There In The Stars

[Alric Kuhn]

Artemis Station
[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric wrapped his arms around Danger's belly, the soft fluff of the towel caressing his skin as he embraced her. A small smile pulled at her lips as he tugged her a bit closer, her reflection showing Alric as he rested his chin upon her shoulder. "It'll all be alright."

He said as he kissed her cheek.

The past few weeks had been more than a little bit stressful, with everything seemingly having gone topsy turvey. Their daughter was sick, Myra was sick. It was a hard thing to stomach, especially given everything that she had been through in her life, and Alric couldn't help but feel guilt. The first few days after had been spent in Tears, Myra had never been allowed to see of course, either Alric or Danger always keeping her occupied while the other vented their despair.

Eventually however the two adults had gotten it together, talking it out and placing their vast resources to one task.

Curing Myra.

They had founded a new corporation, hired the best doctors, set to work on making their daughter better.

"This will be good." He said as he kissed her cheek again. "For you and Myra."

He didn't mention himself, but of course he was included in that list. "I'm gonna go see if she's ready, okay?"

Alric said the words, but he couldn't help but linger there. The former Titan simply stood there, holding onto his wife and staring at her reflection. A soft smile touched his lips as the ship shook slightly, signifying the drop from hyperspace. Alric simply stood in place still, holding her, enjoying the simply sight of her.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

It was a hovercoaster of an emotional time for them all. However, all they could do as a family was try their best to support each other and keep Myra as happy and joyful as possible. The object was not to let whatever ailed the youngling take over her life. Danger and Alric had both agreed that Myra had seen far too much sorrow and pain for one lifetime, they would do their best to ensure that she would be able to remain as healthy as she could while being able to explore the 'verse.

As Alrice left, his lingering gaze upon the Queen of Trade, Danger left him with a waning smile. They were both doing their best to be strong. Traveling was kept to a minimum, but still a viable solution in ensuring that Myra didn't stay cooped up in a medical facility.

"Alright," came her quiet murmur. They were headed towards one of the newest stations jointly being constructed by the two conglomerate giants. Mara Tibx had begun research into Dark Energy. Dark energy was a form of energy that permeated the entire universe and was more abundant than anything else in the cosmos but was very diffuse and difficult to detect. Harvesting dark energy as a power source was thought impossible until the First Order discovered a way to collect a form of dark energy known as quintessence to create the Starkiller Base superweapon, which could destroy entire star systems.

However, Danger wasn't looking at making any sort of superweapon. She was interested in coming up with a new and renewable source of green energy.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He lingered behind her still, unable to help himself.

Alric had spent most of their relatively short married life trying to make Danger as happy as possible. He had thought that for the longest time he'd easily succeeded in that endeavor, especially considering the short few months they'd spent as newly weds. When Myra had come into the picture things had become even better. Their quiet times had been interrupted, but...well the little girl had brought a new kind of joy into their lives, one that neither of them could deny.

Now?

Now things were more complicated. Danger was still happy in a way, they both were, even Myra was. They had worked so hard to stay happy, to stay confident, but it was difficult. Happiness was just a bit harder to come by, it's facade creased with worry about the future.

So he simply had to work harder. His lips pressed against her cheek again, beard scratching her skin slightly. "Don't fall in."

The joke came as he slowly unwrapped himself from her.

When Myra had first been diagnosed they had been shocked of course, but the brave little girl had worked her way through it rather well. She still slept with Mr. Tuggles every night, but now accompanying her was a small medical droid. A tiny spherical probe that floated about and constantly monitored Myra's vitals. If anything ever went wrong the probe immediately alerted Alric and Danger, allowing the girls parents to rush to her aid if necessary.

It was that probe that allowed Alric and Danger brief moments of peace still. Even now it showed that Myra was doing perfectly fine, awake, and likely getting ready so she could show her parents how good she was.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger's shoulders gave a soft shake at the warning. A mammaqutia of mild humor within the seriousness of their situation.

"Reckon that would be mighty impossible with these." a gesture would swing right over her voluptuous curves. Honestly, she may not know how to swim, but she for sure would float.

"Not getting rid of me that easily," she would joke, curling herself away from his warmth and the mirror. There was still much to be done. The medical droid had been provided by Arkuhn Medical, one of the most advanced prototypes in medical screening and care in the 'verse. No expense was spared. Not when it came to the health of their little girl.

In light of everything, Danger took to becoming a bit more involved with the company. It was just her way of keeping her mind distracted. The new Dark Energy project was novel enough to gain her attention while still keeping herself minimally involved.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"No I suppose not." Alric said as he let his hands graze over her stomach and down her hips, lingering for half a moment. "Maybe I'll take you to Manaan."

Alric said quietly. "Teach both you and Myra to swim. Then we wouldn't just be confined to a bath tub."

It was an idea for later. He checked the chrono clock on the bathroom counter and then caught Danger's glance in the mirror.

"Alright, I'm going." He doubted that Myra would need any help, the girl was rather self sufficient. Alric thought it was a point of pride for her, the idea that she could show Alric and Danger that she didn't need any help, that she was a big girl even with whatever sickness was plaguing her. They still worried of course, but they knew that their little daughter was strong, stronger than either of them had ever expected her to be.

He smiled slightly as he wandered out of the bathroom and down the hall.

"Myra." He called out. "I hope you're not still in bed!"

His voice was playful, a smile on his lips.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Once Alric left, Danger sank herself down upon a nearby seat. Her hair was still damp, curling lightly around her shoulders. They had indulged in water showers in their yacht, and the refreshers were as large as the ones back at the farm. Their newest ship had finally seen its completion at the Foundry. It was state of the art, utilizing the best that the sum of their companies could create.

A hand came up to run her fingers through her hair. Her boudoir held a small collection of perfumes, lotions, and real hair brushes. Tiny little jars of makeup and even a small jewelry box sat perched in front of her. Yet right now, only the tangible feel of her fingers running through her damp hair made the woman feel tied to this 'verse.

A moment later, she swung her gaze towards the small data console. A press of her finger and she was able to activate a small holographic screen. Information and data bloomed over the display.

Dark energy had long since been considered to exist in prominence everywhere. The ability to harness it... well not as much. Records had been gleaned from research and development from Browncoat Arms division and within the Black Codex files. It was there that Danger had plucked the first spare mentions of Dark energy and what it had been harnessed into centuries prior. Quintessence.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

As Alric had expected he found Myra up and awake. She was in her bathroom, slowly brushing her teeth while Mr. Tuggles sat patiently on the heated floor besides her, his big fluffy head turning slightly as Alric entered the room. The creatures wagged its tail for a moment as The Titan moved towards Myra, watching his daughter as she went about her morning routine.

In an odd sort of way he was incredibly proud of her.

The little girl had been incredibly brave so far. She'd shied away from some of her treatments at first, had been confused and of course cried, but she'd quickly set herself into a more determined stance, pressing forward and moving as best as she could with Alric and Danger at her side. She had been incredibly brave, never once trying to wriggle out or do anything that would cause her parents pain. That wasn't even to mention the fact that she was trying to prove she wasn't even sick.

Always getting up before Alric and Danger, always playing.

Always trying to be happy.

The little girl was pushing through this far better than her parents were, and it impressed Alric to no end. "Guess what!"

Alric said as he leaned in the doorway, Myra looking up at him through the mirror with an inquisitive look.

"Mommy said she wants to go to planet with a beach!" The girls eyes opened wide with excitement. "She wants me to teach you both how to swim!"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Quintessence was a form of dark energy. It had been originally thought impossible to tap into. There had been theories for the past millennium and all knowledge almost practically lost.

That is where the Black Codex came in. The Black Codex was a database that contained a wealth of information formally considered lost in the wake of the Gulag Plague. While it had no real, guide to schematics, Danger had found several references to 'Dark Energy,' 'Quintessence,' and the late First Order.

Danger had then asked Aeri Vyn, her Zeltron assistant and now full-fledged Arceneau Trade Representative to investigate the matter. The process had been long and arduous just simply attempting to find any working knowledge or information on Dark Energy itself.

Luck would have it that Pharma Tech's and Mara Tibx joint scout and research departments discovered the first key in the Unknown Regions.

Taking her brush in hand, Danger went over the findings with scrutiny. Slowly she began to brush her hair, letting the natural bristle brush run through the silver streaked length.

A press of her finger had her play music, the soft jazz soothing her nerves as the women went through the daily routine. Unknowingly, Alric was making one little girl excited about swimming -- including Danger in the process. It was bound to be an interesting affair since the woman could only barely float.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric helped Myra finish up, her teeth were brush and then like a good father he proceeded to braid her hair.

It was a skill that he had learned with his previous two daughters. Lily had always insisted on having it done, and eventually he'd simply watched a video on the holo-net on how to do it. Oddly enough even after all of these years he still remembered how to do it well enough, and since Myra had come into their lives he'd gotten more practice. A small smile touched his lips as he finished, putting the hair tie in place and looking down at his daughter.

"There." Alric said as he patted her on the head with a smile.

Myra looked up at him, smiling back.

"Why don't we go to the kitchen." He glanced briefly towards the small medical drone. "So we can have breakfast ready for when Mommy is done getting ready."

Myra nodded her head. "Don't worry, we don't have to rush, she takes foreveerrrr."

The little girl let out a giggle as Alric ushered her towards the door. Mr. Tuggles of course followed quickly behind, and the medical drone flew after Myra as well. For a second he lingered in Myra's bedroom, glancing about at the mess. His head shook from side to side and then he went after Myra as well, knowing that Danger would still be quite a bit before being ready.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger would only be about ten more minutes. But in that time, Alric and Myra would have enough time to be able to bond and have some father and daughter time together. One of Danger's favorite sights was seeing both of their dark heads incline against the other, either working on a holopuzzle or cooking a meal together. Myra had lost some weight since her illness had taken root, but her enthusiasm had not faded. Maybe that was what brought tears to Danger's eyes, that despite everything including the little girl's fears, the youngling seemed to have a fighting spirit inside of her. Large crowds still wore on her, but she had come out of her shell little by little.

That had struck Danger the hardest. That after everything, Myra seemed to be getting the worst lot in life. Part of Danger had blamed herself, that tiny voice in the rear of her mind weaving crazy little lies, saying that she wasn't fit to be a mother and that the 'verse was only going to take Myra away - much in the same way Fiona and her first child had so many years ago.

Alric assured her otherwise, but personal demons were just that - personal. It was a fight that Danger would have to work through herself. Glancing up towards the holodisplay, the Queen of Trade went over more information on what Aeri had discovered about Dark Energy.

There were several different sorts of energy throughout the 'verse. The majority had already been harnessed one way or another. Green energy was now a major part of Arceneau Trade Company's mission. The thought that Dark Energy was out there and could potentially be harnessed again was a venture that Danger wanted to dive into.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric and Myra went about making breakfast.

It was a simple matter really, just simple eggs and some pancakes. The former was a little more fun, Alric scooping up Myra and holding her just slightly away from the griddles so that the little girl could push and pull the spatula, scrambling the eggs and making sure they were cooked properly.

She giggled slightly as the process went on, until eventually Alric's knee started to ache a bit. "Okay Honey, I think it's time to set the table."

He was getting old, and even picking up Myra became a strain after more than a few moments.

"Three plates." The little girl eyed him. "Okay four, but Mr. Tuggles goes on the floor."

Myra nodded, rushing off to the low cabinet Just as Danger walked through the door and into the Kitchen.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"You've been busy." Her soft drawl went dancing across the room. It was game on to a degree, a distinct playing of a role to try and keep a strong front for Myra. There was to be no crying in front of the youngling. No sad faces. No expressions of worries or concerns. This had been their agreement.

The full hipped woman gave a slow saunter over towards the little girl, smiling as the Queen of Trade came to a stop beside her. "Hey there sweetheart." Danger sang, bending down to press a kiss upon the crown of the little girl's head. Mister Tuggles' nails went clicking across the floor. As always he would fallow his mistress. The pet that Danger had intended for Alric had imprinted upon their adopted daughter. In the end, it wasn't such a bad result after all.

"So what are you two doing today?' Danger inquired, giving a small massage to Myra's thin shoulders.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

He smiled. "We'll be touring the station a bit."

That would take a few hours.

"There's lots of sights to see." Artemis station was huge, or would be when it was completed. The station was slated to span almost ten thousand meters in total, with a diameters of eight thousand meters. When it was done it would be one of the largest space station in the galaxy. There was another point of pride to that, though of course This wasn't his project alone.

"You my love?" Alric already knew. "Going to come with us?"

Danger had business, and would come with them eventually, but Alric intended on quilting her into spending the entire day with them instead.

Using Myra's great big bug eyes.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

Danger gave Myra's brown hair a light ruffle, musing the strands a bit much to the giggling discontent of the child. A twinkle shown in her eyes and Danger matched it.

"Ive some work to do but I reckon I can cut it back to spend the afternoon with you all." Danger replied, moving away from the child to walk over towards Alric. The Tuggle seemed determined to get underfoot. So it was no surprised when his large, wet nose booped the woman against her hip.

"Oh you silly thing, Myra is getting your food." She told him, scratching the fur behind his right ear. Another chuckle and a few more steps took her to her husband's side. Leaning against him was as natural as breathing, as was the light kiss she pressed against his bearded cheek.

"I hear there is some sort of amusement part there." Myra wouldn't be able to get on any of the more physically trying rides, but it would be fun. There were sections where it wouldn't be crowded. The station was still very much a work in progress. It was really a trip for a multitude of reasons. For Myra's sake, for their distraction, and to review the Dark Energy harvestor that was in production beside the vast station.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Alric nodded, bug eye method having achieved proper effect.

"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine." Alric said, as though it weren't enough. He knew thought that Danger was busy with this new project. She didn't do it because she didn't want to spend time with them, just had to do it was all. He smiled at her and slowly began to plate the food.

"We'll go to the park." He assured his daughter. "But we'll take it easy."

Nothing too outrageous though.

"We definitely won't see everything." The station was far too big for that.

Eventually Alric managed to get all the food out onto the table, having of course, made far too much even for everyone gathered.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Going to the park hmm?" There was a slight arch of Danger's brow in interest. Her hand came up and gently cupped Alric's cheek.

"Try to not get into trouble then," she playfully warned, flashing a wink to Myra as if they were co-conspirators.

"Make sure you keep an eye on him, Myra. He's a wily one." she would warn with what appeared to be light-hearted nature. Leaving them to Myra's giggle, Danger strode over to make herself a cup of hot caf.

"No, wouldn't be able to see everything in a day. Likely not even a month." it wasn't an exaggeration. The ability to harvest Dark Energy meant that they were able to create one of the largest stations out there through sustainable energy. Of course, this was in the early stages. Testing among research and development.

Whatever manner that the First Order of centuries past had managed to harvest enough Dark energy to power Starkiller Base was no where in line to what the Arceneau intended. It was at a raw product. A prototype harvester that would barely cut into the ability to harvest that Dark Energy.

But just being able to do so was a start.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"I will not stand for such an accusation Madam." Alric said, hit tone of voice suddenly switching to something a little bit more haughty.

It was the mock of a voice that his father had usually used to lecture him. Myra and Danger wouldn't know that of course, they would recognize it more as a mirror of High Nobility from comedy series on the Holo-TV. Alric wasn't exactly the best impressionist, but this was something he could do quite well. Myra already giggled and looked to her mother though quickly turned away to scrambled into her seat at the dining table. Alric turned to face Danger.

"I Cannot allow it!" He boomed, stepping over to her. "Not today!"

He half turned towards his daughter to check that she wasn't looking, then gave Danger's rear a quick pinch. "Something must be done!"

The Titan moved past Danger and away from her, sneaking to the other side of the counter.

"You'll rue this nigh on this evening!" He raised a finger and waggled it at his wife, then quickly moved over to the dining table as though absolutely nothing had happened.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Oh, you!" Danger would say, giving a roll of her eyes and then smacking Alric's hand away. As the pair ran off, she shook her head, moving to pluck a blue caf cup from one of the cupboards.

"He can be so frumpy, right?" she'd sing over with a seemingly mischievous expression over to Myra. The little girl held her skinny hands up to her face, fingers a little bonier than normal. In seeing how much she lost weight, Danger's smile froze. Choosing to turn away quickly, the woman took to preparing her caf.

"Go on and help him set the table. He's bound to break something I'm sure if you don't."

Right, focus. Don't let her see your heart breaking. It was a good thing she had a meeting with Aeri later on to discuss the project. It would get her mind off of this.

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

"You'll see how frumpy I can get later." Alric joked to Danger, the quip obviously going over Myra's head who simply gave him a slightly perturbed expression.

The Tetan shot his daughter a look, and then quickly dolled out the plates that she would need.

"Go on." He told her. "You know what to do."

Myra did. In the short time that he and Danger had actually had Myra they had done quite a good job in raising her. She quickly set the table in the exact manner that she had been told to do so in. Each plate went with a chair, and each plate got a fork, a knife, and a cup. Alric simply stood back and let Myra do everything, watching her carefully to make sure she didn't fall over or start to feel tired. Eventually the table was set, Myra wiggling into place once more.

"Okay. I think we're ready for food." The Tetan said with a smile.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Alric Kuhn"]

"Don't say things you can't back up," Danger's voice would cry out over the low humming grind of caf beans. She needed something with a little extra pep today. Freshly ground Star Caf beans would do the trick.

"Well, that's good to hear." Danger added, hearing Alric declare he was ready for food. Adding the fresh ground to the caf maker, she called out over her shoulder in a sing-song.

"So just what are you two going to be making?" A small ding caught her attention. It was an incoming message from her datapad. Leaning near a small hole array done to display her messages, Danger used her finger to flick and swish it up into a screen. It was from Aeri.

"Looks like my meeting might have moved up an hour." Research and development team wanted to discuss a few things.