E:A Vol 6 Ch 13—November 20, 2120

November 20, 2120

On November 20, 2120, the Raythian flagship left Earth’s orbit to rendezvous with a Raythian Science Ship near the Andromeda/Milky Way border along the usual path taken by Zy’nayth’s crew. In order to keep the Expedition: Andromeda team from getting stir crazy, Victoria and her Christmas decorating team arranged to have decorations brought on board the day before they left. Meanwhile, back at her home in Montana, the people staying there were decorating the house and barn. Chris, Alessa, and David stayed behind since Chris was running things at the estate while Vince remained on the flagship.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Victoria asked her husband. “That hangar is going to be…”

“It is fine,” Zy’nayth said. “I have told my crew that due to the lengthy stay of the Expedition team, it was the least I could do to make their stay comfortable. Besides, it gives me an opportunity to share Christ with them when they ask about what all of it is about.”

Victoria kissed his cheek, “I love you.”

“Go and see to the decorations. I must go to the Science Ship.”

“Yes, dear,” she smiled. “Ky, Kenna, are you ready?”

“Yeah,” Mik’kenna sighed.

“Honey, Celeste and Baxter had to stay on Earth. Daddy’s using the bridge portal constantly, we can’t interrupt its use to take the dogs for a potty break.”

“I know,” she sighed again, “I just miss my puppy. It so lonely. What if Uncle Chris forget to feed her and Baxter?”

“Uncle Chris and Uncle David will take very good care of all of the puppies. I am sure they won’t forget to feed them. Remember, they have their own dogs to feed…all of our dogs to feed.”

“I miss snuggly with Celeste at night. It so lonely. I so lonely last night without Celeste.”

Zy’nayth lifted her up and kissed her cheek, noting to himself that she used “lonely” three times. “I am sorry that it is so difficult for you. I know how much you rely on Celeste for comfort.”

“Maybe we place video call later to puppies,” she suggested.

“We can try. Christopher was not expecting us to call, but we can try.”

Mik’kenna put her head on her father’s shoulder and began to sob. “I miss Celeste!”

“Sissy, no cry. We see puppies soon,” Ky’nayth said though he too was tearing up, “I miss Baxter, but we has be strong, just couple more days.”

“But I trauma! Puppies has trauma! I no like being alone!”

Zy’nayth sat on the edge of his bed, Mik’kenna still in his arms. “Sweetheart, have you been having nightmares or anything like that from the kidnapping?”

“I scared. I know Bubby there and I know you and Mommy here, but I scared. I no know. Celeste right there and she make me feel safe.”

“Mik’kenna, Ky’nayth, I am sorry about everything. About not protecting you. About not being there when you needed me. I will never forgive myself. And I am sorry that Baxter and Celeste cannot be here these few days. Would you like to sleep with me and Mommy until we can have the dogs back? Would that help you feel safer?”

Mik’kenna wiped her tears with the back of her hands as she nodded. “Dat help.”

“Then we will plan on that,” he kissed her cheek again, “maybe we also need to have a talk with Pastor and Julia again.”

“I be ‘kay.”

“Mik’kenna, Ky’nayth, you as well, if you are still scared, we should discuss it. I do need to tend to work, but we can talk tonight, and I would be willing to invite Pastor Jacob and Julia to join us if you would like.”

“I could invite them over for dinner,” Victoria said. “Or we can keep it to just the four of us.”

“Maybe we talk again. I no know.” Mik’kenna shrugged her shoulders.

“Then I’ll call Julia and invite them over. In the meantime, we get to spend the day putting up Christmas trees and decorations,” Victoria tried to lighten the mood. “I know it won’t be as fun as when we’re at home and have the family and dogs with us, but we’ll have 5,000 people who all need some Christmas cheer.”

“Kay. I ready. I sorry for cry.”

“Mik’kenna, you may cry on my shoulder any time,” Zy’nayth said. “I am glad you told us how you felt. I do not ever want you to be scared. I know this will take some time for you to recover, but I do not want you to keep your fear inside. You come and talk to us. Any time. That is for both of you. I know you,” he smiled at Ky’nayth, “are being strong for your sister, but you do not have to be strong all of the time. You can come and cry on my shoulder, too.”

***

The groups that organized the Christmas decorating began the work of turning one of the Raythian flagship’s hangars into one large holiday festival. Most of the people had brought up their tents they’d been using on Earth, simply for a little bit of privacy, even if they were sleeping six or eight per tent. Those were also being decorated. Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna got caught up in the decorating, using their tricycles to deliver decorations or distribute sandwiches and chips to the various groups when they got hungry. Most of all, they were excited to help people decorate their little trees or put up lights around the tents. Victoria was glad they were busy and not thinking as much about their dogs being back on Earth.

Meanwhile, the Science Ship was transporting various pieces of equipment over to a storage hangar on the flagship. Ja’val was overseeing the loading, his team checking everything when it arrived, while Zy’nayth went over to the Science Ship to talk to the crew. They had a long trip and he wanted them to know he appreciated their help. He also checked to see how their normal research was progressing.

“How is the First Commander?” one of the scientists asked.

“He is doing well. I expect him back at work in a week. He is handling minor things, but I do not want him on a command bridge quite yet. I do not need him to overextend himself and have a setback. I have been through this, it is not easy.”

A Science Officer led Zy’nayth to their storage bay and pointed to his left. “EV-suit if you want to go out to take a look at the engine mount.”

“I will wait until it is on the flagship. The scans will be sufficient,” he said, looking out of the plasma barrier at the enormous ring behind the vessel. “Were there any issues in bringing it here?”

“No. We had shields extended around it the entire trip. Our preliminary scans show it suffered no damage. First Science has the flagship scanners doing an in-depth scan now.”

“May I ask why it was not hauled in a hangar? It seems as if it would fit, though snugly.”

“We couldn’t fit both it and the needed equipment in here along with the transport and work shuttle.”

Zy’nayth let out a chuckle, “Yes, of course. I am used to ships with multiple levels of hangars.”

“Speaking of which,” the ship’s Commander said walking over, “I know you’re overhauling the fleet, the warships, but I was wondering if the Science vessels would be getting some upgrades.”

Zy’nayth stood, arms folded across his chest, watching as one large piece of equipment disappeared, being teleported to the flagship. “What types of upgrades would you like?”

“As you noticed, we have only one hangar. A double decked hangar would be nice. We could carry more than one shuttle and one transport.”

“Is that necessary?”

“Not on every vessel, of course, but this is the Second Science Ship. I have a crew of 200. There have been numerous times, when exploring a system where if I had, say, three or four shuttles, I could have teams on different moons or planets.”

“Numerous times? Define.”

“Seventy-five percent of our missions. Besides, isn’t it odd that I have a crew of 200 and only have one shuttle and one transport for exploration missions?”

Zy’nayth raised an eyebrow causing the Commander to clear his throat and bow his head slightly. “You are correct,” Zy’nayth said to put the man at ease. “I had not considered that. Do other Science Ship Commanders have similar issues?”

“A few. We all have wish lists.”

“I do not have time to pull the First Science Commander to address the issue…”

The Commander risked cutting him off, “Sir, I’d be willing to gather information from the Science fleet and submit to First Science.”

“Which is what I was going to suggest,” Zy’nayth gave him a nod. “I want a comprehensive list. The number of ships that should be modified, or have equipment upgraded, and the number of ships that would have to be designed and built. I want as many of the ships, their equipment, and programs as standardized as possible.”

“Equipment shouldn’t be an issue in that regard. It will take time…”

“I would rather it be as complete and comprehensive as possible before I receive it, or First Science. And I cannot promise anything. As you said, I am in the middle of upgrading several warships. I will do what I can. Examples of missions where such equipment or ship redesign would have been beneficial and to what extent.”

“Thank you, sir, I’ll get you the information as soon as possible. Now, if I may be so bold,” he paused to see if Zy’nayth would stop him and when he didn’t, the Commander continued, “We need to finish a mission which will take roughly a month once we return to Andromeda, but all of us on this ship would love the opportunity to return and study Earth.”

“Has the crew taken the serum treatment?”

The Commander shook his head, “No. Only a dozen or so of us.”

“That is an issue. I cannot have non-serum Rayth near Earth without oversight. I hope you understand.”

“Sir, our human storage…”

“This is not up for debate. I would like a Science team to investigate the area, but until I have a Science Ship with a crew that has all taken the serum, I cannot allow it—not without one of my top Commanders here.”

***

“Scans show the mount’s perfect,” Ja’val said to Zy’nayth when the High Chancellor returned to the flagship later that day, “and Kol’non’s tests were all good. Still weaker than his baseline, but not by much and is not unexpected. Another week, he should be at his normal full strength.”

“That is good news.”

“And second shift will have everything loaded before you wake up in the morning,” Ja’val said as they stopped at his chambers.

“Have a good evening; thank you for all of your work on this. One quick comment, the Commander of the Science Ship…”

“He sent me a message about the ship upgrade suggestion,” Ja’val smiled. “Most ships won’t need any upgrades, but I agree, there are a few that could be bigger. The equipment is fine, shields, and so forth is the same on our warships. See you in the morning.”

“He would like his crew to explore Earth,” Zy’nayth said.

“He told me. I agree with you, unless they’ve taken the serum, and without myself or the First Commander, even the Second or Third, to oversee things, we can’t risk it. But I do have a wish list that would keep quite a few vessels busy.”

“Talk to him before they set back for Andromeda. I perhaps came off too strongly. You are much easier for them to talk to. Yes, I want the area explored, but I have that one criteria that must be met. They must all have taken the serum.”

“Even if we could get a portal for their ship?” Ja’val asked.

“Yes. Just because they have a portal does not mean they would not bridge to the planet to feed. I would hope they would not go against orders, but we have yet to find the rest of the rebels and we are not sure how deeply embedded they are in our fleet—not just the warships, but the Science fleet as well.”

“Noted. I’ll be seeing him in the morning after breakfast. We’ll have a good talk.” Ja’val entered his chambers to his wife and baby boy who was drawn up and kissed. “Daddy has missed you. I hope you had a good day…” he was saying as the door hissed shut behind him.

Zy’nayth walked to his own chambers and was greeted by his own children. “Mommy say we get food from mess for dinner,” Ky’nayth said. “She not feeling good and no want to cook.”

Mik’kenna led him by the hand to the bathroom door. “I think she need Rayth healy,” the girl said. “I try tell her and she say no call you, but I sure she need Rayth healy. I wish I had healy hands, but I too little.”

“Victoria?” Zy’nayth knocked quietly on the bathroom door, “May I come in?”

“Yeah.”

Zy’nayth opened the door to find his wife on the floor, head in her hands. “What is wrong?”

“Migraine. Bad migraine. Think I’m going to throw up.”

“You could have called,” he said as he put his hand over her heart.

“You were busy. And it didn’t hit until about twenty minutes ago.”

“Your neck is out of alignment.”

“Mommy trip when putting up decorations,” Mik’kenna said.

“I just stumbled over a box. Didn’t even fall,” Victoria said.

“It was apparently enough to cause the misalignment. It is reset. It will probably take a few minutes for the migraine to dissipate.”

“Thank you,” she smiled.

“We go get dinner,” Ky’nayth said. “I has comlink. I call to let know what choice are. Kay?”

“We can do that,” Zy’nayth said. “Victoria, perhaps a hot bath will help.”

“After dinner,” she smiled. “I just want whatever’s light. Nothing fried or greasy.”

“I call,” Ky’nayth said as Victoria got up with a hand from her husband.

“I stay with Mommy, just case,” Mik’kenna said.

Zy’nayth bent down and kissed the top of Mik’kenna’s head. “Thank you for staying with your mother. It eases my mind.”

“I try be nurse.” She bowed her little head with her hands behind her back and moved her little foot back and forth. “Daddy, does dis mean with Mommy head hurt that we no get to stay with you tonight?”

“Not at all. I have healed her and I bet by the time dinner is finished, she will be much better.” He and his son went to the mess hall, a recent addition to the flagship. With the E:A chefs on board, they helped their Rayth counterparts learn the ins and outs of running such a facility. Ky’nayth called to let his mother and sister know the choices available, and a few minutes later, they returned with four cups of soup and four boxes of food.

Victoria took the boxes to the kitchen and set them at each person’s seat. Zy’nayth prayed over the meal before they started eating. Victoria cut a little bit of the chicken for each of them to try, as well as a small spoonful of the vegetables. “Just a taste. If you like it, I’ll make it some time,” she said.

“Tomorrow before dinner,” Zy’nayth said, “I would like us to go to the sparring area. We need to get back on our training schedule.”

“With all of this other stuff going on, maybe we should wait until…”

“If I try to wait for a better time, something else will arise and disrupt our schedule. This is best.”

“That’ll postpone dinner a bit since I won’t be able to start it until we get done.”

“I understand. Children, if the schedule is too difficult for you, we can try to find another time that works better. I know you are used to eating at certain times.”

“What about after dinner?” Victoria suggested then put a piece of chicken on his plate. “We’re usually done eating by 5:30 or 6:00. Give our tummies time to settle then go at 7:30 or 8:00. Thirty minutes of practice, back home, bath and devotions, then to bed.”

“We will try that.”

“Daddy, my uniform too small now,” Ky’nayth said.

“You will not need it for practice. I will look into getting you new ones when things ease. I am sorry…”

“Zy, you’re overly apologizing for everything,” Victoria smiled. “You’re busy. We know. You’ll get to it when you can. Right kids?”

“Daddy, it ‘kay,” Mik’kenna said and took a big bite of her sandwich after having been nibbling on the onion rings. Her eyes lit up. She set her sandwich down and lifted the top bun. “Tiny onion rings on sammich! That funny!”

“That’s a good idea. Looks like he shredded the onions and fried them up. They’re not the big rings in the basket. May I have a taste?” Mik’kenna handed her mother the barbeque sandwich and Victoria took a small bite. “Mmm. Very good. I like the crunch from the onions on it.”

After dinner, Zy’nayth offered to do the cleanup, what little there was of it, so that Victoria could rest. Instead, she showed her kids how to use the stethoscope. Both kids loved to learn. Though they each had their own interests, they liked to learn new things. Ky’nayth found listening to the heart and lungs interesting but not the way his sister did. She wanted to know everything involved.

“Daddy, your turn,” Victoria smiled when he walked in after cleaning up the kitchen. “Our up and coming nurses need to check your heart and lungs.”

Zy’nayth sat on the edge of the bed and Ky’nayth, who had the stethoscope, was the first to check his father.

“Remember, Raythian hearts beat slightly faster than human hearts,” Victoria said, “and are stronger.”

Ky’nayth wrinkled up his nose then went to his mother, then back to his father. Mik’kenna did the same and asked several more questions. Finally, she surrendered the stethoscope and sat cross-legged on the bed and let out a yawn.

“You two did a lot of work today on the decorations,” Victoria said. “Why don’t you take your baths and we can go to bed a bit early?”

The twins were exhausted, Victoria was exhausted, and though Zy’nayth never seemed to get exhausted, she knew he, too, had a long day. They all took quick showers, changed into their pajamas, read a few passages in their Bibles and discussed it. With joined hands, they prayed before climbing into bed to sleep. All four were sound asleep a minute later. A few times, Victoria was awakened by little sniffles coming from Mik’kenna. The girl was awake and squeezing her pillow and at one point, petting it as if it had been her beloved dog. Victoria reached over Ky’nayth who was closest to her, and put her hand on her daughter’s head, gently stroking her white hair. “I’m right here, honey. We’re all safe,” she whispered. “All of us are safe, Kenna. And I know Celeste misses you as much as you do her.”

Zy’nayth heard the whispers and rolled onto his side, his arm draping over both of his children. He kissed the back of Mik’kenna’s head. “Try to sleep, my beloved daughter. We will see Celeste and Baxter soon.” With reassurances from her parents, Mik’kenna drifted to sleep and slept soundly the rest of the night.

November 22, 2120

“The engine mount was transferred to the flagship, which is now headed back to Earth,” Tel’lok said to Karken’al and Jil’ana. “Since I’m assuming they’ve already scanned for defects, there should be no issues with it. My guess is that it’ll take them a day or so to return to Earth, and perhaps a couple of days to get the mount in place.”

“Probably more since they’re not doing it in a dock,” Jil’ana said. “They’re going to have to maneuver that flagship right up to the Mythican engines. That won’t be easy. Working in space will slow them down. In any case, I doubt if they run into trouble.”

“Remember that one of the pilots on that flagship is pretty good,” Tel’lok grinned. “But I agree, putting that thing on in space is going to be problematic. One other note, the Science vessel doesn’t seem to be moving. Our satellites aren’t able to pick up life signs, it’s too far out.”

“Special crew?” Jil’ana suggested. “One that’s used to working in space on something like this. We have them, it would make sense that the Rayth do as well.”

“That would be my guess,” General Karken’al Dubasi said. “Do we have any news about the group that supplied the rebels with technology?”

“Nothing,” Jil’ana frowned. “I’ve gone through our databases and can’t find anything about a race that even comes close to our tech or Raythian tech. That worries me.”

“Keep our ships searching. We’ll find something.”

“What if it’s too late?”

“Too late for what, Jil’ana?”

“We know they’re targeting Rayth, and we assume Zy’nayth specifically. What if they do accomplish their goal? If they have advanced tech, there’s nothing in the way…nothing to stop them from taking over the galaxy. Zy’nayth is the only one with warships capable of handling something like that. We don’t have a fleet like his, and no offense to either of you, we don’t have the experience the Rayth do when it comes to warfare…”

“Perhaps not the actual experience,” Karken’al raised his hand to cut off Jil’ana’s remark, “but our meager fleet is always running simulations.”

“The simulations are helpful, but everyone knows they’re just simulations. It’s a whole different situation when you know a mistake can actually get you killed.” Jil’ana sighed. “I’m overreacting. I know. But there’s something gnawing at me. I know Andromeda is huge and we’ve only covered part of it, but in all of the millennia we’ve been exploring this galaxy, I can’t believe we wouldn’t have picked up another race even remotely close to our tech. We just wouldn’t miss it.”

“Perhaps the race isn’t from Andromeda,” Tel’lok said. “Besides the Milky Way, we haven’t extended very far into other galaxies.”

“It has to be someone from Andromeda,” Jil’ana said.

“Why?”

“Because they’re going after their biggest threat: Zy’nayth.”

“Rayth in general,” Karken’al interjected. “We assume Zy’nayth is a main target, they could have simply assumed he was the biggest threat and followed his movements since he’s the leader of the Raythian Empire. And just because they appear to be targeting Rayth, that doesn’t mean they’re from Andromeda.”

“But Zy’nayth is the biggest threat,” Jil’ana persisted. “We’re pretty sure he’s their main target.”

“Pretty sure?” Karken’al raised an eyebrow at his Chief Science Officer. “First, we know he is the main target of the rebels, but we don’t know that he’s the main target for this mysterious race. Second, they could have spent years scanning Andromeda, determined the Raythian race was potentially their most threatening rival, and have kept an eye on them. Through their surveillance, they found that Zy’nayth was in charge of the Raythian Army, then became High Chancellor. Now, if they are a hostile race, they would naturally want to take out the leader of the Empire hoping the rest fall in line.” Karken’al stood and looked out at the stars. His ship had moved further from their homeworld and with each lightyear, the field before him changed. He loved exploring. After a pause to enjoy the view, he turned back to Tel’lok and Jil’ana. “They may know nothing about who he is or where he came from. They may not know about his abilities. They probably don’t know anything more than he is a leader of the largest empire in this galaxy. Whoever this is doesn’t have to be from this galaxy to figure out who the biggest potential threat is.”

“Zy’nayth is always a threat. He’s the main reason we’re in hiding,” Tel’lok said. “If he gets the urge to expand his empire, we could be in serious trouble.”

“We know the Rayth. They explore but they haven’t made an aggressive move to push the boundaries of their Empire for quite some time. If they did decide to broaden their horizons, they probably would settle uninhabited worlds. They still need humans in order to survive,” Karken’al said.

“They might go to the Milky Way,” Jil’ana said, “Earth gives them plenty of energy.”

“And yet Zy’nayth protected Earth,” Karken’al said.

“No. Zy’nayth protected his wife and kids,” Jil’ana said. “To him, Earth is just a big gathering ground for food. If anything, he was protecting that resource. If the rebels killed everyone on Earth, they’d not have any food in that system.”

“If Zy’nayth wished to expand to that system, he would have done so before now,” Karken’al said. “Once he learned of this Expedition: Andromeda team—of their home of origin—it would have only taken one order and his fleet would be on their way to set up a base. Instead, he kept Earth a secret until recently. He has no intention of ruling that world. He doesn’t rule any human world. He just gathers his food from them.”

“So you’re sure this other race is a threat to all of Andromeda?” Tel’lok asked getting back to the topic of the unknown race.

“Certain, no. Let me put it to you this way. If the Prime Minister said he wanted us to start taking over the galaxy, I would scout around and see who would rise up against us. Who’s the strongest in number, technology, knowledge? Who could potentially defeat us? There’s only one race, of which we are aware, in this galaxy that could do so. Rayth. If these unknown beings can get through our scans undetected, we have to assume they can see our cloaking devices, which means they know we’re here. But they didn’t come after us. They went after Rayth.”

“We’ve been able to hide well enough. And they may not see us as a threat since we don’t have an expansive military,” Jil’ana said. “They may not be able to detect our cloaks and if they did, like you said, we don’t have the forces to fight them. They’d leave us alone.”

“Would they? It’s wrong to assume that as much as it’s wrong to assume Zy’nayth isn’t a threat because he found the serum. We are a scientifically and technologically advanced race. Even more so than Rayth. Knowledge is always a threat to those wanting to dominate others.” He sat back down at his mahogany desk which sat in contrast to the sleek glass design of the rest of the ship. “We need to start preparations. I cannot assume this race would leave us alone. Therefore, Jil’ana, make sure that all vessels have our most advanced shielding in place and that their engines are up to date. Those with older engines, I want replaced with new ones. Obviously, I want all planet-side shields and cloaking devices checked and double checked. Enhanced, if that’s possible…if we’ve made more advancements in that area.”

“Funding will be an issue for the ships,” Jil’ana said, “especially when we get into engine replacement.”

“Do what you can within budget. Give me a list of what is left lacking. I’ll figure out how to get the funding.”

“What about weapons? The only thing that would save us from a Rayth attack are our shields and engines. Our weapons are nothing,” Tel’lok said.

Karken’al nodded in agreement. “I know we have ships that need upgraded shields. We’ll start there. We saw from those images from Earth that our old shields held very well against this unknown technology. Let’s keep it that way. Reinforce our strong points. Cloaking and shielding first, then weapons.”

“Got it,” Jil’ana said. “I can use the ruse that due to this latest rebel attack on the Raythian Empire, we want to bump up our security measures in case Zy’nayth starts looking more intently at areas he normally doesn’t send his fleet. We have to stay hidden.”

“Good,” Karken’al said. “One last thing.” He paused for some time, still debating whether or not to even discuss it. At least this early. Finally, he made his decision. “I don’t like this new race. There’s something very, very wrong happening. I have no proof, no evidence, nothing of that sort. This is just instinct. We may have to call on Zy’nayth’s help.”

“What? You mean approach the very threat we’re already hiding from?” Jil’ana asked, shocked.

“Not yet. I want you to monitor the Expedition closely, especially once they’re back in Andromeda. I want to…I want a way to meet Zy’nayth on friendly terms. As friendly as possible given the relationship between our two peoples. I’m not saying I’d trust him, and he certainly has no cause to trust us, but if this new race is a threat to all of the people of Andromeda, I want to have Zy’nayth on our side.”

“Sir, with all due respect, I know without a doubt that the Prime Minister would never, ever go that route,” Tel’lok shook his head as he stood. “No. He wouldn’t even consider it. You even hint at going to Zy’nayth, he’ll…”

“He’s stuck in the past and he’s a politician. I, however, am hoping that as one warrior to another, I can talk with Zy’nayth.”

“Or he’d kill you in a flash,” Jil’ana frowned. “You know…once we reveal…you can’t. It’s too risky.”

“And if this unknown race is hostile, Zy’nayth may be our only chance of surviving. Zy’nayth is intelligent and will see that an alliance between us would give both of our races a better chance of keeping this galaxy out of the hands of some sort of tyrannical overlord.”

“Tyrannical overlord? That’s a huge leap,” Jil’ana said. “They might just want to get rid of Rayth. They could be a race of humans nearly wiped out by Rayth and are seeking vengeance…not some tyranny about to befall Andromeda.”

“Perhaps. But I don’t think so. And from our discussions, neither do you, not really. In any case, your orders are to watch over the Expedition. If we can help them in some way once they return here, I may take that chance and initiate a relationship with the Rayth via these earthlings.”

“The PM will fire you,” Tel’lok said.

“Most likely. But if I’m right, it may save our people.”