E:A Vol 6 Ch 8—October 27, 2120

Chapter 8: October 27, 2120

Zy’nayth returned to Earth earlier in the afternoon than normal. The kids felt his presence the second he bridged and ran to the barn to greet him. He was talking to Vince when the door opened and they bounded in. Zy’nayth was surprised Baxter and Celeste weren’t with them. “Daddy!” they shouted in unison. Their eager, happy greeting made him smile. He picked them both up and gave them kisses, holding them as close as he could.

“You home early,” Ky’nayth kissed his father’s cheek. “Can we play game?”

“It has been a long morning. I needed to get away and see my two precious children and my beautiful wife. Perhaps a quick game of Yahtzee would be in order. Did you tell your mother I had arrived?”

“No. Bubby and I right outside,” Mik’kenna pointed to where their playhouse was,” so we just run here! Mommy need telepathy.”

“It would prove useful,” Zy’nayth said. “Vince, we will see you at dinner.”

Vince got up and opened the door for them, the cold air slapping Zy’nayth in the face. “Were you two outside when I arrived?” he said, noticing the twins were wearing only light jackets.

“Yes. Just for minute. We carry more paper plates out to table den check see if anyone need message sent.”

“I think it is getting too cold for you to be outside, even during the day. And we should make sure your winter coats still fit. Those light jackets are not warm enough.”

“I grow lots since last year,” Mik’kenna said. “I think we need new coats. Can I has red one, please? Maybe puppies need coats too. Celeste like red one, too, please.”

“I am sure you both will need coats, I am not so sure about the dogs.” Zy’nayth set them down so he could open the patio door. Victoria was in the living room talking to Alan and Asuka about the feast they’d had the day before on Gren. “And Mik’kenna loves those potatoes. So I’m going to try and plan a special dinner Friday and attempt to make the potatoes. Do you have any of those baby ones?”

“We do, and probably anything else you need. No need for you to make a special run when we probably have what you need here.”

“Mommy! Daddy home!” Ky’nayth shouted as he was let down. He ran over to her, climbed up on the chair, and kissed her cheek.

“You’re cold! We need to get your coats out.” Victoria turned and smiled at her husband. “Hey handsome,” she paused, her smiling face dimming a bit, “Something wrong?”

“She’s all yours,” Alan said as he and Asuka went into the kitchen to mix up the next batch beef and vegetable soup.

“Daddy, we come?” Ky’nayth asked as Victoria stood.

Zy’nayth thought it over and nodded. “Come. We will go to the master bedroom if no one is using it.”

“Afraid it’s occupied; let me see if Pastor has anyone in the study,” Victoria went past him and found Jacob sitting, reading his Bible. “Think I can steal this room for a few?” she asked as Zy’nayth and the twins walked up behind her.

“Certainly,” Jacob said and looked at his watch. “I should start making my rounds, seeing if everyone is warm enough. Take your time.”

“Thanks,” Victoria said as Jacob grabbed his jacket and Bible and headed out. Zy’nayth went to the big recliner and the twins each climbed up to sit on his lap. They cuddled up, resting their little heads on his chest and closed their eyes. They’d apparently been running all day because they were half asleep before Victoria spoke. “Okay, what’s going on?”

“A Councilmember called for me to give up my position,” he said.

“What? Why?”

“Because I came to Earth to save you,” he said.

“What wrong with dat?” Mik’kenna’s lifted her head, her hands splayed out as she asked her question, then became more animated with each phrase. “We in trouble, we has be rescued. You our Daddy, dat your job. It rules!” She let out a frustrated groan, full wrinkles on her brow. “Dis dumb. You Daddy, you has to save us!”

“Sissy right, it rules. Uncle Chris say so.”

Zy’nayth managed to stifle his chuckle, but not the sigh that followed. “I am the leader of the Raythian Empire. I am to protect my people.”

“We your people,” Ky’nayth said, matter-of-factly.

“Indeed,” Zy’nayth smiled and hugged both of his children fiercely, trying to keep his anger under control. And his sorrow. He should have been there to protect them. To get them out. But he chose to leave, thinking they were safe on Earth. He’d been wrong.

“But you had things under control in Andromeda before you came for us, right?” Victoria asked.

“Yes,” he sighed. “It does, however, not look appropriate.”

“What happened?”

“I explained what I did and why I did it. The Councilman continued to press for me to resign. Then he threw a knife at me.”

“Daddy!” Mik’kenna exclaimed, the drowsiness leaving in an instant. She shot up and began to turn to his arm, pushing up the sleeve of his long, white, floor length jacket. “Where he hit you? I check pulse! Dat all I know! Mommy! Get scanner! I no know what do!”

“It did not hit me,” Zy’nayth reassured his daughter, “but thank you for being concerned. Victoria, I am going to make a speech later tonight to the Empire. I want them to know the sequence of events and that yes, I did leave the galaxy to save my family.”

“The public loves you, but you’re worried,” Victoria said as her daughter fumbled with Zy’nayth’s jacket, finding his pulse and counting it off in her head. “About what?”

“The discord this will sow. Not with the High Council, that was not entirely unexpected, but with the Empire at large. Those for the serum against those who think it is wrong.”

“Do you have to go public?”

“I would rather it come from me than a Councilman trying to undermine me. I do not wish to do anything that would cause the people to lose their trust in me.”

“I trust you,” Mik’kenna said, “And pulse normal. It normal, Mommy.”

“I trust you too!” Ky’nayth said. “Sissy, he say he no hit with knife. Daddy too fast. Course pulse normal.”

“But it best if put in chart, just case.”

Victoria looked at her daughter. “I’ll try to remember to add it to your father’s file. Thank you, honey. Now, what about…instead of just laying out the timeline, you make it personal. Tell them what happened to me and the twins…and Lutia. Or maybe leave me and Lutia out of it and focus on the kids. Kel’lan was threatened as were our little bundles of joy. The children of the High Chancellor and the First Science Commander were threatened. Isn’t that a serious crime?”

“And puppies,” Ky’nayth said, “tell them ‘bout puppies.”

There was a knock on the door. Victoria went over and answered it. Ny’van smiled at her. “Alan told me you were in here. Discussing what happened at the Council meeting?”

“Yes. Come in,” Zy’nayth said. Ny’van took a seat and listened as Zy’nayth recapped what his wife had suggested.

“That was the course I was going to suggest,” Ny’van said. “Do you want to work on a speech or are you going to speak without a plan?”

“I think a planned speech would sound too contrived. Should I mention what Victoria and Lutia faced? Or, as she suggested, just focus on the threat to the children?”

Ny’van bowed his head as he thought about it. “I would focus on the kids but mentioning what happened to Victoria and the threat on Lutia should be mentioned. The wives of the High Chancellor and First Science Commander…though they are human…should…they shouldn’t be treated differently than if they were Rayth.” He sighed and looked up, “If they were Rayth, I would mention them without giving it a second thought. But with them being human, I’m not sure how the public would react.” After a minute of reflection he nodded to his friend. “Speak your heart. That’s why people love you. Don’t overthink it as I am. Speak your heart.”

“He’s right,” Victoria said. “Don’t be a politician, be my husband, be the father of these two cute little ones.”

“And puppies!” Mik’kenna added, getting a smile from her father.

“Good advice, thank you. Both of you. I would like to have some time alone to pray about what to say. Would you pray with me for a few minutes? Then I would like to be alone.”

“I start prayer,” Ky’nayth said and hopped down. “Sissy come down. Easier to hold hands.” Mik’kenna got down and took her father’s right hand and then took her mother’s hand. Ny’van joined the group then Ky’nayth bowed his head and began to pray. Mik’kenna, Victoria, and Ny’van also prayed. Zy’nayth thanked them then saw them to the door.

“Victoria, please knock five minutes before our dinner time.”

“I will. Would you like me to get Pastor Jacob?”

“No, he is tending to others,” he kissed her forehead. “Thank you, my beloved.”

Victoria closed the door then went back into the living room and sat on the sofa, a twin to either side of her and began to pray. Baxter and Celeste came in, having been upstairs in the master bedroom where Jacob’s wife, Julia, was talking with one of the scientists who was suffering from the trauma of recent events. The scientist had asked if the dogs could stay with her while they talked. The twins were more than happy to let their dogs help. Their session must have ended since the dogs came scrambling in to get hugs and scratches behind their ears.

Victoria closed her eyes and bowed her head, silently praying for her husband. He carried so much weight on his shoulders and there was nothing she could do to help him. But she could pray. Ny’van went and found Vince, giving him the information. “I think he should eat dinner with his family alone. It will help him decide how to handle the speech. We can still have our meeting and I’ll pass along anything to him.”

“All right,” Vince said as Becket walked in.

Becket gave Ny’van a nod but pointed his question to the general. “Did Steve get more blankets?”

“David is out picking them up and a few other things. We’ll store them up there in the loft. People will have to sign them out. Getting too cold?”

“For a few. I got two women who’ve come down with a nasty cold. I have them in the infirmary.”

“I can tend to them,” Ny’van said. “Vince, there’s nothing else. Just know that I’ll convey anything from the meeting to the High Chancellor tonight after he makes his speech.”

“All right. Becket, you’ve got something else on your mind?”

“It’s going to get cold tonight. High winds. I say we get as many people into this barn. You think we can get 150 in here?”

“Both floors and the loft, yes, possibly more. How cold?” Vince asked.

“Minus 5, not counting the wind chill factor,” Becket said.

“Then let’s make doubly sure that everyone is tucked in good and warm tonight,” Vince said. “When David gets here, I’ll have Chris and Alessa in here to help distribute the blankets. You go around and start sending in those who’ll be most at risk. Let everyone know they’ll be packing up like sardines tonight.”

“All right. Mind if I send some in now?”

Vince gave him the okay but Ny’van said he had to take him to those who needed some healing first.

***

Dinner was being set up. People lined up at the both the back patio and the front porch to get their food. Most would be eating inside their tents, huddled together as the wind was already picking up. Victoria went over and knocked on the study door. “Dinner time,” she said softly.

“One minute,” came the reply.

Victoria had a box ready in case Zy’nayth wanted to eat up on the flagship if he chose not to participate in their evening meeting.

Zy’nayth came out prompting Mik’kenna to run over to him. “Mr. Alan make sheppy pie,” he said. “I no wait to taste. He say it comfort food. Everyone really like. He made soup for lunch to go with sammich. It really cheesy. I like lots. Mommy say she make someday.”

Zy’nayth looked out of the patio doors and saw people huddled in groups around the various campfires, paper bowls in hand, scooping steaming hot shepherd’s pie into their mouths.

“Do you want to go up to the flagship?” Victoria asked.

“No. We will eat here. I wish to talk to some of the people outside after we are done.”

“Honey, you have a speech to make. If it’s something I can do on your behalf, I can talk to them.”

“I go get sheppy pies,” Ky’nayth said, “Come on Sissy, you help.”

Asuka came walking in with a tray with four steaming bowls. “Gotcha covered. Sit down. What do you want to drink?”

“Iced tea,” Victoria said, “all the way around please.”

“Coming right up. Enjoy,” he set the tray on the coffee table then returned with two pitchers, sugar, and glasses filled with ice. Zy’nayth prayed over the meal then they began to eat.

“I was going to see if people wished to be on the flagship tonight,” he said. “If so, have Vince organize them to the teleportation area near the barn. I will let the Second Commander know that he will have to adjust course to teleport them up for the night. Vince will need to contact him either way. I cannot take the teleporters offline for long, so Vince will have to have as many to teleport ready so we can pull nearly everyone up with one port or two.”

“Will do,” she said.

“Bubby and I help talk. We cover more ground dat way,” Mik’kenna said.

“Make sure they know that once on the flagship, returning down here will be limited. I need those teleporters working around the clock to finish the incineration of the rebel ships on time.”

“What about food?” Victoria asked.

Zy’nayth stopped eating and put his head in his hands with a sigh. “I do not know.”

“Tell the Second Commander that Vince will talk to him to iron things out. Let your Second know what parameters he has to work with regarding how much time we can take for teleportation or tying up the portal. Leave the rest to him and Vince. You focus on what you need to. Tonight’s the first cold night. We don’t have to solve it tonight. Okay? You focus on your speech. I’ll talk to Vince, you talk to your Second. We can work it out.”

“All right.”

“What time do you want us on the flagship?”

“I would say 9:00 at the latest,” he said. His mind was on the speech so he didn’t say much as he finished his meal. When he took his last bite, he set his fork on his tray then took the last gulp of his iced tea. “I am sorry for the lack of conversation and even more sorry that I must leave so abruptly.”

Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth went over and gave him a hug and kiss. Zy’nayth gave his wife a tender kiss. She smiled up into his silver eyes. “Do what Vice said and speak from your heart,” she whispered. “You’ll do well, as always.”

***

“Good evening,” Zy’nayth said, standing at a podium in the back of the High Chancellor’s estate. Bright lights lit the massive building and lush green trees behind him. “Tonight, I wish to talk to you about what I did during this horrific attack on our Empire. It seems to have caused a disturbance among the High Council and perhaps those of you who are privy to the information. I wish to tell you, personally, what happened.”

Ny’van was in his chancellery office watching the speech. Dre’han was with him. They watched him tell the Empire that he had been on Earth celebrating the third birthday of his twins and taking a short vacation from the stresses of his work.

“The attack happened on Earth, the morning of October 12. I immediately gave orders and within fifteen minutes, I was on the flagship that was in orbit over Kiva. I left my wife and my precious children on Earth, assuming they would be safe there. The Vice Chancellor and the First Science Commander as well as some Expedition: Andromeda friends were left with them as well.”

Zy’nayth succinctly went through his actions during the day of the attack and when he made the decision to take the Terra 2 city-ship to Earth. He told them of what he faced upon returning to Earth, quickly took them through the battle, the kidnapping of his family, what they went through while in the hands of the former High Chancellor, and how they were rescued.

“Yes, I left Andromeda to save them. My family means everything to me. I do not deny that. But I did my duty as your High Chancellor and Supreme Commander. The enemy was defeated or well in hand before I left the galaxy. If there had been any chance that my fleet could not handle the situation, I would not have left. You have only my word on that. But I have never left my people down and I do not intend to start now. And had I not gone to Earth, I would not have caught my brother and nephews and disabled those new battlecruisers.

“If you feel that I have acted inappropriately, I will step aside and allow the High Council to run things until you appoint a new High Chancellor and a new Supreme Commander. I do not wish to step aside. I have only ever wanted the best for this Empire, and for my family. Had I stayed with my wife and children, perhaps they would not have been kidnapped. Perhaps the First Science Commander and his wife and baby son would not have been threatened. Perhaps I could have saved them the horrors they experienced. I love my family more than anything, and it tore at my heart to leave them. It nearly devastated me when I heard they had been kidnapped. My poor little three-year-olds were threatened. First Science’s newborn baby was threatened. Our wives were threatened, mine was beaten. I would have given anything to be there to stop that. But I was here, protecting you. I love you for standing by me all of these years, especially supporting me as I endeavor to bring the serum to our population at large. I want the war with humans to end. I will continue to work towards that end even if you want me to step aside. I am in your hands. Thank you and good night.”

Zy’nayth turned and walked into the estate, then the lights went out. Screens around the galaxy still displayed the number to vote. Along with an option to view the speech again.

Ny’van and Dre’han met him when he walked in.

“Too much? Not enough?”

“It was you,” Ny’van said. “Go home. Enjoy those two little ones.”

Zy’nayth nodded and looked at Dre’han. “You should leave now as well. You have a beautiful wife who you are neglecting.”

“I want to make sure things go smoothly with the voting form.”

“One hour, then you have a direct order to leave.”

“Yes, sir,” Dre’han said and gave him a proper bow.

***

The door let out an almost inaudible hiss when it opened. Baxter and Celeste heard it from the twins’ room and raced each other to greet Zy’nayth. The kids were right behind them.

“I saw part of it,” Victoria said as she walked up and gave him a kiss. “Was it wise to leave it in the Empire’s hands?”

“Not in the Empire’s hands,” Zy’nayth corrected, “in God’s hands.”

She smiled as he lifted each of the twins up and gave them kisses and asked if they’d brushed their teeth since they were in their pajamas.

“Did anyone decide to come up here to the flagship?” he asked after setting Mik’kenna down.

“No one tonight. We have as many as possible crammed into every inch of the house, tunnel, and barn. Only the bathrooms and the kitchen are free of sleeping people. Vince even has people sleeping in the transports. Every seat, on the floor, every inch.”

“Are those transports space worthy?” he asked.

“No. That was David’s first question. We have a lot of different types of vehicles on Earth but very few that can make a trip outside of our atmosphere. Would have been handy if we could use them to shuttle people up here.”

“Do the people wish to sleep on the flagship?”

“Yes, if they have a way off and don’t have to be stuck there. Meaning, if we get the six shuttles off of the city-ship and can use them for transferring people to and from your flagship, they’re game.” She sighed and sat on the edge of the bed while he pulled out his pajamas and walked down the short hallway to the bathroom to change. “They want to be busy with something. They don’t want to be stuck on your flagship.”

“So they would rather stay in the cold?”

“No…I guess…well, we got most of the civilians inside. Those left outside are military. All trained to survive in harsh weather. Zy, they’re restless. The shopping trips are an excursion, we can’t have everyone working on the cleanup due to the limited space and the dangers of ceilings or walls caving in, and we’re using military primarily for the tough stuff. Scientists can’t get to their labs. I think they’re starting to get depressed. And something else came up. There’ve been no funerals; no one has a sense of closure.”

Zy’nayth walked out and sat beside her. Mik’kenna climbed up on his lap. “I understand. I talked with Vince about this shortly after we had things under our control.” He kissed the top of Mik’kenna’s head. “We should discuss it at tomorrow’s meeting.” He looked at Ky’nayth who was sitting on Victoria’s lap. “I think we all could use a little prayer time then a nice night of sleep. Do you not agree?”

“I ‘gree. I so sleepy,” Ky’nayth said.

October 28, 2120

Zy’nayth allowed everyone to take a few bites before he began the meeting. “I met with Vice and the First this morning, for another reason, but we discussed the winter weather. It is getting far too cold.John, I am pulling my Rayth from helping you and sending them to work on the checking the shuttles. That means your groups will need to find other things to do. God willing, I will only slow you down for a couple of weeks, perhaps less if there are only minor repairs needed on the shuttles.”

“Not a problem. We can scrub floors and walls, or if your Rayth are in the shuttle bay, we could start some cleanup in there on second and third shifts,” John replied, “but I’d really like to keep moving on first. Can you give me one Rayth for first shift?”

“That should be doable,” Zy’nayth said. “I do not want anyone trying to clear an area that my scientists have not scanned and checked for weak spots. Vince, after dinner, I would like to speak to your people about the move. Those staying in the house may stay. Amelia, anyone who you believe should stay, as you mentioned before, those who are still quite traumatized, please let Becket know, and he will see to it that they remain here.”

“Dad and Mom will help with that too,” Amelia replied as she nudged Becket.

“Before we continue and before the children finish eating and come back outside, we need to discuss the funeral for those you lost. We believe we have all of the bodies. Becket has identified them as they have been found. I am sorry for the difficult duty.”

Becket gave him a single nod. “I’m the best choice. No need to re-traumatize anyone.”

“The question is how to deal with things. Do we have a service on the flagship? Here on the estate? Where do the bodies go afterwards?” Zy’nayth looked over to Vince, “I will see that they get to wherever they must go, but we should have a service for them.”

Amelia stood, “Let me get Dad. He’ll help with this.” She hurried off and returned a minute later with Pastor Jacob and his wife, Julia.

After an hour of discussion, it was decided that once Becket had confirmed they had all of the bodies of those missing in action, deceased military personnel would have a proper military funeral. Civilians would have their own. Both, however, would be held on Earth at a location to be determined. Pastor Jacob would make the arrangements with his wife’s help. Chris and Vince both said that they’d do whatever they could as well. Relatives, what few there were, had already been notified. Vince would make a second call to those handful of people to let them know where the funeral would be held and ask where they would like the bodies taken. Once things were decided, they went back to the topic of the cold settling over Montana.

Becket was the first to take up the topic. “I know you don’t want to have your teleporters dealing with traffic to and from here, but you do have those two teleportation areas already set up. You only go in there to be teleported. What if we have set times as well?” Becket said. “Your ship needs to be out there cleaning up the rebel ships, but if we had set times, say every three or four hours, people can gather and teleport to or from your flagship. Alan can have his team have it timed for food to be there as well. Your ship flies overhead, teleports up food and people from both of the dedicated areas and goes back to whatever it was doing.”

“That could work,” Zy’nayth nodded, “though I would rather expand the area near the barn so more people can teleport up or down at one time. Would you mind if I brought my Second Commander down to join in the discussion?”

Vince let out a laugh, “You do whatever you want. You save our lives, are going out of your way to help us even further, and you want permission to bring someone down to your wife’s house?”

Chef Alan along with two of his staff came out carrying large urns of coffee and hot water. Zy’nayth motioned to Alan to join them.

“Great food,” Chris said, holding up his fork. “Chicken that’s not fried. Unusual. I like it. I need to try more such weird concoctions.”

Alan laughed. “Braised rosemary chicken. Trent’s recipe. Seems to be a hit. Victoria, Mik’kenna told me that she loved the roasted potatoes with ham and requested that I give you the recipe.”

“Of course she did,” Victoria smiled. “That girl and her potatoes. Thanks Alan. Your team is cranking out some amazing meals. Everything’s delicious.”

Alan looked at Zy’nayth, “So what can I do for you?”

“We need to move people to my flagship,” Zy’nayth said. “It is far too cold for them to try and wait it out until we can get the shuttle bay repaired.”

“I agree. Food. How do I get food up there?” Alan asked.

Zy’nayth held up a finger as the Second Commander walked over and took the offered seat. Zy’nayth explained the idea of the designated times for teleportation. The Second Commander said he could work out an appropriate schedule then they turned to Alan.

“As for food, there are a couple of options I can think of,” Zy’nayth said. “Prepare food up there alongside the cooks on the flagship, or prepare it here and have it ready to teleport up with the people.”

“Given that we don’t have set meal times due to the number of people…meaning, we’re serving food around the clock, it might be best for me to have a staff up on your ship as well as down here. Supplies could be sent up at the dedicated times. I can work that out easily enough. Might be a few ‘emergency’ situations where I’ve forgotten something, but I can make it work. The problem will be not knowing how many will be at either location at any given time. I may serve breakfast up there for 4,000, but only 2,000 will be there for lunch.”

“Though if you are serving at all hours, that should not be as much of an issue, correct?”

“It could be if all the supplies are on the flagship because everyone’s been eating up there, but suddenly, for some reason, everyone’s down here for the evening meal.”

“Or we could say that everyone eats on the flagship,” Becket said, “except for those assigned to stay planet-side. If we agree that the teleports will be every three or four hours, that shouldn’t be an issue for people to get up there to eat. We can also keep the potato and snack bar going down here in case something comes up and a person misses a teleport window, but all meals are on the flagship.”

“And they’d have to know that once they go to the flagship,” Kaven said, “they’re stuck there until the next teleportation window.”

“We can work it out,” Chris said, giving a nod to Alan, “Second, if you get me a list of scheduled times, say we start tomorrow if that’s okay, then I’ll see to it that we have something in place. Let your chefs know that Alan will be sending staff and supplies up.”

“We have a good starting point. We can adjust as needed,” Zy’nayth said to his Second Commander. “Christopher will be your main contact. I know Vince has much to do. Let us end this meeting here. We need to focus on getting people ready to move. John, make sure Science knows your adjusted schedule. I will keep one Rayth for you for your first shift. The others will work on the shuttles. The sooner those can be checked and repaired, the better for those who may feel stuck on the flagship.”

“Will do. Let’s spread the word about the move and that we are planning a funeral,” John got up and took his paper plate and cup over to the firepit and dumped them on. Easy cleanup.