E:A Vol 2 Ch 19—August 14, 2119

John and Chris appeared in the bridge room in Central Command, weapons at the ready.

“Colonel, no need for those. Good to see you.”

“General Price, good to see you, sir,” John replied, only lowering his weapon slightly as he tapped his comlink, “Hagen here, send them over.”

Victoria, Becket, Be’atta, and Kaven all crossed over the bridge. It was Be’atta and Kaven’s first trip to Earth. As Kaven crossed over, he brought with him a hover cart that had their luggage on it.

“John, I’d be much happier if your team lowered their weapons,” General Price said.

“Sorry, sir, can’t do that. You know we’re under orders to get Dr. Carson safely to Washington. Is the shuttle ready?”

“Yes. Follow me,” Ken Price replied and let them out of the underground facility to the topside air base.

“There she is,” the general said pointing to a craft about a third of the size of a Mythican shuttle craft. “Major Green will be your pilot.”

The major saluted, “Ready when you are, sirs.”

“Won’t be necessary,” John said, returning the salute, “I’ll be flying.”

“Colonel…” General Price began but John cut him off.

“Sir,” John said, “I’m under direct orders from the President of the United States. I will fly this shuttle. If you wish to argue the matter, I suggest you call the White House.”

“Sorry, John, just trying to help. Shuttle’s yours. I’d like to send the Major along, extra security, and he can fly her back when you’re safely in Washington.”

John nodded, “I can live with that. Get on board, Major.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Didn’t mean to come off as a jerk, General,” John said, “but when you’re asked by the president…”

“No need to explain. Catch you on the return trip.”

John gave him a salute then boarded the shuttle.

The team left nothing to chance. Their weapons were always at the ready, and everyone except Becket and Victoria, proceeded as if they were infiltrating a top secret enemy base. Once they were in the hotel suite set up for them by the lawyers representing the interests of Victoria, the government, and Expedition: Andromeda, the team scanned it to make sure there were no monitoring devices or anything dangerous. Once they were assured there were no monitoring devices or worse, bombs, they finally lowered their guard.

“Victoria, if you want to nap, use the bed furthest from the window. I know you’ll be joining the High Chancellor each night, but if you do want a nap, that’s where you’ll take it.” John looked at his watch, “Lawyers should be here in twenty.”

“Nice place,” Chris said, “must be like a presidential suite or something. Huge. I wonder if Vince got a nice place like this.”

“Vince has an apartment nearby,” John said, “I think he’s cleaning it out to sell it.”

“So that’s why he came down early.”

“Yeah. He said he has no desire to live here anymore.”

“I can understand why. I don’t know how your people can live like this,” Be’atta said, “all I saw on the way here were buildings. The air is dirty. There are no trees.”

“There are some,” John said, “you just have to hunt for them.”

“Is the entire planet like this?”

“Unfortunately,” Victoria said, “but there are still places where the population is less dense. I have a little place in Montana. Most people prefer the warmer climates, so those places with colder climates, especially with brutal winters, like where my place is, are pretty sparsely populated. And, for the record, our food is now all unpacked,” she said. “Depending on what happens, we’ll need to go get some groceries since you don’t want us ordering room service.”

“Best to be safe,” John said then tapped his comlink, “We’re in the suite, you picking up our tracking signals okay?”

The First Commander, on the flagship in orbit around Earth, replied that everything was working perfectly then had John walk the perimeter of the suite so he could note it.

A knock on the door and four guns came up at the ready. Chris walked over and once he got the nod from John, he opened the door.

“Oh, well, at least I think we have the right room,” the woman said. “Glenna Dumont, this is Donald Sanders and Mark West.” She held up her ID card which Chris scanned then did a retinal scan on her. He did the same for the others.

“Everything’s in order,” Chris said with a nod to John before turning back to the three lawyers, “come on in. Sorry for the rude welcome.”

“We understand,” Glenna said.

Victoria walked over and held out her hand, “Victoria Carson,” she said, “nice to meet all of you. This is Major Chris Chapman, Dr. Becket McKenna, Colonel John Hagen, Be’atta Jollan, and Kaven Maneese.”

“I am lead counsel for our team,” Mark said “Glenna represents the interests of the president and Expedition: Andromeda, and Don is one of the best prosecutors in the country. I thought we might start the day with having lunch together and go over any questions you may have before we start the real process tomorrow. Transportation should be here in five minutes. Is there anything in particular you’d like?”

“Any good deep dish pizza joints nearby?” Chris asked.

“A man after my own heart,” Don said, “but we should let the ladies choose.”

“I’m up for a good deep dish pizza,” Victoria said. “Kaven, I think you’d like it. Might not be Be’atta’s first choice.”

“I am willing to try it. I do like pizza, I just don’t want it every day like some people,” she said as she nudged Chris.

“That stuff they serve in the mess isn’t real pizza,” John said. “We’ll show you a real pizza. Becket, you in?”

“All the way,” the doctor smiled.

The military members of the team switched into civilian clothes, but were fully armed under their jackets. The lunch crowd hadn’t yet arrived, and they were able to get a seat near the kitchen, and out of view of most of the patrons.

“So, can you give us an idea of what the next few days are going to entail?” John asked.

“Of course,” Mark said. “We’ll be spending a majority of the time preparing all of you, primarily Dr. Carson, for the trial. Your team shouldn’t have to answer too many questions. But I’m afraid that Dr. Carson will be grilled by the defense team. Especially now that Candice McGuire has been arrested in connection with spreading that horrible disease.”

“Which, if I understand correctly, you, Dr. McKenna helped to find a cure for.”

“There were several of us involved in finding a cure, including Victoria,” Becket said, “I was just the face that showed up to help.”

“Well, thanks to both of you and whoever else helped,” Mark said. “It’s going to be a hard few days. We don’t pull any punches when running you through the paces. I’ve found it best to make sure you fully comprehend just how brutal questioning can be. Dr. Carson, you will be expected to explain and describe the most painful memories you have of your relationship with Jason McGuire. We’ll do our best to limit their questions, but in all honesty, the more the jury and judge understands the hell he put you through, the better our chances of getting a harsher sentence against his family for bribing government officials and for kidnapping you.”

“Wait,” John said, “it was our understanding that there wasn’t going to be a jury…because of our…Expedition’s situation.”

“Yes, sorry. We did our best to keep it out, but the defense team won out.”

“Jason’s family wants to blow the whistle on Expedition: Andromeda,” Chris said.

“They’re going to try. We’re not going to let that happen,” Glenna said. “Not on my watch.”

“But the minute they say something…”

“Who are they going to believe, a family who has a history of violence, whose son raped and nearly killed this beautiful young doctor multiple times, or will they believe Victoria and the doctor who just saved a huge portion of our population by his heroic efforts in finding a cure to the horrible disease that was spread by a McGuire?” Mark raised a hand, “I understand you weren’t alone in finding the cure, I’m just trying to make a point. The more we can show just how evil the McGuire family is, and how their lies have been used to buy government officials, brutalize the lovely and selfless Dr. Carson, and spread a deadly disease through our nation’s Midwest, the less chance there’ll be of anyone taking anything the McGuire’s say about your Expedition seriously. It’ll be our job to make sure the jury sees that everything the McGuire’s have ever said has been a lie.”

“Victoria, are you up to this?” Becket asked as he slipped an arm around her shoulders.

“Not really. I’d rather forget everything. But I’ll get through it. I want them in prison.”

***

The day seemed to never end, but once the team was back in the hotel room, she gave everyone hugs then sent a signal to her husband to teleport her up to his ship.

She appeared in his chambers, the kids running up to greet her after almost two weeks of being apart. Zy’nayth and the flagship had set out early to make sure they arrived ahead of Victoria and the others, and in case there were any issues with the new flagship that had to be worked on out the way.

Victoria fell to her knees and wrapped the twins in her arms, smothering them with her love and affection. “I’ve missed you guys so much,” she said, “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

“Miss ooh. Duv ooh,” Ky’nayth said.

“Duv ooh!” Mik’kenna echoed.

Victoria relished their hugs and kisses and after letting herself enjoy them for several minutes, she stood and wrapped herself into her husband’s arms. “I love you, too,” she said then sighed. “Zy, I don’t know if I can get through this.”

“You will, Victoria. You will. You are strong and brave, more than you believe.”

“No I’m not.”

“You married a Rayth, that takes much bravery.”

She smiled and looked up into his eyes, “No bravery involved. Just love. Oh, sweetie, I’m so tired. I want to play with the kids and…”

“You need a good night of rest. Change into your pajamas, the kids can curl up with us. They are happy you are here. What time do you need to be back in the morning?”

“I should be there at 7:00. Just to touch base with the team in case anything comes up overnight,” she said as she grabbed her pajamas out of the dresser and went to the bathroom to change. Zy’nayth took the kids to their room to change them into their own pajamas. Then, as Victoria settled in the bed, the kids next to her, she read them a story while Zy’nayth changed and joined them.

When the story was done, Zy’nayth prayed over them, and Victoria closed her eyes. “Wake me up at 5:00,” she said.

“That is earlier than you need to be awake. Lutia can fix breakfast for the children.”

“I want to. I’ve missed my family,” she said groggily then fell asleep.

August 21, 2119

A week later, the trial began. Victoria couldn’t believe how much evidence there was against the McGuire family, and she hoped she wouldn’t have to be called as a witness. But as the week progressed, she was still being prepped to take the stand. The preparation only increased her nervousness. But when she was finally brought to the stand, she found herself calmer than expected. The lawyers walked her through her testimony, taking their time, making sure each point they wanted to make was made. When the cross-examination began, it was a brutal as the lawyers had warned her. She was accused of being a gold digger and slanderer, even mentally unstable.

Recounting the beatings and the rape; recounting being forced away from her current husband and kept in isolation; every horrific memory came out in a shattered voice and a flood of tears. By the end of her third day on the witness stand, she thought she’d rather just die than go through any more.

Back in their hotel room, she sank onto the sofa and wept. She didn’t want to go to the ship, it would upset the kids to see her so distraught. John linked up with Zy’nayth and told him what had happened that day and how upset Victoria was.

“She’s worried about upsetting the kids,” he said, “but honestly, she needs them. She needs you.”

A few minutes later, while Victoria was being comforted by Becket and Be’atta, two sets of little feet could be heard bounding down the hallway from the bedroom of the suite. “Ma! Ma!” came the little voices and Victoria let out a sigh, one of both joy and sorrow.

She went down on her knees and drew them close. “John…” she said as she gave him a stern look.

“You said you didn’t want to go to the ship, you didn’t say anything about them coming down here.”

Then she saw her husband standing and looking at her. “They wanted to help.”

“Best keep away from the window, sir,” Chris said, “don’t need anyone peeking in and seeing a Rayth.”

“That is why I am in the hallway, Christopher.”

Kaven walked over and shut the blinds, “There, now go and hug your wife,” he said. “She needs it.”

Zy’nayth walked over and pulled her up into his arms and held her close. “You are almost done.”

She shook her head, “I’m gonna have to go through this again when they bring the Oversight Committee to trial.”

“Mark said that was unlikely,” John replied, “totally different scenario.”

“Hey, you know what we should do while the kids are here?” Chris said, “Go shopping. Get them some new toys and clothes and stuff.”

Victoria shook her head, “Zy can’t go out.”

“If you would like to do this,” Zy’nayth said, “I can return to the ship and send down the stroller. I would expect John and team to keep a very close eye on my family, however.”

“We will.,” Chris said. “Come on Victoria, the kids will love it, and you need to get out and do something other than sit on the ship or sit in here.”

Zy’nayth gave his wife a loving kiss, “The Major is correct. It will help you unwind. And the children will enjoy a new experience. They have not been exposed to a city such as this.”

“Neither have Be’atta and Kaven,” Chris said, “other than the first day when we went for pizza.”

Victoria looked at her watch, it was 5:30. “Have the kids eaten?”

“No. I was waiting for you so that you could be there with them.”

“No problem,” Chris said, “we can take them out to eat.”

“Zy, are you sure?”

“Victoria, you have said, on numerous occasions, how much you wished you could bridge to Earth to buy stuff for the children, and that you cannot because of Jason’s family. You are here now, take advantage of it.”

“I think it sounds like fun,” Be’atta said.

Victoria was talked into it and as soon as Zy’nayth returned with the stroller, the group headed to a shopping center just a few blocks away. The kids were puzzled by the honking cars and the busy streets. The buzzing of shuttles overhead and the multitude of people. They craned their necks this way and that to take everything in.

“You do have your money chip, right?” Chris asked as they neared the towering mall.

“Yeah. I haven’t done this in ages, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t forgotten how to buy stuff.”

“Just making sure,” he smiled.

They entered the busy mall and Chris, by scent alone, found a fast food restaurant. “Okay, it’s not the best for the kids, but it’ll be a new experience.”

Victoria smiled, “I haven’t had this in years.” She scanned through the menu and ordered for her and her kids. Soon the group was seated around a table enjoying the food they knew they shouldn’t be eating.

“They seem to like the tacos,” John said, laughing at their expressions as they tried to get a grip on the tortillas and settling for just letting it fall open and shoving the filling into their mouths with their hands.

Chris had darted off but returned a minute later with a map of the ten-story section of the skyscraper that contained the mall. “Okay, let’s see. We want toys and kids’ clothes. We should probably find a nice little boutique for Be’atta and Victoria. Hey, sporting goods, we have to check this out.”

The sporting goods store was the closest, so the group headed there first. Becket and Be’atta stayed close to Victoria, though everyone was sure they hadn’t been followed.

“Okay, you need to get one of these for the flagship,” Chris said pointing to a basketball hoop.

“I will mention it to my husband,” she smiled, “I’m not sure he’d want it on the flagship.”

“Here’s a little one for the kids,” John said, “you need this.”

Victoria laughed, “He’ll kill me.”

“Okay, gift from Uncle John,” he smiled, “need to get them some appropriate shoes. Over here.”

Be’atta chuckled, “The men are having more fun than the twins.”

Victoria pushed the stroller over to the shoe section where Chris had already pulled out a pair of brightly colored basketball shoes for Ky’nayth. “Well, Ma, whatcha think?”

Becket laughed, “They light up. The High Chancellor will love them, I’m sure.”

“Good,” Chris grinned, “let’s try these on, little guy.”

By the time the group returned to the hotel, they were laden with new clothes for themselves and the kids, and lots of toys for the kids. Becket and Chris, with the ladies’ help, picked out earrings for Amelia and Alessa. Chris, John, and Kaven found lots of recreation equipment that they felt the beach and city needed.

The kids had their first ice cream cones and both had fun with their new experience. Victoria gathered the items together and thanked her friends for the enjoyable evening. Then she signaled her husband, warning him that she had several packages coming up with her.

When they appeared in the middle of the entry room, Zy’nayth smiled at the pile of boxes and bags. “It appears that you did a lot of shopping.”

“Okay, this,” she said patting the biggest box, “is from John for the kids. You’ll have to put it together.”

“What is it?”

“A little basketball hoop.”

Zy’nayth pulled the box aside and looked at the picture on the front. “John is obsessed with these silly games.”

Victoria laughed, “He wanted me to buy a real hoop for your ship.”

“I will have to learn more about this before I allow that. What else did you purchase?”

“No! Don’t look in that bag,” she said, “That’s a surprise.”

“We do not keep secrets from each other, Victoria. This was something you insisted upon.”

“Zy, please, don’t look.”

“Very well,” he said as she set Mik’kenna on the floor.

“Both of them are exhausted, we should put them down for the night, then I can show you everything.”

The kids were put in their cribs, prayed over, and fell right to sleep. Victoria showed her husband all of the cute little outfits, toys, and books she bought for the kids, and the few items she bought for herself, saving the secret dress for last.

“You have not worn a dress before,” he said.

“Never was a dress girl. But I saw this and well, I thought maybe you’d like to see me wear it. We could have a nice romantic evening, and I could wear this, and we could dance under the stars…but I can return it tomorrow if you don’t like it.”

“I would like to see you in it. And we will dance under the stars,” he said and gave her a tender kiss.

“I got you something too,” she said, and dug into the last package. “I hope you like it.”

Zy’nayth took the box and opened it. It was a Bible and a leather cover for it. “I thought it would be nice to have something that wasn’t on a tablet or computer screen. And they had one in the translation you prefer, so…”

“It is beautiful,” he said as tears streamed down his cheeks, “Victoria, this is so precious to me…thank you.”

“Oh sweetie,” she said as she sat beside him and wrapped her arms around his neck, “I didn’t think you’d get all emotional over it, but I’m glad I found something you liked.”

“I love it, Victoria, and I love you. We will read out of this together every day, with the children of course.” His hands ran over the paper as his eyes scanned the words. “This is the most wonderful thing anyone has ever given to me.”

Victoria kissed his cheek and wiped his tears away, “I love you, High Chancellor. I am so very thankful for you.” She gave him a tender kiss on his cheek. “And I am quite tired, so I’m going to change and curl up in this comfy bed. And you can read to me from your new Bible.”

August 25, 2119

“You look much better,” Be’atta said the following morning when Victoria appeared in the hotel room, “get lots of rest.”

“I did. Thanks for getting me out yesterday, it was fun and my husband got all choked up over the Bible I bought him. He cried and everything. He…” she began tearing up herself, “he loved it.”

“Oh honey,” Be’atta said, giving her a hug, “See, this just proves we were right in getting out of this room for a few hours.”

“Did he like the basketball set?” John asked.

“He had it assembled before I woke up. And he’s asked if you could get him some files about the game so that he can learn about it. He was also interested in learning about baseball. But he did want me to remind you that he would never play volleyball.”

John laughed, “I’ll find some videos and things for him. It would do the Rayth good to learn some sports.”

“Did he like the shoes that light up?” Chris asked.

“He hasn’t yet realized they do that,” she smiled.

“I can only imagine the look on his face when he sees that for the first time,” Kaven grinned.

Chris readied his weapon as someone knocked on the door. Victoria moved down the hallway, out of sight, then Chris answered the door.

“Shuttle is here,” Mark said, “How is Victoria?”

“Better than last night,” Chris replied, checking the hallway, “she’ll be okay.” Kaven joined him, then they gave the clear for Victoria and the others to follow.

“At least it’s Friday,” Mark said to Victoria, “no trial over the weekend. If we’re lucky, today will be your last day of questioning.”

“I hope so,” she said, then took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”

***

The day was half over, and Victoria was exhausted. More questions, more accusations, more bad memories. She’d just finished telling the jury how she’d not been allowed to say goodbye to her current husband as she was forced to return to Central Command. As one of the McGuire’s lawyers returned to his table to ready his next question, Victoria saw the doors at the back of the room open. She instinctively knew something was wrong. It was a closed trial. No one was allowed in or out during the proceedings.

Her eyes went to her left where the bailiff and John were both standing. John’s eyes were already on the door, his hand on the butt of his gun. A simple hand signal brought Kaven, Be’atta, and Chris. To attention. John was the only one in full gear. The rest were in plain clothes but Victoria saw them, scattered among the audience, shift in their seats and ready their weapons.

That was when the first bullets rang out.