Ark II: Life on Gaea - 6. Election

Joel knew this would happen. Those who insisted all those on the Ark were married to stop jealousies and future problems weren’t wrong, but Joel knew it was stupid. Many of them had married just to be considered. Having singles on the Ark would have been better. They were here now. He called Nayef and Tom for a conference.

Nayef came in Joel’s seldom used office. He looked up at the ceiling. “That’s still quite a storm.”

Joel nodded, “We’ve proven our ability to remain safe during the hurricane.” He could barely hear the storm. “It will pass away in a few more hours.” He smiled at Nayef, “Without giving away anything personal or confidential, are we dealing with a new crisis?

Nayef grudged a nod and sighed, “You saw what happened. Everyone did. They married just to be on the Ark.”

“They were psychologically screened before they left,” Joel objected.

Nayef nodded, “And monitored after they were approved. Those at the Space Administration carefully profiled every member of the Ark. Tom and I went further once selected.” He shrugged, “They are both levelheaded and good at their jobs. He is a biologist; she is a botanist. They frequently overlap but mostly work independently. That doesn’t make them good spousal material. I think they both strayed from each other. He is as guilty as she is. The difference is this pregnancy.”

“Fine,” Joel said with reluctant resolve. “There will be a breakup.” He held his hands out, “We live in a closed community. They can’t relocate to a new town.” He grudged a shrug, “Unless we send one to Elysia.”

Nayef shook his head, “Which neither one is willing to do. They are both dedicated to Gaea. They want to see this work.”

“We have other quarters,” Joel thought out loud. “They were for future couples to marry and move to. Should we build more single quarters?”

Tom grinned, “All our quarters have those moving walls. We can give everyone more or less room as needed.” He brightened. “We, because we were confined so long, had quarters that were forty-six square meters for each person.” He grinned as Joel frowned. “Five hundred square feet for you Americans. Plus, ninety-three square meters for living space...that’s a thousand feet.”

“Plus, the big balconies,” Joel nodded. “Another two thousand feet for our children...it’s a big home. I know.”

“We didn’t consider quarters of single people,” Nayef shrugged. “We should have. Kevin will move out one day. My Alan will move out one day...”

Joel grudged a slight shrug, “We always assumed we’d have time.”

“We do!” Nayef said happily. “Kevin’s only twelve. We’ve taken away the rent and currency needed for their own places to live. When they’re ready, there is somewhere they can go. The movable walls help.” He sighed, “Those psychologists and psychiatrists that approved and disapproved the members of our Ark...the youngest one of them was in his late forties. Many doctors get this sort of god syndrome. They know best. They are often wrong as they carry their bias with them.”

Joel grinned, “But not you?”

Nayef grinned, “Absolutely not. I know I don’t know everything. I give the best guidance and encouragement. I am not God. These young people that have strayed from their spouses are just Human. They aren’t bad people. Leah, Cindy, Tom and I will be talking with them to keep the peace.”

“No jealousy?” Joel asked to be sure.

“Carl was more...” Nayef sought a word, “embarrassed.”

“Embarrassed?” Joel asked.

“I’m telling you more than I would normally,” Nayef explained. “Doctor patient confidentiality doesn’t count in this situation. Yes, embarrassed. Embarrassed due to the fact that his wife is having another man’s child and not his. Even though he cheated on Karen.”

“These others they cheated with,” Joel began. “We know who the real father is, right?”

“Yes,” Nayef smiled. “And we know who Carl cheated with...adding another couple to make it more complicated.”

“Three couples,” Joel nodded. “A real Peyton Place.”

“Peyton Place?” Nayef repeated unsure.

Joel physically waved the question away, “A Soap Opera in the late twentieth century. Men and women going to bed with others, not their spouses and all that.” He grimaced. “There were other soaps as bad where she gets pregnant and not her husband’s...”

“And you watched them?” Nayef asked amazed.

Joel nodded and shrugged, “Not as religiously as some shows and movies, but I saw some.”

They left the office area and went to the Dining Area where they saw their three visiting Elysians talking with Matt and Mark.

“...so you just slap two halves of DNA and get a child!?” Anderson asked in disbelief.

Mark laughed, “Hardly.”

“Putting the two halves together is just the beginning,” Matt explained. “With all life, there are enzymes and hormones needed during gestation.”

“Be it a chicken, a dog or even a Human,” Mark said. “For a Human embryo to grow and develop properly, all the muscles, especially the brain, it needs certain things at certain times.”

“You know which times?” Paul asked. “A Human mother’s body knows...”

“We’ve monitored many mothers to know when,” Matt reassured them. “We’ve done it successfully with many species. We’re now doing it with Humans.” He shook his head, “You’ve had to have done it as you have the cows, pigs and other animals on Elysia.”

Wilma nodded, “Our grandparents and parents did much of that. We’ve stuck with more of the traditional breeding.”

“We put completed embryos in the artificial eggs,” Paul explained.

“The idea of doing it with a Human Being seems so...” Anderson left the sentence incomplete.

“Bizarre?” Joel added with a smile.

Anderson grumbled, “To say the least.”

Wilma smiled, “We contacted Mike when we arrived. We need to contact him again.”

Joel grinned, “To prove we haven’t killed you.” He nodded, “You’ll need the Neural Interface to do that. You can do it here having Athena make the connection but seeing you would be more reassuring.”

Going to the Control Room they put on the Neural Interface headsets having sent a request to Micheal Thornton for a meeting. They again meet in the virtual Mount Olympus gathering place. Micheal and a woman appeared waiting. Micheal introduced his wife, Carol. A pretty woman with shoulder length brown hair. Carol was in awe of what she saw. Paul, Wilma and Andreson were there with Joel.

“Where...How...” Carol asked looking, turning to see it all.

“You’re in the Network,” Joel explained. “You’re still on Elysia, but we’ve taken your mind here in a virtual meeting place thanks to Oracle and Athena.”

“It looks so real!” Carol said stunned.

“There are other places,” Joel explained, and the vast room shimmered replaced by a place on the side of a stream that flowed by. It was a tropical setting with tropical trees surrounding them. Behind them was a waterfall that spilled into a place made by the falling water and was heard. The rocky cliff rose several hundred meters up. Looking up was the blue sky. There were sounds of birds making calls in the thick grove of trees. There were flowers blooming in places, mostly red. There was the sound of the water splashing in the pool of water was relaxing. The stream flowed through the trees making a path to an ocean they could just see a little. There was a breeze they felt and the smell of green and flowers. The warmth of the sun was felt. It was a tropical paradise. “Scott and Tony are always trying to program new settings. This is used by some on Gaea to relax.” Joel smiled and shrugged, “Right now you can’t walk around...” he raised his hand, “yet. They’re working on it.” The scenery changed back to Mount Olympus, but the statues and walls were not there. The free-floating platform was suspended in the void of space, and the countless stars appeared. Carol grabbed her husband’s arm in surprise. Micheal was also overwhelmed overhead. The walls and statues returned. “The possibilities are endless.”

“We’ve got a busy day,” Anderson said happily. “These people have done some amazing things. There are some talented people here. We will begin having some performances done we can see on Elysia and vice versa. Today they are celebrating with some good food more good entertainment.”

“Unfortunately,” Wilma nodded. “We can’t send the food, but the performances we can see.”

“We are fine,” Paul added with a slight bounce.

“We were told by Oracle you were having a hurricane,” Micheal stated.

“Which will be passed in a few more hours,” Joel said.

“We didn’t even get drizzled on,” Wilma said happily. “No wind. Their energy barrier kept the storm away. We could sort of see it through the barrier, but most of the noise was kept out.”

“We’ll contact you again tomorrow,” Anderson said pleasantly, and he disappeared.

They each vanished. The three Elysians were taking off their headsets.

“You didn’t use the headset?” Wilma asked Joel. “Yet, you were there, too.”

“With the close proximity I don’t need to,” Joel touched his left temple. “I have the filaments in my head, remember? That allows a connection with Athena. When I pilot or use an android body, I do have a headset I use. I feel I’m there.” He held his hand up, “Not everyone has them. Sara Beth doesn’t have them. It’s a choice. No child has them. I can use Athena or any computer easier. Like I did when checking the weather. I can communicate with others that have the filaments silently.”

“You read their minds?” Paul asked.

“Sort of,” Joel chuckled. “Words they form in their speech centers. I can’t dig into their private thoughts.”

The three nodded their limited understanding.

“Athena can read your mind,” Anderson said with doubt. “She isn’t putting thoughts in your mind?”

“No.” Joel got the reluctant trust they had with Oracle and any computer. “She reads what I let her.” He thought a second, “Think of it as accessing a computer without a keyboard, stylus or mouse.” He sighed. “You and all on your Ark had a horrible thing happen. All those deaths. That was done by Humans, not Oracle. He did not do it. Rather he saved you.” He saw Anderson’s eyes widen. “Instead of blaming him, you need to thank him.” He sighed and looked at Anderson more directly, “You were taught by parents and grandparents that Oracle was responsible for the deaths. They were wrong. You see Oracle as a defective program in your computer. Athena and Oracle are not programs. They are Ark II and Ark III! I look at our Ark and I see Athena. They began in the early twenty-third century. Artificial intelligence grew leaps and bounds since then. It really started in the late twentieth century. By the early twenty-fourth century, they had blossomed to near sentience! Today, I consider Athena a member of our group. They both had childhoods of sorts and became full-fledged persons. Yes, they were placed on the Ark, touching every system on the Ark and in control. I consider Robbie and Rob alive! So is Robot and Apollo! They do not just act like people. They are people! They have feelings because we wanted for them to feel! Now that they do, we doubt they can. Why? We just left Mount Olympus! We are not gods!” He chuckled, “I watched a lot of movies and television and there were several movies and shows where computers and computers gained consciousness. I say they have. The bottom line is, do they have souls?” He shrugged, “I can’t prove they do, but I can’t prove we do.” He smiled, “They need to find out just like we do.” He walked closer to Anderson, “Oracle has been on your side from the beginning. He created counter programs to battle the virus inserted in him by Humans. Know it! Paul...he’s your computer specialist has seen the proof. Our Rita discovered the virus and has removed the infected parts of Oracle. You will see for yourselves. Oracle saved you. Believe it. Quit blaming him. I believe they are self-aware beings...yes, that we created. They have and are aware of right and wrong. They can make judgements. I know Robbie is and once connected to Athena can make decisions about that’s right and wrong. He was my friend and even another parent for three decades. I trust him and Athena with my life. I trust them with my wife’s life and our children.” He waved at the surroundings. “We could have done all this alone but did it faster with Athena’s help. She is way more than a smart hammer. She knows what she is and is self-aware. So is Oracle.”

Paul nodded, “He’s right. Oracle did write some very sophisticated antiviral programs that slowed down the virus so we could get to Tau Ceti. We left the Ark and Oracle.”

“And built another computer to run your village,” Joel nodded. “You ran your robots and built your settlement below ground. That was very smart. Athena watched over us and grew during the time we were in stasis. She became a better more well-rounded person. Oracle needs time but will also become a well-rounded person. A person.”

“A person!?” Anderson balked. “We can’t make a person.” He shrugged, “Dr. Matt Koval and Dr. Marks Koval can in their lab...”

“People said we’d never fly,” Joel pointed out. “We do. They said we’d never reach the moon. We have. We have tried to create a computer intelligence that can think on its own. Why doubt we may have?” Joel shook his head, “Athena and Oracle are not people like you and me, but they know what they are. They are aware of their surroundings and if they have the slightest consciousness, which we may never know...they are persons.” He smiled grandly, “Now we are celebrating some people's birthdays and anniversaries.”

Wilma chuckled, “Not just your sons’.” She pointed at Joel. “It’s a matter of record. You were also born in October. I believe the twenty-second?”

Joel’s head bowed as he nodded, “Yes, I’ll be thirty-seven.”

“There’s a question about your wife’s birthday,” Paul smiled. “Is it the seventh or eighth of November?”

Joel chuckled, “You of course know the twenty-four-hour clock?” He saw their nods, “Well, Sara Beth was born November seventh at twenty-three hundred hours, fifty-nine minutes, and fifty-seven seconds. She took her first breathe and cried at zero hundred hours, zero minutes and three seconds on the eighth of November.” He shrugged, “So both?” He smiled at them, “Many questions and more answers from our new friends as we get to know each other. For now, this day is for a party.” He looked up. “The storm has passed. The shield barrier is being lowered.” He waved them on.

The outside was bright with the sunlight from Ran. With the shield down the air was moving making it cool and life had returned. The squirrels and birds were back as several citizens were trying to get them to come to them. There were the many butterflies. Until the entertainment started. The noise level rose as various groups performed everything from rock to country. There were even performances of the Martian contemporary music.

The three Elysians were pleased to see what happened. The few birthdays were celebrated, including Joel’s. It was a few days and the Elysians were to be sent home.

At the beginning of the fourth day, the Elysians were told goodbye, and they were returned to Elysia. Promises of staying in communication were made.

It was a few days later when Sara Beth saw Joel just sitting on their patio alone. Their sons were at school. Joel was very deep in serious thought. Sara Beth was getting around more carefully as her pregnancy had progressed. She sat beside her husband. “Okay, what’s going on in your mind?”

Joel’s train of thought was suddenly derailed, “What?” He understood the concern after a second. They had promised never to say, “Nothing” or something like that. “You’ll think it’s stupid.”

Sara Beth smiled, “You know what I’ll say about something I don’t even know about. That’s pretty good. You might be right. Can I hear what it is anyway?”

“What am I to do now?” Joel asked and saw Sara Beth’s eyes widen. He grudged a shrugging nod. “I was to lead these people to a new world and get a colony started.” He waved at their home, “I did that. We have a new colony started...”

She nodded, “You think you’re done.”

Joel got up and looked off the balcony at the trees, flowers and grass. Beyond the wall was the barren beach and water’s edge. He saw the birds and small animals scurrying about below, “It’s done.”

“That means you’re done!?” Sara Beth balked. “You are far from done.”

“I’m no scientist,” Joel protested. “You are a doctor and a botanist! You are needed. You and your department have started the next farms! Hank and his department fix all the machinery! Rita works on the computers...”

“Stop right there, Commander!” Sara said quickly getting up. “You are not done! You are the leader...!”

“Who was assigned as leader,” Joel pointed out. “No one elected me!”

Sara Beth’s head went back slightly, “You want to be elected.” She shook her head.

“My appointment was military based. Maritime rules as the Captain of the Ark,” Joel explained. He waved at the others around. “I was assigned to this post.”

“Okay,” Sara Beth nodded. “Who will you run against?”

“There are others here that are very smart and know how to lead,” Joel justified. He pointed at her, “There are some very good leaders here. You, for example. Nayef, Xolani, Rita, Hank, Leah...”

Sara Beth shook her head, “I have a full schedule, so no, but thanks. What would you do if Xolani or Hank won?”

Joel shrugged, “I’d concentrate my efforts on the defense of us. Train pilots and soldiers...”

Sara Beth nodded again, “What you’re doing now.”

Joel’s head wavered in a shrug, “Yes, but without all these other decisions to make.” He waved at what was beyond the house, “I’ve done it almost a year. These people were brought to the Ark and told I was in command. There was no choice.”

“You have done an amazing job. You want an election,” Sara Beth nodded and then grunted holding her baby swell.

Joel was instantly concerned, “That’s twice in the last hour.”

Sara Beth nodded, “We’d better call Dana Carek. My water just broke.” She looked down at the puddle of fluid now on the ground.

“It’s too soon!” Joel said a little panicked.

“Daylia disagrees,” Sara Beth said doing the breathing she knew would help.

Joel came to her quickly and opened the connection with Athena, “Dr. Carek, Sara Beth has begun labor.”

“I’ll be right there,” Dana said calmly. “Is she alright otherwise?”

Joel looked at Sara Beth who nodded. “She says fine.” Joel reported.

“I’ll be right there,” Dana said reassuringly.

“Athena,” Joel said as he helped Sara Beth walk into the house. “Prepare the birthing tub. Let Hank know what’s going on and he should take control for now.”

“It will be done,” Athena’s voice said calmly.

They went to their bedroom where the big blue tub was waiting. It was bigger than a bathtub to give them room with steaming water. Sara Beth took off her clothes and eased into the warm water. She was all about natural things, except for the pain. Dana was just downstairs and was there in mere minutes. The first thing was to put a hypo spray to Sara Beth’s neck and gave her medicine to ease the pain.

“That will block the pain,” Dana informed Joel. “Her muscles will still work and respond naturally, but she won’t feel the pain.”

Joel nodded, “She’s only at thirty-seven weeks. Isn’t that too early?”

Dana gave a slight nod and shrug, “Technically, she is a bit early. Sara Beth has taken excellent care of herself and Daylia.” She patted Joel’s arm. “Daylia is small, but at a good weight. Humans don’t always follow the script.” She smiled at Joel. “Mother and daughter will be fine.”

“Should I tell our sons to come home?” Joel asked. “We want them to be a part of this.”

“Not quite yet,” Dana replied. “They shouldn’t go far. This will take time.”

Sara Bet’s breathing eased as the medicine was working, “Ian was about ten hours of labor. I have a feeling Daylia will beat him, but not yet.”

Dana had the filaments in her head, and she activated several screens over Sara Beth and herself. It was Sara Beth’s body. Joel could see inside her and their daughter. She touched places she wanted to see more detail, “Daylia is moving into the birth canal.” She smiled at Sara Beth, “You’ve dilated approximately four centimeters. You daughter is impatient.”

Sara Beth slumped and sighed, “Fine. Let her out. I’m done!” She rubbed her swell, “Not that I minded having you in there, but if you want out, do it!”

“She’s not wasting time,” Dana shrugged.

“Oh,” Sara Beth said suddenly. “Another contraction!” She leaned forward in the warm water and strained as she pushed.

“The contractions are coming more frequently,” Dana observed. “The warm water should ease the muscles. Is there any pain?”

Sara Beth shook her head, “No, but I feel what’s happening. Here it comes!”

Medically, the Human birthing process had changed. Women who could have access to modern medicine had almost no pain now. The labor pains were to cause the woman’s body to do certain things. They had nerve blocks for centuries now. Modern medicine has those pains stopped. The woman’s body did what it was supposed to without that horrible pain. Sara Beth had three boys so knew when to do when. She did the pushing as her body continued to prepare to give birth.

Their sons came after school and were fascinated by the whole process. One more time, Joel nor Sara Beth had ever shied away from nudity in the family. This again was natural, so Sara Beth didn’t care about being naked in the birthing tub with their sons there. The fact that their mother was giving birth to their sister was more interesting. Kevin had seen it twice before and Jim only once. Ian had many questions.

“...okay, I see the head. She’s crowning,” Dana announced. “She’s coming. One more big push. One, two, three and push!”

Sara Beth leaned forward and pushed for a long time, or so she thought. Dana pulled something out of the water and placed it on Sara Beth’s chest.

Joel saw how clean his daughter was. Of course she was, she was born in water. The umbilical cord connecting Daylia with her mother was still attached. Gentilly yet firmly she sort of irritated Daylia and got a soft cry which grew louder. Dana used a clamp to cut off the umbilical cord from mother to daughter. She clamped it again closer to Daylia. “Okay, Dad. Do you want to do this?” She held her laser scalpel to Joel.

Joel looked at Ian, “I will, but we had Jim cut yours. Kevin cut Jim’s. I think you should cut Daylia’s.”

Ian’s eyes widened hearing that, but didn’t say no. He took the laser scalpel.

“Just touch it here,” Dana explained pointing to the place between the clamps.

“Will it hurt Mom or my sister?” Ian asked to be sure.

“No,” Sara Beth answered.

Ian touched the end of the laser scalpel as instructed and separated Daylia from her mother.

Daylia let them know she was there. Not exactly a long cry but heard.

There were things that had to be done shortly thereafter. The placenta had to come out and the cord blood and placenta had to be harvested for stem cells to help with future treatments for different diseases. All of the people on the Ark were healthy, but you couldn’t take chances. Sara Beth was taken from the warm water and put in a nightgown and got into bed. Daylia was brought with her and also put in a very warm onesie with a warm knitted cap and wrapped in a clean blanket.

Women in the past would give birth and returned to their lives soon after the birth. Sara Beth had given a lot of energy to give birth, and a nap was the best thing. She and Daylia would bond more in the next few days. Sara Beth had begun nursing immediately. What Sara Beth gave Daylia was not milk exactly. It was cloudy yellowish fluid. Colostrum. It was a highly nutrient rich, antibody and antioxidant full of fluids the baby would need to fight off illness and disease in the future. If Daylia could stay awake. They both had a hard few hours!

Joel walked out onto the patio where five were waiting. His three sons, Robbie and Rob.

Kevin voiced the concern. “Is Mom okay?”

Joel nodded with a smile, “Your mother is fine. She and your sister are resting. Both are just fine.” He grudged a shrug, “Daylia holds the record for the shortest labor. Only four hours and thirty-six minutes!” He grinned with an additional nod, “Your mother has done this before, so...”

“Can we see them?” Ian asked.

Joel nodded but added, “Of course you can. Give them a few hours. Your mother is passing immunity to Daylia. It takes a day or two to be absorbed by Daylia.” He raised his finger to make a point, “You know your mother...her stance with dirt and germs.” He held his hands up. “I’ve washed these hands so often in the past few hours...” He chuckled. “When you do see them, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and wear clean clothes.”

The door chime went off and Jim went to answer the door. He brought Hank and Rita on the patio.

“Well?” Rita asked.

“Daylia is here,” Joel said happily. “All toes and fingers are there. She is two point four kilograms and forty-five point seven centimeters long.”

“She had another two or three weeks!” Hank protested.

“Daylia thought otherwise!” Joel said happily. “She was impatient!” He pointed at Rita. “You’re next.”

Rita grimaced, “From your mouth to God’s ears.” She muttered rubbing her baby swell. “I’m done with this.”

Joel chuckled, “Sara Beth said the same thing.” He looked up at the air. “I guess we need to let everyone know, Athena.”

“A general notification will go out now,” Athena’s voice said. “Congratulations.”

It was only a few hours later when Joel and the Nesmith sons went into their parents’ room where Sara Beth was singing softly to Daylia holding her close and rocking slightly in bed.

Ian’s eyes widened, “I know that song!”

“You should,” Joel smiled. “She sung it to each of you. She sings it to Daylia all the time.”

Sara Beth sang, “Baby mine don’t you cry, baby mine dry your eyes.” She smiled at them and still sang softly, “Rest your head close to my heart, never to part baby mine.” She smiled at them, “This lullaby is old but very sweet. I’ve sung it to each of you to sooth you and calm you.” She looked again at Daylia and began humming the melody. Daylia’s response were the small noises a newborn makes that was awake, was content but not fuzzing. Sara Beth kissed her daughter’s fuzzy head of dark hair.

“She’s so tiny,” Jim said reaching out to touch a little hand nearest him. He stopped and said to his mother. “Before you ask, my hands are clean. I just washed them.” He touched the tiny hand that grabbed his finger. “She’s got a good grip!”

“We all just washed our hands,” Kevin chuckled lightly.

Sara Beth nodded, “You can talk to her. She knows your voices. That’s why I had you speak to her so often. Thank you for being a part of the birth.” She looked at Ian, “You did so well cutting the cord.”

“We are the Nesmiths!” Kevin said proudly.

Sara Beth looked at Rob and Robbie who were holding back in the doorway. “That includes you two.”

Rob smiled, “Thank you.”

Robbie looked at Joel, “None of your children thank you for including them, Mom Sara Beth. They just are.” He stated logically.

“As are you,” Joel said reassuring.

At that moment Daylia let out a louder cry. Short but louder. Sara Beth smiled, “Enjoy the quiet. I know the noise level will increase.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Ian asked worriedly.

“She needs a diaper change,” Sara Beth shrugged and got up. She went to a padded table nearby and pulled a flat cloth from a dispenser. Unwrapping her daughter, she took the diaper off she had worn and put it in the recycling container nearby. She used the clean cloth she had gotten and cleaned Daylia. “Just pee this time.” She chuckled and took a clean diaper out of another dispenser. “There were millions of dollars made regarding baby needs such as diapers, soaps and all that.” She wrapped Daylia again, kissing her and turning to her sons. “Now it’s just done with little effort by Athena. Baby foods and ointments...”

“Now,” Jim began, “You make her food.”

“Yes,” Sara Beth nodded, “I did with all three of you and when you began solid foods, I prepared foods you could eat.” She looked at Joel. “Don’t think I forgot what we were discussing right before my water broke.” She looked at her sons. “Your father wants to be elected as leader.”

“You are leader now,” Kevin said wondering.

“Your father says he’s finished,” Sara Beth pointed out. “He thinks he hasn’t earned the job and wants to be elected.”

“That is his job,” Jim pointed out.

“He thinks just because he was appointed leader, he is,” Sara Beth explained. “He wants everyone to vote him in as leader...” she grudged a shrug, “Or someone else.”

Joel looked away a bit then looked at his family, “I just want to give others a chance. There are many great people that could lead. I just want to be sure.”

Sara Beth’s words were true. It was during the night Daylia proved there was nothing wrong with her lungs. She woke the whole house! Her wails brought the other members of the house to Joel’s and Sara Beth’s room.

Sara Beth chuckled as she was going to get up but was held back by Joel.

“I’ll get her this time,” Joel went to the bassinet near their bed and got his daughter and changed her quickly. “I got you, princess.” He kissed Daylia gently. “The only thing I can’t do is breastfeed.”

“You will when I got back to work,” Sara Beth laughed. “I will leave what you need when I do. I will probably take her with me...”

Joel handed their now clean daughter to Sara Beth. “I’ve done it before with our boys.”

She nodded and looked at their open window, “Is the noise dampening field on? I don’t want to wake all of New Charleston.”

Joel nodded, “It’s on.” He looked at his three sons. “You can raise one on your rooms, too.”

Ian smiled, “Athena, play Daylia one.”

The tinkling musical sound, very lightly began playing the tune from Sara Beth’s lullaby “Baby Mine.”

Sara Beth was delightfully surprised, but she began to hum.

“Start the light show,” Ian instructed.

Sparkling light appeared over Daylia’s head as tiny stars softly came and disappeared just above Daylia’s head. They did it in a pattern to the music. Nothing shocking.

“Did you do this?” Joel asked his youngest son in amazement.

Ian nodded a shrug, “I didn’t compose it. I just put the song to music on my piano and added the stars. I did it with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I have them for me.” He shrugged, “I just thought she’d like them, too.”

“This is wonderful!” Sara Beth praised. “Thank you. That’s a great gift.” She looked down and saw Daylia, who really couldn’t see that much now, but could see the lightly flashing lights and was watching them.

Joel didn’t have to go to any office, but wanted to let others know he lived. Most of the people on Gaea didn’t use offices now. After months on the Ark and in stasis, the idea of being outside pulled on their souls. They carried their office with them. Unless they worked in a lab where what they worked on had to be seen, they worked in the open. Many were scattered around the city center and on the grounds as needed. When they did work in the lab or somewhere, there were big windows to let light in. The breezes came through and were welcomed.

There were congratulations and other encouragements from many on Gaea. At the city center two of those were Xolani and Nayef.

“I remember when my two were born,” Nayef smiled. “It turned my life upside down.”

Joel smiled and nodded, “And will again for you soon.”

“What is this nonsense about an election?” Xolani asked at Joel. “Sara Beth messaged me about that.”

“She told you!?” Joel asked.

Nayef physically waved that idea away, “I got the message, too. He’s looking for approval.” He shrugged, “Assurance we think he’s doing a good job. Okay, we’ll have an election. Even give you some people to run against. It makes sense. She even gave names of those you thought would be good leaders. Don’t be disappointed if spouses and friends of those running against you vote for them instead of you.” He shrugged, “I know Leah is going to vote for you if I ran. She knows you make a better leader than I would.”

Hank walked up and joined them, “Are you crazy!?” He asked Joel loudly. “You want me to be leader!?”

Joel’s head went back slightly, “How’d you know what we were just talking about?”

“Please,” Hank muttered rolling his eyes. “You’re standing with two of the other names on that list Sara Beth sent. I know you’re talking about it.” He smiled briefly. “Congratulations about Daylia, by the way. Rita wanted to come yesterday, but I told her, you know Sara Beth. Wait a day or two to visit.”

Joel grinned nodding, “Sara Beth said she’ll bring Daylia out briefly tomorrow so everyone can see her...” he chuckled, “at a distance. There are images of Daylia everyone can see now...”

“Seeing is not seeing unless she’s right there,” Hank said. “Oh, and Rita wants Sara Beth right there in a month when she gives birth.”

“Dana is a good doctor,” Joel said. “She delivered Daylia by herself.”

Hank nodded, “Having a friend who is also a doctor makes Sara Beth more desired. Dana is going to be there, too. Having Sara Beth there is a comfort to Rita.” His face returned to the irritated form, “Now, about this election. You are leader! Why the election?”

“I was told to everyone I was Commander!” Joel again stated loudly. “I want to be leader because they want me as leader. Understand?”

“No one’s going to mutiny!” Hank stated. “We’re not on the Ark now. You do a phenomenal job!”

Nayef patted Hank on the arms, “He wants confirmation he is doing a good job.” He smiled at Joel. “Fine. We’ll have the election. You’ve done well for almost a year.” He nodded, “My name will be among those to choose from. So will Xolani, Hank and the others.” He grudged a nod. “We’re kind of busy. There are now five couples wanting a divorce and the number will grow. You have been leading, that’s your job. We’ll show you how much they think of you.”