Surprisingly, the rest of the principle people revolving around the Free Allied Nations were still alive, thanks to good genes and Tschaaa medical technology. With replacement organs, nanotechnology and new medicines, humans were easily capable of an average one hundred year life span. And of course, there was the cyborg option. From one billion Tschaaa, primarily young and adolescents, at the time of the Great Compromise, there were now some two billion. The Tschaaa kept their culture of only the senior members of each crèche reproducing, thus preventing a population explosion. Human kind had doubled to some four billion. With humans living longer, the desire to have huge families had dissipated. Plus, the former poor nations, existing before on slash and burn agriculture or dirty 19th century-based technology, experienced a renaissance in their life styles and culture thanks to some Tschaaa technology. Within ten years of the Great Compromise, Squid biologically based photoelectric cells and power systems meant that ninety percent of all the vehicles being produced were based on electric power plants charged primarily by the Sun’s rays. Petroleum was rarely burned for energy, though still used to make things. 3D printer technology took petroleum as well as other substances and made the most intricate designs cheap and durable. World want and hunger all but disappeared. Even the poorest regions could afford a ‘flesh’ vat and a couple of 3D printers to produce protein and the basic necessities of life.
Torbin chuckled. Things were not perfect. There still was crime, minor regional conflicts, and the Church of Kraken still existed to stir things up, though with just a million members worldwide. The worship of the Great Kraken or a form of Cthulhu would never have as much influence as before the Great Compromise. Again, in the name of maintaining freedoms, Sandra Paul had demanded that no religion be outlawed, as long as they did not commit illegal acts. She said if there was a “freedom” from being offended, it was the slippery slope to thought and speech control, the anathema to vibrant civilizations. But even with pains in the butt still existing, Tobin still thought this was the best of all possible worlds, especially since this was his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Hell, at one time, he thought he would be lucky to see his first anniversary.
Their two sons, Gage and Tristan, would be here with their wives, and Aleks’ grandchildren. Plus Lori White, the pilot on his ‘payback’ mission, had magically re-appeared. With his daughter. The one night of passion had produced an angel when there had been devils all around. Aleks had welcomed them with open arms, to a greatly surprised Torbin.
“She loved you, I love you. You have children with both of us,” Aleks had stated. “The older sister needs to know her two younger brothers. We, are family. Period.” So Torbin had a family he had never imagined.
By some odd twist of fate, the children of Mary Lou and Adam Lloyd, Kathleen and Maryann, met and fell in love with Gage and Tristan. There was some scientific discussions that those offspring affected by the Tschaaa tampering, New births, may be attracted to their ‘own kind’ through some chemical pheromone signature. However, some did marry ‘normal’ offspring, so it was unclear if there was an extra attraction or not. It did not matter, as both of the young wives, like the husband, matured early, had college degrees by ages eighteen, found each other and married.
Dogman, while he escorted Mary, Kat and the children out of Key West and to safety, had found love with the grieving widow Mary. He raised the children of Adam Lloyd as his own, and Mary gave him a son and daughter of his own.
Torbin, being the pushy bastard that he was, asked Dogman how that was like, raising another man’s children.
“I have raised many a pup. None were mine, but I still loved them. What’s the difference? They all still need love and care.”
Not for the first time did Torbin realize the firm sense of morals that guided Dogman. And now they were related in an extended family.
Mary and Dogman had sent a nice anniversary gift and condolences that they could not attend, but they had two other children and a huge K-9 breeding and rescue facility along the banks of the Columbia River near The Dalles. Dogman had partnered with a Bar and Grill owner and bought up a huge tract of land that had been abandoned years prior. Dogman’s K-9 Ranch, with Mary providing the business acumen, became the main supplier of certified War Dogs for the various governments as well as rescuing dogs, especially from Fighting Pits. He was given special Federal Arrest Powers by Commissioner Miller. He had also been given a free hand in handling the terrible fallout from the Tschaaa based mutated breeding of creatures for the Fighting Pits as well as other illegal activities. Law Enforcement Agencies looked the other way when miscreants ‘disappeared’ in the slowly de-irradiated waters of the Columbia. The huge catfish, a sought after game fish when the radiation level dropped to safe levels, were a perfect garbage disposal.
Now Torbin’s and Aleks’ son Gage, a huge fullback on the new International Football League after two years obligated military service, was bringing Kathleen and their twin sons, William and Torbin, some five years old. Tristan was making the military a career, but as a pilot, like his Uncle William. He and Marian had given birth to fraternal twins, Aleksandra and John, also five years of age. All would be here for this special occasion.
Kat Monroe nee Bender had married William just as soon as Torbin’s younger brother was completely healed in his new body. Most of it was “vat” grown, with a couple of cyborg based enhancements in the skelature. William’s features had been frozen in time for some six years, so even with Tschaaa based biologicals available to Torbin, he looked even younger than just the actual two years between the Brothers. Like Dogman, he raised Kats two sons, William and Adam, as his own. They had a daughter through some DNA combination techniques, as the one thing the Tschaaa could not rebuild in the vats were viable sperm. Kat gave birth to Jane, a name insisted on by William. “Major Jane Grant helped keep you safe, then died for you.” William had said. “I owe her. You owe her. Screw the Tschaaa and everyone else. We owe her, Adam Lloyd, and Andrew.” If possible, Kat loved him even more from that moment on. They also created a foundation in Jane, Jeanie and Jamey’s names, The Three Js. It was to help all the orphaned children in the world, for the three women had died trying to protect children.
William and Kat would be here for the celebration, but the two boys, quite the musicians, were on the beginning of a worldwide tour. They had a style called Earth Rock, with lots of tribal beats and some odd combinations of Tschaaa vocalizations with some whale songs thrown in.
Jane was at military school. She was following in the steps of her namesake, which made Kat very nervous. Jane told her mother she wanted to be a pilot, then an astronaut or star pilot. Kat had finally sighed and said, “Well, it sure beats being a porn star. But if you get hurt, I’ll never forgive you.” Husband and Daughter had laughed, which did nothing for Kat’s temper.
Abigail and Ichiro were coming, of course. Abigail had given birth to two fraternal female twins two years after the Great Compromise. Anica was the smaller, darker one, a perfect combination of Ichiro and Abigail. The ‘younger’ of the twins was a large blonde who came into the world screaming and fussing. Abigail named her Brynhildr, after a certain cousin. She looked so much like her that many people thought she was her namesake’s daughter, not Abigail’s. Two years later, Abigail gave birth to Ichiro the younger. He soon became a spitting image of his father. All three of their children were at school, sent their good wishes to their adopted family members.
Many others sent their best wishes. All the many people Torbin and Aleks had worked with, fought alongside or in the case of Heidi Faust, had fought against for a time, sent notices. Now married to a certain Texas Ranger’s son, Heidi had children of her own, including a son named Adam, and another called Willie. George Williams IV, Past President of the United States of North America, sent special wishes and some Georgia-style barbecue, from the still Capitol, Bismarck, North Dakota. Former Russian President Alina Federov sent them another Faberge Egg, from where, they were afraid to
ask. Stalin and Sally sent their best wishes, along with their daughter Aleksandra, son Antony, and his other two wives and their four children. With a greatly decreased number of eligible males, when two pregnant military women from Alaska had shown up at Malmstrom Armed Forces Base just as the Great Compromise was being signed, Sally had laughed, welcomed them in and started the first of many polygamous marriages. Stalin was, for once, shocked and soon overwhelmed. He still helped run military training at Malmstrom, no one knowing how old he was. But with a tweak of Tschaaa medical technology…he could be there for decades.
Brynhildr and Rolf, plus their six children (three boys, three girls) sent their best wishes with the rest of the New Viking community in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Abigail had kidded her cousin about trying to take over the world by out re-producing everyone else. But the large Shield Maiden had found that she loved child rearing. Two years after the Great Compromise, she and Rolf had started their family. They stayed close to Bismarck, North Dakota as Brynhildr had assumed the responsibility of security for every single President from Sandra Paul on. Staying near the Capitol enabled Brynhildr to raise her children and still serve the Country. Rolf helped build and administer a huge Viking Hall in Bismarck, with some one thousand members. He lived the Old Ways, showing the younger generation what New Viking sensibilities and morals really meant in modern culture. Rolf stayed in the Armed Forces Reserves, becoming a well renowned Cold Steel Instructor, regaling his students with his tales of My Lady of Steel, the Avenging Angel, as well as organizing the Wyoming Ass Drag competition every year. Hell, he was there!
Of course the entire Bell family sent best wishes, including Colonel Bell, still going strong in retirement. He spent a lot of his time spoiling the grandchildren his son in law, Benjamin Black helped give him with daughter Pamela, as well as Shannon’s kids with a fellow pilot. As Torbin was ruminating about all the people he had known and who were now in this amorphous extended family, Aleks came back out on the porch.
“I managed to contact Abigail and she said they were just a few minutes out. Which is puzzling because usually we can see vehicles approaching us on the highway.”
Torbin gave his best shrug. “Maybe they rented a helicopter or a V-Stol. There’s a bunch on the civilian market with us converting to modified Tschaaa technology air and space craft. And Ichiro is a hotshot pilot.”
Aleks harrumphed. “They come in here and start blowing dust and dirt all over, and I will pin their ears back so fast that…”
They both felt the charged atmosphere that always signaled a Falcon was in the area. Coming in over the mountain line instead of up from the flatlands were two Falcons. One seemed to have a large box shaped object suspended below it.
Aleks glared at him. “Is this your idea of some surprise or joke, you will not be able to walk right for a week. You know I hate surprises.”
Torbin displayed his best “Who, me?” look as the craft gently began to set down in the large fields some one hundred yards away. The large box shaped object was set down, and the covering magically came off like tissue wrapping paper on a fancy present.
“That is a building, Torbin. What in all the hells of ….That looks like a chapel.”
Aleks’ mouth dropped open a bit as a mass of people came down the large access ramp of the other Falcon as it nimbly set down. They seemed to be dressed in formal finery, even all the little children. Brutus and Portia ran to meet their well-known fellow pack members with barks of greeting. Aleks was still trying to get her voice box to work when Abigail, in Armed Forces Dressed Marine Blues, being the fastest, came up to her carrying a large garment bag.
“Big sister. Quick, we must go into the house and put your gown on. For the ceremony is about to begin.”
“What…” Aleks turned toward Torbin who had suddenly knelt. In a loud Marine Corps Officer Command Voice, he proclaimed, “Aleksandra Smirnov Bender. Would you do the honor of marrying me, this stubborn and profane Marine, again, in a formal ceremony with family and friends? You were cheated out of a fancy wedding before. I must make amends, on this, our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”
Aleks stared at Torbin. Abigail then spoke. “Well, my Big Sister. What say you in front of all these witnesses? Do you wish to find another, or…?”
Aleks began to curse in Russian and Ukrainian, advanced on Torbin who was still kneeling. She grabbed him by his ears, as if to pull them off. Then she began to sob, fell to her knees and hugged him, burying her face in his neck.
Through her sobs, she whispered, “You smartass, I love you so. Of course I will marry you again. As many times as you wish.”
Torbin raised her chin and kissed her. Then he pulled a ring box out of his pocket.
“Here. Andrew got this for me. A Star Blue Diamond. From some unknown world well beyond our solar system. The lizards had some and easily parted with them. So you now have a one of a kind engagement ring. For the shortest engagement in history.”
Aleks regained her composure a bit and opened the box. She gasped.
“My God in heaven. This is gorgeous! How can I thank Andrew…?”
“Why, in person, of course.”
The large cyborg, Senior Guardian Angel, was then standing near them, his armored body shining in the sun with an almost ethereal light. All the children were clustered around him, giggling. For they were growing up with real Guardian Angels, flowing capes with wing designs on them and their armored covered heads resembling flowing golden hair. What could make you feel safer than a Guardian Angel?
Aleks stood up, walked to him. “Get your face down here, Tin Man. I must kiss you.”
Andrew knew better from experience to disagree with Aleks’ orders and bent down.
She kissed him on both cheek. Then she whispered, “You saved him that day in Key West. I never thanked you.”
“No need to, my dear. I knew what a special couple you would be. I had to save him.”
She kissed him on his very human lips. “Typical male. Has to get the last word in.”
And with that, Andrew just smiled, and stood up.
“What is this gown you are carrying, little sister?”
“I made a few minor changes to my wedding dress so that it would fit you. And I know you really liked it.” She paused, and blushed a little. “I…also would find it an honor…if you used it again. For you, my sister…I owe so damned much.” She tried to hold back her tears and then could not. The two women, bound together in love and family, hugged and cried.
“Why are they crying?” Asked young grandson William. “Are they sad?”
“No, young one,” answered Andrew. “Adults also cry when they are very happy. This wedding is going to be a very happy occasion.”
Within moments, everyone had their composure back. Aleks and Abigail had the wedding dress on in record time, as did Torbin with his Marine Corps Dress Blues.
Then everyone was in the transportable chapel, as the cyborg pilot of the second Falcon approached.
“May I introduce Miriam, one of our newest Guardian Angels?”
“A…lady Angel.” Asked Ichiro to Andrew.
“Why yes. We are now getting female applicants of sufficient statue and ability now. I think it…well the term nice touch applies.”
“I think,” Miriam replied. “What Andrew meant to say was that he and the others needed a ‘feminine touch’ in their ranks.”
“Of course. Again, Miriam, your perception is better than mine.”
Gage and Tristan both grinned. “Next, little angels running around.” Gage said. “What are they called?”
“Cherubs. I think,” replied Tristan. Everyone, including the Guardian Angels, laughed.
Abigail reappeared, took charge. “Alright, Ichiro as a Shinto Priest is officiating. Who gives Aleks away?”
“We will,” the trolls, twin sons answered in unison.
“Good. Now everyone pick a side, bride or groom. Andrew, cue the music please. Let’s get the show on the road…”
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Twenty minutes later, as Torbin kissed his bride of twenty-five years again, the years seemed to melt away. They all then moved to the house, where the food that Aleks had prepared for an anniversary celebration became a wedding feast. About an hour later, everyone was sitting on the large front porch. Andrew had walked Miriam over to the horse pasture to show her some of the livestock. Kat and William were sitting on a sofa together, holding hands like newlyweds. Torbin’s brother looked at Kat.
“Our Twenty-fifth is coming up. What do you think?”
Kat kissed him. “If you want to. We can get the whole family together again. Maybe this time all of our children too…”
There was a loud crash from inside the house. Kathleen and Marian looked at each other, looked around, saw that their children were not in sight.
“Oh shit!” They both said in unison and jumped up. But they were too late. They heard the angry Russian of Aleks from inside the house. Within moments, she was herding three boys and one girl from inside the house. She had young John and William by one ear each, using her foot to push young Torbin along outside. Young Aleksandra looked at her namesake. “I tried to tell them not to fool with it.”
“What happened?” Torbin said as he stood and walked toward his wife and the grandchildren.
“Grandmother Aleks, we’re sorry…” both of the young mothers started to say but Aleks jumped in.
“No apologies. They are doing what young boys do. They get into things.”
She looked sternly at the three miscreants. “But they also must suffer the consequences. husband, they knocked over your display case containing your Ka-Bar. The knife is on the table inside.” Torbin strode in and then returned with his Ka-Bar in hand.
“It will take more than four grand kids to hurt this blade.” He frowned at the three boys. “But you made a mess in there. What were you doing?”
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