My Kingdom Come Book 1: The Saints We See (Complete)

Chapter 5: Adapt

660 standard years after the signing of the Alliance treaty

Galor was straddling Mikhail's hips leaning forward to wrap his hands around the boy's neck. Mikhail shoved his hips up hard causing Galor to lose his balance. Galor's hands slammed down on the floor on either side of Mikhail's head, catching his weight. Mikhail was already wrapping his hands around one of Galor's elbows and jerking backwards, forcing it to collapse. He yanked Galor's forearm towards his center of gravity, at the same time lifting and twisting his hips, forcing Galor to either land on his face, or roll. Galor rolled over and Mikhail was now on top.

Galor had locked his legs around Mikhail's waist as they rolled. He grabbed the boy's collar with his free hand and using Mikhail's grip on his arm he jerked the boy's arms sideways, pulling his upper body in the same direction, twisting his hips and legs to add to the momentum. He slammed Mikhail down onto his back again. He continued the motion, rolling his weight up over his knee, trying to get back up over the boy, but Mikhail pulled an arm free and pressed his hand to Galor's hip, locking his elbow and using Galor's momentum to shove himself away from the older man.

A gentle tone sounded through the cargo bay and both of their taut bodies relaxed. Galor let himself fall back on the floor next to Mikhail. "It's time to get ready, Miha. You'd better go on." The 'h' in Galor's nickname for Mikhail was a harsh guttural sound in the back of Galor's throat.

"Yes, sir." Mikhail rolled quickly to his feet and padded out of the cargo bay. He went into the ship's small bathroom and stripped out of his training clothes. He rubbed his entire body down with a stain that turned his translucent, silvery skin blue, then he took a quick shower. He used a liberal amount of the coloring shampoo that turned his short white hair blue as well. When he was finished he dried himself and carefully put on the contacts that turned his eyes from silver to indigo. He gave himself a quick look over in the mirror to be sure his disguise was complete. Even though he was now twelve standard years old he still had the face and build of a child.

Galor assured Mikhail that puberty would hit him soon enough, but Mikhail couldn't help wishing that it would happen sooner rather than later. He had a half formed idea in the back of his mind that once he was older, he would find a way to rescue his mum. He would buy her a little home on the edge of a green meadow where the sun shone bright everyday. They would be free. Living there together, forever. They could enjoy life without having to ever look over their shoulder again, watching for bounty hunters and cruel masters.

Galor had explained to Mikhail that both the boy and his mother were artificially lab created creatures. Because of that they could never legally have freedom or any other sentient right. According to Alliance law, Mikhail and Brenhala were simply objects to be used however their masters pleased. In spite of this, Mikhail couldn't let go of the idea that somehow, he would find a way around Alliance law, around the greed of the monsters who had created him and his mother. He would find a way to live as a free man.

Mikhail scooped his sweaty clothes off the bathroom floor and walked naked back to his room, focussing on his connection with his mother. The familiar cherishing warmth that pulsed in his chest came sharply into focus; it seemed to reassure him that one day his dreams would come true.

Mikhail tossed his clothes into the corner on top of a pile of dirty laundry, noting that he would need to do some washing soon because he was getting dangerously close to running out of things to wear. He pulled on a loose fitting golden orange tunic and black pants, then pulled on a pair of his black work coveralls over that.

He passed the bathroom on his way to the cockpit; the gentle hiss of water moving through pipes and the fresh scent of Galor having walked through the area recently told him that Galor was taking a shower. Once he reached the cockpit Mikhail sat in the copilots seat and began to file the electronic paperwork for landing with their cargo. By the time Galor joined him, smelling of soap and fresh clothes, Mikhail was getting ready to put the ship into orbit in preparation for the final approach to the landing platform docks.