E:A Vol 5 Ch 8—July 6, 2120

July 6, 2120

On Saturday morning, the Alpha Team plus Kaven, Simon, and Victoria bridged over to a village on the planet of Gren. It reminded Victoria of the old images of the plains in the United States. Vast stretches of land, rolling hills, meadows, even a rippling, picturesque stream near the bridge portal. The cool breeze felt good on her face as she closed her eyes and tilted her head sunward. She could smell the freshness of a morning rain fighting with the aroma of flowers, distinctly lilacs, for dominance.

“This is beautiful,” she said, opening her eyes after a deep breath of the fresh air.

“Reminds me of home,” Be’atta said as Kaven led them to a wooden platform about two hundred yards to the east of their position. Beyond that were trees, though it was hard to tell if it was a thick forest or just a small wooded area.

“If we try to go through that little wooded area,” Kaven pointed off in the distance, “they’ll stop us in a rather unpleasant manner.” They climbed on top of platform, just a couple of steps, then Kaven proceeded up into an open lattice work wooden tower where he held up his banner. A few seconds later, they heard a signaling horn being sounded. Kaven lowered his banner, folded it up and put it in his rucksack and climbed back down to the platform. “We wait. Shouldn’t be long.”

Ten minutes later a horse and rider came out of the woods, galloping up to the base of the platform.

“Kaven Maneese, warrior friend, it is good to see you,” said the man on the horse. “Friends of yours?”

“Yes, Cannol, good friends. They wish to talk trade. We’re in need of livestock. A lot of animals.”

“Those three carry weapons,” Cannol replied with a nod to John, Chris, and Be’atta.

“This is John, a warrior and leader of a team such as I am. His team members, also warriors, Chris and Be’atta. This is Simon, he knows much about technology. Radios and such. And this is Victoria, a doctor.” Kaven motioned to the man on the horse, “Cannol is leader of this village and a strong warrior in his own right.”

“You do me more justice than I deserve. Victoria,” he bowed to her from his saddle, “we have several sick that our doctor has not been able to help. Can you help?”

“I’ll do my best,” Victoria replied.

“This sickness…mostly children. Nothing seems to be helping.” His eyes scanned the people with Kaven, “You vouch for all of them?”

“On my life, Cannol.”

“Then come,” he said then let out a loud whistle. Two horses hitched to a wagon came out of the woods—their transportation. After loading their packs and bags, they rode towards the village in the woods.

“I see warrior Chris carries a bow,” Cannol said, riding beside the wagon.

“That I do,” Chris said, glad that Kaven had suggested he carry his crossbow as well as his guns. “Kaven tells us that your archers are quite skilled.” He nodded towards the stone towers around the village where he was certain there were archers poised to launch an attack if Cannol gave the signal.

“They are, they are,” Cannol said. “All of you shall stay with me and my wife. We have plenty of room. Let us unburden your loads. Then doctor Victoria, I shall have my wife take you to see our sick.”

“I’d like warrior Be’atta to go with her,” Kaven said. “She has some skills that may help.”

“And you wish for her to be protected,” Cannol said.

“She was entrusted to my care by her husband. A warrior even more skilled than our best. I would not wish to fight him.”

“Of course,” Cannol smiled as he pulled ahead and then dismounted his horse outside of a brick house wrapped in a white wooden porch. His wife came out of the front door, followed by a teenage boy. “You remember Kaven Maneese,” he said to his family then introduced them. “My wife, Pamma, and my son, Landen. This is doctor Victoria, she will help our sick. The three with weapons are warriors. This is John, a leader, Chris, who appears to be an archer, and Be’atta a warrior who will assist and protect doctor Victoria. This is Simon. He understands technology and can hopefully help us with a few things.”

“Come this way,” Pamma said. “Landen, help the doctor if you would please,” she said, assuming since Be’atta was a warrior, she did not need help with hers. “We’ll put your packs away and let you refresh yourselves.”

“I just need to take out a few things first,” Victoria said as she rustled through her pack. She took out her medical kit and supplies, then Landen took the pack and her rucksack up the stairs to the attic.

The group was led up to the sparse but spacious attic. There was a stone fireplace at one end, and several mattresses strewn about on the floor, more than enough for all of them.

“It is not fancy, but the mattresses are quite comfortable,” Pamma said as they dropped their packs. Landen set Victoria’s bags on the bed she pointed to. “I will show you where the washroom is and the kitchen. Would you like anything to eat?”

“I think we are ready to begin our day,” Kaven said, “thank you.”

“What brings you here, Kaven?” Cannol asked as the headed back downstairs. “Your friends are on patrol or visiting other villages on the planet.”

“We are in need of a lot of livestock, as I mentioned. And because we need so much, and of the best quality, I, of course, thought of this planet. We need as much as you can sell us.”

“Why so much?” Cannol asked as they gathered in the kitchen where Pamma was showing them where items were so that they could help themselves. “Not that we do not mind selling what we have, but it seems unusual for you.”

“It’s a long story. Perhaps your wife should take Victoria and Be’atta to help your sick. We can get started on our discussions.”

“Yes, yes. Pamma, if you would,” Cannol said.

“Doctor Victoria and Be’atta, please come with me. Our infirmary isn’t far,” Pamma said.

While the women were led away, the men went into the living area where everyone took a seat in one of the large leather chairs. Chris sank into one and smiled. “This is very comfortable,” he said.

“We have excellent craftsmen,” Cannol said. “Now, before I will join you, I must make arrangements for tomorrow’s feast to celebrate your arrival and that of your friends.”

“Cannol, may I speak very boldly?” Kaven questioned.

“Of course.”

“Though a feast is quite welcome and I do wish for my friends to enjoy themselves, our business is somewhat urgent,” Kaven said. “So much so that I risk offending you by saying that we will, most probably, need to travel to villages throughout Gren in order to get all of the animals we require, and even then, we would still be in need of more. Therefore, a day-long feast, which I know we’d all enjoy, is something we don’t really have time for, at least I don’t think we do.”

“Kaven, we have thousands of heads of livestock here, of many kinds. Surely you don’t need to look outside of this village,” Cannol said.

“Thousands would not even begin to make a mark on the numbers we’ll need.”

Cannol shook his head. “Then we will feast tonight, no long feast tomorrow. I will get us some tea and we shall talk business. Landen, please get a message to Elder Bross that a feast will be required an hour before sundown. And that I will get word to him as to why the change in tradition must be made.”

“Yes, father,” Landen said.

“And when the doctor returns, I want her to check you. You sound as if a snake is squeezing your lungs.”

“I am feeling a bit unwell. I’ll deliver your message and return,” the teen said and hurried out of the house.

Cannol brought in glasses and a pitcher of tea. “Now, Kaven, John, Chris, and Simon, I want to know everything you can tell me. If you must seek livestock from other villages, I must get word to them of the special need. You know we like to keep our own trade agreements with those we have befriended. Let us not risk offense, my friend. Tell me all.”

Kaven took a sip of his tea. He’d planned the entire speech in his head over the last two weeks. Cannol seemed to be open to the idea of him going to other villages, but even if he was not offended, other villages might be. He set the clear green glass on a napkin, then started his story. “We are helping a population, an entire planet, to establish ranches. They have used animals for their skins to make leather and other goods, but they have no knowledge of how to raise animals for food, nor how to butcher them for meat.”

“That is unheard of! They do not eat meat?”

“They are learning,” Kaven said. “Some do, but it’s a large population and growing. They…”

“Learning?” Cannol interrupted, scratching his chin, “Interesting. I would not think one has to learn to eat meat.”

“It’s not normal for them.”

“A plant-based diet is not normal!” Cannol smiled. “No, go on. How did they come to decide, the entire planet decide that they suddenly want meat?”

That was a question that Kaven and the others hadn’t even thought about answering. Kaven took another, longer, drink from his glass and slowly set it down. “I’d rather not say,” Kaven said. “It’s…a complex situation. One we’re hoping to be able to help with.”

“I understand. What kinds of livestock are we talking about? Cattle, goats, pigs?”

“Those as well as sheep and poultry.”

Cannol nodded, sank back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. After a moment of thought, he leaned across the coffee table towards the taller warrior, “Tell me the truth, Kaven. We are talking about Rayth, are we not? They are the only race of which I’m aware that does not eat meat and would be in need of such large quantities of livestock. Truth, my friend. Are you helping Rayth?”

John and Chris both tensed, but nothing showed on their faces. Instinctively, their hands relaxed in their laps, just a little closer to their holsters. Not that they’d shoot Cannol, but if he sent out an alarm and they had to fight their way to get Victoria to safety, they had to be ready. Simon, looked at John, ready to jump and run if he gave the nod.

Kaven gave Cannol a wide, friendly smile. “I knew you would have the right of it soon enough. Forgive me for not being forthright. It is the Rayth. Not all of them, however. They have developed a serum that allows them to eat food so that they no longer have to hunt humans for energy.”

“I have heard these rumors,” Cannol smiled. “Our travelers hear much when they are visiting worlds to sell our goods.”

“They’re not rumors,” Kaven said. “One of our doctors, one with the people John helps to lead, helped to develop this serum. Victoria also assisted in the development of the serum.”

“And the Rayth, they are taking it?”

“They just finished their tests not too long ago. The High Chancellor himself has taken it and now, they are offering it to the entire Empire. But because Rayth have long since forgotten how to farm and raise livestock, we’re helping them learn. We’re starting with one planet. That’s all the Rayth can do for now due to their lack of knowledge in agriculture.”

“And you are friends with the Rayth?”

“Only a few of them. The High Chancellor being one.”

Cannol raised an eyebrow. “Did they not destroy your planet? Your friends? Your beloved wife? And yet now you are friends with their leader?”

“Yes. Be’atta’s village suffered the same as I. She lost her betrothed. But our destinies were such that those in high places within the Raythian Empire are now friends.”

“So if Rayth take this serum, they would no longer need to feed on humans, correct?”

“That is correct. The High Chancellor eats just as we do. He has not fed on a human since taking the serum some time ago.”

“Amazing,” Cannol said with a nod. “Kaven, my friend, this could end the hostilities. Not soon, mind you, but if Rayth take this serum…but then you know this. You wish to end the war between humans and Rayth.”

“We do and so does the High Chancellor. He’s been searching for this most of his long life. Thanks to our Chief Medical Officer and Victoria who worked with the Raythian First Science Commander, they’ve found an answer. As you’ve said, it won’t end the war soon, but if this first planet is a success, more Rayth will see that they lose none of their abilities and no longer have to gather humans. Cannol, we must help them make this a success and your people have the livestock they need to get this first test planet…”

Cannol slammed his hand on the coffee table and bolted up out of his seat with a wide smile on his face. “Yes, my friend! This is why we are here! This is the destiny of my people! We will help end this war!” He tilted his head and added, “Of course, we expect our normal fee for the livestock.”

Kaven roared with laughter, “My friend, they are willing to pay.”

“Good, good. When Landen returns I will have him send messages to other villages.”

“If you are sending him to your radio transmission center, perhaps Simon could join him? As I said, he understands technology and he might be able to help fix anything there might be issues with.”

“Yes, yes. Good idea,” Cannol said as Landen came in. “Son, I need you to take another message and escort Simon to the radio center. I need all of the village leaders to meet here this evening during the feast so that I can explain the situation.” He had gone to a desk and began writing a note that would be sent out to each radio center in each village on the planet. “Meanwhile, Kaven, John, and Chris, we will go see rancher Farsen and see what he can give you. We have the largest ranch on the planet, you know.”

“I do know,” Kaven smiled.

“Give me one more moment to write the message then we can be off. Simon, if you finish with the radio center, you may shop at our market or return here, whichever you prefer. There. Landen, please make sure that whoever is at the radio knows that this is an emergency and that the village leaders need to reply at once. And son, afterwards, go to the infirmary, you look worse and you’ve only been out of my sight a few minutes.”

The boy nodded. “I will.”

“No, no,” Cannol said, changing his mind, “we shall deliver the message. You go straight to the infirmary.”

“Whoa!” John nearly shouted and jumped out of his chair to catch Landen who wobbled on his feet and nearly fell to the floor. “Landen, you’re burning up with fever. Cannol, which way to the infirmary?”

“Follow me,” he said as Chris and John helped the boy to his feet and walked with their arms around him across the village to the infirmary.

***

Victoria was surprised at how advanced Gren’s medical field seemed to be, at least in comparison with how everything else appeared. They were a simple people, living off the land, so when she found out that they had medical instruments, on the scale of late twentieth or early twenty-first century Earth, she smiled. But upon mentioning it to Be’atta, she said her people were much the same way. They preferred the simpler things in life having seen the grayness that industry seemed to bring to worlds.

The medical practices on Gren were much the same of Be’atta’s people: use natural, herbal medications, but if nothing else works, then use items such as antibiotics or even more advanced techniques and practices. But their worlds didn’t suffer from the cancers and other diseases that were brought forth in advanced civilizations and through the manipulation of genes and the creation of insecticides and so on, so seldom was such measures needed.

“My scanner analyzes the blood sample, and I should have a diagnosis in a moment or two,” Victoria said. “It can’t diagnose everything, but if it’s a known bacterial infection, it should flag it.”

“Amazing,” the village doctor, Marcen, said. “And the scans…no radioactivity?”

“No. Magnetic resonance,” Victoria said and explained how the device worked, at least to the best of her non-technical ability. Pamma, who often helped in the infirmary, listened to the conversation, wondering how such a thing was possible.

“Our healers have seen these machines that can show you bones but they are radioactive. That cannot be healthy.”

“It’s not, at least…well, it can be helpful to spot a microfracture but we have other means now. Our doctors on my homeworld are still fighting over whether or not x-rays, that’s what we call them, have a cumulative effect. And here we go.” She turned the scanner so he could see the display, “I was right. Strep throat.”

“Streptococcus…” the healer laughed as he tried to read the long, foreign words, “I like ‘strep throat’ better. Very well, the treatment?”

“Antibiotics.”

“If left untreated?”

“Several possibilities,” Victoria replied and explained everything. She could tell he was apprehensive about the antibiotics but she put her hand on his shoulder, “I can supply you with a scratch test to make sure they are not allergic to the antibiotic. I think we should administer it to those who are in the most serious condition. Only one pill is needed,” Victoria told him. She looked at Be’atta, “Have your people any natural remedies for this?”

“A mixture of honey, garlic, and cayenne pepper,” Be’atta said, “but seeing how far along the patients are, I’d go with your judgment. Ours takes longer and isn’t always effective.”

Marcen looked at Victoria. “Let’s start the scratch tests. Do you have the antibiotics with you?”

“I do,” Victoria said. “Be’atta, please run all the blood samples to confirm everyone has strep, please. I don’t want to distribute antibiotics to them if it’s not what they need.”

“Will do,” Be’atta said, taking the second medical scanner and noting the patient’s name in their file for off-world patients, then ran the test. She’d often supplied medical backup on their off-world missions and was familiar with the procedures.

Cannol came running through the door. “Doctors, my son, he nearly passed out. I think he has what the others have.” Pamma ran over and reached for her son.

John and Chris, bearing most of Landen’s weight between them, walked in. “Where do you want him?” John asked.

Marcen pointed to the bed nearest the men. “Doctor Victoria, please, I would like to see how you handle this type of situation,” he said.

The first thing Victoria did was sit on the bed and put her hand on Landen’s forehead. That was more of the motherly instinct kicking in than science. “Fever. Do you have ice packs?”

Marcen nodded to his nurse who went to gather some packs while Victoria tended to her new patient. “Tell me what happened?” she said as she entered his name into the off-world patient file.

“I sent a message with him to our Elder, he returned. I had another message for him to take to the radio center when he returned. He…he looked a bit sick when he left the first time, but this time, he looked terrible. Much worse after only a few minutes. I told him to come here instead and before he could turn to leave, he nearly collapsed. John caught him,” Cannol said.

“Landen, tell me what doesn’t feel right,” Victoria said and held up her scanner, “this will scan your body to see if there is something physically wrong. I’ll do that while you talk. It’s not radioactive and it doesn’t hurt.”

“No radiation,” Marcen nodded to Cannol, “amazing technology.”

Landen told her that he thought it was only a bit of a cold. The weather was chilly at night and he was out late helping with chores.

“He does not like to complain,” Cannol said as he slipped his arm around Pamma’s waist. “He is a strong boy. He is seldom sick.”

“Throat’s so sore,” Landen said.

Victoria took the ice packs from the nurse and put them where they’d be most effective, having him sit up in the process. She checked his eyes, took his blood pressure, checked his oxygen levels, then checked his ears, sinuses, and throat. “I think you have what everyone else here has,” she said, then got her stethoscope ready. “A few deep breaths in and out. Good. Again please. That’s okay, Pamma, you’re more than welcome to hold his hand, you’re not in my way.”

Be’atta stayed out of the way, using Victoria’s second scanner to run the rest of blood samples through and note the results.

“I’m 99% sure you have strep throat, but a blood test will confirm. The scanner showed that you’re dehydrated. Dr. Marcen, do you have IV drips?”

“Ah, yes, is it that bad?”

“No,” Victoria said, “but it would help him recover quicker.”

“No drip,” Landen said.

“All right,” Victoria said, giving him a warm smile, “I understand, but you’re going to have to keep drinking fluids, lots and lots of fluids.”

“Hurts too much.”

“Cannol, Pamma, from the patients in here, your son is the worst case. I’m offering an option to the others, but for Landen, I have to insist on using an antibiotic.” She explained how his condition could worsen and the possible implications of letting it go or trying natural remedies. “It only takes one pill.”

“One pill and he’ll be well?” Pamma asked.

Victoria shook her head, “No. One pill will kill the infection, the bacteria in his system. It’s an extended release pill, meaning it dissolves very, very slowly over the course of five days. Each day more of the antibiotic goes into his system to fight off any lingering bacteria.”

“Dr. Marcen do we have such an antibiotic?” Cannol asked.

“Nothing like this. So far everything I’ve tried on our other patients hasn’t worked.”

“Landen, sweetheart, I think you should take the pill,” Pamma said.

The teen frowned but nodded.

“We need to see if you’ll have a reaction to it,” Victoria said. “I’m going to do a little scratch test on your arm. I’ll know immediately if you can or cannot take the medication. First, though, I’m going to take some blood. Let’s make certain you have strep, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Victoria is fine, no need to ma’am,” she smiled. She got up and readied the supplies and quickly drew the vial of blood and popped the vial in her scanner to let it run its analysis. “And this is just like feeling a little bit of sandpaper on your arm,” she said about the scratch test, “rough, but it shouldn’t hurt.”

“Okay,” Landen smiled. “I didn’t even feel the needle.”

“That means I’m improving,” Victoria returned his smile.

“That was a different needle. Not like Doc Marcen’s,” he said.

“We call it a butterfly needle. They’re usually used on babies, but because everyone hates having their blood taken, I use them when I can since the needle is much smaller. And there, just a minute or two and we’ll know if you can take the antibiotic.”

“You have very pretty eyes,” Landen said then blushed. “I…I never saw such green eyes before.”

“My husband fell in love with me because of my eyes,” she beamed with love thinking of Zy’nayth.

“And then for your cooking,” Be’atta added. “All blood tests show strep. I just finished the last one.”

“I’m going to get the word spread around the villages,” Marcen said, “in case we had a carrier than came in contact with someone from another village.”

Victoria nodded, “Good idea. I can visit anywhere I’m needed.” She checked her watch and the area where she had performed the scratch test, “No reaction. I’ll give it another minute to be sure.” Her scanner let off a soft beep and she checked the display, “And we’ve just confirmed that you do have strep.”

“Two minutes,” Pamma said, “to make doubly sure about the antibiotic, please.”

“How about five? I know you’re worried. The test results are usually instantaneous, but we’re required to watch the area for two minutes. I just want everyone comfortable with this.”

“I’m sure I’ll be okay,” Landen said.

“It’s not going to hurt anything to wait a few more minutes. Pamma, I assume food is brought in to the infirmary from homes, you don’t have a commissary or anything like that do you?” Victoria asked as Marcen was busy writing up the message to be sent out over their one radio transmitter.

“Yes. What does he need?”

“Orange juice would be my first choice but the acid may be a bit much for him to handle with such a raw throat. Water, tea, apple juice, maybe. A bucket of ice. He can suck on the ice cubes to ease the pain.”

“His fever?”

“It was 102 on our scale. High. The ice packs will help lower it. I’m sure the nursing staff knows how often to change them out.”

“Yes,” Marcen said, walking up with a paper in hand. “I’m going to personally take this over. Should be back in less than five minutes…unless we get immediate calls that there are serious sicknesses.”

“Should there be any, I’ll arrange for someone to escort Victoria around,” Cannol said then looked at his son, “I must help friend Kaven. There is much to do. Victoria, will he be able to return home this afternoon?”

“Let’s keep him here until lunchtime,” she looked at the clock, “roughly two hours, correct? Then if his fever has come down, he can return home.” She looked at her watch, since it was its timer that was keeping track of how long ago the scratch test had been administered. “Eight minutes,” she said and checked the arm. “No sign of reaction.” She looked back at Pamma and Cannol. “May I give him the pill?”

“Please,” Cannol said.

Victoria dug into her medical kit and pulled out a small container. She showed it to Be’atta and told her what the pill should be. Be’atta double checked with the pharmaceutical file on the tablet to make sure the pill was indeed what Victoria wanted to administer.

“Confirmed,” Be’atta said and read off the name and dosage back to Victoria.

The nurse had anticipated the need and was there with a small cup of water. “Thank you,” Victoria said and handed it and the pill to Landen. “Within a couple of hours, the fever should break, but you probably won’t feel much relief until this time tomorrow. Though, getting the fever down will help a lot.”

“Should I bring a sandwich or something?” Pamma asked.

“Oh, yes, we got off track. Chicken soup, any soup, might be better. Bread might irritate the throat.”

“I’m not really hungry,” Landen said.

“You’ll need a little something on your stomach after taking the pill,” Victoria said. “Even if it’s just juice. And you’re already dehydrated, let’s get something in you.”

“I’ll see if Fama’s made up some soup,” Pamma said. “She usually has something at her shop.” She bent over and kissed Landen’s forehead. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll have juice and hopefully some soup.”

“Thank you, mother.”

“I’ll wait until your mother returns,” Cannol said, “before we go to Farsen’s ranch. Son, I wish you would have said something sooner.”

“I thought it was just a chill. No need to fuss over something as simple as that.”

“We can go see if Simon needs any help,” Kaven said. “Victoria, Be’atta, if you leave the village, let us know before you bridge out. That’s an order.”

Victoria chuckled, “Yes, sir.”

Kaven shook his head, “I’m serious,” he said more sternly.

“I know,” Victoria replied.

***

“Hello, Beloved,” Zy’nayth said when Victoria, sitting on her mattress in Cannol and Pamma’s attic, placed a video call to her family.

She smiled at him, “Hi,” she said then frowned, “where are the kids?”

A moment later, from either side of their father, their heads popped into view. “Prise!” they both exclaimed with waving arms, then giggled and clapped.

The entire team heard it and laughed. “I was worried that maybe you didn’t want to talk to me,” she said to them. “That was a nice surprise.”

“How you day go?” Mik’kenna asked, moving to sit cross-legged by her father, Celeste climbing up and sitting in her lap.

“I went to three villages, including the one we’re staying in. Nothing too serious, just a matter of distributing antibiotics to those who are willing to take them. A broken leg that I checked. It was properly set, so there wasn’t anything else I could do for them. Some are trying Be’atta’s remedy, but those who were in a more serious condition, I convinced them to take the antibiotic. More travelling tomorrow. I got to those who were in most need of our help today. That was good. How was your day?”

“Well,” Ky’nayth shrugged his shoulders, his hands splayed out. “We got up and ate bek-fast and say bye to you. Den come home and go back bed ‘cause it early than normal. Then we up and play with puppies, and Daddy do math lesson and grammar wif us. Den Sissy said it ‘most lunch time and we went to freezer and got out cassy roll and Sissy help Daddy with ‘structions and put in oven. It good. We no burn. Then we help Daddy with dishes. Then took puppies for long walk. We took earlier, course, but that just business walk. This time for fun and play. Sissy, you turn.”

Mik’kenna waved at her mother and continued reciting the accounts of their day. “After walk, we take nap. We all tired. Daddy prolly worked. And den got up and did more studies and do reading and coloring and play with toys and puppies. Den time for dinner and Miss Janice come by and say she can cook and Daddy say we has leftover and Janice say she see what it is and maybe make something go with it. She did dat and it good. I told her give you recipe please. She say she do dat. She stay and eated with us. Den Daddy ask if she stay little bit ‘cause he has go to Kiva. So we play game with her then Daddy home and we just start Bible study and you call!”

“And Aunt Janice ‘mind us she be here in morning to make bek-fast ‘fore church,” Ky’nayth nodded.

Victoria listened and nodded, smiling to herself. When the twins got excited, their diction got worse. Half of their “thens” end up as “dens.” But then she chided herself. They were only two and a half. They were doing pretty well for being so young. She wasn’t sure if she could have rambled out sentences like that when she’d been their age. “It sounds like you had a very busy day. Daddy, how was your day?”

“It was nice to be home all day with the children.”

“And puppies!” Mik’kenna said.

“Yes, and the puppies,” Zy’nayth smiled.

“Kaven’s sending you a message,” Victoria said. “We ended up telling them that we were helping Rayth. His contact actually guessed it. So far, all is going well.”

Zy’nayth’s demeanor grew stern. “Do they know…”

“No. They know we’re on friendly terms with the High Chancellor, that is all. Don’t worry,” she smiled, “they seem to want to end this war as much as we do and are willing to help to that end.”

“Be careful. Make sure you have your comlink and your tracking items on at all times.”

“Yes dear,” she smiled.

“Mommy, is you scared?” Mik’kenna asked.

“No, honey. The people here are very friendly. It’s a beautiful place.”

“Dat good,” Ky’nayth said, “you home ‘morrow?”

“I think we’ll be here at least a week, sweetie.”

“Oh yeah. I miss you.”

“I miss all of you very much. I miss your little hugs and kisses.”

“Maybe we should all pray now and allow your mother to get some rest. I am sure she has had a long day with her new adventure,” Zy’nayth said.

After a little more discussion, a little Bible study, and then their prayers, Zy’nayth ended the call. He took the twins to their room and tucked them into their beds, feeling odd not having his wife there with him to do so. He returned to his room and called Ja’val and Kol’non after reading Kaven’s message.

“They are going to bring the cattle to Terra 2 as planned,” he said to Ja’val. “Are the scanners in place to make sure the animals are disease free?”

“We’ll finish that up tomorrow,” Ja’val said. “Actually, the scanners on Terra 2 are ready, we’re still setting up the ones on Kiva. I want them scanned at both locations.”

“Good. The locals know they are helping us. We must make sure there is no poison or anything in this livestock. I cannot risk that there might be one person willing to harm us by poisoning the livestock.”

“Don’t worry. The plan was to check all livestock, not just this batch,” Ja’val said. “When is the first group due in?”

“They will start coming to Terra 2 early afternoon tomorrow—Terra 2 time,” Zy’nayth said. “Due to the size of the herds, we will need them out before the next group comes in.”

“Like I said, we’ll finish up the scanners on Kiva tomorrow. The scientists working there are ready. We have the feed for the animals in place and all of the pens set up. We’ll be ready by tomorrow afternoon. Unless you hear from me by,” Ja’val looked at the clock, “by 11:00 Terra 2 time, assume that everything is good to go for the transfer.”

The following two weeks had Victoria and Be’atta traveling with Cannol or one of his appointees to various villages to check on anyone who was sick or injured. Most of the time, they were headed to the same villages as the men. Simon tweaked the radio system, giving them much better reception over a longer range and said he’d looking to updating their equipment. That was something that would have to be approved by Vince. By the end of their second week, the men had tapped every village on the planet. There weren’t many since most of the planet was filled with farms and ranches, but it was a lot of traveling, even by bridge portal. Victoria was ready to be home and soak in a hot bubble bath, the thought of which reminded her Mik’kenna and made her smile.

July 19, 2120

“Mommy! We so glad you home!” Ky’nayth said as he gave Victoria a hug and kiss upon meeting her in the control room on Terra 2. Mik’kenna expressed the same happiness at seeing her. The crew was ready to rest. Along with all of the traveling, there’d been a lot of negotiation, and, on Victoria’s part, a lot of discussion with the village doctors, and for all of them, a lot of very delicious, but very heavy and filling food.

“I’m glad to be home,” Victoria replied then gave Zy’nayth a kiss. “I hope you didn’t have too much trouble without me.”

“Aunt Janice make food and Uncle David did sometimes and we stay here most time while Daddy work and puppies miss you and can we has fwy chiggen and mashers for dinner?” Ky’nayth said all in one breath. “We no has fwy chiggen forever!”

Victoria laughed, “I think I can manage that.” Zy’nayth took her packs then they walked to the infirmary where Victoria returned the medications that weren’t distributed. She logged them in, Geoffrey counted and co-signed for them, then the family went to their chambers where Baxter and Celeste gave her an enthusiastic greeting. She sat on the sofa and closed her eyes. “I’m beat. What time is it?”

“Two o’clock,” Zy’nayth said. “We can go to the mess hall for dinner if you are too tired to cook. Or I could impose on Janice. She has been most accommodating.”

“No, I’ll be fine. Fried chicken is easy. Let me see what groceries I need,” she got up and stretched then went to the kitchen.

“I can go get the food,” Zy’nayth said. “Make the list then go and take a nap.”

“Nah, I’m fine. Just glad to be home and the tiredness is just relief. I was worried something would go wrong; that there’d be someone with too much hatred and try to hurt one of us, but they saw the good all of this will do for everyone. How did you hold up handling these two little ones?”

“Quite busy. They both made sure I ate,” he grinned. “When I was not traveling, we paid Lutia and Alessa visits. Both are ready to have their babies. And with Ja’val being the father of one, it made traveling to answer serum questions more difficult. He did not wish to be away from his wife for any length of time.”

“Reminds me of you,” she smiled. “Other than not being able to pull him along with you, how do things look on the other planets for distribution?”

“The percentage is not as high as what we have confirmed for Tarnia, but still around eight percent which is more than I hoped for. I think most are waiting to see how Tarnia does, which is to be expected.”

“Things are looking up. Kaven was able to get quite a lot of animals.”

“Indeed. Dr. Wells believes that there are enough chickens to give to each village on Tarnia. We have already moved them to Kiva and divided them into groups for each village. Hopefully they will start laying eggs soon. Hank assures me they will. And we have enough breeding stock to get started when it comes to pigs, goats, sheep, and cows. It will be some time, I imagine, before Tarnians can enjoy the meat on a regular basis. But this has been a major boost in our timeline.”

“Uncle Vince say lots of people try fishy,” Ky’nayth said.

“Really?” Victoria asked as she finished up her grocery list.

“My scientists on Tarnia have gotten numerous requests for fishing gear. General Cavanaugh sent Major Kessler to Earth to purchase several hundred sets of gear. Rods, tackle, and so on.”

“I bet that wasn’t in the budget…and raised a lot of eyebrows at Central Command.”

“I gave the Major plenty of credit on his chip. And Vince explained it as a morale boosting exercise for those stationed here.”

“Some day we go fishy,” Ky’nayth said. “I no know how but I try.”

“We’ll have to make plans for that once Daddy gets a little free time,” Victoria said. “Oh, Cannol said they are going to increase their number of livestock raised. They want to maintain their current customers, of course, and supply Rayth with more.”

“I wonder if they would be willing to teach us a few things. That would ease the load that Hank and his team has.”

“I don’t know. You’d have to talk to Kaven, get his opinion. It might be a little early in the deal to discuss it.”

“True. I will still talk to Kaven, however.”

“List is ready. I’ll pick the items up. You can stay with the kids. Are we going to be here all weekend?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll pick up a few other things.”

“Mommy, I come,” Ky’nayth said.

“Me too!” Mik’kenna replied.

Victoria looked at her husband, “Might as well come along.”

Before they even got to the door, Victoria’s comlink buzzed. “Carson,” she answered.

“Love, I’m going to need to do a C-section on Alessa if her BP doesn’t come down. I’ve given her a different med, going to see if it comes down tonight. Chris is frantic. She didn’t tell him about the trouble while he was off-world. Would you guys say a few extra prayers for them?”

“Of course. Give me a call when you take her in for surgery. I’ll assist. Or at least try to keep Chris calm.”

“Will do.”