It was only a short time after Kazan left that word from the Academy, 'of mysterious signals emanating from space' were transmitted to Magura, and, Nerieda, fearing that a new and deadly onslaught might be in the offing, immediately summoned Kazan home. She called for Emyra to join her in the lounge. They had each determined that this phenomenon was clearly visible to the naked eye and when Kazan arrived, Nerieda rushed to greet him.
"Scientists have observed a series of light flashes from the skies which they feel are definitely beamed at Zerus." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Could this be true, Kazan? Could the Barbarians have found a way to attack from space?"
The lines on his weary face deepened as he looked to Nerieda and Emyra but he could only shake his head. "I don't know, my love. Do our scientists offer any explanations?" he asked. "I did see what I thought was just a star twinkling."
"Emyra was told that some astronomers believe the flashes are some kind of code...." Nerieda paused. "And somehow, Kazan, she felt that they sense the flashes are originated by Aliens. Aliens who seem to think we can understand them. I'm frightened," she said.
Kazan sat for some minutes in deep concentration. When he raised his head, Nerieda could see that his green eyes were alight with fire.
"Kazan. What is it?" she asked, trying to quell the fear which rose in her breast.
He stood up and abruptly gathered Nerieda in his arms. "Nerieda. Could this be our destiny? Remember? This deep conviction I have that we have been chosen...." He stopped in mid-sentence. "Wait!" he said. "I wonder...."
