REDEMPTION

— by Jeff Karamales

Chapter 39
News from Home
 

Rebuilding the bridge that had claimed the lives of Elena and Amanda, the incident almost claiming Myao Shin and Enola, had taken priority for many of the Furs, with the number of pilings and the depth they were sunk being doubled. Richard had taken it upon himself to oversee the entire project with a vow that another similar incident wouldn’t happen if he had anything to say about it, Sofiya and the rest of the colonists agreeing wholeheartedly. As spring gave way to summer, other projects were initiated to reduce the danger of another flash flood of the river, a series of baffles being erected from wood reinforced stone that would slow the rush of water while small nooks were dug into the banks for others that might find themselves in the water to use to get to shore along with a series of safety lines of various heights.

Richard viewed each undertaking with an almost holy ambition, seeing the river less of a physical characteristic of the terrain and more like an enemy that had to be defeated. It wasn’t until the last line was strung, the lines attached to brightly painted poles that had solar powered lights attached that he finally let go of the tension that filled him since the funeral for the two foxes that had shared his and Sofiya’s hearts and love.

Other storms rolled through the valley, though none dropped the sheer volume of rain that had occurred on that fateful day. A scouting foray led by Hector and Toshiro had verified that much of the flooding that had occurred had also been from added snow melt that the rain had caused far up into the mountains that formed the eastern wall of the valley.

As life resumed something akin to normalcy, Richard slowly returned to the mental and emotional state that he’d been in prior to losing his other two mates, though more and more of his efforts were directed towards the blond haired vixen that carried his children. As such Sofiya found herself more often than not monitoring the goings-on of Abeona from a chair that had developed a number of additional cushions in the operations dome. It was during one such day, the door to the dome open to let in the warm breeze that caressed the valley while going over crop estimates with Emanuella that the communications console chimed with an incoming message.

“Isn’t it a couple of days too early for a message from Earth?” the South American Fur asked as she looked at the console, her ears perking up in curiosity and surprise.

“Yes, it is,” Sofiya replied. She turned the chair to the console and touched the ‘Receive’ icon on the screen, her own ears standing straighter as the word ‘PRORITY MESSAGE’ flashed in bright red on the dark blue field of the screen. Beneath that was a list of recipients for personal messages including two for Sofiya and Richard.

“Tell you what,” Emanuella said as she closed her Personal Business Juxtapositioner with a small click, slipping the yellow encased device into her pocket. “You take care of that and I’ll get with you later to go over the estimates.”

“That is being a good plan,” Sofiya told the other distractedly as she summoned her mate on her own PBJ. The wallpaper on both screens returned to a picture of her and Richard with Elena and Amanda as she finished and sent the message.

As soon as the other vixen left the dome, Sofiya brought up the priority message first. She was a little taken aback to find herself looking at the recorded image of Ásmundr Gustavsson himself.

“Sofiya, even though it’s quite some time after the fact, I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear of the loss of your and Richard’s mates. I never had the chance to meet either of those two ladies, but Dimitri assures me that they were some of the most spectacular vixens he’s ever had come through the Institute. He is also including a short message to you, but for now, please know that you and Richard have my deepest sympathies.

“I’m almost hesitant to impart the real reason for this message, almost as if it makes light of the personal tragedy that you’ve suffered, but there has been a certain development, or several for that matter, that you need to be made aware of, and I wanted you to hear of it directly from me.

“As you know, between the time the previous Felis colonists spent on Bastien, and add to that the time that you’ve been in command of the Abeona group, more than five years have passed. In actuality, Bastien has had Furs on it for a little under six years. After receiving not only the samples that were returned from the flight that deposited you, but also the findings of your research, the time table for the viability of putting a permanent colony on Bastien has arrived and the Terran Colonization Coalition’s Office of Colonial Affairs headed by its new director has approved a full contingent for settlement purposes as the plague that obliterated the Felis colonists isn’t communicable to humans. In fact, we’ve been able to synthesize something of a vaccine for the Felis with the samples that we’ve received so if the Felis ever return they won’t succumb to the same event.

“I know that this is well before the time period you expected, but the wealth that all of you are sitting on cannot be ignored. You should be seeing their arrival at the end of third year. Yes, I know it may seem a bit premature, but it does take quite a bit of preparation to send out a contingent for full settlement.

“Now, normally you and your people would be given a chance at either maintaining your colony or opting for reassignment at the end of your five-year tenure. As there are no other planets that are currently being considered for either exploration or permanent human colonists, I would ask that all of you remain on Bastien. I know that this is highly irregular as far as these things go, but it is, at the moment, the plan to establish another two groups of Furs on your world in different areas. Oh, and due to the number of available Furs that are now on Earth, we will be sending a small contingent to assist in the expansion and bolstering of your present colony. Other colonies will also be receiving additional Furs as they are, for the most part, simply cooling their heels as it were.

“I will, of course, be sending you regular updates on the departure of the colony contingent as often as possible. And that brings me to the other part of this message.

“Since your group’s departure from Earth, certain advances have been made and new technologies have been developed to assist the settlement of other worlds. As such, Bastien has been selected as a sort of testing ground for a new delivery method of materials upgrades. There are other worlds that have been selected, though I’m unable to mention those to you at the moment.

“We, in conjunction with the TCC and Carver Aerospatial Industries, have developed a new series of autonomous ships based on the unmanned probes that actually first surveyed your world and others so many years ago. These ships are designed to carry specialized cargo pods that are similar to what the Leif Erikson, a ship that I’m told you’re a little familiar with, will be using when it’s finally completed. We would like to try and utilize an equipment drop for your colony and get your honest assessment of its validity and accuracy using these new unmanned ships.

“Needless to say, if this test is successful it may have a very substantial impact on future colony establishment and might also be used to send necessary materials and desperately needed resources back to Earth. Truly exciting stuff! Should the drop go as planned, I would also like for your colonists to do a series of evaluations for the equipment that will be arriving.

“Unfortunately I must sign off. I will ensure that you receive information and the time table for these test runs within a reasonable time period. May the fates smile upon you and yours, Sofiya.”

The screen went black for a moment before the AHCP timestamp for the recording of the message flashed on the screen in blue lettering, then returned to the selection menu for messages.

“Well, that’s definitely some impressive news,” Richard said from over his vixen’s shoulder.

“It is very exciting and encouraging, is it not?” the red fox said as she turned her chair slightly to smile at her mate.

“It sort of reminds me of the resupply drops the military uses. Fast, fairly safe. It could mean the difference between a colony succeeding or failing. I wonder how it would work in sending something to Earth, though,” the silver fox mused as he pulled up a chair and took the vixen’s paw in his, something that he’d been doing quite often as of late.

“I am sure that we will be finding out when the time comes,” the red fox said. “There are also two personal messages for us if you would like to sit with me?” She left the question hanging though there was no mistaking the hope in her eyes that her mate would stay and she was unable to hide the warmth in her eyes as he pulled a chair over next to hers.

“It’ll be easier than trying to watch it on our PBJs,” he said and slipped his arm around the vixen’s shoulders.

Reaching out to type in her personal access code, Sofiya began the first message. Both were mildly surprised to see Dimitri Kavalos, and while he smiled and greeted the two Furs warmly, it wasn’t long before tears rolled unceasingly down his cheeks as he told them of just learning about Elena and Amanda. It went on like that for some time until the Doctor couldn’t continue any further and had to sign off. The message had caused emotional reactions in both Furs as well and it took a few minutes before Sofiya could bring herself to start the next message, hoping that it wasn’t someone else sending their condolences, unsure if she or Richard could deal with any more emotional outpourings.

Both were surprised to see a grinning wolf furman with off-white and cream colored fur and darker buff hued highlights walking around with bits of the Adirondack Institute behind him.

“Hey guys! It’s Jack here! Well, as you can see, I went and did it! Got a couple of surprises for y’all, but first I have to ask why the two of you didn’t tell me that being a Fur would make me feel so good? I didn’t know I’d be stronger and faster…though I guess with the weight I dropped it ain’t too much of a surprise! Doc Aristotle cleared me after I dumped about a hundred pounds and said the transformation process would take care of the rest. And Sebra was a complete trip! Man, I dig space! If someone like me could be graceful in Z-G, the two of you must have really been somethin’ else!”

Someone else was walking ahead of Richard’s friend to hold the video camera, but it wasn’t the Fur that joined the wolf. She, and there was no mistaking it was a female, looked like a Vulps Fur, though her proportions were a little off. Her limbs were almost lanky, but she moved with surprising fluidity to her arms and legs. That and her markings were certainly nothing that either fox had ever seen on another Vulps.

“This here’s Connie! We met when we both wound up in the Canis Wing. Connie was feeling a little bummed and I told her that what we’d be goin’ through weren’t nothin’ and then told her all about you two. Well, I guess I did a lot more than that because next thing I know is we became a bit of an item…”

“Hi, Richard! Hi Sofiya!” the female said with a smile and wave.

“She almost looks like one of y’all, don’t she? Pretty as you please, but she chose a Maned Wolf from South America. They just approved that type last year along with a couple of other Fur kinds. It’s even cooler here than before with some of the new types of Furs walking around, that’s for sure, brother!

“So, before we get to far afield, I just found out that our group is headed to your same immersion training facility in Washington State. It seems that we’re going to be a follow up group to Bastien. Can you believe it? Well, half of us are. The other half is getting sent to Khepri with the original Canis colony they dropped there some years back! Together again, brother! Ain’t that something?

“Okay…hold on. Someone else wants to say hi and I need to hold the camera…”

The picture jostled around a bit as the wolf was handed the video recorder. The two Vulps were greeted by the smiling visage of an unknown red fox Vulps.

“Hello Sofiya! Richard! It’s me! Robert! I know this can’t be too long because of message limitations, but I thought you might be interested to know that the documentaries I made got a couple of awards and was actually picked up by the Explorer Channel! Andy Skarbek is producing the whole thing! Can you believe it? There’s a whole team of production crews now and they’re circulating them through all of the different Institutes! Between that and the cartoons that you guys found out about, I helped make some of the most watched series on TV and the Net according to the ratings review this year!

“But there’s more! We’re doing a new series on individuals from start to finish. Kinda like a video journal. And you’re looking at the star for the first one! That’s right! Here we are on my first day of the rest of my life! When I went to Stockholm to meet with Mister Gustavsson I found out that they had plans to send a permanent human colony as well as more Furs to you guys and asked if I could volunteer! I even waived my bonus if I could get put through the program. Mister Gustavsson said that if I could handle jumping in a little behind the others he could get me approved to go through, and I said yes!

“Unfortunately I didn’t get to go to Sebra Space Station. They had to put me in a floatation tank. I just got out last week so I’m still only partway through, but I’ll be going with Jack and the others to the training facility so we can get ready for our trip to Bastien! I’ll be a full furman by the time we get done with our training scenario. By the way, did Sofiya really kill a bear with her bare hands…er, uh, paws? That’s beyond cool! But then Sofiya is a really tough lady, isn’t she?”

The young Vulps sobered slightly and looked down before facing the camera again.

“Look, I know it’s been a while, and that she’s probably found someone else, but if…well, if you could tell Charlotte it’ll be good to see her again it would be appreciated. I know she’s probably with some really great guy and all, but…I guess you know how it goes.

“After learning the things I did about you guys there was no way I couldn’t join. I mean, I know I’m not nearly as brave or tough as the rest of you, but, well, I feel more a part of you guys than I do people now…er, humans. I met up with some friends from film school and all they could talk about was what movie they were working on, what celebrities and stars they’ve met, and it was such BS! It was like we were from completely different worlds.

“I don’t really have anything in common with the people that I know anymore, and, yeah. Sorry. I’m running out of time. Just tell Charlotte I look forward to seeing her and you guys too! Gotta go now. Take care!”

The view on the camera shifted as Jack spun it around, not quite getting himself fully in the picture.

“The kid’s right. We need to cut this short, but we’ll see you all real soon.”

The message ended with another time stamp and returned to the main menu.

“Wow,” Richard said with a stunned look. “Robert actually did it. And Jack!”

“And they are to be coming here!” Sofiya added with a tone of astonishment. The vixen’s expression grew mischievous. “I am wondering if we should be sending a personal message back to be telling Robert that Charlotte still speaks fondly of him or that she has not settled for any one male?”

“Why ruin the surprise for the kid?” Richard laughed. His chortle was cut short when Sofiya’s grip on his fingers tightened sharply. “Is something wrong, Honey?”

“I…I am not knowing…layno!” Sofiya started before her face scrunched up in discomfort and she began to pant heavily. “Richard…I am thinking…that you need to be getting…Valerie and Suzette…” she said brokenly as her paw slipped over her belly. “I am thinking…it is t-ti-TIME!”

Richard watched as his mate leaned forward with her first major contraction.

***

Less than an hour passed from Sofiya going into the medical dome than Suzette emerged, a stunned look on her face. Richard stopped the pacing of the gravel path in front of the dome, all but pouncing on the vixen as others also waited for the news.

“Valerie and I are of the mind that that has been the easiest delivery we have ever witnessed,” the French Fur said with a chuckle. She looked up at the looming silver fox. “Oh, go on in and meet your son, Richard,” she told the fox almost as an afterthought.

When he entered the dome, Richard found his mate nursing a kit while Valerie sat in a chair after cleaning up the debris. “How are you feeling?” he whispered with a stunned look in his bronze eyes.

“I am being fine, miy liubov,” the vixen said happily, looking a little tired, but well. In fact, as far as her partner was concerned, she was glowing.

“You know, this really isn’t fair,” Valerie said with a grin. “Most women that I’ve helped through birth had the good grace to be tired, not looking like it was simply another day at the office. Maria was in labor for several hours before her delivery.”

“And Maria was having twins,” Sofiya pointed out. “I was only having one.”

“Sofiya, your one weighs almost as much as both of hers put together,” the fennec pointed out. She looked at the silver fox. “Nine pounds, three ounces, before you ask.”

“Can we still be naming him Nikoli?” the red fox asked as she looked at the nursing baby Fur.

Richard moved to the bed and turned the blanket down to look at the fluffy copper colored head of his son, his eyes soft and luminous in the light from the bedside lamp. “Of course we are!” He watched as Sofiya let their child finish his first meal before placing him on her shoulder and patting his back, the kit belching loudly before smacking its mouth and yawning. “Yup. Definitely my son!” the silver fox said with a grin. “No manners at all!”

“Feh! It is only proper appreciation for a good supper,” Sofiya quipped with a smile of her own.

“There is that,” Richard said as he pulled the blanket to get a glimpse of unfocused blue eyes. “Well met, Nikoli Talova. Welcome to Bastien.”

“Ne. No. Nikoli Tavington,” the red fox vixen said with a proud tilt to her chin.

— NEXT CHAPTER —

Unless otherwise noted, all material © Ted R. Blasingame. All rights reserved.