FSE

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7

"Personal log entry, Terran Standard Date: 2516-06-02; Time: 1645 hours FCT. If all goes well, we will soon be at the dead world known as Chenau-Ri. Miss Kei'sa said that--at our present velocity and course--we should arrive within the month, by our calendar. Not much has been going on for a while. There should be some promotions coming in the next mail packet for Petty Officers Bronski and Canberra, Chief Sorrel, and Lt. (j.g.) Eriksson. The entire crew have been outstanding during this mission. Acting Petty Officer 3rd Class Harankhek has also excelled. I believe she would make a fine member of any crew, no matter what ship she would be on. We've been careful not to ask questions of a sensitive military nature, and that has gone both ways--she is not our prisoner, and I will not have her treated as such. From what I have gathered from comments she has made, the way their commanding officers treat juniors is beyond strict, nor will they hesitate to simply abandon them to save their own hides--I would never do that to any of my crew. It does explain certain things I've noted in her behavior, though, especially when she first joined us. At any rate, Acting Petty Officer Harankhek seems to have settled in and is more comfortable with her current situation--she actually laughed a few days ago, which is a good sign, I think. We have learned more about the R'Hinsa people from her than we ever had before--a strangely fascinating culture where fire plays an important role. What she has told us has been offered freely during regularly scheduled crew mixers when we share stories and other items of interest. In return, she respectfully listens to our own stories, and seems the most interested in things pertaining to family, holidays, and traditions than anything else. Miss Ja'f'darwe thinks she's trying to understand us_, specifically--who_ we_are, as well as wanting us to understand who_ she is and what is important to her. We're not that much different in many respects.

_ "Ever since the incident with the Dark Blood ship a while back, our 'friend' has been staying much closer, particularly the closer we get to Chenau-Ri. Miss Kei'sa mentioned that there were at least two other Dark Blood ships somewhere out here and that 'others' were hunting them down. I still can't shake the feeling that we've been dragged into some sort of cosmic chess match between these Dark Bloods and their minions on one side, and the First Ones and the Elder Races on the other. What part are we to play in all this? I suppose we may find out soon enough, whether we want to or not. Hopefully, the First One who has been following us won't be difficult to deal with whenever she decides to make an appearance._

"End log entry."

James sat back in his chair and thought about what they have been through during this mission and wondered what would be in store for them next. Lilly's version of the dream they had all shared was beginning to bother him, as was what he had been feeling along his connection with Erlanna through the crystalized tears he carried. Something wasn't right on her end but he just couldn't figure out exactly what it was. "Maybe it's Kh'nar..." he thought to himself. "I'd give that arrogant cuss one across the jaw for what he's done to her, if I could. Nobody deserves to be treated like that!"

* * * * *

Unbeknownst to James, Naoia had been discreetly checking in on him.

"Unfortunately, child, there's little you could do to hurt that pompous idiot, although..." a grin grew slowly on her face, "...I would like to see the expression on his face if you did flatten his carcass! Why, that would be as good as when Arneora whacked him hard across the face with her tail long ago!" Naoia thought a moment and then sighed. "But that's what started this whole mess, isn't it? Kh'nar insisted on being an idiot and Arneora gave him a good thrashing; he insisted on being an idiot again and now you want to do the same...not that I blame you for thinking it, given how you feel about Erlanna. Don't worry, child, if Kh'nar tries anything again, I'll deal with him my way."

Naoia thought about what else had been on James' mind and smiled softly. He stood up and pushed his chair in to attend to other things, though he paused for a few moments. Naoia's ghostly form embraced James and whispered reassuringly to him, "I will catch her in time."

James felt a sense of comforting warmth envelope him and--for just a moment--he thought he smelled the scent of forest and fur.

* * * * *

When the ship's mail came in, James was happy to find the crew promotions he was expecting, as well as a message from his parents, his uncle the admiral, and his cousin Poppy. One message he received that he wasn't expecting bore the Imperial Seal of the Mûr Tua'ansa Star Empire--the sender was no less than Empress Krel-Mri'ana herself!

"I wonder what she has to say..." James thought aloud.

/* "James, is there something wrong?" */ Moira asked.

"I...don't know, babycakes. I got a message from the Empress," James replied quietly.

/* "Krel-Mri'ana?" */

"Uh...yeah, the one and only."

/* "Interesting." */

"That's putting it mildly," James said, drumming his fingers lightly on his desk.

/* "Do you wish to view it in private now, or...?" */ Moira inquired.

"I'm almost tempted to call Rha'an to see if she got one from her, too."

/* "Perhaps it would be prudent to play the message for yourself first to find out if it is meant only for you or if it meant to be shared and with who," */ Moira suggested.

"Yeah, that would be the prudent thing to do, though...you have to admit that it's unusual, to say the least, for just anyone to get a message from a head of state," James said.

/* "But you are not 'just anyone' to her, James," */ Moira countered. /* "You brought Se'nika and her crew home." */

"I had help..."

/* "You were in command of the operation." */

"Petty Officer Canberra made the First Contact, and they learned our language through him."

/* "You were called to stand before her in front of her people, you met with her privately, and you made quite an impression on how you handled the situation with her First Attendant." */

James was about to add something else, but he knew Moira was right.

"Okay, you got me there. Still, the message should have gone through normal channels--this looks like it came_directly_ from her to me, bypassing everything in between."

/* "One would assume so, though perhaps she prefers to be direct. Because it is quicker and more efficient, do not telepaths such as the Mûr Tua'ansa prefer to communicate directly mind-to-mind? Would that not influence how they might view communication by other means, such as sending a message to a person they wish to contact by the most efficient means?" */ Moira asked.

James thought on that a moment and replied, "I suppose it could." He paused a few moments considering what to do next, then decided. "Might as well..." he said quietly, reaching for the control pad. Thinking to himself, he added, "Can't be any stranger than getting a message from Arneora."

Captain James Daugherty, in command of the honorable Sol Federation vessel, Nightwing--it is by my own hand that I send this and it is with hope that it finds you and your own safe in the depths of the Great Night between stars, so far from home. The thoughts of my own are with you and those of our dear little Chel-Sar_class vessel, _Se'nika, who fly alongside your honorable vessel and crew.

I have taken a personal interest in the reports received from Madam Commander Rhuw-Rha'an, given what has been discovered thus far and certain connections between those discoveries and our own past, many long nights ago. The encounter with the vessel belonging to the masters of the an'im-Raleen is of great concern, more so because of the manner in which it affected my own. It is with relief that your new friends offered their assistance when needed. If, in the nights ahead of us, we must take to the Field of Honor among the stars in attempt to end the terror of the dark masters of the an'im-Raleen, we must find a means of protection against the affects yours and my own experienced if all are to have a chance in combating the threat they pose. If there is a way, may the All-Mother guide you to it and allow you to bring it back to us.

All of Mûr Zhæn hold all of you in our thoughts and wish for your safe return.

May the All-Mother hold you safely in Her hand and guide you back home.

Krel-Mri'ana

Mûr Tua'ansa Star Empire

James read the message through several times before sitting back in his chair and rubbing his chin in thought.

"She certainly has a right to be concerned about that 'mind blast', or whatever it was that it hit us with when the First One's wolf-ship killed it. That's definitely something none of us will ever forget. It still gives me the willies thinking about it."

James contemplated the empress' message a bit longer, then decided that he needed to stretch his legs. He had spent the better part of the ship's day either in the pilot seat or sitting in his office taking care of ship's business. Slipping quietly out the door of his private quarters, James stopped in the crew's mess to get a cup of coffee before continuing his tour of the ship.

* * * * *

Shauna sat at her desk in the small office space in Engineering, staring at the gold Élendorian-made bracelet in her hands. It was the n'lenda chéwë bracelet her brother Cameron had given his wife, Hauvri'ahn, on their one-year anniversary according to Élendorian custom. The Y'Nahran female, Fier'na, had found it on the planet Fren'a and gave it to Shauna when they first met. The bracelet was the first solid evidence that her brother had been this far out in the galaxy and was alive...at least at the time. Shauna kept hope that they might find more clues to whatever became of her brother, Cameron, his wife, and also Arlan Schneider, the mate of James' cousin, Poppy Daugherty.

Their Vey'ani guide in this part of the galaxy, Rissanivi Salnuano, had met and become friends with her brother and had shown the crew images she had taken of him, Hauvri'ahn, and Arlan. Shauna now had copies of those images, given to her by Rissanivi, which she currently had displayed on her PAD.

"Cammie...I miss my big bro," Shauna thought to herself. "I know it's probably crazy after all these years, but I hope we can find out what happened to you. Lilly told me how strange things seem to happen whenever James is involved in something, and looking back, I'd have to agree with her. We've had plenty of strange things happen since we left the yards, though that Y'Nahran chick finding this_and then getting it to_ me_...," Shauna thought while looking at the bracelet in her hand, "...what are the odds of_ that happening? I don't remember much of Hauvri'ahn, though she seemed nice...I hope she's still with you, wherever you are, Cammie, and I hope you're still alive somewhere out here. We're gonna have a lot of catchin' up to do, though I'm sure you're not gonna like what happened to me after you disappeared. Well, part of it, anyway. James has been pretty good to me--and for me--and I think you'd like him. Well, we should be getting pretty close to that planet called Chenau-Ri...I hope we find something that will point us in the right direction."

Shauna looked at a photo of Hauvri'ahn and saw the bracelet on her right wrist that was now in her own hands.

"If I ever find you, I'll make sure you get this back. I don't know a whole lot about Élendorian culture, though from what Miss Ja'f'darwe said about this thing, I imagine it's something important to you. I bet you would've been a better momma than..."

Shauna wiped a tear from her eye as memories from the last time they were together came to the surface. Even though she was quite young at the time, Shauna remembered how attentive Hauvri'ahn was during their brief time together and genuinely seemed to care--something her own mother never was to her. Of course, the now adult Shauna knew of the strong empathic and telempathic abilities of Élendorians, though her childhood memories were of Hauvri'ahn's gentle friendly smile, how she had enjoyed playing fun games with her and her cousins, and especially singing her to sleep. It was the one good memory she clung to the hardest during her youth--along with the promise that her brother made the night he and Hauvri'ahn had to leave, that he would come back for her.

Shauna had no idea that she wasn't alone in the small office space in Engineering. Another was there with her, though the other could not be seen by the mortal eyes of one of the Younger Races, nor could her touch be felt, though through it, Shauna felt a measure of comfort.

"They have always been with you, dear child, as have I," a voice she could not hear, yet did, whispered softly in her ear. Shauna felt a comforting warmth and--for a moment--she thought she could smell the scent of forest and fur.

* * * * *

Thavi opened the door to the hydroponics bay and entered, curious to see how the tree sprig that had suddenly appeared on the pilot's seat one day was growing. Once it had been convinced to take root in the potting soil the Fansq girls had provided for it, the sprig seemed to be healthy and growing well. Not only that, but the other plants near it seemed to grow better, too. When Thavi made her way over to the little tree, she saw Meyleh sitting near it, apparently dozing. Not wanting to startle her young Fansq bunkmate (she had made that mistake a couple times in the past when Meyleh and Elí were still relatively new to the ship), Thavi started quietly singing a popular Thabbani tune from near the door into the space, knowing how sensitive the Fansq's ears are. It didn't take long for Meyleh to pop her eyes open with a start.

"U nuAH?" Meyleh nervously called out in her own language[[1]](#_ftn1).

Thavi ears perked up at the sound of her bunkmate's voice and she stopped singing.

Stepping into view she said, "Thavi just wanted to see how little tree is growing...didn't want to surprise Meyleh."

Visibly relaxing and taking a slow breath through her neck slits, Meyleh's expression turned to mild confusion.

"I did not...um, what time...?"

"Nearly time for dinner," Thavi replied. "Thavi was on way forward from Engineering to go eat, but stopped in to see how tree was."

"Oh, I...must have lost track of the time," Meyleh said with a bit of embarrassment.

Thavi patted her bunkmate's arm and said, "Easy to do when bored. Not much to do out here in boonies, as Terrans say."

Meyleh thought on what Thavi said as she watched her Thabbani bunkmate examine the growing little tree and also looked at the other plants around it.

"Have you ever had a dream that seemed...real?"

Thavi glanced sideways at Meyleh and asked, "Like the one all had...?"

Meyleh thought back to the time they all had the shared dream and, after a moment or two, said, "Like that...I think."

Thavi momentarily dipped her ears in the Thabbani form of concern, and asked, "When did Meyleh have new dream?"

Rubbing her eyes a bit, Meyleh said, "I think...just a little before you came in, only...I...don't know." She slumped her shoulders and added, "It was very strange...and scary! Only, we..." Meyleh looked at her hands in confusion.

Thavi saw Meyleh do something astonishing that she had never seen either of the two Fansq girls do before--Meyleh made a fist.

The two were unaware of a third who was there with them discretely.

"Ah, my poor dear, unfortunately even the gentlest beings need to know when to run and when to put down strong roots and hold firm. A tree provides shelter and holds the soil together so it isn't washed away in a storm. Be the tree, my dear, be The Tree..."

Naoia's ghostly form reached out to the young Fansq.

"You are stronger than you think, sweet child."

* * * * *

When it was nearly time for supper, Zach linked the outputs of the science station to his PAD before getting up. Tanya was in the left seat for the time being, having taken over the piloting of Nightwing after James left for his usual late afternoon office period. The current routine was for Zach to relieve Tanya so she could go eat with James and then she would come back and take over so Zach could eat. Periodically James, Tanya, Zach, and Moira's android avatar would switch things up to keep the tasks from becoming monotonous, with the one constant being that James kept the same office hours for working on reports and being available for his crew and others on his ship. If Sylvia wasn't at her station on the bridge, she was either performing routine maintenance on the communication equipment or her powered armor and weapons, assisting Lilly or Cara with something, working out in the ship's gym, or enjoying her off hours.

"Commander?"

"Da?"

Chow time. I relieve you."

"Already, ah? Very well, you have the conn." Tanya slid the pilot's seat back, unstrapped, and got up so that Zach could take over for an hour. "Whatever we're having, I'll make sure Miss Eriksson and Petty Officer Li don't eat it all," Tanya said with a smirk, referring to the two people on the ship who usually had the largest appetites.

"I appreciate it, ma'am," Zach replied with a slight grin.

"Ready to eat, Stewert?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Sylvia secured her station and unstrapped from her chair to follow Tanya to the crew's mess.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew were making their own preparations to head up to the crew's mess for dinner.

"C'mon, farmboy, chow time," Sonya announced, giving Ivor a nudge. "We can finish the inventory tomorrow morning."

"Aye mum. Ah juist wantae add thae lest twa bits," Ivor replied as he scanned the code on a part so that he could log it.

With her arms crossed, Sonya leaned against a parts rack holding various small parts for the weapons systems while she waited for Ivor to finish what he was doing. When he got the last part entered, she continued to wait like a house cat watching a mouse hole while he closed out the inventory database and put the PAD back in its charging cradle.

Without moving from her position, Sonya asked with fake annoyance, "Are we done yet?"

"Weel, noo tha' depends..."

"On what?" Sonya asked with a bit of sarcasm.

"Howfur lang dae ye plan oan haudin' up that shelf?"

Sonya looked at Ivor as if he lost his mind, but then she saw a small grin appear on his face.

"Farmboy, I could..."

"Aye, mum?"

Sonya stared at Ivor for several moments, the end of her tail swished from side-to-side while she contemplated what she wanted more at the moment.

"Mess deck...food...hungry...I could eat a horse!"

Ivor raised an eyebrow a little and said as they started walking, "Ah think th' captain micht tak' exception tae that..." Before Sonya could say anything, he added, "Come tae think o' it, sae wid lassy Eriksson."

Sonya stopped in her tracks.

"McElroy..."

Before Sonya could say another word, the ship's engineer stepped out of an equipment space where she had been doing some routine maintenance.

"Redhill, McElroy..." Lt. (j.g.) Eriksson said, acknowledging their presence.

"Ma'am", they both replied in near unison.

"Heading up to eat?"

"Yes, ma'am," Sonya replied, casting a quick sideways glance towards Ivor.

"Me, too. I worked through lunch today...I hope the Fansq girls left enough for tonight," Shauna quipped.

Walking a respectable distance behind the ship's engineer, Sonya heard Ivor quietly clear his throat. When she looked over at him he glanced with just his eyes at the officer and back to his immediate supervisor, raising an eyebrow. It took Sonya a moment to get the hint at what they talked about before leaving the storage compartment.

"Not...a...word, McElroy..."

Ivor gave a slight devious grin.

"Don't you dare_!_"

Khel'zet had been listening for faint signals the entire afternoon. When she heard the call, "Knock off ship's work; dinner for the crew", it was a relief to remove the earpieces she was using. After setting her station in Stellar Cartography to automatic scan, she secured it, got up, and stretched.

"I have been sitting too long. I should visit the ship's exercise room this evening. Ah, if only I could practice ri'khi'jia here! I would need two sa'jia blades, though, and I am uncertain if they would be allowed," Khel'zet thought to herself. Giving a sigh and looking down at the deck a moment, she continued her train of thought. "I am still R'Hinsi--even though I have been made welcome here, it still only goes so far. I have come to know these people, more than any of my own have, and I know them to be worthy companions...even friends. I am certain that they can never forget what the R'Hin Empire did to them and I am a living reminder of that in their midst. I do not wish to be their enemy, nor do I wish for them to be so to me. I have in good faith openly sworn my loyalty to their 'captain' and I will die before I break that oath! But...the past can never be truly undone, can it? Will there always be that measure of distrust because of our fool emperor? My oath requires me to trust them with my life--will they ever trust me enough with theirs?"

Khel'zet knew she would never betray the level of trust that had been given her by the captain and crew of Nightwing, or of the others who travel with them. The only reason why she was even able to break from her previous senior officer--according to R'Hin ways--was because he proved himself unworthy. More than once. Khel'zet lifted her chin and thought, "I must continue to be a better example of my own people, whatever the difficulty. We must all walk together into the Fire...it will either consume us or bind us together as it sees fit. Whatever the end, may I...may we_...be worthy of having tried._"

Naoia understood what Khel'zet was having to deal with. As she had done with others, Naoia had been present though unseen by the eyes of those not of her kind.

"Poor child, yours is a difficult Path, though your strength may be just what it will take to show your people the way out of the idiocy that emperor of yours caused." She leaned in close to Khel'zet and, giving her a ghostly hug, whispered encouragement, "You are not alone."

* * * * *

By the time James made it to the crew's mess, some had already started to filter in. Dr. Garland and Cdr. Williamson were already seated and enjoying their dinner together, Lt. Slis'issa was in line getting his meal right behind Miss Thavi and the Fansq girls. Petty Officers Bronski and Canberra were just sitting down at their usual table. James had no sooner picked up his tray when he--and everyone else--felt the unmistakable presence of Miss Ja'f'darwe and Læree'ahn when they entered the space with Chief Sorrel.

"Captain," Miss Ja'f'darwe said politely as she approached to get a tray.

"Miss Ja'f'darwe, Chief, Mrs. Canberra," James said, acknowledging the three in order of precedence.

"Sir," Mindy replied with a slight smile.

Læree'ahn smiled shyly and bobbed her head when James made eye contact and spoke her name, acknowledging her presence. Even though she had been on Nightwing for the past two-and-a-half years after being inadvertently stuck onboard when it was dragged thousands of lightyears away from her home on Élenswena by the First One's beast ship, Læree'ahn still felt a level of humility in the captain's presence. After all, she had been just a low-level worker at a water reclamation plant[[2]](#ftn2) on the Élendorian colony world where she had met her husband, YM2 Felix Canberra, and the captain was a high ranking--and highly decorated--officer. The only reason why she was even on his ship was because he had agreed to not only take her back to Élenswena but also to officiate her marriage to Felix on the way. While the setting might not have been one surrounded by family among the lush greenery in one of the large domed parks of the colony, or among Felix's family in the forests of the Canadian Rockies on Terra, the view of the stars through the open hanger bay doors _was unforgettably spectacular. With Miss Ja'f'darwe's help, Læree'ahn had learned how to be not as distracting to the Terrans and others on the ship as she was at first. The polyamorous and gregarious Élendorians are highly empathic by nature--sensing the emotions of others and broadcasting their own to those within range. On top of that, Élendorian females give off strong pheromones that affect those of several other species, including many Terrans.

James was particularly sensitive to Élendorian female pheromones due to being a near-human of wolf G.E.L.F. ancestry, which gave him a heightened sense of smell. He had found out the hard way[[3]](#_ftn3)just how much they affected him and he had sworn not to let that happen again...at least not while on the ship in front of his crew. It was bad enough that he had always been a "G.E.L.F. magnet", being genetically predisposed to attracting female G.E.L.F.s, though his strong love for Lilly and Tanya was generally enough to keep that aspect of his nature at bay. However, there had been times since the diplomatic attaché, Miss Ja'f'darwe Ræha'ahna, had been onboard that sorely tested his resolve. James made it a point to not be alone with Ræha'ahna any longer than absolutely necessary. It wasn't because James didn't like her--he did, actually, for a number of reasons--it was because he didn't want to lose control of his faculties. Although he had never been with an Élendorian female before, he knew enough from the accounts of others what the experience could be like. It was the main reason why James insisted on giving Felix and Læree'ahn their own space away from the rest of the crew. Thankfully, Læree'ahn was content to be only with Felix; Ræha'ahna, though she was subtle about it, had made it clear on several occasions that she was interested in James. Aside from his mates, the only other person among his crew who understood why James closed himself off to Ræha'ahna was Chief Sorrel, and that was due to when she had to treat him for the exposure to an Élendorian perfume that was worn by Lilith's android avatar back in 2513.

Ræha'ahna looked at James and smiled a little wistful smile, having sensed his reaction to her presence. While she was too proper to make any overt gestures while in the view of others on his ship, Ræha'ahna also knew James well enough that once he made up his mind about something, there was virtually no chance at changing it. If he hadn't responded by now to her subtle advances, after nearly three years of being on his ship, she knew the chances of him ever giving in was practically non-existent. Ræha'ahna had resigned herself to being on friendly, though strictly hands-off, terms. James, being in a kindly "meh, go ahead" mood, let Ræha'ahna, Chief Sorrel, and Læree'ahn go ahead of him, even though, as the commanding officer, he had the right to go after deferring to the diplomatic attaché. As they were taking their seats, Ræha'ahna glanced over at the Canberras and thought wistfully to herself, "At least Læree'ahn has someone to be with for the duration of this mission. Ah, James, if only you knew how difficult it is for one of my kind to be alone for so long..."

While Felix and Læree'ahn ate their meal together, Felix happened to glance over at Miss Ja'f'darwe and noted the subtle change in her color. He mentioned it privately to his wife.

"You think she might be a bit down, ey?"

Læree'ahn casually looked at Miss Ja'f'darwe just long enough to see what Felix had noticed.

"Alone for her, long it has been."

"I'm sure that's gotta be tough, ey?"

"Certain of it, I am," Læree'ahn replied.

"And not that many guys on the ship, ey?"

"No." Læree'ahn paused for a bit and then looked Felix right in the eye. "Know, I do, one she wants."

"Ey, don't look at me...you're all I want, babe! Besides, she's..."

"The captain, she is interested in."

"She's...seriously?!"

"Is true, my Felix. To others, speak of this we should not," Læree'ahn cautioned.

"Jeezers...do you think he knows, ey?"

"Doubt it, I do not. Sensed it, between them I have. Likes her, he does, but..."

"Ey, I imagine the skipper doesn't need anyone else interested in him--he's has enough to deal with."

"Agree, I do."

"But, can't that end up becoming something of a health issue of some kind for her, ey? I kinda remember you saying something about it once back when I was assigned to Élenswena."

"True it is, alone we cannot be long. Position she has, intimidates others, it does," Læree'ahn replied sadly.

"Yeah, Miss Ja'f'darwe just isn't someone a regular guy would meet at a local market while haggling over produce, ey?" Læree'ahn gave Felix a light whack on his leg with her tail under the table. "Ey, you know what I mean, dear--her uncle is one of the top ambassadors in the Sol Federation, and her D'wena is one of the wealthiest on Élendor. The skipper's family might have a lot of history behind it, but from what I've learned about them, they're just regular folks for the most part."

Læree'ahn took a drink of her juice and thought a moment.

"Captains of ships, familiar with I am not."

"Ey, compared to some, Captain Daugherty is a decent commanding officer. He told me once, 'there are times when you must follow the rules and there are times when you can bend them, but sometimes you just have to throw them out the window and wing it--the trick is knowing when, for what, how much, and for how long'."

Læree'ahn gave Felix a confused look and sent, "Understand I do not, term you used...'wing it'?"

"Oh...it's another way to say 'improvise', ey."

Taking a bite of her food, Læree'ahn looked thoughtfully at her husband as she chewed.

"Much to learn, I will have, on your world...if get there, we do."

Felix was about to take another bite of his food, but paused, then set his fork down and put his hand on his wife's.

"We'll get there, babe...we'll get back home."

The green parts of Læree'ahn's skin darkened briefly and she rubbed her tail against Felix's leg.

"Hope, I do..."

When Sylvia saw Ivor coming out of the lift along with Miss Eriksson and Sonya, she smiled and sent privately to him, "Has Sonya been behaving herself around my fox?"

"Fur th' maist pairt, aye," Ivor sent back with a sly grin.

"That's good, I might have to get creative again..." Sylvia sent, this time including a mental image of the last practical joke she had set for Sonya.

Ivor nearly laughed out loud at the memory, causing Sonya to look suspiciously at him, then to Sylvia who had a slight grin on her face, and back.

"Those two jokers are up to something; I just know it!" Sonya thought worriedly.

Tanya saw McElroy suppress a laugh, causing her to glance at Stewert. Seeing the hint of mischief in Sylvia's eyes, Tanya rolled her own.

"Please, no 'booms', da?"

"Hey Carmen, pull up a seat," Cara piped up when she saw Petty Officer Li approach with her dinner tray.

"Anything new to see 'out there', ey?" Felix asked the Sensor Tech after she sat down at the table next to Cara.

"Meh, pretty much the same as yesterday, just closer," Carmen replied nonchalantly. She made a few stabs at her food and commented, "I wish I had some honey..."

"I'm pretty sure Tres-Nua'ta wouldn't mind getting sweet with you," Cara said with a sly grin.

"Say what?!" Carmen exclaimed.

Felix snickered at Cara's remark and Læree'ahn giggled quietly.

"From what Kan'ta tells me, Nua'ta thinks you're a hottie," Cara replied with a chuckle. "He likes that buff bod of yours."

"M-r-r-ow, Li's got an admirer, ey?" Felix said just loud enough that other crew members nearby could hear him, which got their attention.

"Are you serious?! Carmen exclaimed in a strained whisper.

"That's what he said," Cara replied, grinning between bites of her food.

"You're yanking my chain..."

"Speaks truly, Cara does," Læree'ahn said, who was sitting across the table from Carmen. "Told us, Chi'an did."

"Ey, if Chi'an knows, it's a good bet that Hre'an knows, too, ey," Felix added with a smirk.

"That's at least a quarter of their crew..." Cara said, counting on her fingers.

"Aw, c'mon!" Carmen blurted out in exasperation.

"Gotta watch those fangs, though, ey," Felix said with a sly grin. When he saw the look Carmen gave him, he shrugged and added, "Just sayin'."

"Lighten up, Carmen, Nua'ta is a nice guy. You know, when I first met Kan'ta, shortly after we rescued them[[4]](#_ftn4), he kinda freaked me out, but after I got to know him, he's a really good guy and he's kinda cute in an odd way," Cara explained.

"Strange to me, at first, my Felix was. Before, seen his kind I had not, but..." Læree'ahn looked her husband in the eye and smiled warmly, "...without him now, cannot, I be."

The two kissed tenderly, then Felix smiled and added, "I can't imagine being without you, either, babe. If things had happened a bit different..."

"Home, I would be, far from you," Læree'ahn said wistfully.

"Ey, you'd probably be safer back home, though...

I'm glad that we get to be together, even if according to the regs..."

"Allowed, it is not."

"Yeah."

For the past two-and-a-half years she had been on the ship, Carmen had seen how well Læree'ahn and Felix got along with each other, as well as Dr. Garland and Cdr. Williamson, CWO3 Stewert and McElroy, and of course, the captain and his mates, had gotten along despite being different species. However, she had never really thought much about the possibility of herself being with a male outside of her own species, let alone, with a non-Terran male.

"The next time we get to have a crew mixer, at least talk to Nua'ta and get to know him a bit more," Cara suggested. "He's probably hoping you'd show some interest and make the first move."

"Huh?"

"Ey, in their culture, the _females_make the first move," Felix commented.

"And he's single," Cara added with a mischievous look.

"Making out with a full telepath is quite an experience, ey."

"Aw, jeezers! C'mon, you two!" Carmen exclaimed in exasperation, drawing a few snickers from those around her.

Walking at a fair pace, Khel'zet arrived at the crew's mess not long after Thavi and the Fansq girls had taken their seats. Chief Sorrel had just left the serving line and was on her way over to sit next to the captain's table, while Læree'ahn was in the process of getting her drink. Picking up her tray and utensils, Khel'zet looked over the selection provided by the automated galley system, made her choice, and then selected some fresh food that had been grown in Hydroponics before getting some cold water and a mug of hot herbal tea. Khel'zet had made considerable effort to adapt to life onboard Nightwing, including getting used to the food provided. She still longed for her favorites from her home on R'Hin, though after having been on the Sol Federation ship since leaving Dra'ka for roughly the past year and a half, ship time, Khel'zet had developed a taste for certain items that were completely foreign to her. The herbal tea she had selected was one she had become quite fond of; another was the variant of tomato sauce that the Fansq girls--with the help of the chemist, Dr. Slis'issa, Chief Sorrel, and Petty Officer Bronski--had concocted. While the tomato sauce got mixed reviews from the other members of the crew, Khel'zet enjoyed it.

"Hey Jamie, are ya eatin' yet?"

"Hey, Lil, just sat down. Are you on your way up?"

"We're headin' that way; be there shortly."

"Okay. Tan, Moira, and Shauna are already here."

"We're about midship, deck four."

James sent a mental kiss to Lilly and turned his attention back to the conversation Moira and Shauna were having about possible modifications to the shields based on what they had learned since the encounter with the Yarthenin ships at Niria[[5]](#_ftn5).

Lt. Cha'rhu'ez, who was standing to the right of Ens. Donnelson, was quiet while in the lift, thinking how much John's cousin, CTC Lilly Donnelson, who was standing to his left, looked like the person in the holographic recording shown to them by the three Y'Nahrans after they met back at Fren'a. John had since explained the origins of his family line and she now understood why he had reacted to the recorded holographic message as he did. Diwenzi liked John and felt that, despite their differences, they got along fairly well. Since he was a guy who didn't_think she was totally insane because of her love of flying out in the vast openness of space, unlike her own people, Diwenzi had developed a crush on her Terran skunk G.E.L.F. SIO[[6]](#_ftn6). John had "boyish good looks" and she found him both physically attractive and good company. Diwenzi's many suggestive comments made it clear (at least in her mind) that she was interested and willing to get involved with him. Not having any telepathic ability meant that she felt she was unable to adequately convey her thoughts and feelings in a way that would make her desires any clearer. However, as John had reminded her often enough, that his father, the admiral, would likely "put _both of their tails in a sling" if they got involved with each other while serving together in the same unit. The fact that John was the cousin of the ship's captain wasn't as much of an issue to Diwenzi as his other_cousin, Chief Donnelson, was. Even though Diwenzi, a lieutenant, outranked John's female cousin, Lilly, who was an enlisted, there was something about her that made Diwenzi feel...how? She had trouble defining it. Intimidated, perhaps? Veswans were generally fearless, considering that they could scamper up and down huge trees, leap from branch to branch or even tree to tree, without fear. When she and John had flown combat sorties, to her they were more like an exhilarating game of "catch-me-if-you-can", albeit with potentially lethal consequences. But whenever she was around John's cousin, Lilly, Diwenzi would become uncharacteristically quiet, something that hadn't gone unnoticed by John, or Lilly. For his part, John liked Diwenzi, even if she _was a chatterbox most of the time. There were times when he had caught himself looking her over appreciatively, for Diwenzi was definitely not_unattractive. On the contrary, John thought she had a certain charm about her that he found appealing. Since they had been assigned together as the crew of a F/A-417 Peregrine fighter/interceptor, he had noticed her looking at _him_when she thought he wasn't looking. Over time, John figured out that Diwenzi wasn't just yanking his tail when it came to her not-so-subtle suggestions. Since they had been assigned to _Nightwing, they shared a stateroom in "Officers Country" aboard the ship, and each had their own privacy curtain around their racks, though the only time they generally used them was when changing underclothes. During their visit to Dra'ka, though, there had been a subtle and growing shift in their relationship.

* * * * *

"Has there been word yet when we will stop for a short while to share time with our friends on the Terr'ahn_ship?" Vren-Kan'ta asked the ship's clerk of the _Se'nika.

"Our Madam Commander has not yet made mention of it," Sran-Rua'ta replied. "You are wishing to see Kha'ra-Bron'skee_again?_" Sran-Rua'ta asked with a bemused grin.

"I must admit she is often in my thoughts," Kan'ta replied after a moment's reflection.

"She is less dissimilar to our own than the mate of my counterpart on their ship is to him," Kua'ta commented.

"The younger Élendorian female?"

"Læree'ahn, yes. She is a handsome enough female for her kind, though she and Feh-leex are quite different in many ways," Kua'ta replied.

"From what Zhir-Chi'an has said of her time on the Terr'ahn homeworld, it would seem widely accepted among those in their society to think nothing of being with others not of their own kind. Kha'ra herself had shared with me a time when she had a male friend who was one of the furry Terr'ahns_. He was from a military family as she was_," Kan'ta explained. "When his family was transferred to a new command, she kept in contact with him as long as she could. Eventually, their vines grew in separate ways and they lost contact with each other."

"As it sometimes happens in the lives of many."

"True enough."

After a moment, Kua'ta sent, "When I have the opportunity, I shall inquire of our Madam Commander when we may next expect another social gathering with our friends."

"That is acceptable," Kan'ta sent with a slight bow. On his way back to check the instrument readings on the Se'nika's secondary propulsion system, he thought, "I hope our own vines will continue grow together, Kha'ra Bron'skee_. Doubtless my own Honored Mother will have much to say if we were to desire to be paired, and my Honored_ Grandmother_...who knows what_ she would think of it."

Thir-Bre'an sat in the pilot's seat in the command pit, not having much to do at the moment other than to make cursory checks of her instruments to make sure all flight systems were behaving as they should. The ship was continuing in a straight line to the nebula, which now filled her view ahead. It would not be much longer before they should arrive at the long dead world they were heading towards. She wondered what, if anything, they might find there. The fact that the strange beast ship that had been following them ever since the M'Ka Sha'en (a.k.a. the Nekharns) had tried to come through to the star system of the Élendorian colony world, Élenswena, was now staying much closer, increased the level of concern amongst the crew. Thinking of that time made Thir-Bre'an think of Nightwing's Honored Captain, and that led to her remembering the time on Dra'ka when she relocated him from his ship back to the guest chamber the crews were staying in. She remembered the remark he had made as she put her arms around him before heading back, "I could get used to this."

"I believe I could get used to that as well, if our vines had grown differently," Bre'an mused. "I must admit, however, that I have learned several interesting flight maneuvers from Captain James Daugherty that I would not have thought to try. Some of his actions during this mission were definitely unhinged, though...looking back at them, they seem to have been the only thing that could have worked at the time. He is a wonder."

Rhuw-Rha'an had left her seat above the command pit to go to her quarters to work on some reports, though she first went to her ship's small dining area to get some tea. Settling into the chair at her small desk, Rha'an closed her eyes and took a slow sip of her tea, savoring its aroma and flavor. Leaning back into her chair, she took a moment's luxury of letting her thoughts wander. At first, her thoughts were of recent events, then older events floated by in the meandering stream of her memories. Rha'an smiled when she remembered the night before they had departed Terra to begin their joint mission, where she and James sat on top of Nightwing's hull in the cool autumn air of his native land. It was one of the few times in her life that she felt comfortable being with someone who was outside of her usual circle of family and friends, and those who served under her command. Her own crew had become like a second family to her, though James and his crew were now an extension of that. Rha'an thought of the times she and James had shared--first in her small cabin aboard Se'nika when they ritually drank the queth-sliat from the sacred spring of Mûr thel-Raleen and shared memories of each other's home; then on Mûr Zhæn when the First Attendant to the Empress came to make the penance offer after insulting his ship's A.I. entity; and then she recalled their time on Dra'ka when she had taken him to his ship to hide the data cylinder that Erlanna had given him. Rha'an smiled when she recalled how it made her feel to hold James in her embrace, and she smiled a bit more when she remembered when she first learned the Terran form of hri'fal, or "kissing" as they called it.

"It has not even been one sun circle since I have known him, yet James--and his mates--have given me much to think on. If we had not met, no doubt my Path and that of my own would have ended on that nameless moon. I have never been one to believe in, as they say, pre-determination, although...as Shipmaster D'Narial had told us, it seems that our paths have been made so...but why_, for what purpose are we meant for? There are things beyond our poor understanding at work...and it is unnerving to think that we may be only as playing pieces in a game that we cannot comprehend its rules, or even if there_ are any that one could be made aware of. Yet...whatever may become of us, I for one am glad that our vines have become entangled with those of James and his crew. They have given us new ways to think of things. Perhaps it is as the Silver One[[7]](#ftn7)_said, 'Your lives are short, so you need to keep thinking about new_things...let_ us worry about the past and what it means.' I find it difficult to comprehend how long one such as her has lived, and yet the Silver One is still but a youth among her own! And James, my dear friend, you..."

The chime by the door into Rha'an's cabin sounded, interrupting her thought.

"Enter."

"Madam Commander," Sran-Rua'ta, the Ship's Clerk sent, saluting her. "I have the additional data you requested."

Rha'an held her hand out for the data crystal that Sran-Rua'ta had shown her. After handing it over, he stood in a respectful posture and waited.

"There is something else?"

"Yes, Madam Commander. Some among our crew have inquired as to when we might have another opportunity to enjoy the company of our friends."

Rha'an thought a moment and asked thoughtfully, "It has been a while, yes?"

"Yes, Madam Commander."

Considering that they were nearly to the long-dead world known as Chenau-Ri, and from what the Y'Nahrans had told them, Rha'an thought that perhaps it would be prudent to have another crew mixer while the situation was still relatively quiet.

"I shall confer with Captain James Daugherty and let it be known what is decided."

Sran-Rua'ta smiled slightly and bowed his head.

"Yes, Madam Commander."

Since Sran-Rua'ta didn't have any other items to report related to ship's business, Rha'an dismissed him. As she was inserting the data crystal into the reader port of her terminal, Rha'an paused for a moment, thinking about the request.

"Shen-Lir'an, I require a private channel to Nightwing's captain..."

* * * * *

"James?" Moira said, getting his attention. When he looked over to her android avatar who was sitting next to him at the table in the crew's mess, she leaned closer and said quietly, "Rhuw-Rha'an wishes to speak with you...privately."

"Did she say what about?" James asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, she did not. Do you wish to take the call in your office?"

Slipping a hand briefly onto Lilly's leg and giving her a quick smile, he said to Moira, "Yeah, I probably should."

Lilly looked questioningly at James.

"Rha'an wants to talk with me about something," James sent privately to his mate.

"Hope it's not somthin' bad..."

"I'll be back shortly, luv." To the others sitting around his table, he said, "You'll have to excuse me for a bit, I have to take a call in my office."

As James headed out of the crew's mess, the conversation level dropped as everyone noticed he was leaving in mid meal with Moira's android avatar following him.

When Rha'an's face appeared on his terminal's view screen, James smiled and asked, "'Evening, Rha'an, what can I do you out of?"

Accustomed to his sense of humor, Rha'an leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand in a thoughtful manner.

/* "A weekend alone together in a scenic location, comes to mind..." */

James raised an eyebrow and then a smile quickly grew upon his face.

"Do tell..."

James enjoyed the sensually husky sound of Rha'an's voice, which reminded him of certain early twentieth-century human actresses...and also that of Lilly's older sister, Daffodil.

/* "As I have been reminded by my ship's clerk, it has been some time since we have stopped to enjoy the company of our friends. Perhaps we should consider it, given what may be ahead." */

The expression on James' face grew more serious.

"Has Tal'an been having any premonitions lately?" he asked cautiously.

/* "Not that she has confided. Our 'friend' has been following much more closely, as you are undoubtedly aware, which suggests a more protective posture. Perhaps it would be prudent to have a bit of, as you say, 'down time', to renew our bonds." */

James quickly considered what Rha'an suggested and came to the same conclusion.

"I suppose we are overdue for another crew mixer, and...you're right about our 'friend' out there. Things might get crazy and we need to be sharp. Nothing clears the mind and strengthens the spirit like a reminder of what's important in life."

/* "Indeed so, James." */

"Some of my crew are due for promotions, so this will be as good a time as any to give them. I think there might even be a birthday or two. I'm sure Rissa is bored being by herself over on her ship and wouldn't mind some company."

/* "We should not forget the Y'Nahrans who also travel with us now," */ Rha'an suggested.

James thought a moment and said, "Alright, if nothing happens between now and then, let's figure on coming to a stop the day after tomorrow. Since they seem rather good at it, I'll ask the Fansq girls if they can organize something on such short notice. I'll contact Miss Kei'sa to explain what we're doing and invite them over."

/* "I shall inform my own. Do not forget our Rissanivi," */ Rha'an said with a slight smile.

"I'll call her first," James said, also with a slight smile. James lightly touched the screen of his terminal and said more softly, "I look forward to seeing you again, my friend...in person."

Rha'an placed her own fingertips over the image of James' fingers and said, /* "As do I." /

* * * * *

Rissanivi was lightly dozing under the warmth of her sun lamp when her computer announced an incoming call. Propping one eye open, she asked who was calling. When the computer identified the call as coming from Nightwing, Rissa quickly got up, tossed on a shirt, and slipped her hood on, before answering.

"Um, James...hi!" she greeted him with surprise.

/* "Hi, Rissa. Got a moment?" */

"Um, sure, yeah. What up?"

/* "Rha'an called me a little while ago and we came to the conclusion that since it's been a while, we're due for having another crew get together. Interested?" */

Rissanivi put her elbows on the console and rested her chin in her hands, giving James her best approximation of a sensual look.

"Um, sure," she said, batting her eyes, "want bring music with?"

/* "That would be nice," */ James said, smiling at the thought of watching Rissa do another Vey'ani dance.

"Um, okay, I try bring something you not hear before, maybe you like."

Rissanivi stood up straight and, taking a step back, danced a few steps to whatever music she heard in her head. At one point, she looked suggestively over her shoulder and moved in sinuous manner that few, if any, mammalian life forms would be capable of.

"You like?" Rissanivi asked when she gracefully leaned down to rest her elbows on the console again, resting her head on her hands and moving her waist, hips, and tail, in a slow, methodical, snake-like fashion.

/* "Rissa...I think the temperature in here has just gone up a few degrees." */

Rissanivi smiled as best as she could, though her expressive eyes gave away the joy she was having at being a tease. It had been a long time since she had been with anyone, and _that_was with Arlan before he had disappeared over fifteen years ago along with Cameron and Hauvri'ahn. She liked James because in some ways he reminded her a bit of both Arlan and Cameron.

"Um, when we have...um, visit time?"

/* "Day after tomorrow, ship time. I'll put the call out for when we're going to drop to normal space and come to a stop. I'll make sure you get plenty of warning." */

"Um, okay. Lil' ol' me be ready."

/* "I'll see you then." */

As he did with Rha'an, James held his hand up to the screen of his terminal; Rissanivi held her hand up to hers, as if she were touching his. There was a look of longing in Rissanivi's eyes--she had been alone out among the stars for a long time, looking for the love that had become lost to her when Arlan and her friends had disappeared after they left N'Thila Station One-Four just before the Force-VI storm hit all those years ago. She had never given up on looking for where they might have gone, though there were times when she nearly despaired, though Rissanivi held to Arlan's last words that he mouthed to her. The parting words of Nial-sa'fel had also stayed with her and they had come true when she needed them the most.

"You have more friends than you know."

* * * * *

After he terminated the call to Rissanivi, James had Moira connect him to the Y'Nahran cruiser. It took only a few moments for Sa'niv to have Kei'sa take James' call.

"Captain Daugherty, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" Kei'sa asked with a friendly smile.

/* "Miss Kei'sa, I wanted to let you know that we are going to drop to normal space the day after tomorrow for a crew mixer--it's been a while since we all had a chance for our crews to spend some time together as a whole, and we're long over due for it. This is something we've been doing periodically since we've been on this mission. Rhuw-Rha'an and I both agreed that it would be best for everyone's well-being. Since that First One has been staying much closer now than before, maybe we ought to have a little time together before something crazy happens, while it's still quiet, if you know what I mean. You three are invited to join us, if you wish. We'll have food, music, and dancing, plus some of my crew will be getting promotions, and I think there may be a birthday or two we'll celebrate. If you do come, feel free to contribute if you'd like." */

Kei'sa was surprised by the invitation.

"That...is quite nice of you to invite us, Captain. I will ask Fier'na and Sa'niv and let you know our decision."

/* "Fair enough. We'll be sure to give you ample notice when we will be dropping to normal space and coming to a full stop." */

"That will be appreciated, Captain. Is there anything else we need to know?" Kei'sa asked.

/* "I believe that's it for now, ma'am. I hope you folks will be able to join us. It would be nice to just sit and visit and enjoy some good company for a bit." /

"I appreciate the thought, Captain. I will get word to you after I speak with the others."

/* "Very well. Take care. Daugherty out." */

Kei'sa leaned back and thought about James' invitation.

"This is a surprise, but...perhaps it would be a good idea. We could learn a little more about them."

"They what?!" Fier'na asked incredulously.

"They are going to return to normal space and come to a stop so that they can have a social gathering. We have been invited," Kei'sa explained.

"Why do they want to do this _now_of all times?" Fier'na asked in exasperation.

"I think the captain has made a good point..."

"And that is?"

"It strengthens the bonds between them."

Fier'na stared at Kei'sa with her mouth open.

"I can see how that makes sense," Sa'niv offered. "Think about it, sis, why do we have gatherings of family and friends? I don't see how what they do is any different."

"But, my oh so observant brother, we don't have parties when there are Dark Bloods and their minions skulking about, looking to something else to destroy!" Fier'na countered.

"There are none in this area at present," Kei'sa said calmly.

"You know as well as I that they could pop out of darkspace at any moment, and right under our very noses, too! At least we have a chance against a Dark Blood death ship--they don't! Besides, we're not First Ones, Kei'sa...!"

"No, but we're not alone, either. Or have you forgotten who is not far behind us?" Kei'sa suggested.

"She's right, sis. They're terrified of Char'ena; the Dark Bloods wouldn't dare take her on directly, especially not when the rest of her pack could be here in an instant," Sa'niv added, siding with Kei'sa.

"And don't forget that Kri'liana and Trae'lan are on the lookout for Dark Bloods. They could be here very quickly as well."

Fier'na folded her arms and slumped back into her seat with a huff.

"I wouldn't doubt that if Mistress Naoia thought it would be a bad idea for the mortals to stop to have their little gathering, she would say something about it," Sa'niv added.

A familiar individual suddenly appeared in a swirl of multi-hued light.

"You're absolutely right, dear, I would."

"M-Mistress Naoia! Sa'niv exclaimed and started to rise from his seat, as well as Fier'na; Kei'sa, who had been leaning against a counter, straightened herself. Naoia gave a wave of her hand to indicate they should stay where they were.

"Fier'na, dear, our young friends are safer here than they will be on Chenau-Ri. Char'ena has plenty of room to run, and as your observant brother stated, the rest of Char'ena's pack most certainly can be here in an instant. They've been waiting for us and, believe me, they know what is stake," Naoia gently admonished Sa'niv's sister. "Let them have their little party and go join them...and enjoy yourself. Within sensible limits this time, I might add." Naoia met eyes with each of the three, lingering slightly longer on Fier'na. "Don't think I don't know about that little stunt you pulled, chilling the air like that. You're lucky my little Vey'ani friend didn't skewer_your hide with that tail of hers. If it wasn't for that little sweetie, Hfel-Sri'an, being observant and stopping it when she did, you would have had an interesting--and very _painful--hole in your chest. Rissanivi won't forget about that any time, soon, and neither will James. Count on it."

Fier'na hung her head and meekly said, "Yes, Mistress."

"Good. Now then, as long as I'm here, we have a few other things to cover..."

* * * * *

The Fansq girls, Elí and Meyleh, did an excellent job putting together everything for the crew mixer on such short notice. They had Moira's help, of course, along with the SRBs, though they also had help from Ens. John Donnelson and some of the science team.

Mid-morning, ship time, on the agreed upon day, all ships dropped to normal space and came to a full stop. With automatic station-keeping engaged, the crews began arriving onboard Nightwing. The Mûr Tua'ansa crew members simply teleported themselves over, Sonya used the MT to transport Rissanivi, and the Y'Nahrans used their own transport system to arrive.

Naoia spoke with Kri'liana and Trae'lan so that they were aware of the event and were ready to lend assistance if needed. Char'ena took a sitting position, though she remained constantly vigilant against the Dark Bloods. She understood what was to come, perhaps in some ways better than Naoia herself did... and she had made a promise.

In the eternity of her existence, Char'ena had never broken a promise.

* * * * *

"I'm glad that you decided to join us today," James said when he had personally greeted the three Y'Nahrans after they had transported aboard.

"It was kind of you to think of us," Kei'sa said graciously. "We have prepared something that most of you will enjoy..." She gave a short nod to Sa'niv who spoke softly into the smooth black band each of the three Y'Nahrans wore on their right wrists. A moment later, in swirls of multi-hued light, three large covered insulated serving pans appeared. Right away, Sonya and James' noses detected a delightful scent.

"Is that what I think...?" James started to say.

"I believe you will find this to be better than the re-sequenced proteins you normally have," Kei'sa said with a smile.

Sa'niv lifted and held one of the serving pans and Kei'sa removed its lid. Inside was a large steaming roast in lightly seasoned juices.

"I'm drooling already..." Sonya said quietly, looking wide-eyed at the pan's contents in wonder and anticipation.

"The Dra'kans got their replicator technology from us," Sa'niv said with a slight grin.

"And we've made a few improvements since then," Kei'sa added. "Which reminds me..." she reached into her belt pouch and pulled out a familiar-looking cylindrical object, "...we updated the data files for the technology to include the latest version."

When she handed the data cylinder to James, he recognized the intricate patterns in the design.

"This...this was the data cylinder that Erlanna gave me. How did you get it from where I hid it at?"

"We didn't, it was given to us to give back to you. It was removed and given to Char'ena for safe keeping so that a Dra'kan scanner wouldn't detect it," Kei'sa explained.

"Char'ena?! But she's..." James started to say, holding his hand at about the height of her back as he had seen her while on Elysinar and on Dra'ka.

"More than you know, Captain," Kei'sa interjected. But, it wasn't her that removed it."

"Wait a sec," Sonya butted in, "if none of you three took it, and if Char'ena didn't take it, who did?"

Kei'sa replied with a slight grin, "Your guide."

James and Sonya looked at the data cylinder and then at each other in awe as the realization sunk in.

What James was holding in his hands had been recently handled by a First One.

* * * * *

At the end of the meal, James got up and stood a short distance away from the tables and addressed everyone.

"In the past two and a half years, we've come a long way, visited some interesting places, had to kick some tail a few times, and met some nice folks out here far from our homes. How far we still have to go is anyone's guess, though at least we're nearer to one of our goals. If all goes well, we'll arrive at Chenau-Ri in approximately two weeks. As always, we'll keep everyone informed as best as we can on our progress.

"I have a couple more things to announce before I turn the floor over to Commander Rhuw-Rha'an." James looked at his PAD and then look out at his crew. "Lieutenant, junior-grade, Shauna Eriksson; Hospital Corpsman, Chief Petty Officer, Mindy Sorrel; Electronics Warfare Technician, Petty Officer Second Class, Cara Bronski; and Yeoman, Petty Officer second Class, Felix Canberra--front and center!"

There were murmurs among most of those present as the four whose names were called out made their way to James.

"Lieutenant (j.g.) Eriksson, this has been well-earned. As our Ship's Engineer, you've been responsible for not only keeping the lights on, but also keeping our ship flying so she can continue to fulfill her mission. That task hasn't always been an easy one. I'm also sure that our dear friend Rissanivi appreciates the emergency repair work you performed getting her own ship back up and running when she needed it. So, it's with great pleasure that Command has finally authorized your promotion from paygrade O-2 to O-3, to full Lieutenant." With Moira's android avatar capturing the event on camera, James removed Shauna's old shoulder insignia and replaced them with her new full Lieutenant's bars and handed her the data chip with the orders. With a salute, handshake, and a hug, the crews cheered.

"Chief Sorrel, as our Corpsman, you have your hands full keeping us alive and fit to do our jobs. You monitor our air, water, and food, you make sure we get our exercise, you patch us up when we need it, and you've helped others we've met along the way. You spend long hours in the lab doing research and testing, and you let us bend you ear when we need someone to talk to. So, after meeting all of the necessary requirements, Command has authorized your promotion to Senior Chief Petty Officer." As with Shauna, James removed Mindy's shoulder insignia and replaced them with her new E-8 insignia. They exchanged a salute and handshake, and also a friendly hug to the cheers of the crews.

"Petty Officer Bronski, you make sure hostiles can't figure out where we are and you also assist with listening for signals, hostile or otherwise. If it hadn't been for your thinking, we might not have heard the call for help by Elí in time to affect a rescue. You've worked hard and have completed all of the requirements necessary to be promoted to Petty Officer First Class." After removing Cara's EW2 shoulder insignia and replacing them with her new EW1 insignia, they exchanged the traditional salute and handshake, along with a friendly hug to the cheers of the crews.

"Last, and certainly not least, Petty Officer Canberra, as Ship's Clerk, you keep the ship's records, maintain the inventory, do an outstanding job at finding things we need, run the AQMS, help out wherever needed, organize drills, and--perhaps most importantly at times--keep us caffeinated. It was through your efforts during our very first First Contact situation as a crew that we now enjoy a strong and enduring relationship with our Mûr Tua'ansa friends. You've done an excellent job at helping to keep things functioning smoothly on Nightwing. So, having completed all of the requirements, you are hereby promoted to Yeoman First Class." Felix purred loudly as James replaced his old insignia with the new and exchanged the customary salute and handshake and a brief hug with a pat on the back. Læree'ahn was happy for her husband and her excitement readily showed by her color changes.

After they were allowed to go back to their seats, James had one more person to call forward.

"Chief Warrant Officer Three, Sylvia Stewert, front and center!"

With a surprised look, Sylvia went to stand before James.

"I put in for this some time ago, and Command has finally got around to making it happen. For your actions during the daring successful rescue of the future head of the Nirian Leadership and her mother who had been wounded, while under fire by superior enemy ground forces, and despite loss of function to heavy battle dress as the result of damage sustained in combat, you are hereby awarded the Bronze Star with V for valor." James pinned the medal to Sylvia's uniform, saluted, and grasped her hand while hooking thumbs together. James pulled Sylvia close and they embraced. "Hoo-ya, Syl. You earned it!" James said quietly while the crew cheered.

The party began after the ceremony with music and dancing. A short while after Sylvia sat down with Ivor to take a breather from dancing, Kei'sa approached and asked Sylvia if she could sit next to her.

"Forgive me for being curious, what happened that led to you receiving that?" Kei'sa asked, referring to Sylvia's medal.

"Well, it began when Shen-Lir'an picked up a signal..."

Sylvia, with Ivor filling in some details, proceeded to recount the events of the rescue of Nyra and her mother, H'mei. Kei'sa listened intently.

When they were finished, Kei'sa said, "That was a remarkable thing you did. All of you, in fact. There are many who would not do such a thing. Were you afraid?"

Sylvia was silent for a few moments.

"Yes, I was. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get them to the ship before we got cut off, but...I had to try."

Kei'sa knew she was telling the truth. Taking a hold of Sylvia's hand, she said with sincerity, "I understand. Courage is a special trait. You were able to act even though you were afraid." Kei'sa looked down for a moment with a hint of sadness in her eyes. When she looked up again, she smiled pensively and said, "Stay strong, both of you. Others will need your courage."

James had taken turns dancing with Lilly, Tanya, and Shauna, and had just sat down to rest when a pair of green scaly arms slid down his front from behind, one on either side of his neck.

"Um...can lil' ol' me borrow for one?"

Lilly looked up to see Rissanivi with her arms hanging around James' neck, giving her a completely innocent look.

"Ya wanna dance with Jamie?" Lilly asked.

"Um...yeah. Once. If okay and, um, want to," Rissanivi replied.

This was the first time since they've known Rissanivi that she asked to dance with anyone. She had always done a solo dance performance to her own music.

James turned his head a bit to look at Rissanivi, who was holding her face close to his.

"Uh...what do you have in mind, Rissa?" he asked.

"Um, just one. Did with Arlan once, before he, um...di...um, disa...disappeared? That it? Um...yeah, that it. Um, before when was here last, before Arlan met...um, what name..."

"You mean, before he met Poppy?" James asked.

"Um...yeah, furry female, like...um, you, but...um, different. She, um...pretty, yeah. Different," Rissanivi tried to explain, patting Lilly on her forearm. "Pretty furry flo...flower, like you."

Lilly smiled and understood that Rissanivi was trying to compliment her. She put an arm around Rissanivi and leaned into her saying, "Thanks, Rissa."

When James rested a bit, he let Rissanivi lead him over to the part of the crew's mess that served as the dance floor. Taking a few minutes of work with Moira to get the particular music file Rissanivi had in mind transferred from her device to the ship's file library so that it could be played over the speaker system, Rissanivi tried to explain the basics of the dance to James. As soon as the haunting melody of the Vey'ani song started, the attention of all present was drawn to the unforgettable performance Rissanivi was about to give...with James as her dance partner.

Lilly and Tanya, who had known Arlan when he was with Poppy years before, as well as John and Felix who both knew the story from Poppy and her sister, Yasmin, watched in wonder as Rissanivi performed the same wildly sensual dance she had with Arlan years before in the nightclub on Esba'in Station.

---

[[1]](#_ftnref1) U nuAH? = "Who is there?" in the Fansq language.

[[2]](#ftnref2) See Daggers of Darkness #2 - "_The Heart of Élendor"

[[3]](#ftnref3) See Daggers of Darkness #1 - "_Into the Black"

[[4]](#ftnref4) See Daggers of Darkness™ book #1, "_Into the Black"

[[5]](#ftnref5) See Daggers of Darkness™ book #2, "_The Heart of Élendor".

[[6]](#_ftnref6) SIO - Sensor Intercept Officer.

[[7]](#_ftnref7) Rhuw-Rha'an is referring to Erlanna here.