E:A Vol 7 Ch 19: February 7, 2121

Chapter 19: February 7, 2121

First Flight Commander Fahn’dir spent a day noting what shuttles and small ships were in the shuttle bays in the massive second facility. First Commander Kol’non worked on getting the jammed doors opened. Meanwhile, the First and Second Science Commanders were working on several projects including analyzing the data about the dock on the gulf, going through the databases information they’d acquired from the various workstations in the uncovered facility, and giving some attention to Zy’nayth, John, and Ky’nayth as they continued to map the rest of the facility.

For the next few days, they explored the rooms and corridors while the Science team tried to isolate the problem with the dock. Since there didn’t seem to be an immediate issue, Zy’nayth suggested that they take some time away from this task so that Ja’val and Gno’toz could work with the rest of the Science team to figure out the more dangerous aspect of their mission.

When Friday came, Zy’nayth and the twins readied themselves to accompany Ny’van as he visited his son, In’val. The family had been together since Zy’nayth’s brother had been captured after the rebel attack had been quelled back in October. The thought of not having her children where she could see them or not just a couple doors away began to unsettle Victoria on Tuesday as her husband asked her to make sure the twins had everything packed and ready to go for their long weekend.

She was naturally worried. There were still rebels out there. In’val didn’t like humans, hence her remaining on the city-ship and not joining them on their trip. She kept reminding herself that Zy’nayth was the strongest man in the galaxy and he wouldn’t let anything happen to their children. But, as a mother, she wanted to be there to keep an eye on them.

Finally, Friday afternoon came and Victoria began to cry as she said goodbye to her husband and children. “I’m going to miss you guys so much. It’s gonna be so lonely here.” She kissed and hugged each of the twins, running her fingers through their hair, making sure everything was just perfect as she sent them off.

“Tomorrow, Michael and his family will be here,” Zy’nayth said then gave his wife a tender kiss, “so it should not be as lonely. I will miss you terribly. I…we will call as we have opportunity to.”

“Okay. I hope In’val comes to Christ. I’ll be praying as often as I can from the moment you leave.”

She kissed both children again as Zy’nayth entered the code for the island where he had his home. “Be safe,” Victoria told them

“We will. And we will see you Sunday evening.”

“Call if you need anything. I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll do whatever you need of me,” she said as the portal began to glow.

“Mommy,” Mik’kenna said, “no forget Vin’toz needs special snuggles ‘cause he’s still a baby puppy. Baxter and Celeste will take good care of him, but you need to cuddle with him. He likes scratchies behind his right ear best.”

“Thanks for the tip, I’ll remember.”

“And he likes squishy food better than crunchy.”

“I’ll see to it. Don’t worry. You have a good trip. The dogs will be well taken care of. I have David and the others to help if I need it.”

“David good with puppies,” Mik’kenna gave a knowing nod. “Kay, Daddy, we go now.”

“Yes, dear,” he smiled and took their luggage across the portal. They had an hour before Ny’van would be by to escort them to the little town where his son lived, so he took his children up to the second floor of their house, which was a gigantic circular room with dressers and a small writing table ringing the outer edge of the room. The bathroom was off to one side, over the main study on the first floor. In the center of the large room, covering most of the floor, was a massive round mattress. Overhead was an iris that opened to reveal the beautiful blue sky. There was an invisible shield so that even if it rained, the rain would not get into the house despite the seemingly opening in the roof.

“Come, we will sit and pray for a little bit,” he said, then gave a command in Raythian that opened the iris. The three of them prayed for nearly forty-five minutes. Then he rested back and stared up through the iris. “Do you know why I put that in the roof?” he asked.

“Cause Mommy likes it?” Ky’nayth offered.

“I built this house centuries before I met your mother,” he smiled. “I put that in because I love looking at the stars.”

Mik’kenna, excited at the thought that her father liked stars as much as she did, moved and plopped down by her father, resting back, hands behind her head, “You like stars, too?” she stared up through the iris. It was still daylight, so no stars could be seen yet, but the blue sky with white fluffy clouds was still amazing.

“I do. That is one of the reasons I became a pilot,” he said as Ky’nayth laid back on the other side of his father, “I wanted to get close to the stars.”

“I wish it was dark so we could see them,” Mik’kenna replied.

“Me too. And I am so happy that, in your own ways, you both love things that I love. My son loves to fly. My daughter loves stars. I know that you may change as you get older, and that is fine, but I am thrilled that you do take after some of my interests.”

“Do you know all names of stars?” Mik’kenna asked.

“Not all of the stars. Besides different planets and cultures have different names for the stars, but those I can see from this place, I know their names. I know their coordinates so that I can fly to them.”

Mik’kenna sat up and looked down at her father, “I need telescope for here. We need to visit more so I learn about stars here. And Bubby can fly me in your cruiser to ‘vestigate.”

“Your mother and I are quite busy, however I will try to arrange it so that we may spend more time here.”

“I can has telescope for here?”

“Yes. And your brother can get some piloting time in.”

“Can you teach me how to build puppy house?” Ky’nayth asked. “We no have puppy house here. We can do that while Sissy looks at stars if we can’t go in cruiser.”

“I think I can do that.” He smiled, “And I believe that is Uncle Ny’van at the door.” He gave the verbal command for the iris to close then the three of them went down, grabbed their bags and left with the Vice Chancellor, both kids thrilled that they had a few minutes of special time with their father.

The group bridged to a small town on a Rayth planet settled in the last 500 years to take advantage of the beautiful marble deposits that could be quarried in great quantity. The planet was also quite tranquil with rolling hills and plenty of vibrantly colored meadows that any landscape artist would drool over. Ny’van took them to the inn where they checked in and put their things in their room before walking the short distance to In’val’s home.

“Commander,” In’val said, giving Zy’nayth a smile then a formal bow, “it’s been a long time.”

“Too long,” Zy’nayth said. “It is good to see you. I would like to introduce my children. My son, Ky’nayth, and my daughter, Mik’kenna.”

“Nice to meet you,” Mik’kenna said, holding out her hand to shake his, which was an Earth custom, not Raythian. “I sorry you sick. We come to pray with you. Uncle Vice Chancellor worried ‘bout you, so we here to help.”

“You are half-human?” he asked, tentatively shaking her hand, then Ky’nayth’s.

Mik’kenna nodded. “Mommy human. She a doctor. She help people. We has epidemic and Uncle Becket got sick, so Mommy run the infirmary and I helped. But I not big enough yet to have Rayth hands to heal them like Daddy does. But Rayth healing made people sicker for some reason,” she shrugged, “so we needed human healing. Everyone was sick. Whole ship sick. It bad. Uncle John almost died but that’s ‘cause of medicine his body didn’t like but Daddy saved him. Uncle Vice Chancellor says you no like serum? You think it bad. Can I has seat please? I think I has pebble in shoe. Daddy help please.”

Ny’van held his smile in. Mik’kenna, when she set her mind to something, didn’t beat around the bush. She was also quite the conversationalist. Mik’kenna held onto her father as she took off her shoes, not wanting to sit on the floor and ruin her little dress.

“Please, come in,” Sha’na said, after being introduced and helping to rid the pebble from Mik’kenna’s shoe. “I’ve heard so much about you two.”

After they settled in the living room, Mik’kenna again posed her question to In’val regarding the serum. “You think serum bad? I no understand why. It help lots of Rayth. It a good thing. But Daddy got really sick when he took serum ‘cause he special Rayth. But he ‘kay now. And now he no have to gather humans and hurt them to stay alive. He eat food. He like strawberries. I like them too, but grapes are better in my ‘pinion. And we big family now with humans and Rayth. Did Uncle Vice Chancellor tell you I almost died?”

“No, he didn’t. I’m sorry to hear it though. Are you okay now?”

“Yes. Human saved me,” she nodded. “Uncle Becket. He the main doctor for Expedition. I named after him. He work with Uncle First Science Commander to find cure. I had disease that only Rayth girls get, and I got ‘cause I a girl, but I was just little then, and they searched and took all my blood and ran tests. But Uncle Becket figure it out. It some regular Earth disease and he cured me. He gave cure to Uncle First Science Commander so all girl Rayth no get sick like that again. Humans are friends. You should take serum. It good.”

“She is quite the little talker,” In’val said, raising an eyebrow to Zy’nayth.

“She is very passionate,” Zy’nayth said, “and speaks her mind. Much like her mother. But what she said is true. It was Dr. McKenna who figured out what nearly killed her, and he readily handed over the cure to us.”

“Are you sure he’s simply not trying to infect us?”

“In’val, the disease was killing our females every year. You lost a daughter to it, did you not? We have spent thousands of years trying to find a cure. Dr. McKenna did not need to infect us. We were already infected. And you should know me well enough to know that I would not let anything harm my daughter. If I believed he had ulterior motives, I would not allow him to administer anything to her.”

“But don’t you find it a little coincidental that he helped with the serum and he helped find this cure? I call that suspicious.”

“I call it a miracle. God sent him here to help us. He and my wife have helped Rayth more than my best scientists have been able to do in thousands of years.”

“God?” In’val sighed, “The Earth God? See, they’ve infected your minds. Both you and Dad.”

“May I explain how we came to know God?”

“I suppose I don’t have a choice.”

“You do, but I would prefer to tell you our tale. It would mean a lot to me and to your father. I gave him my word I would try.”

“Very well,” In’val sighed with a wave of his hand, then sank into the deep cushions of his chair.

Ky’nayth bounced off the sofa and walked over to In’val, handing him his Bible. “I show you where passages are. It can be very confusing first time. Daddy tell us what he plan to say, but that it be fluid. That mean things change as needed. But he knew what Scripture he wanted to tell and stuff, so I know and can show you. Even if Daddy say other Scripture, I know where to find.”

In’val couldn’t refuse the kids, he didn’t wish to be seen as rude. He was, after all, a proud Rayth.

Zy’nayth took his time and told him, in more detail, about Mik’kenna’s near-death experience. How Ja’val and Becket worked around the clock to help her. How his own healing ability helped only minimally, at best, and the disease continued to progress. Then he told him about Victoria’s idea to pray. That she really didn’t understand Christianity, she knew a little from her grandparents but that was it. So they prayed. And Becket, running the last blood test he could think of, found the answer the following morning. “As we were waiting for the cure to take effect, Victoria looked at the computer screen of the test results. They were in the shape of a cross. In’val, I knew then and there, that this God of Christianity, saved my daughter.” Then he told him how Jesus was the only way to heaven, the only way to avoid an eternity in hell. Ky’nayth flipped through the Bible, showing him the passages as Zy’nayth recited them or referred to them. To Ny’van’s delight, his son and daughter-in-law asked many questions, truly listening, trying to figure out if there was something to this religion.

As the night wore on, Zy’nayth said he needed to take the children for dinner. “We can return afterwards and discuss this more, or we can let you talk among yourselves and just return in the morning after we have breakfast.”

“Sha’na and I will talk about this tonight, perhaps ask Dad a few questions. I’m quite tired.”

“I tired too,” Mik’kenna said, “and hungry. But we pray with you before we go. I pray with patients in the infirmary. They say it helps.”

Zy’nayth allowed his daughter to pray, he added his own prayers, as did Ny’van, then they returned to the inn and went straight to its little restaurant. Ny’van had given him a hint of what to avoid and what wasn’t bad. Their chefs were, after all, still learning to cook.

“We will have the stuffed baked potatoes,” he ordered for the three of them, “the house salad, and iced tea for all of us.”

“Yes, sir. It’s an honor to serve you, sir.”

Zy’nayth nodded, “I am just a patron tonight.”

“Dinner will be on the house,” the man said.

“That is not necessary. As I said, I am just a patron.”

“Daddy, you ordered taytoes,” Mik’kenna whispered to him after the waiter left, “that not normal.”

“Your uncle suggested them, and I do not think one can make a bad potato.”

The drinks and salads were brought out, and though the dressing wasn’t what they were used to, it wasn’t bad. The vegetables in the salad were fresh and crisp and both kids enjoyed the cherry tomatoes that they loved to pop into their mouths and squish between their teeth. Mik’kenna’s eyes got really big when the stuffed potatoes were served. They were enormous. And they were tasty.

“I should have just ordered two instead of three,” Zy’nayth said, “you two could have split one.”

“I eat all mine, I hungry and,” Mik’kenna reminded him, “I love taytoes. Daddy, look at all the cheese!”

“And bacon and this sauce stuff. It good. Mommy needs to make these,” Ky’nayth said.

“We can tell her about it when we call her tonight.”

They ate their meal then went up to their room and through a video link, talked to Victoria.

“Mommy, it was the biggest taytoe ever!” Mik’kenna said, then described it in detail in hopes that her mother could replicate it when they got home. “So, you think you make?”

“I probably can,” Victoria smiled, “I’m glad you found something you liked. So how did things go with In’val?”

“He listened,” Zy’nayth said, “I believe Sha’na will come to the Lord, but I am not so sure about In’val. He did have questions, though it may have been to appear polite. Ky’nayth left his Bible with him so he could look things up tonight.”

“That was very thoughtful of you, Ky,” Victoria praised her son.

They talked a little more and Mik’kenna’s yawn caught her mother’s attention. “It’s been a big day for you guys. I think I should let you get to bed. You’ve got another big day tomorrow. I love you.”

“Love you, too,” both kids said.

“And I am still passionately in love with you,” Zy’nayth said, “Good night.”

“Wait!” Mik’kenna shouted, catching her mother before she disconnected.

“What, honey?” Victoria asked.

“Did you snuggle with Vin’toz?”

“Yes, I did. I gave him scratches behind his right ear more than the left, just like you told me. And I played with all of the dogs, and David helped me take them for walks. And, because I know you’ll worry about them, they’ll probably sleep with me tonight.”

Mik’kenna let out a sigh of relief, “Kay, thank you, Mommy. You know I worry so much about puppies.”

“I know. Good night,” she smiled.

February 9, 2121

Late Sunday afternoon, Victoria was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her family. The twins were visibly tired but full of stories. When they walked into the chambers, Baxter and Celeste followed by little Vin’toz scampered to greet everyone.

“Ny’van will pick up Vin’toz tomorrow,” Zy’nayth said after closing the door and giving his wife a passionate kiss, “I told him it would not be a problem.”

“That’s fine. I am so happy that he and In’val are restoring their relationship.”

“And he knows Jesus now,” Ky’nayth said, “and so does Miss Sha’na.”

“That is the best news,” Victoria hugged both kids. “I’m so glad you went to talk to him.”

Mik’kenna went back to the door where she had dropped her little suitcase and opened it as Celeste kept nudging her for attention. “See what they got me?” she said and held up the red hair ribbons. “They curly. I no have red curly ribbons. And see, stars on the clippy thing.”

“They’re beautiful,” Victoria smiled.

“I got new hat!” Ky’nayth said as he went and opened his own suitcase and pulled out the green hat, similar in style to an old-fashioned newsboy hat.

“Very sharp,” she replied. “Please take your things to your rooms and wash up for dinner. It’s almost done.”

The kids did as asked, and Zy’nayth took his luggage to the master bedroom and changed into his lounge clothes. Victoria went to the kitchen and finished up their meal.

“Steak?” Zy’nayth asked when he came in.

“Some good ribeyes, baked potatoes, green beans, cinnamon apples, and a salad. I thought you guys might want some good food since your last couple of meals haven’t been so good.”

“Yeah, nothing as good as the taytoes first day,” Mik’kenna said.

“As Ny’van said, they are just learning how to cook. It was not bad, but it was not nearly as good as what we are used to. Your mother has spoiled us.”

Victoria poured the glasses of tea then Zy’nayth prayed. The food was served and the kids devoured everything.

“You know, if things progress with Ny’van and Janice, and he spends more time at his son’s, she might be able to give the cooks there some lessons,” Victoria said. “Maybe you could mention it to him and I’ll mention it to her.”

“He has not yet talked to her about any type of relationship,” Zy’nayth said, “do not mention anything about that. However, the children would like to spend more time on the island, and we could visit In’val and Sha’na. Perhaps you could hold an instruction class or two. Take the cooks some of your spices and teach them how to use them.”

“I could do that. How many restaurants were there?”

“Two, including the one in the inn.”

“Think they’d work together in one lesson instead of me having to do a lesson in one spot then go to the other.”

“I can arrange it.”

“Oh, don’t demand it, just ask. I can do separate lessons, that’s fine, just not as convenient.”

“I will ask,” he smiled, “at least they will get some basics. I am sure Kol’non can provide them with various books he has downloaded from Earth. But I know he prefers hands-on training, as does Ny’van. It will also help them to taste your food to know what is more…palatable. I am sure most have not tasted anything like what you prepare. Though we cook for our young, things are very simple, and sadly, mostly created in a laboratory. There is actually very little cooking. Some have eaten off-world, but I doubt people in that village are often off-world.”

“So when do you want to head there?”

“Next weekend is booked, how about the weekend after? Provided there are no surprises with the second facility.”

“My schedule is flexible, it’s yours I’m worried about,” she smiled. “Just plan it and let me know.”

“I will plan for that weekend. I will have Ny’van talk to In’val, and then I will contact the restaurant cooks.”

“You guys must have been hungry,” she said noticing that both Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna’s plates were almost cleaned off.

“We work hard today,” Ky’nayth said, “and this good.”

“Make sure you leave some room. I baked some brownies.”

“Brownies? I love brownies!” Ky’nayth said. “We has ice cream?”

“We do. I had to do some fancy bargaining with Alan for it.”

“Chocolate?” Mik’kenna asked.

“And vanilla, and some strawberry for a certain High Chancellor who seems to like strawberry the best.”

“That he does. Thank you.”

After dinner and dessert, the kids unpacked their things, took their baths, had their Bible study time with their parents, then both wanted nothing more than to go to bed. The family prayed, then the kids were each tucked into their beds. Celeste curled up with Mik’kenna, while Baxter hopped up with Ky’nayth. Vin’toz wasn’t sure where he wanted to sleep and circled in the hallway until Celeste went and nudged him into Mik’kenna’s room and helped him up onto the bed.

“I’m going to clean up the kitchen, then you can give me a massage,” she told her husband.

“If I must,” he said following her to the kitchen to help. “Gno’toz has made significant progress with the schematics. He has identified many of the more important areas.”

“Does that mean that Ky won’t need to map anything?”

“I will have him search the rooms that John has not been able to get to. He is having too much fun and he is quite useful. I can also have him take the department heads through the areas pertaining to their work so they can get a feel for what is there before we start sending people in.”

“Any word about the dock?”

“Simon has found some documents, Kol’non is going through them since he can translate faster. Ja’val was instructed to take the weekend off.”

“No wonder I haven’t seen Lutia around.” She smiled at him, “Let the dishwasher do that. I just don’t like putting my knives in there.”

“But I have the sink filled with soapy water now.”

Victoria chuckled, “You can wash the knives. I love you, High Chancellor.”

He smiled and handed her the now-clean chef’s knife. “I should get you one with a benachti blade, I believe it would be more durable and you would not have to continually sharpen it.”

“I’ve had this for years. It’s a good knife.”

“When we go to Kiva, I will take you to a smithy who makes my blades. He can match the feel of this blade. I think you will like it.”

“If you insist,” she grinned and finished wiping down the table and counters as he loaded the dishwasher. “Do you think we should get knives for the kids? They both help a lot in the kitchen now. Kenna continues to say she’s going to get knives for her and Ky when we have our girl’s shopping trip, but…I just don’t know.”

“We can. I think they have learned how to use the knives properly. But I know you still think they are too young.”

“Maternal worries,” she said, “but I know that besides what I’ve taught them in the kitchen, you’ve shown them combat techniques with knives.”

“And who told you that?”

“I saw Ky flip a knife around the way you’ve done, I know he picks up on things, but that was no boy trying to emulate his father, you taught him how to do it.”

“Very perceptive. Are we done in here?”

“Yes. And you don’t have to give me a massage, I know it’s been a long weekend for you as well. The High Chancellor needs his rest.”

February 10, 2121

“Can you hear me, Dr. Harris?” Ky’nayth asked. Ky’nayth, on the flagship in Ja’val’s private lab, was connected via comlink to Simon Harris the Chief Technology Engineer of Expedition: Andromeda who was sitting in the conference room next to General Vince Cavanaugh’s office.

“Hear you just fine, Ky.”

“Screen okay? You see everything?”

“Yeah, perfectly.”

“Kay. Uncle First Commander gave you info ‘bout room, so you tell me what you want to look at and I ‘vestigate for you. I can use drome arms if I need to pick stuff up or use workstation. I can do just ‘bout everything you need. I here with Daddy and if I not able to do something I ask, ‘kay?”

“Sounds perfect. Let’s start with the workstation. He said you hadn’t download…or rather uploaded anything from it to our systems.”

Ky’nayth spun the drone around and went over to what was the main workstation. “I show you layout first,” he said. “Just so you has visual of place. I tell you what each station for. I suggest take note ‘cause you handle all techy stuff, you prolly need to know. I no mean to make order. Just suggestion. I sorry.”

“Ky, that’s a great idea. Got my pad and paper. Ready when you are.” Ky’nayth explained the layout and he slowly turned his drone, giving Simon a 360-degree view of the room. Then starting with the central workstation, which was the command station, Ky’nayth went from one station to the next explaining what each’s specialty was, ending with the workstation comparable to what Simon normally used in his daily work to check various systems statuses.

“Oh, quite a bit different than what we have in the control room,” Simon replied.

“Can you translate everything, Simon?” Kol’non asked.

“I think so, give me a moment or two.”

Ky’nayth reached over and took a drink of his ice water then munched on an apple slice as he waited. Zy’nayth looked at his son who was monitoring his drone’s screens as he sat on his pillow on the chair, kicking his legs kicked back and forth as he munched on one apple slice after another. He was enjoying every minute of his “work.”

“I wish I had a station like this on the city-ship,” Simon said after a few minutes, “if I’m reading these controls right, this would save a lot of time from having to run down to the electrical room. Put one of these in my office, kick back and relax.”

“Daddy and Uncle First Science say it like backup stations for all areas in this room. Something like that. Need me to zoom on something? You see all buttons?”

“Everything’s great, Ky,” he replied then began working his way through each button on the work station.

Kol’non and Zy’nayth continued to go through the various files that had been uploaded from the main control room of the facility. Each was looking for something in particular. Gno’toz was still mapping rooms via the schematics, and had given Simon and Ky’nayth coordinates for various areas that were related to the facility’s communications and electrical systems for which Simon’s teams were responsible. Ja’val was catching up on what was discovered over the weekend in the files.

John, who wanted to continue the search, knew he needed to be back on the city-ship and sending out the newly-formed volunteer teams to clean out the still-impassable areas of the city-ship. Both he and Vince were glad that there was a substantial number of people to do the hard labor and cleaning, but most were happy working wherever they were needed.

“I no know,” Ky’nayth said to Simon, a few hours into their day’s work. “Daddy, we no know this button.”

Zy’nayth glanced at one of his screens which was displaying his son’s drone’s images. “Reservoir. Hmm. Have you uploaded the information from this station?”

“Yes.”

“One moment.” After doing a quick search of the files he smiled. “Ja’val, I need you to check these files. I think this is what we need for the dock.”

“Got it,” Ja’val said as Zy’nayth sent him a direct link to the files.

“Go ahead and push the button, Ky’nayth,” Zy’nayth instructed as he connected both Ky’nayth and Simon into the group’s comlink conversation. The drone’s arm came into view and pushed the button. A holographic display came up and Ja’val led him through the navigation.

“Mind if I dig into other areas of this file?” Simon asked. “I have an idea.”

“Go ahead,” Ja’val said.

Simon walked Ky’nayth through the areas he wanted to search. “Found it! I think. Ky, is that the word for generator?”

“Yeah,” the boy said, munching on another apple slice.

“Okay, one minute,” he had Ky’nayth enter a few different “paths” as he looked for a datalogue of events. “Got it! The generator had a disruption at the same time as the pipeline feed to the dock. Kol’non, sending you the exact file location so you can cross-reference.”

“Thank you.”

“And I just found the break in the line,” Ja’val said, “but it’s not exposed. Two miles under. We have some digging to do.”

“Simon, Kol’non, is there an access tunnel we could use instead?” Zy’nayth asked. “I would rather send a drone or two to do the repairs, but if we must excavate, we will.”

“Checking,” Kol’non said and after a couple of minutes, “according to what I found, nothing large enough for a drone, at least not a drone capable of repairing the damage.”

“I’m checking files from the generator area,” Gno’toz said, thanking Simon for sending him the files as well. It took him a bit longer since things were not as well organized, but he agreed with Kol’non, there was no sign of an access tunnel.

Zy’nayth sat back in his chair, eyes closed, as he thought about the best possible way to get to the broken pipes. “Science, can we get to it using a dispersal method?”

“Like we did to get that second bridge for these guys?” Ja’val replied.

“Yes.”

“In theory, yes. I’ve done it before, I know we could, the problem is…with bridge portals, they’re pretty hard to break and their size is generally consistent unless being used in a hangar or shipping lane. These pipes…we have to be pretty careful to not hit them. With the shielding around them, we can’t detect them and I don’t want to send an energy stream into them by accident. That could end very badly.”

“But it is doable with what you know, correct?”

“I’d like a day or two to go over these schematics, take some of our own measurements to see if there’s been any major shift or uplift in the landmass. I don’t want to rush it.”

“We may not have much time. Pull a team together. This is now your priority. If you need the Second, we can make due without him.”

“Understood. But the pipes will need to be manually fixed once we uncover them.”

“Drones or in person?”

“Won’t know until I see it,” Ja’val said.

“Very well. Get everything ready. Inform me when everything is in place. I want to bring Vince and John up to speed.”

“Sir,” the Second Flight Commander said over the comlink, “your wife has just bridged on board along with the First Commander’s wife and the First Science Commander’s wife. Shall I send them your way?”

“Yes, Commander, thank you,” Zy’nayth replied. “Simon, we are going to break for lunch. Ky’nayth, I will leave it up to you and Simon if you wish to continue to work, but you will eat your lunch.”

“I can keep going, Dr. Harris,” Ky’nayth said, “I eat and drive same time, easy.”

“I might take a few minutes to run to the mess and get some food, too. Didn’t realize how hungry I was. Let’s take a break, okay? I’ll let you know when I’m back.”

“Understood,” Ky’nayth said, very officially.

The wives entered the room with lots of food. Mik’kenna joined them and immediately went over to her brother’s station and wanted to see him fly the drone. He zipped around the room and showed her some of the tricks he could do, getting applause in return. “You really good,” she said, “I proud of you, Bubby.”

Victoria had been watching as well and told him how impressed she was. “You do take after your father. And you never flown one before this expedition?”

“No. I natural,” he said, matter-of-factly.

“That you are,” she smiled. “Okay, we have a chicken alfredo casserole for lunch and a fruit salad. Nothing fancy.”

“And those cheesy sliced taytoes!” Mik’kenna said.

The ladies dished out the casserole and gratin into bowls that Mik’kenna dutifully took to each person. Zy’nayth prayed then they began to eat.

“I can’t stay,” Victoria said, “just wanted to help carry things up and see how well my son was doing. I have a president to feed.” She kissed Zy’nayth’s cheek.

“Tell Vince and John that I will contact them after lunch. We have isolated the problem with the dock.”

“That’s fantastic! I’ll let them know,” she said, leaving her husband and children with kisses and returned to the city-ship.

“Do you like this new casserole?” Zy’nayth asked his children after several minutes of silence from them.

“I like taytoes better,” Mik’kenna said, “but this good. Very cheesy. Lots of cheese today.”

“Kenna,” Be’atta asked, “is there any food you like more than potatoes?”

“Hmm,” she thought about it, “maybe brownies. Depends if I want sweet thing or taytoe. I like most food, but I think taytoes are best.”

“Hey, Ky, I’m back,” Simon said, “lasagna day in the mess. Still trying to use up all of those tomatoes, apparently.”

“Alan’s getting desperate,” Kol’non said, “we bridged several bushels to the island for the people there.”

“We took a chance,” Zy’nayth said, “and harvested everything, even it not quite ready. It was either that or let them rot on the vine. At least they are being eaten, and the families on the island were quite appreciative. Even with the greenhouse, they have not yet figured out how to grow a decent tomato.”

“Sounds like we need to get Alessa out there,” Be’atta said.

“If I remember,” Kol’non said, “I’ll mention it to her. I’m sure many of the islanders would welcome her into their yard to give them some botany tips.”

“I eat two more bites, then I help again,” Ky’nayth said, “good lunch.”

“Take your time, no rush.”

Be’atta and Lutia, with the help of Mik’kenna packed the empty dishes back up and returned to city-ship when everyone had eaten their fill. The men and Ky’nayth got right back to work.

***

“We have found many things for Simon to analyze,” Zy’nayth said over dinner. “He is going to take the rest of the week and go through what we found. Becket gets his turn tomorrow.”

“You found a medical lab?” Victoria asked.

“Yes.”

“I want to see it too!” she exclaimed.

“I know you do, however, I promised Vince that I would not be stealing more of his staff away. Department heads only.”

She sighed, “I know. Some of the decorating team is meeting here anyway to figure out what we’re going to do with the guest suites.”

“I help. Uncle John said I be good with decorating, so he put me on team, but I ‘pose to be Uncle Becket’s assistant this week. I no know what to do now,” Mik’kenna shrugged. “I has so many ‘sponsibilities now.”

“We shall call Becket after dinner,” Zy’nayth said, “and get his input into the matter.”

“Kay. Thank you, Daddy,” the girl said. “I over-stend self. I no realize decorate this week. I no do again.”

“I am quite sure it will not be an issue. The design meeting, as I understand it, was a spur of the moment idea. You had no way of knowing.”

“So how’s the plan for the dock repairs coming?” Victoria asked.

“We should be able to dig out the area on Wednesday. Science is working on finalizing the program and having it checked. I wish to give him all the time he needs to make sure we do not cause any more damage. But by no later than Thursday evening, I suspect, we should have the area around the broken pipe dug up.”

“Is there anything you can’t do?” Michael Stewart asked. “Your crew seems to have done a lot for the Expedition: Andromeda team. And sacrificed a lot.”

“As I mentioned to Vince and his team, we have much invested here. Many of my crew have second homes here now. They, like myself, the First Commander, and First Science Commander, have made very close friends, and in our cases, wives.”

“May I ask a question?” Holly asked.

“Of course,” Zy’nayth replied.

“Do you have female crew members on your flagship? I have only met male Rayth.”

“No. There are no females in our military.” He noticed her look of disapproval, then went on to explain the reasoning behind the decision. “It is because only one in every two hundred children born are female. My daughter is a rarity. And now that Becket has found the cure that has killed off many of those females who are born, I am hoping that as more females mature into adulthood, more children will be born, and thus, more females.”

“Why are so few female?” Holly asked.

“We do not know. My First Science Commander as well as Dr. McKenna, and, obviously, my wife, are looking into that in their spare time. Perhaps it is due to this disease that has ravaged them, and now that we can eradicate that issue, things will balance out. That is my hope.”

“We’ve had a lot of miracles bestowed on us,” Victoria said, “and I’m hopeful that this will be another of those.”

The group finished dinner, Hannah and Zachary insisted on cleaning up. Victoria wasn’t going to argue. She’d been running around all day and welcomed the short respite. Along with Michael and Holly Stewart, they settled in the living room. Mik’kenna stood in front of her father after he settled in his favorite chair, then he put his comlink on his daughter and tapped in Becket’s code.

“Yes, sir,” came the answer, assuming it was Zy’nayth on the end of that special ringtone.

“Uncle Becket, it’s Mik’kenna. Daddy let me use comlink. I am not disturbing you, is I? I call back later when more convenient. Just say word. It no problem.”

“No, love, you’re not disturbing me. What can I do for you?”

“Daddy said you be working with Bubby tomorrow but I ‘pose to help you in infirmary. I no know what to do. Should I go infirmary? Mommy not be there ‘cause decorating, I mean design meeting, and Uncle John said I could be on decorating team, but I promised you to be ‘ssistant this week. I could decorate, I good, that’s why Uncle John put me on team; but I can help you and Bubby; or I can help Aunt Janice in infirmary. So much to do. But I promise you first, so you tell me, ‘kay, please?”

Becket did all he could to keep the laughter out of his voice, but he was nearly bent over double about to burst. Amelia gave him a quizzical look from across the room but went back to her cleaning, keeping an eye on him.

“I don’t think there’s going to be much for you to do as my assistant tomorrow. And you’ve been helping so much in the infirmary, why don’t you take a break and help the design team for the day?”

“Kay, I decorate tomorrow, then be back to help you Wednesday if you done with Bubby.”

“That sounds like a plan to me,” Becket said, “anything else I can do for you, honey?”

“No. I love you, Uncle Becket.”

“I love you too, Mik’kenna. Have a good evening.”

“You too. Give Aunt Lia hug for me.”

“I will,” he smiled and waited for her to disconnect the call. Then he told his wife about the call and Mik’kenna’s cute voice trying to explain everything.

“What does your uncle suggest you to do tomorrow?” Zy’nayth asked taking his comlink back.

“I decorate. Mommy, no forget me when you go to meeting.”

“We’ll be meeting here,” Victoria said, “so I don’t think I’ll forget you.”

“I might be out with puppies or something.”

“I won’t forget you,” Victoria smiled, “I promise.”

“Thank you, Mommy.”

“Come here,” Victoria said to her daughter. Mik’kenna ran over and Victoria pulled her up into the chair with her and covered her with kisses. “How could I ever forget my precious little girl?” She waved Ky’nayth over who was eager for her affection too. He giggled as she kissed him. “I love both of you so much. Now, Ky, I haven’t heard too much about your day with Simon, why don’t you tell me about it?”

Ky’nayth began a very animated tale of his adventures with Simon, with Mik’kenna asking questions, and getting excited at some of his dramatic reveals.

Zy’nayth admired his family and kept polite conversation with Michael and Holly until the door chimed. He excused himself and answered the door.

“Hey, hope you were eating,” John grinned.

“Finished a few minutes ago,” Zy’nayth said, “there are leftovers if you would like some.”

“What did you have?”

“Spaghetti and meatballs.”

John waved his hand, “No thanks. Had a sandwich, though I might take some for a late night snack. Zack here?”

“He and Hannah are cleaning up the dinner table.”

“Might as well get some of that spaghetti to take home then,” his grinned widened, “while I see if he wants to dive head first into some work tomorrow.”

“Dig out crew?”

“Yup. Good training. Get him used to our layout, electrical, plumbing, various structures, and such. Yeah, he helped when they were first here, but we didn’t really let him do any of the technical work, just haul stuff out of the way.”

“Jackson is aware of this, I assume,” Zy’nayth said referring to the Chief Engineer, Jack Burgeon.

“Yeah, talked with him over dinner at the mess about it.” He continued into the living room, greeted Michael and Holly, then hugged the kids before going in search of Zachary.

“So basically, you’ll be checking the structural integrity of the area we’re clearing. If it needs shored up, tell us where and how. It’s totally up to you if you want to do this, but know that lives are at stake every time we go into an area. There’s millions of tons of debris in this ship and I don’t want it falling on our heads.”

“I remember that cave in, so I understand the risks, sir. I’d like to give it a shot as long as Dr. Burgeon is okay with it.”

“He’s game,” John said, “team meets in Dig HQ each morning at 5:30 for a briefing.”

“Dig HQ?”

“Ah, yeah. Know where Simon Harris’ labs are?”

“I think I remember the way.”

“Well right before you get to them, there’s a room on the right. No door on it, haven’t had a chance to get it replaced. You’ll need a tablet, a scanner, don’t forget your comlink, and wear something you don’t mind ruining. There’s usually a lot of climbing, crawling, hauling, lifting…basically, you will be expected to do some hard labor on top of scanning the area.”

Zachary smiled, “I can do that. And thanks for the opportunity.”

“Jack said you had the files so you know what to look for in the structure?” John said as he put the lid on the container he filled with spaghetti and meatballs.

“Yes, sir. Spent most of the day studying them, learning these new materials and such.”

“Good. Now just so you don’t get overwhelmed, I’ll have someone else from Jack’s team there. You’ll be doing the primary, he’ll be checking your work. Until I know for certain that you know what you’re doing, we’ll keep it that way.”

“I understand.”

“See you in the morning, don’t be late.”

“I won’t, sir,” Zachary said as John left, saying goodbye to the family on his way out.