E:A Vol 6 Ch 2—October 16, 2120

October 16, 2120

When Victoria awoke again, Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna were to either side of her, their arms draped over their dogs. Becket was sitting in a chair across the dimly lit room playing what seemed to be a one-person game of chess.

“Ah, good morning, love,” he said when he saw her open her eyes.

“Morning?” she mumbled, trying to stir herself to wake up.

“Yes, morning.”

Mik’kenna jerked up, startling Victoria, Becket, and the two dogs. “Mommy!” she exclaimed and threw her little arms around Victoria’s neck. “Mommy!”

Ky’nayth sat up and rubbed his eyes, then gave his mother a hug. “We pray for you lots times,” he yawned. “You is sleepy head. You sleep for hours and hours and hours.” He withdrew his hands and tried to flatten his white hair which was sticking up as if he’d been struck by lightning.

“Were you two waiting for me to wake up?” Victoria asked as she gave them hugs and kisses, then ran her long fingers through their hair, trying to do a little combing.

“Yes! We sleepy heads too, but still ‘wake,” Mik’kenna grinned. “Mommy, we so worry. Uncle Becket did scans and say you ‘kay, just need rest, but…there blood everywhere.” The girl began to cry, “I no know what do. I no has nurse training. I only three. I know pulse. Dat all.”

Amelia walked in from the kitchen. “I thought I heard voices. Victoria, you have to be starving. Only thing we have is oatmeal.”

“That’s fine, thank you,” Victoria replied. “Kids did you have breakfast?”

“No,” Ky’nayth said. “We wait for you.”

“I’ll get it ready, give me a few minutes. No toast. We…” Amelia sighed and looked at Becket who gave her a nod.

Victoria didn’t notice the silent communication as she held her kids close. “Kenna, just having you and your brother here with me, safe and sound, is all the nursing I need. You two are the most important things in the universe to me. Did you get rest?”

“We slept most night,” Ky’nayth said. “We stay with you all night. Puppies too. I hope no mind. I know we ‘posed to ask first, but you sleep and puppies need extra hugs ‘cause of being hurted and Uncle Becket say it prolly ‘kay.”

“That’s fine. I don’t mind having pups with us. They are probably still a bit shaken after their ordeal and need you to love on them.”

Mik’kenna gave her mother a knowing nod. “I never heard dem yelp like dat. And you scream. And…it so scary.”

Victoria showered her children with affection then looked at Becket, “After I eat, I’ll help with patients. Has my husband returned?”

“As for patients, the Rayth healed everyone. Nothing for you to do. And sorry, love, Zy is still on the city-ship. They are holding their own. He won’t allow Kol’non to take this flagship into battle. He pushed the engines past their tolerance to get here right behind the Terra 2 city-ship. She’s being repaired.”

There was a soft chime and Becket got up and went to the door while Victoria slipped into her robe. It was David. He opened his mouth to whisper something to Becket then saw Victoria up and moving. “Hey, you doing okay?” he asked and hurried over to give her a hug. “Oh honey, we’ve been praying for you.”

Victoria smiled as she returned his hug. “Sore, stiff, but okay. How are you? Chris? Alessa? I was just going to ask Becket how the fight was going.”

“As for the fight, not well. Those Rayk energy-powered engines…their shields are too strong and even if we could take out a ship, I guess if their engines explode, it would decimate the solar system. Ja’val and his team are working on a solution. Chris bridged over to the city-ship late last night to help them. John and Kaven are about to drop from exhaustion.”

“Who all is over there?”

“A dozen or so of Zy’nayth’s warriors in case there are any invaders that they weren’t able to find. Vince, John, Kaven, Simon, and now Chris. Ja’val is back and forth. Kol’non won’t let Be’atta go back,” David said.

“We nearly lost her,” Becket explained. “The city-ship took a major hit on the eastern side of the tower. She was there searching for invaders, a team of four human and one Rayth. By the time they got her to the infirmary…well, all I can say is that I’m glad your husband sent us some Rayth to help out.”

“But she’s fine now, right?”

“She’s fine, helping out with the refugees, if you want to call them that. The others who were with her were on the interior of the tower and received only minor injuries. The Rayth was near her. He was badly injured as well, but was able to keep Be’atta alive until the other Rayth got them to us. He’s probably back on the city-ship.”

“Good. Any other Rayth hurt? How many have we lost?”

“No Rayth lost, as far as I know. As for us…we’ve lost too many,” Becket bowed his head for a moment then looked at the twins, “Kids, why don’t you go see if Lia needs help?”

The kids darted off down the hall, Baxter and Celeste following. Becket lowered his voice. “We’ve lost over 400.”

Victoria put her head in her hands and sighed. “And that’s just a drop in the bucket. All of the planets they hit in Andromeda, all of the cities they hit on Earth. The casualty list has to be in the millions.”

“With seemingly no way to stop them,” David said. “At least not those five large battlecruisers. The warships keep appearing, but the city-ship can handle them.”

“What about Koh’vash and his sons? What happened to them?” she asked.

“Koh’vash is in the brig. As for Ca’vak and Di’vash, they’re still on Koh’vash’s flagship.”

“Can’t we just teleport that crew out like we were? Then we could take over the ship,” Victoria suggested.

“Ja’val said that the rebels knew the city-ship couldn’t teleport, so their shields weren’t blocking teleportation, something like that,” David said. “But after Kol’non got us out, the rebels have since corrected that oversight.”

“Ny’van wasted no time in getting permission from the High Council to use telepathy on Koh’vash. Hopefully he finds out something,” Becket said.

“How’s Alessa doing with Chris over on the other ship?” Victoria asked. “And Lutia?”

“Becket gave Alessa a sedative. She’s out cold. She held up pretty well during everything, but having Chris go over to the city-ship…” David sighed, “she broke down the second he bridged out. Couldn’t stop crying. Lutia’s doing okay. She gets upset now and then, but she’s holding up okay. She’s watching over Mari and Kel. Be’atta’s helping out with that as she can. Janice too.”

“Love, I know you’ve been through hell but…we have a problem that’s getting serious,” Becket said, “one we need your help with. You need a lot more rest, but I have no choice but to ask for your help.”

“Ny’van fixed me up just fine,” Victoria said, “and…well, I need to do something to help out, keep my mind off of things. What can I do?”

“You know as well as I do that much blood loss will take a while to recover. Rayth can’t change that. So no, you’re not just fine.” Becket shook his head, “I wouldn’t be asking you to do this; as your doctor, it goes against everything I’m trained for, but…”

“Becket, what is it?” Victoria asked.

With a sigh, Becket sat forward in his chair as Victoria sat on the edge of the bed. “Like I said, we have nearly all of the Expedition: Andromeda team on this ship,” he said. “There are some still on the mainland back on Terra 2, and that handful on the city-ship, but we ran out of food last night. We even raided your cruiser to get whatever food you had stored in there. Most of that has gone to Lutia, Alessa, and their babies, and for the twins.

“Though some of the Rayth on this ship have taken the serum, their mess hall, such as it is, wasn’t prepared to handle those two or three hundred Rayth plus 5,000 humans. Let alone for an extended period of time.”

“Oh no,” Victoria shook her head as she sat on the edge of the bed.

“Right now, we’re waiting to hear from the Rayth sent to clear out your estate. It’s a war zone down there from what I’ve heard. In any case, once it’s secured, we’re going to start bridging everyone down…well, all of the humans. They’re going to be really hungry. But we do have, or will have, hungry Rayth as well. Those on the serum, like your husband, can go a few days without eating or feeding, and we don’t want them feeding. But we need to get them some food to keep them from doing so. Their portal is being used to bridge warriors back and forth to various outposts and to replenish ranks here. Unfortunately, those who have taken the serum and need food are top commanders. Kol’non wants them to stay on this ship. And you know as well as I do, they don’t exactly have supermarkets back on their homeworld.”

Victoria still a bit groggy, not to mention lightheaded from the loss of blood, wasn’t seeing the point of her estate. “They’re free to use my place, of course, but I don’t have that much food in the freezer.”

Becket gave her a warm smile, “No, love, that’s not what I’m getting at. What you can do is buy food in very large quantities.” He paused for a moment, ran his fingers through his hair before continuing, “Vince contacted whoever he talks to about getting food supplies for our base. He was told that there was none to spare for the Expedition: Andromeda team since, apparently, we’re the cause of all of this destruction on Earth.” Becket fumed. “It’s just damned upsetting.” After a shake of his head and an apology, he went on. “So, we’re on our own to procure food. Chef Alan has a couple members of his crew making calls to places within a fifty-mile radius of your estate. The area wasn’t hit by the rebels so he’s been able to get a shipment ready for us. Basic things like sandwich stuff and fruit,” Becket looked at his watch, “to be picked up in about three hours, provided the Rayth have secured your estate. David’s chip, the one your husband gave him with the false name, is fine for this first shipment, but trying to feed close to 5,000 men plus a couple hundred Rayth for who knows how long with only $500,000…we’re going to need that chip of yours.”

“But our entire family can use it,” Victoria said. “I thought they could.”

“Apparently when your husband set up that account for David and Chris, he took the family off of your chip,” Becket said.

“When we needed something from Earth that we couldn’t order and pay for remotely or have shipped to Central Command,” David explained, “I was the one sent to get it. No one else used your chip. No one else ever went, maybe once or twice John did, but it was usually me. Not complaining. It’s easier if there’s just one go-to person, but when your husband saw that was the case, he just gave Chris and I that chip with money on it. Didn’t see the need to have your account so vulnerable. You never know if Becket might take those millions and go running off on his own,” David grinned.

“Bad timing on Zy’s part,” Victoria said. “Okay. I need to pay for food.”

“And online systems are down. We can’t order and pay, then pick up later. Those places who still have their banking systems up are demanding face-to-face payment. There’s apparently concern of chips and accounts being stolen from the deceased,” Becket said. “So ID will be required, and all that. David can’t take your chip, Janice can’t pose as you.”

Victoria could only shake her head at the audacity at such people. “Not a problem. I ride along and pay.”

“And just so you know why we’re sending people to your estate,” David said, “it’s because we don’t know how long this is going to last. Those on the city-ship are handling the rebel warships with no trouble, but they don’t have a clue as to how to handle the battlecruisers. And the Rayth haven’t gotten the engines on this ship back at top form. The rebels haven’t figured out she’s here yet, and your husband wants her fully functioning before he’ll let her join the battle. The Third Ship just entered the system right before I walked in.” He turned to look at Becket, “That’s what I came to tell you and that we were able to pull some food supplies from them. Not much as she only has fifty serum Rayth. And she’s been ordered to stay cloaked and come no closer than Saturn. In any case, Victoria, Zy doesn’t want humans on board the ships when he’s ready for the big attack. Central Command is toast, that leaves your estate.”

“Makes sense,” Victoria nodded in agreement.

Becket picked up the conversation again, “So, not only do we have to think about food, we have to consider what else will be needed on your estate to accommodate everyone: blankets, pillows, etc. And that will probably start costing more money than David has on that chip.”

“Easy enough,” Victoria said. “Not like I have to do anything but hand out my chip.”

“Since we have three hours,” Becket said, “it might be a good idea to work on the list of non-food items. Steve Kessler’s been making calls for things like sleeping bags, but we really need a group to think this through. It really only hit us around four this morning when we were told we were out of food and Zy made the call to bridge people to your estate once it was secure. Plus, I don’t think Alan’s team has thought about how your place is set up. He will need another stove or something. Has to.”

“Give me ten to take a shower and change,” Victoria said. “Get Steve and Alan, and anyone you think can help us think this through. I doubt the conference room’s available so we’ll just squish in here.” She then looked down at herself, realizing there was no blood or grime on her and that she’d been put into her flannel pajamas. “Who cleaned me up?”

“Janice and Lutia,” Becket said, “best nurses in the galaxy.”

Victoria smiled, “I still want a shower.”

“I’ll make up the bed,” David said. “And it’s good to see you up and around. Had us all scared for a bit there.”

“Had myself scared,” she said as she got out a change of clothes from the dresser. “Lia, I’m going to take a quick shower. I’ll eat when I get done,” she said, poking her head into the kitchen.

Victoria took just five minutes for a quick rinse. She was sitting in the living/bedroom when Alan and three of his chefs arrived along with Pastor Jacob and Julia. Behind them came Janice, Be’atta, Steve Kessler, and three off-world team leaders. Be’atta said that Lutia was tending to the babies and making sure Alessa was resting.

“Okay, folks, let’s get this organized. What do we need to feed and shelter 5,000 people at Victoria’s estate?” Becket asked.

The first thing he brought up was that Victoria only had a typical kitchen, larger than most homes, but still it wasn’t a commercial kitchen. With David sketching the layout, they figured out how to move things around to make room for two six-burner stoves in the dining room, plus two commercial refrigerators and two chest freezers that would sit on the front porch. An event tent would be purchased and set up near the front porch, accessible to the kitchen via a “sun room.” In the tent they’d store boxed and canned food, paper plates and cups, and other things of that nature. A commercial dishwasher was added to the list as well as warming plates, pots, pans, chef’s knives, and ten grills.

The chefs then worked with the Rayth Head Cook, realizing that for the next day and a half, most people would still be on the flagship, so most of the food would have to be teleported up.

“Any idea on how long we’ll need to use my place?” Victoria asked during the conversation with the rest of the group while the chefs were in Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna’s room finalizing their list.

“Last report from Vince…we’re not even making a dent in those battlecruisers,” Major Steve Kessler said. “First Science and his team are rerouting things I’ve never heard of to give the city-ship more firepower, but basically, they’re just running evasive maneuvers until they can find a way to take those big ships out without hitting the engines and blowing up the solar system.” He shook his head, “My best guess, just from what little I can get out of Vince, is at least a month at your place, probably two.”

“What if the men and women have homes on Earth? Why not let them go?” Pastor Jacob asked.

“Most of them no longer keep homes on Earth,” Steve said. “Some do, most don’t. Plus, if you want to get into the legal terms…we’re contractually obligated to remain with the Expedition until our contracts expire, the Expedition is closed down, or the Oversight Committee deems our involvement unnecessary and terminates our contract. Besides, those I’ve talked to, granted most of them are military, want to stay and see this through.”

“Many who’ve come to me for counseling,” Jennifer Maison, the Expedition’s psychiatrist, spoke up, “want to be here to help others. We’re each other’s family now. There may be a few who want to leave, but I think if we talked to everyone, over ninety percent of them would want to stay.”

“Okay,” Victoria said, “I don’t mind. I just needed a rough idea. I didn’t know what the situation was, how long it would take us to defeat the rebels. Please, don’t think I was trying to get out of buying anything…”

Mik’kenna got up and put her arms around Victoria’s neck. “It’s ‘kay Mommy. It’s ‘kay,” she said as Victoria began to cry. Exhaustion, fear, stress, all came bubbling to the surface without warning. Ky’nayth took his mother’s empty oatmeal bowl and set it on the nightstand then hugged her.

“Mommy was hurted bad,” he said to everyone. “So were puppies. They need extra hugs and kisses. It trauma.”

Victoria managed a little chuckle hearing her son tell everyone that she was traumatized. “I love you two, you know that?” she kissed each one of them. “Sorry, guys, I’m a little emotional.”

“This whole situation is more than a little emotional,” Steve said, “and we know you’re recovering on top of just finding out that your home is going to be turned into a huge camping ground.”

“I’m fine. Tired, but fine. Okay. Next on the list?” Victoria said.

“Tents, not just the event tent,” Steve said, continuing their conversation. “Big ones.”

“Ones that’ll hold six to eight people,” David said as Steve wrote it down. “If we’re going to be there a month or more, more people per tent is a good idea. Body heat.”

“Pillows, sleeping bags, blankets,” Be’atta said.

“Sleeping bags and pillows already on the list,” Steve said, “didn’t think about blankets. Do you think they’ll need blankets as well as the sleeping bags?”

“It’s Montana and we’ll be there well into November,” David said.

“Five thousand? Same count as sleeping bags?” Steve asked again.

“Yes,” David said then looked at Victoria, “sorry, it’s up to you.”

“No it’s not. Whatever we have to do to keep people warm and fed, we’ll do it,” Victoria replied.

“Okay, I have tents, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, lanterns or flashlights,” Steve said. “Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap.”

“Need to think about the house itself,” a female sergeant said. “What are things we use every day that we’re going to need tons of? Bedroom, what in there, if anything will be needed?”

“Clothes!” Mik’kenna said.

Steve nodded, “That one’s going to be hard, but yeah, we need to figure something out. That can wait a bit. We’ve been using Rayth machines here, so we’ll be okay for another day or two.”

“Speaking of which,” Janice said, “Victoria doesn’t have those Mythican laundry machines that spin clean clothes out in a minute or two.”

Becket made a note, “I’ll talk to the First Commander or High Chancellor about that. See if we can get something.”

“I can talk to the First,” Be’atta smiled.

“Oh, right,” Becket chuckled, having forgot for a minute that Be’atta was married to First Commander Kol’non, “thanks love.”

“Wash cloths, bath towels, dish towels,” David said.

“Another bathroom,” Victoria sighed.

“I’m going to see about putting up the walls and insulation on the suite over the garage. Frame is done. We can finish out the bathroom, but leave the rest of the suite empty. That’ll give us more sleeping room plus another bathroom.” David made a note, “Steve, I don’t know if that should go through Vince. I can’t do all of that work on my own. We have the materials, in the garage,” he sighed, “which will have to be moved out anyway.”

“I’ll ask him when he touches base again,” Steve said. “Speaking of bathrooms, toilet paper.”

As the group extended their lists, Janice came up with an idea, looking at Steve, who’d be overseeing the move of people from the flagship to Victoria’s estate. “I assume you’re logging in who arrives on Earth,” she said. He nodded in reply. “Okay, then as they come in and you log them in, we can have someone stationed to hand out a sleeping bag, blanket, pillow, wash cloth, bath towel, and,” she smiled, “a little bag of toiletries.” She was close to the kitchen and raised a finger as she ducked in and returned a minute later with a plastic bag often used for leftovers. “A bar of soap, a tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush, comb, travel sized shampoo, and so on. Fill these up and hand them out.”

“All of which will have to be assembled,” Steve said, “but I think that’s a good idea.”

“Better to buy shampoo in bulk and keep it near the bathrooms,” David said. “Those little travel shampoos are good for maybe two showers and probably harder to get a hold of. But something that might help, package of gum or some sort of little candy treat. Gum, I think would be better, lasts longer. Just something little.”

“I help put in bags,” Mik’kenna said. “I organize stuff all time.”

“I help too!” Ky’nayth said.

“Count me in,” Amelia said, “and I’m sure Lutia and Alessa would like something to do to keep their minds off of their husbands.”

“I only want them on first shift, though,” Becket said. “They’re new mothers, so no overworking them.”

“They’d be great at setting up a check-in system, then they can teach the other shifts. I’ll find people for that,” Amelia said, “if you don’t mind, Steve.”

“Please. I appreciate the help.”

“I’ll talk to Lutia and Alessa after we finish up here,” Be’atta said, “and let you know for sure. Meanwhile, I’ve heard that there’s a lot of cleanup that’s going to need to be done in the house. I’ll oversee that,” she said. “Victoria don’t worry about anything.”

The chefs came walking out. Alan spoke first, “I think we have a plan in place. Asuka is going to head up the team that goes to Earth. I’m giving him five chefs. They will have a lot to do with getting the kitchen set up, but for those first few hours, there’s only going to be your group, Victoria, the med team, and those few chefs,” Alan said, “the rest of us will work with our Rayth counterparts and get everyone else fed up here.

“Meanwhile, once the food arrives at Victoria’s estate, this gentleman will have a teleportation box on your driveway,” he said speaking of a black box with teleportation transponders. The box would teleport flat, and if or when needed, the sides of the box would extend out from the base and automatically fold up to form the sides. It could teleport in either form, but they were stored flat when not in use. “We fill the box, keeping some things on Earth. Asuka has his menu and quantities all sorted out, the rest comes up here. As more people shift from the flagship to Earth, so will the quantities and the number of chefs.

“We’re sticking to simple things these first couple of days: sandwiches and soup. Paper supplies, plates and such, will probably have to come up daily. Dan’s in charge of that. Once all humans are on Earth, I’ll have menus ready, and the food supplies, for the Rayth. Least I can do is give them a few cooking tips and I figure Victoria wouldn’t mind keeping them supplied with food.”

After they thought they had the major things covered, Becket looked at Victoria. “If you’re okay with it, I want to use your study as triage. Don’t need it now, the Rayth healed everyone, but it’s gonna be cold and accidents happen. I want to have something set up.”

“People will be in and out of that patio door by the study, especially since the patio is going to be one of the food serving areas and there’ll be coming in to use the bathrooms. It’s probably not the best place.”

“We can deal with the people in and out of the patio door. We just have to pray there aren’t any serious issues,” Becket said. “I’ll take one of the guestrooms too. People can sleep in there, but I’d like it empty during the day in case I get someone with pneumonia or something. I don’t have an infirmary to put them in.”

“Talk to the First Commander,” David suggested, “maybe they can put a makeshift building down there. Maybe bridge something over from their homeworld.”

“That’s an idea,” Victoria agreed, “or the barn.”

“I’ll ask him,” Be’atta said adding it to her list. “Barn will have too much traffic. You’ll need electrical, right?”

“Yes, and water, if possible, but we can make due with whatever we’re given. Hopefully nothing will be needed,” Becket said.

“Got it,” Be’atta said, making the note.

“In that case, I think we’ve covered what we need,” Becket looked at his watch, “with an hour to spare.”

“Victoria,” Be’atta said, “are you going to take the kids with you while you’re out buying things? I need to know so that I can make sure they’re properly guarded.”

“I want the kids with me,” Victoria said. “If that changes, I’ll let you know.”

Just then the door slid open without chiming. “Sorry for interrupting,” First Commander Kol’non said, “I received word that Victoria’s estate has been cleared out and is secure. We can send you down when you’re ready.”

“We’ll go in an hour, maybe a few minutes earlier. Steve, David, and Dan have a lot of calls to make,” Be’atta said to her husband. “I need to check on Alessa and Lutia. And I need to talk to you about a few things we need your help with. Got time to walk and talk with me?”

“Of course,” he said to his wife then looked at David and Becket, “let me know when you’re ready.”

As the chambers emptied out Victoria looked at Becket, “Any chance of getting food from the mainland?”

“Decimated,” Becket replied. “In any case, we’re not allowed to bridge there in case the portal was damaged.”

“Has any more thought been given to allowing people to leave the estate and check on friends and family?” Amelia asked, thinking of Alessa who was worried about her parents.

“Vince said they could try and contact them, but if they wished to leave the premises, they would have to arrange for their own transport,” David said, “The First Commander can’t be teleporting people around.”

“Why not teleport everyone down to the estate at once?” Victoria asked.

“Trees,” David smiled. “That was the First’s immediate response when I asked the same question. He also pointed out that by bridging smaller groups, we’ll have fewer people to deal with if they turn into a mob. They’re tired and hungry. If a mob starts up here, Rayth can handle it more readily than the few of us down there.”

Thirty minutes later, Victoria’s group headed to the hangar where her personal cruiser had been teleported, saving them. She was happy to see Alessa and Lutia there with their babies.

“We’re sticking with you,” Alessa said. “Amelia is bridging down with Be’atta, the chefs, and medical team. David should be here with all of the dogs in a second.”

“Okay, everyone get on board,” David said, jogging up with five dogs. Baxter and Celeste trotted out to greet their brothers and sisters. Once the group was inside the cruiser, David notified Kol’non that they were ready to teleport.

“Ten seconds,” came the reply. Ky’nayth counted down out load and right on the second, Victoria’s garage appeared in front of them. “Okay, everyone out,” David said.

“No fly nowhere?” Ky’nayth frowned.

“We will, first we have to wait for the others to bridge over,” David said as the dogs dove out of the cruiser. They were more than happy to be outside where making messes didn’t matter.

“Oh wow,” Victoria said, as she walked into her house. “What a disaster.”

“Most likely from the Rayth looking for you, than from the reporters that were here,” David said.

“The area is secure,” an imposing Rayth warrior said as he walked into the kitchen. “I am the Second Ship’s First Warrior Commander. You will always have a team on site until the High Chancellor determines otherwise.”

“Thank you. May I ask…have you and your team taken the serum?”

“We have.”

“Okay, good. Sorry, I just…” Victoria shook her head, “What I’m trying to say is that the chefs coming down are going to cook up some pizzas I have in the freezer for our group. Do you and your men need to eat?”

“It would be appreciated, but not necessary. We can wait.”

“No. We’ll get you guys fed. How many?”

“Seven of us in total.”

“It’ll probably just be pizza and water. And thank you. We need you in top form in case the tired and hungry start fighting among themselves when they start smelling the food. We’ll get you fed.”

With a glance to make sure the twins were out of earshot, the Rayth lowered his voice. “We have taken care of the bodies. Human bodies were teleported to the flagship. They will be sent to a location that General Cavanaugh suggested so that their families can be informed of their demise. There was not much blood and what there was, we have taken care of that as well.”

“Thank you,” Victoria said, putting a hand on his arm, feeling relieved because she hadn’t even thought about what that would do to her children if they’d seen it. “I didn’t even think about that. Thank you for everything. It’s appreciated. Very much. Thank you.”

He bowed then went out to the barn to oversee the bridging in of the first group.

Victoria looked in her cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator. “Nothing appears to have been stolen.”

Be’atta, Alan and his team, and Becket with his, walked in from the back patio, having been the first to bridge over. “Looks like we have some cleanup to do before we start cooking,” Alan said.

“Kitchen isn’t too bad,” Victoria said, meeting them in the living room, then pointed out where the bathrooms were before leading them to the kitchen. “I want the Rayth warriors fed first. There are seven of them. I told them it would probably just be pizza and water. They’ve been fighting and moving,” she turned to make sure the twins were still outside with the dogs, “bodies,” she finished, “so I know they have to be hungry.”

“Not a problem,” Asuka said as David came back up the stairs from the basement, a number of frozen pizzas in his arms. Asuka took them and went about getting them in the oven.

“Freezer’s full. Probably something you can use besides pizza,” David said to Asuka then pointed, “Down those stairs, room on the right. Can you get the firepit lit?” Asuka nodded. “Okay. I’ll get the kids. Victoria, ready to go?”

Victoria nodded then looked at Be’atta, “They said there wasn’t much blood and that they took care of it. Please make sure they got all of it. I don’t want the kids to see it.”

“Will do. Go on, don’t worry about things here,” Be’atta hugged her then walked out with them to get the kids.

Ky’nayth looked up at his mother, who told them they were ready to leave. “Who watch puppies?”

“I’ll put the dogs in the garage until you guys are back to watch over them. They’ll be fine,” Be’atta said.

“But Baxter and Suhwest has trauma,” Mik’kenna frowned. “Uncle First Science said they needs lots love and kisses and hugs.”

“I know, honey, but right now, I need everyone to help clean and the dogs can’t go with you. The safest place for them is the garage.”

Mik’kenna’s blue eyes teared up, “Kay.” She knelt down and called Celeste to her and hugged her. “We be back soon. I sorry you has to be in garage. I love you,” she said giving the dog a kiss on the top of her head. Ky’nayth gave the same affection to Baxter.

“It’s the right choice,” Be’atta said. “Don’t worry, they’ll be okay. They have the other dogs to keep them company. And I’ll put a blanket down for them to snuggle in if they catch a chill.”

“Thank you,” Mik’kenna said.

Dan, Glenda, Trent, David, Victoria, and the twins loaded back into the cruiser while Be’atta began giving orders to get the house in shape.

The first stop was a fast food fly through. David wanted his group fed, especially the kids. They had a long day ahead of them and it would save the chefs at least some work. Next stop was the rental place where David had ordered one medium-sized transport the size of a bus, and one large one about the size of a semi-truck. Dan and David each piloted one, Victoria and the twins riding with David, while Trent took Victoria’s cruiser back to her estate.

“Here’s the plan,” David explained as they flew to their first pick up location. “We’re hitting a sporting and outdoors store. Tents and those things will be loaded. You pay up then go with Dan while I oversee the loading. I’ll meet you guys at Dan’s stop. You should have his stuff paid for, so we can go to my next stop. We’re going to bounce you around back and forth like that. We think it’ll be easier and quicker than waiting for this to load up when Dan could already be on his way.”

“Mommy, you kay?” Ky’nayth asked, sensing his mother’s change in emotions. Though she wasn’t telepathic, her kids’ ability in the area was stronger than anything Ja’val had seen in someone so young. Usually telepathic ability didn’t even develop until teens.

“Scared a little,” she replied. “David be careful.”

“I will. Everything’s going to be fine, don’t you worry.”

Victoria got out as the transport came to a stop. She helped the twins down as David went up and shook hands with the manager who came out to meet them. “This young lady is going to pay up,” he said. Victoria gave the manager a nod then he led her over to a computer terminal where she looked at the bill. The twins held hands and stayed right beside her. Victoria entered her chip into the reader to pay for the items after supplying the appropriate identification.

Dan came running up to escort Victoria to his transport. He conferred with David, and by the time they were done, Victoria’s transaction was cleared. She thanked the manager for his help in gathering everything, then she and the twins walked off with Dan.

After seven stops, and in less than two hours, the largest transport was backed into Victoria’s driveway. David maneuvered his smaller one so that it was perpendicular with the drive. Both backends were positioned to allow easy access to the Rayth teleportation box.

Asuka’s team, Becket’s team, as well as two Rayth who were patrolling the area, came to help unload. Steve’s “transition” team began hauling tents, sleeping bags, and other items to the barn as quantities were confirmed. Rayth handled the heavy appliances. Everyone else was directed by Asuka and Glenda as to what went where. Lutia and Amelia, in the barn, were already planning out how to distribute everything and as items arrived, they instructed the crew as to where to place them.

Alan also helped unload and when the teleportation box had everything needed loaded onto it, he contacted his counterpart on the flagship as he went to bridge up. When he appeared on the flagship, he was directed to the area where the teleportation box would be found. A line of Rayth with hover carts were ready to move the food.

“We have the tables set up in the hangar where the Terra 2 staff is located. Six of your staff are there, and I have a dozen men, not all cooks, there as well,” the Lead Cook said. “Show us what goes there.”

Alan hurried over to the big black box. A Rayth kicked a button on the bottom of the box and the sides retracted leaving it a flat, black slab. As he touched a box or crate, Alan indicated whether it should go to the hangar or mess. The Rayth, divided into two groups, added them to their designated carts. Though it wasn’t a feast, the sandwiches, chips, fruit, and juice would be welcomed by Rayth and human alike, some of whom hadn’t eaten in nearly forty-eight hours.

Back on Earth, potatoes were cleaned, wrapped in foil, and thrown on the firepit. In the kitchen, two chefs were mixing up what would become meatloaf, the other two were cleaning vegetables or hauling fruit to the back patio. That was their grilling area but would also serve as a snack stand and refreshment area. Bananas, apples, and oranges, easy fruit to grab and go would be there for the incoming groups. Large urns of coffee, iced tea, hot and cold water, were set up. Meanwhile, Asuka instructed Becket’s team as to what food needed to go into the refrigerators and freezers when they got cold enough. Steve and his transition team were either helping get the huge event tent set up or getting the grills filled with charcoal and lit.

“We started in the kitchen,” Be’atta said to Victoria, “got everything set up the way Alan and Asuka thought would work best. The parlor and study have been overrun by Becket’s team. The barn and tunnel weren’t touched by the humans or Rayth. Science’s holographic simulation of it just being a dusty old barn worked and they didn’t find the hidden door to the tunnel.”

Victoria nodded, “Good.”

“We just finished cleaning the first floor. We’re working on the attic now, then we’ll do the second floor. My husband will have a small building for Becket’s team here in a day or two. You guys have to do another run today?”

“I don’t know. Asuka said something about seeing how much room we had to store food. A couple depots have food put aside for us that we can pick up today if we want, but we’re not really scheduled to pick it up until tomorrow. For now, we’re here.”

“Then maybe you can take the kids and go to the barn. They’re going to need all the help they can get to get those toiletry bags filled. I had bowls of food and water for the dogs taken there.”

Victoria found the kids in the garage with the dogs and said they were going to the barn to start filling up the bags for everyone.

“Kay. Babies there?” Mik’kenna asked.

“They are,” Be’atta said. “And I think that Alessa and Lutia could use your help with them. They miss their daddies and the puppies.”

“Can puppies come to barn?” Ky’nayth asked.

“I think that would be okay. I just didn’t want them there as teams were bridging over. Until Steve gets his team in order, which should happen with the next portal opening, things will be okay.”

“Portal opening?” Victoria asked as they went into the house.

“Only opening it every fifteen minutes. The Rayth are back and forth from Kiva and Jarstal. And some are back and forth to the city-ship. So every fifteen minutes, we get ten people. That’ll increase to twenty-five now that we have food and will have tents and such for them.”

“Oh, right. I’m…so out of it,” Victoria found herself on the verge of tears. Becket walked in saw the look on her face and hurried over, wrapping an arm around her. “Love, you holding up?”

“I just want to sit and have a good cry,” she said.

“How about I take the kids and dogs to the barn to help out,” Be’atta said, “and you go up to your bedroom and have your cry.”

“Jacob and Julia are here if you want to talk with them. Jennifer Maison stayed on the flagship. She’ll come down tomorrow,” Becket said.

“No. I’m fine.”

“Mommy, I think you go cry,” Mik’kenna said. “And hot bubble bath. That always good. You has trauma and need to get cry out.”

“Where did you guys pick up the ‘trauma’ idea?” Victoria asked, wiping at her tears.

“That was me,” Becket smiled. “Sorry. They were worried because you slept so long. I said that you’d just experienced a major trauma to your system and one way to deal with that is sleep.”

“Puppies has trauma too, right?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Yes, they did,” Becket said. “Rayth healing has healed the body. The emotional side of it will take a bit longer for both Mommy and the pups.”

“Mommy, please, go cry. I think it do good,” Ky’nayth said. “I no doctor but if you say you need good cry, then you do that. That my ‘pinion.”

“Well, I am a doctor,” Becket smiled, “and I think it would do you good, too. And honestly, this might be the only time where there’ll be some solitude for quite a while. I can go get Pastor or Julia if you want, or both.”

Victoria hugged her children, thanking them for being so considerate, then went up to the master bedroom. Julia, Amelia’s mother and Becket’s soon-to-be mother-in-law, went with her. Be’atta led the kids out to the barn where Lutia and Alessa showed them what went into the bags and the kids set about their new task, happy to be helping and to have all seven dogs with them.

Victoria sat on the edge of her bed, Julia beside her. “Honey, you know, it’s perfectly okay to let it all out.”

“It’s not about me,” Victoria said, grabbing one of her pillows and hugging it tight. “The kids. Did you hear what they did? Oh God,” she drew in a breath and let it out in one poof. “Koh’vash was about to kill Lutia. Ky and Kenna came out of the cruiser, saying ‘Don’t shoot’ and saying they were valuable. Those two little three-year-olds had a plan. I know, I know, Vice told them what to do. But…they were my babies. If they got caught…But if they hadn’t done what they did, Lutia would be dead. Julia, my babies…if anything had happened…if they’d been seen…” Victoria buried her head in her pillow, “I can’t lose them. I love that they were so brave, but I hate it too. Too much like their father. He might not make it back. I can’t raise Rayth kids! I don’t know how! Twice that man—Koh’vash,” she hissed his name, “tried to kill me! He…thank God he didn’t want to hurt the kids…I…”

Julia wrapped an arm around Victoria who was now hysterical. Victoria’s sobs were muffled by the pillow as Julia prayed over her and encouraged her to cry all she wanted. A couple of minutes later, her surge of emotions started to ebb. Then her comlink buzzed.

“Victoria, I need you to teleport up immediately. With the children,” Kol’non said.

Victoria felt a twinge of fear race up her spine. Her tears immediately stopped as she steeled herself. She told Julia, then ran to the barn and gathered the kids. Victoria and the twins appeared just outside of Zy’nayth’s chambers on the flagship. Kol’non was waiting for them. He opened the door and motioned for them to enter, following them in. Zy’nayth was resting on the bed. His face and arms were severely cut up, but not bleeding. Victoria ran up to him, “Honey! What’s wrong?”

“A couple of windows picked a fight with me. I seem to have lost,” Zy’nayth sighed. “It will heal, do not worry. The First Commander overreacted in sending for you. You have been crying, your eyes are quite red. Are you all right?”

“Just letting everything out. Been an emotional couple of days. I’m okay,” she smiled as she took his hand and gave him a tender kiss. “I’ve missed those silver eyes. I’m sorry about the windows hurting you. Anything I can do?”

He shook his head and closed his eyes. A deep sigh escaped his lips. “We cannot win this war. I will send everyone from the city-ship down, then I will let the rebels have that ship.”

“No Daddy, dat ship is home,” Mik’kenna stated as she crawled up to give him a hug and kiss. Victoria didn’t fail to see him wince as the bed jostled with Mik’kenna’s minor weight.

“If I do not do something, the rebels are going to enslave everyone on Earth,” he replied, not wanting to think about gathering the earthlings as energy supplies for the rebels. “Ky’nayth, Mik’kenna, I am so happy to see you. I am sorry I have such bad news. Are both of you unhurt? I tried to get back to Earth as fast as I could.”

“We fine. We scared but no hurted. Mommy has trauma but she has good cry. Uncle Becket say that good. Daddy, you has listen. You no give da ship to puppy poisoners. No!” Mik’kenna said, shaking her head for emphasis. “You no lose fight. You find way. Has think pos-tive. You best warrior with best warriors wif you. You win!”

“Sissy right, Daddy, we no give ship. We fight. Dey hurt Mommy and puppies. Dey hurt lots people. Dey need stopped. You stop dem. Dat your job…’sides being Daddy, course. Dey hurted you. You promise me and Sissy and Mommy you do all can to get dem for hurting Mommy and puppies. You promise and you no break promise. That what you tell us all time.”

“I would stop them if I could disarm their engines without having them blow up. But I cannot break through their shield, and even if I could, the minute I attack the engine, the Rayk energy would explode and we would lose half the solar system and everyone in it.”

“You find way. You and Uncle First Science find way,” Ky’nayth said. “You can. You smartest person in whole universe.”

“I ‘gree,” Mik’kenna nodded. “Find way.”

Ky’nayth’s little brow wrinkled then he shrugged his shoulders. “Why you no just pull plug? Dat’s what I do when stuff no stop when should. I just pull plug and it stop. Den rest for little bit and plug in and it all fine.”

Victoria looked at her clearly tired and badly hurt husband, but his silver eyes were now twinkling. He reached up to his ear and tapped his comlink bringing Victoria, Ja’val, and Kol’non into the same comlink conversation. “Science, how are they feeding the energy to the rest of the ship?”

“Typical ways: optical, conduit, lasers why?” Ja’val responded.

“No unknown technology is being used to disseminate the energy?” Zy’nayth asked.

“No sir, I see normal wiring pathways and devices. Unless they have technology that isn’t showing up on our scans, which is possible given what we’ve encountered thus far. Why?”

“If we can get in and pull the plug on the engines, so to speak, that will take out all systems, correct?”

“Pull the plug? You mean turn them off? Yes, it would most likely take flight and shields offline. Can’t say for sure, but that’s my best guess from what we’ve picked up on scans.”

“We need to find a way in.”

“I’m trying, sir.”

“Surrender,” Kol’non said, still standing near the door in Zy’nayth’s chambers. “Offer yourself up to end the war. I would rather you didn’t go, of course, but my surrender wouldn’t be enough bait to get them to teleport me over…at least not to their flagship. Get on the ship, pull the plug.”

“He’d be killed the minute he showed up,” Victoria said, horrified. “Zy’nayth giving himself up…they won’t buy it, and if they did, he’s in no condition to fight.”

“Daddy, no go. You hurted and no can fight,” Mik’kenna said touching a couple of cuts on his cheek, then kissing them to make them all better. “You no shape to fight. Has to wait till heal. Mommy trauma and you hurted. I no take no more. Please, you no fight till better.”

“Sir, I may have an idea,” Ja’val said, having heard Mik’kenna’s pleas. “Your brother had a personal cloaking device on him. I haven’t yet dug into it. If we could send you in with several cloaked warriors, it might work. I don’t know if the cloak would hold through teleportation. Or if they’d pick up the life signs of cloaked warriors when teleporting you over. Give me a little time.”

“Work on it.”

“That still puts you in an incredible amount of danger,” Victoria frowned.

“It may be our only shot. If we can gain control of one ship, we can subdue the others.”

“In the interim,” Kol’non said, “while you are healing, I can bridge over and help Vince and the team on the city-ship.”

“No. I need you here. If something happens to the city-ship, you need to be ready to do whatever you can with this ship. John has been told to continue evasive maneuvers, not to fight.”

“John is an excellent pilot. As are Chris and Kaven, but sir, they are exhausted.”

“As you are.”

“I have fed. I am in a better state than they are,” Kol’non said.

“Fed? Oh no! Have they eaten at all?” Victoria asked.

“They have some of those protein bars,” Zy’nayth replied. “They are not very good.”

“Can I have David make up some sandwiches…”

“Alan’s team is getting sandwiches together for them,” Kol’non said, “and they should be bringing something for your husband soon.”

“Kids, could you go to your room for a minute?” Victoria asked, “I need to ask Daddy something in private.”

The kids went down the hallway and though Kol’non offered to leave, Victoria shook her head. “I just didn’t want to get their hopes up,” she said then looked at her husband. “I was wondering if the kids could stay here with you. They miss you so much and…”

Zy’nayth shook his head then lifted the blankets exposing his left side. Victoria knew he’d been seriously injured or she wouldn’t have been called. But what she saw was unexpected given that he didn’t act as hurt as he was. Blood was everywhere. “Fresh linens just before you got here,” Kol’non said, “that’s why it hasn’t soaked through the quilt yet. His body is riddled with thousands of glass shards.”

“Oh Zy!” she exclaimed and went to examine the wounds, the doctor coming out in her.

“It will heal. It will just take time. I do not wish for the children to see this.”

She looked at Kol’non, “Can’t you heal him?”

“The injuries are much more complex than a simple cut.” Kol’non replied, “Our energy might push the glass the wrong way and cause more harm than good. These are small shards and to isolate just one would take massive amounts of time and energy…Zy’nayth’s body knows what to do. It will heal things properly without harming anything else. Don’t worry, we’re keeping a close eye on him.”

“But the blood loss alone…”

“The major blood loss has stopped,” Zy’nayth said.

“Victoria, he will be okay. By the time Ja’val has the cloaking device figured out and replicated, provided it can do what we need it to, and we have a plan mapped out, your husband will be in significantly better shape should he need to fight.”

She sighed knowing that this was their area of expertise, not hers. She leaned down and kissed her husband’s forehead. “Try to get some rest. You’re going to be weak from…”

“I know, doctor,” he smiled, “now I would like another hug and kiss from you and the children, then you must return to your work.”

Kol’non went to fetch the kids while Victoria began to put the tiny four-inch braid back into her husband’s scraggly head of hair. That braid was a symbol of their love, their being woven together. She had placed it there after reuniting from a rather bad time in their marriage. It had been done in a teasing way and was made in happiness and love, and from that time forward, she continued to make them. His scruffy, scraggly hair tended to hide it, but he would not take it out. He kept it as a sign of his love for her.

“I am glad I got to see both of you, if only for a very short time,” Zy’nayth said to his children as they gave him more hugs and kisses. “And thank you for reminding me that it is wrong to give up the ship.”

“We stay and help,” Ky’nayth nodded.

“From what I understand,” Zy’nayth said, “you are very much needed back on Earth. There are a lot of people who need your help down there.”

“But you our Daddy, we take care of you,” Mik’kenna frowned.

“I would love nothing more,” he replied, “but I need you to be where it is safe.”

“Kay,” Mik’kenna replied, downhearted.

“Speaking of safe,” Victoria said, “what if those ships go after the estate? Will the perimeter shield hold?”

“No. But as far as the rebels are concerned, you are on the city-ship. Besides, they are probably scrambling trying to find my brother. On top of that, they would want you and the children alive to barter with. They would not use their weapons against the estate and risk harming you.”

“I hope so.”

He gave her a warm smile, and even so, she could tell the injury and blood loss were wearing on him. He needed rest. “Victoria, do not worry. Vince, John, Christopher, and Kaven, along with my team there, will keep the rebels sufficiently occupied.”

“Your estate is being constantly monitored,” Kol’non said. “All of our jets are manned and ready for deployment, which is why there are only a few Rayth on the city-ship to relieve the team every few hours.”

She let out a deep breath, “Okay. Not worrying. Too much other stuff to do.” She gave her husband a tender kiss, “I love you. Rest well and heal fast.”

“I love you, my heart. I wish you did not have to suffer on my account. I truly am heartbroken that I was not able to get to you before you were injured,” he replied. “I love you very much. And you, my two little precious children, I love both of you very much and have missed you terribly.”

“We want to see you before you surrender,” Victoria said. “Promise.”

“I promise,” Zy’nayth replied. After hugs and kisses the family was teleported back down to Victoria’s estate.

Janice was the first to meet them. “How’s your husband? He okay?”

“He’s hurt but will recover. Just keep praying for everyone.”

“Mommy, we go help aunts in barn, ‘kay?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Yes, honey, go ahead. I’ll be along in a minute.”

Janice hugged Victoria as the kids ran into the barn. “Now the truth since the kids are gone. How bad is he?”

Victoria told her what she knew. “Thankfully, the worst was hidden under the blankets so the kids didn’t see. He was talking and strategizing as if they were superficial wounds. He’s got to be exhausted. I don’t think he’s slept in a week.” She let out a deep sigh. “He’ll be fine. I hope.”

“You okay?” Janice asked.

“If he’s fine, then I’m fine. I had a good cry with Julia. Probably will have another later, but I’m fine.”

“Well, the second you guys disappeared, we had a little prayer session. None of us knew what was going on, so we just covered all the bases.”

“We appreciate all the prayers. Right now…well,” Victoria fought back the tears, wiping a stray here and there with her fingers. “He doesn’t think that we can’t win the fight. The legendary leader of the Raythian Army is saying he doesn’t think we can win.” After a deep breath in and out, she continued. “My son told him to pull the plug. In other words, turn off the engines. And the First Commander tossed out the idea that since they have no way to get through their teleportation barrier or shields, maybe my husband should offer himself up for surrender.”

Janice looked at her friend in shock, “I know he’s a great fighter, but…there has to be hundreds, if not thousands of Rayth on one of those ships. And you just said his injuries were pretty severe.”

“He’ll figure it out,” Victoria said. “He has to.”