From what Dinah could tell Aaru was the only member of the crew, other than Asher and Celie who were in an altogetherly different emotional universe than everyone else, who was coping well with the blackout on information about where they were going and why, but then she had Ther'lin to talk to.  Dinah didn't imagine for a moment that Ther'lin would tell Aaru where they were going.  She did imagine that Ther'lin would do everything but that.  That, fortunately, was McGee's problem, not hers. 

The rest of the ships company, including the dragons via Quinn, were either giving her meaningful looks or else trying to steer the conversation around and at least get her to drop a few hints.  They weren't used to not knowing what was happening and why.  They were even less used to not knowing where they were going.  Far worst was their response to being stonewalled. 

So half an hour before dinner Dinah sat on the edge of the bed looking at Marc, sleeping peacefully.  He'd been asleep almost nine hours and they needed a plan for what they were going to tell the crew.  They had to tell them something.  The question was what.  She smiled and ran her fingers lightly along his jaw, watching his eyes flutter.  Then she leaned down and kissed him.  "Time to wake up, sugar lips," she said as she sat up and offered him a cup of coffee.

His eyes opened finally and a smile touched his lips. "You always know what I need. It's frightening."

"Your secrets are safe with me," she said.

"Ah, well, that's a relief. I gather we've had no major crises since you let me sleep," he commented as he took the coffee and then sipped it thankfully.

She settled herself more comfortably on the bed.  "No.  However, we're need to figure out we're going to tell everyone.  They don't like not knowing what's going on or why."

Marc frowned. "No, I dare say they don't, and I don't blame them one bit. I suppose the truth is the best course in this instance. We simply don't know."

"But we do know we're headed for Silka and why."

"We don't know it's location. All we know is the name. And as for the reason I think we can just say we're on a humanitarian mission to some friend's of McGee's. You don't think that will be enough?"  He paused long enough to gulp down some more caffeine. "Have we a mutiny in the making?"

"Not mutiny, no.  But these people are our friends and employees.  We've never not told them what's going on.  So I think we need to tell them something about why we aren't telling them, especially because Ingev knows Aaru doesn't know where we're going and is just following Ther'lin blind.  That's unusual to say the least and I'm sure if others don't already know that, they will soon."

He nodded. "Okay, I'll say something after dinner. And open the floor to complaints. I think once they realize we don't know either, beyond a single word we don't, they'll feel less put upon.  When they realize it isn't us who put the restrictions on but McGee they can maybe deal with that better."

She bent and kissed him again.  "Dinner's in twenty minutes.  And after dinner you're mine," she said.

"Right. Let me grab a shower and I'll be with you all right after that."

Fifteen minutes later Marc sauntered into the common area looking his usual self. He looked around at everyone there, and most of the ship's company was in attendance. "Hi Darin, Dermot, Dara. Good to see you three again. Chola, nice to know you're along. Thanks for coming. I appreciate it."

Then he looked around. "After dinner we'll have a council of war and tell you what we know and what we don't know.  So eat up and compose your questions. How's that?"

It must have been alright because no one mobbed him or Dinah for information.  On the other hand there were no prizes for guessing the topic at most of the tables or why Ingev was the most popular person there.  Dinah exchanged a look with Morrigan and Reno and when they'd finished eating they made sure the bar was fully stocked and put on extra coffee. When she finished eating she helped with the clearing, taking stock of the atmosphere as she did.  Then she fixed herself a cup of tea and settled back. 

Marc, fortified with a scotch, stood by the drinks table and looked around, waiting patiently for everyone to settle down with the drink of their choice. Then, with everyone from the ship's company present as well as their four visitors, he began.

"This trip is not my idea, nor was it Dinah's. We were asked by Jack McGee to help out with a problem. He is insistent we ask him no questions, and that what little Dinah and I know be kept quiet from everyone, including Ingev and Aaru.  Unusual, I know. But I thought it worth it, in that we know very little of McGee and this seemed like a good way to cement a friendship and perhaps explore strange new worlds and new civilizations. The only really useful thing we do know, is that it is a humanitarian mission. We'll need our healers to see what they can do, and I may call in more healers from the Refuge if it looks like that will help.

"I don't know our destination. I've no idea of the beings we're going to visit, all I know is that we're needed and it seemed like a good idea to stand up and say we'll go.  Questions?"

"I suppose then there's no point asking why the secrecy is so important?" Laz asked, leaning back, relaxed and comfortable in his chair next to Anja.

"Well, let me explain to you why I used a metaconcert to move our ships. Maybe that will help," Marc paused for some scotch. "We were being shadowed by two ships. Cloaked.  Neither Ther'lin nor Aaru could penetrate those shields which in and of itself should give you pause. We don't know who they are, we don't know what they want, and so I agreed to help McGee by magicking both ships out of there and getting us off without them knowing where we're heading."

Marc looked frankly at Laz. "I'm not crazy about going into something totally blind, but then, I'm curious enough to want to know what McGee is so damn eager to keep secret.  I promised him we'd all keep his secrets, no matter how much we find out. So I hope each and every one of you will help me keep that promise."

"Just to be clear," Dinah said, her feet up on a chair, "it's possible we may never know anymore than we know now.  It's also possible that while Marc and I might know more, or Kal and Max, none of us will be able to tell you anything else than what Marc's said tonight."

"You'd better make that very clear to the dragons," Morrigan said. 

"Yes, we'll have a moot with the dragons too. I'd appreciate it if you're there for that, Morrigan. You too Lev, since you seem to be dragon general extraordinaire."

Melly and Colin were exchanging looks.  "Man," Melly said.  "You sure know how to torture a person.  But if that's the way it is, that's the way it is."

Marc smiled at Melly. "I know. You like puzzles and want to seek out secrets. I'm thinking, honestly, that we'll know a lot more soon than we know now. And not by hook or by crook, but because we're agreeing to help with a difficult situation. So let's all try to be patient and see where this leads."

Marc looked over at Darin, who was frowning down at his drink.  "Darin? Have something to add?"

"I'm sort of having visions," he replied quietly. 

"I thought you might. For now, try to understand them and then we can talk about them privately at first, you, me and Dinah. If I think they're helpful to McGee, I'll tell him. And if he gives us permission, we'll tell the rest of you.  Anything else?"

"Also we'd like to speak with you Melly, and Colin and Dia, privately as well," Dinah said when no one spoke up.  "And Laz, we've something for you too."

Laz raised an eyebrow while Melly and Dia nodded.

Marc stared at Dermot Darroch until the young man looked up at him. "Aaru is under strict orders to allow no one to leave the ship unless the trip is authorized. No one. Am I clear?"

Dermot colored and when Marc didn't look away finally nodded.

"Anything else?" Marc asked. "I believe there is at least one thing. Another scotch for me."

"Help yourself," Melly said.  "We won't tell."

Marc grinned. "So, Dinah can have me to herself now? I don't have to worry about incipient revolution nor do I have to walk around muttering madly under my breath?"

"As far as I'm concerned you're all hers," Natha said. 

"Well, you know where we'll be and what we'll be up to. So only shout if it's a dire emergency," Marc replied and held a hand out to Dinah.

"Ah, not so fast," Dinah said.  "Laz can we see you first, then Melly and the others after?  Marc's office I think."

"Now?" Marc whined.  But he went along to his office otherwise meekly.  Once Laz was settled he turned the floor over to Dinah.

"I'd like you to keep an eye on Dermot," Dinah said.  "Just in case."

Laz grinned.  "Yeah?  Any restrictions on how I handle him?"

"He might actually be useful, so don't maim him," Marc replied. "Anything short of permanent injury is at your discretion."

Laz studied his face for a moment and then looked at Dinah.  "Oh.  I get it.  You're counting on Anja to keep me in line."

"Well," Dinah said, "it's a thought."

Marc grinned. "Seriously. Hold that thought. He's young and foolish and does young and foolish things. And besides, I need Darin, and if you kill his twin he might be a bit miffed."

Laz just shook his head and stood.  "No problem.  That it?"

Dinah nodded. "Yep."  Will you sent Melly and the others in?"

"Sure," he said as he left, waving the others in.

Dinah let them get settled and then set the sigils for Weru'Ster, Brann'Ster and and Siol'Ster in the air next to each other.  "I'd like to know everything I can about these, both as whole entities, the component symbols and the similarities between them."

Colin watched them for a moment then looked back at Dinah. "Are we looking for anything specific? Do we get a hint?"

"They're the sigils for Siol'Ster, Weru'Ster and a long defunct trading house called Brann'Ster," Dinah said.  "I find it interesting that they share the similarities that they do, so I'm curious."

"Can we ask Darin or Dara what they know? Or is this one of the secrets we have to keep?" Colin asked.

"No, I'd rather you didn't ask them just yet," Dinah said.  "And I'd rather you kept this research project to yourselves for now as well.  You might take a look at Sere and Kenget too, just for the hell of it."

Colin, Dia and Melly shared a look then all three nodded.

"Thanks," Marc said. "I hope we'll all get a bunch of answers, with or without McGee's help. So, let's just stay sharp and note down what we see. Oh, and you guys should write down Darin's visions.  It all may fit together somehow."

"I thought he was going to talk to you two privately first and then you were going to run it by McGee," Dia said.  "Are you saying we should ask him about them?"

"No, I'm saying if you see him thrashing around and he's talking in his visions, write it down. Just, you know, casual like."

"Right," Dia said dubiously.  "Casually.  Anything else?"

'Uhm, no I don't think so. Other than solve the mystery of the Galaxy and discover the speed of dark. That's all I got.  Dinah?"

"That's it.  Thanks, guys.  I appreciate you putting up with our quirks," she said.  She smiled when they'd left and turned to Marc.  "Now I have you all to myself."

"Indeed you do. What are you planning to do with me?" he asked.

"Make up for missing you last night," she said.  "What are you going to do with me?"

"Love you till you scream for me to stop."

"I think we're on the same page then.  I'm ready when ever you are."

He zapped them to their room and did just that.

Dia was still shaking her head over the notion of casually stalking Darin in the midst of a vision when she got back to her cabin and found Lev waiting for her.  "This is very nice," she said, opening the door for them.  "I expected to have to go find you."

"Am I that bad?" he asked, following her in and closing the door firmly behind himself.

"Hmmm?  No, not at all.  I just didn't expect to find you waiting, that's all.  I thought perhaps you'd be...oh I don't know," she said, stepping closer.  "Doing whatever.  Would you mind putting your arms around me?"

"Like this?" he asked. "I should, I suppose, be putting them around Ivy or Igor, since I seem to have been elected official baby sitter."

"Baby sitter?" she said, moving closer.  "Where's Cola?  And the rest of the dragons?"

"Busy talking over the current situation. Marc's told Cola all of this is secret but you know dragons. They aren't happy."

"Ah, I see.  Well it is strange," she said.  "All the secrecy.  They've always been so open before."

Lev shrugged. "Depends on your background I guess. Seems to me you were pretty secretive for awhile there."

"You mean my work?  I'm sorry about that," she said, contrite.  "But I'd made commitments."

"There you go. Secrets. Nothing but trouble. So let's talk about something else entirely. Are you happy? Are you glad you came to Aaru?"

"Yes," she said, her face softening.  "Very happy.  Are you?"

"I still feel badly about my secrets from you. All I can say in my defense was it seemed like a good idea at the time."

She smiled and put her hand over his mouth.  "I understand why you did it.  Now it is over, done with.  And you, I hope, are as happy as I am."

He leaned over and kissed her tenderly. "I suppose I should take advantage of these moments. Since Dinah and Marc called you into secret enclave I sort of expected you to be too busy for me."

"And still you were waiting," she said, putting her arms around his neck.   "It's just some work they want done.  We'll start in the morning.  But nevertheless, feel free to take advantage as you wish."

"I don't have to be asked twice," he said with a grin and was kissing her as he walked her backwards toward the bed.

Just down the corridor Melly looked over from brushing her hair as Reno came.  "I wondered where you'd gotten to.  Setting up a new pool on the big secret?"

"Nope. Marc threatened my ass if I did. And gave me a ton of paperwork to do too. He wants me to go over a bunch of stuff from the Houses but won't tell me what I'm looking for. It's weird."  Reno walked over to lean against the door to the bathroom, watching her. "I love watching you do that. I don't get all romantic enough do I?"

She grinned.  "No, but that's who you are."

"Well, you aren't all girlie either, so maybe we're just right," he concluded with a grin. "What do you think of this secretive stuff. I don't like it, frankly. Worries me."

She set the brush down and came over to him.  "It's serious.  It somehow involves the Houses.  And I don't think either of them really know what we're walking into, which means that it's something big that they're willing to take that sort of risk over.  Do you wish I was more girlie as you call it?"

Reno shook his head trying to follow the sudden change of subject. "Is that a trick question?" he asked, smiling at her.

"No.  I really want to know.  It matters to me."

"Okay. No, I like you like you are. I don't have to worry very often about trick questions and you don't ask me if you look good in something so I don't have to guess if I'm supposed to say no or yes. It's a great thing."

"That's not what I meant," she said.  "I was thinking more like feminine.  Like the Jos."

"You mean," he made a motion with his hands, "curvier?"

"Well there is that, but make up and lingerie, all that sort of stuff."

"Nope. You're beautiful without the makeup and I don't mind sharing my pjs. Do you miss it sometimes?"

"I don't know, it's not something I ever did before.  I never had a real reason.  But perhaps you miss it sometimes," she said sitting on the edge of the bed, her face solemn.

Reno walked over and shoved her backwards onto the bed. He climbed up on top of her, resting on knees and palms and looked down at her. "I don't want it. I don't need it. I do need you. Just the way you are, the way you want to be for you. Savvy?"

"Really," she said.  "You don't even want it sometimes?"

"Nope."

"I love you," she said, smiling up at him.  "How worried are you about whatever it is we're getting into?"

"Real worried. Marc had that look in his eye."

"Which look is that?" she asked.

"The one he gets just before he starts a war or something. The look that says he's not going to back off no matter what.  Very scary is our Marc when he gets all determined."

"Oh," she said.  "Well in that case maybe we should spend more time making love while we can."

"Sounds like a plan to me," he said as he began tickling the hell out of her.

"That's not what I meant," she gasped between giggles, squirming under him.

"Oh," he said when he could breathe again. "You mean this." He kissed her tenderly.

"Yeah," she said, pulling him closer.  "This."

Morrigan, not being ticklish, had no such worries as she considered Kal out of the corner of her eye while she too brushed out her hair before bed.  "Aren't you the least bit curious?" she asked him. 

"We're following a living ship into the darkness of the Rift to a place we've never been to. Not even the dragons, so far as I can tell." Kalket grinned. "I like it!"  Then more seriously, "Don't you?"

She shrugged.  "I'm curious.  I don't dislike it.  The rest will depend on what we find.  But you, I never considered it before.  Can you heal if they aren't human or close to it?"

"We have worked on aliens before. If they have a central nervous system we should be fine. I can heal the dragons too when they need it. How are the dragons doing? Lev said they seem to be agitated over something. Ione agreed but didn't explain."

"They don't like to keep secrets, especially from each other," she said.  "And going someplace dragons have never been before, well that's big doings.  Something to brag about, to the extent that they brag about anything.  Plus they know Marc and Dinah know stuff they aren't telling them and they don't like it."

"Ah, and it has something to do with the dragons.  At least Ione seems to think so. The whole quest Marc and Dinah are on has to do with them, doesn't it?"

She nodded.  "But they haven't said much about it, the dragons or Marc and Dinah."  She walked over and sat on his lap.  "Which is very unusual.  Or at least I've always thought it was when they were reticent about something.  Now, who knows.  They are much more than any of us thought."

"It's natural, you know," he said, wrapping her tiny form up in his great arms. "We are often not what we seem. Any of us."

She cuddled against him.  "But with them, they've been actively hiding things all along.  Pretending in a way."

"You've never hidden and pretended?" Kal asked Morrigan.

"Of course I have.  But I haven't engaged in a species wide conspiracy to deceive everyone else for generations."

"Ah, well you've missed out then," Kal said with a grin, the alien who'd hidden what he was like when he slept.

She laughed and kissed him.  "Possibly.  I'm glad you're excited about all this; It's even possible you'll get to use your sword."

Kal's grin was his answer. Then after he'd kissed her, "Do you mind that I'm still bloody-minded?"

"No love, not at all.  Makes you like all the men in my family.  So maybe it's one reason why I love you."

Kalket looked sober then. "Do you miss your House?  And the unimensional worlds? Do you want to go home?"

"I'm happy, Kal.  Honestly.  And it's not like we don't get back there so I can visit if I want to.  It's sweet of you to worry though."

"I was lonely for my kind for a very long time. I do not wish you to feel that pain," he explained petting her tenderly.

"Are you lonely still?" she asked, leaning her forehead against his.

"No. I have you."

"You see, and I have you.  Now will you take to me to bed please?"

"Your wish is my command," he said, and yelled, "Slonshal!" as he dove into bed with her.

Anja, walking by their room with Laz on the way to bed heard him and giggled, earning a look from Laz.  "You don't approve?" he asked.  "Or you're envious.  Because if you are I can start yelling that too."

Anja smiled. "I find Kalket refreshingly open. He's very Zen."

"Are you very Zen?" he asked.

She nodded. "Do you mind?"

"Mind?  I don't even know for sure what it means to be Zen, let alone very Zen.  I do know I like you the way you are."

"Ah, well, that is a very good thing. Because I'm very happy now."

He steered her into their room and closed the door, leaning back against it.  "Only very happy?  Not ecstatic?  Or is ecstatic reserved for when I say I love you?"

She smiled broadly. "You have taken a step along the path to enlightenment."

"Oh have I?" he asked, taking a step towards her.  "What's the next step along the path to enlightenment?  Telling you I adore you, that the sight of you takes my breath away each and every time?"

She backed away from him. "It is said one should take the steps slowly, savoring each one.  It is the journey, not the destination that is the goal."

He nodded and took a step towards her.  "I agree.  Slowly...the slower the better...savoring every moment, every sight and stage along the way, becoming intimately acquainted with each before moving on to the next.  It's my ideal in fact."

"Then perhaps you are more zen than you realize," she said, stopping and letting him step up to her.

"Perhaps," he said, before he sealed her mouth with his.  "Or perhaps," he went on when he lifted his head again, "it's just that I find you endlessly fascinating, always fresh and new, someone I could spend all my life with and never get to the end of the surprises of you."

"And you require much meditation and study; I have yet to give the correct level of attention to this spot here," she said putting her lips against a dimple that only seldom appeared.

"Should I just hold still while you get caught up on all the spots lacking attention?" he said when he had her trapped between him and the bed.

"That would be a pleasant change," she replied.

He bent her back onto the bed.  "Then we'll try the change," he promised.  "Only later."

She laughed in his ear. "You lack patience, young grasshopper."

"No.  I just need to stock up first," he said, stripping her with a thought.  Then he stopped to look at her, his appreciation plain on his face.  When he'd looked his fill he met her eyes.  "Absolutely beautiful," he whispered, joining her on the bed.  Then he gathered her close and stopped her mouth with kisses before she could say anything else.  It was wasn't until much later that he let her speak in complete sentences again.  "Marc and Dinah want me to keep an eye on Dermot," he told her.

"Ah. Will he survive the scrutiny?"

"I have agreed to inflict no permanent injuries."

"I would be very happy if you could find it in your heart to forgive him," Anja said quietly.

He glanced at her stomach where the scars showed faintly, tracing them with a finger tip.  "Why?"

"Forgiveness is not for the forgiven but for the forgiver. It closes a hurt and eases the pain of it. Holding on to such things eats at the soul. I know, I'm going all monkish on you, but it is how I believe."

"Don't apologize for being yourself," he said.  "I'll think about it and see what happens this time.  Marc's got a look in his eye that makes me think things are going to get serious with whatever it is he's up to, whatever it is McGee's playing at."

"Yes. Marc is the type who needs challenge and struggle. Much like you, I might add. He is suddenly motivated and engaged in a way he hasn't been for some time. It is good to see. Especially when it is not for something that is horrible."

He twirled a strand of her hair around his finger.  "Guarding Dinah is going to get harder."

"Guarding Marc will be worse," she replied softly.

"We don't guard him," Laz said.  "Not the way you guard Dinah.  Mostly it's a lot more like a combination security detail and merc squad.  Still I know what you mean."

"Please do not take unnecessary risks. I do not want to lose you, Laz."

"You won't" he promised, pulling her close to him.  "I'll be fine."

"I love you," she whispered as she pulled him down onto her.

"I know," he said.  "I love you."