Ant and Four 19 - The Band
by Winter

"I still don't believe it." Ant's face split into another wide grin. "What are you doing here?"

"Playing detective," Raeder chuckled. The captain rubbed his neck, pretending to be sore after Ant's hug. "For someone who stands out as you do, you're not easy to find."

"You've been looking for me?"

"For ages." Knife reached across the oak table, and helped herself to a piece of toast. "I got overruled, of course."

"Naturally." Ant ignored her munching on his breakfast, and smiled. "Bet you didn't miss me for a second."

"Well..." She took a sip of his orange juice. "My knuckles are getting kinda soft. So maybe I didn't protest too much."

"She was all in a twist after we saw the footage from the Range." Raeder ignored the glare aimed his way. "When that blast lit you up, she almost went through the screen."

"My kill, pup." Smirking, she punched Ant's arm, hard. "Nobody steals my kill."

"Yeah, right." Her eyes widened as he reached over and hugged her. "I missed you too, Knife."

A second later, Ant lay on the ground with one arm twisted up behind his back. Knowing what was expected of him, he struggled a bit and tried to get free. But when she tightened her grip on his wrist, and pressed his nose into the cobblestone, he tapped out. It was worth the pain, to see a faint glimmer of joy in her grey eyes. He might have imagined it, but then again, it might have really been there. What was not his imagination was a furious outcry from the inn door. Ant hopped to his feet, and just barely managed to catch Niklas before he slammed into Knife, fists first.

"Bad idea," he said as he held the struggling boy, as gently as possible to spare his ribs. "You don't wanna do that."

"She hurt you!" For such a young boy, it was a quite impressive growl. "She can't do that!"

"It was just a friendly greeting. Niklas, calm down."

"She can't hurt you." The squirming ceased, mostly. "Nobody can."

"These are my friends. You remember, the ones I told you about? From the Morning Calm?"

"Uh-huh."

"That's Raeder." Ant gestured to the captain, who smiled and nodded. He then turned to the tall, pale woman, who had sat down and resumed eating. "And that's Knife."

Niklas returned Raeder's nod, but he kept his eyes locked on Knife. There was no way for him to win that particular staring match, though. In the end he turned to Ant, who patted his back before they settled down at the oak table. Fortunately Mrs Brunner had, as always, made plenty more food than needed. All four of them tucked in, even though Raeder made a slight face at his first bite of sour cabbage toast.

"Is Tow here, too?"

"Of course," Raeder said. "I bet he'll curse his bones for staying behind to stock up the Calm. He didn't think you'd be back from the hospital so soon."

"He... missed me?" Ant felt himself choke up. "He really missed me?"

"Of course. He wanted to go find you right away. Back at Sunview."

"He wasn't mad?"

"Maybe a little. But you needed to try your wings. We can respect that."

"Liar," Knife quipped. She poked her captain. "This one's been moping since forever. Got way worse after the attack on the Range."

"That was Steelwood pirates."

"We know." Raeder took a drink of orange juice, then his face turned serious. "Ant, there's something I need to tell you."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"Are those the pirates who tried to kill you?" Niklas asked in a hushed tone. "Back before?"

"Yes." Ant put an arm around the boy, and pulled him closer. Then he turned to the others. "What is it I need to know?"

"They've been raiding other towns, on other worlds. More than ever, and more brutally than ever. There's been a call-out to mercenaries and the like. Including the Calm. To put a stop to them, once and for all." Raeder leaned across the table. "It's good to see you again, kid, it really is. But we could use your help as well."

"No."

"Wh-what?"

"I'm not doing it." Ant shook his head. "I'm not gonna rush off into danger on a whim, I've got priorities."

"It wouldn't be dangerous. Just a scouting mission."

"With those guys, everything's dangerous." Ant met Raeder's eyes, feeling completely calm, his mind already set. "Back in Lakeview, a friend of mine died."

"Sorry to hear that, but..."

"You know we got you those guardian papers, right?" Knife shot in around a mouthful of toast. "Just saying. They may be legit, but the way they came about, sure wasn't. All it'd take is a whisper into the wrong ear, and... well, your guess."

"No." Ant's eyes hardened as he locked eyes with her. "But yeah, I kinda figured out you guys were behind that, soon as I saw you. Doesn't mean I'm gonna let you blackmail me."

"Nobody's blackmailing anyone." Raeder stood up, and rubbed his neck again. Was he actually hurt? That hadn't been Ant's intention, he had just been surprised and happy. "Knife, that was uncalled for. Ant, please hear me out."

"Okay, but I'm not gonna do it."

"The two of us, and Tow, we're too well-known. If we go in deep, they'll spot us immediately."

"I'm not exactly inconspicuous, neither." Ant grinned. "Let me guess. Diversion?"

"Got it in one. You lure them out, then our people track down their ships." Raeder turned to Niklas. "All we want to do is borrow your friend for a little while. You'll get him back, safe and sound."

"A-are you really gonna go?" Niklas asked, leaning against Ant. "You are, aren't you?"

"No, I'm not." Ant tightened his one-armed hug. "That sounds like I'm gonna be bait. I'm done with danger. However, there's one thing you need to know, Raeder."

"What's that?"

"I think one of the pirates is a wolf. Really big guy, wears a hood. I saw his teeth, though, and he's definitely not human."

"On the Range?"

"Yeah. After they blew up the square. He was, like, two heads taller than the rest of them. And he looked like he was in charge."

"That's good to know." Raeder sat down, and picked up another piece of toast. "But that means we need you more than ever. When you say wolf, you mean someone like you, right?"

"Yes. I call myself a wolf now."

"Which means you know him better than anyone else."

"I don't." Ant paused to pour a glass of juice for Niklas. The boy hadn't eaten much, and Ant hoped to whet his appetite. "I'm sure I've never seen him before. There weren't any grown-up males back in the dome."

"But we could still use..."

"Raeder, the answer is no. I'm not saying I'll never leave Ahkka, but for now, this is my home. And if I go anywhere, I'll take Niklas with me." The boy looked up to meet Ant's eyes, grinning widely. "But not to fight pirates."

"We're not fighting them," Raeder said, clearly struggling not to grind his teeth. It seemed that this new and more self-assured Ant was throwing him for a loop. "Like I said, we're recon only."

"And like I said, that's still too risky." Ant glanced over at Knife. "And don't try to play me for a coward, 'cause it won't work."

"I didn't say nothing."

"I could hear you think." Ant smirked. "The gears were grinding."

Knife only smiled, but her hand moved ever so slightly towards her belt. Hoping that she wouldn't want to draw blood in public, Ant did nothing. Niklas, however, snarled at her. They kept eating in a tense silence, and Ant was happy to see that his little ward was now stuffing his face with gusto. Once the food was gone, Raeder stood up and stretched.

"Won't you come with us to the Calm, at least? Tow would be heartbroken if he didn't get to see you."

"Well," Ant said with a smile as he gathered up the empty dishes. "I guess I can do that. Wanna see my old ship, Niklas?"

"Okay!"

* * * * * *

It had been a while since Ant had seen so many heads turn when he walked down the street. In the Konigsbrucke business district, people had mostly grown used to him. But to see him with two complete strangers, and with Niklas perched on his shoulders, was new. The boy was having more fun than the wolf, as he used firm grips on Ant's ears to steer him. Anything and everything seemed to demand his attention, and he wasn't very gentle, yanking hard whenever he wanted a change of directions. Or speed. Ant refused to run, however, despite insistent prodding. The last thing he wanted was a return trip to the hospital. Knife soon wandered off, but Raeder stayed by Ant's side, even when he veered from shop window to shop window. An amused expression played on the captain's face.

"I never figured you for the guardian type."

"Me neither, to be honest. Hey, ouch!"

"But they've got pancake fries!" the boy squeaked, bouncing in his seat. "Can we get some?"

"You just had breakfast." Ant reached up to grab Niklas's feet, to keep him from falling off. "And what's pancake fries?"

"You don't know? Like pancakes, but they fry them. It's really crunchy."

"Maybe for lunch. I don't want crumbs in my fur."

"It was Tow, set you up with those papers," Raeder said. "Soon as your landlady said you were at the hospital."

"Let me guess," Ant grinned. "He knows a guy who knows a guy?"

"That's how it goes."

"It's always the same," Ant said, looking up at Niklas. "Every time they need something, Tow knows someone who knows someone..."

"...who gets it all done," Raeder filled in. "Hope you don't mind that we didn't ask first. But I thought it might look weird if we turn up, and then boom! Papers."

"We don't mind at all, do we, Nik?"

"Nope!" More bouncing. "Thank you so much, captain Raeder. I... I don't know what I would've done without Ant."

It was all Ant could do, not to miss a step on the cobblestones, his vision momentarily blurred.

* * * * * *

The Morning Calm stood on four retractable legs, in a parking lot for large vehicles just outside the western town gates. The sight of the off-white wedge shape tugged at Ant's heart. Not until that moment, had he realised just how much he missed her. And when he heard heavy footsteps coming down the crew area ramp, a toothy smile spread across his muzzle. His tail wagged furiously as he gently set Niklas down, then took off running.

Tow was wearing the same matte blue boilersuit as always, but there was a little more white in his grey curls. He easily caught Ant in mid-air as he launched himself into a flying leap, then swung him around and squeezed the breath out of his lungs.

"You got tall, my boy." The deep, dark voice rumbled through Ant like remnants of a forgotten dream, and it was enough to open the floodgates. "I know, buddy, I know. It's good to see you, too."

Once the hug ended, Ant wiped his cheeks with his shirt sleeves, then turned back to the others. Raeder smiled at him, but Niklas held back, almost hiding behind the captain. The boy looked unsure, even worried. Ant trotted back to him, and crouched down so they were face-to-face. He kept his voice low.

"That's Tow, and he is the kindest man you'll ever meet." Niklas still seemed hesitant, so Ant took his hands. "He was the first human I ever saw, who wasn't wearing a rad suit. Scared me half to death."

Niklas's eyes widened, then a shy smile turned into a giggle. He reached out with his good arm, and Ant picked him up, mindful of his injuries. For the time being, he stayed where he was, giving the boy time to get used to the sight of the large mechanic.

"This is Niklas Ramirez," Ant said, then he had to swallow around a lump in his throat, before he could continue. His voice almost, but not quite, held. "He's m-my son."

"I know who you are, little Niklas," Tow rumbled, while Ant felt a lanky arm squeeze his neck. "And I know you've had a rough time."

"I got beat up, pretty bad," Niklas said quietly, his face burrowed into Ant's shoulder. "An' I got a combined fracture, that's why I was bleedin' so much."

"Compound fracture," Ant corrected. "Tow knows a lot about injuries. Especially how to treat them. He carried me back to the ship after I got shot."

"He saved you?"

"He did. Him and the others, but he was the one who held me when I was hurt and scared and crying."

Niklas wriggled his way out of Ant's arms, then without hesitation he walked over to Tow and hugged the man. Thin arms barely made it halfway around his sturdy midsection. A large hand patted the boy's back, light as a feather.

"Thank you." Ant almost couldn't hear the muttered words. "Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome, my boy. I'd do anything for our furry friend."

"Ant did the same for me," Niklas explained, breaking the hug. "He carried me to the hospital, an' he helped me stop being sad."

"He'll be a great papa for you, and a great friend." The man chuckled as the boy beamed. "Just keep an eye on him, 'cause sometimes he wanders off."

"He said he'd never leave without me."

"Did he now?" Tow turned to Ant, and winked. "Well, then, I think that's a promise you can take to the bank."

"What's that mean?"

"It means, that you can trust him."

"But he walked away from you?"

"That's different." Tow smiled. "Him and us, we're buddies. Shipmates. Him and you, you're family."

"Yeah..." Niklas's voice hitched. "W-we are."

"Wanna come aboard and see the ship from the inside?"

Niklas turned around and aimed pleading eyes at Ant, who merely nodded. In a flash the boy and the giant were up the ramp, and gone. Chatting away like long lost friends. Ant couldn't stop smiling, especially when Raeder's hand landed on his shoulder, squeezing it.

"He's a great kid."

"Yeah," Ant agreed. "He always was. All he needed was stability. Solid ground under his feet, and a roof over his head."

"You're gonna give him that." It wasn't a question, so Ant said nothing. The two of them started walking towards the ramp, just as Knife appeared ahead of them, not sparing them a glance. "So, kid, are you gonna tell me what you've been up to? Besides getting blown up."

"Later," Ant told Raeder as they entered the Morning Calm, and scents from his memories filled his nostrils. "It's a tale that has its ups and downs, and right now, I wanna stay in the happy."

* * * * * *

It was like entering a photograph, as Ant stepped through the airlock. Everything about the Calm's ready room, or mud room as Tow called it, looked pretty much the same as he remembered it. From the weapons rack, mostly filled with Knife's favourite toys, to the three well-worn space suits that hung along one wall. Opposite them, a screen lit up, and the face of a smiling, red-haired woman appeared.

"Hello, Ant." The voice, as always, was pleasant but impersonal. "It's good to see you again. I missed you."

"Hi, Calm. Still hanging around these guys?"

"Of course. They need me to look after them."

"Good to see you, too. I'm glad you remember me."

"Every time she's had maintenance," Raeder said as the screen shut off, "the first thing she asks is did we find you yet. She considers you part of the crew."

"That's... that's sweet of her."

"We all do." The captain's voice was lower than usual, and his dark eyes softened. "Wherever you go, Ant, no matter for how long, you'll always be welcome home."

"Thank you." Ant hugged the man, gently in case his neck really did hurt. "That's good to know. I... I didn't mean to stay out of touch. At first I thought you'd be mad at me. Then I wanted to call, but something inside me kept saying, not yet."

"Freedom's got a sweet taste. None of us blames you."

"I'm sorry about your books. And everything else that got destroyed."

"To be honest, I was kind of mad about that. But it was never your fault. And you should see the library now, it's as full as ever. Best of all." He brushed his sleeves, grinning. "I had a couple of spare jackets in the hold."

"You and your flight suits," Ant chuckled. Then he licked his lips. "Do you still have treats?"

"Don't I always?" Raeder opened a zipper on his chest, next to the elegant symbols that Ant knew were ancient kanji writing for the rank of ship's captain. He fished out a small red-and-white ball, which he tossed up in the air. "Catch!"

Ant's jaws snapped shut around the sweet in mid-air, and immediately his mouth was filled with familiar flavours. Closing his eyes, he hummed with delight. Just then, a squeal dashed through a door and slammed into his side, and he almost swallowed his morsel.

"Ant! Ant, you gotta come and see, they've got so much neat stuff," Niklas chattered, pulling at Ant's arm. "A really big screen, and a gym, and a workshop. Tow's buildin' lots of things, but no toys. He wants us to show him how we make 'em. And they've got another ship, in the cargo hold, and... and... do you have candy?"

"Here," Raeder said and handed him one. The boy sniffed it cautiously. "Strawberries and cream chews. Your papa loves these."

Niklas shrugged, and popped the piece of candy into his mouth. Soon his face brightened into a smile, and he hummed with delight as he dug in with his teeth.

* * * * * *

Ant had forgotten just how big the ship was. The common area, first after the mud room, could have accommodated all of the Fourtitude, if the ceiling had been high enough. It had a small kitchen, which was rarely used except for heating up ready-meals and tin can contents. The dining table still had four chairs, a fact that made Ant feel almost giddy. His smile never once faded, and his tail wagged as he let Niklas lead him on a tour through his once home. The common room also held a pool table, a darts board and a ping-pong table. Ant hadn't been around long enough to master the games, but he still enjoyed playing, even though he didn't like it when he lost. At the far end, where a corridor led off to the crew quarters and the bridge, were two comfy couches with a coffee table between them, and a large screen on the wall. Calm, the Morning Calm's computer, was displayed on it, and Ant gave her a wave.

Next, Niklas pulled him through a door, to a room whose floor was largely covered by a blue-grey wrestling mat. Ant grinned as he thought about some of the many, many times he had landed on that mat. Usually in a heap. He gave the heavy punching bag a push, and was surprised that it actually moved. Niklas zoomed around the place, touching each and every piece of exercise equipment, either telling Ant what they were for, or if he hadn't learned it yet, asking Tow.

Last stop, for now, was the workshop. They had lost Knife to the gym, but the rest crowded in. Ant's tail displayed the full extent of his excitement. Back before, this had been just another place for him to hide whenever he was annoyed with the others, but now it looked like a dream come true. There were so many tools, he didn't know which ones he wanted to try first.

As Niklas had said, Tow usually built or repaired other things; things that had to do with ship maintenance, or weapons. Or furniture for the crew's use, like that fourth chair. But Ant could see pure toy potential. There was a drill stand, a lathe, and another machine he didn't know the name for, but which looked like it could bend and shape metal sheets. Not to mention a plethora of handhelds; hammers, hand drills, power saws, angle grinders, wrenches and screwdrivers and knives and files and rasps and awls. And in the middle of the room, two sturdy work benches. It was all Ant could do, not to drool. Last time he had been in there, he hadn't been allowed to play with any of it. Just try to stop him now!

When lunch time rolled around, they had made the rough and unpainted beginnings of an electric motor car, which had a small camera lens and could avoid obstacles as it drove itself around the workshop floor, a half dozen tin cars without tires, and a wooden wolf which could wag its tail and open and close its mouth. Ant felt a jab to his chest, when he realised that the design was a near copy of Li'l Ant, the metal wolf who had been lost with the Fourtitude. Minus the bark. Still, the joy of creating overruled anything else.

Ant made the parts, while Niklas paid close attention, then they put them together, together. The more they worked, the wider Tow's grin got, and his eyes lit up every time Niklas showed him how the toys worked. The fun came to an end, when Ant's stomach let hear a growl, followed immediately by Niklas's.

* * * * * *

After turning his nose up at the barren state of the Morning Calm's pantry, Tow decided to go into town for vittles. Niklas tagged along, and the two newly minted friends set off, already in a deep debate over where to go and what to get. Ant sank down on one of the couches, and Raeder sat opposite him, with the coffee table between them. A position Ant had been in before, many times. He sensed that they had unfinished business, but decided to let the other lead the way. The captain looked uncertain, in a way that Ant had rarely seen.

"Knife... she wasn't lying. Back at the inn." Raeder scratched his chin, and his eyes darted all around the room before they finally settled on Ant. "I was moping. We all were, in our own ways. The Calm... She felt empty. As if something vital was missing."

"Raeder..."

"I know you've been on your own longer than you were with us, but... I wish you'd come back, Ant. At least for a while. Niklas will be welcome, too."

"Raeder, I wasn't on my own."

"I know you had the PTV, but..."

"Fourtitude. We renamed it the Fourtitude. Four and I did."

"Four?"

"The ferry's computer. We became friends, and we travelled together. There's more to the story, but I want to wait until everyone's here." Ant looked down at the coffee table. There were a couple of books on it, and a few rings from glasses or mugs. His fingers itched to clean up, just to have something to do. "I... I don't think I've got more than one telling in me."

"That bad?"

"That bad. But Raeder..."

"Yeah?"

"I can't come back. I've got a home now."

"You live in a rented room, that's not a home! Ant, we've... we've kept your quarters clean. You can move right back in."

"And go off hunting pirates?" Ant tried to keep scoff out of his voice, but failed. "With an injured kid who's gonna start up school in a couple of weeks?"

"Ant..."

"Don't get me wrong, Raeder, it really is good to see you all. I didn't know how much I missed you, 'til I saw you. But the adventure life, in and out of trouble, it's not me. Not anymore."

"I... I see."

The captain's head sagged, and Ant felt a sting of regret. Would it really be so bad to...? But no, he had made up his mind, even before Niklas became a part of his life. He enjoyed staying at the inn, he enjoyed the peace and quiet of a small town. He enjoyed sitting at the oak table, making his toys and teaching Niklas how they worked. It wasn't a bad life. Not bad at all.

Then why did it feel as if he were trying to sell it to himself?

"Well..." Raeder said with a small sigh, "Can you at least tell me how we could lose you so completely?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tow knew how to keep track of you, and we checked in from time to time to see where you were."

"How?"

"Every ship, at least every ship that's made in a factory, has got its own designation code. If you know it, you can find out where the ship is."

"And you got it from the hospital station, I guess."

"Yes." Raeder nodded. "But then you set down on Laya."

"In Wishing Well. Four and I sold our toys there, during the market days. But we left right after that."

"And your designation code disappeared." The captain snapped his fingers. "Just like that."

"I don't understand."

"Me neither. Drove Tow nuts. Those codes are imprinted into the computer's hardware, and then again in the navigation system and the engine controls." He shook his head. "It's just not possible to erase it, or even change it. Not without rebuilding the whole thing from scratch."

"I don't really know anything about computers and advanced electronics." Ant frowned, and worried his lower lip. Then his eyes widened. "The Fourtitude!"

"What about it?"

"On Laya, that's when we changed the name." Ant stood up. "I remember now, Four said he felt like a completely new person."

"Now I'm the one who doesn't understand."

"He wasn't the PTV anymore, but his own ferry. His own self. Could he have re-written that designation thing, after I wrote the new name on his hull?"

"It shouldn't be possible..."

"There were quite a few things about Four that weren't possible. He was remarkable." Ant sat down again, and ran a hand through his hair. "I'll tell you all about him in a little while. But maybe you can tell me something."

"Go ahead."

"I often wondered why we never got into trouble, Four and me. Well, me." Ant gave a slight grin. "I mean, I really did steal him. The PTV, I mean."

"You're wondering why you didn't have the IPP on your heels the whole way." Raeder saw Ant's puzzled look. "The Inter-Planetary Police."

"Yeah. Especially on the Range, after the attack. When they were questioning me about what happened, I was expecting one of them to go 'by the way...'."

"There's a simple answer." Raeder smiled. "When we got back to Sunview after the Calm was sanitised..."

"Sorry."

"I already said, not your fault. Anyway, the station's mainframe was all in a dither, because it had lost you."

"I left."

"That's not how it felt. What it saw was that a minor child... not my words, don't look at me like that... had disappeared on its watch."

"I guess that's kind of true. But the computers aren't to blame for my itchy feet."

"Either way, Tow and I kind of persuaded it that you'd be safe with the PTV, and the mainframe agreed that you could have it on a long-term loan."

"That's..." Ant let out something that was half huff, half laugh. "That's pretty much what I said to Four, when I talked him into going for a ride. But the other way 'round. I said I'd bring him back after a while, and that I'd look after him in the meantime."

"But that never happened?"

"That never happened." Ant put his elbows on the coffee table, then rested his head in his palms. "So I was worried about nothing."

"Pretty much. So, where did you go after Laya?"

"Later. Please."

"Okay.

The two of them sat in silence, while Ant tried to wrap his head around things. It was a comfortable quiet, which was only broken when their meal arrived. Ant's nose twitched as he tried to scent-peer into the sealed boxes, but all he could really smell was chili beans. His mouth began to water. Since the dining table only had four chairs, everyone settled on the couches and began tucking in.

Ant was touched that Niklas remembered his fondness for spicy food. The beans burned his tongue just the right way. There were also deep fried potato sticks, with a cheese sauce for dipping, for all to share, and large bottles of soda and apple juice. The Calm crew members all ate some kind of pale bird meat with a thick crispy coating, while Niklas had what Ant was having, albeit with a milder sauce on his beans. Intervention by Tow, Ant mused.

For afters, Ant had his first taste of pancake fries. He had pictured the thick and fluffy and eggy breakfast dish Mrs Brunner often made, but these were really thin and tasted sweet. And as promised, they were deep fried to a crunch. If he were to be honest, Ant enjoyed hearing Niklas's sounds of delight, more than he did the treats.

As everyone leaned back, stuffed and happy, Ant couldn't help but feel a knot form inside his stomach. He cleared his throat, but when five sets of eyes turned to him, including Calm's, he almost lost his courage. It took a deep breath, and a long exhale, before he could begin his tale.

"Back at the hospital station, after the docs cleared me to leave..."

* * * * * *

Ant smiled warmly as Niklas used a napkin to wipe away the last of his tears. The boy, who had heard the gist of the story before, had crawled into Ant's lap to lend his support. Something he greatly appreciated. The nearness, the fondness, chased away some of his grief. Some, but not all.

He had stopped talking just after the moment when the Fourtitude left Land's End, en route for the heart of the galaxy. An impossible mission. What happened to Ant after that, and how he ended up on Ahkka, was something he might tell another time. For now, he was done. Drained. When he glanced around, he saw that Tow had a sombre look on his face, and the mechanic's gaze seemed locked on something far, far away. Raeder had streaks from tears on his tanned cheeks, and even Knife seemed subdued. When her eyes met his, they looked softer than he had ever seen them, even though she said nothing. Neither of them did, for a long time.

It wasn't until Niklas began to drowse off in his lap, that Ant realised it was getting late. The two of them said their goodbyes, and promised to visit again the next day. As they walked through Konigsbrucke, hand in hand, the boy's happy chatter about the day he'd had, fully brought Ant out of the past, and into the now. By the time they delighted Mrs Brunner by asking for a late supper, he felt almost like himself again.

Almost.

Because there was something nagging the back of his mind. While he was telling them about Four, he had caught moments where his former crewmates shared glances with one another. At the time, he hadn't given it any thought, but as he and Niklas trudged upstairs to their rooms, he couldn't rid himself of the feeling that something was off.

What that was, he had no clue.

* * * * * *

"Come in."

The knock on the adjoining door had come while Ant was still trying to process everything. A feeling that he had seen or heard something significant, wouldn't leave him. There was something he should have reacted to, he was sure of it. Not just those looks between the Calm crew, but something earlier as well. He forced his thoughts to still, as the door opened, and Niklas scurried over to his bed.

"How are you doing? You just got out of hospital, and it was a long day."

"I'm fine. Tired, but fine."

"What brings you here? Not another bad dream?"

"No," the boy said as he lay down next to Ant. "Just thinking."

"Wanna share?"

"Mhm." He fidgeted for a couple of seconds, then seemed to make up his mind. "You said I could come to you any time."

"Yes."

"To talk."

"Yes."

"Can I ask you 'bout something?"

"Anything." Ant chuckled. "I'll answer if I can, if not then I'll say so."

"I've been thinking 'bout the ship." Ant's ears perked. That voice in the back of his mind that told him something was amiss, just got a little bit louder. "The Morning Calm, I mean."

"Okay." And like that, the feeling was gone again. "What about it?"

"I think we should go with them."

"Niklas, I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"But it could be fun, and they've got guest quarters so I can sleep. And we can make toys an' everything."

"School's gonna start soon."

"I don't need school."

"Niklas..."

"It's true! You teach a lot better than they do." The boy sat up and turned, so their eyes could meet. "The teachers, they just write stuff on the board and point and say 'remember that', or they give us a book an' say 'learn this'. You show me how things work, then you let me try 'til I get it right. That's so much better."

"There's a lot I don't know. Pup school was pretty much nothing but mining. What about all the things I can't teach you?"

"I can read books anywhere. Or you can show me how to use the datapad. We can look things up together, and you'll help me understand."

"I'm not sure..."

"And then there's the pirate thing."

"No! Absolutely not!" Ant's stern voice made the boy cringe, so he did his best to soften it. "Niklas, I've come across those guys twice, and both times I almost died. I don't wanna get third time unlucky."

"But captain Raeder said we weren't gonna fight them."

"Raeder knows as well as I do, plans don't always work out. The more haphazard a plan is, the worse the consequences when it goes wrong. And using me as bait is haphazard to a tee." Ant reached out with a hand, and Niklas leaned his head against it for a pet. "And you're not even going near a star system that has pirates in it."

"But I can help."

"I won't let you."

"But what if they attack again?" Niklas grabbed Ant's hand and squeezed it. In the moonlight coming from the window, Ant could see wetness in his eyes. "What if more people get hurt, or die?"

"Niklas, be honest with me, okay?" The boy nodded. "Did Tow talk to you about any of this?"

"No! I swear, Ant. We just talked about food, an' toys. This is me. My thoughts. I want us to help."

"It's not safe."

"If I'm with you, I'm safe." He scooted over, and lay down on Ant's chest. "What if they attack here next time?"

"I..."

"Please, Ant. Let's hear what they've got to say. They could have a really good plan."

"Maybe." Ant frowned, but he couldn't find any counterarguments. At least, none that rang true to his own ears. "All right. I'll listen."

"Yes!"

"Not so fast. I'll listen, but no promises."

"Okay." Niklas yawned, and crawled in under the blanket, grabbing Ant's arm to wrap it around himself. "Can I sleepover again?"

"Now he asks," Ant huffed. "Don't make it too much of a habit."

"Promise." A drowsy giggle. The boy settled in, and went still. Ant was just about to fall asleep, when a thin voice spoke. "Ant?"

"Yes?"

"Are you really my papa now?"

"Yes, I am. For as long as you want me to be."

"For always?"

"For always."