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eardrums, and Hunter twirled the knob to lessen the volume.
                "You're doing fine, Terrin. Keep breathing. Keep oxygenating yourself. Fire, what's the water temp?"
                "Ninety-three degrees."
                "Excellent."
                "Doctor Perlakian!" Hunter shouted. He had no way of knowing if they could hear him. His inner viewscreen was black, but at least he could hear them.
                "Who is that?" Devorah asked, either of someone in the room, or directly to him.
                However, StarLight immediately recognized his voice. "Udo! Udo, where are you?"
                "I'm still on Sigma Vialla," he called back. "We're unable to leave until this storm lessens in intensity. Forgive me for not being there with you. What happened? Did something happen? I thought you weren't due for another few weeks."
                "Babies have their own timetable, Hunter," Perlakian commented with a very discernable dry wit.
                Another cry punctuated the airwave. This time Hunter knew Star was the one making the sounds.
                "Terrin, are you all right? Is the baby all right? Doctor Perlakian, what's her status?"
                "My status is I'm having a baby!" Star yelled back with agitation.
                Unexpectedly, his viewscreen began to brighten, gradually clearing up as Commander back at base worked his magic. Slowly, Hunter made out the form of his wife as she reclined in the birthing tub. Devorah Perlakian was in the tub with her, sitting between Star's spread legs. Both of them were shoulder-deep in the warm, swirling waters.
                He stared at his wife's face. At the paleness, the pinched expression. She was in pain, and it reflected in her deep violet eyes. Her long, thick, black hair was pinned on top of her head, and she rested her neck on the small pillowed rim of the tub.
                Morning Fire stood outside the tub, near StarLight. Had he been there, it was where he would have been, supporting his wife. Hunter watched as the petite woman dabbed Star's forehead and cheeks with a towel.
                From his angle, he had a good view of the top of the tub. Bubbles bounced across the top of Star's breasts, hiding them and the drama going on underwater. Doctor Perlakian, on the other hand, was still in her medical jumpsuit, which now clung wetly to her.
                Star suddenly clenched her teeth, and her face contorted with agony. Her fingers gripped the sides of the tub so hard, Hunter wondered if she would leave impressions.
                "Come on, Star. You're doing good. It won't be long now," the doctor soothingly remarked.
                "Oh, gods, I never thought it would hurt like this!" Star cast a scathing glance at the monitor hanging from the ceiling. "All I can see is your helmet."
                "The trawler has no life support," he explained. "This communication is jury rigged. I can't promise it'll hold."
                "I wish you were here!" Her surly mood had vanished, leaving her weak with longing. Hunter automatically tried to reach out to her, when he realized he was the only person seeing this miracle occur. Unfortunately, the same didn't go for his speaker. Although no one else could hear what was coming from Guardian Command, they could definitely hear his replies.
                He swallowed noisily. Should he try to keep face with Sender and the crew? Or dismiss them and concentrate solely on the woman he loved more than life itself, and their child they had prayed would survive?
                It was a decision made without reservation.
                "Doctor Perlakian, how far along is she?"
                "Her water broke approximately..." The physician glanced at a timepiece off-camera. "Two hours ago. She