Reborn as a Spaceship

The summons, when it came, was discreet with a private message from T'lish requesting a meeting in her quarters. Intrigued, I navigated my avatar through The Arbiter's pulsating pathways. T'lish had personalized her space more than any other crew member.

One wall was dominated by holographic displays showcasing complex genetic sequencing and stellar cartography. Another held framed commendations and scientific accolades from institutions. The ones she wasn't allowed to display as the lowest caste and tainted. I had a warm feeling seeing her room it reminded me of the good I had been doing.

She looked up as I entered, the usual focused intensity in her eyes overlaid with something new, something restless. I could tell she appreciated me noticing the awards by the slight, pleased flicker of her tail. She didn't waste time on pleasantries. "Lazarus," she began, her voice tight, "I require passage to Kall-e space. Specifically, to Brood World designation K'thorr."

I kept my own posture neutral, processing the request. K'thorr wasn't just any world; it was deep within traditional Kall-e territory. "That carries significant risk, T'lish. For both of us. May I ask why?"

She hesitated, a rare sign of vulnerability. "It is… biological. The imperative to reproduce. My cycle is approaching a critical phase. The hormonal shifts are becoming… insistent."

I processed this, accessing relevant biological data from my archives alongside Kall-e physiology notes Laia had compiled. It was logical, inevitable even, but complicated by her unique status. "T'lish," I said gently, "I need to be clear. You came aboard as, essentially, a war boon following the skirmish where we first met. While you are unequivocally a member of this crew and my friend, returning to Kall-e space freely… it has implications. I am happy to facilitate this if it is truly what you want, and if you understand the potential consequences."

"I understand," she stated firmly, her composure returning. "My perspective has… evolved. Accessing the deeper genetic memories … it has altered my connection to my people. I see their stagnation, their fear. But I also see potential." Her eyes gained a fervent light. "The process the Old Ones used to unlock my memories… I have analysed the residual effects, cross-referenced with data from the archive… I believe I can replicate it, Lazarus. I believe I can awaken the dormant history within all Kall-e."

She paused, anticipating my next question. "As for reproduction… yes, I am 'tainted' by association, perhaps by the memory unlocking itself. But my scientific contributions are undeniable. K'thorr has the most progressive Brood Mothers. They value advancement. I am confident a suitable genetic donor can be found. And," she added, a touch of weary resignation in her voice, "the hormonal imperative leaves little room for indefinite delay."

I considered her, the fierce intelligence warring with biological urges. "And Kel?" I asked quietly. The subtle glances, the shared moments of camaraderie hadn't gone unnoticed.

T'lish looked away, her tail still for a moment. "That… was likely proximity and hormonal influence. It cannot lead anywhere sustainable. Does… everyone know?"

"The crew notices things," I confirmed gently. "They care for you both."

She nodded curtly. "Kall-e reproduction is not like human pair-bonding. The parents are typically donors. Genetic contribution, nothing more. The eggs are nurtured collectively on brood worlds by specialised Brood Mothers. Sentiment is… inefficient."

"And you are comfortable with that? Giving up your offspring to communal care?"

"It is the Kall-e way," she stated simply, though a flicker of something unreadable crossed her face. "It ensures optimal development and integration into the collective. It is logical."

Keeping this journey private from the rest of the crew would be difficult, but necessary given the Kall-e's general hostility towards humans. I formulated a plan. "Alright, T'lish. We'll do this. I'll arrange for the crew to have an extended layover at Tacci Station. They can oversee the initial procurement orders for the new station components. I will inform them that I have a sensitive diplomatic mission in Kall-e space, related to my duties as a Judge, and that travelling without human crew members is essential for smooth negotiations." It was plausible; they knew the political climate.

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The crew accepted the rationale without much question, busy with the prospect of shore leave and station planning. Once they were settled station side, T'lish provided the coordinates from her memory, and The Arbiter made the seamless dimensional jump, arriving in orbit above the humid, jungle-covered sphere of K'thorr.

Our arrival, a vessel of unknown and clearly advanced design, caused an immediate stir. Defensive platforms activated, patrol ships scrambled. But The Arbiter's reputation, disseminated through interstellar channels after the Traxlic mediation, preceded us. Once I transmitted my credentials as Judge Lazarus and stated our peaceful intent regarding T'lish, tensions eased, replaced by cautious curiosity. A communication channel opened, the image resolving into the stern, ancient face of a Brood Mother.

After explaining T'lish's situation, the Brood Mother agreed to come aboard. Her presence filled T'lish's lab it was ancient, knowledgeable, and deeply serious. She ran scans, her external manipulators moving with delicate precision over T'lish. Her assessment was grim. "You have delayed long, daughter," she intoned, her voice like rocks grinding together. "The optimal window has nearly closed. But your genetic lineage is strong if not your social lineage. We will find a compatible donor."

It was then T'lish revealed her secondary objective. "Brood Mother, beyond reproduction, I wish to conduct studies… on my own offspring. Regarding the awakening of ancestral memory. I believe I have isolated the method…"

The Brood Mother recoiled, an almost palpable wave of shock emanating from her. "How do you know of the Deep Memories? That knowledge is forbidden! A sacred trust held only by the Brood Mothers! It is the First Gift of the Mother, stolen by Her enemies millennia ago! We watch for its signs, pray for its return, but to force it…"

I stepped forward, with my avatar. "Brood Mother, we have encountered the Old Ones. The Mother, the Architect, the Harmonic. It was they, likely the Architects, who interfered with T'lish, unlocking her memories as part of a larger game. We seek only understanding, and perhaps, to help restore what was lost to your people."

The Brood Mother stared, processing this revelation. "The Old Ones… walk among the stars again?" She seemed to shrink slightly. "This changes much. I must… communicate with the High Council. With the Eldest Mothers. This requires time." She paused. "But your biological needs are immediate. I will find a donor."

Within two standard days, she returned. "A donor has been selected. He is… suitable. Like you, daughter, he carries the mark of the colorless and is of a similar caste, he might be tainted as others might say, but he is genetically sound."

T'lish nodded, taking a deep breath before leaving with the Brood Mother.

She returned several hours later. Changed. The restless energy was gone, replaced by a strange, deep calm. An odd serenity settled over her. "It is done," was all she said.

The Brood Mother informed us it would take several weeks for the fertilisation process to stabilise and for T'lish to be ready to lay the eggs. We waited in orbit, a silent, powerful guardian. T'lish spent much of the time in meditation or working quietly on her research. Laia, Wayfarer, and I occupied ourselves refining station blueprints and analysing data from the Traxlic encounter. T'lish seemed… at ease. More centered than I had ever seen her. I wasn't sure I understood the transformation, but the immediate biological crisis appeared resolved.

The weeks in orbit around K'thorr passed with outward calm, punctuated by necessary check-ins with the crew back at Tacci Station. We returned periodically via dimensional jump, offering vague assurances that the delicate 'diplomatic mission' required more time than anticipated.

They accepted it, busy with station planning and enjoying their extended shore leave. Then, two events coincided. The time arrived for T'lish to deposit her clutch, and simultaneously, the awaited reply from the Kall-e High Council filtered through the Brood Mother.

The verdict was a compromise: in light of the revelations about the Old Ones and T'lish's unique position, she would be permitted to retain two of her eggs for observation and research aboard The Arbiter, provided all findings were shared unconditionally with the Brood Mothers. The remaining eggs were to be surrendered immediately for traditional communal rearing. T'lish accepted the terms without hesitation, seemingly pleased with the allowance.

After another couple of awkward days, marked by T'lish undergoing the final procedures with the Brood Mother off-ship, she returned to her quarters carrying two large, intricately patterned eggs, each roughly the size of an ancient ostrich egg, radiating a faint internal warmth. Seeing them cradled carefully in their temporary bio-stasis container, I realised with weary certainty that our carefully constructed narrative about a solo diplomatic mission was about to become utterly untenable. There was no hiding this from the crew.