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"There's baby Navik or baby you, gender pending." Qhix's blue finger points to a tiny bubble with what looks like a gummy bear nestled inside. The flicker of an itty, bitty heart ticking out the rhythm of new life.
"That's incredible," I whisper, knowing the pinch I felt after our romp in the forest on Zeva had to be the moment of conception.
A mixture of awe and fear war within me as I contemplate the idea of having a baby, let alone one with an extraterrestrial parent.
"Have there ever been any hybrid babies born to Kauls?"
"Not that I know of." Qhix's words are not what I want to hear. "I didn't know Kaul's were biologically compatible with other species. I guess that makes you a pioneer. First, the awakening of a sivot after millennia, and now you're going to birth the first Kaul-human baby."
"Why does that make me happy and nauseous all at the same time?" A mix of excitement and dread courses through my veins. It's overwhelming, the thought of bringing a new life into the world, yet terrifying at what awaits me. "Where am I going to have this baby? Is there a hospital or somewhere I can give birth with a doctor present?"
Qhix’s eyebrows furrow together in a worried expression, which ramps up my anxiety. "Humans are looked at as an inferior race by most awakened species, so offhand, I don’t know of any medical facilities."
"Awakened?"
"Meaning aware of other life outside their home worlds," Qhix explains. "Kaul females have been birthing young without assistance for as long as I can remember."
"I'm not a Kaul female, Qhix, and this isn't going to be a normal birth. I don't know what to expect. Is there any way to determine a due date given the difference in gestation times?"
"I'll contact the other Mavericks. Maybe someone knows a medic that can be trusted to help." I appreciate Qhix's attempt to reassure me. "In the meantime, try not to panic. Once Navik is fully healed, you can keep the medical cuff in case you need it during or after the birth."
"Qhix, I can't take that. What if you need it?"
"Think of it as a baby gift. Besides, I know where to get another one. It gives me an excuse to return to Zune. See what the Ziarian prisoners are up to."
"Is it safe to go to a prison planet by yourself?"
Qhix chuckles. "What fun would it be if it weren't dangerous, Cora? But Zune is a moon that orbits the Ziarian home world of Ziaria. The prisoners are supposed to be there mining a rare ore called xedon, but the one time I was there, I found no evidence of any such ore. The Ziarian government is always up to no bliking good, and I’m dying to know what it is."
"Try and be careful."
"Always." Qhix winks. "My curiosity needs to be satisfied as to what it is they're really doing there. For now, I need to get back to the bridge."
Qhix shows me how to operate the alien ultrasound and hands me the card so I can scan myself.
"Thanks, Qhix." I take the card and smile up at him. "You've been a true friend."
He gives me a slight bow. "Star Mavericks always look out for each other, it's part of our creed."
"Leave no Maverick behind," I say with a watery grin.
"That includes baby Mavericks." He points to my belly. "I'll find someone to help, Cora, I swear it on my honor as a Maverick."
Qhix leaves me to blink away tears of joy. After being held captive for so long, I never thought to ever feel happiness again. Here I am with new friends, a fierce space pirate as a mate, and a baby on the horizon.
Sadly, none of my new life can be shared with my mom, the only bleak spot in my new life.
"What is that you're looking at on the internal imager?"
My head whips around at the raspy voice of my mate, and I rush to his side. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. Tired." Navik pushes himself up into a sitting position on the gurney and nods to the alien ultrasound machine. "Are you hurt?"
"No. Not hurt." I take a deep breath and steel myself for what I'm about to say. "I have something to tell you."
"What is it, starfire?"
Butterflies flutter wildly in my belly as I look into Navik's icy gaze, searching for the right words to tell him he's going to be a father.
