0001 0011bcd
Thirty-eight hours later, Abby let Hugh out of the ward. She admonished him to shower twice daily so the new biocytes could finish getting rid of the old. He promised he would and kissed the woman on the cheek in thanks.
"Doctor, thank you for saving my life; from what I understand this was far from the standard case of Space Fug."
"Yeah, there was very little about this that was standard anything. As I told you before, I've set your biocytes to monitor you closer than normal; so should anything happen, I'll be on my way before you hit the floor.
"Now, you might have a few dizzy spells, or feel a little weaker than normal. All that should pass in a couple of days. Your past performance profile shows that you are in good shape for a civilian. It shouldn't take the 'cytes long to get you back to normal.
"However, I should warn you that these are marine bio-cytes. What that means is that if you start to exercise, or engage in repetitive, prolonged physical exertion, the 'cytes will respond and aide the body by beginning skeletal and muscular enhancement."
"Uh, Doc?" Hugh asked nervously. "I have two new wives, and the goddess only knows how many others that will be riding me like a rodeo bull! That's not something I'm used to doing."
Grinning at the young man, Abby replied, "I have no idea what a 'rodeo bull' is, but I assume it gets rode pretty hard. That's why I mentioned it. The 'cytes are probably going to add some bulk to you and increase your overall stamina."
"What exactly does that mean? I'm not going to hurt anyone am I?" Hugh asked.
"Probably not. The changes will take place over a long enough period of time for you to adjust and get used to them. You'll be able to go harder, faster and deeper, for longer." She paused to get her facial features under control. "So, I'll expect you back in here for a ... uh, exam ... in a couple of months," She replied trying hard not burst out laughing.
Returning to his quarters, Hugh found them empty. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, he stripped out of his clothes, and jumped into the pool. Something was nagging at him, and he just couldn't bring it out in the open. Swimming usually helped with that.
However, in very short order, he found that not only was he exhausted, but was ravenously hungry. "Tatyana, would you please ask the cook if she has anything on the stove or in the fridge I could have? I feel like I'm starving."
"Da, Comrade Captain. I will ask. Just for your information, it is the Biocytes that are making you hungry. Making you big and strong like bull takes a lot of energy, for that they need you to eat. Besides, you should really save your energy for later; there is someone that is looking very much forward to this evening."
Hugh smiled sadly. "Yeah, it does seem like the fates are conspiring to keep Fallon and I apart. I hope she understands though, and can eventually forgive me."
"Mishka, she does not blame you, nor does Jenna. Those two love you so much I doubt they would ever blame you for something like this. However, they do blame the anomaly, Hanna..."
"Her name's not Hanna." Hugh said interrupting Tatyana. He frowned and wondered why he'd said that. Once again he felt the tugging of memory, but nothing surfaced.
"If it is not Hanna, then what is it?" Tatyana asked reasonably.
Hugh sighed. "That's the strangest thing, Tatyana. I feel like there is something important I need to remember, something about ... Damn! I just can't remember! But it has something to do with that bitch." His frustration coming to a head. "I know its extremely important too!"
"Perhaps you ask Doktor Abby Ryan if she knows of head-doktor that can hypnotize you, Da?"
Grinning, Hugh replied, "Nyet. I'd like to try to let it surface on its own before doing that. Besides, I'm sure RyeAnn as well as Willie Kinds, and the Master Chief would want to be there for any procedure like that done to me, just for security's sake."
He could almost hear the AI nodding her head in agreement. "Da, I should have thought of that."
Just then the admittance chime for the lower level rang out. "Come!" Hugh yelled. He was resting on one of the recliners by the pool, and didn't want to get up.
The door slid open to allow Holly to enter pushing a cart. Haley followed empty handed, but Hugh thought he might be in trouble when he saw that both girls were smiling sensuously.
As the thirteen year old twins moved over to him, Hugh was thankful he remembered to at least put a pair of shorts on. "Ladies, thank you for bringing the food, but I'm afraid about all I'm up for is eating right now. Besides, if I don't make sure Fallon is next on my dance card, I think we'd all be in for it!"
Both of them giggled, and nodded. "We thought as much, but you never know the answer to a question until you ask," Haley said.
"So we thought we'd at least ask," continued Holly without missing a beat.
Smiling that the girls took refusal so well, Hugh just shook his head at the 'twin-speak'. "You two are something, I don't know what, but you're definitely something! How's your mother?"
"She's doing great. She's been in the gym every day since she was released from medical. She's determined to not let herself be taken by surprise again!" Holly grinned.
"As if that freak actually took her by surprise!" Haley snorted looking at her sister, then she blushed as she remembered she was talking about Hugh's ex-girlfriend. "Sorry, Sir."
Hugh waved it off. "Don't worry about it, she is definitely not human. I'm just embarrassed that I didn't realize it sooner." In an effort to change the subject, Hugh continued, "So other than to execute a plot to lose your virginity, what are you two up too today?"
Holly had removed the lid from the top of the cart, and was making Hugh a wonderful smelling roast beef sandwich. As she was spreading the flaky bread with what looked like a whitish-butter, Haley poured a glass of what looked like orange juice, and handed it to him.
"Not much really, that's really the main reason we volunteered to bring the food down and serve you. We got kinda bored," Haley replied.
"Well, I seem to remember the Chief saying something about letting you go for training. What were you going to be trained for? By the way, what kind of juice is this?" Hugh asked.
"It has Orange flavoring, but it's a vitamin drink. Chef said you would need this too. As for our training, well, we've already been training in hand to hand with Mom, and we've ran through Colonel Kinds' mech sims, and even had training in Major Valdis' fighter sims. At least as much as we can without being enhanced," Holly replied as she handed Hugh a sandwich.
"Have you spoken to your mother about it?" Hugh asked before taking a bite. He could smell it and his mouth was already watering; they'd put horseradish on it.
"Well, kind of. You see since we are on the ship, training falls under the XO's duties, and we think Mom's thinking she needs to ask Fallon. However, she told us that she couldn't do anything until we decided on what we want to do. But we don't know what to tell her. The problem is we liked all of it!"
"Why don't you two pour me another glass of that orange drink, make a couple, three more sandwiches for me, then take a swim? That should relieve the boredom for awhile."
They quickly did as he suggested, then stripped out of their clothes before jumping in the pool. Hugh couldn't help but admire their maturing bodies. As was the custom now, neither one had pubic hair. He mused that even if they had hair, they were so blonde that it would be almost impossible to see it anyway.
As he was chewing, he had an idea. After he swallowed, he said, "Tatyana, I have an idea that may help the girls, could you remind me to speak to Willie about it tomorrow?"
"I will remind you after the morning meal, Da?"
"That'll be fine," Hugh said, and took another bite. These sandwiches were beyond excellent.
"So, what did you do today?" Fallon asked nonchalantly.
Jenna snorted. "You know exactly what he did from the time he left medical!" She giggled. "If I thought you two could make it through the night if we skipped dinner, I'd say you should just go jump in bed now!"
Fallon blushed a deep red, and looked to be on the verge of tears; horrified that someone had caught her monitoring Hugh. Hugh just smiled lovingly at her and took her in his arms. She immediately snuggled in deeper, hiding her face as much as she could.
Hugh gave his sister a stern look until she realized she had goofed and joined the hug, apologizing to Fallon.
"I'm sorry love, I was only trying to tease you, besides, I was doing it too!" Jenna admitted.
Fallon looked at her diminutive lover, and half-smiled. "I thought I heard you moan when the wonder-twins stripped and dove into the pool! They are pretty cute, but I'm afraid my interest is elsewhere at the moment." She snuggled into Hugh's chest again, lovingly this time.
"Tatyana, is there anything scheduled for dinner tonight?" Hugh asked.
"Nyet, Comrade Captain. It is only a normal Captain's Mess with only the senior officers in attendance."
"Captain to Colonel Kinds," Hugh said.
"What can I do for you, Captain?" Willy replied.
"Could I impose on you to host dinner tonight on behalf of the XO and myself?" Hugh asked.
Laughing, Willy replied, "Sure I will, I'll even make up a lie to tell everyone, that no one will believe anyway."
"What do you mean?" Hugh asked.
"Sir, everyone on this very large ship knows about you and the XO needing time to yourselves. I'll simply tell them that the two of you are attending to some pressing matters. Which is, really, the truth if you think about it," Willy replied.
"You just wish it was you here instead of me and Jenna!" Fallon replied giggling.
This time Willy was serious. "Sweetheart, I would never begrudge you time with the man you've fallen so hard for. However, I can't say I'm not envious. All of you; enjoy your evening, and I'll see you tomorrow."
"At which time you'll expect a full and detailed report!" Quipped Jenna.
"Wow, she really is smart!" Willy said jokingly before breaking the link.
"Okay, you two love birds, now that we're not going to dinner, any idea what we're going to eat?" Jenna asked.
"Comrade Captain, Ms. Breise apologizes for the interruption, but asked to know when you would like dinner to be served?" Tatyana injected, as if answering Jenna's question.
Jenna raised an eyebrow at Hugh. "I smell a rat. You had this planned didn't you?"
Fallon smiled sensuously as Hugh answered. "Well ... yeah, but I didn't expect Willy to ham it up as much as she did. Tatyana, please inform Ms. Breise that she may have dinner served at her convenience. We'll be in the lower level lounge area."
"Da, Comrade, I will tell her."
"I am hungry, so I'll wait until after we eat, but I'm not so sure I'll be able to make it to the bedroom afterward," Fallon said.
"That's okay," Hugh replied. "I'd planned on having you and Jenna for dessert anyway."