E:A Vol 3 Ch 4—October 16, 2119

“May I assume that you have not mentioned the fact that I have located other bridge portals on Earth?” Zy’nayth said as he met with Vince, Becket, Victoria, Kaven, and the Alpha Team, as well as Kol’non and Ja’val. It was the middle of the month, and though Zy’nayth had wanted to talk with them about the other portals he found on Earth earlier in the month, it hadn’t been possible given his normal work schedule, Victoria’s trip to Earth, then the twins’ second birthday, and the Alpha Team’s schedule.

“Not a peep,” Vince replied. “They know nothing, unless they’ve found them and just haven’t told us. So what’s your plan?”

Ja’val took over the conversation at that point with a nod from Zy’nayth. “All of them are hidden deep underground and would require a lot of work in order to get to them. Of course, we have no way to determine if they’re even functioning, but they are pretty difficult to destroy, and in the past, we’ve uncovered many that are in the same conditions and have been able to use them. In any case, one may be easier to get to than the others,” Ja’val transferred his screen to the large monitor in the room. “I believe this area is called Alaska. The bridge portal is located here, this small island. Near it, in any case. It is on the ocean floor, under it, actually.”

“And you don’t consider that will require much work to get to?” Chris said.

“I said it would be easier to get to. In any case, it’s not buried too deep under the ocean floor, so we could teleport it out once the water is displaced.”

“The water? This is in the Pacific Ocean. That’s a lot of water,” John said.

“I can create a force field just large enough to surround where the bridge is located,” Ja’val said, “we can pump the water out of the field, then I can teleport the bridge portal out.”

“And having a Rayth battleship hovering over the Aleutians isn’t going to alarm anyone on Earth,” Chris said. “Wait, can you cloak it?”

“You have seen a battleship enter a planet’s atmosphere,” Zy’nayth said, “a cloak would not do us any good. However,” he smiled, “my ship is undergoing a few modifications in order to create this force field and disperse the water from orbit while cloaked.”

“That’s very cool,” Chris said, “so uh, once we get the bridge, what are we gonna do with it?”

“I was under the impression that moving them would mess up the bridge address,” Vince added.

“It will, but that can be reprogrammed. If you recall, when I stupidly left my beautiful wife, I changed the gate addresses to my estate and the island.”

“Ah, yeah. So where are we going to move it to?” Chris asked. “Are we going to turn it over to Central Command? Let them have a second portal? Or give it to another country? Somewhere here?”

“I have thought much about this. I have decided that it will be moved to a remote location on Earth so that we can utilize it freely,” Zy’nayth said.

“And you’d want to keep the area rather secure and away from any sort of tracking devices or our satellite imaging systems,” John said.

“I can work around those.”

“Have you picked a spot?” Vince asked.

“I have. Victoria’s home in Montana. There is a barn on the property. I can build a facility beneath the barn with a tunnel to the house. That way those around this table can bridge to Earth freely without having to go through Central Command.”

“But what will neighbors think seeing people coming out of the house that they didn’t see enter it?”

“It’s pretty remote,” Victoria said. “Neighbors can’t see the place. It’s surrounded by woods.”

“Of course, I will have plenty of security set up,” Zy’nayth said.

“Do you plan on keeping some of your men there?” Vince asked.

“No. Just electronic defenses. People will get a shock, that is all.”

“But if there’s no one there, I mean, if you don’t have a ship in orbit and we don’t have men currently there, people will get curious and start trying to figure out what’s keeping them out,” John said.

“Because we now have satellites within your galaxy leading to Andromeda, the security measures, if activated, will signal us. There will only be a few moments delay. You can send people over the bridge portal in the barn to deal with anything,” Zy’nayth replied.

“I do have a concern,” Vince said, “a rather sensitive one.”

“Rayth having access to a bridge on Earth,” Zy’nayth said, knowing the man’s concern.

“Yes. Not that I don’t trust you,” Vince replied, “but…”

“I understand. I would not want Rayth to have access to the portal. I have done my best to keep the address of the one at Central Command confidential. Only the three Rayth in this room and the Vice Chancellor will have the bridge address,” Zy’nayth said. “I give you my word that no other Rayth will have the address unless I consult with you first. That is, of course, as long as I am able to keep it a secret. If it is found out by rebels or those who would wish to gather Earth, I will, of course, change the address.”

“Good enough,” Vince said, “thank you.”

“Who all from Terra 2 is going to have access to this new bridge?” John asked. “I think we should keep things as limited as possible. Our population has dramatically increased and we’re not as familiar with everyone on this base as we used to be. And I’m guessing that Victoria doesn’t want our entire base trampling through her property.”

“I agree, let’s keep it limited,” Vince said. “Easier to control at this point, but I’ll need to think about the list. Obviously you and your team will have access. I’m not really sure I want to divulge anything about a second bridge portal any time soon. I don’t want word getting out either here or on Earth until the former Oversight Committee members are brought to trial. Let’s just keep things between us. As for the other portals, are you going to give me their locations.”

“I have just sent them to you,” Kol’non said. “But before you give that information to anyone on Earth, we would like to be informed.”

“Of course. It’s the least I can do. But if you guys say it would be difficult to get to even with your tech, I doubt if Earth could do it. So I’ll sit on this information. If something should happen in the future where, for one reason or another, we’ve lost contact with you, I may pass it along. But I’m not sure I want the sins of Earth infecting this galaxy now that we’re finally making progress with settling wars and such here.”

“I can’t blame you,” Kol’non said.

“How long do you think it’ll take to do all of this? Digging it out and doing the work on the barn?” Vince asked. “And what can we do to help?”

“We can get the bridge portal as soon as modifications have been completed on my ship—a week or two,” Zy’nayth said. “Building the underground facility and adding the security measures will take much longer. However, we can start the process immediately. At the most, it should not take longer than six months, though I am hoping to have it done in two to three.”

“Listen, I don’t feel right about having your and your men do all of the work. If you can provide me with schematics and building specs, I’d rather have my men do the hard work. This is for our benefit, not yours,” John said.

“But we don’t want people to know about the place,” Vince said.

“You realize,” Victoria smiled, “if you get this up and running in two months, we could have Christmas on Earth. But I should head there because that yard is going to need a lot of work and the house will need a thorough cleaning and…the kids have never seen snow. They’d have a blast.”

“Speaking of the twins, they’re due for their checkup,” Becket said.

Victoria sighed, “I’ll bring them by as soon as we’re done. Though I am sure they are as healthy as they can be.”

“It sounds to me like there’s not much more we can do on this end until you have plans set up for the bridge facility. High Chancellor, regarding cleaning up the house, I’ll leave that up to you and Victoria, though I can see that the Alpha Team can help,” Vince said. “Is there anything else we need to discuss?”

“Not in this meeting,” Zy’nayth said.

October 19, 2119

“Victoria, I know you want to go,” Zy’nayth said the night before Chris and Alessa’s wedding, “I can watch the children for the few hours you will be gone.”

“I can’t,” she said. “I don’t want to go without you.”

“I want you to go. To represent both of us.”

“You’re just making that up. I’m not going. I want my husband with me and he can’t go because he’s a Rayth.”

“Lutia is going even though Ja’val cannot. Be’atta is going even though Kol’non cannot.”

“Be’atta and Kol’non aren’t married; and Lutia isn’t married to the High Chancellor who should be at the wedding.”

“Victoria, you and I both know they would like to have me there. Christopher and Alessa have both told me so. I am Rayth. I cannot show up at an Earth wedding. I want you to go for both of us. Please.”

“I don’t have anything to wear,” she said as she tied Ky’nayth’s shoes.

“You have your green dress you bought while you were on Earth for the trial.”

“That’s for our special date, which I still haven’t managed to plan for us.”

“Victoria, stop making excuses. Do this for me.”

“It doesn’t feel right.”

“You will be safe. John, Be’atta, Kaven, and Christopher will all be there. Please, I want you to go.”

She sighed, “Okay. But I really wish you could be there with me.”

“I will watch the video feed that Christopher set up. Ja’val made sure the signal works. I will see everything.”

Victoria hugged her husband, “I love you.”

“And I love you. Thank you for going. I know you would regret it if you did not go.”

“Oh! I have the dress,” she said suddenly, “but I don’t have any shoes. I need to find shoes. I think Lutia wears the same size, can you watch the…”

“Go,” he smiled.

Victoria hurried to Lutia and Ja’val’s quarters. “Hi, I need a favor…got any dressy shoes I could wear to the wedding tomorrow? I have a green dress, but no shoes.”

“You’re going?” Lutia asked.

Victoria nodded. “Zy talked me into it. Well, I wanted to go, but didn’t want to go without him and he just…” she smiled, “you know him.”

“I’m so glad you’re coming, I know Chris and Alessa were pretty bummed that you weren’t.”

“Bummed?” Ja’val asked from the sofa.

“Upset…but not really mad. Downcast. I think that works,” Lutia said.

“They should have said something. Now I feel horrible,” Victoria said.

“They understood, now come on, I’ve only got three pairs of dress shoes, and I’m using one. I hope something works with your dress.”

Victoria liked both pairs of shoes and tried them on. “Perfect fit. Mind if I take them back and try them with the dress?”

“Feel free.”

Victoria went back to her quarters and Zy’nayth smiled as his wife hurried around, changing into the dress and trying on one pair of shoes, then the other, then back to the first. “Okay, which do you like best?” she asked him.

“They are both black, they both look nice. I am not much into fashion. I wear the same outfit every day.”

“These have this little flourish, and a shorter heel. But these are…” she grinned, “okay, I’ve just gone all girlie. I’ll stick with these. Easier on my feet. Can you unzip me? I need to change and take these back to Lutia.”

October 20, 2119

Becket, Amelia, Lutia, Vince, John, Be’atta, Kaven, Simon, Janice, and Victoria all bridged over the following day to attend the wedding. From Central Command, John flew them to Alessa’s parents’ home where the wedding was being held.

Roland and Vanessa Howard’s home was enormous and easily held the fifty guests. The bride and groom looked deliriously happy as they exchanged their vows and the celebration began. There wasn’t a formal dinner, just some snacks for everyone to munch on while they mingled and danced.

“When I saw you, I nearly fainted,” Chris said as he hugged Victoria, “I’m so happy you came. I wish the big guy could be here.”

“He wanted to come, you know he did,” she said then hugged Alessa.

“I know. Thank you so much for coming,” Alessa said, with a wide smile on her face.

“I haven’t seen you dance yet,” John said from behind her. “Come on, dance with me. I got stuck without a date for the event and the Best Man needs to dance with someone.”

Victoria smiled, “I’d be delighted, Colonel.”

When Victoria got home later that afternoon, Zy’nayth wrapped her into his arms and they disappeared from Terra 2.

“Well, I didn’t even get a kiss,” she said as they appeared in the hangar on his flagship.

“You will,” he smiled and led her into his personal cruiser. “Please check and make sure I brought on the correct food for you.”

“Where are the kids?”

“They are with Amelia’s parents,” he said.

“What’s going on?”

“Just make sure you have enough food for two days.”

“Zy…”

He ignored her and went up to the flight cabin. She checked the food then hurried to the cabin. “There’s plenty. Now what’s going on? Why are the kids with Pastor Jacob and Julia?”

He ignored her and told Kol’non that he was ready to depart. The flagship’s hangar shield dropped then he flew the cruiser out into space.

“Zy, is something wrong? I’m getting worried,” Victoria said.

“There is nothing amiss. Pastor will drop the children off with Becket when the doctor returns from Earth. This was planned a couple of days ago.”

Victoria sighed and sat in the co-pilot’s seat. “You know I don’t like secrets.”

“I hope you will like this one.”

She groaned and put her head in her hands and watched as the stars zipped by as they went to FTL speed. “Ky and Kenna would like to see this.”

“Yes, they would. But I could not bring them on this trip.”

After nearly an hour, the ship dropped out of FTL and Victoria sat up. “Oh Zy, look at all the stars!”

“Beautiful, is it not?”

“It’s gorgeous.”

“This is one of my favorite spots in the galaxy.”

“I can see why. Have you brought Lia and Pavel here?”

“No. Once John gets flying my old flagship down, I will inform them of this location.” He stood and took Victoria’s hand, “Come.”

She followed him to the back of the ship where their personal bedroom was located. Then he walked over to the dresser and with a scan of his palm, a hidden control panel opened. He pushed a combination of buttons causing the ceiling and walls to seemingly vanish. Stars surrounded the couple. Then soft violin music began to play.

“Our special date. I promised you a dance under the stars,” he said.

“Oh Zy,” she said, tearing up, “this is so beautiful.”

He removed his long white leather jacket then took his wife into his arms and they danced beneath the starlit sky.

“So, are you still upset about me keeping this secret?” he asked.

She frowned, “How could I be?”

“I hope you find it romantic. I am not very good at being romantic.”

“Zy’nayth, it is the most romantic thing I could have ever dreamed of. I love it.”

He leaned down and kissed her and held her close. “What would you say if I told you I am thinking about turning over command to Kol’non?”

“I’d say it was your decision.”

“Do you want me to?”

“I want you to do what you feel is right and best. I know you prefer being Supreme Commander to High Chancellor, but I also know you’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I’ll support you no matter what you choose to do.”

“I wish to spend more time with you and our children. That is more easily done if I do not have to command the fleet. But,” he sighed, “I do prefer that job. Victoria, I have been praying so much about this and I cannot see a clear path. I do not know what to do.”

“Then we keep praying. I haven’t been praying for this as much as I should have. But I will. Talk to Kol’non and Ny’van, get their opinions. Have you asked the team and Pastor to pray for you about this?”

“I have mentioned it, but I have not asked them to pray for it.”

She slipped her arms around his neck, “Then don’t make a decision right away. Get them all praying about it. Until then, you can kiss me.”

***

Victoria snuggled against her husband. “I keep waiting to hear one of the kids stirring.”

“If you would like to return home, we can.”

She yawned, “Nah. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a day or two to ourselves. So, what’s in store for tomorrow?”

“I was planning on keeping you right here,” he smiled, “in my arms. Unless, of course, you have something else in mind.”

“Can’t think of anything,” she grinned. “Other than a little sleep right now.”

October 22, 2119

“Ma! Dada!” both kids exclaimed as Zy’nayth and Victoria walked into Becket’s chambers.

Hugs and kisses were exchanged then Victoria held her son while Zy’nayth scooped his daughter up into his arms.

“I hope they were not too much trouble,” Zy’nayth said.

“None at all, though I’m worn out from trying to keep up with them. Between basketball, and baseball, and the wrestling, my muscles are going to be quite sore in the morning. On the bright side, they were out cold when we got back from the mainland last night. But then, so was I.”

Victoria chuckled, “They do tend to wear a person out.”

“Thank you, Becket, for watching them for us. It has been a long time since Victoria and I had a day to ourselves.”

“I’m always willing to watch over these little ones for you. It was fun to have them all to myself.”

“Did you have fun?” Victoria asked her son.

“Ess. We payed ball. Uncle John payed. And Miss Lia. And swimmed.”

“And did you have fun, Kenna?” she asked.

“Ess. I no swim. Scared. I ‘plashed.”

“Splashing is fun,” Victoria said.

“Sowwy I no swim,” the girl frowned.

“It’s okay, honey,” Victoria replied, “I know you prefer to have Daddy with you when you swim. But you know Uncle Becket is strong and wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know,” she said, “But I scared.”

“Well, when you learn how to swim, you won’t be as scared. But you can just splash until then.”

“I hungwee,” Ky’nayth said. “Can eat pweez?”

I hungwee. Taytoes peez,” Mik’kenna said.

“Well, we’re home, aren’t we?” Victoria smiled at her husband. “Best get these two little ones fed.”

“Taytoes?” Mik’kenna asked.

“I have to see what we have,” Victoria smiled. “You and your potatoes.”

“I lub taytoes.”