Keep your trash off our lawn.Followed by growling laughter.
Damn Rijiterans always meddling in his things.
“My father’s name is George Abraham Johnson Ramirez. He was born in Missouri but he moved to Los Angeles after he got his degree. He and my mother met in the hospital when she came in for a broken arm. He was her nurse. He took my mother’s last name when they married. Said his last name wasn’t his family’s last name originally anyhow and he liked my mother’s better.”
The ping relayed to a secondary origin planetside. He followed it, curious and smashed up against a firewall so sophisticated he stilled enough for Callie to notice.
“Rathal, are you even listening to me?” Her voice was offended and he blinked to look at her. Keeping his attention split was difficult, but he didn’t want to ruin this moment with her.
“I am, darling. I am also trying to do something for you, but there is an unexpected delay. Would you give me but a moment? I promise it will be worth your while.”
He felt more than saw her shrug. “Sure. Knock yourself out.”
Excellent. Now he just had to figure out if this second relay was going to cause a problem for him. He set up a communication network and ‘knocked’ on their proverbial door. Let’s see who was home.
Ah, so the pirate still lives.
The voice that echoed through his implant was deep, feminine, and irritating enough to set his hackles high.
Hella. How nice. Still eating screaming children?
Her laugh had him sitting up straight, his muscles locking tight.
“Rathal? What’s going on?”
He unclenched his teeth. “I’m sorry, Callie. The devil is speaking and it unsettles me.”
“What?”
Don’t be crass. They were adults. Just very short. What do you want, Pá?
Sprout.
He hated that nickname as a child and he found that he hated it now.
Let me through my damn relay. I wish to send a message to my wife’s family.
Your wife’s family? She’s human?
Yes.
He waited for her answer, trying not to squirm.
Interesting. No ships have come anywhere near our airspace so I know no new humans have been taken.
Oh dear.
Which one is it, Rathal?
He winced at the cold calm in her voice.
I really don’t see how that’s any concern of yours.
The pause was longer this time and he glanced at Callie’s expectant face.
“What’s going on?”
He shrugged. “I am trying to give you a gift.”
