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  She watched the eyes widen in the group as they tried to talk but were unheard.

  She tapped into Gaia and said, “You have one hour to make it back to Lunar Base. Do it by any means necessary.”

  Minny faded from their view and returned to herself watching Imbolt with the baby.

  “I never imagined you changing diapers.” She cocked her head while keeping a version of herself out where it could watch her recruits.

  “Someone has to do it, and I will while I can. You will while you can, and soon, she will not need the tending. Our people grow fast once they are out in the world.”

  “How long until we can take her home?”

  “The medics have given her a complete clean bill of health. How are your recruits?”

  “One is already back. The other three are on their way, but one will not make it without help. Now, I just need to see who goes back to assist.”

  He pulled Alyla into his arms and turned toward Minerva. “Your daughter, Avatar.”

  Alyla held out her arms, and Minny took her daughter. “Yes. She finally is.”

  Minerva sat in the chair and started to recite the fairy tales that she had been reading to Alyla since she was inside her. She wasn’t sure, but she could swear that Alyla was repeating the words with her, her lips moving as Minerva’s did.

  Minerva looked to Imbolt from where he was watching them both. “You are right. She really was paying attention.”

  “So was I, little star. So was I.”

  He moved and pulled a chair next to her, cuddling with them and taking up the story where Minerva had left off.

  The Guardians would make it through the moonscape, and if they were still up for it, they would be ready to graduate into combat.

  Minny was graduating into motherhood, so Imbolt was going to have to take over the combat. She had better things to do.

  Epilogue

  Alyla smiled and swam through the ocean with a pod of dolphins on one side. She wanted to remember home as clearly as she could before she headed off to the Archive to complete her education.

  Her mother was sitting on a rock that had appeared out of nowhere. “Having fun?”

  Alyla swam to her mother’s feet and smiled up at her. “I am. Just trying to make some pure memories to anchor me to home.”

  “I am your anchor to home. Think of me, and I will be at your side no matter where you are.”

  Alyla grinned. “Where are you right now?”

  “In a policy meeting with your father. The new orbital station is taking up all of his time.”

  “I am sure that you make him take as much time as you want.”

  Her mother shrugged. “I do. Would you like to come out of the water?”

  “I am fine here.”

  “You grew up so strong. I can’t believe you are leaving us.”

  Treading water, she grinned up at her mom. “I have to. Nothing here can harm me, but that also means that few things can touch me as I want to be touched. If I want to find a love like yours, I will have to leave Terra.”

  “We didn’t always love each other, but attraction and respect got the fire started. Keep that in mind. It might not strike with a thunderbolt but creep in like the tide.”

  Alyla grinned. “I know. You tell me, he tells me, and Gaia and Zanicon give me lectures every time they are in charge. I know love is a fickle thing that can be rushed into, but the lasting kind starts on a level where you actually enjoy the other person. Got it.”

  Minerva-Gaia sat and pursed her lips. “Would you like a ride to Lunar Base, or are you taking the shuttle?”

  “I will take the shuttle with all the other Terrans seeking the stars. It is okay, Mom. I will be fine. I have actually been in contact with a few other half-Terrans, and they are agreeing to show me the ropes. They have already created a working coalition of worlds that have Terrans on them.”

  Her mother cocked her head. “What are they called?”

  Alyla turned and started swimming home, calling over her shoulder. “The Gaia Group.”

  Author’s Note

  So, this was the final book in the Terran Times Second Wave, featuring a woman from the First Wave. I wanted to bring her home.

  There have been a few possible continuances left open for a new short series. The Guardians of Terra or The Gaia Group.

  If I can ever get around to them, I have somewhere to go.

  Thanks for being with me during the 10-year run of the Terrans.

  Viola Grace

  About the Author

  Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.

  An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.