An unexpected ally

After Rome and Rei had discovered the useless probe on the far side of the Moon, they decided they might be able to figure out where the containment vessel for Darwin Virus Strain 5 might be stored by following the historical movements of the Erklirte, the Ark Lords, when they first arrived on Earth 600 years earlier. They knew that the Ark Lords did not retrieve the vessel because they were defeated and the people who would eventually become the Vuduri lived on.

Rome was certain that the historical records they sought would be available on Earth but currently they were banished from the planet. Rome had no friends on Earth, save one and she decided they had to trust in him:

     Commander Ursay stood up from his pruning, sensing a vibration in the ground. He looked around and noticed three peculiar indentations in the field to his left. He cupped his hand over his eyes scanning the field to the left and right of the fresh divots but nothing else out of the ordinary drew his attention. Something wasn’t right. He focused carefully in the direction of the newly formed spots. He heard a soft whirring noise that seemed familiar but he could not identify the sound.
     He set down his shears and started walking toward the sound then stopped when he heard crunching noises coming toward him. He still couldn’t see anything causing the sounds. A slight breeze drifted by him. Ursay whipped his head around.
     “Please disconnect from the Overmind,” a voice whispered to him.
     “I am disconnected most of the time,” he replied to the empty air.
     “Good,” said Rome. She and Rei deactivated the invisibility cloaks that had been the gift of the Deucadons and appeared standing in front of Ursay. He was dressed in a dirty jumpsuit and wore a wide-brimmed hat to protect the crown of his head. What little hair poked out was completely white.
     “Rome?” Ursay asked, confused. He looked from one to the other. “Rei?”
     “It is good to see you again,” Rome said, walking up to him and hugging him. Unlike their previous encounters, Ursay accepted her hug and even reciprocated.
     “Sir,” Rei said, offering his hand. Ursay reached out and shook it.
     “To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked. “Last I knew you were still banished from the Earth.”
     “Can we go somewhere and talk?” Rome asked, looking around furtively.
     “Of course.”

It is good that they can trust Commander Ursay to not give away their presence but he has something in store for them completely unexpected yet wonderful. You'll see that tomorrow.