006: Welcome to Yamaguchi Starport

[joertexas]

"The best guard against that is to be part of humanity rather than separating ourselves," Bilis said. "We don't have to reveal our natures, but we can help people and pursue our own interests. You want to fix things? The endeavor that Jaelah put forward will need a lot of your kind of talent to fix and it is helping people. Aki is another example. Lucius made plants that can grow there and thrive in the lower water environment and don't absorb the taints in the air. That will be helpful, so long as someone doesn't try to hijack the project. Your talents would help in making the project a success."

Jaelah speaks up. "I think there are three areas we can work in. One is the pocket universe, the other is here in the Imperium and surrounding space, and the other is the rest of the galaxy. If we don't want a war with the Zhodani, then we help them expand in another direction while we make it clear that we aren't a threat to them. We no longer need anyone else's territory. The same goes for the Aslan. I want to have some development for my Farm World, and I want to help every planet in the Imperium, starting with District 268, to improve everyone's standard of living. We do this incrementally - do, check to see if it works, and then repeat."

"Agreed," Roscoe said. "Honestly, the first thing we need to do is see the Emperor. In the pocket universe, we have a couple of small ships. If one of them had a teleportal on it, we could have it jump to the gate and wait for us. Then we could go through and see where the pocket universe is physically located. That might help us figure out next steps."

Jaelah looks to the princess. "Right. This decision, and certainly some others, should be made by the Emperor, not us. No matter how powerful I become, if I live here, then I will be under the Imperium's authority."

[terrymixon]

Jaelah speaks up. "I think there are three areas we can work in. One is the pocket universe, the other is here in the Imperium and surrounding space, and the other is the rest of the galaxy. If we don't want a war with the Zhodani, then we help them expand in another direction while we make it clear that we aren't a threat to them. We no longer need anyone else's territory. The same goes for the Aslan. I want to have some development for my Farm World, and I want to help every planet in the Imperium, starting with District 268, to improve everyone's standard of living. We do this incrementally - do, check to see if it works, and then repeat."

"Agreed," Roscoe said. "Honestly, the first thing we need to do is see the Emperor. In the pocket universe, we have a couple of small ships. If one of them had a teleportal on it, we could have it jump to the gate and wait for us. Then we could go through and see where the pocket universe is physically located. That might help us figure out next steps."

Jaelah looks to the princess. "Right. This decision, and certainly some others, should be made by the Emperor, not us. No matter how powerful I become, if I live here, then I will be under the Imperium's authority."

"I made a discovery last night that I suspect the more security minded among us will want to explore," Metz said. "Some of the teleportals we found in the shop in the Ancients city were solo but still appeared to be new. It made me wonder if they were designed to connect to an existing network or nearby pocket universe.

"I probed it psionically until I got a response with setup instructions. Once I told it to activate, it found and connected to what it called an unattached teleportal in a resident pocket universe. As we know this ship is powered by something in an attached pocket universe, I suspected that it had found something there. After sending spybots to examine the entire area, I'm convinced that is correct."

He sent an image to you all. It showed a room with what looked like a floating sphere of silver much like the teleportals, but about the relative size of a basketball. It is surrounded by grey globes the size of tennis balls and connected to them by braided silver cords.

"This is in the central most chamber. I have no idea what an antimatter generator looks like, but the room has racks that are the right size for putting antimatter batteries in them, and there is a machine that looks like it might make them. Whatever is in that sphere is powering our ship.

"There are a lot of smaller rooms that are completely empty that seem to be set aside for whatever purposes we want. They even have connections that I suspect are for water and waste disposal. Like I said, all empty and unused. There is another room with a larger sphere that has wide tubes coming out of it. If I'm correct, that provides the fuel this ship uses. What's inside it, I have no idea. Maybe another pocket universe. Seems like that should violate some law or other, but it's working.

"And finally, there is a square room that seems to be for storage. It's a hundred and fifty meters on a side, and three meters tall. That's where the teleportal the one I set up in the cargo bay connected to. It's like a more normal sized extra cargo hold."

He shrugged. "There was nothing else there and it wasn't an extensive facility. There are a grand total of two dozen rooms that we could use for something, the cargo area, the fuel area, and the power area. Shockingly self-contained for the Ancients. The spybots examined everything and are still in there. I never crossed the boundary, and nothing came through to our side. I didn't want to step on toes because I was certain you would want to see it first and make sure it's safe."

Roscoe frowned. "We know the ship doesn't lose power in jump, to the connection to it is accessible in jumpspace. How can it connect to another pocket universe? Wouldn't that be cut off as well?"

"Seemingly not. It makes me wonder if we have teleportals in there, if we can get around the limitation of not being able to get to the base or our pocket universe while in jump. Experiments would need to be conducted. If so, a lot of our issues vanish. We could jump the ship and still be out in the regular universe doing things. No one would need to be cut off from anything for weeks at a time."

[joertexas]

"Seemingly not. It makes me wonder if we have teleportals in there, if we can get around the limitation of not being able to get to the base or our pocket universe while in jump. Experiments would need to be conducted. If so, a lot of our issues vanish. We could jump the ship and still be out in the regular universe doing things. No one would need to be cut off from anything for weeks at a time."

Jaelah listens, but she awaits the princess's response.

[Thumper]

Walt-
”So, let me make a list. Please help me get this correct and don’t let me leave anything important out. Immediate action items (done simultaneously:
1) Jaelah and maybe Arker set up a self-sufficiency foundation, look to hire management for it and deliver it a tranche of funding to start operations. First operations being to begin farming Metz’ plants on Aki and micro-business loans in Sector 268. If done properly, I might eventually reach the point each operation becomes self-sustaining and our future infusions mean expanding the non-profit foundation’s mission.
2) Metz works on the cyber-security and his other interests. Maybe Bilis and Roscoe create the corporation?
3) Mad Dog’s killers plus deal with whatever that thread unravels
4) Aster, shall we set up an initial Ruined City exploratory Scouts survey? You’ve already been there with your Omicron people before…all this. It’s Glisten, so Ciencia, would there be a Scout Service senior officer we could trust to begin gathering a the trusted agent Scout forces squadron we could take to the Pocket universe?
5) Get as many drones and grav bots along with charging stations and data collection devices into the Teleportals for Space Station, Tech World, Jungle World, and Farm World. Some are already operating there as we know…just need the CAD and fab chargers and data collectors. I’d like to load hundred’s of Recon Drones and Grav Spy Bots. I’d be happy to do this step over the next few days. Bona, William?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but numbers 1, 2, and the first part of four could at least begin now. Metz wants a couple weeks for #2. #3 is an uncertain timeline, and #4 could begin now but might take a few weeks to months to gather the right scouts and scientists. #5

Intermediate steps (in order):
1) Take Ciencia home
2) Go to the dark side of the galaxy

3 Jumps, no, Leaps plus whatever time we spend at each location. So, at least 1 month?

Long term (maybe not in order):
1) Get out to the Pocket Universe’s Portal, cross and see where the Hell it is. Could this be done by a small crew of Scouts as the first visitors as a Intermediate step?
2) Get the Lost and Found into the Pocket ‘Verse.
3) Collect all the data we can from our Recon Drones and Spy bots and create detailed maps and catalogue artifacts and facilities. Use that and any Scouting research to identify next steps.

Just a rough shell of a plan. I have to have left some things out and got things wrong. What other inputs and thoughts.

[terrymixon]

"Seemingly not. It makes me wonder if we have teleportals in there, if we can get around the limitation of not being able to get to the base or our pocket universe while in jump. Experiments would need to be conducted. If so, a lot of our issues vanish. We could jump the ship and still be out in the regular universe doing things. No one would need to be cut off from anything for weeks at a time."

Jaelah listens, but she awaits the princess's response.

I thought she had. Whoops.

"We do need to see him and let him make some decisions," she agreed. "This find will make things easier as I might not have to vanish for weeks. I'll be physically on the ship anyway, but if Doctor Metz is right, we can leave the flying to Roscoe and come back once the ship arrives at Capital that would give us options. In that same time, we could do as Roscoe suggested and figure out where the pocket universe is located. That might make a difference in where we claim your fief is. And, he could award your noble titles himself. That would be much cooler for you."

Roscoe nodded. "I could go to Jungle World and see if I can send the ship like the dart off to the gate with a teleportal on board. The gate is so far away that it will need to jump to get there. That way, in a week, we can figure that out. We'll hopefully be on the way to Capital by then. We are within..."

He frowned for a moment. "I'm getting a call from one of my contracted agents. A jump 3 ship just arrived at Banfi from Weiss. The man I hired was on hand and has something interesting for us."

He sends an image of freight being unloaded from a ship's cargo bay. Standing nearby are the two you've been chasing.

"If we leave now, we can be back at Banfi in two and a half hours at five Gs, the maximum that the Imperium knows our ship can handle. Or we could turn on all the stealth options and go at 20 G and be there in an hour and fifteen minutes. Orders?"

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”So, let me make a list. Please help me get this correct and don’t let me leave anything important out. Immediate action items (done simultaneously:
1) Jaelah and maybe Arker set up a self-sufficiency foundation, look to hire management for it and deliver it a tranche of funding to start operations. First operations being to begin farming Metz’ plants on Aki and micro-business loans in Sector 268. If done properly, I might eventually reach the point each operation becomes self-sustaining and our future infusions mean expanding the non-profit foundation’s mission.
2) Metz works on the cyber-security and his other interests. Maybe Bilis and Roscoe create the corporation?
3) Mad Dog’s killers plus deal with whatever that thread unravels
4) Aster, shall we set up an initial Ruined City exploratory Scouts survey? You’ve already been there with your Omicron people before…all this. It’s Glisten, so Ciencia, would there be a Scout Service senior officer we could trust to begin gathering a the trusted agent Scout forces squadron we could take to the Pocket universe?
5) Get as many drones and grav bots along with charging stations and data collection devices into the Teleportals for Space Station, Tech World, Jungle World, and Farm World. Some are already operating there as we know…just need the CAD and fab chargers and data collectors. I’d like to load hundred’s of Recon Drones and Grav Spy Bots. I’d be happy to do this step over the next few days. Bona, William?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but numbers 1, 2, and the first part of four could at least begin now. Metz wants a couple weeks for #2. #3 is an uncertain timeline, and #4 could begin now but might take a few weeks to months to gather the right scouts and scientists. #5

Intermediate steps (in order):
1) Take Ciencia home
2) Go to the dark side of the galaxy

3 Jumps, no, Leaps plus whatever time we spend at each location. So, at least 1 month?

Long term (maybe not in order):
1) Get out to the Pocket Universe’s Portal, cross and see where the Hell it is. Could this be done by a small crew of Scouts as the first visitors as a Intermediate step?
2) Get the Lost and Found into the Pocket ‘Verse.
3) Collect all the data we can from our Recon Drones and Spy bots and create detailed maps and catalogue artifacts and facilities. Use that and any Scouting research to identify next steps.

Just a rough shell of a plan. I have to have left some things out and got things wrong. What other inputs and thoughts.

Bona is out of action today. Otherwise, all looks feasible and should be discussed among you.

[Thumper]

"We do need to see him and let him make some decisions," she agreed. "This find will make things easier as I might not have to vanish for weeks. I'll be physically on the ship anyway, but if Doctor Metz is right, we can leave the flying to Roscoe and come back once the ship arrives at Capital that would give us options. In that same time, we could do as Roscoe suggested and figure out where the pocket universe is located. That might make a difference in where we claim your fief is. And, he could award your noble titles himself. That would be much cooler for you."

Roscoe nodded. "I could go to Jungle World and see if I can send the ship like the dart off to the gate with a teleportal on board. The gate is so far away that it will need to jump to get there. That way, in a week, we can figure that out. We'll hopefully be on the way to Capital by then. We are within..."

He frowned for a moment. "I'm getting a call from one of my contracted agents. A jump 3 ship just arrived at Banfi from Weiss. The man I hired was on hand and has something interesting for us."

He sends an image of freight being unloaded from a ship's cargo bay. Standing nearby are the two you've been chasing.

"If we leave now, we can be back at Banfi in two and a half hours at five Gs, the maximum that the Imperium knows our ship can handle. Or we could turn on all the stealth options and go at 20 G and be there in an hour and fifteen minutes. Orders?"

”Damn Rosco and Metz. You’re hurting my head trying to remember how this spiderwebbing of teleportals are all connected…

Wait, what? I vote we use the whole ship’s capabilities and Bust our asses over to Banfi! But I guess this is one of those Captains calls.”

[Thumper]

He frowned for a moment. "I'm getting a call from one of my contracted agents. A jump 3 ship just arrived at Banfi from Weiss. The man I hired was on hand and has something interesting for us."

He sends an image of freight being unloaded from a ship's cargo bay. Standing nearby are the two you've been chasing.

"If we leave now, we can be back at Banfi in two and a half hours at five Gs, the maximum that the Imperium knows our ship can handle. Or we could turn on all the stealth options and go at 20 G and be there in an hour and fifteen minutes. Orders?"

”Damn Rosco and Metz. You’re hurting my head trying to remember how this spiderwebbing of teleportals are all connected…

Wait, what? I vote we use the whole ship’s capabilities and Bust our asses over to Banfi! But I guess this is one of those Captains calls.”

[joertexas]

Walt-
”So, let me make a list. Please help me get this correct and don’t let me leave anything important out. Immediate action items (done simultaneously:
1) Jaelah and maybe Arker set up a self-sufficiency foundation, look to hire management for it and deliver it a tranche of funding to start operations. First operations being to begin farming Metz’ plants on Aki and micro-business loans in Sector 268. If done properly, I might eventually reach the point each operation becomes self-sustaining and our future infusions mean expanding the non-profit foundation’s mission.
2) Metz works on the cyber-security and his other interests. Maybe Bilis and Roscoe create the corporation?
3) Mad Dog’s killers plus deal with whatever that thread unravels
4) Aster, shall we set up an initial Ruined City exploratory Scouts survey? You’ve already been there with your Omicron people before…all this. It’s Glisten, so Ciencia, would there be a Scout Service senior officer we could trust to begin gathering a the trusted agent Scout forces squadron we could take to the Pocket universe?
5) Get as many drones and grav bots along with charging stations and data collection devices into the Teleportals for Space Station, Tech World, Jungle World, and Farm World. Some are already operating there as we know…just need the CAD and fab chargers and data collectors. I’d like to load hundred’s of Recon Drones and Grav Spy Bots. I’d be happy to do this step over the next few days. Bona, William?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but numbers 1, 2, and the first part of four could at least begin now. Metz wants a couple weeks for #2. #3 is an uncertain timeline, and #4 could begin now but might take a few weeks to months to gather the right scouts and scientists. #5

Intermediate steps (in order):
1) Take Ciencia home
2) Go to the dark side of the galaxy

3 Jumps, no, Leaps plus whatever time we spend at each location. So, at least 1 month?

Long term (maybe not in order):
1) Get out to the Pocket Universe’s Portal, cross and see where the Hell it is. Could this be done by a small crew of Scouts as the first visitors as a Intermediate step?
2) Get the Lost and Found into the Pocket ‘Verse.
3) Collect all the data we can from our Recon Drones and Spy bots and create detailed maps and catalogue artifacts and facilities. Use that and any Scouting research to identify next steps.

Just a rough shell of a plan. I have to have left some things out and got things wrong. What other inputs and thoughts.

"I agree," Jaelah says. "We also need to decide how we will protect this station, and who among us will oversee it."

We need to bookmark this post

[terrymixon]

”Damn Rosco and Metz. You’re hurting my head trying to remember how this spiderwebbing of teleportals are all connected…"

"Don't hate the player," Metz said. "Hate the game."

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”So, let me make a list. Please help me get this correct and don’t let me leave anything important out. Immediate action items (done simultaneously:
1) Jaelah and maybe Arker set up a self-sufficiency foundation, look to hire management for it and deliver it a tranche of funding to start operations. First operations being to begin farming Metz’ plants on Aki and micro-business loans in Sector 268. If done properly, I might eventually reach the point each operation becomes self-sustaining and our future infusions mean expanding the non-profit foundation’s mission.
2) Metz works on the cyber-security and his other interests. Maybe Bilis and Roscoe create the corporation?
3) Mad Dog’s killers plus deal with whatever that thread unravels
4) Aster, shall we set up an initial Ruined City exploratory Scouts survey? You’ve already been there with your Omicron people before…all this. It’s Glisten, so Ciencia, would there be a Scout Service senior officer we could trust to begin gathering a the trusted agent Scout forces squadron we could take to the Pocket universe?
5) Get as many drones and grav bots along with charging stations and data collection devices into the Teleportals for Space Station, Tech World, Jungle World, and Farm World. Some are already operating there as we know…just need the CAD and fab chargers and data collectors. I’d like to load hundred’s of Recon Drones and Grav Spy Bots. I’d be happy to do this step over the next few days. Bona, William?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but numbers 1, 2, and the first part of four could at least begin now. Metz wants a couple weeks for #2. #3 is an uncertain timeline, and #4 could begin now but might take a few weeks to months to gather the right scouts and scientists. #5

Intermediate steps (in order):
1) Take Ciencia home
2) Go to the dark side of the galaxy

3 Jumps, no, Leaps plus whatever time we spend at each location. So, at least 1 month?

Long term (maybe not in order):
1) Get out to the Pocket Universe’s Portal, cross and see where the Hell it is. Could this be done by a small crew of Scouts as the first visitors as a Intermediate step?
2) Get the Lost and Found into the Pocket ‘Verse.
3) Collect all the data we can from our Recon Drones and Spy bots and create detailed maps and catalogue artifacts and facilities. Use that and any Scouting research to identify next steps.

Just a rough shell of a plan. I have to have left some things out and got things wrong. What other inputs and thoughts.

"I agree," Jaelah says. "We also need to decide how we will protect this station, and who among us will oversee it."

"Does it need to be continual oversight or spot checking?" Roscoe asked. "The management team seems to be doing well so far, pending our checking that out."

We need to bookmark this post

Or search for We need to bookmark this post in the thread.

[helvorn]

William thinks things through and nods in appreciation as Walt summarizes the situation as it evolves. "First thing to do is to fly like a bat out of hell for Banfi on full stealth. Let's dock at the scout base so Ciencia can work a cover story out with the scout commander. We have legal authority to tackle these guys and should use the same psionic interrogation to work our way up the chain of corruption. I would not be surprised if the trail ends with the Duchess." He looked around at the others. "Point of order, we should bring Ciencia and Bona into the Guild as full partners. It's only right to do so and as we have near infinite resources no one loses by dilution. It is actually just the opposite. All in favor, raise a hand? All opposed, out the airlock." William chuckled at the last.

"I think we should get item 5 from Walt's list rolling and set up the security from item 2. I think the rest can proceed but the priority needs to contact the Emperor and get his input, approval and whatever titles or warrants are needed to make this happen. He has to think of the entire empire and the surrounding space. The emperors big picture will be vital."

[terrymixon]

William thinks things through and nods in appreciation as Walt summarizes the situation as it evolves. "First thing to do is to fly like a bat out of hell for Banfi on full stealth. Let's dock at the scout base so Ciencia can work a cover story out with the scout commander. We have legal authority to tackle these guys and should use the same psionic interrogation to work our way up the chain of corruption. I would not be surprised if the trail ends with the Duchess." He looked around at the others. "Point of order, we should bring Ciencia and Bona into the Guild as full partners. It's only right to do so and as we have near infinite resources no one loses by dilution. It is actually just the opposite. All in favor, raise a hand? All opposed, out the airlock." William chuckled at the last.

"I think we should get item 5 from Walt's list rolling and set up the security from item 2. I think the rest can proceed but the priority needs to contact the Emperor and get his input, approval and whatever titles or warrants are needed to make this happen. He has to think of the entire empire and the surrounding space. The emperors big picture will be vital."

"I will also get the small ship on Jungle World heading for the pocket universe portal," Roscoe said. "It will have to jump and that takes a week. Might as well get it in motion. We can visit the gate once it gets there and we have time.

"We are leaving the bay. Diverting to the scout base to let her off will add almost an hour to the trip as it is not at Banfi. Are you sure you want to divert?"

"I can go after," Ciencia said. "Or later if you want to get back to Yamaguchi and question them in secret. Go catch your killers and I'll observe in secret."

[helvorn]

With that out of the way, you now have time to figure out what you want to do next. Ciencia is looking at one of the bedrooms and then at William in a meaningful way. Aster and Garvin have disappeared... somewhere. The rest of you can do as you want or discuss things over breakfast if you like.

Feel free to do anything RP for the evening. William and Ciencia and Garvin and Aster experience the same thing that Roscoe and Jaelah did. As Garvin and Aster hadn't had that before, this has to be because they are both Ancients, not just psionic.

A little out of order but I wanted to catch up. William needs to start getting to really know his new bride.

During her bout of sickness William attends to Ciencia as much as she is awake. He is rarely away from her even when she is sleeping. When she is awake he entertains her with fables and legends told around the hearth fire in his clan home. The stories are a mishmash of old Terran legends with a Sword Worlds twist as seen through the lens of several decades of absence. William even sings softly to her the songs his mother sung at the cradle although his voice is nothing with which he will ever make any money. He will tell tales of his time in the Marines and bounty hunting and even teach her a couple of the risqué ditties from his time in the service when she is feeling up to it. Otherwise he will be a quiet and steady presence.

When she is sleeping he will go out and find Teresa alone. "Marine to Marine but more importantly as the person I think is the Princess' best friend I would like to ask you to open your heart for me. I have a rough-and-tumble upbringing and an even rougher life on the Raider and Force Recon teams. Then I went into bounty hunting the scum of the galaxy. Now I find myself in love with and married to both the Grand Princess and Ciencia. I know she likes to learn and loves to explore. She has a boundless curiosity and a joy for life but there is adamantium steel underneath the lovely grace and intelligence. What was her life like to this point? What advice can you give me her husband as her friend? I would sooner suffer for eternity and see her harmed in any way."

[helvorn]

"I will also get the small ship on Jungle World heading for the pocket universe portal," Roscoe said. "It will have to jump and that takes a week. Might as well get it in motion. We can visit the gate once it gets there and we have time."

Slightly updated

William nodded. "Good idea Roscoe. Make sure it is very stealthy as we don't know where it will come out. I assume we will be able to portal directly to it once the ship is in place." He turns to Walt. "I'm your man. Let's get the outline laid out for the reconnaissance campaign."

[terrymixon]

"I will also get the small ship on Jungle World heading for the pocket universe portal," Roscoe said. "It will have to jump and that takes a week. Might as well get it in motion. We can visit the gate once it gets there and we have time."

William nodded. "Good idea Roscoe. Make sure it is very stealthy as we don't know where it will come out." He turns to Walt. "I'm your man. Let's get the outline laid out for the reconnaissance campaign."

I added to that post, and it might affect your stated actions.

[terrymixon]

"I will also get the small ship on Jungle World heading for the pocket universe portal," Roscoe said. "It will have to jump and that takes a week. Might as well get it in motion. We can visit the gate once it gets there and we have time."

William nodded. "Good idea Roscoe. Make sure it is very stealthy as we don't know where it will come out." He turns to Walt. "I'm your man. Let's get the outline laid out for the reconnaissance campaign."

"It can wait inside the pocket universe. No need to take risks until we are there."

[helvorn]

"I will also get the small ship on Jungle World heading for the pocket universe portal," Roscoe said. "It will have to jump and that takes a week. Might as well get it in motion. We can visit the gate once it gets there and we have time."

William nodded. "Good idea Roscoe. Make sure it is very stealthy as we don't know where it will come out." He turns to Walt. "I'm your man. Let's get the outline laid out for the reconnaissance campaign."

"It can wait inside the pocket universe. No need to take risks until we are there."

William nodded in agreement.

[terrymixon]

William nodded. "Good idea Roscoe. Make sure it is very stealthy as we don't know where it will come out." He turns to Walt. "I'm your man. Let's get the outline laid out for the reconnaissance campaign."

"It can wait inside the pocket universe. No need to take risks until we are there."

William nodded in agreement.

Do you agree with your wife that adding an hour to the trip is unneeded? She votes that you just go for the gold and then head back for Yamaguchi.

[terrymixon]

With that out of the way, you now have time to figure out what you want to do next. Ciencia is looking at one of the bedrooms and then at William in a meaningful way. Aster and Garvin have disappeared... somewhere. The rest of you can do as you want or discuss things over breakfast if you like.

Feel free to do anything RP for the evening. William and Ciencia and Garvin and Aster experience the same thing that Roscoe and Jaelah did. As Garvin and Aster hadn't had that before, this has to be because they are both Ancients, not just psionic.

A little out of order but I wanted to catch up. William needs to start getting to really know his new bride.

During her bout of sickness William attends to Ciencia as much as she is awake. He is rarely away from her even when she is sleeping. When she is awake he entertains her with fables and legends told around the hearth fire in his clan home. The stories are a mishmash of old Terran legends with a Sword Worlds twist as seen through the lens of several decades of absence. William even sings softly to her the songs his mother sung at the cradle although his voice is nothing with which he will ever make any money. He will tell tales of his time in the Marines and bounty hunting and even teach her a couple of the risqué ditties from his time in the service when she is feeling up to it. Otherwise he will be a quiet and steady presence.

When she is sleeping he will go out and find Teresa alone. "Marine to Marine but more importantly as the person I think is the Princess' best friend I would like to ask you to open your heart for me. I have a rough-and-tumble upbringing and an even rougher life on the Raider and Force Recon teams. Then I went into bounty hunting the scum of the galaxy. Now I find myself in love with and married to both the Grand Princess and Ciencia. I know she likes to learn and loves to explore. She has a boundless curiosity and a joy for life but there is adamantium steel underneath the lovely grace and intelligence. What was her life like to this point? What advice can you give me her husband as her friend? I would sooner suffer for eternity and see her harmed in any way."

Just so you know that you and Garvin still need to respond to the unexpected wedding bed surprise I linked to earlier.

She appreciates the attention. She likes your singing. She really likes your stories. You are a rock as she becomes what she is becoming.

"You have my support, William. Just know that if you hurt her, I'll make you suffer. She is so damned curious. She wants to know everything. Experience everything. Especially the things she shouldn't be experiencing. She's the patron of the scout service because they are what she would do if she could. Feed her love of exploration and learning, and she will be very happy. I'd also appreciate if you shielded her from the rougher parts of you and your friend's lives. She's seen three more dead bodies this week than I would like. Four if you count Walt. She's the Grand Princess and doesn't need that. Or, God forbid, have to kill someone."

She runs her hand over her face. "I know she's not human anymore and that my expectations won't hold, but I'd protect her from that for as long as I can. There is a childlike innocence to her that I don't want her to lose. And let her ride the damned grav bike as fast as she wants. She would love it, even if she crashed and burned."