N-Vorl is prepared to grab Vor’taalnis up into his arms, when P’taal and Mau-Nis enter Wessinger’s office. N-Vorl turns to peer at his subordinates. P’taal is masked, while Mau-Nis is not. The command leader’s mandibles flare open and shut with excitement. Something is wrong.

  “Elder, an ooman warship is bearing down on this position,” Mau-Nis says. “We can expect their arrival in less than three hours.”

  N-Vorl studies Mau-Nis very closely. There is no fear in the command leader’s voice. Beneath Mau-Nis’ words, there is an undercurrent of violent energy. The yautja warrior is mentally gearing up for a ferocious battle.

  “How is this possible?” N-Vorl demands. “How did they manage to get within range without us detecting their approach?”

  P’taal steps forward and removes his mask. He reluctantly meets N-Vorl’s steely gaze.

  “I’m unsure, Elder-Apparent,” P’taal says, nodding with deference. “However, the first attempt by our flagship to contact us…Was while we were in the shielded section of the facility. I was only recently made aware that there was such an attempt. It was the other hunters’ belief that you already knew of the ooman ship’s approach and were making plans to meet them in battle.”

  “There can only be one plan,” N-Vorl says. “We must utterly destroy them. As we will this ooman station. I must return to the ship.”

  Mau-Nis steps forward and addresses N-Vorl candidly.

  “Elder, I have sent Dr. Boyd to a secure area of the station,” Mau-Nis says. “She will be safe for the duration of the battle. While you and P’taal return to the flagship, I will watch over your kin. I may be able to create a hybrid technology—using our cloaking technology and the ooman shielding. Maybe then, we will be able to smuggle them both aboard the ship without detection.”

  N-Vorl smiles widely at Mau-Nis and nods respectfully. It makes N-Vorl proud to know that Mau-Nis may finally be embracing the idea of Teresa becoming his honored mate--his eldress. Not to mention, having a viable plan for how to get his new family safely off of the ooman station.

  “Do what you must, Mau-Nis,” N-Vorl says. “I will see you when the battle is over.”

  “Yes, you will,” Mau-Nis says with a wily sneer. “I hope to have good news to report.”

  Grabbing Vor’taalnis up into his arms, N-Vorl kisses his nose for what is easily the tenth time. P’taal watches curiously, his head tilted at an angle. Mau-Nis stares forward with a blank expression. N-Vorl finally lowers Vor’taalnis back to the couch and situates the blanket snuggly around him. He levels his gaze on Mau-Nis.

  “Make sure that Vor’taalnis is returned safely to his mother,” N-Vorl says in a stern voice. “I do not want any harm to come to him.”

  “And it won’t,” Mau-Nis responds. “I give you my word, Elder.”

  Within moments, both P’taal and N-Vorl are gone. Mau-Nis steps close to the edge of the couch and peers down at Vor’taalnis. The childling chitter-giggles and flexes his tiny clawed fingers. Mau-Nis reaches out and places his fingers close to Vor’taalnis’ tiny hands. Vor’taalnis grips Mau-Nis’ index finger in his own small hand.

  A smile crosses Mau-Nis’ face as the childling stares up at him with glittering eyes. Wishing he had two working hands, so that he might also stroke the infant’s face, Mau-Nis settles for simply letting Vor’taalnis play with his fingers for a little longer.

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  -

  -

  Mau-Nis enters the secure location, Vor’taalnis held tightly in the crook of his good arm. Dr. Boyd stops her nervous pacing and rushes in his direction. She meets Mau-Nis’ gaze as she takes Vor’taalnis from him.

  “What about our things?” Teresa inquires. “I didn’t bring much.”

  “I will return with your things,” Mau-Nis says coolly. “Elder N-Vorl and P’taal have already returned to the flagship and are preparing to engage the ooman craft in battle. It is the Elder’s wish that no harm should come to you and your son. Tell me what you need and I will ensure you get it.”

  Teresa’s mouth droops as she considers Mau-Nis riffling through Orderly Meyer's clothes and underwear. She glances down as she realizes they have no alternative. Once she has completed her relatively simple shopping list, Teresa smiles weakly.

  “I’m sorry, Mau-Nis. I don’t mean to put you out," Teresa says. “I’ll gladly go and get it all myself. I’d be very careful.”

  Mau-Nis shakes his head fervently.

  “You would have no way of knowing if one of our warriors is close by,” Mau-Nis responds. “Until it is too late. If you are discovered…You might be detained. Or worse, killed. No. It must be this way. I have been tasked with finding a way to sneak both you and Vor’taalnis aboard our flagship. I will return as soon as possible.”

  Dr. Boyd nods in resignation and holds Vor’taalnis tighter to her chest. Mau-Nis reaches forward and strokes the side of Vor’taalnis’ face. The childling chitters and tries to grip Mau-Nis’ hand. Teresa’s breathing accelerates as she struggles to contain her emotions. Watching Vor’taalnis’ reaction to Mau-Nis is having a weird effect on her. Such a friendly childling, but he seems especially taken with Mau-Nis. Mau-Nis raises his gaze to Dr. Boyd’s face, his eyes lingering momentarily on her lips.

  “I will not allow anything to happen to you,” Mau-Nis says confidently. “Either of you. You have my word.”

  Teresa is not given the chance to respond. Mau-Nis drops his hand from Vor’taalnis’ cheek and strolls away. Dr. Boyd’s mouth opens, but no words come. Once Mau-Nis is gone, Teresa glances down at Vor’taalnis. The infant looks up at her with wide green eyes. A shiver courses Teresa’s spine and she mutters quietly.

  “What the hell is wrong with me?”

  -

  -

  Simultaneously

  Aboard the yautja flagship

  N-Vorl storms onto the bridge followed by a contingent of three large warriors, including P’taal. N-Vorl studies the numerous faces around him.

  “What is the position of the ooman attack vessel?” N-Vorl roars.

  A badly scarred yautja standing to N-Vorl’s left barks back an answer—taking care to add a certain level of deference to his tone.

  “The ooman attack vessel is still on the same course,” the warrior chitters loudly. “They will reach this location in a little over two hours.”

  N-Vorl’s mandibles clench shut. He stares at the forward view screen, taking in the sight of the sprawling ooman space station and the stars beyond it.

  “The other ooman ships are still hovering above the atmosphere of the ringed moon,” the same warrior continues. “Mau-Nis’ diversion seems to be working. By the time they realize they are battling holograms and automated platforms, we will be long gone from this sector. For now, the planetary shields are holding. Our warriors on the moon’s surface are standing by to engage. The oomans will be busy for quite some time. We can deal with this lone ship.”

  N-Vorl places a clawed hand on his hip, the folds of his robe peeling back. The young leader’s mouth twitches imperceptibly. His mind wanders to Teresa—and his infant son. Their planetary diversion will not keep the oomans occupied forever. They will have to end this battle with the ooman ship quickly and decisively.

  “Ready the plasma cannons,” N-Vorl growls. “And charge the lasers. When the ooman ship enters range, destroy them. Give them no chance to return fire.”

  N-Vorl whirls to face P’taal, his eyes flashing.

  “Inform Mau-Nis that he is to begin the countdown as soon as the ooman ship is destroyed,” N-Vorl says with a furrowed brow. “I want every yautja ready to evacuate. Our mission here is over. The ooman female was no longer aboard the station when we arrived. There is nothing more we can do here.”

  P’taal recognizes the veiled meaning of N-Vorl’s information dump. He nods respectfully and heads out to perform his assigned duty.