"Vor'taalnis!" Teresa exclaims, rushing into the cabin and heading for the back bedroom.

  Horror creeps onto Teresa's face as she spies the empty bed. The twins are asleep in their tiny bed under the window. But Vor'taalnis is nowhere in sight.

  "When I left...They were all asleep. Vor'taalnis!"

  Elder Scar steps behind Teresa and grips her shoulders. Spinning the frantic woman around, he gazes down into her stricken face.

  "We will find him, Teresa. But you must remain calm."

  "My son is gone, Scar! Don't tell me to remain calm! I've already lost him once. I won't lose him again."

  "This isn't Weyland Station Thirteen, Teresa! There is no crazed ooman doctor torturing your son! He will be found. I need you to calm down! There have already been two deaths in the settlement today. More than we have had at any given time. Save for the day that my Lex and our son died. This is not the time for panic. Get a grip on yourself."

  Teresa considers firing back a pithy reply, but realizes the truth of Scar's words. A loud scream pierces the night. Without a moment's hesitation, Scar grips Teresa's left hand and practically pulls her from the cabin.

  -

  -

  Scar and Teresa reach the river's edge to find Ronnie standing on the shore. Three bloody slashes traverse the young boy's face. Presumably, made by Vor'taalnis' claws. The ooman child's foot is pressed into Vor'taalnis' back, as the toddler attempts to hold his head out of the water. Because of his mixed heritage, the childling is abnormally strong. Even with Ronnie pressing down with his full weight, Vor'taalnis is the stronger of the two.

  "Stay down, you dumb alien! Helene was right. You freaks killed my father. I hate you!"

  Gathering up a mouthful of spit, Ronnie hocks a wet glob onto the back of Vor'taalnis' head. Teresa nearly loses all control. The sight of her son being held underwater enrages her beyond measure. The only thing which prevents her from racing forward and tearing Ronnie off of her son, is a fierce glance from Scar. Putting out an arm to prevent her charge, Scar releases a loud roar.

  Ronnie stumbles as he removes his foot from Vor'taalnis' back. He falls on his butt, muddy water splashing him nearly from head to toe. Vor'taalnis wastes no time. He is on his feet in seconds. The toddler looks around and catches sight of Elder Scar. Opening his arms wide, he grins and races toward his savior.

  "D`oij!"

  As much as Scar wishes to enfold the toddler in his arms, he has much bigger problems to deal with. Stepping around Vor'taalnis, Scar allows Teresa to embrace her son. He heads for the water's edge, where Ronnie is just climbing to his feet.

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  "What have you done, ooman?" Scar bellows. "Has there not been enough death today? You would kill the childling of one who has done you no wrong? How does that make you better than those you accuse of robbing you of your father?"

  Ronnie stumbles a second time, afraid to face a creature he cannot hope to win against.

  "I...I'm sorry!" Ronnie stammers.

  "Scar, he's only a..." Teresa begins.

  Another scathing glare from Scar and Teresa clamps her mouth shut. Scar returns his attention to Ronnie and crooks a clawed finger in the child's direction. The ooman child slowly approaches the furious elder, his head lowered in shame.

  "We will discuss the path forward from this incident...Tomorrow. In a council meeting. Until then, return home. There is nothing more to be done."

  Ronnie scampers off like a frightened animal. Scar whirls and stomps toward where Vor'taalnis stands by Teresa's side. Scooping the toddler up, Scar adjusts so that Vor'taalnis is resting on his right hip. He chitters softly and Vor'taalnis responds. Teresa watches the exchange with curiosity. Scar's eyes are angry when he turns them on Teresa.

  "The ooman child lured Vor'taalnis to the river by claiming his father had returned to V'Daha. He struck Vor'taalnis before shoving him into the water. This kind of behavior cannot be tolerated. As the mother of the victim...You will be present at the council meeting. We meet at dawn."

  Without another word, Scar takes Vor'taalnis and heads back toward the settlement. Teresa follows at a slower pace, staring questioningly at Scar's retreating form.

  -

  -

  Teresa tucks Vor'taalnis into bed, studying every inch of his face. Elder Scar has since returned to his home, after making sure that Teresa and the childlings are safe and secure.

  "Are you okay, Baby? I'm so sorry that happened to you. It seems like wherever we go...We'll never escape the horror that was Weyland Station Thirteen. I know it sounds cruel, but I'm beginning to think Mau-Nis made a mistake sending those other women here as well. They don't know the yautja like I do. With the exception of Consuelo, none of them seem to be adjusting too well. Maybe they were better off on the station when it blew. I hear myself saying it. But I don't want to believe that. I'm so sorry, baby."

  "Mother...I'm sorry!" Vor'taalnis says in a voice almost like a croak.

  Teresa's mouth drops open and she pulls Vor'taalnis to her chest, undoing all of the work she did to tuck him in. Pain tugs at her heart and tears run down her cheeks.

  "Baby, you have nothing to be sorry for. Do you hear me? You did nothing wrong. You can't help who...Or what you are. The fault is mine. I'm your mother. I should have known better. You didn't kill that poor child's father. And you had nothing to do with detonation of the facility. Those circumstances were out of your control and nothing to do with you. Ronnie is angry. But that does not give him the right to harm others. You did nothing wrong!"

  Vor'taalnis tilts his head and scrutinizes Dr. Boyd. The way he studies her makes Teresa feel as if he is wiser than his age.

  "Why...Is mother's fault?"

  Teresa's stomach drops and she peers at Vor'taalnis with something close to awe.

  "Because your father and me...We didn't consider the real life consequences of our actions. I wanted something, and I went for it. Tonight, you almost paid for my mistake. An entire facility was vaporized because of me. That's why it's my fault. But I love you, Vor'taalnis. Nothing has changed."

  "I...love Mother...Too," Vor'taalnis says, a wide smile on his childish face.

  "You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that," Teresa says, sobbing anew.

  She holds Vor'taalnis tight and just cries.