E:A Vol 3 Ch 10—November 18, 2119

“David, you did far too much,” Victoria said as she returned to her Montana home for the first time since they started the big tunnel-digging, barn-cleaning project. “The yard looks fantastic. I love it!”

“Least I could do,” he said as he put the last of the puppies in the pen he built. The seven brothers and sisters ran around the huge enclosure and examined all the new toys. “I got an area marked off to put a sandbox in next spring, if you’re okay with that.”

“Certainly.”

“What a sandbox?” Ky’nayth asked. David explained, comparing it to the beach. Both kids thought it was a good idea.

“Tank ooh for puppy pen,” Mik’kenna said.

“You two are very welcome,” David smiled as the kids examined the pen he made for the dogs.

“Well,” John said, “what’s the plan for the day?”

“Have all of you had a chance to look over the schematics?” Kol’non asked. Everyone said they had.

“First thing,” Ja’val said, “is to get the power hooked up to the bridge portal. We’ve got plenty to last for quite some time, but I want at least some temporary power source connected to it. As with the perimeter array, we’ll just tap into the house’s electrical grid for now. Once we have the subterranean room ready, I’ll put in a proper power supply.”

“Okay, Kol’non, where do you want us to start?” Chris asked.

“First, a surprise,” the First Commander said, “make sure everyone and everything is away from the barn.”

“I’ll do a quick check,” Chris said and ran across the yard, Kaven following, then both men confirmed there was no one, nor any animals in or around the barn.

“Second Commander,” Kol’non said over his comlink, “we’re good to teleport.”

A few seconds later, around the current barn, a new one appeared. Though made out of the material benachti, it had been designed and “painted” to look exactly like Victoria’s current barn. Four extra feet was added to each side giving them more room to work with.

“Wow, you had that on your ship?” Kaven said.

“It’s just a shell,” Kol’non said. “There’s no interior loft or floor, but we can put in the floor once the old barn is demolished and the power source is in place. My thought is to have Chris and Becket work on the electrical system with Ja’val. It will require some steady hands, that’s why I suggested Dr. McKenna. The ladies may do whatever they wish. And I am guessing that David has a list he wishes to tend to. I know the children will need to be tended to and that Victoria was planning a big feast for everyone. The rest of us can start tearing down the old barn.”

“I’d like to stay with the kids,” Alessa said, “we’ve been working on some puppy training. Though it’s a bit chilly out here. We may have to keep our outside training short.”

“I’ll start working on the big lunch,” Victoria smiled.

“I’ll help my husband,” Lutia said, “I’ve got pretty steady hands, too.”

Amelia and Be’atta volunteered to help Victoria in the kitchen while the men went off to the barn and began to demolish it.

When it was almost noon, Victoria called for everyone to return to the house. The dining room wasn’t large enough for the extended family, so she used it as the buffet table and told everyone to fix their plates and sit in the living room to eat. David had set up a card table and chairs that he’d found in the basement.

“How’s everyone doing on their projects?” Victoria asked.

“We’re about ready to drag cables to the barn,” Chris said, “should be done shortly after lunch then we can help tear things down.”

“I’m gonna start a big fire after lunch,” John said, “start burning that old wood. We’ve got a good chunk of the roof off already.”

“Too windy for a fire,” David said. “Things are also too dry. Don’t want to burn the estate down.”

“No need for a fire,” Zy’nayth said, “we can teleport it up to the flagship and disintegrate it. But we will have to carry the debris outside so that there is less chance of teleporting up something we do not wish to.”

“I can do that,” John said, “you guys are ripping that thing to shreds, I’ll let you three keep going.”

Ky’nayth, sitting on his father’s lap since Zy’nayth wasn’t eating, suddenly sat up straight. “Daddy…”

“What son?”

“Sir, we have a perimeter alert,” Ja’val said before the boy could answer. His tablet let out a beep and lit up.

“You three,” John said to the Rayth, “take the kids upstairs.”

“Daddy, dey angwee,” Ky’nayth said.

“I sense it, son. Come up with me.”

Ja’val grabbed the children’s plates while Zy’nayth and Kol’non carried the kids up to the master bedroom. A couple of minutes later, Victoria’s door chime sounded.

“Remember the story?” John asked.

“Yup,” she replied and hurried in to answer the door. “Didn’t think anyone was supposed to get through.”

“Had to take that down,” Chris said, “to connect the…”

Victoria opened the door. “Can I help you?” she asked.

“Dr. Carson,” said a woman that Victoria immediately recognized as one of the former members of the Expedition: Andromeda Oversight Committee.

“What do you want?”

The woman pointed to the other two of her associates, also former members of the Oversight Committee, “We’re wondering how you got on Earth. You didn’t come through the bridge at Central Command.”

“You’re right, I didn’t. And you’re not supposed to have contact with anyone in Central Command, so how did you know I didn’t come over the bridge? As a matter of fact, how did you know I was here in this house?”

“We have our sources,” one of the men said, “now, how did you get here?”

“Ask your sources. Meanwhile, I’m going to finish my lunch. You may leave now.”

She went to shut the door but the second man’s hand stopped it. “We have some unfinished business, Dr. Carson.”

John and Chris, both hidden from view, guns ready, were getting ready to step forward when they saw Zy’nayth appear behind the unwanted visitors.

“I believe I told you that if you ever interfered in our lives again, you would lose more than a few years of your lives,” the gruff, deep voice said.

The three of them turned around and stood in shock. “How…how did you…”

“I believe last time I saw you, I had just teleported you to the bridge of my ship. Or did you forget that? I have a ship. I have the ability to teleport. You should have remembered that before coming here.”

“You’re not supposed to be here,” the woman said, inching away.

“Excuse me? This is my wife’s house. I was invited. As were my friends,” he said as Kol’non and Ja’val came walking up. “You were not. I suggest you leave.”

“You are not welcome on our planet,” the first man said.

“I am welcome in my wife’s home. You are not. I suggest you leave before I make good on my threat to kill you.”

“You wouldn’t dare. The entire military force of the world would…”

Zy’nayth’s hand came up and snapped onto the man’s chest and thrust him against the wall. “They would not stand a chance against me or my flagship. My wife does not like violence, so it is only out of respect for her that I will give you one final chance. Leave now or you will die here and now. Your military can try to avenge your deaths but they will accomplish nothing and you will still be dead.”

“Let’s go,” the woman said, “I’ve already lost about five years from these…Rayth…things. It’s not worth my life.”

The three Oversight Committee members quickly loaded into their personal shuttle, muttering insults the entire time, then left.

Zy’nayth turned to Ja’val, “As soon as you are finished with lunch, the perimeter array needs to be brought back online.”

“Planning on it, sir.”

Kol’non hit his comlink, “Did you get a good lock? I want to know any communications from those on board that cruiser.” He paused and listened. “Good work. Alert me or the High Chancellor if anyone approaches. The array is down for about thirty minutes or so. Out.”

“Thank you,” Zy’nayth said to his First Commander.

“How’d you get down here?” Chris asked.

“Jumped out of the window,” Ja’val smiled. “We’re very nimble.”

“The kids!” Victoria said.

“They are sitting on the bed eating their lunch,” Zy’nayth said, “we shall get them and return to the living room.”

Once everyone was again together and eating, talk quickly returned to the work at hand.

“I would like to change the sleeping arrangements for this evening,” Zy’nayth said as they finished up their meal. “Due to our unwanted guests this afternoon, I think it would be much safer for everyone to sleep on board the flagship.”

“Sir, the perimeter array will be finished a half hour after we finish eating,” Ja’val spoke up, “an hour at most.”

“And we are tracking our visitors, and monitoring the house,” Kol’non said, “we’ll know well in advance if intruders should decide to approach the estate.”

“Besides,” Chris said, “we were all looking forward to camping out. The big adventure for the kids. It’ll be chilly, but we have warm tents and sleeping bags.”

“Sir,” Kol’non said, “our ship will watch over the area. The perimeter array will be back online, John’s team, and the three of us will be here. I think we can handle anything those three humans would throw at us.”

“I am more concerned if word gets out about Rayth being on the planet,” Zy’nayth said.

“We will know if that happens,” Kol’non said, “our ship is monitoring their communications.”

“Besides, we have the president on our side,” John said.

“I do not wish to put him in an awkward position.”

“Honey,” Victoria finally spoke up as she began to stack up the dishes, “I think we’ll be quite all right. The kids are really looking forward to their first little camping trip. And the only reason this happened today was because the perimeter array had been shut down.”

“She’s right,” Ja’val said. “And besides, that little boy of yours knew someone hostile was coming.”

Zy’nayth hugged his son and kissed the top of his head, “I love you, Ky’nayth.” Then he leaned over and kissed his daughter who was sitting on Kol’non’s lap finishing her lunch, “I love you too, Mik’kenna.”

Both kids returned his affection then finished their food.

“If you guys are done,” Victoria said, “why don’t you take the puppies for walks? Have them get used to the yard and show them the boundaries.”

“I do not wish them to go wandering off alone,” Zy’nayth said.

“You and Kol’non can go with them,” she said, “give you a chance to check the perimeter for yourselves while Ja’val and his group do what they need to do to get it back online. Of course, it means the two of you will need to walk five of the puppies. I don’t think the kids can handle more than one apiece.”

“I’d be happy to help them,” Be’atta said, “if you don’t mind having one less hand to help with the dishes.”

Victoria smiled, “You go on. This is why I have a dishwasher.”

“John, Kaven, would you two mind helping Ja’val while we check the perimeter? It would mean getting that set up much faster,” Zy’nayth asked.

“Sure thing,” Kaven said. “Though we could also walk the perimeter in the opposite direction.”

Zy’nayth thought about it for a moment but shook his head, “No. Help Ja’val.”

David helped get the puppies all leashed up while Victoria bundled the twins. It was still an unseasonably warm mid-November, being 60 degrees, but there was a chill in the air. She made sure they had their jackets zipped and their baseball caps on. Then the two Rayth commanders, Be’atta, and the two children, along with seven puppies headed out on their long walk.

“I am concerned,” Zy’nayth said as they walked to the edge of the property, “about how they knew of Victoria’s arrival. If they had been watching from the sky, they should have seen the rest of us if they saw her, yet they showed no sign of knowing John, Becket, or any of the others were here, and their reaction to me meant they had no idea I was here.”

“Not too close to that barrier,” Be’atta said as Ky’nayth and Baxter neared the border.

“Oh,” Ky’nayth said, “I see. Tank ooh.”

Celeste walked up and sniffed the very edge then returned to Mik’kenna and barked. Mik’kenna bent over and pet her puppy, “Good girl.”

Each of the dogs followed suit and got praises from all five members of the group.

“Is there any way they could be tracking her?” Kol’non asked. “Has she been scanned since her last trip here on Earth?”

“I do not think she has. But how could they have placed a tracking device on her?”

“You said they knew she didn’t come through Central Command,” Kol’non said, “so they have someone inside C.C. Perhaps when she bridged in last time, they were able to attach something to her.”

“We were with her,” Be’atta said, “one of us would have noticed something like that.”

“Perhaps in a handshake,” Zy’nayth said, “something could have been transferred.”

“Or a pat on the back.”

Be’atta nodded, “That could have happened. But I don’t think she shook hands or anything with anyone.” She replayed them crossing over. John shook hands with General Ken Price, who motioned them on out. Everyone else either saluted or nodded. She was fairly certain no one touched Victoria.

Zy’nayth tapped his comlink, “Ja’val, we believe that Victoria may have had a tracking device put on her. When you are finished with the perimeter, let me know. We will teleport up to the ship and run a scan.”

“Will do. But I can do it now, if you’d like. We’ve just started working so it’s not like this is interrupting anything at this point.”

“I would appreciate it. Take Dr. McKenna with you, please.”

“Understood.”

Ja’val told his team that he and Becket needed to teleport up to the ship to run a scan on Victoria. “Chris, David, you guys can continue where we left off, we shouldn’t be more than a few minutes,” he said.

They found Victoria stacking up the rest of the dirty dishes in the kitchen. Amelia and Alessa were helping.

“Your husband would like us to take you up to the ship to run a scan,” Ja’val said, “he believes you may have a tracking device on you.”

She nodded. “Can you guys finish up here?”

“Sure thing,” Amelia said.

“We’ll only be a few minutes,” Ja’val replied, “keep some dishes for her.” He smiled and drew her aside then the three of them teleported directly to Ja’val’s lab on the flagship.

“Just pop up there,” Ja’val pointed to the table, “it’s a little different from what you have in Terra 2.” He tapped his comlink, “Sir, if you have your computer with you, I can live feed the scan to you.”

“One moment,” Zy’nayth said as he sat down on the ground, the puppies all gathering around, thinking it was playtime. “Children, can you play with them so that I can watch this scan?”

The kids sat down, as did Be’atta and Kol’non, and began tickling and playing with the dogs.

“I am ready,” Zy’nayth said.

“Starting with her feet,” Ja’val said.

Becket sat at a second monitor and watched as the scan was performed. “I’m not seeing anything,” Ja’val said after the first pass, “going for a second pass. Increasing resolution.”

“I don’t our military have any type of transmitter that wouldn’t show up on your first pass,” Becket said as he went back through the rendering. “Wait, right shoulder. You guys see that?”

“Yes,” Zy’nayth said.

“Rescanning shoulder,” Ja’val said. After a couple of minutes, “Definitely Earth tech. Not too deep.”

“Should be able to get it out with just a local anesthetic,” Becket said. “I assume he wants us to take it out.” Ja’val asked Zy’nayth who confirmed it should come out.

Once the tracking device was removed, Ja’val had the Second Science Commander start analyzing it, then he, Becket, and Victoria returned to Earth.

“Any idea on how it got inside her?” Zy’nayth continued his conversation with Ja’val, linking in Becket to it, as he and the others continued their walk around the perimeter.

“Small enough to feel like a mosquito bite,” Becket said, “might have been a simple touch on her shoulder. Could have been anyone. Even the vet when they took the puppies in to be checked. It didn’t have to happen at Central Command.”

“I did not think about that. They did leave the estate,” Zy’nayth sighed.

“The Second Science Commander will find out more,” Ja’val said over his comlink.

“Thank you, Ja’val. And Becket.”

“Tank ooh!” Ky’nayth shouted so they could hear him through his father’s comlink.

Mik’kenna had moved on ahead, Celeste exploring every inch they covered. Her leash was always slack. She was always leisurely when she was walked on her leash, unlike her brother, Baxter, who wanted to go this way then that, and was constantly tugging and pulling Ky’nayth around.

After several quiet minutes, Mik’kenna walked back to her father, her arms raised up to him. “Daddy, I tired,” she said. “Wegs hurd.”

“I’ll take Celeste’s leash,” Be’atta said as Zy’nayth picked up his daughter.

“It is a long walk,” Zy’nayth said, “Ky’nayth, are you tired?”

“Ess,” the boy replied.

“How far around the perimeter are we?” Zy’nayth asked as he picked up his son, each kid propped on a hip. Be’atta took Baxter’s leash.

“Halfway,” Kol’non asked, “next station right over there,” he pointed. “I can carry one of the kids if you’d like.”

“I can handle them,” Zy’nayth smiled. “They are just tiny little things. We will check the next station then take the children back to the house. I think they, and the pups, are due for naps.”

When the trio came walking up to the house, Victoria, Amelia, and Alessa went running up to take the kids and the puppies.

“I sweepy,” Mik’kenna said.

“It looks like it,” Victoria said as she carried her daughter up to the master bedroom. “You and your brother go to the bathroom first,” she said, “I’ll have the bed all ready for you.”

Once the kids were in the bed, they both fell right to sleep. Zy’nayth put a hand on his wife’s chest. “I’m sure Ja’val did a fine job healing me,” she said softly.

“You know I must always check,” he said, “and yes, he did a perfect job.” He gave her a kiss, “We are going to finish checking the perimeter. It should not take long since we do not have to slow our pace for the little ones.”

“Did they enjoy the walk?” she asked as they walked downstairs.

“I believe they enjoyed the exploration. They and the pups are curious about everything.”

“Good,” she smiled, “one more kiss before you head back out there.”

Zy’nayth wrapped his arms around her and drew her into a passionate kiss. “Keep your comlink on in case those people show up again.”

“It’s on,” she gave him a quick kiss, “I love you. Now go make sure this house is safe.”

He gave her a bow, “Yes, ma’am.”

After Zy’nayth and Kol’non finished checking the perimeter, they returned to the barn where John and Kaven were tearing down the old barn.

“John,” Zy’nayth asked, “could you contact Mark West?”

“The lawyer? Yeah, why?”

“Since he already knows about Rayth, perhaps he could do something about today’s unwanted visitors.”

John worked his way down from the roof and went to Victoria’s house and called the lawyer. He told him what had happened, and that they had found a tracking device on Victoria.”

“It’s not exactly something we can call the police about,” John said to Mark. “The Rayth are tracking the three that showed up here, and hopefully they can find out where the tracking device came from. Any suggestions as to what we can do?”

“You said that they’re working on a security fence around the estate?”

“Yeah.”

“Could they add cameras to it? If we had proof that they’re trespassing onto her private land, we could do something. Meanwhile, I can serve up a restraining order. Get some ‘no trespassing’ signs up. Just for protocol.”

“Anything you can arrest them for?”

Mark sighed, “I’d love to, but we’re still gathering evidence against them and putting our case together. This intrusion on her privacy will help with the case, even more so if we can get images. In the meantime, I can start looking into personnel at Central Command and see who might be helping them out. Is General Price or Cavanaugh going to look into it as well?”

“Might not be a good idea to get the military involved. Could spook someone. But I’ll talk it over with Vince.”

“Good. Let me do some legwork. How can I get in touch with you?”

“Do you know how to reach General Cavanaugh?”

“Yeah.”

“Just go through him. Probably easiest,” he said then also gave him the number for Victoria’s house and his own personal comlink. “Not sure how long we’ll be on Earth, a day or two, maybe longer, and I’m not sure if we can contact Earth if we’re not on the planet…anyway, yeah, you can try me, but Vince might be a lot easier. His line is tied into Earth’s.”

“Got it. Let Victoria know that I’ll do all I can,” Mark said.

“Appreciate it.”

John returned to the barn and let Zy’nayth know what had transpired. The Rayth contacted Ja’val and asked if the array was capable of taking images.

“Already part of the programming,” Ja’val answered. “When the perimeter is working, anything that triggers the field automatically causes it to start imaging the area.”

“Good man,” Zy’nayth said, “thank you.”

After Ja’val and his team had all of the electrical connected between the bridge and perimeter array, the men went to the barn to help with the demolition. But Zy’nayth called the work to a halt.

“We need to set up the tents for those who will be camping outside tonight,” he said. “You have all done a great job today. I appreciate you doing this for Victoria.”

“Hey, we’re doing it for ourselves too,” John said. “It’ll be nice to come here if we need a break, and we won’t have to go through Central Command. I think we owe you for getting the portal and setting up all of this security. Actually, we owe you for a lot more than that.”

“We shall call it even,” Zy’nayth said as they walked back to the house.

The kids were playing with puppies, romping around in their new pen. The ladies were all sitting in lounge chairs sipping on tea and chatting.

“Oh!” Victoria exclaimed as the men walked up, “I wasn’t expecting to start dinner for another hour or so.”

“That’s fine,” Chris said, “we’re gonna set up the tents. Could use more tea, though.”

“Some left in that pitcher,” Amelia pointed to the picnic table, “I’ll go get the other one out of the fridge and make up another batch. Or would you prefer hot tea?”

“Iced. We’ve been working hard.”

“Uh, can you wait a minute?” Alessa asked as she walked up to her husband. “Just one quick thing.” She clutched Chris’ hand, “You tell ‘em.”

Chris beamed, “Been wanting to for a couple of days, but we wanted to wait to have everyone altogether. Guys, we’re expecting!”

“Grats,” John said and shook his best friend’s hand then pointed to Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna, “now those two will have someone to play with.”

Hugs were shared then Alessa told them she still had just over eight months to go. Then she looked at Becket, “Thanks for keeping the secret,” she said.

He smiled and nodded, “Part of the job, though it’s hard when it’s such good news.”

“Perhaps you should sleep inside,” Zy’nayth said, “instead of out here in the tents.”

“I’ll be fine, I already checked with Doc. Chris will keep me all comfy and warm.”

Everyone began to put their tents up. Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna became fascinated with the process and tried to help, but ended up watching and clapping as each tent was finished. Sleeping bags and lanterns were already piled up on the patio and soon the tents were furnished.

“Sweep in here?” Ky’nayth asked as he and his sister explored the tent.

“Yup,” Victoria said. “Do you like it?”

Ky’nayth nodded then asked if Baxter and Celeste would sleep in the tent with them.

“They’ll be in the pen right outside,” she replied.

“What if day get scared?” Mik’kenna asked. “No used to owwside.”

“They have their brothers and sisters with them, and we’ll be right here,” Victoria replied. “Would you rather sleep in the house?”

Mik’kenna shook her head. “I camp.”

“Good for you,” Victoria said, “but if either of you want to go inside, just wake me or Daddy up and we’ll take you inside.” She left the tent and told the men to rest up in the lounge chairs. “If you guys are starting to get hungry, I can start dinner.”

“Food is always good,” Chris said, “I’m eating for two now, you know.”

Alessa elbowed him, “You’re so silly.”

“What’s for dinner?” John asked.

“Steak, wilted lettuce, grilled potatoes, corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes. Alessa and I raided the mainland farm, got all kinds of fresh veggies and fruit. It’s gonna be delicious.”

“Get going! I’m starting to drool.”

As promised, the dinner was delicious, and everyone simply relaxed and joked around and enjoyed the evening. As night fell, Victoria brought out the fixings to make s’mores. Everyone, especially the kids, loved the treat.

“You know the one thing this place lacks is a swimming pool,” said Becket.

“Hmm, I’ll look into that next spring,” Victoria said. “I was never here enough to justify putting one in.”

“We could probably all chip in for one,” Chris said.

Victoria shook her head, “Nah. I have the money. Like I said, I just wasn’t here enough to put one in.” She looked at her watch, “Kids, I think it’s time to take the Baxter and Celeste for their walk.”

Both kids ran over to the pen and took the leashes down from the little hooks that David had put next to the gate. The other five guardians each got their leashes and the entire group walked the dogs. When they were finished, Kol’non said goodnight and returned to the flagship.

“I was hoping he’d stay down here,” Victoria said to Be’atta as they began to clean up the dinner dishes.

“He didn’t want to leave the Second alone in charge on the ship overnight,” Be’atta answered, “in case something happens. He knew Zy’nayth would stay down here with you.”

“So have you made up your mind about your relationship with him?”

Be’atta sighed. “I still don’t know. Do you have any regrets about having a Rayth as your significant other?”

“Not a single one, but I know your situation is different.”

“Victoria, I like him a lot. I really do. But my people…they don’t approve. We’ve all lost so many loved ones to the Rayth. I know Kol’non had nothing to do with that, but my people don’t trust any Rayth. Not even after I’ve told them what your husband has done for Terra 2. So if I…if I choose to allow this relationship to go further, my people won’t understand. I’ll no longer be welcomed in the village. It took a long time for them to accept that I was working with your husband, and even with all he’s done to keep Rayth away from my village and saving Jo’han, if he were to step foot in the village, they’d try to kill him.”

Victoria hugged Be’atta, “Oh Be’atta, I’m so sorry this is so difficult for you.”

Be’atta began to cry and sat in one of the kitchen chairs. “I guess I do love him,” she said, “but I can’t go against my people. I don’t know what to do.”

“Have you told him all of this?”

“Not the love part, but everything else, yes.”

“Does he understand?”

Be’atta nodded.

“Have you talked to the village leaders?”

There was a sigh. “Not in detail, just general terms. I’ve said things about the serum trials going well and that it would be nice to make peace with some of the Rayth I’ve met. That didn’t go over so well.”

“Maybe you should be up front with them. It’s not like you haven’t gone through what they have. You lost many loved ones, too.”

“And that’s the only reason they finally accepted that I’ve been working with Zy. I really don’t think they’d accept a relationship between me and Kol’non.”

“Aren’t there a few you could trust in your village to share your heart with who might come alongside of you and help convince the others that this isn’t a bad thing?”

“Maybe. I’ll have to think and pray about it. Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Sure,” Victoria replied as she filled the dishwasher.

“How do you deal with Zy’nayth’s feedings?”

“Honestly, I try not to think about them. I guess knowing that he doesn’t want to live this way helps. He, Ja’val, and Kol’non, don’t really have a choice. It isn’t easy for me, not in the least, but I know, in my heart, if he could eat a big steak and potato dinner instead of his normal diet, he would. But in your case, we know the serum will work on Kol’non, he will be able to find sustenance elsewhere if the trials continue to go as well as they have been. In six or eight months, once Ja’val and Becket are positive that there’ll be no diminishing of Rayth abilities, Kol’non can take the serum.”

“Yeah, Lutia said the same thing. I wish there was something we could do to help you guys find a way for Zy to take the serum.”

“We’ll find it,” Victoria smiled, “hopefully soon. Just keep praying for us.”

When Victoria and Be’atta returned to the backyard, the dogs were back in the pen and everyone gathered for an evening prayer, then they all retired to their tents for the evening.

Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth crawled into their little sleeping bags, a parent to either side of them. Victoria reached across her kids and let her hand caress her husband’s cheek. “I love you,” she said as the kids began to wiggle in their sleeping bags, then they started giggling as they “hid” in them then popped their heads out to surprise their parents. “And I love you guys too,” she continued.

November 19, 2119

“Sorry to disturb you, sir,” Kol’non’s voice sounded over the comlink, “but we have an issue. The Vice Chancellor received word that the Hundal outpost is under attack. I’ve deployed the second battlecruiser as well as three of our warships. I request permission to bridge over.”

Zy’nayth rubbed his face, trying to wake up. “Any idea about the size of the force?”

“None yet.”

“Very well. Go. Keep me informed.”

“Understood. Will teleport down momentarily to bridge out. Tell Be’atta that I regret not being with her today.”

Zy’nayth smiled, “I will. Be careful, Commander.”

Victoria shuffled in her sleeping bag, then rolled over to face her husband. “What’s wrong?” she whispered.

“An outpost attack,” he replied. “Kol’non is going. Go back to sleep.”

“We should pray,” she said as she began to yawn.

Zy’nayth reached over and took her hand then quietly prayed for the safety of Kol’non and his men. When they finished, Victoria rested her arm over her two kids who were sound asleep and looked completely peaceful.

When the sun started to rise, Zy’nayth woke his wife as she had requested. She asked if there had been any word from Kol’non yet, but there was none. “I will contact him in a moment,” Zy’nayth said as he exited the tent with her.

“If you need to leave, I understand,” Victoria said and kissed his cheek.

“I will wait and see what my First has to say. Can you wait a moment before you head off to start their breakfast? I wish to teleport up, shower and change…and…”

“Go on,” Victoria said as she stretched. He left and she sat at the picnic table and watched the sky turn colors as the sun rose. About ten minutes later, her husband returned.

“Kol’non said the attack was from a rebellion remnant. Only a small transport ship modified to carry weapons. He is seeing to the cleanup and will return later today. I told him to get some rest first, but he said he would rest while here.”

“Probably wants to be near Be’atta,” she smiled. “I’m glad it was nothing too serious. Is he sure it’s just a remnant and not a new threat rising?”

“Not sure about a new threat, that will probably always be there. However, in this instance, the leader was someone we had on our initial list to capture and prosecute but were never able to locate.”

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief, “Good.” She kissed his cheek, “I’m off to shower then fix breakfast.”

***

Kol’non arrived just as the breakfast dishes were being cleaned up. “Pick a bedroom,” Victoria said, “and get some rest.”

“I will, thank you, Victoria. Sir,” he turned to Zy’nayth, “I do have some information about the three visitors that were here yesterday.”

Zy’nayth motioned to John and his team to join them at the picnic table. “What do you have?”

“They appear to be staying at this location,” he said as he brought up the information on his computer, “and they are in touch with the other three former Oversight Committee members.”

“Where are they?” Chris asked.

“Scattered across your country,” he said and pointed to the map. “None of them near Central Command.”

“Any contact with anyone within Central Command?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Nothing yet. We’re monitoring all six. They are, however, working to get in here. But they shifted their focus. They don’t just want to get Victoria, they want you as well.”

“Good luck with that,” Chris snorted. “These guys are clueless. You’d think that with all the reports that we submitted to Central Command about Rayth attacks, they’d realize that the six of them are no match for one Rayth.”

“They are discussing bringing in military friends,” Kol’non said.

“Still,” John replied, “our best came over with us to Andromeda, and Rayth took them out easily. Unless they plan on bringing in the entire armed forces, I’m not too worried. Besides, the perimeter array is up and running so they wouldn’t be able to break through…right?”

“Correct,” Zy’nayth said, “but having this place monitored by these people is going to cause issues with trying to build the underground facility.”

“Nah,” Ja’val said, “I can do a little tweaking of the programming. I won’t be able to alter anything seen by the naked eye, but any device trying to take images or any listening devices would only get images of this place as if it were deserted, and sound would just be static.”

“Good. Do it.”

“They have also discovered that the tracking device that had been in Victoria’s shoulder is no longer transmitting. They’re not sure if she’s left the planet or if we discovered it. The Second Science Commander has only been able to determine that the device is similar to other military grade devices. They’re going through databases to see if they can find a manufacturer, then they’ll attempt to trace it to a buyer.”

Victoria walked out of the house, Amelia, Alessa, and Be’atta with her. “I thought there wasn’t anything to worry about,” she said as they walked up to the picnic table.

“We are discussing another topic,” Zy’nayth said. “Kol’non, is there anything else?”

“No, sir. I’ll keep you updated as we find out more. The Vice Chancellor has been brought up to date.”

“Thank you. You should go and rest. We will continue as planned with the demolition of the barn. Ja’val, after you make those changes to the array, you can join us, or perhaps you could be of use on the ship.”

“I can pop up there and see what’s going on, but I’ll only check in. My Second is good, he shouldn’t need my help with the tracking device.”

Ky’nayth came bounding up to the group. “Is esspore time? Walk puppies?”

“I think we can do that,” Be’atta said, “ladies, shall we take the kids and puppies on a little adventure?”

The ladies agreed then Zy’nayth pulled Be’atta aside, “Are you armed?” he asked quietly.

“Handgun,” she replied.

“Good. Do not go to the outer edges. I will explain to all of you later. There should not be any problems, I just want to make sure everyone is safe.”

“Understood,” she said then went up to Kol’non just as he was entering the house and kissed his cheek. “Sleep well.”