Two weeks passed . Max Mertens arrived at the island , the option for the amusement park world was available , and the first ship arrived at their first planet .

Alex , Helena and Sarah where awaiting Max outside the warehouse where the gate was located .

They decided to wait out of sight just to be sure , even if they knew it was probably pointless .

“I can’t thank you enough for doing this for me” said an elated Sarah .

“Don’t mention it” answered Alex .

“Yeah , mom , even Alex acknowledges the fact that everyone deserves to be happy” beamed Helena .

“Well , almost everybody” murmured Alex , at which Helena elbowed him in the ribs .

“I didn’t mean Max” retorted Alex while rubbing his ribs .

“There he is” said Sarah , and she started waving at Max .

Noticing Sarah’s antics , Max started smiling and quickened his pace .

“Thank you for doing this after what I’ve put you guy’s through” was the first thing Max said to Alex before hugging Sarah .

“Yeah , well , Sarah convinced us that you’re not the bad person we thought you were” answered Alex .

“Where is the ship that’s going to take us to the colony ?” asked Max .

“There is no ship here , and what you’re about to see has to be kept a secret from outsiders as long as possible , so keep in mind what you say to whom” responded Alex .

“Follow me !” and they entered the warehouse .

“Is this a portal ?” exclaimed a flabbergasted Max .

That explains a lot !

Aren’t you worried that you’ve been found out by all those goods and people you’ve transferred ?

“It’s a gate and although it worries me , I had help to cover it up as well as we could” answered Alex .

“Come , honey” said Sarah and she grabbed Max’s arm and dragged him through the gate before he started asking his millions of questions .

Alex smiled at this and said to Helena , “You look after your mother” which got him elbowed one more time .

“You’re just imagining things” said Helena as she walked through the gate .

Alex’s smile didn’t disappear until they arrived at the hospital .

Jack and Mary where waiting and began explaining to Max what was going to happen and what choices he had to make .

Sarah followed them inside and said once again “Thank you” while turning around before grabbing Max’s hand and entering the hospital .

“It’s getting difficult to move around” complained Helena .

“Just a little while longer , and then we’ll have difficulties sleeping” joked Alex .

“If Mary is going to look after them after they are born , she’ll need lots of milk” said Helena .

“Can you arrange something ?” she asked Alex .

“The colony has artificial milk makers ; even the hospital has a small one just in case” answered Alex .

I looked it up and discussed it with Da’grass because I had the same thoughts as you .

If we can get a sample of your milk , it can even produce the same as yours , so you wouldn’t need to breastfeed if you don’t want to or are unable to do so .

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“Jack and Mary wouldn’t mind test-driving their toy at the hospital” said Alex , which conjured a smile on Helena’s face .

“How about the ship , any news already?” asked Helena

“The planet isn’t capable of sustaining life ; it hasn’t got a magnetic field .

They’re still scanning for resources” replied Alex .

When they logged in on the surface , they got the message that since the planet isn’t part of our solar system there has to be at least a colony full of people to claim it in the Nexus .

“What about space stations , and how does the Nexus know ?” asked Helena .

I don’t know , Helena . We’ll have to ask El’Anor or Cathy about that .

“Or you just could ask me” said a disgruntled Da’grass .

When you enter the Nexus , your brain gets scanned .

Any constructed station where people are habited gets the option like the city core but for a space station in this case .

Or do you want the whole story instead of the short version ?

“The short story is just fine , Da’grass . Sorry !” said Alex .

And just in case if you were wondering , when you logged in for the first time , the system recognized you as a new species and started initiating procedures .

“Sorry , Da’grass . Next time we’ll think off you first when we have a question” said Helena .

“Yeah , thank you!” said Alex .

After that , they went home and logged into the Nexus , where movement was a lot easier for Helena .

It wasn’t until three weeks later that they saw Max Mertens and Sarah show up at their apartment .

They were enjoying each other’s company , and Sarah had shown him around the colony.

He was grateful and anxious .

After assuring him that there were no hard feelings left between them , he returned to his normal self .

He had been visiting the amusement park world with Sarah while in the Nexus , and work had been piling up for both him and Sarah .

But before they both returned to their work , he wanted to tell them that he wouldn’t betray their trust in him .

Thus , life resumed it’s normal course with playing games in the Nexus and visiting the amusement park world .

New Life

Seven weeks passed , and the due date for the birth of their two daughters drew near .

In the meantime , Alex had received various reports of solar systems , but so far , no planet was found were life was present .

There were a few candidates that were interesting enough to be mined for their resources , so Alex had them marked for future endeavors .

Both ships were on their way to their new destinations , and the scientists were analyzing all the data they received .

There were different discussions among the scientists that weren’t work-related and they were questioning the colonists , which alarmed Alex to some degree , but he knew it was inevitable .

Progress on the space station and spaceport was visible , but it would take a while before they were finished .

Things on Earth were calming down , at least on the surface , now that the UN was building a spaceport and civilians started dreaming of a life among the stars.

The UN had also started training pilots and maintenance crews through the game that Alex had chosen to be incorporated in his welcome package and they weren’t the only ones .

Just to make sure , Alex made Da’grass design a warship and put it in line to be produced .

He also let him design a scientific vessel with minimal defense capabilities .

There would be four warships and two scientific vessels in the near future of the colony , and Helena was not amused .

“You know how I think about war” Helena fumed .

“I know , but we need the capability to defend ourselves” retorted Alex .

“Let the UN defend us then” said Helena , not letting down .

“That’s just shifting the responsibility , and we are considered a sovereign state now .

Besides , technology-wise we have the upper hand , not counting the soldiers” answered Alex .

They’ll probably never even leave the docks besides for escorting duties .

I’m not a warmonger , you know that!

Besides , it’s just 4 ships not an armada .

“That’s how it starts” Helena complained .

You’ve got four , they’ll make six , you make eight , and they make ten …

“Do you think the rest of the world isn’t going to make their own ships ?” replied Alex .

What if they want what we have and we can’t defend ourselves ?

We’ll be sitting ducks , destined to just hand over what we made and call our home , only to live under their rule and whims .

“Sweetie , I don’t feel good , I think I’m in labor , my stomach is contracting” interjected Helena .

“I’ll call a taxi , we’ll go to the hospital” replied Alex .

“She’s not in labor , Alex , it’s just induced by the stress of the conversation” said Da’grass .

It will go away if she just rests .

“Sorry Da’grass , but I’ll feel better if Mary examines her” replied Alex .

“I understand , Alex but don’t forget I rebuilt your and her entire body and mind. She’ll be fine with some rest” answered Da’grass .

“Listen to Da’grass , sweetie , I’ll be fine” said Helena .

“You know , if you want , I can induce the labor . Your children would be healthy if they are born now , and you wouldn’t need to rush to the hospital while she’s in labor” suggested Da’grass .

“It’s up to Helena , she is carrying them” answered Alex .

“I want to say yes , don’t get me wrong but after carrying them for nearly nine months , I’ll be happy to get them out of my body” laughed Helena .

But wait until tomorrow . I just want to sleep for now .

We can notify Sam and my mom to meet at the hospital tomorrow .

“Very well , I’ll send a message to them . You get some sleep” said Alex .

Tomorrow we’ll be parents of two beautiful girls .