Sylvia Chapter 17 (WIP)
"Airy one, those are my sides." Grandfather paused in his tree tending to press his arms to what would be his ribs were he still human.
"I know," she said, laughing with delight. "And you're still ticklish."
"Hrrrm." He looked down at her sternly. "Do not make me take drastic measures."
"Drastic measures?" She paused and considered, and then laughed again, only to yell with surprise in the next instant as her husband turned the water hose in his hand in her direction. "Stop that!"
"Why? It amuses me." He chuckled, his eye twinkling.
"Because you're watering the path!"
"It will run off into the lattice."
"You're evil!"
"As evil as you yourself, love."
"Raaah!" She charged him, ducking out of the spray and wrapping her arms around him, then steadying him as he stumbled slightly. "Whoops, easy."
"I missed this." He turned off the water and dropped the hose so that he could put both arms around her.
"You should have let me come back sooner." She nestled close, her eyes closed contentedly.
"Hrrm." He sighed and shook his head, but then looked around with confusion as a teleportal bell rang. "That... is not the usual portal."
"No." Oma let go of him and vanished, only to appear again behind him and hurrying toward the atrium door.
He turned and followed as quickly as he was able, only to stop short and nearly fall with surprise as he caught sight of the tall native woman who stood speaking to his wife in the teleportal room. He hadn't seen the visitor in over a hundred years, but her white paint, blue visor, and the mask that covered the rest of her face gave her a very distinctive look. "Cygna?"
She turned to look at him, and he was discomfited to see that her eyes beneath her visor were white. "Grandfather..." The soft and gentle voice that she had inherited from her mother broke with static. "Grandfather, there's been an accident."
He paused to quickly look at the time, and his fuel pump nearly stopped as he realized that Sylvia was late. She was never late... "No..."
Strong hands caught him gently and lowered him to the floor so that he wouldn't fall. "Easy. Circulate air. Stay running, Grandfather."
"Tell us what happened," ordered Oma as she put her arms around him.
"Sylvia was speaking to another little girl at the promenade," said Cygna softly. "Arcturus says that the other child was convinced that Sylvia was trying to hurt her somehow. Sylvia tried to comfort the girl, who panicked and pushed her." More softly. "They were standing at the head of a staircase."
"Dead?" Oma rocked Grandfather gently as he shook and hid his face against her chest.
"Her body died." Cygna scanned her grandfather, feeling very worried for the ancient man as he faced this shock.
"Her life force?"
"In stasis."
"What?" Oma looked up, her expression clearing. "Still lit?"
"Yes. Though slightly damaged. There's no way to tell how much memory she'll retain."
"Did you hear that?" Oma shook her husband gently. "Sylvia is alive. She's alive!"
"W... what?" He looked up at her, blinking.
"The part that she inherited from you is still burning! She's alive!" Her eyes shone as she put her hands to either side of his face.
"Alive..." His voice was a deep, rough, uncertain rumble.
And then he was trying to get to his feet. "I must go to her. She will be frightened without the presence of familiar sounds and life forces. She needs me."
"Easy. Easy." Cygna restrained him with Oma's help. "Don't damage yourself. Here, I brought a hover chair for you. Please stay sitting till I get it, alright?"
"Hurry!" he urged anxiously, then looked around distractedly for his cane.
"Shhh. Poor Grandfather." She came back and settled the chair behind him and then with Oma's help lifted him into it. "There. Arcturus and Velocia are at the hospital, so she isn't alone."
"But she does not know them," said Grandfather, frowning.
"She knows Arcturus," countered Cygna gently. "He says that she and... Oma... yes. She and Oma visited his plant shop a few days ago."
Oma blinked and looked up. "Arther?"
Cygna nodded. "Velocia, and I all have human identities now too. Having human family members gave us a special interest in the little people." More softly, as she rubbed Grandfather's shoulder comfortingly. "And it looks like it's a good thing. Shhh. Is there anything you need to do before you leave the house?"
"What?" He lifted his head and blinked at her uncertainly, but then focused and shook it. "No. The house knows what to do. The pets will be safe. Please, let us go to Sylvia."
"Yes, we're going," she said soothingly as she stooped to get his cane and lay it across his lap. "Oma, can you come to the hospital?"
"I can," said the older woman as she reached down and laced her fingers through those of her husband. "Though appearing as myself..."
"Oh, I don't think it'll cause any more stir than Grandfather appearing." Cygna's eyes managed to darken toward the colour of a smile as she walked over behind the hover chair and then turned it toward the larger teleportal door.
* * *
Heads turned as they stepped out of the teleportal room at the hospital, and more than one of the people who looked in the trio's direction suddenly flashed their eyes and exclaimed with surprise. More than one stared as though at a ghost, and were not focused on Oma. One aging man, his sturdy black body scarred but still strong and his blue visor bright from the whiteness of the eyes behind it, stepped forward and went to one knee in front of Grandfather's hover chair. When he spoke his voice was rough with emotional static. "Commander. You're alive. They told us you'd left the planet and never come back."
Distracted by his anxiety for Sylvia, it took Grandfather a moment of blinking and frowning to identify the man. But then his face cleared and he cleared his vocalizer uncomfortably. "No, explorer. I was here. Closed away in the lower levels."
"But why didn't you let us know? Why did you just disappear, sir?" The explorer frowned. "We need you."
Grandfather shook his head. "No. The war is long over, and I was a man of war. My time of leading is over, and I had to step away so as to free Velocia from my shadow." His aged hands gripped his cane, creaking very softly as they moved, and he looked down at them.
"And you were tired," said the explorer quietly, his face clearing of the confusion, surprise, and budding anger and moving to understanding and compassion. "You lost so much. I remember. I'm sorry, sir."
But then his expression sharpened to anxiety. "Why are you here now? Are you damaged? Sick?"
"No. I myself am not ailing." Grandfather leaned forward to put a reassuring hand on the shoulder of the man who had once served him faithfully through the long millenia of war. "It... my... my granddaughter."
The explorer's gaze shot to Cygna, and then brightened as he frowned in confusion. "Your granddaughter?"
"Not me," said the doctor in her gentle and soothing way. "He has two granddaughters, and my cousin was badly injured today. We're going to see her now."
There was a soft gasp as the explorer rose and moved out of the way. "I'm sorry. I hope..."
Grandfather cut him off abruptly. "Why are you here? Are you damaged?"
"What?" The other man blinked, and then rubbed the back of his head and looked embarrassed. "Heh. Um. Noooo. It's just the usual."
Grandfather stared, and then leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Still?"
"Yeeeaaah. They found her floating face down in one of the canals after she tried to clear out the bartender's entire stock of super charged special blend."
"Merciful... How has she not burned out her systems long since?"
"I... ask myself that every time she does this," said the explorer ruefully. "But I wouldn't change her for anything in the world. She's a rowdy, drunken pirate, but she's my rowdy, drunken pirate."
Grandfather shook his head in slow sympathy as Oma chuckled softly. "It is good to see you again. I pray your wife may recover from this last indiscretion quickly, and yet learn the error of her ways."
"Heh. We can dream about that last, I guess. At least I didn't brain fart and wind up in there with her, this time."
"Indeed." Grandfather gave him a look that held slight amusement, but then glanced toward the elevator as it chimed softly.
"I better stop holding you up, sir. It was good seeing you again." The explorer rose to his feet, tossing off an absent salute. Then, more quietly, "I hope your granddaughter pulls through alright."
"Thank you." Grandfather watched him go, and then looked at Cygna.
"Shhh. We're going," she said gently, starting forward again. "Try to relax. If she can sense you she's going to pick up on your anxiety."
Grandfather grumbled softly and tried to do as he was told, only to shudder and go partially limp as Oma started to rub a certain spot right between his shoulder blades. "...Stop that."
"No," she said softly, her fingers continuing the ministration.
"I will be no use to Sylvia if I fall asleep." His words came out slow and calm despite their purported argumentative content.
"You'll still rumble." She chuckled and glanced up at the elevator as they entered it, then looked back to her husband.
He appeared to be trying to think of a refutation, but then just frowned and went limp again. "...True."
Two people turned toward the door as they entered, a young man who was a near spitting image of Grandfather himself but for his different head design and his maroon and silver colouration, and a tall woman of pale gold with blue trim. Both bore masks, though these were retracted for the moment, and both bore the same mark on one audio receiver that adorned both Grandfather and Cygna.
"Velocia..." Grandfather hesitated, daunted by sight of the daughter he'd left behind.
"Father." She strode toward him, and then went to her knees to put her arms around him. "It's good to see you again outside my dreams."
He cleared static from his vocalizer and held her close for a moment, but then lifted his head. "Do not forget your mother."
"What?" Velocia lifted her head to give him a confused look, but then turned her head as he reached up and gently pulled closer the dusky painted femme who had been standing at his side. Eyes flashing white with surprise, she rose to her feet and stared. "Mother? You... you're solid. Not a dream."
"Not a dream, though not alive," said Oma softly, reaching out to her younger child. "I came back to fulfill a promise."
Velocia hugged her, eyes bright and cheeks glistening as tears flowed. "I'm glad he's had you with him. And... I'm glad you're back."
Then she turned her head and reached toward the youngster, and toward the heavy set, ebony painted man who stood sentinel in one corner. "This is Arcturus. And... Grandfather, you know Starforge."
"I do." His mouth curved just slightly as he looked at his nephew and saw the very image of his now long deceased best friend. Except for the eyes. Starforge was a soldier, but he had never carried the unconscious challenge and belligerence that had been so much a characteristic of the weapons master. "It is good to see you in health, Starforge."
"And good to see you, sir." Starforge nodded in his quiet and easy way, then looked toward his nephew.
Grandfather too looked toward Arcturus, and then moved his chair forward to lay a comforting hand on the young man's arm as he saw the sadness and concern in his grandson's face and posture. "Arcturus."
"Yes, Grandfather?" Blue eyes just a little too bright, but holding his grandmother's steadiness looked down at him.
"I wish that our first meeting had come under fairer circumstances. But I am glad to make your acquaintance."
Strong fingers covered his own and gave a comforting squeeze, and then Arcturus stepped aside slightly to gesture to the stasis pod. Softly, "She's sleeping. But she was awake for a little while after Aunt Cygna first put her into the pod."
Grandfather breathed an inner sigh of relief at the lack of recriminations from these family members, and at the same time once again cleared static from his vocalizer at the thought that once more those around him were faithful, accepting of his decisions, and willing to focus on the matter at hand. He peered into the stasis pod cautiously, afraid to see a life force darkened and ailing. Instead there was very little damage visible to his unspecialized sensors. As far as he could see Sylvia was indeed sleeping.
"So what now?" asked Arcturus softly, as he raised his head and looked around at his elders. "What are we going to do?"
"There are bodies on hand here at the hospital," said Cygna softly. "She won't be able to power a model like we're wearing, but a smaller type might be better for someone with ties to the humans and who takes such joy from learning." She looked at Grandfather and Oma quizzically.
"It seems hard to make such choices for her," said Grandfather, frowning. "She never spoke of becoming one of us. I... think we both assumed that we had many years yet before such things must be thought of. Though at her age, the topic may simply have not yet occurred to her."
"She's just a baby," said Velocia, nodding. "Still, something's got to be done, and she can't make choices for herself right now."
Grandfather nodded and looked to Oma for her input.
"Well, Cygna says that she's not sure how much memory Sylvia will have retained. And like Velocia says, she is just a newborn in terms of our life spans. A less sophisticated body might be easier for her to to handle to start with. Then she'll be able to learn the ropes and make her own choices as to body model and specialization later," said the ghost slowly.
"And we'll be able to carry her around." Arcturus grinned slightly.
Grandfather quirked a brow at him, wondering where that had come from.
"Well, that's what you do with baby cousins," explained the young man, looking from face to face of the adults.
"That's what Grandfather does with his youngest granddaughter," said Oma, chuckling very quietly. "And being small enough for him to do that would also make her transition from organic to cybernetic easier."
"True." Grandfather nodded slowly. "Her dwelling spaces would need very little alteration."
"Are you going back to live in that hole, sir?" Starforge frowned.
"Don't worry, we'll go and visit him." Velocia glanced with affection and reassurance toward her cousin.
"It isn't a hole," said Grandfather, a trifle testily.
"No. It's not." Oma hugged him as she looked thoughtfully into the stasis pod. "What colour should she be?"
Grandfather blinked and looked up at her. "Is that important now, airy one?"
"Yes. Colour is part of identity." Oma absently rubbed his shoulder as she leaned against him.
"Ah. I had not noticed." He frowned thoughtfully.
"Perhaps it's a female thing." Her arm went around her neck, and her chin settled onto his shoulder. "What about white with blue trim? And blue feet?"
"She was very fond of those garments that her friends made for her." Grandfather looked up quickly. "Her friends must be notified."
"I already let them know she'd been hurt," said Arcturus. "Esther called her to let her know that she and Hannah had gotten home safely and given out their gifts. I answered the call."
"You speak as though you know them," said Grandfather quizzically.
"We do," said Velocia. "Arcturus and I have visited with the Rileys since their grandfather was a boy. They're valued friends."
"Ahhh." He nodded his understanding, then looked back into the pod. "What happened to the child who pushed Sylvia?"
"My mechadrones are watching over her," said Arcturus. "I think she's too overwrought to approach safely right now."
"Her parents are trying to find her so that they can abort her." Velocia pressed her lips together. "We really screwed up somewhere with the humans, Father."
He looked up with surprise at her language, but then sighed. "Freedom is the gift of sentience. But life is a greater gift, and must be protected."
"I've already ordered the human authorities to open their spaceport to emigrants, immigrants, and visitors," said Velocia. "It's the least invasive move I can think to make on our part. At the very least it will keep the culture from getting any more stagnant."
"And the little girl?" asked Starforge.
"If her parents truly no longer want her I will take custody of her," said Grandfather. "Perhaps she may be taught the true value of life."
"Maybe." Arcturus frowned. "You know it's the same child who was trying to make Sylvia do her homework?"
"Ah." Grandfather looked up. "I had not. But now her reaction to Sylvia at the staircase makes more sense. Kaneesha Jones has been badly failed by her family and her culture." Then he rumbled. "You looked at Sylvia's security footage."
"I'm a rookie cop, Grandfather. Even if I weren't nosy, looking at the footage to find out what happened would have been my second reaction after securing the people involved in the incident."
Grandfather gave a chuckle, surprised by how much the boy reminded him of Oma and of Arcturus' paternal grandfather, who had also been a police unit.
The memory brought a question to his mind and he turned back to Velocia. "Codeblocker is engaged?"
She nodded. "He, Whirlybird, and Jabez are speaking with the human authorities now." A bit of a smile. "They're alright. Nothing's wrong with them."
"Good." Grandfather turned back to the pod and reached to touch it gently. "How soon may she be safely transplanted?"
"As soon as I get everything ready." Cygna smiled and turned toward the door.
"I know," she said, laughing with delight. "And you're still ticklish."
"Hrrrm." He looked down at her sternly. "Do not make me take drastic measures."
"Drastic measures?" She paused and considered, and then laughed again, only to yell with surprise in the next instant as her husband turned the water hose in his hand in her direction. "Stop that!"
"Why? It amuses me." He chuckled, his eye twinkling.
"Because you're watering the path!"
"It will run off into the lattice."
"You're evil!"
"As evil as you yourself, love."
"Raaah!" She charged him, ducking out of the spray and wrapping her arms around him, then steadying him as he stumbled slightly. "Whoops, easy."
"I missed this." He turned off the water and dropped the hose so that he could put both arms around her.
"You should have let me come back sooner." She nestled close, her eyes closed contentedly.
"Hrrm." He sighed and shook his head, but then looked around with confusion as a teleportal bell rang. "That... is not the usual portal."
"No." Oma let go of him and vanished, only to appear again behind him and hurrying toward the atrium door.
He turned and followed as quickly as he was able, only to stop short and nearly fall with surprise as he caught sight of the tall native woman who stood speaking to his wife in the teleportal room. He hadn't seen the visitor in over a hundred years, but her white paint, blue visor, and the mask that covered the rest of her face gave her a very distinctive look. "Cygna?"
She turned to look at him, and he was discomfited to see that her eyes beneath her visor were white. "Grandfather..." The soft and gentle voice that she had inherited from her mother broke with static. "Grandfather, there's been an accident."
He paused to quickly look at the time, and his fuel pump nearly stopped as he realized that Sylvia was late. She was never late... "No..."
Strong hands caught him gently and lowered him to the floor so that he wouldn't fall. "Easy. Circulate air. Stay running, Grandfather."
"Tell us what happened," ordered Oma as she put her arms around him.
"Sylvia was speaking to another little girl at the promenade," said Cygna softly. "Arcturus says that the other child was convinced that Sylvia was trying to hurt her somehow. Sylvia tried to comfort the girl, who panicked and pushed her." More softly. "They were standing at the head of a staircase."
"Dead?" Oma rocked Grandfather gently as he shook and hid his face against her chest.
"Her body died." Cygna scanned her grandfather, feeling very worried for the ancient man as he faced this shock.
"Her life force?"
"In stasis."
"What?" Oma looked up, her expression clearing. "Still lit?"
"Yes. Though slightly damaged. There's no way to tell how much memory she'll retain."
"Did you hear that?" Oma shook her husband gently. "Sylvia is alive. She's alive!"
"W... what?" He looked up at her, blinking.
"The part that she inherited from you is still burning! She's alive!" Her eyes shone as she put her hands to either side of his face.
"Alive..." His voice was a deep, rough, uncertain rumble.
And then he was trying to get to his feet. "I must go to her. She will be frightened without the presence of familiar sounds and life forces. She needs me."
"Easy. Easy." Cygna restrained him with Oma's help. "Don't damage yourself. Here, I brought a hover chair for you. Please stay sitting till I get it, alright?"
"Hurry!" he urged anxiously, then looked around distractedly for his cane.
"Shhh. Poor Grandfather." She came back and settled the chair behind him and then with Oma's help lifted him into it. "There. Arcturus and Velocia are at the hospital, so she isn't alone."
"But she does not know them," said Grandfather, frowning.
"She knows Arcturus," countered Cygna gently. "He says that she and... Oma... yes. She and Oma visited his plant shop a few days ago."
Oma blinked and looked up. "Arther?"
Cygna nodded. "Velocia, and I all have human identities now too. Having human family members gave us a special interest in the little people." More softly, as she rubbed Grandfather's shoulder comfortingly. "And it looks like it's a good thing. Shhh. Is there anything you need to do before you leave the house?"
"What?" He lifted his head and blinked at her uncertainly, but then focused and shook it. "No. The house knows what to do. The pets will be safe. Please, let us go to Sylvia."
"Yes, we're going," she said soothingly as she stooped to get his cane and lay it across his lap. "Oma, can you come to the hospital?"
"I can," said the older woman as she reached down and laced her fingers through those of her husband. "Though appearing as myself..."
"Oh, I don't think it'll cause any more stir than Grandfather appearing." Cygna's eyes managed to darken toward the colour of a smile as she walked over behind the hover chair and then turned it toward the larger teleportal door.
* * *
Heads turned as they stepped out of the teleportal room at the hospital, and more than one of the people who looked in the trio's direction suddenly flashed their eyes and exclaimed with surprise. More than one stared as though at a ghost, and were not focused on Oma. One aging man, his sturdy black body scarred but still strong and his blue visor bright from the whiteness of the eyes behind it, stepped forward and went to one knee in front of Grandfather's hover chair. When he spoke his voice was rough with emotional static. "Commander. You're alive. They told us you'd left the planet and never come back."
Distracted by his anxiety for Sylvia, it took Grandfather a moment of blinking and frowning to identify the man. But then his face cleared and he cleared his vocalizer uncomfortably. "No, explorer. I was here. Closed away in the lower levels."
"But why didn't you let us know? Why did you just disappear, sir?" The explorer frowned. "We need you."
Grandfather shook his head. "No. The war is long over, and I was a man of war. My time of leading is over, and I had to step away so as to free Velocia from my shadow." His aged hands gripped his cane, creaking very softly as they moved, and he looked down at them.
"And you were tired," said the explorer quietly, his face clearing of the confusion, surprise, and budding anger and moving to understanding and compassion. "You lost so much. I remember. I'm sorry, sir."
But then his expression sharpened to anxiety. "Why are you here now? Are you damaged? Sick?"
"No. I myself am not ailing." Grandfather leaned forward to put a reassuring hand on the shoulder of the man who had once served him faithfully through the long millenia of war. "It... my... my granddaughter."
The explorer's gaze shot to Cygna, and then brightened as he frowned in confusion. "Your granddaughter?"
"Not me," said the doctor in her gentle and soothing way. "He has two granddaughters, and my cousin was badly injured today. We're going to see her now."
There was a soft gasp as the explorer rose and moved out of the way. "I'm sorry. I hope..."
Grandfather cut him off abruptly. "Why are you here? Are you damaged?"
"What?" The other man blinked, and then rubbed the back of his head and looked embarrassed. "Heh. Um. Noooo. It's just the usual."
Grandfather stared, and then leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Still?"
"Yeeeaaah. They found her floating face down in one of the canals after she tried to clear out the bartender's entire stock of super charged special blend."
"Merciful... How has she not burned out her systems long since?"
"I... ask myself that every time she does this," said the explorer ruefully. "But I wouldn't change her for anything in the world. She's a rowdy, drunken pirate, but she's my rowdy, drunken pirate."
Grandfather shook his head in slow sympathy as Oma chuckled softly. "It is good to see you again. I pray your wife may recover from this last indiscretion quickly, and yet learn the error of her ways."
"Heh. We can dream about that last, I guess. At least I didn't brain fart and wind up in there with her, this time."
"Indeed." Grandfather gave him a look that held slight amusement, but then glanced toward the elevator as it chimed softly.
"I better stop holding you up, sir. It was good seeing you again." The explorer rose to his feet, tossing off an absent salute. Then, more quietly, "I hope your granddaughter pulls through alright."
"Thank you." Grandfather watched him go, and then looked at Cygna.
"Shhh. We're going," she said gently, starting forward again. "Try to relax. If she can sense you she's going to pick up on your anxiety."
Grandfather grumbled softly and tried to do as he was told, only to shudder and go partially limp as Oma started to rub a certain spot right between his shoulder blades. "...Stop that."
"No," she said softly, her fingers continuing the ministration.
"I will be no use to Sylvia if I fall asleep." His words came out slow and calm despite their purported argumentative content.
"You'll still rumble." She chuckled and glanced up at the elevator as they entered it, then looked back to her husband.
He appeared to be trying to think of a refutation, but then just frowned and went limp again. "...True."
Two people turned toward the door as they entered, a young man who was a near spitting image of Grandfather himself but for his different head design and his maroon and silver colouration, and a tall woman of pale gold with blue trim. Both bore masks, though these were retracted for the moment, and both bore the same mark on one audio receiver that adorned both Grandfather and Cygna.
"Velocia..." Grandfather hesitated, daunted by sight of the daughter he'd left behind.
"Father." She strode toward him, and then went to her knees to put her arms around him. "It's good to see you again outside my dreams."
He cleared static from his vocalizer and held her close for a moment, but then lifted his head. "Do not forget your mother."
"What?" Velocia lifted her head to give him a confused look, but then turned her head as he reached up and gently pulled closer the dusky painted femme who had been standing at his side. Eyes flashing white with surprise, she rose to her feet and stared. "Mother? You... you're solid. Not a dream."
"Not a dream, though not alive," said Oma softly, reaching out to her younger child. "I came back to fulfill a promise."
Velocia hugged her, eyes bright and cheeks glistening as tears flowed. "I'm glad he's had you with him. And... I'm glad you're back."
Then she turned her head and reached toward the youngster, and toward the heavy set, ebony painted man who stood sentinel in one corner. "This is Arcturus. And... Grandfather, you know Starforge."
"I do." His mouth curved just slightly as he looked at his nephew and saw the very image of his now long deceased best friend. Except for the eyes. Starforge was a soldier, but he had never carried the unconscious challenge and belligerence that had been so much a characteristic of the weapons master. "It is good to see you in health, Starforge."
"And good to see you, sir." Starforge nodded in his quiet and easy way, then looked toward his nephew.
Grandfather too looked toward Arcturus, and then moved his chair forward to lay a comforting hand on the young man's arm as he saw the sadness and concern in his grandson's face and posture. "Arcturus."
"Yes, Grandfather?" Blue eyes just a little too bright, but holding his grandmother's steadiness looked down at him.
"I wish that our first meeting had come under fairer circumstances. But I am glad to make your acquaintance."
Strong fingers covered his own and gave a comforting squeeze, and then Arcturus stepped aside slightly to gesture to the stasis pod. Softly, "She's sleeping. But she was awake for a little while after Aunt Cygna first put her into the pod."
Grandfather breathed an inner sigh of relief at the lack of recriminations from these family members, and at the same time once again cleared static from his vocalizer at the thought that once more those around him were faithful, accepting of his decisions, and willing to focus on the matter at hand. He peered into the stasis pod cautiously, afraid to see a life force darkened and ailing. Instead there was very little damage visible to his unspecialized sensors. As far as he could see Sylvia was indeed sleeping.
"So what now?" asked Arcturus softly, as he raised his head and looked around at his elders. "What are we going to do?"
"There are bodies on hand here at the hospital," said Cygna softly. "She won't be able to power a model like we're wearing, but a smaller type might be better for someone with ties to the humans and who takes such joy from learning." She looked at Grandfather and Oma quizzically.
"It seems hard to make such choices for her," said Grandfather, frowning. "She never spoke of becoming one of us. I... think we both assumed that we had many years yet before such things must be thought of. Though at her age, the topic may simply have not yet occurred to her."
"She's just a baby," said Velocia, nodding. "Still, something's got to be done, and she can't make choices for herself right now."
Grandfather nodded and looked to Oma for her input.
"Well, Cygna says that she's not sure how much memory Sylvia will have retained. And like Velocia says, she is just a newborn in terms of our life spans. A less sophisticated body might be easier for her to to handle to start with. Then she'll be able to learn the ropes and make her own choices as to body model and specialization later," said the ghost slowly.
"And we'll be able to carry her around." Arcturus grinned slightly.
Grandfather quirked a brow at him, wondering where that had come from.
"Well, that's what you do with baby cousins," explained the young man, looking from face to face of the adults.
"That's what Grandfather does with his youngest granddaughter," said Oma, chuckling very quietly. "And being small enough for him to do that would also make her transition from organic to cybernetic easier."
"True." Grandfather nodded slowly. "Her dwelling spaces would need very little alteration."
"Are you going back to live in that hole, sir?" Starforge frowned.
"Don't worry, we'll go and visit him." Velocia glanced with affection and reassurance toward her cousin.
"It isn't a hole," said Grandfather, a trifle testily.
"No. It's not." Oma hugged him as she looked thoughtfully into the stasis pod. "What colour should she be?"
Grandfather blinked and looked up at her. "Is that important now, airy one?"
"Yes. Colour is part of identity." Oma absently rubbed his shoulder as she leaned against him.
"Ah. I had not noticed." He frowned thoughtfully.
"Perhaps it's a female thing." Her arm went around her neck, and her chin settled onto his shoulder. "What about white with blue trim? And blue feet?"
"She was very fond of those garments that her friends made for her." Grandfather looked up quickly. "Her friends must be notified."
"I already let them know she'd been hurt," said Arcturus. "Esther called her to let her know that she and Hannah had gotten home safely and given out their gifts. I answered the call."
"You speak as though you know them," said Grandfather quizzically.
"We do," said Velocia. "Arcturus and I have visited with the Rileys since their grandfather was a boy. They're valued friends."
"Ahhh." He nodded his understanding, then looked back into the pod. "What happened to the child who pushed Sylvia?"
"My mechadrones are watching over her," said Arcturus. "I think she's too overwrought to approach safely right now."
"Her parents are trying to find her so that they can abort her." Velocia pressed her lips together. "We really screwed up somewhere with the humans, Father."
He looked up with surprise at her language, but then sighed. "Freedom is the gift of sentience. But life is a greater gift, and must be protected."
"I've already ordered the human authorities to open their spaceport to emigrants, immigrants, and visitors," said Velocia. "It's the least invasive move I can think to make on our part. At the very least it will keep the culture from getting any more stagnant."
"And the little girl?" asked Starforge.
"If her parents truly no longer want her I will take custody of her," said Grandfather. "Perhaps she may be taught the true value of life."
"Maybe." Arcturus frowned. "You know it's the same child who was trying to make Sylvia do her homework?"
"Ah." Grandfather looked up. "I had not. But now her reaction to Sylvia at the staircase makes more sense. Kaneesha Jones has been badly failed by her family and her culture." Then he rumbled. "You looked at Sylvia's security footage."
"I'm a rookie cop, Grandfather. Even if I weren't nosy, looking at the footage to find out what happened would have been my second reaction after securing the people involved in the incident."
Grandfather gave a chuckle, surprised by how much the boy reminded him of Oma and of Arcturus' paternal grandfather, who had also been a police unit.
The memory brought a question to his mind and he turned back to Velocia. "Codeblocker is engaged?"
She nodded. "He, Whirlybird, and Jabez are speaking with the human authorities now." A bit of a smile. "They're alright. Nothing's wrong with them."
"Good." Grandfather turned back to the pod and reached to touch it gently. "How soon may she be safely transplanted?"
"As soon as I get everything ready." Cygna smiled and turned toward the door.