E:A Vol 5 Ch 1—May 19, 2120

Chapter 1: May 19, 2120

Zy’nayth seemed more frustrated than he had been over the kidnappers getting access to the chancellery. He could deal with threats. He was confident of his abilities. But the realization that he hadn’t even thought about how food would be produced for his people hit him harder than he let on and put him into a highly annoyed frame of mind.

For ten thousand years, Rayth had subsisted only on the energy of humans. Now, with the help of Dr. Becket McKenna, they finally had a serum that would restart the Rayth digestive system, allow them to eat food, and do so without losing any of their Rayth abilities. Zy’nayth himself had taken the serum and results showed his abilities were normal, at least for him.

While on a mini-vacation on Earth at Victoria’s home in Montana, she made an off-hand remark to him about putting in a greenhouse so that they didn’t have to go to the store or bridge back to Terra 2 just for herbs or foods that she used frequently. While she waved off the comment since they were hardly on Earth, Zy’nayth came to the realization that he couldn’t begin a mass distribution of the serum to his Empire. They had no food supply.

Ten thousand years of feeding off human energy and no working digestive systems meant that growing crops and raising livestock wasn’t needed. Those skills were lost. Though children needed food, their food was given to them in the form of shakes that were mass produced from chemical compounds. There were a few Rayth who cooked simply because they liked the taste, but it provided them no nutritional value, and there were Rayth with human wives who needed food and who could get food from their native villages. But the food acquired by the scant few who cooked was generally gathered from human settlements, sometimes just by stealing it, other times, given to the Rayth out of hope that they wouldn’t be the Rayth’s next meal.

On the eve of announcing the success of the serum and offering it to the masses, Zy’nayth, the High Chancellor and Supreme Commander of the Raythian Empire and Army, was struck a blow with the realization that he had not even considered the fact that there was no process in place to feed his Empire. It hadn’t even crossed his mind. His wife, Dr. Victoria Carson, who also helped in the development of the serum, loved to garden and cook, and therefore, when he took the serum, he didn’t have to worry about finding food sources. His wife got the groceries from the Expedition: Andromeda mess hall, cooked it, and fed their twins and him. She took care of everything. He didn’t give it a second thought.

Victoria knew her husband was frustrated, but she didn’t know how deeply his lack of foresight had wounded him until Ky’nayth, their two-and-a-half-year-old son, asked a question about being able to fly his father’s cruiser. He’d just learned how to “drive” the tractor used at her home back on Earth and felt he was ready to tackle flying the Rayth flagship. His father said it was probably best to start with his personal cruiser. The boy hadn’t brought the topic up again while on Earth since his father’s cruiser wasn’t even in that galaxy, but now back in Andromeda, he was eager to learn, and so he asked when he could try. This simple question caused the elder Rayth to raise his voice at his son and ordered him to stop bringing up the topic. Ky’nayth and his twin sister, Mik’kenna, neither of whom had ever experienced this from their father, were suddenly scared.

They were at the small kitchen table in Victoria’s chambers on the Terra 2 city-ship. Victoria reached over and put her hand on her husband’s arm, speaking in a calm, yet stern voice. “Zy, this is only the second time he’s brought it up since learning to drive the tractor. There’s no need to shout at him.”

Zy’nayth bowed his head, not so much from Victoria’s mild chiding but from sensing his children’s fear through his telepathic link with them. He got up and went over to his son, drawing him into his arms. He kissed his forehead. “I am sorry, Ky’nayth. I have too much on my mind and am quite upset with myself for forgetting something very important. I did not mean to yell at you. I love you, son. I am so sorry.” He pulled away and looked into Ky’nayth’s wet eyes, and tenderly wiped the tears away. “Tonight, when I get home from work, I will give you your first flying lesson. Mik’kenna, I know I scared you as well, and I am very sorry for that. If you would like, you may join us. I think a family outing would help to get my mind off my problems.” He tilted Ky’nayth’s head to look him in the eyes, “Would that be all right?”

The boy nodded and sniffled. “Why you work on Sunday? It church day and we has picnic with puppies ‘cause it no rain today.”

“I must work because of this big problem. Son, please forgive me for lashing out. It breaks my heart that I did so. I am so very sorry. I should not let my problems interfere with our family. But you and Mik’kenna and your mother can take the dogs to the beach and have your fun with them.” He smiled, “I am sure it will be a good day for them to run and play. So, forgive me?”

“I forgive you. I sorry you has problem.”

“Daddy, what wrong?” Mik’kenna asked, after finishing her last bite of her omelet. “We help.”

“I will tell you tonight after your flying lessons. Pray for me, please.” He looked at the clock, “I must go. I wish I did not have to. I do not like leaving when I know I have upset the three people I love most in the entire galaxy. Go to church and pray extra for me.” He quickly ate his last couple of bites, then Ky’nayth wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

“You go work. Love you.”

Mik’kenna hopped out of her chair and shared the same affection. “Suhwest and Baxter pray, too,” she said, speaking of their dogs which had been taught to bow their heads and “pray” on command.

Victoria grinned, “Baxter and Celeste will be praying, as will we. I love you,” she said and gave him a kiss as the door opened. “Don’t worry, I’ll try to explain a little to them while you’re gone.”

He gave her a bow of respect and went to the control room to bridge to Kiva. He and the twelve members of the Raythian High Council, along with the Vice Chancellor had been discussing the problem since Zy’nayth returned from Earth on May12, 2120. They were all meeting again today, May 19, 2120 to create a list for a meeting they would have with members of the Expedition: Andromeda staff the next day.

***

The group met in the High Council Deliberation Chamber. This was just for them as well as the High Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for their longer discussions, and ones outside of the public eye. The Deliberation Chamber was more like an office, each with a personal desk and a small area to the left and slightly behind of each desk for their assistants. The desks were arranged with Zy’nayth’s at one end of the room with his assistant, like the others, to his left and slightly behind him. Directly across from him was the Vice Chancellor’s desk, then to his right or left were the twelve Councilmen forming a half circle facing Zy’nayth, with a second half circle slightly offset to their left and behind them for their assistants.

The Lead Councilman, whose desk was to the right of Ny’van’s spoke first. “We have reviewed and approved the men selected to work with the Terra 2 team. We confirm your results that none are a threat to those on Terra 2 and are loyal to the Empire and to you.” He looked up from his notes, “How soon can they start training?”

“I told them to be prepared to go to Terra 2 on Tuesday. Tomorrow we have the meeting with the department heads that they will be working with, so that was not a good day to start.” Zy’nayth looked at his assistant, Dre’han, “Please inform them that they have been approved and that they will begin training as planned.”

“Yes, sir,” Dre’han replied and began typing up the message for immediate release.

“Dr. Nichols has agreed to keep livestock for us until we have a place and staff ready,” Zy’nayth said. “But they cannot keep much more than what they have. I have offered to build them facilities as needed.”

“Have they found any animals for us?” another Councilman asked.

“They have not been actively searching. The Alpha Team has managed to procure a few chickens on their last outing but until our meeting tomorrow, the other teams do not yet have the permission from General Cavanaugh to barter for animals. I have set up a separate account and have gold ready to give to them for the transactions, but until we are all agreed on the course of action, the general cannot order them to buy livestock.”

“We have billions of people we need to feed,” the Councilman said.

“I am well aware of that,” Zy’nayth said. “Due to the schedules of those of us here, those we are taking with us, and those we need at the meeting from Expedition: Andromeda, it has taken a couple times to arrange this meeting. I will not dictate to the Expedition: Andromeda team what they must do for us. There are some who feel as though I am running things on Terra 2 and we still have not found the person or persons responsible for the sabotage. To take control, or seemingly to, would cause Terra 2 more harm and right now, we need them. Though I do not wish to complain, please keep in mind that I have also been overseeing the interrogation of Di’vash and Ca’vak. Some of you have been involved with that as well and it is time consuming sifting through what information we are gleaning from them. Between distribution of the serum and these interrogations, the Empire’s security is my priority. Would you disagree with that?”

“No, sir. Forgive me. I am…eager…to see this serum distribution start.”

“I still say we go and take what we need from the planets we visit,” another spoke up.

“If we wish to mend the division between our people and humans, that is not an option,” Zy’nayth said, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice, but failing. “We are fortunate to have the Terra 2 team helping us to try and build relationships with villages to barter for food until we can sustain ourselves. I will hear no more talk of stealing other people’s food. That is the third time you have brought it up in our discussions. I will hear no more of it. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir,” the Lead Councilman replied on behalf of his men. “Other than a few men training on Terra 2, what else do were you able to accomplish since we met on Friday?”

“Jack Burgeon has given me the schematics for the greenhouses. I forwarded them to the appropriate person at a specialty building manufacturer. His building team will then make any modifications that will improve the design and utilize our technology; then Dr. Burgeon will help in the testing. The other three department heads, Botany, Agriculture, and Farm will also aid in answering questions as needed. The same is being done for barns and various livestock pens. I did not go any further because I spent most of the day yesterday working on my list for the meeting tomorrow.”

The Lead Councilman looked at Zy’nayth, “Have you thought any more about which planet we’ll distribute the serum to first?”

“I agree with our conclusion from Friday that Tarnia is our best option. A small population so it will be much easier to distribute the serum as well as set up farms and such. It will be a good planet with which to begin this process.”

The Lead Councilman noted it on his computer. “What, then, are your next steps in the process?”

“I need to talk to the governor of Tarnia, the individual leaders of each village, arrange for security for the human teams who will help in the building and training in each village, and coordinate that with those of the Science Team who wish to oversee the process once the Expedition team is finished with the initial installation. That means those Science Commanders need replacements, and those replacements need to be brought up to speed on any projects that the Commanders are currently working on.”

Zy’nayth sat back in his high-backed leather chair and ran his fingers through his scraggly white hair. “Gentlemen, there is far more to this than just distributing the serum and planting seeds. We must build entirely new industries. Manufacturing of the buildings is easily done by our current builders, however, machinery to harvest, kitchen equipment, butchering equipment, not to mention distribution of goods through stores and what that may require…these are just some of the things that came to mind as I was working on my list yesterday. I am sure I did not think of everything as I do not know what is needed.”

He shook his head and continued. “There are not only climate conditions to consider, but geologic conditions as well. We need to know what planets, or even areas on each planet, can produce for themselves and could, if needed, export to planets that cannot. And to know that, we must rely on the Terra 2 team until I have a Command staff who understands all of the variables and can begin to visit our planets and outposts and collect the data needed in a much more timely fashion. If planets will be able to export goods, is that something left to the government to do, which means establishing distribution systems, or shall we leave it to individual entrepreneurs? Currently the government provides,” he cleared his throat, thinking about the humans gathered to feed his population, “currently we provide the so-called food. Do we continue that? In any case, that is a discussion left for after our meeting tomorrow.”

“Do you have any idea of how many planets the Expedition: Andromeda team will need to visit for this initial part of the plan?”

“As many as needed. I need our Science team to know as much as possible. We learn quickly but we cannot make a mistake in this early part of the process. If we want Tarnia to succeed and show the rest of the Empire that the serum works without any detrimental effects, everything must flow smoothly and without complications. Therefore, until our men are confident in their abilities, and we are confident in their abilities, Expedition: Andromeda will be in the picture for as long as it takes. First Science and a few trusted men on his team are already working closely with the three main department heads. This is not including those who will start training on Tuesday. Anything we can supply to the Terra 2 team in advance regarding weather and geology will help.” He raised an eyebrow at one of the Councilmen, “No, there will be no classified information given out and yes, I do trust these few members of the Terra 2 team.”

“Speaking of which,” the Lead Councilman said, “you’re teaching them about the capabilities of that ship, correct?”

“Personally, no. The Third Science Commander has been assigned that task. I know some of you are worried they will use that ship against us, but let me assure you, it is no match against any of our warships, let alone our flagship.”

“And if they decide to build a fleet? That ship is faster than anything we’ve got,” another Councilman said. “They could out-maneuver us.”

“Gentlemen, are you suggesting that those humans who have never flown such a ship are capable of harming my flagship?” He shook his head. “I would be quite impressed. However, to ease your fears, of which I am appalled, consider this: even if they learn how to build another ship, they do not possess the materials to do so. Nor the energy supply. We have not found any pellite deposits, so we cannot even build that type of engine.”

“They might have the information in that ship’s databases as to where the pellite deposits are located,” yet another Councilman said.

Zy’nayth let a sly smile pass on his lips, “That is one of the first things I had my Science team search for.” The smiled faded, “Unfortunately, there was nothing. Now back to the main topic, please.” He paused, eyeing each man, making sure they knew that he did not want to go off topic again. “Gentleman, as I have stated, there are many angles to cover. I am sending you,” he tapped his tablet, “a list of areas that need supervision. I have come to the realization that I cannot do this alone. I am asking for volunteers. I am also asking for you to go to Terra 2 and learn what you can on your own. I have received permission from General Cavanaugh for you and your assistants to go as you see fit if prior arrangements have been made with the general. This is not mandatory. As you look at the list, you can see that the supervisory needs are not limited to food. As I mentioned, there is the building aspect, distribution, and so on.”

The Lead Councilman had received the list prior to the meeting and discussed it with Zy’nayth. He spoke up, “I know all of you have demanding jobs, but we’re here to help the High Chancellor and do our best for the Empire. I want each of you to volunteer to oversee at least one of these areas. The High Chancellor should not have to carry all of these responsibilities. Keep in mind, he is still the Supreme Commander and oversees our fleet and army. The people need to know that we are helping him and that we approve of this project.”

“Note that the Vice Chancellor,” Zy’nayth said, “will be my second on this. If you have questions and I am unavailable, talk to him,” Zy’nayth gave a nod to Ny’van who generally did not speak up during these discussions unless one side or the other needed clarification or a dispute settled.

***

That evening, Zy’nayth arrived home early and took his family to Kiva, to their island home, and flew his cruiser to a training area for new pilots. As Zy’nayth stood after landing the cruiser, Ky’nayth wriggled his way up into the pilot seat. At two and a half years old, he couldn’t reach anything. He frowned and turned to his father. Zy’nayth smiled and lifted him up. “Let me go over things with your sister first. I know you will want to spend more time on this than she will, okay?” The boy nodded as he was set down.

Zy’nayth first went over the pilot and co-pilot areas, then the two control stations behind them which were more for supplementary purposes such as science and communications should the pilot and/or co-pilot be too busy to deal with. Then he sat in the pilot seat and Mik’kenna was lifted onto his lap. Ky’nayth stood by them as Zy’nayth described more of the functions of the wrap-around control panels. He didn’t go into detail, only focusing on the basics for flying the personal cruiser. The plan was to have each of the twins start up, check the controls, lift off, go in a straight line, turn 180 degrees, return to the starting point, set the cruiser down, and shut it off.

It took Mik’kenna several tries before she caught on. Zy’nayth was patient, knowing it was difficult for the small kids to reach the controls, but she quickly learned what they were for. Maneuvering the cruiser was another matter. After a dozen attempts, Mik’kenna was able to lift off and set down without much difficulty. And the difficulty she had was due to her inability to properly reach the controls without straining herself or nearly falling off of her father’s lap. Then she took the cruiser down the field, turned it around (with a little help from her father), and flew back to their starting point. She tried for another ten minutes and with each attempt figured out how to adjust her sitting position to allow better reach for the controls, and/or knowing what was due next, to move right before she had to adjust control on one panel. She was anticipating and adjusting herself for each item on the list. That, in and of itself, made Zy’nayth proud.

Victoria sat in the co-pilot seat, Ky’nayth on her lap, and thought how she had trouble with her own cruiser on Earth, and she’d been flying since she was sixteen. Her kids were far too smart, she smiled to herself. She wrapped her arms around Ky’nayth and kissed the top of his head. She loved her little ones more than anything. She whispered in his ear that she loved him. He turned and smiled up at her. “Love you, too!”

When it was time for Ky’nayth’s lesson, he surprised even his father at how adept he was at controlling the cruiser. After one failed attempt, he was able to fly it straight down the field, turn around and return. He had watched his sister intently and caught on about anticipating the need to move for the use of the controls. After his first smooth trip down the field and back, Zy’nayth pointed to intentionally placed obstacles on the outer areas of the field and had his son maneuver around them. There were issues, but for the most part, Ky’nayth was a quick study.

“Bubby you so good already!” Mik’kenna said, proudly. “I think you ready to fly flagship!”

Zy’nayth chuckled to himself. “The flagship is…more challenging. But some day, after you have had plenty of lessons, you will fly it. Perhaps both of you.”

Mik’kenna waved off the remark. “I just look at stars. Bubby fly ship.”

Zy’nayth let his son fly around the training area for about twenty minutes, then he said they needed to go home. He let Ky’nayth remain on his lap, but the elder Rayth controlled the flight and gave them a special ride, accelerating quickly straight up into orbit then pulling a few “stunts” before returning to the island where he parked and secured the cruiser before the family bridged back to Terra 2.

***

“I failed to recognize that Rayth need to know how to grow their own food,” Zy’nayth told his family after dinner. “Those with human wives have access to the villages where their wives are from and can get food as needed, but that is a very tiny portion of the Empire. I should have thought of this long before now. We could have had crops growing and livestock breeding and multiplying before we began mass distribution of the serum.”

“Mommy show us how to cook, so she show Rayth. She good,” Mik’kenna said with a nod.

Zy’nayth smiled at her. “Cooking is only part of the problem. Rayth do not have potatoes. They do not have cows or chickens from which to get meat and eggs. I have to come up with a solution to feed billions of Rayth.”

“No taytoes? Daddy! Even I know how plant taytoes!”

“In our garden, yes, but sweetheart, to plant enough for the entire Raythian Empire is quite a different matter.”

“Oh. We can has bigger garden to help,” the girl said.

“We will create a community garden on the island, but still, that will not be enough for all of the Empire.”

The girl frowned. “Dis compy-cated.”

“Indeed,” he smiled at her.

“But you’re getting help from the High Council now,” Victoria said, “and we’re having the big meeting tomorrow. And, may I remind you that you’re not the only one who’s been involved in this serum project. First Commander Kol’non, First Science Commander Ja’val, Ny’van, the High Council, all of the scientists working with Ja’val, honey, none of them thought about this part of the project. No one did. It’s no one’s fault. If anything, be thankful you realized it before mass distribution began. This is only a little delay, that’s all.”

Ky’nayth hugged his father, “We think ‘bout how fix, too! I sleepy. Can we go bed? I think better in morning.”

“Let’s pray,” Victoria said, “then we’ll tuck you into bed. I think we should all make it an early night since me and Daddy have that big meeting tomorrow.”

“We go?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Afraid not,” Victoria said, lifting Mik’kenna up and propping her on a hip. “Aunt Lutia will be here to watch over you.”

May 20, 2120

In an unused area of the city-ship on Terra 2, a make-shift conference room was set up. Folding tables were brought in and set up forming a large square. Victoria was helping Chef Alan Reed and a few people from his staff get the snacks and drinks set out. She knew it was going to be a long meeting, and hoped they had enough snacks to get them through until lunch. It was 7:00. The meeting would start at the bottom of the hour.

In attendance were the dozen members of the High Council, their assistants, Ny’van and his assistant, First Commander Kol’non, First Science Commander Ja’val, two scientists who Ja’val had chosen who work with the distribution of the food packs given to young Rayth before they developed the ability to feed on human energy. Along with them were the Science Commanders who would be studying with the Terra 2 team to learn about the botanical, agricultural, geological, and climatological requirements of each plant and animal.

Those in attendance from the Expedition: Andromeda military team included Vince, the Alpha Team, Kaven, and each off-world Expedition Team leader. From the science departments Dr. Nelson Castor, the Director of Botany Research, Benjamin Nichols, the Farm Director, and Hank Wells, Director of Agriculture. Chef Alan Reed, head of the mess hall, and Dr. Simon Harris, Chief Technology Engineer, were also there as well as, Alessa Chapman, Lt. Col. Chris Chapman’s wife as well as a member of the Botany Department, Dr. Jack Burgeon, the Director of Civil Engineering, Dr. Becket McKenna, who helped develop the serum, and two members each of the Botany, Ag, and Farm departments. Victoria Carson, of course, was also in attendance.

The human contingency of the meeting had been asked to arrive fifteen minutes early so that protocols could be gone over. “You will address the members of the Council as ‘Councilman,’” Ny’van instructed, “and the head of the Council as ‘Lead Councilman’ or simply ‘Lead.’ The following titles are acceptable for the rest of us. You need not use our full titles. I may be called, ‘Vice’ instead of ‘Vice Chancellor,’ the First Commander can be called either ‘First’ or ‘Commander.’ The First Science Commander, to distinguish him from the First Commander, you may refer to as ‘Science.’ Of course, the High Chancellor should be referred to by his full title, though I do not think it would offend the Council if you referred to him as ‘Chancellor.’ Any questions?”

“Still don’t know how you guys keep everyone’s title straight,” Chris grinned. “Names are really so much nicer. Personal, friendly, you know.”

“Eventually we will get to that point, but one step at a time,” Ny’van smiled then instructed them on how to address the assistants and Science Commanders also invited to the meeting. Thankfully, most of them wouldn’t require direct questions; Ny’van said the question could be posed to the High Chancellor or First Science Commander. If needed, they would call upon the other Rayth for answers.

“What about eye contact?” Be’atta asked. “I know, technically, we shouldn’t look them directly in the eyes.”

“Do not concern yourself with that. I have spoken with the High Council and the others. They understand the need to forgo that.”

Just then, Ja’val walked in with two other Rayth scientists and took their seats, “The rest are just now bridging over,” he said. “Vice, have you covered the basics with the others?”

Ny’van nodded and turned as Kol’non entered, followed by the twelve members of the High Council, the rest of the scientists, the assistants, and finally, the High Chancellor. As usual, Zy’nayth took what he perceived to be the seat at the head of the table. The Lead Councilman did not choose a seat until Zy’nayth sat. Then he sat at Zy’nayth’s left, the Vice Chancellor to Zy’nayth’s right as was tradition. Ny’van had told the humans not to take a seat until the High Chancellor had been seated in order to show the other Rayth that the humans respected their leader.

Once everyone was seated, Zy’nayth began by introducing the Rayth by their titles, then he introduced those from the Expedition: Andromeda team.

“Thank you all for coming,” he said as he finished up the introductions. “All of you have been advised of our situation. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss ways in which my people can sort out this blunder of mine. I am also asking for your help in a very tangible way.”

His credit card sized computer expanded to roughly the size of a laptop with a single tap of his finger. “First, I wish to begin with a question that General Cavanaugh had asked prior to this meeting. He wished to know how we fed our children. To those of you not familiar with Rayth as well as the Alpha Team is, our energy extractors in our hands do not develop until our early teen years. In order for them to have food, our chemists created what you might term a shake. These are packaged and provided to each family until such time as the children develop the energy extractors. Of course, there are a few Rayth who have taken human wives who can get food from their villages. Also know that we do have some cooks among our kind, but they are relatively few as are those who know how to grow food and raise livestock. By few, I mean perhaps a hundred for every million. I have billions of Rayth who will need to know how to grow food, raise livestock, and cook. And that number is being quite generous.”

He folded his arms on the table and looked around the room. “So,” he said, “where do we begin?”

“To note,” Ny’van spoke first, “we have decided, meaning myself, the High Chancellor, and the High Council, that the serum will only be available to one planet, one city at a time, with everything scheduled in advance. We are hoping that as we are preparing to start the serum distribution, we will already have farms, greenhouses, and other such things in place, as well as some instructional programs on our Arts broadcast regarding preparation of food. Just the basics. But where do we start? Gardens, cooking, farms, livestock…General Cavanaugh, I think you’re in the best position of deciding what we need to tackle first.”

Vince looked at Alan, “Let’s start with you; this might be a quick solution. Are there any videos we have that can be given to the Rayth? As he said, the basics of cooking.”

“Basics is sort of a relative term in cooking,” Alan said, “but my staff and I have made a list of what we think will be needed to get started.”

“What do you consider basics, Chef Reed?” a Councilman asked.

“Alan, please,” he said. “First, butchery. They will need to know how to butcher all types of livestock, correct?” Zy’nayth nodded and Alan continued. “How to handle the various meats, the dangers in cross contamination, the problems with undercooked meat, though that may not be an issue for Rayth given your self-healing abilities, but it’s best to know in case they have human spouses.”

“In which case, they probably already know since the humans have to eat,” the Lead Councilman said.

“Ah, yes, of course,” Alan said. “Still, I think that should be part of the basic training. Then how to tell when fruits and vegetables are ripe, how to clean them, what parts of them are edible, what are not. Basic information about herbs and spices, but that isn’t necessarily crucial at this stage in the game. Finally, how to properly store all of the above. That’s a high overview.” He shifted in his seat, “There are millions and millions of videos on our internet which is all free…”

“No,” Zy’nayth said. “I will not give out a link to your internet system. To do so would require that I allow my entire race to use our government’s satellite system in order to access your internet, since it is only through military satellites that I have set up a link to Earth’s systems. Through those links, they could find the location of Earth which would put your planet in danger from any remaining or future rebels. Anything you supply has to be something that is a stand-alone item that I can disseminate through our own broadcast and library system.”

Alan sighed, “I was wondering about that and hoping that wasn’t going to be an issue. In that case, I have two options. Purchase videos and books to copy for your people, but I have no idea how that affects our copyright laws; or put together something here with my staff.”

“Copyright laws?” one of the Councilmen asked.

“When something is created like a book, video, music,” Vince said, “the creator copyrights the material so that if someone steals the information or composition, they can be sued.”

“Ah, yes, we have similar laws, only a different term for it. Please go ahead.”

Alan spent time going over the items on his list, what he thought was critical to know, what he thought was secondary, and what he thought was specialized.

“Alan, I know your team is short staffed, but I think it’s best if we do something in-house,” Vince said, “just to avoid legalities. Not that anyone from Earth would know, but I’d like to stay above board. What will you need to accomplish writing something and coming up with instructional videos.”

“Time, mostly,” Alan said. “I can assign each member of my team something to write and perhaps also star in the video on that topic. I’ll need a video crew.

Vince looked at Simon, “We have anything like that? I know we have cameras, but let’s try to make a decent production of the thing, not just some guy making a home video.”

“If you’re asking if my staff can do it, we’ve got the equipment, sure, but I doubt if we could properly light a set or things like that. I can see if anyone on my team does it as a hobby.”

“Council,” Zy’nayth said, “we have the people who could record the series. I would, of course, have to make sure they could be trusted here on Terra 2. What are your thoughts?”

“I don’t think we have any objections,” the Lead said, “compensation, of course, would be expected by those doing the filming.”

“I think our government can afford it,” Zy’nayth said and looked at Alan, “and you and those of your staff who will be putting time into this will also be compensated by the Raythian government as well.”

“What about things like knife skills, and the best types of pots and pans for cooking and baking, things like that?” Victoria asked. “Are those things on your list?”

“I have some of those listed as secondary,” Alan said, “since I could incorporate things like knife skills or how to fold in items versus stirring, in each video as appropriate. I could make a video or two on kitchen tools and separate videos for skills.”

“We need these types of kitchen tools,” a Councilman said. “We have stoves, warmers, refrigerators and the like for various scientific needs, but we should probably have a better understanding of other kitchen equipment. How many different tools there?”

“Hundreds, actually,” Alan said. “There are things that a commercial kitchen would have that a home kitchen wouldn’t. But there are things that an everyday cook should have.”

The Lead Councilman asked, “would it be possible to get one of each of these items, both the commercial and home versions? We would need to manufacture our own.”

“Uh, I suppose we could do that,” Alan said, looking at Vince. “We’re talking everything from a cutting board, to a knife, to an ice cream maker. I can think of a hundred things right now and that’s only everyday use items, not specialty things.”

“Find a supply house,” Vince said. “Alan, you, or one of your team, could go with David Chapman and get what we need. Everything from a toothpick to a skewer to a meat locker. It’s not in our budget, so we will have to do this out of Victoria’s personal account.” He looked at Zy’nayth, “If that’s not a problem.”

“It is not,” Zy’nayth replied.

“Why this David Chapman?” the Lead asked, looking around the room, knowing that no one by that name was introduced.

“He’s my dad,” Chris spoke up, “and often travels to Earth to pick up things for us that are sort of special items that don’t need to go through the official requisition form. Mostly for our dogs,” he smiled. “Kinda hard to put dog food on the budget. But he knows how to arrange for transport shuttles and has access to our family credit chip. That way Victoria doesn’t have to go.”

“I see.”

“It will have to be a big transport and we’ll probably need special authorization to bridge those items through Central Command…will General Price have an issue with it?” Alan asked.

“General Price will not be bothered with it,” Zy’nayth answered. “Once you have what you need, David can take the items to a specified location. I will have a ship in the area to teleport them then return to this galaxy.”

“Oh, that’s handy,” Alan said.

“I will work out the details with David,” Zy’nayth said, giving a nod to Dre’han to note it so that he wouldn’t forget. “Also, Assistant, I wish for you to work with the Lead to find a crew to come here to record the videos; also find manufacturers willing to work on producing these kitchen items.”

“Yes, sir. I shall also send out a message to the manufacturers of those who make the refrigerators, freezers, and stoves to be aware that their facilities should see an influx of customers outside of the science laboratories. One suggestion, sirs,” he said taking in the Council as well, “since we are only obtaining one of each item, we should have a central location for the items so that the manufacturers can come in and see what they do, how they are made, and so forth. It may also require some information on how they work, what their uses are, basically, why these are even needed.”

“Is there any way to get the schematics for these instruments?” Zy’nayth asked. “Just the more complex items, obviously. That is something we could more easily send to manufacturers than arranging for them to come to Kiva to look things over for themselves.”

“I could probably dig into their files,” Ja’val said, “if I knew what to look for.”

“You have enough to do.”

“If I have a company name, it would go pretty fast. I could have Second Science or Third work on it. They’ve dug into Earth’s systems before, so they already have access.”

“Very well. Alan, as far as what the items are used for, is that something you can put together?” Zy’nayth said.

“You know,” Chris said, “Dad could probably help with that. I mean, all he has going on is just these little investigations and watching the dogs. I think he could handle this. Like the general said, Alan’s team is short staffed. I’m sure Dad wouldn’t mind helping in whatever way he could. He does know his way around the kitchen pretty well.”

“If he’d be willing, it would be a huge help,” Alan said. “I’m already looking at double shifts just writing up everything else, let alone making the videos.”

“Is there anything else you can think of for this end of things?” Vince looked to Alan and then to Victoria.

“I can help with anything, Alan,” Victoria said. “I’m not trained as a chef, but I can look up spices and herbs and write up basic things, or copy and tweak from instructional books. And since I only work part time, this is something I can easily do at home while the kids are doing their studies.”

“Given what you have on your list,” Vince turned back to Alan, “how long to pull all of this together?”

“No idea, honestly. I was hoping we could just tap into the internet. I can aim for six weeks, maybe. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d have to pull double shifts, and probably a good chunk of my staff as well.”

“Just for the basics?” Vince asked, “Even with David and Victoria’s help?”

“Sir, think of every fruit, vegetable, meat, and fish product, that’s a lot of work. I’m basically going from farm to table for each of them. I can lump things together, like most beans can be prepped the same way, but think of something like rhubarb, you can eat the stalk, but the leaves are poisonous. Yet celery, which looks like rhubarb except the color, the leaves are harmless and can be eaten. There’s a lot to think about.”

“I just thought of something else,” Victoria said. “How to make bread. That requires knowing how to make flour. Yeast. Sugar.” She sighed. “It’s amazing what we take for granted.”

Benjamin Nichols, the Farm Director spoke up at this point. “Making flour and sugar are things my team can help Alan with,” he said.

Nelson Castor, the Director of Botany, added, “We could also cover more of the basics about various fruits and vegetables such as your rhubarb and celery example. We could create a catalog of the food items. We have most of that on file already. We can dump all of the info into a file for you, then you just edit to what you need.”

“Does that sound better to you, Alan?” Vince asked.

“Definitely. But still, let’s say it’ll take six weeks. I’m sure there will be things we’ll discover along the way that wasn’t in our initial list, like making flour. Never even crossed my mind.”

“Let us say two months,” Zy’nayth said. “That gives us time to schedule serum distribution as well as making sure we have everything ready to broadcast. Plus, we need to get the manufacturing end of things going. That being said, getting those kitchen tools will be top priority. Get two of everything. One to use as a demonstration model, one to disassemble.”

***

“Guard! I demand to know where the High Chancellor is!” Di’vash shouted as the warrior passed his glass door. “Don’t you ignore me! I am still part of the royal family!”

The warrior looked at his companion at the far end of the hall then turned to Di’vash. “I am not in the habit of knowing where the High Chancellor is at all times. Sit and shut up.”

“You’ve been given orders not to hurt us, so tell me where he is or I’ll just keep yelling.”

The warrior pushed a button on the panel next to the door. It was Raythian glass and nearly impenetrable. The door slid open. The warrior took two steps in, Di’vash closed the distance. “Where is he?”

The warrior turned and stepped towards the door. Then he spun and landed his rather considerable foot in the middles of Di’vash’s chest, sending him flying back against the wall.

“We were given no such order,” he said, straightening his long, black leather jacket, “and shut up.”

Di’vash sat up, only slightly dazed. It was the shock of being treated so carelessly more than the actual blow that wounded him. When the warrior left, Ca’vak, his brother across the hall in another cell shook his head. “Idiot,” he said. “What do you want to speak to our uncle about anyway?”

“I’m bored. I want out.”

“Are you sure you’re you and not me? That’s something I’d say.”

“Well you haven’t been here as long as I have.”

“We may be in here quite some time.”

“I know, I know,” Di’vash said. “Why’d the serum fail on him? He should be human by now.”

“Maybe the humans were telling the truth,” Ca’vak replied. “It only restarts the digestive system, it doesn’t change their Rayth abilities.”

“Ten thousand years of war and the humans are going to kill us by turning us into them!”

“Di’vash, calm down.”

“How much longer will we have to exist in this place?”

“Given the incompetency of the First Commander, it could be a year. I’m surprised our uncle isn’t doing the interrogation himself.”

“I’m glad he isn’t,” Di’vash said. “We’d be dead.”

“Oh come now, brother, he’s a changed man. Weak. He actually cares for these humans. He’s not the Supreme Commander we feared growing up.”

“Weak? We gave him an overdose of that serum, he should either be human or dead now…especially after crashing on that planet.”

Ca’vak signed. “He has talent beyond ours. But he will pay in time. We have to be patient. Very patient.”

“That’s me talking,” Di’vash said. “Seems as though we’ve switched personalities while in here.”

Ca’vak chuckled, “I hope not. I’m going to sleep. You’d best do the same. Those guards aren’t going to stand for any nonsense.”

***

Alan thought he had covered everything on his list, going into greater detail when asked, then, when no one else had any suggestions or comments, Zy’nayth looked to Benjamin Nichols, Nelson Castor, and Hank Wells about growing food and raising livestock.

“If I may start with what I had in mind, you can then tell me what will work and what will not,” Zy’nayth said.

“First, livestock. Dr. Nichols, Dr. Wells, obviously I am turning to you and your teams to teach us how to raise and breed the animals.”

“And we’re set up to start training your men tomorrow,” Ben said.

“However, we need breeding animals to start the process, as well as some ready for immediate consumption,” Zy’nayth said. “I know you do not have that capacity here, however, I need an idea of the number of animals needed for a population of say, 1,000. I can extrapolate from there. The same, of course, would apply to fruits and vegetables, but I wish to focus on livestock now since that will take the longest to procure and reproduce.”

“I can have numbers for you tomorrow,” Ben answered, typing things on his tablet. “Beef, pork, poultry of various sorts, fish, shellfish. I’m sending a message to one of my team members to start the list.” He finished his message and sent it then looked at Zy’nayth, “Also, if it’s a landlocked town, chances are getting fish will not be something they’ll have, at least not at the start. I’d suggest chickens, lots and lots of chickens. There you’ve got meat and eggs. Cows, sheep, and goats provide meat and dairy. Your big problem is getting them in sufficient quantities and having enough until they start to reproduce. And as you said, we don’t have any we can give you. We’re still getting most of our meat from Earth.”

“Kaven, Be’atta, this is where you come in,” Zy’nayth said. “We will need to buy animals, but I do not think there will be any human settlements willing to sell to Rayth. Once we have the numbers, I would like you to barter or buy what we will need.” Then he looked at the other off-world team leaders. “I would ask that you try to procure breeding stock, even consumable stock, as you go about your travels. However, at this time, I am only allowing Kaven and Be’atta to handle the money and bartering aspect. If you come across a village willing to supply animals, one of them needs to be called in to handle the transaction.”

“One of the problems we have with not having enough to sustain us here,” Hank spoke up, “is that most of the villages we already barter with only have one or two cows or pigs to sell. They raise what they need and that’s about it. I think most of your meat will end up coming from chickens.”

“Suggestions then, on what we can do,” Zy’nayth replied.

Hank drew in a deep breath and let it out in one long exhale as he ran his fingers through his hair. “A two-pronged attack. We procure say a dozen chickens. Three of those stay on your homeworld to start breeding. The other nine are separated for the first planet. They can also start breeding during these couple of months. That way, you are constantly adding to the breeders on your homeworld, creating a pool to draw from for the next planet, while our teams are out getting you more.”

“If I understand correctly, your assumption is that by the time we are ready to distribute the serum to a second planet, the facility on our homeworld should have bred enough to send to the second planet,” Kol’non said.

“Well, with chickens and pigs, probably. Cows, sheep, and goats, not so much. But that’s the basic idea.”

“That confirms that we really could only offer the serum to our least populated worlds,” a Councilman said. “Tarnia was the right choice.”

Zy’nayth nodded in agreement. “However, we still have the food shakes. Plus fruits and vegetables could still be grown while awaiting livestock. Those who live by lakes, rivers, and seas could fish. There is game on every planet. The key will be to let people know that meat will be more difficult to come by, at least in these early stages.”

“Couldn’t we get livestock from Earth?” a Councilman asked.

“I wouldn’t,” Col. John Hagen, leader of the Alpha Team, said. “One of the things we’re trying to do is get away from all of those genetically-modified, chemically-filled animals and plants. We’ve ruined our food sources.”

“Ruined?” the Councilman asked.

“With all of that altering of the genes and exposure to all of those chemicals, our scientists have finally discovered that at least half of the health issues we have is due to messing around with our food supply. What we have on our little farm here is all from this galaxy. Nothing’s been altered.”

“I’ve looked into this as well out of curiosity,” Ja’val said, “I agree with Colonel Hagen. Let’s get our food from unaltered sources. Breeding certain qualities is fine, but chemically or genetically altering anything is always a bad thing.”

Zy’nayth cleared his throat. Rayth, for all intents and purposes, were genetically altered humans. Half Rayk which were beings that lived on energy, and half Mythicans, the humans who were being fed upon by the Rayk. The resulting Rayth hybrids were created to defeat the Rayk, and once that was accomplished, the scientists who engineered the Rayth were unable to reverse the process. The Rayk part of them demanded more energy as their digestive systems decreased and their abilities to extract energy enhanced. And thus, they ended up becoming as much of a menace to the human population as those they were created to destroy.

“With all due respect,” Ja’val said, “humans genetically engineered us ten thousand years ago and we’ve been at war with them ever since. I’m pretty sure that was not a good thing, though we did keep humans from being wiped out by the Rayk.”

“I will give you that,” Zy’nayth said. “I also agree with Colonel Hagen. Let us not look to Earth for our food supply. Kaven, Be’atta, how many animals do you think we could get over the next two months?”

“Not as many as you’re hoping for,” Be’atta said. “As they’ve said, chickens and fish are going to be your best bet.”

“I think we could easily get a few hundred chickens, breeders, that is,” Kaven said.

“And each hen could potentially lay one egg per day, but let’s say one every other day to be safe,” Ben said. “And to give you a rough idea of how difficult this is going to be, pigs average ten piglets per litter and could have two litters per year. Goats and sheep, maybe two litters per year, but only average one or two offspring per litter. Cows, one calf per year.”

“I see the issue,” Zy’nayth sighed.

“You know,” Chris said, “getting them from Earth might work for you guys. Your systems will automatically rid you of the chemicals, right?”

“Yes. However,” Ja’val said, “genetic alterations would be problematic especially for those of us who have human spouses. For Rayth, perhaps not now, but maybe two or three generations down the line, it might be. Plus, if some entrepreneur wishes to breed and sell animals to humans in the galaxy, we would be introducing something harmful to them. We want to avoid that.”

“Good point,” Chris said.

“General Cavanaugh,” Zy’nayth said, “regarding procurement of the livestock, I do ask your assistance in the matter. I have wrongfully assumed that you would help. This is not part of your job.”

“It’s not,” Vince said with a smile, “but if it will help end the war between Rayth and humans all the faster, then we’ll do what we can. Be’atta and Kaven know the best villages to barter with, however, I’m wondering…do you think any of these villages could be persuaded to up their breeding programs?”

“We’ve never really asked for more than what we can handle here and afford,” Be’atta said, “and if we do start asking them for more, we can’t mention Rayth.”

“Or we could,” Chris said. “Tell them about the serum and that they now need livestock. It will end the war if they no longer see us as their next meal and we no longer have to worry about them sucking the life out of us.” He looked at the Councilmen, “No offense intended, just laying out the idea for a little positive public relations move to ease tensions between humans and Rayth.”

“Do you think any of them would be open to the idea?” Vince asked, looking again at Kaven and Be’atta.

“Doubtful,” Kaven said, “but…we could discuss it in a normal conversation. Say something along the lines that ‘we heard that the Rayth have developed a way to stop feeding off of humans’ then go from there.”

“I know things are strained with your people,” Vince said, looking at Be’atta, “any chance…”

“None,” Be’atta shook her head. “Believe me, I’ve tried.”

“What about your people?” the Lead Councilman asked Kaven.

“Very few survived. All moved in and assimilated with different cultures.” He then looked at Zy’nayth, “But there may be a lot of wild livestock on the planet. Wouldn’t hurt to look.”

“I could send a scouting ship to the planet and have it scan for livestock of various kinds,” Kol’non said. “We could also scan for people who may have returned. If they have, we would probably not wish to take away their livestock.”

“If there are people there, I’d like to know about it,” Kaven said. “I’ve gone back a few times to nothing but deserted towns.”

Zy’nayth looked at Kol’non, “Pick a team and a vessel to send. Since you will be scanning for people as well, it must be a crew we can trust to not go and add those people to our…supplies.”

“Understood,” Kol’non said, making a note.

“For now, please do what you can and let me know what you need regarding bartering items or gold,” Zy’nayth said to Vince. “Lastly, gardening. Dr. Nichols, Dr. Castor, and Dr. Wells, what do we need to start this project?”

Discussion followed regarding the difference of planting a wheat field versus a home garden or greenhouse. There was also discussion regarding orchards and vineyards. Zy’nayth had thought that this part of the discussion would be the easiest, yet it ended up being far more complex than he had imagined.

“I have a suggestion,” Victoria said after talks of farm equipment got out of control.

“By all means,” Zy’nayth smiled at his wife, his head spinning with all of the information regarding tractors, plows, harvesters, and such.

“First, let’s not worry about equipment,” Victoria said. “The Rayth will be in no position to start planting huge fields right now. They don’t know how to take care of the fields, so no need until we get them to that point. As with the kitchen equipment, let’s just get them some schematics to start with. Their scientists,” she motioned to those who’d be training, “are here for that purpose. Ben can go over all of that equipment during their training.”

Victoria had a notepad and pen, which was filled with notes and doodles. She glanced at it as she spoke. “Let’s divide this into three sections: one, staples, like wheat and sugar cane; two, trees and vineyards, self-explanatory; and three, gardens. Wheat and sugar require special attention since they will require large fields.

“Part two, trees and vineyards. I think we’ve already agreed to allow Botany and Ag teams to go to each planet prior to serum trials to assess what native trees and animals they have, what can be grown where, in exchange for letting us explore for something unknown to us. With Rayth supervision, of course.”

“Yes,” the Lead Councilman said.

“My concern is this. Trying to decide if a planet should have massive potato farms or massive beet farms…we’d never get it right, so we shouldn’t even bother. No sense in planting a thousand acres of potatoes or apple orchards if no one likes them.”

“They could be exported to other planets,” a Councilman said.

“Yes, but our immediate concern is feeding the population of that planet, not start an export business,” she said. “So my idea is this. We have, say, a half-dozen teams made up of botanists and people from our farms and Ag departments. We go to a village or town and build a greenhouse or two. A central location. Those who take the serum must be in attendance and help. Outside of the greenhouse, we plant a garden for the community. The size of the greenhouse, or houses, and the size of the garden will coincide with the size of the village and the number of people who take the serum.

“We show them how to plant and tend the garden and greenhouse; we plant a little bit of everything, within reason; answer any questions, and encourage them to work as a community to keep up with things. As each household develops their own likes, they can put in their own gardens in their backyards.

“With the community garden and greenhouse, everyone can take what they want but those who take also have to tend, provided they are physically able, of course. Not everyone has time to maintain a garden in their backyard. I’m a prime example. We’re rarely in the same house for more than a couple of days. So my garden at the High Chancellor’s island home gets overrun. But by letting the neighbors come and gather some food, they pull a couple of weeds while there and move on, and I don’t have as much of a mess to clean up when we return to that house. People are getting food they like without having to grow their own supply in their own yards in return for pulling a few weeds.”

“It makes sense,” the Lead Councilman said. “My wife and I wouldn’t have time for a garden. A community garden would work at least until we can set up larger farms and stores in which to sell the products.”

“The question at this point is, will these Rayth communities want humans there?” Vince asked. “Would they be willing to take instruction from humans? And would those who aren’t exactly friendly to humans be a danger to us? I like the idea. But it puts my team at more of a risk considering it wouldn’t be a small team surrounded by Rayth warriors out exploring your planet. If there are a hundred or more people in a village, it puts my best scientists at risk. I’m not sending my best scientists into an area where there are hostiles. My military is trained for it, my scientists aren’t.”

“Your military can’t stand up against our Rayth,” a Councilman said.

“I don’t know, a bullet to the brain seems to be pretty effective from my experience,” Chris blurted out.

“Christopher,” Zy’nayth said in a level voice, “he meant no disrespect to you or your military.”

“Perhaps I did.”

Zy’nayth glared at the Councilman, “May I remind you of the fact that those military personnel sitting around this table managed to fend off an invasion by rebel Rayth in this very ship?”

“Only because you were with them,” the Councilman replied.

“Gentlemen, we’re not here to compare military might; we’re here to try and stop a war,” Vince said. “Rayth are superior warriors but we’re not without our tricks. Let’s stick to the issue at hand. You need our help in procuring food supplies, and I need answers to my questions. Will my people be safe? Do I have your assurance?”

“Forgive me,” the Councilman said, “it has been a long morning and I am not used to having to ask for help.”

“Forgiven,” Chris said. “And I’m a little testy myself after sitting here for hours on end. I could use a lunch break.”

Zy’nayth glanced at his watch. It was just after 12:00, much later than he thought. The meeting had started at 7:30. It had been a long morning. “We should break for an hour. First, General, you have my assurance. If we proceed with this idea, your people will be protected. Victoria, if you would be so kind to make a sandwich for me, while the rest of you are on your break, I would like to show the others the farm. I will not be the best tour guide, but I think a view of things may help them visualize some of what we are discussing.”

“I’ll meet you at the main building then?” Victoria asked.

“Yes, please. Council, I hope you do not mind if I eat the sandwich as I walk with you.”

“Of course not,” the Lead said.

“I’ll make a call and have someone show you around,” Hank said. “I’d show you myself, but I’m starving.”

“Thank you, Dr. Wells,” Zy’nayth said. “Gentlemen, if you follow me, please.”

“I’ll join you,” Kol’non said. Ny’van joined them as well. Ja’val went to see his wife who was watching over the twins.

Victoria was thankful that she’d made up some tuna salad the day before, so she quickly got a sandwich together for her husband and then grabbed a thermos of iced tea.

“We come, too,” Ky’nayth said, already leashing up Baxter. “We eated lunch. We take puppies for walk and see Daddy.”

“It might only be a quick hug and kiss. He’s showing the Councilmen around, so we don’t want to bother him while he’s working,” she replied as Mik’kenna made sure Celeste was leashed and presentable, putting a ribbon on her collar, taking great pride in her dog.

Victoria ate her sandwich between making her husband’s and the trip out to the barn. As the family walked down the path to the main agricultural research building, Zy’nayth and the others were just entering, having stopped long enough to meet their guide. The kids began running as soon as they saw their father. They called out his name as their little legs ran as fast as they could. Both of them dropped the leashes of their dogs who ran ahead to investigate all the new people. Zy’nayth turned and gathered each of his children into his arms, giving them kisses.

“Daddy, we come say hi!” Ky’nayth said.

“Quick hug and kiss, then your Daddy needs to get back to work,” Victoria said. The kids did as told then Victoria handed her husband his sandwich and thermos. “Come on, kids, let’s walk the dogs then you need to get back.”

“Kay,” Mik’kenna said. “We see you for dinner, right Daddy?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“No be late!”

“I will try not to be.”

“Miss Lutia make pie for dinner,” Ky’nayth said.

“Pie?”

“It has taytoes,” Mik’kenna said, “and cheese and hammy burger.”

“Sounds like shepherd’s pie,” Victoria said.

“Yeah, that what she say,” Mik’kenna said. She looked at the Councilmen, “I sorry we bother Daddy. Nice see you ‘gain. Bye.”

The kids left and Zy’nayth ate his sandwich as they were given the tour.

After a long day of discussions, Zy’nayth asked his Dre’han, to type everything up for him to look over and finalize with the High Council and with Vince. “As long as I have it by Thursday morning, there is no need to hurry.”

“Yes, sir. Do not forget to talk with Mr. Chapman and Chef Reed.”

Zy’nayth entered the code for the chancellery on the bridge portal control panel. Dre’han gave him a formal bow then crossed over the bridge to Kiva. Then Zy’nayth returned to Victoria’s chambers, tired of thinking about how much had to get done before he’d feel comfortable distributing the serum to the masses. He still had at least an hour of discussion to go after dinner and all he wanted to do was curl up with his children and relax. As he checked his messages while waiting for David and Alan to arrive, there was a note that Di’vash had been unusually talkative and required a minor disciplinary action. “Hmm,” he said.

“Hmm?” Victoria asked.

“My nephew caused a little dust up, as Christopher would say, wanting to know where I was today.”

“And that caused a ‘hmm’?”

“Why would he be concerned about my whereabouts?” He waved off the remark, “Of course he prefers if I am not near him. But for him to demand to know where I am, that’s not his way. Ca’vak, yes, not Di’vash.”

“Probably stir crazy,” she said.

“Perhaps.” He tapped his comlink, “I want security around the flagship tightened. I want the crew on high alert and I want more guards in and around the area where Di’vash and Ca’vak are being held.”

Kol’non replied, “Understood. I just saw the report. Something’s up.”

“Something has been up for years with those two. Send me the audio of their conversation tomorrow. I want to hear what they were discussing.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Out,” Zy’nayth said and closed his eyes just as the door chime sounded. His eyes remained closed as he listened to Ky’nayth’s little feet tramping across the floor, Baxter behind him. Mik’kenna was up, but making sure Celeste looked presentable.

“Hi!” Ky’nayth said. “Montie! Hi girl! Come here!”

“Come on in Alan, David, make yourselves comfortable,” Victoria’s smooth, kind voice filled the room, always the gracious host, “tea, water, juice?”

“Iced tea,” both men answered.

Zy’nayth finally opened his eyes and stood, holding out a hand to each of them. “Glad you could come,” he said. “Children, things are getting crowded in here, perhaps you and the pups could play in your room?”

“Kay. We take good care of Montie,” Ky’nayth said.

“Miss Mik’kenna, that’s a mighty pretty ribbon on Celeste,” David said, knowing the girl liked primping her dog.

“Tank you! I can put one on Montie, if want! I has lots.”

“Montie tends to rip them off, perhaps another time, thanks for the offer, though. Maybe a good brushing. I haven’t gotten around to it.”

“I do it!” she said and hurried into the twins’ bedroom and went about her task. Out in the small living area, half of which served as the bedroom. Victoria knew they were going to need bigger quarters soon, but given that they were rarely on Terra 2, she hadn’t applied for anything. And they had too much going on right now.

“Gentlemen, we have a lot to talk about, but I am hoping we can get through everything in an hour,” Zy’nayth said. “David, I will bring you up to speed just as quickly as I can. Feel free to ask any questions as I go.”