Chapter 1:

The Trip to Eden

 As the day went on it was apparent that there were many more dead, than alive, maybe 180 plus some infants saved from dead mothers had been saved.  They would come to full term in incubators aboard the Legacy.   

 Many had damaged wings, broken arms and legs, a few had their wings hacked or burned off. There were cuts and burses on just about everyone, so many burn victims.  

 One of the first things Doc noticed was malnutrition, just about everyone suffered from it in one-way or anther. Many had old brakes that had grown badly back together and all were anemic which might account for them being so white.   

 Anther thing that came out of the exams was many were addicted to drugs and alcohol, this would be a long road for many, to stay on the Legacy would mean no more drugs or alcohol; because there wasn't any and wouldn't be any.   

 When the final walk though the large cave was done it became apparent these people had no power, running water or waste management. There was not much in the way of comfort; food had been cooked over open firers; meat with very little vegetables. The air was not fresh. All suffered from a small bug infestation that was quickly brought under control.

 Gregor saw Heron his Heartbond among the dead.  He new she was dead he had felt it threw his bond but seeing her laying there he just sat down and cried.  Beside him was a small child crying, his mother was among the dead.  He put his arm around the child and said I will protect you son, you are mine now my name is Gregor what is yours?

 The young boy answered, Jatic and started crying all over again.  Gregor looked around and started to pick out many more children.  He would take them all and raise them; he needed them as much as they needed him.

 He gathered up all the children he came across, leading them up the ramp of the big ship.  It was most amazing it had a garden with fruit trees and berries.  He got the children seated on an open grass spot and went and got some fruit for each to eat.  Then he made them lie down and try to rest he held many while they cried.

 Gregor fell a sleep and was woken up by a wingless woman.  He did not understand what she was saying, but her smile was so kind.  In his mind he heard I am Amanda I want to take all these children to sickbay to be checked by Doc, my Husband, we will not harm them.  You may come too, Gregor since you have adopted them all.   He helped gather up all of the children there were 21 in all, ages 2 almost 17-years old and follow Amanda to Sickbay.

~*~

Gregor followed Amanda to sickbay where a tall dark man in along white coat met them.  Queen Nefferon was with them, everyone in sickbay was dressed alike and all were smiling at the children, there was even a small hairy creature, it had on a little outfit like the others. 

Amanda introduced her as Whiskers, her rat.  Whiskers went to each child and pathed Hello, and then sniffed each ones face, her whiskers tickled the children and they laughed. 

 The children were led one by one; Gregor too, into a chamber where their clothes were removed and they were cleaned.  They were given new ship suits to wear; a cut was made in the back of each letting their wings out.

 Doc checked each over treating their many wounds.  Two of the children had bad brakes that had never healed; Doc fixed them to but they were put in a strange tub, it was called a Medi Unit.  Doc said they would have to stay there a week or more.

 A beautiful woman came in next.  Small flying lights surrounded her.  A small light came up to Gregor and entered his mind.  He began to understand what was being said around him; each child received a light as well.  “I am Latwo and these are called; Spirit butterflies.  They will not hurt you.”  Latwo voice was soft and comforting.  Gregor new he could trust her.  She was like nothing he had seen before, her eyes were rainbow in color and her skin was opalescent.

 Amanda said “Gregor there is still a small child missing somewhere in the bio-garden, two of Latwo’s sons, Jim and Jake are looking for him.  When he is found and my husband has treated him, we will bring him to you.  Now you must all eat, I can hear your stomachs growling.  Then we will find you a cabin big enough for all of you, please follow me.

 Amanda led them out of sickbay down a long corridor and into a great hall; it smelled wonderful.  Both winged and wingless were sitting at strange fixtures eating.

 “These are tables and chairs, we sit on them putting our food on the table for comfort in eating, come over here and get a plate.” She walked to a counter and picked up a plate, and then she moved over to another counter and started dishing up food on it.  When she was done she took a small child over to a table and sat it down putting the plate in front of it. 

 Gregor and the Queen repeated her actions until all of the children were eating.  Then they too made a plate to eat and sat with the children.

 When all were finished eating another tall black man came over to them, he had a sleeping baby dragon around his neck. “My name is James Toolbar, I am head of Security here on the Legacy and this little fella’s name is Tombala.  I will get you keyed into quarters where you will be more comfortable, follow me please.”

James led them to a large horseshoe like cabin.  He put each child’s hand on the plate and punch in some keys, girls to one-side boys to the other.  The Queen and Gregor were keyed to both sides.  When they were all inside they found comfortable places to sit and lots of beds, one for each child plus 4 for the children still in sickbay and the missing 3-year-old.   He left saying the Captain would be by later to speak with them.

~ * ~

  Alone Gregor and the Queen explored the cabins along with the children.  After everything had been seen they all finally settled down and each children found a bed and went to sleep.

 Gregor and the Queen continued to talk until the Captain and Latwo arrived.  Jack held out his hand to shake Gregor’s, but Gregor did not understand the gesture so Jack took his hand and shook it, pathing why they did so.

 Jack then took Gregor by the shoulders and opened his mind to him.  Jack showed him the ship and why they were here on Doran.  Jack also instructed him on the other ships children’s learning plans and chores.  Jack wanted Gregor’s new children to learn as well.

 “Your King has agreed to come with us to Eden, it is a planet that orbits this one we are colonizing it.”  Jack said to Gregor.

 “We are making it our new home and your people can help.” Latwo spoke with a soft voice to the Queen, she did not look happy but she smiled and thanked Latwo.

 Latwo looked into the Queens body and found her heartbond it was wrapped tight, but for one tiny string.  Latwo new it did not run to the King, she new Nefferon did not love him or even respect him, she was afraid of him.

 They left to let the two relax and get some sleep.  On there way home Jack asked his wife what she thought, “The Queen does not trust the King or for that matter she does not love him, she is a good person Jack we can trust her and I like Gregor as well.  He is hurting from the loss of his heartbond, they will be good for the children.”

~ * ~

 Baydo had just finished his business in the bushes when he heard a voice in his head.  We don’t do that here, Baydo; we have places that recycle our waste.  Startled Baydo began to run away but Jake ported him to a small room with funny fixtures.  He was terrified.  This was one of the Captains sons.  He could do things he had seen them popping in and out.

 Jake wanting Baydo to understand him, so he sent his knowledge of everything he new into Baydo’s mind.  Baydo looked stupid for a minute and then he blushed.  “I will go and clean up my mess, it will never happen again I promise.”  Just then Jim ported in and said he had already cleaned it up.

 “You are the Captains sons, the twins?” Baydo asked.

 “Yes we are, I am Jake.” And the other twin said, “I am Jim, we are called mirror twins Jake is left handed and I am right handed.  We are a reflection of each other, identical but different at the same time.”  Jim went on to ask if he wanted to see a dragon?

 Towonna was living with her babies in Doc’s quarters, we could hide your wings and go and see the babies.  She doesn’t like you winged folk much.  She told us the King sold her to the apes and they cut off her wings and were going to feed her babies Sara Root to take away their minds.”

 Jake came in with one of his dads sweatshirts “This will cover your wings” he said slipping it over Baydo’s head.  He looked funny and the boys all laughed.  They then ported to Doc’s quarters.

 Towonna was busy feeding her babies; she looked when the boys popped in.  She sifted Baydo and picked him up.  She took her teeth and removed the large shirt.  Why have you brought this Taion child to me, he is hurt and hungry.  She started to clean him with her soft tongue.  When she was done she put him to one of her breast to eat.  Baydo new the gift she was giving him, dragon’s milk was very nutritious and the pain in his foot would go away, for a while anyway.

 Jake pathed, He got separated from the group and fell asleep in the bio-garden we found him a little while ago when your done we will take him to Doc, he will fix him.

 “NO,” Baydo said “I want to stay here with Towonna, I feel safe; please let me stay!”  Yes little one you can stay with us for a while, but Doc needs to tend to your wounds soon, then if you want you can come back. Towonna pathed holding Baydo close as a mother would.

 Amanda had come in and sat down on the couch watching the Towonna’s interaction with the boys, she listened to what Towonna said about the King.

 Whiskers pathed, I knew it he smelt mean, I can tell, he thought I might taste good, he plans to cook me later.

 Oh he does, does he, you know I won’t let that happen, my little love, you are not food for anyone.  Amanda hugged her rat and sighed.  This King was going to be trouble she just new it.

~ * ~

 Baydo needed to stay in the Midi Unit to heal his wings and broken ankle.  Doc was amazed the child could even walk on it, Baydo had said, “It hurts but a lot of things hurt.  Life hurts most of the time.”

 Doc was not at all happy with what Baydo had said, he was a child only 4-years old and going on 30, he would speak to Gregor and the Captain about how the children had been raised.  He thought about his two girls and got madder children needed love and this child had no idea of what love was.

 Gregor and the Queen sat across from Doc and the Captain.  Doc was not at all happy with the children’s condition.

 “I will love and care for them, but you must understand life for us has been hard.  We could only go out for food at night and that was dangerous.  What food we found went first the King and then to his guards, what was left went to the mothers, and a small amount to the hunters.  I have been hungry all my life and these children most were orphaned already. They have always known hunger, it is the way of life.” Gregor opened his arms in a gesture of shame and got down on his knees. “We know no other way.” He added softly.

 “No more Gregor, we have plenty of food for them to eat three meals a day plus snacks.” Doc said.  Helping Gregor off his knees, “Gregor, we do not knee to each other here we are equal.”

 “I want your children to start on individual learning plans, Fred and Joann will set the up.  Then they can do chores with all the children on the ship, then play, Farmer has left the bottom tier with play equipment for the children, he made most of the play equipment himself.  Farmer will also instruct the children on growing plants and tending animals, he makes learning fun.” Tj said to Gregor.

 “I to will learn with the children, I am not to old to learn.” Gregor was all for the learning plans as well as the chores he would work to, he wanted to know how to grow food, to long his people had been without.

~ * ~

 The first time the children saw a SiiCor they ran and hide, all but Baydo he said, “This is Breez she won’t hurt you she is very nice” Baydo walked up and hugged her smiling, “I’m sorry, we have had a hard time of it, forgive us.”

 “Forgiven, the humans here were like that at first, but that did not stop them from saving us from the desert planet Sahara that we had crashed landed on.” Breez’s voice was musical every word a song note.  Baydo loved to lessen to her talk, and could she climb.

 That first day she made him a SiiSilk top to wear; Baydo had never felt anything so soft against his skin.  By the end of the second week all the children had SiiSilk Tops to wear, Gregor and the Queen as well.

 As the children played Tooka would come and make SiiSilk and talk with the other mothers on the ship.  Gregor and Nefferon were always welcome in the group.  Nefferon was even taught to knit the fine silk.

 Amanda joined the group to watch her girls play one afternoon.  She saw the Queens eyes light up and her single heartstring glow.  Amanda followed it to Frayon, the Kings brother.  He was watching her from across the bio-garden.  After their eyes met for a moment he was gone.  The sadness once again returned to Nefferon’s eyes.  There was a story their Amanda new; some day maybe Nefferon would share it.

 It took 3 months to reach Eden and in that time two groups formed those that wanted to learn and help and those that just wanted to take, never getting involved unless ordered to.  The King was in that group; he refused to work.

~ * ~

 Gregor went to the Captain to tell him of an idea he had come up with. “I want to start the children flying together as a team when we get to Eden.  I will always be with them but I think we could form a kind of roving pack to help carry things places, the older ones could fly to Aqua Cove with fresh produce and bring back fish or letters and things.”

 “Why Gregor that’s a fine idea.  I want all of the children involved lets say 4-years old and up with dragons.   Rovers, yes that’s even a good name for them and a good job for children with way to much energy.”

~ * ~

  The Children loved the observation deck best of all places on the ship.  To see their new home world and their old home from space was so new and different for them.  Gregor loved to see them smile, they had come a long way and learned so much since the attack that had killed so many of their parents.  Ailina was the only child still in a Medi Unit; she would be wingless, but alive.  Gregor new he would need to keep that information from the King as long as possible.  That should not be to hard the King never went to sickbay to see the injured as the Queen never left except to tend to the girls at night so they would not feel alone.

  Frayon stayed as close to the King as he could stand.  He needed to know what the King was planning.  He came to Gregor one morning and quietly said “The King is planning on taking all the female children 9 and up to mate with himself and his guards, you must find a way to keep the girls on the ship and away from him, they are much to young for that and Gregor.”  He leaned in closer, “He has Sara Root, still.”

  “No” Gregor had thought that wicked addictive plant gone forever “Thank you Frayon, I will talk to Doc about keeping the girls longer, Frayon Ailina is wingless now, she will be safe as long as she stays in a Medi Unit or sickbay.

  “How is Nefferon holding up?” Frayon asked in a whisper “I saw her in the Bio-garden she was so sad my heart almost broke, all I wanted to do was hold her and tell her things will be alright, but I know they will not, uncle I feel such a fool.  I should have stood my ground and refused to brake my heartbond with Nefferon, I regret it every day.”

  “Had you refused, Frayon he would have had you killed, it was the only thing you could do, now you must go we must not be seen talking,” Frayon turn and left. “Gregor I’m to young to have a baby, can the King really make me?”  Zeeba asked when Frayon had left.  “Zeeba, I could barely hear Frayon and he was talking in my ear, you were over there looking out the window?” Gregor asked.

  Zeeba replied, “I can hear mind talk, I’ve always been able to hear it, my mother told me I was special, it was a secret gift and never to tell anyone.”  Gregor smiled at her “She was right, and yes the King can make you breed, so keep quiet about the mind speech or he will take you himself, Zeeba you don’t look so good.”  He pulled a red felt tipped pin from his pocket and started putting spots on her face, and arms Zeeba laughed.  Then covered it up and got another pin and started spotting the other children like Gregor was doing, ending with Gregor himself.  “Come now children, we must go to sickbay and see what is wrong with all of us.”

~ * ~

 They went by way of the bio-garden so as many could see them as possible, Frayon smiled inwardly when they passed him, Gregor was a smart man.  He made a fast track to the King to tell he about the sick children he had seen and warn him to keep away from them they might be contagious. He hoped Nefferon would get spots as well.

 The King was furious when Frayon told him about seeing all the children and Gregor with red spots all over them.  He new he would order them to keep away from him.  Even the Queen would be ordered to say away because she spent so much time with the children and injured Taion’s.

~ * ~

  The old Priestess, Narferera was sent to sickbay to inquirer about the children.  Beth and D’Harold met her when she arrived at sickbay (as they were now calling all of the student doctors.)  “Yes it is Mumps, a common childhood disease they will be fine in 6 weeks or so.”  D’Harold went on to ask if she had been in close contact with the children in the last day or so.  “No, I have been with the King.  Nefferon is in heat and must be with the King to mate, for our people we need new life it starts with the King.”

 “If he wishes to mate with the Queen then he must come and stay in the isolation room with the children she has been exposed.” D’Harold was having fun with this he new the King would never come.  “What about if I bring his sperm to you and watch from afar to see it put in her.” Narferera asked.

 “Yes, we could do that if the Queen wishes.” D’Harold said.

 “It does not matter what she wants, if the King wishes this she will obey.”  Narferera left without further comment.  She returned a short time latter with the Kings sperm. 

  The Queen submitted with out complaint.  She new the King would find out she was in heat, her feathers had a glow about them when she was fertile, and her short touch with Frayon’s heart in the bio-garden had touched her deeply along with feeding and caring for all the babies in sickbay.  She new she would be sent for, the spots on the children had saved her the beating she would of got from the King he loved to hear her cry out in pain.  This child she would not abort as she had been doing every year since Darra was born, in fear of having another wingless child, but she new the people did need to see new life within her.

  Amanda was in the bio-garden with her girls when Frayon came up and sat by her, “Is Nefferon well?”  Amanda looked at his single heartstring and saw his pain “Yes, Frayon come with me I wish to show you something.” Amanda new that Nefferon would be in the nursery feeding one of the four newly born infants, Latwo had helped her body produce milk, Darra and Narcarsa the Queens daughter and nanny (Narcarsa had been with the Queen since her birth she was like a mother to the Queen.) 

  The three had taken on the care of the four infants plus Daisy, Darra and Bix’s adopted daughter now 3 months old.  As Frayon saw the three he caught his breath and looked at Amanda.  “Yes I can see your tiny bond with the Queen and your bond with Darra, she is yours I can see that now, they can not see you here stay as long as you like.” Amanda turned to go; Frayon asked her.  “Why are you doing this?”  “You love them, I can see, Darra is your child just as Nefferon is your heartbond, you may hide it from a blind King, but not from me, I am sensitive to feelings, almost as sensitive as Latwo, aw look Frayon she knows you are here, see her glow.

  Frayon could not take his eyes off of her, threw the computer screen and she could not take her eyes off of him.  The baby she was feeding was asleep so she put it in its bed and left the room.  Frayon turned to go as the door opened and Nefferon burst in throwing her self in his arms and crying, Amanda ported back to the bio-garden, to give them privacy.

  “I have missed you so,” Nefferon finally said softly in his ear, “Hold me for awhile I must feel our bond, I am so empty and this new baby needs our heartbond to be strong.” 

  The room exploded with love as their golden cords wrapped tightly around each other; they were one.  For the moment they would be whole the young couple in love that they had been so many years before.  For hours they stayed in the small computer room undisturbed.  Finally Nefferon said we must part, slowly she started to withdraw her heartbond unwrapping from his heart as he started unwrapping from hers and they parted.

  Amanda understood more now about the Taion heartbond, it was needed to help the baby stay in the womb a mother without love had a hard time caring a child a small part of Frayon’s heartbond stayed in Nefferon’s womb to hold the child that was not even his, their love was real and pure, this was not a simple affair but beep love.  They had Amanda’s respect and support.

~ * ~

  Zeeba saw the shuttle leave the ship as they got close to Eden; she smiled thinking of Cora’s story of how Eden was named. “Eden was a garden paradise in an old book of Earth the home planet of these humans and in the very special book this Garden of Eden man and woman were first created to live free with love and understanding.  Core said that at dinner after the SiiCor’s risqué from Sahara. (SiiCor’s word for dry dirt)  They had told the Legacy crew about this moon, they described it as a garden rich with life, where trees grew 150 feet tall and were 30 or more feet around.  Where flowers grew in every color they had planned to make it their home when they hit the tunnel that swept them to the desert planet.  Farmer then stood up and said, “Yes, I would like to see this garden, this Garden of Eden, thus Eden was named and children it is a garden.”

  Cora was clone and had never really seen Earth, but she could see Earth in her husbands mind and she shared that with all of the children in her stories.  Every day they would sit in the bio-garden and she would tell them stories.  That is until the mumps then she would go to sickbay.

  Zeeba wondered who was in the shuttle, she could tell they were Taion’s she had heard the female in her mind all her life talking with Dayko and Kernol, they had a cave by the Taion’s cavern she also new her heartbond was in the shuttle, she wondered why she had never felt him before.