EVENING & LONGING
Tiberus wasted no time in taking his seat at the comm. After nearly a month of recon on some backwater planet, he had finally returned to base. The place had been built by those horrid humans, but the turians had taken it over a while back. He had been put down there to scope out the stragglers. Easy work, but exhausting and time consuming.
On either side of him, other turians chatted and connected with loved ones far away. He could hear the pure elation in their subvocals. It had been just as long for them as it had been for him. He entered his code and selected his channel of choice. The comm fired up with the Hierarchy symbol as it waited for the other side to connect. It took three turns of the emblem before a familiar sight greeted him. His love trilled in joy at the sight of his face and suddenly, he felt like he could take on the world. “Anyrisa.”
“Tiberus!” Her voice caused a lump to form in his throat and he laughed. Her mandibles - slender and a beautiful shade of cool grey - spread in joy. Tucked along her darker neck was his daughter, Solana. Solana’s green eyes were wide and little squeals escaped her at the sight of her father. Anyrisa called for their son and immediately the spitting image of a younger
Tiberus came into the frame.
“Dad!” Garrus chirped. His young and freshly tattooed face made Tiberus’ heart ache. He had missed his own sons official induction to the family. What else had he missed? Had Solana spoken her first word? It was obvious that Garrus had hit his first growth spurt. He was able to see over the desk’s edge all on his own. He didn’t need to sit on his mother’s lap anymore to see, yet the boy still eager climbed onto her and sat close. Solana had already begun to crawl - Anyrisa had kept him updated as often as she could through vids. It hurt to see his children grow without him.
“It’s good to see you all,” Tiberus started, his own grin uncontainable. “It has been too long.” Anyrisa sighed and he saw the fatigue for the first time. Her skin was slightly sagged and her green eyes weren’t nearly as vibrant as he remembered. The stress of having him away from their home, away from their family, and caring for the two children must finally be wearing her down. Spirits, he would do anything to be back with her. He might be a good turian - his duty was to the Hierarchy first, but sometimes he wished he wasn’t so diligent. Sometimes he wished to go against his morals and return to the family he loves. If the Spirits ever gave him an opportunity, he wouldn’t hesitate to take it. It had been three long years since he had held his children, showed his wife affection. It was unfair, but in those trying times, his duty toward his people that trumped his duty toward his family.
Regardless of her struggles, Anyrisa still spread her mandibles at him. “How are you my love? We worry for you. Garrus has been keeping a close watch on the news for me.” The boy puffed his chest up at his mother’s approving tone. Tiberus chuckled. His boy reminded him all too much of himself.
“I knew you would be looking out for me, Garrus. You make me proud,” Tiberus praised.
Garrus’ neck flushed an embarrassed blue. “Well, it’s important! I saw that your ship is under Spectre use – is that true?” Tiberus blinked. He wondered how that got out. It wasn’t exactly a secret, but they didn’t flaunt it either. This was to be one of their last missions before a well-deserved lunar cycle break – one he fully intended on spending with his family.
“It is, but don’t go telling everyone about it. Spectre Saren is very… strict about these things.” Garrus nodded vigorously at his father’s words. Tiberus had no doubt his son would keep his mandibles clamped about it from now on. He smiled at his family and leaned closer. “Enough about me. Tell me how much you all miss me.” Anyrisa laughed at his words, but he saw her face brighten. They missed him as much as he missed them.