King Maxxus held the tiny baby in his massive arms. She was so delicate, he feared her bones would break if he hugged her too tightly. Her face was smooth and pale. Her hair was abundant for a newborn and shone in the lamplight. It had a silver hue that made him think of an angel's halo. Her white eyes stared up at him with the wisdom of the ages. She was perfect. The warmth that had begun with the announcement of her birth turned into a flame of hope. Nothing this perfect would be born into a world that was destined to die. Talonia would survive, if only for this child.

"Have you named her?" he asked Shara. She was radiating happiness and peace from her place amid the fluffy pillows.

"Daer told me of your earlier conversation, and it made me consider an odd name. Michelle and Eveline both say it is a common name on Earth, but we have never used it here. We think of it only as an emotion. It is fitting, as she was born during these worrisome times. I want to name her Hope. I heard it on the wind as you entered, as if Talonia and its people were whispering it."

"They are. I told them new life brings us hope, and it is spreading from person to person. You have named her well. Someday, she will rule over a renewed Talonia," the king stated.

"No, she will not," Shara declared vehemently. "I do not want that for her any more than I did for myself. Besides, you will have a child of your own who will be your heir."

"I do not foresee that happening, but the future holds many surprises. I did not expect to be king or that Talonia could die. Will you at least allow me to bestow the title of princess upon Hope? As your daughter, she deserves that recognition."

"As long as it is just a title and not a career, I will let you honor her. She must be allowed to have the freedom I was denied as a child. I want her to climb volcanoes and jump from the top of waterfalls. I wish for her to be happy and enjoy her life rather than feel she is an outsider," Shara explained.

"I wish the same for her and all the children of Talonia. In order for them to have it, I must return to work. Regretfully, I must say goodbye for now." He kissed the baby's sweet-smelling head and handed her to her mother before adding, "You can expect gifts in abundance from the citizens. Hope is the light in this dark time, and they will celebrate."

"I realize that and will share her with them soon. For a few days, I want her to remain just mine and Daer's. We have waited a long time to be parents. Let us revel in it."

The streets were empty except for the soldiers as King Maxxus returned to his quarters. The Talonians were heeding his advice. For now, peace was holding. When other breakdowns were discovered, the anxiety would grow, and peace would give way to chaos. Not even the wonderful news of Hope's birth or the best of speeches from himself would keep the peace forever. Fear and despair fed upon each other.

To his shock, Maxxus woke up with his head on his desk. He had truly thought sleep was impossible, but his body had overridden his mind. Exhausted, it had forced sleep on him. He checked to be sure no messages had arrived while he was in slumber. He had sent a list of the elements contained in Talonia's atmosphere to the scientist on Earth, but she had not replied.

Rising and stretching his arms to bring back the feeling in them, he strode to a window and peered out. Everything looked as it had yesterday, the day before, and for many years past. For a moment, he allowed himself to believe his troubles had all been a nightmare that disappeared when the sun rose. Reality shattered his dream in the form of the COM link.

Josie came on screen, and she was frowning. "How do you expect me to perform a miracle using generalizations?" she demanded.

Confused by her question, he asked, "What generalizations? What are you asking?"

"The list you sent of the elements is simply that, names only. You gave me no percentages to work with. These elements are in Earth's atmosphere as well, but I guarantee yours are in different amounts and that there are others we don't have. This isn't enough information!" she shouted.

"That list, as limited as it is, was all we had to give you. We had only rudimentary technology to test the atmosphere here before Kelan came to Earth. It only gave us a match for what Earth's contained. If there had been no match, he would never have been sent to obtain your formula. If you need more precise data, you will have to provide the technology," King Maxxus tried to explain.

"Sending equipment back and forth through space is inefficient. It will take far too long. I wish you had told me how little technology you have. I would have already begun packing a ship and preparing to come there."

"Do not misunderstand me. We have vast amounts of technology, some of it far superior to Earth's. We never developed the type you are referring to because it was not a necessity before now. We are not as backward as you seem to imagine us." The king was offended by Josie's assumption.

"I'm sorry. I have a tendency to become frustrated when others don't put science first the way I do. It's a bad habit. Sure, I could send the technology, but it would be easier and faster if I came with it. We've made some tentative formulas from the information you sent, and I'll bring them to try while I work on a more comprehensive one. It'll take a few days to transfer my entire lab to a spaceship, and we'll continue our work as it's being done. What else could we bring to aid you, food or medication? Oh, sorry, I did it again. Is it okay for me to invade your planet? I always forget to ask permission when I'm passionate about something."

Maxxus grinned. Her enthusiasm and lack of respect for his title were refreshing. In her eyes, he was just a man, not the king of an entire planet. He liked it. She said what was on her mind without a filter, which meant she would have difficulty lying. He could trust her, and that surprised him. It was in his nature to be wary of all humans, but she was different. How had he not noticed how lovely she was with her black hair mussed from running her fingers through it and her blue eyes sparkling with intensity?

"You are welcome here, and your expertise is greatly desired. Please, be careful with who is chosen to come with you. They should be proven to be as honest and trustworthy as yourself. I cannot abide more trouble or host those who would rather harm than help. Since you asked, we do have some requests to aid us in getting through this crisis. Food and medication will supplement what we have as we all can consume the same ones. However, I worry for the humans who reside here, which will include you and those you bring along. They have tolerated our small differences in atmosphere quite well, but if it deteriorates, that may change. Oxygen tanks may become necessary for a while and vitamin supplements that suit your bodies. Can these be provided?"

"Oxygen tanks have become obsolete on Earth. We have a better solution now. We've invented small machines that make any air breathable. The ship will hold considerably more than it would of the old tanks. Your species may need them as well. I'll fill the ship with any and all things that can sustain life. Would you like water purifiers to be added?" Josie offered.

"We need the energy from our waterfalls, however, I suppose we could stay alive using the purifiers until our atmosphere heals if it was necessary."

"Your waterfalls will be a priority if they're of such importance. We want to keep the population as healthy as possible. Earth's history tells of the trauma humans faced after the nuclear war, and our ancestors vowed it would never happen again. It's a shame our old weapons were stolen and used on Talonia. We should've found a way to destroy them. We're actually lucky someone here didn't get their hands on them."

"Are there more? Are our planets still in danger from these weapons?" Maxxus asked.

"I would think we had learned our lesson, but I really don't know. I'll be asking a lot of questions to find out. There has to be a way to dismantle them or something. Why keep weapons that could decimate all life on your own planet? Its stupidity personified," Josie replied.

"Every world is cursed with foolish people. I do not doubt that the weapons still exist, nor do I doubt that more devastation on Talonia was ignored and not reported. Sadly, that leaves others, like you and I, to deal with the consequences."

Maxxus took the shortest shower of his life before dressing in clean clothes. Water was a precious commodity and should not be wasted. There was no way to monitor every home for their usage. He would have to rely on his citizens’ honesty when it came to showers. If it came down to the worst, the supply would be cut off. Now it was time to survey the city and see if his orders were being followed.

Maxxus had not thought to look up as he stood at his window. Once outside, the difference in the capital become obvious. The sky was filled with weredragons. Tied on their backs were bags filled with grain and other crops from the farms. Confusion was rampant. No one knew where to store the food for rationing. Talonia did not have warehouses. They were not necessary for food had always been grown in abundance and was readily available fresh each day. The king had not considered this piece of the dilemma.

Tae had been in charge of the farms, and he had done what was asked of him, but now he was as confused as the farmers. Running up to King Maxxus, he asked, "Where did you set aside space to store the excess? I should have asked before sending the farmers in. More will be coming. We need to get this amount taken care of quickly, or there will not be space for more weredragons to land safely."

"The only large open spaces are in the palace and the parts of the mines that have been depleted of their metals. Send the grains and products like it to the mines. Perishable crops should be stored in the palace in any large room you can find. Move furniture out if necessary. I was not prepared. It is a mistake that will not be repeated," Maxxus replied.

The gardens came next. Every available spot now contained plants, and they seemed to be prospering. New plant beds were being dug to accommodate more. Chiya and the school children were helping. She was using the work as a lesson in agriculture, combining extra sets of hands with learning. He thanked her profusely.

Now, he needed to hunt for Kelan and ask the question he dreaded the most. Had the deployment of the formula made any difference? He found the object of his search directing the farmers to the deepest portions of the mines.

"I know why you have come," Kelan immediately stated upon seeing the king rushing toward him. "I do not have an answer yet. The morning has been too busy for me to survey the land. I intend to leave this duty in the hands of a man who once worked in the mines, for he will know which tunnels are usable. I sent for him, and he should arrive shortly. Then, I will begin a sweep of the nearest land, starting with the area you first found affected."

"I am coming with you. I need to see any changes, good or bad, for myself."

"If that is what you wish, King Maxxus, we can go as soon as my replacement arrives."

"I find being constantly referred to as King Maxxus is quickly becoming aggravating, especially by people I have known all my life. I was known simply as Maxxus for too many years, and the title is not growing on me. Josie made me realize that when she treated me as just a man while we were discussing the atmosphere. I ask that you drop the title and tell others to do so as well. I only find its use necessary when dealing with other worlds or when addressing someone who disdains my authority. I may have to send out a decree stating that I prefer to be called Maxxus. It is unconventional, but so am I. I will be mixing with the citizens more than any other king ever has and to hear 'King Maxxus' every minute will drive me crazy. Besides, during this crisis, we are all equal. My food will be rationed the same as everyone else. Under my reign, things will be completely fair."

"That is a really long speech just to tell me to stop speaking so formally," Kelan laughed.

"I wanted to get my point across, and I am nervous. I tend to repeat things over and over when that occurs."

"It is understandable considering the heavy burden of this situation so early in your reign. We just fought a war on Earth and before that one with the Savra. That is more trouble than we have had in many lifetimes. I do not envy your position," Kelan stated.

"Acer got out while the getting was good. He is smarter than I guessed. Shara too. Last night she made it clear her daughter would not be available to reign and I needed to make my own heir. Finding a mate and making a baby with her is another burden added to the rest. It may not be necessary though if Talonia cannot be saved. I will become a king without a kingdom."

"Do not give in to those thoughts, Maxxus. Have a positive mentality and fight for our home. Others will follow your example no matter what you wish to be called. You are the king even without the title before your name. Do not forget it."

"With friends to remind me I could not possibly forget. Do you see your replacement yet? The day is moving forward, and we cannot waste a minute of it," Maxxus declared.

"He is coming through the crowd now. I too want to see if my efforts paid off."