***Destiney***

Destiney placed the baby in his bed. The Milisarian version of a crib was designed by technology taken from a conquered planet. It kept the child at the perfect body temperature for comfort and cocooned it in a way that imitated the mother's womb. A baby could stay happy there for hours, only crying out when hunger overcame them. The bed could be programmed to feed the baby as well, however, Destiney preferred the old-fashioned way of feeding her child. She still believed a mother's milk was best. Her son needed more than she could provide, so she was forced to supplement her milk with bottles of liquid nourishment provided by the Milisarian nurses.

Siefer had been gone for hours, and Destiney was in a panic. Why had he spoken as if she might need to raise the baby alone? Was he leaving for battle without saying goodbye? He had just returned. He hadn't even told her what had happened on the trip. Did Alexis come back? Was she to marry King Shene soon? Were the other women dumped unceremoniously back on Earth to fend for themselves? Destiney wanted answers. She rang for a guard and upon his arrival bid him to search out either Siefer or Alexis. She was informed that Siefer was still in the council room. Alexis would be sent to her immediately.

Destiney paced the floor as she awaited Alexis. It had to be a good sign that Alexis was allowed to visit her without the king's permission. She must have more freedom now. Destiney felt disconnected from the world. She had been relegated to Siefer's quarters to recuperate from the baby's birth. She had received only a few visitors: the nurses and other pregnant human women. Destiney was the first human female to give birth and survive. Others had questions and fears only she could answer.

The door buzzed, and Destiney hurried to open it. Alexis stood there, dressed once again in a skin suit. This one was bright red. She looked happy and well cared for. There seemed to be a new confidence in the way she held herself. It was quite becoming and made Destiney wonder if she had finally come to terms with being the king's mate. She ushered Alexis into the room, closing the door in the guard's face.

Alexis took one look at Destiney and realized she was no longer pregnant. She exclaimed, "Is the baby here already? Are you okay? Tell me everything!"

Destiney took her friend by the hand, grinning from ear to ear, and led her to the crib. The baby was sucking his fist and cooing contentedly. Alexis squealed with delight and reached into the crib to stroke his beautiful face. The little one grabbed her finger in a chubby fist, causing her to cry out. She glanced at Destiney in astonishment. "That hurt. I thought for a second my finger would break."

Laughter rang out from Destiney. How wonderful it felt to share this little wonder with her best friend. She replied, “My son has the strength of his father already. He could have easily broken your finger, but he has learned to hold back when touching flesh. The nurse tells me that all Milisarians are born with the instincts that keep them from harming those they love with their extra strength. I think he's perfect."

"Indeed, he is. When was he born? Was it awful?" asked a worried Alexis.

"He came two weeks ago. I did not expect him to make such an early appearance. It turns out his early arrival was a good thing. He would have been too large for my body to expel had he waited any longer. As you can see, he is much larger than a human infant. The birth was difficult. I almost bled to death, but the nurse brought medicines that kept me alive. I am weak, but healing." Destiney ran her fingers over her son's soft hair and continued, “He’s worth every moment of pain. Would you like to hold him?"

Destiney placed the baby in Alexis's arms. A gasp was forced out of Alexis's mouth as a tiny fluttering swept through her womb. Her baby had reacted to the child she was holding. She hoped Destiney hadn't noticed just yet. There was a lot of catching up to do before she announced her pregnancy.

Alexis sat on the bed and bounced gently with the baby. She asked, "How are the other women? Are they being treated well?"

"I have only seen them a few times since you left and just once each after the baby came. They are alive and doing as well as can be expected. They have married their mates. All are pregnant. Some are due to deliver soon. Their mates are pampering them and seem to truly love them. Some are experiencing sickness that did not plague me. The nurse is worried that their bodies are not compatible with Milisarian DNA. I worry about them too. I had such a difficult time without having been ill. They are weakened due to this illness. I am not sure they will survive." The concern for her fellow humans showed in Destiney's pixie face. She proceeded to ask, “What happened to the others? Siefer did not have a chance to tell me. He was summoned to the council chambers. He left here acting as if he might never come back. What is happening? Can you please tell me something?"

Alexis took a deep breath before she replied, “There is much to tell. The king broke his promise to treat the women better. They were chained and mistreated. I spoke to them before leaving, and we made plans to overtake the ship and divert it to Arkani. No one wanted to go back to Earth. Nabvan agreed to help us. His love for me overcame his loyalty to the king. We were careless, and the king caught us in bed together. He was having Nabvan tortured, and he was to be executed. We had to stop it. The other women and I started a mutiny. Siefer fought with us. The guards were injured and locked away. Nabvan and King Shene fought to the death. Though gravely injured from the torture, Nabvan won. We took the women to Arkani. They were happily received, and the Arkani healed Nabvan. The council meeting is about the king's death. We don't know if all will be well or if Nabvan and Siefer will be executed. I assure you that Nabvan will take all the blame. Siefer was just protecting the women."

Destiney grabbed her son from Alexis's arms, startling a cry from him. She held him close and swore, “You will not be raised without your father. I will fight for his life with all that I have." She turned to Alexis and asked, “How can you sit there so calmly? We could lose everything at any moment, and yet you aren't yelling or pounding down doors. Are you so coldhearted? The king is gone. You will no longer have the protection of being the future queen. Are you not afraid?"

Alexis placed a calming hand on Destiney's arm. “I trust Nabvan and Siefer to make the council see reason. Right is on our side. Nabvan never intended to kill the king. It was self-defense. The king had no right to execute him for being with me. By law, I was Nabvan's mate long before the king touched me. He will make the council see the truth. I know it in my heart."

"Why did you come back? The Arkani would have given you both asylum and Siefer could have found a way back that didn't bring fear of execution down on him. You could have used your science knowledge among the Arkani. They would have welcomed it."

“I won't lie. I considered it when the Arkani asked me to stay, but I couldn't take Nabvan from his world into such a different life. He has much to do here for his fellow Milisarians, and I plan to bring my science to this planet. They need me more than the Arkani", replied Alexis.

The door slid open and Siefer appeared. Destiney's relief could not be contained. She ran to him, almost crushing the baby between their bodies. He carefully lifted the baby into one set of arms and wrapped Destiney in the other pair. He kissed the top of her head and assured her, "All is well. There will be no punishment. It was deemed self-defense. It seems the king had many misdeeds to account for." His gaze landed on Alexis as he said, "I assume you told her all that transpired. The council demands that we keep everything a secret among ourselves. They do not want others seeking revenge. Will you both agree?"

Both women nodded their heads in agreement. Alexis stood and added, “For both of our baby’s sakes, I will never breathe a word to anyone else."

Stunned, Destiney and Siefer turned to Alexis. Siefer was the first to speak, “You carry a child? Is it Nabvan's or the king's?"

Alexis quietly answered, “I pray that it is a true son or daughter of Nabvan. Either way, he claims it. No one will ever know if it is not. Where is he?"

Siefer opened the door, allowing Alexis to leave. “He has gone to his quarters in search of you. Tell him we send our heartfelt congratulations on the conception of his child."

He closed the door quickly, wishing to spend time with his wife and new son. He examined every inch of his son's body to be sure he was as perfect as he hoped. He found no flaws, and when the baby once again showed off his strength by squeezing a huge finger in his tiny hand, Siefer preened with pride. A new warrior would join the ranks, and this one would bring an intelligent mind to battle as well as superhuman power. He was destined for greatness.