E:A Vol 2 Ch 14—February 12, 2119

Chapter 14: February 12, 2119

“Ma!” came the shout as the sunlight filled the room through the iris.

Victoria bolted upright, “Ky!”

“Ma!”

She looked at her son as Zy’nayth woke and drew his daughter into his arms and used his energy to check the status of the infection.

“It is progressing rapidly,” he said softly. “Get their breakfast ready. We should get to the lab as soon as we can.”

Victoria hurried downstairs and fixed their breakfast and soon they were back in the main science lab in the Raythian homeworld capital city.

“The infection is worse,” Zy’nayth said as he looked at the two exhausted doctors. “Have you found anything?”

“We’re still working on it,” Becket said, “The final blood test running.”

“May I look at the results so far?”

“Have them loaded onto this tablet,” Becket said handing him the device, “knew you’d want to see them.”

Victoria set Ky’nayth down beside his sister in the playpen they brought down, then she went over to her workstation and downloaded a copy of the Bible onto her tablet and began searching for guides on how to study it, remembering that her grandparents were Protestants. She found more than she bargained for but downloaded just a few things to start with then she went over and fussed over her children.

Almost an hour later, Becket called for Ja’val. The Rayth went over and looked at the glass screen. “What is it?” Ja’val asked.

Becket smiled, “It’s…it’s a…a common bacterial infection in humans. It’s not usually found in the brain, well, not ever that I can recall, and never isolated to females. I just ran this to rule it out. Sir!” he exclaimed as Zy’nayth walked over, “I know you don’t want to give them antibiotics, but I think…”

“Go. Get whatever you need.”

Becket ran out of the room and down the corridor to the bridge portal. He gathered the antibiotic from Terra 2’s infirmary and headed back to the lab.

“This is a high dose injection,” he said, “I’ll follow up with some oral meds, this will just kick start the recovery.”

Zy’nayth held his daughter close as Becket gave her the injection. Mik’kenna cried then reached out for the doctor. He set his items aside and took the toddler from her father and held her close. “You’re going to be okay, Kenna,” he said as he kissed her, “you’re going to be just fine. My sweet, sweet baby girl, you’re going to be just fine.”

“Are you sure?” Zy’nayth asked, fighting his tears.

Becket nodded. “I’m sure.”

Victoria was looking at the results on Becket’s computer and then sank down into his chair. “It can’t be this simple.”

“That wasn’t simple two hundred years ago,” Becket said, “hundreds of thousands died over the time it took to find a cure.”

“But she didn’t have any of the other symptoms.”

“Could be her Rayth physiology took care of them but couldn’t fight off the infection itself. And remember, your husband is a fullblood. Which means she’s stronger than other female Rayth born, that has to count for something.”

“He may be correct,” Ja’val said, “all females born in the last few millennia have so much human DNA, their Rayth abilities are quite diminished in all regards.”

“How long before we know for sure?” Zy’nayth asked, “Sure that the antibiotic is working?”

“A day,” Becket said, “perhaps sooner since she is half Rayth.”

“Will there be any brain damage?”

“I don’t think so, sir,” Ja’val said, “from the scans, there was no dead tissue. I can run another scan now to make sure.”

“Yes, please. If she will release the good doctor long enough for it.”

Becket smiled with tears in his eyes, “You mean if I’ll let go of her.”

Zy’nayth returned his smile, “I am very thankful that you love my children as if they were your own. When you are ready to release her, please run the scan.” He walked over to his wife who was still staring at the screen, “Victoria, are you all right?”

She pointed to the screen, “Look at the results. Zy…the profile…it’s the shape of the cross, well, sort of. Okay, maybe I’m just imaging it, but maybe…Zy, I think God gave us a miracle.”

“A cross? I do not understand.”

“Jesus was crucified…He was nailed to a cross.”

“Did you download that Bible?”

“Yes. Several translations. Zy…oh Zy, He saved our baby. I know He did. I know it. I feel it.”

“I do not know about this God, but I will learn and I will do what I must to thank Him,” he smiled at her and pointed to the screen, “if you take in all of the colors, you can make out a cross. However, I think you are reading too much into it. In any case, we were given a miracle and I will learn about this God.”

She smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks, “We both will.” She took his hand and walked over and picked up Ky’nayth.

“Scan only shows the infection,” Ja’val said, “no sign of damaged tissue. And now, sir, Dr. McKenna and I both need rest, and I’m quite sure neither you nor your wife slept well last night. We can rescan her tonight, say 6:00 to see how she is doing.”

“Yes. Thank you, Ja’val. Thank you, Becket. You have no idea how thankful I am for both of you. And Ja’val, tell your wife that I am very thankful for her as well.”

“Oh yeah, I apologize for her not being here this morning. She stayed up all night to help us and was looking rather pale so I sent her back to the ship just before you and Victoria arrived.”

Zy’nayth smiled, “No need to explain. I surmised as much.”

“Give her a hug for me,” Victoria said.

“I intend on giving her lots of hugs,” Ja’val grinned.

“Becket, would you like to stay with us on the island? Ja’val, you and Lutia as well. She has not seen the island. I think she would enjoy some sunshine and a beach.” Zy’nayth said as he took his daughter in his arms.

“Oh, sir, I wouldn’t wish to impose,” Ja’val said.

“It is no imposition. You and Lutia can stay in the spare bedroom, and Becket can stay in the study, there is a pullout bed in there. Not quite as comfortable, but I would like you to be my guests.”

“I’ll need to bridge to Terra 2 and get some clothes and food, but I’d love to visit. I need a break from the daily grind,” Becket smiled, “and I want to actually have some playtime with my two favorite little ones.”

“I’m sure Lutia would love to come down as well. How long should we plan for?” Ja’val asked.

“How about a week? I will have to take off here and there to tend to business, once I am sure my daughter is out of danger, but other than that, just friends together for relaxing for a week.”

“I should probably bridge back with Becket,” Victoria said, “to get more food and baby supplies. Ja’val, just have Lutia buzz my comlink and let me know what she wants and I’ll pick some stuff up for her as well.”

“Are you leaving me alone with both children?” Zy’nayth asked with a pitiful worried expression on his face, causing everyone to erupt in laughter.

“Oh all right,” Victoria smiled, “I’ll help you get them settled, then I’ll bridge to Terra 2.”

“I cannot believe you would just throw me to the wolves like that,” he said shaking his head.

“Strongest, most powerful man in the galaxy about to be taken down by two toddlers,” Becket smiled.

“He’s really a big pushover,” Victoria said, “especially when it comes to those two toddlers.”

“Never been able to do that,” Ja’val said as they all headed to the bridge, “push him over, that is.”

“You do try. Repeatedly,” Zy’nayth said.

“Got a few good kicks in. You’re just too fast. See you soon, sir. Lutia and I will be right down.” He gave Zy’nayth a bow then stepped across the bridge portal. Becket went next then Victoria and Zy’nayth went to their island. Once the kids were in their room, playing, Victoria bridged to Terra 2 and began grabbing food and other essentials for a longer stay. She also got a call from Lutia requesting several items for herself.

***

“Now I see why you want to live here,” Lutia said looking around the small island village, “it’s so quaint and quiet. How far is the beach?”

“Less than a half-mile, that way,” she pointed.

“And that second-story bedroom! Victoria, that room just oozes relaxation. I could just lay there and stare up at the stars all night.”

“I do that when Zy’s away and I’m alone. Just so beautiful. None of the pollution of Earth blocking the view. I love it.” Victoria looked at her husband as she and Lutia walked into the house. He was dressed in his full white uniform, “No. You’re not going to work today. You need to rest. Call the Vice Chancellor, he can pass along the information.”

“I will return before their lunch is ready.”

“Zy…”

“I promise. Ja’val and Becket are here to make sure my daughter does not regress. I hate to leave her now, you know that, but I must.”

Mik’kenna toddled over to her father and raised up her hands. He picked her up and hugged and kissed her. “I will be back soon. I love you so very much, Mik’kenna.”

“Dada! Kih!”

“Kih?”

“Kiss?” Becket asked causing the girl to nod.

“Kih Dada!”

He kissed both of her cheeks, her forehead and her nose, “I love you.”

“Duv Dada.”

Victoria smiled and took her daughter as Zy’nayth smothered his son with the same affections. Then he went to the High Chancellor’s palace to deal with the High Council and the new prisoners that his men brought in overnight.

“Just eat the sandwich,” Victoria said as she handed it to Becket, “you haven’t eaten at all. Eat while I make up the bed for you.”

“I’d like to make sure Kenna doesn’t have a reaction to the antibiotic.”

“I am more than capable of watching for that, doctor,” she smiled, “eat up. Lutia’s here too. And Ja’val. All of us can watch for that.”

“At least wake me up when your husband gets home so that I can check her for myself.”

Victoria chuckled, “You’re getting as bad as him. All right, I’ll make sure you’re up for their lunch.”

Ja’val and Lutia had already retired to the guestroom and were sound asleep before Zy’nayth had even left for the palace.

And as promised, Zy’nayth was back at the island home just as Victoria was finishing up preparing lunch for the kids. She asked him to wake Becket while she finished up the burgers. Then she knocked quietly on the door and let Lutia know that she’d fixed a small lunch if she was hungry.

A few minutes later everyone sat around the firepit in the living room, Becket, Lutia, and Victoria eating their lunches while Zy’nayth fed his children. It was the first time they were given hamburgers, albeit just the meat, and both kids clapped, grabbed another chunk of meat in their hands, and clapped while they chewed.

Ja’val already looked well-rested but then Rayth didn’t require as much rest as their human counterparts like Becket who still looked exhausted. But he was glad to be able to check his niece over and make sure she wasn’t having any adverse reaction to the antibiotic.

“Ja’val and I are going to head to the beach after lunch,” Lutia said, “you guys want to join us?”

“Becket, you need sleep,” Victoria said, “and so do you, High Chancellor. So do I, for that matter.”

“Best to do as she says,” Lutia warned. “And thank you, Zy’nayth, for allowing us this little respite in your home. I love it here.”

“You are quite welcome. All of you have done so much for my family, it is the very least I could do in return.”

After they finished their lunch, Becket returned to the study and fell right to sleep. Ja’val and Lutia changed clothes and headed to the beach, and the kids were put down for their naps. Zy’nayth curled up beside his wife on their massive bed and fell asleep in her arms.

Dinner was served at 5:00, then the group returned to Ja’val’s lab and ran another scan on Mik’kenna. There was still no sign of brain damage and it appeared as if the infection was being handled by the antibiotic. Ja’val scanned Ky’nayth just to make sure the boy wasn’t suffering from anything, given all they’d been through. His scan came back clean.

They returned to the island, relief from the news filling the air. “In my ten thousand years,” Zy’nayth said as they entered the house, “no one has ever been cured of this. No one. I am stunned. Shocked.” He smiled, “But I am thankful.”