A Free Day - Chapter #56

Free Enterprise - A Free Day - Chapter #56


Practically everyone on Deep Space Ten slept late the next morning. The cadets had all been given the day off from classes. The big wigs and their toadies and lackeys had all over indulged. In many cases some were so bombed they had to helped/carried back to their luxury VIP quarters.

However, the First Nietzschean Rear Admiral was up early. Mostly because Nietzscheans didn't require as much sleep as their Human cousins or other races. And, he wanted to bid fare thee well to his Pride who'd planned to leave that afternoon.

So after his usual rigorous workout, he cleaned up, dressed in his Day Uniform ( with the addition of new pips and bars ) and met them at Sandstone. A Vulcan restaurant for brunch.

To Tyr's surprise, his siblings had brought some of their children on the trip. One by one, every one of them wound up either sitting next him or in his lap, during the meal and lively conversation. One especially endearing moment was when Isis and Demetrius laid their two month old daughter Octavia in his arms.

Of course, Isis had to show Tyr how to properly cradle the little one. She actually rooted, got comfortable, and went to sleep. Fifteen minutes later, the group erupted in laughter when Tyr attempted to give Octavia back to her parents. She immediately awakened and grabbed a fist full of his dreadlocks! Tyr winced because she held on for dear life, and it hurt! Demetrius gently disengaged her little fingers and finally took her back.

“Lesson number one of fatherhood, Tyr. Either you are going to have to cut those dreadlocks of yours, or keep them tied back. Long hair is a very tempting target for little hands to grab and pull.” Sennacherib advised, as he chuckled.

“Or teach my children not to pull my hair.” Tyr stated.

“You'd just as soon teach a baby not to cry.” Elpsbet quipped, followed by more laughter as everyone stood.

“You shall see. . . .” Tyr started.

“You'll see what? That some of your children will be nicknamed 'hair puller'?” Anemone quipped.

“Just like Tyr's nickname was 'nudey'.” Xerxes said. Referring to the fact that as soon as baby Tyr could walk, he would strip off his clothes and run 'round the Anasazi compound in his birthday suit.

Tyr did a face-palm and sighed, as his siblings laughed. It always happened without fail. Every time there was a large family gathering, either the embarrassing stories, holo-vids or both, would come out. There simply was no end.  . . . . . . .

All around them, Vulcans looked up from their meals at the rowdy group. To them this was tantamount to talking  loud in the library. Sandstone didn't cater exclusively to Vulcans, so a little rowdiness was to be expected.

However, out of respect Tyr signaled the group silent and herded them outside on the Promenade. Outside, he hugged each one of his siblings. He hugged and kissed the children ( planted a kiss on sleeping Octavia's forehead ), gave gifts to Agamemnon to take back to his parents, and promised he would visit them soon.

He then took the lift up to Observation Deck A and watched as each of their ships left the docking bay, formed up, and headed together out on a course back to Pinnacle.

He only heard the slight noise behind him only because the person who made it, wanted Tyr to hear them.

“You wish you were going back with them, don't you?” Khan asked as he stepped forward and stood next to Tyr.

“You know I do, Khan.” Tyr replied. “My father is not well. I would like to see him before. . . . .” he continued. The Katay nodded. He knew that Nietzschean family ties were as strong as the genetically enhanced people themselves.

“Soon come.” Khan said sagely, as the tiny hairs stood up on Tyr's neck. He didn't know whether his fathers death was soon to come or if the visit was soon to come. A double whammy. . . . . .

“Soon come.” Khan repeated, as they both stared into space.



NOTE TO READERS:

1. You're probably wondering: “What's is it with those long names? Agamemnon, Demetrius, Sennacherib, Octavia, Xerxes? Well, according to Andromeda CANNON, Nietzscheans love to name their children after famous leaders and warriors. And appears that the more tongue twisting the moniker is, the better ( Tyr excluded . . . . )! All I can say is Thank The Divine for the internet. . . . . . :+}!

2. The term “rooting” or “rooted” is best described the way a dog will fluff up his/her pillow before he curls up on it. Babies do this by nestling closer to you, putting their feet up under your chin, etc. Then they will fall asleep on you.

3. The fact that Nietzscheans love big families and lots of children ( and LOVE children ) is CANNON. Nietzscheans also have very strong familial ties and patriotic ties. On Andromeda, Tyr shed tears over The Battle Of Witch Head where millions of Nietzscehans perished. He also shed tears over his wife ( for five minutes ) Freya who he had to betray and leave.