I lowered to the ground and took them in. “You guys are so big!” Dean was in a suit, and Patty was wearing a floral dress. She was five now, with a striking resemblance to her mother, which wasn’t surprising.
“What do you think? Pretty cool, hey?” Magnus’ son asked me.
“I think this is the coolest. What’s your favorite part?” I asked the kids, noticing Natalia chatting with someone near the door.
“I like the plants,” Patty told me, pointing to the greenery.
“I like that too. Dean?” I asked.
He stuck a finger upwards. “I like the stars the best,” he told me.
“A man after my own heart. Have you guys seen Jules?” I asked, and Patty nodded.
“She’s over there,” Patty said, and I followed her gaze to the far end of the courtyard.
There was my little girl, getting bigger by the day. She was in a green dress, and her mother was nowhere in sight, but there was her protector, Slate, nearby. He was unmistakable even from this distance. Loweck was at his side, as usual. The two of them had become inseparable.
“Mr. Parker.” Magnus set a hand on my shoulder. “Would you like a minute to change?”
I glanced at my jeans, boots, and flannel shirt. Everyone else was either in uniform or formal attire. “I didn’t bring anything with me.”
“Follow me.” Magnus turned his attention to his kids. “You two stay with Mom, okay?”
“Yes, Father,” Patty said, rolling her eyes.
“Cute,” I told him, and he grimaced.
“She’s developed a little bit of an attitude. I’ll show you your room.” Magnus strode from the room, and I followed, giving Natalia a quick nod, not wanting to lose my big impatient friend.
We veered right, onto a different corridor, and Magnus walked through a glowing barrier. I attempted to follow but was stopped by the blue light.
“Sorry. Biometrics… your DNA hasn’t been programmed yet.” He tapped a code into a console on the wall, and the blue field flashed off. It flickered on after I stepped through.
“Is the security that important over here?” I asked, thinking it might be overdone.
“This is where the main crew’s cabins are. It’s a lesson I learned from the Keppe. They’ve had mutinies before, and one of their captains was killed in his sleep. I’d prefer to avoid that at all costs.”
Magnus was smiling, and I couldn’t tell if he was goofing around with me or not. We entered a round foyer with ten doorways inset around the perimeter.
“These are the rooms. Three thousand square feet each for the families, and two thousand for the single cabins. You’re going to feel like you’re at home while onboard,” he said.
I wanted to tell him about my decision to not come with them, but held back. He was in such a great mood, so proud of the vessel he was going to lead.
“This is your room.” He pointed to the far left and grinned again.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I asked, suddenly nervous.
“Just go inside. Get changed. Come to the party.” Magnus turned on a heel, leaving me alone in the foyer.
“Go inside, get changed, party,” I mumbled to myself. “Check.”
The door was locked. I knocked and cursed Magnus for not letting me in. I wasn’t programmed into the ship yet.
It slid open, revealing my beautiful wife. She was in a green dress, one that matched our daughter’s, and her hair was long and curled. I reached for her face, softly cupping her cheek, and leaned in, kissing her. They’d come a week earlier, and I’d missed seeing her every day.
“Dean, what took you so long?” she asked, stepping to the side so I could enter the suite.
“The negotiations. You know how that stuff can go,” I said.
“Can we talk about it later?” she asked, and I saw the flash in her eyes.
“What’s wrong? What is it?” I asked.
She smiled now, tears forming, then falling down her face. “Dean…”
“Tell me.” I held her right hand and wiped her tears with my other.
“I know you wanted to stay on Earth, but…”
“You want to stay here?”
She shook her head. “It’s not that.”
I was worried, scared something terrible had occurred. “What’s the matter?” I asked as calmly as I could, and noticed my hand shaking.
“I think it might be better if we stay on the ship. Everyone will be here. Nick will be here,” she said, her eyes meeting my own.
“Nick? Doctor Nick? Oh, Mary, are you sick?” I asked, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into an embrace.
She set her hands on my shoulders and gently pushed me away. “No. Well, I’ve had some morning sickness.”
Her eyes glimmered, and I felt a rush of happiness course through me.
Two
“We’re pregnant?” I hugged her again, careful not to be too forceful.
“We are,” she answered.
“How did this happen?” I asked. “Don’t answer that… I know how this happened, but…”
“Dean, you’re not mad?” Mary asked.
I laughed. “How could I be angry? This is the best news ever!” I was elated, and she laughed with me now.
She led me into the quarters, and I took in my surroundings. The entryway had a lot of space for shoes and even jackets, though the entire ship was climate-controlled. I opened a closet door and found three custom EVA suits, one for each of the Parkers. Jules’ was so small.
We passed by a bathroom on the way to the first bedroom. It was already set up for a little girl, and I squinted at Mary. “You’ve been planning on leaving with Horizon this whole time, haven’t you?”
She swallowed and bobbed her head in an unsure motion. “I told Magnus we weren’t certain, but he was adamant about making the room. There’s also a surprise we need to show you onboard.”
I wasn’t sure if my heart could handle any more startling today. “This place looks so nice.” There was another room, set up with a crib and a rocking chair, as well as a changing table. “How did they set this up so quickly?”
She shrugged. I wasn’t even annoyed that she’d told other people before me. I was the one who’d lingered on Earth to go over things with Paul and the Council before meeting up with them on the exploration ship. It was my fault. “How far along are you?” I glanced at her stomach, not noticing any changes. Her dress was loose, making it hard to tell.
“Ten weeks,” she said. “A long time to go.”
“Nick’s coming? Does that mean Clare’s here?” I asked, excited by the idea of joining our old friends on Horizon.
“She’s here. She can’t wait to talk to you.” Mary’s eyes danced with excitement. Maggie barked lightly from the edge of the room, waking from a snooze in her dog bed. Little bones adorned the soft round pillow, and she ran over to me, wildly wagging her tail at my arrival. I crouched to pet the dog, and glanced up at Mary.
“What is it with everyone? Did they make you drink some sort of Kool-Aid when you boarded?” I asked.
The living room was large; a screen depicted a fireplace. There were long, slender windows along the side of the entire space as well as the dining room, showcasing space beyond.
“Are these real or projections?” I asked, tapping the glass. It seemed real.
“That’s space on the other side. They tell me it’s all up to code, and the Keppe have been using the technology for centuries without concern,” Mary advised.
“Then I’ll trust it. Still, it’s a little ominous, don’t you think?” I asked, and she pressed a button on a wall control panel. The windows dimmed, and an image of a corn crop blowing in a breeze at dusk appeared in place of reality.
“That’s better.” The quarters were amazing. “Mary, I know we were going to tell everyone we had pressing matters on Earth, but we agreed we needed to keep Jules away from the public. She’s…”
Mary frowned and stepped toward me. “She’s what,
Dean? Special? Different? Good!”
“You know that’s not what I meant,” I said. “She is different, though, and if anyone knew what she’s capable of, she’d be in danger.”
Mary smirked, and it was unsettling. “Dean, do you think we haven’t been in danger every day of our lives since the Event? We’ve done so many crazy things, had countless beings wanting to kill us, and yet we’re here. What better place for Jules to be than on board the Horizon, among all our friends and loved ones?
“If you want her to be protected, this is the place to do so. With Slate, and Magnus, and Natalia, and her best friend Patty. We can’t hide her forever, Dean. She needs to grow up around these people.” Mary stopped and sat on the couch, glancing up at me. “I need to be around these people.” Her hand went to her stomach and I sat beside her, taking her other hand in mine.
“I know. You’re right,” I said. I hated to admit it, but she was totally correct, about all of it. I was so adamant that Jules’ secret remain between a trusted few that I’d misjudged what our isolation was doing to our daughter, and to us. It wasn’t fair to anyone. “We’ll go. Jules is just so young, and she lets her powers slip sometimes.”
Mary nodded, but smiled. “She’s my angel, Dean. She needs us to help her.” Her eyes went distant, like she was recalling the terror while she was in the Iskios’ possession, Jules a tiny embryo inside her.
“You’ll be at my side for this pregnancy, okay?” Last time, we were stranded on Sterona while she carried the baby, finally giving birth just as we were rescued. This time, we’d be on board the Horizon, and things would be much better.
“Okay.” She wiped a tear and shooed me away. “Go. Freshen up.”
“I know the drill. Get changed. Party. Magnus already put me through the paces. Where’s my suit?” I asked.
“In the bedroom.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure we don’t have a couple minutes?”
____________
“Looking good, you two,” Slate said as we entered the courtyard. They’d turned on some ambient lighting; soft yellow string lights draped around the room, over the plants, near the seating at the water features. Music played from unseen speakers, and I now recognized far more faces.
“Slate! I’m glad to see you,” I told him, patting him on the back. He was in uniform, and I noticed Loweck was as well. “Both part of the crew?”
Loweck’s hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she smiled at us as she meandered over. She moved with the grace of a tiger, matching her orange skin. “I’m Lieutenant Loweck, in charge of security, and this is second-in-command Commander Zeke Campbell.”
“Zeke? You’re Magnus’ number one?” I asked, not entirely surprised.
“Who else was going to take the job? I mean… working for the guy is a nightmare,” Slate said, but his smile gave him away. “Plus the benefits are great.”
Mary nodded toward Loweck. “The benefits of working on the bridge with her every day?”
Slate laughed. “You understand me, Mary, but please, stop calling me Zeke.”
“Papa!” Jules’ small voice found me from across the room, and I turned to see her running to me from Patty’s side.
I raised a finger to Slate and Loweck, and met Jules halfway, picking her up in a spinning hug. “And how’s my little princess?”
She giggled as I spun one last time and set her down on uneasy feet. “Papa, you finally showed up.” She was over four, her vocabulary far more advanced and improving all the time. She was a smart cookie.
“I told you I’d come. How do you like the ship?” I asked.
She looked around, taking her time before answering. “Are we staying?”
I mimicked her, putting my hands on my hips, and tapping my chin. “I think we might. As long as you’re okay with it.”
“Papa! I want to stay. Patty’s here, and Dean, and Uncle Zeke, and Suma, and…” Jules kept rattling names off, and I scanned the room.
She was right. Everyone was here. I waved at Suma and saw a tall Shimmali man beside her, clearly not her father. No wonder she was in such a good mood lately. Suma had a boyfriend.
Nick and Clare were over near the bar, and Nick motioned me closer. “Come on, Jules. Let’s go see the doctor.”
“So we’re staying?” Jules asked tentatively.
“Yep. Seems that way,” I told her, and she raised her arms in the air and spun around a few times. She ran off, heading for Patty, who was waiting for her friend beside Mary, Natalia, and Magnus.
“What can we offer you, Dean?” Nick asked as I walked over to the bar. An android was behind the table, and it awaited my order. I hugged Clare first, then Nick pulled me in. “Congrats.” He let go and winked.
“Thanks. Does everyone know?” I asked.
Clare shook her head. “Only us and Magnus and Nat. We’re so happy for you two.”
“And you guys are joining the crew of the Horizon, just like that?” I asked, and ordered a beer. The android passed it to me without hesitation.
“We are. I’m in Engineering,” Clare said.
“And I’m in daycare services,” Nick said.
“Good, we can use you. Seriously, are you the ship’s main doctor?” I asked him.
“At least for the humans. We have someone else on board that specializes in alien health care. Wait until you meet her. A real gas bag,” Nick said, and Clare laughed with his comment. It was clearly an inside joke I wasn’t part of.
“Who else is here?” I asked, and saw a crew member move aside, revealing the short blue body of a Molariun. “Rivo?”
She heard me and turned around, her four eyes meeting my gaze. “Dean!” She ran over. Her uniform was almost the same color as her skin.
“You’re coming with us? That’s great. How’s your father?” I asked. Garo Alnod had been sick the last time I’d been to Bazarn Five.
“He’s much better, thank you. He’s older now, less confident since the illness, but he’s alive and doing well. He’s glad I’m coming with you on this trip. He thinks some time near Dean Parker will be good for me,” Rivo said.
I ordered her a drink and passed it over. “Wine, right?”
“You remembered.” She clinked my bottle. “This is quite the party. And ship. Have you seen the bridge yet?”
“I haven’t seen anything,” I admitted.
Clare interrupted. “Dean, find us at the end of the night. A few of us have to show you something.”
I gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Can you tell me what it is now? I hate surprises, and everyone’s being super weird about it.”
“Sorry, I can’t.” Clare shot Rivo a hard stare, and Nick and Clare walked off, chatting to an unfamiliar face.
“You know what it is, don’t you?” I started, and before Rivo could answer, a booming voice called out my name.
“Dean Parker!” it said. The voice was loud and menacing, sending shivers through my spine.
I almost reached for a gun I didn’t have, but was relieved when it was only the huge Keppe warrior, Hectal. He stood seven feet tall, giant armor sat under his dark skin, and he moved with ease contrary to his bulk. He picked me up and squeezed me in a bear hug. I needed to stop hanging out with such hefty aliens.
“Hello, Hectal,” I mustered through hasty breaths.
“Dean, how are you doing, friend?” Hectal asked in English as he set me on the floor.
I tapped my throat. “Voice modifier?”
“Yup. You haven’t obtained one yet?” he asked.
“Not yet. I’ve been thinking about it. But if everyone else around me has it done, then I won’t need to,” I told him.
He agreed. “What’s your role on the ship?” Hectal scanned the room as if he was searching for someone.
“Me? I don’t really have a role,” I admitted.
“Moral support. I like it. I’ll catch up with you later,” he said, passing me an empty beer bottle. Another Keppe entered the room, and for a moment, I thought
it was Rulo. But this female warrior was shorter, and didn’t have the scar on her cheek. I silently hoped Rulo was doing well far across the vortex we’d found Magnus inside.
The song ended. I saw Magnus make his way to the water feature, and a spotlight shone down on him. I found a spot beside Mary and Natalia, smiling a greeting at my Russian friend as Magnus began to speak, his voice amplified and booming through the huge open courtyard.
“Welcome, crew of the Horizon.” His smile broadened, and I could feel the passion and energy exude off him as he spoke. “We have a week before we depart from Haven’s orbit, but we wanted to have an evening before the final preparations where we could break bread and have a few beverages with one another. Is everyone enjoying themselves?”
Magnus paused as the assembled mass cheered. The room was far fuller now, half of the group in uniform. I knew the total number of passengers was somewhere around four hundred, and it spoke to how big this topiary paradise in the middle of the ship was. Even though there were now hundreds of crew standing around, it didn’t feel crowded.
Mary glanced over at me, her smile as resplendent as her dress, and I thought about the tiny life growing inside her. We were going to be parents again. Late nights, feedings, diaper changes… it was all worth it to see our little one grow up to become a little person.
“Please, help yourself to more food and drink, and get to know each other.” Magnus raised a glass, two fingers of Scotch inside it. “To family. To the Horizon.”
“To the Horizon,” the guests chorused.
The music began playing again, and I soaked it all in for a second. This was so far from where we’d come, crammed together on a Kraski ship on our first mission. Now we were about to traverse the universe in a luxury cruiser, armed to the teeth with a full crew of at least a dozen different alien races. It was monumental. This wasn’t merely a human vessel; it belonged to Haven and the Alliance of Worlds.
Magnus came over, and I clinked my beer to his glass. “What did you think? Were you moved?” he asked.
New Horizon (The Survivors Book Nine) Page 2
