Fusia

Chapter 5

We all just stood there in silence for a bit after that. My heart ached a little thinking about waking up and Wye not being there with us. I've only known him a few months but I've begun to think of him as my own. We all have. He might be stubborn and act like a teenager even though he's only ten but he's been a great help with the younger ones. He's become family. At the same time, it is his choice and something tells me that he would be much happier if he stayed awake and lived his life on the ship.

"Wye, it is your choice and we will respect whatever it is you choose to do love. Something tells me you need to stay awake but it is your choice and yours alone. If you choose to stay awake please do me a favor?" I pause a moment until he nods and at this point we all have misty eyes. "Write to us and make sure it's where we can find it when we wake up. I'd love to read about your life on the colony and any important details that makes it great and your heart full." I hold his gaze for a few heartbeats. He smiles and gives me a quick nod as if already apart of the GOM and then asks if he can walk down the corridors to think.

After he leaves we stay silent for just a while longer. I look over and see that Ashlyn has fallen asleep on my cot. So young and sweet, makes my heart swell. Of course Alaric is drawing something on his learning tab. I look up to see Leon and Liz with twin smirks on their faces with a knowing twinkle in their eyes. All I can do is lift a questioning eyebrow. I'm repayed with broad grins.

Soon after Leon and Maria asks if we can watch Gareth for a little while. They try to be discreet by saying they 'need to talk' but Liz and I aren't five. We both know exactly what they are going to do and we can't help but giggle after they leave.

"I wonder if when we wake up if we will find out that Maria is pregnant just like what Alaric saw or will it be after we settle in the Eden you both have seen?" Liz asks pondering more to herself than me. I just smile and go to cuddle with my beautiful sleeping pixie.

The rest of the week went by slowly yet fast at the same time. They held little events throughout the week so we can bond a little more and say goodbye to those that we may not see again. This cyrosleep is tricky business. We can be asleep for a month to even a thousand years and there’s even a risk that once you go under cyrosleep you may not wake up at all. This can happen in many ways. Like, something happens and the cyrosleep malfunctions or even the ship is attacked while you sleep causing malfunctions or the whole ship explodes due to the attack.

Wye has decided that he is staying awake so all three of his guardians had to go sign papers saying that we are okay with this. After all it really is his choice, sure it’s a big choice for a ten year old but he’s really mature for his age so he knows the pos and cons. Sure, he’s going to be missed when we wake up but I am looking forward to meeting his grandchildren and great-grandson. Sometimes I enjoy being cognizant but other times, not so much.

The day of the initiated sleep we wake up and get ready for the busy events of the day as we will be moving loungings today. The High Honor accepts our request to allow Leon to be our eighth in our lounging. Before we move to our new lounging we are suppose to go to the community meeting and share breakfast. Apparently we had plenty of eggs for everyone to enjoy a sunny side up, yum!

As we eat High Honor Rowe gets up front to give his last speech to Colony Rowe 2046. “Good morning citizens. I hope you all enjoyed the week off of lessons and half work days. Those that didn’t pass the health screen that have been in process the past two days where notified last night. Besides those that are required to stay awake we have had eight hundred and fifty-three volunteers leaving us at the total of one thousand that will stay awake and continue our journey. There are a few rules that will be in place for those that are awake. All colonies are now required to put together an elders council. Since our oldest on the colony at the moment are only in their thirties they will become members of the elders council. However, once they pass into the beyond the following elders council will be of fifty and older and will be elected by the colony citizens. Also there will be a procreation law. Starting now, there will be no more pregnancies for at least five years. That is to give our agriculture workers time to make sure we can produce the nutrition needed to sustain life. After those five years it is up to the elders council and High Honor Commander whether to life this rule or to wait a little longer. Once the rule is lifted each couple are only allowed to have two children each and have to submit a blessings application to the elders council. Those that wish to have a baby have to be at least twenty-five. Once a person passes their bodies will be deposited into space to prevent the smell of decay filling the ship. There will be some laws that if broken will lead to immediate punishment by floating. Further information on that will be discussed next week by your acting High Honor. After my cyrosleep is activated my second, Richard, will be your new High Honor Commander.” After he introduced Richard i tuned out the speech because Richard is mainly speaking to those who will be awake.