Lasting movements, like life, begin small.

- Writings of the Sol Empress, Words of Faith

[Moon]

As directed by Sai, the maintenance-bots not irreparably damaged by the torpedo detonation swarmed across the ship. Power had been restored to most areas, and soon the second fusion reactor would be online. Moon stood before the status panel in the engineering section of the ship, manipulating software switches and setting the safety interlocks to begin the reactor startup.

His mind drifted to Celeste. She had impressed him. Willing to get her hands dirty, she worked long hours, and by her efforts, the bio and environmental systems were nearly up to full capacity. Not at all what he expected from a Sol Priestess. But for that matter, neither was the whole fertilizing the Empress' ova event.

The Line of the Empress hung by a fragile thread, consisting merely of four microscopic clusters of human cells, one of which may become the Sol Empress. If they survived. The specter of peril loomed like dark clouds — so much danger still threatened them, so many ways for the Line to end. This was Celeste's sole and overriding life purpose. And now Moon became invested in it as well.

Swirling thoughts alternately warmed and chilled him. They would be my children. But taken away to fulfill a destiny, I would not be their father. But then, what kind of parent would a long-hauler like me be anyway?

Alternating feelings washed over him: worry and resolve; pride and anguish; hope and fear. They tingled his gut and quickened his heart. Overwhelmed, he felt a strong desire to hide somewhere, anyplace to escape the potent emotions that felt so uncomfortable. The stash of ales tempted him, but this was not the time.

Besides, Sai is watching over me like an overprotective nanny.

Sai's voice over the intercom pulled him out of his thoughts. "Sir, you have worked for two hours. It is time for a fifteen minute rest break. And you should rehydrate."

Moon threw his head back and rolled his eyes. "Sai, for the last time, I am fine! We need to get this reactor up."

"Sir, your schedule specifies--"

"Screw the schedule! We have work to do." He turned back to the status panel. "I am almost ready to engage the startup sequence. I'll need you to monitor the mag field flux."

Sai's voice became harsh. "Now see here, Elijah Soloman Lee! This is for your own good. You must take your rest break!"

Moon dropped his jaw. "Sai, did you just issue a command using my full name?"

Sai's voice returned to her normal gentle alto. "Yes, sir. A strong authoritative imperative statement utilizing a full formal name sometimes ensures compliance."

Moon sighed. "That only works with children, Sai." His eyes narrowed. "And it isn't so authoritative coming from an AI that I can easily reprogram. Now forget the rest schedule crap and let's get this reactor online!"

"But sir, the Priestess set the schedule up--"

With clenched jaw, he shouted to the ceiling. "You can tell the Priestess that..." His voice quieted. "Umm, never mind, you would actually tell her."

"Tell me what?"

Moon jerked and turned to find Celeste leaning against the hatch frame, unable to determine if she glared or smirked. Maybe some of both. He grumbled, "You've corrupted my AI."

"We are just looking out for you, Moon."

"Like I told Sai, I am fine. The headaches are gone. Mostly."

Celeste rolled her eyes. "Let's resolve this. The med bay diagnostics are operational now and we can do a brain scan." She wagged a finger. "Come with me, tough guy."

Slumping his posture as he followed her down the narrow passageway, he mumbled, "Okay, if it will get you and Sai off my back."

Celeste turned her head around. "I don't know if it is endearing or sad to hear you bickering with your AI. Why not just modify the response matrix?"

Moon shook his head. "No, I couldn't do that. Sai and I have been through a lot together. She is like family."

A hand covered her grin. "I know. She told about several of your misadventures."

Moon cringed. Oh, no...

After the scan ended, Moon swung his legs off of the examination table as the diagnostic equipment retracted back up to the ceiling. "See, I told you. There is nothing wrong with my head."

Celeste shook her head and mumbled. "Well, nothing physically..." She lifted her head up. "Sai, let's release Moon for full duty."

"Yes, Priestess. Good to have you well again, sir."

He cocked his head. "I was well, Sai. Now back to that fusion reactor." He smoothed his hair and walked toward the hatch.

Celeste dipped her chin. Her voice became tentative. "Moon, wait, please..." Stopping, he turned back to her, arching an eyebrow. Her eyes pleaded. "It's time. Would you stay with me?"

"Of course." I can do at least this for her.

She said to the ceiling, "Sai, is everything ready for the embryo transfer?"

"Yes, Priestess. I have loaded the appropriate medical subroutine. I am ready when you are."

With a gentle suction, Celeste drew the contents of the culture plate into a clear catheter, then placed it under the lens of the optical microscope. The image verified that all the precious embryos laid within.

Moon's eyes widened at the images on the screen, showing four silvery-gray spheres, each holding many cells, like bubbles within a bubble. "They've grown."

She smiled. "Yes, they have."

"Wait, you are going to insert all four of them? You might end up with quads! Isn't that kinda risky?"

Celeste steeled her expression. "I am willing to take that risk. It is my duty. And I need to ensure the birth of a daughter."

She kicked off her boots and shed her black leggings, leaving her naked from the waist down. Hopping up on the examination table and scooting to the end, she placed her ankles into the metal stirrups that rose from the table side, spreading her legs wide. Moon averted his eyes.

She said, "It's okay, Moon. Only fitting, I imagine, since I saw yours earlier."

"Yeah." He came to her side. "I suppose it is your turn for show and tell."

She ignored his quip. "I am ready, Sai."

Metal robotic arms descended from a rectangular compartment mounted above her on the ceiling. One, with an end shaped like a bent disk, stopped above her lower belly. An image of her womb appeared on a 3-D display. Another arm grasped the catheter and positioned it between her legs.

Sai said, "I am ready for the insertion. There may be some discomfort."

For a brief instant, Celeste gazed into Moon's eyes, expressing the the fear and vulnerability behind a strong appearance. He nodded an assurance and grasped her hand. Turning away, she firmed her mouth. "Go ahead, Sai."

Moon suppressed a grimace as the robotic arm pushed the catheter probe into her vagina, guided by a diagnostic image on the display panel. Two seconds later, Celeste's breath hitched, and she squeezed his hand tightly. As shown on the image, the end of the probe passed her cervix into the womb. Halfway into the womb, it stopped.

"Delivering the embryos now, Priestess."

A faint cloud appeared on the image near the probe tip as the catheter emptied. The robotic arm retracted the catheter from her body and slid it under the microscope, confirming that it had emptied its precious contents.

"The transfer is complete, Priestess. You will need to remain here on your back for one hour to maximize the chances for successful implantation. After that, bed rest for a full day."

Celeste smiled. "Thank you, Sai." She turned her eyes up. "And thank you, Moon. For everything."

Moon nodded. "How long until we know if it worked?"

Sai answered. "A pregnancy test will be administered in approximately eight days, sir. In the meantime, physical activity should be limited."

He winked at Celeste. "Oh Sai, I will need your help monitoring her activity level to make sure she does not overexert herself."

"Yes, sir. I shall watch the Priestess closely."

Moon grinned as Celeste rolled her eyes. She mumbled, "I suppose it is only fair."

*****

Moon took a deep breath as the metal hatch squealed. The humid garden air, sweetly perfumed with fruit and flowers, teased his nose. His eyes followed Bee-bot as it buzzed about, flitting from flower to flower in its pollination role. He knew he would find Celeste here at this time of day, before her breakfast but dinner time for him. She sat cross-legged on the floor with her hands palms-up on her knees. With eyes closed, long gentle breaths crossed her open lips.

She looks so peaceful now, but the not knowing must be difficult.

She opened one eye and tilted her head. He said, "Sai is ready for you. Nervous?"

Celeste rose with the help of his hand. "Yes, but the meditation helps. Everything I worked for rides on this test." She took another deep breath and grasped her belly.

The path to the medical bay seemed longer than usual. Even Moon felt anxious, as if a judge was to announce a verdict.

Celeste turned to him. "Moon, thank you for letting me use your bed. I know that is an intrusion to your private space."

He waved a hand as if to dismiss. "No problem. I got used to hot bunking in my military days."

She wrinkled her forehead. "Hot bunking?"

"Yeah. That is where two people use the same bed on alternating schedules. Saves on space in crowded starships. By the way, thank you for not being a slob."

Moon extended his hand, allowing Celeste to enter the medical bay first while he held the hatch open. She hefted herself upon the examination table and dangled her feet down, not quite touching the floor, while he leaned against a nearby white cabinet. Her eyes tracked a translucent scanner plate that descended from the overhead compartment, then locked on to Moon's eyes. Her lower lip trembled. Again, this normally self-assured woman appeared so vulnerable.

The plate stopped at her side. "Place your hand on the scanner, Priestess. This will only take a moment."

She laid her hand across the plate, fingers spread. Her breath stopped as a line of white light crossed the scanner plate, glowing red where it showed through the thinner flesh between her fingers. The light disappeared and the scanner plate retracted back to the ceiling. Celeste clasped her hands together and awaited the result.

The silent moment seemed to stretch on forever. Finally, Sai announced, "The hormone scan indicates elevated amounts of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. You are pregnant, Priestess."

A beaming smile emerged on Celeste's face. She bounded off the table and circled her arms around Moon's neck, pulling into a tight hug. He enclosed her in his arms and took a deep cleansing breath.

A queasy feeling swept over him, forcing an involuntary shiver, simultaneously joyful and fearful. Oh, wow...

Moon said, "Sai, can you tell how many?"

"No, sir. The hormone test only shows pregnancy. It will be approximately three weeks until the imaging will resolve exactly how many of the embryos successfully attached."

He released her from his arms. "Hungry?"

In the galley, Celeste pushed bits of food around the tray with a fork, her eyes focused somewhere else.

Moon pointed his fork at her. "Better eat. Sai will get on to you if you don't."

Celeste sighed. "Your tyrant of an AI has my every morsel of food planned, and every activity of my day." She raised her eyes, then narrowed them at his widening grin. "You're enjoying this, aren't you."

He grinned. "Oh, yeah. Better you than me."

"It is becoming irritating."

"Sai gets overly protective now and then. I will have a talk with her."

"Thank you." Celeste turned her head down and continued playing with her food.

Moon put his fork down. He could tell the circumstances still weighed heavily on the pregnant woman sitting across from him. He opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it, waiting instead for her to voice the fears unprompted.

"Sometimes it seems so pointless. There are so many barriers ahead of us, so many ways this ends in tragedy." She lifted moist eyes and a trembling chin. "I might miscarry, those that wish me dead might yet achieve their goal, and I might give birth only to have us and the children die of starvation in deep space."

"Well, we've already made it this far. Be a shame to die now. As to your last concern, I have good news. Sai and I may have figured out a way to jury rig a fix to the quantum drive using some spare parts we found in the cargo. Won't be pretty, but it just may get us to the Delphi System."

Celeste wiped her eyes and reached across the table to take up his hand. "Thank you, Moon. You are a miracle worker." She looked up. "And you too, Sai. Thank you."

Sai's voice replied, "You are welcome, Priestess. If I may say, I believe your quest shall have a successful outcome."

"I appreciate your optimism, Sai."

"Indeed so, Priestess. Proper mental attitude is an important factor for a successful pregnancy. And so is nutrition. Priestess, you must finish your meal--"

Moon interrupted. "Sai, we need to have a talk..."