Fate of Terra

Chapter 10.2 - Adaptation

There was still a lot of resentment to work through when dealing with those Asian nations under them, but the consensus was that everybody regardless of status was getting food, energy, resources, and protection. The hope that in the near future these countries would soon be independent helped to smooth over issues and get people thinking about how they could benefit the whole.

The largest thorn came by way of the Peoples Republic of China. To be fair to the communist state; Japan, who held a fellow Councilmember Representative, hadn't exactly been an advocate of fair treatment to their fellow Asiatic cultures. The deligates the Councilman had brought along were there specifically because of this issue. They explained to Micheal that China was doing everything within their considerable power to cause hinderances to any plans the Japan lead contingent were pushing forward. It came then as quite a shock that Micheal waved dismissively in the middle of their shpiel and told them that, "It would be handled."

Neither much liked the tone of dismissal they were being tarred with. They seemed about to argue but realised where they were and who they were sitting with and wisely shut up about it. After the meal, Takeshi reached out to hold Jennifer's hand before he turned to the assembled group and announced that they were getting married. The other diners broke out in applause while Aki, Rin, and Kat squealed and ran to hug their parents. There were jests and congratulations all around. Michael got some ribbing for not marrying anyone yet despite the beauties he hung out with. He smiled politely, not expecting people to understand what it was he and his girls shared.

Then, Jennifer surprised even Takeshi when she burst out with, "... and I'm pregnant. They just confirmed it this morning." Takeshi looked stunned and he shot a quick glance at his daughters to see if they held any resentment. 

He needn't have worried though as the twins were dancing around in circles, hugging each other at the prospect of a baby sister to spoil and dote on. Slowly a smile spread across his face as he allowed himself to feel joy in a part of himself he'd closed off since the death of his first wife. Not prone to showing much outward emotion, he nevertheless jumped up and grabbed hold of his fiancée and spun her around in a circle laughing and crying as he celebrated the happiest day of his life.

Michael and Kat shared a look. After the invasion, when all of their parents had made it clear that they weren't going to stay aboard the Intrepid, Michael had given them all the nanite enhancements, though he had been vague beyond calling them anything other than supplements. The couple wouldn't have gotten pregnant unless both of them had truly wanted a baby. Michael was curious to see how the kid would turn out and made a notation to get with Pandora to do some digging. He would look for the safest options concerning the nanites, not wanting to turn the child into a science experiment.

As the merriment wound down, Takeshi looked like he'd been struck and turned pale as an idea hit him. Rin, ever the smart and observant one, noticed and grabbed her father, dragging him out of the dining room. Once they were alone, she slammed him against the wall.

"Now you listen to me," She demanded of her wide eyed father. "You are not going to let your fears ruin this."

"But-"

"NO!" Rin yelled, cutting him off before he could dig himself into the hole she knew he would. "You know how powerful Micheal is, do you really think he would ever let something like that happen to someone important to him?"

Takeshi frowned, his aged features working through the hidden meaning that Rin was hinting towards. "What are you saying? How can he ensure something that risky?"

Rin openly scoffed, rolling her eyes. She was about to scold him for being so naïve but caught the open expression of desperation she'd never seen in her father. Reaching up she put her arms around her father and rested her cheek against the lapel of his suit jacket. Surprised at the rapid flip in aggression, the Japanese Councilmember moved woodenly to clap a hand through her silky tresses.