All That Glitters Ch. 61

Junelliya sent out a stronger wave of piece, love, and wellbeing. The clutch circled the family faster and faster and then slid up to the children, popping their eyes out of the swamp once more.

Just then, the Cats jumped onto the children's shoulder, surprising the clutch. They initially moved back slightly but when they saw the children reach up and stroke the heads of the Cats, they came back, their natural curiosity getting the better of them.

Ikekiya put her hand down near the water and Juneya ran down her arm to it to take a closer look at what was in the water. She bobbed her head up and down and chittered to the strange beings in the water. She turned and ran back up to Ikekiya's shoulder and chattered loudly to the child, getting giggles from her.

*Juneya like you,* she told the clutch. One of the clutch jumped out of and back into the water, making a slight splash, eyes once again coming to the surface.

Zarreniya put both of her hands down near the water level and both Hanaya and Fayea clambered down to either hand They looked closely at the clutch and bobbed up and down. They then ran back up to Zarreniya's shoulder and chattered just as loudly and excitedly as had Juneya. The three Cats then jumped into the air and soared back to their respective bond mates, Junelliya, Hanalei, and Fayad. They bobbed up and down and excitedly chattered to their friends about what they saw, getting laughter from the adults.

At the sound of the laughter, the clutch quickly scurried back to and hid behind their parents causing the children to be disappointed. Zarreniya slipped down in the water until only her eyes and the top of her head was above the water line. The clutch all popped their eyes up over the water line and one of them moved back toward the children.

"That one is Armekand, she is the boldest and so far, the most intelligent of the clutch," Drane stated in Standard, smiling at the children.

*Hurl< ana, Armekand,* the children said in unison. Armekand circled the children twice then raced back to her parents getting laughter and applause from the Piscium family. Instead of hiding behind their parents, this time the clutch came out front, once again with the eyes out of the water though they stayed close to their mother.

"I think our viewing has ended," Junelliya informed the children, who could sense that the clutch was becoming tired.

The children called out good bye and waved at the clutch. They bowed to the parents; *Thank you for letting us see your clutch, Drane Mutt Hoylle, Verned Mutt Shumett,* the children spoke to the parents.

The family went back to the shoreline and a new Caregiver guided them back to the rest of the group. As they passed Sylvie and Trevor, the children couldn't help but run to give them hugs.

"It was really exciting!" Zarreniya told Sylvie, who she was hugging. Suddenly she stopped and looked at her. She reached out to her sister and they both smiled.

Ikekiya put her hand on Sylvie's belly and told her; "You have little boy."

Junelliya and Hanalei screamed and pulled Sylvie into a tight hug.

"By the Prophet! We didn't know you were pregnant! Why didn't you tell us?" Hanalei groused to Sylvie.

A confused looking Sylvie looked down at Ikekiya and then back at the other two. "I didn't know I was pregnant!"

That got laughter from the group. "If Ikekiya says you are having a boy, you can expect that to happen soon. I would advise you seeing a doctor after the viewing," the First Lady quipped. "It will be a delight to be pregnant at the same time as you are, Sylvie."

Sylvie gasped as no one had yet told them the First Lady was pregnant. "I told Drane during the viewing. That was the scream you heard earlier from the swamp," Angelique explained. "You should tell her of your own good fortune, too."

Before Sylvie could say anything, the group of viewers surged forward and enveloped her in hugs and well wishes. Sylvie didn't know what to say or do. It was bad enough getting a mob hug from humans but the over tall Asocans dwarfed her inside this mob! She heard her human friends laughing at her predicament.

Not long after, Sylvie and Trevor were guided into the Crèche for their viewing. The group knew immediately when Sylvie told Drane of her own pregnancy as the shriek of joy from Drane was louder than the one she gave out for the First Lady! That brought laughter from the waiting group.

About twenty minutes later, Sylvie and Trevor made their way back to the group, who all formed a circle holding hands with one another. The Asocans began to sing a song of new family, new life, and new beginnings, the humans moved by the song as the words were translated by the language matrix for them.

After the song, the group gave hugs all around when suddenly they heard a strange sound from the First Lady. "Well, it must be close to noon as my stomach is complaining of being empty," she quipped to the laughter of all.

They made their way to the cafeteria in good spirits.

Later that day, the doctor confirmed Sylvie's pregnancy but she stated it was too soon to determine the sex. Sylvie informed the doctor that she was having a boy. The doctor gave her an indulgent smile but Sylvie was not deterred...

Hospital Reception, Lima Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

They had a new doctor at the hospital, Dr. Rimmett, a member of the Paacon. She was assigned to the Paacon embassy and staff but would also look after guests of her species to Liramor-23.

As Rimmett was being oriented to the hospital, she saw two little humans walk in wearing medical white jumpsuits and having the Asocan symbol for 'Harsgarrand' under their names.

Ikekiya and Zarreniya saw the new person, who was wearing what appeared to be medical white coat over her body. What plumage they could see was highly iridescent, an indication that this Gan was strong and likely very intelligent. They bowed in perfect imitation of a Paacon formal bow to the new person and greeted her in the Paacon language.

*Hello new staff member,* they spoke together, then individually. *I am Harsgarrand Ikekiya,* one said, followed by the other; *I am Harsgarrand Zarreniya. You have seal ring...do you have family here?*

A seal ring was a large ring that went on the left wrist and indicated that a Paacon was mated.

Rimmett sat down on the deck and brought her head down to the level of the two little humans. "I am Dr. Rimmett, surgeon level three, newly assigned to the Paacon Embassy here. My family is still back on Amatenaan. My daughter does not finish her school year until the end of this month, so she and my mate will not be here for another month."

"How old is you daughter?" Ikekiya asked.

"She is still a Chan but she will become a Gan soon," Rimmett told them. A Chan was the female teen version on a Paacon while a Gan was an adult female. Paacon get their adult growth by age seven but do not gain their adult plumage, indicating sexual maturity, until age fourteen or fifteen. Teen plumage is quite dull in comparison to the iridescent plumage of the adults.

"Oh, she no play with us then. That sad," Zarreniya stated. Then she looked at Rimmett. "But we have new person to teach us Paacon medicine!"

That got laughter from all the staff who were watching the interplay.

"I'm not sure I want to be around you two little ones. I would be afraid to step on you!" Rimmett exclaimed.

"What is going on here?" a new voice interjected. "Why are my Harsgarrand not in my office?" Dr. <Gorlat, a large Asocan grumped.

*We say high to new Doctor, Doctor <Gorlat.* Zarreniya explained in Asocan, surprising Rimmett who had now heard them speak in at least three languages.

"Humph, she will have to be very careful stepping around with you two underfoot," <Gorlat snapped.

"You need learn same lesson as Doctor <Gorlat, Doctor Rimmett," Ikekiya said. She raised her forefinger and said, "you take step, you hear squeak! You no finish step!" She punctuated those words by moving her forefinger in the negative in a large arc from her elbow.

When Ikekiya said 'hear squeak', Zarreniya had raised her two hands in front of her mouth and looked with wide eyes at Dr. Rimmett. When Ikekiya finished her statement, Zarreniya was shaking her head back and forth in the human negative, her eyes now showing real fear.

The two children looked at each other and began to laugh, a laughter which was carried round the room by the staff. Rimmett smiled, knowing she had been had by the children.

"I will endeavour not to finish the squeak," she replied good naturedly. <Gorlat just gave a big sniff and ordered the children to her office. "You have studies to complete," she groused.

*Yes, Doctor <Gorlat,* the children said in unison.

"Studies?" Rimmett asked of Dr. Heyya as she rose up off the deck.

"We have yet to find an area of study the children have not dealt in. They have prodigious memories and a curiosity to match. Here at the hospital, they are studying the anatomy of all of the Interspecies races, studies provided to them by those very species. Currently, they are working with Dr. <Gorlat of the Asocans but they have already studied under Dr. Kyle-Ur of the Pod-Drran and Dr. Marla of the Byandi, and the human staff. They will be at your office door before too long," Heyya advised her.

"They are very small, just how old are they?" Rimmett asked.

"Ikekiya is just nineteen months old, while her sister is 'two and a half months newer than her 'much older' sister," Heyya replied with a smile.

"Is this typical of human children?" Rimmett asked.

"Oh, there is nothing typical about the Piscium children," Nurse Katanya answered for Dr. Heyya.

That left Rimmett eyeing the children as they disappeared down a corridor following Dr. <Gorlat.

Office of the Director of Interplanetary Police Forces, Liramor Prime, The Liramor system

Maria Sanger was sitting at her desk, going over reports when she got the first inkling that this day would not be like the others.

"Director, there is an 'Eyes Only' call for you from IPPF Headquarters, Terra," her Comms O reported.

"Send it through to my desk please," Maria replied. A moment later, the seal of the IPPF showed up at her desk comp with a request for authentication. She passed her wrist comp over the set and the seal was immediately replaced by none other than THE Director General of IPPF Diana Gorman herself!

Oh Shit!! Maria just had time to think...

Maria snapped off a salute to her boss. "Good day, Director General, I am at your command," Maria stated.

"Thank you Director Sanger, that is always good to hear. By way of explanation, I am currently working my way through inspection tours all of the commands. Your command has just come to the top of the pile. You should expect an Inspection Team at you headquarters some time today," Gorman explained.

Her aide, Special Agent (SA) Phillip Beausoleil, took that moment to call her on her wrist comp.

"Director Sanger, there is an..."

"Inspection Team in the outer office?" Maria cut him off.

"Yes, Director. I would ask how you knew but I'm sure you will inform me in your own time. Should I send them in?" Phillip asked.

Sanger got a nod from the Director General. "Yes please, Phillip, yourself as well."

SA Beausoleil opened the door and stood aside as twelve people entered and stood at one end of her office. Phillip closed the door and pushed the lock-out to ensure privacy.

"Very well. Chief Superintendent Maria Sanger, Director of Operations IPPF on Liramor Prime, your command will be sifted through a fine toothed comb over the next five days to determine how you stack up against the norms of the IPPF. We would have done this inspection two years ago, however, the Raid on the Alliance happened to put an end to all inspection tours at that time.

"Congratulations, your number has come up. I expect you to give full disclosure and co-operation to the staff of my hand-picked team. They have the highest security clearances so there is nothing that cannot be given to them.

"Good luck, Maria. I'll talk with you on the other side." The Director General gave a curt nod and closed the link.

Almost immediately, the head of the Inspection Team, Chief Superintendent Marc Poilievre introduced his team. Only one person was below the level of Superintendent in rank and that was the Senior Forensic Expert, Chief Inspector Monette Marini.

"All of us are fluent in French so we will be able to work seamlessly with your organization," Poilievre stated. "Now, lets get to this..."

Shit, thought Maria, this is going to be FIVE of those days!

Lecture Hall of the Liramor-23 Campus of Malton University, Mike Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

Rimmett had made the same deal with Malton University as had many of the other non-human medical staff at the local hospital. Today would be her first lecture in comparative anatomy of the Paacon and their medical practices.

She was standing, talking to Prof. Zilina Smeldt, head of the faculty at the campus, when she saw the two young Piscium children march in. They were outfitted in jumpsuits in ship's colours. They wore sunglasses and had Pilots/Navigator bags which were so large for them they used them as backpacks. They found seats at the front of the hall and slid their backpacks off their shoulders, putting their sunglasses in side pockets. Both of them pressed something on their wrists and their jumpsuits flashed to Medical White with their names as she had seen before, surprising her somewhat.

Two tall human females, with three small animals on their shoulders, came into the hall and approached the children who held up their hands for hugs. They then brought the females over to the podium.

"Doctor Rimmett, this is my mommy," Ikekiya told Rimmett. "She Gurn Piscium, Hanalei Mutt Anar."

"Doctor Rimmett, this is my momma," Zarreniya explained in turn. "She be Palda Junelliya Mutt Helan, Doctor Music."

"Doctor OF Music," Ikekiya whispered loudly to her sister.

"Oh, yeah, Doctor of Music," Zarreniya conceded. Rimmett smiled at the antics of the pair. "These be our friends the Cats, Juneya, Hanaya, and Fayea."

The little animals each called out as their names when called and then gave the big Paacon a strange look, getting giggles from the children.

"They want to greet you but you have no shoulders for them to land on," Zarreniya giggled.

Junelliya held her hand out in front of her and one of the little animals rushed down her arm to her hand, bobbing up and down energetically.

"Hold out your hand and bring them up to the side of your head when I tell you to," Junelliya instructed. Rimmett did as directed and the small animal skipped over to her hand and waited impatiently. Junelliya gave her a signal and Rimmett brought the hand up near her head. The small animal looked at her curiously and then something weird seemed to happen as Rimmett felt something 'tickle' her mind. She saw what appeared to be a flash of red from the animals eyes. It then squeaked and soared down and back to Junelliya's shoulder.

"Your pets are delightful, Junelliya," Rimmett said.

"They are not pets, Doctor Rimmett," Junelliya advised. "They are our friends and Pod Mates."

"Pod Mates?" Rimmett asked.

"Despite their small size," Junelliya explained, "Cats are quite intelligent and are highly empathic. Cats live in a Pod. They have bonded to us and we have thus become part of their Pod, so we are Pod Mates."

"Its almost time, please take your seats," Zilina interjected. At a signal from the tech, Zilina began to speak.

"Good day to all who are joining us for this lecture. I am Professor Zilina Smeldt of the Liramor-23 Campus of Malton University.

"Today we have the first of many lectures on Paacon anatomy and medical practices. With us as our Subject Matter Expert, or SME, is Surgeon Third Class, Doctor Rimmett of the Paacon Embassy here on Liramor-23."

Polite applause came from those in the lecture hall. Zilina signalled to Dr. Rimmett and she began her lecture which covered the general anatomy of the Paacon. She spoke for almost an hour and then asked questions. No one was asking anything until Rimmett was surprised to see one of the little ones raise her hand.

"Yes, Ikekiya?" she asked, not expecting much.

"You have spoken of several internal organs that do not follow many of the structures of other races but are there races that have related organs that we could make sense of these special organs?" she asked, totally surprising Rimmett.

"That is actually an excellent question, Harsgarrand Ikekiya and yes, there are three races that have similar organs, including the Asocans. As such, you might recognize them as I understand you have learned some Asocan anatomy," Rimmett stated.

"Is your Hannat organ similar to the Asocan Sorkarn organ? You said the Hannat is responsible for biomass regulation." Ikekiya asked a now shocked Rimmett.

"You are quite correct, Ikekiya, they have the same function but obviously work slightly differently because of the different bodies they control," Rimmett admitted.

Embolded by the little girl's question, others began to ask their own questions. Rimmett spent more than twenty minutes fielding questions begore Zilina brought this session to a halt.

"We have seen the first half of this lecture, the basics of Paacon anatomy. The next portion will be on Paacon medical practices. We shall return in one half hour, thank you." Zilina signalled the tech, who closed the link.

Rimmett stopped over in front of the children and settled on the deck. "That was a very insightful question, Ikekiya. Are you sure you are only twenty-one months old?" she asked with a smile, getting giggles from the pair of children.

"We sorry, Doctor Rimmett, but we must go little girl's room," Zarreniya said, getting an odd look from Rimmett.

"They mean they need to use the bathroom," Junelliya informed Rimmett.

Rimmett laughed. Now that you mention it, so do I," she admitted.

The second half of the lecture, on Paacon medical practices, went off much better with plenty of questions from the staff. The Piscium children had asked more questions, thoroughly impress Rimmett. She was more than happy after to ask Katanya to schedule instruction sessions with the little ones.

L-1894 The Piscium Apartment, Liramor-23, 109 Piscium System

Ikekiya was having the dream again. This time it was very different. In it, she saw the man in brown kill Raymond, Liea, Kim, and Gillaya, then he turned his gun on other people. In her dream, she saw as the man in brown killed her. She snapped awake when she witnessed that.

She sat up, very frightened, in her bed. How could she see herself get killed? She asked herself. But she had no answer. Everyone had said the same thing, only those mentioned in prophecy could change it. She had to save everyone, including herself.

She laid back down and tried to go to sleep but sleep illuded her for some time.

In her own bed, Zarreniya ran the incident through her mind. Her sister had broadcast her dream in dramatic fashion. Her sister couldn't understand it, but Zarreniya did. The dream wasn't about Ikekiya...the dream was about her.

The Food Court, Lima Deck, Liramor-23, The Piscium System

The daycare often took the children to the Food Court for snacks or lunch, with parents permission of course. After the first incident when a misbehaving student had cut short the excursion, the children were always on their best behaviour.

As the children walked down the corridor to their objective, Ikekiya and Zarreniya held court with the others. There were still basking in the glory of Ikekiya's accomplishment of finding and boarding Poda-La's Resestess but truthfully, they enjoyed more showing off their capabilities in most of the fields of endeavour that they attempted. They were beginning to understand that they were not like other children, though they still tried to keep themselves grounded.