Reunited

[ Translation ]

Ki
Father. You found me.

Xhi
Ki, I am overjoyed at our reunion. I do not want you to feel reprimanded. So many precious moments between father and son were lost because I could not look beyond my grief. It is I who will say that I am so sorry. I have you and you are everything. I have been too severe in the past and it pulled us apart. I could not see that you needed me above all. When I lost your mother, I felt only anguish. I went far away to escape. I was wrong. I will never leave you alone, ever again. Consider this my reprimand: We will work and play as a two man team until you are ready to build your own.

Ni
Ki…

Xhi
My son is no longer in your care, but you may say a few words to him if you’re mindful not to upset him.

Ni
Thank you.

Ki
Ni. I am glad to see you again.

Ni
You need only feel safe here. I did not look after you with due care.

Ki
You did. I was very capable at deceiving you.

Ni
I do not understand.

Ki
Blue Star children deceive their parents to have freedom.

Ni
Do you feel you are not free here with us.

Ki
I missed my father. I wanted to see my friend. She was nice.

Ni
Precious child.

Ki
I am sorry…

Xhi
Thank you, Ni. That will be all. Ki, Scout Team Alpha repaired your escape commode and handed it to the tracking specialist. The communication systems were in disrepair the entire journey, so in all, we have no recorded data to analyse. That means for your recovery, you will verbally recall your time alone, in as much detail as is comfortable for you. I will be present at every recall. Your recollection specialist has said your involuntary solitary confinement can help us understand the impact of long term isolation on long term psychological wellness. It will be a lifelong study. But we will do this only if you agree. You are the youngest person in our history to have attempted or accomplished this feat.

Ki
I understand, father. I will consider it when I feel better.

Xhi
Also, there is another who will share with us.

Vi
Greetings, Ki. Biometric scans indicate that you are recovering normally from exposure to Blue Star’s atmosphere. Your blood and tissues will be completely purged of toxins in three chelation passes. Please wait five cycles for complete regeneration of tissue in your tibia and ulna. Physical rehabilitation …

Ki
Mother!

Vi
I am artificial intelligence software code template Ki 4 Xhi 04, designed by your biological mother, Vi. Your father completed my construction himself, from her journals and work logs. You may call me …

Ki
Mother, mother, mother!!!

Vi
Primary user voiceprint activation complete. Activation key, “Mother.”

Xhi
I see you are pleased. Mother worked with your cousins and your AI to help us find you, and so did many, many inhabitants of Blue Star. Look at the data they generated while doing the search.

Ki
Is that for me. They were all looking for me.

Xhi
Yes, they all were. Their methods were amusing and bizarre, but effective. I understand why you studied them. Many things, however, do not translate. Perhaps you would like to engage in further research. Impart knowledge of their culture to our people.

Ki
Father, how can I thank you. This is tremendous. Father, you are precious.

Xhi
Promise me, we will disclose our closely held thoughts to each other in an atmosphere of caring and mutual consideration. Every cycle at mid cycle, after Warcraft tutorials. Face to face.

Ki
Yes, father. We will.

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