you got a message from the stars: chapter 1“Well, I don’t know how you, as one of this ship’s doctors, couldn’t have caught this, but according to the symptoms you’ve given me, you’re pregnant.”

Twenty-three-year-old Kamille Bidan could only sit in shock, staring at the doctor examining him, before responding with “You think I’m… pregnant”

Kamille had teal hair and blue, slitted eyes, and happened to be one-quarter alien, specifically of the catlike Regulian species. Thanks to his lineage, a pair of non-functional cat ears sat atop his head in addition to his normal human ears, in addition to him having a tail and night vision. Kamille also wore glasses and had a bionic left arm.

“Well, yes,” the doctor responded. “You said that lately you were experiencing mood swings and cravings, not to mention that weird stomach flu you said was going on for a couple of months that ended a few weeks ago; that was probably morning sickness. But the smoking gun would probably have to be that obvious baby bump you have now.” She took a good look at Kamille’s slightly rounded stomach.

“Well, in retrospect, I thought it was weird that I seemed to be gaining weight even if I was cutting back on snacks due to what I thought was a stomach flu,” Kamille said. “Well, how far along do you think I am”

“Probably about 18 weeks,” the doctor responded. “We can do an ultrasound to confirm, but that would take a few days to confirm with everyone in Medbay.”

“Okay,” Kamille said. “I guess I’m gonna tell Kazimir. Bye.” Kazimir Blackburn was Kamille’s husband, twenty-three years old like him and half-human, half-alien; specifically the Fazanus species from Nez’agu, the fourth planet from the star Antares. For the most part, he looked like a normal human, except for his floppy, turquoise-furred, animal-like ears; deer-like antlers with crystals hanging off of them (a traditional accessory given to most Fazanus once they reach adulthood); “wings” made of a blue smoke that erupted from slits on both sides of his back; and a long, fluffy tail. Kazimir Blackburn was just his human name; his real name in the Fazanus’s language was Ervjab Uwlginue, but most people used his decidedly more pronounceable human name to refer to him.

Nez’agu was a cold planet, with average summer temperatures around 50°F. During the cold winters, the Fazanus, normally an above-ground-dwelling species, retreated to Nez’agu’s underground caves, which harbored many types of brilliant crystal structures. Because of this, crystals were very important cornerstones of Fazanus society, with Fazanus using them as decorations, accessories and sometimes even medicine. Certain types of crystals were even considered sacred and used in special ceremonies and rituals, particularly to mark milestones such as adulthood. Kamille could remember how spectacular the crystal caves of Nez’agu were when he first traversed to the planet at the young age of seventeen; the same mission to map the planet where he also met Kazimir.

As he walked down the halls of the UEMS Argama Mk. II, all Kamille could think about was one thing. [I am the stupidest person on this ship– no, the whole universe. I have all the textbook symptoms and STILL managed to miss that I was pregnant] He adjusted his glasses. [I guess that horrific crash rattled my brain more than I thought.]

Six years ago, Kamille destroyed the UEMS Argama Mk. I, which he piloted, by ramming it straight into a ship belonging to the Purity Front, a rogue fleet formed by disgruntled ex-UEMS (Universe Exploration & Mapping Society) members who felt that the UEMS was allowing too many non-humans, specifically aliens, into their ranks. The crash left Kamille in a coma for about a year, and when he awoke he found himself confronting brain fog and occasional short-term memory loss, no doubt thanks to the brain trauma he endured. The crash also resulted in the loss of his left arm, and he had to wear glasses due to the damage sustained to the part of his brain that governed his vision. But the most impactful loss to Kamille was the fact that it claimed the life of his then-girlfriend, Four Murasame, who dove into the cockpit to shield Kamille from the worst of the damage. Once he awoke aboard the recently-christened Argama Mk. II, Kamille permanently swore off piloting spaceships, becoming one of the ship’s doctors.

Finally, Kamille ran into Kazimir. “How’s my lovely little dear doing today” Kazimir said, ever so happy to see his husband’s face.

Kamille paused for a bit. “I don’t know how to tell you this, because it’s some pretty life-changing news.”

Kazimir’s smiling face quickly fell into a pleading frown. “Please don’t let it be something horrible Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaseee We’ll still be together, right”

“No, silly,” Kamille said with a chuckle. “It’s just, you know how my body’s been a little out of whack lately I’m actually pregnant. There, I said it.”

Kazimir paused for almost ten seconds before suddenly hugging Kamille tight and saying “Oh, I’m gonna be a dad… I’m so happy…”

“U-uh, thanks for the hug, even though it was kinda unexpected,” Kamille said. “I’m glad you’re happy, though.” Kazimir’s tears of joy dripped onto Kamille’s shoulder. “But I’d like some alone time to sort things out in my head. Could you please let me get to my quarters”

“Okay,” Kazimir said, unlatching himself from Kamille. As the bespectacled teal-haired doctor looked out the window of the Argama Mk. II at the surrounding landscape of the Andromeda Galaxy, he placed a hand on his baby bump. “You’re a sneaky one,” Kamille said to his unborn child. “Or maybe I’m just the dumbest doctor alive. Anyways, hello there. Sorry I didn’t notice you until now.” Kamille then felt a small sensation, like a little pop from inside his stomach— the baby’s first kick that Kamille was able to notice. “Are you saying hi back” Kamille continued on towards his sleeping quarters with a brand new feeling. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it felt like he was starting a brand new chapter in his life.

Upon reaching his sleeping quarters, Kamille flopped onto the bed, taking care not to land too hard or on his stomach. “That was some news to get, huh,” he said. “Anyways, I’ll have to take care not to do anything too hard on me for the next… around five and a half months. Plus, am I really ready to take care of a child They’re so noisy and never leave you alone… They’re literally walking sensory overloads to me.” Kamille thought for a bit. “I guess Kazimir’s gonna do most of the work raising this kid. Hang on, I have some experience from taking care of my little siblings Rosamia, Shinta and Qum, so maybe I can do it. Anyways, I’m hungry. I want chocolate.” He got up and made his way to the nearest vending machine, before stopping in his tracks.

[CRAP I forgot my money card]

He ran back to his quarters to look, but when he went to look in the usual spot, the card wasn’t there. This sent Kamille on a mad dash all around his sleeping quarters to look for his money card, checking and double-checking every single nook and cranny, which all turned out to be devoid of any money cards.

Kamille’s frustration was now mounting. He wanted some chocolate NOW, and there was no way he was going to be able to get any from the vending machine without his money card. Well, unless he kicked the glass in, but that would result in several disciplinary measures being taken against him. Suddenly, Kamille had an epiphany. [Kazimir took my money card. WITHOUT TELLING ME I’LL KILL HIM] He stomped up and down the Argama Mk. II’s halls before finally finding Kazimir.

“KAZIMIR Do you have my money card”

The turquoise-and-blue-haired half-alien turned his head to see Kamille, who was doing his best to hide any visible anger. “Sorry for yelling,” Kamille said. “But I need my money card because I am craving chocolate like a bitch, and need to use the vending machine.”

“Uh, I have your money card, but I’m not done with it yet,” Kazimir said. “I could really go for a soda right now.”

Kamille smushed his face right into Kazimir’s. “The soda can wait,” he said in a raised, stern tone.

“Oh, I guess you can have your chocolate now,” Kazimir said, handing Kamille his money card. He didn’t want to piss off his lovely husband even further to the point of receiving a verbal beatdown from him.

In a split second, Kamille’s mood changed from angry to cheerful. “Thank you, Kazimir~” he said as he walked off towards the vending machine.

A couple of minutes later, Kamille was situated in his sleeping quarters, having bought five chocolate bars from the vending machine, which he tore through rather quickly. After a few minutes, the vice-captain of the ship, twenty-three-year-old Fa Yuiry, stepped into the room, taking Kamille by surprise.

“I’m in trouble with Captain Bright, aren’t I” Kamille said, suddenly sulking. “Seriously, it’s like his head is so far up his ass that he can’t see anything but the walls of his own esophagu-”

“No, Kamille,” Fa said. “I just heard the news, and wanted to say congratulations.”

“Oh” Kamille lightened up. “Thanks. Wait, who told you, Fa”

“Kazimir told me,” said Fa. “Knowing him, the news is probably gonna spread like wildfire.”

“That’s Kazimir for ya,” Kamille replied. “He seemed to be so, SO excited about the prospect of being a dad when I told him.”

“I could tell. He quite literally slammed into me when he went to tell me the news. Anyways, I gotta go. I have a feeling Shinta and Qum are trying to pilot the ship for the fifth time today.” Fa departed. Thirteen-year-old Shinta and eleven-year-old Qum were Kamille’s two younger adoptive siblings, while twenty-one-year-old Rosamia, who was currently dating an alien girl she met a while back, was Kamille’s only biological younger sibling. Kamille loved and cared for his younger siblings; always looking out for them and protecting them, even if they could be annoying at times.

Several hours later, as Kamille drifted off to sleep, only one thought was bouncing around in his head: [Am I truly ready to take care of a baby This is all so sudden, and they need me in the medbay… No, no. Don’t overthink things, Kamille. Too much stress is bad for the baby, remember]