Author's Notes:

'Jack's Moonlighting' is the eighth story in the saga of Jack Danner. Minimal effort is made in this tale to explain the backstory, so it is highly recommended you read the first seven stories in the following order:

• Jack's New Job
• Jack's New Position
• Jack's Daily Grind
• Jack's Wage Slavery Parts 1 & 2
• Jack's Snow Day
• Jack's True Calling
• Jack's Righteous Gig
• Jack's Moonlighting Parts 1 & 2

All characters engaging in sexual relationships or activities are 18 years old or older.

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Jack's Moonlighting Part 2

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Chapter 16

Commander Freskkay Nuugaat, leader of the Krreegah Space Armada, glared at the planet displayed on the viewscreen before him. They'd detected evidence of the wreck of a Krreegah ship on the surface below, so they knew they were above the correct planet, but the world was silent. It broadcast no signals from the surface as if there was no technology at all!

His technicians reported they found signs of large cities, but they were also silent and showed no sign of any energy emissions, not even light.

They obviously had Gates as that terrible creature who attacked him at the Rjunella Gate had traveled through one with its Tik companion.

Worlds with Gates had to have advanced civilizations!

Dammit! He needed a target!

A sharp pain shot through his leaking nose once more. He dabbed it with an absorbent cloth and frowned at the mess.

His ship physician explained that repairing the damage to his snout required medical equipment only found on their home world. The sick bay couldn't deal with such delicate work.

Doctor Rammajja was becoming an impediment to his mission. She questioned his orders and was one insubordinate comment away from being restricted to sick bay.

Outside of this one annoyance, his crew was loyal to him, and all the fleet captains were males he'd handpicked from the academy. He was confident that all were dedicated to serving under him in his armada. They ruled their crews with iron discipline.

Once they punished the monsters below for their barbaric treatment of his people, he would return home with the surviving descendants of a long-lost mission to find new homes for the Krreegah. Through genetic mapping, they discovered the pelt they'd retrieved was from a descendant of a family line that had withered away and returned to dust on Krreegah. The proud warrior clan of Gaarrken was no more, but key family members had been aboard the hunter ship, the Kahrkag, so long ago. It traveled out amongst the stars to conquer new worlds for the Krreegah. Then the Tik arrived and poisoned his people's minds with promises of peaceful coexistence and species survival through the Gate Network.

The truth of the Kahrkag was buried and forgotten, lest it jeopardize their place at the Gate Network slop trough.

Freskkay was a leader in a Krreegah movement to restore the pride of the Krreegah people. They were hunters. They were leaders. They were conquerors. They were Apex!

The Krreegah gave up too much when they surrendered their manifest destiny to the weaker races of the Gate Network.

It had taken generations of covert efforts to infiltrate their world government, taking key positions in it to support their cause of species supremacy through careful policy changes and agenda management. There'd been a promising increase in confidence and aggression in the last century. Playing on the fear of the unknown coming from the outer boundary of the galactic edge, they'd established the Space Defense Commission and built a fleet of ships to defend their world against this nebulous threat.

When the Commander encountered the Dannt wearing a pelt of one of his people, his righteous fury boiled over. When he discovered it came from one of his fearless predecessors, he knew it was a sign.

Freskkay made his preparations, addressed the congress, told them of the dreadful fate of the Kahrkag, and then presented his evidence. He called upon the leaders of the Krreegah to rise up to their potential and redress this awful crime.

They failed his people when they disagreed. Foolish, fearful, and contemptuous bootlickers, every one of them.

He left the congress and immediately took his shuttle up to the armada flagship, The Fang and Claw. He issued his orders, and the fleet went radio silent as they left orbit.

If the so-called leaders of his people wouldn't act in the best interests of the Krreegah, then it was up to him and the thirty-two vessels in his armada.

"Any response to our hails from the Dannt?" the Freskkay asked.

"None, Commander. Just noise from the Tik at the Gate Terminal, who seem aware of our presence," the comm officer stated.

He frowned. "It's time to silence their interference. Drop a kinetic warhead on the terminal."

The Tactical officer grinned at him. "Aye, Commander!" He turned back to his station, entered the target coordinates, and launched the projectile. The sound of the electromagnetic accelerator firing the metal rod from the ship could be heard in the silence of the bridge.

"So begins our path to the glory we've been so long denied," Freskkay announced, and the bridge crew roared their approval.

-=-

At the back of the bridge, in the small alcove set aside for the ship's chief medical officer, Doctor Rammajja felt a cold shiver run down her spine. The madness of the commander was clear now.

She slipped away to return to her office. She had some messages to prepare for her family.

-=-

Juju floated in space, keeping an eye on the fleet of ships Tito's message warned them might show up. The assistance Tito mentioned he would return with was nowhere in sight, but Juju wasn't surprised by that. Committees moved at the pace of glaciers.

They'd passed word of the invasion to Queen Mara, and she was preparing her people. TkaTken was in charge of evacuating the Gate Terminal and the surrounding area.

Assuming the Gate Terminal might be a prime target, they estimated a wide strike zone perimeter with the most harmful weapon likely to be used. Thankfully, Queen Mara's village was a safe distance away and sheltered by some low hills before the mountain range. TkaTken made sure everyone within the strike zone was evacuated.

"Juju, any movement from the fleet?" TkaTken asked via a tight-beam link.

Visually scanning the vessels, Juju saw none had moved, but the largest of them was opening a panel on its underside. The Tik detected a sudden surge of energy, then a missile was flung toward the surface at great velocity.

"Incoming TkaTken! Aimed at the Terminal! Impact imminent!" Juju called back to its partner.

It focused on the impact location; moments later, the terminal was lost in a rising column of dirt, flames, and smoke. The kinetic missile had penetrated the power plant under the structure.

"No casualties but a lot of shaken up Dannt down here," TkaTken finally responded.

"Thank goodness they're safe! I wonder if approaching that ship to request its surrender would yield any positive results," Juju mused.

TkaTken chuckled. "Don't pretend you're Ambassador Danner! He might brawl his way through this diplomatic encounter, but we're Tik."

Juju smiled to itself. He, too, could envision Jack punching the Krreegah Commander in the nose. "Yes, I know."

It suddenly noticed a light beam touching its surface intermittently. It determined the pulses were code, and it was a call for help. "I'm being signaled from the ship by someone requesting help!"

"It could be a trap. Be cautious," TkaTken said needlessly.

Juju sent an acknowledgment response pinpointed back to the source.

The next burst came through. "The sender is indicating they are the ship's physician. They say the Commander of the fleet is mentally unstable."

"This isn't good news," TkaTken lamented.

"Maybe Jack Danner's method of diplomacy would be appropriate in this circumstance," Juju said.

"Again, I remind you, we're Tik," TkaTken said nervously.

Juju sighed. "Yes, I'm aware. I'm not going to take any violent action. I will continue to speak to the doctor. She may be able to give us some assistance."

"Does she have support on the ship?" TkaTken asked.

Juju sent the question, and the response wasn't promising. The ship's crew were the most fervent supporters of the commander.

"She's on her own," Juju sent to its partner.

"No. She has you," TkaTken replied. "Be safe."

Juju smiled to itself once more. TkaTken was right. It wouldn't abandon someone in their time of need.

-=-

Jack walked onto the bridge after conferring with the Tik. Lorrem turned to face him.

"Shadeem, we have achieved geosynchronous orbit over the Krreegah capital city, Graakkaa. No ships are in orbit or visible in their orbiting shipbuilding base. We are being hailed from the surface... actually, we are receiving two separate hails," the commander said after conferring with his comm tech.

"Can we conference them together?" Jack asked as he finished fussing with his black Altarian gown. When he returned to Altaria, he would insist on a Human design suit like Leo and Maxim's.

Lorrem smiled and nodded. He gestured for Jack to stand beside him as they faced the main viewscreen.

When it switched, they saw a male and female Krreegah standing together on the left side of the screen, wearing sashes. Their expressions were tired and cautious. Behind them was a large chamber which could have been the congress hall. There was a fair amount of activity back there.

The right side of the screen showed two large male Krreegah in what could only be called combat gear. They looked a lot less friendly.

All four suddenly leaned back as they saw the other parties had been conferenced in.

Jack spoke before anyone could protest.

"I'm Jack Danner, aboard the ship, Peacekeeper, currently in orbit above Graakkaa. This is Commander Lorrem Tessen, Leader of the Ishilon's forces and Peacekeeper. We've conferenced in both groups attempting to hail us as we've just arrived.

"State your purpose for invading our space!" the biggest of the aggressive males demanded.

"We're on a peacekeeping mission. It's come to our attention that the Krreegah have sent ships to a neighboring Gate Network member for the purpose of waging war. We have Tik representatives with us to witness this. If this is the case, they will authorize revoking Gate Access for the Krreegah.

This caused the other couple to cry out in protest. "The perpetrators are traitors to the Krreegah whose illegal actions were not sanctioned by the rightful leaders of this planet!" the female protested.

This inflamed the big warrior. "Traitors? Your weakness makes you traitors to the species! We were destined to carve out our own destiny in the stars. We are Apex!"

Jack burst into laughter. All four Krreegah stared at him in surprise. When he got control, he held up a hand and wiped his tears with the other. "Ah, heh heh, sorry, but that never ceases to amuse. You have no idea what else is out there in the dark reaches of space, do you, snowflake. Such a rookie mistake. Haven't you ever heard the universal truth, there's always a bigger predator?"

Jack waved his hands to block the angry response as they began to sputter and turned his attention to the other couple. "We're not here to interfere with your internal governance. As the legitimate ruling party, educating the might-is-right fools is up to you. After I come down to speak to you regarding some matters of importance, we will depart to put a halt to the activities the Krreegah are engaged in on Danat."

Jack spotted a Tik in the background behind the government officials. It waved at the camera as it had been instructed when Jack asked it to be the anchor point for their landing party.

"See you momentarily," Jack said, and the comm officer cut the signal as planned. He headed for the corridor outside the bridge where his team awaited.

"We're not happy about you going to the planet without us!" Gee insisted.

Jack smiled fondly at the Altarians. "I'm wearing the gown, and I'll have my Ishilon protection squad with me. It's just a short visit."

"Why are you going at all? Couldn't this be done after we return?" Bal asked.

Jack raised a finger as he stepped up to the Gate Dennesh opened for him. "Hold that thought for a moment."

He stepped through the Gate and nodded to the Tik, who rose to the ceiling to observe and record. Jack then walked a short distance down an aisle and climbed some steps to face the two officials he was just speaking to. He smiled at them and then bowed. They were stunned by his bold arrival, but his gentle and courteous behavior set them at ease. Their eyes tracked the Ishilon, who rushed here and there, ducking out of the hall momentarily to return moments later. One Ishilon remained with Jack but stood back and off to the side.

"Hi, Jack Danner!" he said.

"Pax Hillassh Larresh," the female said, gesturing to herself, "Pax Trresst Piikrra," she said, indicating the male. "Elected leaders of the Krreegah Congress, the ruling body for the planet."

Hillassh frowned as she looked at Jack in concern. "Are you not here in an official capacity?"

"Not at the moment. I hold several titles, but I won't use any on Krreegah except my role as a citizen of the Gate Network. We're here on a peacekeeping mission. Our goals are protecting the Dannt, a fellow member race, and protecting the Krreegah's right to continue to be a valued member of the Network," Jack insisted.

The couple smiled, but it was strained. "We need support who can deal with this militant group. Our police force is overwhelmed.

"Yeah, I suspect the militant leaders will be here momentarily," Jack said.

"What?" Trresst gasped and pulled Hillassh behind him.

"They were broadcasting their hail to us from within the city. I assume they plan on attacking the congress to take power for themselves. We likely bumped their timetable considerably by announcing we were visiting. They'll want to block us from stopping the invasion."

"We should run!" Hillassh cried.

A booming voice came from the side of the room. "Too late to run now!"

Jack faced the Krreegah warrior striding boldly into the chamber, two of his lieutenants at his heel. The Ishilon stood in the other entrances, and another moved into place to block their retreat. This made the two lieutenants finally realize the rest of their group wasn't following, and they were locked in the chamber with the aliens. "Braaddok," one called out to his leader.

The big one glanced back and slowed.

"Hey, if you want to run away, the Ishilon will stand aside," Jack taunted as he slowly walked toward the platform's edge.

"We run from no one!" Braaddok growled as he turned back to Jack to watch him slowly climb down the stairs.

Jack slipped his new gloves on and ensured the fingers were snug as he held the eye of the Krreegah. "So, you think you're Apex? There are races out in the Gate Network who will kick sand in your face at the beach, take your lunch money, and send you home crying for your mama."

"I suppose you're going to tell me that your race, whatever it is, happens to be one of these victors?" Braaddok sneered as he moved closer with the same deliberate pace.

"Not victors. They're called bullies. Many members of my original race fall into that category, but we aren't even close to the peak predators you'll find out there," Jack gestured to the sky. "If I were here in my capacity as Ambassador, I'd tell you I'm about to communicate with you in the language you best understand," he said calmly but loud enough for the Tik above to catch.

Then he was within the Krreegah's striking range. He saw the muscles in its thighs twitch as the warrior prepared to leap at him.

The moment it sprung, Jack dove forward faster, surprising his opponent by unexpectedly slamming his forehead into the warrior's sensitive snout with a sickening crunch. Braaddok jolted to a stop, excruciating pain exploding through his broken face, tears blinding him.

Jack landed his first punch directly against the brute's throat. He followed up with an uppercut with his left, which snapped jaws together, making the Krreegah bite through his tongue. Braaddok swiped the air where Jack would have been if he hadn't ducked under the thick arm. Jack slammed his left fist into Braaddok's now exposed right side, and his ribs broke.

Jack danced back as the warrior made another clumsy swipe with his left this time, then Jack stepped in to crack ribs on the Krreegah's left side.

It was too much for the big warrior, and he stumbled to his knees. Watering eyes looked up in fear as Jack drove his fist into his cheek, sending the Krreegah crashing to the floor, where he remained motionless. Jack confirmed he was still breathing, then stepped toward the two lieutenants, and they staggered back in shock.

"Do you understand that demonstration?" he snapped as he pulled a napkin from his pocket and wiped the blood from his forehead. It wasn't his, but he might have a bruise.

The two stared at Jack and frowned. One ventured an answer. "You're a stronger predator?"

Jack frowned. Of course, they saw answers in terms of strength alone. "No. I just had better training. I'm not even the biggest predator out there. If you use it to protect yourself and others, there's nothing wrong with being strong. Just... never use it to be an asshole." He held their eyes but saw only confusion, so he sighed. "Maybe this wasn't the best way to demonstrate my point, but you guys are using your strength to harm those physically weaker than you. That proves you're just cowards and bullies." He glared angrily at their dense expressions. "Assholes!" The two glanced at each other uncomfortably.

"It's in the interest of the Gate Network Members to come to each other's defense when one member race becomes too aggressive towards a peaceful neighbor. When you maintain good relations with your neighbors, there is support when a real threat appears. Good neighbors ensure survival and enhance prosperity and growth. The Krreegah can be strong and good neighbors at the same time. It's far more rewarding to be friends."

Jack turned his attention to the two Krreegah at the top of the stairs. "This one needs medical attention. We have to go now."

"What about the other militants?" Trresst blurted nervously.

Jack looked to Dennesh. "Shadim, they are all unconscious, as you requested. Non-lethal defensive weapons, only used in response to an attack." The rest of his protection squad began streaming back into the chamber.

Jack fixed his eyes on the lieutenants then he looked at the two smaller government officials. He glanced over at Dennesh, and she was obviously thinking the same thing he was. She stunned the brutes with a shock from her spear, and they collapsed.

The Ishilon warriors gathered together, ready to depart or storm the building at Jack's command. Uniformed Krreegah began to enter the hall, and from the look of relief on the official's faces, they must have been the police.

Jack frowned as he looked up at the two. "Shit. While it wasn't my intention, it feels like we've interfered with your internal governance after all."

"We will use our legal system to hold them accountable for their actions. We are a civil people who deeply desire to remain part of the Gate Network. Please speak on our behalf with the Tik," Hillassh said sincerely.

Jack nodded. "How many ships are we talking about?"

"Thirty-two. The flagship is called The Fang and Claw. It has the most armament, but there are a dozen battleships; the rest are smaller troop-carrying vessels. All ships left without sanction from this government after we refused Commander Freskkay Nuugaat permission to seek revenge against the Dannt," she replied.

Jack did his best not to snort in surprised amusement when he heard the commander's name.

Hillassh removed her sash and handed it to Jack. "When you speak to Commander Nuugaat, please act as our agent to inform him he is to surrender."

"Will they have arrived at Danat already?" he asked.

"It is highly likely they have already reached the planet," Trresst nodded.

"Let's hope they haven't killed anyone," Jack insisted, gesturing for the Tik hovering above to join him.

Jack nodded to Dennesh, and the Ishilon opened their Gates as one, everyone slipping back to the ship.

Jack found himself facing two angry Altarians.

"You beat up the leader of the rebellion?" Gee immediately snapped.

"You fought one on one with a warrior of unknown strength?" Bal added.

Jack looked over at Bayly and smiled. "Thanks for the tip about Krreegah noses. Once it broke, he was a mess." Gee and Bal continued to scowl at him, but he just smiled.

"Preparing to jump to Danat!" Lorrem called out from the bridge.

Jack rushed into the room just behind Bayly, who'd never seen her planet from above.

"Tito went through a small Gate and returned to send us the following information regarding the ship positions." Lorrem displayed this on the main view screen, and Jack saw that all thirty-two ships were still stationed above the planet.

Lorrem continued. "Tito went back through the Gate with the eighty Tik to coordinate with the ones on the ground. Forty will remain in orbit as witnesses. We will open the final Gate to position ourselves between the armada and the planet."

"Sounds good. On your command," Jack said.

He looked at Bayly. "Ready to see your home from space?"

She smiled at him nervously then her eyes were on the view screen.

Lorrem took no chances as he moved the ship through the Gate at their top speed. This would have appeared to the enemy as a large oblong hole appearing over a glowing world.

Bayly's eyes twinkled with joy to see her home again.

Jack hoped they weren't too late.

-=-

Tito rushed to join Juju in orbit once it had delivered the fleet's location to the Ishilon commander.

"Juju! We've brought help!" it tight beamed to the Tik in orbit.

"Tito! Thank goodness!" Juju caught sight of the group following the young Tik. "Oh! So many Tik! I'm not sure if they will be of much help in this situation. Why are they all moving away?"

As Tito slowed to a halt next to its senior, it couldn't keep the excitement from its voice. "We should join them to make room for the actual assistance we brought." It moved farther from the planet, and Juju followed.

They were now well off to the side of the planet with a view of the invading fleet to their right and the world to their left.

Suddenly, a vast and growing hole of absolute darkness appeared on the world's surface, growing before their optics.

"Tito! What's happening?" Juju yelped.

"Don't worry! It's just a ship exiting a gate. It's completely non-reflective, so it looks like a hole in space," Tito assured its elder.

"That's frightening!" Juju said quietly.

Tito concurred. Even knowing the ship's scale and nature didn't diminish the visual impact of seeing the void appearing as if it was on the surface of the planet. It pushed its attention back to Juju.

"The ship is called Peacekeeper, and it's crewed by the Ishilon who live on the world, Callosephia. Their Shadeem, the spiritual leader for their people, asked them to come to our aid, and they did," Tito smiled to itself, wondering how its elder would react to its bringing—

"Ambassador Danner! You've brought Jack Danner to Danat?" Juju gasped in shock.

Tito was surprised by the strength of the response. "Uh, yes. Has the fleet made any violent moves?" it asked, pulling its mind back to the business at hand.

"The flagship destroyed the Gate Terminal with a kinetic accelerator. Thanks to your warning, we ensured no one was within the danger zone. We assumed they would target the one means of escape, and we were right. TkaTken is charging with sunlight alone, so we were just about to switch places so it can get a faster, deeper direct charge," Juju remarked.

"Do you have the location of the Dannt-Tik Interface Team? I need to pass the coordinates to Bayly so they can open a Gate to that location.

"They are with Queen Mara's village in the foothills next to the western range." Juju sent the coordinates to Tito, who immediately beamed it to the ship.

Peacekeeper was now completely through its Gate, but it remained a daunting sight.

"There is a doctor on the flagship who needs rescue," Juju said.

"The Ishilon can do site-to-site Gates, so if you can get close enough to the doctor's location, they could open a Gate inside the ship to extract her. I will ask."

Tito sent the message and received a response to proceed with caution moments later.

"Okay, they will get her out, but you must get right next to the ship so they can anchor the Gate to your location. They'll be expecting your signal on this channel," Tito said, beaming the other Tik the contact details.

"Right. See you down on the planet once I help the doctor escape," Juju said as it moved off into the darkness. Tito headed for the planet's surface below.

It wasn't fond of space.

-=-

"Peacekeeper is in position, Shadeem. Tito is rendezvousing with the remaining Tik on Danat, and a Tik named Juju is moving next to The Fang and Claw for us to extract the ship's physician. We will use this opportunity to board the ship. Non-lethal weapons as specified, and all effort will be made to avoid bloodshed," Lorrem explained.

Jack held his eye. "I don't want our people at risk as well. Equal effort should be made to ensure their safety. If it comes down to us or them, make sure it's us."

"Understood, Shadeem. In the meantime, would you like to address the fleet?"

Jack smiled and pulled his shoulders back. "I would. Is the recording of the defeat of their home troops ready?"

"Cued and waiting for your signal," the commander said.

Jack faced the viewscreen. "Hail the fleet."

"Channels are open," the comm officer said quietly.

"This is Ambassador Danner aboard Peacekeeper. You are in violation of the Gate Network non-aggression policy. Your leaders on Krreegah have authorized us to seize the thirty-two vessels you were removed from Krreegah's territorial space without permission, place you under arrest, and return you to Krreegah to stand trial. Your attempt to overthrow your government has failed." Jack nodded to the comm officer, and he played the recording of the ground troops being carted away.

"We are receiving a hail from The Fang and Claw."

"On screen, please," Jack said with a nod.

An older Kreegah warrior with a damaged nose glared out of the screen. "We don't recognize the authority of the Krreegah congress or its leaders, nor do we recognize your authority."

"Am I speaking with Frisky Nougat?" Jack asked politely. He knew it was a childish dig, but this jerk didn't deserve respect.

The scowl deepened. "That's Commander Freskkay Nuugaat."

Jack tilted his head forward in acknowledgment. "You claim not to recognize the legitimately elected government officials who funded the building of the ships you removed without permission?" Jack asked.

Freskkay chose not to continue that topic. "Move your ship or face the consequences."

Jack smiled at the commander. "Do you believe, as Braaddok once did, that the Krreegah are Apex?"

Freskkay twitched at the comment. "We share that belief. We were destined—"

"—to carve out your own destiny in the stars. Yes, he mentioned that just before I cleared up his foolish misconception," Jack said with a sigh and signaled the comm officer to play the clip.

They split the screen and started the clip where Jack put his gloves on.

He watched the commander's severe jolt when Jack broke the other Krreegah's nose. He could see why the commander knew that pain intimately.

Jack looked at the comm officer who cut his mic. "Is this being broadcast to all ships?"

"Yes, Shadeem."

Jack smiled. "Good." He nodded, and his mic was live once more.

He watched the fury building on the face of the commander. That wasn't as good.

-=-

Juju marveled at the good fortune of being able to meet the being whose perceptions it had only recently experienced. It quickly returned its full attention to watching carefully for evidence that its approach to the flagship had been detected, but there was nothing. As it approached the viewport where the doctor had stood a short time ago, it noted she was pacing back and forth. Juju moved right up to the ship next to the window and flashed a light briefly to catch her attention. She spun and moved to the window to stare at Juju in surprise. She quickly used her tablet to send a message. "Help?"

Juju replied, "Is it safe to open a Gate at your location?" Her eyes widened, and she rushed away for a second before returning.

"Yes."

"Step through the Gate to safety," Juju sent, then fired a tight beam to Tito's coordinates. He indicated the doctor would come through.

Moments later, Juju felt someone loosely anchoring to his location. He was able to direct the target to the space he could see through the window and locked the coordinates. Juju watched a Gate form, and the doctor rushed through.

Juju relaxed as she was safe, then what it assumed was an Ishilon came through the Gate, followed by another, then another until there was a stream. Were they boarding the ship? With spears?

One of the Ishilon approached the window and pointed to the planet with a nod. Juju got that message, so it slipped away from the vessel as quietly as it had come. It decided to keep an eye on the battle before it headed for the surface.

It was deeply uncomfortable about what it had just been a participant in. It needed to speak with Tito to see what kind of friends it had brought to rescue them.

-=-

"You must have noticed by now that Dannt society has collapsed. No one lives in the cities. They've reverted to a nomad state because of a plague that wiped out most of their population. And you're here to attack them with spaceships?" Jack scoffed. "Can't you see how much of an asshole that makes you? Do you also attack infants, the elderly, and pregnant females?" Jack's voice dripped with contempt.

Freskkay was paralyzed with rage. His mind finally latched onto his one point. "They wear the skins of my people!"

Jack wasn't going to let him hide behind that excuse. "Only one Dannt has ever left the planet. Up until that moment, they had no knowledge of the Krreegah. Instead, the Dannt discovered, during the collapse of their society, the sudden appearance of creatures who were eating them! This brings me to the question of what Krreegah were doing on Danat so long ago in numbers significant enough to sustain a breeding program? That doesn't suggest it was a friendly introduction between Ambassadors. It says invasion! It was just unfortunate for your army that something on the planet or something missing from their diet caused them to devolve to a feral level. Whatever the case, the Dannt never asked them to be there and don't want them now."

He faced the Krreegah commander and took a deep breath as he glanced at Lorrem, who signaled they were ready. He locked eyes with Freskkay. "As protectors of the Dannt and," Jack held up a red and purple sash, "sanctioned agent of the legitimately elected leaders of Krreegah, we are ordering you to surrender."

He could see the walls going up in the commander's eyes. "All battleships of the armada, fire at that ship," Freskkay ordered calmly as he held Jack's eyes.

Missiles launched from eight of the twelve battleships, so Jack's message reached some captains.

Lorrem nodded to Jack, indicating all incoming missiles were now in their control. Peacekeeper's gravity field manipulators had the missiles in their grip midway between the fleet and the Peacekeeper.

"This is another demonstration that you aren't the biggest predator in the neighborhood." Jack nodded, and Lorem had the missiles crushed. Some exploded, but most just went silent. "Before your people get hurt, I'm advising you again to surrender."

"All ships switch to Energy weapons and fire!" the Krreegah leader ordered.

Soon, beams of energy lashed out from the eight battleships and the flagship to touch the surface of the large black ship with no visible effect. The darkness didn't change at all.

"Storage banks reaching three-quarters capacity," a bridge officer called out.

With a glance at Jack, who nodded, Lorrem turned to his weapon's officer. "Return the energy doubled. Target the sources."

Intense beams of white light leapt from Pacekeeper's jet surface to touch the energy weapon locations of all eight ships. They immediately turned to slag or exploded in the overload of heat.

Watching Freskkay glaring at him, he saw sparks burst from a control panel behind him, and the crew rushed to put it out.

There was an exclamation off-camera to Freskkay's side. "Sir, we've been boarded! Reports from engineering and weapon control. We've lost control of both—"

"SHUT THE COMM DOWN—" Freskkay roared and disappeared from their screen.

Jack sighed. He'd hoped to get through to more of them so they didn't have to go out as martyrs to their cause. He looked to Lorrem. "Can you seize the ships to keep them from running or heading for the planet? Does Peacekeeper have a brig?"

Lorrem smiled. "None of the ships can leave the gravity field. We will move the Krreegah from the ships into our brig if you can ask some of the Tik to provide safe coordinates for the Gates as Juju did."

One of the battleships, notably one which hadn't fired on Peacekeeper, suddenly bulged outwards as a massive explosion tore through it from inside. Something in the belly of the ship, where the armory likely was, had detonated.

As this happened, a battleship fired upon a second vessel that hadn't participated in the futile missile launch. Peacekeeper extended its gravity field to suppress weapon fire while moving closer to the armada. However, a few missiles still managed to strike before the protection could be brought into play. Explosions ripped through the targeted ship.

Lorrem turned to his comm officer. "Let Chena know we'll be bringing casualties on board. Add security details to the sick bay."

Jack turned to the Tik, which had recorded the fight in the Krreegah's Congress and provided playback for the fleet. "Hi, what's your name again?"

"Amiga," it said.

"We'll need help getting the surrendering Krreegah from their ships into Peacekeeper's brig and the injured to our sick bay. May we enlist the aid of the Tik to provide anchored coordinates for the Gates in the ships? We use nonlethal capture methods where possible. We need to move quickly as they are turning on each other. We need to save the ones we can," he said.

"I will ask for volunteers amongst the witness group," Amiga said.

"Thank you, Amiga. Please coordinate the volunteers with the commander," Jack said with a bow.

He looked at the viewscreen showing the ships now frozen in the inky darkness, unable to complete their violent mission but unwilling to accept the fact. He knew he would just get in Lorrem's way if he stayed, so he turned to Bayly, who was almost vibrating with excitement. "As I shouldn't be involved with the remaining duties Lorrem is in charge of, I guess I'm all yours."

Bayly's grin widened.

"I believe you had a petition you wanted me to hear?" he asked.

"Could we go down to the surface?" she asked hopefully.

Jack looked to Lorrem, who nodded. "Take your Ishilon Security Team and your Altarian one, too," he said.

Raising his hands in surrender with a smile, Jack nodded to the commander.

He followed Bayly off the bridge into the hallway where Gee and Bal waited with their overpowered single-person skimmers.

"Where do you think you are taking those?" Jack asked.

"There is no other means to travel on the planet other than on foot. Bal and I would be at a disadvantage if our group needed to move quickly. We cannot run as fast or as far as you. These will allow us to protect you," Gee said plainly. "They are coming."

Jack opened his mouth to protest but saw the conviction in their eyes. They weren't going to budge on this. "Fine."

They'd obviously expected a fight, as he could see in their eyes how his acceptance caught them by surprise.

Dennesh approached with the team. "Tito sent us the coordinates of its location and permission to use it as our anchor point. We are ready to go to the planet's surface at your command."

Jack smiled at her enthusiasm.

Two Tik approached, and Jack noted they'd had some experiences. Their surfaces weren't the smooth, mirror chrome sheen of newborns, but neither had what looked like intentional markings. If Jack hadn't known intimately how adverse Tik were to violence, he might have said these two had gained some of their experience in the darkest alleys of Earth's overpopulated cities.

"I am Sarexa and this is Bronka. Would you mind if we joined you," one asked politely.

Jack held out a hand. "Good to meet you, Sarexa, Bronka. Please do." The Tik shook his hand, then hovered nearby. Jack suddenly realized how handy having the Tik with them would be.

"I suggest Bayly and Sarexa go through the Gate first to let them know we're coming. Sarexa, could you contact Bronka to let us know when Bayly indicates we're clear to join you?"

"Certainly," the Tik replied.

Jack nodded to Dennesh, and a Gate appeared behind her.

Bayly stepped before it and smiled back at Jack before she stepped through. The Tik followed.

Jack quickly reviewed the details he'd pumped out of Tito about the Dannt. He'd hate to make a bad first impression.

He hoped Bayly's emotive sensitivity didn't give her issues.

-=-

Three steps from the Gate, Bayly knew she was in trouble. Arrayed before her were the Tik from the Gate Terminal, her fellow members of the Dannt-Tik Interface Team, including Warrez, the High Priestess Laannaa-Klovalis, and Queen Mara. She felt Gruun and Lena's shock and admiration, Warrez's pride and worry, and her heart swelled with love for them. After riding that high, the High Priestess' anger and fear knocked her equilibrium, and she physically stumbled and fell to her knees. Strong hands caught her and lifted her back to her feet. She looked into the concerned eyes of her Queen and felt her pride and love.

"Are you well, young Bayly?" Mara asked as she released her hands.

"Yes! It's... just going to take some time to get used to feeling everyone's emotions," Bayly said.

"What?" Laannaa gasped louder than the others, who were equally shocked by the confession. Bayly looked anxiously at the High Priestess, but gentle fingers turned her face back to look at the Queen.

"How did you come to find yourself with this ability? Something out there in the Gate Network?" Mara asked.

Bayly's eyes tracked back to Laannaa as her emotions spiked at that suggestion. That was suspicious. Bayly looked into Mara's eyes. "No. I think it's something the Dannt have always had but lost because of the plague that killed so many of our people. We, survivors, carry the plague virus in us to this very day. The Tik allowed me to travel amongst the Gate Network as the virus was not considered contagious to anyone other than the Dannt. But I did infect someone. Someone who just saved us from the Krreegah's invasion force."

Mara gestured to the Tik. "Juju and TkaTken informed us of your encounter with the Krreegah and how we were at risk of being attacked from space. The loss of the Gate Terminal proves how deadly their weapons are. Now you tell us their invasion is over? Stopped before it could begin?"

Bayly nodded and enjoyed the wave of relief she felt from all the gathered Dannt. She grinned widely as she looked into their eyes. "Your relief feels so good!"

"You haven't finished telling us how you got the ability!" Mara insisted.

"Oh! Yes, the plague virus blocks our ability to feel each other's emotions. When I infected Jack, uh, I mean Ambassador Danner, he almost died but managed to pull through. After he recovered, his doctor discovered his body produced a natural defense that kills the virus. The doctor was able to take this and make a medicine from it which I volunteered to take. It cured me of the plague. I no longer have any of the virus in me. That's how I got the ability to feel emotions from Dannt minds... and Ambassador Danner."

"You can feel the Ambassador's emotions?" Mara asked.

"Not as strong as I can from Dannt minds," she responded and once more felt a sensation of guilt from the High Priestess. She turned to face the female. "You knew about this ability."

Laannaa jolted from the direct question and began to sputter. She saw Mara's eyes lock on hers then the Queen turned to Bayly. "Don't be rude, young one."

Bayly dipped her eyes, then looked to the High Priestess. "Apologies."

Mara looked at her curiously. "How did you infect Ambassador Danner if he isn't Dannt?"

Bayly's face warmed up. "I, uh, I kissed him," she said for her ears alone. She looked into Mara's surprised face and felt her amusement. Her face got hotter. "He's not Dannt, but he's... very special and rare." She said this loud enough for all to hear and turned her face to look directly at Warrez, Gruun, and Lena, whose expressions of surprise told her they knew exactly what she meant.

Mara's grin and delight told Bayly she was going in the wrong direction with what she'd said. "Could... could I speak privately with you for a moment?"

Laannaa gasped at the insolence of one of the most junior members of the Dannt asking for a private audience. Especially one who'd defied their laws!

Mara held up a hand to the High Priestess to block her outraged attack. "I can spare a moment for someone who risked everything for her people," Mara said.

She guided Bayly away from the group and faced her away from the others. "Now, what did you need to speak to me about privately."

Bayly looked into Mara's soft brown eyes. "Ambassador Danner is what the Tik call a Hybrid. He's... compatible with other races. He's had children with multiple different and distinct races, including the Queen of the Altarians," she gestured to Gee and Bal, "and the Sultessa of the Ishilon. It's possible, he... he might also be compatible... with you."

Mara's eyes widened, and Bayly felt her pain and sadness begin to well up.

She took the Queen's hands in hers. "I'm sorry to cause you pain, and I know it's terribly selfish of us to spring this on you out of our desperate desire for you to continue being our Queen. You decide what you want to do, but I wanted you to know there is an option. The Ambassador doesn't know anything about this. I spoke with several females who live with him, and they told me not to tell him. They said to leave it to chemistry."

Mara snorted softly in surprise at her chemistry reference, and Bayly could see and sense the Queen was struggling to control her emotions. She waited and felt a calm settle over the monarch's mind. She smiled in admiration and saw the Queen's interest flare.

"I would think having access to knowing another's emotions would be a very useful ability," Mara said.

She nodded. "Jack said it would enhance our ability to communicate."

Mara grinned gently. "You like him. You must if you kissed him."

Bayly's lips flushed. "The kiss was just—I-I was overwhelmed with gratitude when he volunteered his people to come to the rescue of the Dannt without knowing anything about us except the Krreegah were trying to kill us."

"His people?" Mara asked.

"The Ishilon. Jack isn't Ishilon, but they call him their Shadeem. That's like a spiritual advisor," Bayly said.

"This Ambassador Danner sounds very interesting. Will he be coming to visit?" the Queen asked.

Bayly's eyes widened. "Oh! He's waiting on the ship for me to give the word they can come through."

Mara smiled. "Let's not make him wait any longer."

Bayly rushed back to Sarexa and bowed to it. "I'm so sorry. Please let them know they can come through!"

She turned to the Queen, who moved to stand beside Laannaa with a smile.

"The Ishilon don't look anything like us, but they are very honorable," Bayly said quickly.

The first to come through the Gate was Dennesh. She bowed to the Queen and moved to the side.

The next one through was Jack. Wearing his black gown with his long, flowing, sandy blond hair and those majestic black horns, Bayly pulled her eyes away to look to her queen. She was also watching Jack closely.

"Queen Mara, may I present Ambassador Jack Danner. He and the Ishilon, with the assistance of the Tik, came to our rescue when members of the Krreegah race threatened to kill the Dannt for the perceived crime of killing their people, the beings who devolved into the beasts we call Rakka." Bayly had been practicing that introduction in her head for hours.

She'd done what she could. Against all odds and orders from their church, she'd left the planet, traveled halfway across the galaxy, found a potential mate for the Queen, and returned with him. As she'd said to Mara, it was her decision what to do next.

Bayly just prayed there was chemistry between them.

-=-

Jack bowed to the Queen of the Dannt and did his best to keep the surprise from his expression. When he met Bayly, he'd assumed she was a full-grown female as she was almost his height. As he smiled up at Queen Mara, he understood he'd been mistaken.

He also immediately recognized her as the leader of her people. She had that gravitas, a presence that radiated calm and strength of character. Most importantly, there was intelligence in those lovely eyes.

Exactly like Queen Elissa. He just knew if they ever met, they'd be the best of friends.

Physically, Mara's presence took his breath away. She was almost a head taller than him and as broad in the shoulders. Her muscles were more pronounced, but he wasn't threatened by that.

The size of her mane of hair seemed proportionally larger than the others as well. Jack had an almost impulsive need to touch it.

He thought she was beautiful.

He suddenly realized he'd been checking her out and glanced up to see her eyes were locked onto his horns.

Gah! His Achilles heel, looking like a dork wearing horns. She probably thought he was a weirdo!

Then her eyes met his. She had the sweetest smile, and her lips were darkening! Was... was that the same as a blush?

"Greetings Ambassador Danner! While it doesn't seem enough, I want to thank you on behalf of the Dannt for your timely intervention with the Krreegah," she said, and he heard a slight wobble in her voice. Perhaps this was due to meeting people from other worlds for the first time. Maybe she had a touch of xenophobia?

He smiled. "It was our honor to protect one of our neighbors in the Gate Network."

Queen Mara smiled as she tilted her head. "We haven't joined the Gate Network... yet."

Jack froze. "What?" he asked in surprise. Then he looked to Tito. "You failed to mention this point on Maghadahn."

He looked back to the Queen quickly. "Not that it would've altered my decision to assist. It does mean that it would have been extremely unlikely that Maghadahn's Grand Assembly Committee would support any action to come to your aid. You were just lucky I have such excellent friends in the Ishilon!" He sighed. "It might make things more difficult for me when I report these activities on Maghadahn." That made the gathered Tik shift uneasily.

"What is the status of the Dannt?" Jack asked Tito.

Another Tik approached. "My name is Juju, and this is TkaTken. We were assigned to Danat. The Dannt are a special category for the Tik. When the Tik found their worlds, their civilization had fallen from the stage where they would have been contacted for inclusion in the Gate Network. Their culture was at risk of disappearing, so we did what we could to preserve the knowledge of them while hoping they would rebound on their own. As they were spread across their three planets, we linked them by Gates, hoping that reuniting them would help slow their decline. The Gates are not open to the Gate Network, but Bayly's mission necessitated her access."

A Dannt wearing some kind of ceremonial robe suddenly squawked. "Bayly's mission! She had no permission to defy—"

"Laannaa! Please allow them to speak. You will have the opportunity to express the Goddess' concerns shortly," Queen Mara said in a firm voice.

Jack watched the priestess stare at her Queen in surprise, but she backed down.

Jack saw an opportunity. "It's my understanding that the Tik discovered the source of the plague. I got to experience it on the journey here, and I, fortunately, survived with the help of the Ishilon's physician and my friends Gee and Bal here." He gestured to the two Altarians, who stared at him in surprise.

"The Ishilon physician determined the virus was not natural in origin. Tito told us one of the Dannt in a lab on Danax created it intentionally. It would be helpful to know why. One of its effects is to suppress the Dannt's ability to sense emotions." He looked at Bayly. "Is it working for the Dannt?"

She smiled. "Yes!"

"How did you catch the virus? Did others in the Gate Network become infected?" Warrez asked in alarm.

Tito began to speak, but Juju took over. "The Tik do not allow dangerous or infectious diseases to leave any planet. Gate scanners confirm the health of travelers and will not allow passengers to leave the planet if it detects something harmful to other Gate Network members. The Dannt virus was Dannt specific and therefore not a threat to others."

Now, Tito chimed in. "However, Ambassador Danner is a Hybrid and genetically flexible. When Bayly kissed him—"

"What?" Warrez exclaimed as Lena and Laannaa made noises of shock.

Jack held up his hands. "It was a moment of heightened emotion as we'd just finished discussing our plan to come to Danat to stop the Krreegah. It was innocent."

"Apologies for my insensitive delivery of that information," Tito said contritely, looking between Jack and Bayly.

Jack continued, forcing back his embarrassment. "Yes, catching the virus turned out to have a fortunate outcome as we now have a vaccine to completely eliminate the plague virus from the Dannt. Everyone will be able to be free of its effects."

He smiled at his audience. He hoped this news would be well received.

-=-

"STOP!" Laannaa-Klovalis, High Priestess of the Dannt had heard enough. Everything about this encounter was an affront to their religion. "You must leave Danat at once! Take this one with you! She is banished!" she pointed at Bayly with a contemptuous look.

"No," Queen Mara said firmly. "Bayly's willingness to sacrifice herself for the good of the Dannt is exactly what the Goddess demands of her people. I'm still the Queen of the Dannt, and I will not turn away the people who came so far to rescue us from being murdered by the Krreegah."

Laannaa stared into the eyes of her Queen in shock. She'd never directly denied her from performing her duties before.

Mara's gaze softened. "Laannaa, the Goddess loves us as strongly as she guides us. I believe in my heart she would not punish those who protect us."

As High Priestess, she'd spent much time discussing the will of the Goddess with their Queen and knew Mara loved the Goddess with all her heart as she loved her people. They sometimes had differing opinions on how the will of the Goddess would be presented to the people. Laannaa was less lenient with the people as she knew they'd quickly slide into anarchy without a firm hand to guide them.

Truthfully, she envied Mara's ability to inspire her people to follow the will of the Goddess so easily, but Laannaa didn't have their love as the Queen did. She had to settle on enforcing the rules.

"Without consequence, there can be no justice," Laannaa said.

"For true justice, there must also be mercy," Mara returned. "I agree with Ambassador Danner. We must know why one of the Goddess' people created something that killed so many. Having the ability to feel each other's emotions would greatly enhance our empathy for each other." She sighed as she saw Laannaa's frown, then continued. "We follow the will of the Goddess. I know she would not let her people crumble away into dust. She wants us to live. If she didn't, she wouldn't have sent Bayly so far from home to find an answer to the needs of her people."

Laannaa watched the expression on her friend's face and wondered what the sudden deepening of her lip color meant.

She wanted to argue with Mara but couldn't refute the point regarding the Goddess' desire for them to live. She remained puzzled by the Queen's current emotional state.

She realized it would be helpful to know what she was feeling now.

Mara turned back to the Ambassador. "I would like to volunteer to be the next vaccine recipient," she said.

"Mara! No! You cannot risk your life this way!" Laannaa cried.

"Should I be less brave than Bayly when it benefits my people?" Mara asked.

Laannaa opened her mouth to protest Bayly's life was already forfeited, but she knew such words would not fly with Mara.

The Queen nodded as she held the Priestess' eyes, confirming her thoughts.

Deeply unhappy with how this meeting was going, Laannaa stepped back.

"Goddess, save us from these off-world menaces... Bayly included," she prayed in her mind.

-=-

Juju entered a silent conversation with TkaTken, Tito, and the two new Tik, Sarexa and Bronka.

"Greetings! I believe an important mission has been presented to us. Ambassador Danner has identified that the Tik's determination of the cause of the plague is incomplete. The Queen concurs, so we must go to Danax to complete the investigation. Someone at the lab created the virus. It could be one or more individuals. We need to gather information on who they were, what motivated them to create the virus, and what kind of citizens they were. This will be presented to the Queen. The Danat Gate is lost, but TkaTken and I can open a Gate to Danax if Sarexa and Bronka would be willing to take on this mission."

"We would be honored to fulfill this mission!" Sarexa said, and Bronka tipped forward to accept as well.

"The Tik at the Gate Terminal on Danax were the ones who did the research on the lab, so you can gather the information you need from them before beginning your own investigation. Thank you!" Juju said.

Tito remained with the others as the four moved a short distance away to create the Gate to Danax. Without further ado, Sarexa and Bronka slipped through the mirror surface. Juju and TkaTken released the Gate and returned to share in the historic meeting.

Also, to enjoy seeing Jack Danner in person. He was every bit as interesting as their experience led them to believe.

-=-

"As we mentioned to Bayly, there is always a risk when taking medication like this. She exhibited some symptoms that were frightening but proved to be temporary. What she experienced may not necessarily be the same for you. As you've lived with the virus for longer, your symptoms may be worse or lighter. We don't know. Bayly can tell you what it was like for her and how long it took her to get through it. Again, that could also be different for you," Jack explained.

He could tell she was nervous, but her firm nod said she wouldn't back down.

"For maximum safety, I would suggest you take the vaccine in the ship's medical center so you can be monitored like Bayly was. You can also do it here, but you should rest while the medicine works," Jack suggested.

Mara shook her head slightly. "I will remain here with my people, but I will take your suggestion of resting. I would like Laannaa, Warrez, and Bayly to accompany me," she said, gesturing to identify her choices as she smiled and held his eyes. "I would also like to hear more about who Ambassador Danner is and the how and why of your rescue efforts. Will you join us?"

"I would be honored," Jack said, then glanced over his shoulder as Dennesh leaned forward to whisper in his ear. His smile dropped away as he listened to her report.

Finally, he nodded and turned back to the Queen. "There has been a development with the battle above us. The Krreegah ships have been disabled, and their warriors are being collected and moved from their ships into Peacekeeper's brig as prisoners. They'll be returned to Krreegah to stand trial. Lorrem Tessen, the Ishilon Commander, just reported that the Krreegah Commander, Freskkay Nuugaat, managed to flee from the flagship in a small, high-speed craft that eluded Peacekeeper and headed for the planet's surface. He may have a few warriors with him. They've tracked his destination to a densely forested area on the other side of the mountain range. Peacekeeper's sensors have detected what they believe is the original Krreegah invasion craft, but it doesn't seem intact. Nuugaat may be attempting to access the weapons of that ship."

Jack glanced at Gee and Bal, and they immediately nodded. He looked back to Mara. "With your permission, I'd like to send my two friends on a quick mission to the site to evaluate the situation."

Mara frowned in concern. "Our people stay out of that forest because of the Rakka." She paused, then glanced at the Priestess. "How are your friends going to get there? We won't send any of our people with them. It's too dangerous."

"They've brought their own transportation and will be extremely careful," Jack said, holding the eyes of the Altarians, who nodded.

Jack looked back at the Queen. "Do we have your permission?"

"Yes," Mara said.

"If the Krreegah attempt to attack them, they may need to retaliate. Is this allowed?" Jack asked.

"Yes," Mara said again.

"Thank you," Jack said with a little bow. He walked over to speak softly to them. "Take no chances. If they try something stupid, ensure it's the last thing they do. Watch out for the Rakka. They may be more dangerous than the non-feral Krreegah. Come back safe!"

They nodded to him as they prepared their skimmers.

"Make sure you have Tik witnesses nearby," Jack said, and they rolled their eyes, then quickly sprung up onto the decks of the skimmers and shot away into the sky, heading for the closest mountain pass.

Jack watched them go, then walked back to the Queen's group as one of his security detail dipped into their Gate and returned momentarily holding a small rectangular box. He handed it to Jack. "Thanks!"

He looked inside and saw it was the injector and ten doses of the vaccine. "Ah. This is the vaccine," he said to the group.

"I have to take all of those?" Mara asked.

Jack smiled. "No, just one. I guess Doctor Chena thought there might be more volunteers."

"We'd like to take it as well," the one Mara identified as Warrez said. She was speaking for herself and the younger male and female next to her, who were both smiling at Bayly.

He saw Bayly grinning back at them.

"Fine, but you will all join us in my tent, where we can keep an eye on each other," Mara said. She turned and led the way.

The Queen glanced back at Jack, and he took that as an invitation to walk next to her. He smiled up at her when he reached her side.

"Bayly tells me you are the spiritual advisor to the Ishilon. A Shadeem, she said," Mara expressed with interest.

Jack flicked a glance over to the young female, but she was excitedly chatting with her team. "Uh, yes, they gave me that title."

Mara looked at him more closely. "You don't approve?"

Jack smiled a little self-consciously. "I love the Ishilon. They are brilliant, compassionate, and honorable. But I'm sure they could have found a wiser person to be their Shadeem. I'm just trying not to screw it up."

Mara glanced at Dennesh, who was watching Jack with a smile.

"They don't seem displeased," Mara said.

"Like I said, they're wonderful people," Jack said with a shrug.

Bayly perked up. "Jack, once everyone has had their vaccine injection, will you tell the story of how you became the Ishilon's Shadeem?"

"I don't—" Jack began, an excuse on his lips, but he caught the flash of interest in the Queen's eyes. "I'm sure there are other stories—" He froze when Mara aimed her lovely brown eyes at him and did something with her lips that looked like a pout, but her fangs pressing against her thick lower lip boosted the cuteness factor. Jack wondered if pouting was a universal expression. "I-I suppose I could... but it's a long story."

Mara's smile lit up her face. "My favorite kind!"

Jack had no alternative but to smile and nod, which widened the Queen's smile.

They walked through the lanes between the tents to reach the largest tent yet.

Mara walked in, and the High Priestess was next with a stern glance back at the rest. Jack noticed his team spreading out to circle the tent, but Dennesh joined him inside. She moved to the side once they reached the main seating area. Tito, Juju, and TkaTken moved next to her.

"Before everyone sits down, Bayly, could you describe what you experienced so people might better understand what they can expect."

She nodded and described her day on the vaccine. There was some nervousness on faces once she finished, but no one seemed ready to back out.

Jack had another point to make. "I suggest we have each of the volunteers scanned by Tito to get an accurate reading of your physical state before the vaccine, and we'll take another once you are finished with the symptoms. Would that be okay?" Jack asked.

"What does this scan do to them?" Laannaa asked stiffly.

"Nothing. It does not affect the person being scanned, but Tito can compare the before and after scans to confirm all is well," Jack explained.

Queen Mara stepped forward, and Tito moved before her to run the green light down her body.

Jack pulled the injector out of the case and loaded a vaccine capsule into it. He stood before the Queen. "Ready?" he asked, and she nodded. He pressed the injector against her thick arm and squeezed the trigger. It hissed, and he nodded to her.

"That's it?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes. The medicine just needs time to begin eliminating the virus. It is highly potent and surprisingly fast acting, so please make yourself comfortable."

Tito scanned Warrez as Queen Mara sat and rested back on some thick cushions.

Jack gave the others their shots and ensured they were all comfortable. Bayly grinned at him from next to Warrez. He locked eyes with the Queen, and she smiled at him expectantly.

He took a deep breath and began. He discovered it was a little easier to talk about each time he told the story of his time on Allsa Komanae.

Maybe it was because the place no longer existed.

-=-

Gee and Bal flew over the mountain pass and set course for the remnants of the Krreegah's downed spacecraft. The imaging they were receiving from Peacekeeper indicated the old ship had split in two upon landing. It was a rough place to land a craft that large.

They knew the Krreegah Commander's ship touched down without issue as they'd received word from the two Tik who followed them down. A third Tik had followed but was shot by the fleeing craft. They returned their injured comrade to Peacekeeper through a Gate before continuing their chase.

Now the two Tik were securely positioned on a rocky ridge overlooking but out of sight of the ships. They had a perfect observation post, so Gee and Bal would join them there.

Currently, the Altarians were flying at top speed, skimming above the surface of a river that gently wound through the forest toward the back side of the targeted ridge. They were too low to be detected by the Krreegah ship's sensors. They couldn't drop their attention for a split second as catching a dangling vine at this speed would end them instantly.

Their vigilance paid off as they reached the opposite side of the stony ridge without being targeted by the Krreegah ship. Parking the skimmers in a secure spot, they crossed over to the far side and joined the Tik in their blind. They'd been flying for roughly two hours, so they wondered what they'd missed.

"Greetings. I'm Gee, and this is Bal. Has there been any movement?"

The Tik bowed to them. "I am CamCam and this is Ulooru. We haven't seen any activity from the Krreegah since they landed. It is most strange. They were in a hurry to get here but then do nothing?"

Bal was scanning the sleek ship the commander had escaped in and noticed the ground around it was covered in crystal formations. Its landing struts had crushed several of the growths.

"Are these crystals native to Danat?" Bal asked.

CamCam answered. "No, I believe they came from a fuel spill from the crashed ship. The crystal formations appear to begin here at the stern of the ship. The engines are badly damaged with tears in the hull."

"I've determined there is a two percent slope toward the ship's bow, and the crystals grow along the ship's hull the entire distance with a large concentration surrounding the crushed front of the ship where most of the armaments appear to be stored," Ulooru added.

When the Altarians stared at it in surprise, it explained. "I did an up-close but silent reconnaissance prior to your arrival."

"Ulooru is far more daring than I," CanCan said.

"I should also express my belief that the ship is being used as a home for the feral Krreegah. I heard multiple distinct voices making different calls from within the broken structure. Many were pitched in a higher octave, potentially indicating children. This might be their home base and nursery."

Gee looked at Bal as they evaluated the situation below. Then she looked at Ulooru. "Did you determine the stability of the crystals? It seems crushing them is safe, but what danger do they pose? I've never seen a fuel source that crystalizes like this."

"I was hesitant to test them as they might react to an active scan. Passive scanning gives no evidence of anything other than their crystalline nature," Ulooru stated.

"I'd like to disable Commander Nuugaat's ship, but doing so while it rests upon a field of crystalized fuel is too dangerous, and we're too exposed if something triggers a violent reaction," Gee stated.

"Activity!" CanCan said quietly.

They hid behind the stone and watched the ship using a fiber-optic camera as three Krreegah exited the shuttle and began to walk toward the broken vessel in single file with wide gaps between them.

"Are they unaware of the feral Krreegah within?" CanCan asked quietly.

"No, they have weapons ready. I believe they are attempting to make contact." Gee said. "Fools."

"Should we intervene? Attempt to protect them?" CanCan said.

Bal shook her head. "Too dangerous. They'd shoot at us."

"There must be something on that ship they want bad enough to risk facing the ferals," Gee said.

"Activity!" CanCan repeated. "From the ship this time."

A mechanical whine and thump became audible as a four-limbed mech wobbled into view carrying a massive warhead. This was what Nuugaat was after and what he'd been doing during the quiet interval. He'd remotely activated the mech on the downed craft and had it collect the weapon from the ship's armory.

The missile was blinking lights, so they'd activated it as well.

Following the mech was a group of six larger Krreegah which slipped out of a tear in the hull and caught sight of Nuugaat and his soldiers. They focused their attention on the soldiers, stalking toward them on all fours.

"The Krreegah warrior at the back is the Commander," Ulooru identified.

"They need to get back into their ship!" CanCan insisted.

Then the lead warrior shot one of the larger ferals in a show of defiance.

All hell broke loose.

Three savage Krreegah sneaking in from the side pounced on the shooter and began to tear him apart. He managed to fire his weapon twice but struck the ship's hull with deep booms before he died, gurgling through his torn-out throat.

Screams of rage echoed from within the twisted metal hulk, and at least a dozen wild Krreegah rushed out, looking for the enemy attacking their home.

The warrior with the Commander tried to run back to the ship, but he was quickly swarmed and buried under a tooth-and-claw attack.

Gee saw Nuugaat aim his rifle low and pull the trigger. He was targeting the crystals on the ground between himself and the onrushing ferals.

CanCan wrapped its tentacles around Gee as Ulooru grabbed Bal. Then they went straight up, accelerating as quickly as they could. The skimmers automatically left their hiding spot to chase after the departing remotes on the Altarian's belts.

The exploding fuel crystals expanded in a chain reaction that cascaded toward the bow and the stern of the destroyed space vessel. The crystals under the commander's ship ripped that ship in two, rupturing its fuel source in a brilliant flash, then the fuel reserve in the larger ship erupted in a colossal fireball.

The skimmers caught up to the Tik, and Gee and Bal got their feet into the stirrups on the platform and grabbed the control rod.

As the drag on their tentacles suddenly decreased, CanCan and Ulooro released the Altarians and accelerated toward space. Gee and Bal leveled their angle and set course for the mountain pass they'd crossed earlier, pouring on the speed, climbing well past the safety margins.

They needed to be on the other side of the mountain before the exploding fuel triggered that missile or the space craft's other armaments.

They watched their power consumption meters quickly slide toward empty as they shot toward the gap.

It was going to be close.

The sky flashed white.

-=-

Jack was holding Mara's hand as she did her best to remain calm without sight. Unlike Bayly, whose vision only dimmed, Mara's eyesight completely left her. The order of her senses switching off had also been different than Bayly's. Lena was following the same pattern as her younger friend.

When the ground heaved under them, everyone made exclamations of fright or concern.

Mara tried to stand, but Jack placed his hand on her shoulder. "Please remain still and calm. We're investigating." Her face turned toward his voice, and she nodded shakily.

"Dennesh. Get a report from Lorrem on that."

"Yes, Shadeem!" the warrior said immediately.

Jack never released the Queen's hand. "Dennesh is in touch with the ship above, which should have a clear view of the situation.

"Jack, perhaps you can give Queen Mara an example of the hand massage you gave me," Bayly suggested.

"Hand massage?" Mara asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Jack smiled at Bayly, then looked back at the Queen. "Uh, yes. We were discussing spas, places people go to relax and be pampered. One of the services is getting a massage. I understand the Dannt aren't familiar with spas and being pampered."

"No, we don't have such things," Mara agreed with a hint of a smile.

"If you'll allow me, I could show you an example of a hand massage. It refreshes and relaxes the muscles of the hand," he said.

"That sounds nice," Mara said with interest, sounding a little more relaxed.

Jack smiled and took her hand in his. She had large and strong hands, so there was plenty of muscle to be massaged. He worked each finger and spent extra time on her palm. When he was done, she automatically held out her other hand with a little smile.

He was halfway through the second hand, just moving to her palm, when she made a little squeaking noise. He stopped and looked into her eyes to see what upset her, and she smiled. "There you are," she said with relief.

Jack smiled at her. "Your sight has returned?"

Her smile was wide and relieved. "Yes! But don't stop the massage for that!"

Jack snorted softly and returned to pressing his thumbs into her palm. He finally released her hand once he finished.

"That was wonderful!" she sighed. "So, these spas are places one goes to get these hand massages?"

Jack nodded. "Except the hand massages are usually included with a full body massage."

Mara's eyes widened. "They massage your entire body like that?"

Jack tipped his head. "Well, certain areas of the body are not massaged as those are typically reserved for the touch of lovers only. Otherwise, the rest of the muscles are worked until they are all relaxed and any tension is removed."

The Queen reached up and touched her ears as she shook her head slightly. Jack realized her hearing had gone. He nodded to her.

Dennesh returned with a grim look on her face.

"What happened?" Jack asked, immediately alert.

"The crashed spacecraft Peacekeeper located from orbit has exploded. The two Tik observing the Krreegah commander indicated he caused the explosion."

"Where are Gee and Bal?"

"They were last seen heading for the mountain pass, but the Tik lost sight of them when a nuclear warhead on the ship exploded," Dennesh said. "The EMP might have knocked their skimmer's power out."

"Who the fuck uses nuclear weapons? Which way is the wind blowing?" Jack asked.

"We're safe on this side of the mountain. If there is any fallout, the prevailing winds will carry it west, away from the mountains," the Ishilon warrior stated.

"We have to find Gee and Bal. Ask Lorrem to commandeer one of the empty Krreegah troop carriers, find some Tik who can fly it, and have them pick me up outside the village. Now!" Jack said, and Dennesh rushed back outside.

"What's wrong, Jack?" Bayly asked.

"The Krreegah Commander did something to cause weapons on the ship they originally crashed on your planet to explode. My friends are missing. I'm going to find them, but I'll return. Please let Queen Mara know."

Bayly pulled Jack into a hug, surprising him.

When she pulled back, she looked embarrassed. "S-sorry! I can feel how upset you are about your friends. I hope they are well."

Jack's face warmed up, and he nodded to her before bowing to the Queen and rushing out.

His friends needed him.

-=-

Gee was grateful for the snow.

She hated being cold but realized the fluffy stuff had saved her life this time. Falling from the sky at the speed they were traveling should have killed her, but the mountain pass had a sufficient build-up of the white stuff to absorb most of the energy her body was carrying when she hit the snow drift. When she left the surface of the skimmer, her Reaver Silk gown inflated the hood to protect her head and stiffened on impact as well, shielding her from most of the jarring of the crash.

Doing an inventory of her body, she realized her left arm and leg were broken, and she likely had a concussion as her thoughts moved slower than usual. But she was alive. Just... slowly freezing to death.

She discovered she was wedged into the snow so tightly she couldn't even wiggle herself back out of her snowy prison.

Her next worry was the feral Krreegah which might come sniffing around. She didn't want to be eaten alive.

She tried calling out to Bal, but sound didn't travel well through the snow, and she didn't want to attract the attention of the beasts.

She hoped the Tik would report her last location... and Jack would come for her.

She squirmed a little as she suddenly recalled their last evening together on Peacekeeper. Jack was so passionate in his need—"AHH!" she screamed. Something hot touched the inside of her right calf! The image of Krreegah jaws flashed in her mind.

"Gee! Are you hurt?" Jack's voice was muffled by the snow.

Relief rushed through her body, and she forced back the tears. She wouldn't allow Jack to see them.

"Left... arm and leg," she called back.

Those wonderfully hot hands were back, carefully touching her legs and gently pulling her out of the tunnel she'd made in the snow. When he finally managed to get her out, he held her in a gentle embrace against the heat of his body inside a... fur coat? She felt herself thawing immediately. He was so incredibly warm. His lips gently kissed her temple.

"Bal?" she asked.

Jack was trudging through the snow with her held against him. "I dug her out of the snow a short distance from you. She's broken both her legs and is unconscious. We're taking you both back to Peacekeeper for medical attention. The Krreegah physician, Doctor Rammajja, assisted us with explaining the controls of the ship we used to find you and is providing medical attention for Bal until we get back into space."

"The skimmers?" Gee asked.

"Scrap. They hit rock when they landed. You were obviously going extremely fast," Jack said disapprovingly.

Gee was getting sleepy from his warmth and wanted to fade, but that could be the concussion, so she struggled to stay awake. "Either that or burn in the explosion." She suddenly felt hands pulling her away from Jack's warmth and made a sound of protest. She saw Jack's loving smile, then the Ishilon gently eased her onto a stretcher and strapped her down. A blanket was placed over her, but it didn't compare to the warmth of Jack's body. She looked up to see the face of a Krreegah next to Jack, who was watching her with concern.

She couldn't keep her eyes open any longer and let herself drift off.

-=-

Jack strapped himself into the chair under a thermal blanket facing the stretchers as the ship returned to space. He'd been the only one who could tolerate the cold during the rescue mission. They'd found the two buried in the snow by first finding the wreckage of the skimmers. They noted the snow shelf over the pass was deep, and Jack spotted the two holes from where his friend's bodies struck it. He was terrified he'd find them crushed into paste against the rocks, but luck saved them this time.

Bal's injuries were bad but not life-threatening, according to Rammajja. There didn't appear to be any internal bleeding. Gee had a broken arm and leg and a concussion which Bal likely had as well.

They were stable, and Jack would get them better care on the Peacekeeper. He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

"Shadeem, we apologize for being unable to assist you in digging your friends out of the snow," Dennesh said contritely.

Jack opened his eyes to see several of his security team standing before him with upset expressions.

"Don't be silly! I know Ishilon physiology isn't suited to moving through snow. If you'd been out there with me, I would have had to carry you back to the ship, too!" he scolded gently. "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. You are awesome on the sand and with hot temperatures, which wears me out. No shame in either situation. No apologies needed."

They smiled at him and moved to get ready to disembark as the troop carrier slipped into a shuttle bay Jack hadn't known existed on Peacekeeper. Once the bay was pressurized, the doors opened, and the Ishilon lifted the stretchers and rushed them away to sick bay. Rammajja followed.

Jack thanked the Tik, who flew the troop carrier on the rescue mission and shook their tentacles. They were pleased to have assisted him.

Jack left the small ship and met Norress, who guided him toward the bridge. He knew that hovering around sick bay would not be welcome, and he needed a status update from Lorrem.

The Commander was speaking with the bridge crew, so Jack waited until he was done and smiled at him once he had his attention. "How goes the effort to collect the prisoners?"

"All the troop carriers are empty. We will move them to Peacekeeper's shuttle bays. Three battleships were destroyed by the Krreegah fighting amongst themselves, and five are empty. That leaves four battleships and the Fang and Claw with Krreegah troops refusing to surrender."

"Did we lose anyone?" Jack asked cautiously.

"Yes. We lost three of our warriors in a suicide bomb attack on one of the battleships," Lorrem said.

Jack clenched his teeth in frustration. He wanted to step on the necks of each and every Krreegah who refused to accept the fact that their little mutiny had failed. What hope were they holding out for?

He paused for a moment as that thought went through his mind. "Did you get a clear video of the invasion ship exploding?" he asked one of the bridge crew.

"We did," the comm officer reported.

"Where are the two Tik who were onsite with Gee and Bal?" Jack asked.

Lorrem answered. "They are with Taggart and Hemmarr. Both suffered minor burns. How are Gee and Bal?"

"From what Rammajja said, they have some broken bones and concussions, but they were lucky otherwise," Jack said, his throat tightening as how close they came to being killed returned. "I need to speak to the Tik."

"Shadeem," Lorrem said with a small bow.

Jack returned it, then had Norress take him to where the Tik were being taken care of.

Taggart was the first to spot him as he entered the lab. Its two Tik patients were resting atop a workbench as Hemmarr gently washed their outer shells with a bluish fluid.

"Taggart, Hemmarr, how are your patients?" Jack said as he approached.

"Greetings, Jack! They are doing very well. A little scorching, which has scarred their shells. Hemmarr is removing any residual radiated particles," Taggart explained. "How are your two Altarian friends?"

"Chena and Rammajja are examining them now. Some broken bones and concussions, but this seems to be the extent of their injuries," Jack replied.

"We're sorry to hear that and hope they get better soon, Shadeem," Hemmarr said. He nodded his thanks.

Jack noticed the two Tik on the bench weren't showing any lights. "Are they asleep?"

"Yes. They're running internal diagnostic processes to ensure the EMP and radiation haven't damaged their minds in any way. I could wake one if you have questions," Taggart said.

"No," Jack replied, raising a hand to stop Taggart. "I was just going to ask for a video of their encounter with the Krreegah.

Taggart tipped forward slightly. "They thought that might be helpful, so they made recordings before they went into sleep mode." The Tik doctor handed Jack a tablet.

"Ah! That's great! Thank you and thank them for me. What are their names?" Jack asked.

"CanCan and Ulooru," Taggart replied, and Jack nodded.

"The new drone design will be complete soon, Shadeem," Hemmarr promised, and Jack paused to look her in the eye.

"Take the time you need to feel satisfied it's ready. If Rikki is in my collar, it can wait for you and Taggart," Jack insisted.

While he was anxious to know if Rikki could return, Jack wouldn't risk Rikki due to his impatience. He nodded to the two and left the lab to return to the bridge.

He handed the comm officer the tablet. "This contains videos from CanCan and Ulooru of their visit to the crash site and the encounter with the Krreegah Commander." He turned to Lorrem. "Could we see them on the large screen?"

The commander nodded to his comm officer, and they were soon watching Ulooru's pass by the large ship. Crystal growths could be seen sprouting from the ground all the way down the ship's hull. They jumped the video forward to when Gee and Bal joined the Tik. The mech carrying the missile was terrifying, but witnessing Nuugaat's warriors being killed was worse. Then they saw his final act of detonating the fuel. Jack watched the Tik save the lives of Gee and Bal, then their breaking away to race for the mountain pass. The video ended at the flash.

Jack would speak with the two to thank them for saving his friends. He walked back to the entrance of the bridge. "Norress, could you ask Doctor Rammajja in sick bay to join us on the bridge?" The warrior nodded and rushed off.

Walking back to Lorrem, who was watching him curiously.

"Your people have the remaining Krreegah who refuse to surrender trapped in the ships?" Jack asked.

"Yes. They are being very stubborn, and we have followed your instructions to limit the casualties. Our people are safe, and the Krreegah cannot access any of the critical systems on their ships which are disabled. The Tik notified us of some Krreegah attempting to space-walk around our blockade. The three on the hull were stunned and taken into custody. All Krreegah deaths have been caused by their own people. They have caused the death of three of ours," Lorrem said.

Norress returned with the doctor, and she joined them on the bridge.

"Thank you for joining us, doctor. How are Gee and Bal?" Jack asked.

She faced him. "They will recover in time. Their broken bones were not too bad and were reset. Chena and I concurred that they were exposed to a low dose of radiation as their clothing protected them. They will be kept in the sick bay for observation over the next few days."

"The reason I asked you to join us is to assist us in preventing the loss of additional lives. There are Krreegah on a few ships who are refusing to surrender. I won't risk Ishilon lives to force them out. They may still believe Commander Nuugaat will come to their rescue. I'm going to show them the video of the grounded ship exploding, killing the commander. This may cause some to realize they are fighting a lost cause and surrender, but some won't. As this wasn't meant to be a combat mission, can you suggest any means we might use to disable them non-lethally?" Jack asked.

The doctor looked at Jack as she understood what she was being asked to do. She sighed. "Our people have very sensitive hearing. Sustained tones over one hundred decibels will cause immediate disorientation and unconsciousness within half a minute."

Jack looked to Lorrem, who nodded and then outlined a plan.

"We'll show them the video and tell them to surrender. If they do, they'll be moved to Peacekeeper's brig. If they don't, they'll be hit with the noise and stunned unconscious. Then they'll be moved to Peacekeeper's brig. These prisoners will be identified for Krreegah law enforcement as the problematic prisoners and will be isolated in a separate cell."

Jack smiled and nodded. "Perfect." He stepped back with the doctor and watched Lorrem as he had Peacekeeper commandeer the screens of the captive ships. He presented the fact of the dead commander and laid out the ultimatum. After seeing Nuugaat's demise, the Krreegah on the battleships threw down their weapons and walked through the Gates into the Peacekeeper brig.

Unsurprisingly, the hold outs in The Fang and Claw continued to reject the order to surrender. They were the fanatics Commander Nuugaat surrounded himself with. They quickly succumbed to the one-hundred-and-fifty-decibel noise cannons the Ishilon warriors brought to bear. These were very successful.

"Lorrem, I should return to the planet's surface as I was in the middle of discussions with the Queen when Gee and Bal went missing. Could you please tow their ships through the Gate, return the prisoners to Krreegah, and hand them over to the authorities? Once you're done, you can return for us in a couple or three days." He handed the Krreegah sash of office to the commander.

"You will have your Ishilon squad with you?" Lorrem asked.

"Yes. Please let the Krreegah leaders know their Commander detonated a nuclear weapon on the surface of Danat. We will expect them to pick up the cost of an immediate clean-up as a show of good faith to their Gate Network neighbor," Jack insisted.

"You will return to negotiate with them?" Lorrem asked.

Jack frowned. "No promises. They may need to have their Assembly representative address this in Maghadahn. I'm overdue for reporting to the Grand Assembly Committee myself."

He left the bridge with the doctor, and Norress took them back to the sick bay. Once there, Jack immediately went to Bal's bedside. She was asleep, but her expression was relaxed. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. He went to the next bed and saw Gee was watching him.

"Shouldn't you be resting, too?" he said quietly.

"Thank you for finding us," she said, holding his eyes with hers.

He smiled gently. "Finding you wasn't the tough part. The Tik tracked your vector, and your skimmers made one hell of a mess when they crashed. The tough part was being the only one willing to slog through the snow to dig you two out of the drift. Ishilon aren't big on snow, and the Dannt were worried about Rakka, so they wouldn't join us."

Gee trembled as she recalled the beasts tearing into the Commander's warriors.

Jack reached out and ran his fingers through the longer fur over Gee's head. Her eyelids fluttered from the sensation.

"I'm returning to the surface for two or three days. You and Gee will be recuperating here—I have the Ishilon squad with me," he rushed to say when she began to protest. "Besides, you have no skimmers, and you have a busted leg. Bal has two. I want you both to heal. Chena and Rammajja will keep an eye on you. Don't make a fuss for them!" he insisted. "The heavy lifting is done. I'm just doing diplomat stuff now."

He saw her settle back on the bed.

"Lorrem is going to move the prisoners and the ships back to Krreegah, then come back for us," he said and saw her stiffen again. He rolled his eyes. "I'll be fine! Diplomat duties! Be good!" he said, gently scolding her. She looked up at him with a pout. He leaned down and kissed her before she could protest. Her mouth responded to his immediately, her emotional honesty abundantly clear in her response.

When he pulled back, she stared at him with a flustered expression and then looked around to see if anyone else was watching. "Not in public!" she hissed quietly.

"Yes, dear."

She flashed her eyes at him, but he caught the hint of a smile before she locked it behind a scowl.

Jack smiled at her and headed for the door.

They went to his suite next so he could pack his bag.

Dennesh met him outside his room. Behind her were his protection detail, several large duffle bags, and a crate. "Doctor Chena gave us some additional injectors and a large batch of vaccine in case there was a demand," she said, gesturing to the crate. "Lorrem told us we're heading back to the planet for potentially a few days. We brought portable living quarters."

"Tents?" Jack asked.

"Comfortable tents," Dennesh replied.

Jack smiled. "When in Rome..."

Dennesh looked at Jack oddly, and he shook his head. "Sorry, it's just an old Earth phrase. It means we will live like the locals to help us fit in and make them comfortable with our presence."

"A wise saying!" she said in admiration.

"No, just common sense," he said firmly, but she was already sharing that nugget of wisdom from the lips of the Shadeem with the others.

He sighed.

"Let's go."

-=-

Queen Mara opened her eyes after a pleasant rest and saw the concerned expression of her High Priestess. "What is it?" she asked immediately.

"Movement from the north. Kressa is coming," Laannaa said stiffly.

Mara felt Laannaa's fear and fatalistic depression wash over her. She gasped as she sat up and pulled her friend into her arms. "Dearest heart! Don't give up hope! There are meadows to cross before we face that ocean."

She felt Laannaa's love swelling, and she basked in it for a moment. She picked up young Bayly's hope and awe from across the tent and realized Laannaa's emotions were a mere whisper in comparison. The virus not only prevented them from feeling the emotions of others, but it suppressed their broadcasting of them! She chuckled to herself. This made Laannaa pull back to gaze at her face in surprise. The question was written there, so Mara answered. "I feel your emotions and Bayly's and Warrez's and...."

She expanded her senses and picked up a little of the worry and sorrow in the hearts of her people in their village.

"This exposure of emotions is the greatest gift the Goddess ever gave us. The honesty it conveys is what our people need to fully understand each other. Laannaa, you need to experience this!"

Laannaa pulled back. "It means sharing sorrow and pain as well! When you lost Jordem, I listened to your songs of grief, and I thought I might lose my mind. To have experienced your emotions as well?"

"Would have been terrible, I agree. But in those moments, I felt truly alone. If I'd felt the love and compassion from my friends in my heart as I can now, it would have greatly eased my pain. I don't deny this gift also has burdens, but they are shared, and that gives us all strength!"

Gruun entered the tent and bowed. "Queen Mara, the off-worlders have returned."

Mara felt a surge of hope and stood quickly. Bayly was also excited to see Jack again, and they traded glances. Bayly's eyes dipped, but a smile threatened to split her face. Mara gave her a playful and loving push with her mind, and Bayly gasped as she looked at the Queen with awe once more. Mara hadn't expected Bayly to feel that, but they were learning what they'd lost.

The Queen cleared her expression and walked to the entrance to stride outside. She smiled at her people and felt them take hope from her confidence and joy. She longed to share her emotions with them so they could feel her love for them. She would ask Jack—Ambassador Danner! She would ask the ambassador for more vaccine for her people.

She felt Warrez, Grunn, Lena, and Bayly behind her like twinkling beacons. The strength of their emotions was clear and pure. Farther back was Laannaa, and Mara's heart ached for her friend and the doubt and fear she was feeling. Mara wanted her to be the first to take the next dose of the medicine.

Juju, TkaTken, and Tito were following their group. She'd been told the Tik had perfect memories, so perhaps they would assist in tracking which of her people had been vaccinated. She realized this had the potential to change their society in tremendous ways. But that wouldn't happen if she was no longer their Queen.

She reached the edge of their village where Jack stood before his Ishilon warriors in the last rays of the late afternoon before the sun dipped below the edge of the mountain behind them. The village torches would be lit soon to give light across the settlement.

She took a moment to admire his horns again. They were... majestic! Her eyes dropped as she wondered what the rest of his body looked like, hidden in the black ceremonial robes.

"Queen Mara, you are well?" Jack asked.

She smiled and nodded, then gestured for Tito to join them. The moment the Tik was at her side, she addressed Jack. "Tito performed the after-scan, so it would be the best one to say how it went."

Tito looked between them, then answered. "I've analyzed the latest batch of vaccine, and Chena has improved its effectiveness. The Dannt went through the same symptoms, the only variations being the order and the severity, and all recuperated fully in half the time it took for Bayly. None of the after-scans shows any sign of the virus in their bodies. All have reported an ability to sense and broadcast emotions."

Jack smiled. "That's wonderful!"

Mara felt his genuine joy for them, and her smile grew. How wonderous it was to feel the distinct difference of his alien mind and the similarity of his strong emotions. "How are your friends? You were going to search for them when my hearing failed. Bayly filled me in once that sense returned."

Jack nodded in relief. "We found them and got them back to Peacekeeper. They were injured when the explosion disabled their skimmers, but they're getting the care they need now and will fully recover. It was a close call."

Mara felt Jack's emotions flare as he thought about his friends, and his love for them made her realize they were more than friends to him. Perhaps this sharing was a little too personal. She suddenly didn't know where to look, and his expression froze.

"Ah... you can feel my emotions now," he said hesitantly.

"I'm sorry for the invasion, but yes, I can," she admitted.

"Do... do you sense the Ishilon's emotions?" Jack asked.

Mara looked at the strong warrior standing behind Jack, but nothing came back. "No. Nothing." Seeing Jack's pained expression, she became concerned. "Is something wrong?"

He looked at her and shook his head. "It's just something my hybrid nature sometimes surprises me with. When I lived on Earth, the planet I was born on, I didn't have horns. My neck and shoulders weren't this wide, and my legs didn't have the extra supporting tendons they have now. When I first began to live with the Altarians, I had a reaction to an Altarian virus, and I became this." He gestures to his horns. "Please understand. I've grown to like the changes as they've improved my life." Jack took a deep breath. "It's the uncertainty that makes me nervous. This time I reacted to the Dannt plague virus, barely survived it, and now Dannt can read my emotions. I can't read Dannt emotions, so I guess my brain didn't change too much... this time."

Bayly had been listening closely to him and reacted to his discomfort. "If you hadn't caught the virus, your body wouldn't have produced the antibody Doctor Chena used to make the vaccine! We thank you for returning this gift to us!"

Mara nodded. "I completely agree with Bayly. The Dannt owe you a great deal for your efforts for our people. Including saving us from the Krreegah attack."

Jack just shook his head. "The Tik have a mission to preserve and protect life. The Gate Network allows neighbors to meet, share ideas and culture, and assist each other as good neighbors should. There is so much to gain from being friends. I firmly believe in their mission and try to assist when I can. The Ishilon have also taken up this honorable cause, and I'm as proud of them as a Shadeem could be."

Hearing a sniffle, Jack looked over at Dennesh, and she was watching him with tears in her eyes and a trembling smile on her lips. He looked past her at the others, and they were similarly emotional.

"Oh hey, I wasn't trying to make anyone cry! Come on!" he exclaimed in dismay.

"We are grateful you are our Shadeem!" Dennesh said.

Mara was watching the interchange between the spiritual leader and his people and couldn't hide her delighted smile. She watched Jack move to each one to give them hugs.

Finally, he returned with a red face and tried to continue his point. "Commander Lorrem is taking the Krreegah prisoners back to their planet to be tried for their crimes. I told him to notify the Krreegah leaders that they should clean up the mess caused by the explosion."

Mara looked at him in surprise. "What kind of mess did the explosion make?"

"The weapon that exploded so violently and shook the ground was the kind that poisons the land and any creatures exposed to it. My people on Earth discovered this form of weapon a very long time ago, but they finally acknowledged how insane it was to consider using them. No one wins a war when nuclear weapons are used, as the people, land, air, and water can be poisoned. This can be fixed, but it can only be done safely with high levels of technology. This is why the Krreegah need to do it. It was their weapon and their commander who triggered the explosion. They need to remove the remnants of their ship and every Rakka."

Mara held Jack's eyes. "They can do this?"

"They will do this," Jack said firmly. "The Tik have the evidence of their invasion vessel that crash-landed on your planet and evidence of who caused the explosion. An exploration ship would never have had those types of weapons on board. No peaceful mission would have. I believe they came here with the intent to invade. They'd drop the big bombs on your biggest city to terrify the people, then demand you surrender. That might have been their original agenda, but they apparently arrived during the fall of your civilization, probably during the worst of the plague, and likely decided they could just land and take what they wanted. But something went wrong. They crashed their ship and had to use it as their base. Then, something caused them to devolve. Tito mentioned it might be something missing from their diet."

"Are we in danger from this poison?" Mara asked.

"In the short term, no. Any fallout from the explosion was carried west on the other side of the mountains. The clean-up should occur before the radiation is allowed to seep too far into the soil and water. This is why I've called for them to do it now," Jack responded.

He glanced back at the bundles. "I hope it isn't too bold of us to ask this, but as Peacekeeper will be heading off to Krreegah for a few days, would it be permissible for us to set up our tents somewhere nearby until they return?"

Mara smiled delightedly. "You may set up your tent in the space next to mine!" She saw multiple packs. "And any open areas nearby."

"That is most gracious of you. Thank you," Jack said with a bow.

They collected the bags and followed Mara back toward her tent's location. There was a large open space beside it where the Ishilon got busy setting up the first tent. The second and third were just a short distance away.

Mara and her people watched with fascination as the warriors positioned the bag and pulled some straps. The duffle unrolled itself and inflated! She looked over in delight at Jack, and he was equally impressed, so this must have been the first time he'd seen one of these dwellings too.

Once it was fully inflated and the Ishilon confirmed it was complete, they tacked it down to prevent heavy winds from moving it. Suddenly, lights came on inside the tent, and Jack's smile widened.

"All the comforts of home!" he said with a grin. He moved forward and pulled back the flap covering the entrance, which clung to the opening with a static charge. The door was tall enough that she only had to bend slightly to step inside. Jack followed her with Laannaa, Warrez, and her team close behind. The Tik were last.

They found themselves in a large seating area just inside the entrance with many comfortable-looking cushions strewn about. These must have inflated with the tent.

Jack poked his head into a doorway off to the left and made a noise of surprise. Mara moved up to his back and leaned against him lightly to look over his shoulder. It was a playful gesture and perhaps a little too intimate for strangers, but she felt surprisingly comfortable around him. It also allowed her to feel the strength in his shoulders and back. She was delighted with what she detected under his robe!

Then she realized she was looking at a large bed. A large, comfortable, inviting-looking bed with soft sheets already in place! "Oh!" she said softly in surprise.

"Yes, looks inviting," Jack said, then froze as he glanced at her over his shoulder.

She caught his unintentional flirting, then became aware of his pleasant masculine scent and the heat coming from his body. He seemed unusually warm. She eased back. "It does," she said with an equally inviting smile.

Jack held her eyes briefly as if trying to determine her intent, then turned to see Dennesh smiling at him in the seating area. "As this structure is inflated, I'll have to do my best not to puncture it." He gestured to his horns. "The horn guards will stay on at all times."

Dennesh nodded. "The fabric is very strong and mostly tear-proof, but your horns would be problematic."

Mara caught Jack's eye again and pointed to her own horns. "Are my horns a risk to this shelter?"

Jack looked closer at the tips. "No, the points are rounded, so not a puncture hazard."

She looked more closely at the caps on his. "Now I'm curious."

Jack smiled self-consciously, then removed one of the tip guards.

Her eyes widened as she saw his horns end with a wickedly sharp point. She automatically reached for it, but Jack caught her hand in his.

"Sorry. I know it's tempting, but it would cut your fingers. That's why I wear these," he said, handing her the cap.

She took it from his finger and realized what it was made of.

"This is bone!" she exclaimed, seeing the intricate carving on its surface. "It's beautifully carved as well!"

Jack smiled fondly. "The mother of the King of Chrystan made them for me from the face plate bones of the Dynast Class Skrahak I killed. It's possible it was the same creature that killed her grandfather. The images she carved on it tell his story. Chrystan is an ice planet, and the Skrahak are mindless predators which live in the mountains. They are bad-tempered meat-eating furry creatures with bony armor plates over their faces. When they grow really big in their advanced years, they're called Dynast Class. The one I killed was..." Jack looked around himself, "a little bigger than this tent."

Mara looked at Jack in surprise. "I would love to hear that story!"

Jack nodded. "Perhaps over dinner?" he said, then frowned. "Before I invite you to dinner, let me confirm what we brought." He turned to Dennesh. "You did bring food supplies for our visit, right?"

Dennesh lifted a bag of ration bars.

"That's not food. That's for survival." He looked back at Mara with an apologetic expression. "I'm so sorry. I normally try to be far better prepared."

Mara smiled. "You are welcome to eat with us." She looked at Juju. "Can Jack and the Ishilon eat Dannt food safely? We don't want another occurrence of what happened to the Krreegah."

The Tik dipped forward. "We can scan the meal to determine what is safe for them to consume. If there are missing nutrients, they can augment the meal with one of their ration bars."

Mara smiled at Jack and Dennesh. "Then you'll dine with us tonight." She locked eyes with Jack. "I want to hear the story of the Skrahak."

Jack bowed to her, and she felt a warm little tingle rush through her body. She glanced over and saw Warrez, Gruun, Lena, and Bayly grinning at her. The lack of privacy for intimacy was something new. She wondered what the range was for this ability and how far she'd have to sneak out of the village for some... private time.

Thinking of the village reminded her of the vaccine. "Jack, would it be possible to ask the Ishilon doctor for more vaccine doses?"

Jack smiled and looked to Dennesh, who collected a large crate and placed it on the floor next to Jack.

"In case you were interested, Doctor Chena included this with our supplies," Jack said as he opened the lid. Inside she saw a row of injectors on a tray. He lifted that out and underneath were multiple trays with hundreds of doses on each.

"Tomorrow, we can set up a clinic to vaccinate your people," Jack suggested. He looked over at Juju. "Could we ask the Tik to track the population's vaccination status if it means being able to open the Gates for them at some point?"

"We will gladly assist in this endeavor," Juju said with a bow which Jack returned.

Mara grinned as Jack's thoughts mirrored her own. She looked forward to sharing more ideas with him at dinner.

-=-

Lorrem gazed at the collection of space craft Peacekeeper had just towed into orbit above Krreegah. The Fang and Claw was surrounded by its battleships, some of which would likely need to be decommissioned due to extensive damage.

Two Tik joined him on the bridge. They bore distinct marks from some kind of scorching on their chassis.

"Commander Tessen, I am CamCam, and this is Ulooru. We witnessed Peacekeeper's efforts in space, followed the Krreegah ship to the surface, and monitored their activities there. We place ourselves at your service in communicating with the Krreegah governing body."

Lorrem considered them. "Thank you. If required, can you share the video of the events you just described with the Krreegah?"

"Yes," CanCan replied.

"We've achieved geosynchronous orbit above Graakkaa, their capital city," a bridge officer called out.

"Hail the surface," Lorrem said.

Moments later, the comm officer nodded. "We have contact with the Krreegah Congress."

"On screen," the commander said and was soon facing Hillassh and Trresst, the two Congress officials Jack met with. They looked more rested this time. They smiled in relief, seeing the Ishilon.

"Greetings. I'm Commander Lorrem Tessen on Peacekeeper. The invasion of Danat was stopped before it could begin. Only three Krreegah managed to land a small craft on the planet's surface. Commander Freskkay Nuugaat and two warriors located the damaged Krreegah invasion ship, which crash-landed long ago. During their attempt to activate and retrieve one of the ancient spacecraft's missiles, they were attacked by the feral Krreegah living inside the ship. They ignited spilled fuel crystals from the ship, causing it to explode. This triggered the warhead they'd activated, which exploded as well. It was a nuclear device and caused enormous damage and radioactive fallout."

Hillassh and Trresst, who'd been smiling when Lorrem first indicated the invasion was prevented, no longer looked so happy.

"W-were any of the local populace killed or injured?" Hillassh asked nervously.

Lorrem shook his head. "Thankfully, no Dannt have been harmed... so far. Ambassador Danner has remained with the Dannt to continue diplomatic efforts with them. There is still the matter of the clean-up from the nuclear explosion. Ambassador Danner asked me to deliver a request for the Krreegah to remove the contamination before it has time to poison any Dannt citizens. While they were technologically advanced before their civilization fell, they don't currently have the means to deal with the aftermath of a nuclear weapon used on their world."

Trresst nodded. "Yes, of course. We no longer use those weapons, but we have the technology required for decontamination and would welcome the opportunity to assist our Gate Network neighbors in their time of need."

Lorrem held the eyes of the politician until Trresst began to fidget. Finally, he caught on, and more words spilled out. "Uh, at their convenience and completely at no cost to the Dannt. We weren't sufficiently vigilant in our efforts to prevent this terrible event from transpiring and take full responsibility."

This made Lorrem nod with a slight smile. "Our Shadeem said the Krreegah were honorable people, and your actions are proving it."

"Shadeem?" Hillassh asked.

"Ambassador Danner is also the Shadeem of the Ishilon, our spiritual guide," Lorrem explained, and smiles appeared on the faces of the two Pax, so Lorrem continued with his message.

"We've returned your vessels to Krreegah space and are ready to deliver them and your citizens to you. Many were unwilling to surrender and had to be taken by force. We restricted ourselves to non-lethal methods. When they saw they'd lost, some turned on each other. They fired on their own ships, and Krreegah citizens were lost. Three Ishilon were killed in our peacekeeping effort, but no Krreegah were killed by us."

"We're sorry for your loss," Pax Hilassh said immediately and solemnly.

"Thank you. I need to return your sash of office and arrange to transfer equipment and personnel. May I come down to the surface to meet with you?" Lorrem asked.

Hillassh smiled and nodded. "Of course. When should we expect you?"

Lorrem saw Amiga, the Tik Jack asked to be an anchor point for his last visit, waving to the camera once more from behind the Senators. He smiled. "Momentarily."

He nodded to his comm officer, who disconnected the link. Then he turned to CamCam and Ulooru. "Will you two accompany me to the surface?"

"Yes," CamCam replied.

"I think they need to see what happened over Danat and on the surface. Then we will transfer their citizens. Could we also enlist the assistance of the Tik to help the Krreegah get their people onto their ships for them to dock them in their station? We will provide the Gates if the Tik could anchor them to locations inside the ships," Lorrem asked.

"I will pass the word," Ulooru said.

Lorrem nodded to his bridge crew, then turned back to the Tik. "I'm eager to complete this task as I don't wish to leave the Shadeem on the primitive world for too long. I'm certain he's safe with his security detail, but I'm learning that Jack attracts trouble."

CamCam and Ulooru shared looks and then nodded to the Ishilon commander. They understood the Ambassador used unorthodox methods and heard what happened in the Krreegah's Hall of Congress. They wondered what troubles he could find on the Dannt's low-tech world.

Chapter 17

Jack had an odd feeling that he'd somehow set himself up for trouble.

But it didn't feel like the life-threatening kind so far.

The meal they shared with Queen Mara and her friends had been mostly delicious, with only a few items the Tik warned Jack and the Ishilon away from. They finished the meal pleasantly full and didn't have to resort to the ration bars. Everyone was feeling quite relaxed.

He told them the story of his hunting the Skrahak on Chrystan and ensured he didn't paint himself as some mighty hunter but as one lucky son-of-a-bitch. His audience was greatly entertained, and their eyes twinkled with delight as he finished.

Jack reflected he might have felt a little too relaxed. The night was very warm, and his gown was too stuffy, so after dinner, he ducked into his tent to quickly swap the ceremonial wear for his comfortable running tights, a tank t-shirt, and his runners. This felt so much better!

When he rejoined the group, Mara and the others stared at him in surprise. Jack became overly self-conscious about how tight his clothing was and asked if he should put the gown back on. Mara was quite vocal that he remain as he was. Bayly's gaze was a little too direct, and even Laannaa gave him odd looks.

Trying to think of something the Dannt could focus their attention on besides himself, he suggested they watch a projection of the events which had occurred in space above their planet. The Tik who witnessed the battle could beam the recording of their memories against the large flat surface of the largest tent. Everyone could take seats on the ground to watch the show.

Mara and Bayly were very enthusiastic about the idea.

The younger Dannt faced her friends and the High Priestess. "When Peacekeeper arrived in orbit above Danat, I could see the world from horizon to horizon. It was... humbling. From that far above the surface, you see so much of the natural world, but there's no sign of us, the people of Danat. Even the cities, which seem to fill so much area from the perspective of the ground, are almost invisible from space. It changed my perspective of my place with the planet."

Laannaa stared at Bayly in surprise.

Jack smiled at the two as Bayly's confession was probably a smart message to share with the Head of their religious order.

He looked to Dennesh. "We have enough backup power to keep the Tik fully charged while they project the images?"

The warrior smiled and nodded. She gestured for two of the team to collect one of their battery packs.

"Juju, could I ask you to do the honors of projecting what you saw above the world?" he asked.

"Certainly!" the Tik responded, moving a distance back from the tent to face it. TkaTken sat on the ground, and Juju settled down on top to be a little higher to project over the heads of the seated audience.

Dennesh moved an energy pack beside them so they could plug in and charge while playing the video.

Bayly and her team sat beside each other and spoke quietly.

Jack, Mara, and Laannaa sat on cushions behind them. He looked at Juju. "Did you witness the arrival of the Krreegah, Juju?"

"I did," it replied.

"Could you show us this?" Jack asked.

The tent side lit up with a scene of The Fang and Claw approaching the planet with the armada close behind.

"The largest ship was the one where Commander Freskkay Nuugaat led the fleet. It had the most weapons," Jack said for everyone to hear. "There were also twelve battleships which were heavily armed. The smaller ships were troop carriers that contained the Krreegah warriors who would land on the surface to attack the Dannt after the flagship and battleships destroyed your ability to fight back by dropping missiles on you from space."

Juju spoke up. "They ran many scans of the planet, so I believe they were trying to locate targets to destroy."

Jack nodded as this matched his thoughts as well. "Can you show the scene of their shooting at the Gate Terminal, Juju?"

The scene changed to a close-up of the opening of one of The Fang and Claw's weapons bays. There was a flash as a long object was flung from a launcher to shoot downwards toward the planet. The view followed the kinetic missile until its impact and the explosion afterward.

"What was fired at the Terminal?" Mara asked.

"The kinetic missile was a solid metal rod capable of withstanding the incredible heat of entering the atmosphere at high velocity," Juju explained.

"How could we defend ourselves against them?" Mara asked.

Jack answered that. "You couldn't. It's similar to a stray meteor wandering in from outer space and crashing into the planet's surface. Peacekeeper is capable of capturing such threats." He looked at Juju. "Can you show us the arrival of Peacekeeper?"

The angle changed as Juju faced away from the armada and focused on the planet.

The gathered Dannt gasped as they got their first view of their home from above.

"That's Danat?" Mara said in awe.

"Yes. It's a beautiful world," Jack said, and she nodded, unable to look away.

Juju froze the image. "I'd like to warn you before I play the next part as I found it visually disturbing when I witnessed it happening. Please understand it is just an illusion, and nothing bad is happening."

Jack grinned as he knew what was coming. Mara looked at him curiously.

"It's just the nature of Peacekeeper's non-reflective surface. Juju is right. Nothing bad is happening."

Having warned them, Juju continued the projection, and gasps of dismay erupted from the audience as the planet appeared to be consumed by a black hole.

"Peacekeeper looks like a shadow. It's completely black," Jack said calmly with a smile.

Once everyone settled down, Jack let them know what was happening as the Krreegah reacted to their ultimatums.

The angle changed as Juju must have changed locations. His last segment showed him turning toward the planet's surface. Then Juju began descending.

"Should I continue?" it asked.

Jack saw the eager expressions on the Dannt's faces. "Yes, take us right down to the surface, please."

Instead of watching the images, Jack watched the expressions of the Dannt as they suddenly grasped the reality of returning from space. The final moments showed Juju joining TkaTken and Tito in front of the Queen's tent then she came outside and smiled at them.

"That's me!" Mara said in delight. Laannaa was also shown on the screen coming out of the tent. Warrez and her team were there. Moments later, a mirrored Gate appeared, and Bayly stepped through.

"Me!" she squeaked, then glanced at Mara and Jack.

"I think we've seen enough," the Queen said. "Thank you very much, Juju, for sharing your memories with us. It was an enlightening experience for us ground dwellers." She turned to Jack with a smile. "Seeing what happened in space above us brings new comprehension of the dangers we faced and the realization of the debt we owe for your intervention."

Jack shook his head. "There is no debt. Their attack was cowardly and unjust. Stopping it was the right thing to do. The peaceful leaders of Krreegah should have taken better steps to prevent their space fleet from being used this way. They expressed remorse to me when we spoke with them on the way to Danat. They begged us to stop the attack and to protect you. Please understand the attack on a neighboring world is sufficient grounds for the Tik to withdraw their access to the Gate Network. As well as being fearful for your safety, they worried they would be cut off from the Network. Their society could be crippled if they had a lot of off-world dependencies."

Laannaa moved to stand directly before Jack, blocking his view of Mara, and locked eyes with him. "What value is there in being connected to the Gate Network?" the High Priestess demanded.

Jack remained calm and smiled gently. "That's not for me to say. I have my reasons for why I believe in the Gate Network and the Tik who manage it. I know why I personally value it. Your people would have heard the Tik's offer if you'd been ready. As Juju just explained, the Tik don't typically contact a race until it has reached a level of technological advancement that suggests they are ready. The Dannt did reach that but was exposed to a Dannt-made plague which almost caused the extinction of your people." He glanced at Juju and then back to Laannaa. "If I'm correct, even though you were not at the required levels, the Tik proceeded with first contact because they were concerned you might yet become extinct."

"That is true," Juju said. "The Dannt's declining birth rates and infant mortalities were and still are concerning statistics. Conditions are worse on Danax and Danam, but Danat isn't exempt." This news obviously caught Mara by surprise, and she sent a sharp look at her High Priestess.

Jack continued as he saw Laannaa was still willing to listen. "The Tik's prime directive is to preserve and protect life, which I believe is the noblest of pursuits. But the Tik will not make any efforts to help the Dannt without explicit consent. They value self-determination as well. The Tik will not force survival of a species against their will."

Jack looked deeply into the High Priestess' eyes. "You have to want to live."

"We do want to live!" Mara insisted firmly. She looked at Laannaa. "Why haven't you told me about the declining numbers of our people!"

"The Goddess' will is not to be questioned! If she decides to prevent a conception or takes a born child, then we weren't worthy of having them," Laannaa said stiffly.

Jack struggled to calm his thoughts and keep his emotions to himself. Just the same, Mara must have caught the brief flash of outrage before he locked himself down as her lips darkened. He now understood this was a physical tell. Jack turned his head to face away from Mara as he didn't want to embarrass her any further. This was a discussion to be had between the leaders of the Dannt.

"It's been a long, emotionally draining day. Thank you for a delicious dinner. If you don't mind, I'll bid you goodnight and see you in the morning?" Jack smiled and looked once more at Queen Mara.

She seemed torn as she needed to speak to Laannaa, but she was looking at Jack with an expression blending disappointment and regret. Her Queen's duty took precedence and reasserted itself. She nodded to him. "Thank you. Have a pleasant sleep, and we will talk in the morning."

Jack bowed, patted the sides of Juju, TkaTken, and Tito, then headed around the tent to the front, where he slipped between the flaps to give himself a little privacy. Dennesh followed him in with two others from his detail.

"We will remain here in the seating area, Shadeem. Rest assured, the others will maintain a vigilant watch throughout the night."

"Oh! Uh, I leave the security requirements in your capable hands. Thanks!" Jack said. "Good night."

He prepared for bed, then slipped into bed after he confirmed his horn caps were securely in place.

Jack hoped Queen Mara had success in speaking with her religious advisor. The "never question the will of the gods" stance was hard to come back from.

-=-

Mara faced her childhood friend alone in her tent and took her hands as she looked into her eyes.

"We're dying. No one will be left to praise the Goddess if we allow that to happen," she said gently.

Laannaa made an exasperated sound. "You don't think I'm aware of that? I'm not causing the drop in birthrate! I'm not causing the babies to die! I'm just as much upset by these terrible events as you are. I pray to the Goddess every day to help us be better disciples."

"Perhaps she needs us to act to save ourselves. To prove we can! To prove we're worthy!" Mara said.

Laannaa looked at her suspiciously.

"We must learn why the plague was created. It has been proven that it was created in a lab on Danax. Why?" Mara asked.

"The Goddess' will!" Laannaa insisted.

"So, she punished us by almost causing our extinction?" Mara pushed.

"The worthy survived!" Laannaa snapped back.

"And we have followed her message from that day onwards, and we continue to die, just more slowly," Mara stated. "Perhaps we aren't meeting her expectations. Perhaps she needs us to pull ourselves out of this decline and rise up, wiser for her lesson."

The High Priestess glared at her Queen. "You are twisting her message!"

"How? How am I doing that? If she wanted to end us because we are inherently unworthy, she could have the Rakka swarm over us, kill off the crops, or allow the invading Krreegah to drop their weapons on us from space. That would expedite the process, but she did none of those things! I believe she wants us to live! The Krreegah themselves have destroyed the Rakka nest, our crops are abundant, and we have new friends who protected us from space."

Laannaa latched onto that last point. "One of these new friends seems to have caught your eye!"

Mara's lips flushed. "I-I won't deny I'm attracted to Jack. He is not physically unappealing, and his horns are... magnificent! Jordem was similarly strong and kind—"

"He's an off-worlder! He's not Dannt! Worse still, he's not a believer in the Goddess!" Laannaa exclaimed, growing agitated.

"The universe is a far more complex thing than we expected it to be. Do you know why Dannt females become fertile for only their chosen mate?"

"As a sign of devotion," Laannaa answered automatically.

Mara snorted softly. "Tell that to Evasha."

Laannaa jolted as she recalled their childhood friend and her reputation. Even though she'd chosen a mate the moment she reached sexual maturity, she had a roving eye and found partner after partner. Laannaa frowned. "She was the exception to the rule!"

Mara smiled at her friend. "That's my point. Perhaps there are no absolutes. No fixed rules in a universe of possibilities. Evasha mated with Franko, and they had a child, but she found happiness in the arms of many lovers. Franko raised their child but lived with Illiana, who'd lost her mate. They were happier for it—"

"That's not what the Goddess wants for us—"

"Happiness? Love? Children? Life?" Each word from Mara's mouth made Laannaa twitch. "What happened to the joy in your heart, Laannaa? I remember when you laughed and smiled at life's simple pleasures."

"Life is hard!" Laannaa shouted. "We aren't meeting the Goddess' expectations of us, and we are dying!"

Mara hugged her friend as she could feel the despair clouding her mind. "Dearest heart, life has always been hard. You have to work at it to mine its treasures. In my heart, I know we can grow strong again. We just need to visualize our place in this amazing new universe and seize it."

Laannaa was calming in her friend's arms, where she secretly wanted to remain forever, but new despair flared as she remembered the threat from the north who was on her way.

Mara felt this and knew where it was coming from. "This isn't the time for tears, Laannaa. I don't want to give false hope, but please don't give up on me yet."

Laannaa pulled back to look into her friend's eyes, confused. Mara could see her struggling to understand, so she kissed her forehead and felt her friend's love surge. "Get some sleep. You'll feel better in the morning. I can promise you that."

The High Priestess nodded as she was worn out from recent events. She gave Mara a trembling smile and left the tent.

As she stood alone in her space, Mara contemplated her next move. This was well outside her comfort zone, but she knew time wasn't her ally. Clearing her mind, she reached out with her new emotional senses and felt the people around her. When she detected the spark of Bayly's emotions nearby, she... pulled. That was the best way she could describe the sensation.

As she felt Bayly moving closer, she smiled. This new capability was proving very useful!

"Queen Mara?" Bayly's voice asked quietly by the tent opening.

"Come in," Mara called out.

The young female slipped inside with wide eyes and bowed.

Mara smiled. "I need to ask a favor. Two, actually."

Bayly smiled. "Anything!"

Mara nodded thankfully. "First, I need you to ask Ambassador Danner to come see me immediately. Just him."

Bayly's emotions burst with excitement.

"And I need you to guide Warrez, Gruun, and Lena to the far side of the camp. This is embarrassing enough without knowing you will all feel my emotions. Jack's too," Mara admitted.

Bayly fought back a giggle but nodded quickly. She bowed again and rushed from the tent.

Mara went to freshen up. As she washed, she realized how nervous she was and recalled her first night with Jordem. Though she'd been a mature woman at the time, her inexperience had made her feel as young as Bayly.

Jack was another complete unknown to her, so she felt the same flutters in her stomach as she did that night.

Of course, Jack hadn't agreed to anything yet, and she wasn't even sure he was even attracted to her. While Bayly said he'd had children with the Altarian Queen and the Ishilon Sultessa, she knew the Dannt looked nothing like the diminutive Gee and Bal or the lithe but powerful Dennesh!

She looked down at her body and suddenly felt enormous and clumsy! She was powerfully muscled and taller than Jack... minus his horns—oh, those glorious and deadly horns! A zing snuck down her spine.

While sitting with him to watch the Tik's memories, Mara felt Jack's muscular leg pressed against hers, and he felt strong and fit. She wanted to know how he maintained his body. Being an Ambassador couldn't be a physically challenging endeavor, could it?

"Queen Mara?"

It was Jack's voice. Goddess, don't let me screw this up!

-=-

Jack stood outside the tent and waved Dennesh back. His security detail moved back reluctantly until they were out of sight.

Bayly had been excitable but explicit that Mara needed to speak with him privately. He'd been in his sleep shorts but pulled on the reaver silk robe he'd packed. Light-weight, cool, and super soft, it was also protection against small arms fire, though he expected none of that here.

"Queen Mara?" he called out through the tent flap.

There was a pause, and he was wondering if he should call out again when the tent flap moved, and he was looking up into her soft brown eyes. Her lips were quite dark, so she was... embarrassed? For a second, he wondered what it might be like to sense emotions.

"Ambassador, please come in," she said. "Thank you for seeing me at this late hour," she continued once he was inside.

Candles lit the inside of the tent with their warm but soft light, and Jack noted how lovely her dark complexion looked painted with the red tones. Then he realized how much of her skin he was seeing. She only had a sheer spaghetti strap tank top that stretched over her large breasts and exposed the hard ripples of her tummy muscles. Barely covering her waist to her upper thighs was a wrap made of the same sheer material. Jack's eyes widened with admiration and surprise.

"It's fine. I'm at your service," he said quietly, and her smile widened. He caught his words and wondered how she'd taken them.

"I hope the High Priestess' words haven't offended you. She's been trying to do a very difficult job for a long time with little assistance. As you've heard from the Tik, we're having... setbacks," Mara said gently.

"We will give you as much assistance as you need. All you need to do is ask," Jack insisted.

Mara smiled. "Not such an easy thing for those of our faith to accept."

Jack nodded but said nothing. It wasn't his place to criticize their institutions of faith.

Mara's lips were getting darker, and Jack couldn't look away as her expression was so sweet.

"I-I do have something I need to ask you," she managed to get out.

Jack nodded as he held her gaze.

"Do you... am I attractive to you?" she forced out.

He hadn't expected that question, so he froze as his mouth slowly opened.

"It's fine. Never mind—" she began and started to turn away.

Jack reached out a hand and caught hers, making her look at his fingers.

"Yes, I find you very attractive," he said, and she smiled tentatively.

"I'm nothing like the Altarians or the Ishilon," she said quickly.

Jack grinned. "I'm nothing like anyone. The only one of my kind. Do you find me attractive?" he asked awkwardly but with a smile.

Her answering smile hinted at her playfulness. "While I've been teased with glimpses, I haven't seen enough... yet.

Jack's smile remained as he nodded. "Fair enough." He undid the tie on his gown and slipped it off his broad shoulders, letting it fall slowly to pool at his bare feet.

Mara's eyes widened as she let her eyes roam down his chest to his waist and just a little further down.

"How do you maintain your fitness?" she managed to say.

"I like to run. The longer the distance, the better," Jack said with a happy sigh. "I hope to be able to go for a run here on Danat." She nodded with a smile. "Additionally, Gee and Bal are my personal trainers and my bodyguards. They ensure I maintain my fitness and drill me on combat techniques."

Mara smiled with delight. "Do Ambassadors get into combat situations frequently?"

Jack smiled self-consciously. "I can't speak for other Ambassadors, but I certainly find myself in them often enough to make the training necessary."

"But not this mission, right? You were safe on that large, scary spacecraft!" Mara insisted.

Jack winced at her description of Peacekeeper, but he couldn't really argue with her perception. The ship was daunting.

"To be completely open and honest, on our way to Danat, we stopped at Krreegah to determine how much of a problem they would be for the Dannt. We discovered the peaceful, elected officials were about to be overrun by a group of aggressive might-is-right idiots. Though it interfered with their internal governance, I beat up the alpha-male leader of the rebels in hand-to-hand combat before handing him over to their police." He gave her a defensive look. "I don't like bullies! Some people think that makes me a bad ambassador, but I believe you sometimes have to speak the language they understand the best."

"I certainly appreciate your form of diplomacy as it protected my people," she purred with a sexy smile, and Jack felt himself stiffening in his shorts. Her eyes sparkled with interest.

It may have been wrong, but Jack's instincts screamed at him, "Fool! Kiss the girl!"

So, he did.

It was a unique experience for Jack to stretch upwards to bring his lips into contact with Mara's. It was another to be embraced in powerful arms and lifted off the ground as the kiss continued. He was pressed against a very full bosom, and that felt incredible!

There was nothing to do but go with it. Mara was a passionate kisser, and Jack was definitely reaching an iron state in his shorts. This began to press against Mara's body, and she was aware of it as she ground back against him.

She suddenly turned and carried him into the next room in her tent through a curtain, and he felt himself being lowered onto cushions. They finally broke their kiss, and Mara looked into his eyes anxiously.

He raised an eyebrow in question.

"I would like to make love with you. Would... would you, with me?" she asked timidly.

Jack thought she looked absolutely adorable, and his desire surged. "I would love to, with you," he said with a smile, "but I didn't come prepared to do this. Do you have protection?" he asked.

It was her turn to give him a questioning look.

He continued. "Protection against pregnancy. I have to ask, as I've discovered with my Hybrid nature, I'm compatible with other races, and there is a potential there."

"Would that be a bad thing?" she asked quietly.

Jack blinked at her. "You could become pregnant. This doesn't concern you?"

She shook her head. "I would welcome it. I'm hoping I do. Would that be okay?"

Jack saw she was serious, and that rocked his world a little. She wanted his child? It was a long way to come to see his kid, but... with the Ishilon's assistance, he realized it was doable.

She was still waiting for his answer, so he slipped his fingers into her thick, soft mane and pulled her face to his for another kiss. She moaned a little, and her breathing sped up as she kissed him passionately in return.

Mara surfaced from her desire long enough to pull back and kneel before him as she pulled her top up and off.

Jack's eyes widened in awe when he saw her large, firm breasts and strong torso. He'd never been with someone carrying this much muscle mass. As she slipped her skirt off, Jack lifted his hips and pushed his shorts down.

"Oh! We are compatible!" Mara teased with a smile.

She wasted no more time lying down next to him and rolling onto her back as she pulled him on top.

It wasn't the move Jack expected from someone so physically dominant. Her body felt like it contained irresistible power. He'd thought she might have preferred to be on top.

Jack smiled and kissed her once more. He knew his way around a mouth with fangs, so he was in no danger. She pulled at his body, and he thought she might need a little preparation, so he kissed his way down her neck and across the top of her breasts as she gasped and cooed. He drew her pleasure up by worshipping her breasts and the flat ridges of her stomach, which trembled under his lips. Her breathing became louder, and she squirmed as her desire climbed.

She cried out blissfully when he explored her wet lower lips with his mouth and fingers. He learned what she liked best and quickly brought her to her first release, which exploded through her. Her hands clung to the back of his head as he eased her through the intense orgasm.

She was well lubricated now. He could feel her squirming begin again, so he moved up and pressed the thick head of his cock against her opening. She sighed as his heat pressed into her body deeper and deeper.

"Oh! Oh! Goddess, yes!" she sighed as he finally rested his body on hers. Her big hands slid down to his ass, and he felt her pulling him even deeper inside. He began to stroke in and out, and she pulled him tight with each thrust.

Jack moved faster until he was pounding his body against hers. He watched her face closely, but she was lost in her pleasure.

Jack didn't take long to build up to his own release. She gasped and shook, and he realized she was rocking through a prolonged orgasm. When his hot cum surged into her, Mara cried out at the sensation and pulled him tight against her. He moved side to side gently, and she trembled beneath him.

When Jack was finished, she pulled him down over her body, and he rested against her full breasts. He found that to be very stimulating. He watched her blissful smile until she opened her eyes.

"That was wonderful!" she sighed happily.

"It was pretty amazing for me, too!" he said, and she sucked in a breath as he rocked his hips.

"Oh! Goddess! Ah! What? Ah! What AH­—are you doing?" she managed to ask through her cries and trembles.

"Are you too sensitive to go again? Should I stop?" he asked in concern.

"You can do it again?" she said, staring at him wide-eyed.

"Uh, I could, but we don't have to if you find it unpleasant," Jack said gently as he slowly stirred her insides with his rebounding cock.

"Dannt males can do it once a day," Mara admitted.

"You aren't telling me to stop," he said with a sly smile.

"Don't you dare stop now!" she cried as she threw her head back.

That was all Jack needed to hear to start ramping up his energetic thrusting. His hips set up a steady rhythm of strokes, each ending with a wet slap of his pelvis against hers.

"GODDESS! OH! OH! OH! GODDESS!"

Jack smiled as he enjoyed the expression of absolute bliss on her face. When he sucked one of her nipples into his mouth and gently tugged on the other, her jaw dropped open in silence as she crashed through another orgasm. The squeezing was too much for Jack, and he erupted deep inside her once more. Surge after surge poured into her.

"goddess, so much..." she whispered, then wrapped her arms around him to hold him tight.

Eventually, he felt himself shrink inside her. He pulled his hips back to ease himself out.

Mara was panting as her eyes rolled. She gradually returned to herself, her breathing settled, and she smiled at him.

"That was unexpected and wondrous!" she sighed. "How many times can you do that per day?"

Jack chuckled. "I've never actively tried to find out. Let's just say, many times."

"Remarkable!" she sighed.

They relaxed for a moment, just smiling at each other.

"I was kind of expecting you to want to be on top," he said with a grin.

Mara's eyes widened. "Me on top? How does that even work?"

Jack grinned. "Like it sounds. I lie back, you straddle me, and lower yourself onto my cock."

She burst into giggles. "But when you come, it will all run out of me onto you!"

He grinned. "It's true that a lot would, so it's a little less effective for becoming pregnant, but it's great for just having sex for fun."

"You say the funniest things!" Mara said with a wide smile.

"Did you want to try it for a third time?" he asked.

Her eyes widened then she shook her head. "I think I cannot contain any more of your seed!"

Jack gave her a wicked smile. "There's always room for more."

When her eyes widened with concern, he chuckled, and she saw he was teasing. She smiled up at him.

"I pray to the Goddess to give me a child from you. You are a good person and a mighty lover. I believe we could repopulate Danat from you alone," she teased.

"That would mean too many birthday parties to attend," he said with a smile then his expression became serious. "I can't guarantee you'll become pregnant. I really don't understand how the xeno-fertility works."

She nodded, but her smile remained. "There is the additional complication that once a Dannt female mates with a Dannt male, she becomes infertile for any other Dannt male. My mate, Jordem, died almost a month ago. I understand the odds of my becoming pregnant are slim, but Bayly risked everything for me to remain Queen. I must step down if I'm not carrying a child within my body this week. It's one of our laws."

Jack was looking at her in shock. "I'm grateful you told me this after we made love, as that would have been a major distraction."

Mara looked away in shame. "I'm sorry for drawing you into this intrigue. You are a good person, and it wasn't fair of me—"

Jack touched her lips with a fingertip to quiet her apology. "You have no need to explain yourself to me. I understand better than most the pressures and responsibilities of being a Queen." He smiled lovingly. "I wish you could meet Queen Elissa of Altaria. I'm sure the two of you would be the best of friends."

He tenderly kissed her lips, and she made a small needful sound as her body moved sensually under his.

Perhaps there was room for a third time tonight.

Chapter 18

Kressa scowled as she slowed her pace once more. Her entourage was grumbling from exhaustion, and that wouldn't do. Arriving at the challenge in less-than-optimal condition was not acceptable. With a frustrated snarl, she raised a hand to signal a halt. There was a perceptible sigh of relief from her people, pushing her irritation up a few more notches.

Thirty-two years she'd been waiting for this moment! Her humiliating defeat at the hands of Queen Mara so long ago still made her spit with rage. She should have taken the leader's role that day.

Mara had been exhausted, her left arm disabled with a pinched nerve, while Kressa still had two functional arms. It was her own exhaustion that betrayed her. She underestimated Mara's strength and endurance.

When Kressa launched her final attack, she didn't see how Mara was coiling all her muscles for one decisive strike.

As Kressa surged forward for the kill, Mara unleashed all her body's remaining power through her right fist, slamming it into Kressa's sternum.

When Kressa woke, stretched out on the dirt of the arena's floor, weak as a newborn, she learned it was the High Priestess, Laannaa-Klovalis, who breathed life back into her body. Mara stopped her heart with one blow.

That fact shook her confidence like nothing ever had.

She'd grown up in the northern forests knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was destined to lead the Dannt. She was stronger, more focused, and more ambitious than anyone she knew. Her northern tribe quickly fell into line as she defeated their existing chief, then the eight warriors who challenged her right to lead. She ruled the tribe with an iron fist until Mara issued an order for her to fall into line with her Charter of Chieftain Behavior. To Kressa, this was a clear sign that Mara was weak, and she'd immediately set off to challenge her.

Finding herself lying in the dirt, waking from a death caused by a single blow from the Queen of the Dannt, was the first time in her life she'd tasted defeat.

She didn't like it.

But she couldn't deny she'd lost.

Mara stood over her and told her to return to the northern tribe. She was to follow the charter, or Mara would take back the life the High Priestess had given her. The Queen held her eye until Kressa dropped her gaze and nodded, teeth clenched in frustration.

That humiliation festered in her mind for the past thirty-two years. She followed Mara's charter but never its spirit. It wasn't what the Dannt needed to grow strong.

She didn't want the Dannt to return to the cities. In her mind, the Goddess had punished them for straying from the true path. Only discipline and order under her command would find them favor in the Goddess' eye once more. This truth was so clear to her it pained her that Mara couldn't see it. The Queen's emotional sentimentality for the people sickened Kressa. They needed to be treated like a weapon's edge, beaten to add strength, and honed to add sharpness! Only through suffering could they reach their potential.

She knew nothing of love. She'd never felt its supposedly sweet kiss, nor had she any interest in experiencing it. She took a mate for children and chose the strongest male available. Truthfully, she found most Dannt to be too concerned with feelings.

When her tribe celebrated a birth, a wedding, or any moment where they gathered to shower each other with emotional displays, they made sure to do so out of her sight and hearing. She had no time for such meaningless frivolity, and her tribe knew it.

There was only one event she planned to celebrate: her crowning as Queen of the Dannt. Mara finally took a mate, but he was now dead, leaving Mara with no children. No heir to the throne. While Kressa would have preferred to take the throne from Mara by force, earning it this way would have to do.

They were following the path along the foothills from their northern forest. To their right rose the mountain range, which separated them from the forest lands that the Dannt believed hid the Rakka's nest. No one ventured over the mountain to find it, as the Rakka rarely crossed over the pass in groups larger than two or three.

They were only a day or two away from Mara's village. She'd felt the land move under her feet a day before, saw the horizon glow, and wondered what the Queen was up to on her final days.

While these were ominous signs, it didn't matter. There was no way Mara could prevent being forced out now. Kressa's destiny was returning to her at last.

"KRESSA! RAKKA!"

She immediately leapt to her feet and rushed toward the source of the alarmed cry. She scowled as none of her warriors should have sounded so frightened by the sight of a Rakka. They were all seasoned fighters.

She caught sight of her mate, Harrkon. He was a brute of a male, strong in body if low in intelligence. He looked at her with a shocked expression, so she doubled her pace to reach his side.

As she arrived, she saw six of the beasts loping down a trail toward them. They were still a good distance away, but running from them would be futile as the others in her party could not fight them off.

Then she noted something odd about their gait. Some were stumbling frequently though they kept up with their group. She called out orders to set up a defensive line, and all spears dropped their deadly points toward the approaching threat.

As the beasts got closer, Kressa's eyes widened with shock as she saw terrible burns on their bodies. At least one was blind though others might have been as well, as they seemed to be running unnaturally close to each other like they needed to be guided.

Then Kressa had no more time to assess their enemy as the beasts ran directly at them. Some leapt with bloody claws outstretched to savage their targets. The blind ones just opened their toothy maws and jumped straight ahead, unaware of the actual locations of the Dannt warriors.

Harrkon crushed the skull of the largest Rakka with his club, and it went limp, dropping at his feet. Warriors on either side of the big man drove their spears into the open jaws of the blind Rakka, who'd flanked the big one. One died immediately as the spear severed its spine, but the other thrashed and swiped its bloody claws at its unseen tormentor. The Dannt warrior's throat was ripped away before Harrkon could bludgeon the thrashing beast to death.

Kressa was too busy dealing with the fully-sighted adult Rakka she'd speared through the chest as it dropped on her from above. Her spear was wedged between its ribs and stuck, but it missed anything critical. The creature continued to snap its jaws and swipe at her. She cursed in pain as its claws scored a hit on her shoulder. One of the deadly hooks actually tore from its damaged paw and remained embedded in the meat of her upper arm.

The warrior beside her finished off a blind Rakka and drove his spear through the skull of Kressa's opponent. A deep thump announced the end of the final Rakka as Harrkon's club returned to play.

Kressa staggered back and stared up at the mountain pass once more, but no more Rakka were visible.

Wincing in pain, she pulled the claw from her shoulder and stared at it in surprise. The bloody and dirty hook was intact, but the bone looked like it was rotting!

Turning to stare more closely at the beasts they'd slain, she realized she'd never seen these kinds of injuries before. They were horrendous!

All of them had been running on feet that were badly ripped and bloody. Several were missing toes.

The burn marks were odd as well.

The hair on the back of her neck began to prickle as nothing looked natural about this. She stepped back from the carnage. "Everyone stand back. These creatures were touched by the anger of the Goddess."

"Kressa! You've been injured!" Harrkon expressed his concern. He was staring at the rip on her shoulder.

She glared at him as she didn't need his emotional outburst. "Just rinse it and sew it closed. I'm not going to need to challenge the Queen now, am I."

Harrkon aimed worried eyes at his mate, and she snarled at him. After all these years, you'd think he'd get it through that thick skull of his that she didn't need his weak noises.

He was too soft with their children as well. She'd tried training their first born to be like her, but Leodri died of exposure in the forest. Harrkon wouldn't let her teach the others from that day onward. Instead, he coddled them. She turned away from his sad expression and marched back to find the Goddess Devotee in her entourage to get stitched up.

She couldn't bear to see his weakness.

Chapter 19

Jack smiled as he watched Mara's people join the queue for vaccinations. After breakfast, the Queen addressed the entire village and let them know they now had the means to regain a gift the Goddess had once bestowed upon them but was taken away during the plague.

He was impressed by her ability to connect so strongly with them, and this was before they could truly sense her genuine love for them!

Reflecting on the Queen's love and spotting Bayly assisting with the clinic, Jack's mind returned him to his arrival at breakfast this morning.

After waking up being spooned by Mara, Jack kissed her and slipped out of her tent and into his with only a few quickly hidden smiles from his security team. He'd spotted no Dannt witnesses, so that was comforting.

He freshened up and got dressed in his running clothes. After breakfast, they'd set up the vaccination clinic, then he thought it might be possible to go for a run.

When he walked into the large tent where breakfast was served, he spotted Bayly and her team and walked over to greet them.

"Good morning!"

Immediately their lips turned purple from a surge of emotion. Warrez nodded to him but looked away. Gruun seemed annoyed and turned his face as well. Lena had the opposite reaction from Gruun as she stared at him boldly and licked her lips.

Bayly seemed torn between embarrassment and awe.

After Jack heard the group make unintelligible sounds in reply, Bayly's need to speak to him got the better of her, and she moved up to his side. "We sensed you," she whispered as she locked eyes with him.

"What?" Jack asked in surprise.

She nodded. "We were on the other side of the village, and yet we picked up on the Queen's joy." Her eyes widened. "All four times!"

Jack's face felt very warm. "She must be a strong broadcaster," he muttered quietly, and she nodded.

He frowned. "We need to find out how the Dannt managed to have some privacy for their emotions. If they lived in cities, they must have had incredible control over their broadcasting ability," Jack's mind raced through the possibilities, "or they discovered a means to contain it within their homes?"

He caught the High Priestess watching him with a disapproving frown. "The Tik might be able to extract that information from your historical records." He kept to himself the suggestion that some of the vaccinated might venture into a city to see if the buildings were shielded against the broadcasts.

Mara joined them and immediately interpreted Bayly's rather transparent efforts. "Oh! Were we indiscreet?" she whispered to Bayly. Warrez joined them and glanced once at Jack before taking Mara's hands in hers.

"We were delighted to sense your happiness, Queen Mara. Please do not be concerned. We were the only ones who could have detected you last night, and we hold you in the utmost respect." Mara smiled at her, so Warrez continued. "Uh, afterward, we did some simple broadcast and receiving experiments of our own in a quest to understand our returning capabilities. We determined that each of us has a distinct maximum range for sending emotions to others. We all seem to have the same receiving power. You and Bayly share a similar sending range. Lena has half of Bayly's distance. Gruun is slightly less than Lena, and I have less than Gruun. It was fascinating to discover the differences between us. We must learn how the Dannt lived in cities with these abilities! Maybe the dwellings provided shielding?"

Bayly giggled, hearing Jack's words, and shook her head when Warrez gave her a curious glance.

"I need to speak to everyone after breakfast to let them know we will offer vaccinations to eliminate the plague once and for all. The Dannt will not be allowed to fade into the dust. As we strive to regain our destiny, there will be changes in the coming months and years." There was a new energy in Mara's eyes that Jack loved to see. This was a Queen who wouldn't fail her people. He prayed their activity the night before would help her achieve this.

He saw joy and hope in the eyes of Warrez and her team, especially Bayly. She absolutely worshipped her Queen. Laannaa, who'd arrived to hear Mara's announcement, looked stricken. She turned and walked away before Mara noticed.

But Jack did.

Juju arrived during breakfast and let them know Sarexa and Bronka would return to Danat just before last meal with their report from Danax.

Jack returned from his recollections and realized he was watching Bayly, who was fidgeting under his gaze. He shook his head and smiled at her in embarrassment. Her smile returned, and he realized she was picking up his emotions again.

He turned and waved to Tito to let it know he was ready.

He'd made arrangements with Mara during breakfast to go for a run. She put out the word for their best runners to join him, and they'd be waiting for him at the village's eastern edge. The Ishilon couldn't keep up with Jack's pace when running, but they'd proven they could track him by his collar. With Tito accompanying him, it could act as a second anchor should Jack need immediate assistance from his security team.

Dennesh walked with him to the beginnings of a wide plain of grass. There was a well-worn trail leading off toward the eastern horizon. A second trail led southeast, but a blockade was across the path.

Jack smiled at the group of seven Dannt doing their stretches as they watched him approach. He could see them trying to gauge how good a runner he was based on his physiology. He knew he was a little top-heavy with his wide shoulders and neck, but their eyes always returned to his horns.

"Good morning! I'm Jack Danner," he said with a smile. "Are you here to join me on the run?"

They smiled and nodded.

"Where does this trail go?" Jack pointed to the blocked path.

One of the Dannt, a young and lean male, looked at the others and then spoke up. "That one leads to the Gate Terminal or what's left of it." He smiled. "I'm Gettz. You're really from the other side of the galaxy? Way out there amongst the stars?"

Jack smiled. "Not quite the other side, but close."

"Why did you come all this way to help us?" Gettz asked, and Jack saw the others were paying close attention.

"Are any of you a close neighbor to Gettz?" he asked.

Another male who couldn't have been much older than Gettz nodded.

"Your name?" Jack asked.

"Wallos," he said quietly, and Jack nodded to him, then looked back at Gettz.

"If Wallos was in his tent calling for help because he was in trouble, what would you do?" Jack asked.

Gettz grinned at Wallos, then looked at Jack. "I'd help him."

"What if Wallos moved his tent to the other side of the village, but you still heard him crying out for help?" Jack asked and looked Gettz in the eye.

The young male nodded. "I'd still help him." Then he shook his head. "But I've known Wallos since I was young. You didn't know any of us, and you came from a lot farther away than the other side of the village!"

Jack looked at the gathered runners. "Are you aware of what the Gate Network is?" He saw a few hesitant nods. "Consider it to be a very large village, but the tents are worlds or sometimes groups of worlds. Your neighbors are funny looking, like Wallos," the group chuckled, "but you should expect them to behave like Gettz here." He grinned at the laughter. "When they don't behave like Gettz, the other neighbors are supposed to make sure they do, or the Tik remove their access to the neighborhood until they agree to behave. Everyone is protected, and everyone benefits from having good neighbors."

"You work for the Gate Network? There is someone like Queen Mara who oversees all the neighbors?" Gettz asked.

Jack shook his head sadly. "I wish there was. Instead, there is a central world where every neighbor has a representative, and they sit in a large chamber, voting on the proper action to take for every decision."

The group made sounds of dismay.

Gettz wasn't finished. "They decided you should come to protect us?"

Jack shook his head. "No. If I'd waited for them to make up their minds, we would have arrived too late. I was fortunate to have friends with a ship that could take me across the distance extremely quickly and powerful enough to prevent the bad neighbors from hurting anyone."

They were quiet for a moment as they thought about that. It was Gettz who broke the silence.

"Are you going to get in trouble with the representatives of the central world for not asking?" the young Dannt asked.

Jack smiled at the looks of concern on their faces. The Dannt were good people. He didn't want them to worry.

"Naaah. I'll be fine. Hey! Let's go for a run, okay?" he said enthusiastically. That brightened up their expressions. "Before we go, any dangers I should be aware of in the grasslands?"

They uniformly indicated there was nothing, so they headed out.

"Where does this path lead to?" Jack asked before anyone was too winded to talk.

"The village of the Central Plains Tribe. Three days run toward the east horizon," Wallos said.

The weather was good, and Jack enjoyed running with the group as they seemed like a great bunch. The three ladies in the group were too shy to speak but smiled a lot. He caught them staring at his horns.

Jack's lungs were sucking in the sweet air, and his blood was pumping as his muscles carried him across the plains. Soon, he lost awareness of anything but the horizon ahead of him, the sun's warmth, the air's freshness caressing his face, and the pounding of his feet on the soil. It was a truly blissful place.

"Jack. Jack? Jack!"

He returned to the here and now when Tito's voice finally broke through his runner's high.

Jack allowed his pace to slow, and he glanced up at the Tik floating along beside him. Looking behind him, he realized none of the Dannt were in sight. He slowed further, then stopped.

"What... happened... to the... Dannt?" Jack panted.

"None could sustain your pace and distance. They dropped off one by one until it was only you and me. I believe they headed back."

Jack nodded as he could see that happening.

He looked around, and a short distance ahead was a small cluster of trees in a slight dip. It was the first vegetation he'd seen in the endless plain of wild grasses. He frowned as he thought he heard something, and his hackles went up. He was sprinting forward at full speed before the sound truly registered. He pulled his gloves from his pockets and pulled them on as he raced down the path. The screaming got louder. It was a combination of terror and rage. The voice was female, and he heard weakening cries from a lower voice and the roar of a beast.

As he entered the small clearing in the grove, his brain registered several things in rapid sequence:

A female Dannt had a baby in a carrier on her back.

She held a bloody spear in both hands and was facing down a large Rakka.

There was a badly injured Dannt male on the ground before her.

The Rakka defended its kill by pinning him to the dirt with one paw.

Jack reached up, pulled the caps from his horns, and accelerated toward the Rakka as he growled.

It spun to face him, jaws wide.

The mother used this opportunity to stab her spear deep into the creature's side, and it threw its head back in a pained scream.

Jack dipped his chin to his chest as he slammed into the Rakka at full speed, lifting it up as he pushed off the ground with all his might. He was surprised by how light it felt, considering its size.

Hot sticky blood gushed down his face and chest from the impaled Rakka then they landed in the dirt and tumbled. Jack grabbed its front legs, ready to fight, but it was limp. He pushed against the body and felt his horns backing out of the holes he'd driven through the beast.

He staggered to his feet and wiped the blood from his face as best he could.

"Jack! Are you all right?" Tito gasped in dismay as it rushed over to see him. Gates opened immediately in the clearing, and the Ishilon poured through. Jack saw the woman still holding the spear as she crouched over her injured mate.

He left the corpse and walked closer to the female. "I'm a friend of Queen Mara. We're here to help. We need to get your mate to the village as quickly as possible. My friends can get all of us there if you let them."

She looked at him cautiously, and he realized he must look like a madman, covered in blood as he was.

Finally, she nodded, and Jack got his team to gently lift the male and carry him back to the village through a gate.

Jack found his bone caps which he'd dropped. Then he followed Dennesh and Tito through a Gate to step out at the village's eastern edge. The patient was being rushed toward the center of the town with his mate guiding them.

Queen Mara rushed toward him, but he held up his bloody hands. "The blood isn't mine," he said wearily. Some of his protection squad carried the body of the Rakka through their Gate, then they were all back, and Gates closed.

"What happened?" Mara asked.

Jack smiled and felt the blood crack on his face. "I'd really like to wash this off first. Then I'll tell you all about it."

Mara nodded and called out orders to the people gathering to see the Ambassador covered in Rakka blood. Many nodded to the Queen and rushed away. She led Jack through the village where other Dannt stopped and stared in shock at him. Some pointed at the deadly sharp points of his horns as they spoke to each other quietly.

They finally reached her tent, where her people were streaming in and out of the entrance in a bucket brigade. She called out again, and they stopped entering, and the ones inside quickly left.

Mara guided Jack inside to a small side chamber where a large and beautifully crafted basin awaited, filled with the heated water her people had shared.

Jack noted he was alone with her, so he allowed her to peel off his sodden running clothes, dropping them into a bucket until he stood naked before her. He glanced down and was relieved that his shoes seemed to have escaped the ordeal relatively unscathed. Mara went to pick them up.

"The shoes are fine. You can leave them," he said quickly, and she nodded, moving them to the side.

Jack stepped into the basin and eased himself down into the warm water. It could have been hotter, but he wasn't going to complain. Using a small bowl, he poured the water over his head, and Mara was kneeling next to the basin, helping him rinse the blood from his hair. He realized how lucky he was to have avoided any injury in the attack. If it hadn't been for the spear in its side making the Rakka lift its head, Jack might have run straight into its teeth. He jolted as the image of that went through his mind, and Mara looked at him closely.

He looked into her eyes. "Sorry, just now realizing how stupid my attacking a full-grown feral Krreegah was. It had the injured male on the ground and looked like it was going after the young mother and her child."

She nodded grimly, and he saw fear in her eyes as well.

He shook his head. "The stupid thing I did is over, and it worked out this time. We move on."

"Where was your Security Detail?" Mara asked sternly.

Jack caught the tremble in her worried tone and shook his head again. "I didn't give Tito time to bring them. I heard the scream and... I just reacted. Tito caught up and immediately brought help, but the creature was dead by then."

He looked into her eyes and saw the conflicting emotions. She was terrified for him, and she was furious with him. He couldn't stop his smile as she reacted exactly as Elissa would have.

"I'm so sorry. I can't help myself when someone is in danger. My need to protect is instinctive."

"Tell that to our child if you can survive that long!" she finally snapped.

Jack froze with his mouth open in shock.

Mara's worried scowl slowly became a timid smile.

"You're pregnant?" Jack gasped quietly.

"Yes!" she finally gushed as her happiness exploded.

Jack rose to his knees, took Mara in his arms, and kissed her passionately. She was clinging to him as well. They heard a sudden swell of cheering outside until the sound was thunderous. They pulled back from the kiss and looked at each other as they listened for voices.

"The Queen is with child!"

Jack recognized that joyous voice. Bayly.

He saw Mara's shock and moved to block her outrage. "They weren't listening in. They likely felt it in your emotions."

She took a moment to realize that was true then her smile returned. "I prayed for it but never expected the wish to be fulfilled."

"Your people need to see you. I'll finish up here and join you." He looked at his clothes in the bucket. "Could you ask Dennesh to bring me something to wear?" He looked at the stains on her clothes. "You might wish to put on something dry, too."

She leaned over, kissed him again, and then pranced out of the chamber to get dressed. Seeing someone so large and muscular prance was too sweet for words.

The water was cooling quickly, so Jack cleaned himself as best he could, stepped out and rinsed his bloody clothes, then dried himself with a rough but absorbent towel waiting next to the tub. He wrapped it around his waist. Then he carefully cleaned his horns and returned the bone caps to their tips. Finally, he stepped out into the larger sitting area of the tent.

"Shadeem. Your clothes."

Jack looked at Dennesh and saw she was bowing her head in shame, and she wouldn't look at him.

"Hey! What's wrong?" he asked in concern.

She glanced at him, and he saw she was miserable. "We failed you!"

Jack's eyebrows rose until it felt like they disappeared into his hair. "In what way did you fail me?"

"You faced a deadly opponent, and we could not get to you to protect you!" Dennesh blurted as her lower lip trembled.

Jack leaned back as he was hit with proof he'd been thinking selfishly once more. He wanted a run but knew it would be difficult for his team. He did it anyway. That felt bad, and Dennesh and her team were suffering.

Jack seized her shoulders and faced her. "Look me in the eye and hear what I'm saying. You didn't fail me! I failed you! I let my need to go for a run in this strange new place override common sense. Yes, we were told there were no risks in the grassland, but they failed to mention a small grove of trees where a feral Krreegah might be hiding. Regardless, I recklessly rushed in headfirst instead of waiting for help when danger arrived. I gave Tito no time to send the request for help or act as an anchor point. I'm sorry for failing you!" He released her shoulders and bowed.

Dennesh saw his gesture of remorse, and she was surprised. Then she gave him a small smile. "Why must you be the one to rescue everyone?"

Jack choked on his startled laugh, then shrugged at Dennesh. "All I can do is repeat what I said to Queen Mara. It's instinctive."

Dennesh nodded. "Did-did you really give her a child?"

Jack looked into the warrior's eyes and saw curiosity there. "That's what she said. I don't know how she can tell. To my knowledge, Humans need to take a medical test to determine if they're pregnant, and they have to wait more than a few hours before that test is truly accurate. It seems other races get signs much earlier." He saw the smirk on Dennesh's face. "Yes, Ishilon are in that group."

"I will let you get dressed. You may wish to join the celebrations," Dennesh suggested, and he nodded.

When he was alone, he looked at what Dennesh had brought him and smiled. He wouldn't be going commando, at least. He tugged on his underwear, then his denim shorts. He frowned as they were a little snug. The button-down Hawaiian shirt was a little loud, but he felt the buzz of surviving a deadly encounter, and flashy colors made him feel good.

Finally, he slipped his sandals on and left the tent.

A roar of approval went up as he faced a happy group of villagers. Dennesh and her team were visible on the perimeter.

High Priestess Laannaa-Klovalis was standing off to the side. He saw a conflicted expression on her face and wondered if that would be problematic for Queen Mara.

The Queen was amongst her people with the widest smile on her face. "Welcome, Jack Danner. Protector of the Dannt, Slayer of Rakka, father of my child."

The noise dropped considerably when Mara made the last statement.

Laannaa's expression was frozen in shock and dread. Jack wasn't sure of the reasons, but maybe he could get out in front of that.

"The child will be pure Dannt. I don't know how it works, but it does," Jack admitted. He looked to the gathered Tik.

Juju moved closer to speak with the leader. "Queen Mara. I can confirm what Jack says is true, as can his Ishilon team. I could also do a scan to set people's fears to rest."

"What will this scan do?" Mara asked with a hint of nervousness.

"It simply confirms the health of the developing life inside you," Juju said.

She nodded, then led the Tik into her tent.

Jack smiled at the waiting villagers, but Laannaa was no longer there. Instead, he saw the young mother he'd rescued approaching. She didn't appear to be crying, so he took that as a good sign.

"How is he?" Jack asked immediately as she stopped before him.

She smiled with sudden tears in her eyes. "Hestor lives and will recover. Thank you for coming to our aid!"

Jack just smiled and nodded to her in relief. "I'm so glad to hear he'll be okay."

She nodded and smiled shyly at him as she turned and slipped back into the crowd to return to her mate's side.

Mara left the tent, and everyone went silent in anticipation.

She walked up to Jack and took his hands. He looked up into her lovely brown eyes, which were filled with joy. "They are healthy and completely Dannt!"

"They?" Jack asked in surprise.

"Three!" Mara called out to her audience, and they erupted in cheers. Triplets were the best that could be hoped for in a Dannt pregnancy, and their Queen had achieved it. A very good sign indeed.

Jack was dazed. He was having triplets with Queen Mara. He definitely had to make regular trips to see them. His eyes scanned across the villagers and saw their joy. One face was still missing. Laannaa's.

He looked back at Mara and saw her smiling at her subjects.

Jack spoke softly for Mara's ears alone. "The High Priestess—"

"I know," she said without changing her expression, so he let it go. It was her issue to deal with.

"We shall have a celebration tonight!" Mara called out, and the joy from her people was almost tangible. Their fear of losing their queen had been eliminated, and the future looked bright once again.

She released Jack's hands and walked amongst her people as he watched her go.

Jack received many smiles, but none were wider than Bayly's.

She rushed up to him and threw her arms round him in a hug, her enthusiasm off the rails.

Jack laughed as her joy was infectious.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she gushed.

He grinned but shook his head. There was nothing he could say to calm her.

His stomach grumbled from being empty.

He hoped the celebration included dinner!

-=-

High Priestess Laannaa-Klovalis settled into her favorite cushions in her tent and did her best to relax. She'd made her preparations, and all that was left was the waiting.

This gave her time to remember.

She and Mara had grown up together. Her favorite memories all included Mara. Laannaa knew from a young age that Mara was destined for greatness. Her inner strength matched her powerful physique and a capacity for love that took Laannaa's breath away.

Laannaa loved Mara more than anyone and protected her when the heir-apparent's views strayed from the path the former High Priestess advocated.

Mara was equally supportive when Laannaa worked her way through the Order of Goddess Devotees and backed her when she campaigned to take over the duties of the High Priestess when her health suddenly deteriorated. Others might have given Mara an easier time, but Mara insisted her dearest heart kept her honest.

This reminded Laannaa of her greatest secret. A truth never spoken aloud.

She was deeply in love with Mara.

While it was true that she'd pressed Mara to find a mate and have children to protect her role as Queen, she felt guilty that she was secretly grateful it had taken so long. Jordem had been a suitable match, but they'd just begun being a couple when tragedy struck.

Hearing Mara's mourning cries had been so painful.

Now Laannaa had the opportunity to share Mara's emotions.

But Mara would feel hers, and Laanna's biggest betrayal would be exposed to everyone.

The sad and lonely High Priestess had worked so hard to keep anything from changing. She'd forced the weaker-willed High Priestess' on Danax and Danam to follow her lead and vetoed any of the Queen's policies which might lead the Dannt back toward adopting the technology they needed to make their lives easier and safer.

In her pursuit to keep Mara under control and, more importantly, dependent on her, she'd damned the Dannt to a dwindling death.

Mara struggled with Laannaa's restrictions, but she'd never openly defied her.

That is, until the arrival of the off-worlder.

When Mara told the Dannt-Tik Interface team that she was going to address the village after breakfast and large changes would take place to ensure the people came back from the brink of extinction, Laannaa knew her ability to stay by Mara's side had come to a close.

Her later announcement that she was pregnant and that the odd-looking off-worlder was the father was too much for Laannaa's heart to endure. She was ecstatic that Mara no longer had to step down, but her dearest heart had sex with the alien!

So be it.

Mara had chosen, and Laannaa knew what she must do. She would support Mara in the only way she still could.

The letter she'd left for Mara and the new Goddess' directives she'd prepared would help her get control of the other two High Priestess' and the order of Goddess Devotees on all three worlds. They would be her hands and eyes on all three worlds.

Her fingertips and toes were so cold. She pulled a blanket over her but knew it wouldn't help.

Her tent flap suddenly flipped open, and she frowned at the impertinence of the intruder.

Then she saw it was Mara, and her expression was filled with love and concern.

She felt her heart ache as she knew she would soon never see her beautiful friend.

Mara looked at the heavy blanket enveloping Laannaa and looked into her eyes as dread spread across her face.

"What have you done?" Mara gasped.

Laannaa shook her head slowly as moving was becoming painful. "Only what was needed to ensure you will be able to achieve the recovery of the Dannt. I believe in you, Mara." It suddenly wasn't enough to leave it unsaid.

"I... I love you, Mara."

Mara looked into Laannaa's eyes and nodded gently. "Laannaa, I've known you loved me for a long time. I love you too. Now what have you done?" She pulled the blanket back and gasped sharply when she saw Laannaa's hands were blue.

"Poison? Why?" Mara cried.

Laannaa was still processing that Mara knew her secret. "Why... why didn't you tell me you knew I loved you?"

Flustered, Mara scowled. "If you'd wanted me to know, you would have expressed it to me directly. As you didn't, I respected your wishes. Now, what did you take, how much did you take, and when did you take it?"

Warrez burst into the tent, and Laannaa glared at her incredulously.

"I called her!" Mara insisted. Then Jack stepped through the flap, followed by Juju. "She brought them!" Mara said.

She ignored Laannaa for a second to look at the new arrivals. "Laannaa has consumed some form of poison." She looked at Laannaa. "Please tell me!"

"It's too late, and it's for the best, Mara. You'll understaaann sooon," Laannaa said slowly. Her tongue was starting to feel thick and unresponsive.

"You're my dearest heart! My oldest friend!" Mara said, then looked at Jack in desperation.

"If Peacekeeper was here, we might have been able to reverse the toxin, but there's no word from them yet," he said in apology. He looked to the Tik.

"Juju! You could scan her to see what she has taken so we can find an antidote!"

The Tik moved closer to Laannaa. "High Priestess Laannaa-Klovalis. Will you give me permission to scan you in the hopes of saving your life?"

"No... I... will... not," Laannaa forced out. Her body hurt so much.

"I'm sorry, Queen Mara. I cannot scan her against her wishes," Juju said quietly and moved back.

Laannaa looked into Mara's desperate eyes. "Letter... for... only... you." She tried to point to her table.

Mara nodded. "Please don't do this."

Laannaa looked into Mara's eyes as she struggled to remain conscious. "Need... to. For... you... and Dannt." Her eyes rolled to look at the ceiling. "God...dess... forgive... me."

Laannaa-Klovalis, High Priestess for the Dannt, released her grip on her life and slipped away.

Chapter 20

The evening's celebrations were postponed so Queen Mara could mourn the loss of her friend, Laannaa.

She stayed in the High Priestess' tent to read the letter her friend left for her, and Warrez brought Jack and Juju back to his tent.

She nodded to the other members of the Dannt-Tik Interface Team, who were all waiting for them as Sarexa and Bronka had returned from Danax.

Warrez looked at her team and saw their curiosity. They'd felt as she did, the Queen's grief after Laannaa died. Mara was now containing her emotions as best she could as the vaccination clinic was still underway with the last few villagers going through the process. Newborns would get the antibodies from their mothers while nursing. All other children went through the process quickly, none experiencing the sense loss for more than a brief few minutes.

"Queen Mara is currently occupied, so we will take the report from Sarexa and Bronka to pass along to her when she is available," Warrez said briskly.

Juju looked to the two. "Please proceed."

Sarexa chose to speak first. "We spoke with the Tik at the Gate Terminal on Danax, and they provided all the background data from their initial research. The company in question employed one hundred and twenty-two Dannt. The particular research lab in the facility where the virus was produced had one senior designer and three assistants. Company policy indicated only the senior designer was allowed to use the equipment that makes the viruses."

Bronka picked up the reporting next. "Jexra Kinsma ran this research lab. We found his home address in the records collected and went there to collect his personal files. In his domicile, we found numerous awards of achievement in his scientific field, and he had many commendations indicating he had a very high level of intellect. He also kept a diary, and after running it through the translator, we discovered he might have suffered from a mental condition that closely matches psychopathy.

He also had one major difference from his peers. He was blind to emotion. In a society that shared emotional connections, he was... disconnected. His diary indicated a deep resentment for his peers, who he believed were spending too much time on their relationships with their mates or searching for mates. We found several references in his diary indicating he thought this obsession with emotional connections was detrimental to his work and society as a whole."

Jack frowned. "You said he was blind to emotion. Does that mean he'd be like me, unable to hear the emotions of the Dannt but still able to have my own emotions?"

Sarexa answered. "I went back to the personnel records from the company, and the assistants who worked for him rotated out frequently. This was another source of aggravation for Jexra. The assistants who requested transfers from his team prevented him from completing his work. There were many complaints that he was cold and lacked empathy. A few said they believed he controlled his emotions so tightly they couldn't feel anything from him. Jexra might have been tightly controlling his emotions, or it might be that he just didn't have them. The latter seems more likely based on his comments in his personal diary, which were dry and devoid of clues indicating his emotive state."

Jack shook his head. "If the company was getting complaints about him which pointed to a serious mental condition, why didn't they get help for him? For that matter, how did he manage to make it through his childhood without raising red flags for his inability to connect emotionally with anyone?"

Bronka was up. "We have not researched his early childhood as our mission was to determine why the virus was created, and we believe we have answered this. We can do more in-depth analysis into the failings of the Dannt mental healthcare system if requested."

Jack held up a hand. "Sorry, I'm just stunned that a society whose members have the ability to sense the emotions of others would have let someone with such a disability slip through the cracks."

Bronka continued. "Based on his awards, he was a celebrated genius, and we determined that the company generated much revenue from his work. No records in the company database indicated they acted upon the complaints other than to fire some of the assistants or transfer them to another department. In the last six months before the outbreak of his custom virus, Jexra was working without assistants. No one was aware of what he was working on. He began the new project to deal with Dannt emotions. In his diary, he called it the solution."

Jack shared a haunted look with the Dannt. "This guy Jexra was a psychopath working on a virus to block the emotions of the Dannt. There were no check and balance steps in place to prevent him from doing this, and no one in authority at the company was willing to jeopardize their relationship with the genius who made them money. They were completely hands-off, and he did as he pleased."

"Was he aware it could be fatal?" Warrez asked.

Sarexa responded. "He made no reference to this in his diary, and he wasn't recording his findings in his research lab for this project. His personal diary entries stopped shortly after he snuck the virus from the lab. He released it in a popular gathering place for couples. He noted that in his last entry. A little over a week later, Jexra Kinsma was listed as deceased. He was one of the earliest victims, but it'd reached the space port prior to his death. Danam and Danat would fall shortly afterward."

"The initial virus was contagious by airborne transmission?" Jack asked.

"Yes," Bronka admitted. "That variant died shortly after the final Dannt was infected. There was no one left to infect. Survivors carry the less transmissible variant. It is contagious through bodily fluids alone."

"Such as those found in a kiss," Lena reminded Bayly, whose lips darkened, and she slapped Lena's arm to silence her.

Jack was also blushing, so it was time for a distraction. "Moving along, thank you very much for your excellent research and analysis on the creator of the virus, Sarexa and Bronka!" Jack said to them and clapped. The Dannt joined in with smiles.

"There is another question that arose while you were performing this mission. In your efforts, did you find any reference to how the Dannt obtained privacy from sharing their emotions? Did their dwellings offer shielding?" Jack asked.

The two Tik looked at each other. "No, we didn't discover an answer to that. It might have explained how Jexra remained undiagnosed if he spent most of his time within such shielded structures."

Jack offered a suggestion. "The Dannt in this village have all taken the vaccination, and the virus has been purged. We've already encountered situations where emotions were leaked to others, causing some embarrassment. They will need to find some means to have privacy. Any documentation on how their ancestors dealt with that would be very helpful—"

Warrez suddenly stood, as did her team, and they all looked to the north.

Jack looked at them in surprise. "What is it?"

"Kressa's group has arrived, and something is wrong," Warrez stated stiffly. She rushed out of Jack's tent, and her team chased after her with Jack and the Tik at the rear.

Warrez cursed the timing of her arrival as Queen Mara was not at her best at the moment.

She would do what she could to delay the northern chief.

-=-

Jack heard angry shouting ahead, and Dennesh and her team immediately surrounded him. "I need to get to the front as gently as possible, please," he called out to her.

The Ishilon parted the crowd of villagers before him with firm but gentle pressure until he faced a group of Dannt dressed in clothing more suitable to cooler temperatures. Standing at their front was a formidable looking female wearing a thick bandage on her shoulder. She was scowling at the villagers.

"WHERE IS QUEEN MARA?" she shouted, and Jack noticed she wobbled slightly. He assumed this must be Kressa, the northern leader.

Warrez was standing next to him and was about to shout back when Jack reached out to touch her arm. "She's been injured, and something's wrong with her."

"She's mad with power," Warrez spat quietly.

"No, I mean she's sick. Her skin color is off, and there's something about her eyes," Jack muttered. The longer he looked, the more the prickling sensation on his neck grew. "Did they come over the mountain range?"

She looked at him carefully. "No, but their path follows the range all the way past where the explosion happened. Did the poison blow over the mountains after all?"

"The winds were wrong for that, but something else might have crossed the mountain. Something poisonous," Jack suggested, and Warrez looked frightened by the idea.

Jack waved to Juju, who was hovering above. It descended, and the northern visitors all took a step back as they stared at it suspiciously. "Juju, they may have encountered irradiated Rakka. Are you detecting anything?"

"I will check, Jack," it said to him quietly, and he turned back to the new arrivals.

Jack stepped out in front of the villagers. "On your journey here, did you encounter any Rakka showing signs of sickness?" he called out.

"What are you?" Kressa snapped.

"I'm Ambassador Danner. I'm from... up there," he said, gesturing vaguely to the sky. He didn't have time to go into the details. "There was a heaving of the ground and a flash in the sky recently. This was caused by an explosion on the other side of the mountains. The Rakka nest was destroyed, but some may have escaped. They may have burns and be very sick with a kind of poison that can be transferred to others. Did you encounter some?"

"Poison?" a large male blurted fearfully and was immediately hissed at by Kressa.

Jack took that as a sign that he may be her mate. "If you were bitten, scratched, or even bled on, this could transfer the poison to you. It causes skin and bone to rot."

"The claws!" the big male said intensely, and Kressa snarled and spun to hit him. Instead, she lost her balance and fell, striking her shoulder against the ground. She grunted, her bandage tore free, and the wound beneath was an ugly sight. Kressa struggled to get back on her feet, but her eyes wouldn't stop rolling.

Juju scanned the bandage as it was no longer attached to the Dannt. "Jack! There are radioactive particles within the blood in the bandage. Please move back!"

Queen Mara pushed her way closer, but Jack caught her arm to stop her. She looked at him in surprise.

"This group was attacked by Rakka, which were heavily irradiated, poisoned with radiation. Kressa was injured by one, and Juju confirmed that the blood in her bandage was contaminated. This is very contagious and can cause severe complications for pregnant people." Her eyes widened, and she stepped back, her hands automatically covering her developing children.

Jack turned to face the new arrivals. "Were any of you injured as well? Did you touch the wounds of those who were?"

A young female came forward from the group. She was trembling as her fingertips were turning grey. "I sewed her wound closed. I can't feel my fingers!"

Jack gave her a sympathetic look. "Please sit, rest, and we will try to get you help."

He turned to Juju. "We need to recall Peacekeeper. Their medical bay can treat this. We have no medicine with us for radiation poisoning."

Juju looked to Sarexa and Bronka. "Could we ask you two to do another mission?"

"Of course," they said in unison.

Jack leaned forward. "Get to Krreegah and speak to Commander Tessen to find out how quickly Peacekeeper can return. Let them know we have irradiated Dannt, who need decontaminating immediately. If they will take more than a few hours, ask if you can bring something back with you that we can use to stabilize the patients until they arrive."

Juju and TkaTken opened a Gate to Danax, and Sarexa and Bronka rushed through.

Jack moved back to Kressa's people. The chieft was sitting on the ground, breathing heavily, and trying to focus her hate-filled eyes on him.

"I'm trying to get you help as quickly as possible. I believe you've been badly poisoned as your shoulder looks unhealthy." He looked at the large male who was looking at him hopefully.

Kressa swiped her good arm at him, but he jumped back out of range. He looked into her bleary eyes.

"What right... have you to speak... to my people?" she snapped weakly.

"I can offer help. It's up to you to accept it—"

Kressa's expression twisted to disgust. "I will NOT accept any treatment from off-worlders. WE DON'T NEED IT!" she yelled.

"I do!" the young Goddess Devotee insisted as she moved farther from Kressa. "I don't want to die!"

"Coward and... betrayer of our people!" Kressa spat and seemed to run out of energy. She laid back but focused on Mara. "You! You cannot be Queen, barren one," she said, strength returning to her momentarily.

"Queen Mara is pregnant! With three babies!" Bayly snapped as she trembled in outrage. Jack held up a hand toward her to calm and quiet her.

Kressa's grin turned to confusion. "No! Not possible!"

Mara nodded. "It's true. I'm having three, so I won't be stepping down."

Kressa ground her teeth together as she stared at Mara with murder in her eyes. Then she focused on Jack. "Off-world menace! This was your interference, wasn't it! This will not go unpunished! Harrkon! Kill him!"

Jack shared an uncomfortable glance with the brute, but Harrkon made no move to follow his mate's order. "He is trying to help! Let him help you!"

"You're betraying me, too?" she gasped. She struggled to pull her dagger to stab her mate, but he took it from her weakened fingers.

Then she bit him.

He pulled his hand away, but two of her teeth came with it.

"Stop!" Jack yelled, and everyone froze. He tore his shirt off, moved closer to clean and wipe the blood from Harrkon's hand, and wrapped it. "Juju, please scan this for radiation."

The Tik passed a beam over the shirt and Harrkon's hand.

"The blood is contaminated. Harrkon is contaminated too, but not as badly as Kressa," the Tik responded.

"My blood is poison? Then I will kill you myself!" Kressa said with a bloody grin as she looked at Jack from the ground.

Harrkon's big foot suddenly slammed down on Kressa's head, and she twitched a few times, then went still.

Everyone froze and went silent. Harrkon looked destroyed.

"I'm so sorry," Jack said to him quietly as he touched his arm.

"It-it is the duty... of the Chief's mate to protect the people if her actions greatly endanger them," he said in a stilted language, reciting something he'd memorized at some time, long ago. Then he turned his sad eyes on Jack. "I've been the only parent my children had for some time. Please save me from this poison," the big man said as a tear rolled down his cheek.

Jack nodded. "We will do absolutely everything in our power to ensure you remain healthy for them."

He got busy ensuring the northern people were separate from the villagers and comfortable. They allowed Juju to scan them for radiation. Many were clean, so they joined Mara's people.

TkaTkan made a sudden announcement and moved off to the side. "The Tik are returning."

A Gate opened next to TkaTken. Sarexa and Bronka floated through then Dr. Chena came through with a large hovering case.

"Shadeem, where are my patients!"

-=-

Later, Jack got a report from Chena that the radiation burns had been dealt with, and except for the Goddess Devotee, none of his patients needed further treatment. The young female would be taken up to Peacekeeper for treatment to restore function to her fingertips once the ship returned tomorrow.

Chena acknowledged that Kressa would have died regardless of any treatment he could have done for her. Her shoulder was highly irradiated and likely had radioactive debris embedded in it still. For the safety of everyone, her body was wrapped to limit the leakage then Sarexa and Bronka carried it into space and launched it toward the sun. That was deemed the safest location for disposal at the time. The dead Rakka the northerners encountered would need to be avoided until the Krreegah clean-up teams arrived.

After Jack put on a new shirt, it was finally time to eat.

Harrkon was sitting with them and seemed to be rebounding from his earlier sorrow. He was also coming to grips with the idea of a vaccination that would eliminate the plague virus still inside him so that he could feel the emotions of others, and they would feel his.

Queen Mara explained that all Dannt would need to purge the virus so their worlds could eventually join the Gate Network. They had a long way to go to bring their society back to a level where they could join, but they would ask the Tik for assistance.

Jack filled his empty tummy with delicious food until he finally pushed back and sighed with contentment. He looked over at Mara, and she was smiling as well. There was also a tinge of sadness he knew was for her friend Laannaa. He didn't know what was said in the letter the High Priestess mentioned, but it seemed to have eased some of Mara's pain. The Queen seemed energized by new possibilities that were somehow denied to her before.

Again, Jack might have been reading too much into that small smile, but he didn't think so.

"When will the children be born?" he asked.

The Queen's smile was blissful. "In three seasons."

Jack looked at Juju.

"Ten months," it said.

"I will return for their birth," Jack said, and Mara's smile widened then she looked at him hopefully.

"I have a favor to ask of you in the interim. I know I have no right to ask for anything more after everything you've done for the Dannt, but I'm hoping you will grant me this," she said sweetly, and he simply waited. "Take Bayly with you and train her in what it means to be an ambassador. The Dannt will claim our destiny of joining the Gate Network, and when we do, having an Ambassador who understands the motivations of our new neighbors will be vital."

Jack's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"I've heard Sarexa and Bronka's report from Warrez, and I realize Dannt's former society, while technologically advanced, failed its people in significant ways. When we rebuild, we will not forget the core values that make us strong and will protect against the weaknesses that brought us down. It will take time, but we have that time now, thanks to you. Your example will play a large role in defining how we reclaim our place." Mara's eyes were practically glowing with joy, and Jack was deeply honored and more than a little overwhelmed by the praise.

He heard a sniff and glanced at his security team, who were smiling but teary-eyed.

"We're so proud of our Shadeem!" Dennesh sighed.

Mara laughed softly at Jack's dismay at making them cry again. "He's become our Shadeem as well," she said sweetly, and the Ishilon nodded in appreciation of that wisdom.

Jack wearily put his hands over his face, and the Queen laughed in delight, then pulled them away to kiss him boldly.

She was very strong, and it was a very good kiss.

Chapter 21

It took a few days to finish the preparations for their departure. Most of the Tik who'd come to witness the saving of the Dannt would remain behind to assist Mara with ensuring all her people were free of the virus on all three worlds. Chena cranked out thousands of doses as there was no true census of how many Dannt remained. The Tik would be in charge of tracking that and their vaccination status. The ship fabricated plenty of injectors as well.

The Ishilon supplied three generators for the Tik on Danat to keep them charged while they rebuilt the Gate Terminal. Queen Mara would be traveling to every tribe on all three worlds to bring them the joyful message that they'd passed the Goddess' test and were ready to reclaim their place in the galaxy. Healthcare would be one of their first priorities. Physical and mental conditions would be addressed to ensure the people were strong for the trials ahead. The Tik were given Ishilon technology to assist with this. Clinics would be set up on all three worlds to care for the people.

Children would be born healthy and protected to remain that way as they grew.

The Krreegah would remove all remaining Rakka from Danat and extract the poison their weapon and ships left on the surface.

The Tik would be watching them.

Bayly was overjoyed with the idea that she would be trained to be the Dannt's first Ambassador. She was even more pleased to know Jack would be teaching her.

"Where will I live?" she gushed excitedly, having just been briefed by the Queen on her new duties. With the Tik now being given free rein to interact with the Dannt, the interface teams were no longer required. They were being reassigned as local ambassadors between the Tik and Dannt, who'd never met them before.

"I guess you'll come home with me," Jack said. "I promised to train you and bring you back when I return to Danat for the birth of the triplets. You'll need to stay close. I have a lot to teach you in a short time."

Bayly's lips became a deep purple as she stared at him. Then she didn't know where to look.

Even without the ability to read her emotions, Jack picked up what Bayly was thinking about at the moment, and his face heated up too. She likely picked up Mara's broadcasted emotions from the night before.

Dennesh arrived to save the moment. "Shadeem, the commander says the preparations are complete, and we are ready to depart when you are."

Jack looked at Dennesh in relief. "Thank you." He looked back at Bayly. "Are you all packed and ready to leave?"

"YES! I, uh, yes, I'm ready," she stammered.

Jack turned back to Dennesh, who was obviously suppressing her smile. "Could you assist Bayly in boarding with her items? I'll be with you momentarily."

"Yes, Shadeem," Dennesh said with a bow that allowed her to hide her smirk.

With a nod to Bayly, Jack walked back into the village and found Queen Mara speaking with a group of Goddess Devotees, as they were called. Faces turned to gaze at him, and he found the intensity of their interest to be a little disturbing. Mara said something, and they all nodded to her and walked away, leaving the Queen to have a private moment with Jack.

"I will miss you," she blurted, and he smiled in surprise.

"You will be so busy. The time will fly by. Besides, you have some of me with you all the time," Jack said as he placed his hand on her lower tummy.

She sucked in a breath, and her eyes flashed as she recalled the previous evening when Jack introduced her to some of his favorite positions. She discovered she did enjoy riding him! He had clever hands!

Jack could see she was reliving her evening's activities, bringing his mind back to Bayly.

"I think Bayly is going to struggle with her... attractions," Jack said.

"Then don't make the girl suffer, Jack! I certainly wouldn't mind my babies having playmates from her when she returns!" she said with a grin.

Jack stared at Mara in surprise. Then he leaned closer to whisper. "You recall I said I don't know how my xeno-fertility works? Dannt biology has tricks of its own! If she hasn't already chosen a mate, what happens if her body tries to tune itself to my alien biology? Maybe she won't be able to make babies with a Dannt mate later!"

Mara took his face between her strong hands and kissed him sweetly. When she pulled back, she could see he was more than a little flustered, so she smiled. "Jack, you are overthinking again. Just let life happen as it does."

He nodded in acceptance, then touched her tummy again. "See you soon. Be good for your mother," he whispered.

"Jack, you need to leave, or I won't let you go," Mara said, tears beginning to show in her eyes.

He glanced up, then nodded as his emotions swelled. She gasped softly, so he quickly turned and returned to the Gate Dennesh had opened. She smiled at him.

"All is well with the Queen?"

Jack looked back at the village and nodded gently. He then noticed Juju, TkaTken, and Tito rushing to join him. He waited until they settled down to hover before him.

"Thank goodness we caught you before you left!" Juju said in relief.

Jack smiled and spoke first. "Thank you so much for all your help over the past week. If I could ask a favor of you while I'm away? Please keep an eye on Queen Mara. Protect her to make sure she and our children are healthy and happy. Let her know I asked you to do regular scans to confirm the babies are developing well. Contact me if there is any trouble. I can get back in four days."

"It would be our honor to serve you in this capacity!" TkaTken gushed, and Juju dipped forward in agreement.

"We heard that Bayly will be returning to Chuuruthia with you. We would like to ask you if Tito Bandito could continue to accompany her and assist her in any way it can. They achieved great things, and the Tik elders should hear Tito's story directly."

Jack nodded. "I have no issues with Tito joining us, but you'll have to ask Bayly directly about assisting her. Either way, you're welcome to come aboard."

Tito tipped forward in acknowledgment and flew through the Gate.

"Again, it was an honor for TkaTken and me to meet you in person. Seeing you in action, protecting the Dannt, saving the Queen, and empowering the Tik to save this dying race was all so inspiring! We haven't felt so enthusiastic since the days the Tik you call Socrates and Plato mentored us."

Two words stuck out in Juju's verbal gush; in person.

Jack realized these two had received the experience files from his collar, and they'd made an impression.

"Ah, well. Just trying to help the Tik's mission any way I can," he said awkwardly.

"Well, we won't delay you any further! Thank you again!" Juju said happily.

Jack shook their offered tentacles, then walked through the Gate, followed by Dennesh.

"Thank you, Dennesh, for your assistance on the planet. You and your team get full marks from me!" Jack said.

She seemed a little overwhelmed, so he hugged her, then walked toward the bridge to give her time to recuperate. She was now officially off-duty.

Jack walked into the bridge and smiled at Lorrem. "How went the prisoner and ship transfer?"

"It went very smoothly, especially with the assistance of the Tik. We were almost finished transferring the casualties to their hospital facilities when your request came through. Chena said he would do triage until we returned. I'm sorry if any Dannt were lost before we could arrive," the commander said.

"One died well before you could have returned, and Chena said she was too far gone to save," Jack assured him.

Lorrem nodded. "What is our next destination?"

"Chuuruthia. We need to speak to the Tik to have them begin their analysis of the new power sources for the Gates. I need to see if they can confirm this technology can be implemented on the existing Gates." Lorrem nodded, so Jack continued.

"You take Peacemaker home from there. I've promises to keep at home, but please let the Sultessa know I'll then be coming to address the Ishilon for their efforts in coming to the aid of the Dannt. Then I'll head to Maghadahn. Hopefully, the Tik will have an assessment report for me by then. This will help if the Assembly Members try to get uppity," Jack said with a smile.

Lorrem smiled happily. "I look forward to your return to Callosephia. The people are always inspired by your words."

Jack nodded to Lorrem with a little smile, then rubbed his face with his hands.

"Are you fatigued, Shadeem?" Lorrem asked in concern.

Jack chuckled softly. "I just realized how little time I'll have over the next year, and now I have a new family on Danat."

Lorrem's expression froze. "What?"

Jack looked at him with mild surprise. "Oh! You didn't hear? Queen Mara of the Dannt is pregnant with triplets... from me. She needed to have an heir to remain their queen, but her mate died. Dannt females can only be fertile for one Dannt male. My compatibility with other races meant I could give her a child. She's having three."

Lorrem was stunned. "It was... exceptionally fortuitous for her that you have that ability."

Jack grinned. "Actually, Bayly originally left Danat to come looking for me specifically for that. The Tik must have told her. Then the Krreegah declared war, and she had to ask for our assistance to save the Dannt. She didn't tell me about her Queen's need." Lorrem shook his head in amazement. Jack shrugged.

He sighed. "I think I'll lie down briefly after I check on Gee and Bal."

"You've earned your rest, Shadeem. I will have someone bring dinner to your suite," Lorrem suggested.

"Thank you," Jack said and left the bridge. He smiled when he saw Norress waiting for him.

When he spotted the bandage on Norress' upper arm, his smile dropped away. "What happened?"

Norress seemed embarrassed by the attention. "It's just a minor injury I obtained during the take-over of The Fang and Claw."

"You were part of the boarding party?" Jack asked.

"Yes, Shadeem. My team took control of Engineering. We disabled the ship's ability to power its weapons and engines," he said proudly.

Jack gave him an impressed smile and a nod. "Anyone else hurt?"

"I know of one other warrior in my unit who had some minor burns, but Chena healed him!" he rushed to assure Jack, whose expression showed his dismay.

Jack gripped Norress' forearm and looked into his eyes. "Thank you for your heroic efforts. You won the day and saved lives with your actions." Jack took a deep breath. "I'll be coming to Callosephia to speak to the people after I deal with some outstanding promises when we get home. The Ishilon will play a larger role in the Gate Network in the coming years. The Assembly will know of the courage and integrity of the Ishilon people of Callosephia."

Norress' eyes were wide with awe.

Jack suddenly yawned, then smiled in embarrassment. "But first, I need a nap... after I check on Gee and Bal."

Norress grinned and walked with him to sick bay.

-=-

Jack was sound asleep when he suddenly woke. He wasn't sure what caused him to wake, but he felt... anxious.

"Jack?"

In the dim light of his room, he looked toward the door. That was Bayly's voice.

"Come in!" he called.

The door opened, and Bayly stepped inside. She looked up as she noticed the lights were off.

The sensation of anxiety increased. "Bayly, are you okay?"

She closed the door and rushed across the space to stand next to his bed. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

He sat up and reached for her hand. "Sit down. Take some slow breaths and let me know what's wrong," Jack said calmly. After she sat on the edge, he could see her features in the soft glow of a small display screen next to the bed, which Jack had showing their route.

Bayly was calming as she clung to his hand and followed his instructions. Soon, Jack couldn't feel the anxiety anymore. He was surprised he'd been picking it up from her!

"What was making you feel so anxious?" he asked, and her eyes widened.

"You felt that? I thought you said you couldn't!" she gasped.

"Normally, I can't, but you're a really strong broadcaster, like Mara, and something was really bothering you," Jack admitted.

She nodded shakily.

"I-I didn't know it would be like this! I couldn't feel the emotions of others for most of my life, but in the past few days, I've been immersed in them from those around me. I found it so comforting! Since I boarded the ship, I can't feel anyone... but you. I need to feel emotions!"

Jack looked at her in shock. When he agreed to take her off planet, he had no idea she would suffer from withdrawal from her new sense.

Instinctively, Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

She squeaked in surprise when pressed against his chest's bare skin. He was so warm and smelled good. Better yet, she could feel his concern for her! She sighed and wrapped her arms around him. This is what she needed.

They stayed like this for a while, then Jack pulled back to see how she was. Her lips found his in the dark, and she began kissing him with enthusiasm but not much skill. Being this close to the source, he could feel her emotions, her need. He flashed back to Mara's words and smiled. He was overthinking.

He placed his hands on the sides of her face and slowed her motions as he caressed her mouth with his. She moaned in surprise, then desire, and he felt her trembling. Her hands began tentatively exploring his body as it was all unknown territory for someone he suspected was a virgin.

He'd better get out in front of that before they got carried away. He gently pulled back from the kiss to look into her eyes.

"Bayly, before we let our desire carry us away, are you sure you want to do this with me? We could just cuddle as that's good too," he suggested.

"Jack, I want to! I-I think I'm safe... for the next few days at least. Can we cuddle afterward?" Her eyes dipped down, and he could feel her embarrassment. "I've never...."

He touched her chin and lifted her face to look at him. "I'm honored to be your first. I hope I don't disappoint."

She made a cute noise and then grinned at him. "Remember, I felt Queen Mara's emotions. She seemed very satisfied."

Jack just shook his head at Bayly's joy. "Do you think you might be overdressed?"

She squeaked excitedly and stood beside the bed, quickly stripping her clothes off. He could demonstrate the art of the striptease later if she was interested. His eyes were accustomed to the dim light, so he took in the sight of her tight muscles and long, toned limbs. Her mane of hair was maybe half the size of Mara's. She also looked destined to match Mara's build one day, but for now, she was a more svelte version of the queen. Her breasts were not as large as Mara's, but they were full and round, begging for his hands and mouth.

Jack moved over on the mattress and patted the surface when she was naked. "Lie down here."

Bayly quickly stretched out and reached for him. He let her bring his mouth to hers, and he teased her tongue with the tip of his as she moaned and pulled at him to climb on top of her from his position lying next to her. She pulled back from the kiss when he refused to follow her lead and looked at him carefully. He smiled.

"This isn't a race. There's no need to rush. I promise to make you feel as good as I can but let me set the pace," he said gently, and she smiled cutely, then nodded.

He kissed her again, and once she was breathing heavily, he moved his lips to her neck and placed his hand on her stomach. She sucked in a sharp breath as no one had ever touched her so intimately. His hand slid upward until he cupped the underside of one of her breasts in his palm.

Before Bayly could react, Jack's lips were kissing across the top of her breasts, and she heaved her torso upwards to move his lips to her taut nipples.

He squeezed her breast as his tongue found her nipple, and he drew the cries of lust from her as he caressed both breasts and lavished attention on her nipples until she was squirming madly.

Then he moved his lips downward across her stomach.

Jack smiled to himself as he felt her excitement spike. This emotion reading thing could be handy!

-=-

Bayly's eyes flew open as she watched Jack progress closer and closer to her most sensitive place. When he began to lick and suck on her lower lips, she arched her back again and screamed silently as waves of raw bliss crashed through her body. She pulsed through crest after crest and finally sank back to the bed once her body calmed.

She was dazed and completely drained of energy, but she felt like she might be floating. When her senses returned to her, she noticed she was cuddled next to Jack, who was breathing deeply as he slept. She blinked in surprise as she hadn't done anything for him!

Then his words returned to her. It wasn't a race. She knew they had a few days to get back to his home. There would be time for her to show her appreciation for him.

What he'd done for her tonight was... she failed to find words to describe it.

All she knew was that she wanted more. Much more.

Chapter 22

Jack rested back on the table in Taggart's workspace on Chuuruthia. His head was locked into a restraint, as was his body. He couldn't move at all, but he was doing his best not to give in to the panic shooting through his nerves.

He knew he wasn't being tortured at the hands of the Prime on Allsa Komanae. She was dead, and Allsa Komanae was likely a huge mass of molten rock.

Hemmarr was running a new scan of his collar, and his movement had to be minimized to ensure she obtained the highest resolution possible. She was stuck on the next phase of producing a drone for Rikki—if Rikki was even in his collar's storage. A pang of sorrow went through him.

The Ishilon specialist was hopeful that this ultra-high-resolution scan would enable her to resolve the harmonics issue.

While the scan was ongoing, Jack tried to distract his mind by thinking of something other than the restraints. Naturally, his mind took him to being pinned under Bayly's body as she urgently rode him to an enormous release.

After their night of cuddling, they realized that she needed to remain within a short distance of him to detect his emotions. That situation wasn't realistic for the next ten months, so they worked on her capacity to deal with the withdrawal and actually made significant progress before they arrived on Chuuruthia.

On their third night together, the cuddling led to kissing, which led to touching. Finally, Bayly could restrain herself no longer, and Jack found himself thrusting his cock into her hot depths as she clung to him, calling out his name over and over. He admitted it was very hot sex, and they enjoyed the climax very much.

But Bayly wanted more and experimented with other positions because Jack could go again, amazingly, on the same night. He called it a night after their third round, once he'd wrung another explosive orgasm from her by driving into her from behind, a position Bayly quite enjoyed.

Jack returned to the now and realized he'd become quite stiff in his underwear, but he couldn't adjust it to a more comfortable position, being locked down to the table.

Finally, the scanner's hum faded, and Hemmarr appeared beside him to remove his restraints.

"Thank you so much for your time and patience. I apologize for any discomfort you experienced—ah." She spotted the bulge in his shorts, and her eyes went to his curiously. "Was this enjoyable?"

Jack coughed loudly as he held back a desperate shout. "No, the restraints were not in the least bit pleasant, but I understand the necessity. I had... other things on my mind."

"Oh! Yes, congratulations on the new pregnancy! Your xeno-fertility is quite fascinating! Bayly is quite excited!"

Jack sighed. Yes, Bayly was very excited to discover she was carrying twins (Tito checked). She was currently at his home surrounded by eager pregnant or nursing ladies and Eve. His invalid Altarians were there, too, recuperating.

He stopped himself before he asked Rikki to remind him to always carry condoms. This returned his thoughts to Hemmarr's work. "Did you get the resolution you needed with the scan of the collar?" he asked.

She looked at her display and brought up one of the link images. She zoomed in and went closer and closer, muttering to herself.

Jack had no idea what he was looking at, but her expression showed her excitement.

"Yes! This will be tremendously helpful! I'll carefully review it and begin work on that troublesome sensory harness," Hemmarr said.

Jack sat up and contemplated the tech genius until she stilled and looked at him in concern. "What is it, Shadeem?"

"Something Taggart said earlier about Rikki's evolving with each new drone. Rikki expands to fill the capabilities of each new drone. Perhaps we should make two identical drones this time. You know, just in case Rikki finds itself in a similar situation. Having a spare or two might be helpful. It would eliminate the need for you to find a new technological breakthrough to house Rikki... next time," Jack said softly.

Hemmarr bowed deeply. "Yes, Shadeem. It will be as you wish."

Jack gave her a stiff smile as he worried about Rikki.

Now that he was being forced to directly deal with the fact that Rikki wasn't present, he was swamped with guilt for not facing that fact after he returned from that mystery planet. Rikki sacrificed itself to save Jack from being killed on Allsa Komanae. Previously, it sacrificed itself to protect the people of Paris while punishing the Nareshk. The time before that, it saved the Ishilon by pushing their ship through a massive Gate to avoid a deadly solar flare though it lost its body in the process.

Rikki was, without a doubt, the most generous and brave companion Jack had ever had the honor to call his friend. He owed so much to the gentle Tik. He would do whatever was required to ensure it had another chance to live. Some of that effort had to be him reducing the danger he placed himself in as Rikki depended on him to protect the Tik's sensory feed.

He gave himself a shake. He shouldn't wallow in his fears as he had things to do! Non-lethal things.

Jack followed his Tik guide through the Enclave to a small courtyard where Socrates and Plato rested in the sunlight. Their internal hum increased as they focused on Jack.

"Welcome back! We understand your mission was successful!" Socrates began.

Jack smiled at them. "Yes. We prevented the invasion with minimal loss of lives. I wish we could say no lives were lost, but our opponents were set on conquest and placed a low value on the lives of others as well as their own. The Dannt were protected and now stand a chance to rebound from their slide into extinction."

Plato chimed in. "We've heard you've directly participated in increasing their population."

"Hush you!" Socrates scolded the other Tik.

"What? It's true!" Plato returned.

Jack sighed. "Yes, it is. Queen Mara is carrying triplets, and I'm their father. Uh, and Bayly is carrying twins."

"I think Jack has a fetish for Queens," Plato offered, and Socrates gasped in outrage.

Jack raised his hands before the two could begin arguing. "I came here to ask if you've received the proposal from the Ishilon regarding incorporating their energy components into the Gate Terminals to extend their range? I'd like you to review it and let me know as soon as you can if you believe it is feasible and if you would be willing to do it. I believe it could be truly beneficial for the Gate Network, but for me, it's just theoretical potential. I need to know if the Tik believe it is possible and worth doing."

"How much more powerful are their Gates?" Socrates asked.

Jack recalled Tito's surprise. "Four times? I understand the range of Peacekeeper's jumps were a third farther than the Tik's most powerful Gates, but I'll leave the science stuff to you. If you find this proposal worthwhile, I believe we'd be in an excellent bargaining position."

"Bargaining position?" Plato blurted in surprise.

Jack smiled. "It's nothing nefarious. It's just time the Assembly members begin listening to their chief benefactors, the Tik. I love that the purpose of the Gate Network is to preserve life and promote the peaceful coexistence of the many member races connected to it. The fact that you only have a few rules for inclusion is great, but I especially love that you enforce them. Protecting the Ush by punishing the Borrelians for their genocidal war is brilliant."

He saw that the senior Tik were still listening attentively, so he continued.

"The Assembly should be the ones policing their neighbors based on the spirit of the Tik's Gate contract. The good neighbor policy benefits everyone! That's where my ambassador campaign will hopefully provide support. I've already presented the idea that all races need to support the Tik and take ownership of ensuring the contract's rule for benevolence is adhered to by all. This is gaining momentum. Suppose a Network member race reports they are being persecuted by another. In that case, the issue needs to be investigated, and if found guilty, the perpetrators should make reasonable reparations for their bad behavior and stop. If they fail to do so or refuse, they've breached the contract, and the Tik can enforce the policy."

Jack heard no protests, so he continued. "One of the benefits of extending the range of the Gates is that this might enable persecuted members to find alternate trading partners when their only current option is the bad neighbor. If they find an alternative, they can block the bad neighbor from accessing their worlds. This blocking is already allowed within the Gate contract, but many can't do it as these bad neighbors are their only Gate-accessible trading partner."

Socrates spoke up. "What will be done if the persecuted race cannot find alternate trade partners even with the extended range?"

"That should be rare, but if it happens, that's where the Assembly's responsibility for policing good behavior kicks in. There should be no benefit in inflicting direct physical, economic, or cultural interference on a neighbor. That shit gets you booted from the Network, and the Grand Assembly Committee would request it."

"Cultural interference?" Plato asked.

"Such as visiting the neighbor's planet to eat creatures deemed sacred and protected by the locals," Jack suggested.

"Someone is doing that?" Socrates asked in surprise.

"At an ambassador's reception on Maghadahn, I was told by the Fior Tenka ambassador that their neighbors, the Nekto Phasca, visit their planet as they enjoy eating the sacred and protected fish from their rivers. The Fior Tenka have been campaigning for support on Maghadahn, but they weren't getting any assistance. The Assembly needs to fulfill its role as protector. The Fior Tenka aren't aggressive, while their neighbor is. I don't see the Nekto Phasca going to war over this, but they are being aggressively belligerent," Jack said with a scowl.

"Wars are fought for reasons even the Tik with our extensive life experience fail to comprehend," Plato insisted.

"And that's where the Ishilon come in. I'm suggesting the Tik need allies in your campaign to preserve life. The Assembly is number one. With their upholding of the good neighbor policy, they set the foundation. If that fails to protect a good neighbor, the Tik will have the Ishilon's assistance in preventing loss of life when the aggressor refuses to back down, like the warring faction of the Krreegah did. As we've just proven with Peacekeeper, the Ishilon are capable of halting hostilities using non-lethal methods. The Ishilon will support the efforts of the Tik with these war-mongering races. I won't advertise that capability to the Assembly, but it's available to you."

Jack smiled at the Tik.

"Going back to this bargaining position, are you suggesting the Tik withhold the offer to expand the range of the Gates unless the Assembly changes its ways?" Socrates asked hesitantly.

"Absolutely not. I would never ask the Tik to participate in such strong-arm tactics!" Jack said with conviction and saw both Tik nod gratefully. "I just need you to confirm it would work and that you'd be willing to install the upgrades. I should have been clearer when I said we. If you agree for the Tik and the Sultessa agrees on behalf of the Ishilon, as the Shadeem of the Ishilon, I will present the offer to the Grand Assembly Committee, but on the condition that the Assembly steps up their game in following the spirit of the Tik's contract.

Only the Tik and the Ishilon will have control over this technology. I suggest using the Blade of Reason and Peacekeeper to deliver the Gate upgrades to ensure security. The Blade's Gate generator could also be upgraded to match Peacekeeper's capabilities."

Socrates and Plato faced each other to confer silently. They turned back to Jack, who looked at them hopefully.

"We will have our best mind review the information and the energy storage device the Ishilon provided to us and will prepare a report for you. I cannot guarantee it will be ready before your return to Maghadahn. I understand the Grand Assembly Committee is quite insistent that you return as soon as possible to present your findings regarding Allsa Komanae," Socrates said.

Jack nodded. "I suspected as much. They need the data from my collar, though they don't know it's there. There are probably some very nervous races who don't want it to get out. Namely the Borrelians, the Jool, the Deen-Diin, the Grellians, and the Vikk-Tahh. Once we can safely extract the data, the Tik will be needed to interpret it, as the Deen-Diin did their best to obscure the truth while still accurately recording the data."

"The Borrelians are too busy at the moment with societal upheaval and civil war over their leader's attempted genocide of the Ush," Plato offered.

Jack looked at the two. "Would you like the Ishilon and Peacekeeper to assist the Tik in protecting the Ush?"

"I... I believe the Ush are no longer being hunted down, but we will pass along the offer to Fleet Commander Julla Gorresh, who's leading the resistance and most of their space fleet against the Borrelian Rulers and the Military's Senior Command. If she feels she needs assistance protecting the Ush, she will let us know," Socrates responded, and Jack nodded.

The Tik hesitated momentarily, then surprised Jack with its next words. "The Ishilon will need to expand."

"Expand?" Jack asked.

"The Ishilon population is currently concentrated on one world. If they become the sole source of this new Gate technology, they may become a target for intrigue. It would be advisable to have some of their population living and working on a second world."

Jack snorted. "You understand their population is barely sufficient to maintain the exclusive use of one world, much less two."

"The manufacturing process will require significant resources. Sourcing these from the other Gate members will increase their risk. The Ishilon shouldn't sully Callosephia with this industry. We cannot say more due to existing agreements we've made. Speak to President Yunnda. Tell him we've spoken about this, what your plans are for the Ishilon, and that I told you the name Systrex-One."

Jack's eyebrows rose in surprise. It was his first time hearing a Tik trying to sound mysterious. Best not to push it. "Okay."

He'd had enough intrigue today and just wanted to go home. "I have promises to keep, then I'll go to Maghadahn."

He paused as he recalled something the Tik mentioned earlier. "Wasn't there something you two wanted to ask me about?"

"It can be addressed at a later date. Go be with your family," Socrates insisted before Plato could speak.

Jack bowed to the two seniors.

He was going home.

Chapter 23

The Altarian Ministry of Security was busy, but that was natural as their area of influence stretched across a vast region of space. The Altarian empire included many worlds and was one of the largest in the Gate Network. Considering their peaceful nature, this pointed to their good fortune in finding many habitable worlds within the range of their early exploration ships. There were no stories of conquest in the Altarian history books, as the planets they found and colonized had no previous occupants. When they encountered other spacefaring races, they were firmly entrenched and defended.

That's not to say they didn't have some skirmishes with their more aggressive neighbors who wished to claim the planets they'd already settled. One such example was the Sanosian's desire for Callosephia.

The Altarians were not aggressive, but they were also very smart and learned from these encounters quickly enough to focus the appropriate retaliatory pressure to push these invaders back.

The Tik's discovery of them was a joyous occasion as their non-aggression clause was a good fit with their natural tendencies and protected them from these aggressive neighbors.

Not that the Altarians failed to protect themselves.

Amongst the Altarian people were those whose genetics made them susceptible to a rare Altarian virus at birth. They were born with monochromatism, the genetic alteration of fur and eye coloring to a single shade, typically black but, on rare occasions, white. It was discovered that a vast majority of them were more serious-minded than other Altarians, and they found their greatest satisfaction in roles that protected others. The Altarian Security Ministry became their home and family, and Altarian interests were protected.

With their membership in the Gate Network and the Assembly, the role of the Security Ministry expanded. To protect their interests, they now needed intelligence on the other members of the Assembly who might be showing interest in their assets. Again, the ebony protectors were superlative agents and traced even the most obscure threat to ensure Altaria was safe.

Then came along their new Trade Representative. Jack Danner was a boon for their economy across all their planets, introducing new products that supported the needs of the Altarian populace without endangering them from malicious foreign interests. He did it so well that the Ministry had to expand its Intelligence Division with a team exclusively tracking threats against this new Altarian asset. His role as Altarian Ambassador expanded this protection requirement once more.

In recent years, Jack's efforts gave something back to the Altarian Security Ministry, making their job so much easier.

Adina and Zaina Danner were born on Altaria but were the children of Phem Kalos parents SennLann Du Kess and FennLann De Jark. Jack acted as their surrogate father when FennLann shunned his family. He discovered their unique linked senses and diligently raised them to master this trait to its greatest advantage.

Highly intelligent, exceptionally strong, and agile, the fiercely loyal twins were also trained by Security Ministry agents Gee and Bal until their abilities surpassed their masters. They were no longer children and had been working on covert missions for the Ministry for years.

Sitting across from Hellna, the Head of the Ministry of Security, they waited for their orders.

Hellna smiled at the lovely Phem Kalos twins. "This is the first time I've assigned you to a mission to protect your father."

Their focus tightened. "What danger is he in?" Adina asked.

"Before he disappeared to the other side of the galactic rim, he delivered a preliminary statement to the committee overseers managing the Allsa Komanae Research Committee's activities on Allsa One and Allsa Komanae. In that interview, he reported a conspiracy involving the Borrelians, Vikk-Tahh, Deen-Diin, Jool, Grellians, and the Qui Qui Qui. Jack then exonerated the Qui Qui Qui by stating they'd been blackmailed by the others to force them to participate. The Qui Qui Qui Team Leader is in protective custody on Maghadahn.

The five other races are filing counterclaims against Jack and the Qui Qui Qui. As the only other surviving team leader is the Borrelian, who was sent back to Borrelia in the Tik's enforced banishment, the Assembly has requested him to be delivered as a witness for questioning. Borrelia's leaders are refusing."

Adina and Zaina shared looks, wondering if they'd be assigned the duty of hunting him down to bring him to Maghadahn, but Hellna continued.

"Jack has been ordered to return to Maghadahn to file his complete report and present it to the Grand Assembly Committee with the data he and Rikki collected from the Deen-Diin servers. The same servers which were permanently scrubbed by the order of the Deen-Diin ambassador the same day Jack returned from Allsa Komanae.

The Research Team Leaders could not have pulled off a conspiracy this large without considerable assistance from their Ambassadors and World Leaders. The ambassadors from Vikk-Tahh, Jool, and Deen-Diin are all in custody on Maghadahn but aren't talking. The Borrelian ambassador returned to Borrelia, and again, their leaders refused to hand him over. The body of the Grellian ambassador was discovered at the base of his embassy's tower, a supposed suicide, but Maghadahn security is treating his death as suspicious.

The leaders of the five races don't want Jack's report to reach the Grand Assembly. Our intelligence division detected a surge of specific activity amongst certain criminal elements on several worlds. The dark web is vibrating with queries regarding contracts for his assassination. We've also picked up hints that several hit teams are already on the move.

The Borrelians are currently banished from the Gate Network. Before that happened, a large sum of money was transferred from a Borrelian financial institute to a numbered bank account in the Bank of Schvexxt."

The twins looked at the Minister. "What's Schvexxt?" they asked.

"It's a world that is one misstep away from being banished from the Gate Network. They must have some powerful friends on the Grand Assembly Committee as they act as a clearinghouse for dirty money and suspect business deals, yet they remain linked to the Gate Network. Finding proof has eluded the investigators; some have fallen to sudden illnesses and suspicious accidents, which were probably murders. Again, unprovable. An encrypted version of the ID of that Schvexxt account is linked to an open contract on the dark web for Jack's assassination. The contract expires when he makes his report to the Grand Assembly Committee.

We've got agents keeping an eye on Jack without disclosing their presence, but we want you to spearhead the effort to neutralize any off-world talent before they get within sight of him."

"Why don't we just take him to Maghadahn immediately?" Adina asked.

Hellna nodded. "That would be the wisest move if he was ready to make his report. We learned from the Tik that the data Rikki collected is in Jack's collar. Rikki may also be in Jack's collar. He needs both to complete his report. For that to happen, the Ishilon must complete their new drone for Rikki. We have been assured that this is close to completion."

"Has someone informed him that hit teams may come for him?" Zaina asked.

Hellna shook her head. "He's aware he's made enemies, but he also knows he lives on some of the most secure planets in the Gate Network. Not impossible to penetrate, but he knows we're watching out for him. He needs this downtime. We do our job properly and keep him and his family safe."

The twins nodded, and Zaina picked up the tablet from the desk. The mission details were linked to any resources they might draw upon. They took a quick look and smiled when they saw how much freedom they had and what resources were available. They would have contacted Gee and Bal, but the twins understood the two agents were recuperating from crashing their overpowered skimmers.

Adina caught the name of one activated assassin team and knew they had to get out in front of that one immediately. She looked at Hellna. "We need to go."

Their boss nodded to them, so they quickly got to their feet, nodded, and rushed out of her office.

As they hurried toward the exit, Adina and Zaina were already using their unique shared perceptions to silently discuss their ideas about which resources they wanted to assign to the assassin teams. They intended to do most of the heavy lifting but couldn't be in more than one place. Some assassin teams would have their wings pre-emptively clipped, but others could only be dealt with once they were preparing to strike. This last group would need the sharpest weapons focused on them.

The twins wouldn't allow anything to happen to their father.

-=-

Jack settled down on his lounge chair and smiled at Diana. The night air was just a little cool, but Diana had a light blanket, and SennLann swooped in to stretch her body over Jack's to soak in his heat. The satisfied smile on her lips as she purred on his chest with her eyes closing told him she was happy.

He gave Bayly an embarrassed smile as the Dannt watched this with a grin and took a chair opposite Diana and between Eve and Juul. Aaros was on Altaria on business.

He'd just enjoyed a wonderful dinner with his family. Afterward, he'd sat at the dinner table and brought everyone up to speed on his Allsa One and Allsa Komanae activities.

Bayly was stunned to learn that Jack's collar might contain a living Tik held in suspension. Now that she was family, Jack held nothing back from her but ensured she understood not to repeat what she'd heard. Learning Rikki also shared Jack's perceptions because it lost its body saving the Ishilon gave her some idea of how important Rikki was to Jack and the Ishilon.

She was also riding a bit of a personal high as she was excited about carrying twins and was picking up Jack's joy at being surrounded by his family.

She'd learned to cope with being separate from Jack, largely due to her time with Eve. The grey-furred Nareshk described her emotional connection with him and how she kept him in her heart when he wasn't present. This helped Bayly deal with the anxiety of being alone.

The two bonded, and this was enough to keep Bayly calm.

He'd given Juul and Dann (who'd dropped by to visit his sister) a heads-up on his efforts to open Allsa One. He shared his impressions, and they were hopeful.

"When are we going to Callosephia?" Diana asked with excitement and a little nervousness in her voice. When Jack returned, he'd asked her if she was ready to present Adam to his people. He assured her they would accept him and her as Adam's mother and partner to their Shadeem. Being involved with the commander as well just raised her in their estimation.

Jack nodded. "In a few days. I'm taking time for my family here, then I owe Queen Elissa a visit. After that, I'll collect you and Adam, and we'll visit Callosephia. I need to speak to Sahhahr about a possible role for the Ishilon in the Gate Network. Then, if she approves of the plan, I'll address the Ishilon people to let them know.

I can't stay on Callosephia for long as I must return to Maghadahn to do a report. But I need the new drone for Rikki... if it's there, so I can get its help with the Allsa Komanae Research Committee's data that's also in my collar. The Tik need to analyze the data."

Jack rubbed his face in frustration. "There are so many moving pieces and dependencies between them. Sometimes it feels like I'm frozen, unable to move forward because I'm waiting on an answer on something else! I need Rikki!"

Diana held his hand and gave him a sad but supportive smile.

He admitted that just being with the people he loved was doing wonders for his peace of mind. He really had to try to spend less time chasing injustice and more time with them.

Didn't he deserve a little quality time?

-=-

When the twins saw a squad of Rakin assassins had immediately moved to claim the Schvexxt contract, on the surface, this wasn't as critical as it sounded. Rakin's were tough but generally not too clever. Additionally, their target was on Chuuruthia at the moment, and Rakins weren't welcome on the world due to prior misbehavior. They wouldn't be marching through the Gate Terminal.

What caught their attention was the fact that the Rakins were working from Rehm.

The Rehm are facilitators. Their entire society is based on acting as agents for others. Their planet is almost entirely warehouses and administration offices. They had no centralized government. The planet was run as a business.

Rehm is a hub world like Earth but with fewer direct destinations. The Grellians, the Jhan Jnneg, the Dankerel Protocol, and at one time, the Allsa Komanae were all direct trade partners with the Rehm. With the extinction of the Allsa Komanae, the Rehm economy took a major hit they were still slowly clawing their way back from.

The first thing the Rehm did was lay claim to every asset on the planet that once belonged to the Allsa Komanae. This was to cover the rental costs for all the warehouses they'd reserved, of course. The cargo in the containers was sold off to the highest bidders disregarding the fact that most of the contents was contraband stolen from other races.

After the cash from that ran out, the clever Rehm Administration discovered that some of the Allsa Komanae shipping containers were specially equipped with protection against Tik scans. These had previously been used to smuggle goods and even slaves through the Gate Cargo Terminals undetected. These industrious executives moved these special containers to hidden locations on their planet. They weren't for sale, but they could be leased.

While Altarian Security learned of their existence, they hadn't discovered where they were located or managed to capture one to provide a sample for the Tik to study and devise a defense against.

Now, a team of Rakin based on Rehm suddenly activated and disappeared from Altarian Security's radar? This indicated to the twins that they'd made a deal with a Rehm executive for the big Schvexxt payout. Or perhaps the entire plan was being run by the Rehm executive. Either way, they believed the hit team would be delivered via a shipping container.

They tapped into the Chuuruthian Gate Cargo Terminal's delivery schedule and reviewed all deliveries that might have been routed from a world Rehm still traded with.

Adina spotted a shipment from Grellia, through Kahhan, one of Altaria's colony worlds, to Chuuruthia. The container was identified as organic flavoring compounds for the Botany Ice Cream company.

They checked the schedule, and the container would arrive in the Chuuruthian shipping area in the late afternoon, after business hours for Wassan's staff.

"So, the container sits in the yard until dark. The hit team slips out, moves to Dad's home to kill him... then returns to the Gate Terminal and the shipping container? How were they expecting to leave?" Zaina asked.

Adina nodded with a frown. "The Rehm Administrator wouldn't allow their container to be seized."

Zaina locked eyes with her sister. "They're going to recall the shipment before its delivery in the morning!"

"We need to get to that container before the yard shuts down for the night," Adina said, but Zaina's eyes were on the Chuuruthian Gate Passenger manifest, and she was frowning. Her sister immediately picked up her unease. "What is it?"

Zaina pointed to the screen. "This passenger who just came through. She's Human, which is curious enough, but her Gate transit path is triggering some concerns. She came to Chuuruthia via Maghadahn. The Gate path before that shows she visited several mostly empty planets but something feels off. I need to get some background on her." Zaina tapped into the Gate Terminal's security system and pulled a screen cap of the woman approaching the Gate agent's desk.

"Time to contact Ray Sharif," Adina said as she dialed their Human-Tik friend.

An avatar of Ray's Human face appeared on their screen. He smiled as he saw the twins. "Adina! Zaina! What's up?"

"We're hoping you can identify someone for us," Adina said, and Ray's expression became serious.

"Send me the deets."

Zaina forwarded him the image, the name she registered under, Wanda Sleigh, and the biometric data.

"Fake name," Ray snorted. His expression became distracted. "The biometric data is also fake, which takes significant effort and money." He refocused on them. "Can you give me some hints on which occupation I should filter the facial match against?"

"Assassin," Zaina said, and Ray's expression became grim. His distracted expression returned as his mind raced through the pattern-matching process. "No direct matches. Compensating for potential disguises." He returned to his distraction for a longer period.

"I believe she was wearing prosthetics to alter her facial geometry, cosmetics to change her skin color, and a wig to hide her hair. Factoring these out and taking into account her physical size, the closest match I can find is Kiral Yavuz. The trouble is, she's presumed dead, killed in her hometown of Kayseri, Turkey. She was a gun for hire on Earth. Specialized in assassination as a sniper. Thirteen verified kills and maybe a dozen more unverified. She's on Chuuruthia? It would be exceptionally difficult for her to bring her preferred weapon."

"She registered as a photographer, and the report indicates she was carrying the equipment for it," Zaina said, reviewing the Gate agent's report.

Ray was quiet for a moment. "With fast discharge batteries, she might be able to build a rail gun if she had access to power... and a clear line of sight. Do you need our assistance—"

"Thanks, Ray. We've sent a request to Ms. Ash for the team's help. You can expect a call from her shortly. We have to go!" Adina said quickly.

"Talk soon," Ray said. Zaina disconnected from the network, and the line went dead.

As the twins ran for the exit, they returned to their silent conversation.

They would need to split up as they now had two teams converging on their home. Adina would take the container, and Zaina would hunt for the sniper. They had a pretty good idea of where she might be.

-=-

Phisby groomed his whiskers in eager anticipation. Today was his first day working for Botany Ice Cream. His uncle Wassan told him he'd have to start at the bottom and work his way up, but he was just so excited to be involved in the business at all, he didn't mind doing all the menial tasks. He wanted to know everything about it!

He understood each person at the company was an integral part of the overall process. Everything needed to happen on schedule so the production line would work smoothly.

Today, his duties included shipping driver. Tommo was their usual driver, but he'd injured his foot playing with his kids the night before, so he couldn't come to work today. Phisby had his driver's license and was certified for vehicles as large as container trucks, so he volunteered to pick up the slack.

So here he was, sitting in the loading zone at the Gate Terminal, eagerly awaiting the last scheduled container of the day. He'd successfully collected the noon shipment, but he saw this one suddenly pop up on the delivery board near the end of the day. His uncle had already left, so he took the initiative and immediately jumped in the truck to head back to the Cargo Terminal.

When he spotted the Tik guiding the shipping container out of the building, he quickly got out and waved to it.

"Philby! I wasn't expecting anyone to be here to pick up this container tonight," Zuzu said in surprise.

The Chuuruthian smiled. "It might as well come back to the factory now. That will save us some time tomorrow."

The Tik tipped forward in acknowledgment and settled the large container onto the truck's receiver. They locked it in place, and Philby followed the protocols of walking around the vehicle to confirm it was secure.

As they reached the back, he noted the shipping seal was missing from the doors. He looked at Zuzu. "Did you open the container?" He pointed to the latch, which should have had a metal strip looping through it.

"No, I did not," the Tik responded.

"I can't drive it back to the factory like this. The doors need to be secured," Philby insisted.

"One moment," Zuzu said and moved back to the Terminal.

Philby stood there facing the doors and admitted to himself that he was curious to look inside. He glanced toward the Terminal, but he was alone. He stepped closer and looked at the handle. It would be easy to open.

Then he heard the hum of the unit's air conditioner. If he opened it, he might spoil one of the ingredients inside. Better not.

Zuzu returned with a silver strip of metal. It threaded it through the door latches and pinched it closed. For added security, Zuzu spot-welded the strip closed. "You can cut this off when you're ready to unload it."

Philby grinned at the Tik. "Thanks! Have a good night!"

The Tik waved and moved back into the terminal.

The drive back to the factory was uneventful, but when he pulled into the back loading bay, he suddenly realized no one was left to unload the container. Everyone had left for the day. He got out, wandered back to the loading bay door, and went inside.

He wasn't trained to open the refrigerated container and move its contents into the big freezer.

That thought stopped him. When Uncle Wassan showed him the freezer this morning, he was dazzled by its size.

He looked at the container. Then he looked back at the freezer door. It would easily fit through the opening.

Philby rushed back outside and disengaged all the locks on the truck's receiver. Then he hurried inside and powered up the heavy lifter. He drove it to the back of the container and secured its grapples to its rear. Then he slowly added power, and gradually the box lifted clear of the truck's receiver. He watched the lifter's strain gauge and wasn't in the red zone... yet.

Easing the lifter back slowly, he pulled the container into the building's loading bay and back to the freezer door. He gently set it down and released the lifter's grapples. He couldn't pull the container into the freezer because he wouldn't have enough room to get the lifter past the large box. Instead, he moved the lifter to the front end and attached the grapples there.

Recalling how his uncle activated the door, he hopped down from the lifter, rushed to the keypad next to the big door, and entered the key sequence. He'd have to do this quickly to keep the temperature inside from dropping too much. As he rushed back to the lifter, he felt a gush of frosty air and a cloud of condensate billowed momentarily.

Philby paused for a moment as his eyes played tricks on him. He could have sworn he saw a black shadow dart through the clouds, but he looked inside and saw nothing.

He gave himself a shake as he couldn't waste time. He climbed into the lifter to drive it straight into the freezer. Once he was all the way in with the container almost touching the far wall, he set it down and released the grapples.

He quickly drove the lifter out of the freezer, then ran back inside to shut off the shipping container's air conditioning unit. He couldn't have it dumping heat into the freezer. Besides, it wasn't required inside the chilly space.

He left the freezer, shut the door, and climbed back onto the lifter. He drove it back to where it was stored at night.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Philby powered the equipment down, climbed off, and plugged it in. Then he stretched his back muscles.

His first day was done. He loved the job already!

-=-

Adina waited until the freezer door closed, then quickly climbed atop the shipping container. She silently moved to the end with the doors and peered down at the handles. She couldn't suppress her grin as the diligent Chuuruthian had butted the door end of the container very close to the freezer wall.

When she arrived at the Gate Terminal to see the Botany Ice Cream truck moving toward the exit with the shipping container already hooked up, she had to move fast to catch the vehicle before it left the yard.

She knew the hidden occupants would realize they were not in the Gate Terminal's storage yard. The movement of the truck was very distinct. They had to be very concerned by now.

As she watched from above, the handle wiggled as it was operated from inside. The door opened the slightest amount and stopped as they listened.

They pushed the door again, but the metal strap stopped it. Adina heard quiet cursing, then a thin metal bar slipped through the gap, and the seal was broken. The second door began to open, and Adina felt the warm interior air rise out and flow over her face. The pungent odor of nervous Rakin sweat made her curl her lip.

Both doors bumped into the freezer wall, and she saw the gap wasn't wide enough for them to even get their hands out. This gave her an idea.

She moved to the hinge edge of one door and slid a small dagger into the gap. Then she moved to the other side and wedged that door open as well. Now there was no way for them to close the doors. Soon the heat they had inside would be gone, and frigid air would fill the container.

She listened as they began to argue quietly. This grew louder as they realized the true danger they were in. They tried to reclose the doors, but they wouldn't budge.

Panic began as the cold air poured in, and it got much louder inside. She heard the clash of bladed weapons and pained cries. The Rakin trying to be the voice of reason was the first to gasp out his last breath. The screams escalated until suddenly, there was silence.

Adina silently dropped down to the floor and grabbed a nearby box that seemed as wide as the gap between the container and the wall. She climbed up again, listened for a minute, then retrieved her daggers. She hung a small gas cylinder on the inside of one door, then quickly pushed the doors closed, forcing the box into the gap to wedge them shut. Immediately, she heard pounding against the closed doors and two distinct voices yelling angrily.

In less than a minute, the cylinder would release its contents; minutes later, nothing would be alive inside the shipping container. The sealed doors would keep the poison gas inside until it went inert in a couple of hours. There was also no point in allowing the stink of death to ruin the ingredients in the freezer.

As she returned to the exit, she felt no remorse for what happened to the Rakins. They were here to kill her father. They deserved this fate.

She used the smaller door inside the vault door to leave the freezer, then slipped into the security office to erase the evidence of her presence. The cameras would start up again once she was gone.

Now she had to hurry to meet up with Zaina, who was dealing with the second threat.

-=-

Adina and Zaina agreed that the only viable location for the sniper to set up was in the small cottage across the valley from the Danner residence. There was a power source in the house, the building provided excellent cover, and it had a clear view of Jack's home.

Zaina swept the entire park just in case and saw no sign of the assassin. The best spot remained the cottage. She arrived at the small building atop the hill before the killer arrived. She set her cameras and traps before slipping away to observe from a tree at the back of the small cottage.

Moments after she settled into her blind, she saw the small woman approach cautiously, circle the building, then slip inside, bypassing the alarm system with ease.

Zaina watched the activity in the cottage's main room as the assassin unpacked her gear. The camera equipment appeared to be just that. After the woman cut a large hole in the window facing across the valley, she set the camera up on a tripod, its powerful telephoto lens focused on the patio before their dad's place.

If Zaina didn't know this woman was an assassin, she might have taken her for a paparazzo as she took some pictures of Jack resting on a lounge chair with the ladies around him and SennLann covering his body.

She jolted when the woman's right arm suddenly folded unnaturally. Her elbow rose to point across the valley as her forearm folded back until the backs of her straightened fingers slapped her shoulder. Her forearm immediately unfolded until her arm was straight, her stiff fingers pointing at Jack, palm down. There was a muted click as her elbow locked.

The assassin's weapon was embedded in her arm!

Zaina watched the woman pull a retractable cable from her armpit and plug it into an outlet of the cottage. Immediately, a soft hum began to fill the room, and her arm seemed to lock in place. The weapon had a stabilizer! A subtle glow appeared under the woman's skin on her arm as the weapon charged. Zaina guessed it had to be a rail gun. If it was, she likely had considerable EMP shielding on the rifle and any other cybernetic enhancement she might be hiding inside her body. Perhaps this same shielding prevented the Gates from identifying the contraband weapons she was carrying.

It might even limit the effectiveness of Zaina's trap.

From the screen on the back of the camera pointed across the valley, Zaina could see her family was getting up to go inside. This would be the assassin's only chance to get a clear shot at Jack. The woman watched the screen intently as everyone's backs turned to the camera.

Zaina was out of time. She triggered her trap as she leaped from her blind in the tree behind the cottage. She kept one eye on her screen and prayed she hadn't cut it too close.

Inside the quaint building, the electrical systems took a massive surge as the power pack Zaina spliced into the line overloaded with a flash and snap. Every light fixture popped with a bright flash, and sparks shot from each outlet.

The plug the assassin was connected to fried the power cord, causing her to spasm violently. Her elbow unlocked, and her forearm tilted up fifteen degrees just as the weapon fired.

The accelerated round blew her arm off at the elbow with a terrible spray of blood, flesh, and the destroyed bits of her implanted weapon. She choked off a scream as she detected movement and flung herself to the side, narrowly avoiding the tranquilizer darts from Zaina's weapon as she rushed in the front door.

A long blade suddenly erupted from the skin along the outside edge of the assassin's uninjured left arm, and she quickly sliced through the carnage of her right elbow to free herself from the dangling but destroyed limb.

Then she leapt at Zaina inhumanly fast, slashing with the blade. The Phem Kalos twisted under her arm and flung herself back equally quick. While Zaina's eyes had no problems seeing in the gloom of the cottage, she saw a pale glow from the assassin's eyes and suspected she saw in a wavelength other than visible light.

While there was limited space within the cottage, if the assassin got outside, she might make another attempt to get to Jack, so Zaina did her best to keep her from the door and windows as they chased each other around the room. The killer seemed intent on killing Zaina, so she wasn't trying to flee.

The problem was, while Zaina was in exceptional shape, the killer wasn't tiring as quickly.

Then she saw the cottage interior from outside the window. She sent a quick desperate message in her mind, then leapt sideways to line herself up for an obvious run at the exit. The assassin took the bait and jumped into the doorway to block her from fleeing.

Zaina instantly dropped flat to the floor as the assassin froze at the unexpected move.

Chunks of her internal organs exploded from her torso as Adina opened fire on her from outside, the weapon was silenced, but the explosive rounds ripped the assassin apart with deep thumps.

Stunned, she stared down at the wreckage of her body, stumbled forward two steps, then fell on her face.

Zaina heard a rapid clicking coming from the body, so she snatched up the amputated limb from the floor nearby, grabbed the camera, leapt over the corpse, and charged outside to tackle her sister around the waist. She surged forward with all her might and jumped over the grassy slope leading down into the valley. They tumbled through the grass as a deep thump shook the ground, and the cottage exploded into flames.

Once they stopped sliding, they lay panting in the tall grass and watched the glow of the fire light up the surrounding forest. Soon they could hear the sirens of firetrucks on their way. Zaina scrambled back up the slope, searching for her dropped treasures, and quickly found them. She showed Adina the gruesome limb and the camera.

"We have to go before the fire crews get here," Adina said with a frown as she watched her sister drop the items into a carry sack.

Slipping away in the night, they avoided the lights of the incoming emergency vehicles until they were safely away.

Adina immediately contacted Hellna.

"Report," the Security Minister said.

"The first two threats have been eliminated. We need a team to collect the shipping container from the freezer at the Botany Ice Cream Factory. An employee unexpectedly picked it up from the Gate Terminal and brought it to the factory. They put the entire container into the freezer but blocked its doors from opening. The Rakin Team failed to free themselves and turned on each other. I neutralized the remaining threat with poison gas, which will be inert in two hours."

Zaina nodded to her sister as she completed the report. "The second assassin had cybernetic augmentation. Her right arm was a rail gun. She was faster and stronger than a Human, but Adina and I terminated her. Her body contained an incendiary device triggered by her death which also destroyed the cottage across from Dad's place. We'll need a cover story for him. I collected part of the assassin's body which wasn't destroyed in the fire. I'll drop it off at the Tik Enclave so they can study it to detect this kind of weapon smuggling."

"Good work. I'll send the team to the factory to collect the shipping container. I'll also contact Chuuruthian emergency services to ask them to report that faulty wiring caused the fire," Hellna said. "I'm sending you updated intelligence on the other impending threats. Nothing imminent for Chuuruthia aside from the two you dealt with. Local teams are still in place keeping watch."

"We're in contact with a support team for the next phase," Adina said. "They should be arriving on Altaria tomorrow. They'll need accommodations and weapons clearance for the Tik."

"Is it who I suspect?" Hellna asked wearily.

"Ms. Ash and her team have sent us confirmation of their availability," Adina said, sharing a grin with her sister.

They heard the Security Minister sigh quietly. "Fine. I'll let the Gate Terminal know we have special guests coming. Get some rest." The comm disconnected.

The twins took a taxi to the Enclave and delivered the limb to a team of security specialists. They were very grateful for the appendage and indicated they would visit the cottage to see if anything else was salvageable.

When Adina and Zaina finally got home, they were met by Gee and Bal, who were in motorized chairs as their broken limbs healed.

"Follow us," Gee said quietly, immediately heading for their room.

Once the twins were behind the closed door of the Altarian's room, the debriefing began.

Gee locked eyes with them. "What threat did you two deal with at the cottage? We heard the cover story, but we're also familiar with the sound of an incendiary explosive charge."

Zaina glanced at Adina, who nodded to her, so she answered. "A single assassin with cybernetic implants. She was originally Human, but her right arm contained a rail gun, and her left had a long retractable blade connected to it. The way she moved, her entire skeletal structure might have been augmented. I was barely faster, and I tired quicker than she did. If Adina hadn't arrived when she did, I might have been injured before I disabled it."

"Where were you?" Gee asked, looking at the other sister.

"Dealing with a team of Rakin assassins who smuggled themselves through the Chuuruthia Cargo Gate in a shielded container. They got trapped in the container, so I took them out with poison gas," Adina said. "Hellna wants Jack kept out of this as he tends to leap in with both feet. She's assigned a squad of agents you trained to watch the home. He's safe for the next few days."

Bal nodded. "He's going to Altaria."

Adina smiled. "Cha'Risa Ash and her team are working with us to keep him safe there."

Gee gave an involuntary huff of amusement before she locked it down. "I'm sure Hellna was delighted with your choice."

Zaina grinned at her sister. "She did say we had full control of this mission."

Gee and Bal shared a disappointed glance.

"You two were our first choice, but it wasn't to be," Adina said gently.

Zaina looked them in the eyes. "You mustn't let Dad know what's up, as he'll want to get involved. It's a relief to see him relaxing for once. He's likely aware he's made some powerful and desperate enemies, but if he leaves the protection duties to us, it makes our job easier. He's keeping to safe planets for which we have excellent coverage, but once he's on Maghadahn, we will be relying on Cha'Risa and her team to be his primary security. Zaina and I will be running interference from the shadows."

The Altarians nodded as they knew better than most how stubborn Jack could be. "We'll keep the secret, but please keep us informed when you can," Gee asked.

"Of course," Adina said and got nods from her teachers.

"We're going to get some sleep as we're heading to Altaria tomorrow," Adina said.

"Thank you for protecting Jack today," Bal said.

Zaina smiled. "You know it was our pleasure. He's our dad!"

The Altarians smiled and nodded as the twins slipped out of their room.

The house was quiet as everyone was settling down for the night.

They moved silently to Douglas' room and entered without waking him. They went into his bathroom, undressed, and prepared for bed.

As they slid under the covers, they saw he was awake.

"Welcome home," he said quietly.

Doug was the Altarian son of Aaros and Jack. As his mother had the monochromatism condition, but the white variant, and Jack was carrying the Altarian gene for it as well, Doug was born with a very distinct coloration for his fur. He had his mother's brilliant white but also the deep black. These tones were in stripes across his body. The pattern dazzled the twin's vision.

He was highly intelligent and serious-minded like Gee and Bal but also had his mother's kind sensitivity. Adina and Zaina found this highly attractive. Combined with his handsome features and lovely horns, which were a gift from Jack and still a rarity amongst Altarian males, they were in love.

While Douglas and the twins had grown up in the same household as siblings (if not related by blood), they couldn't deny their mutual attraction. For the twins, who shared their perceptions and sensations, there was no question they would also share a mate.

Doug was theirs, and they were his.

As if sensing their fatigue from their active day, Doug gave them both a sweet kiss, then pulled them to him, where they cuddled in and let their weary eyes close.

It had been a good day.

Chapter 24

The last few days for Jack had been blissfully uneventful... outside of the unfortunate fire in the cottage across the valley. President Yunnda assured him they would reconstruct the historical building to its original state.

The Chuuruthian leader also surprised him when they spoke yesterday about Systrex-One. While his nerves were buzzing with excitement, he had to keep that little nugget to himself until he got to talk with the Sultessa. Everything hinged on her decision.

Coming to Altaria felt like coming home. He stepped out of the Gate Terminal and decided he'd walk to the Royal Palace, Elissa's ranch-style home several blocks away. Instead, Elissa picked him up as he stepped out onto the street.

Her window rolled down. "You were going to walk? That would have taken time from our visit!" she said with a pout as he slipped into the back seat, and she cuddled with him. She felt very good pressed against him, and he couldn't help himself from capturing her bottom lip in a kiss. She sighed happily as she returned the kiss eagerly.

When she pulled back, she looked into his eyes. "You seem more like your old self. How was your visit to Allsa Komanae?"

"There were some bad moments, but I wasn't alone. It made a world of difference, as did our talks. I can't thank you enough for being there for me," he said sincerely.

She smiled and touched his cheek. "Of course I was there. You needed me."

Jack's love swelled for the beauty before him, and he kissed her as his need for her filled his heart. She was quickly drawn into his passion.

The drive to her place took only a few minutes, and soon she dragged him into her bedroom. There was an urgency in her touch he hadn't felt in a while, so he didn't make her wait. She was giving off her musk, and his head spun with need. He paused as it seemed to be alternating between spicy and sweet. They meant different things, but he quickly lost the will to question it.

They stripped clothes, and he pulled her onto her bed and onto his chest as he sank his fingers into the thick fur on the back of her head and kissed her deeply. She moaned in desire as she ground her body against his.

The pressure between them grew as she rocked her hips over his pelvis, and he felt himself thicken and press back against her hot, wet lips.

"Oh! Oh, Jack! Yes!" Elissa panted as she pulled back from the kiss.

He moved his hands down and grabbed her ass to pull her further up his body. She needed no additional preparing as her opening accepted the hot head of his cock eagerly as he grabbed her hips and slowly pushed her back down.

"Yes, Jack! So good!" she cried.

He went back to massaging her ass cheeks as he used them to pull and push his cock into her slow and sensually as her body ground against his. The pressure drove her passions ever higher, but the pace kept her from reaching her peak too quickly.

"Ah! So good! Jack! Please! Please, Jack! I need it!" she soon begged, and he smiled at her sweet words.

He began thrusting with his hips on the upstrokes, and Elissa's eyes rolled back as this triggered her release, which rocked through her body. She collapsed on his chest, trembling in surges as her pussy clamped down on his hard cock.

That felt wonderful, but Jack's release was still building as Elissa's was winding down.

She slowly got control over her breathing and lifted her head to look into his eyes. "Jack, that was wonderful, but I think I was too greedy," she said with a sweet smile.

He grinned up at her. "Not at all!" He ran his hands up her back, enjoying the extraordinary softness of her fur and the delicious curves beneath it.

Her eyes closed in bliss as he caressed her. Without opening them, she smiled. "Jaaack. I'd like to reenact our first time."

He looked at her curiously with a grin. "You mean the very first time when I thought you were Karrel?"

She nodded with a sexy smile.

He smiled and looked around the room. "That happened in my old apartment in the... dining room if I recall correctly. I guess we could use the end of your bed—"

"No! It has to be the dining room!" Elissa said with an excited grin as she pulled his still-hard cock from her hot depths.

Jack gasped from the sudden sensation as he watched her leave the bed and prance to her door with a little wobble. He had to admit he was getting excited by seeing her rushing away. He did enjoy a good hunt.

He slid off the bed and set off in pursuit. As he closed in on his prey, he heard Elissa squeak in delicious anticipation.

She reached the dining room as he hooked his arm around her waist and lifted her off her hooves. She bleated in surprise as he carried her two steps to the long table they'd used in so many family gatherings and formal dinners with visiting dignitaries.

Jack used his free arm to yank a chair back out of the way and sweep the table runner aside as he lowered Elissa across the surface with her ass hanging over the edge. He pulled her back against his chest, hands gripping her top breasts, and lightly scraped his teeth against her neck as he growled deep in his chest. His cock pressed between her ass cheeks as she bleated and gushed over his balls.

When she began to recover, he pressed her down against the table surface, and she bleated once more as its cool surface chilled her stiff nipples.

When Jack pressed his face between her ass cheeks and stroked his tongue aggressively across her dripping pussy lips, Elissa cried out loudly.

"Ahhhh!"

He recalled he'd brought her to orgasm with his mouth that first time, so he treated her to the same, hard and fast as she squirmed on the edge of her table.

When she came, he stood and pressed the fat head of his cock against her wetness and drove himself deep inside in one thrust.

"FFFUUUUUHHHH!!" Elissa screamed, and her internal spasming squeezed his cock fiercely. He held her hips and drove himself into her, slapping her ass with his body as he felt her coming hard. It was too much for Jack, and he fired stream after stream of hot cum into her receptive body.

Finally, he rested his body over hers, pinning her to the table surface. He ground his cock deep inside and felt the last few surges sprayed into her as she whimpered.

He kissed the back of her neck, then smiled as he gently bit down on the side of her neck.

She made the cutest little bleat, but she was clearly exhausted.

"I love you, Elissa," he whispered into her ear.

Her eyes opened slowly and became glassy. "I love you so much, Jack."

He inhaled and realized the spicy scent was probably perfume. "You're not on contraceptives, are you."

Her smile widened as she gently shook her head. "I need your baby, Jack."

He sighed. "What is it with babies? Everyone wants—" He stopped as he suddenly remembered Elissa and Sahhahr telling him they'd work out a way he'd repay them for arriving at the Callosephia signing ceremony with bruises. He looked into Elissa's sleepy but knowing eyes. "Sahhahr?"

"Oh, yes," she confirmed with an amused smile.

He huffed, then realized that might work in their favor. And this time, no children would be lost to a culling process.

Elissa faded and began to snore gently. Jack pushed himself upright and pulled his softening cock from her.

That's when he heard the soft gasp. He spun toward the sound and saw Karrel standing in the doorway to the living room. Her eyes were wide, her breathing was fast, and she licked her lips nervously. She wasn't looking him in the eye as he faced her completely naked.

He needed to deal with sleeping beauty first. "You," he said firmly as Karrel locked eyes with him, "stay here."

He gently slid his arms under Elissa and lifted her against his chest to carry her back to the bedroom. She automatically cuddled against him, safe in his arms. After he pushed her sheets back with a foot, he slipped her under her sheets, covered her, and ducked into her washroom. He quickly rinsed himself in the shower, dried off, and wrapped the towel around his waist as he'd made Karrel wait long enough.

He returned to the dining room, where Karrel was cleaning the table. She quickly stood up and turned to face him. She squeaked, dropping the cleaning spray and cloth she'd used to polish the table.

Jack saw her eyes were still wide, and her breathing was a little fast. "Why were you watching us? What are you doing here?"

She licked her lips again, a pink flash across black, as her eyes roamed over his chest. His question brought her eyes back up to his.

"I-I was on my way back from the embassy and stopped to give mother some documents. I didn't know you were visiting today. She wasn't home, and I fell asleep on her couch. I never meant to spy on you!" Karrel insisted.

Jack felt better and took some deep breaths to calm himself. Her eyes dropped once more.

"Apparently, your mother wants another child, hence the re-enactment of our first time," Jack said as he gestured to the dining room table.

Karrel's eyes widened further. "Oh! I walked in that time as well!"

Jack smiled as he remembered.

Karrel looked at the table. "I'll never sit at this table again without seeing you and mother there." She pointed to where Jack had taken her mother hard and fast.

He paused. "Did you feel the same way about the table at my old place?"

She licked her lips again. "Yes."

"Ah, you might have said something. I could have changed the furniture," Jack offered.

She shook her head. "I didn't mind the memory. There are so few examples of raw passion in my life. I cherish them."

Jack looked at her closely. "I didn't know you were unhappy—"

"No." She shook her head with a smile. "Sorry if I gave you that impression. I have a wonderful life, and I am happy. You've done wonders to set an example for our men to follow. They are beginning to realize how much better life can be when they actively participate. This makes them better people... and better lovers." Her eyes flicked to the table. "They just aren't wired to reach the same levels of passion... as Humans."

"From experience, I can honestly say it's never a good idea to let an Altarian male know that," Jack said with a sigh. He saw her answering smile as she knew what grief that had caused him. He also saw a hint of longing in her lovely eyes.

Jack and Karrel had been lovers back when he first worked with her. When he moved to Chuuruthia after his banishment, they saw less of each other outside of family get-togethers. It had been a while since they'd been intimate.

She was physically similar to Elissa in many ways, but her personality made her quieter and more introspective than her mother, though he knew she was equally intelligent.

He stepped closer and saw that longing turn to hope. When he pulled her closer, she let go of the breath she'd held in a sigh. This became a little gasp as he seized the fur on the back of her head and pulled it back to make her expose her throat to him. Her body instinctively froze, and tremors rushed through her as he pressed the flat of his tongue against her neck, feeling her pulse quicken there. Her muscles were twitching between pushing the threat away and pulling him into a tighter embrace. Her lust was winning, and fuck, that was so damned sexy!

His voice was rough with his need for her and came out as a low growl. "Karrel, you are undeniably your mother's daughter. Your beauty makes my pulse race, and your grace takes my breath away." Jack deftly undid the clasp on her gown, which dropped to the floor. Then he slid a hand down her spine to the cleft of her ass. "But your body inflames my need for you." He pulled her tight against him, and she felt the growing bulge of his cock pressing against her. Her trembling became tremors as she gasped.

"Oh, yes! Jack!"

He kissed her, and she clung to him as he was enveloped in her spicy musk. He fought back the urge to smile as he was grateful she wasn't giving off the sweet scent her mother had. He moved his hands around the back of her thighs and lifted her off her hooves as he ground himself against her.

"Fuck! Yes!" Karrel gasped as she pulled back from their kiss. Jack smiled as she was more comfortable using profanity than her mother. Then her eyes opened as she glanced at him in embarrassment. Maybe just a little more relaxed than Elissa.

He carried her into the living room and sat her on the sofa's edge as he stood before her. He tugged his towel free and tossed it over the arm of the couch.

Karrel immediately reached for his waking cock and caressed his balls. Then Jack threw his head back as she took him into her mouth and sucked him into her throat as her long tongue caressed him. She was so good at that!

Jack massaged behind her ears, and her movements slowed and became languid. That felt even better, and he was soon at peak hardness. When he pulled back, her head followed, unwilling to stop, so he gently held her head to get her to release his cock. Large eyes looked up into his questioningly.

He lifted her once more, flipped her over as she squeaked in surprise, and set her down over the end of the sofa on his towel with her ass facing him. He gave her no time to prepare as he parted her ass cheeks and stroked her wet lips roughly with his tongue. She crooned suddenly as her body stiffened. He worshipped her ass with little bites and squeezes between kissing and sucking on her lower lips. He massaged the pucker of her asshole with his thumb, and her crooning grew louder.

Karrel's legs were shaking as she raced up to a release, so he nipped at the tender flesh of her inner thighs, and she gushed over his face as her orgasm struck. As she recovered, he rubbed his hot cock over her wetness until she squirmed with need. When he slipped it inside, her crooning resumed.

Jack gradually worked his cock inside, going deeper with each slow stroke, letting her get used to his girth. It had been some time since they'd been together.

When she tried to drive back against him to take more, he knew she was ready, so he increased the pressure and thrust deeper each time. Finally, he pressed against her ass, fully sheathed in her body. Her legs began shaking again, so he long stroked her, slapping her ass at the end of each thrust. His thumb returned to teasing her rosebud as his other slid under her to play with her pierced nipples. Karrel's body was constantly trembling. Her pussy squeezed his cock unmercifully, but he was equally rough with his pounding, and he felt his release rushing up on him.

When Karrel's crooning went silent as her body quaked through another huge orgasm, he pinned her to the couch and allowed himself to fill her with stream after stream of cum.

"Yesss!" she managed to gasp as her legs jolted and shook. He leaned over her, putting his weight on her ass, grinding himself deeper, and she crooned happily.

He gently disengaged once their breathing returned to normal, and she made sweet little happy noises. He lifted her in his arms and kissed her sweetly, but she was also fading quickly.

"Are you going home tonight?" he asked before her eyes closed.

"No, the couch," she managed.

He tossed the towel onto the sofa and set her down on it. Then he grabbed a nearby blanket and spread it over her.

He leaned over her, and she smiled up at him. "I'm looking forward to meeting my new sibling," she said softly, then drifted off.

Jack shook his head and kissed Karrel's forehead before returning to Elissa's room. He refreshed himself in her shower and dried off before slipping into bed next to Elissa.

She stirred, then smiled as she tucked herself against his side. "How's Karrel?"

Jack stared at her in the dim light. "You knew she was here?"

"I told her to drop the papers off tonight," she sighed.

"But... but we were having private time!" he stammered.

Her eyes opened slightly as she looked into his. "I did say I wanted to reenact our first time."

Jack's mouth worked, but he was at a loss as to how to respond.

Elissa closed her eyes. "Besides, Karrel has been a little subdued lately. She needed some Jack magic."

His eyes opened wider as he realized this was just another example of Elissa being aware of the needs of her people and taking steps to help them. He kissed her temple, and she purred happily.

"She said she can't wait to meet her sibling," Jack said softly.

Elissa smiled. "She won't have long to wait. I'm carrying her now."

Jack looked at her in surprise. "Her?"

"Just a feeling. Good night, Jack." Her gentle snores told him he would get no further bombshells tonight.

He felt a warmth settle into his chest as he thought about having another little girl with Elissa.

He took that happy thought with him as he slipped into the dreamworld.

Chapter 25

Mornings on Altaria had a magic about them. The light was softer, yet the colors were brighter, and a calmness seemed to come from being on a world that had never seen war. The civility of the people seemed to permeate the very air.

Or maybe this was just Jack's perception of the place.

He sat in Elissa's kitchen, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face as the orb began to rise above the horizon. It looked like it would be another beautiful cloudless day. Perfect for a dawn run!

He'd managed to slip out of bed without waking Elissa and got into is running gear. He tied his long blonde hair back with a white ribbon and was ready.

He poked his head into the living room and saw Karrel sleeping with a little smile on her lips. He hoped that meant her blues were over.

Padding silently to the front door, he slipped outside. His biometrics were recognized by Elissa's door, so he'd have no issue entering when he returned.

He grinned as he was looking forward to telling her about Queen Mara.

-=-

"Kudu has entered the savannah," Adina said calmly into her mic. Their team was in place, and the hunt was on. She and Zaina assigned call signs to everyone on the mission. For themselves, they picked Thing One and Thing Two from one of their favorite stories that Jack read to them as children. Everyone except Cha'Risa was delighted with their choices.

"Oracle, it's yours," Zaina said.

It was Ray's task to find their target's comm signals now that Jack was on the move. The members of the assassination team would be alerting each other of Jack's position, so pinpointing their location through their comms was critical. Ray's scanning tech was custom and built by him. His deeper understanding of technology and what he could do with it had grown exponentially since his mind woke up in a Tik body.

Their eye in the sky was Nann, flying a stealth-enabled skimmer. She wore her augmentation suit with its integrated rail run and sniper scope. This harness was linked to the skimmer's controls and to Ray, who could feed her coordinates of the targets he pinpointed.

Altarian Intelligence deciphered messages on a dark web bulletin board arranging a sleeper team of Rakin mercenaries already on Altaria to participate in a contract. Apparently, this group was part of a larger organization. Their leader arrived last night on a work visa as a sanitation engineer. For someone at the top of their organization to be part of the mission meant there had to be serious money backing it, as their deep cover would be blown after they engaged. Their exit strategy must include one of the shielded storage containers from Rehm. If that was the case, they were in for a surprise.

Rehm was about to discover they were being used by law enforcement agencies across the Network to track down the players in multiple trafficking rings. The Tik broke the shielding.

In addition to the Rakin squad, three visitors to Altaria arrived from different worlds over the past three days and had since fallen off the radar. Investigating their backgrounds identified the biosignatures they'd registered with were bogus. It wasn't clear how they managed that sophisticated deception, but they were being treated as potential threats, possibly snipers. Their weapons were likely shipped in and stored in a cache before their arrival. That would no longer be possible now that the Tik scans penetrated these shielded containers.

The sequence of events led Adina and Zaina to suspect this might be one multiprong attack to ensure Jack never made it to Maghadahn. They needed evidence of who was behind this.

"Signal lock!" Ray chirped. "Triangulating... responding signals received. First location identified. Eagle, you're up. Hunting ground team now."

-=-

High above, the skimmer slewed sharply toward an apartment complex at the edge of the parkland.

Nann was leaning out the door, securely strapped into her harness and focusing on the display in her scope. Her eyes scanned every surface of the approaching rooftop, and her cameras looked for anomalies such as duplicated or broken patterns indicating the same kind of stealth she was using.

Jack was warming his muscles up on the neighboring streets below with a slow jog as he threaded his way between the homes toward the park.

Nann knew he'd be within sight of the first apartment complex the moment he made a left out of the next street.

Her scope suddenly laid down a grid of yellow lines over a section of the rooftop at the leading corner. She made a quick assessment and agreed it was a sniper blind. Nann pulled her trigger as the weapon barrel poked out to track the runner below.

The weapon thumped and flung the hyper-accelerated slug at the spot Nann estimated the sniper would be under the blind. Their body absorbed the round's kinetic energy, and Nann saw a spray of assassin bits ejected out from under the stealth tent. The long-barreled weapon tumbled across the roof's surface as well.

"Oracle, cleaners to tower one," Nann said softly.

"Confirmed, Eagle. Second position identified," Ray responded.

The skimmer swung right, aiming for some low-rise complexes further along the park's path. Nann was already scanning the rooftops. She wouldn't give any of these bastards a chance to take a shot at Jack.

Not on her watch.

-=-

Jack smiled as he came into view of the park entrance. He knew there were extensive trails available for him to run on. Many were paved walkways, some were wide gravel trails, and there were even some singletrack paths through the woods. He knew he had a few hours, so he'd use them well.

His earbuds were in, and his music was playing his favorite tunes, so he was quickly getting into the zone.

The sun was warming his skin, the breeze was blowing his hair back, and he felt the peaceful nature of Altaria seeping into every cell of his body. The run was doing wonders for his peace of mind.

He suddenly thought of Rikki and glanced up, but of course, it wasn't there. He focused on the path ahead, promising himself he would check in on Hemmarr later today.

Jack's body breathed deeply, fueling his warmed and loose muscles with the energy they needed to propel him forward. He once more felt at one with the world, allowing his thoughts to focus on the route ahead.

-=-

Ray was scanning through a cloud of data streams, isolating the ones which were just automated communications from the various city infrastructure appliances. These could be ignored.

It was the personal comm signals that were more interesting. All of them used encryption, and he wasn't bothering with decrypting them. He was just looking for patterns in their connections.

He found one network relay that was receiving more traffic than the others and determined this cluster of comms might be the squad of Rakins.

"Bear and Tiger, ground target identified for verification. Location sent," Ray said.

"Da, Oracle," Maxim responded, and he and Leo pulled their skimmer bikes away from the curb where they'd waited for Ray to identify their target. The vehicles were silent, fast, and very maneuverable, letting them rush through the streets and alleys toward the source of the clustered comms.

"Wait! Got a satellite image of the target. It's a school bus, and I see kids. Likely a false lead. I'll keep searching," Ray's voice said into their earpieces.

Maxim glanced over to Leo, and they both nodded. They'd swing by the school bus to take a look, just in case.

-=-

Adina and Zaina easily kept pace with their father, running through the parkland like another pair of casual runners but keeping out of his peripheral vision. They saw he was wearing his earbuds so he wouldn't hear them. That was a relief.

Their eyes scanned for threats in all directions as they listened for instructions from Ray on their own earpieces.

Ray's call that the school bus was most likely a false lead was concerning as this group was the hardest to pinpoint, and they'd bring the most firepower to bear on their father.

Nann got the first rooftop sniper and was after the second. Jack was just a few minutes away from coming into the next kill zone, so the twins listened for the signal from Nann that she'd taken them out, or she needed the twins to intervene with Jack.

If the second sniper spotted Jack and realized they hadn't received an alert from the first sniper, they might contact the rest of the team and slip away to make another attempt later. That would increase the difficulty as their targets would know their cover was blown. That was extra pressure on Nann.

Past the second potential sniper zone was a forested section, and they knew their father well enough to know he'd head for the singletrack. They'd have to move quickly to pace him in there without being seen.

Nann was cutting it close.

-=-

There were two low-rise apartment complexes, but Nann could rule out one of them as its view of the park was mostly obscured by the closer building. However, the rooftop was a bust, as the surface was covered with solar collectors and gardens. Several Altarian gardeners were already working there, so the assassin couldn't work unobserved.

That left the balconies facing the park. Some of these had their view obscured by trees on the property, but the top three floors at the far left were the most likely perches for the sniper. Nine apartments.

The balconies' railings were covered with glass to allow maximum visibility of the green space and the early morning sun. All the balcony spaces were well-lit by the morning sun. That gave her an idea. It would give her own position away, but she'd expose the stealth camo of the sniper. She extended the high-intensity spotlight from the underside of her skimmer and passed the extra bright beam over the balcony surfaces. The second from the top at the far left gleamed extra bright as the blind's cover tried to compensate for the mix of natural and artificial rays.

Nann goosed the lift field on the skimmer to pop up as she locked on her target in the scope. She pulled the trigger as an incoming round deflected off the bottom of her skimmer, missing anything critical.

The spread of the three slugs she fired back slammed into the balcony's glass with a deep boom as it exploded into pebbles. The rounds continued on to strike the assassin's weapon, snapping it in two, the sniper's leg, blowing it off, and their shoulder, taking the arm off as well.

Nann got a good look at the being and had no idea what race it was. Pale green skin with small eyes and an extremely wide mouth of sharp teeth. It once had two legs and arms, and it seemed to be hairless.

She was stunned to see it was still functioning after being hit with multiple high-velocity slugs. It was slumped back against the balcony wall, but its remaining arm stretched out to grab its comm.

Nann pulled the trigger again, and its head disappeared in a spray of purple.

"Oracle, cleaners to the apartment at these coordinates," Nann said calmly as she punched in the home's location. "Note, there may be occupants in the unit in an unknown state."

"Confirmed, Eagle. Searching for third position," Ray responded.

Nann felt the pressure as the third sniper might have heard the breaking glass panel.

It was too damn loud!

-=-

Jack slowed slightly as he heard a deep rumble. He plucked his earbuds out and looked up.

Not a cloud in the sky, so it wasn't thunder. Maybe something from the apartment complex?

When he turned to look in that direction, he had to shield his eyes as the morning sun reflected off the glass balconies.

Blinking the spots from his eyes, he heard no further noises, so the earbuds went back in, and Jack returned to his ground devouring pace. He saw the forest ahead and smiled.

Singletrack!

-=-

Maxim watched the Altarian children gathered next to the bus. There were ten of them, being orderly and quiet as they stood in line next to the adult Altarian. They weren't boarding the vehicle. Just standing next to it. The museum they were visiting or had visited was three bus lengths behind the transport.

As school trips went in Maxim's experience, everything he saw was bizarre. Where were the excited shrieks of kids on an outing? Where were the frustrated adults trying to keep the group together, like herding cats? Why was everyone so still?

He understood that Altarians were more civilized than Humans, but this was weird.

"Something is off," Leo said quietly.

"Da," Maxim returned. "Give me moment." He reached into his saddlebag and collected a few items. Then he looked at Leo. "Be ready."

Leo bit down on his lip to hide the smile and nodded.

They split up.

-=-

Lalane stood beside the bus and watched her charges being their very best. She smiled at them though she was terrified. What should have been a simple outing had become a nightmare. When she went to board the school bus, she came face to face with a very grim-looking Rakin pointing a weapon at her. He gave her simple instructions. She was to make the children stand quietly next to the bus until they drove away. If she did this, they would be unharmed. If not, they would kill the children and her.

That's when she saw the other Rakin crouched down in the bus's aisle. All were tough looking.

So here they stood. The children didn't know why they were doing this, but they were being so very good.

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Happy Day, Children!"

She froze as she saw a large being approaching with the most ridiculous hair and makeup on his face. He had a huge ball of orange hair on his head, and his face was painted white with a crazy red smile painted over his mouth. His eyes had black lines radiating out from them like thick lashes.

"Who likes balloon animals?" the big silly looking man asked with a dramatic gasp.

That's when Lalane noticed that the red spines he had projecting from his back and arms were inflated balloons.

Children and balloons were a potent combination that broke through all discipline.

"Me! Me! Me!" they shouted.

At that moment, Lalane's eyes, full of dread, locked onto the knowing eyes of the man with the balloons.

He knew, and he was here to help.

Relief poured through her, but he immediately turned away and started twisting balloons together in crazy gestures, which made the kids shriek more excitedly.

She watched him make animal after animal as he worked his way up the line of kids. He whispered to each as he gave them their animal, and they kissed his cheek. The children loved the balloon animals!

Finally, he gave out the tenth animal, and the kids all raised their balloons and cheered. Then they bolted for the museum.

The big man grabbed her. "Run!" he said, pushing her after the kids as she heard the bus door open.

She didn't look back as she ran with everything she had, putting herself between the bus and the... mass of red shaking balloons. She could barely see the children.

When she heard the thump, she couldn't stop herself from glancing back. The large vehicle struggled to remain level as shadows jumped inside the dark interior. She couldn't see the big man, so he must be one of the shadows. The bus's rear door was partially open, and she saw a bloody Rakin trying to crawl out, but he was quickly yanked back inside. She turned and collected the excited children and ushered them into the museum.

"Back to the auditorium! You can play with your balloons there," she said with a shaky smile. They cheered and rushed away. The museum curator joined her at the door with a curious expression.

"Can you put the building on lockdown?" she asked as she pointed to the rocking bus.

The curator dashed away, and the door locks suddenly snapped into place.

They were safe.

She looked at the worried museum worker. "Contact Altarian Security. Something weird is going on out there."

-=-

"Oracle, Rakin team neutralized," Maxim said as he panted.

"Confirmed, Bear. The school bus?"

"Da. Tiger has taken Rakin leader prisoner."

There was a knock on the bus door, and they recognized the pattern as Cha'Risa's. Maxim let her in.

"Altarian Security is setting up a security perimeter around the parking lot. The third sniper's comm went offline, and they're in the wind. Oracle, get here as quickly—" she stopped as she saw Ray drop down beside the door. Maxim let him in.

Cha'Risa knelt next to the Rakin they'd identified as the group's leader. This was the one who recently arrived to join the others on the mission.

"Pretty sad performance, boys," Cha'Risa said to the Rakin, then realized most were dead.

She raised an eyebrow at Leo.

"What? It was kill or be dead," he said with a slight smile.

"Aside from the leader, how many others are alive?"

Maxim and Leo shared looks, then tried to determine how many they spared. "Two?" Maxim finally guessed.

Ray held the leader's comm over the Rakin's face. "Retinal scan, please?" Ray said.

Maxim held the leader's eyelids open, and the comm beeped as the interface opened.

Ray went quiet as screen after screen flashed past.

He began to chuckle, and the rest looked at him.

"Don't keep us in suspense, Ray," Cha'Risa insisted.

"I'm so glad this fellow decided to join the party here." Ray turned to look at Leo. "I'm especially grateful you managed to capture him alive." Ray looked at the Rakin. "This one is particularly paranoid, greedy, and underhanded with his clients. Guess who has a bank account with the Bank of Schvexxt? The hint? It's him."

The Rakin was barely conscious and tried to speak, but he was too badly beaten to surface completely.

"Give me a second," Ray said. "Maxim, give me another retinal scan, please."

The big man held open the Rakin's eye as Ray took an image of it's interior.

"Thanks. One more second, logging into the account now."

Ray connected to the Bank of Schvexxt and used the account credentials he'd found in the comm's data repository, the entirety of which now resided in Ray's memory. He confirmed his identity with the retina scan he'd taken. He requested a transaction report on the account and downloaded the complete history of the Rakin's dealings with the bank. Then he signed out.

As Ray contained the Rakin's financial data, he ran a comparison against the bank statement.

Then he went looking for files from the mercenary's mission logs, also stored on the Rakin's comm. He cross-referenced these against the bank transaction report.

Finally, he turned back to Cha'Risa. "This fellow's bad habits are a treasure trove for us!"

"Let's hear it," Cha'Risa said.

"Uh, can we go someplace more secure first?" Ray said, suddenly feeling nervous about the data he'd just uncovered.

Cha'Risa nodded and left the bus, followed by Ray, Maxim, and bringing up the rear, Leo.

He patted the face of the Rakin leader on his way by. "Thanks for help. The medics see you soon."

They stepped off the bus and moved toward an Altarian Security skimmer. A shot rang out, striking the bus. The incendiary round hit the power storage cells causing the bus to explode in a fireball, lifting it into the air to crash back down.

The blast tossed the group across the sidewalk onto the lawn though Ray remained in the air.

The shot had come from the second-floor window of a shop across the street from the museum. Before another round could be fired, Nann opened up from the sky above and decimated the entire window and frame. Her skimmer dropped down, and she fired another round through the assassin's body, just in case.

"Are you guys okay?" Nann asked.

"I think you found the third sniper," Ray said dryly.

"We're okay, but we need a secure place to be," Cha'Risa said, picking up on Ray's caution, which had just saved their lives. "Uh, Things One and Two, we think we've dealt with the threats. We have a lead on a source. The third sniper killed the Rakin ground team and almost got us. You're still with Kudu? Are there more targets you need our assistance for?"

Adina's voice came through as she talked between pants. She was obviously running.

"No... more... ID'd... targets. Track... source. Careful."

Cha'Risa shared looks with her team, then they dashed across the field to the parked Altarian Security skimmer.

"We have vital information that needs to get to your headquarters now!" Cha'Risa said. The pilot gestured for them to board and quickly got them airborne.

Nann followed, her skimmer still hidden but off to the side and slightly below. She scanned rooftops and behind them as they flew.

"We have a stealthed escort. Please radio ahead to keep them from shooting her down," Ray suggested, and the pilot did so.

"Fox, you have a tail, and it's closing fast!" Nann called out, using Cha'Risa's call sign.

Frowning in annoyance over the silly call sign chosen for her, Cha'Risa looked down at the homes below. "We're over a residential neighborhood. Take evasive action!" she called out.

Their skimmer suddenly rolled and banked to avoid a collision. The chasing skimmer shot past, redlining their power cells.

"Shit! That was suicide attack!" Leo shouted.

"Let Ray fly!" Cha'Risa ordered, and the pilot looked at her in shock.

Ray didn't wait for her to agree. He plugged in and scanned the skimmer's capabilities. "We might be able to match the private skimmer's speed, but we'll barely reach the edge of the Ministry property before we're out of juice.

Their skimmer suddenly dropped and slewed to the left to avoid another kamikaze attack. Their assailant pulled up at the last second and clipped the top branches from a tree as it struggled to circle around for another run.

"Everyone strap in, full harness!" Ray called out, and the skimmer suddenly leapt forward, the lift units running at one-hundred-and-twenty percent power consumption. They began to leave Nann behind.

"The ass is trying to catch up. The moment he's over unpopulated land, I'm taking him down!" Nann growled.

The homes shot by below them faster and faster.

"Uh, Ray? How are we going to land at this speed?" Cha'Risa asked as she tugged her seat straps tighter.

"It won't be pretty," Ray said as he concentrated on the consumption gauges, saving a little from the front repulsion units and using gravity to push their speed.

The last home flew by underneath, and they were over a short stretch of wetland.

Landing in this bumpy area would be suicidal at this speed. Ray hoped it wouldn't come to that.

Nann was falling behind both skimmers, and her angle of attack was getting smaller by the second. She hung out the door, battered by the wind, and focused on the rear of the chasing skimmer. If she missed, she might hit her friend's shuttle or the Ministry Headquarters itself.

Both would be very bad.

She ground her teeth and concentrated against the howling wind. The property line was fast approaching.

She was out of time and squeezed the trigger, sending three hypersonic slugs across the growing gap... into the enemy skimmer's engine compartment.

It immediately dove nose down and crashed into the marsh's edge with a colossal spray. The vehicle ripped in two, spraying debris everywhere.

"Got 'em!" Nann called out.

Ray immediately tilted the skimmer to point the nose vertically as he dumped all the remaining energy into the repulsion unit. The skimmer registered eight G before the front began to tip forward. Ray finessed the power output so the skimmer was horizontal when it hit the ground at a much lower speed.

The skimmer bumped and bounced along the ground, tearing through the turf until it finally exhausted its forward momentum and stopped.

"Dammit, Ray! I almost crap pants!" Leo growled.

"Tin cans don't crap," Maxim moaned as he stretched his limbs.

Everyone unbuckled as Nann finally caught up, landed her skimmer, and disabled the stealth. She hopped out and was immediately knocked off her feet when a shot struck her shoulder. Her augmentation suit took the brunt, but she gasped in pain. She used the power suit to fling herself behind the shelter of her skimmer.

She stared in disbelief as she peeked around to see the green-skinned assassin struggling to hobble closer with a gun clutched in its remaining hand. Its other arm hung uselessly on the other side of its body, ending just below the elbow. Its left ankle was broken, but it ignored that as it approached.

Leo and Maxim leapt out both sides of their skimmer, unloading a clip on full auto into the assassin. This made it drop the grenade it had tucked under its damaged arm. Leo, Maxim, and Nann ducked for cover as the grenade detonated, sending out a deadly spray of shrapnel.

As the dust cleared, Ray called out. "Team?"

"Eagle."

"Bear."

"Tiger."

Hearing their weary voices, Cha'Risa sagged in relief. "Any more of those green bastards after us?"

The sky above them was suddenly filled with Altarian Security Skimmers.

"I don't see any additional traffic in the area outside of official vehicles," Ray said.

Cha'Risa checked on their pilot and saw she was unconscious from the heavy G maneuver of their landing.

Black-furred agents swarmed over the area and moved them into another skimmer to fly them the remaining distance to the headquarters.

Once inside, they were given medical treatment for the minor cuts and bruises as Hellna joined them.

"We're on high alert. All air traffic has been ordered to avoid the zone around the headquarters or risk being shot down. Now, who was chasing you?" Hellna asked.

Cha'Risa moved to stand before the Minister of Security. "We obtained some information from the leader of the Rakin mercenaries. We believe he had information on his client who ordered the hit on Jack. The snipers made extraordinary efforts to kill the Rakin team once we captured them. They actually succeeded, but Ray had already collected the information. We need a place to safely review what Ray found and dig a little deeper."

"What race was that assassin?" Nann asked. "All of the snipers looked the same. Pale green skin, small eyes, wide mouth with sharp pointy teeth, minimal ears and noses, and hairless. We were told there were three snipers, and I killed all three, but the fourth assassin in the skimmer was a surprise. Could there be more?"

Cha'Risa shot a look at Nann, then touched her earpiece. "Thing One, please be aware there may be more assassins... Thing One? Two?"

She looked at Hellna in concern.

"Mobilize a squad of agents to the park! Identify the last known position of agents Adina and Zaina," the Security Minister shouted.

Cha'Risa and her team wished it was them.

-=-

Jack felt the adrenaline buzz shooting through his body as he accelerated through the winding singletrack path in the woods. At the back of his mind, he recalled the last time he'd done this and ended up toppling a GowGow tree to avoid a collision.

He pushed that aside as he was certain this time it was early enough that there shouldn't be any other walkers on this path.

Besides, it just felt so good to really open up on this lovely track. His music was reaching a crescendo, and he grinned as he was about to go over a slight hump followed by a sharp drop into a small ravine with an equally sharp rise past a stream. He bet he could jump from peak to peak and bypass the dip entirely.

He poured on the speed.

-=-

Adina was running silently on all fours a distance directly behind Jack, where he couldn't see her. She was surprised by how fast he was running on this path. She'd sent Zaina on the shorter route around the forest to the spot where Jack would exit. Her sister would hunt for targets there.

As Jack approached the lip of the ravine, he surged forward unexpectedly and suddenly sprang upwards. Adina rushed forward as he might be avoiding a trap! Her perceptions sped up, and everything went into slow motion.

Jack's trajectory continued upward as he sailed over the small depression. Adina dove forward over the lip, skimming over the ground as she drew her blades.

Ahead of her, she spotted a green-skinned being standing at the lowest point in the ravine. It was tilting its head back in shock as Jack sailed well over it, oblivious to the danger. The assassin was lifting its right hand with a gun in it, trying to aim at the fast-moving target.

At the last second, it took notice of Adina and tried to redirect its aim. Adina drove her blades through its eyes into its brain. She then used its mass as a pivot to twist over its body, pulling the assassin down to slam against the ground.

Jack's foot touched down on the trail slightly past the far lip of the ravine, and he was gone.

Unable to free her blades with a sharp tug, Adina left them behind, sent an image of the dead assassin to her sister, and charged after Jack on all fours.

"Oracle... target down... at these... coordinates," she gasped and listened for the response. Nothing. She flicked her ear and didn't feel the resistance of the earpiece. It must have fallen out when they entered the woods.

She could barely see Jack ahead, so she picked up her speed and warned Zaina. She got a flash from her sister. She was high up in some branches looking down at a sniper lying prone amongst some trees with a view of the singletrack exit.

Adina increased her pace. She had to reach Jack before he left the forest!

-=-

Zaina went through her options. She hadn't expected to find herself in the tree above an assassin. This vantage point was perfect for observing threats and hosting them.

If she moved from the spot, she might drop some tree debris on the sniper alerting him to her presence.

She picked up from her sister's brief contact that Jack's arrival was imminent.

Angry chittering erupted from the next tree, and Zaina glanced at the tree dweller. It didn't like her proximity. She looked below, and the assassin was aware of the creature as well, but he went back to looking through the scope.

Zaina looked up and realized she was in a GowGow tree. Glancing over at the small woodland creature, she had an idea.

She pulled a clear rubber band from her pocket and fired it at the tiny chittering beast. It immediately took offense to this and ran up its tree before crossing over to hers to rush up to its top. She heard it quickly gnawing at the stem of a seed pod cluster.

Zaina glanced down, then back up as she coiled her muscles. The timing would have to be perfect.

The moment the stem parted, it started its drop toward her. There had to be at least eight seed pods linked to the branch. Most would be ripe. This was where the danger was.

Before it struck her, Zaina sprang away from the tree to grab a branch on the next to swing past.

The sniper was fast, and his shot severed the branch she was swinging on. She felt herself twisting in midair and caught the look in the dead eyes of the shooter as he lined up his kill shot.

The GowGow pods struck the ground beside him and exploded. Sticky sap sprayed all the way up his right side. Barbed seeds shot out in all directions, many stabbing into his green flesh.

One flew past Zaina's head just before she landed on all fours and flung herself backward to put another tree between them.

She heard a thud and saw the assassin had fallen over. She took another quick glance at him and saw he was still moving. His rifle must have taken a hit from the sticky stuff as he was trying to clear the firing mechanism unsuccessfully. He tried to drop the weapon, but his hand was stuck to it. Using its free hand, it pulled a handgun and swung it in her direction.

That's when the second cluster of pods dropped directly on him. The sap exploded over his face, and seed pods flew everywhere once more. Dozens punctured his flesh again.

Zaina was behind the tree and avoided the splashing sap and flying hooked seeds once again.

She waited until the popping finished and glanced back. The assassin was struggling to clear its nose and mouth, but they were sealed shut, and now his hands were stuck to his face too. His movements weakened, then stopped.

Zaina glanced up at the small beast who'd unleashed the chaos and saw it enjoying a snack high in the branches. She was no longer in its territory, so it was satisfied.

She made a note to avoid this cluster of trees in the future. These buggers had long memories. She sent Adina an image of the dead assassin and picked up her relief.

Obviously, their count of targets had been wrong.

Jack left the forest trail to rejoin the main path, turning to take the long loop which would return him to the queen's neighborhood.

It was Zaina's turn to follow her dad, so she waited for him to go past, then ducked out into his blind spot and kept pace. She was grateful he'd slowed down a little.

"Oracle, two targets to clean up in the park," Zaina said. When she got no response, she checked her earpiece and saw it was paired with Adina's, which was offline. She reconnected it to Ray directly and repeated her message.

"Thing Two? We lost you and Thing One. We were attacked by a fourth assassin, and you just dealt with two more. Should we bring Kudu in from the Savannah? A squad of Altarian agents is coming to the park to collect you."

"Do you have the Source?" Zaina asked.

"High probability with a good lead," Ray returned.

"One moment," Zaina responded. She sent her sister some images of hand signals asking if they should cancel with unknown targets and a lead on the source.

Adina responded with an affirmative and indicated she would join her immediately.

"Oracle, pick us up," Zaina said.

"Affirmative, Thing Two. Squad will be at your location shortly," Ray confirmed.

Zaina picked up her pace as she wondered how her dad would react to finding out he'd been targeted.

-=-

Jack was riding an adrenaline high as he returned to his regular pace running through the lovely gardens. He hadn't enjoyed a run like this since his run on Danat.

Thinking of that lovely world, he recalled Mara's expression before he left. He was relieved she had a plan to save her people and Tik to help her do it, but Mara said she'd miss him. Truthfully, he was already missing her. The task ahead of her to bring her people back from the brink of extinction took his breath away. He was looking forward to discussing it with Elissa.

It was so good to be able to speak with his family.

He glanced to his right, and Adina was running alongside him. He automatically glanced to the left, and there was Zaina. He reached up and popped his earbuds out and grinned at them.

"You've... come out... to run... with me?" he asked happily.

Adina pointed ahead to an Altarian Security skimmer settling down next to the path ahead of them, and Jack's bubble of joy popped. "What happened?" he asked tensely.

"All good," Adina said to ease his worry.

"Security alert," Zaina added.

Jack slowed as they approached the vehicle that had opened its side door. They could see the squad of agents waiting inside.

A second skimmer flew past them, heading back along their route. Jack watched it for a moment, then looked at Zaina suspiciously. "When did the... threat begin?" His breathing slowed as they slowed to a fast walk and left the path to climb inside the skimmer. Jack nodded to the agents and got nods in return.

"Earlier today," Adina answered and took a seat next to Jack and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Zaina slipped in on his other side and mirrored her sister's move.

Jack tried to stop a smile from reaching his lips and failed. He knew they were just trying to direct his attention away from the fact that he might have been in danger while completely oblivious to it. He'd been bait.

"Did you have a good run?" Adina asked.

He sighed as he recalled how his last really good run had ended with him placing himself in mortal danger. "Yes, it was wonderful, but completing one without a life-and-death scenario would be a nice change. Just how bad was this one?"

Adina glanced across at Zaina, and they knew they needed to be honest with him. "You've made some powerful enemies. They managed to get teams onto Chuuruthia and Altaria—"

"Wait! Chuuruthia?" he exclaimed in shock. Then his mind connected the dots. "The cottage fire!"

Zaina nodded to him as she looked into his eyes. "Yes, that was caused by a Human assassin with an incendiary charge in her cybernetic implants, triggered by her death."

"What? Cybernetics? Since when is that a thing?" Jack exclaimed. "Wait, you said she was Human?"

"Yes, but we don't believe she received those implants on Earth. She was reported dead on Earth and came to Chuuruthia from Maghadahn. Not many Humans travel to that planet," Zaina clarified.

Adina continued. "We also dealt with a hit squad of Rakin who smuggled themselves to Chuuruthia in a shielded shipping container. They never made it out of the box, and the Tik now know how to thwart the shielding. Gate Cargo Terminals will now be to identify the smuggling containers and alert the local law authorities for them to arrest the smugglers," she added.

Jack stared at her in surprise and dismay. Then he thought about what she'd said about the containers, having been similarly smuggled off Earth, granted without this shielding. "What... what if the local authorities are involved in the smuggling?"

"We were told by the Tik that if they don't see appropriate action, they will shut down the Cargo Gates," Adina replied, and Jack nodded.

It was starting to sink in just how much danger his family had been in, and Jack's muscles began to tremble with directionless rage. "Those FUCKERS!" he shouted, and all eyes locked on his face. "They put my family at risk? Who ordered the hits!" he snapped.

The Altarian agents in the skimmer had never seen Jack's feral side before and instinctively leaned away from the sight of his bared fangs and rage-filled eyes.

But they couldn't look away either. Nostrils flared as they took in the scent of his musk.

Adina and Zaina shared another look. "That's being investigated now. We have a good lead, according to Ray—"

"Ray's here? Cha'Risa and her team?" Jack's mind jumped to gather the facts.

"Yes, they were assisting today. Ray got a lead they're following up on. Today we met a race we hadn't seen before. Tough and hard to kill. Not sure who they are or who hired them. We hope Ray's lead points us to the source," Adina explained as she squeezed his hand.

Jack struggled to control his breathing. This... this was too much. He wanted to go to Maghadahn and light a fire under all their asses, but he needed Rikki! If—if Rikki wasn't there, he'd have to get the Tik to extract all the data from his collar and begin an immediate review of the data. Just duplicating Rikki's findings would be sufficient in implicating the team leaders.

He glanced out the window and realized they were approaching the Security Ministry headquarters.

"Uh, I thought you were taking me back to Queen Elissa's place," Jack said.

"Until we get a handle on how many assassins were actually sent to kill you on Altaria, it's safer to keep you here," Adina said.

He frowned. "I was supposed to spend the day with Elissa. I need to bring her up to speed on my trip to Danat," he insisted.

"I can ask her to visit you there. She can bring your overnight bag," Zaina offered.

Jack was disappointed. He'd planned on spending the day cuddling with Elissa, but that couldn't happen now. Well, shit.

"We're sorry," Adina and Zaina said in unison as they hugged him from both sides, and he felt his irritation slowly bleed away. He hugged his daughters. "Thank you for keeping me safe today. Uh, just how close did I get—"

"You shouldn't think about that," Adina said against his chest, and he settled back as the skimmer made the final turn before landing. He noticed the agents were still staring at him, so he smiled and nodded to them, which seemed to break the lock they'd been under.

When the skimmer was down, and the side door opened, the agents swept out of the vehicle and formed a perimeter. He exited, then followed Adina and Zaina into the building. He realized he was sweaty and needed a shower.

"Any chance I could get cleaned up?" he asked, and they immediately directed him to the stairwell down a floor to a vacant locker room.

"Showers are through there. Soap and shampoo are there, too," Adina said, pointing to a door at the other end of the room.

Zaina handed him a big towel. "We'll look for something for you to wear in the interim. We'll call Queen Elissa and arrange to pick up your bag from her place."

He kissed their foreheads, and they grinned as they rushed away.

Jack moved to the bench next to the entrance to the showers and stripped off his running gear. He grabbed his towel and went inside for his shower.

He was shampooing his hair when he heard a voice call out.

"Jack?"

That was Leo's voice. "Yeah, I'm in the shower."

"Twins said shower was available. You mind us joining?" the man called back.

Jack snorted. "No, help yourself."

As he rinsed his head, he heard two more showers start up.

Maxim groaned as the hot water worked its magic on his tired muscles. "That's good," he said.

"Thank you for helping today," Jack said, feeling like it wasn't enough as they'd likely risked their lives for him.

"Rakin killers were tough!" Leo's grin became feral. "Felt good to crush them."

Maxim was glowering. "They threaten children. They deserve what they got."

Jack stared at the man in shock. "Children?"

Leo grinned widely. "Maxim dressed as clown. Made balloon toys for kids. Was perfect distraction!"

"You brought your clown costume?" Jack asked incredulously.

Maxim smiled self-consciously. "Always prepared."

Jack thought of his trip to Callosephia and how much his kids there would love to see a clown. He couldn't ask him to perform for his kids after he'd already done so much for him. "That's awesome," he said sincerely, and Maxim nodded in thanks.

"Twins gave us call signs," Leo said in delight.

"The Major was Fox!" Maxim blurted with a laugh, and Leo nodded, bouncing his eyebrows at his friend. Then Leo picked up the thread.

"Nann is Eagle, sniper in sky. Ray is Oracle, know-it-all." Maxim chuckled again, and Leo gestured to him. "Maxim is Bear. I am Tiger, not Lion?" He chuckled as he shook his head.

Jack nodded as Maxim did have the physical characteristics of a bear, and he guessed the twin's reason for choosing Tiger over Lion for Leo. "Lions don't have stripes."

The man blinked, then looked down at the three scars crossing his chest, a present from the Phem Kalos warrior he'd bested in combat. A light went on in Leo's eyes, and he burst into laughter as he recalled the twins had been on Phem Kalos at the time as well. "Smart girls!"

Jack grinned as he nodded in agreement.

Maxim looked into Jack's eyes. "They call you Kudu." He shook his head with a puzzled expression. "What is Kudu?"

A surprised laugh burst from Jack as he stared at Maxim. "Kudu?"

Jack's memories took him back to an evening years ago when he sat in his living room on the couch with his young kids gathered around him. He was still getting used to his new, larger black horns, and this evening he was scrolling through pictures on a tablet of different varieties of antelopes that once roamed across the African savannah and were being gradually reintroduced. The children were cuddled around him, the twins in their favorite spots on his shoulders. When a picture of a Greater Kudu appeared, the twins were quite excited. They said it had the same horns as their papa. Joseph and Emily argued that Waterbuck horns were a closer match. This turned into a tickle fight between father and kids, as these things typically did in the Danner household.

Jack smiled as his heart was filled with love for his kids again. He was coming to realize how much he missed having them at home. He also admitted he was getting a second chance to raise kids with Diana, SennLann, and Juul at home. Then there was Queen Elissa on Altaria and potentially Sultessa Sahhahr on Callosephia. Finally, there were Queen Mara's triplets and Bayly's twins, but the logistics of spending time with them were daunting but not impossible. He'd make it happen.

He wasn't sure how he came to deserve such treasure.

He suddenly realized Maxim and Leo were watching him with amused smiles. He cleared his throat and looked away. "It's a kind of African Antelope from long ago they brought back from extinction. It has horns the twins thought were similar to mine."

They returned to getting clean, and Jack was the first to finish. He stepped out and dried off.

As he wrapped the towel around his waist, there was a knock on the outer door.

"Hello?" he called out.

"Jack, it's Elissa. I've brought your overnight bag."

He hustled over to the door and pulled it open but stood before the gap to block the view inside.

"I'm so sorry you had to leave your home to come here. I just found out about the assassins as the twins brought me here," Jack said contritely as he accepted the bag from her.

She patted his cheek. "Not your fault. I'm going to have some words with Hellna for allowing you to be used as bait." She looked quite cross.

"Let me get dressed, and I'll be right out. I need to speak to you about Danat and the Dannt," he said.

He placed his hand over her lower abdomen. "How are you this morning?"

Her smile returned, and a twinkle showed up in her eye. "Very well. I have an appointment with the Royal Physician tomorrow."

Jack leaned forward and kissed Elissa, who purred happily. The towel dropped as she plucked at it with her clever fingers.

"You were looking for me?" Hellna said as she arrived next to the queen, who pulled back from the kiss to face her Minister of Security.

Hellna's eyes were not on Elissa's but were staring at Jack's naked body in the doorway.

"Yes. Jack is never to be used as bait for assassins again. Am I clear?" Elissa used her authoritative voice, and Hellna's eyes finally broke away from Jack to lock eyes with the monarch.

"Yes, Queen Elissa."

Jack eased back and pulled the door closed. Then he pulled some clothes from his bag and dressed quickly. Leo and Maxim joined him, pulling some fresh combat gear from their daypacks. Then Jack noticed they were made of Reaver silk!

"How do you guys keep getting cool Reaver silk wear, and I get gowns?" Jack said in frustration.

Maxim chuckled as he looked at Jack with a grin. "Gee and Bal make arrangements. They do for you as well?"

Jack huffed. He'd complain to Elissa, but she preferred seeing him in traditional Altarian wear.

Speaking of the lovely Queen, Jack stepped out of the locker room, where he saw the regent in question speaking with her Security Minister. Elissa turned to him. "Jack! You must immediately present your report to the Maghadahn Grand Assembly Committee to cancel the threat against you!"

He saw the concern in her eyes and moved to give her a hug.

"I need to go to Callosephia first. The research team's data is in my collar, and I'll need Hemmarr and Taggart's assistance to get it out and hopefully Rikki too. Only after I have this can I give the report."

Elissa still looked worried, but hearing he'd be on Callosephia eased her fears. That planet had no visitors, and everyone on that planet would protect Jack.

Cha'Risa approached them with a tense energy almost radiating from her. Jack released Elissa and moved to his friend to hug her.

"Thank you for coming to my assistance once more," he said.

Her lovely skin tone hid her blush, but it showed in her eyes. "It was our pleasure! We'll be going back to Maghadahn with you."

Jack smiled. "Ah! Does that mean you'll have a chance to see Callosephia too?"

Cha'Risa smiled as she nodded, then tilted her head curiously. "Another new experience for us. What's it like?"

"Hot, dry, and sandy. It's a desert planet with its water hidden underground," he said, then sighed. "It's breathtakingly lovely if you don't mind the heat."

Cha'Risa's smile widened. "It sounds like my kind of place!" Then her expression became more serious. "Ray found something everyone needs to hear."

Jack looked to Elissa and Hellna and joined them in following Cha'Risa back to a room filled with Altarian agents. They were clustered around a terminal where Ray was holding a training session. They were hanging on his every word.

"Boss lady is back, Ray," Nann said quietly.

"Ah, yes. I can continue this lesson later," he replied to his audience, and a collective groan rose from the agents.

"What's going on here?" Hellna asked.

The lead tech turned to her superior with an excited smile. She was a lovely tan Altarian with chocolate brown streaks in her fur. Jack saw that not every Security team member was the same color as Gee and Bal.

"Ray Sharif is showing us a new method for infiltrating foreign networks without leaving a trace!" she gushed.

Hellna looked suitably impressed.

"Perhaps Ray can share his news with us before returning to the espionage lessons?" Elissa asked sweetly.

The agents looked at her and nodded, then quickly dispersed.

Soon it was just Cha'Risa's team, the twins, Elissa, Hellna, and Jack.

"First off, thank you for keeping me safe out there," Jack said. He got smiles from the team.

"Secondly, that's the last time Jack is used as bait," Hellna said, locking on the twins. They nodded.

Jack glanced at Elissa and Hellna, then turned his attention to Ray. "Who hired the assassins?"

Ray tipped forward as he'd seen Tik do to acknowledge a point. "We caught a stroke of luck when we caught the Rakin team alive, uh, mostly alive. The leader broke significant rules the client set when they hired the mercs. According to the mission profile I pulled from his comm, the Rakin leader was paid to act as a middleman, hiring a third-party team to do the work. The crew on Altaria would have no knowledge of the client. Instead, he activated sleeper agents from his team and personally joined them. The payout listed in the mission brief is very significant, so his greed likely made him do it.

Also, on his comm were the mission briefs for previous missions his mercenaries did. This wasn't the first time he'd double-dipped. I cross-referenced the mission dates to the Bank of Schvexxt account transaction history and the leader's income worksheet on the comm. I found four deposits that corresponded to two assassinations they were hired for. Two deposits for being the middleman and two for the actual assassination work. All four records in the worksheet are notated with the name Norest. I'll get back to that name." Ray looked at the group, and they were still focused on him.

"Looking at the assassination missions, the first was Saah Olless Tee, a Fullchowe Ambassador looking into financial irregularities with a trade dispute between two of the Assembly's senior races. Saah's death was reported as an accident caused by ingesting shellfish toxic to his race. While his coworkers reported he never ate seafood because he couldn't stand the stuff, the cause of death on the official certificate remained accidental.

The second assassination was Larrs Homahoma, the Maghadahn investigator and a Wallejoon citizen, who began looking into Saah Olless Tee's death at the bequest of Saah's friends. Larrs reportedly slipped and drowned in a shellfish tank. No further investigation was deemed necessary.

We now have proof these deaths were actually murders, and we know they were paid for by Norest. Searching the comm for other references for this name, I found a surveillance video on the comm named Norest. It's a recording of the Rakin leader meeting with a whitish-skinned being wearing the white shoulder wrap worn by Assembly Committee overseers. I don't know what race Norest is. Perhaps the Tik can tell us."

Hellna frowned. "The Maghadahn investigator was killed to stop him from looking into the Fullchowe Ambassador's death, and the Ambassador was murdered to prevent his investigating the trade dispute. Both murders were ordered by Norest. Now he orders Jack's assassination? How is all this linked together?"

Jack shook his head. "I can't see how they could be, outside of who paid for the contract, and I've never met anyone who looked like the being in the Norest video."

"If Norest paid for the attempt to kill Jack on Altaria, could they be linked to one of the accused races? They don't look like any of them. Another middleman, perhaps?" Cha'Risa asked.

Adina spoke up. "The Rakin attempt on Chuuruthia felt far less organized. It had to be linked to the Borrelian bounty in the Schvexxt bank account. Some entrepreneurial executive on Rehm rents out one of their shielded shipping containers they obtained from the Allsa Komanae assets and hires a team of Rakin mercenaries. The mission failed immediately."

Zaina nodded. "The cybernetic augmented Human assassin which arrived from Maghadahn didn't feel like that. Someone put significant money into her weapon implants and shielding to hide them from the Tik Gate scanners. Who paid for her to become a weapon?"

Ray picked that up. "I did more digging, and she really was caught in an explosion in her Turkish hometown on Earth. She went missing on her way to the hospital. Someone must have intercepted her ambulance and offered to heal her with upgrades. She may have become their indentured servant and loaded weapon. Her next appearance was on Chuuruthia three years later. Where was she during those three years?"

Cha'Risa frowned. "Considering she was from Earth, which has very few off-world visitors, perhaps it might be someone from Earth you pissed off. You've made enemies there from time to time. Do you have any ideas who it might be this time?" she asked Jack.

He thought about that for a moment. "I recently made Leandro Matais pretty upset. He's a lawyer representing some large corporate interests on Earth. I told him I wouldn't sell them Ishilon Energy storage tech." He shook his head with a frown. "Does Earth have the tech-savvy to do that level of cybernetics plus shielding the Tik can't detect?"

The expressions on the faces of Cha'Risa's team told him they didn't believe Earth had the tech.

Jack shook his head. "The Borrelians are a known threat, but all they could do was post a bounty as they were banished from the Gate Network. We have no idea who sent the woman from Turkey or who Norest is or represents. They might have hired the woman for the hit on Chuuruthia, but it might have been someone else. They definitely sent the assassins to Altaria." He paused as he looked at the team. "How many assassins are we talking about for Altaria?"

"Leo and I took out squad of eight Rakin," Maxim said with a proud grin.

"I took out four of the green-skinned killers, three snipers, and one kamikaze skimmer pilot," Nann said.

"We terminated two additional green-skinned assassins in the park," Adina said.

Jack stared at the group before him in shock. "Fourteen? They sent fourteen people to kill me? That's... that's nuts!" he exclaimed.

"They were determined, but not as determined as we were at keeping you alive," Adina insisted.

"It's a measure of how much of a threat you are to them," Hellna said grimly.

Jack thought about that but shook his head. "But who are they? I'm trying to get my head around the scope of trouble these Assembly Members will be in for faking the Allsa Komanae recovery efforts and trying to open the vault door instead. Certainly, it will be a major stain on their reputation. According to the Qui Qui Qui Team Leaders, only the Borrelian and Vikk Tahh Leaders made any indication they might have known what was behind the door. If they did, their attempt to take it for themselves makes them truly evil in my books."

He shook his head again. "I spent some time with the Research Team Leads and a little time with their ambassadors, who I'm guessing must have been in on the conspiracy. Aside from the general hostility I faced, none gave off the vibe of being a major player like... the Prime Mahrell Drun. Maybe the leaders from their home worlds were where the real intellect hid, but I can't help feeling that we're missing something... like something or someone else is involved here."

Jack rubbed his face wearily with his hands.

"Jack, perhaps it would be wise for you to go to Callosephia now. They have tighter restrictions on access to their planet," Elissa said gently.

He looked at her in dismay. "But I wanted to talk to you about the Dannt and Queen Mara!"

She moved to stand before him and took his hands in hers. "We will have time to discuss them once you've completed your report to the Grand Assembly Committee and the threat has been dealt with."

Jack touched his forehead to hers as he gave her a sad look. "I also wanted to spend more time with you," he said softly.

She patted his chest affectionately as she looked into his eyes. "When you get back, we will spend as much time as you'd like," she promised, and he snorted quietly as he was very much aware of how busy the Queen of Altaria was. Still, he smiled and nodded. He would accept whatever time she could give him.

"I need to pick up Diana and Adam, as they're coming with me," he said.

"Ask your Ishilon security team to pick you up here and take you to Chuuruthia," Elissa suggested.

Jack nodded, as that was the most expedient route. He sighed, then looked over at Cha'Risa and the team. "Are you ready to go?"

Cha'Risa nodded. "We'll need to gear up with our Maghadahn kit, which was sent to your place."

"I've left a copy of the Rakin leader's comm data with your lead tech," Ray told Hellna. "I don't want to be the only one with this evidence."

"We'll join you—" Adina began.

"Not so fast. You two will be staying here for debriefing and filing your mission reports. You can join Jack when he goes to Maghadahn," Hellna said firmly.

The twins pouted and looked at Jack pleadingly, but he just smiled at them and shrugged.

Cha'Risa looked at Jack curiously. "How do you contact your Ishilon security squad?"

"I think there are some keywords they're monitoring for, and my collar somehow contacts them. They lock on my collar or any nearby Tik to ensure they can safely open their Gates. Ray, you can expect to he used as a target. I apologize in advance," Jack said.

"Can we first move to a more suitable place?" Hellna suggested.

Jack nodded, and everyone followed Hellna out of the tech department, down a long hall, and into a large meeting room. They filed into the room, and the twins closed the door.

Everyone stared expectantly at Jack. "Oh, now? Okay." He cleared his throat.

"Danger! I need my Ishilon Security team now!" he said dramatically.

"Oh! I feel that," Ray said immediately.

Three Gates opened along the room's perimeter, and tall Ishilon warriors entered with spears in hand.

Dennesh was at the middle Gate and scanned the room for the danger Jack mentioned. "Shadeem? I see no danger," she said.

Jack smiled. "There's no danger at the moment. My friends dealt with the assassins."

The warriors immediately moved closer. "Assassins?" Dennesh said in agitation.

"Fourteen of them, but I was completely unaware of the threat as they never had a chance to get to me,"

"Shadeem! Fourteen? What's happened that made someone send so many after you?" Dennesh exclaimed.

"That's a good question. We're still working out who might have sent so many. We'll talk about it further on Callosephia. Queen Elissa believes I'll be safer there as you have tighter visitor restrictions. I need you to take me to my place on Chuuruthia first, as I have to pack some clothes and get Diana and Adam," Jack said.

"While Chuuruthia has tighter controls than Altaria, Jack was targeted there as well, so bringing your security team is a good idea," Hellna explained. Dennesh nodded and gestured to one of the warriors who stepped back through their Gate and shut it down. Dennesh and the other security member dropped their Gates too.

"Jeela will prepare for our visit to your home. She'll let me know when they are ready for us," Dennesh explained.

Jack got a hug and a kiss from Queen Elissa and hugs from the twins, then Dennesh signaled they were ready. She gestured to her teammate, and two new Gates popped into place.

"These lead to your patio," Dennesh said, gesturing for Cha'Risa and team to pass through hers. Jack waved and stepped through the other Gate to see his home surrounded by a perimeter of Ishilon warriors. Seeing so much protection in a place he was most comfortable was disheartening, but he pushed past that.

Cha'Risa and her team entered the house to get changed for the trip to Callosephia and then Maghadahn.

Jack turned to Dennesh, who shut down her Gate and approached him. "I'll go get packed and get Diana and Adam ready to go," he said.

Motion caught his eye, and he yelled to the security team swarming a skimmer pulling into his driveway.

"Wait! That's President Yunnda! Let him through!" he called out as he ran closer.

The Chuuruthian stepped slowly from his vehicle to look at the tall, spear-carrying guards with unease.

"I'm so sorry, President Yunnda. There have been some threats to my life in the last few days, and my friends are a little overly cautious."

The male settled himself to smile at Jack. "Yes, Security Minister Hellna spoke with me earlier today about the threat. I came to speak with your family to let them know we've vetted all non-Chuuruthian visitors presently on Chuuruthia, there are only six of them, and none are any threat to you or them. All shipping containers delivered in the last three weeks were checked, and none contained any contraband or off-world threats. The Tik at the Gate Terminal assure me no further threats will get through. We've also implemented a moratorium on visitation rights until we've been assured the threat is over. I'm very sorry your peace was threatened on a world that strives for harmony in all things."

Jack blinked at him in shock. The planet was locking down for their protection? "I-I can't thank you enough for taking these measures to protect my family! I'm overwhelmed and deeply grateful!"

Yunnda smiled and preened his whiskers in pleasure. "We know the good work you are doing for the Tik and Gate Network members whose voices are not heard above the noise of more powerful members. Chuuruthians always root for the underdog."

Jack smiled widely and shook the president's hand. "I'll do my best." Without releasing him, Jack turned to his security detail. "President Yunnda is a friend of the Ishilon. For reasons I can't yet divulge, perhaps one of the greatest. Treat him as you would me. Protect and respect our friend."

"Yes, Shadeem!" The team called out as one and bowed deeply to the President.

"Oh! That's... thank you," Yunnda said quietly though his whiskers trembled with delight.

Jack released his hand and nodded to him. "I'll pass along your words to my family, then I'm going to Callosephia to speak with the Sultessa, then the people. Queen Elissa said it would also be safer for me to be there before I make my address before Maghadahn's Grand Assembly Committee." He sighed. "Each time I say the name of that committee, my impression of its effectiveness diminishes. There is still so much corruption running rampant in an institution that could achieve so much good! Maybe that will change once I'm in the Grand Hall, as they call it. I don't know."

The President smiled at him slyly. "I like how you chose your words. Be the wind of change. Bring justice to that group of blowhards!"

Jack looked at Yunnda in confusion, then went back over what he'd said, and it clicked. "Oh! I-I meant my impression will change!"

Yunnda turned back toward his skimmer as he chuckled and waved. He glanced back with a grin. "I choose to believe in the other meaning."

Jack stood in his driveway as Yunnda drove back down the lane and disappeared. Dennesh came to stand beside him. "The President believes in you as we do."

He looked at the warrior staring back at him with a smile. "Sometimes I wonder what funhouse mirror glasses everyone wears when they see me."

Dennesh looked at him curiously. "I don't know what a funhouse is, but it sounds fun."

With a sigh, Jack turned and walked back to his door, leaving the team to watch the property.

The moment he was inside, Eve was in his arms. He held her tight and felt her trembling. "What's wrong?"

She pulled back and kissed him, hard.

That felt good, but Jack was still concerned about its source. She finally relaxed, and he carried her into the living room where Diana, SennLann, and Bayly were waiting. They looked equally distraught but waited as Eve got her anxiety out of her system. He gently sat Eve on the couch beside Bayly, then addressed the group.

"What happened?" he said cautiously.

Diana spoke. "We got a quick report from the twins of what happened on Altaria. Someone with considerable resources wants you dead." Her eyes were a little glassy.

Aaros and Juul marched into the living room with worried expressions. "It's true?" Juul asked.

"Yes, though we haven't yet learned the identity of the instigator nor their reason," Jack admitted.

"It has to be the jerks on the Allsa Komanae Research Team!" Bayly asserted boldly.

He smiled at her passion. "They're certainly mad at me, but I don't know if they have the capacity to do something on this scale."

Ray floated into the room, and Jack smiled at him. "Ray has a solid lead on a possible source."

The Human-Tik combo tilted forward in agreement. "I contacted the Tik and shared the Norest video. They identified him as a member of the Yis, specifically Ambassador Ayn Norest. The trade dispute the murdered Fullchowe Ambassador was investigating was between two races the Yis likely use as middlemen in their trade deals. Not sure why the Yis didn't want it investigated, but there's your connection."

Jack gave him a puzzled expression as Cha'Risa and the others arrived in their blade-bedazzled combat gear. He spotted the Katana on Nann's hip and caught her little smile as she noticed the direction of his gaze. He tore his eyes away from the display of sharp edges and looked back at Ray.

"I've never had any dealings with the Yis. I didn't even know they existed. Who are they?" he asked.

"This is the profile I received from the Tik. They are one of the founding members of the Assembly, meaning they're ancient. The Yis Empire is close to the Galactic center and comprises twelve worlds and hundreds of vast space habitats. This was their solution to preserving their people as they expanded beyond their planets. Most of their citizens prefer a low to zero-gee environment. Only five of their worlds have a Gate, and none of their space habitats has one.

They're an insular race, uncomfortable with visitors to their worlds, and visiting their habitats is strictly forbidden. Planetary visitation visas are required with a lengthy interview and assessment period, and when approved, a guide must accompany visitors at all times.

The Yis are paranoid about not being in the know. The Tik believe they joined the Gate Network and the Assembly just to keep an eye on the other races. They do their best to remain in the background, but the Tik suspect them of manipulating the Grand Assembly Committee votes though they have no proof."

Jack shook his head. "I'm even more in the dark about why I'd be on their shit list. I have nothing to do with them!"

Eve walked over to him and took his hands in hers. "They sound like they share some traits with the Allsa Komanae, including how they work in the background to manipulate others to their benefit. If that's the case, we couldn't guess their ultimate goal, but that's not immediately important. They're an ancient race, heavily invested in manipulating the existing power structure of the Grand Assembly Committee. They wouldn't welcome changes to the status quo. The Allsa Komanae became very agitated when unexpected factors suddenly interfered with their plans."

Jack looked into her concerned grey eyes as he thought about how the Yis might react to the change in the power dynamic once the new Gates were rolled out. That would be significant as all the little guys would suddenly see their potential trade partners increase. It would shake up all kinds of relationships.

But the Assembly wouldn't be aware of the new Gate Tech yet. So it couldn't be that.

The only other activity he'd undertaken was the Allsa Komanae Research Team auditing. Yes, the Borrelians, Vikk Tahh, Deen-Diin, Grellians, and the Jool were in for a public spanking, but in the grand scheme of things, how much change was that going to make to the day-to-day activities of the Grand Assembly Committee. Maybe they'd begin assigning auditing teams for all future projects?

Not likely, in Jack's opinion.

"The report I'm going to give on the Allsa Komanae Research Team?" he said.

"No. The Tik," Eve said.

Jack froze.

"You've been championing the Tik on Maghadahn, and you have a growing number of Ambassadors backing your efforts. You're changing the status quo. The Assembly is being made to recognize the Tik for their contributions and accept they have a say in managing Gate Network policies. That is a significant change in the power structure, and you know someone doesn't like the Tik," Eve said.

Jack's jaw dropped as the pieces fell into place. "Oh my god, Eve! You're brilliant!" He scooped her up into his arms and spun her around as she grinned at him.

"You knew that already," Eve teased him.

"Of course I did, but thank you for the reminder," Jack said as he kissed her, then set her down on her hooves.

"Now that we think we have some idea of who and why, how do we proceed with kicking their ass?" Nann asked.

Jack tilted his head and gave her a pained look. "Very, very, very carefully. The Yis will be experts in manipulation as they've been doing it for the longest time. This also means they may have a deep network of support they can call on to make life difficult. They have the green-skinned assassins." He turned to Ray. "Did the Tik identify which race they were?"

"No. They were stumped," Ray said.

Jack frowned. "What? The Tik know every race in the Gate Network!"

"Maybe they're not part of the Gate Network? Maybe they're from a planet in the Yis quadrant of space," Cha'Risa suggested.

"That would mean they've never traveled through a Gate Terminal, except in shielded containers through a Cargo Gate," Jack reasoned. He shook his head. "This is getting complicated, and I'm too pooped to think about it clearly at the moment." He looked at Diana. "Are you ready to join me on Callosephia with Adam?"

Diana nodded timidly, and he moved to kneel before her. "What's wrong?"

"Are the others going to be safe here?" she asked.

"Ah, I should have started with this. President Yunnda stopped by to say they have restricted access to the planet until the trouble has been resolved. He also vetted all non-Chuuruthians currently on the planet, all six of them, and checked all shipments going back three weeks. Chuuruthia is as secure as Callosephia," Jack explained and saw worried expressions ease.

"We're going to be on Callosephia for two days, max, then I'll go to Maghadahn... if I have the data. That's dependent on Hemmarr and Taggart. Meeting them is something else I'll be doing on the planet," Jack explained as he stood. He helped Diana to her feet and kissed her before she headed back to collect the items she'd need for her visit and Adam.

Jack pulled Aaros and Juul into a hug and kissed them sweetly. "Will you two be okay?" he asked. He knew they spent time on Altaria.

Aaros patted his chest. "I received a call from Hellna to say I'll have two agents escort me to and from the Altarian Gate Terminal to my office, and they'll stay with me during the day. Again, until the security issue is resolved.

Juul nodded. "Me too."

"I'm sorry I've caused this grief for everyone," Jack said as he released them.

"Just come home from Maghadahn safe and sound," Eve said, and the others nodded their agreement.

"I promise I will," he said. "Now I'd better get my stuff and join the others." He made another round of hugs and kisses, and Bayly was delighted to be included.

Jack rushed to his room and refreshed his travel kit before heading outside onto the patio, where Diana waited with Adam in her arms. Two Ishilon warriors were standing nearby carrying her items.

Diana looked nervous, so he moved to her side and put an arm around her to pull her close. He kissed her cheek, and she smiled at him. "They'll love you, pretty lady, and Adam, too." Her smile widened, and he could see she felt better.

Jack nodded to Dennesh, and Gates opened next to each warrior. Dennesh nodded for him to follow, then stepped through her Gate. Jack went through the mirror with Diana following.

The heat danced over Jack's skin as he stepped onto the sandy lane before the Sultessa's homestead.

It was late afternoon here, and the lane was lit up with the sun's warm rays.

He turned to see Diana sighing happily and Adam's eyes taking in the sights of a new world. Little hands waved excitedly. Jack smiled as he saw the delight on the faces of the warriors with them and the guards at Sahhahr's gate.

"Your friends will be staying in the guest cottage across the lane," Dennesh said, gesturing to the wide and low structure behind them. It has air conditioning as it was built for off-world guests."

"The temperature's perfect!" Cha'Risa said with a wide grin, getting some approving smiles from the surrounding Ishilon. Maxim and Leo didn't agree, but Nann seemed comfortable enough.

"This world is as secure as they come, so you won't need to wear your armor and weapons," Jack said, then looked to Dennesh. "Have you dealt with the Sanosian sand crawler issue completely? Are there still toothy dangers in the sand?"

Dennesh grinned. "We've collected and contained all the significant sand-dwelling creatures in the farm valleys to the north. I hear we have an overabundance of food, but that's another issue. The sands are completely safe within the village limits. Out in the wilds, we've ensured none of the larger creatures are roaming free. There may be some of the smallest sand dwellers, but they're a nuisance, not a danger."

"Wear your boots when outside the village, don't go barefoot," Jack explained.

Dennesh continued. "The guest house is equipped with relaxation lounges and a water pool. Jack suggested this would be welcome for non-Ishilon visitors," she said with only the slightest shiver of distaste. "The pool remains covered when not in use to prevent evaporation."

Jack smiled at Cha'Risa and the others. "Consider this a mini vacation. Enjoy yourself. We won't head to Maghadahn for two days."

Ray moved closer. "For those of us who don't sunbathe or swim, is there some way for me to continue my research into the Yis and the Bank of Schvexxt connection?"

Dennesh looked at Jack. "I believe your friend Ray would be most welcomed by our Extra-Planetary Security Division. They could compare notes. I can make the introductions?"

"What do you think, Ray?" Jack asked.

"Yes, please!" he replied enthusiastically.

Jack grinned. "Something for everyone. If you want to explore the countryside, they can loan you skimmers and tell you what areas to avoid, such as the valley farms."

"Thanks, Jack," Cha'Risa said, and the others chimed in before heading for the guest house.

"We'll take your items to your room, Shadeem, Diana," Dennesh said, and they nodded to the large warrior in thanks.

Jack guided Diana through the gate and up the sidewalk toward the front door of the Sultessa's home. Like Elissa, she preferred a reasonably sized ranch-style home. Ishilon weren't fond of stairs, so single-story dwellings were the norm.

When the front doors opened, they stepped into the foyer to see Sahhahr waiting for them with a joyful smile.

"Greetings, Diana and Adam! My Shadeem!" she said, and Jack picked up the slight emphasis on the possessive term. He also noted her belly scales were showing a significant pink tone. So, Elissa was right. Sahhahr did want to have more children. As she wasn't genetically compatible with the rest of her people, it was up to him. He wondered if this shade of pink indicated imminent fertility. He cast his mind back but couldn't recall the specific level of pinkness required.

"Greetings, Sultessa! Thank you for your welcome into your home," Diana said with only the slightest wobble. She'd rehearsed well as this was Adam's first official visit. "May I present my son Adam, child of myself, Jack, and Lorrem?"

She held Adam out for Sahhahr's eager arms, and the Sultessa held the infant boy against her body as his eyes lit up with delight to feel her scales against his own. He giggled happily, and Sahhahr's smile widened.

"So wonderful to see him on Callosephia at last! He's so beautiful!" she gushed, and Jack swore he witnessed her pink scales become a little bit rosier. Diana was very pleased as well.

Sahhahr looked at him, and he could see the desire in her eyes. "Jack, I understand you wish to address the people. They look forward to hearing their Shadeem. Shall I schedule this for tomorrow?"

He shook his head. "I have to discuss a matter of great importance with you regarding the future of the Ishilon and their place in the Gate Network. I'd like to reserve tomorrow for that. I would be deeply grateful if Dennesh could give Diana and Adam a tour of Callosephia to see how the people are settling into their new lives." He'd prepared Diana for this, and they agreed this would be the nicest way for the populace to be introduced to Adam.

The Sultessa's eyes widened at his words. "The tour sounds like a perfect idea. I'll make it happen. As for our discussion, I eagerly await the moment. I'm not sure how I'll get to sleep tonight, much less make it to the end of the day with these curious thoughts running through my head! Can't you give me a clue?"

Jack smiled and shook his head. "My mind is too foggy from my busy morning on Altaria. A group of fourteen assassins attempted to kill me."

The Sultessa's hood flared open as she moved toward Jack instinctively. Adam's eyes widened in surprise, and his little hands reached for the inner surface of her taut neck muscles. Diana accepted the child from Sahhahr's distracted hands and kissed the boy to draw his attention away.

Able to focus exclusively on Jack, Sahhahr moved even closer. "Who is threatening our Shadeem?"

"Ray Sharif, the only Human consciousness to ever inhabit a Tik body, is working on that question now. In fact, I believe he will be working on it with the assistance of your Intelligence Division," Jack said. "All we know right now is that some of the assassins were ordered by a member of the Yis, an ancient race in the Gate Network."

"Let's capture this being and peel the information from him!" Sahhahr raged.

Jack smiled and took her hands in his. "As delightful as that sounds, we must be smart about collecting evidence against them. Definitely, we're gonna punish him, but he may not be the only one involved. The entire race may suffer from persecutory delusions and secretly act on their psychosis through covert yet hostile manipulation. Or it could be a select number of evil fucks in charge, like the Borrelian leaders. Whatever the case, we must first gather proof of their evil ways and take it to the Grand Assembly Committee. The optimal solution may be to banish them from the Gate Network. That won't be easy since they've been part of it from the beginning."

Sahhahr still looked worried, so Jack continued. "I fully believe in Ray's ability to dig out the truth. If you could let your people know he is to be given full support, that might help."

She nodded, and her eyes had a faraway look for a moment. "They've been informed."

Then her expression lightened up. "Shall we have a dinner party celebrating Adam's visit to Callosephia?"

Jack shared a smile with Diana. "That sounds like fun."

So they did.

-=-

When Jack indicated they could get a vehicle to explore the countryside Cha'Risa immediately decided she wanted to see what Callosephia had to offer. Nann and the boys were heading for the pool, and Ray left to nerd out with the Ishilon security people.

For her, the heat and surrounding desert triggered some emotions and memories of home, so she changed her outfit into her more comfortable crop halter top, hiking shorts, and boots. She still had several of her favorite blades strapped to her body.

She went outside and caught Dennesh's attention as she spoke with one of the guards outside the Sultessa's home.

"Hi, I'd like to take up that offer on a skimmer so I can see something of the countryside," she said as she got their attention.

Dennesh nodded and smiled. "You're in luck! Brigg here spends all his free time exploring the countryside. He can answer any questions about what's out there."

The guard in question was the largest Ishilon Cha'Risa had met to date, larger than Dennesh, who was no lightweight herself. He smiled at Cha'Risa, and she picked up on his self-confidence. Perhaps his size or training made him give off the impression of being just a little cocky.

She matched his look and did her best to suppress her grin as she knew how she gravitated to males like him. Still, he was well outside her operational window when it came to body shape. Sure, his face had a rugged handsomeness. His broad shoulders and powerful arms were dreamy enough, and his torso was loaded with muscles, ticking almost all her boxes. It was what replaced his legs that threw her. His body below his waist was just a solid, muscular tail!

"Any particular land formations you'd be most interested in seeing?" he asked, and Cha'Risa suppressed a tingle as she heard his deep baritone.

"This planet looks a little like my home on Earth. I'd like to see if there is something like this," she said, pulling out her comm and bringing up pictures of the red rock desert in Arizona. Dennesh and Brigg leaned closer to see.

"That's lovely!" Dennesh sighed.

Brigg was nodding with that knowing smile once more. "There's a beautiful valley not too far to the west of here that shares many of the same features."

A skimmer swooped in and landed on the lane behind them. It was on remote as it was empty.

"Would you like a guide? I'm sure Brigg would welcome the opportunity to show off his knowledge of our new home," Dennesh teased.

Cha'Risa had intended to go on her own so she could be alone with her thoughts, but she saw the interest in the big male's expression and found herself nodding. "But I'm driving," she insisted.

He just nodded with a pleased smile. He then looked at Dennesh. "Who's covering my shift?"

"I have Treng coming to take over. I'll wait here until she arrives," Dennesh said.

"Thanks," he said and moved to the opposite side of the skimmer.

When Cha'Risa touched the door handle, it detected her race and body dimensions. It arranged and positioned the driver's seat for her specific requirements.

She settled in behind the controls then lifted the vehicle straight up and looked at Brigg.

"Head for the notch valley you can see on the western horizon," he said, gesturing in the direction he meant.

She spotted the notch where he said it was and set course to it. There was very little air traffic, and the skimmers would automatically adjust their altitude to avoid collisions, so she increased their speed.

"So, Brigg, your occupation here on Callosephia is guarding the Sultessa?" she asked.

He smiled but shook his head. "No, that's just an honor position we all do in rotation. We were all warriors when we boarded the ship and left our home world. Then our Shadeem found us this new home and explained it was time for us to start again and rebuild our society. We had to find new skills." He chuckled softly as his expression showed his delight. "I discovered I could be more than a protector. I can create things. My new occupation is stone mason. I'm pretty good at it and working with my hands and building something makes me feel good." Peace settled over his features then he sent a curious look her way. "Are you a professional bodyguard?"

She grinned as her assumption was directed back at her. "No, I'm actually retired from Earth's security forces. Kind of like you, except I haven't discovered any other talents. I occasionally do missions, but they're mostly for Jack these days."

They were approaching the notch valley, and Brigg gestured to her which path she should take. He had her fly through a stunning canyon, crossing an expansive plain of glistening orange sand with majestic mesas rising above it. He pointed to where she should land to have the best view of the area she just passed through.

The skimmer settled down atop a mesa on the western edge of the plain, and she powered it down. As they stepped out, she glanced at the thin layer of sand around the vehicle. "Any biting creatures up here?" she asked.

Brigg joined her and shook his head. "The sand dwellers don't climb, nor do the Ishilon." He boldly looked at her legs with a smile, and she was surprised to feel a little self-conscious about how much skin she was displaying.

She retaliated by brazenly looking at his body, but this didn't seem to faze him at all. As the Ishilon wore no clothes, nothing obscured her view. His scales gleamed in the late-day sunlight, and she could see the raw muscularity of his powerful body. She saw his method of locomotion easily coped with moving across the rock and sand.

She followed until they found a lovely spot with a view of the valley below. The sun was low in the sky, casting its warm glow across the landscape, taking Cha'Risa's breath away.

"Incredible," she sighed as all other thoughts faded. The view had many similarities to her home, so she just sat cross-legged in the wide pit of sand and took in the scene before her. It whisked her away to her childhood, and the time she spent with her father, learning the ways of her people and the land. She treasured those memories.

As the sun began to set, she saw the stars begin to come out, and her eyes searched for the patterns her father had taught her, but none could be found in the strange sky above. That brought her back to the now. She glanced over at Brigg as he sat quietly with his lowest coil dug into the warm sand, watching the last rays of light disappear from the tops of the mesas across the valley. He seemed at peace with a slight smile on his face.

She was grateful he hadn't spoken to her while she dipped into her memories. They were treasures to her, and she felt the warm glow inside from reliving them.

Then she saw a little sadness in his eyes. "Thank you for bringing me here," she said to distract him from whatever was taking his smile.

He returned to the moment and nodded to her.

Normally she would've let it go, but one of her father's lessons surfaced and made her speak. "If you don't mind talking about it, what made you sad?"

Brigg gave her a surprised glance. "Oh! I-I was thinking about the people we had to leave behind when we set off on our mission of revenge. Their last act was to give everything they had to get us off that planet. They would have loved this world and should have been the ones to restore our civilization. They already had all the skills we're just discovering in ourselves."

Cha'Risa nodded, understanding his feeling of loss. They shared that.

"Then you rebuild it for them. They helped you get here. Honor that sacrifice," she said softly.

Brigg was looking into her eyes, and he saw she understood.

The emotional connection intensified, so Cha'Risa suddenly felt self-conscious again and changed the subject. "Do you come here often?" She immediately regretted her words as they sounded like a cheap pick-up line.

Seemingly oblivious to her involuntary come-on, he answered honestly. "As often as I can. When I'm not training in my new profession or honing my skills as a warrior, I come out to the desert to reconnect with my past and just absorb the beauty of nature," he admitted.

It was getting darker, so he opened a little cloth bag she hadn't seen him remove from the skimmer. He placed a few candles along the edge of the mesa and lit them. Stepping past those would mean a long drop to the valley below. Their light was warm and soft but enough to let them see each other. He settled back into the sand and looked up at the stars once more. Looking for the world they left behind, perhaps?

"You had someone special on your old world?" she said before she could stop her run-away train of a tongue.

He sighed. "No. I've never been anyone's ideal mate."

She stared at him in surprise. "What does that mean?"

It was his turn to look at her curiously. "I'm too big," he said simply as if it should have been clearly apparent to her.

Cha'Risa looked him in the eye and saw he wasn't fishing for compliments or trying to be amusing. He was giving her what he felt was the truth. "Somebody once told you that?" she guessed.

"Every female I've approached for the possibility of mating has told me that. Why wouldn't they? I am big. This isn't a desirable trait. I understand that now."

Cha'Risa locked eyes with Brigg to confirm this wasn't some clever ploy to make her drop her guard. All she saw there was honest acceptance. He didn't believe he'd ever have a mate—Wait!

"This means you've never been with a female... intimately?" Cha'Risa said in a rush.

Brigg's expression darkened. "Are you going to make fun of me for this?"

She immediately reached out to touch his arm. "No! No, that's not my intent at all!"

His expression eased from hostile to cautious as he watched her. "I'm sorry. I'm not tracking your intent," he admitted.

Cha'Risa hadn't removed her hand as she was enjoying the sensation of his muscles moving under his soft scales. What was her intent?

"I-I just mean, not everyone has the same ideal regarding body shape," she said quickly. Where was she going with this? Was she actually considering Brigg as a potential sexual partner? While she'd enjoyed her fling with the two Ibbaree college students, they'd at least shared a similar body shape with her.

Brigg continued to watch her carefully. "Okay, but my findings have been very consistent, and the quantity of identical responses leads me to believe it's a truth."

"Quantity?" she asked.

He looked away in embarrassment. "I've been inspired to ask on many occasions. I do appreciate beauty, after all." When he glanced back, he saw her curious look. He huffed. "Twenty-five."

She lifted her hands to gesture her peaceful intent. "I'm not trying to shame you. I'm just curious why Ishilon females don't find you attractive when I do." She froze as the words slipped out.

He stared at her in surprise, and she suddenly realized that maybe he didn't find her attractive. She wasn't sure why that mattered to her... but it did.

His face continued to show surprise and... interest? She wasn't sure.

"You think I'm attractive?" he asked.

Cha'Risa couldn't back down without feeling foolish, so she stuck with honesty. "Yes, I think you're handsome, and your muscles are sexy. Your size isn't an issue for me."

Now Brigg looked very pleased.

"I know I look nothing like an Ishilon—" she began.

"I also find you attractive, but I wasn't sure how you felt. I did my best to hide my interest to not make you uncomfortable. You're also the first Human female I've spoken with." His eyes went to her body once more then he looked her in the eye. "You have strong muscles like Dennesh, but you also have more appealing curves than her. Your lack of a tail is... exotic? Exciting? I'm not sure how to describe how I feel about that."

Cha'Risa chuckled as she relaxed. "That's how I feel about your lower torso and tail. It makes my tummy tremble," she said as she held her hand over her stomach.

"Yes!" he exclaimed, then laughed with relief.

She liked the sound of his laugh. She could see it in his eyes.

They sat under the stars smiling at each other. "Should we do something about our mutual attraction?" she asked.

Brigg cleared is throat quietly and nodded, but Cha'Risa could tell he wasn't sure what to do. For once, that didn't disappoint her. There was an earnest innocence in the big male that lit a fire in Cha'Risa. She decided she would be his teacher tonight.

She unclipped her braid from her belt and glanced at his curious expression. She suddenly recalled how the Ibarree males reacted to her hair. She was curious if it would have the same effect on the Ishilon, who had no hair at all. She began unbraiding her hair, her fingers moving quickly with practiced ease to release the long strands.

When she released the final twist and let it flow across her shoulders, she looked to see his reaction.

Brigg was flaring his neck muscles and watching her with wide eyes.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

He smiled at her self-consciously. "Apologies, it's an instinctive reaction when a female flares her hood at a male. "My tummy is trembling very much!"

She couldn't stop her delighted laughter, and he immediately relaxed at the joyful sound.

When she was done, she smiled at him hungrily. "Considering you aren't wearing anything, that makes one of us overdressed," she purred as she untied her halter top and pulled it over her head, exposing her breasts. They weren't large considering her intense exercise regimen, but nature insisted on storing what little fat she had on her chest and ass. She certainly had larger breasts than any Ishilon female.

"Amazing curves," Brigg said quietly in awe, and Cha'Risa's smile widened at his compliment.

When she undid the fastener on her shorts, she turned her back to him and looked over her shoulder as she peeled her panties and shorts down over her ass cheeks. Brigg's eyes widened as he witnessed more curves come into view.

She pulled her boots and socks off, standing in the soft sand, smiling at Brigg, who watched her with wide eyes.

"So much tingling!" he finally said, and she chuckled.

She noticed he was holding his hands before his lower torso, and she immediately clued in that he was hiding a particular part of this anatomy.

"I'm completely exposed, and you're still hiding something?" she asked.

He looked nervous. "One of the rejections happened when she saw I was big there, too."

Cha'Risa had a sudden concern. There had to be compatibility if Diana had sex with Lorrem, but what if Brigg was too big down there?

"You're big there, too?" she asked.

"Proportionally," he said, his voice wobbling slightly with tension.

"Let me see," Cha'Risa insisted gently.

Brigg reluctantly moved his hands apart, and she finally saw his cock. She smiled in relief as the mental images she'd created instantly evaporated. She'd been with men with larger cocks and could honestly say those weren't her favorite experiences. Brigg was maybe six inches and had a decent girth but nothing that might cause her discomfort. He'd said proportionally, so the Ishilon average must be significantly smaller.

Then she saw he was watching her intently.

"You have a wonderful cock," she said, and his relief was immediate. He sucked in a gasp as she reached out and wrapped her fingers around it.

"Oh! That feels good!" he sighed.

"It gets better," she said as she knelt on the sand, leaned forward, and stroked his cock from base to tip with her tongue.

"Ahhh!" Brigg cried out as his muscles tensed.

His skin was hot and slightly spicy without the saltiness she'd expected. She was surprised and delighted! When she slid him into her mouth, she felt his muscles lock up from being overwhelmed by the sensation.

That she could do this to someone so physically powerful sent a thrill through Cha'Risa she'd never experienced before. She was quickly becoming over-excited, too. Three more plunges over his cock, taking him deep into her mouth, and she couldn't take it anymore.

She pulled herself up his body until his hands cupped her ass and lifted her easily the remaining distance. She wrapped her legs around his wide torso. All her weight was now resting in his powerful hands.

Then she kissed him.

Once more, he was surprised by the sensations, and a tremble went through his muscles. As Cha'Risa was pressed against his torso, she felt that ripple of power run through him, and her excitement accelerated.

She reached down between them and tried to guide the head of his cock into position against her wet lips.

Brigg's hands were still kneading and squeezing her ass, which felt wonderful. "Up," she whispered feverishly, and he pulled her further up his body. "Okay, stop!" she gasped as she could feel him pressing against her opening. "Down, slowly," she instructed, and he obediently lowered her body as his cock slid deep into her pussy.

"Cha..." Brigg managed to utter before sensation obliterated his ability to speak.

Cha'Risa threw her head back, enjoying the delicious sensation of his belly scales teasing her clit as he slid her down his body, driving himself inside.

When he reached the bottom, his body trembled again. "This is too good!" he managed to say.

This surprised Cha'Risa, whose chuckle turned into a moan. The jolting caused her body to bear down on his cock, which filled her perfectly. When she got her brain back on track, she opened her eyes. He was looking at her in awe. She'd seen that look before, but it felt... different this time. Special.

"I've never felt such pleasure before," Brigg said honestly.

"It's pretty amazing for me too. I don't think I've ever used this position before," Cha'Risa said with a sigh as she rolled her hips gently to settle his cock just a little deeper inside. That felt so good she had to bite her lip to suppress another moan. Being held upright against his body like this must take a lot of strength as she wasn't a small woman. Yet, she detected no weakening of his arms or the strong tentacle-like fingers massaging her ass cheeks most wonderfully.

"Position? There are others?" Brigg asked in surprise.

Again, he surprised a chuckle from her, and she moaned as she clung to him. Fuck, he was so strong!

When she could speak again, she locked eyes with him. "There are many positions, but that's between Humans. Between Human and Ishilon, I'm unsure how many would be possible. With you holding me upright against you, only very strong Human males could do it. Am I heavy for you?" she asked with a coy smile.

"You feel solid and substantial in my arms but not heavy at all! It is a most strange and wondrous mix. Ahhh!" he moaned as she squeezed him internally. "Will... will you begin the pulses now?" he asked.

She raised an eyebrow. "Pulses?"

He looked a little embarrassed. "I've... read that when an Ishilon female has sex, her inner muscles pulse and massage the male until he releases his seed."

Cha'Risa smiled at his embarrassed expression. He'd done some research, had he? Then she realized that, of course, he did. He wanted to know what he was missing and what he could do to entice a partner. Yet they foolishly turned him down. She hugged him and bore down on his cock with her inner muscles.

"Oh, that feels good!" he sighed.

She pulled her face back and kissed him again. He was a little dreamy-eyed when she ended the kiss.

"Human females aren't equipped to do the same internal movements. Instead, we use in and out movements. Pressing our bodies together enhances this," she explained.

He nodded and lifted her up, popping his cock from her entirely.

"Wait! Wait, hoo, wait. Not so high. Leave just the head of your cock inside, then lower me to go deep again. She reached down and pressed the tip against her pussy. "All right. Ready."

Brigg pulled her down faster than she expected, but he also dragged her against the smooth scales of his body. This felt intensely good against her nipples and clit. She thumped against his torso then she was rising again. The second plunge was equally intense; she could only hold on for dear life.

"Something is happening!" Brigg said after Cha'Risa lost count of how many times he'd slammed her down against his body.

She was close to her peak as well. "For me too!"

Then he was moaning as his hot cum splashed inside her as he ground her body against his.

Cha'Risa threw her head back and looked up at foreign stars as her orgasm rocked through her.

Eventually, their mutual bliss calmed into a warmth spreading through their limbs.

Brigg jolted gently as he pulled back to look into her eyes. "This will cause you to bear a child?"

She laughed gently as the tiny spikes of pleasure messed with her brain. "No... that won't happen."

He was still concerned. "It happened with Jack's mate Diana and Commander Lorrem."

She nodded. "With Jack's assistance. He made love to Diana right after Lorrem did. Jack's seed has... unique properties, making it possible for Lorrem's seed to impregnate Diana. Otherwise, Humans and Ishilon are incompatible."

"Ah, the Shadeem," Brigg said with a smile.

She grinned at his happiness. "You like your Shadeem?"

"He is a gift to the people. He bears the words of Chahdesh on his collar and fulfilled the destiny written there. He found us a new home and guides us toward rebuilding our civilization. Even with all this significance in his life, he remains humble. What is there not to like?" He suddenly glanced at her in surprise, smiled shyly, then looked away. Cha'Risa gently turned his face back to hers.

"What is it?" she asked with a curious smile.

"He's responsible for my meeting you," Brigg admitted.

Warning bells began clanging for Cha'Risa. Brigg was making sounds like he might be getting emotionally attached to her. Being his first sexual partner when he was uniformly rejected by every potential Ishilon mate was a powerful attractor.

She'd successfully avoided emotional entanglements her entire life as they were anathema to the career she wanted in the military. She became very comfortable with the lifestyle and took partners whenever she felt the impulse.

Nann was right, she did have a type, and one of their characteristics was their need to bond once they'd met their match. She was very much aware of the signs.

This situation definitely had some deviations from the norm, but she was sure she could devise a suitable excuse.

Brigg got there first.

"I understand that you're just passing through and live on a completely different world, so I'll just say I'm grateful we got to spend tonight together. It was... very special." He smiled, but Cha'Risa could tell he was saying goodbye.

She felt an odd sensation in her chest. This was what she wanted, wasn't it? Wasn't she just preparing her escape lines? She was a free spirit, and no one had control over her time but her.

"Are you busy tomorrow? We aren't going to Maghadahn for a couple of days. Maybe we could do a little more exploring?" she heard herself say.

The words were out of her mouth before she could stop, and she saw surprise in his eyes. Happiness was there too. "Sure, we could do that. There are some truly beautiful mountains further south." He gestured in the direction.

She realized they were still connected intimately. Maybe that's why she was acting so out of character? She didn't trust her mouth, so she nodded, then tried to dismount. Her legs were wobbly, so she had to rely on him to lift her up and off his cock. They gasped in unison as they separated and shared a grin. He pulled a packet of tissues from the cloth bag and handed her one as he tidied himself, and it calmed sufficiently to retract into his pouch.

Cha'Risa got dressed as her mind struggled with why she was behaving like this. Finally, she was done but nowhere near coming up with an answer.

Brigg looked toward the skimmer, and its lights came on. He extinguished the candles and put them away now that they had light to guide them back to the vehicle.

"Would you like to fly us back?" Brigg offered, and she nodded.

They got in, and the flight back was quiet as Cha'Risa used the activity to keep her mind from thinking about tomorrow. She landed the skimmer on the lane before the Sultessa's home, and they got out. The skimmer immediately lifted off and flew itself back to the depot for charging.

"What time would you like me to pick you up tomorrow?" Brigg asked, and for a second Cha'Risa contemplated calling it off.

"What time do you recommend?" she asked instead.

His smile was brilliant, and she couldn't stop her answering one.

"We could make a day of it. I'll pick you up after breakfast. There's food for you in the guest house, so pack a lunch, and we'll do a little hiking in the mountains and be back before dinner?"

"Pack dinner too, just in case we want to do some more stargazing," she said with a sly smile, and he nodded happily.

"See you tomorrow morning!" he said, and as he turned to leave, he waved to someone behind her.

Cha'Risa turned to face the guest house, and there was Nann, sitting in a chair on the veranda with a smile on her face.

Sighing, Cha'Risa walked up the sidewalk and onto the low front deck to head for the door.

Nann followed her in, still smiling.

"Who's your new friend?" she asked as she directed Cha'Risa toward the kitchen so she could begin making herself a sandwich.

"His name is Brigg. He was my guide for the surrounding wilderness areas—I mean, he's a warrior and a stone mason by trade, but he also happens to be very knowledgeable about the natural areas. He was my guide tonight." Cha'Risa stopped talking as she realized she was babbling. She looked at Nann, staring at her with a happy grin. "What?" she asked defensively.

"You like Brigg!" the redhead said joyfully.

Cha'Risa glared at her friend. "What are you talking about? We just went for a ride in a skimmer to see the sunset over a lovely valley with mesas, then did a little stargazing."

"Right. Your braid is undone, and tell me that bulge in your pocket isn't your panties?" Nann said excitedly.

Cha'Risa's mouth opened and closed in silent outrage, then she scowled. "What I do is none of your business!"

The noise drew Maxim and Leo in from the patio, and they'd obviously overheard enough.

"The Major scored on Callosephia?" Maxim asked incredulously.

"Who is lucky snake-man?" Leo asked with a wide grin.

Nann looked toward the two men. "His name is Brigg, and he's a big fella!"

Leo frowned as he recalled something. "He was guard for Sultessa when we arrived?" Leo asked in surprise. Nann nodded.

"Did he take brush-off well?" Maxim asked cautiously.

"They're going out tomorrow too!" Nann said with glee.

"What?" Leo said quietly in shock as he stared at Nann, who nodded.

Maxim and Leo showed their palms to Cha'Risa. "Apologies, we will say no more. We wish you best of luck!" Maxim said.

"Seriously, everyone fuck off about this!" she shouted and stormed out onto the patio. She threw herself down on a lounge chair and seethed.

A short time later, Nann joined her but didn't speak. She stretched out on the next chair and looked up at the stars.

Time passed in silence, then Cha'Risa sighed. "I don't know why I asked him to go out a second time."

Nann glanced over at her friend with a raised brow.

Cha'Risa nodded. "I asked him."

"If you don't want to go, just tell him," Nann said gently.

Cha'Risa sighed. "But I do."

Nann smiled. "You know, there's nothing wrong with that either. It may not be your typical modus operandi, but it's a pretty standard thing. People can enjoy people for more than one date. Sometimes more, and sometimes it ends there. If you're really lucky, it continues."

Cha'Risa watched her friend's face for a moment, then nodded. "I know. We have some things in common, including appreciating desert landscapes and communing with nature. That should get us through at least one more date."

Nann smiled. "Come on, girlfriend, dish! What's it like to make love to an Ishilon?"

Cha'Risa glanced over at Nann, but her friend looked at her curiously. She nodded. "Unexpectedly good, even when I was his first!"

"First Human?" Nann asked. Cha'Risa shook her head. "Really?" the redhead said in surprise. "How did that happen?"

"According to him, his body size makes him an undesirable mate for Ishilon females. Too big."

Nann's eyes widened. "Too big everywhere?"

Cha'Risa rolled her eyes. "Apparently, yes, but that's by Ishilon standards. Brigg was very nicely equipped. He's also incredibly strong! You know I like that!"

Nann grinned as she knew well. She nodded. "What can I say except I hope you have a good time tomorrow. The boys are going to a shooting range with some warriors, Ray is being Ray, and I'm going to wander around the village, getting a feel for their first settlement on their new world. History in the making."

"Sounds like a plan. I'd better get some sleep. Big hiking day tomorrow," Cha'Risa said. Nann snorted, then threw her hands up in surrender.

Cha'Risa headed off to her bedroom but couldn't keep the smile from her face when she was alone.

Chapter 26

Jack was sitting in Sahhahr's office, relaxing after breakfast. Chena and Lorrem were on their way for the meeting he'd requested with the three of them. Sahhahr was communicating silently with someone over her implant's comm.

Diana was on tour with Adam, visiting the Ishilon people in their workplaces, shopping areas, and homes with Dennesh as her guide. He was proud of Diana's enthusiasm. This would make their formal presentation tomorrow that much more personal.

There was a soft knock on the door, then the two outstanding people joined them and took seats.

"Shadeem," Lorrem and Chena said in unison.

Jack noted the slight smile on their lips as they knew he preferred to be called Jack in private.

"Commander, Doctor," he retaliated.

Sahhahr looked over at the three as she was done with her call. Jack noted her tummy was very pink today, and the timing couldn't have been better for what Jack had to say.

"You have the floor, Shadeem," the Sultessa added with a smile. He raised a brow at her, but she ignored it.

"Thank you for coming. I'll get right to the point. "I'll be going to Maghadahn in two days to speak to the Grand Assembly Committee to give my report on my findings on the Allsa Komanae Research Team. That will upset some people, but they created this mess on their own. I'm just reporting the truth. This report won't take long, and I intend to keep it short. I will petition for Allsa One to be opened immediately for the Harrushans.

I've been told I'll have the floor for exactly forty-five minutes, and I intend to use that time to its greatest advantage. If the Tik inform me that they will back the implementation of Gates upgraded with Ishilon power sources, I intend to present an offer to all members of the Assembly to upgrade their Gate Terminals to give them extended range. All it will cost them is to fully accept the Tik's Good Neighbor contract."

"I was under the impression they were already doing this?" Lorrem said.

Jack nodded. "To the letter but not the spirit. They try to get away with whatever shit they can. To be part of the Gate Network, you must promise to interact benevolently with your neighbors. This needs to be more clearly defined. There should be no benefit in inflicting direct physical, economic, or cultural interference on a neighbor. That shit will get you booted from the Network. I don't expect all Members to get along, but if you're actively manipulating the system to harm others, you don't get to be in the Gate Network. Representatives should be able to report a breach of contract based on abuse and have it investigated. If the accused is found guilty, then the Assembly must take responsibility for requesting their expulsion. There must also be transparency in all voting to protect against hidden interference and abuse. Any world that supports this gets the new Gates."

Sahhahr and Lorrem shared a glance. The Sultessa refocused on Jack. "This is going to cause a tremendous power shift within the Assembly. That could potentially create powerful enemies."

"It will expose those who were already abusing the Tik's Network. Its purpose is to help people connect, to share, and to protect. That's the contract that every Member signed. Someone has been campaigning covertly to eliminate the Tik's influence from their own Network. It's time to remind everyone there is no Network without our friends, the Tik."

Chena looked uncomfortable, and Jack turned to him. "Speak your mind."

"I'm no engineer, but I'm expecting the resource demands for building the energy storage devices for so many Gates will be significant—"

"Exceptionally! The manpower requirements will be enormous as well!" Sahhahr agreed.

Jack smiled. "Which brings me to the question I must ask you, Chena. How goes the baby-making business on Callosephia?"

Chena blinked at him and glanced at the others. "We are seeing a definite increase in the number of citizens having children, but we are following the Shreen methods for balance so we don't outstrip the planet's resources."

"I've heard you have an overabundance of food," Jack said.

"Yes, this is true, but we don't have an overabundance of building resources," Sahhahr said.

"Hold that thought," Jack said. He frowned. "Are there any Tik on Callosephia, aside from Ray Sharif?"

"There are several working with Taggart and Hemmarr on the new drone," she responded.

Jack nodded. "We need to ask for the immediate assistance of one for a short time."

The Sultessa blinked at him curiously as Lorrem's expression showed he was communicating with someone. Then he looked at Jack. "A Tik named KeeKee is coming and will be here shortly."

"Can you tell us what this is about?" Sahhahr asked.

"Not yet. Can we borrow Peacekeeper for a quick trip?" he asked Lorrem.

It was Lorrem's turn to look curious. "Yes, it is available. How many warriors—"

"None required for this trip," Jack replied, then turned to Chena. "Do you have that sensor doo-dad-thingy that checks for chemical composition and other good stuff?"

"Uh, yes. I always carry the doo-dad-thingy, which will now be its permanent name," the doctor said with a smile. Jack grinned at him.

There was a light knock on the door.

"Come in!" Sahhahr called out, and a Tik entered.

"Greetings, I am KeeKee. You require assistance?"

Jack stood and approached it to shake its offered tentacle. "Hello, I'm Jack Danner. Will you please join us on a short trip?" Jack asked.

"Certainly, Mr. Danner!" it responded enthusiastically.

"Call me Jack," he said and looked at Lorrem. "To the ship?"

"This is most exciting!" Sahhahr said with a grin.

Lorrem opened a Gate to the ship, and they all followed him through. They were in the corridor next to the bridge, so they stepped through the entrance, and the bridge crew stood at attention.

"Commander, we weren't expecting you today," the senior bridge officer said.

"Peacekeeper is operational?" Lorrem asked.

"Yes, Commander."

Lorrem looked at Jack. "Now I need to know where you would like to take Peacekeeper. This determines how many warriors I must recall."

Jack nodded as he understood his concerns. "We are going to a planet deep inside Chuuruthian space. I've been assured there are no hostiles in this region of space, and the planet is empty."

Lorrem paused for a moment, then turned back to Jack. "Coordinates?"

Jack grinned as he pulled his comm. "I wasn't about to memorize such important information."

He carried the device to the navigation station, and the crew member copied the coordinates into his terminal. After triple-checking the digits and confirming it against the navigation system, the bridge officer nodded to Lorrem.

Jack looked at the entrance to the bridge as one of Dennesh's teammates entered and nodded to Lorrem, who returned the gesture and then turned to Jack.

"A squad is the minimum I'll run with," he insisted.

"Fine with me. Can we go?" Jack asked.

The commander nodded with a smile, and his crew returned to their stations and called out their readiness. The navigator was last. "Destination set!"

Lorrem nodded. "You heard the Shadeem. Engage."

Jack leaned closer to whisper to KeeKee, and it tipped forward in agreement and left the bridge.

He turned back to watch the screen. The beautiful swirling marble of Callosephia moved by to their right side as a new planet appeared in its place as they moved through the enormous Gate.

Finally, their slow-motion journey was over, and they were suspended above their destination.

Sahhahr was gazing at the planet below. "It's lovely. What's it called?" she asked.

"Systrex-One," Jack said.

"That's not the most appealing name for such a lovely planet," she said with a little pout, and Jack smiled with a shrug.

"KeeKee requesting permission to leave the ship," one of the officers called out.

After a glance at Jack, who nodded, Lorrem gave permission.

"We'll need an anchor point for going to the surface," Jack said.

Sahhahr smiled widely. "This is very exciting! It feels like one of those treasure hunts you spoke of at the last gathering."

Jack chuckled as he recalled that day. "If all goes according to plan, the Ishilon are going to be front and center in one of the most significant changes the Gate Network has ever gone through." He held up his hands to stop the questions. "I'll answer your questions momentarily. I assume we'll send down the security squad first?"

"Yes," Lorrem said.

"Can we have the ship check out the asteroid belt in this system for composition while we're on the surface? It doesn't have to be super thorough, just a sweep through a section, then extrapolate those results," Jack asked.

Lorrem was looking more and more confused. "Yes, they can, but—"

"Make it happen, Lorrem. The Shadeem has something up his sleeve," the Sultessa said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Lorrem shot her a look, then nodded to the bridge crew.

"Receiving coordinates from KeeKee," one called out.

"Share them with the Security Team," Lorrem said briskly, then left the bridge.

Jack looked at Sahhahr apologetically. "He's not one for dramatic build-ups or mysteries, is he."

Sahhahr chuckled. "It had better be worth it!"

Jack grinned and bounced his eyebrows at her. They followed and saw several Gates already in place in the corridor. More than half of the security team had already gone down.

"If you're ready?" Lorrem said stiffly as Chena watched him with the smallest of smiles.

Jack nodded and stepped through the Gate with Sahhahr right behind him.

Violet sky above, red and gold sand dunes to their right, and a vast plain of red lichen to their left led to a majestic and rugged mountain range stretching as far as the eye could see. The world was certainly eye-catching if rough-edged and rugged.

The air carried a scent like spice, and while it tickled his sinuses, Jack thought it wasn't unpleasant.

He returned from his first impression to face the others, hoping to see their smiles.

He didn't expect to see tears.

His smile dropped. "What's wrong?" he asked in concern.

"Jack... you've brought us home," Sahhahr said softly as tears ran down her cheeks.

"What?" he muttered in confusion as he looked at similar expressions on other faces.

Chena cleared the lump in his throat while scanning the area with his device. He inserted a probe into the soil beneath him. "Obviously it's not Ishilon, but the similarities are uncanny. A chemical analysis of the soil tells me it has the same elements as Ishilon but in slightly different concentrations. The spice winds have just a little more bite. The colors and textures are reminiscent of our home's prehistoric age. It's not home, but it's almost identical to Ishilon. It's... extremely close."

Jack looked at Lorrem and saw him struggling with his emotion, as were the security team members.

"Why-why are you showing us this?" the commander managed.

"The Ishilon need to rebuild their population and re-establish their civilization. You need resources to build your homes, factories, shops, offices, and communities. You need to expand to protect the people. You need more babies!" he said, and Sahhahr's eyes flared. He paused for just a second, then continued.

"President Yunnda of Chuuruthia is willing to sign a charter like the one Queen Elissa did, granting you ownership of this system, including the sun, this planet, and the surrounding asteroid belt. Systrex-One is protected by being deep inside the region of space the Chuuruthians control, but it's not suitable for them, and it wasn't a match for the Harruushan's needs. They wouldn't trust it to anyone else, but Yunnda said the Ishilon are trusted by the Altarians and me, so that's good enough for them."

All eyes were on him, and their silence was complete.

"Another world? Our Shadeem has found us another world?" Chena gasped.

"SHADEEM!" the security squad thunderously called out in unison.

Jack rocked back from the volume and watched the warriors with wide eyes and an embarrassed smile. "Hey, I'm putting a lot of expectations on you guys with this Gate upgrade project. The least I can do is ensure your needs are looked after, too."

Sahhahr rushed closer and flung her arms around him and kissed him.

The kiss continued, and she was grinding her body against his feverishly. When she suddenly pulled back, Jack was out of breath and gasped a happy chuckle. Then he tried to keep his feet under him as Sahhahr raced toward the closest red and gold sand dune, effortlessly rushing to the top.

Jack wasn't very nimble on the loose sand so by the upper lip, the Sultessa dragged him and tossed him over the crest. His last glimpse of the warriors below was of their laughing faces.

Jack landed in a pit of coarse sand. It was nothing like the silky soft grains on Callosephia. Everything about this world was rough and unrefined. Raw was a better term. He struggled to his feet.

Before he had time to speak, Sahhahr was pulling at his shorts.

"Please, Jack! It must be now!" she gasped in frustration.

He got his hands past hers and undid the clasp. He yelped as she immediately tugged them down.

"You're not hard!" she moaned.

He took her face between his hands. "Give me a chance to catch up to your runaway train. I'll get there quickly!" he added at her anxious look. He kissed her, and she moaned with need. She wrapped her strong coils around his body, but Jack was ready this time and leaned forward. They toppled onto the sand, but this time Jack was on top. Oblivious to the impact, Sahhahr's hands were busy caressing his stiffening cock until she felt he was sufficiently hard. She undulated under him, and his cock plunged deep inside her body.

"Jack! You're so hot! So good!" she cried out.

He knew the dune they were having fun on was just a short distance from Lorrem, Chena, and the security team. Then it didn't matter as Sahhahr's internal rippling began, and Jack moaned at the strength of the suction. He kissed her again, and her internal rippling sped up.

"Yes! Jack! Yes!" she wailed as her body went into overdrive. Then came the bite on his shoulder.

He couldn't endure that for more than a few seconds and erupted inside her with stream after stream of hot cum.

She released his shoulder and sighed. "So much! Thank you! Oh, thank you!" the Sultessa repeated until Jack kissed her to silence her. He picked up the sound of giggling from below the dune.

Slowly they caught their breath, and Jack noticed the expression on Sahhahr's face was going from blissfully content to intense agitation. Ishilon biology was a bitch!

She released him from her coils, and Jack knew she needed him to leave, so he pulled up his shorts and turned his back on her.

Jack felt a hard shove, and he was suddenly tumbling down the other side of the dune. Chena and Lorrem stopped him before he hit the bottom, but he was dazed... with his shorts and underwear down by his knees. The Security Squad were watching with amused smiles on their faces. Several were enjoying the view of his package.

He struggled to his feet and pulled his underwear and shorts up to restore some of his dignity.

Glancing over at Lorrem's suppressed smile, Jack glowered. "Your cousin has incredibly strong biological imperatives."

Lorrem's suppressed laughter burst free, and Chena joined in. Soon all the Ishilon were laughing, and Jack couldn't keep a smile from his face.

He glanced up and saw sand flicking over the crest as Sahhahr buried her eggs. The ones he'd just fertilized. More kids, and this time all of them had a much better chance of survival as there would be no culling period. Last time there had been eighteen eggs. He'd have to prepare himself for the possibility of his family growing much larger very quickly.

Jack felt a bit of guilty relief that his Ishilon kids were more self-sufficient than his other children. Maybe that was due to their bonding with each other, or it could be the implants they were given to communicate with. They loved his visits but, more importantly, didn't resent his absences, not that he'd experienced that with any of his kids so far.

Maybe it was as Rikki said to him. The kids were surrounded by love, so they always felt that assurance.

Thinking of Rikki gave him a sudden flare of longing. His eyes sought out KeeKee, who was keeping to itself, observing the behavior Jack was sure it thought was strange.

Jack walked over to join it.

"Are you well, Jack? You took quite a tumble," the Tik asked.

"Yes, I'm okay. That was nothing," he said dismissively. Then he froze as he didn't know how to ask about Rikki's drone without sounding desperate, as that's how he felt.

"The drone will be ready tonight," it said as if reading his mind.

Jack's expression burst into a relieved smile. "That's wonderful! I wasn't sure how much longer I could last without knowing. Please have them contact me the moment they're ready, day or night. I miss Rikki so much," he blurted, then glanced at KeeKee in embarrassment.

"We're doing everything we can to assist you with Rikki's recovery. I dearly hope we will be able to retrieve it. I'm also very pleased to hear how emotionally attached you've become to one of my kind. Thank you for sharing your emotions with me," the Tik said happily.

Jack nodded and made a mental note to scold Rikki for putting him through this.

Jack saw Sahhahr's head appear at the lip of the dune, so he nodded to the Tik and returned to join her at its base.

She smiled at him sweetly. "This world speaks to me in a language I never thought I would experience again. The sights, smells, sounds, textures, and even its gravity make my soul sing. Now our new children will be born here. All twenty-four of them."

Jack's eyes widened. "That's a lot of kids!"

Sahhahr smiled sweetly. "My Shadeem instructed us to have more children. I'm just doing my part."

"We will assign a protection squad to the dune," Lorrem said, and the Sultessa nodded.

"Can you use your personal Gates to reach this planet from Callosephia?" Jack asked, but Lorrem shook his head.

"It's beyond the range of those. We need an upgraded Gate Terminal or Peacekeeper," the Commander answered.

"When would President Yunnda be willing to have the signing ceremony?" Sahhahr asked eagerly.

"You should speak with him directly about this. He's expecting your call. My impression is he could do it as soon as you were ready," Jack said with a smile.

Sahhahr gestured to Lorrem. "When Peacekeeper returns from analyzing the asteroid belt, have them open a small communications Gate to Chuuruthia so I may speak with the President. I must thank him for his incredible generosity!"

Her expression became pensive. "Do... do you think he might be amenable to the planet being renamed?" She gave Jack a hopeful look.

He chuckled. "Yunnda explained to me that Systrex-One is a compound placeholder name the Chuuruthians give to planets under their control but not hosting a colony. Syst for System, Rex for... I can't remember, and One means there is one habitable planet in the system. You can change the name to anything you like once the charter is signed."

"Ishah! It will be Ishah!" Sahhahr gushed, and smiles broke out on all the Ishilon faces nearby.

Jack gestured to KeeKee to join them, then faced the Tik. "How close are we to the Ishah Gate Terminal?"

The Tik pointed to a distant ridge. "It's behind that hill, but please note the Gate Terminal has been disabled to prevent access as per President Yunnda's request."

"Yes, I was aware. That's why we came by ship," Jack said with a smile. "What's involved in reenabling it?"

"If you bring them on the ship, a team of Tik could get it up and running in a few days. Its range will get you to Chuuruthia and one of Altaria's fringe colony worlds, but that's it," the Tik offered.

Jack looked at Lorrem. "This would be the first Gate we upgrade. We have the tech required, but the Tik have yet to approve the design," the Commander explained.

Jack sighed. "And we've come full circle. Okay, we wait for the Tik's approval. In the interim, you'll need to hop between Callosephia and Ishah with Peacekeeper." He looked at Sahhahr. "Oh, I suppose you'll be remaining here?"

"I must stay close to the eggs," she said with a nod.

"Right. What about my address to the Ishilon people tomorrow?" Jack asked.

"We'll use a gate to open a remote video link so the Sultessa can summon the people to listen to your message," Lorrem explained.

She nodded. "And the people need to know the tremendous generosity of our friends, the Chuuruthians!"

Jack nodded.

Lorrem got that faraway look again, and a slow smile appeared. He finally refocused on Jack. "Peacekeeper is back in orbit. Their survey of the asteroid belt found a wealth of resources to be mined." He looked at Jack in bewilderment. "How can the Chuuruthians afford to give such a treasure away?"

Jack smiled at the wonder in Lorrem's eyes. "The Chuuruthians are about balance with nature. Their civilization found a path that led them to contentment and harmony. Their skills as surgeons, teachers, and scientists make them a treasure the rest of the Network relies upon. They don't place a value on wealth if they don't have a purpose for it. They finally found a purpose for their unused Systrex-One. Helping a civilization be reborn and assisting the Gate Network break a state of stasis. New opportunities for sharing and friendships will be born from expanding the range of the Gates, and old strangleholds on trade will be broken. This has value."

Lorrem bowed his head to Jack. "The Chuuruthians have a wisdom we should all aspire to. Much like our Shadeem's."

Jack snorted in surprise, then looked away in embarrassment as the Sultessa and Chena gazed at him adoringly.

Clearing his throat, Jack pointed upwards. "If they're back, I'd like to head back to Callosephia if possible."

Lorrem nodded.

Jack thought about how busy Peacekeeper would be and frowned. "There's likely enough resources in the belt to build another ship like Peacekeeper."

"Enough for a fleet!" Lorrem said with a grin.

"Two or three is a better idea. No need to fan the flames of the Gate Network's fear of invasion. Two to protect the Ishilon worlds. A third for delivering the Gate upgrades to the worlds of the Network. Maybe a fourth held in reserve."

"We shall call the second ship the Jack Danner!" Sahhahr insisted.

Jack looked at her incredulously as his face flushed. "No! You can't... that would be terribly embarrassing!"

"The Shadeem?" Chena offered with a little smile.

Jack shook his head as he thought about it. "It should follow the same naming scheme as Peacekeeper."

"Ambassador," Lorrem said, and Jack glanced at the Commander thoughtfully. After a moment, Jack nodded.

"Yes, that would work."

"Ambassador Danner?" the Sultessa asked.

"No!" Jack exclaimed, then saw them grinning. He pouted. "You're teasing me."

Sahhahr took him in her arms and kissed his forehead. "Yes, my Shadeem. We tease you because you've made us happier than we thought possible. We were a people whose destiny was limited to revenge or death, but you fulfilled our mission. Then you gave us a new purpose, a home, and the resources to rebuild our civilization. We have friends in the Altarians, Shreen, Chuuruthians, and the Tik.

If the Tik decide they will support your plan to upgrade the Gates, we will have a grand role in the new Network, helping so many! So, yes, we tease you because we love you. We are very pleased with our choice of Shadeem and want the Gate Network to know how proud we are of you."

Jack's throat was tight from emotion, so he gave her a shaky nod. "Ambassador is good enough."

"So it shall be called," Sahhahr said. "Take the Shadeem home and return with my tent. I need to take a nap."

"Yes, Sultessa," Lorrem said and nodded to Chena, who would stay behind with the Security Squad.

Jack got one more kiss from Sahhahr, much to her delight, then followed Lorrem through his Gate to the ship with KeeKee directly behind him.

They walked onto the bridge. "Take us back to Callosephia," the Commander said to the bridge crew. "The Sultessa will remain behind to watch over the eggs of her new children on the second home our Shadeem has found for us. Its new name will be Ishah!"

Jack threw Lorrem an exasperated look as the crew froze with shocked expressions.

"SHADEEM!" they shouted, and Jack bowed deeply to them in return.

"The official announcement will be going out tomorrow, so keep it quiet until then," he said.

Grinning hugely, the bridge officers turned back to their stations and called out their readiness status. Soon, a new Gate formed before the ship, and they moved through it at a casual pace.

Once they were in orbit, Lorrem gave them their new orders. "Keep a comm Gate open to receive communications from the Sultessa. We will be loading supplies and extra crew, then we'll return to Ishah immediately."

"Where would you like to go, Shadeem?" Lorrem said as they walked off the bridge into the corridor.

Jack knew Sahhahr wouldn't return to Callosephia until the eggs hatched. He also knew Diana would be more comfortable with the extra company of Cha'Risa and Nann. "I'll collect Diana and Adam and move to the guest house with Cha'Risa and the team. There's a free room, right?"

"There are eight suites, so I imagine there is one available. You are certainly welcome to stay in the Sultessa's home."

Jack grinned. "We like to take water showers."

The Commander shuddered slightly, then nodded. "Understood."

They returned to the surface, and Jack reached out a hand to grasp the tentacle offered by KeeKee.

"We will contact you as soon as the drone is ready. It should be soon," it said, then flew off to join the rest of its team.

Jack grasped Lorrem's forearm in a firm grip as they looked into each other's eyes, then they went their separate ways. The Commander needed to arrange for the Sultessa's home away from home and all the other comforts, get them on the ship and get back to Ishah quickly.

The Sultessa needed a nap.

Jack nodded to the honor guard protecting the Sultessa's currently empty home as he entered the yard and walked up the path to the door. They all gave him a smile and greeted him with a quiet Shadeem.

When Jack entered the home, he heard Adam's delighted laughter and followed the sound into the sitting room. Diana looked up as he entered and beamed him a wide smile. "Jack! We had the most wonderful visits!" she exclaimed.

He knelt down next to her and kissed her. Diana's eyes were twinkling when he pulled back. "Didn't I say the Ishilon would welcome you and Adam?" he said.

"Yes, you did, and they did! It was so nice seeing how accepting of Adam they were," she said as her eyes became a little glassy. "We've been invited to a dinner tonight with the hospital administrators."

"Ah, I may not be able to attend that as I'm on call to retrieve Rikki when his new body becomes available tonight. Do you think you could manage that without me?"

Diana thought about it and nodded with a smile.

"Thanks," Jack said and gave her another kiss.

"Where's the Sultessa?" Diana asked.

Jack nodded. "You remember how pink her stomach scales had become?" Diana nodded, so he continued. "Yeah, that meant she was becoming fertile. When we went to see the planet the Chuuruthians will gift to the Ishilon, she was a little overwhelmed and decided she needed to make some babies right there on the planet. She laid twenty-four eggs. She's staying with them."

Diana's eyes widened, and she began to laugh. Jack stood there and shared a look with Adam, who was watching his mother with delight as she laughed. Finally, it tapered off, and she wiped her eyes.

"Didn't you once tell me you wanted a big family since you were an only child?" Diana said.

Jack rubbed the back of his neck as he recalled those fateful words he'd said several times. He just hadn't expected it to be this big.

"Yup. I'd like to move us to the guest house as Cha'Risa, Nann, and the boys are there. You okay with that?" he asked.

Diana smiled. "Water showers?"

"Yes, and a pool!" Jack said with a grin.

"Adam loves the water! That's something he shares with his mother," Diana said proudly.

Jack lifted a brow. "And dad!"

She patted his chest and stood up. "I'll pack up my stuff and Adam's, then you can do you."

Jack relaxed next to his son, who was wiggling and giggling. He nuzzled the infant and let him play with his fingers until Diana returned.

He didn't take long to collect his items and pack them back into his small travel bag. He was really looking forward to a shower and a change of clothes, as he could still smell the spice of Ishah on himself.

They left the home, nodding to the guards again, and walked to the guest house across the street. As Diana carried Adam through the door, Jack paused as he heard a skimmer settling down on the lane behind him.

Cha'Risa and the largest male Ishilon Jack had ever set eyes on, exited to watch it lift off and fly away. Then Cha'Risa pressed herself against her companion and kissed him.

Jack realized he was staring and quickly turned to go inside.

"Shadeem!"

He turned back and saw the big fellow was waving at him with a smile on his face. Cha'Risa looked embarrassed, as she'd missed his presence. The male seemed to be waiting.

With a sigh, Jack set down his bag and returned to the lane to greet them.

Cha'Risa made the introductions. "Jack, this is Brigg. My... new friend."

Brigg's eyes flicked to her, then to Jack as his smile widened.

"It is an honor to meet you!" Brigg said, and Jack gripped his forearm, which was considerably wider than Lorrem's. There was power there.

"It's very nice to meet you!" Jack responded, then noted the red dust on Cha'Risa's boots... and clothing. Brigg looked a little dusty too. "Went for a hike?" he asked.

Brigg nodded. "Cha'Risa enjoys nature like I do." The heat on the face of the woman in question amplified, but Jack suppressed his grin. "But we had to cut our day short as I've been requested by the Sultessa to guard her new eggs on our new world. I-I don't know how to express my gratitude—"

Jack held up his hands as it looked like Brigg might pop from the pride swelling his broad chest. "I'm grateful for you! All of the Ishilon have shown so much generosity and willingness to help. It takes my breath away. Thank you!"

Brigg was getting tears in his eyes, and his mouth moved without sound. Then he looked at Cha'Risa. "It was wonderful to spend time with you. I hope we have a chance to do it again one day. I-I have to go get cleaned up before reporting to duty."

"I hope to see you soon, Brigg." She managed to say in an even voice. Then she gave him a curious look as something he said sunk in. "New world?"

Jack smiled. "I'll fill her in on the exciting news."

"Shadeem!" Brigg gushed, then rushed away, moving faster than Jack expected such a large being to be capable of.

"Sorry for disturbing your plans for the day," Jack said, holding back his grin.

"Shut up," Cha'Risa said without venom. "What new world?"

Jack smiled. "The Chuuruthians have gifted one of their unused but habitable worlds to the Ishilon. It's resource-rich but not suitable for the Chuuruthians or the Harruushans. From the reactions of the Ishilon when we visited it, it's perfect. Almost a match for their original home world, in fact. They were... overwhelmed."

Cha'Risa was staring at Jack incredulously. "Who gives a planet as a gift?"

"Well, it's actually an entire system with a young blue star, an asteroid field rich with resources, and a single planet. Its air is breathable, if spicy." He held out his shirt for her to sniff, and her eyebrows rose after she did. She rubbed her nose to relieve the tingles.

"That's one hell of a gift!" Cha'Risa said.

Jack nodded with a warm smile. "The Chuuruthians are exceptional in many ways. They understand what the Ishilon can do for the Gate Network if they have the resources. I let the Tik know what the Ishilon were willing to do, and they directed me to President Yunnda, who now has a purpose for their unused system. They can trust the Ishilon to live within their territory like the Altarians."

"We need to bring the rest of the team up to speed," Cha'Risa insisted, walking to the front door.

"Can I take a shower first? I'd like to get this spicy scent off me." He looked at the dust on her clothes. "Maybe you'd like to freshen up too."

"Is that an invitation?" she said to him with a sly look over her shoulder.

Jack jolted in surprise. "Wha—no! I meant—"

"I'm flattered, but I'll take my own shower," she replied with a smirk and went inside.

Jack huffed in annoyance at her teasing, then picked up his bag to follow her.

He had a shower to take.

Chapter 27

Stretched out on a lounge chair under an umbrella with a frozen beverage in his hand, Jack breathed a sigh of contentment. The late afternoon sun was still strong, but he was comfortable enough in the shade.

Diana was stretched out on the lounge next to him, sound asleep, with Adam sleeping on her chest.

Maxim and Leo grinned at him from their chairs as they sipped at their frosty Orellian ales.

"We could get you tiny umbrella for your drink," Maxim offered teasingly.

"There's nothing wrong with a virgin Piña Colada, boys," Nann said, coming to his rescue. She was enjoying a chilled Chuuruthian rosé.

Jack stuck his tongue out at the two chuckling men, then returned to enjoying his treat.

He did his best to hide his brain freeze.

Cha'Risa finally arrived after spending time in her room getting refreshed.

"Aside from cut short, how was second date?" Leo asked Cha'Risa, their next target.

Jack's eyebrows went up. Second date?

Cha'Risa stared daggers at Leo's grin, then glanced over at Jack. "It was lovely. Callosephia has some amazing rock formations."

Maxim pretended his hearing was failing. "Sorry, you said rock or co—"

"Rock!" Cha'Risa snapped.

"Ease off, gentlemen," Nann said, and the men in question settled back with grins.

Jack had informed the team of the latest developments with the Ishilon, the Chuuruthian gift, and his impending daddy-hood for two dozen more Ishilon kids.

As expected, the men took it all in stride and congratulated him.

Nann was delighted. She said she liked having front-row seats to history.

Cha'Risa was the hardened realist in the group. She was concerned about the Yis threat and was impatient for Ray's report.

Apparently, the tech specialist in question was enjoying his time with the Ishilon security team. He'd been unavailable today but was cagey about the reason.

A Tik gently flew over the back yard fence to hover before Jack. It was KeeKee.

"Greetings, Jack. The drone is ready. There is a skimmer waiting for you in the lane."

Jack swallowed too quickly and felt another spike of pain in his sinuses. He sent a glare at the two chuckling men, then stood.

He kissed Diana's forehead, and her eyes opened, and she pulled his face down to hers for a kiss. Then her eyes closed again.

"Would you like company?" Cha'Risa asked.

He smiled at her thoughtfulness but shook his head. His throat was tight from the sudden emotional upheaval. He went through the house and out the front door, KeeKee following.

The skimmer was where the Tik said, so he boarded it.

As if sensing his emotional state, the Tik remained quiet during the brief flight to the lab the Ishilon built at the edge of town. Made of prefab panels, it was airtight (but climate controlled), waterproof (not an issue on Callosephia), and shielded, so it was a faraday cage. Jack followed KeeKee inside and through the corridors to the lab, where he saw a cluster of Tik, including Taggart.

"Welcome, Jack. Are you ready?" the Tik asked.

Jack snorted nervously. "More than ready." He looked at the black orb the other Tik gathered around. "This is Rikki's new drone?"

Taggart tipped forward slightly. "It is a miracle of technology. Hemmarr's brilliance is unmatched."

The Ishilon in question looked embarrassed and very pleased at the same time. "Taggart is too kind and perhaps even more brilliant."

Jack grinned at the two. "Okay, you're both geniuses!" he agreed.

"The improved sensory harness should give Rikki seventy-five to eighty percent of the Tik bandwidth, so much longer disconnect times."

Jack nodded. "That's wonderful. Can we proceed?"

His eyes were drawn to a row of ultra-black drones in different configurations. He assumed these were just prototypes, as some were larger than others.

One of the largest ones was only a little smaller than a regular Tik. It had the classic Tik cylinder shape but two large optical sensors facing forward, which look very much like eyes to Jack.

"Hi, Jack!" it said brightly.

"GAHHH!" Jack yelped and fell on his ass.

Ray's laughter came from its speaker. "Oh, man! You should have seen your face!"

"What the FUCK, Ray?" Jack snarled, looking for the Human-Tik in the group behind him.

"Hey, I'm sorry, but I'm still a little jazzed about my new body!"

Jack turned his face back and looked closer. "You're actually in there? You're not remotely operating it?"

Taggart joined them. "Ray is uniquely capable of full functionality with the new sensory harness in this older model prototype. Human perceptions are not as rigid as a Tik's, so seventy-five percent appears to be sufficient."

"Yeah, this doesn't feel different from my original Tik body! Wait, cancel that. This one feels better! I'm Back in Black!" Ray exclaimed. A classic rock piece began playing from his chassis, and Jack stared at him in surprise with a grin on his lips.

"If Ray could contain his enthusiasm?" Taggart said, interrupting Ray's solo. Then the Tik specialist faced Jack again. "He might have fit into a smaller chassis, but he wanted all the extras the Ishilon offered, which required space.

We also added a second primary optical sensor as binocular vision is more comfortable for Humans."

"The zoom and acuity on these are incredible!" Ray gushed.

"Perhaps we could return to that once we have Rikki back?" Jack asked.

"Oh! Right. Of course, Jack. Sorry!" Ray said contritely.

"It's okay. I'm just a little nervous about Rikki," Jack explained as he looked at Taggart.

"Right this way," the Tik said, guiding him to a chair with a headrest that exposed the back of his neck to access the collar. Jack made himself comfortable in the chair.

Hemmarr was standing next to the new drone. It had the impossibly black surface, but he couldn't tell if it was larger than Rikki's last body.

"Is it bigger?" he asked.

"Not appreciably. It will still fit between your horns," Hemmarr assured him.

"Did you make additional units?" Jack asked hesitantly.

Hemmarr nodded. "I have three additional identical drones in storage. Rikki won't see them unless required."

"Thank you," Jack said, grateful for her sensitivity.

She looked at Taggart, who indicated its readiness. "We will perform the connection exactly as we performed it before, except Taggart will not be hovering this time," she said with a smile.

The Tik in question settled itself on the work bench.

"Wait! We need cold water to cool the transmitter link as it gets really hot!" Jack exclaimed, and KeeKee appeared with a bucket of water and several sponges held in its tentacles.

Jack relaxed. "Ah, perfect!"

"Ready, now?" Taggart asked.

"Yes," Jack said tensely.

Taggart connected to the collar. "Hello, Jack. You don't feel exhausted this time. That's an improvement," it said internally.

Jack grinned at the memory, then looked at Hemmarr.

"The new drone is configured to accept the connection once the collar transmitter is reset. Doing that now," Hemmarr said and tapped her tablet.

Taggart's lights went dark, and Jack felt the tingle on the back of his neck. Then came the heat.

"Now, KeeKee!" Jack yelped, then sighed as the cold, wet sponges cycled to touch the link, which hissed and spit as it dumped its heat into the water.

Jack focused on the drone and waited, but it remained silent. Finally, the heat dissipated as the transmitter went quiet. Still nothing from the drone.

A buzz began as Taggart woke. "zzzzIIIIiii don't like that. Very unpleasant."

Jack looked at Hemmarr, who was watching the results on the tablet. She looked at him. "Something was transmitted and accepted in the drone." She looked at it. "Rikki?"

Nothing.

"Rikki? Buddy? Are you back?" Jack asked. But the drone remained silent.

"The data stored in the collar link has been reduced by point fifteen. The remaining data appears to be from the Allsa One servers. Multiple petabytes," Taggart said.

Jack was starting to feel desperate. "Taggart, can you disconnect? I'm going to try something."

"Oh! Certainly," the Tik said, then Jack was alone.

He clamped down on the despair that thought brought him. He took some deep breaths to bring his inner mind to a state of calm and peace.

He was connected to a Tik. He should be able to do this.

Jack envisioned himself on a beach, resting in a hammock strung between palm trees.

Initially, there was only the image, but that became brighter and clearer as Jack concentrated on it. Then he thought about the warm breeze blowing across the beach, carrying the scent of flowers, the sea, and the occasional sharp prickle of sand against his skin.

The rays of sunlight, which poked through the palm leaves above, warmed him as the breeze brought him cool relief.

Jack realized he wasn't alone, but when he turned his attention toward the presence, he saw his mother leaning against one of the trees. The wind played with her long blonde hair, and the dappled light illuminated the freckles across her nose and cheeks.

Her loving blue eyes weren't on him this time. They were looking beyond him. He didn't want to look away from his mother, but he needed to see who she was smiling at.

Jack turned his head, and there was Rikki.

Or just a black orb drone. It was still silent.

"Rikki, he needs you. Won't you come back?"

Jack's throat closed as he heard his mother's voice for the first time in so very long. He'd forgotten how sweet yet gravelly it was. It was more purr than a whisper.

"I'm already gone. This isn't me."

Rikki's voice was quiet and sad, but Jack's joy and relief at hearing it swept through his body and lit up the scene around them. He heard Rikki gasp as it experienced Jack's emotions.

Jack knew Rikki was finally facing him. "Your mother isn't here. She's not real, like me."

Jack smiled. "I know she isn't here. These are just my memories of her, but they are very real, and you bring them to life. You aren't a memory. You are a sentient lifeform that keeps getting miraculous extensions. Don't ask me to explain it. But I know the difference between a memory of my mother and the very real presence of my best buddy."

Rikki made another sound of disbelief. "No one deserves so many extensions."

Jack grinned. "I never said you were a saint. You can be downright cranky when you're hung over."

This time Rikki's noise was a choked growl of annoyance blended with a snort of amusement.

"I need you, buddy, warts and all," Jack begged.

There was a pause. "Am I me?"

"Yes. I can feel you with my mind, and without any hesitation, I can honestly say you are the one and only Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Once we get past all this gushy stuff, I'm going to scold you terribly for putting me through this emotional hell again!"

Rikki seemed to be processing that, so Jack waited patiently but couldn't contain his relief and joy.

"You'll need to bring me up to speed on what I missed. Obviously, you survived being tossed through a blind Gate jump," Rikki said.

"Almost didn't, but I'll share that with you later. So many things have happened, so many things need to be done, and I desperately need your help with them!" Jack sighed. "It's time to let them know you're back."

Jack opened his eyes with a smile.

"Greetings, Taggart, Hemmarr... Ray?" Rikki exclaimed in surprise as it picked up Ray's identity in the other ebony Tik chassis.

"Rikki! You're back! You lucky motherfucker!" Ray exclaimed.

"I'm a what?" Rikki sputtered.

Jack jumped in. "That's not a literal description. Just an Earth profanity used to express incredulous surprise. Pay no mind to Potty Mouth McGee."

Ray laughed.

"How are you feeling, Rikki?" Taggart asked.

Riki was quiet for a moment as it contemplated its answer.

"It was infinitely harder this time," Rikki admitted. "Without Jack's ability to affirm my life in this reality, I don't believe I would have returned to it."

Taggart and Hemmarr focused on Jack with concern.

"This is Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Its life continues, and I, for one, am grateful as I need my buddy," Jack asserted.

"We are grateful for your intervention again, Jack," Taggart said. "I will notify Socrates and Plato that Rikki is back with us."

Jack nodded and looked at Hemmarr. "What do we need to know about Rikki's new body?"

The Ishilon tech smiled proudly. "The new sensory harness gives you seventy-five to maybe eighty percent of Tik bandwidth, so you'll have longer disconnect times from Jack. The body has the newer model of our power cell in a redundant configuration. Twice the energy. Rikki also has the Ishilon Gate Tech—"

"I can create Gates on my own?" Rikki asked in surprise.

"Yes, the controls should be familiar, except you no longer need a second Tik to activate it. Your power cells are dependable enough not to require the redundancy," Hemmarr replied.

"You have the shield from the original drone, but it's been improved against kinetic weapons. It's generally stronger, and you have much better internal shielding as well as better gravity field control. That's it."

"And Rikki has full admin rights?" Jack asked.

"Yes, of course, Shadeem," Hemmarr said with a smile.

He returned it. "Thank you both for everything you've done for Rikki," Jack said to Hemmarr and Taggart. "My thanks to your teams as well!"

Jack shook the tentacles of all the gathered Tik and hugged Hemmarr.

"We continue to work on improving the sensory harness. We won't give up until we reach full bandwidth," Hemmarr said with conviction.

Jack grinned at her. "You're really close! Seventy-five percent is quite an improvement! If the drones had two would that mean one-hundred-and-fifty percent?" he said with a laugh.

Taggart chuckled. "That's a nice dream, but sensory harnesses utilize a single-channel stream."

Hemmarr looked at Jack strangely, so he shrugged with an awkward smile.

"Sorry, not a tech head. If you don't mind, Rikki and I have some catching up to do. Could someone get me a lift back to the Sultessa's guest house?

"I have the coordinates. I could open a Gate," Rikki offered.

"Me too," Ray said with a grin in his voice.

Jack smiled. "Gate it is, buddy."

The large rectangular mirror appeared next to Jack, so he waved to the others and stepped through. Rikki and Ray followed, and they were in the lane between the Sultessa's home and the guest house.

Jack waved to the guards before Sahhahr's home, then walked the other way. He let himself inside the guest house with his black Tik escorts.

Cha'Risa and the others were relaxing in the sitting room, and everyone's expressions froze.

"Two Rikkis?" Leo blurted.

Ray began to laugh.

"Ray? What the fuck?" Nann asked incredulously.

"That's what I said," Jack said dryly.

Everyone was on their feet, and Jack held up his hands to stop them. "Just a word of warning. Don't touch the surface of the black chassis. It's energy-absorbing and exceptionally cold to the touch. You will get burned."

"We'll get back to chewing Ray out after," Cha'Risa said sternly. "Rikki? How are you?"

"I'm... back. It is disconcerting to know I'm a copy of a copy, but Jack assures me I'm still me," it answered honestly.

Jack looked at the Tik in concern. He caught similar expressions on the faces of Cha'Risa and Nann. Leo and Maxim seemed to be trying to get their heads around the concept.

As if sensing their discomfort, Rikki changed the topic. "Jack and I need to catch up on what I've missed."

Jack nodded, shared looks with the ladies, and then led Rikki to his room. Once they were alone, Jack took a seat and faced Rikki.

"Seriously, are you okay?"

"I'm having more trouble this time than I did the last time. I think I'll be able to reconcile myself with this, but you need to promise me this is the last time," Rikki said firmly.

"What?" Jack said in surprise.

"I'm just saying I have no intention of storing myself in your collar a third time. Should it happen out of some desperate impulse, I want you to promise me you won't restore that third copy—"

"Rikki!" exclaimed in shock.

"Promise me, Jack! I don't think I can do this again." Rikki's voice was edged with desperation.

Jack was stunned. "I'm sorry, Rikki. I didn't realize how traumatic this is for you. I was so tunnel-focused on bringing you back for me that I didn't consider the pain it caused you. God, I feel like a monster!"

Rikki gripped Jack's upper arms in its tentacles. "No! You're not a monster. I love being your buddy! I love being part of your life and your extended family's lives. It has been the most profound experience any Tik could aspire to. What we've done together will inspire generations of Tik in the future. I am extremely grateful for this."

The sick feeling in Jack's stomach was easing, and he took some slow breaths. "But you don't want to continue?"

"I will continue. A Tik's purpose is to preserve life, mine included now that I'm living it... again." Rikki paused for a moment, then continued. "I don't feel any different than I did before the firefight with the Nareshk in Paris or before Allsa Komanae's moon crashed into the planet. But I know I'm not the Tik whose power cell ruptured on Nareshk, nor the Tik who was crushed by a falling moon. A significant portion of who a Tik is is based on their knowledge of who they are. I may not feel different, but I know I am. That's created a dichotomy my mind is struggling with, and my limit is two."

"Okay. I understand, and I'm sorry for causing you pain," Jack said.

Rikki released Jack's arms. "The first time was a surprise for everyone. The second time was intentional on my part, but it was during a moment of severe stress. Rational thought always loses in those situations. This is why I'm asking you to promise you won't restore me a third time."

Jack took a deep breath and nodded. "I've been blessed with having you as my friend three times; when you first received a drone linked to me until we parted in Paris, then when you returned on Chuuruthia until your sacrifice on Allsa Komanae, and your return now. No man could ask for more. If, for any reason, you escape into my collar again, you will remain there permanently."

"Thank you," Rikki said sincerely.

Jack wiped his eyes as he worked on settling his emotions. "Now, maybe we should start bringing you up to speed on what you've missed?"

"I suspect it's a lot," Rikki guessed.

Jack nodded. "The fastest way would be to share my memories. You up for that?" he said as he flopped back on the bed.

Rikki paused. "You aren't offering that to make me feel better about coming back, are you?"

Jack pushed up onto his elbows to look at Rikki with deep hurt in his eyes. "That you think I would sink so low as to offer you a bribe—"

"I'm not saying it didn't work!"

"Good! We have a lot of stuff to cover, so get comfy!" Jack said, dropping his head back to the bed with a smile.

Rikki made an amused sound and then settled down on the floor.

Jack closed his eyes. "I'm just going to give you the highlight reel, as going through every event in detail would take too long. I would like you to study the first part very closely so you can ask the Tik to identify the planet you dumped me on."

"It wasn't like I had any control over where you ended up in that twisted gravity field," Rikki protested.

"And here come the excuses," Jack said with a small smile.

Rikki paused. "You're teasing me."

"Sorry, buddy. Just glad to have you back. I missed you," Jack said quietly.

"Thank you. Now, can we get to the memories?" it asked eagerly.

"Sure thing," Jack said, and he was back on the strangely empty planet.

He heard Rikki gasp. "It's lovely. So peaceful!"

Jack sighed as he recalled his first moments here. He didn't want to get stuck in the details as they had a lot of material to cover before he could ask Rikki to prepare the data for Maghadahn's Grand Assembly Committee and the report he had to make.

"Moving along," Jack said, skipping to his memory of the alien's face on the monitor.

They had a lot of stuff to cover.

Chapter 28

Rikki reviewed the Allsa Komanae data one more time, but it knew that wasn't required. They were ready for the presentation on Maghadahn.

While Jack spent the previous day in a grand ceremony addressing the Ishilon people with Diana and Adam at his side, Rikki and Ray spent hours reviewing the pattern Ray, the Altarian Security Ministry, and Ishilon Intelligence formed from studying the Yis. They'd mapped out the shadowy machinations and the terrible fates that befell anyone who opposed Yis interests.

The sticky point had been identifying what Yis interests were until Ray slipped into the Maghadahn data vault and downloaded the secret voting results from the Grand Assembly Committee. Then he collected the data on every subcommittee meeting in which the Yis participated. Mapping the causes they supported versus those they opposed identified their efforts to manage the power distribution in the Assembly. Younger, more altruistic member races were systematically having their votes negated in any decisions that might lead to a more balanced distribution.

As Ray was doing this, the Ishilon infiltrated Maghadahn Security's data vault and pulled the records of the deaths of Assembly members and Maghadahn Security officials.

The security records never directly linked the Yis to these deaths. The final clue was discovered when the Altarians, with Ray's assistance, hacked into the unhackable Bank of Schvexxt data repository to find it was owned and operated by the Yis. Extracting the account details, such as ownership and transaction activity, identified a damning collection of payments for termination contracts for the names in Maghadahn Security's suspicious death list. The elimination of all obstacles to the Yis agenda was bankrolled by the Yis.

What was not immediately discovered was the identity of the green-skinned beings who did the dirty work for the Yis. The remains of their uber assassins were collected, but engineered cellular necrosis turned the deceased into piles of goo once they died.

The Chuuruthians made the breakthrough when they discovered one of the assassins in the shipping container in the Botany Ice Cream freezer wasn't a Rakin. As they had the most sophisticated genetic analysis medical equipment, they took samples from the frozen green popsicle. They discovered the being was a genetically engineered clone of a Yis with cosmetic changes. The being was adapted for combat, as its pain nerves had been removed, its blood vessels were designed to pinch closed if severed to prevent bleeding out, and its strength regulatory systems were inhibited so it could operate at max levels even when doing so might cause it damage. They were expendable killing machines.

The Yis had engineered a slave race of assassins.

The more Rikki learned of their enemy, the more concerned it became about facing the Grand Assembly Committee when Jack presented an offer that would greatly undermine the Yis' secret efforts to maintain control.

Rikki knew there must be other races with some idea of what the Yis were up to. After all, keeping the younger races under their thumb helped more than just the Yis. Either these others were turning a blind eye, or they were willing and active participants.

Ray and his allies just hadn't identified them... yet.

The Assembly was infected with dark shadows, and Jack intended to shine a light on that.

Rikki sighed as it knew Jack wouldn't back down.

It was also aware that the Tik could block him by saying they wouldn't support upgrading the Network Gates. They wouldn't do that for punitive reasons but to protect against the potential of a violent backlash from the conspirators. The Tik's need to protect the good people might outweigh the need for change.

It all hinged on the report from the Tik seniors, which Rikki was waiting for as it recharged in the lobby of the Tik Enclave on Chuuruthia.

Jack was home with Cha'Risa and her team as he'd brought Diana and Adam to Chuuruthia. Bayly would be going with them to Maghadahn though Jack was a little nervous about that. So was Rikki.

The Tik streaming by all waved to Rikki, and it waved back. Being a celebrity amongst the Tik wasn't as much fun as it thought it might be, as it wasn't enjoying the experience. There was a lot of repetition.

A new Tik hovered toward it and paused a short distance away. "The Elders will speak with you in the central courtyard."

"Thank you."

"Would you like a guide?" it asked.

Rikki paused in surprise. "I'm a Tik. I know where the central courtyard is. I can get there on my own, thank you."

"My apologies!" the newbie said contritely.

"Accepted," Rikki said and moved quickly away.

As it entered the wide expanse of greenery inside the inner walls of the enclave, Rikki moved directly toward the central dais where Socrates and Plato rested. The seniors minimized their activity these days, as even Tik wear out.

"Rikki, it is exceptionally pleasing to be able to speak with you once more," Socrates began.

"Thank you," it responded.

"Have you encountered any diminished cognitive functionality incurred from multiple storages in the Mahrell Drun collar?" Plato asked.

Socrates choked on its indignation. "Seriously! Have you no social skills? How severe is your lack of empathy?"

Rikki raised a tentacle to calm the elder. "It's fine, and I can answer the question," Rikki said, and Socrates huffed in annoyance at its partner.

Rikki turned to Plato, who seemed to be anxiously awaiting the answer. "There is absolutely no degradation in my cognitive abilities. The storage is lossless. However, there is one significant issue you should be aware of before you contemplate using Jack's collar to preserve yourselves."

It interrupted the noises of denial they made. "Please grant me the consideration of acknowledging the truth. I'm the only one who has experienced this, and it's no great leap to see you might wish to preserve yourselves in the hopes of continuing to guide us. I welcome that decision, but I must warn you of the cost. A cost I informed Jack I am unwilling to pay again. I will not intentionally preserve myself in his collar again, and should some crisis cause me to do so by reflex, I have Jack's word he will not allow my... rebirth again."

Socrates was shocked. "What has driven you to this decision?"

"The dichotomy of feeling versus knowing. I feel the same. I know I'm not."

"Ah!" Plato exclaimed. "But how was this different this time? Is being a copy of a copy significantly more difficult to endure?"

Socrates made another startled noise as it stared at its life-long companion. Rikki assumed it also wanted these answers, but it would never have asked.

"I only have the two levels for comparison, but I can honestly say the second time was exponentially more difficult to endure," Rikki admitted.

"How-how did you?" Socrates asked quietly.

"Jack's conviction. Being intimately linked to his mind as I am, I can feel the strength of his belief in me, in my existence as Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the one and only. He called me that. That belief holds the turmoil in check. If Jack decides he no longer wants me to be linked to his mind, I will cease to be."

"WHAT?" Socrates exclaimed. "Have you spoken to Jack about this?"

"No, and I don't want you two mentioning it to him. His decision to free himself from the bond we have must not be influenced by guilt. I wasn't supposed to live beyond the demise of my body. Jack made that possible but at great personal cost."

"Rikki, are you unaware of how emotionally dependent Jack has become on you?" Socrates asked gently.

Rikki paused as it considered the question. "I'm aware that he missed me."

Socrates was quiet as it contemplated the Tik before him.

"For someone so deeply interconnected with one, Rikki is quite dense when comprehending Human emotions," Plato said.

This surprised another noise from Socrates, but it didn't argue.

Rikki's annoyance with the seniors was increasing.

"Are you telling us it's not advisable to consider storing ourselves in Jack's collar due to the feeling/knowledge dichotomy?" Plato asked.

"No. I'm telling you it's bearable if done only once. The first time only required some initial validation from Jack while linked to him. If I'd had a body with sufficient sensory bandwidth at that time, I would have been able to permanently separate from Jack."

"Would you have, though?" Socrates asked.

"I...it would have been in Jack's best interests," Rikki stated hesitantly.

"Even if he didn't desire it?" Plato asked.

It was Rikki's turn to be confused. "Why wouldn't he have wanted to separate? He never wanted the bond in the first place!"

"And that initial impression is what you base your current behavior on? Dense," Plato sighed.

Rikki was fed up with these rude Tik. "Have you decided to support Jack's offer to upgrade the Gates in the Network?"

"There are considerable risks involved, especially for Jack and the races who support him. He already has enemies willing to make attempts on his life," Socrates noted.

"How willing are you to enforce the Gate contract against the senior-level members?" Rikki countered.

"Their seniority in the Assembly has no bearing on our commitment to enforce the contract. If there is sufficient evidence that they are guilty of harming another member race, their Gates will be disabled," Socrates insisted.

"Jack believes expanding the reach of each Gate will improve the lives of a vast majority of the Gate Network members. He's a key promoter of the Tik and what he calls the Good Neighbor Policy. He is willing to face whatever repercussions this effort entails. Will you support him?"

Socrates was hesitant. "Jack will create many enemies with this."

"Jack will create more friends than enemies. If those enemies make harmful efforts to stop this supportive effort, they'll breach the Tik's Gate contract. Will you enforce it?" Rikki asked again.

"Ah! Jack is offering himself as bait to identify the hostile members!" Plato exclaimed.

"Yes," Rikki replied.

"It will be a tumultuous time for the Gate Network," Socrates noted.

"Revolutions always are," Rikki agreed.

Socrates and Plato communicated privately for a moment, then focused on Rikki again. "Jack's allies will need to be on high alert for a long time," Plato said cautiously.

"For as long as it takes," Rikki said.

The two seniors were silent, and Rikki assumed they were speaking privately again.

"The Tik will support the Gate upgrade plan," Socrates said.

"Thank you. The first ones will be Callosephia and Ishah, once called Systrex-One. This will allow the Ishilon to set up their manufacturing facilities and processes. They'll need Tik teams at both Gate Terminal locations," Rikki said.

"We will send the Tik immediately," Plato indicated.

"As their workforce is still limited at this time, they'll need as many Tik as can be directed to their new world to assist with their construction projects," Rikki added.

"We'll get started on that as well," Socrates agreed.

"Thank you. I'd better get back to Jack. We're due in Maghadahn in a few hours," Rikki said.

"Be honest with Jack about your state of mind and have more faith in him," Socrates said, then powered down. Plato nodded, then powered down too."

Rikki lifted straight into the sky and flew away from the enclave as it fumed about Socrates' last dig. In its irritation, it forgot Jack's request for him to question the seniors about the planet he'd been dumped on and the being he'd seen on the monitor.

It pushed everything from its mind as it mentally prepared for their visit to Maghadahn.

Rikki would be on high alert until they returned home.

If they survived the day.

Chapter 29

Jack was still riding a high from the previous day's address to the Ishilon people. He, Diana, and Adam had been seated under an awning in a natural but vast sand amphitheater. Anyone who didn't need to be elsewhere appeared to hear him talk. Those who couldn't attend in person watched the streaming content.

Behind and above them was an enormous screen showing the Sultessa. She began the ceremony by introducing Diana and Adam, then handed it over to Jack.

He expressed his pride in the Ishilon people, thanking them for their brave and heroic efforts for the Dannt. Then he filled them in on the potential plans for the future. He passed it back to the Sultessa as her current location was still a mystery for most of the gathering. When she announced she was watching over a brood of eggs, the crowd cheered, and the wall of sound rolled over them.

Then they learned the Sultessa was on another world, and she'd just signed a charter making it theirs. Ishah was now an Ishilon world, rich with resources, and they owed a huge debt of gratitude to their Chuuruthian friends and their Shadeem, who arranged it.

The second cheer dwarfed the first.

The party afterward was epic. So many deliriously happy Ishilon. Jack expected more babies in the days ahead for his people. They had two worlds to populate and now had the resources to do it.

His mind was drawn back to the present when Rikki entered the home and joined the gathering in the living room. Everyone went silent as they waited for Rikki's report.

"The Tik will support the Gate upgrade."

Jack closed his eyes and nodded as a smile slipped onto his lips. The Tik were on his side as he'd been on theirs.

President Yunnda stood and approached Jack to shake his hand. "You are doing an absolute good for the Gate Network. Those who oppose you will not get to you or your loved ones on Chuuruthia. We've experienced this type of intimidation tactic before, and we are a self-sufficient world. Between Chuuruthia, Callosephia, and Ishah, as it is now called, you have the sanctuary of several restricted access worlds."

"Thank you, President Yunnda. We are forever in your debt and grateful for the grand gesture of generosity toward the Ishilon. You're enabling them to do those great things for the Gate Network," Jack replied.

Jack stood, and Rikki moved to take its traditional position between Jack's horns.

There was one additional significant change that he was very pleased with. Today, he wasn't attending the Maghadahn committee in his ambassador gown. Instead, he was wearing a perfectly tailored Human suit. It was black with a blue sheen which told him it was Reever Silk, likely close to pure. Under the jacket was a Reever silk dress shirt open at the top due to the width of his neck. His slave collar was visible, but he was no longer self-conscious about that.

He thought he looked pretty damn sharp!

Cha'Risa and the others rose as well. "It's time?" she asked, and Jack nodded.

He gave his family kisses and hugs and left before their glassy eyes could undermine his conviction. They knew this was necessary and right, but he understood none of them wanted him to be the one delivering the message.

Bayly just looked excited. As she was attending as an Ambassador-in-Training, Jack insisted she not carry the spear she originally intended to bring. She'd finally agreed, but he eyed her smile with some suspicion because she'd spent some private time with Nann going over the security measures the squad would be following. He wondered if her robe might be disguising something an Ambassador shouldn't have.

But then he recalled his own inner pockets contained his fighting gloves.

Hypocrite.

Tito was hovering next to Bayly, and it nodded to Jack.

"You fully charged, Rikki?" he asked to distract himself.

"Yes, Jack."

"How about you, Ray?" Jack said with a glance at the third Tik in his party.

"Juiced and ready to kick butt!" Ray chuckled.

Cha'Risa gave him a stern look. "You remember the no-projectile-or-energy-weapon rule for Maghadahn, right?"

Ray's enthusiasm dimmed a little. "Ah, right. Well, there are alternatives."

Cha'Risa's eyebrow rose. "What alternatives?"

Ray just chuckled quietly.

"You know what he's talking about?" Jack asked Rikki internally.

"I didn't see what was installed in that chassis," Rikki admitted.

"Whatever," Jack said aloud and boarded the taxi.

The ride to the Gate Terminal was quiet as each was lost in their thoughts.

When they arrived, Adina and Zaina were waiting for them. They looked at their father with a loving smile. Each gave him a kiss on the cheek. He noted the heavy belts they were wearing.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing to the four round disks mounted to the wide band.

"Prototype. We can't talk about them. We're going through the Gate with you, but you shouldn't pay any attention to us. We'll do our best to stay out of view," Adina said.

Zaina looked at Cha'Risa and tapped her ear. The security team nodded in unison.

Jack set his concerns aside as everyone here was a professional... except him and Bayly.

They stepped up to the lovely Chuuruthian Gate agent. "Jack Danner and party for Maghadahn."

"Gate one, Ambassador. Good luck!" she said with a brilliant smile.

He nodded, then strode quickly away with the others following.

As he approached the mirror surface, Adina and Zaina slipped in front and stepped through.

Cha'Risa placed a hand on his chest and smiled. "Wait your turn."

He gave her a stiff smile, then watched her disappear into the mirror.

Bayly went next, followed by Tito and Nann, and finally, it was his turn.

Jack and Rikki went through and squinted from the bright lights surrounding the Gate he'd just stepped through. Ahead, he saw Cha'Risa gesturing for him to join her quickly, so he increased his pace.

The twins were nowhere to be seen, but that was the plan, so he didn't need to be concerned about that. He scowled at the intense lights and saw the gallery above contained so many cameras from every news outlet Jack had ever heard of and many he hadn't. The noise of the reporters calling out to get him to face their cameras was deafening!

He wondered how long they'd been camped out there.

He caught up to his security as Maxim, Leo, and Ray tucked in behind them.

Li Bin Wes, Li Bon Wes, and Li Ben Wes were at the leading edge of the crowd, waiting for Jack's group.

Jack leaned forward to speak to Cha'Risa, gesturing to the trio. "Those three are friends. The Qui Qui Qui Team Leaders who were on the Allsa Komanae Research Committee. The only non-corrupt members."

When they reached them, Cha'Risa gestured for the trio to come within their perimeter.

The Qui Qui Qui froze as Jack and Rikki made their Harmony gesture.

"Is this Rikki?/The Tik lost on Allsa Komanae?/The balance for Ambassador Danner's duality?" Li Bin Wes exclaimed in shock.

Jack nodded to the trio. "Yes/Rikki was saved/Harmony restored." This was truth without going into the details.

They looked overjoyed and made a harmonious trilling. "We gave our report days ago/Not allowed to go home until you address Grand Assembly Committee/ Grateful you are here!" All three of them were taking parts of their commentary and speaking over each other in their relief. Jack managed to pluck out the meaning in the overlapped comments.

"Apology for delay/Let's go now/Truth must be told," Jack replied and nodded to Cha'Risa.

"If Ray and I might assist?" Rikki said, and Cha'Risa nodded.

A faint glow appeared around their group in a lozenge shape with a point at the front and back. They moved forward, and the crowd initially pulled back to avoid touching the field. When the crowd behind the first row pushed back, the ones in the middle discovered themselves sliding off the light shield to fall to the floor behind the group, which moved forward steadily and quickly.

Finally, they left the mob behind them, and the Tik were able to drop the field.

"That was a new trick," Jack said internally.

"Ray and I have upgraded gravity control," Rikki answered directly as well.

"Which way do we go to get a transport to the Grand Assembly Committee Hall?" Jack asked, and the Qui Qui Qui pointed to a hall to the right.

They walked down the corridor and came out on a wide balcony. Skimmers were coming and going.

"We need an official Assembly Skimmer. Rikki, can you contact the Assembly office to see if they will send one," Jack asked.

"On it," the Tik responded.

"Why didn't the Assembly have one ready for you if they requested your presence at their committee meeting?" Cha'Risa asked.

The Qui Qui Qui focused on the tall woman. "Assembly shows no favor/All must find their own way/All equal."

Jack and Cha'Risa shared a skeptical look. They knew not everyone behaved that way.

"Jack, incoming Maghadahn Security Transport, unit number one twelve, is for us," Rikki said.

Jack frowned. "Maghadahn Security? Really? We've already had to deal with some corrupt officers. Are we going to trust them?"

"Ray can scan the vehicle to see if it's been tampered with, and he can take control of its flight systems from inside. I'm making alternate arrangements, but we should keep moving. Standing here on this open balcony is not safe," Rikki said.

Jack watched the skies, suspicious of each skimmer passing by or coming in for a landing to drop off or pick up passengers. He was encircled by his security, who were also watching all directions.

A Maghadahn Security skimmer settled on the platform, and Ray rushed forward to scan it. "It's clean," he finally called back and opened the side door.

The group rushed forward and climbed inside.

"Destination," a mechanical voice called out.

"Grand Assembly Committee Hall," Jack said. The vehicle lifted off and moved between the towers.

"I've got a map," Ray said as he linked to the skimmer. "We're heading in the right direction."

Jack looked around at the crowded interior. "Rikki? You said something about alternate arrangements? This box, even if it is armored, feels too much like a trap," he said cautiously to Rikki privately.

"Almost there..." Rikki said. "Get ready."

-=-

Adina and Zaina loved the new prototypes they borrowed from the R&D lab at Altarian Security Ministry. They watched the Maghadahn Security Skimmer lift off from the balcony and begin to fly away. Sharing a grin, the twins activated the gravity belts and set off in pursuit. Silent, powerful, and nimble, the twins immediately grasped how to master the intricate movements required to fly while wearing them. They did their best to keep to the shadows and tracked their target while watching for interceptors.

The skimmer appeared to be heading toward their required destination, but they knew someone would attempt to interfere.

They kept in touch with Cha'Risa's team, and they had nothing to report so far.

"Adina! Incoming!" Zaina called out, directing her sister's attention to the flat square drone rushing in from the side to slide under the security vehicle. It wouldn't be explosives, as knocking these shielded vehicles from the sky was almost impossible. They had too many safety systems.

"That's a remote controller. Someone trying to take control of the skimmer!"

The drone attached itself to the skimmer's undercarriage, and four silver leads shot out to connect to the four lift units to override the internal controls.

"Thing-One to Fox. Skimmer's being hijacked. Recommend forcing the vehicle into an emergency landing," Adina knew the safety systems would override all other controls.

"Fox to Thing-One. Transferring to alternate transport. Stand by," Cha'Risa returned.

The twins looked at each other. Transferring?

-=-

Rikki spoke to its contact, stressing the importance of privacy, and they found a solution.

Finally, they had a go.

Rikki anchored a Gate to his location in the moving vehicle and the other end to his contact. The mirror appeared against the back wall of the skimmer. "Go through quickly, please."

Maxim, Leo, Bayly, and Tito were through first. Cha'Risa and Nann pushed Jack and the Qui Qui Qui through until it was just Ray and Rikki.

Ray admired the little gift Maxim left hanging from the interior handrail. Then he rushed through the Gate with Rikki.

As they gathered in the small, tiled room, Jack saw Cha'Risa letting the twins know they were safe.

"Where are we?" Jack asked.

"In a bathroom," Rikki stated.

"Is it a men's room?" Nann clarified as she pointed to what might be urinals.

Jack frowned at Rikki. "Right, but where is this washroom?"

There was a flush sound, and a Tik exited a toilet stall and waved at Jack, whose confusion was now complete. The Tik was covered in a pattern of river stones.

"You're at the Grand Assembly Committee Hall, or rather, the washroom next to it. I imagine Security officers will be here shortly because of the unauthorized Gate," it said.

"Livingstone!" Jack said with a grin. "Are the others here?"

"Guarding the door," the Tik said, shooing the occupants out.

As they entered the hallway, Jack leaned closer to the stone-covered Tik. "The flush?"

"Dramatic effect for my entrance," it said without pausing.

Jack just shook his head with a grin.

They looked down a massively wide and tall hallway, and a short distance away on their right was an entrance to the Committee room. In the distance, they could see a cluster of security agents running toward them.

"Time to make our own dramatic entrance!" Jack said, and they rushed for the doors to the conference room.

-=-

Adina and Zaina watched as the Security skimmer made a sudden and unexpected change in direction. It dropped quickly, swinging wide around two towers until it reached a dimly lit, low-level balcony, where it promptly landed.

The twins followed it down, staying in the shadows, and watched as five Yis-engineered slaves rushed the side door and flung it wide as they opened up with their illegal projectile weapons.

Zaina kept her camera trained on the scene and caught the moment when a stray bullet split open the airtight container for the bomb seeds. The resulting interior explosion directed the blast wave out the open doors and through the five assassins. Adina slipped in closer and detected no other lifeforms nearby, so she waved to Zaina.

When her sister joined her, they discovered one of the assassins trying to crawl away with no legs and missing half an arm. Adina drew her favorite blade and quickly cut its head off. Zaina tucked it into a preserving bag, sealed it, and triggered the refrigerant. This would quick-freeze the contents.

"Time to get back to Dad," Adina said, and off they went before Maghadahn Security arrived to investigate.

-=-

Jack stood before the illustrious Grand Assembly Committee and had to admit he was impressed by the sheer size of the vast chamber. Everyone had a view of where he stood. He was a mere speck in this room, but he had the floor, so they had to listen. Plus, he was projected on an enormous screen above him. He began.

"My name is Jack Danner. I'm a Human citizen, originally from Earth. I also have Altarian DNA due to my Hybrid nature. I'm a Citizen of and Ambassador for Altaria, a Citizen of Chuuruthia, a Citizen of Chrystan, a Citizen of Callosephia, and Shadeem to the Ishilon. A Shadeem is a Spiritual Advisor, and they picked me.

The black orb floating between my horns is my Tik companion Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.

I'm here today because I asked a simple question of the Allsa Komanae Research Committee. Why was it taking them so long to release Allsa One for colonization? You can read the transcript of the seventy-fifth status review meeting to see how well that went. This committee charged me with performing a low-level audit to determine the cause of the poor progress and sent me back to a planet I hoped I'd never see again."

He pulled his shirt collar open to let everyone see the wide metal hardware circling his neck. "This lovely jewelry is permanently bonded to me thanks to the Allsa Komanae." He reined in his anger and took a deep breath. He was ready, and so was Rikki.

Jack proceeded to describe what they found on Allsa One, then Allsa Komanae. He laid out the events as the evidence was projected on the large screen above his head. The numbers and details were irrefutable.

"The Team Leaders had their small teams of Botanists, Pastry Chefs, Gardeners, Sanitation Engineers, Carpenters, and Mechanics doing busy work while they concentrated on their secret task of opening the vault door. They failed for seven years, and during that time, they fed lies to the Grand Assembly Committee through the Committee Overseers. As there was no auditing process, the overseers had no way of knowing they were being lied to.

When we got to the vault door, Rikki and I immediately recognized the symbols on the door as the work of the Mahrell Drun Prime. We solved the puzzle and opened it. You are about to witness the actual memories of Rikki and the video Rikki captured from the local internal cameras."

The enormous display began showing the scene, but Jack didn't bother to watch it as he recalled that visit vividly. He let the committee see the video without interrupting it, so they heard the mechanically distorted voice of the Allsa Komanae AI outline its plan to destroy their homeworlds one after another.

The Grand Assembly Committee got a little noisy as they'd turned off their sound-dampening fields, so Rikki paused the video, and Jack held up his hands.

"STOP! Keep watching," he said firmly. Once some order had returned, Rikki resumed the recording, showing Jack destroying the servers, breaking his hand in the process, then escaping the control room. The scene continued with their escape from the moon, a spectacular and horrific view of the moon falling toward the surface, and ended as they evacuated the remaining workers.

The display faded, and Jack faced a silent chamber. "The Allsa Komanae's star killer has been destroyed. Your worlds are safe. You're welcome.

The Allsa Komanae homeworld did not survive the destruction of the weaponized moon. It's my understanding that the surface has returned to a molten state. It will be decades, if not centuries, before the planet stabilizes sufficiently for inhabitants. All evidence of the Allsa Komanae's civilization and the horrors they perpetrated on the world remains only in the memories of the survivors.

Allsa One's fate has yet to be determined. As the Harruushan's sun was attacked by the Allsa Komanae's star killer, it would be a gesture of profound civility and justice for this committee to open that world to the Harruushans for colonization immediately so they may flee the hazardous radiation from their poisoned sun.

Had the Research Team Leaders managed to open that vault door during their seven years of lying to the Committee Overseers, how many of your home worlds would no longer exist, your suns having gone supernova? If they'd opened that door, they had no Tik with them to fight the Allsa Komanae AI or give them instructions on which server to break in the proper sequence to ensure the weapon was destroyed."

This was where Jack would pivot his presentation. He'd spoken enough on the Allsa Komanae Research Team. He'd handed over the Tik's findings from the Deen-Diin data and the raw data.

He looked around the vast chamber and listened to the silence. "A Tik saved your lives and homes, as that's what they do. It's shameful to see civilized beings trying to undermine and diminish the significance of these noble beings just because they don't share a biological origin. The Tik faithfully maintain the Gate Network so we may be here to share our knowledge and cultures. They help us preserve and protect our people and civilizations. Their only rule for joining this incredible collection of people is this:

Be a Good Neighbor. Do. No. Harm.

Some seem to think this only means don't go to war against your neighbor. Certainly, that's harmful and breaches the Gate Network Contract. The Borrelians just found out that having a genocidal war against a neighbor who wasn't even part of the Gate Network nullifies the contract, and they're not in this chamber today as their Gates have been closed.

The Tik place a high value on life. Higher than some of you.

Do. No. Harm.

The Gate Network Contract is clear, but some have decided that harm from economic manipulation doesn't apply. Harm from cultural interference doesn't apply. Harm from political interference doesn't apply. Murdering select individuals doesn't apply.

In the past week, I've personally had squads of assassins attempt to kill me to prevent me from speaking to you. On my way here from the Maghadahn Gate Terminal, my transport was hijacked in another attempt."

A beam of intense red energy suddenly shot across the chamber directly at Jack, only to bend upwards at the last moment to disappear into the deep black of Rikki's body, harmlessly absorbed and drained away. Live video of the Jool ambassador standing in his booth with a weapon in his hand suddenly appeared on the huge screen as Rikki focused its optics on his area. Cha'Risa suddenly dropped into view on the screen as Ray had carried her across the vast chamber with his own gravity control to set her down inside the Jool's booth.

Ray reached a tentacle into the booth to turn on the Jool mic to pick up the voices in the booth.

"Drop your weapon. Surrender peacefully," Cha'Risa said with icy calm, her hands hovering over the grips of her blades.

The Jool was frozen for a second, then it screeched in rage and swung the weapon toward her.

Cha'Risa's blades were in her hands as she moved.

The Jool's hand, still holding the weapon, dropped to the floor as Cha'Risa shoved the Ambassador away from her, pulling her other knife from deep in his chest.

He was dead before he hit the floor.

Cha'Risa wiped the gore from her blades on the ambassador's gown, then slipped them away. With a nod, she turned off the mic and faced Ray. He picked her up in his gravity field and returned her to her spot below Jack's podium. Rikki switched the screen back to an image of Jack's grim expression.

"Thank you for proving my point."

He took a deep breath. "I'm not here to make threats or intimidate people. That's what certain other members of the Assembly have been doing for centuries, and they're much better at that than I'll ever be. Instead, I'm here to make you an offer."

Jack passed his eyes over the audience and could feel the anticipation.

"In the spirit of enhancing the peaceful prosperity of the Gate Network as the Tik intended it to be used, the Tik, with the assistance of the Ishilon, will upgrade your Gate to extend its range by a factor of four. You will be able to reach more Gates than ever before. You'll also have the option to close your Gate to neighbors who were causing you harm until they agree to improve their behavior.

The only requirement is for you to sign a new Tik Gate Network Contract promising to do no harm of any kind. The vast majority of you already follow this rule. It's the same contract, but your intent matters. Be a Good Neighbor! Help each other! Abuse your neighbor, breach the contract, and find yourself alone.

Of course, conflicts will arise, but you will address them here, openly, with no more secret votes! Full transparency to protect against political harm. You will know who doesn't support your position and have a forum to open a dialog to ask them why. Open and honest communication is essential for peaceful coexistence.

The Assembly needs to start accepting responsibility for its destiny. Does it want to continue with shadowy cabals controlling its fate, or do the people get a say in how they want to live? Imagine how much better your lives might be if you actually played a role in making those decisions.

We, all of us, can make that happen. This was what the Tik maintain the Gate Network for. It's time."

An energy rumbled through the chamber even though the individual pods' sound dampers were active.

Jack grinned at Rikki. "Let's see how the sales pitch went," he said internally.

"As a show of interest, any Race who'd like to extend their Gate's reach and support this new contract, please turn the lights on in your booth," he said.

The chamber quickly filled with light as booth after booth lit up. The light in the Yis booth finally came on, but it was one of the last, and Jack knew they were lying. Only a few remained dark. "You got that, Rikki?" Jack asked privately.

"Each one and the order they joined," it replied.

Jack nodded and turned back to the chamber. He wished he could see individual faces, but so many Races were represented here.

A light was flashing on the podium, indicating his time was up. He glanced at Rikki.

"My timer says we still have seven minutes," Rikki said internally.

Jack looked out at the chamber again. "Someone is telling me my time is up, but I still have seven minutes. Any guesses on who wants me to shut up?" Jack grinned, then held up a hand. "I've said my piece. I return the floor to the Grand Assembly Committee."

There were five booths amongst the throng, which were now outlined with silver light. The display panel on the podium enlarged them so Jack could see the occupants. The glowing light identified them as the leaders of the committee. These positions were voted in, but again, by secret ballot. Their continuing rule would be interesting if the votes had to be visible.

Unsurprisingly, the Yis held one of these positions.

Jack wasn't familiar with some of the others, but he knew they were all old, established civilizations that weren't comfortable with change.

The speaking light went on in the center booth, and Jack's screen on the Podium and the larger overhead screen lit up with the flat, round disc face of a Hej Rloo. They were encased in a rigid, dull white exoskeleton similar to the blue-green Krakraw Slawterban. Unlike the notorious sluts, the Hej Rloo were pious Puritans and as exciting as stale crackers. Its voice was as monotone as its coloration.

"I am Hej-PepTishPing of the Hej Rloo and Committee Lead. Our request for you to speak before the Grand Assembly Committee was not an invitation to tear this great institution apart—"

"Wholesale destruction was never part of the deal. However, your institution is plagued by distrust, paralysis of spirit, and a pitiful lack of hope. The people need a change. A fresh breeze to blow the dust from the ducts, grease to improve flexibility in the joints, and a butt pinch to infuse a little joy."

Jack could see the Hej Rloo's expression growing more and more outraged. No surprise there.

"Seriously, they just need to feel confident that the Assembly is a safe place to be and that it's looking out for their interests fairly," Jack insisted.

The speaking light moved to the glowing silver booth at the far left. Jack thought this insectoid race borrowed much from Earth's Praying Mantis but at the size of a Shetland pony.

"I am KiiKrreeKaKaKahn of the Benevolence of KahTek, and Lead Treasurer for the Grand Assembly Committee. You speak of no harm, yet your plan will upset the existing business models of a great many Races and cause them financial strain. The deals the Grand Assembly Committee itself has developed for years will also be threatened!"

Jack tilted his head as he focused on Mantis-Man (an easier name to remember). "It's the nature of businesses to grow and evolve. If the existing arrangements are already beneficial to all parties, there's no risk to adding extra destinations to a Gate. If the benefit was one-sided, one might claim economic harm was inherent in the deal, and adding additional destinations presents alternatives and an incentive to give a fair deal. There is nothing wrong with a reasonable profit, but anyone whose financial empire depends on exploitive business deals is not being a good neighbor.

As to the deals the Treasury has made, what kind of deals would they be if adding markets harmed them? They wouldn't depend on exploitive pricing and market strangleholds, would they?"

Jack made a grand sweeping action to encompass the entire chamber with his arm. "Are you going to argue with them that your business deals are more important than their freedom to make new friends and open new markets?"

KiiKrreeKaKaKahn looked like he'd swallowed a bug... unwillingly.

Jack had the Yis member's silver-lit booth enlarged on the podium's screen, but the Yis wasn't rising to the bait. He was staring daggers at Jack, so he got a smile and a little nod in return. That ought to send a flare of paranoia through the creep.

Rikki cautioned Jack privately. "You might be playing with fire, Jack."

"This bastard is too cagey to make such mistakes. If I can destabilize him, he might," Jack said.

The next Assembly official to speak was a bulky Shriis like Ghunka from the Committee Overseers who managed the Allsa Komanae Research Committee. This surprised Jack as he thought Ghunka was reasonably honorable, if a little gruff. He hoped the Shriis weren't involved in the deep-rooted corruption.

"I am Tragett Hran of the Shriis and Security Liaison for the Grand Assembly Committee. Firstly, I'd like to apologize for the breach of security which allowed the Jool member to smuggle in the energy weapon. I will investigate to determine how this happened and ensure it cannot happen again."

Jack nodded his head forward in acknowledgment and smiled.

The Shriis continued. "I'm also concerned that you may be making yourself a focus of intrigue, placing yourself in terrible danger, yet the Tik agreed to this."

Jack chuckled as relief flooded through him for what seemed like genuine concern. He shook his head.

"I insisted. The Tik know this needs to happen. Their contract is being abused, blatantly and boldly in some cases, and the Assembly, who benefit so greatly from the tireless and generous efforts of the Tik, haven't stepped up to defend the sanctity of the contract! As a Citizen of so many worlds who depend on the Tik, I couldn't simply stand by and let this continue. It's not honorable civilized behavior."

He scanned the chamber with his eyes, willing them to accept their responsibility.

"How do you intend to make it happen. Your claims are very bold, almost unbelievable," Tragett said.

"I happen to have good and honorable friends in the Ishilon, who are unparalleled inventors. They've already proven the technology by upgrading Gates. They also share the Tik's mandate to preserve and protect life. They and the Tik will expand the range of the Assembly Member's Gates if they agree to sign the new contract. It's the right thing to do to repay the Tik for their," Jack looked toward the Yis, "unselfish efforts in everything they do for us."

"Thank you for your report and the data you preserved from the Allsa One servers. The committee will discuss this and put it to a vote," Hej-PepTishPing said.

"Thank you for your time and consideration, but be aware, regardless of the result of any secret vote, we've witnessed the Assembly's true interest, and the offer stands," Jack said, then paused. He focused once more on the Hej. "I trust the Grand Assembly Committee has sufficient proof from the information presented today of the Qui Qui Qui Team Leader's innocence? They haven't been home in over seven years. To continue to deny them this borders on cruelty. Thank you." Jack bowed.

He climbed down from the podium and slipped into the center of his security team. Bayly hugged him.

"You were very impressive!" she gushed.

Jack felt something poking him in the side from under her gown. What weapon did they let her carry? "Thank you."

"We should go. They're still pissed about how we arrived," Cha'Risa advised.

"Lead on," Jack said, following her from the vast chamber.

Once back in the outer hall, they met Livingstone and the other Tik from the Allsa One Petition Team.

They all bowed to Jack, and he returned the gesture before he was hustled down the only empty corridor leading away from the crowds gathering in the others.

"Is this the way out?" Jack asked.

Ray was once more bringing up the rear. "That's what the map says. There is a back door loading platform we can order a skimmer to pick us up from, or better, we can ask your Ishilon friends to open their Gates there. Maghadahn Security is already pissed at us, so doing it again can't make it much worse, right?"

Jack could hear the shouts of the crowds of press behind them. He wondered if it was a mistake to not meet with them now.

They were halfway down the hall when they heard a loud thump, and the crowd noise cut off from behind them. They looked back, and a bulkhead had dropped from the ceiling to seal off the route to the main hall.

Another bulkhead dropped farther down the hall, and their attention swung in that direction. Immediately a hidden door opened next to the bulkhead, and ten green-skinned assassins charged out into the hall. They were carrying knives and clubs.

Cha'Risa glanced back at Jack and the Tik. "Ray, stick with Jack, Bayly, Tito, and Rikki. Guard the rear."

Then she drew her blades as her group moved to intercept.

Bayly pulled something from her gown and surged forward to even the odds.

Before Jack could call her back, he saw nunchucks in her hand.

Who the fuck gave her nunchucks? Did she even know how to use them?

"Wait, Bayly!" Tito called out and moved to follow.

Another bulkhead slammed down between them. Tito surged forward to bump Bayly clear. The massive, armored plate struck Tito's leading edge, knocking it back and almost folding it in two. It crashed to the floor as sparks shot out from its dented chassis. A squeal issued from something inside.

"TITO!" Jack yelled as he dropped to his knees beside the mangled Tik.

Its lights were flickering weakly. He glanced at Ray in shock, then looked back at the section of hallway they were contained in.

"This isn't good," Jack whispered.

-=-

Bayly yelped as she stumbled forward and heard the wall thudding down into place just behind her. Nann tossed her a concerned look as she drew her katana. Bayly shook her head and gestured for the redhead to look toward the approaching enemy.

The nunchucks were a loan from Nann as Bayly couldn't bring her spear. These were a little shorter than the weapon she'd practiced with on Danat. They were similar to the Dannt Hecco sticks all Dannt warriors learned to wield in battle.

These were better. Made of metal and connected by a metal chain, they could be spun much faster.

Bayly rushed forward to cover Nann's left flank between her and the wall.

Her keen hearing picked up the sound of a door opening behind her, so she spun and leapt forward as the nunchucks flashed to cave in the skull of the first assassin surging out of the hidden door behind them.

She accelerated the weapons and began to create a pile of dead assassins at the doorway. She had no time to see how the others were doing as the flow of killers hadn't stopped.

She worried about Jack and Tito on the other side of the wall. Bayly wondered if she could get through that door, would it lead her back to them?

-=-

Nann was concerned about the young female trapped with them, but she couldn't spend time worrying as the killers were almost on them.

Then she heard the commotion behind her and glanced back to see Bayly decimating the green thugs trying to get behind them. She spun around in time to behead the first assassin to reach her.

Cha'Risa carved her first assailant into pieces as Maxim and Leo sent theirs flying back into the others with crushed skulls.

Then she didn't have time to watch the others as her next opponent dodged around Cha'Risa to find his head split open on Nann's sword. She kicked him free and prepared for the next.

-=-

In Jack's section of the corridor, a hidden side door opened near the far bulkhead, and a grenade was lobbed into the center of the space. Rikki threw up a shield. A fraction of a second later, a bright flash caused Rikki and Ray to drop to the floor. Tito's weak lights faded completely.

"That was a very intense EMP blast with a gravity block, Jack. Someone tried to knock us out. All of the surveillance gear in this hall is out, but our shielding protected us," Rikki said rapidly to Jack.

"Stay down, both of you. Play dead. Drop the shield unless they come out shooting. This may be the Yis," Jack fired back at Rikki, and Ray went still, too.

Jack watched the door cautiously for a second, then a hand poked out with a device held in it.

"Stay down!" Jack insisted internally as Rikki twitched.

Nothing happened with the device then it pulled back.

Two Yis stepped out into the hall to face Jack with cold stares. Their eyes flicked to the downed orbs, and one checked his device again.

"They emit no energy readings," that one said.

"You bastards better not have killed my friends. That won't end well for you." Jack snarled.

"Tik are simulacra. A mockery of life. They cannot be friends any more than this device in my hand could. They are simply things and nothing more," the Yis with the power sensor said condescendingly.

The other Yis spoke with a weary but superior tone. "Jack Danner. You are not as amusing as you are annoying and inconvenient. With your latest stunt, you've left us no alternative but to deal with you directly."

Jack could see no visible differences between the two Yis. He shook his head in apparent confusion. "I was told the Yis never did their own dirty work and always used several levels of separation to protect their anonymity." He paused, then shrugged. "That was true until Ambassador Ayn Norest got sloppy and blew his cover."

The two Yis stopped moving and looked uncertainly at Jack. "Yis don't get sloppy," the Tik-hater said cautiously. Jack continued.

"He used Rakins for assassinations. I get having them do the actual wetwork. To the Yis, they're expendable. But Ayn was an idiot and dealt directly with one as the middleman. Of course, this Rakin hired members of his own team to do the hits. They're greedy! The Rakin squad leader kept the middleman fee and the hit fee. Unfortunately for Ayn, he also kept surprisingly good records of his business with your ambassador, such as the murder of Saah Olless Tee, a Fullchowe Ambassador, and Larrs Homahoma, the Maghadahn investigator and Wallejoon citizen looking into Saah's death."

"A Rakin naming a Yis in their records is proof of nothing," one of the Yis said. The two began to move closer again.

"True, but a recording of Ayn ordering the hit on the Fullchowe Ambassador? That sounded and looked like evidence to me."

The Yis duo paused again.

"When I deliver that proof, Saah's investigation of the financial irregularities with a trade dispute will open up. I'm sure that will be the first thread leading to many more irregularities. Of course, the Maghadahn investigators I've identified as not being corrupt will be busy shining a light on the Yis' involvement in all the suspicious deaths paid for by transactions in the Yis-operated Bank of Schvexxt," Jack said, dropping yet another bombshell on them.

Internally, he sent a message to Rikki for Ray. "Let Ray know I'm only taking credit for this to get them to talk."

Rikki's response was tense. "Jack, recall what I said about playing with fire."

"If they feel cocky about their chances of containment, maybe they'll say something incriminating," Jack insisted.

"That won't be helpful if you're dead!" Rikki pushed back.

"Please, Rikki! Just be ready," Jack pleaded and felt Rikki's grudging acceptance.

"Humans truly are an arrogant race," the other Yis said coldly.

"That's rich coming from a race that believes they have the right to make decisions for the entire Assembly," Jack snorted in derision.

"The Assembly is filled with races who hadn't evolved beyond single-celled lifeforms when the Yis were reaching pinnacles these others could never hope to achieve," the Yis holding the device asserted.

"If you guys stopped manipulating the Assembly votes, perhaps some of those hopes might be achieved," Jack insisted.

"Arrogant and naïve," the second replied. "These infantile races must be controlled and guided to limit their disruptions. Your interference would have caused an unacceptable disruption—"

"Would have caused? The idea is already out there, and you saw the Assembly's response. It was overwhelming! They want the freedom the extended Gate range will give them. They want a say in their destinies. Who are the Yis to deny them?" Jack taunted.

The Yis holding the sensor shook it at him in annoyance. "The Yis were a founding member of the Assembly when the number could be counted on the fingers of one hand. The Yis defined the true rules for how the Assembly would be managed. This will not change because of your interference. Your estimation of your influence is grossly exaggerated."

The other Yis made a slashing gesture to silence his partner, then glanced at the still silent device that one was still pointing at the still Tik.

"You're pet Tik cannot help you. Your slave race of tech savants cannot use their unauthorized Gates to get to you in this shielded corridor. You have caused some minor aggravation which our vast resources will be directed to deal with. You and your claims will be discredited, and like every other hindrance, you will fade away."

Jack grinned ferally at them. "Sorry, I'm not the fading type, and you two aren't the most physically intimidating specimens."

"Typical response from such a primitive species. We would not sully our hands with a physical confrontation," the first Yis sneered as they stepped within arm's length.

Jack cocked his head at them. "If you intend to stop me from helping the Assembly throw off your shackles of control, you'll need more than an air of pompous superiority." Jack prepared to move to defend himself.

Jack spoke internally. "Hold, Rikki, Ray—uck!"

He felt his entire body suddenly lock up. He couldn't move and felt like ice was forming a shell around him.

There was a splitting sensation like a spike of pain behind his eyes, then two voices speaking in unison filled his mind. "Too late, you understand how truly weak and pathetic you are. You don't matter."

The Yis were inside his head... just like the Allsa Komanae had been. But unlike the extinct cybernetically enhanced race, the Yis had actual psychic abilities. Another fact the Yis kept secret from everyone.

This is why they'd moved so close, to invade his most private sanctum. Jack's revulsion exploded as he felt their prickly, sticky minds sliding into his. It felt like rape all over again.

"Jack? What's happening? What's wrong with your body?" Rikki asked internally.

He realized Rikki was picking up physical sensations but couldn't feel the horror of his mind being peeled open by these fucking monsters. The ice was beginning to sink into his chest, threatening to still his heart.

This was how they intended to kill him.

"Rikki... dream time, now!"

His buddy warned him he was playing with fire. There'd be a price for not heeding that warning. He clenched his teeth in a rictus grin, as he wouldn't be the only one paying.

He cast his mind back to a moment when he stood in the grey and grim slave barracks on Allsa Komanae. Standing with him was the brooding reptilian Kekk and the lovely Altarian, Stella. A short distance before Jack was First. The Allsa Komanae leader's sanity was beginning to slip, and menace radiated from the shadows filling his hood.

Jack remembered, and it came back in exquisitely realistic detail, enhanced by Rikki.

The harmonized voices of the Yis suddenly intruded. "What? What is this? Where are we?"

Jack smiled as they were inside his dream world with him.

Now it was time to truly play with fire.

First turned his back on Jack. "This is for your insolence."

Jack felt the slow-burning sensation begin at his extremities like his limbs were being consumed by fire. The Yis' icy grip was suddenly swept aside by this excruciating agony. It moved to his torso and slowly made its way to his head. This time Jack managed to contain his screams as he savagely grinned at the tortured harmony of the Yis' wail as they shared this unbearable pain. They'd sunk too deep into his mind and were trapped. Command over his muscles returned as he felt the mind rapist's control shatter.

"Please..." they begged pitifully.

Another tremor of revulsion spiked his nerves as he felt their minds squirming against his.

Jack had no mercy for rapists.

First turned his back on Jack. "This is for your insolence."

Jack felt an intense burst of terror as the Yis realized they were caught in a loop. The fire began to consume them once again.

When the Yis minds spontaneously shattered into shards, the psychic backlash stunned Jack, and he collapsed to the floor.

His nerves felt raw from the ice and flame, and a slow wave of exhaustion swept over him. As his vision faded into darkness, he saw Rikki and Ray lift from the floor.

He could relax now.

-=-

Adina and Zaina frantically scanned the exit, and there was no sign of Jack's group. They swooped down and landed on the deck before the large opening where Ray told them to meet. None of the team was responding to calls.

Suddenly, a hidden door opened next to the larger one, and three assassins poked their heads out. Zaina sniped all three with headshots as she flew forward, then dove through the opening with Adina in hot pursuit.

Yes, Zaina knew projectile weapons were illegal on Maghadahn, but how many assassins were they expected to deal with only using blades?

They reached a control room and saw a screen showing bulkhead doors had been lowered into place. There were no cameras, as it appeared the surveillance system was down.

"I'm going to open all the doors and lock this control panel," Adina said as her fingers flew over the buttons.

"Why would they build in an ambush point like this?" Zaina asked.

"Who knows how many others were taken out in this trap," Adina said.

They heard a crackle in the earpieces as the opening bulkheads broke the shielding.

"Thing-One to Fox, we're opening the corridor. Status update," Adina called.

"Kudu is unconscious and unresponsive. We have two catatonic Yis and roughly twenty-five dead Yis clones. A few minor lacerations and contusions for the squad. Tito is down. It may be dead. Rikki is investigating."

"Meet us on the platform," Adina said, and the two rushed back to the rear deck.

The sky was filled with Tik.

Adina and Zaina stopped and stared as one of the Tik came down to meet them. Its surface was dull and pitted like it had been sandblasted. It looked toward the three dead beings with obvious projectile wounds on their foreheads.

It extended a tentacle toward the twins. "Please give me your illegal weapons."

Adina traded a look with her sister then they handed their guns to the Tik. It immediately lifted into the sky and disappeared.

Three Tik separated from the cloud of Tik above and settled down to hover before the twins. One was covered in river stones, one had painted stripes in different colors, and the third had a pattern of rippled dents on its chassis.

"I am Livingstone. This is Tetris and Moo-san. You just met the fourth member of the Allsa One Petition Team, Dusty. We received an emergency distress call from Rikki-Tikki-Tavi stating that two Yis attacked Jack. We've come to protect Ambassador Danner."

Cha'Risa and her team exited the hallway onto the platform. They looked up in surprise.

Adina and Zaina immediately moved to Jack's side. They touched his face, but he didn't wake.

Rikki and Ray were supporting Jack's body with a gravity field. They gently set him down, and the others surrounded his prone body.

Adina kissed his cheek. "Papa?"

"I believe he's resting," Rikki said to her.

She nodded to Rikki and held Jack's hand as her sister took the other one.

They shared a look at each other over his chest. They hadn't protected him enough.

-=-

Rikki and Ray moved to the side with the three decorated Tik. Rikki spoke for them.

"Livingstone, Jack was attacked by two Yis who believed Ray and I were incapacitated by their EMP explosive device. They couldn't detect our energy readings in these shielded chassis. Jack asked us to play dead. We recorded the encounter and will provide you with them. Ray also has extensive evidence of their involvement in multiple murders on Maghadahn. We need you and the others to get this evidence before the Grand Assembly Committee. Jack alluded to a shadowy cabal in his presentation. During his confrontation with the Yis, they confirmed they've been manipulating the Assembly for their own needs since its inception. Regardless, I believe the Yis need to have their Gates revoked."

Livingstone looked at Jack. "How did the Yis assault the Ambassador? Yis have never exhibited any evidence of being capable of physical violence while Jack has a... reputation for being capable of defending himself... vigorously."

Rikki paused. "Based on how Jack defended himself this time with nothing more than a memory of the extreme pain inflicted upon him by the Allsa Komanae, I believe the Yis were linked to his mind and had the intent and capacity to kill him. I could sense his body locking up but couldn't feel their minds."

The Tik went silent and still. After a moment, Moo-san spoke quietly. "The Yis have psychic abilities? That... complicates things."

"There were two of them, and they didn't attack until they were in close physical proximity to Jack if that means anything. I was linked to Jack's mind but had to reduce my bandwidth to not feel the horrible agony Jack put himself through. The Yis screamed as if they were experiencing the pain as well. I couldn't detect them, but they succumbed to the mental torture Jack subjected himself to. They now appear catatonic, and I believe Jack has exhausted himself," Rikki admitted, then paused.

"One more thing. Tito was... mortally damaged by a closing bulkhead," Rikki said in a subdued tone.

Livingstone looked at the others. "We need to bring this to the attention of the Tik seniors."

Rikki reached its tentacles out and connected to each of the three Tik to share its memories of the confrontation. Ray followed up by sharing the evidence he'd collected with them as well.

"We're taking Jack back to Chuuruthia," Rikki said.

"Dusty is back at the Gate terminal. I will ask it to set a Gate to Chuuruthia. Anchor a Gate to Dusty to get there, then use the Gate it will hold for you," Livingstone said and sent Rikki the connection details.

"Thank you," Rikki said as it requested the link from Dusty.

Ray moved back to his team. "We're taking a Gate to the Terminal, then stepping through to Chuuruthia." They nodded as Ray and Rikki lifted Jack again and turned to a Gate Rikki had created.

They watched four Tik pass them with Tito's crushed chassis in their tentacles. Bayly was crying against Maxim's shoulder. She'd been devastated when she realized the push she'd received had been Tito giving his life for her.

Cha'Risa was the first one through, then everyone else followed, including the three Tik now carrying a vital message for the Tik Seniors.

Rikki was worried about how much danger the psychic Yis would cause as they were forced back to their home world.

Jack had done his part. It was up to the Tik now.

Chapter 30

One week after Jack's address to the Grand Assembly Committee and the assault against him, the Tik addressed the Grand Assembly Committee to present the evidence of the Yis' crimes against so many of the other Assembly Races. Ray and the intelligence agencies from Altaria and Callosephia had uncovered extensive proof of the Yis' criminal activities. More was surfacing as their investigations continued.

The response from the Assembly was... incendiary.

Races that'd been targeted by the Yis were out for blood, but voices came to their defense as well, claiming the evidence was manufactured to destroy the credibility of a venerable race. The Tik paid close attention to who these defenders were. As the investigation was ongoing, they'd be looking for co-conspirators, complicit in the crimes. It was also possible these vocal dissenters were just innocent dupes.

Socrates and Plato were the Tik presenting the evidence, making a rare public appearance. As the chamber slowly returned to a state of uneasy quiet, they shared a look as the last piece of evidence they were about to present had the biggest potential for disruption. But the Assembly members deserved to know.

The vast chamber went silent as Jack's face and torso appeared on the enormous screen. He had bruising around his eyes, as his sleep patterns were once more disturbed by nightmares.

In the screen's top right corner was a box displaying the events Rikki recorded in the corridor. The play-by-play view.

He glanced at the camera, which was Socrates' primary optic sensor. "You're going to show them Rikki's and Ray's memories of the attack?" he asked the Tik quietly.

"Yes, Jack, we will," Socrates returned gently, and Jack settled himself in his chair.

The Tik began. "Ambassador Danner, please describe in your own words what transpired after you left the Grand Assembly Committee Hall," Socrates' voice said.

Jack's left eye twitched, and he looked off-screen for a moment, then nodded. He looked back at Socrates.

"The two Yis separated me from my security detail in the corridor by dropping bulkhead walls from the ceiling. Rikki, Rey, and Tito were with me, but Tito was struck by a falling bulkhead and... horribly damaged. The Yis used an EMP grenade, and Rikki and Rey pretended to be incapacitated at my request so I could attempt to draw a confession from the Yis." Jack shifted in his chair uncomfortably as something went through his mind. He clenched his teeth and looked at Socrates once more.

"I spoke with them, and they eventually confessed they've been manipulating the Assembly to maintain control of it for as long as they've been members. They were moving closer, but I didn't feel threatened as they weren't physically intimidating, and I've been trained to defend myself. Once they were within arm's length, they stopped and... I-I felt them reach into my mind."

The vast chamber hummed as the sound dampeners on all the booths fought to control the outbursts from the shocked members.

Jack continued, and he frowned in discomfort at what he was being forced to disclose.

"The slave collar the Mahrell Drun designed and the Allsa Komanae attached to me let them connect to my senses. It let them feel what I felt, and they could also use it to torture me." Jack licked his lips as his mouth went dry. "With... with a direct connection to my nerves, they could inflict the most unbearable pain".

He took another deep breath. Jack's control returned. "The Yis spoke directly in my mind. Their voices were synchronized and said, Too late you understand how truly weak and pathetic you are. You don't matter." He shook his head to clear it and locked eyes on the Tik before him. "I could feel their control reaching for my heart, to freeze that muscle as well. To kill me." He twitched again and Queen Elissa's hand appeared on the screen as she touched his face. Jack's tension seemed to ease, and she pulled her hand back when he nodded. He continued.

"The Yis were psychically linked to my mind, something the Allsa Komanae did with their tech. Thei felt like glass, but the Yis minds felt sick, sticky, and horrific. In terms of pain, the Yis were rank amateurs compared to the cybernetic monsters."

Jack suddenly bared his teeth and aimed a silent snarl of rage at Socrates as he relived the rape. "They were deep inside my mind, so I called upon a time the Allsa Komanae forced me through absolute agony as punishment for disobedience. The Yis were trapped in the memory like it was real. We experienced it together. After I took them through it, I cycled the memory, starting the torture again. The Yis minds couldn't endure it and fragmented into shards. Their collapse knocked me out."

Jack glared into the lens. "The Yis have psychic abilities and use them to kill their enemies without leaving a trace."

The sound suppressors on the booths could not compensate for the uproar Jack's confession caused.

Socrates cleared the screen and posted a message on it.

"The Tik have been presented with incontestable evidence that the Yis have breached the Gate contract most grievously. We thereby revoke their Gate access. All Yis in the Gate Network without citizenship on another network world will be sent back to Yis space.

The planet of Schvexxt will also lose its Gate access for its role in the murders of Assembly citizens. All citizens of Schvexxt in the Gate Network without citizenship on another network world will be sent back to Schvexxt space."

Socrates and Plato left the podium and immediately passed through Gates created for them by the Ishilon protectors Jack assigned to return them to Chuururthia. It wasn't safe for the elders to remain on Maghadahn.

Immediately, hundreds of bright and shiny new Tik flooded through the Gates of Maghadahn. Their first task after being instantiated was to guide Yis citizens to the Gate Terminals for their banishment.

The Yis who attempted to harm their guides quickly discovered these Tik were not susceptible to EMP weapons and had strong shields to protect against other forms of attack thanks to Ishilon-designed upgrades.

The Yis were going home but not willingly... at first.

Once the news of the Yis' psychic powers leaked, paranoid panic and rage spread like wildfire amongst the worlds of the Gate Network. The Yis quickly discovered their dirty little secret made them persona non grata on most of the worlds they visited, and many had to flee to the closest Gate Terminal to escape angry mobs. Not all of them were successful, and some resorted to using their psychic abilities to kill their attackers. Video of these events fueled the hysteria and unequivocally confirmed Jack's claim that they could kill with their minds.

The Tik did what they could to rescue the remaining Yis to get them back to their space.

Ambassador Kwua made a telling discovery when his investigation identified the Yis as the lead instigators of the Anti-Tik movement on Maghadahn. Their efforts went back decades, if not centuries. He theorized that one of the Yis' reasons for attempting to discredit the Tik might have been that they were immune to psychic attacks.

It was another nail in the coffin for the Yis and a huge boost for the Tik's popularity.

The Kwua Ambassador was a good friend of the Tik and proved to be a brilliant tactician.

-=-

Yis Ambassador Ayn Norest was eventually discovered hiding in a secret room behind the walls of his office on Maghadahn. A group of Tik working on Ambassador Kwua's Hidden Gate Discovery Project found Norest when their scans discovered his secret back door.

They took the Yis Ambassador into their custody and marched him to the closest Gate Terminal.

Unfortunately, Socrates and Plato arrived at the same Gate with the Ishilon guards Jack assigned to them.

Seeing an opportunity to strike a blow for his people, Norest attempted to take over the mind of an Ishilon Warrior to have her strike down the two Tik Seniors with her deadly spear.

The moment the warrior felt the intrusion in her mind, their implant activated, triggering a defense routine.

Norest watched in terror as the Ishilon pivoted and drove the spear between his eyes.

The moment the danger was over, the Ishilon's control returned, and she gaped in surprise at the Yis dangling from her spearhead.

With every Ishilon warrior's automatic conditioning against the Mahrell Drun, they were also safe from the Yis.

This made the Ishilon very popular as well.

-=-

While the main exodus of Yis was underway, they found holdouts hidden in secret rooms on Maghadahn and tucked away on sympathetic worlds. As the Yis were too paranoid about taking citizenships of any non-Yis worlds, they had no grounds to refuse their repatriation as per the Gate contract. The worlds harboring them would eventually release them when they were notified that interfering with the legal transfer of Yis was a breach of their own Gate contract.

After months of effort, the Tik were confident that all Yis who'd traveled through a Gate had all been located and sent back to their home territory.

Two days after they made this announcement before the Grand Assembly Committee, the Tik operating the five Yis Gates sent simultaneous emergency alerts to Maghadahn, indicating the Terminals were under attack as the Yis attempted to capture them. The lead Tiks in each terminal evacuated their people but stayed behind to destroy the Gate tech. All five buildings melted into the bedrock they rested upon, and the Tik perished in the attack.

A day later, a video message from the Yis was delivered to the Grand Assembly Committee by the Hej Rloo representative, Hej-PepTishPing. They watched it on the big screen. It was an ultimatum stating that any violation of Yis space would be considered an act of war, and the Yis would unleash their fury upon the perpetrators until none lived. Their paranoia was on display.

The Yis on the screen mentioned their capture of their Gate Terminals to ensure Gate travel was also cut off. The Tik knew the terminals were destroyed, not taken, so it was clear the message had been pre-recorded as part of a coordinated event.

Once the recording ended, Socrates and Plato addressed the misinformation regarding the Gates.

-=-

During this time of upheaval in the Assembly, the Rooroovah submitted a petition before the Grand Assembly Committee for a definitive solution for Allsa One. Several races submitted proposals to take over stewardship of the planet and system, but these were immediately rejected. The planet had been in that situation for too long, and this had ended disastrously.

Jack was contacted, and he joined the meeting remotely, his face filling the enormous screen in the chamber. The Rooroovah representative put the question to him.

He didn't appear as exhausted now, but the question instantly brought a frown to his face.

"Why are you still arguing about this? None of you were impacted as greatly by the Allsa Komanae as the Harruushans! Their sun was altered by the very weapon that was almost used to destroy yours! Generations of their people had their lifespans cut short by the poisonous radiation. It's still happening! This is your chance to set that right and protect life! Let the Harruushans colonize the planet! Better yet, sign the system over to the Tik, and they will open the planet to the Harruushans. Do the right thing."

Jack went silent as he faced the representatives of the Assembly.

"Thank you, Ambassador Danner," the Rooroovah said with her musical voice. "I hereby submit the proposal to assign ownership of the Allsa Komanae's system to the Tik, who, to my knowledge, have no system of their own. This vote will be tallied by visible ballot. All in favor, turn on the lights in your booth."

The sheer number of lit booths overwhelmed those which remained dark. There was no mistaking the outcome of this vote.

"Let the record show that the decision, while not unanimous, greatly favored the proposal. We will expedite the steps for assigning ownership of the Allsa Komanae's system to the Tik. They may do with it as they like," the Rooroovah representative said.

Jack nodded and signed off.

He had some Harruushans to tell the good news to.

-=-

The Ishilon wasted no time upgrading their Gates on Callosephia and Ishah, allowing them to move directly between the two worlds. The populace of Callosephia rotated through to visit their new second home. Some would live on Ishah once their numbers had reached sufficient levels on Callosephia to allow for the migration. For now, Ishah was a work in progress as it was still very much in its raw state. Industry would be its main purpose as they had much to do.

Callosephia remained their dream world with its soft sand and breathtaking vistas.

The Tik sent close to a thousand helpers to assist the Ishilon in building their refineries for mining the asteroid belt in the Ishah system, as it became named. Raw materials began to flow into the factories they constructed on the planet's surface. Ishilon workers commuted from their homes on Callosephia to turn those raw materials into the tech they excelled at creating. Gate upgrade components soon began to stockpile in preparation for the Gate Network 2.0 project.

As this was happening, the second Ishilon ship, Ambassador, was under construction in a new space dock the Tik helped build high above Ishah. They were working from plans for Peacekeeper but incorporated the upgrades for the Gate generators.

The Ishilon and Tik were very busy.

-=-

Socrates and Plato were once more center stage presenting to the Grand Assembly Committee a map that demonstrated the new ranges for each existing Gate. Its unveiling stunned the audience. Each member could see how their worlds would immediately benefit, generating enormous interest. Extended-range Gates could reach far more destinations, including the non-upgraded Gates, but if you went to one of those, you most likely weren't getting back the same way. This made them far less desirable as destinations.

The senior Tik presented the offer to sign the Tik's Gate Contract 2.0, spearheaded by a huge consortium of ambassadors led by the Kwua, Rooroovah, and Shriis.

It outlined the need for new, transparent procedures for the administration of the Assembly. This would also mean a simpler, streamlined Assembly, a version 2.0. The largest difference would be more open communication and a complete lack of secrecy. No hidden votes or secret meetings between select members making decisions affecting others. All meetings would have a Tik presence for recording the minutes and ensuring all affected parties were aware of the decisions made.

The Tik weren't eliminating the old contract or the old Assembly rules, but if you didn't sign the new contract, you wouldn't be able to participate in the Grand Assembly Committee meetings for Gate Contract 2.0 members. Nor would you benefit from the new opportunities upgraded Gates would deliver. The Tik's rules were the same but expressed as Jack had suggested. Be a good neighbor, and the benefits would be multiple. Harm your neighbor intentionally in clearly defined ways and kiss your Gates goodbye. The loss of these extended Gates would hurt far more than before.

Members who signed the new contract could continue to deal with those who hadn't, but they could not expect the new higher level of protection.

As Jack originally said, after the Tik offer was made, there was no vote to accept it. Each Race wishing to join simply had to formally request a signing ceremony to be performed in their capital city where the original contract was signed.

As expected, the Tik received a flurry of formal requests in the following days.

The Tik were going to be exceptionally busy.

-=-

In the months after the Yis' assault, Elissa and Eve assisted with Jack's recuperation. Once he was able to sleep through the night without night terrors, he gradually returned to his usual upbeat behavior. He attributed this recovery to the fact that he was a goofball and couldn't maintain a serious attitude for any great length of time. It just wasn't in him.

He spent most of his time on Chuuruthia, with the occasional brief trips to Altaria, Callosephia, Ishah, and Chrystan to spend time with Ellisa, Sahhahr, and Tanz. His family was delighted to have him at home and healing.

Cha'Risa and her team continued to act as his informal security detail. They explained that they had no other pressing duties, but he wasn't convinced they weren't just feeling guilty for failing to protect him from the Yis. He certainly didn't hold them accountable for that and had expressed as much.

Still, Jack enjoyed having their company. Especially when everyone came to his place for parties. Leo's girlfriend Meagan was delighted to bring her band to put on a show for everyone, and the band was especially happy when Jack told them they were getting triple their going rate and a delicious meal as well. Meagan tried to refuse the offer but was quickly hushed by her very happy musicians, roadies, and security detail.

Dann and Juul let him know that the migration of Harruushans from their world to Haven, as the Tik renamed Allsa One, was underway. The new world was everything they hoped for.

Jack invited Brigg to join them for one of his parties when he learned the big Ishilon had been rotated back to Callosephia. He was thrilled at receiving the invite and even more delighted when he saw Cha'Risa was there. Her happy expression when she spotted him told Jack he'd done a good thing.

Sometime during the evening, the couple disappeared and wasn't seen until the next morning at breakfast. Everyone wore smiles that day.

During a visit with Tanz, Jack learned they'd discovered where the missing tub of brown ice cream went. Seventeen new pregnancies were registered in Boon Falls the day after his visit with the Red Bean Ice Cream (which had since become the number one flavor on Chrystan).

Apparently, Botany Ice Cream didn't go stale though it did form an ice crust. Tyg and Lyn asked Jack to ensure the brown ice cream was never sent to Chrystan as it was too dangerous.

He also learned that Tyg's widowed uncle was marrying again. This time to Neri, the sister of the South View resort owner. Tyg was getting a new cousin, too!

Jack sent his best wishes to the new couple.

While at home on Chuuruthia, Jack dedicated much time to teaching Bayly everything he knew about the general practices of being an ambassador. He also gave her specific details about the different races he'd worked with in the Assembly and how he'd adapted his skills to learn how to be an ambassador with each of them. She was an excellent student, and this kept his promise to Mara.

During their sessions, Bayly noted that his emotions were much easier to pick up than before he was assaulted by the Yis. He wasn't sure how to feel about that. He wondered if he should have Jinnae run some additional tests.

Rikki contacted Malena, the xenobiology student on Maghadahn, and arranged for her and some friends to visit Jack on Chuuruthia. She arrived with Freeda, Kerra, and Sooka, as they'd never been to Chuuruthia either.

Jack spent the day answering questions, and Rikki made a few scans of Jack for her. He suggested she contact Jinnae on Altaria to see if the doctor might be willing to share some of the data she'd gathered over the years.

He did ask her not to divulge any personal and private information about his loved ones for their protection. Malena fully understood and promised not to publish such information.

Maxim was thrilled to see Freeda, and they quickly found somewhere else to be.

Sooka and Bayly spent hours talking on the patio. The Krreegah was fascinated to learn about the Rakka, the Dannt's reactions to them, and how Bayly controlled her instinctive reactions around her. As xenopsychology was her field of study, she was excited about doing a research paper on this. She asked if Bayly thought she might be allowed to come to Danat to do some fieldwork to gather more data. She also wanted to learn how the Krreegah regressed and collect eyewitness accounts of the Rakka's behavior.

When Sooka learned Bayly was returning home, she asked if she could join her. If the Queen said she wasn't welcome on the planet, Sooka could take a Gate back to her world to do research from there.

Bayly was hesitant to make any promises as this sounded like something Queen Mara would have to agree to. She asked Jack to send the question to Mara through his Tik friends.

Jack suggested she request an interview with CamCam and Ulooru as they had recordings of the feral Krreegah on the downed spacecraft, which they used as their nest before its destruction.

Days later, Jack received a response from Mara stating Sooka could visit, but she must always have a pair of Dannt guides with her to ensure her people weren't traumatized.

Bayly passed that message along to Sooka, who was thrilled and excited to begin. Bayly let her new Krreegah friend know she would contact her when it was time.

-=-

Jack was with Elissa when their daughter, Amelia, was born. She was named in honor of Jack's aunt. He'd never met his mother's sister or any of his limited extended family, but his mom had spoken of Amelia when he was young, and his new daughter was also fair and brought her to his mind. Her fur was a light cream color with tan accents, and she was born smiling!

SennLann's pregnancy was serene, and the birth of the twin girls happened in the hospital this time, not on an apartment balcony. Jinnae was thrilled to capture every moment. Adina and Zaina were present to see their sisters born and were given the honor of choosing their names. They selected Callista and Nefertiti. Jack was the first to note the infants seemed to be sharing their perceptions as their older sisters did. He ensured they shared an incubator and remained calm and healthy.

Sahhahr's eggs hatched on Ishah after incubating in the hot rough sand for the expected time. The infants surprised their mother with the red tones in their scales. The chemical makeup of the planet's sand shifted the tone of their coloration from blue-green to violet-red. Very distinctive! They were all healthy, and Sahhahr was delighted with Jack for her new brood. It was very time-consuming to raise twenty-four newborn Ishilon, but she had a lot of help! Jack got to bond with them from day one, but even he felt overwhelmed by the sheer number.

-=-

Jack noted that over this period of celebrating new life, Rikki was beginning to pull back and become quieter. It was not overly chatty to begin with, but something seemed to be on its mind that was making it uncomfortable. Finally, Jack could wait no longer and took Rikki for a little walk across the valley to visit the rebuilt cottage on the opposite hillside one late afternoon.

He sat under a huge tree and pointed in front of him so Rikki would move into view.

"Something is on your mind, Rikki. I can tell it's upsetting you, and I need you to share it," Jack said gently.

Rikki was quiet for a moment. "I hadn't realized I was exhibiting any signs of this."

Jack smiled and nodded. "I'll admit I can be as oblivious to the signs as the next guy when it comes to picking up clues from the behavior of others, especially with how busy we've been over the past months, but looking back over that time, I can see a pattern. You're distancing yourself. Why?"

Rikki sighed as it seemed almost relieved.

"I was trying to prepare myself for when Hemmarr resolved the issue with the sensory harness. When a drone has sufficient bandwidth to sustain a permanent disconnect from your collar. When I'm not connected to you anymore," it finished quietly.

Jack looked at Rikki cautiously. "Is... is this something you want? Do you want to leave?"

"I-I didn't say that, but we both knew this wasn't supposed to be permanent. We weren't supposed to be chained together forever," Rikki said.

"Ah, I see," Jack said quietly. "I didn't know that's how you felt."

"I felt?" Rikki asked.

Jack dipped his face. "I know I can be a clown sometimes, and I'm too reckless. I tend to leap in with both feet when a more cautious approach would be smarter. I also seem to be a gravity sink for trouble. I never meant to drag you into danger, and I'm so sorry about Paris and Allsa Komanae—"

"Jack! Why are you apologizing?" Rikki exclaimed in confusion.

It was Jack's turn to be confused, and he looked at the Tik closely. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been forced to sacrifice yourself... twice!" Jack returned. "I understand why you're looking for a gentle way to say you want to leave!"

Rikki made a gasping noise in surprise. "I never said I wanted to leave! I know I've been an intrusion on your life—"

"Wha—When did I ever say you were an intrusion! I've never—"

"Come on, Jack! When Taggart first asked you to have me connect to your collar—"

Jack rocked back in shock. "Oh my god, Rikki! Of course, back then, it was a shock! I was being asked to let another living being, a stranger at that time, share my most personal sensations!" Jack froze. "Do you think I still feel that way?" he asked slowly.

Rikki was quiet for a moment as it examined Jack's expression. "You don't?"

"No! When I lost you, especially the second time, I was miserable! I've come to depend on you, like my dearest, most dependable friend, but I understand if you feel I'm being too clingy—"

It was Rikki's turn to make an exclamation in shock. "Clingy? I never said that or thought it!"

Jack looked at Rikki seriously. "I don't want you to go. Even when Hemmarr perfects the sensor thingy, and you have a drone that lets you disconnect for as long as you want, I want you to stay. I mean, I'd love for you to stay. I wouldn't force you if you really wanted to leave but know this. I don't think you're a burden, and I love being able to share my life with you!" Jack paused and held up a finger to make a new point. "Granted, once the new drone is built, I expect you to disconnect when I have intimate relations with my loved ones."

He waited for Rikki's answer.

Rikki was stunned. "I-I thought... You want me to stay? To remain connected to your collar and senses?"

"Yes, Rikki. I want you to stay. I'm fine with you being connected to my senses. I mean, outside of the intimate times," he clarified.

"I don't know what to say. I'm extremely grateful, and if you'll have me, I'll continue to be your buddy," Rikki said sincerely.

Jack grinned in relief. "Thank you, Rikki! I'd hug you, but that would likely hurt!"

Rikki extended a tentacle, and Jack gripped it. "This will have to do," Rikki said.

A flash of orange afternoon sunlight off the side of a Tik racing across the sky toward his home drew Jack's eyes upward. They saw the Tik settling down on Jack's patio, then rise back up and rush across the valley straight toward them.

Jack's smile faded. "Something's up." He recognized the band on the Tik's chassis and knew it was KeeKee.

"Jack! We need your assistance immediately at the Enclave!" Taggart's assistant said as it rapidly came to a stop before him.

He stood, and Rikki created a Gate, gesturing for Jack and KeeKee to pass through it.

They found themselves standing in Taggart's lab in the heart of the Enclave. Socrates and Plato were resting comfortably on the workbench charging, but Jack noted three small red lights blinking slowly on Socrates' chassis.

He moved forward. "Are you okay?"

"It seems I've reached the end of a very long and experience-filled life. While my body has served me exceptionally well over that vast span of time, it's no longer able to continue," the senior Tik stated calmly.

Rikki moved closer. "Have you not asked Jack for his assistance?"

Jack looked at Rikki with a raised brow. "Assistance?"

"There wasn't a good time," Socrates mumbled.

Hemmarr walked into the lab with three black drones following her as she carried a remote. She looked at everyone in surprise. "What's happened?" she asked.

Jack was frowning in confusion. "Good time for what?"

Plato gasped in annoyance. "There is never a good time unless you make one!" It turned to Jack. "May we preserve our minds in your collar so we can transfer them to new drones when Hemmarr resolves the harness issue?"

"I have!" she said with a smile.

Everyone looked at her in surprise, and she nodded. "Just this week! It was an idea my Shadeem gave me. The new harness gives seventy-five percent of Tik's required bandwidth. He said if they had two harnesses, it would be one-hundred-and-fifty percent."

Taggart spoke up. "Sensory harnesses utilize a single channel stream."

"Unless you multiplex three of them!" Hemmarr exclaimed with a grin.

Taggart froze. Everyone froze except Jack, who was lost in the tech talk.

He looked from face to face, but no one spoke. "That's a good thing, right?" Jack asked in silence.

Taggart spoke hesitantly. "It's never been successfully done before. How much..."

"Roughly, the max throughput is two-hundred-and-five percent, but it can be adjusted to reduce the bandwidth to your current norm for comfort. It's completely adjustable," Hemmarr added with a grin.

"How much space is required for three harnesses and the multiplexer?" Taggart asked once it got over its shock.

Hemmarr nodded. "Surprisingly little. These drones are outfitted with them and have all the new features." She suddenly noticed Rikki. "Oh! I'm sorry, Rikki. I wasn't expecting you here!"

Rikki picked up pretty quickly what she meant. "These are spares in case I suffer another fatality?"

She nodded with a guilty look toward Jack.

"This was before I knew your feeling about coming back a third time, Rikki. I wanted to make sure you wouldn't have to wait. These aren't required now," Jack explained.

"Except they are, for Socrates and Plato," Rikki said.

The lights went on in Jack's eyes. "Ah! Right!" He faced the seniors. "You could have just asked," Jack said, looking closely at Socrates. "Are you ready?"

It took a moment, then sighed. "Is anyone truly ready?"

Jack smiled at the senior and took a seat where Taggart indicated. The Tik physician/scientist made preparations to connect Jack's collar.

"Wait!" Rikki suddenly said, and everyone looked at it. "There's already a Tik preserved in your collar," Rikki confessed.

Jack looked at Rikki in surprise. "What—Tito?" he suddenly guessed.

"Yes. I-I'm sorry, Jack. I couldn't stop myself from transferring it to your collar when I realized Tito was dying. You were unconscious, so I couldn't ask you, and there was no time." Rikki went quiet for a moment. "You know how I felt about my rebirth. After I transferred Tito, I had a crisis of conscience. I'm not sure I should have done it, but it was there and safe as I may be someday."

Socrates spoke up. "Rikki, it's okay. Your powerful drive to save lives makes you a glowing example to all Tik."

Jack nodded in agreement. He looked to the seniors. "Wasn't Tito young? I think it deserves a second chance."

"Indeed, it does," Socrates said kindly.

"There are only three chassis and four Tik who need them," Plato said, and four little red lights appeared on its chassis.

"You old fool! You've been hiding your warning lights?" Socrates shouted in frustration.

Plato focused on its friend. "Preserving you was more critical."

Rikki held up some tentacles in a calming gesture. "I don't need to move from this body for now. Tito can have the one reserved for me," Rikki said.

"I will make another," Hemmarr insisted.

"Let's get Tito into its new body!" Jack said, and Taggart and Hemmarr moved to make their preparations.

"Rikki, you'll need to speak to Tito when it's reborn. I'm going to be occupied with the old farts," Jack said, and they heard sounds of indignation from Socrates and Plato as Jack grinned.

"I'm teasing!" he insisted with a smile.

"KeeKee, be ready with the wet sponge, please," Taggart said as they were ready.

Hemmarr connected one of the new drones to Jack's collar. "Rikki, you might wish to disconnect while we do this."

"Going to the drone," it said.

"Ready?" Taggart asked.

"Yup," Jack responded, and KeeKee squeezed the sponge to collect the cool water as it tipped forward in a nod.

"Transferring-UH," Taggart said and dropped the tiny distance it had been hovering above the workbench next to Socrates and Plato. Its lights went out as usual.

Jack looked at Rikki. "Do you know how old Tito was?"

"I don't. Taggart might," Rikki responded.

"Mmmmzzz, ahhh. Data stream nominal," the Tik scientist said.

"Taggart, Tito was young, right?" Jack asked.

"Oh, yes. Maybe fifty years?" it replied distractedly.

At the ten-minute mark, Jack noted the transmitter link was getting a little warm. He was about to let KeeKee know when the new drone rose in the air. "BAYLY!" Tito shouted.

"It's okay, Tito! She's safe. You saved her. All is well," Rikki insisted as it rose with Tito.

"Where am I? Why do I feel so different?" it asked in wonder.

"I'm so sorry, Tito, your old body was crushed under a closing bulkhead wall. You weren't going to survive, so I copied you into Jack's collar."

"Copied? I'm a copy?" Tito asked quietly.

"You are no less Tito Bandito than you were in your original Tik body. You are the one and only Tito," Rikki insisted as Jack did for it.

"But I'm not the same one," Tito said.

"No, you aren't. But you have no less right to live, to grow, to be. Your potential remains," Rikki assured it.

Tito focused on Rikki. "You've experienced this odd dichotomy."

"Twice. It's significantly harder the second time. I won't do it again, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue, and I will remain Jack's friend until the end," Rikki admitted.

Tito turned its focus on Jack. "Thank you, Mr. Danner."

"My pleasure, Tito, and call me Jack!" he said. He looked at the seniors. "If I'm reading the warning lights correctly, I think Plato needs to go first."

"Yes, it's more critical," Taggart said.

"No, Socrates must go first! The Tik need it more than me!" Plato argued.

"Sorry, Plato, but you two are a matched set. The Tik need you both, and you're in more imminent need than your friend. We'll protect you both. Now, get in my collar!"

Socrates snorted in amusement, a mannerism it no doubt picked up from one of Jack's experience files.

"Please, old friend. Do this for me."

Plato was silent as it looked at Socrates. "Old fool," it finally grumbled. It looked at Taggart. "Do it—Wait! I don't want to meet myself, so once I'm in Jack's collar, do I let go after the transfer?"

"Let's get you in the collar first. This is the first time a Tik with your years and experience has tried to do this," Taggart muttered. It looked at KeeKee and pointed to the receiver link. "This one may get hot from prolonged use. Be ready if Jack experiences discomfort."

Without further ado, Rikki explained to Plato how to link to the collar and dive into its storage. Plato went quiet as the transfer began. Taggart monitored the collar's capacity and made satisfied sounds.

"KeeKee, the link is getting a little too warm," Jack said with a wince, then sighed as the cool water was pressed against the link.

"That improves the throughput as well. We should look at making a heatsink for both the transmitter and the receiver links," Taggart suggested.

Jack fixed an eye on the scientist. "How often do you think we'll be doing this?" he asked in exasperation.

"Ah. Right," it replied quietly.

After forty minutes, Jack was becoming worried for Rikki. "How much longer do you think this will take? Rikki needs to return from the drone."

Tito raised a tentacle. "If I might? My sensory bandwidth is crazy fast. I have room to spare if Rikki wants to share my perceptions."

Taggart spoke up. "Yes, that would be a good idea, and someone get more cool water for KeeKee's bucket."

Rikki connected to Tito's drone, and soon, Jack heard it sigh. "Thank you, Tito, Jack. I was reaching my limit. This drone is exceptional! The sensory feed is perfect!"

Taggart smiled. "This means you can permanently disconnect from Jack!"

"But it doesn't have to and won't," Jack insisted.

The scientist looked at Jack in surprise. "What? Why?"

"Because I need Rikki. It's my friend, and I need its support. We've already had a discussion about this. Rikki can leave if it wants to, but if it's willing to stay, I'd really like it to remain with me. We make a hell of a team!" Jack said firmly.

"But the drone—" Hemmarr said in exasperation.

"We definitely needed the drones! Rikki needs to be independent of my collar on demand, but that doesn't mean it has to leave my side. Socrates and Plato needed new bodies, and Tito can live on to complete its goals. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and profoundly important! Thank you Hemmarr and Taggart! You continue to exceed our grandest dreams!"

Jack held out his hands to hold Taggart's tentacle and Hemmarr's hand. "We are deeply in your debt!" he said sincerely.

"Thank you both and your teams!" Rikki said.

Tito added its voice. "I back that sentiment as well. I'm delighted to be here today."

They went back to waiting as Plato continued to stream its consciousness into the collar.

They had no idea how long it would take, but they'd give it the time it needed.

-=-

"Jack? It's done."

He blinked his eyes as he woke on the chair in Taggart's lab. The lights were dimmed, and Hemmarr was waking as well.

Jack looked around for something to indicate the time.

"It's been fourteen hours," Rikki said from where it rested a short distance away.

"Wha... how did I sleep for that long?" Jack asked groggily.

Rikki dipped slightly. "I don't know, but we monitored you very closely, and you showed no distress, just peaceful delta waves. Did you dream?"

Jack tried to recall, but there was nothing. "I don't think so. Wow, that was a deep sleep!" He rubbed his eyes.

He noticed an odd sensation along the back of his neck and touched his collar as it felt a little cool. His fingers touched a soft gel pillow his neck was resting against. The pad was very cool to the touch.

"Heatsink?" he asked, and Taggart nodded.

"Rikki's suggestion. It works better than wet sponges," the scientist noted.

"Is Plato all there?" Jack asked.

"There is only one way to tell. Load it into another body," Taggart responded. The slowly pulsing red lights on Plato's side were joined by a fifth.

"Not a minute too soon," Plato grumbled. "Tell my next self to lighten up, okay?"

The five lights stopped pulsing, and a deep click sound came from within its body. All the lights dimmed, and Plato was gone.

"See you soon, old friend," Socrates said softly.

The other room occupants paused for a moment of silence then Taggart and Hemmarr got busy preparing to connect a new drone to Jack.

Jack frowned at Taggart. "Are you sure you need to be in the collar for the transfer to work? I know you're just repeating the pattern you did for Rikki's initial transfer, but what function does your abrupt disconnect have other than scrambling your brain for a few seconds?"

Taggart sighed. "We can study alternate methods after we preserve our seniors."

Jack agreed with a nod. He glanced at KeeKee, who maintained the coolant feed through the small gel pillow. "Are you ready, Jack? Would you like some food?" the Tik asked.

Jack winced as he felt his body protest his inactivity. His bladder let him know it needed attention.

He sat up and then got to his feet. "I don't suppose there's a bathroom nearby."

"I prepared for this contingency," Rikki said.

Jack looked for Tito, but it wasn't in the room. "Who are you connected to?" he asked.

"I'm borrowing the sensory feed from the spare drone. Two-hundred-percent throughput is a rush, but you can't do it for long periods. Tito is waiting on your patio. I'll open a Gate next to it so you can refresh yourself at home and return directly."

The mirror surface snapped into place behind Rikki.

"I'll be right back!" Jack said as he squeezed his legs together and rushed through the Gate.

Jack collided with Bayly, who was standing on the patio. She squeaked happily, then hugged him tight.

"Thank you for saving Tito!" she cried.

"Bayly! No problem, but let go! I'm going to pee myself!" Jack said desperately.

She jumped back with a grin, and he hobbled away as quickly as he could with his knees together.

He rushed inside and held up a finger to his family, who rushed to see what the noise was about. He danced from foot to foot as he spoke quickly. "I never got dinner last night, I missed breakfast, and I'll miss lunch and dinner today. Could someone make me a few meals to go, please?" Eve and Diana nodded and rushed into the kitchen as Jack ducked into the closest bathroom and finally found relief.

When he exited, a collection of his family was waiting in the hall. He led them into the kitchen so he could speak to everyone at once.

"What happened to you last night?" Eve asked.

"Rikki and I were called to the Tik enclave. Socrates and Plato are reaching the end of their lifespan. We're transferring them to new chassis by first moving them to my collar. It takes a long time as they've lived so long. Rikki saved Tito in my collar, so we got it into a new drone first. Then we copied Plato into my collar. He passed this morning after the copy was made," Jack said. "I have to get back soon as Socrates' body is failing, and I still have to transfer Plato into the new drone."

Diana and Eve rushed over to him and handed him several food containers. He stuffed them into a carry bag SennLann gave to him.

Jack kissed her, then Diana, Eve, and the others before rushing outside.

He kissed Bayly and stepped back through the Gate.

Taggart and Hemmarr looked at him questioningly.

"I'm ready! Let's do it!" Jack said as he held up his feed bag.

Rikki snorted.

-=-

It took twelve hours to transfer Plato into the new drone. There were some tense moments after the transfer was completed when there was no activity from the drone.

"Plato? Old friend?" Socrates called out.

"Old? I feel young!" Plato's voice said from the black hovering orb. It was quiet for a moment. "I now understand what you meant about the feeling/knowing dichotomy, Rikki. Seeing my old self there, like I'm just resting, is... disturbing."

"Your old self had a message for you," Rikki said. "Lighten up."

Plato burst into laughter, and Jack couldn't help but grin at Rikki.

"It's your turn, Socrates. But first, I need another bathroom break and a food run," Jack said as he hopped to his feet, grabbed his food bag and containers, and dashed through Rikki's Gate.

-=-

They had a scare with Socrates as a fourth red light appeared on his chassis just before they started the transfer. Twelve hours into the streaming, a fifth light appeared but flashed very slowly. Taggart was seriously worried as the data stream also slowed. It took three additional hours before the streaming stopped.

The ancient Tik breathed a sigh of relief. It had been clinging to life through sheer willpower alone. "Tell the new me, be patient with the new old fool." Plato was at its friend's side, listening and made a small, sad sound.

Then it was gone.

Taggart gently disconnected the Tik and itself from Jack's collar. "I-I think it worked. If we follow Plato's example, it will likely take a little more than fourteen hours to do the transfer."

Jack was exhausted and nodded wearily. "I need to sleep. I'm going to go home, get something to eat, use the bathroom, then sleep. Give me until ten or eleven tonight. I'll return, and we'll move Socrates to the new drone. Does that sound okay?"

"Yes, Jack. I think we could all use a rest," Taggart agreed.

Rikki opened a Gate, and they went through. Bayly was stretched out on a lounge chair, soaking in some sun and resting. Tito hovered nearby, absorbing the rays to charge. Jack nodded to it, placed his hand on Bayly's tummy, and felt movement from the twins inside.

Bayly opened her eyes to look up at Jack with a smile. "Are you done?"

Jack wearily shook his head. "One more session to get Socrates into its new body, then I'm done." He shook his head. "I don't know why sitting still so long is so draining! I need to eat, take a shower, and get some rest. I'm going back tonight." He smiled. "How much longer for these little ones to make an appearance?"

"Two more months," she sighed.

"We're returning to Danat so you can spend the last month at home. We'll also get to be there for the birth of Mara's babies. The reports from Juju and TkaTken say everything is progressing well for her, too. She's been very busy but gets enough rest to ensure the babies aren't stressed." That news brought a smile to Bayly's face.

"I understand we'll be bringing Sooka with us," Jack said.

Bayly nodded but patted Jack's hand. "You're falling asleep on your feet. Head inside."

He bent down and kissed her, and she grinned back at him as he stood to go.

Once inside, he got cleaned up, ate, set an alarm, and tucked himself under the covers of his bed. His body clock was getting all messed up.

-=-

It was another gruelingly long session to transmit Socrates into its new drone, but thirteen and a half hours later, Jack smiled at the two new drones containing the old Tik.

"I see one problem with this. There's no way to tell which one of you is which? Your old bodies had distinct wear marks. The black orbs are too identical!" Jack sighed.

Hemmarr had a suggestion. "The lenses on the outer surface can show light as well as absorb it. Use some to display a symbol to represent your name."

Plato made a rude sound. "The Tik don't use a written language, nor do we use symbols."

"Jack, as we were named by Humans, what do the first letters our names look like in your language?" Socrates asked.

Jack gestured for the two Tik, and immediately, they had letters appearing on their black orbs. Jack forced back a surprised snort of amusement when he saw one with 'S' and the other with 'P'.

"What?" Socrates asked indignantly.

Jack waved a hand. "No, I'm sorry. I should have remembered that this was a bad idea. This is something that might only be funny to someone from Earth."

Plato made an annoyed sound. "What's humorous about it?"

Jack clamped down on his amusement. "Sorry. It's just... you look like huge salt and pepper shakers."

"Like what?" Socrates asked in confusion.

Jack was beginning to regret not controlling his immediate reaction. There had to be a way back from this. "Salt and pepper are food condiments served in paired dispensers found in many places on Earth. That said, you deserve something better." He did a quick search on his comm. "Socrates and Plato were respected philosophers from one of Earth's ancient civilizations." He frowned as he thought about using other characters. "Maybe using symbols will get you in trouble as who knows what they mean in someone else's language." He spotted an image and showed Socrates a picture of a bust of his namesake.

The letter disappeared from the surface of Socrates' chassis, and an outline drawing of the picture appeared.

"Hey! You're good at that!" Jack said with a grin.

There was a pause then the cartoonish face turned to look at Jack. "Do you think so?" it said.

Jack laughed and clapped with delight, though the sound-to-mouth movement wasn't very synchronized. "That's pretty close. Work on syncing the mouth movements to the sounds, and you're there." Jack thought about it. "This may be a really good idea as it makes the ominous black orbs far less intimidating!"

"Show me a picture of Plato," Plato insisted, clearing the letter from its surface.

Jack did the search and faced his comm toward the Tik.

Moments later, a white line sketch of the Greek philosopher was on the surface, but it was far more detailed than Socrates', which made it less clear.

"Drop the detail down to just the outlines for clarity," Jack suggested.

With a grumble, Plato did, and Jack's smile returned. "Much better!"

"These are distinct enough from each other to be recognizable?" Plato said, but his drawn mouth was a floppy circle that opened and closed loosely.

Jack stifled a giggle and nodded. "Yes, but you might also want to work on the mouth movements to get them closer to a real mouth. Still, this is a massive improvement."

Socrates made the eyes blink slowly, and Jack grinned with a nod.

"I don't think I want to use the face of a mongoose for me," Rikki said.

"Your chassis can do this too?" Jack asked in surprise.

Rikki displayed two round white rings for eyes and a line for a smile.

Jack nodded. "That works well! I guess you only need it when you're talking to someone, so they have a face to focus on."

Hemmarr was smiling at them with a proud expression, so Jack walked closer to her and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, Hemmarr, for all your amazing efforts for the Tik. You've gone above and beyond all expectations! I'm so proud of you!"

When he pulled back, Hemmarr's eyes were shiny with unshed tears of joy. "Thank you, Shadeem! I should have a new chassis for Rikki next week."

"He's not doing a collar transfer, right?" Jack confirmed.

"No, we should be able to just move his existing sentience containment unit into the new chassis. If there are any issues, we can move him back and try again once we resolve them.

Additionally, with the new multiplexed sensory harnesses, the issue of tactile sensory desynchronization should be eliminated. Tik who've suffered radiation burns to their chassis should be able to migrate to new bodies with the new harness," she said.

"Improving Tik lives again!" Jack said with a proud smile, and Hemmarr shook her head with an embarrassed grin.

Socrates moved forward to extend a tentacle to hold Hemmarr's hand. "We are deeply grateful for everything you have done for us, Hemmarr." Then it turned to Jack. "And you as well, Jack! You have proven to be the greatest of our champions, and the Tik are in your debt."

Jack nodded and glanced at Rikki. A thought popped into his head, and he turned back to the seniors. "I just remembered I was waiting for the answer to something I asked Rikki to ask you about." He frowned. "Shit, now I feel bad for not following up sooner. It's been so long!" He focused on Socrates' new face.

"Aside from approving the Gate upgrade plan, Rikki didn't ask us anything," Plato said.

"I'm sorry, Jack. I was... too distracted at the time," Rikki admitted. "We were just about to present the evidence at the Grand Assembly Committee."

"Ah, okay. Well, no time like the present. Can you show Socrates and Plato what I shared with you from the planet you dumped me on?"

"Dumped you—" Rikki started, then caught Jack's smile.

Rikki sighed and extended two tentacles to the senior Tik, who linked up. It then shared Jack's memories.

Jack felt worse as he wondered how long it had been since Grenville saved them in that meeting room. Was he being held in the collection that face on the monitor mentioned? Had he gotten free?

When the pictures on the surfaces of the drones suddenly vanished, Jack looked carefully at the seniors as they disconnected from Rikki.

"I'm sorry, Jack. We can't help you with this," Socrates said with a subdued voice.

"Can't help? You don't recognize the world or the race connected to that face?"

"No," Plato said, and Jack frowned as that wasn't clearing up his question.

"No, you don't recognize the world or the face?" he said to get clarity.

"We can't help you. The memories were erased," Socrates admitted.

Rikki and Jack looked at each other. Jack realized he appreciated Rikki's new cartoon face as it really did make it feel like he was facing his friend. "Wait! Wait... erased? Tik don't erase memories," he insisted.

"Without recognizing them, how do you know they were erased?" Rikki asked.

Socrates sighed. "We must regretfully decline to assist you any further on this. We... are not allowed to follow that thread. Rikki, you are forbidden to share those images with any other Tik to protect all Tik."

Jack was stunned. "What—"

"Please, Jack. Don't ask us for any more on this. It's gone. Let it go," Plato insisted and left. After a second, Socrates followed.

Jack was left standing with Rikki, stunned. He looked at Taggart. "Do you have any idea what that was about?"

The scientist stared at the exit and turned his primary optic to face Jack. "Not a clue. Invoking the protection rule was... well, it's the first time I've seen it done."

Jack turned to Rikki. "What does it mean?"

"It means what he said. I can't pass along those memories you shared with me to any other Tik," Rikki said.

Jack was floored. This behavior was so un-Tik-like he was baffled, and from the uncomfortable silence, he'd better ease some minds.

"Okay. So... I have no other means to proceed, so this gets a bookmark until another avenue presents itself. I won't risk the Tik on something the leaders felt necessary to erase."

He noticed the remaining Tik in the room began unconsciously moving more freely. That protection rule had teeth. He'd have to be careful with future attempts to investigate. The Tik couldn't be part of it.

"Let's go home, Rikki. Thank you again, Taggart, Hemmarr!" Jack waved at the team, and they waved back.

"Should I open a Gate?" Rikki asked with a subdued voice.

"Sure, Buddy."

The mirror appeared, so Jack stepped through to find himself on the patio next to his home, and Tito was there.

"Oh! Rikki! You've added a face! But... why are you frowning?" Tito exclaimed.

"I'm unable to help Jack find Grenville. Socrates ordered me not to share the visual evidence."

"It's okay, Rikki. There will be other avenues. Please don't worry about it," Jack said gently. He wasn't giving up but didn't want Rikki to suffer.

He glanced at Tito and stifled a snort of amusement. It was experimenting with different faces, and most were... not appropriate. "If you are looking for inspiration and want to celebrate Mexican culture, why not try a Day of the Dead motif?" he suggested.

"Ah! That would be fun!" Tito said.

Jack nodded and went inside.

He needed cuddles from his family, and from the smiles he saw, they were happy to give them.

Chapter 31

The Ambassador passed majestically through the massive Gate above Danat without pomp or ceremony on its maiden voyage. Roughly two-thirds the size of its sister-ship, Peacekeeper, the Ambassador was designed to present a slightly less intimidating appearance. However, as it mirrored the visual impact of the other ship in everything but size, the only time the light-absorbing behemoth looked less daunting was when it was next to Peacekeeper.

It wasn't equipped with stasis chambers as Peacekeeper was, so the extra space was used for carrying supplies JuJu and TkaTken reported were in short supply on the Dannt's three worlds.

Standing on the bridge beside Captain Norress, Jack smiled at the crew enjoying their first mission. Jack hadn't realized Norress was in Lorrem's officer's training program. How acting as a guide for the Shadeem had assisted in his training was a mystery to Jack.

Jack shook his head slightly as calling this an official visit felt somewhat dishonest. He needed to bring Bayly back to her world and be there for the birth of her children and Mara's. The babies needed to be born on Danat. There was no official diplomatic mission other than that.

He needed to speak with Mara about his role as a father when all he could do was visit. He needed to confirm how this would impact his Dannt children's lives. That thought had been weighing heavily on his mind as of late. He's received assurances from Bayly, but Mara had been caring for her people for much longer, so he'd feel better hearing it from her perspective.

This visit, he wasn't going alone. Diana and Adam were with him, as was Eve, SennLann and their new twins.

Gee and Bal insisted on joining him as they were sufficiently healed. He'd been incredulous when he spotted the overpowered personal skimmers they'd brought. He recalled his little... explosion.

"Are you kidding me?" he gasped as the Altarians stood in the ship's passage with the two oversize antigrav units purring powerfully behind them.

"We understand you enjoy running on Danat, and no one could keep up with you. We can, with these," Gee replied reasonably.

Jack stared at them in shock. "Don't you remember how you fell off the last ones you brought here?"

Bal waved away that concern. "If you fall off the cow, you get back on."

"Horse! The phrase is fall off the horse, not cow!" Jack exclaimed.

Gee frowned. "I'm sure we saw men riding cows on that show—"

Jack shook his head in exasperation. "That was a rodeo, and those were bulls, not cows!" he growled.

Bal looked at Gee. "Are bulls not cows?"

"No! They're both cattle but bulls are male, and cows are female!" Jack insisted.

"They ride the males and milk the females. Though, there was that one show where they milked a bull," Bal recalled with a smile.

"WHAT?" Jack asked in shock.

Gee shook her head wearily. "Earth culture is so bizarre." The Altarians nodded to each other and continued on their way to stow their overpowered flying machines.

Jack pulled his mind back from that before his annoyance showed on his face.

His physician Jinnae was also with them. She'd taken a sabbatical at the hospital as she stated she wanted to monitor the Phem Kalos twins. She also asked Jack to introduce her to Queen Mara and to ask if she could assist with the birth. He said he'd see how Mara felt about that, but he couldn't promise anything.

Norress caught Jack's attention. "We're in orbit above Queen Mara's village and notified the surface Tik we've arrived. Juju is responding," he said. "Local time is early evening in the village."

"Thank you, Captain. Let's hear what it has to say," Jack said with a smile.

"Greetings, Ambassador. On behalf of Queen Mara of the Dannt, welcome to Danat."

"Greetings, Juju! Are we clear to come down to the village?"

"Ambassador Danner! Yes, of course!" Juju said excitedly.

Jack smiled. "We also have your supplies, so once we come down, you can tell us where we should deliver them."

That's excellent news! Oh! The Queen is here—"

"Jack? Is that you?" Mara's voice came through a little loudly as she called out eagerly.

"Yes, Mara. I'm back, and I've brought along some people who wish to meet you—"

"Can I meet them tomorrow? I really need to see you!" she said urgently.

Jack suppressed a smile. "Yes, of course. I'll be right down."

"Thank you, Jack!"

"Rikki, can you give me a Gate to Juju's location?" he asked.

"Juju is giving me permission to anchor to it. Here's your Gate. Should I disconnect?" the Tik asked.

Jack nodded. "Yes, you'd better give me until we meet tomorrow when we call the others down. I assume Bayly and Tito will also go to the surface tonight."

Tito and Rikki had become fast friends. Rikki also had a new chassis with multiplexed sensory harnesses like Tito's. It no longer had to worry about disassociating due to a lack of sensory input. While Jack and Rikki preferred to be linked, an overnight separation was no problem.

Rikki disconnected, and Jack entered Mara's sitting area through the mirror.

He was immediately scooped off his feet into Mara's powerful arms and pressed against her plush bosom as her lips found his.

Jack could feel her domed tummy pressing against him as well, but all he could do was go with the kiss, as her need was a little overwhelming. Her arms held him tight, but he could still breathe, so she was being careful.

Finally, she rested her forehead against his, and their horns bumped together with a soft clack. They smiled. Jack noticed they were alone.

"Oh, Jack, I've missed you so!" she said to him quietly.

"I've missed you, too," he said sincerely.

She finally set him back on his feet and freed his arms. His hands went to her tummy, and he smiled as he felt the motion of their babies.

"All is well?" he asked in wonder.

Her smile was wide and joyful. "They are almost ready to join the world. A world that no longer threatens our children," she added, and Jack looked into her eyes.

"The Tik have set up medical centers on all our worlds to ensure the people and their children receive proper medical care. We are turning around our decline, stepping back from the brink of extinction," she said proudly.

"How are the people adjusting to the reintroduction of technology in their lives?" he asked.

Mara nodded. "We are easing them in slowly. Laannaa gave me instructions on bringing the Goddess Devotees into line and making them support the new initiatives to shepherd the people into a new acceptance. Her final words to them have energized them like never before. They want the people to live, and the High Priestesses on Danax and Danam quickly came on board as they saw the decline as well. They didn't agree with Laannaa and were relieved that the restrictions were lifted.

Medical care is the first step and the most welcome benefit. The Tik have collected the medical knowledge of our people from the cities and incorporated it into the medical centers to ensure the diagnostic machines properly treat the Dannt. We don't have doctors yet, but that will be one of the skills our new schools will begin to train our people to do.

Rakka are no longer a threat due to the explosion in their nest and the Krreegah's efforts to locate and remove all surviving specimens. I believe they may have completed this task. They have also been diligently removing the toxic materials from the other side of the mountain range. The Tik tell me they are doing a careful and thorough job."

She reached out and touched Jack's face, and her smile widened. "It is good to see your smile again."

Jack lifted his face to hers, and she eagerly bent forward to receive his kiss. It was slow and sensual, sending tingles down her spine. When he pulled back, she sighed. "It has been too long since I last felt that."

"Let me make it up to you tonight. There are probably a few other things we can do that you might enjoy," Jack said with hunger in his eyes.

She grinned excitedly and guided him by the hand into her bedroom. He noticed new black curtains pinned to the walls of her tent. He caught her eye as he gestured to them.

"Ah, yes. The Tik discovered how our ancestors lived so closely together with our emotions broadcasting. When hung inside their structures' walls, this material absorbs most of the energy. So I'm told."

She cocked her head as she looked at him. "You are broadcasting much more strongly than before!"

Jack sighed. "Yes, I'll share the story of how that happened with you... later." He pulled her to the bed, and she eagerly followed.

They had much catching up to do.

-=-

The following morning, Jack and Mara left her tent and saw Dennesh and half of his security detail had set up their tents on the available space nearby.

Bayly rushed forward, and Mara hugged her, then they fussed over each other's bulging tummies. Mara was thrilled to hear twins were on the way for Bayly and gave Jack another happy kiss.

"Good morning, Jack. Shall I open a Gate to the ship?" Tito asked, his cartoon skull face grinning at Jack. He would have to suggest something a little less intense for the Tik.

"Yes, let's begin."

It was time for introductions, and Mara stood next to Jack, almost glowing with contentment. Tito opened the Gate to the Ambassador, and Jack did the introductions as his people arrived.

Brigg, newly assigned to Jack's Ishilon security detail, was first through the Gate, bowed to the Queen, and nodded happily to Jack with a quiet Shadeem before moving aside. Cha'Risa was next and, as promised, wasn't bristling with blades, though her dual Bowie knives were visible in their hip sheaths. Nann followed with Leo and Maxim, all three with greatly scaled-back weaponry though Nann's Katana drew admiring and interested glances from many of Mara's people.

Mara was interested in meeting Humans without horns and was intrigued by the variations in body size and coloration.

"Your team looks formidable," Mara said, getting a smile and a nod from Jack.

Gee and Bal walked through the Gate with their skimmers humming along behind them. They bowed to the Queen.

"Ah! Your friends have healed and have returned! I'm so pleased!" Mara said.

Then Diana stepped through with Adam in her arms.

"Queen Mara, this is my mate Diana and our child, Adam. Adam is also Commander Lorrem's son. There's a story behind this we can discuss later if you're interested—"

Mara grinned. "Yes, I'm interested and look forward to the conversation. Welcome to Danat, Diana and Adam!"

The baby chose that moment to shriek happily at the tall and strong being before him, and Mara grinned happily.

"I understand you'll soon be hearing the happy sounds of your own children," Diana said with a timid smile, her gravelly voice a little wobbly from her nervousness.

Mara's eyes widened. "Yes, and what a wonderful voice you have!"

Diana smiled self-consciously, glanced at Jack, then tugged her collar down to show the Queen the scars on her neck. "A gift from the time I defended my home from invaders."

Mara's nodded to her. "Another story I greatly wish to hear!"

Eve was next, and Mara saw her extensive scars and the self-assurance in her eyes. Jack could see they immediately clicked. "Queen Mara, this is my mate, Eve. We met while I was held captive by the Allsa Komanae. She grew up in their captivity but helped me survive."

They bowed to each other. "I look forward to speaking with you, as well," Mara said.

SennLann stepped through the Gate carrying the babes in her arms.

"Queen Mara, this is my mate SennLann and our twins, Callista and Nefertiti. SennLann led a revolution on her world, tearing down the old patriarchal warrior regime, saving many lives."

SennLann gaped at Jack as she hadn't expected that intro.

"I'm delighted to meet you!" Mara said to her, then looked at Jack. "You've surrounded yourself with powerful allies!"

"Well, someone has to keep me out of trouble," Jack said with a straight face, then the group before him burst into incredulous noises. He nodded to them like they acknowledged the truth, and Mara laughed.

"I'm getting the impression you find much trouble on your own and keep them very busy," the Queen said and got agreement from everyone.

Diana locked eyes with Jack. "His latest opponent was the Yis, an ancient and powerful race of telepaths who'd been secretly manipulating the Assembly since it was formed. Two of their members tried to kill him with their minds," she said, a hint of nervousness still visible.

"Oh!" Mara said in surprise and clutched Jack's arm in alarm as she looked for his response.

Jack sighed. "I wasn't the one who identified them as the secret enemy. I had a lot of help! And because we forced them to take direct action, the rest of the Assembly got to see their true nature, allowing the Tik to revoke their Gate access and send them all back to their worlds. They're no longer part of the Assembly, making it a safer place to meet good neighbors."

"What about the two who tried to kill you?" Mara insisted.

Jack smiled. "Rikki helped me defend my mind, so they didn't survive the attempt," he said to downplay the event. He pushed that aside and looked toward Tito. "I believe a few more people are waiting to come down." He patted Mara's hand on his arm, and she settled a little.

He nodded to Tito, and Jinnae stepped through, looking around with interest.

"My brilliant Altarian physician, Jinnae, who's been taking care of me since I grew my first set of horns and has assisted with the birth of many of my children. She would be honored if she could assist you as well." Mara glanced at Jack, then nodded to the doctor. Jinnae bowed to her deeply with a grateful smile.

"The next visitor is Sooka, the Krreegah xenopsychologist student you gave permission to visit. Have you met with the Krreegah, who are cleaning the contaminated materials from the mountainside?"

"No, they were asked to keep to that side of the mountain, and we've only spoken with them through the Tik," Mara admitted.

"Hopefully, Sooka can help you get past the instinctive fear response. She isn't a Rakka; you should learn to speak with your closest neighbor. They aren't bad people. They have some troublemakers, but they've been put on notice to never let them get out of control again or risk losing access to the other worlds of the Gate network," Jack said.

Mara nodded, then faced her people. "We have a representative of the Krreegah visiting us. We will treat her as a guest. She is not a feral beast but a civilized being here to help us. Everyone will be on their best behavior!"

She received wide-eyed nods, so she nodded to Jack.

Sooka stepped through, looked at the gathered Dannt, and bowed to Mara.

"Thank you for the opportunity to visit your world and help your people heal from the damage our ancestors and their feral descendants caused. While we can't bring the ones you lost back, please know the people of Krreegah are deeply remorseful for what the warring faction of our planet did. We will make every effort to prove we can be a good neighbor for the Dannt."

Sooka had been in touch with the leaders of Krreegah, who were delighted to learn that one of their people had successfully gained permission to act as a peace envoy. All previous attempts had been politely turned down. They were grateful for Jack's assistance in getting Sooka a chance.

"We appreciate your efforts and ask for your patience as we deal with our trauma-driven instinctive reactions," Mara returned.

Sooka bowed once more. "I fully understand and will follow your guidance to help in any way I can."

From the gleam in her eyes, Jack could tell the student was already gathering data for her paper. He didn't doubt she would be good for the Dannt to desensitize them from their fears.

Rikki came through the Gate and shut it down as it connected to Jack's collar. They agreed that while they were on Danat, it wouldn't fly between Jack's horns. The Dannt hadn't seen Jack doing that the last time he was here.

"Good morning, Rikki," Jack said internally.

"Good morning, Jack! Sleep well?" it responded happily.

"I did indeed. Is Ray not joining us?" Jack asked.

"Ray is speaking with some of the crew about something," Rikki said.

Jack snorted as he knew the Ambassador had a squad of intelligence officers eager to learn tricks from the master.

"Looks like it's gonna be another lovely day!" Jack sighed, then directed his attention outwards.

The group walked a short distance to a seating area where local foods were arranged on long tables for breakfast with the other villagers. Bayly and Tito explained the offerings to Sooka, and she assured them she'd brought her supplements to ensure she wouldn't suffer the fate of the Krreegah invaders.

She was also introduced to her chaperones, who would protect her and ensure the people felt assured around her.

Once they'd selected their breakfast, Mara immediately asked Diana for details on the home invasion. This led to SennLann's explanation of her kidnapping and subsequent involvement in the revolution on her home world. Gee and Bal offered details about how Adina and Zaina, SennLann's daughters, at six years of age, infiltrated the planet in search of their mother and assisted in crippling the military might of the enemy.

The Queen was amazed and looked at the two sleeping in SennLann's arms.

"They will be equally skilled as their sisters?" she asked.

Jack smiled. "Probably more. They have Gee and Bal as mentors and their sisters who are intimately aware of the experience of sharing their perceptions."

SennLann smiled at Jack. "Let's not diminish the importance of the lessons you taught their sisters on separating their perceptions to function as individuals. Without that, they wouldn't have been able to do half the remarkable things they get up to now."

Jack gave her a kiss as thanks for her kind words.

Mara smiled, then turned her focus on Eve. "You met Jack when he was captured by slavers?"

Eve shared a smile with Jack and launched into her story of how stubborn Jack was to submit to his new owners. When she reached the point where he struck back at them, she glanced at Jack for permission to speak of the diaper incident. He gave her a slight nod, and Eve continued as Mara listened with fascination. She gasped as she heard Eve describe the Mahrell Drun's torturing Jack to use his hybrid nature to make more of her species. Mara turned to Jack when she heard how Queen Elissa led the rescue with Cha'Risa's team's assistance.

"You are blessed with such wondrous companions! I would love to meet Queen Elissa!" Mara said, then looked to the Ishilon warriors. "And the Sultessa as well!"

Jack smiled. "I'm working on it!"

He leaned back and listened as the conversation turned to Mara's mission to bring the Dannt back from the brink of extinction and how life was improving on the three worlds. Tito and Rikki provided answers about the cargo on the Ambassador, and Mara indicated where it needed to be delivered. Rikki disconnected from Jack before it and Tito headed back up to the ship.

Once breakfast concluded and the villagers left to begin their days, Bayly found Jack and took him aside for a private word.

"Is this a good time to speak to you about our mutual friend?" she asked, and Jack nodded. "Have you made any progress with your research into where Grenville may be?" she asked quietly.

He'd filled her in on the Tik's inability to help with this, so they did their best not to speak when Rikki was connected to him.

"I asked Ray to look into it for me discreetly. I let him connect to the collar and shared my memories of the world and the being I saw on the screen. Ray has access to Maghadahn's records. There must be something there," Jack said with a sigh.

"Grenville is such a good person. I wish I could have met his AnnaZelle," Bayly said sweetly.

Jack stared at her in surprise. "AnnaZelle?"

Bayly nodded. "He said they had a wonderful lifetime together. I could tell he still loved her."

Jack was speechless as he heard proof that the Chuuruthian hero still lived. Or had been alive when he rescued them on Maghadahn.

All the more reason to find him now.

"Are you okay, Jack?" Bayly asked as she watched his expression.

He put a smile back on his face. "Yes," he said as he pulled her into a hug. "I'm better than okay."

He had babies on the way, love all around him, and he was on a world perfectly suited for long-distance running.

The Gate Network would be getting a big upgrade, and people were excited and hopeful. Not everyone was keen on the changes but screw them. Jack was participating in the biggest social change in the Network since Humanity forced its way in to get a seat at the table.

He took Bayly's arm and walked back toward the smiling faces of his loved ones.

Didn't he deserve a little stress-free family time?

Epilog

Ripples of panic and rage.

The impulses rushed outward from the five Yis planets, which once hosted the Gate terminals.

The gambit failed.

Ripples of panic, rage, and suspicion.

The ambitious but careless Yis leaders were put to death. New leaders were immediately chosen.

Ripples of caution, suspicion, and urgency.

The Yis withdrew from the five worlds. They were only used for goods shipments and tainted by their interaction with the unclean worlds of the Gate Network. The Yis wouldn't live there. The space elevators lifted the people from the gravity wells into the peace of space. Habitats waited for them.

There would be no more shipments. Goods would come the old and slow way from their nearest neighbor, the Hej Rloo, but this meant delays, shortages, and rationing. Death was possible!

Ripples of panic, rage, and desperation.

These crippling impulses flowed outward through the minds of the Yis and painfully scattered their thoughts as they faced a threatened future.

The secretive Yis maintained a hive mind that operated below conscious thought. This gave them individuality, but their minds were bound at the subconscious level. Base instinctive actions and reactions came from the hive mind, and it provided an emotional conduit for their entire race.

It was unthinkable that a race as old and established as the Yis could find its survival at risk from mere mechanical simulacra.

The Yis' efforts to diminish the Tik's authority and control in the Assembly had been progressing perfectly, without issue.

Then came the agitator.

Ripples of outrage, hate, and... fear.

The Yis who'd been sent to eliminate the interfering Human Hybrid were two of their strongest fixers. They were known for their highly disciplined and powerful minds. They'd dealt with so many problems on Maghadahn and never had a failure.

Then they faced the agitator.

Instead of crushing him, their minds were shattered in a cycle of pain, and now they were dead.

All Yis felt the echoes of that defeat.

Ripples of righteous fury, determination, and... caution.

The Yis would survive this setback. They would plan, plot, and seize control from the weaker races and put the mechanicals back in their place as servants to their masters.

But the question of how Danner defeated their fixers flared their paranoia with an intensity they'd only ever felt once before.

Ripples of dread, fear, and rage pulsed through the Yis.

There was only one answer.

They needed to capture Jack Danner.

They needed to take him apart to learn the secrets that made him a threat to the Yis.

Then he must die.

-=-

In an exquisitely furnished conference room of the uppermost executive level of a steel and glass corporate tower in Singapore, Leandro Matais sipped the indecently expensive liquor from his tumbler. Its warmth didn't dispel the chill he was feeling from the calm but crisp voice of his most powerful client sitting at the head of the table.

Eight other chairs were occupied remotely, holograms projected in the seats showing the other members. These were Leandro's other clients.

"Leandro, who activated our Turkish asset? Our very... expensive asset."

He turned from his view at the window of the sun setting over the tops of the clouds.

The lawyer was grateful he'd wet his throat before answering, as he knew what was to come. "The order originated from the Baltic Sea Headquarters—"

"LIE!" a heavily accented voice yelled from the projected image of the chair's occupant. Leandro eyed the hologram of the white-haired, broad-shouldered man who now seemed quite agitated.

When the only other person physically in the room fixed his cold gaze on Leandro with a raised eyebrow, the lawyer nodded his head slightly to confirm he had proof the shouting man was the guilty party.

"Emil. What led you to believe taking this bold action would be helpful?" the cool voice asked.

There was a moment of silence, a quiet but sharp intake of breath, and Emil's voice returned. "Danner's disrespect—"

"Danner's disrespect? You circumvent our command process to activate an exceptionally valuable asset, and I should be concerned about his disrespect?" His voice was still calm and controlled. Leandro resisted the urge to toss back the rest of his drink.

The executive continued. "What if she'd been successful? What positive outcome were you expecting?"

"The-the tech savants could be approached by Leandro directly," the older man insisted with just the slightest uptick in aggression.

Leandro knew the older man was a product of more mercenary times and wasn't fond of political maneuvering or long-term strategies. He'd taken a chance, hoping for a quick return on a boldly assertive play. That gamble failed, and now he looked weak in front of the others.

The cool voice was directed back to the lawyer. "Leandro, what do these tech savants call Mr. Danner?"

"Their Shadeem."

"And what is a Shadeem?" the cool voice asked.

Leandro looked toward the risk-taker with a hint of sadness. "Mr. Danner is the spiritual leader of the Ishilon. Not their ruler, not the commander of their forces, and as they have no religious institutions, he isn't the leader of any church."

"What does he do for them?" the older man asked in frustration.

"It's my understanding he got them a planet to live on and, if our spies are correct, potentially a second one for its resources. He's showing them how to rebuild their civilization. He's made them friends with rich and powerful races, and now he's making every Race in the Assembly beholden to them for increasing the reach of their Gates. They will be one of the most powerful and influential races in the Assembly before the year is out. That... is what he does for them."

The room was quiet as the attendees absorbed that.

"Emil, how do you think the Ishilon might react to someone assassinating such a spiritual leader?" the executive finally asked.

The older man was quiet.

"I asked you a question, Emil. I'm sure we'd all like to know."

Emil cleared his throat before speaking. The man's expression showed he was just about at his limit for being treated like an idiot.

"Not well."

The executive nodded.

The older man's head suddenly snapped back as a bullet struck him in the forehead. His chair was suddenly empty, and the hologram winked out.

The man at the top of the table looked at the hologram across from the empty chair. "Rasmus, you can absorb Emil's territory into your own, yes?"

That Finnish man smiled and nodded to the head of the table.

"Excellent. Now, I'll hear any productive ideas anyone might have for convincing Mr. Danner to change his mind about licensing the Ishilon tech to us."

A woman in the chair next to the head smiled. "If I might make an observation?"

"Certainly, Monique."

The mature French woman's smile widened. "Jack Danner's obvious soft spot is the women in his life. There are many, so many of them."

"None of whom live on Earth!" the tall slim man sitting on her other side said with a scowl.

"His daughter does," Monique said. "I just had the privilege of hearing her in concert. She's quite good."

"Are you suggesting we take her hostage?" the slim man asked in surprise.

Monique gave him a weary expression. "No, Raahi. That would be counterproductive. There are other ways to ensure she works for our interests. There's no need to resort to violence."

"Danner also has a son who lives on Earth," a striking Icelandic blonde across from Monique asserted with a growing smile. "His glass art is in high demand off-world, but he doesn't have representation to help him expand his reach."

Monique shared a smile with her business partner. They were thinking along the same lines.

"Excellent. The rest of you need to start thinking creatively about how we can get our hands on the Ishilon energy tech without drawing their ire. We need plans before we meet again next month," the executive said. Heads nodded in his direction, and the holograms winked out.

The room was silent, and Leandro suppressed another shiver.

"How much exposure do we have from Emil's rogue actions?"

Leandro knew this question was coming, so he'd done his research. "They cannot connect Earth to the tech in the assassin's body. They might discover who she was, but being from Earth isn't enough of a link back to us, as she disappeared from Earth shortly after her recorded death. They have no idea of what facilities we have on Mars or who works there. We have containment... this time." Leandro added the last part as a reminder that at least two other clients held the same sentiments as Emil.

Tay Qiang sighed and rubbed his eyes as he leaned back in his leather chair. "We could afford to lose Emil as he was too reckless and impulsive, but any additional losses will require a global restructuring I'd rather not spend the time on." He fixed his eyes on the lawyer. "Speak to the troublesome ones and bring them back in line."

Leandro felt another spike of cold but kept his reaction to himself. "Yes, sir."

Seeing a gesture of dismissal, Leandro nodded and left the room immediately without visible haste.

As he rode the elevator down to the basement where his limo waited, he brooded over their main roadblock. Leandro had Jack Danner's past thoroughly excavated from every public database and several private ones as well. The investigators went the extra mile to track down audio recordings of his dinner-side chats with his Shreen friends. Leandro also asked for information on Jack's parents. What he'd read in the resulting files didn't make him feel confident about their success.

It all lined up with Jack's explicitly honest response to him about why he wouldn't support their request. His family had suffered during the Oligarch's Reign, and his parents were victims of it.

It took his mind back to his own childhood, as he was roughly the same age as Jack. Leandro shared Jack's idealistic view for a brief shining moment in his youth until his father beat it out of him.

With a domineering corporate lawyer father and a self-absorbed socialite mother, both of whom thrived in the shadows of the rich and powerful, Leandro found his destiny was already set for him.

He put his clever mind to the challenge of carving his own path. He achieved his goal of becoming top tier corporate legal council, exceeding his father's position by a significant margin. When he attracted the attention of Qiang, he accepted the transfer to the new corporate master. As his first assignment, he annihilated the company his father worked for and got to watch his parents slide into obscurity.

Leandro knew from the first day he stepped into the courtroom and faced his father that this was just a loyalty test from Qiang, who had no other interest in a company they eventually stripped of its resources.

From that day, Leandro hadn't looked back. He'd been certain he'd reached as close to the pinnacle of power as he would get.

While the Oligarch's Reign was over, many of the obscenely wealthy continued to thrive. While they no longer had direct control of Earth's governing body (tied up as it was in the checks and balances designed to avoid a reoccurrence), they hungered for it.

Leandro was the one who brought the Ishilon's power systems to the attention of Qiang. Describing a storage cell small enough to be contained in a Tik's body that held enough energy to atomize several blocks worth of a city's core caught his attention in a big way. The executive was convinced that there would be a significant power shift if he and the other clients could obtain exclusive rights to these power cells on Earth.

Except Danner wouldn't allow that to happen.

Leandro knew Qiang didn't accept no as an answer, and the man scared the piss out of him.

Jack's dismissive phrase about rocking little boats returned to Leandro's mind. He struggled to imagine Qiang as the captain of anything less than the deadliest destroyer on the sea.

But out there in the dark unknown? Maybe there was something larger.