Peabody and the Host
Vic James
vicjames2@hotmail.com
Copyright 2013 by Vic James
http://vicjames.com
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Twenty-Two
Peabody went for a walk around the park with Oscar. As he looked around, he thought some of the plants had grown already. He wondered if they were being fertilized. He decided he would ask Pon. He walked over to the large rock in the center of the park and sat.
Fon and Lan walked up to Peabody.
"Hi, big daddy. Hello, Fon!"
"Hello, Peabody."
"I thought to cheer Abbott up over losing the baby, we would take him to see the Valles Marineris. Would you like to go?"
"Sure! That sounds great!"
Lan made food for them. Peabody smiled when he saw Lan put the food and drinks in a picnic basket. A picnic on Mars. He shook his head. His life was nothing like he expected it to be and he was delighted about that.
"It will be just the four of us. The others are going to get started on the cavern expansion for the pool."
"Oh, good! How long will that take?"
"A few days. It depends on how creative Ban and Pon get on the design. A simple pool would take a few hours."
"And theirs won't be simple," Peabody said, remembering the pool they already had. It was multi-level and very beautiful.
"No. It will probably take three days, with most of that arguing about the design. That's my guess," Fon said.
They all got on the new electric vehicle and drove it to the shuttle. They boarded it and took off.
As they flew to the canyon, Fon said "There are a great many tributaries to the main canyon. Most of them are very similar. We are going to fly over the main canyon, which is the deepest one. It is so deep that the Martian atmosphere is about twenty five percent denser at the bottom of the canyon."
"If there is more air there, why didn't you build our home there?" Peabody asked.
"We chose our location based on three considerations. Water availability, predicted seismic stability, and degree of protection from meteor impacts. The canyon was formed primarily through seismic activity. We were concerned that it might be less stable, geologically. We also were unable to find water near it. It has probably leaked into the canyon and evaporated."
The floor of the shuttle was transparent and they could see the Martian surface flowing beneath them. Occasionally they would fly over a large crater. And then they were over it. They flew inside it so they were able to see it below and to the sides of them. It was very impressive, but Peabody thought the Grand Canyon was prettier. The Grand Canyon was more colorful.
"I read that it is almost one-quarter of the planet's circumference," Abbott said.
"Yes. It is approximately three thousand miles long. Parts appear to be the results of water erosion, but most of it was formed due to movement of the Martian crust. It is very old. You'll notice that most of the rock is the same color. However there are some areas with layers of different kinds of rock."
Peabody looked back and saw Abbott was leaning against Fon.
They flew through the canyon. Occasionally, Lan would turn and go up a tributary before heading back to the main canyon.
"Are you having a good time, beautiful?" Lan asked him.
"I am. I have to say, though that space travel is more fun!"
Lan chuckled. "I agree. I would like to be doing to you what Fon is doing to Abbott. Peabody turned around and saw Fon was licking Abbott's erection.
Peabody started laughing.
"What is funny, beautiful?"
Peabody grinned at Abbott. "Mars is really the gay planet, isn't it?" They all began laughing.
"It is. They thought naming it after the god of war would butch it up, but it didn't work," Abbott said. Peabody laughed.
A few minutes later, Lan saw a warning flash on his display.
"There has been a quake. It was centered about two hundred kilometers northwest of the colony site,"
"How bad?" Peabody asked.
"It wasn't extremely powerful. Hopefully not much damage was done," Lan said.
Abbott and Fon walked to the front of the shuttle.
A moment later, they heard Ban's voice.
"Comm to Lan and Fon."
"This is Lan."
"We just had a quake here. We are lucky Peabody and Abbott are there and safe. There was damage. The sensors indicate air loss in several spots, including the surface airlock to the shuttle corridor and the corridor to the park."
"How about the park itself, Ban?" Fon asked.
"No air loss has registered yet. We will keep monitoring it, but it doesn't seem to be affected."
"Is everyone all right, Ban?" Peabody asked.
"Oh, yes. We are all fine. Don't worry, Peabody. We were all in the park and we are fine. The dogs and birds didn't like the shaking, but that is all. The shuttle corridor is pressurized, but we can't bring the shuttle in until the surface airlock is fixed. We haven't seen the damage yet. It could take a few hours to repair. We will let you know as soon as we see it," Ban said.
"I'm glad I brought plenty of food," Lan said.
"How much did you take with you, Lan?" Ban asked.
"We have enough for lunch and supper. We have snacks to get us through breakfast tomorrow. And of course, travel rations. If necessary, we can take Peabody and Abbott to Earth and then return to help," Lan said.
"I don't think the damage is severe enough for that."
Peabody looked at Abbott who was frowning.
"I don't think either of us want to go to Earth, regardless," Peabody said. "I, for one, would worry like crazy."
"Me, too," Abbott said.
"Once we have viewed the damage, we can decide what we will do," Ban said. Peabody nodded. "I will let you know when I know more. End comm."
Lan found a spot in the canyon to land and they settled to the ground.
Lan passed out sandwiches and they ate.
"I hope the power station wasn't damaged," Peabody said.
"Ban would have mentioned that. That would be much worse than an airlock. We have always assumed there would be quakes," Lan told him. "We have always known the shuttle corridor is vulnerable. Part of it is on the surface, and the surface airlock attaches to rock which may have shattered. The most vulnerable areas are the corridors and the illuminated cavern."
"Oh, yeah. I would hate to have been in there with stalactites falling to the ground!" Peabody said.
Abbott nodded.
"That is why Pon removed them over the path in the cavern," Fon said.
"This is the first quake since you've been here, right?" Peabody asked.
"Yes."
"It's funny that we were talking about seismic instability moments before a quake," Peabody said.
"Can we get to the park in spacesuits?" Peabody asked.
"Yes, but let's wait until we know more before we make plans," Fon said.
They ate their sandwiches and Peabody noticed Lan grow erect.
"I love that!"
Lan chuckled. "You used to love all of me."
Peabody laughed.
Peabody wrapped his hand around it while he held his sandwich with his other hand.
"The sandwiches are good, but I would rather eat that, Lan!"
Abbott laughed.
"We have to make it last. We may be more bored later and wish we had a beautiful erection to enjoy," Lan said.
"That's true. But won't Abbott get Fon's erection?"
Abbott laughed.
Lan started to say something but Peabody hugged him.
"I will just sit here and admire it for a while."
He leaned against Lan.
They finished eating.
"Could we go see the south polar ice cap? I read that there is an enormous amount of water locked up there," Abbott said.
"We can," Lan said. "Do you want to see more of this canyon?"
"Yes. I do anyway," Abbott said.
"Me, too," Peabody said.
They took off and continued their tour of the canyon.
About an hour later, Ban said, "We have made a list of the damage. The shuttle corridor air lock should be repaired in about six hours. The other air leaks can be easily fixed and Pon is working on them. The other damage is minor. A pool wall cracked and the water ran out. The illuminated cavern had some minor damage. The power room is fine, but there is a minor air loss there. It is probably a seal around one of the power lines leading to the surface airlock."
"Oh, that's great!" Lan said.
"Would the repair be faster with you and Fon helping?" Peabody asked.
"It would help," Ban said.
"Let's head back then," Peabody said. "I can't really enjoy the sightseeing that much while I am worrying about our home. What do you think, Abbott?"
"I agree. I'm trying to force myself to enjoy this. I would rather do it while I wasn't worrying."
"We'll head back. We can come back any time," Lan said.
He turned the shuttle around and they headed home.
Lan looked over at Peabody, who was sitting in the front with him.
"Try not to worry, beautiful. Everything will be fine."
"What if you can't fix the airlock? Is that a possibility?"
"Not really. At worst, it could take a couple of days to fix."
Peabody nodded.
"Sit on my lap."
Peabody grinned and got on it.
"Better?" Lan asked.
Peabody wrapped an arm around Lan's neck.
"It is."
Peabody rested his head on Lan's shoulder and was surprised to find he had fallen asleep.
He woke to Lan's voice. "We are here, beautiful."
Peabody sat up and then got off his lap.
"That was nice. Thank you, big daddy!"
"I loved it, too."
Lan and Fon got into space suits.
Peabody saw that the shuttle was about fifty yards from the airlock. He could see two Alaphin-he wasn't sure who they were-in space suits already working. Lan and Pon left the shuttle and Peabody and Abbott watched them walk over to help.
"Do you have any idea what they are doing?" Abbott asked.
"No. I've never even noticed the air lock before." He grinned. "I was always distracted."
Abbott laughed. "I know what you mean!"
They watched them work for a while.
"Does it bother you that Ban left you to go with me?" Abbott asked.
"No. I know why he did it, so I understand."
"You mean he went because someone had to?"
"Yes and no." Peabody wondered if he ought to mention the reason, but Abbott probably needed to know.
"I will tell you what Lan and Mun have told me. It isn't from anything Ban said. He was always wonderful to me and I do love him. They said Ban is very competitive and he wanted to be my favorite. He was Aracatal's favorite and he wanted to be my favorite. He thought Lan and Lin were my favorites, and Ban didn't think he could displace them. When the opportunity with you came up, I don't think that is the only reason, but I think it helped make up his mind. He could be your favorite. Fon is not competitive at all, at least according to Lan."
"What does that even mean, favorite? Just simply the one you like most?"
"I assume that's what it means. I'm not sure whether there is any more to it. I know I love Lan most, so I was told he is my favorite. I think Fon hoped he would be closer to you, since you only have two mates than he would be to me. So it is a good thing for both of them. By the way, Lan said Ban and Fon love you very much."
Abbott smiled. "I love them."
Peabody nodded. "They are both fine people. I could live the rest of my life, happily with either."
"I'm not sure I understand the host-parent relationship," Abbott said.
"Me, either. I think about it a lot. I always wonder if I am thinking human when I should be thinking Alaphin. I tried to treat them as human spouses when I first came. What do I know about Alaphin relationships? They kept telling me I shouldn't, but it was all I knew. I still treat them as human spouses. It's easier having only four, I can tell you that!"
Abbott smiled.
"You have no idea what a relief it is that you don't feel I stole them from you."
"I don't. I still love them and if they are happy, I am glad. We all live together, after all."
They sat and watched their mates for a while.
"The whole favorite thing bothers me a little," Peabody said. "I can accept the fact that it is impossible to love them all equally, but I still feel a little guilty for loving Lan more than the others."
"I understand that completely. I have been trying to love Ban and Fon equally."
"Exactly! That is exactly how I felt-and feel. I want to love them equally. Lin said that was not possible, and not to wear myself attempting it. But each of them is my mate. And each of them is a wonderful person. Take Mun, for example. He is sweet, romantic, and considerate. Yet, because he is not my favorite and he knows it, I feel bad that he isn't my favorite."
Abbott nodded.
"Am I supposed to treat Fon differently than Ban?" Abbott asked.
"I have no idea. I tried very hard to avoid doing that. I guess you get to make your own rules. Do what makes you most comfortable. I think if you treat Ban as your favorite, it will please him very much. What I don't know is how Fon would feel."
Abbott nodded.
"Do you ever regret leaving Earth?" Abbott asked.
"No. I had nothing on Earth. I was ready to kill myself. I had stockpiled drugs to do it. My health was poor, and my lover and dog died in a car crash. Coming here is the best thing that ever happened to me.
"What are you going to do about all your things? Your home and car and all that?" Peabody asked.
"I am having the lawyers sell everything."
"You didn't bring much."
"I have collected things my whole life. When I got here, I realized I didn't need any of it. Especially money."
"What if you can't carry a baby?"
"I don't plan to go back," Abbott said.
"What do you mean?"
Abbott sighed. "I shouldn't have said that."
"Well, now you have me curious."
"I'm determined to carry one of their babies. If the supplements make me sick, I will accept it."
"You could die."
"Exactly."
"Oh, Abbott. Why would you want to do that?"
"Peabody, how do you think I would feel if I went back to Earth? I would spend the rest of my life miserable. I would miss Ban and Fon terribly. I would also miss this-" Abbott waved his arms. "-incredible adventure."
Peabody slowly nodded. That made perfect sense. He decided that if Abbott could not host an Alaphin baby, he would try to convince the others to let Abbott stay on Mars. Lin had offered the same thing to him when he arrived.
Ban showed Lan and Fon where the seal between the rock and the airlock had broken. There was no damage to the machinery.
"I am wondering whether we should replace it with the same seal," Ban said.
"What are you considering instead?" Fon asked.
"I would love to use a permeable seal, like the ones between floors and get rid of the machinery. Use passive technology. The problem is the large size and the pressure differential. If the shuttle corridor was at half-normal air pressure, it would probably be strong enough."
"What about both?" Fon suggested. "If another quake takes out the airlock, the seal would keep most of the air in."
"If the corridor was at full pressure, I think the seal would be forced open. It wouldn't close until almost all the air was gone."
"What about automatically dumping air to half pressure in the event of an airlock failure?" Fon suggested.
"We discussed all this when we put it in originally," Mun said.
"I know. I just thought it might be a good time to reconsider it. But we need to get Peabody and Abbott in here. Let's just fix it," Ban said.
"Beautiful, we finished and now we are repressurizing the corridor between the two airlocks."
"Thanks, Lan."
"Why don't the two of you eat something?"
"That sounds like a good idea. Was any more damage discovered?"
"No. It's mainly just this airlock and the one that connects the shuttle corridor to the corridor that leads to the park. Both of them are closest to the surface."
Lan, Ban, Fon, and Mun entered the shuttle in their suits, once they were finished. Lan went to the front and took them home.
When Peabody got off the shuttle, he was surprised that that there was no visible sign of the quake. He had expected rocks to be lying in the corridor. Then he remembered that the walls of the corridor had sealant on them. He assumed that had prevented it.
They got back to the park and Oscar leapt up into Peabody's arms.
"Did you miss me?"
Oscar licked his face.
They walked to his cabin. Peabody grinned as he watched a squirrel chasing another squirrel on the grass. These squirrels wouldn't have to worry about hawks or cars. He went into the cabin and nothing looked different.