Revelations

Epilogue

It was now nine months since Bethany Anne had left through the Gate and nearly two years since Gyada had joined the space borne section of the mission to protect Earth. Gyada considered how the bickering between the governments for scraps of added knowledge had escalated. She was perfectly happy to be working and training on the ship with Bethany Anne’s forces while Boris remained in New Romanovka.

The Russian government tried once, and failed spectacularly, to gain custody of the site which Boris defended. There were still over fifty wrecked tanks on the edge of the area known now as the New Romanovka Autonomous Zone. That battle had actually stripped a large chunk of the Archangelsk Oblast into the Autonomous Zone Boris controlled. The Puck defense shield worked well against armored vehicles, and the railgun turrets had decimated the infantry involved in the attack. With the new algorithms Lilith had provided, the railguns automatically shot down any incoming projectiles as well, neutralizing all attempts to attack the town with missiles or artillery. Boris was still worried about a possible nuclear strike against the town, but it seemed unlikely.

The town’s population was slowly growing, both through vetted people joining the community and through new additions to families. But things were starting to fall apart. Boris had seen this before, and they were preparing. He was stockpiling as many preserved foods and raw materials as he could.

Lilith had designed and helped fabricate a tunneling device so they could create some caverns for secure farm space using similar concepts to the early space borne farming containers. They had also started a school system for children and another for people to learn how to maintain and care for equipment and weapons systems. Those who showed potential for invention and innovation were given tutelage by Lilith. They knew it could be a very long time before any outside help would be coming.

Whatever happened, Boris wanted a firm base to support Michael on his return.

Lilith had also developed what they were now calling ‘Black Wheat,’ a grain that provided all the non-protein based energy and nutrients a human needed. It was also a more efficient crop since it used more of the light spectrum. It had two forms of chlorophyll which combined to make a more effective use of available light.

Since Weres needed more protein than a standard human, hunting provided the community with some of its meat, farming on the surface provided the rest. The group was also experimenting with other sources of meat protein using some of the information already learned from the scientists on the Meredith Reynolds. Developing new methods of producing protein, along with growing different modified plants underground had Lilith content, at least for the time being.

Janna walked up to Boris and looked around, “Things are going well aren’t they, love? “He only looked up and grunted. His plans were somewhat nebulous for what to do when the war finally hit, the one he felt in his bones was coming. New Romanovka was too tempting of a target. He kept pushing forward with supply and defense plans, recycling and the like. Whatever happened, he would try to be prepared.

Janna got closer to him and tightly embraced his bulky form. “Take the day off, love. We have something to celebrate, after all.”

Boris brought his head around and looked at her more closely. She had a soft glow to her complexion that he hadn’t seen before. Breathing in deeply, he noticed subtle changes in how she smelled, also. His eyes widened as a thought occurred to him “You mean…”

She smiled, “Yes, love, we’ll be parents soon. “A multitude of worries flashed through his mind, but he pushed them firmly aside. Joy blossomed across his face, and he gently picked Janna up and swung her around him in a circle.

Janna smiled as he did. Her smile grew when she heard his whisper of, “Finally, a full family of my own. “Suddenly, all his worries seemed petty, compared to the happiness and completion he felt.