stated they can easily place all of them in good
homes, but my men also state that they would prefer to keep the
children themselves. Will await your decision."
26 A few hours later the reply came. "From Fleet Command to Commander
and Crew 'Son's Pride.' Our congratulations on a successful and heroic
mission. Command cannot identify your charges. No records pertaining to
their identities exists. So you are free to dispose of them as
you see fit. Medical has advised the children will need time with their
new families before their adopted fathers have to leave again.
Therefore, Fleet is granting three month's leave for yourself and all
your personnel.
27 Your duties will be covered by a standby ship in your sector until
you return to duty. Again, from Command, well done! Leave will not
begin until you return to your home station. Command, out!"
28 For the next two weeks, while the sickest of the children recovered
in the colony hospital, and a passenger pod was prepared to carry the
extra personnel they would need for the trip home, the ship's crew and
the children visited the shops of the station. The children had nothing
but the clothes on their backs and had to be outfitted with everything.
No one anywhere, would accept any money. The children and the crew were
celebrities and showered with gifts. They needed the pod to carry
everything.
29 Finally the ship moved out again, entered orbit around its own
system, and the crew with the new additions to their families beamed
down to scattered locations. When Morn arrived at the receiving
station, his wife was waiting. The little boy who had only seen her on
the viewscreen, now ran up to her joyfully, crying "Mother! Mother!"
while the little girl giggled joyfully in Morn's arms, until her new
mother picked her up and hugged her.
30 "You bring home the strangest gifts!" laughed Morn's wife. "You
bring home the most wonderful gifts!" Four years later they would start
having their own children