E:A Vol 4 Ch 4—February 12, 2120

On Monday, despite worrying about intruders which Mark West assured the group would be handled by security he’d arrange, Victoria and the others, except Kol’non, had bridged back to Terra 2 a couple of hours prior to her husband. The two Rayth stayed behind to take care of some things up on the flagship before Zy’nayth headed back. Kol’non, of course, would be on the flagship as it traveled back to the Andromeda galaxy.

Zy’nayth walked to his chambers and found his kids rolling on the floor with the puppies who they’d missed over their two day adventure with Uncle Becket. He and Amelia were sitting on the sofa talking with Victoria about the weekend’s events.

“Daddy!” Ky’nayth exclaimed running up for a hug and a kiss. “We went to beach and Mik’kenna swimmed!”

“Swam,” he corrected then looked at his daughter. “Is this true?”

“I scared,” she said, “but Uncle Becket help. I only swimmed a wittle. I no go in far.”

“It is ‘swam,’ and I am very proud of you. I know you do not like the water.”

“We payed bakket ball. And Uncle Cwis show us fwisbee wif Storm.” Ky’nayth continued, “Can we get fwisbee for Baxter and Suhwest?”

“When we have an opportunity, we will get them Frisbees.”

“Tank you!” Ky’nayth said.

Zy’nayth looked at his daughter, “Mik’kenna, do I not get a hug and a kiss?”

“Sowwy,” she said and walked over to correct her mistake.

Zy’nayth picked her up then sat in his oversized chair with her on his lap. “What is wrong, Mik’kenna?”

“I no know.”

“Did you have fun with Uncle Becket and Miss Amelia?”

“Ess.”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No.”

“Are you happy to see Celeste and Baxter?”

“Ess.”

“Did you miss Mommy?”

“Ess.”

“Did you miss me?”

Mik’kenna burst into tears and threw her arms around his neck. “I worry, Daddy. You be sick and I no there take care of you. I sowwy.”

Zy’nayth held her tight, “My beautiful daughter, I am not very sick. I am just not as strong as I used to be, that is all. My tummy is all better. I simply get tired more easily than I used to, but that will go away in time.”

“But Ky and me need be wif you, too. We take of you. If you tired, we get you pillow and blankie.”

“I love that you do those things for me, but I needed you to stay with Uncle Becket for a couple of days. You saw that mean person on the viewscreen, and other people were bothering your mother. I wanted to keep you safe. Besides, you know that if I got really sick again, someone would have sent for Uncle Becket or Uncle Ja’val. Mommy and I missed you very much. So did Baxter and Celeste. Do you know what they did since you were not there to take care of me?”

“What?” she asked, her blue eyes wide, looking into her father’s silver orbs in anticipation.

“They slept on the bed with us. They made sure they were right there if we needed anything. They took very good care of me.”

“Dey good puppies,” Mik’kenna said with a nod as she wiped away her tears. “I lub puppies so much.”

“You and Ky’nayth trained them well.”

“You ‘kay?” Mik’kenna asked. “You tell troof?”

“I am quite fine. And it is your naptime. So give hugs and kisses to Uncle Becket and Miss Amelia then grab your little wards and go settle in for a nap.”

Becket and Amelia said their goodbyes then the kids were settled into their beds. Zy’nayth, looking tired, was sent to nap as well. Victoria decided she may as well join him and snuggled next to him, dozing right off.

Victoria only slept for a short while and let her husband sleep on while she went about planning out meals for the week. Once the kids were awake, she and the kids took the puppies for a walk. When they returned, Victoria started to become concerned because Zy’nayth was still asleep. That wasn’t like him. When he took a nap, it was generally short, even at his sickest, it was never more than thirty minutes.

She quietly walked into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. She reached out and pushed his hair out of his face.

“I cannot sleep,” he said, his eyes still closed.

“Did you sleep at all?” she asked.

“Not long. Ten minutes.”

“I can get Becket or Ja’val,” she said softly,” if you think something is wrong.”

“I am just thinking too much,” he said, “that is all.”

“Anything you want to talk about? Maybe getting it out will help.”

He let out a sigh, opened his eyes and sat up. “I do not wish to worry you, but…Victoria, I have a sense of dread. I feel as if something horrible is about to happen.”

“To you?”

“I am not sure, but I believe so.”

“Well, that could be due to not being at your full strength. I’m sure that it’s unsettling for someone who is used to being the most powerful person in the room to have lost his strength,” she smiled. “My poor lightning warrior.”

He shook his head, though a smile passed his lips when she used “lightning warrior” which was the English translation of his name. “I do not think it is that. Yes, I am weaker than normal, but other than being tired, I do feel quite fine.”

“Then maybe it’s only because you’re so tired.”

“I hope you are correct.”

“To be safe, maybe when we head back to Kiva, Kol’non and Ny’van should set up extra security around you. I know you don’t want that, but until you’re at full strength, it would be a prudent move.”

Zy’nayth sighed and rolled onto his back. “I think I will.”

“Why don’t you contact the Vice Chancellor now then try to get a little more sleep? I’ll keep the kids quiet.”

He gave her a nod. “I will. Thank you.”

February 16, 2120

“Victoria,” Zy’nayth said to his wife as she finished packing food for their trip to the island home. He sat at the kitchen table and put his head in his hands, “I do not want the children to bridge over with us.”

She stopped putting things into the bags and sat down across from him, “That bad feeling back?”

“Yes. And worse. I will call Becket and see if I can impose upon him again. Just a day or two. Or am I being overly paranoid?”

“You’re asking me? Honey, this gut feeling of yours has served you well for ten thousand years. Don’t even ask me. I don’t want any of us in danger, especially the kids, so yes, maybe it’s best if they spend the night with Uncle Becket. But I also want you to talk to Vince and John. If something is up, they need to know to get the kids out of here. Get all of your normal precautions set up. Your backup plans and all of that.”

“Make sure you have as many tracking devices on you as you can tolerate wearing.”

Victoria smiled, “Yes, sir. And I’ll make sure the kids have on their little bracelets.”

Thirty minutes later, the Alpha Team, including Becket, Ja’val, Kaven, and Simon were gathered in the main conference room. Kol’non joined them via a video link.

“I am sorry to bother all of you,” Zy’nayth began, “but I have had a bit of a bad feeling about returning to Kiva.”

“More than a bit,” Victoria corrected.

“Yes,” he replied. “I have asked Becket to watch over the children for a day or two until I can assess the situation. However, since this feeling is rather strong, I would ask that all of you be ready should I, or Victoria, need your help.”

“How accurate are these bad feelings of yours?” Kaven asked.

“I’ve worked with him quite some time,” Kol’non chimed in, “this is not something to take lightly. Sir, I’ll get the Second Ship prepared, if you’d like, since it’ll be another day before we hit the Andromeda galaxy with the flagship. I can bridge over and take command of the Second until the flagship is home.”

“Prepare the crew, yes, but do not transfer over until something comes up. If that happens, she is all yours. This may be nothing.”

“Unlikely,” Ja’val said. “Tracking devices for you and Victoria set?”

“Yes.”

“I could put a subcutaneous on both of you. I know it has its limitations but it would be an extra bit of tracking.”

“Might as well,” Victoria said.

“What can we do?” John asked. “We can stand ready, but if you’re on the Rayth homeworld, I think we’ll be kinda stuck.”

“If something does happen, just follow Kol’non’s lead,” Zy’nayth said. “Simon, Ja’val will give you the codes for our tracking devices. You can be another set of eyes and ears. Finally, if something happens, the biggest concern I have is for my wife and children. Be’atta, Kaven, Becket, I select you three. Becket, because I have asked you to take care of them should anything happen to me; Be’atta and Kaven, because you two know the planets that Rayth tend to visit the most. If I am taken captive, not killed, you will take the children some place safe. Do not tell anyone where. Becket, I am afraid this will disrupt your work schedule. I pray Victoria is left alone and can be taken to our children. Stay away from Terra 2. If I am killed, further information…the Vice Chancellor has further instructions.”

“Will do,” Kaven said, “the kids will be fine. I give you my word on that.”

Simon asked, “Does the subcutaneous have subspace?”

“Unfortunately, that’s the one thing I haven’t been able to achieve yet,” Ja’val said, “thus the limitation…unless I surgically implant something, I can only pick up a local signal which I can detect if we’re in the same system, but outside of that, and if there is a lot of background radiation, it is limited. The other tracking devices you should be able to monitor from one of the main workstations,” he said pointing to the control room.

“I do not have anything else for you,” Zy’nayth said, “but thank you for listening. I hope it is simply nothing more than a bad feeling.”

“Would you like me to inform the Vice Chancellor?” Kol’non asked.

“I have already spoken to him. He has not heard of any threats. But yes, if something does happen, please keep him informed.”

“When are you leaving?” Vince asked.

“I think that once Ja’val has injected the tracking device, we will leave. I need to know what is going on.”

“However, if you wait a day,” Kol’non said, “the flagship would be in the area to assist you if needed.”

“He’s got a point,” Chris said.

“I must be on Kiva for a meeting in the morning. I may as well go over now. Though if you wish to push the flagship’s engines, just a bit, I would not object.”

Victoria reached over and squeezed his hand, “I agree. No sense in worrying any longer. Find out what it is, if anything.”

“All right,” Vince said, “I assume Ja’val will be the first to know if something goes wrong.”

“Most likely since I’ll be staring at the tracking monitor; I’ll head to the Second Ship after I give them their subcutaneous tracking devices.”

“We’ll be ready on this end for whatever you need us to do,” John said to Kol’non. “Not sure we can help in any way, but we’ll keep a close eye on the kids at least.”

“Ja’val, make sure my console is plugged into the tracking links,” Kol’non said. “Other than that, I’m signing off so that I can talk to the Second Ship.”

“Thank you, Kol’non,” Zy’nayth said.

Once the subcutaneous tracking devices were inserted into the shoulders of Zy’nayth and Victoria, the couple gave hugs and kisses to their kids then bridged across to the island on Kiva where Zy’nayth had built his circular wooden house millennia ago.

“Seems quiet,” Victoria said.

Zy’nayth nodded, “Ja’val, do you hear us okay?”

“Picking both of you up and have both of you on the scanners. Second Ship is just a couple planets out as the First commanded.”

“The feeling is getting worse,” Zy’nayth replied. “Bring the ship closer. Keep her cloaked.”

Ja’val informed the Second Commander as Victoria reached over and took the bag of groceries from her husband. “If something comes up, you need your hands free. I’m okay with both bags.”

A couple of people were in the courtyard. They waved and welcomed the couple back to the island. As they neared the house, Victoria noticed that her husband was clenching and releasing his hands. Her fear rose. He was not a man to fret, and he was definitely not a man to show visible signs of fear or worry. Nothing generally broke his “commander” face. He opened the door to the house and led the way inside, checking the kitchen so Victoria could put the groceries away, then he went to check the rest of the house. Victoria put the few perishables into the refrigerator and closed the door when she heard the first crash.

“Something’s wrong,” she said knowing Ja’val probably already heard the fight. Her instructions, should anything happen, were to run back to the bridge. But as she ran out of the back door, the gate in the fence opened with two imposing Rayth bearing down on her. She turned and bolted back inside, heading for the front door, but it, too, was blocked. “Trapped,” she said for Ja’val’s ears, and headed for the study where she knew Zy’nayth was fighting someone. They’d be after him, she thought, and that might give her a chance to jump out of the window.

She ran in, grabbed the floor lamp and crashed it through the window over the desk. As she began to scramble out, her legs were grabbed and she was pulled back into the room. Zy’nayth’s hand came up and thrust back one of her attackers. Then there was a flash of blue light and he fell to the floor. Victoria tried for the window again. She had promised she’d do her best to get back to Terra 2, even though she didn’t want to leave her husband. She kicked her attacker as hard as she could, but it was no use. Not against a Rayth.

“You won’t make it,” one said as another grabbed her ankle and easily pulled her back into the house. Still she tried.

The one who looked like he was in charge tapped his comlink and gave the order to have them teleported out.

They appeared in some sort of prison on a Rayth cruiser. It wasn’t a warship. Victoria was familiar enough with those, but she wasn’t sure what kind of ship it was, and it wasn’t like the brig on the two types of warships she’d been on. The Rayth shoved her against a wall after she again feebly tried to get away, then they left.

Victoria slumped to the ground and waited until she was sure they were gone before she scrambled over to her husband. “Honey?” she whispered as she gently shook him. She sighed when there wasn’t an answer. “Science?”

“Tracking,” Ja’val’s reply came. “Is he okay?”

“Stunned. I counted seven Rayth. We’re on a ship, don’t think it’s a warship. It’s much smaller. Bigger than his cruiser, though. Can’t tell much more. But the hall is curved and it looks like benachti.”

“Only seven?”

“Yeah,” she sighed, “his strength is still lacking…what do I do?”

“Stay calm. He probably let them overtake him to find out who’s behind this.”

“He wouldn’t have risked me.”

“The stunner was probably not anticipated. Victoria, just stay with him. Keep feeding me information. They haven’t jumped to FTL. If they do, it will take me a while to triangulate your position.” Then she heard Ja’val give orders to scan for a cloaked ship or shuttle, then he came back to her, “Anything you can see, hear, smell…anything will help. Just keep your eyes open and tell me what you can.”

“Understood. Someone’s coming.”

She heard Ja’val switch his conversation over to Kol’non who had apparently joined him on the Second Ship.

“Dr. Victoria Carson?” the rather high-pitched voice asked.

Victoria looked up, holding Zy’nayth’s head in her lap. The Rayth was tall, though not the height of her husband, and thin, as most Rayth were, his hair was to his shoulders, falling freely. “Yes?”

“You have caused my family much trouble.”

“I don’t even know you,” she said.

“No, but you knew my father.”

She shook her head, “Who was he?”

“Koh’vash. The High Chancellor before my uncle killed him. My mother, Chan’dala, was killed because this idiot took a human mate,” he said as he kicked Zy’nayth’s legs. “You caused both of their deaths.”

“I’m sorry about your family,” she said, “but your father did try to kill me.”

“You are a human! You deserve to die! And now you and this creature are trying to turn all of us into humans.”

“No we’re not. He, and the others who’ve taken the serum, still have their Rayth abilities. They are still Rayth, only now humans aren’t their fodder.”

“Abilities? Ha! It only took seven of my men to take him down. Seven. He could handle seventy easily. I think his abilities are gone.”

“His body is still adjusting to the serum. Those who were part of the very first trial have their abilities back at full potential. His are returning. It’s slow, but it’s happening. He’ll be the same powerful man he was before. The serum works.”

“Was it worth the lives of my parents?”

“The serum has nothing to do with what happened to your parents. Your father tried to rape and kill me. He accused my husband of treason. He struck the first blow. According to your laws, what my husband did was well within his rights. And as for your mother…same thing. She threatened the wife of a Rayth. He judged her for it.”

“Try to get them to tell you where they’re taking you,” Ja’val whispered through the hidden comlink, one last little trick he gave them before they left Terra 2.

The Rayth pointed to her wrists, “Those are tracking devices. And her necklace. Check her ankles and check him too.”

The devices were taken then the subordinate Rayth left.

“Listen, you don’t have to take the serum. It is an option. The High Chancellor has made it his policy that it will not be forced on anyone. You know what he said when he addressed the people.”

“Propaganda.”

“No. I swear. Where I’m from, we’re appalled at such an idea of forcing experiments on people. A couple of us were part of this project and the High Chancellor promised me, personally, that he would never force his people to take the serum. Please, when he wakes up, we can talk this through like civil adults.”

“Or he will simply snap my neck.”

“No he won’t, not if you’re willing to talk. He’s a changed man.”

“Yes. He’s more human.”

“No. He is fully Rayth.” She sighed, “Please, we have no quarrel with you. I’m sure we can talk through everything. I know what happened to your parents must have hurt you deeply, but…”

“We weren’t particularly fond of our parents,” he snapped.

“We?”

“My brother and I,” he replied.

“May I know your names?” she asked. “You know ours. I knew the names of your parents.”

“I’m not giving my name to a human.”

“All right, can you at least tell me where we’re going? Will I need a jacket? You can go with me back to the house so I can grab a jacket,” she said, hoping to at least get some weather information for Ja’val. Anything.

“You will have to deal with the weather without your jacket.”

“What do you want from us? Revenge?”

“I’m going to have a little fun with my uncle.”

“You don’t want to do that. He may be weak now, but when he’s back to full strength, he’ll remember this and might not be so forgiving.”

“He’ll never get his full strength back. He’s going to be just a helpless little human, like you.” It was then that Zy’nayth began to stir. “Ah, Supreme Commander, nice of you to join us.”

“Di’vash, long time,” he said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Is Ca’vak in with you on this?”

“Of course.”

“Revenge, I assume.”

“Not really,” Di’vash replied, “though I do miss their money.”

“Did you not get an inheritance?”

“Afraid not. The High Council seems to think the money should be used to remodel the estate.”

“I can change that,” he said as he sat back against the wall. “I can get you your inheritance.”

Di’vash simply shook his head then tapped his comlink, “Any sign of the flagship?” When he got a negative response he tilted his head towards his uncle. “Not like you to be out of range of your flagship.”

“She is busy elsewhere. I should not need her if I am just planning on spending time at home. So where are we headed and what do you want?”

“Where are you children?”

“Safe,” he replied.

“On Terra 2?”

“I do not know. I suspected something was up and left them in trusted hands. Once word reaches them that Victoria and I have been taken captive, the children will be taken to a secure location that neither of us are aware of in order to keep it completely secret. I did not want either of us to give out their location should you choose to telepathically interrogate us.”

“Oh I’m sure you have a few ideas of where they might be.”

“I gave them my ideas and told them not to go there.”

“We will deal with them later,” Di’vash said with a wave of his hand. “For now, let’s head to the main chamber.” He looked at the guards, “Don’t worry about Victoria, she’s harmless. Shackle him.” He drew a blaster, “Uncle, should you try anything, know that I will have no trouble shooting your wife.”

“Sir, we’ve located your tracking device and can teleport you out,” Ja’val’s voice came over the hidden comlink. “They haven’t detected us yet.”

Zy’nayth looked at his wife and shook his head as he was being shackled. “No!” she shouted and feebly swatted at the Rayth trying to tie up her husband. “Leave him alone!”

“Understood,” came Ja’val’s reply.

Zy’nayth gave his wife a wink. She had done as he’d hoped. Ja’val got the message.

“Victoria, don’t make me tie you up,” Di’vash said. “Surely you know you can’t beat a Rayth.”

She jerked her arm away from one of the guards then went and stood by her husband. “You know his fleet will come looking for him,” she said. “They’ll find you.”

Di’vash and the others ignored her as they escorted the couple to a very small laboratory. It wasn’t as nice or as well-equipped as Ja’val’s, but the equipment was intimidating compared with Earth standards.

Zy’nayth was led over to the metal exam table and forced to sit on it. “Nice shuttle, though it could use some modifications,” he said for Ja’val and Kol’non’s information. Victoria, left unguarded, looked around.

“Dr. Carson,” Di’vash said, “while we are still in orbit, I would like to give you the opportunity to leave. I will have you teleported back to your island home.”

“Yeah, right,” she chided.

“I’m giving you the opportunity to be free.”

“So you can track me to my children. Not gonna bite.”

“Victoria, you are in a marriage you’d don’t want to be in. Trust me. Rayth only take human mates for nothing more than having a sex slave. You are free to leave.”

“One. I love my husband. I haven’t been brainwashed, and I’m certainly no one’s slave. And two, I will not go back just so you can follow me to my kids. I’d rather die.” She crossed her arms and sat on a stool near her.

“Very well. Tell me where the children are at, and I won’t hurt your husband.”

“I don’t know where they’re at. Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”

“You are, in effect, going to cause your husband much undo pain.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” she said.

Di’vash raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

“Not on purpose,” she said. “I just make some bad decisions from time to time.”

“Then this will be one of those times.”

“No. This is the right decision. I won’t give up my children to save my husband. And he wouldn’t give them up to save me. Our children mean more to us than each other. Got it?”

“You’re awfully quiet, Supreme Commander.”

“High Chancellor,” Victoria corrected.

“And she’s rather talkative.”

“She gets that way when she is nervous,” Zy’nayth said. “I am too busy plotting my way out of here to talk.”

“Would you like me to sedate her, sir?” one of the guards asked.

“No. She will want to watch this. Get him into position.”

The exam table was adjusted into something resembling a metal dentist’s chair, and Zy’nayth was forced to switch positions. A metal cylinder was lowered from an array of gadgets overhead, and from it extended a metal tube.

Victoria bolted to her husband’s side, “What are you doing to him?”

“The serum,” Di’vash said, “I believe he needs more of it so that he can become fully human.”

“How’d you get your hands on…”

“I have my sources,” Di’vash said.

Victoria’s eyes locked on Zy’nayth’s. She prayed he was reading her mind. She wanted Ja’val to teleport them out. She had no idea how his body would react to another dose of the serum, let alone something that was going to be mainlined into his bloodstream.

Di’vash tapped his comlink, “Get us out of here,” he said. A moment later, the ship jumped to FTL speed.

“Don’t do this,” Victoria said, “it’s only going to make him nauseous. It’s not going to have the effect you think it will.”

“Then there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“Listen, I went through this once with him. He’s not a pleasant person to be around when he’s that sick. I don’t want to go through that again. So just stop it.”

“You’re a doctor, you’re used to sick people.”

“Treating them, not living with them,” she replied. The ship lurched as it came out of FTL. It hadn’t gone far. “Not a very smooth ride for such a short trip,” she said.

“It serves its purpose. I don’t have the latest technology available like your husband does.”

“I hear you,” Ja’val’s voice came over her comlink. “Short trip noted. Triangulating position. Signal is faint, but we still have you.”

Victoria winced as she saw the tubes descend from an overhead vat of some sort. “Okay, listen, don’t. Please, don’t.”

“Tell me where your children are.”

“I don’t know!”

Metal leg clamps came up out of the steel table and around Zy’nayth’s ankles. Then his upper arms were clamped down as well. A needle was connected to a tube protruding from the largest metal tube. The metal seemed to unfold and soon encompassed everything so that the tubing could not be pulled out from the clamp around Zy’nayth’s arm.

“Next jump,” Di’vash said. The ship lurched back into FTL. “I’m surprised I haven’t picked up any of your warships yet.”

“It must be your lucky day,” Zy’nayth replied.

“Now where would your precious flagship be? Terra 2, perhaps? Or is that why I don’t see it? Your children are aboard it.”

“If they are, I hope you find them,” Victoria grinned.

“Oh, don’t you worry. I know better than to go up against his flagship.”

Victoria waited for the lurch again, but it was a long time coming. “I didn’t think cruisers had FTL speed,” she said.

“This is not a cruiser,” Di’vash replied.

She suddenly frowned, “We’re docking.”

“Yes. And this ship has a little shield so that any tracking devices we may have missed will not be able to communicate with anyone following us.”

“Well, you took the ones I had,” Victoria said as she continued to frown.

“Go ahead and start the serum,” Di’vash said. The technician did as instructed and once he made sure everything was working, everyone left. Victoria tried to get the IV out, but the metal around the tubes between the larger device overhead and the clamp around Zy’nayth’s arm which contained the needle wasn’t about to budge.

Victoria squeezed her husband’s hand. “What do I do? Tell me.”

“Move the control panel over here.”

She nodded and kissed his cheek. “Okay.” She pulled it over and looked at the dark screen. “It’s not powered up. Will it sound off an alarm if I turn it on?”

“There is one way to find out.”

She managed a nervous chuckle as she hit the appropriate spot on the panel. “Here it goes.” She pushed the button and the entire panel and screen instantly came online. “It’s all in Raythian. At least I can read the main interface.”

He looked at the options and he told her which section to go into.

“Grrr,” she growled, “Encrypted.”

“Move it closer to my hand,” he said.

She pushed it over and adjusted it so his right hand could work the key panel. What if they’re watching?” she asked as she looked for monitors.

“What will they do? Tie me up?”

“Now you’re being snarky,” she said.

He smiled but followed it with a sigh. “This is difficult to do with one hand.”

“What can I do?”

“Look for something you can use as a weapon. Pipe, knife, anything. As much as you can carry.”

She nodded and began going through the drawers and cabinets. “Why not just kill you if they’re so upset with you?”

“I would be avenged. And this will be much more painful. Plus they seem to want the children.”

She found a couple of small knives but nothing else that she thought could be used as a weapon. “How’d they get the formula for the serum? Only Becket and Ja’val…”

“It may be related to whomever has been trying to sabotage things on Terra 2.”

“To get to that formula, though, they’d need some pretty high security clearance.” She turned when she heard the click of the restraining clamps being released. “Seriously? You amaze me.”

He smiled as he sat upright and began digging into the code to get the secured IV off of his arm. “I have told you, Victoria, that I have not lived ten thousand years without learning a few tricks.”

“It’s still pretty amazing,” she said. “Okay, I’ve gone through the cabinets twice. No medical supplies. Rayth don’t really need…what are we gonna do when you get free?”

“Take over the shuttle. Science, can you hear us?”

“Ah. Yeah. Should have figured that. May I remind you that you’re not up to full strength, and I’m not exactly combat material,” Victoria said.

“If I do this correctly, you will not need to fight. And neither will I. They must be out of range,” he said speaking of the Second Ship.

“So I’ll just wait and be amazed again while we don’t fight our way out.”

“And pray.”

“Ah, yeah.” She walked over to the side not taken up by the computer console and bowed her head. She began to pray softly. Just as she finished there was a click. Zy’nayth ripped the IV out of his arm.

“Sit up here with me,” he instructed, “I am going to call up the shuttle’s schematics. Learn them.”

She watched his fingers fly over the console and pages came and went as quickly as his fingers hit various buttons.

“Here,” he said, “we are on a small transport shuttle.”

“We’re here, on the lower deck, right?”

“Yes. Very good. This is the path I want us to take to get to the pilot’s cabin.” His finger traced the path, then she retraced it. “This is an alternate path; it is almost parallel. That will be our secondary route.”

“Okay, I got it. I hope.”

“Continue to visualize it in your mind,” he said as he went back to typing. “Do you remember how to contact Terra 2 or my ship if I need you to?”

She went over the pilot’s control station layout in her mind, “Not 100%, but yeah, I think I can pull it off. As long as I can find the right Raythian symbols, yeah, I can do it.”

“The communications station is always on the left. You work well under pressure, you should not have an issue.”

“Surgeon in me coming through, hopefully.”

Zy’nayth pointed, “Once we get to the pilot’s cabin, I am going to attempt to get this shuttle out of here. If we end up having to disembark the shuttle onto the main ship, I want you to make it to the bridge. Follow this route.” He walked her through each corridor and deck. “Got it?”

“How do you know what kind of ship we’re docked to?”

“I called up the docking log.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Of course you did. In the three seconds you’ve been at the console…” she laughed and kissed his cheek, “I love you. Okay, go back to this deck, let me see if I can trace the route.” Zy’nayth flipped the screen back and this time she pointed to where she thought she was to go. There was only one correction. She went back over it and this time got it right.

“Okay, now what?” she asked.

“What weapons did you find?” She placed her two knives on the table beside him. They were for electrical work, but a knife of any sort could be deadly. He took one and told her to keep the other one handy.

“I am going to unlock these doors. I do not have time to break into their security system. This will trigger an alarm. When the doors open, follow me to the pilot’s cabin. If I get detained, you keep going. Do you remember how to start up the engines?”

“If it’s like your cruiser, yes.”

“It should be. Start the engines. If I am still not with you, I want you to take her out. If there are others on board, I will try to get them off, or at least disabled before you lift off.”

“What about the shields?”

“The last thing they will want will be for this cruiser to explode inside of the ship. They will lower the shields.”

“If they don’t?”

“They will.”

“Zy…”

“If they do not lower the shields, set her down then head for the bridge. They will be focused on me, they do not care about you, or they should not. You are not a threat to them.”

“And if I make it to the bridge, how in the world do you expect me to fight off the bridge crew and take over the ship?”

He pointed to the schematic, “Wait here for me. I will catch up if I get slowed.”

“You better not be held up. I’m getting nervous.”

“It is very simple. Engine on, forward. If shields do not come down, set it down and run. However, they will lower the shields.”

She nodded and let out a deep breath. “Okay. I can do this.”

“Whatever you do, just keep going. Do not wait on me.”

“That’s what’s making me nervous.”

“You will do well. Are you ready?”

“No, but let’s go,” she said as she gripped the knife in her hand, hoping she wouldn’t have to slash at anyone. She was used to patching people up, not ripping them apart. She walked over to the sliding doors and waited off to the side, taking deep breaths in an effort to calm her nerves.

“Here we go,” he said and hit the last button. The doors opened and the alarm sounded. Zy’nayth went running past her and she ran after him. The trip to the flight deck was short and though they had a few Rayth following them, they made it inside before they caught up. “Start it up,” he said and went to fight off the other Rayth after grabbing a stunner from a rack on the wall. He turned back after stunning the Rayth and opened the hatch.

“Right panel, lower section,” he said when Victoria’s eyes were searching for the button to trigger the heads up display. Then he ducked out, dragged the three Rayth he’d stunned to the hatch and dumped them out onto the hangar floor as ten more were running to the shuttle. He punched a panel on the wall, “Get us up,” he said. The shuttle jerked as the hatch closed, but they were ten feet off of the deck as Zy’nayth used the same panel to check for life signs on the shuttle. Just his and Victoria’s. He was satisfied and ran back to the pilot’s cabin.

Victoria found the shuttle’s shields and engaged them and began to move the shuttle forward as her husband came in. “Switch places,” he said and she jumped out of the main pilot seat and let him do what he did best: pilot.

“Breathe, Victoria,” he said as his eyes flashed over the consoles. She had started everything up perfectly.

“Trying.”

She heard the main thrusters ramping up. “Please drop the shield. Please drop the shield,” she repeated. Then the shuttle lunged forwards. She gripped the back of the seat to stay upright. They were outside of the main ship. The shuttle spun like a top to get to the proper trajectory, then thrust forward.

Zy’nayth didn’t jump to FTL right away, instead she watched his hands move to a different panel. “Sending transponder codes to the Second Ship. Brace, they are locking targets on us.”

She closed her eyes. Then felt the jolt of the shuttle as it jumped to FTL speed. Then another jolt as the weapon snagged the cruiser. It spun again and again.

“They have followed us into FTL.”

“Not good, not good,” Victoria said, clutching her seat, eyes shut tight as the shuttle rocked again from another blast just as it came out of its spin.

Zy’nayth got the cruiser stabilized then began checking the monitors for the damage as he dodged the shots being fired at him. Another blast and the shuttle seemed to rear up like a frightened horse. Victoria wasn’t sure what the word meant, but she knew it was a Raythian curse. Zy’nayth then apologized for using such language in her presence. “I will have to set her down,” he said, “she is not going to last long in this condition.”

“Set down, not crash, right?”

“We will see,” he replied. “This is not a combat vessel, her systems are quite outdated. I will do my best.”

“What planet? If I need to signal for help, I need to know what planet.”

Zy’nayth checked his charts, “Visniji.”

“Great. One I’ve never heard of. Visniji. Visniji. Visniji.”

“They do not seem to be following us any longer.”

“Good. Good. Just set it down nice and smooth, okay?” Then she cringed.

“Aft engine gone.”

“It’s okay. You’re a pilot. Amazing pilot. Legendary pilot. We’re going to be fine. This is nothing, right?”

“Victoria.”

“Yeah?”

“I love you. You make me smile.”

“I love you, too.”

“This is not going to be smooth,” he said a moment later as the hull was finally breached from the shrapnel of the blown engine. “Move behind me and get on the floor.”

“Zy…I really, really love you. Please don’t get hurt.”

“I will try not to. I am attempting to break the security code so that we can establish communications with the Second Ship. I did not have time to send our location with the transponder signal of their ship.”

“Just land us safely,” she said.

Zy’nayth’s hands were flying over the various panels but even Victoria could tell that he was struggling. The second serum dose was interfering. It didn’t seem to be working as fast as the original, but it was starting to impair him. She prayed he’d break the security code. Even if it was a rough landing and he got hurt, she could contact Kol’non and Ja’val, but not if there was a lockout. She wouldn’t even know where to begin to break the code.

She sat down behind his seat as he instructed and prayed fervently. It wasn’t long before she heard things, large and small, hitting the cruiser. “Communications open,” he said. The whipping of branches against the hull could be heard. Then they abruptly came to a stop with a big crash, Victoria didn’t even realize she was screaming as they hit the ground. Suddenly she stopped and caught her breath. “Zy, Zy? You okay?”

When there wasn’t an answer, she forced herself to her feet, letting out a scream as she tried to use her arms to get help herself get up. Her right arm was broken and hung at an odd angle at her side. She took a couple of deep breaths then looked at Zy’nayth.

“Oh, Zy…no!” Blood covered the pilot’s controls. She felt for a pulse, instinctively trying to move her right arm, but let out another scream and used her left. “Good. Hold on, hold on.” She then did her best to check for any neck or back injuries. “Okay, I think you’re safe to move,” she said, though no one was listening. The Second Ship wasn’t close enough to pick up the subcutaneous signal.

“I have to do this with one arm, so I’m sorry in advance if I hurt you while moving you.” She wrapped her left arm around his waist and lifted. She screeched in pain and stumbled backwards but managed to get him on the floor without dropping him. Then she sat in the pilot’s chair and wiped the blood away. She punched in the codes he had taught her.

“This is a secure channel, identify yourself.”

“First Commander? It’s Victoria.”

“The First Science Commander lost your signal. Where are you?”

“We just crashed on Visniji. I hope I said that right. The High Chancellor is injured and unconscious. My right arm is broken. I can’t do much for him.”

“That was Visniji, correct?” came Ja’val’s familiar voice. “Receiving transponder codes now.”

“Yes. And the codes are for the larger ship they took us to. We’re on a shuttle on Visniji.”

“How extensive are the High Chancellor’s wounds?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t feel any spinal injury. Can you reach our comlinks now?”

“Not quite yet. Keep this channel open. Tend to yourself and to the High Chancellor.”

“How long until you get here?”

“Twenty minutes,” Kol’non said. “Were you followed?”

“Before we crashed, no.”

“We may be delayed if we have to engage them.”

“Understood,” she said as she knelt beside her husband. “Try not to be, he’s bleeding too much. Head trauma. Ja’val, they gave him more serum. Did you hear that before we jumped FTL? Not sure of dosage. It was an IV. The device is on board. How do I open this channel ship-wide? I need to find something to tie up the wounds.”

Kol’non gave her the instructions and she punched in the code then ran into the next area and did a quick search. Nothing. “You guys need to keep medical kits on board, I could use some right now,” she said as she ran back to flight cabin. She took her shirt off and began ripping it into strips by placing one end under a knee, using the knife in her less-dominant hand to rip it. She had to grit her teeth to keep from screaming, even so, a few came out. Her arm was badly broken but it wasn’t lethal. Her husband’s injuries, however, might be. His healing ability was already low, and now with the added serum, it was probably non-existent.

“He’s coughing up blood. Oh guys, please hurry. I didn’t see any scanners, I can’t tell the extent of his injuries, but symptoms are not good.”

“Find that ship,” she heard Kol’non order, “disable her, don’t destroy her. Second, push this ship to her limit. Victoria, do your best. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

“I know you will. Hold on, honey,” she said. “Breathing is shallow. Pulse is high. No BP cuff.” She managed to get his head wrapped to stop some of its bleeding. Her left hand felt around his torso. She could feel a broken rib and feared that he may have punctured a lung. She heard Ja’val tell Kol’non that power was rerouted to the engines. Then he spoke to her.

“He is Rayth,” Ja’val’s calming voice came over the speakers, “do not panic. He will heal.”

“Not if he’s been overdosed with the serum,” she replied.

“Victoria, in the short time you were out of range, he could not…”

“It was mainlined into his bloodstream, repeat, mainlined into his bloodstream. He could have been given a lethal dose. No leg injuries, at least none that are bleeding. Torso and head.” She began to cry, “I can’t do anything more. No medical supplies. Hurry, please hurry!”

“We’re almost in range,” Kol’non said. “Ja’val!”

“One second,” the First Science Commander said. “Got it!”

“We have your subcutaneous devices located. We’re going to teleport you directly up to the bridge. We will tend to the High Chancellor first,” Kol’non said. “Two minutes to intercept.”

“Good,” she replied. A couple of minutes later her surroundings changed and they were on the bridge of the Second Ship.

Ja’val rushed to Zy’nayth’s side and settled his hand on the chest. A moment later, he pulled back. “Serum reacting to my energy.”

Kol’non finished healing Victoria and tapped his comlink, “Dr. McKenna, we have an emergency coming your way. Have you left Terra 2?”

“No, just about to.”

“Do not go. The High Chancellor has been seriously injured. He’s also been given another dose of the serum. First Science can’t heal him.”

“We’ll be ready,” Becket replied. Kaven and Be’atta were with him and Amelia and the twins. They were just about ready to bridge off-world. “They have the High Chancellor and Victoria. Take the kids to my place,” he said to Amelia as he hurried to the infirmary, shouting orders as he went.

“Daddy ‘kay?” Mik’kenna asked, sensing Becket’s change in mood.

“He will be, sweetheart,” Be’atta said, “let’s go pray for him just to make sure.” She, Kaven, and Amelia took the kids and the luggage they’d packed for their departure, to Becket’s chambers.

“Second Commander, get a team, teleport down to the crash site,” Kol’non said. “Take the Second Science Commander. Find that serum device, we need to know how much he was given. First Science can we risk bridging him to Terra 2?”

“We have to.”

“Becket, two minutes and he’ll be in your control room,” Kol’non said as he and Ja’val lifted Zy’nayth and were teleported, along with Victoria, to the bridge portal control room. The code for Terra 2 was entered. The bridge glowed then Kol’non walked across first, his arms under Zy’nayth’s, Ja’val followed holding Zy’nayth’s legs. Victoria was last. Becket and a team were there with a gurney. Ja’val began rattling off the injuries he had been able to see the moment he touched Zy’nayth with his energy.

“Victoria, you’re not going in,” Becket said as they hurried down the hall to the infirmary.

“What?”

“Too close to him. Go to your kids. They’re at my place.”

“Go,” Ja’val said. “We have this.”

“And don’t show up in the observation room, those kids need you right now. I’ll keep you posted over the comlink,” Becket said as they darted off to the operating room.

Victoria ran behind them and just before they went into the O.R. she gave her husband a tender kiss. “I love you and I’ll be praying for you.” Then she hurried to Becket’s chambers where Amelia met her with a hug at the door.

“Are you hurt?” she asked, turning Victoria’s back to the chambers, “Honey, you’re covered in blood.”

“Oh, sorry, I was…I’ll go shower. I’m fine. I’ll hurry.”

“We’ll be right behind you with the kids. I’ll give you a couple minutes to get cleaned up.”

“Thank you,” she replied and ran to her chambers. She grabbed clean clothes and her backup comlink, then hopped into the shower. It was probably the fastest shower she’d ever taken. She heard the kids and the dogs enter, asking about their mother and father. She heard Be’atta’s voice, then Kaven’s. After a quick rinse, she dried off and threw on her jogging pants and a tee-shirt. “Hey guys,” she said walking into the living room.

“Mommy, what’s wrong wif Daddy?” Ky’nayth asked.

“There was an accident,” Victoria said. “Come on, let’s pray for him.”

“But Rayth heal,” Mik’kenna said.

“Uncle Ja’val couldn’t heal him, honey. Some bad guys gave Daddy more of the serum. Uncle Becket is going to take care of him.”

“Kay,” she replied, “Puppies, come. We pway.”

Amelia sat on the floor and held hands with the family as Victoria led them in prayer. Kaven and Be’atta joined in, but Victoria saw that both were well-armed and in “warrior” mode. With Zy’nayth down, they’d be ready to fight off anyone or anything that came after the twins.

Victoria tried not to get distracted from her prayer as she listened over her comlink to the orders Becket was giving to his team. When she finished her prayer, Amelia said her own for the High Chancellor, then the kids each said their own little prayers.

Just as they said “amen,” the door chime sounded. Ky’nayth ran to answer it. “Daddy wif Uncle Becket.”

“I heard,” Chris said as he walked in with Alessa. John followed. “What happened? Or can you say anything?”

Victoria sat in Zy’nayth’s oversized chair, one kid to either side of her, and told them what she knew.

“The old High Chancellor’s sons?” John asked.

“One of them. I don’t know if the other was on the ship.”

“Kol’non catch them?”

Victoria shrugged, “No idea.”

The door chimed again, this time it was Kol’non. “Did you catch bad guys?” Ky’nayth asked.

“The Second Ship is in chase,” he said, “Victoria, I’m going to the crash site to oversee things. Is there anything you need me to do?”

Victoria shook her head, “No. Thank you for all you’ve already done. Do we need to be prepared to leave?”

“Stay ready until Ny’van says otherwise, or your husband. Is the arm okay?”

“Sore but fully functional. Thanks.”

“I’ve asked Vince for the use of a shuttle. It’ll save me time from having to go to Kiva to get one.”

“Want a pilot?” John asked.

“No need for a pilot, but I could use a human. The villages around the crash site are human and obviously not too fond of Rayth.”

“I’ll gear up.”

“I’ll come too,” Chris said. “Victoria, everything’s going to be okay. You’ve got the best working on him.”

“Take care of Kol’non,” she said, “I don’t want you getting attacked. I’ve had enough of that.”

“Got him covered,” John said, “let’s go.”

The three men left and Victoria found herself drained. “Listen, honey,” Amelia said, “go in there and take a nap. I’ll go whip up some lunch for us. Just some sandwiches, nothing fancy. Ky, Kenna, you watch over pups, okay?”

“We will,” Ky’nayth said.

Victoria didn’t think she’d sleep, but she went into the bedroom anyway. The kids thought it best if they and the pups went with her. She was happy to have them near. She curled up on her bed around the twins, and fell right asleep despite the noise coming to her over the comlink and her panic over her husband. Thirty minutes later, Amelia and Alessa were serving egg salad sandwiches, chips, and fruit.

“At least you got a little bit of a nap,” Alessa said.

That’s when Victoria realized she didn’t hear the O.R. chatter. The door chime sounded and Mik’kenna ran to answer it, sandwich squished in one hand. “You ‘pose be helping Daddy.”

“Daddy is doing okay,” Becket said and picked up the girl, giving her a kiss on her cheek.

“Is he?” Victoria asked.

“I stopped the bleeding and did a little suturing. Two broken ribs, so he’s all bandaged up. No lung puncture. The blood you thought he coughed up was because he bit the inside of his mouth pretty bad. He was just clearing his throat, so to speak. He’s on an IV, and Ja’val assures me that Zy’s own energy will heal him. It will take longer than normal. Hemorrhaging has stopped and that’s what was most important.”

“Where is Ja’val?”

“Examining that serum machine. He’s trying to get an idea of how much of that he got shoved into his system.” He looked at Amelia, “Babe, I hope you have a sandwich for me.” Mik’kenna offered him a bite of hers but he said she looked like she needed it for herself.

“One sec,” Amelia smiled and darted into the kitchen, returning with a plate of food and a tall glass of iced tea. “Sit down.”

“Shouldn’t one of you be with him?” Victoria asked.

“Why?” he smiled. “Don’t you trust my work?”

“Becket…”

“Danielson’s in there, and I came to tell you that you could go and see him. Stay as long as you want. I’ll be by after I stuff my face with food.”

“Can I take the kids?”

“I think it’s best if they stay here. Lot of torso and head injuries.”

“His brain?”

“No problem there. Don’t worry.”

Victoria knelt down and gave her kids hugs, “I will tell him you prayed for him.”

“And lub him,” Ky’nayth said.

“Of course, sweetie,” she said then headed to the recovery room. Zy’nayth’s head was now properly bandaged, as was his torso. “Hey honey,” she said as she took his hand into her own. “We prayed for you. The kids each said their own prayers. The puppies had their heads bowed and everything,” she said and burst into tears.