I imagined Jonathan would be terrified when the alien ships attacked. There would be no one in the compound that could explain to him what he was seeing. The men there didn't cherish the young Like we did here. I wasn't sure they would not even try to protect him. He'd be alone with his family of boys, and with no one to defend them. They would be slaughtered Like sheep.

“WIFE!" Bane scolded, "you will worry until you are sick! Stop this nonsense."

I had come to a standstill in the hallway and was gripping Christof and Kein fiercely. The emotion threatened to overwhelm me.

“YOU MUST STOP THIS!" Bane said loudly.

He felt my terror and it had to stop, losing control solved nothing.

The other men in the hall watched closely when Bane’s voice rose when he addressed me. I couldn't pay attention to them as I started to breath faster. My attention was refocused on my little boy and my concern for him.

Damien was in front of me suddenly. He looked seriously down at me and I felt the calm radiate from him.

“Let us find out what is going on," he said softly. "If we need to, we will take a loaded transport and live in the caverns by the Barnas compound. Rue's family has made strong weapons, we will defend our family."

I took a deep breath and relaxed myself. Panicking only distracted from the necessary conversation. If I hadn't flipped out this morning I could have gotten more information from Tosu. This was a time for a level head.

I could not control whether or not Jonathan lived or died if I was curled up on a bed. Doing what I'd done today had endangered the other baby in my belly. The only way to assist my children was to stay sharp. For the first time, I had a modicum of control over their welfare. I had to help as best I could.

“Better than calming cream," Evan muttered as my steady gaze met Damien's.

“Kennedy always seems to know what's going on," I said in a strong voice. "It's a shame Hannah is so angry with us. We really need to talk to both of them."

There was no more instability in my mind. I had a goal and I just needed more information to work toward it. Tugging at Christof and Kein I pushed past Damien toward their quarters.

“Come on," I ordered, “we can't keep Kennedy waiting!"

My youngest daughter arrived with her Sisters and information. While I'd been passed out on the bed, Dara had talked to Tosu. The women were watching the aliens very closely and they were certainly preparing an attack, but were not quite ready.

The alien ships focused their studies on the mountains with ore. Places the rebel women and men Lived tended to be without ore and the aliens didn't seem to notice us. In addition, the protections the rebels had put in place seemed to be hiding us from the aliens, as well as, the women.

“Gunth will make announcements tomorrow to the entire camp," Kennedy explained.

“Other camps have pledged ‘warriors' and supplies to defend the compounds. We believe this camp will do the same thing.”

We talked about the weapons we had at our disposal. Eve and Dara thought they might work. Neither girl had had the time to really study the designs of the alien crafts, though. They only had the information Tosu had hastily imparted before having to leave, but that was it.

The girls left after I yawned the first time. They knew that the day had been stressful and tiring. If I didn't sleep some tonight, I'd be a mess tomorrow. From what they'd heard from Tosu there would be a lot of meetings and decision making. We all had to be sharp.

I fought the worry as I stripped down and moved into the bedroom. I didn't feel particularly relaxed or tired, just exhausted. Damien and his Brothers followed me and slowly undressed themselves.

It didn't matter where I put my clothing, everyone was willing to share their space. I folded it neatly and sat it on Kein's shelf. My things would be moved here tomorrow and we'd make a formal space for me then.