E:A Vol 5 Ch 13—October 12, 2120

Chapter 13: October 12, 2120

The response of the United States was quick, though futile. The minute Central Command was decimated by the rebel Rayth attack, President Michael Stewart was on the phone ordering a satellite laser strike even as his staff began calling the Joint Chiefs and Cabinet. Washington D.C. was hit shortly after Central Command. Only those who’d been out of town for the weekend survived. There was, perhaps, half of Congress remaining, not to mention those who served at the Pentagon.

His next calls were to countries in possession of nuclear weapons. Though most didn’t have nukes in orbit, at least according to intel, many did. Those were called first.

Stewart hadn’t been in DC when the attack started. He and his family had been traveling on board Air Force One. It immediately changed course and headed to a secure location. Though given the destruction at Central Command, they weren’t sure where a secure location could be found.

“The lasers aren’t doing any damage from what we can tell,” Michael said in a video conference call with Earth’s so-called superpowers.

The Russian president had muted his side of the call as he gave orders. He pushed a key on the computer to rejoin the conversation. “We are preparing a nuclear strike. We have no choice.”

“What about fallout?” the British Prime Minister asked.

“Can our nukes even hit something that far out?” the US Secretary of State asked.

“Satellite based nukes might be able to,” Michael said.

“No more delay,” the Chinese president said, “we must launch.”

Michael addressed his Joint Chiefs, all of whom had left DC for a long weekend with their families before the weather turned cold. “I don’t see we have any other option. They can wipe this planet out if we don’t try something.”

“Again,” the British Prime Minister spoke up, “what about the fallout? It won’t do us any good to toss nukes at them to save our planet when the fallout from those nukes will destroy us.”

“They seem to have stopped their attack. I propose we sit and wait,” the French president said.

“Something you’re good at,” the British PM retorted.

“Ladies, gentlemen, let’s not do this,” Stewart said. “Does anyone have any data on fallout?”

Japan’s Prime Minister had been looking at someone off to his right, then he returned to the camera. “Prime Minister Lawrence is correct, the fallout could potentially be catastrophic if they are in orbit.”

“I do not think we could hit one further out of orbit,” the Russian president said. “Unless you have longer ranges than we do.”

“President Stewart, who are the attackers? Why did they attack Colorado first? That exposé from Douglas Howard, he broadcast from Colorado, if I’m not mistaken,” the German chancellor said. “I think it’s time you let us know what the truth is.”

“I think we need to attack and save as many as we can,” the Russian president said. “I’ve ordered our lasers to strike. Those with satellite weaponry should do the same.”

“Mr. President,” the German chancellor said, “we want answers. Are Rayth real?”

“Yes, they’re real. But they…their leader was to keep the location of Earth safe,” Michael said. “What about nukes on your satellites?” This time he was thinking primarily of China and Russia. “Will they reach those ships?”

“I don’t know what…”

“President Li, come now, you know that I know what you have; now is not the time.” He typed on his keyboard, his screen shown to all those in the conference call. “This one or this one. They’re far enough out; fallout shouldn’t be an issue,” Michael said.

“You’re no scientist, you can’t say that,” the French president said.

“One nuke to test,” Stewart replied. “We must act. Lasers are useless. Until a ship comes closer to one of our satellites,” he said speaking of the US satellites, “weaponized satellites, our lasers and our nukes are not an option. President Li, you have weaponized sats in the area. One nuke.”

“I want a consensus,” President Li said.

The vote was taken and recorded by all those involved. Despite the fear of radioactive fallout, all agreed to test one nuclear warhead on the target specified. It was, hopefully, far enough away that fallout on Earth would be minimal.

The group fell silent ten minutes later when the satellite launched an armed missile towards one of the rebel Rayth warships. It got to within a mile of the target when a blue beam of light stretched out from the warship, enveloped the warhead, and disintegrated it.

Back on Earth, come cursed, some sat in silent awe, others began to murmur with their colleagues. Michael Stewart called them all back to attention. “I think our focus now should be getting people to safety.”

“And where exactly would that be?” the French president asked.

“Telling people to run to the hills will only cause more panic,” the Japanese PM said.

“Sir, they’re starting to take out our satellites,” one of the Joint Chiefs spoke up. He was typing away on his keyboard, “Communication sats,” he said.

Michael Stewart excused himself. It was time to call Vince before they lost all communications. He had tried after he ordered the first laser strike, but wasn’t able to get through. The communications system between Earth and Terra 2 only worked when the bridge portal was activated, at least that’s what he was told. He had no idea that Ja’val had installed hundreds of satellites which Rayth could use with their system to get calls from one galaxy to another.

Michael walked into the corridor, the plane’s engines barely audible as he paced back and forth. Once again he tried calling Vince Cavanaugh. There was no response. He tried it again. Nothing. This time he tried John Hagen. Nothing. Then he sent an aide to fetch a number as he returned to the conference call.

“I’m attempting to get in touch with someone who may know what’s going on,” he said as he rejoined the call. “Someone who may be able to help us. Can’t seem to reach anyone.”

“This team you sent to another galaxy?” the French president said, “that we were not told about.”

“Even though there was a threat posed to this planet,” the German chancellor added.

“The portal is on US soil. If it had been in your country, would you tell me that you had a portal to another galaxy?” Michael said as the aide came in with a slip of paper. He handed it to the president who then used the comlink to dial the number. This time there was an answer. He was so shocked to hear her voice that he stood. “Dr. Carson?”

“Yes?”

“This is President Michael Stewart.” He listened to her reply as he sat back down.

“Correct, but we’re in need of assistance.”

When Ja’val told the president that there was nothing he could do, and that the attack wasn’t against Earth alone, Michael Stewart’s face drained of color. He put his head in his hands, thanked the First Science Commander for the information, and again said that they’d appreciate any help he could give them.

Then he broke the news to everyone else. “We’re on our own.”

***

“Sir, I think we’ve found something,” the Second Science Commander’s voice said over the comlink. He was on the flagship, which was fighting rebel ships around Kiva and Jarstal, the main Raythian military outpost that protected the planet. “Picked up an energy trail. It’s not the same as what the rebel battlecruisers used last time, but there is something venting into the atmosphere, and since we’ve seen how poorly their other battlecruisers were built, my guess is that these engines were constructed similarly…as were the containment units.”

“Location? And does it appear to be all five of them?” Zy’nayth asked from the command chair of the Second Ship.

“Cannot say regarding the number, sir, nor whether they’re battlecruisers. The satellites are picking up strong energy signature towards the Milky Way. I think they’re headed to Earth. Sending coordinates of the energy exhaust. You can see the course they’re taking and the close to us, the less of the energy we’re picking up. Meaning they’re moving away from us towards the Milky Way.”

“First Commander, did you hear that?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Yes, sir. New orders?”

“Protect Kiva.” He adjusted codes on his comlink, “Fourth Commander?”

“Sir?” came the reply.

“Second Science Commander has detected an energy signature of unknown origin near the Milky Way,” Zy’nayth said as he tapped through the fleet status screens and aligned them with the satellite scans the Second Science Commander had sent him. “Are you cloaked?”

“Yes, sir. Getting your message now. Shall I divert to investigate? It would take an extra day to get to Earth if I were to do so.”

“No, continue towards Earth at your fastest possible speed. However, see if your Science team can get a better reading on the energy exhaust and send it to Second Science.”

“Understood.”

“Second Commander,” Zy’nayth said after adding the man to his current conversation, “continue towards the Milky Way and disable any enemy ships you encounter. Do not stop to teleport the prisoners over,” Zy’nayth said as his hands worked on sending a message to a transport frigate, “I am sending TF-242 to follow your trail. Its Commander will contact you and will pick up the prisoners.”

“Disable and continue. Frigate to follow. Understood,” the Second Commander said. “Battlecruiser 3 is handling quite well, sir. We could go after that energy signature.”

“No. If that is coming from multiple battlecruisers, I do not wish to engage with one ship. Make fastest possible speed to Earth. If Earth is their ultimate target, I want a few ships there to help in the battle. Do not engage their battlecruisers only the smaller warships. Report coordinates if you do spot the battlecruisers; do not engage.”

“Understood. Warships only. Do not engage battlecruisers.”

Zy’nayth cut the Second and Fourth Commanders out of the conversation and continued. “First Commander, when I get to Terra 2, I will help them rid the city of intruders.”

“Understood.”

“Warship 73, status?” Zy’nayth waited a few seconds. No reply was received. Warship 73 was assigned to patrol and protect Terra 2. Zy’nayth repeated his hail. Still nothing. His fingers flowed across the communications panel connecting his current conversation with his Third Commander. “Third Commander?”

“Here, sir,” the Third Command replied from inside the Terra 2 city-ship.

“Status?”

“Terra 2, the planet, is taking heavy damage. The city-ship is not being attacked, at least not from the outside. I dare not risk launching. We are still able to bring in people from the mainland via the shuttles. I have to keep her on the surface for now. Warship 73 has taken out two rebel ships. There are two left. The rebels continue to teleport down. Correction, one rebel ship left. I have lost contact with Warship 73, though they seem to be handling things.”

“The rebels are able to teleport through the shields?”

“No sir, communications were vital with sending teams out to find the rebels and for search and rescue. I had the Fourth Science Officer tend to that first. Shields are up when no shuttle is docking or departing. But for those fifteen seconds, rebels are able to teleport in.”

“How many left planet-side?”

“Thirty-seven missing,” Be’atta said, when asked by the Third Commander. “Includes both Rayth and human.”

“Do what you can, Third,” Zy’nayth replied on receiving the information. “When I arrive, I will finish off that last rebel ship if our warship has not. Then you will take command of this ship. I will teleport down and take command there. You are to patrol the corridor between Kiva and Terra 2 and disable enemy ships after getting Warship 73’s commsystem back online and any engine repairs seen to. After I handle the invaders on Terra 2, I will take the city-ship to defend Earth. Pass the information onto General Cavanaugh and Colonel Hagen.”

“Understood,” the Third Commander replied.

***

“Mommy, I think we take this room,” Mik’kenna said as the group finally carried their bags up to the second floor.

“You and your brother?” Victoria asked then looked at the two king size beds and her two little kids.

“No. All three of us. I no want to be without you,” the girl said as tears glistened in her blue eyes.

“I was going to suggest that. Lia, why don’t you stay in with us?” Victoria said. “And we can keep all the dogs so the men won’t be stumbling over them as they switch patrol shifts.”

“All right,” Amelia said. “We can even keep the babies or swap nights so that Lutia and Alessa can get some sleep.”

“Every other night would be helpful,” Alessa said.

“And whoever has the babies at night doesn’t have to worry about breakfast the next day,” Lutia said. “Fair enough?”

“Sounds good,” Victoria said as they all headed back downstairs.

Alessa looked at her husband then to Lutia. She didn’t want to be without her husband at night.

“If your husband’s down shifts coincide with your sleep time,” Ny’van said, picking up on the two women’s thoughts, “they can stay with you. Otherwise, it’s best if those off duty and trying to sleep during daylight hours are secluded so they can get as much rest as possible. We need to be alert for anything.”

Chris spoke up after giving his wife a reassuring hug. “Keep your stuff in your bags at all times in case we have to leave on short notice. Everything else stays packed in the cruiser; we get what we need when we need it.”

“While you guys are out checking the perimeter or whatever it is you do,” Victoria said, “we can get that trunk/cargo area organized a bit better.”

“I want to get us some fresh food,” Chris said. “Don’t know how long stores will remain open and best to get fresh meat before we have to start living on boxed and canned food. Just enough for today and tomorrow. After that, we’ll play it by ear.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Ja’val said. “Your face is all over your networks. David can go. His fake name is also on the same chip given to Chris.”

“Alone?” Amelia shook her head. “I can go and help.”

“One old man in a fishing area isn’t unusual,” David said.

“One old man at a fishing resort and buying a lot of food is,” Chris replied. “Can’t send the Rayth, I can’t go. Victoria can’t go. Alessa’s probably linked to me by now. That leaves Lutia or Amelia. One of you can pose as Dad’s daughter.”

“I’ve done a lot of fishing with my dad,” Amelia said, “I can at least hold on a conversation about trout. And since Becket and I aren’t married yet, my name isn’t linked to his and so shouldn’t come up in any files on Victoria. Besides, Lutia should stay with Kel’lan.”

“He’d be fine with anyone here,” Lutia said, “I can go.”

“I’ll go,” Amelia said. “I wouldn’t feel right if you did.”

“Okay, meat, a little fresh produce,” Chris said to his father, “milk, juice. Ladies, need anything for the babies?”

“We’re good, but let me get a box of diapers out the cruiser first,” Alessa said going over to the vehicle’s “trunk” and finding a case of diapers and one of formula.

“Is can get bag of puppy food, too, please?” Ky’nayth asked as he went up to David.

David found a bag and hauled it out. “Let one of your uncles carry it inside,” David said. “Best if we get going now. Lia, got your stunner?”

She opened her jacket, showing off the stunner, and nodded.

“Give us an hour and a half. I’ll pick up a couple of rods and tackle,” David said. “Just in case.”

Chris, digging in the cabin of the cruiser handed Ny’van and Ja’val a few weapons. “Okay, an hour and a half, Dad. I’m timing you. Be careful, be mindful, and be aware of your surroundings—constantly. Shouldn’t be any trouble, but just in case…be ready.”

“We will be,” David said as he shut Amelia’s door then went over to the driver’s side. “And you take good care of those little ones.”

Chris grinned, his eyes twinkling, “Top priority.”

***

“Status?” Zy’nayth asked as he appeared in the control room of the Terra 2 city-ship.

The Third Commander called up the digital layout of the ship and showed him where the military was engaged with rebel Rayth. “Communications have been restored with Warship 73. General Cavanaugh is in the shuttle bay with a medical team, coordinating rescue efforts with the mainland. Still thirty-four missing. Col. Hagen and his men are here and here. Major Kessler’s team is holding this corridor between the infirmary, the sanctuary, and mess hall. All three are now filled with injured. I have two Rayth in with Dr. McKenna healing the injured, but they cannot last much longer.”

“Serum Rayth?”

“Yes, sir.”

Zy’nayth pointed to three of the two dozen warriors with him, knowing they were Rayth who had taken the serum. “Relieve them. Make sure they eat. They are either in the mess hall or near it. There should be plenty of food. Only heal the most serious cases, and only to the point where they are out of danger. Reserve as much energy as you can in case you need to fight. Go. Eat when you need to. I do not want you feeding.”

The three men exited the control room while Zy’nayth went over the rest of the situation with his Third. He gave orders to those with him to support Steve Kessler’s team, as well as one area he thought needed covered, then sent for another two dozen warriors from the Second Ship he had been commanding. Those men were also dispatched except for six of the warriors.

“Fourth Flight,” Zy’nayth said, contacting the Second Ship.

“Sir?”

“Teleport the Third Commander up. He has command of the Second Ship. I will remain here.”

“Understood,” the Fourth Flight Commander said, then over the ship’s comm system, “Third Commander has the bridge.”

The Third Commander stepped to a clear area and gave the signal for teleportation. Zy’nayth looked at the six Rayth with him. These were the top tier warriors from the Second Ship. “First Warrior, you have command here,” Zy’nayth said.

“If we have to fly sir, I have flown this type of ship only in simulations,” the First Warrior said.

“For now, we keep this fight on the ground. If needed, grab Col. Hagen, though I am sure you can handle this old thing.”

“Understood,” the Rayth gave his superior a bow.

“Warriors, it is time to rid this place of rebels. Follow me,” Zy’nayth said as he led them out the door where John was stationed.

“Need help?” John asked as they walked to his position.

“You stay and keep this area clear,” Zy’nayth said, his long strides moving him quickly down the corridor, “we can handle this.”

John raised an eyebrow looking a one of his sergeants, “Thinks he can handle this,” he grinned.

The sergeant smiled back and shook her head, “I know better than to bet against him,” she smiled. “Even if there are several dozen Rayth here.”

Three rebels turned the corner as Zy’nayth drew near. The imposing Rayth in head-to-toe white leather, strode towards them, his long calf-length jacket billowing out with each step. Five warriors, in a similar uniform, only in black signifying that they were all commanders, flanked him. Stunners were raised and fired as Zy’nayth walked on without missing a beat. One warrior stopped and picked up a comlink from one of the downed men to listen in on any of their conversations. Then he tapped his own comlink, “Three down to your southeast,” he said to John. “Stunned only.”

“Roger that,” John said, “does the High Chancellor want them left alive?”

The warrior posed the question as they continued on. “Use stunners only,” came the reply. “Get transponder patches from the First Warrior. He wants them alive.”

“Understood,” John replied and headed to the control room after contacting the First Warrior.

“Slap it on, that activates it. Step away, the ship overhead does the rest,” the First Warrior said as he handed a box of transponders to John. Two boxes had just been teleported down for them. John picked up the second box and after taking care of the three stunned Rayth, he made his way to Steve Kessler’s position to hand him the second box of transponders.

“Only a few coming up at the far end,” Steve said. “We’re keeping them back. Surprised there hasn’t been an influx.”

“Or their building up their ranks just outside of our reach and will storm the place,” John said. “Stay frosty.”

Zy’nayth and his small team, used the elevator, stopping every five floors in their 195 floor descent. They scanned for rebels and if one was found, they were approached and stunned. A transponder beacon was slapped on them, then they were teleported to the Second Ship.

On the fifth floor, Zy’nayth and his team left the elevator. They’d continue down to the ground floor using the stairwells, heading to the second control room where, they assumed, most of the rebels were assembling. Though the secondary control room didn’t have a bridge portal, it had workstations that could control most of the city-ship. The rebels assumed that of the two control rooms, the second would have fewer if any people guarding it, thus allowing them an easier way to gain control of the city-ship. Their first assumption was correct. The Expedition: Andromeda team had no guards there. They hadn’t even known about the room. But the Third Commander informed them and had wisely sent some of his Rayth to protect it.

Some rebels appeared to be teleporting into the five floors above the main control room, but Zy’nayth felt the defenses were well in hand between his warriors and Vince’s military. But Vince’s teams would not be able to break through the Rayth at the second control area. It would stretch them too thin. And after being informed by the Third Commander that Simon was unaware of it being a second control room, Zy’nayth knew that’s where the rebels would converge, and so he and his team were headed there to handle the situation.

Zy’nayth contacted one of his warriors sent to protect that control room.

“Seven of us here,” the warrior replied. “Barrier is holding but their numbers are increasing. They have an unusual blaster, sir. Not seen it before. It’s actually damaging the plasma the barrier.”

“Are all equipped with this blaster?” Zy’nayth asked, drawing his men to a stop.

“No sir. I see only four, no five. There are at least forty rebels here. Sir, I did see one rebel accidentally shot with one. He was…disintegrated.”

“Understood. We are five floors above you and headed your way.” Zy’nayth switched channels and alerted John and Vince about these unknown blasters, at the same time, alerting his own men strewn throughout the city-ship. Vince passed the word along to his teams.

Rayth had blasters but rarely used them. They wanted their victims alive so they could draw their energy out of them to resupply their own, especially after a fight. Stunners were always the preferred weapon of choice. Stun the enemy, replenish your energy by drawing out theirs, leave the dead body behind and move on.

“Picking up two Rayth life signs outside to the right, headed this way,” one of Zy’nayth’s warriors said looking at his wristband scanner.

“Sir, given the new blaster threat, I will take the lead,” a second warrior said and went to open the stairwell door.

Zy’nayth groaned but nodded. “Micro-drone.”

“Yes, sir,” the warrior replied already tapping another button on his wristband. A small opening in the casing opened, releasing a globe about the size of a mosquito. The door cracked just enough to let the micro-drone through. It projected images back to the wristband’s display. “Standard stunners,” the warrior said and nodded to another. “Three, two, one.” The other Rayth pulled the door wide open, the first stepped out firing his stunner. Both rebels went down. A third warrior ran up and slapped transponders on them and proceeded to the next location. They followed the movements of the drone as they headed to another stairwell.

“Picking up numerous life signs, descending the stairs,” the one scanning the area said. “Looks like they were on floor eight.”

“We should have detected them when we passed that floor,” Zy’nayth said. “Even if we did not stop there.”

“Picking up odd interference. Perhaps they have scan blocks in place.”

“That is not encouraging,” Zy’nayth said. “Still, it is nothing we cannot handle. I do not wish to backtrack, however.”

Another warrior was quietly talking to the Second Ship, having them scan the area. “Confirm that scanning blockers are being used,” he said a moment later. “Floors eight, and twelve only.”

Zy’nayth went through the ship’s layout in his head. Both floors were uninhabited, most floors below floor 175 were uninhabited. But both eight and twelve had access through the ventilation system to the under-ship tunnels. That was why those two floors had the blockers put in place. He turned to his team. He used his telepathy to communicate with them since the rebels were nearing their location.

He pointed to two of the five with him. “You to return to twelve. Deal with any Rayth there. Signal me if you require help. I will head to the third floor and fight those coming down once you send the signal that twelve is clear. The rest of you wait here until the last rebel passes. Then take them out from behind—quietly. Try not to alert the others. Work your way towards me on three.”

The two assigned to twelve returned to the elevator and ascended. Two minutes later, they signaled back that twelve was clear, at least at that moment. They then took the stairwell, stealthily following the last of the rebels down to five. They wouldn’t attack until they had gotten to five.

Zy’nayth received the signal that the last rebel had just past the fifth floor. The High Chancellor then opened the stairwell door, his mere presence shocking the rebels, giving Zy’nayth a mere moment’s advantage. His left hand, equipped with a stunner, blasted those heading down towards the second floor. His right hand grabbed the man on the landing and shoved him down on top of those he’d just stunned. It would take them a minute or two to get up and come after him if they didn’t decide to flee down the stairs, which he guessed they would do. He, however, headed up. The stunner came around and handled the first man in his way, then he fired back down the stairs for good measure as his right hand grabbed and shoved the next man into the rebel headed towards him from above.

He continued this way up five steps then he caught a glimpse of a weapon he’d not seen before. It was raised and pointed at him. He squatted, grabbing the rebel a step higher and pulled him down on top of himself as the blast hit. The right side of the man seemed to disappear with a sizzle, as did the railing of the staircase. Zy’nayth got to his feet, using what was left of the body as a shield. Little by little, he shoved his way up to the rebel with the blaster. Another blast went off. Zy’nayth dropped to a knee as he shoved the half-body towards the blast. The only thing hit was the wall, leaving a rather large hole.

“Eleven second recharge,” he said to his men. “The new weapon has an eleven second recharge.” And with that, Zy’nayth stunned the rebel with the blaster. The next rebel was tripped with a swipe of Zy’nayth’s right arm, then the High Chancellor grabbed the unusual blaster. “You know what this can do,” he said to those moving towards him. “Surrender or die.”

Between the High Chancellor, who was a deadly weapon in his own right, and the weapon he held in his hand, and the sounds of their fellow rebels fighting behind them, those in Zy’nayth’s immediate area all dropped their weapons and put their hands on their heads. One of Zy’nayth’s warriors was descending, stunning each rebel as he came down. He didn’t stop to put transponders on them, just made his way down, stunning one after another. Those that followed were slapping the transponder chips on the downed rebels.

“Drone shows floors five and four are clear, sir, as are the stairwells,” the last warrior down said. “I left a drone on twelve, no signs of any rebels.”

“We have three floors to go. I do not think there will be any left on the second and third floors. Once word got out I was here, I am guessing they all went immediately to the backup control room.”

“First drone is already on three and scanning. I’ll manually scan two. You four can go on ahead. I will catch up.”

John’s voice came over their comlinks, “Rebels up here in droves now. Starting to take heavy fire. I think your appearance has sent them into a race for the control room.”

“First Warrior, send two Rayth to deal with them. Remember, eleven second recharge on that new weapon.”

“Understood.”

“Hold that order,” came another voice over the comlinks. “Fourth Team Commander here. We are nearing Col. Hagen’s location. We’ve secured our area. Keep the First Warrior and his team in the control room. Colonel, perhaps recall your men to that location.”

Zy’nayth spoke up, “Col. Hagen, move to Major Kessler’s location, provide backup for him. Fourth, your team is to clear Col. Hagen’s area, then move assist Major Kessler.”

“Understood.”

“Roger that,” John replied.

As Zy’nayth and his team made their way to the ground floor, two of his warriors scanned for more life signs. Zy’nayth contacted the warrior in the secondary control room and asked for his status.

“We have five minutes before those blasters penetrate the barrier,” came the reply. “We have stunners, but that will only stop the first wave, and that’s if those new blasters don’t get us first.”

“We are at the northern stairwell. We will be there. You heard the delay in the blaster charge?”

“Yes sir, we will do our best to take those with the blasters out first.”

“I am keeping you and your team on this frequency,” Zy’nayth said then added his First Warrior and the Fourth Team Commander, John, Steve, and Vince, in on the call.

“Fourth, when have you cleared Col. Hagen’s area, let us know. John, at that point, take the command chair and prepare to launch. Wait for my signal.”

“We still have people unaccounted for planet-side,” Vince replied. “Plus two teams out looking for them.”

“That will have to wait,” Zy’nayth said.

“Sir, more rebels here, this will take a while. Hagen’s area is clear, moving onto Kessler’s. Suggest Hagen heads to the control room now. Do not wait for us,” the Fourth Commander said.

“Steve, cover me!” John yelled and made his way to the control room door. The First Warrior Commander had his men in position. Be’atta was also there, gun at the ready should any rebel make it through. The door slid open and John, with his back to the control room fell backwards as he fired at two rebels about to land on him. Be’atta fired as the stunners went off. It hit the target right between the eyes.

“He wanted them stunned,” John said as he got to his feet.

“Yeah, well, too bad. They shouldn’t have killed my friends,” Be’atta replied.

“Glad I’m on your side,” John said as the door hissed closed and the barrier flashed back into existence. “Inside,” he said to let Zy’nayth.

“Third Commander?” Zy’nayth said.

“Here sir.”

“I am about to enter the first floor. Be prepared to teleport rebels. I want it done quickly. Estimating close to seventy-five rebels in there.”

Zy’nayth heard the Third Commander give the order for three more Science Officers at teleportation controls. “We’re ready, sir.”

“Col. Hagen, start up the engines and get this ship into space,” Zy’nayth said.

“Is that a good idea if they break into that second control room?”

“My men will hold them off. Do it.”

“Roger that. Starting up the engines.”

Zy’nayth looked at the five Rayth with him. “Stun and tag as fast as you can. I will get their attention.”

“Understood,” they all replied.

“Wide setting,” one of the men said, moving forward to the door. “On your order, sir.”

“Go!” Zy’nayth said. The door burst open and the warrior fired. A second followed him through, also firing. Zy’nayth ducked out and to the left, dodging fire as he went. With those two men firing, it left the other three to slap on transponder devices to those stunned, only firing narrower blasts to keep themselves and the High Chancellor covered.

Zy’nayth spun into the foray, a solid kick in the chest of the rebel nearest him sent the man back into the rebels behind him, six in all falling to the ground. One yelled that the High Chancellor was there. That got everyone’s attention. The rebels turned to attack Zy’nayth, leaving his five men to stun and tag without being attacked, at least not as heavily. The Commander in the second control room, seeing that the mass was turning away, ordered his team ready. They knew where those with the new blasters were, and the Commander timed the lowering of the barrier with the recharge, at least when most of the blasters were recharging. The barrier dropped and his six men began stunning everything in front of them.

***

Zy’nayth walked into the bridge portal control room. The city-ship was now in orbit around Terra 2. John was sitting in the flight chair, the First Warrior was standing to his right.

“My team is making one more sweep and the Second Ship is doing several scans,” Zy’nayth said. “John, I believe it is safe to call back your men. Perhaps they should help Becket with getting the injured to this level.”

“Already gave the order when you said the second control room was secure,” John said. “What do you want me to do?”

“Right now we wait until the warship can finish their scan. I want to make sure rebels are taken off this ship. Simon, are you scanning as well?”

“Yes, sir. So far only picking up your men.”

“Good.”

The hallway to the right of the control room led to the shuttle area. Vince hit the communication panel then John released the barrier to let him in.

“High Chancellor, I’m sure we could use some Rayth healing in the infirmary, if that’s possible. I only want Rayth who can replenish their energy with food. And Kaven just called, he found the last of those who were unaccounted for planet-side. I need to get them up here. A couple are in serious condition.”

“I have men in the infirmary,” Zy’nayth said. “We are stabilizing your people, but that is all. Becket and his team will have to do the rest. Go ahead and bring up the rest of your search and rescue team.”

“Appreciated,” Vince said.

Zy’nayth tapped his comlink, “Third Commander, Warship 73, shuttles will be making rounds to bring up the rescue party. Be advised, they are not to be fired upon.”

Both Commanders acknowledged.

October 15, 2120

Victoria came down the stairs. The cabin-mansion was quiet. Ja’val was sitting in the living room with Lutia curled up next to him. Baby Kel’lan was in a bundle of blankets on the floor, sleeping soundly. Alessa was asleep in a recliner with Maressa sleeping in her own bundle of blankets at her side. From the smell of bacon wafting through the air, Victoria assumed Amelia was the one cooking.

“The kids are out with Chris and David,” Ja’val said quietly so as not to disturb the new mothers, “fishing—or attempting to.”

“Shouldn’t they be patrolling?” Victoria frowned.

“I am,” Ja’val said, tapping his tablet screen. “Ny’van is as well. The kids were restless in here. Chris and David thought an hour out there would help them.”

Victoria nodded and sighed, “I’m so scared for them. I haven’t heard from my husband since this started three days ago, and my home is being overrun by everyone on the planet.”

“Not anymore,” Ja’val replied. “I’m sorry, but rebel Rayth are there now. Teleported down late last night. I would venture to guess that any humans still there are, uh, no longer alive.”

“The Rayth have to know we’re not there,” Victoria said. “I wouldn’t have allowed hundreds of reporters to swarm the place if I was there.”

“They may have found out that you can get to and from Earth without using the bridge at Central Command, so they’re searching for a bridge portal on your property.”

“Which means they’ll find it.”

“I hope not. The barn is locked, no Rayth tech is activated to alert them that something special is in it. Hopefully they’ll just look through the windows and see the hologram I set up, just a plain old barn. Tunnel at the basement end is sealed, you’d never know a door was there.”

“Victoria, go out and say ‘good morning’ to your kids,” Amelia walked in carrying an egg and bacon sandwich on toast. She handed it to Victoria, “Be thankful that so far, no one knows where we are. And yes, the kids have eaten.”

Victoria thanked her and ate half of it before heading out to see her children. David was relaxed in a chair on the dock, pole in hand, cap down over his eyes. Ky’nayth had on his baseball cap, pole in hand, sitting on the edge of the dock next to Chris. Mik’kenna was on her knees looking in a container, hands on her knees as she stared down and frowned. Victoria looked at the lake and pulled her sweater tighter. The water was a calm greenish gray. Cold, uninviting. A light cool breeze rustled her hair as she stepped on the dock out from the cover of the forest surrounding the cabin.

“How goes the fishing?” she asked as she finished her sandwich.

“I only caught one,” Ky’nayth said, “just minute ago.”

Mik’kenna looked up, “Uncle Chris say we eat it for lunch. I no eat something with eyes.” She pointed at the container she’d been staring in. “I no think I like fishy. They wiggle. And I no eat something with eyes. I just no do it. I no eat something with eyes.”

“You already said that,” Chris grinned, “don’t worry, the fish has to be fileted first. We wouldn’t serve it with its eyes. That’s kinda creepy.”

Mik’kenna shrugged then walked over to her mother who sat on the dock. “Daddy call? I miss Daddy and everyone. I worried. He no call and he no here yet.”

“We’re all worried about him and our friends, but you know what Uncle Ja’val said. We can’t let the bad guys know where we are, and if we call Daddy, or he tries to call us, they’ll pick up on the signal and find us.”

“But Daddy come to help. Why no here yet?” Mik’kenna said.

“He has stop the puppy poisoners at other house ‘fore he come,” Ky’nayth said. The term “puppy poisoners” was what the twins called the rebels since they had tried to poison Baxter and Celeste’s food.

Mik’kenna frowned and climbed up on her mother’s lap. “I wanna go home now. I wanna see everyone and I want Daddy back and we be family and no be scared. Dis bad. I no want here. We has go.”

“I want to go too, sweetheart,” Victoria said, embracing her daughter as Ny’van came running across the yard to the dock.

“We’ve picked up a very large, very fast ship passing by the outermost satellite he set up in the galaxy. It has to be the High Chancellor.”

Chris stood and took the fishing pole from Ky’nayth as the boy jumped up. David helped Mik’kenna and Victoria to their feet then the two men carried their fishing items up to the cabin where everyone else had gathered in the living room.

“She’s moving too fast for a Rayth ship,” Ja’val explained to Amelia.

“But then it’s not Zy,” she frowned, “if it’s not a Rayth ship.”

“Our city-ship?” Lutia asked.

“Waiting for it to get closer to the next satellite to make sure, but that would be my guess,” Ja’val replied.

“Even if it is,” Chris said, catching the last part of the conversation as he entered, “it could be controlled by the enemy.”

“Knowing Zy’nayth, he would have done everything he could to keep that ship out of enemy hands,” Ja’val said. “Not to mention your military would have stood in the way, too.”

“Still, it was a surprise attack and we have no idea how bad things got,” Chris replied. “Let’s get our stuff into the cruiser. Let’s be ready to head back to Victoria’s estate.”

“He can’t teleport us to the ship?” Alessa asked.

“Terra 2 doesn’t have operational teleporters,” Ja’val replied. “Should be coming into the next satellite range now…” he quieted as his eyes stayed firmly on the largest of the six screens that were now extended from his small tablet. A moment later, a broad smile passed his lips, “It’s your city-ship.”

“Let’s go. Kids, round up the puppies’ stuff, please,” Chris said, “everyone else to your assigned areas, let’s load up.” He looked at Ja’val, “Operational? So there are teleporters?”

“Yes. Simon knows. But since you weren’t flying around, it wasn’t on my priority list to get into working order.”

Just then, a deep voice filled the room as the High Chancellor appeared on Ja’val’s computer screen.

“This is the High Chancellor of the Raythian Fleet to the rebel Rayth invaders of Earth. You are aware of the destruction of your fleet in the Andromeda galaxy. Prepare for your own.”

The group at the fishing cabin pushed themselves even faster to get the cruiser loaded. Ja’val condensed his tablet down to something slightly larger than his hand, carrying it in one hand, glancing at it every few seconds to watch what was going on as he hauled his one bag out to the cruiser.

“To the leaders of Earth,” Zy’nayth continued, his voice and image appearing on the screens of every computer or television screen around the world, “forgive my delay in arrival. I had to tend to the rebels in my own galaxy.”

“Big entrance,” Chris smiled as he headed out of the door with one of the few boxes they had to load. David took it then put in the fishing gear.

“Vice Chancellor, report,” came the voice over the comlinks of those at the cabin a moment after the screen went back to normal.

“Departed but safe. Estate under attack. Orders?” Ny’van replied.

“Get moving and keep moving. I will send for you,” Zy’nayth said, then used the code word to sever communications.

Victoria held back her sorrow. She wanted him to say something to her and especially to the twins. “The enemy doesn’t know you’re on Earth,” Ja’val said, sensing her emotional rise, “he wants it kept that way. You know his heart is aching to talk to all of you.”

They did a final sweep of the cabin, locked up, and loaded into the cruiser. Chris drove to the manager’s office and returned the key card, thanking him for his discretion.

***

The president ran a hand through his graying brown hair. “Please tell me that’s one of the good guys,” he said as he watched another ship come into view on the large television screen in the hotel room that was now ringed with Secret Service. “Someone? Do we have any idea if that’s like any of those other warships?”

Zy’nayth’s face appeared on the screen, replacing the image of the ship getting nearer to Earth. “This is the High Chancellor…”

Michael Stewart looked at the generals in his room, sank into his chair and let out a huge sigh of relief. “Thank God.”

“I take it he’s on our side,” one of the generals said.

“I certainly hope so,” Michael replied. Though he’d had little sleep in the last three and a half days, he kept working. Rescue and relief efforts had been started, but there was still a lot of work to be done in just getting people mobilized since half of the communications systems on the planet were down.

***

Back in the cruiser the group was watching viewscreen. “Wow, that’s the city-ship!” Amelia said, as the first images of the city-ship came into view. “I knew it was a ship, but…wow! It looks like New York flying through the air!”

“As you can see,” said the reporter over the images of the ships now engaged in battle over the planet, “this is a battle…beyond belief. There is no doubt that there is life outside of our solar system. And that all of speculation about a bridge portal and Rayth turned out to be true. And we just heard from the High Chancellor of the Raythian Empire. I assume that’s their leader. I’m pretty sure that big…the big ship coming into our satellite range is the High Chancellor’s ship. Wait, I see…are those smaller ships? Jets maybe? Folks, we haven’t seen these before. They’re coming from those spaceships that attacked us. Must be jets…look…holy…!! Oh my…that big ship, the one we’re assuming is the High Chancellor’s ship just took out a dozen of those jets. Can we pick up any other satellite angles?”

The screen split into four sections and for a few seconds the reporter was silent. “Okay, it looks like the more of those spaceships, enemy ships, are coming into range. They’re all firing. I can’t even count them.” There was a gasp then a throat clearing, “That orange glow, on what I’m calling the High Chancellor’s ship, appears to be a shield of some sort. I knew I should have paid more attention to sci-fi. Another full-on attack. The jets are heading straight for the High Chancellor’s ship. Sam, can you zoom in on the lower right screen? Yes, there are more jets. All of the rebel ships appear to be deploying jets. I don’t think they’ll be able to do anything to that big ship…oh dear Lord!”

Hundreds of rebel Rayth jets turned away from the Terra 2 city-ship and headed directly for Earth.

“This isn’t good. They can’t take out all of those little ones,” Ja’val said. “Zy’s good, but that many jets…” he stopped and grinned, “okay, I’ll say it again. The man is a genius.”

“What’s he doing?” Alessa asked. “Ja’val! He’s gonna crash on Earth! We have to do something!”

“He’s not crashing, he’s outrunning them,” Ja’val said.

Zy’nayth wasn’t relying on weapons. He turned those over to his First Warrior while he flew the ship. The city-ship blasted ahead of a pack of jets, then reversed thrusters. The jets crashed into the shield, shaking the ship. But Zy’nayth was already moving to the next group as the First Warrior fired at any stragglers that came into range.

“Those shields…will they hold?” David asked.

“Things are probably getting tossed around a bit inside the ship, but those shields will hold,” Ja’val said.

Zy’nayth was able to take out a huge swath of incoming jets, but at least seventy were headed straight for Earth. He did some quick calculations in his head. His speed against theirs. His position against their flightpath. They were closing formation. He smiled. Wrong move.

Zy’nayth’s fingers flew over the navigational controls and the city-ship winked out.

“Where’d he go?” Amelia asked. The question barely made it out of her mouth when over the Pacific Ocean, near Japan where the jets seemed to be headed, the city-ship reappeared and came to an abrupt halt right underneath the jets screaming towards it. The orange glow of the shield appeared and intensified. It only took two seconds for the shield to extend and create an enormous dome centered over Japan and stretching into continental Asia and into the Pacific. The jets, coming in at full speed didn’t have time to pull out. All but three out of seventy crashed into the shield.

“Do you wish to try again?” Zy’nayth’s voice came over the planet’s broadcast networks as well as all channels that the Rayth rebels might be using.

“My dear brother, I have not yet shown you what I can do,” Koh’vash said.

“Ah, so you are here in this system. Very well, get on with it. I grow bored,” Zy’nayth sighed.

From one of the satellite feeds, one ship after another emerged onto the screens. Twice the size of a battlecruiser or Zy’nayth’s flagship, dark and ominous, they moved in towards Earth. Four of them in total. The battlecruisers that Koh’vash said he had—all but one.

The Terra 2 city-ship was already back in the stratosphere after destroying the three jets that escaped smashing into the city-ship’s shield. Zy’nayth was now busy targeting and disabling the decoy ships.

The group in the Victoria’s cruiser, except for Ja’val who was scanning the immediate area as Chris flew them towards Chicago and from there, he’d head towards New York and would keep flying until Zy’nayth contacted them. He was told to keep moving, and he would.

“They’re bigger than their old ones,” Ja’val said, “but I doubt they’ll be any problem.” His blue eyes went wide and began furiously working through various screens on his computer, typing then swapping screens, typing again. “Oh no…” he said.

***

Simon Harris shook his head, “Can’t get a lock on your brother. But he’s definitely in this galaxy. The comm signal is way stronger. Doesn’t appear to be the energy leakage from the battlecruiser engines like the decoy ships.”

“Way?” Zy’nayth questioned the term as he sat in the large control chair in the center of the room and monitored each of the heads-up holographic displays as he targeted the smaller warships. The First Warrior fired as each came into range.

“Much. Much stronger,” Simon clarified.

“John, take over here,” Zy’nayth said, getting out of the chair. “Focus on the warships. We need to keep the power at full capacity on the shields, so, First Warrior, use small weapons blasts. I need to know where my brother, or his imposter, is. Simon, excuse me, I will take over at this station and continue the search.”

“Sorry, sir. This was a bit out of my league.”

“Do not be sorry, Dr. Harris. He does not want to be found and is covering his tracks. This is not an easy assignment in the best of conditions.”

Simon sat at another console and monitored where outages were and making sure his teams were working on them. Then he glanced at the readings from the four battlecruisers which John was doing his best to avoid. The decoy ships were now focused on the city-ship. The four battlecruisers were ignoring them—for now.

“Simon, how many of those little guys are there?” John asked.

“I count…uh, seventeen,” Simon said and looked at the Science Officer who was helping them out.

“Seventeen confirmed,” the Science Officer said.

“Sir, I’m not detecting an engine room on them,” John said.

“Center, then slightly towards the rear of the ship,” Zy’nayth said without looking away from his screen.

“There we go, got it now. Coming around for better vantage point,” John said.

“Where can I help?” Kaven asked, walking in, his left shoulder bandaged, cuts and scrapes on his arms and face.

“Get some rest,” Vince said. “You’re injured and we may need another pilot.”

Kaven groaned, “I can still…”

“That’s an order,” Vince said. “Get some shut eye.”

“Yes, sir,” Kaven replied and went up to the conference room, took a cushion off of one the seats to use as a pillow and stretched out on the floor. Somehow, he managed to fall asleep.

As Zy’nayth looked for any tell-tale signs of his brother’s whereabouts, John maneuvered the city-ship around the planet, positioning it so that the First Warrior could disable each ship.

“The battlecruisers appear to be teleporting up crews from the warships,” the Science Officer said. “I’m not picking up life signs on those we’ve disabled.”

“Continue to focus on the warships,” Zy’nayth said, continuing his search.

“All of the warships have been disabled,” John said nearly forty minutes later.

Zy’nayth groaned, “I still cannot find that fifth ship. Go after one of the battlecruisers. First Warrior, you will need to use full weapons if those things are built comparably to those they had in the last attack.”

“Powering down shields, transferring power to weapons,” the First Warrior replied.

“Coming up on bogy one,” John said. “Checking range.”

“Target locked. Power to weapons at full. Range to fire, five, four, three…” said the First Warrior.

“Hold!” Zy’nayth said, almost in a shout as a message made it to his screen from Ja’val.

“Held,” the Warrior Commander said, lifting his hands from the controls, “Transferring power back to shields.”

“What’s up?” John asked, pulling out of his attack heading.

“That is not Rayth technology,” Zy’nayth replied, looking at the science panel display. “First Science was able to detect they are using Rayk energy for their engines. Status of shields?”

John leaned back and tapped several keys on the arms of the chair. “Shields at 100%,” he said simultaneously as the First Warrior.

“Incoming!” Zy’nayth’s voice rang out over the city-ship’s intercom system, “Brace for impact.”

Victoria, watching the scene unfold on the cruiser’s broadcast screens shouted, “No!” as the massive blue beams hit the city-ship. “Ja’val? Ja’val! What’s going on?”

“Their shields are holding.” Ja’val said. “Chris, they’re using Rayk energy, and I can’t find the fifth battlecruiser Koh’vash said he had.” His hands moved quickly from his keyboard to his screens and back again.

“But they don’t want to destroy the city-ship, at least I didn’t think they did,” Victoria said.

“They’re just trying to disable her. Looks like their weapons’ recharge is going give us some breathing room.”

“Rayth Team One,” Zy’nayth said, to his five-man team on the city-ship, “prepare for bridge out. Secure Victoria’s estate. Dr. Becket, prepare immediate care patients to follow once the area is secured. Vince, get your people ready to go. We only have one bridge and 5,000 people to send over.”

“You won’t need to bridge that many,” a familiar voice came over their comlinks, “Cloaked and will be in range in five minutes. I’ll teleport Becket’s patients first, then start on anyone not in the control room. They can stay on this ship, I’ll see that they’re sent to Earth.”

“You are to be patrolling Kiva, First Commander.”

“Second and Fourth have it well under control. You need help. Our engines are nearly shot, and we had to do some major rerouting of power to boost output, but I have enough to grab the Expedition team and stay hidden, hopefully.”

“All right. After that, get those engines up and running properly.”

“I can grab the Vice Chancellor and his men as well,” Kol’non said, purposely not mentioning Zy’nayth’s wife and children.

“No. I need him safe.”

Ja’val’s tapped his holographic keyboard and sent another message to Zy’nayth and Kol’non, his satellite picking up the flagship’s transponder code that Kol’non sent to him as soon as they were within range. He knew now that the flagship was here and the “lesser” enemies dealt with, they’d want to bridge men to Victoria’s estate to clear it and to send the Expedition: Andromeda team over and out of the battle zone. Both Zy’nayth and Kol’non received the message: “Do not bridge to Earth. Portal offline. Must teleport. Repeat: bridge portal is offline and must be activated.”

“Understood,” Zy’nayth typed in reply, then said, “Rayth Team One, you will have to teleport down.”

“Get them into the conference room, I have those coordinates for teleportation,” Kol’non said.

“First Warrior, I want you with them this time. I will also need a Science Commander to go with them in order to bring the portal online,” Zy’nayth said.

“I have Second Science,” Kol’non replied. “Will send him down when the area is safe for him. Also sending two other teams down. We will be in range in two minutes. Becket, standby. Rayth Team One has priority.”

Kaven came out of the conference room, having slept through the blasts from the battlecruiser. The Rayth entered and were teleported out on the First Warrior’s command.

Kol’non, meanwhile, brought Becket into the conversation to find out the status of the medical area. “We’re filled to capacity in the infirmary, mess hall, and the sanctuary,” Becket said. “Take the infirmary first. I’m in with them. We’re ready when you are.”

“Understood.”

***

Chris had just crossed into U.S. territory when one of the enormous battlecruisers uncloaked directly in front of them.

“Oh sh…” Chris said, veering away. His attempts to run were futile. The personal cruiser was teleported into the docking bay of the battlecruiser where hundreds of Rayth surrounded it.

Chris hit a button under the dashboard, a beacon that Zy’nayth had installed a year or so earlier, then he grabbed his gun.

“Stall them,” Ny’van said. “Comlinks on. Ja’val keep those doors locked. Ladies, put a stunner in each of the carriers under the babies. Kids, hide yours in the back of your pants, under your jackets, come here, Ky, I’ll help. I doubt they search you.”

“Another option, hide the twins in the wall panels. I can scramble attempts to scan for them,” Ja’val said.

“Not enough time,” Ny’van said, “or room to move everything.”

“And I am not leaving my kids,” Victoria said and helped Mik’knna hide her stunner in her pants under her bulking fall jacket. “Do whatever your uncles say,” she said. “I love you both. Don’t ever forget that.”

“Turn on your comlinks,” Ny’van repeated, “all of you. No need to stay quiet since we’ve been found. Kids, the transmitters on the bracelets too.” He tapped his comlink and said a single word in Raythian, one that meant they’d been captured.

“Big guy, we were on the border of Wisconsin and Canada. Not sure of town,” Chris said as he put a stunner in his daughter’s baby carrier. “We’ve been teleported, cruiser and all, on board an enemy vessel. It was cruising planet-side. It was not in orbit when we encountered them,” he continued, trying to think of any clues to help. “They did not fire at us. I take that as a good sign.”

“Open the door or we shoot Col. Chapman. We can make it through your primitive defenses,” a rebel Rayth said, banging on the driver’s door. “Do you want us to hit the children?”

Ny’van reached for the side door after making sure everyone had their comlinks turned on. “Don’t try anything. We can’t take on this many of them.”

David and Chris were the first out, not having to deal with the rather tight backend of the cruiser. Ja’val and Ny’van were next, followed by Amelia, Alessa and Lutia with their babies in their little carriers. Finally, Victoria and the twins emerged. She held out her hands and each of the twins latched onto them as they stood behind everyone else.

“Sit! Stay!” Chris commanded the dogs. All seven dogs sat and watched as the doors were closed, locking them inside the cruiser.

“Vice Chancellor,” Koh’vash walked forward and bowed, “it’s been a while. Doing well?”

“I was until your little attack. Surprised to see that your sons are with you, however,” Ny’van said, looking at Di’vash and Ca’vak.

“It was easy to free them.”

“I meant that from what I understand, they aren’t really fond of you. I thought the feeling was mutual.”

“And there are his children.” Koh’vash said, eyeing Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna and ignoring Ny’van’s comment. Koh’vash walked up to Victoria, moving Amelia and Alessa aside. “Which one do you want to see die first?” he asked.

“You,” Victoria replied without hesitation.

He reached up to slap her but stopped and instead grabbed her arm, yanking it free from Mik’kenna’s grasp. “Take the others to the,” he grinned, “guest quarters. Make sure First Science doesn’t have any equipment on him. He’s a little too sneaky for my liking. You, you’re Chapman, you’re coming with me.” He pointed to the ground. “Comlinks. Weapons. Drop them.”

“Take me instead of Chris,” Ny’van said as he took off his comlink and dropped it on the ground, then his stunner. “I’m far more valuable.”

“Saving you for later. Kids, drop those comlinks. Now.”

Both looked up at their mother who nodded and took her own off. “Find us,” she said as she slipped the wrap off of her ear, “hurry.”

The twins took theirs off and tossed them in with everyone else’s then grabbed their mother’s hands again.

“Let’s go, Victoria, Chapman,” Koh’vash said, with two guards motioning at them with their stunners. “Kids, keep up or die.”

Victoria, picked Mik’kenna up, and Chris scooped up Ky’nayth. They were shoved and pushed out of the hangar and down several corridors, but they never left the deck where the cruiser had been taken. Koh’vash gave a few orders then went back to the bridge of the ship. A few minutes later, both kids were set down while Victoria and Chris were searched. The kids ran into the cell and huddled in the corner. The two adults were shoved in then Victoria was stunned, causing her to slump to the floor. Chris was knocked out cold. The kids were left with their two guardians laying on the floor, unconscious. Ky’nayth began to reach for his stunner, tears streaming down his cheeks but Mik’kenna threw her arms around him and started sobbing as the guards left and the door, a plasma wall, materialized to keep the prisoners in.

“Bubby, sorry,” Mik’kenna whispered. “You no fight dem. You brave to try. I has stop you. Love you, Bubby. Love you. We has to stay with Mommy.” Both kids then knelt by their mother, wiping her hair out of her face and held her hands. “I feel pulse. It there. She just stun. You keep hold hand, I see Uncle Chris. I learn little from Mommy. I try be doctor. I no know…” she said and wiped her tears away. “Bubby, I no brave. He got blood. I no know…”

“Sissy, you brave. You just check pulse. Puppy poisoner just hit hard. Uncle Chris is strong. He just stun like Mommy but has know for sure.”

“Kay, I check. I check,” she said as she put her little fingers on Chris’ neck. “Bubby, I no feel…I no think pulse. Bubby! Oh! Bubby!” She wiped away her tears and reached out again. “I check. I check maybe…Oh! I in wrong spot.” She was breathing hard, one hand constantly wiping away tears as she felt for Chris’ pulse. “Found it. It strong. I found pulse. I think he be ‘kay.” She began crying, “You be ‘kay. You be ‘kay. Mommy be ‘kay,” she said as Ky’nayth went over to give her a hug.

“You good nurse,” he said. “We has wait for them to wake up.”

Back at the cruiser, the others were escorted to a small room down the hall from the hangar. Ja’val and Ny’van were both thoroughly searched before being shoved in with the others.

***

“Sir, we got a taken signal from Vice,” Kol’non said.

“I heard. Having trouble picking up their comlinks. Did you hear Christopher?” Zy’nayth adjusted the settings on the console.

“I did. We can’t locate the source. Still searching. I think the battlecruiser is back in space. Nothing being picked up along the Wisconsin border.”

“I do not see, wait,” then Zy’nayth growled. “I see the ship now. John, I need to take the chair.”

“All yours,” John said as he stepped away.

“Science, I want all controls to me,” Zy’nayth said to the Science Officer as he sent the coordinates of Koh’vash’s ship to Kol’non.

“Navigation and weapons to you,” the Science Officer said. “Science to you. You have flight.”

“May I ask what’s going on?” Kaven asked as they took a huge hit.

“We found my brother. He has my family,” Zy’nayth said. “I cannot get them off,” Zy’nayth said to Kol’non.

John was looking at the display where Zy’nayth had been working. “Plan?”

The city-ship jumped to FTL speed. “Going to bounce around to give the First time to get to the location. I will then draw the attention of the battlecruiser, and the First Commander will teleport our friends to his ship.”

“Can we take the hits?” Vince asked.

“We have to.”

“Once we save our friends,” John asked, “how do we beat these guys? If we can’t fire on those battlecruisers, what do we do?”

“I am working on it.”