Chapter 38

"ZoD, it's been great. Nothing like a good battle to keep us young. I am glad we were able to get here quickly and things turned out the way they did, but we are out of here." I raise my voice above everyone talking. "Ok, load your asses up. No excuses, I am leaving with or without you. Next stop Xuias, then straight to TargresFour. SiN, are you two coming with us? I think it's safe to say your job here is done."

"Nope, gonna head back to Darverius. Mystic is calling me home and I am not in the mood to share Jade with all of you for the next couple of rotations. We'll discuss this more when you return home. ZoD, I am glad things worked out the way they did, and I apologize for the deception. We will all get together at a later date to examine the things that put all of this in action."

Whileseveral others are saying their goodbyes. ZoD walks up the ramp with me. "You know the Elders are going to question this, DaR?"

"When they do, I am going to have a few questions of my own. Someone knew what was going on out here. So, this makes me believe that we have an Elder in the mix that doesn't have our people's best interests at heart. However, we can't start pointing fingers yet. We need to gather all the facts before confronting them, but I already have SCOUT and Falcor working on a few things.

"Get your people settled, ZoD, and have a celebration or something to build spirits up. In a few risings, I believe SCOUT wants to discuss installing a bio dome that would cover quite a bit of the surface. This could allow your people to terraform the surface the way you did the underground caverns. IfI understood him last rising when he mentioned this to me, the bio-dome would slow the invasive winds that have stripped the surface of Zodiqua of her soil. Once it was in operation, you would be able to control every aspect. From rain, wind, whatever is needed to create a successful greenhouse effect."

"That sounds wonderful, DaR, but you can't grow anything in the sands and there is no soil on the surface of Zodiqua. We had to import the soil we use underground, and it was at a huge cost. We don't have the credits to do such a large area even if it would make our existence easier."

"You have just uncovered a previously unknown mineral that can be sold at any price you set. Once you bring it to the markets, your people will have access to credits they didn't have before. Also, you're in luck, I have quite a bit of sway with two of the most talented inventors in this particular sector. To the best of my recollection, Zodiqua possesses two moons, which may harbor the minerals necessary to cultivate the sod required for its surface. We can discuss the details at a later time. We can't change anything in a single rotation.

"ZoD, I know you have always felt alone, but that is no longer the case. Now get the Frack off my ramp. I am going on vacation. Strength and honor, my friend." Yelling as loud as I can, I say, "I am leaving in ONE, TWO…"

Zurais the last one to run up the ramp. She yells back at Raya, telling her that she will see her soon, and the shuttle door closes. The ones on the dock step back out of the way as the shuttle prepares for launch. The moment it leaves and the outer doors closes, I take a deep breath.