Copyright 2024 – Daemon D. Hart
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The Human Bearer
"We'll meet daddy at home," Riordan said as he started walking faster. If all this was true, and it had to be because Junior never lied, that meant that new conflicts would soon arise. Just when he had thought that they would enjoy a little peace and quiet, as relative as those words were with a species like Xenos onboard.
That must have been the explanation for Marn's latest tiredness. With some effort, he caught glimpses of the Xeno conversations, and His Royal Chancellor appeared to have succumbed to a state resembling a sort of coma for a human being. He would have to ask Xana for more explanations, but one thing was sure; Marn, who had been their ruler and protector for so long that it had seemed no one would ever replace him, was now in a deep slumber and no longer able to keep all his promises.
With Xenos being so competitive, a fight for power was to be expected. At least, it was what he assumed it would happen at any moment now. As he walked faster and faster, with Junior leading the way, his heart couldn't help going to Marn. What had happened? He wasn't that old, was he? Although Riordan didn't recall meeting a Xeno older than him. Maybe Xeus Senior, but Riordan had no idea how old his father-in-law was.
It occurred to him that Marn must have put himself through a lot during the latest attack on the ship. At the moment, Riordan regretted insulting His Royal Chancellor. Who was to say that they could have done better, given the circumstances? At times like this, it hit him how little he knew. He didn't even have any idea what brumation meant. A coma, as much as he thought of it as such, didn't sound quite right. Was Marn ill? Was he dying? Despite hating on the big kahuna on occasion, Riordan had to admit that the older Xeno had grown on him. What if he never got out of that state? Would he ever meet his son again? Get to meet his grandchildren? Tasha had been pregnant with Xer when the big escape had happened, so there had to be at least one Xenolite to call Marn grandpa.
He covered his mouth for a moment and looked up to make the tears in his eyes stop already. Was his pregnancy to blame for getting emotional? Not that he knew a whole lot about it, even if it was his second, but he recalled talking about all manners of things with Kyle, in the beginning, when he had known squat about what being pregnant meant. Kyle, another friend who lay in pieces, with doubtful chances of recovery.
"Dada, daddy's coming soon," Junior assured him.
Riordan blinked quickly and took the boy in his arms. "Thank you for telling me about it, baby. Now, I know you can be faster than me, but let me just carry you home."
Junior quickly climbed and wrapped his arms around his neck instead of answering. A new generation of Xenos was surely emerging and these new boys and girls looked like they were a lot more in touch with their feelings compared to their sires.
To calm himself down while waiting, Riordan began spoiling Junior with the few fairytales from Earth he knew. With Kyle's help, he would have known more, but he was on his own and needed to do his best. Junior was always hungry for all things Earth, making Riordan wonder whether they would ever be able to travel to that distant planet together. Since only being dependent on seth had prevented him from returning before, as long as he got that seth dispenser aka Xana with him, that shouldn't be a problem, right?
Fuck, he was filling his own head with weird ideas now, while he was trying his hardest not to come up with apocalyptic scenarios. After all, Xenos were all so intelligent and reasonable when it was in their best interest, right? Surely, they would just find someone as a stand-in for Marn until the guy got out of his brumation.
The door opened with the usual hydraulic hiss, and Riordan was on his feet, clutching Junior to his chest. Not because he wanted to comfort the boy, but because he wanted to comfort himself.
"Xana," he said and hurried to welcome his husband.
Xana took them both in his arms and kissed Riordan on the lips. Junior moved from Riordan's arms to his daddy's, his affectionate nature shining through, like usual.
"What's going on with Marn? This brumation thing, what's that?" Riordan began raining questions on his husband's head. "He's not... you know. Right?"
"He took us all by surprise," Xana confirmed Riordan's suspicion, that the other Xenos must have overlooked how tired Marn had appeared to be lately. Was it because the notion of being tired was beyond their comprehension?
"But he did look like he could use a rest. Is this what he's doing? He's resting?"
Xana took him and sat with him on one of their beds. "His Royal Chancellor should have been decades away from his first brumation."
"Are you all doing that?"
"With age, from one point forward. It helps us prolong our lives so that we can transfer our knowledge to the following generations."
"And what age are we talking about?"
"Hundreds of years, in human terms," Xana explained. "As I said, His Royal Chancellor wasn't supposed to have his first for a long time."
"So, are we leader-less now? Are Xenos left and right fighting for power? And the Council? What do they say? What do you say?"
Xana took his hands in his, while Junior chose to climb on his daddy's back and listen intently on their conversation, with his eyes as big as saucers. Since he was capable of taking part in a serious conflict such as the latest attack on the ship, he could very well learn about the fights for power that would most likely take place now. Riordan couldn't shake off that feeling. That they were about to witness another disruption in the Xeno society with no means to stop it before it got ugly.
"We might not be in as dire a situation as you think. But it all depends on how skillful Ferix Baserat is in getting my father to optimal health."
"How is he? I wanted to see him too, today, but there were so many places I needed to be--"
"It's alright, my love. Going to watch my father immersed in one of those tanks wouldn't help him with anything."
"But he's family, and I must check on him. Ugh, you Xenos are sometimes driving me nuts. But he pretty much thought the same thing when it was the other way around. So, it is all a matter of seniority? Because your father is older than the rest on the ship, he's qualified?"
"That's less important than his profession and experience in the said profession."
"Military. Well, I guess it makes sense. We're on a ship, and we have a general with us."
"Some may not agree. Tu'lek is not a military vessel. Although we do have our necessary weaponry for defense and even offense to a certain degree."
"Okay. But your dad is still the most qualified guy to take us to Tanez, right? I mean, he knows space, I bet he does." Riordan knew that he was babbling, but maybe he was a bit sensitive, like Cario and his son, and vibrated in synch with the changes happening on the ship, probably overreacting. He needed Xana to tell him that he was overreacting.
"Xana, am I scared for nothing?"
"Dada, you're courageous," Junior intervened. "You're never scared."
"Thanks for your trust, baby, but I'm often pushed to be brave because there's no other choice." He had no idea what Junior made of that.
"A certain level of apprehension is to be expected," Xana explained. "Yes, because you are human, an Earthian, your emotional response to the situation is heightened beyond what is necessary."
"How is Marn? Is he in any pain? I have to say that I don't know enough about this brumation thing. I mean, what I know is enough to fill a thimble, I guess."
"No, he doesn't suffer, but due to the unusual nature of this occurrence, and how fast it happened, we cannot offer a prognostic that would tell us for sure what to expect. For now, he is in Ferix Baserat's care."
"And I thought you Xenos were too tough to need a doctor."
"I can assure you that Ferix will not have to administer any treatment. Brumation is natural for Xenos. He will only monitor his state. The med bay where he works is also equipped with the latest security options after that attempt at my life from before."
"Should I get from this that there may be attempts on Marn's life? From guys who maybe don't want him to get out of his coma? I mean, brumation?"
Xana pulled him to his chest and kissed the crown of his head. "Now, look here, it's not as bad as it looks. Did I say it well?" he added, after a short pause.
"Are you emulating human behaviors right now? Is it the right time for it? Don't answer that." Riordan sighed and wrapped his arms around Xana, resting his head on his husband's chest. "I'm glad that you're obviously more at ease with this whole thing than I am."
"Losing our heads would get us nowhere. What we must do right now is to enjoy dinner in the family and then have a good night's sleep."
"For real? You're not kidding, right?" Riordan asked, raising his head to meet his husband's stare.
He immediately got a kiss.
"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are when you worry about the future of the Xeno race?"
"You are so pulling my leg right now. And I worry about people closer to home actually. Is it too much to ask for a bit of peace and quiet?" he moaned.
"That's exactly what I'm proposing. Let's talk more over a meal. And I will tell you everything you must know so that you don't worry anymore."
"Okay, if you say so." Riordan wasn't exactly convinced, and he didn't want to think that his gut instinct was wrong and that it was most likely that the ship wouldn't come crushing down on them while they were asleep or something similarly catastrophic.
"Do you worry about the twins?" Xana asked with a knowing smile.
"Well, yeah, about them too," Riordan confirmed. "It was enough that I gave birth the first time--" He swallowed his words just in time. Junior was already looking at him with wide eyes.
"This time will be better," Xana promised. "I will have a bot bring us all the foods you want."
"Ice cream," Junior shouted right away.
"I was talking to your dada," Xana said affectionately and winked at Riordan.
Junior immediately turned his head. "Ice cream?" he asked cautiously.
"Okay, a cup," Riordan agreed.
"Just for me?" Junior asked.
"Yes."
"Two cups, then."
"No, only one."
It felt reassuring to have arguments over dessert with his son, given the circumstances.
"He cannot get ill from it, like human children can," Xana pointed out.
Junior grinned, smelling his win getting closer.
"Yes, but getting his way, all the time, might make him a little spoiled," Riordan argued. "At least, that's the general parenting advice consensus or something like that. So, one cup. Do we all understand each other?"
"Yes, fair enough," Xana said smoothly.
Junior pouted but didn't protest.
"Will I be able to visit Marn? Please, don't bring up the same argument like that about your dad," Riordan said. "Even if these guys are deep in their slumber, they still need to get visitors."
Xana shrugged. "As you wish, my love. If there's nothing else you'd rather do, you can go to Ferix's med bay and stare at them all you want."
"Thank you," Riordan said primly. It irked him that Xana wasn't that affected by what was going on with His Royal Chancellor, but, on the other hand, only until yesterday, his husband had been majorly pissed at Marn for the trick he'd pulled, using their unborn children as a shield and weapon for those evil fuckers.
"However," Xana said, "I dislike the idea of you being unguarded as you move around."
"Do you believe there's any real danger?"
"Not according to what I know, but since you worry so much, I'd rather you have the proper protection with you."
"Some lizard guards? Those guys aren't too much fun," Riordan said, unsure of where Xana was getting with that.
"How about a bot?" Xana asked, looking at him with a serene look on his face.
"Um, you know how I feel about that. I mean, these guys that bring meals in and whatnot are fine, but you know I could never replace Kyle."
"Okay then."
"I will be careful of my surroundings and let you know where I am at all times," Riordan continued. "I mean, I don't want to get in harm's way like a schmuck, especially since Junior is going to be with me... Why are you grinning like that? What's funny?"
Xana leaned over and ran one hand through Riordan's hair. He had so much affection in his eyes that Riordan felt like melting a little.
"I would only entrust your safety to the best of the best."
"And who's that?" Riordan asked.
"He's bringing dinner," Xana said and gestured at the doors opening behind him.
Riordan stared at the shiny new bot – at least the thing looked new – and blinked. It carried a large tray with all sorts of foods on it, a real feast, and it didn't appear any different from the other bots on the ship.
"Master Rio," said a voice so familiar that Riordan had to pinch himself to make sure that he wasn't dreaming.
"What the... Kyle?"
"Yes, Master Rio, in flesh and... I mean in this brand new housing Master Xana arranged for me to have."
"But I worked on you just earlier today... I mean... Xana, when did you have the time to get Kyle repaired?"
"I've been working on repairing him for a while. And that old carcass was no good anymore, anyway," Xana said matter-of-factly. "I copied everything that made Kyle your one and true bot and now he's here."
Riordan sighed in relief, and then threw his arms around Xana. "Did I mention that I love you?"
"I could use the reminder," Xana teased him playfully.
"And it's everything-everything?" Riordan asked. "In there?" He pointed vaguely at Kyle's head. "But wait, is he the same super weaponized bot? And isn't he in the service of His Royal Chancellor?"
"Maybe we should let him tell us," Xana suggested. "What do you say?"
"Sure thing," Riordan replied, feeling too full of happiness to care for anything else for a moment. "Just how are you, homie?" he asked Kyle directly.
"Never better," Kyle replied. "His Royal Chancellor being in brumation currently, my service conditions are suspended. As for my weapons, Master Xana has restored my arsenal up to 65% at the moment. Further improvements are expected."
"That's so frigging great, Kyle. I'd hug you, but you carry that huge tray, and we're starving. Wait, why are there two cups of ice cream in here?"
"Did I mistake the order?" Kyle asked, seemingly looking at the tray with disbelief.
"Mistakes happen," Xana said smoothly. That sly smile told Riordan everything he needed to know. And then, his husband leaned over and caressed his ear with his lips. "Someone told me once that Xenolites have it too hard from a young age. I think it's fine to spoil them a little before they grow up. What do you think?"
"Frankly," Riordan said, putting one arm around Xana's neck and pulling him close for a kiss, "I think you're the best Xeno husband an Earthian can hope for. Sounds good?"
"Perfect," Xana agreed. "Now let's enjoy our dinner and you can catch up with your homie."
"Are both for me?" Junior asked, grabbing both cups of ice cream with his small hands.
"Yes, but not before eating real food," Xana warned, to Riordan's unhidden delight.
"Ice cream is real food," Junior argued. "Fine," he agreed under his parent's stern glare. He put the ice cream down and climbed in Riordan's lap.
"What do you say to daddy because he got you all the ice cream you wanted?" Riordan asked, nudging Junior a little.
"Thank you, daddy," Junior said with a beaming smile, the possible earlier reprimand, one that must have been transmitted brain to brain, already forgotten.
"You're welcome, son," Xana said and ruffled Junior's hair for a moment. "How am I doing? Am I a good Earthian father already?"
"Father of the year," Riordan assured him with a grin of his own. "And husband."
tbc
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