It had been a long time since anyone had seen the unit nicknamed the 'flyers' they had been called that as the adaptations to their core systems allowed them to move very quickly and thus led to them being able to do things that normal elites could not. They could scale walls or run along them jump across great distances. This made them able to infiltrate even the most secure of installations and facilities. He shouldn't have been surprised that Jenny had heard of them. It had always been seen as Omega were the unit that went in first and always led the others, but Hawk and his unit were something of legends with what they were able to pull off. So, Jenny had directed him on a good route. It was whether they were willing to help. It would not be easy to get to them as they chose to live as reclusive as they could. Alaska was a rough country at the best of times and they had chosen it as their home. They had really taken to the extreme lifestyle. This wasn't the only place they had lodgings, but this is where they were the majority of the time. Totally off the grid living off the land.

If he had been able to get the world on his side with things then he would probably have set up training camps here in this wilderness. Kern had access to all areas of life over the world during the decades they had been on Earth, but he had kept waiting and hoping for the right time to approach the various Governments about who they were. He still hadn't done it, but he knew that soon he would be forced to show their hand. As and when the Ictarans found them he knew that they would need to know then and the more the Ictarans hunted for them the more inevitable it would be that they would find Earth.

Kern had a rough idea of where they lived, but knew that he would eventually have to walk. So, using the device that Jenny had lent him he cloak his ship before reaching Earth and entered the atmosphere. He landed several miles from where he had seen their home. Kern flew over first to make sure he had the right place, but was unable to see anyone there. He landed and started the walk in; having no AI he had to rely on his own senses to guide him.

"Stop right there don't move an inch," came the voice from behind him.

Kern recognised the voice. Even though they had not seen each other in a long time he still knew all their voices.

"Hi, Rook. It's been a while."

Kern slowly turned around.

"Kern," Rook was surprised. "How come you didn't sense me?"

"Long story, but basically I no longer have an AI. It was badly damaged and so I stepped down from Omega. Mercy is in charge now."

"Wow."

"The others around?" Kern asked.

"Sure. They will be surprised to see you, been so long since you were last here," continued Rook.

They walked side by side up to the cabin. There was more than one even though they all lived in the same area they had built individual accommodation. Although it seemed that they mostly hung out at the larger of the cabins.

"I'm guessing this is Hawk's place."

"Actually, Hawk and Robin, who knew," said Rook. "Look who I found sneaking around the woods."

They all turned.

"Well I'll be," said Hawk, walking over to hug an old friend.

"Yeah I know been too long. Always a problem when you're having to keep trying to defend the human race."

"We heard that you had been off on travels again."

"How did you know?" asked Kern, curious as to who else would come by.

"Sentinel checks in with us every few months. Seems he doesn't understand the concept of retired. So, what brings you here? Looking for a place to retire?"

"Actually, it was suggested to me that you might be the ones to help me."

Hawk and the others sat down to listen to what Kern had to tell them. He started off by telling them about the expedition and then continued to relate to them everything that had happened since that time.

"What is it you are hoping we can help you with?"

"I need to infiltrate the base on Psion Four. Plant explosives on key installations and ships. Then blow them up. The idea is to cripple them and slow them down so that they are limited in being able to come after us. If they have no means of flying and supplies are destroyed then it might buy some time," said Kern.

"Time to do what?" asked Wren.

"Time for me to come back to Earth and see if I can't prepare them for what's coming, because if they are tracking this hard then they will eventually find us. If they do find Earth they will be slaughtered. What troops we have at the moment will slow them, but won't stop them and if they are unable to find what they are looking for quick enough. The chances are that the same fate that happened to Senti, awaits Earth."

"Well we had gotten quite settled here we will need to go through it and let you know you have any intelligence on Psion Four that we can go over and see if its viable," said Hawk.

"Is the rest of Omega going with you on this?" asked Eagle.

"I haven't spoken to them yet. If you are not able to go then they will be my last stop."

"Well while we are looking things over and making a decision, I think you should ask them. When you get back, we will have a decision for. No more than a couple of days."

"I will travel up to Sentinel and get their locations. Since leaving Dy'lun I came straight here."

"Your living on Dy'lun," said Robin.

"Yeah. I asked Jenny to build me a ship. It should be ready soon. I have a stealth device, was thinking of using Shepa'lai's ship, but I somehow don't think that we will be able to get everyone in that. I had hoped the new ship would be ready. Might have to ask Shepa'lai if the Ictaran vessel she has can house us all."

"Whose Shepa'lai?" asked Rook.

"She is U'nar'renai's sister. The one I was with on Mirrial," replied Kern.

"Well it looks like you have a lot to get sorted out. We will see you in a few days," said Hawk, showing him out.

Kern flew up to see Sentinel once he was clear of Earth's atmosphere, he disengaged the cloak on his ship. No one else was docked there. He assumed that the Jericho was still at Mars. The Admirals destroyer had never left Mars since initially arriving, but it was now being given an overall. The destroyer didn't have an AI. When they built the Jericho, it was a new thought based upon the Ascari had built their ships.

"Commander, it is good to see you," said Sentinel, once he had left his ship.

Even though he could talk to Sentinel on the space station he always took the time to walk through the station to the main area where Sentinel was housed.

"I was hoping you had information on the location of Omega," said Kern.

"I believe they are currently spread across several planets. One moment. Yes. Hennessey is currently on Earth. Hammer and Rico are both on Titan and Mercy is on Mars."

"Thanks, I guess I need to get to Mars. Has Mercy been to see you about progress with possible new recruits on Earth?" asked Kern.

"She has been in contact, but she has not been to see me."

"So long as you know. I also need to look beyond the simulator. I will eventually have to approach the leaders of this world, but I need other options too."

"I will see what I can do."

"You should be able to contact me directly. Jenny had built a communications array so that it is easier for everyone to contact us on Dy'lun."

"Understood."

Kern left and headed towards Mars. He knew that this was not an easy task to undertake, but he believed crippling Psion Four could help for a while. Or it could make them come at them harder. It was hard to know.

On Mars Major Raynes was not doing so well. They had taken several samples from him and determined that his system had been poisoned. It was very slow at taking his life and they had no way of knowing how long he had. They had been able to determine that it was not contagious. Not that it helped Major Raynes. He had been made aware of his situation. As a precautionary measure he was still confined to medical. They didn't know if there were any secondary effects. There were still things that they didn't understand yet. It looked like there was something inside him that realised the poison, but the tissue was being affected and mutated around it and it was hard to get a proper look at it. Shepa'lai had still hadn't come back with any information about what it was and was hoping that someone she had contacted would know what type of weapon it was. Kern had also asked Blaznar to try and find out too.

Kern was able to speak with Mercy and put his proposal to her. She suggested that they discuss it with Admiral Gray too. Considering it involved the elites.

"Well I think it's a bold plan. If you can get Delta to help you then your chances of success will be greatly increased and I have a feeling that if you have the backing of Omega that they will be more inclined to assist," said Admiral Gray.

"I kind of had a feeling that they wanted Omega along as extra backup. While they do their thing, we protect them. Well if it comes to that. Hopefully they will be able to infiltrate and we get out clean."

"Well they haven't seen action in decades so I would suggest you all watch each others backs," continued Admiral Gray.

"I know. Just need to get hold of Shepa'lai and see if she is able to provide a ship to carry us all," said Kern.

"Have you had any news about what has afflicted Major Raynes? His situation is dire," asked Admiral Gray.

"As soon as we have information Shepa'lai has been asked to forward what she knows straight to you."

"I will let my communications officer know to expect her call and give it priority."

"Thank you," said Kern.

He and Mercy left the Admiral to it.

"I think you should visit Eliza while you're here she hasn't done so well."

"I intend to although I have no idea what I can do. I tried everything to protect her."

"You do realise that you can't protect and save everyone. I know what you are like. It is not possible to fix. If we go through with this operation it will give us some payback for what happened, but I agree with you they will not stop."
"It's a shame I don't know what to look for or where to look regarding this final piece of the staff that they are looking for. At least I'd have something to barter with," said Kern.

"Well if we were still on Senti then the historical records in the capital may have had details of the staff. So much was destroyed that practically nothing survived. I doubt a single building is still standing anywhere on the planet now."

Mercy had walked with him part way to Eliza, but she parted ways with him. At least he knew he had the support of Omega. All he needed now was Delta to say yes. He saw Sara first. She didn't seem to bad, but having contact with Reen probably helped.

"Hi Sara," he said, giving her a hug.

"Hello, Kern."

"How are you both doing?"

"Reen contacts me as often as he can and I still have Cammy here, but mum isn't doing so good. She keeps blaming herself for what happened. She hasn't left the house since his funeral. I don't really know what to do."

"I will go and talk to her see if that helps."

Sara nodded and Kern entered the house. He found Eliza in the living room just sitting there staring at the wall. Kern sat opposite her.

"Hello, Eliza."

She didn't reply.

"You know that it isn't your fault what happened to them. It was just unlucky, but if you want someone to blame then blame me. I was one the one who ordered the attack on Is'nul."

She looked at him.

"And that is my fault I was the one you were rescuing. I brought everyone here I killed them all."

Kern got up he knew that trying to reason with her wasn't going to help. He looked down at her.

"You damn right your hair brained scheme killed them all. Hell, it nearly got Sara killed at the start too."

Sara could hear his raised voice and looked in the house. Kern saw her and shook his head. She left and closed the door. Eliza got up and hit him in the chest with her hands.

"You bastard."

She hit him again and again. He let her. Kern knew that she needed to release the pain that she was feeling. Eventually she was sobbing her head on his chest. Kern put his arms around her and held her. Neither of them could have foreseen any of the events that led them to where they are now. No one knew that the Ictarans would still be out to get them, because of some stupid staff and some power mad tribal leader. He held her for as long as she needed.

"I hate you," she said, breaking from him after awhile.

"Good," he said, "At least I can see you still have some fire in you."

"And what am I supposed to do now."

"Live on don't let them finish us. Sara still needs you."

"She has Reen."

"Your neighbours and friends need you. You're the one they always turned to for help. Whom do you think they will look to when the Ictarans come and if you're like me you know they will come? Its just a question of when."

"So, what am I supposed to do?"

"They have a home defence. Help them. Be apart of it. Help your neighbours let them know that the Ictarans are not to be feared. They attacked unarmed defenceless civilians. Use it. Find the fire I know you still have in you and fight. Help Mars get ready for what is to come."

She knew he was right.

"So, what will you do?" she asked, now she was feeling more herself.

"I intend to go to Psion Four and get some payback. Just have to go back to Earth and get a decision as to whether I have the team I want."

She gave him a hug before he left.