The Black

Atticus’ sat in his chair facing the 6 in front of them. Mac had pulled a toy car from his pocket for Bry and Tris was in Lyrian’s lap munching on some snacks from Mac’s Day pack. Tris just so happened to be munching on a small bag of Taki’s… which Atticus’ suspected might Kill Lyrian if she had the same serving by ratio… They were half human alright.

“Please forgive my directness, but I do not ask anything without excellent reason.” He began, “May I ask about your pairing. If I remember the Delmar of my day correctly, the female psych actively binds herself to the mind of her chosen mate? How.. well.. did that process proceed. Were there any issues with the bonding itself or afterward?” He raised his hand in preparation of outrage, “I recognize the personal nature of my question, please humor me.”

Lyrian looked over to her husband, who nodded slowly to her, “We call it “The Claiming” now. I felt no resistance, or partial connection during our claiming. My only inconsistency was the shier… intensity… of Mac’s emotions. Humanity, I have learned since claiming my husband, might have the strongest control over their emotions than any race known or unknown. My Mac is a warrior of the void..” She looked a question to her husband and Mac nodded again. Atticus’ eyes narrowed, “His Legacy since before the age or majority is one of titanic loss and grief mixed with wars terrible wrath and death. He has lost many and killed many more. The first time he had to release his more… brutal… side in front of me was a traumatic experience. His instinct to Kill ruthlessly was hard to understand as I felt it echo’d in my own soul as he physically incapacitated the Lycan infiltrator that tried to kill me. I felt everything from his side of the fight. It took me a considerable amount of time to process and reconcile that side of him with the kind husband and father I see every day. I have seen that side several more times, several times as a willing participant in combat alongside him. I think our bond is stronger than most because of it.” Lyrian finished and reached for her husband’s hand. He merely smiled at her gently before petting Bry on the head as his lap was turned into a racetrack for the boys imagination.

Atticus tried not to smile at Jezzaria’s expression of shock at the detail of the exchange, and the fact that a Delmar female admitted to willingly participating in the violence of war. “Were there any problems… physically. I am aware of just how powerful the Human body can be. Their development in extreme gravity has made them extremely dense, and powerful for their size.”

Lyrian blushed slightly, “No, He was extremely gentle with me during our first… time. I’ve never been hurt by him during those... activities by accident or otherwise. When I progressed toward being able to survive Earth’s Gravity, and fight with him in Concord, we found that we did not have to be so… careful.”

“Ah, a perfect segway out of the pricklier details” Atticus did smile at Jezz’s soft giggle, “Being able to adjust to minor changes of gravity is known. But training for 2.2 gravities heavier is not done, even today. You, my dear, are possibly the strongest Delmar to have ever lived... What was your process, and how did you not hurt yourself doing it?”

Lyrian’s face hardened slightly, and Atticus noted the very human predatory intensity coming from her feature, “Oh, it hurt… It Hurt a lot…” she growled, “I know sort of the basic’s, but Mac and my father, worked together on the details.” She paused.

Mac hopped in where she left off, “Doctor Icario Grarzia is a former Military Medic and now the Doctor in residence of the Delmar freighter Lucid Traveler. We discovered this when I took Lyri out for her first flight in Concord. Delmar, when pushed to their absolute limit, but not injured, trigger the same repair processes as if they were actually injured. With no injury to tend, Their body simply builds on top of the healthy bones and tissues in a way that returns a stronger body than before.” Mac started.

“We had suspected this when we first discovered them. We were waiting for them to achieve orbit before we intervened and explored further.” Atticus mentioned.

“Well, for lyrian, we abused that process. We put weights on her and ran her into the ground. We created a workout schedule that was both modular and capable of reliably rending her to that state of at the absolute limit of physiological failure, but not actual injury.” Mac rubbed his wife’s leg, “My Lyri waged her own war against herself to become who she is today, because on top of the physical training; we had to train her pulmonary and circulatory systems as well. For almost a year, our quarters, and later our home was installed with Gravity plating that kept us in a gravity that was difficult, but not impossible for her to survive in. We coordinated the gravity increases with her training until she is as she is now, as comfortable in 1 Terran Gravity as if she was born to it. This was a blessing in disguise as, when she conceived, she had to carry the twins a significant amount of time in 1 T.G. so that they could develop properly because of my genetic heritage. As such, Bry and Tris here have lived in 1TG their entire life, and coming to Terra held no issues for them. They look Delmar, but they have a few Human organs that make them capable of processing the more dangerous foods that humans like... such as those Taki’s. They have enough spices dangerous to kill a Delmar child her size. Because our family lives largely in 1TG, They are also developing Humanities Muscle and bone mass needed to stay as strong as I am their whole life.”

“So, you trained yourself to near death to live in his world… then carried his children in his gravity… and survived?” It was Jezzaria, no longer able to keep silent.

“Yes, It’s not for everyone. Let’s not forget train until I was capable of surviving Void Combat inside Concord” Lyrian said gently, “After learning to fight in a heavy fighter/interdictor, carrying Bry and Tris was a breeze.”

“Ah, yes. Let’s talk about this Concord. I am unfamiliar with the type of ship.” Atticus asked.

“Concord is a Terran ship. She is a TALON3, which is basically a deep space stealth escort interceptor and interdictor. She was built before my race had FTL, so she is designed to keep her crew alive and fed during missions that can last years. She is capable of over 90 Terran Gravities of acceleration in the positive and negative Y axis. She has an inertial system that can keep that 90 G’s at 9g’s to the pilot and Weapons System Officer. She is a demanding ship to fly, let along fight. My Lyrian conquered her and is My WSO. She also has a mental data link system to aid in crew efficiency.” Mac stated.

Even Warren raised an eyebrow as Mac listed her published capabilities, knowing all too well that there were more accurate classified numbers on that ship. Atticus did a mental calculation and said the next statement very slowly, “My dear, are you telling me… that you have not only survived 200 of your worlds gravities… but you learned to fight a fighter class starship in those conditions?”

Lyrian’s smile was tooth filled as she bore her fangs in triumph, which was an answer in and of itself. Her feral grin sent a shiver down Jezz’s spine. Her mind tried to grasp the expression as it fought with the fact that Delmar did not act as this one just did.

“I have” Lyrian said with finality.

The Mechanical avatar of the digital copy of Attica retained its primal senses and leaned back slightly as the smile of an Apex hung on the features of Lyrian for a moment before she seemed to recognize his reaction and return to a less threatening gesture. He glanced at her husband and just saw a knowing smirk as his eyes analyzed Atticus with that same Apex’s Piercing gaze. He didn’t bother reigning it in. Not in HIS home system.

“This... Uh... Mental data link... How deep does it go” Atticus rallied to the next question.

“In humans, It’s a heightened intuition. We are in tune with each other and can sense what the other is about to do. It would help the weapons officer select the target or weapons system that the pilot was thinking about attacking next or using. Or help the pilot see the possible battlefield the way the WSO was observing his data… With us…” Mac stopped short and exchanged a long look with his wife.

“Please, I suspect that I am on the right track, but I must hear it from you” Atticus pressed.

“Inside Concord, in the link…. We don’t exist…” Lyrian said slowly, and all eyes snapped to her accept Mac’s who was just holding her hand, “Our Delmar Scientists adjusted the data link to see if Mac and I could use it… The results were, when we initialized the link, our memories, our past, our emotions, everything, aggregate like two halves of one mind… When we are in Concord, we are Concord… We become one mind, one soul. Her soul…” Lyrian finished.

“It has only deepened with each flight” Mac stated and Lyrian looked up at him, “Its ok love, we need to know anyway. Our Claiming bond has changed. It’s no longer emotions. Its intuition and, if we concentrate like now...”

“It is thought” Lyrian joined Mac in perfect unison as they continued together, “we can think things to each other”.

A pin drop could be heard in the office outside of the sounds of happy kiddo noises.

“Mr and Ms Grarzia… While I suspect it is not, I have a modified medical bed in this facility... With your permission, I would like to do a full scan of both of you, as well as your children. I of course will give you copies of everything I find, now or later.” Atticus took a breath and looked as a very pale Jezzaria, “I know you two know the plight of the Eleri, I am sincere when I say that this is essential to the fight to resurrect their species.”

Lyrian’s eyes widened, and she looked over to the young, winged girl who clung to Lt Warren. Her expression softened, and glanced at Mac, “Of course, you have our permission.”

Atticus tried to put the possibility of the first case of real telepathy in existence by sitting in his office away for later and began scanning each of them in turn. Pleasantries were exchanged on lighter notes as the twins peppered the animatronic Corth with questions, before farewells were exchanged.

Atticus settled into his chair, and opened the first file from the scans… he did not move from that position for 2 days.

________________________________________________

Warren settled into his usual spot on Jezz’s couch as she cuddled up next to him. He had a glass of dark rootbeer in his hand and She had a glass of water in her glass, “Today was… heavy…” He breathed the last word.

Jezz took a sip of her glass, “Do you think they are the key? What if… if…” She dared not speak it, even now.

“If human genes could save your people? I know Atticus could do the splicing. You wouldn’t be the same Eleri, but your people would survive..” He murmured as he gave her a peck on the head.

“No… What if..” She faltered before squeezing him with all her strength, “What if you and I… if I could…”

“Shh, it’s too early to know for sure. For now, one step at a time.” He said gently before taking another sip, finishing his glass of human grade alcohol. Jezz pulled up and pushed herself on to his lap before kissing him on the lips.

“Whoa… that’s sweet...” She giggled, before pushing her body to his and kissing him again, more deeply.

“Careful, I don’t know how much you can handle” Warren chuckled as he noticed her slight waver in balance, “Ok, no more kissing until I wash my mouth out...” They had learned early on that corn syrup acted like alcohol to Eleri.

“Buh… why… I feeuul, fantasti’” she slurred.

Warren fished for the medical quick scanner from the end table and did a quick scan of her wrist to get check her vitals. She was still at a safe level for her species, but only just. He quickly laid her down and went to wash his mouth out and clean the cup, “You are drunk, Jezz...” He chided.

“Thisss iith drun’” she slurred before trying to stand and failing, falling back into Warrens arms, “You’re…puurrrrdy” She murmured between giggles as Warren scooped her up and settled her into her bed. He gave her some extra water. Luckily “sugar drunk” Eleri didn’t have hangovers.

“Sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” He said softly to her as he stroked her hair while she drifted off. He checked her one more time to make sure she would be safe, and breathed a heavy sigh as he saw them stabilize and recede as her body began processing the corn syrup, and he tucked her in.

Warren left a note and let himself out. He had a birthday to plan.

_____________________________________________________

Mac tucked Bry and Tris into the small side bedroom in their Luna hotel lodgings for the night before sliding into the master bed and up next to Lyrian, “Hmmm… warm...” she coo’d as she wrapped her tail around his leg and curled herself around him to lay her head on his chest. She was not the fragile dainty Lyrian he had first met. In her Lythe frame hid hard-won strength. He felt her firmness as she settled into her customary spot on him.

“Those two are getting along like a house on fire” Mac chuckled.

Lyrian looked up at him, “Warren and Jezzaria? You think they are serious?”

“Humanity has lost half its population, our need for… coupling is pressing. Did you see the way he subconsciously protected her the entire time we were with them. He is serious. Human men get very protective when the women they love are around, especially if she is significantly weaker than him.” He spun quickly, pinning his wife under him, “you’re not weaker, not anymore...” he rumbled as he leaned in and bit her hard on the neck, growling into her soul.

“Now? James… Oohhh” Lyrain gasped already beginning to feel the effects of his call.

Mac simply leaned over and flicked out the lights before returning his attention to his mate.

­____________________________________________________________

Lucid Traveler thrummed as she made her way through subspace toward their drop-off system. Hera was working through the latest batch of data from Delmar when she heard a chime on her door.

“Enter” She called, looking up from her console as Jacob Irving’s expression registered. “What happened…”

“I just finished Dedrick’s letter... He didn’t make it. I just got the message from Delmar...” Jake sagged into a chair, “I fuckin hate those letters...” He growled in painful memory. Dedrick had been the lone man who sealed the bridge crew and bought Freeman’s team the time to get to the boarders bent on capturing the bridge.

Hera turned off her console and took his hand, “Did you know him well?”

“Not well, but he was one of the guys with me when port royal was hit. I knew him well enough.” Jacob rubbed his nose, “He had a daughter on the way…”

“Oh…” Hera said, “Are you ok?” her worried tone bleed through and Jacob gave her a sad smile

“I’m ok, I just don’t like this part. We lost less than I hoped for, but more than I wanted in that fight. Poor Traveler is going to need a once over… and I owe that crazy fuck Mackenzie a big bottle of something expensive. The upgrades he put into her defensive systems saved our lives.”

Hera snorted but couldn’t disagree on either point. She knew Mac and Clint well enough to know they would both wear the moniker proudly. “The repairs should hold until seasons end. I’ve noticed a few “unknown contacts” rapidly leave the system when we drop in. I suspect that our reputation is preceding us. Did you hear the rumors from the last station?”

“Yea… I’m not sayin shit to dissuade them as long as it keeps us out of fights… but seriously... if the ‘The Dread Captain Irving took on 6 barges and a frigate’... I wanna buy that man a drink” Jake’s dark chuckle held an edge of familiar pain in it. “So, what’s our new stop?”

“A place we have been before. The GHO called, they purchased our cargo at a premium and reconciled with our contractors. We are diverting to He’rth station. Our load of Insecticides is headed for an outbreak on Argorania. We have accepted a 3-trip run to drag in as much bug killer as we can stuff in our holds. It appears that some asshat didn’t do the appropriate cleaning before touring the fields... and left behind extra planetary aphid eggs. It’s bad. Argorania has lost 40 percent of its output in the last 3 months.” She read off her console.

“We had invasive species problems even regarding just different parts of Terra… I can’t imagine a planet-wide infestation… Can our drives handle a max profile for the next three trips?” he asked?

“I’ll check with the Chief in the morning, but I think so. They do have fresh rebuilds on them and Terran Power behind them.” She jotted a note down for later. “I’ll let the night crew know. We should be hitting our next beacon sometime after midnight. They will make the changes then.”

“Good, so all good for business.” He stood taking her hand once more, “now for personal. I got a message from your father today.”

Hera’s look of surprise confirmed it, “Oh?”

“Yea, He wants to ‘meet me’ and is looking forward to talking to me ‘face to face’ when we get home.” Jake chuckled as Hera hung her head in her hands.

“Oh gawds...” She moaned. I guess I should have expected that response. “He was not happy after Frie claimed Clint the old way.”

“So, what are we walking into. Are we talking about cleaning shotgun on kitchen table levels of dad or…” Jake teased lightly as Hera gave him a pained look, “worse?”

“Replace the shotgun with an orbital cannon” She grumbled.

“Ooohh..” Jacob said, “He knows that doesn’t actually work on Humans…right?”

“I tried to tell him… please don’t scare him too much? I want him to like you…” She pleaded, standing to settle into his lap.

Jacob pulled her close and leaned in to kiss the top of her head, “How about your mother?”

Hera giggled, “She loves you already. There’s that”

“Well, I have an in then.” Jacob said absently. “I’ll be good, promise.” He chuckled.

“Now, how about a movie.” he asked, as she leaned into him.

“I pick” she said finally, and his smile gave her the answer as they headed off to the rec room.