"Eyan," a voice boomed from the hallway outside. "Why did they take my son's ship?"
Eyan squinted before turning and looking at Raylay's father, a thin man with a scowl. He wore a long coat over his garment, and there was a bulge just above his hip.
"I'm a medic and lab tech," he responded. "Not the capture team."
Raylay's father flared his nostrils and muttered something under his breath.
"Look. Where is my son?" He went from muttering to fuming.
Eyan threw his hands up and said, "Wasn't my turn to watch him."
Raylay's father peered beyond Eyan, and Relda squirmed as his focus zeroed in on her. He grabbed at a bulge under his coat and produced a blaster. His grip was firm, and he lowered it in Relda's direction. She covered her stomach, guarding her unborn clones.
Eyan grabbed it and wriggled it until Raylay's father surrendered, but his menacing glare to Relda continued.
"The girl is under my protection," Eyan said.
Raylay's father shrugged and rolled his eyes.
"I still need to find Raylay," he responded. "Before he finds…"
"The girls?" Relda chimed in. "He's already found them, but no worries. They belong with me now."
It was probably the finality and authoritative tone she exuded, but Raylay's father shut up and stormed back up the hallway.
A few moments passed before giggles and chatters echoed outside.
"Come in," Eyan said, looking down. "Your mother's been waiting."
The girls pushed past each other crowding the doorway.
"Mama!" Anniston cried, and she led the others in the march to Relda's bedside.