Beka watched from the table she was sitting at. She placed the supplies back into one of the medical kits she had used to clean and close the wound Tamerlane had received from the falling ceiling tile. Tyr had immediately chastised Tamerlane for going into a firefight with only Beka. Then chastised them both for being together to be able to be together in a firefight.

Beka felt lucky that Tamerlane had pulled her to safety under him when the ceiling grate fell. If he hadn't, the ragged edge of the grating would probably have impaled her rather than tearing a nasty chunk out of his side.

Tamerlane was standing across the room with Tyr, Mehar and some of the higher ranking males in the pride. It seemed that Tamerlane was actually arguing with them about something. The group of males quieted when Jurgen joined them. The males all sat at a table, including Tamerlane. Beka had never seen him interacting with Jurgen or the high ranking males. She had no idea what they were discussing. Tamerlane had given her hand a quick squeeze after she had fixed him up. Then he had just got up and walked away to find Tyr.

Beka saw Jurgen shake his head vehemently as he looked at Tamerlane. She could see the determination in Tamerlane's face as he respectfully argued back. Jurgen looked to other males in the group then back to Tamerlane. Tamerlane proceeded to talk some more gesturing several times toward the supply storage area that had now twice been the reason for attack. Finally, Jurgen appeared to speak sternly to Tamerlane before getting up and leaving the common area. Tamerlane got up from the table, quickly pulled several males with him and disappeared down the corridor toward the storage areas.

Beka looked up a short time later when there was a commotion at the other end of the room. She looked up to see the group of males Tamerlane had taken with him emerging from the storage area with carts laden with the bodies of the fallen Cougars. They quickly wheeled the carts down another corridor that led to the hangar deck. Then returned a few minutes later and disappeared down the corridor with the empty carts. Beka heard an uproar a short time later when the carts emerged again, this time laden with food crates. Beka recognized them immediately as the Cougar pride logoed crates. Tamerlane followed the carts out of the corridor and was instructing the males to take them to the hangar deck. Beka could see him arguing with one of the males. Tamerlane strode over to him threateningly. The male immediately backed down and pulled the cart in the direction of the hangar. Tamerlane gazed over the rest of the males, daring them to challenge his instructions. None did. Beka was surprised by the authoritarian posture Tamerlane had suddenly taken on.

After the carts were gone, Tamerlane's gaze found Beka.

"I need you to do something for me," Tamerlane sat down beside her on the bench she was occupying.

"What was that all about?" Beka gestured to the other end of the room.

"I persuaded Jurgen to return the dead Cougar to their pride," Tamerlane explained. "All prides have differing customs concerning their dead. Cougar pride has ceremonies for their fallen. Without the bodies the ceremonies are not performed. It brings shame to the pride for not retrieving their dead. Call it on olive branch if you will. The Cougars and Volsung have got to stop fighting if I have any chance of creating an alliance between the seven local prides."

"And the pirated food?" Beka raised her eyebrows in question.

"I pointed out to Jurgen that the only reason Cougar pride was attacking was to retrieve that which they needed," Tamerlane ran his hands over his face. "They are most likely starving Beka."

"Who?" Beka frowned.

"The Cougars," Tamerlane replied as he looked around the room. "The males that attacked us tonight. There bodies show signs of malnutrition. If these are the fighters and defenders of the pride, they would be treated better than the other members. They would be receiving a larger share of any food to keep them healthy so they could defend the pride. If they are this malnourished, I believe the rest of the pride could be … near death."

"I doubt Jurgen gives a damn about the Cougars," Beka shook her head. Tamerlane nodded she was right.

"However, I convinced him to return their stolen food," Tamerlane replied. "I can't allow that pride to starve – regardless of pride – they are Nietzscheans."

"Will they accept charity?" Beka frowned.

"I will need to explain to them that it is … a gesture of friendship," Tamerlane paused. "An attempt at a new beginning between Volsung and Cougar prides. If presented in the right manner, I am sure they will accept the return of their supplies and the foundation of moving forward with a more useful alliance."

"How did you get Jurgen to change his mind?" Beka tilted her head to look at Tamerlane.

"It was difficult," Tamerlane looked around the room. "The supplies … pirated … supplies are brought to the pride by Jurgen's … wayward … son. Jurgen does not want to offend his son by rejecting the supplies. From what I understand he is last remaining son from Jurgen's favorite wife. The rest of them died in the last Genite attack on the pride. Jurgen wishes for his son to return to the pride and take up his position as Jurgen's heir apparent. I can't stand the male. I know many around here wish the universe would deal with him and remove him from the gene pool. However, he has three wives in the pride and seven children. He has another wife somewhere. His bounty supports them as well as the rest of the pride."

"That is the favor I need from you," Tamerlane reached out and pushed the hair from her face examining the scratch on her forehead before quickly caressing the side of her face. Beka was surprised that he touched her in public.

"I need you to …" Tamerlane fished something out of his pocket. He opened his palm to Beka. She looked down and saw the Transgalactic credit chip she had given him months ago. "I need you to take this … and Jusmin's unit … to replenish the supplies I have talked Jurgen into returning to the Cougars. I have no idea what kind of deals you can get in this area of Known Space. Most of the drifts and orbitals around here are run by thieves and pirates – usually preying on the weak. It's costly and dangerous."

"Jusmin's unit?" Beka raised her eyebrows.

"Jurgen has approved them accompanying you. I told him being an outsider who appears Human, you can be most useful in negotiations. Tyr and Mehar agreed. They are the strongest fighters I know here," Tamerlane replied at he handed her a flexi. "I need to know you are protected. I know at this point, each will protect you if need be. I am … uneasy … having you away with ten Nietzschean males for a day or so."

"I know your father is probably have a great time with this," Beka looked over to where Tyr was with Mehar. "It was his idea to send me out with ten males – attractive, available males … in close quarters … on my ship. Wasn't it?"

"He seems to relish the idea of your … possible discomfort," Tamerlane nodded. "I don't know that he thinks you will … partake in the offering, but he wanted to make it just the same. I know you will be protected. That is what is important to me. This is a list of what I will be taking to Cougar pride."

Beka turned on the flexi and skimmed the list. She could tell it was more than he was actually returning.

"Do I really have to replace the Than grain?" Beka frowned. "It is so disgusting."

"It is highly nutritious. The unbonded males here like it with tequilana nectar," Tamerlane countered. Beka made a gagging face. "However, I will allow you some discretion when it comes to the list."

"Can I get extra stuff?" Beka raised her eyebrows. Sge could think of a few things the pride needed.

"Such as?" Tamerlane looked at her suspiciously. Beka shrugged. "Nothing extravagant, please. You have lived in this pride. You know how they live. Other than Tyr's few … indulgences… the others here … just need the basics."

"Fine," Beka agreed. "I won't go overboard. I will try to stay with your list – I'll even get the Than grain. I know some suppliers near here. I can get you a good deal on most of this stuff. So long as they don't know its for Nietzscheans, I shouldn't get robbed blind."

"Did you say you were going to Cougar pride?" Beka put the flexi in the back of her belt.

"Tyr, Mehar and I are taking a ship with the bodies and the supplies to Cougar pride's asteroid colony near Vargus," Tamerlane nodded as he looked around. He saw Jusmin's unit of males headed toward the hangar with duffels in hand. "Jurgen refuses to go because … well they hate him. I see it as an opportunity."

"I will take the guys and I will get your supplies," Beka put her hand over his and closed his fingers around the credit chip. She squeezed his hand tightly. "I will not take your money."

"Beka," Tamerlane protested as she kept her fingers firmly around his.

"I own the largest shipping company in the universe plus a few other enterprises as well. I am a gazillionaire," Beka smiled faintly. "I think I can pick up the tab for a load of supplies"

"Be careful. Don't go overboard," Tamerlane opened his hand slightly to grasp her fingers. He squeezed tightly. "And keep track of what you spend. If we ever get this alliance on track, I will make sure you get a return on your investment."

"This is one of those time I really wish I could kiss you goodbye," Beka smiled faintly as he released her hand.

"When we are finally alone, you can kiss me extra," Tamerlane promised.

"Be careful going to Cougar Pride," Beka turned to walk off. She turned and placed her fist on her heart and opened it to him.