E:A Vol 5 Ch 7—June 24, 2120

June 24, 2120

Zy’nayth, though not showing it, was thrilled at the number of people signed up to take the serum on Tarnia. Out of the nearly 30,000 inhabitants of Tarnia, just under half of the population agreed to take it. Though some who had originally signed up backed out, many reversed their decision after Zy’nayth made a trip to various villages upon finding out rebels were stirring up dissension.

On June 24, 2120, the first day of the demonstration, the teams from Terra 2, as well as Ja’val and Zy’nayth arrived, along with the Raythian warriors that would look after the Terra 2 teams.

Dre’han, Zy’nayth’s assistant, had made sure that everything was set up in each of the first seven villages for that day’s demonstration. He’d been a busy man, wanting everything to go smoothly and perfectly for his boss.

Zy’nayth had the core team of scientists and engineers with him. Six other teams, similarly constructed, were scattered around the small planet at six other villages. While Zy’nayth’s team went through the demonstration, the other six teams stood by to answer questions, and, of course, go through the processes with the villagers. With only one day to practice their demonstration prior to the event, things went smoother than expected.

Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna were excited little two-and-a-half-year-olds to be accompanying their father on this very special mission. Both made sure the dogs had been bathed and groomed and Mik’kenna made sure both looked extra special. Dre’han accompanied the group and told Zy’nayth that he would tend to the dogs if need be, taking them back to the flagship that was in orbit or back to Terra 2 if needed.

The day began with Zy’nayth thanking everyone for taking time out of their day to learn all they could about this major transition in Rayth life, with the promise that help would always be available. The key members of his team were introduced, then he turned things over to Jack Burgeon, Hank Wells, Benjamin Nichols, and Nelson Castor. The first item on the agenda was how to put up the greenhouses.

The seven villages going through the demonstration had the materials and supplies on hand, teleported down the evening before from the flagship, and as the building was assembled at the capital city’s community garden, duplicates were also being put together in six other villages and towns included in Monday’s demonstration. As each step was shown, questions were answered, then once the core group in the capital was assured that all questions in all seven towns had been answered, they moved on to the next step.

When it was feasible, volunteers were asked to come and help with various tasks so that they’d have hands-on experience. The Rayth materials looked heavy, but an entire ten by ten wall could be tilted up into position with only two fingers. Jack Burgeon, the Chief Civil Engineer for Expedition: Andromeda thought that the materials could probably withstand the worst weather thrown at them and wished he had access to such materials.

Zy’nayth, knowing his presence was a distraction, took his wife and children over to the “snack tree” as Chef Alan Reed had named it. He wanted people focused on the task, so he tried to stay out of the spotlight. Ky’nayth was shy and didn’t mind being away from the hundred or so people participating in the construction and learning process. Mik’kenna, however, wanted to stay with the people and tell them all about potatoes and puppies. “When we begin the gardening process,” Zy’nayth said to his family, “the dogs may wish to help, though I suspect they will get a little dirty.”

“They good diggers!” Mik’kenna said, eager to get to that part of the demonstration. “They do good job.” Zy’nayth encouraged them as they waited, giving them a little more detail about all of the work that was going to happen that day. He wanted to include them in as much as possible because he could sense how proud they were to be with him and he wanted them to know that he, in return, was also proud of them.

Jack Burgeon took some time after the floor of the greenhouse was put down to explain the self-watering system and the electrical, for which the lines and pipes had already been laid. Then he told them that neither was a necessity as there were hatches in the roof, the windows could be opened, and things could be watered by hand until repairs could be made. He got a few new volunteers while Nelson Castor discussed the seeds and starter plants they’d be putting into the finished greenhouse, showing them digital guide they’d put together and the Rayth engineers added to the greenhouse that contained information for all of the plants they’d have at this location. Hank talked about the various pots and troughs, then they took questions before the next step.

Yes, they could change out the food grown in a pot with something different; yes, the greenhouse could be expanded if more room was needed; no, a greenhouse wasn’t a necessity, but it was helpful for when there was inclement weather.

Zy’nayth listened and learned, thinking he should help Victoria more with her garden on the island. He loved to work with his hands, which is why woodworking was so relaxing for him. Before he knew it, the greenhouse was up and the villagers were filling buckets with soil from an enormous mound next to it. An old-fashioned fire bucket line was made leading into the greenhouse where the planters and pots were filled with the soil from the buckets.

Ben Nichols, the Farm Director on Terra 2, took over once the pots were filled then described what plants would go into each and why. Since the greenhouse allowed the same plants to be grown in all areas and climates, the Terra 2 scientists had selected common, generally-liked fruits and vegetables to be put in each greenhouse, such as a variety of tomatoes and peppers, some herbs, cucumbers, and various salad greens. The villagers could change them out as their own tastes developed.

They planted half of the greenhouse with vegetables, the other half with fruits, and in the planters than hung from the ceiling, were the herbs.

“Remember, if you don’t like something in here, you can switch everything up. This control panel on the wall, as Nelson said, has a directory of all fruits and vegetables that can be grown here in this village, whether inside the greenhouse or not. Those in other villages will have different information based on climate and soil. There are slightly different instructions for growing a plant inside or out.

“And, of course, once our demonstrations are done, everything will be available on your broadcast channel and computer network that the High Chancellor mentioned. We’ll take a few more questions and check with the other six villages before we move on to the garden,” Ben added.

Once everything was wrapped up with the greenhouse, they went to the garden which had already been tilled. A brief demonstration of the tiller was given, as well as an explanation about aerating the land. Then the machine was put into the shed. Shovels were handed out, though only a few would return to the shed since they wouldn’t need hundreds of them once the demonstration was done. The garden and greenhouse area combined filled what would be a typical US city block.

They villagers were assigned rows then given instructions on how to plant what went in those given rows. And again, foods that were commonly liked and which could thrive in the climate, were planted in larger quantities. But each fruit or vegetable that could be grown in that particular climate was represented.

Zy’nayth led his wife, the twins, and the dogs over to a small corner of the large garden where potatoes were going to be planted. “Stay in the row,” he instructed the twins, “and the dogs may dig.”

The kids had little shovels that were generally used for flowers. Victoria brought them along for the kids. They were just beginning to dig their first hole when a woman walked up.

“Hello,” she said, shovel in hand. “May I help?”

“Ess, pweez,” Mik’kenna said. “Nice meet you. I, Mik’kenna. Dis my bubby, Ky’nayth. Dis our puppies Suhwest and Baxter. They is Jack Russell Terriers and they smartest puppies in whole universe! And they natural diggers. So me and Bubby show where dig, and they dig hole for us then we drop in taytoe and we use little shovel to cover up.”

The woman smiled and bent down to pet each of the dogs. “They are cute little dogs.”

“They born to dig, as see,” Mik’kenna said with a nod. “They love dig in Mommy’s garden. They help me dig up taytoes. I love taytoes. They best food in whole universe, so we has lots of ‘sperience planting taytoes.”

Several others gathered around to help with the digging, but more to talk to the High Chancellor. While everyone was digging, Ja’val and a few of his science team members mingled and answered questions about the serum. Zy’nayth, though wanting to mingle, wasn’t going to leave his family with this many people moving around. Victoria answered questions about gardening and cooking, enjoying being able to help her husband in his job, even if only in a small way.

As the last of the plants and seeds were in the ground, Victoria neared her husband and quietly said that things seemed to be going well.

“Indeed,” he replied as Dre’han approached.

“Sir, I have brought down the lunches. They are in the meeting hall. Chef Alan’s team is setting things up now. We are on schedule, correct?”

With a quick glance at his watch, Zy’nayth nodded. “Yes. Thank you for your help in all of this.”

Dre’han gave him a formal bow then said he would take the dogs to the flagship while the family ate.

“Actually,” Zy’nayth said. “I think they should return to Terra 2. David Chapman has offered to watch over them.” He looked down at the twins, “Children, if you are bored, you may return to Terra 2 as well.”

“Well, I no bored,” Ky’nayth said, “but I really tired. Maybe I go back and take nap.”

“Me too,” Mik’kenna said. “It hot out here and all the digging. I need bath and nap.”

“All right,” Zy’nayth smiled and looked at Dre’han, “Could you contact David and have him expect the children and the dogs?”

“We stay for lunch, though!” Ky’nayth said.

“To expect the children and the dogs in an hour,” Zy’nayth amended.

“Of course.”

Lunch consisted of sub sandwiches, potato salad, and fresh fruit. Alan needed something he could pre-make, and not have to heat up. Plus, people could grab another sandwich if they wanted when they went back to work.

When the family had finished eating, Zy’nayth and Victoria gave the twins hugs and kisses, and of course, because the kids expected them to, gave the dogs scratches behind their ears and told them that they’d done a good job digging. Dre’han took them to the flagship and then bridged them to Terra 2 where David was waiting for them in the control room.

Ky’nayth dutifully used his comlink to call his father. “We here with Uncle David. We fine. We go take nap,” he said at the top of his voice, still not used to using the comlink.

“I take bath first!” Mik’kenna shouted from the other side of David so her father could hear her.

Zy’nayth acknowledged Ky’nayth’s call and told them to rest well. Then he took up position off stage where Alan was about to give the cooking demonstration. Victoria would be us assistant, though not necessarily a sous-chef.

As Alan began the basics of cooking, he informed the villagers that each member of the “cooking team” in each village was capable of answering any questions that came up. Zy’nayth also told them where they could find the instructional videos that Alan had put together and that the High Chancellor’s Assistant would send all those who signed up the same information.

This time, the demonstration included making enough of each dish to allow the villagers to taste things as the chefs went through the various items made. Though there were curious non-serum Rayth interested in things, Zy’nayth said that those signed up to take the serum had priority in tasting, but the others could come along and taste anything that was left over.

He was thankful the villages were small. Even though the capital had the largest concentrated population on the planet, around 1,000 people, most villages averaged around 650 people. With approximately half of them signed up for the serum, dealing with 300 people instead of 600 was much more manageable, though there were a bunch of curious onlookers. He didn’t mind and, in fact, engaged them in conversation to listen to their concerns over the serum.

After the food demonstration, those villages on a lake, river, or shoreline of some sort, were given demonstrations in fishing. Those that were not, stayed to ask questions of their teams or retired for the day. Zy’nayth told those watching the broadcast that the videos from the four fishing demonstrations would be on the network for all to view by morning, but due to different techniques used for different types of water and fish, they could not have a master demonstration as they had with the rest of the items that day.

Then he said that the other forty villages on the planet should have their schedules of when one of the six teams would be due to give them their own demonstration in the coming week, but that it was now posted on their network for all to see. Those forty villages were split up between six of the seven teams to visit and set up.

The seventh team—Zy’nayth’s core group—would visit each village personally to make sure all questions had been sufficiently answered. They would begin with the six villages that had gone through the demonstrations that day. Their last trip would be back to the capital after all of Tarnia’s villages had been visited.

At the end of the fishing demonstration, the core team teleported up to the flagship where Victoria opened the door to their chambers walked over to their bed and collapsed. “I’m beat.”

Zy’nayth laughed, “Go and get your bath that you have been yearning for. I have contacted David. They are finishing a walk with the dogs. I will bridge over and get them.”

“I hope they’ve eaten,” she said. “I don’t want to cook.”

“David said they went to the mess hall for dinner and quite enjoyed it. I will see if Alan has anything left for us.”

Victoria smiled as she pulled herself out of the bed and headed to the bathroom. “They love mixing and mingling with other people. I don’t. They must get it from you. Okay. Hot bubble bath for me.”

***

Each village had at least two Rayth scientists staying on site. One who understood this new area of gardening, another who was on the serum distribution team. They’d be staying in the villages until the serum was given and the side effects dealt with. The one who overseeing the gardening would stay until he felt comfortable that the locals could handle everything on their own. He was also a liaison with the Terra 2 team should more of their help be needed.

The other, working with the serum team, had been there a week prior to the demonstrations, usually with one or two others from the main team, making sure dosages were correct and held discussions to answer any questions. He assured the people that he’d be staying at least two weeks after the administration of the serum and would be their main contact with the First Science Commander who would be on the flagship which would remain in orbit for two weeks. A Science Ship was also in orbit to assist once those two weeks were complete. Though most of the side effects, or the worst of them, would be gone in two weeks, he assured them that some may linger, and that the Science Teams would still be around as long as needed. Each of these Rayth Scientists staying in the villages as liaisons had taken the serum themselves, so they were able to answer questions from their own personal experience.

True to his word, Zy’nayth and Victoria, along with the twins and the core team began visiting the first six villages the day after the main demonstration. Zy’nayth didn’t want to spend more than an hour in each village, which gave them three villages in the morning, an hour for lunch, three villages in the afternoon, and would allow them to be home in time for their regular dinner. For the most part, that was achieved. He knew that Kaven was getting things set up to take the Alpha Team to a planet where they might be able to procure a considerable amount of livestock, and Victoria was to go along as their medical person. He didn’t wish to hold up that mission, yet he wanted his people to know that he was going to be there with them through the transition to this knew lifestyle.

His tour of the villages was completed by noon on July 1. When the family bridged into Terra 2, Kaven was there to meet them. “Things are ready when you are,” he said to Victoria. “No rush, just wanting to get something on the books so the others know how to schedule out their time, but how soon do you think you’ll be ready?”

Zy’nayth took her bags and set them on the floor so she didn’t have to stand there holding them. “I need to make preparations for the twins. Today’s what, Monday?” She quickly ran through what she needed to do then looked at her husband, “Saturday?” she asked as she ran her fingers through her curly hair.

“Beloved, it is entire up to you,” Zy’nayth said and motioned that they continue to the elevator behind the main control room. He picked up her bags, adding them to what he already had. The kids went ahead, pulling their little kid-sized rolling suitcase and holding the leashes of the dogs.

She looked at Kaven, “Is Saturday too long to wait? I could probably be ready by Friday.”

“No, Saturday actually works out well. Seven in the morning okay?”

“I’d like someone to stop by Friday to make sure I pack what you think I’ll need. I mean as far as non-medical supplies. I can handle the medical side of things. I hope,” she smiled. “I’ll have Becket double check, of course.”

“I’ll see if Be’atta can. Probably best to have another woman help out,” he smiled. “Vince said things went really well on Tarnia.”

“They did indeed,” Zy’nayth said. “A couple more weeks and we start the serum distribution. My Science teams are descending on the planet now, getting our make-shift infirmaries set up and ready to accept patients.”

“I thought you had someone at each village?” Victoria asked.

“Those are the liaisons between the villages and the main Science group. First Science has roughly a thousand of his team setting up and then will give the serum and monitor everyone.”

“Oh…I was so caught up in everything else, I didn’t realize…” she waved it off. “I want to get home, rest a little, then start making lists. If you guys need to talk, fine. Me and these two adorable little Rayth will go home.”

“And puppies!” Mik’kenna said.

“And the pups,” Victoria smiled.

“Only thing I need from your husband is more gold in hand when we go,” Kaven said, “but we can sort that out later. Get some rest.”

“Give me an amount; I will see that you have the gold,” Zy’nayth said as the elevator arrived.

Victoria walked to their chambers after a week of living on the flagship and stopped in the doorway. She stepped back and checked the touch panel outside of the door. It was the right apartment. Zy’nayth smiled at her reaction. “I hope it is to your liking?”

The kids squeezed by and squealed with delight. While on the flagship, Zy’nayth had arranged for someone to finish the redesign of their chambers. The living room/bedroom that you usually faced upon entering was now just a living area, with a small dining area to the left as you walked in. Further left was the kitchen, now joined and remodeled with the kitchen from his old chambers. A normal four-burner stove and oven replaced their two half-sized units. Where his under-counter fridge, dishwasher, and a narrow cabinet had been, a full-sized refrigerator was put in. Everything else had new countertops.

“The dresser and bed are in my old chambers along with a small desk and chair,” Zy’nayth said. “The children’s room is the same, as are the bathrooms.”

“Zy, this is perfect. I hope whoever you ordered to do this didn’t mind…”

“I did not order anyone. I asked. It was Ny’van and John,” Zy’nayth said. “I had the two walls down, all they had to do was get the appliances, put in the new walls and paint…and move the furniture.”

“And the countertops,” she said.

“Vince had countertops on hand. Since their refitting of the empty rooms as living chambers has been halted, he allowed me to pick out what I thought you would like. I simply selected what was similar with what you had.”

“That’s fine,” she grinned, “more room to make a mess. Okay, kids, please take your bags to your rooms and unpack. I need to make a list of what you will eat while I’m gone, then get a bunch of groceries.”

“You said you were going to rest,” Zy’nayth said.

“I’ve got a lot to do in the next four days. I’m not about to dump it on you with the distribution coming up in a couple of weeks on top of everything you do for the Empire.”

“I still wish for you to rest,” he replied and took their bags into their new bedroom.

Ky’nayth zipped down the hallway to the new bedroom because Baxter had darted that way. “Daddy, you still has door to hallway.”

“Yes. It would have been too much of a hassle to close in that wall. That door is to remain locked.”

“That why Mommy’s screen right in front of it?” the boy surmised.

“Yes.”

“Kay,” he said and ran back. “Come Baxter. We put things ‘way. I need nap!”

“Me too!” Mik’kenna said from their room where she was meticulously taking her stuff out of her little pull-along suitcase and placing the items in their appropriate drawers. The items that needed washed went in the little basket at the end of the dresser. Ky’nayth, unlike his sister, shoved his clean clothes into whatever drawer they’d fit in, then dumped the rest into the basket.

***

“Any word on what planet they’re going to attempt the serum distribution on next?” the Leader asked.

“No, sir. I think they caught onto our broadcast interception,” the rebel Rayth said. “My contacts haven’t found out where they’re going next.”

The Leader nodded his head, “For the best, really. We need to stay focused on shipbuilding. The engine conversion, how is that coming along?”

“Well, the instructions we received from Algo aren’t exactly…sir, some of this just doesn’t make sense. We’re doing the best we can with what he’s given us, but the engines will end up leaking. Sir, these plans he gave us—yes, the technology is nothing I’ve ever seen, but it seems…”

“Seems what?” the Leader asked.

“Antiquated,” the Rayth shook his head, “I can’t put a finger on it but it seems like old tech.”

“You saw what that blaster did, you know they got through our shields, they found us…”

“Yes, sir. The technology works, by all means, that’s true, but it’s like they stopped advancing. Like they thought what they had was good enough so left it and didn’t look for something better.”

“Is it better than what we have?”

“Yes, sir, as I’ve stated. Sir, be mindful that if this is antiquated tech, it could mean they don’t trust us with anything better.”

“Would you if you were in his position?”

“Of course not, I just wish to make sure that we do not fall into a trap. In any case, we’re creating containment fields to go around the refitted engines, but it’s still going to be dangerous for anyone to remain in those areas for any length of time when the engines are up and running.”

“That’s fine. We’ll only have a small number of men on the ship and they’ll be on the bridge. I just need the ships to fly. We expect them to be blown up at some point. We can fly them remotely to this planet of Victoria’s…Earth. Our men can stay on our good ships.”

“I’d like to remotely fly them in battle, not just on the way to Earth,” the Rayth said. “We need them to be maneuverable in battle, remotely maneuverable.”

“As would I which is why our scientists need to get the glitches out of those control devices.”

“They’re working on it as well as attempting to create a pre-programmed weapons plan. Once we enter Earth’s orbit, the programs would take over.”

The Leader smiled, “Even better. But let’s make sure we can successfully fly them remotely first.”

“Yes, sir,” the man bowed then left.

***

The door signal chimed and Ky’nayth ran to answer. He hit the panel on the wall, his fingers barely able to reach the control. “Hi!” he said then shouted, “Mommy! Daddy! Uncle John here!”

John reached down and picked the boy up. “Hey there! How do you like all this space?”

“Me and Baxter love it!” Ky’nayth said. “Puppies has more room to roll ‘round. You no bring Scout?”

“I’m not staying, I just wanted to see if your mother liked what we did.”

“I’m very happy,” Victoria said, coming out from the kitchen. “I have lots of countertop space and a real stove and fridge!”

John laughed, “I’m glad you like it. The big guy here?”

“He went to talk to Kaven about the gold we’re gonna need.”

“Ah. Was he okay with what we did?”

“He was,” she smiled. “If you have a few minutes, would you mind watching the kids while I go get these groceries.”

Zy’nayth walked into the chambers, the door still open behind John. “Do you have much that will need carried back?” he asked.

“Quite a lot, actually,” Victoria replied.

“I can stay with the kids or help carry,” John said.

“Can you get Scout?” Mik’kenna asked.

Zy’nayth smiled, “If it is not an imposition, you stay with the children. Perhaps you could take them to your place and return with Scout. And if my wife is up to it, stay for dinner.”

“Just fried chicken,” she said, “nothing fancy.”

“Mashers?” John asked.

“With gravy,” Victoria smiled.

“Okay kids, let’s go get Scout. Looks like we’re staying for dinner.”

“Yay!” both kids cheered then followed John out, Zy’nayth keeping Baxter and Celeste back.

Victoria and Zy’nayth went to the store adjacent to the mess hall. There were a handful of aisles with common goods. It was, by no means, a supermarket. Most of their food still came from Earth, but what was grown on Terra 2 was brought up for use in the mess hall or for sale if Alan’s team didn’t need the items.

“This is a rather long list,” Zy’nayth said as Victoria grabbed a rolling, serving cart to put the items on.

“I’m going to make up some casseroles and put them in the freezer for you. Janice said she’d make sure you were stocked with fruit and veggies for snacks. I have a list of days where she can make breakfast, otherwise, you’ll have to cook breakfast or come here to the mess hall.”

“I can make scrambled eggs and bacon,” he said, “I have retained that ability.”

Victoria smiled at him, “I know.” She loaded up the cart then went to the lone register. She grabbed a large box that had at one time contained boxes of pasta from Earth, using it to box her stuff as one of the mess hall chefs rang everything up. The food grown locally was inexpensive, and, of course, better tasting; the items brought up from Earth were priced according to what had to be paid for it back on Earth, plus a few cents that would stay to help fund the maintenance of their farm which was not in the budget for the Expedition. So, despite having one large box and one medium box of groceries, she paid only around $50. On Earth, it would have been well over $350.

Zy’nayth helped her put away the groceries then she sent him in to talk to John while she fixed dinner. She wanted to enjoy having a little larger kitchen without having to bump into anyone, she told him with a smile as she went about her work.

The dinner went over well then John left as Victoria finally needed to rest. She’d had a long week, so did the kids, and she knew the next couple of days would be busy as well with preparing to leave for at least a week.

The family had their devotional time, Mik’kenna getting to pick a Bible chapter to study, then they prayed before the twins were tucked into their beds. Victoria took a quick shower then settled into the bed next to her husband.

“Okay, here’s the list,” she handed it to her husband. “Becket has Wednesday off, so if you need him to watch the kids, he said he’d be happy to. Janice can make breakfast for you on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. She’ll stop in, probably after her shift each day, to make sure you’ve got plenty of snacks in the fridge. Lutia is available every day but since her baby’s due in the next couple of weeks, I don’t want her to have to worry about tending to you guys. David is also available every day, but he’s staying at Chris and Alessa’s since her pregnancy has been a little difficult and Chris doesn’t want her left alone. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bother the two soon-to-be-moms and David.”

“I am sure we will be fine,” Zy’nayth said.

“My plan for the next couple of days is to make up a bunch of casseroles and soups and freeze them. I’ll leave instructions on how to warm them up, temp and time, that sort of thing. I’ll also have planned out veggies and stuff. Like I’ll make a meatloaf and have that ready for you to pop in the oven, but you’ll need to make the veggies. I’ll have instructions and I’ll keep it simple like baked potatoes or throw some corn in a pan. The kids love to help, but you have to keep a close eye on them. I don’t want them cutting themselves or getting splattered with grease or something.”

“Victoria, my beloved, I can follow instructions and I can watch over the children. You need not fret.”

“I just want to make sure you…” she began to tear up. “I shouldn’t go. I know you’re going to try and work from here, plus tend to the kids, and all of that. You’ve got so much to do and I shouldn’t be gone. The kids and…”

“I will be quite fine. The children will be fine. It is you that I am worried about.”

“Zy, they won’t let anything happen to me.”

“And yet I will worry,” he smiled, “just as I know you will worry about my ability to feed the children.”

Victoria chuckled, “You’re right. Do you have a ship on the way there?” she nudged him.

“Yes.”

This time she laughed. “How many of your men, when their wives go off-world, get a ship to follow them around and protect them? Hmm?”

“Kol’non could,” he smiled. “And Ja’val.”

“Oh, then isn’t it convenient that Be’atta will be with me?”

“You are the wife of the High Chancellor and Supreme Commander of the Raythian Army. You must be looked after.”

“Promise me you won’t be on that ship monitoring my every move. You have little ones to look after.”

“I, personally, will not monitor your every move,” he smiled and kissed her nose. “And I will be here with the children for most of the time, or at the chancellery. That is the most I can promise.”

She rolled over and put her notes on the nightstand then rolled back into his arms and immediately fell asleep with a smile on her face.

July 5, 2120

Mik’kenna walked into the bedroom with her arms filled. “I got hair ‘tuff for you,” she said as her mother packed.

“Oh sweetie, I don’t need those big bottles,” Victoria said and motioned for the girl to put the items on the bed.

“Mommy, you be gone long time. Need big bottles.”

“A week, maybe two. Brush and comb, good. Deodorant. Toothpaste. Toothbrush. Okay, let’s put the shampoo and conditioners in these smaller bottles,” Victoria said, sorting through all of the stuff her daughter brought in.

“I has towels!” Ky’nayth said walking in with towels stacked high over his head, precariously leaning, threatening to fall over.

“Ky, honey, just one of each should be more than enough. Kaven said we’d be staying with friends.”

“Oh. Sorry, I no has dis infy’mation when I got towels.”

“That’s okay sweetheart. You both are being a big help.”

“I will put the towels away,” Zy’nayth said, walking in behind his son, grabbing the towels. “Sorry, I was delayed.”

“Probably went to that ship to make sure they had everything set up to monitor me,” Victoria teased.

Zy’nayth grinned, “Perhaps, but that did not cause my delay.” He set the towels on the bed, pulling out a washcloth, hand towel, and bath towel for his wife. Then he took the rest and put them in the linen closet.

“I do bottles,” Mik’kenna said, picking up the large bottles of shampoo and conditioner.

“Take them to the bathroom and do it in the shower,” Victoria said then pointed to the smaller bottles, “only fill them up to here, okay?”

“Kay!”

“What I get for you?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Maybe help your sister, at least keep the dogs from trying to eat the shampoo. Oh, I need a bar of soap please.”

“I get it!” the boy darted off and Victoria looked at her husband.

“You have the schedule of who can help and when?” she asked.

“Yes, beloved. It has been memorized.”

Victoria looked at her rucksack. “I don’t think I’m going to take the bath towel. Too big.”

Zy’nayth took it from her and showed her how to fold it to economize space. Victoria laughed, “You never cease to amaze me.”

“It is only a towel.”

“And I’ll never be able to get it this small again.”

She had nearly everything packed when Be’atta came by to make sure she had the essentials packed. Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth came running back into the room, Ky’nayth carrying the two small bottles. “Mommy, I need ‘nother small bottle,” Mik’kenna said with her hand out.

“Shampoo and conditioner, what else do I need a small bottle for?” Victoria asked.

“Bubble baff ‘tuff.”

“Ah, no honey. I don’t think I’ll have time for a nice bubble bath.”

“You has make time. I do!”

Be’atta laughed, “I think your mother will be too busy. Besides, it will give her something to look forward to when she comes home.”

Victoria set the two small bottles to the side then Be’atta started rattling off a list from her tablet of supplies. “Extra socks?” Victoria asked.

“You never want to travel with wet socks on your feet,” Be’atta said.

“Ah, yeah. Knew that, but didn’t realize we’d be hiking across the planet.”

“Best to be prepared.”

Victoria got a couple more pairs of socks then they completed the list. “Okay, I just need to double check medical supplies and I’ll be good to go.”

“Is Becket coming by to help with that?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Yeah,” Victoria looked at her watch, “he should be getting off work in a couple of minutes, then he’ll swing by. Okay everyone, I think we can go settle in the living room and wait for Uncle Becket. Be’atta, thank you.”

When Becket arrived, he made sure her medical scanner and a backup were functioning properly then double checked the supplies she’d planned on taking. “More vials in case you need to take blood,” he said. “Not sending you with any plasma. If you have need of it, call. We’ll get it to you. If it was just a day or two, fine, but if you’re going to be gone a week or two, best not to have to worry about finding refrigeration for it.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“Zy’nayth,” Becket said, “since I have Wednesday off, I thought I might treat you and the kids to dinner Tuesday night, then I can keep the kids overnight and watch them on Wednesday.”

“No,” Mik’kenna said, “Bubby and I has be here to make sure Daddy eat. We has to help with meals. It ‘ponsibility.”

“Tell you what. Daddy can join us for breakfast, and I can make sure he has a lunch to take with him if he goes to Kiva to work. Then he can join us for dinner.”

“Would you like to stay with Uncle Becket?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Course,” she said with her hands splayed out as if the question was silly, “but I worry you no eated right if me and Bubby no here,” Mik’kenna said.

“I’ll make sure he does and Aunt Janice will look in on him,” Becket said and winked at Victoria, “Takes after you, I see.”

“Well, Mik’kenna, Ky’nayth, do you want to try it?” Zy’nayth asked. “I promise to make sure I eat properly. I can join you for breakfast and dinner. And between Becket and Janice, I am sure I will have something for lunch.”

Mik’kenna beamed and hugged her uncle. “I can’t wait! I want take care of Daddy, course, but I want stay with you too!”

“Can puppies come?” Ky’nayth asked.

“I was hoping they would,” Becket said. “We can take them on a picnic lunch and play on the beach.”

Ky’nayth hugged Becket, “I no can wait either. I hope we has story time ‘gain. I love stories.”