E:A Vol 1 Ch 5—June 5, 2115

Another week passed without Simon Harris and his team ridding their main computer system of the insidious virus. Vince and John still refused to release the Commander. Victoria and Becket watched the Commander’s condition deteriorate day by day. And though no one on Terra 2 knew it, because their systems were offline, up in geostationary orbit with the city was a Rayth warship—the flagship of the fleet.

On the eleventh day of the Commander’s capture, June 5, 2115, an explosion rocked the shuttle bay at the top of Tower One. A piece of Mythican equipment, which Simon and his team thought would boost shuttle speed and so had been running various tests on it, had been left untouched since the electricity went out. What they didn’t know was that it had internal generators which, having been powered up when they began their test, kept charging. They hadn’t found the “off” switch for it to go back into a storage mode. On June 5, it finally reached capacity, overheated, and exploded. There were over a dozen people injured but the worst of the injuries were sustained by John Hagen.

Becket and Victoria did their best to get out the bits and pieces of metal and deal with internal bleeding, but without electricity, they couldn’t perform the intricate surgery needed to save his life. When Becket knew they had no other options left, he went to Vince. “John will die without surgery,” he said, walking into the general’s office without even greeting him. “I need power to run the equipment I need to save his life. We can’t even bridge off the planet anymore because of that virus, so taking him to Elgolia is out of the question. Simon hasn’t figured it out. He’s had a month since the virus hit, but nothing. There’s someone in this city who can fix it and you ruined our chance of getting his help by taking him prisoner. Vince, release him.”

Vince let out a sigh, but nodded in agreement. He got up and went to his door, “Get me Chapman and Harris,” he said to the crewmember at the nearest command workstation. “Have them meet me down in the prison.”

“I’ll get Victoria,” Becket said, and ran down the hall to the infirmary.

The group met up just outside of the room containing the Supreme Commander’s cell. “Simon, work with him, if he needs access to your lab, fine but watch what he gets into. Get us back online. I’ll arrange for him to have the quarters next to Victoria’s. Chris, we’re letting him out but I want guards on him around the clock. Becket you go tend to your patients, I don’t think we’ll need you further down here. Victoria, try to convince him to help us.”

Without waiting for any questions or discussion, Vince entered the room containing the glass-like cell. “Supreme Commander, I apologize that we have held you captive.”

“You are not truly sorry,” the Commander said still standing, but obviously weakened, “and if a life was not about to be lost, you would not release me.”

“Perhaps you are correct,” Vince said then stopped. “How did you know…” The general shook his head. “I do apologize, and I do request your assistance. Will you help us?”

“Help you save John Hagen? That is not in my best interest.”

Vince gave a nod to Chris who unlocked the door. “You’re free to leave. If you wish to stay and help us, I’ve arranged for quarters next to Victoria’s. Simon Harris will work with you to fix our system.”

The Commander took one step towards the door and collapsed. Victoria ran in and knelt beside him. “He needs to feed.”

“Don’t look at me,” Simon stated.

Victoria took one of the Commander’s hands and placed it over her heart. “Take what you need.”

“I don’t think so!” Chris said, rushing to her side.

“It’s okay. He won’t kill me. Warn Becket that I’ll probably be in need of assistance,” Victoria said.

The Commander’s head was now resting on Victoria’s shoulder, his hand still over her heart, but the small circular area in his palm hadn’t opened to feed on her.

“It’s okay, Commander,” Victoria said, pressing his hand against her, “I trust you. If you need my life, you may take it.”

His hand seized as his fingernails embedded themselves into her flesh, drawing his palm flat against her skin as he began drawing life from her. Victoria began shaking, and right before everyone’s eyes she began to shrivel up, looking ever older as the seconds passed.

The Commander let out a guttural growl, needing more energy but stopping himself from taking all of Victoria’s. He released her and gently rested her on the floor. “I need to go to my ship. I require the items you took from me.”

Vince nodded to one of the soldiers who then went to a locked cabinet outside of the room. He returned and handed them, fearfully, to the Rayth.

“Simon Harris, you will accompany me,” he said and grabbed the computer specialist’s arm. “I will return. Take Victoria to her chambers. There is nothing Dr. McKenna can do for her.” Then he and Simon disappeared.

It took several minutes, but the Commander returned as promised with Simon in tow. “Show me to her quarters,” the Commander said as he motioned Simon ahead of him.

Simon hurriedly led the way and watched in awe as the Commander’s hand rested on Victoria’s chest and restored her health and youth to her. Then they went to Simon’s lab where the computer tablet that had been in the Commander’s cell was now set up at one of the main desks. The Commander pointed to it as Vince walked in behind them. “The code is fixed.”

“What? How?”

“Rayth have telepathic abilities. Your guards were quite susceptible to ignoring me as I worked.”

Simon began scrolling through the code. “This is incredible. These calculations are…”

“Get our system online, Harris,” Vince said, “lives are at stake.”

“I’ll have to take this down to the main electrical chamber and boot from there. Ten minutes.”

Vince turned to a guard, “Tell Becket to be ready to start surgery in ten minutes…if Simon doesn’t encounter issues.” Then he turned to the Commander, “How long has it been fixed?”

“The first night.”

“Why? Why put yourself through all of this? I might have released you.”

“I doubt it, and I know John Hagen would not have released me. You would have found the fixed code after my death, provided my ship overhead failed to destroy the city. I wish to return to Victoria’s chambers to keep watch over her.”

Vince stood aside and told the guards that they could leave. “I don’t think he’ll hurt anyone. Thank you, Supreme Commander.”

The Commander let out a huff and walked to the infirmary where he took care of John Hagen’s worst injuries, then he went to Victoria’s quarters and sat beside the bed, waiting for her to awaken.

***

After the electricity was restored, Vince talked with Simon, wanting to know what had happened on the Rayth ship.

“He left me with a bunch of his guards and went away. He apparently went to feed. That ship, impressive. I’ve never seen anything like it. The window, viewscreen, whatever you want to call it…the view was amazing. I’d love to get my hands on their systems and see how they were designed. Pavel would love to as well, knowing him. He could see all of the stars up close and personal.”

“I doubt that will happen any time soon. We…I…have a lot of restoration to do.” Vince put his head into his hands, “I messed this up big time.”

“We’ve spent a year and a half fighting the Rayth, they’re our enemies,” Simon said.

“Yet Victoria told us that this guy was different,” Vince replied.

“Hey, listen, we didn’t know if she was being telepathically controlled or not. After hearing that he could cause the guards to ignore him, we still can’t be completely sure. If he could do that with their minds, why didn’t he get them to open the door for him?”

“Maybe it doesn’t work that way,” Vince sighed, “We need to give him a chance. We’ll keep a close eye on him, but he deserves a chance.” He stood, “Make sure that code is clean. I’m gonna check on John.”

***

Victoria’s eyes fluttered open and when she saw that she was in her own quarters and that the Commander looked well, she smiled. “You okay?” she asked.

“I am quite fine. I am sorry that I had to feed on you. I have restored what I had to take from you. You may feel a bit unsettled for a while.”

“I’m okay, I think,” she said as she sat up. “The lights are on. You fixed the code?”

“So it would seem.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“Thank you for…offering yourself. Get some rest.”

Victoria shook her head, “I need to help Becket.”

“No you do not. You must rest.”

“You’ve healed me, I’m fine.”

“Victoria Carson, I would prefer it if you rested.”

“I need to do my job. We have a dozen injured people, plus John and…”

“I healed his worst injuries. I am sure Dr. McKenna can handle the rest.” The Commander stood with Victoria, sensing she was going to go despite his pleas not to. “Do not wear yourself out. I am going to my ship. I will return here tomorrow. Do you still have the device I gave you?”

Victoria nodded and reached into her dresser and pulled it out.

“Keep it with you always.”

“You still haven’t told me your name.”

“You do seem obsessed with this. Until tomorrow,” he said with a bow before disappearing.

June 7, 2117

Two days after the power was restored, Victoria and Becket began talking with the Supreme Commander regarding Rayth physiology and what might be done to find an alternative food supply for them.

“We’ve run almost a hundred simulations on our serum that would restart your digestive systems,” Becket said to the Supreme Commander, “but we’re going off of what little information we have. I don’t feel comfortable even thinking about trying this without knowing more. I can’t even say that our simulations are accurate without knowing more.”

“What are you suggesting Dr. Becket McKenna?” the Commander asked.

“Do you have files that we could use to help fill in the gaps? It would help us get to a point where we might be able to create a viable cure.”

“Cure? Am I nothing but a disease to you, Doctor?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m sorry.”

The Commander let out a huff that would rattle even the strongest of bones. A Rayth, especially one the size of the Commander, huffing at a person was terrifying.

“Commander, he didn’t mean that,” Victoria said, reaching out to him. “You have to admit that things would be a lot simpler if you didn’t have to rely on humans for your sustenance.”

“But what about our regenerative abilities? Would activating our digestive systems, provided we could then subsist on your type of food, disable or slow our regenerative abilities?”

“We honestly don’t know,” Becket replied. “That’s one of our many big gaps. Sir, we know so little. I’m not confident that what we have will even work given the number of missing pieces we have in this puzzle.”

“I am afraid, Doctor, that I cannot give you our medical information. Until I am sure that you can be trusted, I will not turn over information that may be used against my people.”

“Would you be willing to allow us to examine you? Run tests and such?” Victoria asked. “We’ll turn over our data to you so you can run your own tests, but I’d really like to know more about your physiology. There are just too many questions…”

“No…”

“Commander,” Victoria interrupted, “I promise that only Dr. McKenna and I will have access to any information you’re willing to give us. We want to end this war. We’re doctors, not warriors.”

“General Cavanaugh and Colonel Hagen will not allow this information to be kept so isolated.”

“Sir,” Becket said, “Vince knows he messed this up. He wants to try to build trust. Give us this chance. You’ll be given access to come and go as you please. The quarters near Victoria’s are yours, if you want. Working together is the best way to end this war.”

“We can start small,” Victoria said, “some basic scans and blood tests, then when you feel more comfortable…”

“Victoria,” Becket said, “we need to do more than a few tests. We really need to understand the regeneration system. Perhaps even how their telepathy works. How all of the systems and abilities work together. This could take months, if not years.”

“I cannot do this. At least not now,” the Supreme Commander said. “I still need to find out who is betraying us and stealing our jets for the Gyhan to use. The Gyhan are the ones behind your computer virus. Their logic has always been flawed and it shows in their programming.”

“Don’t you have other commanders who can do these things?” Victoria asked.

“I do and they are. However, this is a rather large galaxy and I need everyone out there until these problems are dealt with.”

“What if I went with you?” Victoria asked. “We could do preliminary tests here then I could ship off with you for a month or two.”

“I don’t think that would be wise,” Becket said, “Vince wouldn’t allow it and you are needed here.”

“We need the information,” Victoria said.

“Dr. McKenna is correct,” the Commander said as his long strides took him back and forth across the room. “However, I will allow a few tests to be administered on me. We will start there. I will decide what to do, if anything, at a later date.”

July 13, 2115

“What?” Victoria stood up and began shaking. “How’d he get clearance?”

Be’atta looked at her friend sitting across from her at the conference table, “What’s wrong, Victoria? General Cavanaugh just said he was a brilliant astrophysicist.”

“He’s an animal and should be behind bars! How could you do this without talking to me?”

“It might help if I understood why you’re so angry about having your husband come on staff here,” Vince replied, “But now that I think about, you haven’t been Earth-side since coming to Terra 2.”

Victoria was shaking, almost violently, as her white knuckles gripped the arms of her chair. “He’s beaten me to within an inch of my life more than a few times. He’s raped me. He’s done everything to make my life hell. I’ve been trying to get a divorce for years but because his family is so well connected, none of it gets reported, filed, or dealt with. He’s coming here to kill me!”

A beep sounded in the room, followed by a voice announcing Dr. Jason McGuire’s arrival. Victoria’s eyes locked on Vince’s, “Send him back. You have to protect me!”

Vince sighed, “Victoria, I can’t send him back. His assignment here wasn’t my decision. But I’ll do what I can, and we will protect you.”

“He wasn’t supposed to know about Expedition: Andromeda. He couldn’t know about it. It’s a secret government project,” she said, still shaking. “I didn’t think he was that well connected.”

“Chris, see that his quarters are moved. I want him under observation at all times. Be’atta, escort Victoria to the infirmary. Dr. McKenna can give her something to calm her. Then try and find an off-world location where she’ll be safe until I can straighten this out. I’ll show Jason around personally. I want to get a good take on him. And Victoria, I’m truly sorry. I should have talked with you. I simply thought it would be a nice surprise for you to have him here. But, doctor, this information should have been in your file.”

Victoria gave him a nod, too shaken to do or say anything more. Be’atta walked her the short distance to the infirmary where she explained everything to Becket while Victoria fidgeted.

“I’ll take care of her,” Becket said. “Go find her a safe place to stay. Thank you, dear.”

“I’ll send Kaven to watch over her. He’s not as big as the Supreme Commander, but he’s almost as intimidating,” Be’atta said.

“Good idea.”

Be’atta gave the still shaking Victoria a hug, “We’ll keep you safe.”

“My bracelet from the Commander! Be’atta please get it for me. It’s on my nightstand.”

***

“So Gen. Cavanaugh, not that I’m not enjoying the grand tour, but I would like to see my wife.”

“She’s not been feeling well; she’s in the infirmary. She did mention, however, that things between the two of you are somewhat strained. This should have been brought up in your interview.”

“Vicki has a habit of exaggerating the truth. I honestly believe she’s schizophrenic. I’ve tried to get help for her, but she starts throwing around these horrendous accusations and I have to spend a fortune to make sure that I’m cleared. Then she goes and leaves the galaxy to get away from me. I swear to you, General, I love my wife, I only have her best interests at heart. I came here, leaving a rather lucrative career, to make sure she is well and happy. She had a difficult childhood. She deserves some happiness in her life.”

“It’s good to know both sides of the story, and I’m encouraged to hear that you want to take care of her. Give her some time. I’ll have her work with our psychiatrist. This galaxy, for all of its dangers, is quite peaceful. Maybe it was all she needed to help clear her mind.”

“I hope so.”

“And here we are,” Vince said, “these are your quarters. There are many other vacant apartments in the tower, but they haven’t all been wired into the system yet.”

“Why not just move me in with my wife?”

“As I said, she was a bit unnerved about you coming here. I thought it best to allow that to happen at its own pace.”

“Ah, yes. You know, maybe I should treat this as if we’re courting for the first time. From the view, it looks like there are quite a few romantic places I could take her. She has always loved being out in nature.”

“That might be a good idea. Ah, and here is Major Chris Chapman,” he said as Chris handed Jason a military-issue comlink. “Settle your things then he’ll show you how to use the comlink and take you to the mainland. Get acquainted with our facilities there.” General Cavanaugh walked off and when he was out of earshot, he used his comlink to contact Kaven. “Keep a close watch over Dr. Carson, her husband is up to no good.”

“Consider it done, sir,” Kaven replied.

***

“How big is the lake this city sits on? Uh, in comparison to an Earth lake,” Jason asked Chris.

“Almost the same size as the Gulf of Mexico,” Chris said. “Better fishing though.”

“I would really like to see my wife before we continue the tour. Please, I haven’t seen her in almost two years. I need to know she’s okay.”

Chris tapped his comlink earpiece, “Chapman for Dr. Carson.”

“Carson?” Jason questioned, “she uses her maiden name?”

Chris ignored the remark and told Victoria that her husband wanted to see her. Victoria agreed but said she wasn’t leaving the infirmary.

Victoria had been fumbling with the bracelet the Supreme Commander had given her, but now it was on her wrist and she stared at the green gem in the middle of copper and leather band. It was distinctly handmade. It was all she could do to keep herself from touching the button that would signal the Supreme Commander that she needed his assistance.

Becket made sure that Victoria was firmly tucked into one of the medical beds. A couple of wires brought in for the show and between himself and Kaven they doubted Jason would attempt anything.

Kaven hopped up on the vacant bed next to Victoria’s and sat there. “Yeah, this shoulder’s been a little stiff,” Kaven said, Becket taking the queue to examine it while they watched the interaction between Victoria and Jason. Chris, though seemingly interested in Kaven’s injury, kept his eyes on Victoria and Jason.

“I’m fine. Did they get you a room?” she asked her husband.

“They did, but honey,” he said as he reached for her but she pulled back, “honey, I should be with you. I’ve missed you.” He leaned in to kiss her but she pushed him back.

“Jason, just go back to Earth. Give me my divorce. I don’t want you here. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

“I want to help you, my dear, you know that’s all I want.”

“Major Chapman, please escort Dr. McGuire out, Victoria needs her rest.” Becket returned to her side. “Victoria, love, please try to sleep. Would you like me to get you a sedative?”

Victoria shook her head and curled on her side with her back towards Jason.

Chris gave Jason a nudge and the two went to the lower level of the tower then outside to the docks where they grabbed one of the boats, and headed to the mainland. Meanwhile Becket and Kaven went with Victoria to her chambers. “Can one of you stay? I don’t want to be alone, not with him in the same galaxy.”

“I’ll be here,” Kaven said, “in that chair.”

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