The Hunt

Floored jaw. Lore had no words and neither did Tay. The three of them stood in total silence until it was broken by Destiny announcing that Brian was calling.
“I can explain.” Lore gently moved Char to one side as they made their way to The Bridge. “Brian, what’s going on?”
“I’m calling to check your progress and update you on the O’Raes situation.” Brian’s face appeared on the screen. He looked like he had calmed down since the last time they saw him but he still looked rightfully perturbed. “The evacuation seems to have been a success with the O’Raes population seeing a slight increase on Solosur and remaining steady on Earth so.” He flashed a thumbs up. “The home world’s population is set to reach one in a few weeks though. Shame.”
“It was the only way. Plus it was their choice to stay.” Lore sat down. “We’ve hit a slight…” They tilted their head from side to side. “Snag in our investigation of the Valhelderen Horizon but we’ve got an idea of where to go next.”
“Really? I registered a corrupted Breacher signal on Valos minor then the death tolls slowed down a bit.”
“That wasn’t us.” Lore held their hands up.
“It was the ‘snag’.” Char walked in with a grim look on her face. “The black hole must have interfered with her Breacher.”
“Who’s? Anyway,” Brian shook his head. “With the Emraeh fighting themselves, and the Vakrael providing medical support from behind the scenes, it’s extending the war and hopefully, it’ll peter out.” He shrugged.
“She’s bought us three years.” Char said solemnly. “At least. The Emraeh are no match for the Quatarrians and if the Vakrael decide to join in then they’ll be massacred too.”
“Five years.” Brian shared a pair of graphs. “Better than nothing. Hope your lead pans out well.” He nodded then disconnected with a wave.
“So our lead?” Char turned Lore’s chair around to face her. “Who is she?”
“How much did you see?” Lore remained calm on the outside but was close to fainting in reality.
“You merged with her. How?”
Lore sat in silence. Thinking. “She is a Paragon of Time. She was demonstrating her power, what she would bring to the table if she joined us.”
“No. That’s not it. You know next to nothing about The Cornerstones and you’ve always been chummy with her so what is it?”
Lore tried to talk but the words wouldn’t come. Their throat had dried out suddenly. The Bridge door opened. Tay stood, clinging to one of the canes from the med bay. She reached into her pocket as she stumbled towards Char.
“Here.” Tay winced as she handed Char a metal locket. “Bit cliché but, you said this was how it happened.” Lore was anticipating a twitch that never came. They knew that it had to happen now.
“That… That’s…” Char stumbled over and over again, trying to formulate a response to the evidence before her. “How?” Lore held their hand out. Inside the locket was a well-cared for but obviously old picture of Lore, Char and Charrlene. “That’s the only picture of me and you together.” Char smiled.
“Destiny took it.” Tay took the locket back. “And you gave it to me because you knew this day would have to come eventually.”
“She’s our daughter.” Lore smiled. Char nearly collapsed. “I got suspicious of some of her mannerisms when we first met.”
“She’s our daughter.” Char repeated. “Our daughter…” She was somewhere between joy and terror. With similar stability to Tay, she shuffled over and embraced her. “Sorry.” She whispered. Char turned to Lore. “And I’m sorry too.” She turned back to Tay. “I’ve got to admit, something about you has always rubbed me the wrong way.”
“I have that effect on some people.” She winked to Lore. “Now, to business.” She hobbled to the controls. “The Paragons of Space are the closest to us at the moment so I suggest we start there.” She began plotting a course.
“Hang on, now then, now then.” Lore swatted her hands away. “You said it would be better to see the Paragon of Life first.”
“Then I changed my mind.”
Char was in a world of her own. “You’re the kid from the Rexel five station aren’t you, and Illia! You’ve been under our noses this whole time.” Char gasped and shook her head.
“Well done mum.” Tay gave a slow clap. “Now tell Lore that Solosur is much safer and closer than Aetar.”
“She isn’t wrong…” Char shrugged. Tay looked between them aghast.
“Fine. Seems as I’ve been outvoted, Solosur it is. But before we get to Aetar, you can tell us about your relationship with the Paragon.” Lore smiled. Resigning, Tay nodded. “Now, let’s get you back to bed.” They put Tay’s arm over their shoulder, allowing her to balance on them. They looked back to Char. “Be back in a mo.”
The expected amount of time passed before Lore returned. Char was sat in their seat waiting for them. “Ok. Start over, she’s our daughter.” Lore sat on her lap and began to explain.
“When we first met, when she was eyeing us up she apologised. She knew she triggered it and took steps to stop it. Not that suspicious but then, she just felt familiar.” Lore shrugged. “It’s hard to explain, it’s like there was a connection between us.”
“It’s not that uncommon actually, I’m just ashamed I didn’t feel it sooner. Quatarrians believe that once a bond is formed between two people, not even time can break it. It can be felt at any point, even before it’s created. I’m her mother and I couldn’t feel it.”
“Perhaps you didn’t know what to feel for?” Lore smiled, stroking Char’s chin.
“Or maybe she’s just closer to you in the future.” Char leant in. “But I’m closer now.”
“So, not scared of having kids now are you?” Lore was oblivious to the obvious advance.
“Not as.” She smiled. It had been an interesting hour and there were still a few secrets but she was taking it well. Spatial Orientation.