This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/Engletroll on 2025-06-30 11:58:21+00:00.
Project Dirt book 1 . (Amazon book ) / Planet Dirt book 2 (Amazon Book 2) / Patreon
Adam was unsure how this had all happened as he stood by the pool chatting with Admiral Hicks and Elp. Nearby were several lords and ladies, as well as diplomats from many nations. This was supposed to be a small Christmas party at his home, but somehow the word got out, and now the party had been moved to Sistan. The crystal castle was transformed into an even more fairytale-like castle, and he had to admit it looked nice, but if he found who spilled the beans, he would exile the bastard.
“I don’t see Roks anywhere. I was sure he would not miss such an opportunity.” Elp said, and Adam just smiled.
“He got a reliable report of some pirate bases as well as some slaver holds. He took the fleet and arranged for a surprise party for them.” Adam replied and looked to the Admiral. “he is our defense for the time being. Two dreadnoughts should be enough anyway, besides only the gods know what secret Jork has implemented. His latest project involves mech units. I really shouldn’t have shown Miker those anime. I barely managed to talk him out of making giant combat androids.”
The two laughed as Admiral Hicks looked around. “Where is that genius anyway? I want to know more about those mech suits.”
“Oh, he is at the grand hall, keeping Miker from opening the gifts,” Adam replied, and the Admiral made his excuse as he made his way to convince Jork not to listen to Adam's direct order. Ginny noticed it and came over, nodding to Adam.
“You must be his sister in blood,” Elp said, and she politely smiled.
“Yes, in blood. I would hate to do this to you, but I have somebody I need to introduce him to.”
Elp bowed as he took a step back and intercepted two lords who tried to talk to Adam.
Ginny led him away and up to their room, where he heard somebody talking and laughing. When they entered, the sounds fell silent, but Evelyn walked over to him with a big smile on her face. “Do you know who these two are?”
The two young women looked shyly at him. He could feel guilt and shame from them. But they reminded him of Harold and Ginny. It took him a second, then he smiled.
“Allie and Yuki? It's been too long. I hope the trip wasn’t too bad. I hope my friend didn’t make the trip too uncomfortable.”
The two looked up, surprised and unable to reply, as Adam went over to hug them. “Welcome home. John Mo was the one who told me you needed help.”
Allie just jumped into his arms and held him tight as she cried, muttering, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Adam just comforted her and chuckled. "Hey don't worry, don't worry."
Yuki looked down, seemingly scared. “You have nothing to be sorry about. I have actually read your book. I was upset when they said the writer was killed by the Cartels. It was quite good.”
Ginny looked confused. “What book?”
“Babies for sale, the one who exposed the rich families,” Adam said, and Ginny lit up.
“Hey, I read that one too!”
Allie looked up, a little confused. Ginny and Evelyn took the chance to distract her so Adam could talk to Yuki.
She looked intimidated by him. Adam could sense the fear in him. She took a step back, he remembered what John had said. Her husband was abusive and just as bad as their donors. He stopped and smiled warmly. “I won't hurt you. I will make sure you're safe, and if you want to leave, I will provide you with whatever you need.”
“Are you tossing me out?” She whispered back, and Adam shook his head.
“No, I give you freedom to choose. I will never order you around. You're of my blood, and these two angels need to grow up knowing their aunts are safe and free. And that I will do everything I can to protect my family.”
He looked down at the twins who, for some miraculous reason, were silently watching them, then smiled and made some happy sound. She looked at him, worried but calmer. He made a mental note to ensure she received the best help possible. For a moment, Kywar dropped into his mind, and he shook it out of his head. He was too young, and why the hell was he thinking about him?
She smiled as she looked at them. “You are so lucky. I will do my best and not be in your way.”
Adam chuckled and looked at her. “Oh, you're not going to be in my way. Come, let's go down and join the party. You're my guests, and I would be a poor host if I kept you locked up here.” He picked up Wei then looked at Allie. “Would you be so kind?”
She looked shocked, then picked up Chris as if he were the most precious thing in the world. Adam smiled, and together they walked outside and back to the party. Allie carried him to the elevator, where Evelyn took over, and when they stepped out into the party, the guests smiled as Adam and Evelyn showed off their little ones. It gave Allie and Yuki time to mingle with the crowd as Ginny introduced them to the right people.
The party lasted into the evening as fireworks lit up the sky and a Santa Slause arrived to give out black sodas and gifts. He was flanked by two polar bears who played with the kids, and then they had a great feast next to the gigantic, decorated tree. Monori explained the cultural aspects of the customs and how they had changed through time, but the core meaning of a rebirth was still present, and while Christmas had a religious origin it was now celebrated in all humans worlds regardless of their religiose connection, she also spoke quickly about the upcoming celebration like the new year celebrations, and invited them all to visit the humans during this period to see them at their best. Adam noticed how the ‘three wise men’ seemed to hide when Monori was speaking. They apparently needed special permission from her to join the party tonight. He found it funny how she, still a student, had ordered the three most powerful beings around like little children.
It was late when they finally made it home. He had spent the evening playing diplomat between different ambassadors who wanted a piece of him. He was not sure how many he had paired up with to shift their focus away from him. He had a vague memory of somebody stopping two idiots from destroying themselves over a planet by dragging them to a galaxy map and finding them two other planets, one each, and sending an order to start terraforming those. And there was something about a catlike Kaiju that he told them to feed catnip. He had sent them to Vorts, who had just looked at him and shook his head, then took out his pad to set up a meeting.
Now he lay in the bed, Evelyn was sleeping next to him, and the twins were also fast asleep. But he couldn’t. In the end, he got up and quietly walked out of the room and up onto the roof. He was only in his pajama pants, and when he came up, he wondered why he was up here. He took a deep breath and looked up. The universe looked down at him. He heard some footsteps and noticed Archangel standing by the entrance. Silently watching him, or was it guarding him? He didn’t know right now. He sighed and looked back up.
“What the hell do you want of me?” he asked, but the night sky didn’t answer. Of course, it would not.
He sat down on a barstole next to the rising bar and leaned on his hand. “Why does it feel like I don’t have anything to say here? Why can't I have my own life? Why can't I just have my family? Why …. Why do I get the sneaking feeling you want me to fix the whole damn universe?”
Then he chuckled to himself. “And why am I talking to the universe? I’m going crazy here.” He muttered.
The universe didn’t answer.
Adam sighed and looked up at the stars. “Yeah, keep your mouth shut. And let me suffer alone. Not like you care anyway. We are just….” As he spoke, he saw a thin white line starting to dance across the nightsky, then it widened into an ocean of green, red, pink, and purple. Adam just stared, stunned, at the Aurora borealis. It was as if the sky danced only for him. He wished Evelyn could see it, and almost on cue, she came up yawning and sleepy-eyed, looking for him. She just stared at him, then at the sky. She moved to his arms and didn’t say a word for the time it lasted. When it faded away, she looked at him.
“Did you know this would happen?”
“No, I just couldn’t sleep, I needed some fresh air.”
“Well, that was amazing. Was that why you woke me?”
“Woke you? I.. wait, what?”
She looked at him. “You called me, right? Or was that a dream?”
“I don’t know, I wanted to go and get you so you could see it too.”
“Thank you. It was amazing, but now I’m noticing that it's cold up here and you need to sleep. You look dead tired.”
He nodded and kissed her lightly, and she chuckled. “You're clearly not that tired.”
________---_____
Adam Wrangler – the doubter
Evelyn Wrangler – Queen of Dirt and married to Adam
Wei and Chriss – the twins
Admiral Hicks
Elp - one of the three wise men. Kinda old
Ginny - clone-sister of Adam, married to Admirals Hicks son
Allie and Yuki Lee- Adam's younger clone twin sisters