Dare to Dream discussion
Miscellaneous
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End of the world
*The kids quickly take their seats and thankfully take the food that you and I pass to them. They put their hands together then look up at us, ready to pray. I smile at you and fold my hands as well*
* After offering thanks the children eat a loud and fun filled lunch. Food fights being strictly forbidden after a couple of attempts.*Okay..finish up and clean things up. We have to keep the place as nice as it was when we got here.
Well, no swimming for a while now, just to be safe. Would you guys like me to read to you while you...digest?
*I take over on the cleaning while the kids clamber to get closer to you, eager to hear a story since obviously thy haven't been able to hear a story while captured. I smile as they crowd in front of you and I go back to cleaning up the trash and the basket.*
You guys need to help Lacy clean up...it's everybody's job, even mine.* After the area is cleaned up Mike takes a tablet from one side of the basket. For the next hour (plus) Mike reads The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. *
*Jackie lays down next to me and listens, slowly falling asleep. I stroke her forehead, helping her fall asleep. I look at the others as they too look sleepy* I think we should head back for nap time. Too much swimming tired them out.
Okay....we need to rest up for afternoon stuff huh?* Mike smiles as he puts the book back in the basket, slides it on his arm and lifts two of the children for a ride, home. *
*I pick up Jackie, being careful not to harm myself or the baby. Sophia slips onto Tor's back with the puppy and smiles as we head back to the ship.*
*One of the cats drops out of a tree and lands on Mike's shoulder and sits there riding along as they head back. Mike drops back beside Lacy so they can walk together.*I've got a lot of work done on the teaching computer games. First we have to see how far along each of them is. I probably ought to get to work on expanding the house soon to, so we can move out of the ship.
Of course we've still got some search programs looking for lost kids and their parents. That could interrupt everything to. Still, I think we start from here and go forward.
I can look through the missing children reports while they nap. You can start on the house. These guys should nap for at least a good hour or two. They look wiped out. *I smile down at Jackie as she struggles to stay awake. We enter the ship and I lead Sophia into her room where she crawls under her covers and falls asleep with the puppy. I then take Jackie to her room and snuggle her into her bed then leave after a kiss to her forehead. She smiled and fell asleep. I help you put the rest to bed before I stand in the hallway.* Let's get the other computer to help us out too. You said that she was bored so lets give her something to do. Ask her to help me with the missing children files.
*They eventually get the records isolated and connect "Electra" as she has decided yo call herself as she's now an electronic brain with a human personality to the mains. Mike also sends off a coded message to Dr. Soong about getting her into a posatronic body.*Okay. I'll get started laying out a large addition on the house, but I doubt I'll have enough of it done before winter for us to use it. With all these kids, plus one more * He hugs her* We'll need a large addition.
That brings me to something else. Is the automated sick bay enough or do we need to go somewhere to get you close to a medical physicality?
*I think for a moment* No I think the ship will be just fine. And when I'm ready to give birth...we'll figure something out. *I kiss your cheek and turn back to the computer to help Electra.* Off you go...time to go play with your tools which I know that you love to do.
Thanks. Actually first I have to lay it out and prepare a level foundation. Which means I'll be very dirty and sweaty when I stop tonight. Sorry about that. I bet the droid cleaners hate that.
They might but I don't. *I wink up at you then go back to the screen. I have the pictures of the kids next to me so twit I can compare them to the pictures they have on file.*
* By the time Mike returns the sun is down and Mike is filthy. He's spent the day laying out an outline for the addition and then beginning to dig the foundation, by hand.*Okay...I'll take a shower before I eat. Have you guys eaten yet?
*I look up and shake my head* No the kids are all watching a movie right now in the play room. They are probably getting hungry though. Go take a shower and I'll found up the troops. We'll meet you in the mess hall.
Okay...* Mike returns quickly with damp hair but smelling better, and joins everyone in the galley.
He eats dinner with Sophia on his lap.*
So, what movie was everyone watching?
The Carebear Movie! *They all say in unison with huge grins on their faces. I smirked* One of my favorites and I thought that they would like it too. And they did.
Huh, okay. I can see a theme developing here. Well, I think we have most of the entertainment records from at least 2 planets in the computer so enjoy when you have time.
*I smile at you as I hand a sippy cup of mil to Jackie who takes it eagerly. I sip my own milk before I look at you* So how is it going with the building?
Almost got the foundation dug to level. I'll need to pour concrete now. then back to cutting wood.
*The two older boys, Jack and Kyle, look up interested in what we were talking about. * Can we help? Yea can we?
Well, I'd like that. I may not take you tomorrow though. I'll be felling trees and using chainsaw. I can't really let you do that yet as your not big enough to handle it, yet. I will teach you how later.I tell you what though. Day after tomorrow I plan to have the horses help me drag the logs back. That will probably take a couple of days and then they have to be cleaned, debarked and cut to size. there's a lot you can do then. So, how about you start helping me day after tomorrow?
*They both nod their heads excitedly as they bite into their jalapeño cheese burgers, eyes glowing at the thought of helping you. I smile and eat some chopped cucumbers with dressing on them.* Good, keep them busy and out of my hair. * They stick their tongues out at me while I laugh*
* In the morning Mike sets up the computer games for the kids (with learning programs hidden in them). He then harnesses the horses and heads out into the woods with a fully charged heavy duty chainsaw (and backup power-packs). He returns well after sunset. releases the horses, puts things away and comes in.*
*I had been looking through the information while the kids played the games and read. I print out a few things that shows where Jackie's parents were and where Kyle's family was still searching for them. I then retreated to the room where the kids were and put in Peter Pan, the kids awed by the movie. I sit and watch it with them until lunch, give hem food, then we finish Peter Pan, read a book and when you come in we were watching Dumbo*
* Upon hearing what Lacy has found Mike asks if there were details as to how they'd been taken and what the parents were like.*It looks like we may have to get them back to their folks. Once we get details we should send a subspace message and get them home.
It said that they went to bed, both families, and when they woke up their children we gone. I'm thinking that whoever took the children used some sort of knock out gas or they would shave heard the pele enter their homes and taken their children. But the children never screamed and they didn't hear anything.*I stretch and yawn a little* I agree..time to send messages but Kyle was looking forward to helping you.
Well I was to, and I'll miss them. But w3e have to get them home. Let's talk to them in the morning.
*I nod a little sadly before I turn off the movie and usher them off to eat in the mess hall even though they were all grumbling about not finishing the movie. I laugh at them and sit them down, getting them drinks and food*
* In the morning after Mike initiates some investigation into the parents and the planets where they live and after breakfast he and Lacy sit the boys down to talk to them.*
*I smile at the two and gently hug Jackie, the toddler, to me* We have some good news for you two. We found your mommy and daddy and they are still looking for you. We are going to send you two home soon.
*Mike watches to see what reaction the two have to the news...*
*Jackie's eyes light up and she claps her hands together. Kyle raises an eyebrow in surprise but a small smile plays on his lips.*
Well, I'm glad you guys are happy. We'll head out for the planets in just a little bit. I need to check over the ships systems again and then we'll leave right away.
Are the other kids going to come with us? I want to be able to say good bye to them once I get home not here. *Kyle asks quickly*
Of course we can't leave them here. That will leave just Linda and Billy with Sophia for now. They'll come with us and the dogs and cats always come along. The trip will take a few weeks. You'll have plenty of time to spend together.*Mike hugs the boys and goes to get things started. After a couple of hours he comes in from the control room holding a print out. He hands it to Lacy.*
This just came in. Looks like Linda's folks live on the same world as Jackie's. They've been off world searching for her and just got an answer to our search sent out.
We also found Billy's world. It was wiped out by some kind of plague...an artificial one. He's all that's left of their world.
Oh no...poor Billy. *I frown at the news as I listen to you, my eyes scanning the paperwork as well.* At least the others have homes. I guess then we will adopt Billy with Sophia. Looks like we'll have two sons and one daughter then. The kids are all packing, excited about the trip. We'll head out soon then? And we'll tell Linda...but how are we going to break the news to Billy?
Well, Billy and Sophia are about the same age and they're together a lot. For now let's just tell Billy he'll live with us and have a brother and a sister. We can tell him about his folks and his world when he's older. For that matter we don't know who wiped out the world or why. Might be a good idea not to say much about who he is to anyone for now.
We've still got all the records from the other ship to go through. We may find more information there. We've been so busy we haven't even searched that ship in detail.
We will probably have to set aside a month in order to finish going through that ship. All right we will wait until we get more information and until he is older. Let's get the others home then figure out what paperwork we need to fill out in order to adopt Sophia and Billy legally.
I doubt there will be any paper work as Billy's world was wiped out and the entire colony where Sophia's family lived was hijacked and killed. They'll just be ours.* Once they are off world and cruising toward the system's jump point they have time to spend with the children. Most of it is spent in making snacks and playing games. Upon reaching the jump point the ship is programed for an eight day jump to the system where Kyle's family resides. From there they will take Jackie and Linda home. *
*I enjoyed the time with the children as much as possible on the trip to the planet. On the day before the last day, I watch as the children sleep, snuggled safely in their beds. I lean against the door, crossing my arms over my chest as I watch them sleep, a smile playing across my lips*
I'll miss the boys. I suppose we can do better with 3 than with 5 but I'll still miss them.* Mike has walked up and puts his arm around Lacy and stands with her, sipping a glass of tea.*
I will miss them too but they deserve to go home. You do know that we need to dig in more about these kidnappings. We should get Riddick to help us. He can go after them, save the children, and send us the information. Then once we find the children's parents, he or other friends of ours can take them home. If not we can meet them somewhere and bring them home with us? *I look up at you*
* Mike kisses Lacy and smiles at her*I've alerted several people during our own search. I haven't called Riddick yet, but we will.
I don't think I'll be sleeping much tonight...we can sleep after we drop him off.
*I smiled up at you, kissing you* I'm glad you've told others. I've been so wrapped up in the children that I didn't think to contact anyone to begin a search for other captured children. Does tht make me a horrible person?
* Mike laughs quietly and hugs her. * No, I was looking all over for information about the kids anyway. Since I was talking to them anyway...you know.
*I lean into you a little not too much so that you don't spill your tea* I say before we let them go we have the ship take a picture of all of us so we man remember them. And stay in touch with letters and things. *I stifle a yawn* Lets try and get some sleep, Mike. I'm beat. These kids wear me out. *I giggle quietly* And I can tell your son is going to be just like them.
* They walk hand in hand to their room, and sleep that way much of the "night". The arrival at the jump point and then at the planet come all too soon. The time in between spent in recording images, having everyone's favorite foods and then loading down the young man with gifts.They meet his parents who are too excited at having their son back to think of much anything else.
As the reunion goes on Mike negotiates with the planetary government to restock the ship with raw material for fabrication purposes.
Then they find themselves back in space headed for another jump and another life change. *
I liked his parents. They were really nice and they said that we can stay in touch which is great. And their story about to hearing a thing is really making me think that it had to have been some sort of gas produced in their house. Creepy!
Dare to Dream
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (other topics)Phoenix Rising (other topics)
The Janus Affair (other topics)
Well we'll just have to make the best of it, sorry I forgot the broccoli.