On the deck plates near the pad, Eowyn Whats-her-name is pale and agitated as she waits for me. I dismount from AnTaibhse and begin walking towards her, but she runs to me and takes my arm, "Are you Ok? Oh my word! That was the most frightening vid I've seen! You just barely got in or you would be..."

"Yes, I know. Do you have an ID on that craft?"

"Security would, but are you okay?" She still sounds frantic and a quick appraisal of her attire would suggest she was also asleep when this little game began. "You don't look cut up or anything. No broken bones? Breathing issues?"

"Calm down, Ma'am. I'm fine. Take a deep breath."

She looks at me like I'm daft, "You almost died and on MY station, no less... and I'M supposed to CALM DOWN?!"

"Yes."

Something about my answer takes her by surprise and seems to break the panic. "Oh. Um, well... how may we help?"

"I need your techs to pull the mangled docking ring off the top hatch."

"We can do that."

"Good. I would also like to talk with your security team so I can send the craft ID to the authorities."

"You didn't know him?"

"No, why should I?"

"He told our DockCon that you were friends, knew your name and everything."

Well, that eliminates the possibility that the person was intoxicated and or just confused. "Well, he lied; I've never seen the man before. Had he checked in yet?"

"No, he said you were meeting him there and he would be in in a little while. It happens all the time, so they thought nothing of it." She looks puzzled, "If you didn't know he was coming, how did you know to meet him then?"

"I didn't, my spacecraft ai called my mobi," here I hold up the device, "To tell me someone was trying to break in. I've had problems with brake-ins recently and had extra security installed, so I got there before he succeeded."

"This never happens out here!" She is starting to freak out again, "Honest!" she shrills.

"Do your techs do tune ups?"

Again, the response snaps her free from the upset, "Yes. You want one while you are out?"

"No, but when I get back from checking the security archive, it would be nice to have them give me some extra oomph while I sit there."

"Okay, we can do that."

A technician runs into the bay and straight towards us... correction, straight to Eowyn. "We got a XI'An Navy frigate requesting permission to dock an official shuttle. Something about the decomp."

She shakes her head and gestures to me, "You might as well come along, I bet they will want to talk with you, too." To the tech, she adds, "Permission to dock, put them in 1B". He runs off and we follow at a brisk pace.

I notice she is shaking her head and would swear I hear her say, "We hire the best and then every emergency they go dumb as a post."

…..

Two Xi'An have entered the station security area: A naval officer of apparently high rank with the Imperial Nestline caste glyph and an ancient dino with just that Seer glyph. I see the latter surreptitiously look my way while the officer speaks with Eowyn. Our eyes meet and his evaluation leaves an impression of power well beyond what Ksan Ko'Kree projected. I don't think he's impressed, but I also see no hint of disapproval.

The three of them approach and Eowyn introduces them, "Mr. Ryan, this is Admiral Gramthr Emmin of His Royal Highness' Navy and Councilor Dnong. Esteemed guests, this is Shawn Ryan."

I bow low to the both of them, "I am honored to greet you Admiral Gramthr Emmin and Councilor..." just one name, that can't be right.

"Dnong will do for now. I do not lightly give out my full name to humans." This doesn't bode well. He looks at Eowyn and asks, "Do you have a private area where we can review the visual recordings and speak with pilot Ryan?"

"Oh, yes. You can use my office!" she gushes.

"When was it last swept for bugs?"

"What?" She is clearly not expecting such a question.

The Admiral changes the direction, "Would you be willing to come aboard the frigate Xi'Shana, Shawn Ryan?"

I dread a misstep here. "I was instructed to remain near Deputy Diplomat..."

Dnong impatiently interrupts, "We are superseding those orders. We need to speak in private."

"May I change out of this fightsuit into one more... appropriate?"

He smiles, showing as vicious a set of pointed teeth as I've ever seen a dino show, "Yes, you are thinking well. A new suit is appropriate."

"Then if I may inform Kree'Gna, I assent to your wishes."

The Admiral speaks up, "Granted."

"I'll be ready in ten stamin."

"Then go and be ready."

…...

"Shawn Ryan to Kree'Gna."

He is much more alert now, "Shawn Ryan, Shē'sueren. Have you been contacted yet?"

"Kree'Gna, Shē'sueren. I'm going to be speaking with Admiral Gramthr Emmin and a 'Seer' named Dnong."

"Dnong?"

"Yes, he would not give me his whole name."

"He seldom does. I do not know it. He is very old and crafty, he was a Seer when our races were enemies. Do not expect him to welcome you or treat you with more than formal respect or courtesy."

"How about the Admiral?"

"I am surprised that he is there and not some lesser functionary. Dnong wants to question you about the intruder, but I suspect he is also doubtful of your honor and courage."

"Well, I'm going aboard their ship..."

"What?!"

"They are concerned about bugs on the station."

"Take your ballistic sidearm, loaded with the DU core rounds. Wear it in the open."

"Why? What's up?"

"Just be careful, Shawn Ryan. And show no fear."

"No fear." That is unexpected, "Un, Kree'Gna... no fear at what exactly?"

"I do not know, or I would tell you."

"Have I done anything wrong, Kree'Gna?"

"No, you are under the Emperor's contract. Your visitor however... who escaped, by the way... has left suspicions and the only way to clear them away is speak with Dnong."

"Okay, I'm headed down now."

"No fear. Shawn Ryan, athlē-korr."

"I'm on it. Kree'Gna, athlē-korr."

…..

Well, perhaps a sense of foreboding is appropriate after Kree'Gna repeatedly told me to have "no fear"... the Xi'An are usually refined and intelligent, what kinds of torture could a two hundred and something year old refined intelligence scheme up to aid in his interrogations?

I approach the Xi'An shuttle's strong form and find Dnong and the Admiral waiting just outside the ramp.

While Dnong looks on with what I take is disapproval, Admiral Gramthr Emmin offers a slight bow and greets me, "Shawn Ryan, Shē'sueren. Thank you for joining us."

I'm a little taken aback by this, but follow the form with a bow of my own and, "Gramthr Emmin, Shē'sueren. Mahhragna ith ilxag ('I am too humble for such courtesy'... more or less)."

He nods, but replies in English, "My nest sister is Athas Mgren, Diplomat to Terra." I smile suddenly and he continues, "I see you recognize her. She has called you her friend, therefore you should not be surprised that I greet you as a nest mate has."

"I am again greatly honored."

"Enough prattle," Dnong says with a poorly concealed edge that seems to bode ill. "In you go."

The Admiral's eyes betray irritation at this, but he simply turns and makes his way up into the ship. I follow and Dnong brings up the rear, closing the ramp-way behind us. I feel it seal and try to remember all the times I've been out of my comfort zone and it has still turned out Ok.

There seem to be two in the crew, they make way quickly while we sit. The front end of the ship is open, much like our Connies are. Even from back here, the view as we leave the confines of the landing bay is spectacular. Now the frigate appears as we turn in space, she seems very large and bristles with weaponry.

Comm traffic seems heavy, but my Xi'An language lessons fell of ill prepared ears and now the fast chatter flies past like opera... I have no clue the meaning and it's gone before I can build a remote suspicion of even the plot.

I glance at my 'hosts' and while the Admiral is focused on the flight, Dnong sits wrapped in a cloak of some sort studying me. I know he would make me nervous if I weren't already there.

Docking happens quickly and as the ramp settles, there is suddenly a lot of noise. To be fair, the conversations are only noise to me because I don't understand them, but there are also many mechanical sounds and I would swear there is a small device playing what must be the Xi'An version of opera. Did I mention I actually hate opera? Not just strongly dislike, but hate. Several greenies cluster around the equipment; I would swear there is something like dancing on the verge of breaking out from behind the tight discipline.

"This way," Dnong orders and we walk as directed, he in front, the Admiral trailing, and I in the middle.

We enter a small plain room adorned only with several small chairs and an image of the Emperor surrounded by the major caste glyphs.

The Admiral gestures me to a chair, then joins Dnong sitting across from me.

In an accent free voice, Dnong asks, "Do you know why I wanted to question you here?"

"No, sir."

The Seer offers an evil grin as he calmly replies, "Good."

There is a hungry look in Dnong's eyes, like he is sizing up how difficult a victim I'll be. I remember Kree'Gna's injunction to show no fear... I decide to look at him the way I would my last RRS warden if I ever had the chance. Shifting my weight, folding my arms across my chest, and smiling back at him is apparently not what he expected, but I see a hint of appreciation.

The Admiral speaks first, "What are your connections with your navy?"

"I stay out of their way unless they are paying good money for goods or criminals I happen to have."

"You do not know of a reason they would want to kill you?"

"What? No, no reason at all. Why?"

"The tags on the 350r which left just after your incident are registered to a military intelligence person from the UEE Naby."

"What? What is it with all the spies all of a sudden?"

Dnong interjects, "You know you are talking with an intelligence agent right now..." he stops asking as he sees my nodding.

Now it's my turn, "Why is it that I have so much interest in me all of a sudden?"

"You are chrognaggh."

I remember it from once of my classes yeas ago... well, I think I do. "A bridge?"

He looks at the Admiral who explains, "That is the simple word meaning, but it is also used to imply a close connection or link; it can even be used like the term you use for a good diplomat: 'bridge-builder'."

I know I'm frowning and both of them react to the expression. "Why on Terra would that be a problem? I thought being friends was a good thing."

Admiral Gramthr Emmin laughs. It is as full bellied as Kree'Gna's and actually seems to annoy Dnong. As the latter looks my way, there is an edge in his words, "Beings like you upset the balance of power."

"What?"

The Admiral hasn't stopped laughing. Dnong continues, "You don't care about political advantage, you are friends with whomever. People who want to promote fear because it makes it easier to get and maintain control see you as a threat." Dnong stands suddenly and begins what Xi'An would consider pacing as he continues, "Xi'An like me who might promote a different way to prevent your empire from trying to weaken us see you as an anachronism. Shadows like MARC see you as the perfect means to learn more than they should just because you make the rest of us uneasy without giving us a good reason to be rid of you."

"May I ask a question?"

The Admiral has stopped laughing, by the way. Dnong seems to consider my request, finally nodding his assent.

"Well... if I am such a problem, why do you let me in... heck, even invite me into your embassies and aboard your ships? I really don't get it."

Dnong looks at Gramthr Emmin with something that reminds me of disgust. He slathers, "Kss grang hmrooon," in a tone that reeks of contempt.

The Admiral motions in their equivalent of our shaking our heads 'no' and says something to the intel councilor that I can't hear. Dnong doesn't answer, but his glare is nearly murderous in response. I guess I have a lot to learn about the Xi'An, the Admiral is now on his feet squarely in front of the suddenly still Dnong. Their noses are scant centimeters apart, I can see their dewlaps begin to distend and color, and I would swear there is suddenly a musky smell in the air. Further, while it might be the ship, I believe there is a very deep sound vibrating through the room coming from one or both of them. I have never seen even young Xi'An like this, the only thing I can think of to compare it to is whymer bucks posturing before battle.

Now I'm sure that the sound is coming from the two of them, it fills the room like the sound of kettle drums nearing a crescendo in concert. This can't be good, it is almost hurting my ears.

Jumping to my feet, I shout, "STOP!"

The sound stops and they are staring at me; I think I can fairly translate their disbelieving expressions as "What the hells do you think you are doing, human?!"

Eye to eye with Dnong, I say, "Look, Dnong Without-astranym, whatever I said that offended you, I offer sincere apology for; if you tell me what it is, I will do my best not to commit it again." I face the Admiral and continue, "I thank you Admiral Gramthr Emmin for standing up so. If I am such a trial to two patriotic Xi'An, please have the Emperor rescind my contract, escort me back to UEE space, and let me return to being just another nobody.

Dnong is still very angry, his dewlap is still pinkish, but otherwise, his features are inscrutable. At last he breathes, "You have a lot to learn, human."

"Okay, as long as I'm not betraying my people, teach me what I need to know."

He seems almost taken aback by my response.

"As Ksan Ko'Kree has said to me, you are honest, Shawn Ryan. I do not need to trust you to know this. I am Dnong Ksack."

The Admiral is astonished and I immediately acknowledge the privilege, "I am greatly honored to hear your name pronounced, Dnong Ksack."

"I wish all your people could behave so. You have my permission to continue your mission with Kree'Gna. I will watch, but for now I will not hinder you."

I bow and am about to speak when he turns and exits the room in an astounding display of discourtesy.

"You are a remarkable human," Gramthr Emmin comments. "Are you ready to return to your station?"

"Yes, sir, and with great thanks, Admiral Gramthr Emmin."

"By the way," he says, "I would never stand up for you against one of our own. His look at me was 'takshak'... a challenge you should not have seen. We Hatched do not fight... but the urggh... um... I do not know a word in English for it..."

"The loud deep drumming sound?"

"Yes, exactly... we urggh until one or the other can not stand the sound pressure and submits."

"Well, I was in pain already."

"Yes, your ear structures are weaker. We were really only getting started, but it had nothing at all to do with you. In fact, it was foolish of him to takshaki me in your presence. He had let himself get frustrated; he should be much too mature to allow that, something about you got to him."

We walk into the bay and directly to the shuttle. Surreptitious glances tell me that no one is paying attention to the music or much of anything else... they are all staring in my direction.

…..

"He called you what?" Kree'Gna sounds almost angry.

"I don't know that he called me anything."

"Please repeat what he said again, Shawn Ryan."

"I'm not sure I've got it right."

"Shawn Ryan..."

Hmmm, must be important to him, "Kss grang hmoon, I think."

"Are you sure it wasn't 'Kss grang hmrooon?' Please excuse my language."

"Actually, that sounds more like it. And what do you mean 'excuse your language'?"

"You don't know what it means, do you?"

"Nope."

"I do not think there is word for word into your speech, but it is a reference to the egg you came out of, with the overtone of having a vile odor and implying... hmmm... I think your kind have an expression, 'dumb as a post'... only what he implied is worse." I hear him say something and an auto-translator in the background says, 'moron'. Kree'Gna repeats it for me, "Like moron?"

"I get the picture. So why did he give me his name in the end, then?"

"What name?"

"His astranym is..."

"NO! Do not tell me!"

"Oh, sorry."

"If he told it to you, you are expected not to share it."

"He told me, though it was right before he walked out."

"I do not know it, only 'Dnong'."

"So I'm supposed to keep it secret?"

"He did not tell you to share it, did he?"

"Well, he didn't tell me not to."

"After all these years, you still do not understand such simple things?"

Ouch. "I guess not, Kree'Gna. Perhaps it was a mistake to bring me along."

He does not answer right away. Part of me sinks as I wonder if he thinks the same thing. "Shawn Ryan."

I wait for whatever is next. I'm still waiting. "Kree'Gna?"

"Yes. Do you not see that I still pronounce your whole name and you mine? I am still your friend, am glad for your company. I am honored that you are willing to serve the Emperor with me this way. You are remarkable in many ways, but to me mostly that you trust me as much as your own kind. Please do not stop that, Shawn Ryan."

"I'll try, Kree'Gna."

"Okay, so what else happened?"

"He and the Admiral urrgged or something like that."

I would swear that I hear wonder in his voice, "Urggh?"

"Sounds about right. Loud noise, sort of a sonic battle according to the Admiral."

"You're kidding?!"

"No, Dnong takshiked the Admiral and they did the urggh thing."

"In front of a human? I am... well I do not know what to say." There is a pause and I'm about to speak when he continues, "I'm surprised you can still hear me speak, Shawn Ryan."

"Well, I sort of interrupted them, Kree'Gna."

Silence.

I can hear my heart beating, but little else.

"Kree'Gna?"

"You are still alive, but that does not make sense to me... to interrupt two senior males in an urggh is... well... I don't know what to say other than wonder that you are still alive."

"Oh."

"They should have both turned on you and continued the urggh... with a combined force well beyond what a human body can tolerate."

"Maybe because I'm human?"

"Perhaps. I have never heard of an urggh in front of humans, maybe they didn't know the protocol," there is a sense of doubt in his tone as he says this, but I don't argue.

"So that was really rare?"

"An urggh is extremely rare. It is a primal thing that we rarely allow our selves to express... but once it starts, everyone backs away from the two... it is only the most senior males who may do this and they have the most skilled and powerful voices."

"What does it feel like?"

"I have never done it. I have watched two, but I have never been a senior male."

"Oh."

"Please start over, Shawn Ryan. Tell me everything, from the very beginning. Leave nothing out."

…..

We are almost to the jump point out of Hadur. I never got to tune my craft, but Eowyn promised that if I'm ever back in system, her H3RS techs will get power out of AnTaibhse that I never knew existed.

Kree'Gna is being sent back to Terra for whatever, I'm hoping I don't have problems... I had just finished a steak when he called to say we needed to leave immediately. Sometimes, um... my biological necessities after eating like that do not... er... follow a schedule. I just hope I don't have problems right when we run into bad guys. If we run into bad guys, I should say.

The first jump seems odd, I almost feel like I'm losing pace... though the anomaly transit and radiation readings all seem normal. Maybe it's the meal, I wonder if it really was steak and not one of those test-tube and petri-dish amalgams of beef muscle cells. It would be just my luck, visit a bunch of scientists and get fooled by home 'grown' food.

…..

After the usual niceties, Kree'Gna suggests, "Perhaps a long sleep cycle is required, Shawn Ryan. Will you dock at the Covalex platform?"

I'm really suffering abdominal distress now. Fortunately we are finally into the Terran system, but I can almost not wait until Kree'Gna breaks off for the embassy.

"No, I think I need to drop in on the plantation. I don't feel very good right now."

"You have been very quiet. Are you sick, Sean Ryan?"

"I don't know yet, Kree'Gna... but I do feel like I've been on the losing end of a hand to hand encounter with a Vandie."

"Perhaps I should check on you tomorrow?"

"Are you okay to make it to the embassy?"

"Now?"

"I need to get out of the chair and take care of something urgent."

"I will cover you."

"You don't have anything on that Xress to cover me with. Park it and get some rest."

"No, Shawn Ryan. Do what you need to and we shall continue."

I'm no longer in condition to argue, "Okay, I need to move."

Throttles to zero until the retros bring me to a halt, I clear my combat harness and am immediately making a bee-line for relief.

…..

Over the cabin speakers, the Xi'An's voice rings, carrying no small amount of alarm, "Shawn Ryan? Are you well?"

We've been stationary for almost fifteen minutes.

"Duncan, open the sequence from here."

"Done."

"Kree'Gna, I'm feeling rather sick. Go on without me."

"Not a chance," he insists.

I really need to get us moving... if only because it will get me home to real gravity and my own bed and bathroom all the sooner. I leave my suit crumpled on the floor and wearing just linen drawers I reclaim the big chair.

"Okay, let's get this over with," I breathe into the mic.

Up go my throttles. Kree'Gna passes me soon thereafter, but holds at about the 2G mark as we accelerate moderately.

In my misery, the Xress flight looks effortless while my own passage seems cumbersome and ill-piloted. Hmmm, actually, I guess that is the truth, isn't it? I'm ill and I'm pilot.

He has not spoken since throttles-up, I wonder if he knows how miserable I am right now.

…..

I wake in my own bed, chickadees doing their troop calls in the plants on my balcony. I honestly have no idea how I go down onto Terra, but unless this is the most vivid dream I've ever had, I am indeed in my room in the big house on the tea plantation. I don't feel very good right now, more like I survived a Marine platoon using me as a punching bag.

There's a knock at the door, and Camilla's rich voice asks, "Shawn? You awake in there?"

I try to answer, "Been better," but what comes out is more like a groan.

"I thought so," she continues and sweeps into the room. "How are we doing today, boss?" She has a tray, but I really don't want food right now.

On a second glance, I realize she isn't bringing breakfast, but instead has what must be

her med kit.

Again, I start to say something intelligent, but stop at the croaking sound I seem to be making instead.

"You just lay back and rest. I need to check your temperature."

I think I nod, but then again, I'm no longer sure my body is doing what I will it to...

Something cool touches my forehead. "39.4," Camilla announces to herself as she reads the results on her mobiglas. To me, she states, "You need a doctor, Mr. Ryan."

Finally, my mind wins over my matter and I reply, "No."

"Well, at least you are speaking now. Why shouldn't I get a doctor?"

"I ate something that I should have let digest before I ran a jump point. It's just Croshaw's Revenge, I'll be fine in a few days."

"Well, I'm not playing nurse for you; you're not my husband."

"No problem."

"You have a fever."

"I'm sleepy."

"Fine," she says, shaking her head. "I'll make sure you have some water at hand, but you come out for anything else."

"Okay."

I hear the door close and my eyes do likewise. The chickadees are still out on the porch, but little else reaches in through my ears. I'm sleepy.

…..

It is cold and dark... and I'm miserable. My sheets are soaked with sweat and I don't have the energy to get up and do something about it.

I finally manage to open my eye lids and little changes. There does seem to be something flashing on my nightstand, but I can't quite make out what the tiny blue light could be.

I try to roll over, but just the effort to move my head this far seems to have drained whatever energy reserves I had and the pains when I move each muscle insist that I leave them be. I'm sure I need to look at whatever, but I can't remember why and moving so far is rather not on my list of must do activities. I'll look at it in the morning... or tomorrow evening... or someday.

I think I hear samba coming in the window, mingled with the sound of happy voices. I wonder for just a moment if it's just a dream. No, it must be real, I think as I surrender to slumber.

…..

I hear two voices talking. One, a woman's voice, is rather familiar and the other, a man, isn't.

"He is awake," the woman says."

I feel a sharp pinch on my left big toe and a groan escapes, "Oowww."

"Are you awake now, Mr. Ryan?" the woman... I bet that is Gloria... queries.

"No."

"Lights," she orders. The room lights come on and the voice continues, "Hiding under the sheets isn't very effective, don't you agree, Mr. Ryan?" My bedsheets are ripped back and I lay there naked and almost immediately am shivering.

"He looks sick," unknown male comments.

"Not likely."

My eyes manage to open a little and yes, that is Gloria. She has her black ops gear on again, as does her companion. "See, he is just... oh."

My eyes close as if spring loaded and my head falls mundanely back onto the bed.

Man observes, "He is unfit for questioning."

Gloria ignores the fact and mercilessly asks me, "What is wrong with you, Mr. Ryan?"

"Plague."

"Oh, really? I guess we'll have to kill you."

"No," I groan, "It's just Croshaw's."

"What?" the man sounds alarmed.

Gloria seems to be correcting him, "Jump sickness. Usually just a rookie mistake from eating too much just before making a jump."

"Oh."

"Shawn, how many days have you been sick?"

"Two."

"We'll be back."

…..

"Have him take this before any meals." I hear a man's voice, as if through a long tunnel.

"He hasn't eaten anything." Okay, that sounds like Camilla.

"This will help him want to eat and lower the fever at the same time."

I manage to force my eyes open and see Camilla and a old and very oddly dressed man at my bedside.

"Hello?" I manage to croak from the desert that is my mouth.

"Ah, Master Shawn has returned to us," the male comes better into focus. I've never seen him before, but that is not as unexpected as his getup: from head to toe, he wears what seems a single piece robe of some rough-spun dark brown material, with what looks like common rope tied around the waist for a belt... I would swear he even has a hood on that thing.

I reach for a glass of water, take a long drink, and manage, "And you are?"

Camilla speaks first, "Shawn, this is Brother Patrick from the Franciscan priory, he is a doctor."

My brain seems fogged in, I could swear she is saying he is a Christian monk.

In a clearer voice than his age might propose, he says calmly, "May the peace of the Lord be with you."

"There are Christians here?" I blurt out, as if asking if there are dinosaurs.

Camilla looks shocked and I'm about to try to back out of my comment when he laughs and replies, "Yes, it does seem like we are around after all..." I would swear there is a twinkle in his eye as he says. "We must not mingle with the right circles."

"Um, sorry, I didn't mean..."

"Of course you did and I don't hold it against you." This is an odd turn of events and I'm completely unprepared for what to say next. Fortunately for me, he isn't finished, "I just got done telling Camilla that you need to take some of this," he holds up a smallish bottle, "Before every meal. It will help break your fever and increase your appetite."

"And this is?"

Camilla seems frustrated with me and starts, "Shawn Ryan..."

But the old monk interrupts with a huge smile, "It's a secret concoction that will of course turn you into someone just like me." His laughter and that definite twinkle tell me he is having a joke at my expense, but I'll give him that.

"Okay, well, I'll skip that and just muddle."

"Mr. Ryan, it is mostly local herbs combined with just enough naga juice to start a fire but not an inferno. If you do not like hot foods, add a little milk."

"I love hot, but I don't think I could eat anything."

"This will work, trust me."

"I don't know you."

"Ah, there is that."

"He is a doctor, Shawn," Camilla is insistent, "And I know him, he meets with a small group of us here on Sunday evenings."

The old guy just nods and looks on with that peaceful smile. His ease seems all the stranger, since I get the distinct impression he is a lot older than even I am and I can't imagine smiling like that even at my age... much less dressed in an outfit like his.

"Um..."

"Don't worry, it will not kill you and if you are honest about how you feel right now, you will agree that you could use a little help."

Rather disconcerting that he is quite accurate, maybe he is a doctor.

"You're not going to prescribe leaches, are you?"

Laughing, he retorts, "Oh, I didn't know you preferred them."

"Touche."

"If you would like me to give you a complete pharmacological breakdown, I would be glad to, but only if you can convince me that in spite of your fever you are up to that much information about things outside of your own areas of expertise."

"Um..."

"If you change your mind, please let Camilla know and I'll be glad to oblige."

"I thought doctors were all rich."

"Obedience, poverty, and chastity."

"Come again?"

"My vows as a friar. I take the poverty part as seriously as the other two."

"Not even a big hover?"

"I walk."

Wait a minute... "That can't be right, I know every building for four or five kilometers around here."

"The priory is in Weymouth."

"Weymouth?! That's almost eleven kilometers away! How..."

"Yes," he interrupts, "And I got to enjoy the morning walking over here when Camilla indicated your need."

I'm speechless.

He turns to Camilla and seems apologetic, "You will forgive me, kind lady, but I must return to my place in time to do my assignments before the evening offices."

"Thank you so much for coming, Brother Patrick."

Turning back to me, he smiles once more and says, "May you soon feel the return of health, Shawn Ryan."

"What do I owe you?"

"A quick return to health and the willingness to accept that we do still exist."

"Um, okay." That doesn't seem fair, but an idea strikes, "If you hang on, I'll get dressed and give you a ride."

Shaking his head, he answers, "Why? Even if you were healthy, why? I get to sing with the larks and chirp with the chickadees... I love simplicity and a walk through verdant creation is the perfect place for renewal in the presence of its Creator."

"Oh..."

"Just rest, take your medicine, and trust to the care of your friends."

I don't feel up to the questioning or arguing I think I should be doing and just offer, "Okay, well... have a nice walk... brother?"

"Since you do not believe, Patrick will do just fine."

"Yeah, well, have a nice walk, Patrick."

Camilla curtsies as he leaves and I'm left more confused than ever. She looks my way and opines, "You're in rare form today."

"I'm sick."

"No kidding. And just exactly what were you thinking, inviting a woman in last night?"

"A woman...?"

"I heard a woman's voice a couple of times."

Through the fog, I know who she speaks of. "Gloria was here, I thought that was just a bad dream."

"And who is Gloria? Have you been misbehaving?"

"No, not that way, anyhow." How do I describe who Gloria is? For that matter, am I putting Camilla in some kind of danger if I explain? She is standing there waiting, I can feel her expectation that I explain. "She is some kind of agent and I guess I know stuff she wants to know, too. I guess I'm either too sick to remember filling her in or was too far gone to tell her what she wanted."

Camilla is concerned, "You in trouble?"

"No, not that kind of trouble. No laws broken."

"But trouble anyway?"

I think back on my dealings with Gloria, Dora, and the Seers... "Yeah, in one way or another, it smells like trouble, but it is where I guess I am."

She looks at me with concern and I realize that through the fever I can actually glimpse just how much trouble I have gotten myself into.

…..

Well, Brother Whats-his-name's little elixir has indeed managed to turn me around. I may think he has bats in his belfry, but it doesn't seem to have dimmed his skills in healing. The fever broke a scant six hours after the first dose and my appetite returned soon thereafter.

Unfortunately, it wasn't soon enough for Kree'Gna, he has left and will not return for a few days. At least I'm a day ahead of where Croshaw's would normally leave me, a fact that appears to have thrown Gloria off her schedule.

Rather than be quite so surprised, tonight, I tie threads to each portal in such a way that it will knock something over when someone tries to pass. Not brilliant, but tonight I will at least have a chance at some warning.

…..

CRASH!

I may have been nearly asleep, but I'm not now.

"You are quite the character, Mr. Ryan," Gloria says with just a hint of humor. "I can see I will have to treat you with a bit more caution next time."

"Would you be so kind as to turn on the lights so you can attempt to intimidate me in the open?"

The main room light comes on and there is Gloria in all her night time costume. Behind her, a friend stands dressed rather similarly, though I might hazard a guess that his suit is rarely used while hers looks like an oft worn second skin.

"I would never want to intimidate you if alternatives work as well," she comments.

"Of course not, how could I have been so wrong?"

To her, the male whispers over-loudly, "I thought you said you two had never..."

She turns on him and I barely hear her hiss, "We haven't."

He glances at me, propped up against my pillows and smiling as if I had been waiting for them... which I actually rather have been... and now back into her hardened stare and arches an eyebrow.

"Shawn, have you ever had the experience of my intimate company?" she asks while still focused on him.

I'm actually enjoying this and answer, "Define 'intimate company'."

Now she wheels at me and snaps, "Sex, you moron."

"Well, you did go out of your way to get to bed with me nude... and I sure can't account for all the time you were here." Her face drops into what must be her murderous mode and I decide to tell the man, "As far as I know, we've never had sexual contact... I don't dig bald women and as you can see..."

"Enough!" she all but screams.

"Is there a problem, Gloria, dear?"

She glares daggers at me, but her tone is even and quiet, "You had meetings we were not privy to. I want details."

"They wanted to know about you and MARC. Well, and about the Navy or at least the guy who tried to kill me... one of yours?"

Gloria is suddenly serious, "No, and not a known OES or Military Intel operative either. The ship tag was stolen and the station tapes of his face did not get an ID. I would guess someone with an interest in keeping the Xi'An uncertain of our intentions, but that could be anyone."

"Fat lot of help you are."

She glances down at herself and then looks back at me, "I'm not fat."

He moves to the foot of my bed, turns a chair around and says, "That's enough fun and games, I am here to interview you and you are going to answer our questions."

"You forgot the magic words."

His brow furrows, but out of the corner of my eye, I see Gloria smile. "What?" he asks.

"Ask nicely and say please."

I get the distinct impression that he hasn't heard this before, at least not on the job. Gloria smirks.

"You are going to answer my questions. All of them."

I look over at Gloria and as if speaking about a misbehaving child offer, "I think someone has forgotten his manners."

He is rising and a glance tells me he is angry. Gloria, however, waves him off and replies, "Shawn Ryan, will you please answer all of Interviewer Liao's questions?"

"Thank you, Gloria. Yes, I would be glad to do so since you ask most courteously."

She looks back at Liao and says, "He's old, it helps to humor him about the little stuff."

…..

"So, they want us to know they know we are watching?"

"Yup."

"Why?"

"To figure out more about MARC and what you know and don't."

Gloria is now very interested, "Why? What got them interested?"

"The guy you recruited before me. If I understand what I was told, they didn't even know MARC existed before you had someone with a suite of active gear run Kree'Gna's wing without telling him."

"How much did he tell them?"

"I have no idea, but they were expecting you to contact me." A thought strikes me, "Why don't you ask him yourselves?"

"He didn't come back from Xi'An space, or if he did it was very undercover."

For a moment I remember Ksan Ko'Kree's expression and it occurs to me that someone like Dnong Ksack would have probably been involved... no, the fact that the previous pilot has not been heard from really doesn't surprise me: all these folks are serious and play for keeps. A thought strikes me, "So you were willing to sacrifice me, too?"

Liao looks over at Gloria as she answers, "Yes, to protect the Empire, anyone... Citizen or civ... can be sacrificed. We obtain the archive data we need to help those who decide to understand the best courses of action. If we don't know, we can not tell them and they have to depend on more biased voices."

"Like OES?"

"All the other intel organizations."

"You don't trust much of anyone, do you?"

"No. Would you?"