While making a sweep of the grounds and thinking through how to repel any further attacks on the royal family, Stinger receives a message from the Captain of the Guard that the perpetrator's been apprehended. Using the neural net, he has the alcazar's presence ask Aleksa to open her balcony grav field door to bring her news.

He can spot Nino's curly mop then her squeal at the sight of him buzzing up to the 3rd floor. Delight or dismay he's not quite sure. All he can make out is "Aleksa, he's coming! Hurry!" Not much of a help.

The sight of her pulling the neck of her bathrobe up tighter around her neck and her wet hair dripping down her back - well, it makes his breath catch and he looks at his boots as he touches down. Clearing his throat, he mutters, "I can come back later…"

Covering a snigger at his discomfort, Nino glances one more time at him with his bee wings spread out behind him then excuses herself.

Aleksa turns over her palm, signifying her Russian casualness to things that would normally put others off kilter, "You're here already. So?"

She's utterly unreadable. Stinger can't shake the bad feeling creeping up on him. But he's a skyjacker, he's been through worse. Steady on.

"Lady Jones…"

"No, m'lady today?" she asks.

"Didn't know if you wanted me to call you that anymore," he laments.

Shifting her weight and pulling the robe up close again, she chides, "Spit it out, already. It's chilly out here."

He swallows, puts his hands formally behind his back and follows the order. "The attacker is in custody, awaiting trial. Would you care to be present?"

"What would you recommend?" She tilts her head.

Stinger cuts to the point, "Well, if you want to face your attacker and issue the judgement then attend. Otherwise his death will be a quick one."

Aleksa's calm is finally rattled. "What? No jury? No lawyers? What if he's not the one?"

Holding out both hands, he explains, "Different system here. He attacked you, and confessed - giving us the name of the one who hired him. So his death will be quick. Entitleds are protected. Now if you wish some other fate for him, then that is your say. On your home, it's your game. You're ruling class."

"I had just relaxed and now I need a drink already. It can't even be noon local time."

"I assume that means you don't wish to attend. Understandable," he tries to glean - but how she said it sounds so... so entitled. Not the Aleksa from yesterday.

Her eyes dart to him, "Stallin's balls, no! I was saying… well it doesn't matter right now. When will his trial be? Do I have time to be briefed on this?"

"Lady Jones, it's on your time schedule. You can let him rot in a cell if you wish," Stinger offers noncommittally with a frown.

Blinking a few times and placing her fingertips over her mouth, it starts to sink in. "Bozhe moy (oh my god)! I have absolute power over life and death for him. Stinger… I… I need to sit down and have a very stiff drink."

Tenderly he takes her arm and leads her inside.

Taking his counsel, she finds out the attacker is owned by an entitled portal scientist who thought she was on the verge of a breakthrough. Aleksa's research blew hers away - destroying her life's work. The attacker is a lame felitant splice. Aleksa asks if the splice said why he took the job. "No m'lady," pops out of Stinger's mouth before he can correct himself.

At that slip, she squeezes his hand. "A quick aside from our heavy topic. In my bath today, I came to a conclusion. Not a final answer mind you. But a start. Want to hear it?"

"Shoot." His head cocks and his eyebrows lift in expectation.

"If you're willing, I would at least like to have your continued friendship. That's how this all started. You've been a guide and stabilizing factor for me as I fumble through this insane new world and you knew the stakes."

Relief floods through him and one side of his mouth turns up. "I'll take that."

Not wanting to spoil the moment, but knowing someone's life is on the line, Aleksa reluctantly returns to the unpleasant subject. "Do you think the splice will say why he did it? We know the motive of the entitled and can press charges. But I'm starting to suspect the only one to really be punished will be the splice."

"Correct." Stinger makes a mental note that she still holding his hand. "It's really stacked against your splice attacker."

"Then I have one more important question and I know you'll give a straight answer. Stinger - you were the one wounded yesterday. Would you have mercy on him?" she asks and looks down at her lap unsure she really wants to hear, but knows the need.

"In the middle of the chaos, I would have had no problem putting him down. But your compassion is infectious. Then it boils down to what to do with him."

The heavy responsibility on her shoulders causes her to puff up her cheeks in concentration. Slowly releasing her breath, she takes the thoughts to their conclusion, "'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown' … I'd like to know why he did it. We'll get him healed. And then we'll need to research any talents he might have. Though, I'm not sure I'd trust him near my family."

"Yet, you trust me," Stinger points out.

She gives an exasperated sigh.

"Look, I won't argue with your choice. Not my place. I wouldn't put him near my family either. Just thought you'd want to see the obvious. You may meet his need and reach him, like Her Majesty did with me. Or he may never see what you're doin' for him because he's only seen the selfish entitled and may bite the hand that feeds. It's the risk you take, m'lady. And it's why most entitleds wouldn't bother with anything but a speedy execution."