Solara: My Winged Angel

Orlana: star spectral G3; Mean orbit 1.20AU; Mean Dia. 10200 miles; gravity .93; Year-15 mos.; Month-34 days; atmosphere-25% Oxygen - .1% Carbon Dioxide -- 70% Nitrogen -- trace elements include elevated methane but not lethal to Humans. All measurements based Earth normal.

We landed at the capital city, Nirtone, and were lead to the port offices and quarantine. After a quick check we were taken to a hospital for complete physicals and a complete work up of 'ME'. I was a complete mystery to the Orlanans and they had no clue as to who or even what I was.

With Solara's translation work I managed to tell my story to the local authorities and the doctors. For the next 14 days they examined me with everything they had, some of which looked slightly familiar and some that were so strange that they could have come from a sci-fi movie. They DNA tested Solara, me and the children and when they came back with the results we were more than shocked.

It seems that the doctors found that both races shared more than 98% of DNA. The only major differences were those that gave the Orlanans their wings, feathers and eye location. Dominant genetics. My differences were as listed plus external genitalia versus cloaca. All the children tested healthy and with mothers dominant DNA they would have her characteristics. They also found that most of our offspring would be female and only with special intervention would we be able to have males, or so we all thought. Over the next few days we managed to be able to spend some private time together just us and the 'girls'.

One day about a month after landing we were allowed to go outside and I finally got to see the planet of my darling's birth. It was magnificent, much like Earth in the tropics. Not jungle but green everywhere. That is when we ran into trouble, I can't fly, and there were no ground level entrances to any buildings anywhere. Except the port and hospital. All of the homes were built in trees and it took over a month, with help, to construct a flyer to assist me in getting around. Thank you Capt. Natining.

The day after getting my flyer Solara took me to her parent's home and I can honestly say I have never received a welcome like this one. Her father took me by the hand and showed me around their house and introduced me as his 'SON'. It wasn't until later that evening that I understood what that meant. After dinner that night all the 'men' got together and with Solara translating I got the whole story.

Solara's brother that was killed in the crash was the only male, his brother having been killed in an accident when 3 years old, in my Father-in-law's family that was of breeding age and with him gone there was "NO MALE HEIR". We talked for hours and it finally came down to two options and in both it would be up to Solara to decide. Solara and I could have a medical intervention to insure male offspring or I could be mated to her brother's 'wife' so as to possibly produce male heirs. As I was thinking I remembered some of what I was taught as a child in Sunday school about oldest son's wives with no male heir and the duties of the younger brother/brother-in-law.

Solara and I talked for days before I came up with a possible solution. In a way we would do both except that I would not have relations with her sister-in-law. Father gets in touch with the Doctors and I explain to them my idea and they look at me dumb-founded.

One of the doctors says "Why didn't we think of this it's brilliant and very easily done."

I tell them, "It is done quite often on my planet for couples that are incapable of conception in the normal manner." So 14 days later when both Solara and Trelor were at their fertility peak the Doctors did an in-vitro on Trelor and did a gender screen on Solara. The next month they are both checked and found to be 'pregnant', and when Father heard the news you should have heard him. He screamed at the top of his lungs "YES!" and then orders everyone to get everything together for a party.

WOW! What a party. I meet Orlanans from every family all the way up to the District Lord. Their political setup is a bit odd but the District Lord is roughly the equivalent of a state Governor.

The following day I was called to the port to meet with the Space Authority Vice-Chairman to discuss the upcoming trip to my part of the galaxy. Solara and I spoke with the Vice-Chairman at length about the trip and what it might mean to both civilizations. We decided that the trip would start when the young that Solara was carrying were approx. 2 months old and that we would also take with us our 2 youngest daughters. Solara and I agreed that the rest of our family would stay here with her parents and other relatives.

The next months went by so fast, soon it was time for our latest to be born and as they came into the world Father was almost as ecstatic as I was to see that indeed they were males and even more so when 2 days later Trelor delivered 2 males of her own. It was following Trelor's delivery that father told me that females were birthed 10 to 1 over males in normal circumstances. Now I had just provided them with a way to have more male children. He told me that under Orlanan law as the idea was mine that every time the technique was used I would be paid a royalty, I was going to be very rich. Very rich indeed.

Finally the big day came. We said good-bye to our older children and family, then boarded Sylawn and Tylawn the girls, and Dytor and Lytor the boys, and prepared for Hyber-sleep and the 4 year trip to Earth. As we layed down in prep for sleep and I looked at Solara and said, "I love you."

She whispers back, "I love you, too." And as sleep claims me and my eyes slowly close I looked upon 'My Angel'.

Chapter 4: EARTH, and HOME?

We were awakened just beyond the orbit of Pluto on a challenge from the Solar Patrol, 'Sol' system police; the com system alerted the Capt. and Com Officer. They got me and Solara up so that I might speak to the patrol ship's Capt. In the Com room I hear English, for the first time in almost 21 years I hear good old Earth English.

"To unidentified space craft this is Earth patrol vessel 'Adam Jones' please respond." "To unidentified space craft this is Earth patrol vessel 'Adam Jones' please respond."

"Adam Jones, Adam Jones, this is Orlanan cruiser 9024 and at present we are throttling back to normal system cruise speed and await your coming alongside."

"This is 'Adam Jones' Capt. Paul Smith to whom am I speaking?"

"Capt. Smith this is Cmdr. Jason Lee of the 'Pathfinder'."

"Say WHAT?"

"You heard me Capt. I am Cmdr. Jason Lee of the Earth exploration vessel 'Pathfinder'. I am its sole survivor after a crash on the planet Epsilon Eradani 4. This vessel is the Orlanan space cruiser 9024, 4 years out from home planet bound for Earth with myself and family aboard."

"Did you say 'family' aboard Cmdr.?"

"It's a long story Capt. and I'd be glad to tell it to you, but would you notify Space Command via secure channel of our arrival and intentions."

"Yes Sir: Cmdr. Message is being coded as we speak and will be sent soonest."

"Thank you, Capt. we await your arrival in approx 34 minutes. I look forward to meeting you in person."

"9024, 9024; this is 'Adam Jones' calling?"

"'Adam Jones' this is '9024', Go ahead."

"This is 'Adam Jones', that thing is huge, just how big is that thing?"

"9024, just over 10 kilometers in length and about ½ KM in dia." "We have you visual now 'Adam Jones' come parallel to open and lighted bay for docking."

"Roger that 9024, we are maneuvering now."

I stood on the observation deck and watched as 'Adam Jones' moved into the shuttle bay and moored. The outer doors closed and within 2 hours the bay was safe to enter. I stepped from the Ob-deck and approached the 'Adam Jones' personnel hatch. As the hatch opened I saw a man in a Lt. Cmdr's uniform step down from the hatch and as he raised his hand to shake mine said, "Cmdr. Lee I am Capt. Smith it is good to see you again Sir."

"We've met?"

"Yes Sir, at the academy the week before the Pathfinder left on its mission."

"Well then Capt. I present to you the Capt. of this vessel, Capt Sordane; and these Capt. are my wife Solara and the 4 youngest of our children." The look on his face when he saw the Orlanans was one of shock, fear and awe all rolled into one, it was priceless.

"I am at your disposal Sir; Madam. And I am requested to escort you and this ship to lunar orbit."

"Well then, it's best we get moving, Capt. Sordane if you would Sir, The third planet has a large natural satellite and there is a base on it."

"Very well Cmdr.; Bridge this is the Capt. Make space normal speed to the satellite of the third planet."

"Satellite of the third planet, Aye Sir, Bridge out." With Capt. Smith in tow I lead the way to a lounge were Solara and I tell Capt. Jones as well as Capt. Sordane the story of how we came to be stranded on EE4 and how we became the family we are now.

Capt. Smith spoke up, "That Sir is one of the best tales of survival I have ever heard and I applaud you and your wife for making the best of your lives and providing such a love story for others to marvel at."

Capt. Sordane piped in with, "I agree Sir, I had heard bits and pieces but now to have heard the whole story, I just feel that it was meant for you two to be together."

"Thank you Sirs, Capt. Sordane how long till we get to our destination?" "About 10 hours at our present speed."

"Thank you Capt., now if you will excuse us it has been a long day and we must attend to our children and our selves. In about 10 hours then."

"Good night then Cmdr., Ms. Lee in about 10 hours then." Both Capt.'s speak up.

As I look out the view port at Lunar Base 1 to starboard and Earth to port I get that old feeling of a sailor coming home. When you finally see the buildings and homes of your home port you get that feeling your travels are over and it is time to settle down and stay put. Solara is with me and stares at Earth just mumbling to herself about how beautiful it is; the children are getting excited and you can see their wings flutter as the anticipation builds.

Capt. Sordane approaches and informs me, "We'll be setting down on the outer pad of the base and will be provided shuttles to the base itself."

"Thank you Capt. we will meet you at the lift bay." As Solara, the children and I exit the lift in the pad transfer bay all the base personnel turned and stared at Her and the kids. As we moved to the underground shuttle more Orlanans stepped off the lift and all work came to a grinding halt as all the Earthers stopped and stared. I chuckled under my breath to look at my fellow humans, knowing just how they felt coming face-to-face with 'Angels.' We get aboard the shuttle and transit to base operations. Upon arrival the base Cmdr. greets me and does a DNA scan just to be sure I am who I say I am. "Cmdr. Lee I am Cmdr. Fooglesburg commanding officer of Lunar 1. Welcome home and welcome to Earth to your family."

"Thank you Cmdr. Let me introduce my wife, Solara; my 4 youngest children Sylawn and Tylawn, my daughters and Dytor and Lytor, my sons. And let me introduce Capt. Sordane of the Orlanan cruiser 9024."

"Welcome Capt. Welcome all. If you would follow me I will show you to your quarters. And if you would Cmdr., Capt. please join me in Central Command when you have settled in." We were shown to the VIP suites and guards were placed to keep out the curious. I got Solara and the kids settled in showed them how to operate the view screen and then told Solara.

"I'll be back in a little while, there is going to be some de-briefing from earth-side and they are going to want to talk to the Capt. It's a good thing he learned English, via hypno-induction, on the trip out."

De-briefing was a pain-in-the-ass, as usual. Question after question after question; it was a good thing I had thought to bring the logs from the Pathfinder. As I viewed the logs with the base Cmdr. I realized just how close I came to buying the big one. The tattle-tales on the logs show just how much damage the Pathfinder sustained in the impact with the Orlanan cruiser. Even if we had been able to stay in orbit we would not have survived as the engine core was ruptured and ejected by the computer; no power no life. After about 5 hours we took a break and when I came out to the main office there was Solara sitting there talking to the base Cmdr.

"Darling," she said, "The Cmdr. here has been telling me about stories from Earth's history and I think that we have discovered a connection between a missing Orlanan ship and a story from about 3000 years ago on Earth."

"An early survey ship went missing without a trace with a crew of 20 onboard. They were mapping FTL tunnels (Faster Than Light) and it was assumed to have encountered an event horizon and was pulled in. But, it appears that they may have landed on Earth in the area of Central America as some of the native pictograms are similar to early Orlanan space suits."

"You have got to be kidding!"

"Cmdr. some of your wife's history is absolutely amazing and I would like very much if she could provide me with some printed copies of Orlana's history, I am sure I would find it interesting reading and I believe that other races we have encountered have similar stories."

Solar answered; "Cmdr. I would be happy to have the 9024's Capt. download copies from the ship's memory."

"Cmdr. Sir, is there anything more you need me for?"

"No, Cmdr. you may go. I am sure that you will be contacted if there are any more questions. Thank you Ms. Lee for an interesting afternoon. Good day to you both."

The days go by with answering questions and learning about all the new things that happened while I was gone. There is also the discussion about what to do about EE4 and the proposal put forth by the Orlanan's, and myself, to make it the way-point between the two systems. One day just before dinner Solara comes to me with a bit of a predicament.

"Darling, Julna came to me today with the question of; what is she to do now that she finds herself caring about an Earth man named Tony Divencenzo"

"Who is Tony Divencenzo?"

"He works in the medical labs here and they have been spending a lot of time together. They are coming by after dinner to talk to us about what they are to do now." About an hour after dinner the door bell pinged and when I answered there stood before me a good looking young human and an Orlanan female that looked a lot like Capt. Sordane in coloration. "Come in, Come in, Have a seat. Is there anything I can get you?"

"No thank you Cmdr. we're fine. We just finished our dinner."

"Solara, our guests are here."

"Hello Julna, Tony; Welcome." As Tony and Julna tell us about how they feel about each other and the things they have in common, I look at Solara and take her hand in mine as I can see in her expression she is remembering all the things from when we found out how much we cared for each other.

"Cmdr. I am going to ask you bluntly; what would you do?"

"Well, Tony, I would ask Julna to marry me." Tony looks at me puzzled and then I see comprehension on his face.

He turns to Julna and asks, "Julna, my love, will you marry me, will you be my mate?"

"Yes my darling I will."

"I suggest that you two go see Cmdr. Fooglesburg in the morning and tell him how you feel and what your intentions are. And I suggest you speak to Capt. Sordane as well as Julna is a member of his crew. If you need our help please call on us."

It has been almost a month since that evening with Tony and Julna; and today we are Best Man and Matron of Honor at their wedding. Cmdr. Fooglesburg presided and Capt. Sordane gave away the bride. Solara looked as if she was going to cry even though Orlanan's don't and that night she was so passionate with me I know that that was the night we made the boys.

A couple of weeks after the wedding Solara comes to me and announces that she is pregnant again but that something is wrong; it doesn't feel right and she is afraid of what the Doctor might find. "Please go with me to the Doctor, Darling?"

"I don't want to be there alone when he tells me the bad news."

"Let's go dear; it can't be anything we can't handle together." We go to the medical deck and tell the receptionist that we need to see the Doctor as my thinks she is pregnant but thinks something is wrong as it doesn't 'feel' right. We wait for nearly an hour before the Doc comes out and calls us into an exam room, and then they draw blood and urine for tests and set up for an ultrasound to look in her 'pouch'. When the labs come back the tech and the Doc run the ultrasound and they are discussing the results in low tones so I can't hear what they are saying. After a few minutes they come over and start explaining the trouble. Cmdr., Ms. Lee; we have discovered the reason that your pregnancy doesn't 'feel' right. You are carrying 4 eggs, but that is not all, these eggs are all male sized. As you know male eggs are larger and therefore the fact that there are 4 in your 'pouch' gives you that "not-right feeling."

"That is not possible Doctor; males are never born in 4s only in 2s."

"That is what all the double-checking was about. The records from the 9024 gave me that info and I ran the test 3 times to be sure." "The records on the 9024 show that this happened a number of times before, but has not happened in over 600 years."

"Doc, let me get this straight; you're telling me that Solara is pregnant with 4 but that they are male and this is some very rare phenomenon?"

"That is it in a nut shell."

"I must tell you that this is not the first time I've seen this. This morning that young Orlanan Julna was in here and she too is pregnant with 4 males and was just as surprised as you." "The ships medical officer and I are studying this and hopefully we can find out why this has happened at this time and he is hoping that it can be duplicated."

As the weeks go by Solara is in the med center every two weeks and then every week for the last month as she is huge. She was big when she gave birth to Dyla, Jyla, Myla and Tyla; but this is nuts. She can hardly walk and the Doc has recommended she spend the next 5 weeks in the med center on bed rest. She is not alone though as Julna is in the same room and they are becoming close friends.

I spend each evening with my angel as daily I deal with Space Command on the EE4 proposal from Orlana. The Orlanans have proposed that EE4 be not only a way-station but that it remain neutral and with the exception of space craft have no planet based defensive systems. Space Command has proposed that orbital defenses be placed and they are down to what those systems will entail. We have been going at it for weeks and the last hurdle is how the orbital stations will be crewed when one of the Orlanan junior officers speaks up with what just might be the best answer yet. His idea is to have 8 stations, 4 commanded by Space Command and 4 commanded by Orlana and all the crews be mixed from both worlds.

The Space Command board (via vid-link) is looking dumb-founded and saying to each other "Why didn't I think of that," when I get a call from med center that Solara has gone into labor. I excuse myself telling all what is happening and that my vote is for this latest proposal.

When I get to the med center I find that Solara is in hard labor and that one of the babies is almost out. I barely get my gown on when I hold my son in my arms. As we are on Earth base Solara, who would normally name the children, has allowed me to choose the names of this special set of boys. The first is Thomas, after my father; the second is James, after my grandfather; the third is Peter, after my uncle; and the forth is Paul after my Exec. Officer on Pathfinder. As I look at my sons lying in their basinets I hold the 4 children brought with us and think back to when the only love I had in my life was the ship I commanded. Oh how things have changed since I first found 'My Angel.' As I'm reminiscing Tony comes walking up and points out his 4 boys in the other basinets. We celebrate this memorable occasion and as I go to Solara's bedside I tell her of the idea put forth by the Orlanan officer. She is instantly in accordance and tells me to go back to the conference and tell Capt. Sordane that she is sure her father will support this in the national assembly. I kiss her and then my children and return to the conference room to find them still at it. They acknowledge my return and discussions are placed on hold while I tell of the birth of mine and Tony's sons. Before they start talking again I take Capt. Sordane aside and tell him what Solara said. He says "Thank you," and returns to the table. As things get going again Capt. Sordane steps up and starts talking about Solara and her father.