Haven broke down in tears. Her mother was stunned silent. She stared at her daughter intently for a few moments before she drew her into her embrace. Haven however resisted , but gave up not long after, she didn't have the heart to force her mom away. Haven didn't know what to do, but she didn't want to close to her mom right now. "Mom let go I don't want to be near you after what you did to him," she sobbed.
Veronica held her daughter tighter refusing to let go as she spoke. " No. I can't. You dont understand. What... What if he was able to drug you as he planned? Would you want me to sit by as he forced himself on my baby. Would you have me sit by as he forces the decision on you to have a child? Would you have me watch as he uses that same relationship to attack your father and I? Ruining your life and possibly my career?" Veronica's voice was barely above a whisper but everyone in the room couldn't help but gulp at her words. In plane words she stated what was documented in thier Links.
"If you didn't have sex with him willingly, he would drugged and raped you. You would have even believed it was you who wanted to. That's how those drugs work. No matter what you think or how you feel that was his goal from the beginning. Even if he is a victim. It doesn't make his actions any less evil."
Haven felt cold on the inside. Her mom's words tearing at her heart. She was even more confused on what to believe, what to do, or even what to think. Her emotions were a mess. If everything was as what her parents had shown her , Then it was true what her mom was saying. The evidence very clear. That the goal was to get her pregnant weather to steal her dads work or ruin her moms career. She didn't believe he was a terrorist. After everything she knew about him she couldn't see him attacking innocents, but his family was being threatened, but was also being offered things that they would need. His mom would be operated on by Ark renowned doctors. For his mom and sisters. Would he do to me what everything suggested?. Would he become a terrorist like his moms evidence speculates? Does he truly love me? Was it all an act to get me to sleep with him?
"I did what any sane parent with means would do," Veronica stated. Her voice becoming steeled as she spoke. "It pains me to see this happen to you, but anyone who threatens my children anyone who dares to lift a hand against you, will lose that hand before losing thier life. Even if you did someone wrong. I still wont let them hurt you. Id make sure they pay for coming against you, only then would I punished you for doing someone wrong. I love you Haven," she said to her daughter who was still pinned in her arms. "I love you all equally" she said to Lillie and Kayden "I'm just doing what i can to protect you."
Haven didn't refute her mother anymore she just closed her eyes to think. Her mom kept her pinned to her chest while her thoughts kept going in a flurry. She needed to talk to Jason. She needed to know if his motive to date her was really to hurt her parents. She needed to know if his confession was real. If it wasn't? if he just wanted what the files said? She would just have to break up with him....if he survived. She hoped that it wasn't true that it was all a mistake. She was in denial thoughts a flurry before she fell asleep from emtional exhaustion.
Kayden looked at his mom and sister deep in thought. He didn't like his sister, but that didn't mean he wanted anything bad to happen to her. 'Was it right to kill the guy though' He thought for a while but couldn't bring himself to say it was right or wrong. It just happened. He was of his dad's opinion. Who ever planned all this is the real D-bag. As kayden thought of his Dad his eyes drifting over to him. He seemed to be staring into empty space, a sign he was busy on his link. Kayden's eyes fell on Lillie. He sighed as he got up and went over to her. The little girl looked lost.
"You ok? "he asked. Hoping she was because he wouldn't know what to say if she wasnt.
"Im fine." she said. Then after a moment she continued." Can i ask you a queation?"
"mhmm" he replied hoping she wouldn't ask anything he couldn't or wouldn't answer.
"Isn't it wrong to kill people?" she asked
Kayden nodded seeing how she was taking thier moms obvious attempted murder confession. He really wanted his Dad to deal with this but he seemed busy with his link and mom wasn't in the best position to console all of them. So he spoke what he thought they would want him to say.
"Yes its wrong, but there are times when its necessary. Like simply to ensure the safety of those you love and care for or to defend oneself from those that threaten your life and lastly as a means of justice."
Lillie looked at him for a moment contemplating his words. "Then mom did the right thing." she said finally coming to her own conclusion.
Kayden looked at her and then nodded. He didn't want her to see thier mom in a bad light.
"Dad will talk to you about it later," He said looking over to his father, who was just coming over, done with whatever he was doing on his link.
"Lillie, Come here for a minute." he said in a gentle voice.
Lillie nodded before walking up to her dad and gave him a pensive look. Dustin sighed looking at his youngest daughter if he could he would not have her hear any of this but by the end of this year she would legally be an adult. That's what specialization was about. Unless one wasn't under thirteen when they finished basic specialization they would be considered an adult ready to contribute to society. In space resources were limited and people were a resource. The sooner one stopped taking up air and giving back to the community the better. That's why the age you legally became an adult was 14, but generally parents in T1 and T2 zones continued to raise thier children. Some staying with thier parents till well into thier 20's. T3 and T4 werent that lucky. The designed poverty kept them working from the moment they finish thier basic specialization. Generally those that were in lower tiers were considered the workers of the ark. There to help keep it afloat while the higher tiers were ment to lead the people. Coming up with new ideas to help with the continued existence of the human race. Researchers and inventors such as himself were some of the most respected individuals on any ark ship. Like all human society that came before it The Ark wasn't a peaceful place. While overt violence was cracked down hard on. the underhanded methods flourished. It was these methods he didn't want his youngest exposed to just yet, but he decided not to disagree with his wife in this moment and just use it as a teaching tool.
" What your mom said", he started, but before he could continue Lillie interrupted.
"It's Ok Dad. I know Mom did the right thing." she said with a firm look as if she was sure of what she was saying.
"Yes she did but, what i want to teach you is to value human life. I don't want you taking this example and running with it. You will be someone very important one day. he said ruffling her hair.
Lillie looked at him unsure of his words. While she thought she was smarter than those her age she didn't have such confidence yet.
Dustin chuckled at her and said, "Look who your parents are. Look at how much the Ark has invested in your education have some confidence. You'll grow up to be great, but to make sure you understand what all this means we are going to the hospital. "
"What," said Kayden, Lillie, and Veronica all at once.
" mhmm," responded Dustin. "Go get yourself ready we leave in a bit." He said to Lillie. "You can rest Kayden you have a lot on your plate starting tommorow."
Kayden nodded at his dad. Though he acknowledged what he said he didn't understand what his dad was getting at by taking Lillie to the hospital.
"Ill call you when im ready." He said before dismissing them both leaving him alone with his wife and sleeping daughter.
"Why did you have to go and tell them that," he said with a sigh after they left. Everything that was happening was giving him an immense headache.
"They arent kids anymore. Veronica replied. Look what happened to Haven. We cant keep shielding them from the type of world we live in. It will only harm them in the long run. Shes the daughter of a councilwoman and one of the richest weapons designer on any ark ship, planet or hell hole humans have decided to hide themselves in. There is a target on her back just because she was born. It doesn't help that you've been grooming her to take your place since she could speak . Me telling her this will help her grow up even if it hurts."
Veronica looked at he sleeping daughter caressing her hair. They had not had the chance to be close when she was young. Her political career had kept her busy. That is why Haven was much closer to her husband than her. Veronica sighed again before she continued in a somber voice.
"Kayden is headed to earth. Do I even need to explain? The chances of him coming back without seeing someone die or having to kill someone himself is slim to none. I don't even want him there but if don't allow him to he will never grow. Lille needs to see her sisters plight to learn from it. Shes not interested in boys yet. This hopefully will keep it that way, at least for a while."
Dustin sighed she had a point but thier was a gaping hole in her logic. He didn't want thier kids to be comfortable scheming to kill. Its why he hated the ark. These kinds of things happened all the time. You could even say it was part of the culture. Its why his wife chose the secretary she did. As long as you weren't obvious it was a widely accepted fact that your enemies dying was normal. Especially if there was a tier difference. Some would even argue that it helped keep the population at an acceptable level.
"Why aren't you saying anything. If you don't talk I wont know how you see things." Veronica said looking at the man lost in thought.
"I just don't want them using this as an example to follow. That's why im taking Lillie to see the young man before my doctors take a look at him. My people tell me his Family arrived why Haven came home. I want Lillie to see how taking a life can affects others."
"Are you saying im heartless." Veronica scoffed.
"No just blinded by your emotions. Your willing to settle for a branch and let go the root by taking out the boy, but it still works in our favor so i never stopped you. Ill save him thou. Those that are behind him will be more comfortable with him dead now that his accident makes it clear he was exposed. The more moves they make the easier they will be to find.
Veronica paused then said "You call me heartless but here you are thinking of using that boys family against him. If he survives you know the people behind him will make sure he and his family dies to cut all ties to themselves. My way only he had to die. Your way all of them can possible die.
"All im offering other than saving his life is protection for information. What others plans to do to his family has nothing to do with me. Im just making sure no one harms my family. So long as he gives me everything he knows. Ill do my best to protect them all. They are victims of thier birth as much as Haven is. You really should have more compassion for others.
"I do ass. You almost never agree with me in these things. She said pouting at him. "Why does it feel like your even using me in your plans without consulting me.
Dustin smiled. "Do you ever listen to me. When i say something Ms. Iknowwhatimdoing. Even if i told you what i had in mind. I doubt you'd like my plan.
" I do listen even when its one of those things im not a fan of", she said giving him a coquettish smile.
"Not what I mean" he said sighing. You said i shouldn't interfere with your work. With balance, This falls more under the political scheme category than family emergency. "
"It's both, she nodded. " But i get your point. I cant wait to become an overseer. We could be close publicly and politically. This forced public separation grinds my last nerve.
"Its not that bad" Dustin replied.
"hmph what's her name that keeping you company while im busy."
"prototype z2gi92359 to be honest i cant take my eyes off her even now her update progress is running through my link."
Veronica rolled her eyes at him. He was still obsessed with his work to this day. In this aspect he hadn't changed over the years. If he didn't have a family his work would be one for him. Though they were the same. Her career was just as important to her as his research was to him.
***
Lori and Lina came home exhausted. It had taken them a little over an hour to get home. It shouldn't have taken that long but Lina wanted to get a new charger for her Link on the way home. This led to a small shopping trip that saw them come back home with a couple other things that they themselves weren't sure that they would need.
"How did it go" came thier dads voice as soon as they walked in.
"It went well, sir" replied Lori. " We have been cleared to be hunters"
"hmph" replied there Dad. "I expect nothing less from a Nova. It's a shame you didn't join The Ark Military Forces like your brothers, but hunters are still respectable and get a lot more action the we do now a days. Everything is so damn peaceful i might retire early and come join you."
Lori and Lina both grimaced at the thought of having to work with thier dad.
"Hey what's with that look. You don't think your old man can be a hunter? Let me tell you I've killed a few of those unknown bogies when i was younger. Dealing with the scum of the human race in comparison is a piece of cake."
"We know dear," came thier moms voice from the hall as she entered. " Your almost 140 are you still talking about what happened in your 30's?"
Lina and Lori smirked at thier Mom's words. It might have sounded like a joke but thier Dad really would come and be a hunter if no one stopped him.
"Well no one has seen any substantial traces of those things now a days. Im probably one of the last few to kill one."
"You never know they might come back Dad. The AMF would really miss your leadership if that was to happen." said Lina in all seriousness. She really feared thier dad would quit. He had enough pull to make it happen
"I guess your right. Even though the experts say they were nomads. Barely surviving last of a dying race. Who knows what's really out thier. There would be no need for the military if that wasn't the case. everything would be handled by the ASF."
"Enough with that dinner is ready. What i want to know is have you made any progress Lori. I know you like him. Did you at least allow him to hold your hand."
Lori cheeks burned in embarrassment as thier mom chuckled.
"That's my que you girls eat with your mom. I have that thing i had to check. It should be ready for me to check it now." Thier Dad said moving faster than a man a quarter of his age could.
" Your welcome", said thier Mom.
"Thanks," said Lina. Lori was still unable to respond. Mind a flurry with thoughts of how her mom knew.
"Don't look so surprised. Why else would you take such a job." said thier Mom. "Plus he's handsome if i didn't have you and your dad id be tempted to rob the cradle. "
"Mom" the girls said in unison.
"What," replied their mother.
"Aren't you as old as Dad?" said Lina
"I am no such thing I'm 32 this year."
"Mom you've been 32 all my life," replied Lori.
"Shush that's supposed to be a secret," she replied , but seriously I'm happy that you guys are doing well. Follow whatever dreams or man that you want I'll definitely support you. If you want I can even help you get birth control.
"Mom," they screamed again. "You see why dad runs away from you. You're terrible, said Lina.
Lisa stopped teasing her children and the three ate dinner together. An hour after thier dad joined in the living room as they chatted. After playing some family games on thier link. They went thier separate ways. Tomorrow was going to be an important day.