AFTERMATH : THE JOURNEY BEGINS

          "So...oo," Rodolphus sat down in the seat beside Roark as the shuttle engines sounded their preflight startup, "what did he say?" he asked, buckling the seat restraints, looking around with satisfaction at all the personal in warrior uniforms.

          "Not a damn thing," he grumbled.  "When I told him we suspected that Evan was an rogue undercover operative, he frowned at me, said rogue or not, undercover operatives were need to know, and I didn't need to know."

          "I warned you he would likely not tell you."

          "Who wouldn't tell him what?"  Schyler asked as he settled into the seat beside Roark.

          "You about ready to have that baby yet?" he asked his cousin, laying a hand on his distended abdomen, smiling when the baby kicked.

          "PAST ready, but Sebastien said it'll likely be a few more sectons.  So, who wouldn't tell you what?"

          "Dad, wouldn't answer me when I asked about Evan Rosier."

          "What about him?"

          "We suspect he's an undercover Intelligence Officer who has likely gone rogue."

          Schyler looked away as Colten, Dylan, Charlie, and several others hurried aboard.  "Oh, oh," came his murmur.

          "What do you know, Schy?"

          "Whether he is or not," he turned back to him, his expression closed, "you know I can't tell you that, right?  It's restricted information."

          "Why are you all so damn stubborn about undercover--"

          "Rory, you KNOW why."

          A deep sigh.  "It protects the operative, but if he's gone rogue--"

          "Roark."

          Fine," he settled back with a huff.

          "Attention, we are preparing to launch.  Please buckle your seat restraints." came Kili's voice over the speaker.  "Yo, preggers, you especially."

          "I'm going to kill him one of these days," Schyler said as he pulled the restraints into place.

                                                                             cccVccc

         "Alright, you lot, just what the HELL is going on?" came the demand.

          They had just entered one of the large lounge areas, talking quietly among themselves when Apollo, with Serina, her long brown hair falling in waves down her back, the dark blue satin trimmed, almost sky blue silk, off-the-shoulder dress, making even those with husbands look at her with appreciation.

          "Serina," Roark took her hand, brought the back of it to his lips, "were I not madly in love and already married, you would CERTAINLY turn MY head."

          She laughed.  "Why, Captain, thank you," she leaned closer with an almost flirty smile, looking over at Rodolphus, who was watching them, "and were not said husband standing right there, I would be tempted to take you up on that offer."

          "Alright, Scamp, that will be quite enough of that," Apollo said as he took her hand back from him, "and answer my question."

          "What question would that be, Uncle?" he asked amid chuckles as arms slid around his waist, guiding him forward.

          "I keep seeing men in Viper pilot uniforms with Viper designation pins, but I KNOW for a fact they aren't from that squadron."

          "We do have a lot of new people, Uncle," came Harry's straight-faced answer, "and yes, we have noticed the ill-fitting uniforms."

          "There is nothing we can do about that until we get enough material to make more, or these others can be taken in, or let out.  Oh, look!  Buffet tables.  What do you say we get something to eat?" he took off for the tables.

          "Excellent idea," Rabastan held out his arm, "Miss Serina, may I have the pleasure of your company since it seems my husband has decided to desert me?"

          "Why thank you, kind sir," she said, laying a hand  on the arm offered, "but we need to find my son."

          "Rodolphus and I will get him," Roark said with a smile.  "I saw him playing with some other children over by the elevators.  You go on ahead."         

          "Thank you, Roark, I appreciate that."

          "It's no trouble at all," Rodolphus said.  "You go on, we'll bring him to you.  Come on. darling, I saw him over this way."