Contentment amd Tactical Displays

[KhreRiovtRex 0]

Sitting on the sofa hrrau our quarters, I watched as Var’lon walked around our quarters cradling the small child in his arms, ever beaming with pride. My own heart soared with joy that I was finally able to have done something in return for him, and gave him the son he had so badly wanted, but had never admitted until now.

 

It had been about a month now since I had given birth to our child. We had transferred back to the Teronix after a few days, allowing the Azgalor to continue heading towards Dumak’azen, leaving us heading back home, scheduled to arrive at ch’Rihan now within the week. I felt fortunate that I had been able to spend most of last month alone with my husband and child with little interruption. I knew that once we arrived home, that Var’lon would be mired in paperwork, meetings, and councils as he been away from the home world for most of last six months. I knew he had been off doing his duty for the Empire, but not having him around for the entire second half of the pregnancy had been very hard on me, stuck alone planet side, with only his guards and servants for company. Well, there had also been Laehval to talk to, but she did not make for good conversation. Letting out a contented sigh, I reflected on the last month, but also knew we still had the rest of this week before we had to worry about other obligations.

 

Arriving home there would be so much to do. I'd already spoken with Nemeria, that once we returned, that the Hru'hfir was planning to have a reception to honor the naming of our son, and that arrangements were to be made. I would prepare a list of those to be invited to have it sent out, even though I would prefer not to invite most of the political fvai that would be on that list. However, I would do my part and the social observances would be met per rank and station as the Daise’Khre’Riov’s wife.

 

Earlier in the day, I had heard him grumbling about a communication he received from the Praetor’s adjutant, subject to the RES Azgalor and the decision to move it, or more exactly his decision to use it to transport his wife to him. He noted the questions had been started by several of those favorable to the Tal Shiar, and others having ties to Othan Sector leaders and allies. He was angered by their attempt to turn this to personal use rather than a re-deployment. I at once felt guilty again at bringing him more trouble, as if I had just kept a low profile, and had given birth at home these troubles would not have arisen. Seeking to distract him, I asked him if he would please watch the child while I went to the training room to run awhile on the treadmill, needing to stretch my legs from this long voyage, and having sat so much these last few months.

 

My plan seems to have worked, as I had worked out, showered and returned to find him still tending to the child. I just wanted to sit and watch the two of them; and just the thought brought me back to a question he had asked me shortly following our S’Rdraz.

I would have to give him my answer, if I were ready to give up my ship and retire, or consent to work at Galae Command. I had been thinking on it during my run, and knew it would assuredly come to a head once Talon returned home from its mission. Then, I would have but two choices to choose from. I knew which it would have to be, watching them from across the room, but it didn’t make it any easier. I had been serving shipside for most of the last three decades, and being planet bound for the better part of this last year, had proven difficult, as I had become more and more restless. But then again, that had been without a child or husband around to keep me busy.

 

Shaking my head and not wanting to worry about it that just yet, I thought of our other problem, we still needed to agree upon the name for the child. Var’lon had been kind, and had suggested naming our son after my father, but I had already partially named my ‘first’ child, after my father’s family. Na, I wanted to insist to Var’lon, that he choose the name, perhaps that of his own father, to honor his house. Ie, I would speak to him of this once he had gotten the child down for a nap, for now however, I was content just to sit and watch the two of them, as Var’lon sat explaining the best way to approach and disable a Kll’inghannsu ship. It appeared that our son was destined to become a tactician at an early age.