Celestial Odyssey: Episode II

Lukniffs had been collected by the thousands and creatively mounted around the great hall. Their combined light would be ample for ceremonial needs.

"Do you know how long it has been?" Fleera asked of her Maiden.

"It will have been one hundred years exactly," the the pink woman replied.

"Yes, exactly," Fleera said wistfully. "They keep track of it to the day. You know what I did for most of that time?"

"No your majesty."

"I slept."

Fleera allowed herself to laugh heartily.

"All together I was only awake for twelve of those years."

"Naturally, your majesty."

"It is odd," Fleera continued. "One might expect to have better memories of a lifetime that extended well beyond the normal lifespan of one's people. Do you remember much about your waking hours?"

"Yes, your majesty. I do."

"How fortunate for you. I mostly remember the dreams. I remember the events that politicians decided were important for me to know. Important to know, but not important enough to revive me to address directly."

"Do you regret your term as queen?"

Fleera thought for a moment. A wide smile graced her face.

"It's almost treason for you to suggest such a thing, Twill."

Twill smiled.

"Perhaps," said her Maiden. "But you didn't answer the question."

Fleera reached a tentacle to touch Twill's face.

"I have met some of the greatest people Loosha has created," she said. "I would not trade that experience for anything."

Twill returned the queen's smile and gently placed a friendly tendril upon that of her ruler.

A Knuckler entered the room.

"Your majesty," he said with a bow. "They are ready for you."

"And I for them, Goboin," said Fleera. "And I for them."

The queen floated to her wardrobe and selected the official jeweled visor. Twill helped her to put it on.

Fleera took hold of one of Twill's tendrils, and one of Goboin's.

"Come, my dear friends," she said. "Let us celebrate life!"


#
Ludit, Bune, and Vae took their mission seriously.

Vae restored order to the chaos of computer programs that the Kark had run havoc with.

Ludit set the ship on the proper course and laid in the autopilot programming.

Bune made sure that the stasis beds would provide life support and the preferred dream loops of each crewmember. He was uncertain about how to set up the 'house fantasy' loop that had led to Vae and Ludit's falling out. The Awkolian emergency had prevented them from working out their personal issues with one another. He decided to ask Vae.

"I'd better stay out of Ludit's dream from now on," she told him. "I never should have jacked into them in the first place. It was wrong."

Bune nodded sadly, then allowed Vae to cry upon his shoulder. She hastily wiped her eyes and walked away without another word.

The three shared an unspoken moment of excitement and anxiety as they finally stood together before the stasis beds.

"I've spent most of my life in stasis beds," Ludit said. "Why does this feel different?"

"You were never a commander and a captain before," Bune suggested.

"I was, though," said Vae. "I feel it too."

"Maybe it's because of this mission," Bune offered. "Maybe it's because we are going to a world that is completely alien for all of us."

"Did you feel this way when your family moved to my world?" Ludit asked Bune.

"I don't know," Bune answered. "I was only a child then."

"I feel like a child now," Vae said.

They chuckled in agreement with her.

"Well!" Bune said boisterously, "I'm going in. Sweet dreams guys!"

He opened his arms wide and hugged Vae and Ludit each in turn. He then stepped up into his stasis bed, closed the lid, and immediately fell into synthetic sleep.

Ludit and Vae shared an awkward smile.

"Well, sweet dreams," said Vae, then winced in reaction to her mention of dreams.

"Yes," said Ludit. "You as well."

He opened his arms as if to hug her, then changed his mind and offered his fingertips for the secret handshake.

Vae smiled as she wiggled her fingertips against his, then turned to enter her stasis bed so that he would not see the tears in her eyes.

Ludit sighed heavily and climbed into his own stasis bed.

It seemed to happen instantly. It always did.

From Ludit's point of view, he pulled the stasis bed lid closed only to see it immediately rise of it's own accord to allow him to exit.

Vae and Bune were already standing outside.

"Fourteen years?" he asked.

"Absolutely," Vae confirmed.

"I am starving!" Bune declared. "I'll get food and meet you guys in command."

Ludit and Vae walked side by side to the command deck.

"Sleep well?" he asked her politely.

"I suppose so," she said. "No nightmares anyway."

"Well no, not with the dream loop..."

Ludit stopped himself.

"We should probably contact the Looshans as soon as possible, Captain," Vae said.

"Yes, of course," Ludit agreed.

He took a seat in the spacious captain's chair.

"Okay, um... give them a call."

"'Hailing' the Looshans now, Captain," Vae said with a smirk.

Ludit was relieved to have Vae joking with him again. The feeling gave him the confidence he needed to do what came next.

"They are responding," Vae told him. "On monitor?"

"Please," Ludit said.

The largest screen aboard the Awkolian vessel was the "forward monitor" located at the head of the command deck. It was designed to alternatively display space outside the ship, and video communication transmissions.

A hairless green man with a single large eye in the center of his face appeared on the forward monitor.

"Greetings Awkolian vessel," he said. "I am Dwipsomnin."

"Greetings, Dwipsomnin," Ludit replied. "I am captain Ludit of the GCC. I understand you are expecting us?"

Dwipsomnin chuckled jovially.

"Indeed we are," he said with a smile. "You are somewhat later than we expected, but there is still time to complete your mission. You will be arriving today I assume."

"Yes," Ludit said. "There were some complications, but we are to begin our descent into your atmosphere shortly."

"What kinds of complications?"

"Nothing that will interfere with our mission. We will give you a full accounting when we touch down."

"I am glad to hear that," Dwipsomnin said. "It would be a terrible loss for both sides if this meeting were not to come to pass. As for your touching down, is your ship designed for aquatic travel?"

Ludit looked to Vae. Dutifully she tapped at a monitor, read the information displayed there, and shook her head "no".

"Negative," Ludit said. "Will that present a problem?"

"Only a minor one," Dwipsomnin said, his smile still in place. "I am sending coordinates now. You will need to land exactly as indicated and not before the specified time. Our world is aquatic, but we have had contact with air breathers before, and have the appropriate accommodations to offer you our hospitality."

"Your hospitality is most welcome," Ludit said. "I only hope our presence will be as agreeable to you as your reception is for us."

"I am certain it will be," Dwipsomnin said with a wave of his tendril. "Happy landings."

The image of the Looshan was replaced with a view of their watery blue world.

"How did I do?" Ludit asked.

"You are a natural," Vae complimented.

Bune entered the room with his arms loaded full of zipper sealed foods and beverage cubes.

"What did I miss?"

"Ludit did us proud as our first contact with the Looshans," Vae said.

"Thank you," Ludit said. "All Mondals are equal, so if any Mondal is a charismatic speaker, then I can be as well."

Bune looked at Ludit skeptically.

"That's an interesting translation of your world's equality policies," he said.

"Yes," Ludit agreed. "I am seeing now that the ways of my world don't necessarily work as well in space as they do on Nary Eet. It seems there is room for interpretation of Mondal philosophies."

"They aren't just philosophies for your people," Bune corrected. "They are law."

An electronic chime interrupted their conversation.

"We are at the landing coordinates," Vae said.

Ludit rushed to the pilot's consol. He tapped at the monitor.

"Just like docking with a space port," he said aloud.

The Awkolian vessel set down with a heavy thud that rattled the walls.

"I can't believe we are actually on a solid planet," Vae said.

The three shared a moment of silent awe.

"Let's go see it!" Bune enthusiastically suggested.


#
Most worlds inhabited by life forms are chemically and gravitationally similar. The liquid is usually water composed of two atoms hydrogen, one atom oxygen. The atmosphere tends to be predominantly oxygen with large portions of carbon dioxide.

The doors of the Awkolian vessel opened and allowed Ludit, Bune, and Vaedyth their first fresh air in ages.

"It smells salty," Bune said.

"It's so warm," Vae added.

"The yellow star makes everything look so alive," said Ludit.

Together they stepped from the ship and took in the environment. They were on a clear crystal island only slightly larger than their Awkolian ship. An endless expanse of blue ocean surrounded them.

"It's so beautiful," Vae said enchanted. Ludit and Bune agreed.

"I wonder where the Looshans are," said Ludit.

"We are here."

The voice came from a nearby ledge where the crystal island met the water.

"Welcome to our world," said Dwipsomnin with a wave of one of his tentacles. Ludit, Vae, and Bune went to sit on the ledge near him.

"Are we going swimming?" Ludit asked.

"More like going 'sinking'," Dwipsomnin corrected. "I have suits for you."

The green man pushed three rectangular cases up onto the shore. They suits of blue and green within them. The materials were similar to the janitor suits back at Eobot station.

"They have too many arms and legs," Bune joked.

Dwipsomnin laughed good-naturedly.

"Fit the appropriate limbs into the right number of sleeves," he suggested. "The extras will help you to travel."

"I see," said Vae as she sealed her suit. "These suits turn us into Looshans."

"In effect, yes," Dwipsomnin agreed.

When the three were fully suited up and had their helmets securely in place, the green man invited them to join him in the water.

"You will need to follow me close and not stray," he told them. "These waters are not entirely secure, but it is the best location for us to raise the island."

"Of course," Vae said. "This island is synthetic."

"It is," said Dwipsomnin. "It is raised when needed from atop our highest local mountaintop."

"Will our vessel be secure here?" Ludit asked.

"Oh, very," Dwipsomnin assured him. "Loosha has no natural air breathing life forms, and our people are far too civilized to consider entering your vessel without permission."

"Good enough for me," Bune said as he leapt into the water. Ludit and Vae followed his example.


#
The green man swam swiftly through the deep blue waters.

Ludit found that the extra appendages of the blue and green suit aided him keeping pace with Dwipsomnin converting slight muscle movement into powerful swimming strokes.

Ludit, Bune, Vae, and Dwipsomnin traveled through several miles of water toward a figure that loomed dark and tall in the wavering horizon.

When they were closer they could see that the dark spires they had seen towers constructed of seaweed and coral.

"How beautiful," said Vae.

"Thank you," said Dwipsomnin, his voice projected over the speakers inside their helmets.

"I didn't think you could hear me," Vae said. "You aren’t wearing a helmet."

"Water carries sound better than air," the green man explained. "There our sound enhancers inside your helmets for your convenience, but you will find that Looshans have a natural talent for hearing and projecting sounds across great distances."

The windows of the towers glowed with warm greenish light. Looshans swam in every direction with graceful swirls and quick jets. Dwipsomnin led the three to the tallest of the towers in the center of the coral city.

"This is where we will be having the changing of the Lo'yalte ceremony," he explained.

"That's when we will meet your queen?" Bune asked.

"Queen Fleera, yes," Dwipsomnin confirmed as he led them through an open tunnel to the inner chamber. "The ceremony will begin soon."

The room they entered was spacious and had a high ceiling. There were no tables or chairs. Instead the room was filled with several horizontal and vertical bars and poles. Dwipsomnin led them to the front of the chamber.

"You may rest here," he said waving a tendril toward one of the vertical poles.

Ludit and his friends looked at one another questioningly. Bune shrugged his shoulders and grabbed the pole to lift himself up. The tentacles of his suit grasped the pole as well.

"Wow," he said. "This is actually quite comfortable."

Ludit and Vae traded an amused look, and then climbed upon poles of their own.

A shifting shadow caught Ludit's attention.

"What are those?" he asked pointing.

"Those are Lukniff," Dwipsomnin answered. "A kind of winged fish which can produce light. We keep them as pets. They are docile creatures. Most of the time they simply hang on the walls where we place them and wait to be fed."

"How fun," said Bune. "Can I have one?"

Dwipsomnin smiled.

"That can probably be arranged."

"Wonderful," Bune said. "My friends will be so jealous."

"Your limbo partners?" asked Ludit.

"Yes," he agreed with a chuckle. "I can probably program them to be impressed too."

They were all caught of guard when an invisible wave unexpectedly pressed upon them.

"Ah! It is beginning," Dwipsomnin told them. "I have other duties I must attend to, but I will see you again. Good luck!"

With that wish, Dwipsomnin pulled his multiple limbs together and jetted upward and out of the ceremonial chamber.

Several Looshan civilians began to pour into the room from tunnels scattered up and down the chamber walls. They swirled and spiraled around the seating poles looking for the most comfortable perches with the best view of the upcoming activities.

"There's so many of them!" Vae exclaimed with an astonished smile.

"I don’t think there will be enough room for us all if many more come in," Ludit agreed.

But more did come in. More and more of the Looshans flowed into the chamber. They crawled over one another like hive insects. The masses steadily grew in number. The walls seemed to be closing in on the three travelers as Looshan bodies moved in closer and closer to them.

"Hi there," said a blue Looshan man to Vae as he grabbed upon the pole beneath her.

"Uh, hello?" Vae replied slightly annoyed. The tentacled man was a little too close for her comfort.

"Excuse me, sir," Ludit said. "Would you like to move? My friend is uncomfortable."

"Oh, of course," the man happily agreed.

As a friendly gesture the blue man moved up the pole slightly causing Vae's legs to bend into a seated posture upon his back.

"Is this better?" he asked politely.

"Um," was all Vae had a chance to say.

Another Looshan man swam up and grabbed the pole Ludit was clinging to. He relaxed and gently drifted down upon Ludit's head.

"Oh come on!" Ludit said.

"Guys?" Bune said. "I don't think we can beat them."

Vae and Ludit began to laugh when they saw Looshans were clinging to the same pole as Bune pressing upward from his legs and downward upon his head. A few smaller Looshans were clinging to his arms, legs, and the spare limbs of the Looshan swimming suit.

As more Looshans came in it became clear that personal space was not a concept that Looshans held in high regard.

"Well, at least they are light," Vae said with a good-natured sigh.

"Good thing these suits control our temperature," Ludit said. "Can you imagine how hot we would be in a crowd like this?"

"I hope this ceremony lasts a while," Bune said. "I'm starting to like these little guys."

Before long the chamber was packed wall-to-wall, floor to ceiling with writhing happy Looshans. Ludit was impressed that the seemingly mindless mob of tentacles were careful to keep the Lukniff lights unobstructed so that the room remained well lit.

Cheerful Looshan voices filled the hall. With a great sideways heave another wave pushed through the room.

The three heard the voices of their neighbors saying that the queen was coming.

Three loud siren blasts prompted the Looshans to clear a path to the head of the chamber.

Two Looshan women with single centered eyes like Dwipsomnin entered the room carrying jeweled shells to cover their chests. These two were humming a sustained low note. The Looshan audience joined them.

Ludit, Bune, and Vae hummed the note too. The chamber resonated with the sound.

Six large Looshan men entered next. Four eyestalks extended from the top of each man's head. They were able to monitor every part of the room with these swiveling appendages.

A pink Looshan woman entered next. She was another single eyed one. She daintily held one of the tentacles of the Looshan queen.

Queen Fleera was beautiful. Her magenta tentacles swayed in the water like Vae's long hair would wave in a breeze. She wore beautiful gold bands on her tentacles that complemented the golden visor on her face perfectly. There were large green gems where her eyes would be. A small green gem was situated high in the center of the visor to symbolize the Lo'yalte mental gifts. Her patterned blue and green body sheath hugged close to her form. A jeweled belt of gold hung loose around her waist. A tan seashell dangled from a necklace adorned with blue gems around her neck.

More Looshans followed, but all eyes were on the queen.

"I wonder why her eyes are covered," Vae commented.

"She has no eyes," said the Looshan man she was seated upon. "None of the Lo'yalte have eyes. That is why we make them our leaders. Justice should be blind."

"She's not really blind," corrected the Looshan seated on Ludit's back.

"True," agreed the Looshan under Vae. "The Lo'yalte have other senses and gifts."

"Gifts?" Ludit asked.

"Powers of the mind," the man told him.

"She touched me once," said the Looshan seated on Ludit. "It was amazing! I would give anything to experience it again, but I wouldn't want to begrudge the opportunity from someone else."

"What was it like?" asked Ludit.

"Look," Bune interrupted. "She's touching them now."

As the queen drifted by the spectators she selected individuals to touch tendrils with. Those touched would close their eyes and develop expressions of extreme joy. Some seemed to faint and collapse into the crowd around them.

"They seem to like it," Bune said. "I wonder how I can get a turn."

Ludit looked at his friend and chuckled knowing what the Blemforth had in mind.

He turned back just in time to see the Looshan queen floating before him. Her deep red lips were inches away from the face of his helmet. She took one of his hands into hers.


#
Ludit found himself standing near a table in the food deck of space station Eobot.

"Whoa," he uttered. "What happened?"

"You don't look Awkolian."

Ludit saw the Looshan queen seated across the table from where he stood.

"How did we get here?" Ludit asked.

The queen smiled.

"We aren't here," she said. "We are in your mind sharing one of your clearest memories. You have been here often. Where is it?"

Ludit took a seat and looked at the queen with curiosity.

"This is the space station Eobot," he told her. "This is where I have lived for the past... um... I can't remember how many years."

"Why do you not remember?"

"It's hard to keep track of time when you spend most of it in a stasis bed."

"Mmm..." the queen moaned with a nod. "I know exactly what you mean. My people have brought me in and out of stasis for the past one hundred years. That is the official amount of time a Looshan queen must serve."

She picked up a cube from the table.

"What is this?"

Ludit chuckled.

"It is an intoxicating beverage called 'Prake'. We dehydrate it and pack it into cubes for shipping convenience."

"You must have had a lot of these to have this clear of a memory of it."

He chuckled again.

"I guess I have."

The queen placed the cube into her mouth.

"Tangy," she said. "I wonder if it would taste to my pallet the same as it does here your memory."

"We can find out later. We brought some in our ship."

"The Awkolian vessel," the queen stated. "Which brings us back to the beginning. You are not Awkolians. Why are you here, Ludit?"

Ludit shivered at the sound of his name coming from the thick red lips of the queen.

"You know my name?"

"You have heard it often," she explained. "Your clearest memories are right on the surface of your mind. Events that have happened to you repeatedly make the strongest impression. I could delve further and learn all I wish to know about you, but that would be impolite."

Ludit smiled.

"Thank you for that courtesy, your majesty."

The queen smiled.

"You may call me 'Fleera'," she said.

"Fleera," Ludit repeated. "I would have expected something more... regal?"

Fleera laughed softly.

"My full name is Fleerocteedalavianithica."

Ludit laughed.

"Forgive me," he said.

"I understand, 'Lu-dit'," she said, pronouncing the syllables of his name in hard clips.

Ludit smiled and raised a prake cube to her, then licked the side facing him.

"As to why we are here," he said, "The Awkolians ran into some trouble."

Fleera's mouth turned downward into a frown.

"May I see?"

Ludit nodded.

For a moment Ludit was back aboard the Awkolian ship witnessing again the carnage wrought by the carnivorous Kark. In a flash he was returned to his seat in the food bay.

Fleera shuddered.

"Those poor people," she said. Her tone was almost weeping. "And you! What a nightmare for you to experience such violence directly!"

"I appreciate your sympathy," Ludit said with a nod.

"So it fell to you and your friends to complete the Awkolians mission?"

"That's correct," Ludit agreed. "Will you meet with me and my crew to discuss the terms of the GCC treaty?"

"There is no discussion required," Fleera said decisively. "Consider the agreement made."


#
"How long is she going to stay suckered to him?"

Vae was growing impatient.

"It is such a great honor," said the Looshan beneath her. "I have never seen a Lo'yalte connect with another for this long."

"Does the honor have to be all over him like that?"

The Looshan looked puzzled.

"The bodies of two sharing a mental connection are not acting consciously," he explained. "The bodies drift as they will. They don't even know about it."

Vae mumbled curses to herself and watched Fleera and Ludit very closely.

One of Fleera's tentacles touched Ludit's leg and moved upward along the inside of his thigh. Vae thought she saw a smile flash across his face.

"Alright!" she growled. "That's enough!"

Her eyes closed tight and she balled her hands into hard fists.


#
Ludit and Fleera stepped away from the table. Ludit accepted Fleera's tentacle offered in friendship.

"My president will be very happy to hear this good news," Ludit said.

Vae walked into the room with a frown deeply etched into her forehead.

"I am glad to have the opportunity to give it to you," she heard Fleera saying.

Vae's eyes opened wide in shock.

"Out!" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

Ludit and Fleera turned to her with absolute astonishment.

Vae made a sweeping motion through the air with her hand pointing behind Fleera. The Looshan queen flew backwards and vanish in a cloud of bubbles.

"What's going on?" Ludit asked.

Vae looked at him with narrow eyes and grunted. She raised her hand to his eye level and snapped her fingers.


#
The Looshan queen suddenly leapt from Ludit and drifted backwards slowly.

Ludit shuddered and dropped back into the soft bodies of the Looshans behind him. They cheered and helped him back onto his pole.

Vae opened her eyes and spread her fingers wide. She took a deep breath and looked at the Looshan queen.

Fleera recovered from the mental blow and swam back to Ludit. She seemed to be confirming that he was alright. She then moved to face Vae.

"What?" Vae asked in a challenging tone.

Fleera smiled broadly and swam away.

"Good thing she's blind," Bune said. "That look you gave her would have knocked her dead."

"She saw what she needed to," Vae grumbled.

"What happened?" Ludit moaned.

"The queen connected with you," one of the Looshans told him.

"Oh yeah!"

Ludit smiled his widest smile.

"You guys have GOT to meet her!" he said. "She's amazing."

"It looked pretty amazing from out here too," Bune joked.

Ludit frowned at his friend.

"That's not funny," he said seriously. "If you knew her you wouldn't disrespect her that way."

"Okay, sorry," Bune said with his hands raised palm outward.

Vae turned away to hide the tears that were welling up in her eyes.

"Look," said the Looshan she was seated upon. He bobbed up and down a little to direct her attention to where he was pointing.

"She's going to speak," he said.


#
The towers and smaller structures of the Lo'yalte's coral castle were separated and scattered in a seemingly random pattern across the expanse of an unstructured city.


On the rooftops of the towers and some of the tall buildings swam a few Looshans of a race called Hi'iv.

The Hi'iv's song has been described as the only music worth hearing. Their voices traveled throughout the Looshan oceans, reaching into every cave and cavern. The exchange of Lo'yalte queens was both spiritually sacred and politically significant. It was important for all Looshans to be aware of the event.

The Hi'iv seemed connected to the happenings inside the tower. Their siren song grew faint when a Looshan man rose and began to speak to the assembled audience.

"Fellow Looshans," he said. "I present her royal majesty, Queen Fleerocteedalavianithica!"

Queen Fleera swam to a point that had been cleared where she could hover in plain view of all present. The crowd hummed a single note for her as she prepared to speak. The Hi'iv outside raised their song to a powerful crescendo then bowed their heads in reverent silence.

When the humming of the crowd finally subsided, the queen spoke.

"Sisters and brothers," she said, her expression almost aglow with the warmth of love in her heart. "It has been a pleasure being your queen. Words alone cannot express how much joy I feel here today. However, because I cannot perform the memory share with all of you at once, words will have to find a way.

"For one hundred years exactly I have had the privilege to share company with some of the finest Looshans our world has had to offer.

"I worked with Thatatou to aid in his environmental clean-up programs."

The audience hummed to honor the name of Thatatou.

"I was there when Minea took her fateful plunge into the deep blue."

The crowd hummed again to honor Minea's memory.

"And I was there when Torik and his armies were victorious over the Tantalor hoards."

The crowd hummed for Torik and the memory of those lost in the Tantalor war. Most present were too young to remember the terrifying days before the carnivorous Tantalors were driven to the wilderness waters, but the war was still fresh in the minds of the older generations who told the tales with graphic detail.

"I have seen some of the best, and some of the worst days of our world. The high morals and pride of our people defeated any darkness that befell us.

"Now, my time with you comes to an end. I have only one duty remaining, and such a glorious one it is.

"Today, my family, begins a new age for Looshan kind. For centuries the people of other worlds have been wanting us to join their Galactic Coalition. There have been many political reasons that prevented this union in the past. Those reasons have been cleared away.

"We have with us, here today, representatives of the Awkolian world who bring technology and information that will unify all peaceful worlds into one family. Traveling across the stars will become as easy as swimming over the canyon of Kendofiend. In exchange we will share some of our technologies and information.

"Looshan scientists have constructed a new breed of space faring vessel. We will be giving it as a token of good will to our new friends.

"This man," said Fleera with a tendril pointed toward Ludit, "is Captain Ludit. He will be in command of the vessel."

Vae and Bune looked at Ludit with surprise. Ludit seemed shocked as well.

"I wonder how Bzchwck will feel about that," Bune said in a hushed tone.

"Ludit?" Vae questioned.

Ludit shrugged.

"I didn't know she would say that," he said. "Don't worry. We can straighten it out later."

Meanwhile, the Looshan audience had begun to hum and whisper Ludit's name. Some made special effort to lay their tendril hands upon him in support.

"Ours is a majestic world," Fleera was saying. "We will bring that majesty to the cosmos. Farewell my family.

"I swim aside now, and present our new ruler, Queen Tuladoleenapalaneta."

The new Looshan queen swam close to Fleera and they placed their tendril hands together to share their memories. They faced one another and with their free tentacles removed their jewel crested visors and exchanged them.

During the moment when the Lo'yalte's eyeless faces were uncovered the Looshan audience members respectfully turned away. Vae noticed this, and motioned that Ludit and Bune should follow the custom as well.

The two Lo'yalte separated and bowed low before each other.

The new queen spoke now.

"Thank you Queen Fleera for my introduction and for all of your years of loyal service to our world."

Fleera bowed again, her thick lips smiling with pride and gratitude.

"Sisters and brothers," the new queen said. "It will be my pleasure to serve you for the next one hundred years as your queen. We will dutifully honor the commitments of the Lo'yalte who have come before.

"Now, as tradition dictates, we have reentered the age when we are to focus on improving the quality of our home world. This has been the custom since the first Lo'yalte rulers and the success of this practice is well documented. In our quest to know what the universe holds, we must not forget our place in it.

"With my induction will begin many projects designed to improve the quality of life for all Looshan kind. Our primary focus will be on the well being of our home and families. We will strive to make everyday better than the last.

"But for now, Queen Fleera and I have many official ceremonies to finalize. Thank you all for attending. Farewell and safe swim."

The audience began to hum once again and the Hi'iv outside struck up a victorious chorus as the Lo'yalte and their staff departed via a different tunnel from that which they had entered.


#
The Looshan audience left the great hall in a flushing whirl of colorful tentacles. Many paused to touch Ludit and his friends, sharing "well wishes" and encouragement for their future journeys.

The room was soon Looshan free.

"What do we do now?" asked Bune.

In answer to his question the one eyed green Looshan man called Dwipsomnin drifted down from somewhere above them.

"Hello again," he said cheerfully.

"Hello Dwipsomnin," said Vae.

"Please, call me Dwip."

"Hello again, Dwip," Ludit said. "We were wondering what we are to be doing now."

"Now," said the green man, "I take you to Elib."


#
The trip from the Lo'yalte tower was swift, the Looshan swimming suits allowing the three travelers to fallow Dwip much quicker than they would have been able if left to their own ability. The radiance of the glowing stones deep in the canyon of Kendofiend was an amazing spectacle. Traveling through the seas of Loosha felt more like flying than swimming.

"There," said Dwip. "That is Elib."

The immensity of the silvery craft created doubt as to whether it would be able to travel through water, let alone break from a planet's gravity.

"It is designed after the body structure of one of our races," Dwip explained as they approached. "See the tendrils in the back?"

When they were closer it was clear that the vessel was structured like a tendril armed aquatic creature. The front half was a bulbous head with many dark eyes. The rear was a mass of giant metal tentacles.

"The tendrils steer it?" Ludit asked.

"They serve many purposes," Dwip explained. "They will allow for navigation on aquatic worlds, forward motion through space, and they can serve as landing gear and legs for short distance walking on land."

"Amazing!" Ludit said in awe.

"Thank you," Dwip said. "The design alone took ten years to complete. The actual construction was only four years. That is the Looshan way. A task done without a plan is a task done in vain."

Dwip chuckled dryly.

"In the language of Eyeborsh, my Looshan race, that rhymes."

"I wondered about that," said Vae. "How did your people come to speak Galactic."

"That was one of Fleera's contributions to the betterment of our planet during her early years," Dwip explained. "I guess she knew all along that she was going to try to connect with off-worlders. She promoted Galactic as a way to unify our own people with a shared worldwide language. Little did those elders know that she was really preparing us for today, when we join the GCC."

"She really is a fascinating woman," said Ludit.

Vae shot him a heated look that he missed.

Bune saw the look, but kept it to himself.

"She truly is," agreed Dwip who was preoccupied with guiding the travelers to the vessel. "I am grateful that I have had the privilege to live during her rule. There has been more advancement in the last one hundred years than during all prior recorded history. Queen Tula has a big wake to fill."

Dwip led the travelers to the underside of the vessel where a door opened downward like a ramp. They follow him in.

"It's full of water," Bune said.

"Yes," Dwip agreed. "But only this section. We call this part the 'wet deck'. At the top of the craft is the 'dry deck' and toward the rear is the 'storage deck'. The wet and dry decks each have their own crew quarters, medical bays, and recreation areas. The vessel can support a crew of 200 comfortably, and up to 500 if emergency calls for it.

"She's beautiful," said Ludit.

"Who is?" Vae asked with a tight glare.

"The Elib," he answered.

Vae blushed and turned away.

"Why does it have to be a 'she'?" Bune asked attempting to distract Ludit's attention from Vae.

"Well, I don't know," Ludit answered, successfully distracted. "Traditionally ships are referred to as females."

"As a Blemforth I find that offensive," Bune said with a smirk.

Ludit chuckled his understanding.

"Fine then, let's refer to the Elib as a male in an effort to balance the gender bias of those who have captained space ships before us. Agreed?"

"Agreed," said Bune.

"As you wish," Dwip said with a nod.

Ludit placed a hand on Vae's shoulder.

"Agreed?"

His touch made her feel better. She turned to him with a sincere smile.

"Agreed."

"Come," Dwip said. "Let me show you 'his' dry deck."


#
Dwip led his wards to a standard air lock that drained water from its sealed chamber and replaced it with breathable air.

"You can remove your swim suits now," he told them. "They have kept your body pressure constant so that when you return to a surface pressure environment you will not explode."

"Good to know," said Bune.

The door to the dry deck slid aside and the travelers followed Dwip out of the chamber.

"Oh, cool!" Bune exclaimed. "It's a movie theater!"

Indeed, the command center of the dry deck aboard the Elib did resemble an intimate movie theater.

The room was divided into three levels.

They entered onto the highest level where a myriad of control panels and monitors lined the rear wall. A countertop with more system controls overlooked the lower levels.

The bottom level had three typical piloting consoles.

On the middle level were several comfortable chairs with control panels on the arms.

"The center seat on the middle level is the captain's chair," Dwip explained to Ludit. "From there you will be able to issue directions and orders to every other part of the ship. It is the best seat aboard the Elib because it has the best view of the forward monitor."

At the head of the room was a screen large enough to fill the entire front wall.

"That's a big screen," Bune said, stating the obvious.

Dwip smiled.

"It has to be," he said. "The outer hull of the Elib is lined with somewhere around two billion visual receivers. We can see anything around us up to a light year away. We can see further if the lighting permits. Plus, the ships sensors can identify objects and construct a computer image from five or more light years away."

Bune whistled in appreciation.

"Where are the piloting controls?" Ludit asked.

Dwip pointed to one of the control pedestals on the lowest level. Ludit walked to the nearest one with Bune and Vae close behind.

"Can you fly him?" Vae asked.

Ludit took a seat and tapped at the controls.

"I can," Ludit said with a nod. "It's one of the more modern systems, but fortunately one I am familiar with."

Dwip chuckled nervously.

"Not that you will actually be doing much of the piloting," he said.

The three travelers looked at the green man with blank expressions.

"That is to say," he continued, "you will be busy with the act of captaining, yes?"

"We are confident that he can do both," Vae told him, her expression unchanged.

Dwip shrugged.

"As you wish," he said. "It shouldn't be too difficult to redirect the vocal receivers to accept commands from this location. I assume that your communications officer will make quick work of it."

Ludit looked at Vae. They both turned their attention to Bune.

"Don't look at me," Bune said. "I'm more of a recreation and stasis bed expert."

Ludit and Bune turned their attention to Vae.

"I suppose I can do that," she said. "It can't be too different from the communications system on the Eobot, right?"

"You don't have a designated communications officer?" Dwip asked with a tone of puzzlement.

"Of course we do," said Ludit. "It's Vae. Weren't you listening?"

Bune and Vae tried to stifle their amusement.

Dwip smiled and shook his head.

"Your Awkolian methods will take some getting used to," he said, "but I am looking forward to the challenge."

"What do you mean?" asked Vae.

"Ah, yes," Dwip said as he tried to stand a little taller in a sign of respect. "I nearly forgot. Captain Ludit? I request permission to join your crew as one of the ships engineers. I believe you will find my intimate knowledge of this vessel and its systems to be of great value."

Ludit looked at the others with raised eyebrows.

"How about being the head engineer?" he asked.

Dwip nodded.

"I could serve you well in that capacity," he said proudly. "I do have experience with positions of authority. How many would I be in command over?"

"How many of what?" asked Ludit.

"Engineers?" Dwip questioned.

"Oh," Ludit said. "Um... how many do you have now?"

Dwip frowned with confusion.

"Well, none," he said.

"Okay," Ludit said. "Then, including yourself, you will have an engineering staff of one."

"One?"

All of Dwipsomnin's tentacles spread wide from his body as he shouted the word.

"Not enough?" Ludit asked.

" 'Not enough?'," Dwip gasped. "No, indeed! At minimum a ship this size should have five experienced engineers and preferably a staff of twenty of more. Plus there is the aspect of needing engineers for both the dry and the wet deck. I will require more than myself alone for this job."

The three travelers exchanged worried glances.

"Well," said Bune, "I could probably help out if you could take some time to teach me the basics."

"Good idea, Bune," Ludit said encouragingly. "He's really good with these kinds of things, Dwip. I trust him completely."

Dwip looked to each of the travelers smiling faces in stunned silence.

"This will not do," he said finally. "I need to confer with my superiors."

Before they could say anything more to him, Dwipsomnin entered the air lock and filled the chamber with water.

"This could be bad," Bune said.

"Vae," said Ludit, "Can we contact Bzchwck from here?"

Vae nodded, then took a seat in the captain's chair and proceeded to tap vigorously at the controls on the right arm panel.


#
The face of a large blue man appeared on the forward monitor.

"Hello," he said. "I am Daba Daba of the Awkolian branch of the Galactic Coalition Counsel. How may I assist you?"

"Hello," said Vae. "We are the crew of the space station Eobot calling to speak with President Bzchwck."

"Ah yes," said the blue man amiably. "He has been expecting your contact. I will patch you through right now."

Daba Daba's blue face was replaced with a rotating image of the Galactic Coalition Counsel's rainbow sun flag.

"Thank you for calling the Awkolian branch of the Galactic Coalition Counsel," said a recording of a pleasant feminine voice. "Your contact is important to us. Please keep communications open. Our next available operator will be with you as soon as possible. Your current operator is:"

At this point a still photo of Daba Daba appeared on the screen.

"Daba Daba," said his voice.

The screen returned to the turning Awkolian flag symbol.

An unremarkable series of chimes played a polite melody and ended with a long silent pause.

Just as the message began to replay, the president's image appeared.

"Vaedyth! Ludit!" he said. "Long time, no see!"

"Greetings Mr. President," said Vaedyth. "How are you?"

"I'm fantastic," Bzchwck said enthusiastically. "How are things going on the Looshan home world?"

"Not bad," said Vae. "For the most part, anyway."

"Oh Vaedyth," the president said with dismay. "Don’t tell me that. The GCC is counting on you to make sure this exchange goes well. How was your meeting with the queen?"

Vae swallowed hard.

"That went well," she said.

"Really well," Ludit added.

Vae rolled her eyes.

"Ludit? You spoke with Queen Fleera?" Bzchwck asked.

"Yes," Ludit said. "She was excited about Loosha joining the GCC."

"Wonderful!" Bzchwck cheered. "But then, what is the problem?"

"It seems that we don't have enough crew to run the ship," Ludit explained.

"What? Why?" Bzchwck questioned. "How big is it?"

"Huge!" Bune said.

"Gamma class," Ludit added.

"Oh my," Bzchwck said with awe. "That is much more generous than we anticipated."

"The Looshans are a generous people," Ludit agreed.

Bzchwck placed a hand to his chin and tugged on his goatee.

"So it seems," he agreed. "I wonder how much more generosity we can ask of them."

"What do you have in mind?" Ludit asked.

"I'm going to contact Queen Fleera directly," the president said. "I will call you back presently. Keep this line open."

With that, the forward monitor went blank once more.


#
Dwipsomnin was finding the Knuckler to be unreasonably difficult.

"I am certain that the Queen will want to hear what I have to tell her," he insisted.

"Why don't you tell me what it is," the guard offered, "then I can tell her for you."

Dwip frowned.

"It's a complicated issue," the green man explained. "There are details that need to be explained, and I don't think it can be conveyed through a third party."

The large Looshan guard puffed out his chest and glared at Dwip angrily.

"Are you saying I am not intelligent enough to convey your precious message?"

Dwip cowered with apprehension.

"No sir," he said quickly. "That is not what I meant to say at all."

"Listen, Eyeborsh," the Knuckler said. "If you can't give the message to me, then the message will not get to the Queen. I don't care one way or the other. Decide now."

Dwip trembled and stuttered trying to think of how to convince the large man of the urgency of his information.

"Goboin?" said a soft and gentle voice from behind the Knuckler. "What is going on out here?"

"Nothing of importance, Miss Twill," said Goboin the guard. "Just another 'well wisher' trying to get in to meet Queen Fleera."

"I am not a 'well wisher'!" Dwip insisted. "That is to say, I do not wish her harm of any kind. I don't want to hurt her..."

Goboin lowered all four of his eyestalks to glare into Dwip's one big eye. He grabbed the smaller man at the shoulder.

"I think you should be on your way now, Eyeborsh," Goboin said coldly.

"Just one second," Twill said. "Let him speak with me."

Goboin reluctantly released his grip on Dwip, but continued to watch him with obvious distrust.

Twill swam from behind the large orange guard and floated before Dwip. He saw for the first time that Twill was a lovely pink Eyeborsh female.

"What is your name, sir?" she asked.

"I am Dwipsomnin," he answered proudly. "I am a member of the team that built the Elib vessel."

"Oh yes," said Twill. "Queen Fleera is very excited about that project. How is it going?"

"Well, that is the issue," Dwip said. "There are some issues that I was hoping to bring to her attention."

"Oh, well then, by all means, please come with me and I will bring you to her right away."

"Miss Twill!" Goboin exclaimed. "I do not feel that it would be wise to do that. We don't know that he is who he claims to be."

Twill looked deep into Dwip's eye.

"I think we can trust him," she said as she placed a tendril to his cheek. "He has an honest face."

Dwip smiled. Twill took one of his tentacles into hers and began to lead him down a corridor. In a sudden blur, Goboin swam past them and blocked their path.

"I must emphasize," the large man said. "I do not support the decision to take this man to the queen."

Twill rose up tall and thin before the Knuckler.

"Goboin," she said with authority. "Need I remind you that even as Captain of the Queen's guard, you are still below me in rank?"

The Knuckler held his position, but his resolute expression faltered with realization.

"No Madam," he said.

"I would hate to have to suspend you from service over such a small matter," Twill added. "Won't you please let us pass?"

Goboin seemed to deflate as his body relaxed and his face melted with dissatisfaction.

"Let it be on record then," he said, "that I did my duty in trying to protect Queen Fleera to the best of my ability."

Twill nodded respectfully.

"It will be noted," she said. "Your service is, and always has been exceptional."

Goboin nodded his appreciation and moved aside to allow Dwip and Twill to pass.

As Dwip passed him, he firmly grasped one of the green man's tentacles.

"If anything happens," he whispered forcefully, "I will hunt you down, even at the expense of my career and my freedom. Do you understand me?"

Dwip nodded.

"You needn't worry," he said. "I am who I say. You can trust me."

Goboin looked deep into Dwip's eye once more. When he was satisfied he let Dwip go and gave him a nod to signify his trust, at least for the moment.

Dwip followed Twill down the corridor. He didn't speak until they were well out of Goboin's hearing range.

"Thank you for your help," he said to her.

Twill smiled.

"I am glad to give it," she said. "Besides, I didn't like the way he said 'Eyeborsh'. As if only Lo'yalte and Knucklers have any place in civilized society!"

The two Eyeborsh's laughed together.

"I hear the sounds of happiness," said a voice from the far end of the corridor.

"Is that her?" Dwip asked.

Twill nodded.

"Twill?" Fleera called, "You have brought me a guest?"

"Yes your majesty," Twill answered. "An Eyeborsh man with important information about the Elib vessel."

"I see," said the former queen. "Please show him in."

Twill brought Dwip into the Queen's personal chamber.

Fleera swam very near to the green man, but did not touch him.

"There is worry here," she said, her face very close to his. "What is your concern, my brother?"

"Your majesty," Dwip said reverently, "I am not sure of the Awkolian crew's ability to effectively run the Elib vessel."

"Why?"

"They do not have enough crew members. Also, I got the impression that the three who have come might not be as well trained as the crew of such a powerful vessel ought to be."

"Are you saying that you doubt the GCC's responsibility to send the best they have to offer for this important mission?"

Dwip shook his head.

"I am sorry, your majesty," he said. "I just don't know."

Fleera smiled and swam upward and across the room, coming to rest upon her bed.

"I met their captain," she said. "I liked him."

Dwip nodded.

"I like him to," he said. "All of them really."

"In your opinion," Fleera said, "what do they need in order to be the right crew for our vessel?"

Dwip closed his eye in thought.

"They were confident in the captain's ability to pilot him."

"'Him'?"

"The Elib. They decided it should be a 'him'."

Fleera turned to Twill and they both chuckled.

"Go on," the former queen prompted.

"I could probably train the other two without much trouble. Then, with me as head engineer..."

"How did you get that title?"

Dwip blushed and was glad that his queen could not see it.

"Captain Ludit offered me the position."

"I see," Fleera said. "And you feel up to the task?"

"I do."

"Very well," she said. "Please continue."

"Yes. Well, aside from the four of us, I imagine maybe twenty more would be able to perform as a 'dry corral crew' until more people could be assigned."

"Very well," Fleera said. "Where do you propose we acquire these twenty?"

"Your majesty?" Dwip questioned. "Aren't there at least that many in your service which you could direct?"

Fleera smiled and shook her head.

"I am retired," she said. "At the moment, my entire staff includes my Maiden, Twill, and Goboin the guard. They volunteered to stay with me. I have yet to hire new personel."

Dwip rose tall.

"You may count me as a volunteer at your service as well," he said proudly.

The former queen smirked.

"I see," she said. "Won't that interfere with your engineering duties?"

Dwip slumped and blinked his eye.

"Never mind," Fleera said to console him. "I've a feeling everything will work out. Your gesture is warmly received and accepted."

Dwip nodded humbly and smiled.

A quiet alarm sounded with a "bloop". Twill moved to a control panel on a nearby wall and placed a tendril upon it.

"Yes?" she said. "He is? Okay."

Twill turned to Fleera.

"Your majesty," she said, "The Awkolian President requests your audience."

"Mine?" asked the former queen. "Not queen Tula?"

"He requested you specifically."

Fleera sat silent for a moment.

"I will hear him," she said.

Twill nodded. She tapped some buttons on the wall.

"You may speak now, Mr. President," she said.

"Oh. Thank you," said Bzchwck. His voice was being transmitted from a speaker in the center of the chamber's ceiling.

"It is good to hear your voice again," Fleera said.

"Likewise, your majesty," Bzchwck said. "How is your retirement so far?"

"I'm not sure," said the former queen. "It seems that I am not yet as retired as I should be."

Bzchwck chuckled nervously.

"I think I may know what has prevented the completion of your term," he said. "May I explain?"

"Yes, but I know much already," Fleera told him. "Your replacement crew is not what you would like for them to have been."

"True," said the president, "But the GCC is confident in their ability to perform the necessary functions of their positions."

"As are the Looshans," Fleera said. "But it seems that there are too many positions to be filled."

"Agreed," said Bzchwck. "That is why I have called. Is there any way that you can provide some extra hands just until the ship can reach a GCC world to pick up more crew members?"

"I am afraid not, Mr. President," Fleera apologized. "I have met with the new queen and I assure you that she would be, shall we say, less generous than what you have become accustomed to during my reign."

"That is disappointing news," Bzchwck said with a sigh. "Even in light of the Button Hole Technology we are sharing with you?"

"The current focus of the Looshan government is on improving the quality of life on the home world. It will be many years before anyone would consider assigning more 'hands' to off world causes."

"Hands!" Dwip exclaimed.

Fleera and Twill turned to him with surprise.

"I'm sorry for interrupting," Dwip said, "but I have an idea."

"What is it, Head Engineer?" Fleera asked.

"Trained spurks," he said.

"Spurks?" asked Twill. "How?"

"I have one," Dwip explained. "They are smart and easily trained. They can be assigned simple repetitive tasks. I could work in alternating shifts with Bune. It could work at least long enough to get us to another world to acquire a more complete crew."

Fleera laughed heartily.

"Mr. President," she said. "I think we have worked out a solution."


#
Vae, Ludit, and Bune sat lazily around the command deck of the Elib. They had explored the ship and selected their individual crew quarters. Ludit had a clear understanding of the piloting controls. There was nothing to do now but wait.

So wait they did.

Vae sighed.

Ludit yawned.

Bune rhythmically tapped upon a functionless button that made a beeping sound.

"Maybe we can download some video games?" he suggested.

They heard the sound of the air chamber emptying.

"Hello captain."

Fleera strolled casually across the room. Dwip, Twill, and Goboin were with her. All but the Knuckler wore bright smiles. The guard had a stern expression, his four eyes swiveling to closely monitor the moves of everyone present.

"Your majesty," said Ludit. "To what do we owe this honor?"

"I bring good news," said the former queen. She moved very close to Ludit, her tendrils encircling him, but none actually making physical contact with any part of his body.

"Good news?" Ludit repeated.

"Yes," she said. "I am coming with you."

"What?" Vae exploded. "Why?"

Everyone turned to look at her.

"I mean," she stammered, "Don't your people need you here?"

Fleera lowered her arms and took a step back from Ludit.

"Queen Tula has everything covered," she said with a courteous smile. "I am free to go where I will now."

"But, why come here?" Vae asked.

"Vae!" Ludit said with dismay.

"What she means is," said Bune hurriedly, "Why have you decided to come with us rather than find a new position among your own people?"

Fleera faced Vae.

"I knew what she meant," she said with a smile. "And the reason I am coming with you is because of Dwipsomnin."

Everyone, including Dwip, looked surprised by this.

"Because of me?" he asked.

"Yes," Fleera said with a nod. "Dwipsomnin has volunteered service to me, but he is needed here on the Elib. It makes sense, then, that I should come here to receive the full benefits of his service."

Everyone present could see through the feeble justification. Vae scoffed, but tried to hide it as a cough.

"How fortunate for us," said Ludit with a warm grin. "Is there anything we can do for you?"

"There is one thing," she answered. "I have some unique long range communication needs."

She pointed to the jeweled visor that covered her eyeless face by way of explanation.

"I wonder if I could speak with your communications officer in private?"

Bune and Ludit looked to Vae.

"Of course," said Ludit. "Vae? Please assist the queen?"

Fleera raised a tendril and waved it from side to side.

"Please," she said. "I am no longer queen of my world, and I have never been a queen aboard this vessel. Call me Fleera."

"Very well," said Ludit. "Vae, please assist Fleera?"

"With pleasure," Vae said through clenched teeth.

When Vae was close enough, Fleera laced a tentacle around her right arm.

"This way," Vae said as she led the former queen to the captain's conference room. The door closed automatically behind them.

Vae stepped away from Fleera and sat in one of the rotating chairs.

"What kind of assistance do you need," she asked.

"I'm sorry," Fleera said. "I have misled you."

Vae cocked her head to one side.

"What do you mean?"

"I have no communication issues that can't be handled by Dwipsomnin and my Maiden, Twill. I used that as an excuse to speak with you alone."

Vae frowned.

"What do you want from me?"

"I wanted to ask why you hide your gifts from your friends."

Vae glared at the magenta toned Looshan.

"I don't know what you are talking about," she insisted.

The corners of Fleera's mouth turned downward.

"Don't you?" she challenged.

Vae didn't answer.

Fleera sighed, then sat in a chair beside the Kleeexzian woman.

"As you know," she said, "My people have certain abilities beyond what ordinary people possess. It is for that very reason that the Lo'yalte race are always chosen to govern the world."

Vae nodded, then wondered if Fleera could tell when she did so.

"I can," Fleera said.

"You can what?"

I can tell when you nod," Fleera explained. "I can't see the movement itself, but I am able to sense vibrations given off by all living things about their feelings and intents."

"Fascinating," said Vae. "What does this have to do with me?"

Fleera smiled.

"I know that you love him."

Vae's face became hot with emotion.

"Please, don't be afraid," Fleera pleaded earnestly.

"I'm not afraid," Vae said.

"I want to comfort you," Fleera continued. "Your captain is a fascinating man, but I have no romantic interest in him at all. I also sense none from him toward me. You needn't be concerned."

Vae's eyes grew misty.

"Really?" she asked with hope.

"Very truly," Fleera said, placing a tentacle upon Vae's hand. "I realized a moment ago that the customs of my people are very different from yours. Ours is a very physical species."

"I noticed," Vae said with a dry chuckle.

"I wanted to let you know that I am not competition for you," Fleera assured her. "I would very much like to be your friend."

Vae smiled.

"I think that would be nice," she agreed.

"Wonderful," Fleera said happily. "Now, if I may?"

"Yes?"

"My first question... Why do you hide your gifts?"

Vae sighed heavily.

"My 'gifts' as you call them are not well received in our society."

"Truly?" Fleera asked with surprise. "Why is this so?"

"There have been those in the past who have abused their 'gifts'," Vae explained. "The damage done then has carried over to an ever present fear today."

Fleera nodded sadly.

"I understand," she said. "There have been Lo'yalte without scruples who did similar things on our world. Fortunately they were vastly outnumbered by those who resisted them. No Lo'yalte would even consider such behavior now."

Vae nodded.

"I wish that were the case for our kind," she said. "Sadly, it is too often the case that those with power will use it to control those without. I do not wish to be mistaken for one of these evil individuals."

"So you hide who you are," Fleera said softly. "I understand. But can you not trust your friends with the truth? At least Ludit?"

Vae thought about the incident with the dream loop and how upset Ludit had been with her.

"I cannot," she said simply.

Fleera nodded.

"Very well," she said. "You can trust that I will not expose your secrets. Also, if you ever need anyone to talk with, on any topic, I would be honored to be that person."

Vae smiled.

"I just might take you up on that offer," she said.

The door to the conference room opened and Ludit entered.

"Incoming message from President Bzchwck," he explained as he took his seat and tapped on a control pad. The holographic projector in the center of the room lit up and created an image of Bzchwck.

"Your majesty," he said with a bow.

"I am simply Fleera now," the former queen corrected.

"Perhaps," said Bzchwck, "But you will always be royalty for some of us."

Fleera smiled at this and nodded graciously.

"What can we do for you Mr. President?" asked Ludit.

"If the spurks are all in place, I have your next assignment ready for you," the president explained.

"'Spurks'?" asked Vae.

"They are a kind of intelligent aquatic bird," Ludit explained. "Dwip and Bune are going to be working with them. They're kind of cute. I think you will like them."

"Okay then," Vae said with a casual shrug.

"Fantastic," Bzchwck said. "Then if you are ready?"

"We are," said Ludit.

"You are going to Rae' a' ale. I have spoken with government officials and they are eager to supply skilled personnel for the Elib's crew. Vaedyth, you are being promoted and are now in command."

Vae turned to Ludit with a look of surprise. Ludit smiled back at her and nodded that he felt this was the right decision.

"No!" Fleera exclaimed.

"Your majesty?" Bzchwck questioned.

"You cannot replace Ludit as captain of the Elib," she said. "The Looshan people will not tolerate it."

"Why not?"

"As acting queen of Loosha, representative of the will of my world, I appointed Ludit as the captain. For you to replace him at this time would suggest that you do not respect the judgment of our government. It would seriously undermine future relations between the GCC and Loosha. All would suffer. Ludit must remain captain for the good of all."

"But he's just a ja..."

Someone outside the holographic projector's transmitting range obviously got the president's attention and advised him not to tell the former queen of the Looshan world that the Awkolians sent janitors as the first official contact with the GCC.

"Ah..." he said. "He's ja... ust right for the job. Yup. That's why we sent him. Ludit, the GCC is behind you one hundred percent."

Ludit smiled.

"Thank you, Mr. President," he said. "My crew and I will not disappoint you."

"Marvelous," Bzchwck squeaked. "Farewell, and good luck."

As he stepped off the transmitting platform they heard him speak to someone in the room with him, "Is it hot in here or is it just..."