Chapter 4

July 20, 2000

We've been back for over three months now. Basic training is done. There's not much else they can do, other than put what they've learned to use. They still haven't come up with a date to leave yet, but I know it's going to be soon. Then Don has to make a decision. Stay here and let Marcus try to cure him, or go with the recruits. Who am I kidding? He's already decided. I know he'll go back to Marvenius, and he won't want me to go with him.

It was Scotty's birthday last week and we had a quiet celebration. All he wanted to do was spend the day talking strategy with 'his boys'. He's the 'old man' of the group and has really embraced the 'father-figure' role. I'm going to have a hard time when he and the rest of the boys leave. We've become quite a family, and I love every one of them. They just better take care of each other.

An extended family meeting was taking place as Judy wrote in her journal. She was called to the group as plans were being made for their next move, and John felt that everyone, including the children, should be aware of what was being decided.

John presided. "Then it's proposed that the travel date be set to August 1st. All in favor?"

The vote was unanimous.

"We need two committees to cover the work that needs to be done over the next week. Scotty will spearhead the committee to prepare the ship and Ronon will head the group that gathers the necessary supplies. Kairon, can you work on assignment of duties for the trip itself?"

"Of course, as soon as I know who will be returning with us."

Maureen accounted for four of the group members. "The medical department, Marcus and I, will be staying here to continue our work. Will and Penny will also stay with us, because they'll be collecting more saliva."

"I believe I would be more valuable here, devising a marketing strategy for the enzyme, or, should I say, a way to introduce it to the Marvenians as a negotiating point," Dr. Smith stated. There were no objections to his wishes, since he had a natural ability to destroy the best laid plans.

"I'll go along as advisor to communications and technology," John volunteered. "I know what we need to, ah, procure in order to upgrade our systems, and I'm anxious to establish long range communication between Carmellia and Marvenius."

He then turned to his daughter and son-in-law. "That leaves Don and Judy. Are you ready to tell us what you want to do, or do you need more time?" He knew that they were still at odds on a decision, and the tension between them had escalated severely over the last few days. Don, however, had made up his mind, and nothing was going to change it.

"I am going as head pilot and Judy is staying here, because we don't need the possibility of Appolus distracting us from the goals of our mission."

A collective breath was held as they awaited Judy's explosive reaction to his statement. Surprisingly, none came. She simply hugged herself and nodded, then turned and walked away.

As the upcoming trip neared, the stress and excitement rose to an almost intolerable level. Judy, for one, was almost sorry that they had introduced Earth's music to the Marvenians. Kairon learned from Don that connoisseurs of rock music preferred their music l-o-u-d, and he blasted U2's Rattle and Hum everyday. Judy was at the point where she wanted to scream whenever she heard the words,

"In the name of love

What more in the name of love…"

Although she seldom listened to classical music, she was making a habit of visiting Marcus when he played Mozart just to give her ears some relief.

Ronon had adopted Dave Matthews, but kept the music at a tolerable level. Don had rediscovered Springsteen's Tunnel of Love, and played it on a daily basis.

"You and me and

All that stuff we're

So scared of.

Gotta ride down, baby,

Into this tunnel of love."

Judy shivered whenever she heard those lines, feeling that they were a premonition of what was to come. She knew to the depths of her being that she and Don were headed into a long, dark tunnel and were going to face their most difficult ordeal yet, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.