While Bulco and his men worked, Lana and Nathan passed the time showing their new crew member around the ship and explained how things worked. Cattie was especially fascinated with the modular-folding aspects of the ship. “It’s so cool,” she said. “I want a bed? Wham! I got a bed. Even toilets and chairs. Geesh, those aliens really know their stuff, uh?”

At nightfall, the scout ship returned. Lana hurried to welcome her friend, eager and hopeful of good news, but as soon as she saw the Navigator’s grim face, she knew.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, reaching for the other woman’s hand.

Nathan stood away from them, his face fell at the news.

Nori stood rigidly, accepting the comforting touch. “It’s … okay. I knew better than to hope.”

Lana tightened her grip.

Nori blinked her mounting tears away and let go of Lana’s hand. “It doesn’t change anything. If anything, it just makes our mission even more crucial, to make sure we never get caught unprepared again.” She took in a steadying breath and looked up at Nathan. “What about you? The rest of us, at least, know what happened to our families, but you don’t. It’s not fair. Would you like me to fly you to Israel? It’ll only take a couple of hours.”

The Technomancer’s look of surprise was quickly transformed into grief. He lowered his eyes. “My parents were visiting me when the monsters attacked,” he said, barely louder than a whisper. “We … we tried to run back to the car but …” his voice quivered. “They found us. Dad … Dad … and then Mom …” he started shivering and held his face with his hands.

Lana approached and hugged him tightly.

Bulco appeared behind the ship, catching the young man’s last words. “They’ll pay for what they did, kid,” he said in a quiet, deadly voice. “I promise you that.”

“What about the rest of your extended family?” Nori asked gently.

Nathan sniffed and shook his head. “It was just the three of us.”

“Friends then?” Bulco asked with a surprisingly tender voice.

The young man sniffed once more and nodded. “Some, but I wouldn’t know where to look for them. Nori’s right, the … the best thing we can do for them is to continue with our mission.”

“That’s the spirit,” Bulco said approvingly.

Nori looked at him with a slight frown. “And what do you have to report?”

“All done, Captain,” he said brightly. “The new drive is installed, and all the test simulations check out. We should take her out for a spin, make sure all systems work properly in flight.”

“So, your adjustment will work?”

“It should. I’m almost a hundred percent sure we won’t explode,” the Engineer answered with a straight face.

“What?” Lana stared at him.

“Don’t worry, kid. It will work. You don’t have anything to worry about.”