Tajlon put on his flight suit and waited on the transport deck. There was still no sign of Jejliard since the tiff with Widhbo.

Widbho teleported to Tajlon's side.

"I wish you'd just walk around like everyone else," Tajlon said. "I don't think Dad's coming by the way. Can you pilot the other transport?"

"You'll have to do this alone. I have to get to the Luca Luna and replace Hal's helm with a more water-resistant design. Honestly, I thought he would take better care of the nice gear I made for him."

"Hal can be a little hard on equipment, but he's the perfect man to test it out," Tajlon said. "I for one, appreciate what you're doing for us, Widhbo."

"More of a challenge than a privilege I'd say." He tucked the new helmet securely under a wing. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Widhbo teleported in a blur of feathers which left the deck popping and crackling with static energy.

"I can do this," Tajlon said to himself. "I'll just have to make two trips."

He was about to board the transport when he saw Jejliard striding down the passageway.

"Dad? I was about to give up on you."

Jejliard headed for the other transport. "We have a mission to accomplish and a lot of people depending on us," he said grimly. "Let's go."

Tajlon nodded, climbed into his transport and sealed the hatch. Widhbo's flight instructions were flawless. The bay doors of the Sora opened, the transports exited and followed a smooth flight path to Novaland's main town of Kalara. Flying over, Tajlon noticed a ragged flotilla of private vessels leaving the island, heading in a southerly direction and out to sea. Given a calm sea and favorable winds, they could expect to reach Trabest coast within a week. The civilian evacuation had begun. Several Beldorian security vehicles could be seen surrounding the NORC complex. Large trucks were blockading all the roads into town. "I guess they weren't expecting an aerial approach," he thought.

They landed in the town square. Tajlon was relieved to see it dotted with people and no soldiers. Apparently their message had gotten through without attracting the attention of Colberton's men. The crowd that gathered was less than friendly, however. A few angry shouts punctuated the muddle of conversation heard when they opened the transport hatches.

"Where's my husband?" a woman demanded.

Jejliard lowered the ramp of his transport and stepped out to take charge of the situation.

"He's safe," Jejliard said and without hesitation, "Unlike all of you."

"Bring our men back!" another woman shouted.

"The plan is to bring you to them," Jejliard said.

"I'm not getting on that thing," she said.

"Then you'll be left behind. We're leaving in a short while. If you want to join us, this is your only chance."

Tajlon was surprised by Jejliard's take it or leave it attitude. He walked out to speak a few words himself.

"Your men joined our crew of their own free will and asked us to come for you. The evacuation order is for your safety. Either you board one of these transports or leave another way. Novaland is not safe and will be in a radioactive fallout zone, if not tomorrow, then within a few days."

He considered telling them about the secret bunker built into the mountain behind NORC, but NORC was under control of the Colberton's men who may have discovered it by now. He knew they wouldn't allow these people inside to share the limited stash of provisions. Telling them about It would more likely get them killed than to safety.

Tajlon suddenly remembered the video link Widhbo had installed and rolled the big viewing screen out to the ramp. It flickered uncertainly, then brought up a clear picture. The work crew could be seen gathered on the Sora in an elegantly furnished conference room, waiting to convey their messages. A wave of emotion swept the crowd as familiar faces were seen. The men took turns talking with their family members, pleading for them to come. The live interaction did the trick and calmed the throng of people clustered about the screen.

"Time's up," Jejliard announced abruptly. "We've got company."

The transports had been spotted by the troops occupying NORC and a line of armored vehicles could be seen coming down the mountain. Tajlon shut down the link and moved the screen back inside. The crowd stared at the approaching military trucks, frozen with indecision.

Jejliard held up a rifle and shot into the air overhead. "Everybody on board now. We're lifting off before they are in range of their weapons."

The people scrambled to gather their belongings. The first few who approached the boarding ramps stopped and hesitated.

"Come on. We launch in two minutes. Move it!" Jejliard shouted. "Half in each transport. Leave here or die."

The crowd broke into a run and stampeded up the ramps. Tajlon sealed the hatch on his transport and started the launch sequence. Jeliard's transport was in the air first. Sporadic fire was heard from the ground and a few rounds peppered the hull before they could get away. Widhbo had made the transports strong enough to withstand the stress of reentry and had reinforced the hulls to take a lot of damage. The bullets glanced off the smooth rounded shape with only superficial scoring to the outer shells.

Once they were safely back on the Sora, the rattled passengers disembarked to reunite with their loved ones already on board. The Sora was filled with excited conversation as the passengers shared their experiences on the flight over from Kalara. The workers were just as eager to show off the ship, obviously proud to be on the crew of Beldora's first spaceship.

"That was a little too close for comfort, Dad," Tajlon said.

"No other way to do it," Jejliard said, then turned and walked away.

Tajlon couldn't remember seeing his father so distant. Normally he would have complimented Tajlon for a job well done or at least given him a slap on the back. Something wasn't right and Tajlon didn't think it was just the spat with Widhbo earlier

* * *

Taljlon rolled a food cart to the quarters he shared with Jejliard. "This is ridiculous," he thought. "Why is Dad hiding in his room when he should be welcoming the newcomers?" Jejliard was always the perfect host. Tajlon hardly knew his own father this afternoon. His behavior on their trip to Kalara was most unusual.

Tajlon entered their living area and set up the table with a tempting dish of braised pork on rice and a side dish of vegetables.

He knocked on the door to Jejliard's bedroom and poked his head in. Jejliard roused from his sleep and sat up.

"Hey, Dad. It's time for dinner. You sure fell asleep quickly."

"It must have been the tea I drank. Put me out like a light." Jejliard smoothed the wrinkles in his shirt and joined Tajlon in the other room.

It was their first real meal on the Sora. "Where's the new chef hiding?" Jejliard asked. "This looks amazing. Thank you." He gave Tajlon a pat on the shoulder before he sat down to eat.

"No chef. It's compliments of the Sora," Tajlon answered. "Glad to have you back."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You haven't exactly been yourself today."

"I got a little crossway with our alien friend. We'll work it out. It'll be okay."

"Good," Tajlon said. "I'm starving. Let's see how this all tastes."

After enjoying a quiet meal together, Tajlon decided to approach the subject of speaking to the crew and passengers.

"When do you plan to speak to everyone, assign duties, establish routines, and such?"

"Tomorrow after we make the exchange for Soshe. I'll look over their profile cards tonight."

"I won't have the rest of them for you until morning," Tajlon said.

"They should be finished filling them out by now."

"Well, the new folks are just settling in. I haven't passed out cards to them yet."

"New folks?"

"Yes. The family members we picked up at Kalara this afternoon."

Jejliard gave Tajon a blank stare. "You went to Kalara?"

Tajlon sat back from his place at the table and looked at Jejliard with concern. "We did, Dad. You and I flew the transports. Don't you remember?"

"I went straight to my room, brewed a strong cup of Theopian tea and went to sleep this afternoon. I haven't been anywhere, much less Kalara."

"Well, somebody who looked a lot like you did. It must have been Widhbo. When you didn't show up, he told me he didn't have time to go," Tajlon said. "It looks as though he did, but decided the islanders weren't ready to see his bird form. I suppose he thinks he could fool me, but Widhbo does a damned poor imitation of you."