AN- Wow, here's a story I haven't touched in ages. Sorry about that. I have been so focused on my other story that this one just got shoved off to the side for a while. And I know a lot of people have read this story, and that many of you haven't reviewed, a case that I am used to. But please, review for this chapter and tell me if I should continue this fic. I give you a month.

So please, read, enjoy, decide, and review.

CHAPTER TEN

"So let me get this straight. You were made some eight years ago through the Galactic Leyline to kill us, but you refused, making you enemies of the Kei Pirates. The last of your friends were killed five years ago, and you have wandered around, fighting the Kei Pirates and taking bounties. Now you want us to help you rescue the Clan-Clan family, right?" Gene asked.

They were in the galley of the Outlaw Star, and everyone was seated around the large table. All except Aisha, who was in the med-bay, having her face reconstructed. "Yeah, that about sums it up," Tristan said casually. He took apart and reassembled one of his pistols in twelve seconds. It was a comfort thing.

"How did you resist that caster shell? No light shield could stand up to that."

"It wasn't a light shield. Among my inventory of abilities, I am also able to channel my chi into shields and other things. That caster shell was the toughest thing I've ever come up against; even I'm surprised I lived."

Melfina was looking at him with great interest. "It is amazing to know that I am not alone in terms of how advanced I am." Her eyes sparkled. "Truly amazing. I'm not as alone as I thought."

"Well, in terms of overall advancement, I couldn't really say we are equal. You had the power to activate the Galactic Leyline, I don't. But in terms of combat, I outrank you. Which doesn't really come as a surprise." He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes wearily. "Oh, and by the way, how is the child? Do you know what it is yet?"

Gene laughed, a deep rich sound. "The thing is, 'it' is not singular. Melfina is carrying twins, a boy and a girl. She is expecting to have them in about two months."

"Good news for all," Tristan sighed as he sank deeper into the chair. He still had his eyes closed, and seemed to fall asleep. Jim opened his mouth to speak, but closed it, a look of wariness across his face. "What is it, Jim?" Tristan asked from his relaxed position.

Jim started in surprise, but asked his question anyway. "What weapon were you using? I've never seen anything like it, and it seemed absolutely advanced, as advanced as you can get without using an energy weapon."

"Ah yes, my gauss rifle. I'll give you the plans and description via email, as long as you swear not to make one, and to not sell the plans to someone else. But if you have any wonderful ideas on how to make it better, then please, tell me. If it is able to be incorporated into the design, I'll enter a partnership with you, and we can get filthy rich off the patent!" he grinned wickedly.

Jim suddenly had a gleam in his eyes. "I can follow those rules easily. Prepare to be amazed, Tristan. But I still don't get how you did it."

"I was simply using subsonic rounds. It is adjustable, that's all."

"You can adjust how fast the rounds are fired? That's a stunning tactical advantage!"

"Yeah, well, that's not really important right now. What's important is whether or not you guys want to help."

Gene put on a thoughtful face. "Let's see, you want us to leave the planet we had finally become comfortable in, just to piss off the Kei Pirates even more than we already have, all for the sake of rescuing some C'tarl-C'tarl who probably hate us just as much as the Kei Pirates, and we probably won't even get any money out of it. What's the point?"

"The point is, Gene," Tristan started darkly. "You can't really piss off the Kei Pirates any more than you already have, you've already been attacked at least once on Heifong, Aisha would so kill you if she heard you say that about the C'tarl-C'tarl, and I am willing to pay you whatever you want. Plus I've got some neat toys to play with."

"Toys?" Gene asked, an eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"Oh, you know. Guns, bullets, vehicles, things like that."

"Guns such as?" asked Gene as though he doubted Tristan's word.

"I have an entire armory full of weapons that I've designed inside of my starship."

"Vehicles?" asked Jim brightly.

"Yeah. Do you still have that Efrau?" he asked with a smug grin on his face.

"Sure I do. I wouldn't just get rid of a sweet ride like that!"

"How fast is she?"

"Faster than anything else on Heifong III!"

"Wanna bet?" Tristan asked, suddenly dead serious.

Everybody in the room froze. No one who had challenged Jim had lost in a race, and Tristan had just walked right into a challenge. "How much?"

"Everything you are willing to part with."

"That would be ten thousand wong," Jim said slowly.

"I'll triple that if I lose."

"Deal!"

Without another word the two shook hands. Jim looked Tristan straight in the eye. "Challenger chooses where."

"The highway. Start one mile out of town, and end one mile out of town on the opposite side. That's a good twenty miles through traffic."

"Sounds fun!" Jim quipped.

"And we have to follow only one set of rules, mainly for safety. We shouldn't go through red lights. You can but unless you want to risk your life, then I wouldn't."

Jim got a sudden gleam in his eyes. "Oh, it's on now."