With military resources at their disposal, things moved incredibly fast. Building materials for the lab, new dry dock, and warehouse were already delivered to Turodey. Everthing was almost ready to be assembled. Hal and Tajlon were do a walk-through inspection and designing the functional layout of the lab interior.

"Things are coming together rather expeditiously, wouldn't you say?" Hal asked.

"Yes. The Trabest navy 'just happened' to have a supply vessel in a nearby shipping lane which was diverted here yesterday," Tajlon said. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Their efficiency is fantastic," Hal said. "Almost makes me want to sign up."

"Give it few days. The feeling will pass," Taljon replied.

"When De'Marc said they would make it happen. I thought he was blowing hot air," Hal said, pausing to wipe some sweat from his forehead.

"He knows what's he's talking about. Don't forget our good Captain was in the military most of his life before coming to Novaland with my father," Tajlon said.

"Yeah, I heard he went rogue after Casgora fell," Hal said. "De'Marc must have seen quite a bit of action in his day."

"He and Greyla won't talk much about it." Tajlon kept on working, stacking supplies and organizing the endless pile of materials needed to finish the walls and room divisions for the lab. His face was serious and he worked with a fervor rarely seen in the island heat.

"Why the long face?" Hal asked.

"I don't mind hard work. You know that," Tajlon said.

"Yeah, so..."

"I haven't seen Soshe all day and by the time we're through here, it'll be late. She'll be asleep before I get back home.," Tajlon said. "I have to wonder if she'll be the same girl I dropped off last night. Or if she's even thinking about me."

Hal paused in his work. "This may come as a shock, but I think you're hot enough to keep her attention even at a distance."

Tajlon shrugged. "It won't matter if I have to live here on Turodey while she lives with Mara."

"You've got it bad, haven't you?"

"Apparently I do. I can't stop thinking about her," Tajlon admitted.

"If it makes you feel any better, I barely got to say goodbye to Greyla. We were intimate for the first time last night and today it was all business and gone."

"Sorry. At least you had one night."

"Yeah. It was great. I can die happy now."

"Not until we finish all of this." Tajlon moved to the next row of pallets and began unloading.

"Colberton is sending in a construction crew tomorrow," Hal said unloading a heavy bundle of hardware. "They'll have this all put together in a few days."

"We're still stuck here until the next barge comes over. I should have known better than to hitch a ride with those guys. We aren't high on their list of priorities, Hal."

"Yes we are. They just aren't concerned about you love life," Hal said. "They should be back this evening to drop off the lab materials we ordered."

"No matter what happens today, I'm still going to be doing all my research on Turodey."

"Something will work out."

"Like what?" Tajlon asked.

"Like finding some work for Soshe to do on Turodey."

"No, Hal. This place is going to be dangerous. Between the weapons research and the alien..."

"Maybe we should build a bunker."

"A bunker?"

"Yeah. If we put a university here as planned, it should have an emergency bunker for a basement. Somebody would need to manage everything, stock it with emergency food, water, and medical supplies."

"I'm not letting Soshe stay on Turodey again until the wreck has been checked out."

"De'Marc suggested we seal off the opening to keep the alien from escaping," Hal recalled.

"Not a bad idea, but how do we know he hasn't escaped already?" Tajlon asked.

'We don't."

* * *

"Great, we don't even have a radio out here." Tajlon said. He had gone out to look for their ride home one last time. If it didn't come soon, odds were it wouldn't until morning. The crew on Novaland was waiting on the supplies and wouldn't waste fuel without a load of goods to deliver.

They had finished stacking and organizing everything. Hal had thrown together a crude workshop with the tools at hand so they could lay out a grid for the internal walls and lab area.

The barge still hadn't shown up. The sun was low on the horizon and a crisp breeze was chopping up the water.

"We'll be fine. I snagged a couple of extra sandwiches from the meeting earlier today. It'll have to do."

"Why didn't you tell me that an hour ago. I'm starving and was about to break into the military rations over there."

"Hey, I just now dug down to my pack. Grumpy, are we?"

"Grumpy, tired and hungry."

Hal laughed. "And love struck. When spaceships, nuclear weapons and aliens just aren't enough anymore, you know there's a pretty girl involved."

Tajlon managed to laugh with him, took one of the sandwiches and sat down on an empty pallet. Hal grabbed the other, and they shared a canteen of water to wash them down. When finished eating they moved to the open doorway to watch the sunset that would soon be lighting up the sky.

"What's that, a sail?" Hal asked.

"Tajlon squinted into the sun. "Or you're imagining things."

"No, it's definitely a sail."

As it grew closer, the outline of a vessel took shape.

"That's the Casgora Wind," Tajlon said. "What's De'Marc doing here? He should have left with the Raemolles and Greyla this afternoon."

Hal had produced a small scope from his pack. "Maybe he did leave. That's not De'Marc I'm seeing." He smiled and handed the scope to Tajlon. "See for yourself."

Tajlon peered through the lens and couldn't believe what he saw. Soshe was standing on the deck of the sloop. The wind was pushing the boat along at a good clip.

"It's Soshe! She shouldn't be out here alone."

Hal laughed and shook his head. "Maybe she couldn't get you out of her head either."

Tajlon stood up and waved. The small figure on board waved back.

"I hope she knows how to bring it in," Hal said. "Did you teach her how to dock?"

"No. She was half asleep when we docked the other night." He started to run toward the dock but Koutou's voice popped into his head. "She's with me. No need to worry."

"But she'll be fine," he told Hal and walked down to meet her.

"So much for not allowing Soshe to come to Turodey," Hal said and grinned.

***

Tajlon watched as Soshe came around and dropped the sails. He was proud to see she was so confident of her new sailing skills. As they grew closer he could hear Koutou squawking orders. She had accepted Nova's abilities without a problem, but there was an objective explanation for them. It would be more difficult to explain Koutou. Maybe he wouldn't need to.

Hal stayed back at the construction site to give them a little privacy, ready to help if needed. Soshe brought the Casgora Wind in without a problem. She looked radiant from sailing. Her clothes had been changed from the sundress to a pair of cropped slacks topped by a simple shirt tied in a knot beneath her breasts. The gold necklace peeked out from her shirt. Tajlon smiled at her exposed midriff, bare feet and warm smile. Yes, still the same girl.

"Hi," she said with an even bigger smile as he hopped on board to help her secure the boat.

"Hi yourself. I wasn't expecting you." He finished throwing a rope around a cleat on the dock then picked her up in both arms, swirling her around in a circle before kissing her. Soshe giggled and kissed him back.

"Captain De'Marc was kind enough to lend me the use of his boat while he's away."

"You must have made quite an impression for De'Marc to let you borrow the Casgora Wind. And you really shouldn't have tried this on your own, you know," Tajlon scolded.

"She's not alone," Koutou piped up. "She's my first mate."

"Okay, not quite alone. Still a rather bold thing to do."

"That's what your father said," Soshe replied. "So he came after me. Look over there." The Luca Luna was piercing the horizon. "Jejliard's been right behind me the whole way. I asked him to hang back so I could surprise you."

"You succeeded."

"Mara sent this." She pointed to a wooden box with a rope handle full of fresh baked goods and fruit. Koutou helped himself to a small bunch of fresh grapes and flew to the beach with them in his beak.

"Much appreciated. I see you made the acquaintance of Koutou."

"Yes. And you may have to hurry to get your share. He's been munching the whole way."

Tajlon saw a suitcase lying on the deck behind her. "You're planning to stay a while?"

"Maybe. I don't travel quite as light as I used to." Soshe laughed. "Greyla insisted I get some fashion going. I must have looked pitiful to you."

"No. You're beautiful. Clothes are nice and all, but I only really see you, Soshe."

Soshe smiled and Tajlon thought he saw her eyes brim with tears.

"I wouldn't care if you were naked," he whispered closer to her ear. She laughed and punched him in the stomach. Tajlon grabbed her suitcase in one hand and box of food in the other.

"I can carry some of that."

"I know, but I haven't had the chance to spoil you even once today."

The Luca Luna docked a short distance from them and Jejliard came ashore.

"Good job," he called to Soshe.

"Thanks. I had some expert advice," Soshe said.

"You know it's dangerous here, Soshe. We don't know what we're dealing with in the wreck," Jejliard warned as he drew closer.

"Greyla told me about her experience. At least what she could recall."

"I want you to be safe. Promise you'll stay clear of it," Tajlon said.

"I will. Mara told me her concerns too. I'd heard the prophecy before from Lokanne, but never took it seriously until now."

"So you believe in the prophecy too?" Tajlon asked.

"How can you not believe it after what's happened?"

"There's a scientific explanation for everything, Soshe," Jejliard said. "I plan to find the answer for this one."

"I don't believe in demons myself," Tajlon said, "But I fear the truth may be just as bad, if not worse."