Fleet Commander Vorik stood at the monitor watching Shadick pace his cell, worried about his mate.

Vorik had regretted bringing the couple to the ship. If he hadn't, the girl's fetus would still be alive.

Shadick became angry about the injections, warning of the girl's and her unborn child's possible safety. He didn't listen to Shadick, but he should have. He interrogated Shadick mainly to find some of his missing officers. He understood why they had left. He would have too in their position. He just wanted to find his people. He went too far, and he knew it.

The door of Fleet Commander Vorik's office slid smoothly open, and one of his guards stepped in.

Vorik turned from the monitor. "Private? What is the status of the human girl?" Vorik asked, knowing that it was the reason the young private was here. "I should have been more careful. I thought that damn injection would be harmless." He vented, not caring that it was to one of his subordinates.

The private looked at his Fleet Commander. "The human girl is doing much better physically. She has just woken up. However, she is inconsolable regarding her child. She wishes to see her mate, Shadick," he reported.

"Prepare a shuttle; we are taking Shadick and his mate back to the surface," Fleet Commander Vorik ordered. "And have the medic accompany the girl to the surface. He will need to bring his med kit."

"May I speak freely, sir?" the private asked, his eyes shifting briefly to the floor. Privates didn't normally speak to their Commanders; it was inappropriate. He needed to gather information, so he didn't have a choice.

Fleet Commander Vorik nodded. "Go on."

"What will happen to the others Shadick is staying with? The ones that he spoke of while under the influence of the injection?" he asked. His voice shook a little, knowing full well he was asking too much.

Vorik sighed. "We are taking them all, including the humans among them, com units, and supplies. The medic will need to check them all to ensure they are well and do not need medical attention."

The private looked at Fleet Commander Vorik. "Is that the first town we will rebuild?" he asked.

"It is. Not only are there three couples with Shadick, but also Private Xant has a mate in that town. It is a good place to start. We will start construction on city domes immediately," he stated. "We need to make them secure from 'toxics.' Of course," he paused, a small smile appeared on his face. "I like what Shadick and his friends call them. They call them Zombies."

The private saluted and then exited the Fleet Commander's office to follow his orders.

After typing in the orders to start dome construction immediately, Fleet Commander Vorik left his office, heading toward Shadick's cell. It was something that he wasn't looking forward to.

Once he arrived at the cells, Fleet Commander Vorik stepped in front of Shadick's cell. He ordered the guard to open the door. "You're going back to the surface with your mate," Commander Vorik stated. "A team and I are going with you to deliver supplies and com units. I am going to the bunker with you so that I can speak with the others you are staying with."

Ignoring the Fleet Commander's words, he clenched his jaw. "Where is my mate?" Shadick demanded, trying to keep his anger at bay.

"The medic is taking her to the shuttle. That is also where you are going now," he stated, trying to remain calm. "She will need you when you get to her. She has not taken the news well. I blame myself for that."

"News?" Shadick asked in a growl, his jaw tight.

"I should have listened to you. The truth serum is not compatible with human physiology. It nearly killed her. We are fortunate that our medic is good at his job, or she wouldn't be alive. The fetus, however, did not survive."

Shadick's face paled. "You killed my child?" he asked. His voice was low. It was deathly calm. It was a calm before a storm.

"It was not intentional. In wanting to discover the locations of the other officers, I put her and the child at risk. I regret my actions. There is nothing I can do to make up for the orders that I gave," he responded. His tone was strained. Clear guilt and regret radiated from the Fleet Commander.

Shadick didn't speak any further. He walked stiffly out of his cell and headed toward the shuttle. He needed to see his mate. She needed him. If he retaliated, he would be executed. He refused to put her through more pain.

When Shadick entered the hangar, the shuttle was parked near the hangar's massive door. The small shuttle was being loaded with pallets of supplies and cases of com units. The medic was standing stiffly next to Carrie, who was sitting on a bench, folded into herself as she sobbed. It was clear she couldn't be comforted.

Shadick rushed up to her, picking her up gently. He tried to ignore her flinch. She relaxed once she saw it was Shadick, her mate. Carrie's face was pale. Her eyes were red from crying. Tears were still streaming down her pale face, unable to stop. He held her close, nuzzling her, trying to make her feel better. He didn't know what else to do.

Shadick held her in his arms until the shuttle was loaded, and the crew allowed them to board. When the shuttle was ready to leave, Shadick walked in with his mate in his arms. He kept her with him at all times, holding her closely. She kept sobbing, not stopping.

The shuttle door closed behind him. The massive bay door of the hangar opened, and the shuttle gracefully lifted and floated out of the mothership. After what seemed like hours, the shuttle entered Earth's atmosphere, then smoothly descended to the planet's surface, landing next to the hidden tunnel entrance.

During the short flight, Carrie hadn't moved. She held tightly to Shadick, her hands clutching him tightly. Tears still streamed down her porcelain face.

The shuttle door opened, and steam billowed around the door as it lowered, creating a ramp. Once the steam evaporated, the Fleet Commander exited the shuttle, then waited for Shadick.

Shadick exited the shuttle with Carrie in his arms and headed down into the tunnel. He walked with purpose, knowing that Carrie would need her brother.

Fleet Commander Vorik followed Shadick into the hidden entrance. Behind him, the officers carting the supplies followed. The medic, with his med kit, trailed behind them.

"Zack, open the door; your sister needs you. We aren't alone, he added," Shadick called. His tone was even. It was clear to those inside the bunker that something was wrong.

There was the sound of the large wheel spinning, then the heavy door swung open. Zack stood at the entrance. His eyes immediately zoned in on Carrie, who was still sobbing in Shadick's arms. Her face was pale as she clutched her mate tightly.

Zack clenched his jaw. "What happened to my sister?" he growled. His fists were clenched, his knuckles turning white. He was enraged.

"There is a lot to tell; I need to put her in bed and make her comfortable," Shadick said quietly. "Right now, that is the priority. I will tell you when I have her settled."

Right after Shadick entered with Carrie, the medic passed the guards with the supplies and the Fleet Commander and followed his patient.

One of the guards glanced around the bunker. "Where do you want us to put the supplies?" he asked.

"Supplies?" Joe asked, his hand clutched tightly around Nisa's. He had noticed what condition Carrie was in and became worried for Nisa.

Shadick glared at the guard. Venom radiated off him. "Stack it in there," he said, pointing his chin in the correct direction. It was toward the control room.

As guards piled supplies inside the control room, Shadick took Carrie to their room, setting her gently on the bed.

"Shadick? What happened to Carrie?" Zack asked again. His voice was low. He couldn't wait. His worry overpowered him.

Shadick gritted his teeth, remembering what had happened. "She was injected with truth serum. Humans aren't compatible with the serum. She nearly died. The serum killed our child, though." Shadick said quietly.

Gasps were heard around the room. Everyone had filed into Carrie's room, worried about her condition. "She was pregnant?" Nisa asked, her hand going to her mouth in shock. "Who would order the truth serum on a woman who is pregnant? They don't even inject our kind with it when pregnant."

Shadick turned and glared at Fleet Commander Vorik, showing who was responsible. Everyone looked over at him.

Fleet Commander Vorik scanned the group; tension was thick in the air. It was something he was expecting. What he wasn't expecting was when his eyes stopped on one in the group in particular. His face paled.

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