MotherShip by Tony Chandler Page B

Fixer2 were waiting among the dead T'kaan.
    But their familiar forms, which should have made him happy, instead brought back a sadness from the last level. There, Kyle had seen a crumpled tangle of metal and a familiar color from his childhood. It had been the remains of his Fixer, Fixer5. A stifled sob shook his body again with that recent memory, but he fought it off as he focused on Guardian and getting him safely back with Fixer3. With a mighty heave, he lifted the weight of Guardian's body against his body as Fixer3 assisted.
    Still, he felt a sadness grip his heart that he hadn't felt in many years.
    Once they were all inside her hull Mother lifted quickly and left this world far behind with a flash of her hyper-engines.
    Hours later, her sensors detected more T'kaan ships heading for Nuevo Mundo. It was the most powerful squadron of ships she had detected since the final battle at Earth. She immediately changed course and as the squadron continued onward it became apparent they had not detected her. Two hours later there was still no signs of pursuit.
    That squadron of battleships and cruisers were the reason why the T'kaan had kept the children alive and not killed them instantly.
    No doubt the T'kaan had set up similar traps on several worlds, not knowing which one Mother and the children would pick next in their search. The battleships had waited in reserve, ready to be dispatched to whichever planet they were needed.
    As long as the T'kaan kept the children alive, they knew Mother would remain close by and attempt to rescue them. That would have given the battleships time to arrive and finish her off.
    Guardian had indeed saved all of their lives.
    Mother directed the Fixers to his repair and even took this time to upgrade several of his internal systems, as well as expanding his memories and processing. She did this as a sort of reward.
    But she noted with rising concern that the children were severely affected by this incident.
    Mother tried to talk to them at first, but they refused. They only wanted to forget the horrific experience.
    “It was a nightmare.” That was all that Jaric would tell her. “A nightmare come true.”
    Becky and Kyle tended to Jaric's wounds personally in solemn silence. In fact, they even slept at his feet as he convalesced over the coming days.
    They seemed almost afraid. Mother watched as Becky hurriedly applied the medicinal salve and then frantically worked the medi-scanner.
    Mother scanned Jaric herself and quickly determined that his wounds, although serious and indeed very painful, were not life threatening. Jaric's life was not in any imminent danger.
    “Please slow your efforts, Becky. Jaric will survive his wounds,” Mother told them.
    Becky ignored her as she concentrated on the medi-scanner's results. Kyle came and stood beside her with silent stoicism.
    “Please allow me to command Fixer3 to run a Level 2 scan upon Jaric's wounds,” Mother said.
    “Leave us alone, Mother,” Becky said without looking up.
    There was a surge in her circuits at Becky's words. Mother began analyzing them in context with not only the current surroundings, but in light of the recent traumatic encounter with the T'kaan. She determined that Becky and the children must be experiencing high levels of emotional stress.
    The warship wished once again she could understand emotions. It was one thing to understand their factual meaning, but another to watch emotions in action within the children.
    “You and Kyle must rest now. I will take care of Jaric along with the Fixers,” Mother said.
    “Shut up, Mother!”
    As Mother watched, Becky's hands began to shake uncontrollably. The young woman bowed her head, which caused her long blonde hair to fall around her face. Her sobs began, soft at first, and then louder.
    Mother was confused. She had already assured Becky that Jaric would survive. Now these tears?
    “Are you frightened?” Mother asked. She knew the children cried when they were