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cruisers.”
    “I’m just surprised you’re not keeping the Minian here for yourself.”
    “I’ll be fine. I’ll now be stationed on the Drac-Vin vessel … the Assailant ;she will become my command ship.”
    Jason had forgotten about that ship. Almost as technologically advanced as the Minian , the vessel possessed two extra capabilities—both visual and sensors invisibility. She was also the same warship Ot-Mul, the deceased Drac-Vin leader, once captained.
    “My suggestion to you, Vice-Admiral, is keep your rank on the down low. Maintain your former captaincy title for the crew.”
    “And what about me, Admiral? Where will I be stationed?” Dira asked.
    Jason turned toward Dira—he’d totally capitalized the conversation, leaving her out. “I’m sorry, Dira. I should have—”
    “She’s a big girl, Captain … let her talk for herself,” the admiral said. “To answer your question, Dira, you too have been promoted. You’ve been elevated to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in charge of the Minian ’s onboard medical hospital.”
    “Thank you, Admiral. I won’t let you down.”
    “I’m sure you won’t. My only worry is that your obvious close relationship with Vice-Admiral Reynolds will get in the way. Needless to say, you’ll need to be discreet. I’m not in a position to tell you to break off your relationship … just don’t flaunt it in front of the crew.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Jason brought his attention to Ricket. “You’re coming with us?”
    Ricket smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it. As I understand the parameters of Star Watch’s directives, not everything involves space policing. As your science officer, I hope to assist in the exploration of new worlds … and to reestablish what the Caldurians first began.”
    Jason shook his head. “And what was that?”
    “The habitats, what you refer to as the Zoo. I’d like to add portal access to other … still undiscovered … environments. I would find great pleasure in doing that.”
    “Well, you’ve certainly earned any posting you desire, Ricket. That sounds like a terrific, admirable, quest.” Jason turned his attention back to his father. “Who will you have leading the security forces?”
    “I can’t do everything for you, Captain. Other than Ricket, Dira and Granger, you’ll need to pick and choose your own leadership team. By the way … you have a day to accomplish exactly that. There’s a nasty bit of inter-planetary strife happening on Trom in the Alchieves system.”
    “We’ll be ready,” Jason said.
    “Good … now get out of here … we have other business to discuss.”
    As Jason and Dira exited the ready room, it occurred to him he still hadn’t been told what Granger’s duties would entail.

Chapter 6
     
    Sol System
    The Perilous , Planet Earth – Nearing Boulder, CO
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    Jason, sitting next to Grimes in the cockpit of the Perilous , had a full day ahead of him and was ready to get an early start. They’d reached the North American continent on Earth, specifically Boulder, Colorado, just as the rising sun highlighted the ridged Rocky Mountain foothills.
    While much of the United States had turned the corner in containing the zombie-like peovils , in this part of the country—Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico—the peovils were still causing havoc. Not only were they becoming more violent, they seemed to be getting smarter, and more resourceful, too. It all started when Ot-Mul, at that time a Craing fleet commander, dispatched a series of attack drones to hundreds of locations around Earth. The drones released large spider-like creatures called molt weevils that systematically hunted, captured, and eventually cocooned their prey … primarily humans. With billions, nearly half the world’s population, taken by the dreadful alien beings, the molt weevils finally began to die off. But that wasn’t the end of it—about half of those poor souls still living within the cocoons would