Chapter 15

Moments later, Relda was at the controls. Ozla examined the touch-screen control station.

So did Relda.

When she noticed motion in the rear view cam, she squirmed. An orb with an oval window lurked behind them. A creature like Raylay controlled the orb. He couldn't be Raylay's father, Relda reasoned. Had to be Raylay's age when she met him. His skin was beige, but lighter than Raylay's. Closer to white. He had coarse black hair, and a silver strip of cloth wrapped his forehead. Three crimson stars in vertical alignment were stitched on the crimson cloth.

"Dialorians," Relda shouted across the ship. "Ozla, turn on the energy shield. Don't know if we have weapons on this or not. Best we can do."

Ozla's hands trembled as she studied the touch device nearest the passenger seat. Text and corresponding shapes populated the screen. She tapped a configuration and checked the front window.

"Mama," she said. "I don't see it."