E:A Vol 7 Ch 11—January 11, 2121

Chapter 11: January 11, 2121

Jil’ana, sitting at her workstation on the flagship’s bridge, checked the readings again. She compared them to a file she called up on a different screen, then she tapped her comlink. “General, I need you on the bridge, sir” she said.

General Karken’al, who’d just dozed off after a long day of “paperwork,” quickly dressed and went up to the bridge. “What is it?” he stood over Jil’ana.

“I found the Raythian flagship.”

“What?”

She pointed to the screen. “Here. Terra 2.”

“And she just popped up on our scans?”

“Well, no…ah…yes.” She shook her head. “I pulled up feeds from some satellites based on the location I believed she’d was headed to: Terra 2. I don’t know who’s flying her, but she’s been all over the place. At least I assume so. The closest sectors between Andromeda and the Milky Way are these,” her hand spread out and motioned over a large section of one of her displays. “Assuming they were headed to Terra 2, that leaves these sectors. So…I started with satellites ringing Terra 2’s system and fanned it out towards these sections. Scanners showed nothing. So I went out another sector just to cover my bases. I picked up a ship here. If that was the flagship, it means they went well over a day out of the way to get into Andromeda.”

She pulled up two other screens, “Now it gets more odd. They disappear from our satellites, probably because we don’t have many in this sector, but show up again here and here. These are days apart and yet the ship appeared in one then the other within hours of each other. Sir, that flagship isn’t that fast. There’s no way she could cover that distance in that amount of time. When I saw the time stamps of the ship’s appearances in these areas, calculated the distance traveled, I figured they would have to be around Terra 2 about now. Sure enough, after checking the satellite logs, two hours ago, she appeared in orbit around Terra 2. Sir, there’s no way that ship could have covered that distance in that short of time.”

“Are you sure?” Karken’al asked.

“Ninety-five percent sure,” Jil’ana said. “They have stronger weapons and hulls, yes. But shields and speed are our advantage.”

Karken’al pointed to the pictures of the ships orbiting Terra 2. “Two warships, that’s their old flagship, he’s got a lot of firepower here.”

“The old flagship is stripped of Rayth tech. I’m guessing the High Chancellor gave it to the Expedition: Andromeda team.”

“Gave it?”

“There’s nothing there but a hull and the engines. Maybe he didn’t give it to them; maybe it’s a decoy or something to keep invaders away.”

“In any case, he does have two other warships there plus his new flagship. Jil’ana do you have any ideas what that new flagship can do?” Karken’al pointed to the screen. “Same energy signature?”

“No. Engines are different, but she can’t be much faster than their old engines. Anyway, I can make an educated guess. One, if they had the tech to go faster, all of their warships could travel as fast as the new flagship. Two, why’d they take the Mythican ship to Earth if they had a flagship that could travel as fast or faster than the Mythican ship? There’s something else going on.”

“Or this one ship can travel that fast.”

Jil’ana shook her head. “If it could, he would be retrofitting the other warships. So far, we have no evidence that’s happening. And even if it could travel that fast, it still doesn’t answer the question as to why he took the old Mythican city-ship to Earth? Right,” she answered before he could, “because it’s the fastest ship he has access to.”

“Or the only ship he could risk taking with the attacks still happening here. He has to put his empire first. That means he’d leave his flagship here in Andromeda until that risk was handled. If he’d taken it to Earth, the people, especially the High Council, would cause him a lot of problems.”

“Problems he could deal with as you so often remind us.”

“The High Council, yes, but the entire Empire? Not so sure he could handle that.”

“General,” Tel’lok spoke up, “he controls the army. The entire Raythian Army. They’re loyal to the legend whether he is the High Chancellor or Supreme Commander…or neither.”

“Would they all go against the entire Raythian Empire? I don’t think they’d all do that. Some, yes, but not every one of them,” Karken’al said. “Besides, we don’t know if he took the Mythican ship to Earth. We know there were Rayth on board when it was scanned around Earth, but we cannot definitively say that Rayth took the ship from Andromeda to the Milky Way, the earthlings could have done it themselves. Let’s stick to what we know for certain.” He raised his hand as Jil’ana began to object. “Yes, I think the Rayth did take the ship, but we’re not certain. Let’s leave it at that. Now, more to the point, given that the flagship’s at Terra 2, are we going to be able to get close?”

“Their old warships shouldn’t be able to see us, but as you said, I can’t be not 100 percent certain of that new flagship’s abilities. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk,” Jil’ana said.

“Let’s go somewhere else. Can we send a drone to monitor the quakes?”

“I dropped one before we left the area, but it’s dormant, just picking up readings, though I can turn it on to have it send us a report or move it.”

“Why didn’t you turn it on when you dropped it?” Karken’al asked.

“I dropped it right when we left. I didn’t want to draw attention to us or it. I also hadn’t set up a relay. I now have one set up that will bounce its communication signal through several satellites before it hits us.”

“Hold off, for now. I need to think this through.”

“It is in monitor mode, well, that’s what I call it,” she said. “I can have it send info once a day or some sort of interval.”

“What would that do?”

“Right now, it’s just sitting on the ground in the forest near their mainland facilities. It is monitoring the surroundings, accumulating data regarding the quakes. I can have it send me the data at any time. So we can still keep track of the frequency, duration, and intensity of the quakes.”

“Can you fly the drone from here?”

Jil’ana raised an eyebrow, “There’d be a massive delay even at subspace frequencies. And it would have to be a continuous link with the drone which means the Rayth could pick up the signal.”

Karken’al let out a long sigh as he rubbed his chin and stared at the monitors. “How close do we need to be so that there isn’t a delay and is there a way to hide the signal controlling the drone?”

“I’d need to run some calculations on distance. As for hiding the signal…Rayth haven’t picked up our communications signals. My relay for the drone was just a secondary precaution.”

“Do we know they haven’t picked up our comm signals?”

“They haven’t yet found our homeworld. They haven’t attacked any of our ships. They’ve left us alone. If Zy’nayth or his predecessor knew about us, they would have hunted us down.”

“Is it worth taking the chance that they haven’t tapped into our communications?” Karken’al asked. “Perhaps Zy’nayth is letting us think he doesn’t know about us.”

“I think Jil’ana’s right,” Tel’lok said. “He or the previous High Chancellor would have attacked our homeworld if they knew where it was. They wouldn’t hesitate. If you want to make contact with Zy’nayth, and the only way we can possibly get on his good side is by having a solution for those quakes, this is our only chance. His flagship is there. His Science team will figure it out before we do.”

“General, Prime Minister Ya’taka is calling,” the communication’s officer said.

“I told him we were offline,” Karken’al frowned.

“I’m receiving but not transmitting,” the officer said.

“Don’t reply. We stay offline until I order otherwise.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Tel’lok, Jil’ana, your shifts are about over, correct?”

“An hour, sir,” Tel’lok said.

“Get rest. Tomorrow, we leave this place.”

“For Terra 2?” Jil’ana asked.

“No. I have yet to decide where, but it will not be Terra 2. We will need a cold start of the engines followed by an immediate jump to FTL. Tel’lok, make sure everyone knows that much is settled.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Jil’ana, when we power up the engines, I want you to retrieve data from the drone, then put it back to monitoring mode. How long will it take to receive the data?”

“One second burst from us to it, then we can move out. The data can reach us anywhere.”

Karken’al nodded. “Good night. Rest well.”

January 12, 2121

Jil’ana was looking over Tel’lok’s shoulder, “Here, the gas giant will give us plenty of cover.”

“I am well aware of that,” Tel’lok said.

“I know, but the general wanted me to make sure we were being as stealth as possible and that we avoided any known Rayth transportation lines.”

“I also know where they are. I have been feeding the info into my flight database.”

“Sorry.”

“If you two are done, I’d like to get out of here,” General Karken’al Dubasi said as entered the bridge and sat in the command chair.

“Checking route one last time,” Tel’lok said, “I need two minutes.”

Jil’ana returned to her station, confirming she was ready for anything that may turn up.

Karken’al made the ship-wide announcement that they were going to fire up the engines and immediately jump to FTL speed, which for their ship was not an issue. “If we are detected by the Rayth, we will run, that is our best option. We will be taking numerous detours but I do plan on getting us home today. Everyone on alert.” He looked to his First Officer, who gave him a nod that he was ready. “On my mark in three, two, one, go!”

***

Zy’nayth, carrying his son while escorting his daughter to the infirmary, answered his buzzing comlink. “Yes?” He heard Kol’non and Ja’val on the call.

“Sirs, Base Commander of Pontik here. The mystery ship is leaving. Scanner feed being forwarded to all three of you. Picked up one small area of energy residue, just a trace, exactly one minute ago, and…mark. Satellite off of our northern pole picked it up.”

“Science, what do you see?” Zy’nayth said, heading back down the hall to their chambers, “I need to check this, then we will head down,” he said to his kids after setting Ky’nayth on the sofa.

“One more minute,” Ja’val said. He was giving orders to his own men, as he analyzed the incoming feed from Pontik and nearby satellites. Then Zy’nayth heard a minor Raythian curse. “Apologies. Sir, wait, Second, double check…” his voice trailed off. The High Chancellor could imagine his First Science Commander, surrounded by large viewing screens on the flagship, checking each one as his hands flew across the holographic keyboard and controls. He was fast, he was good, he knew the satellite system, which comprised thousands of satellites, if not hundreds of thousands, by heart. He was calling out numbers, having three of his Commanders checking the feeds. “She’s gone,” he said after a minute or two. “One satellite over Pontik picked up the signal, nothing else in the sector has. We’ll keep searching.”

“If it is anything like the ship near Earth, we will not find it if they went to FTL,” Zy’nayth said.

“Interesting…” Ja’val’s voice again trailed off.

“Yes?”

“Looking at the visual from the Pontik satellite. You have it?”

“Calling it up now,” both Zy’nayth and Kol’non said. The Base Commander was already at his Science station, following along.

Ja’val had them go to a particular time stamp from the satellite which detected the energy residue. “The amber glow. See it?”

“Barely visible,” Kol’non said, “but yes.”

“Same,” Zy’nayth said.

“Watch the next ten frames one at a time.”

Zy’nayth tapped a key, the frame changed, again. Again. “The glow was cut off. It did not disappear, something surrounded it.”

Ja’val sat back in his chair, smiling, “Extended their shields to cover the residue. Oh, they’re good. Not good enough to do that before firing up engines, or they have a millisecond delay they can’t correct, but they’re good.”

“They have improved their cloak from what we noticed earlier?”

“Probably had it all along. Our increased traffic in this system, namely our flagship, probably has them using all precautions. That takes some first-rate ability and skill to get a cloak to shield surrounding energy emissions,” Ja’val said. “I want to meet this person.”

“I assume my First Science Commander can do the same with our cloaking devices,” Zy’nyath said.

“He certainly can, but when you need speed and weapons, I give you those instead.”

“See if you can work out giving me all three,” Zy’nayth said. “First, keep everyone on alert. Make sure Kiva is protected. I will alert Vice and the Lead Councilman. If the ship is picked up again, follow, do not engage.”

“Understood. Sending message all outposts and ship Commanders,” Kol’non replied.

“I’ll see if I can fine-tune our satellite scanners. Not sure I can detect them but I’ll give it a shot,” Ja’val said. “I need time to study this data. They’re using pellite, given that amber glow, but then again, there could be something we don’t yet know about.”

“Do I need to look at anything other images?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Uh, no, sorry, sir. Just marveling at their tech.”

Zy’nayth’s computer shrank to the size of a credit card which he then slipped into a jacket pocket before picking up his son to head back to the infirmary. “Base Commander, send a crew to investigate the area where the ship had been in orbit. See if they left anything behind.”

“Already scanning the area. Will send a Science vessel up.”

“Contact me immediately if you find that ship. Science, I need you on this virus project, but just oversee it. Delegate it to another Commander. I want you to glean all you can from this new satellite data. That is your priority.”

“Understood. I’ll have Third Science work with Becket.”

A couple more orders were given the call was disconnected.

“Daddy, the puppy poisoners out there?” Mik’kenna looked up with worry, her bright blue eyes seeking comfort in her father’s silver orbs.

“The puppy poisoners are imprisoned. They will not return,” he replied as they entered the infirmary.

“Hey, there,” Victoria walked over and kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “I’m glad you’re here to help. Could you start by seeing if the people on the cots need anything. We just started the next set of rounds.”

“Kay,” Mik’kenna said and hurried over to the first cot, her worries about the rebels returning gone.

“Ky, honey, how are you feeling?” Victoria’s attention went to her son.

“I burny up.”

“Yeah, I feel that,” her hand felt his forehead and smoothed his hair back behind his ears. “Well, I have an idea. Would you like to stay down here and bunk with Uncle Vince this morning? That way I can be right here to check on you. Kenna can too.” She had seen Zy’nayth coming into the area, seriousness written across his face as he was talking, so she knew he wasn’t talking to the kids, it had to be work related. “I’m sorry I don’t have enough beds to give you your own, but I’m sure Uncle Vince won’t mind sharing.”

“I thought he was going to be released, that he was just exhausted and dehydrated,” Zy’nayth said.

“Fever onset last night and a cough and some nausea, though that has eased a bit.”

“Daddy, can I stay?”

“You certainly can.”

“Kay. I stay with Mommy. Will puppies be ‘kay?”

“I will make sure they are tended to, though I do not think I will provide the level of fun and games that you and your sister give them.”

“I sure you do good job,” Ky’nayth said and reached out to his mother.

“Let’s give you a good checkup,” she said, carrying him to a makeshift exam table at the end of the room. Mik’kenna was checking on all sixteen patients relegated to a cot, filling their ice bucket or water pitcher, or getting them a new ice pack or another pillow.

“Sissy work hard,” Ky’nayth said, watching Mik’kenna carrying two pillows that were nearly as big as she was.

“She’s been very helpful. Okay, open up,” she said after putting the sensor on his finger to check his blood oxygen level. “Pretty red in there. Stick out your tongue, please.” After getting him checked over, she took him around the corner where Vince was half sitting, half reclining on his bed. “Mind if this guy bunks with you this morning?” Victoria asked.

“Plenty of room. How you feeling?”

“Horr’ble.”

“Me too. We’ll suffer together.”

Mik’kenna hurried over. “Bubby, you stay here?”

“Yeah.”

“Just for the morning. He’ll return home when you finish your shift. I want to keep an eye on him.”

“I get you pillow and blankie; I be one second,” the girl rushed off.

“She’ll get you set up,” Victoria smiled and kissed his hot forehead. “Did Daddy give you your morning medicine?”

“I did,” Zy’nayth said, “with his breakfast.”

“What did you guys have for breakfast?” she asked as she helped get him situated on the bed.

“Oatmeal. I only eat little bit.”

“The tummy okay?”

“Yeah. I just scared it not be.”

“We have a bunch of bananas here for all of our patients. Want me to get you one?”

“No.”

“Here, Bubby, pillow and blankie,” Mik’kenna said. “I go get you own ice and water.”

Victoria turned to her husband. “Maybe bring him a book, please.”

“Any one in particular?”

“There one on nightstand I reading,” Ky’nayth replied.

“Anything else?”

“No, thank you.”

Victoria made sure her son was comfortable, giving Vince his morning checkup while there, as Zy’nayth went to fetch his son’s book. When he returned, Ky’nayth was sound asleep, curled up next to the general. He set the book on the rolling dinner cart with a nod to Vince, then drew his wife aside.

“Thank you. The mystery ship moved. I want to be available should…”

“I saw the look on your face when you were walking in. Besides, I do want him close to me. This is the best I can do. Go, tend to business…and if you need, I can keep them both here for the rest of my shift.”

“That should not be necessary, and I do not want Mik’kenna to wear herself out.”

Zy’nayth returned to his chambers, took the dogs for a walk, then set up shop in Vince’s conference room. His tablet was out and expanded into six large screens with a virtual keyboard. After thirty minutes of reviewing data just prior to and including the energy emission burst the Base Commander detected, he stepped out into the Control Room.

“Sergeant, may I use this workstation for a few minutes?” he asked.

“Uh, certainly, sir,” the man, still quite intimidated by the High Chancellor, stood and motioning to the seat.

“I should not be more than ten minutes.”

“Go take a short break. Fifteen,” Chris said, coming out of Vince’s office. “I’ll cover if he’s done sooner.”

“Thank you, sir,” the sergeant said and left.

“Whatcha lookin’ for, Big Guy?” Chris asked.

“The mystery ship left. I want to see if this ship picked up anything.”

“But weren’t they at the far end of this system?”

“Yes.”

“And we can detect something from here?”

“If a Rayth was at the controls and tapped into our own systems, yes. Otherwise, no.”

“Right. So what do you expect to find?”

Zy’nayth shook his head. “I will know when I see it.”

“One minute until next swarm,” said the officer at what was designated a science station.

Like clockwork, the quake hit. Barely registering on their monitors, but it was there. “Your crew working on it?”

“Have been,” Zy’nayth replied, then he smiled and pointed, “There.”

Chris went around behind him, staring over his shoulder, “What’s that?”

“An electronic device that was not there an hour ago.”

“Define device.”

“I cannot as of yet.” He tapped a few keys and sent the data to his computer and to Ja’val, then he called First Science Commander. “A small device turned on. Sent you the readings. Can you tell me what it is?”

A minute later Ja’val whistled, “You picked out that one tiny burst out of all of that? Your eyes are good.”

“What is it?”

“It’s not armed, whatever it is, that’s not enough energy output to carry a laser pack or any type of explosive. Appears to have shut down already. Not picking anything up on the live feed. My guess, a monitor or tracking device. Communications, perhaps, but it’s not sending a stream of data. Apparently just that one burst. Best guess: data collector.”

The sergeant returned so Zy’nayth moved to the conference room, Chris following, motioning to Kaven, who’d just walked in.

“Do you think you can find it?” Zy’nayth asked.

“General location is the forest northwest of the mainland facilities. I’d guess the size to be roughly that of…hmm…an Earth baseball. Perhaps smaller. I’d need to send a drone, which would require a pilot.”

“Do we not have scanners able to pick up metal in a forest?”

“Sir, there is a lot of debris there from the attack. I can look for unknown metals, but chances are, it’s going to be something fairly common which means we need eyes on the object to know what is debris or what isn’t.”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

“Do we have a tight location to scan?”

“Quarter mile, roughly. And that’s if the energy burst wasn’t deflected off of something which made it appear as if it came from this area. It could also be in a tree or could burrow under the topsoil. Something this small would be easy to hide.”

Zy’nayth sighed as he walked to the large windows and stared out at the mainland. A large black swath still covered a wide area from where the laser blasts hit. His ships were able to eradicate the damaged, burnt soil, but where once there was greenery, trees, and bushes, it now only soil.

“Set up a scan for that area. If that equipment or whatever it is comes back online, I want to know it. If something moves that should not, I want to know it. Contact one of the Science Officers on either of the warships orbiting Terra 2. They can have one of their men take a drone down. I need you and your team focused on the other data and the virus.”

“Understood.”

“How are Lutia and Kel’lan?”

“Lutia’s getting much worse. Kel’lan’s fine, crawling around. Misses Cinnamon.”

“If you would like, they can stay in our chambers while you are working. Lutia can sleep in our bed and with all of the dogs there, Kel’lan would be entertained.”

“I’ll ask her. How are Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna?”

“She is busy playing nurse. Ky’nayth is still quite ill. He is in the infirmary where Victoria can keep an eye on him.”

“Is he running around with Mik’kenna?”

“No. He is sleeping, or at least was when I left the infirmary.”

“Lutia and I prayed for them this morning. Sorry he’s so sick.”

“As am I. I am thankful Mik’kenna and Kel’lan are fine and that Maressa came through it already. I do not like to see the children sick.” He heard Lutia coughing in the background. “Tend to your wife,” he said. “We will continue to pray for you. Do not forget, she and Kel’lan are quite welcome in our chambers.”

Zy’nayth looked at Chris. “How are you feeling?”

“Not great, but good enough. Kaven’s taking over for the rest of my shift.”

“Yeah,” Kaven said with a nod to Zy’nayth, “anything we can do about this thing you found?”

Zy’nayth shook his head as his comlink buzzed. “You need to focus on your team and your health.” He tapped the comlink to answer it, “Yes?”

“Sorry to bother you, sir,” Zy’nayth’s assistant, Dre’han, said, “just reminding you to call the governor of Tarnia. I didn’t receive a confirmation that you had done so.”

“I have not yet called. Ky’nayth was quite ill this morning. I will call now,” he checked his watch to figure out the time on Tarnia where the governor lived. “I will mark it off of my list when I have spoken to him. Is Vice in the office today?”

“Yes, sir. Would you like me to transfer your call to him?”

“No. Thank you for the reminder call.”

Zy’nayth disconnected the call and looked at Kaven and Chris. “Christopher, go home. Kaven, try to keep well.”

The two men left the High Chancellor alone. Zy’nayth looked out at the mainland and sighed. “Who are you? Where are you?” He stood as if awaiting an answer from the forest but thinking about the series of events from the attack to the appearance of the mystery ship in Earth’s solar system, to the one appearing here in Andromeda. A few minutes later, he sat and contacted the governor of Tarnia to apprise him of the situation: they were still attempting to obtain food in order for more of the planet’s population to take the serum. As of that moment, it was a waiting game.

Once that conversation ended, Zy’nayth called Vice Chancellor Ny’van and filled him in on the details of the mystery ship and the unknown device on the Terra 2 mainland.

“Perhaps I should interview your brother and nephews to see if they know anything,” Ny’van suggested.

“I have considered it, but I do not think this mystery group is part of the group that gave them the technology to attack us.”

“Do you have proof?” Ny’van asked, pushing.

“No. A feeling.”

“Then shouldn’t we explore all avenues?”

“We should, but I do not think we will get any more information from my brother and nephews.”

“Then tell me why you think this mystery group is not a threat.”

“They have not attacked.”

“You have two warships orbiting Terra 2. Three with the flagship’s arrival. The rebels have experienced what our warships can do to theirs.”

“True, however…” Zy’nayth’s voice trailed off as he ran his fingers through his scraggly white hair. “I am too tired to argue or explain. Either I am losing my ability to sense danger or they are not a threat.”

“Or you are too tired to accurately put the pieces together,” Ny’van said.

Zy’nayth set his hands on the desk. “All right, old friend, should I send you to talk to my brother and nephews?”

“I don’t think they’d give us anything new, just as you said, but to make sure we have researched every possibility, I should go and talk with them,” Ny’van smiled to himself, “as the twins say, just case.”

“On the other hand, if they do not know about the mystery ships, we do not want that information in their hands. I still do not believe there is a threat, however, I do not want information about another technologically advanced race given to my brother. Whoever is monitoring this planet and Earth…perhaps they are deciding which group they want to side with, should such a need arise.”

“Perhaps you are being too much the High Chancellor and not enough Supreme Commander,” Ny’van said. “You’re wavering.”

The gravelly growl rumbled up his throat. “I do not like being a politician.”

“Don’t be. As Supreme Commander, how would you deal with this? Forget the politics and the possibilities of encountering a new race that may become allies. Trust your instincts.”

Once again, Zy’nayth stood and walked over to the window overlooking the scorched mainland area. His eyes took in the blackness where there should have been greenery. “Whoever gave my brother the technology for those ships are not the ones behind this mystery ship. I believe this Algo of the Alandrovians would not hesitate to destroy this planet.”

“Even with our warships here? And even though they, in a way, used your brother to attack Kiva, Terra 2, and Earth? They did not carry out the attack, the rebels did.”

“Valid points. But I think if Algo could destroy Terra 2 and Kiva, he would have done so by now. Something is holding him back.”

“Which means he could be the one monitoring our movements.”

“Possible, yes, but our scanners have not picked up their energy emission signatures from their ships. Every one of their ships had that signature. And none of them let off the amber glow that is similar to the bridge portals. The mystery ship that was in Earth’s solar system was not even close to the design of the ships the rebels used. We are dealing with an entirely different race of people.”

“A race that found us on Earth and on Terra 2.”

“Yes.”

“I am trying to say, they have capabilities…”

“I am aware. You told me to trust my instincts. I do not think either ship is a threat. I do not think my brother knows about this group. That is what I believe. A hunch, as John would say.”

“You just specified that you didn’t think either ship was a threat. You didn’t say the race or group.”

“Correct.”

“So the entire race may be hostile towards us, but these two ships aren’t?”

“Something is keeping them from making contact.”

“Well, they may be on their first exploration outside of their home system. They’re being cautious.”

“With technology which can hide from our sensors and scanners? And get to Earth? This is no maiden voyage.”

“How did they know to go to Earth?” Ny’van wondered aloud. “Did they follow us?”

“I highly doubt it. If they did, their ship travels faster than the flagship, which had strained its engines getting to Earth to join the fight. If this mystery race was following us with the intent to harm us, they would have noticed the engines floundering. Perfect attack opportunity.”

“I again ask, how did they know to go to Earth? Are they looking for Rayth or humans?” Ny’van continued his train of thought before Zy’nayth could answer. “Earth cannot stand up to what little we know of their technology. If his mystery race has ships that can outrun ours, they must have similar weapons capabilities. That means they’re looking at us, Rayth.” He paused as the pieces began to fall into place, “They’re looking for you.”

“I do seem to be quite popular. However, that is a stretch. Rayth, in general, I can accept, but me, specifically, would require them to know more about us than I would expect a new space-faring race to the galaxy to have. They would have to know my history. Someone who just arrived in this galaxy would not have such information. If they followed us from Andromeda to Earth, they were following the technology, not me.”

“Perhaps.”

“And if they were following the technology, they were following the Mythican ship, not Rayth technology. The second mystery ship did not appear around Terra 2 until the city-ship returned from Earth.”

Ny’van smiled to himself. “That is true. I missed that one.”

“Which is why I am the Supreme Commander and you are not,” Zy’nayth teased, releasing some of the built-up tension.

On the other end of the call, Ny’van laughed. “Then we are settled. I won’t bother your brother and nephews. But you need to keep on top of this mystery ship.”

“I am. Thank you for talking this through.”

“That’s what I’m here for. I need to head to the Council Chambers. They want to know what we’ve been up to and I should bring them up to date on this monitoring device. It’ll help your case as to why you are still on Terra 2.”

“I do not require your assistance in that matter.”

“I know. But the Council will see this as a more legitimate reason.”

“It was my understanding that they are not the ones concerned.”

“It helps to stop rumors before they spread.”

“As I told Lead, no matter what I do, someone will find fault. Inform them of what has transpired, nothing more.”

“Understood. I will stop by to see the twins around dinner time. Ky’nayth is still unwell?”

“Very much so. He would appreciate the visit, as would Mik’kenna.”

“How do you think they will handle it if I bring Vin’toz back with me to Kiva?”

“It is your dog…and we have thirteen others running around the house.”

“I’m actually more worried about how Vin’toz will handle it. He’s been with the others so long, being on his own might…”

“The dog will adjust. The children on the island will keep him company.”

“Perhaps I will wait another couple of days. I need to get caught up here and finish making sure there’s nothing in reach of a puppy in the house.”

Zy’nayth chuckled, “At least take him home tonight. You can bring him back before you head to the office in the morning. Ease him and the twins into the separation.”

“All right. I’ll see you later.”

The call ended and Zy’nayth finished up the work he needed to tend to before he returned to the infirmary just before lunch.

Ky’nayth was curled up beside Vince, reading. Vince was sound asleep. Victoria was talking to Becket near his office.

“Just to cover your lunch,” Becket said. “I need to do something. Lia’s down for a nap, you need to take a decent lunch break. An hour, Victoria. No more, I promise.”

“Okay,” she sighed as her husband walked up.

“How are you feeling?” he asked the doctor.

“Not so great, but well enough to spout orders for an hour,” Becket smiled.

“Only an hour,” Victoria said. “Kenna is off with Geoffrey or Janice.”

Mik’kenna came hurrying up. “I here! I saw Daddy come in. I no believe it lunchtime already. I been so busy.”

“Then let us get your brother and head home.”

The family approached the bed where Vince was sleeping and Ky’nayth was reading. The boy coughed a little cough, snuggled against his pillow, and turned the page of his book.

Zy’nayth walked up and smiled at his son. “How are you doing?” he whispered.

“Little better.”

“It is time to return home,” Zy’nayth said as the boy put the bookmark in place then sat up. Zy’nayth lifted him off the bed then Victoria took the pillow and extra blanket and set them on a chair. Becket waved them off, he’d take care of them.

The door opened and the aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. “Dat smell good,” Ky’nayth said as Alessa walked by, waving at them.

“Soup and some nice crunchy bread. Go on in to the dining room, Chris just carried the pots in. Sandwiches if you want something more than soup. Everything’s in there.”

As they entered the dining room, they saw Lutia holding her head up with one hand, elbow on the table. Ja’val was next to her, rubbing her back.

“Has Becket seen you?” Victoria asked, going over to her friend.

“No.”

“I want to check you over after we eat. Been getting plenty of fluids?”

“Yeah. Head is killing me.”

“She’s been drinking water and juice, but won’t eat,” Ja’val said.

“Think you can stomach the soup?” Victoria asked.

“Gonna try. And if you’re okay with Kel’lan staying here, I could use some sleep.”

“Of course,” Victoria said. “You can stay here. Is anyone using our bedroom?” she turned to her husband.

“I have been in the conference room all day.”

“No one’s in there at the moment,” Alessa said, walking in. “Lutia’s welcome to it and I can watch over Kel. Though it might be quieter in your own chambers.”

“I think I’ll go back home. I hear every little noise.”

“We watch Kel’lan,” Mik’kenna said, getting up in her seat. “It no problem. You rest and get lots fluids and if you has fever use ice pack. Course, if you stay here, I can be special nurse. I still learning, but I do best I can.”

“Let me pray, then we can eat. Victoria, please, do not be doctoring while at the table,” Zy’nayth said.

“Yes, dear,” she smiled. Zy’nayth prayed a short prayer of thanks then Victoria fixed a sandwich for Mik’kenna and got both kids bowls of soup. The bread basket was passed, and seemed to be a huge hit all the way around.

When the meal was finished, Victoria got out her med kit and checked Lutia. “Lungs sound good. Keep an eye on that. We’ve got six cases of pneumonia now. Coughing? Nausea?”

“Not much coughing, usually just after I wake up. No nausea.”

“Good. Keep doing what you’re doing. That cough gets worse, you get to the infirmary if your hubby isn’t around to check you.”

Janice walked in, her lunch break having just started. “Victoria, Jeff and I just confirmed two more cases of pneumonia during our door to door rounds. Becket’s releasing Larnelle and Melanie.”

“Melanie’s doing well enough. Larnelle…he’s borderline,” she ran her fingers through her hair as Ky’nayth crawled up into her lap, “but probably the best choice.” She kissed the top of Ky’nayth’s head. “You going to be okay without me around this afternoon?”

“Yeah. I feel little better.”

“That’s so good to hear, honey. I’ve been so worried.”

“Mommy, I take good care of Bubby and Kel and Mari. You go to work.”

“I have ten minutes left. Lutia!”

Ja’val caught his wife as she stumbled, nearly falling shortly after standing to head back down to her own chambers. “My head,” she said and sank back onto the sofa.

“Dizzy?”

“Yeah. Throbbing. Everything’s spinning.”

“Janice, mind running to pick up meds? I think she needs something stronger than aspirin.”

“Of course,” she said and headed out as Victoria got out her tablet and sent a prescription to their tiny pharmacy.

“Lutia, you sure you don’t want to stay here? If not, I’ll have Janice bring back a wheelchair to get you home.”

“I think you should stay,” Ja’val said. “I am terribly worried about you.”

“Carry her to our bedroom,” Zy’nayth said, “or Mik’kenna’s.”

“Mine closer. I get ice and water. You no worry. I take good care of her,” Mik’kenna hurried into the kitchen.

Janice returned a few minutes later with the meds then she sat for her own lunch, Becket having come up with her, joined her and his wife who had napped until it was time for their lunch. Her parents also showed up to join them.

“Jacob, Julia, how are you two holding up?”

“Cold. Can’t get warm,” Julia said. “I think we’re both getting it now.”

“I’ll look after them,” Becket said, “and keep an eye on Lutia.”

“No running around,” Victoria said. “Ky, honey, don’t overdo it, okay?”

“Kay. I just go to bed and read. This good book.”

“That sounds like a plan,” Victoria said. “I love you very much. Kenna, honey, love you.”

“Love you, Mommy,” Mik’kenna said as she padded down the hallway to her bedroom with a makeshift ice bucket in hand.

Hannah, President Michael Stewart’s daughter, accompanied Victoria back to the infirmary where they put in another five hours. Longer hours were ahead, Victoria knew, and she was worried about her family and friends. She also knew something else was up with her husband. But she knew her husband was more than capable of handling whatever situation had arisen that morning. She simply wanted him to be able to talk to her about it, which was impossible with the twins sleeping with them and a house filled with guests.