Kern sent a message to Shepa'lai to let her know what had happened, but to hold off letting Sara know until she was back here. Until then Kern suggested to Reen that they both take their ships and fly down to Tela to see what had happened to the Mooks. It didn't take long to get there and the planet was not in a good shape. Their village had been totally decimated. They both landed and looked around.

"I'm sure if they had time that Ne'Youn would have left something to let us know how to find them," said Kern.

"What if it was destroyed?" asked Reen.

"Well I would assume that she would leave it after the bombing. Usually the Ictarans would saturate the area and then land with ground troops to finish off."

He remembered only too well what had happened on Senti. The bombing had been relentless. It went on for days and only when they thought they had weakened the Sentians enough did they land ground troops. While the bombing had continued, they had no chance to try and rescue anyone. It was a slaughter. Now with what was happening it was starting again. Considering how long they had been gone from the Rellon system this one particular Ictaran had not given up his search for what he desired. The staff of Ra'lu'sah. Not knowing what his intention would be if he ever got his hands on all three pieces, Kern knew one thing, he had to be stopped.

"You find anything yet?" asked Kern.

"No. Nothing that would be a message or anything. I found some cargo crates out back where they used to keep the ship they built. They were marked Tralor Return."

Kern looked at him.

"Crates from Tralor aren't marked that way. That was the message in a way that the Ictarans would just think they were to be returned to Tralor."

"So, why wouldn't the Mooks be returning something to Tralor."

"They always do the shopping and never pick anything they don't need. Haven't you realised that they hate waste, which is why we had to gather our own food when we visited. They won't hold supplies only gather when needed and only what is required."

"How do you intend to find them on Tralor. Do you remember what the ship looks like?"

"No, but then again I don't intend to look for them we will need to go and visit Blaznar and have him send out his spies around the city until he finds them."

"Then what?"

"I will have them meet us at Dy'lun. We should get going while we are in the air, I will contact Shepa'lai and tell her of the change of plans they can all meet us there. It will have to be my home for now. Oh. One thing before we get there. Jenny and I are kind of together now."

Jenny had gotten up early that day and headed over to J323. The progress on the ship had started and the engine had been attached and the systems that she was allowed to strip out of the bridge of the Ascari vessel had begun. She had rigged up a viewer for J323 so that when she was in the parts of the ship where he had not been able to regain access, she could with a portable camera allow for him to be able to see what she saw. The research lab had proven to be more of a challenge to be able to get access to. The breach of the hull had collapsed any access corridors so she had to be careful and initially drill a hole and insert a probe to look around before cutting through any walls. As J323 pointed out she may compromise something of use. Today she was intended to search the research laboratory with J323 watching too. She really should decide on giving J323 an actual name rather than a designation.

It was very dim; because of no power it had no lighting. The lighting that there was came from outside where the hull was cracked or split. She knew that the structure was not too sound and that she should proceed carefully.

"Do you know what you are looking for?"

"Actually no. So why don't I just walk around if you see something tell me and I will do likewise."

"Understood. Perhaps you should look for any terminals and insert the device I gave you," said J323.

"I know. We did discuss things earlier."

J323 went silent he sensed her tone was different. He was not used to humans and had always been the ship in control of everything on board. So, giving orders and instructions was what he did. Jenny took her time the ship was more at an angle here and moving about was hard as she was walking on an incline with no means of foot support. Perhaps she should have made magnetised boots. She had to hang onto everything. Once she reached the top of the incline the floor was more level. On the table to her left she saw a terminal and immediately inserted the device. Hopefully that would keep J323 quiet for a while. It was quite a spacious lab. Many tables for research projects, but obviously with the crash nothing was around. She had noticed that the terminal was attached to the table otherwise it would have been on the floor. Some were as they had been completely smashed. She just hoped the one she found would appease J323. There seemed to be some sort of storage chambers at the back of the laboratory. As first she could not see how many, but getting closer it looked there were seven. The one on the far right had been totally destroyed. Looking down she could see that it was the remains of an Ascari. The chamber next to it was badly damaged.

"Are you seeing this?"

"Yes."

"What do you make of it?"

"Well from what I have just accessed from the terminal you found these were new prototypes of Ascari."

"They are different colours, well varying shades."

"If I understand correctly the one that is on the floor destroyed, was the lead unit of the five on your left."

"I take it he's dead now."

"He was never active, none of them are. There should be memory cores around somewhere. Like what Kern showed me the one he had from Omati."

"And the damaged unit."

"I am unclear. All I can find is that it is an experimental unit. Perhaps this led to the design of Ascari that came later."

"I will keep looking," said Jenny.

"If you are able, you should look for a case marked K336 and also a container marked deflection," interrupted J323.

"What do they do?"

"The case should hold a stealth device and the container has a liquid coating that would be of use for your new ship."

"How would it help?"

"It would reduce the signal that could be detected by sensor readings. Making it almost undetectable. You would need to find both for further examination."

"Okay, but try and let me look. Only tell me of anything new."

"Understood."

Kern had made contact with Blaznar and let him know what her had learned; now he and Reen were on route to Dy'lun. There were on approach when he got a call from Shepa'lai.

"We should be with you tomorrow," she said, keeping it vague, as she would not be alone on the ship.

"Understood. Reen and I are just entering the atmosphere around Dy'lun. Just need to find somewhere for us both to land. Jenny did not really pick an easy place to live."

"Have fun. Will see you soon."

"I sense two ships on approach," said J323.

"Probably Kern and Reen," replied Jenny. "Do you detect Senti signature?"

"Yes."

"Can you connect me to Kern?"

"Certainly."

"Hey," she said, once connected.

"We've just landed."

"I was told you were on approach. This Ascari technology is amazing. I can learn so much from J323. Even the tech I have found now, which is like three hundred years old is far more advanced than some of the tech we have and even had on Senti."

"They shared a lot with us and there was still so much to learn. Our scientists just wanted to explore everything."

"I bet none of them were engineers."

"Not sure really. Wasn't my field," replied Kern.

"Well if I had been involved then I would certainly advance us quickly."

"Did you make space for Reen. He will be here until Sara and Shepa'lai arrive. I will fill see you later I know how you get when your working."

"Okay, later."

The Jericho had reached Mars the injured were being cared for and the dead were buried. There was not a lot else that could be done. Eliza was distraught and was waiting for Sara to get home. Her neighbours that she had were still there and knew her well. So, she wasn't entirely alone although for her it felt it. Marcus had been the best part of her life. He had always been there for her no matter what and even understood how important it had been for her to want the expedition. Now she was blaming herself for it. It was her expedition that had gotten him killed and everyone else. Her and Sara were the only survivors and that was only because they weren't on Cendarla.

Mercy had done as Kern had instructed her. The Admiral was not surprised at his request to improve their military standing. It was blatantly clear that the Ictarans would not rest until they got what they wanted. Unfortunately, none of them knew what it was that they were after. They had no clue as to how long ago the Ascari, Mooks and Sentians had intervened and broken this staff then placed it in three locations. It wasn't even clear if it was these races that had done this or whether it was just their worlds that had been chosen. So, if it was on Senti they had no clue where, that meant no matter what the Ictarans did they would never get the answer from the Senti.

Major Raynes had not recovered. In fact the injury he had received, when he cut him self on the device that exploded, had gotten worse. Medical had been able to determine that some thing had injected itself into him. It was not possible to remove it as it had attached itself inside of him. Not knowing what it was they had quarantined him and now he was in an isolation unit. Admiral Gray had been informed, but this was something that none of them had encountered before. Either it was new or had never been used on them in the past. For now, they would continue to conduct tests to try and see what they could learn, but it had been suggested that Kern may be able to find someone as he was still in the Zyn system.

Jenny continued to search the laboratory for the other items that J323 had instructed her to find. Dush and Ninu were both busy with work on the ship for her. If they had not been helping her then she would not have gotten as far as she had. They had incredible skill, but she had soon realised that they tinkered. All they had needed was some direction. The projects that she had worked on had opened their eyes. Jenny and Ninu had become good friends. Dush was like any male, it seemed that males were just kids at heart regardless of race. He loved to mess around, which really annoyed Ninu. Yet at the moment they both pulled together. It was as if they both understood and appreciated the problems that the Ictarans were causing. Yet they had learnt that it primarily pointed to just one tribe.

Sara, Shepa'lai and Ully'anni arrived the next day. They allowed them to settle in and once they had Reen took Sara for a walk around the planet. He thought it would be best for them to both be alone. It wasn't something that was easy for him to have to tell her. Cammy was with Ully'anni whilst they were gone. Kern had to let Shepa'lai know what had happened she had only been able to give her brief details. It had been thought best for Reen to tell Sara in the absence of her mother. When they returned Reen had his arm around Sara and there were tears across her face.

"I'm sorry about Marcus," said Kern.

Sara just nodded. She couldn't find the words. Kern and the others left Jenny's home and took a stroll.

"I need to know what has happened with Psion Four. As I stayed behind, I have not been able to get any information yet. Major Matthews as intending to return directly to Mars. I was wondering if you would be able to help with infiltrating Psion Four and doing recon. You can blend in better and know what you are doing."

"I'm sure I will find a way for you."

"Thanks. There is one more thing as well. Major Raynes was infected with something when he touched the device that exploded. Any ideas what that could be."

"No, but perhaps Blaznar could help. He has eyes everywhere. Perhaps he will also have information on Psion Four."

"Well when Reen and Sara leaving tomorrow I will go to Tralor and speak with him."

"What about me?" asked Ully'anni.

"You will have to stay here, you're not familiar with stealth and infiltration so can't go with Shepa'lai and where I have to go on Tralor is not a place I'd like to expose you to. A lot of bad people."

"You took Reen."

"That was different he has been trained for certain situations. So, you will stay with Jenny. However, do not interrupt her work. She has a lot to do."

"So, what will I do?"

"I have no idea, but I'm sure you will find plenty. You have a whole planet to explore."

The next day Sara and Reen headed to Mars. She hadn't slept and wanted to get back to her mum as soon as they could. Reen had agreed to go at first light. Shepa'lai left as soon as she was ready, she had a lot to prepare and told Kern that they would meet back here in three days. He too had to leave for Tralor. Ully'anni was at a loss of what to do. She felt alone. Something she not felt since her time before Kern came into her life. She didn't like the feeling even though it was only for a few days.