What was I thinking? I really just wanted to get in, repeat what Costigan ordered, and go home. Instead, I take offense at and antagonize arguably the most powerful individual creature in the known galaxy, while alienating one of my few possible allies in Toth Anddag. Granted, I've had a bad feeling about this mess from the start, but now we're here, virtually imprisoned on a hidden world awaiting a probable death sentence from the very Xi'An I so foolishly pissed off.

Playing the scene over in my mind, some things do become clear. I'm certain that Mai Ee'shu had carried a near version of the Imperator's message; mine was really just meant to independently corroborate hers. It seems obvious to me that the Emperor expected it all, especially that last part; I bet it was more upsetting to him before I said it because he though perhaps the Imperator had changed his mind.

The irony is made all the more hard to take because the very message I delivered to His Highness applies to either Bashir or me if we so much as leave this room. After all, to leave would put us where we aren't allowed and my own government says that if I'm caught, I've already admitted to my guilt and expressed a desire to be swiftly executed without recourse.

I take a deep breath and try to relax. Kree'Gna has gone somewhere and Bashir is trying to cook the stuff he found in the fridge. Bashir... I need to get the poor kid the hells out of here. He didn't do anything wrong; I don't care what the she-witch has accused him of, I'll find a way to make sure any penalty is only on me. After all, I'm the Captain... pretty smart of Bashir to call me that, in this culture it will probably mean something.

Through the walls I can hear what sounds like a concert, though what they are playing is either so far from what I recognize that it would drive me mad in person... that or there are several concerts of wildly different styles going on in different directions and we just happen to be smack dead center and hearing the whole lot without any of them being able to drown out the others. Either way, if this keeps up, the Emperor will be doing me a favor by noon tomorrow to execute me.

The door slides open and we have an unexpected guest. I do not recognize him, though perhaps there is something familiar about the features... maybe he was on the terrace this afternoon. I do at least see the Imperial Nest-Line glyph in effervescent blue shimmering on his opulent crimson robes.

"You forgive my come, please," he tries in halting English.

I rise and bow, indicating for Bashir to do likewise. Well, I tried to to that, but he must not have seen me from the intensity of his culinary activities.

"Good evening, how may I help you?"

"Yes, Shawn Ryan?"

"I'm Shawn Ryan."

"Ith Naaēlish..." he stops and tries again, "Sorry, I Naaēlish."

"Naaēlish," I offer, "Shē'sueren."

He looks thunderstruck, as if this is the last thing he could expect of me. I wonder if this poor creature is maybe our attorney tomorrow. Hmmm, on the other hand, except for the language, he seems completely in command of himself... or at least was until I bid him shē'sueren.

"Shawn Ryan, Shē'sueren." His reply is almost melodic and his confidence has returned.

Bashir finally tears himself away and bounds brightly over, "Dinner's almost done, who's this?"

"Naaēlish, please see my copilot, Bashir Abboud."

I've gone too fast for his language skills, I hope he doesn't give up. Bashir, of course, does the least Xi'An thing imaginable: he reaches out a hand for a fist bump and says "Hello! Want some dinner..."

"Bashir," I interrupt quickly, "Remember Shē'sueren?"

"Oh, sorry, what is his name again?"

"Naaēlish."

"Naaēlish, Shē'sueren!"

I'm starting to wonder what he is cooking over there and if he has maybe gotten into a mug of glee'ha or something stronger.

Naaēlish seems utterly fascinated with the teenager and responds, "Bashir Abboud, Shē'sueren."

Our door chime rings and I say to the air, "Come in."

Open it slides and Kree'Gna steps inside, though a moment later he drops the small bag he was carrying and bows low. Suddenly something about Naaēlish seems different, only now do I recognize that he has more than a confident bearing.

Our guest speaks, "Kree'Gna, Shē'sueren."

Though Kree'Gna straightens, deference is still in his posture... just as it was this afternoon. "Naaēlish Ee'shu, Shē'sueren."

I recognize half that name and look at Kree'Gna, "Ee'shu? Is he Mai's little brother?"

Kree'Gna looks me in the eye and steadily says, "He is the current heir."

I look back at Naaēlish and see a broad Xi'An smile decorating his face. Stammering, I struggle to find the words to correct my error, "Please, uh, forgive me, um... your Highness?"

My friend translates his response, "Naaēlish is the only name that he wishes you both to call him." Kree'Gna adds with a certain hushed awe, "It is a great honor."

I'm about to answer when Bashir says, "Jix. Look, I got dinner ready, anybody want some?"

Kree'Gna translates and Naaēlish replies. "His Highness was going to invite you to the Emperor's table, but since Bashir has made the first invitation, he is unwilling to dishonor it and wishes to join you both."

"Well, can't you eat something as well?" Bashir asks Kree'Gna.

"Oh, no. Human food disagrees with my digestion."

I interject, "Perhaps Naaēlish would wish to see what Bashir has prepared before he consents to eating with us."

This idea seems to be agreeable to all involved and the Prince (or whatever he should be called) walks with Bashir to the grill.

Kree'Gna takes this moment to lean close and ask, "What had you talked about before I got here?"

"Names, mostly. Bashir was being an irrepressible teenager and just like he got Emperor Kray's attention, he seems to be getting positive marks from Naaēlish."

The two come back, both trying to speak with the other but neither communicating... at least in words.

Kree'Gna translates again, "Naaēlish Ee'shu asks that both of you join the Imperial table, but he also asks that Bashir be so kind as to bring the bread he has made."

I look at the young Mr. Abboud and ask, "You made bread?"

"Yeah, I tried to make fatayer like Momma makes, but what I ended up with is... well... there was flour-like stuff and a few basic ingredients so I experimented." He shrugs, "Why?"

I shake my head, "Too much talent for me. You did good, bring 'em."

"Yes, sir." Bashir's brow furrows, "Are we sure the Emperor won't go bats when we show up? He seemed pretty pissed this afternoon."

I look Naaēlish's direction and Kree'Gna asks something relevant. The answer is unequivocal, "His Highness has invited both of you, protocol places the demands of courtesy on the host. As a member of the Imperial Nest-Line, Naaēlish has the right to host guests at table, but what he has said leads me to think that His Imperial Majesty has personally extended the invitation."

I shrug, "Okay, I guess we trust the Prince."

Kree'Gna adds, "I have suggested that the Imperial Table allow you to bring more fare fitting for human tastes, but Naaēlish Ee'shu has declared that there will be food suitable to your palates already prepared."

Bashir smiles; "Cool."

"Jix," I smile and hope he is right. "Can't beat that," I opine.

…..

We are robed again, but though we still have dragonskins underneath, this time we're in bright scarlet robes that match Naaēlish's in color. There is also a symbol of pale blue that looks like the emblem of a star Citizen, a large four-point star with concentric circles around it and a wreath beyond; it is embroidered where the Xi'An first glyph would go and looks very official. In the second glyph position, I have the same emblem that Kree'Gna does, that of a Diplomatic Pilot/courier. Kree'Gna, by the way is also now in scarlet with his trio of glyphs in shimmering white.

As we crunch along the pathway in the growing dusk, I have to wonder exactly what is up. We haven't been instructed to put our hoods up, we're following one of the Emperor's sons, and Bashir even has his mishappened fatayers in a basket wrapped with cloths... they do smell pretty good, by the way.

Are we on display? Word of this afternoon's visit on the terrace may have spread, this might be more about showing courtesy than about us. I really don't know... I guess I could just be overthinking it...

Bashir isn't having any problems; he is curious, looking around and asking Kree'Gna questions about everything. Ever so often, Kree'Gna laughs and says something to Naaēlish, who also gets a chuckle out of whatever as well. I don't seem to be able to let go of this afternoon. I feel like I'm missing out on the experience somehow.

…..

The Imperial Table is the centerpiece of a long broad hall. Perhaps it would be more accurate to call it the Imperial Tables, since the Emperor's portion at one end is slightly raised above the rest, just as his seat is elevated higher than all the other seats. Near at hand are his "immediate" family: his Empress and their three current nestlings. Slightly beyond that are other family members and their families, guests, or both; they are seated oddly, the eldest of each nesting gets some kind of preference to the main table, while the remaining nestlings of many ages are almost hap-hazardously scattered along side tables.

We are seated with Naaēlish and Kree'Gna and a female who is about Naaēlish' age. They're on one side of the main table and Bashir and I on the other. We're maybe ten seats removed from the Emperor's raised section and most places are filled along the main table... the exception being two seats to my immediate left and the one beside Bashir's right side. In other words, no one wants to sit next to the humans. The Xi'An on either side of Naaēlish' trio seem to be taking care to only glance our way; no one has attempted to speak to Bashir or myself. A quick look up and down the table doesn't reveal Mai Ee'shu, perhaps she isn't coming tonight... I can only hope.

Dinner is served and we do indeed have human food, a delicate meat that tastes like fish, various cooked soft grains, and a light orange wine that tastes of flowers. Bashir has shared his basket of fatayer, but other than he and I, only Naaēlish is trying any.

I soon realize that heredity works differently here. Naaēlish is next in line to the throne, but he is actually the youngest of those eligible at 33 shaē old (shaē are 400 "day" year-like periods, so 33 shaē is a little over 36 years). He explains that eligibility is determined to be the youngest male xres'sa (the eldest from each nesting) who has completed his term of military service. It gets complicated if none fit the criteria, but he explains that the idea is to have emperors hold the throne for centuries.

"For example," Kree'Gna translates, "The oldest living male xres'sa, Tran Ee'shu, is from Emperor Kray's second nesting, he is already 214 shaē so even if he were to ascend to the Imperial throne today, he might be considered fortunate to have 60 shaē left before another would need to take his place. The xres'sa from the nesting after Naaēlish is a female, so even though she is serving in the Navy now her position will not supplant that of Naaēlish. The next replacement to age Naaēlish into another position is the young xres'sa, Teekor, at the Emperor's place," he points, "sitting beside His Imperial Majesty."

I can see the small children, er... nestlings... that the Empress is all but feeding from their plates.

"Three year... sorry, shaē old?"

"Two."

"Ah." I do some mental math, "With another thirteen to Age of Service and then fifteen shaē serving, Naaēlish looks to be in place for a while."

"Exactly," Kree'Gna agrees.

Naaēlish offers some of Bashir's pastry to the moderately sized female sitting beside him and wearing the same scarlet color. Her response is delight, her nose dilating to take in the unfamiliar smells and her eyes sparkling with moisture.

Beside me, Bashir asks, "Do you think they like it?"

"I think both of them do."

"How can you tell?" he asks and for a moment, I'm at a loss to understand how he could miss the... expressions.

Maybe I've been working with Kree'Gna for so many decades that the subtleties of their facial expressions which are lost on him are simply obvious to me. How inscrutable they must seem to his young eyes.

"It takes time to tell, Bashir," is all I can finally say. Something else does occur to me as I watch the two of them: perhaps they are a pair.

"Kree'Gna," I ask quietly, "Are Naaēlish and that female paired?"

Kree'Gna says something to Naaēlish and he does that Xi'An chuckle, takes the female's hand, and they both look at each other.

Together they slowly, musically intone, "Grrsatch." As they speak, their eyes close and their heads rise as if to look up; they could be in a mutual trance, or maybe reliving a ritual interaction. If that were not enough, the way their voices intertwine as they purr together this one word leaves no doubt in my mind that they are a nesting pair. Out of the corner of my eye, I note that several other male/female pairs around the room are doing the exact same ritualized interaction, though none are speaking. Something about this reflects a core meaning in Xi'An culture... it seems far more important to the whole than marriage often is for humans.

As if synchronized by their interaction, Naaēlish and his mate turn to me at the same moment and he says, "Shawn Ryan, please..." he falters, obviously searching for a word.

Kree'Gna understands the need and says, "See."

Naaēlish tries again, "Shawn Ryan, please see NeeTah."

I stand from my place and bow, "NeeTah, Shē'sueren."

At my side, Bashir mimics me, also greeting the happily smiling NeeTah.

She replies in kind, but remains seated. Naaēlish says something to Kree'Gna and my friend informs us that NeeTah isn't rising to return our courtesy because she is soon to lay. I don't ask, but suspect from his tone that it must be obvious to them that something about getting up and down too much can negatively hasten the process or damage the egg formation, or something similar. Heck, I don't understand much about pregnant women, I'm sure not questioning an alien species about their reproductive quirks.

"His Highness says that NeeTah really likes the fatayer, Bashir Abboud."

"Um, Thanks."

To Bashir I whisper, "Kree'Gna."

"Oh, sorry. Thanks, Kree'Gna."

My Xi'An friend smiles warmly, "It looks like you have a good pupil, Shawn Ryan."

Barely grudgingly, I agree, "He is a smart one when he wants to be."

…..

The relative peace of dinner vaporizes for me as Mai Ee'shu enters the room and walks stiffly to Emperor Kray's place. I must not be the only one in the room who notices this, for much of the Xi'An chitchat has died down. Even Naaēlish seems alert to her movement past, though I would guess he is unconcerned.

Bashir, as usual, is totally oblivious as he continues to try to describe making fatayer through Kree'Gna's translation to NeeTah. Bashir keeps insisting that really good fatayer like Jurdi makes needs cooked lamb and apparently NeeTah is confused by the very thought of cooking such succulent raw meat.

I try not to stare at my antagonist as she speaks with the First Above All Hatched, looking instead at Naaēlish and NeeTah. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mai Ee'shu move, but I continue to look at the heir and his wife.

All conversation stops as Mai Ee'shu takes the seat beside me and sits quietly. Kree'Gna stops in mid-word and allows the unthinkable: his mouth stays open in shock. Were I to guess, only Naaēlish looks as if nothing more normal could have happened.

A table servant brings a feast of some skinned creature and large fruits, placing it in an orderly fashion before the silent creature sitting almost close enough to touch me. A smallish pitcher of Imperial glee'ha is the last thing set before her. A small arc-knife appears and I try not to flinch as she easily slices an entire leg off her dinner and then chomps at least five centimeters off the end... her beak easily biting through bone and all.

I get the distinct impression that she isn't happy about this situation, but that she is following some directive. The Xi'An sitting next to Kree'Gna and across from Mai is trying to look uninterested, but I know Xi'An well enough to have no doubt that he is incredibly curious about something.

Mai finishes her bite and takes a second. The shearing sound that her beak makes through the leg-bone is both torturous and swift. I sure wouldn't want to stick my hand near that face, she could take it off with a single bite, that beak is a veritable weapon.

I realize that Naaēlish isn't watching her... he is watching me. A quick glance at the Emperor's face could reflect the same... though he would also have to look past me to see her.

Crunch, crunch, crunch. She may not be enjoying this, but she sure is making sure that bone is destroyed. She swallows and the leg is moving for her mouth.

I decide to interrupt, "Mai Ee'shu, Shē'sueren."

I swear you could hear a hair drop.

I'm looking at her; with a leg of food like an over-sized drumstick in one hand, a glowing arc-knife in the other, and a little blood smeared on her beak where she has bitten through the raw meat she looks like some nightmare out of our distant past. Her head pivots slowly and our eyes lock. She is controlling her breathing, but everyone else in the rest of the room is holding their collective breaths, filled with an overpowering sense of electricity. At this moment, Mai Ee'shu and I are the absolute center of attention.

"Shawn Ryan..." Her eyes flicker to her father, then Naaēlish, and then lock back onto myself. "I can not honestly offer you Shē'sueren. But you are welcome at this table and I honor those who have invited you."

I have no idea what to say, and at least for the moment she is done speaking, jamming at least ten centimeters of leg into her mouth and chomping that off like a snapping turtle might sever a finger.

I look over to Kree'Gna and Naaēlish. The former has at least closed his mouth, though I think he is still stunned at the current state of the interaction. The latter nods briefly my way, then looks up at his father at the raised end of the table. Emperor Kray has his fingers folded in front of his nose much the way some humans steeple theirs.

Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch.

CHOMP! Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Over and over, until the leg is gone, then she repeats her actions through the other leg.

I'm trying for all the world to let it go and notice something, anything else... but I'm failing miserably.

She finishes the second leg, turns off the arc-knife, and quietly says, "I have behaved as a young nestling and dishonored my father, Haeeth Dogo Xi'A Xres Kray (First Above All Hatched Kray). My emotional outburst disgraced my nestline and I seek to make amends with Bashir Abboud."

I realize that Bashir has been listening, because he answers, "I forgive you, Mai Ee'shu."

"You forgive me? What does that mean?"

"I don't hold it against you. Somebody says He forgives me the way I forgive others, so I'm good with that."

"I do not follow," she says, rather crossly.

"In my faith, I'm told that if I forgive others, my heavenly Father will forgive me. Besides, I sure don't understand you guys, so who am I to judge?"

This concept is as foreign to Mai as it is to me. "But what payment or action do you require?" she asks.

"None. It would be nice if we could be friends again."

Now it is Mai Ee'shu's turn to sit with her mouth open in shock. Oddly enough, my expression probably matches hers.

Finally, Mai Ee'shu says, "You are a strange creature, Bashir Abboud." Before he can answer, she rises, turns away from us and strides out of the room.

"You could at least have asked her to drop the charges against us," I say under my breath with a bit of annoyance.

"That isn't the right thing to do. I've already screwed this trip up enough anyway. I wanted to do the right thing."

I may not understand him, but his eyes reflect a certainty that I won't try to refute.

Naaēlish says something, a look akin to wonder on his face. Kree'Gna tries to explain what Bashir said, his translation colored by the same wonder carried in his own voice. Finally, we hear, "That was completely unexpected."

Bashir looks at me and asks, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No. It was just not what any of us might have guessed."

"Oh." Looking back at Kree'Gna, he seems to move right on, "So does NeeTah understand now that to get the spices to flavor the lamb, she HAS to cook it?"

Kree'Gna laughs, it is as hearty a laugh as a Xi'An can make. He only pauses to answer Naaēlish, who then joins him in uproarious mirth.

For the second time, Kree'Gna seems to freeze, though Naaēlish has no problem continuing his guffaws. From over my shoulder, the deep voice of Emperor Kray asks what I think means, "What is happening here?"

Both Kree'Gna and Naaēlish start to answer at the same moment, with the heir continuing as Kree'Gna falls silent.

Again, I sense that the entire room is focused on our small space.

The Emperor seems to ask a few questions which Naaēlish answers calmly. Finally, Kree'Gna addresses Bashir and I, "His Imperial Majesty is delighted that Bashir Abboud has offered mercy to Mai Ee'shu and holds no debt against her. It is a gesture normally only exercised by those who hold Klaahk's greatest virtues in utmost esteem." He pauses to listen to the Emperor continue, then continues himself, "First Above All Hatched wishes that Shawn Ryan would explain his use of Shē'sueren towards Mai Ee'shu; did it carry the true meaning?"

I rise and face the Xi'An's supreme ruler; it occurs to me a moment after I've done it that I'm not looking down, but the eye contact is already made, I'm not stopping now. "I understand Shē'sueren to be a honorable and truthful greeting that wishes true peace to the one spoken to. As long as I am not mistaken on it's use, then I have used it as it is intended: I have no wish to prolong the enmity between Mai Ee'shu and either Bashir Abboud or myself."

As he listens to the translation, I see the old head nod and the eyes sparkle with approval. Quietly, he says, "Shawn Ryan, Shē'sueren."

I reply in kind, "Haeeth Dogo Xi'A Xres Kray, Shē'sueren."

Behind him, a Seer with a less than pleased expression breathes some word and the Emperor's expression darkens for a moment. I wonder if I'm breaking some rule in how I address the supreme ruler, but unless someone tells me, I'm not going to do anything different. He says something past me to Kree'Gna and the latter says, "First Above All Hatched grants you permission to look at him whenever you speak directly to him, in perpetuity."

A small nestling runs up and the ancient Emperor lifts him to our eye level. After whispering something in the child's ear, His Imperial Majesty says to me, "Shawn Ryan, rhitna nogg ith xres'sa (please see my eldest), Teekor Ee'shu."

I nod my head in the youngster's direction and offer, "Teekor Ee'shu, Shē'sueren."

The little one giggles and leans his head against his father.

The Emperor says something and Kree'Gna says, "His Imperial Majesty says he is still learning speech, please forgive his shyness."

"Please tell him it's all good."

…..

We are sitting back in our little cabin, Naaēlish, Kree'Gna, Bashir, and I. Naaēlish is working hard with Kree'Gna to understand more of what we say and trying to use English himself. Meanwhile, Bashir is listening closely to the translations and actually seems to be picking up a bit of Xi'An that he's smattering throughout his own responses.

I finally come back to the basic question, "So, does this mean that we don't have the Appeal thing tomorrow?"

Naaēlish looks at me with what might be a hint of sorrow.

Kree'Gna explains, "No. The Appeal to the Emperor has been decreed for tomorrow. It will still be before the Emperor's High Council... and a representative of the convicting authority is already here and prepared. The only chance to stop the council was lost when Bashir forgave Mai'Ee'shu without letting us tell him to ask for her to drop the charge of Disrespecting the Imperial NestLine."

Bashir looks disappointed but states without equivocation, "I did what I should have. I'm completely at peace with it."

"Even if we die for it?" I ask somewhat icily.

"Yeah. If I get to go Home, I'm cool with that."

"Home? I'm talking about being executed."

"You aren't a believer, you don't understand our hope."

Naaēlish has been listening to Kree'Gna through our discussion, but now he asks something that translates to, "Bashir Abboud is not afraid of death?"

The teen shrugs, "Nope. Kinda hate the idea of pain, but once it's over, I'd be past the trials. Kinda think Momma would be more upset about it happening to me than I would. I'd only really be sorry that you wouldn't be there, Mr. Ryan."

"I'll never understand you religious folks," I admit while shaking my head a bit.

"I hope you are wrong, sir," he says with what might be affection.

…..

I can hear something fluttering around near the rafters. Bashir continues to snore happily from his mat, but I'm actually unsure I've slept at all. There are small sounds, perhaps some bird with chicks up there is returning home with breakfast. Somewhere outside a flute or something very much like it plays a quiet almost mournful music. I listen in wonder.

Suddenly, I realize that what's keeping me awake is that I'm trying trying to get my own fearlessness to return. Heck, it wasn't all that long ago that I was fine with taunting captors, now I'm just plain unsure.

For all my experience with the Xi'An, I really don't know how their alien minds work. The similarities between humans and Xi'An are more than superficial, but likewise our differences. How can we ever really hope to understand them? Maybe a distant peace is the best we can do, our fears of the differences keeping us at arm's length.

The door chime interrupts my looping thoughts and I rise to find breakfast delivered. Pancakes and a sticky orchid-scented syrup, plus a jasmine oolong tea that must be one of mine. The only things missing are eggs and bacon... I imagine that the former would kinda not be likely given the concept of Hatched.

Oh, well.

"Bashir! Breakfast."

"Yeah, jix, there in a min," he mumbles, his head not stirring from the pillow wedged beneath it.

"You want any, you get up, Mr. Abboud," I order in my best attempt at a commanding voice.

"Yeah, alright, I'm up," he says, his body's prone position barely changing before he becomes still again.

Being the ornery captain type, I walk over, grab a corner of the mat and pull it violently from under him.

"Whoa! I'M UP ALREADY!" he exclaims, bounding to his feet.

"Yeah, well, breakfast is over there. Have some."

The lad doesn't bother with anything else, heading straight for the mound of flapjacks. I note that he absconds with far more than half, but I don't begrudge him any.

"Hey, leave some of the syrup for me!" I holler, noting how much he is pouring out.

"Oh, yeah, sorry."

…..

We are back into our dragonskins and the scarlet robes Naaēlish gave us last night have been brought to us cleaned and prepared... though I notice that Bashir's now has a new glyph on the sleeve above our common star Citizen one, it is a glyph I do not recognize.

We are dressed and ready when the little bell rings. Kree'Gna, Naaēlish, and Toth Anddag all stand at our door.

After greetings are exchanged, the Seer says, "Please come with us, Shawn Ryan and Bashir Abboud."

"Lead on, Toth Anddag."

"Please put your hoods up so," he instructs, raising his own, but not enough to completely cover his face.

Both Naaēlish and Kree'Gna do likewise. Bashir and I look at each other and then do the same as Seer Anddag leads us out into the sunshine.

…..

The walled compound must be dozens of kilometers across, from the paths we are taking, I can't even see the towers of the habitats outside the way I could yesterday from the terrace.

We pass many Xi'An, almost all Civil Service in modest garments or Imperial NestLine in far more colorful and probably expensive clothing. A few individuals greet Naaēlish in passing, two Seers greet Toth Anddag, and no one greets Kree'Gna or either of us. I do think our little knot of walkers is noticed by anyone out on the pathways, but no one seems too intent to observe us too closely.

…..

After what seems like an hour, we approach a massive structure that abuts the outer wall. Were I to guess, its location implies that many who use it live and work outside the wall itself; there is likely a gate directly into it from beyond.

The structure is built in organic curving shapes out of a lively red stone with large opalescent veins running haphazardously across each exposed surface. At places the sun shining on the stone reveals colors hidden within some of those veins, hues flashing vibrantly like gems only barely hidden beneath a veil.

We come to a portal of polished silvery metal which opens as we approach. The long cool hall beyond seems empty, but I note that the lights activate before we reach them and shut off behind us only meters after we have passed. Daylight behind us falls away and a glance back confirms that the outer door has closed.

Our footfalls are the only sounds as we continue, the lifeless polished walls reflect our passage, but nothing else. At the end of the hall, we enter a small chamber; after a few moments, I realize it is rising, much as an elevator might. We stand silently, Toth with his eyes closed, the rest of us looking back and forth at each other.

The door opens into a floor filled with light. Here we must either be very high in the building or at least the lights act as if we were. We step into the great room and I see that it is dominated by a single large round table. All seats in it are equal save one, most likely Emperor Kray's.

There are huge floor to ceiling windows along the walls except behind... the Imperial... wait, no, the walls must be images of some form, for even the place we have just left where an elevator room must be now looks like a broad expanse of lush jungle. Now that I look closer, it is more obvious that the walls are just that, since perspective doesn't change as we move.

Toth Anddag takes Bashir and me to seats on the far opposite side of the massive mesa from the Emperor's seat. Naaēlish seems appointed to be but one seat away from Emperor Kray's.

"Please remain standing," the Seer directs as Bashir looks about to sit.

"Yes, sir," my young companion says with at least a hint of "yeah, whatever" in his look.

From all sides, the images of a vast natural land erupt with doorways and several dozen Xi'An, mostly older ones, enter, each heading to stand behind a given seat. A loud growl sounds as the last one reaches his place. Within moments, the sound has been taken up by all the attendees, Bashir and myself excluded.

One last door opens and HIM, FAAH, Emperor Kray enters and strides to his place.

He is obviously formally arrayed, and for the first time, I see him wearing the Zagg'Radch, the broad ornament made of brilliantly polished Rhodium that is worn across the Emperor's face from the top of the nose down to the edge of the beak, extending from the front of one ear ridge to the front of the other with dips below the eyes that allow unimpeded vision. Sometimes referred to by humans as "The Imperial Beak" because of Senator Akari's description of it from the 2789 treaty signing, it must have originally been a cross between a face shield and a symbol of authority which could be conspicuously worn while also wearing a combat or pilot's helmet. Even from this distance of about fifteen meters away, the brilliant silvery metal guard is unmistakable. Seeing it in person, I now completely understand why the Imperial NestLine glyph is a simplified version of its shape.

At his left, a tallish Xi'An calls out something, I think I catch the Emperor's titles and name, but the accent is different and his speech faster than what I'm familiar with... he could just as easily be saying it is sunny out and that they are having lizard for lunch.

Emperor Kray sits and then the rest follow, I see Toth Anddag motion for us to do likewise and we both do.

The tallish Xi'An must have a role that requires him to speak for the council, he begins again and goes on for a while. I do hear "Shawn Ryan" and "Bashir Abboud" twice each in his train of monologue, albeit he badly mispronounces each. Finally, he stops and from my side, Kree'Gna begins to translate. In essence, the speaker has explained we have been formally found guilty by extra-judicial means of two serious crimes but that we have formally appealed to the Emperor and been sent to this council and His Imperial Majesty for a finding of either innocence deserving a dismissal of charges, or guilt to be dealt with by immediate execution for the inexcusable wasting of Imperial time.

He has also read the charges: "Attempted Murder of Imperial Customs Lead Ton Leena" and "Disrespecting the Imperial NestLine" with the conviction by presiding officer Tsee Allath on Xi.

"Well, what now?" I ask my friend.

Kree'Gna answers, "I don't know, I have never been here, much less for something as unique at this."

The speaker asks Kree'Gna something and I recognize him reply, "Ga (Yes)." He looks my way and says, "I was asked if I had explained what has happened so far and I said 'yes'."

"Jix."

Emperor Kray speaks in his booming voice and all nod.

Kree'Gna translates, "His Imperial Majesty has asked if all agree to proceed and all have assented."

The speaker calls something out and a face appears in four places on the walls in such a way that it can be seen by all without having to turn. I would swear I've seen that graying dino face before, but I can't be sure where. The male speaks and I think I know, it is the Customs Lead himself. Kree'Gna is listening, not daring interrupt as the face continues for several minutes. Finally it stops and Emperor Kray asks those attending something to which they reply "Ith shen'Ga."

The Emperor speaks and a smiling Kree'Gna turns to me and explains, "Ton Leena has explained that he was under orders to pull the box off on top of himself, that he unstrapped it as instructed and took the fall in a manner that maximized the chances of minor injury. The Emperor has asked the council if they agree that the charge of Attempted Murder should be dismissed and the council agreed. Emperor Kray finds you not guilty of the first charge."

Over my shoulder, Bashir says, "Slabbed!"

I nod, "Jix. But what about the second charge?"

He answers quietly, "They are about to call a second witness for that."

The speaker calls out a new name: Mai Ee'shu.

The room is still, no face appears. A door behind us opens, I can't see who is there without turning and figure I'll know pretty quickly if it is our former passenger.

A familiar voice rings out, but not the one I expect: it is Athas Mgren's.

The council speaker asks something in reply, but she seems to restate what she just said.

Kree'Gna translates, "Shawn Ryan, Diplomat Athas Mgren has just told the council that Mai Ee'shu has used a diplomatic courier's mission to return to her duties with High Council Advisor Attle Heehth at the Xi'An Embassy in Terra. She sends her regrets that she will not be able to testify."

"What's that mean?"

"I don't know yet."

Emperor Kray asks Kree'Gna something and he turns to me and asks, "His Imperial Majesty asks, 'Did you insult Mai Ee'shu during your trip from Terra to Xi?'"

I can feel the color drain from my face and my hands are turning clammy. Behind me, Bashir draws a sharp breath.

But if I'm going to be true to myself, I have only one answer, "Yes, please tell His Highness that I did. But Bashir certainly did not."

Now it's Kree'Gna's turn to pale as he looks back down the table. He can barely get the word out, but he does, "Ga (Yes)." He says more, but not very much.

I don't think the council expected to hear this, though I note that both Toth Anddag and Naaēlish don't seem disturbed at all. If anything the Seer is smiling.

The Emperor asks a second time, but it is just to make sure I understand the question; the answer remains 'Yes' for me but 'No' for Bashir."

The speaker begins to ask something new, but this time Toth Anddag interrupts. He asks Naaēlish something, the heir's answer is long and somewhat animated. Through it all, Emperor Kray is looking down the table at me, his expression hidden behind his royal faceplate.

After Naaēlish finishes, the Seer turns my way and asks what is translated as, "Will you explain the locations and circumstances of your insults?"

I explain about our stop on Xenia and Bashir's desire for chocolate. I describe Mai Ee'shu's confronting Bashir and my rather feeble attempt to intervene. When I recall her statement, "You pretend to sleep and let me deal with this creature: you are nameless coward." Kree'Gna gasps and I would swear that Toth Anddag does as well.

"Wait while I repeat this," he insists, "I do not wish to make an error with it."

He begins to speak and it is obvious when he reaches Mai Ee'shu's statement because there are several angry growls about the room and even Emperor Kray's eyes show stunned surprise.

The Emperor asks something and Toth Anddag walks to me.

"Shawn Ryan, will you allow me to test your statement?"

"Sure. How?"

He places a small tablet on the tabletop in front of me. "Please place your hand flat on this."

I do as instructed.

"Please repeat the insult Mai Ee'shu pronounced."

"She said, 'you are nameless coward.'"

"Were you still docked at Xenia in UEE space?"

"Yes, sir."

"Was she a guest on your ship?"

"Yes, sir."

"And your insult of her came after this?"

"Yes, sir."

"How did you insult her?"

"I questioned her honesty."

"Did you question the Imperial NestLine?"

"Never. The few members of the Imperial NestLine that I have known, her excepted, have all behaved with honor and treated me with dignity."

"You may take your hand off the pad."

I do as instructed and he lifts the device and walks away.

Taking his place, Toth Anddag remains standing; he looks at the assembly and begins speaking, around the table I see several heads do that Xi'An equivalent of nodding, including the Emperor's.

On he speaks, even somewhat impassioned by his topic.

More of the council seems to be agreeing with whatever the old Seer is expounding on.

With a final flourish, the Seer settles into his chair and all eyes are now on me.

"Well?" I ask Kree'Gna, but he raises a hand to silence me.

We are waiting for something.

Waiting.

His Imperial Majesty, First Above All Hatched, Emperor Kray speaks, the council all responds in unison, "Ith shen'Ga."

The Emperor speaks again; Kree'Gna smiles and turns to the two of us, "His Highness wishes to inform you that you are cleared of the charge of Disrespecting the Imperial NestLine. He grants you a 'Wiping Away'; as of now the charges never existed."

…..

The afternoon breeze on the Emperor's terrace is gentle, dispelling some of the humid heat. Emperor Kray sits where he did yesterday, but this time instead of a crowd of courtiers, he has his Empress and three little nestlings running around. Near at hand, Naaēlish sits relaxed on a small stool, observing. Strangely, Bashir is sitting on the ground rolling a ball back and forth with Teekor and I would swear that both are giggling.

Kree'Gna is standing beside me, translating as His Highness speaks, "Shawn Ryan, you have not asked me for anything."

"I have no right to ask for anything. You have already granted my innocence."

"I allowed my..." Kree'Gna pauses because the Emperor has. The strong old face watches Bashir playing with his toddler, then resumes.

Kree'Gna does likewise, "I allowed my judgment to be clouded by my emotions. It is hard to find an honest human, one who will even incriminate himself, risking death, rather than lie."

"Please, Your Highness, there are many. Maybe not the ones who are in power, but there are still many. Bashir would have done the same and he is still a youth."

He looks up at me once he understands what I've said and chuckles.

"You are a rare creature. You do not hide your emotions or your temper, but you are loyal and honest. You have served your Imperator better than he will ever know, maybe better than your government deserves.

"I have already sent word back that we accept his last terms. I have ordered Jenk Gallen released. Torsi Leelk and Attle Heehth have been instructed to arrange a formal meeting on Hadur III to allow your government and news organizations to spread peace instead of war."

Kree'Gna falls silent again.

Teekor charges at Bashir on short but strong little legs, bowling the teen over and play wrestling. Bashir quickly uses his size and is mercilessly tickling the little one while the latter giggles and giggles. The Empress even laughs at their shenanigans.

"You are a strange pair. Naaēlish has asked if he may visit you both on your world, very secretly, of course. He believes that you are both the kinds of humans we should get to know. He also says that NeeTah insists on him getting the manner of making Bashir's strange breads from his mother."

"Naaēlish Ee'shu is welcome at my place, and Jurdi Abboud is my partner, there should be no trouble getting the recipe."

"I have a request of you, Shawn Ryan."

"How may I serve?"

"Know first that you are no longer an Imperial contractor. I grant you full payment for your missions, and the replacement of the ship you lost while trying to protect your diplomat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I would like very greatly if you and Bashir Abboud would consider becoming informal ambassadors for your kind. I would have one or both of you here to offer your way of seeing on matters concerning humans."

"I... wow... um, I would have to let Bashir's mother decide for herself if she will allow it. I think she wants him to go to her old school, UPARQ, and I understand his scores are very good. Not to mention that Bashir is his own person."

"And for yourself?"

"Please understand, I'm flattered to have Your Highnesses confidence... but I will need to think about it. I love my home very much, and flying in space even more."

"Consider it. If not for my sake, then for the sake of Naaēlish's friendship."

I look over at the heir and realize that he is listening quite intently.