A/N: A special thank you to xrystofer for all your reviews! You keep me on task. Would love to hear from anyone else reading, as well. Reader comments and encouragement really make a difference in my level of motivation.

The journey to Jandur is well underway. Warren has quizzed Volu, now it's Ettwanae and Flint's turn. First, though, let's take a peek of what's going on within the enemy camp.

Chapter 18

The Director considered his options. An aspect of Project One was threatening to stall. Hercjell's team had exceeded what was conventionally believed possible with bionite technology and then hit a major roadblock. The Etagllot Director of Biotechnology frowned as he sat in his elegantly appointed office. Transformative fluidity remained frustratingly just beyond their grasp. What had been accomplished resulted in unacceptable side affects when the bionites attempted to reverse the changes they had successfully performed in the host body. For reasons unknown, layered transformations degraded genetic integrity resulting in death of the test subject, a sometimes slow and agonizing expiration. One viable transformation seemed to be limit of what Hercjell's team was able to achieve. That was far from the goal.

They needed a breakthrough…or an example of someone else's success. And so he had filed the requisition for the one known key that could solve bust through the barrier. Typically, such requests were quickly fulfilled. The Prime Director had personally assured him that it would be a relatively simple acquisition, yet her two recent comms spoke only of vague delays and complications. Not that he was entitled to any form of explanation, but it was perplexing.

His thoughts briefly turned to more encouraging progress. The second half of Head Researcher al'Verta Hercjell's project was proceeding nicely. Her team had made great strides in energy transference augmentation. Subjects infused with those bionites could channel energy far in excess of what their bodies were capable of naturally and surviving. The Prime Director was pleased with his reports in that arena. Once perfected, they'd merge those bionites with the transformative variety, if they succeeded in creating bio morphing technology, that is.

Rising to stretch his legs, the Director contemplated the options. His branch had resources beyond the traditional hierarchy of the organization that his predecessor had carefully cultivated and he had maintained during his tenure. If the internal personnel assigned the task by the Prime Director could not produce the vital resource, then perhaps he should utilize those outside connections. It was within the authority of his position to do so. He need not clear the action with anyone, including the Prime Director. She had inserted herself into the most recent attempt to acquire the Human for unknown reasons. Her motivations didn't matter; their goal was the same – acquisition of the transformative biotechnology. If the Prime Director could not obtain it, he had every right – and duty – to do so through other means. He was responsible for ensuring the directives given his department by the Council were carried out by any means necessary.

Decision made. He would not ask permission. He would not inform. He would simply do what was necessary. "Comlink activate," he spoke into the air. Then he sent a cryptic summons that in the end may accomplish what the Prime Director was failing to do. Acquire Archangel.

###

It was the morning of day two of the trip to Jandur when Warren poked his head into the gathering room. "Ettwanae, do you have a few minutes?" The request was daring. Any amount of time spent in close proximity of the woman could cause extreme discomfort, but curiosity was prodding. Besides, he needed to learn about his shipmates, and he planned talks with Flint and Gatebi, as well.

"Of course, Warren!"

Then he realized what was happening on the lounger. Gatebi was helping Ettwanae preen where she couldn't reach. "I can come back – you're busy."

The golden locks swayed as her head shook in objection. "No, please. We're almost done, right Gatebi?"

A quick hand gesture from the Alcab affirmed the status of their task.

"If you're willing, then, I'd like to learn more about you and your people," he explained moving further in the room, testing the Aru/Ura waters.

Gatebi placed a hand on Ettwanae's shoulder. "Do you want me to stay or go?" The Eshaaru twisted around and the two women exchanged words without speaking. "If you need me…" Ettwanae gave her an appreciative nod and the Alcab left, shooting Warren an expression that said "be careful."

Warren settled in the chair farthest from Ettwanae. 'Best to keep some distance.'

"What do you want to know?" Her face and voice were eager.

"What I've gotten so far has been in bits and pieces. I'd like to hear the Eshaaru story from start – the origins of your species and the like." Warren had to admit despite his firm belief in his Earth origins, the uncanny resemblance Ettwanae and he shared was intriguing. Perhaps Eshaaru had Human DNA somewhere in their past. Then again, there were many so-called humanoid species in the galaxy. Theories varied as to why that was the case, but he'd never heard a definitive answer to that mystery.

Both happiness and sadness flickered across her face. "It's an amazing story, Warren, but sad as well." The blue eyes fell to where her hands clasped each other on her lap.

"If it's too painful…"

She looked up quickly. "No. I'd love to share it. I don't get the chance very often – Gatebi and Flint…they are the only ones."

Warren settled back into the cozy chair and waited.

"What I know is from knowledge handed down generation to generation – Eshaar'ne to Eshaar'ne; Eshaaru to Eshaaru. We trust that the story has remained unchanged, but cannot be certain. And a large part of our history is lost to me and Volu." Melancholy permeated the air.

"I understand."

He watched as Ettwanae absentmindedly pulled a wing forward and took up preening the flight feathers. Perhaps she found the mindless task comforting as he often did. "For tens of thousands of years, the ancient U'larr ruled the galaxy. They were powerful, wise beings and followers of Ozshi'wanae, the goddess of light and life. They watched as new life spread throughout the galaxy and Ozshi'wanae breathed lifewill into her favored creations. But too many species rose up only to die out and what they had known disappeared with them. It saddened the U'larr greatly. Many millennia ago, they determined that the knowledge of Ozshi'wanae's favored needed to be preserved and the U'larr created the Etxan'Ir – the great library. All the knowledge of their own great civilization was stored within the library and the wisdom of other ancient races."

She smiled warmly before continuing, sparing Warren a glance. "But from the younger species, the U'larr would not gather the knowledge themselves. They chose to use avatars whose sole purpose was to obtain knowledge from the countless rising races and bring it to Etxan'Ir. And so the Eshaaru were created from the science of the U'larr. They infused the first Eshaaru male and female with lifeforce, and Ozshi'wanae breathed lifewill into the pair and bound their souls."

Her words were nearly lost to him as he watched in fascination as she preened the flight feathers, her fingers deftly mending splits. To his surprise, Aru remained only a subtle nag, but something else stirred and beckoned him to her. Mutual grooming, a primeval act of bonding, awakened feral natures.

She'd stopped speaking and studied him. "Gatebi hadn't finished in back. Would you help me?" she asked gently and hesitantly. It was risky and Aru could erupt with fury.

"I don't think that is a good idea."

"We can stop immediately if Aru rises," she countered. "You know how to do this so well – you'd be done quickly."

Warren wanted to say yes. 'Admit it, Worthington, you'd like to preen another winged person; to experience it from the other side. What's the worst that can happen – mating drive rears its head and you have to leave the room?'

"Help me, please, Warren?" The soft request floated to him and wrapped around his own desire to do as asked. Without a word, he rose and sat next to her. She turned her back to him, drawing her legs up to sit cross-legged. He waited several seconds, alert to any changes in Aru intensity. 'So far, so good.'

"You were saying about Ozshi'wanae breathing lifewill into the first soulbounds," he prompted.

"Yes. Let's see…the U'larr knew the Eshaaru needed a spacecraft and helper and created the Eshaar'ne – living ships. They would be more than vessels; the Eshaar'ne would join to their Eshaaru – their Other's – and become symbiotic companions and guardians. Once joined, Eshaaru and Eshaar'ne could communicate telepathically."

As he touched the wing and lifted a feather, she drew in a small breath and trembled ever so slightly. The response stirred a deep wanting within him, but he held it down. Pushing ahead, he quickly repaired the split.

"How do you become joined?"

Ettwanae cast him a quick over-the-shoulder glance. "Volu could probably give you a better answer, but somehow the amulet creates a neurological connection between the pair. That's what makes mind-to-mind communication possible. But it goes deeper than that. After Volu and I were joined, it felt…" she paused and shook her head. "It's hard to describe, Warren. The feeling was like she was part of me and I'd always known her, yet I knew nothing about her."

"So when you used the amulet to call her, the joining happened?"

"No. It wasn't until I placed the amulet in its spot on the bridge. At first, I was frightened and didn't want to join." She chuckled making Warren's stomach flutter. He refocused on his task. "Seems silly now, but I was scared…everything happened so fast – the Shozen, Bhenra dying… I wasn't myself. But she eventually talked me into doing what was necessary and then we were joined. Once done, it seemed just so right and natural." Another quick laugh. "It is! It's how we were created to be."

Warren wanted to ask about the details of how the joining felt, but he'd not press the issue. Perhaps it was none of his business. Instead, he had another question. "Is there a meaning behind your species names?"

"There is!" She seemed happily surprised at the inquiry. "Esha means caretaker and you know what Aru is. So the name means Caretaker of Lifeforce. And Eshaar'ne means Born of Eshaaru – the 'ne part meaning born of. Oh, and Ozshi'wanae translates to Goddess of Light."

Warren thought about the name Eshaaru for a moment. "Caretaker of Lifeforce? Why that? It doesn't seem to fit into your role."

Ettwanae's wings twitched once. "I asked Volu that same question once, but she has no answer. It could have something to do with our ability to channel Aru from The Source."

Warren nodded. "Sounds like a good explanation. And so the Eshaaru and the Eshaar'ne went out into the galaxy to gather knowledge and bring it back to Etxan'Ir for the U'larr."

"Yes, and they were commanded to breed and multiply. And to ensure purity of the species, Eshaaru can only mate with another Eshaaru and only soulbounds can create a child."

"Was there only one original pair?"

She shivered as Warren lifted another feather. He had to suppress a sudden urge to kiss the back of her neck. "We're not certain. If there was only one, then siblings would had to have been soulbounds to have offspring. That is not unheard of if no other options are available according to Volu's medical knowledge."

"I can see where species continuation could be a powerful force." He slid his palm down the length of her wing to resettle several plumes. Sensually smooth, soft yet with a stiffness like crisp silk fabric – that was the closest description he could come up with. Then he refocused on the task at hand as Aru began to stir. A couple more feathers and he'd be done.

Ettwanae cleared her throat in likely Aru-caused discomfort. "However it happened, our kind multiplied and performed our purpose and brought knowledge from all corners of the galaxy. Then something terrible happened, or that's what is believed to be the case…a catastrophic event that could be the reason the U'larr to disappear and my people scattered. We think that without the U'larr to unify the galaxy, that it fell into a dark time where ancient wisdom and knowledge were lost."

Warren immediately drew a correlation to Europe's Dark Ages. "But Etxan'Ir survived."

"It did and my parents followed the ancient purpose."

"Speaking of your parents, have you given more thought to me viewing your memory node? If there are any clues…" He let Ettwanae complete the thought.

Her hands halted their work and she was perfectly still for many seconds. "I'm not ready for that, Warren. The memories are private and meant for me…and Volu and I have reviewed the node several times for clues to Etxan'Ir or anything that could lead us there." She twisted around. "I'm sorry – it's just-"

Warren placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Ettwanae. I understand. You needn't explain further."

Her whispered thank you was barely audible. A change in subject was needed. "Do you have any unusual abilities? Flint mentioned you're stronger than you look…"

She threw a smirk his way. "I'm no weakling, as he'd say! But I'm not extraordinarily strong either. Flint has told me about the mutants on your planet. If you're asking about abilities like those, I have none."

"Except channeling The Source," he pointed out.

"Hmmm, guess you're right. So I have one so-called unusual ability, but other than that, no."

Then Warren remembered something he'd wanted to ask. "In one memory you showed me, you had wings as an infant. Are Eshaaru born with wings or do they emerge after?" He returned to preening and her body jerked slightly.

"I'm not sure," she admitted with surprise. "I never thought about that." She fell silent and Warren assumed the Eshaaru was checking with the only information source available. Then Ettwanae apparently decided the preening was complete and she scooted around to face Warren. "Volu says some Eshaaru are born with wings and others get them later."

Warren had a feeling this wasn't going to end up where he had hoped. "How much later?"

"A few weeks. Usually the males. Females are almost always born with them fully emerged."

'Finally something in the I'm-Not-Eshaaru column!' The inner smile transferred to his face without permission and her eyebrows rose in puzzlement. For some reason Warren couldn't fathom, Aru found her expression enticing and urges strengthened.

"Mine didn't come in until I was sixteen years old."

Surprise filled her eyes. "But that's much too late!"

"Too late for an Eshaaru." He didn't say more – no need. Ettwanae's face went from surprise to disheartened and it suddenly didn't feel quite so good about scoring a point for his case. Aru took advantage and nudged desire harder.

Then Ettwanae's demeanor changed in an instant and she sat straight as a rod and locked eyes with him, cockiness radiating from her. "Even if your physical development was delayed, I still like you – and so does my Aru!"

She giggled, he laughed. "A late bloomer is what you're saying I was."

"Late bloomer? As in flowering past the expected time?" He nodded and she chuckled again. "It fits." She reached out and brushed his right wing. "Warren's wings bloomed late – but beautifully."

That was all it took and the urge to pull Ettwanae into his arms escalated sharply. The rapid dilation of her pupils signaled she was experiencing the same arousal. "I think we'd best leave things there," he said rising, wasting no time getting to the door. He turned and caught her eyes. "I wish things could be different," he admitted.

"Me, too." A twinkle danced in the crystalline-blue orbs. "Go now before I let Aru have its way with me and I tackle you where you stand!"

Chuckling, he headed down the hall to his quarters. 'She's sweet, this young alien woman,' he mused. 'If not for the damnable Ura rejection, he was certain they would be thoroughly enjoying each other. 'If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all, as the old saying goes.'

He grabbed up his PI, opened the book he'd started reading, and let himself be drawn once again into the make-believe worlds with hopes of stifling a nagging Aru.

###

Ztar and Jharda laid in bed at their palace on Sat'rey. She was due to leave that morning and he was fretting.

"But traveling now is something to be curtailed, is it not?" he questioned, rubbing his hand across her belly. Ztar still found it amazing that they were expecting a child. It was a dream come true. An heir. Someone to carry on his line after his death. And if the gods were willing, the child would be the first of several.

Jharda laughed. "My dear Ztar," she began, drawing her fingers through his crimson-black hair as she held the gaze of the deep brown eyes, "it's not as if the baby is due soon. When birth is eminent, I will stay here. Otherwise, there is little risk in continuing my duties." Then she gave his locks a brisk ruffle before dropping her hand to his resting on her abdomen.

"You have capable staff, Jharda. Someone else can perform this diplomatic errand. I feel better with you here. The future emperor's welfare must be our first duty." His beloved's broad smile warmed him. The gods had blessed him with a twofold miracle – Jharda and their unborn child.

Another gentle laugh filled their chambers. "The future empress will be just fine. Best she understands the call of imperial duty early, my Emperor." Jharda gently removed the man's hand from her stomach and sat up. "And now the empress-to-be and her mother must get ready for the day."

Ztar groaned, but allowed Jharda to exit the bed. How he wished they could have lounged for hours, yet duty awaited him as well. The Empire never rested and he had much on his imperial docket. While the transition to a more self-governing empire relieved him of many tasks, he was still very much its monarch. That shift enabled him to focus on the long-term vision and far less on the daily matters of governing.

Watching with admiration as her form move into the bathroom, he reminded himself that Jharda needed to ascend from merely Royal Court and government official to Empress. Marriage would do that. And to fully ensure their first child had full claim to the throne, as he must be born within an Imperial marriage to be in an unchallengeable position. Ztar was not naïve in believing that later children born within their marriage would not attempt to claim the throne if the first was not born under matrimonial protection. No, Ztar needed to wed Jharda before the birth.

Time to talk with Sukja.

###

After breakfast the following day, Flint was at the top of Warren's to-do list. He needed to assess the strengths and weaknesses of his traveling companions. During the heat of battle was not the time to first learn of your teammates' abilities. Within the small ship, it didn't take long to find Flint. Stretched out on the lounger, the teenager held up a PI, punching the hand-sized device like crazy.

"Computer game?" Warren inquired upon entering the room. He glanced around – they were alone. 'Good.'

"Hold on…" Flint said dismissively and continued to work the PI at a speed where smoke should have been rising.

Warren waited patiently, sipping his coffee. Warren loved the complexity of the 100 percent, custom roasted Kona elixir. A slightly sweet aroma filled his nose, while the taste held hints of molasses, nuts, aromatic wood, maybe even a touch of milk chocolate. Coffee he understood. What he'd couldn't understand was the fascination with computer games to the point of addiction. But then again, he rarely had time for such pastimes so had never really given them a chance. When he did manage to carve out some leisure time, he preferred to read or take wing. That thought made his wings shiver. It'd only been a couple days and already he was itching to get into the air. The ship was very small, which disagreed with Warren's basic nature.

Flint continued to work his fingers with lightening speed, seeming to have no awareness of anything beyond the world held in his hands. Warren thought about the days, weeks, and likely months of travel ahead of them. Facing many long, uneventful days, he decided he might need to explore gaming simply to help pass the time.

After a couple more minutes, Flint sat up. "Whew! Nearly got my ass annihilated. That's one mean program! You should try it sometime, War. We can load it to your PI."

"I might, but playing on such a small screen…"

Flint leaned forward, waving the PI. "This? Oh, I just play on this 'cause it's handy. You can project the game and it's more like somethin' outta of the Enterprise holodeck. Totally rad!" Then a frown crossed his face. "Volu's not so keen on me doin' that though. But I wasn't all my fault that stuff got busted. If Gatebi stowed it like she should of, it wouldn't of gotten knocked over."

Warren didn't even want to go there. "Safer to play on the PI then."

The kid nodded. "You should be good at it considerin' you're an X-man and all."

Warren enjoyed another mouthful of the hot and expensive beverage before replying. "I may just do that at some point."

Flint leaned back into the lounger and got comfortable. "Man, you need to tell us stories sometime. I'm dyin' to hear how you kicked the bad guys' butts!" His eyes were wide.

Warren could have told Flint that whatever romanticized imaginings he was visualizing were just that. He could have said how battle was life and death, unlike the teen's games. How friends can die before your eyes and how the sounds and stench of death haunt you. That sometimes you puke your guts out when things get really gory and the color of the water in the shower after such a fight can be rusty red and bits of things you'd rather not name swirl down the drain. But he wouldn't.

"Maybe sometime," he said instead. "Speaking of battles, I have a question for you."

That lit up Flint's eyes even more. "Hey, man, ask away."

"The Etagllot took you because you're a mutant, right?" The boy nodded. "What's your ability?"

Pride swelled the kid's chest. "I'm a firestarter."

Light dawned. "Flint's your codename!"

"That's me. Government name, Lanic Reilly."

"How does it work?"

Flint leaned abruptly toward Warren. "Pretty cool, actually. First, I have to touch my target or touch something touching it."

"You need contiguous contact from you to your target?" Flint looked confused. "Meaning there can be no gaps between you and what you want to set on fire," Warren defined.

"Yeah, no gaps. Like I can't set an airplane on fire that's in the sky."

"So air isn't a conductor. What about water?"

"Yep, water works. So far, everything but air."

'Intriguing…a contact firestarter. Could be extremely deadly.' Warren hoped the youth had his ability very much under control, especially while dreaming.

"Do you need to see the target?"

"Not exactly. I need to know it's there, but don't need to actually see it."

"Explain." Warren savored another sip, inhaling the rich aroma.

"Well, say I know there's a pile of trash I wanna burn on the other side of a wall. If I picture it in my head, I can usually light it up."

"Usually?"

Flint's eyebrows knitted together and the arms crossed. "Yeah, so I'm not perfect! Not like I get a lotta practice."

Warren held up an apologetic hand. "No criticism intended. Just want to know how it works. What's your range?"

Flint shrugged. "Not sure. Haven't really tested that."

Warren nodded. "Too dangerous without help and stiff controls."

"Right. Could start one hell of a fire." The expression and body language opened up once again as the brief flare of offense passed.

"You have good control?"

"Do now. Not at first, though. Nearly burned down my own fuckin' house! God, what a disaster that almost was," Flint said, shaking his head.

"What about when you asleep?"

Flint's eyes widened. "Oh, man, you don't know how much sleep I lost thinkin' I'd burn myself alive in bed! Practically became an insomniac. But it's never happened. Not once. Don't know why."

Warren breathed a silent sigh of relief. "Nature sometimes provides a failsafe. Sounds like you're one of the lucky ones where dreams don't trigger the ability. Count your blessings."

"Oh, I do. Every mornin' I don't wake up toasted." Flint did look very relieved at his luck. "Another thing I can't ignite are bodies. I could set your hair or clothes on fire, but not actually your body. It has to be naturally…combustible – that's the word, right?"

"That's the word. So rocks, water, and so on – no go." Another nod of agreement. "Makes sense."

"How fast does it work?"

Flint grinned mischievously. "Wanna see?"

Warren gestured affirmative.

"Need to find something…" Flint said glancing around. Not many burnables on Volu. Then he spied the wrapper from his snack. "This will do." He snatched it up and placed it inside his beverage glass sitting on the floor next to the lounger. "Okay, I'll count to three and then start ignition."

Warren watched in fascination as Flint counted down. A heartbeat or two at most after "three" and the wrapper burst into flames.

"Pretty fast, huh?" Flint grinned with pride.

Warren agreed with a nod. "Does the object heat up first or simply ignite?"

A puzzled expression answered the question even before the teen spoke. "Ya know, I don't know. I mean, it's not like I'm usually holding onto what I set on fire." Flint rubbed the back of his neck absentmindedly. "Although… I don't recall the comic getting hot in my hands." Flint continued when Warren gave him an encouraging look. "First time my power kicked in. I was in my room reading, trying to take my mind off my tightarse step-dad. Man, I was mad! Next thing ya know, the comic's doing that spontaneous combustion thing. Dropped it on my bed and then the bedding caught on fire! Barely got it put out. Life went shit-faced after that. Mom thought I was "acting out." Flint made quote marks with his hands. "Darren said I was trouble and they had to do somethin' or I'd end up a criminal. And what could I say? Hey, there's no psycho problem here. No need for counseling or any of that crap. I'm just a fire-starting mutie is all. It was an accident. I won't burn the fuckin' house down – promise!"

Flint had pulled his legs up on the couch and was holding them tight to his chest. Pangs of empathy hit Warren hard. Alone with a huge secret that frightened the kid half to death. He remembered well how heavy and isolating that be. "You couldn't talk to your mom about what really happened?"

Flint shook his almost violently. "You kiddin'? She'd freak. Nope, best to do my time with the shrink and play the game. It worked – for Mom anyway. Don't think Darren ever trusted me again. Practiced til I could start fires easily and figure out kinda how it works. Don't remember the comic getting hot – it just burst into flames in my hands."

Warren wanted to extend an invitation to talk if the kid ever needed to, but decided against it. Perhaps later once they knew each other better and Flint would take the offer more to heart.

"Thanks for the explanation."

Flint released his legs and a twinkle came back in his eyes. "You're assessing your new teammates and our abilities, aren't you? Makes sense. We got some badasses after us and you're sizing up our ability to kick said asses!"

Warren gave the teen a sly smile. "Pretty sharp. I need to understand what you bring to a fight."

Flint eased toward Warren as if ready to share a secret. "Ya know, War, Gatebi's never said why those crazy Hydeera scientists wanted her. Big mystery! Never seen her do nothing unusual, though, and we've been in some tough scrapes. Usually she leaves the rough stuff to the rest of us. Kinda nerdish, if you haven't already pegged her. Not sure how good she'd be in a real rumble."

"Perhaps she doesn't know she's a mutant?" Warren ventured then drained his cup.

"I don't get that. More like she isn't telling or they snatched her for somethin' else." Flint leaned back in a very confident pose. He obviously enjoyed being the man in the know. "She's got smarts, though. Not the in-your-face kind – doesn't make you feel too stupid or nothin', but she's got brains. Ask her 'bout the stuff she reads sometime."

Warren took that last information with a grain of salt. Flint came across as an average teenage male who probably thought anything beyond reading the latest comic or watching a computer game-based action flick was a sign of a high IQ.

"I'll keep it in mind. Anything more you can do than start fires?"

"Nope. Fire skillz it. You can count on me in a tussle, War. I won't let ya down."

Warren stood, empty coffee mug in hand. "Never thought for a moment you would," he complimented smiling down before turning to leave. 'Three down, one to go.'

###

A/N: Hope what Warren learned here about his travel companions was interesting enough to hold your attention. Next time, rising sexual tension drives Warren to look for an outlet. And, the group arrives at Jandur. Chapter 19 will move us into the next phase. The quest for Etxan'Ir kicks in to high gear and with it more intrigue, danger, and action.