Last Holiday on Terra

13

I had supper brought to me in my quarters. I was sure that my meal was probably created with a computer but I honestly didn't want to know so I opted to have it brought to me. On my coffee table was a pile of small tablets that required my attention. I ate my chicken and dumplings alone...but I wasn't really alone, Moose, and my cats were with me.

I picked up the first tablet and looked it over...it was completely garbled, having been written in the native language of my people. I sighed hard and realized that I'd have to be briefed in person.

I contacted my brother who replied instantly. "What-cha doin?"

"Running your ship."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you busy?"

"A bit."

"Okay," I sighed.

"What's wrong," he groaned.

"These briefs. I can't read them."

"Oh! Is that all?"

"Never mind. I'll figure it out. Sorry I bothered you."

I terminated the communication and ignored when he tried to return my call. Minutes later, there was someone at one of my doors.

"Who is it," I snapped.

"It's me, unlock the entrance so that I may enter..."

"I said that I'd figure it out..."

"I was informed by your former husband that I should come or there would be hell to pay...now open up the god-damned door!"

I rose from my sofa a approached the door and pressed a button on the door jamb. "Come in."

"Thank you," he replied stiffly. "You're grumpy"

"Get used to it."

He chuckled, revealing the shark-like teeth. "It's a family trait, big brother. I'm actually happy to see it!"

"Mmm."

He walked deeper into the suite. "I was talking to Chesna and her father earlier...." He sat down in the guest chair across from me.

I nodded. "How is she acclimating to her natural body?"

"She's done well. No problems."

"Good. I'm glad."

"Rowan, we're going back for your horse."

"Oh? What for?"

"Because you're so lost without your babies...that's what she called them."

"They kinda are. And she's right. I am."

"Well we're going back for her. Her energy-life force will be in stasis until a new body is properly reproduced. Shouldn't take long at all. Chesna insists that the animal's blind eye be replaced and that a special communication device will be implanted so that you can accurately hear her thoughts."

"That'll be interesting. What about the others?"

What others? Oh! You mean the other animals?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

He leaned forward. "Do you honestly want to know what your cats are thinking?"

I grinned. "Yeah, you're right. They're probably not to keen on my being a king and not their slave at all. But Moose...I'm sure he'd be cool."

"Oh yes...a canine fan club of one...Wonderful for the ego..."

I then sneered, stuck out my tongue and rolled my eyes.