A/N: Greetings one and all! I had a very good day yesterday because I officially finished all the hardcore editing on the rest of Soulbound. Thank goodness, because the way the book is broken up right now, there are around 50 chapters so it was a long haul. I did warn you it's a lengthy book, right? Anyway, for me, this was huge step toward story completion and I'm almost giddy with joy.

Now I only have to do the final spit-and-polish review on each chapter before uploading. The plan is to post as chapters are ready – no particular schedule. And I'm certain the number of chapters will drop as I combine very short segments with adjoining sections. But 'nuff about all that.

As promised, this installment is much longer. Nothing tense; no drama or angst-filled scenes – Warren is all business and wants to map out their game plan for the big search. A lot of information is tossed around as he learns what's occurred thus far in the hunt for Etxan'Ir and the Eshaaru.

Now, on with the story…

Chapter 12

When Warren entered the galley, the trio was seated, snacks and beverages spread out in obvious hast. Ettwanae was already munching. Gatebi sat next to Ettwanae sipping on something reddish colored, and Flint was eyeing his food choices from his spot across the table from the women.

"Hey, man!" Flint spoke first. "Twae says you're stayin'! Good decision."

Gatebi cast a thoughtful gaze. "Yes, Warren. I'm pleased you decided to join us."

Flint suddenly looked a bit sheepish, shoulders sagging. "And, I'm…umm, 'bout what I said before. Sorry, War…everybody. Guess I got pissed. Was…frustrated is all."

Warren waved off the apology. "I think we all understand frustration and disappointment, Flint. Don't worry about it."

Both women gestured agreement and the teen brightened again instantly.

"Least I'm not the only man 'round here now. Taking care of three women is almost more than one guy can handle!" he joked with a wide grin.

Gatebi looked pained, Ettwanae laughed, and Warren heard what could have been a groan from Volu's vocal orifice. "Not man enough for three?" Warren zinged back with a smirk.

A stung look crossed Flint's youthful face. "You try handling these three for just a day by yourself, 'specially when one gets bitchy. Then you won't be laughing. Tellin' ya, War, they're hard to manage." That got the teen looks from Ettwanae and Gatebi that'd give Wolverine pause, but Flint seemed oblivious to the danger. "You're gonna find out now. Can't say I didn't warn ya!"

Warren laughed lightly and took the seat they'd left at the head of the rectangular table that like all the other furniture within Volu seemed extruded from the bulkhead. As he grabbed a couple of wafer-like sweets from their packaging, he wondered if the head-of-table position meant the same to Ettwanae and Gatebi as it did to Flint and Warren. Regardless of any symbolism, if he was joining the expedition, he was going to step in as leader. It was a position he would claim based on age and experience.

All eyes locked on him as he began. "I have decided to join the search for the nodes and Etxan'Ir, as long as everyone here, including Volu, is agreeable." Heads nodded or hands gestured affirmative.

"I am in agreement," Volu voiced.

In that moment, Warren realized something about Volu's speech pattern that he perhaps subliminally noticed before but it hadn't clicked consciously. She never used contractions or shortened words even though the Turzent language accommodated many. 'Interesting,' he noted and continued. "First, you'll tell me about the search to date. Second, we assess our status. Third, an overall search strategy will be determined. Then we return to Earth so I get things in order for an extended absence. And finally, we'll put our plan into motion and head to our first destination. Acceptable?"

Again, agreement all around accompanied by what Warren interpreted as expressions of relief. Was leadership what the little interlarded group needed? Logically, Ettwanae or Volu should have been providing that, but perhaps they floundered or were uncomfortable in the role. So until someone objected, he'd proceed on the assumption he was in charge. If he stepped on toes, he'd apologize later.

"Ettwanae, tell me about the search. Start at the beginning."

Swallowing her food, she began. "The beginning would be about two standard years ago when Bhenra died." A flicker of sadness crossed her face, but she continued without pause. "I had the amulet, but that was all. I used it to summon Volu. I knew so little about my people back then. She began teaching me. Volu told me that the amulet's nodes were hidden in my parent's repository in the Zramynian System. We went there and found it had been looted. Volu learned from the mining facility computer what my mother left for me had been transferred to imperial authorities on Dradeaa Station. We went there and Volu discovered everything was sent to a museum on Jandur a couple years ealier that had a large exhibit of U'larr artifacts."

"It was a challenge to break into the Dradeaa AI," Volu spoke up. "Quite advanced, but not surprising since it is the sector station for the Zramynian System. That is a highly restricted area."

Warren nodded. "I know. Contains large deposits of the elements needed for FTL engines."

"Correct." A hint of surprise laced the response. "I assume you know that from your time on the Royal Court."

"Yes. And just for the record, I'm still a member of Court and will be until my death or Ztar decrees otherwise. That may give us some leverage in the future."

"Noted."

The Eshaar'ne's short response sounded like a mix of agreement and concern to Warren. "Ztar and his people will leave us alone, Volu. He will not go against my wishes," he assured guessing at the reason for the unspoken concern. 'Hope I'm right on that,' Warren commented internally. "Then when you arrived at Jandur, what happened?" he asked, getting them back on subject.

"Volu confirmed the nodes were there – all three of them. I visited the museum and learned they weren't on display, but kept in the museum archives. I spoke with the curator, telling him I was an archeology student researching the U'larr civilization and the legend surrounding Etxan'Ir and wanted to examine their off-exhibit artifacts. I also told him that a relative on Dradeaa Station shared that the museum had received a number of rare objects from Zramynian System and those I particularly wanted to see."

"Did he believe you?"

"He didn't question my story. He did seem very interested in my research and what I knew about the U'larr and Eshaaru. I had to be careful to say enough to be convincing, but not too much as to raise suspicions. I'm not skilled at deception, and he may have suspected something wasn't right, but he did show me the nodes. My amulet nearly gave me away!" Ettwanae placed her hand on her chest, over the bijou amulet that hung beneath her top. "I jumped when the energy surge hit me. He gave me quite the look."

"When you get close to the nodes, the amulet reacts?" Warren asked for confirmation.

She nodded. "Yes."

"All memory nodes look the same, Warren. Each amulet recognizes its own nodes through a specific energy signature. That unique identifier prevents nodes from being used in another amulet."

"What happens if the wrong nodes are put into an amulet?" Gatebi asked.

"They will not activate."

Warren considered Volu's explanation. "So each amulet has only one set of nodes that will work. If we find other nodes, they won't help us."

"That's right. Only my amulet and its nodes are useful to us," Ettwanae confirmed. "If we find another amulet, even if complete, neither Volu or I can activate it."

"The amulet is of me, Warren," Volu jumped in. "Ettwanae and I are joined and the amulet recognizes only her. The nodes are joined to the amulet and recognize only that to which they are joined. It is a closed system."

"Are the nodes of you as well?"

"Not in the same way as the amulet. All Eshaar'ne can form empty nodes, but only an Eshaaru can initiate their creation and execute the transfer of information or recording of memories. We believe T'Qilla's Eshaar'ne created the nodes for Ettwanae's amulet and then her mother performed the joining ritual to link them to the amulet I birthed. She hid the nodes in the family repository for that time when her child and I would be joined."

Warren was puzzled. "I don't understand – why separate the amulet from the nodes in the first place?"

Ettwanae shrugged slightly with an upturned hand. "We're uncertain, but it could be my mother intended to continue adding to the nodes after she left me with Bhenra."

Warren had much to learn about Eshaarus and Eshaar'nes, but he was determined to stay focused on the purpose of the meeting. "And the only way to find Etxan'Ir is through a complete and activated amulet."

Flint chimed in while chewing the last of his food. "That's what Vo tells us." The teen paused with an expectant look, but his hand did not go to the back of his neck. With apparent mild surprise, he continued. "The lowdown is we gotta get the nodes. Without them, the big-ass library won't even let us in the door."

Warren's thoughts turned to why Gatebi and Flint stuck with Ettwanae after Hydeera. This wasn't their quest. 'Something to delve into later one-on-one,' he told himself knowing it was important to understand what knitted the group together. "What happened after you saw the nodes in the museum?"

"We waited a few days and then I tried to steal them. Things did not go well…" Ettwanae shuddered visibly and the wings drew closer in an unconscious reaction. "They were waiting."

" 'They' being the same ones that tried to kidnap me and attacked Volu?" Warren glanced quickly around at the trio. Each displayed protective body language in one form or another. 'They' had obviously made an impact on everyone.

"The bastards were waiting for her!" Flint burst out, then quickly looked to the Eshaaru. "I still think that museum guy ratted you out, Twae. I don't care we got nothin' on him."

"As you said, Flint, there is no evidence he was anything but a victim as well," Gatebi pointed out. "The curator may not have even known about them."

Flint crossed his arms and frowned. "I still smell a rat."

"So when you went back for the nodes, they had set a trap for you?" Warren said pulling the discussion back on track.

"Yes. Volu overrode the security systems for that part of the museum and I slipped in. Everything was going so perfectly; I should have been suspicious. Just before I picked up the nodes, I remember an intense pain in my head and then nothing until I woke up on his ship."

"And Volu couldn't get to you?" he asked.

"I was blinded, Warren. At the same time Ettwanae was reaching for the nodes, they raised a powerful shield I could not penetrate. By the time I got to the museum, she was gone. They were extremely quick and anticipated my every move. I was unable to detect the other Eshaar'ne until the moment they phased to FTL."

"The augmented shielding you had mentioned earlier?"

"That is what I believe. It is the only explanation as to why I was unable to detect the Eshaar'ne on Jandur. I have since learned of a weakness in the technology, but my method is not foolproof."

That bit of information was not reassuring. "But you obviously tracked her to Hydeera…"

"I followed their cloak wake. It was faint, but enough to lead me to Hydeera. Unfortunately, they appear to have corrected that weakness."

"What happened on his ship?" he asked of Ettwanae.

"I was locked in a room and wearing a drug cuff filled with something that made me weak. He came only to provide food and water."

"Did he say who he was or who he works for?"

"No. He talked, but revealed little about himself or anyone else."

"What species?"

Ettwanae frowned slightly. "Oddly enough, Sat'reyan. Something wasn't right, though."

"What do you mean?"

"I grew up pretending to be Sat'reyan. He didn't act like someone of that heritage."

"Perhaps he grew up on another planet, away from his people," Gatebi suggested.

The Eshaaru grabbed another treat in an absentminded manner and placed it on her plate. "Perhaps, but there was something more to it – can't explain. I think he may have been using an image inducer. I have no proof, just a feeling."

"You mentioned that before." Warren considered various possibilities – inducer, or chameleon ability like Mystique, or mental projection. "Anything else?"

"He's a telepath. It bothered him was that he couldn't read me."

"He told you that?"

She nodded. "He tried probing me several times – I could feel the…pressure," she explained, touching her forehead. "From what he suggested, he is a very powerful telepath."

Warren was surprised. "You have mental shields strong enough to stop a powerful telepath?"

"Yes, it's a natural ability. I have no control over it."

"Most Eshaaru have natural psychic blocks," Volu broke in. "A requirement of service. As keepers of the secrets of Etxan'Ir, both Eshaaru and Eshaar'ne must be immune to telepathically probing."

Warren perked up at that. Another argument against him being Eshaaru – he had no such blocks. Yet Volu had qualified her statement. "You said most."

"Yes. Over time, a few Eshaaru genetic lines lost that safeguard according to my medical files. Those without the psychic guards were not allowed to serve as gathers or know of the location of Etxan'Ir."

"What happened to those lineages?"

"Unknown. That is the extent of my knowledge on the subject."

Warren sighed quietly. So much for the counterpoint to him being Eshaaru. He wondered if anyone else was expanding on the bit of information like he was. "Back to your story, then," he prompted almost more to himself than the others.

"After what seemed like days, he said we'd reach our destination and I felt the same pain as on Jandur. I assume it was a telepathic burst."

"The block doesn't protect you from that?"

"No. My shield prevents mental probing, but I'm vulnerable to other psychic abilities. I woke up on an exam table in what turned out to be the Hydeera labs." Ettwanae drew her arms around herself. "It was horrible, Warren. They put drug cuffs on me. Most drugs didn't work, but the strength inhibitor did. I tried to fight, but…" she shook her head. "I was so scared! I prayed they wouldn't figure out the image inducer and discover who I was. The man operating the scanner knew something was not right about the readings and he kept trying different things. Thankfully, nothing worked."

Warren watched as Ettwanae pulled into herself. He guessed what she was preparing to say next was traumatic. "They… they tried using another telepath on me, but of course that didn't work. Then they tried more drugs so I'd tell them what they wanted to know, but praise the goddess, those drugs didn't work either. So- so they used other methods…" She trembled and hugged herself.

Warren leaned closer and kept his voice tender. "They used torture?"

When Ettwanae looked up, tears glistered in her eyes and she nodded. Gatebi's hand quickly appeared on Ettwanae's shoulder to reassure.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that." Torture was something he could empathize with all too easily. "I know what torture does to you." Waves of protectiveness washed through him, followed quickly by visions of what he would do if he ever got his hands on those who hurt her. The intensity of the feelings made him jerk internally. "What did they want to know?"

"Who I am mostly. They didn't believe the scanner readings that said I was Sat'reyan." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Then you arrived with imperial troops and the three of us escaped," Ettwanae said in relived relief, glancing briefly at Gatebi and then Flint before resting her gaze on Warren. "We owe you a debt that can never be repaid. Thank you."

He held her eyes with his. "The thanks goes properly to the Emperor and his generals, not me. General Gtar-Cro and his people found the Etagllot facility. I was just along for the ride."

"Know we are grateful, Warren, whoever is responsible," Gatebi spoke with sincerity.

"That's for damn sure!" Flint added. "Those people are pure evil."

Warren wouldn't let the group dwell on their time at the hands of the mercenary scientists. "What did you do after Hydeera?"

The three friends exchanged knowing looks and grins before Ettwanae answered. "We headed to Alcab to take Gatebi home, but we had gotten to know each other and Gatebi decided to stay with me for a little while. So after she said her farewells to her family, we were going to take Flint back to Earth."

Flint interrupted with a wave of his hands. "I decided to stay, War. Two women – well, three if you count Vo – cruisin' 'round the universe without male protection…just not smart, ya know? Had to stay. Sorta duty and all. Vo and Twae got me outta that hell hole, so figured I'd hang around and make sure they didn't get into trouble searching for that library and her people." He explained leaning back, trying to take on the male protector look he envisioned for himself. "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."

Gatebi's expression was one of an older sibling forced to tolerate the antics of a younger offspring. "Flint pleaded his case and Ettwanae and Volu took pity," she translated with a barely concealed sigh.

Flint jerked forward toward Warren. "See? See what I put up with? Three against one – that's me. Hopelessly outnumbered. You stayin's the best news I've had since joining this estrogen boat!"

Warren moaned mentally as various groans and protests erupted from the women. Flint was destined to try his patience. More than likely, the dynamics of the whole group would test his endurance. He raised a hand to silence the room. "Obviously, you all stayed together. Then what?"

"We needed to resupply. With two more people, that was top priority. So we visited a food depot on Bast to restock." Ettwanae explained.

Flint laughed. "War, that's code for stealing. We raided a warehouse. Vo's pretty good at- oww! Damn it!" Flint grumbled and massaged his nape with a scowl. "Vo-lu's good in a heist. The cloak, her way with computers, stuff like that. And Twae can carry a lot of weight – wa-a-ay stronger than she looks, War. Don't mess with her."

Warren studied the trio. Flint seemed rather proud of their thievery skills, while Gatebi and Ettwanae's body language spoke of discomfort. 'Good.' He looked to the Eshaaru and did not look away until she finally met his gaze.

"Please don't think bad of us, Warren. We have no credits and nothing to use for bartering. We only take what we need to survive – nothing more. We- I really don't know what else I can do."

Warren appreciated the switch from plural to singular. Ettwanae was taking responsibility for their thievery and relieving her shipmates of blame in a show of leadership. "You have no financial resources?" She shook her head. "We'll need to address that."

Flint brightened. "War's loaded, ladies! Problem solved. No more conning store computers or midnight warehouse raids." Flint turned quickly to Warren. "Not that I was scared, man, but I worry 'bout Twae and Gabby, ya know."

Warren smiled. "Not a good predicament," he offered. "Before we deal with the finances of this expedition, I'd like to hear the rest of what happened before a couple days ago."

"If I may, Warren?" Volu's feminine voice filled the room.

He nodded and made a mental note to have a one-on-one with the Eshaar'ne to discuss her capabilities, including her internal visual receptors.

"We waited a couple days then returned to Jandur to attempt to retrieve the nodes. Unknown forces arrived at the museum while Ettwanae and Flint were inside. We managed to recover the family node, but the other intruders absconded with two nodes."

"They were professionals, Warren. We nearly lost all three nodes. Thank the goddess the one I managed to hold onto was that of my parents," Ettwanae chimed in.

"Any idea who the thief was?"

"No," Volu answered. "And we have had no success learning more. Comnet searches have uncovered possibilities – others that search for U'larr artifacts, hints of hidden organizations, and the like. Yet nothing to lead us in any specific direction."

"So you're at a dead-end."

"We are."

"Have you interrogated the museum curator?"

"No," the ship clipped.

Warren didn't press. It was likely an option too risky for the group at the time. That was about to change if Warren got his way. "After Jandur, where did you go?"

"We reviewed the memory node for whatever clues it may hold, but the information was from 17 standard years and earlier. We did learn of contacts T'Qilla and T'Azrued had established and visited those we could locate. Unfortunately, Ettwanae's parents were very secretive and the old contacts offered little useful information."

"And after those leads were exhausted?"

"We came looking for you. Volu learned you were in Yaunra for a trial, so we decided to follow you from Sat'rey," Ettwanae explained. "The rest you know."

"Volu's cloaking must be very effective to go undetected by Gtar-Cro's transport and escort ships. My trip to and from Sat'rey was under heavy guard."

"It is not cloaking as you understand it," the ship offered. "I phase partially to another dimension, during which I cannot be detected by current technology."

"Volu, you and I need to talk in depth about your capabilities. Right now, though, I'd like to recap the situation as I understand it. Tell me if I get anything wrong. First, you have retrieved one of three memory nodes. We need to find the other two nodes in the hopes they contain clues to lead us to Etxan'Ir. But, and it's a big but, because the bonding failed between Ettwanae and me, the amulet will not lead us there, even if complete. We'll have to rely on old-fashioned detective work to find the both the nodes and the library. Do I have it right so far?" Gestures of agreement all around.

"Second, the Etagllot are looking for you. Their operative has an apparently augmented Eshaar'ne at his command and he has telepathic and mindblast capabilities and can possibly disguise himself. A group called the Shozen hunt your people for unknown reasons, so that's another threat. We have unnamed forces that are in possession of the other two nodes. The memory node you have has provided no clues as to Etxan'Ir's location. We have a museum curator who as yet has not been interrogated. You have already talked with as many of your parents' old contacts as you could find with little to show for the effort. You've found none of your people or evidence that any of them are still around. You are at a dead-end. All that's correct?"

"Yes." Ettwanae answered, tightness evident in her voice. She looked at Warren in a way that said 'But I have found one of my people – you.' He was glad she remained silent.

"There is another aspect of the amulet's energy signature you should know, Warren." Volu's voice broke the momentary silence. "If I am within close proximity to the lost nodes, I can detect them. They radiate the same specific energy as the amulet."

"Like a homing beacon?"

"Yes. However, the distance is short – within standard orbit of a planet – for me to pinpoint their location."

"That's something – at least we only have to narrow the search down to a planet," Warren tried to keep sarcasm out of his voice. The hunt was no less daunting by the revelation, but perhaps a tad easier if they got close. "Could whoever has the nodes somehow block you from detecting them?"

Volu didn't reply quite as quickly to that question. "It is possible, although since the energy signal travels through the same dimension I use for FTL, it is highly unlikely with the technology of even the most advanced races in this sector of space. However, if the Shozen are involved, then anything is possible."

"And these Shozen. Who are they exactly?"

"The enemy of the Eshaaru." Bitterness came through clearly in Ettwanae's voice.

"You've said that, but who are they?"

Ettwanae shook her head. "We don't know what race they are if that's what you're asking. Perhaps Shozen is the name of their species. It's possible that information is contained in the Eshaaru history node. They are an old enemy; my mother was clear about that in her message to me. And they are very powerful."

"And Volu knows nothing about them?" Warren found that odd. Ettwanae's hesitation in replying he found even more curious.

"What I know is old information." Volu stepped in. "Warren, certain segments of my memory were lost. What I retain are racial memories and information transferred to me by my mother at birth. It contains basic information, such as in-depth medical knowledge of our species, our origins and early history, and a basic understanding of the U'larr and Ozshi'wanae. I have some memory fragments of my mother and my earliest years, but little after that. Our hope lies with the Eshaaru history node. It should contain the record of our people through the time it was placed in the family repository."

Warren was troubled by the revelation. If Volu was suffering from memory loss, no wonder the foursome was struggling to put pieces together. "How far back does the memory loss go?"

"Many hundreds of standard years. But," she paused, "memory is a complex matter. One cannot say with certainty all you have lost."

Warren nodded – you wouldn't know what you couldn't remember. "Do you know why you lost that block of time?"

"I do." The answer ended there. Volu obviously did not wish to elaborate.

"Does how or why that happened have any bearing on our quest?" If it did not, Warren would pursue another time.

"No," Volu said without hesitation.

"What you do remember, is there a chance it's been corrupted?" he asked bluntly.

"I have confidence in the retained memory, Warren. There are no indications that the knowledge has been compromised. The memory cells are whole and healthy."

Warren decided to accept Volu's assessment. What choice did they have? He turned the discussion back to the previous topic. "The Shozen – we don't know who they are or why they are your enemy, only that they are. And you say this is based on a message from your mother?"

Ettwanae nodded. "Yes, and from the node. Actually, my mother recorded two messages. One I listened to right after Bhenra died and the other after Volu came to me. But neither the messages or the node give any details about the Shozen. My mother may have depended on the missing nodes to fill in. But of course-"

"…your family repository was discovered by the miners." Warren finished. 'Life doesn't just dump shit on you, Worthington,' he thought with sympathy. "You must have been devastated."

He could see her struggle to maintain control over her emotions. "We were – Volu and I are both searching for our pasts and to find someone had stolen what could give some of that back to us was almost unbearable."

Warren leaned toward Ettwanae. "We'll find the nodes, but we may need to use tactics that the four of you have not used in the past. We may need to get ruthless. I don't know where this search will take us, whose toes we may step on, or whom we may have to use to get what we want. It is very possible we'll make even more enemies. It could become very dangerous." Then he glanced around the table, locking eyes with each in turn. "Each of you must be willing to accept the risks. If you cannot, we will take you home."

He watched the reactions to the warning. Warren saw everything from surprise, to worry, to anticipation. Ettwanae was gauging her shipmates as well.

Flint was the first to speak. "Action, adventure, excitement – it's what I signed up for. Gone this far with Twae, don't wanna jump ship now. I'm stayin'."

All eyes turned to Gatebi. "What you said about ruthless bothers me, Warren. I'm not a ruthless person. This is not my search, but I have remained with Ettwanae out of friendship. I want her to find her people, if they are out there, but I cannot condone violence as a tool employed wantonly. Is that what you are suggesting?"

"No, Gatebi. If used, it will be a tool of last resort. But if enemies threaten, I will do what is necessary to protect us. I will also do what is necessary to get the information needed to reach our goal. I make no promises to never use violence to that end, but I do promise to use it with prudence and when no other options are available."

The Alcab sat quietly for many long seconds, looking down at her hands. Finally, she raised her head and met Ettwanae's eyes. "I have been your friend for a little over a standard year – not long relative to lifetimes. Yet I feel we were destined to be friends. We have been through much in a short time. You are important to me and I will not abandon you now. I will stay."

Ettwanae placed a hand over her friend's wrist. "You are very dear to me, Gatebi. You are closer to me than any past friend. Thank you for deciding to stay. I would be devastated if you left," she offered with a gentle smile. Then her eyes traveled to the teen. "And you as well, friend Flint."

Flint nearly beamed with the sentiment. "Hey, hey! The Fearsome Foursome becomes the Fighting Five! Gotta love it." Flint's enthusiasm spoke volumes to Warren about the connection between the group, despite the verbal jabs they often exchanged.

"I think for everyone's sake, we'll aim for not as much fighting as cunning and shrewdness," Warren ventured when Ettwanae and Gatebi groaned over Flint's team moniker. "Back to business. I want to talk about our status next. Volu, when will you be fully recovered?"

"I am at 92 percent efficiency and will be 100 percent within approximately 12 standard hours. My integument is fully regenerated, thereby weapons and shields are at peak efficacy. The damage that remains is subintegumental and does not affect standard functions."

"Are you still in pain?"

"I am experiencing minor residual pain, but nothing more than what you might after most of a wound has healed. Thank you for asking, Warren."

"We will not move until you are fully ready to do so, Volu."

"92 percent is sufficient for travel. I am ready."

Warren nodded then turned to the next subject. "Supplies. Where do we stand?"

Gatebi perked up at that. "That's my responsibility. I monitor our consumption and let Ettwanae know when we need to resupply. At our typical rate of consumption, we have enough stocks for another 35 imperial standard days before the situation becomes urgent. However, with one more person on board with an appetite apparently as robust as Ettwanae's, I estimate 25 days." The slight smirk on her face was not wasted on Warren and he shrugged slightly. "Water is not an issue since Volu produces that for us."

"And disposal of waste?" he queried.

"No problemo, War. Volu is the master of recycling. You can feed her anything!"

"Feed?" He hadn't thought about the fact that a living ship would need to eat.

"I absorb matter from space and convert it to bio-energy to fully sustain me. Whatever waste material my Other and her companions generate, I also readily convert, whether that be food, packaging materials, discarded clothing, or bio-waste. As long as the discards are sent through my esophageal portals, it will be washed to my ventriculus where enzymes break it down."

Flint motioned to Warren. "See? Told ya. Master recycler. We dump it, Vo grubs it. Perfect!" Flint chuckled at his own quip.

Warren felt himself wanting to groan. The teen just didn't quit. "You've already told me you have no financial resources. I do, but Earth's monetary system isn't linked with the Empire's, so that won't easily solve the problem. Luckily, I have connections with deep imperial pockets. When we need to resupply, I'd like to contact Emperor Ztar." Warren raised his hand as mouths opened to object. "I know about wanting to keep a low profile, but we need to be realistic. The more time we spend looking for a robbery target, the less time we spend searching for what we really want to find. Ztar can get us anything we need. I trust him completely and he trusts me. If I tell him I cannot reveal details about what I'm doing, he will respect that."

"I don't know…"

Ettwanae's frown managed to look sexy, at least to Warren. His libido had stayed corralled during the meeting thus far, but for mysterious reasons, Ettwanae's expression stirred it. He pulled his eyes away from the furrowed brow, long lashes, pouty lips… "It is the simplest solution. I understand you have no reasons to trust the Emperor, but I do. Can't you trust my judgment of his integrity?"

The Eshaaru scanned his face. It felt like a physical touch. Warren could almost feel her gaze rove across his cheek, eyelids, mouth. He jerked as he pulled himself back from the slippery slope of arousal. Then he watched in fascination as the blue of her eyes darkened and he knew instantly that she was feeling the allure as well. 'Need to wrap this up,' he warned himself.

"I would like to trust him, but-"

"We'll tell him the bare minimum, nothing more."

Warren noted that Gatebi and Flint were watching him and Ettwanae intently, barely moving. Apprehension clearly showed on their faces and in their body language. 'Being victims of the Etagllot and a year of being chased has evidently done its damage,' he surmised. 'They're gun shy.'

"Warren, you can understand our hesitation. Should the Emperor betray your trust, he has vast resources at his disposal. If he chose to pursue the Esserru of Turzent legend, our lives would become even more difficult." Volu's voice was taut with concern.

"He needn't know who I'm with."

"You are certain he will accept that?"

Of course Ztar would want to know whom Warren was gallivanting around the galaxy with. He'd press, he'd worry, and likely want to send military escorts to accompany Warren to ensure his safety in light of the Etagllot threat, but Warren was confident in his powers of persuasion. "He may not like it, Volu, but he'll respect my wishes. We can address the issue when the time comes. For now, we'll leave it that we have options other than stealing. If nothing else, we'll resupply on Earth using the resources of my company."

"Earth is not a desirable location relative to the probable direction of our search," Gatebi pointed out. "Your homeworld is at the extreme edge of the Empire."

"That assumes our search keeps us within the Empire." Warren leaned back. "If it does, then my suggestion gains even more merit."

Ettwanae was fidgeting and her face was slightly flushed. Warren took it as signed that she was having difficulty controlling the sexual urges.

"Let's leave the decision until later, knowing we'll need to make a decision in roughly 20 days. We could pick up a few necessities while on Earth. There are some things I won't travel without," he noted; coffee topped the list. "Volu, I'd like to talk with you about your weapons and other defenses outside this meeting. Right now, though, we need to move things along."

"Understand and agree, Warren."

The ship's tone and choice of words told Warren she understood the rising discomfort he and Ettwanae were experiencing. And likely Flint and Gatebi were picking up on the sexual tension if their odd little glances were any indication.

"Here's what I propose as a first step. After Earth, we return to Jandur and interrogate the museum curator. The fact that you were captured after talking with him makes me suspect he knows something."

Flint gave Gatebi an I-told-you-so smirk. She crossed her arms.

"Meanwhile," Warren continued, "I'm going to review the information you've gathered thus far. And Ettwanae, if it doesn't make you too uncomfortable, I'd like to view your memory node. I need to know what you know." Her outward reaction to the request was mixed. "Think about it and let me know," he added quickly. "Volu, I'll need to learn your capabilities." He put his forearms on the table and leaned in. "As for you two," he said flashing a quick look between Flint and Gatebi, "I want to talk with each of you as well. My job right now is to get up to speed as quickly as possible and you can help me with that."

Gatebi's nod was not as enthusiastic as Flint's, Warren observed.

"Anything you need, War, just ask." The teen paused for a moment as if determining whether or not to continue, but obviously decided to. "When we stop on Earth, can we swing by Milwaukee? I'd…I'd like to see someone. Just a few minutes – nothin' long. It's just…my mom. I'd like her to know I'm okay. Been a long time since she's heard from me and, well, you know Moms. They worry."

Ettwanae's face softened and she smiled at Flint. "Of course we'll stop to see your mother. It would be unthinkable not to."

"Thanks, Twae. Not that I'm homesick or anythin', but Mom worries 'bout me, ya know?"

Flint was a touch homesick, it was obvious. 'Perhaps he should stay with his mother while I take care of business in New York.' He'd suggest it when they arrived. Then without warning, another warm wave of desire washed over him causing a slight shudder. Time to wrap up the meeting and put some distance between him and the woman his body craved.

"Next stop, gang, is Earth. Volu and Ettwanae, if you're agreeable, we should get underway."

"Agreed," Ettwanae approved with conviction.

"Volu, make it so," Flint commanded to the air with a deep voice.

Warren recognized the phrase immediately. "Star Trek Next Gen, Captain Picard."

Flint chuckled. "Right on, man!"

Ettwanae and Gatebi exchanged puzzled looks.

###

Den-neer was not disappointed their search turned up nothing. He hadn't anticipated success, but it had served to pass time. The other Eshaar'ne was too adept at eluding detection to have made the amateurish error of fleeing in a straight trajectory even when badly injured.

"Bae, return to Earth. Two rotational periods have nearly expired." Still silent compliance….it was wearing thin. Not that he wanted companionship from the Eshaar'ne, but an occasional break in the stillness of the ship would be welcome. "From this point forward, Bae, you will acknowledge my orders verbally," he ordered.

"As you command," came the terse response.

"Without the attitude."

"Yes."

The reply was flat and oh so neutral, but that he would accept. "You're continuing to monitor Earth System comlink communications?"

"Yes."

"And have nothing to report?"

"No."

"Upon arrival, hold us between the third and fourth planetary orbital paths in alignment with Earth. Make certain no one detects our presence."

"Understood."

Orders dispatched, he strolled to the ship's galley, which was well and generously stocked with his favorite food stuffs. One thing about Phai, she spared him no expense. Then he dived into his one and only hobby – cooking. In anticipation of things to come, he'd make himself a Rasilian specialty, Timpa Vek, which he found an especially pleasing mingling of sweetness and fiery spice.

###

A/N: Are you reeling from information overload or was the chapter okay? Feedback would be so wonderfully nice. I know I've thrown a lot of stuff at you in C12, but it seemed logical that Warren would want to get up-to-speed as quickly as possible. Also, a good way to do the same for you, the reader. I understand a detailed style of writing isn't what everyone enjoys, but it's what I love when reading a book – it helps really immerse me in the make-believe world of the story and its characters. Hope you feel the same about this tale thus far.

Until next time!