Kern arrived with Ully'anni on Gattis. It wasn't long before he was back at the house where he had found Shepa'lai.
"Shepa'lai," he called.
She had her back to him and was talking before she even turned around.
"I did say that I wouldn't help you until..."
Her voice trailed off when she saw Ully'anni even if she was unaware of her name. She only knew that her sister had died and left a child. That's all the message had said. Even then she still wasn't allowed to go back to Mirrial. If Kern had not reappeared then she may never had been able to know. She ran straight over without hesitate and swept Ully'anni up into her arms. Once she had let go, she looked at Kern.
"Thank you," she said.
Shepa'lai walked to a small bench and started to talk with Ully'anni. Kern decided that he would give them some space. So, he took a walk to leave them in peace. Even though he had only just found Ully'anni himself he knew that Shepa'lai would probably have a lot to talk about.
"Lord B'arnduug," came the voice, as they walked into the main room of Is'na'gulle.
B'arnduug turned his head to look and see who had entered.
"Report."
"We have made a sweep around the Rellon system. So far, we have found no major planet that has Sentian on it. We scaned what moons we came into contact too. It was around Tela that we last had reports when those we have were captured. Our scans show no life signs on Tela or the surrounding areas."
"The slaver who brought a human to Dyh. Has he been found?"
"No."
"Find that Reek, Rik. Have him go to Dyh to speak with Hocknar I believe his name is. Perhaps he knows more. Send out ships to search each planet. Make our presence known I want to know where they are."
"Understood, my Lord.
The warrior left. His Lord and commander in chief were displeased so far, they had only found a handful of Sentians. Perhaps these were all that were left. A few ships and warriors were still at Senti looking for anything that could lead them to the final part of the staff that B'arnduug wanted. Over time other races had come to the planet. Not to settle but to scavenge. Unfortunately for them though if they got in the way of the Ictarans they were quickly despatched. The Ictarans however did nothing to discourage them. They didn't really care about the planet or anyone that was on it. All they wanted was to locate the item that B'arnduug wanted. So far, no one had found anything. Perhaps it was buried below rubble from buildings that they had destroyed. Nothing was clear. It had taken time. Their scanners were only able to detect the parts they had previously found by being in close proximity to what they sought.
Shepa'lai and Ully'anni had finished talking and Ully'anni went to find Kern.
"I thought you had left," she said, when she eventually found him.
He had walked away from the house and over a small dune. There he had sat on the ground it was not an appropriate position to be as it was hot and no shade.
"No, why would I leave?"
She smiled it made her happy to hear him say that.
"Shepa'lai would like to speak with you."
They walked back to the house. Shepa'lai was inside.
"Here you might need this."
She handed him some water. It was very much needed.
"You know you could have just sat nearer while we talked and caught up on things you didn't have to go over the dune."
He shrugged his shoulders he had felt awkward it was a family matter and in situations like this he had always given others their space.
"We are all family now," continued Shepa'lai, "I know that you do not fully understand Mirrial ways."
"No, I don't, but I learned what I could from U'nar'renai. I take it you knew about Ully'anni."
"Yes, but only that she existed and that my sister had died. I didn't even know her name."
"Did you know that I was her father?"
"When I was told I was aware of you being the only male who had spent time with my sister."
"You didn't think to tell me before I went."
"I couldn't take the risk that you wouldn't go."
"Or I might have gone sooner."
"That did not cross my mind."
Ully'anni was watching one and then the other her head turning left and right.
"All that matters is that we are all family and are altogether now," said Ully'anni.
Shepa'lai took her hand. "Yes, you are right. I guess I was afraid. Not being able to go back to Mirrial a part of me felt lost."
"It getting late perhaps we should sleep," said Kern.
Kern got up to leave.
"And where are you going?" asked Shepa'lai.
"Back to my ship."
"Your ship has only a cockpit and so you have nowhere to sleep. If you don't want to sleep here then you can sleep on my ship."
"You don't have a lot of room. I didn't see your ship at the port."
"There is a dip on the opposite side of the house I've put it there."
Before he left to look for her ship, he took one of the small sensor dampeners out of his pouch.
"I think you should have one of these it should help keep you safer."
He explained what it was and that they were using them to hide from the Ictarans and that if she was found working with Sentians then she would be in danger too. Ully'anni hugged him before he left.
Kern slept well. He hadn't done so in a long time. It was strange, but he felt safe on Gattis. Perhaps that is another reason why Shepa'lai chose the planet. It rarely had visitors unless there was a freighter for crops or to drop off food supplies. Shepa'lai and Ully'anni were already up. Ully'anni was learning about growing crops. Shepa'lai only grew what she needed. As she had a ship she could leave and go to a neighbouring planet for anything else that she might need. When Ully'anni saw him, she went over and hugged him. She took his hand and led him to the bench where she had sat the other day. Even though it was only early in the day the sun was still hot. It didn't increase by much throughout the day basically it was just hot.
"I think we should all go to Cendarla," said Shepa'lai, whilst they were all eating.
Kern looked up at her. "Any reason why?"
"Well if you want to find your friends then we have a lot to sort out."
"And how do you propose going to Cendarla will help with that."
"Because when I last saw you, I knew then that you would go to Mirrial and so I went hunting."
Ully'anni gave her a look. It was not something that Mirrials did. They didn't hunt others; they lived off the land mostly growing what they needed. She had not learned why Shepa'lai had been exiled she just knew that she had chosen a different path. At some point she knew that it would be time to know the truth. However, she sensed urgency in the conversation. Now was not that time.
Kern was intrigued by her use of hunting.
"So, what have you learned?" he asked.
"Well I was unable to locate the Reeks. It seems they mostly live in space and only go to places like Dyh for selling or supplies. They mostly scavenge from other ships, so I started to ask about Ictarans. Very discreetly. It seems there are a couple of planets where they go for supplies. Far side of the Lansis system near the Mua border. I guess that's why there is not a strong presence of Ictarans here in Rellon. They travel a different route."
"So, what are you proposing?"
"We go to these planets and capture an Ictaran."
"Wow, that is a bold plan. To go into Lansis. The system that is home to Ictarans and capture one on their own turf."
"You have a better idea."
He didn't.
"Then I guess we are going to Cendarla."
"I'm coming too," said Ully'anni.
"It might be dangerous," said Shepa'lai.
Her face dropped as it was said.
"Perhaps she should, the base on Cendarla has been made into a Sentian outpost now and has troops we are better prepared than we were before. The Ictarans are still on Senti so I have stayed clear of there, but I have a feeling that may have to change we need to understand what they are looking for."
"Perhaps you should start with Tela," said Shepa'lai.
"Why?"
"They were there and now they aren't, which suggests that they have what they were looking for. If you find what they took, whatever it was from there. It might give you a clue as to what they are looking for, before you start on Senti."
He nodded.
"Let's get going then."
"I would like to fly with Shepa'lai if that is alright," said Ully'anni.
"That is fine. Can you drop me off at my ship and then we will go to Cendarla?"
Kern sent a transmission before they arrived. Considering no one would recognise Shepa'lai ships. They landed and went to command. Major Matthews detail had been replaced by Sigma, Major Raynes was now in command of the base. Omega was currently back on Mars. Kern didn't see them as often as he liked. It wasn't surprising really as he was not a part of Omega now.
"Major Raynes, good to see you. It has been a while.
"Commander Kern," he said.
"Kern will be fine. You are probably aware that I am not with Omega now."
"I have been informed and Admiral Gray has stated that you are still the Commander of the Elites and that you are currently on special assignment, sir."
"Damn. That old coot. Well thank you Major, but please just call me Kern."
The Major and everyone else couldn't but help notice his companions.
"Sorry, Major. Let me introduce you to Shepa'lai and Ully'anni. Have you met Mirrials before?"
"No sir. My first time."
"Well Shepa'lai has been assisting me with trying to find Eliza and the others. She has come up with the idea of capturing an Ictaran from the Lansis system."
The Major looked at him surprised.
"And do you think its possible."
"Not sure. Is Alpha still assigned here?" asked Kern.
"Yes, out on patrol. Chose to explore the far side of the moon. So that we can have a good idea of the overall topography. They are back in a couple of days."
"I'd like you to assign them to me for the operation when they return. For now, Shepa'lai and I will attempt to formulate a plan."
Omega went back to Mars every now and them. As Mercy was now in charge of the Elites number one unit, the responsibility fell to her now, to inspire the others and to ensure that their training was moving forward. She had instructed Hammer and Rico to Enceladus and Titan to check on the troops training there and Hennessey would head back to Earth and discuss things with Sentinel. If things had changed, that they should be vetting new trainees, then the Admiral should be informed and he would make the necessary arrangements. Whilst Hennessey was there, she offered to check on Isabella for her, but Mercy said it was fine. She had been kept informed of what was happening in her life and the still ever persistent problems, one that she was hoping she would be able to address soon.
Mercy would check in with the training camp on Mars and see how things were going there. Not only had they looked for new recruits on Earth, but the Admiral had also looked to recruit from the citizens on Mars. If the Ictarans ever came to this system then they would need as many able bodies as possible. He had even said in his recruitment speech that they could just be part of a Mars Defence unit. Therefore, they were a special division at the training camp and any citizen could take part to learn how to defend their home. The Military cadets were obviously still being trained for front line fighting.