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Beyond Hope
- Chapter 33 - Dragging them along kicking and screaming[]
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Confiding about a One Night Stand[]
Royal Suite - Unity City
Terra, ComStar Space
Late 3059
“So what did you want to talk to me about?” Linda Sithers sat across from Helena in the small office she’d arranged for this meeting.
“It’s about my little escapade.” Helena started hesitantly.
Seether seeped around her eyes. "Really…so, did you get this guy's medical and psychiatric history before or after he gave you a sexually transmitted disease??"
“I’m clean, but there is a consequence. My implant failed. I didn’t know until this morning, but it was consensual.”
"Then, we're going to need to find this guy and get his medical history dug up, and a family Court to make sure you've got the Custody when the kid comes." it wasn't the ranting Daphne had predicted, it was something…calmer, colder, but entirely rational. "At minimum the oncoming blessed event is going to want to know who daddy was, even if it's just a file number. DO you know how many missing persons cases involving kids start off with an absent father? LOTS, the worst are the ones who never knew why their daddy left. Those kids end up in the worst circumstances if it's not clipped off early with some hard truths."
“I wrote down everything I can remember about him.” Helena slid over a piece of paper.
"We're on Terra - Old Earth, possibly the single most surveillance heavy real estate in the galaxy outside of maybe a government lab in the CapCon. Get me in with local LEO and I'll be able to get the guy's name and ancestry off the damned surveillance records, unless you're going to terminate."
“I know. That’s how Moshe found me. I’ll make the request.”
"Okay, cool, Moshe probably knows who this dude is, we'll just need to get an extradition warrant and bring him in for interview, so you two can lay out who has what responsibilities upon the birth." Seether said casually, "and maybe check the guy for any genetic timebombs before they go off…and lawyers. Lots of Lawyers, local Judge or Magistrate to witness the agreement, all that fun stuff you get in family law courts."
“I’m sorry, Sithers. I’m a bit of a mess right now between this news and my meds being adjusted.” Helena was crying.
"Doc should be able to handle the fact your hormones and brain chemicals are going to do the Roller-Coaster, MY job, as part of YOUR security, is making sure this doesn't turn into a long term problem for either you, or the kid."
“Thanks, Sithers. I know I can count on you.”
"Hey, it's nice to get one of these cases where I start off in front of the crisis instead of chasing after it." Seether smiled, "I don't have to worry about the kid being sold, or cut up for parts, or used as a pervert's plaything, I just get to work on the nice, boring, 'preventing a catastrophe via common sense' part. It's refreshing and should be fun."
Helena nodded silently.
“You’re worrying about how Liz will react aren’t you?”
“Yeah. It’d be one thing if I had actually done this the right way, but…”
"Lizzie…she forgives." Seether said, "She's like The Old Duke that way. She'll give you some shit for how you got here, but she'll go straight into 'problems must be solved' mode, just like Old Duke Dinh did. Her biggest hassle for you, is going to be nagging you to pick good schools and tutors, and maybe suggestions for possible step-fathers or a good Au Pair service."
“I think I was wrong earlier about the worst part of this. The real worst part was I was finally considering dating and meeting the right guy to do this the right way with. Now I put a hiccup in that.”
"Let's find mister winkie first, maybe he's a solid dude?" Seether suggested, "I mean, he might shape up to one if he didn't start that way…or I might have to scare the shit out of him."
“I don’t have a lot of high hopes for that. The club I found him in, it had a certain reputation even back in my day and looks like it hasn’t changed one bit.”
Seether chuckled, "Kinky people can still be good parents, Helena." She said, "The worst pervs don't even GO to those clubs-they hide it, because they're into the truly sick shit. Your man's probably vanilla even by Rockjack standards."
“Not kinky reputation, it was famous for being the kind of place you go if all you wanted was a casual one night stand.” Helena explained.
"Port bar, got it." Seether nodded, "Half the universe's bad marriages start in places like that. We'll dig up the sperm donor and bring him in for an interview and Profile, arrange a custody ruling with the local law, so no dirty surprises ten or twenty years down the road, and you should at least have a sober look at him before not talking to him again, because something about this guy tripped your 'yes' button that night, or it wouldn't have happened."
“He was nice to look at and stamina. Of the eight hours of freedom I had, he occupied six of them. It took me two hours before I could even stand.”
"I am now green with envy. Six Hours??" Seether gave a 'wow' expression, "I might want this guy's number for myself!"
“If you want him I won’t stand in the way.” Helena commented.
Head Hunting[]
Kowloon System, Federation Commonwealth (Lyran State)
August 11th, 3059
"Joseph Benjamin Martins, Martinside Burrow, currently resident of 33151A Suite 231, Tulalip region Unity City?" Moshe read off the man's address to him.
“Yes, sir. May I ask what this is about?”
"That does make it easier." Moshe agreeably said, "Eight nights ago, between the hours of twenty-forty-five and zero two Thirty nine, Motel 8, Arlington region, room 141."
“Yeah, this woman came into the club, she was interested. So was I and we had some fun.”
"The nice officers with me are here for your protection, Joseph, first to get a positive Eye-Dee, and then, to discuss the possible consequences of that night's activities. There will be a blood test and DNA record match."
“Consequences? I’m a bit confused. She was of age and said she was on protection. She even paid for the hotel.”
"There are…international consequences, Joseph. You bedded a Diplomat."
Joseph's expression went from irritated confusion, to stunned shock.
"Now, that is why I said that the officers behind and beside me, are for your protection, Bureau of Terran Affairs has a vested interest in Belters, including those that migrated to the bottom of the well."
“Which family or co-op did I offend?” Joseph asked shakily.
Seether stepped out from behind the Terran Meat-shield cops, "Moshe, I've got this…huh, Metis Congress affiliation, Martinside, right?"
Joseph nodded, "i…I am, I'm…"
"You knocked her up, Parenting and Custody have to be negotiated, but first we have to establish that the incoming blessed event is in fact yours, Joseph…and whether that's going to bring foul to any of your Faction's blood and breeding arrangements."
Martins eyes went WIDE. "You-you're…"
"Rumors of our extinction were greatly exaggerated, Joe. Now, we're doing this innahwallah rules, you're safe, but assurances must be kept…and you have a right to know who the mother of this child is."
“I swear, I just wanted something casual and she said so too! You have to believe me!” Joseph exclaimed.
"I believe you, Joe, the problem isn't your intent, it's your outcome-now there have to be agreements made, and I'd rather we do that with lawyers than with contracts."
“O……Okay…” Joe was still clearly panicked.
"Oh, cheer up, you're not facing a punishment, you might even be facing a reward." Seether shook her head. "It would figure Lady Helena would hook up with a god-botherer."
“Oh I’ll be punished for sure. I’m already contracted but we have an understanding for as long as it is casual…”
"Yah, you'll want to contact your contract then, and lawyer up, but only after we verify the kid is carrying Martins genes from YOU."
“Tell Lady Helena. that I’m sorry. I don’t think I’m going to be able to be there to help her with this…”
"He doesn't get it, does he?" Moshe asked.
"Nope." Seether answered.
"Do we tell him?"
"Wait on it."
"On what??" Joe desperately asked.
"You boned a Diplomat Joe. An important one. Among other things, depending on the results, you may have accidentally made yourself a 'person of value'." Moshe explained, "Whether you want it or not. Come to the station, we'll get this sorted out, and if all goes well, you'll go on with your life as if nothing has changed."
“You don’t understand. I broke contract. My partner is not going to be happy.”
"So pay the fee." Seether said, "Or eat the debt. This is your ONLY chance for exoneration-if the test is negative, you didn't break contract. If it's not, then…other arrangements will be made, depending on what you negotiate."
“I hope it really is that simple.” Joe nodded.
Family Background[]
Royal Suite - Unity City
Terra, ComStar Space
Late 3059
"Profile on this guy?" Jakob asked.
"Multiple failed businesses in the Belts, got a job as a liaison with a Terran company, average sales numbers but nothing spectacular, and he's contracted with a family on Luna, but there's evidence of some friction there. Seems it's not a close or loving relationship…and he's missing a younger sister who rabbited with a stolen Jumpship about five years ago."
“I also couldn’t help but get the distinct impression he was not interested in being a part of his new second family.” Moshe added.
"Well, I'm not sure what Helena saw in this guy. Must've been the lighting or something." Seether said, "DNA tests proof out, Helena's firstborn is half Martins, and no genetic defects, a few weird…improvements? But no defects."
“She broke under the strain and acted rashly. The good news is I think that break despite her present condition has finally put her on a path to true recovery.”
"Sometimes parenting does that…it usually doesn't but sometime it does." Seether said amiably, "Anyway, the Martinside half of the family includes a family patriarch that's a fire-and-brimstone christian-with-a-K preacher, but they're as we would say out by Snark, 'loaded', which means once the news breaks, grandpapa's going to lawyer up and demand visitation if not custody, even if the father's a dickhead…oh, and they're still looking for their daughter. The revenues for news of her whereabouts could buy a Monolith straight off the shipyard's line."
"You have a reason for this?"
Seether sighed, "I hate Comstar, but I love them at the same time." she said. A few keystrokes. "Nicole Martins-aka Nicole Minh, age eighteen, popped at Winter in the outer system after sabotaging the pirate jumpship she was on, currently a guest of the Throne in the Prison system for piracy and attempting to murder her fellow pirates."
“Piece of work?" Jakob asked.
"More like 'holy shit they're taking slaves', and not wanting any part of it even while hooked on Bluerock with a remote detonated bomb in her neck, and the Bandit leader holding the trigger." Seether said, "Kid had a court-appointed lawyer and refused to plead mitigating circumstances when she entered her guilty plea. Judge took pity, so the kid was only sentenced to twenty years instead of the usual death penalty." Seether looked back at the one-way glass to the room where Joe Martins was sitting. "Parents still don't know that part, or any part."
"Bring it to Helena?"
"Yeah. Thanks to the blessed event in her belly, that kid is now Kin. She needs to decide what to do about it."
“She’ll want to get Nicole out of prison for one. That is a given. And if the Grandfather will play nice she’ll let him have visitation.” Moshe judged.
"What was an eighteen year old doing with a bandit's bomb in her neck?" Jakob asked.
"Jumpship Navigator." Seether said, "Which is also why the bandits put her on Bluerock, it suppresses volitional impulses and it's addictive as all hell. If Her Grace knew about this kid, she'd be sending Ms.Whyte to try and get her out of the lockup and into The Guard. Sol Belta navigators are seriously good, even the bad ones."
“So I guess it is a race for who gets Nicole free first.”
"Five on Helena." Seether said, "She can get the kid an Archon's Pardon and a ruling from Victor that'll stick."
“And Helena has the head start of she’ll hear about it first. So it’s a sucker bet.” Jakob added.
"Yeah, it is, isn't it?" Seether laughed. "Okay, Jakob, Moshe, you get to tell Her Majesty the Lady Helena who the baby-daddy is, I get to break the news to mister Martins in there, then call his parents…and let them know exactly who is carrying their grandbaby."
“So who is going to tell Victor? Because Helena’s going to tell Liz first.”
"You two big strong men get to decide who gets to pre-empt The Lady with The Archon-Prince." Seether said, "I'm going to be busy giving a seat on the Metis Congress the news his son knocked up the sole and only Cameron Heir."
“Daphne.” Both the men said at once.
"Cheaters." Seether chuckled, and stood up. "Clock's on boys, let's get the chaos rolling before dinner."
Long Distance Heart to Heart Call[]
"I feel like we're missing a joke…" Jakob mused as they approached the office where Helena was currently working.
"What joke?"
"I don't know, that's why I feel like I'm missing it." the older man said as he knocked.
“Enter.” Helena Cameron said.
Jakob came in and waited at parade rest until Her Ladyship looked up and acknowledged his presence.
"Okay, this must be serious." Helena said, closing out her workstation terminal.
"You do know how to pick 'em, Highness." Jakob said, "We've got a full profile on the 'baby-daddy', his father holds a seat in the Metis Congress out in the belts."
“Shit. Are they still not fans of the Camerons?”
"Hard to say. Said seat, is a seventh-day-adventist minister, a real fire and brimstone branch, almost heretical by normal standards, including the whole 'family values' and 'thou shall not kill'."
“Oh boy. Well if he’s tolerable I can’t cut him out.”
"It gets better, and I think I know what the joke Seether was hiding was." Moshe contributed, "Seems Minister Martins has a son, and a daughter, and the daughter ran off with a Star Lord class jumpship at age fifteen. She's currently doing twenty at Winter's Penal Arcology Four, for some pretty interesting things, including trying to kill her Pirate Cohorts and surrendering pre-emptively to the Winter Miliitamen chasing a Union full of kidnapped citizens."
“That gives me an idea to smooth things over then. So do me a solid, I’m paying through the nose to get Comstar to align enough HPGs to tell Liz the news myself so get me an appointment with Victor.”
"Your idea has extra merit-the family's still frantic looking for their 'lost lamb'." Jakob added. 'She's been gone for five years, and in prison for two of 'em."
“And connection established. Scoot now boys. You’ve delivered the news and I need that solid.” Helena smiled as the holoprojector came on.
"Daffy's already meeting with Prince Victor, with her part of this." Moshe said, "We tried to predict what you'd need before you asked."
“Good. Now seriously, dismissed. This is costing me a fortune and I’d like to talk to Liz in private.”
"Aye, ma'am." Moshe and Jakob filed out of the room.
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<<"Helena, this is on Comstar and Word of Blake, are you trying to go broke?">>
“I’ll keep it short but there’s something I need to tell you myself. I went out, found a whopper of a guy. Had fun and now turns out my implant failed. I’m pregnant.”
<<"You used the first person instead of 'we' so I'm assuming this whopper of a guy isn't a keeper. Alright, so…nine months from now, still within a reasonable age range for Simon and Hannah then…you'll want to arrange schools and a carer who's decent, because you're too busy to be a full-time mom and a single parent and still handle everything else. I'll have Ms. Whyte start vetting services.">> Liz was oddly mellow, and Helena realized she was on some strong painkillers, the background was a hospital room, and there was a faint beeping of medical monitors coming over the channel.
“What did you do this time?” Helena suddenly switched gears.
<<"I gave birth to twins, and it turns out that's not a fun experience, especially when your contractions are hard enough to make a C-section impractical.">>
“I’ll say if you’re still in the hospital a week and a half after giving birth.”
<<"Side effects of the cure, Helena." Liz said, "Turns out there are complications, but nothing lethal, just…uncomfortable.">>
“Okay. You rest then. I’ll write you a more detailed letter to send later so we can close this channel before I really do go broke.”
<<"We'll set up a service, so what's the favor you need that is worth seventy million C-bills per minute?">>
“I want to name you as ward in case something does happen to me.”
<<”Godmother? Okay, that's reciprocal at least, since I stuck you with the job if it happens to me.">>
“You, me, and Jane will be the triple terrors at the local parks soon.”
<<"PTA meetings, I"m going to have to rehearse the whole 'Get me your manager' schtick.">> Liz chuckled weakly.
“Be well, Liz. I really do hate to cut this short but 70 million a minute is a lot.”
<<"Be safe and be careful, Helena, you're in the Sol system, you know the story of the Titans, right?">> Liz replied, <<"Gaia ate her children.">>
“I do. I’ll be home soon.”
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Visit to a forbidden land[]
Winter Prison Arcology 4
"Prisoner 865131, stand and place your hands in the circles."
Nicole stood up, turned, and placed her hands in the lighted section of the wall, and waited while the automatics locked down two hemispherical restraints.
The restraints held until the guards took each arm, attached a mobility cuff, whereupon her hands were released and brought behind her back.
"No contraband search today?" she asked.
"Nope. Lawyer today."
"I told them I didn't want a lawyer!"
"That's between yourself, and the Warden, Prisoner. I just work here."
She passed cells in 'locked down' mode, to the elevator she'd been assured she would not see the inside of, for twenty years.
"We're…"
"Going up, yeah." Her Guard confirmed. "Daylight levels even."
"Minimum sec?"
"Yeah." he nodded.
"I'm not due for parole for three more years!"
"Yeah."
The elevator stopped and Nicole knew less than when she started.
They followed the blue line to another set of armored doors, which opened on another elevator.
"Not minimum sec then?"
"Nope."
The elevator led to a tram, which the guards boarded and helped her onto.
The tram passed onto a monorail overlooking the administrative city that sat on the prison.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Outprocessing, you're shackled mainly because lots of prisoners going to outprocessing don't KNOW it's outprocessing, and they struggle until the tram arrives, I don't need scratches, bruises or bites."
"But…"
"I don't make the rules, Your Lawyer will explain it…tell you the truth, Prisoner, I'm gonna miss having someone who actually follows the rules and doesn't make trouble in my cell block. For someone with the convictions you have, you're a sweetheart who probably deserves this second chance more than anyone in the last forty years."
The tram stopped at a building marked 'Outprocessing' and the guards unlocked her shackles, before leading her into the building and up a set of stairs to a conference room marked 'Parole 7a'.
"Have a seat, would you like some water?"
"Please."
A Magistrate came in through the far door, along with two others-a woman in a business suit, and a man in LCN Uniform.
"Prisoner 865131, Nicole Martins, aka Nicole Minh, convicted of twenty two counts of capital murder, two counts of aiding and abetting Piracy, and one count of operating a vessel while under the influence of narcotics." the Magistrate read off. "Notes include voluntary surrender to law enforcement agents, and testimony resulting in the conviction and sentencing of eleven members of Morrison's Extractors, also testimony resulting in the recovery of one hundred fifty one civilians taken by Morrison's Extractors as slaves from worlds ranging from the Free Worlds League to Mainstreet. God, they threw the book at you, kid." he shook his head, "You declined legal representation and confessed to each. And. every. Count. Psych profile indicates intense desire to make restitution for your criminal past…" the Magistrate looked up, "Guess what, Nicole? His Majesty's Government has decided to take you up on that. Ms. Whyte? Mister Bianchi? Who goes first?"
"Hello, Nicole, I am Ms. Whyte, normally corporate counsel for Ngo Industries international and Cameron Enterprises, today, I am acting as your court-appointed legal representative. This, is Lieutenant Commander Klaus Bianchi, of the Federated Commonwealth Navy, he is here to, once things are explained, offer you a deal independent of the process I'm here to oversee."
“We have reviewed your case and the reports on your conduct. There has also been a request from someone to arrange for your release. We are prepared to give you a pardon.”
"I don't understand, I committed crimes and people died..."
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Miss Whyte
"Nicole, you were under duress. If you had not declined legal representation, you would still have gotten treatment for the addiction they forced onto you, but you would be free, and I would not have to be here." Ms Whyte stated, "however, you chose to accept the mercy of the court without legal counsel, and the judges gave the lightest sentences they could under Winter's legal code-their mandatory sentences are stricter than is the norm, however, there is room, and someone very important stepped in on your behalf. You are to be pardoned for the charges for which you have been convicted-that's a done deal, we're here to offer you options on where to go next."
"Who would pardon me for that?"
"His name is Victor Ian Steiner Davion, and he is the Archon Prince of the Federated Commonwealth, and someone brought your case to his attention." Bianchi explained.
""It's an Archon's Pardon, Nicole. Nobody can take that back." Ms. Whyte stated, "now, as for your options…"
She laid out a series of contract displays. "You are being offered a spot at Coventry Province Military Academy, as a student, in exchange for a five year tour in the Federated Commonwealth Navy, as a junior officer aboard a military vessel. Your bonafides as a Navigator are on file and were part of your conviction, as were your certifiable skills as a starship engineer. That, is Mister Bianchi's offer.
My principle is offering you a ten year contract with the Kowloon Coast Guard, it's longer than the FCN in total 'on duty' time, but shorter on the training period, be aware, the Coast Guard is a law-enforcement and disaster response organization with SOME military applications. If a military life is not to your liking, Duchess Ngo has asked me to offer you a spot working with Ngo Enterprises or Cameron Enterprises in a similar role to skills you have already gained, the pay is better, but as a foreign national there are some places you're not going to be permitted to go without military rank or escort…the final option, is that we return you to the Sol system, and your parents, which may happen regardless of which path you choose…however, the previous three options all contain within them, legal status and an income doing honest work."
“Why would anybody go to this much trouble over me?”
Bianchi leaned forward, "Let's look at your entire case-you stole a jumpship from your home system, by yourself, to run away from home after a prank went bad, leaving your family in a panic." he held up a finger, "You jacked a Monolith, that's proof of an incredible level of skill and talent right there. Your mistake was falling in with a criminal element who spotted your talent, and your naivete, that element then used you in a series of serious crimes…which you have confessed to, after you killed your captors, then aided in the rescue of their victims. You're a Holonovel worth of 'born to be a hero' right there! You want to reform, which is insanely rare. You've repeatedly applied to seek to give restitution to the victims you helped liberate-that speaks to moral character…and The Archon Prince has deemed you fit to be among people again, to the point where your prior record, is pardoned. A fresh start…Oh, and your parents? Didn't know you were HERE, they're still looking for you."
“Are they really still that angry?”
“Not angry, worried. They miss you, and don't want to punish you.”
"How long do I have to think about these options?"
"Well, we're taking you off Winter tonight, and you'll be in the Kowloon system to hear Ms. Ngo's pitch by tomorrow…so give it a couple weeks?" Bianchi said, "more or less."
“And one other item that you should be aware of that might influence your decision. You’re going to be an Aunt.”
"But…"
" Just relax, we're going to get you out of here, and somewhere where you can make informed choices." Ms. Whyte told her. "As an adult, with freedom."
A Confession to a Pastor[]
"Pastor Martins, I've got some good news, and some news you may find upsetting." Helena said over the comm link.
"I was told my son has…that you have my grandchild in you."
"Yes. That's not the news." Helena told him. "We found Nicole Martins. She is alive, and currently healthy."
Frantic calls to his wife and blubbering relief.
"That's the good news." Helena said, "Now, for the less than welcome part."
"What is it?"
"Your daughter has decided to delay returning to the Sol system in order to complete a two year officer's course at the Giap Island Coast Guard Academy, followed by eight years service in the Kowloon Coast Guard, and an application for Lyran Citizenship. She's chosen to join a paramilitary agency with military, as well as civilian roles."
“Thank you for telling us this.” The looks on both Martins’ faces was pained.
"Her Grace, the Duchess of Kowloon, has asked that you initiate contact with your daughter at the Academy, Ngo Enterprises will finance the calls, at least one per week until graduation." Helena continued, "Upon which, you are invited to attend the graduation ceremony on Spider Moon, as Her Grace's guests."
“We’ll compose a message for her as soon as we can.”
“I know your views on military or even paramilitary service. So please just keep in mind that you have a path of communication and thus a chance to reconcile.” Helena nodded.
"What duties will Nikki be filling, in this 'coast guard'?" the wife asked.
"Well, it's a broad plate, at least five years of her service will be done on the surface of Kowloon, ma'am." Helena explained, "Where most of the work is firefighting, policing, and providing disaster relief to civilians. The three year abbreviated tour after will mostly be involved in maintaining contact and conducting much the same work in Kowloon's belts and outer planets-including maintaining communications links, resolving disputes between Co-ops, and various forms of domestic assistance. Mind that all of those are the day to day duties, she will be on call for defensive roles in the event the system is attacked, and it IS a reserve commission in the Federated Commonwealth Navy which could see her drafted to support military operations outside the system-but for the most part, she's going to be working as a relief agent and peacekeeper among civilians."
“But she might still have to kill in those duties, or be part of it.” The father said flatly.
"A sad reality, but one that…your daughter saved over two hundred people from slavers, sir. Slavery and worse, and she is working to make restitution for things she was not actually responsible for." "Crimes."
"Crimes. She was convicted of them, and has chosen this as penance above and beyond what she was pardoned for." Helena was very careful.
"None are so strayed that they cannot come back to god." Pastor Martins intoned. His wife had a different look-a look like she'd just won an old argument.
"Two years?" Mrs. Martins asked.
"Yes."
"We'll be there." she asserted. "We will be there if I have to drag my husband by the ears!"
"I didn't say we wouldn't. Lady Cameron despite everything and how difficult the path before us will be I do still wish to thank you for this."
"It was a genuine pleasure, Pastor. Your daughter deserves this second chance, and it's a pleasure to reunite a family."
“Which circles back around to the matter of my future grandchild.”
“Yes. I know how important family is. So despite the child’s father acting the way he has, I want to make sure you can be part of their life.”
The Pastor seemed to relax at her statement, while his wife smiled. "Lady Helena, your news is better than you know." Mrs. Martins said, "We were afraid Joe was…disinclined to that which produces children. So much so that we had concerns when he was speaking with those Word of Blake people."
“To be transparent, he only became a father because my implant failed. He is giving every indication he is uninterested in being involved in his child’s life. At least this one. I know he’s contracted with someone else.”
"So he claimed. I've yet to meet whoever it is." the Pastor groused, "his sister Olivia already introduced us to her beau, and the man's an innah...but at least she's not ashamed of him. Joseph…" he looked pained again, "The boy just doesn't…Lady Helena, being completely honest with you, I thought he was gay, and involved with men. That he got you pregnant? Means he's not…or at least, not entirely."
“Given what has transpired I would be willing to look into his claims of contract if you wish it.”
The Pastor shook his head, "No need to heap humiliation on him. Let him have his illusions or make them good on his own, god will know, we do not have to serve as judge or punisher in god's place."
“Then we need to discuss something else. Despite being born on Terra, it’s not my home. Not anymore. I am of Kowloon now. I know that complicates visitation and participation in your grandchild’s life.”
"You're a Cameron, with a Free Stars Faction supporter." the wife spoke up, "Which means that old business is truly settled and done, after all, you hired one, instead of having her killed as a terrorist as Richard did when they were purged from the Sol system in the Black August purges of 2766. That should be good enough for the Metis Congress, you won't be bringing fleets to dig out possible sympathizers for summary executions."
Helena felt shock, "The what??"
"Your brother Richard pronounced the entire Free Stars Faction to be Terrorists and ordered a purge of them, 'root and branch', extermination. Black Watch and SLIC agents systematically hunted down and killed everyone associated with them-even indirectly. The ban on the Faction was to stop them from hunting down everyone...but you're returned, and one of them is with you, so that order no longer stands." Mrs. Martins said, "which means the Congress can end that policy in safety."
Elizabeth had to have known…and she didn't wa-no, she did. 'Gaia Ate Her Children'...she meant this!
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the presence of resolve. Helena felt the fires of resolve kindle within her.
$(*(@)*&* my damages. I have to make this right too.
“I never knew. I owe too much to belter communities to ever allow such a policy to ever come about again. I make that promise to you, as long as I have it in me I will do everything I can to keep such a policy from ever coming about again.”
“We believe you. We also know your future is still in flux. But we know one thing for certain. We will be happy to make the trip from Terra to visit our grandchild on Kowloon.”