Disclaimer #1: This is a futuristic Uber-Xena work of romantic fiction. The characters of Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny, Iolaus, Solari and, oh yes, Argo, belong to MCA/Universal, and are used without intent for commercial profits. Author's copyright does not extend to said characters. The author retains all rights automatically attached to the creation of this work and to the independently created characters. In other words, they're all MINE!
Disclaimer #2: This story depicts a love/sexual relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live, please do not read it. There are references to the thoughts of a child molester necessary to plot development, however no graphic depictions are portrayed.
Disclaimer #3: Apologies and acknowledgment to Gene Roddenberry for the unauthorized loan of food replicators and holo suites. I found them to be rather useful home appliances. To get yours today, call Ronco at 1-888-555-1212.
Also many thanks to my beta reader, Benet, who tactfully smoothed out all the rough edges.
Special thanks to Barbara Maclay and Miguel Cura for their dramatic renderings of Commander Xandra Lawless and Dr. Brie O'Conner. Their artwork has been inserted into the text of the tale where appropriate. Be sure to visit Barbara's Home Page at http://geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow/2591/graphics/, and Miguel's Home Page, GabWhacked for other great Xena artwork.
I welcome all constructive feedback, all bigots will be sent to the great recycle bin in the sky.
Part 2
Brie awoke before the designated hour, filled with excitement that today was the day. Today they would be taking the shuttle to Alpha Station which orbited the moon. The Amphipolis Expedition Colonial class starcruiser Artemis was docked at Alpha Station, waiting for her passengers. As Brie lay in bed, waiting for 0500 hours, she reflected on all that she had learned in the last four weeks.
As Commander Lawless had warned, the morning after the reception had been busy indeed. She had met with an expedition counselor who outlined her training and reviewed with her the philosophy and goals of the Expedition founder's. It was then that she had discovered that the Expedition had been financed primarily by Commander Lawless herself, along with contributions from organizations such as Green Peace, The National Wildlife Federation and The Audubon Society. Not only would the Artemis be taking human colonists, but she would also carry pairs of endangered species to the new world - an ark for the 22nd century.
Brie had met some of the botanists in her survival classes. They chattered excitedly about all manner of vegetation that they had been allowed to include in their cargo manifest. They would take everything necessary to construct a complete hydroponic garden to get the colony on its feet in the beginning, as well as what they would need to genetically adapt imported species to their new environment.
In her biology and zoology classes, Brie learned that their new home was ecologically similar to Earth in the later part of the last millennium, before the industrial revolution began to ravage the planet. The colonists believed that many of the native flora and fauna would thrive side by side with the plants and animals preserved from Earth.
Meteorology taught her about the seasons and weather patterns of their new M class planet. She discovered that the gravity was slightly less than on Earth, and that temperatures were warmer toward the planet's poles than Earthers were accustomed to. It all sounded wonderful to Brie who never minded weighing less or being warmer.
Most fascinating to her, however, were the classes explaining the political system, laws and social structure that would be the starting point for the colony. All of the colonists had agreed to abide by this justice system until they elected a council to take over the task of developing a new society. In essence, a military government would prevail during the initial colonization phase until basic human and animal needs such as food and shelter were assured. Tracking this process would be her most important task as the Expedition's historical archivist.
Of course, her first job would be to serve as Chief Medical Officer during their journey through the stars. As senior physician and empathic healer, she had been the logical choice for the position. During the last three years, Brie had often served as Chief Physician for the ground crews of the many colonial expeditions she had applied to. Many of these privately-funded groups would rely on the free labor of their applicants while they were waiting for the decision of the selection committees. Additionally, her remarkable qualifying scores had marked her as a senior officer for both the journey and the initial colonization period. After that, she anticipating withdrawing from public position and serving as the observer and recorder.
The most remarkable thing she discovered was that the Expedition had invested in some very expensive DNA extraction technology that, combined with artificial insemination equipment, would allow same-sex partners to have children together. This was an integral part of the future as it allowed for a vastness of their genetic pool that would otherwise not be possible. Each woman with child-bearing capabilities had agreed to bear three children. For the first, the genetic committee would select the most promising DNA combinations. The second would be by the mother's own selection, while the third would be a genetic mixture of a male pairbond, with the mother acting as surrogate only probably to be a favored "Aunt" to the child. Any children born after these obligations were of the mother's own choice.
Brie was delighted to learn that pair bonding in her new home could include any combination of people. Although she couldn't imagine wanting to be in a group marriage, she could understand that others might. What excited Brie was the possibility of finding another woman to share her life. To be honest, she had to admit to herself that she already had someone in mind. But in the flurry of activity over the last four weeks, she had seen the Commander only in passing and was beginning to wonder if she had imagined the whole thing.
Her room monitor began to play the soothing music that Brie had selected for this morning's wake up. She usually had to have something shocking, like an audio 2 x 4, to wake her, but today was different. Today she would leave Earth, and for better or worse she would never return.
Brie wondered what was going through the minds of the other colonists this morning. Amazingly, she had made some friends over the last few weeks. Though the whirlwind training left little time for socializing, a sense of camaraderie had emerged with a life of its own. They had been entrusted with the future of a civilization and took that responsibility seriously.
These were the people she would be living and working with for the rest of her life...thank god they also had a sense of humor.
As part of the senior staff, Brie became close with the woman who first led her to meet Commander Lawless the lovely Lt. Commander Stephanie Hunter. Steph was more than just a beautiful woman. She was intelligent, with a sharp wit that made her popular among all the colonists. She was an exemplary military tactician and was almost unbeatable in hand-to-hand and close-range weapons. Her survival and hunting skills were reminiscent of a much earlier time in Earth's history. These qualities made her the logical choice for the Expedition's second in command. Brie continued to think of her new friend as she rose and headed for the ion shower. Stephanie had been showing subtle signs of interest in Brie during these last weeks. Although Brie thought Steph a lovely woman, she couldn't get her mind off Xandra Lawless. When Stephanie sweetly kissed her one evening at her door, Brie had sadly confessed her infatuation with the Commander. Instead of Stephanie laughing at her as Brie expected, her new friend held her while she cried in her confusion, gently brushing
her tears away and promising to be her friend no matter what. Brie realized then that she had never had this kind of friend before in her life.
Before she knew it, Brie was dressed in her blue travel uniform, her skill badges now joined by her badge of rank as Chief Medical Officer. She was proud to be part of the senior staff, even though they all would be in cryosleep for most of the journey. Her position had required that she oversee the medical evaluations of all of the colonists during the training period. Everyone was slowly being prepared physically for the long years in cryosleep. Body weights had to be reduced, immune systems enhanced. They had all been quarantined in the compound since they had been accepted and had been scanned periodically for any viral or bacterial organisms that could cause problems on the journey. The colonists would even be transported to today's destination in a sterile shuttle.
All the same, something may have slipped through, and if it did, Brie would be awakened to deal with the situation. Actually, the first person to be awakened in any emergency was the Commander. She would be the one to decide if waking Brie was necessary.
At exactly 0545 hours Brie left her quarters for the last time and made her way to the cargo bays of the vast compound. She would leave on the last transport, along with the Commander and the other senior officers. They would be the last to board the starcruiser that would take them light years from the planet of their birth. They would oversee the cryosleep process, then, finally, join the other colonists in the long night.
Their animal passengers had been transported and cryosleep-induced over the past few days. All cargo, equipment and botanical specimens had been loaded and secured for the journey. Their navigational computer had been programmed for their destination. All emergency systems had been tested and re-tested, leaving no margin for error.
Each colonist had been allowed 10 kilos of personal effects, increasing the starcruiser's payload by less than 3,000 kg. For the last week, everyone had been obsessed with choosing what they would take and what they would leave behind.
Brie had no problems since her personal effects consisted only of some photographs and holo image discs, the gown and sandals she had worn for the reception, her mother's perfume and the journal she had begun when she joined the expedition. Her last entry had been last night, just before she sealed her allotment for transport. The next time she wrote in the journal would be in fifty years. She wore her mother's charm suspended from the chain Xandra had given her, the Chakram concealed beneath the high collar of her uniform. Those two items would join her in her cryosleep chamber.
Brie had used the remainder of her 10-kilo allotment for a small stuffed sheep belonging to a five-year-old girl who looked remarkably like her younger sister Lily when she had been that age. The child had been crying inconsolably the afternoon before as her mother tried to explain to her why her "lamby" couldn't go with them to their new home. The child's forlorn tears pulled hard on Brie's heartstrings, and knowing that she had some space left, she offered to pack the little sheep in her own belongings. Both mother and child were immensely grateful. The child ended their conversation by hugging her and telling her "lamby" to go with "Auntie Brie."
If all went as planned, they would be asleep just over fifty years, but would awake as if it were the next day. There had been some early failures in cryosleep systems, but with all the colonization in the wake of a dying Earth, the more recent systems were virtually infallible. It seemed that the Amphipolis Expedition had very deep pockets since their cryosleep systems were state-of-the-art, just like all their other equipment. The risks of cryosleep reduced to almost nil, the colonists would be able to concentrate on their future.
All that could be done from this end to ensure the colonists' success had been done. The dangers they faced were almost exclusively those that they would encounter upon reaching their destination. Since their survey information was limited to what they had been able to learn from a deep space probe, they were much like the pioneers who settled the North American continent in the 17th and 18th centuries. The dangers they would all face would be remarkable similar, including the possibility of encountering pirates.
The space pirate phenomenon was a recent development, brought about by the desperation of a race trying to escape the dead planet that Earth was destined to become. These were people without the skills or resources to either launch their own colonies or land a coveted position in a privately-funded one. They took smaller, well-armed ships and headed for destinations they knew to be earmarked for colonization where they waited for the initial hard work to be done. Then they descended upon the established colonies and used their armaments to take over the fledgling governments, plunging these colonies into chaos. For the Amphipolis Expedition, the presence of so many military personnel in their party gave them an advantage over the pirates one not shared by many other colonial groups.
Arriving at her destination, Brie stepped into the cargo bay and was immediately taken with the size of the transport boarding the senior officers. This ship was large, but she knew the starcruiser awaiting them at Alpha Station would make this vehicle look like a Volkswagen Bug. She paused for a moment, then moved toward the ramp leading to the shuttle. Choosing a window seat toward the back of the cabin, Brie settled in and fastened her safety harness. Leaning back in her seat, she watched as other senior officers boarded the shuttle.
Already seated a few rows in front of Brie was Major Arthur Hill. The same young man she had met during her field test was the Expedition's Chief Engineer. If anything was broken, Arthur could fix it. He even rigged the replicator in her room to dispense cappuccino after they had a friendly debate over where to get the best cappuccino in San Francisco. Brie smiled as she remembered how secretive he was about the whole thing. She knew he wasn't supposed to be wasting their resources that way, but was appreciative just the same.
Next on board was Lt. Sara Laurence, Chief Nursing Officer. Sara had administered her initial physical testing and had become a friend over the last few weeks. Brie had discovered that she and Sara shared not only their medical calling, but also a love of reading. They had spent many hours deciding which of the classics to include in their allotted net spaces, so they would not duplicate their efforts. Together they had chosen the finest literature and philosophy Earth had to offer. Brie planned to begin transcribing these works of literature as soon as they reached their destination. They both realized what a monumental undertaking this would be and with Sara's help, they just might get them all transcribed before their computer equipment failed in say...sixty years.
Brie closed her eyes and silently said good-bye to her family. She knew that her parents, especially her father would be proud of her. She had finally accomplished her goal. By the time the colonists arrived at their new home in fifty years, Earth's ecosystem would have completely collapsed. Without serious genetic adaptation, the human race would soon cease to exist. In her mind she promised her family that she would do everything in her power to ensure that these colonists would take better care of their new world than they had the old one.
Brie felt a subtle change in air currents and sensed the heat of another body beside her. Opening her eyes, she was surprised to find that Commander Lawless had chosen the seat next to her. Xandra cheerfully smiled at Brie as she settled in, stretching her long legs into the aisle as she fastened the safety harness across her broad shoulders and narrow waist.
"Good morning Doctor," Xandra greeted the young woman beside her. "Ready to go?"
Brie answered quietly, looking out the window to her left, "I've been ready to go for the last three years Commander."
Xandra had observed many reactions to the final departure this morning, ranging from manic excitement to depressive sorrow. Each of the colonists was an individual, leaving unique situations. Some, like Brie and Xandra, were alone in the world, with nothing to hold them back. Others left behind friends and family that they would never see again. In a way, they were already mourning the deaths of their loved ones. When the colonists awakened to their new home, all they loved here on Earth would be dead.
Xandra herself had no one to mourn. Her family had long since succumbed to the many plagues and natural disasters that ravaged her home just outside Los Angeles. Her parents had been killed in the big quake in '78, twenty years ago. Xandra had been thirteen at the time and had escaped with her younger brother Louis. Sometimes Xandra could still hear the deafening sound of the earth beneath her feet protesting the energy that forced it to give way. After their parents' death, Xandra's older brother Thomas had come home to see to the family fortune. As sole heirs to a multi-billion dollar hotel chain, they were very wealthy children. Descended from tavern keepers, who would have thought it?
Thomas, his wife and their three children died in the plague in '85. Again Xandra and Louis escaped with their lives. Xandra, now twenty and an adult, was able to obtain an appointment to West Point. Upon graduation, she served her country as a covert intelligence operative for nearly five years. During that time, she was slowly liquidating all her assets and funding her dream. This colonial expedition was to be Xandra and Louis' final escape.
Unknown to Xandra, while various steamy jungles and barren deserts throughout the world kept her occupied, Louis contracted one of the deadliest AIDS virus mutations yet encountered. Louis never told her about his illness until he became unable to continue planning the expedition. When Xandra was called home to help Louis in his last days, she asked for and received a hardship discharge and never returned to service.
Now that Louis was gone, there was no one with whom to share the joy of success. Xandra sat deep in thought as she felt the shuttle begin its final pass at the runway. She looked around her at the members of her senior staff. She had chosen these people carefully over the last four years and trusted each one implicitly. Oddly, she found that she felt no other connection to any of them, with the exception of the petite doctor seated next to her.
She had been giving this a lot of thought in the four weeks since the extraordinary young woman had walked into her office. Brie intrigued her at the time and had only become an increasingly inviting mystery since then. Seemingly guileless, Brie had wormed her way into the hearts of Xandra's most trusted officers. They had come to depend on her to do her part and even to give wise counsel. She worked tirelessly at her studies while taking full responsibility for all medical preparations still undone. Most everything had been in place when Brie joined their team, but her fresh perspective gave them an added advantage in their last days of preparation. Xandra had been exceedingly amused to learn that Art 'By-the-book' Hill had broken the rules so that this delightful young woman could have a morning cappuccino. She had also noted that the doctor, mindful of expedition resources, only used the privilege on two occasions, both when Art had been present.
Xandra's days and nights had been consumed with last minutes details, but that hadn't stopped her from observing this woman's total acceptance into the inner circle of the expedition. She suspected that Brie would eventually become a valued leader in the colonial structure. Her genuine concern for others and her absolute honesty made everyone want to be her friend. Most remarkably, the doctor had no idea of her effect on others, especially Xandra.
For the first time in the years since Louis' death, she was considering allowing someone to come close to her. Her innate fear of losing those she loved was releasing its hold on her heart. All of the qualities that made Brie a wonderful friend would make her an unmatched partner. Xandra came to a decision just as the shuttle was preparing to dock with the Artemis.
Turning to Brie, Xandra smiled and asked, "Doctor, would you care to have dinner in my quarters tomorrow evening?"
Brie responded playfully, knowing that tomorrow evening was fifty years away, "Why Commander, I'd be delighted."
Giant doors opened into the vast shuttle bay of the Artemis. This bay was designed to accommodate five shuttles just like the one that held the senior officers. Xandra's command shuttle was called the Argo, most assumed after Jason's ship in Greek mythology. Only Xandra knew that the Argo this ship had been named for was an enormous affectionate tabby cat that been her companion in the years after her parents' death. She really missed Argo. He had been a comfort to her during a painful time in her life. She was pleased that she had been able to find several pairs of unaltered cats for the colony. They would be helpful with pest-control...not to mention keeping Xandra company as spoiled, well-fed house cats.
The other four ships were truly named for Greek mythological beings; the Persephone, the Psyche, the Athena, and the Aphrodite. All five of the shuttles would be responsible for the transport of passengers, animals, equipment and supplies to the surface of the planet. The Artemis, however, would remain in orbit around their new home, acting as a satellite and weather station for the colony. Access to the armed starcruiser in the early years on the planet would ensure their protection from pirates so long as at least one shuttle remained in good repair. With luck that would be many years down the road and the colonial government firmly established by then.
Most ships designed for light speed colonization missions were so prohibitively expensive that they were rarely equipped with any kind of weapons systems, leaving the new colonists helpless to repel any attack from someone who just might want their planet. Reachable class M planets didn't grow on trees and it took a lot of money to get a colonial charter. Only the creme de la creme of the human race was going to survive, but that unfortunately included the most clever and resourceful criminals.
Xandra had spared no expense to ensure the success of this colony. Her endless resources would be of no further value to her at the end of this day. This ship was the best to be had, more heavily armed than most of the colonists knew. The cryosleep chambers were the finest ever made, and several extra chambers were available in case of a malfunction. The navigational computers were virtually infallible, designed with artificial intelligence. They were able to constantly correct the ship's trajectory by observing and anticipating necessary changes in their flight path. Every piece of equipment and all of their supplies were of the best quality. And their colonial roster was envied by anyone involved in colonization efforts.
The results of Louis' brilliant management of the project continued to astound Xandra. The only asset she could take credit for was her selection of the colonists. There was no selection committee, the Commander was the committee. She had hand picked each and every one of these people. She had even interviewed their children both alone and with their parents, observed the interaction of families and pair bonded couples applying for the expedition. How they treated each other was a significant factor in Xandra's selection process.
The Argo came to rest on the only vacant shuttle pad in the bay. The Commander unfastened her harness and stepped to the front of the ship, intending to lead the way. Stephanie was at her back in an instant and the rest of the entourage followed their leader down the ramp and fell into their natural command positions as they stepped into the pad. An initial evaluation satisfied Xandra that all was going well.
Brie barely had time to adjust to the low level lighting in the bay before she was approached by the cryosleep team leader with a progress report. All colonists were on board and about half of the children were already safe in their cryosleep chambers. Brie had advised the team leaders that they should make sure that all parents were present when their children were placed in the chambers. She hoped that this would relieve the anxieties and fears of both children and parents. Parents had been advised that they should treat this as if they were tucking their children into bed for a normal night's rest. Apparently it was working, since so far there had been no emotional scenes.
The cryosleep team estimated that all but the senior officers would be asleep before the end of the day. The command staff would remain awake for their departure from Alpha Station and the initial jump to light speed. Stephanie would be piloting the Artemis as she left space dock until the starcruiser had successfully navigated their home system. Colonist class starcruisers were so large that it could be dangerous to go to light speed within the solar system. Sometime around midnight they expected to engage the autopilot and have the command staff safely secured in their cryosleep chambers. Brie would be the last to sleep as she would act as the cryosleep technician for the senior officers and the Commander.
Actually, Brie was free to observe the activity aboard the starcruiser from the bridge over the next few hours. She wouldn't have anything to do until it was time to induce cold sleep for the command staff. What really excited her was that she would be able to remain awake for the short flight through their system and the jump to light speed. She had been told by others that it was a spectacular experience.
The hours flew by as Brie sat and watched Xandra take command. Her officers seemed to anticipate her needs and offered information and answers before she could even ask the questions. Before Brie knew it, the cryosleep team leader was reporting that all colonists had been secured and the team ready to return to Alpha Station.
Xandra took her place on the command deck and motioned for Stephanie to disengage the Artemis from space dock. View screens afforded the officers a spectacular view of the silver hued moon behind Alpha Station as the Artemis swung away from the space station and moved forward into space. As the starcruiser accelerated to impulse speed, and moved through the outer planets of the system, Brie was almost breathless at the vastness of space ahead of them. For a few moments she felt very small indeed.
Over the next few hours the flight officers ran diagnostics on all essential systems. This would be the last time they could make necessary adjustments for a long time. Those not involved in the process watched their passage through the system in wonder, sometimes speaking to each other in hushed, almost reverent tones. Most of them had not been in space before, those who had previous experience on any military or commercial vessel were all involved in pre-jump systems checks.
At last the Artemis cleared Pluto's orbit and entered what was considered to be free space, not owned or regulated by any entity. Now they were ready to accelerate to light speed. The Colonial class starcruiser was able to make the jump while still maintaining artificial gravity inside the ship, so there was no need for anyone awake to do much more than sit down in preparation. Xandra, who had been pacing the command deck the last few minutes, speaking with her flight officers along the way, took her seat.
"Prepare for light speed," Xandra spoke directly to Stephanie.
Stephanie cast a look at everyone on the command deck to see if all were seated. "Ready whenever you are Commander," she responded.
"Jump."
As Stephanie's fingers flew over the control panel at her station, Brie felt a subtle change in the vibration of the ship's engines. Although the artificial gravity buffered any g-force effects from the rapid acceleration of the Artemis, Brie imagined she was being pulled backward in her seat. She stared at the view screens in amazement as the stars seemed to burst into flaming streaks all around them. In those few seconds before all went black, Brie thought she had never seen anything so bright and beautiful.
Abruptly it was all gone. The view screens showed a black expanse in front of them with only fleeting sparks of stars at the fringes. The jump had been made.
Now it was time for Brie to go to work. She approached the Commander who directed her to leave the bridge with non-flight personnel and begin their cryosleep procedures. The flight officers and the Commander would join them as soon as the auto pilot had been engaged.
Brie began to shepherd the senior officers to their various locations throughout the ship and secured each one in their designated cryo chambers. Scattering key people throughout the ship would likely prevent all of them from being lost in the case of an in-flight collision and resulting hull damage. With the 'smart' navigational computers on board, this was unlikely to happen. Nevertheless, they followed the procedure.
A few minutes after Brie had sealed the last chamber, the Commander and the remaining flight officers joined her. Only Major Art Hill, Lt. Commander Stephanie Hunter, Commander Lawless and Brie herself stayed awake as the remaining flight crew entered cryosleep. Hill and Hunter were secured in separate locations, but the Commander and Brie were to sleep side by side in the ship's med lab. If there were any emergency during the journey, the Commander would be the first to awaken. Depending on the nature and severity of the emergency, Xandra would decide if waking the ship's doctor would be necessary.
Brie looked into Xandra's blue eyes and saw something she couldn't identify. It almost appeared as if the Commander's eyes were wet. Brie decided that she could think about that one as she fell slowly into the depths of sleep.
Brie smiled at Xandra and asked, "Ready Commander?"
Xandra gazed at her oddly as she climbed into her cryo chamber and answered, "Doctor, I've been ready for the last three years."
Wondering at the Commander's uncharacteristic flash of vulnerability, Brie began the process to seal the chamber, and looking down said, "Good night Commander." As she walked to the next chamber and climbed into it herself, setting the controls from the inside she whispered, "See you in the morning Xandra."
Xandra awoke to the insistent sound of an alarm and lights flashing in front of her closed eyes. It took a few seconds for her to register where she was. As the chamber opened automatically, she tried to sit up quickly and was immediately overcome with a wave of dizziness. Taking a few deep breaths, she tried again more slowly and was able to swing her legs out of the cryo chamber. Disoriented, Xandra looked around her for the source of the alarm, her eyes coming to rest on the med lab's main computer screen. Blinking her eyes to restore some moisture, she struggled to focus on the monitor.
Stumbling closer to the screen, Xandra was finally able to read the message. The seals on one of the cryo chambers in the children's section had failed. The child was in critical condition from the rapid change in temperature that had not allowed her body to return to its normal state over the hours normally required to awaken sleepers. Already Xandra could see that this one was beyond her first aid skills. Supporting herself on the tables and consoles in the med lab she moved to activate the quick thaw function on the doctor's chamber. Only two of the chambers had been equipped with this very expensive feature designed to safely wake its occupant in one hour. Xandra had slept in one of these chambers and Brie in the other. This way the Commander and the Doctor could be awakened quickly and safely in the event of a strategic or medical emergency.
While she was waiting for Brie's chamber to complete the process and open, she requested a restorative drink from the med lab's replicator and sat at the nearest console to review all information on the endangered child. The data was precise but limited. The child, Amber Rose, was located in chamber number 187 in the 'nursery', just down the hall from med lab. She was listed as five years old, the only child of a single mother, Karyn Rose. Her condition was listed as critical, but the computer scans suggested that she could be saved -- if they got to her in time.
Xandra looked up from the screen, impatient for the doctor's chamber to open. She didn't like feeling helpless when someone was depending on her. She closed her eyes and recalled the faces of mother and child. With her photographic memory, she could recall the faces and names of each member of the expedition. The child was blonde and blue-eyed and her mother's green eyes had glowed with pride each time her daughter politely answered one of the Commanders questions.
Shaking the image from her mind, she consulted the ship's navigational computer for mission status. While she was waiting for Brie to awaken, Xandra discovered that they had been in their sleep chambers almost 45 years. They were on the correct flight path and, due to a few course corrections made by their 'smart' navigational system, they had actually shortened their anticipated flight time. All data suggested that they would reach the new system in just under three years, cutting their original trip time by about thirty-two months.
Xandra jumped in her seat at the sound of the seal on Brie's cryo chamber releasing. Rising from the console, she moved to the doctor's side and was gazing down at her when Brie opened her eyes. Smiling weakly up at Xandra she whispered, "Are we there yet?"
Xandra laughed and reached out to help the doctor sit up. Brie rested her palms on the edge of the chamber and leaned forward to stop the spinning in her head. Breathing deeply she opened her eyes to see Xandra walking toward her with something in her hand. Brie's sight was still a bit blurry as Xandra took her hands and wrapped them around a cup of warm liquid.
"Here, drink this." Xandra waited until the doctor had taken a few sips before adding, "We have a problem Doctor."
Brie had to clear her throat several times before speaking, her voice cracking on the first few tries, "What...um...what is wrong?"
"One of the children's sleep chambers failed. Looks like it happened about twelve hours ago. It took an hour to wake me and another hour to wake you, I don't know why it took the computer ten hours to decide that we were needed."
As Brie finished her drink and got her bearings, Xandra explained all she had learned from the cryo systems computer. Brie listened carefully and when the Commander was finished, she slowly rose and asked, "Do you think you can carry her here? I need to get her into stasis until I can get her metabolism under control. At this point I can barely carry myself."
Xandra nodded and together they left the med lab to get Amber Rose.
As they approached the failed chamber, Brie could see that the little girl was in shock. Her body was rigid with muscle spasms and was shivering violently. Xandra gently lifted the child from the chamber. Amber's skin was cold and damp. Her clothing was soaked through. Her small hands were tightened into fists, her elbows and knees locked into place. It was like carrying a board.
Xandra quickly returned to med lab, with Brie on her heels. The sight of the child's distress brought the young doctor to full consciousness faster than anything else could have. Brie recognized the little girl immediately as the same child whose stuffed lamb she had packed with her own things so long ago.
"Set her over there." Brie indicated the treatment table in the main medical bay. This station was usually reserved for severe injuries and surgical procedures, but she wanted full use of all diagnostic equipment and the stasis field that was only available at this location.
Xandra lay the child on the table and tried to make her comfortable, but her body was so rigid that it wasn't going to be possible. Brie stepped to the stasis console, her eyes moving quickly over the monitor as she absorbed the scan data flashing across the screen. She hesitated only a few seconds before programming the stasis field to enclose the little girl, giving her precious moments to figure out what to do next.
As soon as the field was in place, Amber seemed to relax, her shivering stopped. Her hands were still curled into fists, but her knees and elbows began to let go. Brie continued to read the data that was coming fast and furious. Every now and then, she paused the console display and made an adjustment to the treatment being administered by the stasis unit. Finally, she seemed satisfied with the settings and lowered herself into a seat to wait, her eyes only leaving the monitor occasionally to glance at her tiny patient.
Xandra, overcome by the effects of cryo sleep, leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. She trusted the doctor to do whatever could be done for the child and drifted into a light sleep.
Brie continued to monitor Amber over the next few hours. Her condition had stabilized, but was not improving. Brie sighed, knowing what she was going to have to do next. In peak condition, fully rested, empathic healing took its toll on the practitioner. In her present condition, Brie didn't know if she could even be effective, let alone finish what needed to be done before she collapsed. First she would need food and lots of it.
She stood staring at the replicator as she tried to remember what would give her the most energy in the shortest amount of time. Sugar, lots of sugar. Starting with a glass of citrus juice, she drank and decided on her next choice. Over the next half hour, Brie consumed three eggs, toast, pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream and two glasses of milk. Feeling more energized, she crossed the room and gently shook the Commander.
Xandra came awake immediately asking, "How is she?"
"Not good. I'm going to have to do this another way. I wanted you to be awake to monitor me." Brie answered as she placed several probes on her temples and her chest. "Just watch these readings, if any of them rise into the red, pull me away from her."
Brie wasted no time in releasing the child from the stasis field, placing one hand at her head and the other over her heart. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her mind went spinning away, down a dark path of cold, pain and fear. She was seeing what Amber saw and feeling what she felt. She had to concentrate not to lose herself in the fear it was so strong. Softly she called to the little girl's mind, "Amber, don't be afraid, its Auntie Brie. I've come to get you."
Amber seemed to relax as she recognized the voice of a friend in her mind. This was the nice lady who saved her "lamby."
Brie allowed her mind to find and stabilize each of the systems in the child's body. First she regulated her body temperature, then moved onto her heart, lungs and other vital organs, giving each the equivalent of a jump start. She worked continuously, visiting every effected area, scanning for internal damage and correcting anything she found. She progressed methodically, knowing intuitively where her help was needed next. Brie was a very strong healer and had often experienced the resentment of her instructors and peers at the results she was able to get. Under ordinary circumstances, this would be easy for her.
In her weakened state, Brie began feeling fatigue much sooner than she expected. Almost finished, she rushed through the rest of the child's systems so that she could pull out before she 'red lined'. If that happened, she knew that Xandra would physically pull her away. The resulting painful shock could kill her patient and possibly even do damage to Brie's own mind.
Xandra watched as the monitor showed all readings moving closer to the red line. She gazed at the empath at work before her, in awe that this woman could heal with her mind. She had seen this done before, and was always amazed. Of course, her total lack of any psychic ability made it even harder to fathom what these people were able to do. She had often referred to herself as 'psychically numb,' a comment that had always made Louis laugh and tell her that she just wasn't trying hard enough. Louis was convinced that she had some ability in her and that it was simply buried. Xandra hadn't had the heart to tell him that when she was tested by the military, she was ranked as having no talent at all.
The readings were almost in the red zone, when Brie pulled back into herself and released her hold on the patient. She looked up at Xandra blankly as she felt her body slide to the floor and darkness close around her.
Xandra flew to her side in a panic and lifted her onto one of the vacant tables. Not knowing what to do next, she quickly looked at the monitors and noticed that the readings were returning to the normal range. As she continued to watch the young woman, Brie's eyes fluttered open. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "Food...I need food."
Several high carb drinks later, Brie was once again able to sit up. She leaned against Xandra, who sat behind Brie on the table, supporting her. Even in her exhausted condition her first thoughts were of her small patient.
"Computer, patient status."
The disembodied voice of the med lab computer answered. "Damages to all systems have been repaired. Vital signs are strong. The patient is improving."
Brie, unable to keep her eyes open a minute longer, snuggled into the warm body wrapped around her and was asleep instantly. Xandra, feeling the body in her arms go limp, looked down at the young doctor. She felt a wave of relief as she realized that the doctor was merely asleep, not unconscious, as she had initially feared. Xandra lay back on the table with the young woman still wrapped securely in her arms and joined her in sleep.
Brie slept fitfully for several hours, rising every so often to check on her patient. Each time, when she returned to sleep, she would snuggle closer to Xandra's warm body.
Confident that the doctor would care for their small charge, Xandra slept soundly and awakened refreshed. Unused to sleeping with someone else, it took her a few moments to recall the circumstances that led to this enchanting creature lying in her arms. For a time, she just watched Brie sleep, her head resting on Xandra's shoulder, golden lashes fanning across ivory cheeks.
When Xandra's muscles began to tighten, she knew she needed to move. Reluctant to wake Brie, Xandra carefully slipped her arm free. She rose from their bed and made her way to the replicator, selecting a hot fragrant herbal brew. Sipping her drink, she sat at the computer station to check on Amber's progress. Satisfied that the child was steadily improving, she turned her attention to the woman still sleeping on the table across the room.
This woman continued to amaze her. So young and yet so sure of herself. In spite of her fatigue, the doctor had done everything she could to insure her patient's recovery. Although Xandra had no talent of her own, she had known a number of empathic talents. During her years with military intelligence, her primary contacts had often been empathic healers. This had been convenient since usually by the time Xandra reported in she was in need of some kind of medical attention.
Xandra knew the dedication that it took to do this kind of work, and rarely had she seen someone so selflessly put their own safety at risk to save another. Most of the empaths she had known would have refused to work with someone as far gone as the child had been, for fear of losing themselves in the process. Brie had known the risks, made even greater by her level of fatigue, but she hadn't even hesitated.
Still no closer to understanding the young doctor, Xandra decided that a light workout would do her good after years in cryogenic suspension. Checking the doctor and patient once more, Xandra made her way to a large room just down the corridor from the med lab. Though the room had been used as a lounge during the weeks of preparation, it had been cleared of all furnishings just prior to departure, leaving it a large open space.
Perfect. The room was just about the size she would need to execute the intricate drills that were part of her routine. She stripped off her uniform jacket and shoes. Clad only in her white tank shirt and closely fitting blue pants, she stretched her tight muscles before moving into the main part of her workout.
In the med lab, Brie woke again - this time, alone with her patient. For what seemed like the twentieth time in as many hours, Brie checked the little girl's progress and was relieved to discover that she was recovering rapidly enough to re-enter cryosleep in another 24 hours.
As she continued to read the computer evaluation of Amber's condition, her stomach began to protest her inattention to her own needs. Sighing, she moved to the replicator and making one selection after another, devoured enough food for three normal people. Brie's appetite had always been good, but it was particularly demanding after she had used her talent to help another.
Having quieted the ravenous beast in her belly, Brie decided to look for the Commander. She wandered down the corridor in search of her companion and stopped at a doorway on the left, drawn by the sounds of Xandra's sharp grunts. Curious, Brie leaned against the doorframe to watch, quickly enthralled by the sight of Xandra's powerful body moving through her routine.
The Commander moved with the speed and grace of a natural predator, the muscles in her back rippling with every movement. Brie found that she couldn't tear her eyes from the powerful woman, immediately recognizing the moves as some form of martial arts. She watched Xandra move through a series of kicks and punches that accentuated her perfect body. The routine left Xandra covered in a light sweat, her dampened her shirt drawing Brie's attention to the high rounded breasts and prominent nipples.
Aware she was being watched, Xandra finished her last drill. She turned to face the young doctor and was stunned at the desire she saw in Brie's eyes. The Commander's breathing increased, not from physical exertion, but from her own rising excitement. Quickly forcing herself to think clearly, Xandra decided that the question was no longer if, but when.
Concern evident in her voice, Xandra asked "How is Amber?" Her sense of responsibility for the child did not prevent her from noticing Brie's obvious interest.
The young woman shifted guiltily at having been caught staring when she should have been absorbed with her patient. Looking away, she missed the desire reflected in the Commander's eyes.
Quickly composing herself, she answered "She's getting better all the time. She should be able to return to cryosleep in about 24 hours."
Xandra's smile deepened as she contemplated how they might entertain themselves while they waited for the child to recover. Inwardly she chided herself for her sensual fantasies. This woman deserved a better courtship that she could offer during their short interlude from cryosleep. Nevertheless, she made a decision to pursue their relationship further once they had arrived at their destination. Right now she decided I need a cold shower.
"I'm going to clean up. This workout has me a little sticky." Xandra grinned at her unintentional double meaning. "Why don't you meet me on the bridge in say...an hour, and we'll run some systems checks while we wait."
Brie, grateful for the chance to escape before she revealed her own feelings, responded, "Sure, I could use a shower myself. I'll meet you there."
The two frustrated women left the room in different directions, Brie heading for the shower in the med lab and Xandra, to the shower in her ready room off the bridge. Over the next few hours, they worked, ate and slept, while barely managing to contain their feelings for each other.
Working together on the bridge, Brie found she was having difficulty keeping her eyes off the incredibly sensual woman. Xandra's very presence filled the young doctor's mind with erotic thoughts. Brie found herself wondering what it would be like to touch her...taste her. Her body responding to her thoughts, she felt a warm wetness gathering between her thighs.
The Commander was having an equally difficult time controlling her vivid imagination. She longed to know if Brie's breasts were as full and firm as they looked. She imagined the sweet taste of her and wondered how the young woman would look at the height of passion.
The hours passed slowly as they each struggled to control their desire. Brie returned to the bridge after checking Amber's condition once again and pronounced her ready for cryosleep. Together they placed the child into a backup chamber also located in the med lab and Xandra watched as Brie brushed a kiss on the child's soft baby cheek. The doctor initiated the cryosleep process and sat back to watch its completion. She wanted to monitor Amber's condition at least until the process was complete.
A few hours later, satisfied that the little girl was adapting to cryosleep comfortably, Brie indicated that the Commander should re-enter her own chamber. This time, Xandra paused before lying down. She reached out, pulling the young woman into her arms. Their lips met in a melting kiss that held sensual promise for the future.
"Remember, dinner at my place tomorrow." Xandra smiled and continued to hold Brie's eyes as she lay back and waited for the chamber door to close.
Turning toward her own chamber, Brie climbed in and activated the controls, smiling in anticipation as she joined the Commander in sleep.