"These are some people I picked up along the way. This is Raymond, that's Zephyr, and the one with the denim jacket is Danny. You already met Dr. Bryant."
"Nice to meet you." Raymond said. Zephyr gave Camden a little wave. Danny just ignored them.
"Likewise." Dad said. Mom gave a polite nod and Camden was shyly hiding behind her.
They stood there awkwardly for a second. 'Hmm... Now what?' Selene thought to herself.
"Okay now that introductions are over I'll show you where you'll be staying onto we reach Endelon!"
Dr. Bryant gave her a 'look' at the mention of Endelon.
"Ms. Carrington, could I speak to you for a second?"
He walked out of the pilots cabin and into the hall beyond it. After the porthole that a ladder went down it tapered off into a more narrow hall that led to rooms with a few bunks each. Like a barracks.
They stood in that narrow hall.
"What is it?" Selene asked.
"We can't return to Endelon. Not yet."
That was like a splash of cold water. She wanted her home back, desperately. If a person ever felt homesick—try living on another planet.
"Why?? I know there's Zykra there, but so what? We're making some anyways. If anything it'll save me some trouble!"
"Shhhshh." Dr. Bryant put a finger to his lips. "Be careful of what you say." he whispered. "Now that we're working with members of the resistance, and we're starting to accrue less reliable, more human allies, we need to be careful about what Zykra related information we share in their presence."
Selene supposed that made sense. Zephyr seemed cool, but Danny could be a wildcard.
"For example—your Zykra are not like the other Zykra. Other Zykra will be much more resistant to your commands. Almost immune. The Zykra created by your 'essence' or genetic marker that is, have an affinity for you. They are connected to you at all times. They can sense inherently whenever you are distressed. Zykra belonging to other encaphalons will be aggressive towards you unless ordered otherwise by their queens... And so, we must first cleanse Endelon of their presence. Don't worry, Ku'senai won't mind, in fact she intends you to clear the few worlds she left infested."
She furled her brow in contemplation.
"So I'll take out those Zykra. What's the big deal? There can't be that many of them."
Dr. Bryant made a 'you'd be surprised' expression.
"Zykra aside—the Protectorate plans to make a political example of the planet and purge the Zykra themselves and reassume control over the planet. Until we're able to contest the Protectorate for control it would only be dangerous to settle on a planet on the Protectorates radar."
"How long?" Selene asked, irritated.
He thought about this for a moment. Putting his hands on his sides.
"..Five years."
"FIVE—!?"
"-Maybe ten. It's hard to estimate as it depends on many factors. In the meantime a visit to Endelon may be workable, but it's just not feasible to reside their permanently. But don't worry, there are similar planets outside the outer rim."
Selene let out an exasperated sigh before going over to the ladder by the porthole and leaning on the bar railing that surrounded it.
"I don't want to wait so long to retake my homeworld."
"I'm sorry Ms. Carrington, but these are facts. It's just not feasible at the moment. But the Zykra do not age like humans do, in fact—the telomeres on the edges of your chromosomes- they're like brake pads that wear down over time. Each time a typical cell is replicated it's as if the blueprint becomes ever-so-slightly more blurry, and after so many replications it's the useable code itself that is diluted, leading to cancer more often and-"
"I don't speak science! Cut to the chase!"
"My point is, the Zykra do not age like we do. I do not believe they age at all. Their genetic information is constantly being renewed from some unseen connection, as if their cells are in a constant state of quantum superposition."
He lost her again as evident by the look on her face.
"In other words: you have all the time in the world. That's your real advantage against the humans. So have patience. As I said, there are similar planets we can take in the meantime that won't arouse Protectorate suspicion. Right now you're just a sapling. Easy to crush. But if we wait, and let you grow—you'll become a towering redwood that casts a shadow over the Protectorate. In time."
Selene crossed her arms and pouted.
"What are these other planets?" she grumbled.
Dr. Bryant grinned; "There are a few which meet similar parameters as Endelon. And I believe I've found the perfect candidate. From what I could gather without probes or satellite surveillance, it's a heavily wooded planet. Trees similar to evergreens, uneven landscape, with many creeks and rivers. Seasons. Perfect for adapting your brood to multiple climates and housing your family. You see, we could-"
She put a hand up, interrupting him; "Let's just see it first. I'd like this place to be a good example of Zykra and humans coexisting Bryant. Not some Zykra wonderland. I've seen what a Zykra homeworld looks like... And it's no place a human should ever be. No. This place should be like, a mix of the two. Perhaps the resistance would help us settle it, make it a proper colony? Give Camden a safe place to be, and grow up. With other kids his age. And I can visit him."
Dr. Bryant didn't seemed very amused by the idea. But he nodded. "Very well. I'll set course for the planet."
Selene went to walk away but stopped when Dr. Bryant made an 'ahem' sound.
"..On another matter before you return to your family—would you be fine with me addressing you as 'Queen', or 'her eminence-'"
Selene laughed. Pretty fully at that. It was mostly funny because of how seriously he said it. She put a hand on his shoulder. She wiped the corner of her eye with the other.
"No. Ms. Carrington is as formal as I'm willing to go Bryant. Pfft.." she snickered as she walked back to the pilots cabin.
He half grinned weakly; "I assumed so."
She showed her family around the ship a bit.
To the kitchens, to the captains quarters where they'd be staying during the trip—and the pantry.
Which she explicitly told Camden to stay out of.
Then her and Dad met at the pilots cabin to confer with the battle-frigate they've been keeping pace with as they drifted away from the Athena colony.
Xaya was on the monitor with a dozen other framed faces sharing the space. All resistance commanders. One of which was her uncle Preston.
"So you're back from retirement then Ron?" an older man asked.
Far older than her father.
Black hair lightened a bit from age with a lock of white above his temple. His short hair was combed to either side down the center.
He had a implant embedded in the side of his face that looked like a metal tattoo. Framing one side of his face in shiny grey rectangles. Tracing down the side of his jaw in a thin line. A tiny green LED in it beeped every so often. Likely a medical implant if the gnarly scars all across is face and neck are anything to go by.
"Reluctant. But yes."
Another man scoffed. He was leaned back out of the light. Only his rugged boots were in view on the table next to where ever he had set his camera.
"Aren't we all?"
There were a few nods of affirmation in the video conference at that. The man with the cyborg implant spoke again;
"Your daughter showed promise. After what she did on Endelon with no training at all, then her escape from Alexandria, the recruitment of one of their top researchers, her role in freeing captive resistance members—quite an impressive record for one so young. And in so little time. Not to mention the subjugation of these creatures. These... 'Zykra'. Tell me, what exactly is your relation to these creatures?"
Selene looked to her dad. Who was confident and poised to answer; "Thanks Adler, yeah she's a regular chip of the ol' block... About the other stuff; we all know my unique abilities... I assume it's still a secret the resistance keeps under the table?"
"Of course."
"Well there's more now so buckle up. —Selene inherited my abilities."
There was a bit of a uproar at that. A few people attempted to talk at once.
Questions like; "The exact same abilities?", "Are you sure?", "Is that why you left so early?"
And statements like; "Impossible.", "That explains a lot."
Along with a few arguments between them that were antagonistic of Dad or defending him.
Adler spoke up after a few moments; "Simmer down! ...Let's not overreact. The nature of his telepathy is different than usual, we knew this. So it's no surprise that other 'details' are different as well. I think I speak for most of us when I say that if it were any of us we may of well done the same. No doubt Ron thought that we'd take advantage and send his daughter a pistol for her 16th birthday. Groom her to be a soldier all her life. Would any of us want a life like that for our children?"
The conference was quiet at that. They knew it was true.
"Seemed to of happened anyways. If a bit later." the shadowed man from before said. He had a bit of a southern accent.
After a moment he went on to say; "She's quite a looker though ain't she, can't say she got that from you Ron."
"Watch your mouth." her dad said bitterly.
The shadowed man chuckled.
Adler let out a sigh. "I for one, would like to hear from Selene herself. Your dad says you inherited his abilities when I asked about the Zykra. Does this mean you can influence Zykra just as well as humans?"
Her dad looked to her then with a look of 'share whatever you're comfortable with.'
"I can. But a lot easier than my father can. I can control hundreds. Probably thousands, or even more. I can get them to reproduce... Lots of things. They see me as their queen. Like a bee hive's queen. It's why Dr. Bryant fled with me, rather than stay and be a test subject at the Protectorate. We planned to study it on a planet just outside the outer rim actually. Weaponize them against puck. We were wondering if the resistance was interested in helping us establish a small colony there. Help give us access to basic resources. As well as give me a place to keep my family safe."
Dad gave her a surprised look at that.
She continued; "There's more about my relationship with the Zykra, a lot more. But that's all I'm willing to share until I know you're trustworthy."
She talked about this at length with Dr. Bryant and this was the prewritten statement she decided on.
It was very quiet in the conference call then.
"Girls got balls." Xaya said, producing a cigarette and lighting it.
Preston spoke up then; "She has proof. I've seen it myself, but I can't share anymore than what she's said here. In any case—it's worth the small investment she's asking for. A colony? What is that? A engineer, some farmers—no big deal. When we stand a lot to gain.. If these Zykra can be weaponized that would save a lot of rebel boys."
"You stake your reputation on that commander Carrington?" Adler asked.
Preston nodded. "I would. Hell, I think I'll be a runner up for your position after this one general."
Adler scoffed. "Alright then. Send us the coords for your planet Selene. We'll send your research friend the addresses and codes to contact our subnet communications as well."
"Thank you." Selene said.
"Don't thank me yet, this will be a lot of work. And a lot of responsibility for someone as green as you. Don't get me wrong—what you've done impresses me. But you still have a lot to prove. You'll get your resources for this colony, but produce us an army. We expect annual progress reports. —Ron, will you be joining us in our operations again?"
Dad stepped towards the large monitor that hung in the pilots cabin then; "Yeah. If we want any shot of winning this I guess I better do my part. You guys have been doing a pretty bang-up job since I left it seems."
A few chuckles resounded from the monitor then. As well as a few glares.
"I'll handle logistics. Fill an advisory role. For my brother. He's the only one I trust well enough to utilize the resources Selene and I represent. Talk to him when it comes us and he'll relay the message."
Preston did a silent celebration on his monitor. Fist pumping before getting up from his chair and pacing around the room he was in.
"Very well, you two don't give us much room to argue for anything else. Today was a huge win for the resistance. We got two of our commanders back and several special operatives. Perhaps even a new one. With a shiny new weapon at that. Feel free to celebrate, but prepare yourselves. It's only gonna get tougher from here on out..."
The monitor flicked to a disconnect screen on the conference call then.
"So I guess I'm a member of the resistance?" Selene asked.
"A preliminary one. Are you sure about this Sel? Sending the Zykra against puck? I know you said that's what they wanted from you."
Selene nodded. "I have to. I told you. If I don't the Zykra will invade themselves. Then it'll be a genocide. If I do it, I can at least choose my targets. Control the damage. Protect you and mom. And Camden."
An epiphany of understanding flashed across his eyes then.
"Ah. Yeah. I get it..."
He rubbed the back of his neck for a moment while he thought.
"Just... Try not to lose yourself to this kid. When I was a commander, the job... It becomes everything. It's like your boys are an extension of you. New information going in and out like breathing, wins and losses deciding where you go, the objectives. Over time it makes you feel so far away from yourself that you forget what really matters to you. And when you touch back down you find that everything around you has decayed while you were gone. I don't want that to happen to you Sel. So... Come up for air every so often, alright?"
Selene looked up at her dad; "So long as you promise to do the same."
"I promise." he said. And after a moment of companionable silence he pulled her into a gentle hug.
He let out a relaxed breath as he pulled away. "Well I better call your uncle. He's going to want to plan a few things. We need to get things ready for this new colony you talked about."
"It's a bit nerve wracking, but it all starts somewhere. I'll talk to Dr. Bryant about the Zykra details too. You let me know if you and Preston need my help for anything resistance related, okay?"
"Yep. And likewise. Not that I'm sure how we could help you with the Zykra stuff."
He gave her a half wave and walked away.
The journey to the unnamed planet was shorter than she expected. Those human traffickers had a fast ship. Speaking of unnamed—she decided on a name for the ship. The resistance had asked.
'The Sequester', she decided. Figured it fit all things considered.
It took two days or so to arrive outside the planet. Which was impressive considering how long space travel usually took. A trip to the closest core world could take months.
It was... Gorgeous. Just like Dr. Bryant had believed. It was no fields of golden wheat that her nostalgia craved. But it would do for now. She had no intention of following along with Dr. Bryants ridiculously long time table. Five, ten years? As if.
Hopefully with the resistances help they could streamline that. Get it down to a couple weeks. Was that unreasonable? Probably. But since when had things been reasonable.
The Sequester touched down on one of the few open fields of dried yellow grass.
Most of the land around was uneven and overgrown with thick roots of the trees. Distant snow capped mountains were visible just above the treeline.
It would be a week or so until the resistance's resources arrived.
People. Construction equipment.
With nothing more to do until then, she better get started building Zykra. Show this resistance what her forces were capable of.
She'd have to find a place to keep them.
Far away from the colonies build location that Dr. Bryant and her had carefully selected.
Maybe a cavern somewhere.
The scantids eagerly hopped about her as she walked the wooded forest.