***Alexis***

Alexis rubbed her distended belly with oil. It was stretched so tight that she feared it would burst. If not for the mass of bruises, it would be as translucent as the Milisarian's skin. She slipped a loose garment over her head and groaned as it skimmed over her delicate belly. She had used all of her energy to take a shower and now lay down across the bed. The previous night, Alice had given birth to a son. Alexis had been in attendance. She had been happy to see that the baby was healthy and that Alice had survived. Like Destiney, she only had some extra tearing due to the baby's large size.

Nabvan returned to tell her about the spaceship that had arrived from the colonies. She was happy to hear that there were other species that had successfully mated with the Milisarian warriors. The Milisarian Knights would someday be a mixture of all the worlds, uniting them as one. She was surprised to learn that all the offspring appeared to be male. This was an interesting insight into the problem the human women were having.

Destiney had given birth to a son and was fine. Marie had a daughter and was in agony until her death. Alice's child was also a son, and she had survived. Her pregnancy had been painless. Was it the child's gender that caused a problem rather than their blood? She needed to get into the lab quickly. If her guess was correct, she could save herself and the other pregnant human that was as ill as her. Perhaps, it would help the other species as well.

Alexis sent Nabvan to plead with Destiney for time in the lab. With King Siefer away, she had the authority to unlock the lab and allow Alexis to work. She would be defying the king to do so, but it would be for a good cause.

Nabvan found Destiney sorting through the data that had been generated by the returning spaceship. She was deleting unreadable data and condensing the rest for King Siefer to study. She would send it to the king's ship. It could give him insight to better deal with the colonies. She took her job seriously and did it well. Nabvan was proud of the way she had matured since leaving Earth. He cleared his throat so she would know he was there. He did not wish to startle her. She turned, and he said, “I know you are busy with all the new information and the strange, unexpected citizens, but I need a moment of your time."

"Unlike my husband, I always have time for my friends. Is there a problem with the trainees?" Destiney crossed the room to check on her sleeping son. She now had cribs in all the working areas of the capital. She wanted Scyon with her as much as possible. After she had spoken with Rowl, she wanted to give Scyon a reason to stay on Milisaria.

"The trainees are doing well. They are curious about the man you sent from the returning ship. They find it odd for someone that old to be in a beginning class. I laughed when they referred to him as an old man, for he is younger than me. I have given the man some rocks to move. He must build some muscle before he can wield a sword with a steady hand. He was a bit surly over the assignment until I asked him to lift a sword and hold it in alignment with the ground. It missed cutting off his foot by a small fraction when it fell. He soon saw the folly in his defiant attitude and began moving the rocks." Nabvan took a moment to change subjects and then asked, "Will you open the lab? Alexis is doing far worse. She tries hard to hide it, but I see the agony and fear in her eyes. She believes that she has discovered the problem. It is the gender of the baby that causes the symptoms. Female children are not compatible with other species. She will find a cure; however, she needs the lab. She is your best friend; allow her to live and watch our daughter grow."

"I will be in defiance of the king's orders if I open the lab. However, I never agreed with his order in the first place. If he wishes to charge me with treason upon his return, then so be it. I will send one of Alexis's students to open the lab immediately. It's possible that King Siefer will be gone until after the babies are born and will not need to know of my defiance." Destiney hugged Nabvan and said, "Good luck."

Alexis spent the next week making potions and vaccines. She took some of her own blood and tested the new mixtures on it to see what would happen. One vaccine appeared to neutralize the antibodies her body was producing to fight against the baby's presence in her body. It seemed male children were accepted by their mother's bodies as a separate entity. Females were seen as a part of the mother's body and treated as a disease by the immune system.  She was afraid to try the vaccine on herself for fear of killing the baby. It would have to wait until she gave birth. She could only pray that she had found the answer.

Alexis was calmer and more optimistic that night. She had been busy all week, and it had lessened her exhaustion. She was smiling when Nabvan entered their chambers. He was glad to see that she was better. He noticed that she had set up a crib and added pink blankets to it. Pink swaddling cloths were stacked on a shelf. She had raided the storage rooms for anything pink and white and brought it up for the baby. There were tiny pieces of clothing, toys, and fluffy animal shapes that squeaked. Her new enthusiasm was catching.

Nabvan laughed and said, "I hope the baby does not turn out to be a boy. These colors will offend him. I never understood the Earth tradition of appointing certain colors to a certain gender. However, I do find that pink is an unmanly hue. Would not our warriors look weak if their armor were pink?"

"Our Milisarian Knights are huge and muscular. I do not think the enemies would notice the color of their armor when facing a line of them holding swords. Their black hair, powerful arms, and steely eyes are enough to bring fear to an opponent’s heart. Are you upset that I believe we are having a daughter?" Alexis waited nervously for his answer.

"Not in the least. I will cherish and protect her for all of eternity. I want her to have your hair and eyes. She will be a rare sight among our dark maidens and sought after endlessly. I will allow only the best of warriors to vie for her as their mate. I will destroy anyone who dares hurt her," Nabvan fiercely replied.

Alexis asked, "What about names? Are there any that you desire for our child?"

Nabvan sighed, "I have not considered it. I will leave the choice to you."

"I like the name Zoya, but I also mixed your name with mine and came up with Nexxa. Does either appeal to you?"

Nabvan stated, "Nexxa sounds excellent. She will be a part of both our worlds, so her name should be a part of each of us as well."

Alexis rose to hug Nabvan and let out a gasp. A sharp pain doubled her over, and wetness covered the floor. She was in an intense labor within seconds. Nabvan carried her to the bed and placed her as gently as he could upon the soft covers. Alexis gritted her teeth as each pain shot through her body. Nabvan cleaned the floor and stripped the wet clothing from her. He covered her with a blanket because she was shivering. Unsure of what to do next, he asked, "Do I stay here, or go for the nurse? Do you need Destiney? I do not know what to do."

Alexis managed to say, "I need the vaccine from the lab. It is the yellow vial in the cooler. Bring it and a syringe from the drawer under the cooler. It is my only chance of survival. It must be plunged into my heart as soon as the baby leaves my body. I will be too weak to do it. It will be up to you."

Nabvan asked, "Are you sure that it will work?"

Alexis weakly replied, "It was not tested on a person. I can not guarantee that it will work. Without it, I will die. So, using it is the only choice we have. Hurry, I do not want to be alone."

Nabvan kissed her lips and ran from the chambers. He knocked over some of his own warriors in his race through the building. The lab was locked. He broke down the door and went in search of the serum. He snatched the yellow bottle and syringes in every size. His skin dripped with sweat, and his fear was palpable as he ran back to his quarters.

Destiney saw him run through the open area and recognized the panic on his face. She began to run behind him, struggling to keep up. His long strides proved to be too much for her, and she fell far behind. She did not stop. Instead, she followed at a slower pace. Alexis was obviously in labor, and Destiney needed to be with her. Their friendship had lasted through the changing of worlds, kidnapping, and becoming a queen. It would last forever, regardless of whether Alexis lived or died. She would not allow her friend to die without the reminder of her love.

Alexis was valiantly fighting through the pain. She gripped Nabvan's hand so tightly that her knuckles were white. She panted during each contraction, holding back from pushing. The baby was not yet in the correct position to be born. She would not allow herself to push and cause pain to her child.

Nabvan watched as Alexis's belly rippled with the movement of the baby. It seemed to be desperately seeking a way out. If it did not find the way soon, Alexis would be ripped open by its pushes. Frantic, he tried to help it turn. Alexis screamed out as his powerful hands squeezed her sides.

Destiney heard Alexis scream as she came down the hall. She hurried inside and discovered her friend writhing in a bloody bed and Nabvan trying to hold her still in his embrace. He begged, "Help me. The baby is not turned correctly, and I cannot guide it. Alexis will not push until the baby is in place and she can not have the medication that could save her until the baby is expelled."

Rather than fight against the baby's movements, Destiney used the contractions to gently turn the baby. It took almost an hour to move it inch by inch, but it was finally in position. Now they had to wait until it moved down into the birth canal.

Alexis grew weaker as each minute passed. Blood continued to seep slowly from her body. Her complexion was turning gray. She whispered, "Destiney, if you think I am about to die, send me off with the correct words. I want the Milisarian blessing. Help Nabvan with our daughter. Her name is Nexxa." She sighed and carefully turned her head to look at Nabvan. "My love, do not hesitate to stab the needle deep in my heart. I wish to live a long life with you. Nexxa will not harm me. She loves me. I will survive if I can fight just a little while longer." She fell into unconsciousness.