"Thank you again," Relda said, staring at her group alongside Aks.
"The pleasure is mine," he said.
Relda cleared her throat louder than the young voices talking over each other.
"Everyone, inside," she ordered.
Back in the control center, Relda rubbed her palms together and studied the touch screens.
"Anyone want to enter the codes?" She asked.
Silas waved his arm in the air.
"I'll do it," he said.
He stationed himself at one touch screen.
"Mama!" A girl called from the hallway.
It was one of her clones. She knew because the voice was her voice. She peered over Silas' head. The clone wore a silver jumpsuit with pink accents.
"Bria!" She called.
Bria dashed into the control center, Relda ensnared her in an embrace.
"You've already met your new brother and sister," she said, and released Bria.
"Earlier," she said.
"How do we tell you all apart?" Acelynn asked.
"My jumpsuit is pink and silver," Bria said. "Ozla has silver and blue. Klea has silver and mint green. Tayla has silver and gold. Asia has plain silver. Noah has silver and silver and white. Shilah was silver and red."
"We'll make you a color coding chart," Relda assured Acelynn.
Figures filled the entrance again. Maurian nudged a puffy-eyed Orz, and Orz took the lead. He cradled his young.
"Where's your home world?" Acelynn questioned.
"It was in Quadrant 3," Maurian answered, "but it was destroyed."
"You could always come and live on Anmer with us," Relda said. "We'll get you settled."
"We are grateful," Maurian said.
Relda switched the ship's power to the highest acceleration. They were going home. Finally.