E:A Vol 3 Ch 11—November 20, 2119

“Welcome back,” Vince said as the group entered the control room, “I hope you all had a good time.”

“I’m dead tired,” Chris said. “Victoria worked us to death.”

“You’re just out of shape,” John said then looked at Vince, “we have a lot of stuff to discuss. Give me ten to throw my stuff in my quarters.”

“That’s fine,” he replied, “anyone else need to join us?”

“Nah. Just getting you up to speed. Had a visit from some of the former Oversight Committee members.”

Vince, who was watching the kids try to wrangle their pups who weren’t in their crates, as he had said they should be until properly housebroken, suddenly looked at John, “Trouble? One second,” he turned to Zy’nayth and Victoria, “Rules,” he said.

“Sorry,” Victoria replied and took the crates from her husband. “They’re just a little frantic.”

“Which is why they should be in their crates. Kids, you know the rules,” Vince said. “I do not want to have to call maintenance to clean up a little mess up here because the pups were frantic.”

“You would not have to,” Zy’nayth said, “the children would tend to it.”

“Sowwy,” Mik’kenna said. “They no like crate. Go Suhwest. Pweez.”

With Victoria’s steady hands, and not willing to take “no” from the dogs, she got them into their crates. “Won’t happen again,” she said to Vince.

“Thank you. John, you were saying?”

“Few members of the OC showed up. Nothing our Rayth friends couldn’t handle. We’ll talk. Ky, Kenna, think you can watch Scout while I talk to Vince?”

“Ess!” both kids exclaimed.

“I’ll bring her by after I dump off my stuff,” John said. “I appreciate it.”

Everyone, and their puppies, went to their chambers and pretty much collapsed from the long weekend. Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna went straight to their room and each crawled up into their own beds, exhausted.

“Children, before you try to sleep,” Zy’nayth said, “I hope you learned your lesson about the pups. I told you that General Cavanaugh would not appreciate the pups being out of their crates.”

“I sowwy,” Ky’nayth said, “they just no like ‘em. But we make dem use.”

“Thank you.”

“Me too.”

“Victoria, thank you for helping them. I would have, but my hands were full with the other baggage.”

“It’s all right. I was the one with the empty crates,” she smiled, then she let the puppies out of their carriers and they each went to join their guardian. Soon they were all asleep. Scout curled up in between the kids’ beds, deciding it was best to be in the middle, and she, too, went to sleep.

“Not used to them being so tired,” Victoria said as she shut the door to the room.

“They usually have down time during the day where they are reading or learning. They have been running non-stop since we arrived on Earth,” Zy’nayth said.

“How long are we staying here? I know you need to get back to your homeworld.”

“We can return to the estate tomorrow after breakfast if that is all right with you,” he said as he drew her into his arms and gave her a tender kiss. “We both need a little rest before I start dealing with the problems at home.”

November 24, 2119

“We’ve broken through the wall downstairs, tunneled about twenty feet or so, and got the first support walls up,” Ja’val said as the group gathered for an early lunch. It was Friday afternoon. The group had returned to Earth to work on the barn and bridge project. With the bridge portal working at Victoria’s estate, it meant the group could travel there without going through Central Command, something that the former Oversight Committee hadn’t yet figured out, though their current line of thought was that they came on a Rayth ship. Though the flagship was still in orbit, it had been there for a few weeks. “How’s the barn coming?” Ja’val asked.

“Roof is down and just started on the outer walls,” John said. “I think we’ll have it all down by the end of the weekend. Things are going quickly now. Of course that’s probably because Be’atta’s there giving orders.”

“Hey, she’s working her tail off, too” Chris said. “I feel kinda bad that she’s stuck with us.”

“I like working with my hands,” Be’atta said, “and I’m not that great of a cook, so I’m quite content helping you guys out instead of bungling things in the kitchen.”

“Have you heard from Dr. McKenna?” Zy’nayth asked his wife. Becket and Amelia were going to join them, but Amelia wasn’t feeling well.

“Yeah. Turns out that it wasn’t a bad allergy attack,” Victoria sighed, “it looks like the cold she had last week came back and settled into bronchitis. Becket’s ordering a round of allergy tests on the entire staff. So far, there haven’t been any unusual plants or animals or anything on Terra 2, it really is almost a twin of Earth in that sense, but we haven’t covered the entire planet yet, and maybe something’s floating in the air. Anyway, just a little project to keep us busy.”

“But Lia definitely has bronchitis?” Alessa said, “How’s she doing? How’s Doc doing?”

“Becket’s fine. Doting on Lia, of course. He has her on antibiotics, and she seems to be well enough to give him a hard time about having to stay in the infirmary. She was his first full-panel allergy test patient. She wasn’t thrilled. It’s interesting though, allergies she had on Earth, mold and pollen, she doesn’t have on Terra 2.”

“All those chemicals, I say,” Alessa said. “Each weed has a special chemical to kill it. That stuff is so prevalent on Earth…it’s a wonder this place isn’t dead. We don’t have that stuff on Terra 2.”

Zy’nayth looked at John, “Would you mind taking Ky’nayth? I wish to bridge to Terra 2 and tend to Amelia. I should have stopped in when he canceled joining us.”

“Come here, buddy,” John said as Ky’nayth crawled from his father’s lap onto John’s to finish up his lunch. “How’s Baxter’s training coming?”

“He sit when tell him to,” Ky’nayth said and grabbed a carrot as his father excused himself and bridged to the control room on Terra 2.

“Hi, sir,” one of the control room technicians said, “wasn’t expecting you today. Is everything okay?”

“Yes. I am here to help Amelia. Is she still in the infirmary?”

“One sec,” the tech said and contacted the infirmary then gave Zy’nayth a nod. “She’s there.”

Zy’nayth made his way through the corridors to the medical hub of Terra 2. Janice was tending to a patient and saw him as he walked in. “Lia?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied.

“Last bed on the right.”

Zy’nayth found Becket nearly asleep in the chair next to Amelia’s bed. She was sound asleep, but there was a shallow rattling to her breathing.

“You didn’t have to come,” Becket said as Zy’nayth’s shadow fell on him, causing him to look up, “the antibiotics will…”

“I wanted to come,” Zy’nayth said and rested his hand on Amelia’s chest. His energy rid her body of the bronchitis and healed her lungs. “Let her sleep. Her body was quite weary. She became quite ill rather quickly.”

“Yeah. I don’t think she told me how bad she was. I should have scanned her when she first told me it was just a bad allergy attack,” Becket said as he walked with the High Chancellor to the door. “I really appreciate you coming.”

“It was my pleasure. Take good care of her. I hate to make a hasty departure, but lunch is on the table,” he smiled, “and we have a lot of work to do. Give her my best.”

“Will you be stopping by when you’re done on Earth? You’re there a week, right?”

“Correct and we will. The children have taught their puppies a couple of tricks and will want to show them off to you. And, of course, we will want to make sure Amelia has fully recovered. If I did not heal her properly, please, contact me or Victoria. I will return.”

“I can’t imagine you missing anything,” Becket said, “but thanks. Give Victoria and the kids hugs for me.”

“I shall,” Zy’nayth replied and bridged back to Earth. Once in the barn, he contacted his flagship in orbit overhead and went aboard to feed so that his energy was replenished for the long day of work still ahead of him. Now was the best time, when Victoria would assume he was still on Terra 2. She hated to think of him feeding. He hated to feed. But he had to survive.

Victoria, Lutia, and Alessa took snacks of fruits, veggies, and dip out to the barn and down as the men and Be’atta went back to work, since the group had all agreed to have a very late dinner. They wanted to get as much done on the barn and the tunnel as they could.

“Kenna, Ky,” Lutia said as she walked onto the patio. It was chilly out, but the kids didn’t want to be stuck inside. They wanted to play in their new sandbox and work on training the pups. They were currently playing in the sandbox with only their heavy fall jackets on and layered clothes underneath. Victoria had thought it had gotten a little too cold and sent Lutia out to bring the kids and the dogs inside. “Oh wow, feels like the wind’s picked up. Brr. Kids, come inside. Get the pups. Your mother’s making hot cocoa.”

“Oh!” Mik’kenna exclaimed. “Suhwest, we go inside.” She and her brother, with Lutia’s help, leashed up the dogs and took them inside, then unbundled and went into the living room where Victoria was serving up the hot cocoa. It had been just over 50 degrees when the kids went out to play, but with the wind, it was much colder.

After unbundling the kids and getting them a couple of blankets while they cozied up to the fireplace, she apologized for not calling them in sooner.

“We pway in san-box,” Mik’kenna said. “I no cold ‘til now.”

“Well, I still should have gotten you guys in sooner when I heard the wind pick up. The blankets all snuggly?”

“Ess.”

“Be careful with the cups. I only filled them half full, and it is hot. I need to see if the guys need anything downstairs. I’ll be right back,” Victoria said, leaving the kids with kisses on their foreheads. She went down to the basement where her husband was helping with digging out the tunnel. “Well, High Chancellor, what are you going to do with all of this dirt you’ve piled up in my basement?” she asked, stepping around the pile that was nearly as tall as she was.

“We are going to teleport it up to the ship. The homes on the island do not have such fertile soil. We will take it there.”

“Oh, well, it’s not going to be a lot.”

“I believe it will be enough for a dozen gardens.”

“Isn’t it going to be kinda hard to teleport it up…it’s not like it’s in a box or…” She stopped and smiled as he used his foot to brush away some of the dirt then bent down and lifted the edge of something on the floor.

“A box,” he smiled.

“I should have known. Okay, I’ll leave you to your work. Ja’val, Kol’non, can I get you guys anything?” Both said they were fine so Victoria went back upstairs.

“Alessa just took a pitcher out to the troops in the barn,” Lutia said. “I’m heading out with these.”

“Don’t let her stay out there long. I know she’s still early in her pregnancy, but I don’t want to worry about her. That wind is getting bitter.”

“The barn, the new one, is heated, remember?”

Victoria nodded, “But still, there’s no place for her to sit, and she shouldn’t be around all of that dust and debris. The guys are probably throwing stuff everywhere, she could get hit.”

“I’ll get her back here. Why don’t you go lay down with the kids? They can barely keep their little eyes open. I’ll get you in about an hour or so.”

After the kids finished their little cups of hot cocoa, they went into the study and settled on the pull-out bed. The pups had trouble getting up and down the wood stairs, plus with Alessa being pregnant, it made sense for her and Chris to have the master bedroom up on the second floor. She prayed over them and even though she didn’t feel tired, she fell asleep. Though she was only asleep for about fifteen minutes, she woke refreshed and decided to do some reading while the kids were still dozing, one to either side of her. A half hour later, both kids woke up.

“Mommy, I hear wind. I never hear wind at other home,” Mik’kenna said.

“The towers are built differently, with different materials, and better technology. Daddy could explain better. This is an old house. I don’t feel a draft, though. Are you cold?”

“No. It weird hear wind inside house, right Suhwest?” she said as she hugged her puppy.

They got up and went about checking on all of the dogs while Lutia, Alessa, and Victoria discussed dinner, deciding on soup and sandwiches instead of steaks. The plan for the steaks had been to cook them over the fire pit, but with the wind picking up as much as it had, Victoria thought they’d do the steaks Saturday.

“What kind of soup?” Lutia said.

“Beggie soup,” Mik’kenna suggested.

“Veggie soup sounds good on a day like today,” Alessa said.

“I’ve never been able to make a decent soup,” Lutia said.

“Me either, but I can chop veggies or whatever you need help with,” Alessa said.

“The guys were expecting a hearty dinner,” Victoria said with a sigh.

“Homemade bread,” Lutia said. “Oh, that pull-apart bread with cheese in it. I have no idea how to make that, though.”

“Chili,” Alessa said. “Baked potatoes.”

“Well, I can make both veggie soup and chili. Probably just some plain bread and the baked potatoes. It’s still not what I’d like to do, but gives them a choice and I can leave stockpots on the stove for them to help themselves if they work late.”

“That sounds really good. I could make up some sandwiches,” Alessa said, “or a deli tray.”

“Yeah, let’s do that,” Victoria nodded, “let me make out a grocery list. I’m sure I’ll need something. Would one of you bridge to Terra 2 to get what I need?” Alessa said she’d take Chris and get whatever was needed. After checking the pantry and fridge, Victoria wrote out a quick list.

Alessa returned thirty minutes later. She had one large grocery bag, Chris had the other two. “Man it got cold out there,” he said. “Chili and veggie soup will hit the spot.”

“Is the new barn staying warm?”

“Yeah, not even a little draft. Hot actually. Of course, we’re working pretty hard. Did one of the others come in and refill our water cooler?”

“No,” Victoria replied.

“I’ll do that. Be right back.”

Zy’nayth stopped him before he left the kitchen. “Christopher, let them know that we are only going to work two more hours, then call it a day. Victoria, may I get some water?”

“Oh, yeah,” she said and took the empty pitcher and filled it with ice and water. “Here you go,” she said handing the pitcher back to him. “You guys should probably make it an early afternoon too. It would be nice just to sit around and relax and talk and just enjoy each other’s company.”

“I agree,” Lutia said, “we’ve all been so busy with our own lives…I really looked forward to this weekend just to hang out with my favorite people.”

“I am calling it to a stop for everyone because we are far enough in the tunnel that it is getting quite cold down there. The cold does not bother us, but it is going to drift up to the main part of the house. Plus we have worked far past what I thought we would accomplish today. Christopher, please let the others know. Two hours, not a second more.”

“Will do, boss,” he smiled then headed back out to the barn.

When everyone returned two hours later, Victoria let them know that it would be another hour and a half for dinner, so the men took their turns showering and changing into comfortable clothes. Tall glasses of iced tea were consumed. Puppies were played with. Ky’nayth entertained them with the two tricks he’d taught Baxter. But Mik’kenna said Celeste wasn’t ready to show off quite yet, though she would come on command, which she had done from day one.

“You think we can eat here in the living room?” John asked Victoria. “Got a nice cozy feel going on.”

“Sure, but I think I only have four TV trays,” Victoria said. “And I don’t remember where they’re at.”

“Closet in the study,” David said. “The couples can share the trays. Me, Kaven, and John can sit on the floor around the coffee table. Ky and Kenna can join us. Uh, sorry, Be’atta, I hope I didn’t offend you by assuming you and Kol’non are a couple.”

Be’atta smiled, “No offense at all. Kol’non and I are a couple as far as we’re concerned. But please, don’t tell anyone. My people don’t yet accept Rayth, any Rayth, as being friendly, so we’ve been keeping it quiet. I wanted to wait and tell you when Becket, Lia, and Janice would be with us.”

“Don’t worry, we won’t say a word,” John said, “and congratulations.”

“Look, she’s beaming now,” Chris winked.

“I’m very happy,” Be’atta said. “When I finally decided that this was right, it was such a relief. But please keep praying for us. My people are going to be hard won. I’m in love with this man, and if God chooses to separate me from my people, then I will have to deal with that. I really don’t want to lose contact with them but I don’t want to lose this guy either.”

“We’ll definitely keep praying,” Lutia said. “We’re so happy for the two of you.”

“Kaven, would you help me get the trays?” David said. “Let’s get those set up.”

“We should probably take the puppies for a walk before dinner too,” John said. “Who wants to help me?”

Chris, Be’atta, and Kol’non all volunteered to help. Ky’nayth wanted to help but his parents didn’t want him out in the cold.

John came walking back into the house just a couple of minutes later, without the others and without the puppies. He sat down, holding up a finger before anyone could say anything. “Thanks Mark,” he said over his comlink. “Great news. I’m about to tell them. Anything specific I need to pass along?” He waited a moment as he listened to the reply, “Thanks again. We appreciate all you’ve done. And yeah, we’ll be here for a week. Talk to you later.” He clicked off his comlink.

“They just got the warrants to arrest the former six members of the Oversight Committee. The police will be knocking on doors soon. He’s gonna call me back when they have them all in custody. I guess they’ve all spread out across the country. But then Zy and Kol’non probably already know that.”

Zy’nayth nodded. “This is very good news. Much ahead of schedule. I did not think Mark had enough evidence yet.”

“Apparently Jason’s sister, was it Candice, anyway, she gave them a lot of information,” John said. “After those three OC members dropped in last week, Mark leaned on her a little harder to see if she’d talk.”

“She didn’t get a deal, did she?” Victoria asked.

“He didn’t say. But when he calls back, I’ll ask. I don’t think she’ll get much of one, after all, her little stunt killed thousands of people, and would have killed more if our Rayth friends hadn’t come to the rescue. She’s gonna be behind bars for quite some time.”

“I hope so,” Victoria said then gave her husband a kiss on his cheek, “I hope this is over tonight.”

“As do I.”

“Are your guys up above watching over the former OC? I mean, they’ll know if they try to run, right?”

“One moment,” he said and contacted his Second Commander. He told him of the efforts to arrest the six people and instructed them that if any of the six were to try to evade capture, they were to be tracked, and the information relayed immediately to John as well as himself. He finished then turned to his wife, “All set.”

She gave him a hug, “Thank you, Zy. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too. Now can I help with dinner?”

“Not much to do other than get bowls and plates out. And some silverware. Alessa’s got the deli trays made up. You can set those out as well. We’ll just have everyone fill up in the dining room then eat in the living room.”

“I can do that,” he smiled. “That soup smells delicious.”

Victoria was checking to see if it was done and she was pleased with the results. “You should have a little bowl. The chili too.”

“I will just take some of yours. No sense in fixing myself a bowl.”

“Soon, maybe,” she smiled. “Alessa and Lutia really did a fantastic job getting all of this together. I know the boys were wanting those thick steaks, but it’s just too cold and windy to throw them on the grill.”

“They are always quite pleased with your cooking. You take good care of them. I know they appreciate it.”

“This isn’t anything. What they’re doing, and you and your guys, is so much more work and effort. Oh, and time, which reminds me, I should take a big bowl of each of these and bridge over to Terra 2. Vince deserves at least that much for letting his Alpha Team take a week’s leave at the same time.”

“If you would like, I could do that while you are eating. It would not take long, and I would like to personally thank him and check on Amelia. Besides, I will not be eating.”

Victoria looked at her watch, “It’s getting late there, let me find a container…ah, here. It’ll still be a while before they’re done walking the dogs, too, so you’ve got time.” She ladled out the soup and chili into six containers, three of each, then she put them into one of the paper grocery bags Alessa had brought back with the additional food. “Okay, all set. One each for Vince, Becket, and Lia.”

“I will return as soon as I can,” he said as he took the bag and exited out of the backdoor. He returned just as everyone had gathered their food and sat back down in the living room.

“Perfect timing,” Chris said. “Want to pray for us?”

Zy’nayth nodded as he sat next to his wife. He gave thanks for the food then everyone dove into their bowls of piping hot soup or chili.

Ky’nayth sat on the floor with his bowl of soup and his ham sandwich. David helped him from time to time, but the little boy’s coordination was already well developed for his age and he had very little trouble with his spoon. Mik’kenna, Daddy’s little girl, wanted to sit on his lap, so he let her as Victoria moved her soup and crackers to her own TV tray so the girl could eat.

“I wike beggie soup,” Mik’kenna said. “Tank ooh, Mommy.”

“I’m liking it too. Just took a half bowl. Gotta try the chili. So how’s Lia doing?” Chris said. “She okay?”

“Much better. Both she and Becket were thankful for the food. As was Vince,” Zy’nayth said. “There is something that Vince asked me to mention, though he made it clear that things were under control and there was no need for you to change your plans here.” He gave Celeste a nudge as she tried to get up on his lap and share Mik’kenna’s soup. The dog went back to trying to get a bite from one of the others. “There was an explosion on the mainland. I believe Vince said that a gas pipe burst in the agriculture facility.”

“Oh no!” Alessa said, “Anyone hurt?”

“Becket said the infirmary was at capacity, but there were no critical injuries. A few broken bones, many cuts and burns. I inquired about Drs. Wells and Castor for you. Both had several lacerations, all very minor. Becket is going to release them in the morning.”

“Thank you,” Alessa said, breathing a sigh of relief.

“I’ve studied the blueprints of that area,” David said, “Being a former fire chief, I just want to know where potential hazards are…anyway,” he said waving off that thought and moved on to the topic at hand, “that’s new pipe and there’s no gas. I mean, the pipe was put in when you guys first went to Terra 2 and built that facility. But after Vince made the decision that we wouldn’t use any gas or anything from Earth that would pollute the atmosphere, it was shut down. There was an tank of that stuff, they used it all up and shut the thing down. At least that was my understanding. If it’s true, even if there was a little bit of gas left in the system, it shouldn’t have just burst. Vince probably has someone looking into it, but I’d like to head back first thing in the morning and take a look myself.”

“Did you specialize in forensic fire investigating?” John asked.

“Yeah. Started as a hobby. Just fascinated me. As I rose up in the ranks, I sort of became pretty good at it. Got certified and all that. Probably spent more time working on investigations than putting out fires. So, you guys wouldn’t mind if I head back at dawn tomorrow?”

“Not at all,” Victoria said, “I’m sure Vince would appreciate it. And, let’s face it, that’s a far more valuable thing to be doing than tearing down a barn.”

“But Uncle Dabid help wif puppies too,” Ky’nayth said. “Dat bal-you-bowl.”

“That he does,” Chris said, “looks like you’re gonna have to be in charge of the puppies while he helps out Vince.”

Ky’nayth’s blue eyes lit up and he looked at his father, “Can I, Daddy? I do good job.”

“I am sure you will. But make sure to ask for help if you need it. It will be a lot of work taking care of seven puppies. Or six if David takes Montana back with him.”

“I’ll leave her here in Ky’nayth’s capable hands,” David said. “Besides, she likes being with her brothers and sisters.”

Ky’nayth almost knocked his bowl over as he jumped up in excitement at his new responsibility.

“Dad, listen,” Chris said, “I doubt it was any type of sabotage, but if you even think there’s a remote possibility of it being deliberate, you don’t talk to anyone but Vince. Not Dr. Castor, not Dr. Wells, not anyone. You tell Vince, you tell us. I don’t want you getting in anyone’s crosshairs.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“I mean it, Dad. Just Vince. And don’t use your comlink to tell him…or us for that matter. You go into his office and shut the door. Then you come here to tell us. If someone is stupid enough to sabotage a facility on Terra 2, they’re either insane or they have connections.”

David groaned, “I’ll be fine, son.”

“Do not be frustrated,” Zy’nayth said, “Christopher is quite correct. If this was a deliberate act, it will be dangerous for you.”

“Okay,” David said. “Chris, I apologize. I’ll be careful and do what you said.”

“You let us know as soon as you find out anything,” Chris said. “If necessary, I’ll head back to watch over you.”

“Wouldn’t that raise suspicion?” David asked.

“Nah. Lessa’s gonna want to check in on her friends. I went back to get groceries for this here dinner, so it wouldn’t be out of the norm for me to go back with her to check on Nelson and Hank and pick up more groceries…hopefully Victoria needs something.”

“All right,” David said.

“And I do,” Victoria added.

John tapped his comlink. “Hagen,” he said, “oh, hey Mark. Wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.” He listened for a couple of minutes, still working on his soup. “That’s fantastic. I know Victoria will be relieved,” he gave her a nod and a thumbs up. “One question, is Candice getting any sort of a deal out of this?”

Victoria reached over and gripped her husband’s arm. “Please, no deal,” she whispered.

John smiled, “Thanks, Mark. I think we’ll all rest a little easier tonight knowing we don’t have to worry about them anymore. Any word on connections inside Central Command?” He nodded as he listened, then thanked Mark again and terminated the call. “Nothing yet about the connection within CC but he’s hoping the former committee members will talk. And, Victoria, there was no deal for Candice. She supposedly did it out of the kindness of her heart. Anyway, everyone’s in custody. The last two are in transport to prison, the others are already behind bars.”

“No deal at all?” Victoria asked.

“Nope. Mark thinks she was hoping for one but she spilled the beans without even asking for a deal. He said she could still bring it up at her first parole hearing, but that won’t be for another hundred years.”

“I did not think humans had such lengthy lives,” Zy’nayth said, perplexed.

“We don’t,” John said, “I was just trying to say that…”

“I get it now,” Zy’nayth said. “This is good news. I believe your nightmare with Jason’s family is finally, completely over.”

“I no like bad deemz,” Mik’kenna said, shaking her head. “Bad.”

“Neither do I, sweetie,” Victoria said and kissed her daughter’s cheek.

Mik’kenna pointed to the crackers on the tray, “Cacker pweez. I out.”

“Ky, how are you doing with your soup?” Victoria asked as she reached and got her daughter more crackers.

“Aww-most done,” he said. “I no want no more sammich. Pweez has more soup?”

“Want to try the chili?” she asked.

“No. Beggie soup, pweez.”

“I should have given you a big bowl. Mik’kenna, your brother only has a couple of bites of his sandwich left, would you like to try it?”

“No tank ooh.”

Victoria picked up what was left of the sandwich and took a bite as she went to get her son a little more soup.

They spent the rest of the early evening sitting and talking and laughing as they enjoyed each other’s company. Mik’kenna fell asleep in Zy’nayth’s arms shortly after she finished her dinner. And once everyone was done with their food, the puppies were released from their pen to play and romp.

An hour later, Victoria whispered to her husband, “How’s she doing?”

“Sound asleep,” he smiled and nodded over to the fireplace. Ky’nayth was nodding off on a blanket, surrounded by puppies.

“Guys, I want to thank all of you, again, for all of your hard work,” Victoria said, just above a whisper, but all heard her without problem. “I know you keep saying it’s for yourselves as well—being able to bridge over anytime you want without Central Command knowing—but I still feel like this is all being done for me. Thank you so much. And don’t forget, soup and chili are still simmering on the stove. Help yourselves.”

“We’re just doing all this for the food,” Kaven said. “John, grab me another bowl chili while you’re up.”

“Chris, I’m almost done with the grocery list,” Victoria said. “The roast I used in the soup was going to be Monday’s dinner. And the hamburger in the chili was Sunday’s lunch.”

“Made for a good Friday dinner,” Kaven said as Ky’nayth’s head finally toppled onto the blanket as he fell asleep.

Suddenly Mik’kenna screamed and tottered on her father’s lap. Ky’nayth jolted up from his sleep.

“I am right here, sweetheart. What is wrong?” Zy’nayth asked, holding her tight.

“I awmost fawed.”

“Honey, you were sleeping. Besides, you know that I would never let you fall.”

“Oh. Must be dweem.”

“Probably,” he said. “Would you like to get into bed now? I believe Kol’non, Ja’val, and Lutia are getting ready to head up to the ship.”

“And I need to hit the bed early,” David said, “if I’m gonna get up at 4:00. That’s about 9:00 Terra 2 time, right?”

“Yeah,” Chris said. “And I think Alessa’s getting drowsy too. We’re right behind you.”

“I get this sofa,” Be’atta said. “Kaven and John take the last two rooms. I know you guys fit on these huge sofas, but it’s just barely. So you guys get the bedrooms.”

“You know what I need to work on while we’re here,” Victoria said, “is turning the attic into a massive guestroom. It’s got its own bathroom. It’s ready to be furnished. I bet I could get some room dividers and get a few beds and nightstands in there. A couple big dressers…Oh! I need to look into what it’ll take to put a little apartment over the garage. But that’ll need some construction.”

“According to the forecast, tomorrow’s gonna be even colder than today, but no wind,” Chris said as he pulled out his computer tablet to check it again. “We could get up with Dad and put in a solid four or five hours before stores open. Up at 4:00, get right to work. Work until 9:00 then help Victoria figure out how to set up the attic? I can make arrangements to get a shuttle/truck. We could go ahead and get that done.”

“I agree with Christopher,” Zy’nayth said. “If it is going to be worse tomorrow, I do not wish for anyone to get sick from the cold. I know the barn is heated, but tunnel is not. That cold air is filtering up here into the house and will end up in the barn as we get closer to that end.”

“Let’s work this out,” Lutia said. “Everyone up at 4:00, except the little ones. The ladies will make breakfast while you guys get ready for your day. While you’re all working, we’ll start looking at the attic and what we can do with it. Work stops between 9:00 or 10:00. Chris and Alessa will take the grocery list and go to Terra 2. She can check on her friends from the Ag and Botany teams while Chris can check on David. Sound good so far?”

“Keep going,” John said.

“While they’re doing that, Victoria and I will need you and Kaven to take us into the city to shop for furniture. Chris can you get that transport set up in John’s name?”

“Yup.”

“Sandwich fixings and leftover soup, for lunch. Keep it light. Ky’nayth, you’ll have the puppies under control, right?”

“Ess, Miss Wutia. Daddy, I need help walking dem. Sissy help too, pweez.”

“I will help you,” Ja’val said. “Because your Daddy and Uncle Kol’non will probably be out measuring the garage and planning their next construction project.”

“No, Zy, that can be done in the spring, or never,” Victoria said. “It was just a random thought, not anything more.”

“It will be good to have the measurements handy,” Zy’nayth replied. “I’d also like to take measurements of a spot behind the house where we could add a wing.”

“You know,” John said, “that room on the northwest side is huge. That could easily be converted into two bedrooms.”

“Maybe temporarily,” Victoria said. “I love the big old rooms. Today’s buildings, even our chambers on Terra 2 are so small.”

“Efficient,” Chris said with a grin, “they use the term ‘efficient’ not small.”

“I don’t really want to change them. Well, colors and décor, sure, but not the size. If I’m going to turn this into a retreat for my friends, I want them to have nice big rooms to relax in.”

“I really like the idea of a retreat,” Chris said. “So I hate to make more work for ourselves, but I think adding a wing and making an apartment over the garage is much more in line with the idea of a retreat.”

“And the swimming pool,” Kaven said.

“Then it is settled,” Zy’nayth said, “while you are out buying furniture for the attic, Kol’non and I will be taking a lot of measurements.” He pulled out his pocket-sized computer and it opened up to the size of a typical laptop. “So we need to make sure, counting the bedrooms already in the house, but not the rooms with the pullouts, that we have rooms for our entire extended family.”

“I doubt if they’ll all ever be here at one time,” Victoria said. “And if they are, they can always either bridge back to Terra 2 or teleport up to your ship as Kol’non usually does. If your ship is here.”

“We will need to recruit more helpers,” Zy’nayth smiled.

“Gonna need a bigger fire pit,” Chris said “for more steaks.”

“And a garden. Or a greenhouse,” Alessa said. “Oh, I would love that. I can help with that if you want to set one up.”

“One step at a time,” Victoria smiled. “You guys will hate this place once we get all of this built. You’ll never want to come here.”

“Gonna need a basketball court too,” John said.

“And tennis,” Lutia added, “I hardly get to play anymore.”

“Volleyball and badminton,” Alessa said.

“Definitely,” Chris smiled then gave Zy’nayth a wink, “we’ll get you playing volleyball sooner or later.”

“I doubt it,” Zy’nayth replied with a gruff.

“Gonna need a jungle gym and swing set for the kids,” Victoria said.

“Gun and archery range,” John said.

“No,” Victoria said. “I know you guys will always have your weapons with you, and I’m thankful for that, but I don’t want a gun range on the property. It’ll give me nightmares.”

“What about a sauna?” Lutia asked.

“Oh, yeah, that would be really nice,” Victoria said.

“Puppy pway gwound,” Ky’nayth said.

“I’m sure we can work something up,” David said. “And as much as I love this discussion, I really need to hit the hay.” He gave Ky’nayth a hug, “Take good care of Montie for me.”

“I will Uncle Dabid. I pommise.”

“I think we all need to retire for the day. We know what we’re doing tomorrow morning, right?”

“Yup,” Chris said.

“Yeah, we’ve got it,” John said, setting down his emptied bowl, “let me pray for all of us, then I’ll clean up the kitchen. Everyone else off to bed.”

“I’ll help with the kitchen too,” Be’atta said. “Okay, pray.”

Once the prayer was finished, David and Ky’nayth put the puppies in the pen for the night. A puppy pad was put down and fresh water was put in the two water dishes. David went up to one of the guest bedrooms and collapsed. Ky’nayth walked into the study where his family was staying, so that Alessa, three months pregnant, would have the most comfortable bed in the master bedroom.

Zy’nayth and Mik’kenna were already in bed. Victoria helped her son into his pajamas, then he climbed up by his sister. Victoria curled around them, smiling at her husband. Mik’kenna rolled over and held her hands out to her mother, “Hold me pweez,” she said.

“I would love to,” Victoria said.

“Tank ooh for soup,” Mik’kenna said.

“Tanks Mommy,” Ky’nayth added, “good soup.”

“I’m glad you guys liked it. Now everyone cuddle up and let’s get a good night of sleep. We have another big day tomorrow.” She reached over and caressed her husband’s cheek, “Good night, Zy. I love you very much.”

November 25, 2119

The next morning, at 3:30, Victoria quietly got out of bed and went to the kitchen to start breakfast. Zy’nayth joined her and helped to cut up the potatoes while she began frying up the massive amount of bacon for the crew and making out a grocery list for Alessa and Chris.

“We should probably enlarge this kitchen,” Zy’nayth said.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” she said, “as we said last night, we’ll rarely have this many people here at once. And I mean it. The suite over the garage, the new wing, we really…it’s too much. Go ahead and take your measurements, but it’s not a priority.”

“But we will have Rayth who will be able to eat food soon. So you would have at least two more people to cook for. You have all of the burners working just for bacon now.”

“Three more people,” she smiled and kissed his cheek. “You will be able to too.”

“I hope so.”

“It will happen. And I need to fix your braid. I should have done that after dinner last night.”

“I was beginning to worry that you did not want me to have it any longer.”

“As long as I am your wife,” she said, “you will always have a little braid in your hair…well, as long as you’re not off on some campaign where I can’t be with you to make it.”

“I will hold you to that,” he smiled. “Now what do I do with these potatoes?”

Just put them in that bowl. I’ll fry them up when the bacon’s done. Add a little water to them so they don’t brown.”

“Okay, next?”

“We’ll need toast…oh, could you set the table first? Use the medium-sized plates.”

Just as Zy’nayth got the plates out of the cupboard, Alessa came walking in, yawning. “I thought I smelled bacon. Zy, Chris is about to walk the puppies. Do you want to help him or continue helping Victoria?”

“I am much more comfortable with the puppies.”

“I’m not sure if I should be offended or not,” Victoria grinned.

“Do not be,” he replied as he kissed her cheek, “I am quite comfortable with you. Just not with food. I should wake Ky’nayth so he can tend to his duties.”

“It’s so early.”

“I think he would want me to. He wants to help out with everything.”

“Okay,” Victoria said. “But if he’s too sleepy, just let him sleep.”

“I will,” he said and went to the study.

“Ky’nayth,” his father whispered, gently nudging the boy, “do you want to help me and Christopher walk the puppies?”

The boy yawned and stretched. “Kay,” he said.

“Shh. Do not wake your sister.” Zy’nayth lifted him out of the bed. “Your clothes from yesterday are still in the bathroom. Wear those so you do not get your pajamas dirty.”

The boy wandered down the hallway and returned a couple minutes later. His tee-shirt was on backwards so his father fixed it.

“Sowwy. I huwwied. I potty too.”

“You did not have to hurry. Christopher and I would have waited.”

“Hey buddy,” Chris said as they walked into the back parlor. “Since you’re in charge, what would you like me to do?”

“Um…” he looked up at his father.

“You know what to do,” Zy’nayth said.

“I go in pen and put on weeshes. Den ooh take weesh cuz I too small for all dem.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Chris said then lifted the boy up and set him back down in the pen.

“Can I has weesh peez?”

“Here’s Storm’s,” Chris said as he handed it in. Then one by one, the boy leashed up each puppy. His father and Chris each got three to walk, and he would take care of his own puppy, Baxter.

As soon as they walked outside, Chris whistled. “Now this is cold.”

“We should just walk them around the house,” Zy’nayth said, “so they do not freeze. And as we need to walk them later in the day, Ky’nayth, I think you should let us do the walking. You do not have proper attire.”

“But my sponsee-bid-itty.”

“And you are my responsibility. I do not want you to get sick. When it is time to walk them, you can ask someone to walk them for you.”

“Kay.”

Once the walk was done, the puppies were put back into their pen then Ky’nayth took their water bowls to the kitchen to get them some fresh cool water. A few minutes later, the entire group was assembled in the dining room. Zy’nayth prayed for them then Victoria and Lutia took orders for the types of eggs everyone wanted and went to prepare them while fruit, potatoes, and bacon was passed around and piled onto plates.

Chris, Alessa, and David left after they ate. While Alessa went to check on her friends, Chris and David talked to Vince about the explosion and David’s desire to investigate the matter. Vince was happy to have his help and liked the idea of having someone he knew he could trust implicitly giving him a second opinion on the situation.

Chris returned to Earth and began working in the barn again, tearing down more of the old walls, but worried about his father, and the idea of someone sabotaging the Ag and Botany labs. His wife worked in both areas. The thought of her going back to work after this incident was not pleasant.