Choices

115th of 2029 (306-97): A Presentation on Daramm

War hero that's what they called me now, I was one of the Thirty-Seven. I was 'Special.' There'd been a big ceremony when we got back. Stirring music, fresh uniforms, long speeches. I wanted to disappear, to hide, to run away. Singled out forever for the damage done. Eternally broken, to be pitied, that was how I was 'Special.' There'd been Dokhtors of course, offers of treatment, therapy, cosmetic surgery, they could make me 'better.' I said no, how could they make it better. They couldn't burn the memories out of my head, nothing could ever take those away. There was no way to give me back what they took, only cover up the marks they left. Everyone already knew I was 'Special,' trying to hide it was pointless. And now, I had to meet with Lord Protector McCloud himself. A special medal Perma y Irdarvula, Heart of the Greatest Courage, just for the 'Thirty-Seven.'

I took a deep breath. It wasn't just me, there'd be thirty six others up there with me. It was easy, I could do it. Jane was here helping me, Siish and my family in the audience, it would be fine. I fiddled with my uniform. Full review dress, the silver and blue, my skirt flowing, fasteners supposed to be neatly arranged off centre. Jane was already dressed, she turned "You're crooked deary." I tried to straighten the fasteners.
Jane looked over. "Slowly deary." She was doing her make-up already(1). Right, I'd got them straight I think.
She laughed "Almost deary, it's fine, just get the gong and sit. Listen to some more boring speeches then done. Here" She reached over and fixed my last fastener "perfect." She handed me a make-up pouch and turned back to finish hers.
I stared at it. A deep breath. A stick, a red one I think. I turned. I stood, unable to move, my face, my once pretty face(2). I felt a hand take my wrist. Jane turned me around. She smiled, she'd finished. She held me and stroked my hair "It's okay, it's okay, would you like me to do it for you deary?"

117th of 2029 (308-97): Daramm Downport

I woke, the bed soaked in sweat. "Lights" I swung my legs over the edge of my bunk and tipped myself out of bed. I landed, stumbled and yelped with pain as my knees hit Jane's trunk. A quiet giggle came from the heap of linen on the lower bunk. "So much for that famed Luriani grace and agility then deary."
This did not help my mood "well, Jane sweetie, you can just go play with a Mmaryn." The pile on the bed spoke again "Now now deary, don't be like that."
But I was not in the mood. I crossed to the basin. "Damn how do they expect people to live in this space." The stateroom was undeniably cramped but I was just not used to being on a starship any more and it would take time to change that.

I crossed over to the basin, a curtain above it, I smiled. I set the tap to fill, cold. I waited for it to fill and plunged my face into the ice cold water and tried to forget. I heard Jane's voice behind me "You know, you can't actually drown yourself deary and I would like to use it too." Damn, she'd surprised me, I'd have to get used to that. I pulled my head out and turned to look at her. Hair a mess, shirt crumpled and twisted, and she was still beautiful. I envied her. "Shower, now." It was an order.
"Yes Mother." I squeezed past her to the shower in the corner. Two person occupancy, yeah right. I climbed in, undressed and threw my clothes out. "Warm" The jets hit me from all sides, too cold "Temperature up" warmer now "Set."
Jane's voice "Must be good to be with civilised people who use water rather than trying to shake the dirt off(3)." I snorted, it was. I let the warm water run over my face as I tried to wash away the night.

A rap on the door "Luriani remember, can't drown yourself."
"We can actually, it's just harder." I finished quickly "Off. Where's the towel?"
"On the hook by the door, where it's always been." I reached out, fumbled for a moment and pulled the towel inside, wrapping it tightly round me when I was dry.
She was waiting, she hugged me "They're really not that bad deary." I'd known her too long not to hear when she was lying.
Jane showered while I picked out clothes, she got out dripping wet and looked at what I'd picked, she picked something else "Here, this one's better." It was... daring.
"I thought I was to be the pilot, not the ship's wanton."
She gave a wicked smile "No deary, that's my job." She'd changed, a lot. I put on the one I'd chosen. "That looks like a sack deary."

117th of 2029 (308-97): Breakfast with Mother

Sish broke a roll and selected the correct knife to spread it. "So Siishubuu, how is your life in... independent commerce progressing?" Madam Manish's(4) dislike of her son's new life was undisguised.
"I have not joined the Wurlana(5) quite yet Mother, try to think of it as a belated grand tour(6)."
She simply raised her eyebrows to indicate her continued disapproval. "If you wished to wander, your sister Gamaagin is always in need of good kaptans(7)."
"I find I prefer a little less structure in my travels Mother."
His mother sighed, there was so much of his father in Siish "Well, have you called on Gubashiidi Wa since your return? Her father informed me she greatly enjoyed your dinner together."
"Sadly, the needs of the repatriation have prevented it Mother, and the Raledenet is scheduled to leave this evening."
"Siishubuu, Gubashiidi Wa will not remain unmatched forever."
"I am sure you are correct Mother." In truth he very much hoped so. His dinner with Sharik had actually been very pleasant but she was just not for him.

She sipped her tea and considered her son's path, along with the disturbing information she had recently received.
"So Siishubuuu, you are departing 'on the evening tide' as it were. One presumes you have a destination and purpose in mind?"
"Stalwart Mother, I have heard Sherin Femral was asking after me."
"Mmmm," Madam Manish slowly buttered a roll with great deliberation. Kamees Sherin was a dangerous man. A war hero with political ambitions. She had heard he wish to 'utilise' her son to further those ambitions. Her son was clearly set on his course, but perhaps he could be directed on a less perilous path. "You know Siishubuu, I do believe you may wish to call upon Kirsov Geenal-Majkor before you leave, he was a close friend of your father's."
Siish's knew his mother well enough to know this would not be a simple social call "Mother, what are you up to?"
"Siishubuu?" she replied innocently.
"Kirsov Geenor is well known as the Council's 'fix-it' man, and he is currently on Verasryn(8)."
"He mentioned to me recently he may have some 'employment' for you and I believe he is arriving on Daramm tomorrow." Madam Manish intended to call Kirsov as soon as her son left to ensure both statements were correct.
Siish pondered this awhile, his mother was definitely up to something, but employment by Kirsov Geenor would be... interesting. And it was probably better to know what she was up to than not.
"But of course it would mean delaying my departure a day."
"It would? I had not considered that Siishubuu."
Siish thought if he had a keedit(9) for each time she did that he'd own the Protectorate. He said heavily "I will call Sharik when I get back to the Raledenet."
Madam Manish considered, first name, that was somewhat promising at least. "Oh don't be silly Siishubuu, I'm sure you'll be far to busy, organising your ship and such like. I'll have Blandii bring a communicator."

Madam Manish waited for her son to depart, extracting her usual kiss as he left. She called Blandii to clear the dishes as she placed a call. A young naval Vebant appeared on the screen. "Verasryn Naval Base, how may I help you."
"Could you be so kind as to place me through to Kirsov Geenal-Majkor."
"I'm afraid he's unavailable at the moment, may I take a message."
"Could you please inform him Lady Councillor Manish called?"
The young Vebant sat up smartly "One moment My Lady, I'll put you through." The screen flashed to a hold pattern, and then Kirsov Geenor appeared. Still a striking man despite the scars and eye-patch that betrayed the adventures of his youth. Madam Manish was lost in thought for a moment, if not for the needs of politics, her life could have been very different.
"Ah Colin so good to see you again."
"And you Nashu, as beautiful as ever. To what do I owe the pleasure." Madam Manish flushed just ever so slightly.
"Siishubuu"
"Siish?"
"Yes, I need a favour Colin. I have heard that Sherin is sniffing round him, seeking to bring him into his orbit."
Kirsov looked grave "That, Nashu would not be good. A decorated war hero, youngest Vebmral in the Fleet, the Manish name, heir to your seat on the Council, not good at all."
"I tend to agree, Sherin is far too ambitious, his recklessness and aggression has already brought us to the brink of destruction once, it would not be wise to give him a second chance."
Kirsov nodded "No. So what do you want from me?"
"Siishubuu appears to have developed a certain... wanderlust. I was hoping you might be able to channel it in a useful direction."
"He is his father's son Nashu. You need to get the boy matched, give him some stability."
There was a look of exasperation on her face "I am trying, but there are complications in that respect now."
Kirsov's mouth formed a wry smile "As you well know, such things can be overcome, or at least... accommodated. However, I think I can find something for him."
"Nothing too dangerous I hope."
"Everything I do is 'dangerous' Nashu, you know that. But I will try to keep it minimal."
"Thank you Colin, I've arranged for him to call on you at Command tomorrow."
Kirsov let out a laugh "And you'd like me to be there."
"That might be helpful Colin." She paused, and then added "And you may call on me while you're here. It has been far too long." Kirsov just smiled.

I'd spent most of the morning preping the Raledenet for launch, I'd skipped breakfast and gone directly to the bridge to run pre-flight checks and plan a jump course. Jane wanted me to meet the rest of the crew, there was a dohktor and a steward as well as Jane, Siish and I. I'd mumbled something about needing to find my feet in the pilot's chair again and only being half an hour. I'd managed to stretch that three hours. Jane had come up after one, furious and told me to quit putting it off and come down. That and I needed to eat. But she'd left me alone after that. I knew she was right, I couldn't put it off forever, but what could a few hours hurt. Around eleven Siish appeared "Jane tells me you've been hiding out here for hours dinkir."
"Getting her ready for flight"
"For three hours?"
I looked at the deck "Just being thorough."
He sighed "Just get your butt down to the lounge now."
"I'll just..."
"Now! Or I'll physically drag you down." I knew I couldn't put it off any longer.

Somebody was cooking and it smelt good. I suddenly realised I was hungry. I paused for a moment outside to draw breath then entered. I saw someone in the galley, he was young. Jane was chatting to him. Siish was setting up for a game of Zamkii(10) with someone on the table. She was tall, short dark hair with just a wisp of white. She stood as I entered.
"So you must be the fabled pilot." She spoke Standard Luriani, but the accent was strange. I noticed a slight limp as she walked over and bowed stiffly. I managed a curtsey back "And you are?"
"Doctor Isabella Sanchez y Montoya, late of his Imperial Majesty's Navy, but most people just call me Isabella." That would explain the accent.
I was very curious "So dokhtor, how'd you end up here?"
"I was on the Apuludukii(11) at Rurur, one of the lucky ones I guess." The Apuludukii, very lucky. "Four years as an honoured guest of the Lord Protector. I was paroled to the Khaadii's six months in and when the war ended, I stayed behind(12). Then Siish wanted a doctor. He can be very persuasive you know."
I nodded "Yes very." I looked over at the young man cooking, early twenties. He had a boyish innocence about him, his grin disarming. I half expected to see one of his mothers looking out for him. But the Guardsman's jacket beside him told a slightly different story. Seven battle ribbons, two Protector's Medals for Gallantry, a Silver Cross and a Star for Valour. Rather impressive all in all.
Jane lent over "And this deary, is Ariaryn Despi Ora Mman Mman Steward-Gunner, though I think he's barely out of Yasa(13). Serganet of the Lord Protector's Guards and a genius in the kitchen." She tousled Ariaryn's straggly red hair. He gently knocked her hand away looking embarrassed. She then rounded on Siish "So beloved Kaptan, how did breakfast with mommy go?"
"As well as might be expected." His voice sounded more frustrated than anything else. "She has arranged an appointment with Kirsov Geenor for us."
Jane was wide-eyed "Fix-it Kirsov?"
Siish nodded "Fix-it Kirsov."
"But he's on Verasryn."
"Apparently he arrives on Daramm tonight."
Isabella looked puzzled "Who's Kirsov and what does he fix?"
Jane explained "Kirsov Geenor is the man the Council goes to when they've got something they want done but can't be seen to be doing. They tell him to fix things for them."
I chimed in "So I guess that means we're not leaving tonight."
Siish sighed "No, tonight I have a dinner date with Sharik Gubashiidi."

The Grav Carrier was skimming low over the waves, the Protectorate Central Command Complex loomed in the distance, its five spires anchored to the sea floor hundreds of metres below the surface, warships patrolling the waters around. Siish had got back late from his dinner last night and Jane was teasing him mercilessly about it. "So you decided to sleep alone then?"
Siish was used to this "It was dinner, nothing more. Sharik is charming, but no fire there."
"Ohhh Sharik now, and charming, we'll be seeing practice invites next."
He took a deep breath "Gubashiidi Wa is a lovely woman, but not for me Jane."
Jane had said he had eyes for somebody and in truth I'd been dying to find out who for weeks "So who is for you Siish?"
He chuckled "Dinkir if I ever decide to go beyond dinner with someone, I'll make sure you're the first to know." Sometimes the man could be so frustratingly evasive. Jane was rolling her eyes at him.
Siish looked relived when Ariaryn broke the conversation "Command has taken us on auto, we should be landing in a minute."
Siish nodded "Good."
"So what's this all about, why does Kirsov want to see us?" I asked
"Our beloved kaptan's mother's scheming, will end up getting us killed no doubt deary." Jane as bright and cheery as ever. We heard the whine of the turbines as the carrier began to slow.
"We'll know soon enough Jane, so sit back enjoy the ride."

The carrier set down neatly in a bay on the tenth level. The security station was manned by a rather bored looking Guardsman, his uniform embroidered by a string of ribbons marking medals, battles and campaigns. "Can I help you?" I could feel his eyes on me, my broken face.
Siish spoke "We have an appointment with Kirsov Geenor at ten."
He tapped on his screen and brought up the details, looked up and saluted "Manish Vebmral. I didn't realise." Jane sniggered and whispered "Told you you should have worn your uniform."
"Level nineteen, room four A. If you could just look into the scanner." Siish went first, retinal pattern and DNA, a security pass spat out. Jane, then Isabella. Ariaryn last, now my turn. I placed my face to the eye piece and my hand on the pad. A bright flash and a prick. The green light of a confirm. I watched as my pass printed out, the picture was dated, from before. I stared at my face on the card. I ran my hand down my check and felt nothing, but I could close my eyes and the burning blinding pain was there.
"I'm sorry Komant, we'll have to update the records."
I mumbled my reply, said sorry and just kept looking at the picture. Siish gently took it from my hands and pinned it to my blouse. He smiled and stroked my hair(14) "You're still as beautiful as the first day I met you." Beautiful? Siish never called me beautiful.

Level nineteen, room four A was a nondescript room in a nondescript corridor. The plaque on the door simply said Kirsov Geenal-Majkor. Siish knocked and waited. The door was opened by a middle aged Seror, her hair neatly plaited and uniform clean. "Vebmral, the Geenor is expecting you. Please come in." Kirsov's office was plain room, two desks, a filing cabinet and a large starchart adorning one wall.
"Renal, could you be a treasure and get some more chairs?" The Seror smiled and set off on her errand.
"So, Siish, you brought the whole crew." He sounded amused
"Seemed like the proper thing to do."
"Well it's a pleasure to meet you all, and an especial honour to meet you Komant." He singled me out, I looked at the floor.
"So Geenor, to what do we owe the pleasure." Siish took the lead as he usually does.
Renal Seror had returned with the extra chairs. "Sit, please sit." Kirsov was pulling papers from a draw as we sat "Well, I suppose you know what I do."
Ariaryn this time "You fix things, sir." Sir? What kind of Luriani calls somebody sir?(15)
"Ah direct as ever Mman Sergarent, yes I 'fix' things." Obviously Kirsov and Ariaryn were acquainted.
Ariaryn formed a knowing smile "And you want us to fix something for you."
"Indeed, occasionally the Council requires an indirect approach. There is a package that needs to be delivered to an Imperial world, and it would be better if it were not delivered officially."
Siish again "And you would like us to deliver it?"
"That is the general idea."
"The nature of this package?"
"Nothing illegal, gems and valuables, but it would be better if it were not traceable to the Protectorate."
Siish chuckled "Funding for dissidents, I thought we weren't allowed to do that any more."
Kirsov nodded "We do not however, forget our friends(16)."
Siish looked at all, we nodded "Then I suppose we're in the small package trade then(17)."

118th of 2029 (309-97): Leaving Daramm

The plan was straightforward, act like a routine tramp, four jumps, Mur Mura, Puluke, Ithukar and finally Winchel. We'd rendezvous with the light cruiser Gaaskii while refuelling at Mur Mura and pick up fifty million keedits worth of gems, so cargo only for the first jump. Meet with our 'friends' on Winchel and hand over the gems. Not like the Imperium might think a high jump ex-naval courier with a former Navy ami might be up to something. The Imperium is many things, stupid isn't one of them. Yep, straightforward, but definitely not easy.

The cargo was loaded and I'd taken the Raledenet up and out towards the jump point. It was good to be behind the controls again, I was rusty but it came back quickly. Siish was watching "Just like falling off a log dinkir."
"Yeah well she handles like a gabalail."
"Jump three into a two hundred ton hull, something's gotta give. Just get us into jump, lets see how tight you can get the match."
A good jump was tricky. Matching the ship to jump space, easy, anybody could get you in and roughly out again in the right system. But you'd never know how long the jump would take or exactly where you'd come out. Getting tight so you control the jump, not so easy. Mark of a good pilot was how close you got it. "We're a trader remember Siish, a certain sloppiness is expected."
"I can see the dials dinkir, you never did sloppy." He was right, I'd got her pretty close.
I hit the comms "Jane?"
She sounded irritated "Any time you're ready deary, I've had them spun up for ten minutes."
I entered the code, killed the viewers and hit the button. The sickening lurch as we tore space apart and plunged into chaos. "Well nothing to do now but sit back and enjoy the ride."
"Good I could do with dinner."

Whatever Ariaryn had made for dinner was good, I was on my second plate. Jane and Siish were both smiling. "What is this Ariaryn?"
"Shugane."
"Shugane?"
He look sheepish "Shugane" I looked at him, I looked at the plate, I looked back at him and then the plate again, the boy could cook. Siish laughed "Just like mother used to make."
"Siish, not one of my mothers or fathers could ever make shugane taste like anything other than three day old leftovers(18)."
Jane produced a bottle of leenkwin(19) "Who's up for a drink?"
Ariaryn was first to answer "Please." She poured a drink, gave the glass a half turn and passed it to him(20).
He turned bright red. I whispered "Jane don't play with the boy."
"Who says I'm playing?" She grinned broadly "A tune please Isabella, a lively one. Ariaryn, would you care to?" She took him to the floor while Isabella got her getre(21) and began to play.
I stood next to Siish, he looked at his feet. "Do I have to ask?"
"I'm not much in the mood for dancing." He kept his eyes on the floor.
I grabbed his hands and pulled him to his feet. "Dance with me please." He sighed and joined me. We danced, his arms around me comforting, I wished I could feel him. It was good to just dance again, you can lose yourself there.

I went to the bridge before bed, to check the jump. Didn't need to, if the drives are well tuned and the course is good a ship will pretty much fly itself through jump. Jane always had her drives tuned like a concert piano and my course was true. In truth I wanted to think for a while. I sat and thought, my hand hovered over the viewer. They say if you look at jump space you'll lose your mind. I switched them on. The patterns twisted and writhed, interlocked in ways a mind couldn't comprehend, but for a brief moment I thought I saw order, a stately dance in the insanity. Then it was gone, nothing but brain warping chaos. I switched them off. Sometimes it's good to think.

Jane was waiting when I got to the room. "It's good to see you smiling again."
I couldn't help it, I smiled "It was a good night."
"You danced with Siish a lot. Wondered if I'd have the room to myself tonight"
I threw a pillow at her "Jane, it's Siish!" And anyway, who'd want broken me.
She rolled her eyes "Sometimes deary I wonder at you."
"So Jane, Ariaryn, you serious?" I'd rather talk about her than me.
"He's a good man, funny, attractive, caring."
"He's a kid Jane, barely damp."
She looked straight at me, sadness in her eyes "Nobody who came out of that war is a kid any more deary."

124th of 2029 (315-97): Mur Mura

We arrived at Mur Mura on schedule, I'd got it right, nice and close to the gas giant. We had the whole ami on the bridge, we'd need everyone's eyes for this. The giant's blue-green skies were a boiling mass of storms. We'd have to go in up near the north pole, calmer there, but it would still be a bumpy ride. Already the massive gravity was tugging at us.
"I really hope they're there Siish. And whoever's flying her can keep her steady."
"Just get us in and out, just another scooping run."
"Yeah right, docking with a nineteen thousand ton cruiser inside an atmosphere, just another run." Isabella was perhaps a little pessimistic.
"If anyone can do it, my dinkir can." Siish at least sounded sure. "Now dokhtor, I assume they taught you to use a comms panel in the Imperial Navy, so watch and tell us when we pick up her ping. Ariaryn, use the targeting sensors to give us vector and velocity when we do." Calm and certain, it's what made Siish such a good kaptan. "And dinkir, I would appreciate it if we stay in one piece."

I recalled the last time he'd said that as I took her into the upper layers, the gravity now pulling more, the turbulence starting to buffet us. Deeper, rougher, clouds of ammonia and methane. The idea of docking in an atmosphere was simple, just drop down and let the cruiser catch us. Of course if the cruiser wasn't there, we'd never get out again and the turbulence between the ships would be 'considerable,' but in theory, it was simple. Tanks full, I levelled off and started to lose speed, we'd start sinking soon."If go much deeper I won't be able to get us out, so they can start calling any time now please."
Isabella sounded a little concerned "Nothing."
The warning alarm started squawking like a wounded animal "Siish, what should I do?"
"Can you get any deeper?"
"A little not much."
"That far, and no more then."
Deeper, outside was a maelstrom of ice and hydrogen, Isabella again "Still nothing, wait, got them, very faint."
Siish barked like when we were on the Martinez "Ariaryn, where?"
"Below us." he paused "way below us."
"Well the idea is they push us out, so down we go."

I killed thrust and we started sinking. I switched to ventral viewer, there was lightning illuminating the clouds of gas. We dropped, I tried to keep her steady in the boiling atmosphere, heading towards the waiting cruiser. I brought up the thrust again to counter the giant's growing pull, further, up into the red. You could hear the hull of the Raledenet groan as well fell. Ominous creaking. The winds were worse down here, I saw the hulking black shape of the Gaaskii outlined by the lightning. I gently let the Raledenet drift over the Gaaskii's silhouette. Now just to let her drop and line up with the docking clamps. Oh and avoid being thrown off by the turmoil between us.

Down and down, the closer we grew, the more the atmosphere churned between us as vortices and eddies formed. The Raledenet dipped and bobbed with the currents. I watched the red lines as I drew her nearer and nearer. Green now, on target, just hold her steady and straight down. Down, the ship dancing like a maniac in the swirling current. Starboard wing dipped and just kissed the Gaaskii's hull, the whole ship shuddered.
"Mind the paintwork deary." Jane smiling.
The solid clunk as the clamps engaged. "Down and safe."

145th of 2029 (336-97): En-route to Winchel

Finding cargo and passengers had been fairly easy. Trade was picking up after the war. A lot of merchants had been lost and there was still a shortage of shipping. Siish made a half decent free trader. We got a honeymoon couple and what I think were a mobster and his guards on Mur Mura. A boring 'leader of commerce' and the third son of an Imperial Marquis and his chaperones on Puluke. He was on his grand tour and thought travelling on a Luriani ship would be a bit of romantic adventure, they paid for two jumps in advance. He'd asked me to teach him some Luriani, said he'd teach me to play a game called go in return.
"So Lord Trace what's the ship's name mean?"
"Call me Sakuya, Lord Trace is my father yasvati." Yasvati, teacher, he'd insisted on calling me that since I'd taught it to him first lesson.
"Well I'll call you by your name if you call me by mine."
"But yasvati sounds so much more mysterious." I sighed, only four years separated us, but he seemed so much younger. I wasn't going to win this one.
"So Sakuya, Raledenet, what does it mean?"
He thought for a moment "Ral means something's not there, edenet means fear, so no fear. It's the name of a ship so it's got to be an attribute, it would mean fearless."
"Close, but heroic would be better, kammoedenet would mean fearless."
He was puzzled, again "Uh, I don't understand? Kammo and ral both mean something's not there though."
"Kammo means it never was there, ral means it's not there but it should be. So raledenet, no fear where there should be fear, unafraid, as an attribute, heroic."
It was his turn to sigh "I don't think I'll ever get it, it's some damn frustrating." He was getting it, he just lacked a little patience. "You fought in the war didn't you?"
"Yes, we all did."
"Were you raledenet?"
"They say I was." My voice was growing quiet, I was staring at the table, the other's could see I wasn't comfortable.
"Did that happen to you when you were raledenet?" His hand moved toward my face. It was chaos Siish was pulling him out of the chair. Sakuya's chaperones, Anna and Yoshi were shouting and threatening. There was scream and yelling, Jane, Ariaryn, even Isabella. So much noise.

I left, I didn't want to cry, at least not in public. I went to my room, lay on my bed and the tears just kept coming. Sishgukhidtar, once pretty face.

Jane came in later, she didn't say anything, just lay down next to me and held me, like when we were children. I know she meant well, but it didn't help. I couldn't feel her next to me any more, not like I did then. It just reminded me of what was taken, but I let her stay, it was better than being alone. We lay there silent for what seemed like an eon. Eventually she spoke. "You should have seen Siish rip into him. Never seen a purple Mmarislusant before."
"And young Ariaryn, think he was ready to clobber him." She paused "He didn't understand you know"
"Who? Ariaryn?"
"No, the young Lord Trace you idiot" she hit me with a pillow. Another hesitation, a long one. "Siish described it. What they did, in detail. I think the boy was going to be sick. He may not understand, but he does know now."

147th of 2029 (338-97): Enroute to Winchel

Anna Neilsson made her way to the cargo bay. This job had turned sour. It had seemed a good deal at first, escort young Lord Trace on his grand tour. Easy enough and the chance to get close to an eligible member of the nobility. It had gone well at the start, a bit of flirting, a bit of subtle encouragement. It wasn't a bad thing, Sakuya was attractive, smart, charming and kind, everything you'd look for. He also came from a strict Makerite(22) family. All she had to do was get him into her bed once and his morals would take care of the rest. And, though she would never admit it, especially to herself, she'd actually fallen for him. Young Sakuya had started to take the bait. Then along came that walrus(23) tramp and ruined everything. All Sakuya could do was moon after her like some love sick puppy. Now he was sulking in his room because he'd 'insulted' her. She snorted, insulted, she'd looked up this tramp. Anna had had a brother on the Skanna, that tramp got everything she deserved. It made Anna mad, she kicked the wall, hard. Stupid, it hurt, but that sound. The wall was hollow, she'd studied this class as an analyst in Naval Intelligence. That wall should not be hollow.

148th of 2029 (339-97): Enroute to Winchel

Sakuya stayed in his room for the next two days. Anna and Yoshi didn't say much, you could see the anger and disgust in them. Didn't matter, we'd be arriving tomorrow and they'd be gone. I'd done the final checks on the bridge and gone to dress for dinner, Ariaryn always made something special for the last day in jump. Sakuya was sitting at the table along with his minders, he'd gone all out to dress. He actually scrubbed up quite well, but he hardly said a word through dinner. We finished eating and Arairyn sat at the piano and began to play. Jane pulled Siish to his feet, Isabella seemed to be struggling to get Yoshi up, sometimes Imperials have no manners

Sakuya marched straight up to me and said "Shi awel shish fa ap yasvati ae"(24)
I was still hurt, but an invitation to dance, I couldn't very well say no. So I got to my feet, took his hand and simply answered "Ae."
Spend a couple of weeks in jump on a small ship and you end up dancing with everyone, a lot. So it was odd he kept so far away.
After a while he looked straight at me and all seriousness announced "A oi Yoirnishako." I knew what he meant to say, but I couldn't help it, I laughed
"What? What's so funny?" He looked hurt.
"You just told me your name is Big-the-greatest-sorry-possible."
"Uhh?"
"The -ko(25), it changes a verb into a proper noun and if it's the biggest it can't get any bigger(26). You mean A oi irnisha"
He blushed "Oh, A lee irnisha"
I smiled and replied "A lee vie yonisha."
"You're sorry too?" he sounded confused "Right?" I nodded "Why are you sorry?"
I smiled, his naivete was disarming "Oh for allowing you to embarrass yourself, being there when you put your foot in your mouth, watching you make a fool of yourself, take your pick. It just means it's okay, you're forgiven. It lets you keep face silly."
I could see Jane and Siish dancing, quietly laughing at all this. "So, did anyone give you any hints on how to say it?"
The keedit dropped "I shouldn't have listened to them?"
"No." I kissed him lightly on the check and smiled, very disarming.

149th of 2029 (340-97): Arrival in Winchel

Winchel, front line during the war, headquarters for the Imperial 70th Fleet Command, home to simmering anti-Imperial unrest and our destination. We dropped out of jump near the main gas giant. We'd refuel then head to Winchel itself. Things started to go wrong almost at once.
"Siish we've got incoming, the INS Xosjah, stand to and prepare for inspection." Isabella had taken over comms and computers since Mur Mura.
"What is she?"
"Give me a minute or two." Isabella was a top notch dokhtor, but she was no computer officer. "Destroyer, Hega class."
"Well I guess we stand to and get ready then. Pull the chip Isabella." We had a full Protectorate Navy database, not illegal but a little 'unusual' for a free trader, so we pulled the datachip for inspections. No point drawing attention to yourself. I brought the ship to a halt and went to get ready.

I was at the ship's locker getting my sidearm, an Armstrong MkIV(27). I checked the cylinder, two rounds tranq and four HEAP. Isabella had come with me to hide the data chip. "Expecting trouble?"
"No, but you never know, you should get ready too." I handed her a p6(28).
"And what exactly am I supposed to do with this?" She held it arms length with two fingers.
"Bad guys this side, safety off, pull trigger, it go bang."
"I haven't fired a gun since basic training. And even then I never hit anything."
"Just put it on and try to look menacing."
She laughed "That's what the range master said I was with a gun, a menace."
I chuckled back "Funny, mine said the same thing about me."
"Ah sergeants, pretty much the same on both sides of the border."
"Do you miss it? The Imperium."
She sounded far away "Yes, sometimes."
"Why don't you go home?"
It was a sad laugh this time "Nothing to go home to. My family's disowned me, the Imperium want me as a deserter, and my friends call me a turn coat. My life's here now."
She was struggling to fix her holster. "Here, let me help." I started to fasten it to her belt "So why did you stay."
Another laugh, a huge one "A man of course."
I grinned in reply "There's always a man."
"Augustine Sherin."
"As in Sherin Femrel's nephew, Augustine?(29)" I was stunned.
"Yep, we met at one of the Manish's parties, saw each other for about five months. When the armistice came, he asked me to marry him. I said yes and stayed."
"So why are you on this tub and not lounging around the Sherin estates?"
"His family didn't approve. It's fine to fool around with the 'enemy' but you can't marry them you know. And of course Augustine towed the family line."
I'd finished fixing her holster. "And they weren't the only ones, rather hard to find a lot of friends when you're an ex-Imperial officer. The Manish's were good to me though. They would have found me a good position, but Siish needed a medic and I needed to get away."
I hugged her "I'll see if I can find some pictures of Augustine, I'm sure we can get you better with that pistol." She grinned.

When Isabella and I reached the airlock, the others were all already there. There was the heavy metallic thud as the boat's docking umbilical mated with the hull. Siish entered the code to unlock the airlock. Ariaryn was peering through the port to see who was coming through "Looks like marines, four of them." Siish unlocked the inner door, and we waited as the team of marines came through. They were wearing full combat armour and carrying gauss rifles. A motley bunch of traders could hardly represent that much of a threat, so they're either on to us or trying to intimidate us. I hoped it was the latter.

The lieutenant in charge didn't even bother to remove their helmet, you couldn't tell if they were male or female, the name badge simply said Lieutenant Zagduguur. The harsh electronic voice demanded "Papers." Siish calmly handed over a datachip, the marine inserted in the reader. They spent several minutes inspecting the data, intimidation, they were looking for anything to be wrong. The electronic voice again "Your passengers, Lord Trace, Neilsson and Takawa, Imperial citizens?"
Siish calm as ever "Yes."
"Why are they travelling on your ship?"
"I don't know, you'd have to ask them."
"Crew's papers." One by one, each of our identity cards was minutely examined, looking for any error, any excuse. To do what I wondered, just what were they going to do? Minutes seemed to stretch into hours, but eventually apparently we were all in order.
That grating artificial voice again. "Where are the passengers." It was an order not a question.
Siish, calm as ever "This way if you please." He lead the way to the lounge where Sakuya and his minders were waiting.
The lieutenant finally removed his helmet, a young man with hard eyes and no smile. "Lord Trace, may I see your papers please." Anna presented three cards, the lieutenant checked them briefly and asked "Your reason for travel on this vessel?"
Sakuya answered for them all "There was no Imperial ship available."
The lieutenant seemed to disapprove "Mmmm, perhaps you should have waited for one to be available. Very well, seems to be in order. I will check the cargo now. Captain, you will come with me, the rest will stay here with Corporal Maruma."

Siish left with the lieutenant and two of the marines, the rest of us waited. We waited in silence, Jane made a coffee, Ariaryn nursed his rifle, never taking his eyes off the gleaming white marine standing by the door. Sakuya sat glumly behind his grinning chaperones, they were enjoying this, he wasn't. Isabella looked nervous, Jane sat by her and smiled. Not a word was said until Siish returned with the lieutenant twenty minutes later. Zagduguur spoke "All in order, this time. You can go on your way captain."
Siish smiled in quiet victory "Thank you lieutenant, I'll show you and your men off my ship." But you could hear the irritation and disdain in his voice. The sooner we were out of here, the better.

150th of 2029 (341-97): On Winchel

We'd refuelled and made planet fall without much more trouble, local customs had been much easier. Never understood the Imperium allowing their own worlds having a navy(30). Sakuya hunted me out before disembarking. "I thought I'd say goodbye yasvati, and thank you."
"You're welcome Sakuya, it's been a pleasure to have met you."
"They sure went over the ship, the marines that is."
I gave a snort "Yep, we're likely not too popular here. Mind you, I expect we do the same to their ships."
He offered me his hand. I never quiet got the custom of shaking hands(31), but the Verasti Dtareen do it too so I took it and shook. "Maybe I'll see you again sometime Yasvati."
"Maybe, you never know."

The cargo was unloaded and we met in the lounge to work out the delivery of the 'package.' There was some argument over who should actually deliver it. Jane believed she should, Siish thought he, as kaptan should be the one.
"Siish, you'll be needed here to arrange a new load, we still need to appear to be innocent traders."
"I'm the kaptan, it's my responsibility. Besides, you'll be needed to prep the drives. We've gone a month without a decent check. Last thing we need is to break down in Imperial space."
"And if the Manish Vebmral gets caught smuggling gems, not only are we all gone, but it's going to look very bad for the entire Protectorate."
I took a breath "I'll go, it should be me. You're both needed here, I'm not."
Siish was first to dismiss the idea "Don't be stupid dinkir."
"Why is it stupid?"
"Um, we need you to do the pre-flight."
Jane joined in, sounding concerned "Yeah, can't be you deary. Pre-flight remember."
I knew the reason, it had nothing to do with pre-flight, it was my once pretty face "Pre-flight takes maybe an hour, two tops, and Siish is more than capable. We need Siish to arrange cargo and Jane to prep the drives. Only one of each of you, but we have two pilots."
"She's got a point." Isabella at least could see it.
"Too dangerous dinkir."
"I'll be with her." Ariaryn too.
"But two Luriani will stand out too much deary." What Jane meant was that I'd stand out too much.
"A bit of make-up can cover a lot of things sweetie."
Siish sighed "Okay, but at the very first sign of trouble both of you get out."

Ariaryn and I left an hour latter. I checked the case, fifty million keedits worth of gemstones, twenty five bags of them. It was surprisingly light as we made our way into startown, but it was starting to grow heavier. "We'll need a vehicle Ariaryn."
He nodded "Yeah, one that can't be traced back to us."
"So, any suggestions?"
He produced a small case from his knapsack. "This." He crouched by the door of an old model air/raft "You might want to keep watch."
I chuckled "Well aren't you a man of many talents, a lock cracker too. And just where did you pick up this useful skill?"
He beamed back "Two years with the Verasosal(32)."
"So that would be how you know Kirsov then."
"Yeap." There was a click as the door slid open.
"I suppose you know how to override the security lock too?"
His turn to chuckle "Naturally." A few seconds later the air/raft's turbine was winding up.

The drop site was about twenty minutes away, a disreputable industrial part of the city, a quiet place away from prying eyes. It should be easy enough. Meet with the courier and hand over the case. I watched as the dark cityscape slipped past us Ariaryn looped once over the site, a twisting maze of alleys and shanties looking for somewhere to put down. "There Ariaryn." It was discreet and far enough away to bee safe. He checked the site and landed "Okay lets get this over with."
"How many we expecting?"
"Just the one, why?"
He moved around, sensing the currents "Bad air, won't be able to tell who's there(33)."
"I expect that's on purpose, puts us on the back foot."
"Maybe, but don't like it." Ariaryn unbuttoned his holster and flicked the safety off his pistol.
"Eyes and ears, just keep them open." We walked carefully into a back alley, watching and listening. No one, we waited. "They're late." Ariaryn sounded concerned.
"Or being careful." I heard something, I scanned the shadows, a single figure. "Unseasonably warm isn't it?"
"A late summer perhaps." The code phrase, seemed good so far. A young woman stepped out of the shadows. She was short, red hair, I thought she should be out with her beau tonight, planning for the next day at school, not skulking in the dark.
"You have it?"
I placed the case on the ground and opened it. She took a step forward, I saw the red dot on her forehead. There was a soft crack and she fell. We drew our guns and wheeled, but not fast enough. Another crack. I saw Ariaryn fall, a dark red stain, almost black, growing on his tunic. I saw two figures behind us. I fired, wide. Another crack, I felt a burning pain in my side and stumbled to the ground, my revolver fell beside me.
A voice I recognised "Anna what the hell are you doing?" Sakuya?
"Your little walrus whore is a Protectorate agent my lord" I could here the contempt in her voice "A nice little scene for the police, a dead terrorist and two dead spies."
"But she's not dead?" Sometimes the boy could be so thick.
I looked at my gun, she saw "Kick it away." My foot sent the gun scuttling across the ground.
She sneered "I had brother on the Skanna. Yes I know who you are. I'm going to enjoy this." A malevolent grin covered her face as she took careful aim.
I heard the sound, I saw the spreading blood. Another, a sound of thunder, then a third. Anna fell heavily, Sakuya behind her, my revolver in his shaking hands. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry she called you that." And he shifted aim to me.

"I'm sorry she called me that too Sakuya." Calm, careful, I could see Ariaryn's pistol nearby, I started to slowly move towards it.
"She was right though, wasn't she, you are a spy." He was trembling.
"Yes Sakuya, I am." Closer now.
"What have I done? She's dead isn't he?" I could hear the panic. Closer.
"Yes Sakuya, she's dead." Nearly there.
There where tears in his eyes "I killed her didn't I? What should I do?"
I was close enough now. I knew what I should do, but I didn't. I just asked "Help me Sakuya."

"Help you?"
"Yes, help me Sakuya. Ariaryn's is badly hurt and I'm wounded, I need help to get him to the air/raft." He didn't understand what I was asking of him, but I did. I told myself it was better for him, but it was easier for me.
He lowered my revolver and came over "He's dead, he's not breathing."
"We don't need to, not all the time. he's alive." I lied, I didn't know if he was or not. I checked Ariaryn's pulse, slow, very slow(34), but he was alive. "Help me with him, please Sakuya."
He hesitated, then bent to help me get Ariaryn up. "We've got to go Sakuya, the gunfire will bring the police." If it hadn't, what I was going to do next would. I rummaged in Ariaryn's knapsack and found it. An incendiary grenade. I set the timer and flipped the safety off.

We got Ariaryn to the air/raft and laid him on the rear seat. I ripped open his tunic and checked his wound. It was clean, straight through, but I think it'd hit a lung, both were collapsed. I ripped my blouse in half and made two pads. "Sakuya, sit in the back, pressure here and here. As much pressure as you can." I looked at my own wound, entry but no exit and it was still bleeding.
Sakuya saw the blood "What about you?" He'd calmed down somewhat now.
I laughed "Only one blouse."
"Here." he took off his shirt and used it to make a bandage. He wasn't bad at it.
I heard the grenade go off and saw the flames "Time to go Sakuya."

I flew low and fast, darting in and out between buildings. "You know, you're not making it easy to keep pressure on him."
"Just do your best Sakuya, I need to make sure we're not tracked."
I picked up my communicator and called Siish "We're on our way home kaptan." Another code, he'd know there was trouble.
"Should I make tea?" More code, you could hear concern in his voice.
"Ariaryn's dying for a cup and I could use one myself."
"I'll have Isabella get one ready." Concern had turned to worry.
"And keep the door open." I switched off.

I kept flying, but I'd lost a fair amount of blood. We were only about a minute out now, but I was fading. Talk, keep focused "So Sakuya, what happened?"
"Uhh? Oh why were we there?"
"Yes, seems a bit much for coincidence."
"I guess it wasn't. About a day before the end of the trip Anna asked me for a tracker, said there was something she wanted to show me after we arrived. So after we landed we waited. The tracker is short range and she needed me to follow it."
"What, we checked for bugs before we left." Both of us, thoroughly.
He sounded proud "Yeah it was one of my better. Anyway, we followed and found you. I didn't know what she was planning, I swear it by the Maker."
"What in Sesh's name did you think she was planning?"
Now he sounded embarrassed "I thought it was a prank. We used to do that a lot at tech."
"Tech?" It was getting harder to focus.
"Dirir Polytechnica, I spent eight years there getting my doctorate, mathematics, but I did some papers in engineering too."
It clicked "So that's how you made the bug."
"Yes, like I said, one of my better."
I could see the Raledenet's bay coming up. "We're almost there Sakuya, just a few seconds more."
"Good, I just want to go home." He didn't realise, he would probably never go home again.

151st of 2029 (342-97): In Jump

I woke in what passed for our sick bay, a converted stateroom. Ariaryn was in the other bunk, still unconscious. Isabella saw I was awake and came over. "Here, thought you might want this." She handed me a slug "A centimetre to the right and it would gone straight through your liver."
I looked at the metal bullet "Thank you."
"It's my job." Something was clearly bugging her.
"What's up?"
"Why did you bring him back? You know he'll never able to go home."
"Would you rather I shot him?"
"Might have been cleaner. At least I got to choose my fate." Her anger was obvious.
"You don't mean that."
"No, probably not, but he's not going to have an easy life now."
My turn to be irritated "At worst he'll be an honoured guest."
"Oh yes, an honoured guest of the Lord Protector. Let me tell you something, your precious Protectorate is not as shiny and nice as you'd like to believe. If they think you've got something they want, they'll get it, honoured guest or not. And they keep you on a leash, better you behave, the looser they hold it, but it's still a leash." There was hurt in her voice, so much hurt.
"But he's not got anything they'd want?"
She snorted "He's a marquis' son, that is something in itself. They'll hand him over to the PEIS or PSB(35) when we get back, he won't last five minutes with them. And pray, just pray he doesn't end up in Sesh Liryn."
I was confused "Sesh Liryn ? What the hell is Sesh Liryn?"
"Sesh Liryn is hell." There was so much pain in her eyes.
"I'm sorry it seemed like the best option."
She sighed "It's okay, I'm sure he'll... adapt, in the end. And yeah, I'm sorry too."
"Where is he?"
"Siish has him locked in a stateroom while he figures out what to do with him. We're in jump now, left as soon as you two got back. So he's fine for the moment."
"I'll go see him."
She looked hard at me "You came about a banish's leg from dying. You are not leaving here for at least a week, doctor's orders."

153rd of 2029 (344-97): Ministry of Justice Offices, Winchel

Special Agent Fakri Vu reviewed the evidence, such as it was. Not a lot to go on, one security camera outside the alleyway, some badly degraded DNA, two dead bodies and a heap of personal files. The young woman was a known radical, probably a terrorist, the other one of young Lord Trace's minders. The camera clearly showed Trace firing three times. Neilsson had been shot three times in the back, obviously one went with the other, there was already a warrant out for that. But who was Trace aiming at after that and who were the other two in the alley? Assistant Director Mushiika entered "Any progress Fakri?"
"Not much sir, We've got Trace and Neilsson outside the alley on camera, a dead terrorist in the alley and two unknowns."
Mushiika pondered "Protectorate agents?"
"That would be a safe bet sir. But the real question is what were Neilsson and Trace doing there."
"Any theories?"
"Lots, none of them make any sense." Nothing about this made much sense.
"Do you think young Lord Trace has been turned?" A marquis' son, the political fall-out would be huge.
"It would seem possible sir. We know he travelled on a Protectorate ship, the Raledenet, and he clearly aided two Protectorate agents. I interviewed his other escort" Vu reached for a file "Yoshi Takawa. He said Trace had become infatuated with one of the crew. It would fit."
"But the Traces are staunch Makerites, hardly the type to become traitors."
"I've often found people with a very clear cut vision of right and wrong can be swayed by moral concerns. Unfortunately, the crew member concerned was one of the victims of Interrogation Centre Seventeen and that hardly presents us at us at our most moral. Takawa does mention the crew made a point of informing Trace of the details."
Mushiika was clearly annoyed "Damn Darant and damn that centre. It keeps coming back and biting us."
Vu smiled "I believe admiral Darant has already paid for that mistake."
"So, suggestions?"
"Flag the Raledenet as 'of interest' and bring Trace back."
Mushiika nodded "See to it personally Fakri."

158th of 2029 (349-97): Layover on Ashmaze

I'd gone to Siish before seeing Sakuya, Isabella was right, he wouldn't last five minutes with intelligence. "Siish, Sakuya, any idea what will happen to him?"
He looked peeved "You should never have brought him back, you were a fool. I imagine the PEIS will want him and I pity him there."
"Isn't there anything you can do? I mean your mother?"
Actually annoyed this time "Run off to Mother and ask for help? Dinkir, you made a mess, it's too late to start having second thoughts."
"I couldn't very well have killed him!"
Calm and cold "Yes you could have and you probably should have. We can't let him go, he knows too much."
"He saved my life Siish." I was pleading "Did you find the bug he made?"
He chuckled "Eventually, though it took Jane and I hours. A piece of work I tell you, he's got talent there alright. Intelligence will be very interested in it."
"Siish he won't survive if PEIS get hold of him, please."
Siish looked at the console awhile and then sighed "Ok dinkir, for you. I'll talk with Mother and see if anything can be done. But no promises and you owe me for this."
I grinned "I already owe you for a lot of things Siish."

I knocked on Sakuya's door and entered the code to unlock it. "Come in." He was sitting on his bed looking miserable but he smiled when he saw me "They told me you were okay, Ariaryn too, thank the Maker."
I smiled back "Yeap, though Ariaryn has our puff-up lungs to thank."
He looked at the deck "What's going to happen to me?"
I sat on the bed next to him "I don't know Sakuya."
"I not ever going home again am I?"
"No."
"You knew this when you asked me to help you, didn't you?"
"Yes, I'm sorry." I really was, but I couldn't undo it.
"Doesn't matter, Siish lets me read the news." He pointed at his terminal. "They want me for killing Anna anyway." He sounded so resigned, the guilt was tearing at me. "I can either stay here and spend the rest of my life as a prisoner or go home and be executed."
"Siish is going to talk with his mother."
He shrugged "Isabella tells me the Protectorate treats its prisoners as honoured guests, guess that can't be too bad. She keeps coming to see me, trying to cheer me up."
I took his hands "Yes, yes we do Sakuya and it's not that bad. Even if we can't do anything, it's not that bad." The image of the pain in Isabella's eyes kept coming back to me.
He snuggled into my shoulder, his delicate frame pressing against me "I really messed it all up, didn't I."
I stroked his hair gently, trying to comfort him "No Sakuya, you didn't. You saved my life, I'll never forget that."
He started to cry "What am I going to do Yasva?"
I stroked his check with the back of my left hand and ran his down mine "You can start by stopping calling me yasva."
"What should I call you then?"
"You could try my name."
He laughed through the tears "Afira Renal Wilhem Corig Corig Seshyishinti(36), it's a bit of a mouthful."
"Then just call me Afira." He smiled.

1. Luriani and Verasti Dtareen of both genders make extensive use of facial make-up and body paints for formal situations.

2. Sishgukhidtar is a transliteration of the Vilani word sashgukidhar the best translation of which is 'Once pretty face.' It refers to the most obvious visible signs.

3. A difference between the Imperium who used ultrasonic showers and the Protectorate who used water.

4. The customary title used for the senior female member (matriarch) of an upper class Protectorate extended family (house), responsible for arranging matches in the family. The role is one of the more unusual in Protectorate society. Not only is there no male equivalent but also despite the title's Anglic name and the fact that it prefixes the name, the roles roots actually lay with the Luriani themselves. The role originated in during the First Protectorate amongst high born Verasti Dtareen families when they adopted the traditional Luriani role of Giwa (senior female responsible for arranging matches, the male equivalent Gilul being responsible for arranging employment). Curiously as the Verasti Dtareen adopted the role of Giwa in the form of matriarch, the positions of Giwa and Gilul fell out of use by the Luriani themselves (with the exception of the Wurlana) due to their exposure to Terran culture. Over time, this role of matriarch spread first to upper class Mmarislusant clans and then back to the Luriani themselves.

5. The fourth branch of Luriani culture, also known by their Anglic name of Wanderers. Descendants of the great raft ship that roamed Daramm's ocean in pre-contact times. They spend most of their lives in space, travelling in trading caravans, wandering between worlds.

6. A custom amongst the upper classes to take an extended tour of space before settling down to a career.

7. The Khaadii clan owned one of the largest shipping concerns in the Protectorate. As the eldest child, Gam Manish had taken over running the company after her father's death in 2017.

8. Verasryn is the second habitable planet in the Daramm system. Its population is heavily weighted toward Verasti Dtareen and Mmarislusant as most Luriani find its dense atmosphere oppressive.

9. Unit of currency in the Protectorate, equal to one tenth of an Imperial Credit.

10. A two player abstract strategy game dating from the Ziru Sirka.

11. A Sylea class battleship destroyed early in the battle. Out of its over 800 crew there were only 14 survivors.

12. Luriani rules of hospitality dictate that prisoners of war must be treated as honoured guests. The standard procedure was to parole POW's to the custody of a suitable family within the Protectorate as soon as their good behaviour could reasonably be guaranteed. After the war, a number of Imperial POW's had established ties with those families and elected to remain behind. Regarded as traitors by most in the Imperium and enemies by many in the Protectorate, they faced considerable challenges in making new lives.

13. Full formal Luriani and Verasti Dtareen names consist of a personal name, biological parent's personal names (mother first for females, father first for males), birth family name, current family name and occupation. Yasa is used by children in place of the occupation. In most circumstances however, a shorter informal name consisting only of the personal and current family names is used.

14. Such public displays of affection are common in Luriani culture, even within military organisations they are unremarkable.

15. Racial Luriani have a strong preference for informal lines of authority, a tendency that had spread to the entire Protectorate. It was very uncommon to hear a subordinate refer to their superior as sir. Normally they would use the rank title as a mark of respect, though use of the first name was common as well. This informality was one of the major reasons for the Imperium's fatal underestimation of Protectorate forces before the war.

16. The Treaty of Ghou that ended the Luriani War specifically prohibited either side from supporting dissent within the other, a provision neither the Imperium nor Protectorate fully respected.

17. A euphemism for smuggling.

18. Shugane is a traditional scraps dish. It essentially is three day old leftovers.

19. A distilled grain alcohol.

20. Turning the glass. A form of flirting in Luriani culture. The degree of turn indicates the level of attraction. From a quarter turn indicating a mild fancy to a full turn inviting intimacy.

21. A seven stringed musical instrument.

22. The Church of the Maker, a religious group common at the time. Noted for its strict moral code.

23. A derogatory Imperial slang term for Luriani.

24. The best translation is 'will you dance with me teacher?' but the literal translation is 'you wish-to dance with me teacher yes.' Standard Luriani uses a four form yes/no (ae, ia, ma, mee) and a question is formed by adding either the affirmative yes (ae) or negative no (mee) to the end of a statement. Thus shi awel shish fa ap yasvati ae can be answered ae (Yes - I will dance with you) or ma (No - I will not dance with you). The question could also be phrased shi awel shish fa ap yasvati mee (you wish-to dance with me teacher no), in which case it would be answered ia (Yes - I will not dance with you) or mee (No - I will dance with you). In practice, it would be very impolite to phrase an invitation to dance in the negative and equally impolite to refuse one. It should also be noted that, in the case of an invitation to dance, the length of the response indicates the degree of enthusiasm. Thus simply answering ae is in itself, slightly impolite, indicating that another invitation is unwelcome. The more usual response would be at least ae a awel (yes I wish-to). A response such as ae a awel shish fa shi (yes I wish-to dance with you) would indicate that another invitation is desired.

25. The suffix -ko is usually encountered in family names, the equivalent of the Anglic -er. To turn a verb to a normal noun, you use the suffix -ti. For example uryn is to grind grain (mill), urynti is a miller while Urynko is a person named Miller. Also due to the weakly inflected nature of Standard Luriani verbs, it can be encountered in a poetic or metaphorical sense a oi shishko, I am dance as opposed to the normal a oi shish I am dance(ing).

26. The prefix sequence is gi-, yo- and ir- big, bigger and biggest. The converse is ba-, dai- and va- small, smaller and smallest. The confusion lays in the way these can be compounded. Generally they can be compounded freely, both within and across the two sequences and multiple times. The only rule is that gi- and ya- are terminators. Once they are used the compound can not be moved any further in that direction without moving it the other first. Also while the compound can in theory be any length (such as gidaigiyoir-, biggest smaller biggest bigger big), in practice it is rare to go beyond two, with three being the effective limit unless the speaker is deliberately trying to appear humorous or facetious.

27. A heavy frame 9mm revolver suitable for shipboard use. It can be loaded with full charge ball rounds or low recoil reduced charge HEAP and tranq rounds for use aboard ship.

28. A 20 shot 8.5mm autopistol, standard Protectorate issue for second line personnel.

29. The Sherins were an influential and powerful family within the Protectorate with extensive holdings in industry and land.

30. Unlike the Imperium, the Protectorate maintained a strict top level monopoly on military force. There were no separate local armies and navies within the Protectorate. All military forces were under the direct control of the Lord Protector's Council. This even extended to the armament of civilian vessels, which was heavily restricted, requiring the ship to either be a registered naval auxiliary or obtain a special licence. These licences were expensive and only granted to traders spending at least 40% of their time outside the Protectorate. These policies presented a substantial barrier to non-Protectorate traders operating in Protectorate space. They did however, also have the effect of limiting piracy as any armed vessel would be routinely subject to boarding and inspection.

31. The Luriani equivalent is to stroke the right check of the other person with the back of your left hand. As over 96% of racial Luriani are left handed, it is thought this demonstrates the person is unarmed. It is also a display of trust as it invites contact with the extremely sensitive nerve endings in the check.

32. The Protectorate's most elite special forces formation. Its recruits were drawn from all branches of the Protectorate military.

33. A Luriani's pressure sense makes it hard to sneak up on them.

34. To conserve oxygen, a Luriani's metabolic rate can slow dramatically if needed.

35. Protectorate External Intelligence Service and Protectorate Security Bureau. Their external and internal intelligence services respectively.

36. Seshyishinti translates as Pilot.