Chapter 18: Guidance

“I’ve reviewed the case and consulted with our current rules and regulations,” Almatters said quietly. Octavia and Calix were both sitting in chairs across her desk and Almatters was alternating looking at each of them. “This has never come up before – at least, not officially – so we really have nothing to address it. The CAP tests should have weeded this out but ... the scores are mostly holistic in nature and aberrations can crop up. From what I gather, the four paternal children are well cared for. It appears only the non-paternal children are having difficulties. However, the eldest of the four children sired by Corporal Mathers is only going on 2 years old so we can’t reliably estimate their nature.”

“What should happen is the issue should be taken up by Corporal Mathers’ commanding officer,” Sub-Decurion Almatters continued. “However, given the relationship between the commanding officer and Corporal Mathers it is unlikely this will lead to a resolution. It hasn’t thus far and I’m skeptical of future efforts.”

“I’ve sent a communication to Major Talbot, Commander Mathers’ commanding officer and asked him to look into this immediately. Decurion Suarez has been briefed on this matter and given me unlimited resources to bring it to a quick resolution. We take the care of dependents quite seriously. Further, I’m told the highest echelons of both the Marines and Navy are on-board and are looking at how this is handled. It will also be distributed for guideline review of dependent care going forward.”

“Now,” Almatters said, shifting her attention to Calix. “I understand you’ve agreed to accept not only your sisters but also the other two non-paternal dependents of Corporal Mathers, is that correct?”

“Yes,” Calix responded immediately. “Four more children shouldn’t pose an issue.”

Almatters’ eyes lost focus for a moment. Calix recognized the signs of the woman communicating sub-vocally with the AI “I’m told you already have six non-paternal dependents as well as three more dependents on the way, is that correct?”

Calix thought about it for a moment. “Uh, the six dependents – er, non-paternal dependents – are correct but there are only two pregnant women.”

Almatters eyes lost focus again. When the focus returned she started to smile. “The AI tells me you are unaware concubine Sophia Gebel is with child. She’s about a day along. Congratulations.”

“Wha – wha – wha,” Calix stuttered, his eyes wide. “You can tell this early?”

“The AI knew as soon as the zygote was produced,” Almatters smiled. “It’s one of the benefits of advanced medicine.”

“Congratulations, Cal,” Octavia chuckled.

Inside, though, she couldn’t help but feeling a bit of jealousy. It surprised her. She thought she’d left the majority of jealousy behind long ago. She certainly didn’t mind sharing Darren with her three female concubines.

With Calix it was just different, and it bothered her when she couldn’t put her finger on exactly why it was different. She didn’t begrudge Calix the child and she certainly was happy for Sophia, but in the dark recesses of her mind, she had to admit she wanted to have his first child. She knew Calix would love all his children, but she also knew his first child was going to be special to him.

She shook her head and pushed the thought away. Jealousy had no place in the Confederacy. Not yet. Not now.

“Uh – thanks,” Calix gulped. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. The baby threw him for a moment, but now he needed to worry about his sisters. “However many dependents I have, I’ll take those four as well.”

“Your ... household ... is new,” Almatters said gravely. “It isn’t really set up for the dependents you have, much less for four new ones.”

“You’re right,” Calix replied. “I’ve had some personal issues come up and haven’t clarified things at home. In my defense, I’ve never been responsible for anyone except myself. Even living with my stepmother and sisters, I was not responsible. I’ll rectify it immediately. I’ll discuss this with the woman I’ve chosen to head my household. We will make this work.”

Sub-decurion Almatters face took on a grave, contemplative look. “As I see it, we actually have two issues here. While they are related, they’re not completely dependent on one another.

“Our first issue is the welfare of Mia, Mira, Kendra and Rae. Based on their trending behavior, their situation is not safe, and our primary goal is to ensure their safety. Secondary is your request for custody.

“Let’s fight one battle at a time. Let me take my findings to Decurion Suarez and plead their case. While I can’t promise anything, I will do my utmost to have the children removed from their situation if at all possible. Based on their psychological evaluation, I don’t think it will be a problem, but there may be underlying or mitigating circumstances.

“If it is decided to remove them, then I’ll make the case for placing them with you. In the meantime, get your household in order. It will likely take a few weeks to get things through the bureaucracy, but I will keep you informed at each step of the process, agreed?”

Calix found Octavia’s hand on his arm, squeezing his wrist. He knew she was trying to keep him calm but, strangely, he already was calm. Sure, the beast within was clamoring for a shot at Corporal Mathers, but even it was being more quiet than usual.

He considered his predicament for a moment. It slowly dawned on him the difference was trust. He didn’t trust the Confederacy – he doubted he would ever trust a government again, not after Detroit – but he trusted in Octavia. He trusted her enough she could compel him to trust – however slightly – a complete stranger such as Sub-Decurion Almatters.

He wasn’t used to trusting anyone outside of his family – which was when it hit him that Octavia was his family. How she’d risen to such a status was beyond him, but he couldn’t deny it. He chuckled a bit as he realized it was actually comforting in a strange way, and he was glad he had such a good friend. He couldn’t help but be thankful for all the help she’d given him.

He took a deep breath and turned to the Sub-Decurion. “Agreed. Let’s let the Confederacy figure this out. For now. Please ask them to settle this quickly. These are my sisters, and I don’t want them harmed any more than they already are.”

Octavia pulled him to a stop as they walked down the hall after the meeting with Almatters. “You handled that ... well.”

“I really didn’t,” Calix said quietly. “I wanted very much to find a ship and go find this Mathers guy. I just realized I didn’t know how to pilot a ship, and I doubted I’d get very far since Hermes ... or Artemis or whoever ... could probably shut the ship down wherever it was. Regardless, I probably would have tried it anyway – if it weren’t for the fact I trust you.”

“I’m out of my element here,” he explained. “I have been since I stepped foot on this stupid base. I’m trying to find my equilibrium – and my flying off the handle doesn’t do anyone any good. So, I trust you enough to try it your way. You know more about this whole Confederacy thing than I do.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know the rules yet so, until I do, I’ll just have to follow your guidance.”

He smiled. “Reluctantly.”

Octavia chuckled but her heart was beating hard. She had known he trusted her but to hear him say it had her reeling. She wanted nothing more than to grab him behind his neck and pull him down to kiss her, but somehow, she held herself back. Lieutenants didn’t do public displays of affection. It was bad for morale or something. “Thanks, Calix.”

Calix shrugged with a smile. “If it doesn’t work, I can always try to find a ship later. Besides, this way I can do some reconnaissance. Hopefully learn how to fly a ship. You know, those kinds of things.”

Octavia shook her head ruefully. “You’re doing this all wrong. You’re not supposed to give away your plans to your superiors. Haven’t you ever heard of plausible deniability? God, there’s so much you have left to learn.”

Calix laughed. “Yeah, well. I’m sure you’d have expected it of me anyway.”

Octavia’s face grew contemplative. “Maybe. Before I shared those letters with you, I asked the AI to seal the door.”

Calix’s eyebrows rose into his hairline.

“I was afraid you’d leap before you looked,” Octavia explained. “You have to admit, you have a tendency to do that. I can think of at least two explosions – actual, physical, detonation-style explosions – to back up my statement. I was just hoping to calm you down before you ran out of the gymnasium looking for someone to kill.”

“I might have,” Calix admitted ruefully. “Except I had no idea where the letters originated from. There’s no return address on them. I sincerely doubted I could convince Hermes or Artemis or whomever to give me Mathers’ address.”

He reached up with both hands and rubbed at his face from his forehead to his jaw. “Okay, point made. I sometimes have a tendency to react instead of thinking things through. In my previous ... profession ... it was all that was required. Here, I’m learning I need to consider things a bit more completely. I told you. I don’t know the rules here – but I’m learning.”

Octavia chuckled. “I’ve no doubt. A birdie even told me you used ‘NEGOTIATION’ to talk someone down during your dependent runs. I found it so hard to believe I had to read the report twice and question Private Montrose extensively. I’m still not completely convinced it isn’t a mirage.”

Calix just looked down and shook his head. “It didn’t work, though. Dylan’s father still took his own life in the end.”

Octavia placed her hand on Calix’s arm supportively. “We can’t save everyone, Cal. No matter how hard we try, there are going to be people who fall. In a microcosmic way, it’s what all of this is for – the Confederacy, CAP, and our colonies. It’s because we know not everyone is going to make it. By dispersing ourselves all over the known galaxy, we’re acknowledging some of us will be lost. Some of us are going to die. We just have to hope enough of us will survive so our civilization can go on.”

She squeezed his arm. “All joking aside, you did extremely well for someone who doesn’t have a background in hostage negotiation. It’s a facet of you we’ve never seen before – and I’ll be honest, it surprised a few of us. It surprised me. I always knew you were more than – what was that name? Espanto? – I always knew you were more than the ghost. In talking Dylan’s father down, you proved it.”

“What good is it if I can’t save people?” Calix frowned.

“You did save someone, Calix,” Octavia smiled. “You saved Dylan. You tried to leave his father something, as well – it just wasn’t enough. The man – Dylan’s Dad, I can’t remember his name – was the one who failed. He gave up. He gave in to his own demons. His failure wasn’t yours. You’re not responsible for it.”

Calix nodded curtly. It sure felt like he failed. He didn’t know Dylan’s father – Bristol, his mind supplied – he didn’t know Bristol. He had no ties to the man, no relationship. Always before he could discard death. He’d mourn it – the senseless loss of life needed to be mourned – but it didn’t affect him. Bristol’s death affected him. Why?

Calix’s eyebrows rose when he realized it was because of Dylan. Already, he thought of Dylan as his son and part of his family. Bristol’s death was going to cause Dylan pain when he learned of it – and Calix didn’t want Dylan to ever feel pain. The loss made it inevitable – which was why he couldn’t let go of the man’s death.