Sholan Alliance Bk4

Chapter 5 - We are pleased to meet your family Z'Marl

It had been several days since the party and Billy was sitting in his office at the Embassy. The most recent report from the Sandi and flotilla they had about a week and a half until they would arrive. He was glad to hear that since he had been missing having Vangie by his side. That and with Satasha so close to delivering he needed people he trusted by their side. When Dani and Mizaki had come to talk to him about visiting his family, he had finally asked them to wait until the Sandi was back.

He had taken the time to explain why he was asking. He wanted Kingie to go with them as well as a few of his other selected guards. For Satasha he wanted Vangie to stay close to her until she delivered. Billy didn't actually believe anyone would target her but frankly the idea of losing her terrified him. Thankfully she could no longer sense his worries or he didn't know what he would do. It was bringing back memories of his Danielle and when she was pregnant with Dani. His dying if she did didn't matter, his fears were old and burned into his mind. She and Z'Marl were the center of his life now.

Dani had a protector in Mizaki since his life was tied to hers. Even if Vangie and Sally were simply companions he knew Vangie would always take care of her. With Crystal, it was much the same, Kingie would take care of her. Sandi and Jenna? He had to snort since anyone stupid enough to try and screw with them had it coming.

He finally leaned back in his chair again and rubbed his face. He had work which needed doing but he was having problems concentrating. Billy wasn't sure what he needed to do but he was just having problems working past his fears. When Jenna walked into his office he frowned at her since he couldn't think of any meetings or reports needed, "Hey Jenna, what do you need? Some special report or some such?"

She walked over and pulled him out of the chair into a good hug, "No Billy, you are starting to worry yourself sick with your fears for Satasha. You need a good hug and someone to sit down and have a talk with. Don't try and say otherwise since Sandi and I know you to well. We know this is going to be bringing back memories. We would like to invite you over for a comfort food meal." She lightly smacked him since she knew he was going to say something, "So we can talk and comfort you. Let you vent and cry. Think about it Billy and then say yes and tell Sandi when you can come over." They had a small place on the Terran estate.

Billy wasn't surprised when she pulled him out of the chair and into a hug. Even with the past romantic history the three of them were very close. He had grown up with them and they had known his wife as well. All of them came from the same town and had attended the same school. He returned the hug and took a shuddering breath, "Thanks Jenna and I will see about it. Give Sandi a good hug for me." He let her go and waited for her to leave the office.

When she had he leaned forward and covered his face with his hands and took several jagged breaths. He needed to calm down since he did need to do his job. The former pirate ship was going to arrive the next day and he needed to be there. They were going to have detailed diagrams of the changes to the ship. Those he needed badly to ensure the new changes were the best possible. There was a certain standard of engine based on the tonnage of the ship but for the military it needed to be better. The demands were more specific to the size and type of ship. It was still the basic engine but designed for the needs.

He had also been informed the remains of the Valtegan ship was going to be there shortly before the first of the returning ships. That he wasn't going to have to worry about for a time since he wouldn't be allowed on board until it was deemed safe. What he was going to get was updated schematics as they carefully worked through the damaged ship. What he did know was as the engines were removed and secured he would then have access to them. It wasn't just him but the Sholan Design Board as well as the human NDB which was going to arrive on the pirate ship.