Zanya, pink curly bouncy hair and purple eyes, was dressed in green with white and red accents. Her shoes curled up to points that had small bells hanging from the ends. She wore a green and white floppy santa style hat, her pink hair only slightly contained by the hat.

“Alfred,” she spoke to the HUEY system in Valkyrja, her shuttle, “open a channel to Judge Kentaira Arroz, Family Court Judge, Federation Courts Sector 293.” After a moment the connection came through. “Good afternoon Judge. I hope you are well today.”

The older, grandmotherly woman smiled. “Zanya! It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. You’ve done such a wonderful job with the orphanage. I take it Karra has spoken with you?”

Zanya nodded, “I got her message a few days ago. We’re going to land in an hour or so. I wanted to make sure you’d be available.”

“Always, anything for the children. This one is somewhat unusual. But I think it’s a good fit and Mr Asam is an amazing man. To take on…well hopefully the children feel the same. But then I wouldn’t approve this if I thought they would say no. So, first chance, give me a call. I’ll send the paperwork now so it will be there, but..” she held up a warning figure.

“I’ll delete it immediately if they say no. Speak again soon Judge.”

Before signing off the Judge glanced behind Zanya and smiled, “And a special thanks to you Santa, for granting such special wishes.” and then the comm went dark.

“Alfred, you have the holo program? And then the torpedo reconfigured for the fireworks display?” Alfred chuckled, “Mistress, of course. Tellek Bog did create me after all.” Casela laughed then, “Bog liked to leave surprises and we don’t want to hurt the village. So be sure to triple check it for fail safes. If you’re ready, I’ll start the descent.” Alfred, in his butler appearance nodded from behind her. “We are ready mistress.”

Taking over for the autopilot Zanya pulled the shuttle out of orbit and started the descent through the atmosphere, once past the initial turbulence they settled over the southern hemisphere and Alfred engaged the holoprogram. 8 full size reindeer appeared harnessed to the front of an old fashioned carriage. The shuttle circled several times going lower and lower. Zanya set the autopilot. “Alright, Alfred, open the hatch.” She turned to Santa and grinned, “Not a word if I break my leg.” She walked over to the hatch and looked down at the ground. “Lower Alfred,” and shuttle dropped again, she glanced at Santa once again, “See you in a few.” and she jumped.

Landing against a snow bank she tucked, and rolled, the snow softening the landing. But not without a groan of “I’m too old for this.” But then there were the sounds of children, and adults watching Santa’s carriage take back off into the sky. There would be several minutes before Alfred launched the torpedo.

Zanya danced out of the snow, looking all the part of a toy making, Santa helping, elf. She had a bell with her that she rang as she walked. “Zanya!” Child after child, and adult after adult, came out having seen her launch herself from the carriage. She walked the village calling to each house to come out and join them. She gathered them with her into the large yard of the orphanage. That left more than enough room for the shuttle to land with the holographic deer still attached. “Shhh….look up!” Parents, children, orphans, Karra, and the rest of the village settled against the walls, chairs, children on shoulders. And littles on the shoulders of the bigger kids. Zanya pointed up, “Wait and watch….” and to Zanya’s trained eye she saw the small mini torpedo shoot off from Santa’s carriage.

The shuttle landed in the middle of the village and the hatch unlocked. “At your leave sir. Your sack of gifts is stored in the after cargo holds beneath the benches.

The children, orphans and all, danced and screamed in excitement as Santa excited the shuttle. Karra and Yarin returned with a large padded chair for Santa to sit in. The children clamored for attention and their gifts. It was rather chaotic until Karra’s soft but firm voice called out and the children settled in the snow around Santa’s feet waiting. Santa had their rapt attention while he passed out their gifts.
Zanya, Patron
Karra, House Mother