The spaceship was loaded, including the tents Maxxus had so hated to ask for. Josie was settled in her quarters. She had hugged a tearful Helen and put her on a transport to be with her grandchildren. The crew was arriving, and the ship was scheduled to depart with the rising sun. Going over her lists one more time, she checked off the items to be sure all was finished, and nothing had been forgotten. Every available corner was filled with supplies, including her own quarters and those of the crew. The only area off limits to such storage was the lab. As they soared across the sky, she fully intended to take atmosphere samples and analyze them. Each change would bring her closer to finding a better solution for Talonia.

Her last conversation with Maxxus was weighing heavily on her mind. She'd made promises she didn't know if she could keep, but she'd meant it when she told him she'd die trying. His confessions had stirred something inside her. It went beyond science. She was seeing individuals rather than objects. The citizens of Talonia had begun to matter. They weren't just part of a problem that needed solving. They were lives with feelings. For too many years she had been living in her own secluded world, forgetting that others loved, laughed, and cried outside the walls of the lab. Helen's joy when Josie had remembered she had grandchildren had given her a jolt of reality. The crew of the Outreach II volunteering for this mission had further opened her eyes. Maxxus was the final catalyst for her rebirth. Scientific discoveries weren't for prizes and praise. They were meant to provide a better world for people: to provide food, medicine, or save a planet. Josie was changing, and it felt good.

This was her first flight into space. She was excited but had to admit to fear. Out there, deep in space, they would be all alone. Mishaps occurred. This crew was proof of that, though they swore it wasn't likely to happen again. Too many things had to go wrong at once for another crash like theirs. The exact coordinates to Talonia were now known, and the solar system was charted, with the aid of the soldiers left on Earth. The weredragons' secrets were now documented facts. Earth would be listening to the ship's communications and so would Talonia. Should the worst occur, both planets would respond. So, maybe they wouldn't really be alone. Of the two worlds, she trusted Maxxus the most to come for her. He would move planets, stars, or warring aliens to save them. Why she had such confidence in a stranger, she didn't understand. It made no sense, and in Josie's scientific world everything was supposed to make sense.

Sleep came suddenly, and with it dreams. Maxxus was there, holding her close as they examined a tiny green sprout rising from ashes like the many that spread as far as the eye could see. He was smiling as he helped her stand from where they had been crouching and admiring the tiny spark of life. He kissed her lips, and in her sleep, a warmth filled her. Then, in the dream, he leaned down and planted a kiss on something lying against her chest. Black hair and a tiny round face peered out of wrappings strapped to her chest. It was a baby, and somehow, she knew it was her son. Startled, she awoke and ran to the bathroom, promptly losing her supper. Was the dream a manifestation of her desires? Since when did she want children or for Maxxus to kiss her so gently? How was she supposed to face him without blushing and spouting out the crazy dream? For once in her life, she needed self-control, badly. He couldn't ever learn of her ridiculous dream. He would refuse to work with her if he knew.

She couldn't go back to sleep. The dream might return, or worse yet, become more detailed. She'd go to the lab and work. It would keep her mind occupied until it was time to leave. Maybe she could come up with a formula to erase the dream from her memories. No, it was too vivid, and she liked it. Shaking, she dressed and left her quarters.

The sun was setting, and yet Maxxus lingered in the city center. Kelan was sending the last of the pellets into the sky. Maxxus watched as they exploded in space, far above the clouds. His hopes exploded along with them. How could they reverse what had already taken so much? A volcano, two precious waterfalls, and a valley were lost. His brain told him there would be more, but his heart clung to the idea of a savior. Why was Talonia chosen for such a terrible fate? Was this punishment for wiping out the Savra planet and most of its species? They had caused the issue in the first place, so why take paradise and turn it into ashes? Was this a test for the new king? If so, then why should the Talonians suffer? Did seeing Josie's face in the pool and volcano mean something or was he delusional? Too many questions without answers, most of them philosophical in nature, flooded his overwhelmed mind. So, he simply stood and watched the pellets explode.

He had received word that the Earth spaceship was on its way, but not from Josie. She had not reached out to tell him, and it hurt. Had his admission pushed her away due to its intensely personal nature? Spilling his guts to her had been a mistake of epic proportions, and he would not ever speak of his heart again. If he pretended it had never happened, she might be willing to let it be. Direct communication with her was a necessity. He would have to gain her trust all over again because of his confession. He had crossed a line, and it was inexcusable.

Darkness fell, and he had to leave the city center. Lights shone from all the residences. Families were sharing meals and telling stories just like they had for many years because he had promised he could save their home world and protect them. Where had his arrogance gotten him? He was alone. Not even Josie was speaking to him. Well, he would show them all! He would fulfill his promise and save Talonia. His name would be known by every generation as the king who would not let their species die!

Hardening his attitude and rebuilding the wall around his heart, he marched toward the palace. Studying the piles of food on each floor, he let pride rise up to bolster his ego. He could defeat this unseen enemy the same way he had defeated others. He was the mighty warrior Maxxus, and he had the power of his kingship to overcome any force that opposed him. Josie was not necessary. She would just be present to witness him conquering another enemy. He needed no one.

Those were lies, all lies. They could not stand up to the reality staring him in the face. A small child, holding tightly to his mother's hand stepped out of one of the palace offices. His eyes had almost lost the fire behind them. This child was one of the displaced villagers, and he could see through the bravado Maxxus was trying to exude, right into his terrified, lonely heart. He recognized that Maxxus was not the savior. In his experience, children did not lie. This one spoke the truth without saying a word. His faith was not in the king.

Entering his quarters, Maxxus found he wanted only one thing. He wanted to have a conversation with a friend, namely Josie. Was she awake? He had no idea where the ship was in space. He knew from experience that it did not matter. Bodies sent flying so quickly in space and time could not keep up with days and nights. You slept when you could no longer keep your eyes open and awoke when you could not keep them closed. He hesitated at the COM link, afraid she would refuse his call. Courage, that was what he had to discover within himself. The children had it. He had seen it in Keshel's face and in the determination of the children who had walked away from their village and continued on for an entire month. All he was faced with was a chance that Josie might reject his call. "Grow up Maxxus," he told himself.

The COM link rang through on the deck of the spaceship. The captain answered, "How may I help you, King Maxxus? Did you want to know our current location and estimated time of arrival?"

"Certainly, Captain. Has the flight gone smoothly?" Maxxus countered, searching the background for Josie.

"No glitches so far. Thanks for asking. We've reached one-third of the way to Talonia. Earth is out of sight. We should reach your world in two days, most likely early in the morning. That is an estimate barring any problems with the ship or encounters with other spacecraft. Anything else, sir?"

"The scientist, Josie, is she on the deck? I wanted to catch her up on conditions here."

"I believe she's in her lab. She hasn't left it very often since we departed. She keeps insisting on taking samples from space approximately every fifteen minutes. I can patch your communication into the lab if you would like."

"I would appreciate it. We have learned a few things she should be made aware of," Maxxus replied. He hoped the captain accepted the reason for the sudden call and did not see through it to his desperate desire to see and hear Josie.

Absorbed in her work, Josie did not look up when the COM link buzzed. "I'm busy, Captain. Did we get another sample?" she asked.

She gasped and dropped the vial in her hand when she heard the familiar deep voice. "Are you avoiding me?" Maxxus inquired.

"Maxxus, no, of course not," she stammered. "Why would you ask that?"

"You allowed someone else to inform me of your departure and have remained out of touch. Did I offend you when we last spoke?"

"No. I'm sorry if you imagined that. I've been so busy, and there was nothing I really needed to discuss with you, so I left communication to others." She looked closer at him and noticed his downcast demeanor. "You've received bad news, haven't you? How far has it spread?"

Her concern comforted him. She filled the empty place inside of him, and he was alone no more. "An entire village came to the capital for refuge today. Their village is on the other side of the planet. The waterfall there has become rancid, and it has killed the garden. Without food and water, they could not remain in the village. They passed a valley where the greenery was dying. Their elder disappeared somewhere between the village and the capital. He has not been found. I also learned that communication devices have not worked since the explosion. If that had been remedied, we would have known about the devastation sooner."

"Okay, maybe it's not moving as fast as it appears to be. Without communication, it could've been happening for a long time, and you wouldn't be aware. Have you altered the formula yet?"

"Kelan changed it and sent it up today."

"Good. I'll be there in time to see what transpires from it. The city is still doing okay, isn't it? You seem so much more depressed since last time we talked. Is there something you aren't telling me?"

Maxxus held the truth inside. He could not let her know how much he missed seeing her face and sharing his concerns with her. So many of his deepest thoughts had already slipped out in their discussions. She knew more about him than all of his family. How did you admit to a woman you had never met that she was the only person who kept you from feeling alone? He feared saying those words would cause her to turn around and go back to Earth.

"I have told you all that is necessary. However, I may be showing the strain I am under, and I do apologize for that. It is not for you to worry over. I have heard you spend all your waking hours in the lab. That is not good. Take some time to enjoy space. The sky is beautiful and ever-changing as you fly through the universe. It lets you know just how tiny you and your problems are. I should remember that myself. I am only a dot in a vast star system which itself is a small speck in the sky. My existence is not so important when seen in that light."

"But Maxxus, every dot is important. Combined, they work to keep the universe flowing properly. In science, every particle counts. Think about the formula we're trying to get just right. There's one ingredient that we're missing, and it could save a whole planet. It's the same with people. You're the ingredient your species needs to stay optimistic. Look what you've already achieved. They're not panicking or rioting. They're working together as a single unit. You did that! You found the right words at the right time. Now you're prepared to take in refugees and feed them all. You've planned ahead. Not many leaders would have done what you did so soon in the game. They would have waited to see if things got worse, and then it would have been too late. Don't underestimate your worth. Your tiny dot is holding the Talonians together. Hang in there. You're not alone."

Josie raised her hand and placed it palm down on the screen, reaching out for Maxxus. He raised his own and lined it up with hers. That gesture meant more to him than all the treasures in the universe. He mattered to someone.