Widhbo teleported Jejliard back to the lab, still unconscious from the upload, and left him in his cot. He decided time was short and teleported Tajlon to the Sora without forewarning. Tajlon awakened with a start and took in his surroundings.

"How did I get here?"

"How do you think?"

"You really should be more considerate." Tajlon rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up in the chair where Widhbo had deposited him.

"No time. I wasted enough with your father."

"Where is he?"

"Relax. He's alseep in his bed. I had to convince Jejliard of Colberton's plans to dispose of you all. In less than two days, you'll be dead if you stay here. They're bombing Turodey."

"So that's the worthless lump of rock he was referring to."

"It is now. Gengor wasn't in their plans. Which reminds me, I promised Gengor I'd throw him off my ship and I will."

"I thought you buried him at sea."

"I did. I'm making a new Gengor and then I'll throw him off."

"You can just make a new Gengor at will?" Tajlon recoiled at the thought. "And if your throw him off the ship, he'll only be killed again."

"No. I've made a few adaptive changes, evolutionary. So cool." Widhbo was obviously pleased with himself and danced in place as he hovered over the controls clicking away.

"Great. I can't wait to see what you've done with him," Tajlon said.

"You won't unless you're a fool and stay on Beldora. Let's get you uploaded into the Sora." Widhbo transferred a data file to Tajlon explaining the procedure and shared his recent conversation with Jejliard.

"He agreed?"

"Of course, he agreed. It's the only logical thing to do," Widhbo lowered the helmet for Tajlon. "Ready?"

Tajlon paused. "Wait. What about Hal and the others?"

"We'll round up as many as we can at the show tomorrow."

"You can't just round people up like cattle."

"There won't be time for explanations. I'll admit it's rude," Widhbo said and gave a little sigh. "We can't reach Captain De'Marc and Greyla in time. I've already said my goodbyes."

"But Dad's right, the sub can," Tajlon said reading the file Widbho had shared. "Send Nova with Mara and Soshe."

"I expected you would want to bring them along with us?" Widhbo asked.

"I can already tell you their answer and it will be no." Tajlon paused.

"I wasn't planning on getting permission."

"You know what Mara thinks about this ship and Soshe is totally in her camp regarding the prophecy. They can't stay at Novaland with what's about to be unleashed in these waters and they'll need Nova to pilot the sub."

"Your choice."

Tajlon was torn with indecision. "Widhbo do you think they have a fighting chance? Tell me the truth for a change."

Widhbo twitched nervously before answering. "First they must get past the Beldorian Security fleet and stay submerged. I give that a eighty-five percent chance. Navigate the Wayless Sea below water, ninety-five percent. Surviving in the lava caves in the Lost Mountains for a lifetime, eighty percent. Overall sixty-five percent chance. If they detour to pick up De'Marc and his crew. it reduces their chance of survival to forty-eight percent."

"What if I go with them?"

"It might climb as high as fifty. And you would have a chance to have offspring by Soshe."

"I don't know what to do. I can't let Dad down."

"What difference would it make to Jejliard?"

Tajlon was taken by surprise by the question. "I don't know if he would want to leave without all of us."

"It won't change his decision whether you stay or not. He's going." Widhbo said. "Jejliard was very clear about wanting to live."

"You could upload a digital copy of me to stay on the Sora, and I can still go with the others on the Solar Wave in the flesh."

"Yes. Your decision. But you need to decide before I knock you out. I have to deploy the sub immediately after the upload. I'll teleport you to your bed or if you prefer, to the Solar Wave."

"I can't decide."

"You must. What if there was no Soshe? Nice girl, but you just met her."

"I love her, Widbho."

"First love, so fickle."

"So you're saying I should go with you."

"I'm saying take Soshe out of the equation. She's a wild card. Look past her."

"How can I look past her?"

"Unlike most humans, you have a chip. Use it and the answer is obvious. Space or Soshe." Widhbo said, "minus Soshe equals..."

Tajlon gripped the arms of the chair and shuddered as he forced himself to give the answer. "Space."

Widhbo adjusted the helm on Tajlon's head. "This will hurt a little before you pass out."

"No. I don't have time to do this now. I have too much work to do. Send me back to the lab, Widhbo." Tajlo pulled free of the helm and stood up.

"I'm trying to get things done efficiently, Tajlon. I knew I shouldn't have warned you."

"So why did you?"

"I'm trying to be more considerate."

"Send me back to the lab, Widhbo."

* * *

"Sora to Solar Wave, come in," Widhbo called to the sub.

Soshe picked up the mic, grateful she had practiced using the radio earlier at the Castonea's place. "We're here," she answered.

"You're supposed to say, 'Solar Wave, over', Soshe," Widbho scolded. "I taught you better than that."

"Sorry. It's been a long day, Koutou."

"No excuses. You're a soldier now."

"We made it to the sub," she replied.

"Obviously," Widbho said and gave a little snort of amusement.

"You're supposed to say, 'I'm glad you're alright',” Soshe responded. "Wait. Koutou? I thought you were supposed to be dead by now.."

"I'm fine. Didn't Nova tell you?" Widhbo asked. "Oh, I forgot. You can't talk to Nova."

"Not without a chip in my brain, genius."

"Koutou is dead. Think of me as the soul of Koutou. No time to explain. Things have taken a turn for the worse," Widhbo said. "You need to leave Novaland harbor tonight. Set a course to intercept the Sea Grinder in the middle of the South Sora Sea. This is a rescue mission."

Widhbo calculated the most efficient route and estimating the average speed of both parties, called off the coordinates to Soshe for the location where they would meet.

"I need something to write it down with," Soshe said.

"If Nova can hear me, he can remember it. You should work on your memory, Soshe."

"He's right here," Soshe said. Nova nodded to indicate he had the numbers. "Who are you again?"

"I'm the Widhbo of legend. Consider me your spirit guide," Widhbo replied brushing off the question. "Under no circumstances are you to return to Novaland or Turodey. It won't be safe. We anticipate a direct nuclear hit on Turodey within two days."

"Oh my god. Is everyone okay there?"

"Until then, yes. In regard to your particular concern, Tajlon is fine."

"Can't any of you do anything to stop all this madness.? Soshe asked.

"There's too many of them and too few of us. The enemy forces are scattered all over Theopia and Serra Luma continents," Widhbo replied. "I've run the numbers and you all die."

"Will you at least tell Tajlon where we're going?"

"It was his idea. He misses you, but don't expect to see him again any time soon. We have to leave Beldora tomorrow."

"What?" Soshe asked.

"We're leaving. I don't have time to repeat myself. After you rendezvous with the Sea Grinder and pick up the crew, you're not to surface again until you reach the lava caves in the Lost Mountains. Look for submerged entrances. The war will have started by then. I know you've been to the caves before."

"How do you know that? I never told anyone."

"I took the liberty of reading your mind earlier. It's not important. Focus on staying alive, Soshe. We'll try to come back for you if we make it."

"I'm holding you to that. Tell Tajlon he can keep his science and technology," Soshe said, sobs breaking through her words.

There was a ripping sound and a light clang of metal scaping across the floor. "Solar Wave, out." Soche said

Widhbo heard the sound and accurately deduced its source. "Keep the watch. You'll need it."