The First Space War was costly in ways we could never have imagined.

-General Ambinian, Reflections on the First Interplanetary War

     Several months passed, and the memory of the attack faded with the repairs to the house. The trial had bound them closer together.

     "Kine, I have been contacted by the Temple. Someone has requested rites to be performed today", Lisi said while putting on her blue and white robe. "My sweet Jeyi! I won't be able to join you today. I am expecting a report from the New Cerri Health Bureau. Dr. Kesmi will be arriving here shortly for an examination." Kine said while reading a report on the CommSys.

     "I'll meet you there after the ceremony". Lisi rushes to him and gives him a kiss; "I'll be waiting". She runs out of the house and hops on the Airtrans, and quickly lifts off in the direction of the temple, clearly enjoying having learned how to operate it.

     A few moments later a blue Transcraft with the insignia of the Health Bureau lands outside the house. Dr. Kesmi emerges from the port as Kine greets her. "Dr. Kesmi, it's good to finally meet you. I'm sure my last doctor gave you all my medical history" "Of course Commander, you represent the cutting edge of Ycerri cybernetic technology, it’s a privilege to be assigned to you," she said, while lifting her bio-pack. "Please, come inside", Kine said, taking the pack from her.

     Inside, Kine pulled out a round bio-scanner, "OK Dr., tell me that there is nothing wrong with me". Kine said, placing the bio scanner on the floor and stepping onto it. The bio-scanner came to life in holographic images around Kine. Doctor Kesmi took her time looking at all of the readouts.

     Well, Commander Kine, all of your new and old implants and limb re-generations are fine. You are in much better health now that you have had time to rest". As you requested, we have finished our bio-sampling report of the population of New Cerri. Well, almost finished, we've checked everyone but Lisi Ambi, your pairing mate. We've had a hard time catching up with you two these past few months", she said trying to contain a slight smile. He found himself vulnerable knowing that the whole of Ycerri was interested in their lives, he never wanted to be a celebrity. "How about just taking a sample of her hair? Her brush is right over here"; he walks into the bedroom and emerges with her brush. Dr. Kesmi took out a small instrument from her waist and captured a hair from the brush. "Now I’ll know the genetic make-up of everyone who lives in New Cerri and will be able to match them to their relatives who were lost in the war." "Dr. Kesmi, Lisi is an orphan. She was found shortly after the first Nian attack. I'm curious to know if any of her relatives are still alive here in New Cerri. "Let me check, it will take a moment to get a match". Dr. Kesmi began to analyze Lisi's bio-signatures with here med. scan, and as she did, a shocked look came over her face. "What is it?" Kine asked. "I'm not sure. Let me confirm…This is confusing…" "What is it?" he pressed. "I don't know… this can’t be …Lisi Ambu is Q’den and a third Nian; a father according to the scan, and her mother was from Cerri, the bio-record indicates a missing resident from Cerri. Her name was Yeli Ytan" and her other father, Dr. Kesmi gasped and dropped her medical scan in utter shock.

     With Dr. Kesmi’s revelation, Kine’s delicate New World shattered. The war that had been quieted in his mind for the past few months suddenly began to rage again. "My God, My God" he said as he sat down, cradled his head between his hands and began to rock back and forth. "Commander Kine, that makes Lisi…Kine quickly stood up, "Say nothing to anyone; I'll take care of this, please, take me to the Ambu temple" he said dryly. Still in shock, Dr. Kesmi pondered the situation and its tragic ramifications.

     Feelings about the Nian cut deep, the great sorrow and suffering from the war invoked a great hate within the surviving Ycerri population for anything associated with them. Kine gathered a pack in a compartment beneath the floor and hurried out to the transcraft; inside he sat and closed his eyes.

      During the trip to the temple, images of the Nian torturing him when he was once captured after destroying a Nian city surged through his memory. Kine shook his head to ward off the effect, but it persisted. He remembered the strange drug-induced dreams which he seemed a part of now. In his thoughts the image of Yeli, Lisi, and his Nian tormentor merged into one face… that of T'kello Ncurrin. Kine opened his eyes to purge the image from his mind, wrestling with the reality - that the Ncurrin family had desecrated everything dear to his heart.

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Stick with me through this story its my first crack at Sci-Fi. Constructive Criticism is always good.
For those who see it ; forgive the "was" and
the word sleep, the second sleep should read "rest". Didn't catch that in my last edit.

updated Jul 18 by Becktemba