Free Quit by Viola Grace

Chapter One
     
     
    Minerva stretched and resettled herself, reading from the fairy tales and slowly turning the digital pages. The chair that the medical staff had put next to Alyla’s gestation tube had small rockers, so she moved herself to the time of the story.
    She read until her voice was hoarse and her lids were drooping.
    Medic Carhill came to her and shook her shoulder. “Minerva, you need to get some rest. I will watch over her. I promise.”
    Minny looked at the familiar face with tired eyes. “How much longer?”
    “Five months. You are halfway there.” The medic smiled. “Do you need help?”
    “No. No. I am fine.” She set the tablet down and got to her feet. She swayed and kissed her fingers before pressing them against the tank where her daughter floated at twice the size she had been when Minerva had given birth to her. Her father’s species—whatever it was—aged slower and had a much longer gestation period. Alyla wasn’t the size of a human baby yet, but she was nearly there. Soon, she would be heading toward the growth spurt that would take her up to the projected fourteen pounds, and from there, it would be a matter of weeks before Minerva could hold her in her arms.
    There was nothing like the hollow feeling of not having her baby with her when she returned home every night.
    With a heavy heart, Minny headed for her quarters, but her soul was still with her child, floating quietly in the liquid that was letting her grow and be healthy. It was a consolation that didn’t give her much comfort. She wanted her child in her arms.
     
    * * * *
     
    Leema Marx checked her com unit and keyed in the pass code to the call. The face was scary but a relief to see. “Emissary. I take it that you are in our space?”
    The head inclined. “I am. How are they doing?”
    “The baby is developing well. All of the growth schedules are on point.”
    “And the recruiter? How is she doing?”
    “I am very happy that you have come to our system, Emissary Imbolt Kei Zanicon.” Leema smiled tightly.
    He nodded. “I will be there within twelve hours. Regulations demanded that we slow earlier in this system.”
    “Excellent. She is resting now and will be on shift then. If possible, I will have her meet you at the arrivals bay.”
    “She will meet me there.”
    Leema nodded nervously. “Yes. Of course.”
    “See you in twelve hours, Commander Marx.” He disconnected the call.
    Leema exhaled long and low. She had never seen someone who could radiate that much power via the coms. It was amazing that Alyla was his daughter. The baby shared some of the grey-mahogany skin tone, but it had its mother’s features. It certainly didn’t have the tattoos that were writhing over his face and neck.
    If Minny’s medical stats hadn’t dropped to barely functional, Leema would never have called in the baby’s father, but if he couldn’t shake Minny out of it, that baby was going to need her other parent.
    Hopefully, he would be enough.
     
    * * * *
     
    Minny finished her day as Recruiter Norz in eight different locations and set her next session for four hours in the future. She didn’t need to see them all to the shuttles, but it satisfied something in her to take them completely through the process.
    She sat up and rubbed her face. Her timer told her that a meal should be consumed. She didn’t feel hungry. She never felt hungry anymore. She just wanted to get to her baby.
    Her suit com chimed.
    “Yes?”
    “Minny, this is Leema. I need you to head to the arrivals bay. We have a dignitary coming in, and he is curious about your work.”
    “It is time for me to eat.”
    “This isn’t a request. Head to the arrivals bay. You will know him when you see him.”
    The com clicked off, and Minny scowled as she got up and stretched. Leema never gave her orders. She had been helpful and concerned during the entire process of waiting for Alyla.
    It seemed that Minny’s time for being coddled was up.
    She walked