New Arrival

Chapter Two

The King's Court

"Est Sularus oth Mithas."

"My honor is my life."

A quote from an old Earth book, "Dragons of Summer Flame" set in the Dragonlance universe.  The Oath of all Solamnic Knights.  Solamnic:  "Est Sularus oth Mithas."  Translates to:  "My honor is my life."

"Andromeda, please tell the crew to report to command.  We have a briefing we need to give," Dylan Hunt said, speaking to the holographic projection of his ship.

"Is there an occasion I should announce," she asked, half playfully, half serious.

"We're going to a ball," he replied, a slight smile on his face.

....................................

"Did I hear that right," Beka asked as she munched on her breakfast.  Hex looked both pleased and alarmed, which looked very odd, considering there was a piece of bacon hanging from his mouth.  Trance was laughing at him and pointed out the bacon.  He just bit it off and placed the unfinished piece back down on his plate, swallowing what had already been in his mouth.  When Trance noticed the look on his face, she groaned slightly.

"Oh, come on.  There can't be a legend about this too."  He shook his head.

"No, there's not," he replied.  He looked as if he'd seen a ghost.  He slid his tray over to Trance as he picked up the last of the bacon he'd been munching on and walked out of the Mess Hall, hands clasped behind his back, eyes unfocused.  Trance thought she caught the words, "Ghost of a future dream," but shrugged it off, picking up her fork and beginning to eat some of Hex's unfinished waffles.

....................................

'Well, Hexy old boy, things are certainly beginning to spin out of your control' Hex thought to himself as he walked aimlessly down one of Andromeda's many corridors.  'Normally you've strived, and succeeded, to avoid what those magical little glass things have shown you.  And, normally, they've shown you stuff in advance.  This?  How come this didn't come until less then twenty-four hours before it happened?  And is it connected to her death somehow?  If it is, of course, you need to stop it, but if it isn't, then hey, why not enjoy yourself?  It's been ages since you've been to one of these, you know.  And hey, whose to say you won't be able to stop it later, even if this little ball thing is connected to Trance's death?  I mean, you deserve some peace, don't you?  Everybody does, y'know.  It's a right, or something.  Anyway, back to the subject at hand here, ok?  Don't lose focus.  Seems like with all these new friends you've begun to speak openly, and that's ok, they're your friends.  But this golden skinned beauty?  Man, you lose all your wits when you're around her.  What was up with showing her that, anyway?  I mean, yeah, it was pretty cool, and the look on her face was classic, but let's face it:  That was supposed to be one of our closely guarded little secrets.  What happened to that?  Ok, losing focus again.  That golden girl isn't following us, is she?  That would explain the current loss of wits and focus.  Ok, anyway, rambling again.  Remember, you want to prevent her death.  So, yeah, if this ball thingy is connected to her death, it has to go.  Oh, the rest of them can go down there, they're inconsequential anyway.  I mean, we care about 'em, but this won't bring about their deaths.  I think.  Well, maybe you should go down there to make sure they stay safe.  But, yeah, don't let Trance go down there.'  He sighed.  He always talked to himself in his head like this, tried to stay on both sides at the same time.  Normally, it failed miserably.  'She's the first person that's wanted to get close to you in a while now, you know that, right?  Don't screw it up, Hexy, don't screw it up.  This may be your last chance.'

"Penny for your thoughts," a voice said from behind him.  He chuckled and thought about how broken up and unfocused that penny would have to be as he nodded in greeting to Rommie.

"We'd have to break it up and scatter it across the universe," he replied jokingly.

"Everything ok," she asked, falling into step with him.

"Yeah.  Better than ok, really.  But, see. . .I've never actually had a girlfriend before, and, well. . .I think maybe I'm being a little overprotective."

"How so?"

"I guess. . .I'm just worried all the time something will happen to Trance, that's all."  Rommie chuckled.

"Considering your feelings for each other, that isn't abnormal at all."

"Yeah, but. . .I dunno.  I don't want her going on missions anymore.  I want her to stay where it's safe, or relatively so, anyway.  And I know that isn't fair of me, and I know I'm being overprotective, but I can't help it, y'know?"  Rommie smiled and nodded.

"And the fact that you realize it means you can do something about it.  You can catch yourself before you say something overprotective, think it over, and if it isn't overprotective, you can say it.  If it is, you won't say it."

"One could hope, but I tend to leap before I think."

"So?  It's part of your charm," she replied with a smile.  "Look, I'm heading to command.  If you ever need to focus your thoughts and get them out in the open, you know where to find me."

"Thanks Rommie.  I appreciate that," he told her honestly.  "Same for you," he added as she turned.  She winked at him and continued walking.  "Now," he mumbled, "how am I going to tell whether or not this thing is connected to Trance's death?"  And his mental reply?  'I suppose, Hexy, you won't.'

That thought didn't comfort him at all.

....................................

"So, what you're telling us is that we can't bring forcelance's or any other kind of EFFECTIVE weapon down there at all," Hex asked in shock, staring at Dylan as he gave his speech on conduct while at what was to be a masquerade ball.

"That's exactly what I'm saying, Mr. Mason."

"I'm bringing my sword, and I'll provide the rest of you with some weapons.  Tyr, you look like a halberd man.  It's big and powerful.  Fitting.  Harper, you definitely get the throwing knives.  Quick and sharp.  Beka, you get the heavy crossbow."  He smiled.  "It's explosive, just like you."  He promptly had to duck a playful right hook.  "Ok, I was just joking, don't take it seriously.  Dylan, you would probably have a nice broadsword, since great leaders are known for 'em.  Rommie, I've got a pair of sai for you.  Can be deadly or used to stun, so the taking of life isn't necessary."  He turned to look at Trance, who stood behind him.  "And I've got something special in mind for you."

"I'm going," she said flatly.

"I know.  I mean as a weapon.  Bladed fans, designed to look like Japanese paper fans until they're unfolded.  Then the deadly blades come into view, and people suddenly realize that they aren't for taking away the heat."  He smiled.  "Elegant, graceful, dignified, beautiful, and mysterious.  They suit you."  She flushed slightly, but smiled nonetheless.

"Mr. Mason, what makes you think we'll be bringing ANY weapons to the masquerade ball?"

"Because we're not THAT trusting," he replied simply.  Dylan laughed slightly.

"You will get weapons that suit your costumes," he told them.  Hex snapped his fingers.

"Well, I'll be getting a rapier.  Oh well, still just as effective.  Nice style to a blade like that, too," Hex mumbled.  Dylan smiled at the eccentric young man and gestured to the exit.

"Well, get going.  Make sure you're in costume by-"

"Um, normal time, please?  Military time confuses me," Hex cut in softly.  Dylan gave him a friendly nod.

"Nine o'clock tonight."  Hex nodded and headed back to his quarters, and Trance kissed him swiftly before heading to hers.  Dylan smiled after them.

"Who do you think they're going as," he asked.

"Isn't it obvious," Tyr replied, a slight smile on his face.  "Will you two play along?"

"Yeah," Harper replied.  "My vote goes to yes."

"Well then, it's decided," Dylan replied.  "Beka, Rommie, Tyr, are you sure you three don't want to come?"  They all simply nodded.  "Ok.  Well, let's get dressed up."

....................................

Hex checked himself over in the mirror.  He was dressed exactly like he had been once before, in a performance of an old Earth play.  A fox mask adorned his face, or half of it.  The rest of it was old English attire, as was required for his costume.  He looked himself over once more.  'Well, I make a fair Romeo, don't I?'  He gave a contented sigh and left his quarters, to find Dylan and Harper standing in the hall outside, all dressed in costumes.  Harper was portraying the character Hex recognized as Mercutio, Dylan was Benvolio.  Hex gave a sarcastic little laugh.  "Oh, HA HA.  Very funny."  Harper shrugged, Dylan laughed.  "Oh, I get it.  Ok, I'll bite.  Here we go:

(Note:  This next part will be written as I read it out of a Shakespeare book, replacing the character abbreviations with Hex, Dyl, and Har.  All dialogue is property of William Shakespeare and whoever has the ownership now.)

Hex:  What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse?  Or shall we on without apology?"

Dyl:  "The date is out of such prolixity:  We'll have no Cupid hoodwink'd with a scarf, Bearing a Tartar's painted bow of lath, Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper; Nor no without-book prologue, faintly spoke after the prompter, for our entrance:  But, let them measure us by what they will, we'll measure them a measure, and be gone."

Hex:  "Give me a torch,-I am not for this ambling; Being but heavy, I will bear the light.

Har:  "Nah, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.

Hex:  "Not I, believe me:  you have dancing shoes, with nimble soles:  I have a soul of lead.  So stakes me to the ground I cannot move."

Har:  "You are a lover; borrow Cupid's wings, and soar with them above a common bound."

Hex shook his head.  "Ok, we're getting pretty close to where the others are going to be.  I don't want to seem like a total freak, so let's stop."  Dylan gave a little laugh.  "What," Hex began, and then chuckled and added sarcastically, "dear cousin, haven't you told me?"

"Tyr, Beka, and Rommie aren't coming.  It'll just be you, Harper, Trance, and me.  And, well. . .Trance is already down on the planet."  Hex's eyes went wide and his hand went instantly to the hilt of the rapier than hung at his side.  "Just to prepare for the balcony scene, of course."  Dylan looked at Hex's eyes.  "What's wrong?"

"I don't like surprises," Hex replied softly.

"But this one's a GOOD surprise," Harper returned.  Hex sighed.

"Can't control everything," he mumbled to himself.  "I just hope this time it doesn't come back to bite me on my shiny silver ass."

"What was that," Dylan asked.

"Nothin', don't worry about it," Hex mumbled.

....................................

Hex could hear the music as he stepped inside.  'Either these people really do live in this time period, or they have a very, VERY unhealthy obsession' he thought to himself.  Bards played on stage, and people in costume danced around the dance floor.  A king sat upon a throne high up.  Hex chuckled at apparently nothing and outright laughed at the uncomfortable looks on Dylan's and Harper's faces.  He decided he would get them back for making fun of him and began to glide across the dance floor.

Dylan and Harper stood in shocked awe.  Hex moved across that dance floor like he owned it.  Women asked him to dance left and right, and he simply replied with a no, and they actually left it at that.  He even had the KING nodding in approval!

Hex smiled as he noticed Harper's jaw drop, but then the worried look flew back across his face.  Where was Trance?  He didn't want her to be alone down here, not with the chance that this could be connected to her death.  And then he saw her, standing on a balcony, smiling down at him.  'Oh man, Dylan and Harper were serious about the balcony scene!'  And then another sight grabbed his attention.  A man staring up at Trance, twirling a dagger in his fingers.  He wore a heavy cloak, hood pulled low over his face, and the little that could be seen of his pale face was scarred beyond belief.  Hex knew immediately the man was an assassin.  He'd seen the like before, and more than likely, this one was a NightOwl, or so the more prominent assassin group called itself.  He'd dealt with them before, and he knew that it would be a fairly easy matter to get rid of this man.  He strode over like an old friend and stood in whispering distance.  "Sheee's a looksher, ain't shhhheee," he slurred, acting drunk.  The man gave a slight chuckle.

"That's it, you've caught me.  I'm lovestruck, and I wish to find a way up to that balcony.  Do you know of a way, my good man?"

"That I do, sonny, that I do.  Hey, you got an apple on yer head, y'know?"  The assassin's eyes widened.  The comment was a reference to an old story, about a father who shot an apple off of his son's head.  It was NightOwl code for "you've been made."  "I'm thinkin' maybe yoou realllly schouldn't be lookin' like that, y'know?  Or maybe-maybe find yerself a new girl."

"Sorry, I can't do that."  He paused.  "I'm VERY lovestruck."  Hex shrugged.

"Alllright, okey-dokey, I'll shhhow you the waaayy up there."  The assassin smiled gratefully.

"I'll give you a quarter of my profit for your help."  That was one thing about the NightOwls.  They had a sense of honor, and a semi-conscience.  If someone helped them, they repaid the favor.  He laughed and gestured with his left hand to a shadowed corridor, drawing the assassin's eyes away from his right hand on his sword hilt.

....................................

"Dylan," Trance called down from the balcony, "where's Hex?"

"He was headed right for you a minute ago," he replied.

"I know, I thought I saw him."

"Well, he was talking to a guy that was staring up at you and then they went off in the opposite direction of where he wanted to be going."

"What did the guy look like?"  Dylan shrugged.

"Heavy cloak, hood.  Looked like he was trying to stay in the shadows."  Trance shook her head.

"That doesn't make any sense.  He shouldn't be worried about that."  She cocked her head for a moment.

"Well, I can't wait forever.  Which way did he go?"  Dylan pointed to the shadowed corridor on the right and Trance nodded her thanks, turned, and headed towards the other entrance to that corridor.

....................................

"Now," Trance heard Hex's voice from around the corner, coming out in a growl, "let's talk about the assignment, NightOwl."  She came around the corner, smiling and opening her arms to hug Hex, but she stopped short.  Hex was crouching, holding a pale, scarred man against the wall, and crushing his throat.  A dagger was pinning the man's hand to the ground.

"Hex!  What are you doing?"

"Taking out the trash," Hex growled.  "He's an assassin.  Came here to kill you.  Assigned task, not pleasure.  He isn't telling me what the assignment is and who gave it to him, so I'm killing him very slowly."

"Hex, easy.  Assassin or not, he doesn't deserve to die."

"He's going to kill you Trance.  This won't scare him off, just make him more cautious, and I might not catch him next time."  He lowered his face, putting his face scant inches from the other man's.  "Now, tell me who sent you."  He paused, and Trance couldn't see what happened, but the man began to scream.  "Or you won't like what I have to do."

"The guy, he was calling himself Arcanis!  Arcanis, ok?!  Just please don't kill me, please!"  Hex laughed.

"Don't worry, I won't.  You're a waste of my time."  He smiled evily and got up, brushing himself off.  "I've got bigger game than you, little man."  He waved his hand casually.  "Now begone, and you will forget everything except this:  Arcanis is not the employer you want to work for.  Any and all prior assignments he has given you, and any and all future opportunities or assignments he offers, are to be turned down.  Do not try to kill him, you will not survive the conflict."  Another wave of his hand sent the man away.  Hex turned to Trance, a warm smile on his face, his arm held out for her to take.  "Now, my dear, shall we go?"

....................................

"Shall we go," Trance asked, shocked.  "What did you do to that guy?  How come he just left like that?  What WERE you going to do to that guy if he didn't tell you what you wanted to know?  Why did he say Arcanis hired him if Arcanis is dead, if he was even alive to begin with?"

"Can't tell you that, I told him to, you'd rather not know, and Arcanis was reborn in the legend, remember."  He smiled.  "Does that take care of all your questions?"  Trance shook her head.

"Not by a long shot."

"Mind not asking them just yet?  I'm sure the answers will come in time, and you already know more than the others."  He smiled.  "More than you're willing to admit to me, I think.  But I'm ok with that, I trust you.  Please, trust me the same way.  I know you'll tell me your secrets in time, or at least a few of them.  Trust me to do the same with you."

"Could you do the weird command thing you did to that other guy with me?"  Hex looked at her amusedly for a moment.

"No, not with you.  The others yes, but you, no, if you catch my drift."  Trance began to open her mouth, but he pressed his right index finger over her lips and silenced her.  "Besides, even if I could, I wouldn't.  Not with you."  Trance smiled.  It was really hard for her to stay angry with Hex if he was giving her compliments.  And, like it or not, he HAD just been trying to protect her.  Trance still had one more question that she wanted an answer to, and she began to open her mouth.  Hex shook his head immediately, as if he'd known what she was going to ask.  Had he?

"Trance, not right now, ok?  Let's just enjoy this party, and then we can talk about whatever you want.  I may not be able to tell you about some things, but anything I can, I will."

....................................

The rest of the party seemed as if it would go off without a hitch.  But, of course, life on the Andromeda normally has a way of drawing excitement to its crewmembers.  In this case, it was having a psychic read one's mind.  The King smiled and gestured toward a curtain, at which point a woman dressed in beads and purple silk glided out of the curtain.  She took a seat next to the King and he gestured around the room.  "We will have our honored guests, the crew of the Andromeda Ascendant, step up first."  Hex shook his head.

"Captain Hunt, I'm leaving," he whispered.

"No, Mr. Mason, you're not.  That would seem like an insult to the King's hospitality, and if there's one thing I've learned in my life, it's never, EVER insult the hospitality of someone in power."  Hex sighed.

"Alright, Captain Hunt.  Alright."  He shook his head, and Trance noticed sad resignation in his eyes.  "Mind if I go first," he asked Dylan.  "Might as well get it over with."  Dylan nodded.

"Sure, go ahead."  And so Hex got at the front of the line and headed up to see the woman.

"You must kneel and allow me to put my hands on your head," she told him.  He did as he was told, and he could very suddenly feel her hands on his head.  She closed her eyes for a few moments, and then they shot open again in shock.  "You are. . .," she started, trailing off as she studied the boy before her.  Sad resignation and a bit of pain could be seen swimming around in his eyes, and from the way he was clutching the hand of the golden skinned woman behind him like he would never do so again, it seemed likely that he wouldn't.  She looked at him again and smiled, her eyes fluttering back to their normal position.  "You are a very brave man," she said, and a smile of thanks spread across his face, relief sweeping into his eyes, washing the pain and sad resignation away.  "Never forget that bravery, and remember:  Not everything is your fault."  He winced and stood.

"Thank you, madam.  You are extremely talented."  He leaned over, pretending to give her the customary kiss on both cheeks, and whispered, "And I think you'll have a part to play yet.  I will be back when that time comes."  She smiled and nodded, and he moved away.  Trance slipped away with him, and a slight amused smile played across his face when he realized this.  It was quickly dashed away, however, when he saw another man, skinny and sticklike, smiling sarcastically at him.  Ravonas Kincaid was leaning against a wall nearby, in a Tybalt costume.  "Trance, would you mind gathering Dylan and the others and leaving?  Quickly?"  Trance looked at him questioningly.

"What is it?"  In response, Hex pointed to where Ravonas stood.  Trance's eyes widened.  "You are NOT fighting him alone."

"Go, just GO!"  She looked back at Ravonas for a second, and then darted off to get the others.

"Pitiful man," Ravonas shouted across the room.  All conversation stopped at his booming voice.  "You think you and your friends will be able to stop me?"

"I think you will be stopped, Ravonas.  Whether by me or by another, it matters not.  You WILL be stopped."  He drew his rapier.  "I just have the means to an end."  Ravonas laughed and drew his rapier.

"So we'll be fighting with these this time?  I must say, they are much more maneuverable.  And better for dramatic fights."

"You always did have a flair for the dramatics," he replied, and began charging at him.

"We both did," was Ravonas's amused reply, before charging himself.  Music seemed to start from nowhere as the two ran at each other.  Blades clashed, and the two darted apart, and then blades clashed once again.  The King was screaming for order, but Trance shook her head, told him it was about honor, and he sat down, a bit sullenly, to await the outcome.

Hex blocked a thrust from Ravonas and returned sharply with one of his own, only to be blocked and dodged swiftly.  A flash of blade from his left and he barely dodged a downward slash.  He took the opportunity provided by the slower maneuver to slide to Ravonas's right and attempt a thrust, but the man spun and parried, thrusting with his own sword.  Hex leapt back to keep the sword from sliding into his chest and ducked as a throwing knife erupted from Ravonas's left sleeve.  "Playing dirty," he asked playfully.

"Always have," Ravonas replied.  "Always was your weakness."  Hex smiled.

"Not anymore."  A knife shot out from his sleeve as well, catching Ravonas in the side.  The man couldn't afford the time it would take to yank it out, so he just began slashing and thrusting wildly.

Hex knew that such wild maneuvers would get innocents killed, and he knew he had to stop the man quickly.  He knew what to do.  He jumped back, saluting Ravonas with his sword while reaching for the top of his left boot.  "To your predictability, my. . .old friend," he replied sarcastically.

"What are you talking about," Ravonas shouted back.  Suddenly he realized, but too late, as he saw Hex standing there, forcelance pointed at his chest, an amused smile on his face.  Ravonas laughed and spun, his black cloak flying around him, and suddenly, he was gone, the cloak wafting to the ground, empty.  Silence descended on the room as all watched Hex grow very, very angry.  Finally, Hex broke the silence with an explosive curse.

"DAMMIT," he roared, spinning and throwing the rapier at the wall.  It became a blur as it flew, and embedded itself deeply into the wall.  He turned, waved a hand caustically, and everyone except Trance and the psychic now remembered that Ravonas had plunged his own sword into the wall, not Hex.  With that done, Hex strode out of the room, Trance looking around bemusedly and following behind.

....................................

Trance found Hex in the Mess Hall, an empty bottle of whiskey next to him, another half full bottle in front of him, and a shot glass in his hand.  He downed the shot glass, and poured another from the half full bottle.  She walked over softly and sat down across from him.  "Hex?  Are you ok?"  There was a grunt and brief headshake in response, and down went the shot.  He reached out for the bottle but Trance grabbed it first.

"You'll get more when you talk to me."

"What do you want to know," he asked.  He sounded haggard and a bit like a wild animal, his voice deep and scratchy.

"Why do you hate Ravonas?"

"He destroyed everything I loved," Hex replied.  "Now pour me a damn shot already.  If I'm going to brood, I'm going to do it drunk."  She nodded and poured the whiskey into the shot glass.  Hex downed it.  "Since I want more alcohol, I suppose I'll have to answer another question."

"Why does he hate you?"  Hex laughed, and it sounded truly cruel with the current tone of his voice.

"That's a long story.  Let's leave it at 'he just does.'"  He held the shot glass out.

"You didn't answer the question."

"I told you there would be things I couldn't tell you."

"Fine, but you don't get alcohol for those answers."  He let out a slight growl and she laughed.  "You know, that isn't working with me."

"Fine.  Just ask the damn question."

"You don't have to be mean."

"Sorry."

"Are you human?"

"Do I look it?"

"Please don't be sarcastic."

"Fine.  No."  He extended the glass.  She poured, and he gulped.

"What are you?"  Hex shook his head and grunted.  "Alright, fine.  Do you have special powers?"  Another laugh escaped his lips.

"You've seen 'em," he replied.

"So that's a yes?"

"Yes," he replied, exasperated, as he extended the shot glass.  With a sigh, Trance poured it again.

"Y'know, judging by what you look like, you should've started having seizures about half an hour before I found you."

"Yeah, well you can't judge by what I look like now."

"I can't judge by what you look like NOW?  How about LATER?"

"Yes.  Now give me some more alcohol."  Trance poured another shot glass full and then, with a slight smile, stated, "I think you've had enough."  A slight smile crossed Hex's face.

"Do we really need to go through this?"

"We can go through whatever you want," she replied seriously, "but I'm still not giving you more."

"Oh, that's great.  What, you want some for yourself?"

"Nope."  A devious smile played across Hex's face.

"Say, how 'bout a little contest?"

"Not a chance.  I wouldn't want you to pass out, then I'd have to carry you back to your quarters."

"You'd be surprised how well I can drink," he replied, kicking something under the table.  She looked, and to her shock, three empty bottles were under there.  "I figured you'd find me, and I'm really not up for a lecture on drinking responsibly, so I hid 'em under here."  He grinned.  "Still think you can out drink me?"

"Yes."  He sighed.

"Alright, if you're too scared of losing. . . ."

"I didn't say I was scared."

"Didn't say you did.  It's what you DIDN'T say that matters."

"I'm NOT scared of losing."  He gestured to the bottle.

"Prove it."

....................................

Despite how he felt, Hex couldn't help but smile as he walked down the corridor, Trance over his shoulder, passed out from too much alcohol.  "Geez, maybe I shouldn't have done that.  She's going to have one HELL of a hangover."  He stopped in front of the door to one of the many Machine Shops and opened the door.  "Hey, Harper, you in here," he called out as he stepped inside.

"Right here. . .holy HELL, what happened ta HER?"

"She thought she could out drink me," he replied, humor in his voice.

"Seriously, what happened?"

"I'm serious."

"Listen buddy, FIRST OF ALL, you're underage, you shouldn't be drinking.  SECOND OF ALL, I've tried to out drink Trance on several occasions, and do you know what the end result was?"

"A similar scene being repeated, only Trance was carrying YOU?"

"Bingo.  So if you think for one second-"

"Harper, take a deep breath."

"What?"

"Take a deep breath.  You'll smell the alcohol."  Harper shrugged and did so, and his eyes widened in shock.

"Y-you couldn't have. . .!"

"Yeah, well, I did.  So, listen, I just wanted to know how to get to her quarters-"  He was cut off by Harper promptly passing out.  "Ah, shit.  Well, you sleep in here a lot anyway, nobody'll find that odd.  Real problem is Trance.  You, Harper, you I could trust not to say anything in front of anybody else.  Tyr, well, Tyr will be Tyr, Rommie, Dylan, and Beka would all give me lectures about underage drinking."  He sighed.  "Guess I'll just have to take her to mine."  He shrugged.  "Oh, and in case Harper DIDN'T have privacy mode engaged while doing his little spiel into the camera," Hex replied, gesturing to the camera that lay strewn on the floor, "and yes, Rommie, I AM talking to you. . .Est Sularus oth Mithas.  Cross reference that if you think I'll. . .take advantage of the opportunity."

....................................

Rommie's holographic projection watched Hex leave the machine shop and then began cross refrencing the phrase.  "Hmm. . .my honor is my life."  She smiled.  "Well, I think I'll just engage privacy mode in his quarters."