The bus ride home is far less enjoyable since it's dark outside. Within the vehicle's confines, everyone seems focused on their mobis; kids play games on them while the adults read news, look for whatever, or watch vid feeds. Of course, there are also several people talking with unseen characters while doing whatever.

I seem uninterested in my own device and don't look at it. It has been a long time since I've watched people this way, though one mother type does look askance at me when she detects that I've let my gaze rest a moment on her daughter as she plays something.

Finally, the eleven kilometers is covered and the operator opens a portal for me to exit through. The night is cool and the Great Banner dominates the heavens. Nearby, some small creature rustles fallen leaves and there is a merry peeping of frogs way off to my left. The gravel path to my hangar crunches underfoot with each step sounding like a landslide. There are no lights on and I decide at the last moment to walk out to sit on a bench at the edge of the old patio. It is fabri-stone and hard as concrete, but I find it comforting to lay stretched out on it looking up at the billion points of fire floating in the black void.

A gentle breeze stirs and kisses my cheek. A night bird mournfully addresses the sky from somewhere downhill. A wisp of cloud drifts across the glowing darkness. I'm sleepy and for a moment content.

…..

I am pouring sugar water into the hummingbird feeder on the porch by my room. The place is black and white except for sapphire curtains rustling in a light breeze and a red rose in a vase on the porch table. The sound of a hummer zips behind me and I smile. Not wanting to scare the little thing, I finish pouring. The sound is louder, bigger. I turn and there is a huge male hummingbird, iridescent in the morning sun, gorget extended in display. This bird is bigger than my head and seems to be growing as I watch. It reaches out its tongue and drinks from the feeder, then hovers looking directly at me. The tongue lashes out and kisses my cheek seven times. The buzz of its wings increases and it is now half as large as I am. Two more birds the same size fly up, one another hummingbird and the other a Black-capped Chickadee. The second hummer likewise drinks and then kisses me, then the two hummers fly off towards an emerald treetop. The chickadee lands at my feet, but it is now almost as big as I am.

"Pheee-Beee!" the bird announces, that is the male territorial call. The sound is so loud that it feels like a drum on my chest. Again, it calls "Pheee-Beee!"

I hold out my empty hand and there is a sunflower seed in it. I know the seed wasn't there, but it is now. The bird reaches down and takes it, then hops to the edge of the porch to devour the kernel. Moments later, it is back in front of me and again I have one sunflower seed to give it. It cocks its head as if to study me...

…..

"Mr. Ryan?" filters through the dream remnants along with a gentle shaking that tells me someone real wants my attention. The vividness of my unconscious experience clings to my awareness and I half expect to see a giant chickadee perched beside me as my eyes open and I look about. I do see John and an otherwise beautiful morning in the sky above, but nothing approximating the figures so real mere moments before.

Straining to clear my head, I nevertheless answer, "Yes, John?"

"Mr. Ryan, I spoke with the wife and I was right: she wants nothin' to do with runnin' the place now that Camilla and Arron are gone. She's worried that I'm up here at all, but I told her that I'm still workin' here anyway."

"You are a good man, John. Thanks."

"So you gonna get us another manager soon or you stayin' this time?"

"I'll find a manager, John. I'll get on it today."

"Good. Thank you, sir."

"Good morning, John."

"Good morning, Mr. Ryan."

…..

"Agri-temp New Austin Office. My name is Marcie, how may I help you today?" The vid of the speaker on my mobi appears shows a girl too young and perky to be the right person to address the need personally.

"Yes, Ma'am, My name is Shawn Ryan and I'm in need of a temp manager for my tea plantation."

"Perfect, I can refer you to one of our position specialists. Will you hold for a minute?"

I'm about to reply when the most obnoxious sounds come over the signal, easily twice as loud as Marcie had been and sounding like something I once heard in a bar on Spider. I shudder at even the memory and turn the sound down.

Thunderheads seem to be rising out to my west, warm moist air from the unseen sea is rising into our uplands to bring the seasonal rains. I wonder if we will get a bigger one today and...

"Hello?" I hear faintly and realize that someone on my mobi is all but shouting to be heard.

I turn up the volume and answer, "Hello, sorry, had to turn the glas down because of the noise you had on while I held."

"Oh... well, I'm sorry that you didn't approve, that was the Bongo Beast Boys with their current hit stream 'Maniacal'." The woman speaking is probably not much older than Marcie was... I'm starting to feel like a fossil next to these kids.

"No offense," I snipe, "But you can drown whatever in a stream and maybe just give silence while we wait."

She sighs, "I'm sorry. My name is Terry. Marcie said you are looking for a plantation manager? What kind of plantation would that be?"

"Tea."

"T what?"

"Tea, as in the plants that make the drink."

"What drink?"

"Tea."

"Just a moment," I can see her look another direction and it occurs to me that she is looking up what I'm talking about. "Oh, I see. I'm sure we can find someone to assist you. That would be something like coffee, right?"

"Only distantly."

"It says here... oh. Never mind. Yes, we can find someone, how long do you need them for?"

"Several months at least, maybe turning into something permanent."

"I see. What kind of quarters are we looking at?"

I look at the hole in the ground where the Big House used to stand and answer, "I'm going to have to bring in something temporary while we rebuild."

"Is this a new position or just newly available?"

"We are established, just need to replace my last managers."

"Why, what happened?"

I wonder how to answer this delicately, but can't think of anything before my mouth answers, "They were blown up."

She is shocked, "Excuse me?"

Well, I started down this road, might as well continue, "Someone tried to assassinate me and bombed the house."

The girl is speechless. She just stares. Finally, "Did they catch them?"

"No, not yet."

"Um, let me check with my manager."

"Just don't put tha..."

She is gone and that screeching noise is back again, even louder than before. It ends suddenly and I realize I have been disconnected. Great, at least I don't have to wish injury on whatever it was that made that din.

…..

Not having much luck today with temp agencies, I have just had the fourth one tell me 'no' after hearing that my previous couple perished in the line of duty. At least that one didn't hang up on me like two of the three others did.

The roar of thrusters arresting a power descent fills the air to the east and after just a few moments, a UEEN Super Hornet is rushing through the turquoise sky. If it is here to kill me, I won't stand a chance.

I shield my eyes from the blast wash as it settles on my pad, noticing even so that it is turned to face me. The engines wind down and the gale subsides. That looks like a serious craft, there are numerous scorch marks only barely hidden under paint and polish. The onboard ladder extends and the canopy slides open, allowing an officer to dismount from his steed.

He takes a moment to extract a bag from a compartment and stow his helmet, then walks straight at me.

"Shawn Ryan?"

"May I ask who is looking."

"Captain Priest, Josiah Priest. I know you are Ryan, your mobi gives you away."

"I might have killed him and stolen it."

"You didn't and we both know that."

He has approached close enough that I rise and we shake hands.

"Okay, may I ask what an Navy Captain is doing coming to see me?"

"Let me ask you a question, first."

"Okay, I might not answer it, but you can ask."

He laughs briefly, then still smiling says, "That works. Do you recognize this man?"

He holds his mobiglas turned around so I can see the image perfectly. The face is familiar, but I can't quite remember from where. "Not sure. I think I've seen him, but can't remember where. Is this a test?"

"No," he chuckles, "You might like to know that he flies a 350r."

Now the image strikes the right brain cells and I recognize the face of the man that tried to kill me on the Valinor station at Hadur III. "Yeah, that pile of... stuff... tried to kill me..."

"By decompressing a station docking ring while you might have been in the uncontrolled area."

"Yeah. You know him?"

The officer pulls out one of those thin gloves that surgeons wear and opens his bag. Lifting whatever, he replies, "Yeah, I did."

He pulls a severed human head out of the bag holding it by the hair. I about drop of a heart attack in surprise, but that is clearly the man I once argued with in that VAS stanchion.

"Who was he?"

"Doesn't matter now, but he seems to have taken a second pass at you," here he nods towards where the barren foundation pieces are, "And only narrowly missed."

Somehow I know I should feel rage at the person, but the fact that he is now past tense takes a bit out of my response.

"Should I ask why he is in this condition?"

"Probably not."

"May I ask why you bring this to me now?"

"We have intel that you may know things we need to know. I've also heard that you don't seem as cooperative with harassment as you are with courtesy."

"That is true."

He drops the head back into the bag and holds it out, "If you want it, he's yours."

"Burn it."

"No problem."

"Can we find a place to sit down?" The officer asks.

I nod and lead the way to a couple of still functional chairs in the hangar. "Well, Captain, how may I assist you?"

"You have been..."

Another loud racket of braking thrusters drowns his words and we are both looking towards the open hangar doors. There is a requisite dust storm as first a quad of Xi'An landing pads and then an actual Dor'Qual cargo ship settles on the pad next to the Super Hornet.

"Expecting company?" He quips, but I note the Captain is standing and may have shifted to make his weapon hand more free to move.

"No, but then again, I'm on their payroll."

He glances my way and then back at the settling craft. I wonder about the tensions I suspect there will be between the Navy officer and whomever the Xi'An have sent.

As the gusts of debris subside, I recognize my M50 strapped to one of the cargo hooks. That hook seems to be lowering the ship even before the passenger staircase can extend. Kree'Gna appears and starts down the incline just as another roar fills the air.

Now that one sounds familiar, and I'm right... a Origen 350r has flown up and seems to be looking for enough room to set down.

"Were you expecting company?" Colonel Priest asks again.

"No. I'm just a nexus for trouble today, aren't I?"

There is a flicker of a grin on his face as he again faces the pad. "Imperator's Office. I think you are about to be pretty popular."

The 350 seems to have decided to try my patio, it pivots that way and shouldn't have any trouble with the pavement there.

Kree'Gna strides towards me and I'm worried that he seems grim.

I rise and offer a modest bow, "Kree'Gna, Shē'sueren."

I see his expression change to a smile, albeit a subdued one, "Shawn Ryan, Shē'sueren."

"Kree'Gna, this is Captain Priest. Captain, this is my friend Kree'Gna, a Diplomat of the Xi'An Empire; I am his contracted wing pilot..." glancing Kree'Gna's way I add, "Or was that last time I knew."

The two eye the other with suspicion, I'm not sure how to deal with the tension that hangs like a shroud between them. Outside, I can hear the Origin power down and wonder how long it will be until another person joins the cast here.

Kree'Gna looks my way and behind the facade I think he feels trapped.

"Excuse me, Captain, I need to speak with Kree'Gna for a minute."

He nods my way, his eyes never leaving the leathered face before him.

"Thank you for bringing the ship back," I begin and we stride towards the older model Dor'Qual.

"I did not expect there to be a Naval officer here. What does he want with you?"

"So far, only information, though he has yet to ask. Seems like everyone suddenly wants my attention."

"Yes, if you can fly, we want you back at my wing. The dispatches are likely to be moving very quickly now. This Gallen affair Dnong started has taken on a life of its own.

I look over at the craft on my patio and the well appointed woman leaving it. Imperator's office all right, headed my way.

"Doctor still hasn't cleared me to fly."

"When?" Kree'Gna asks.

"I can check back in a couple days, but he said a week."

"As soon as you can. Athas M'Gren has asked for you personally."

"Fair enough. Please thank her for trying to assist me that night at the hospital."

"You should thank her when you can."

I shrug, "Fair enough, my friend. Kree'Gna, what is happening?"

"I can not say here, but it is a..." he pauses, clearly searching for the English word, "... Something like a twisting storm wind of great power."

"Tornado?"

"Yes," he says grimly, "It is a tornado unleashed."

"Should I call the embassy when I'm cleared?"

"Yes. Please do not delay. The dispatches they want to send are not to be transmitted and yet we do not want to have to show military force to protect the couriers. You have proven yourself able to protect me, we need to have the human element in UEE space."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

He bows appropriately and says, "Shawn Ryan, athlē-korr."

Bowing in return, I offer, "Kree'Gna, athlē-korr."

He is onto the staircase before the Imperator's representative reaches us and the ramp is retracting moments later.

With the new arrival I step back towards the hangar as the sounds of a thruster launch warning rings out.

The woman carrying the Imperator's insignia is taller than I am, probably about forty, and has the intense expression that tells me I will probably not want to try to joke with her. Before she can speak, the Dor'Qual lifts, throwing sand our way and filling the hangar with a barely bearable racket.

As the sound recedes skyward, Captain Priest strides up.

The woman holds out her hand towards me and says, "Do I have the pleasure of addressing Citizen Shawn Ryan?"

'Citizen', huh? The only times I've heard that recently were ones that served as preamble to something manipulative or worse. "I'm Shawn Ryan."

"Captain," she says looking briefly his way before returning her stare to my face. "Citizen Ryan, I am Janice Amesly of Terran branch of the Imperator's Office. We have received information that you may be able to help us address a serious problem that has recently come up. Can you gather whatever you need to come with me to Earth?"

"Wait a minute!" The Captain interjects but her hand raises to interrupt.

I think she means to say something to him but before she can I reply, "The doctor still hasn't cleared me to return to space. My skull fracture hasn't stabilized yet."

They both exchange looks and the Captain asks, "When will you know?"

"I'm supposed to see the Doc in four or five days."

"I'll have our surgeon here in a few hours to confirm this," Ms. Amesly states. "In the mean time, Captain, anything you wish to ask Citizen Ryan will need to be asked in my presence."

I feel so special. Not.

Captain Priest, however, nods in agreement and they both look my way. A shiver travels up my back and I think the air just got icy in here.

"Why would you want me to go to Earth anyway?" I dare to ask and her glare tells me that I'm on rather thin ice.

"You expecting any more company?" The Captain half asks and half smirks. The expression doesn't really fit the man or the circumstance.

"Oh, I don't know, I'm surprised the OES hasn't returned yet."

They both glance at each other and Amesly asks, "Were they here already today?"

"No, haven't seen one of them since Vas got blasted. But that is quite a while for them not to be hanging around, so they are about due."

"I'll be right back," the woman says, "No conference without me."

She strides off and he looks back at me. "You have inherited a whirlwind it seems."

"Yeah, seems that way."

"What do you know about the Xi'An Navy?"

"Only what I saw the last time I was there."

"Disposition?"

"You are asking someone who knows nothing about the Navy, ours or theirs. All I saw was a lot of ships facing the Kr'Thak side of their space."

"A lot?"

"Hundreds, even the biggest Xi'An ships I've ever seen."

"Do you think you might recognize those ships again?"

"Maybe."

"If I can get you images, can you yes or no them?"

"Shouldn't we wait until whats-her-name gets back?"

He laughs, "Amesly? No, if you can help me, I might be able to get what I need now without her meddling."

"What do you think she went after?"

"OES control. Just in case they do have something going on."

"Wow. Just like that."

"You are hot property now."

"I'm a person."

He smiles, but it is something that borders on evil. "Yeah, just like the headless horseman over there," He declares, pointing towards the bag.

"You remember why you brought me that head?" He is measuring me, but waits for me to continue, "Because I don't take threats very well."

Still assessing, he nods again and says, "Fair enough. But we need to know the enemy's strength and disposition."

"I'm a Xi'An contractor, so that makes me an enemy, right?"

He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "No, I hope you aren't."

"What are you two talking about?!" Janice Amesly calls from the hangar doorway and I hear footsteps hurrying over to us.

"He was letting me know he appreciates my value."

I don't think he expected me to cover for him, but he relaxes just a bit when I do.

"I told both of you not to talk while I was away."

"You said not to 'conference'," I retort. "I didn't think chit-chat constituted a 'conference'."

She glares at the Captain and then casts an evaluating look my way.

"I think we should take a walk, Captain," Ms. Amesly says with a sharpness that seems almost commanding.

He glares at her and seems about to respond when his mobi flashes. He must have an implant, I hear nothing.

"Yes?" he responds then, "Yes, Sir."

He looks up at her, over at me, and then back at her.

"Yes, Sir. I'm on location with him now."

Whomever must have something to say, the Captain is quiet.

"Yes, Sir. A Ms. Amesly is..."

I wonder what could be going on.

"No, Sir, not yet. I..."

Must be serious, his body language has just sagged markedly.

"Yes, Sir. But my orders were..."

He doesn't look happy at all.

"Yes, Sir."

The signal must end because the display disappears and the Naval officer looks up at us both.

"Yes, Ms. Amesly, I agree that we should take that walk now."

She smiles, and as the two of them stroll towards the front of the hangar, I wonder how much she had to do with that call.

Without preamble, they both return and the Captain says, "I think I have what I need for now, Mr. Ryan. When I need more, I'll be in touch."

"Okay... um, have a good afternoon."

He smiles, "I would wish you the same, but I suspect that you are about to have a long day."

"Jix," I say with enough sarcasm that it is obvious that I don't mean it at all.

"Yeah, I don't envy you."

…..

The Super Hornet is lifting off and I'm alone with Ms. Amesly.

"How did you pull that off?" I ask.

"The Imperator wants you. He is the supreme commander over the the military. We basically gave Priest a promise of cooperation. It isn't what he wanted, but he understands that it will have to do for now. Of course, if you do not wish to work with us, then he will get to speak further with you."

"Where does that leave me?"

"You are going to come with me to the Imperator's Office."

"I've told you already, I'm not supposed to do space."

"I know that. You are, however, cleared to fly in grav as long as there are no high performance maneuvers."

"Yeah, I guess that's right."

"So you can fly back to Prime under my escort."

"Okay..."

"Just remember that if you try to get away, you'll have to do those nasty full speed twists and turns."

"I won't try," I concede.

"Good."

"I'm curious," I comment.

Ms. Amesly nods, "Yes?"

"I can guess an intel type would know about me, but if you didn't know the OES might be watching me, how did you know who I am?"

"A dossier was delivered to us," she answers, appearing both uncomfortable and confident. "Someone has been watching you since you became the Xi'An diplomat's wing. It says you are both a risk and an asset."

"Ah, yeah. Sounds like something MARC would have."

"What? Who is Mark?"

"They've been interested in knowing more about the Xi'An."

"Who has?"

"MARC."

"Who is he?"

"You're from the Imperator's Office and have stuff they've collected; how can you not know?"

"We got an anonymous delivery. Names and some other data that might have been identifying have been redacted. The Imperator considered it important enough to insist we contact you. We got a tip this evening Prime time that you were about to be interrogated by the military. That is why I'm here."

"I see."

"Was the Xi'An who left your contact?"

"Yes, Kree'Gna is the courier I fly wing for."

"On an Imperial contract."

"Correct."

"With some amount of blessing from the Seers?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Good. We need you."

"I'm not a spy."

"We don't need spies. We need a go-between."

I have to admit that the last thing I expected was 'go-between'... I mean I'm about as politically correct as a Vandie. "Maybe I misunderstood, did you say 'go-between'?"

She nods, "Yes. As in someone both sides could trust to be honest with any messages."

"Both sides of what?"

"The Xi'An Emperor and Imperator Costigan."

"You have got to be kidding me, I don't know either."

"That can be changed, at least on our side."

She has got to be delusional. "Just exactly why am I to believe that Imperator Costigan has any interest in me? Sounds to me like you're speaking out of turn. Is this some kind of trick? You work for Po or someone like that?"

Now she shows some anger, "No. And don't ever question me when I speak for the Imperator." I'm about to respond, but she isn't done; "Ever!" This last she nearly spits at me.

"Ooookaaayyy," I reply, backing up a step.

"OES is not an issue," she says in a more agreeable tone, "And I don't care if they have an interest or not. This disaster with Gallen has to be addressed by everyone who can possibly keep this from becoming a shooting war. The Imperator has asked for your presence tomorrow evening in Prime. You WILL be there, is that clear?" She pauses for effect, then almost purrs, "Citizen Ryan?"

"How would he even know I couldn't come to Earth?"

"My office told me he is coming when I called about Priest."

"Oh." I go with my gut on this one, "I've got nothing to wear for something like that."

"It isn't formal," she replies almost before I finish.

"Two dirty flight suits, a bloodstained shirt and jeans, and a pair of coveralls are all I have left."

"Buy something. He is flying out to meet with you."

I'm shocked. No, stunned. "What?!"

"This is not a scheduled visit. He is coming to have an informal council session with a few chosen advisers. The purpose is to see if you can be one of those who help us escape the machinations of whomever perpetrated this nightmare."

"But..."

"No buts. You will meet with him or you will never fly again."

"Little people, huh?"

"While I hope you are willing to serve as a bigger player if the Imperator wants you... if not, then yeah, something like that."

This doesn't make sense. "Why me?"

"The dossier we were given on you by whomever has had you under surveillance reached the Imperator two days ago. I was notified that he wanted you on Earth, but it seems he changed his mind; he insists on flying out rather off the grid to conduct a meeting in person. Officially, he is at his personal retreat in the Olympics and will no doubt be 'seen' several times. And if you breathe a word of this to anyone, I will make sure you are convicted for violating any one of seventeen capital crimes, sentence to be carried out without appeal."

"I don't do well with threats."

"No, but you also reportedly blab anything that you've done to whomever asks. You are honest about it, but you are a security risk."

"Yet you want me for some secret negotiations?"

"I don't," she replies with a bluntness born of honesty.

Maybe it would be good to know, "And if it were up to you?"

She looks me straight in the eye "I wouldn't be here and the Imperator would still be safe on Earth."

"Honesty from a politician?"

"Why not? I've read that you're honest to a fault. People like you can often tell when someone lies."

I nod.

She continues, "Besides, when it comes to the Imperator, failing to be honest is a danger with serious consequences. It has become a habit to say what I think when I'm asked." She smiles wanly, "And if it matters, I'm career civil service, I'm not really a politician."

"So, I need to fly to Prime tonight?"

"Yes, we want to keep tabs on you until the meeting has concluded and the Imperator is off-world again."

"Can't very well pick up anything if I'm in detention."

She chuckles, "No, we'll set you up with a room in the Lux Imperial and assign you a companion for when you need to go out."

"One of those 'minders' I sometimes hear about?"

"Something like that," she admits with a grin.

…..

I'm looking out a broad expanse of tripan glass over turquoise bay waters. There are sailboats frolicking in the sea breezes down there and almost directly across the bay from me is the distant tower of Valinor Aerospace's headquarters. I'm in a suite at least a couple pay grades above my norm, on the ninety first floor of the five star Lux Imperial Hotel, a room that happens to be in Ms. Amesly's name... for my security, of course. The room is actually accessed through a private hallway, one occupied by a pair of rather substantial plain clothes types who look like they are Marine SpecOps veterans. I'm not really sure if this is a prison or a present. I swear, it could easily be the Imperator's Suite, it is that fancy. I'm almost afraid to sit down for fear I'll get the fabric dirty.

There is a loud knock at the door behind me, followed by the entrance of a middle aged woman, perhaps my height, maybe a few centimeters taller. She is confident in her approach, as if she has every right to be here.

"Mister Ryan, I am Marshal Lu Mei-Li of the Imperator's Office Internal Security. I am here for your protection."

"And good evening to you," I say, rather put out at the interruption and the apparent lack of manners, barging in that way.

"Marshal Lu Mei-Li," she states.

She must think I didn't hear her. "So is it Marshal Lu or Marshal Mei-Li?" I ask crossly.

She obviously doesn't miss my tone of voice and her right eyebrow arches up, "I am not accustomed to being spoken to rudely."

"And I am not accustomed to having someone invade my privacy without the courtesy of waiting to be invited into the room." Her other eyebrow rises to match the first, but I continue, "I presume you are my new jailer. I don't have to be happy about it."

Now her eyes narrow a bit, "Citizen Ryan, while you do not strike me as someone worthy of my attendance, you are my assignment... not to imprison, but to empower to have some freedom of movement. If you rather not have that option, I can have you contained here until the need for you to remain has ended. Is that clear?"

I look her over; dressed in loose-fitting garb not all that dissimilar from a classic Taiji outfit, I have to admit that I can't really assess her physical presence beyond a sense of balance and restraint. She seems to be evaluating me likewise, though I'm sure I don't have nearly the hidden strength I wish I had.

"I'm Shawn Ryan," I say while extending my hand for a bump.

She maintains eye contact, but doesn't move.

I let my arm begin to return towards my side. One moment, she is standing still... in the next I discover she has reached out and her fist has touched mine. The movement is so swift that I don't register the action until our knuckles are already in contact.

"Let us try again," she says in a polite tone. "Please forgive my intrusion into your quarters, Citizen Shawn Ryan. I am Marshal Lu Mei-Li of the Imperator's Office Internal Security."

I offer a half-bow and answer, "Marshal Lu Mei-Li, please forgive my impolite reaction to your presence. I am Shawn Ryan, pilot and... as one observer pointed out... nexus for trouble."

…..

A face flashes up on my mobi as the connection goes through.

"Jurdi here."

"Hey, Jurdi, Shawn Ryan."

Her eyes seem to focus on the connection more than they had, "Oh, hello, Shawn, how are you?"

"Doing pretty good," I reply while realizing that she seems interested in the very fact that I'm calling. She must have a myriad of customers, her noticing me seems to make me feel special. Of course, it's probably one of those things a good merchant learns how to do, and one of the reasons I will never be one.

"I'm glad you called," she starts and I have to admit that for just a moment, I feel like a teenager about to ask his dream girl out on a date. Fortunately for me, she continues, "I seem to remember that you have a farm or something like that... right?"

"I have a tea plantation."

"Oh, yeah. Great! I need to ask you some questions about that if you can make time when you're down here next."

"Well, I'll answer whatever you want and I'm hoping to stop in tomorrow morning for a new jumpsuit or something."

"Oh? What happened to that nice one I sold you a few months back? Got it all shot up?"

"Something like that."

"Sure, I still have some stock in your size left."

That sounds odd. "You having supply problems?"

"No, I'm selling the store off and not making new suits."

"What?!"

"Rat race is getting to me. Probably shouldn't bother you with it, but things have gotten hot and even nasty lately."

I'm sure my jaw just unhinged. "Why so for you?"

"Look, this isn't the best way to talk about such things. Without saying the name, do you remember where you were introduced to me by Ali Abu-Ahmed?"

"Um..."

"The waiters don't speak English."

The Cafe Français comes immediately to mind and I remember Ali had been a sometime employer who called Jurdi up and asked her to join us. "Yeah, you had tea and a croissant."

"Meet me there in the morning and we can talk."

"I've got a minder who will be following me."

"Minder? You in trouble?"

"When have I not been?"

She laughs, "Okay, you never tell me the gory details, so how should I know?"

"Touche. She seems okay, but maybe we should talk about it in a few days."

"No minder then?"

"Shouldn't be."

"Hmmm..."

"What I called about is a suit, though."

"Let's do breakfast anyway. I do have some questions I don't care about someone overhearing. How about eight?"

"Works for me. I'll look forward to it."

"Me too," she answers... and I wish it were for more personal reasons.

…..

Sunset out over the bay is incredible, the wind fresh and cool. I'm standing by the waterfront with Marshal Lu a friendly distance away. Her face seems relaxed as she leans her back against the railing I'm looking over, but a glance her way tells me she is carefully aware of our surroundings... honestly, her vigilance is reassuring.

Out on the water there is a slight chop, enough that as the docked sailboats bob back and forth, their masts seem to be dancing with each other. I wish I could be out on one of those boats when they sail so freely... for the planet bound, it must be as exciting as playing amid the stars.

Terra's orb slips finally below the horizon and Marshal Lu touches my arm, "We should go now."

"Getting hungry?" I ask.

"No, but we are losing light and soon I will not be able to identify threats as well."

"Always business, eh?"

"When I work, yes. When it is my own time... sometimes," she admits.

I chuckle, "Yeah, work does intrude into life at times, doesn't it?"

She glances my way and as her head returns to its observation mode, she nods.

"How about we order something in?"

"You are welcome to order from the hotel's menu once we get back."

"No stopping for Chinese perhaps?"

I get a wry look for that, followed by, "No, Citizen Ryan. If it isn't on the menu in the hotel, you don't get it tonight."

"Citizen again, huh? I didn't think I was being that bad."

I think I detect a slight eye roll at this. "Come on," she says, motioning towards the hotel and I follow obediently.

…..

"Madame?" The man addressing Jurdi isn't tall or short, kinda more in the middle, he seems the prototypical waiter, not detracting from the open air relaxed sense of morning at a nice restaurant. Other than a different accent, I wouldn't especially notice him on the street.

Jurdi looks at Marshal Lu and I, asking, "My treat?"

"Sure, I guess," I reply and Mei-Li nods.

Jurdi looks up at the waiter and answers, "Nous aurons chacun deux croissants et un verre de Vouvray, avec une petite roue de votre fromage fait maison pour nous pour diviser. Merci."

"Oui, Madame," he says with a growing smile and heads off to wherever.

"So, what are we having?" I venture.

"I told him we will each have two croissants and a glass of Vouvray, with a small wheel of their home-made cheese for us to split."

"Sounds good."

"I'll pass on the cheese," the Marshal says. "Cheese and I don't get along."

"Oh, I'm sorry, would you like something else?" Jurdi looks concerned.

"No, no. I just need to watch my figure or I turn into a balloon."

Honestly, I can't imagine the fit woman speaking ever getting the least bit fat, but then again, who am I to presume? "And you are okay with the wine?" I ask her.

"Wine? Oh, no... please, no wine while I work. Water will do fine."

"How about juice?" Jurdi inquires.

Mei-Li seems to think for a moment, then nods while asking, "Orange juice?"

Now our hostess has a smile and calls out, "Garçon!"

Out of a nearby doorway hustles our waiter; "Oui, Madame?" he queries.

Jurdi smiles as she answers him, "Un moins de verre de vin, mais ajoutent un verre de jus orange, s'il vous plaît."

"Merci, Madame." Without another word, he is gone again.

Around our feet, a troop of birds hops, chirping merrily while looking for crumbs or bugs. They avoid us by varying degrees and I would guess there are youngsters in among them, because some of the birds stop to feed others at times.

"Shawn," Jurdi starts, "You said you have a plantation of some sort?"

"Yeah, tea plantation... though right now things are a little unsettled there."

"Unsettled? How so?"

"Well, the Big house..." emotions start to flood towards my surface, "It... um..." I can't seem to control it as first one tear and then another slips from my eyes.

Alarmed, she asks, "Shawn, what's wrong?!"

"They blew it up... I..." Words seem to dry up as my eyes overflow.

"You lost people, didn't you?"

All I can do is nod as a river forms under each eye.

"I'm so sorry, Shawn." Both women look a lot less uncomfortable than men in the same situation would, and I take some comfort from the fact.

…..

Well, the floodwaters finally dry up and I'm left looking at these two women rather sheepishly... nothing like an uncontrolled crying fit to emasculate a guy, right?

"Just tell me the parts you want to share," Jurdi says with a soft tone and gentle voice.

"Camilla and Arron, my partners, and Brother Patrick, an acquaintance, were in the building when it was hit. I was in our hangar with two ships between me and the blast and I was still pretty badly messed up."

She nods, then a quizzical looks comes to her features. "You said your brother Patrick, but that he was an acquaintance..."

Laughing, I answer, "No, I guess 'Brother' is some kind of title."

"Ah... a CJ?"

"If you mean 'Church of the Journey' then, no. Some kind of Christian, I think."

"Really?" she asks with an odd look, but I think she is more thinking out loud than expecting a reply.

The waiter has reappeared with a platter and several glasses. Placing them adroitly upon the table, he announces, "Le petit déjeuner est servi!"

Not having a clue about anything he's said, I guess at the appropriate comment and just say, "Thanks."

Almost simultaneously, Jurdi says, "Merci beaucoup, Monsieur." I get the impression that she has said something similar, but probably done it in a nicer way.

As she starts to divide up the golden crescent shaped rolls, Jurdi asks, "So, just where is this plantation of yours?"

"Torre Nor uplands, maybe a hundred kilometers from the ocean."

We are instantly eye to eye. "Those green hills north of New Austin?" she asks excitedly.

"Yeah," I answer with perhaps a bit of puzzlement, "Pretty much."

"Is it too early to ask if you need a new partner?"

"Um..." I stumble for thought. "I'm still working out with Camilla and Arron's estate just exactly how to regain control of their share."

"I might be able to help."

A large slice of the whitish semi-soft cheese and two of the croissants have been laid on a plate before me, and she hands me a glass of light golden wine. I half wonder if it's all that wise to have wine this early in the day when I'm going to be meeting with no less person than the UEE Imperator... but I decide that I don't often get to do a meal with this woman and I'm not going to cheat myself of its pleasures.

"Thanks for this, Jurdi," I offer, hoping she can understand how much I like sitting here with her. Okay, I have Marshal Lu chaperoning all this, but such is life.

"You are welcome, Shawn."

Jurdi pauses, her eyes focused somewhere else... whatever she is thinking about, she suddenly snaps out of it and lifts her slice of cheese to her lips.

I do likewise, following a bite of excellent cheese with one of the slightly crispy, flaky roll. We both raise our glasses at the same moment and I offer a quick toast, "To our gracious hostess, great thanks for your generosity with so fine a meal."

"Thank you, Shawn. You're such a gentleman."

I laugh and shake my head a bit, then note that Mei-Li is nodding in agreement. I feel oddly out of place, like I'm just a fraud of some sort... but the feeling passes and I take a drink. The wine is light and pleasant, one glass over a rich meal shouldn't be a problem.

…..

The meal is gone, bused away quietly and with great deference. I'm full and comfortable... a sated state I suddenly recall Grandpa referring to as 'fat, dumb, and happy'." The breeze rustles leaves overhead and the morning sunlight plays with those little emerald flags to add a magical shimmering to the scene.

"So," Jurdi begins, "You need a suit. Specs?"

I glance at the Marshal before I answer, "A really nice flight-suit. Something I can wear to meet..." Marshal Lu sharply inhales and I guess she is giving a warning, "Someone important."

Jurdi's eyes flicker to Mei-Li's, then back to mine. "Simi-formal? Maybe not your usual leather but still dark if not black? Well concealed light armor, less functional and more..." she pauses as if searching for the right euphemism, "Meant to create an impression?"

I nod. She got all that from my lame attempt to explain? What a woman.

"I have one in dark blue on charcoal gray and one in ops black that should work, I can tailor either of them in a day or so."

I glance at Marshal Lu and say, "I need it this afternoon."

Looking back at Jurdi, I realize she has taken this in stride without noticeable surprise. "Well, of course you do," she states, just as if she already knew the need.

…..

"Raise your arms over your head," Jurdi instructs and I comply. "I'm not sure I've got the underarms quite right, but it is the best I can do on short notice. I can finish it up when you stop back in."

"When is that?"

"Whenever she," here Jurdi points to Mei-Li, "Lets you come back. Whenever you are done with whatever is so important."

"Um..."

"Look, I might want in on your plantation thing. May I at least visit it to see if I like the place?"

"There isn't a big house."

"You said there's a hangar... if that is still there, I can sleep in my 'Lancer if need be."

I shrug, "Sure. It's an Aeroview, plenty of room. Let me send you a link..."

"Wait!" Marshal Lu is suddenly agitated.

"I'm just sending her the coordinates of the tea plantation."

"I will watch," she states, leaving no doubt that I'm in big trouble if I argue.

"Sure. See, this is the planet, now Torre Nor, now my district, now the hamlet, and now this is my plantation. May I send it to her?"

"Yes, but just that."

"Okay."

Jurdi watches, seemingly bemused until her mobi chimes and she does a quick review. "Got it," she announces. "Mind if I go out there tonight?"

"No, go for it."

"Jix! If I like it, I'll wait there for you, otherwise just mobi me."

"I'll do that."