E:A Vol 7 Ch 5—January 4, 2121

January 4, 2121

Jack Burgeon arrived at Victoria’s estate with Vice Chancellor Ny’van shortly after breakfast had been eaten by those on Earth. They, along with John, David, Be’atta, Ja’val, and of course, Vince, settled into the attic where they would conduct Zachary’s interview. Ky’nayth joined them, sitting on the floor, Baxter getting a good tummy rub from his guardian.

Victoria, Becket, Kaven, Janice, Lutia, Zy’nayth, and Mik’kenna were gathered in the master suite over the garage where they would conduct their interview with Hannah. Mik’kenna sat on the bed between her parents, one hand petting Celeste who was nuzzled between her and her father. Kaven sat in Zy’nayth’s recliner, leaning back, enjoying the comfortable leather chair. Janice, Lutia, and Becket were sitting in three of the chairs that went with the small dining table. They had pulled them back to form a half-circle facing Hannah who sat in the fourth chair at the table.

“I’m going to start,” Victoria said, “by telling you that working in Andromeda isn’t, by any stretch of the imagination, a whimsical fairy tale. I know the thought of going to another galaxy is exciting, but after the first five minutes in the trauma ward or on the battlefield, that excitement will be gone.

“A few things to keep in mind before we get into the interview. You will be expected to go through some basic training. You will be required to know how to use a gun. You won’t be expected to be a sharpshooter, but you will need to know the basics. You will be required to carry a gun each time you go off-world. It goes without saying that if necessary, you will be required to use it.”

“But I thought humans and Rayth were friends now,” Hannah stated.

“Expedition: Andromeda has a friendly relationship with the Raythian government, not the entire Rayth population. But Rayth are not the only threat. There is always the possibility of being called to provide medical attention in the middle of some sort of civil war. Or, as when we first went to Andromeda, there was a Gyhan rebellion going on. We ended up in the middle of that.

“Now concerning the Rayth, you need to remember,” Victoria continued as she lifted her husband’s hand up and pointed to the grooves in it, “that though some Rayth have taken the serum therapy, such as my husband here, 99% of the Rayth population still need to gather energy, that’s what these slits are for. Through them, Rayth can either extract human energy or push their own energy into someone. Extraction, of course, can lead to death. All Rayth, even those who have taken the serum, are a threat. The serum simply allows them to eat food and have it sustain them just as gathering energy would. Serum Rayth still have all of their abilities, including being able to kill a human in a matter of seconds.

“Even though my husband does his best to keep our teams away from areas where there’s going to be a gathering, there will be times when we will encounter them nonetheless. Andromeda is a pretty big galaxy and even with information from Kaven and Be’atta about various planets we visit, the information may be out of date, things can transpire from one day to the next that results in war, or things of that nature. The threat our off-world teams face every day is very real.”

Hannah swallowed hard. “But the work is rewarding. Look at what you and Dr. McKenna accomplished. Not just the serum therapy, but that disease that was let loose on Earth, and Dr. McKenna came down and rescued us…”

Becket cleared his throat. “I came down and helped to distribute an antidote that was primarily developed by the Rayth. I was simply a friendly face people could relate to since no one, except our E:A team knew about other worlds and Rayth.”

Hannah smiled, “You’re just being modest.”

Victoria glanced at her husband as Mik’kenna left the bed and went over to Becket. She climbed up on her uncle’s lap and sat quietly, hands folded in her lap, her eyes on Hannah. Celeste moved from the bed and curled up at Becket’s feet.

“Though the good doctor is modest, the point is that our work is not done by one person. It has to be a team effort,” Victoria said. “If Janice is having an off day, it’s rare, but it happens, we need to step in and help out without being asked. I can’t tell you how many times Dr. McKenna and I have pushed each other out of the infirmary because we knew the other was about to drop from exhaustion. Though we have schedules and assignments, we must be flexible, and we must be willing to jump in and help our co-workers, especially given the environment we work in.”

“I can do that. I want to help out, that’s why I want to be a nurse. Maybe a doctor someday.”

“If you truly want to help, that is what we need. Our work will not gain us fame or fortune. Becket had to be the face for the antidote. He still hates it,” she smiled at her friend, “especially knowing Rayth did most of the work in discovering it. Recognition for us will only come from our colleagues in Expedition: Andromeda; our names aren’t going to be in the headlines. So if there’s any hope or thought of personal glory in your head, you can forget it.”

Zy’nayth, able to read body language, could sense emotions. Things were much more tense and terse than he thought they would be. His wife was sterner than he’d ever heard. Hannah was a bit on edge, which was expected, but he sensed something else. And Mik’kenna was agitated, yet she moved to Becket’s lap, not his. He noted these things as the interview continued.

Hannah sighed, “Maybe I’d like a little glory, you know, come out of my dad’s shadow, but I really do want to help people. I wanted to become a nurse long before I even knew of Terra 2.”

“Good,” Victoria gave her a nod, “I’ll start running through our list of questions. We want you to answer quickly. If you’re going to be working under combat conditions, how quickly you respond may mean the difference between life and death. Don’t think about your answer, just blurt it out. This will not only help us to determine if your course of action is correct, but it will show us how well you think on your feet.”

The questions ranged from basic medicine, “what should a normal blood pressure reading be?” to theoretical scenarios both in the operating room or out in the middle of a war zone. When Victoria finished her list, Kol’non entered, having watched part of Zachary’s interview.

Janice and Lutia each had a couple of questions, as did the Chief Medical Officer. Then Kaven threw in a few of his own, actually from his own injuries on the field with the E:A team but also from his life before joining the E:A team. Scenarios that he himself had been in which required medical teams to be on their toes, calm, collected, focused on their patients.

Janice commented that he probably knew more about emergency medicine than she did.

Mik’kenna, who’d been sitting on Becket’s lap throughout the interview, listened to everything. Becket had a few final questions and when Hannah finished answering the last one, the three-year-old raised her hand.

“Yes, Mik’kenna?” Victoria asked.

“I has a question.”

Victoria looked at Hannah, “She’s inquisitive. Do you mind?”

“Not at all,” Hannah smiled.

“Okay, sweetie, what’s your question?” Victoria asked.

“If there was war and you go to place where war was and there was two people really, really hurted, and one was human and one was Rayth who couldn’t heal self, who you help first and why?”

“Uh, honey, I don’t think…” Victoria started but Becket stopped her.

“I would actually like to hear your answer, Hannah,” he said. “A Rayth, a human, you only have time to save one. Who would you choose to help?”

Hannah swallowed hard. Out of all of the questions that morning, a three-year-old asked the toughest one. “Off the top of my head, I don’t know. Honestly, I’d probably go to the human first, not because he’s human but because I don’t know anything about Rayth physiology. I don’t think I could help the Rayth.” She shifted in her chair, “If I had learned about Rayth physiology and knew what to do, I would assess the situation. Who would be needed most? If one was a colonel and the other was…” she apologized to Zy’nayth, “I’m sorry, I don’t know rank and file of your army, but if the Rayth was something along the lines of a corporal, I would help the colonel first.”

“You believe a colonel’s life is more important than a corporal’s?” Becket asked.

“Well, no, but her question stated that we were in a war zone, and I think that in that situation, a colonel would be needed to make decisions. If both were equally wounded and only one could be saved, in that situation, I would save the colonel.”

Becket didn’t respond to her answer, instead he changed the question. “Now, what if was a civilian setting? Say a shuttle crash. Rayth and human on board. Same situation, the Rayth can’t heal himself, both are equally critical. Ranks are equal. And you know Rayth physiology.”

“Again,” she bowed her head, “instinct is to help the human first. But…as I’ve been thinking about the first scenario, all things being equal, it would make more sense to help the Rayth first.”

“Why?” Becket pushed.

“Because if he can recover, and if there’s a chance he can help the human, it’s worth the risk.”

“If the Rayth could use his energy, yes, that would be the best choice. But we’ve stated that he’s not.”

“Sorry, I assumed he wasn’t able to due to the injury.” She sighed again, “I do apologize, High Chancellor, First Commander, but my gut keeps telling me to help the human first.” She put her head in her hands and started to cry.

“There is nothing to cry over,” Zy’nayth said, “your answer was honest. I believe that is what Dr. McKenna wanted.”

“I don’t hate Rayth,” she said, “I just…I…”

“It’s all right,” Victoria said, “like my husband said, we wanted an honest answer. Anyone else have any other questions?”

Mik’kenna raised her hand again. Victoria told her to go ahead and ask her question.

“I no understand why you leave home to go Terra 2. I no like being way from home. When Mommy or Daddy gone, I get sad. Why you leave your mommy and daddy?”

“Everyone leaves home at some point,” Hannah answered, drying her tears. “This is just a natural move.”

“But you go way far away. If I away from Mommy and Daddy, like when Daddy at work on Rayth planet and I with Mommy on Terra 2, I miss Daddy so much. I get lonely and scared sometimes. Or if I with Daddy but Mommy here on Earth…” the little girl shrugged her shoulders. “I just no want to be so far ‘way. I no understand. I too little.”

Becket hugged the little girl. “I know they don’t like being far away from you either. But Hannah is right, everyone leaves home at some point.”

“Is it time for lunch now? I hungry,” Mik’kenna replied.

“I think we’re done here,” Victoria said. “Hannah, thanks for putting up with all of our questions. And sorry if I pushed a little hard. We just need to make sure you understand this isn’t a glamorous job and you’ll get very little recognition.”

Hannah nodded. “I know. That came through pretty clearly. I have a lot to learn, but I work hard and I learn fast. I’m a pretty good nurse. I will be the best.”

Zachary’s interview was already over and John and David were helping Amelia get lunch ready as Hannah and the interview crew descended down to the main part of the house.

“Just making burgers,” Amelia said since I know you have a big dinner planned.

John shooed Victoria away, telling her they had it under control. “I know how everyone likes their burgers cooked,” he said, “except the president and his family.”

“I’ll find out,” Victoria said, “and thank you, you guys.”

Amelia waved her off, “Go entertain. We’ve got this cooking thing down.”

“So do we at least get a hint as to whether or not our children will be working on Terra 2?” Holly asked.

“I think we need to consult each other,” Vince said. “I told you that I’m not making the final decision this time. The two groups are.”

“Not even a hint?”

“Can’t give you a hint, Holly,” Vince continued, “if I don’t even know the answer.”

Food was taken to the new larger dining room, prayed over, then everyone continued with their small talk. Kol’non looked at Ky’nayth, “I understand you will be embarking on your first solo flight tonight.”

Ky’nayth was halfway through shoving another French fry into his mouth, “I nervous. Big ‘sponsibility.”

“Honey, don’t talk with food in your mouth.”

Ky’nayth washed down his fry with his lemonade and apologized for his rude behavior.

“Did you get everything unpacked and put away?” Victoria asked her guests, “And I hope I left enough room in the fridge and freezer for you. We’ll be taking some of that stuff back to Andromeda so you’ll have more room.”

“Oh everything’s just fine,” Holly said. “I sent my assistant for some groceries. It’ll be nice to be able to cook again, and I don’t even like cooking,” she laughed, “but I’m really tired of eating on bases or restaurants.”

“I hope my burgers weren’t too disappointing,” John said.

“The burgers are great,” Holly replied. “I’ve had it up to my ears with lobster and five-star meals that aren’t enough to satisfy a baby.”

“Did you have octopus?” Mik’kenna asked. “Because I told Mommy that I no eat that. It gross.”

“Thankfully, no octopus. I agree, it’s gross.”

“Speaking of five-star meals, what’s on the menu for dinner?” John grinned.

“Lasagna, of course. I need to use up a lot of tomatoes and Lutia wants to practice her pasta making skills.”

“I have heard wonderful things about your lasagna,” Ny’van said, “and since I’m a cook-in-training, I’d like to help out and learn some new skills.”

“I’d offer to help, but you’re going to need all of your energy to help the Vice Chancellor,” Kol’non grinned.

Ny’van looked at Kol’non, “I do have the authority to remove you from your position.”

“But the High Chancellor can reinstate me.”

“Not if I convince him otherwise.”

Zy’nayth smiled, “I am glad we are all friends here. Mik’kenna, dear, please do not eat the fries so fast. Eat some of your burger and your vegetables.”

“I love fries and they vegetables!”

“I know you do and that they are, but if you eat them all first, you will not have any to savor later on in the meal.”

“Oh!”

“I think it’s a little too late,” Kaven said, “Only one fry left,” he said and took it from her plate and ate it.

“Uncle Kaven!” she pouted.

He winked at her and grabbed the basket of fries to his left and passed it to her, “Just a few, I don’t want your Daddy yelling at me.”

Mik’kenna put more fries on her plate and dutifully ate her burger and veggies.

After lunch, the family went to Zy’nayth and Victoria’s suite and discussed the interviews.

“My gut feel is that Zack would be a good addition to the crew,” Vince said, starting off the discussion, “however, I’ve been sort of an uncle to him since I served with his father, so I’m a bit biased. David, your assessment?”

“You know this isn’t my area of expertise by any means, but he does seem quite knowledgeable, and he has a very relaxed air about him which is needed in our environment. That’s about all I have for you.”

“Be’atta?”

“I thought he was maybe too relaxed,” she said. “Perhaps thinking he’s already got the job because you are, as you’ve said, like an uncle to him. I can’t really speak to his skills and knowledge, but if First Science and Jack think he’s got that covered well, then I’d just suggest that he understands that there is a time and place for familiarity. You are his superior and he will need to recognize that and not expect favors.”

“Thank you. Science, your turn.”

“I agree with Be’atta, he was not respectful enough considering your position and the responsibility he was applying for. But then I’ve served on the flagship where if you don’t get the respect you’ve earned, you could be dead. Then again, I have learned much from being on Terra 2, and though John or Chris joke and jest with you, it is never in a formal setting. During work, you are treated with respect.

“That being said, however, Zachary does know his stuff. He has a lot to learn, but his logic, how he thinks things through, is right. He may end up with an incorrect answer, but that’s due to his lack of experience. Many of the problems I gave him were well beyond what I thought he’d grasp. He isn’t at Jack’s level, but with the right training, he will definitely be a good addition to the team. I also suggest that if you add him to the team that John runs him through some military training for the discipline. He needs the discipline.”

“Thank you. Jack, your thoughts, concerns?”

“There were a few things that concerned me. A couple of my initial questions were what I’d call softballs, and he missed both.”

“I sensed he was quite nervous at the beginning of the interview,” Ny’van said.

“I thought so as well, but still, those were questions that should have been easy and would have set him at ease,” Jack said.

“Or he was expecting something more difficult and the easy questions threw him because he was nervous,” Kol’non suggested. “He over-thought the answer, thinking it was a trick question.”

“I agree. I just wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page in that regard. Other than that, as Be’atta and Science mentioned, once he relaxed, he was too…almost arrogant…perhaps thinking he had the job in the bag.”

Vince looked at Kol’non and Zy’nayth, “Concerns, questions?”

“Is there any chance of him not being cooperative or not falling in line regarding showing due respect to his superiors?” Zy’nayth asked.

“I suppose there is always that chance, but I’m pretty sure John can get that propensity to end.”

“You bet I can,” John smiled and bit into the apple he snatched from the fruit bowl.

“What was your opinion of him?” Kol’non asked John.

“Smart, a touch of arrogance, and as the others said, too at ease. But I think that’s youth and privilege. I can talk to him further tonight, and warn him about how difficult the job is, and how difficult I can be to work for. If he thinks this is going to be a walk in the park because Uncle Vince is running things, I think my confrontation will help us see how sincere he is and how committed.”

“I would like John to pursue this course of action,” Zy’nayth said. “Perhaps, if you are willing, Vince, tell him that John will be his superior. You will stay out of the picture, at least at first, until John is comfortable about him following protocol.”

“Okay, John, he’s all yours. After your discussion with him, we’ll make a determination as to his employment on Terra 2. Now, how did Hannah do?”

“I no like her,” Mik’kenna blurted out and crossed her arms over her chest, daring anyone to argue with her. She shook her head emphatically. “I no want her on Terra 2. She not right person.”

“Mik’kenna, what did she do to make you say such a thing?” Zy’nayth asked, surprised by his normally loving daughter.

Mik’kenna began to tear up and furrowed her little eyebrows, “She not…she not…I no know. I no like how she look at Uncle Becket. She just no like Aunt Janice or Aunt Lutia. I just no like her.”

“Can you explain what you mean by ‘how she looks at Becket’?” Zy’nayth asked, though he had caught it during the interview. The cause of the tension in the room. He wanted to see who else had picked up on it.

Mik’kenna shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, “It not right. All I know.”

Zy’nayth looked at the others who had been in the room, “Did you notice anything?”

Victoria nodded, as did Amelia.

“Explain please,” Zy’nayth said.

“Not to put too fine a point on it, but she…” Victoria stopped, realizing her children were both in the room, “…she is attracted to Becket.”

“Every woman on Terra 2 is attracted to Becket,” Kaven said, “nothing new there.”

“She is extremely attracted to him,” Amelia said, underscoring “extremely.”

“Oh…”

Zy’nayth nodded. “I sensed it, but I wanted to make sure that I was correct. Mik’kenna is that what was bothering you? That she likes Uncle Becket?”

Mik’kenna nodded, “She like him no right way.”

“Is that why you went and sat on his lap?” Victoria asked. “You were protecting him?”

Again the little girl nodded.

“In all fairness,” Janice said, “Hannah, like her brother, is quite smart. Keep in mind, she’s only twenty. Hormones are probably crazy. She may not have realized how she was looking at him.”

“That aside,” Vince said, “would she make a good addition to the med team?”

“In a couple of years,” Janice said, “she really lacks experience. When you have to deal with life and death situations on a regular basis, it’s very important that you don’t panic, and that you know exactly what to do. Sure, there are situations where you may not immediately know how to approach something, but you have to remain calm and you have to think. That’s something that unless you’re extremely gifted, you really only get through experience.”

“Do the rest of you agree?” Vince asked, “That she needs experience. Is that a non-negotiable?”

“I can give you a good example of how important it is,” Lutia said. “Remember when Becket had been shot up and Geoffrey and I sent for Victoria?”

“Unfortunately,” Vince sighed.

“You know how close the two of them were, well, still are. It’s never wise to treat a friend or loved one, your emotions get in the way. We didn’t have much a choice, we had to call in our most experienced doctor. Despite her best friend being near death, Victoria was as cool as a cucumber. Her hands worked flawlessly to stop the bleeders; she knew exactly what needed to be done and in what order. She knew what to ask from us, and though I know she was tearing up inside, she didn’t flinch. If Hannah were to be put in that situation, I don’t think she’d get through it. She would panic. I’m sure of it. She was quick with her answers, for the most part, but I think in a situation like that, which you know we face on a regular basis, she would freeze.”

“But she wouldn’t be the doctor,” Vince said, “making the calls Victoria had to make.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Victoria chimed in, “sometimes what the nurses do is just as important as what I do. If Lutia and Geoffrey hadn’t been calm and focused, Becket may not have lived long enough for me to even get there, let alone call my husband to save him. Their work, their cool heads, kept him alive. I did very little. It’s due to those two and to and my husband that he’s sitting here today.”

“All right. So, if we stick with our original plan and say she has to finish her schooling here on Earth before she’ll be considered for E:A, what are the odds that she’ll be able to cut it?”

“I would like to re-evaluate her at that point,” Becket said. “I completely agree with Victoria, Janice, and Lutia. She needs experience. She is smart, she did mess up on a few things, but we all did when first starting out. But given the lack of field experience and the other concerns, I don’t feel comfortable saying yes. I don’t even feel it would be fair to say we’d take her if she finished school and got the experience we require. Let’s tell her we will re-eval after those two conditions are met, but we are unwilling to say anything further. Now…do we mention the other concern?”

“Since I have the most concern here,” Amelia said with a sigh, “I’d say no. We might mention it to Holly to get her feel on the situation. I’m not even sure I’d do that. But I’m also not sure I buy the ‘she’s just young and hormonal’ line. I was only a few years older than her when I went to Andromeda and I wasn’t putting out the signals she was. At least I hope I wasn’t.”

“You weren’t,” Victoria said. “But a few years does make a difference. Also, you had a different upbringing. You didn’t have the privilege and excess that she’s had.” Victoria shook her head, “I know Michael’s a good guy and Holly seems to be pretty straight forward, but even the best intentions can turn out wrong.”

“All right,” Vince said, “next course of action, John will talk with Zack. I will talk with Hannah. I will tell Hannah that it’s important for her to get experience in high pressure situations, that it’s crucial for her to do so. She also needs to finish her schooling here on Earth. At that point, we will interview her again, if she is still interested in joining our team. Would I be honest in saying that we think she could be an addition to our staff at some point in the future?”

“I would not go that far,” Zy’nayth said. “She may misinterpret ‘we think you could’ to mean that you were impressed and want her on staff, which is not what has been decided here. The medical team, perhaps more than any other team on Terra 2 outside of the military, must be experienced due to the circumstances under which they may find themselves.”

Vince nodded, “Sorry, yes, you’re right. I agree. I need the best and most experienced medical team.”

“I would like to join you when you talk with her,” Becket said.

“Good idea. I will leave it to you and your wife as to whether or not you bring up the other issue with her or her mother.”

The group returned to the main part of the house, finding Michael and his family in the larger of the two living rooms, talking. John walked over and put a hand on Zachary’s shoulder, “Let’s go talk,” he said. Then the two of them went to talk in one of the new bedrooms down the hall. Meanwhile Becket and Vince sat down while most of the others wandered back to the smaller living room. Victoria felt she should stay as did Mik’kenna, who went over and sat on her godfather’s lap.

Becket explained what the group had talked about. Mik’kenna looked up at him as he spoke, then she watched Hannah’s reaction, studying both of them.

“The situation on Terra 2 is extremely stressful, high pressure, and never routine,” he said. “Though we think you are quite knowledgeable, I can’t put members of my expedition, or those we’re trying to help, in danger, and until I am confident that you can handle yourself in those situations, I just can’t risk it. I need to see some field experience. Trauma or ER work. Even then, I can’t promise you a job. We would re-evaluate your knowledge and skills, so even if you go and do what I tell you, you still may not make it. It’s not that I don’t think you’d be an exceptional nurse, at least on Earth, it’s an entirely different scenario on Terra 2.”

“Is there anything else I can do?” Hannah asked, downhearted.

“Just study hard, get as much ER experience under your belt as you can—without burning yourself out—and really pray about this. Even with my experience, Terra 2 was a jolt to my system. That’s also why we’re always under-staffed, it’s hard to find good doctors and nurses who have sufficient experience. It’s also why over ninety percent of my staff have served in the military. I think Victoria and I are only two of maybe five or six of us that were civilian. The rest have military backgrounds and have put in a number of tours on the battlefield.”

“A lot can change in two years, too,” Victoria said. “You may still want to be a nurse, but you may find you don’t want to be that far away from your family, or you may find a husband and want to start a family of your own. Terra 2 isn’t the best place for families.”

“But you and Lutia have children.”

“And it’s still not the best place for families. There isn’t a school, there’s no daycare, there are no playgrounds, and honestly, little Kel’lan and Maressa are the only other children besides Ky and Kenna. It’s been hard not having other kids around for them to play with.”

“But we have Baxter and Celeste and they play with us,” Mik’kenna said. “And we learn from books. And we have beach and Daddy’s island home and I no know what daycare is but we probably no need ‘cause we part Rayth and are smart for our age.”

“Honey, you are smart for my age,” Victoria said with a smile. Then she turned back to Hannah, “It hasn’t been easy living there. My head would be full of gray hair now if it wasn’t for my husband having to heal me every now and again.”

“I don’t follow,” Michael said, “gray hair and healing?”

“Oh, when they heal humans, or other Rayth, I guess, their energy sort of regenerates our tissue, organs, hair follicles, we get a little bit of our youth back. I think the High Chancellor told me that every time he healed me if I had the flu or something, I gained two or three months. Anyway, that’s the only reason my hair is still brown, not gray.”

“My hair never be brown,” Mik’kenna said, “or curly. Mommy, do you like my hair?”

Victoria leaned over and kissed the top of her daughter’s head, “I love your long white hair.”

“You no wish I had brown hair like you?”

“I love you just the way you are,” Victoria replied. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Hannah, do you have any other questions?” Becket asked.

“Would it be possible if I could at least come for a visit to better understand things on Terra 2? Just a week? Even a day?”

Becket deferred to Vince on that matter. “Tell you what,” the general said, “if your brother comes to Terra 2, and John is determining that now, if he comes, you may join him for the first week, provided it isn’t a tough time for the doctor.”

“I could always show her the ropes,” Victoria said. “And if John’s okay with it, they might take her out on a trip.”

Mik’kenna frowned at her mother then turned back to her uncle, “I think puppies need to go out now, will you help me?”

Victoria gave him a slight nod. Her daughter was clearly upset and didn’t want her favorite uncle in the same room as Hannah. Mik’kenna plopped down onto the floor and held out her hand so he’d hold it, then she led him through the house while she called for the dogs.

Zy’nayth knew that his daughter was furious and that her anger had spiked the moment she left the room. He telepathically had asked Kol’non to check on her and Becket. He didn’t want to leave so suddenly after his daughter’s departure, but when he felt enough time had lapsed, he excused himself.

Mik’kenna, Becket, Kol’non, and the puppies were in the backyard, just off the snow-covered patio. Zy’nayth dusted the snow off of the picnic table and called his daughter over. She ran up to him and pointed to the sky, “I think it snow again soon.”

“You may be right,” he said, “now why are you so angry?”

“I no want her on Terra 2. Uncle Vince said no. She finish school first and get ‘perience. He and Mommy change it and lie to me.”

“Honey, they did not lie to you. Hannah will only be coming up if John gives Zachary approval to go to Terra 2,” Zy’nayth said. “If she comes, it will only be for one week so that she can better understand why it is so important that she stay here, finish her schooling, and get the experience we say she needs. She will not be staying. We are not going to let her move to Terra 2 or work with Uncle Becket. It is just a short trip to help her brother settle in and so that she can see what it is really like in Uncle Becket’s infirmary.”

Her little white mittens wiped away her tears, “Pommise?”

“As your father and as High Chancellor and Supreme Commander of the Raythian Army, I promise that Hannah will not be allowed to work on Terra 2, at least not until her schooling is finished, she has gained suitable experience, and has been re-evaluated by Dr. McKenna, your mother, Janice, and Lutia.”

“And Uncle First Science Commander. He needs to ‘valuate her too.”

“And Uncle Ja’val,” Zy’nayth amended.

“Kay.” She gave him a hug, “Thank you, Daddy, for ‘tecting Uncle Becket.”

“You are welcome,” he said, “and I think Vin’toz is trying to make a run for it.”

“He just wanting deeper snow,” she said, “Celeste go get him, time to go in.”

Celeste let out a bark and Vin’toz stopped in his tracks then went bounding back to the older dog.

Victoria met them at the patio door just as they were all filing in. “Everything okay?” she asked.

Zy’nayth kissed her cheek, “Yes. But you and I need to have a little talk.”

Becket helped Mik’kenna out of her snow gear, then the girl went running in to find her brother to see if he wanted to help her with her telescope.

“We’re going to have a little chat,” Victoria said to Becket, hopefully it won’t be long, give our apologies to the others.”

Becket waved her off, “No problem. And guys, she means well.”

Once they were in their suite, Zy’nayth expressed his concern over his daughter’s overly protective nature regarding Becket.

“Are you concerned that it’s Becket in particular, or just how protective she got? How she responded to the signals Hannah was giving off?”

“It is not Becket, I believe she would be that protective if it had been John or Kaven or Ny’van. I am concerned about how sensitive she is to it. I picked it up, and perhaps it is because I have learned to not let it unsettle me, but I think she is even more sensitive, more aware of things than I believed. If her sensitivity to emotions are this strong at her age, it could be harmful to her.”

“Over-stimulation of the senses?” Victoria surmised.

“Yes. She does not know how to process all of that input.” He sighed, “Rayth learn early on to keep feelings quite level. And being on a military base, surrounded primarily by trained military personnel, they too have their feelings somewhat dialed down. Like we talked about, it is not just the medical staff that need to keep a calm and cool head, but as I think about the entire staff of Expedition: Andromeda, every job requires it. Yes, of course, when you are off duty, the emotions flow more freely, but still there is not an excess of it. I believe the most emotional situation she has felt is when you and I are going through difficulties, or the unfortunate event of being kidnapped by my brother.”

“What do we do? Is there anything you or Ja’val can teach her to help her process this overload of emotions?”

“I hope so. It is generally something quite natural for a Rayth to do without any special training.”

“What else is worrying you?” she asked.

“I had not even considered it was Becket in particular. Perhaps there is something there.”

“What? Like she has a crush on Uncle Becket and is jealous of Hannah?”

“No…at least I…she is too young…is she not?”

“I think you were right, she would have done the same if it had been Kaven or Ny’van or any of the other men. And we do have to consider that she didn’t, doesn’t, really know what those ‘signals’ are that Hannah’s giving off. It may simply be that she has never ‘felt’ such lust coming from someone. After all, if it was Becket in particular, she would have been jealous of Lia. The difference between Lia’s response to Becket and Hannah’s is quite different. Lia’s wasn’t lust. Hannah’s is. And our daughter doesn’t understand what lust is.”

Zy’nayth let out a growling sigh, “And I would rather she never did.”

“But it may be time to talk to her and Ky about such things. Not only are they far advanced for their age, but if by discussing it, especially with Kenna, it will help her to process such strong emotions from others, it’s worth it.”

“I know. They are just so young.”

“Yeah. So, Daddy, when shall we have this little chat with them?”

“After dinner,” he said. “We can say that we want a family night. We can play games but we will have this discussion first.”

“All right. But you were planning on taking them up in your cruiser after dinner.”

“Then perhaps now is the best time. Or you may join us on our outing and we can talk there.”

Victoria shook her head, “No. You need a Daddy-kids day. You never really get much alone time with them. And it wouldn’t be much fun for them if we talked about this.”

He stopped, turned and gave her a tender kiss, “Thank you. But I really do not mind if my Daddy-kids day includes Mommy. You can join us and we do not have to have the serious discussion.”

Mik’kenna was making notes in her sketchbook while Ky’nayth was looking at different things through the telescope. “Is this it?” he asked her then stepped off of the chair they used so that they could see through the eyepiece.

Mik’kenna climbed up and looked. “You found it! I wrote the number wrong,” she said then got back down and flipped through her sketchbook, then changed a coordinate she had written incorrectly. “I knew you’d find it. You good at this stuff. This why you be good pilot like Daddy.”

“What did he find?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Venus. I wrote wrong coordinate down, but Bubby find it.”

“Good practice for tonight. Are you two ready?”

“I am!” Ky’nayth said then plopped on the floor next to his sister. “We go Venus first, let Sissy sketch stuff. I plan route to Saturn while she do that. Maybe you let me shoot things.”

“If there is debris in the area, I might consider it. If not, there are a few things I can show you that will not interrupt your sister’s work.”

Mik’kenna stood and looked at the coordinates on the scope then at her notepad then handed it to her father, “I wrote right this time?”

Zy’nayth checked and nodded. “Did you check your coordinates for Saturn?”

“I tried, but can’t see. Not bright enough. We see in person tonight.”

“I hate to break up your exploration here, but your mother and I need to talk to both of you.”

To Victoria’s surprise, though she admitted to herself that she shouldn’t have been, her husband was not nervous about “the talk” with his children. He began by saying that they needed to understand the reproductive system, especially if they started breeding the dogs for others on Terra 2. He was very open, but also very discreet and sensitive. After he finished, he began to talk about Mik’kenna’s reaction to Hannah, and now that the little girl understood a little more about such emotions, she was able, to the best of her ability, to say that she sensed lust from the young woman. It wasn’t like what she felt when Amelia looked at Becket, or when Mommy and Daddy looked at each other. It was different and felt bad, she told them.

When Zy’nayth was sure that he fully understood what his daughter sensed, he made sure that they knew they could talk to him or to their mother about sex, and that anything outside the bonds of marriage was not what God would want them to do. They said they understood, and Victoria believed that despite their age and innocence, they did.

With that completed, Victoria went down to the kitchen to begin getting things ready for dinner. She found Kol’non and Kaven raiding the fridge. “Tell your hubby,” Kaven said, “John gave the nod to Zack. He won’t be coming up until the end of January, though, something about red tape.”

“So will he be reporting to John or Vince?”

“From what I understand,” Kol’non said as Kaven bit into his pie, “Jack Burgeon, obviously, first, then John. At least to start. And Vince is going to allow Hannah to come up with him for the first week.”

“Make sure Vince knows that Zy’nayth will not allow her to stay more than a week. He promised Kenna.”

Kol’non nodded with a smile, “I’ll let him know.”

“Hey, want some company tomorrow while you’re out shopping?” Kaven asked. “Gonna get boring around here and…this guy’s a little worried about his wife and her condition. And uh, Lia’s not too fond of the idea of her hubby being here without her, so she wants him to come with her, and he doesn’t want to be the only boy.”

“It will also be good to have Kaven along, for security reasons,” Kol’non smiled.

“And Becket along in case your wife goes into labor several months early,” Victoria grinned.

“Oh no. I know you can handle that. I just think Becket needs some time away. Out of all of us, he doesn’t really get out much since Lia’s parents are on Terra 2, so they rarely leave Andromeda.”

“He and Lia should go visit his family so he can see his nieces and nephews.”

“He said they’re planning to at Easter. Two weeks, I think he said,” Kol’non replied.

“Vince is letting him take two consecutive weeks off? On Earth?” Victoria asked both in jest but also truly shocked.

“I think Vince is hoping you’ll be picking up a few more hours,” Kaven said. “At least for those two weeks.”

“Maybe I have plans,” she grinned and finished fixing the tray of treats. “If the others want to come along tomorrow too, that’s fine,” she said. “One last shopping spree before we head home.”

“I think they want to get to know our guests and our new employee a little better,” Kaven said.