7

The Battle of Esba'in marked a turning point in the history of the Milky Way galaxy. The First Ones--the timeless, hyper-intelligent, pan-dimensional, and ultra-powerful beings who had guided the development of many worlds across the multiverse--had been content to sit quietly and patiently in the background, watching, listening, and intervening discretely, only when necessary. They were generally of a benevolent nature, acting more like the ultimate grandparents of all living things, content to let things sort themselves out on their own, occasionally giving a helping hand through means such as "the whisper one does not hear, yet does." However, there were things they had little tolerance for.

An ancient race of beings known by many in the Milky Way galaxy simply as the Dark Bloods, for their true name was too difficult for most to pronounce, had disrupted the balance. The Dark Bloods craved power by any and all means--nothing was safe from their touch. They had arisen on their own in the very early days of the galaxy, and once they learned of the First Ones, the Dark Bloods followed them when and where they could, hiding in the deep, forgotten places of worlds, biding their time, until they could begin to twist what the First Ones had started according to their own desires. At first, they, like the First Ones, worked slowly and quietly in the background, spreading from world to world like an infection, corrupting and destroying as they went. Over the course of billions of years, the Dark Bloods grew bolder and more powerful, and began to turn their eyes to the other jewels of the universe. They desired to reach into other galaxies, and even into other realms of existence.

The First Ones had enough.

When the Dark Bloods and their minions openly sought to attack the world now known as Esba'in, with its encircling ring-like space station complex, it proved to be the tipping point. The First Ones decided to once again walk openly among the stars--it was time to begin putting an end to the Dark Bloods, once and for all, and to cleanse the galaxy of their corruption. Esba'in, the First Ones swore, would not fall before the Dark Bloods.

Esba'in had a secret.

* * * * *

Erlanna, while in her full form, watched with interest as the healers, Frer-Sha'an and Mindy, tended to Khel'zet after her ordeal in The Great Hall. James and his officers, along with Rhuw-Rha'an and the senior members of her crew, sat with Erlanna and discussed what to do about the R'Hinsi female.

"So, we're stuck with her, da?" Tanya asked, watching James' expression closely.

"Looks like it, Tan," James said after taking a deep breath.

"There's no way we could get her back into R'Hin space even if we were close enough," Shauna stated.

"Yeah, they'd probably torture her for information about us and then kill her on some trumped-up bogus charge," Sylvia added.

"We can't let her have the run of the ship," Zack said.

"Do you not allow the Fansq girls to move freely about your ship?" Erlanna asked.

"It's a different situation with Elí and Meyleh," James replied.

"And that is?" Erlanna asked, tilting her head a little to one side.

"They're not enemy combatants," Zach replied.

"And they're completely non-violent. I've been trying to teach them how to simply defend themselves, and...they just won't," Sylvia added.

"But you are not at war with the R'Hinsa, and this one has done nothing to you--can you not give her your love and acceptance as you have given it to me?" Erlanna asked with a perplexed look.

"If only it were that easy, Erlanna," James replied. "People who tried to be friendly with them ended up getting killed. It would be great if everybody in the galaxy could get along, but some just don't want to. Could you love a Dark Blood?"

"I..." Erlanna started to say, but then hung her head. "I...do not think so."

"That might be an extreme case, but I think maybe you get my point, given their history. It's similar with the R'Hinsa--they've proven themselves to be ruthless and dangerous, time and again. When you hold your hand out in friendship to someone and they hurt you for no reason, would you not be leery of them?"

"But...you saved _this_one from being hurt," Erlanna pointed out.

"Yes...because we _respect_life, even hers. There was no need for her to suffer like that," James explained.

Erlanna thought a moment and then asked, "Does anyone know why they are the way you say they are?"

"Nobody that we know of...at least those who have survived long enough to tell about it," Sylvia replied.

"I doubt she would give us a history lesson on her people and why they suddenly started attacking all of their neighbors for no reason," Shauna said.

"Would she talk to your people, Commander?" Erlanna asked Rha'an.

"Khel'zet undoubtedly has surmised by now that we are friends and allies with the Sol Federation of Worlds. She would likely be reluctant to speak of things beyond her immediate needs. Even though we have the ability to probe her mind and find whatever answers there may be there, it would not be right to do so since she poses no immediate threat to anyone," Rha'an explained.

Erlanna looked thoughtfully at Khel'zet for a moment and then offered, "Perhaps she may speak with me."

"After what was done to her by your people, ah?" Tanya pointed out.

Erlanna opened her mouth to say something, but then thinking on it, looked down in shame. Then an expression of determination came upon Erlanna's face and she lifted her head to look at Khel'zet.

"Then I shall simply have to earn her trust."

Khel'zet wondered what would become of her now that she seemed to be in the hands of those who her people--her government, to be more precise--had deemed to be enemies. Although she had welcomed the help of the two healers, she did not understand why the one who she knew had been an adversary now seemed to care about her well-being. There was only one way to find out.

"Why?" Khel'zet asked, giving Mindy a confused look.

"Why...what?" Mindy asked, not sure what Khel'zet wanted.

"Why...you do...this?" Khel'zet asked, gesturing towards Mindy's medical scanner.

"You were hurt and needed medical help," Mindy said calmly as she continued her scan.

"But...why?" Khel'zet insisted.

Mindy finished making her scan, looked at the readings, and then put her scanner back into its holster.

"This is what I do. I'm a medic, I aid the injured and sick, no matter who they are. Even a R'Hinsi," Mindy replied, looking Khel'zet in the eye. "How do you feel now?"

"Well enough," Khel'zet replied.

"Do you need anything else at the moment?" Mindy asked.

Khel'zet did not want to show weakness in front of others, though she was feeling a bit chilled in the cool air. A chance to clean herself and fresh clothing would also be appreciated.

"I...have been...ensnared...for three j'kua. I was not...given...I do not know your word," Khel'zet tried to say in the unfamiliar Terran language.

"I believe Khel'zet would like the opportunity to cleanse herself and have clean clothing to wear," Sha'an sent to Mindy.

"You need a bath and some clean clothes, I take it," Mindy said.

"Yes," Khel'zet acknowledged.

"I'll see what I can do about that. Anything else?" Mindy asked.

Khel'zet was about to say "no" when Mindy saw her try to keep from shivering.

"Let me get you a blanket for now, and then I'll ask the captain about getting you something else to wear," Mindy said.

Khel'zet nodded her head once and Mindy went to over to the pile of extra blankets and pillows. She selected a couple of blankets and a pillow and brought them back with her. Mindy folded one blanket in half and carefully draped it about Khel'zet's shoulders.

"Here's an extra, and a pillow for later. I'll go see about getting you something else to wear," Mindy said.

Khel'zet looked up at Mindy.

"Thank...you."

Although Mindy was surprised by what the R'Hinsi had said, she simply nodded her head, and then went to see about the other things.

Khel'zet watched as Mindy went to a tall male who she thought might be the superior officer and speak with him.

Turning her attention back to the Mûr Tua'ansa healer, Khel'zet asked, "Did...your people...fight ours?"

"No. We had not yet met these people during the time yours warred with them. If we had been involved, the war would have been over shortly after it had started," Sha'an sent in reply.

Khel'zet was surprised--not so much because of what Sha'an had said, but how she had said it.

"You...speak with mind?" Khel'zet asked, her eyes widening slightly.

"Yes, all my people do," Sha'an replied.

"Your people...are powerful," Khel'zet said.

"We are an old race, Khel'zet. We have been among the stars since before your kind knew how to make fire. We would not have been around as long as we have if we had attacked our neighbors for no reason. Some of those are much older than our civilization--and then, since we have been in this part of the galaxy, we have met others such as the Dra'kans who are among the Elder Races," Sha'an explained.

"The strange beast-being...spoke true, then. These Dra'kans...are an Elder Race," Khel'zet said softly.

"Beast-being?" Sha'an asked.

"The large furry one...with strange eyes. It...with others like it...came here," Khel'zet replied as best she could.

"Char'ena."

"Yes! It came to me...before. It said...was way older than...Dra'kans," Khel'zet said.

"We have learned that Char'ena is a companion of sorts to a First One. Have you heard of them?" Sha'an asked. When she saw Khel'zet's shocked expression, Sha'an smiled gently. "I see that you have."

"How...how do...you know of them?" Khel'zet asked.

"They have been to our world long ago--they have also been to the Terrans' world. We have learned that one has been following us, though we have not yet met. I suspect at some point we will," Sha'an replied.

Khel'zet pulled her knees up to her chin and wrapped her arms and the blanket around them.

"Our Emperor was a fool for allowing the war with the Sol Federation and the Terrans if they have been touched by the First Ones! What have we done?" she thought to herself.

"Captain?" Mindy asked when she approached, wishing to speak.

"What's up, Chief?" James prompted.

"The...er, Khel'zet, rather, needs some clothing and a shower. She said that she's been held for, what did she say...um, three j'kua, whatever that is, and apparently hasn't been allowed to bathe or given anything else to wear other than what she was wearing when they took her," Mindy explained.

Moira spoke up and said, "A j'kua is the R'Hin equivalent to a week, which is twelve of their days in length."

"For most mammalian life forms, that's a long time to go without having proper personal hygiene and clean clothes," Mindy said.

"I agree, James. It could become a health issue for Khel'zet, if it has not already," Moira added.

James thought a moment and said, "Very well. Even though she's not technically a prisoner, I suppose she has become our responsibility for the time being. Moira, take Khel'zet to the ship and use the AQMS[1]to make her some clothing and provide whatever personal items she needs. Rha'an, may we borrow Whu'an for a bit?"

"Certainly, James. I will summon her," Rha'an agreed.

* * * * *

A short while later, Moira's android avatar, Plel-Whu'an, and Khel'zet appeared inside _Nightwing_near the Ship's Clerk's office space. Being that it was her first time experiencing being teleported, Khel'zet reeled from the sensation upon arrival.

"We have...transport...devices, but that is...much different," Khel'zet said, grabbing Moira's arm for support.

"It will pass quickly," Whu'an said.

Moira explained to Khel'zet how the AQMS would first acquire her body's measurements and then they would look for appropriate clothing in the database. Once the garment items were selected and the measurements applied, the machine would create them. After her body was scanned and measurements recorded, with Moira's help Khel'zet looked for suitable items.

"If possible, I...prefer my own...uniform," Khel'zet requested.

"I shall attempt to find a R'Hinsa female uniform, though it may not be available," Moira said.

"I...understand," Khel'zet acknowledged. While Moira was searching for files on R'Hinsa military uniforms, Khel'zet said, "That I am...on this ship, not as your...prisoner, by your...asking, I...would be ensnared by my...superiors."

Moira's android avatar glanced quickly at Whu'an before saying to Khel'zet with a smile, "Then we won't tell them if you don't."

As luck would have it, there were no known descriptions of R'Hinsi female uniforms in the ship's computer, so Moira had Khel'zet look through civilian styles. At one point, Khel'zet stopped on an outfit and slowly reached a hand to the screen, looking at it wistfully.

"Females...truly get to...wear such?"

When Moira's avatar looked at the item displayed, she smiled slightly.

"If they want," Moira said.

"That...not possible...for me," Khel'zet said.

"Why not?" Moira asked gently.

"It is too...I do not...know your word," Khel'zet said, touching the screen one more time.

Moira saved the items shown before Khel'zet passed on them to look for more practical clothing.

When Khel'zet had her new clothing and personal items, along with a duffel and a kit bag to stow them in, with Whu'an following, Moira led her to one of the berthing compartments where she showed Khel'zet how to use a shower. When she was finished and dressed, Khel'zet appeared to be happier.

"Feel better?" Moira asked.

"Yes. Feel...proper, to be with others," Khel'zet said, smiling a little while looking at herself in a mirror. "What of these?" she asked, indicating her dirty laundry.

"If you will place them in here, I will make sure they are cleaned and returned to you," Moira replied, opening the bin to put items to be washed in the ship's laundry. While Khel'zet was doing that, Moira said to Whu'an, "I believe we should head back--they will begin serving the evening meal soon."

Before Whu'an teleported them back to Arneora's guest chamber, Khel'zet said, "Thank...you, for...this," meaning the clothing, personal items, and use of the shower.

"You will find that the people of the Sol Federation of Worlds and their allies are, by and large, considerate and fair in their treatment of others. They will help those in need without asking for anything in return, and they prefer to live peaceably with those around them--hurt them, or those they care about, they will rise as one and fight to the last; treat them with kindness and respect, they will return the same," Whu'an sent to Khel'zet, reinforcing her words with mental images to make sure they were understood properly.

Khel'zet lowered her eyes and gave a slight nod of her head to indicate that she understood.

* * * * *

"Captain, may I have a word with you, in private?" Miss Ja'f'darwe asked James politely.

"Certainly, what's on your mind?" James inquired, when they were a distance away from others.

"The R'Hinsi female," Miss Ja'f'darwe replied.

"Okay, what about her?" James asked.

"Has the _Dra'ka Nulen_made any mention if our erstwhile adversary will be returned to her homespace by those who brought her here?"

James frowned, shook his head slowly, and replied, "No...she hasn't."

"What is to be done with her?" Miss Ja'f'darwe asked.

"Good question--I don't know," James said, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

"After what happened today, I don't think the one named Kh'nar can be trusted. He was furious with you, though when Char'ena and her friends showed up, he suddenly became terrified, and even more so after Char'ena spoke to him in that strange voice. I don't know what that was about, though I believe the _Dra'ka Nulen_may. When people are afraid, they are more prone to do foolish things--given how you stood to protect the R'Hinsi female, I would not be surprised if Kh'nar were to do something to her out of spite. We were told that we're safe and that no one would dare harm us--is the R'Hinsi female protected as well?" Miss Ja'f'darwe asked.

"That's another good question, and I agree with you about Kh'nar--I wouldn't trust him any further than I could throw him," James said.

Miss Ja'f'darwe smiled slightly but then became serious again.

"If she is to remain in our care, what do you think about asking one of our Mûr Tua'ansa friends to 'teach' her Terran Standard English so that there would be less chance of miscommunication with her? I understand from a military perspective that may not necessarily be a good idea; however, from a diplomatic viewpoint, it might be worth it in the long run if it will enable us to learn more about each other so that we can avoid another war with the R'Hinsa, especially if we need to prepare for a war that will likely involve most of the known galaxy," Miss Ja'f'darwe explained.

James thought about it said, "As you said, if we end up getting stuck with her, having her know our language well enough to hopefully prevent a misunderstanding between her and the rest of us, I think...that would be a wise thing to do. Getting her back to R'Hin would be difficult at best if we were within range to do so--and that's if they wouldn't kill her on the spot just because she was with us, or at the very least, imprison and torture her for information. If she were to come back with us, she'd be living in exile among former adversaries for the rest of her life. Either way wouldn't be what I'd wish on someone who hasn't done anything against us personally."

"All the more reason for her to properly learn Terran Standard English so that she may make an informed decision on what she wants to do--try to get the Dra'kans to take her back home, come with us for the duration of the mission, or make her own way somewhere," Miss Ja'f'darwe suggested.

James rubbed a hand across his face and looked off into the distance for several moments.

"All right, I'll speak with Rha'an and ask if we can borrow one of her people for a language lesson."

After discussing the situation with Rhuw-Rha'an, the two commanding officers sat down with Khel'zet to explain things as best they could.

"We only wish to make it easier for us to talk to one another," James said, after explaining the offer of language.

Khel'zet knew that her knowledge of the Sol Federation's main language was limited--what she had learned had been gained by either herself or others from intercepting communications or from interrogating prisoners of war. Her first thought was that having the chance to acquire a nearly native-level of ability with the language would be a great military advantage; but then she thought how these people had risked greatly on her behalf, with no less than their superior officer placing himself directly between her and danger, willing to sacrifice himself to protect one who had been his enemy for no other reason than it was right and just. He was either an incredible fool, or incredibly brave and honorable. Thinking that her own superiors would not hesitate to sacrifice an underling in a similar situation, Khel'zet chose to believe the later of the two possibilities--this officer would risk himself for others.

"I...accept offer," Khel'zet agreed. "You...learn my also?"

"If you wish to share that with us," Rha'an sent.

"Yes...is fair," Khel'zet said.

"Okay, we will gather everyone around and begin," James agreed.

When Erlanna learned what was going on, she asked, "Ooo, may I learn, too?"

"I thought you already knew our language," James said.

Erlanna smiled as best as she could, still being in her full form, and said, "I have a translator. When Shipmaster D'Narial accessed your ship's computer and inserted our language data into your translation matrix, he updated our own with your languages as well. I would still like to learn it for myself...if you do not mind," she added sweetly.

James found it hard to resist Erlanna.

Holding his arms wide, the silver dragoness lowered her head and allowed James to embrace her and kiss her on the cheek.

Khel'zet watched James interacted with the huge silver beast-being, and was shocked by the display of affection the two shared.

"What...is he...doing?"

"You have not yet met Erlanna. Come with me--I will introduce you," Rha'an replied, standing up. Sensing Khel'zet's apprehension, Rha'an added, "She will not harm you."

Reluctantly, Khel'zet got up and followed Rha'an.

"Erlanna, I believe you have not yet been introduced," Rha'an said, nodding towards the R'Hinsi female.

"Why, no, I have not," Erlanna said with a smile, looking curiously at the R'Hinsi female.

"This is Khel'zet Harankhek, Communications Technician, Lower Grade, of the R'Hin Empire. Khel'zet, this is Erlanna, she is the assistant to Arneora, the one known as the Dra'ka Nulen," Rha'an sent to both, making the introduction.

Erlanna shifted her position a bit so that she could extend her thumb claw.

"Pleased to meet you, Khel'zet. My, what pretty hair you have--why, it matches my mane, do you not think, James?"

"Yes, it does," James agreed.

Khel'zet pulled back when Erlanna moved her wing arm and pointed her thumb claw towards her.

"Oh, did I frighten you? I am sorry, I did not mean to. I watched what happened in The Great Hall--I imagine all of that was rather much for you to deal with," Erlanna said apologetically.

"You...speak?" Khel'zet asked with a confused look on her face.

"Why, of course! I know several languages! Some are pretty old, I imagine, so you may not have heard of them. Let's see...I know Drakkorian; the language of the Ayoona-Lu-Nehm'a, now that_took a bit to learn; I know Elysil; I know the Great Lupins' native language, and I know Harfaran; oh, and I know _Theronesian, too! There's some others, but you are not likely to run into those people," Erlanna said.

'Wait, those first two...I've heard those names somewhere before," James said, thinking about it.

"You have?" Erlanna asked, somewhat shocked.

"Yeah...I can't think where, at the moment, though. It'll probably come to me eventually," James replied.

Erlanna filed that bit of information away in her mind.

Khel'zet was amazed at the huge beast-being's fluency. She did not yet know that the Dra'kans had the ability to transform into the large dragon-like form that Erlanna was presently in--but she would soon enough.

James and Rha'an gathered everyone around to take part in the "language lesson" session, which Shen-Lir'an and Zhir-Chi'an would facilitate.

"Perhaps I should change," Erlanna suggested.

"Whichever form works for you," James said with a slight smile.

"Well, since we will be having our dinner after this, I think I probably should.

"Do you need more room?" James asked.

"Oh, this will be fine. Just a moment..."

"What does it...she...mean?" Khel'zet asked in confusion.

"Just watch," James said with a chuckle.

When Khel'zet saw Erlanna's body dissolve into pure white light, she inadvertently backed into the person standing behind her, holding a hand up to shield her eyes from the light. She watched dumbfounded as Erlanna's large form diminished and change its shape, and then solidifying into the anthropomorphic form of the Dra'kans she had seen. It was after Erlanna's transformation was complete, that Khel'zet felt hands on her shoulders and her body pressed against another. Turning her head slowly to look at one of the hands, and then turning to look behind her, Khel'zet's eyes widened when she looked into the eyes of Nightwing's near-human Science Officer, Lt. Zach MacCloud.

"Damn...why does she have to be such a looker?" Zach thought quickly to himself, his green feline-like eyes momentarily locked onto her piercing blue eyes. Despite what she represented to him, Zach found the contrast between her dark skin and snow-white hair enticing; the upswept pointed ears showed she was not human, and therefore exotic; her eyes were as blue as oceans; and her lips--he wondered what it would be like to kiss them. Would it result in a hand across his face? A knife in the back? Or...?

"Sorry," Zach said apologetically, slowly lifting is hands from her shoulders and spreading his fingers, not able to think of anything appropriate to say.

With her face expressing her uncertainty, Khel'zet slowly nodded her head once and took a cautious step forward, glancing briefly over her shoulder.

"Jeezers, I hope I didn't offend her--she backed into me_, after all_," Zach thought to himself.

"Why does he look at me so? I was startled by the silver one's changing--I did not know he was so close behind me! How was that possible? No one has ever been able to come up behind me like that! And his touch--have I been away for so long that I entertain the thought of one so...different?" Khel'zet thought to herself.

As it was done when Zhir-Chi'an first learned Terran Standard English from Felix onboard _Nightwing_shortly after their rescue, everyone sat in a group around Chi'an, Lir'an, and Khel'zet. With their right hand on the shoulder of the person in front of them and their other on the person to their left, the learning and sharing of language began. Approximately fifteen minutes later, everyone among both crews, including Rissanivi and Erlanna, knew the main R'Hin language and Khel'zet knew Terran Standard English as well as any in the group.

"Can you understand us better now, Miss Harankhek?" James asked aloud, once the mental link was ended.

"Yes, Captain," Khel'zet replied. "E-chekh z'chif khoorikh?"[2]she asked in R'Hin N'raz, the main language of her people.

"T'hû,"[3]James replied with a smile.

Looking around the group, Khel'zet said, "I believe you may be the first not of R'Hin to have learned our primary language."

"I suppose," James agreed.

"The day before today--at least I think it was only one day--the beast-being, Char'ena, appeared to me. I had fallen asleep in my cell, only to awaken outdoors on a hill, overlooking a body of water. It was, you say, late in the afternoon, I believe. The one named Char'ena brought me food and drink, and we talked for a short while. She told me you might ask questions, but I might also ask, and that I was to be honest with you for you would also be with me. Did the beast-being speak true?" Khel'zet asked.

"Great Lupins do not lie, Khel'zet," Erlanna said. "If Char'ena, or any of her kind, tells you something, you may accept it as irrefutable fact. You should always pay attention to everything they say. They usually don't get personally involved with mortals, unless they have a good reason to."

"Hey, Erlanna used a contraction!" Lilly quickly pointed out to James using her limited telepathy. "She never did that before. Well, none of the Dra'kans have, if I remember correctly."

"You're right, she did. She must not be using her translator."

"Yeah, I guess so. Cool," Lilly sent.

"Even though our people are no longer at war, and you are not our prisoner, given our past history, there will be certain questions we won't answer and I'm sure the same holds true with you. I think we can all respect each other enough not to ask questions of a classified military nature. Are we clear on this?" James asked, looking around the group, particularly at his own people and Khel'zet.

"The one called Char'ena...she made me swear upon my oath that the past between us will remain in the past. I admit it will be...difficult, for one particular reason," Khel'zet said.

"And what might that be, if it won't cause you to break your oath?" James asked.

Khel'zet thought how to put it.

"My brother, Khral'zed--I know that he died at his gun post on a world I think you may know as...Chandor-IV. The circumstances we never knew, only that it was in a canyon," Khel'zet said, her voice tinged with sadness.

The mention of Chandor-IV sent a shock through James, Sylvia, and Mindy--they all had their own unpleasant memories of that battle, particularly Mindy. It was a time the three of them wished they could forget, and now they had a reminder of it in the form of a R'Hinsi who had lost a close relative on that world. The gun post Khel'zet mentioned meant only one thing--Demon's Canyon.

Mindy quickly stood and stepped out of the group, walked a short distance, and then went down on her knees facing away from everyone.

Frer-Sha'an went to Mindy, knelt down beside her, and the two hugged each other.

Not understanding, Khel'zet asked, "Did Chief Sorrel lose someone on that world, too?"

James, glancing back towards Mindy, quietly replied, "Mindy nearly died on Chandor-IV, in that canyon."

Khel'zet looked down for several moments before asking, "May I know how?"

James took a breath and explained, "Mindy was part of a rescue mission to recover dead and wounded. She found one young Fleet Marine officer who was still alive, though badly wounded. While she did her best to save his life, a...R'Hinsa plasma cannon fired on her position. A bolt nearly hit her--it was so close that it burned a swath across her back, from here to here, this wide." James demonstrated. "I flew the second rescue op that brought her and the others back. There were only three survivors, and Mindy was one of those."

"And you did not come under attack as well?" Khel'zet asked.

"I was the one who silenced that gun," James said quietly.

"Then it...was you..." Khel'zet started to say, her hands clenching into fists even though her face showed a mix of emotions.

"There were a _lot_of gun emplacements in and around that canyon. I put several out of action. When I landed, I got out and helped pick up the bodies, and I got the survivors back up to a ship in orbit where they received emergency medical care. It was on Chandor-IV where I met Miss Stewert and Chief Sorrel. I lost some good friends in the war, and some family members. I think most of us have," James explained.

"Now you know why Char'ena said to keep the past in the past--you need to let go of it. We Dra'kans are immortal and have all the time there is to think about things that happened long ago--but you don't. Your lives are short, so you need to keep thinking about new things...let us worry about the past and what it means," Erlanna said, holding her hands out.

James looked at Erlanna and then at her hand; grasping it, he said, "You're right, the past is past--we can't change it, and we can't let it rule us."

Sylvia put her hand on James', and added, "The only thing we can change is right...now."

Khel'zet looked at both James and Sylvia, then at their hands, and then she looked towards Mindy.

"What my brother did was not wrong--it was his orders that were wrong. Our Emperor should not have listened to those who wanted to war with our neighbors who could not have caused the calamity that brought so much suffering. We lost so much--they were too afraid to ask for help, thinking it would make us look weak and then we would be attacked. Their fear hurt us, and many others. You are right, it must end somewhere." Khel'zet grasped Erlanna's free hand and held her own out to James and Sylvia. "I am only one person. I cannot speak for the many, though I can for myself. I...I am sorry."

James grasped Khel'zet's hand and then Sylvia reached across to do the same.

"I'm sorry you lost your brother, Khel'zet. Losing family is hard--I know," James said.

Sonya got in on it and said, "Count me in, too. The skipper's right, we all lost somebody--I did, too. It happened, it's over. We have bigger fish to fry than each other, right, sir?"

James smiled and shook his head.

"Sonya..."

"Sir?"

"You like to keep things simple and to the point, don't you?"

"Works for me. Sir."

Khel'zet looked at James and asked, "May I?" indicating that she wished to speak with Mindy.

James nodded his head, so Khel'zet got up and went over to where Mindy and Sha'an were.

Kneeling down directly in front of Mindy, Khel'zet said, "I...did not know about what had happened to you. I am...sorry. I should have remained silent."

Mindy looked up and wiped her eyes.

"No."

Khel'zet got a pained look in her eyes.

"No?" she asked softly.

Mindy sniffled, and said, "No, do not remain silent. Evil persists when good people remain silent and let bad people do bad things. Your people should have stood up against what was wrong, but...things happened the way they did. We can't change the past, only what we do now." Mindy surprised Khel'zet by putting her arms around her and pulling her close. "What happened to me was not your fault, Khel'zet. It wasn't your brother's, either. All we can do is try not to let it happen again." When Mindy pulled back, she held Khel'zet's hands and said, "Back home we have a saying, 'here you will find only love and acceptance'. They're good words, though not always easy to live up to."

"But it is a worthy goal, is it not?" Khel'zet asked.

"Oh, definitely," Mindy replied.

"Then...I shall try."

"Me, too."

* * * * *

When Khel'zet walked into the dining hall and saw the huge amount of food on the tables, she stopped and stared for a moment.

"All of this cannot be for only us..."

"You'd be surprised how much the Dra'kans can eat in one sitting," Zach said, stopping next to her to look at the tables.

Again, Khel'zet had not sensed his nearness, which caused her to turn suddenly when he spoke.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Zack apologized, noticing that her hand had started to come up in a fist.

"I...did not know you were behind me. You are...?" Khel'zet cautiously inquired.

"I'm Lieutenant Zach MacCloud, I'm the Science Officer on Nightwing. I'm third in command of the ship, after Captain Daugherty and Commander Dvoretsky."

Khel'zet's eyes momentarily widened in surprise and she quickly came to an attention posture.

"I...I did not notice you were so close. I am sorry, Senior Officer, it...it will not happen again," Khel'zet said, looking down at the floor.

"Khel'zet, it would be proper address him as 'sir', or as 'Mister MacCloud'," Moira said quietly into her ear. Turning her attention to Zach, Moira added, "I'll instruct her on the rank structure and forms of address after dinner."

Zach smiled and said, "Good idea, Moira--I'll tell Tanya you offered to work with her on that." To Khel'zet, he said, "As you were, Miss Harankhek."

As much as he would have liked to visit with Khel'zet, Zach went to find Lt. Cdr. H'alwa, Jhan-Kri'an, Yris-Nir'an, and Petty Officer Carmen Li as they were planning on discussing some science related items over dinner.

"You are going to have a lot of our terminology to learn in a short amount of time, Khel'zet. I'll prepare some documentation for you and assist you with learning it," Moira said.

"Thank you, Moira. I do not wish to act improperly and risk punishment," Khel'zet said with a measure of relief.

By the time Khel'zet responded, Moira had the study material ready and waiting on the PAD her android avatar had brought with her from the ship.

"Punishment?" Moira inquired.

With a puzzled look, Khel'zet asked cautiously, "There...are...punishments for not properly respecting a superior in your Sol Federation, is there not?"

"If a person willfully_expresses disrespect, either verbally, physically, in writing, or by some other means, then yes, that _can be punishable under applicable regulations. However, if one simply does not know how to properly address another due to not having had prior contact with their culture, that is hardly grounds to punish a person. We know that you are unfamiliar with our ways and that it will take time for you to learn, so we will be patient and forgiving. We hope that you will do so in return with us for not knowing your ways," Moira explained.

Khel'zet thought on that a moment and said, "I shall remember that."

"Our Mûr Tua'ansa friends have a saying, 'we are alike even as we are different', and I find that to be generally true. We all have the same basic needs, wants, and desires despite the differences in our physical forms, our upbringing, or our respective cultures," Moira noted.

"I...had not thought of that," Khel'zet said.

"I'm sure you will have plenty of other things to think about while you are with us," Moira said.

While Moira showed her where to get a plate, eating utensils, and a goblet to drink from, Khel'zet asked, "Will you not be eating?"

Moira smiled and said, "No."

With a quizzical look, Khel'zet asked, "Are you not hungry?"

"I have no need for sustenance," Moira said.

"Then...you will be eating later, yes?" Khel'zet asked.

"I do not need to eat. I can, though I derive no benefit from it," Moira replied.

"I...do not understand," Khel'zet said, looking quite confused.

"I am the Ship's Artificial Intelligence Entity aboard the Sol Federation long-range scout ship, Nightwing. The physical form you see before you is my android avatar, which allows me to interact directly with my crew and others, and vice-versa. You may think of her and I as being one and the same, even though she may operate independently as necessary. I am perhaps the most different from all others present in that I am not a biological person; however, I _am_a fully self-aware and sentient individual. I do not know exactly how I might compare to the Dra'kans, though," Moira explained.

The shocked look on Khel'zet's face made Moira smile slightly.

"But...you look...so..."

"Real?" Moira interjected.

Khel'zet nodded her head.

"My android avatar was designed to appear and act as much like a Terran human female as our technology allows, though she is physically superior in nearly every way," Moira said.

"Ah, getting to know my Ship's A.I., eh?" James asked Khel'zet with a bemused smile as he gathered his dinnerware.

Khel'zet's eyes widened in surprise at being unable to have sensed his approach, just as she was unable to with the Science Officer. She quickly set her dinnerware down on the table and came to attention.

Before she could speak, James held a hand up and said calmly, "At ease, Miss Harankhek--I hope I pronounced that right."

"Yes..." Khel'zet glanced quickly at Moira who whispered the appropriate response in her ear. "...sir."

"This is not a formal occasion, and you're not in trouble, so...relax," James instructed gently. Patting her on the shoulder, he added, "Enjoy your dinner," and then went to join his mates at the table.

Khel'zet stared after James and commented softly, "He is...not...like any of our command officers."

"While James' command style may be more relaxed than some, he has complete faith and trust in his crew and they in him," Moira said.

"What about you?" Khel'zet inquired.

"I trust my pilot and my crew and our Mûr Tua'ansa friends, as well as Elí, Meyleh, and Rissanivi, who have so far shown themselves to be worthy friends," Moira replied. "Who do _you_trust, Khel'zet?"

"I am not sure. I have been taken from my home and everything I knew, and cast amongst strangers--some who my people have been at war with, and other beings who are so strange and beyond my poor ability to understand. I am...alone, nothing is familiar, and I do not know what is to become of me. My former enemies have shown me more kindness than my own people and I admit difficulty in understanding why. I have a...a...I am sorry, what you said you are...talking to me, and...I do not know how to grasp all of this!"

Khel'zet leaned on the table that held the dinnerware and took a slow, deep breath.

Placing a hand on Khel'zet's back, Moira said gently, "In order to run, one first must learn to walk. In order to walk, one must learn to crawl. In order to crawl, one must first begin to simply move. Do not expect to understand everything at once, just as one should not expect to be able to run before learning how to crawl--with each movement, each step, you will learn a little more, and your confidence and ability to deal with the situation you now find yourself in will grow stronger. As for what is to become of you...well, the reason why James agreed to allow you to learn our language is so that you can tell us what you want to do. Why don't we sit down so that you may eat, and then we can discuss the options available as we understand them to be."

Khel'zet looked at her empty plate and then over at the tables full of food. Straightening slowly and picking up her dinnerware, she looked at Moira and said, "I...have never met a truly wise person before."

Moira slightly raised an eyebrow for a moment, and then with a smile, hooked her arm around Khel'zet's as they headed off to take their seats.

"Allow me to introduce you to the Dra'ka Nulen, Arneora. She's over eight billion years old--I think she may know a thing or two about living."

* * * * *

Later that evening after her instruction session with Moira and some among the crews were beginning to settle in for the night, Khel'zet sought out Rissanivi.

"May I speak with you?"

"Um...guess so, yeah," Rissanivi replied, pointing to a cushion.

Khel'zet slowly sat down on the offered cushion, and when she was situated, asked, "When did you meet the people from the Sol Federation?"

Rissanivi looked at Khel'zet and blinked twice, moving her head in small increments.

"Um...depends, yeah, which time?"

"You have met others besides these?" Khel'zet asked, indicating the crew of Nightwing.

"Um, yep, several, um...years, that it, years ago. Big gal, Shauna, um...her brother, Cameron, I call Big C. He and others come, look for old, old stuff in out of way places where old, old ones were long ago. Um...I took places, showed around, learned their words. We make friends, had good time digging on dead worlds...well, um, mostly good time. Didn't like cold places, but took anyway. Found stuff, so they happy," Rissanivi explained.

"Where are they now?" Khel'zet asked.

Rissanivi's expression saddened.

"Um, don't know. They were with other guy, like, um...Tanya, yeah, only taller, then...got lost, maybe? I help Big C's sister find him," Rissanivi replied.

"Who is 'Tanya'?"

"Um...oh, she that one, over there, with James. They mates. Oh, Lilly his mate, too--think Big C's sister is his mate, too. Don't know how all that works, but they seem happy," Rissanivi said cheerfully, pointing out Tanya.

"How did you meet _these_people?" Khel'zet asked.

"Um...oh, bad rude dude named Injokip shot, um, missiles, at ship. Left sleeper charges stuck in hull. One broke plasma conduit, lost power. Lucky me, new friends find and help. They got me warm and removed sleeper charges, then fixed ship enough to make Esba'in station for more fixes. They good people, I like," Rissanivi explained.

"What about the tall ones?" Khel'zet asked.

"Oh, um...look scary, yeah, but nice people. They all right by me. Um...I ask question?" Rissanivi inquired.

"Yes."

"Um...why you people fight friends?" Rissanivi asked, making quick little movements of her head and flicking her tongue out.

"I...have been asking myself that question. We were commanded by our emperor to fight, so we did. We were told what to believe. I think our leaders were wrong, that our emperor was wrong, but if any of my people were to say that, or even suspected of saying it, the Zavokh[4]would come for them and then...they would be made an example of," Khel'zet explained with a small grimace.

"What that?" Rissanivi asked, tilting her head to one side.

"The Zavokh?" Khel'zet asked.

"Um, yeah, that it," Rissanivi acknowledged.

"They enforce unquestioning loyalty and obedience to the emperor. If they come for you..."

Khel'zet looked away, though Rissanivi saw enough of her face to see an expression of fear.

"Oh...," Rissanivi said sadly, reaching a hand to Khel'zet. Then, getting a mischievous grin, she added, "You think what want, bad dudes not mess with friends--we kick booty!"

* * * * *

/* "Here they come, Mistress." */

"Let them get a little closer, dear. I want to see the expressions on their little gray faces when we pounce on them," Naoia said.

/* "Say when..." */

"A little more...a little more...NOW, Char'ena! Hunt them!"

Space itself opened up in multiple locations as howling rainbow streaks of light in the form of gigantic wolves burst forth from Otherspace, biting and ripping into the advancing fleet of ships belonging to the Dark Bloods and their minions. The First Ones' attack had caught them completely off guard. More First ones appeared from behind the fleet, cutting off any chance that they might turn and run.

Big H'win swatted at the Dark Blood ship, rending it with his claws, laying it open and scattering pieces of it. The Dark Blood ship screamed and recoiled as if in pain, but H'win pressed the attack. With each swipe of his claws, more gashes appeared, and more dark, purplish clouds roiled forth. The screams it made were hideous, but H'win didn't care--he was intent on killing his prey.

"I said, no, and I mean no, you idiot! You can't have Esba'in, or any other world, for that matter! We've had quite enough of you fools going around and upsetting things. You should have stayed on that dreary little world of yours. Oh, don't think we haven't been watching what you've been doing--we have. We know what you're after, and no, you're not going to get it!" Naoia said angrily, appearing on the bridge of the Dark Blood command ship in the midst of the battle.

"We take what we want, dogface!" the ship commander sneered, drawing his last word out into a hiss.

"What did you just call me?" Naoia said menacingly, her lip curling into a snarl.

The Dark Blood in command of the large flagship started to laugh, but he was yanked by unseen forces out of his chair and right into Naoia's grip. Clutching his clothing with her left hand, she began raising her right hand--a ball of light blazed around it, getting brighter and crackling louder the higher it rose. The ship commander's red eyes widened as the fearsome energies intensified.

Naoia growled and shoved her right hand towards his head, clamping her fingers over his face. He tried to scream as the energies she wielded tore into the molecular structure of his head. Naoia shoved him and he staggered backwards, his head beginning to be reshaped into something else.

"We'll just see who calls who 'dog face', idiot!" Naoia snarled. "As for the rest of you, you are all meat to be wasted!"

Naoia disappeared in a swirl of light.

The bridge crew looked in horror at what was done to their commander, who lay sprawled on the deck.

His head had been turned into that of a mongrel dog's.

Char'ena and her packmates chased the large Dark Blood command ship, running along both sides of it, nipping and snarling. Short blasts of light shot from their eyes, hurting and driving it in the direction they wanted--towards the star Esba'in orbited. The Dark Bloods within the ship realized too late what the "beast ships" of the First Ones were doing. Their seemingly erratic and unpredictable turns had been keeping the Dark Blood's command ship confused and driving it inexorably deeper into the star's gravity well. With a final lunging attack, Char'ena and her packmates brought the ship down, ripping out pieces and flinging them into the star where they incinerated into clouds of dark vapor.

Wae'nya saw a minion ship dive towards the space station that encircled Esba'in, beam cannons slicing through metal like a hot, sharp knife. She accelerated towards the minion ship and rammed it in the side, passing through its shields as if they were no more than a splash of water. Wae'nya continued on, pushing the ship--now bent into a "V" shape--away from the planet, plowing through several other minion ships in the process.

While Ærtan was busy attacking one of the Dark Blood ships, he happened to see another attempt to make a run for it.

"Rha'ena, a runner! It attempts to leave!"

"I get!" she said, running to catch it.

Try as it might, the smaller Dark Blood ship could not out accelerate the much faster Rha'ena. Sa'leh's "beast ship" caught the Dark Blood ship in her jaws just as it attempted to jump, blasting a blazing white beam of energy through the length of the ship, disintegrating it from the inside out.

The First Ones were not alone in their defense of Esba'in, for ships from Elysinar and Dra'ka had also entered the fray, along with three Theronesian ships that had returned from the Larger Magellanic Cloud. The battle raged on until not a single Dark Blood or Minion ship was left that could fight.

The debris of the battle was combed for survivors, making sure that none of the Dark Bloods or their minions survived. Once that was done, the debris itself was collected and hauled to Esba'in's star where it was destroyed to ensure it would never fall into the hands of those who might be foolish enough to touch any of it.

Naoia, Sa'leh, Chy'aran, and Nehv-re'dan, from among the First Ones, and representatives from the other Elder Races who had been involved, sent a message to the leaders of the planet and the station. The message was simple and to the point.

"We have returned."

* * * * *

The next morning after breakfast, James, Rhuw-Rha'an, and Rissanivi, went back to their ships to make routine checks. While they were there, James reminded them of their offer of stories to D'Narial, so they took some time to download copies of the electronic versions of novels, short stories, works of poetry, and such, into a data storage device of sufficient capacity to hold it all.

"Well, this should keep him busy for a while," James quipped, once the e-books had been copied.

"Indeed so, James," Rha'an agreed. "Even as long-lived as my people are compared to yours, I do not think any of us could read all of those titles in one lifetime."

"Um, yep, too much for me. Still working on books you gave me," Rissanivi said.

"Speaking of, what do you think of them so far?" James asked.

"Um, neat. Terrans have some ima, um...what word...um..."

"Imagination?" James suggested.

"Um...yeah, that it. I-ma-gin-a-tion," Rissanivi sounded out slowly. "Um, hey, while here, um...you mind if get drink?" Rissanivi asked.

"Sure, go ahead, Rissa. I think I could use a cup of coffee myself. Want anything, Rha'an?" James asked.

"I have a taste for some tea from home. I will join you shortly--there is something I still need to do on the Se'nika," Rha'an replied.

"Okay, we'll be in the crew's mess," James said.

Rissanivi put a straw in her drink to make it easier for her to sip since she did not have soft lips like mammalian beings. While James added his usual amount of cream and sugar to his coffee, he noticed Rissanivi looking up at him with her eyes while sipping her drink.

"A penny for your thoughts," James said, glancing at her while he stirred.

"Um, what that?" Rissanivi asked, tilting her head slightly to one side and blinking.

"It's an old saying on Terra. A 'penny' was a coin--a type of hard currency, the smallest amount. Five pennies made a nickel, ten pennies made a dime, twenty-five made a quarter, fifty made a half dollar, and one hundred made a dollar. That was the old currency where I'm from. Anyway, finding a penny was considered to be good luck, and if you wanted to know what a friend was thinking, you might offer 'a penny for your thoughts'," James explained.

"Oh," Rissanivi said, taking another sip of her drink and looking up at James. "Um...I...um...if..."

"If what, Rissa?" James prompted gently, taking a cautious sip of his hot coffee.

Rissanivi set her drink down and looked off into the distance for a moment before turning back to face James again. She tentatively raised a hand and almost touched his face, but then started to lower it.

"Um...even if...you not like me, um...I...like you."

Before she dropped her hand all the way to her side, James took hold of it and held it, asking, "You mean because we're different species?"

"Um, maybe...some. Maybe other way," Rissanivi said quietly.

"Oh. You're a nice gal, Rissa, and for the record, I do like you. You're sweet, thoughtful, nice looking, and you've got some incredible dance moves--I've never seen anybody dance like you do," James said, smiling gently.

Rissanivi blinked rapidly and made the usual small, quick moves of her head she was prone to.

"You, um, like way look?"

"You're the first reptilian gal I ever thought was really nice looking," James replied. "Oh, um...I am?" Rissanivi asked, giving him a surprised look.

Looking her in the eye, James simply nodded his head.

Rissanivi looked at the deck a moment; when she looked back up, she asked, "Um...you like Dra'kan gals?"

"You mean Arneora and Erlanna?" James inquired.

It was Rissanivi's turn to simply nod her head.

"As long as we're on the subject of scaly ladies--they're nice, but...you're more my age...and size. Plus, nobody has to worry about you incinerating things if you got mad," James said with a chuckle.

Rissanivi blinked and then smiled a little.

"So, what about D'Narial? He seems to have taken an interest in you," James brought up, taking another sip of his coffee.

"Um...he nice, but...um, still make nervous--you don't. Make feel safe," Rissanivi said quietly, putting her hands on James' chest and pressing close.

James set his cup down and put an arm around Rissanivi, and with his other hand, gently pulled her head closer, resting his cheek against it. She slowly let out a contented sigh.

"Um...if not have mates, um...would...maybe want...be with...?" Rissanivi asked hesitantly after a few moments, looking up at James.

Gently lifting her chin with a finger, James said softly, "That could be...interesting. Is there anything in particular one should know about Vey'ani...?"

"Um, maybe...yeah, some. Maybe, um... sometime, we...could..." Rissanivi suggested.

Unlike with the Dra'kans, one could easily see Rissanivi's emotions play out in her large, expressive eyes. James could tell that she was struggling with her feelings.

"Rissa..."

"Um...yeah?"

"You know Rha'an could be popping back any moment now..."

"Oh."

"But to answer your question...yeah."

Rissanivi didn't quite know what to do when James gave her a kiss. It was just a quick smooch, though if she had been warm-blooded and not covered with scales, she would be blushing.

* * * * *

News of the return of the First Ones, along with several of the Elder Races, began to spread like wildfire throughout the region surrounding Esba'in. The world-encircling space station immediately began damage control, repair, and cleanup operations once the battle was over. "We will rebuild!" became the slogan among the denizens of the station. With word spreading that the forces of the Dark Bloods and their minions were soundly defeated in the Battle of Esba'in by the near mythical First Ones and members of the Elder Races, it encouraged people to come themselves, or to send materials, to the station and be part of the rebuilding process.

Esba'in was now thought to be a safe haven by the Younger races--after all, it had been saved by no less than the First Ones. One of their great "beast ships" stood watch over the station and the world in plain view for all to see. Given the sheer power displayed by their guardian, pilots kept their ships at a respectable distance when passing by, though those onboard rushed to view ports to look in awe and wonder.

Below the planet's surface, unknown to the mortal inhabitants, the First One whose beast ship stood guard in orbit above and several members of the Elder Race known as the Theronesians, were looking at an artifact that had been buried eons ago "for safe keeping".

Esba'in, as the planet is now called, was once known as Esbalindae 1-6, and was a research facility used by the Theronesians. The station that completely encircled the planet over its equator had been left behind, after most of the advanced technology had been removed by the previous owners. The station had sat empty for unknown millennia after the Theronesian Sovereignty moved beyond the galactic rim to explore the great expanse and their own transcendence above mere physical existence.

Eventually, the abandoned planet and its station were rediscovered and inhabited once again by those of the Younger Races, becoming--in time--a center of trade. There was not much of interest on the planet's surface, a few ruins of old buildings dotted the landscape here and there, and little in the way of plant and animal life, so the station became the focus of activity.

The planet itself was largely forgotten, and would have remained so, until ones known as the Onim arrived on the station. One of theirs had been enticed by The Dark Bloods to perform a small task for which he was given a gift. It was a small thing, a decorative broach to be worn on one's tunic. It was not overly fancy so as to not call too much attention to itself, though it was perhaps more dangerous than any weapon for through it, its masters corrupted. The wearer of the broach listened to the sly voices, and encouraged by them, began to spread the corruption by word and deed to others who were gullible and easily influenced. It was through the crystals embedded in the broach that its masters learned of the planet and its world-encircling station, drawing their attention to it. Before they could learn the full truth of the planet, the broach's wearer was unexpectedly taken by one that was of the most powerful of all entities--a First One--and asked a simple question: "How do you wish to be remembered?" If the wearer had not yet been fully corrupted, there was a chance to be saved; if the wearer proved to be unable to let go of it, then he would be destroyed with it. Fortunately for the wearer, he still had a shred of his former self and was able to use the last of his strength to free himself and be saved.

The Dark Blood masters were furious, and were determined to search the planet themselves in effort to find if the ancient stories were true. They did not care if the station or those who might be on it were destroyed in the process--something for their minions to chew on while they scoured the planet.

The Dark Bloods, however, did not count on the return of the First Ones, or of the Theronesians who once counted the star system as one of their own. They had been given one warning to not push any farther--they failed to heed it. Because of that, the First Ones now once again openly walk the spaces between the stars. The opening volley of a war long in coming had been fired. There would be no surrender, no truce, no armistice...

...and no mercy.

* * * * *

The crews spent the rest of the day exploring Dra'ka and taking in its sights with Arneora and Erlanna as their guides. That evening after dinner, James, Rhuw-Rha'an, and Rissanivi, were invited by D'Narial to his home for discussion and refreshments.

After the initial pleasantries, James offered D'Narial the data storage device he had brought along.

"As promised, here is a copy of our collection of stories, including some poetry and art. It should keep you entertained for a while," James said with a smile.

"Ah, excellent! I am sure I will enjoy becoming acquainted with my new friends," D'Narial said, bowing his head appropriately as he accepted the device. "Come, let us sit in my den and be comfortable."

D'Narial led his three guests down a wide hallway and then through a door. They heard the sound of laughter--the voices sounded young.

"D'Kren! Sarenna! D'Narial called out sternly.

Two very young Dra'kans--their full form no larger than that of a Terran pony--came out from behind a large ornate desk and obediently sat side-by-side facing D'Narial, glancing wide-eyed at his guests.

"My sister's younglings," D'Narial said, shaking his head. "She and her mate had planned on a trip to get away, and since I am off duty for a time, I agreed to help watch them for her. They will stay with our mother's sister for the night--she should be here soon to take them."

"How old are they?" Rha'an sent.

"They are only ten of our years old--barely hatched by our standards," D'Narial replied. "They do not yet have translators, so they will be unable to understand you. It will be some time yet before they learn how to shift their forms. I believe you are the first non-Dra'kans they have seen."

"Cute kids," James said, smiling at them,

"For now. Wait a few hundred years...they will become little terrors for at least a thousand years, then they will simply be trying one's patience with questions for several tens of thousands more--when they are awake. They will sleep and eat a lot during that time when their bodies grow more quickly. And then they will begin getting interested in the opposite sex--for the females, it only gets worse from there," D'Narial explained, rolling his eyes as he said the last.

"Yeah, I...can see that," James agreed about the females.

"I heard that you saw the Dra'ka Nulen...alone," D'Narial said, tilting his head slightly to one side. "And you still walk."

Rha'an and Rissanivi both looked at James.

"We had an interesting...conversation," James said, clearing his throat.

He made no mention of also spending some time with Erlanna. James wasn't one to "kiss and tell" as it were, and given how uneasy Erlanna became around male Dra'kans--D'Narial included, he definitely wasn't about to say anything of it to him.

D'Narial studied James a moment and then, with a slight nod of his head, said, "No doubt."

D'Narial called the two youngsters over to him and made them lie down by his large, overstuffed chair. He poured drinks for his guests and handed them out, and then he went to his desk and opened a draw. When he returned, D'Narial had another data cylinder in his hand.

"My gift to you and your friends, Captain, from my personal collection of rare books. Your data terminals should be able to accurately translate the texts into your respective native languages," D'Narial said, handing the cylinder to James.

"Thank you, it'll be interesting to read from another culture's viewpoint," James said, accepting the gift and putting it into a thigh pocket of his uniform.

"And so for me with yours," D'Narial agreed with a slight smile.

After a while, James said, "I've been meaning to ask you about something. During dinner, the night we arrived, when the Dra'ka Nulen spoke of the Pliq being 'punished', I was curious as to how and by who, but before I could ask, you warned me off. Is that something we're not supposed to know?"

D'Narial leaned back in his chair and thought on that for a few moments, considering how to respond.

"The situation has changed since then," D'Narial said, looking at the contents of his goblet. When he looked up again, he continued, "The planet you know as Esba'in was attacked by a fleet of ships belonging to the Dark Bloods and their minions." When Rissanivi inhaled sharply, D'Narial glanced at her. "The First Ones intervened, along with ships of our own, those of the Drianedans, and...also the Theronesians." James and Rha'an exchanged surprised looks. "Yes, they _are_returning. The star system Esba'in is in was once part of the Theronesian Sovereignty, and they have not forgotten the trouble the Dark Bloods caused them in the Elder Days of the galaxy. Word is spreading that the First Ones are now once again openly walking among the Younger Races. I have no doubt that the First One who has been following you will soon meet with you, face-to-face." D'Narial paused for a moment to recall an earlier conversation. "When we first met, I mentioned a battle was coming--it is a war, really, and the first shot has been fired." D'Narial took a drink from his goblet, which was followed by a wisp of vapor from his nostrils. "To answer your question, the Pliq, along with the other minions of the Dark Bloods, will be wiped from existence. When all is said and done, there will be no traces left, except...for places such as one you have crossed on your way here. That is mentioned in the first data cylinder I gave you, along with a history that most directly affects you. You will find that out when you have time to examine it."

"I guess when the First Ones do something, they go all out," James commented.

D'Narial nodded his head.

"The balance has been upset--the First Ones mean to right it. And they will."

* * * * *

"Personal log entry, Terran Standard Date: 2515-01-30; Time: 0930 hours FCT. We are onloading as much fresh, frozen, or otherwise preserved food as we can find space for on our three ships, along with whatever other supplies they wish to provide. Our air has been exchanged and CO2 scrubbers refreshed, fresh water tanks refilled, propulsion systems serviced, and they even cleaned the exteriors. Imagine that.

_ _

"Yesterday we spent some more time sightseeing, taking pictures and videos, and acquiring some personal mementos of our visit. I had a bit more 'personal' time with Arneora and Erlanna, separately. Arneora really is a nice old gal (and I do mean old_!), and I can't say that I didn't enjoy her company. Erlanna, though...that will be tough saying goodbye to her. I'll never think of a dragon the same way again after being with her. She certainly made an impression on our Mûr Tua'ansa friends--I think maybe her being all silver has as much to do with it as her sweet personality. There is just something about Erlanna that...well, I can't find words to describe. She's definitely a very special lady. I hope, as we all do, that she will be all right. Arneora insisted that they will do something about Kh'nar--he's an arrogant son, and I know he's ticked off at me for daring to stand up to him and call him out before all of the others in The Great Hall. Arneora told me afterwards that I was the first mortal to do so...and get away with it. I guess with Char'ena and friends appearing in the nick of time to put the fear into him, helped a lot._

_ _

"And then there's Khel'zet. If Command ever finds out that I have a R'Hinsi female--and a member of the R'Hin military to boot--onboard my ship, and not in the brig, there'll be the proverbial hell to pay. Uncle Kenny is going to have a hemorrhage--and then he's going to hand me my head back on a stick. Thing is, though, Khel'zet really isn't that bad. She's proving how much we just don't know about the R'Hinsa. Rha'an assured me that Khel'zet has been speaking truthfully. Well, from what she's said, it's going to suck to be her from now on--she can't go back without her own people apparently wanting to torture her to death for information; if she stays with us, there will always be those who won't trust her just because of who she is, and she'd be living in exile among those her people waged a war with; and if she tries to make her own way out here, where can she go? She only knows her own language and now ours, neither of which will help her. She has nothing--no family, no friends (well, I guess us), and no means to make a living among strangers. We're all she has for now, unless something changes. I never thought I'd say this about a R'Hinsi, but...I feel sorry for her. Well, hopefully something will work out for Khel'zet.

_ _

"End log entry."

* * * * *

It was time to leave.

As when they arrived, D'Narial and his crew would escort Nightwing, Se'nika, and Ilissenri to the edge of Dra'kan space. All supplies were aboard, the support umbilicals had been disconnected, and the propulsion systems were online in standby mode. The crews assembled to give their farewells.

"James, if I had known you a few billion years ago..." Arneora started to say with a sly grin.

"I...don't think time travel has been invented yet," James said with a chuckle.

"It has," Arneora said quietly with a wink.

"Huh?"

"Just trust me on that, James. The First Ones don't like people messing with the timeline--throws too many kinks in things. Anyway, too bad you are not an immortal, if you were, I just might say 'forget all of this' and run off with you. I could take a little time off and do it anyway..." Arneora said, eyeing James suggestively. "Just imagine the places we could go and the things we could do..."

"...Or the multiple skin grafts I'd need..." James quipped.

Arneora looked at him a moment and then laughed. "James, you have such a sense of humor!" More seriously she added, "Take care of everyone, my dear. Things are going to get rough, and they need a level head to get them through." Arneora hugged James and said softly, "Better say goodbye to Erlanna."

"I miss you already, James..." Erlanna said quietly, hugging him.

When she pulled back a bit, James kissed her, and said, "I hope I can see you again."

"I...I hope so!" she whispered. "James...I...I should not, but...I...ooh!"

James saw tears begin to form in Erlanna's eyes. They rolled down her cheeks, solidifying as they went. James held his hand out and caught some.

"I...I...I think I love you!" Erlanna whispered.

Her words, softly spoken, tore into his heart, causing his own eyes to well up.

Looking down in the palm of his hand were the jewel-like crystalline tears of a silver dragon, sparkling like stars in the night, lit from within with love's own light.

---

[1]AQMS - Automatic Quartermaster System

[2] "E-chekh z'chif khoorikh?" - "My words you understand?"

[3] "T'hû" - "Yes"

[4] Zavokh - The R'Hin equivalent of a Secret Police.

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On to chapter 8...