Page 72 of Tarek

"Yes, Darren?" came the cheerful reply from the data pad in my hand.

"What minivan conversion?"

"Oh! Surprise!"

I closed my eyes. I knew that tone far too well.

"We had your minivan's power source converted to use Dragonii crystal technology," Bob explained enthusiastically. "The conversion is mandatory for vehicles operating on New Haven, so it had to be done before you could use it here. Since your minivan was already being transported, it made sense to complete the work before delivery. We've also made several practical modifications for family use, and it's now properly equipped to tow the camper."

I opened my eyes and stared at the data pad. "You converted my minivan without telling me?"

"The conversion was required, and you were going to need a vehicle on New Haven. It seemed sensible to make the modifications while it was convenient."

I rubbed my forehead. Of course it did.

"And what exactly did you do to it?"

"That's a surprise, too!"

"Bob."

"I've arranged for the conversion details to be sent to your data pad. You'll find everything very useful. The vehicle is ready to go, and your camper is in excellent condition."

I looked at my parents. "You bought a camper?"

"A lovely one!" Mom said brightly. "It's British, apparently. A Bailey."

Dad nodded. "Your mother fell in love with it. And it sleeps six, so it's perfect for all of you."

I stared at them. "You had the Mylos pick you up from Florida and brought a camper from the UK?"

"It was easy-peasy," Bob said. "Shuttles travel between Earth and the Fleet all day, every day. It was simply a matter of having Xero ensure the shuttle was large enough to carry the camper as cargo. Oh, and it's light enough for a family-sized vehicle to tow now that the power source has been converted."

I genuinely had no words. My father, who had never been particularly interested in anything more complicated than maintaining his car and keeping the garden tidy, had apparently bought a British camper, arranged interstellar transport, and turned up on another planet with my mother as though they'd popped out for a weekend in the Florida Keys.

Mom patted my arm. "It'll be lovely, Darren. We can all go away together once you're settled."

"Once I'm settled," I repeated faintly.

"And you won't have us underfoot," Dad added. "We'll have our own little place to stay when we visit."

Mom nodded. "We thought it would be useful."

"Useful."

"Very. And first, you two can spend your honeymoon in it."

I turned to stare at her. "Our what?"

"Your honeymoon!" She beamed at Tarek. "You haven't had one yet, have you?"

Tarek's expression was a study in polite amusement. "Not yet, no."

“After the wedding, Mom. Honeymoons are after the wedding.”

"Then there you are. A little trip away together, somewhere peaceful, once you've settled in and have the wedding.."

I couldn't decide whether to laugh or hide behind Tarek. My mother had apparently arrived on another planet and immediately started planning our honeymoon.