Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 4: Acceptance

Mission: Day 1519

Roger gazed about the children's room, the metal walls covered in taped crude drawings. He felt a small tug to his uniform jacket, turning to his left. Dean smiled, presenting his latest creation. Roger examined the drawing. "You made this?"

Dean grinned even wider, holding it up to the teen like an offering. "Yes!"

"Who is it of?"

"That's my family. My mom, dad, me, my sister, you, and Sparky."

Roger leaned down, reaching eye level with the boy, his eyes running across the paper. "It's nice. Keep it up."

His olivine eyes widened. "Really? You really like it?"

"Um. . . yeah. I love the colors. You have a lot of potential."

"Thanks."

Marlin entered the room, dressed in full uniform. The twins raced towards him, their energetic bodies bouncing.

"Daddy," they cheered in unison.

He caught both in his arms. "Hey, you two! How was it?"

Dean smiled. "We drew and Roger liked it! He played with us and—"

"He read us bedtime stories," Helen interrupted.

"And he checked for monsters."

Marlin smiled. "Aw, that's wonderful."

"Roger's the best baby sitter ever!"

* * *

The teen walked over to his bathroom mirror, splashing his face with water. He exhaled a long breath, exhausted from the day.

Jesus I'm tired. Man I am not doing that again on my own free will. Kids are so draining.

He glanced at his reflection on the medicine cabinet door, his mind wandering, remembering those who he left behind. His smile faded, a tear splashing in the sink below.

It's too bad I'm alone now.

He dried off, removing his dog tags. He held them, glancing at the engraved chrome metal.

Roger Wilson, No. B-192454760

Project Firefly, U.S.S Journey

He flipped it over.

Per aspera ad astra.
USSF
May the stars grant you adventure.

He opened the medicine cabinet, placing the tags at too shelf, closing the mirror door, his reflection once more staring back at him. He turned the light off, settling in for the night.

His door faintly knocked. The teen sighed, making his way over to the entryway.

He opened the door. The Valmirian looked back at him, her cyan eyes bright and cheery. She smiled, but her cordial expression soon faded, as did the slight amber in her cheeks.

"Roger, what wrong?"

"I'm just. . . tired. Did you need anything?"

"How use shower?"

* * *

Prill glanced at the two children, watching them run around the tables and chairs of the mess hall, darting and weaving a complex path in their game of tag. Across him once more sat the captian.

"Tell me, Captain, do all humans let your offspring play like so?"

She smiled with a chuckle, her eyes following Helen and Dean. "Not really, but they were born on this ship. They need free reign to run around sometimes. It's almost their bed time too. You can't really force children to sleep unless they're tired."