E:A Vol 8 Ch 5: February 23, 2121

February 23, 2121

Ky’nayth had flown his father’s personal cruiser before and had done quite well. Zy’nayth had even made a booster seat for him so that he wouldn’t have to struggle to reach the controls. The family boarded and Ky’nayth ran up to the flight cabin and looked at his father who gave him a nod. The boy grabbed the booster seat from its storage spot under a workstation and put it on the pilot seat. Zy’nayth lifted him up onto it then input their course into the computer. Ky’nayth studied it that morning but went over it one last time.

“I should FTL to here,” Ky’nayth pointed on the viewscreen, “then manual so Sissy can get good view of area before go in to do ‘vestigation.”

Mik’kenna was looking at the heads up display too, “We has time for me to take pictures from that place ‘fore go closer?”

“We do,” Zy’nayth said, “we have six hours, and the trip to and back, even going to manual where your brother suggested, will only take thirty minutes to get to our destination.”

“So five hours to explore and one hour for travel?” Mik’kenna asked.

“That is correct.”

“Kay, we go to place Bubby said. Mommy, can you hold tablet while I get sketchpad. I want to draw stuff.”

Victoria, sitting behind her son, took the tablet with a smile.

Mik’kenna had on an archeologist’s type of hat that Kaven had found on one of his off-world assignments. He bought one for each kid, but Ky’nayth wasn’t wearing his since he was on “official” duty. Mik’kenna had hers on, and had put some flowers on it to make it more decorative. Alessa had brought in fresh flowers at church, and Mik’kenna immediately put hers in her hat as soon as they got home.

Mik’kenna had her pad and pencil in hand, ready to draw and they hadn’t even left the flagship yet. Ky’nayth went through the procedures and disembarked. He turned the cruiser to the proper direction, moved a proper distance from the flagship, and engaged the FTL drive. Zy’nayth watched all of the controls and monitors from the co-pilot seat.

Five minutes later, they dropped out of FTL. Ky’nayth checked his monitors and made sure they were in a safe spot. “Kay, Daddy?”

“Perfect spot,” Zy’nayth said.

“Daddy, can I sit on your lap to draw? Better view,” Mik’kenna said.

Zy’nayth swiveled his chair around and she climbed up on his lap.

“Sensor sweep show no ships in ‘mediate area,” Ky’nayth said.

“If you guys don’t need me for anything, I think I’ll head to the common area and relax with a book.”

“After I get done with scans, want to play game while Sissy sketch?” Ky’nayth asked.

“I’d love to,” she smiled.

Ky’nayth ran his scans and diagnostics then went back to play games with his mother. He found her on the wrap-around sofa, curled up, asleep. He walked over and kissed her cheek, then went back to the main cabin.

“Mommy sleep,” he said. “What other things I do?” He looked at the controls then began checking various readings on the engine, weapons, anything and everything, then he checked the course to their destination, scanned ahead, and by the time he finished, Mik’kenna said she just wanted to take a few more pictures, then they could move.

“I want to check on your mother,” Zy’nayth said. “Do not move until I am back up here, please.”

“Understood,” Ky’nayth said.

Victoria was just waking up when Zy’nayth walked in. “Sorry, I was so sleepy,” she said, then sighed, “and my headache isn’t any better.”

“You did not mention a headache,” Zy’nayth said. He reached over and put his hand over her heart. “Well, my beloved, you had a little virus trying to take hold. Please mention when you are not well.”

“It was just a little headache, at least it started as a little one.” She gave him a tender kiss. “Thank you.”

“Come, we are about to leave for the last leg of our adventure. Mik’kenna has made several drawings and has taken her pictures.”

“Sorry, Ky,” Victoria said as they walked into the flight cabin, “I was sleepy.”

“It’s ‘kay. I ran more tests and did some scans for Sissy to analyze when get home.”

“Well, I’m still sorry. I said I’d play games, and I went and fell asleep.”

“You work hard, it’s ‘kay. Everyone ready?”

Mik’kenna was back in the seat behind her father. “I ready!”

“Go ahead, Ky’nayth,” his father said.

Victoria watched her son’s little hands hit the keys on the massive control panel. Just like his father, she thought. It was second nature to him.

More pictures were taken as Ky’nayth took them closer to the star in the solar system. “Oh, I see, belt!” Mik’kenna exclaimed, “There uh, starboard. I no know that planet had belt like Saturn.” She held her tablet at various angles and took more pictures.

“There should not be an asteroid belt,” Zy’nayth said, and began running a few scans.

“Should I be worried?” Victoria asked.

“No,” Zy’nayth replied, “it would appear as if a couple of the planet’s minor moons collided.”

“How you know?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Check your charts. There are two moons missing.”

“Oh! That good deduction.”

“Wouldn’t they have caused more destruction? I mean, like destroying the planet or something?” Victoria asked.

“It is a rather large planet, and the atmosphere would probably eat away anything entering it, very toxic.”

“It ‘bout ten times size of Jupiter,” Mik’kenna said, “it really big. Here, I show you.” She hopped out of her seat and showed her mother a side by side comparison of the two planets.

“This why harder to steer ship?” Ky’nayth asked. “Gravity?”

“That is correct, but you are compensating very well,” Zy’nayth said, watching all of the controls.

“Sissy, you want ‘vestigate belt or stay on course for star?”

“Star, please.”

Zy’nayth tapped his comlink, “First Science Commander, any reports come in about two moons colliding in the Daanik system?”

“Yeah, about several months ago, is that where you guys went?” Ja’val answered.

“Yes. Our systems do not seem to be up to date.”

“Well, that’s not right. I personally entered the data after it was confirmed.” A few seconds later, “Sir, it’s showing up on the system according to my computer. Give me a moment to get up to the flagship and check directly.” Five minutes later Ja’val informed him that the flagship’s systems were up to date, and after asking a couple of random warships to check their systems, they, too, were up to date. He told Zy’nayth what diagnostics to run.

“That means your cruiser’s computer isn’t synchronizing with the main system,” Ja’val said after the diagnostics were run.

“The information was not on my personal computer. I only noticed by checking old files. There is no entry about the moons on either my computer or the cruiser’s computer.”

“That’s…impossible.” Ja’val clicked his comlink, “First Commander, better get to the flagship and keep a lock on the High Chancellor’s cruiser. We may have a problem.”

Victoria had no idea what was going on, but since Zy’nayth didn’t have his son change course, the rising worry Victoria had was kept internalized. She wasn’t going to say anything that might upset the kids.

“Mik’kenna, may I see your tablet, please?” Zy’nayth asked. The girl handed it to him and he checked a few things, then sighed, “Mik’kenna’s tablet is also not up to date. Diagnostic just finished and it found no errors.”

“Daddy! Can’t steer no more!” Ky’nayth said. “Control not working!”

“Get to the back. Victoria, children, go! Crash procedures.”

Ky’nayth began to protest but his father’s strong hand lifted him out of the pilot’s seat and Victoria’s hand pulled on his arm, “Let’s go,” she said, “hurry.”

“But I help!”

“Ky’nayth that is an order,” Zy’nayth said as he sat in the pilot’s seat and fought with the controls.

They made it to the guest bedroom, which had been built as a safety room since it sat away from the engine and more in the center of the ship than any other room. Victoria and the kids had been shown what buttons to hit that would provide padding for them to nestle in. They performed their assigned tasks perfectly and crawled into the cocoon-ish padding.

“Flagship is on its way,” Kol’non said over his comlink so that Victoria and the children could hear, then he switched to a different channel so they wouldn’t get panicked from the conversations taking place.

“I wish Celeste was here,” Mik’kenna said, “I scared.”

“Remember, your father’s the best pilot in the Raythian fleet,” Victoria said, “the very best. He’ll get us safely home.”

“This my fault,” Mik’kenna began to try. “I should pick other star.”

“Oh baby, no, no. This isn’t your fault. It’s not your fault at all. There’s something wrong with the system, you heard Daddy say that. That’s nothing to do with you or the star you picked. Nothing.”

Victoria wrapped her arms tightly around her two most precious treasures and prayed. The cruiser jostled and jerked, causing her pray even more earnestly.

“Victoria?”

“Here.”

“Communications with the flagship have been lost. We are entering atmosphere. Landing will be bumpy.”

“We’re ready. I love you.”

The landing was very bumpy, but no one was injured. When Zy’nayth was sure they were firmly on the ground, he signaled that his family could come out of the crash room.

They went up and stared at the very tropical view in front of them. “Oh my, it’s beautiful,” Victoria said then reached over and touched his shoulder, “You get hurt?”

“Bumped a knee, it is fine. Come here, children, let me check you.”

“We no get hurt. We ‘kay.”

He checked anyway then asked Ky’nayth to run environmental scans. He needed to know if it was safe to leave the ship and though he could have done it, he wanted to keep his children occupied so their fear wouldn’t rise.

“Scanner no work,” Ky’nayth said after several attempts.

Zy’nayth tried his comlink again, “First Commander, respond.” He shook his head after three more tries to raise his flagship.

He smiled at the twins, “Looks like we will have more of an adventure today than what we planned. Ky’nayth keep your eyes on that jungle. Let me know if anything comes out. I am going below deck to see if the scanner is damaged or if we have a virus.”

“Understood.”

“Ship-wide communications open,” Zy’nayth tapped a button. “I will hear everything you say, and you will be able to hear me. Okay?” He put his hand on Mik’kenna’s head. “We are all right. I have been in much worse situations. Victoria, get the stunners. One for each of you. Just in case something comes out of that jungle.”

She nodded and went to a hidden sideboard behind the pilot’s seat and got out three stunners.

“Mik’kenna,” Victoria said, knowing that her daughter was terrified, “can you see if you have any information on this planet?”

“If Daddy wanted scan then we no has no information,” she said hugging her hat to her chest as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Please check, honey, I don’t know what this planet is or how to check for information. You’re our resident expert.”

Mik’kenna wiped away her tears and got her tablet that had fallen and slid under the co-pilot’s seat. “Bubby, I need coordinates, where’d Daddy take us?”

Ky’nayth gave her the information and she worked away on her tablet. “Planet XQ-284,” she said, “no people. Says desert, no jungle. Bubby, you sure right numbers?” She asked reading back what she entered.

“That’s right,” he replied, “Daddy, can coordinates be messed up? Sissy trying to find planet on computer but ‘posed to be desert not jungle.”

“Mik’kenna, this is XQ-284,” Zy’nayth responded as he checked the main scanning apparatus.

“It no right. It no fit what it say it look like.”

Zy’nayth groaned, “This is XQ-284. I am sure.”

“Kay. I dig in files see if I find something.”

“Thank you. Ky’nayth, please do a manual shut down of the main scanner.”

“Understood. Manual shutdown now.”

“Did it take damage?” Victoria asked.

“I do not see anything, but it may be damaged on the outside of the ship. I do not think it would have taken any damage on our way down. I believe, given what I know at this point, we either have a virus in the system or someone sabotaged my cruiser and our personal computers. Please power the scanner back up, Ky’nayth.”

“You think that’s possible? I mean, your computer? That’s…”

“It is possible, but it would take a very talented individual to get past my safety measures.”

“I don’t even want to think about that,” Victoria replied. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Check and see what we have for food besides what you brought.”

“Think we’ll be stuck here long?”

“Should not be. Kol’non was on his way here. Should be here within an hour, but it is best to know what we have on hand, just in case.”

“Okay. Ky, Kenna will you two be okay for a minute or two?”

“We fine,” Ky’nayth replied.

“I ‘kay but scared.”

“Why don’t you come with me then?”

She shook her head, “No leave Bubby alone.”

“I fine, Sissy.”

“I stay. You ‘tect me.”

“Okay, I’ll only be a minute. Thank you, Ky,” Victoria said.

Victoria ran to the kitchen and went through the cupboards. She had seen what was in the fridge when she put their lunch in it. They hadn’t been on the cruiser in quite some time, so she hadn’t restocked the shelves. She generally kept canned goods on hand for those little emergencies when hunger pangs hit unexpectedly.

“No meats or anything like that,” she reported, “some canned veggies, rice, yeah, it’s still good. And some frozen meals in the freezer that look okay. I can make it last maybe three or four days. Rice will last longer if we ration.”

“Thank you. Ky’nayth, any movement from the jungle?”

“No, Daddy, sir. Just trees and bushes.”

“This is the High Chancellor of the Raythian Empire, is anyone receiving this signal?”

“Gotcha!” Ja’val exclaimed, “Thank God. Is everyone okay?”

“We are all unharmed. We have a problem. I landed on XQ-284. It is not a desert.”

“It’s not?”

“Jungle, tropical. Was that in the system?”

“No. Didn’t know about that one. We’re about to enter orbit, five minutes. Sir, just so you know, we’re getting this connection from an old analog signal, not our satellite. I built that feature in for the distress button, which I assume you used considering your message, but I can’t get anything from our satellites.”

“Are you concerned that someone monitoring analog signals is in the area and may swoop down to attack me in their rusty old ships?”

“No, not that. Sir, we can’t locate you. We’re not picking up any of your comlink signals.”

“Ky’nayth, hit the distress beacon, please. I am returning to the flight cabin.”

“Distress beacon activated,” came the boy’s response.

“Anything, First?”

“Nothing. Is it working?”

“Light is blinky,” Ky’nayth said, “and computer shows transmitting.”

“Thank you for watching over things, may I?” Zy’nayth said, returning to the pilot’s seat. Ky’nayth hopped down, took his booster seat and went to the co-pilot seat.

“From what I can see,” Zy’nayth continued, “we are transmitting. It is possible damage was sustained outside. Can you scan and see what the air is like out there? Can I go out and check?”

“Your scanners down?”

“Yes. Scanners and flight controls.”

“Crash?”

“No. I was able to glide her down. Bumpy, but we are all fine.”

“I glad hear voice,” Mik’kenna said, “I thought be stuck here and someone would forget to feed Baxter and Celeste and then…” she began to sob… “and we get back later and puppies be dead….” Her sobs went right into wails.

Victoria drew her tightly into her arms. “That’s not gonna happen. You know your aunts and uncles will take good care of those two dogs. David has them today and if we don’t make it back today, you know he’ll keep them. Our family will take very good care of our puppies.”

“I will make sure Baxter and Celeste are getting all the attention and love they need,” Ja’val said. They need to spend some time with Cinnamon and get her trained. That pup has a mind of her own.”

“Still no distress signal,” Kol’non said. “I suggest you turn it off for now. If there are locals, let’s keep them at bay as long as possible. And I will have Be’atta take Shadow to visit Baxter and Celeste.”

“Thank you,” Mik’kenna said, wiping at her tears.

“Victoria, did you bring your tablet?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Hmm? Oh, yeah,” she said and ran back to the common area, grabbed her pack and got out her tablet and brought it back to him.

“Victoria, when was the last time you tapped into our system?” her husband asked.

“Well, a couple of nights ago, I wanted to download the next level of Raythian language lessons, I couldn’t get into your system. You hadn’t given me the new code,” she said. “Last time it was connected was…the last time you helped me get the other lesson set.”

“Then it has been at least two or three months.” He took her tablet and began typing quickly over the virtual keys.

“Yes, unless you got into it to get something for the kids. Why?”

“What I need is a clean scanning program. And, yes, this should do.”

“Sorry, bother you,” Mik’kenna said, “okay if I take pictures?”

“Go right ahead,” he replied, “you need to document your discovery.”

“Come sit with me, Sissy. I has stay case Daddy needs something, but room for you here with me. I put booster on floor.”

She handed him her tablet after Victoria took the booster seat and set it aside. Mik’kenna then turned to her mother with her arms up so Victoria could pick her up and put her next to her brother. Victoria picked her up and the little girl just began crying and sobbing. Victoria held her, smoothing her hair, rubbing her back, reminding her that this wasn’t her fault. “Not your fault at all,” she said softly. “And look, this planet, you sort of made two big discoveries today. It was because you wanted to explore that we found out that Daddy’s ship’s computer wasn’t working correctly, and we found out that this planet that’s supposed to be a big desert is actually a gorgeous tropical paradise. Your uncles said they’d make sure the puppies are taken care of, though I’m sure we’ll be home soon. Honey, this isn’t your fault.”

Zy’nayth set Victoria’s tablet aside and stood, taking Mik’kenna from his wife. “Mik’kenna, do you really think this is your fault?”

“Yes.”

“It is not. I could have been out flying to the new facility, or we could have been just out surveying Terra 2, or I could have been taking our new friends for a tour, and this would have happened. It has nothing to do with coming here. It has nothing to do with our expedition today.”

“You sure?”

“I am, sweetheart. We are safe and my flagship is in the area. They will find us or I will get the computer fixed first.”

“I sorry, Daddy. I just so scared. Celeste and Baxter not here. And…I just scared.”

“I understand. But as your mother said, look at what you have discovered. We may have to change the name of the planet from XQ-284 to Planet Miracle Blossom.”

Mik’kenna giggled, “No, that silly name for planet.”

“Then Planet Mik’kenna. You did discover that it is not what we thought it was. And you will have the pictures to prove it.”

“I no want name after me ‘cause Bubby helped find too. And you and Mommy. Not just me.”

He gave her a kiss then set her next to her brother. “We will think of a good name. Now, do not be afraid. We are safe. After you get done taking pictures here, you should go back to the master bedroom. Your mother can retract the walls and you can take pictures from there.”

“I will!” she exclaimed, now calmer thanks to her father’s reassurance.

“High Chancellor, are you still transmitting?” Ja’val’s voice came over the comlink.

“I am. Can you hear me?”

“Yeah, sorry, you seem to be cutting in and out. I have an idea.”

“What is it?” he asked, returning to his alteration of Victoria’s scanning software that was used to check patients for injuries.

“I think the outer atmosphere is causing the interference. We can bring the flagship down below that…”

“No. Too risky. Until I am certain this is just isolated to my ship and my computer, you will not attempt such a move.”

“I’ve got full diagnostics running,” Ja’val said, “I’m pretty sure our system is clean.”

“No.”

Ja’val sighed.

“How about we test a drone?” Kol’non asked. “We could take readings and see how it functions in that atmosphere. If there are no issues, we could remotely pilot a jet down to lock on their location and pick the children up, then return for Victoria and the High Chancellor.”

“I will allow the drone,” Zy’nayth said. “We will hold on the jet.”

“First Flight, ready a drone,” Kol’non instructed.

“I am going to suit up and go out to take a reading,” Zy’nayth said. “See if the air is breathable.”

“No,” Victoria said. “Show me what to do, I’ll do it.”

“Victoria, I am better suited to…”

“If the air is toxic and gets through the hazmat suit or whatever Rayth call it, you can heal me. I can’t do the same for you.”

“Right now, you should have plenty of oxygen,” Ja’val said, “there’s no need to go out at all.”

“There is if the atmosphere is corrosive and is eating away at the hull. I have no way to tell from inside,” Zy’nayth said.

“I’ll go. It’ll only take a minute, right? I go out, hit the button, wait a minute, and then come back in. Cake.”

“We’ll also have a drone there in under thirty minutes, or at least in the inner atmosphere,” Ja’val said, “to take a reading.”

“And if the computer system is deliberately feeding you misinformation,” Zy’nayth said, “I will still want to do a scan with a device I know is clean. Right now, the only one we have is Victoria’s tablet.”

“Let me do this,” Victoria said. “We’re wasting time.” She turned him around in his seat to look at her, “I trust you with my life. We’ll know within seconds if the air’s going to eat through the suit. There’ll be plenty of time to get me back in the airlock. You will heal me; I will be fine. I’m the right choice. Now, show me how to suit up.”

“Very well,” he resigned, “children, we are going below deck. Keep your comlinks on in case ship-wide shorts out. Anything moves, you tell me.”

“No worry, Daddy. I keeping close eye on perimeter,” Ky’nayth said.

“Thank you.”

Victoria got into the spacesuit. It wasn’t nearly as heavy as their medical hazmat suits, for which she was thankful.

“This door here will close,” Zy’nayth explained, “when you hit that yellow button. That will keep the air from getting into the cruiser. Once the yellow button turns green, hit it to open the outer door. There will be no need to step off of the cruiser. The tablet is already scanning, see the readings? This is normal. If this line drops below here, or if this line spikes,” he showed her, “hit the red button immediately.”

“Either not both?”

“Either is bad, so hit the red button if the line dips too low or spikes,” he replied.

“Got it.” She confirmed where the low and high points were and Zy’nayth was certain she knew what to do. “Easy,” she said.

“Cake,” he smiled.

“How long do you want me to stay out there if I don’t have to hit the red button?”

“Let the hatch open all of the way, count to five, then close it. That should give me all of the data I need.”

“Can you view this from one of your monitors?”

“I do not trust this system. It has to be from your tablet.”

“Okay. I’m ready, boss.”

“Victoria, be safe,” Kol’non said.

“I will. Ky, Kenna, I’m heading out. I love you guys.”

“Love you too, Mommy,” they both said, “we pray.”

Zy’nayth said a prayer then Victoria stepped across the threshold and gave him a thumbs up. The yellow button was pushed, and the inner door closed. “Green light. Here we go.” She pushed the button and the hiss of the airlock filled her ears. Her eyes stayed on the tablet. “So far so good,” she said, “slight increase in oxygen level, but well within range. Staying at that level…no change…no change…and hatch is now fully open. One, no change. Two, no change. Three, no change. Four, no change. And five. No change. Closing the hatch.”

Once the hatch sealed shut, Zy’nayth told her to hit a blue button that was off to the side. It was a decontamination procedure that only took a minute. Then he released the airlock from his side.

“Well, boss, I think we’re safe,” she said as she handed him the tablet and began to get out of the suit, but he stopped her.

“Would you like to try something a little more daring?”

“Define daring?”

“No helmet. The readings are fine, the air has fewer toxins than even Terra 2’s near-pristine environment, but nothing beats the test of a lungful of oxygen. I leave it up to you.”

“Do you trust these readings?” she asked.

“Yes. And I will go out to prove it.”

She finished taking off her helmet and handed it to him. “No. I got this. Same thing as before? Open door, count to five, close?”

“Yes.”

“I could walk around the ship.”

“No. Do not leave the airlock.”

“Yes, sir,” she smiled and stepped back into the chamber and pushed the yellow button. After the same routine she was back inside, now getting out of the suit. “Air smells fine,” she said, “fresh, clean. It’s beautiful out there. Not too humid, which is weird considering how tropical everything looks.”

“Drone entering atmosphere,” Ja’val said. After several seconds, “Are you sure that atmosphere is non-toxic?”

“Yes. Victoria was breathing it. I am checking her now. The scans are well within acceptable ranges. And I am seeing no signs of damage to her. Even if the scan was lying, I am not. Why?”

“Sir, the drone was picking up massive amounts of well, numerous toxins, plus deadly radiation levels. And now…I’ve lost contact with it.”

Victoria looked at her husband, worry in her eyes.

“Daddy! Is Mommy, kay?” Ky’nayth asked, having heard Ja’val’s statements.

“She is quite fine.”

“Ky, Kenna, I’m perfectly fine,” Victoria said. “I’ll be up there in a minute.”

“Science, either our systems have been tampered with or my wife should be dead. And since I am standing here looking at her at her beautiful green eyes, it must be our systems. Take the flagship back to Kiva. Get it sorted out.”

“We’re not leaving you behind,” Kol’non said.

“We are fine and will be for a few days. We have food and water to last four days. Contact our Mythican friends, see if they know anything about this planet.”

“Sir, if we leave orbit, chances are we will lose contact. This signal won’t reach to Terra 2 or our homeworld. I don’t want to risk losing this signal,” Ja’val said.

“I’ll contact Terra 2 and our Second,” Kol’non said, “We’ll work the problem from here. It would be unwise to risk losing what little contact we have with you.”

Zy’nayth let out a frustrated groan, “Very well.”

“Sir, for privacy purposes, try adjusting Victoria’s comlink to see if I can pick up the signal on a more isolated channel.”

Victoria handed him her Earth-made comlink and headed up to the flight cabin where the kids both embraced her. “Sorry to scare you like that. I’m fine,” she smiled. “Did you get some good pictures?”

“I did. I want to get few more from this side then we go to master bedroom and I take more, ‘kay?” Mik’kenna said.

“Okay,” she smiled.

Zy’nayth was able to adjust their comlinks so that only Ja’val and Kol’non overheard the conversations. It was much easier to use names than titles, and the Rayth were always concerned about Zy’nayth’s name, more than anyone’s, being revealed.

Victoria set up their lunch, but rationed it out, just in case. She made sure the twins had plenty, but she and Zy’nayth watched what they ate.

“Is there anything I can do?” Victoria asked. “I feel very unhelpful.”

“Right now, nothing.”

Mik’kenna came bounding back to the flight cabin, having been taking more pictures from the bedroom, “Daddy! Storm coming. Sky all black.”

Zy’nayth looked up and out of the main viewscreen. The sky was blue with just a few clouds. Then he went back to the bedroom and just as his daughter had said, the sky to the west of them was black and eerie.

“I am going to close this back up,” he said regarding the retractable walls. “I am sorry, honey.”

“It’s ‘kay. Might be bad storm.”

“I hope not,” he said as they both returned to the flight cabin.

“Mommy, want to see pictures? I took lots!”

“I would love to,” Victoria said.

***

“What can we do?” Vince asked. “John could take your old flagship out, maybe try taking that into the atmosphere.”

“I don’t think the High Chancellor would go for that,” Kol’non said. “Right now we’re treating this as a security breach. Simon, the First Science Commander has his hands full, so can you start looking for holes in your system. I doubt they originated there since this seems to be an almost direct attack on the High Chancellor.”

“Will do.”

“I can bring my ship out,” Karken’al said, “I’m not sure what information we have on XQ-284, but perhaps our scanners can penetrate the atmosphere, perhaps even our teleporters can.”

“That would be appreciated.”

“I’d like to join the ride,” John said. “Nothing I can do sitting here, but if someone needs to be teleported down, I’m game.” Chris, Kaven, and Be’atta also volunteered.

“First Commander, can you use them?” Vince asked.

“I’m sure we can handle it but since I know they won’t take no for an answer, send them along.”

“You’re learning,” Chris said.

“However, Be’atta, I promised Mik’kenna that you would take Shadow to visit Baxter and Celeste. You know she will ask. Can you take care of that before you join us here?”

“Of course,” she said. “Should we just bridge over or catch a ride with Karken’al?”

“If our systems are compromised, I would prefer you not try to bridge in here.”

“Give me thirty minutes to tend to the dog visit. I’ll meet the rest of you back here,” she said and left the conference room.

“They’re safe; they have food and water,” Kol’non assured everyone, “we just have to get them off of the planet.”