E:A Vol 6 Ch 3—October 16, 2120

October 16, 2120

Victoria joined the twins and Alessa in the barn who were putting together the toiletry bags for those coming to live on Victoria’s estate for the next month or so. Alessa moved to work with Lutia as the first group of ten “refugees” were due to bridge over. They went over their plans for distribution of items they’d be handing out with Major Steve Kessler.

Victoria and the twins, in the back of the barn, sat in a circle of boxes filled with items to go in the plastic bags—everything from a toothbrush to a comb to deodorant and a pack of gum. Mik’kenna was doing the “girl” bags while the Ky’nayth did the “boy” bags. The only difference was the type of deodorant and color of the comb. Just a few personal items to help the crew of 5,000 about to descend on Montana.

Steve was happy with Alessa and Lutia’s distribution plan, so the three of them piled up the larger items: sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets, next to a box of the plastic bags filled with the smaller toiletry items. Everything would be handed out to the refugees as soon as they were logged in and checked off the list.

Steve’s small crew of ten men had been helping set up the kitchen as well as tending to Victoria’s ten-acre lawn, removing downed limbs, mowing, setting up some of the tents, and gathering wood for campfires.

Becket walked into the large barn with David. “Word has it I’m getting a crew to help finish off that suite,” David said to Steve.

“They’ll be the next to bridge over. Ten solid men. They need to eat first, then they’re yours.”

“Have they rested?”

“Yeah. They volunteered for this, all they want is some food. Next portal window in seven minutes.”

“Good timing, first meatloaf due out of the oven in ten. Good hot meal for them. Victoria, we’re thinking of creating a potato bar on the patio. Since the grills and firepit have bakers going non-stop, at least for now, we thought we could throw toppings on one of the picnic tables and let people grab a potato or something as a snack.”

“Mommy, can we go has taytoe snack?” Mik’kenna asked.

“You just had a big lunch, let’s wait a little. David, that sounds like a good idea. Just make sure people know which potatoes are ready to eat and which were just put on the fire.”

“Easy enough.”

Becket spoke up, “We tried to clear out as much of the personal items and such from the living room. This first group will probably eat in there before going to help David out.”

Victoria smiled, “I’m not worried.”

Steve tapped his comlink, “Kessler, go.” He listened, “Ready when you are.” The call ended and he looked at Lutia and Amelia. “Time for our first real test. Ladies, after I check them off downstairs, I’ll send them up to you then they’re all yours.”

Steve went down the steps to the lower level of the barn where the bridge portal was located. Two minutes later, it developed an amber glow, then ten men, in pairs of two, walked across. Steve marked them off of his master list and sent them upstairs. There, they identified themselves to Lutia, as a second confirmation of who had come over, then Alessa handed them a sleeping bag, pillow, blanket, and their bag of toiletries.

Once all ten men had their items, they were handed over to Becket, who would lead them outside to the house. They would know about the tunnel from the barn to the house, as Steve would have pointed it out when they bridged in, but it was more important to see what was outside. Most had been stuck in one of the hangars on the Raythian flagship for two days with nothing to look at but the blue-green benachti walls.

“We’re going to have you sleep in the garage since you’ll be working on the suite that goes over it,” Becket said leading them across the yard. “We’ll drop your items in there, by then, Chef Asuka should have your meal ready.” He pointed to the firepit as they neared the brick patio, “If you get hungry, this is the snack area. Those potatoes on the firepit are ready to eat, what’s on the grills are still cooking. Dan there looks like he’s getting toppings set up. Drinks to the right on the other picnic table. Hot water, tea bags, two big urns of coffee, iced tea, and ice water,” Becket eyed Dan who confirmed that was the drink list. “Fruit, veggies, dip. Help yourselves to as much as you want when you want.” He then opened the patio door, entering the house. “This is the triage area for now, and in that study to the left is my makeshift infirmary. Come here for treatment if you need it. You should have been scanned before coming down, right?”

“Yes, sir,” one of the men said. “Doc Sarah and Doc Jim were there.”

“Good. I just haven’t checked my tablet to see if they got it done.” He continued through the house, “Living room, obviously,” he pointed, “you’ll eat in here in a couple of minutes. See the door straight across the room, that leads to the garage, to the right of it, the kitchen, to the left, that goes down to the basement and the tunnel to the barn.” He motioned to his left as they stood in the living room, “Down this hall you’ll find a bathroom, full bath. You can obviously see the stairs leading up to the second floor. Two bathrooms up there, one on the left, another in the master bedroom at the far end on the right. Avoid that one if you can, but not a big deal if you have to use it. And right as you get to the top of these stairs, there’s another staircase back a bit. Attic. Also has a full bathroom.”

Becket led them to the door that led to the garage. “Down there in the basement is another half-bath to the left. Laundry next to it.” Finally, he opened the garage door, “Unfortunately, all these materials,” he motioned to the piles of lumber, roofing supplies, insulation, and other construction items, “will need to be moved out before you can set up your blankets. I’m going to ask a couple of Rayth if they can get started on that. For now, just set your items here, then go and eat. Take your time. David will probably catch up with you while you eat to let you know what’s going to happen.”

“Wouldn’t happen to have any clean clothes?” one of the men asked.

“Afraid not. Major Kessler’s working on it. Feel free to use the washer downstairs. We’ve got some robes down there if you want to toss your clothes in after you work. Afraid it’s just an Earth washer and dryer, not one of those cool Mythican ones. So you’ll be stuck in a robe for about an hour.”

“We’ll figure it out,” one man smiled. “Okay, I’m ready for some chow.”

“Gentlemen, take a seat,” Asuka said, coming out of the kitchen. “Ten of you, correct,” he said as his finger went from one man to the next, counting them off. “Good. Yes, take a seat, or you can go out back to the patio and get a drink. We’ll bring your food in here. Same for everyone: meatloaf, baked potato, green beans with a bit of bacon. Not our best meal, but it’s hot and filling.”

“Appreciate whatever you cooked up,” another man said and followed his friends to get a drink.

“Gentlemen, if you need anything, I’m your point person,” Be’atta said, walking in from the patio. “We still have a lot of items to pick up from the mess the reporters and rebels left, so things might be a bit confused these first few days. Most important, you know where the makeshift infirmary is, and the bathrooms. As we get more people in, we’ll probably kick you out of the garage to a tent and leave the house and garage for women and those who are slightly older than us,” she winked. “You can make calls to any family you have here on Earth. The First Science Commander has rigged something up that won’t require you to use the damaged satellites. We do ask that you don’t mention anything about the bridge portal in the barn. The rebels don’t know about it and we want it kept that way. No one on Earth knows about it either. Again, let’s keep it that way. Any questions?”

The men had none, and were too eager to dive into the trays of food being brought out to them. “Might make a few calls, but like Major Kessler said, the sooner we get that suite walled up, we’ll have another bathroom and more indoor area to sleep,” one of the sergeants said. “Thanks, for the grub.”

“I’m afraid, we’re not allowing seconds. You can get another potato or fruit, anything on the patio. We’ll have things a little smoother tomorrow,” Asuka said.

“Not a problem.”

Victoria and the twins continued to work until they had nearly 500 bags filled. Since the portal only opened every fifteen minutes, Lutia and Alessa, joined by Pastor Jacob, Julia, and Amelia helped fill the bags or move down the next batch of larger items from where they were store in the loft of the barn. Amelia still had trouble thinking of it as a barn. On the outside, it was red and white, and looked as if it had been constructed out of wood, but it was made of Raythian benachti. Inside the green-blue benachti was clearly seen…and looked very high-tech. The basement, of course, held the bridge portal, and that was as high-tech as anything else on the planet.

Steve’s second-shift crew arrived during the next portal window. They would be relieving Lutia and Alessa as well as Steve himself. “Ladies, this is Major Ian Walsh. Lutia you’ve probably seen him since he’s probably visited the infirmary numerous times do to be a careless example of a team leader; Alessa you might not. Ian, she’s with Botany, and Chris Chapman’s wife.”

“I knew that much,” Ian smiled. “Nice to meet you. Lutia, pleasure as always.”

Steve looked at the group of ten that had come over with Ian. “These two lovely ladies have set up the distribution system. I need two people to take their place.” One woman and one man raised their hands and were motioned forward even though everyone would learn the routine so that there would be backup in case it was needed.

“Pretty simple. The Major checks off those who arrive downstairs then sends them up to us,” Lutia said. “We don’t know everyone, so we have to ask for names, and check them off our list. I generally do that, Alessa then hands them the items. Each person gets one sleeping bag, one pillow, one blanket, and one bag, we have boy and girl bags. Green thing of deodorant is for the guys, white for the girls. That’s the easiest way to tell them apart. Becket will need one of you to replace him. He gives the short tour and leads them to their assigned sleeping spot. That’s it. While waiting for the next crew, we stuff more of those toiletry bags, pull down more of these larger items from the loft over there, and wait for the next group. Pretty basic.”

Dr. Sasha Lovell came walking up with Becket. “Sasha’s going to take my spot for the second shift, then Dr. Neville Danielson will take third. I’ve clued them in on everything. I want a doctor to do it so that we can ask how they’re doing and so on. Scans are being done prior to bridging down, so no one should be sick, but we’re looking more for psychological effects than anything, and well, you get the idea. We want them to know we’re here and ready to take patients.” He looked at the team that just bridged in, “You need to talk, Pastor Jacob, Julia, myself, and my staff are all available at any time.”

After he said his bit, the twins showed their replacements how to fill the bags, which was fun for the Marines as they watched the three-year-olds explain their “experience” in doing such things. Once done with their demonstration, Victoria took them to the house. Lutia, Alessa, the babies, and most of their group headed to the master bedroom where Asuka had taken trays of food for them. Joining them were Janice, Be’atta, Becket, Amelia, David, Jacob, and Julia.

Ky’nayth prayed and gave thanks for the food, then everyone filled their paper plates. “David, Julia, you two take the recliners,” Victoria said. “David, you can sit in the window seat since I know you’ll probably want to keep an eye on your workers. Me and the twins can sit on the floor.”

Everyone found a seat, the women, except Victoria and Be’atta, sat cross-legged on the bed, the babies in the center, gurgling and cooing. Becket sat on the floor by the twins and rested against the dresser. Tired, hungry, exhausted, scared, and stressed best described the mood of everyone.

After several quiet minutes, Janice spoke up, “Anyone wanting to leave to be with family?”

“So far, no. Of course, we only less than fifty people down here, including those of us who came down to set things up,” Becket said.

“Alessa, were you able to get in touch with her parents?” Victoria asked.

“They’re safe,” Alessa said. “They’re going a cabin we own. Pretty isolated area. They want me with them, but I can’t. I need to stay here for Chris, if he ever returns.”

“Honey, he will,” Janice said, “he will, you know that.”

“Victoria, we’re going to sleep up in the attic tonight,” Becket said, motioning to those in the room. “We want you and the twins time to work through your,” he smiled, “trauma. You haven’t had a chance to just sit and be together and talk through things.”

Victoria’s tears came without warning and she quickly wiped them away with her fingers. “I appreciate it. Lutia, Alessa, you two had it pretty bad too, you’re welcome to stay since your husbands are up on the city-ship.”

“I’m more than willing to be here to talk to, or, I’m sure, my lovely wife is willing as well,” Jacob said.

“I think both Pastor and Miss Julia stay,” Ky’nayth said. “I no want to be only boy. Kel’lan too little.”

“We can stay to talk, but we’ll sleep in the attic,” Julia said. “All of us are here to listen or provide shoulders to cry on,” Amelia said. “We just thought you’d want some time alone.”

Victoria looked at her children. “Whoever you want to stay to talk is okay with me. This is for you, too. I want you to have someone you feel you can open up to.”

“I think everyone here,” Mik’kenna said with a shrug of her shoulders. “I no know what say. I just scared.”

“We can stay,” Becket said, “and after dinner, we can talk and cry and scream or anything you need to do.”

Alessa said she wanted to stay and talk even as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. Victoria tried to reassure her. “My husband will make sure your husband gets home safely.”

Alessa sighed. “He can’t promise that. Not when he’s getting hurt and he’s supposed to be invincible.”

“You know he’s not invincible, he’s just really fast at ducking,” Victoria smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “And he cares more about what happens to his friends than to himself.”

Alessa rested her head on Lutia’s shoulder, “I’m not a good military wife. I’m so scared.”

“So am I, Alessa,” Victoria said. “I used to cry for days when he had to go into battle. I was a mess. Just ask Becket. I wish I could tell you that it gets easier, but it doesn’t. We get a little stronger, but we will always worry.”

“How do you deal with it?”

“Prayer. And knowing just how good my husband is.”

“Chris isn’t a Rayth. He…”

“Your husband, Kaven, John, Vince, Simon, they know what they’re doing. Those guys are the best or they wouldn’t have made it onto the Expedition: Andromeda team. We will win. And our husbands, and everyone, will be safe. They may get banged around, but we can patch them up. Becket needs something to do.”

“Uncle Chris be ‘kay,” Ky’nayth said. “He good warrior.”

“Thanks everyone. I’m sorry…I don’t handle these things well.”

“Chris is very good at his job and so is everyone with him. Eat up. I don’t want you passing out,” Victoria said. “And maybe you can check in on your parents again after you eat. Let them see baby Maressa. That’ll cheer them up.”

Mik’kenna cut up another piece of meatloaf and sighed. “I wish Daddy and everyone back now. We play checkers and Yahtzee and dat spelly game.”

“Scrabble?” Lutia asked.

“Yeah. I thought it ‘bout eggs. I like scrabbled eggs. But I call them scammered.”

For the first time since returning back to Earth after being captured, Lutia laughed. “Scrabbled eggs, Thank you, Mik’kenna.”

The blue-eyed girl looked up, “Welcome. What I do?”

“You made me laugh. I needed that.”

***

Ja’val sat down in one of the two chairs in Zy’nayth’s bedroom after checking his friend’s condition. Kol’non took the other seat.

“Looks like things are finally starting to heal more quickly. Are you handling the pain okay?” Ja’val asked.

“As well as can be expected,” Zy’nayth replied. “I hope you have some good news.”

“I think I might,” he said as he held up the personal cloaking device that Koh’vash had been wearing and that had enabled him to sidle up to Victoria undetected. “This little jewel is not Rayth tech. I don’t know what it is. But, so far in simulations and testing we performed with our own teleporter and sensors, you turn it on and you can’t be detected. I tried our most sensitive scans and nothing.”

“Can a person be teleported while cloaked? Without detection?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Yup.”

“Weapons? Does it cloak any weapons that the person might be carrying?”

“That’s where we have problems. So far, our stunners and blasters can be seen upon arrival. They’ll teleport, hidden under a jacket of the cloaked warrior, but when the warrior appears, though he is invisible, there’s a moment when the weapons can be seen. Knives don’t show up, so I’m guessing it has something to do with the energy supply.”

“I do have a thought for that,” Kol’non said, “it will depend on some luck.”

“I do not like relying on luck,” Zy’nayth frowned, “but tell me your idea.”

“Have the group encircle you before teleportation. The moment you materialize on their ship, the group opens fire with the stunners. Of course, this will only work if they don’t scan your surrounding area prior to teleporting you over.”

Ja’val shook his head, “Not worth it. Zy’nayth surrenders himself, do you think only a handful of rebels will be there to apprehend him? No. That place will be filled. And they have those weird blasters.” He shook his head, “Sorry, Chris’ terms are wearing off on me. Weird.”

“First question, will the cloaked warriors show up on pre-teleportation scans or were you just testing the device itself?”

“On our scans, neither the device or the person wearing it appears. No indication of anyone there. But, given the weird blasters they have and those battlecruisers, I don’t know what kind of scanners they have. We can infer that they have not yet picked up our flagship with its new cloaking system, so they may have old Rayth scanning tech in that regard.”

“Then again, they might not,” Kol’non said.

“In any case, will the cloak hold through teleportation?” Zy’nayth asked.

“It has in all of our tests. There’s no flicker, no glimmer, nothing any of us could visibly see. I’ve tried in a dark room, a lit room, various spectrums, so far, nothing except the stunners or blasters show up. Various materials for clothing, belts, buckles, metals for knives, all of that remains hidden if on or held by the person.”

“How soon can we have a dozen of these made?”

“Already have things programmed, the first one should be done when I get back to my lab. I want to run the same tests and make sure everything works as it should. It’s constructed of known materials, I just have to dump the code onto our device. That’s where we may run into trouble. But I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Simple tech we simply haven’t been able to refine. The tests would take roughly an hour. If those turn out as well as the original, I could have a dozen more ready in about three hours. But you’re not going to be in any condition to fight your way through that ship.”

“I will not need to. If these work, the others can disable the ship then rescue me.”

“No,” Kol’non said, “I need you to be in top form. If the warriors get delayed or encounter resistance, and Di’vash or Ca’vak decide they want to kill you while the twelve are on the other side of the ship, you need to be able to fight.”

“I am not worried about myself. I am worried about the team on the city-ship and the people on Earth. Status in Andromeda?”

“Kiva is safe. Jarstal as well. The hunt continues for more of the rebel ships. We can confirm 283 destroyed or disabled out of the 500 Koh’vash claimed he had. We haven’t been able to detect the remaining ships.”

“Sir, rest,” Ja’val said, “we’ll get things done.”

Zy’nayth let out a deep, rumbling growl, but then his features softened and he nodded. “One last thing. Those blasters we took from the rebels on the city-ship. They are too dangerous to use in space in case there is a hull breach, but what can we learn from them?”

“Not Rayth tech, and…they all self-destructed as soon as they were brought on board the flagship. Smoldered right there. Left some debris we’re analyzing.”

“Very well. Wake me when you are done with the cloaking devices. I will need to pick a team to go with me,” he looked at Kol’non, “What is on your mind?”

“The Lead Councilman recalled Ny’van back to Kiva. He cut off his interrogation of your brother. I didn’t wish to wake you when the call came. Ny’van thought it best to go back in any case.”

“He was right to do so. I cannot be there to organize things. He is my second in command of such things.” Zy’nayth managed a smile, “I would not have blamed you even if I had been against the idea. Do not fear bringing me news that you do not think I wish to hear.”

“Of course. I simply thought…” he managed a chuckle, “never mind. Rest well,” Kol’non said as he and Ja’val left. As they walked down the corridor, Kol’non stopped and turned to Ja’val, “I’m concerned about him going if he’s not 100%, and I’m very worried about what condition our friends are in over on the city-ship, they’re over-extending themselves even with having our men there to help ease their shifts.”

“Me too,” Ja’val said.

Kol’non’s gaze changed as he thought of yet another problem. “Is Rayk energy leaking out of the containment field on the rebel ships?”

“No signs of it on the five big battlecruisers,” Ja’val said, “I’ve had my Second keeping close tabs on that.”

“Good. We don’t need to have to worry about any of our men being over-exposed to that.”

“Too bad we couldn’t send in John and his team. If there was a breach, I mean if things go bad and cause one, at least they wouldn’t be affected by that Rayk energy.”

“Wait…you tested that cloak with our stunners, what about their weapons? Surely Chris’ crossbow wouldn’t be detected as a weapon.”

“Even if it isn’t detected, those guys aren’t in any condition to fight through that ship filled with Rayth.”

“But it may give us options. Do you have time to test it before the first device is done?”

“Yeah, but I’d have to bridge over to the city-ship. I have a handgun here I can test, but Chris is the only one I know with a crossbow. I know the portal’s tied up.”

“This is important. I want all available options checked. Our High Chancellor may find use for a crossbow if they’re not detected through the cloak. You know how he’s able to come up with ideas we’d never think of. Go. See if Chris will part with his bow for one or two tests. Start with the most sensitive scan. If that doesn’t pick up the crossbow, we should be fine.”

“In theory, anyway,” Ja’val said. “Let me stop in my lab first, then I’ll bridge over.” After touching base with his Second Science Commander, Ja’val bridged over to the Terra 2 city-ship. Kaven was in the flight chair. Vince was at the backup flight panel, Chris at weapons. Two Rayth were at the other two stations: navigation and science.

“You guys holding up okay?” Ja’val asked.

“David brought up some pizzas. It hit the spot. John and Simon are trying to get a little nap,” Vince said, “in the shuttle bay if you need one of them. The shuttles at least have some cots they can sleep on.”

“No, let them sleep. I’m wondering if I can borrow Chris’ crossbow for about ten minutes. I want to run a couple of tests.”

Chris reached down and pulled the bow up that had been resting by his foot. “Any closer to finding a way to beat these things? We’re exhausted.”

“Testing an individual cloaking device. We have something similar, but this one seems to go undetected during teleportation. But they don’t seem to cloak our stunners or blasters. I want to see if your weapons will be detected. Anyway, hoping to send the High Chancellor and a dozen Rayth over to turn off the lights over there.”

“He’s doing okay then?” Kaven asked then concentrated and jumped the ship to a different location in the solar system just as one of the enemy battlecruisers opened fire again.

“Weak but much better.”

“How are you planning on getting someone in there?” Vince asked.

“He’s going to surrender. When they teleport him over, we’re hoping the cloaking devices will keep the men we send with him hidden. They’ll knock out the power, make sure the High Chancellor is okay, then we’ll use that ship to gain control of the others. I hope it works.”

“How soon before the attack?” Vince asked.

“It’s going to take three hours to complete the devices, and that’s if we’re able to duplicate them. My Second is running tests on our first assembled piece. We really want the High Chancellor rested more, but you know how he gets. As we get closer to launching this plan, I’ll make sure you guys are looped into the conversation. I wish there was more we could do. The High Chancellor won’t let the First leave the flagship, obviously he’s needed there if we need a diversion. And we need our jets at the ready which requires nearly all of our warriors.”

“No explanation needed,” Vince said. “Everyone get bridged down to Earth yet?”

“That’s going to take quite some time, but so far things are going smoothly. Okay,” he said as he heard the voice on his comlink, “they have an opening for me to bridge back. Stay safe. We’re doing what we can as fast as we can.” Ja’val bridged back to the flagship and, as promised, had the crossbow back to Chris in ten minutes.

***

After dinner, Becket, David, and Be’atta took the dishes downstairs while the others readied for a time of talking through their emotions after being kidnapped by the rebel Rayth. Pastor Jacob suggested that they move up to the attic where there was more room, so the kids grabbed their pillows and gathered the dogs to join them.

Victoria sat on one of the six beds. Ky’nayth climbed up on her lap with Baxter curling up beside them. “Uncle Becket,” Mik’kenna said as he entered after cleaning up the master bedroom, “you sit next to Mommy, please. I need lap to sit on and you our godfather and you has take place ‘cause Daddy no here. Please. Kay?”

“Of course, love,” Becket said, his Scottish accent filled with love for the little girl who he knew was probably just as traumatized as her mother who had been severely beaten. He sat next to Victoria then Mik’kenna sat on his lap and held Celeste close.

Jacob prayed then asked who wished to start. After listening to Alessa and Lutia talk through their fears of their kidnapping, and Lutia saying she was more worried about her baby than herself, Victoria, hugging Ky’nayth tight, said she knew the feeling. “These two…they were brave but I am so mad at Ny’van and my husband for coming up with the idea. They could have been…” she sighed and took a tissue to wipe at her tears.

“I scared,” Ky’nayth said. “Uncle Ny’van tell us plan and say only if no be seen. So I tell Sissy to be look out. We ‘memmer everything Daddy teach us in warrior trainy.”

“I so scared,” Mik’kenna nodded. “I told Bubby maybe we no do it. I be look out but I no see everything. I short and I be crying ‘cause of puppies and Mommy hurted, so eyes all blurry. And den,” she sniffled, “den I hear dem say they hurt Aunt Lutia and den baby Kel’lan and I no want no more hurted and I tell Bubby I do it. We has save babies and puppies and Mommy and everyone.”

“I told Sissy dat Uncle Ny’van and Uncle Ja’val talk with telepathy and help be look out,” Ky’nayth continued, “dey make sure we do it right. So we go and I tell Sissy we no look at anything. We just go to nearest person and give them stunner.”

“Uncle Ja’val tell us who closest,” Mik’kenna nodded. “But still,” she began to cry, “still, I has look out and I see Mommy with blood and puppies on ground no moving. And I ‘most start crying.”

Becket hugged the girl and kissed the top of her head. “You and your brother did a very, very brave thing and saved them. But I’d rather you not try anything like that again. Even if your Rayth uncles think you can do it.”

“We no has choice like Sissy say,” Ky’nayth shrugged his shoulders, “they gonna hurt Kel’lan and maybe Maressa, and I made promise to ‘tect them. Daddy teach us to keep promise.” He turned and threw his arms around his mother’s neck. “I so scared. I so scared. I no good warrior,” he cried. “I sorry, Mommy. I sorry I not ‘tect you better.”

Victoria clutched him to her. “Baby, no, no. Not your fault. Not your fault at all. I should be the one protecting you. I never, never, never want you in danger.”

After waterfalls of tears were shed and the family began settling their emotions, David excused himself for a few minutes. When he returned he had a tray of different flavors of ice cream, some bowls, and spoons. “Ice cream always makes me feel better, and I remembered there was some in the freezer downstairs,” he smiled.

“I’ll help serve,” Janice said, taking the lids off of the quarts. “Ky, Kenna, what flavor do you two want? Chocolate, strawberry, or butter pecan. And this one is cookies and cream.”

By the time the ice cream had been eaten, the mood had lifted. Jacob and Julia both said that they were available at any time, day or night, to talk to if needed. Jacob knelt beside the bed on which the twins were sitting. “I mean it. If you two want to talk, you find me and we’ll talk. I know your mother was hurt, but so were you. Not physically like her, but emotionally. I know you’re both Rayth but that doesn’t mean it hurts any less. I think I speak for everyone here when I say if you need to talk, you can talk to any of us.”

“Anytime, day or night,” Becket repeated. “You have had your own trauma.”

Hugs were shared then Victoria, the twins, Lutia, Alessa, and the two babies went down to the master bedroom. The twins insisted that all seven dogs join them. No one argued. They knew how attached the kids were to the dogs.

“You two take the bed,” Victoria said to Lutia and Alessa as they walked into the room, “the babies can sleep between you. I’ll take one of the recliners.”

“Mommy, I stay with you?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Both of you can,” Victoria said, “one in each arm. I think that’s perfect. Unless you want the other chair.”

“I stay with you,” Mik’kenna said. “If ‘nough room.”

“Plenty of room, and even if there wasn’t, we’d make room,” Victoria smiled. “Ky, would you go into the bathroom and change into your jammies? Don’t come out until I say. We need to all change into ours.”

“Kay,” the boy smiled, “Come on Baxter. Has to give ladies privacy like good gentlemen do. Shadow, Hero, you too. You boys.”

Alessa grinned and let out a little chuckle as Ky’nayth and the three male dogs went into the bathroom. “It was a good talk. I needed it.”

“So did I. Three hours. I’m beat,” Lutia said as she borrowed one of Victoria’s nightgowns.

Victoria handed another to Alessa as she said that they were all exhausted. The last three or four days, she couldn’t remember how long it had been, had been pretty traumatic for all of them. “Okay, Ky, we’re all presentable.”

The boy opened the door and walked out in his footie pajamas. “Oh, I need a blanket and a pillow, be right back,” Victoria said as she went to the linen closet in the hall and pulled out a quilt and three pillows. “We’ll use your sleeping bags tomorrow. We’ll have Janice, Amelia, and Be’atta in here with us. The babies will have to sleep in their carriers or their Mommies could take the recliners and keep the babies with them.”

Lutia let out a long yawn, “Deal with that later. Ky, could you say a prayer please, then I’m going right to sleep.”

Ky’nayth went over to the bed and knelt down. He folded his hands and closed his eyes and prayed that God would watch over them and that He’d protect their family on the ships and that the war would end soon. Then the thanked God for helping everyone with their trauma and for being family.

Victoria climbed up in Zy’nayth’s recliner, Mik’kenna curled up on her left side, Ky’nayth on the right. She pulled the quilt over them then both Baxter and Celeste managed to get up with them. “It’s okay,” Victoria said as the twins went to shoo them off. “They need the extra love and hugs too.” The other five dogs split up. Storm stayed in the bed with Lutia, Alessa, Maressa, and Kel’lan, Scout took the window bench with Montie, while Hero and Shadow shared the other recliner. With everyone settled, the lights were turned out and they were all fast asleep.

Five minutes later, Victoria’s comlink buzzed. She reached up and tapped it. She listened as things were explained, then she sighed, “Be there in ten. We just settled down for the night.”

“Understood,” came the reply.

“Okay, kids, we have to get up,” she kissed the tops of their heads, “sorry. Get dressed, we’re going to see Daddy.” Victoria sent them to get dressed as she threw a change of clothes into their little pull along suitcases, then she changed and ran down to the kitchen, grabbing fruit and vegetables to take with them. Hopefully they wouldn’t be gone long. She thanked Asuka then rounded up her children and went to the bridge portal.

***

“Be ready to move the moment you materialize on the rebel ship. They can’t see you but if you’re in their way, they can bump into you,” Kol’non said to the dozen warriors standing with Zy’nayth. “Be ready to fight. You’ve all memorized the layout, correct?”

The men gave an affirmative answer.

“Disabling that ship is the priority,” Zy’nayth said, “no matter what happens to me. Once we are inside, do not try to help me until that ship is powered down. The First Commander will start teleporting more warriors over the instant the power is off and their shields are down. Take out the power then take control of the command bridge.”

“I’ve selected a team to find and help the High Chancellor once the power is off,” Kol’non said. “They will be part of the first wave I teleport over. That is their only priority. Everyone else is to secure the command bridge. Knocking out the power won’t do us any good if we can’t control the ship once power’s back on. So the twelve of you, no matter your concern over the High Chancellor, are to leave his rescue to the group I send over. At all costs, get command of that ship.”

“Everyone know their assignments?” Zy’nayth said, having already split the group of twelve into six teams. Two would immediately make their way to the command bridge, two would head to the backup power area, the rest would, by different routes, make their way to the main power room.

“We’re ready, sir,” the Commander of the team said.

“Sir, your family,” Kol’non said as Victoria and the twins walked into the area. Once acknowledged, the twins went running up to their father, happy to see him up and walking around.

Neither said anything, knowing he was with his warriors and that it might be an important discussion. But Zy’nayth knelt and opened his arms. Then “Daddy!” was screeched as the kids flew into his arms. Zy’nayth hugged both of them tight and gave each of them kisses. “I love you two very much,” he said, “and I have missed you greatly.” He looked at Victoria’s smiling face, “You as well, my beloved.”

She gave him a nod. “I take it you’re leaving now?”

“Yes,” he sighed and stood with a kid propped on each him. “It is time to end this fight.”

“You no give ship, right?” Ky’nayth asked.

“That is correct. I am going to take theirs.” He turned to his warriors, “They will do the taking, I will just be a decoy to keep the…puppy poisoners busy.”

“Mean, evil puppy poisoners!” Mik’kenna frowned. “You get da ship and you stop fight and we go home and be fammy ‘gain. Nice quiet with puppies.” She nodded. “Celeste and Baxter send love by way. I sorry I no say sooner. I so ‘cited to see you.”

Zy’nayth gave her a kiss on her cheek. “I love them too,” he said. “Now I do not wish for you to worry. We have it all planned and these twelve warriors here are all Warrior Commanders, my very best. They will easily handle getting the ship under our control.”

“You still not well,” Ky’nayth said. “I wish you wait till better.”

“I can handle myself well enough. My job is to keep the puppy poisoners distracted while these warriors do the hard work.”

“Well, ‘kay,” Ky’nayth said.

“I no know if I like dis,” Mik’kenna said.

“There is no other way, sweetheart. I will be safe enough. Now I must be going, may I have another kiss, please?” Both of the twins gave him hugs and kisses, then he set them down and embraced his wife, giving her a tender kiss. “I will be quite all right. You and the children are going with the First Warrior Commander from the Second Ship. He was the one who had your estate cleared out. Did you bring what you needed?”

Victoria gave a proper bow to the Warrior Commander. “Thank you, again. And yes, I packed some food and water and a change of clothes. Lots of gold. But you and your men will be done before we need it, right?”

“I do pray so,” he smiled then gave the Warrior Commander a nod. “Children, go with the First Warrior Commander. I need to know you are safe. When I feel it is safe, he will be contacted to bring you back.”

“Mommy ‘splained,” Mik’kenna said. “We be safe but you has promise to be safe, too.”

Zy’nayth looked at the Warrior Commander taking his wife and children to safety. “You are not to tell anyone of your location. Not even me. The First Commander gave you the code for returning. Only he knows it. Even if I contact you and give you the correct code, you are not to return. Only the First Commander can recall you.”

“Yes, sir. I will keep your family safe.”

“Thank you,” Zy’nayth said then smiled down at his children. “He keeps his promises, too. I will do my best to stay safe. That is all I can promise. I love you, and will see you very soon.”

Victoria and the twins were led back to the bridge portal where two rolling suitcases and one shopping bag awaited them. She picked up the bag while the kids pulled their little suitcases along as the First Warrior Commander of the Second Ship entered a code on the portal and led them across.

“Gentlemen,” Zy’nayth said to his group, “it is time. We shall head to the Terra 2 city-ship since that is where my nephews think I am.” He and his twelve warriors headed to the bridge portal area from where his wife and children just departed. Kol’non and Ja’val went to their stations. The flagship was already en route to the city-ship.

The bay where the bridge portal was located was still crowded with humans waiting their turns to bridge to Earth. The Rayth stopped for a moment at the bridge portal as the sergeant in charge held up a hand to the next set of Earthlings. They’d have to wait while the High Chancellor and his team bridged out. Zy’nayth turned and apologized to everyone, then recognized one of the nurses about to head down to Earth. “Let Lutia and Alessa know that their husbands are safe. Tired, but safe.”

“I will, sir,” she replied. “God speed.”

Zy’nayth gave her a bow, then he followed his men over the bridge portal to the city-ship.

“Did you gentlemen hear everything?” Zy’nayth asked when they appeared in the control room.

“Yeah. You sure about this?” John said, now back in the flight chair. Kaven and Chris were now trying to get some rest.

“It is the only thing we have at the moment and we cannot hold out much longer. I will contact Di’vash and Ca’vak from the conference room, that way if they use a wider teleporter range, you will not be inadvertently taken over with us.”

“Back up plan?” Vince asked.

“I do not have one. Pray this works.”

“We are, sir, we definitely are,” Vince replied and tapped his comlink. “Chris, Kaven, I hate to wake you but it’s showtime. Get in here.”

Zy’nayth and his warriors went into the conference room. The High Chancellor adjusted the frequency on his comlink. “Di’vash, Ca’vak, this is the High Chancellor, I wish to discuss…my surrender.”

Di’vash laughed. “You? The biggest hero in Raythian history, surrender? What are you up to?”

“I am sure you have noticed that we have been unable to break through your defenses. All of this running around is only wearing me and my men out. Too many have died already. It is time to end this. Do you wish to come here to discuss this, or shall I teleport over?”

“You honestly think we’ll send you the code so you can teleport through our shield?” Ca’vak laughed, “You are getting far too old, Supreme Commander.”

“Indeed I am. Then I will send you coordinates to teleport here. Give me a moment to break out of FTL and drop shields.”

“Nice ruse, but no. Give us your coordinates, we’ll just bring you here,” Di’vash replied. “But first, tell me where our father is.”

“In a cell. At least he was. I cannot confirm if he is there, if he escaped, or even if he is alive. We have not had time to go dig our way down the tower to check on him after we took a hit.”

He heard a frustrated groan. “Very well. We can send someone later. Have the humans move to an isolated area. We’ll bring them over later. I have a hungry crew to feed.”

“One moment while I give the command,” Zy’nayth said, “but humans do make great laborers. You might consider letting them live, if only long enough to dig your father out of basement of this place.” He clicked channels on his comlink and waited a few seconds. He was thankful that Di’vash and Ca’vak still thought that the entire Expedition: Andromeda crew was on board the city-ship.

He tapped his comlink again after a minute or two, “It will take them some time to gather in the sanctuary, but they are starting to move. Dropping out of FTL now,” he said. John heard the conversation and was ready. He brought the ship out of FTL speed as Zy’nayth continued, “Can you pick up my position from this comlink frequency or shall I have to send it to you?”

The twelve Warrior Commanders surrounded their High Chancellor and activated their personal cloaking devices; they were ready to attack if needed. A moment later, the group disappeared.

Either a scan wasn’t done or it didn’t detect the extra men. So, unbeknownst to Di’vash and Ca’vak, twelve warriors, hidden by individual cloaking shields, were teleported to their ship along with Zy’nayth.

Though both Earth’s handguns and Chris’ crossbow would remain cloaked even during teleportation, the warriors thought it would cause more trouble than it was worth to take them as none were skilled with them. Their weapons on this trip were their hands and knives, with which they were supremely efficient killers. They assessed the situation and according to the scans that the Science team had come up with, they found themselves in an open area, a foyer of sorts, just off of the main command bridge. Convenient location. Zy’nayth and his team hoped for this contingency but didn’t think Di’vash and Ca’vak were that stupid.

Zy’nayth’s men eased out of the way of any rebel, moving this way and that, getting further away so they could leave the area and go about their mission. Two of them stayed where they were near since their target location was the command bridge. They did not follow as Zy’nayth was escorted onto the bridge. They would wait until the engines were cut, as per their directive.

Once on the command bridge, Zy’nayth was shoved into to what appeared to be his brother’s office. As per Koh’vash’s usual taste, it was horribly ostentatious and cluttered. Zy’nayth stood, hands behind his back as ordered. Two rebels slipped Raythian restraints on his wrists then left, allowing Di’vash and Ca’vak to enter.

“You know, uncle, you don’t look your normal healthy self,” Ca’vak circled around the taller, older Rayth, “food not so good?”

“The food my lovely wife cooks for me is rather delicious,” Zy’nayth said, unperturbed. “As for my appearance, I apologize. I am simply tired and recovering from a rather nasty injury. May we get down to business now? What are your terms? I want to end this as soon as possible.”

Ignoring his question, Di’vash said, “Where are your children?”

Zy’nayth sighed, “I believe we have been through this before. I do not know where they are. Why are you so obsessed with them anyway? They are only toddlers.”

“You know very well that we can’t hold onto control of our own people. They hated our parents, but they love you. As your heirs, the people would readily accept your kids as rulers. Those two were with Victoria when we got her and her friends. Where are they now?”

“They will not follow your orders…and I told you, I do not know where they are. Once we got them out of your hands, they bridged to an undisclosed location.”

“Oh, they’ll follow our orders,” Di’vash said. “We’ll raise them as our own. They’ll forget you.”

“If you were to locate them, yes, they may follow your orders, but it would only be until they were strong enough to destroy you.”

“They’re only three years old, they won’t even know we’re the enemy.”

“They already do,” Zy’nayth replied.

“They’re young enough to forget.”

“They also have photographic memories. They will not forget.”

Ca’vak’s fist made contact with Zy’nayth’s jaw. Zy’nayth’s head tilted ever so slightly by the force of the blow, but Ca’vak pulled back his hand in pain and tucked it under his arm, hoping the pressure would ease the throbbing.

Zy’nayth didn’t let the smile cross his face. As usual, it was calm, unbothered by what had happened. “I do not know where they are, but I do know they will never submit to you. Now, since I cannot give you that information, even if coerced to do so, what are your other terms?”

“Di’vash, without the kids, we can’t rule. You know that,” Ca’vak said with frustration, releasing his aching hand and rubbing it while glaring at his uncle. “And our father, if he’s alive, wouldn’t have any more luck than we would at trying to gain back power.”

“Is that really your father and not another clone?” Zy’nayth asked, curious.

Di’vash waved off Zy’nayth’s remark, “Yeah. Only had one viable clone and you killed him.”

“Then I am glad that I did not actually kill my brother.”

“I doubt that,” Di’vash replied.

“Despite what you may think,” Zy’nayth said, “or what he has told you, I have very much missed having a sibling I could trust and with whom I could share life. I did not want the chancellorship, all he had to do was leave my wife alone and he would still be in power.”

“If you don’t want the job,” Di’vash said, “then we’ll head back home and you make an announcement. You’re stepping down and turning over leadership to us. For good measure, we’ll let you live…just until we’re sure we have the affections of the people. You’ll be our loving, wonderful, uncle and advisor. Once we’re firmly established, well, we’ll have to kill you, of course.”

“Will you leave Earth alone?”

“No. Excellent feeding grounds.”

“The serum works. You do not have to be seen as butchers, as monsters, any more. My feeding hands still work, but I do not need to use them,” Zy’nayth said.

“And you’re saying that while sitting here suffering from injuries that your energy should have restored hours ago.”

“My energy is working just fine. I was bombarded with shards of glass from a window that got blasted from one of your attacks. Glass in the system takes a while to get out. It is not like a single entry wound. If you do not understand this, you have been poorly educated regarding Rayth healing abilities. Now, what do I have to do to get you to leave Earth alone?”

“Give us that ship and Kiva. Tell your First Commander and First Science that they have to follow our orders. The Vice Chancellor, too,” Ca’vak said. “And tell us where your children are, and we’ll leave Earth alone.”

“I do not know where my children are. I cannot be more clear about that. As for the two Firsts and Vice, you know they will not do as you tell them, no matter what I say. I will comply with your other two requests.”

“We’d have to watch our backs all the time with those three Rayth around anyway. We should just dispose of them and be done with it,” Ca’vak said to his brother.

“Can’t do that until we’re solidly in control. However, our uncle is rather protective of Earth. He must be hiding something there. Maybe something we missed at Victoria’s little estate. Maybe it’s his kids,” Di’vash suggested. “So, how’s this for our terms, give us your kids, or we destroy Earth. Right here, right now.”

Zy’nayth sighed, then spoke in Raythian, Mythican, and English using the same phrase. “I do not know where they are.” He looked at each of them. “Did that help?”

“You’d sacrifice billions of lives for your two little brats?”

“I would sacrifice anything for my children.” The fierceness in Zy’nayth’s silver eyes told his nephews that he meant it. “I do not know where they are, but I do know where they are not. They are not anywhere you would think to look. The warrior I entrusted them to was told not to reveal to me where they were headed. No one knows. But if you want to blow up, as you yourself said, excellent feeding grounds, to prove that I am not lying, go right ahead.”

“You seem almost a little too eager to have us blow it up,” Ca’vak said. “Which means you don’t want us to…or maybe you actually do.”

“Flawless logic,” Zy’nayth shook his head. “I am tired. I want this ended. I will turn over leadership of Kiva to you and will play the advisor and loving uncle until you are set. The Terra 2 city-ship is there for the taking. That is all I can offer you.”

“I want your First, Second, and Third Commanders here. I also want First Science and Vice here. They are to surrender, just as you have. They will turn command of their battlecruisers over to our men,” Di’vash said.

“First Science and the First Commander are on the city-ship, however the others are in Andromeda. Would you like me to have them fly here or shall we just pick them up when we return to our own galaxy?”

“We’ll just get them when we’re in Andromeda,” Di’vash answered, “unless that ship there has a bridge portal, then you can bring them here.”

“It does, but the ships they are on in Andromeda do not.”

Zy’nayth was surprised when the lights went out so soon. His men had wasted no time at all. Only a few more seconds passed when he heard the struggling going on outside the office on the command bridge. Di’vash and Ca’vak made sure Zy’nayth was secured then armed themselves.

A couple of minutes passed and the door hissed open. Di’vash and Ca’vak both fired, hitting one of their own men who was being used as a shield for Zy’nayth’s warriors. Two more blasts were fired, this time by one of Zy’nayth’s Warrior Commanders, then they tossed the rebel “shield” towards Di’vash and Ca’vak. The other Warrior Commander knelt and fired, hitting both of Zy’nayth’s nephews with the stunner blast.

“Drag the others in here,” Zy’nayth said as one removed the restraints, “lock them in.”

Zy’nayth strode onto the bridge while tapping his comlink, “We have control of the command bridge. I am unharmed; send in the rest of the teams,” he said to Kol’non.

“Understood,” Kol’non replied then tapped his ship-wide communications panel, “Teams ready to teleport. Sweep the ship, round everyone up into the assigned hangar. The High Chancellor will await the all clear before his team returns power to the systems. Gentlemen, take that ship!”

Back on the rebel flagship, Zy’nayth sat in the command chair. He was in pain, the glass still working its way out of his system, but he was proud of his team. They were tired and yet exceeded his expectations. Backup systems for life support, communications, and navigation were still online, but they were not powered by the Rayk energy engines.

He pulled up the communications panel and went ship-wide with his announcement. “This is the High Chancellor and Supreme Commander. I have command of this ship. Though I would prefer not to kill you, my men will not hesitate to do so if we must. It would be safest for you if you surrender as my warriors work their way through the ship. That is all.”

He adjusted the frequency on his comlink, this time so only his inner circle heard the conversation. “John, when I have the full attention of the other four battlecruisers, get the city-ship in orbit around Earth, await further instructions. If I need your assistance, I will summon you. Meanwhile, I have four other ships to disable. We will continue as planned.”