Mysterious Circumstances (pm to discuss joining)

[slippedhalo]

David smiled and kissed Kate. "Don't worry, four months isn't that long of a time. You'd still look gorgeous if they aged you four years, or forty years. And I'll be waiting for you when you wake up. Maybe then we'll be able to see if the baby is a boy or girl." David said lightly stroking Kate's belly. "To be honest I'm excited to see what pregnant you will look like." David said leaning in and pressing his forehead to Kate's. "I... I don't have anything else romantic to say." David laughed, "I'm just happy we have each other. I love you." He said leaning in to kiss Kate.

Kate considered this. "At five and a half months, yes, an echo...I mean sonogram to see the baby's sex, that's pretty easy to do, I think. I'll ask Yuet."

"Ask me what?" Asked Yuet, emerging in a medical coat, pulling a hover stretcher behind her. She was maturing quickly away from the image of the shy, naive, youth she'd been upon first awakening. Her training and experiences since then we're beginning to show in her new confidence and poise.

Kate explained about their curiosity over the baby's gender as David helped Yuet get Kate settled onto the stretcher and walk her into the operation theatre.

Yuet nodded her understanding. "Yes, if course. I get you you to about twenty two weeks. We look at baby then, ok?"

Kate tried to ignore the nervous feelings over the procedure about to come and smiled reassuringly at David. "I hope all this accelerated growth won't harm the baby."

Yuet shook her head, "They promised me it is something they have done many times before and all babies are still normal. Oldest fetal accelerated person now a pretty, intelligent and charming twenty-two year old teacher on colony."

Kate sighed. "Alright then. I'll trust you, Yuet." She turned to David carefully with the neck brace, "Watch the hair, nails, and belly. This should be interesting."

They kissed a goodbye as Yuet placed Kate into the device.

 

[slippedhalo]

"Oh, ok. I wasn't trying to do anything, I was just stuck. Thanks for explaining that to me." Adrianna said to Yuet. Yuet smiled and walked back into the med bay, leaving the mermaid alone in the hallway. Adrianna gave a sad sigh as she was once again left alone. She began rolling back towards her lake when she heard a door open behind her. She turned around to see a tired looking Austin emerging from his room. "Hey Austin!" She called excitedly rolling over to him.

================================================================

Austin woke up with his usual coughing fit. He groaned and rolled out of bed, stretching and looking around the room. He saw April reading something at the desk, checking his wrist computer for updates. "Wow, I've missed a lot." Austin said leaning against the desk next to where April was sitting. He studied April's face for a few moments before leaning in to give her a quick kiss. "I'm going to take a shower, I'll be back in a little bit." Austin said standing up and leaving the room.

He wasn't out of the room for two seconds when he heard someobe call "hey Austin!" From down the hall. He turned to see Adrianna roll up to him, a happy smile on her face. "Hey Adrianna. Why aren't you at the lake?" He asked before yawning. "Erik was sick, so I was waiting for him to wake up in there." She said pointing at the med bay. "I've missed a lot today." Austin said scratching his head. Adrianna nodded in agreement. "Where are you going right now?" She asked him curiously. "I'm going to take a shower." He replied hiding his slight annoyance at having to talk to someone who wasn't April. "What's a shower?" Adrianna asked him her face scrunched in curiousty. "It's like... Where people go to get clean. We drop water onto ourselves to wash off the dirt. And no you can't join me, there's not enough water for you to float, you'd just be lying on the floor." Austin said answering Adrianna's next question before she could ask it. "Oh. Ok." Adrianna said in disappointment.

Adrianna was about to turn away when her face lit up in excitement. "Can you take a shower in the lake? There's water there, and I could help you." She said excitedly. Austin shrugged. "Maybe. Let me ask April, I don't want her to get jealous." Austin said turning around and going back into his and April's room. Adrianna waited in the hallway; she wished her ball could fit through the bedroom doors.

================================================================

Austin walked back into his and April's bedroom and walked over to April who was still reading. "I saw Adrianna in the hallway, and she wants to give me a bath. Are you alright with that?" Austin asked April. "Or better yet, do you want to join us?" Austin asked, a hopeful note in his voice.

April considered this question. She hadn't been jealous with Natalia. She realized Adrianna wasn't likely to be anything worth too much fuss either. "I'm still finishing up important study here. I want to have this memorized in case Kate has trouble and I must take over. You go ahead and I'll join you both in a few minutes. Ok?"

 

[Othermoose]

David nodded and helped Kate into the aging pod. "I'll see you in a few months." David joked to Kate before stepping back to let Yuet work. Yuet hooked Kate up to the machine before closing the pod and starting the process. David watched as a light beam began to move back and forth over Kate's body. "So how long will this take?" David asked Yuet while still looking at Kate.

 

[Othermoose]

Austin gave April a half-smile before leaning in and giving her a deep kiss. He pulled away from April and walked towards the door. "You're the best. I promise we'll keep it above the waist until you join in." Austin said before leaving the room.

"So what did she say?" Adrianna asked breathlessly. "We've got permission, and April will join us in a few minutes." Austin said to the excited mermaid. She did several happy flips in her ball before shouting "lets go!" And rolling off towards the lake.

Austin followed Adrianna to the lake, and watched as the excited mermaid rolled her ball into the lake and quickly jumped out. The ball sunk to the bottom of the lake, but Adrianna waited impatiently at the surface. Austin slowly removed his clothes, feeling the normal wave of shame he got anytime his scars were bared. Adrianna studied his body in curiousty, but thankfully said nothing about the scars.

Austin slowly got into the water and swam towards Adrianna. She intercepted him and wrapped her arms around his slender frame, giving him a deep exploratory kiss. Austin tried to return the gesture, but it felt wrong doing it without April. He pulled away from Adrianna's lips with a conflicted look on his face. "Can we wait for April before we start anything?" Austin asked the mermaid. "Um, I guess so." The confused mermaid agreed. After a moment Adrianna removed her arms from Austin's shoulders. The two waded in the water, forcing awkward small talk as they waited for April.

 

[slippedhalo]

(I'm back! Jet lagged. I'll be replying tomorrow.)

 

[slippedhalo]

David nodded and helped Kate into the aging pod. "I'll see you in a few months." David joked to Kate before stepping back to let Yuet work. Yuet hooked Kate up to the machine before closing the pod and starting the process. David watched as a light beam began to move back and forth over Kate's body. "So how long will this take?" David asked Yuet while still looking at Kate.

Yuet watched the process with the care of a professional,checking her arm computer monitoring the details of Kate's health as the procedure continued without incident. "Approximately three hours at the strongest setting. I have adjusted it to be a little more gentle, though, so it won't cause unnecessary pain and not too much discomfort to the baby. She's stronger and not growing. For her,no pain...the baby might feel some discomfort...luckily, it young enough to forget it quickly. I'm sorry I can't make it even easier...But, in the adjusting...maybe three and a half hours. Then, many angry kicks for Kate from pissed off child, I think. Worth it, though."

 

[slippedhalo]

Austin gave April a half-smile before leaning in and giving her a deep kiss. He pulled away from April and walked towards the door. "You're the best. I promise we'll keep it above the waist until you join in." Austin said before leaving the room.

"So what did she say?" Adrianna asked breathlessly. "We've got permission, and April will join us in a few minutes." Austin said to the excited mermaid. She did several happy flips in her ball before shouting "lets go!" And rolling off towards the lake.

Austin followed Adrianna to the lake, and watched as the excited mermaid rolled her ball into the lake and quickly jumped out. The ball sunk to the bottom of the lake, but Adrianna waited impatiently at the surface. Austin slowly removed his clothes, feeling the normal wave of shame he got anytime his scars were bared. Adrianna studied his body in curiousty, but thankfully said nothing about the scars.

Austin slowly got into the water and swam towards Adrianna. She intercepted him and wrapped her arms around his slender frame, giving him a deep exploratory kiss. Austin tried to return the gesture, but it felt wrong doing it without April. He pulled away from Adrianna's lips with a conflicted look on his face. "Can we wait for April before we start anything?" Austin asked the mermaid. "Um, I guess so." The confused mermaid agreed. After a moment Adrianna removed her arms from Austin's shoulders. The two waded in the water, forcing awkward small talk as they waited for April.

Once April had finished her studies, she grabbed a banana from the kitchen, eating along the way as she headed to the domed section of ship which would also become their gift to take with them to the planet. She stood finishing her snack and watched Austin skinny dipping with Adrianna in the lake, unaware of her presence for a few minutes, smiling and waving when Austin spotted her on the shore and smiled her way in relief.

He swam toward her as she began removing her own clothes to join them, surprising him by swimming just past him to kiss the waiting mermaid in greeting first, then, reaching for him to pull him into a three way kiss. She found it completely adorable that he preferred not to be with anyone else, sexually, without her presence. It made him more trustworthy in her estimation. He deserved a reward for his loyalty.

 

[slippedhalo]

Natalia had enjoyed getting Erik to sleep off,then fuck off, the last effects of his Viking delusions as his training began to kick in and the side effects of the brain changes began to wear off. He was a fun lay anyway. As a Viking, he'd been fun and unpredictable, exciting! But, she was glad to see him beginning to question his earlier silly behavior and talk about his security officer training. Those were signs he was getting back to what would be normal post-rapid-education Erik. Not to say they didn't have another wild go at Viking-like fucking for good measure. The pair didn't mind giving the MeRP units a good porn show before he was cleared to leave Med Bay and she brought him back to her room to continue showing him how glad she was to have him back with her.

 

[slippedhalo]

The procedure was awesome to behold when more than just one month of ageing was observed. In the four month's ageing process, Kate lie unconscious while her hair, splayed across the cushion her head rested upon, grew an extra three curls and a half...a full seven and a half inches more, in length. Her formerly short, fingertip length nails now extended past her fingertips, through uninterrupted ageing, doubling in length.

The most amazing observations were to watch broken bones reknit, damaged tissue heal, swelling go down, then disappear, and the flat abdomen rising, in a small, rounded bump below Kate's ribs to the start of her pelvic region; The small indicator of developing pregnancy now visible from certain angles no matter what clothing she'd wear; astounding, when just a few hours before it had not been visible at all. Now, her pregnancy was inarguably obvious.

Yuet quite enjoyed the process from her medical and scientific perspective. She watched a number of emotions play across David's face as he stayed in Med Bay and also watched. She wondered what thoughts he was having as he watched what was happening to the woman carrying his child within her.

 

[slippedhalo]

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h2/AngeliaAvrielle/Mobile%20Uploads/tattoo-101_zpssmeaewp1.jpg

Jocelyn Andersen had been just finishing up her shift at the tattoo studio, locking up, getting out her car keys, when she heard the fight happening just across the lot. It sounded like her brother, Caleb, a piercing apprentice at the shop she co owned with her ex boyfriend, Rob, Caleb could be heard arguing with what sounded like a couple of down home, asshole, hicks out for trouble in the more liberal side of town.

Reaching for the firearm Rob had insisted she keep in her bag and she detested much, Joce made her way over to the scene quietly. Four jerks had her handsomely androgynous brother backed up against a wall and were beating on him for not meeting their John Wayne version of manliness.

The rage overcame Jocelyn. Caleb had been through enough in his young life! Having overcome disowning from their caregiver, Grammy, and been kicked out of the only home he'd ever known at just sixteen simply for stating the obvious, he's happiest in make up but doesn't want to go all out to become a woman and he finds himself only attracted to guys...Caleb was missing for three months before his older sister found him destitute, living on the streets. She took him in and worked an extra job waitressing as well as tattooing and modelling for tattoo mags and sites in order to pay for his upkeep and get him to finish school. Nobody ever treated her sweet, gentle brother as he deserved. Jocelyn was very protective over him,even three years later, when he was doing much better. Still, local yahoos abounded in these parts and harassment of both the "queer", and the "tattooed freak" had become a pretty regular occurrence.

Jocelyn loved her many tattoos and the self expression in body art. And, she loved her little brother. She was tired of being harassed by ignorant asses. Pulling out the gun and cocking it had not been one bit hesitant. Unfortunately, her martial arts skills weren't equal to her good intentions and hands flew out of nowhere to wrestle the gun from her grip, shoot Caleb clean in his spike studded forehead, and turn it back on her...

...They may have let her live if she hadn't 've bitten the gun holder's dick nearly off when he tried to force her to blow him. Unfortunately, Jocelyn had a temper. She didn't live more than ten minutes longer than the brother she'd failed to save.

........................

Caleb awoke first. It was his screaming and cussing at MeRP units hovering all around him that Jocelyn awoke to. It was explained to her half numb mind by the emotionless machines, they were reanimated. They'd died on earth and were on a spaceship headed somewhere else very soon. The nature of their injuries had made them harder to heal than eight other humans already reanimated, adjusted, trained, and preparing for life on some far away colony...The others had had a head start. Jocelyn, Caleb, and some terrified looking young lady they called May were the last to heal and awaken and their awakening had been rushed so they'd be alert and able to help the group in time for deposit on some planet for a new life in some top secret colony. Jocelyn, May, and Caleb listened. Then, Joce stood from her bed, hugged her little brother, and stared down the MeRP doing most of the explaining. "What if we prefer death to this colony life you're thrusting upon us? Do we even get a choice?"

The MeRP bleeped in response. "You may die if you'd prefer but we would like your body. We've gone to much time and expense repairing it. Wiping your mind and reprogramming it to fit another personality isn't impossible and would be less wasteful. You would die but we'd recycle your body."

Jocelyn felt rage and bile both rise in her as May gasped at the horror of what the MeRPs stated and wept silently. Caleb, apparently, having already made his own acquaintance with May, patted the anxious looking woman on the back supportively.

"Can we meet the others soon?" Asked Jocelyn.

"After a day of testing and observation to determine your fitness, yes. You may join them tomorrow if all goes well. Appropriate, since drop off is in approximately forty-eight hours." Stated the MeRP.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason approached the building site above the town of Infinity. As the head councilors son he was the go between for the council and the site foreman. Once a week he had to report to the Council rooms to receive an update from them and then make the trip up to the site to brief the foreman and to receive his report which he had to take back to the Council.

This took him an entire day, a day that could be better spent on the family farm doing the chores that needed to be done, but as the eldest son it was his duty. It had been his older brothers duty until last year, but he had died when the herd had stampeded in a storm. His family was just lucky that they had him to take over. Many other families didn't have big families any more. That was why they were all praying that this influx of colonists could fit right in.

Jason knew the stories. He had attended the major city school and learned all about how this planet had been founded. Some planet called Earth had sent out the first colonists several generations ago to make contact with the local alien population and to establish a base here. Then every so often a new ship would arrive with supplies and new colonists. Soon the colonists had made friends with the aliens and had even bred with them in some instances although very rarely. At the moment the colonists were spread out over three islands and the Cousins as they had become known had two. Where they all met was a large central city that housed the Council of the colonists and the Council of the Cousins, the trading houses and the sprawling marketplaces.

Infinity was located but a few hours ride away from this large city. As Jason rode up the slight hill he was greeted by a truly spectacular sight. The top of the hill had been leveled off and a solid house had been built along with a barn. An area had been fenced off for animals and several plots of land had been made ready for planting. As per instructions Several other areas had been cleared off and all lumber, bricks and tools needed had been left so that work could begin on construction of further housing. The barn also contained all the fittings they would need to finish off the insides.

Today he saw that both the wind generators and solar panels were going up and that the pathways were being finished. The large clearing that they had been told to prepare for the landing of the space ship had been finished and most everything else looked good. They still had two days until the next batch of colonists arrived and they still didn't know how many had survived the trip, what sexes they were and what skills they had. Still by the looks of things here the town would be ready for them.

Jason got off his horse and casually tied it too a tree branch and then strode down the main street looking for the foreman. He still had his orders to give and his report to get. Luckily this would be all over soon and he could finally just concentrate on farming again.

 

[slippedhalo]

Hildegarde Hoogwaarden made her slow way across the bridge from Center Island where her livelihood as a Cousin/Human Translator centered, to the Island township of Infinity where her protege would soon live.

Leaning heavily on her walking stick, the old woman took her time on the meandering dirt and gravel road into the little town to meet Jason who was overseeing the new development of land for the coming new colonists. She was also mentally measuring how difficult it would be for her to make the journey to visit her new colleague and apprentice if she were to so choose. So far, she thought it wasn't as bad as she'd originally thought. Three miles from the Center was doable but not easy on her arthritic joints. She'd heard he was a young man. It occurred to her that he may have to visit her or meet her in the great city more often than she could be expected to venture out past Infinity to see him. "It will be sorted out soon enough." Hilde reminded herself gently.

With a sigh, Hilde resolved to climb the steps to Jason's front porch, knocking on the door with her walking stick. "Jason, good afternoon, child. How goes it with preparations for the newcomers?" She asked as he moved toward the screened porch door with a welcoming smile of recognition on his face. He looked astonished to see her this far from her usual haunts. This made her proud to have made the effort. Based on the horse still grazing in his front yard, she guessed he'd just returned from checking on the building site himself. "Was the Foreman Tobias still finishing the build of the exemplar house today or is that all done?" She asked.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason was surprised to see Hilde all the way out here. He quickly invited the old woman inside and made her comfortable in the best chair in the house and fetched her some ice cold water. He was amazed that she could still walk the three miles out here, but he wasn't sure if she then could have made it up the steep incline to the newcomers village.

Once she was sitting comfortably and looked rested he sat across from her and smiled. "Hilde if you wanted to come and see the new Village transport could have been arranged. A wagon would have been no trouble," he told her shaking his head at her in a friendly scolding manner. "Still the work is progressing very well. The house has been finished and the plans are safely inside it. All the tools and building materials are onsite and the ground has been leveled and garden plots and fields have been plowed. There is just a little bit of tidying up to be done and the work is finished. I am proud of them all. I am also grateful that this is almost over so I can get back to working my own farm. The hands that were assigned me are competent but lack the knowledge I do. I have to keep telling them exactly what to do and it just wastes time."

Jason shook his head and then sighed. "Two days and the council has not released how many people have survived this Journey. Dad has not even told me and even though we have cleared a lot of spaces I have done a bit of research. They have done the same each time no matter how many have arrived. We need new people Hilde. I especially hope you get your replacement. You deserve to retire and live out your latter years in comfort,"he smiled.

 

[slippedhalo]

Hilde sat back in the chair and nodded, understanding the familiar impatience. "Yes, it is exciting, getting new colonists. I'm looking forward to meeting this young man and helping him learn the ropes. At my age retirement sounds mighty tempting, Jason, dear."

She stood, letting the walking stick bear her weight as she moved, "I'd like to see if I could make it out here to meet him, but I've found, as proud as I am to have made it out here on foot, I might be better off using my cart and mule, Milly. Or, as you said, ordering a wagon for the trip. Getting home is going to be harder than coming here...Jason, would it be too much trouble to give me a ride back to Center? Perhaps, drive past the new village on the way?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason bowed to her. "It would be my honor Hilde," he smiled widely at her. He escorted her outside and then brought around the wagon he had already hitched up. He smiled sheepishly at her. "Well I did have to go back to the Center anyway so I got one of the hands to rig up the wagon." He helped her up onto the seat and then climbed up on the other side. Taking the reins he set the horse on it's way and turned it so it started to head up towards the plateau.

"I think you will like what has been done Hilde. We have even been told to clear a very large area for a special surprise they are supposed to be bringing. Maybe we might be getting some new technology or something. It has been a long time since we have had anything new from the colonists ships."

 

[slippedhalo]

Hilde smiled wistfully, "I hope they bring pineapple trees. Your generation might never have had pineapple but, oh, they're wonderful fruits!" She then began a narrative that went on most of the journey, describing the many wonderful foods she could recall from her childhood and missed very much on this new world.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason listened to Hilde tell him of all the wonderful things she remembered from the old world. Jason nodded and smiled but in truth he had no idea about a lot of the things she talked about. He was one of the few people that had been born on planet. There were about forty of them now. Not a lot to be sure, but when the total population was only around three or four hundred it was not too bad. For some reason it was proving difficult for the colonists to become pregnant. He hoped that these new colonists were bringing something that could help more of them become more fertile. Maybe he was being selfish but he was at that age were he was thinking of starting a family.

As they cleared the top of the plateau he smiled at Hilde and swept his hand around at the new village. "So what do you think Mistress. Have we done a good job?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Hilde took a moment to view the clearing, imagining a few farms and nice homes in their places there. A slow smile spread on her wizened face and she nodded. "It's good. It's good Jason. Our new world is turning out to be quite an Eden. Don't worry about babies, young man, I saw a report discussing fertility. This batch was chosen for their physical attributes, fertility among them. And, they never bother dropping a pod for less than three survivors. If even one is a fertile young woman...I'll pull strings, Jason. I know you're hoping for family life soon. I know you're a good guy and have worked hard for the colony. Between your father's influence and mine, we'll get you a wife within two batches, you'll see. They say they've already begun gathering the bodies for the next batch. The journeys are getting shorter. Soon it won't be so many years between newcomings. Don't worry, Jason."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason's face glowed red. How did the old woman always seem to know what he was thinking. "It's not just me I am thinking of you understand," he stammered out. "We really do need some new blood in the colony and some new fertile females. Maybe we might even get a doctor on this trip. It has been awhile since we got one of those and maybe they could find out what is going on with our bodies."

He looked down sadly for a minute then smiled at Hilde again. "Still as a kid that has been born here I am being sought after like some prize bull stud I hear. Supposedly we are meant to be more fertile and my father has told me he has received many letters regarding my marriage." Jason blushed again as he guided the wagon through the new settlement and down the other side towards the lake and the wide stream that led to the lagoon and then the sea. "Truth be told I have received several letters of my own suggesting other things besides marriage."

 

[slippedhalo]

Hilde laughed. "Desperation can drive wild ideas." She murmured. "Jason, I dont think life as a professional gigolo would suit you." She teased, squeezing his cheek, chuckling, then kissing his other cheek before trailing off wistfully, "They're training a doctor. Just in her teens but brilliant! I saw they're training a lawkeeper as well, and an expert on dairy farming. And, their leader, she's of a spiritual calling in her past life...plenty of people could use a counselor and she'd serve that posting well. If they all make it, that's three women of good value already, Jason! I have a good feeling about this batch. We've solved the problem that caused the last pod to burn up in our atmosphere two summers ago, right? We've transmitted the data to Command well over a year ago." She said with hope strengthening her voice, "This time we'll have survivors and they'll make this colony greater for their coming. You'll see!"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason nodded. They had indeed worked out why the last ship had burned up as it had entered their atmosphere. By comparing the pieces that had survived to earlier metals from previous ships, they had found out that the metals they had been using had been getting steadily lighter and thinner. That might have been good in space and on Earth, but here it was no good. The new metal was just too thin to survive their atmosphere.

They had sent off a message warning about the default but had not received any confirmation that their message had been received. All that they got was the regular reports and the normal Data transfers.Now with the new colonists due all the could do was pray that the necessary upgrades had been done on the ship or all they would be getting was another spectacular fireworks show.

"I hope you are right Elder, I hope you are right. It will be good to have new people to meet and learn off of. I must confess that living so close will be exciting for me. However let's get you home so I can report to my father and the other Council members. I am sure they will want you there Hilde. Perhaps you can come with me to the Council chambers instead."

 

[SlySparrow0003]

After fitness testing and observation, May walked out into what seemed the the diner. And sat in a chair near the back. Going over what had happened. She was walking out of class late, she wanted to stay after and research her robotics project some more, always interested in inventions, engineering. Nobody liked her, knew her. She hadn't spoken a word in forever it seemed, except to her robotics teacher, who seemed like a real mom to her. She turned to her car parked In the allyway but saw a couple of jocks hanging around it. She ignored them and and put her keys in her car door, yet they started to grope her, and she pushed one as she got in her car. The big one pulled her out of her car and was thrown to the cement ground. They raped her and then.... She realized everything the robots said were true. She wanted to have a closer look at the robots for study but decided it was best not to. She banged her head on the table. And wiped her silent tears away, As her past came back to her, Slightly hungry but not wanting to get up herself and make food, she just layed there, with her head down facing the table. In her ugly hospital gown. Not knowing completely what was going on. May got up and found a Locker room, then a ladies room. She banged open the door and looked herself in the mirror. Her face looked into with her light brown eyes. Her lips seemed useless to her. She walked back to the diner. Looking at the robot in fascination. She saw a pen and notepad and without reading anything on it she flipped the page and wrote ..'Do you have black coffee? No sugar or cream?'.. the robot hovered over to her and seemed to scan the notepad. "Yes." It replied, And it went over to a coffee pot. She sat down and her head rested on her hand. Slumping in her chair. Watching the robot putting the pieces together on how it may have been built. She sighed, frustrated that she was thinking of these things at the moment.

 

[slippedhalo]

Jason nodded. They had indeed worked out why the last ship had burned up as it had entered their atmosphere. By comparing the pieces that had survived to earlier metals from previous ships, they had found out that the metals they had been using had been getting steadily lighter and thinner. That might have been good in space and on Earth, but here it was no good. The new metal was just too thin to survive their atmosphere.

They had sent off a message warning about the default but had not received any confirmation that their message had been received. All that they got was the regular reports and the normal Data transfers.Now with the new colonists due all the could do was pray that the necessary upgrades had been done on the ship or all they would be getting was another spectacular fireworks show.

"I hope you are right Elder, I hope you are right. It will be good to have new people to meet and learn off of. I must confess that living so close will be exciting for me. However let's get you home so I can report to my father and the other Council members. I am sure they will want you there Hilde. Perhaps you can come with me to the Council chambers instead."

"I'll lose my purring footwarmer to mousing tonight by being late with her supper." Hilde warned with her usual wry humor. "...but, I'll risk it. I'll come to the Council meeting with you, child." She acquiesced.

They arrived at the meeting a few minutes after it had begun and milled in quietly, looking for a place to sit.

 

[slippedhalo]

After fitness testing and observation, May walked out into what seemed the the diner. And sat in a chair near the back. Going over what had happened. She was walking out of class late, she wanted to stay after and research her robotics project some more, always interested in inventions, engineering. Nobody liked her, knew her. She hadn't spoken a word in forever it seemed, except to her robotics teacher, who seemed like a real mom to her. She turned to her car parked In the allyway but saw a couple of jocks hanging around it. She ignored them and and put her keys in her car door, yet they started to grope her, and she pushed one as she got in her car. The big one pulled her out of her car and was thrown to the cement ground. They raped her and then.... She realized everything the robots said were true. She wanted to have a closer look at the robots for study but decided it was best not to. She banged her head on the table. And wiped her silent tears away, As her past came back to her, Slightly hungry but not wanting to get up herself and make food, she just layed there, with her head down facing the table. In her ugly hospital gown. Not knowing completely what was going on. May got up and found a Locker room, then a ladies room. She banged open the door and looked herself in the mirror. Her face looked into with her light brown eyes. Her lips seemed useless to her. She walked back to the diner. Looking at the robot in fascination. She saw a pen and notepad and without reading anything on it she flipped the page and wrote ..'Do you have black coffee? No sugar or cream?'.. the robot hovered over to her and seemed to scan the notepad. "Yes." And it went over to a coffee pot. She sat down and her head rested on her hand. Slumping in her chair. Watching the robot putting the pieces together on how it may have been built. She sighed, frustrated that she was thinking of these things at the moment.

Aziz entered the dining room to see an unknown woman in a hospital gown looking tired and traumatized, resting her head on the table. He was trying to think of what to say to the newcomer, obviously one of the previously frozen late risers, when the last two also entered the living quarters via the Med Lab doors.

The hospital gown did little to hide the fact that the petite woman with rainbow colored hair who stood in the doorway with a protective arm over the shoulder of a similarly petite but slightly taller young...man?woman? had tattoos all over her body with the exception of a remarkably sweet looking face. She met his stare with almost a challenging coldness in her grey eyes before joining the other scared looking young woman at the table.

Aziz decided the best move for now was to smile in welcome and sit across from them. "Hi, I'm glad to see you all awake and in good health. Welcome. I'm one of the other eight who awoke, I guess a few weeks ago. Although, so much has happened since then...We've been through a great deal but we've also been worried about you guys. It's good to see you're with us so close to our next chapter. I'm Aziz."

Jocelyn spoke up, "Aziz, Jocelyn...The MeRP told us about this coming "next chapter". We are all getting dropped on some alien planet in two days. Right?"

Aziz nodded, "Yes."

Caleb sniffled, "This sucks. I'm not "populate a planet" material."

Aziz chuckled, "None of us feels like we are, mate."

Caleb introduced himself as his sister was silently taking in their surroundings.

Aziz turned to the brunette and asked gently, "And, you? What may I call you?"

 

[SlySparrow0003]

May didn't know how to speak. Her hasn't talkin in days. Her cyan hair rested in her long side braid. And her slim, tiny body still slumped. Meeting the mans eyes, she nodded sadly. And wrote. 'I don't want to talk, I haven't in 2 months. My names May.' She handed him the notepad and looked away. Wishing she could huddle up to her knees and sit alone. She wondered if there was even a funeral for her. After her dad passed 4 months ago her mom started heavily drinking. She brought men over every night from bars were they usually got drunk and fucked. Then it would be a new man. Sometimes if she didn't get a man she would, yell at May and hit her. And the men would sometimes try to touch her while her mom was passed out drunk. All the memories hit her. She did her best to maintain a calm face.