Chapter 13 Part 1
Tim was happy that the liberated prisoners were on their way to their place of origin. Now, to learn more about our latest guest. "Sarha, could you ask Drakur to meet me in the lounge after lunch?" asked Tim.
Sarha said, "He said, All right."
Tim left his seat on the bridge, made his way to the lounge, and ordered his lunch. He looked around to find a table and saw Tabitha, Tammy, and Pauline, at the dining table. "Sarha, where's DarkIce?"
"He's in his office," She replied.
Tim walked up to the dining table and said, "Hello." They tried to get him to sit with them. But he said that he hoped to meet somebody. He approached another table and sat down. "Asked him if he could meet me for lunch today?" Tim asked.
"Tim, he's on his way," Sarha replied.
DarkIce came into the lounge, saw Tim. He walked over to the food machine, ordered his food, and then sat down with Tim. He waited for Millie to bring the food.
"How're things going on deck three?" Tim asked.
"Well, all the groups have made some changes in their quarters," DarkIce said. Millie brought DarkIce's food to him. He thanked her and started to eat.
"What do you mean, changes in their quarters?" Tim had a doubtful look and stopped to listen to further details.
DarkIce began to tell Tim how the new configuration would work. "You know how the ship was set-up in the first place. Blocks of fifty units around a large common area."
"Yes, so what's the difference?" Tim asked.
"They left their units, where they started. Now, each race or species is united into a single block, around a common area."
"They appear to form small villages." Tim now realizes what DarkIce was saying to him.
"How many villages do we have now?"
"Currently, there are four. But everyone comes together during the day to work. Then they return to their new homes later." DarkIce sat in his place and smiled, and he knew that Tim would see the benefit of this unique village style.
"All right, as long as there's no fighting about it, and all the work gets done."
"I think the way they are doing this will work out better." Said DarkIce.
Now Tim wanted to know about DarkIce. "How's your job working out?"
"I enjoy having the time to meet these people and to work with them." DarkIce finished off his lunch and sat back. "There are so many different things that each brings to the table, so to speak."
***
At the Alions Village:
"Talsa, what's going on with the new units?" asked Ditin. He was in the center of the common area. All around him, Alions were doing the work, settling into their new homes.
She walked up to him and started to look around. With her hands on her hips and a big grin, "We'll have everything ready by the end of the day," Talsa answered. They had only been on this ship for two days. But in that time, they had managed to get everyone into the right kind of home. They had two families with three kids. Each kid wanted a bedroom to themselves. They found that there were units made for just this kind of family.
During the day, some of the Alions set up a statue of their goddess MisKipz in the center of the common area. This way, the goddess could watch over them.
At the end of the day, everyone gathered in the common area. They were there to celebrate their new beginning and thank their goddess MisKipz for their good luck. There was dancing and music with food and drinks.
Sarah had three bots in the area to help with food, drinks, and questions. The bots showed the ladies how to operate the clothing machines and how to order their supplies and tell them where and when school was to start.
Everything seemed to be going great. Talsa and Ditin both saw the same problem. There were more females than males. It appears to be two females for each male. The law in their homeworld is against males marrying multiple females. But they know they do not have to be afraid if they go to Tim and explain the problem. If the whole tribe agrees to a new rule of law, then it will be passed. Tim will have the ultimate decision.
Talsa and Ditin will discuss the matter with Tim. He is familiar with the problem; he has got two felines in his bed.
***
Tim was back in his seat on the bridge, looking at the big screen, mesmerizing him a little. The view of all the open space out there just passed by. Tim thought about the weekly meetings. "Sarha, we need a new meeting room, are there any rooms on deck two that we could use?" asked Tim. He got up, walked to the lounge for coffee, and sat down to enjoy a little peace and quiet time.
"How large of a room will you need? Remember we have that large meeting room and the assembly area," Replied Sarha.
I do not know, let us see, the six-team members, Bob, DarkIce, two Alions, two little ones, two elves, and two Rod-dro. That makes sixteen now. We would do well to have one for 32," said Tim.
"I'll have the bots begin to make the changes. It will be ready within two days." Replied Sarha.
"Tim, Drakur is on the bridge, and Tydba is with him. They are headed this way, "said Sarha. Tim remembered that they were the little ones."
Tim turned in his seat to face the door so that they could see him from the entrance. He thought of her beauty while he awaited them.
Tydba and Darkur walked in and looked around. They saw Tim and headed his way. Tim stood and shook their hands, offered them a seat, and asked if they wanted a drink?
They both said, "No, thanks," then sat down in the soft chairs.
"How is everyone settling in?" asked Tim. He just had to remember to look down, to see them, without looking too obvious. He said to himself, 'Think of them as children, and you won't get in trouble.'
"Is Sarha here?" asked Tydba. She looked around for Sarha.
Sarha appeared right beside Tim. She smiled. "How may I help you, Tydba?"
"All of our group wishes to thank you and your bots. The way you have modified our homes is the first time none of us had to use a step stool to get into bed. The rest of the house is all down to our level. It is amazing.
"We wish all our guests to feel at home. Just a bit of work makes life more fulfilling. If we can do anything else, please let DarkIce know."
"Tim, we wish to thank you for allowing us to board your ship. You and Sarha are making us feel right at home. We thank you." Said Darkur.
"If there is anything else, just ask." Said Tim.
"Tim, I know DarkIce said there were jobs. Some of us wish to be of help to you and the crew. Is there anything we may do? We have three staff members who have worked on spacecraft. Some of us have been training for the military. Others worked in offices. We would appreciate any chance to help." Said Tydba.
"I will pass your request along to DarkIce, and we'll make sure you and your people get a chance to do what you want. At the moment, we are not trying to build an army, but we do have a firing range, so you may still practice," said Tim.
"Do you have anyone with any engineering training?" asked Sarha.
Tim looked over towards Sarha, "Does Tawni need some help?" asked Tim.
"There are a lot of files of mine that she will be looking at for new items we may need or could use." Said Sarha.
"Well, I could give her a hand? I have done some engineering file work." Said Tydba.
"If you could, it would be nice. Doing all that, searching the files alone, makes for a long day." Said Sarha. "If you are not doing anything after this meeting, maybe we could stop in, and I could introduce you?"
"If Tim wouldn't mind, we could do it now?" said Tydba.
"Tydba, go right ahead. We can handle the rest." Said Darkur.
Tydba got out of her soft chair and headed towards the doorway, with Sarha right beside her.
"Tim, do you have a place that grows some of your food?" asked Darkur.
"We have both hydroponic and soil farms. Why?" asked Tim.
"Some of us, including myself, come from an agricultural background. If we could be of any assistance, we would be more than willing to help."
"Tell DarkIce about your offer. I'm sure he can use the help."
"When I get back down to deck 3, I'll talk to him." Replied Darkur.
"We are going to have a weekly management meeting on Deck 2. Can you and Tydba be there to represent your group? That would be helpful." Said Tim.
"Just give us the word. We'll be there," Said Darkur.
Darkur and Tim parted ways. Darkur headed back to deck three and Tim to check the bridge.
***
"Tawni, I am bringing a friend in for you to meet." Said Sarha. This is to let her know and not to be frightened when the door opens.
Tawni recognized that someone besides Sarha had entered the room. She was a little bit nervous about meeting people, with the way she looked. She took some deep breaths to calm her nerves.
The door opened, and in walked Sarha and a small child. Tawni looked at Sarha with a smile and the small child with a worried look. She sat in her chair at the viewscreen and waited for Sarha to do the introductions.
"Tawni, this is Tydba, Tydba this is Tawni." Said Sarha.
They both looked at each other with an expression of you do look different but unique. Tydba walked over to Tawni to shake her hands. Tawni stood up to shake the other girl's hand. Their hands came together slowly, not sure how this was going to work out, both unsure of themselves.
"Shake hands, now." Said Sarha. She hoped this would bring them together faster.
Both girls were startled by the sudden sound. Shook hands and smiled at each other. Now that the moment was over, both girls could relax.
"Nice to meet you?" said Tawni.