voice. “Marcael is a fighter. He will survive the change.” It was Colle. He struggled to wake up further and open his eyes. “Colle?” His voice sounded raspy and weak to him. “Mallex?” “Everyone...quiet!” Brennae shouted to be heard over the others in the room. “I think Marcael is awake, he is trying to say something!” An instant cloud of silence went over the room. “Marcael, can you hear me?” Brennae’s voice was right next to his ear. “Can you open your eyes?” He struggled to open his eyes and winced at the light. Brennae placed something cool against across his face. “Lights to thirty percent.” She called out and he could see the glow behind his covering go down. “Try again Marcael, if it is still too bright I can make it darker.” She lifted the covering off his eyes and he opened them again. It was much better this time and he was able to focus after a few seconds. “What happened?” His voice was still hoarse and he started coughing from the effort of talking. She immediately handed him a glass of water. “Drink that slowly!” She warned, “You have been unconscious for a few days and need to be careful not to overdue it.” He took the water and sipped slowly, the cooling effect was instant. He could feel his parched body absorb the water like a sponge. Looking past Brennae his hand froze halfway to his mouth. The room was completely packed with people! “Okay, everyone has the answer to the question of ‘will Marcael survive?’ Now I think it’s best to let him ask some questions of his own with minimal visitors.” The woman who had spoken before about his injuries walked into view. She was a very beautiful brown-haired woman with sparkling brownish-purple eyes. “Everyone except council members, Colle and Mallex out please.” She swept her gaze around the room, “That includes mates and children.” “How do you like that? We are still children to them.” Marcael looked past Gwen and saw that it was one of Brennae’s brothers who had spoken. “You would think we were still in diapers the way they treat us.” The other brother agreed. He would have to figure out a way to tell them apart. “You never wore diapers smart mouth! Now do as your aunt asked.” A small female who had to be Brennae’s mother kissed both men good-bye. She had some of the same features as Brennae and her hair was almost identical. “I am glad you are awake Marcael.” One of the brothers bowed at the door and left. “Me too. See you around.” This brother yelled as he left the doorway, “Wait up Knadyn!” So that answered the question of which brother was which. Knacayn had just left. Suddenly there was a flurry of activity. There were people yelling out their well wished to him and good-bye to their family members around him. He was glad they were allowing Colle and Mallex to stay, though he could tell his friend was not happy when they kicked out a beautiful redheaded woman named Chloe. “You too Brennae, I’m sorry but you need to go too.” Gwen was asking her to leave. “No. Let Brennae stay please.” He whispered. “I would like her to remain here.” “As you wish Marcael.” The woman named Gwen smiled at him, “Everyone here is a member of either the female council, the male council, or your friend.” She filled his glass with more water and handed it back. “Why don’t we start with introducing ourselves? My name is Gwen. I was a doctor on Earth before coming here. You gave us quite a scare I can tell you.” Gwen had been giving him a basic physical. Running her hands along his scalp and tracking his eyes. A male stepped forward, “I am Kneus. Gwen is my mate.” His eyes were warm and intelligent, “We have a son together named Knalech. He is working in the technology dome with some of the items we recovered off the escape pods or he would have been here.” Marcael inclined his head, “I would recognize you anywhere Kneus. It is good to see