Sister Katherine (41 page)

The doctor grinned.  “Seventeen have decided to move on to Earther or Galactic Council colonies.  Not too bad.  They will be leaving with the crew we captured, along with the mature women too old to bear children.”

Tranis gave them all a pleased look.  “Make sure to commend the crew for handling the Mataras so well that they have chosen to remain with us.  After a few initial mistakes we made, it seems the Earthers grew to understand how high in esteem we hold them.”

Even gruff Osopa smiled.  “They were meant to be adored.  I’m glad they are starting to recognize that.”

Murmurs of assent greeted his assertion.  Tranis closed out another file.  He blew out a breath and the darker look returned to his face.

“That brings us to the youngest members of the convent.”

Simdow tried to remain quiet, but found he couldn’t.  “Admiral, if I may speak?”

Tranis looked at him.  “Of course, Simdow.  I’d hoped to hear from you since your clan has had the most interaction with the younglings.”

Simdow swallowed.  “The little ones – they’ll be devastated if they’re made to leave Europa without their parents, not to mention terrified.  My Matara – my entire clan is concerned about what will happen to them in the hands of strangers.”

Lidon arched a brow at him.  “The Galactic Council will do their best by the children, First Officer.  All the best experts are being consulted as to how to handle the orphans of Earth.”

“I know, Commander.  However, even the experts have acknowledged the children have already endured too much trauma.  Taking them to who knows where and cared for by utter strangers will only make things worse.”  Simdow’s tone grew agitated, but he didn’t try to conceal that.  The matter had become much too important to him.

He told them, “I think about the parents who might find their way to Europa on their own, believing they’ll find their younglings waiting for them only to discover an empty colony.  Imagine the horror of it, even if it is just a temporary issue.  Two seconds of feeling such loss is two seconds too long.”

Degorsk said in a quiet voice, “You’ve become attached to the younglings.”

Simdow glared at the doctor, expecting ridicule from the irreverent Imdiko.

Degorsk showed no hint of humor for the moment.  “That’s not a bad thing, Commander.  The truth is, however, that the Earthers are now under the jurisdiction of the Galactic Council.  Especially younglings, the ones on this ship and on Earth.  Their fate is not in our hands.”

Simdow’s fist landed on the table top with an impressive thud.  “What is the Galactic Council going to do with a bunch of children?  Especially the ones who turn out to be orphans?”

Despite his display of temper, neither Degorsk nor his clanmates took offense.  They seemed as unhappy with the solution as Simdow felt.

The doctor told him, “The thought is to put them under Earther guardianship, if possible.  It will depend on how fast and how well the Galactic Council can set such a thing up.”

Simdow shook his head at the ugliness of the situation.  “So we’re just going to dump them somewhere and fly away?  Abandon them to their fates?  So long, kids, good luck.  Have a nice life.”

Lidon answered that one with a clipped tone.  “Handing them over to the Galactic Council is not abandonment, Commander.”

“Begging your pardon, Weapons Commander, but that’s sure the fuck what it sounds like.  These are frightened little girls.  I would think a Nobek of all people would appreciate the need to protect the helpless against the unknown.”

Lidon stared at him.  Simdow readied to get into a fight, one he would no doubt lose.  Yet he regretted none of his words.  Anyone who expected him to simply walk away from Europa’s children was in for an earful no matter the consequences.

The weapons commander startled Simdow by grinning broadly and bowing low.  He quoted the Book of Life.  “‘The man who will guard the weak at the risk of his own life is a man to revere and respect.’”

Simdow relaxed as everyone else nodded.  They were all on his side; it was just that the circumstances seemed insurmountable.

Their agreement did little to lift his spirits.  “The thing is, the people who will determine what happens to these girls have never seen their faces.  They’ll just be more numbers of the survivors to be packed away somewhere.”

Tranis nodded, his expression sympathetic.  “It’s true the Galactic Council is scrambling for answers.  They’ve never had to cope with an emergency of this scope before.”

“Which is even more reason for us to come up with some way to make this right for the little ones.”

The admiral eyed him speculatively.  “What do you think we should do then, Simdow?  If you can offer a suitable alternative, I’d be glad to share it with the Galactic Council myself.”

Simdow blew out a noisy breath.  He rubbed his face with his hands.  “I don’t know, sir.  There must be something that will keep the children close by for as long as possible, some way to make it easy for them to be reunited with their parents.  If we could keep them with people who they know care for them and will be there if the parents never appear – oh.”  He sat bolt upright.

Degorsk’s voice seemed to come from far away.  “Commander?”

Simdow’s mind raced with an idea that had suddenly erupted in his head.  An exciting, wonderful idea.  The trouble was that it probably wasn’t feasible.  Surely neither the Galactic Council nor the fleet would allow him and his clan to do what seemed to be the answer to almost everyone’s prayers.

Tranis leaned towards him, his hopeful expression chasing back some of the angst that had taken up residence on his demeanor.  “Simdow?  Whatever it is, no matter how farfetched, I want to hear it.”

Simdow blinked at him.  It was too much to hope for, yet he couldn’t help but hope anyway.  He told his commanding officer, “Admiral Tranis, you’re going to think I’m utterly insane, but I might have an idea.”

Chapter 19

Simdow rushed to his quarters at the end of his shift.  His mind felt fit to explode with all that could be, and he could scarcely wait to tell the others.

Warm, savory smells filled his nose as soon as he stepped into the living space his clan occupied.  The Dramok’s stomach snarled, and he realized he was hungry.  Had he eaten lunch today?  In the excitement, he couldn’t remember if he had.

Katherine and Vadef puttered about in the tiny kitchenette, apparently putting together the evening meal while Miv watched and stayed out of their way.  All three turned at Simdow’s entrance and greeted him with welcoming but morose smiles.  He thought it had been too long since anyone of them had looked truly happy.

Simdow had no idea how well they would receive what he was about to ask of them, at least not Vadef or Miv.  He was sure of only Katherine.

Before Europa, the three men had possessed clear dreams for their futures.  Simdow’s goals had changed since making Katherine their Matara, so not pursuing what he’d once deemed important didn’t feel much like loss anymore … certainly not in the wake of Armageddon.  Still, there were Vadef and Miv to consider.  Could he ask half his clan to give up what they’d pinned their futures on?

Masking his disquiet, he gave them all a smile.  “Something smells good.”

Katherine came forward to kiss him hello.  After doing so she said, “It’s a cheeseburger pie.  We’ve got a few minutes before it finishes cooking.  Have you got any news?”

“I do.  Shall we sit down?”

The clan gathered around the little table where they had their meals, Katherine and Vadef sitting comfortably, Miv perching less so on his own chair.  Nowhere on the ship was comfortable for the average and above-average sized Kalquorian.

Simdow’s clan looked at him expectantly.  He decided to start with Katherine since he believed she would be the most receptive to his proposal.

The Dramok asked her, “How many children do you want, Katherine?  I was thinking around 40 to start with.”

His Matara looked at him as if he’d gone mad.  After a moment, Simdow saw her recognize the number he’d given her.  Her mouth dropped open.

“Do you mean, adopt them all but Ashley since her parents have been found?”

Simdow chuckled.  “I would be delighted to be father to them all, but what I meant is foster them for however long is needed.  If we get confirmation that their families are deceased, we can explore the more permanent option, of course.  Are we still at only Ashley’s parents having been located, Vadef?”

The Imdiko nodded, his stare moving from surprised to another emotion.  Did Simdow dare to hope that was approval in his Imdiko’s eyes?

Simdow continued.  “Captain – I mean Admiral Tranis is lobbying the Galactic Council to put the little ones back on Europa until their parents or legal guardians come to get them.  Since the council wants Earther adults in charge of the Earther children, Katherine would be their interim guardian and mother until their rightful parents are found.”

Katherine didn’t need to hear anymore.  She jumped out of her chair with a little scream and threw herself in Simdow’s arms.  Still squealing with girlish delight, she peppered his face with kisses.  He couldn’t help laughing at her enthusiasm.

“I take it your answer is yes, my Matara?”

“Of course!  Simdow, thank you!  My girls will be so happy.”

Her smile lit his world, but there were still two others to discuss the matter with.  Settling the beaming Katherine in his lap, Simdow turned to their Imdiko.

“There is more.  Vadef, I know you love traveling and seeing all the planets and peoples of the known worlds.  I still thought of you first when we realized someone will be needed to track the registry of surviving Earthers.  You’ve shown us our greatest hope that we can reunite these girls with their families as fast as possible.  There is some talk of perhaps bringing all orphans found on Earth to Europa, keeping them in one centralized location to facilitate the process.  I have not volunteered you, because this assignment would remove you from the fleet—” 

Grinning from ear to ear, Vadef waved at him, cutting Simdow off.  “Of course I accept the position.  The only thing I want to see right now is Katherine and the children happy.”  A worried crease appeared between his brows.  “Europa is a small colony, Simdow.  Too small for the numbers I think will come.  The reports that I’m seeing from Earth hint that a huge number of orphans and children separated from their parents will be involved.”

Simdow nodded.  “We know the present solution is only temporary.  Either Europa will have to be enlarged or we will be moved.  I think moving will be the most likely scenario, since Europa is so far from the rest of the worlds belonging to the Galactic Council of Planets.”

“The parents of our girls who avoid contacting the Galactic Council’s emissaries may come directly to Europa,” Katherine fretted.  “They won’t know where to find their children.”

“We thought of that.  If and when we do leave for a bigger colony, a message beacon will be left at the convent so those who come looking for the little ones will be able to follow where we take them.  There is still a lot to be figured out, but this is what we’re working with for now.”

Vadef nodded.  “Count me in.”

Simdow next looked to Miv.  His Nobek’s gaze locked on the table surface before him.  It was impossible to know what Miv thought in that moment.  Of them all, the young warrior had the most to lose personally on this proposed venture.

A twinge of sadness tweaked Simdow’s heart.  No doubt Miv struggled right now, and Simdow vowed to himself that he would not judge his clanmate for whatever decision he made.

He told Miv, “Weapons Commander Lidon believes you are ready to be promoted and Admiral Tranis agrees.  You can’t be made head of Europa’s security, but you now hold the rank of lieutenant.  Congratulations, my Nobek.”

Miv nodded.  He kept staring at the table.

Simdow continued.  “I realize you probably don’t want to remain on Europa.  Your sentence of military service is nearly done, and I’m well aware you had hopes of returning to your fighting career.  I know how much that means to you, my Nobek.  If you choose to return to Kalquor with the spyship crew, I will not stand in your way.”

Miv finally looked up at him.  “Why would I leave my clan and my little sisters behind?  How could you think I’d settle for such a shallow life?  What joy can I possibly find on Kalquor without all of you?”

Vadef blinked.  “You love the fighting, my Nobek.  You’re good enough to be champion.  We all know that.”

Miv snorted.  He looked at them all as if disappointed, as if they’d insulted him.  “Do you believe I would miss the more worthy challenge of this?  No.  My place is here.  With my clan.  With my little sisters.  At your sides, fighting for what is real and important.  I am staying and there is nothing you can do to make me leave.”

Relief made Simdow giddy.  As he grinned at Miv, Katherine and Vadef laughed with delight.

We are together in this.  My clan remains with me, and we will all remain with our little ones.  As Miv said, our place is here
.

Vadef asked him, “What of you, Simdow?  What will be your part in this?”

“Admiral Tranis is recommending I be the acting governor of the colony until someone with more experience in such matters is assigned.  Once the permanent governor arrives, I will be his second, the lieutenant governor.”  Simdow had to laugh at the thought of being in charge of a colony, even on a temporary basis.  “It’s a big step up and ultimately not under the purview of the fleet.  I admit, I never imagined myself as a politician.”

Katherine hugged him tight, smiling as proudly as his adoptive mother might.  “I think you’ll do well, my Dramok.  You have your priorities in order.”

Simdow nodded.  “You, the children and all my clan.  Nothing else is more important to me.”  He added, “I already have an assignment for you, Colony Administrator.  Speak to the elder sisters of the convent.  If any of the other nuns wish to remain and help us, they are more than welcome to do so.”

Katherine said, “I think we’ll have several volunteers.  Thank you for doing this.”