E:A Vol 8 Ch 8: April 23, 2121

April 23, 2121

“Thanks for seeing me,” John said, walking into Zy’nayth’s study on the city-ship. He looked as if he hadn’t slept, which Zy’nayth was quick to notice, but said nothing.

“You know you are welcome to stop in at any time,” the High Chancellor said.

“Yeah, it’s just…” John sank into a chair and let out a long sigh. “Jil’ana and I have been dating for two months now. I know she’s been talking with Pastor each week, but…she’s stalling. I don’t know, maybe stalling’s the wrong word. She doesn’t want to talk about Jesus and my faith. I know Victoria suggested a Bible study. Just the girls or even just the two of them, but she shied away from it. Zy, I’m scared. I am absolutely crazy about her. If she were to become a Christian, I’d marry her in an instant. What do I do?”

“Thank you for coming to me, but I think Pastor Jacob would have much better advice.”

“You’ve known me longer. And with him trying to counsel her, it’s probably better if I don’t put him in a situation where it’s her versus me.”

“I can understand that, though I do not think he would view it as such. In any case, have you considered that perhaps you are moving too fast for her or pushing her too hard?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. I mean, the moving too fast. But pushing? Do you think I’m pushing her into this relationship?”

“No. She is clearly a strong woman who can make her own decisions. Perhaps, however, you are pushing too hard for her to accept Christ. Yes, she must or this relationship must end, but it may take time. Also consider that she came here to stop a potential catastrophic event. Then there was the computer virus coinciding with the re-discovery of a planet, and the exploration that we are just now beginning in the middle of everything else. On top of that, she is suddenly courting someone who is serious about a relationship and telling her for that to happen she needs to become a Christian. She has a lot to deal with.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“John, I am going to ask you a very direct question, please do not be offended.”

John smiled, “Promise. What’s up?”

“You have not mentioned a word in these two months about loving her. You have praised her abilities, her beauty, her sense of humor, many things, but you have not once mentioned that you love her. Do you love her? Or are you in love with the idea of being in a relationship?”

John’s brows furrowed. “I haven’t?” He shook his head, “No, I guess I haven’t said that I love her.”

“Have you prayed about this relationship?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“I can tell that you are attracted to her and she to you, but I am not sure the two of you are in love with each other. Perhaps it is just the stress of these two months. I understand that you wish to marry soon and have children, but do not let that cloud your judgment. Believe me, my friend, the wait is worth it. I waited ten thousand years for Victoria. I do not regret a single moment. She has been the best thing to ever happen in my life.”

“Even more than Gal’lara?”

“Victoria brought Christ into my life, and she and her friends found a way for me and my people to stop having to feed on humans. In that sense, yes, even more than Gal’lara, though I love both women equally.”

John sighed and nodded. “I’ll slow things down.”

“And pray,” Zy’nayth said.

“I will.”

“Do I have your word?”

“Yes.”

“With that out of the way, may I ask, do you have plans for the rest of the evening?”

John shook his head. “Wasn’t sure how long our talk would last, so I cleared my schedule.”

“Good. Then you will not mind helping me set up Mik’kenna’s telescope.”

“You finally got the balcony fixed?”

“Yes. Early this morning. I have not told her. I want to get the telescope set up so that she is surprised in the morning.”

John looked at his watch, “It’s only 8:00, the kids in bed?”

“Not yet. I believe they are working on Ky’nayth’s train town. They have been terribly quiet since dinner.”

“I think we’d better check on them.”

They walked down the hall to Victoria’s study, which she rarely used and so turned over to her son for his train set. The men opened the door and John burst out laughing, “Ky’nayth, this is amazing!” he said looking at the railroad track that was nowhere near realistic with all of its curves, but it was very intricate and complex. It went around the desk and chairs. There were little bridges over or through rolled up towels or food containers that represented hills and mountains. And throughout the room were little train stations with accompanying villages which Mik’kenna was working on laying out.

Baxter and Celeste were each in a chair, curled up, content. “I show you ‘round,” Ky’nayth said. “Sissy, it no mess up your work will it?”

“This most ‘portant part,” she said, concentrating on the positioning of the water tower over the little village she had only put together after dinner. “But I be ‘kay.”

Ky’nayth walked over and helped Baxter out of the chair. The dog went over and hopped up with his sister in the other chair. “Uncle John you sit here. I show you controls.”

John sat down in the chair while Zy’nayth sat on the floor in the doorway. Victoria walked by and joined the group.

“Oh, you’ve gotten a lot done since yesterday,” she said.

“We working hard,” Mik’kenna said.

“Well it looks good.”

“Daddy made program,” Ky’nayth said to John, “so I can run trains from tablet. This is for bridges, this is for switches, this is for stations, this is for adding cars. Watch!”

He turned the two trains on and sent them each on their course. “Now green train, that’s the main one, watch. I take it to station and…see place where extra cars are?”

“Yup.”

“This how add more cars to train.” The little engine sidled off onto a separate track and Ky’nayth showed him how he could add the cars. “Now I has to wait ‘cause blue train coming.”

The little blue train chugged past then Ky’nayth steered the green one out and it started back in the opposite direction.

“Won’t that cause them to crash into each other?” John asked, winking at Zy’nayth.

“No! Best part! Watch,” the little boy said as the trains made their way through the little villages, over the washcloth rivers and around the many towel mountains and hills. “Watch green train!” he said, excited as the trains neared each other. The track switch was hit and one branch moved allowing the green train to go off on a secondary route while the blue train whizzed on by. Ky’nayth giggled. “See!”

“That was very cool,” John said.

“I have lots of those. Sissy runs blue train and I run green and we always ‘scape crash. She good driver.”

Mik’kenna stood and wiped the long white hair from her face, “I think done with this village. It look ‘kay, Bubby?”

“It very good,” Ky’nayth said. “Maybe stop for night. We got towns done, now just need to do forests and stuff.”

“Yeah, I tired. I still no sure I like Baxterville,” she said with her hands on her hips.

“Baxterville?” John asked.

Mik’kenna pointed to the little village near the desk. “That Baxterville. We named after Baxter. And there by window is Celestetown. We named it after Celeste. It by window because the village likes to look at stars. We no name other towns yet. We plan to name them all after puppies.”

“That’s very considerate of you,” Victoria said.

“Oh! Bubby and I have new name idea for planet!” she exclaimed.

“What have you come up with?” Zy’nayth asked.

She walked over and climbed up into her father’s lap. “Well,” she said, her hands very animated during her explanation, “we thought ‘cause many people think it like Earth but more water and more green, that maybe we just call Terra 3. Bubby looked up word. He said it Latin. So it be like third Earth since this is Terra 2. But then I thought maybe name it after Rayth world and call Kiva 2.”

“Do you still like the idea of Ky’enna?” Zy’nayth asked.

“I no know,” Mik’kenna shrugged her shoulders.

“I still like,” Ky’nayth said, “but only if good planet.”

“So far all looks good, though it’s only been a few weeks,” Victoria said. “But one of Uncle Ja’val’s science ships is there now and they’re doing all kinds of research.”

“We should take another trip there,” John said. “You know we have a lot of our own scientists wanting to explore more but we haven’t found a bridge there and we can’t yet use those ships we found in the underground facility. Do they have long-range FTL capabilities?”

Zy’nayth nodded, “They do. And I talked with Karken’al earlier in the week about taking one out for a test flight. He has people who also want to explore XQ-284, but his ship needs to remain here. I cannot use the flagship as a shuttle and my old flagship is being outfitted for our trip to Earth to talk to the world leaders, so it cannot be used to shuttle people back and forth to XQ-284.”

John rubbed his hands together, “So when do I get to take one up?”

“Tel’lok is back on the Mythican homeworld until the weekend. Karken’al said that once he returns ,we will take one out, or rather, you, Tel’lok, and Kol’non will take one.”

“You’re not going?” John asked.

“No need for me to go. I know how to fly them. As does Kol’non. However, we want this to be a joint adventure. Vince is working on adjusting the training schedule so that Simon may join you.”

“Can I go, Daddy?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Not on their first flight,” Zy’nayth said, “but we will get you trained.”

“Thank you. Mommy, I go take bath now.”

“Me too,” Mik’kenna said, “I sleepy. Hard work building cities. Can I use your bathroom?”

“Yes, honey,” Victoria answered.

Zy’nayth stood, helping his wife to her feet. “Speaking of the trip to Earth,” she asked, “have you set a date yet?”

“The middle of May,” he replied. “Kaven and Be’atta should have their speeches ready by then and the old flagship should have proper accommodations for our travelers as well as cooking facilities.”

“Is Karken’al sending a team?”

“No, but he will be ready to bridge over if we believe he will be needed. Right now we do not wish to reveal anything about the Mythicans, and President Stewart has kept his knowledge about them quiet.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Primarily because if rebel Rayth are monitoring Earth, there’s no guarantee that they wouldn’t pick up news that the Mythicans are alive and well.”

“Karken’al’s testimony as to how dangerous it would be to leave Earth defenseless would be even better than Kaven and Be’atta’s,” John said. “I mean, they fought you for how long? I know it wasn’t the full ten thousand years you’ve been alive, but I don’t recall you ever saying when your war with the Mythicans ended.”

“We fought for three thousand years,” Zy’nayth said. “By that time, we were fighting everyone else in order to survive. Our ability to process normal food was gone. We could only feed on human energy by then.”

“And the Mythicans, for all you knew, had been wiped out,” Victoria said.

“Yes.”

Mik’kenna came bounding back down the hall with her pajamas in hand, Celeste right behind her. Victoria chuckled as her daughter hurried past to the master bedroom where Zy’nayth had installed an oversized tub for Victoria to relax in. But for Mik’kenna, it meant it could hold more bubbles. There was also a vanity in the room which she liked to sit at to brush her hair. She thought it was very grown up. Victoria seldom used it, so many of Mik’kenna’s baubles were in the drawers.

“Well let me know when we plan to take one of those shuttles up. I supposed I should head home.”

“I have some pie left over from dinner,” Victoria said, “want to take a piece?”

“You need to ask?” he said as Zy’nayth returned to his study.

Victoria gave John a small container with a piece of apple pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sent him on his way. She turned out the lights and went to her bedroom and heard Mik’kenna singing “Jesus Loves Me,” in the bathroom. Victoria could just picture her playing with the bubbles while singing her little heart out. She put on her pajamas as Mik’kenna began belting out the chorus at the top of her lungs, “Yes! Jesus loves me! Yes! Jesus loves me! Yes! Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so!”

Zy’nayth heard the singing in his study and chuckled, then he prayed for his children, thanking God that both loved Him and His Son with all of their hearts.

John returned after Zy’nayth called and informed him that the twins were asleep. The two men managed to get the enormous telescope out of the box and set up on the balcony without waking anyone up. Victoria moved a couple of chairs out on the balcony and made sure there was a little end table for her daughter to use to store paper and pencils for her drawings. The balcony could be enclosed with the push of a button, a feature which Victoria liked. Not only could she sit out and watch the occasional storm pass by, since the enclosure was glass, but it provided a sense of safety for when her children would want to be out there.

April 24, 2121

The kids slept in later than usual and walked into the kitchen rubbing their eyes and yawning. “Daddy, did puppies go out already?” Ky’nayth asked then yawned.

“They did,” Zy’nayth answered.

“Sorry. I stayed up and worked on studies. I forgot to do earlier,” the boy said.

“I am glad you remembered to do them. Mik’kenna, why did you sleep so late?” Zy’nayth asked.

“I all relaxed, so I sleeped.”

“Just oatmeal today, kids,” Victoria said. “Glad you were so relaxed.”

Zy’nayth prayed over the meal then the kids, sleepy-eyed, ate their food and slowly woke up. When they finished, the kids helped load up the dishwasher.

“When you are finished, Mik’kenna,” Zy’nayth said, “would you please join me in the living room?”

“Kay,” she replied.

“You may come too, Ky’nayth.”

The twins walked in a few minutes later and Mik’kenna let out a screech. She did a little dance in place then ran over to the balcony doors. “Daddy! Can I go out?”

“Yes,” he said and hit the button for the doors to slide open. “I am sorry it took so long to get it set up for you.”

“The little table has a drawer,” Victoria said. “I put drawing pads and pencils in there for you.”

Mik’kenna gave both parents hugs then went over and examined her long-waited for telescope. “Thank you for putting it up,” she said.

“Uncle John came back last night and helped,” Zy’nayth said, “so be sure to thank him as well.”

Mik’kenna pushed one of the chairs over so she could get to the controls and the eye piece. “I no know what to look at first,” she said.

“I could see if Lia has the day off,” Victoria said. “I need to run by the infirmary, I can check with Becket.”

Mik’kenna nodded. “I go get my books. Bubby can you help carry, please?”

“Can you handle the kids while I’m gone?” Victoria smiled as she kissed her husband’s cheek.

“Probably not. Victoria, who is fixing the family dinner tonight?”

“Lutia, Ja’val, Vince, and Kaven.”

“Is everyone expected?”

She nodded, “Why?”

“Do you know if John will be bringing Jil’ana?”

“I don’t think he is. She wanted a night to go over results that Ja’val sent her from the XQ-284, and she gets a little nervous around all of us when it’s not a working meal. Do you want me to invite her?”

Zy’nayth shook his head. “No. I am hoping we can have a family prayer meeting at dinner for John and this relationship.”

“Is that why he was here last night?”

“Yes.”

Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth came stumbling out with books in hand.

“Honey, you know we have downloaded all of those onto your tablet,” Zy’nayth said.

“I know, but I like pages,” she replied. “Bubby, here please,” she said then dropped her books on the balcony with a thud.

Mik’kenna and Ky’nayth spent the day going through her books, taking turns looking through the telescope, and designating which planets and stars they wanted to travel to in order for Ky’nayth to practice his flying and for Mik’kenna to study the stars.

“The dogs need to go out,” Zy’nayth said as his kids were absorbed in their new adventure.

“Kay,” Mik’kenna said, putting her pencil and notepad into the little end table. Ky’nayth hopped down off of the chair and went with his sister as they joined their father to take the dogs for a walk on the mainland.

“Daddy, when can we go ‘splore?” Mik’kenna asked. “Bubby and I have list started.”

“It will not be for a few weeks. We are going to visit In’val and Sha’na this weekend. Your mother will be teaching another cooking class, and Aunt Janice will be joining us.”

“Uncle Ny’van like Aunt Janice. They get married?” Mik’kenna asked.

“They might,” Zy’nayth said. “I think they will. Both of them are very happy together.”

“What about Uncle John and Miss Jil’ana?” Mik’kenna continued.

“I do not know.”

“When Aunt Be’atta gonna have baby?” Mik’kenna asked.

“I believe Becket said she would be due early August. And Aunt Alessa will have her second baby in October, I believe.”

“Why Uncle Becket and Aunt Lia no have babies yet?” Mik’kenna asked.

“I do not know.”

“Hannah not coming back soon, right?” the little girl continued with her questions.

“I do not believe so.”

“When you go back to Earth, we go too?” Ky’nayth asked.

“I have not planned out that detail yet, but I believe I will want your mother with me, in which case, you will come, too.”

“We still be family, right?” Ky’nayth asked. “If they make everyone go back to Earth. We still be family, right?”

“You mean Uncle Vince and the others?”

Ky’nayth nodded.

“We will always be family,” Zy’nayth said.

“They stay here with us, right? We not move to Earth.”

“Our family has already said that they will stay with us here in Andromeda.”

“Good. We need to keep puppies together,” he replied as Baxter came bounding back up to them, ready to head back to their quarters.

“Hello Ky’nayth, Mik’kenna,” Dr. Hank Wells said as he walked over to them, “High Chancellor.”

“Hi Mr. Hank,” Mik’kenna said, “Sorry ‘bout Celeste. I wasn’t watching her close.”

“Oh, she just ran over to say hello, no worries.”

“Everything on the farm getting back to normal?” Zy’nayth asked.

“Yeah. Got some sweet corn planted. And we’ve got a little section to the east where we’re going to try some plants your team has supplied. Hopefully we can figure out why they don’t grow as well on your homeworld.”

“The First Commander mentioned that it may be our sun and soil.”

“Yeah, he dumped off some soil for us to use in our lab, and the First Science Commander worked with Pavel and Simon to create a light to simulate your sun. We have that set up in our test lab. So we’re growing two sets of plants, one in our environment, and one in a simulated Rayth-world environment. It would be a lot easier to actually visit your fields.”

“I wish I could allow that, especially since more and more Rayth are eating food and growing gardens.” He stopped and turned back to the head of the agriculture center, “Victoria’s plants, the ones on the island, produce tasty food. She does not seem to have any issue with growing things there.”

“But she’s using our seeds, right?”

“Ah, yes, that is correct.”

“Well if we can’t figure out why your varieties aren’t working, we will be starting some seed plants in a month or so for our more popular items. We’re marking off the land now. Hopefully we can have something to give your people in a few months.”

“Celeste, down, girl,” Mik’kenna said as the dog kept sniffing his left hand.

“She probably smells the jerky we’re attempting to make in our little smoker,” he smiled, “actually, that’s probably why she came venturing over to where I was.”

“Must be hungry. She usually good ‘bout not jumping on people,” Mik’kenna said. “I sorry.”

“She’s not hurting anything.”

“Though she probably is hungry,” Zy’nayth said, “it is almost lunchtime and we should get back.”

“Kay. Bye Mr. Hank.”

“Bye, Kenna, Ky. And you too, Baxter and Celeste.” He waved to Zy’nayth then the family bridged back to the city-ship.

April 28, 2121

“The controls are, for the most part, the same as what is on your city-ship,” Tel’lok instructed John and Simon about the shuttle controls. Kol’non was in the co-pilot seat. Though the First Commander knew how to fly the ship, Tel’lok said the two of them should be the pilots, he’d stand behind and instruct John. Zy’nayth had initially been opposed to his son going on this training flight, but he changed his mind when Kol’non said he wouldn’t mind taking him along. So the little boy sat on Kol’non’s lap and studied the controls carefully as Tel’lok went over everything that John hadn’t seen before.

They had gone over the controls in the new facility’s control room and though Simon wasn’t a pilot, he made sure he understood everything Tel’lok was saying. On occasion, John would clarify a flight term for him.

“I think I’ve got it,” John said. Tel’lok nodded and signaled the control room that they were ready to take the shuttle out. Ky’nayth sat up straighter and watched John as his hands went over the glass controls.

“Iris is open, you are cleared for launch,” came the voice from the control room.

“Okay, Ky, it’s all yours,” John said.

“Me?”

“Can’t handle it? Then I guess I’ll have to…”

“I do it!” the boy said, excited.

“Colonel, is this a good…” Tel’lok began to question.

“Trust me,” John said.

“Student Pilot One, thrusters engaged,” Ky’nayth said then maneuvered the shuttle to the bay doors then up and out. “We has disembarked new facility,” he said.

“Take us to the farm,” John said. “Remember, we stir up a lot of dust, so don’t go too low.”

“Yes, sir,” Ky’nayth said.

***

“Daddy! Daddy!” shouted Ky’nayth as he ran into the apartment, “Mommy!”

“Ky, honey, what is it?” Victoria came rushing out.

“Uncle John let me fly Mythican shuttle and we went to farm and I drove it out of shuttle bay and parked it and Mr. Tel’lok said I did good. So did Uncle John and Uncle First Commander.”

“I’m so proud of you!” she said, giving him a hug. “And Uncle John, I thought this was to be your piloting lesson?”

“I know how to fly it, besides, I’ll get more hours in later. This little guy doesn’t get to go out very often,” John said.

Mik’kenna came running in, dressed in her bathrobe, her hair up in the biggest towel she could find. “What’s wrong, Bubby?” she asked, concerned from his shouts.

He told her about his day and she gave him a big hug. “I proud,” she said. “You good like Daddy and be bestest pilot soon.”

“Sweetie, there’s no emergency, go back and finish your bath, please. It’s almost dinnertime,” Victoria told her daughter.

“I worried ‘bout Bubby, he no usually shout.”

“I know, honey, but everything’s okay. You have shampoo running down your cheek,” she said and took the edge of the towel and wiped it away.

“Where’s Daddy?” Ky’nayth said.

“Right behind you,” came the deep, gravelly voice. “And I, too, am quite proud of you.”

“Can I go again?”

“As we have time. I do not wish to impose on Uncle John or Tel’lok’s kindness. The next couple of weeks we will be preparing for the trip to Earth.”

May 19, 2121

“I want to thank all of you for coming,” President Michael Stewart said to the world leaders and his cabinet members gathered in the large conference room of a Denver hotel, “as my message said, this is of the utmost importance. Most of you have called for the closure of the Expedition: Andromeda bridge as well as the termination of the United States Expedition: Andromeda mission. I have sent all of you a rather extensive list of reasons as to why this would be a mistake, not just for the U.S. but for the world. And since most of you have chosen to ignore my pleas, I have gathered you here to listen to the pleas of two native Andromedians, as well as General Vince Cavanaugh, the leader in charge of Expedition: Andromeda, and finally, the High Chancellor and Supreme Commander of the Rayth. General Cavanaugh, if you would, please.”

Vince stood and went to the glass podium. “Much of what I have to say you already have in the documents that the president sent to you. What is not in those documents is first-hand testimony from people have fought the Rayth. So, I leave it in their hands, first Be’atta Jollan.

Be’atta stood and walked up to the podium. “My people,” she started, “have been hunted by Rayth for thousands of years. Thousands. Not a few months, not even a few years, but as far back as my people remember, there has always been war between humans and the Rayth.

“We’re not technologically advanced, not compared to Earth and certainly not compared to the Rayth. When the Expedition: Andromeda team found us, there were only several hundred of us left. Several hundred out of a population of 50,000. Over the last twenty years, we have lost that many people. Men and women. Children are typically left alone so that they grow into adults who supply more energy for Rayth to feed off of. Eight years ago, I lost my fiancé. I lost everything. Two years later, one of General Cavanaugh’s teams found us. We were starving. We had nothing left.

“A lot has changed over the years since I met the E:A team. My hatred for Rayth has vanished. There is pain at the losses I suffered, yes, but no more hatred. Many Rayth can now eat normal food, thanks to the serum that was developed through cooperation between the High Chancellor’s team and the E:A team. And this baby,” she said as she gently rubbed her protruding stomach, “is half-Rayth. His father, my husband, is a Rayth. I never thought I’d see that happen. Don’t misunderstand me. Though some Rayth are now friends and family, most of the Raythian population, billions of Rayth, still hunt humans for their energy supply. I have fought them and continue to do so to defend my people. And I will do so to protect Earth, but if you get rid of the bridge, if you discontinue this Expedition, you won’t have anyone to help you. Earth and its inhabitants will be nothing more than a feeding ground and fodder for Rayth. A very populous feeding ground for those Rayth who haven’t taken the serum.”

“If they can’t bridge here, that won’t be an issue,” one of the U.S. government officials said.

Zy’nayth stood. He’d been hidden in the shadows but as he walked forward and stood next to Be’atta, who looked extremely dwarfed in his presence, the murmuring stopped.

“I am the High Chancellor of the Rayth. When the attack on your planet happened, a bridge was not used. Ships destroyed your cities. Ships from my galaxy. Ships that can get here in a matter of days. The Rayth who attacked your planet were rebels against my government. They were after me and my children. The leaders of that rebellion have been apprehended and are currently in prison. However, there are many out there who have seen the data they transmitted from your planet. They know how many humans are on Earth. They know you are overpopulated and would provide them with a means to feed their hunger.

“Not only can our ships travel here quickly, they have jets that can easily disembark a ship and be planet-side in moments. You saw that on your broadcasts as I attempted to fight them off. Their ships are also capable of teleportation. They can teleport down into your cities, into your own homes, gather you, and put you in storage to feed on at a later date. A bridge is not required. It would not even be a convenience.”

“Our armies can stop them if they’re on the ground. Besides, if we’re a feeding ground, they won’t want to kill us off,” someone protested.

“Your armies are not prepared for what a single Rayth can do. That is why I have asked the president to convey to you that I wanted each of you to have two of your best soldiers join us on our trip. Your two hundred plus soldiers will fight me. That will give you an idea of what just one Rayth, on this planet, can do. We are bigger than you. We are faster than you. And we are quite a bit stronger than you. Our senses are more acute. And we can self-heal as we fight. Though there is much more I could say, I have found that demonstrations work much better.” He motioned to Kaven.

“Kaven is also a native of Andromeda. He is one of the finest non-Rayth warriors I have ever met. And he is my friend. When we were discussing coming here to ask that funds continue to be provided for Expedition: Andromeda, he offered to show you exactly what a Rayth can do. To show you how a Rayth feeds. It is quite painful and he, like Be’atta, has lost friends and family to my people.”

Kaven took a deep breath. “Like Be’atta, my people, too, were and are still gathered by the Rayth. I lost my wife shortly before the Expedition showed up. And like her, I signed up to work with them. My only desire was to kill every last Rayth. To utterly destroy them. Wipe them out. Out of all of us, I was probably the last to trust this man,” he gave a nod to Zy’nayth. “So when I volunteered for this demonstration today, it was both so that you could see the horror that is a Rayth feeding, and to show you that this man can be trusted. If he says there are Rayth out there who are plotting to get here, then they are. And there is nothing you have in your arsenal to stop them. Nothing at all. High Chancellor, whenever you’re ready.”

Zy’nayth didn’t hesitate. In a quick thrust, his hand was on Kaven’s chest. Vince and Michael kept him from hitting the ground hard. And in seconds, the one hundred and twenty-seven countries’ leaders and the president’s cabinet were on their feet, gasping as Kaven went from a fierce, battle-hardened warrior to a shriveled, skeleton-like old man on the verge of death.

“That is how a Rayth feeds,” Be’atta said. “But, they also have the capacity to heal.”

As fast as Kaven seemed to have disintegrated, he was restored.

“He will be weakened for a few days,” Be’atta said, “but he will make a full recovery.” Those on the platform stepped away from Kaven’s unconscious body then it disappeared, causing more gasps. “And that is a demonstration of Rayth teleportation. He’s been teleported to the Raythian flagship where Dr. Becket McKenna and the High Chancellor’s First Science Commander will tend to him.”

“Now we have our biggest demonstration,” Vince said. “I hope all of you packed traveling supplies for two weeks, because we’re going to take you to Andromeda. The ship you’ll be boarding is a Rayth warship. She’s been stripped to the bare essentials. However, you already know the destructive power one of these ships has. The High Chancellor’s flagship is also in orbit, but don’t get your hopes up for a tour. We will do a flyby so you can see her arsenal from the outside.

“Now please, call your scientists and soldiers. We will begin to teleport you up in thirty minutes.”

“I have a few questions,” one of the leaders said.

“I’m sure you all do. But we’ll take questions on board the warship. If you choose not to come, that’s fine with me.”

“You’re kidnapping us?” another shouted.

Vince cleared his throat. “No. You may leave now. Those who wish to see how fast their ships can travel and want to see another galaxy are welcome to join us. All information about this trip was in the documents you were sent. So please, those who want to join us, return to your rooms, gather your luggage, and be back here in thirty minutes. Thank you.”

Zy’nayth, Be’atta, and Michael disappeared. John and Chris appeared in their stead to help keep people in line.

“Everything ready up there?” Vince asked, away from the microphone.

“Yup. Hope they brought some good fighters,” John said.

“I hope the big guy doesn’t get hurt. We’re talking almost 250 warriors,” Chris said.

“He took 50 of us down without breaking a sweat,” John said, “don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”

“I don’t know. I still don’t like it. I worry about the guy. He’s old, ya know.”

John grinned, “Worried about the old man? Right.”

***

“Welcome aboard,” Michael said, “First things first, these Marines will be scanning you for any recording devices and computers. As stated in the confidentiality agreement you signed, neither will be allowed on board. If you ‘accidentally’ brought one on this ship, it will be stored in that crate to the right. You will get it back when you disembark. These scanners will pick up anything, even if it’s subdural.”

Several tablets, phones, and recording devices were confiscated, labeled, and stored. Though the scientists protested the loudest, the offer was either stay on the ship without their devices or return to Earth with them.

One full deck of quarters was filled with the guests. They were the “grunt” quarters, as John called them. Four bunks to a room, but they only put two people in each. Every five rooms one Marine from the E:A team and one Rayth stood guard. No one was to wander around, the guards would see to that.

“Listen up,” John said, meeting with his security team, “we know that the High Chancellor can handle himself pretty well, and I know we’ve scanned everyone for weapons, but there is always a chance that we missed something. So, when the fight starts, you keep your eyes on everyone fighting him. The First Commander and several Rayth warriors will be there as well, so if things do get messy, they’ll step in. Use the Rayth stunners I’ve handed out. We shouldn’t have to, but if something does go wrong, stunners not guns. More than likely the Rayth will have everyone down before we even get a weapon drawn if it comes to that.

“One last thing. There is already some mumbling among our guests that we’re kidnapping them or some other such nonsense even though they were given the option to remain on Earth. Regardless, don’t provoke anyone. Be polite. Answer their questions. If you don’t have the answer, send them to me or Vince. All of you should have memorized the areas that they’ll be allowed to visit. There’ll be guards at each of the off-limits areas, but let’s not allow people to get that far. Again, be polite. If anyone raises a fuss, send for me, Chris, or, obviously, Vince. Any questions?”

The jet hangar used for the fight against Zy’nayth was cavernous without the Rayth jets filling the bay. There was more than enough room for the nearly 250 warriors from Earth, plus Earth’s leaders and scientists, along with the E:A security team and a number of Rayth to keep everyone in line.

“We did not wish to put down mats,” Vince told those assembled, “because we know they can slip, and we don’t want any excuses from the High Chancellor or the challengers. To keep things as safe as we can, however, we have Dr. Becket McKenna and Dr. Victoria Carson on hand to help any injured, and the Rayth here are also willing to help, should you want their help.

“The rules are very simple. The Earth soldiers will attack the High Chancellor,” he pointed to Zy’nayth standing off to the side, “when Lt. Col. Chapman gives the signal. If you’ve somehow managed to smuggle in a weapon, I can assure you the Rayth will not go easy on you.

“However, any type of hand-to-hand combat is allowed. We want you to give it your all, don’t hold back. No one other than the Earth soldiers brought on board for this purpose will be allowed into the fighting area. That goes for my team and the Rayth as well. But, like I said, if we see any weapons, the Rayth will step in.

“There is no time limit on the fight. The goal is simple: either he takes all of you down, or you take him down. You can, if you choose, opt to leave the fight at any time. I’ve been on the receiving end of a Rayth punch, I wouldn’t blame you for backing out. You have ten seconds from the time you are knocked down to get back up and continue fighting.

“Questions?”

“And if we can’t get up?”

“You will be pulled out of the fight area. You may get back up before the ten seconds have expired and continue to fight. The same rule applies to the High Chancellor.”

Zy’nayth, arms folded across his chest, gave the combatants one of his more intimidating looks. He wanted to stir them up. Wanted them to give it their best because if they didn’t, there was no point to the demonstration. He needed the world leaders to see what one Rayth could do against 250 of their top warriors who were doing all they could to take one Rayth down. One Rayth without weapons. One Rayth with his bare hands. He eyed the soldiers. “I will not be knocked down. I may dodge and roll, but I do not think any of you could knock me down.”

“Awfully confident of yourself,” another said with a thick German accent.

“I have had over ten thousand years to hone my abilities. Of course, I may make a mistake. General,” he said as he walked to the center of the area, dressed head to toe in his white leather uniform with its ankle-length jacket, “whenever you are ready, we can begin.”

As Vince asked again if there were any more questions, Baxter came running through the crowd and up to Zy’nayth, baring his teeth and growling at the onlookers.

“His bodyguard?” one of the warriors asked with a smirk.

“He obviously senses anger,” John said walked over to the dog. “Come here, boy, it’s okay. We’ll protect him.” He looked at Victoria, thinking the kids were with her and thus how Baxter showed up. But she shrugged her shoulders and tapped her comlink, “Ky, Kenna, you guys okay?”

“Mommy, we opened door to let Miss Lia in and Baxter ran out. She no let us look for him,” Ky’nayth said.

“He’s fine. He found me and your father.”

“Celeste growling and scratching at the door,” Mik’kenna said. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. We’ll bring Baxter back when the demonstration’s over. Try to calm Celeste down.”

“Kay,” both kids said as Baxter, commanded by John, sat right beside Victoria, though still growling.

Major Steve Kessler walked over to her, “I’ll take him back,” he said, “don’t need any excuses from these guys,” he whispered in her ear. She gave him a nod and thanked him.

“Sorry for the interruption,” John said. “The dog is quite protective of the High Chancellor and his family. As my boss just asked, any further questions?”

There were none so he motioned the soldiers forward. Chris, standing atop a platform, six feet in the air to keep an eye on things, blew a whistle as John climbed up to stand with him.

“Five bucks, they’re all down in under ten minutes,” Chris nudged John.

“I learned my lesson a long time ago about taking your bets,” John grinned and gave Vince a nod.

The first soldiers went right after the High Chancellor with no apparent plan of action other than to strike the first blow. John and Chris watched the chaos. The leaders and scientists watched amazed as the man in white seemed to vanish, and one by one, the best warriors Earth had to offer were felled. Becket and Victoria, with the help of a couple of Rayth pulled those who couldn’t move on their own, out of harm’s way. None were able to move out on their own after their ten seconds had expired. None got up again to fight once Zy’nayth had them down.

“He went easy on us,” John said to Chris. “Dear Lord he’s fast.”

“Well, he does like us and didn’t want to hurt us,” Chris replied. “But here, he’s making a very big point. Man, that’s gotta hurt,” he said, hearing bones cracking, seeing men thrust back against others behind them, knocking all down like bowling pins. “Yeah, he went really easy on us.”

Nine minutes and twenty-two seconds later, according to Vince’s watch, all of the soldiers from Earth had been defeated. “As I mentioned,” Vince said, “the Rayth here are willing to heal you so you don’t have to deal with surgery, setting of bones, or casts. If you would like their help, just raise a hand.” Though many of the leaders frowned on the idea, none of the soldiers did. They readily accepted the offered healing. Zy’nayth had done his best not to severely injure anyone, but in the heat of battle, bones were broken. He remembered who had suffered the worst at his hands and went to heal them himself.

“This typical of all Rayth?” one of the men asked as Zy’nayth healed his broken leg.

“The healing?”

“No. How fast you move. Your strength.”

“We are all very fast and very strong.”

“But you saw…you saw everyone one of us…you anticipated the move of us all at once.”

“I’ve trained for over ten thousand years,” Zy’nayth replied. “Most people react the same.”

“Are you okay, Nicolae?” his fellow comrade asked.

“Yeah, a little lingering pain, but…my leg’s fine.” He looked at Zy’nayth, “Thanks.”

“You are welcome.”

“Listen up,” Vince said, “my men will show you back to your quarters. Lunch will be served in about an hour. I want you to discuss what happened here. Afterwards, you’ll get a limited tour and have the rest of the day to yourselves. Dinner will be served promptly at 5:00.”

Victoria tended to the rest of the soldiers, both she and Becket let them know they were just an intercom call away if needed, but the Rayth should have healed everything. When she finished, she didn’t see her husband, so she went to Alessa and Chris’ quarters where the kids were staying.

“Daddy okay?” Ky’nayth asked as she entered.

“Well, he won. I thought he came back here.”

Alessa shook her head. Amelia spoke up, “Haven’t seen him.”

“Mind watching them for a few…” she tapped her comlink as her set alert tone for Zy’nayth went off, “Where are you?”

“Forgive me, I needed to return to the flagship.”

“Anything wrong?” she asked.

“The First Science Commander insisted on running scans.”

“You’re okay, right?”

“I am quite fine. Have the dogs settled?”

“Yeah, they seem to be back to their normal loving selves. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. If you are done with your patients, you and the children can return to the flagship.”

“We’re on our way. The dogs probably need to be taken out.”

“I will meet you in the bridge portal area,” he said.

Victoria thanked Alessa and Amelia for watching the twins. Then the family walked to the bridge of the ship where the Second Commander was talking with John.

“We’re ready to teleport over,” she said.

“He okay?” John asked, “Just sort of disappeared.”

“He says he’s fine, and knowing his crew,” she smiled at the Second Commander, “if he sustained any injury, they’ve healed him up already.”

“Call if you need anything,” John said.

He stepped away and the Second Commander contacted the flagship then teleported them to the bridge portal room where Zy’nayth was talking with Ja’val.

“Daddy, you kay?” Mik’kenna asked running up and hugging him.

“I am fine.”

“I glad you won,” Ky’nayth said, “Baxter no like some of them. He smart ‘bout stuff like that. I worried they hurt you.”

“You know how strong I am. They could not hurt me.” He hugged his son then knelt and gave both dogs scratches behind their ears, “and thank you two for caring. Shall we go for a quick walk?”

When they returned and settled in their own chambers Victoria again asked her husband if he was unharmed.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek, “Victoria, I am perfectly fine. Nothing broken and Ja’val healed any muscle or tissue damage. My own energy was already healing the bumps and bruises before he started. Thank you for being concerned.”

Her hand caressed his cheek, “I worry too much, I know. Over two hundred men beating on you, well, it’s still hard for me to think you can take that much damage.”

“If I did not think I could handle them, I would not have gone through with it.” His silver eyes twinkled, “I love you so much. You have such lovely eyes.”

She chuckled, “I love you too.”

Baxter hopped up on the sofa and nudged his way between the two of them and licked Zy’nayth’s cheek.

“Yes, Baxter, I am fine,” Zy’nayth laughed, “and thank you for being so bold and willing to defend me. And Celeste, I know you wanted to as well. Thank you.”

Celeste barked and hopped up, pushing her brother out of the way, wanting to give the High Chancellor a kiss too.

Mik’kenna came bounding in. “We get go lunch with you?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said, “I would like them to meet you and Ky’nayth.”

“Mommy, I need to change into my blue dress. I think it look better than jeans.”

“All right,” she said, “come on, let’s get you all dressed up.”

“Daddy, should I wear uniform?” Ky’nayth asked.

“No,” Victoria answered, “I’ll explain after I get your sister dressed. Why don’t you get that blue shirt that matches her dress? And your black Sunday pants.”

The boy sighed, “Okay,” he answered, downhearted.

Zy’nayth helped his son change and when both kids were dressed in more “formal” attire, Victoria explained that she didn’t want the Earth leaders to think that Rayth were trained from birth to be warriors. “Honey, if you wear a Rayth uniform, they may think that all Rayth just want war. You see, all they really understand right now is that Rayth attacked Earth. And they heard Be’atta and Kaven talk about how Rayth killed some of their loved ones. So, if a cute little boy walks in wearing a Rayth warrior’s uniform, they’re going to think all Rayth are born warriors and want destroy people. We don’t want them to think that because it’s not true.”

“No. We help humans. But I just be pilot. I no warrior.”

Victoria sighed, “They don’t understand that. All they’ll see are the uniforms and to them, uniforms mean warriors. They just saw your father take down over two hundred of their best fighters. They’re not going to think you’re just a pilot. I know you’re very proud of your uniform, but we need these people to understand that we want to work with them, not fight them.”

Ky’nayth nodded. “Okay. I understand better.”

Victoria gave him a strong hug, “Thank you, sweetie.”

The family left and went to a second jet hangar that had been converted into something of a mess hall. Chef Alan and his team were already serving people.

Though the kids wanted to sit in between some of the guests at their table, Zy’nayth had them sit to his left and right. Victoria sat next to her son, while Chris sat next to Mik’kenna. The table was rounded out with Alessa, six leaders, six soldiers, and six scientists, all from different countries. Holly and Victoria had made the table arrangements, putting those most opposed to Expedition: Andromeda at Zy’nayth’s table. They made sure that there was at least one Rayth and one senior Expedition member at each table. Though not all senior members would join them on the entire trip, they would bridge over for meals so that everyone could get to know them.

“Dr. Blanc, what is your area of specialty?” Alessa asked the Frenchman.

“I am an astrophysicist,” he replied, haughtily.

“Oh, Miss Mik’kenna is studying astrophysics,” she replied, ignoring his rude manner.

Mik’kenna was sitting diagonally from him. “I got telescope. And I do drawings of stars. Miss Lia helps me. Gives me books to study. She’s Uncle Becket’s wife. She astrophysicist too. She really smart.”

“That is very nice,” he replied, almost angered that a three-and-a-half-year-old was labeled as a would-be astrophysicist. Then he nearly burst when Mik’kenna asked him why he thought red dwarf stars out numbered other stars.

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“Well, it prolly ‘cause they easier to make,” she replied in her animated way, “but they so many. Red my favorite color but need more variety of stars. We have go far way to find blue main sequence star. Daddy very busy so it hard to get to go see them.”

“You have seen a blue main sequence star?” he asked, “Up close?”

Mik’kenna nodded.

“Where?” he asked, now very interested.

“I no know, I no drive. Bubby was driving.”

“Bubby?”

She pointed across the table, “My brother.”

“It is in a solar system my people call Lovod,” Zy’nayth said. “And my son is student pilot.”

“Quite skilled already,” Chris said. “I’ve got to witness his talents first-hand.”

“Are all Rayth as advanced?” another scientist asked.

“As with your people, some are more advanced than others. Victoria and I have been blessed with two very intelligent children.”

***

Victoria slid into the bed next to her husband. “I know I didn’t do much today, but I’m exhausted.”

“As am I.”

“You have an excuse. I didn’t fight off two hundred and fifty soldiers.”

He smiled and drew her into his arms. “That was the easy part. Convincing these people that they should allow the Expedition: Andromeda mission to continue is much harder.”

“Hopefully seeing how fast you can get from one galaxy to the next will change their minds. When they put together Rayth strength, their feeding hands, and the speed with which they can get to Earth, they’ll have to change their minds.”

“I am not so sure. Several people that I talked to are still not convinced that they need our protection. It does not help that I have told them that I believe we have quelled the rebels, at least for now.”

“But you also said that you didn’t know if other rebellions were forming, I mean, no one could.” She smiled into his silver eyes, “You’re one heck of a fighter. You know I’d love you no matter what, but I love that you can protect me. I love that you make me feel safe. You have, you know, from that very first day we met. I was scared to death you were going to kill me, but…I knew, somehow I knew you were my protector.”

“As long as I am able, I will always protect you. Though I have not done a very good job of it. You have been hurt, badly, several times.”

She gave him a tender kiss. “But you healed me. And I knew you’d help me, you’d come and rescue me. I never had that hope before.”

His arms tightened around her. “I love you, Victoria. I do not ever want to let you go. I am so sorry for so many things, and I am so thankful that you are so forgiving.”

“I love you, too. Now, High Chancellor, get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow, you especially.”