“Yes.Twenty years takes a child from pregnancy to adulthood.”She sighed.“It isn’t recommended, but occasionally, pregnancy occurs earlier.In case you are worried, we basically do it the same way you do.”
Baket grinned.“Are there any Terrans out there who aren’t terrifying?”
“Yes.Colonists.Admins.The stolen.The stolen are unpredictable.They have to fight for survival, and it makes them different.”
“You were stolen.”
“Yes.As was Geri.The others who were with us died.”
He looked sombre.
She looked at him with a small smile.“There isn’t enough time in the day to mourn all the friends and acquaintances I have lost.An entire world takes a lot of time.”
“The others don’t mourn as you do.”
“They are closer to life.They have every possibility ahead of them.I was shifting toward my end, and it makes for a different outlook.”
Baket frowned and then looked at her.“Wait.You were shifting?”
“Chloe did some tinkering.She’s using me as a test case.”
“You look the same.Well, you have more marks.”
“Yup, and if she did what she wanted to, my children will wear them.”
“Children?You said you were at the end of fertility.”
“She tinkered with that, too.”
He was humming with agitation.
“Geez.You are a gossip.”
He sighed and checked the contact logs.
They sat in silence for half an hour, and she called down to the planet, “Hello, Sanctuary Base.I just have one question.”
The white Hmrain said, “What do you wish to know?”
“Is it armed?”
“No.Not yet.”
“If any of my people need to chat with us, distract them, please.”
“What is happening?”
“Three raider ships are converging on the station.We are getting ready to deal with them.”
Birun asked, “You are trained to do that?”
“Oh, yeah.Freedom Breakout.I will contact you when things are stable.”
She cut the call and opened ship-wide coms.“Guys, we are getting visitors.Not friendly visitors.I never thought I would say this, but battle stations.”
Baket looked at her and grinned.“Where do you want me.”
“Rear gun.”
