9

"Personal log entry, Terran Standard Date: 2516-06-20; Time: 1003 hours FCT. We are almost to Chenau-Ri. The Y'Nahrans went on ahead to scout for hostiles while the First One's 'beast ship' has moved in a lot closer. From what Miss Kei'sa told us, they are taking the threat of some Dark Bloods showing up rather seriously. Rha'an and I are keeping our ships at Condition-II until the situation warrants relaxing our current state of readiness. Lt. Eriksson and Ksen-Mir'ta have done what they could with what we have to bolster the shields on Rissanivi's ship. We're keeping the Ilissenri between our ships to provide extra protection for her. After our encounter with a supposedly derelict Dark Blood ship, I hope we don't have deal with any more of them.

"We should make planetfall in two days. Rissa told us about her first time on Chenau-Ri and what had happened to Arlan. It boggles the mind how some device he had held had not only instantly transported him thousands of lightyears across the galaxy back to the McHenry Research Facility on Mars, but also twelve years into the future, where he spent over a year's time back home, only to be yanked back out here about three minutes after he had disappeared. Both Lt. Cdr. H'alwa and Jhan-Kri'an have no idea how that might have been possible, given the current understanding that our respective civilizations have as to the nature of time. I hope nothing like what happened to Arlan happens to any of us. Rissa had also told us about just before they left Chenau-Ri, the one named Nial-sa'fel had shown them how the planet had looked during the height of civilization there. Miss Kei'sa said that he had been to Chenau-Ri several times in the distant past and remembers his visits there fondly. He would have to be about Arneora's age! I can't even imagine how someone could possibly live into the billions of years! What would a being do with themselves over that much time? Then again, I'm sure the people in Europe's Middle Ages would have difficulty with the current lifespan of today. Perhaps no different than when Rha'an told me how old her grandmother, who is still living, is in our years.

"I have been getting strange feelings that something isn't right concerning Erlanna. Just a few days ago, there was a feeling of joy coming through from her, but now it's back to anxiety again. I wonder if it's about Kh'nar. I hope D'Narial and the others can do something to stop him before he really hurts her.

"End log entry."

James sat back in his chair and reached into his chest pocket. He pulled out the glass-steel vial containing Erlanna's crystalized tears and held it up so that he could look at it closely.

"Erlanna," he thought to the crystals, "whatever happens, be strong. We're with you."

* * * * *

Khel'zet had been sitting at her assigned post in Stellar Cartography since lunch, listening for signals. She also helped to update the star charts, and had been studying the nebula they were about to enter the first gas cloud of within the next two hours. The nebula's gas clouds were lit up in places where they had swept over other stars in the area. She had never been inside of a nebula before, and she found this intriguing.

When it was time to knock off for the ship's day, Khel'zet stood, stretched, and then moved through some of the forms of ri'khi'jia, a particular style of R'Hinsa martial art based on the wielding of two single-edged bladed weapons, known as sa'jia, in a fast-paced manner not unlike some sword dances of Terra from hundreds of years in the past. A skilled practitioner of ri'khi'jia was a fearsome opponent in close quarters combat and Khel'zet held the title of ri'khi-khû'tk, which in Terran Standard English roughly translated as "third mastery", meaning she was already at the 6th level of skill with only two other higher levels left to attain. Only those who have experienced actual hand-to-hand combat under nearly overwhelming odds (and survived) could attain the next level of skill.

When Zach walked into Stellar Cartography to check some readings, Khel'zet had her back to him. She was absorbed in the moment and unaware that anyone had entered the space. Other than seeing her work out with weights in the ship's gym a few times, this was the first time Zach saw her move in this manner.

"Jeezers, except for that dance Miss Salnuano did, I've never seen anybody move like that before!"

Zach found the graceful and fluid moves being performed by Khel'zet, mesmerizing--her alien beauty making it even more so.

Upon completing a twirling move that was followed by a low upward thrust, Khel'zet happened to be facing the doorway into Stellar Cartography. The intense expression on her face made her piercingly blue eyes stand out even more against the darker skin that surrounded them. Holding her gaze on Zach for only few seconds, the realization that someone was actually standing there, watching her, hit like the proverbial ton of bricks.

Quickly coming to her long-conditioned R'Hin attention posture, Khel'zet promptly apologized.

"M-Mr. MacCloud...forgive me, I...was not aware of your presence!"

Zach gave a casual dismissive wave of a hand and said, "That was...amazing! What was that you were doing, a type of dance or something? I've never seen anything like it before!"

Khel'zet did not expect to hear the genuine excitement in Zach's voice or see the look of astonishment on his face.

"It is...a style of combat called...ri'khi'jia," Khel'zet replied, getting her breathing back to normal after the exertion. "Properly, it is done with two sa'jia."

"What are those?" Zach asked.

"Sa'jia are long, slightly curved, blades with one edge that is sharpened. I have...had...a matched set of sa'jia, but..." Khel'zet looked down with a sad expression.

"Were they with you on the transport ship you were taken from?" Zach asked gently.

Looking up again she replied, "Yes, sir. I hold the title of ri'khi-khû'tk in the practice of ri'khi'jia--there are only two titles that are higher. Of those, the highest, ri'khi-jahn'tûk, there has been but one in our history."

"If you don't mind me asking, how many titles are there below yours?" Zach asked politely.

"There are five."

"Hmm, so you've been practicing this..."

"...Ri'khi'jia..."

"...ri'khi'jia for some time, then, I gather," Zach said.

"Since I was seven j'mu...a 'year', as you would call it," Khel'zet acknowledged.

"How old are you now?"

"I was twenty-four j'mu at the time I was ensnared by the Dra'kans. I...do not know how long it has been since," Khel'zet replied, saying the last quietly.

"You've been with us for...about one and a half of our years now, if I remember correctly," Zach said. "I don't think the Dra'kans held you for more than six of your equivalents to our week." Zach thought quickly and added, "I'm sorry nobody had caught that, we could've tried to figure out when to have a birthday party for you."

If Khel'zet was surprised, she didn't show it; instead, she looked down at the deck and said, "I...do not expect such. Sir."

Zach noted the shift in her mannerism and asked gently. "Why not? You're part of the crew like everyone else." When she looked up at him, he saw the reluctance in her eyes to say what she wanted. "You may speak freely, this just between you and me, one person to another."

Khel'zet knew that if she were on a R'Hin ship, she would have to be very careful of what she said and to whom. Her time aboard Nightwing had shown her a completely different way than what she had known. Here, trust was paramount among the members of the small crew--if they could not trust each other explicitly, their survival would be in jeopardy. The Fansq girls, Elí and Meyleh, and the Thabbani female, Thavi, had had a strong influence on Khel'zet's ability to see life in a different light--things didn't have to be the way she had known.

"Forgive me, I...still have..."

"Trust issues?" Zach asked with a disarming smile.

Khel'zet immediately looked down. "From what you've said of it, I can't imagine what it would have been like growing up in your culture. Probably no more than you could imagine what it would be like growing up in mine. Maybe one day we won't have to imagine. Until the day comes where we can walk on each other's world and enjoy its wonders, we can always learn from each other."

Khel'zet looked up again and said, "I...would like to visit places in your Federation, but..." she looked down again and continued, "...I would not be accepted. Not as I am here."

"You might be surprised." When Khel'zet quickly looked up again, Zach added, "Who knows, maybe one day you might be able to." Zach smiled and a quick little smile appeared on Khel'zet's face. "Speaking of learning, would you be interested in giving a brief talk on, and demonstration of, your martial art?" Zach asked.

"I am sorry, I...do not know a maker of images named 'Mâhr-shi'el', sir," Khel'zet replied with a confused look.

Zach looked blankly at Khel'zet for a moment and then it dawned on him, and he laughed.

"I'm sorry, I should've realized...Moira?.

/* "How may I help you, Zach?" */

"Would you give Acting Petty Officer Harankhek a definition of 'martial arts', please?"

/* "As you wish. Khel'zet, would you prefer to hear it or read it on your PAD?" */

As she had learned to do when speaking to Moira through the overhead pickups, Khel'zet looked up and replied, "To my PAD, I think, to read when time permits, if that is...acceptable?"

/* "As you wish...done." */

"Thank you, Moira," Khel'zet acknowledged when her PAD beeped.

/* "Is there anything else I may assist you with, Zach?" */

"That will do, Moira. Thank you," Zach replied. He paused long enough so that Moira knew he was finished talking to her before he asked Khel'zet again, "About that fighting style you were practicing when I came in...interested in giving a short demonstration on it sometime?"

"I...to be proper, it would require a pair of sa'jia, though I do not know if it would be permissible to have the weapons. They...must be sharp and...made for actual use," Khel'zet cautiously explained.

"Ah. I'll ask the captain and see what he says, then I'll let you know. Fair enough?"

"Yes, sir," Khel'zet replied.

"Well, I came in here to check on some readings... I better get that done."

"Do you require anything of me, sir?"

Zach hesitated slightly.

"Require? No..."

"If I may be permitted to leave..."

"Oh, of course."

Khel'zet came to attention for what she thought was an appropriate length of time, then made her way out into the passageway.

While Zach was performing his check of the data that had been collected, he thought about Khel'zet and what she had brought up.

"She does have a point...I can understand why she thinks people won't trust her because of what she is. R'Hin attacked us for no apparent reason--they were as brutal as they were ruthless. It's hard to think of Khel'zet being that way. She's never shown any_sign of behavior that indicates she's anything other than a fair-minded, respectful, and decent person. She seems to get along well with everyone, especially with her bunkmates. I wouldn't doubt that if the Fansq girls thought Khel'zet was a threat, we'd see it in their behavior. I'm sure that Canberra's wife, Læree'ahn, or Miss Ja'f'darwe, would have easily picked up anything to be concerned about--Élendorians are walking lie detectors. And surely any of our Mûr Tua'ansa friends would've sensed anything about Khel'zet that we should be concerned about, and Frer-Sha'an_ definitely would've. No, I don't think we have anything to worry about Khel'zet...she's an honorable person, easy enough to get along with, does her tasks with efficiency, helps where she can, and...what's not to like about her? She's been with us for about a year and a half, so I would think that whatever potential issues there could be should have been worked out by now. I'll see if James will allow her to have those swords needed for her martial art--they can be kept in the armory when she's not using them. Given what we might have to deal with, maybe we should've been giving her weapons training. I'll bring that up, too. At least Redhill could see if Khel'zet knows how to shoot--I would assume that would've been part of her training in the R'Hin military."

Zach finished his checks and then headed off to find James.

* * * * *

"Swords...?"

"It would be an opportunity to learn something new about their culture, and besides, we might need everyone with some sort of fighting skill to defend the ship and crew if we should get boarded by hostiles. The R'Hin are known to be exceptionally good at close-quarters fighting, and if she's anywhere near as good as Stewert is, I'd rather have her on our side," Zack explained. "At least she should have a chance to prove herself."

"Tan, what do you think?" James asked.

Tanya thought a moment and said, "Is crazy, da? Have a R'Hinsi in our midst, and give weapons to, though...Zach made good point, if she's good as he thinks, then, why not, ah?"

"Miss Ja'f'darwe, your thoughts?"

"I have not sensed any hostility in Khel'zet since she's been with us. If anything, she is rightfully concerned about how we think of her, given that she believes their emperor was wrong to order the attacks against the neighboring civilizations around the R'Hin Empire for no reason. She does not want to be our enemy nor does she want any of us to be hers. I feel she can be trusted not to hurt any of us."

James considered the input from Tanya and Ræha'ahna on Zach's request.

"Alright, do it. Zach, have her get with Miss Thavi and SRB-5836 to work out the design specs and fabrication, I'll give Shauna a heads-up on it. Also, get with Miss Redhill and McElroy and have them arrange a FAM-FIRE[[1]](#_ftn1) session with her. If these Dark Bloods should pop up, then the best--and worst--time would be while we're planet-side. In fact, we might as well pass out weapons to everyone."

"Even the Fansq girls, da?" Tanya asked, raising an eyebrow.

James replied grimly, "Even to Elí and Meyleh."

* * * * *

While the SRBs were fabricating Khel'zet's two sa'jia blades, Sonya and Ivor conducted the weapon familiarization training evolution for the crew with additional help from Sylvia. The civilian members of the science team and the two Élendorians required more assistance than the military crew members--Elí and Meyleh, initially refused to even touch the weapons, though with understanding, discussion, and gentle persuasion, they were able to work up the nerve to fire off some low-level practice shots at a target set up in the hangar bay. The surprise, though, was Meyleh...after the first few hesitant shots, she looked blankly at the target with her weapon partially lowered for several moments while others watched on, wondering if she was going to try again. Then, she slowly raised her weapon, aimed it as she had been shown, and then a hard look appeared on her face. She fired...then a second time, and a third, a fourth, a fifth...each time hitting the target squarely. Two more shots. Several among the crew had seen a similar look before, particularly Mindy and Sylvia, who easily had the most on-the-ground direct-action combat experience of all. Elí looked on in shock.

"Meyleh...you got 'im, sweetie. That's enough." Mindy spoke softly, putting a hand on Meyleh's shoulder, though ready to grab her arm and the weapon, if necessary. "C'mon, give me the gun. That's it, sweetie, nice and easy." Mindy gently got the weapon away and handed it Ivor who was standing nearby.

When Meyleh looked at Mindy, she began trembling.

"C'mon, let's go sit over there for a little bit," Mindy prompted, and then began leading Meyleh over to a work area in the hangar bay with Elí and Læree'ahn following.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" James asked Sylvia quietly, watching Mindy and Læree'ahn with Meyleh.

"Aye, sir."

They both knew from the details given in the After-Action debriefing session following the rescue of the Fansq students and returning them to their home on Irenda. Not only had Meyleh directly witnessed the executions of her teachers and her male classmates, especially that of Línal, the brother of her friend, Halisa, she had also been brutally struck in the face by one of the Pliq raiders, cracking her jaw.

James made a mental note to speak with her later.

* * * * *

Khel'zet had been paged to Engineering. While in the lift on the way there, she tried not to think of the sound the engine core made--it was both unsettling and irritating to her ears. When entering Engineering proper, one had to pass through a double set of heavy airlock-like blast doors. The lift tube opened up a short distance from the forward starboard side entrance. Standing before the first door, Khel'zet entered the access code required while the ship was at Combat Readiness Condition-II, or "cruising in territory where hostiles may be present." When the big outer doors unlocked and opened, she stepped into the antechamber and waited for them to cycle shut so that she could open the aft-side doors that would allow her access into Engineering. As soon as the inner doors began to cycle open, she heard the unmistakable banshee-like wail of the engine core while the ship was traveling through hyperspace. Khel'zet stepped into the space and paused a moment while the doors closed, to look at the engine core. She knew only in very basic terms how such things worked and the immense power it generated was frightful. She quickly made her way to the repair bay she had been summoned to. When she entered, Lt. Eriksson, Miss Thavi, and SRB-5836 were there.

"Khel'zet come look!" Thavi said excitedly, motioning her over to the workbench. When Khel'zet approached, Thavi pulled back the cloth covering to reveal what lay hidden underneath. "What do Khel'zet think?" Thavi asked in her peculiar Thabbani manner.

Khel'zet's expression quickly changed from one of interest to one of admiration with a measure of awe. She tentatively reached out a hand to touch the two sa'jia blades lying on the fabric, but hesitated.

"May I?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with emotion.

"Be really careful with the edges," Shauna said. "Fifty-Eight Thirty-Six did a number on them--they're only one molecule thick, so they'll slice and dice a lot more than you're probably used to."

Khel'zet gave a nod of her head to show that she understood. Carefully and reverently, she picked one up. Khel'zet, when she had been told that they were being made for her, she expected something more utilitarian in design, not the beautiful--yet functional--work of art she now held in her hand. To her eyes, the craftmanship was impeccable. Every piece was fitted together perfectly, not the slightest gap or misalignment could be seen. The heft was slightly heavier than what she had been used to, though that was due to the particular metal alloy used for the full tang blade. She examined every detail. And then...she saw the crisp, laser-etched inscription on the metal throat of the scabbard.

Our dear Khel'zet

May your beautiful flame

Burn ever brightly

Among the stars.

With love and hope,

The crew of

S.F.S. Nightwing, SLG-78

When Khel'zet read the inscription, she lightly touched it with her fingertips, lingering for a moment on the last two lines. Her eyes welled up and a tear threatened to run down her cheek. Khel'zet felt a large hand on her shoulder and an arm around her waist, and then a small mechanical hand reached out and patted her leg.

"Thank you..."

* * * * *

While the ship was still cruising at Condition-II readiness, the crew took turns at eating, sleeping, rest breaks, and exercise periods. The purpose was to keep part of the crew manning necessary posts at all times in case they had to quickly go to General Quarters.

Since Khel'zet had been made part of the crew, she had received training in the areas of damage control, emergency first aid, evacuation procedures, EVA suit use and maintenance, and other areas each crew member had to be qualified on. She dutifully learned all that she was required to and never complained about anything. Khel'zet respected and trusted her crewmates and felt that she was respected in return, even having earned a level of trust that she had not expected. During the time she had been onboard Nightwing, she had learned much about those who her own people had been adversaries of. The more she learned about the people of the Sol Federation of Worlds, the more it strengthened her belief that the leader of the R'Hinsa was both an idiot and a fool, and that his paranoid advisors should be considered criminals and dealt with accordingly. But, all of that was not here and other, more important, things were. Like the others onboard, or those who were their friends that traveled with them in their own ships, Khel'zet had no idea what might lie ahead. Whatever it might be, she--and they--would face it together.

When a time was arranged, Khel'zet gave an oral history and demonstration of the R'Hinsi martial art known as ri'khi'jia. CWO3 Stewert set up recording equipment so that the rest of the crew could watch when time permitted. Dr. Garland, Lt. Cha'rhu'ez and Ens. Donnelson were also in attendance.

Sylvia, who had black belts in multiple martial arts, watched with great interest. Angelina, whose PhD was in Xeno-Archaeology, also had a secondary interest in Xeno-Anthropology and watched with professional interest. Diwenzi admired the fluidity of the skill Khel'zet demonstrated, and John...he sat in rapt fascination, thinking, "She's turned out to be a nice person and all, considering, but I would not_want to get on her bad side, especially not after seeing what she can do with_ those_things! Jeezers, she could slice-n-dice a person into sushi quicker than Diz could climb a ladder!_"

* * * * *

After the demonstration, Diwenzi and John stopped to get something to drink in the crew's mess, then headed back to the hangar. Along the way, both were unusually quiet. When they got to their Osprey, John opened the hatch and extended the boarding ladder, then stood aside to allow Diwenzi to enter first.

"Right behind you, Diz."

She paused only for a moment to glance back at John, then as she put her foot on the first step of the ladder, she said under her breath, "I wish..."

John was close enough--and the hanger quiet enough--that he heard what she said. Although he didn't say anything, he thought, "Careful what you wish for, Diz."

Once they were both inside their F/I-417, John closed the hatch; when he turned around, Diwenzi had not yet made her way on forward to the pilot's seat. She leaned on her arm against the back of his seat, facing away from him.

"Diz...?" When she didn't respond right away, John gently touched her back. "Um, just you and me here, right?"

Diwenzi turned her head slightly and swiveled an ear towards him. She was listening.

"I'm probably going to sound like an idiot," John started off softly.

"You're supposed to be the smart one," Diwenzi said quietly, turning her head just a little more.

"Yeah, well...one of my relatives used to say, 'thinking is one thing, doing is another'. I've been doing a lot of thinking, but not much doing. I...I'd like to change that."

Diwenzi slowly turned around to face John.

"I know for a long time you've been yanking my chain about 'not knowing what I was missing'. Well, maybe I didn't, or maybe I just hadn't realized it yet, until...back on Elysinar and when you missed that branch because that guy surprised you. When I saw you fall...I...," John lowered his head and closed his eyes for a moment. "...when Bre'an caught you and got you safely back on the ground, I think that was when I was starting to understand something. Then on Dra'ka, that night...I was stupid to not admit it, but...it just...felt right, snuggled up together. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get it figured out. For the record, Diz...that part you've said about 'not being much', well...you are 'much'. John gently took a hold of Diwenzi's hands and said, "I'd fly with you anywhere, Diz...even to the end of the universe, and whatever there might be beyond that...if you would want..."

Diwenzi threw her arms around John and hugged him tightly.

"Ai-a, John...yiezwa, I_do_ want!" Sniffling, she pulled back and looked him in the eye. "I used to think it'd be nice just to have a little fun together a time or two, but...you're the only guy who doesn't think I'm sabi'ch'we[[2]](#_ftn2), and...you actually care about me."

John leaned closer and asked in a near whisper, "Would you believe me if I told you that I think you're the hottest looking Veswan gal I've ever seen?"

Diwenzi put her arms around John's neck and replied softly, "I'm probably the only one you've seen, ya herf."

"You're the only one I _want_to see..."

"Ai-a, you know where my rack is..."

"Yeah, right next to mine..."

"Which one do we..."

"Flip a coin."

"Ai-a, I'd rather you flip me..."

"I can do that..."

*Giggle!*

* * * * *

"Attention, all hands, this is the captain. We are rapidly approaching the star system with the planet called, Chenau-Ri. Miss Kei'sa said this will be the place where we will meet the first one that has been following us since Élenswena. This is also the last place we have definite proof that Cameron Eriksson and his wife, Lady Sy'k'rell Hauvri'ahn, and Arlan Schneider had been, thanks to Miss Salnuano. What, if anything, we might find is anybody's guess at the moment. As for the artifact we've been tracking, the energy trail it left appears to continue on ahead. As for the planet, Cmdr. Dvoretsky estimates that we'll enter the system with the hour. The current plan is that we'll land on the planet's surface, near the ruins of a city that Miss Salnuano said she and the others had visited twenty-two years ago, once it is determined that the area is safe to do so. The Y'Nahrans will remain in orbit to serve as sensor picket in case any Dark Bloods or their minions show up. There are other friendlies who apparently can be here in short notice to assist, should it be needed.

"Begin making preparations for drop to normal space, planetary recon, and landing. Maintain alert for possible incoming hostiles. Estimated drop to normal space in fifty minutes. Captain out."

Tanya looked over at James and said, "Now maybe we find something, da?"

James looked back and said, "Hopefully, but..."

"But what, moi lyubov?"

"There's just...something about this that's..."

"Da..."

* * * * *

At 1557 FCT, Terran Standard Date 2216-06-22, the three ships, Nightwing, Se'nika, and _Ilissenri_dropped to normal space and made their approach to the long-dead world known as Chenau-Ri. They circled the planet several times while conducting scans of the surface and also of the surrounding space, before making their descent towards the surface. Rissanivi pointed out the spot where she and the others had landed twenty-two years in the past, near the ruins of the ancient city they had explored.

Having been millions of years since the last of the plant life was no more, the atmosphere was no longer breathable due to oxidization, though there was still enough pressure that spacesuits were not necessary. The sun, now a double-shell burning red giant[[3]](#_ftn3), made the remaining atmosphere plenty warm. All that one needed was an OBA--Oxygen Breathing Apparatus.

"Listen up..." James began, addressing everyone before taking the boarding lift down to the surface, "...I don't want anyone by themselves out there. One, if something happens and you need help, you have at least one other person with you; and two, while we don't have to worry about any native lifeforms we might encounter, given that this is a dead world, it's those Dark Bloods we've been told about, just in case they decide to show up. I hope they don't. Civilians, I definitely want_you_ to stay with at least two of the military personnel--don't go off by yourselves. If anyone finds a technological artifact, remember: we don't want a repeat of what happened to Arlan Schneider when he was here twenty-two years ago...or worse." James made eye contact with everyone to make sure they were all paying attention. "Don your OBAs and let's hit dirt." As James was putting his on and activating it, he sent to Rhuw-Rha'an, "We're heading out, Rha'an."

"We shall meet you shortly," she sent back.

This was the first time that James had ever set foot on a dead world that once had a thriving civilization, let alone one whose former inhabitants had evolved to the point where they no longer had material forms and had left to explore the universe or possibly other realms of existence, if there were such a thing. That was more than he cared to try wrapping his mind around. Right now, though, he didn't have time for such things--he had other concerns.

* * * * *

/* "Mistress?" */

"Yes, dear?"

/* "They are on the surface now." */

"Ah, well then, I suppose it's time I go introduce myself to them, then. Set down near their location, if you would, please," Naoia requested.

/* "Yes, Mistress." */

* * * * *

"Doesn't this look just...homey," James said, looking around at the baren landscape.

"I do not think this would be my first choice for, as you say, a 'vacation'," Rha'an sent back.

"Yeah, kinda creepy, if you ask me," Lilly quipped, looking towards the ruins of the ancient city they had landed near.

"Um, still look same," Rissanivi added. "Um, maybe...what call those things?" she asked, pointing.

"Sand dunes," Lilly answered.

"Sand...dunes. Okay. Um, maybe dune things moved some since last was here, but, um, still look same."

"Rissa, you think you can remember the way to that underground place you went to the last time you were here?" James asked.

"Um, sure. Lil' ol' me got good_memory of places," Rissanivi replied. "Um...especially _that place. Arlan got lost there, but...got brought back. Poor Arlan, he...um, had hard time, after." She looked off down the broad roadway leading into the ruins, now littered with debris and windswept dirt and sand.

Rha'an placed a hand on Rissanivi's shoulder and sent, "You miss him, and the others, yes?"

Rissanivi looked up at Rha'an--she didn't have to say anything, the look in her eyes conveyed what was felt in her heart.

"There are no plants, no..._life_here!" Elí said with dismay.

"It is so...sad," Meyleh added.

"This scanner agrees with you, Elí--I find no traces of any life, plant or animal, only dirt and rock," Khel'zet said, studying the readout of her instrument.

"Nothing will grow here, soil all used up. Thavi been to some old places before, but...not this old," Thavi said, standing up and brushing the dirt off of her hands. "No more chanitha."

"And no queth-sliat_, except what we have with us_," Gaen-Mar'an sent.

"What is that?" Khel'zet asked.

"The Terran word is 'water'," Mar'an replied.

"Then, this is truly a dead world," Khel'zet said in a low tone of voice.

"Indeed, so," Mar'an agreed.

* * * * *

The crews had not been on the surface for more than twenty minutes when...

"James, the 'wolf ship'--it is approaching," Moira said through her android avatar.

"The planet?" James asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It is on descent to the surface as I speak. I estimate by its trajectory it will arrive at our LZ shortly--you should be able to see it," Moira replied.

"Where?" James asked, looking up.

Moira's android avatar pointed up to the sky in an easterly direction.

"There."

James studied the area where Moira was pointing for a moment and saw a faint smudge of light moving across the sky. Reaching for his comm set, he asked Moira to give him All Call.

"Attention all hands--we have incoming. Moira says the 'wolf ship' is on approach from the east towards our LZ and should be here shortly. We can't be sure what their intentions are, so keep in mind that if these beings are anything like what we've been told, should they get annoyed with us for any reason, we might as well 'assume the position'. Let's hope they don't. Everyone close ranks so we can greet this being properly in case they want to meet. Captain out."

The crews and passengers of both ships, plus Rissanivi, stopped what they were doing and gathered close to James.

"And now we find out for sure, yes?" Rhuw-Rha'an asked as she stood next to James, gently wrapping her tail around his wrist.

"Yeah. Scared?"

"Are you?"

"What do you think?"

"As am I."

James looked up at Rha'an and she down at him.

"Whatever happens, I..."

"As do I."

Rha'an smiled pensively at the unspoken thought between them, briefly squeezing his wrist a bit tighter with her tail before letting go.

---

[[1]](#_ftnref1) FAM-FIRE - "Familiarization Fire" for getting one familiar with using a particular weapon.

[[2]](#_ftnref2) Sabi'ch'we - Veswan word roughly meaning, "a mentally deranged person, a raving lunatic".

[[3]](#_ftnref3) https://kelseykaymang.wordpress.com/