Gerty smiled slyly, “Does he have a body to match that voice?”
Addy blushed. “Um, yes and no. Rocky is an audio copy of the primary inhabitant of this world, and yeah, he does have a body to match.”
“Oh, my. Well, have fun and talk to you in a few weeks. I am so happy to see you, Addy.”
“I wish I could hug you, Gerty.” Addy felt the tears pricking at her eyes. She thought she was dry.
“Hug the guy that matches that voice instead. It might make our next conversation far more interesting. Though, this was incredible.”
“I am glad that you have kept your sense of humour. Take care of those grandkids.”
“You know I will. Take care of you, and next time, we might even get to talk about what happened to you.”
Addy sighed. “That is a conversation that can wait.”
“Well, hugs across the universe.”
“And hugs back, Gerty. I will be looking forward to our next chat.”
Neither of them wanted to shut down the conversation, but Addy finally said, “Rocky, please end transmission.”
“Yes, Adelheid.”
The display went dark.
Addy sat on her bed and buried her face in her hands. She was happy and devastated at the same time. The years had marched on without her.
Her door opened and Rokar entered. Without a word, he walked up to her, pulled her to her feet, and hugged her.
She stiffened for a few moments before she relaxed and accepted the comfort that he offered.
“Time moves around us. It will never be something you get used to, but you will understand it.”
She blinked and looked up at him. “So, what do you do about it?”
“You can either withdraw from those you care about and hold yourself apart, or you can be part of their lives, their joys and their histories. It is a far more joyous place to be.”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close because there was no one else to touch. “I think the second option is better.”
“I do as well. I have tried them both, and interacting and being part of something is definitely having benefits.”
She smiled and pressed her forehead to his chest. She murmured, “So, we are getting guests?”
“Iratho is open to the Citadel. The personnel will remain here until other homes are created on the island, and once they have a place to live, they will move along, leaving the base for the newer arrivals.”
It was fun to feel his words as well as hear him. The contact with him made the conversation a full sensory experience.
When she finally was able to straighten up and step back, she felt completely calm and a frisson of delight ran through her when she realized that the base hadn’t shifted during her moment of emotion.
“Right, so, can you tell me what will happen first?”
Rokar stroked her hair away from her face. “First, you will have your meal, and then, I will show you the outline of Citadel personnel that are on their way. The roster is varied, and there are a lot of them. This could take some time.”
She blinked. “Don’t you want something to eat as well?”
“My food is not here at the base.”
“Where is it?”
“It is at my home, off the island.”
Addy frowned. “Did I miss it on the tour?”
“No, it hasn’t risen yet.”
“Are you going to explain what that means?”
“Not just yet. Come on, lunch is calling.”
She sighed and allowed him to escort her out into the common space. He got her ration tray from the dispenser, and he walked into the living area. “All right. You eat, and I will introduce you to the first team.”
Addy shrugged, realized that he was actually in charge of the events which were about to occur, and sat down, eating her meal while the dossiers were displayed in detail.
“The first teams that will arrive are the sea teams. They are going to introduce the aquatic species, and the Citadel members are keen to take up residence on a new world.”
Addy kept munching as a huge transport ship was on the screen.
“The animals that have been selected have been altered to incorporate multiple genetic lines in their offspring, to give the widest genetic footprint in the smallest quantity of animals.”
She paused in her eating. “You will add more mature beasts when the first generation has matured?”
“Of course, but we have to begin somewhere.”
“You are correct. Please continue.”
He flashed a grin, and began to go through the personnel. There were a variety of obvious water-breathers and a few amphibians. Two humans with gill slits caught her attention. “Those are Terrans.”
He paused and brought up files. “Terran descendants. Their mother is Terran. Minya and Dorian Ecarn, born of Aht-Lantys.”
“Wow. Okay. Right. Thirty years. These are the little dots of light.” She set her food aside and leaned her elbows on her knees, paying complete attention to the next batch of techs, talents, and biologists.
“All right, those are the aquatic teams. They will drop with their creatures and settle in the northern sea. They don’t need to come to the base as their lodgings will be under the surface.”
“Who’s next?”
“The horticultural team. They will use this as a base as they need to bring down their samples in stages from the station above.”
He started flicking through and introducing her to the faces in configurations she hadn’t even imagined. When she saw a face that she recognized, she said, “Stop!”
“What is it?”
“That is my niece. Deahlia Magnussen. Gerty said she was out here, but I never thought she would end up here.”
“Niece?”
“One of my twin’s daughters. She’s one of a set of twins herself.”
He nodded. “Rocky, when will she be here?”
“Ten days, Avatar.”
Addy smiled. “Excellent. I can hardly wait.”
“I am sure she will be delighted to make your acquaintance.”
Addy wasn’t so sure, but family was family.
Deahlia went to the admin office, and took a seat across from the administrator. Veera sat with Fixit on her shoulder, and she smiled. “Good news.”
“Yes?”
“Iratho is requesting that the teams be issued immediately. His guest is not a danger, and he wishes to start the process of inhabiting his world with animals and a population of talents from as many worlds as will offer them.”
Deahlia clapped her hands. “Excellent. When do I leave?”
“Your special allocation of freight is being loaded, and I just need you to take one thing with you.” Veera leaned down and picked up something from next to her feet.
The small grey-blue Yaluthu glared at Deahlia.
She held up her hands. “I don’t need one, and he doesn’t like me anyway.”
Veera stroked the little guy’s feathers. “No, he isn’t for you. He is for Iratho’s primary occupant.”
“Well, why does he keep coming up to me and pecking at me?” She had run across that little bastard before. He liked to jab her legs as if he was angry with her.
“Ah, as for that.” Veera smiled. “We understand his irritation now. You are almost his companion but not quite, and it irritates him.”