Author's Note: VictoriaDream – Endo isn't evil. He's weak. There's a whole world of difference.

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Endo returned home the next day with a heavy heart but went to great lengths to hide it. He smiled to his father and returned Oro's embrace before bowing and apologizing for his previous behavior. He repeated his apology for Erik, much to the surprise of the entire household.

"Thank you Endo. Perhaps some peace will return to this home now. Let us go take lunch together."

They went to the lunch room where Anora was already waiting. She gave Endo a pointed look and he smiled back at her nervously.

"You can indulge your husband once again, Anora. He has apologized and made amends. Now let us put all of this behind us."

Food was brought and they began eating, but a tense silence remained despite Oro's optimism.

"How was your trip, Endo? Productive?"

"I've renegotiated the Miran contract to take into account recent changes in currency value. They seemed pleased with the results."

"Good, good. They were my first large account, you know. I've known the family for years. Did you have a chance to speak to Stannah? He must be getting rather old now."

"Yes. His health is not what it once was, but he seems pleased with life, overall."

"That's good to hear. I've been busy while you were away as well. I've been teaching your nephew our language. He's a quick study."

Endo gulped and forced a smile.

"How nice… Perhaps you can find employment for him somewhere."

"That's a possibility. He was trained as an architect on his natal world, weren't you, Erik?"

"Yes, grandfather. I completed a few commissions as well. A palace, and a… large theater, as well as a few smaller projects."

Endo raised an eyebrow at that.

"A palace? You designed a palace? Well, I suppose it would have been for some barbarian king, couldn't have been much of one."

Erik scowled at Endo.

"It was about eight times the size of this home, and quite complicated—full of secret passages and trap doors. You could have gotten lost inside it forever!"

Endo scoffed.

"How horrid. I should hardly see how building massive death traps warrants any sort of pride."

Oro glared at both of them.

"Be civil, both of you! If the king commissions a death trap, you build a death trap! At least, I assume it was the king's request?"

He looked at Erik hopefully, clearly praying that it was.

"Yes. My original design did not include them."

"See Endo? It's hardly his fault!"

Endo rolled his eyes and took a large bite of bread.

"You should be proud to have such a talented nephew. I am quite pleased to have him as my grandson, you know!"

Endo swallowed the half-chewed bread and it stuck in his throat on the way down. He glanced at the clock and back at his grandfather. The man had no clue what was about to befall his home. Oh how he wished he had never gone to the Delta quadrant! He would never speak another ill word of the worthless half blood, if only he could change his decision to visit the thrice-damned Delta quadrant!

"Are you feeling well, Endo? You look a bit ill."

Endo swallowed again, pushing the lump of bread to his stomach.

"I'm fine, father. Just a bit tired from my journey."

He could make an excuse and walk out. He could leave the room now and not witness the oncoming storm. Sweat beaded on the side of his head, running down the furrow of skin between the plates on his face.

"I think I will go rest for a while, father. Good afternoon, Erik."

He stood and turned to leave when Anora took his hand.

"Are you certain you are well, my love? You've gone all pale…"

Endo gave the clock on the wall another furtive glance and pulled his hand sharply from Anora's as panic set in.

"I just need rest!"

He made a beeline for the door and bolted through it. Halfway down the hall he ran into one of the Hari Anuma. It was Enaga.

"Going somewhere, master Ohtamacil? You'll miss the show! Do join us in your moment of triumph!"

Endo's eyes darted about the hall for an exit, but he found none. His heart beat madly in his chest as the mobster turned him around and pushed him back to the dining room, opening the door around him and pushing him inside.

Oro looked up at his re-entry, giving him a questioning smile.

"Did you change your mind, Endo?"

Oro's smile fell to a look of confusion as Endo was shoved roughly further into the room and the mobster appeared behind him. Oro stood up immediately and stepped forward around his family.

"Who is this man, Endo?"

Endo did not get a chance to answer as he was pushed aside.

"Good day, master Ohtamacil. I take it your son has not informed you of today's plans? Pity. He was such a great help to us in arranging this profitable venture. Come out!"

At his shout, another Hari Anuma appeared in the opposite door and several more came crashing through the windows. Oro spun around, taking in the invasion of his home. His confusion gave way quickly to a rage that had even Erik slightly frightened. His eyes burned as he turned on his son, who cowered in the corner of the room.

"Endo! What is the meaning of this! What have you done?"

"I'm sorry father—I had no choice, they gave me no choice! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I… I…"

The men approached and Erik leapt to his feet to face them. He did not have his lasso any longer, but he was not about to go down without a fight. One came at him, and then another, the first from the front and the other from the side. He leaned back and kicked hard at the first, aiming the blow at the Eranae's soft throat, taking dark pleasure in the feel of the larynx shattering under his heel. The Eranae gurgled and choked and fell to his knees as blood poured from his mouth, but Erik did not have time to appreciate the sight as the second was on him almost immediately. Anora screamed.

His elbow caught the second in the forehead, but the natural armor did not give way and it barely fazed the man. Erik swung his hips around to deliver another kick when something small and sharp stung him in the neck. The momentum of his turn carried him to the floor, land flat on his belly as the drug rapidly took hold of his senses and his world went black.

Oro grabbed the man who had leaned over to pick Erik up and literally threw him across the room where he impacted the wall head-first. Two Eranae came up behind and grabbed his arms, twisting them sharply behind his back, jerking his arms out of their sockets. Sota Enaga walked up and spit in his face.

"Forget it old man. You waste your strength."

A hard fist to his temple left him out cold on the floor beside his motionless grandson.

Enaga kicked Erik in the ribs and, getting no response, motioned to his remaining accomplices.

"Get him out of here."

He pointed toward the dead Eranae.

"Grab that too, we'll toss in the incinerator it later."

He walked over to where Endo was still plastered against the wall with his mouth agape in horror and pulled a bag from his belt, waving it in front of the shocked coward's face.

"Here's your downpayment. The rest will be in your personal bank account by this evening. A pleasure doing business with you. Have a nice day."

He bowed to Anora, who was still frozen in her seat.

"Good day, madam. I apologize for spoiling your lunch."

With that, he and the rest disappeared from the room, taking Erik with them. As soon as they were gone, Anora rushed to Oro's side, kneeling on the floor to check his pulse and dab at the blood oozing from the exposed skin behind his right eye. She looked up at Endo, who was still in shock.

"Endo, call a doctor."

He didn't respond.

"Endo, the Winds damn you, call a doctor!"

Endo jumped as though he'd been burned and fled from the room. A few minutes later he returned to the room and resumed his position in the corner as a medical team walked in.