Page 37 of HaL

“I asked Father once who my mother was. He hesitated for a tic and just as I could tell he was going to tell me, he was called away. There never seems to be the right moment, or maybe it is just not meant for me to know. At my age, it no longer matters, but it has always been a question in the back of my mind.”

“Does your kind raise their kids themselves, or are you like other races where a group or the whole community helps out?”

“It is a mix. The females tend to keep their daughters close until they come of age. Before the compound was built, the males would have been mentored by an older male relative and taught to hunt, forage, and learn basic survival skills. Until recently, we males tended to spend most of our lives alone.”

“Even the ones with mates?”

“No, that was different. They do everything as a team, including rearing the younglings. But until we all started gathering together, there were few mated couples on Hallister. The birth rate and our numbers had dropped to critical levels.”

“I remember you mentioning that in the medical bay. Let me get cleaned up a little and brush this wild hair of mine and I will join you at our little meeting place.”

“Would you like me to order some sustenance for early rising?”

“You mean, do I want breakfast? Absolutely, and some coffee would be amazing.”

I slide out of bed, thankful for the footsies in my onesie, as I don’t have any house shoes to slide on. I make my way toward the bathroom that I really should have scoped out better yesterday, since my bladder is screaming. The clear door slides open and I stop in my tracks because not only is there an ionizer in here, but a real toilet and sink.

And my first thought is, how do you hug a hologram, because SAGE sure as shit needs more than an attaboy! I have no idea how any Earth girl has made it a single day without her or one of the other AI’s. I slide HaL’s coat off before jumping into the ionizer. When I feel the tingles flowing all over my skin, I lean my head back.

The second it beeps, I head to the sink and the mirror hanging over it, only to stop … Damn, I look rough! I can see there are dark circles under my eyes, and the entire left side of my face is slightly yellow, showing I’m still healing from being knocked around inside that escape pod. I try to run my fingers through my hair, only to realize the knots are so bad they may need to be cut out, and for some reason, that makes me sad.

Rummaging through a basket on the small counter, I find some face cream and a couple different combs and brushes. Grabbing the brushes, I pick up HaL’s coat only to pause when I realize it needs a name … Snuggie, furrie, heart pelt, a yote? I giggle at that last thought, as I can’t seem to make up my mind on a name for this thing. Shrugging, I head back toward our little seating area, only to find HaL setting out several dishes.

“Dawn, I was just about to call out for you.”

He looks me over, his gaze landing on my disheveled hair.

“Yeah, I’m a hot mess and it’s gonna take forever to get all these knots out of my hair.”

“When you are done with your early meal, I will help you.”

“Thanks, I am not sure how much I could get done with one arm.”

“Is it bothering you this rising?”

“Yes and no. Honestly, I’m kinda achy all over. I guess that’s to be expected when you play bouncy ball inside a spaceship. But enough about me being a wimp, what yummies did you bring me?”

HaL pushes a steaming cup toward me, but I can tell he’s still trying to sort through what I just said. Without thinking about it, I slowly bring it up to my lips, taking a small sip, not sure what to expect, only to gasp in pleasant surprise.

“It’s coffee … how?? … This is amazing! I feel like a princess that’s just been given a chest full of jewels. How did you get real coffee?”

HaL’s laughter echoes across the space at my enthusiasm.

“So Roja, I take it that you approve? I am not sure if you remember, but I mentioned trading with Targres Four and well, this is their main trade. Kira calls it alien coffee, and they make a small fortune off the beans collected there. I bought a bag, but other than Troza, no one seemed to care for the bitterness. If you like it, I will place an order this rising for more.”

“Yes, order boxes, lots of boxes, all the boxes! Ohhh, if only I had some cream and sugar to go with this, my life would be complete. Even ANDI has not gotten the mixture right for coffee in the replicators, even though he can make a mean cappuccino.”

“We have milks and creams available and also some ingredients that sweeten in the main dining hall. I will include some on the tray next rising for you to try.”

“You are a man after my own heart, sweetcheeks. So, what is your position here … The Overlord, General, or the President? What’s your title? You seem very important and the one that almost everyone comes to when they need an answer to something.”

“Hmm, I do not know that I have a particular title as you say. Until the compound construction began, I was just like every other male on this planet. However, because of my connections and, of course, my father, I became the one everyone came to, and leadership came naturally. My size is also a factor, so even before the compound began, most males would have either avoided me altogether or deferred to my instructions.

“You do take up quite a bit of real estate in either form.”

A rare smile graces his lips as he shakes his head slightly. “Roja, your wording is not only amusing, but it sure makes me think. There will never be a boring rising with you around.”

“Are you the largest of your brothers? I have only met a few of you.”