Gregor Illum's sister Greta made her home on Mars. She lived in a smaller city near the southern pole and Captain Gregor paid a visit while the Grand Traveler was in space dock. They embraced and shared pleasantries as close siblings and shared everything that had happened since his last visit.
Greta was well and prospering managing a small shop. He found that amusing considering their famed heritage and by now a large throng of believers have made Greta's store quite full. An equally large crowd had formed that day with Gregor's arrival and Kallos father accompanied him along with several soldiers.
It's a pity you told them, Greta sighed. She had preferred they keep their heritage more hidden as she hated becoming a celebrity. Some of the more ardent followers erected a makeshift shrine and a statue of the Knut across the street from her store. It should come as no surprise at what lengths diehard followers of the Neo-Artesians would go to touch the hand of the creator.
She further lamented it made her chance of finding a suitable husband that much more difficult. And she asked why her brother had not yet settled down with a woman. Gregor scoffed at that and had little patience with the various sisters they sent his way. He sent each and every one of them packing and now with his planned mission to Alpha Centauri, there would be little reason to marry and raise a family. As such he felt no reason to fear as their ancestors legacy would end with him and he would not carry it on by having children.
He already knew of their mother having another child, he didn't know who that child was, but from what he knew it was likely a half-brother. The last sister taunted him in saying that this second son of their mother had already children and so the legacy of the Knut will live on.
They walked to the local park as they always do and sat beneath some oak trees on a park bench. They shared some tea and pastries that Greta had prepared on anticipating his visit. For the most part the Neo-Artesians dispersed and gave them some privacy. They finished afternoon tea and Gregor spent the night at Greta's home on the second floor above her shop. Kallos father and the other soldiers stayed in a nearby hotel at the order of Gregor who wished to have privacy with his sister. In the morning after breakfast they all returned to fleet headquarters.
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