Page 168 of Home

“I left all communication devices on the ship when I left it. I thought to never have reason to contact them again.”

“Wasn’t very smart was it?”

Va’roush shrugged.

The sound of multiple transports approaching had Va’roush turning to watch them land. As they hovered over the fields, a team of at least twenty-five Ceresian warriors allowed themselves to be seen and began to guide them down. Once secured, their ramps were extended and a dozen more soldiers, along with Patron Zhuxi and Viceroy Buchanan exited the ships.

“They could have come together. Why did they bring two transports?” Va’roush asked critically.

“So we can all have an easy ride home,” Zrakad said.

Va’roush watched as the two males and several of the soldiers approached.

“It is Va’roush from the teams sent down to locate Ba Re’,” Zrakad called to them.

“And my Ginger, too! Va’roush! How are you, son?” Viceroy Buchanan asked jovially, walking right up to Va’roush and pounding him on the back, clearly happy to see him.

“I need this house,” Va’roush said matter-of-factly.

“Well, this is Kol’s house,” Buchanan said.

“I do not think he is planning to come back permanently,” Zhuxi said. “How are you, Va’roush?”

Va’roush looked at Zhuxi, and though he wanted to just scream ‘give me the damn house!’ he didn’t. He repeated his explanation. “I need this house.”

“Why? Are you homeless son?” Buchanan asked.

“I do not need a home.”

“Then why do you need this house?” Zhuxi asked.

“Mel. The female who assisted us in our search for Ba Re’ and the Purists is in need of a home. Her land and her home have been lost. Her beasts are without shelter. She is without shelter. There is no money to purchase another.”

“What happened to her place?” Buchanan asked.

“All her money was spent on making the store successful.”

“Only it wasn’t,” Buchanan said, empathetically. “That can be a tough one to recover from.”

“I wish to speak with Kol regarding this house.”

“Well, why didn’t you just do that, then?”

“He didn’t bring any communications devices with him,” Zrakad said.

“Yes,” Va’roush confirmed.

“This the same little gal that shot you in the ass, isn’t she?”

Va’roush nodded. “I should have announced myself.”

Buchanan laughed. “Boy, you got it bad, don’t you. Making excuses for the same female that shot you. Well, you did the right thing, then. Setting off the alarms so we’d come check on things.”

Zhuxi took his own communicator off his belt and began placing the vidcom to Kol. When Kol answered, Zhuxi grinned at him. “Are you ready to come back to Earth?” Zhuxi asked.

“No! No, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. And even then, it won’t be for more than a visit.”

“That’s what I thought. Though I’m overdue for our usual vidcom visit, this is not just a pleasant conversation,” Zhuxi said.

---