The sun beat down on the plasma dome, reflecting its harsh light. It had been three days since the Fleet Commander came to the bunker pleading for help. After the group had finished discussing their plan, Medic Kaul quickly scanned everyone in their group, primarily to see if any of the ladies were pregnant. They needed to know, considering how quickly Shadick and Carrie conceived.

During the discussion, the group discovered that Vorik had originally brought Copilot Lera as an outside opinion on the situation, as well as a way to keep the shuttle grounded. It worked out better than planned, considering she turned out to be Jamie's mate.

Now, after three days, although they didn't like leaving the bunker unattended, the group chose to do it anyway for the sake of attempting to save the remainder of humanity. Those outside their small bunker needed to see the happy couples. They needed to spread the seed of hope that their mate was somewhere out there. All they needed to do was find them.

Walking out of the long tunnel, the group exited the large steel door that Fleet Commander Vorik had placed there to protect Alice. Closing it firmly behind them, they entered the growing city under the plasma dome.

They looked in awe at the developments. Three days ago, there was nothing, only half-disintegrated rubble and scattered bushes. Now there was a city. Where they stood, they were in a neighborhood. Stretched along paved roadways, small domed dwellings were placed in tight rows. Larger domed buildings could be seen in the distance.

Their bunker was near the eastern side of the city. Even though it was a small town, Zack was relieved that the bunker was protected under the dome and that the main part of the city was close by. They could also walk the short distance to the tunnel entrance if they needed to run and hide. It made their bunker's location convenient. Zack needed to remember to ask Commander Vorik to conceal the entrance to the tunnel as well as find a way to hide the bunker so that both could be used in an emergency in the future.

All the couples walked hand in hand through the newly built streets, catching the eye of more than a few aliens who were working on the dome. There was a line of dome residences in perfect rows where homes used to be before they were incinerated by the aliens' massive cigar-shaped ships.

Before each domed home was set in place, Commander Vorik had teams search every inch of the area to ensure they weren't filling in areas like Zack's bunker, not wanting to trap anyone trying to hide.

Alice and Jamie walked behind the couples as they all watched the workers continue construction on the freshly built small city. Their mates, Fleet Commander Vorik and Copilot Lera, were both in space on the mothership.

Jamie hadn't had any opportunity to speak with Lera because Commander Vorik was in a rush to get back to his ship to set up patrols to search for the remaining survivors. He had a lot to do in a short amount of time. Council Leader Tosh and the remainder of his people would be arriving soon. He had to ensure the survival of those humans and mated pairs before the others came, knowing full well that Council Leader Tosh was planning to kill them all.

Zant and his human mate Tina were out as well. He was showing her the new city, pointing things out as they walked hand in hand. They were already attracting the attention of those working on the city's construction. They would stop their work and observe the couple with interest. Hope blooming in their black eyes.

"Have you decided to accept Vorik?" Jamie asked Alice. "I think he's really trying."

"I don't know. He did incinerate every city on the planet. I'm not sure I can get past that," she stated as she looked around at the new buildings around her. She didn't really appear to be listening. She sounded distracted.

Jamie studied her for a moment. "Looking for him?" Jamie asked, a slight smirk on his face.

Alice snapped out of it, her face turning bright red. "Like you're not watching for Lera," with a sarcastic tone to her voice.

"Ah...you are looking for him," he chuckled. "He'll show himself. He won't be able to help it."

"What if he wants me to live with him in space? What do I say?" she suddenly asked, her tone slightly panicky. Her face turned pale at the thought.

"You do what you want. Go if you want to, or stay if you want to. Just make sure it's your decision and not his," Jamie told her.

Alice sighed. "I always liked that about you. You never forced me into anything. You always made sure it was always what I wanted."

"Come on," he said, pulling her arm gently. "Let's check out this new city. We may be living in it someday soon."

"If their leader doesn't kill us first," she grumbled, following his lead.

***

Fleet Commander Vorik stood in front of the line of shuttles. Their crews were standing at attention in front of them, waiting for their orders. They were in the mother ship's large hangar.

Fleet Commander Vorik scanned the tight rows of shuttle crews and patrol squads before speaking. "Our goal is to search out the surviving humans. Use your com unit and let us know their location if you find any. Do not engage. They will try to kill you. If you locate groups that are being attacked by toxins, then help them. After helping them, leave peacefully. Try not to get killed. If the opportunity arises, offer them 'sanctuary' in the city. If they need supplies and wish to stay where they are, call, and a shuttle will be sent to bring them supplies. They need to learn to trust us. It's going to be a long and slow process. Be vigilant and stay safe!" Vorik ordered. "Dismissed!"

The small squads of officers entered their shuttles as Fleet Commander Vorik watched. One by one, they flew through the hangar bay and out into the dark expanse of space, disappearing as they floated smoothly down to the planet. He hoped they would all come back safely.

Pilot Merrick waited at his shuttle for him; his Copilot, Lera, sat in the passenger seat already, knowing Vorik would be taking the copilot seat. Everyone knew that Fleet Commander Vorik's first job in the fleet was as a copilot. Part of him wished it still was. Being Commander of an entire fleet was stressful and demanding. His guilt weighed heavily on what they had done to this planet. He vowed to himself that he would try to make it right. Not that he could, they had destroyed so much and killed so many innocents, but he would spend the rest of his life trying.

As Vorik entered the shuttle, Lera looked up; A question in her eyes.

Vorik knew what she was thinking. He smiled. "We're going to visit our mates," he told her. "You didn't get a chance to talk to yours; we were in a hurry. I need to talk to mine," he stated kindly before moving to his seat.

After Pilot Merrick entered the shuttle, sat down in his seat, and began the flight sequence. The small shuttle hummed to life, then flew smoothly out of the hangar bay and to the surface.

Anticipation rippled through him as the shuttle began its descent to the surface. Not knowing if Alice would want to talk to him, Vorik planned to muster the courage and do what he could to get her to listen.

As the shuttle touched the packed dirt, Vorik unstrapped his seat to get out. He turned to the pilot. "Your orders are to wait for my return. I have a lot to do, so this will take a while. Keep your com open to me. Notify me if one of the squads calls in," Vorik ordered before leaving with Lera to find their mates.

Fleet Commander Vorik and Copilot Lera walked through the expanding city. Each day, there were more buildings. It was nearly time to start moving officers and humans in. He needed to ensure that there were plenty of dwellings for the remaining humans and his people who had already arrived, as well as the incoming population from his home planet.

"Sir?" Lera asked, trying to get his attention as he was in deep thought on all the things he needed to accomplish.

"Yes, Copilot Lera?" he asked, glancing in her direction.

"Alice and Jamie are over there," she said quietly, pointing across a newly built row of homes.

Looking in the direction that Lera was pointing, he saw Alice and Jamie watching a crew of builders setting up one of the dome dwellings. Jamie and Alice's backs were turned to them as they watched the builders.

Lera started twisting her hands, nervous as they headed in their mates' direction.

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