Sins of The Father.

Stivz leaned against the back brace of his chair with a smile as he monitored the incoming and outgoing ships. A beep caught his attention as he glanced over to the outside video, to see a ship approaching the Station as the hangar bay opened as another smaller shuttle emerged as it approached Ora6.

He watched as the ship decreased their flight speed to one quarter impulse power as the space doors started to open slowly as a much larger light gray and red streaked space cruiser slowly entered into the hangar.

The chatter within the observation tower silenced as the cruiser slowly moved towards its assigned berth. The call sign on the side of it meant only one thing - one of the Board of Directors of Ora6 had just arrived. Everyone glanced over to Stivz and knew he was going to be taking a back seat to his mate and contend with an empty apartment till the Director meeting was over with.

He knew it meant less time with his wife that night, as he glanced over at the photo of the Station Master, Summer, his wife, and sighed, the last few days she has been preparing for the meeting, which will be two days from now. Despite him not holding a co-director title, he wished to go. He recalled the argument he had with her before he left for his shift that morning.

“Summer, can I at least be there to support you?”

“No, your place is in the observation tower. Are you aware that you are male and not at my level?” Summer snapped off at him. “Remember your place!”

Stivz never felt her anger being this intense before as he looked away from her. “I know I’m male and not an equal to you. But at least, I would be by your side to support you instead of your brother who is not even female!”

“He’s Ora6’s Security Chief! He’s supposed to be there!” Summer snapped, with her hand raised, prepared to slap her husband, when she turned and started to walk away. “Your place . . . is in the observation tower!”

The female policy forbade his attendance, since females were more tuned to being in control of everything and the males were considered second class - the homemaker and the one who tended to the children before they went off to a guild. Everyone in the station expected him to take care of the more male only routine tasks, and support her as she prepped for the meeting and everything else but meeting the Board of Directors was out of the question for him to attend. He hated how it made him feel, ashamed of being what gender he was. Gods he despised the female hierarchy in space.

He shook his head as he turned his attention to his notepad and jotted down the call sign of the BOD’s cruiser that just docked as he sent word to the communications officer that they were allowed to disembark when they were ready and then sent off word to his wife that one of the members of the BOD had just arrived, the return comment was cold and harsh. 

The doors leading into the observation tower silently slid open as a dark shadow emerged from the lighted pod, as the figure glanced around looking for one person. The figure strode towards the consoles before clearing his throat to get Stivz’s attention.

“August, what brings you up here? Did my wife send you?” Stivz asked, a bit annoyed as he glanced in his general direction, noting the security chief’s clothing as he stood firmly on his legs with his tail helping to keep balance.

“No, Summer, my sister, your wife is fine. I just came to tell you that your shift is over. Old Venta and Vinnie want to inform you that you will be with them this evening so Summer can finish her proposals to the directors.”

“I am very much aware of the Board of Directors meeting. That’s why I took the morning, afternoon and the evening shift, so I didn’t bother her while being in our chambers.” Stivz growled off, as he reached for his fifteenth cup of Suscan coffee to sip, the scowl of discontent crossed his face.

“Thank you for being considerate to my sister and her duties to this station.” August replied, as he walked over. He took notice of the name on his notepad that he had by his hand. “Fair warning, one of the directors and the major financial backer of this station is a Saurian vampire.”

“Should we be aware of any possible accidental deaths to happen or is he one of those blood bag drinking vampires?” Stivz asked, as he placed his cup down quickly and grabbed his pad to write anything down that August said about the vampire.

“He has his own feeders and an attendant to deal with any bodies. He’s known to feed in public so the warning is to minimize any misunderstandings that may arise.” August stated, watching him write down what he said. “Old Venta seems to be looking forward to the vampire’s arrival.”

“I wonder why but Grandpa has always been an odd one of the last few years.” Stivz stated, as he put his pad and pen away.

“Your grandfather used to work for my father, even though he’s just a regular merchant. I've fudged a few things for him since he had gone above and beyond helping my father with tasks and whims. Vinnie is one of them, he’s listed on his ID as Suscan and as your step brother since if the ID stated Orithian, he’d have been killed on sight.” August informed him.

“What do you mean?” asked Stivz, even though he sort of understood but he always found it wrong to be bigoted towards another species.

“When I was younger I also questioned why, but after my sister’s first mate was murdered by an Orithian just for being Saurian and protecting her twins, I stopped questioning the reason for those rules. Orithians as a race are dangerous and very bigoted. Vinnie was vouched for by your grandfather as well as other Suscan merchants. But what really impressed me was his willingness to be shot since he felt guilty that he couldn’t save you.” August replied, a look of sadness crossed his face before becoming normal. “For the individual, I can make exceptions, out here he is Vinnie Silverwing, your half brother.”

“You know, I’m actually glad that he’s safe out here.” Stivz stated.

“You should really go, overworking yourself is not recommended.” August said as he took the other seat by Stivz.

“No, I’m good. Keeps my mind busy.” Stivz replied.

“If you stay, old Venta will drag you to dinner by the beak.” August reminded him.

“I know, but he knows that I eat here nowadays.”

“Go, I think he may have news on your dad.”

“If he did, he would be here telling me personally.” Stivz replied.

August sighed as he swiveled around in the chair to look at him. “Look, I don’t know all of the details. Old Venta has been tight beaked about where your father is, the only thing he will tell me or Summer is that your dad is safe. I know he isn’t lying since it was your father who paid the dowry under Suscan custom.”

“Why hasn’t my grandfather mentioned any of this to me?” Stivz asked, though he was surprised that it was his dad who had paid it since he had assumed his grandfather did.

“I don’t know, and if you keep avoiding the family dinners with your grandfather you won't get an answer.” August stated.

“Alright, you win this time.” Stivz sighed as he placed his hands on the console to assist in standing, as he glanced over to August. “I’ll go but it will be the same as usual, I suspect. I’ll be asked and teased about when Summer and I will have more children. Summer’s heart is not the best and I don’t want her to have any more stress than necessary as running this station would do harm to her if she had the added stress of a pregnancy to it.”

“I appreciate that you are putting my sister first despite the pressure of expectations.” August told him, with a smile. “If you want, could you handle security details for Old Selius, he’s the vampire I was telling you about.”

“Sounds like you are trying to get out of it.” Stivz stated.

“Not really.” August replied. “Give you a change in scenery.”

Stivz looked at him. “Come on, cut to the chase, August, why do you want me to do security on Selius?”

August looked away from him, unsure what to say.

Stivz spoke, “So he is one of our directors. So why the fear, as I can smell it radiating off of you?”

August turned to look at him shocked. “You can smell that?”

“Yes, so why are you afraid of a vampire, August?” Stivz replied.

“He’s a director here, but Ora6 is small compared to his entire fleet and station. I thought you’d like a chance to see a ship that puts the guild ones to shame.” August sat back with a grin.

Stivz raised a brow. “I thought the Artificers' ships were standard.”

“They are, but Old Selius. What can I say but he has a ship engineer that is not part of the guild. The ships he builds are quite something to behold.”

“Like what?” Stivz asked.

“The shuttle that came in, his engineer built that.” August stated.

Stivz’s eyes went wide as he stood up to look at the monitor that showed him the shuttle that belonged to Old Selius. August smiled as he watched him basically drool over the shuttle. “So?” August asked.

Stivz nodded. “Alright, I’ll do the security detail tomorrow. Enjoy the shift in observation.” Stivz said before leaving to see what his grandfather was scheming this time to coax him into having more children with Summer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinnie sighed as he finished preparing the meal for the night. Working for Venta had been difficult at first but as he got used to it the tasks became second nature. He untied his shoulder length teal hair, he had made sure to keep it shorter than Stivz’s as a show of respect. He placed the food out on hot plates to keep it warm hoping Stivz would actually show up this time. “Venta, do you think he will come for dinner this time?”

“I think so.” Venta smiled at him from his chair. “Have you given any thought about the marriage contract to Ms. Margret’s youngest granddaughter?”

“I’m flattered that she thinks that I’m even remotely suitable. My place is here in your service.” Vinnie answered, as he kept his head low, not wanting to go red in the beak about the marriage contract.

“You’re not a servant like you were in the early years, when Stivz was confirmed alive and well. I ended your time as a servant and adopted you into my house as a member of my family, my grandson. I’m old and these old bones don’t have too many years left. The marriage contract is quite generous, Ms. Margret’s youngest granddaughter will be taking on the Silverwing name, Quinn has put aside the amount for a dowry for you and you will inherit the shop since Stivz married Lady Rockfeather.” Venta told him.

“I still require Stivz’s permission before I could even consider accepting it, he has authority as the biological son.” Vinnie replied.

Venta glanced over as the door to his residence opened to show Stivz entering, still wearing the uniform of an observation tower operator. “So they finally pried you out of observation, I was starting to think you got your jollies from ships instead of your wife. How’s it coming to get me more grandchildren?”

Stivz gave his grandfather an annoyed look then sighed. “She’s been busy and I told you, you will have to be satisfied with Aria, I’m not about to put any more strain on Summer by having more children.” Stivz said as he took a seat at the table.

“Fine, then will you at least sign your approval of the marriage contract offered to Vinnie? The dowry is already covered.” Venta stated.

“Speaking of dowries, grandfather.” Stivz said as he sat down at the table. “Why didn’t you tell me mine was paid by my dad?”

“Quinn didn’t want you to worry while you were getting used to living out here and his current occupation does not give him time to visit.”

“What’s his occupation?” Stivz asked.

“Don’t worry about it. It is something you don’t need to know as you will get worried.” Venta stated.

“You’d best tell him since our father, your son will be arriving tomorrow.” Vinnie told Venta not letting the old bird get away with omitting things.

Venta was quiet for a moment. “Your father is a bond servant to Commander Selius, one of the members of the board of directors here.”

“What!” Stivz exclaimed, as he stood up, sending his chair down with a loud bang as he was shocked that his father was a bond servant to the vampire he was doing security detail for.

“Calm down lad,” Venta stated, holding his hands up. “Quinn did the best he could given the circumstances.”

“What do you mean, given the circumstances?” Stivz asked.

“You were sentenced without a trial, Vinnie was charged with treason for defending you, your father was charged as your accomplice. Any Suscan that could leave was preparing to do so since what happened to you was an ill omen for things to come. Your father sold himself into bond service to try and save you as well as to get us off world.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner, grandpa?” Stivz demanded.

“I didn’t think it was necessary, it is a lifetime contract and he is paid a sub commander’s wage. Even though it was not in the contract Selius sent emergency supplies to where you had crashed along with a distress beacon. Quinn wanted you to be happy, so I didn’t want to stress you out about his job.” Venta told him.

“I wish you would be more straightforward and tell me these sorts of things earlier than later.” Stivz replied, as he grabbed the chair and sat back down.

“It makes no difference, every non Duck understood you were innocent.” Vinnie stated his tone showing his distaste of his own race. “Your dad made a good Suscan choice for the sake of his family.”

“I didn’t even know that till I was slammed to this station’s floor when I came with Summer to meet her brother.” Stivz replied.

“August is cautious and over protective. I can not blame him since news hadn’t gotten to the station due to it being in lockdown after the murder of Summer’s first husband. You were properly apologized to by him and matters cleared up.” Venta reminded him. “Could we try and have a family meal together since it has been so long since our last one? If you could spare time afterwards and look over the marriage contract for Vinnie, I would appreciate it, he needs your approval before he can even consider it.”

“Alright, let’s eat.” Stivz stated, as he reached over to grab the marriage contract. “I will look it over as we eat.”

Venta smacked his hand. “Not during the meal, Stivz, afterwards. Dinner is for family.”

“Okay, after I finish my meal.” Stivz replied. He hated to delay anything that could be important to his family. “So how is the shop doing?”

Vinnie smiled and served the meal from the hot plates for Venta, Stivz, and then himself. “The shop has been doing well, I know we have been bugging you about having more children but out here it is hard when there is no female at the helm. Aria spends most of her time at the guild or training with her mother, it’s not like she has any interest in taking over a small general goods store.”

Stivz rolled his eyes. “So what should I do, make Summer bear another daughter and hope it doesn’t kill her during birth?”

“I was hoping you’d talk with Aria about it, she has two older siblings so she doesn’t have to aim to be the next station master after her mother.” Vinnie replied “I know Silverwing is not a powerful family, and at best middle class merchants but there is no shame in that.”

“I will see if she’s willing to step back and let June be trained since she did come from her mother’s first mate and should be considered instead of her.” Stivz replied. “It would keep her from being stressed out as much as her mother is.”

Venta nodded. “Vinnie has managed to put enough aside to get a used cargo shuttle, we are hoping to start doing trade runs to Orithia to grow our business.”

“Is the cargo shuttle here at the station?” Stivz asked, turning towards his adopted brother.

“Yes, it is. Why are you interested in it?” Vinnie asked.

“Well, if it is going to be part of our business. I better have a look at it before we start using it.” Stivz replied.

Venta chuckled. “It’s only a two person shuttle, though you’ve loved the ships since you were little and if I could have afforded it, I would have sent you to train in the artificers guild.”

“I may not be a ship artificer but I can still do the safety checks on a shuttle.” Stivz replied.

“I wasn’t saying you shouldn’t, I was simply glad to see you excited about it, lately you seem to be in a rut.”

“Grandfather, I am not in a rut. Just station business as usual.” Stivz replied.

“When was the last time you had a quiet night with your mate?” Venta asked. “She’s been shouldering far too much for a lady of her poor health.”

Stivz sighed. “It has been months, we are both too tired and have been on opposite schedules.”

“Well, that changes tonight.” Venta wheeled himself to the communicator and started to type on it. He smiled a few times as he typed and grinned as he rolled back to the table. “I convinced June to help her mother out tonight by going over the plans and let Summer have the night off with you.”

“You didn’t have to do that.” Stivz said, surprised that his grandfather actually started meddling in his private time with his hen.

“I’m an old man and your grandfather, I’ll meddle as much as necessary while these old bones can still move. You are her mate and main support, not having any alone time together is equally bad for her health.” Venta stated. “A male should please his wife at least once a week, if not more by not doing so weakens her body.”

“Every time we get close to getting it on, something on the station pulls her away.” Stivz replied. “She can’t even take a bath without the station calling her. I actually told them that after this hour, everything goes to her brother August to tend to till morning. But they won’t listen.”

“That is nothing new, it takes twice the work to earn a fraction of the respect for us males. To them, we are the homemaker and our recommendations carry little if any weight.” Vinnie stated.

“She even told them she’s off duty from this time to this time, but they won’t listen to her.” Stivz replied. “Do they really look down on August that much?”

“They do. They do not hold the male’s capabilities very highly.” Venta stated.

“I wish they would listen to me when it comes to her health, as her mate I am concerned about her health even when they are not.” Stivz replied.

“Even if they did, they would have to see the males as equal with the females.” Vinnie stated. “Though I wish they did as I have seen Summer walking back to her residence and if it wasn’t for the walls, she would have fallen down several times. I helped her to get to her residence and to her bed since you were busy with  observation.”

“Summer told me about that, brother and thank you for helping my mate.” Stivz replied.

“You would have done it for my mate, if you saw her in near exhaustion.” Vinnie stated, as he brought to the table fresh fruit from the marketplace for dessert.

“I’m not sure what to do beyond what I have to help her.” Stivz stated.

“I guess this is where that marriage contract may be of use. The female would be marrying into our family since she is the youngest grandchild of Ms. Magret. If Aria remains uninterested in the family business, at least we’d have a female voice to back you up.” Vinnie commented.

Venta nodded. “She would help make the others back off since you would have a female head in our family.”

“Have you mentioned any of this to my dad?” Stivz asked, looking at his grandfather.

“No, your father has enough to deal with. His hands are full with his responsibilities and managing a large fleet section under Selius.” Venta replied.

“He might want to know.” Stivz stated.

“True, but he would agree with what you decide on for your brother, Stivz, as you know him well.” Venta replied.

“Give me the contract, so I may read over it.” 

Vinnie handed the contract over to him and watched as he read over the contract, hoping to hear a good word from his brother. Stivz, after five minutes of reading over it, looked up at his brother. “The dowry is not too expensive and the terms are reasonable if not generous. They aren’t demanding a child immediately but within two years.”

“What’s the female’s name?” Vinnie asked, since he was acquainted with a few of Margret’s granddaughters.

“Patricia Guidewind.” Stivz said, looking at Vinnie, and was surprised to see him blushing with an awkward expression. “You like her?”

Venta howled in laughter as he had put two and two together. “They’re sweethearts, Stivz. The girl is probably already pregnant and Margret is being graceful about it after finding out who the father is.”

Stivz lunged over the table grabbing Vinnie by the neck and yanking him yelping to his side as Vinnie held his hands up to protect himself from the beating he knew he was sure to get from him only to find himself in a tight hug. “Why didn’t you tell me you were involved in courtship, brother?! I would have demanded this contract sooner!”

Vinnie was shocked by his brother’s apparent happiness in the fact that he found a female to be mated to. “You were busy and this is not a topic for videophones.”

“Fair enough, did you know she was with child?” Stivz asked.

“I didn’t, to be honest we didn’t expect her grandmother to approve.” Vinnie told him. “We’ve been seeing each other for a couple years now and didn’t even expect to be compatible.”

“So how many times did you two mate?” Stivz asked.

“Regularly over those years.” He answered. “I don’t even know if it is a boy or girl.”

“You’ve stuck it in her without wearing a bracelet!” Stivz roared as he grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.

“I didn’t know I was going to impregnate her!” Vinnie cried out. “Honest, brother!”

“You didn’t once ask our grandfather for a sterility bracelet, just in case something like this happens!” Stivz growled, dropping Vinnie on the floor.

“Wouldn’t have given him one.” Venta commented. “He’s not the type to be with a female he does not know or are interested in. If he had a sterility bracelet he’d never find a mate.”

“You hoped that he would get her with offspring so he would find one?” Stivz asked.

“Yes, I ain’t going to be alive for long. I’m old and my time is coming. I know my time is close and one day, I won’t be here for you. I need to make sure that both my grandsons are married off and with good mates.” Venta stated.

Stivz sighed. “Some warning would be nice to your schemes, grandpa.”

“You would get it if you made a point of showing up to the family dinners.” Venta shot back.

Stivz rolled his eyes. “I was busy.”

“You are almost always busy, one night a month wouldn’t kill you.” Venta stated.

“I don’t want the one night that I am lax to be the moment that someone tries to do something on this station.” Stivz replied.

“You are wearing yourself thin, grandson, you need to take better care of yourself.” Venta grumbled.

“I’m not wearing myself thin, grandpa.” Stivz replied. “I’m doing the proper amount of work for my station.”

“Her station, if you had an equal part you’d have more influence over the directors.” Venta told him. “You're working yourself to the bone with no recognition or respect.”

Stivz placed his head in his hands as he listened to Venta talk. “They don’t give August a break either and he’s her brother.”

“August knows how to delegate, you take the work on yourself without asking for help.” Vinnie added after he had finished straightening himself up. “He’s a Dove and they know just how far they can push.”

“Before he snaps.” Stivz finished. “I just don’t trust them not to do the job correctly.”

“Why do you not trust them, Stivz?” Vinnie asked.

“I am afraid that they will do a shoddy job and blame me for it.” Stivz replied.

“Back in our home world, I can see that, but the staff here are used by your mate and August, they should be competent.” Vinnie commented.

Venta looked at him. “Why don’t you have a meeting tomorrow and face down your fear and start delegating jobs to them?”

Stivz rolled his eyes. “Oh, that will be great while I’m doing security with a station director and have a meeting with my team while he is in the room. Lovely! That should ensure my firing to be in the cleaning crew for sure!”

“Then do so after you're done with the security detail, though it would show your own leadership abilities.” Vinnie challenged.

“Or make me look like an idiot in front of the one who holds dad’s contract.” Stivz said firmly.

“I doubt that you could look like an idiot in front of him, you are far too young.” Venta pointed out. “He’s been around a long time and has seen more than one could or can imagine.”

“Perhaps he may be able to give me some pointers.” Stivz replied.

“That I can say could happen if you allow him to.” Venta stated.

“How old is he?” Stivz asked, taking an interest.

“Over forty millennia, he controls four different fleet sections, along with a station that makes Ora6 look tiny. He has seen the rise and fall of worlds, including the last days of his own homeworld.” Venta told him.

Stivz was taken aback. “He is a station master of his own. Why is he on the board of directors?”

“He and old Nazan were close friends, to be honest I think it is out of a promise to watch over Nazan’s descendants.” Venta replied.

“In another term, be a nosey pain in the tail feathers.” Stivz replied.

“Grandson.” Venta growled low.

“My apologies, grandfather.” Stivz stated, head dropping low to show respect as he made the apology to him.

“You’ve got an opportunity to meet someone who could help you, but also you can use this chance to see your father.” Venta stated.

“Okay, you convinced me to talk to Commander Selius about my weak points and see my dad if he isn’t too busy.” Stivz replied.

“Good, now you best get home and spend time with your mate.” Venta told him. “Also I’ll let Margret know the contract for Vinnie and Patricia is good to go.”

“Okay, good. I will be expecting to hear about the plans for where you two will be residing permanently.” Stivz stated.

“We will most likely be in residence here, brother.” Vinnie replied. “Since grandpa’s shop is mainly here and the small shop for those who cannot get off the planet.”

“At least, I can bug you more often.” Stivz stated as he rubbed Vinnie’s hair as he passed him.

“No, it just means more family dinners with us, brother. I will not let my brother not know his sister in law as well as I know him. You will be meeting up with us for at least two dinners each month and no buts about it.” Vinnie replied.

“Ugh, there is no cutting out of it, is there?” Stivz asked, as he looked at him.

“Nope! Unless you are dead, then you can drop out of the family dinners.” Vinnie replied.

Stivz chuckled as he left his grandfather’s residence. He had expected nagging but instead it was more finding out the things he had missed. He walked to his and Summer’s residence and went in to see Summer laying on the couch reading. “So are you ready for the big meeting?”

“As ready as I’m going to be, I’ve only ever met some of them once so I’m not sure what to expect.” She said with a smile. “August told me you are handling security details for the one who is the major financial backer.”

“Yes . . . Selius.” Stivz stated, as he clicked his bill a few times.

Summer raised up and looked at him and saw the glint in his eye. She clicked her bill a few times in response which got him to click a few more times as he stalked towards her, taking off one item of clothing with each step. She smiled as she knew this was his way of seducing her to bed and a nice long night of passionate love which she loved.