Hope is also a verb. Worked, it grows. Lent, it returns twice strong.

     - Writings of the Sol Empress, Words of Faith

[Celeste]         

To Celeste, the quantum drive seemed like a magical box. The inside of the large rectangular black enclosure, with each dimension roughly the same as Moon's height, did nothing to dispel that impression. She almost expected the box to contain a collection of talismans marked with ancient runes, but with the cover off, it appeared to be not as much magic as impossibly complicated technology.

How can anything this small propel a starship many times faster than the speed of light? Maybe it is magic after all.

Moon was in his element, kneeling before the device with steeled focus. Shifting his head to different perspectives, he made fine adjustments with the tools, like a magician performing a complicated illusion. A short squat robot controlled by Sai, a mass of appendages mounted on stubby metal feet, served as the magician's assistant. A jumble of wires and tubes twisted around a spherical core like blood vessels to a heart. Coiled attachments stuck out from the sphere like blunt spikes. Several of these coils were missing, or rather they laid scattered on the floor around Moon. These appeared to be the focus of his efforts.

Celeste sat cross-legged on the floor, observing him. "You do know what you are doing, don't you?"

"Yeah. I worked on quantum drives in the military. My specialty." He straightened up and lifted his chin, motioning to the core. "Rebuilt this one myself. And now the Phoenix Star is one of the fastest haulers around." He grinned. "No worries."

She frowned. "When you say 'no worries', I feel like maybe I should worry. So what could go wrong?"

Moon moved a cylindrical sensor probe across one coil while observing the read-out on his viewer. "Well, the most likely of failure modes is that it just won't work and we will be stuck in deep space for a very long time, which is our current situation."

"Ooo-kay... Is there a worse failure mode?"

"Quantum displacement drives work by generating a controlled space-time anomaly. The funny thing about it is that if it overheats or you don't get the alignment right, it might turn into sort of a mini black hole. The implosion and gravitational stresses would tear the ship apart."

Celeste clamped her eyes shut. "Well, that is not a desired outcome."

"Not at all. But I haven't imploded a quantum drive yet, although that is something you only ever do once. I have to admit, we almost did running from that torpedo." He turned his eyes up to the maintenance bot fastening a coil. "We've got this, right Sai?"

The bot responded with Sai's voice. "Indeed so, sir. My simulations indicate only a nine percent probability of implosion."

Moon tilted his head and lifted an eyebrow. "Like I said, no worries."

Celeste sighed. "Right..."

He has already defied the odds and kept me alive. Might as well run with it.

Moon grinned at her. "So how are the four of you doing?"

Four? She turned her eyes down and grasped her belly. Yes, four! Me and the three tiny ones that grow within. Her heart leaped at the thought, but then dropped. But I will ultimately have to give them up. I should feel satisfaction with this sacred duty, but I don't.

"Good, I think. Although I never knew morning sickness could be so uncomfortable. I have more empathy for pregnant women now."

*****

Curled up on her side under the covers, Celeste laid in bed. Within the margin between sleep and wakefulness, a vivid dream came to her.

Three small children played in the garden, toddling as fast as their little legs would carry them back and forth between the flower beds. Shrieks of joyous laughter erupted as Moon ran after them in a game of chase, eventually snatching them up in his arms one-by-one. "Look what I found!", he exclaimed.

At the edge of waking, a disturbing thought came to her. Why is Moon in this dream and not me? Fears locked away broke out in a cascade of anxiety, twisting her gut. So many ways this might end in tragedy. And if we all somehow survive, in the end do I have to give up the children? 

A knock on the hatch pulled her from the swirling concerns. She rubbed her eyes, then called out, "Come in, Moon."

Moon sat on the edge of the bed, cracking a half smile at her as she edged herself up to a sitting position.

Celeste lifted her head and lowered her eyebrows. "What?"

He shook his head. "It's just how improbable this trip has become. An alleged terrorist stows away on my ship and we almost get killed by a quantum torpedo. Then I get a hand job from a Sol Priestess and end up impregnating her with the Empress' children. Now she is sleeping in my bed. Did I miss anything?"

She plopped her head back down on the pillow and groaned. "If it's any consolation, this was a novel experience for me too. Any hope of getting my own room?"

"Sai plugged the hull breach in what would have been your room, but the wall integrity is still not good. It's not safe enough to use. You're stuck bunking in my bed." He stood up. "Well, the adventure continues. We are ready to fire up the quantum drive. In case it gets rough, we should strap in on the bridge."

"But no worries, right?"

"Right."

She sighed. "Give me a few minutes."

Celeste stood up in the oversized white t-shirt she wore as a nightgown. Staggering, she threw out her arms as the room swirled. Her face paled and her eyes glazed. Moon rushed to her side and wrapped one arm around her waist while taking up a hand with the other. He gently guided her to a sitting position. She reached down to snatch up a cooking pot set strategically beside the bed and placed it on her thighs. Bending her head down, she heaved. The metal pot echoed and amplified the retching sound upward.

It was enough to affect Moon. He wavered on his feet and plopped down, sitting on the bed beside Celeste. His faced paled as he put a hand to his mouth.

She put her arm around his waist, supporting him this time. "Sorry."

Moon lifted a hand. "Oh, no. Not your fault. That sound really gets to me." He took a deep cleansing breath. "Okay, better now. Want something to eat?"

"Oh no! Not until my stomach settles. You go ahead, I'll meet you on the bridge."

He nodded and stood up. She watched him duck out the hatch.

Despite his flippant attitude, he does care about me.

Celeste walked onto the bridge, pausing at the hatch. The quick shower had done wonders to refresh her. She sighed, pulling at her shirt. Her wardrobe was not so refreshing. The oversized t-shirt, one of a revolving set of Moon's shirts, hung on her slight frame like drapery.  Her only pair of leggings completed the less than fashionable outfit. Unfortunately, the ship's parts printer was not capable of making clothing. In a few months the t-shirts might fit better, but her leggings would not. Moon did not notice her entry to the bridge, instead busying himself on a control panel.

A voice greeted her. "Good morning, Priestess! I hope you are feeling well."

Celeste smiled. "Good morning, Sai. My stomach is queasy, but that will pass."

"If I may suggest, Priestess, I am able to fabricate several anti-nausea drugs."

"No thank you, Sai. I would prefer to avoid any drugs with potential side-effects."

Moon turned his head to her and pointed to a mug within a chair cup-holder. "I have something that might help. I made some herb tea with leaves from the garden and added a bit of ginger. It helps me sometimes with hangovers."

"Thank you. That was kind of you." She took a sip, letting the tea sooth her, both physically and emotionally.

"Sure." He turned back to the panel and called out. "How did the diagnostics turn out, Sai?"

"Everything is within specifications, sir."

He grasped the restraints on the captain's chair. "Buckle up, boys and girls, it's time for this ride to begin!"

She gulped, grasping her cup. His reference to a thrill ride did not sit well on her stomach. "You're sure this will work? I really would like us to not die." She buckled herself into the chair.

"Yeah. That would be inconvenient." He touched a red icon on the panel, it turned green. "Okay, Sai, fire it up. Let's start slow and see how it goes. Aim for five-C."

"Yes, sir."

A faint hum rose. Celeste felt only a slight vibration as the quantum drive started.

After a moment, Sai announced, "Maintaining five-C relative velocity, sir."

Moon grinned as he turned to Celeste. "See, no worries--"

The ship lurched, interrupting his words. Celeste let out a yelp as the forces shoved her forward against her restraints, then backwards into the chair. The floor shook against her feet as if in a violent earthquake.

Celeste's eyes widened. "Moon!"

He slapped his forehead. "Sai, we forgot to recalibrate the grav system to the drive changes."

"Compensating now, sir."

The shaking ceased. Celeste blew out a big breath, but her hands still gripped the chair arms. A feeling of wetness prompted her to look down. She groaned as she discovered half of her tea had spilled on her lap.

Moon said, "Okay, Sai. Run another set of diagnostics and if everything looks good, increase speed to ten-C." He turned back to Celeste. "Like I said, no worries."

*****

Moon poked his head into the galley. "Do you like cheese?"

Celeste slid two ration packs into the warmer. She furrowed her brow. "What?"

"Do you like cheese? I found one of shipping crates is full of different kinds of cheeses. It would probably spoil before I could deliver it, so we might as well eat some."

"Yes, most kinds. I don't think my stomach could handle anything strong tasting, though."

"Okay, I'll get some." With a slight bow, he disappeared.

Moon returned a few minutes later bearing a large orange cheese wheel, stamped eighteen kilograms. His bicep bulged as he held it up. "Found some mild cheddar." He held a plastic bowl with his other arm. "And a few strawberries from the garden."

He carved off two chunks of cheese and peeled off the wax coating, handing one piece to Celeste. She took a nibble. "This is good."

"And good for building babies, I presume." He looked up. "Right, Sai?"

"Oh, yes sir! The cheese will provide protein and calcium vital for fetal development. I have noticed, Priestess, that lately that your diet was somewhat lacking in these nutrients. If I may suggest an alteration to--"

Moon tilted his head. "Sai, remember what we talked about. Don't hassle the Priestess unless it is really important."

"I am sorry, Priestess."

Celeste grinned. "It's alright, Sai. I appreciate your concerns. Perhaps we may schedule regular checkups where we may discuss maternity issues in detail."

"Oh, yes, Priestess. May I suggest every morning at six-hundred hour?"

Celeste sighed. "Sai, I think once every seven days would be sufficient for now unless some issue comes up. And perhaps sometime later in the day?"

"Very well, Priestess. I shall continue to monitor you."

Moon found it difficult to hide a smirk. Celeste shot him a glare. She turned her eyes up. "Sai, you seem very excited about my pregnancy."

Sai's voice became gleeful. "Oh, yes, Priestess. I would enjoy having babies on my ship. Captain Moon is so often grumpy."

Moon jerked his head up and narrowed his eyes. He grumbled in a low voice, "I am not grumpy."

Celeste took her turn to hide a smirk.

Sai continued. "If I may ask, Priestess, may I be allowed to serve in a nanny role once the babies are born? I have already downloaded all the childcare subroutines, and I have begun construction of an appropriate nanny robot."

Celeste's eyes went full open, and she turned toward Moon. He mouthed the word 'wow.'

Celeste responded, "Umm, Sai... Let us think on that."

"Of course, Priestess. Selection of a nanny is an important--"

Sai stopped mid-sentence as the ship shuddered. Celeste grasped the table and her eyes froze open. An empty tray clattered on the counter from the vibrations.

Moon stood up. "Sai, what is it?"

The glee in Sai's voice ended. "Initiating emergency quantum drive shutdown. Coil failure is indicated."

Moon sat down and sulked. "Damn. After only six days of operation."

Celeste bowed her head and her lips turned down. The despair once locked away burst out again into her mind. "So that's it? We are again stranded?"

He reached across and took up her hand. She lifted her moist eyes to meet his. Speaking softly, he said, "No, that is not it. I'll replace the coils again and again, however many times it takes, and we will be limited by relative velocity. But come hell or high water, we will get you to safety. That I promise."