The Long Road Home - Chapter #101

Free Enterprise -  The Long Road Home  - Chapter #101



After spending several hours on the bridge Tyr turned the comm over to Tamara and took the lift below decks to the gym where he worked out.

He then got cleaned up, dressed in comfortable clothing, strode barefoot into the tiny, unoccupied, yoga studio. He removed his mat from the cubby, unrolled it and dropped into semi-lotus position in a corner and began ratcheting down.

“It's hard to believe it has already been eight weeks. . . .” he thought as he closed his eyes and slowed his breathing.

The events washed over him one by one. Khan coming to him with the news. Leaving Deep Space Ten. Xena having Alexander and Lysander on the way, learning how to hover-board. Arriving on Pinnacle and seeing Father for the first time in seven years, and instantly regretting not seeing him more often. Voluntarily taking over the nurses duty and caring for his father, which meant, bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, etc. In the end, holding his father in his arms as he died.

The second phase began with The Matriarch crowning him as Viceroy. His father's funeral and Speaking. Dealing with the odious Osiris, Pride Drago-Katzoff's Arch Duke. Dealing with Matriarch Delta Wolf, of Pride Secreto ( who was a breath of fresh air. ). The formal proposals and him picking the last two which were TWINS! Dealing with further nastiness between Osiris and Delta over property and residency rights. Ordering Osiris to put the matter to a vote before his people.

The end result was horrific, with Osiris cutting a wide swath through his own people. Killing some, injuring many. Thus, Tyr had no choice but to put a hit out on the rogue Osiris and his three remaining wives. Visiting the devastated camp, Tyr could not get that little girl's face out of his mind. The one who Kori had given the fluffy, pink rabbit to. . . . . . .

Tyr's eyes flew open as he realized one fact. Though he had been admonished to relax and get some rest, he had not. In fact, this is the only time he'd actually been alone in weeks. . . . . .

“Huff.” Tyr heard. There was only one person on board the Insurrection who could make that particular noise.

“For shame! Pretending to meditate when in actuality you were asleep.” Khan said.

“I was meditating, Khan.” Tyr replied.

“Funny, I never heard of people snoring when they meditate.” Khan replied.

“I do not snore, Khan.” Tyr replied.

“Sure, tell it to the MACO's.” Khan replied.

“I. . . . . .” Tyr began and realized with disgust that he had indeed fallen asleep while mediating.

“. . . . . . Except for that day and a half when I slept straight through I have not slept much. At first, with Father, though he retired at night, he could not sleep because he coughed and wheezed though out the duration . . . . . .” Tyr continued.

Khan imagined what it was like for Tyr to lie awake worrying if his father was going to expire any second.

“. . . . . . After Father's death. . . . . Khan, you know I didn't get that much rest. Despite Dr. Kori yelling at me.” Tyr finished, with a chuckle.

“Well you need to start getting some rest right now. Spend some quality time with your wives and sons. We have about ten days until we reach Deep Space Ten, where you'll hit the ground running yet again. While you're at it, get a couple of decent meals into your gullet.” Khan said, as Tyr gracefully unfolded his legs from the semi-lotus position, stood, picked up and re-rolled his mat.

“Yes, Mother.” Tyr replied, as he slid the mat back into it's cubby. Though Khan's rank was Commander, he was still the ships councilor and was in charge of everyone's well-being. Especially his Pride Brother's.

“And another thing. Li Hoy and Hoy Li are going to make their assault and double team you, soon.” Khan said.

“Assault? Double team? What do you me. . . . .?” Tyr started then stopped dead in his tracks.

“Oh My Divine, there goes that face again.” Khan huffed, as he pulled his whiskers back with mirth. “Tyr, that is the lot the Divine has given to you in blessing you with a pair of twins as wives. You will definitely need to learn how to tell the two of them apart. Despite the fact that they look alike, there a subtle differences between the two.”

“You said one is an extrovert and another is an introvert. Isn't that all I need to know?” Tyr asked.

“Tyr, twins have been known to 'switch' identities and roles in order to fool others. After all, they've had years to study each others mannerisms and can mimic each other down to the last nuance. Only someone is very close and or intimate with them would instantly know who's who. For example, their parents would never be fooled by them, however, friends and associates will. I wouldn't want that to happen to you, Brother.” Khan said.

“Neither would I.” Tyr returned, as he privately wondered what he had gotten himself into.

“Just consider this all a part of your learning experience, Tyr.” Khan said. “It will include many open book tests.” the Katay continued.

“I will try to remember that, Khan.” Tyr said, as they both exited the yoga studio.


* * * * * * * * * *


After checking with his command staff, his wives and children, Tyr headed for his quarters. Immediately hit the sack and was instantly asleep.

Hours later, he woke up in a sandwich. He immediately went back to sleep only to awaken three quarters of an hour later, because both women sitting up and staring at him.

Tyr closed down and dogged the access to his mind the way Tamara had taught him. One didn't live with a Vulcan mate for nearly two years without picking up a few tricks of the trade.

“Just think of it like there is a hull breach and you're slamming down the emergency bulkhead.” she had said numerous times. Of course, it took practice until he got it right.

“Hummmmm. What are we to do?” Hoy Li asked, as their three way staring contest continued.

“Forgive me for asking, but YOU are in my quarters and in MY bed. . . . .” Tyr started.

According to Nietzschean tradition the consort was at the beck and call of the wives. When they called, he came. Occasionally he would “present” himself, and if she accepted, all was well and good. Then there was the woman presenting herself. If the consort found one of his wives in his bed, that was considered an open invitation . . . . . . . . . .

“I'll just read a book.” Li Hoy said brightly. She actually had a padd in hand, ready for action. On impulse, Tyr snatched it out of her hands and tossed it onto one of the night tables with a clatter.

“Rule number one. This bed is my no reading zone, and that applies to my wives while they are here.” Tyr stated as he gazed at Li Hoy. She gazed back at him wide-eyed and blinked.

“Wha. . . . How. . . .?” Hoy Li asked.

“Creativity and innovation are the true essences of life.” Tyr smiled, and repeated Khan's quote.