Center Worlds - Spark

TGX-2 in Tara Orbit -17 BA

“I’ll make sure she is well cared for, Ryo. You need not worry. You focus on repair and rebuilding. Aya will be as safe here as I am. She will not be harmed.” Tyo said as he held Ryo’s hand.

Ryo nodded as the travel bed with his young daughter slid by, escorted by two medics. “She is still under sedation. The Nanos are working on the injury. I’m sure the Palace doctors will bring her back, but I need her to be here. My Clanworld is in no shape to have her, and Desinlo is devastated, Tyo.”

The Emperor nodded. “I know, You have a Clan to rebuild, I have a Confederacy to run, and I have some dealings that need to be handled in regards to another Clan that has now fully overstepped the boundaries of appropriateness.”

“Tyo, just ... keep her safe. That is all I require.” Ryo said.

Tyo nodded and shook Ryo’s hand, then pulled his Cousin into a firm hug. “I feel for your loss, Ryo. Do not worry yourself over Aya anymore, she will be healed and will live here as long as you want her to. She will be safe in my home.”

Ryo went to the travel bed, picked up his daughter’s tiny hand and kissed it gently, then laid it across her small chest. “Sleep well, my child. Heal and rest, you will be safe.”

He watched as Tyo and the medics carefully loaded the bed onto a transport shuttle, and stayed as the shuttle lifted and slid out of the docking bay until it vanished into the midnight sky of stars.

Ryo turned, and as his crew discretely failed to notice, wiped a few stray tears from his eyes, then followed him back into the depths of the Battlecruiser as they prepared for the next fight.

Tyo sat in a chair as the shuttle began its descent, barely noticing the flare of atmosphere outside as the friction was vented to slow the descent. He was busy on the Comm.

“I need Doctor Solonae at the landing port. We have a critically injured child here who will need his immediate attention. I also need to meet with whoever is currently running the Lari’Sota, I need a consultation. Right now, I don’t care about the drought in Peradon. You get the regional governor to handle that for this moment. I have a higher priority.” He closed the Comm and looked at the sleeping face of the 4 cycle old child that Ryo had left in his care.

She was pretty, definitely a Camelin, and he knew that no matter what, she would survive and thrive with him. Ryo had always stood beside or behind him, ready to defend or give him a push in the right direction. This was the least Tyo could do to repay his Cousin.

The shuttle touched down at night, and as the ramp lowered, the head of the Palace Medical department, Doctor Solonae, walked on board with two of his nurses.

“Who is this we have here, my Lord?” He asked as he began to examine the young girl.

“Ayanaris Camelin, daughter of the Clan. She is the first-born daughter of Clan Camelin. Now going to live with us for her protection.” Tyo replied. “You will heal her, Doctor. No exceptions.”

The doctor looked at Tyo and replied gruffly. “You do not tell me my duty, Lord Emperor. I helped to birth you, and I buried your father. My loyalty is not in question. You give me a patient, I heal that patient.”

Tyo nodded, “Yes, Doctor. Just, she is special to me, and to her father. Take care of her.”

Doctor Solonae nodded. “She will have the best of care, the very best. Come now, we must get her into my medical so we can see what must be done.”

The medics slid the bed down the ramp and down into the waiting flitter that would take it to the extensive medical facility attached to the Palace. The doctor bid Tyo fare well and stepped into the flitter. Tyo stood as it lifted and flew off, taking young Aya to one of the best care facilities in the entire Confederacy.

He turned and gathered his robes around him in the chill night air, then began to walk towards the palace, about a hundred mets off. As he approached, noting the guards conspicuously near, but allowing him his privacy, an older woman came up to him.

“My Lord, you called for us?” She said with a slight curtsy.

“You are?” He asked, not recognizing her.

“I am Syacari, regent of the Lari’Sota. I was told you requested my presence, My Lord.”

Tyo stopped and looked her over, then “Walk with me, Lari’Sota.”

She fell into step beside him as he walked into the palace itself. “We have a new guest with us, the daughter of Clan Camelin. First-born. She is only just four cycles old. She has no idea of palace life or any life outside of her mother. That woman has gone to Pangea. Ayanaris is alone now. Her father, Ryo Camelin is off fighting a Clan war. She has no family, no companions, and will be alone here. She will need people around her. I want you to see who can be arranged to be with her at all times to make her feel as comfortable as possible.”

Syacari walked in silent thought for a moment. “The Lari’Sota are an ancient guild, My Lord. Established thousands of cycles ago by the elders to help maintain peace and serenity at the palace itself. I will assign two of my girls to assist. I have an orphan daughter, Kyasarin, from Clan Desinlo, who was given to our care almost a cycle past. She is five cycles in age. A good match to be a companion to the young Lady, and she can grow with her. I will also assign Mistress Tya to their care and comfort. She is properly of age and can ensure the Lady receives the proper training and education to live in the palace and not be a burden to you or the other staff.”

“A burden? Aya could never be a burden to me, Regent Syacari. Do not presume that I am attempting to shuffle her off to a dark corner. She will be in my presence more often than not.” Tyo stated, looking at the older woman evenly.

“No disrespect was meant, my Lord. If the young Lady does not know how to act in court, she may find some of our activities uncomfortable or distressing. She must learn how to act so that she can survive and thrive here.” Syacari replied.

Tyo came to the door to his chambers. He held out his hand, and Syacari took it. He then bowed to her. “Thank you, Regent. Take care of Lady Aya and keep me advised of any progress or changes. You will find her with Doctor Solonae at this time.”

Syacari nodded and turned to leave as Tyo entered his chambers to get some rest.

The next morning, Syacari was at the Medical Center waiting as the Doctor finished his examination of the still-sedated child. She stood as Doctor Solonae came to her with a viewpad showing his report.

“Have you been given responsibility for the young Lady?” He asked.

“Yes, Doctor. The Lord Emperor has placed her in my immediate care for her recuperation.” Syacari replied.

“She has a severe spinal injury. No nerve damage luckily, but many shattered and broken vertebrae. Her spine has been partially fused and will not grow properly.” The Doctor explained as he looked at the report.

“What does that mean for her?” Syacari asked.

“Unless we make adjustments, she will be severely stunted or may have a severe spinal deformity. We will have to do several nano treatments during her growth spurts to enable her spine to repair itself. However, the best treatment is to reduce her natural growth hormone to ensure her body grows at a controlled rate so we can adjust her spine properly.” Doctor Solonae explained.

Syacari pursed her lips. “So if you reduce the growth hormone, she will grow slower, and will not reach her normal height. But will she be properly formed?”

The Doctor nodded slowly. “She will be as perfect as her parents produced, just smaller than expected. I will ensure she develops properly. As you are the responsible one, you must authorize me.”

Syacari reached for the Pad and thumb-signed it, giving her approval. “Do what is needed, Doctor. We need this girl healthy and whole.”

Little Aya slowly woke up. Feeling some stiffness in her back, she looked around, everything was different and strange. This was not home. It didn’t smell or sound like home. She began to cry.

Immediately she was gently pulled to a warm breast and held by a warm and comforting woman. Not her mother, but still a very comforting feeling. She relaxed as she felt comfort and safety radiating from the woman, then looked up into deep purple eyes.

“Who are you?” She asked as she was gently rocked.

“My name is Tya, I am here for you, my little Lady. Your Father wanted me to keep you safe.” Came the soft almost sing-song response from the warm woman who cuddled her tightly and soothed her with a gentle rocking motion.

“Where is my mother? Where is Father?” Aya asked.

“They are not here, my little Lady. You are safe, your parents are off doing their duty. You will remain here with me. This is now your duty to your Clan. Do you know of your Clan duty?”

Aya nodded, chin trembling, but remembering lessons about Clan Duty and Responsibility that she had begun to learn before ... whatever happened.

She began to cry and was again cuddled strongly to Tya’s chest so that she snuggled against the warm breasts and rested, feeling safe. She clutched at Tya’s breast, and the woman undid her top so Aya could reach the nipple. The child nursed, swallowing Mother’s Milk, and felt warm, comforted, and safe.

She woke up later, and things were different. She was in a warm room, full of different things, and wide windows that looked upon a deep blue ocean that had sea birds flying and she could feel a warm salty breeze blowing softly against her.

Tya was sitting on the bed beside her and took Aya’s little hand. “Good morning, my little Lady. Do you feel rested?”

“I think so. I don’t hurt on my back anymore.” Aya replied.

“Can you get up?” Tya asked her gently. Aya got to her feet and wobbled a bit, but then walked around as Tya got up and took her by the hand. “Come, little Lady, I have somebody for you to meet.”

Aya walked with Tya to the door and walked with her out onto a large deck where she saw another little girl sitting, facing the ocean, her wheat-colored hair flying in the wind.

She turned as they approached and got to her feet. Aya saw that she was about the same height, and she walked over to them. “Hi, I’m Kya.”

Aya let go of Tya’s hand and curtseyed as she had been taught. “My name is Aya, nice to meet you.” then she smiled, and the other girl giggled.

Tya sat on the couch and watched the two girls slowly getting to know each other. After the space of less than an hour, they were fast friends. By the end of the day, they were inseparable, and this was as it was going to be. Tya let Regent Syacari know that Lady Aya had found her friend and it was good.

“Come on sleepyheads, it’s time to wake up.” Came the singsong voice that both girls thought of as mother. The two young women woke up from where they had been cuddled together in the huge fluffy bed and got groggily to their feet.

Aya looked up at Kya and frowned. “It’s not fair, you’re getting taller again.” She pouted.

Kya giggled and tousled her friends’ hair, then dodged as Aya took a half-hearted swing at her. “You may be smaller than me, Lady Aya, but you are tougher!” she teased, then they both tumbled over as Aya tackled her and they wrestled on the bed for a few moments before Tya came back in and with a gentle but firm swat to both little bottoms, got the two young girls out of the bed and off to the bathing pool.

Later that day they were sitting as Doctor Solonae paid his first home visit to them. Aya was nervous as he stood her on a stool and had her disrobe, then very carefully examined her, all over. Tya stayed with her, and she could also see Kya sitting there, so she was not alone, but it was strange to have the Doctor looking her over like she was a piece of machinery.

“You are growing quite properly, my dear. Have you any pain here, or here?” He asked as his large but gentle fingers poked into her back and shoulders.

Aya shook her head. “That doesn’t hurt, it kind of tickles though.” She half-whispered.

The doctor looked at her with his very shaggy eyebrows, she looked back at him, unsure of what to do, and then his eyes crinkled up and he laughed, a great big belly laugh that made her feel a lot better, as he gathered her into his arms for a big hug before handing her back to Tya’s arms to help her slip back into her robes.

“Doctor, can I ask a question?” Aya said after she had wrapped herself up in her robe and felt more comfortable.

“For you, little Lady Aya can ask me anything.” Came the rumbling reply.

“Why am I smaller than Kya?”

The Doctor looked at Tya, then knelt to take Aya’s hands in his.

“Do you remember when you came to me, Lady Aya?”

She nodded, it was a sad time, but she did sort of remember the last flight, falling in the air, and the pain in her back, then waking up to know that Mother was gone.

“That injury you got has prevented your body from growing big. We have worked our doctor skills to ensure you will be healthy, my Lady. But you will not be a big girl. You are a small but very strong girl.” He explained.

“I’m not going to grow tall, like Kya or mistress Tya?” Aya asked, tears brimming.

The Doctor pulled her into another big comforting hug. “You will not be as tall as other girls may become, Lady Aya. But you will be good. Healthy in every way. Just, as they say, petite. Small, but strong.”