Wynn sat at the computer station in his room going over records of the nearby planetary systems when an alarm sounded. The alarm had been programmed to interrupt his current information on the computer screen. A recall signal had been issued. They were coming home, but did they have Kale with them?
Wynn stood and ran down the hall of the ship to the transgate chamber. When he entered, the alarm flashed at several stations inside. Wynn keyed in his own password for the system and the alarm silenced. The computer brought up the relevant data-definitely a recall signal.
Wynn set the calibration and launched the gate immediately. Within twenty seconds, a wall of light burst into view within the gate aperture. Everything was ready. Wynn waited for his comrades to come through, but no one appeared. It was the nature of the field that one could not make out much of anything on the other side unless you were close to it. He saw vague forms of buildings, but no people.
He tapped the communications panel and called overhead for all members of the team to get to the gate room immediately. If Tiet and the boys had activated the field then surely they would be close by to make it to the jump point.
Within moments, Grod, Mirah and then Merab and Jael all came running through the auto doors.
"What's going on?" Mirah asked as she scanned around for her husband and son.
"The recall signal has been activated," Wynn said, "I've already put a gate in place, but no one has come through yet."
"Maybe we should go through and make sure they are able to get to the gate-they may have run into trouble," Grod suggested.
"That's not a bad idea. At least we could guard the gate from the other side to prevent anyone else from coming through," Wynn said.
"Wynn, you and Grod go," Mirah said. "We'll stay here to make sure the gate is maintained."
She didn't say it, but she obviously wanted the two most experienced warriors to be the ones going through after them. Nothing would put her mind at ease though, except seeing her husband and both of the boys coming back through the gate safely.
Wynn and Grod looked at one another and immediately left the room for the armory in the ship. If they were going through then they would be going fully armed and ready for anything.