E:A Vol 4 Ch 1—January 5, 2120

After a week of Christmas festivities, and a week to get back on track, Zy’nayth would wait no longer. He was satisfied with the test results that Becket and Ja’val showed him regarding the use of the serum on his system. On January 5, 2120, the family gathered in the control room on Terra 2. The kids had not been told what was going to happen, per Zy’nayth’s instructions, only that he was going to undergo a procedure that would, hopefully, help him. The adults didn’t elaborate and the kids simply thought it just like their check-ups with Uncle Becket and that Daddy was going to get the dreaded “shot.”

David gave Victoria, Zy’nayth, and their kids hugs and kisses. “I’ll be praying for you,” he said then knelt down in front of the twins. “Mr. Ky’nayth and Miss Mik’kenna, I’ll take good care of Baxter and Celeste while you’re gone. Extra tummy rubs and everything.”

Though he wanted to be with his friends, David knew that there’d be no one to watch the dogs while all of the owners were with the High Chancellor, so he volunteered to stay on Terra 2 to dog sit. It also gave him time to work on his investigation into the explosion on Terra 2. He wasn’t satisfied with their lack of leads as to the cause or the perpetrators. Something in the back of his mind kept nagging him about it. The motive. He was good at puzzles, and this was a puzzle that needed solved.

“All of you do not have to come,” Zy’nayth said looking at John, Kaven, Be’atta, Chris, Alessa, and Amelia.

“Have to,” Chris said. “It’s the rules. Dad, I’ll keep you posted.”

Becket, Ja’val, Kol’non, Janice, and Lutia had already bridged over and were prepping for the procedure. When Zy’nayth couldn’t convince the others to stay behind, he led them across the bridge portal to Ja’val’s laboratory on Kiva, the Raythian homeworld.

“No,” Becket said as Victoria began to follow her husband into laboratory where they would begin the series of injections on her husband. “You stay out there in the observation area with the kids.”

“I’m part of the team in case…”

“I can handle it, love, you know that. I have Janice and Lutia here. If we need you, which I doubt, I’ll wave you in. Besides, if it gets to that point, you need to be with your children. They’ll sense the wrongness.”

“He’s right,” Amelia said, “Come on. You need to explain what’s going to happen to the rest of us. You’re our translator. None of us understand this medical stuff.”

Victoria gave her husband another kiss. “I expect you to pull through this without any problems,” she said softly. “Zy, don’t leave me.”

“I do not intend to,” he said, “Children, may I have another hug and kiss?” The twins smothered him with affection then Amelia and Be’atta ushered them into the observation room.

“I love you with all my heart,” Victoria said, “I love you so very, very much.” She blew him a kiss then followed the other up to the observation area.

“So what’s going to happen?” John asked as, in the lab, Ja’val pointed Zy’nayth to an adjoining room where the High Chancellor put on, for lack of a better term, a hospital gown.

“Well, they don’t have a mega-needle for the mega-injection, so he’s going to get a series of shots,” Victoria said. “On top of that, unfortunately, Ja’val was hesitant about trying to increase the potency of the serum without having time to properly run tests on it, so when all is said and done, he’s going to get about 140 shots.”

“My nightmare doctor visit,” Alessa shuddered. “I hate needles.”

“I’m with you on that one,” Kaven said.

“Wimps,” Chris smiled as the observation window went black.

“Just providing some privacy while the High Chancellor returns in his new outfit,” Ja’val said over the intercom. “Nothing to worry about.” Once Zy’nayth had positioned himself on the operating table and was properly covered, the window grew transparent again.

“So all those monitors they’re hooking up to him are monitoring his vitals and stuff, right? Typical things,” John said, still standing at the window.

“And then some.” Victoria pointed, “Heart, lungs, brain activity, oxygen in the blood, blood pressure, pulse, his energy levels, brain signals and activity, eye movement, and muscle spasms. I don’t think there’s anything that they won’t be monitoring. Ja’val’s pretty thorough.”

“Well, the big guy is unique and this will be good info to help them when these two little big guys’ turn,” Chris said as he helped the kids set up one of their new games.

Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth were pretty much oblivious to what was going on. It wasn’t uncommon for them to be in Ja’val’s lab because Victoria tried to help out with the serum trials at least once a week when Zy’nayth didn’t have other plans for them. They were thrown off by having everyone else there, but Kaven and Chris kept them occupied.

The Vice Chancellor and Zy’nayth’s closest friend, Ny’van, as well as Kol’non walked into the make shift operating room. Ja’val and Becket went over things with their assembled group one more time.

“Victoria, can you hear us okay in there?” Becket asked after they finished.

She went over and tapped the panel on the wall. “Yeah. Take good care of him.”

“Plan to,” Becket gave her a wink. He moved to Zy’nayth’s right side and Janice to his left. Lutia was next to Becket with a stainless steel tray next to her. Kol’non was next to Janice with a similar tray. Both were laden with needles. Then for the benefit of those who didn’t know what was going on, Becket began to explain while Ja’val did one last check of the monitors.

“We will do this as quickly as possible so that the High Chancellor’s energy can’t block the serum. Janice and I will be administering the injections. Lutia and Kol’non are our assistants. Ja’val’s keeping an eye on all of the monitors. Should he start reacting, Ja’val will take my place and use his energy to stop the reaction while I monitor. If Ja’val’s energy helps Zy’nayth, but needs more energy fed into him to counter the reaction, Kol’non will add his efforts, then the Vice Chancellor if needed. If that doesn’t work, or if adding their energy to his makes matters worse, I’ll step back in and take over with our Earth-based methods. Janice and Lutia will assist as needed. Victoria, you will be called in if I get in over my head.”

John, who was standing next to Victoria, pushed the intercom button, “How long will this take if there are no reactions?”

“Thirty minutes, give or take.”

“At that point we’ll know if it worked?” John asked.

“We’re going to monitor him for a couple of days. Ja’val and I think that if a reaction is going to happen, it’ll happen during or within an hour of completing the injections, but, obviously, we want to be sure. So two days here, then we’ll just have him come in daily for tests. If there’s no reaction and his body doesn’t go into overdrive and try to eradicate the serum, we can assume it worked. A definitive yes or no can’t be obtained for weeks, obviously, and that is to more or less make sure he hasn’t lost any of his abilities.”

“Are you ready, High Chancellor?” Ja’val asked. “Everything on our end is good to go.”

“I am ready,” Zy’nayth said after John prayed for them.

“Two rows on the upper arms, then we move to the thighs, just like we went over on our test dummy,” Becket said. “On your cue, Ja’val.”

Ja’val took a deep breath. This was not only his friend, and the most difficult case of any Rayth, this was the High Chancellor and Supreme Commander of the Raythian Empire. If anything went wrong, if anything caused Zy’nayth’s demise at his hands, Ja’val wasn’t sure he could live with himself. He would not be blamed by Ny’van or Kol’non, nor the High Council since Zy’nayth had discussed matters with the Council, but he would blame himself. “All right,” Ja’val said as he let out his breath, “go.”

Neither Amelia nor Alessa could watch the injections, so both of them stayed with the kids and Kaven. Be’atta watched a few injections then she too sat with the kids. Alessa took over playing the game for Chris while he and John stayed beside Victoria who didn’t move from the giant observation window. She was counting the injections with an occasional glance at the monitors.

Zy’nayth was still, but awake. His eyes were closed as he silently prayed that the serum would work. The injections didn’t bother him, Becket and Janice were quick and quite experienced, so he felt very few “pinches” from the needles. It didn’t take them long to finish the rows of injections on his arms then he felt the sheet on his legs being adjusted and the needles entering his thighs.

“Pulse and energy levels are rising,” Ja’val said. “His energy’s trying to fight off the serum. All other readings normal. Keep going.”

“Halfway,” Victoria said under her breath. “Come on, Zy.”

John put his arm around her, “Breathe, Victoria.”

Several injections later Ja’val announced that the pulse was back to normal, but energy levels were still rising. “Keep going. This was expected.”

A few more injections and a beep began to sound. “Number?” Ja’val asked.

“Fifty one,” Janice said.

“Fifty five,” Becket said.

“Keep going.”

“What’s the beep?” John asked.

Victoria’s eyes scanned the monitors then she tensed. “His heart.”

“Ja’val’s not going to let anything happen,” John said as he drew her closer. “You know he won’t.”

“Mommy?” Ky’nayth said, leaving the game and going over to his mother. “Daddy scared.”

Mik’kenna also felt her father’s fear and joined her brother. Both wanted to be held to see what was going on. “Uncle Becket and Uncle Ja’val are trying to help Daddy,” Victoria said as she picked up Ky’nayth. Chris picked up Mik’kenna. “See, he’s getting shots.”

“In leg?” Ky’nayth asked.

“They already gave him some in his arms.”

“I no want need-oh!” Mik’kenna said, “They hurded! I no want dis checkup.”

“Don’t worry, this is just for Daddy.”

“Sixty five,” Becket said.

“Sixty two,” Janice said as the beep increased in frequency. “Almost done, High Chancellor.”

“Seventy. Kol’non, syringe,” Becket said. Kol’non began handing both him and Janice syringes from Janice’s stack until they were finished with the last few shots. Meanwhile, the heart monitor was beeping furiously.

“Done,” Becket said and backed away, “Switch.”

Ja’val moved in and put his hand on Zy’nayth’s chest. Lutia and Janice quickly got their trays out of the way and readied the surgical equipment and crash cart should they need it. The moment Ja’val’s energy touched the High Chancellor, several of the monitors’ alarms went off. Ja’val immediately backed off. “Yours, Becket,” Ja’val said, hands up in the air as if he was being held up.

Becket nodded to his two nurses who quickly and deftly moved into position with the equipment. Lutia was ready with the anesthetic and awaited Becket’s signal. Janice standing by with surgical equipment beside her, the crash cart on the other side of Becket.

“Give me the word,” Becket said to Ja’val. Ja’val understood the energy levels, all things Rayth, Becket understood everything else. He had to rely on Ja’val’s knowledge despite what his training was telling him. Lutia’s eyes remained on Becket. She’d either be directed to put Zy’nayth under or to assist with the surgery if they had to go in. She was ready for anything.

Becket’s eyes flew to the heart monitor and he wasn’t liking what he was seeing. Neither was Victoria. Janice had the usual items in hand, at the ready, for this type of situation. She was ready to go.

“Hold…” Ja’val said despite the alarms. “Hold… Come on Zy’nayth, control your energy. You can do it. Hold…”

“Not much longer,” Becket said, “too much risk.”

“Hold,” Ja’val said. “Control your energy, Zy’nayth! Focus it on your heart! Control it!”

Becket held out his hand, Janice handed him the device. His eyes flipped from the monitor to the chest of the High Chancellor. “Ja’val? Cutting it too close.”

The alarms quieted one by one. “Yes!” Ja’val exclaimed. “He’s doing it.”

Becket and Victoria both looked at the heart monitor. It was slowly stabilizing. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“Good. Keep it up, Zy’nayth. Good,” Ja’val said. “Becket, stay ready. This could be from the initial injections, let’s not drop our guard.”

Another long minute passed.

“Daddy no like shot eeber,” Mik’kenna said. “I tell him it hurded.”

John chuckled and kissed the girl’s cheek. “He should listen to your smart advice.”

“Stabilizing. Good. Good,” Ja’val was finally breathing easier. “I wish I could control my energy as well. Amazing.”

For another thirty minutes, Becket, Lutia, and Janice stayed at the ready. Though Zy’nayth’s pulse and blood pressure were high, his energy levels were only slightly higher than normal.

“I think we can stand down, at least shake out the tension, and walk around a minute or two,” Becket said. “Stay close. High Chancellor, how are you doing?”

“Feel panicked. Shaky.”

“Sedative?” Becket asked Ja’val.

“No. I don’t want anything new introduced to the mix. Zy’nayth, try some deep breathing.”

“My children are worried,” Zy’nayth whispered, his voice cracking.

Ja’val looked over to the window. “Victoria, why don’t you bring in the kids? I think that’ll help the High Chancellor and the kids.”

“John, Chris, can you carry the kids for me? I’m shaking too much,” Victoria said.

“Ready little big guy?” Chris asked Ky’nayth, taking him from Victoria as John moved Mik’kenna to his other hip.

Victoria nearly ran over to the surgical table. She took her husband’s hand into her own then leaned over and kissed him. “You’re almost through this. Ten thousand years in the making. Just a few more minutes, sweetie, just a few more minutes.”

Zy’nayth had tears streaming out of his eyes. “I do not feel well. Having trouble controlling energy.”

“They said you’d be a little sick, try not to worry about it. Focus on your energy, and maybe these two little one.” She turned to John and Chris, “Okay, the kids can give him a kiss. Watch the wires.”

“Daddy, kay?” Mik’kenna asked as she leaned out from John’s arms and gave her father a kiss.

“I will be, sweetheart. Keep praying,” Zy’nayth said.

“No be scared. We pway,” Ky’nayth said.

“Thank you, Ky’nayth. I need a lot of prayers.”

“Daddy, I tell you need-ohs hurded,” Mik’kenna said. “You no listen.”

Zy’nayth managed a chuckle and a smile. “Thank you, Mik’kenna. I will try to listen next time.”

“Let me say a prayer,” Chris said, “then I think you need to try and sleep. Looking a little heavy-eyed.”

“That’s good,” Victoria said, “the panic is easing up.”

Zy’nayth nodded and Chris prayed. A moment later, Zy’nayth was asleep.

Victoria stayed with her husband, holding his hand as he slept. Thirty minutes later, Ja’val had a hospital-like bed brought in and readied. And though the moving woke Zy’nayth, he was happy to be off of the stainless steel table and on a more comfortable bed. It also meant his children could sit on the bed with him, which he wanted. He could sense their fear and knew that their fear would subside if they were with him. Plus he couldn’t relax knowing how scared they were on top of trying to hold his energy in check so that it wouldn’t fight the serum.

He heard the whispers of his wife telling them to watch out for the wires, then he felt the their weight as they were put on the bed, each to one side. He felt their little hands rest on his arms as they curled up beside him. Then he drifted back to sleep.

***

While Zy’nayth was undergoing his serum infusions, David Chapman was working on his puzzle. What caused the explosion on Terra 2? Who was behind it? And what was their motive? Their objective?

“Steve, thanks for coming. I hope you don’t mind the dogs.”

“Love dogs,” Major Steve Kessler smiled and greeted each of the seven dogs with scratches behind their ears. “So what can I help with?”

“I just want to go over this explosion information again. I’m hoping that taking a week off from analyzing the data might help us see something new. You got an hour to spend?”

“Sure thing, just finished my shift. I can stay as long as needed,” Steve replied and took out his tablet while David got out his notebook, preferring old fashioned pen and paper.

The dogs sniffed around but then they hopped up on David’s bed, practically on top of each other, and took a nap.

“Let’s start with what we know for certain,” David said, as he put a heading over a column on his notepad. “We know that the explosion was caused from the outside of the gas pipe. The gas fumes or what little remaining gas still in the pipes did not trigger the explosion. No one was hurt. The food supply was not damaged. The tests show no signs of the explosion being triggered by a known Rayth weapon. Tests confirmed by two human teams, a Rayth science team, and the High Chancellor, all separate and independent. We cannot confirm that the High Chancellor and the Rayth science team remained independent of each other. We also know that there are no unaccounted for or unauthorized Rayth planet-side.”

“We don’t know if there were any planet-side prior to and during the explosion,” Steve amended.

“True,” David made the note. “Anything else we know definitively?”

“It happened at night, 9:12 according to records. No Botany and Ag team second or third shifts. No witnesses have come forward. The only people, that we know of, who were on the mainland were the guards and technicians at the bridge portal, six in all, no one left their post. We have communication logs, both audio and video, of all six either talking with each other or the main control room here on the city-ship. Their location prior to and during the explosion is confirmed.”

David thumbed through his notepad, “Did you check with the dock station? The perpetrators could have gotten to shore via a boat.”

“Dock guards say no one used the boat. Video surveillance confirm. Dock was quiet after the mainland shifts returned to the city-ship.”

“Still possible. They could have launched from one of the other docks that are not officially open since we haven’t investigated those areas of this ship. One in the definite column, one in the still possible column. I’m also putting that they didn’t want to hurt anyone or destroy the food supply on my ‘what we believe but can’t prove’ list,” he said as he scribbled down that information. “What else can we deduce?”

“The pipe was two and a half feet down,” Steve said, “so the explosive either had to be buried before being set off or there had to be a weapon with sufficient power to drive through that much soil and the pipe itself to set off the explosion.”

David looked up, “We haven’t identified the explosive.”

“What?”

“We don’t know what caused the initial explosion, the trigger, so to speak. We’ve found no residue of any kind. There’s nothing from Earth that would explode without leaving some sort of trace of what it was. This is what’s been nagging me. No residue.”

“So it has to be Raythian,” Steve said.

“Possibly.”

“Possibly? No, it has to be. And that means the High Chancellor has a traitor that’s been authorized to come and go as they please on Terra 2,” Steve said.

“Not necessarily. It could be a traitor on our side using Raythian technology.”

“I doubt that.”

“Ah, see, that’s the wrong attitude to take. We don’t know. We have to consider everyone.”

“Motive? Why would one of our own people sabotage Terra 2?”

“First of all, we don’t know if it was indeed meant to sabotage anything. No one was hurt, some buildings suffered damage, yes, but the food supply wasn’t hurt and from what I understand, nothing of value was lost from either the Ag and Botany departments. As for motive: money. From my understanding, older Rayth are quite wealthy.”

“I’ll concede the point about sabotage, but if Rayth were bribing someone here, then sabotage would be the motive, yet they didn’t target the towers, which, in my opinion, would have been the biggest target. The rebels would want to blow up the towers, not a stretch of land.”

David put his pen down and leaned back in his chair. “Good point. Rebel Rayth would want to cause as much damage and hurt as many people as they could, whether they’re fighting the High Chancellor or humans.”

“Wait, I just remembered that the High Chancellor said that they wouldn’t want to hurt this city. We didn’t know it was a spaceship back during the first attack,” Steve said, “that could be why they used the explosive outside.”

David nodded. “But we come back to the fact that they basically just blew up dirt. No point in that. Now, if a Rayth traitor was onsite to do this, chances are they’d know exactly where to strike and do enough damage for us to evac without harming propulsion and weapons or whatever.” David continued, “However, a human, other than maybe Simon or someone on his team, might know how to do that, but I don’t think they know everything about this place…so logically, they’d blow up something outside.”

“That makes sense. Do you think that’s enough to say this was done by a human?” Steve asked.

“No,” David shook his head. “It could be a frame by a Rayth trying to make it look like it was done by a human. Consider everything. Still, we’re back to dirt. Okay, think this through,” he said, closing his eyes. “Whether Rayth or human, we keep coming back to motive and the poor location of the explosion. If they wanted to scare us off of the planet, blowing up some dirt and damaging some buildings wouldn’t do it.”

“Had to be planted,” Steve said abruptly changing the thought process. “The explosive had to be planted. If you shoot into the ground, into a pipe with gas fumes, the reaction is immediate. You wouldn’t have time to get away. Unless it was a Rayth weapon that could be used from a shuttle or ship overhead. Other than a rocket launcher or bunker buster, we don’t have anything that could do it. Even then, we’d have to use a shuttle to hit the underground pipe. That’s not something you can blast from a horizontal position. Our shuttles were all accounted for. So the trigger had to be a planted explosive.”

“Good. Go on.”

“Did the Ag or Botany teams see anyone in that area digging?” Steve shook his head and sighed, answering his own question. “He probably did it at night when no one was around.”

“True, but did anyone from the Ag or Botany teams see anything like freshly turned soil? That area used to be nice and green. A dirt patch could have been noticed.”

Steve’s eyes brightened, “I can start asking questions. Though this wasn’t a main footpath, someone might have seen something.”

David was staring at his notepad, arms folded across his chest. “What is it?” Steve asked.

“No trace residue. Keep coming back to that.” He shook his head, “You’re right. It has to be Raythian. How far can I trust the High Chancellor to test for elements we don’t know about?”

“Wouldn’t he have told you if there was something in his results?”

“I asked if there was residue from Rayth weapons, not for a report listing every possible chemical they found.”

“Or he’s hiding information.”

“No, I don’t think so. The Science team on the Second Ship gave us the same results.”

“A ship under his command,” Steve said. “Consider everything, right?”

“I have that noted already,” David sighed, “but I do trust him. Perhaps I shouldn’t. In any case, he’s going to be out of the picture for a while with this serum procedure, so I don’t have to bring it up until later.” He looked at Steve, “But…what if there are chemicals, elements, or whatever that our team doesn’t know about but Rayth do.”

“Not following,” Steve said.

“The periodic table. We didn’t just wake up one day and know all of the elements on that chart. They had to be discovered. What if there’s something we haven’t discovered yet? Can our team look for something like that?”

“That’s their mission here, or part of it,” Steve said. “Remember, different galaxy, explore and document, and all that.”

“But…it’s not like something you just see by looking through a microscope. I mean, it took hundreds of years to discover things that ended up on that chart.”

“I can talk to the Chemistry team and have them give us a full report. See what they can do.”

“I may have to request something from the team on the Rayth Second Ship,” David said. “Something else that’s been nagging me. Steve, what are the odds of this?” David leaned forward, “Chris has only mentioned a little about the guns on Elgolia. You found guns there just a few weeks before this explosion. Guns you guys can’t explain them having. Could there be a tie between that and this explosion?”

“If the Eloglians are behind the explosion? No. They couldn’t get here. They have a bridge portal, but ours are manned around the clock so they’d bridge in to face a group of Marines. Plus, they don’t have space travel capabilities.”

“They don’t, but Rayth do.”

Steve sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Can’t see it. Rayth need nothing on or from Elgolia. It’s barely in the industrial age. Rayth only need humans to feed on from Elgolia. If they wanted to use them like the Gyhan in the rebellion, why give them Earth weapons when they could give them Rayth weapons? And we’re already under the impression that a Rayth device of some sort was used.”

“The Gyhan, from my understanding, used regular guns, not Rayth weapons.”

“Their civilization was advanced enough to have them. The Rayth didn’t need to supply them with anything,” Steve said.

“Elgolians also have guns they could use.”

“Not like the Gyhan, though, admittedly, the Elgolians are only slightly behind them in gun tech. In any case, they certainly don’t have anything like ours. Not that kind of firepower.”

“So even though the Gyhan guns are only slightly more advanced than the Elgolian’s, the Rayth chose to up the Elgolian’s firepower but not until after the initial rebellion was cut short?”

“You’re making this difficult,” Steve chuckled.

“The Rayth rebels worked with the Gyhan, that’s a known fact,” David wrote in his notebook again, “which started before you guys came to Terra 2. The difference with the Elgolians is that we have Rayth come and go on this planet now. We didn’t then.”

“So a Rayth is stealing our weapons and giving them to the Elgolians to what, fight us? They haven’t been hostile towards us.”

“Saving for a larger attack?”

“On us? They’re not trained. We go over the bridge portal to Elgolia in a shuttle, not on foot. Those shuttles can withstand bullets. Plus our off-world teams have at least three Marines each trip, no exception. We’re combat trained and ready, Elgolians aren’t.” He ran his fingers through his hair, “That’s why I’m over there all the time teaching them policing protocols and the like.”

“Rayth are more than trained.”

“Rayth wouldn’t waste their time training the Elgolians how to fight in order to get them to fight us. If Rayth wanted to attack us when we show up on Elgolia, they have the blasters and the cruisers to do it without stealing our guns and training the Elgolians. And we’ve already established that the Elgolians couldn’t bring the fight to us, at least not without Rayth help.”

“Or the rebel Rayth have gotten smart after you uncovered their alliance with the Gyhan. This time they want to make it appear as if it’s the Elgolians alone who are attacking us.”

“I don’t know, it seems…illogical. Rayth are efficient killing machines. They wouldn’t go through the hassle of making it look like someone else did it. They’re too proud. And before you say they did it with the Gyhan, they didn’t. They were using the Gyhan to get the humans to fight each other, to distract them from fighting Rayth during gatherings.”

“But they were still supplying and using the Gyhan, think of the Rayth jets the rebels stole from the High Chancellor’s fleet and turned over to the Gyhan to use. The Rayth could just as readily be using the Elgolians,” David said.

“I think you’ve given me a headache thinking about all of the possibilities,” Steve sighed.

David chuckled, returning from the kitchen with tall glasses of iced tea. “Sorry about that,” he said as he handed Steve a glass. He returned to the kitchen to set out the bowls of food for the dogs and freshen up their water.

Steve took a sip of his tea, closed his eyes and thought a moment. “The Gyhan situation was also different because the Rayth didn’t have the serum yet.” He opened his eyes and looked across the small apartment to David. “The serum sort of changes things. The rebels, the first bunch, just wanted power. They didn’t want to stop the High Chancellor, or rather Supreme Commander as he was then, and the distribution of the serum. They were power hungry, and tried to dethrone the High Chancellor…I mean Supreme Commander. His brother was High Chancellor but resented the Supreme Commander’s popularity. Using the Gyhan, the rebels helped to make it look like the Supreme Commander couldn’t protect the Empire, and they were hoping it would diminish his popularity. I suppose his brother had a plan of swooping in to eradicate the rebels when the Supreme Commander couldn’t do it. Turn the tables, as it were. But we have to remember, when our Expedition first came here, there was no serum and the rebels were already disrupting things with the Gyhan.”

“So this attack on Terra 2 could be aimed at us because of how we helped with the serum. That could be their motive. I can buy that,” David said.

Steve nodded but then sighed. The dogs heard their food bowls being set out and went running into the kitchen. “Still no reason to involve the Elgolians,” Steve said with a laugh as the dogs went sliding across the hardwood floor nearly crashing into the refrigerator and each other. “And still no motive for blowing a hole in the ground here. If they want the High Chancellor, they’d go after his family, his chambers here, not a bit of land at night when no one’s around.”

“What if it was a timed explosive and it went off at the wrong time?” David suggested.

“To get at the High Chancellor? No. He’s hardly on the mainland. Victoria and the kids don’t go through there much either. They stay near the mainland portal or go to the beach. Blowing up his chambers wouldn’t cripple the ship. At least I don’t think it would. That would be a better target than that empty space on the mainland.” He tapped David’s notebook, “And we cannot say conclusively that it was an Elgolian…or human for that matter. These two, the guns and the explosion, have to be separate and distinct.”

“I’m not convinced of that,” David shook his head. “The Elgolians may not be behind the explosion, but let’s keep the idea on the table. Nor may they be involved with a plot to attack us, at least not on their own. But I think Rayth rebels are behind both the guns you found on Elgolia and the explosion here.”

The two men went back and forth, poking holes in theories, adding to David’s list, and after a couple of hours decided they’d gone as far as they could.

“All right, let’s wrap up our list then I’ll see if we can snag some of Vince’s time,” Steve said. “I’ll talk to the Chemistry, Ag, and Botany teams.”

“You handle the Chemistry team, since that needs to be a formal request. I can do the informal questions with the other two teams,” David said.

***

Vince walked out of his office and pointed to the conference room. David and Steve entered ahead of him. “Any word from Chris about the High Chancellor?” Vince asked as he followed the two men in and sat down.

“A little complication. He started going into cardiac arrest, but he’s stable now,” David said. “He’ll remain in the lab until Science and Becket are sure he’s stable enough to go home.”

“The kids okay?”

“Scared. They picked up on their father’s fear. I don’t think I’d like that part of being telepathically linked with someone.”

“I agree. Okay, gentlemen, what have you got for me?” Vince asked as he folded his hands on the table.

Steve had typed up their list with a brief summary of their concerns. He handed it to the general and told him about the discussion that he and David had earlier in the day. “I’ve already talked to Dr. Formic in Chemistry. He’ll provide me with a full report of every chemical found, and he’ll look into seeing if there’s any unknown element. He doesn’t quite have that level of equipment, but will do what he can,” he said. “David’s already been talking to the Ag and Botany teams.”

“We were wondering how you want to handle the Rayth end of things,” David said. “I can ask the Science team on the ship to run tests for other things that could be explosive. But…maybe you want to keep things quiet for a bit. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries and you’re more aware of the political aspects of things.”

“I have no problem with you contacting the team on the Second Ship,” Vince said, “but make it…pretty much what you’ve stated on this list, you want to know if there are elements or chemicals found that could be used as an explosive because Earth may not know about these mixtures or whatnot. Very casual.”

“I can do that.”

“As for the political side of things,” Vince shook his head, “the High Chancellor will be in recovery for a week or so and First Science will be busy with him. Let’s do the leg work then approach them when things ease up on their end.”

“But if there is a new Rayth rebel group,” Steve asked, “shouldn’t we at least make the First Commander aware of our thoughts?”

“I need to think on that,” Vince said. “And they know the entirety of the rebel opposition isn’t over.”

“Sir, if there are rebels behind this and they’ve attacked Terra 2…”

“We can’t prove anything and I don’t want to go to the First Commander and blame Rayth when we have zero proof. If anything, the evidence we currently have on hand clears the Rayth entirely. Both the High Chancellor and the Science team, in separate reports stated it was not a known Rayth weapon.”

“With respect, general, it doesn’t clear them,” David said. “The fact that there is no trace residue from a known explosive tells me that the trigger of the explosion wasn’t anything from Earth. That leaves only Rayth. When I asked for the report I made the mistake of using two key words: ‘known’ and ‘weapon’. The Rayth, intentionally or not could have taken that verbatim. Known weapons to us or known to Rayth; they may have assumed we meant known to us. We don’t know what they have in their stockpile. Plus it may not be a weapon per se, it may be a chemical mixture used for blast mining or something.”

Vince nodded, “Point taken. Go ahead and talk to their Science team. I’ll talk with Kol’non, but only to let him know what you’re researching at this point. I’d rather deal directly with the High Chancellor regarding traitors or rebels,” he paused, “but I will consider talking with the First Commander in his stead. I hate politics.”

Both men agreed with him on that point.

January 6, 2120

Victoria felt the hand stroking her hair. She lifted her head, wincing from the pain of falling asleep in a chair, but her wince quickly eased into a smile for her husband. “How are you feeling?” she asked and glanced at the clock.

“Still feeling unwell. Miserable,” he said, managing a smile for her.

“I’m sorry. I wish there was something we could do about that,” she said then gave him a tender kiss. “Chris and Alessa should be returning with the kids in about an hour.”

“You should have gone home to sleep.”

“Like I’d get any sleep. I’d just pace the floor all night.”

He smiled, “Thank you for staying.”

“Good morning,” Becket said, coming into the room.

“Good morning, Doctor.”

Becket began checking the various monitors, “Ja’val will be here momentarily. He’s talking with Kol’non outside. Everything’s looking stable. I brought a walker in last night so it’ll be easier for you to get to the washroom. Toothbrush and toothpaste are in there. You can shower as well. Soap and towels are there. No baths, just showers at this point.”

“Sorry,” Ja’val said coming in. “Was just touching base with the First. How are you feeling?”

“Still quite nauseous.”

“That’s normal,” Ja’val said, “I’d like for it to run its course. I really don’t want to use my energy to try and ease your symptoms. Not after the effect it had during the procedure.”

“I understand. So what happened yesterday? I remember hearing the alarms.”

“You started to go into cardiac arrest,” Ja’val said, “and the moment I touched you with my energy, things got worse. Becket and the others were ready to step in, but I held them off. I apologize if I distressed anyone by doing that, but that millisecond my energy touched him, I noticed that his own energy was focused on healing the heart. To be honest, I think having that little episode was a blessing—it distracted his energy from the serum. It saw the heart issue as more of a threat than the serum. Which is good, it bought us a few seconds or minutes for you to concentrate on keeping that energy focused on anything other than the serum.”

“It healed the heart, right?” Victoria asked.

“According to our scans, yes,” Becket said. “And when Ja’val feels comfortable that it’ll be safe to use his energy on Zy’nayth, he’ll make sure everything is fine. Other than the nausea, anything else going on?”

“The nausea is the worst, but I do have a bit of a headache and I feel shaky. More than I thought I would.”

“These are also normal symptoms,” Ja’val said, “but we’re going to run you under the scanner as planned. All of the other Rayth have gone through the same thing. It’ll pass; hopefully soon.”

“What do you think about these?” Becket asked, as he gently pulled back the sheets to expose Zy’nayth’s right thigh, “Some injection site reactions.”

“Haven’t had too many of those,” Ja’val said. “But not uncommon. Usually appears in Rayth with less human DNA in the mix.”

“Cold compresses?” Becket asked.

“Yes. Victoria, how’s that leg look?”

Victoria lifted the sheet, “Maybe a half-dozen inflamed.” Then she checked his upper arm, “Arm has one spot.”

“Any itching?”

“No,” Zy’nayth replied.

“Cold compresses will do the trick, at least they have thus far,” Ja’val said. “Just bring down the inflammation. Let the body deal with the reaction.”

“Lungs sound good and heart is strong and regular,” Becket said. “Zy’nayth, do you want to shower and freshen up first?”

“Please.”

“Cooler water so we don’t aggravate the reaction sites,” Becket said and helped his friend to his feet.

Ja’val and Victoria went with him to the adjoining bathroom. He was shaky on his feet, but having gone through this with other Rayth, Ja’val had the bathroom set up with several handrails and a stool in the shower to sit or balance on.

“I’ll be right outside,” Victoria said as she tossed a towel over a rail for him.

Zy’nayth was quick, not because he felt up to it, but because being upright made his nausea worse. Victoria heard him throwing up and stepped in to check on him. After he brushed his teeth and gargled for a second time, they headed back to the his room and he relished being able to lay down again.

“Let’s get this scan done before his breakfast arrives,” Becket said.

“Breakfast?” Victoria asked.

“Lutia is bringing over something bland and toast,” Ja’val said as he keyed in the scans he wanted run. A moment later, device started its routine. “I want to start him on normal food right away. I know, I’m adjusting our plan, but I want to get that digestive system working as soon as possible. I want his energy focused on everything but fighting the serum.”

“I do not think I can eat,” Zy’nayth said.

“What about feedings?” Victoria asked. “Are we going to adjust what we’ve scheduled out?”

“I don’t know yet. Becket and I are going to try this. We can revert to the plan if we have to. We’ll keep a close eye on everything, and adjust as needed, but I don’t foresee any difficulties. We’ll take it day by day, hour by hour if we have to.”

“Okay,” Victoria said, then turned to her husband, “what would you like me to fix you for lunch and dinner?”

“I am too nauseous to think about it. Would rather feed.”

“I need you to try eat,” Ja’val said. “Feeding will restore your energy too quickly which means it will be harder for you to stop when it goes after the serum.”

Becket looked at Victoria, “Something light. Soup. Plain chicken. Non-acidic fruit. You know the routine.”

“Lutia has already volunteered to cook,” Ja’val said. “I know you want to be at his side, and she doesn’t mind.”

Victoria looked at her husband, “Your call. I’m more than happy to cook for you, but I know you’re a little nervous about these new sensations and I want to be here to help you through this, so if that means I don’t leave your side, I’m happy with that too.”

“I would like you to stay. I know you have been wanting to cook for me for a long time, but I need you here. I am a bit frightened, I am ashamed to say.”

“Honey,” she said as she kissed him, “I’m right here, though if I can slip out for five minutes while they finish the scan, I need my own shower. I’d feel a lot better.”

“Go ahead,” he replied.

“Ja’val are my things still in your office?”

“They are.”

Victoria nearly ran to the office and was soon back in the room. Then she darted into the bathroom and took her own shower and brushed her teeth. It took her six minutes. When she walked back into the room, Becket smiled at her telling her that she didn’t have to rush.

“The scan is normal. Good news. Very good news,” he said.

“What were you talking with Kol’non about?” Zy’nayth asked Ja’val.

“We were discussing the little letter that the High Council has about him and Ny’van taking over things. We both agree, and I’m sure you and Victoria will as well, that we can dispose of that. You’re going to be just fine.”

“I would like to wait until tomorrow morning as planned,” Zy’nayth said.

“The most critical hours are past,” Becket said, “scans are normal. You’re going to be fine.”

“If I felt better, I would not hold this up. Please, tomorrow,” Zy’nayth said and closed his eyes, somehow hoping it would help calm his stomach.

“All right,” Ja’val said. “I’ll let Kol’non know. But you’re going to be just fine.”

“Daddy!” Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth came running into the room. Ja’val and Becket each lifted one onto the bed, warning them not to move too much because Daddy’s tummy was upset.

“Feeweeng bedder?” Mik’kenna asked.

“A little bit. How did you enjoy staying with Uncle Christopher and Aunt Alessa?”

“We payed backet ball,” she said.

“Baxter and Suhwest had fun too,” Ky’nyath said.

“Did they wear you out?” Victoria asked as Chris and Alessa walked up.

“Nah. It was just as much fun for us,” Alessa said. “And kinda helps us to prepare for this little one,” she said, rubbing her slightly bulging stomach.

“Good morning,” Lutia said, “Oh, the gang’s all here.”

Becket moved the rolling tray stand over then Lutia set his breakfast on it. “Scrambled eggs, toast. And apple juice. Victoria, same for you but I added salt and pepper to your eggs.”

“Thank you, Lutia,” Zy’nayth said as Becket raised the back of the bed a little more.

“Eat what you can,” the doctor said, “even just one or two bites. Let’s get your system working. I’m going to give you an IV for your nutrients after you have a few minutes to eat and adore the twins.”

“Lutia, Victoria would like for you to fix their lunch,” Ja’val said. “Keep it light and bland. He is quite nauseous.”

“Not a problem,” Lutia said. “I know how this works.”

“And dinner,” Victoria added, “if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all. I owe both of you more than a couple of meals.”

“What did you two have for breakfast?” Zy’nayth asked the twins as he took a bite of the toast.

“Paycakes!” Ky’nayth exclaimed.

“Wif tawberries,” Mik’kenna said.

“I like strawberries,” Zy’nayth said.

“Dey good,” Mik’kenna nodded.

“Chris, Alessa, I’ll make lunch and dinner for the twins too,” Lutia said, “if you want me to. Just let me know so I can whip up enough for everyone.”

“Well, if they return to Terra 2 with us, if Zy’nayth’s too tired to entertain them, we can take care of it. If not, and if you really don’t mind…”

“I don’t mind at all,” Lutia smiled.

“Everyone’s going to be stopping by this morning,” Chris said to Zy’nayth, “if you’re up to it. If not, I’ll let them know. They all send their love.”

“Suhwest and Baxter pwayed too,” Mik’kenna nodded.

Alessa chuckled, “Did you know they taught those dogs to bow their heads to pray? That was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Victoria laughed. “They’re so proud of that. We were getting ready for bed one night, and, as usual, Zy gathered us all for prayers. We held hands, and the kids both gave a little ‘pray’ command and the puppies sat and bowed their little heads. It was all I could do to keep from bursting into laughter.”

Zy’nayth chuckled, “Even I had a hard time restraining myself. Lutia, do not take my lack of eating as an insult to your cooking. I am simply having a hard time because of the nausea. I have quickly learned how bothersome this is when Victoria or one of the children do not feel well. I do not remember this from my own youth before my self-healing abilities began working.”

“Keep trying,” Ja’val said.

“I am. And Christopher, yes, if it is okay if others wish to visit, but it is not necessary. All of you were here most of the day yesterday. That meant so very much. I know you are praying for me, so there is no need for everyone to drop what they are doing to come and watch me lay here in bed.”

“I’ll tell ‘em but I’m pretty sure they all want to visit and make sure Doc and Ja’val are taking proper care of you. Can never trust those two.”

“Very well. But stress that a visit is not necessary.”

“I will. And I hate to run, but I’m heading out with Kessler to Elgolia.”

“Any leads yet on who is supplying those weapons?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Not yet. Steve’s working on getting himself trusted enough to get them to open up to him. I’m playing the mean supervisor. Make it look like we’re not pleased with his work so that he might appear more appealing to whoever’s behind this. I probably won’t be back until the morning. You take care of yourself.”

“I am trying.”

Chris gave hugs and kisses to both Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth then bridged back to Terra 2.

As the day progressed, everyone who had been there when Zy’nayth underwent the procedure had stopped in to see how he was doing. Vince and David also took time out to visit and check in on the High Chancellor. After dinner, Alessa returned, accompanied by Kol’non, since no one could bridge over without him or Ja’val, to pick up the kids for the evening.

“Chris just got back,” she said, “literally two minutes ago. He promised to stop in tomorrow morning. Nothing new on Elgolia.”

“Thank you and tell him he does not need to come.”

“He’ll be helping me bring these two little ones back in the morning,” she smiled.

“In that case, he must come. Ky’nayth, Mik’kenna, I love you. Thank you for staying and helping me.”

The kids gave him kisses, then Victoria said a quick prayer for the family before they left.

“I’ve been thinking,” Victoria said, returning to her chair, “since you’re still not feeling much better, that we should ask Ja’val and Lutia to stay with us on the island. Provided he and Becket release you in the morning. I’d feel better with Ja’val there.”

“As would I,” he said. “I really do not like how I am feeling.”

“Well, Ja’val and Becket have been in here every hour on the hour to check your monitors and they both say everything’s normal. I’ve been keeping an eye on them too, but they know more about this than I do.”

“You are still worried.”

“I always worry about you,” she said, pushing a stray hair from his eyes. “I’m trying to remind myself, as much as you, that these guys aren’t going to let anything bad happen to you.”

“I will be fine. I just do not like feeling like this. You should go home and sleep in a bed.”

“Nope. I’m staying here.”

“I’m going to move some of these wires so that she can share the bed with you,” Ja’val said as he walked in. “I wish I had another hospital bed for you, but with new trials starting up this week, we’re all out. We only had a few to begin with…Rayth generally do not need a hospital.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Victoria said. “And I’ll stay in the chair. His stomach is far too upset to have me jostling the bed.”

“All right,” Ja’val replied and checked the latest readings on the monitors. “Everything still looks good.”

January 7, 2120

“I feel horrible,” Zy’nayth said as Ja’val and Becket checked him the following morning and ran another scan. Each had alternately stopped in during the night to check the monitors while he slept. “I do not think I should be released,” he said as they started up the scanner.

“We think this is normal. There’s no sign of rejection or a further reaction,” Ja’val said. “Lutia and I will stay with you at your island home. Being home and being with your children will help get your mind off of the odd sensations you’re feeling and the nausea.”

The scan finished and both Ja’val and Becket looked it over. “Normal,” they both said.

“Let’s get you moved to your own home,” Ja’val said.

“Are you certain I will not have a major reaction?”

“Sir, with all due respect, get out of my lab.”

Victoria chuckled. “You’re lucky he’s not feeling well.”

“I know,” Ja’val smiled as he helped Becket to unhook the monitors. “His clothes are in my office.”

Victoria hurried out and back then helped her husband to sit up to dress. “You know he’s right,” she said, “You’ll be better at home with the kids and pups cheering you up.”

“Yes. Oh Victoria, I really do not feel well at all,” he said, leaning back on the bed.

“I’m so sorry, honey. We’ll get you home and in that big bed and the kids can tell you stories.”

“I wish they did not have to see me so sick. I also do not want them to go through this. Ja’val, you will fix this so that the children do not have to deal with this as I have.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Ja’val said. “Remember, you have ten thousand years of progressive abilities you’re fighting against. They’re not going to have that. They’ll get a little sick but not what you’re going through.”

Victoria reminded him to trust Ja’val as she helped him put on his pants. She checked both thighs where there were injection site reactions and smiled. “The inflammation is almost gone. See, already improved in just a day. And your legs are still very sexy.”

***

“I was going to try some baked chicken for lunch,” Victoria said.

Zy’nayth sighed, “I am not hungry.”

“Zy, you have to eat. That IV is helping, but you have to eat to get your system used to it. You need to set a good example for the kids. Speaking of which, I hear the yapping of puppies. I think they’re here.”

“Daddy!” Mik’kenna shouted as soon as she, her brother, Chris, and Alessa entered the house. “Daddy!”

“In here, sweetheart,” he said from the center room.

She ran in, Celeste bounding after her. “You bedder now?”

“Now that you and Ky’nayth are here, I think I feel a bit better.” Then he looked down and smiled, “And Baxter and Celeste.”

“If you need us to take the kids and puppies again tonight, or any time,” Alessa said, “you let me know. They’re no bother at all.”

Victoria thanked them as she got hugs from her kids. “I think we’ll be okay. Lutia and Ja’val will be here.”

“Should we be concerned?” Chris asked. “I mean, them staying here wasn’t planned.”

“No,” she smiled, “but because he’s still feeling nauseous, I’ll feel much better if Ja’val’s here. And Lutia can help wrangle these four little guys and help me with meals.”

January 8, 2120

It was just after 2:00 in the morning when Victoria felt her husband get up. She rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, then she heard the retching. She hurriedly got up and ran into the bathroom. Instinctively, she felt his forehead for a fever but there wasn’t one.

She pulled back his long hair and grabbed one of her own hair bands and put his hair in a loose ponytail then rubbed his back. “I’m gonna get Ja’val.” Before she ran downstairs, she wet a washcloth and put it on his neck. For some reason, she always felt that to be comforting when she got that sick.

“Maybe I used too much spice or something,” she told Ja’val as they walked together up to the second story.

Zy’nayth was still in the bathroom but sitting on the floor, wiping his face with the cold washcloth.

Ja’val knelt down and began using his handheld scanner. “Victoria’s cooking that bad?” he asked, trying to cheer up his sick friend.

Zy’nayth sighed then got back on his knees and threw up again.

“Anything I can do?” Victoria asked.

“Everything still seems to be stable. No rejection. I didn’t think the dinner was too spicy,” he said, “what little I tasted of it, and if it had been the food, I think he would have reacted to it before now. Sir, it might make things worse, but I really should use my energy to double check unless you want to bridge to the lab for a scan. Are you up for it?”

Zy’nayth nodded as he finished his latest bout of retching.

“Sorry in advance,” he said and put his hand on his superior’s chest and let his energy enter the body.

Immediately, Zy’nayth went forward, ready to throw up again. But a few seconds later, he settled.

“Good,” Ja’val said. “No reaction to my energy. Everything looks good. Your body is just getting used to having a working digestive system again. It’s not sure what to do. Better?”

Zy’nayth nodded. “Much.”

“Do you want me to get you some water, milk, tea? Anything?” Victoria asked.

“Just water, please,” he replied.

Victoria hurried downstairs, got a glass of ice water and hurried back up. Zy’nayth was gargling.

“I think he’ll be fine now,” Ja’val said as he headed back down to the guestroom, “but come get me if it flares back up.”

“Don’t worry, I will.”

Victoria propped up the pillows against the far wall then grabbed the water and sat down. Zy’nayth walked in and sat down beside her.

“Thought it might take a few minutes for your tummy to settle, and before you wanted to lay back down.”

He took the glass and sipped on the water. “I will be glad when this has passed.”

“Me too, sweetie. I hate seeing you like this. I feel so helpless. I’m a doctor and there’s nothing I can do for the man I love.”

“You are helping by being with me. Try and go back to sleep. I will be fine. I want to sit for a little while longer.”

“You want anything else?”

“Would you hand me my Bible? I will read until things settle a bit more.”

Victoria walked across the floor-covering mattress and grabbed the Bible off of the dresser, then she grabbed her own pillow she dropped it next to her husband, handed him the Bible then kissed his cheek. “I’ll just curl up right here.”

Zy’nayth smiled as she rolled up on her side and rested an arm across his waist. She was asleep before he read through the first paragraph.