E:A Vol 2 Ch 7—October 31, 2118

“It’s good to have you back,” General Cavanaugh said as he met with the team and the three Rayth the afternoon of their return to Terra 2. “The First Commander sent me a report and I have to admit, I don’t like the idea of sending you right back out there.”

“We want to go,” John said. “You’ve seen the estimate of how big we think this place is. We need the intel. We can’t afford to not know what we might be up against here.”

“I agree with you, I just don’t like having my Alpha Team out for two months at a time, especially when we’re not letting anyone here know what’s going on. It raises a lot of questions.” He turned to Zy’nayth, “How soon do they need to redeploy?”

“We are still working a few things on our end and I need to make a reappearance on my homeworld which may calm things among the Rayth a bit.” He sighed, “Or significantly make things worse. My First Science Commander will remain here during this time to allow him to continue his work with Dr. Harris. I would say two weeks at the earliest, one month at the latest.”

“Will Victoria be rejoining you on your trip home?”

“No. She will remain here.”

“All right. Let’s go over the plan of action. John, it’s all yours.”

***

Victoria and her kids along with Lutia entered the infirmary. Janice saw them and ran over, giving both women hugs. “Are you two okay?”

“We’re both fine,” Lutia smiled. “Having other humans on the ship to talk to makes things so much easier. Though it may have been kinda hard on the others. They were confined to quarters when not in meetings or sparring with the High Chancellor and First Commander. Simon got more of break since he got to work with my husband in his lab.”

“Considering the other three prefer to be outdoors, I can only imagine how much they hated being confined.”

“Well it’s about time you two showed up for work,” Becket Scottish accent filled the area, “I’ve been waiting weeks.” He gave them each hugs then showered attention on who he considered his niece and nephew. “So they’re toddling around?”

“Yup. A little unsteady yet, but doing pretty well. I’ve got pictures and video,” Victoria smiled. “And you know he wants them checked over. Full set of scans, the works.”

“Of course he does,” Becket smiled and carried Ky’nayth over to the nearest open bed, “okay buddy, let’s get this over with so you go and visit everyone else.”

“I need to finish rounds,” Janice said, “afternoon meds and all that. Good to see both of you.”

“Hey, I’ll come help,” Lutia replied, “I need something to do while my husband is in that meeting.”

“So, Dr. McKenna,” Victoria said, “how have you been?”

“Busy,” he said as he checked over the baby boy, “but the simulations came back last night. 100% success.”

“Really?! Oh Becket, that’s amazing!”

“It is if the First Science Commander can duplicate it. And if we can get a live volunteer to test it.”

“Just one?”

“Well, I’ll leave that up to the Science Commander. Obviously I’d want to do hundreds of trials, but that’s not up to me. And we still don’t know if they’ll be able to regenerate once their digestive systems start working again.”

“But you think their feeding hands will still work, right?”

“I think so, yes. But this is where he needs to test it. They still haven’t given us all of their physiological data, but going off of what he and I have talked about, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

***

Zy’nayth, Kol’non, and Ja’val went to the medical research lab after the long meeting with Vince and his team. Ja’val immediately began going over Becket’s simulations and downloading the data onto his own computer tablet.

“This could have implications on your return to the homeworld,” Kol’non said. “Perhaps we should postpone your arrival.”

“No. I have been away far too long. Science, the minute you get your simulation results, I want to be informed.”

“Of course, sir.”

“We will leave at 9:00 in the morning. Will that give you time, Commander, to do what you need on the mainland?”

“Yes. I just have a few questions for Dr. Wells.”

“Very well. Should you wish to leave earlier, or later, let me know. Victoria, I would like to go to our chambers and collapse. It has been a long day. A long couple of months.”

“Well if you hadn’t stayed up all night going over those plans for the millionth time, you could have slept,” she smiled.

“Perhaps, but I needed to make sure our plans were solid.”

“For the millionth time,” she smiled, turned the stroller and headed out of the lab.

“I too wish to retire,” Kol’non said. “I will not bother you tomorrow, Science Commander, I suspect you will be up all night.”

“Yes, yes. Thanks.”

Kol’non left the lab and decided to stay in the quarters that he had been provided on his first trip to Terra 2. He had to admit they were far more comfortable than the rather plain quarters on the flagship.

“Commander, you’re staying here?” Be’atta asked, coming up behind him with her almost empty pack in hand. She had just returned non-personal weapons and ammo to the armory.

“Yes. I rather enjoy the comforts of these chambers,” he said and took the light pack from her, “Allow me.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said then went a few doors down and opened the door to her own chambers. He walked in and set the pack where she pointed then asked her to shut her door. With a tap of a button, the outer door shut. “What is it?” she asked.

“I just wanted to say that I admire you very much and that…I will miss you being aboard the ship.” He walked over and brought his hand up to her cheek and allowed himself to caress the light brown skin as he looked into her soft brown eyes, “You are a very beautiful woman. Strong.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

He leaned in to kiss her but she backed away. He wasn’t deterred and continued his pursuit, cornering her but he didn’t attempt to kiss her.

“I have taken hundreds of women to my bed,” he said.

“That doesn’t impress me,” she replied, “it does the opposite. Perhaps you should leave now.”

“I only sought my own pleasure with them.”

“Commander,” she said, trying to push him away but he was much too strong, “please go.”

“From the moment I first saw you, I wanted you.”

“This isn’t going well for you.”

His hand came up to her throat and she felt her fear rising. The strength and power in his long fingers were undeniable, and she knew if she even attempted a scream, he could snap her neck instantly. But he pulled away, sensing her spike in fear.

“I would never harm you, Be’atta. I want only to please you, not myself, not anymore. I sense much sorrow in your heart. My people destroyed your village, took many of your loved ones. I am truly sorry for that. I can’t make up for what they did, I can only offer an apology.” He took another step back. “Please allow me to try and remove some of your sorrow and pain, I would love to bring joy into your life. I’m not a good man, not like the High Chancellor, and I wish my past was something I could be proud of, but it’s not. If I could bring just a little bit of joy into your life, I would die knowing that my life had meaning—that there was a purpose to it all. I would consider it a great honor if you would allow me to become your friend, and perhaps someday, should the winds blow in my favor, more.”

Be’atta’s tension had dissipated and she found herself taken aback by his sincerity. “I believe you have spoken from your heart, Commander.”

“I have tried,” he said. “There’s much I want to say, but I don’t have the words. I’m not an eloquent man.”

Be’atta gave him a warm smile, “It’s not the eloquence that I care about, it’s the heart. Now please hear mine.”

He motioned for her to sit. She did so, but he remained standing.

“First, it’s not for you to apologize for what your people did to mine,” Be’atta stated. “You weren’t there, it wasn’t your fault, but I appreciate and accept your apology. Second, yes, I would enjoy becoming your friend, just don’t corner me like that. I know I can’t hurt you and I certainly don’t like feeling threatened like that.

“Now Commander, please know that because of what happened to my people, I don’t think I could ever become more than a friend to any Rayth. You were right, there’s still much sorrow and pain in my heart. My family was taken from me. My betrothed was taken.” Suddenly, four years of pain came flooding forth, “I loved him very much. Not a day goes by that I don’t wish I was the one taken instead of him. He was everything to me.”

Kol’non finally sat and let out a sigh, “Until this moment I don’t think I realized how painful and horrific to your kind our gatherings were. It’s suddenly become quite personal to me. Be’atta, I knew that what the High Chancellor was doing—trying to find an alternate food source—was right for my people, but I was skeptical for centuries. In the last year and a half, I truly knew it was right. But now, it’s in my heart to set right what’s been wrong for far too long.”

They talked for a while then the First Commander got up to leave, knowing it was quite late for her. “I hope you sleep well, Be’atta. I didn’t mean to stir up such painful memories for you. And I didn’t wish for you to feel threatened. I…I have much to learn. Again, I am sorry about bringing up the painful past.”

“Painful, yes, but I’m making a new friend. Thank you for that.”

He gave her a slight bow, “It’s my honor. Will I see you tomorrow when we leave?”

“I’ll be there,” she said.

“If I am unable to contact you before your team heads back to Vaan, please keep yourself safe. I would very much like to continue this new friendship.”

“I’ll do my best,” she said. “And you be safe too.” She gave him a quick hug then said goodnight.