As Nancy browsed through the dresses in a nearby shop, the communicator's tone rang out. She went outside and sat on a concrete retaining wall before she answered. A deep male voice said, "Hello, Earth. Who do you wish to speak withtoday?"
"Oh, I forgot that she wouldn't be answering directly," Nancy began. "I need to speak with Alexis, thescientist."
"I will send for her. It may take a few minutes. The lab is several floors up from here. Is there anything I can help youwith?"
"No, I just needAlexis."
Nancy's foot was tapping furiously on the concrete by the time Alexis said, "Hello, who'scalling?"
Nancy closed her eyes, took a soothing breath and replied, "It's me, Lexi: your little sister. I know you’re busy, but this isimportant."
Surprised to hear from Nancy, Alexis answered, "I knew it was you the second you used my nickname. Nobody's called me that in a really long time. Is there a problem? Please don't say something happened to mom. Losing dad was badenough."
"Mom's fine. She's going to cook tonight, the old-fashioned way. She hates newfangled gadgets, as she refers to technology." Nancy heard relieved laughter before she explained, "I don't know how much of Earth's news reaches you, but we have a terrible problem. They are finding experimental labs all over the world. Many of them are here in California. Protests have turned into riots. All species are getting hurt. We've opened recovery centers for the freed aliens. In fact, I worked at one this morning. But, it's not enough. This has to stop. Earth is in chaos, and the government isn't making the problem a priority. Do you have any idea what can be done? Will your friends listen to you and give us ahand?"
"I knew that a lab had been found in Japan, but not that there were others. I can't believe this mess is still happening. I thought it had been stopped when Cavanaugh's lab was shut down. Ohber and Valeri will be devastated to learn about this." Nancy could hear the clicking of computer keys, then Alexis continued. "I'm going to tap into Earth's news feed. It will take a while. During that time, I'll get King Siefer, Queen Destiney, Nabvan, Valeri, and Ohber together to watch it. I'm going to keep our satellite connection so I can get back to you quickly. Hang in there. We will figure thisout."
Nancy shouted, "Wait! I made a promise to one of your knights. He was in the recovery center today. He was captured a month ago after he broke his leg. The scientists didn't set it. They kept him sedated, and it grew back together wrong. I sent him to a hospital to have it fixed, and he made me promise to ask Nabvan to come gethim."
"Nabvan will have a fit. He hasn't gotten completely over the other knights who were experimented on, especially Ohber. I'll tell him and the king. Thanks for taking care of our knight. I'll call you back soon." The communicator dinged that the conversation was over. Nancy sighed in relief. She had done her duty and could go home andrest.
