5

Bre'an watched curiously as James worked his way into a rarely entered portion of the ship.

"Why such lengths of secrecy, James?" Rha'an asked, keeping in telepathic contact with him after teleporting herself back to the guest chambers they were staying in.

"Well..." he sent from within an enclosed space that contained only pipes and other hardware not normally accessed, "...Erlanna--that's the Dra'ka Nulen's assistant--had gone to some risk to provide information on those Dark Bloods and their minions. She wasn't sure if it would or wouldn't be given us, so she decided to take the chance to make sure we did get it. There, that should keep this puppy safe, and away from any computer equipment." To Bre'an he sent, "Coming back out..." When James popped his head up out of the manhole, he rested briefly with his elbows on the deck and continued his explanation to Rha'an. "When I asked her what would happen if anyone found out what she did, well, she...didn't want to talk about it. I'm not sure what they could do to her, but, I didn't really want to find out--I got the feeling it wouldn't be pleasant." James climbed up out of the space, put the cover back into place, and secured it quickly. To Bre'an he sent, "Okay, now to my cabin."

Bre'an embraced James and teleported them to his cabin. Once there, he got clean clothes from his locker and headed off to take a shower. It was the first time Bre'an had been in James' cabin on Nightwing, and from the chair where she had chosen to sit while waiting, Bre'an looked about, noticing how much larger it was as compared to her CO's personal space onboard the Chel-Sar Se'nika.

"This is luxurious compared to even that of our own Madam Commander's. One could get lost in such a huge bed! I had thought the sleeping spaces we had been allowed to use when they had rescued us were more than ample, but this...and on a military_ship, no less!" Thinking a bit more on it, though, she considered, "_He does have more than one mate, and I suppose there must be times when they all take their rest together, which would make the bed size necessary. I cannot think of what it must be like to have more than one mate at once, let alone each of a different kind of person than one's own self. Terr'ahns are a curiously strange lot, yet...I find their company quite acceptable. Ha, no doubt my own Honored Mother would have a breakdown if I were to come home on a leave of duty with a Terr'ahn male of any_type, as our Chi'an had done! Oh, I can imagine the scandal in would cause..._"

Bre'an chuckled quietly as she amused herself with the thought.

While James got ready to take his shower, Rha'an asked, "What was it that you wished my opinion on?"

James paused a moment and then sent, "Oh...this is the messed-up part of it all. Arneora, she...um...put the moves on me, and...well..."

Rha'an, sensing his feelings about the situation he had gotten himself in, sent gently, "I know the love you feel for your mates, James, and they for you. Your vines have grown together into one and has become unbreakable. I understand that it was difficult to refuse, considering the nature of what she is compared to us. Refusal may well have been hazardous. Was the experience itself unpleasant?"

"Well...it was considerably different_, I'll say that. I found out just how_ warm they are...their body temperature is nearly too_warm! No wonder why they like the air so cool_," James replied. "You'd think, 'well, they have scales, so they must be reptiles, and reptiles are cold-blooded', but not these people."

"I have seen the heat they generate--my own and I have wondered about it," Rha'an sent.

"Yeah, that's right, you folks see into the deep infrared and far into the ultraviolet portions of the light spectrum. I suppose they looked pretty warm to you."

"They do. I do not know how Rissanivi's people could be in any way connected to these Dra'kans," Rha'an sent.

"That surprised me, too," James agreed. "As much as they seemed to know about us, they didn't take Rissa into consideration, for some reason. Surely they should have known she's cold-blooded and needs to be kept warm."

"I saw your Lilly speaking with Rissanivi and bringing her over to where you and your mates were taking your rest. That was kind of you to think of her."

"It was Lil's idea, actually."

That surprised Rha'an, though she said nothing of it.

"What happened after you left your 'meeting' with the Honored Elder?"

"Oh...yeah, Erlanna. I don't know why these Dra'kan females find me so interesting, especially if they're so far above us like D'Narial claimed. She was waiting for me when I left Arneora's private study. Erlanna took me by the hand as if she was bringing me back, but then someone was coming, so she ducked us into some side room that wasn't being used. It was dark in there and I couldn't see much of anything. Erlanna hugged me tightly when the footsteps came our way, and then I felt something tingle all over my body, and she, like, froze or something--got all hard and stiff. When whoever had been in the hallway was gone, the tingling stopped and she returned to normal. Anyway, we eventually ended up in her own quarters, and that's when she showed me the data cylinder...strapped to her thigh, of all places. Well, I eventually got the thing from her, but not after...we..."

"I believe I get the idea, James. You and I are similar enough that we may properly enjoy such activities with each other, though I do understand your reluctance in this matter, given who we are dealing with."

"Thanks, Rha'an. Yeah, I was wondering why Erlanna seemed so cautious, like she didn't want to be seen. And afterwards she acted..._scared, I think. Here's another thing--I don't know why Arneora wanted to with me, unless she's either up to something, or just wanted to be with somebody who wouldn't be seeing her for_ what she is. I suppose being in her position has its drawbacks. Remember when we thought_Althena _was old? Well, I can safely say that Arneora is--hands down--the absolute oldest person any of us have known. As far as we know, anyway."

"Did she give you her age?" Rha'an asked.

"Yeah, billions, with a 'b'--she's older than the planet we're on," James replied.

Rha'an's jaw dropped.

"And you..."

"Yes...and before anyone cracks any geriatric jokes about it, that gal...there isn't anything old and infirm about her in that department."

"And the other one?" Rha'an inquired.

"Erlanna...she never mentioned how old she is, though she does act like she's a younger gal. I'd say something equivalent to a young woman in her twenties or so--but who knows. If I had to guess, between the two of them, I think Erlanna might actually be the 'real deal' as we'd say back home," James explained.

Rha'an carefully considered what James had been telling her.

"So, you believe this Erlanna to be the most honest with us so far, yes?"

"Overall...yeah, I kinda think so, though I have to wonder what we're getting caught up in. Like Rissa said when we were about to meet D'Narial the first time, 'we're like bugs to them'. D'Narial...he seems concerned about us, to a point," James replied.

"But to what point, we do not yet know," Rha'an stated.

"Precisely," James agreed.

"I am inclined to think as you that there is something more at work here than we know. These are a truly ancient people--no doubt their society has developed dynamics and nuances we cannot understand," Rha'an sent.

"I imagine so. By the way, when I get a chance to, there's something I want to ask D'Narial, if he'll give me an answer."

"Oh?"

"During supper last night, when we were talking about the Pliq and Arneora said something about 'it will not go unpunished'. I was going to ask about it then, but D'Narial noticed and gave me a slight shake of his head to warn me off," James sent.

"Ah, yes, I remember how our two young Fansq friends became distressed until the Elder assured them their world was still safe," Rha'an recalled.

"I wonder what the Dra'kans are going to do about the Pliq...or if someone else is going to do something to them."

"Indeed. I find myself suddenly reminded of that area of space we were forced to transit carefully due it having been made unstable from an ancient battle that had taken place there," Rha'an brought up.

"Oh...yeah. When--or if--we come back this way, what are we going to find, planetary debris fields? Unstable space? A supernova where one shouldn't be? A whole lot of nothing?" James thought.

"The prospect does make one wish to be safe at home, away from this, but...where would 'safe' truly be, considering what we are beginning to learn?" Rha'an questioned.

"When giants take to the battlefield, woe be to those underfoot," James sent.

"Indeed so, my friend," Rha'an agreed.

When James finished his shower and dressed, he put his previously worn clothing in the laundry bin, and then sent to Bre'an, "Ready to go back when you are."

"Of course, Honored Captain," Bre'an replied, standing up and holding her arms out.

When she embraced James to teleport themselves back to the guest chambers, James quipped, "I could get used to this."

Bre'an smiled with slight embarrassment.

"If my Honored Mother only knew..."

*Bamf!*

* * * * *

After D'Narial returned and learned that James had been taken to meet with the Dra'ka Nulen, alone, he immediately headed off to her private study. The Dra'kan shipmaster had no idea that he had passed them on his way to find James--his mind was too occupied with things to bother noticing their scent in the hallway. When he arrived at the small office room just outside the private study, D'Narial noted that Arneora's assistant, Erlanna, was not immediately at hand, which made him more concerned for the Terran.

"There are few times when she dismisses her assistant--when it is late, or when she truly wishes to be alone for some reason. The mortal does not have the ability to deny her desires, should she decide to inflict them upon him. If she should inadvertently harm him, Mistress Naoia will..." D'Narial thought to himself with a shudder, not wanting to think of the possible consequences. He had seen with his own eyes what the First One was capable of doing when she was angry.

"Dra'ka Nulen...?" D'Narial asked carefully, entering her private study.

"Ah, young Master D'Narial--you have returned. Good. Come in! I have received an interesting message from Master J'Laran. Tell me of this idea of yours..."

D'Narial did as she wished and explained his reasoning for bringing the Wurnak Da'i prisoners before The Council while the mortals were present to witness the proceedings.

"That is an intriguing idea. I will convince Kh'nar to allow it," Arneora said, thinking on it.

"Thank you, Dra'ka Nulen," D'Narial said with an appropriate bow.

When he stood there for several seconds, Arneora asked, "Was there something else you wish to say?"

"I was told the captain might be here," D'Narial replied carefully.

"Ah, James...yes, he _was_here; Erlanna left to take him back a short while ago," Arneora said.

"My pardon, Dra'ka Nulen, I must have missed them on my way here. Do you wish anything of me while I am here?"

"No, you may leave," Arneora replied, giving a slight dismissive wave of her hand.

"As you wish, Dra'ka Nulen," D'Narial said with a bow before departing.

Once out in the hallway, D'Narial stopped to wonder how he could have missed not seeing the captain and Erlanna. He did not get long to ponder that thought, for the communicator built within his wrist bracer demanded his attention.

"The prisoner has been brought to the containment cell below The Great Hall? Excellent. I shall be there shortly to examine the being."

With a smug grin on his face, D'Narial went off to see the solitary prisoner that had been brought to Dra'ka, which he knew that the crew of Nightwing would be surprised to see. It would be interesting, he thought, to see what questions they wished to ask the dark-skinned alien from near Sol Federation space.

* * * * *

Naoia shifted her attention back towards her young friends to see how things were going. When she saw that James was not with his crew, she became curious.

"Now, where did you go, child...?" she said quietly to herself, searching for the residual energy wake one leaves as they move about. "Ah, there's your trail...and where does it...oh, my poor boy! Arneora, you scamp! What did you do with him? You'd better not_have done what I...ooo, I _told you to be careful with the young ones! You and I are definitely going to have a little chat! Now, who...Erlanna? Oh, not you, too! What is it with you ladies?! Wait...what's this? Hmm, that's_odd...what is she up to, who is she hiding from? Ah, there's D'Narial's...but why is she hiding from _him, I wonder? Let's see, now it heads towards where the children are staying...oh, girlie, I'm going to have to have a little chat with you_now! You and Arneora are up to something...but..._what? You two don't quite think alike, so...oh, now this is interesting! James, you had one of your friends take you to your little ship. What are you doing there? Oh, now you're in your cabin...and now you're back with the others. What's with this jumping around? I think I'll pop in and take a look to see what you were doing in that particular part of your ship." Naoia set her cup of tea down and announced, "Char'ena, I'm going to go sniff around on James' ship for a bit while they're having their dinner. Those Dra'kan ladies are up to something, and it involves James."

/* "As you wish, Mistress. Shall I watch them closely while you are away?" */

"Hmm...take a peek, but keep an ear on what's going on back at Esba'in--we may have to jump in and help."

/* "As you wish, Mistress." */

When Naoia appeared in the equipment space James had accessed, she thought, "Sure is cramped in here. Now, I'm sure he didn't just have to check out these pipes and such, so...what was he doing...? Oh, hello, what's this_?_"

Naoia found something that definitely didn't belong on a Sol Federation ship.

"Now why did he hide this here...other than there's no computer...?" Naoia worked the data cylinder loose from its hiding place and examined it. "Let's see what you contain..." A few moments later, "This definitely has Erlanna's scent on it. Now, why did she give this information to James? It's something they should certainly have, in my opinion, but why hide it, unless...unless she was concerned that they were not going to get it. Oh, and what's this little gem? Well, now that's interesting...so you think they're ready for that bit of technology, eh? Hmm, I'll have to think on that. I'll hang onto this thing for now, just to make sure some fool Dra'kan scanner doesn't detect it and they do something foolish that I'll have to make sure they regret. This little ship isn't shielded that well, so it'll be safer in Char'ena's keeping--they know not to mess with her, or me for that matter. I think I'll have a little chat with Erlanna first and get her story, and then with Arneora...after I take this back to Char'ena."

* * * * *

Erlanna sat hunched over on her couch in her darkened quarters, with her tail wrapped around her feet. Even though she was getting hungry, she didn't feel like going to the dinning hall where she was sure the Dra'ka Nulen and D'Narial were there. It was not unusual for her, because of her work, to eat at a time different from the others.

"I hope I did the right thing..." she said softly, resting her chin on her arms and closing her eyes.

A sudden swirl of multi-hued light briefly lit the dark, causing Erlanna to pop her eyes open in surprise.

"M-Mistress Naoia!"

Naoia stood there, arms crossed, looking down at Erlanna.

"I'll get right to the point, child--what did you do with James, and why did you give him a certain little object?"

"D-Do...?"

Naoia snorted and said, "I know you were with James. I know_you hid from D'Narial. I _know you gave James some information. I found where he hid it on his ship and gave it to Char'ena for safe keeping--nobody will dare_try to get it from _her, even if they could somehow find out she has it. And to think that I was worried what that scamp, Arneora, might do to him...and not only did she get frisky with James, so did you. I know how you girls get--it's a wonder that poor boy didn't get hurt!"

"But...I was careful! I-I like the mortal!" Erlanna blurted out. "He liked it...I think...I hope...!"

Naoia drummed the fingers of her left hand on her arm, and asked, "Did it ever occur to you that he already has mates? Four of them, in fact. Two of them are a no brainer--he should_be with those two; the third is kind of understandable, I suppose; the fourth, though..._that's a bit of a stretch. So, what, you want to be number five or something? Dear, you're already older than his entire species."

Erlanna hung her head and said, "I-I know, but...he-he said all of that about..."

"'Love and acceptance', I know, and yes, he is serious about that and means it. It's part of what they call, 'The Great Lesson'. Personally, I happen to agree with it, but that's beside the point at the moment. Now, then, why did you give James this little item?"

Naoia held her right hand out, palm up, and an image of a cylindrical object appeared floating above it.

Erlanna's eyes got wide when she recognized it.

"You have to remember, dear, that I can find whatever I want, no matter where or when it may be, anywhere in the multiverse. Now then, as for what's stored in this little contraption..."

"Y-You...know?!" Erlanna exclaimed without thinking.

Naoia looked at Erlanna with an expression that sarcastically asked, "Seriously?"

Erlanna hung her head.

With a soft snort and a little shake of her head, Naoia dismissed the image of the cylinder, and then sat down next to the young Dra'kan female.

"So, nobody but you, James, Rhuw-Rha'an, me, and Char'ena knows about what you gave him," Naoia stated quietly. When she saw the surprised look on Erlanna's face, she added, "Rhuw-Rha'an...she's someone James happens to trust a great deal, and for good reason. You can, too. My question is...why?"

Erlanna heaved a sigh and collected her thoughts a moment.

"I...overheard the Dra'ka Nulen argue with Kh'nar, the head of The Council, earlier today, before she had me bring the captain to her. They were arguing over what to tell the mortals and when. If Kh'nar had his way, they would discuss it for the next several thousand years! The Younger Races _need_that information our Watchers have been gathering on the strengths and weaknesses, the tactics, and such, of the Dark Bloods and their minions if they are to have a chance when fighting them. I _know_James will give that information to the right people, who will act properly and quickly on it. It would not be fair to let them fight with their hands and one foot tied!" Erlanna explained passionately.

Naoia listened carefully.

"For what it's worth, I agree with you. Your Watchers are notoriously thorough, and that information will certainly help the Younger Races in the struggle to come. But then there's that other little item you copied onto that thing. Oh, yes, I know about_that_, too. Giving them replication tech...*snort*. Now, that would likely get your tail put in a sling by your elders."

"Y-You will tell_them? Oh, _please don't! I-I just wanted to help the mortals...!" Erlanna begged.

Naoia gave a dismissive wave with a hand.

"Don't worry, child, this is just between me and you. Your elders can go stuff themselves, as far as I care--most of them can barely decide what to have for First Meal without putting it before some fool committee. Anyway, back to why you did this. While it's commendable that you went through the trouble--and risk--to give a copy of that information to James, is 'helping them' the only reason, or does your infatuation with James have a bit more to do with it?"

Erlanna closed her eyes and hung her head.

"H-He...cares for that Vey'ani female, could..."

"Ah, now maybe we're getting somewhere," Naoia said. "James, and the rest of his people, are a caring lot, I'll grant them that. They'll go out of their way and stick their necks out to help people they don't know--like when they helped the Fansq, or the Nirians, or their Vey'ani friend for that matter. They rescued her when her ship was shot at by some criminals and disabled. She would have frozen to death or been blown up, if not for James and his crew. They made some quick repairs to her ship so she could get to Esba'in for more extensive repairs. They're friends now, and I'm pretty sure that's as far as it goes between Rissanivi and James. Now, as for you and James--I wouldn't doubt that he would include you as a friend, or maybe more than that...if you didn't scare the heck out of him."

Erlanna raised her head and opened her eyes wide.

"What?! But...I have no wish to harm him, or his friends! I..."

Naoia put her arm around Erlanna and spoke softly, like a grandmother explaining something to a child.

"Dear, listen to me. James and the others have never dealt with immortals before, especially not those who are big, armored plated, have abilities they don't understand, and have a habit of incinerating things when they get upset. They came here to try and make friends, and now you and that scamp, Arneora, have them caught between two things they don't know how to deal with. If anyone does something that ends up harming my young friends, I will get mighty upset, and believe me, you do not want that to happen. But now that this mess has been started, I'm willing to go along with it--for now. I _will_be keeping an eye on things, my dear, you can be assured of that."

"But...I...I wish to..." Erlanna started to say.

"To spend more time with James, yes, I know," Naoia finished for her.

Erlanna lowered her head and nodded.

"You need to remember that he has his mates, and they mean everything to him, and he to them. If you truly want to spend some time with him, you can't forget his mates. I suggest you get to know them; let them get to know you, too. Earn their friendship, don't just swoop in with an, 'I'm big, I'm bad, and I take what I want' attitude, okay? They're not bugs in a jar to play with."

Erlanna nodded her head and said meekly, "I...understand, Mistress."

"I hope so, dear. Well, now that we got all that out in the open between us, I need to have a similar chat with Arneora--after_she's done stuffing her face. Really, with the amount she eats, I don't know how she keeps her figure. Speaking of eating, I think _you need to get something yourself--I heard your innards grumble. Now get yourself in there and act like nothing is about to go supernova," Naoia said, giving Erlanna a pat on the back. She stood up and started to walk away, but then stopped and looked back at Erlanna. "Oh, by the way...don't tell anyone I was here."

Erlanna, seeing the First One's eyes glow brightly with an inner light, nodded her head.

"Y-Yes, Mistress."

In a swirl of multi-hued light, Naoia disappeared.

* * * * *

"Hey, Jamie, look who just walked in," Lilly sent privately, giving her mate a little nudge when she noticed Erlanna walk into the dining hall.

"I hope Arneora doesn't know about..." James sent back.

"Ooo, that would be one 'cat fight' I would not wanna see," Lilly sent.

"Yeah, especially not while we're at Ground Zero," James agreed.

"Ya got that right."

"Well, I see my assistant has arrived," Arneora observed, prompting D'Narial to casually look over his shoulder.

"Oh, that reminds, me...will we have time to return to our ships tomorrow to change into fresh uniforms before meeting with The Council? We would like to make a good first impression, if possible," James asked Arneora, who was sitting beside him on his right.

"Oh, by all means, James--that is a good idea. I'll have my assistant make the arrangements," Arneora replied.

"Thank you, I'm sure everyone will appreciate it, Dra'ka Nulen," James said.

Arneora smiled and slipped a hand under the table and put it on his right leg; James felt the unusual warmth of it beginning to soak into the muscle. He slipped his own right hand under the table and placed it on top of Arneora's, working his fingers between hers.

"I can't believe I'm doing this..." James thought to himself. "I've got to keep the old gal happy, though how the heck do I do that without getting my goose cooked?"

Erlanna picked up a plate, eating utensils, and a goblet, and then walked casually to the long table. There was an empty seat next to Shauna; remembering what Naoia had said to her earlier, Erlanna made her way over and asked, "May I join you?"

"Uh, yeah, sure," Shauna replied, indicating with her hand for the assistant to sit.

"Thank you," Erlanna said, taking the seat.

Shauna watched out of the corner of her eye as Erlanna loaded up her plate with a large portion of meat and something that had a passing resemblance to a fibrous squash, and then filled her goblet from a decanter that contained something stronger than water. Shauna found it a bit disconcerting whenever she saw a wisp of vapor escape a Dra'kan's nostrils after they had taken a drink. Also disconcerting to her was the way they ate--there was nothing delicate or careful about it. Shauna had an image in her mind of being the only herbivore sitting at a dinner table with predators, wondering if she was going to end up on their menu. On one hand, Shauna rather liked the Vey'ani pilot, Rissanivi, who reminded her of a friendly little lizard. The Dra'kans, on the other hand, made her nervous--especially after how the Dra'ka Nulen had first appeared to them in her full size, which was frightfully large.

"You are the Smith on your ship, yes?" Erlanna asked Shauna.

"The who?"

"The one who fixes things, makes things..." Erlanna said, attempting to clarify.

"Uh...oh, I'm the Ship's Engineer. I make sure the ship flies, has power, and is livable--the others work on the more specialized equipment, though I help them where I can," Shauna explained.

"Ah. How long have you been on your ship?" Erlanna asked.

"I was assigned while she was in the shipyards during the early stages of her construction--basically, once the spaceframe was completed and the inner and outer hulls and the bulkheads had started to be added," Shauna replied.

Erlanna thought for a moment and asked, "You refer to your ship as a female...why is that?"

"Um, well, that's a tradition that started with the humans thousands of years ago, I guess, when they first started naming boats and ships for use on water, and later, aircraft, and then spacecraft. I have no idea why it got started, it's just the way it is. Now, in Nightwing's case, she really _is_a 'she', because of our Ship's A.I. entity, Moira--her android avatar is sitting two down from James," Shauna explained.

"I...do not follow..." Erlanna said with a confused look.

"Um...Moira is a sentient, computer-based entity that 'lives' in the computer core of our ship, so, the ship is basically her body. The lady you see sitting to Lilly's right--that's the gal with the white hair and black and white fur sitting next to James--is Moira's android avatar. She's a machine that looks and acts like a human female, though she's really a physical extension of Moira herself. It gives her the ability to interact directly with the rest of us, and we with her. Moira's avatar can function independently of the ship, though the two are usually in constant contact with each other. Uh, don't your people have A.I.s? You know, sentient computers?"

"Oh...I do not think you could necessarily think of them as being 'alive'--we do not," Erlanna said.

"Hmm. Well, Moira is part of our ship, and she's also part of our crew. Our A.I. entities all have full citizenship rights in the Sol Federation of Worlds, so to us Moira is just like anyone else," Shauna said.

"You treat _machines_like people?" Erlanna asked, surprised at what Shauna told her.

"Just the A.I. entities. When they're created, they're fully sentient and self-aware, they have unique personalities, they have to be taught, and they have to take the Oath of Citizenship just like everyone has to when they're far enough along to be equal to an adult. Would it surprise you to know that Moira has sisters?" Shauna asked.

Erlanna was definitely surprised.

"Computer beings...that have families? How strange! That is something I do not think I would have considered."

"I guess you learned something new today," Shauna said with a bit of a smile.

"Yes, and...I thank you for that. I...would like to know more about your ways and your world," Erlanna said.

"Why...if you don't mind me asking? I thought we mortals wouldn't be interesting to you."

Casting very quick glances at both D'Narial and Arneora, Erlanna leaned closer to Shauna and said quietly, "I had an opportunity to...learn more about your captain, and he told me a little of life on your world. It is...so much different than here. I would like to see it for myself, though..."

Shauna noticed how Erlanna looked down and seemed to become despondent for a moment, forcing herself to straighten up and give a weak smile.

"It was...a nice story," Erlanna added quietly, half-heartily taking another drink from her goblet.

Shauna thought she recognized something in the Dra'kan's behavior that made her suddenly feel sympathetic.

Lightly putting a hand on Erlanna's arm, Shauna asked softly, "Are you...alright?"

Erlanna looked straight at Shauna and seemed as if she was about to say something, but casting a quick glance at the other Dra'kans present, she stiffened slightly and said, "Of course," but what Shauna saw in Erlanna's eyes told her a different story.

"James asked your boss if we would have time to go back to our ships tomorrow so that we can change uniforms before going to that council meeting. She said she'd have you make the arrangements--maybe you can make up a reason to come along. We might have a chance to talk, if you want," Shauna suggested quietly. Noticing that D'Narial was looking their way, Shauna took a quick drink and asked, "Hey, what's _his_problem? How come you always get nervous around him? Are you afraid of him, or something?"

"You...would not understand," Erlanna replied, lowering her eyes.

"Try me, you might be surprised by what I understand," Shauna said, taking a drink and looking off across the dining hall at nothing in particular for a moment. When she set her glass down, Shauna explained quietly and briefly, "I had a rough life as a kid. My mother left, my father didn't want to raise me, I got shuffled off to my grandparents but my grandfather died mysteriously, then my hateful grandmother quickly got remarried to some scumbag, and...it got bad. Really_bad. I eventually ran away and stayed with friends. Later, a guy in high school tried to force himself on me, though I got away from him. After I got into the Service, I got into trouble at a bar--a drunk Zadori officer grabbed me from behind and I kicked his ass across the room. He required emergency medical treatment because I almost killed him, and I got locked up for it. My former commanding officer was going to bust my ass, but James came and testified on my behalf so well that the charges were reduced. Later, when he found out that he was going to get his own ship--_Nightwing--he asked me if I wanted to be on it, and I said 'hell yeah', so I requested a transfer. My former captain wanted to get rid of me, so he approved it. James has been a really good friend to me--the only guy who ever really gave a crap. Well, anyway, long story short, he and his other mates ended up accepting me into the family, so...life is good, finally. Now, if we can only find out whatever happened to my older brother who disappeared somewhere out here, that would be great."

Erlanna listened to what Shauna had told her, and even though she gave no outward indication, the Terran's story had struck a chord within her.

"Does it still trouble you, your early life?" Erlanna asked carefully.

Shauna looked at her a moment, meeting her eyes, and said, "Not any more, thanks to Frer-Sha'an."

"What is that?" Erlanna asked.

"Not what, who--she's the healer on the Se'nika. When we rescued them and took them back home, along with their ship, Frer-Sha'an...she was able to sense the pain I felt inside. She talked me into going to some temple on their world, and her entire crew came along with James, Lilly, Tanya, and Moira. Sha'an...she healed me." Shauna took another drink. "Somehow, she got me all straightened out inside. I still have the memories of my childhood, but...they don't hurt any more. Not like they used to. I haven't slept as good as I do now for years. Well, not since my brother disappeared. He always watched out for me when I was little. Uh...oh, I've got a picture of him..." Shauna pulled out her PAD, thumbed it on, and pulled up the photo she had been given. "That's him, and that's me sitting on his knee. The green lady beside him is his mate, her name is Hauvri'ahn--she's an Élendorian, like Miss Ja'f'darwe or Læree'ahn. They're down that way," Shauna said, pointing down towards the other end of the long table.

"Your brother...he chose one not of his kind?" Erlanna asked.

"Sure, lots of people do on Terra--just look at us folks. Canberra down there got married to Læree'ahn on the ship before we got tossed out this way; McElroy and Stewert are a couple, I think Bronski and one of the guys on the Se'nika are interested in each other; and, of course there's us--we're all different. I may not be able to have any kids by James, but that's okay by me. He'll probably be able to have little ones for sure with Tanya since he's part wolf, and if he does, then I'll help with raising them," Shauna explained.

Erlanna didn't know what to think. The one brief time she had spent with James--had it begun to make her see things differently? Was she in danger of falling for a mortal that was so different from her, and would it bring the eventual, inescapable consequences? She had heard the stories in her youth of such relationships--all had ended badly for one or both. Except...there was one of the truly ancient stories, going back the world the ancestors of the Dra'ka had come from, the people known as the Drakkorians. Some of the shipmasters said they still existed, somewhere out among the stars, but few had ever seen them. Erlanna looked past Shauna at James, then slowly, her eyes went to the one sitting between him and Shauna...and...

"Oh...my...she looks...like...no! Oh, please let her not be! Could that be why Mistress Naoia is following these mortals? Is one of her kind among them, hiding in plain sight? And, is she not also his mate? Oh, how could they not know? What have I gotten myself into?"

"Erlanna? Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost or something?" Shauna asked.

Tanya, having heard the concern in Shauna's voice, turned and looked past her at the Dra'ka Nulen's assistant. When Erlanna saw the shine in Tanya's eyes from the lights, she mistook it for the glow of a First One's eyes.

"What chance do I have if he walks with the First Ones?" Erlanna thought to herself. To Shauna, she replied, "Excuse me, it...has been a trying day, and I desire...to rest. It has been interesting speaking with you this evening. Perhaps we may again another time."

"Sure," Shauna agreed. "Er, good night, sleep well."

Erlanna stood and nodded her head once, and said, "Thank you."

While Shauna watched Erlanna walk out of the dining hall, Tanya asked privately, "What was that about, ah?"

"Not really sure. Something's not right with her--not in a crazy way, more like...somebody's done something to her, or maybe still is. Like when I was little, maybe," Shauna replied.

Given who was near her, Tanya tried not to show her shock at Shauna's statement.

"You think she may have been hurt, da?"

"Yeah, or is being hurt...or messed with, at least," Shauna said. "She seems leery of that D'Narial guy for some reason, and the old gal, too. She seems friendly enough, but...she's reluctant to talk with the other Dra'kans around. Now I kinda want to get her alone and see if I can get her to open up a bit more."

"If do, be careful, da?" Tanya reminded.

"Yeah, no worries there--I don't wanna end up as a party snack for a dragon," Shauna acknowledged, shaking her head a little before gulping down the rest of her drink.

* * * * *

After dinner was over, Arneora made her way back to her private study. She barely gave a thought to the fact that her assistant was not in her little office. Upon entering, an unmistakable familiar voice greeted her.

"About time you finished stuffing your face. Got frisky with James today, didn't you?"

Arneora's eyes widened a bit when Naoia looked around the side of her chair by the fireplace--the look in the First One's eyes made her swallow hard.

"Naoia, what...a surprise!"

"What did you agree to do when you're with them?" Naoia asked coolly.

"I (*ahem*) would...be careful," Arneora replied.

"Uh, huh. You weren't supposed to frighten them, either, as I remember...or did you forget about that dramatic entrance you made? And then you just couldn't wait to put the ol' charms on James. Girl, what am I going to_do_ with you, messing around with impressionable young males? Maybe I should ask Sa'leh's brother to come and spend some time with you--I'd think _he's_certainly old enough to keep you company for a while. What do you think, shall I call him?"

"I was gentle, Naoia...and he is a rather charming fellow--well mannered, too. You know I happen to admire those qualities in a male, which is something more of our own could learn...or relearn, as the case may be in some. They let too many of those fool stories made up by the Younger Races go to their heads. I still remember how it used to be. How long has it been since you have been with someone? Maybe you ought to see how refreshing it is to have someone accept you for as you are, and not for what you are. Personally, I rather enjoyed it, and I'm reasonably sure he did, too...once he got over the age thing," Arneora argued, saying the last a bit quietly.

"My personal life isn't a concern here, Arneora, though at least I would have the decency to choose a male who didn't already have mates. James is only, what is it, thirty-seven turns of the seasons on his world? And how old are you?" Naoia argued in return.

(*cough*) "Er, eight...billion, give or take," Arneora replied sheepishly.

"Hmpf, certainly old_enough to know better. Well, enough about that for now, there are other issues to deal with--like, for example, that one particular individual who is being held in a cell in the bowels of The Great Hall. What is _she doing here?"

"What? I know nothing of someone being held there. There are some Wurnak Da'i prisoners who are being brought in, but...who is this other you speak of?" Arneora asked in confusion.

"She herself is a nobody among her people, however...James, and several of his crew, most _definitely_have first-hand knowledge of her kind--they had a nasty little war with them a while back. I can see your forces apprehending some of those brutes, the Wurnak Da'i, but isn't it going a bit out of the way to nab a R'Hinsi and bring her here, not to mention the oddity of the _timing_of it, right when James and his crew are here?" Naoia asked suspiciously.

"A R'Hinsi?! Who brought one of those here? For what purpose? They're not in with the Dark Bloods, at least not that I'm aware of!" Arneora exclaimed.

"They're not." Naoia stood up and, with a wave of her hand, a full-sized 3D image of the individual in question appeared. "Curiously, she's wondering herself where she is, why she's here, and what is wanted of her. She has no idea that there are members of the Sol Federation here. Is some fool trying to instigate something?" Naoia wanted to know.

"I...do not know. I have been told nothing of this," Arneora replied, shaking her head slowly.

"Hmm, this could go badly, if not handled carefully. Stay here and say nothing to anyone about this for now. I have an idea..."

The image winked out and shortly after it, Naoia herself disappeared in a swirl of multi-hued light.

* * * * *

Khel'zet started to nod off--it had been nearly three j'kua[1], she reckoned, since she had more than two continuous j'fi[2] of sleep after the strange aliens had ensnared her. She had no idea who they were, where they came from, or what they wanted. When they had suddenly appeared as if out of nowhere, and the ship she was on inexplicably lost all power, the last thing she remembered was everything dissolving in an odd light. When she awoke, she was in a holding cell with only what clothing she had on at the time the alien ship appeared--a singlet and form-fitting knee-length pants. She had been moved four times by the same method she had been taken, without any warning, simply appearing in a different holding cell. She had been given water and sustenance--it was bland, though palatable, and it seemed to be enough to keep her alive and nourished.

Khel'zet had seen little of her captors until she was deposited in the latest holding cell. The air was different this time--it had a scent, which told her she was likely on a planet instead of in a ship. She had seen what she assumed were guards for they wore a type of uniform, though she saw no visible weapons.

"They have done nothing since they ensnared me, except move me from one place to another, unless it has all been a ruse to confuse me. They have not even demanded my name and rank. What does this enemy want of my kind? Have they somehow examined me? They act as if I was just a random object picked up along a path, with no other thought save to give me what passes for food and drink. What happened to the ship and the others? Are they being held as well?" Khel'zet thought to herself.

Unable to hold her eyes open any longer, she lay on the mat provided and closed her eyes.

When Khel'zet awoke, there was a bright light shining on her from to low an angle to have been directly above. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and then looked around--her jaw dropped, for the light was that of a sun low to the horizon and she found herself on a grassy area on a small hill overlooking a sea. The sun had too much orange in its light to have been her own sun. There was a gentle breeze tinged with the scent of water and salt, and the sound of flying creatures could be heard.

"Where am I?" she said aloud in her native language.

"Long way from home," she heard a strange voice like none she had heard before. "Want food?"

Khel'zet turned to look behind her and her eyes grew wide--a large hairy animal with four legs and the strangest eyes she had ever seen was standing close enough to almost touch.

"Brought food, you eat. Better than what you had."

The large animal lowered its head and nosed a basket woven of strips of plant material with a handle, pushing it towards Khel'zet. It was when she looked down at the basket that she noticed that she was on a thick cloth covering that had been spread out upon the ground. It would have been an idyllic setting if not for the seeming absurdity of going to sleep in a holding cell and waking up outdoors with a large beast talking to her with an offering of food...real food.

"You eat, I wait until finished."

"What is happening? This is...is..."

"Eat first, questions after," the huge beast said, lying down on the ground to wait.

Khel'zet, not knowing what else to do, pulled the basket towards her and looked inside. She found a small feast, which after a few cautious nibbles, she tore into with a ravenous appetite. It was the first real food she had had since she was on the transport ship that was taking her back to her homeworld after a stint near the Demilitarized Zone between the R'Hin Empire and the Sol Federation of Worlds. When she could eat no more, Khel'zet made use of the cloth provided in the basket to wipe her hands and mouth.

"Better now?" the strange beast asked.

Nodding her head, Khel'zet said, "Much. I...thank you, for the food and drink. It was...enjoyable."

The strange beast appeared to smile.

"Now time for questions. Already know you, Khel'zet Harankhek, Communication Tech Lower Grade of R'Hin."

"How do you know my name and rank?" Khel'zet asked.

"Know lots of things, been around long time."

"What is your name?"

"Khel'zet call me, Char'ena."

"You do not look like those who ensnared me and have held me captive. Is...all this some hologram designed to question me?"

"No, took you from containment area and brought here for now, will take back later. Only one other knows, but not your concern. Ones who took you called Dra'kan, they one of Elder Races, but Char'ena still way older than they."

Khel'zet had heard hushed tales of beings said to be of the so-called Elder Races. By all accounts, they were immensely powerful and not to be trifled with. The strange beast before her said it was "way older" than the ones of an Elder Race who had taken her--Khel'zet could not imagine how old it would make the beast if true.

"Do you know what these 'Dra'kan', as you call them, want of me?"

"Not yet, but will. Think they had no reason to, you live far away from them. One thing must say--there are others you meet soon, they not know you here; they have nothing to do with why you here. You not be angry at them--they not hurt you. Let past stay in past, you understand? They may help if can. Others are friends. They may ask questions, but you can ask, too. Be honest--they are."

Khel'zet thought a moment and then said, "On my oath, I will do so."

Char'ena stared at Khel'zet a moment, and then softened her expression and appeared to smile.

"Another question?"

"How far from my home am I, do you know?"

"I show..."

Char'ena stood up and walked up to Khel'zet, who tried hard not to be afraid. She brought her face level to the R'Hinsi female's and pressed it close. Everything went black for a moment, and then a 3D image of the galaxy appeared. Outlined in gold was the border of Sol Federation space, in blue was the R'Hin Empire, and thousands of lightyears away near the outer arm, was an area bordered in silver with a bright spot near its center.

"You here."

Khel'zet shook her head and the image in her mind went away. "Is that true? How...how could I have been taken so far away, so...?"

"Is easy, if know how. I do."

"Did...you...?"

"No, not me who carried you. Not sure when you go back--will see what happens. You go sleep now, get good rest. Remember what said--you promised."

Khel'zet wanted to ask more questions, but she suddenly became so tired that she could think of nothing else but to lie down and sleep.

Khel'zet slept until awakened in the holding cell the next day by the guards.

* * * * *

Erlanna slipped off her robe and tossed it onto the chair in her private chamber. When she laid down after putting out the lights, she pulled the covering up to her face that James had used earlier. She could still smell his scent on it.

"Mistress Naoia was right, I did not think of his mates when I brought him here. The coolness of his touch...it felt so..._wonderful!_ (*sigh*) The tallest one, Shauna...what she said of her early life...as different as we are, how could we have both..."

Erlanna's train of thought was interrupted by a voice that sent a chill down her back, all the way to the end of her tail.

"Erlanna, you will open this door," the voice commanded.

"Oh, no...it's...no, no, oh, _please_no!" she whispered in fear.

"You know I can open this...playing hard to get, are we?"

"Oh, First Ones, help m-me...!"

Erlanna heard the door unlock and then open. She pulled the covering up, holding it tightly. If she had been in the open, she could at least have changed to her full size and possibly have a fighting chance, being somewhat smaller and more agile in the air. Somehow, though, he always knew when she was in the small personal space that used when working for the Dra'ka Nulen.

The silhouette of the much older and larger male Dra'kan appeared in the doorway to her small rest chamber.

"Well, here you are," he said, coming closer. "You will submit..." he growled, his eyes glowing in the dark.

"No...please no!" Erlanna cried, wishing to be anywhere but where she was.

This time, she _was_heard.

* * * * *

"Well, I think we may have the situation with the R'Hinsi settled, at least for now," Naoia said with a smile when she appeared in Arneora's private study.

"G-A-A!!! Naoia! Will you please give a body some warning before you suddenly pop in?! (*cough*) "_Now_look at me! You made me spill my drink!" Arneora complained.

"Maybe if you used a little invention called a straw you wouldn't be inclined to make such a mess. Oh, quit waving your hand and hold still a moment!" The liquid that had been spilled down the front of Arneora's clothing and into her lap sparkled briefly and disappeared with no trace of it to be found. "There, all better. Now don't say I never do anything for you, you scamp!

"Maybe if you _knocked_like everyone else..." Arneora quipped.

"Why would I?" Naoia fired back. "That's beside the point, dear. I think the...eh?"

"Now what?" Arneora asked sarcastically.

Naoia quickly held up her hand...and then her lip drew back in a quiet snarl as she looked off in another direction.

"Why that...g-r-r-r! I'm going to rip his giblets out yet!"

"What is wrong?" Arneora asked worriedly, seeing the angry look on Naoia's face and the hair raising on her back.

"You need to be with somebody who will treat you with respect, dear," Naoia said softly. "And you...you can go chill..." she added with a low throaty growl. A few seconds later, Naoia gave herself a little shake. "Ooo...that fool of a...!"

"Who, Naoia? What happened?"

"Erlanna...he was after her, again. I swear by The Great Mother, he will be the subject of a hunt if you folks don't bind him! If he tries just once more...he's done!"

Arneora held a hand to her mouth and grabbed the back of her chair for support. Naoia was being deadly serious--she would never swear such if she did not mean it. To have The Hunt invoked as punishment meant a gruesome death by being ripped apart by the jaws of the Great Lupins, and it was reserved for those they deemed to be the worst sort.

"But Naoia, he is..."

"Understand, I do not care_who he is. _What he is, is meat to be wasted. No one should ever be tormented like that!" Naoia started to walk away, though she stopped for a moment to add, "He just might be a little late tomorrow--it's a bit _frosty_where he's at."

Just as Naoia started to disappear in a swirl of light, Arneora heard, "I hope it gets frostbite!"

* * * * *

Erlanna began screaming when she felt his powerful jaws closing on the back of her neck, forcing her into submission. Suddenly, before he could do more, everything dissolved in a swirl of multi-hued light...and she found herself in the guest chamber, still holding the covering, on the huge cushion near the Terrans.

"JEEZERS!!! Lilly shouted in surprise when Erlanna appeared out of nowhere, close to where she was walking, screaming, and wearing nothing but the covering she held against her body.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and rushed over to see what was the matter.

"Bring some blankets over here!" James ordered, quickly taking control of the situation.

Mindy and Frer-Sha'an immediately went to Erlanna and did what they could to help her.

"Be calm now, you are safe among friends," Frer-Sha'an sent, holding a wrist to Erlanna's nostrils, hoping the pheromone they produced would work on her.

"What happened, Erlanna? Are you hurt?" Mindy asked, looking for any obvious signs of wounds.

Once she realized where she was, Erlanna slumped and allowed those around her to make things as comfortable as possible.

"I...I...just..."

Shauna made her way through the crowd and said loudly, "Hey, everybody give the poor gal some air, will ya?"

"Shauna...?" Erlanna asked shakily, holding a hand out.

"Hey, right here, girl," Shauna said, sitting down beside Erlanna and hugging her. "We gotcha, girlfriend--you're in good hands, right, doc?"

"Yeah, we'll take care of you...as best as we know how to," Mindy agreed.

"There is some deep bruising along the neck," Sha'an commented to Mindy.

"Did somebody hit you?" Mindy asked gently.

Wincing, Erlanna shook her head, and said, "H-He...bit me..."

Mindy lightly stroked the side of Erlanna's face and looked up at Sha'an.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Mindy sent privately.

"Unfortunately, I believe there was an attempt. However she arrived here, it seemed to have been just in time," Sha'an agreed.

"Can you ease her pain?" Mindy asked.

"They are considerably different from us, though I believe I can," Sha'an replied.

"You should start to feel better momentarily, Erlanna--Sha'an is going to heal you," Mindy said.

Erlanna nodded her head, and Sha'an began working on healing the bruises using her powerful psionic ability. At one point, however, she caught an image in her mind of the perpetrator.

"I know who did this to her--this was not the first time. I do not have a name, but if I see the individual, I will make it known," Sha'an sent to Mindy.

"I'll let the captain know," Mindy acknowledged.

A short while later, Sha'an asked, "How do you feel now, Erlanna?"

"Better. Thank you," she replied.

Frer-Sha'an nodded once and offered, "If there is anything else that I may do to assist you, I will be nearby."

Erlanna nodded her head once; Sha'an smiled gently and, touching her briefly on the shoulder, went to speak with Rhuw-Rha'an.

"Shauna," Erlanna began, looking her in the eye, "are you my friend?"

"Yeah, you bet. Who would've thought of a horse and a dragon being best buds...crazy, huh?"

"Could be worse, I suppose," Erlanna agreed with a little smile.

The door to the guest chamber opened and Arneora walked in with something draped over an arm; once she saw where her assistant was, she made her way over.

"Erlanna, are you hurt?" Arneora asked with concern.

"Dra'ka Nulen," she said with a bow of her head. "With the help of my friends, I am better."

"Good," Arneora said softly. "I brought you these--you will need them. I suppose you will stay here for the night?"

"Thank you, Dra'ka Nulen. Yes, I...will feel better not being alone."

"I understand. Well, we can talk about it tomorrow, or another time, if you wish. I...am glad that you are safe. Rest well, child."

As Arneora headed towards the door, James caught up to her.

"May I have a moment?"

"James, of course."

When they were out in the hallway, James asked quietly, "Do you have an idea who might have done this to Erlanna?"

Arneora thought quickly of how to put it.

"We are looking for him now."

"The person is still here somewhere?" James asked with concern.

"No...we have a good idea where he went to. There is a flight heading there now to pick him up. There will be an investigation, and then a trial. He will be dealt with. Harshly."

"Good. Erlanna was pretty shaken up when she arrived, and it looked like she had been bitten on the back of her neck. It's been healed and she's much calmer now. Frer-Sha'an can make sure she sleeps tonight should it be necessary," James said.

"Compassion is a worthy trait, James; there are too many who have refused to learn it," Arneora said with a sad smile. Pulling him towards her, she hugged James, resting her chin on top of his head. "I hope you and your mates can forgive a foolish old female's desire for a little dash of spice in a long existence where there are few such opportunities."

James placed his hands on either side of Arneora's face and kissed her on the mouth, much to her surprise.

"Already done," James said with a smile.

Back in the huge rest chamber, James checked on Erlanna.

"Hey, anything else we can do for you?" James asked softly.

"Would it be permissible if I shift back to my larger form? I...need to periodically," Erlanna asked apologetically.

"I don't think anyone will have a problem with that. How much space do you need?" James asked.

Erlanna looked from one end of the cushioned area to the other, estimating how much of it she would need.

"I believe this half would be more than sufficient. Will that leave enough room for all of you?"

"Plenty of room. Give me a bit to let everyone know and to let us make room for you, okay?"

Erlanna nodded her head in agreement, so with Rha'an's help, James gathered everyone together.

"Listen up," James started, getting everyone's attention, and motioning with a hand to gather close. "Erlanna...apparently was assaulted this evening by one of her own kind. We don't know the means by which she ended up here--I'm assuming it wasn't by her own doing, though it seems to have been before things got any worse than it did. She was roughed up, but Frer-Sha'an and Chief Sorrel did what they could to make her better. Erlanna is going to stay with us tonight--however, she needs to revert to her large form, so we need to make some room for her. We all have an idea how they can look, so hopefully it won't be as much of a surprise this time. She said she thinks half of the cushioned area should be more than enough for her, so that should still give all of us ample room. Let's move everything over to that side and let her change forms, and then we can get re-situated. Turn to."

In short order, all of the blankets, pillows, and personal gear were moved near the wall on the hallway side of the sleep chamber, and then everyone lined up against it to give the Dra'kan as much room as possible.

When all were out of her way, James called out, "Ready when you are, Erlanna!"

Lilly wormed her way close to James' side, with Tanya to his left and Moira to Lilly's right, and Shauna behind them looking over their heads.

Erlanna positioned herself in the middle of the cushioned area with her left side towards the others, and then bent over as if she was going to stretch. Her body rapidly dissolved into pure white light and then grew...and grew...and grew larger yet, reshaping itself as it did. When the transformation was complete, everyone stared in awe at what they saw--a magnificently beautiful all silver dragoness bathed in light, whose claws looked as if they were made of crystal and her blue eyes were as sapphires lit with an inner light.

"Jeezers, she's...gorgeous! Lilly exclaimed quietly, her bottom lip beginning to quiver.

"Da, so...beautiful!" Tanya agreed, wiping a tear from her eye.

"Oh, girl..." Shauna whispered in wide-eyed awe.

Even Moira was moved by the sight of Erlanna's dragon form. "So perfect."

James stood there, completely awed by what he saw--there were no words that came to him to describe the sight he beheld.

"I was with her...I had...oh, man...," he thought to himself when Erlanna turned her head and fixed her eyes on him and smiled shyly, as much as her form allowed. Without thinking, James started walking towards her as if in a daze, and then everyone else followed, gathering around Erlanna and touching her to make sure what they thought they saw was actually real.

"Erlanna...I had no idea you...are so...," James said, touching her cheek, feeling his heart pound heavily in is chest.

"You flatter me, James," Erlanna said in shy embarrassment with a sensuous and nearly musical voice. "Do you like this aspect of me?"

All James could do was simply nod his head.

* * * * *

While everyone was giving Erlanna their undivided attention, someone else looked in on them from afar.

"Despite everything, she is still sweet and pure at heart, even if some of the innocence is gone. Look, my children, look well...this is how it should be. She is an immortal, born to be as this. Let her be a light in the darkness you will face, for you will be among the champions who will fight for what she represents."

L'saren Fey-sel'ena smiled as she watched from the timeless home of the First Ones, Ayoo-t'ahna nal-Zhidôr, as it is called in their tongue. Known by many names in different times and places--the Eldest of the Old, some called her, while others knew her as Mistress Starfire.

* * * * *

When the light faded, Kh'nar dropped face first into deep snow, which promptly began to melt from his body heat and work its way under his scales, chilling him.

"Wha...where am I?!" he said angrily.

Looking around, it was dark, the wind and heavily falling snow had created a white out condition, limiting his ability to orientate himself. Without thinking, he attempted to touch the control to activate his communicator only to realize that he had left it in his quarters so that his movements could not be tracked. At first, he bellowed in rage at having the object of his desire taken from him, then he did so again after kicking the deep snow. Trying to calm himself enough to think, he knew he would have to find shelter from the raging snowstorm. Flying would be too risky if he could not see. He bellowed one more time and listened carefully to see if he could hear an echo, but the sound was simply swallowed up by the snow.

"If I find who dumped me here..." Kh'nar started to say with a menacing growl.

"You'll do what, oh mighty slayer of toads?"

Kh'nar turned around trying to see the source of the sarcastic voice taunting him.

"You really are pathetic," the voice said, this time from a different direction.

"Who are you?! Show yourself!" Kh'nar demanded.

"Your death, if you touch her again."

The taunting voice came from yet another direction, infuriating him more.

"I will show you death, you ingrate!"

Kh'nar inhaled deeply and then exhaled, releasing the contents of the two glands in his mouth which mixed and produced a white-hot blast of flame as he moved it in an arc.

"You hear that, Kh'nar?"

"Hear what?!" he demanded, turning again in attempt to find the person taunting him.

"Shut up and listen, fool!"

He was about to shout something, but decided to do what the voice said. He listened.

Faintly at first, he thought he heard a sound in the distance work its way through the wind. The more he listened, the closer it got and the clearer it became.

Howling...and not just one voice.

"They'll be coming for you, Kh'nar, if you touch her again."

"What are you talking about?!"

The wind suddenly stopped. Behind him were the sounds of several somethings moving through the snow, and snarling. Turning quickly, everything became terribly quiet. He could see nothing, but then...

Eyes. Many pairs of eyes, glowing with an amber colored fire. They surrounded him.

"We have your scent," said one. "We smell your fear," said another. "Leave girl alone," said yet another. "We hunt you if do not." "Run, we will catch." "Then you die."

"I fear no one!!" Kh'nar roared.

He was struck hard from behind, knocked face down into the snow, with a heavy weight on his back as if something large was standing on him. A deep, throaty growl filled his ear and warm, moist breath touched his cheek.

"Do as told. Leave girl alone, or...we hunt you!"

Wild howling erupted all around him and a vision filled his mind of powerful jaws gnashing, biting, ripping--and pain, terrible pain!

Suddenly all was quiet. The pain was a receding memory, the crushing weight gone from his back, and the eyes were gone.

"Your only_warning, _fool. Die, or heed it--your choice."

The frigid wind hit with gale force, driving the snow which stung his eyes. He did not know how long he laid in the deep, drifting snow, which his body heat was no longer melting, and it had begun to cover him. His vision began to blur and his hands and feet and ears burned with the cold. He began to think his mind was playing tricks on him, for he thought he heard the whine of thrusters approaching.

And then as his vision began to dim, he saw bright lights probing through the snowstorm, searching, and then finding him half buried in drifting snow.

* * * * *

Erlanna watched as her mortal friends laid out their blankets and arranged their pillows. It was from a different perspective she watched, not only due to the size of her larger form, but also for another reason. She found it strange, thinking about it, that mortals would care for her as they would for others of their kind; she also found it strangely interesting that she was beginning to think differently of them. They shared many of the same hopes and fears, dreams and experiences, as any of her own might have. There was something among the ones known as Terrans that she could see they possessed in remarkable quantity, something that she wished more of her people had instead of the cool aloofness of their reptilian nature or the disdainful boredom some had fallen into--their capacity to enjoy the short lives they were given, and--most importantly--the ability to give what James had spoken of so succinctly when they had their moment alone: "Here you will find only love and acceptance." She wanted to feel that around her, and to share what she could give of it to her new friends, but...how? She was immortal, she was Dra'kan, she was so different from them. That fact didn't seem to stop them from giving to her--could she not do the same?

"I need to learn more about their ways," Erlanna thought to herself.

She saw James as the natural leader of the mortals, from the perspective of her own society, though, among the horned ones with the odd black markings, their leader was a strong female. Erlanna had learned already that her name was Rhuw-Rha'an, and the First One, Naoia, said that James trusted her completely, and she could too.

"I wonder why she chose to join him on their quest? I will see if she will speak with me about it."

Erlanna waited until the female leader of the horned ones had finished talking to James about something and was heading back to be with her own.

"Commander, may I ask you something?"

Rha'an was surprised that the Dra'kan wished to speak with her.

"Of course, Erlanna, what do you wish to know?" Rha'an replied politely.

Motioning for her to come nearer, Erlanna lowered her head down to Rha'an's level.

"I am curious...why did you choose to follow James on his quest?"

The question was not one that Rha'an had expected the Dra'kan to ask.

"It is...a long story," Rha'an replied.

"I like stories...and time is of no importance to me."

Rha'an saw the hopeful look in Erlanna's eyes, which showed a strange, almost child-like expectation. Remembering that Erlanna was immortal, Rha'an could understand why she phrased her response the way she did.

"As you wish," Rha'an said, smiling as she might to her sister's youngest child.

Using her telekinetic ability, Rha'an moved a thick pillow to her from a nearby pile of extras, and sat down to recount how they had been taken captive by the Wurnak Da'i and how James and his crew took part in their rescue, including the events that followed, up to receiving his message asking if she and her crew would be willing to take part in a joint mission with them.

"Is your civilization much different than that of the Terrans?" Erlanna asked.

Rha'an patiently explained the matriarchal nature of their society and how it differed from that of the Terrans, using some of the knowledge Zhir-Chi'an had gained while living for a time on the Terran homeworld.

"So, you follow him because you owe him for saving you?" Erlanna asked, tilting her head slightly to one side.

"James and his crew have proven themselves to be worthy friends--we do not forget our friends. We stood with them before our Empress and our people, and we stand with them now, and they with us. On my world, we would say that our 'vines have become entangled'--our fates, if you wish, are now bound together; where one goes, so does the other; what affects one, affects us all. We may be an older people than they, but even we might learn something from them, just as they will undoubtedly learn from us," Rha'an explained.

Erlanna pondered that for a moment.

"If only my own people would see things as you do..." Erlanna said--there was a bit of sadness in her voice and in her eyes, which touched Rha'an.

When Erlanna laid her head on the cushioned surface and sighed, Rha'an stood and came closer, putting a hand on the Dra'kan's wing arm.

"James...mentioned to me that he...spent some time alone with you. I, too, have been included and given what he and his mates have to share. It is something quite special. One of my own has also experienced the same with one of his--I am certain of it, for I have sensed the change in her thoughts, which are similar to what I have experienced. I...I can sense it growing within you as well. The All Mother has meant for our paths to cross, perhaps our own vines will become entangled. We are the same even as we are different."

When Rhuw-Rha'an went back to see to her own, Erlanna thought on what she had told her. Turning her attention towards James and his mates, she watched as they talked, held each other, and shared moments of tenderness. Erlanna laid her head down and thought how she wished she had what they did. She closed her eyes and heaved a long, slow sigh.

A short while later, Erlanna felt a coolness permeate through her mirror-like scales in multiple places. Opening an eye, she looked...and what she saw surprised her. Everyone had gathered close around her.

She had been accepted and included.

---

[1] J'kua - R'Hinsi equivalent of a week; 12 solar days on her homeworld, R'Hin.

[2] J'fi - R'Hinsi equivalent of an hour; 18 in one solar day.