Space Bunnies!

Chapter 50: Final Chapter

When Tommy was crossing through the docking port into the Trinity, his younger cousin had insisted on inserting himself into the meeting despite having just woken up from a coma nine hours ago, "Bodi, you don't have to do this; it's not too late to change your mind." Tommy warned, awesome... Bodi thought he would gain someone more reckless... kind of like himself; he didn't need another Kai in his life, but seeing that his cousin cared was touching. He was the stinging gaze of disinfectant as he questioned his cousin's thought patterns, but Bodi remained determined. "No. I need closure. The last time this happened, my entire family died. I need to know if those people are safe, and Yar is done."

Tommy respected that but was still worried about the bunny's well-being. Bodi hadn't left him alone since waking up and learning of their status as cousins, so maybe it was less closure and more wanting to get closer. As they crossed over, not a minute passed by, and he heard, "Hero on the bridge!" This was shouted by one of the junior officers standing on the outskirts of the ship's command center; even an audible electronic boatswain's whistle sounded overhead as he was met by a handful of crew members, who all popped to attention, with their hands placed behind the small's of their backs. A standard greeting from a crew when a hero of the esteemed Patrol hero-subdivision met them. This was Tommy's first 'top brass salute.' They were so ridged they awaited the signal to carry on.

Tommy found the ship's XO and approached him. "Captain's office," Tommy said, the yellow Earthen lab pointed happily. Tommy nodded with gratitude. "Thank you."

"One is glad to be of service, sir!"

"Call me, Tommy."

"Uh... of course, Sir... Tommy?"

"Just—" Tommy's annoyance swelled quickly, but he realized this one wasn't worth it, so he just let it go. "Never mind." He turned for the captain's ready room, stopped mid-way, and turned toward the bridge crew, who were still standing there like chess pieces on an idle board. "Carry on," Bodi whispered into Tommy's ear. He leaned over to his cousin and shrugged, "You're a superior officer; you're supposed to say carry on." Bodi informed; Tommy gave a slight nod of acknowledgment and continued toward the captain's office, "Carry on." He ordered. He was a little rusty in the shipboard procedure, and it was almost like magic how everyone returned to tapping on their consoles and discussing the day's issues. As he entered, the door remained open behind him to Bodi, who waited eagerly. He wasn't sure if he was allowed. Still, since Tommy was superior and, therefore, could order whatever he pleased, he gestured for Bodi to join him in the Captain's office, to which he responded with a powerful smile of enthusiasm. He practically hopped inside, and once they were both in, the door sealed off the ambient noise of the bustling bridge. As Tommy entered, Captain Holloway, a seasoned DP officer, looked up from his desk.

"Tommy, good to see you," The man greeted, his voice a warm embrace that reminded Bodi of his father and Tommy of nothing because he didn't have a father. "I've read the report so far." He mused, on his desk, several tablets adorned with information from activities of the Gel-Squad—one for each member of the team: Kipp, Maxion, Russell, and Cameron. The only one who refused to submit one was Tommy. "Tommy... serial number JA-OM-0107. The first Omeocoon to ever enter the Dynamic Patrol hero force. Everyone is talking about you. And your planet." Tommy crossed his arms and wrinkled his nose, "Yeah? Like how you left us to die? If you've come back for your stations, they're the property of Omeocoon." Tommy hissed; Holloway raised his eyebrows, "I'm sorry... what gave you that impression? I'm not here for the stations; I'm here to help. That's my mission, and I'm sorry if I've offended you somehow."

Holloway chuckled as he eyed Tommy; he stood up; the man was much taller than the Omeocoon in the room. "I must say, your psychological profile... doesn't match how you are in real life. Neither does mine. Guess they screwed yours up too?" Holloway pitched, attempting to be friendly, but Tommy refused to bite. "No, maybe after two years of trying to keep my people together as sole protectors, it has warped my psychological profile. Did you consider that, Captain?" Tommy sneered. "I guess so. Who's that?" Holloway looked toward Bodi, who was hiding behind his cousin, a fly on the wall. "Is that your... husband?" Hollaway needed to learn how Omeocoon relationships worked. He'd received a very brief and rushed lowdown of some customs from his science officer Lieutenant Zul, but even what she could offer was no more than her best guesses, the database collected from the DP's entire time surveying and inducting Omeocoon into the patrol was now rendered entirely outdated.