fanfic_name = And Thunder Rolls

chapter = 1

author = Adam Scott

Rating = AP

Type = Alternative Universe

fanfic = Chapter 1 - Settling In



        I don't know how much longer I can wait, I think to myself while staring at the stars out the window in our quarters.  We have been in this holding pattern for six weeks now. Dr. Lang has been insistent that we test out every system onboard the SDF-3 before making the jump. Lisa and I have been over the charts so many times I could make the rest of the trip without them. I guess the waiting isn't all bad though. It has allowed everyone time to settle in and get used to life in a space ship again. There are only a few of us that weren't aboard the SDF-1 so the adjustment hasn't been too terrible.  There have only been a couple of squabbles between some of the newer crew members but those were put to rest quickly and efficiently. It will only be a matter of time before everyone finds his or her own place onboard.



        Since this is a possible generational trip, the main hold of the ship has been modified to look like earth including a city that we have named Westport in keeping with the pioneer theme. The old west town of Westport was the final staging area for the pioneers before they left on the Oregon, Santa Fe and California Trails. The shops and restaurants are being run by the civilian family members that have joined us on this adventure. Dr. Lang's EVE system is a wonder of robotechnology itself. Granted we had the same system on the SDF-1 but this is an improved version. The one on the SDF-1 you could see the steel girders and deck plates of the ship through the blue sky but with this one, you can't and if you didn't know better you would swear that you were back home.



        Max and Miriya are adjusting well even though Max doesn't have the time to spend with her that he used too. Being the CAG keeps you busy. Little Dana is just as precocious as ever and has the entire Skull squadron wrapped around her little finger, not to mention her father.



        Lisa and I decided that berthing for the few single men and woman in the fleet would be on board the SDF-3 and be coed. Normally this isn't done but this isn't a normal situation. This time we want them to find love, marry and have children. If this mission lasts for 40 years or more then our children and possibly grand-children will complete it for us. Having a combined berthing was the only way that Lisa and I could ensure that the single men and women would meet. Our fleet is so large and we have a majority of married couples for the crew, that a single person might not see another one for weeks or even months. However that arrangement does not include JoJo. She has a room all to herself next door to mine and Lisa's. Her primary responsibility is to be a nanny to Roy and our next little one, besides the fact that she has become an important part of our family, even if it isn't official.



        JoJo is a very petite girl with long mousey brown hair and dimpled cheeks, big deep brown eyes and a contagious laugh and smile. She loves children and is basically one herself at 17. She was assigned to Lisa and me after the car accident. Her job was to be a courier; however, since I was in a coma for 4 months she spent a lot of time assisting Lisa with day to day life. Lisa was deeply touched by JoJos' selflessness and made arrangements for her to be assigned to us permanently. They became fast friends and once Lisa learned how JoJo had lost her entire family, she took on a bigger roll in her life, a big sister of sorts. Soon JoJo was spending the night at our house regularly and going on family outings with us, and she always joined us for dinner. She became an integral part of our family. She even started to call Lisa her big sister and I was her big brother. To Roy she is just JoJo and he adores her. JoJo has a deep affection for Roy as well. She was there when he was born and helped Lisa with him during my months of rehab. JoJo almost thinks of Roy as her own child.



        JoJo does have a love interest. A young pilot named Alex Burly. They met only weeks before the launch and have spent as much time together as they could. It's nice to see two young people in love.



        Its 19:00 and time for dinner but Lisa and JoJo are no where to be seen. I have become very accustomed to our evening meals together and it is one of the few highlights of my day. "Where are they?" I say to no one. I'm in our quarters alone. The steward has already brought our meal and now it is getting cold. "I wonder what's on tap for tonight" I say as I lift the cover off one of the trays. A cloud of steam hit's me in the face and the smell of roasted chicken fills the room. "Chicken again!" I think to myself, "I hope this isn't a trend".



        We went through a spell like that on the SDF-1. We had Chicken for a week straight at the barracks because the cooks had loaded the freezers wrong. Instead of staggering the meat as it was loaded, someone had the bright idea to load all the chicken in one spot about 4 feet from the door. Once the freezer was loaded there wasn't room to move things around, the only way to was by consuming what was loaded in it. About a week after we left earth the second time is when we hit the chicken. We had chicken for breakfast, lunch and dinner that week. I like chicken but come on! I went to the White Dragon 6 times that week.



        About that time Lisa and JoJo came walking in, chatting up a storm and carrying a lot of shopping bags. "Where have you two been?" I ask mildly annoyed. Lisa turned her head towards me and had a semi-embarrassed look on her face. "Oh, we were just checking out the new shops". I look at her with out amusement. "We sort of, lost track of time." she says apologetically.  She sounded like a little girl who had just got caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Her cheeks were blushed and there was a twinkle in her eyes. I could tell that she was embarrassed by her tardiness, it isn't like her. JoJo, kept looking back a forth from me to Lisa, with concern, expecting one of us to explode at any second. I couldn't stay mad her for long though. She was just too cute with her rosy cheeks, crooked smirk, and her big green cow eyes. To top it off they were both wearing white spaghetti strapped tank tops with a light burgundy scarf around their shoulders and a matching knee length skirt with heals. You would think they were twins. Apparently they wanted to show off some their new acquisitions so they decided to wear their favorite outfit home. It just so happens that they like the same clothes too. I just had to laugh, I couldn't help it. I was so tickled to see them that it didn't matter they were late. Lisa's smirk turned into a big grin and Jocelyn breathed a sigh of relief.



          Roy was past out in Lisa's arms. He had Lisa's soft brown hair and my cobalt blue eyes and features coupled with her fathers' strong muscular frame. She walked over to the small couch we had in the corner of the living room and laid Roy down. He squirmed a little with the change in position but soon settled down and drifted back into that peaceful world of fluffy clouds and puppy dog tails where babies sleep. Lisa kissed him on his head before standing up and smiled as she pulled away. Lisa called Roy her little angle boy and looking at him now, so peaceful, his little hand up by his head and the steady rhythm of his breathing, I can see why.



          By now I was starving so I motioned to both of them to head towards the table. We took our seats and said a quick prayer. JoJo had come from a semi-religious family and after she started staying with us, Lisa and I had picked up the practice. It was kind of nice to pray, it gave you a moment during they day to contemplate what blessings you had and be thankful for them. For my part, anyway, it gave me a few moments of peace and an opportunity to quiet the visions in my mind.



          After dinner, Roy had awakened, Jo was feeding him and Lisa and I cleaned up. Tonight was Jocelyn's night to stay home, Lisa and I had a date. It would be the first one in several months and we were looking forward to some one on one time.



State = Continuará/To Be Continue

feedback = Sí/Yes

email = jscott_73ATyahoo.com