There is something to be said about taking your time doing things, like traveling across space... alone... in silence.

Now? Well, I'm already starting to regret having had the Professor take Mary Anne's collar off; the stupid thing must have acted like a dam, holding back the torrent of words the girl is capable of producing. I would even swear that she had been saving up all the words she would normally have said behind said collar... which was recently unceremoniously dumped out an airlock... and the deluge is now flooding every spare moment of time she is around either the Professor or I.

"Hey! I just found some of my old fav bands! Wanna hear them? I'm downloading all the streams that they ever did. Hey, Shawn, you're what, about sixty, sixty-five? I bet you like the same bands I do."

For just a moment, I consider answering, but before I can come to a decision, I realize she hasn't stopped speaking, "Oh, yeah, and when I was a teen I LOVED this group, Finger in the Socket. Oh, and The Tools and Vanduul Claw both had a couple big hits, too. And I just ADORED Laraki and the Pig when Marcy Arpen was singing."

She pauses and a foggy memory grabs me just long enough for me to ask, "Didn't she sing something really steamy called... um... something like 'Within'... or maybe it was 'Inside'?"

"Oh, I LOVED that song! I was so sure my dream guy would want me to sing 'Inside' to him before... well, after I had already I found him, of course... and we..." her voice fades unexpectedly away.

The bridge is quiet, and while it is a welcome chance for my ears to rest, I glance over at her and see a bit of regret or maybe longing. "Mary Anne, you will have plenty of chances."

"Svetlana Tolstoy."

"What?"

"My name is Svetlana Tolstoy, like the ancient writer. My friends called me Lana."

"Oh." It hadn't occurred to me to even ask if either of them had names other than what Fat Claire had called them. I glance the professor's way and ask, "And you, sir. Do you have a name to replace using 'the Professor'?"

"Boogyman called me 'Dog'."

"Well, before that."

"Mostly, just 'you' or 'you there'. No fancy people names, I've been a slave as long as I can remember. People name their slaves after whatever takes their fancy, kinda like pets; change owners, change names. Like it or get the crap beat out of you until you do... it's just easier to cooperate. If it's up to me, I kinda like Professor because I feel smarter."

"Then Professor it is until you say otherwise." I let my mind wander and my mouth follows along, "Either of you know why she changed your names?"

"It's my fault," Lana admits rather sheepishly. "My granddad loved ancient vids, especially the preholo stuff they called 'comedies'. One of his favorites was called 'Gilligan's Island'... I didn't like it all that much, but it started with a catchy tune that told a story, one about a trip that was supposed to be just a three hour tour. Well, when the Professor woke me up after all those years floating in space and Skip... um, Fat Claire realized I didn't have anyone left alive who remembered me, much less anyone willing to ransom me, she announced she was taking me as her slave and I commented something like 'so much for the three hour tour'. She didn't get it and wanted to know what I meant... for a while I was stubborn, but like you've already experienced how she was... well, back then she was even worse to me and I finally explained it.

"You know how sometimes people latch onto something strange that gives them a sense of who they are? Well, that's the way Sk... Fat Claire latched onto the characters from Gilligan's Island. At first, she tried calling me 'Gilligan' but I wasn't playing along and she decided that instead I was a straight-laced Mary Anne. The Professor is probably obvious. And of course, her ship had to be the 'SS Minnow', though I've never really understood what the 'SS' had to do with it."

…..

The UEEN patrol at the Castra end of the jump from Pelles is preoccupied with the Xi'An frigate when we arrive, but their focus changes rapidly when the Pride of New Austin communicates with their CO. The rest of our scans are at most perfunctory and our little fleet is quickly heading to Sherman on Castra II where I can register the Minnow in my name. Well, actually, I suspect that both the Dagg Nogg and the Pride of New Austin will remain in orbit.

Lana announces, "Call from that Priest guy. Wants to know if you are going to dock at one of the platforms to rent a runabout for the trip down. He also wants to know if you want someone to go down with you. I think that is some kind of hint for him to go with, but I really hope you pick me." She seems to be blinking a lot as she says this last bit... or maybe that is properly "batting her eyelashes"... I wonder just what hint I'm really getting here.

"It would be a terrible waste of fuel to take the Minnow dirtside," the Professor opines. "Skipper did it once to meet a buyer and was furious when she saw how fast the Reclaimer drinks fuel, both on descent and ascent."

"Makes sense," I agree, "Controlled thrust going down to keep from overheating and lots of thrust coming up to boost the mass past most of the gravity must make an astronomical fule bill."

He nods and Lana asks, "So, where do we dock? And can I come? May I come? Please, Please, Puhleeezzz?"

"Lana, check with the Covalex platform, I'm not sure if they have a docking ring that can accommodate us, but if they do, once I get back, I'll treat the both of you to a meal at Habbib's."

"Jix!" Lana gushes, "I want terraie and moulon and shrimp and maybe some chocolate cake or pie... oh, and of course a huge glass of fresh clisnas." I would swear she steals a glance my way, "Or maybe something stronger?"

"I don't suffer drunks very well."

"No problem, I'll just have one."

…..

We are seated in a booth in Habbib's: Lana, the Professor, and I. One of the waitresses sashays up, her long black hair moving behind her in ways that flatter her already mesmerizing figure. Her name is Violi and I already know she is a merciless flirt... but also a young woman who never lets things get past the flirting.

"Hello, Violi," I say before she can start.

"It is so nice to see you again, TOG," she purrs, putting extra accent on the word "you"... the kind of emphasis that would make anyone else think she was somehow serious.

"Oh, Darlin'," I drawl back, "If only ah could..."

Violi starts giggling and oddly, so does Lana. The Professor looks completely clueless, but that adds to the silliness of the occasion and the other three of us burst out laughing.

…..

We are halfway through our meals when I drop my surprise, "Well, partners, I hope you don't expect me to pay for the next one."

Both look at me with bewilderment.

"I registered the Minnow for a three way partnership: the both of you and myself."

Lana looks dazed while the Professor's jaw unhinges and nearly drops onto the table.

"I've also got her tanks topped off and an EVA going to paint off her old markings. I'm having her marked "Renewal" since we are all have kind of a new start with her, but if either of you have a better name, I'm willing to hear it."

"So," the Professor seems to be regaining some of his thought processes, "It isn't the Minnow anymore?"

"I think that joke has more than lived its time. Besides, do we really want someone that Claire made angry deciding to open fire first and ask questions later?"

"Good point."

"I'm..." Lana says, her voice hesitant, her tone pregnant with some deep emotion.

"We'll get the two of you a crewmate or two when we get to Terra..."

Now Lana interrupts, "Wait, you aren't coming with us?"

"I think I know two pretty creative folks who will manage just fine with me being a silent partner. If I didn't have that confidence, I would have just temp registered her and sold her as soon as I reasonably could. I already have ships and a tea plantation on Terra, not to mention the Imperial Contract winging for Kree'Gna. If you want to, you two get to make Renewal work, turn a profit, and when... or if... you want to move on, then we work out what happens with the ship then."

They both look at me like I'm either nuts or Santa Bear... or both.

…..

A lanky Xi'An enters the bar, shadowed rather obviously by two of the station's security team. I'm not completely sure about the rank glyphs, but I suspect this is the Dagg Nogg's commander. I rise and bow appropriately; Lana imitates me, but the Professor gets a puzzled smile that I wonder about... just before he asks clearly, "Are we expecting a slink to join us too?"

Xi'An are hard to read unless you know them well, maybe I'm not quite there in most situations, but this insult does get a momentary flicker of hostility and distrust before her face becomes inscrutable.

I know the offense must be dealt with and face him with anger obvious on my features and throughout my tone, "Professor! Do not dishonor me so!"

He looks up innocently enough, "What have I done?"

"It's what you said! Apologize! NOW!"

Fear runs away with him and he starts to tremble. "Please," he is begging now, "What have I said?! Help me?!"

Lana interjects, "Professor, 'slink' is an exceptionally offensive term for the Xi'An."

I look up at her as she speaks and then back down at him and recognize horror in his features.

"I didn't know!" He pleads, "It is the nicest word I've ever learned for the effn' greenies! Please forgive me!" I would swear that he is about to cry.

I look up at the stone faced Commander and begin, "Mish Eebek, Shē'sueren. Please forgive the Professor, he has been a slave all his life and only learned the words of the scum he was forced to serve. He meant no harm and he will quickly learn the proper way to speak with any of The Intelligent Hatched."

She nods, looking his way and likely recognizing his distress.

I gesture to my side of the booth and offer it to her, "I would be honored if you would take my place."

She nods in return, replying with a heavily accent, "Shawn Ryan, Shē'sueren. I accept your honor, but today it is not for me to accommodate you. Please, keep your place."

"Thank you. Please know Svetlana Tolstoy," I indicate her, "and the Professor."

She nods to each, but does not pronounce their names as she says, "Greeting, humans."

Lana doesn't know Xi'An protocols and she simply says, "Hello," while extending her hand as if to do a fistbump. The Commander glances her way, but her attention moves on to the Professor. She is waiting for his greeting, but I would guess he is terrified of saying the wrong thing and may think she is just angry with him... he remains silent and she finally turns back to me.

I respectfully ask, "How may I assist you, Commander Mish Eebek?"

"We need soon to return to our..." she pauses, it seems obvious she is not quite fluent in our language, "... duties. I desire to know if your planet business is completed. Our orders are to return you to Terra."

"Yes, Mish Eebek, the matter is concluded, but we are exhausted and will require a sleep cycle or risk unsafe flight. I hope you will grant that our ship is neither light nor easily maneuverable when we are all very tired."

She seems to appreciate this fact and agrees, "That is wise, Shawn Ryan. Please notify us when your cycle is complete." With a slight bow, she concludes, "Shawn Ryan, athlē-korr."

I bow in return and reply, "Thank you. Mish Eebek, athlē-korr."

She turns and strides powerfully from the room and I return to my seat.

"We are going to have to update your vocabulary," I announce to the Professor while wondering what other unpleasant surprises his conversations might bring.

"Please forgive me, I thought 'slink' a gentle word next to 'effn greenie' or 'wauglash'."

"Yes, but it is simply a lesser among bad choices. 'Xi'An' or 'The Hatched' will do much better. I really expect any partner to behave reasonably around them, since I am an Imperial Contractor myself."

"You like them?"

"Some of them, just like I like some humans, Tevs, and Banu."

"Oh." His expression brightens and he asks, "So I am still a partner?"

"Yes," I reply as if it should be obvious.

"Jix!" He answers, then, looking over at Lana he asks, "Will you help me?"

She smiles and answers, "Of course," with a tone of voice that clearly means she will gladly do so.

…..

Renewal's bridge, a curious combination of much more space than I'm used to married to a much more utilitarian aesthetic, now brings me a familiar view after moments before showing only the turbulence and exhilaration of interspace: Terra. Immediately the welcome sight conveys a sense of coming home.

"Not much scrap here," Lana observes, seemingly more morose than the topic ought to engender. I've noticed that since Castra II, she hasn't been much of a chatty Cathy... a fact I half welcome and half wonder about. Maybe she just hadn't talked in so long that it was indeed as if the dam burst and now all that has gone... but honestly... I don't think so.

"Well, once I'm home, you two can pick a place that will have a lot of it and work out how to get there and harvest to your hearts' content."

Her face sours as she locks in the course for the Xi'An embassy.

A bored sounding voice comes over the comms, "Renewal, this is Ensign Rosa of the UEEN. Please drop shields for scan."

"Copy, Ensign Rosa," Lana replies and I see her comply.

A scant minute later the same voice simply says, "Renewal, you are free to go."

"Thank you," she replies and her hands fly over the console and glas before her. The big Reclaimer starts to move, albeit slowly at first.

"How come you flirted with that waitress?" Lana asks, seemingly out of the blue.

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"The one in that station. Black hair, short."

"Violi? She flirts with everyone. Well, with the guys, anyway."

"Yeah, but you like her?"

"Well, she is cute."

"And I'm?"

I look at her. "Come again?"

"You haven't flirted with me."

"You are my partner."

"So?"

"Now why would a cute young thing like you want an old goat like me to flirt with you?"

"I'm not cute or you would have noticed me."

I shake my head, "I'm what, twice, maybe three times your age."

"Are not."

"Oh, and how do you figure that?"

She is suddenly serious, "I was already MUDdy in space before the turn of the century. I've only been awake for about four standards."

I've heard of really long term survival with MUD, but never actually met anyone who had been out in the drift more than a couple months; could it be true? Is she really older than me? The bands she likes comes back to mind... perhaps she doesn't like them in a retro sense, maybe she likes them because she was growing up back then?!

"When were you born?" I demand.

"When were YOU born?" she retorts.

"2881. Your turn."

"You're that old and you don't know that girls don't tell? Anyway, I'm older than you are; not a lot older, but older. So, why haven't you flirted with me?"

"Why is this important? I flirt with Violi because she flirts with me and we both know she isn't going to do anything about it. Most young women get offended when an old man tries to flirt with them, I figured it was likely you would too. Not to mention I'm your partner, why gum up the works?"

"Lame excuses, TOG. You don't think I'm attractive, do you?"

I look her over; she appears to be twenty-something, a little flat chested maybe, but with a pretty face, penetrating eyes, lovely lips, and what I seem to remember as a quite pleasing figure when she stands. "If it matters, you are attractive. There, I said it, are you happy?"

"No. Tell me what you like about me."

"Are you feeling insecure or something? Is it maybe that time..."

"Don't you dare say it!"

"What?"

"You were going to ask if it's PMS."

Well, I wasn't exactly, but she is pretty close. "Maybe."

"Why is it that when a woman expresses even the slightest hint of sexual inquisitiveness that you men automatically think we are having hormone issues?!"

"Um..."

"Don't answer that. Yes or No, would you like a tumble?"

"You mean..."

"Damn right, I mean that. Are you gay?"

"No."

"Then are you interested?"

"Well..."

"I'll take that as a 'yes'." With this pronouncement, she moves quickly and duplicates the first French kiss she gave me several days ago. Yes, I am a man and yes, her passion elicits a physical response. My hands go places that I would not have imagined them going just a half hour ago and hers do likewise.

Her face pulls back and she says, "I've programmed our cruise to take just over an hour to get there; let's go to my cabin, I have some plumbing that needs work."

…..

"You know, there are meds that can help with that," Lana says matter-of-factly. I look over and she seems to be concentrating on giving our lumbering beast the directions it needs. Lana and I are on the bridge as we approach one of the Xi'An Embassy's docking arms.

"You didn't seem to think I needed meds."

"Well, you didn't until..." her words die and she seems to be deliberately watching anything to avoid looking at me.

"Yeah, well, you can work on the Professor, I bet he..."

"He can't."

"Excuse me?"

"I probably shouldn't tell you this..."

"Then don't."

"Oh. Well, he just can't; it's an equipment issue."

Well, at least that explains why the tigress turned her attentions onto me. Fortunately or not, we probably won't need to worry about having a family... at least not from this encounter. I should feel a bit humiliated, but maybe this is the best outcome. If anything, I feel a bit ashamed that I'm so easily manipulated; at least Xin took the time to seduce me, Lana just took my hand and led me where she wanted and did what she wanted. The experience was rather emasculating when I think about it; maybe that's why... well, at least with Xin I finished the job, even if it didn't take very long.

A red warning light starts flashing across the bottom of the main view port, drawing my complete attention. WARNING: DOCKING INITIATED! The protective shield quickly covers the viewport and we are left with just the glas and a couple projections.

"I'm giving the station control," Lana announces and then sits back. She finally looks my way and with a lusty smile says, "We can work on it some more when you are done here."

Part of me wants to do so, to take some time and do things my way... but there is something else in me that feels like this is a mistake and I should let her find a man-toy to take her passions and aggressions out on.

"We'll see," is all I can muster.

"You don't need to feel bad, I'm sure you'll do fine. Maybe it was performance anxiety, I mean you didn't have any problems until that stupid alarm went off. If we weren't going to dock, I bet you'd have finished well."

"Please drop it."

"Somebody got his pride hurt?" she asks like she was talking to a pouting five year old. "I can fix..."

My anger rises and I snap back at her, "Will you DROP IT ALREADY?!"

She sits back as if slapped and quietly replies, "Yes, Shawn. I'm sorry, I was just..."

The comms come to life and interrupt her, "Renewal, we have you. I show a good seal on the docking rings, please begin pressure equalizing."

"Thank you, Xi'An Control. Balancing the pressure now."

"Please remain in your vessel until Deputy Diplomat Kree'Gna arrives in the docking arm. He will have the proper instructions."

"We copy, Xi'An control. Renewal out." She looks my way again but says nothing.

The Professor chooses this moment to bounce into the room, "Okay, so what should I call... them... again?"

"Xi'An or The Hatched," I answer, turning towards him. "You know, it might be good if you hold off until you are introduced. Kree'Gna is my friend and also the person I fly with, I want you to be comfortable that you will be able to make a good impression."

He smiles and nods, "That works for me, sir."

It strikes me that while the Professor knows things about this ship that even its designer's probably never imagined, he is emotionally battered and probably more like a child inside. I need to be careful and try to guide him more than order him. I try to offer some encouragement and say, "You will do fine, Professor."

…..

Kree'Gna bows as we leave the open hatch, "Shawn Ryan, Shē'sueren. It is good to see you alive, my friend."

I bow slightly more deeply and reply, "Kree'Gna, Shē'sueren. It is very good to also see you alive and well."

I introduce both and there are awkward moments as each tries to be polite and Kree'Gna tries to help them.

Finally, however, Kree'Gna looks directly my way and says, "We must talk in private, but not here."

"Okay..."

"You will need to recover one of your ships from planet-side. Let us meet at your plantation."

"Um... well, I'll need to get a shuttle down, then. I don't want to have to atmo a Reclaimer."

He nods, "I will order a taxi from Prime to take you down if your crew can handle orbiting."

Svetlana clears her throat and I look her way. "Excuse me, but we need to get more crew. May I come down once we are in orbit? The Professor shouldn't have any trouble maintaining position."

I look back at my friend and say, "I'll help get the Renewal into orbit and then order up a taxi. Can you give us a few hours?"

"Yes, but time is still of great import. Contact me once your taxi arrives and I will drop down to meet."

I bow and reply, "I will do so. Kree'Gna, athlē-korr."

"Shawn Ryan, athlē-korr," he replies, then turns and strides back through the docking arm.

I turn to my shipmates and announce, "New plan: we orbit the Renewal and then Lana and I taxi down to my place on Terra."

Both smile and we turn and head back into the ship.

…..

"So, you two evah been to Terra?" the space cabby asks in a distinctly Block accent.

I chuckle, "Yeah, you're taking us to my place."

"Ah ha!" he exclaims with what might have been a wink. Were I to guess, he figures he's got an old guy and a cute young thing headed planet-side and has improperly come to a lusty conclusion.

We are in an old RSI Hopper 450, the one with two seats in front and two behind, laid out much like a planetary hovercar or sedan. The pilot looks a bit worse for wear, but nothing really unseemly. He is spending at least as much time looking in the mirror back at Svetlana as he is watching where he's flying.

"Torre Nor," he begins, "I got an uncle who lives out near there. You know Eddie Samuelson?"

"Nope, never met him."

"He does books on the sporting side, if ya know what I mean."

"Well, I'm not much of a betting man, if you know what I mean."

"Ah..." I think I see his eyes glance at Lana and suspect that he has again come to an erroneous conclusion; he looks back my way and says with a chuckle, "Yeah, of course. Who does that anyway?"

We fly in silence for at least thirty seconds before he starts in again, "I got a cousin that works in the hospital."

"In one of the Torre Nor districts?"

He laughs, "No, no, in the Block. She sees all kinds of things and occasionally finds stuff that is mislabeled or needs to be disposed of... ya know?"

"Thanks anyway," I reply.

A moment later, Svetlana asks, "Oh, what do they do with whatever?"

The cabby eyes her for a moment and says, "Well, she likes to help those who are unable to get into the hospital to pick things up. You know, kindah like a community service sorta deal."

"I see, and what kinds of..."

I interrupt, "You have money?"

She looks embarrassed and quietly says, "No."

The cabby is watching the two of us, but doesn't miss a beat, "Hey, you should check out Pedro's."

Lana asks, "Where's that?"

"Prime, just outside the Runways. They got this old hydro dome, gotta great view of traffic at the port."

"That the one with the Madre del Diablo?" I ask.

"You been there?" he sounds surprised.

"Yeah, once or twice. I usually prefer something more like JonJohn's for steaks myself, but Pedro's is so close to the port, it's nice some times not to have to mono into town for good food."

"Yeah," he sighs, "Gotta love that hot stuff. JonJohn's is a bit too... er... family style for me, but Perdo's is more like momma's cookin'."

…..

The taxi lifts from my pad, leaving the both of us standing in relative silence for the first time in thirty minutes or so. My ears begin to adjust and I can hear the little hummingbird male trying to reclaim his territory from a nearby tree.

On the ground, Jurdi's 'Lancer is parked and cooled outside the hangar. The doors themselves are open, revealing not only my unflown replacement 315p, but a sleek new 350r as well. It looks like she still needs to have my ER tanks hung and maybe a few other things done, but I suspect she will be ready to fly when Kree'Gna needs me.

"I thought you said you weren't rich," Lana says. "How much of this is yours?"

"Well, the ships are mine, but I've only got about half share of the land, hangar, and tea plantation."

"Pretty rich to me."

Dean is striding our way and when she sees him, I hear Svetlana purr, "Hmmmmmm."

"Hey, Boss, welcome back!"

"Hello, Dean. How are you?"

"Great, Jurdi and the kids are here, somewhere."

I introduce, "Dean, this is a new partner of mine, Svetlana Tolstoy."

He executes a gentlemanly bow and says, "Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Tolstoy."

I look Lana's way and offer, "Lana, this is Dean Olivian, he is watching over the property right now."

You would think Dean was a steak and Lana starved for meat the way she lustily breathes, "Dean."

If expression and body language mean anything, Dean's guard just went up. He steps slightly back and returns his attention to me. "Couple of developments, Mr. Ryan. I'm now holder of half the inherited share and Jurdi has the other half. We needed to move on it to cut off any lawsuit, I couldn't reach you, and we each had the resources."

"Are you allowed to own stuff when you're doing that monastery thing?"

"Well, that's part of the second development; you see, Jurdi and I are engaged. I'm no longer a postulate at the monastery."

I smile, "Congradula..."

An undetected comet of emotions slams into my chest as his words hit home. Fire and ice seem to vie for which one will overwhelm me first.

"Are you okay, sir?" Dean asks with apparent concern.

A part of me wants to fan the rivalrous flame of envy into a confronting conflagration... while another part of my heart calls for glacial walls of frigid isolation.

Dean looks troubled and I think guesses the war within, "You look tired, sir, let me give you some time to rest." He turns and strides towards the lift.

Lana decides that I'm not as interesting and runs after him. "Care to show me around?" I hear her ask just before they pass out of earshot.

My worst fears were well founded after all. I had hoped that Jurdi might... well... might grow to find an interest in me. I replay every conversation I've had in the last month or so with either of them and wonder that I must have missed several chances to frustrate their romance...

As my stomach sinks and breath comes far too shallow, I also start to recognize that I was only fooling myself to think I had even a slight chance with Jurdi. She's brilliant, funny, caring, and... well... I'm just a clod in a space suit... and an old clod, to boot.

There is an odd growl in the air, something otherworldly that seems to come from all around. A moving shadow to my right catches my eye and a glance tells me I need to look up; Kree'Gna's Xress is overhead settling planetward and already pretty close. I scamper quickly towards the hangar and the craft effortlessly alights upon the pad almost exactly where I was standing.

…..

"You are upset." Kree'Gna states.

The two of us are sitting on a bench away from the hangar. I've yet to hear what he wants so much privacy for, but suspect I won't have to wait too long to find out.

"Yes, I am. I just found out that Dean has asked Jurdi for her hand and she has said yes."

"I do not understand, Shawn Ryan."

"Dean and Jurdi are going to marry. Um, kinda like what I seem to remember the Hatched do when they pair for nesting."

"Grrsatch?" he plainly asks, though as he says it it almost sounds like a cat's purr.

I shrug, "I've never heard that word."

"Make a nest..." he is struggling for the right word, "Or maybe make a 'home'?"

"For us, it is more like the two committing to be together as a couple."

"Breeding?"

"That's part of it, but also companionship, friendship, mutual encouragement, and the easier burdens of shared struggles."

Kree'Gna nods and purrs again, "Grrsatch."

"Grrsatch?" I try, though I'm sure I don't purr.

"You are close enough."

"Thank you, Kree'Gna."

"This still does not explain why you are upset, Shawn Ryan."

"Well..."

My emotions must be evident in my expression, because he asks, "You wished the female for yourself?"

"Jurdi. Her name is Jurdi Abboud."

"Abboud." His tone reflects recognition, "Do we not already know... ah, yes, Habbib Abboud from the diner in the Castra II Covalex... is he related?"

I have to admit, "Well, I don't know. Maybe."

"So you wished to murry with Jurdi Abboud."

"Marry. And I'm not sure... I just... well, I don't really know what I want."

"Ah, so another male has taken the fe... please excuse me, has taken Jurdi Abboud?"

"Yeah, that about sums it up."

Kree'Gna looks thoughtful for a while; then in about the time it takes to blink, his countenance changes and he is all business. "We need to seat you in a new craft, Shawn Ryan."

"I've got that new 350R; won't take long for it to be ready."

He nods, "That is fast enough."

"May I ask a question, Kree'Gna?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you want us to meet in the Embassy?"

"Dnong is there, as are two other elder Seers... ones I do not know. Something is up, and I want you to be ready on your own before we meet the Diplomat."

"Well, I guess I better get right to fixing the new girl up."

"You are trying for another female?"

I laugh, then reply while pointing at the gleaming 350R, "The girl I will dance among the stars with."

"Yes, you have always loved to fly, haven't you?"

"Yup."

"Shawn?" That's Jurdi's voice and I turn to see her headed out onto the pad.

"Kree'Gna, please see my friend Jurdi Abboud."

"Jurdi Abboud, Shē'sueren," Kree'Gna offers in his best manner.

Jurdi looks startled as if the introduction was unexpected. "Oh, um..."

"Jurdi, this is my good friend and Deputy Diplomat Kree'Gna. My contract with the Xi'An Empire is mostly to fly as his wing."

"Please forgive me," she replies after a quick bow, "But I am afraid I do not know the proper way to greet so honored a Xi'An visitor."

He nods, "I consider your words greeting enough. A good friend of my friend is also a friend if she so wishes."

"I would like that," she replies. Her attention turns to me a scant breath later, "Who is this woman you've brought down? Svelte something or other."

"Lana? The whole name is Svetlana Tolstoy, she is a new partner on a ship I acquired. Long story, that."

"Well, you need to reign her in a bit. She's making eyes at Bashir and I do not like it."

Sounds like she has given up on Dean, I was starting to think perhaps she had set off trouble with him.

Puzzled, I ask, "How old is Bashir?"

"Sixteen standard. Definitely not old enough for some twenty-something to be sizing him up for..." she blushes, "That."

"I'm sure it's just a mistake. She was a slave until very recently and may just be..." I stop. I'm making excuses and coming close to not telling the truth. What is wrong with me?

She eyes me suspiciously, "Yes?"

"I was about to make excuses that I know in my heart are wrong. I already know she's interested in just about any human male she's met; with Bashir growing into a fine young man, I can't doubt that she finds him desirable."

"Well, okay then. You need to talk to her. I won't have her manipulating my son into that lifestyle."

"I'll talk with her as soon as Kree'Gna and I are finished."

…..

Alone together again, Kree'Gna says in a lowered voice , "I have brought you a pair multi-particle/wave cannon repeaters. Can you mount them instead of your normal cannon?"

"What in particular?"

"Sakura Sun Stormfire."

"Hmmm... never mounted a Sakura before. I guess we can see." I wonder at this, he has never offered such before. "You worried that I'm out-gunned?"

"Perhaps."

"If I hadn't lost one whole thruster before I could even throttle up..."

He looks sharply my way and I see deep concern... and maybe a bit of reproach, "What exactly did happen to you when we got ambushed?"

"The gunship behind us blew out my port thruster before I could develop any thrust or adjust my shields. I was instantly at half power and in the middle of a swarm. I tried to cut off your pursuit, but just couldn't keep up. I danced for all I was worth, but couldn't hold them off. Finally took missile fire and wound up in space." Now I look back, a bit of accusation in my return question, "Why? What do you think happened?"

He smiles, "I was going too fast to see. Others have asked and I defended your actions, but I did not know the details. Perhaps even I am sometimes uncertain about humans... even you, Shawn Ryan."

"I would hope I have earned better from you, Kree'Gna."

"Yes." He puts a large hand on my shoulder, an uncommon signal of connection between our races, and answers, "Yes, you have, Shawn Ryan. Please forgive my doubts."

…..

"What?!" Jurdi looks perplexed and perhaps a little angry. She and her teenage son are standing face to face. Kree'Gna and I are not far away by my 350R's starboard class one mount point.

Bashir Abboud looks confidently back, "I'm going to work on the Renewal with Lana and the Professor."

"What do you mean?"

"Lana told me I was perfect to a bunch of jobs."

Now it is patently clear that Jurdi is angry, "You will do no such thing!"

"Why? She wants to teach me everything."

"I'll bet," Jurdi snorts back. "Well, you are not going, young man."

"What?! Why not?" Bashir whines. "You always tell me I need to take some responsibility. Well, I agree, it's time I grew up and learned about making my way in the galaxy. Besides, I want to do this."

"And I'm supposed to believe that that woman is simply going to teach you about working on a ship and nothing else... and that you are happy with that?"

Bashir blushes.

Now Jurdi has some kind of confirmation and continues, "I thought so."

"But she likes me!"

"I'll bet she does. You weren't raised that way, and as long as you are too young for the Navy, you are too young for that crib robber."

"You can't stop me!" he screams.

I'm not sure where he came from, but Dean is beside us and quietly asks, "What's going on?"

"Trouble. Be ready to pick up the pieces after I get the hate."

"Come again?"

"Lana has invited Bashir to ship out on the Renewal, and I would guess that she has offered to teach Bashir things Jurdi thinks he is too young to learn."

"She is a good mother," Dean says, while nodding.

"Yup, and that's why you need to come in to support the both of them after I take the fall."

"Still don't follow."

"You will."

Dean nods and watches while I walk over to where mother and son are angrily going back and forth.

"May I interrupt?" I ask.

Jurdi looks up and opens her mouth, but Bashir glares my way and speaks first, "No! Go away! This is a family matter."

"Maybe you should know that I own a share of the Renewal and have veto over any decision about destinations or crew."

Jurdi's head tilts ever so slightly and nods just a fraction of a centimeter.

"Well, Lana says she gets to pick the crew," he retorts sharply. "She says you aren't coming! So THERE!"

"You have just earned the right to stay when Renewal leaves."

"WHAT?!" Yup, sure looks like a passionate hatred flowing out of Bashir's eyes.

"I say you aren't going. End of story."

Lana would pick this moment to saunter in, dressed in a nearly painted-on outfit that I'm sure was intended to further encourage Bashir's interests... after all, what teenage boy doesn't want some twenty-something hottie saying she wants him?

"Lana!" He calls plaintively and her expression clouds with at least a little confusion.

"What's the matter, Bashir?" she asks, but he doesn't get a word in before...

Jurdi explodes at her, "Who in the hell do you think you are trying to corrupt my son?"

"Excuse me?"

"You are wanting the sexual services of my teenage son and I will be hung if I let you take him," Jurdi asserts.

Svetlana glows with a rather seductive smile, one she shines on Bashir. "I only want to help him learn things a young man needs to learn. Work. Space. Being a... man."

"He isn't going." I state this slowly but with no question in my tone.

"Jealous?" Lana coyly asks.

"No. Ordering."

Her smile fades and a calculating look replaces it, "I thought I was a partner."

"You are."

"I say he can come."

"When you own the ship outright, feel free to take underage lovers aboard."

I don't see the punch coming, but Bashir hits me hard in the stomach... though not solidly enough. In spite of the pain, reflexes take over; I shove him violently with my left hand and am drawing my slug-thrower with my right.

"Stop!" Dean commands just as I feel his massive paws clamp down on my weapon arm. "He's a kid, Shawn," he adds in a voice of wisdom.

Bashir is on the deck, Lana and Jurdi are both standing stunned, and Dean only eases his grip as I release my pistol back into its holster.

"Yeah. You're right." Looking down, I ask, "You okay, Bashir?"

He says nothing, but glares daggers at me nevertheless.

I look at Lana, "Ms. Tolstoy, pick an adult for your passions. Jurdi says 'no' and thats enough for me to veto having Bashir on the crew."

Svetlana smiles, but I don't see any friendliness in the expression. "As you command, Mr. Ryan." Something in her manner leaves me wondering if Claire only thought of her as a clean-cut Mary Anne because she didn't have anyone better to compare to. I also have to question if the Professor will be nearly as safe with Lana as I had presumed.

Dean picks this moment to speak up, "Bashir. You are adult enough to apologize to Mr. Ryan. Do so, now."

The lad looks hurt at this instruction, but unexpectedly obeys; rising first to his feet, he declares, "I am sorry I struck you, Mr. Ryan."

He doesn't really look or sound sorry, but I choose to ignore the fact, "Apology accepted, Mr. Abboud."

His brows furrow and I have to wonder if my choice of address will in any way change his attitude... I sincerely doubt it, but I've at least tried.

…..

I'm adjusting the right ER tank feed line on my 350R when Svetlana clears her throat behind me. I look back and see a smug look that seems completely out of place, at least considering our recent encounter over Bashir.

"Are you willing to sell your share?"

"What?"

"Are you willing to sell your share of the Renewal?"

"Your good looks aren't worth that much, Lana."

"Real Imperials."

"And you would be getting those where again?"

"The Professor and I have gotten a loan offer to buy out your share." She holds out her glas and the number is indeed a fair one for a ship I had never meant to own.

"The Professor is in on this too?" I ask.

"Yes."

"Is this all so you can kidnap Bashir?"

"Kidnap?" she snorts. "The Professor and I have voted to take him along if he still wants to go. Two to one, veto overridden." Now the smug look makes more sense. She continues, "Also, the Professor agrees with me that you having veto over where we go makes no sense if you are not coming along. If you keep your share, you'll just have to trust us."

I feel a chill and recognize, somewhat belatedly, that this woman isn't someone I would normally trust with a hundred credits, let alone my name or valuable property. I should have just kept Renewal in my name... oh well, water and bridges.

"I'll sell, but on one condition."

"And that is?"

"No Bashir."

"You won't have a say at that point."

"Actually, if I'm getting what you offered for my share, I can give you a discount in trade for not taking him, terms to that effect to be added to the contract."

"How much discount?"

"Five percent."

She seems to be doing mental math. Finally, she responds, "Fifteen."

"Ten."

She bares her teeth in a smile that looks almost predatory, "Done."

"I'll get my attorney to draw up the papers and you two will own a ship once the credits are in."

Her smile becomes almost ghoulish and I'm glad to know I'll soon be rid of her. She must be thinking along the same lines as she tosses a verbal jab, "You really are no more of a businessman than a lover, are you?"

The icy hostility in her tone is almost painful to hear, but the wound she meant to inflict misses by a wide margin.

"The things I love are the better for it, Ms. Tolstoy."

"Yeah, right," she pronounces as she turns on her heel and stalks away.

"That was inventive," Kree'Gna's voice from behind startles me.

I turn, dropping the spanner loudly onto the hangar floor. "What, you heard that?"

"I was adjusting your weapon mount, not sleeping," he responds rather wryly. "If you are free of the ship before Dnong interviews you, you will likely have thrown an unexpected problem into his imaginings."

"Dnong doesn't like me, does he?"

Kree'Gna laughs, "No, Dnong does not like humans at all, but you are a special case to him; from what I have observed, he seems to like to think humans are all the same... you just don't fit his expectations."

"Why is that?"

"You are honorable."

Frowning, I reply, "There are other humans who are."

"Yes, but I doubt Dnong meets many of them; perhaps in his position it is easier to embrace one's own prejudices than accept that stereotypes ignore the exceptions."

"You think I'm an exception?"

"Yes, Shawn Ryan. You are an exception to many of our ideas of what humans are like. In my experience, there are not so many like you, especially serving in your government."

"Well, I don't serve my government."

"Don't you?" he asks with what might be surprise.

Thinking about it, I wonder if what the Imperator has asked me to do actually makes my statement untrue. "I guess... well, hadn't thought of that; perhaps there is room for me to be considered a government servant of sorts."

He nods, "Just as you are a servant of Emperor Kray."

"Through the contract?"

"Of course."

"I still think that is a bit odd."

"Why?"

"I've no real idea who the Emperor is, yet somehow I'm an Imperial servant."

Kree'Gna's expression deepens and I lose any sense of what he is thinking. "Do you want to know?" he finally asks.

"Well, it might be a good idea. I seem to be caught between our peoples."

"Yes. I will see what I am allowed to share once we are back at the Embassy."

"I thought you were concerned about me going to the Embassy."

"I am, but we can not avoid it. You will have to face Dnong and the other Seers, but perhaps I can use that time to answer some questions for you."

"How will you know what I want to ask?"

"I won't until you ask."

Well, that's logical. I smile, "Guess I'll have to think about it."

"Yes, let us finish with your ship. We need to return very soon."

As Kree'Gna purposely heads to the other side of the ship and I hop down to collect my tool, I have to wonder... what do I really want to know about any of this?