by Ken Lozito
"A bit of both, actually. This was the only NASA broadcast signal out here," Colonel Matthews said.
Zack sat in the copilot's seat and checked the communications interface. "He's right. We're broadcasting. I thought those protocols had all been disabled."
Hicks shook his head. "Not the emergency ones."
"Athena shuttle, do you have flight capability, or do we need to send out a rescue for you?" Colonel Matthews asked.
Hicks quickly checked the shuttle's flight systems while the others began asking Colonel Matthews for an update on the battle. Zack tuned them out and opened the logs for comms systems. He searched for the NASA broadcast signal and saw that it wasn't part of some latent emergency protocol that’d been engaged because they'd evacuated the ship. Athena had made sure they were broadcasting using those specific protocols. Had the AI known there were other Humans here, or had she simply guessed that broadcasting using a protocol that neither the Confederation nor the Alliance knew about was the safest way for the right people to come and find them?
Hicks patted Zack on the shoulder. "Did you hear that?"
Zack frowned and shook his head. "No, what?"
"The battle’s over. Confederation ships have stood down," Hicks said.
"The Xiiginns surrendered?" Zack asked.
"Doesn't sound that way. Apparently, the multi-species crews mutinied against the Xiiginns and the Alliance took out the remaining Xiiginn warships," Hick said.
Zack glanced at the others and blew out a breath. Athena, you did it, Zack thought.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Kaylan had hoped the days following the battle would be easier, but she'd underestimated how the other species of the Confederation would react when the effects of the Xiiginn influence were negated. The Xiiginns had interwoven themselves into the governing bodies of all the species in the Confederation, infiltrating government officials all the way down to the least important roles in society. Some victims had been little more than slaves for their entire lives. To be suddenly awakened from that and retain the memories of all they’d done while under the Xiiginn influence was too much for some species to handle. Many of the awakened had lashed out violently toward their captors.
So far, they were only able to negate the Xiiginn influence within the fields maintained on a ship or space station. Once an afflicted person moved beyond those, they reverted back to the state they’d been in before—loyal to the Xiiginns. Kaylan's heart went out to those species.
After a victim’s initial rage, which usually resulted in taking the lives of the Xiiginns around them, their mental state became fragile, and severe depression often led to suicide. The Alliance had been so focused on defeating the Xiiginns that they hadn't been prepared to deal with what the long-term effects of being under the Xiiginn influence for so long would be. Jonah Redford's mental state had deteriorated because he'd fought it. Humans were able to resist the Xiiginn influence to varying degrees, but there were other species, like the Boxans, who had almost no resistance to it. There was so much death, but at least now there were groups organized to help prevent those who’d been awakened from taking their own lives. If recovery was even possible, it would be a long time coming.
"You're awfully quiet," Ma'jasalax said.
"I thought finally stopping the Xiiginns from conquering everything would feel better than this," Kaylan said.
"Things will improve with time," Ma'jasalax replied.
"Are any of the Confederation or Alliance ships going to the Xiiginn homeworld?" Kaylan asked.
"Technically, the Confederation is being dissolved and the Alliance will take its place, but no Boxan ship will be going. The Gresans, the Napox, and many others want vengeance on the Xiiginns. We wanted them stopped, but it's up to the former Confederation species to decide the Xiiginns’ fate," Ma'jasalax said.
Kaylan had no love for the Xiiginns, but she wasn't sure how she felt about genocide either. Xiiginns had a lot to answer for, and would the universe really miss a species like that? Were they as much of a threat now that their most powerful tool had been taken from them? Could the Xiiginns ever change? She didn't know, and it wasn't up to her.
Kaylan saw Kladomaor and Gaarokk walking toward them in one of the atriums on the Boxan flagship. The Boxans wouldn't return to the Confederation space station.
She looked at Ma'jasalax. "Do you think Kladomaor will be okay?"
Ma'jasalax's gaze flicked toward the two Boxans. "He has endured much, but I believe that, in time, he’ll continue to improve."
Kladomaor and Gaarokk joined them.
"How is Zack?" Gaarokk asked.
"He and Hicks are doing fine. They broke a few ribs, but thanks to Brenda, those bones have already healed," Kaylan replied.
"What about the Athena? Cardaleer told us about the loss of your ship and that Zack has been very upset," Kladomaor said.
"He'll be fine. I'll make sure of it. When people first meet Zack, they don't know quite what to make of him," Kaylan said.
"He definitely has his own way of doing things, but he couldn't have a better caretaker than you. You’ll both do very well in the cycles to come," Kladomaor said.
Kaylan frowned. Something in the Boxan's tone piqued her curiosity. "Why does is it sound like you're saying goodbye?"
She watched as the Boxans shared a glance.
"Eventually, but not right now," Gaarokk said.
"I don't understand. Won't you stay in the Alliance?" Kaylan asked and looked at Ma'jasalax. How could she have missed this? "You're leaving? I mean, you're not staying in the galaxy?"
"You're right," Kladomaor said.
Gaarokk gave Kladomaor a meaningful look. "You're already in too much trouble as it is."
"The High Council will simply need to move on, then. The Star Shrouds are no more. The knowledge of their whereabouts is gone for good. But to really answer your question, Kaylan, we are not staying. Whatever follows the Confederation will be without the Boxans," Kladomaor said.
Kaylan's eyes widened. "Why? I always assumed that if we defeated the Xiiginns you’d stay and rejoin the Confederation. What would all of these species do without you?"
"What indeed," Ma'jasalax said. "But that will be for you to decide. Humans will take an active role. So it will be up to Humans and Nershals and a host of other species. What happened with the Xiiginns was our responsibility, and now that the threat has passed, it's time for us to move on."
"Where will you go? Will you find another planet to colonize?"
"As Emma Roberson has already pointed out, our current world is insufficient for our needs. This revelation wasn't new to us. We were well aware of the situation but found it quite interesting that, despite what was happening, the crew of the Athena was so concerned about our welfare," Ma'jasalax said and glanced at Kladomaor for a moment. "Returning to Sethion and rescuing the Boxans we left behind was something even I hadn’t anticipated. We've shared many things with you, and in turn, through our relationship with you and the other Athena crewmembers, you’ve challenged us to grow beyond what we were before. For that reason, Humans will always have our gratitude. Just as you will have to find a way to exist in a larger universe, so will we. And it doesn't involve colonizing another planet."
"At least none that we know of," Gaarokk said.
"The star carriers we used to rescue the refugees on Sethion were first-generation colony ships. One of the things we've been working on is achieving the same thing but on a much grander scale and with room to expand. We'll still have our military because we need it for our own defenses, but hopefully not as much," Kladomaor said.
"You've built more colony ships. Where?"
"A neighboring star system to Olloron. The system is richer in materials and the ship is essentially a small moon. So, you see, we did have an eye to the future. We wouldn't have sacrificed every last Boxan to defeat the Xiiginns. And thanks to our alliance with you, we didn't have to," Kladomaor said.
"What will you do after
you go home?" Ma'jasalax asked.
That very question had been on Kaylan's mind—a lot. They were due to leave in a few days. The Lincoln was taking them home. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I expect to be involved in the Earth Coalition Force somehow. I have no doubt they’ll be keenly interested in what I’ve learned from you, but I just don't know. It's strange, really. All this time we've been worried about just surviving or trying to find the Drar or any number of other things," Kaylan said and looked at all of them. "I will miss all of you. When do you leave?"
"It's not as imminent as it sounds, and as you know, there are other ways to communicate," Ma'jasalax said.
Kaylan smiled in understanding. Communication using Mardoxian chambers would allow them to stay in contact over vast distances, perhaps even galactic distances. "The refugees on Selebus. Do you think they'll go with you?"
Ma'jasalax smiled. "They'll be invited, of course, and in order to maintain their independence, they'll have either their own section of the ship or we’ll build one just for them."
Kaylan wondered just how big this ship they’d built was. With something so massive, could it still be called a ship? She imagined it as an entire world that they could take with them. "You're going to look for the Drar, aren't you?"
"Some of the things we found, including the data on the Athena, indicated that the Drar left the galaxy. We were once explorers, but we've had to adopt the mantle of soldiers. I think we can be explorers once again," Kladomaor said.
Kaylan knew it wasn't a final farewell, but she still felt a lump in her throat. "I think that would be good."
Several days later, the ECF battleship-carrier Lincoln was preparing to depart. The crew of the Athena, including the former mission commander, Michael Hunsicker, stood on the main hangar bay of the Boxan flagship. Boxan soldiers stood at parade rest in their power armor. A Boxan named Chazen came over to Michael Hunsicker to say goodbye. Kaylan had learned that Michael had been able to survive on the Boxan monitoring station because there had been an actual Boxan in stasis there.
"You could come to Earth one day," Zack said to Etanu.
"I'm sure a Nershal delegation will journey to Earth at some point," Etanu replied.
"I'm sure I can find a few obstacle courses we could run without the…" Zack paused and frowned. "Whatever the hell that thing was you guys attached to my wrist to make me participate. You know, without the threat of dying."
A slow smile appeared on Etanu's face. "Where's the fun in that?"
Zack grinned and Kaylan joined in. Etanu bowed his head toward Kaylan. "Mardoxian Blessed, it has been my honor to know you and I look forward to the day we meet again."
Ezerah, who’d been standing next to Etanu, held her head up proudly. "It won’t just be Nershals like Etanu coming to Earth, I assure you. Also, I’d like to extend an invitation to all of you to actually spend some time on Nerva. There’s so much more to see than the forests of Selebus."
Kaylan smiled. "I’d like that very much."
"Oh, and Zack," Etanu said. "Never mind. Hicks, please make sure Zack has his helmet. We don't need any repeats of certain lapses in judgment."
Hicks grinned. "I'll make sure he does."
Kladomaor stepped in front of the lines of soldiers and let out a deep bellow. The bellow was taken up by the Boxan soldiers, and Kaylan realized that this was a Boxan battle song. As one, the Boxan soldiers banged their fists against their chests, and the clang of power armor was heard throughout the main hangar bay.
Ma'jasalax leaned toward Kaylan. "They honor the Athena. He wanted you to know her sacrifice will never be forgotten."
She saw Zack's eyes become misty and reached out to hold his hand. The battle song ended and the former crew of the Athena left the Boxan flagship to return to the ECF battleship-carrier.
Kaylan had learned that two ambassadors, along with another hundred people, were staying behind. Colonel Matthews was adamant that the Lincoln would return to Earth and come back with more support for the Human envoy that was to take up residence on the Alliance space station.
They'd spent a few hours touring the battleship-carrier. There was plenty of time before they reached the minimum safe distance to open the wormhole that would take them home.
The crew of the Athena had gathered in a designated area Colonel Matthews had assured them was for their use only. The room was essentially a lounge, with several couches and small tables around. After hours of speaking to other people, each of the crew had found their way to their private space.
"It's not that surprising," Michael was saying. "You have to get used to being around people again. I lived with Chazen for almost nine months, and when I first got back to Earth, we would meet in a quiet place to do our work. It was almost like we were back on the monitoring station, but it was worse for Chazen. He'd spent a long time alone on that station," Michael said.
"Perhaps we should make it a point to get together every so often after we get back home," Hicks said.
"Every so often," Katie said with a grin. "We should all live by each other."
"You’ll love Valencia," Efren said. "It's one of the most beautiful coastal cities of Spain, and from there we can travel west along the coast. The food. Oh, the food and the music. I can't wait to show it all to you."
Katie smiled and looked at Zack and Kaylan. "What I want to know is what are you two gonna do?"
"You mean after the weeks or months of debriefing we'll have to go through when we get home? After all that," Zack began, "I intend to find a beach with crystal-clear blue water, probably somewhere in the Caribbean, and I'm going to watch the sunset for the next few years while I try to forget some of the things I've seen." Zack looked at Kaylan. "Well, not everything I've seen. But seriously, I just want to take a nice long, long, long vacation and not think about anything."
This drew plenty of grins from the others. Kaylan shrugged. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I suppose I'll have some involvement with the ECF."
"There’ll be plenty of opportunities for all of you," Michael assured them.
"I know I'll be joining the ECF when we get back," Hicks said.
"I never doubted it for a second," Zack replied.
"You could join, too. In fact, I'm pretty sure you'll get several invitations that will be very hard to say no to—that is, after you get tired of sitting on a beach," Hicks said.
"I don't know…then I'd have to take orders from…well, you know, and I don't know if I want to do that," Zack said.
Hicks shook his head. "I didn't mean become a soldier. There are plenty of other things you could do."
"I think what Zack is trying to say is that he's going to weigh his options and not commit to anything just yet," Kaylan said.
"I thought you guys weren't married," Nikolai said.
Kaylan smiled and shared a look with Zack. "Not yet, but soon."
This news came as no surprise to anyone.
"That is, after he meets the rest of my family," Kaylan added quickly.
Zack's smile almost disappeared as he realized he had yet another challenge to face.
"It can't be that bad considering what we've been through," Hicks said.
"No, it'll be great," Zack said, unconvincingly.
His comment drew several bouts of laughter, especially from the men.
"I know what I'm going to do when I get back," Emma said. "I'm going to remind my husband why he waited for me—over and over again until we both can't walk. Then travel a little bit. Definitely going to take a page from Zack's book and relax for a while." Emma grinned.
"What about you, Brenda?" Kaylan asked.
"I plan to return to my family. With all the new medical advances, there’ll be plenty to do. I honestly need more time to think about it," Brenda said.
They kept going on like that for hours. It was as if there was this unspoken agreement to enjoy each other’s company for as long as they could before their long journey came to an end. The Lincoln had already traversed through a
wormhole and they were on their way back to Earth. Kaylan liked Hicks’s idea of making it a point to get together at least once a year and made a mental note to see that it happened.
She glanced at Zack. She knew he was still grieving the loss of Athena. She was, too, but the bond Athena had with Zack had been much stronger. Out of all Zack's qualities, his loyalty to his friends was one of the things she cherished most.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Zack had been right. After they'd returned to Earth, their debriefing with the Earth Coalition Force and the various governments of the world that had supported the original Athena mission had taken almost a month. Hicks’d had to talk him out of leaving with a compelling argument about how they’d just hunt him down.
Hicks had been promoted to colonel and had officially joined the ECF. Zack was pretty sure Hicks would soon be commanding a ship of his own. Michael Hunsicker had been right about there being plenty of opportunities to do almost anything they wanted once they got home, but Zack wouldn't commit to anything except Kaylan. There was a wedding in their future, and since she was an heiress of the late great Bruce Matherson estate, Zack was sure it would be quite an affair.
The crewmembers of the Athena were all heroes, and Zack had completely underestimated their global reception. There were parades and ceremonies scheduled, as well as public appearances, which Zack had wanted to avoid, but Kaylan had reminded him that what they'd all accomplished was inspirational. People around the globe were completely enamored with the crew of the Athena. CEOs of major corporations tasked their armies of public relations people and recruiters with getting a meeting with Zack. They just wanted "a few moments of his time," at his "nearest convenience." It would never be convenient as far as Zack was concerned. He wondered if they realized that prior to going on the Athena he'd been a hacker who’d exposed their secrets and would gladly do so again. He didn't think he'd go back to that life, but he did enjoy declining all those meeting invitations.
A fresh sea breeze blew in through the villa's open windows as Kaylan walked in and smiled at him. A ray of sunshine gleamed off the small model of the Athena that rested on a wooden table with seashell-encrusted legs. A couple of bright spots reflected above, only to be rhythmically disrupted by the turn of the large fan blades that gently moved the air of the villa's luxurious interior. "I could get used to this. You did say you wanted a beach," Kaylan said. She let her thick hair down, and it hung past her shoulders.