12 – Father and Son
As she had promised, Beth went again to Dalygaran to see the Supreme Commander and her friends. Little Moon Crystal had changed a lot, trying to build her first sentences with words only her parents could understand. When the Supreme Commander thus learned that his son preferred to stay on Earth so that their future daughter wouldn’t be alone, he proposed to help them; as the child’s grandfather, his presence could be sensed by the life inside Beth.
It had been a long time since he entered his human body—since the wedding in fact—and he was impatient to do it again. He proposed to be the one who keeps an eye on Beth’s and David’s bodies, as well as their future child while they are mind-traveling. He asked Beth not to tell his son. He preferred to make this proposal face to face with him, and “no” was not an option; he knew this offer wouldn’t thrill his son. When she came back, Beth only informed her husband that his father would like to talk to him.
The Supreme Commander and his son
—I’m so glad to see you today, son, he says hugging him warmly.
—Beth informed me you have something to tell me…
—Straight to the point as usual. Yes. Son, we started a conversation a few moons ago … the day of your wedding to be exact.
—Oh, I see…
—I will never give up on this idea, son. You know it. And you’d better get used to it…
—It’s not so easy.
—I understand…
—Do you?
—You had no choice. Your Dalygaran body died. You know first-hand the trauma involved.
—How could you wish to live through this then?
—You were not prepared. I am going to be. I value family more than this Dalygaran life, son. And my family is on Earth. It is where I want to be. Beth and you, you’ll need a grandfather to help you with this child. She will be special … genetically special, I mean. And we’ll have to shield her from what she is until she is able to understand how she is different and why she must not show it to anybody.
The Major bows his head. He knows his father is right. His daughter might have abilities no other human has, and this has to remain a secret.
—On Earth, I’ll have time to take care of her, well… of the three of you.
—Father, it’s such a sacrifice…
—I miss you since you’re living on Earth, son. You’re all I have left. Please, help me…
—How?
—I need to feel you’re not hostile to this idea anymore. I won’t lie to you: you’re right, I know it’s a sacrifice. But it makes sense to me. I will end one thing to begin something else.
—Father, your coming to Earth will mean I’ve no more family on Dalygaran…
—You’ll still have friends, and very good ones. And you’ll remain the heart-father of a Dalygaran child. You’ll still be a part of the archeological team. You’ll go on training some servicemen and women each time Very First Gold Ring Ray asks. It won’t matter to anybody here that you’re living in an Earthling body. Here, you’re … forever. Your bond to this planet is unbreakable. And you married a woman who is also bound to this world. She senses things as we do. She is one of us. With you two on Earth, I’ll be at the right place. Believe me.
—You’ve got a life here. You have a job. You have responsibilities. What if you get bored being a human?
—You don’t think that being a grandfather is enough to fill a life?
—That’s completely different.
—I’m an old man, son. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished here. But my needs have changed. And my position here can’t give me what I need most: you and your family … my family. You’ve found your place among the Earthling people. I’ll find mine, don’t you think?
—There’s nothing I can say to make you change your mind…
—I need you to be on my side, son. Why should you fight me on this?
—You’re right, father. To oppose your will is not what I want to do. I…
—Son, I need your help to overcome my apprehension. I don’t want to wait until the baby is born to come to Earth…
—What!?
— … from time to time. Like you come here to feel Dalygaran, I need to tame my human body. I need to feel Earthling… It’s normal that a father visits his son, isn’t it?
—Er, yes, but…
—If I visit you and Beth, you’ll be able to mind-travel together. You know she needs it so much. And she’ll be happy to do it with you too. I’ll be the one who takes care of the future baby. She won’t be alone, if I’m here…
—I…
—Son, please…
The Major steps forward to hug his father.
—Ok, dad, he whispers tapping his father’s back.
—Dad? You’ve never called me that before…
—It’s more Earthling. We’ve got only a few months to prepare you to be a perfect human. You should come every week, for some immersion. Do you think this is possible?
—Absolutely, son, answers the Supreme Commander, radiant. Thank you.
Son and father hug again.
