loves spending time with Jude, as you know very well, and thirdly, if the governor of New Canaan invites you to dinner, you go.”
Martin folded his arms over his chest and said, “You’re very selective about what you call her, you know, according to what you want. Sometimes it’s ‘Tanis’, and sometimes it’s ‘the governor’. If you’re apologizing for her behavior, it’s ‘Tanis has a difficult job to do’, but if you want us to do whatever she says, it’s ‘you can’t say no to the governor’. Which is it?”
Erin clenched her teeth in frustration, but then she relaxed and laughed.
She walked behind Martin, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and kissed his cheek. “You’re so incredibly annoying sometimes.”
“So are you.” Martin reached behind him and grabbed her, pulling her onto his lap. He cuddled and kissed her. “I’m glad it’s finally all over.”
He was referring to Erin’s safe return from Athens, and her debriefing about the incident with Reiko and Leif. Erin had been told that, as far as her involvement was concerned, the case was closed, and Tanis had invited Erin and her family to dinner as a way to put a period on the entire affair.
At least, Erin guessed that was the reason for the invite.
Isa appeared from the bedroom, where she’d been changing into a party dress. “Hey, you two, we don’t have time for canoodling. We’re supposed to be there in—Martin, you aren’t even dressed! You can’t go in beach gear. Hurry up and get changed. This is a formal dinner party at the—”
“Okay, okay,” said Martin. “ ‘At the governor’s house’, I know. All right, I’ll get ready.” He scooched out from under Erin, depositing her on the sofa. “I won’t be long.”
“Was he saying he doesn’t want to go?” asked Isa before Martin had fully left the room.
“Yes, I was,” he called over his shoulder as he disappeared into the san.
“Yes, he was,” echoed Erin. “You look nice.”
“Thanks. I thought I should make an effort.”
“It was worth it.”
“Where’s Jude?” Isa asked.
“He’s outside with Malcolm. Our son was telling me the ‘swell is perfect’, and he wants to ‘catch some waves’.”
“Oh man,” said Isa. “Before we know it, he’s going to be the one competing against Usef in a tsunami-surf-off.”
“I think you could be right.”
“I wonder how the girls will turn out?”
“I’ve no idea, but it’s going to be fun finding out.” Erin felt a thrill go through her at the thought that they would be bringing the triplets out into the world the next day.
“Are you excited?” Isa asked.
“Definitely, and also terrified.”
A few minutes later, Martin emerged, fastening a shirt.
“Great,” said Erin. “Now let’s go enjoy our last moments of freedom before chaos descends.”
* * * * *
Things were not going well at the dinner party. Tanis and Joe were being the perfect hosts, but the atmosphere at the table was tense and overly polite. Everyone had chatted
about current affairs in the colony, the work at Athens, and politics and the latest news. They’d even talked about the weather. But awkward silences were opening up between bouts of conversation, and the pauses were getting longer and longer.
She mentally grrrrred at his predictable response.
“More potatoes?” Tanis asked, offering Martin the bowl.
“No,” he snapped. Then he recovered. “Er, yes, thanks,” adding as an afterthought, “They’re delicious.”
He was trying, Erin had to give him that. But her husband’s expression remained sour.
She hadn’t felt so embarrassed in ages. Tanis and Joe had put a lot of thought into the night—the food and drinks were amazing, featuring several of the guests’ favorites. Things should have been going perfectly, except for the fact that Martin could not let go of his grudge against Tanis. If anything, his enmity toward her had gotten worse with time; Erin’s experiences working on the PETER had lifted his resentment to a whole new level.
She knew his attitude was due to his love for her, but it was irritating. He acted as though she had no choice in what she did, as if she was Tanis’s puppet, dancing to her tune. It wasn’t like that. Erin was as concerned about defending New Canaan as Tanis was. Erin chose to do what she did because she wanted to protect the system and its inhabitants. She wasn’t only following orders. When would Martin understand that?
“We haven’t mentioned the most important event, coming up tomorrow for you all,” said Tanis. “Erin told me you’re going to be expanding your family considerably.”
“Yes,” said Isa. “At long last. We had to push back the date a few times, due to Erin’s work at the PETER, but finally….” Her sentence stumbled to a close as she realized she’d strayed into dangerous territory.
“What Isa means is,” Martin said, “we had to wait until we knew Erin was okay and would be coming home.”
Erin held her breath. Stop right—
“You know,” Martin pressed, “at one point, I didn’t think she was ever coming back.”
…there. Erin sighed.
Martin had to say it, he had to bring up her assignment in Athens. She should have known. She should have agreed to let him miss the party; now she was going to pay the price.
“Anyone for more vegetables?” Joe asked brightly, his eyes ticking toward Tanis.
“It was a difficult time….” Tanis let the word hang for a moment before continuing. “I’ve known Erin for over a century now, I don’t know how I would have handled it if she’d died.” She shifted her gaze from Martin to Isa. “You’re lucky to have a wife who wouldn’t take no for an answer—we all are. I wish we could have learned earlier what Leif and Reiko planned, but at least Hal and Jere weren’t involved.”
“What I wish is that Erin hadn’t been put in danger again,” said Martin. The death glare returned.
“I think it’s probably best that we leave now,” Erin interjected.
“I agree,” said Isa. “Big day tomorrow.”
“It certainly will be,” said Joe. “Have you thought of any names yet?”
“Ha!” said Erin, desperate to shift the conversation anywhere else. “It’s funny you should say that. While the babies were growing, Martin was coming up with the most outlandish names. What were they?”
“Uh, Bippo, Bappo, and Boppo?” Isa replied. “I think that was one set. And another was Arty, Porty, and Aramat. It was hilarious, wasn’t it, Erin?”
“Yeah, so funny.”
Angela suggested.
Martin’s eyes had remained locked on Tanis’s through the exchange, still glaring. Neither of them was laughing.
“It certainly sounds like it,” said Joe. “So, what did you settle on in the end?”
“Strangely enough,” said Erin, “Martin came up with some sensible names yesterday. They’re lovely, actually, so we’re going with those.”
“Don’t keep us in suspense,” prompted Joe.
Isa opened her mouth to speak, but Martin cut her off, saying, “I do hope that was the last time Erin has to risk her life, Governor.”
“I expect that Erin will continue to do her job,” Tanis replied coolly.
“Exactly.” Erin nodded in agreement, not to placate Martin, but because she truly believed her words. “I’ve only ever done what I’m supposed to do. No one has deliberately put me in harm’s way, it’s just that we’re doing important work, and that’s where the risk is. I’m not going to give up on my life just because it can be dangerous and that makes you worry.”
Isa rolled her eyes. “Come on, guys. This isn’t the time or the place.”
“Actually,” Tanis said, “I believe it is. We can’t let this fester any longer.”
“Good,” said Martin. He leaned back and folded his arms, then looked at Tanis through narrowed eyes. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Martin, I believe you remained in stasis for the entire journey from Sol. Is that right?”
“Yes. So what?”
“You don’t seem to understand our situation here. We possess the most powerful technology in the galaxy—a galaxy that has FTL and could send a million ships our way if they know where we are. Everyone out there wants what we have. Irony of ironies, the fact that we’re deep within the Transcend is what keeps us safe, but even they would swoop in and take what we have if they thought they could do it without staggering losses.
“Let me be blunt. Without the ‘risks’ that Erin and many others have taken, that would have already happened.
“The galaxy is a dangerous place, and there’s no hole we can hide in and not be found eventually. We left Sol, and it was destroyed, we left Victoria, and that world was destroyed. We’re not leaving New Canaan. This is where we make our stand. But I believe that we can prevail, that when trouble comes knocking, New Canaan will be ready. We’re going to surprise the hell out of anyone who thinks they can take us down—but we can only do that with our best and brightest doing their part.
“Do you understand?”
Martin didn’t reply, but his head dipped in a nod, and he shifted his gaze to Joe and then away.
Erin hoped it was a sign that he would finally see sense.
“Having said that,” Tanis continued, “I have a proposal to make that might seem a contradiction.”
Martin looked up, but Tanis was now looking at Erin.
“How did you feel about your diplomatic duties on your last assignment?” the governor asked.
“You mean avoiding saying what I really thought around the TSF’s engineers?”
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
“I hated it.”
“I thought you might say that.” Tanis paused. “I would say you did a good job nevertheless.”
Erin was silent, wondering where this was all going.
“We all know that the time when New Canaan must defend itself against attack is approaching,” said Tanis. “And after that, I may have to leave the system. Anyway, I cannot remain governor forever—someone else must take the reins eventually.”
Erin grew alarmed. She hoped Tanis wasn’t thinking what she thought she was thinking.
“Erin, I think you would make the perfect successor to my role.”
“You want me to be…?” Erin’s voice rose to an embarrassing squeak. She coughed and deliberately lowered her pitch. “You want me
to be governor?”
“Wow, Erin, that’s fantastic,” said Isa.
“Is it?”
It was a genuine question. The notion that she might one day become governor of New Canaan had never entered her mind.
“But how will I get my real work done?” she asked.
Joe held a napkin to his mouth and failed to stifle his laughter with a fake cough. “That’s a fair point.”
“You’ll have to diversify,” said Tanis. “I can see I haven’t exactly sold it to you. To be clear, at the moment, it’s only a possibility. But think about it. Maybe the idea will grow on you.”
Erin’s eyes were wide with amazement as she looked first at Isa and then at Martin. Isa was surprised but smiling. Martin’s head remained down, and he continued to shake it.
“What are your plans, Martin?” Tanis asked.
He looked up, startled. “Me? I’m not sure. We’re all going to be busy for a while with the triplets. Probably quite a long while. I’ve been doing a little consulting work here and there since we returned from Troy, while I was waiting for something interesting to turn up.”
“Have you heard the latest reports from Athens?” Tanis asked the marine biologist.
“No, I haven’t. Why?”
“It’s not good. The excessive volcanic effluvium in the atmosphere is causing the planet’s air to cool rapidly, and making the exothermic extraction more difficult.”
“That’s a shame,” said Martin. “Athens is…was…a nice place.”
“It will be again,” Tanis said confidently. “And quite soon, I hope, due to Erin’s ingenuity in fixing the PETER. We’re working on cleaning the atmosphere right now. But sadly, our efforts will be too late to save many of the animals and plants.”
“The marine life should recover, if the temperatures begin to rise soon,” Martin reasoned.
“Yes, but not the land-dwelling species. I was thinking that replenishing the flora and fauna will be a challenging task. I know your specialty is marine ecosystems, but….”
“But what?” Martin asked.
“Martin,” said Isa, placing a hand on his arm. “I think Tanis is offering you a job working in Athens, repairing the damage to the ecosystems.”
“You want me to seed Athens’ landmasses?” Martin asked Tanis.