The two-day return trip was nearing its conclusion as the small group of Dowaths approached.

  Instead of landing at the cave, they land at Vault 6, Lana and Marcela's old vault.

  "Why are we here?" JaKaelath demanded.

  Drookan, before Emma could respond, "They don't want you to show up in the cave just yet. Most people there have no idea you were a spy. If word broke before they can control the situation, it might cause panic at best, and at worst, it gives Dmoko good ammunition to expel the Ponu from the cave.

  They chose 3 Dowath who are very loyal to the Ponu-Dowath alliance, myself, Dmeko and Djenthu. Even then, Dana had to lie to Dmoko about what our mission truly was about or he would have blocked it. "

  As they approach, they see Dana and Lana standing outside, along with the Dowath Djenthu. As they touched ground, Emma and Dana hugged, then Dana approached JaKaelath.

  "Kaela, I am sure Emma told you that you are here as a guest; you can leave anytime you want. You will not be detained. We just want to find out more about you." Lana was standing beside her, smiling, a scientist anticipating the wealth of knowledge about the Ponu condition that JaKaelath's examination could provide.

  Emma passes by Lana and gives her a playful greeting, "Howdy Alphabets", a nickname she knows ticks off Lana. Emma thinks it's cute because of all the degrees and achievements Lana has; her name is followed by a seemingly endless stream of letters. Lana does not think it's cute.

  "Hi, Ambassador", Lana curtly remarks back.

  JaKaelath makes her conditions known to Dana, "I told Emma I would only come here under one condition, that Drookan be by my side every step of the way.

  "He will," Dana says, nodding to Drookan.

  "Also, one other thing, please call me JaKaelath, it's my given name". Dana nods.

  "Has Francesca returned? I heard she is related to me, Emma said you believe she is my Aunt.

  "No and Yes," Dana says. We can confirm the relation part once we take the test. Francesca left on a solo, personal mission. We could not provide a Dowath to assist her. We are hoping that once she finds or doesn't find what she is looking for in Vault 20 that she returns.

  Emma stays outside with Djenthu and Dmeko, but Drookan, Dana, Lana and JaKaelath all walk inside the vault. Lana activates the entry to the secure areas with a voice command...

  "Lana Classen of Vault 6, security level C, Geeryo role: science unit, disengage security on restricted area."

  The vault system complies. Now all the interfaces are open to them.

  They enter a room with computer equipment around the walls, but a large glass cylinder in the middle.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Don't worry, Kaela....I mean, JaKaelath, sorry, we tested it, it still works," Lana says.

  "What do you want me to do?" JaKaelath asks.

  Lana smilingly says, "The cylinder will rise. When it does, you will step onto the platform. Then, what looks like a liquid will fill the cylinder. Don't worry, you'll be able to breathe.

  There's a room down the hall with a recyclable water supply, where you can wash off afterwards.

  JaKaelath turns towards Drookan with a look of concern.

  "Don't worry.", he assures her, "I don't know the science of it. However, I do know Lana. If she is saying you will not be harmed, then she truly believes it to be so."

  She holds Drookan's hand.

  "The fluid will allow us to analyze your body and give us a wealth of information about Ponu physiology from a natural-born Ponu. It may help us better understand how to break Geeryo's control over us. Even for those of us like Dana, who have managed to somewhat break the conditioning, it's not total; we still live in fear that they can regain control or send a stronger signal and just like that, our minds are not our own. Now you see why we so desperately wanted you back."

  "ok, I will do it."

  "Oh, one more thing, you have to remove all your clothes. You have to be naked in the cylinder. Drookan, if you don't mind stepping outside."

  "No!" JaKaeltha emphatically protests. "Drookan stays here. I said he had to be by my side at all times."

  "Ok, sure, Drookan can stay." Lana concedes.

  With that, JaKaelath removes her scavenger clothing until she is naked in front of the two Ponu women and the person she trusts most. She steps onto the platform. The cylinder begins to lower around her. Then, the fluid begins to emerge and rise.

  She thinks about her trust in Drookan. She is fully committed now. If they wanted to trap her, they have her. The fluid reaches up to her knees.

  She thinks of Emma, if this is actually a trap, getting the last laugh.

  She thinks of Francesca, out there, her nature girl twin, alone, helpless, sent on a wild goose chase inadvertently. She can't let anything happen to Francesca. She can't take the chance of this being a trick and her being helpless to help Francesca. The fluid is at her waist.

  "Stop!" she tries to signal, pressing her hands against the side of the cylinder.

  Dana's eyes widen as she turns and tells Lana something. Drookan seems to shout something as he looks on.

  Lana calmly presses a button, and the fluid begins to drain.

  "I can't do this....not now, not yet. I need to find Francesca. She went to the vault I told her I was from. I can't have her blood on my hands if anything happens to her." Catching her breath, she says more calmly, "Also...I need to trust you more".

  Dana assures her it is safe and she still has the choice to leave, but encourages her to stay...

  "You know how difficult it is to cross the Great Rugged Plain, Emma, and these 2 Dowaths risked their lives. You have a choice, but please take that into account. Also, JaKaelath, think of this: if we really had bad intent, we have 3 Ponu and 3 Dowaths, and you're inside a Ponu vault, would you really even be given a choice? I am just saying that to say keep it in mind, if that helps you to trust us more. JaKaelath nods, and she walks towards the corridor with Drookan.

  "Your clothes," Dana reminds her, handing her a bag.

  "Oh, yes, thanks, give it to Drookan for now, until I've had a chance to wash this fluid off me. JaKaelath mentions

  Dana and Lana look at each other with expressions that say, "What now?" then back at the naked JaKaelath walking comfortably with her Dowath towards the wash room.