E:A Vol 3 Ch 5—October 23, 2119

“Simulations are negative, sir,” Ja’val said as he ran his fingers through his white hair and let out a sigh, “Becket and I have tried everything we can think of. We can’t get the serum to work with your DNA.” Zy’nayth and Victoria were with Becket and Ja’val in the Main Science Facility, in Ja’val’s personal research lab. The area was quadruple the size of the infirmary on Terra 2, and filled with more equipment than Victoria could possibly identify. They were sitting in what would almost be considered a consultation area in the back of the area, near Ja’val’s office. She thought it wasn’t truly a consultation area, but more an area where Ja’val could unwind if need be since there wasn’t a conference table to gather around, only a few low tables, comfortable seating, and a center coffee table. It was sectioned off, as was his office, by glass walls, complete with airlock doors.

“The serum just…doesn’t work,” Becket said.

Victoria, sitting on one of the sofas with her husband, slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him, resting her head against his broad chest. “We’ll find something. Don’t give up hope,” she whispered. “Be strong.”

“However,” Becket continued, “we did find an anomaly. The serum, our third modification, works on the Vice Chancellor’s DNA. Every simulation has come back 100% positive. It will work on him. But both of you are fullbloods so there has to be something different between the two of you. He’s second generation, like you, right? Meaning, your parents were the original Rayk-Mythican hybrids. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” Zy’nayth answered.

“Then it has to be related to your superior strength and abilities. There has to be something that happened in your bloodline that didn’t happen in his. Or vice versa. Is there any chance of getting the other five fullbloods to give us samples to test? If we can narrow it down…if the serum works on all of the other fullbloods’ DNA and not yours, we know we have to look for something specific in your bloodline. Conversely, if it only works on Ny’van and not any of the others, or if it works on Ny’van plus two others…we need to figure out what’s common and what’s not.”

“I will contact them,” Zy’nayth said, “I am not sure if they would be willing submit samples, but I will do my best to convince them.”

“I’ll go with you, sir. If they say yes, I can take samples then and there before they have a chance to back out,” Ja’val said.

“I would appreciate that,” Zy’nayth nodded, still embracing his wife. The comfort of her arms around him helped keep him emotionally steady. He’d been worried the serum wouldn’t work on him, and his worry was proved correct. His emotional struggle between being a Christian, yet having to take human lives in order to live was weighing ever more on him. Worse, the thought of his children having to deal with the same issue wore on his heart.

“Are you on good terms with them?” Becket asked, bringing Zy’nayth out of his troubled thoughts. “Because if might help if we could also talk to them. If you are the strongest, in all ways, and all of you are fullbloods, second generation, perhaps by talking together we can find out why you alone are different from the others. They may remember something, or have heard something, that might trigger an idea or a road for us to explore.”

“I am on good terms with them, however, it is usually unsafe to have all of the fullbloods together in one place. But I can arrange something if you believe it is important.”

“I do,” Becket said and Ja’val concurred.

“Then I will start on this once we return to the island.”

“Meanwhile,” Becket said, “I know you don’t want to give access to your database to us, but if I could get a copy of…”

“Ja’val,” Zy’nayth interrupted, “give him full access to anything he requires that will help with this serum.”

“You sure?” Ja’val asked.

“Yes.”

“Well, that was easy,” Becket smiled.

“Long overdue,” Zy’nayth said. “In return, however, I would ask that you release all medical files, research, on as much as you can.”

“In regards to what? I mean, we have hundreds of specialists in the medical field, what are you looking for?”

“I am thinking in regards to Mik’kenna’s illness, the one you said was common on Earth. We had no record of it. I do not think you have yet realized that Rayth do not have medical doctors, we are self-healing, therefore they were not needed. When we split from the Mythicans, our ancestors did not think to pull medical research files with them. We may be technologically advanced, but not medically advanced, your knowledge of diseases far exceeds ours. We have never had the need to do that type of research, except when it came to this disease which only affected our females.

“Now, with the serum trials going well, for most of the population, we have run into another snag. The problem may not just be with me alone, perhaps it is, but if it is not, then…Becket, I need information on…” he stopped and sighed, “on everything. We have to build a medical community from the ground up. Ja’val, thankfully, is a very quick learner, even so, we rely heavily on your expertise. For us, if a child gets sick, we use our energy to heal them. If a person has cancer, our bodies eradicate it. Aside from this common Earth disease with only affected our females, we have, in the ten thousand years I have been alive, not needed medical doctors.”

“Don’t forget that Gyhan virus,” Ja’val said. “We were stumped because of our lack of medical research. Becket and Victoria both deserve most of the credit for that. Once they figured it out, sure, it was simple to create a vaccine, but as more civilizations develop and industrialize, there’s a larger possibility we may encounter more of these genetically modified strains that our systems can’t eradicate.”

“To put it simply,” Zy’nayth said, “we need to get caught up in this field. Our scientists would be of more help to you if they had a fuller understanding of things you find elementary. Does this make sense?”

“Yeah. Never really thought about you not having medical doctors. At least not having access to the Mythican files.”

“I am sure we have pulled information from their databases, but it has never been a concern for us. Perhaps a few Rayth here and there have been intrigued, but my main core of Scientists are looking for better, more efficient technology to keep our planets clean, our energy reusable, sustainable. And, of course, weapons and defense. There is some work on chemical weapons, which we do not need, since until your Expedition showed up in the galaxy, no one really posed a threat to us. That is one reason the Gyhan and traitorous Rayth rebellion did as much damage as it did at the start. I can handle a true battle, man to man, ship to ship. Chemical and biological warfare…we lack on those fronts. I do not wish to build a chemical arsenal, please understand that. I want information to help build up defenses. I need my scientists to understand how you isolate diseases, work on antibiotics or vaccines.”

“I’ll get you all of the basic info. Textbooks and such. After that, I’ll probably have to get permission from Vince. I don’t think it’ll be a problem since, basically, you can dig into our link with Earth and pull up any textbook you want.”

“But we do need some guidance as to where to start, which means your time,” Ja’val said. “Not everyone is as brilliant as I am,” he grinned.

Becket couldn’t help but chuckle. Ja’val had a mischievous streak in him, something not usually shown around other Rayth, but once in a while, around Becket, it would come out. He was funny, charming, and very witty. Becket could see how Lutia would be taken with the man. “Shouldn’t be an issue. Victoria can help as well,” he said.

Zy’nayth nodded. “Thank you, Becket. Victoria, you should bridge to the island, the children will awaken soon. Ja’val, would you like her to send Lutia here?”

“Nah, I think she has work today.”

Victoria turned back to her husband, “If you can bring anything home to work on, try to do so. I know hearing this was hard news.”

“I am fine. Disappointed, but fine. Thank you for being here, though. Your presence helped tremendously.”

“Sir,” Ja’val said as they stood to leave, “have you ever gone back through those research files that they uncovered when you and Victoria were first married? They thought they were medical files but they more of the history of how Rayth were created. Not much science in it, just a story, but still there might be clues.”

“I read through those files, yes. As I thought you did.”

“I did. I was just wondering if there were others. Perhaps if you have time to dig through the database, you might find something. I can help, of course, and Kol’non has a good eye for detail. Ny’van, I’m sure will help.”

“I will start the process. I will put together a list of key words that we found in those journal entries, then have the computer do a detailed search through all the files. It may take all four of us to go through the results.”

“Is there anything else I can do?” Victoria asked. “I can read some Raythian, but that ancient Mythican, I’m pretty lost on.”

“With your husband’s permission,” Becket said, “I’d like to take some samples from the kids, and maybe start doing it on a regular basis. I want to see when the change starts taking place.”

“It should not happen for quite a few years; puberty in most cases,” Zy’nayth said.

“You already said they were projecting telepathically long before your other son did,” Becket reminded him, “perhaps there is…

Zy’nayth lifted his hand and let out a frustrated groan, “Do what you need. I am not sure it will help.”

Victoria gave his arm a gentle tug causing him to look down into her emerald eyes, “Hey, you’re giving up on me, don’t do this.”

“I am not.”

“I hear it in your voice. Zy, I know this is tearing your soul apart. We’ve talked about this, we’ve prayed about it. I know you don’t want to take human lives, but you don’t have a choice. God knows that. And He will give us an answer. He won’t hold you accountable for something you have no control over.”

“I can control how often I feed. I do not need…”

“Zy, no. That would be starving yourself. I’m okay if you want to fast and pray, we can do that together, but doing it because you think you’ll be punished by God is wrong.”

“You cannot know the mind of God.”

“Neither can you. But we both know the love of God and He knows what you’re going through. We’ll find an answer. We’ll find a serum that will work on you. We will, Zy, we will.”

“She’s right,” Becket said, “we still have a lot of avenues to explore. We’re stuck right now, but we need to test other fullbloods, we need to look those other files, and there’s a chance that we overlooked something in one of our simulations, though I’m pretty convinced that this is tied up, somehow, to your enhanced abilities. We’ll find the answer.”

Zy’nayth nodded, “I know you will. I just wish we had it already.”

“We all do,” Victoria said, then gave him a sweet kiss, “Okay, I’m headed to the island. Please try to come home early. I love you.”

He gave her another kiss, “I will join you and help you with their breakfast. I can be late for my first meeting, it is just with Ny’van. He will understand.”

“If you guys have anything you need me to look over or do,” Victoria said as they went to the door, “send it my way.”

When they bridged to the island, Zy’nayth excused himself to talk to one of the villagers. Victoria went ahead to their home, inviting Lutia to stay for breakfast. She’d already eaten before she and Ja’val came over, so she gave Victoria a hug and headed back to the bridge portal and Terra 2.

Victoria walked into the kids’ bedroom where they were just starting to stir. Though the kids were still sleeping in their cribs, the sides were always down so they could easily get in and out. Victoria helped Ky’nayth down who was trying to rub his eyes as he backed off of his mattress. She made sure he had both feet firmly planted on the ground, then kissed the top of his head. He wasn’t really aware of her yet and just went running to the bathroom while Mik’kenna was given a morning kiss and helped out of her bed.

“You go after your brother, okay?” Victoria said.

Mik’kenna rubbed her eyes and nodded, and made her way to the bathroom while Victoria went to the kitchen.

Zy’nayth returned as Mik’kenna walked into the kitchen. The still sleepy girl gave her dad a hug and kiss as he lifted her into her high chair. Ky’nayth, now wide awake, did the same.

“Nanas?” he asked.

“Let’s have Daddy pray first,” Victoria said, as she sat and took a hand of each of her kids into her own. Zy’nayth did the same and prayed over the meal and thanked God for his family. Then he got up and watched as Victoria prepared the scrambled eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes for breakfast. Learning what he could, knowing that they would be heading to Earth soon and that he needed to be able to cook for his beloved children.

“You do not normally make this for them,” he said.

“Too much fat, but it’s a nice treat now and then,” Victoria replied and began giving him some basic instructions, “The eggs are fine, they can have as much as they want, I usually give them about a fist-sized serving…ah, my fist, yours is too big,” she smiled. “Just one slice of bacon, and about a half a fist-sized serving of potatoes. With their bananas and milk, that should be more than enough to fill them up. You can add in veggies to the eggs. Chopped green and red pepper go over well. Maybe a little onion. For the most part, they’re happy with just the plain scrambled.”

“If they want more to drink after they finish their milk, should I give them more milk, or I see you sometimes give them juice?”

“I usually give them juice unless they want milk. After that, I try to stick to water until their next meal. Unless I’ve made the juice myself. The stuff the base gets in from Earth has a lot of sugar in it. Freshly squeezed juice is fine all day. Iced tea, with just a little bit of sugar or lemon, I showed you that yesterday, right?”

“Yes. Along with the juice.”

“Water generally is fine. I fill up their sippy cups with ice, after breakfast, add water, and they’re usually set until the next meal. Though if they’re playing hard, make sure they drink plenty of water.”

She dished the food onto the plates, then Zy’nayth set them down for the kids to dig into while she fixed her own plate. “Be careful,” she said, “the food is still hot. Daddy, pray please.”

They held hands and Zy’nayth prayed. Once he finished, Ky’nayth touched his scrambled eggs, and satisfied they weren’t too hot, took a handful and shoved them into his mouth. Mik’kenna tried to use her spoon but after a couple of unsuccessful attempts, copied her brother. Neither kid was usually coordinated enough first thing in the morning to use utensils. Victoria was thankful that the food got into the mouths instead of all over their trays and floor.

“Honey, you seem pretty restless,” Victoria said, noticing he wasn’t doing his normal routine of trying to help the kids with their food, but instead, looking out of the back door, lost in thought. If you want to go on to the palace, it’s okay.”

“It is not that,” he said. “I am just worried that there will not be a serum for me and that…and that my children will not be able to take one either.”

“We have years before that even becomes an issue for them. The trial is over, the wedding is over, the war is over, so Becket and Ja’val can focus on this. Besides, I think Becket’s right, whenever we figure out how you got these special abilities of yours, I think we’ll have the key to finding a serum for you.”

“I hope you are correct.”

October 27, 2119

Victoria hurried to the door after putting the last casserole dish in the oven. Chris and Alessa had been expected. They’d only been back from their honeymoon two days, and Zy’nayth requested that they come to spend a couple of days on the island so that Alessa could familiarize herself with the Rayth of the community.

The door slid open and Victoria embraced Chris then Alessa. “Oh you two look so happy!” she said, “Come on in, Chris, you know where the guestroom is, you can put your things in there. Zy and the kids are out back. The kids have been so excited since we told them you were coming today.” She took Alessa’s hand, “I’m so glad you’re here. I’m actually glad Zy finally invited you.”

“I understand how protective he is, or has to be about the island, it’s okay. And this island, well, the little I saw of it coming from the bridge, is gorgeous.”

“I love it here,” Victoria smiled.

“Chris said he did too,” Alessa replied.

Victoria led her through the kitchen and opened the backdoor, “Guys, look who’s here.”

“Aunt Essa!” Mik’kenna exclaimed and ran up to give her a hug, her brother following in her footsteps.

“Alessa, I am glad you could make it,” Zy’nayth said as he walked over to give her a hug. “Welcome to our little home.”

“It’s beautiful,” she said after all of the hugs.

“I haven’t even shown you the second floor,” Victoria grinned, “you will love it.”

Chris came out and Ky’nayth screeched, balled his hands into little fists and ran in place, from the excitement of seeing his uncle. When Chris knelt to embrace the kids, the little boy ran up and tackled him, yelling out “Core!” but Chris, instead of falling back from the tackle, easily scooped up Ky’nayth and lifted high overhead as he laughed.

“It’s good to see you too, little big guy,” he said, “and you, Kenna, come here, Uncle Chris wants hugs and kisses.”

She clapped and did a little two step dance, so excited that she didn’t know what to do until Chris knelt down again and opened his arms. Ky’nayth ran back to his father to get his ball while Chris hugged the little girl.

While Victoria showed Alessa around the house, Zy’nayth talked with Chris as the kids wrestled with the young man. “I understand you have become pretty adept at understanding the Raythian language and some ancient Mythican” Zy’nayth said.

“Not great, but yeah, I do okay. Am I in trouble?”

Zy’nayth chuckled, “No. I need your help.”

“Anything. What’s up?”

“I do not know if Becket said anything, but their research into finding a serum that will work on me is not going well. He and Ja’val believe that whatever caused me to have stronger abilities than other Rayth may be the key. I have started going through the Mythican database, but there is much to search. While I am working through the Mythican database, would you be willing to go through some…personal Raythian files for me?”

“You bet,” he said, “anything to help out. But we do have several people on the base now who know Raythian, and probably better than I do.”

“I do not trust just anyone, Christopher, you should know this by now.”

“Well, yes, but we already have access to the files, it’s not like you’re giving us top secret info.”

“As I said, these are personal files.”

“Okay. I get it. I’d be more than happy to help. Alessa can too, she knows some Raythian. If you’re okay with that.”

“I…I would rather not. It is nothing against her, simply that some of the information is disturbing and you are already aware of it. I do not wish to put her through that.”

“Got it. No problem. So, how’s the bridge project on Earth coming?”

“Victoria just received approval from Central Command to return to Earth with you, John, Be’atta, Kaven, and your father. And Alessa, of course. She is telling them that due to the end of the conflict in this galaxy, and the fact that Jason’s family is no longer a threat to her, she wishes to return to her home and clean it up so that she may spend more time there.”

“And that’ll take all of us?”

“It is a very large piece of land that has been unattended for years,” Zy’nayth said as Victoria and Alessa walked out to join them.

“Turns out,” Victoria said, “that I own one of the largest pieces of private land in the U.S. That’s gonna make things a little harder to keep security tight because supposedly people are wanting to buy it and turn it into a bunch of skyscrapers.”

“It should not be too much of a problem, but it will require Vince to have a team ready to bridge over as soon as he receives an intruder alarm,” Zy’nayth said. “I will have a team ready as well, of course.”

“Why aren’t Becket and Lia coming?” Chris asked.

“They will, just not this first trip,” Victoria replied. “Two of the other doctors are on vacation during the next month, well, staggered vacations, so he couldn’t really take a few days off. But this isn’t something we’ll get cleaned up in one weekend, so they’re not going to miss out on any of the cleanup.”

“And what about these two warriors?” Chris said, tickling Mik’kenna’s tummy.

“They’ll travel with Zy. Neither of us want to risk taking them over the bridge at Central Command…just in case.”

“Ust case,” Mik’kenna said then giggled from another tickle.

“Understandable,” Chris replied.

“Your first trip will require you to install the security system,” Zy’nayth said, “I have already gone over this with Vince and your team. I will teleport down with the First Commander. We will work inside the barn, clearing a spot for the bridge portal to temporarily sit, and patch up any holes, just in case someone does manage to get through the perimeter. We will also set up a secondary security system within the barn.”

“Doesn’t sound too bad,” Chris said. “We’re exterior, you’re interior. Easy enough.”

“Once you get that done,” Victoria smiled, “then you guys get to start cleaning up the yard. That’ll be a lot of backbreaking work. I didn’t really do anything when I was,” she cleared her throat, “forced to live there when the O.C. kidnapped me. I should have, but just wasn’t in the mood.”

“Don’t blame you,” Chris said.

“The cleanup will be fun,” Alessa said.

Chris smiled at his bride, “I’ll remind you of that when you start complaining about every muscle hurting.”

“As long as you give me a massage, you can remind me all you want.”

“A woman after my own heart,” Victoria grinned.

“Is there anyone else we can enlist?” Chris asked.

“Ja’val, Lutia, and Vince. But they all need to remain in Andromeda for one reason or another,” Zy’nayth replied. “At least for now.”

“Have you figured out how we’re gonna dig that big hole in the ground?”

“I have a few ideas, but nothing certain yet. I will know more once I see the barn for myself.”

“So we’ll be staying on the farm or whatever,” Chris said, “do we need to pack anything in particular? Do you have enough bedrooms and stuff?”

“There are four bedrooms, a couple of pullouts, and I’ve got a couple of big sofas that even he’d fit on,” she said pointing to her husband. “I’m guessing he’ll want me to teleport up to the ship at night, so you and Alessa can have the master bedroom. Be’atta will get one room. Your dad can have a room, then John and Kaven can fight over the last room.”

“How did you end up with such a huge place? That had to have cost quite a pretty penny,” Chris said. “People don’t own land any more. At least not what it sounds like you have. A small backyard not even large enough for a hamster, that’s about it. Everything’s all skyscrapers it seems.”

“The place has been in the family for generations,” Victoria said, “well over a hundred and fifty years or more. I was the last of the line, so I inherited it.”

“Nice. I can’t wait to see it. It’ll be a nice place for us to retreat to when we need a break.”

“I hope so,” Victoria said.