Allison woke up refreshed.  Her encounter with the alien spores had somehow invigorated her overnight.  She wasn’t intoxicated so much as she felt like her burdens were lighter.  The experience had been mind-altering.  Almost like it had expanded her consciousness beyond human experience, it felt normal to her, like she had felt it out there her whole life, just at the edge of her perceptions.  Despite the pain it was less distressing than looking into Seraph’s eyes.  She waved away the message notices that her assistant had filtered to her.  She was in no mood to deal with scientists hungry to work with her on her discoveries.


    Because she was a corp owner and her fighter was private property that was used on her own time on an exploration mission not sanctioned by either government all of her discoveries were property of her corp.  In fact both systems were unclaimed so technically the property of her corp at this point, should she wish to enforce that claim.  She shared her data with her stellar cartographers and her Aunt Maria freely.  Anyone else would need permission to use it in any way and would have to give her credit.


    She smiled and stretched while looking at herself in the mirror.  Something was different about her.  It was barely tangible.  Like there was a more ethereal quality to her.  Like Aryna and the Qual’sa had.  She blinked a few times and accessed her other corps datastore.  Her employees, or rather the corps employees who did not realize they worked for the Battlelord had managed to extract the data stored in the organic drive that Queen Aryna had provided.  She started looking for references to the flower in the genetic record of Qual’sa.  She found something matching the description she scanned the record.


    Fyr’t’Fir (translation: life and death) flowers are found in the valley of the ancients.  They were sacred to our way of life.  They can be identified by a pink three petalled flower and branching three leafed stems appear in patterns of three.  During the time of Fir they shed pollen in a great mist at once as if all are joined and the great E’sta’res (translation: Space Manatee Pods) swoop down to soak up their pollen.  Fyr’t’Fir wine and petals were once a major part of the joining ceremony in times long pasts.  Fyr’t’Fir wine is still used when communing with the ancients.  Transplant to other planetary ecosystems results in mutated forms not suitable for ritual purposes.


    Allison looked at the picture of the Fyr’t’Fir flowers and she realized they were one in the same as the flowers on the Phoenix.  This also explained why instead of flowers that planet had fruit trees and mutation.  The flowers growing on the space manatee remains were the same as the ones on her display currently.  She shook her head.  If only she had searched the Qual’sa data first she thought.  It should have occurred to her, but the team had only just managed to pull the data into a usable format.  Since it was all in Qual’sa they had barely been able to touch it because they did not understand it.


    Allison accessed her Qual’sa reclamation corporations email account and wrote an email to her lead researcher.  Including images of the flowers on the Phoenix, the space manatee remains and the trees that had similar flowers.  She also sent a link and translation to the data she’d found on the flower.  She included instructions to prioritize trying to grow it in soil from Earth and soil from Qual’sa.  Of course, It was just from the CEO without actually telling them who the CEO was.  She pondered what the employees thought of that.


    She started to brush her hair.  She just felt better today.  She could hear Robin, Zuri and Aryna arguing over bathroom access.  She chuckled and peaked out of her room.


    “Aryna come use mine.  I’m done.”


    Aryna rushed in, leaving Zuri and Robin to sort out their differences themselves.  Allison got herself dressed in her school uniform.  She pondered the current space issues in the house.  It had three full bathrooms, her ensuite, her parents and the general one.  The other two ensuites were just a toilet and sink.  Her parents had started this year with one kid, now they had two, plus a younger sibling.  She looked around her room with a bemused expression.  Finally, she came to a decision and while her ‘sisters’ were sorting themselves out she approached her mother and father at the kitchen table.


    “Mom, dad, I think I should move out.”


    Both her parents looked at her with the typical you’re talking crazy talk looks.  Her mother was the first to speak.


    “Yes of course, once you’re twenty-one.”


    Allison held up her hands.


    “I know how it sounds but you have four children living in the house now, there is only room for three of us to have our own rooms.  Yesterday and today’s morning arguments over the bathroom were just the beginning.  The habitation was not built for a family of six.”


    Her mother looked at her.


    “And where are you going to live then hmm?  The embassy?  Silwra?  Earth in that obnoxiously large apartment?”


    Allison should have expected her mother to go worst case scenario.


    “No, on base, on my ship, or more practically, my hangar.  They all have benefits, the base and ship meaning I can eat for free with no effort, my laundry will get done and if I’m on my ship I can respond to emergencies quicker.  On the other hand, I am a teenage girl, and some privacy would be nice.  The hangar has a full shower, washroom, space for a reheater and microwave.  It has a freezer and fridge for my blood.  I can still come home and pick up everyone to drive them to school, I can eat here some nights and have breakfast here most mornings.  I can do my laundry here.  I’m only a kilometer away.  Habitat construction is backed up because of all the refugees but we should be able to get a new one by the end of summer, we can give ours up and move into the new one I asked Eyre to order for us and paid for with some of the credits I made licensing the patent for the defensive plasma phalanx on from the Phoenix.  It’s a good idea. Oh, and Bit will be there, and she is a legal adult she’s almost worse than you mom when it comes to criticizing me.”


    Apiyo narrowed her eyes at Allison.  Allison’s dad stood up and touched Apiyo’s shoulder.  Apiyo shot him a withering glance, but he stood firm in the face of her potential wrath.  He was about to address Apiyo but then looked at Allison.


    “Wait, what?   You ordered us a new habitat?”


    Allison rubbed the back of her neck and couldn’t meet either of their gazes.


    “Well yes, I did it yesterday.  I was hoping it would be a week, but she said three to four months because of all the refugees and the people I rescued.  We’re lucky we got it in before humans in the Commonwealth wanted to come home to Earth.”


    Both of her parents looked really confused now.


    “What humans in the Commonwealth?  What Commonwealth?”


    Allison blushed.


    “Forget I mentioned that its classified…. Until later today, Aunt Maria is going to brief command staff and planetary governors.  After that I can tell you what I was really doing last week.”


    Her father nodded.


    “Okay, so you ordered us a new house without either of our permissions?”


    Allison bit her lower lip.


    “Do you mean that I didn’t get permission from either of you?  Was that Alliance Basic dad?”


    Both her parents glared at her.  Her mother finally spoke.


    “And how much did this new habitat cost?”


    Allison looked at the table.


    “Ten million credits with freight and delivery.   Aurelious corp paid me two hundred million for the phalanx tech I reverse engineered with some help from my engineering team.  We had to so we could repair a couple that got damaged…  You should be happy about this dad; It means our ships will be better protected!”


    Apiyo just stared at her daughter in disbelief.


    “How are you making all these transactions as a minor?”


    Allison bit her lower lip and took a few minutes to answer.


    “Bit is my partner in the limited liability partnership we incorporated.  I do a lot of stuff not covered by military request; I figured I’d monetize it since I screwed up, I mean found all that Qual’sa data and wanted to try and recover some of what was lost for Ayrna.  The dome only cost one credit but it needed a lot of maintenance, then there was ramp up costs.  Also, that research into the special food I don’t need anymore because we can just grow it for Oozie and Raghar.  I need to rebuild my trust fund.  Eyre, Bit and I made a deal, I could spend ten percent of whatever I earn.  So, I’ve only spent half on this sale.  I’m thinking of donating the rest to fund habitats for Yellowstone refugees and the people I rescued…  It’s all legal.”


    Her father sighed.  Apiyo looked frustrated when she spoke.


    “Inch by inch you’re cutting your father and I out of your life!  Ever since you found out who your real family is they’ve taken over!  Do you care nothing for the people who raised you?”


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Allison felt like she’d been slapped, she had tears in her eyes as she spoke.


    “You’re my real family mom.  You will always be my mom and dad.  Nothing will change that.  I don’t want to distance myself from you, but Zuri is a fourteen year old girl, Aryna is like a seventeen year old human, they need their personal space.  We can’t have them sharing a room, and we can’t have one of them sharing a room with Robin.  This is just until summer break.  Then the Dark Mother willing the Sal’nash will have been dealt with, and I’ll be on Silwra for the summer interning with the council.  Which before you say anything you already signed off on, and you said was the same as summer camp.  So that’s less than four weeks.  By the time I get back we’ll have our new home with a full bathroom for each of us, more space in our rooms and space for all our vehicles.  I have enough property by my hangar.  We’ll have a bigger yard too.”


    She looked out the window in the direction of Dhark’s grave.


    “You think I wanted to move?  My friend is buried back there.  I’ll have to transfer his grave to our new property.  This is a mess but it’s a good solution.”


    Apiyo looked very guilty as she saw Allison’s tears.  Allison’s father patted Apiyo’s hand.  They all stood there in silence for what seemed like an eternity.  Her mother’s silent fears had finally been aired, and no one really knew how to deal with them.  Aryna walked in her face clouded.  While she could not read Allison’s thoughts, her adoptive parents were quite easy to read, and they were both trying to sort out some recently revealed feelings.  She spoke up.


    “What is for breakfast?”


    Allison shrugged.


    “Don’t know.  Sorry we were just discussing something.  I distracted mom.”


    Apiyo stood up and placed a plate of French toast and fruit down for everyone, including the missing Zuri and Robin.  Eventually the youngest two showed up.  Apiyo was quiet as everyone ate finally, she spoke near the end of the morning meal.


    “Allison was kind enough to purchase some more property and a new habitat for the family with the income she’s earned from her hard work.  There is a delay due to current demand and it will not be arriving until the end of summer, or early fall.  The house is not big enough for everyone right now and we have decided to move Allison to her hangar until we can move into our new home.  She will still be eating meals with us where she can and spending most of her time here when she’s not at work, school or doing homework.  You’re all growing girls and you all need your own personal space.”


    Robin pouted.


    “But what about Oozie.”


    Allison looked at the nargle who looked sad but inched closer to Robin.  Allison nodded at Oozie.  She understood what her protector was getting at.


    “Oozie is sad she won’t see me as much but she’ll stay with you Robin.”


    Robin bounced in her seat.  Zuri gave Apiyo a look.


    “Sister, you’re kicking your own child out of your house, not even mother would do that to Reth! And he was thirty!”


    Allison jumped to her mother’s defense.


    “I suggested it to mom.  My hangar is perfectly fine, it’s basically a habitat with a retractable roof.  I also own a starship with okay quarters and a personal chef on it.  I’m good.”


    Zuri made an O shape with her mouth.


    “Sorry sister.”


    Apiyo gave Zuri a look.  It was different than the look she gave everyone else, but Allison figured it meant think before you speak.  Apiyo looked around the table.


    “Any other questions?”


    Aryna smiled.


    “No, I just want to say how mature Allison’s choice was.”


    Allison blushed.


    “Whatever.  I’ll get my stuff moved over tonight.  Is it uh okay if I order a real bed instead of using that cot I have there?”


    Her father laughed.


    “Of course.”


    Apiyo stood up.


    “Well, it is time for work and school.  Zuri, please behave yourself.  Do not get into religious arguments with the teachers, please.”


    Zuri looked indignant and wagged her finger.


    “I always behave myself you were the troublemaker wearing my face.”


    The girls and Oozie piled into Allison’s pickup truck.  She started it up and drove to the middle school first. She parked the truck and got out with Robin, Zuri and Oozie.  The trio walked onto the school grounds.  Allison let Robin and Oozie run off with their friends.  She led Zuri up, inside, past the statue of the Dark Mother, up the stairs and into the office.  Where she ran into her old archnemesis.  The sister had her hands folded in front of her robes as she looked the pair up and down.


    “Ah Zuri, welcome to our school.  I can assure you, with only a month and a week left we’re not expecting you to complete exams or the like.  We are, however, expecting you to pay attention and enjoy your short time here.  I expect you’ll be attending our summer school to catch up further.  You’ve woken up in a strange future, but I hope you find it a welcoming one.  Let us hope you’re less trouble than your niece here.”


    Zuri looked up at Allison.


    “Were you a troublemaker?”


    Allison shook her head then sighed and nodded.


    “A bit of one but like everyone else started it all the time.”


    The sister looked Allison up and down.


    “And you never backed down from a single one of those fights.  I’m glad you’ve gotten out of that phase.  I’ll take Zuri from here; Thanks for bringing her straight to me.”


    Allison waved and hopped down the stairs.  She slid into the pickup truck and Aryna looked at her curiously now that they were alone.


    “You are different today.”


    Allison shrugged.


    “I had a strange experience yesterday it kind of lifted my spirits.”


    Aryna motioned with her hands.


    “If you choose to hide your thoughts from me, you’re going to need to be a little more forthcoming with your words, sister.”


    Allison pondered how to answer her sister’s question.


    “I was dosed with Fyr’t’fir flower pollen.  It was… trippy and enlightening and I have no idea but today I feel like I can take on the universe.”


    Aryna raised one of her delicate silver eyebrows.


    “Are you alright otherwise?  That pollen is a psionic enhancer.  It was how we would speak to the ancients.  I thought they could only grow on Qual’sa.”


    Allison shook her head.


    “These weren’t the normal kind of flowers; They were like fruit trees or something?”


    Aryna nodded.


    “I see, I recall those mutated varieties could have differing effects.  My memories are still jumbled but I can tell you that long term exposure to the plants on Qual’sa is what was responsible for our psionic abilities.  What did you see?”


    Allison shrugged.


    “Everywhere, all at once.  It is like I could see the entire universe and beyond.  Like the multiverse.  I dreamt I had a conversation with this girl named Sarah last night… so weird but I woke up this morning and it’s like my mind was completely clear.”


    Aryna put her hand on the seat as they parked in the high school parking lot.


    “I would like it if we could share the memory, maybe I could help you make sense of it?”


    Allison looked at Aryna’s hand like it might bite her.


    “No, that is not a good idea.  You have enough of a mess up there without adding my crap to it.”


    Aryna sighed and the pair got out of the truck.  As they walked towards the school Aryna glanced up at Allison.


    “I am here, I can share your burdens I am your sister, it is our way.”


    Allison shook her head.


    “No, Aryna, I am a soldier, I have killed a lot of people and things.  You have enough death in that head of yours.  This last mission, it was a horror show, okay?  I had to do something so vile…  I still feel it here in my head.  The darkness I had to swallow but whatever happened yesterday… it makes it not so bad.  Like a distant memory.”


    They headed to their home room which was still Sister Silra’s classroom.  Allison slid into her usual seat.  After morning announcements and prayers they dispersed to their classes.  Allison’s first class was a spare and she spent it starting to put together all the data for her science fair project.  This year’s theme was specifically Andromeda: The galaxy we live in.  The Space Manatees were native to the Andromeda galaxy.  Allison figured she had it in the bag.  Who could possibly compete with the holo-recording she had of the pod travelling through space and FTL.  Even without revealing any information about the black dwarf and the Fyr’t’fir flowers she had enough. Even better she had interviews with Andromeda native xenobiologists.  Xenobiology was the topic, the space manatee data was just an example.


    Tyler sat down across from her.  She finished the edit she was doing on an interview and saved it.  She looked at him with a smile.  He looked pensive but her smile seemed to cause him to relax.  He spoke.


    “Hey, can you talk?”


    Allison nodded.


    “Yeah, just working on my science fair project, how is yours coming?”


    Tyler shrugged.


    “Okay.  I don’t know why I’m bothering.”


    Allison smirked.


    “Because you are like me and suck at science, so you need the extra credit?”


    Tyler laughed softly.  He looked at his tablet playing with the edge of it as he spoke.


    “I really like you but… like… umm, uh…”


    He now had one hundred percent of Allison’s focus.  She wanted to shake him and yell at him to tell him to look her in the eye when he broke her heart, but she realized she probably broke his first.


    “You haven’t been you lately.  You’re kind and you care about people around you but like… you’ve been angry with everyone, even me.  I’m not sure I can keep being around that kind of negativity… or whatever.”


    Allison sighed.  Everything he said was true.  She hadn’t even put an effort into save the archbishop’s life, nor did she even hesitate to kill that high priestess, or devour Lucifer’s soul.  The encounter with the pollen yesterday and the dream about Sarah had almost let her see who she was from the outside and she didn’t recognize that person.  She tapped the edges of her tablet.


    “I’m really sorry.  Anything I say would be an excuse.  I went to a dark place after my Babu died and everything was taken from me…”


    Tyler looked at her finally.


    “No, I was still here, Aryna was still here, all your friends were here still but we weren’t enough for you.  One dinner on Earth won’t fix that Allison.”


    Allison sighed.


    “I really can’t change how I behaved.  I am sorry I hurt you and pushed you away.  I didn’t think I deserved to be loved… I guess.  Wow, where did that come from?”


    Tyler looked at her intently.


    “Are you alright?  You seem like your old self.”


    Allison shook her head.


    “No, I’m not, I just had a good night.  First one in a long while.  I… hope we can make it work, but like… umm, if you don’t want to, I get it.  I have a lot of stuff going on and I just can’t be like a normal teenager.  I do and see things no kid should.  No matter what happens I will still be an Aurelius and I will still be a crown princess.  I can’t change those things about myself.  I wish I could.  I wish I could go back to being just old Allison Wanjala.  Not the Battlelord… not a dhampir… just plain white nail sticking out on this colony waiting to be hammered down because I look different.  Today is as normal as it’s going to get for me.  I know I’m a lot.”


    Tyler reached his hand out, Allison met his hand halfway, he squeezed her hand tightly.


    “I can handle a lot; I just can’t handle seeing you in pain and not being able to help you.”


    Allison felt her lower lip quivering and tears starting to flow.  He moved around and hugged her from behind.  She wrapped her hands around his forearms and just took in his scent.  She wished she could bottle it to take with her.  It always calmed her down.


    “I’m really sorry Allison, I just, I can’t do this with you anymore.  I… maybe I can.  I need time.”