Word of our arrival quickly spread throughout the solar system. Everyone wanted to know everything about our close to 2 year trip. You have to remember with the quantum computers the general public got what amounted to a txt message of what’s going on during our journey. The Gaia government kept mum about the existence of the hyper communication device, for now at least.

As we docked with the Gaian space station media drones flew around hoping to catch the best shot of our final stretch. We docked with a quiet clank of metal on metal as the Captain and the XO, together with an escort of marines, awaited the opening of the hatch.

The hatch opened and cheering was blasted throughout the ship from the crowd awaiting on the other side. If the wave of noise intimidated them they didn’t show it at all, leading the procession through the crowd and towards a podium that had been set up in the largest courtyard.

The president was upon the stage along with other important looking officials. The crew who had been selected to stand before the stage stopped before it and turned to the crowd, while several of the higher ranking members, including the Cpt and the XO, stepped onto stage.

What followed was several speeches and medals being handed out for valor and courage in the face of the unknown. Basically exalting the crew of New Horizon as heroes for their journey. The president himself also mandated that all crew on the New Horizon had leave for a period of 3 months to decompress from their harrowing journey.

I had no doubt in my mind that the younger, single, crew members would find their sudden boost to hero status extremely helpful during the coming months. Everyone loves a hero.

The ceremony took around 3 hours to complete. It was mainly because speeches made by politicians have to be long by nature. After the ceremony an entire fleet of transports were made available to allow the crew to get down to the planet and see their loved ones.

By complete coincidence Earl was on the same transport as Vahlen and I. Vahlen and Earl hadn’t met before so I introduced them and listened to them talk about how excited they were to finally see their loved ones on the way down. We finally landed, grabbed our stuff, and walked down the ramp to see the awaiting family members.

Tears flowed and hugs were had but I kept my eye on Earl and wasn’t disappointed by what I saw. A diminutive asain woman screamed out, “Sugar Bear,” while preforming a flying leap towards Earl’s awaiting arms. She wrapped her legs around his upper chest, so she was slightly taller than him, and kissed him deeply. Coming up for air, she took a ring out of her breast pocket and with a smile slid it on his finger saying, “Welcome Home.”

The surrounding people became entranced from the pink glow that seemed to emanate from the oblivious couple. Shaking from their stupor they seemed determined to compete with the sugar sweet moment between these two. I moved away from the people that look like they needed a room 10 minutes ago and towards two people who I assumed were Vahlen’s mom and dad.

My assumptions were correct as she ran forward into a family hug. Stepping out of the circle of arms Vahlen gestured me forward. “Mom, dad, this is my good friend Scott. Scott this is my mom, Alais, and my father, Eugen.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” I shook both of their hands. “Mom I was wondering if Scott could stay at our house for a few days. He doesn’t have anywhere else to stay besides the ship.”

Alais and Eugen share a look before Alais says, “Of course he can honey. We have a guest bedroom he can stay in.” We leave the landing area and board an automated car to take us to Vahlen’s house.

Vahlen’s house is nearly picturesque. It’s situated on a 20 acre property within the woods with a backdrop of mountains in the distance. I just stand outside the 2 story house and admire the view.

Everyone chuckles at my reaction as we stand outside. “That’s the reaction of most people when they first get here.” Vahlen’s explanation draws me back to the fact I’m making everyone wait outside. “Sorry it’s just so beautiful out here.”

Eugen claps me on the back, “there’s no harm stopping to admire something beautiful. Now let’s get inside shall we? It’s a little nippy outside now.” We walk inside and sit down in their living room.

“So what do you guys want to eat for dinner tonight?” Alais asks while opening a bottle of white wine to celebrate. Vahlen fidgets for a moment before replying, “Anything that isn’t reprocessed glop would be good but um-“

“Scott won’t be eating anything,” Alais finishes for her. “We know he’s the ship AI dear it was all over the news.” Vahlen looks shocked then sheepish at her statement. Eugen adds in, “couldn’t find anyone so you had to create your own, huh.” Vahlen went completely scarlet at that statement.

‘I think I like this family.’ “If it helps she’s only seen me naked when I was first created.” “NO THAT DOESN”T HELP AT ALL!” Vahlen screeches out. Alais is making a shocked expression, “So he was just such a looker you just had to make a physical body for him. He must have been really impressive down there.”

Vahlen isn’t even talking anymore, her mouth just opens and closes like a fish. I chime in once more, “No no, this body is great I can change shapes and even vibrate. It’s all thanks to Vahlen’s hard work.”

Eugen strikes the final blow. “O la la, he can make himself vibrate. You really know how to make ‘em honey.” Vahlen faints from the mental shock of our teasing. I pick up a pillow and start fanning her while laughing. “We might have overdone it guys.”

Alais and Eugen are laughing so hard they’re crying. Eugen struggles to talk with laughter punctuating his words. “It’s *haha* just way *hehe* too much fun *hoho* though.”

‘Yep, I really like this family.’

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So anytime Agent White/ the crew communicated home they were not within a warp bubble but in real space. When Agent White walked into them he was to busy enjoying the moment to pay attention to his ship brain flagging him that Agent White was nearby. Think of him as a non emergency notification that can be ignored.