E:A Vol 7 Ch 1—December 28, 2120

December 28, 2120

The city-ship touched down on Terra 2 without a flinch. It was a smooth landing. The Raythian Third Commander congratulated Col. John Hagen. John let out a breath he’d held for the last two minutes. After two and a half months spent on Earth following a Rayth rebel attack, led by High Chancellor Zy’nayth’s brother, Koh’vash, the Expedition: Andromeda team was back home. The rebel attack was carried out simultaneously on the Raythian homeworld of Kiva, Terra 2, and on Earth.

The High Chancellor’s fleet handled the attackers in the Andromeda galaxy, but Earth had nothing that could fight off such an attack; they couldn’t even land on the moon on a regular basis without incident. Zy’nayth made sure the rebel ships, equipped with unknown technology, were no longer a threat to his homeworld then commandeered the Expedition: Andromeda’s ship, the fastest ship he could get his hands on, and flew to Earth to do battle.

The ship, a city built by the ancient Mythican race, was normally perched on the gulf of the planet Terra 2, so named by the team from Earth. The Mythican technology, ten thousand years ago, when the city-ship was abandoned, was still more advanced than that of today’s Rayth, at least when it came to spaceship propulsion and shields. Zy’nayth used that propulsion to get him to Earth faster than even his flagship could.

The city-ship sustained substantial damage in the battle to save Earth due to the fact that Zy’nayth diverted most of the power to weapons, retracting several of the shield layers. He relied heavily on his quick reflexes to maneuver the ship out of danger. Essential areas, such as the engines, were kept fully shielded, but the residential areas had only the one or two layers of shielding that didn’t do much more than protect them from the vacuum of space. The crew had already been evacuated to a jet bay on the Raythian flagship which was hiding, waiting for their move.

After Zy’nayth rescued his family and extended family from the rebels, and dealt with their ships, the Expedition: Andromeda crew of 5,000 were bridged down from the Raythian flagship to live on Dr. Victoria Carson’s ten-acre estate in Montana. Two and a half months later, the major repairs to the city-ship were done, and the residential floors were again inhabitable. A Christmas present that Vince, John, and the command crew worked hard to have ready.

On December 23, 2120 Zy’nayth’s Third Commander took control of the city-ship and began heading back to the Andromeda galaxy at a slow pace. Since an engine mount had been replaced and since the Raythian flagship was remaining at Earth for the time being, the Third played it safe, not pushing the engines until they were in Andromeda where Raythian ships could come to the rescue if needed.

Now the city-ship was resting back on the gulf on Terra 2. John’s hands firmly on the grips of the command chair in the center of the Control Room. He checked the heads-up display, relaxed his grip, and rubbed the chair’s arms which also held the holographic controls. “Good to be home,” he said, finally getting out of the upright chair which always reminding him of a dentist’s chair. “Third, she’s yours. I know the High Chancellor wants tests run.”

The Third Commander began giving orders to the Rayth scientists. General Vince Cavanaugh made a short speech over the ship-wide communications system. People would not be able to go to the Terra 2 mainland unless they were on the cleanup crew. Boats still needed to replaced, not to mention the elevator paths and hallways to the dock needing cleared. It wasn’t a priority since they only needed the cleanup crews for the Botany and Agriculture departments, as well as those who worked the small farm. The bridge portal was working on the mainland, so that, as well as the shuttles, would provide transportation.

“Remember that there will be limited times you can bridge to and from Earth. Dr. Carson will be having guests that do not know about her portal and we need to keep it that way. If the guests ask how you got there, you are to say you bridged to the Raythian flagship and teleported down. You know the drill. Command is being turned back over to the Rayth so that we can relax a bit, a vacation well-earned and fought for. All of you have gone above and beyond the call. I cannot thank you enough for your service and dedication to this expedition. We’ve paid a heavy price and I appreciate your willingness to stick with us. Enjoy this time off.” He turned off the comm-system and looked at the Third Commander. “She’s all yours. If you need me, call. John, you ready?”

“Yup,” John said, “unless they need me for anything.”

The Third Commander shook his head. “Go.”

Back on Earth, Dr. Victoria Carson was monitoring First Science Commander Ja’val, who’d been given the serum that would reactivate the Rayth digestive system, allowing them to eat food instead of feeding off the energy of humans. Even though the serum required a simple series of injections, calculated for each Rayth based on numerous variables, the side effects were debilitating. Extreme nausea, vomiting, migraine, dizziness, were just a few of the common symptoms. Ja’val was dealing with all of them and then some. Having been instrumental in discovering the serum, along with Victoria’s boss, Chief Medical Officer, Becket McKenna, and what little she felt she contributed, Ja’val knew exactly what to expect.

While the 5,000 survivors of the attack stayed on her estate, those who couldn’t help with ship repairs or cleanup at Central Command in Colorado, offered to help finish building the suite over her garage. When that was done, they put of the framework for the new edition that Zy’nayth was going to tend to the following spring. They did it, in part, to keep themselves busy as the weather got colder, but also to repay Zy’nayth, who was also Victoria’s husband, for saving them and Earth.

Now it was just Victoria, Zy’nayth and their extended family at her estate to have some sort of a Christmas and New Year’s celebration. Dr. Becket McKenna had just married Amelia Bennett that morning and were honeymooning in Zy’nayth’s island home on Kiva, so they were the only ones absent. Amelia’s parents, Pastor Jacob Bennett, and Julia were splitting time between Earth and the city-ship.

The new living room, which still needed to be painted, trimmed, and furnished, provided a large space for Ky’nayth, Victoria and Zy’nayth’s son, to play with his new train set he’d received for Christmas. The open space not only allowed room for a larger track, but it also provided enough room for the family to gather and a place for a pen for the seven new puppies. The seven older dogs still wanted to chase after the train or steal the little trees and houses, but Ky’nayth’s twin sister, Mik’kenna, managed to keep them from doing so. If her cute little, non-intimidating words didn’t work to keep them at bay, Zy’nayth’s naturally-authoritarian voice command would. But the dogs were easily distracted when toys or tummy rubs were involved.

Second Science Commander, Gno’toz, Ja’val’s second in command, left for the city-ship to run tests on the ship to make sure that she didn’t suffer any damage during the trip from Earth. He and another Science Commander split time watching over Ja’val. There would always be at least one Rayth Science Commander there to watch over their boss, at least for the first couple of days. So when he left, Victoria returned to her study where Ja’val, his wife, Lutia, and five-month-old son, Kel’lan were. Kel’lan was curled up on his mother’s lap, sound asleep. Lutia, a nurse, and kept a close eye on the monitors hooked up to her husband. Janice, the E:A head nurse, was also there, reading, looking up after every other paragraph to check the monitors.

Victoria wheeled in a walker and put it in the far corner. “They just landed,” she said. “So far, so good. Ja’val, I know you probably don’t want to think about moving, but if you have to get up to go to the bathroom or look out of the window, use the walker. Make sure someone is walking with you.” She turned to the Science Commander who walked in, replacing the Second Science Commander, “Make sure he doesn’t try to walk without help.”

Ja’val nodded. “I know, Victoria. I know.”

“I know you know, but I’m reminding you,” she grinned.

“You’re to be with the kids,” Janice said. “We’ve got this.”

“I just wanted to let you know the ship landed and I wanted to make sure the walker was in here. I kept forgetting to get it out of the closet.”

“Then your job is done,” Janice smiled. “Go play with the kids and the pups.”

Victoria nodded as she turned to Lutia, “Want me to take Kel?”

“No, he’s fine.”

“Tell the kids, sorry I’m missing the fun,” Ja’val said then clamped his mouth shut, fearing he was going to throw up again.

“I will. You just try to rest.” Victoria returned to the new living room where five-month-old Maressa was crawling around near the sizable pen set up for the puppies. She’d plop down and clap at them, then go back to crawling and exploring. Maressa was the daughter of Lt. Col. Chris Chapman and his wife, one of E:A’s botanists, Alessa. Chris’s father, David, stayed near the baby girl, keeping an eye on his beloved granddaughter.

Raythian Vice Chancellor Ny’van was sitting on the floor beside his superior, High Chancellor, Zy’nayth. They were helping Ky’nayth design the train track. Mik’kenna was busy setting up the little towns with help from First Commander Kol’non and his wife, Be’atta. Kaven split his time between helping the twins, taking the dogs out to do their “business,” and offering to bring in drinks and snacks for those who got hungry.

The warrior nearly ran over Victoria as she walked into the room. “Sorry,” he said, “how’s Ja’val?”

“Sick. I hate seeing everyone go through this,” she sighed, “but he’ll get through it.”

“Going to fetch some soup for Julia and Jacob. Want anything?”

“Thanks, no,” she said and settled on the floor next to her husband. The leader of the Rayth was also their fiercest warrior. Genetically engineered to be the ultimate warrior, he was stronger, faster, and had abilities so heightened, honed, and sharpened that no other Rayth came close to matching them. He was feared and revered—a true living legend and still at the top of his game, even after ten thousand years.

“You’ve change it,” Victoria said to her son as she rested her head on Zy’nayth’s shoulder.

“We make more curves and split line,” Ky’nayth pointed to the changed areas. He and his sister, were just over three years old but due to their father’s enhanced abilities which passed on to them, they were more intelligent than even most adult humans. Though they had high intelligence, they were still very much kids. They loved to play and romp and go on adventures. Most of all, they loved their dogs, Baxter and Celeste who were currently settled in front of the massive fireplace. The dogs had been with them for a year. They and their five siblings had been abandoned near Victoria’s estate. During a bad storm, the pups had seen the light from the house on the patio and tried to get in, whimpering, shivering, starving.

With Vince’s permission to allow dogs on the city-ship, and with her husband’s permission to allow them in their Raythian abodes, the dogs were kept. The twins each getting their own dogs, and five members of their extended family each getting one. Then for this Christmas, Vince procured seven more pups for the rest of their family. The house seemed to be filled with the constant sound of tiny nails clipping and clacking on the hardwood floors.

“Sissy, I gonna try new track. Watch for puppies. I no want them to eat train.” Ky’nayth grabbed the controller. “Tell me when ready.”

Mik’kenna flipped her long white hair over her shoulder as she stood. All Rayth, with very few exceptions, had white hair, usually straight and at least shoulder length, ending in a sharp, straight edge as if cut and trimmed every day. Another common trait was blue eyes. Zy’nayth differed on both traits. His hair, though white and fell between his shoulder blades almost to a point, was jagged, almost disheveled, scraggly. His eyes were a piercing silver.

“Kay, Bubby, I ready. I no think they bother train, though.”

“Hang on,” Chris said, “let me get in with the pups, try to keep them from barking. Don’t want to bother Ja’val if we can help it.”

Vince and John walked in with Kaven who had a tray with three bowls of soup on it. “Oh, we about to try the new layout?” the warrior asked.

“Yeah.”

“One of you help me with the pups. Try and keep them quiet,” Chris pointed to Vince and John.

“I will,” Vince climbed into the pen, sat down and began playing with the pups. “And, Zy, thanks again for your crew. When I looked out of my office window and saw the scars left from the attack…I knew it was going to be hard for people to see. Especially those who haven’t been on the Terra 2 cleanup crews. It’s disheartening.”

“Perhaps I should return,” Pastor Jacob readied a spoonful of soup.

“No. They know how to get in touch with you if they need you. Jennifer,” he said, speaking of the staff psychiatrist, “won’t hesitate to call you if she gets swamped.”

“I’ll probably check in nonetheless,” he replied. “Leave a note on my door or something to let people know they can call me.”

“Pastor, I think they know,” Vince began playing with the puppies as Ky’nayth started up his train and sent it around the track.

The older dogs scampered over, sniffing but Mik’kenna told them not to take anything. “That not toy for you,” she told them, not exactly the most intimidating guard.

“Scout, come,” John said, calling his dog to him and giving her a hug. “You’re such a good girl!” he said, scratching her behind her ears, “yes you are.” Seeing the attention Scout was getting, Montana, Hero, Shadow, Storm, Baxter, and Celeste went over the colonel wanting in on the action. “Victoria, anything we can help with? I know you have your hands full with Ja’val, but if we can help with meals, well, I make a mean omelet and can grill a steak.”

“I doubt the grill will be used the rest of our time here,” Zy’nayth said, “there is nearly three feet of snow on the ground and it is still coming down.”

“No kidding?” John said, gently pushing the dogs aside and going over to the window. “We were only gone an hour. A foot in an hour? Wow. Victoria, your roof gonna hold?”

“It will,” Zy’nayth stated, “the flagship has already scanned it to make sure.”

“I have a little area shoveled from the garage to the yard,” Kaven said, “for the dogs to use. Got a little trashcan there for their…you know.”

“Poo,” Mik’kenna said, going back down on her knees and moving one of the little wooden trees to a seemingly better location. “Puppy poo.”

“Janice has roasts in the oven to make broth for Ja’val. I’ll probably use the meat and make beef and noodles or we can just use it for sandwiches,” Victoria said. “With two Rayth Science Commanders taking shifts, not to mention my hubby being here, I’m not too worried about Ja’val. I can handle the cooking.”

“I’ll still make omelets in the morning. Least I can do.”

“You don’t…” Victoria sighed and shook her head, knowing the argument was pointless, “thanks, John. I do appreciate it.”

“We have leftover ham, right?”

“Yup,” she said.

“Good. I’ll use that up,” he rubbed his hands together. “I can taste the deliciousness now. No one eat any of that leftover ham!”

“Have you guys figured out…” Victoria stopped when she caught sight of Lutia. She got to her feet and hurried to the door, “what’s wrong?”

“He’s getting worse. Be’atta, can you take Kel’lan?”

Be’atta reached out, taking the boy from her friend as Victoria and Zy’nayth went to the study to see what was wrong with the First Commander. Janice was checking vitals manually, making sure the monitors weren’t giving incorrect readings.

Victoria checked the readings, “What’s going on? What are you feeling?” she asked Ja’val.

“Racing heart. Chest pain.”

“Manual check, monitors are correct,” Janice said, slipping her stethoscope around her neck.

Zy’nayth’s hand settled on his friend’s chest. Rayth, even those who had taken the serum, could still drain energy from humans, but in this case, he was using his own energy to look for problems in his friend’s body, and perhaps heal it.

“Don’t use your energy to heal,” Victoria reminded him, assessing what the monitors were telling her. “Panic attack.”

“I’m not ready to die,” Ja’val said. “Just had my son. Can’t…”

Sweat beads formed on his forehead but his temperature hadn’t risen. “Chancellor, see anything?” she asked. Since the Rayth Science Commander was present, only Zy’nayth’s title was used. Rayth, as a rule, didn’t give out their names, only their titles. Sometimes Rayth who had worked together for centuries didn’t know their co-worker’s name.

“I see nothing wrong,” Zy’nayth said, “and the Science Commander knows our names.”

“Pretty sure it’s just a panic attack. Get Second here,” she tapped through notes on her tablet to confirm this was a normal response for some Rayth. Zy’nayth didn’t have them, neither did First Commander Kol’non, but there were reports from the mass distribution on Tarnia, the first planet to which the serum was offered, of Rayth having them. “Janice, look for panic attacks,” she handed the tablet to her then got her medical kit and pulled out four different bottles of pills.

“Yes, panic attacks, about one in five had them,” Janice read off the notes. “Recommended not to use medications more than twice. Lowest dose Xanax did the best. Point one two five.”

Victoria double checked the bottle and handed it to Janice. “Confirm .125 Xanax.”

Janice checked the label, then the pill itself. “Xanax, .125. Will that even have an effect? Never seen such a low dose.”

Victoria took one pill and handed it to Ja’val. “Don’t take until Second gets here.”

“I’m here,” the Second Science Commander said running into the room. Victoria gave him the synopsis.

“Yes, saw many of them on Tarnia. Point one two five Xanax was standard medication. Can give a second dose if the first doesn’t work. But no more. We waited thirty minutes between doses.”

“Okay, Ja’val, go ahead,” she said.

“It won’t work. I’m going to die. The serum…it’s a reaction. My brain is…it knows I’m going to die. My heart is beating too fast. I’m going to die.”

Lutia took the pill and shoved it in her husband’s mouth and tipped a glass of water to his lips. He swallowed. “You are not going to die. You’ve seen men and women go through this. It’s a panic attack. Your mind thinks the worst.”

“The pill’s not working!” he said a minute later. “I’m dying. Sweaty, shaking,” he held up his trembling hands, “nausea, heart is beating way too fast. Dizzy. I’m going to black out.”

“You just took the pill; it needs time to work,” Victoria said. “Deep breaths, slowly inhale, follow your wife.”

“I can’t, I can’t. Get my son. I want to see him one last time.”

“First Science Commander,” Zy’nayth’s voice boomed, “you are not going to die.”

“You don’t know that!”

“Honey, breathe with me,” Lutia gripped his hand. “Look at me.”

Victoria looked at Second Science, “I assume the one dose is somehow related as to why Rayth don’t drink alcohol. Don’t want to mess up the brain.”

“Among other things, yes.”

Jacob stuck his head in the door, having heard Zy’nayth’s admonition. “Can I help?”

“Panic attack. Perhaps pray with him,” Victoria suggested.

“Happy to,” Jacob said and went to the far side of the bed, Bible in hand, and began to pray, reading through a couple of psalms. Within twenty minutes, Ja’val was calm, drowsy, and was soon asleep. Victoria noted the changes in his chart, having Janice and Second Science sign off on the areas they were involved with.

Victoria turned to Lutia, “You okay?”

“Yeah. I hear Kel’lan though.”

“Probably wants to be with you and Daddy. Go see him.”

“I don’t want to leave…”

“I will get him to settle or would you like me to bring him here?”

“Just settle him. I don’t want him waking Daddy.”

Zy’nayth walked back to the living room where Be’atta was pacing, trying to calm the crying boy. Everyone was attempting to soothe the little guy, making faces, goofy sounds, whatever they could think of. Zy’nayth took Kel’lan, holding him under his little arms and drew him to his face, kissing his nose.

“Your father is all right. No need to cry, Kel’lan.”

Kel’lan’s uncoordinated hands pushed against Zy’nayth’s face, then he clapped.

“He understood you!” Be’atta said.

“I doubt that. I think he just sensed the panic in this room and needed a strong, reassuring force.”

“Hey, I’m a strong, reassuring force,” Kaven grinned.

“A strong, reassuring force with white hair,” Zy’nayth added. “It is the hair that helps.”

Ny’van as well as Kol’non each raised an eyebrow. “And we’re not?”

Zy’nayth returned the look, then added, “With silver eyes. Kel’lan, perhaps you should play with Maressa and the dogs. They enjoy wrestling. I need your father to rest right now. Would that be all right?”

“Da!”

“He is resting.”

Kel’lan clapped. Zy’nayth assumed that meant it was safe to set the boy on the floor. Maressa had moved over towards the fireplace and had curled up with Storm, Chris and Alessa’s dog. She was taking a nap, oblivious to Kel’lan’s cries. Zy’nayth set the boy down next to her. Kel’lan sat up and held out his hands. Hero, Kaven’s dog ran over, assuming it was time for more tummy rubs. Kel’lan giggled as Hero licked his cheek. All the dogs that had just been interested in the train were now around the two little five-month-olds, getting more attention.

“I’ll let Lutia know he’s all right,” Be’atta walked by Zy’nayth, putting a hand on his arm. “Thanks, Big Guy.”

Victoria walked into the parlor outside of the study and looked at the snow drifts piling up against the patio door. “We’re not going to be going out that door any time soon,” she said to the Second Science Commander. “You can return to whatever it was you were doing. I just needed confirmation on the panic attack and how you had treated it in the past. I’ll sit here and read up on more of the less common side effects. His problem is that he knows too much,” she thumbed behind her to Ja’val, “and is expecting everything to happen.”

“Indeed. I may switch up my schedule with the other Science Commander. I would prefer to be here during the overnight shift so that you and Science can sleep easier.”

“I’m not worried about him, I’m worried I’ll do something wrong.”

“Becket and First Science have the utmost confidence in your abilities. Besides, you got the High Chancellor through it.”

“No, that wasn’t me. That was First Science and Becket. I just kept my husband from doing anything stupid.”

“Which is half the battle,” he smiled. “I will return at 10:00 this evening, your time. But if you need my assistance at any time, call.”

“I will. Thanks.”

Victoria went back into the study and curled up in the window bench. “Janice, you don’t have to stay. I want to memorize this stuff, so I’ll be here.”

“You know that stuff,” Janice said, “you’re being overly concerned.”

“I am, yes. I haven’t been as involved with this serum distribution as everyone seems to think I have been and here I am watching over not only a dear friend, but the highest ranking Science Commander in the Empire. I need to be more on top of things.”

“It’s also the holidays and you have two little three-year-olds who would rather have their Mommy around.” Janice put a hand on Victoria’s shoulder. “He’s going to be out at least an hour. Spend it with the kids, then when he wakes up, I’ll get you. If anything, read that while being in with the kids.”

Victoria relented. She did want to be with her kids. “Okay, but call me if…”

“Yes, Doctor. Go.”

Victoria returned to the living room where her husband was once again helping the twins with modifications of the train and village designs.

“How’s Uncle Ja’val?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Sleeping. I see you’re adding a hill.”

“Uncle Vince had idea to use foldy towel as hill. I just got wash face towel for first try. It not very big hill.”

“But you are still learning what your train can do, so it’s best to start out small, right?”

“Dat what Uncle John say.”

“Bubby,” Mik’kenna said, “I think maybe I make forest ‘round hill. You think dat ‘kay? We has ‘nough tree pieces left.”

“I think that good idea. Did you find the water thing?”

“Oh, yeah. It not real water. Just painted wood. Maybe I put lake by hill with forest ‘round it.”

“Dat what I thinking.” The boy connected the last of the new rail design together then looked at his father. “Is there way to make real water lake?”

“Not on your mother’s new floor,” Zy’nayth grinned as his wife sat next to him and began going through notes from the Tarnian serum distribution.

“I mean container or something that flat and we put water in it so more real like.”

“If, after the holidays and you get settled in your new chambers on the city-ship,” Vince said, “and you still like the train set. I can show you some very intricate sets. Some where the buildings and landscape is made by hand. No real water, but what is done is pretty convincing.”

“I saw some of those videos as I was looking at ideas for Ky’nayth,” Zy’nayth said. “We could show him some now, to see if it inspires him. Or perhaps Mik’kenna should see it too, since there would be a lot of design involved and I know that is her area of expertise.”

Mik’kenna beamed, “I try. I only three, so I no know much yet. Bubby, you look while I make lake and forest.”

Zy’nayth got out his tablet and Vince left the puppy cage to help the High Chancellor find what Vince had in mind.

“I need to stretch my legs,” Chris said after a while. “Probably should take the dogs and pups out.”

“I’ll help,” Kaven got to his feet. “Outside?” he said in a tone that all of the dogs recognized to mean they were going out of the house. Chris opened the gate of the dog pen and the puppies scampered out, nudged away from the train by Kaven and John’s feet. The older dogs also helped to corral the pups towards the door that led to the garage.

When Kaven and Chris returned, both were shivering. “Cold out there. Icy too,” Chris said. “Hey if the president’s still planning on coming at the end of the week, we should make sure the driveway is plowed.”

“Nothing we have to worry about tonight,” John pulled out his tablet and checked the forecast. “Looks like this will start easing up overnight. You have a plow for that tractor of yours?” He looked at Victoria.

“Yup. It was in the barn, I don’t know where it got moved to when my husband took the place over,” she grinned into Zy’nayth’s silver eyes.

“It is in the storage shed now.”

“Can I drive?” Ky’nayth popped up. “I be careful.”

“We will not be dealing with it tonight. When the time comes, you can drive, but you will be sitting on one of our laps. Okay?”

“Thank you!”

The new train design was tested and refined. Mik’kenna enjoyed her job as landscaper, being meticulous in her work. Arranging, standing back and analyzing, then rearranging.

“I’d better start dinner,” Victoria said an hour later. “I know we have roasts in the oven. Would you want sandwiches or beef and noodles? I don’t think Janice started any sides, we just wanted to make some broth for Ja’val when he’s ready to start on food.”

“If you need the broth, let’s just do sandwiches,” Julia said. “If you’re going to start getting things ready, I’ll come help.”

“No, you stay put…unless you want to help,” John laughed, “I promised to help in the kitchen.”

“Let’s see what Janice has going on in there,” Victoria said. “Everyone’s welcome to help.” She glanced at her watch, “Kind of surprised Ja’val’s still asleep.”

“I’ll check in on him and let you know,” Ny’van said.

“I’ll stay with the kids and dogs, but if you need a hand in the kitchen, you know I’m willing and able,” David said.

Victoria, John, and Julia went to the kitchen. Janice had six roasts crammed into three ovens. On one stove were two large soup pots filled with peeled potatoes.

“Looks like she was planning on a roast dinner,” Victoria said, pulling a roasting pan out of the first oven. John ran over and did it for her, then pulled off the lid. “Oh no. Onion,” Victoria sighed.

“Onion is good,” John said.

“Supposed to be bland for Ja’val.”

“Let’s check the others,” John said. “Janice knows better.” He pulled out the other roasting pans. No onions. Only the roasts in the first two ovens had all of the trimmings. “Yeah, this one is for Ja’val.”

“I should have known. Janice is always on the mark. Well, what do you guys want to do? We have plenty of meat for a dinner. I can use the broth to make beef and noodles afterwards. Or you think sandwiches are fine?”

“I still say we do sandwiches not a meal,” Julia said. “The kids are enjoying the train and they’ll want to play board games, I’m sure, before long. Sandwiches we can fix and take back. And,” she pointed to the pots of potatoes, “those can be turned into fries easily enough. Then I can help make up the beef and noodles with the leftover meat.”

“Okay, John, let’s make a spot for the roasts to sit,” Victoria grabbed a couple of platters and set them on the counter by the sink. “If you could move the roasts, all of them, onto those platters, that would be great. I’ll start cutting the potatoes for fries.”

“I have a couple of sauces I make for roast beef sandwiches. I could mix those up if you have a stand mixer. My hands are a little bothered by the cold weather today.”

“I can stir,” John said. “It’ll only take me a minute to get these roasts out.”

“This is a good idea. Less fuss.”

“You do too much for everyone with the big meals,” Julia said. “I know, I know, you love to cook, but it’s too much with as many of us here as there are.”

Ky’nayth came running in, “Mommy, want more help?”

“Honey, I think we have things under control. We’re not going to do anything fancy. You can go back and play.”

“Kay. Daddy say he going to set up card tables in new dining room for dinner table and games. If that ‘kay.”

“That’s fine,” Victoria said. “Honey, could you do me a favor and ask Lutia and Janice if they want a sandwich when I get them ready.”

“Kay,” the boy ran off.

“Do you have bread?” Julia asked.

“Umm,” Victoria went to the pantry, “yup, plenty. Tomorrow looks like a bread baking day though.”

“We could just go to a store,” John said.

“Dough is mixed and in the freezer. I just need to remember to get it out to proof overnight.”

“When did you have time to do that?” Julia asked.

“I mixed up a little here and there while on the flagship and froze it. Zy loves fresh bread. So do I, actually. I try to keep the freezer stocked…and knowing our holiday was coming up, the kids and I made a ton of dough up.”

“You have to admit, she’s organized,” John said.

“Not always,” Victoria smiled.

“Dey say dey take sammiches when ready,” Ky’nayth ran in. “And thank you.”

The rest of the late afternoon was quiet. When Ja’val woke he was feeling better and was much calmer. “You know,” Victoria said to him, “I think that was more nerves than a side effect of the serum. You just worked yourself up because you knew every side effect, you’d watched two of your closest friends go through it, on top of half the population of Tarnia, and so, your mind worked up all of these worst-case scenarios.”

“I think you’re right. I know better.”

“Well, this is a life-changing event,” she replied. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“I’d be willing to try some broth,” he said, the aroma of the roast and fresh baked bread still wafting through the house.

“I’ll get him a cup,” Lutia smiled, thankful that her husband was looking and feeling better.

“A half of a cup,” Victoria said. “There’s a container in the fridge with his name on it. That’s the bland broth.”

“Be right back, honey,” she kissed Ja’val’s nose.

“Shouldn’t you be with your kids?” Ja’val asked as his wife left.

“I was with them while you slept. Janice and your Science Commander kicked me out.”

“As they should,” Ja’val managed a smile.

“When Second Science gets here, I’m going to head back. It’s getting late and I want to snuggle in bed with my babies and my hubby and sleep.”

Lutia walked in with a coffee cup, only half full of beef broth. Ja’val was able to sit up and he took the cup from his wife. “This isn’t much.”

“We start slow, First Science Commander, or have you forgotten?” Victoria smiled.

He took a sip and wrinkled his nose. “Very bland.”

“Well, if we put garlic and onion in it, you’d probably get sick.”

“I know. It just smells so good.”

“That’s most likely from the other roasts that were seasoned.” Victoria looked up as the Second Science Commander walked in. He nodded to the other Science Commander, went over a few things with him, then sent him back to the flagship.

“This is his first sample of food,” Victoria said to the Second as she noted it on Ja’val’s chart. “Should only be about a half cup of broth. Once he’s finished it, if he wants more, wait at least an hour. We want to make sure the food stays down. I’ll switch out the IV bags in a second. Other than that, he should be fine for the night.”

“Has he tried to walk or anything yet?”

“Yup. Twice to the bathroom. He needs support besides just the walker. The other Science Commander helped him. Lutia’s strong, but if he starts to fall, he’ll need you to stop him. That’s it.”

“Very well. If you do not mind, I wish to update your husband and the general on a few things before I start my shift in here. It will not take more than ten minutes.”

“No problem. I’ll get the IVs swapped out. The men are either in the new living room or the new dining room.”

Second Science Commander Gno’toz found Zy’nayth in the new living room. “All scans showed the ship did not sustain damage on the trip to Terra 2. Other than what we knew was damaged, everything is running as it should.”

“Good. And that blip?”

“Nothing showing on the scans from the city-ship; Third Commander has two stations scanning the skies at all times. The Second Ship is scouting the area. If was a rebel ship, we would have seen it by now.”

“Unless it has a cloak we cannot detect,” Zy’nayth said as Kel’lan came crawling out into the hallway where the two Rayth were talking. He stopped at Zy’nayth’s foot and grabbed the warrior’s pantleg. Zy’nayth bent down and lifted the boy up into his arms, propping him on one hip. “Thank you. We will be retiring for the evening after I take this little one to see his father and mother. If you need me, do not hesitate to wake me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Zy’nayth looked back into the living room. “First, I want another warship orbiting Terra 2. Second Ship is scouting the sector, and I know we already have one warship there, but I want another.”

“Understood,” Kol’non said. “Anything up?”

“Could still just be a blip, but I do not want to risk being unprepared if it is something more.”

“Blip!” Mik’kenna giggled, “Blip! Blip! Blip!”

“I believe my beautiful daughter is in need of sleep,” he smiled. “Come say goodnight to your aunt and uncle. We should also pray with them.”

“Da!” Kel’lan’s little hand slapped Zy’nayth’s broad chest. “Da! Ma!”

“Yes, Kel’lan, we are headed that way.”

“You know, most people who slap the Big Guy probably wouldn’t be alive a second after the incident,” Chris said. “Kel has him wrapped around his little finger.”

***

General Karken’al Dubasi had finished his announcement. After speeding across the galaxy to watch the city-ship return to Terra 2, he finally let his crew know what they were doing. Outside of his First Officer, Tel’lok, and his Chief Science Officer, Jil’ana, no one on board knew of their mission. High Chancellor Zy’nayth was, for all intents and purposes, an enemy of Karken’al’s people. Karken’al was the highest-ranking military leader of his people with a lot of pull with the Leadership Council, but he was not the Prime Minister, whose word was, more or less, law. And the Prime Minister, if he could get to Zy’nayth, would want the Rayth dead.

But Karken’al knew there was a threat to Andromeda. A threat that could evade the highly advanced technology of Karken’al’s people, and even that of the Raythian Empire. Whoever was behind this technology got past both of their satellite scanners and attacked the Raythian homeworld.

That was a threat Karken’al took seriously. Though his own people had remained hidden behind their cloaks, so much so that the Rayth didn’t even know they existed, this new threat could mean trouble for them. They stayed safe by remaining hidden. They didn’t have weapons that could match those of the Rayth, let alone this unknown technology that had been supplied to the Raythian rebels. He was also not sure if this unknown race didn’t outright help in the attack on Kiva, the Raythian homeworld.

Karken’al believed that this unknown race was out to dominate Andromeda, otherwise, they wouldn’t have supported the rebel Rayth to go up against the most powerful man and army in the galaxy. If they went after Zy’nayth, they would eventually come after Karken’al’s own people, who despite having superior shields and propulsion technology, didn’t have the weapons to fight a war. Not against Rayth, not against the firepower they saw from the specially-equipped rebel ships. He would need Zy’nayth’s help to keep his people safe. The Prime Minister wouldn’t see things that way. He was stubborn on that point. His goal since taking office was to find a way to destroy the legendary warrior, and Rayth as a whole.

Having studied the career of the warrior and knowing, if his intel was correct, that Zy’nayth had taken this serum that allows Rayth to eat food instead of taking human energy and lives, he believed that he could talk, share information about this unknown race, and form an alliance for defeating them. It was a risk. A huge, dangerous risk, but a risk that could potentially outweigh the rewards. He would need help against this unknown race. The only other technologically advanced race in the galaxy were the Rayth. He needed Zy’nayth. He’d try to create an alliance, if, that is, Zy’nayth didn’t kill him first.