#tech gets married

I have often been unsure about how to feel about change. It is a fundamental part of life.

But what happens when one chooses that change? Make their own course? And runs into something else completely? 

Do you fight for it? Against it? What do you do?

Previously, in another life, I would have said otherwise. I would have simply done as needed, as what was expected of me as a soldier in an endless army, all created from the same man.

But I am no longer that soldier. 

And no day was that made clearer than today. 

It was small–only my squad, Sjael’s family, and the crew of the Rocinante . The ceremony was short–per Belter custom, and per my own request. Sjael thought it was admirable, that even in one of the most crucial moments of a human’s life, that I was still logical, but that I still wanted to show what I felt, in the way that I felt most comfortable. 

A human’s life. That is what I truly am.

My hands were the same as hers as we held them, in front of Camina, who laughed at being the one to officiate. Sjael’s smile was like my smile, and her expression of joy was like mine as well, as we stood in the middle of one of the prairies in Medina Station. Her skin and body were like mine, but she was wrapped in a white dress that folded in ways that both covered and showed her beauty, and I wore vest, shirt, and trousers I borrowed from Holden. My wife’s dark hair was woven with wildflowers from the station’s prairies, the same as the ones she carried, the same that I tucked into my breast pocket…along with one of the blossoms from her vanilla orchids. I will always treasure those wonderful plants. 

We spoke with human voices as we declared to be faithful to each other, to cherish each other’s friendship, to be there in both sickness and health, to love each other until the end of days. It was almost the exact same words we spoke in that terrifying call from her ship, where I ordered her to turn around. 

But she does not follow orders, and neither do I. 

Others have called my people nonhuman. They have called her people nonhuman as well. We have been called machines, animals, slaves, equipment, every title that can rip your humanity away from you.

But this fact is untrue, because machines and animals do not get married. 

They do not kiss in front of their family and friends as they are announced as pexa unte pexa by the president, a member of your family who has loved you her whole life, who is your friend in peace, and your ally in war. 

They do not hold their beautiful little daughter and hug their emotional sisters when the ceremony is concluded. 

They do not dodge cheerful slugs from their brothers, or shake the hands of their proud friends, people who love you, who will risk their lives for you. 

They do not walk back to their home hand in hand with their spouse, where the roof is lit with a thousand endless lights, waiting for them to enjoy dinner together.

They do not spend hours bantering, laughing, and crying over a joyful meal celebrating love and family. 

They do not make love in the dark of their bed, the only world consisting of them and the one that they cherish with every fiber of their being. 

They do not softly whisper into each other’s ears and close their eyes with their arms wrapped tightly around their spouse, knowing that their family–their brothers and sisters, children, cousins, nieces and nephews–are all safe and secure. That what you fought for has brought them peace. 

Humans do those things. 

I am human. I am me. 

As are my brothers and sister, as is my wife and child, as are my friends, as are all of those I hold dear.

We have blood in our veins, hearts that beat within us, eyes that see and arms that hold.

We are not equipment, we are not animals, we are humans alone in this vast expanse, building our future together. 

My name is Captain Teki Drummer, and I am one of the chief engineers of Medina Station. I hold rank as an officer within the Transport Union under the command of President Camina Drummer. I am a veteran of the Grand Army of the Republic, of Clone Force 99, and am an ally of the warship Rocinante . 

I am a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, a colleague, and a survivor of countless battles. I was born a clone of the Mandalorian, Jango Fett, on a planet called Kamino. But, I am now a member of the Belter nation, a people born in an endless sea of darkness. But they will always find the light, and I am proud to help them on that journey. 

May I always be held high in their esteem and their regards. 

May I always have the strength of Bobbie, the brilliance of Naomi, the focus of Jim, the kindness of Amos, the innovation of Clarissa, and, most importantly, the honor and courage of Camina, whom I am more than proud to call both commander and family. 

This is my story, and I am happy to have lived it. To keep living it. 

My siblings are many, and my people are countless across the stars. 

I am theirs, and they are mine, until the end of days. 

Xiya depelésh mi wanya bi…wit milowda.*