Soshe’s voice came through the speaker, “C-Station to Luca Luna,” she called over the radio.

Jejliard and Tajlon were on the Luca Luna. They had received a reply from Colberton and were waiting on details to coordinate with the security forces he commanded. Jejliard nodded to Tajlon, indicating he should be the one to pick up Soshe's call.

“Hi, Soshe,” Tajlon said.

“Hi. How’s it going? Did you find anything?” Soshe asked.

”Affirmative. I can’t discuss it over the airway, but we’re fine. Are things okay there?”

“Yes, but Koutou’s very restless. I think he’s missing the captain more than he lets on.”

“I have no doubt," Tajlon said. "Has Mara returned yet?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“Colberton will be coming back for another stay at her place soon.”

“The schedule in your father's office indicates the next steamer won’t make port for a few days,” Soshe said.

“He won’t be on a steamer. He’ll be with the Beldorian Security Fleet.”

“Fleet?”

“Yes. Don’t be alarmed. Everything will be okay,” Tajlon reassured her. “Is Koutou there with you?”

“He’s in the other room. I’m sure he can hear every word.”

“Yes, he can. Tell him to stay close to the house. Dad wants to speak with him when we get back.”

“Okay. Do you want me to get Mara’s place ready for some guests?”

“That would be great. Thanks, Soshe. I have no idea how many there might be. Put the staff on standby.”

“Most of them are on vacation too, but don’t worry, I’ll take of things until Mara gets home.”

“You’re amazing, you know that?”

Soshe laughed. “It’s the least I can do to repay her kindness."

“Ask Koutou to alert us when the General arrives.”

“I will. Take care. I miss you already.”

“I miss you too,” Tajlon said. “See you tonight.”

“Bye. C-Station out.”

***

Tajlon turned to Jejliard. “I hope we will be going home tonight. I certainly don't want to stay on Turodey, he said. "And, leaving Soshe alone doesn't seem like a good idea.”

“Agreed. As soon as we get the wreck sealed and evacuate the workers we can shove off," Jejliard said. " I also want to meet with Colberton as soon as he arrives. We’ll need to convince him that the situation is under some measure of control. I don’t want any unnecessary fireworks.”

They went down to join Hal near the wreck where he had set up a workstation. He had built up thick pieces of wall to fit over the opening out of multiple layers of steel which had been honeycombed with metal struts and sandwiched together for strength.

“How are we going to attach it to the wreck?” Jejliard asked.

“I’m testing this piece of metal I carved from the ship," Hal said. "It appears to hold a weld just fine.”

“That should do the trick then. We'll also need a secure entrance to the ship to allow us entrance," Jejliard said.

Tajlon inspected the heavy wall pieces Hal had constructed. "Okay, I'm officially impressed."

“There’s a walk-in lab safe the guys delivered this morning," Hal said. "I'm planning to use the door from the safe.”

“Sounds good. What can we do to help?” Jejliard asked.

“I need the scaffolding up as soon as possible if you want to direct that.”

“Good. we're on it," Jejliard said.

* * *

After the scaffolding was in place the work crew had the hull sealed in record time. Nobody was anxious to run into Gengor again. The safe door was welded into place. It afforded a secure entry with a coded lock that could be opened from either side. They were knocking off for the evening when the fleet came into view.

"Isn't that the Beldorian Security Fleet?" Tajlon asked.

"Yes, but I wasn't expecting them so soon and certainly not here," Jejliard said.

The fleet included two medium sized battleships from the Beldorian Secutity Force flanked by half a dozen smaller vessels which were more maneuverable. The fleet had anchored halt a mile out, but the big gun ports of the battleships were clearly visible and quite threatening. Colberton was brought ashore in a small amphibious craft.

Jejliard rushed to greet him with Hal and Tajlon not far behind. "Thanks for coming so soon. We have the situation under control for the time being."

"Not a problem. It's our job. As a matter fact I'm relieving you and your men of any security concerns. You can devote your full attention to the technical jobs we discussed previously. Let the professionals handle security."

"We'll feel a lot more secure when we're all off this island," Tajlon said.

"I'm afraid that's not happening my boy," Colberton replied. "I'm placing Turodey under quarantine. Nobody leaves until I have all the details."

"It is a dangerous situation," Jejliard admitted. "If word gets out it could cause a panic in the local poplulation."

Tajlon started to object but Colberton cut him short by raising one hand and with a sweeping gesture pointed to the fleet.

"I'd like to invite the three of you to dine with me on board my ship as my personal guests this evening so we can sit down and discuss things over a hot meal." Colberton said. "I suggest you stay the night. A cabin on board will be far safer and more comfortable than sleeping on a cot out here."

"Splendid," Jejliard said, but his furrowed brow belied his enthusiasm.

"I'm not one to turn down an invitation for a hot meal and a soft bed," Hal said. "I just need to help the guys finish repairing the door to the warehouse, which is housing our research, before dark and make sure everything is battened down for the night."

"Good man," Colberton said. "I'll send a skiff back for you."

"I'd like to pick Tajlon's brain for a few more ideas if you don't need him right now," Hal added. "It's going to be his weapons lab after all."

"Not a problem. He can come aboard with you later this evening."

Colberton escorted Jejliard to the amphibian craft which took them out to his ship anchored in deep water. Guards stood on the dock blocking their access to the Luca Luna. It was obvious they didn't want anyone to even think about leaving Turodey.

"What about Soshe?" Tajlon asked Hal. "She's expecting us back tonight."

"The less said about Soshe the better," Hal advised him. "You don't want her mixed up in this do you?"

"No, but she'll be worried. I'm afraid she'll sail over here again, if not tonight then tomorrow."

"Agreed. We can try to get a message through the Luca Luna's radio. We'll need to come up with an excuse to get on board."

Before all the repairs were finished, Tajlon spoke with a guard and told him they needed some supplies before he could finish everything. Tajlon went aboard the Luca Luna without raising any suspicion and put a call through to the Castonea home in hopes of contacting Soshe.

***

"Soshe, this is Tajlon. Come in Soshe."

"Soshe isn't here," Koutou said as he answered the radio at the Castonea home. "She's getting everything ready for Colberton at Mara's Place."

"I want you to deliver a message for me."

"Jejliard specifically asked me to wait for him here. I'm expecting a most unpleasant evening."

"Koutou, something else is going on. Colberton's with us here on Turodey. We're all under quarantine. Tell Soshe I won't be coming home tonight. Colberton doesn't want any of us to leave the island. He's keeping a close watch on the Luca Luna. I barely managed to get aboard to make this call."

"Let me guess. Something about an alien and a spaceship."

"Yeah, our underwater buddy put on quite a show. He tried to bash in the door to the research building and gave everyone quite a scare. I shot him with the tranqulizer gun, and he went back to the wreck."

"That's why I suggested sealing it."

"We're taking your advice now. Tell Soshe if she can sail around to our beach tomorrow night, I'll try to meet her there. Colberton's having us to dinner tonight. I'll have a better chance to slip away tomorrow. I heard one of the guards mention a war council meeting."

"It's about time there was a little excitement around here. The last few years have been dreadfully boring," Koutou said.

"You're twisted, you know that?"

* * *

Koutou flew up the hill to Mara's Place. It was empty except a for couple of maids who were leaving for the night. He found Soshe finishing up in the kitchen making sandwiches and snacks.

"Tajlon called. They aren't coming," Koutou said.

"After all the work I've done getting ready for them?" Soshe sat down with a thud. "This is the first time I've sat down all afternoon, Koutou. And now they're not coming?"

"Colberton insists everyone is to stay on the island. Apparently, he thinks the sunset looks prettier from Turodey."

"Something isn't right."

"Not surprising actually. Tajlon asked if you might take the Casgora Wind around to your private beach and meet him there tomorrow tonight."

"I promised Jejliard I'd stay here...," she hesitated.

"The situation has changed They're under guard, being held prisoner effectively. He barely managed to get a message through."

Soshe looked up from her work on hearing Koutou's last words. "Then I should go now."

"Then Coberton wouldn't let you leave either. It's called quarantine. Nobody comes or goes, and especially nobody goes."

"So I can't be seen. I get it. So will you stay with me tonight, Koutou?"

"I will if you'll pack up that food to take with us first. I'm famished."

"Okay. It doesn't look like we'll be needing it here." Soshe began packing a couple of baskets with provisions.

"Meet you at the house," Koutou said. "I'm going to check in with the captain and see how they're faring on their trip." He flew back to the Castonea home to use their radio to contact the Sea Grinder. He knew it was a long shot. De'Marc had told Koutou the old radio wasn't in working condition and he would try to repair it while in route.

Soshe tossed in as much food as the baskets would hold and carried them down to the house. She was full of worry already. It was going to be a long night.