The next day , Alex and Helena didn’t feel like observing the journalists , considering what had happened the previous day .
Alex was worrying and imagining the worst case scenarios , while Helena tried to downplay the whole situation and put his mind at ease .
It wasn’t that she didn’t understand the gravity of the situation or imagine a romantic play involving her mother and Max , but she was certain the whole situation would resolve itself even if Max wrote the article .
However , she couldn’t deny the fact that she was worrying too .
Around 17:30 , they got a message from Sarah that she was going to the restaurant and that she would send a message the moment the date had ended.
“Do you think she knows she wrote date instead of negotiations” asked Alex .
“Don’t worry , my mom will handle the whole situation professionally” answered Helena .
Alex and Helena watched some movies to distract themselves , which was possible because the colony was connected to the nexus in the entertainment department .
But the hours crept by nonetheless .
It wasn’t until 00:30 that they got a message from Sarah stating that she was on her way to their apartment , but that they didn’t have to worry and that the situation was resolved .
When Sarah arrived and Alex opened the door , they saw that she was carrying a box of chocolates .
They didn’t mention the chocolates , but Alex and Helena briefly looked at each other while Helena stifled a smile .
“How did it go?” asked Alex as they walked to the living room .
“Turns out he really did only want a date with me” replied Sarah .
The moment I showed up , he gave me a box of chocolates and said he was sorry he couldn’t find any flowers .
He bought a suit in the colony just for our date .
While we were having dinner , he excused himself on different occasions for the fact that he literally blackmailed me into going on a date with him .
He never imagined he would encounter me here and saw a chance while he had practically given up on any romantic relations with me .
Don’t get me wrong , I’m still irked by what he did , but he made me promise to at least give him a chance while he’s here .
Max promised me that he wouldn’t use the information he has on us in his article , even if I decided that things wouldn’t work out between us .
But I’m a little concerned what will happen if he isn’t supervised by us , so I’m thinking about giving him a magazine to run anyway , but in the name of our company .
He was very thoughtful during dinner , even when I gave him an earful on his behavior .
When we were at the bar , he surprised me by taking my hand and asking for a dance .
I haven’t danced since your father started having affairs with other women.
Again , he apologized and asked me if I could find it in my heart to forgive him.
But like I said , I’m still a little bit mad about the way he forced me to go on a date with him .
He was worried that we would retract the offer of visiting Saturn and Jupiter since the construction of those three bases would be a big scoop for his magazine and the other journalists .
Nevertheless , he wouldn’t complain about it if we chose not to send them for a view of the construction .
When I left , he stretched his hand for a handshake , or so I thought , but he kissed it like a gentlemen and asked if I was interested in seeing him again .
“Looks like you had a wonderful date , mom” said Helena .
“That bastard made me worry just because he wanted a date with you .
I’m feeling sick” answered Alex .
“Come now , Alex” said Helena
This is the best possible outcome for us and the colony .
It was just a date he was after .
“Still , I want to make him sweat like he did with us” said Alex .
How about making an entry in the police database that his car is reported stolen or staging a critical malfunction with the spaceship while they are visiting Saturn and Jupiter?
“You will do nothing of the sort , Alex , or you’ll be sweating because of me” answered Helena .
“Still , it would be funny” said Sarah .
“Not you too , mom” replied Helena .
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“Very well , I won’t do anything of the sort , but he deserves it” said Alex .
“Thanks , sweetie .
So we are sending them to watch the bases being built then?” Asked Helena .
“Yeah , I’ll notify John .
While they are there they can activate the locations in the Nexus” answered Alex .
I’ll let John tell the journalists in the upcoming days and send them to Jupiter and Saturn in three days .
“Da’grass , send a message to John and prepare the spaceship for an extended stay in space with double rations , just in case something happens” said Alex .
“The message has been sent and preparations are underway , Alex” answered Da’grass .
“How long would it take to reach their destinations and get back to earth?” asked Alex .
“The short distance from Mars to Earth needs larger safety margins with the propulsion so in this case , the ship could go faster since there is a larger distance to cover” answered Da’grass .
It can’t travel at maximum speed , but they could be back on earth in a little more than a week considering the planets’ location .
“They can use the VR sets to entertain themselves while they are traveling .
What about when they want to sleep or go to the bathroom” asked Alex .
“Facilities have already been installed , Alex , and if they want some space to stretch their legs they can go to the cargo hold” replied Da’grass .
“Sent a follow up message to John with all the information he needs” said Alex .
“Well , since everything has been handled , I think I’ll be going to my own apartment” said Sarah .
“Wait , mom!” Helena suddenly exclaimed while her mother was going to the door.
“Yes , what is it?” asked Sarah .
“Don’t forget your chocolates” and Helena started laughing .
As if al the stress had lifted , everyone started to laugh , and Sarah left red eared but with a smile on her face .
In the coming days , Helena and Alex resumed their activities in the colony , and Sarah was meeting Max every evening after her work was done .
Until the day came when the ship was set to leave for Jupiter and Saturn .
John had decided to board the ship as well , as he wanted to be there when Europe , Titan and Enceladus would join the territory in the Nexus .
Helena , Alex and Sarah watched the journalists board and saw Max , who boarded last , look back one more time before he entered the ship .
Sarah’s face turned red , but neither Alex nor Helena had seen it , and they resumed their activities after they watched the ship leave .
The gate was once again in plain sight , and people went back to their daily lives.
Helena and Alex returned to the island only to see that the next batch of colonists was already being processed to be led to the gate and the colony .
There were a lot of them since the gate had been closed for a week .
“Well , sweetie , you know what to do” said Helena .
I’ll be going to the pool for a bit .
I’ll join you when I’ve had my share of sun and water .
“Couldn’t you at least build in an extra day , Da’grass” asked Alex .
“Sorry , Alex , next time I will do so” replied Da’grass .
And Alex went back trough the gate , returning to the colony for the upcoming days .
When the new colonists arrived at the colony , Alex saw different expressions on their faces mostly shock and awe but he figured that most of them would already know of the existence of the colony .
It’s just that most of them wouldn’t even have thought that they would be a part of it .
After a day , Helena joined him after having her dose of sun and water and immediately told him that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to move the gate to one of the petals of the colony and make it a restricted area .
Her reasoning was that it would make things easier if they had visitors and that they just needed to close off access to that region of the colony .
She had a very good point according to Da’grass , and Alex also saw the merit in the idea .
It would considerably lower the chance of exposure of the gate , so he made Da’grass do so while they were still awaiting the awakening of the new batch of colonists .
It didn’t even take a day to be done , after half a day , the gate was moved and reconnected with Earth while modifications of the petal and access point to the colony were carried out .
Next time , they just could just seal of the area and leave the visitors to their own devices if they wished .
The days passed , and one by one , the moons around Jupiter and Saturn were added to the Nexus while the new batch of colonists awakened from their treatment .
Helena and Alex went sightseeing in the Nexus and enjoyed the scenery of the newly added moons .
Along with millions of others , they set foot on Europe , Titan and Enceladus and were in awe of the majestic planets in the sky .
It wasn’t long after that when John sent a message that he was flooded with requests from space agencies and scientists around the world , demanding a spot in the colony and use of its resources .
Da’grass told Alex that it was to be expected and that it was best to use a distraction and partially agree to their request for future developments .
Alex couldn’t think of a distraction he could implement until Helena muttered that it was maybe for the best of the colony that they had decided to grant access to the aliens when they were still in charge of Earth in the Nexus .
“That’s actually not a bad idea if we grant partial access” said Da’grass .
We can select a few races to grant access to Earth in the Nexus , and the people would be busy dealing with them instead of us .
If I access the database , I can select species that prefer trade and are considered peaceful to minimize the risk for Earth .
Earth could increase it’s income and development while travel outside your own territory becomes possible .
But it’s best if we add more moons and planets to the Nexus to show we have no problem reaching them .
“Won’t that be seen through the moment they access our database or talk to someone here?” asked Alex .
“They’ll know we have the capabilities , and I hope that will be enough since they would be peaceful and relatively compatible with humans” answered Da’grass .
“I bet my brother would be interested to travel to those locations and link them with the Nexus” said Helena .
He can bring Cynthia .
Since they can access the Nexus , she can continue working , and they get to spend a little bit of time with each other while enjoying the view from the bridge.
“Okay , make a list and send it to El’Anor .
Also , send a message to John explaining the why and how of what we discussed and ask him kindly to implement the list of species deemed suitable by you” ordered Alex .
And just to make sure , add the Ethereans to the list .
If they ever want to visit us , they’ll be welcome .
“I appreciate it , Alex , but you won’t be able to visit their territory .
Except for the shop for higher tiers , they rarely interfere with other species” replied Da’grass .
“Don’t worry , Alex , everything will work out somehow” said Helena .
“Why do you say that?” asked Alex .
“You’re probably worried about losing the control of the colony” answered Helena .
It won’t come to that .
Worst case scenario , you’ll build another city for them .
“Thanks , Helena” answered Alex , and he squeezed her hand .
“I’ve got an answer from John” interjected Da’grass .
He says it isn’t a decision he can make alone , so he’ll suggest it to the rest of the government .
He’ll plead in your favor , but he’s hesitant to do so since he feels Earth is not ready yet , and he questions how you could possible make a selection among so many species .
“You’ll have to tell him about Da’grass if you want his full support , sweetie” said Helena .
“Fine , if that’s the only solution .
Da’grass , send him a message that I want to talk to him when he gets back and that I’ll explain everything to him” said Alex .
“Don’t act like that .
Cynthia knows too” responded Helena .
“But she doesn’t know his origin” replied Alex .