A Lost Kitten (37 page)

Derek and Gian bowed their heads.

“We briefly met Guardian Starsun over communications,” informed Derek.

“Thanks for allowing our friend to stay with you,” said Gian.

Asher smiled. He patted John on the back. “It was an enlightening visit. We learned much from each other.”

John nodded. “Yes, we did.” He looked at Gorwin. “Why are you here? I thought you were on patrol.”

“I was, until I received a message from Space Control. They received an emergency hail from Seacat Bob McCall stat—”

“Bob McCall?” interrupted John. He quickly looked at Derek and Gain.

Gian beamed. “That’s right.”

John rubbed his face with both hands. He was relieved to hear that his brother was still alive.

“The hail stated that the Oceanan fleet was spotted by the Dominion. Daehog gave the order to destroy the fleet.”

“What?” exclaimed John.

Asher met Gorwin’s eyes. “Are you serious?”

“By the time I received orders to protect the fleet, the Dominion ships were on their way to carry out Daehog’s orders.” Gorwin gestured to Derek and Gian. “Luckily, they were closer. They stopped a massacre from occurring.”

“Talk about nine lives,” mumbled John. “Why are you still on this side of space?” he asked Derek. “Did you learn I was here?”

“No,” answered Derek. “We were stuck on a freezing planet named Chevro after Sea Base Ten was destroyed. Guardian ships found us. They called in for the supplies we needed to get three of our ships up and running. We were about to enter the gateway, heading to Sea Base Nine, when we received emergency orders from Sparky to protect the Oceanan fleet at all costs.”

John quickly whispered to Asher, “That’s my brother’s codename.”

Asher nodded.

“Later, Sparky informed us that everyone on board those ships was asleep and have been since they left Oceana,” continued Gian. “He said there was no one at this castle to link in with the ships’ computers to guide them down. He asked us to stick around and help them, because if we didn’t, they would all crash.”

“I’m shocked that came out of Bob’s mouth,” John said seriously. “Them crashing is not necessarily a bad thing.”

He saw Asher immediately scowl at him. He also saw the happy shine in Derek’s eyes grow stern.

“I was just joking.”

Gian smirked. “No, you weren’t.”

“I know Andros is not here.” Gorwin spoke up. “Will you need help with bringing those ships down?”

“No,” grumbled John, looking at his feet. “I can get them down.” He kicked a pebble and crossed his arms.

“And safely. I will make sure of it,” Derek added firmly.

Asher inserted, “So will I.”

Gorwin cleared his throat. “Very well, then, since you are safe, I will take my leave.”

John lifted his eyes. He noticed Gorwin’s eyes shone with laughter.

“Safe?” questioned Asher.

John saw how quickly all humor left those red eyes.

“Along with learning about Daehog’s orders, we learned there were still traitors amongst your warriors.” Gorwin eyed Derek and Gian. “Including a Sea Ranger Superior. I wanted to make sure they were not one of those traitors.”

“Derek is like my uncle.” John pointed at the Mage with his chin. “The only thing he’s guilty of doing, is not being able to keep a secret from his wife.”

“That is not true,” said Derek in a defensive manner.

“Yes, it is,” said Gian.

Derek scowled at his son. “Whose side are you on?”

Gian pointed to John. “His.”

Derek looked at Gorwin. “There’s your traitor.”

John, Asher, and Gorwin laughed while Derek glared at his smiling son.

A thought entered John’s mind. He immediately stopped laughing. “Did you say the traitor was a Sea Ranger Superior?”

Gorwin’s laughter stopped. “Yes, I did.”

John quickly turned to Derek. “A Sea Ranger Superior was turned?”

“I’m afraid that’s what Bob overheard. We won’t know for sure until we return.”

John about-faced. He rubbed his face. He smoothed back his hair. He could not believe a Sea Ranger Superior had turned against them. How could Daehog be that powerful, that persuasive? How had the ruling clan failed their warriors that so many were quick to turn their backs on justice, truth, and peace? How were they going to win this war if there was no one left that they could trust?

Gian paused beside him. “John, it’s going to be all right. We’ll get through this. We always have.”

John took a deep breath. He nodded. “You’re right. I can’t lose faith now.” He thought of Jasira and of the baby she carried. “Not when there is so much at stake.” He went to Gorwin and held out his hand. “Safe travels out there, my friend. If you need us, we’ll be here monitoring the airwaves.”

Gorwin clasped John’s forearm. “Thank you.” He clasped Asher’s arm next. “We will stop by the next time we are near.” Gorwin bowed to Derek and Gian. “Until the next time, Sea Rangers.”

Derek and Gian returned his bow. “Safe trip,” said Derek.

They watched the Space Guardian make his way back to his ship. As Gorwin entered his ship, John directed his attention to Derek.

“I’m going to get Jasira. I really need Aunt Sandy to exam her.”

“What’s wrong with her?”

John answered Gian with a smile. “She’s pregnant.”

“I’ll…” Derek lost his words. He stared at John with his jaw hanging open.

“Really?”

John’s head jerked backward. “Gian, you’re half Mage. You can find out for yourself.” He turned to Asher. “Let’s meet up later. I want to be the one to give you a tour of the White Star.” He headed to the castle.

Asher laughed. “I look forward to it.” He walked beside John. “I’ll be in the Control Room with my swistar. I’ll update her about the Oceanan ships.”

“Thanks.”

“John, wait!” Gian hurried up beside him. “I’m coming with you. I have to meet this crazy woman. I can’t wait until she boards the ship.”

Asher smiled.

“How I’ve missed your sense of humor.” John glanced back at Derek, who still remained motionless, gawking at him. John pointed at him. “Is he going to be all right?” he asked Gian.

Asher and Gian turned around. Gian viewed his father’s shocked condition. He rolled his eyes. “Dad!” he called. “Get over it. He’s a big boy. He’s old enough to get married. Go tell mom to get her stuff ready!” Gian shook his head as he spoke to John and Asher. “They don’t want us to grow up.”

John and Asher started laughing.

“I can just picture my father’s reaction,” said John as he started climbing the stairs.

“Oh, I have to be there to see that one,” replied Gian.

Derek’s White Star, Medical Lab One

Private Room

Swoosh whoosh…swoosh whoosh…swoosh whoosh…

John could not believe the black-and-white image he was looking at. He squinted at the screen from his seat. The infant was curled up in a fetal position. It looked like it was waving at him.

He sat on Jasira’s left while Jasira rested on a medical bed. Dr. Moonstar stood to the right of Jasira. Over Jasira’s stomach, she slowly passed a rectangular, handheld device that was capable of taking ultrasonographic images and displaying them on a larger screen situated on the wall.

Swoosh whoosh…swoosh whoosh…swoosh whoosh…

Dr. Moonstar smiled. “The baby has a strong heartbeat.” She drew her hand away from Jasira and carefully read the data displayed on the device’s small, built-in monitor.

Jasira smiled at the sight of her baby on the screen. “He will be a warrior like his fahder.”

John grasped Jasira’s hand. He brought her fingers to his lips. He regarded the woman who was like an aunt to him. When she did not speak, he grew anxious.

“Are Jasira’s blood results in?” he inquired.

“I just received the alert.”

“Does everything look normal?”

Dr. Moonstar turned off the handheld device. “Nothing some prenatal vitamins won’t cure.” She smiled and patted Jasira on the shoulder. “I want you to take them daily. In another month, we’ll retake the tests and see where we stand. For now, I want you to get plenty of rest. Drink plenty of fluids. And start gaining some weight.”

Jasira sat up. “But I cannot hold anything down.”

Dr. Moonstar nodded. “You will with what I’m going to give you.” She glanced at John, who had his mouth open, about to speak. “And no, it won’t hurt the baby.”

John closed his mouth. Jasira smiled at him.

Dr. Moonstar chuckled. “I’d better go tell your uncle. He’s anxious to hear about the baby.” She walked around the bed and leaned over to kiss John on the cheek. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Before Dr. Moonstar exited the room, John blurted, “You will be her personal physician, right? You’ll deliver the baby?”

“If that’s what the two of you want.”

John’s features showed the shock he felt at hearing her words. “Of course! I don’t trust anyone else with Jasira’s life or my baby’s.”

Dr. Moonstar looked at Jasira. “Is that what you want?”

Jasira smiled. “John considers you his famuhlee. He trusts you with our infant’s life. I trust his judgment. Only you.”

Dr. Moonstar nodded. “Then it shall be.” She smiled. “Talk to you guys later. I have to go spread the news.”

John stood from his seat and faced his wife. He took her hand and placed it over his heart. “You have no idea how much you mean to me. How much I love you. How much I need you. And how thankful I am to you for this baby.”

“I’m thankful to you for giving me this infant.” Jasira reached up to caress John’s face. “I love you.” Her fingers slipped into his wavy hair.

John kissed Jasira’s nose, then soundly kissed her lips.

.

About the Author

Jessica A. Kong lives in Somerset, New Jersey with her loving husband of twenty years and teenage triplets. She is an avid reader of fantasy, futuristic, and paranormals. When she is not reading she enjoys arts and craft, puzzles, and crocheting.