As soon as the group was back on the shuttle, Naruko got in contact with Karin.
Is the ship ready for departure? Naruko asked. Karin's reply came moments after.
Yes, Naruko. We're just waiting for you. We've settled the planet on a similar elliptical revolution around the sun to what they had before so all we'll need to do is check in on them once a few months. Each spire is secured and constantly maintained, monitored, and guarded by assigned platoons of A.I. platforms so you don't have to ask about those.
What about the colony? How is it progressing?
... Colony is currently moving from stage one to stage two. They've had no trouble from the nearby locals and at this pace, the colony should be in its fourth stage within the week. We'll be leaving a dozen cruisers to watch over the planet and the colony during our absence, as well as planting twelve Sky Fortresses around the perimeter of Uzu no Kuni's main island group. Full loadouts have been authorized for all combat vessels, vehicles, and personnel despite this world's primitive technology in light of more information we've been able to collect from the inhabitants..
Excellent. No need to keep me updated unless it or the system comes under direct attack, Karin,Naruko said as she looked out one of the plasma windows of her shuttle and saw one of the three mile tall, upside-down cone shaped fortresses settling itself over a small island.
The Sky Fortress 'Bahamut' class looked like a tall spire with a thin base that widened the higher it got from fifty yards all the way to 400 yards. Surrounding the spire on multiple levels were massive rings spanning outwards that levitated the fortress so flawlessly. On a full loadout, one sky fortress is equipped with hundreds of anti-aircraft artillery guns housed within the cylindrical spire that could also be used to fire on approaching aircrafts or armies attacking from the ground on all sides and launch up to a hundred fighters or buzzard drones, and is capable of setting up a Code 232 Firebase within minutes on the ground around it.
Naruko knew she was basically turning the Uzushio islands into a fortress but considering the plans she had for this planet, it was necessary. The shuttle quickly left the atmosphere which gave way to the openness of space. As they approached Outer Heaven, Naruko could see a dozen 800 meter long 'Terra'-class cruisers exiting out of massive hangars on the side of the mothership. They were like dust particles compared to a large boulder.
It took a mere minute more for Naruko's shuttle to enter its own hangar. She was quick to exit and make her way to the bridge, T-ELOS and KOS-MOS dutifully following behind. The portal door was a very convenient help at all times when Naruko wanted to get somehow immediately. She appeared on the bridge instantly, causing all of the Spectras and A.I. platforms to acknowledge her, though she could see an underlying emotion in their eyes, even in her second-in-command. She ignored it and continued forward until she sat on her throne before giving the order to Karin.
"Activate the Ceph wormhole. Helmsman, take us out."
Karin nodded and pressed some commands on her screen and idly watched the energy coalesce at the base of the G.S.R.'s cannon before shooting outwards into the abyss before them before warping space and time to create the anomaly known as a black hole. However, something different occurred this time. Another black hole formed on the other side of their black hole, which is something that's suppose to happen, only this time it wasn't from their doing.
"An Alpha Ceph has connected with our bridge. It's going to guide us, my Queen," an A.I. platform resembling a metallic ball responded from its seated position at a station used to monitor gravitic anomalies.
The bright blue and white swirl of the space bridge enveloped the ship seconds later and they were instantly within an astronomical unit to their destination. Sitting there to greet them was a massive ship made of blue metals and masterfully crafted to resemble a form of cephalopod, complete with long, forward reaching tentacles and everything. An initial scanning from Outer Heaven's sensors brought up on screen a close-up view of the actual Alpha Ceph which resembled a hundred yard long...btentacle thing with a large, serpent-like head on the end.
"Spectra Queen, Lunaru Fenris, we have been expecting you. Power down any weapons and engines. We will tow your ship to an appropriate dock so you may bring the new mind planetside. Omega is very curious. We are all curious." The voice was distinctly watery, as if one was talking underwater, but the words were clearly heard and understood seeing as they were spoken in the minds of all on the bridge.
Karin sighed. "Still as paranoid as ever. You think they would have more trust in us after being allies for over a million years." Naruko understood her sentiments though there was a reason why the Ceph were currently the oldest, still active emperium race of space farers in the known universe. Their age and reach far surpassed that of the Precursors, the Forerunners, and even the Leviathans. While they certainly don't possess the most firepower or direct influence, that's simply because they are more scientists than warmongers and have had no reason to continually develop their military might outside of the occasional colonization of an endangered planet inhabited by its parasitic natives.
"No need to make any drama. Helmsman, bring us to full stop and shut off all levels of engines. Weapons Chief, keep all weapons on a safety lock. We've done this a thousand times. Let's not have a repeat of the C.E.18K incident… Miho." Naruko and all present sent a not–so subtle stare at the secondary Weapons officer, a Spectra-Major whose orange eyes glowed (their form of blushing) in embarrassment at the sudden spotlight on that one particular incident where a cramp in her finger nearly caused a galactic war.
"Hands off any boards and screens," she quietly chanted as she sat on her hands in her seat with her face down and hoping her black hoodie would hide her from the accusatory stares.
"Anyway, the trip will take us two hours with them towing us as usual. Any non-essential bridge crew may take a break. Be sure to keep watch on the time for your return when needed," Naruko ordered. A dozen Spectras quietly got up and left, some giving the sleeping Menma adoring faces. The only ones left were the A.I. and a couple of Spectra crew members. T-ELOS decided to walk around the bridge, idly eyeing the Ceph space activity while KOS-MOS merely rested in a relaxed stance by Naruko's throne/captain's chair.
Karin walked up to Naruko's, a certain look in her eyes that even translated to her posture and walk. Her heeled boots made a distinct *click-clack* on the metal floor. She stood by Naruko silently.
"You wish to know the reason behind my words to those metahumans, yes?" Naruko asked, her expression emotionless. Karin crossing her arms was the response she got. "I can not take back what I said, nor will I, and neither can I really justify my words."
"You should know that you're a terrible person from time to time, Naruko," Karin clipped. "Even after so many generations, you still believe yourself to be alone. Yes, you may be in regards to your position, but talking like your only reason for existing is to be some goal for your people to reach only hurts those very same people who care so much about you. Yes, it may be true to a certain extent but you are not limited to just being a landmark to surpass. Despite your desires, each and every Spectra would gladly give their life for yours. The way you talked earlier was an insult to their loyalty and love to YOU above anything else. You make their devotion sound like some kind of race to the top of a mountain."
Naruko didn't so much as cringe or flinch from her friend's sharp tone and both women were doing an excellent job of concealing their emotions from Menma who was starting to stir.
"I appreciate your council, my friend. It's been forever since someone asked me questions that stabbed such old concerns. I had thought nothing of my words at the time as I was simply keeping with the act while making some future investments. I am a bit surprised by how much my words hurt my people."
Karin hissed in annoyance. "Even half-truths have truth to them, Naruko. Sometimes you get so caught up in upholding your image as the leader of an entire species that you forget that you're your own individual as well with your own flaws and thus you tend to neglect the efforts your people put into following you. That's not a healthy mindset for anyone."
Naruko finally showed a different expression. She sighed as she glanced down at her sleeping Menma who looked truly at peace. "It's Menma, isn't it?" Karin asked, but it was more of a statement. The question caused Naruko to send a silent stare at her long time friend to demand an explanation. "The stress of your position has never felt so heavy before until he became your son. You've never had a child before and you already proven that you would destroy stars just to keep him happy. You said earlier that you were sure you would outlive him and the thought of that doesn't help your mental stability, Naruko. You don't know if he will share the burden of immortality with you or fall to dust like everyone else. You need not worry about that. He's healthy and happy and undoubtedly has an extremely long life ahead of him. Instead of worrying on what could be the inevitable, just spend everyday you can with him to give you enough happy memories to last for infinity." She shrugs. "That's my observation."
Karin finished her relentless 'observation' that was more like a full psyche evaluation for Naruko, the queen sighs again and forces her worries of the infinite future to the back of her mind. Her XO did make several good points. Perhaps she really has been at this job for too long, or perhaps Menma will be just the thing she needs in her life. She lifted her baby up and rubbed her face along his tiny neck, immersing herself in the scent and warmth of her baby. She sorta wishes she'd Nebladed a Na'vi so she could grow a queue and connect her mind with Menma's to share his dreams with him but unlike majority of the species she's met, no Na'vi has actually done anything to deserve being eaten. They were really peaceful people, like the Chozo and Luminoth. Smart and advanced, but peaceful. It's too bad they reverted themselves back to hunter-gatherer tribes. She momentarily wondered why that was as they were pretty secretive about it but stopped that train of thought as Menma woke up, his dark amethyst eyes slowly revealing themselves.
He mumbled unintelligibly, slowly blinking away the sleep, and his eyes widen when he saw his mommy's face right in front of his. He just stared at her as she matched the stare. Thinking back on some memories from Spectra parents she Nebladed, she puckered her lips and made little faces at him. He just continued to stare at her before sneezing, catching Naruko by surprise and causing her to flinch back to wipe her lips on her shoulder.
Karin giggled in amusement and pulled a handkerchief from her dress sleeve like a magician before wiping Menma's little mouth and nose. He didn't really like the rubbing too much and mumbled noises.
"Now, now, little one. You can't possibly look your best for all the girls if you've got mucus on your face," she jested, much to Naruko's ire about the topic.
"What about me, Karin?" Naruko asked, referring to the handkerchief, to wipe her own face as she was holding Menma but she saw that glint in the mad woman's eyes.
"Ohh? I didn't know you liked your baby like that, Naruko." The queen's eyes widened. "Fufufufu, is someone jealous and overprotective? Are you planning on being one of his mates when he gets older? That's quite a bold and original approach, even by Spectra customs."
Much to Naruko's further ire, she felt several laughing emotions across the hive mind and she knew she wasn't broadcasting this talk. Her eyes narrowed on the unrepentant woman before her looking as if she could do no wrong.
"You know exactly what I mean, Karin," the queen spoke, unamused by her friend's antics. "—and you better not be sharing anymore of this conversation over the hive link or I'll demote you to cleaning the wyrm pens with your hands and a bucket of water for the next ten day cycles."
Karin gave a small 'eeeep!' while holding her hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay… so changing topic. After we visit the Omega Ceph, where do you intend to take us next? The home system? I'm certain once word of your new son reaches the rest of the people, everyone will be glowing in curiosity."
"Yes, I intend to give some lasting orders to be delivered to the new colony before making one last visit to the Path of Beasts to introduce Menma to Yiazmat before having the ship make berth at Cradle of Life. It has been a hundred years since this ship has seen home—it will be a nice reunion for the crew. I will leave the ship in your care until Menma is grown enough to develop his plates. It's likely we will not be out of Tecomfpzhire for quite a few years."
Karin smirked because she just couldn't resist. "Very well, Naruko. I'm sure all the stars in the galaxy will be able to burn in peace with no fear of black holes forming in their cores." She disappeared via teleportation before the end of Naruko's sword would pierce her face. With an annoyed huff, Naruko basked in the silence of the bridge as the remaining crew kept to their own duties.
"What am I going to do with that woman, Menma?" she asked, looking down at the child who was waking up. "Should I really let you be influenced by someone as maddening as her? What would become of my beautiful and innocent boy than?" she asked, hugging him into her bosom. He let out a few gurgles as he woke up. "Oh, is someone hungry?"
She lifted the cloth of her left breast, revealing a nipple already pert as if it had sensed Menma's hunger. She took a few calming breaths as she realized Summer wasn't here to help her. It's no problem. I remember clearly what I did last time.
After kneading herself for a few moments to where she could see some of the white, thick liquid squirt out a ways, she lifted Menma's little head to her tit and he didn't hesitate to latch on. The feeling still caused her to flinch despite already having felt it before. Because of her ministrations, her baby had no problem trying to suck his meal out. Getting use to the feeling now, she relaxed in her throne and idly watched as the numerous vessels of Ceph, both small as a fighter craft and a couple a quarter the size of Outer Heaven, passed them by as they went about their daily operations.
Ahead of her, she could visibly see the massive planet about five times the size of the meta humans' planet— I'll have to ask the humans what they want to call it. On second thought, I'll just send a message to the ambassador to ask them when she gets the chance.— that was mainly a dark blue from all the oceans that covered 90% of the world. Whatever land there was generously sprinkled with bright blue dots signifying numerous artificial structures such as towers, cities, and power plants.
Seeing nothing to do and the fact that she's had quite the long wake cycle, she was content with her comfy throne and the gentle and rhythmic sensations of Menma's suckling. His cold, wet mouth and the steady rush of warm milk never stopped feeling novel, even as he finished feeding several minutes later. Instead of the times before when he finished eating, he didn't go right back to sleep this time. In fact, he seemed very energetic and didn't waste time in showing it.
Naruko was initially surprised by his energy and moving about in her arms. "Is my little son not sleepy? You want to spend time with your mother, yes?" She looked around the near desolate bridge and saw nothing that would seem to excite him, but then she got an idea. "Would you like to go meet your aunt Summer? I know she has a little daughter that would love to meet you."
He smiled and giggled in response, raising his little white hands at her. That's a yes if I've ever seen one, she thought amusedly. "Then let us be off to the nursery. Ruby is one of the cutest babies I've seen in a long while. You will even meet a bunch of others near your age."