Chapter Twenty Two — Part 3
Wisdom lifted Archangel Joseph in a telekinetic grip. When he spoke out, his eyes were playful. “Couldn’t help but notice that all of you kept your angelic powers when you had your masses return to the human state. Probably with the justification that if you didn’t keep your power, you wouldn’t be able to stop somebody should they evolve to the point where they might endanger the greater good.” He giggled mischievously. “Well, the rules have been rewritten where angels are concerned. Mark my words, little bureaucrats, you won’t be flying for a very long time.”
All nine archangels were cowed. The fear on their faces was impressive.
“The rule now is as it was ten thousand years ago. Only those who have earned the right shall have the power of the angels. That includes all angels, and all sentient life in the galaxy. Remember the war? Remember your own bigotry and hatred, and how it nearly cost the angels their lives. It won’t happen again, because people with such emotions won’t be able to grasp the true power.”
Turning back around, Tester seemed to look straight into Joseph’s soul, Wisdom released his gentle hold on the man. Her words were slick, like a snake’s slither, when she spoke to him.
“If you ever touch my daughter again, I’ll do more than clip your wings.” Tester dismissed them all with a motion of her hand, and hugged Wisdom, vanishing with a snap of wings and tail.
The Council of Nine lost their wings. I turned away, stopping when I was in the hatch, looking back at everybody.
“The party was great, King Lotus, and the tapestry’s beautiful. But for now, I think Eohl and myself need to take some time together.”
I stepped aboard the fighter, and sat down in the pilot’s seat, Eohl at my right. We jumped to Otherspace as soon as the ship could accommodate us. We were in Otherspace for ten minutes while I ran a diagnostic of the ship’s engines. A thought occurred to me.
“What should we name this ship?” I asked.
“You’re the Captain. I’m just a weapons master.” He admitted. “Besides, I don’t know that you would like what I wanted to name it.”
“What’s that?” I wondered.
“The Sparrow sounds right somehow.” Eohl said. He misinterpreted the frown on my face. “I guess it is a silly name, now that I think about it.”
I had no intention of leaving it so long.
“No way. It’s a perfect name. Computer, nomenclature identification, Sparrow.” “Yes Captain. Sparrow on-line and
ready for service. Diagnostic completed.” The ship’s voice was automated, nothing like the Persimmon’s had been.
But it was our ship, and would be a fine Pirate’s ship, with a few modifications. “Request coordinates.” “I’ve an idea.” I said, smiling with anticipation. He smiled at me, his golden eyes dilating with pleasure. “Then let’s go with it.” I took off my clothes and quickly stuffed them in a carryon, then walked to the back
“Hold this.” I said, handing Eohl the small bag.
I opened the back hatch onto Otherspace, and felt the Otherspace warm breezes inviting me to open my wings and fly. Taking Eohl in a grip under his arms and around his chest, I jumped forward, and fell away from the ship. The hatch sealed behind us, and the Sparrow waited patiently for us to return. It was programmed wait virtually forever:
“Where are we going?” Eohl said, as I flapped my wings ever harder. I kissed his neck, rubbing my nose against his cheek. “To Earth, so I can see what we fought so hard to save. After that we can go anywhere you want.” With a flap of my wings, I dropped into a dive, and one of Earth’s forests materialized around me.
I landed on a massive tree branch, staring down into the deeper forest. The air was warm and moist from a recent rain, and as I dropped down to the canopy floor, we landed in cool shadows. I found the cabin nearby, and pulled the skeleton key from my carryon. The lock fought for a moment, then clicked, and opened into a small house with wood walls.
It had only one room. The room had a table, a bed, and a cast iron stove set in the center. I opened the back door, expecting to find a closed bath. Instead I found a hot spring for a bath. I smiled at such simplicity. Closing the door, I
turned and caught Eohl in a loving embrace, then kissed him gently on the lips.
“Do you think you could stay here for a couple of days?” I asked.
Eohl had been looking around the room.
“Cupboards are full of food, we could stay here for a week, if we wanted to.” He said. “Though a couple of days would be good.”
I won’t talk about my honeymoon much more. Eohl and I traveled all over the galaxy, staying with friends and relatives, and generally having a month long romantic fling. And two months after the honeymoon, I turned up pregnant. Of course I should have been, we were doing what it takes to get pregnant three nights into the honeymoon and pretty much twice every night thereafter.
