Collision Course - An Aeon 14 Space Opera Adventure by M. D. Cooper & Chris J. Pike

Author:M. D. Cooper & Chris J. Pike [Cooper, M. D. & Pike, Chris J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Wooden Pen Press
Published: 2017-11-15T07:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

All through dinner, Kylie watched her parents play with and coddle the new baby, David Jr while chatting amicably with Hannah. She watched them cuddle, rock, and soothe the baby and all the while all she could think was, How could you? How could good people get to the place where they thought genocide was the answer? How could they get to the place where they convinced their followers that going to war was the answer?

Genocide wasn’t even the right word. Her father was willing to kill all AI and as many humans as necessary. To his mind, a quadrillion deaths was an acceptable cost.

Ricket had been right about her parents; not only that, she had been right about the guards. Her father was never without them. When they moved back inside, they shadowed him to the front. When he moved to grab a glass of wine, they followed him to the bar. The only time he had dismissed them was when he was with family.

With her.

But Kylie wasn’t ready to give up on him yet. She smiled and laughed at his jokes, working to stay in his good graces. Kate grinned and folded her hands together. “It’s so good to have my family back. If only David was here.”

“He’ll be along as soon as he can, Katie,” Peter said.

She sighed. “You keep saying that but surely he can excuse himself to eat a meal. He’s the captain for stars’ sakes!”

As she said that, the door opened and David entered. “Sorry about being so tardy. It couldn’t be helped.” He leaned over to kiss his wife’s cheeks and he kept his eyes firmly on Kylie. She met his gaze and narrowed hers.

Peter stood and, arms wide open, embraced his son with a hearty clap on the back. “You’ve done good, boy. Real good. You’ve given us a beautiful grandson, you’ve returned our daughter to us, and now the galaxy will be in good hands, you’ll see.” Peter smiled as he took in the sight of his family. “You’ll all see.”

A chill ran down Kylie’s spine as he said it.

David leaned in toward their father and he spoke out of the corner of his mouth. “Pa, I’d like a word with you in private about Kylie.”

Kylie straightened up. “I’d watch what you say.”

Peter laughed and clamped down on David’s shoulder’s. “Sibling rivalry is always alive and well in this family. I’ll excuse it, but tonight isn’t the time for trivial arguments.”

“Pa,” David sighed, “it’s not trivial and my voice must be heard.”

“Not tonight, boy.” Peter raised his voice loud enough to startle the sleeping newborn. David looked to his son while Hannah bounced the baby in her arms to settle him down.

“Not tonight,” Peter said again. Softer this time. “Tonight is for celebration. And not only that, it’s for introductions.” He extended his hand to Kylie. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”

“All right.” Kylie dropped her napkin onto her plate and followed after her father. When David stepped forward, Peter held his hand out, stopping his son.

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