“I think my mom is on it,” Honey whispered, mostly to Zalara but to anyone who was in earshot as well, including Captain Jackson. “She’s riding it, watching the galaxy and flying in space.”
Jackson swallowed hard. Honey’s heartwarming comments plowed straight into his soul. No one spoke for a full minute, each person feeling the loss of their crewmate in silence. Tom felt a swelling in his throat that he forced down to bestow a eulogy on his security officer, who died in the line of duty. He stood briefly at his chair, the high center point of the bridge.
“This is always the hardest duty of mine, of any captain,” he began. “The loss of one of our own, a part of our family on this mission, is a sobering reminder of the risks we take every day. Catherine York will not be forgotten. Her death was tragically unavoidable, but it was clearly honorable, saving the lives of others in the line of duty. She was a model for those around her and she touched every member of this crew uniquely. It was our privilege to serve with her on Maria Mitchell. For that sacrifice, she will be remembered in the name of this bold, beautiful, rogue comet, Cat’s Comet. We wish her Godspeed.”
“Honors,” Zoe said, and the crew came to attention, even Rianya and the girls, if not quite as severe. Honey wept quietly, attempting to hide her emotion. Zalara held her friend’s hand. The rest of the crew maintained their composure for the longest minute of the journey.
“Reception in the mess hall at 14:00. Dismissed.”
When all but Rianya and the children had left, the captain addressed the bridge officers.
“Have we gathered a full spectral analysis, orbit projection and materials survey?”
“I have one thing left, Captain,” said Mr. Watson. “I’m getting a decay and disbursement rate.”
“Good. When you’ve all completed your scans, check with Dr. Gregory, and if he’s done, engage course to Beta Hydri Four.”
“Aye, Captain,” Lee answered.
“Come with me, ladies.”
Jackson led his family to the doyen’s office and shut the door. He motioned for them all to sit down and he perched on the edge of the conference table.
“I want you all to know I’ve given this a lot of consideration. It’s not a decision I’ve come to lightly.” He stalled, wishing he’d had something else to say but knowing, deep down, this was the right choice. “I’ve decided that it would not be in Honey’s best interest for her to become a Jackson. She has family on Earth, and such considerations deserve time and legal counsel.”
The three females were silent. That was almost as bad as if they’d burst into tears or screamed at him.
“It’s too soon for Honey to make a decision. It’s a huge thing she’s already dealing with. It’s not fair to push her to betray Cat’s memory or worry about hurting someone.”
“Papa!”
“My decision is final. However, I think, since we are the only family unit on Maria Mitchell, that we, Rianya and I,” he spoke to the girls, “will foster Honey and be her custodial guardian for the rest of the journey, or, until it seems appropriate to address it again.”
“I think that’s a wise decision, Tom,” Rianya said. “You don’t mind sharing a room with Zalara for a while, do you?” she asked their new child.
“I would like that,” she whispered. She turned to Zalara and asked her something close to her ear.
“Are she sup’osed to call you mom and dad?” The adults glanced at each other.
“No, I think for now you can just call me Rianya and call him Captain. But if later you want to, you can.” She looked at Tom and he nodded slightly, unsure if those were the right monikers but willing to settle with them for the time being.
“I’ll have Mr. Harchett and Mr. Campbell get your things, and maybe Bailey can help Zoe pack up some of your mother’s things for safe keeping. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to them.” Honey nodded. “Well, go back to our quarters and decide which side of the room you each get,” he told them. The two hopped up, took each other’s hand, and darted out the door.
“That took courage,” she told him, wrapping her arms around his middle. “It’s the right decision.”
“Thanks. I’m not sure we’re ready to have another family member but we’ll see how it works out. Honey seems to be taking it pretty well.”
“Don’t be fooled. She’s simply protecting her feelings. Adams told me it’s normal for young children to act as if they don’t care. They bring the hurt out later, when they are past the shock, and better able to understand it, handle it.”
“Captain, please come to the bridge,” Watson summoned over the intercom.
“I have to go to sick bay. Dr. Ferris wants to show me some information on micro biology and using a proton microscope.”
Tom looked at the color of her eyes, the deep, purple splashed with slivers of amethyst and ivory and a small lacy center of black. Still captivating, he had to shut his eyes and break the embrace or be singed by the intimacy.
Captain Jackson walked out to the bridge and stepped into the well of the bow to gaze at the vast span of black, specks of white, and clouds of every color in every direction.
“Sir, Dr. Gregory reports he will never be done with the comet but he is willing to get underway,” Rougeau said. Jackson stepped up and settled comfortably in his chair.
“In that case, men, let’s go to Beta Hydri IV.”
“It’s too soon for Honey to make a decision. It’s a huge thing she’s already dealing with. It’s not fair to push her to betray Cat’s memory or worry about hurting someone.”
“Papa!”
“My decision is final. However, I think, since we are the only family unit on Maria Mitchell, that we, Rianya and I,” he spoke to the girls, “will foster Honey and be her custodial guardian for the rest of the journey, or, until it seems appropriate to address it again.”
“I think that’s a wise decision, Tom,” Rianya said. “You don’t mind sharing a room with Zalara for a while, do you?” she asked their new child.
“I would like that,” she whispered. She turned to Zalara and asked her something close to her ear.
“Are she sup’osed to call you mom and dad?” The adults glanced at each other.
“No, I think for now you can just call me Rianya and call him Captain. But if later you want to, you can.” She looked at Tom and he nodded slightly, unsure if those were the right monikers but willing to settle with them for the time being.
“I’ll have Mr. Harchett and Mr. Campbell get your things, and maybe Bailey can help Zoe pack up some of your mother’s things for safe keeping. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to them.” Honey nodded. “Well, go back to our quarters and decide which side of the room you each get,” he told them. The two hopped up, took each other’s hand, and darted out the door.
“That took courage,” she told him, wrapping her arms around his middle. “It’s the right decision.”
“Thanks. I’m not sure we’re ready to have another family member but we’ll see how it works out. Honey seems to be taking it pretty well.”
“Don’t be fooled. She’s simply protecting her feelings. Adams told me it’s normal for young children to act as if they don’t care. They bring the hurt out later, when they are past the shock, and better able to understand it, handle it.”
“Captain, please come to the bridge,” Watson summoned over the intercom.
“I have to go to sick bay. Dr. Ferris wants to show me some information on micro biology and using a proton microscope.”
Tom looked at the color of her eyes, the deep, purple splashed with slivers of amethyst and ivory and a small lacy center of black. Still captivating, he had to shut his eyes and break the embrace or be singed by the intimacy.
Captain Jackson walked out to the bridge and stepped into the well of the bow to gaze at the vast span of black, specks of white, and clouds of every color in every direction.
“Sir, Dr. Gregory reports he will never be done with the comet but he is willing to get underway,” Rougeau said. Jackson stepped up and settled comfortably in his chair.
“In that case, men, let’s go to Beta Hydri IV.”
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