E:A Vol 7 Ch 16—January 31, 2121

Chapter 16: January 31, 2121

Though both of Zy’nayth’s children had comlinks, they were set up to only alert himself, Victoria, or the entire family in emergencies. But today, Ky’nayth got a “real” comlink so he and Chris could communicate as the boy headed off to “work” with his father.

Zy’nayth gave the comlink to his son after breakfast, making sure it was working, then he had to break the bad news to his son. “You will only be able to work until lunchtime,” he said.

“But you need pilot. I help! Daddy please. I help. I do best I can. I try so hard.”

“Ky’nayth you, my son, are a terrific help, this has nothing to do with your abilities. Your mother and I only allowed Mik’kenna to work in the infirmary until lunch, so it is only fair that we do the same with your schedule.”

“But Sissy run ‘round all day and get tired. I just sit and pilot. It no exhaust. I be fine.”

“Honey, I know it doesn’t seem as tiring,” Victoria said, “but a lot of mental effort goes into what you’re doing and that can be just as exhausting.”

“Mommy, I…”

“Ky’nayth, as much as I would love to have you work all day with me, as your mother would have loved to have Mik’kenna work with her all day, it is for the best that you do not. What you and your sister have done is more responsibility than three-year-olds should have to undertake. We appreciate all of your help, but our first priority is your health and well-being. That means you will only help for half of the day.”

“Well…I ‘pose.”

“I know how much you want to help, but I do not want to wear you out before you turn four,” Zy’nayth smiled. “I am sure I will have a plenty of opportunities for you to pilot for me.”

The boy couldn’t hide the disappointment if he tried. “I just look forward to it so much,” he sighed.

“This may take days to uncover everything. Today will not be your last day piloting the drone. Now finish your breakfast. I need to check in with the Vice Chancellor before we head to the flagship.”

***

Chris made himself comfortable in Vince’s office after making sure regular morning duties were tended to in the Control Room. He told those at the workstations that he’d be available but was going to be monitoring the drones the Rayth were using in the underground complex that had just been discovered.

On the Raythian flagship, the group from the day before assembled in Ja’val’s private lab. Ky’nayth, dressed in his beige uniform, a leather replica of the black Warrior uniforms worn by the Raythian army, climbed up into his seat, sitting on top of a pillow needed for the extra height. His tiny hands flew over the workstation’s panel, tapping the glass top here and there to power everything up.

“Uncle Lieutenant Colonel Christopher, this is Student Pilot One, is I coming through ‘kay?”

“Student Pilot One,” Chris grinned at the boy’s attempt to be completely formal, “this is Chris, I read you five by five.”

“I no know what that means,” the boy replied.

“Sorry, I read you loud and clear.”

“Does that mean you can see everything okay, too?” Ja’val asked.

“Perfectly.”

“A change of plans from yesterday,” the First Science Commander continued after Chris answered his question. “Ky I want you back at that well. I need to make sure of a couple of things before we move on. When you get back there, do a quick run around the cavern so Chris can get an idea of the space.”

It only took Ky’nayth a couple of minutes to get back to the well. The drone went around the cavern, panning up and down, then buzzed up to the top and made sure Chris got another overview. “See everything?” the boy asked.

“Yup. Decent sized space.”

Ja’val broke into the conversation again. “I need to see if something in that V-shaped crack caused the quake or vice versa, so you two will be looking for anything out of place. That’s why I changed plans. If something in there caused the quake, we need to know. I had assumed, perhaps wrongly, that the quake caused the crack.”

“Got it. Ky, I’m ready when you are,” Chris said.

“Remember to take your time,” Zy’nayth said.

“Yes, Daddy High Chancellor.”

“The rest of us will be working our way through to the other facility,” Zy’nayth explained to Chris. “The First Commander will remain in the control room. Christopher, did Science give you a feed to his drone as well?”

“Yeah, Science has all your drones on this other monitor.”

“Good. First is attempting to fix workstation one, we believe it is the main control for various doors and perhaps contains the full schematics of the facility. Focus on Ky’nayth’s area, but if you happen to see something on one of our scans, speak up.”

“Got it,” Chris replied.

“I has question,” Ky’nayth said.

“Yes?”

“I know I go underwater, but is there be depth limit for drone?”

“Lower right side of your display,” Zy’nayth said, “if the pressure begins to be too much for the drone, a red warning will display there. I do not think that well will go deep enough to cause issues.”

“Oh. I thought that just for space.”

“It works for both.”

“Kay. I ready. Recording on.”

“I will take the lead in our group,” Zy’nayth said to John and Fahn’dir. “Keep enough distance behind each other so that if we need to back out quickly, we will not be running into each other.”

“I think Fahn’dir should bring up the rear,” John said, “that way if I get into trouble I have you two on either side to get me out.”

“It will also leave me free to help Ky’nayth out if need be,” Fahn’dir replied.

Zy’nayth gave them a nod, “Ready?”

“Lead on,” John said.

“Make sure you are all recording,” he said.

Zy’nayth hadn’t gotten more than a hundred feet when he told them that there was no way through. “There is room for the three of us side by side. We can blast a path through.”

John and Fahn’dir made their way up alongside him. Zy’nayth’s drone was hovering on the far left. “My scanner says that we should be able to get through here.” The drone’s light was focused on the area. “Point your lasers there and fire at will.”

After two shots apiece, they were called to a stop. Zy’nayth’s drone moved forward then backed out. “Need a couple of shots to the right of where we were. Not quite wide enough.

And so the morning progressed, little by little, making their way down the five-mile tunnel slowly rising in altitude as they went. It wasn’t much, but it was registered by the drones’ feedback. There were a few minor aftershocks that drew them to a stop, but there was no further falling debris that would have endangered the drones.

When Ky’nayth finished exploring the well as thoroughly as he could, he made one more quick pass, eager to make sure he did everything correctly and that nothing was overlooked.

“Nothing,” Chris said when Ky’nayth asked him if he saw anything. “Science, I don’t think anything here could have caused a quake. Did you guys get our images?”

“I’ve been following your progress,” Second Science Commander Gno’toz said, “I saw nothing as well. I would like Ky’nayth to take one more sample, if he would.”

“Course. Just tell where.” Ky’nayth said.

“Go into the V, as far as you can without there being any risk of the drone getting stuck. I want a sample from as far down and as far in as the arms will reach.”

“Understood,” Ky’nayth said and plopped his drone back under the water. “One sample to bring up or you want me to do a prelim one?”

“One of each, please.”

The first sample was taken and a preliminary scan was done by the drone’s internal systems while Ky’nayth gathered a second sample that would be stored in the drone and returned to the flagship.

“Nothing out of the ordinary on prelim,” Gno’toz said to Ja’val. “I don’t think we need anything more from the well.”

“Daddy High Chancellor, we come to you now?”

“No,” Kol’non answered in Zy’nayth’s stead, “I need a few supplies to fix this workstation. I think I’ve narrowed down the problem. Return topside to be teleported up. I’ll have items waiting for you to be brought down. And your samples can be taken and analyzed.”

“Understood,” Ky’nayth replied, spinning his little drone around and headed up and out of the well.

“Whoa, this thing can zip right along,” Chris said and admired the three-year-old’s ability to dodge, dive, turn, spin, and maneuver around the obstacles quicker than Chris could see them appearing. “Gonna tend to a few routine things here while Ky’s running his errand. Be back in ten. Comlink will be on if you need me.”

“Christopher, could you get word to Janice that we will need lunch brought up. But please stress that I can order from our mess hall if it is too much work.”

“Will do; switching channels to contact her.”

“Is it just me,” Ja’val said, “or has our Vice Chancellor been spending a lot of his free time around a certain head nurse?”

Kol’non chuckled, “Be’atta mentioned the same thing.”

“Aunt Janice teaching Uncle Ny’van how to cook,” Ky’nayth said, “and he help take puppies to island.”

Kol’non and Ja’val exchanged grins. “That’s probably it,” Ja’val said.

Suddenly Ky’nayth let out a little screech. “Sorry,” he said, “must be swarmy. Stuff falling, nearly got hitted. I ‘kay.”

“Can you make it through?” Kol’non asked.

“Waiting minute just case. Dusty everywhere.”

“Janice says she’ll send something up but it’ll be about an hour,” Chris rejoined the channel. “The Vice Chancellor will bring it up.”

“Thank you,” Zy’nayth said with a smile.

“I get through now,” Ky’nayth said. “Drone ‘kay. No damage.”

“Good flying,” Kol’non replied.

A few minutes later, Ky’nayth’s drone emerged from the fissure and was teleported to a jet bay on the flagship where the Third Science Commander took out the sample vials that Ky’nayth had collected, then gave it a benachti box which the drone’s arms carried like a bird of prey holding its catch.

“Toolbox secure,” Ky’nayth said. “Ready to teleport.”

The Third Science Commander went to the teleportation workstation and returned the drone planet-side.

“I go slower coming back so box no get hurt,” Ky’nayth told Kol’non.

“Once I have the box, do you want Ky to join you?” Kol’non asked Zy’nayth.

“Will you require assistance?”

“I don’t think so. If I do, he can zip back here.”

“Ky’nayth, once you hand off the box, join us please,” his father said and checked his watch. “No. Head this way, but park you drone at these coordinates,” he sent the data to his son’s screen, “I do not think you will be able to continue given the time.

“Yes, sir, Daddy High Chancellor.” Ky’nayth’s voice was sad. He felt as if he hadn’t done anything that day but circle a well.

By the time Ky’nayth made it back to the control room to drop off the box then to where his father’s drone was, Ny’van came walking in with a large box. Be’atta was with him, carrying two large shopping bags.

“Janice outdid herself,” Ny’van said, “ravioli, which I had for the first time, delicious. Homemade bread, also delicious. Salad and fresh fruit.”

“Daddy, I stay or go home to eat?” Ky’nayth asked, trying not to sound as if he was about to cry.

“I would like you to stay,” Zy’nayth said, brightening the boy’s mood.

“I’m here to fix up your plates and clean up when you’re done,” Be’atta said, “so continue to work. Vice, would you pray first?”

Ny’van nodded then prayed over the meal, specifically praying that the expedition would go well. Then he passed out the eating utensils and the homemade rolls as Be’atta fixed two bowls for each person: one with a salad, the other with the ravioli. “I have things to tend to on the homeworld, enjoy your meal,” Ny’van said then left.

“Aunt Be’atta, tell Aunt Janice I love the rabbie olie.”

“It is very good,” Zy’nayth said, “well worth the wait. If you will excuse me, I need to make a private call.” He took his plate and drink and stepped into Ja’val’s office within the main Science lab.

Victoria answered the ringtone, “Hey handsome,” she said.

“Victoria, I am going to keep Ky’nayth here until dinner. Do not be upset.”

“We agreed not to do this.”

“I know and I will explain it to you and Mik’kenna tonight.”

“Honey, I love you, but I don’t want our daughter feeling like we’re favoring him. You know how he felt when she got to work and he couldn’t…well, she’s going to feel the same. We have…”

“I will explain my reasons at dinner.”

“I thought you were a man of your word,” she began to fume as she looked up from Becket’s desk at Geoffrey who was motioning to her through the window. She held up a finger then pointed it at the comlink in her ear.

“I did not give my word. Victoria, I need him to finish the day with us. I will explain tonight.”

“All right. But your daughter may not be happy with you.”

“I believe she will understand. We will see you at dinner. I love you, Victoria. I am sorry I upset you.”

“I love you, too. I just don’t want Kenna upset. See you tonight.” She disconnected the call then went to see what Geoffrey needed.

“Ky, back up a little please,” Chris said, his eyes on the monitors as he ate in Vince’s office, “glad you guys brought me a bowl of this stuff. Alessa’s not feeling well again so she didn’t fix me a lunch. There, pan left.”

“I thought this virus was not supposed to return,” Zy’nayth said, returning to Ja’val’s private lab.

“So did we. So far it’s just…there! Ky! Yeah. What’s that glow?”

Ky’nayth zoomed in on the dime-sized golden glow. “It same glow as bridge,” he said. “I get closer. Tight here.”

“Looks like a tiny hole,” Ja’val said then scooped another piece of ravioli into his mouth.

Ky’nayth moved the drone’s arms and poked at the glow, “Can you see, Uncle Science?”

“Try and make the hole bigger, but be careful,” Ja’val said. “Just a little bit bigger so I can see it a little better.”

“How did you see that?” John asked Chris. “The three of us missed it.”

“I’m a sharpshooter,” Chris said, “very good vision.”

“I think the last tremor simply opened it up,” First Pilot Fahn’dir said, “though I have heard of your remarkable skills.”

“I poke through,” Ky’nayth said.

“That’s not very deep,” Kol’non said, taking a bite of his salad.

“Ky, get a sample of the floor,” Ja’val said.

“Prelim one?” he asked as he got the tiny container out of the drone and began to scoop up the material.

“Yes. Then see if you can get a sample of the material inside that hole, not the floor, the stuff in between…”

Ky’nayth pointed with the free arm of the drone, “No bun, just hamburger meat?”

Ja’val laughed, “Yeah. Perfect.”

“Kay. Sample secure. Prelim one running. Going after hamburger material.”

Be’atta reached over and moved his bowl of ravioli that was getting too close to the edge of the table.

“Having hard time. Thin hamburger,” Ky’nayth said as his brows furrowed in concentration.

“Results from first sample, nothing out of the ordinary,” Gno’toz said.

Zy’nayth looked over at his son. His tongue was stuck out of the side of his mouth, his little brows furrowed, and his fixed on the screen. Zy’nayth was going to offer to take over, but he decided to give him a couple more minutes. Then said, “We should stop here. Finish our lunch before it gets cold. It is far too good to let that happen. John, Fahn’dir, go ahead and bring your drones up to me.”

“Got it!” Ky’nayth exclaimed a couple of minutes later. “Kay. Removing sample one, inserting sample two. Running prelim.”

“Let it run. Eat your lunch.”

He made sure everything was set for the drone to hover in place then he went back to his food.

“The hamburger,” said Gno’toz with a smile, “appears to be a mixture of titanium and gravarium.”

“Enough for a somewhat solid, stable barrier, but not necessarily meant to be a true floor,” Ja’val said, checking the chemical composition. “Think we should attempt to open up that hole and go down?”

“No. We are not sure of what is down there,” Zy’nayth said, finishing his salad, “and I do not wish to cause it to collapse and cover what is under us.”

“Ky’nayth, when you are finished with your lunch, and please don’t rush, go ahead and get another sample to bring back,” Ja’val said.

“Yes, sir.”

“Anyone want seconds?” Be’atta asked, going over to the covered dishes.

“Just a couple more pieces of the ravioli, but a full salad,” Kol’non said. “Thank you, my lovely wife.”

Suddenly Be’atta teared up and almost began to cry.

“What’s wrong?” he asked standing and embracing her after putting her dish aside.

“I just… I love you so much and… sorry, I just…sorry, sorry, sorry. I’ve been overly emotional lately.”

“The baby,” Zy’nayth said. “Victoria was very emotional during her pregnancy. She would cry if there was a wrinkle in her shirt.”

Be’atta chuckled as she wiped away the few tears that had escaped. “No she didn’t.”

“Actually, she did. She would burst into tears at the oddest things. One time she put too much sugar in her tea. She cried for an hour.”

“Really?” Be’atta asked.

Zy’nayth nodded. “That was early in the pregnancy. I was not expecting these things. Gal’lara had not been like that. I did not know what was wrong and when she told me about the sugar, it was as if it meant the end of her world, and I wanted to laugh because it was so ridiculous. But I was a good husband and got her a fresh glass of tea and held her until the mood passed.”

Ky’nayth hopped down from his seat and took his bowl over to Be’atta for more ravioli. “I ate all my salad, so I can has more rabbie olie, Daddy, before I go home?”

“You may. And I spoke to your mother. I need you here this afternoon. You will be staying.”

“Really?!” the boy nearly dropped his bowl in his excitement. “Really?”

“Really. I want us to reach that second facility today if at all possible. You know that path and apparently you and Christopher make a pretty good team. With four of us scanning, we can move much faster.”

“Thank you so much! Can I has more bread, too?”

“Yes.”

Be’atta dished him out more food and handed him another buttery roll. Everyone seemed to want seconds, which she fully expected, and dished them out.

“How far away until we reach the building?” John asked as he tied into his second helping of salad.

“Three miles. And I cannot believe you are eating more salad,” Zy’nayth said, knowing that John usually preferred the heartier fare. Kol’non didn’t surprise him, as most of the Rayth who had taken the serum seemed to prefer lighter food, not that they didn’t enjoy a good steak. It may just be that those he knew were all warriors and fighting on a full stomach was not enjoyable.

“It’s the dressing. Not knocking the ravioli, because I’ll be downing more of that, but it’s almost like I’m craving this salad. Maybe it’s because I was so sick my body’s trying to catch up on nutrients.”

“I know all of you were supposed to get extra sleep last night, but do you think you’ll be working late tonight or catching up on your sleep again?” Be’atta asked.

“I think we will push as far as we can, but we will be down for dinner. The same group as last night. We have gone 24 hours without a major quake, so I am hoping we are finished with those for now.”

“Do you think it’s safe to land the ship and let the Ag crew off?” John asked.

“I am not yet certain that would be a good idea. I would prefer to wait a week, for safety purposes. There still could be a major aftershock, and we have had some tremors, though they could have been things settling above these pipes. I have not checked our seismic reports.”

“Chris did you catch that about not landing?” John asked.

“Yup. I’ll let Vince and the Ag and farm teams know.”

By the time the group returned to Zy’nayth and Victoria’s chambers for dinner, they had just reached the second facility. They used the drones’ arms to dig their way to the grate covering the pipeline. To blast their way in may have meant hitting a generator or something significant. Once they got through, they found the room remarkably free of damage. There was dirt on the floor from where it fell in through a couple of grates, but that was about it. Zy’nayth had them “park” the drones then they went to have dinner.

“You didn’t look around?” Vince asked.

“We were already asking to have dinner put off an hour,” Zy’nayth said, “and the work was tedious. I believe that wears on your stamina more than a fight.”

“Daddy, I get to go tomorrow, please?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Yes. Will you be able to get up early again?”

“I will!”

“Tomorrow, you will only work a half day. The reason I changed my mind today was because next weekend we are going to see the Vice Chancellor’s son and therefore, I wanted to push our work today to reach the second facility, which, with your help, we did.” Zy’nayth looked at his daughter, “Mik’kenna, it was a last-minute decision. I hope you can forgive me after all of the talk we had this morning about being fair.”

“Nothy to forgive. I know I only help Mommy at work half day but I here and help family patients, so I work all day,” she shrugged her shoulders. “Ky no can do that from here. I no angry, but thank you for tell me why. I ‘ppreciate it.”

Victoria gave her husband a loving smile then turned to Ny’van, “How is your son? Is he still willing to let you come?”

“He’s as angry as ever at me, but his wife is welcoming us. Since I’m not sure what his mood will be like when he sees the High Chancellor, I’ve arranged a room for him and the twins at a local inn.”

“I hope she understands why were not able to visit as planned,” Zy’nayth said.

“She does. My son, on the other hand, thought we shouldn’t be wasting our time trying to help the humans.”

Zy’nayth sighed, “I hope I can convince him otherwise. But the main thing is to help him find the Lord. Children, remember to pack your Bibles and spend extra prayer time praying for God to open his heart before we get there.”

“I should be back on duty next week, certainly by next weekend,” Becket said, “if you want to take Victoria with you.”

“As much as I would love for her and my daughter-in-law to meet,” Ny’van said, “she wouldn’t be welcome in my son’s house.”

“Besides, doctor,” Victoria said, “you’ll only be allowed to do light work and since no one on staff will stop you from doing more, I have to stay to keep you in line.”

“I think Janice would stop him,” John grinned. “She’s a meanie.”

“I just do my job,” Janice said, “and if my patients give me a hard time, I can dish it back at them.”

“You do not,” Victoria said, “maybe to John, but not to anyone else.”

“What if we not done with esspedition by weekend?” Ky’nayth asked, switching the topic back.

“Uncle Kol’non will tend to it. We can get as much done as we can with mapping the facility, then my men will take over.”

“When will you be back?” Vince asked.

“Sunday evening,” Zy’nayth replied. “We will leave Friday morning.”

“Daddy, if they Rayth and no take serum,” Mik’kenna said, “what we eat? We come home to eat? I maybe pack something, but they prolly no have stove to cook. What we do?”

“There is a restaurant in the inn,” Ny’van said, “and a second one in the village. There are a few Rayth there who have taken the serum, though they don’t have the cooking skills I’ve been privy to here.”

“Who take care of puppies?” Mik’kenna continued with her questions.

“David and I will take care of them,” Victoria said.

“And if need be,” Kol’non said, “I can always come and help to take them to the island. Though we may be able to risk bridging them to the mainland if the quakes stay at bay.”

“If things are still stable, you may try it since it is just a short trip,” Vince suggested.

“I think that easier,” Mik’kenna said, “that way no need special people to go to island since it for Rayth.”

“Except the mainland bridge is not working. Science, can you send someone to get that up and running?” Zy’nayth asked. “And Victoria, I would prefer if you went to the island. First, I would like you with them or First Science. There are still rebels out there and though I do not believe the island would be attacked…I want my wife safe.”

“I’ll tend to it,” Kol’non nodded to Ja’val, “I know you’ll be busy with this new facility.”

“Kinda stretched thin with this facility,” Ja’val looked at Zy’nayth, “Where do you want me to slot the bridge repairs on my priority list?”

“Show me your list after dinner, I will decide then.”

Ny’van spoke up, “Speaking of special people to escort the dogs to the island…One of the things I’ve been doing when not here, besides doing the High Chancellor’s job,” he grinned, “is talking to all of the islanders. We are going to have a vote next week about allowing our ‘family’ have free access to the island, at least to my house and the High Chancellor’s. It’s not going to be a resort where you can bridge over and go to the beach, but for instances like this with the dogs, they are considering allowing someone like David or Kaven to show up with the dogs, without one of our Rayth family members. And when they come to visit, we wouldn’t have to meet them at the bridge.”

“Most of our family has that privilege,” Zy’nayth said.

“Yes, but nothing official.”

“Are there disgruntled residents?”

“No, no, nothing like that. I just thought it would be good to have everything in writing, so to speak, in case trouble is stirred up in the future.”

“Are we expecting trouble?” Zy’nayth raised an eyebrow.

“Your brother and nephews are still out there. In custody, yes, but it’s still possible for them to stir up trouble. Let’s make sure that our human friends are officially allowed to visit the island.”

“I assume a list will need to be kept to identify those friends,” Zy’nayth said.

“Of course. After all the High Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor both have homes on the island, it has to be secure.”

“And perhaps, soon, the First Commander,” Kol’non smiled.

“Really?” Victoria asked.

“As you have tried to do with Ky and Kenna, I would like to split my time between Kiva and Terra 2. Between Rayth and humans. Nothing has yet opened up on the island for purchase but Be’atta and I have agreed to get a place there when one becomes available.”

“That’s great!” Victoria exclaimed. “Ja’val, you need a place on the island too!”

“We’ve talked about it,” Lutia said, “but there’s always so much going on for either of us to really commit to a move. He’s content here, and I’m slowly becoming known in the city where his home is, though we usually just go to get a gadget he needs. At least I know some of the people on the island.”

“We’re hardly at my place because it’s nothing but a heap of my junk in every room,” Ja’val said, “and though I’d like Kel’lan to be around Rayth of his own age, he does have Ky as his big brother and Kenna and Mari as his sisters.”

“Sadly, your husband and his work is far too valuable to me and I rely on him for too much. I apologize, Lutia, for taking up so much of his time.”

“It’s okay. I knew what I was getting into. Like everyone around this table, I’m hoping that someday humans will be readily accepted in your cities. And Vince, you’ve been gracious in giving us larger quarters so Kel has room to play. I do love it here but I wish Kel could be around kids his age. I guess I understand a little more how you guys feel,” she said nodding to Zy’nayth and Victoria.

“Speaking of quarters,” Vince said, “we need to get the dig out going again.”

“Already on it. They’ll start on Monday. Only two crews. Going to take it easy until we have more people fully recovered,” John said.

“Steve and I made it more of a volunteer basis until things got back to normal,” Chris added.

“Once we’re back up to capacity and back on land…or water…I’d like to kick this project up a notch,” Vince said.

“We could pull back on the number of teams we send off-world,” John said, “but those trades, those relationships are vital. Especially since we’re still trying to ease human-Rayth relations in most areas. And I think I have things running at capacity with the off-world teams, the diggers, as I’ve termed them, the clean-up crew, training schedules, vacations…I’m not sure where I could pull from to throw more men at the digging project.”

“Ask for volunteers,” Kaven said. “I put in a few hours each week to help out on top of my scheduled shift. Maybe everyone thinks that now that we’re back on Terra 2, we don’t need the extra hands. But given that most of our science labs are in Tower 2 and still buried, we shouldn’t have any issues getting those scientists to help with the dig out.”

“But the dig-out teams need to be cohesive. I need an engineer to check for structural integrity, I need…” John said but Kaven stopped him.

“But once that’s done, a couple pairs of hands to toss things into the dump bins will help. And instead of using your teams to do the cleaning after the room is cleared, see if you can get some regular volunteers to do that. I’m not talking painting, I mean just get in there with a scrub brush, wash down the walls and floors. After all, nearly everyone helped initially. We only stopped because we got the main residential areas up and running and people needed to get back to their jobs…at least those with areas cleared out. We still have a lot of people who can’t work because we can’t get to those areas.”

“I think Kaven has a good idea,” Alessa said. “Before we all got sick, there were afternoons when Chris was working late and I could have gone and scrubbed down a room or two before he got home. Now we’re confined to a couple dozen floors and those are either residence floors or our work facilities. It’s sort of claustrophobic.”

“And we put the guest suites on hold because we didn’t have enough personnel to get them furnished and decorated. Might be a good time to get those done up properly,” Lutia said. “I’m not too fond of scrubbing floors since I do so much cleaning at work, but I’d volunteer to paint and decorate or go shopping for furniture. Let’s face it, though this is a military facility and our mission is to explore this galaxy, our flying city is turning into a home with families. We have over a two dozen couples now. I know, out of five thousand people that isn’t much, but people are going to want bigger chambers, maybe a school for kids, and a proper little church would be nice.”

“And a swimming pool,” Chris said. “Indoor targeting range, training arena, movie theater would be kinda nice too.”

“Okay, I’ll send out an email asking for volunteers,” John chuckled.

“We should make a list of what we need volunteers for,” Chris said, “decorators, like Lutia suggested, cleaners, diggers, and so forth, so that people will sign up for something they prefer.”

“I’m afraid if I do that, we’ll have a thousand people willing to decorate but no one to help dig out or clean.”

“Rotate the list,” Gno’toz spoke up, “let everyone know these are the key areas in which volunteers would be placed and that people will be rotated through each of the categories.”

“People might drop out,” Kaven said, “they’ll be available to shop for furniture but not for hard manual work. Granted, we wouldn’t want Becket getting his hands all cut up and there should be consideration for those with jobs that do delicate work with their hands, but we need to encourage people to help wherever they can.”

“Any suggestions, Big Guy?” John asked, surprised that Zy’nayth hadn’t offered any.

Zy’nayth gave him a quizzical look. “I am the High Chancellor of the Raythian Empire and Supreme Commander of the Raythian Army and Fleet. I need not ask for volunteers. I command. It is done.”

Chris snorted then laughed. “Haven’t seen the Commander come out in a while.”

Zy’nayth smiled, “He is still here. To answer your question, John, I do not have any suggestions to add.” Then his comlink buzzed. “Yes?” He listened then his smile faded. “Very well, thank you.” He disconnected the call. “A rather large quake. Not as big as previous ones, but still a seven on your scale.”

“Don’t be disappointed,” Ja’val said, “it could still very well be an aftershock from the big ones. It’s completely possible. Give me five minutes to finish dinner and I’ll head up and check things.”

“We should check drones,” Ky’nayth began getting up from the table.

“Ja’val can look at the monitor. If they need to be moved, we can go up, but I think they will be safe where they are.”

“I will keep my comlink on,” Ky’nayth sat back down, disappointed, “if need me, Uncle First Science, call me right way, I be ready.”

“Though he should call me first,” Zy’nayth said, “seeing as how I am the High Chancellor.”

“Oh, yeah,” the boy giggled. “I sorry.”

Baxter came trotting into the room and up to Ky’nayth. “You no be in here when we eat,” Ky’nayth said, “You know better.” Baxter let out a bark, trotted to the doorway and looked back at Ky’nayth, letting out another bark.

“Daddy, may I be ‘scused so see what Baxter want?” Zy’nayth gave him a nod and the boy followed the dog out of the room. A few seconds later they heard a couple more barks and a minute or so after that, Ky’nayth returned.

“What happened?” Victoria asked.

“Puppies playing hide and seek,” he guessed, “and hidded in my closet and I think ‘nother puppy shut the door. Celeste and Frostie stuck inside. They ‘kay, I petted them and told them I loved them.”

“I have a feeling that Cinnamon is the culprit,” Lutia said, “she loves doors and always has her nose against one trying to swing it open or push it closed.”

“She ‘vestigating,” Mik’kenna said with a nod. “Puppies do that. They love to esplore.”

After dinner, Ja’val went to the flagship, confirmed that the drones were safe and that there appeared to be no further damage on the mainland. Zy’nayth sent word that they would continue their expedition at 6:00 a.m.

“Mommy?” Ky’nayth came running into the living room, “Mommy, I take bath now, ‘kay?”

Victoria looked at her watch, “It’s only 7:30.”

“But I sleepy and no want miss getting up in time tomorrow for esspedition.”

“Okay, honey. When you’re ready for bed, let us know so we can pray together.”

He nodded and went running to the bathroom. Victoria went back to her checker game with Mik’kenna.

“Bubby like helping Daddy,” Mik’kenna said.

“Both of you do.”

“I just mean when he get to fly, he like more.”

“That he does. He’s very much the pilot like your father.”

Fifteen minutes later, Ky’nayth came back out and informed everyone he was ready for prayers so he could go to bed. The family gathered in his room and Zy’nayth led them in prayers then tucked his son into the bed and handed him his Bible. “Make sure to read for a few minutes.”

“I will,” he said.

Zy’nayth kissed the top of his head, “I love you, son, and I am very proud of you.”

“Love you too, Daddy,” he said then opened his Bible to do his evening reading.

Forty-five minutes later, Mik’kenna was tucked into her bed then her parents retired to their own room. “So is this second facility another generator?” Victoria asked.

“I am not sure. If it is, what we were able to scan from where we entered is much larger than the first facility. And if it is not, I wonder where the energy from the generator was being pumped to? I am quite perplexed over this.”

Victoria slipped into her nightgown after a yawn, “You’ll figure it out.” She stopped and frowned.

“What is wrong?”

“So used to this place being packed with people and dogs it’s too quiet now.”

“Enjoy the quiet,” he said and pulled her down into the bed with him, “and get some sleep. You look tired.”

She snuggled into his strong embrace, closed her eyes and fell right to sleep.

***

Tel’lok’s hands moved swiftly over the controls of the Mythican flagship as Jil’ana and her team kept an eye on every sensor and scan they had at their disposal.

“Going through the first array now,” Tel’lok said.

The array was new. They encountered it upon arriving back in the Terra 2 system. Jil’ana and her team had not, thus far, been able to plot a course through it to Terra 2 itself, but they had figured out that though they had traversed through several of the grid’s lines, they had remained undetected. Their cloak had kept them hidden. Now Karken’al knew they couldn’t waste any more time. The clock was ticking. The old Mythican city-ship was still in orbit. That meant the Rayth hadn’t yet determined the problem of the quakes or they had but had not been able to fix it. That, in turn, meant that time was running out before there would be a quake so massive, it could disrupt the unstable elements causing a system-wide catastrophic explosion.

“Clear,” Tel’lok said, “holding position.”

Jil’ana checked and rechecked. “No communications being detected on the Rayth system, at least as much as I can tell without trying to break into it. Waiting on confirmation from others on the team.” Each called in their report. They seemed to have remained undetected.

“Tel’lok, best possible speed to Terra 2,” General Karken’al said. “Keep us hidden. Jil’ana, I’m going to need an update as soon as possible as to the status of the quakes and possible repairs being done.”

“Yes, sir. Team is ready to start investigating as soon as we’re in range.”

Karken’al activated the ship-wide communications, “As a reminder, if we are detected by the Rayth, we will run. We can’t outshoot them, but we can outrun them. Everyone on high alert until further notice.”

The distance, though short, had many hazards that Tel’lok had to worry about including Raythian warships around Terra 2. But his course and the ship’s cloaking technology kept them hidded and the ship reached its destination without being detected.

Jil’ana went about gathering information about what was happening planet-side. Tel’lok sat, watching his controls, one blip in particular: the Raythian flagship on the opposite side of Terra 2. He had matched their orbit but halfway around the globe. The other two Raythian warships, the former Raythian flagship, and the ancient Mythican city-ship were all in orbits that seemed to criss-cross the planet.

An hour later, Jil’ana finally spoke. “No sign of anyone planet-side. The farm area seems to have been deserted. Animals are gone. Assuming they’re on the city-ship or the old Rayth flagship. I take that to mean they know how bad the situation is.”

“If they knew how bad it could be, those ships wouldn’t be here,” Karken’al said, “they’d be out of this system.”

“We know and we’re here,” she replied, not taking her eyes from her screens.

“Teleportation activated by the flagship,” Tel’lok said.

“On it,” Jil’ana replied. “Drone…oh no.” She transferred one of her screens to the main bridge viewscreen. “That’s a pretty big fissure.”

“Quake did that?”

“Has to be,” Jil’ana replied.

“Any idea what that drone’s for? Repairs or exploration?” Karken’al asked, standing, trying to imagine how be the fissure was in relation to the trees in the background.

She isolated an image and put it on the viewscreen. “Hard to tell,” Tel’lok said. “Their drones are pretty standard. They modify them before deployment. This one has…looks like a toolbox…setting up a reference for size.” A moment later he said, “It’s a smaller drone. Probably not capable of carrying out repairs, at least not on something that caused that fissure.”

“Is there anything else we can determine?”

“Not from this image,” Tel’lok said and Jil’ana agreed.

“Options? I assume scanning isn’t one of them.” Karken’al said.

“We’re gathering information,” Jil’ana said. “Old tech, slow, hopefully they won’t detect it.”

“What about sending our own drone down?”

“Pretty sure they’d see it,” Tel’lok said, eyes back on his own monitor, making sure the Raythian flagship made no moves towards them.

“Micro-drone?” Karken’al said. “Could we get one planet-side without teleporting it down?”

“Not without adding special thrusters to it which would make it noticeable,” Jil’ana said. “However…” she paused for a moment as she thought about the problem, “we could attach a scanner to one of their satellites…not attach, but put it in orbit right next to it.”

“Pretty sure they’d detect it,” Tel’lok said again. “Their satellites are heavily shielded and…”

“A micro-drone might be thought of as space debris…”

“Not worth the risk,” Karken’al said. “They set up this new detection grid, so I suspect their normal scanning systems have been boosted on those satellites.”

“They haven’t detected us yet,” Jil’ana said.

“A drone, even disguised as debris, would be if we set it next to one of their satellites. It wouldn’t have our shields. No. I need other options.”

“Right now, I’m giving you what I have. Like I said, it’s slow, but mostly undetectable.”

“Slow is not a good thing right now,” Karken’al sighed, “but it’s the safest. Okay. Let me know what you find out.”

“We could come out of hiding and hail them,” Tel’lok said. “Might be our best move if we don’t want him thinking we’re here to cause trouble.”

“Also might be the quickest way to die. That flagship, if Jil’ana’s files are accurate, moves faster than we think.”

“I know what the images showed, but it can’t move that fast. I know it can’t,” Jil’ana said.

“We don’t know for certain. We stay hidden for now. Have your team work on ideas. We don’t have much time.”