The Sarran Senator

Chapter 1

Chapter 1A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.

—Carl Sandburg

Castle Air: 06:00 tines

Naffie, TeBron and TeZaron’s offspring, came running into the slumber chamber to see his Earthen Zinna. ::Mommie, we have to hurry up or we’ll be late. He’s waiting for me.:: His whole body trembled with excitement. Naffie peered at Syn’s image in the mirror.

::I can help you dress, Mommie.:: Naffie stood behind her, fidgeting.

::The ship is thirty mots out. We can transport in secs. Even after the ship lands, it takes time to disembark. Why are you so wound up, sweetheart? Who’s waiting?::

Syn put her hairbrush down, swiveled her chair, and regarded her offspring in befuddlement. Ever since the Brightstar came within hailing distance, Naffie had been bubbling over with excitement.

::Someone that will be mine someday is on the ship.:: He smiled and his face lit up with joy. ::It’s something I asked the Goddess for.::

Whatever this is, it’s something Naffie really wants.

Curiosity swept over Syn’s face. She decided to probe deeper. ::Did you ask for something from Prince Juraens and Prince Mark that they’re bringing back?::

::No, but they are bringing him back with them.:: Syn turned back to her mirror, her stomach brushing the front end of the vanity.

::I’m going to see if Zadda is ready.:: Naffie ran out of the room, almost knocking over his Poppie.

Zaron put his hands on Naffie’s shoulders. “Whoa, offspring, take it easy. Zadda will still be there if you walk.” Naffie slowed down to a trot and headed for Bron.

Zaron came up behind Syn leaned over, and kissed her on the back of her neck while circling his long arms around her belly. She shivered. ::How is our femspring this rising?::

::Lively. She’s been kicking my bladder all rising, that’s why I’m running late.::

Zaron knelt in front of his PaChette. ::You don’t have to go and meet the ship, PaChette.::

::You and Bron are the WarriorPair that heads the Council of Elders, of course I have to meet the ship. Anya is also planning to go as are Ellen, Adele, and of course TeAllen and TeWell who will be there to inspect the new fems.:: Syn chuckled.

“You’re far along, PaChette, and still so active. I don’t want something to happen to you or the bebe.”

::Earthen fems work almost up to delivery. We like to be active. Actually, it’s generally better for the bebe if you are. Besides, all the other fems are just as pregnant as I am and I’m betting that most of them will show up to welcome the new ones, along with every unbonded WarriorPair on the planet.::

“TeWell and TeAllen are hopeful that the Goddess blesses them with a fem this time around,” Zaron said in a serious tone. “They are the only remaining council members who have not, as yet, bonded to a fem.”

“What are Mark and Juraens bringing back for Naffie? He said something about a ‘him’.”

::They must have found Naffie his own kitten,:: Zaron answered, touching Syn’s shoulders. Syn leaned into his caress.

::That must be it, but I’m not sure. A kitten doesn’t feel right. This is something of importance.::

“Didn’t Mark and Juraens say in their preliminary report that they bonded and their bonded had an offspring?” Syn leaned over and struggled to put on her shoes.

::Yes, a boy named Michael. Let me help, PaChette. I have no idea why you insisted on hosting this moontine. You are too far along.:: Zaron sounded worried.

::Suck it up, big guy. I’m going to be up and around until she comes down the chute. I’m no wilting flower. Besides, the most senior officers host. That is the tradition. I refuse to make an exception unless I am actually in labor. Besides, all the bonded fem are pregnant. Who is going to host if we don’t?::

::Brok and Tack could have handled this. We could have served Sarran food and fabricated the Earthen dishes.::

“We can’t welcome Princess Sara, her offspring, and the senator with fabricated food. They had enough of that onboard. I prepared for this. I put cooked food in stasis. Brok and Tack only need to heat it up and add the Sarran delicacies. Princess Sara is a pastry chef. I’m afraid my dessert offerings won’t be up to her standard.” Syn sighed as she picked up the brush to finish styling her hair. Even though she was the highest ranking fem on the planet, meeting new people unnerved her because of her past.

::Your desserts are spectacular. And you mustn’t worry, the princess will love you as we all do.:: Zaron removed the brush from her hand. ::I’ll do that, PaChette.::

Syn looked up to Zaron and smiled. ::I was hoping you’d say that. You and Bron wield this styling brush far better than I do.::

Syn c****d her head. ::About Naffie, maybe he’s looking forward to having a friend.::

::That’s probably what it is. I used to travel halfway across the planet to see Bron and Juraens.::

* * * *

Brightstar: 07:00 tines

Princess Sara, late of Earth, looked at her son. His nose was pressed up against the glass of the viewing deck. ::We’re here, why can’t we get off the ship? He’s waiting for me.:: Michael quivered in anticipation.

::Who’s waiting for you Michael?:: his new Zadda asked.

A clearly exasperated Michael shrugged his shoulders as only an almost five-year-old child could. “My new friend! We’ve been talking almost the whole trip. We talk at least three times a day.”

“Talking?” Juraens lifted his brow.

“Mind speech, Zadda. He’s nice. I like him and I think he likes me. I asked Aloysius to help me find him a kitten. Aloysius said that Shadow had a littermate. Duchess lives in his house, but he isn’t her person, her person is his mommie.”

::Michael, go find Shadow, Chou, and Aloysius and get your friend’s kitten. Your new friend’s name is Naffie.:: Michael ran out of Quarters.

“Sara, sit.”

“Is something wrong, Juraens?”

“There are certain things we haven’t had time to explain to you yet. Our Triad, Michael, and the senator are what is known as HiPsy.”

“HiPsy?”

“Off-the-chart psychic abilities. There are quite a few of us now. TeZaron and TeBron, the heads of the Elder Council, their offspring Naffie and their bonded fem, Syn are HiPsy, as are several other Triads. Now that our Warriors are bonding with Earthen fem, it seems that more and more of them are exhibiting superior psy abilities. We will dine with the Elders and their bonded, TaSyn, this evening. HiPsy is not something to be bandied about. Even on Sarran, to be that different is dangerous. I think Michael is talking to Naffie. Naffie was able to reach TaSyn on our last trip back. His psy is very strong, and so evidently is Michael’s.” Juraens sighed, sitting down on the sofa with Sara.

Sara considered this. “It will be good for Michael to have a friend right away. Especially one with the same abilities. Michael had no friends back on Earth. Bradley forbade it.” Juraens’ face darkened at the mention of Sara’s former husband’s name.

“In this case, be careful what you ask for. Naffie is special, but undisciplined. Bron and Zaron ran the war and Nara, by necessity, was left alone with Naffie and and their femspring, Nessa. When they thought it was over the Zyptz launched the attack that decimated the fem population of Sarran. Bron and Zaron lost a femspring and their fem who was Naffie’s Zinna as well as an unborn bebe.”

“Zinna?”

“Mommie, if you will.”

“Oh, that’s terrible, to lose their pregnant fem and their femspring in one terrible day and having to soldier on because a whole planet depended on them…”

“After the Zyptz attack the planet was in crisis. Naffie ran wild because Zaron and Bron were busy saving our world. He can teleport across the planet and does so frequently, much to Syn’s dismay. The cats try to keep him in line. She’s trying to gentle him without breaking his spirit. Maybe Michael can help and maybe Naffie can help Michael. Michael needs to be less timid and Naffie needs to be less bold.”

Mark walked into Quarters from the Star Chamber. ::Sarran politics is just as complicated as Earthen politics, only on a smaller scale. But much more dangerous because the players have psychic gifts.::

“Until Castle Water is renovated, we’ll live in Bron, Zaron, and Syn’s guesthouse. It’s twice the size of your house on Earth but not as big as the castle. The senator will stay with us until he bonds. But that means that Michael will see Naffie every day. I hope they balance each other out and provide less worry for both you and Syn,” Juraens said.

Michael came back and went into his room.

“Did you find a kitten?” Mark smiled.

“Aloysius said he’ll take care of it.”

The Concierge spoke. “Prince Juraens, Prince Mark, it’s time for your party to disembark.”

Mark grabbed Sara’s small bag. ::I’ll go and get Sam. I believe he’s in Quarters. I’ll meet you and Juraens at the ramp.::

Juraens grabbed the bag filled with Michael’s toys and he shepherded Michael and Sara down the corridor to the gangplank.

* * * *

Tarmac at Sarran Space Port: 07:45 tines

Naffie looked so excited. There would be an offspring for him to play with. Syn watched the disembarkation. They were already on the tarmac when both she and Naffie saw Mark and Juraens. Naffie broke out of the receiving line and ran to them with Garlance, his minder, close on his heels. Syn could barely keep up.

“Tontos Mark and Juraens, I’m happy to see you. He gave them a hug. Where’s Michael?”

“That’s our Naffie, straight to the point as usual.” Mark laughed.

“I’m Naffie.” He put his hand out to Sara who took it in return. Naffie pointed to Sara’s stomach and said, “A femspring,” then, spotting Michael watching the cats exit the ship, he sprinted in that direction.

“I’m pregnant?” Sara said in shock having heard of Naffie’s abilities from her Warriors.

“I guess you are.” Mark and Juraens took her in the circle of their arms. Juraens started to cry openly, “I never thought I would have a Triad. I am blessed by the Goddess four times. First you, Treasured, then our Sara and Michael, and now a femspring to love.” Juraens held Sara and Mark in his arms.

Syn lumbered up to them. “Congratulations, Mark, Juraens. I’m Syn, you must be Sara. I’m sorry to interrupt, but we’ve got to find the offspring before Naffie transports both of them home without us.”

Sara looked around the tarmac for Michael. “He was just here with us, now he’s disappeared.”

::Goddess, where did they go? :: “I’m sorry, I’m using mind speech,” Syn apologized.

::It’s all right, I understand you.:: Aloud she said, “Yes, I’m Sara and bonded to Mark and Juraens.” Sara glanced down and noticed Syn’s very pregnant belly. ::We should look for them, but maybe you should sit and let me do it.::

“You’re kind but, I’m fine, thank you. If I let them, they’d put me in bed until I delivered. I’d be bored to death.” Syn gave Sara a wide grin.

“I just glimpsed Michael’s head over by the gangplank. The two of them are probably looking for the cats. Michael said this dawntine he was picking out a kitten for his friend.” Sara’s head turned, scanning the area.

Syn breathed out an obvious sigh of relief. “The cats will keep them in line.”

Sara watched with the others as the felines began a procession off the ship, following Aloysius and Chou.

Mark turned to Bron and Zaron. Just then Anya, Jonal, and Tonas joined the party watching the cats. :: I don’t know how Tigger and Duchess are going to feel about this. Aloysius, the old Tom in the front of the line has earned himself the title of General of the cats. He stays with us, but is very much his own person. Chou marches next to him. Sara is Chou’s person.:: Mark watched Tonas burst out laughing.

Tonas gave Anya an evil grin. ::Tigger will have to learn how to deal.” He brushed some cat hair from his trews.

::He’s still the hero of the first Brightstar battle.:: Anya hid her laugh under a cough.

Mark got serious. ::There was another incident on the way back—Septis. Saxon and Lunas have him in isolation and he can only be approached wearing hazard suits. They made him into a quasi-humanoid. The cats and Sam’s quick thinking saved Juraens and my lives.::

Juraens put his arm around their fem. “Sara, you’ve already met TaSyn and the rest of her Triad, TeZaron and TeBron. The heads of the Elder Council are over at the processing line overseeing the proceedings. This Triad is TeJonal, TeTonas, and TaAnya, also of the Elder Council.”

Sara shook everyone’s hand and Anya gave her a hug.

“Welcome to Sarran and please drop the Ta except for formal occasions. I’m Anya, the pediatrician. You must be Sara, the pastry chef. Thank the Goddess. I’ve been dying for scones for my entire pregnancy. Dare I ask if you can make them?”

“Of course! I’ll make a batch next rising as soon as I get my things.”

“Syn is hosting this moontine. We can have them there. Thank you so much. I love you already.” Anya gave Sara a hug.

“I have an offspring. I know about pregnancy cravings.” Sara laughed.

Sam joined the small group on the tarmac along with Chou and Aloysius.

“Everyone, this is my father, Senator Samuel James Johnson, late of the United States Senate. Daddy would have been the Democratic presidential nominee if he had chosen to stay on Earth.”

“Your talent will not be wasted here, sir.” Tonas stuck out his hand. “I’m Tonas and these two are the other members of my Triad, Jonal and our fem, Anya.”

Sam shook Tonas, Jonal, and Anya’s hands.

Anya gave the senator a hug. “Welcome to Sarran.”

Tonas and Jonal took them to the processing line. As a courtesy to Mark and Juraens, Sam and Sara and the still to be found Michael were processed quickly and Hilnut, Bron and Zaron’s driver, arrived in a PGT to take their bags.

“Hilnut, take the bags to the transporter. We will teleport home. Sara, you must hold my hand until you can picture your destination in your head,” Juraens said and grabbed Sara’s hand.

“Wait, we need to find Michael and Naffie. We can’t leave TaSyn to run around after them. She looks ready to give birth on the spot.”

After several anxious moments, Sara finally spotted the two offspring, walking carefully, each carrying a kitten. “There they are.”

Syn came up behind them and murmured fervently, “Thank the Goddess.”

Sara pivoted to Mark, Juraens, and Sam who were greeting two other Warriors.

::Sam, Sara, this is TeBron and TeZaron, the heads of the ruling Council.::

Bron saluted Sam. Sam copied the motion. ::I’m so happy to see you. With so many Earthen here, we will need your wise council. Juraens and Mark said you are not new to governance.::

::No, not new, but I hope it’s different here than the chaos of Earth.::

::Different in many ways, but in others, the same. We may have the Codex, but we still deal with humanoids.::

::At least you don’t have tribalism and nation states.:: Sam sighed and shook his head in disgust.

Naffie and Michael came running back, each carrying a kitten under one arm and holding hands with the other. “Mommie, Zadda, and Poppie, this is my bonded, Michael.”

Sara and Syn stared at the offspring in shock. ::How does he know?:: Sara was astonished.

Zaron, Bron, and Juraens all answered at once. ::You just do. I can’t explain the pull. Fems don’t experience it the same way.::

Sara’s face’s betrayed her alarm. ::They’re not going to…::

::No,:: Juraens assured her.

Mark said, “Just like on Earth, that doesn’t become a problem until puberty. Right now and until puberty, the bond is purely emotional. Being the only Earthen male bonded to a Sarran, I made a study of this. But bonding early usually occurs around ten or twelve, so this is unusual.”

::Aren’t they young to be bond stirred? They’re bebes.:: Sara’s face betrayed her consternation.

::Yes, they are, but by the time they are able to complete the bond, they will know each other so well it will be like they inhabit one mind. It will be interesting to see if their bonded is one of the current crop of bebes.::

“Bron and I bonded young. We bonded physically at sixteen and went off to the Academy early. But we knew we were bondmates at ten. It must have something to do with the power of their psy,” Zaron interjected.

In a mercurial change of mood, Michael and Naffie changed the subject and became a four and six-year old again. Naffie held out the tuxedo kitten in his arms. “He says his name is Bandit. He wants to be with me. May I keep him, Mommie?”

::We have to ask Duchess.::

::She’ll say yes. She likes the way I brush her coat.::

::Why don’t we all head home and ask Duchess for permission,:: Zaron suggested.

::Can I go with Naffie, Mommie?:: Michael begged. Sara looked at Garlance, who nodded his head.

Mark knelt next to Michael and Naffie. ::Michael, you may teleport with Naffie and Garlance, but stay in the courtyard until we arrive.:: Naffie dragged Michael and Garlance to the transport station in the council chambers. Shadow and Bandit tried to keep up with their short legs.

Juraens put his arms around Sara. ::Don’t worry about Michael, Naffie has a minder, Garlance. We’ll be getting one too, for security purposes. They won’t be doing anything other than what a normal pair of boys do together. The only difference is that they’ll be closer than just friends.”

“We’ve kept poor Syn and Sara standing here long enough. Let’s go home.” Zaron patted Juraens on the back. “Mark, Juraens, we host this moontine. The gatehouse has been readied for your occupancy and work is mostly completed on Castle Water. Maybe you could take Sara and Michael to inspect it the rising after next. Sam, you’re welcome in the gatehouse for as long as you wish to stay.” Zaron started the procession to the field house.