Vagaries of Fate

Aerodynamics

Chapter 21

At her words, Genesis leaned back slightly and frowned. "I know birth control has been part of your check-ups since you started Soldier, but certainly if or when we decide to bring new life into the world that can be stopped."

She shook her head. "That isn't it. Think about it. I know that normal Soldiers can have children, as I took care of a few of them, but neither of us could be considered a normal Soldier. Even if you discount the wound to my middle, there is still the fact that we are both inundated with Jenova's cells. That is a fact that we have to consider for a plethora of reasons."

His eyes widened at her words. He didn't move for several moments as what she said sank in. He had not yet considered the fact that the experiments done to them could cause complications. Even if they did not, the fact that no one had any information on what those experiments might create in the long run made him pause. He realized there was a possibility that any child the two of them had together, could very well end up further mutated because of it. The idea turned his stomach. He tried to keep his pain at the thought from his face. "I had not yet considered that, but again, that is something that can be addressed later. Who knows, by the time we are ready to think about it, a solution may have presented itself."

Clarissa could see the pain in his eyes, even if he was trying to hide it, and laid her head back down. She didn't want him to see it in hers too. "I know. The future is unknown, so I'll not worry about it for now."

She felt him still under her cheek for a moment before he chuckled. She sat up quickly at the sound and gave him a curious look. He cupped her cheek and smiled before he explained. "You are correct. Even for you, the future is unknown, and that, my love, is a glorious thing. Be thankful that we are together to discover it."

When she realized his meaning, she beamed at him before she tackled him and kissed him hard enough to steal her own breath. When she sat back, he lifted a brow at her. "Please explain to me what inspired that. I would like to keep it in my arsenal to use again at my leisure." She laughed at him but didn't answer. Instead, she kissed him again. Not as passionately, but it still conveyed her feelings. That kiss quickly had them both forgetting their worries as they found themselves tangled in the sheets again.

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They refueled in Costa del Sol before heading across the continent. By the end of the second day, Clarissa remembered why she hated traveling on Gaia so much. They had gathered for their nightly meeting in the corner of the inn's dining area. When she sat, she stretched back with her arms clasped above her head before sitting forward and trying to rub a knot out of her neck. "I think my hearing is going. Those rotors are murder. God, I never thought I would miss commercial airplanes."

It took her a few moments to notice the silence around the table at her ranting. She looked chagrined but didn't have the opportunity to say anything before Rufus spoke up. "Airplanes, not airships?"

At his question, she realized why they were all giving her strange looks. She hadn't thought about the reaction when she was venting. She shrugged it off. It was already out. "Yes, planes. Where I'm from, anyone can purchase a ticket to travel by air. A plane can go just about anywhere on the planet in under 24 hours."

At that, all three gave her looks like she was crazy. She rolled her eyes at them. "Don't give me that look. I am pretty sure there is at least one plane on Gaia, even if it's the old prop type."

Tseng was still giving her a doubtful look, but both Genesis and Rufus' had turned contemplative. The young President was the first to speak. "Even the airship that is in development is not expected to go that fast. What is the difference?"