Chapter 67

“Freya, you have command.”

Zeke looked around at Carly and Lindsay. “I’m going to the gym. Want to join me? I feel like some stave practice.”

“Oh, are you going to show us some moves?” Carly asked excitedly.

“Yes, your long wand has a lot of uses. Let’s go blow off some steam. I think I need the distraction of some more physical activity.”

“I’m in,” Lindsay responded as he unclipped his seat harness.

Carly was only seconds behind him. They collected the trolley and quickly disposed of the leftovers and dishes. Both Lindsay and Carly peppered Zeke with questions as they worked.

In the gym, Zeke showed them some of the cool things they could do with the wands. How to extend them to different lengths, use the crystal as a torch or lantern, and adjust the beam.

Zeke taught them a basic routine to stretch and exercise most of their muscle groups while learning to control their actions with the staves. It was deceptive, as they all felt the burn of used muscles afterwards.

He taught them how to hold and move the stave into defensive positions and move their hands and feet. To strike, counterstrike, and trip each other or smack bums. While it had a serious side, it didn’t always stay serious.

For the three of them, it was an important bonding exercise. They teased, laughed, and had fun together. They learned some of the trivial things that made each other tick and how they reacted.

Some likes, some dislikes, what they found funny, and what they didn’t. Who liked big hugs and who liked to be just touched. Who was better at taking a joke than the others. They even touched on some touchy subjects.

They learnt that they loved being together when they were all together and were comfortable with each other. They each knew there was a lot more to learn but were happy with how things were developing.

After their workout, they separated. Zeke had some things he had to do. Carly and Lindsay were also happy to have some, ‘me-time’. It was one thing they had established; they didn’t need to be in each other’s pockets every minute of the day.

Carly said she wanted to study, and Lindsay wanted more simulator time in Hercules. Zeke encouraged them both to go and do as they pleased. They had another five hours of flying time to fill in.

He said not to worry about work-work, as he would fill them both in at dinner as to what was going on while on the way to Armstrong SS. The rest they would learn on the way to Mars.

Carly and Lindsay were both smart enough to know that Zeke needed the me-time more than them. He had mentioned that he spent a lot of time alone during his life and liked his own company.

He didn’t need or want people around him all the time.

Several hours later, Zeke headed to the galley.

He was gob-smacked to see it decorated for Christmas. Two different piles of presents were stacked at one end of the table. They had also put up a sign saying, Happy Birthday. He noticed the gifts Dallas had left were dispersed between the two piles.

He felt his throat constrict. He should have stayed, but Dallas knew he hated being fussed over. Ever since he had missed his fifteenth birthday and Christmas and then been excluded from his sixteenth, he had dreaded the occasions. It wasn’t like he was religious, either.

Although he may have to rethink the whole ‘Gods’ bit. He had read about the six Keltrian Gods. Having now met one, he didn’t really think of them as divine beings, but he could confirm that the Matriarch was something else.

If there was one thing he did know, there were many things he could do that baffled the sciences of his day. Just because they didn’t have a logical explanation didn’t mean there wasn’t one.

If the Keltrians had been around as long as the Matriarch had said, how many other wonders had they had, that humans hadn’t even dreamed of yet? He could only hope they didn’t wipe themselves out along the way.

Maybe it was time for magic to come back to the Sol System - checks and balances like the Matriarch said.

In the meantime, he had to put on a smile. This celebration was obviously important to his lovers. Zeke accepted their hugs, kisses, and well wishes. He even surprised himself as he began to enjoy their happiness in celebrating his birthday.

Zeke asked where all the food, sweet treats, and decorations came from. Lindsay and Carly informed him they had raided the replicator. Carly had found a category called Parties.

Zeke laughed when they informed him, they had sampled the treats and picked their favourites, hoping he shared at least one or two of them. Since he put them all in the replicator, he knew it was a given.

After enjoying the dinner and wine, Carly insisted on Zeke opening the birthday presents. They would do the Christmas ones the next day. Zeke grinned as he got the hint. He’d had more than one girlfriend and had at least learnt that much.