The HEL Jumper: Chapter 3.4 (Patreon)

"Well now I feel a tad improper, I must say," Lachlan commented, looking around Alice's barren lodgings. The spunky scientist waved him off, bending over to access her tablet, still stashed away in her pack. The Marine could not help but realize that Alice had quite the perky posterior, evidenced by the fact that he could make out its contours at all in spite of the jumpsuit. He turned away with a blush as Alice began making a couple of notes, either oblivious to or uncaring about the situation.

"Lachlan, it's fine. You heard the Admiral. He'll get us what we need and I could head up to the Event Horizon for a shower literally every day if I wanted to. But enough about my place. Utilitarian is the only thing to describe it and that’s really what I need most, minus those luxurious furs of course. What's the deal with your host? Everything alright over there? What was her name again?"

"Sentaura," Lachlan replied flatly, recalling his brief conversation with the woman he now knew to be a widow. Alice picked up on his discomfort easily.

"Hey Mac, what happened?" She asked, leaning against the wall just to his side.

"I want ya to do some math with me," Lachlan replied. Alice cocked a slim brow at him.

"I…alright?"

"Sentaura, she told me about her husband," he began heavily. "Said he first attempted to court her at seventeen. She said yes a year later. Sounds like they've got some time set aside for it or something, don' really know myself."

Alice's eyes lit up momentarily, but the dour look on the Marine's face kept her quiet.

"She had that cute little tyke a year after that, so call it nineteen?" He reasoned with a curt gesture of his fingers. The space between his brows was furrowed in displeasure. "That little boy can't be older than four."

"Mac…"

"She's a widow at twenty three…twenty five at the latest," the Marine spat, shaking his head. "I ain't no father, Alice."

"So that was it then? Even with how friendly they’ve been it seemed pretty forward," Alice realized, gears turning and motivations clicking in her head. He nodded curtly.

"It's not like she was hidin' it, Alice. She straight up an' told me."

"I'm sorry, Mac. Do you want to move?" Alice offered sympathetically. "We just got here. I'm sure that it wouldn't be a huge deal if we just explained to Antoth or…somebody. They seem willing to accommodate reasonable requests."

"Where I live ain't gonna change the fact that kid's dad went into that forest and ne'er came back…" he said darkly. "How the hell can I say no to a small bundle of fluff like him?" To his great surprise, Alice smiled in the waning light of pre-dusk.

"You are really similar to my brother in some ways. Thankfully not others though!" She added quickly, punching him lightly on the armored shoulder. "When he sees a problem he wants it done and dusted, solved." Alice adopted a serious tone as she continued. "Mac, no one's asking you to be that young one's father, or Sentaura's husband. Just do what you can and what you're comfortable with. Ok? We're here to help them, sure, but you don't owe them anything."

"Easier said than done, lass."

"Then just be you," Alice insisted with finality. "And stop dwelling on it. Look around at them. Look at their men and women. They aren't so different from us in many ways, least as far as I can tell from a few interactions. Young boys need men to emulate. It's true for humans; stands to reason it's true here as well. They're sexually dimorphic, show many of the same cultural norms around gender roles, and-"

"Alright, alright Alice! I gotcha," Lachlan insisted, a smile growing under his moustache. "Yer right, of course. Just didn't seem fair…"

"No, no it doesn't," Alice agreed somberly, recalling what Kaha had told her about Veera. "Come on, I can barely see in here. Let's wait outside, show the locals we're interested in being a part of the village and aren't here to cause a ruckus."

"As ya say, Alice. You're the brains of this operation."

"Oh hush you; you're in Beta too," Alice laughed, channeling her best Yvonne as they exited the small home into the street. Leaning back casually against the wooden wall, they had a view of the eastern gatehouse and much of the side road that Alice's blockhouse sat on. On the other side of the main thoroughfare to her left, she saw Thantis emerge from his temple briefly to light the torches that flanked the doorway. She called out in greeting, and he waved politely in reply before retreating back inside. Alice made a mental note to skim through Io's logs for an explanation of the diamond symbol on the door.

"Howdy," Mac nodded to a passing farmer and his wife who were returning from the fields after a day of labor. His salutation earned him a cautious glance and a wave of her feathers mandated by public decorum. Alice was bent over in stitches.

"Howdy?!" She exclaimed, trying and failing to replicate the cowboy greeting in a Scottish accent. "And did you just try to tip your helmet?"

"Look, I'm feelin' a bit like we've been dropped into the wild west, alright? Can't a man from Europe love a classic genre?"

"Alright, I admit you have good taste. And fair enough. You're not far off," Alice agreed, looking behind them at the palisade. "Almost impossible to imagine, isn't it? The idea of civilization ending just beyond your walls, being able to see from one end of your entire life to the other?"

"I thought we were tryin' ta be cheery, lass," MacGregor chuckled ruefully.

"Ok, how's this then you spoilsport? I have a sister-in-law! She is jacked and fluffy and has my baby brother wrapped around her claws and talons in a way I could never even imagine. I mean, Mac!"

"What?" He demanded, glancing over with a look on his face that made it clear he was humoring her because they were friends. Alice dropped the humor.

"Do you have any idea how improbable and significant it is that that whole thing happened?" Alice asked quietly.

"Might have a bit of one. But hey, you can ask 'em yourself!" He replied, nodding to their right where Veera and Russell had just come into view on the outer road. Lachlan and Alice waved them over, with Veera picking up exactly where she'd left off.

"Selah Alice! I do hope you're well. Did you sleep alright? Is your home suitable? Has anyone mistreated you?" The Cauthan asked in rapid fire, all the while hugging Alice to her, making sure to stroke as much of the human’s back as she could with her tail while her feathers worked on Alice’s sides and front.

"I woah woah! Teehee, that tickles- Veera! Russell, why are you just standing there?!" Alice demanded in a high pitched squeak while man, machine, and Marine all looked at one another.

"Forgive me but, that doesn't exactly seem customary," Lachlan offered. To his surprise, Io nodded in concurrence, making notes on her customary clipboard.

'No forgiveness necessary, Private MacGregor. I daresay neither the Lieutenant nor I have a clue as to why Alice is being…I suppose I would use the word molested if she didn't look like she was hugging a life-sized teddy bear.'

"In short, Veera what the heck are you doing?" Russell requested, his words finally allowing Alice a respite as the Cauthan withdrew. The young woman was left standing on shaking feet, arms at her sides as she continued to squeal in soft delight. Veera was quite good at nuzzling, and she was not put off at all by her husband's tone. The Cauthan returned to his side and batted his hip with her tail for fluffy emphasis.

"I'm catching up on lost time and making sure everyone understands," she reported.

'Understands what, exactly?' Io prompted, her processors buzzing at the chance to observe yet undocumented Cauthan behavior.

"That we're family, of course! Russell already smells like me," Veera said, earning a snort from her husband and a friendly sigh from Alice.

"Veera's always wanted siblings," he explained. "I didn't think you used scent like that though."

"I mean, we don't really," Veera admitted. "No one would go up and smell somebody to figure out who they are, though I suppose that could work well enough if you lost your sight? In any case, it's really just a…I don't know how to describe it. Families just have scents, you know?'

"Can't say I do!" Russell replied flippantly, thumbing his nose which was apparently less precise than Veera's.

"Oh hush, you're such a liar. You're always going on about how you love my scent," Veera protested passionately, earning a loud clearing of MacGregor's throat.

"Out of curiosity, Russell, what does Veera smell like to you?” Alice asked, prompting the Marine to lean back against the blockhouse.

"Alrighty, I guess it's just that time then," he murmured.

"I'm sorry, Lachlan," Veera apologized earnestly. "But unless you plan on bonding with Alice this won't involve you much."

"I…that definitely wasn't tha issue at hand," he blushed, cheeks reddening to approach the color of his hair.

"Though now that I think about it," Veera mused, taking a few steps his way. "You definitely smell like Cauthan."

"Musta been that tyke. Boy’s like a little lamb, curious about everything an' totally unafraid," Lachlan reasoned.

"Well yes but…cubs don't smell like that," Veera continued curiously, bringing her nose close to his armor.

"Lachlan!" Alice gasped.

"I just slept in her bed, alright?!"

"Lachlan!!"

"Without her!" The Marine yelped frustratedly, removing his helmet and running a hand through his hair. "Look, her son plopped down on my bedroll soon as I laid it out. Game was pretty much over the moment it began."

"I wasn't judging, for the record," Veera said apologetically. "I found love with a human male. Just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"Well I thank ye kindly then, Veera."

"Of course, Lachlan. Shall we head home? We can discuss what Russell thinks of my scent over dinner. You and Alice must be starving."

"I admit I am feeling a bit peckish. But just give me a moment with my brother?" Alice requested, imploring Russell with her eyes as he glanced her way. “It’ll only take a second.”

“I…sure,” Veera agreed, watching their backs as brother and sister stepped inside Alice’s unlit home.

“Ye alright there, Veera?” Lachlan observed her perplexed expression. Veera shook her head once rapidly as if to clear it and looked over at him.

“Yes of course. I just...am not used to him being around human women. And before you say anything, I know that’s his sister,” she added quickly as the well-muscled Marine opened his mouth.

“I won’t pretend to know a thing about yer relationship with the Lieutenant, Veera. But I don’ think ya have much to worry about with him. Just my gut feelin’.”

“That’s kind of you. This is something I’m sure I’ll have to get used to going forward as well. Now while we’re waiting, why do you speak so differently from Russell? Do you come from another tribe?” She wondered. Mac’s dusty green eyes lit up.

“Let me tell ya’ a bit about Scotland, fluffy lass!”

-----

“Kaha told me, Russell,” Alice whispered, looking up through her lashes to gauge his reaction. For the time being, it was confusion.

“Told you what?”

“Just tell me how bad it was,” she pleaded. “I don’t need to hear anything else but…the raid.”

Dark understanding clouded Russell’s eyes in their private little abode. He gritted his teeth and looked to the ceiling. “It was bad, Alice.”

“Have you spoken with Veera about it?” She demanded.

“Veera was there…and so was Io. That was the night she became human. We all had to kill,” he explained, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Alice, I know that whatever shrink is up on the Event Horizon is going to see and hear about what I did. I know that whoever qualifies as HEL brass on that ship is going to see and hear about what I did. I do not want you…not you…”

“It’s ok! It’s ok,” Alice assured him, throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him dearly. “As long as you’re alright. I won’t say anything tonight or in the future. And you’ll always be my baby brother. The one who decided it was his mission to defend me from all the stinky boys in school.”

“Yeah, alright,” he replied quietly into her hair, a chuckle forcing a quick breath over her head. “Thanks, Alice.”

“Anytime, bro. Dinner?”

“Dinner.”

-----

“Is all well?” Veera requested as her husband and Alice emerged back into the light of dusk.

“Yep, all set to go! I’m more than ready to sample your hospitality if you don’t mind,” Alice said, having developed an appetite during her few hours of rest. "So just to be clear, that's north and your sun-"

"Seil," Russell and Io added together. They grinned and winked at each other.

"Yes, so Seil sets in the east?" Alice sought to confirm as the group of four began their walk along the northern arc of the village.

"It does indeed. Russell had a bit of trouble with that at the beginning as well. Your…star, right dear?"

"You got it sweetie," Russell assured her, taking her by the paw and running an affectionate thumb over her fur. She turned back to her ‘sister’, feeling a distinct elation in her chest that was different than anything she'd ever felt at Russell's side. That Alice was always so eager to engage her in discussion only caused it to grow.

"Thank you, so your star does the reverse?" Veera finished. Alice nodded.

"Yes, it rises in the east and sets in the west. Long ago, humans used the sun, moon, and stars to navigate. But I think we'll be fine here," Alice insisted. "So Russell, you never answered my question."

"Huh, about Veera? Earth and wine," he replied easily. The Cauthan's feathers fluttered as Alice and Lachlan developed light blushes on the face.

"Hmm?" Veera hummed.

'Veera, assuming you're wondering what I suspect you are wondering,' Io took her turn. 'I think it's safe to say that your nose is a bit stronger than that of a human. So while the scent of others is a daily interaction for you, most humans only understand the scent of another if they are intimate routinely. That and, of course, there is the fact that most humans other than Russell bathe on a daily basis.'

"Ew, gross. Didn't need to know that," Alice replied in a manner that only a sister could when informed of her brother's hygiene habits. "Veera, how can you stand him?! And how do you not smell like a trash heap, Russell?"

"Welcome to my home," the Cauthan said instead, holding aside a relatively new chesko pelt and beckoning them into a spacious blockhouse home where a fire was built and waiting to be lit. Fuel, food, cookware, and a couple of chairs made up most of the decor, while Lachlan noticed Veera's shrine in the corner, surrounded by the Jumper’s weapons and armor. The idols were wood, not bone, but the form and functions were clearly similar.

"It's a lovely home. Thank you for having us," Alice said politely. Lachlan echoed the sentiment as the young woman was struck by a sudden thought. "Veera, what is the convention for visitors in such a situation?"

The Cauthan looked over from her bench where a salted cut of meat and some early season vegetables rested. "Oh, don't worry about it," she replied with a wave of her tail and feathers. "Please do take a seat. Russell is more than comfortable with the bed."

"Oh you're getting it tonight," he assured her.

"Yoooo this is not what I signed up for!" Alice moaned as Io devolved into laughter.

"And you will be getting nothing if you make our guests uncomfortable," Veera called to her mate.

"She's my sister, Veera."

"And now she is mine as well and you will only discuss our sex life with her if she asks about it for her studies," the Cauthan explained with finality. Russell shrugged and moved to light the fire before laying back down on the bed.

"Yes dear," he replied earnestly.

"That was amazing, believe me," Alice whispered Lachlan's way before addressing the room again. "So…should we have bought food or something?"

"That is the custom," Veera acknowledged.

"But we really don't want your food."

"Russell!" Veera snapped.

"Trust me on this one," he insisted with a smirk before looking at their guests. "You'll understand one day when you have to eat protein cubes. Seriously take a load off, you two. If you want to help just stay out of Veera's way. She's been planning all afternoon."

"Russell…"

"Which I appreciate very much. You know I enjoy having guests over too," he insisted with a smile that Veera returned. Water had already been collected, and she set about adding various mushrooms, herbs, and bones to the heating pot to form a soup base. While Veera waited for the broth to develop its flavor she prepared tea, using a smaller, secondary pot that she and Russell had purchased upon their return from the wilds.

"Io?"

'Yes, Alice?' The AI replied, popping up on her wrist.

"Have you examined the alloys they use in their cookware?" The young woman asked worriedly. Io closed her eyes and nodded in understanding.

'Not well enough, Alice. Thantis and Gentia have lived many decades, but one must wonder if they are the exception or the rule. We have had little choice in that respect so far and your brother shows normal levels of heavy metals in his blood. But that's all I can do for now. Besides, life is…a bit shorter on Mara, typically,' the AI concluded dourly.

"Lachlan, get me Natori now!" Alice ordered excitedly. The Marine did not dare refuse given her tone. While they waited for the connection Alice walked to Veera and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"I know good people, good doctors on board the ship. It's possible that…well…"

"Alice, it's just a pot. What troubles you?" Veera asked, concerned at her concern.

"I think I know what she's getting at, though she may be skipping a few steps," Russell cut in, sitting up and nodding to Lachlan as he continued to ping the orbital communications array. "Most metal isn't pure, Veera. Sometimes it can contain trace amounts of poisonous metal or other elements. Take Rome for example. All the pipes they used to carry water through their cities were made of lead. Lead is an easy to work with metal and they had a lot of it, but it is toxic over time to humans and can cause all sorts of birth defects and problems in children. Their own advancements were killing them and they had no idea."

Russell's sober description of history had Veera looking down at her pot with hesitation.

"It will be fine for a couple days, Veera," Alice insisted. "If everyone's health has been good up until now it's not an emergency. I just think this is a perfect opportunity for me and the rest of the crew to prove we can be useful without completely upending your way of life. You can trust me, ok?"

"But why would I need doctors? Those are people who treat the sick, right?" The Cauthan demanded.

'Veera, darling, that is only part of their job, at least with regards to you and your people.' Io spoke up to assuage her fears. 'In order to ensure better health for the village, which is Alice’s goal, human doctors would need to examine and test many things about your bodies to understand exactly how they work when healthy. This would be before they attempt to treat you when sick. It may sound scary, I do understand, but it is preferable to caring for you as though you were a human.'

"But…what about Xan? Wasn't that the same?" Veera asked, handing tea to Lachlan and Alice as Natori finally responded.

"Did you save a cup for me? Oh, that's quite the quaint home I see there. Hello everyone! What do you have need of me for?" The Admiral requested excitedly. Veera giggled.

"I'm very happy to have the approval of a human admiral."

"Ah, so it's your home then? Indeed, indeed," Natori nodded. "Alice?"

"I need metallurgical analysis done on the cookware the Cauthan are using and I want a full medbay sterilized and made ready for ongoing analysis of Cauthan physiology. Tell Gerard to put his stem cells on ice if you have to. I'll bring up a sample tomorrow," she ordered. Natori cocked a brow.

"You have concerns about heavy metal poisoning?"

"It's a possibility, sir. I will see if I can find anything anecdotal tomorrow, but we should begin immediately thereafter. A baseline is necessary no matter what if we intend to extend any medical services to the population."

"Do you have a consenting patient?" Natori pressed. Alice looked at Veera pleadingly. Russell stepped between them.

"You aren't doing shit to her unless Io and I approve it and are there when it happens," he insisted roughly.

"And my brother needs a full physical before the psych eval now that I think about it! What the heck, Natori!" Alice yelped.

"This has become a bit delicate, hasn't it?" The admiral mused. "I was a tad more concerned about where his guns were pointed in the moment, but yes of course, Alice. Why don't you bring Lieutenant Winters up on the evening shuttle tomorrow. Presumably you will have had time to inquire as to the general health of the villagers by then. Veera can, if she wishes, accompany him and get a first hand look at our medical facilities. I will send word to Dr. Dupuis and the fleet physician."

'That will not be necessary, Admiral. I am more than qualified to administer care to Veera and her people, with Alice's oversight of course,' Io stated, donning her doctor's garb. 'I am also a known quantity to them, unlike your staff, and most of the equipment can be controlled by a VI.'

"I suppose that is a possibility, at least for the immediate future," Kaczynski acknowledged, secretly thrilled at the idea of getting Io back on the Event Horizon to examine her behavior. "And as long as we're on the subject of things that should be done, you owe those two an explanation, Alice."

"Ahaa, yeah. That's not a bad idea," Alice replied sheepishly. "Sorry. Little excited?"

"Don't apologize to me! Alice, I understand that much is in flux at the moment and I'm sure they will as well. Assuming you are able to adequately explain your concerns to the Cauthan and we are able to establish a medical profile of the species, this could be an excellent start to our relationship with them. Is there anything else?"

"No sir, not at this time," Alice replied. "Please do notify Gerard. I trust him a great deal and he's something of a supervisor and mentor regarding my work. Hope that's alright, Io."

'I look forward to meeting this man of science in the flesh. His dossier is admittedly impressive.'

"Thanks a lot! Mac?"

"I'm right as rain. Good day ta you, Admiral."

"And to you all. Enjoy dinner!" Natori killed the connection, leaving Veera to add meat and vegetables to the soup.

"You don't have to," Russell told her seriously.

'But it would be best if she did!' Io insisted.

"Io!"

'Absolutely not budging. Look at what modern medicine has done to human life expectancy!' Io insisted, displaying a chart for emphasis. 'Reasonable estimates indicate the generation born following first contact could reliably live to ninety or one hundred!'

"That's incredible!" Veera gasped.

"Io…" Russell ground out.

'Sir, you and I will ensure everything is ethical and above board,' Io insisted. 'You're being silly.'

"Yeah yeah…who's Gerard?" He asked his sister pointedly. She took a calm sip of her tea, deflecting her brother’s agitation.

"Mmm that actually reminds me of how Veera smells a little," Alice mused. "Maybe that's just male and female noses being different? I get the earthiness clearly. Russell, Gerard Dupuis is a colleague and good friend of mine back on the Event Horizon. He specializes in cellular biology and genetics, and his wife is an ob/gyn. The two of them are trustworthy and could really help with forming a base of knowledge around which we could structure ongoing Cauthan medical care. Io can't…and shouldn't be everywhere at once."

'Fret not, I am in agreement. Acquiring Asha and Zolta's consent might be tricky…but at least they won't kill anyone, unlike Ratha,' Io declared.

"One step at a time. Nothing's wrong with Asha," Russell insisted.

"That you know of," Alice retorted.

"That Gentia knows of," he shot back. "You think she'd just let you poke around her belly? That I would?!" He hissed.

"Of course not! And we are scientists and doctors, Russell! We do not 'poke around' like you Jumpers," Alice replied hotly as she threw up finger quotes. "You were just saying to not get ahead of things. I'm not. Your friends and wife are most used to humans, and are the most likely to hear us out and listen to our explanations before giving or denying medical consent. Now let's just drop it. I was looking forward to having a nice dinner and learning how you two met!"

"You started it," he grumbled.

"And I'm finishing it too," Alice huffed. "Nothing will be done to any of them that they don't agree to and that is not overseen by some combination of us three, alright?"

"That would be nice," Veera affirmed as Russell gave her a brief one-armed hug. "Not much of this makes sense to me."

'It will in time,' Io assured her. 'You and your people suffer from ignorance, not stupidity. I have said this before. Alice, I would advise you to not hold information back from them. They will figure it out eventually,' she warned as Veera tried to decide on whether she should feel insulted or complimented. The young scientist nodded seriously.

"I understand, and we'll do everything to explain as time goes on. Thank you in advance, Veera. This smells absolutely delightful, by the way," Alice gushed, steering them all away from scientific frontiers that would be best addressed on the morrow. The Cauthan smiled and plucked a piece of meat from the stew, testing its tenderness with her claws.

"So no one's going to mention the glaring problem here?" Russell asked, earning four pairs of eyes looking his way. He smirked.

"Omega getting one up on the brainiacs? That's new."

"Spill it or shut it," Alice sniped with humor in her eyes. Her brother nodded seriously.

"Veera only shares half of her genetic information with this village's gene pool, assuming their reproduction is anything like ours. Seems to be. Her mother was from another tribe. It's where she gets those beautiful stripes," he added, planting a loving kiss on her muzzle. She purred to acknowledge his compliment while nevertheless giving him a dangerous look regarding the subject matter. "You're going to need more samples than just her if you intend to do anything beyond physiology."

Alice and Lachlan looked at one another silently, the former recalling Kaha and his description of Veera's treatment in the village. Pieces were falling into place. "And we were supposed to know that how? Sounds like a good segue into how you two met though," she declared.

'Oh I'm so ready!' Io exclaimed, pulling up her own digital armchair and making herself comfortable in an emerald bathrobe. Veera regarded her man with contemplative and loving eyes.

"To think we would end up here after you almost flattened my farm," she mused with mild humor at the memory. Alice gleefully accepted an offered bowl of stew.

"Story time!"

-----

Over dinner, Russell and Veera took turns regaling their guests with the tale. Now quite removed from the shock of the event, Veera had great fun recounting how her very first interactions with Russell had proceeded, from her astonishment at his divine armor and pod to her frustration when he stole her bucket. Alice dissolved into laughter at that point as Mac joined in with a customary and reserved chuckle. They listened with rapt attention as Alice got the story of Russell’s first day in the village from Veera’s perspective, a combination of assumed betrayal and knight in shining armor. That was when they came to the subject of Veera’s home before Russell had come into her life.

‘There was the bed, the shrine, the cooking pot, and the bench...not much else,’ Io filled in the gaps as Veera fell silent, displaying some residual shame with her feathers as Russell kissed the top of her head. ‘Though I will add, the accumulation of wealth and prestige since that time has absolutely been a team effort. And I daresay I’m glad it evolved into more than just sharing food.’

“Oh come on, Io. Really?” Russell groaned at her sultry tone. The AI tutted him with a wag of her finger.

‘Did you really think you would escape your sister without describing your first kiss?’ Io questioned with a knowing look at Alice who almost choked on her tea.

“What’s it like to kiss a Cauthan?!” She blurted without any hint of decorum.

“Find out yourself!” Her brother shot back before catching himself. “Or how about you don’t!?”

“Well maybe I will if you won’t tell me,” Alice somehow managed to pout and smirk at the same time as Io spectated gleefully. The advent of her operator’s sister was nothing short of a goldmine of new, raw, genuine human interaction.

“We danced together and he played the most beautiful music for me. He was gentle and taught me how to kiss. We don’t do that here...or at least we didn’t until Russell showed up,” Veera explained, earning a nod from her husband as she took the lead and detailed the evening to the extent she was comfortable, leaving out much of the emotional conversation that had preceded their first night together. Alice’s mouth dropped open.

“But Ratha and Antoth, they did...you’re saying they-”

“They may or may not have picked up on a few things. Ratha’s smart, I’ll give her that,” Russell joked.

“Russell, you...you can’t do that! Can you?” Alice exclaimed while Lachlan continued to enjoy his stew in contented silence.

“Little late for that,” he said, leaning over to make a point of kissing Veera where they sat on the still immaculately clean dirt floor. Alice hung and shook her head.

“I’m honestly more surprised that they picked up on it as opposed to not having it as a part of their culture in the first place. How...how did that happen anyway?” Alice had to know.

“It feels good.” Veera stated simply, shrugging her shoulders and feathers all at once. It was a motion she’d picked up on from mimicking Russell. “Gentia and Thantis probably figured it out and were holding out on us.”

“Alright, now you definitely lost me,” Alice huffed.

“Near as I can tell, pretty much anything is fair game behind closed doors and in the company of your mate,” her brother explained. “But out in public what matters is mating, bonding, and having children. You know, survival.”

“I suppose that doesn’t leave much room for kissin’ and the like,” MacGregor finally contributed. Veera agreed.

“The discussion of physical intimacy is frowned upon in public, beyond mating of course. Things have changed a bit since Russell arrived, but many still feel that way.”

“That’s very good to know. Thank you, Veera. So…how did you two get from first kiss to marriage?” Alice yearned to know. Silence fell within the home, allowing the logs to crackle as Russell pursed his lips and nodded.

“A lot happened.” Alice glanced around with wide, inquisitive eyes, meeting Veera’s as the Cauthan leaned against her husband and tried to explain what she did not wish to. He stopped her. “We already talked about it, Veera. She’s helped me through a lot, Alice.”

“And he helped me. By the grace of Lady Meylith love grew in our hearts, and here we are,” the Cauthan summarized.

“We forgot our dog,” Russell laughed, offering Lachlan another bowl. The Marine accepted with gratitude.

“He’s fine with Xan for the night!” Veera insisted, doing the same for Alice.

“You have a dog? An alien dog?!” She gasped quickly before shoveling more stew into her mouth. “By the way, you have no idea how incredible this tastes after five months of nothing but ship food. Oh my god…can I come by for every meal?”

Veera burst into delightful laughter, raising her head to the sky and silently thanking the Mother for blessing her and her home. “We’d be happy to have you join us. Though as you get to know the rest of the village I hope you will be invited into others’ homes. You should understand how we all live.”

“I’d like that very much, Veera. Thank you again,” Alice replied with evident earnesty in her voice. She tensed her shoulders and vibrated happily. “It feels like when dad used to take us camping!”

Io looked from one sibling to the other closely, trying to gauge how the mention of Russell’s parents would go over. He acknowledged the point and swallowed heavily. “How are they, Alice?”

“They miss you, Russell.” At Alice’s words Veera took her bowl in one hand and rested the other on her husband’s knee.

“Maybe one day soon we can all go back to your home?” She suggested warmly, earning her what she knew to be an affectionate and sincere smile from him.

“Yeah, but in the meantime don’t think I forgot what you said about having a dog!”

-----

The next morning Alice was up bright and early to receive pilot Cromwell and her shuttle. She was thankful for the impeccable timing on the pilot's behalf, as the guards on morning shift at the gate were not particularly talkative. Lachlan made his appearance shortly after touchdown, and the two of them greeted Elizabeth before grabbing the items Natori had prepared for them in the manufacturing bays. The admiral had included a handful of 'care package' items as well, including ration bars, sanitary wipes, and resealable plastic bags for waste that could be returned to the Event Horizon so as not to pollute Mara. To Alice's pleasant surprise, the set of shelves was incredibly light, and between the two of them there was no problem with transportation. Assured that her job was done, Cromwell waved to the on duty guards and saluted her crewmates before confirming her arrival time that evening. Her shuttle ascended back into the clear, summer sky, causing mild disturbances amongst the shen and holding the gaze of many a farmer who wondered just how much contact with humanity would change their daily lives.

-----

"You received the file?" Alice asked, placing her effects on her shelves and speaking with Lachlan via her A-MACS.

"Text file, twelve questions?" The Marine replied as he headed back to Sentaura's. "Are ya sure you don't need me with you today?"

"You're sweet, Mac, but Russell and Veera promised to remain with me when I go to visit the death priests this morning. Besides, the answers to these questions will determine whether an analysis of their cookware is an imminent medical necessity or a passing curiosity. I tried to make the questions as species agnostic as possible, but we won't know for sure until we're back on the ship."

"I suppose I can't argue the logic, though I'm not sure this is how I envisioned my first day down here," MacGregor mused.

"You'll be fine," Alice insisted happily. "It's a good chance to meet the villagers. Oh, and if they don't want to answer your questions don't worry about it. Best not to be pushy."

"No need ta tell me twice. Even the women have those crazy talons here…well alright, Alice. Ping me if ya need me. Till then, be good lassie."

"And you, Mac. See ya!" Alice had but a moment after ending the call before Veera poked her head through the doorway.

"Good morning, Alice! Your brother made fried dato this morning. I brought some for you. Are you ready to go visit Thantis and Xan?"

The human turned to her and slung her now lightened pack over her shoulders. Alice's eager smile seemed to light the room itself as the earliest rays of Seil streamed through the opening in the center of the roof. "I was born ready! And thanks for breakfast."