Chapter 7: Maz's Young

In the center of the bustle and chaos of the Capital Basin, a colossal dome housed the official Capital Basin Hatchery. Most of the lobby occupants were Blues, Purples, Greens, and Reds.

Three peach-skinned beings--that could easily have passed as humans-- a half-Blue half-Green, and four Blues sat around a table. The blues wore black uniforms with gold badges printed on them, and they wore blasters at their sides. One peach-skinned being had his head buried in his hands.

“How are you feeling, Maz?” The Blue-Green asked.

A blond haired, fair-skinned, clean-shaven being looked up. He drew a shaky breath.

“I’m nervous,” he said. “We don’t even know how many eggs Elektra will lay. I don’t know anything. I’ve never been a father before.”

A Purple made her way through the lobby, begging for pardon as she nearly plowed over a mother with young.

“Maz Hightower,” the Purple said. “Can I see you in your wife’s hatchery suite?”

“Excuse me,” Maz said quietly to his company.

A few seconds later, the Purple had led him to a private suite. Elektra lay on a cot stabilization unit.

“Your wife was carrying nine eggs,” the Purple said. “It seems one grew inside of her like a parasite. She’s no longer with us.”

Maz’s strength failed. He rested his back against the wall before he collapsed. Tears streamed down his face, and he sniffed hard. After a few moments, he had regained his composure enough to ask the Purple: “Can I see my babies?”

She spoke into her implant: “Bring Maz Hightower’s young to suite 112.”

An adolescent Green propelled a stroller, where eight newly hatched young relaxed. Maz scooped up one young.

“That’s the first one,” the Green told him. “He’s a boy.”

“Maz Younger,” Maz said.

He buckled Maz Younger into his seat, and the Green showed him the entire front row of four seats.

“These are all the boys,” she said. “Maz Younger is the oldest.”

“That one is Jamison,” Maz said, placing his hand on the next young’s head.

“Conner,” he said, putting his hand on the next one.

“And Trev.”

The Green waved her hand, which unhooked the front row from the back row, and one of Maz’s daughters gazed into his face. He gently tipped her chin up, and could see Elektra’s beauty mark on the young’s cheek.

“That one is Nala,” he said. “Others are Enya, Kaya, and Maya.”

He reassembled the stroller and nodded to the Green.

“Will you get Nessa and my brothers-in-law?” He asked.

“Sure thing,” the Green said.

As she made her way toward the lobby, he called after her, “Hey! Please tell them what happened to Elektra. I can’t talk about it right now.”

She gave a curt, obedient nod, and disappeared. A few moments later.

“They told us what happened,” Nessa said.

“First Skyla,” Scion complained. “Now Elektra.”

Maz’s body went numb.

“We’re all grieving,” he reminded Scion. “But I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Scion stormed off into the distance, saying, “Okay, but I’m taking the hexagon. Bodyguard Wren’s coming with me.” Nessa waved her hand to unhook the stroller, and she scooped Nala and Maz Younger into her arms.

“We’re here for you, Maz,” she said.