Jessica meets her Grandpa Charles

“Keep close Jess,” Mariner patted Jessica’s head as she cautiously watched the ramp lower. Jessica rolled her eyes and bounced on her heels as she peaked through the gap the ramp left to get her first glance at the hanger.

“What kind of ships do you think they’ll have?” Mariner shrugs.

“I figure they’ll probably have a bunch of shuttles, runabouts, or maybe some attack fighters,” Mariner listed off based on the kinds of ships she saw on sensors earlier. “Maybe even a yacht.”

“Like grandma has on the Cerritos?”

“It’ll probably be bigger to be honest though if it's there and you know, exists, you ain’t planning on taking it on a joyride are you?” Jessica gave Mariner an annoyed pout. Mariner only let out a bark of laughter. “I still can’t believe you flew the Fohlich ship, when did you become a little pilot.”

“Oh grandpa took me to the Academy and I got to test out the new flight simulator program and then Jimmy let me borrow his flying programs,” Jessica explained momentarily distracted from the hanger.

“Jimmy’s your friend from school right?” Mariner asked as the ramp finished lowering. Mariner quickly moved Jessica and herself to the side as a horde of people carrying medical supplies and stretchers walked up the ramp. The group was made of identical pink haired women in pink nurse outfits and brunette girls with their hair tied with a ribbon and a group of squat people with large feet and mushroom like heads. They quickly converged on the triage area that Tendi and Katara setup for the people who were too injured in the escape or were not acclimating to the implants well.

“Are they clones?” Jessica cocked her head as she looked at the identical sets of people working.

“The Aeriths are different versions of the same person from different universes, the Medic Joys just highly identical siblings, cousins, and sisters of the same family,” you explain as you walk up next to them. “The guys with the mushroom hats are part of a species called Toads.”

“How’s your ship?” Jessica asked.

“Well, the engine is kinda shot, probably needs a few weeks of repairs, half of the weapons systems need complete replacements, hydroponics is angry and invading the med bay, and most of the amenities need repair. The hot tub is never going to work again.” You listed off. “I’m impressed Hera was able to keep her together.”

“Do you think she can teach me?”

“I’m sure I can ask but it might have to wait for repairs to, well, start,” you start saying apologetically. Seeing her face start to form a pout, you winked. “But I’m sure your grandpa Charles might be willing to let us borrow a ship.”

“Or maybe use a holodeck?” Gwen Tennyson commented as she walked down the ramp, guiding a floating stretcher with a wounded human laying on it.

“Or we can find a holodeck to use.” You shot Gwen a look that she just rolled her eyes at.

“Wait so I get another grandpa along with a dad today!” Jessica exclaimed excitedly. You let out a loud laugh as she practically gained stars in her eyes and the flowers she had curled around her head brightened. For a moment the flowers and her mood stayed bright but then it dimmed as she frowned.

“What’s up kid?” Mariner asked, concerned at the sudden shift.

“I already have a grandpa, so what am I going to call new grandpa?” You couldn’t help yourself; you startle people nearby with your laugh.

“You can just call him grandpa, I’m sure mister Freeman wouldn’t mind sharing that title,” you shrug, not quite seeing the big deal.

“But it's unfair, I can’t make grandpa share his name,” Jessica frowned as she started to think a bit. She snapped her fingers after a moment of you and Mariner sharing amused faces. “I know, I’ll call him…”

“Well, you can always call me inpatient.” You look down the ramp and see Charles Gardner in the flesh, wearing a suit jacket with slacks over a yellow shirt. Flanking him were Auntie Dawn and Auntie Akari wearing formal maid attire (ones that only showed a little cleavage with the skirt going down to mid-calf. “I was wondering when y’all were finally gonna disembark and I find ya hanging around yapping.”

He gave the three of you all a glare with his arms crossed over his chest. Dawn and Akari flanked him and gave you disappointed looks while they put a hand on the hip they had closest to him. Jessica cringed a little and stepped closer to her mom. Your dad broke a moment later.

“Hahaha! I’m just yanking ya,” Charles Gardner chuckled as Dawn and Akari relaxed and gave Jessica friendly waves. “I only just got ready and ran right up the ramp.”

“Really Charlie?” Mariner snorted as he stepped forward and kneeled in front of the nervous Jessica.

He held out his hand to her. “I’m assumin’ that you little lady be my granddaughter Jessica, right?” At her nod and her acceptance of his handshake, he gave an even bigger grin. “Well then you can call me Pappy Charlie or Pappy for short, ya hear?”

“Okay um Pappy?” Jessica tested the nickname in her mouth a bit, mouthing the word before nodding. Your dad gestured to the ramp and took Jessica’s hand in his as he guided her down with you and Mariner close behind.

“Well then, why don’t we go find my wife Daisy as we can all get to know each other.”

“Wait! I’m getting another grandma too!”