“The shuttle from the Atlantis is five minutes out, Madam Secretary-General. Did your group wish to head down?”

 

“Thank you, Navarchos Tam. Just a few things to finish up,” Ridgemont said. They had been kind enough to create an office in the corner of the CIC, with comms links to Earth. And much of the last few days (or last day, by Titan lights) had been spent coordinating with her government.

 

It would be good to go home, better than she’d ever imagined. But before she could, there was something that had not yet been addressed.

 

“The UNHCR and military advisers will board immediately after we arrive at Earth. Tell me, Navarchos, what is the long-term plan for Tau Ceti?”

 

“It will take some time to ensure that everyone there is secure, and some time to transport, but we will be evacuating the planet.”

 

Ridgemont knew this, of course, but she’d wanted to be prepared to argue it with the right people before she started. Navarchos Tam was not the person to argue with; she was following orders as given.

 

Still, she wanted to make sure knew exactly the rationale of the Empire, and she knew Tam would tell her straight.

 

“Why?” Ridgemont asked.

 

“Security, ma’am. Given the attack, the colony is at significant risk.”

 

“I understand. Navarchos Tam, before we depart, would you be so kind as to connect me to your government?”

 

Lemm blinked, but she’d been ordered to treat Ridgemont as an allied head of state, and that meant that as much as she wanted to get the CIC cleared out so Navarchos…that is, as much as she wanted to get her CIC cleared out, this was the kind of request that one honoured.

 

“Crewmate Esesa, contact the office of the Floor Leader, advise them the Secretary-General wants to speak to her before she departs.”

 

“Aye, ma’am,” the comms officer said. A few minutes later, a face popped up on the screen that Ridgemont had not seen before.

 

“Madam Secretary-General, the Floor Leader will be with you shortly – she’s just concluding a meeting with the Deputy Floor Leader. My name is Ammer Smit, I’m the Minister of Non-Titan Affairs. The Floor Leader’s chief of staff asked me to contact you in the interim. How may we help you?”

 

“Minister Smit, it’s good to meet you. Navarchos Tam informs me that Tau Ceti is to be evacuated, is this true?”

 

“Yes, Madam Secretary-General,” Ammer said. “Tau Ceti is very close to Hive Space. Leaving the colony in place would be a significant risk.”

 

“I was under the impression that Sol Earth and Tau Ceti are about equidistant from Hive Space. Am I mistaken?”

 

Ammer grinned. “Madam Secretary-General, I rather imagine you know that Earth is in fact slightly closer to Hive Prime than Tau Ceti, and I imagine your next question will be whether we should evacuate Earth too, to demonstrate the absurdity of evacuating Tau Ceti. So let’s cut the knot; you don’t think we should evacuate?”

 

Ridgemont smiled. “I like you. You get to the fucking point. The people down there…I know you view them as still sort of pets, but they aren’t. They’re people, and they were building a world. I know, they’ve said it was chaotic, and the Deputy Floor Leader all but admitted that it was a way of pushing these people aside but…I met a man down there who was trying to clear an apartment block by himself, with his bare hands, because he wanted to start rebuilding, and he had to start somewhere. I don’t know how you personally feel about humans, but let me assure you, we are damned stubborn. I know there’s a risk. Life is risk. And while I understand you Titans don’t always see risk the way we do…I’m asking that you let these people take a risk to keep their home. And I’m not sure what’s funny about it.”

 

Ammer’s grin broke wider. “Nothing’s funny about it, nothing at all. I just…Madam Secretary-General, I have a very good understanding of how humans feel. And I understand what you’re saying. But this will be another system to defend….”

 

“Earth will defend it. I will commit to that,” Ridgemont said.

 

“And how many troops will you garrison there? And what if the Hive attacks Earth?”

 

“We’ll have to study the matter,” Ridgemont said. “But damn it…this is a good world to colonize, from everything I’ve read and seen. Maybe some of the people here are going to want to go back to your giant worlds, and that’s fine, they should be able to. But some of them want to build a place in your Empire for themselves. I know, Avalon exists, but it was built for them; this was started, at least, by someone half-human, and the humans on the ground were building their own society, a block at a time. Those humans who want to stay…if we bring them to Earth, they can’t have that. If they go to Avalon, they can’t have that. And transplanting them to another star…the Insectoids could always come back, and find them. Minister….”

 

“Madam Secretary-General,” Ammer said, “One moment. I understand the Floor Leader is going to be looped in, Madam Floor Leader,” Ammer said, “Secretary-General Ridgemont asks that the humans who wish to stay on Tau Ceti be allowed to stay, and build a colony. We’ve discussed the pros and cons…and I quite agree with her.”

 

“I see. And hello again, Madam Secretary-General.”

 

“Rep Armac?” Ridgemont asked.

 

“We’ve had a bit of a shake-up in the government. I assure you, this will not adversely affect our relationship with your people.”

 

“I feel certain of that,” Ridgemont said. “Congratulations, Madam Floor Leader. I look forward to working with you. Now, about Tau Ceti….”

 

“I trust Minister Smit quite a bit, Madam Secretary-General. But still…you’re quite sure? You saw the kind of risk….”

 

“Madam Floor Leader,” Ammer interrupted, “the Secretary-General said it well. Humans will risk everything for home. And from the sounds of it…for at least some of the colonists, this is their home. I recognize the potential issues, but taking risks is what we do best.”

 

“Hmm. So it is,” Loona said. “I will ask the military to cease planning a full evacuation; we will still want to allow those who wish to evacuate to do so, Madam Secretary-General. And we will need assistance from Earth to make this work.”

 

“We’re happy to provide it,” Ridgemont said. “And Earth can accept some of the evacuees if we need to; I will have Ambassador Martin contact your office to begin negotiations.”

 

“I’ll have her work with the Deputy Floor Leader, Rep Berisen. He’s departing as Minister of State at the end of the month, but even if discussions go past that point, he has my trust.”

 

“Very good, I will inform our Ambassador. Now, I know our shuttle is en route, but before I go…Minister Smit, my translator may have been acting up…but I do believe you said ‘we’? You’re human?”

 

“Yes, Madam Secretary-General,” Ammer said. “I’m sorry, I would have corrected you…but I was quite enjoying the conversation. I get to say what you said a lot – haven’t ever been on the other side. It was very nicely done, let me tell you.”

 

Ridgemont laughed. “Well, then, I understand what was so funny – and I’m right, I like you, Minister. Madam Floor Leader, Earth is going to help however we can, and we’d do so if this was a Titan colony, or, uh, Dunnermac colony — doesn’t matter. This planet is a short trip from us. You’re our neighbours. We aim to be good neighbours.”

 

“You have been,” Loona said. “And we hope to be as well. I will direct Navarchos Tam and Navarchos Pasteni to coordinate with Terran troops. And we will need to talk more soon, beyond the discussions Rep Berisen and Ambassador Martin have,” Loona said. “We have quite a bit we need to figure out.”

 

“That is very true, Madam Floor Leader, and I look forward to it,” Ridgemont said. “Thank you for your time. Minister Smit, a pleasure to meet you.”

 

“Likewise, Ma’am.”

 

The call terminated, and Elaine said, “Good. Good. Thank you, Navarchos Tam. We’re ready to go.”

 

Lemm nodded to two junior officers, who offered hands to the Terran delegation. Ridgemont led half the delegation into one, and Xú took the others. The officers carefully carried them to the door, and paused.

 

“Attention!” Lemm said, saluting. “Secretary-General of the United Nations of Earth, and Flight Director of the Joint Terrestrial Space Agency, departing!”

 

The crew of the Xifos stood up, and faced the door, and saluted, and the rest of the CIC followed their fleet commander’s lead.

 

Elaine Ridgemont returned the salute, and said, simply, “Thank you, Navarchos Tam, and officers of the Xifos…thank you for everything.”

****

 

Citre sank down in his seat, trying to avoid standing out in the sea of faces in the lecture hall. It was only his first semester in his first year at Tannhauser Gate University and he was already a dab hand at picking the best spots in the upper edges of the lecture hall where the gaze of the professor didn’t often fall. Slouching back in his seat, stretching his legs out as far as he could was another good trick.

 

He’d been warned about the withering put downs that Dr Freeman could deliver if ired. He thought it was funny before it happened. The idea of a Human leaving an entire university full of students (and some staff) quaking in their boots.

 

It had stopped being funny after the first cocksure student had ran from his class in tears after giving a stupid answer to a simple question on the first day. The summation of the rather pointed reply was:

“If I wanted to hear something that stupid I’d go work in a Black Block managed pre-school in the Federation.”

 

That was without the rather rambling introduction and expletives. After that, no one opened their mouths unless they were sure. Or unless picked.

 

Citre, however, found the new professor much more terrifying. “Mrs Dr Freeman” as some had taken to calling her. She wasn’t one for profanity or sarcasm. She was warm, friendly and encouraging in a way that felt similar to a nursery assistant but without being patronising.

 

And she often brought in delicious baked treats for the class.

 

It terrified him. That she would call on him to answer a question and he would get it wrong. He didn’t fear her wrath, but her disappointment. She would look momentarily sad, as if she had failed him and then smile and offer warm words of encouragement before moving on. It was like disappointing your own mother.

 

“So contrary to pretty much every other universal law of physics, anti-gravity and gravity do not attract one another. They repel. By generating enough power we can then create a small amount of anti-neutronium which we can then control in a magnetic field and distribute to create anti-gravity as we require.” Dr Freeman explained. “Everyone following ok?”

 

A hand went up from the middle front row.

 

“Yes, Rakel.” Dr Freeman said with a welcoming smile.

 

“If neutronium is a combination of uncharged particle, how come it has an opposite? Is the opposite of neutral not just…” The young woman shrugged. “Neutral?”

 

Dr Freeman smiled. “Ah yes, very good. But who says neutral only comes in one form. In this case there’s a few different shades such as…”

 

A clatter of the door of the lecture hall interrupted Dr Freeman. Every student in the class knew better than to turn up late to one of Dr Freeman’s classes (the smaller Freeman). Citre glanced over his shoulder and was surprised by what he saw.

 

A small, elderly woman. Who didn’t move like she was elderly. She held her head high, her shoulders back and her posture composed. She was well dressed in a black skirt with a black jacket and her hair tied back tightly in a bun. She took each step one at a time and walked straight towards the lecture stage.

 

“Mother?” Dr Freeman said. “What are you doing here?”

 

The entire class remained silent, a mix of curiosity and nerves. Niall Freeman often referenced his formidable mother-in-law in his lectures. It was made clear that she was a woman who, despite having no formal occupation or power, should not be crossed.

 

“Child, we need to talk.” The elder woman said. “Do you have somewhere?”

 

“Can it wait, I’m in the middle of a class here?” Dr Freeman replied.

 

Her mother offered a small smile and guided her daughter towards the office door at the back the stage. “Normally I would never dream of interrupting one of my children in their work but this can’t wait.”

 

“Ok,” Dr Freeman said clearly nervous. “Class, I’ll be a minute…”

 

Citre watched as Dr Freeman and her mother disappeared off into the back room. He decided now would be a good chance to check on his messages; to see if the girl he was currently flirting via text with had gotten back to him. One thing did catch his eye.

 

NEWSFLASH – Hive attacks The Empire.

 

And then he heard a scream. The entire class looked up, to the office door at the back of the stage. The scream seemed to go on and on forever. It was filled with anguish and unbelievable pain.

 

The class looked at each other uncertain, trying to decide what they should do. The scream turned to wailing to loud sobbing and then the door opened and Lilitu Bass emerged.

 

“You may go.” She said. “The university will be in touch. Thank you.”

 

 

****

“He really should be here.” Lilitu sulked but somehow managed to keep a hold of her dignity.

 

“It’s not often that you get the chance to work on a dig on the Homeworld-of-the-People, Mother.” Naskia replied. “And I know Lysape has been bouncing around with excitement at the thought of studying there.”

 

“It’s not the point!” Lilitu protested. “It’s Coronation Day! He should be here with his family!”

 

Hurassen sighed and shook his head. “You can’t push your children to be high achievers and complain when they miss the odd family gathering as they’re off planet being high achievers.”

 

“Coronation Day is not an odd family gathering! It’s the most important day on the calendar.” Lilitu spoke firmly and proudly.

 

“And most people only care because it’s a national holiday. I doubt the people working in hospitals really care that much. You’re one of the few left, Mother. ” Naskia said.

 

Hussel chuckled, shaking his head as he did. That was a dangerous move.

 

“Niall,” Lilitu said calmly addressing the Human perched on her daughter’s shoulder. “What do you think?”

 

“Ehhh…” Niall looked nervously between Lilitu and Naskia as they watched him expectantly.

 

He really should have his girlfriend’s back. But…

 

“Being where Berosus was a few years ago, I rarely went home for holidays. Being where I am now, there are few things I regret more than not going home to see my mum more.” Niall said sheepishly.

 

As if mirroring each other, Lilitu smiled smugly and Naskia glared at Niall. His girlfriend mouthed something at him. His adept lip-reading skills told him it was likely “You. Will. Pay!”

 

“Now, now daughter. I didn’t raise you to be ungracious in defeat. He was only being honest.” Lilitu said and gave Niall a warm smile. “It’s clear the man misses his mother. He should not be punished for it.”

 

It took a moment but Naskia’s expression softened and Niall breathed a small sigh of relief. This situation had happened many, many times in the almost two Titan years he’d known the Bass family. Lilitu Bass always won the argument. But she always made sure to end it in a way that left no one feeling too raw.

 

“Just who is this girl Aerti is bringing?” Hurassaen asked, popping some fried nirnroot into his mouth.

 

Naskia shrugged. “Beats me. I’ve been trying to get it out of him for weeks now! He’s only given me clues which has only made it more infuriating!”

 

“Clues?” Her mother asked, her interest piqued.

 

“He says he met her while on duty. She’s not in the military.” Naskia focused, mulling over each clue as she spoke. “And that we already know who she is.”

 

Lilitu chuckled. “Well I guess that makes sense then.”

 

“Makes sense?” Naskia said, her eyes widening. “You know! Who is it?”

 

“I just hope she knows her manners.” Said Lilitu. “Now if you’ll excuse me for a few moments I’m going to check how Yernae is getting on the kitchen. She has a habit of drying out the roast.”

 

Hussel quietly chuckled from his chair once more.

 

“Not going to rescue your wife?” Naskia said to her eldest brother once her mother was out of earshot.

 

“Yernae can take care of herself.” Hurassen replied with a chuckle. “I have no idea how you coped alone with that woman for eight years.”

 

“You know I was a nervous wreck when I left for University, right?”

 

“Yeah, but at least you made it. I probably would have killed her, then me, then tried to kill her all over again in the afterlife.” Hurassen said in a manner that suggested he was only half joking.

 

Naskia rolled her eyes. She could go on. She could go on at length. But she wouldn’t. “No idea who this girl is then?”

 

“Sounds like he’s told you more than he’s told me, lil sis.”

 

“I think I know.” Niall said.

 

“Who!?” Naskia carefully looked to Niall.

 

“Sounds like we’re about to find out.” Hurassen said looking up as the sound of a military shuttle’s engines roared overhead.

 

It got louder and louder. The numerous glassware on the shelves was starting to shake with the whining of the gravitics and the lighting hanging from the ceiling was swaying side to side.

 

“That boy!” Lilitu shouted as she stormed into the living area. “The same now as he was when he was sixteen! He’s supposed to be a decorated starship captain not some outer-rim rocket jockey! Whatever will the neighbours think!?”

 

“That Aertimus must be visiting his parents?” Hussel muttered and stood up slowly. “You may act annoyed as much as you like wife but I can see you’re happy he’s home.” He said and kissed his wife on the forehead.

 

“Yes, yes. You’re an old sop.” Lilitu responded.

 

“No more than you, my love.” Hussel said. “Now shall we meet this young woman? And try not to scare her off?”

 

The family piled into the hallway, perhaps a little bit too eager than you should be when a new spouse is being introduced to the family for the first time. Lilitu and Hussel in front. Hurassen, Naskia and Yernae behind.

 

“Aertimus, my boy!” Hussel said opening the door and hugging his son.

 

“Hi Dad.” Aertimus said and hugged back. “Hi Mother.” He said, embracing her.

 

“One of these days your arrival is going to break my good glasses.” Lilitu said.

 

“Don’t pretend you aren’t excited when you hear me coming.” Joked Aertimus. “Guys, I’d like you to meet…”

 

“Eyrn!?” Naskia said, her eyes widening.

 

“Hi Naskia,” Eyrn smiled nervously. “I bet you weren’t expecting to see little ol’ me today.”

 

“Ha!” Naskia laughed. “No, no I was not.”

 

Lilitu sighed audibly. “Now, now let’s not leave the poor girl standing on the doorstep. Do come in.”

 

The group moved back into the living area. Eyrn and Aertimus took some time to say hello to his parents before Lilitu disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a tray of glasses and a bottle of kapavi. As tradition dictated she handed it to Hussel, who struggled momentarily before the bottle popped open and he decanted the liquid into the awaiting glasses.

 

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, Niall.” Lilitu said and carefully handed him a scaled replica.

 

“I appreciate it as always, Lilitu.” He replied.

 

Lilitu sighed, feigning weariness. “Who would have thought one day I’d have a Human for a son-in-law and the Wild Girl as a daughter-in-law?”

 

“Steady on Mother, it’s early days!” Aertimus said looking a bit uncomfortable.

 

“No it’s not.” Lilitu replied with absolute certainty. “It’s plain to see on Eyrn’s face. You’re not going anywhere, are you dear?”

 

Eyrn turned red, but not quite as red as her drink. “I…I hope not Mrs Bass.”

 

Lilitu smiled warmly. “Please Eyrn, call me Lilitu. After all, you’re family.”

 

 

****

Tig groaned, and blinked.

 

She was in a bed, surrounded by medical machinery, which was beeping and pinging the way medical machinery does throughout the universe.

 

She wasn’t dead.

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

She turned her head, and saw the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen. Her husband was sitting on the pillow, smiling at her. He looked weary, and scared, and sad. But he was alive, and that was all that mattered.

 

“I feel like I fought Rixie Carey,” Tig said.

 

“Close. You fought a whole hell of a lot of Insectoid warriors and won. I’d tell you how stupid it was, but….”

 

Ted took a big breath, and smiled. “You never fail to prove that you are…you are just amazing. What you did…I am so proud of you, Tig.”

 

“They got the humans out?”

 

“Yeah,” Ted said. “One hundred and thirteen thousand. Granted, it was close – the 13^th Jacks were advancing on the position too. They wouldn’t have made it in time, but you held everything up long enough for them reposition and hit the warriors with the EMP. They were sufficiently weakened after that that the Defense Corps broke through, got you and Klwrrkgh to the Sendrofos.”

 

“Klwrrkgh survived?” Tig said. “Thank the Emperor. What about Riab? Computer-Fixer?”

 

“Lokagos Riab survived, but she was the only other one,” Ted said. “And you and Klwrrkgh survived by about five minutes each.”

 

Tig finally looked over to her left; her arm was still gone; there was a temporary limb junction at the end of her stump. “Weren’t able to salvage my arm?”

 

“They’re going to fit you with an artificial one for now, eventually, they’ll get you one cloned – I guess the surgery will be at Vorsha. It’s too bad. I liked that arm.”

 

“So did I,” Tig said, softly. “Ted…what’s the status of the war. Did the hive ship…did it make it out of the system?”

 

Ted sighed. “Navarchos Bass and Dr Freeman…they detonated the Gyfjon. Must’ve used whatever power source the Acolytes use. Blew it to smithereens. We won. But…cost was really, really high. Civilian dead alone is over one hundred fifty thousand.”

 

“Ryan?”

 

“He’s in the burn unit,” Ted replied. “He’ll make it, they think. Still touch and go.”

 

Tig tried to think through how many other people she knew, and wanted to know about, and realized that they could be here for days if they started that.

 

“I’m sorry, Tig,” Ted said. “I should have told you I wasn’t on Avalon.”

 

“Yeah, well…that would have kind of violated your oath, ended in a court-martial.”

 

“There’s only one oath higher than the one I took to my country and to the JTSA, Tig,” Ted said, quietly. “It’s the one I took to you.”

 

Tig smiled. “Ted, I’d be at least a little furious with you,” she said, “but I understand why you didn’t tell me, and honestly…thank the Emperor you were here. There wouldn’t have been a colony left if not for you guys. Acolytes saved my dropship three times, you know. Whatever fate brought you to me on Titan put you here to defend these people, and this planet, and Earth, and the Empire…and our son…and me.”

 

 

“And it brought you here when we needed you most, Tig,” Ted said, standing up, and walking unsteadily to plant a kiss on her lips. “I still wish I could have told you.”

 

“I know. But I’m done worrying about that. I just hope that your wing having been here doesn’t cause bad feelings between Earth and the Empire.”

 

“Bad feelings? Don’t think that’s possible. Secretary-General Ridgemont has ordered us to treat the Empire as full allies, and Floor Leader Armac has officially expressed gratitude for Earth’s assistance. Oh, I hear Darren is going to get his butt chewed a bit for hiding it…I mean, it worked out, nobody can be too angry.”

 

“That’s good,” Tig said, then blinked. “Floor Leader Armac? How long have I been out?”

 

“The longest two Imperial days of my life. And I’d like to spend the next two right here,” Ted said, kissing her cheek. “But I can’t, unfortunately. Have to head back down in a couple hours.”

 

“Ridiculous. Why?”

 

“Because Admiral Xú is back on Earth, and that means I’m the senior JTSA officer on the planet, and we currently have 1700 UN personnel en route aboard the Atlantis. And I have to direct them.”

 

Tig kissed him again. “Well, Admiral, that’s what you get for getting promoted. Now, I’m guessing it’s probably not a good time for us to do anything…and I’m honestly too tired.”

 

Ted laughed. “Well, you’re missing an arm, you almost died, and you’re in a recovery bay with five other patients. We’ll find time later.”

 

“Agreed. But Ted…I want to just talk the next two hours through, but I’m tired…I may fall asleep again.”

 

“Dr. Geen said that was likely, given the medication they used. Medic will check you out here in a minute, and then you can.”

 

“Will you stay with me until you have to go? You don’t have to, I’ll be asleep, but….”

 

“Since you got out of surgery, if I haven’t been working, I’ve been by your side. And that’s where I’ll always be.”

 

She smiled. “I know, Ted. Always.”

 

 

——————————————————————————————-

 

Author’s note: Thanks to DX for his contribution to this chapter.

 

There’s only two to three chapters left to go before we hit the epilogues. I aim to try to keep my schedule but since the last chapter I have become the father of a small boy (named for a character in this series). Hopefully things shouldn’t be too out of kilter!