To Marc's surprise, McGee and Zaf both accepted their invitation to join them on Aaru.  Ingev wasn't happy about it, nor was Laz, who had security concerns. Still, Dinah had invited them so when they appeared, each carrying a duffel with personal things, he greeted them with a smile.

"Have you been aboard Aaru before?" Marc asked McGee as he led the two visitors through to rooms prepared for them.

"No," he said, looking around.  "She's lovely, though.  Nice of you to invite us," he added with a slight smile.

"How does she compare to yours?" Marc asked.

"Configured differently of course. Fewer people and no dragons, so..." he said.  "Ther'lin likes to rearrange herself periodically, too.  Says it's good exercise."

"Heh," Marc replied. "The dragons, by the way, want to meet you. Both of you."

"Great," Zaf replied. "I haven't had a chance at a dragon close encounter."

"How are the newborns?" McGee asked.

"Seem to be well and happy. Cola is very proud of them, obviously."

"Obviously," McGee laughed.  "Siol'Ster is popular with them and has a lot of unbonded dragons I'm told."

"Apparently they decide what House to call home. When we formed we had quite a few decide to join us. Not that many with us here, obviously, but yes, we do have quite a few unbonded. Although I'm not sure what the overall percentage of unbonded dragons is overall. Do you know?"

McGee looked baffled.  "Uhm, no.  Should I?"  he asked, amused.

"Just wondered," Marc replied.

Dermot exited a room nearby and froze when he saw who was there.

"Hi Dermot!" Zaf greeted him, grinning.  "So, how's things with you?"

"Fine," Dermot replied warily.

"Good. Hey, no hard feelings, right?"

Dermot hesitated but then replied. "Sure. No hard feelings."  He turned and walked off, looking over his shoulder at Zaf.

"No hard feelings?" McGee said.  "Something you haven't shared?"

"Wasn't nothing," Zaf replied easily.

"Sure," McGee said.  "That's why you make Mr. Cocky nervous."

"Yeah, well, sometimes he needs a reminder," Zaf replied.

"I'll second that," Marc commented. "Here are your rooms. Set your gear down and join us when you're ready."

McGee nodded.  "Thanks.  We'll see you there in a few."

"Sure," Marc said walking away, leaving the two of them standing in front of doors to their rooms.

"So," Zaf said, looking at McGee.  "What are we doing here."

McGee watched Marc stride away.  "Winning friends and influencing people," he said.  "Why'd you want to come?"

"Curiosity. Besides, I'm broke."

"What's broke got to do with it?" McGee asked.  "You're always broke."

"I'm guessing they've got good booze here. Unlike your rotgut," Zaf offered with a grin. "Besides, it's rare you agree to traveling with anyone, so I find your acceptance of this invitation deeply fascinating.  Aaru, are you listening in?"

McGee grinned.  "Ther'lin never admits when she is, so why would Aaru?  I always just assume the answer is yes.  Wait for me, we'll join them together."

"Sure," Zaf said, going into his room and tossing his duffel on his bunk.  At least it was big enough for him and his feet wouldn't hang over the end.  He lay down his hands behind his head to wait.

McGee closed the door to his room and looked around.  Then he unpacked his duffel.  When he was done he sighed and knocked on Zaf's door.  He didn't want to be here and wished he knew why he'd agreed to the invitation, but it had been one of those things he'd known somehow he should do, like too many other things since he'd seen Dinah walk into the Red Limit and felt compelled to meet her.

Zaf got up and went to the door. "Ready?" he asked, eying McGee. "You know, you take life way too seriously, McGee."

"I know," McGee agreed.  "I'm trying to make up for your deficiencies in that area."

"Good luck with that," Zaf said with a grin as they walked into the common area on Aaru where most of the company was gathered.

Colin looked up sharply when he saw them.  He and Melly had spent a lot of time working with the Darroch boys on the text they'd found and he wasn't all that crazy about having some strangers show up just as they were going to get a chance to see the Cavern.

Ingev was on the bridge so that bit of hostility was missing.

Darin smiled at them, and Dara, who'd been sitting talking to Anja, who was mostly recovered, even if Laz tended to hover, waved at them.  Natha glanced over and nodded then returned to the book she was reading.

McGee moved through the general greetings, declining a drink and worked his way over to Marc and Dinah, leaving Zaf to fend for himself.  Other than the Darrochs they were the only guests so it wasn't some sort of house party they were a part of, but he'd known that when he'd said yes.  He mentally girded himself for the renewed probing that was, he was sure, the point of the invitation.  "Hi," he said to Dinah, taking a seat.  "Thanks again for the invitation.  Hope we won't be any trouble."

Marc had been reading some official looking papers, with Reno sitting nearby waiting for them.  He looked up at that comment but let Dinah handle it, instead going back to his reading.

Zaf had walked over to joined Anja and Dara, accepted a drink and made himself comfortable.  Zaf didn't generally worry much about other people's motives. He figured they'd take care of themselves.

Dinah smiled.  "Can't imagine why you would be.  Are you planning something?"

McGee shook his head.  "Can't think of anything but if that changes I'll let you know.  So uhm, if you don't mind me asking, what was it that made you decide to ask us?"

"You think I'm beautiful," Dinah said without needing to think about it.

Marc stopped reading and raised an eyebrow.  "She's very vain."

"One of her many attractive qualities," McGee said.

Marc grinned and went back to his reading.

"So, where are you from?" Reno asked, looking McGee up and down.

McGee looked startled and seemed to give it some thought.  "Out here on the Rim.  Mostly I grew up on a planet called Kepla."

"Cool," Reno replied. "So you know the Rim pretty well, I guess."

"Pretty well, I guess.  I've seen most of it,"  he said.  "Why?  You looking for property?"

Reno grinned. "Nope. Just wondering if the Barons are really powerful or if they're all hot air and bluster."

"They are as powerful as people allow them to be," McGee said slowly.  "But they also have a lot of resources that allow them to intimidate, which is why people perceive them as powerful."

"Which is true of all institutions," Marc commented looking up. "The question is, why, out here, where there are few laws and fewer organized groups, there hasn't been more of a concerted effort to oppose them.  Do they do any good, as perceived by the little guys of the Rim? Do they provide some protect in return for loyalty? Or, is it something else?"

"It's a very feudal sort of system in some ways.  Owning a planet makes it in some ways your own little fiefdom and the barons early on didn't interfere with each other because they didn't want interference.  Any effort to oppose them in those days was squashed, fast and hard and people learned the lesson they were intended to learn.  The price of defiance is higher than you can afford to pay."  McGee looked around.  "Communications between planets is often controlled and rarely private for them, and the lack of social systems contributes to the isolation amongst the people who otherwise might be tempted to rebel."

Marc thought that over then asked, "So. How best to upend the system. Would we be better off demanding entry into the Baronial ranks and changing it from within, or better off attempting to attract like minded groups and individuals and opposing the Barons openly?"

"Depends, I'd think, at least in part on what you plan to replace it with, if anything and whether you plan on being a part of that.  And frankly," McGee said, "As far as I can see the only way to change the barons is to assassinate the bad guys and keep doing it until you have ones you like.  A bloody business and one I wouldn't want to have to implement.  The third alternative is a massive influx of population with different political systems, offering those under the thumb of the barons an alternative like relocation and doing what it takes to be sure that they feel safe enough to accept."

"Thanks for the gist to ponder," Marc replied, going back to his paperwork.

Zaf was doing his own version of making friends. "I heard you got hurt in the tunnels. They were always a bit lawless, even before the Syndicate installed Hodran.  Wonder who they'll pick next to run the organization.  I'm thinking they'll rebuild Sutta. Way too much of a cash cow, not to mention a part of the basic fabric of the Rim to keep it idle long."

"It has to have cost them a pretty penny, though, what with lost revenue as well as the cost of rebuilding it," Anja replied.

"Oh, no doubt," Zaf replied grinning.  "And if you weren't on the Syndicate's radar before that little demonstration, you can bet you are now. Right at the top."

"Be still my beating heart," Natha said, looking up from her book.  "I don't know how I'll sleep nights knowing that."

Zaf grinned. "Hey, Dermot and Darin ought to be happy. I doubt anyone will pay a bounty for their heads now."

Dermot looked up and grinned. "True. We're just small fry. Although I wonder where Hodran is."

"Dead in the tunnels I hope," Natha said, not bothering to look up this time.  "I wonder where Chola is."

McGee, listening from where he sat was about to say something when his personal comm unit started beeping.  He flipped it open and read the message, frowning.  "Ther'lin's picking up a sub frequency distress call," he said.

Ingev walked into the room and heard the last of that. "Aaru's got the same distress call. We're on our way."

McGee pocketed his comm unit.  "She got any other information?  Or an ETA?"

"We'll be there in five minutes. The distress call reports the ship was attacked, so I suggest we get the security teams armed and ready."

Natha was already moving as was Laz.  "Want to help?" Laz asked Zaf.

"Oh yeah, for sure," Zaf agreed, running to his own room to get his preferred equipment. He met the rest of them on the bridge and was there in time to watch as Aaru approached a ship that was drifting in space, with no engines running.

"Any other communication?" Laz asked looking at the display of the ship.

"Nothing," Paul said.  "And nothing in the vicinity.  Looks like whoever attacked them is long gone."

"Aaru can zap you aboard," Ingev stated, staring at the displays which were not helpful at this point.

Paul handed off the desk and Laz nodded.  "We're ready," he said.

They felt a slight tingle and then were gone, to reappear seconds later on the bridge of the disabled ship. The bridge was in chaos, alarms screaming, rubble strewn everywhere, the smell of electrical fires and smoke in the air.  They headed for the corridor, Paul and Natha splitting to the left and Laz and Zaf to the right.  Laz led the way down the passageway to the next level towards what was obviously the living area of the ship.  Like the ship it was small, mainly functional with most of the available space reserved for the cargo bays.  With Zaf he started checking the area methodically, one room at a time.  He was finishing the second when Paul came over the comm channel in his ear.  "Four dead down here," he said.  "One wounded, probably won't live.  Cargo gone."

Laz glanced around, thinking that probably accounted for the entire crew.  "No one here so far in the quarters."

"I'll check the engine room," Zaf offered, and turned and headed that way.

Laz nodded and opened the next door.  Nothing.  So he finished and headed for the next, finishing the deck and heading for the landing bay.  He began climbing down and saw total destruction.  Paul and Natha were heading back to the bridge, the casualty transferred to Aaru.  He was about to head back up to the bridge when an explosion ripped through the cargo bay, one deck down, knocking him off balance.  The next sent him flying.  He was up again in a flash and calling Paul on the radio, getting no answer as he ran back for the stairs up to the bridge.

Laz got there in time to see Aaru engaging a large and heavily armed ship that had materialized out of no where. He turned and saw Paul and Natha come running in but there was no sign of Zaf.  Laz tried him on the radio and got no answer.  "He was headed for the engine room," he said, watching the dragons suddenly appear on the screen, all eleven of them, in battle formation and the Darrochs among the riders, and engaging immediately while two more ships appeared behind the first.  He wrenched his attention away and started for the engine room, the other two behind him.

Laz heard the zip of laser weapons fire the moment they reached the bottom deck.  Then he heard Zaf.  "Look. You aren't going nowhere. So just put the stupid gun down and come out of there.  I'm not going to just shoot you in cold blood."  Laz blinked.  He waved Paul and Natha to the right and started circling to the left, over towards Zaf.

"Uh oh, I told you. There come my friends. If you just surrender, see, all this is over with and we can all go have a drink," Zaf said as he signaled to Laz were the shooter was holed up behind a turbine.  He was answered with another round of fire.

"Jack ass," Laz whispered and began moving into position.  From the other side he saw the other two were ready and he gave the signal.

As the three from Aaru laid down fire, Zaf got up and ran toward the nearest cover, and once there signaled to Laz where he was headed next. At Laz's nod, and with the new cover fire, Zaf got up and skidded around a corner, as fire from the hold out made it clear he'd known what Zaf was up to.

"That's my favorite flak jacket you put a hole in," Zaf cried out, angry now.  "I'm tellin' you now, you better stand the hell up now or I'm putting a hole in your gullet when I get back there.

There was silence for nearly a minute then a laser weapon got tossed out.

"Come on out," Zaf called, "hands in the air."

A young boy, grubby and wide-eyed, came out from behind the turbine looking terrified.

Laz swore and stood up.  "Grab him, we gotta get back.  Aaru's under attack."

Zaf grabbed the kid's hand and towed him forward. Laz put a hand on Zaf and all of them zapped back to the Aaru.  They were in time to see the dragons raking the two ships attacking Aaru with dragon fire. The Darrochs, all three of them, had one ship turning tail and running for it's life. They let it go, and then reformed to help the Siol'Ster dragons with the bigger ship that was between them and Aaru.  Kalie, along with Quinn and Jelly were approaching the ship from underneath, using strafing runs of constant fire and looking like she was enjoying the hell out of herself.  Cola and Devlin were dive bombing from above.  Ione and Fergie where holding the other ship in place while Snow was dive bombing from above.

The dragons reformed and then fell into a wide pattern and with the Darroch dragons in the lead they swept down on the pirate ship while the other fled. The dragon fire must have finally burnt out the electricals because the ship went silent. Ingev reported aloud, "All systems dead on board except life support."  He listened to the Darrochs and nodded. "Aaru's gonna put a tractor beam on her.  Her captain is haling us."

Ingev handed a head set to Dinah.  She held it to her ear and identified herself as the Siolastre and then waited.  The captain of the pirate ship requested terms of surrender.  "Get Marc," Dinah said.

Paxx responded immediately and said he'd meet them as soon as he could.  Meanwhile Aaru was headed slowly toward Margas.

The boy was doing fairly well, and had almost attached himself at the hip to Zaf, who was taking that state of affairs fairly well, considering.

Marc and Dinah sat down with Ingev and McGee to try to learn what they could of the planet known as Margas.

"They've been blamed for every beserker act within the last four centuries," Ingev reported. "But, quite frankly, a lot of the more recent stuff they've been nailed with doesn't make sense."

"Such as? "Dinah asked.

"There was this conference maybe 5 years ago. A peace conference. Representatives there from the Guild Traders, Weru'Ster, even some of the more reasonable Barons, as well as a lot of the independent worlds here on the Rim. Someone blew up the conference. There were a lot of deaths. Paxx's adopted father was killed there. I just don't see it as being the sort of target Margas would go after. Rather more likely the Syndicate, or even a few of the Barons who don't want to have a damn thing to do with any sort of alliance to hold down pirates or other illegal activities."  Ingev looked over at McGee. "You agree, or you got a dissenting opinion?"

"Oh I agree," McGee said.

"So what's known about Margas itself?" she asked.

"Not a lot. Few folks get a chance to visit. If anyone knows anything about them its the Guild Traders. The fact the boy says he's a Trader and is Margassan, well, I'm wondering just how tight the Guild has gotten with the Margassans.  Given that Paxx's dad died in that attack, I'd say it is pretty clear the Guild doesn't believe the rumors about the Margassans. I will say that I've always heard that anyone trying to get near Margas gets chased off with a big aggressive fleet. Of course, we're trying to take their boy home, so if anyone can get in there, maybe we can."

Dinah nodded.  "Can we get a message to them?"

"Sure," Zaf said.  He was standing in the doorway to the living area, the boy not at his side for a change.  "I can."

"And the reason you haven't done so yet is?" McGee asked.

Zaf shrugged. "No one asked me to."

Dinah rolled her eyes.  McGee gave Zaf a look that brought the blood up under his collar.  "Never knew you to lack initiative before.  Why now?"

"It's Margas. I'm betting if we tell them we got the kid, they show up with a fleet within an hour and you don't get to visit."

McGee just looked at him.  "I see."

"So, whaddya want me to do?" Zaf asked.

"Let's wait to talk to Paxx," Marc decided.

"So what else can you tell us about them?" Dinah asked.

"They like being left alone," Zaf commented. "They don't want strangers dropping by."

"Thank you Zaf," Dinah said sweetly, "for sharing that insight."

He grinned. "Delighted."

"How is it you know how to contact Margas?" Marc asked him.

"Oh, I get around," Zaf replied, pouring himself a drink and sauntering off.

"Please forgive him," McGee said.  "He isn't completely housebroken."

"How much do you know about him?" Marc asked McGee.

McGee didn't look happy about the question.  "I've never pried into his background but I trust him," he said.  "I also know he's a pain in the ass."

"And I gather he's never pried into your own background," Marc replied dryly.

"No," McGee said.  "It's a form of respect out here...of courtesy.  What happened before you hit the Rim...it didn't happen here and people let you leave it behind."

Marc nodded. "Yeah, good policy, for the most part."

Then Ingev's voice came over the speakers into the room. "Wanderlust is approaching."

"That's Paxx's ship," McGee said.  "He made good time."

"Aaru, can you transport him aboard when he's ready?" Marc asked.

"Yes, I will do that," the ship responded.

Dinah sighed.  "And I was hoping for a quiet few days before we hit Tyvek."

"Sure you were," Marc said with a laugh.  Dinah gave him a dirty look.

A half hour later Paxx Palandjian was having his atoms scrambled and unscrambled into his usual self in the living area aboard Aaru.

Zaf was there with Jerry. Jerry took one look at Paxx and ran toward him throwing his arms around Paxx's knees and suddenly sobbing.  Paxx unattached the boy and picked him up holding him tight for a time.

"Fine boy," Zaf commented. "Was ready to hold the engine room against all comers."

"Welcome aboard," Dinah said.  "I see introductions aren't required."

Paxx, still holding the boy in his arms, shrugged. "He's a member of a Trader family. We're all pretty tight."

'And Margassan, too," McGee commented.

"Yeah, well, they gotta live too," Paxx replied. "Son, you okay?"

Jerry nodded, and had finally stopped sobbing. Paxx sat down keeping the boy in his lap. "I'll take him home."

"Home?" Dinah asked.

"Home," Paxx repeated.

"He said he didn't have anyone, his family was all aboard," she said.

"The Guild is his family. He'll be taken in, just like I was. He'll be fine, won't you kiddo?"

Jerry nodded, and clung closer to Paxx.

"You know, I'm generally a tolerant person," Dinah said.  "And I'm not one to pry, but for close-lipped clam like pains in the ass I don't know which of you is worse, "McGee, Zaf or you.  You'd think you all were part of the current version of the Manhattan project."

Paxx's eyes narrowed. "Folks generally keep out of other folks' business around here."

"Don't you dare give me that look.  I'm not prying.  I'm just pointing out that information seems to be a better currency than genes," she snapped.

"Yup, I'd say so," Zaf agreed, from where he stood leaning against a wall. "These folks seem to think they should take the boy back home."

Paxx raised an eyebrow. "Not sure his people would invite you in."

"They can but try," McGee said.

Paxx eyed them for a time before he finally said, "They'll be grateful for you saving Jerry."

Dinah looked at Jerry.  "I don't think he'd be happy if you left," she commented.

Paxx shrugged. "He knows me.  I'll tell you what. I'll talk to the Margassans, explain to them the situation and that you want to bring him home yourselves. I won't promise anything."

Marc nodded. "We'd be grateful for that much."

"Thanks," Dinah said.  She stood up and looked around.  "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've some things I need to do."  She didn't wait to find out if they would, just nodded and left.  McGee's eyes followed her to the door.

"You won't leave me?" Jerry asked to Paxx.

"No, he can stay with you until we get you home," Marc replied. "I'll show you to a room.  Then you can contact Margas."

After he had Paxx settled, and Paxx had made arrangements with regard to Wanderlust, Marc went in search of Dinah.  He found her laying down, an ice pack on her forehead and the aspirin within reach.

"What's up?" he asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed beside her.

"Headache," she said.  "How are you doing?"

"Fine.  I've never known you to have a headache without good reason."

"It's a little tense around here at the moment," she said, lifting the bag from her face and looking at him.

"Talk to me," he replied.

"It suddenly occurred to me," she said, "that I'm turning into a politician.  Or something like that.  I don't ask straight questions anymore, I just sort of nibble around the edges of thing."

"Straight questions are fine if folks will answer them. I seriously doubt straight questions would work on these guys.  Particularly not McGee."

She sighed.  "I know.  And poor bloody Jerry, turned into a bargaining chip so I can satisfy my curiosity, even if it's in a good cause."

"So do you want to just tell Paxx to take him and forget it?"

"No," she said.  "It's for a good reason.  Since we seem to be going into the business of saving the world we need allies, and we need to know who they are and who they aren't .  And if they aren't allies then we also need to know what we can about them.  The Margassans are seeming like they'll be at worst neutral, but we need to know.  I just didn't realize I was so...I don't know...squeamish, I guess."

"Squeamish," he repeated. "About the fact it's a kid? Jeez, I'm glad Zaf wasn't the type to shoot first and ask questions later."

"In part," she said.  "But more that he's a human being and in trouble."

"And he was alone until a very short time ago," Marc agreed.  "Dinah, are you sure you want to stay out here?"

"Yes," she said.  "I guess I'm making no sense at all."

"You're making a lot of sense. But out here they play by different rules than we're used to. We're the ones who have to change, at least in part. We're going to have to respect them the way they're used to, for instance. McGee, Zaf, and Paxx. Even Jerry. Their past, their history maybe even their families are off limits if we want to gain their trust."

"And here we are with McGee aboard so we can pierce his enigmatic exterior and at my suggestion.  Hence the headache."

"Oh, I dunno. Now we've got three enigmatic guests. Well, four if we count Jerry. Who knows. We might learn a whole bunch just by mixing them together.  Interesting they all know one another. I think Jerry recognized Zaf, for instance.  He hasn't latched onto anyone else the way he has Zaf and Paxx."

"No he hasn't.  And Zaf knows how to contact the Margassans.  You know, I had the strangest thought back there, that Zaf's with McGee to keep an eye on him."

"Interesting thought. For good or for ill, I wonder?" Marc asked, more himself than Dinah.

Dinah set the ice bag down and sat up against the pillows.  "I don't know, but I doubt it's ill.  Can Aaru scan Ther'lin?"

"I'd think so. Why?"

"I was looking at her on the observation deck and she seems a bit large for two people, don't you think?"

"What do you think he's hiding there?  Dragons?"

"Don't know.  But if it was dragons one of ours would have said, don't you think?"

He frowned. "I think they keep a lot of secrets, so I'm not sure. Rolf, Darin's dragon, has been totally tight-mouthed about the cavern, for instance. Maybe the dragons have a lot more complicated view of things than we sometimes believe."

"You could be right," she agreed.  "They get quiet at the oddest times lately.  And they specifically asked to meet McGee which struck me at a bit odd.  And odder still he doesn't seem interested in meeting them."

"Yeah, very true. When he agreed to come with us, I thought it was the dragons who drew him. Yet he hasn't gone to see them. Zaf has. But not McGee."

"Even Jerry's been with Cola's babies when he isn't with Zaf, which is normal."  She shook her head.  "All this intrigue, like we're Machiavelli's offspring.

"Yeah, where's Carmine when we need him. He'd eat this stuff up. Well, all we can do is keep our endgame in mind. If we want to stay here we need allies. And the happenstance of saving Jerry gives us an entree to the Margassans, so we'd best grab it while we can."

"True," she said.  "And then wait and see what happens on Tyvek." 

Aaru dropped out of hyperspace near the coordinates Zaf had supplied as near a Margassan world.  Within seconds lightships, the vanguard of what was clearly a well armed fleet, dropped into space in front of them.  Aaru sounded the alarms as Ingev reported.  "Weapons hot and locked on," he said as Aaru brought her shields up and stopped dead, going as passive as possible.  Paxx opened a communications channel, identifying himself.  "We're returning the survivor of a pirate attack on the Tradewind," he announced calmly, "Jerry Kergon.  All other hands and the ship were lost."  Then he waited while the Margassans cut the communications channel without a response.

Dinah looked at Marc, leaning back in a chair, his face expressionless and said nothing.  McGee and Zaf, also watching were equally, facially uninformative.  "So, are they going to confer and get back to us?" she asked Paxx.

The comm unit indicated an incoming call before Paxx had a chance to answer. Ingev took it and reported, "They are sending a shuttle for Jerry. They'll talk to us when they get here."

"I'll get Jerry," Zaf said and headed off for the dragon bay.

"Well, at least they're willing to talk to us," Dinah said to room at large.

"We'll see," Marc replied, glancing over at McGee thoughtfully. McGee seemed to be doing his best to blend into the scenery so everyone would forget he was there.

The shuttle approached openly, with no weapons hot, even if all the other lightships hadn't stood down.  Marc and Dinah headed on down to the shuttle bay with Paxx while Zaf brought Jerry. McGee tagged along.

The shuttle landed and out of it stepped two people, both in military uniforms. The woman took the lead and walked straight to Dinah. "I thank you Siol'Ster for the assistance in saving Jerry's life."

"No thanks are necessary," she said.  "We were glad to help.  I'm sorry we couldn't have done more."

Jerry was hanging onto Zaf and glancing over at Paxx, clearly uncertain what to do.

The male officer walked over to him and sank down onto his haunches so his eyes were even with Jerry's.  "You don't remember me do you?" he asked the boy.

Jerry shook his head no.

The two officers shared a look. "Paxx," the woman said, "will you come to the planet with Jerry, please?"  Paxx nodded.

"Zaf too," Jerry said.  "He's the one who didn't shoot me."

The male officer grinned. "Sure, Jerry."

Dinah moved slightly drawing the attention of the female officer.  She met Marc's eyes and then looked at the woman again.  "Siol'Ster...I am wondering if it would be possible to further the acquaintance?"

The woman gave Dinah her complete attention. "We prefer not to have anything to do with any entities on the Rim," she replied.

"Except the Guild Traders, apparently," Marc commented.

"We've had a long-standing relationship with a few individuals within the Guild, true," the woman conceded.

"It's possible," Dinah suggested tentatively, "That the plans of Siol'Ster might be of interest to you, given we are also hoping for a mutually beneficial relationship."

"How so?" the woman asked sharply.

"Economically and defensively, ultimately politically," Dinah said candidly.

"They blew up Sutta," Zaf commented. "Gotta count for something."

The two officers glanced at one another.

"We are asking only for a chance to see if it's possible we might be of help to one another," Dinah said.

The woman cocked her head at Dinah. "You have no qualms about using this child to force yourself on us."

"I beg your pardon," Dinah said.  "We have returned the child.  We'll wait here until Zaf is ready to leave.  If there is anything you or he need from us, let us know," she said.  "Beyond that we will not force ourselves on you any further."

"Veyla," Paxx said, "I think it might be a good alliance for Margas."

She nodded. Then turned to Dinah. "I'm not authorized to invite you down to the planet.  But I will discuss your hopes for an alliance with those who are. That is all I can promise."

"Thank you," she said.

The shuttle left with Jerry, Paxx and Zaf aboard.

"Well," Marc commented as it pulled away. "That went well."

"Didn't it just," Dinah said.  Any suggestions for while we wait?"

"Lunch, I think.  Or dinner or whatever the hell meal it is. I'm hungry."  Marc held his hand out for Dinah's.  When she took it he asked McGee, "So, anything more to add about Zaf at this point? Or Paxx.  I'm open to any words of hope and/or inspiration.'

"In response to your question, I wish I did, actually," McGee said.  "As for the last, I'm thinking it's time for a serious drink and a bit of a think."

They trooped up to the main living area and had drinks.  Ingev joined them. "The good news is all the weapons are on standby, so they aren't planning to shoot us right away."

"That's always good to know," Dinah said.  "Want a drink or are you on duty?"

"Oh I'd love a drink," Ingev said.  After Dinah handed him one he toyed with it and looked at Dinah then at Marc. "You guys have gotten further than anyone else has, you know."

"Oh I'm thinking a few others have gotten further," Dinah said.  "But thanks for the encouragement.  What are the Darrochs doing?  And is it something I should be worried about?"

"They were with the dragons, last I saw them," Ingev replied.  "I told them we were eating so hopefully they'll show up."

Dinah sighed.  "How like you to be so thoughtful."

"I do my best," Ingev said with a grin.

"Don't you just," she said.

McGee, staring at his scotch grinned.  "Have you a plan," he asked, "for what you're going to do with their answer?"

"Well if it's yes," Dinah said, "my preference would be to listen but I don't expect I'll have that luxury, particularly since the other half of the house seems to go mute in those situations.  If they say no, send a Christmas card next year and invite them to the clambake and the Hellion's Ball."

Marc ignored the jab and continued to stare into his drink. "I'm wondering what all they're hiding is all."

"You've got a lot of company then," McGee said.  "I'm also wondering what Zaf is hiding."

"I thought you said it was courtesy not to wonder. Or is that just not to ask," Marc commented with a grin.

"Ask," McGee said.  "I'm free to think about what I please, as are you.  Want to share any of it?"  he asked.  "If you'll pardon the rudeness."

"Answer a couple of questions first," Marc suggested. "Who decided to join who first? Did you invite him, or did he invite himself aboard Ther'lin?  And what does she know about him?"

"It was neither, actually, " McGee said after staring at Marc for a while.  "His ship had been attacked and he was dead in space.  I stumbled across him much like you found Jerry.  He was half dead and his ship unrepairable.  So I brought him aboard and he just stayed and I just let him, since I needed a co-pilot, having lost mine sometime before.  I frequently fire him and he frequently quits but it never seems to work."

"So she trusts him. If she's like Aaru at all, if she didn't he'd never have remained aboard, right?"

McGee nodded.  "We've been together about six or seven years now."

"That's a lot of time to devote to you if all he's after is information or he's after something else," Marc commented, thinking out loud. "On the other hand, it's a lot of time to spend with someone on just a whim."

"Agreed," McGee said.

"Does he strike you," Dinah asked, "As protective of you?  Or watchful?"

McGee gave her a thoughtful look.  "Sometimes.  But then I pay the bills," he said.  "And he's always broke."

Ingev grinned. "You that cheap a boss? Or he that much of a wastrel?  I wouldn't think so, looking at him. He doesn't seem to be into expensive habits.  But I could be wrong I suppose."

"He likes to get in trouble," McGee said.  "And he likes women who are trouble."

"So do I," Ingev replied. "But I seldom end up broke doing it."  He shrugged.

"Anyway," Marc interrupted. "Dinah has this feeling that he's sort of watching over you. No idea why that might be.  You up to anything that makes you need looking after?"

"No comment," McGee said.  "Are you?"

Marc grinned. "Not a thing. I'm just second fiddle on this little jaunt."

"Hogwash!" Dinah snapped.

"She loves me, luckily," Marc commented with a grin.

Ingev looked up as a ship's alarm went off. "Incoming message. Let's see what they have to say."  He got up and headed to the bridge.

"You can bet we're talking about it later," Dinah said, incensed.

"They say they're sending a shuttle," Ingev reported. "Three of you. Dinah, Marc, McGee. But..."

"But what?" Marc asked.

"We couldn't get you guys out of there if you needed help. Aaru says there's some sort of dampening field around the planet that stops even what you guys can do. We'd have to fight our way in to get you if anything went wrong."

McGee grinned.  "It's things like this that make life interesting."

"Indeed it does.  You up for it, luv?" Marc asked Dinah.

"Sure," she said.  "And if you go mute, I'm sleeping alone."

"But you're so much better at negotiations than me," Marc whined. Then to Ingev, "Tell them that's a yes, and then tell Laz. He can scream at you rather than at me."

"And find out," she said, "If the field excludes the dragons too."

"Let's get ready," Marc said, offering Dinah a hand up. "Going to wear the tiara and pearls?"

"Only if you're wearing the crown, and carrying the scepter and orb," she said, taking his hand.  She brushed his lips with hers.  "Just remember I get cranky when I sleep alone," she said softly.

"Okay, then we'll dress to unimpress."

A half hour later a shuttle was docking and Marc, Dinah and McGee were waiting for it. The same two officers as before invited them aboard.

"Thank you," Dinah said, going aboard.  "We're very grateful for the trust this implies."

"Very," McGee echoed, eying their side arms.

"Have a seat and strap in," Veyla said.  The three did so and lifted off, Marc thinking about Ingev's answer regarding whether or not the dragons could invade through the planet's shields. His answer had been "They doubt it but if necessary would try."

Dinah just sat back and tried to relax while McGee was looking at everything.  Finally they were landing and Dinah had the urge to call out, 'it's showtime.'  Hence when she stepped off the shuttle there was a smile playing around her mouth.

"Feeling pretty chipper there?" Marc asked her mentally.  He was busy taking in what he could. Mostly what they saw was a very heavily fortified society, with all the latest and greatest weapons and a bunch of fast ships.

"No," she replied the same way.  "Just a vagrant thought that got away from me.  These people are pretty determined, wouldn't you say?"

"Looks that way. Want to be left alone and intend to keep it that way."

"If we can talk like this, wonder if we can wink out," she said, following their guide.

"I'd suggest we don't try it," he replied mentally.

They were led into a pleasant room where Zaf was slumped in a chair sound asleep.  McGee walked over and kicked him in the foot.  When it didn't work he did it again, harder.

"Wha?" Zaf grunted coming awake and making a fist at the same time. "Oh, it's you. And you two also."

"Yeah, so what's going on?" McGee asked, sitting down.

"Hell if I know. I was told to wait here. Paxx and Jerry were led off."  Zaf yawned.

"Now why do I find that so hard to believe," McGee said.  "Oh wait, maybe it's because Jerry asked for you specifically.  And you know how to contact the Margassans.  Does any of that sound like that might be a reason to find your response doubtful, extremely doubtful indeed, when measured for completeness."

Zaf gave it some thought. Then said with a frown, "You don't trust me."

McGee just looked at him.  "And that's a news flash?  Or is there more?"

Zaf sighed. "It's simple," he replied.

"I'm sure," Marc said taking a seat, expecting simple to involve a convoluted explanation.

Zaf shrugged. "Remember the last time I quit and you took off and left me on Opp II?  Well, I ran into Jerry and his folks there. Helped them out with a small problem. They offered me a job, but then you came back for me.  Didn't know they were Margassan, only that they were Guild Traders. Didn't think it my place to ask, you know?"

"There's aspects to that explanation that are plausible of course, and some that aren't.  I'm not going to bother sorting them out.  I'm just going wonder aloud about if that was the case why was he shooting at you in the engine room?  And why didn't he recognize you after he surrendered?"  McGee shrugged.  "Still, it's an explanation.  And if you had more time you'd come up with a better one.  Is there anything to drink in here?"

"Sure, over there," Zaf said with a nod toward a small bar. "The kid was scared. And it was a couple of years ago."

"How long are we going to have to wait?" Marc asked.

Zaf had just shrugged when a door opened and a civilian walked in.  He was tall and muscular and looked them over calmly. "I understand you wanted to speak to someone in authority. That someone is me. Pavic Latham at your service."

Dinah sighed.  "You make it sound like I want to lodge a complaint about bugs in the sheets."

"Well," Pavic said with a grin, "I'm not sure I can help with bugs in your sheets but I'll do what I can. Thank you for helping young Jerry. And for doing what you could for his folks."

"I'm only sorry we couldn't do more," she said again.  "As for the sheets, depends on the bugs as any competent hotelier can verify."  She studied him.  "Look, she said finally, "We don't want to create problems.  We're here because, frankly, finding Jerry and returning him presented us...Siol'Ster...with an opportunity to meet you and, if it's of interest to you, to explore whether or not there's reason for an ongoing relationship based on mutual interest and respect."

"That would be a first. Most folks of the Rim hate us," Pavic replied, waving Dinah to take a seat and taking one himself near her. Marc got up to explore the bar, getting everyone drinks, except Pavic who signaled he'd pass.

"He's right," Zaf commented. "Most Margassans, if they're out and about on the Rim, won't admit what they are."

"And apparently you let others blame you for things you don't do," Marc commented, handing Dinah a drink.

Pavic raised his eyebrows at that and replied, "What makes you think we aren't berserkers who go around murdering and pillaging other worlds?"

"Do I look like a moronic jack-ass who can't find a light switch in a dark room to you or are you just spouting the party line?" she asked.   "That story only makes sense if you aren't used to thinking in a straight line."

"Are you always this annoying?" Pavic asked.

"Only when I'm annoyed," she said.  "I'll make a deal with you.  You assume I can think logically and I'll assume being annoying will get me nowhere and then we can see what happens next."

"Or I can just put you on a shuttle and send you back to where you came from," Pavic shot back.

"But you don't want to do that," she said.  "Or we wouldn't be here now."

"Oh, but you are very much mistaken. It isn't I who wanted you here. I happen to think it is foolish to trust any of you. We've been fine for centuries and will continue to be fine for centuries more."

"However," Marc commented, "there must be a faction who thinks perhaps reaching out to others and making allies is a smart thing to do."

Pavic eyed Marc for a long time. "There's a peace faction too, who'd disarm us all. There are always factions."

"So what do you want?" Dinah asked.

"I want to not have to deal with either the Barons or the Syndicate. And at the moment, you simply look like one more power player who wants a fiefdom out here on the Rim."

"Yes, well, I can understand that point of view.  And I'm not going to waste my breath trying to convince you otherwise," she said.  "But you might consider that what I might be is a business woman with strong views on free market economies, the good news of capitalism and a number of other things like self determination without needing to carry a gun to achieve same."

"I wish you luck then. But fail to see what we have to do with your business plan."

"Okay, fine.  It's been fun, and thanks for the drink."

"You're most welcome," Pavic said and stood.

Marc cleared his throat, and Pavic turned to him.  "I understood that you hated the Syndicate."

Pavic replied, "You understand wrong.  We hate everyone, or so you will hear in any bar on the Rim."

"Funny," Marc replied. "You've been a remarkably controlled beserker with us."

"Ah, but then I'm a diplomat.  I'm usually willing to talk to almost anyone."

"A skill I admire," McGee said.  " But I didn't know it was part of the berserker set."

"Ah, the mysterious Mr. McGee. And of what interest is Margas to you?"

"I'm just a tourist," he said.  "Or am I?"

"I've no idea what you are. But I do find it interesting that only now have you shown us the slightest interest," Pavic replied.

"Well it's like a bookstore, you know.  There's only so many books I can read at once no matter how many I want to buy.  And you all strike me as a the sort of book that would require my undivided attention.  Complex, provocative, requiring abstract thought and reasoning.  But I never would have pegged you as obstructionist simply for the sake of being so.  Still," he said thoughtfully, "While not wanting to be patronizing, I can understand your reluctance to consider the benefits of allies because if you have them your cover as berserkers takes a few hits and that would surely annoy all those folks who find you handy velcro dart boards when throwing the blame balls.  In fact, I hear they're already blaming you for the assassination of the Barons on Sutta just before it went up."  McGee smiled at him and stretched out his hands, creating a ping pong ball that he began tossing back and forth.  "Nice shielding, by the way."

"It isn't the good shielding. Just the every day stuff," Pavic replied calmly. "As I'm sure you've realized, by allowing ourselves to be blamed for everything it's discouraged anyone from attempting to take us over or otherwise attack us. It's not the ideal safety plan, but it's worked for us for a long while now. It would take a good reason for us to change things."

"I'm not sure I can give you one," McGee said.  "But I can offer a few thoughts, among them the ones about how Siol'Ster can have motives other than power building for what they're surely going to do next which is take on the barons.  Like the woman implied, it's sound business sense to want to be sure of your markets and your shipping lanes.  And, I suspect, that sometime in the very near future they're going to do something about the pirates for the same reasons. Nor do I see Siol'Ster sitting back and allowing the Syndicate to rebuild Sutta like it's going to be business as usual.  It's possible," he said, adding two more ping pong balls and beginning to juggle, "that those things alone might be of value to you, even if you're only peering in the spy hole.  And once the Barons are tamed who's going to speak your name like excrement when talking about the most recent atrocities?"

"It's possible they might be of value to us. The question, as always, is how much is the cost," Pavic replied.

Dinah, who'd been watching McGee juggle picked up her cue.  "The man is right," she said.  "It's what we're going to do.  So it would be safe to assume nothing.  That isn't why we're here.  We're here to see if while it's happening and once that's accomplished there's a common ground on which to meet."

The door Pavic had entered through opened to disgourge Paxx and Jerry, who ran over to Zaf, and looked over at Marc and Dinah shyly.  He did look wide-eyed at McGee's juggling.

"Showing off, I see," Paxx said to McGee. "So," he asked looking at Marc and Dinah, "did you guys do business?"

"I'm thinking the answer is yes," Marc replied.

"I'm still waiting to hear from Mr. Pavic," Dinah said.

"It's been most interesting speaking with you, Ms Siolastre. And you Mr. Siolastre. I'll speak to the powers that be. I can make no promises."

Dinah smiled.  "It's been a pleasure."

Pavic took her hand in his and smiled. "Oh, did I say?  Welcome to the Rim."

She laughed.  "You'll have to see my world some time.  So I can say welcome to Earth."

"I look forward to seeing it some time," Pavic replied smiling. "If you'll all come with me, Jerry and I will see you off."