“Continue to acknowledge that I am a person and not a puppet, and you will be there soon.I treat you like a person with needs, wants, and requirements, so I am leading by example.”
Orex smiled.“It is a good idea.I was so stunned and slow by the time I was inside you, I am amazed you could manage things.”
She felt her cheeks heat.“You seem to be smartening up quickly.”
He was smug.“I do, don’t I?I am very pleased with this contract.”
She snorted, and they checked in and entered the hall to the Aten vessel that would take them to the surface.
The shuttle was waiting, their seats were ready, and Orex made sure that she was settled before he got into the Hmrain-shaped seat.She clenched her hands together as the ship got clearance, and then they fell away from the station.She exhaled slowly and could hear the communication from the planet as they flew down a corridor selected for safety.The entry into the atmosphere was turbulent, but each minute brought her closer to her child.
When they evened out for landing, she began to shake.By the time they settled in the landing zone, she was shaking.
Orex got up and unbuckled her harness, lifting her and holding her to him while she tried to get herself under control.He rubbed her back.“Easy.She will want to see you as you were.”
“I was filthy and carved up.”
He sighed.“She will want to remember you at your best.”
She giggled.“Better.”
She looked up at him, and he kissed her forehead.
“I will be flying us to the pyramid so that we can show our respects to Ra and Harwin.”
“Right.Okay.”
He slipped the bag that he carried over one shoulder and walked her to the door of the shuttle.When they were there, the door opened, and it was like someone had opened an oven.
“Holy balls!”She gasped.“Who opened the oven?”
He chuckled and said, “You will be less environmentally sensitive with time.”
He lifted her in his arms, stepped forward, and launched skyward.Once he was higher, the air was cooler.
Zelda looked around and saw sand, greenery, distant cities, and, when she turned her head, a giant pyramid.Orex flew toward the pyramid and landed neatly on the steps.A huge, gold Hmrain was standing there, smiling.“Orex, you are looking well.”
Orex slid her to her feet and smiled.“Honoured Ra, thank you for welcoming my consort Zelda and myself.”
Ra smiled.“Consort Zelda, thank you for taking action.It was just the thing to shove Orex into action.How were the raiders?”
“Can any species breathe in space?”
Ra paused.“Not here.”
“Then, they aren’t doing well.”She smiled and inclined her head.
He laughed.“You Children of Geb have come far.Harwin can kill kilometres away now.”
“Is she nearby?”Zelda asked.
“She is having her afternoon nap.The baby is heavy and demands that she sleep.”
Orex spoke, “Honourable Ra, has the sleep chamber with her daughter arrived?”
Ra smiled.“It has.It is waiting on level five.A bot will take you there.”
Orex said, “I would like to accompany her, if I may.I have not been an adoptive father before and wish to be nearby when they greet each other.”