Neltus and Vedi had a hand on each of the littles, Vedi had Julin and Neltus had Mecona as always. They followed along behind their father, waiting for permission to board the transport ship. Dad had explained to them, the older two, what was going on. After the last mission on the Ark Angel, Dad felt that, despite being a family vessel, deep deep space was not a good place for them. Something about that Q guy and being thrown to the end of space. So once they had safely returned Dad had asked for a sabbatical. He was taking them back to Delotha. He wanted to spend some time as a family in a place that they were all comfortable and they could decide what would happen next. Dad had considered taking them to Earth or Bajor where he had lived before, but he wanted, after the turmoil on Ark Angel, to take them where they would feel safe and familiar. Dad had tried to explain it to Mecona and Julin but Neltus knew they didn’t really understand.

Finally on board they entered the quarters assigned to them. It was cramped, a tiny living space and two tiny bedrooms. The majority of their things, they were told, was in the cargo hold. Neltus walked in and let the bag slip off his shoulder right in the middle of the floor and carried Mecona over to the couch and set her down, she was asleep after the long wait in line to board and it was way after dinner. Neltus moved over to the replicator and started calling meals, it was his turn for dinner after all. Julin tripped over the bag he’d dropped on the floor. “Neltus, man!” Vedi grumbled. It was harder for his brother he knew. He was Cardassian and people gave him and Mecona funny looks. Vedi was on edge. “Sorry Vedi, I just wanted to lay her down, I got it.” The boys could bicker and argue, but when it counted they were close and caring.

“Daddy! I wanna water Geoff!” Julin, ever since his trip to the children’s arboretum with their Aunt Sharah was in love with caring for plants, but was a little rough. Neltus moved his bag, he and Vedi would take the room with the two single beds, and Julin and Mecona would share the large bed in the other room. Dad insisted on taking the couch. Neltus brought milk, and warmed ham and cheese sandwiches to the couch for everyone. He woke Mecona up gently. “Come on sweetie, let’s eat and then you can go to bed.” She sat up looking for Dad and crawled into his lap. “Daddy why are we going back? I don’t wanna move.” And voicing the fear of all orphans, “Were we bad?”
Tabris’ Gaggle of Children