Time Doesn't Heal All Wounds

[Lupe]

[USS Texas]

It was shift's end and middle of the night for the Sylvanian ACMO. She had been all too ready to turn the sickbay back into the capable hands of P'rr.

Liliris made her way to the officer's mess which should have been deserted at this time of night - and it was. She got a mug of clear soup from the replicator, sat it on the table, and promptly ignored it. She pulled a 'holocube from her pocket and placed it on the table. How long she sat there and simply stared at it she didn't know.

Tucking a strand of silvery hair back behind a delicately pointed ear, she tapped on the 'cube, making it display it's contents.
It was a holo of a typical Sylvanian forest, that is, massive trees and exotic flowers and clear clean streams. All well and good, but it wasn't the scenery that caused Liliris to keep this 'cube within reach. No, it was the pair in the 'holo that drew the attention. Liliris herself, standing near a tall man with long platinum blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes, and skin as ivory pale as Liliris was ebony. "Keiki..." she murmured. She didn't notice her Trill CO walk in, so absorbed was she.

"Isn't that Japanese for Cake?" The trill smiled softly, standing by the replicator with a mug in her hand, now empty.
Liliris was startled, and whirled about. "It might be. It means something different on my world." She felt disoriented as if she had been awakened suddenly.

"What is it?"

"The meaning, or the 'holo?" Liliris asked, a bit confused.

"Both would be nice," Keloryn said, sitting down.

"Keiki is the Sylvanian word for moon." Liliris said distractedly. She hadn't meant to share this with anyone, and yet it seemed fate had different plans. Though it was obvious that the name suited the pale man.

"And Liliris?" Keloryn was curious now. But the man in the holo looked almost as if from another plane of existance in the holo.

"My name means amber." Liliris explained. "It is rare for a Sylvanian to have eyes this colour."

"So, who is the man of the Moon?"

Liliris looked haunted. "One that I love." she said quietly.

"And where is he?"

"Back home, at least, that's where he was." Peace-loving Keiki had not been able to reconcile the fact that Liliris would learn, and learn very well, how to kill. Even if he knew it was necessary, he felt it was also wrong.
"Is he part of the reason you've been upset lately?"

"Lately?" Liliris laughed softly, bitterly. "More like the past seven years."

Ein sighed and looked through the port hole. "I was just going to say if he was the reason, you were welcome to take a shuttle home and see him is all."

" I wish that I could. But I feel that it would be a wasted trip." she murmured brokenly.

"Why?" Keloryn had a feeling she wasn't being much help but her midnight snack would not happen with a sulking ACMO there.

"I very much doubt that he would ever speak to me." Liliris said, and looked away. Moon-child he was indeed, Cold, remote, untouchable as he was beautiful.

"Because..." she tried probing.

"We argued and parted less than friends." Liliris still refused to look at her CO. What had made them stronger together had ripped them apart. He had been too cold and she had been too wild and impetuous.

"But you can't forget him?'

"It would be easier to forget myself." Liliris said softly.

"Well, you may have to take that shuttle ride anyway," she said softly.

"Why?" Liliris said in surprise. This time she DID meet the Trill's eyes.

"I was planning on telling you in the morning actually... but since your here," she replied, meeting the amber gaze, "I've been called by your home. They have need to speak to you on something quite important."

"What?" Liliris shook her head. "That's ....impossible."

"Well, improbably perhaps," she remembered the unhappiness that the man had shown in even calling for the ACMO, "But it happened."

One slender dark hand curled into a fist. "I see."

"You'll be expected to leave once we reach 565 actually. I'll be sending three others with you, I know it's a long trip, but you need to pick your travel partners."

Liliris shook her head. "I don't want anyone going with me." she said with a hint of rebellion. It would be difficult enough without witnesses.

"They won't go down with you, just in the shuttle, for my peace of mind mostly."

That did not seem to please the Sylvanian. "I can find my own way home."

"I know, but it's a 4 day trip there and back. You need to sleep sometime. Someone needs to make sure the ship stays on course."

"I won't be sleeping." Liliris said stiffly. "So who contacted you? Anjuli? Kylara? Jyoushou?"

The trill paused, silent for a long moment. "Keiki," she said finally.

It hit the smaller woman like a blow. "I...see..." she murmured. Keiki...was this your idea? What were you thinking?

"You should get some sleep, you're leaving in the morning." Ein stood to leave before turning back. "Compromise. You take Trinity with you and only Trinity. Deal?"

"Oh great" muttered the Sylvanian with something much like dismay. The ship's AI unnerved her at the best of times. This was decidely not one of those times.
Liliris stood stiffly, picking up the 'cube, and turning off the display. "I will give you my decision in the morning."

"I'll wait for it then."

As if in a dream, or in her case, a nightmare, Liliris made her way to her quarters. Once inside, she ignored the plants that reached out to her, and curled up on her bunk, hugging the ‘cube to her. How had it all gone so wrong?

Ruban walked out of the XO's cabin humming and swaying, an old sea shanty had just came to mind, "Farewell and adieu to you Spanish Ladies
Farewell and adieu you Ladies of Spain
We've just received orders for to sail to old England
We'll bid you goodbye till we see you again

We'll rant and we'll roar like true British sailors
We'll rant and we'll roar across the salt seas
Until we strike soundings in channel of England
From Ushant to Scilly is thirty five leagues..."

He was ready for his cot, and he knew it. But he was much to careful of his spars and sails to be three sheets to the wind, he was buzzing though.

He walked into his cabin, changed for bed and walked up to the table (which looked like a sailing ship hatch) picked up the wide bottom decanter off of the fancy work mat, and splashed a small tot into a tumbler from it, "Just to get the taste of sour mash out of my mouth," he said then tossed it back, before going to bed.

Four hours later his eyes opened and he got up, refreshed and ready for the day, he drank a good deal of water (always helpful to overcome any alcohal afects) and went over his reports.

He saw that a shuttle had been planned with Liliris as the only confirmed passanger, there were slots for up to four others, but they were blank and the shuttle leaves in less then an hour.

He made a note that if Liliris was willing he would be going with her, then packed a duffle and almost ran toward the shuttle deck.

The next morning, when Liliris went to the hannger deck, standing by the shuttle craft with a duffle bag at his feet was Hernandez. "I hear you are taking a trip alone, you should not do that, I can come with you, to watch your back, and make sure you come back to the Texas safe."

"I am uncertain that such assistance is necessary." the Sylvanian said stiffly.

"Well I think you should take someone, but it is your trip..." Hernandez trailed off, caught himself and then said, "Be safe, and come back, ok?"

"Wait...." she spoke as he turned away. Perhaps it wasn't such a horrid idea after all.

"Yes?" he asked simply as he turned back to her.

"Hn..." was her only response as they prepped the little craft for departure.

"I am truly glad you changed your mind," he said as the shuttle left the ship, "and I will stay out of your way to the best of my abilitys." Then it burst out from noware, "It's just all of us on the Texas would hate for something to happen to you!"

[Lupe]

They were several systems away from the ship, and the shuttle was cruising along happily on auto, when she turned to him, regarding him with those unnerving amber eyes. "So what do you know about Sylvania?"

"Trees" Hernandez said, "Forests, big ones."

She laughed softly. "That's mostly true. We DO have a great amount of forested areas on my world, but it isn't ALL that way. The forests are quite special to us."

"Is that why you wear that shade of green when you are not in uniform?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I wear this shade because I am from Ryuu, the lands of the East. We will be going deep into the lands of Kei, where the capital city is, and thier chosen colour is blue." she hesitated. "That is, if I can arrange a token for you to travel on."

"A token? Is that some kind of traval papers, sounds like I need to learn a few things before we get there."

"There is a lot you will need to know before we arrive. The slightest mistake can lead to harsh punishments in some lands."

"So will all the people have the same colorations as you... I mean skin tones and hair, that would be so..." he trailed off because he could not find a way of saying "beautiful" without making it akward between them for the rest of the trip.

Again she shook her head. "No. Only the people of Ryuu are generally dark-skinned and light-haired like me. In Kei they tend to be very fair as a rule. In Hourai, they tend to be generally fairskinned and darkhaired. The south, Kou, is a frozen wasteland where only the most cruel criminals live."

"Cruel criminals? you had said that there were harsh punishment, I thought that" he thought for a second about the planet and their emphases on plants, "punishment ment you would compost the transgresser."

"We don't believe in taking lives. Life is precious. I am going home to stand trial on charges of murder and willful insubordination to my government. If I am convicted, it will be a miracle if I survive to Kou." she smiled bitterly. "We are peaceful, but....accidents have been known to happen."

"And Starfleet won't protect you," he said it as a statment, thinking of the RRV Victory being destroyed in front of a Starfleet ship and her Captain could only watch because it was a seperate goverment, and not under UFP, "But why join the fleet? You knew if you were found they would not protect you."

"Oh, I knew what would happen when I joined 'Fleet." She toyed with a strand of silver hair. "It was my choice, Lt." she said firmly.

"Nuts to that, I know of places that they will never find you, and no member of the Federation can extradite you." he said, pulling up starcharts and plotting a new course.

"My world is not a part of the Federation. And when Sekishi, Queen of Kei and by extension all of Sylvania, calls her subject home, one has no choice."

"Are you sure? I won't standby and let them kill you!" he said with venom.

She shook her head. "You are not here to be a shield for me. You are strictly an observer."

"Oh God," he said and blanched, then quickly walked to the back. Hernandez did not know what he had let himself in for, and he wasn't sure he could follow her wishes, he had watch one person he deeply cared for die in front of him, having delivered her to her killers himself, "What kind of curse has been put on me?" he asked quietly to himself.

Liliris watched him go with a sigh that went all the way to her toes. This was why she didn't want company. It was hard for a kaiyaku to understand.

Over the next days Hernandez would have to know the whole story, the idea of Liliris murdering someone did not fit his idea of her, and his instincts weren't that bad.

A few awkward hours later, Liliris looked up as he returned.

"I'm sorry, it's just... I have to know what to expect when we get there, I have a lot to learn still." He was about to tell her about his loss when he reliezed she did not need the extra burden now, he could tell it to his pillow in one of the few sleep piriods that he would take, but he had to know what to expect to help her or at least stand by her to the end.

"You're right, you do have a lot to learn." she agreed without malice.
"First things first - basic etiquette. When you meet someone you do this..." she clenched her right hand into a fist and held it chest-level, wrapping her left about it. "If they are of equal ranking, and in your case, this means the average person on the street, you bend forward slightly." She demonstrated.

Copying her, he made a good job of the bow, he had learned gestures like this before, first in the organazation The Archaic Navys of Earth (in which he currently held rank of Master and Commander) and in Star Fleet Acadamy.

"For a government official, or someone in the military - yes we have one, of a sort, it becomes a full bow." she bent from the waist until her long hair swept over her shoulders and dangled near the floor.

He had more trouble with this one, he could bow, but he would forget to just bend at the waist and he would "Show a leg" like the formal bow of the 1800 Earth. But he tried again his pigtail sliding across his shoulder to hang to the floor

"For Her Majesty Seikishi, or the Kei Taiho, you must do this." She lowered herself entirely to the deckplates, hands beside her face. "And you do NOT look up, or rise, until you are told that it is allowed. No matter what. When you ARE allowed to rise, it is not permission to stand, for the Taiho is the only person who may stand in the queen's presence. It simply means you can sit up." She did so, leaning back on her heels with the air of someone who had done this many times.

He could do the first part just fine but the leaning back was not as easy for him, he was not at easy sitting there.

"Most will not necessarily speak your language, so don't expect it. The formal proceedings will likely be in Standard and Sylvanian out of courtesy to you but I will tell you now that the court is very formal."

"The charges a formality?" he asked, the formal proceedings were the meet of the mater, she had said she did not figure on living through it, he would do his best to change that.

She smiled sharply. "The murder charge is no mere formality. Every person that died in sickbay is on my hands. I have the ability to share my own life if I choose. As do all Sylvanian healers. Most can offer of themselves only a few times before they die. That is why all healers are young."

"They charge the Doctor with murder if a patiant dies?" his incradulity came out in his voice, "Wait, you are expected to give your life energy to others, and are condemed if you don't? That doesn't sound like an enviable job."

"I was cautioned against this path." The amber eyes went dark with pain for a moment. Those were terrible memories. Keiki, proud, proud Keiki, kowtowing at her feet and begging her...begging HER! to do something else, anything else. And she in her own pride and hurt feelings had turned her back on him. On her life.

"Does it work with others like humans?"

She looked puzzled. "I'm sorry. I don't understand."

"Can it work the other way? I mean can you draw life from another if they are willing to give it?"

She shook her head. "No. I can only give of myself."

"How do you transfer life energy, is it like the Vulcan mindmeld do you have specific points that you have to touch, or infuse them with your blood or how does it work?

"It's hard to explain it. Some people burn bright with the will to live. Some don't. What I do is lend some of my own light."

She stood up. "I doubt I shall rest any but I am going to lie down now. You will be tiring soon yourself."

After she had gone to bed, (bet she don't sleep) Hernandez started to plan...
He rechecked the lock on the nav board before unlocking the cover and opening it. a few hours of programing and a few replicated parts and now the shuttle was a warship (OK just kidding) now he had part of his insurance.

He looked at the madalian in his hand, all silver and copper (the patina was faux but he thought it a credible job), the chain looked like silver but was much stronger, he had put a break away on it so that if it was ripped of the wearers neck it would not try to decapitated them. He took the second madalian and put it in his pocket, it was more plain and did not have a chain, then he took the tricorder that he modified and clipped it to his waist, he would not part with it.

When she came back into the main cabin he walked up to her and made a fist with his right hand brought it to his chest and cupped it with his left, then bowed low to her, just as she taught him. when he came up the madalian was hanging over his hands by it's chain appearing like a conjuring trick. He looked her deep in the eyes then said in a formal tone, "Liliris, I have decided, I stand by you and I give you something to show my loyalties." he walked around behind her and moved her hair to get to her neck, he put the chain around and worked the clasped, set the madalian so that it settled on her chest hidden by her clothes.

Liliris was so unused to being touched, even in this business-like way, that she was more than a bit startled, though she did not show it. "I....I don't know what to say." she said lamely. Pledges of loyalty went only to rulers and officials.

Having walked back around to face her, reached out and took the chain and drew the medallion out to were she could see it, there was a Latin phrase around the outside (if she asks the computer to translate would say, "If called upon, we will always come.") and what looked like a blood red stone in the center, on closer look it was not a stone, it was a drop of blood sealed inside a poly shell. "It is a blood oath, never to be broken, if you find yourself in time of great need, or desperation, press the center till it breaks, then know I am coming, even if I am in the room with you, it will be the sign that you wish deliverance. Do not remove it," he said as he let it go and stepped away from her but never breaking eye contact, "and do not let it be removed. But like any other promise once started it can't be stopped, once committed can not be undone."

"In the spirit that it was given" she repeated. She forced a bright cheerful smile. "Then I thank you. You should probably rest now."

"Yes, you are right," He went to the sleeping area, took off his boots, removed his jacket then the pistol and holster from his waistband, layed down and instantly fell asleep.

She sat in the pilot's seat throughout what would have been 'night' on the Texas, and somewhere in what would have been early morning, pulled out her holocube, and toyed with it. Keiki...would she be seeing him on this journey? She didn't believe that the spirits would be so cruel as to deny her this one wish. She should have remembered the capricious nature of the spirits, and the old proverb 'Be careful what you wish for'.

As if by alarm four hours later Ruban woke, he put his boots on then the holster but double checked the pistol before sliding it into it's place, he trusted Liliris but a habit is a habit and he had slept hard and she did move like a ghost, putting on his duty jacket he walked to the replicator fro breakfast, "Computer, navel coffee, black, hot and hot." he walked back to the front sipping on the porcelain mug without a handle. "Good morning!"

She tucked the cube away and turned to face him, glad she had not displayed any of its contents. "Coffee?" her nose wrinkled.

"Yes, you want a mug?"

"No thank you." she said. "We will be arriving in Sylvanian orbit within 12 hours. What more would you like to learn about my home?"

"You have talked about Doctors and the Royalty, what about common people, how do they live, what do they do?"

Patiently, she outlined the basic structure of the government, the legal system, life in general, religion, philosophy, culture, music, arts, and as much as she could cram into the session.

"And the Queen she is Queen for life, no set term for her rule?"

"Yes, that's right. Her Majesty is Queen for life."

He casually asked, "If something happened to her, how is a new on selected, is it a coup or by bloodline, or maybe either way?"

She shook her head. “The heavens grant a revelation to the Taiho and he or she knows instantly who the next ruler is to be. A Taiho is unable to speak anything untrue.”

"How is her palace set up? I assume she has a formal residence, a castle maybe?" the forced causal question did not match the deep plans in his eyes (his eye are the only part of his face that he can't control)

She gave him a measuring look made all the more disturbing by the otherworldly amber shade of her eyes. “Lt.” she said sharply. “Why are you asking such things?”

"A Very famous man, a Doctor," he looked at her pointedly, "on Earth once said,'knowledge is power' I just want the knowledge, it might come in handy for something."

"That would be suicide, not to mention it would prove every insular Sylvanian correct that kaikyaku are undisciplined barbarians. It is not Her Majesty's fault that I am being called home. To rule a kingdom is like playing a giant game of chess. Just because you are the ruler doesn't give you absolute power. You can't just tell people to do things. There are politics involved." She laughed dryly. That was the understatement of the year.

"I am very good at chess, but if she is the one calling you then it's her doing then her fault."

"You really don't understand, do you?" she asked. "Let me tell you a story. When Queen Seikishi was still known to most people as Youko Nakajima, and new to the throne of Kei, she had no idea how to rule a country, much less a world. Her Court had become used, between the time that the previous Queen, You-Ou, committed suicide to save her land, and her own ascendance to the throne, in making their own decisions. Every proposal that she made was countermanded, and she refused to listen to the Taiho's guidance, feeling that he too was a part of this power struggle. So one night she stole away from the palace, leaving her jewels and finery behind, dressed as a commoner and taking only her sword Suiguu. Only one person knew what she was doing, and that person was the Taiho."

"I have heard of simular stories, what did she do about it, what could she accomplish dressed as a commoner?"

"She had heard rumors that the Lord of Wa Province was unjust and cruel, that his people suffered, but no one had the nerve to accuse him formally in the Court. As a new Queen, she refused to allow corruption and cruelty and so she went to find out for herself. There were indeed two resistance movements led in the Province, and on their own, they rebelled against the Lord. Sekishi, then going by an alias, was in the middle of one uprising. Unfortunately, the minister of the military was great friends with this Lord, and in the absence of the Queen, he overstepped his authority and ordered the Imperial Army to march on Wa. The Queen was furious. But no one believed initially that she was truly the Queen. It took the Taiho himself declaring her for everyone to believe her. The Lord and the minister were both exiled to Kou. It is said that the minister committed suicide, but all who know swear that it was the Lord's last action to kill him."

"OK, so what happened that she became unjust and or moraly corrupt?"

"She is not an unjust Queen." Liliris stressed. "It is just that sometimes she must play along with the other pieces in the game."

"So your saying that to keep her place she needs to try you?" He looks at her more closely, "Is there something your not telling me? Like that you are the head of a rebelion gone bad or a potental rival?"

"You overestimate my importance. I am just a pawn." She shook her head, silver hair rippling.

[Lupe]

As the small 'craft approached the emerald-green planet below, Liliris was growing tenser by the second. Homecomings weren't always calm, and hers was more stressful than most. She didn't ask if Hernadez minded that she took over the piloting, such was her preoccupation.

Liliris sat down in the pilot's seat a moment before Hernandez could, he gave a little shrug "OK, it's her planet" he thought to himself as he sat down in the second seat.

She nodded and tapped the button that would send the automated arrived-safely message back to the Texas.

"Ryuuku-chome Station, this is Federation shuttlecraft Sunrunner." Liliris spoke, adopting the lilt of her native planet without a hesitation.

"Sunrunner, this is Ryuuku Stationmaster Acoma. You are cleared to land on pad seven."replied another feminine voice with a stronger accent than Liliris' own.

"Affirmative, Sunrunner out."

Hernandez just amazed at the sound of their voices, in the time that he had been on the Texas Liliris had never sounded like that, not in playacting or anger, and he had heard both.

She sent the 'craft into a controlled spiral that provided them with a stunning view of the metal and glass Station itself, engineered to look as if it had grown out of the massive forest. The only purposely cleared areas in sight were the specially treated landing pads, that the Sunrunner gracefully lighted on. Liliris gave her shipmate a sideways look and was bemused to note that he was, as the human expression went, 'green around the gills.'

Hernandez could go through a force three hurricane on a 63 foot Brig with out feeling sick but to spiral around while falling towards a glass landing platform was the other side of it, what made it worse is with the artificial gravity and compansators there was no feeling of movement on his iner ear to agree with what his eyes were telling his brain.

"Do you remember what I've told you?" she stressed.

"I do" he said as he stood up, he walked over to the shuttles armory and picked up a type III Phaser, but the look she gave him he returned it to the rack and secured the Armory again. "OK I will go unarmed." He was lying through his teeth.

She didn't look convinced but was interrupted by the chime of the comm. "Sunrunner, this is Stationmaster Acoma. Please exit your craft." the tones left no room for argument.

"Good Luck" he said then checked that his jacket had not rode up and that the ribbon holding his pigtail was secure.

Liliris was working her hair into a complicated net of braids and loose-flowing tresses that looked quite difficult but wasn't that hard to do. She gave her emerald civvie-wear a flick to free it from imaginary dirt and squared her shoulders as she made her way back to the access port. She didn't have to look behind her to know that Hernandez was on her heels. As she stepped outside she wasn't surprised by the ring of Sylvanian military about the 'craft, or the stern Commander who waited beside Master Acoma. She swept a bow that was simply polite but in no way deferential.

Hernandez soaked all of it in but he did not stand there like a moonstruck calf, He gave the right style of bow then with a mixture of respect and firmness he said, "I will be accompanying Liliris."

It was the Commander, not the Master, who spoke. "You may, if we can obtain the proper travel authorizations, accompany the taika to Kimpa Palace where she will stand trial, but you will not stay with her now. Master Acoma will aid you in the travel preparations now." The Master stepped foreward. If she resented being assigned to a kaikyaku it didn't show in her grey eyes. "This way." she said briskly.

Hernandez looked at Liliris but with the briefest of nods from her he went with the Master.

Liliris had narrowed her eyes at the term 'taika.' It wasn't exactly polite, but if that was the way that the commander wanted to be, well, she wasn't too surprised. She held her wrists out to be bound with the navy-blue cord and tied in the complicated and yet beautiful knot that the military was known for. It was a formality, but no law-abiding Sylvanian would aid someone with a navy cord on their wrists.

Seeing her trussed up, even with a pretty knot (and Hernandez being a sailor knew something about knots) did not make sense to him and he was about to say something about it, she had came how many light years of her own free will to be handcuffed and escorted like she would run at any moment. But her calm acceptance of the treatment checked him, he knew she did not want him to make a scene. He turned back to follow the Master.

The previously clear sky had clouded in what seemed to have been an awfully short time, and the guards were muttering among themselves. Kaikyaku and the taika that consorted with them always were bad news. Liliris kept her face calm but she was angry. She did not look at anyone.

"She is no one of inportance she says" he said in Orian, knowing the his UT would not transalate this language, "she says she is just a pawn. No one sends the millity to arest a pawn, if this nice Master," looking at her with a smile on his face, "had came up and said you are under arest come with me Liliris would have done it."

Then he set himself to remebering everything he sees, both as things of beauty and as landmarks, assets in battle, and posable hiding places or fighting cover.

Master Acoma led the kaikyaku deeper into the Station. She didn't know the accused personally, and while she had dealt with kaikyaku before, if grudgingly, she'd never actually met any of the taika who'd been rumored to take the dealings a little farther than anyone with good sense would have. Rumored...she reminded herself sternly. The little Ryuu-child, for she was barely more than a child, looked completely innocent of any such. Still, looks could deceive...

Hernandez could not figure out why the Master eyed him like she did, like the vilan in some old movies he had seen as a child, he had been meek and mild doing everything she told him, but she acted like he had taken advantage of her daughter... Ohhh, he got it, she thought that he and Liliris were.... well they wern't, she was beautiful but, *looking around* everyone on this planet seemed to be, and he hadn't wanted a lover in over a year, not since his true love had died, he still had her wallet and ship patch in his duffle, he carrys it everywere, the shrinks said he would get over her and his guilt with time but he hoped not.

With a long-nailed finger, she pointed at the chair. "You will wait here." It was not a suggestion.

Hernandez sat with a shrug, sit here, walk this way, it was all one to him.

Meanwhile, Liliris was being given a homecoming that was not precisely welcoming. Nor was it cruel. It was simply very cold. She wondered if the Queen and Taiho and other members of the Court had specified this. She doubted it. Likely it was simply this province's Lord or Lady being stern as possible. She frowned. She had once seen a Ruling Lady actually strike her Taiho. How foolish!

She waited to be released from the cell, or at least moved to another.

Back at the Station, Master Acoma finally seemed to remember about her kaikyaku guest. She emerged holding a small wooden token with an ornate red cord and complicated Sylvanian script. "You should not lose this." she said without preamble. "If you stray from designated areas.....you would not find a warm welcome."

"Don't loose this." but they did not tell him how to carry it, he took the token and started to work the cord, they liked beauty, fine he worked several ornate but functanal knots into the cord ending the exccess with a monkeys fist knot, then put his creation on like a harness, over and around both shoulders were it did not interfere with movement but the token fell just above his comm badge and the monkeys fist sat on his right shoulder like an epulet. "Were is Liliris, am I going with her to the trial?"

"You shall be traveling to Kinpa Castle along with the taika, that is true, but you will be able to do no more than see her. We are not so foolish."

"What else do you think we would do?" he asked but she did not answer.

She led him back the way they had come, where an armed guard escorted him to the 'flitter that would take him to the capitol city in Kei. "This way." he said without a proper bow or welcome, which would set the tone for the rest of the trip.

Hernandez on the other hand bowed low as he had been taught, climbed into the small ship and strapped in. Again he watched everything around him, he wished that he was here under better conditions so he could sight see, he also watched for excape paths, hiding places were you could elude persute, or hold of an army with two Mark I phasers and a .45 ACP pistol (the only weapons he was carring) long enough for his calvery to arive in the form of the shuttle. "Were is Liliris? I was told we would be together."

"She has been taken on ahead." said the guard with distaste at having to speak, whether to Hernandez or about Liliris it was hard to say.

"OK, but I do want to see her when we get there, at least to see that she's alright, OK?" Hernandez said with all the calmness and reason he could comand.

Liliris did not so much as glance out the small 'port of the 'flitter as it glided over Kei's fertile green fields. It was a penance of sorts for waiting for an official order back home. She should have returned a long time ago. She could feel even through the soles of her boots that her home planet had noted her absence and was glad that she had returned. It was stronger here in Kei, which was unusual since she was from Ryuu. But then Kei was the heart of the planet.....
so she mused to herself as the craft moved along.

Meanwhile, the craft that had taken Hernandez was arriving at the capitol city, and the pilot was in a hurry to get rid of his unwanted passenger and go home.

"Where is Kimpa Palace?" asked Hernandez

"It's in that direction.." the pilot pointed vaguely.

Hernandez looked at the capital city through the viewport and compared it with others he had known, like the rest of this planet it was beautiful with a strong emphases on growing things, parks, trees growing on the streets, rooftop gardens, they were all there and maybe more so. He could not figure why Liliris would ever leave this planet in the first place. Well it must have been le reve d'etoiles as Star Fleet calls it or the dream of the stars in plain Standard. Hernandez noticed that even the arcutecture seemed simi-orgatic, like the buildings grew there instead of were built.

When Liliris stepped out of the 'flitter, she was dazzled by the sun's reflection off of the crystal sculpture that was the heart of the capitol city. She glanced up on the mountain where Kimpa Palace itself stood, and felt a shiver run down her spine. What her fate would be - rested with the Court there.

Liliris was escorted to a cell under the armory which had the distinction of being less than comfortable but not outright miserable, by two guards who were the definition of just-doing-my-job-ma'am, which was ok with her. At least they were not openly hostile.

How long she stayed there, she wasn't sure, alone in the eerie quiet. She pondered where she was, and what had led up to this point in her life. She was startled from her reverie by the sound of quietly approaching footsteps. The door opened - that had been cleared by the guardians of the armory - it might be an ancient building, but its' security systems were top notch, even if it mostly held food reserves in cases of bad weather. The Queen's government looked out for her people. All of these thoughts went skittering through her mind, as the tall figure in the navy blue hooded traveling cloak stepped inside. She tried to make the proper greeting, but was hampered by the cord about her wrists. "Please...don't." came the voice.

A voice that stopped her cold. Keiki! her heart sang. He pushed the hood back, revealing his ivory skin, long platinum hair - longer than she'd ever seen it - and deep blue eyes. Eyes that, now that they were here alone, carried the hurt of their angry seperation, along with a fragile hope. A hope that grew stronger when she didn't turn away. He reached out, gave the cord that bound her hands a tug, and let her hands free. "Aijin..." he breathed the endearment, and pulled her to him suddenly, cradling her against him. Liliris hesitantly put her arms about him, and closed her eyes, listening to the beat of his heart, content for this moment to just be with him.

Hernandez was dropped of with no more respect or courtesy from the pilot then when he was picked up, the master that met him this time seemed startled that a kaikyaku would know and preform the proper bow of respect, "guess he thought all of us were mere savages." thought Hernandez to himself.

He was escorted to a small waiting room and again promptly forgotten, he shrugged and went to a large mirror on one wall, checked his hair, adjusted the scarlet cord and wooden token to straight them out and made sure he looked fit to be seen in a court, much less a Palace.

When he was through he waved at the mirror, preformed the low bow again, then sat down to wait...

Liliris drew a deep breath. "So that is how it is around here now." She thought over what Keiki had told her. It wasn't exactly good news. But neither was it unexpected. Still, she hadn't suspected the corruption to have run so deep.

She stood up, and Keiki pulled his hood back up to conceal his face. "Are you ready, aijin?" he asked. "Hai..." she agreed, reluctantly. "Remember that once we step outside, things must appear differently." She nodded again, and prepared to step forward, but he stopped her. "Some things will never change, aijin." he reminded her, and she felt much better at that reminder. Even as they ascended to the surface, and collected their armed escort, and made thier way to the great hall in Kimpa Palace, she was not apprehensive any more. When they reached the entrance to the hall itself, they were seperated, and Liliris lost sight of him.

Hernandez was collected (he would use that word because that's how he was treated) and taken to the Palace. He was handed over to another person and escorted into the building, there he saw Liliris at a remove but was told that he could not go and speak to her.

The Court was in session, and they began to file in.

Ruban went into the Court and made the full bow like taught, and noticed that his escort was ready to make him remain if he tried to get up to soon.

Liliris, along with the rest of the assembled Court, made a full bow when Queen Sekishi made her appearance. It was just as well that etiquette demanded it, because Liliris wasn't certain that she could have stayed on her feet. For at the Queen's side, the only person not face-down on the floor waiting for a clearance to rise, was Keiki. Keiki, Kei Taiho, second in authority only to the Queen, the conscience of the entire planet. Her mind was at a loss to know what to do with this information.Finally the Queen allowed them to rise, and Liliris sat back on her heels, struggling to keep her face blank.

Ruban sat back on his heels but it was no easy task. He was not comfortable in this position but wanted to stay for Liliris and because this is what Star Fleet was about, seeing new things and learning about new cultures.

There was a moment of silence in the Court, and then the polite elaborate dance that was Court justice began. First a movement for the government, who were the prosecution, and then a counterargument by the defense, while no one else, including the woman whose fate was being decided, was allowed to speak.

Throughout it all, Liliris kept her eyes downcast on her re-bound hands. Queen Sekishi watched the entire process, without a flicker of emotion in her jade-green eyes. She did, however, notice everything, as did the Taiho who stood at her feet.

Hernandez had seen court cases before, in The Archic Navys of Earth Society he had even sat on one court martal, he had seen goverment, cival, and crimanal court but none were before an acual ruler of a planet, and none were done with this much elegance and grace. To be sure the prosecution painted Liliris as the worst kind of villian but they did so elegantly, without the huranging that a human would feel the need for, and the defence was the same way, it was like a polite dance that both partners had danced to together many times.

This could and would take days of deliberation. It was a test of endurance and wills of a sort.

Hernandez shiffted his weight, he found a slightly beter way of holding the position but how long was one sitting without recess. He paid more attention to the court then his complaining mussles, and could tolerate it a little better, but he knew he would pay for it latter...

Liliris shifted slightly on the tatami mat. It was late afternoon, judging from the slanting pale light that filled the hall.

Hernandez had not sat on a mat on the floor in years, and never this long his legs were going to kill him, he fidgited again trying to find the best way to sit and not hurt.

Queen Sekishi stood. "This Court is dismissed until six bells" which would be in the morning. There was another round of bows, and then the Queen swept from the room, with the Taiho on her heels.

Liliris stood, and listened to the soft murmurs of conversation.

Hernandez stood and limped over to Liliris, he asked in a soft voice, "How are you holding up? Have they treated you OK?"

"I can't be sure how do you think the trial is going? Gods!! I don't think I can stand it if it goes against you!" He exclamed

She arched a silver brow. "I think that you would find that you could...'stand it.' she said simply. Humans could be...odd at times.

"I would have to wouldn't I? It's not like I could just close my eyes and pretend it never happened."

"I do not see why it would bother you." she wasn't being rude- she really didn't. After all, she only happened to be assigned to the same ship.

He had been speaking in undertones fitting for a court and /or palace but at this his voice came up a bit almost to full normal speach, "You are my shipmate, Shipmates are loyal to each other and care about one another!"

She gave him a cold look. "Lower your voice or we will be in deep trouble! You don't just yell in the Great Hall!"

His face redding he hissed in a wisper that she could only just hear, "It's Your LIFE on the line and you are worried about ME getting in big trouble?!?"

Liliris sighed. He was making a scene. "What will be, will be. This is only the first step."

"que' sera, sera?" he looked at her in disbelief.

"If you can remain calm when all around you is in chaos, then you are better able to made decisions." said Liliris.

Hernandez smiled for the first time since they had landed, "Oh I'm calm, panic kills, I am just worried."

"Look around you. Do you see anyone panicking?"

Hernandez had relaxed, that was one thing he really liked about Liliris, she had a way of calming a person on edge, Hernandez usally does not get on edge but... "So, how do you think the trial is going?" he asked in a calm undertone.

Liliris set her mouth into a thin line, her only outward sign of displeasure. "It is going as expected." It was a noncommital, political answer.

Smiling just a bit, Hernandez said, "that's a non-answer" then the smile vanished he said in a quiet voice, "In the shuttle you said that you would be lucky to live to Kou, has anything happened to change your mind?"

Her escort had apparently decided that was enough chatting for the day, and stated "We shall be heading back."

"May I accumpany her at lessed to the transport?"

"You may accompany us at least that far, kaikyaku." Liliris gave him a sharp look at the almost-insult but kept quiet.

"Thank-you" was his reply, in a soft and curtisy tone, like he had not heard or understood the insult. They began walking towards the door, he again quietly spoke at random, "last time I went with a woman to her death, it was my idea, I had to convince her, yet if you die I will remember you with the same impact... I hope it doesn't happen, I hope it goes well tomorrow, I'm sure that a queen that is willing to go out and risk her everything to get rid of a corupt leader will also be just for you." When they reached her transportation, Hernandez made a fist and cupped it then bowing low he said, "I honor you Liliris." then turned and walked off.

Liliris had no idea what to make of such a declaration, especially one made so publicly, that she was left a little tongue-tied. But a glance at her escort told that she wasn't the only one. Taika or no, they seemed to respect her a fraction more than they had. She let herself be ushered into the transport.

Hernandez walked back to the master that had escorted him to the Palace, "Well what do we do now? Get some food and drink before calling it a night?" he asked.

As the little 'craft made its way through Kokei, the capital city, this time Liliris did treat herself to the sights out the 'port. Everywhere were signs of approaching night. The everbright lanterns sparkled like stars as people went about their evening tasks.

The Master told Hernandez, not unkindly, that he might visit his freind and travel companion for a little while, not over night, and only to talk. Hernandez thought about correcting the Woman's notion about him and Liliris being lovers but desided that it would be pointless since she would not belive him anyway.

Liliris hadn't been back in her cell for too long when a guard showed up. "You have a visitor." she said stiffly.

Liliris was surprised. Who could this be?

"Why hello again," Hernandez said with a smile, humor in his eyes that haven't been seen since she had told him that she was going home to face murder charges, "I was told I could visit and talk with you... but only talk." He said the last part like it was the punchline of a good joke.

She sighed, a deep, heartfelt sigh. "Does Stationmaster Acoma still think...."she trailed off and waved her hand expressively. "It's so...."

"Yes I know, I keep telling them that but I think they don't belive me." he said with a shrug.

She waved a hand at the not at all comfy bunk. "Sit if you want. Do you have any questions?"

"If for some reason, the Queen talks to me, what is the rules... I know you don't stand in her presents but do you look her in the face? Do you talk to her in plural, you know the whole We instead of I thing?

She laughed; it was highly unlikely that he would be speaking with the Queen. "Why do you ask? It's a bit of a long shot don't you think?"

"Yes, I agree, it isn't likely at all, but if she does I don't want to dishonor her or look like a kaikyaku. What ever that means, I have been called it more then once."

"Kaikyaku is simply our word for someone not Sylvanian."

"So it's not nessarely an insult like I figured."

"You wonder why you had to jump through so many hoops and are treated like such an analomy by the general population." she guessed. "I bet the children have even been stopping and staring. Do you want to know why?"

"I have seen a few" he admited, "why do they distrust offworlders?"

"My people used to never know the meaning of the word disease, and the only task healers were called on to do were to ease the dying of the elderly or welcome the lives of the new. Injuries were hardly ever severe enough to require surgeries - we're hardy and our world is gentle. A spacefaring ship was forced to make a crashlanding in the Kaikyo Forest. The surviving crew were, on the whole, friendly enough, but they brought diseases with them that decimated the entire population. Pandemic doesn't begin to describe it. "

"Kaikyaku, Kaikyo Forest, that makes sense. The Eropeans did the same to the new world on the Earth, I unfortunaly familure with the consept, that's why we in Star Fleet have to have Certifacation on our health before we can join a landing party. How did your people cope?"

"That is when my people became so insular. That is why you can tell where we are from by the colour of our skin and eyes. It is a wonder that we survived at all."

"Isalationism, that's not surprising, dislike for strangers, have to have permision to traval in to other territorys. Did you ask for help from the Federation at all, maybe in training on how to combat the diseases?"

She did laugh then. "This predates both the Federation and human spaceflight by a little over a thousand years."

"With the new situation, why did new rules come into practice? If your healers die at a young age then who is left to teach the new healers how to do their job, then they have to rely on the gift of giving themselfs. It's a vicious cycle, that can only end badly.

"Generally, we don't get sick. There isn't much here that's dangerous, except to the young or infirm. Even the youma can be tamed, mostly. The possibilty is there, however, for a healer to be called to make the sacrifice. It's not likely but....."she trailed off "It's hardest for those left behind."

"It always is..." Hernandez said softly while looking at the floor, Then he looked up at her, "Have you ever had to do it, make the sacrifice?"

She looked down at her hands. "Oh I have already. Once, I kept Wels on THIS side of life when he'd have rather just died....and once before...a long time ago, I saved someone else with that gift. So by rights I should not be here. I have cheated death twice."

Do your people have only so much you can give or will your life energy regain it's streanth in time?"

"It depends on the individual and the severity of the injury. Generally one bad injury is all it takes."

"If it ever comes to it... if it's a choice between you and me... I want you to live, don't give me that kind of streanth, I... would... not..." he was having a hard time with telling her something that was so clear in his head, but he was saved by the Master coming back to tell them "The time of visiting is now over, and we must go."

Liliris smiled. "Don't worry so, Lt. The decision would be mine. Farewell for now." She tried to be reassuring.

Hernandez walked out to the flitter, then asked the Master, "Is there a public house, were a person might get food and maybe some small liberations?" He felt in the need of liberations, large amounts, but he was a guest on this planet and double so in this city.

While Hernandez was exploring Kokei, Liliris longed for something more. Something she'd not permitted herself to miss for a very long time. Ssometime over in the night she awakened with a start - she thought, almost, that she'd heard those familiar steps. She decided bitterly that she must have dreamed them, when she heard a low chuckle. "Liliris, are you still such a light sleeper?"
"Shoryuu!" she bounded over to the other side of her cell and pressed her fingers against the stone. "Why are you here?"she asked. "I am here at the request of one whom we both know." he stated.

Meanwhile, back at the teahouse...
Master Acoma watched in horrified fascination as the kaikyaku drank even more of the rice wine.

Hernandez had been on his perfect behavor, and under compleate control of himself. He had eaten the small delicite cakes set before him with slow diliberation, but the rice wine... he had very rarely drank as good, it was not that strong, the rum in his cabin was stronger, but it was smooth, and he had drank three with his cake.

"Haven't you had enough?" she inquired, toying with her own first cup and wondering if this was a human trait.

"Never you fret ma'am," he said with a smile, "This is my last one, it's just so good."

A small figure approached thier table. When it tossed back its hood, it revealed itself as a small-statured fine-featured adult male with golden hair and a piercing blue gaze. "Stationmaster, why have you brought the kaikyaku to a place such as this?" he inquired.

"I asked her to take me to a place that was honorable and good" said Hernandez vary mildly.

"I asked the Stationmaster, not you." came the pointed reply.

"May I ask, what is your name?"

"My name is Rokuta, and that's all you need to know."

While sitting Hernandez made a fist and cupped it and bowed the shallow bow of equals, like Liliris tought him. "I am Ruban Hernandez, but I am afraid you are mistaken I am not a kaikyaku, I have not even seen the Kaikyo Forest, I am a human from Earth." Then looking Rokuta in the eye, Hernandez asked, "Why are you so rude?"

Rokuta mulled the name "Hernandez" in his mind. Kaikyaku had strange names, even if this one had some manners.

While Rokuta was quiet, no hint of what he was thinking on his face, Master Acoma gave Hernandez a severe look. "Rokuta is the Taiho of En Province, and he has the right to question anyone in or out of his province, even up to the Queen herself and the Kei Taiho."

When he heard this Hernandez stood up, standing much taller then Rokuta, then bowed very low indead, saying, "A thousand pardons, Sir I did not realize your lofty posion."

Rokuta gave him a level look. "Don't let my size fool you." True, he was smaller than both his companions at the table, and would be closer to Liliris in size. However, he positively radiated authority and the right to be where he was.

"Oh no, Sir, back on the ship I have the honor to serve, our Commanding Officer is not taller then you and I won't cross her for anything. Size is never an isue when it comes to authority."

"Hn" was the sole reply.

"Would you like a cup of this fine rice wine, Sir?" Ruban asked.

"Thank you." Rokuta replied cooly as if it were only right. Well. it was.

Hernandez got another chair, and ordered more wine for himself and Rokuta.

"Aren't you even the slightest bit curious about your friend Liliris?"

"Oh yes Sir, but in some worlds it is inproper to talk about the case and I did not know if it was the same here."

This earned him a sardonic look as Rokuta took another measured sip.

"Sir how is the case going for Liliris? I hope well, she is a fine Doctor and an honorable person, we think the world of her on back the Texas."

Rokuta neatly sidestepped the question for the moment. "It is as well as can be expected. Tell me, how are your rulers chosen on your own world?"

"Elections, they are voted in by the people." Hernandez responded

"It is much different here." He stood. "However, this is not the place to be educating you."

The Stationmaster also stood. "En Taiho, where are you taking the kaikyaku?" she looked a bit distressed.

Hernandez sat and payed mind to the subltys of their comunication, he had not caught any mention of "taking him."

"Somewhere safer, Master Acoma. If you must contact the kaik....Hernandez...do so through the En office here in Kokei." stated Rokuta. He gave Hernandez a challenging look. "Unless you'd prefer to stay here, of course."

Hernandez smiled, he almost took the challenge, and reflected that if it had been Wyldrunner insteed of himself that he would have taken it, "Sir, you know the situation better then I do, if you think it would be better for me to be somewere else then who am I to disagree?"

The smaller man placed a five-sided silver coin on the table, which earned a sharply drawn in breath from Acoma, and a look of surprise. "A Tar Valon mark here, En Taiho?" At his sharp look she reined in her questions, though it was clear she didn't like having to do it.

At first Hernandez thought that En Taiho was paying, but with the reaction of the Master he knew something was up.

He led his small party of two outside, where there waited a huge red gryphon-like creature. "I hope you have no objections to flying?"

Hernandez bit his lip, why can't people traval in a normal maner, he thinks to himself, "No Sir, I'll give it a go."

Rokuta admitted to himself that he was moderately surprised when the kaik....Hernandez! he reminded himself sharply- didn't run screaming at the sight of the massive youma. Most would have. This type of youma wasn't known for its gentle disposition. Then again, maybe it was only that he didn't know anything about youma. He patted the big creature's neck. "Almost ready, Sunbright. This is a friend." he stressed the last word as the neogryff turned its yellow predator's gaze on Hernandez.

As one predatory animal to another, Hernandez met the gaze unblinkingly, he saw full well what kind of creature Rokuta wanted him to throw his leg across.

He helped the human up into the saddle, such as it was -really only a leather pad strapped to the youma's back. He wasn't worried about falling off - Sunbright wouldn't do anything to endanger him. Once he settled in himself, he whispered a low command, and Sunbright made a running leap into thin air.

Hernandez grabbed tight to tthe areas that Rokuta had shown him were safe to grab and fought down the cakes and wine that were looking to leave his stomach.

They were heading north, over Kokei's graceful buildings, over Kinpa Palace - careful, there - archers would take down anything that appeared to threaten the Queen.

Ruban looked at the Palace from this high vantage point, "Damn, these people make everything beautiful and graceful at all angles" he thought to himself

"To the En Province, where the Kaikyo Forest is."

Hernandez again watched the ground beneath him in case he needed to go to ground but between the twilight and the tears in his eyes from the wind he really could not see much. He regreted that most because all that he had seen before had been exquisitly beautiful, even the most mundane things were graceful and a work of art on any other planet. He also wondered about the five pointed coin, and what it signified.

Rokuta let Sunbright sweep low over the treetops. He always loved this part of coming home, when the homes of the common residents made their appearance from under the sheltering trees, their bright and neatly tended gardens spots of brilliant color and deeper greens.

Hernandez asked, "Is that were we are going?"

"No." he shook his head. "We'll be up there." Up there meant the graceful building entirely built of sunbask wood that managed to combine clean lines, beauty and defensability into one structure.

"Oh, nice." Hernandez started studying it for the best excape routes, ways of attack and it's visable defenses. Then he caught a glimps of a tower, "What is that, is it part of this teritory?"

Far off into the forest, past the Sunsweep Palace, one could just make out a white tower. "That is Tar Valon." was Rokuta's only answer.

"I'm sorry for lack of knowledge, but isn't that another provance, this close?" asked Hernandez

Rokuta was too busy coaxing Sunbright into the landing area to make a reply. A woman with bright red hair and wearing the practical clothing of a youma handler took Sunbright's reins and led him off to the kijyuu's stables. The sole other being on the stone pad was a tall man with long dark hair, lounging against a pillar. "Shouryuu, you lazy jerk!" yelled Rokuta. "What's it to you, halfsize?" countered Shouryuu as he straigtened.

"Please." Shouryuu waved a hand to stop the gesture. "I've been here for 500 years. Nothing's going to happen before we can eat." and walked back into the palace, clearly expecting to be followed.

Hernandez looked at Rokuta, "You are going to let him treat you like that?" he wore the suprise on his face, this small man had redused the Master to silance with a look and wrode a beast that would not put up with any but the best and strongest riders, yet he just took an insult and followed the person like he was someone's kid brother.

"He can do anything he wants to here." Rokuta said without malice. "He is the ruler of this province, and he may be able to help your friend."

Hernandez had many questions, but only one came out, "Why?"

"Why indeed" Rokuta mused. "Did your friend Liliris tell you much about her world, about what being a leader is all about, or a Taiho for that matter?"

She told me a great many things about this world, and how it is governed, but many of which I can't recall this moment. Hernandez said.

Keeping his voice low, Rokuta only said "I'll explain more later, but a ruler and a taiho have a bond that goes extremely deep. We owe our rulers, and only our rulers, extreme loyalty and obedience.In turn, they listen to us, though they are free not to take our advice, while we are oathbound to obey. We are their conscience, thiers and that of the land itself."

"Yes, I remeber she mention that, and that a taiho is the one who 'sees' whom is the next ruler." And at the same time he was thinking of the oath he had made to Liliris, was not unlike that of a taiho, and that part he had told her was true but not the entire oath.

Ahead of them, Shouryuu had collected a large gathering of officials and staff that were trying to overcomplicate what was supposed to be a simple evening meal. It took the best part of 12 ji (about 15 minutes, Federation Standard Time) for Shouryuu to manuever his way into what he wanted. But they did end up seated on large soft cushions on the floor, eating a simple light meal off of a low table. There wasn't much talking, but Shouryuu seemed to be constantly evaluating his new guest. So far, Liliris had been correct about her kaikyaku. He wondered what the Kei Taiho thought of the situation, and if he was feeling conflicting loyalties. After all, it had been Keiki who had contacted Shouryuu through Rokuta. He wondered what Sekishi was thinking as well.

"Can you help Liliris? and if so how? asked Hernandez calmly, for he had desided that this man would rather be asked directly then hedge about. (And Hernandez hated hedging about)

Rokuta kicked at the human under the table, striking a glancing but noticable blow. One did NOT just blurt out questions to provincial rulers, even ones as calm and laid-back - some would say lazy - as Shouryuu.

Shouryuu seemed amused. "Liliris has some very powerful people interested in her case." He wondered if the kaikyaku was aware of what could happen, or if he cared at all.

"Yes, so I gathered, but are they on her side or against her?" Ruban wondered if Shouryuu was for or against her or if he didn't give a care either way. He thought to himself again, "and she claims to be a nobody, nobody my eye!"

"On her side? Do you mean do they support her?" Shouryuu stood, and quite without realising it, began pacing like a tiger in a cage.

Not like a tiger, a lion. Hernandez watched Shouryuu walk back and forth like a Lion in a cage, the master of all he survays, the animal called king of the jungle, and rightly so, now in a small room being held aginst his will. "Yes, Sir that's is what I meant, will the inportant people influance the court, or..." (he did not say put pressure much less throw the whole case) "help in her defence?"

Rokuta spoke up. "It's more an issue of if they can act or not." He was thinking of the Queen, but his words brought Keiki to Shouryuu's mind. He wondered how his old friend was taking the issue. He doubted that anyone else remembered how close the two had once been. Anyone, that is, but those in Tar Valon- the human's voice cut off that line of thinking.

"What's instore for tomorrow?" Hernandez was looking at Shouryuu but the question was to the whole room.

"Tomorrow the Court will still be just as polite in thier words but they will begin the questioning. I do not pity her that experience." again Shouryuu was the one to speak.

"I'm going to ask a question that will show how much I don't know about your world." said Ruban straight forward, he had gotten this far, if he understood this he might understand the rest. "Why was this case brought about? Liliris had no contact with her home, on the Texas it was kind of understood she was exciled, there is no new Queen to reopen forgotten cases, so why go to the effert of trying her now? Why are they moving heaven and earth to bring her to trial at this point? From the records I found on the Texas, she had been there for years, and you don't just walk on a Star Ship and say put me to work." There he asked the million dollor question, would he get an answer he could use? Probably not he figured.

Shouryuu was quiet for a moment. "This is the final move in a conspiracy to prove the Queen unfit for rule." he said, his voice low but almost a growl of anger.

"Politics? My friend came home to face a murder trial for politics?" Ruban was deeply moved, the color rising and his not inconsiderable anger was coming close to it's limit, taking a deep breath and controlling himself he said, "I thought that your rulers were permanent, not voted out or removed."

"Rulers rule for life." piped up Rokuta. "That's why I've been stuck with HIM for 500 years." Despite all the jibing, it was obvious that the En Taiho deeply respected Shouryuu and that Shouryuu reciprocated.

"Why would they decide that she is incompetent? And why Liliris?"

Shoruyuu sighed, and for a moment, he looked every bit as old as he was, which was just shy of 700. "Some people are simply resentful." he sighed.

"If she is ruler for life, then what they are trying is nothing short of a coup..." he trailed off remembering that he himself had offered Liliris the same thing, a take over of the world government. He was not in a position to pick up any stones, the same thought had been on his mind also...

With as much casualness that he could muster he asked, "So which side are you on?" his left hand, that had been lying on his leg for the meal, slid to the outside of his thigh, ready to fetch the Type I phaser hidden in a pocket there.

The gesture, while subtle, had not been lost on either of the other two occupants of the room. Nor the shinobi who guarded from above, unheard and unseen.

Shouryuu laughed. "Well, well....." as if the question had been completely unexpected. Rokuta tensed. If the human made even the slightest threatning move.....he would call his shirei, and the youma would come.

Very calmly but ready to move, he had picked his exits and hoped he would not need them Hernandez asked, "Were is your loyltys?"

Shouryuu stood, tall even for his race, impressive. Suddenly it became quite apparent who in this room was the ruler of a province. He put one hand on the hilt of the sword he wore, which one could be forgiven for having thought it was just for show before. But the steadiness in his dark gaze belied that. "I support my Queen, and by extension, Liliris."

Hernandez relaxed, his left hand lifted to the table and he use it to pick up his drink and took a sip from it.

A tension that had been in the room lightened. Though you couldn't say that it left all together. Rokuta spoke. "We might be peaceful, but we still take down known threats. I would advise against threatening En-Ou ever again."

Hernandez looked puzzled, "Threaten, no, Liliris forbad me from destabilising any goverment here, I thought I was going to have to make a retreat, if you had been on the other side then you would have told me way to much to let me live."

"So what can we do to insure that the Queen keeps her throne, and more important to me Liliris her life?

There was a moment of silence, and then Shouryuu laughed."You have a lot of nerve for a kaikyaku. So....why did you decide to accompany Liliris here, without any others from your...Starfleet?"

"She decided I assume, for there were four open slots and I know of two other people that would have accompanied her if she had let them, I was an after thought." (He did not mention that he had shown up packed and ready with out asking)

Rokuta tapped his fingers on the table. "The enemy of my enemy is my ally." he murmured.

Hernandez had always heard that quote different, 'the enemy of my enemy is still my enemy' but he was not going to enlighten his new assets of that... yet. He thanked God that his father had played chess with him as a small child and that he had encouraged him to join the Archaic Navies of Earth Society and take Command of the Emilie as a teen, it had taught him strategy, and how to plan your next moves.

"How are the opposition going to try to prove the Queen unfit?"

"They are trying to force her to be firm with an exile." Shoryuu tried to explain.

"I'm not sure what that proves... it's not a bad trait for a ruler to have."

"Normally exiles are allowed to leave, on the condition that they never return. We all feel the planet, closer than our own mothers and fathers, our mates and friends. To leave once is hard enough. To leave twice might just kill your friend."

"OK, you have me there, you know how it works on this planet better then I." Hernandez admitted.

"The pieces are moving into place." mumured Rokuta.

"Can we set up a counter coup? Have people ready to fight when they come in?"

"No. Remember we are peaceful." stressed Rokuta.

"Oups, your right they are not trying to take it by force."

Shouryuu sighed. "They are trying to prove a point by what they do."

"Wouldn't their actions be considered treason?" he was guessing now pawn moves he needed information.

Shouryuu sighed. "I realise that this is hard for you to understand."

"OK, I think I need some background information, how do they think they are going to find the Queen unfit, and what makes them so sure that they will have the power next?"

"No one knows that for sure though I believe they intend to make the Kei Taiho choose one of them as a leader. I don't know what they think they will gain, because Tentei, Lady of the Moon, guides the taiho in his or her choice."

Hernandez smiled at the last part, "There you might be mistaken, no one goes to this much work if they don't think they will have some advantage, for the Farangi saying is true, 'in revenge there is no profit.' I bet they have an angle, and our best chance is to find it and neutralize it."

Shouryuu held out an elaborate scroll case. "Take this and read it. My scribes have been hard at work in translating what information we have gathered into something that you can read." he unrolled it to display twin columns of script - one flowing Sylvanian runes and one Standard text. "Rokuta will aid you in finding your quarters."

Hernandez took the scroll case and bowed low, "Thank-you" then he followed Rokuta to a room, once he had checked the room for others, and hiding places, exit strategy, etc... he sat down and got comfortable, opening the case and again marveling on how much work these people were willing to go to make things both beautiful and functional. He began to read...

[Lupe]

The sun's rays had barely begun to limn the tallest of the towers of Sunsweep Palace when Rokuta rapped sharply on the shoji screen outside of Hernandez's room.

Hernandez had got his four hours sleep and had already gotten up, he had finished getting ready by the time Rokuta knocked, Ruban took one more look around and double checked that his duty jacket was lying straight.

The small man looked excited. "Today will be a great day in the trial of your friend. Today, Shouryuu travels to Kokei to lend his support. Officially."

"What do you mean by Officially?"

"You'll see what that means from the back of my youma." promised Rokuta.

Hernandez just nodded, he had hoped that the return trip would be more conventional.

So it was that within a few moments, the two hovered on the youma as the assembly prepared for departure below them. It was meant to be impressive, and it was. Rokuta fairly glowed with pride.

"By God, you do yourselves proud don't you?" Hernandez asked but expected no answer, if it came he missed it because he was thinking about what he had read the night before. He could not claim photographic memory or anything, and some of the information was three lines deep. but he thought he had part of the advantage the conspirators thought they had, only he had not yet found a way of neutralizing it..

Back in Kokei, Liliris opened her eyes from the meditation trance she'd fallen into, instead of simple sleep, in the seconds before the great waterchimes rang, announcing a new day. Soon she would be allowed to freshen up and taken to the palace.

In Kimpa Palace, Keiki shifted a silver leaf on the ancient gameboard. Things were beginning to fall in place. Now it remained to be seen if he would be able to save his queen and his once and future mate at the same time, or if he would lose them both. So much depended on so many.

Ruban wondered how much Keili was attached to Liliris, if he was as much as the report said that was the Queens major weakness, if she went hard then she might loose him if she went soft then they could claim favoritism, that she was merciful for his sake. Ruban wished he could ask the questions that could never be asked, and understand the answers. He himself had killed for love but he had never betrayed his world for it, Would he? he just didn't know...

As the youma raced against the morning sun, Rokuta spoke. "Have you any questions about this day?"

"Oh yes, but if she is exiled again, and the scrolls said that a person exiled twice will die of despair, the records show the longest only living for one year, I would like permission to..." They talked about it and Rokuta gave the permission, admitting that Hernandez choose well but saying that he did not know if it would make a difference.

When Sunbright landed in the broad stone courtyard, Stationmaster Acoma was there to provide an escort to the kaikyaku, as Rokuta had been summoned to a meeting. Rokuta made no apologies or excuses to Hernandez, and indeed, seemed to have forgotten the man was even there. He wasn't being rude, he was just wrapped up in what faced him.

Hernandez understood, he knew a man of Rokuta's position was very busy.

Rokuta was escorted along the glittering halls of Kimpa Palace, to a small, formal room where Shouryuu and Keiki waited, studies in contrast in their heavy formal Court wear. Shouryuu, his dark hair elaborately braided as befitted the Lord of En Province on official Court business, wore heavy blue silk,so dark that it was almost black, relieved by a broad band of gold embroidery on the sleeves and about the collar. Keiki,however, was in his usual Court attire of heavy black and ivory silk, with his knee length platinum hair falling free. The men were a study in contrasts, both with refined, almost delicate features, one as dark as the other was light.They sat on broad cushions at a small low table, cups of steaming tea untouched in front of them. It would be hard to say who was the more calm and collected.

Rokuta, on the other hand, crossed the room with a swagger, and dropped onto the cushion next to Shouryuu with more attitude than grace. "What's this all about, Keiki?" he asked, omitting the honorific only as another Taiho could do. Shouryouu hid a sigh - his taiho was never going to be a diplomat. Keiki turned a chill blue gaze on to the En Taiho. "The Court, though they will not admit it, have already made their decision. It will mean her death." For a moment, no one was sure whether he meant the Queen or Liliris. Another breath, and it still was not clear. Keiki didn't seem as if he meant to enlighten them. He stood. "I wanted you to be aware." He averted his gaze, and for once, neither Rokuta nor Shouryuu knew what to say.

A few moments later, the Court was assembled, the same as before. The courtiers, somber in their black formal wear, were scattered across the sunbask wood floor like waterfowl on a pond. Liliris, eyes downcast, sat in the very center of the room. Hernandez and Acoma were seated near the great large doors. Shouryuu and Rokuta were near to the throne, where Queen Sekishi sat, outwardly undisturbed by what would be said. Keiki stood at her feet as if he were carved from marble.

Queen Sekishi rose. "Lords and Ladies of the Court, have you reached your decision?" Her voice was surprisingly melodic and almost seemed too young for her great responsibilities.

"Your Majesty, we have."

Liliris drew in a breath and held it. Keiki got even stiller than he had been. Shouryuu tightened an unseen hand into a fist. Rokuta looked away. The Queen didn't have that option.

"The accused may rise to hear. " she stated coolly.

Liliris stood, keeping her eyes downcast.

Hernandez said a prayer to the Gods from his youth, and hoped beyond hope that it would not be death, he selfishly wanted her back on the Texas but he knew that might not be the best for her. As long as there is life there is hope, he thought to himself. Please don't let it be death!!

The Queen took the scroll that the Speaker handed to her. It was a credit to her years of rulership and composure that her hands were steady. Her voice was too as she read. "Liliris Riana, adept of the Blue Ajah, former Warder of Moiraine Sedai, healer and traitor to the Crown, your fate has been decided. You may choose to hear this sentence read privately. How say you?"

At this point, Liliris looked up. She was allowed to now. "I prefer to hear it now, Your Majesty." she said. Shouryuu looked angry under his pretense of calm - Rokuta wouldn't meet her eyes, and Keiki...Keiki could have been carved from marble for all the expression he showed. The Queen was at her most implacable. She felt a cold icy hand steal around her heart. Sekishi read. "It has been decided that you are too dangeous to allow to return to exile. Your method of execution will be decided on at a later session. Return her to her cell, thence to remain until such time as this matter is closed. Are there any objections?"

Keiki clenched one hand into a fist, digging his nails deeply enough to draw blood. Shouryuu looked furious for an instant, but composed himself. Rokuta closed his eyes. And in the assembled courtiers, Shouku, true leader of the rebellion, smiled to himself.

Hernandez was stunned for a moment then realizing the potential opportunities, he started looking around at the reactions around him. Then seeing the lost look on Liliris's face he was moved and he walked over and mixed into her escort. One of the escort looked at him but the look Hernandez gave back must have made him seem harmless enough they did not stop him, but he could not get any closer to her either.

Dimly, Liliris head the murmurs of the assembled people as her escort closed around her and herded her toward the great doors. She was intellectually aware that Hernandez was among them, but she couldn't muster enough focus to care. It wasn't that she would die that bothered her. It was that Keiki turned away from her in the end. "He must truly hate me" she thought sadly.

After walking out the door the escort/guards told him he could not go any farther, he stood there watching them walk away.

As the escort and the prisoner disappeared from sight, Acoma caught up to him. "What do you think you are doing?" she demanded.

The cold look made her stop for a moment, but before she could return the attitude Hernandez slumped his shoulders, looked down, and softly said, "My Friend has received the death penalty, I just want to be with her, so that she doesn't have to be alone."

Acoma sighed and stepped away. She really couldn't fault that decision. Liliris seemed to not notice that he was even there, as they were whisked into the 'flitter, hurried back to the armoury, and unceremoniously rushed into the cell. The distinction between taika and kaikya wasn't remarked upon, as the cell was secured, though one of the more vocal guards mentioned coming back within a few hours. Liliris didn't seem to notice.

Hernandez talked softly to Liliris, in the way one does when their companion has bad news, "This is so unfair, how will the Queen get around it I don't know, this could be her undoing. I'm not sure what we are going to do about it, the oppasision have all but stood up and waved their hands, and they have set the prettiest trap for her as I have ever seen. If it weren't that you are the sacraficial pawn I would say it is the completest thing, and by their view it is. It all depends on your young man and the Queen herself of course. What the Queen does and how he reacts will determine the outcome of her rulership."

The silence between them stretched thin and Hernandez could have been forgiven for thinking that Liliris hadn't heard him, though she did have the keen hearing of all of her race.

Finally, she did look up, and her amber gaze was cold and almost dead. "I simply do not care." she stated.

"You still have the necklace I gave you? If you want out then all you have to do is press the button on it and we will be away... But if you have just given up hope then..." he reached out and took her chin turning her head to face him, looking deep into her eyes he went on, "Listen now! I lost everything, it nearly killed me but I went on, and so must you," she tried to flinch away, he knew she hated to be touched so he let go, "as long as there is life there is hope. You still have the pendent? Good! remeber this, it will take fifteen minutes, or around that, to work so don't wait till the last second to use it. But don't use it to soon, there are some very inportant people working in a quiet war behined the scenes, and there is a chance of it working out, I will not name them. You must not give up hope, not all things are what they look like!"

Liliris appreciated what Hernandez was trying to do, and she said so. "However," she continued "I will not run away." she was too distracted to even ask what young man Ruban was referring to. "Please tell the guard that I need two scrolls, scrollcases, routing tags, ink and pens." She tried to smile but it was brittle.

Hernandez went and got the items, the guard did not seem to think anything was odd about a condemed person writing letters, in fact they had all that was needed right there.

She barely noticed that he was gone. The first note was simple and direct. A missive reporting to the Amyrlin Seat of Tar Valon, a former Sister of the Green, one of the rare warrior-trained Aes Sedai- a reminder of a promise made to one long dead. The second was something a bit more rare; an elegy.

It was a Sylvanian custom for one to write this song/poem and store it among ones effects, to be found by those dear to you upon your death. Liliris had destroyed her old elegy upon her exile. Now it was time to compose another. Remembering the one most dear to her, she began, tapping the pen along the writing tray to provide a beat. Considering that she had no instrument, she made do with her voice. Though it was pitched low, the place was eeriely silent, and sound carried.

It had been years since Liliris turned to music, but old habits were hard to break. She thought of Keiki's gentleness, his wry sense of humor, his beauty and his grace, all those things that she had loved, and still loved about him. His sense of duty and honor that set them on opposite paths, the stubbornness that kept them apart - they both had double helpings of that! She began to write, and sing....

When the dark wood fell before me/and all the paths were overgrown
When the people say there is no other way/ I feel the sorrows of stone
I did not believe because I could not see/how fragile is the heart
Then the mountain rose before me/from the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and the fire/Though we share this path, alone
When the dawn seemed forever lost, you showed me your love in the light of the stars
You gave me wings to fly, to touch the face of the stars
Cast your eyes on the ocean/cast your soul to the sea
when the dark night seems endless/please remember me
Take those crumbled hopes, etched with tears, and rise above your fears....

Her voice trailed off, and she realised that she was crying. Quickly, she rolled up the scroll and sealed it. In her distress she handed both to the guard who came to collect them.

Hernandez knowing that she did not like to be touched did not but he tried to comfort as much as possible, finaly when she was a little calmer he asked the guard when Liliris's dinner would come and if she had choice. The guard answered soon and yes she had a choice she could eat it or not.

Hernandez was at a loss for what to do, Liliris was at a point of being inconsolable, so he sat down and was a mute companion, Besides he still had all the information he read yesterday night, and some of the plots read three deep, so he started meditating on the who's and whys.

There were two trays of food resting just inside the cell. However, Liliris wasn't in any mood to notice them.

Hernandez picked them up and carried one to her. "vittles is up, if you please."

She didn't look overly thrilled. "I'm not hungry."

"You must keep up your strenth, eat just a little bit, I'm sure it will do you good." He said gently

"I'm adept of the Blue, and a Federation-certified medical doctor. I know that it won't kill me to skip a meal."

Hernandez shrugged, he had tried, with an easy mind he dug in to his food, the sailors and solders motto in his mind, "Eat when you can because who knows when you will get another chance."

When he was done he thought about telling Liliris about the scroll and it's contents but desided against it, telling her meant telling anyone listening in, and knowing what your oponent knows might be helpful to some people, and he was not in a helpful mood. "Can you answer a question or two? How long are they going to make you wait before they finish telling you the sentance? Do you get an appeal?"

Liliris sighed and pushed away the untouched plate of food; she simply had no appetite.
"There's no way of knowing." she answered Hernandez. "There is pretty much no appeal from the Queen and the Court." A wry smile. "It's not as if there is anyone higher, though if we simply go by influence, Tar Valon's Amyrlin Seat is nearly as powerful.

Seeing the Master through the grill in the door, Hernandez said, "My ride is here, do you want me to ask for more time?"

"No thanks. I really had just rather be alone to think."

"OK, try to get some sleep, and I will see you tomorrow." with a bow he left her and joined the Master, a little surprised that he was not going back to Sunsweep Palace but really to tired to worry about it.

[Lupe]

The morning began like any other. The capitol city awoke and started on its business. The Court was in session, Queen and Kei Taiho in attendance. It had been a normal day. That was about to change. A flock of red kiki youma descended on Kimpa Palace itself, easily overwhelming the shocked and startled palace guards. There was no blood spilled as of yet, just a rearranging of power. Archers wearing the white flame of Tar Valon on their armor replaced those with the black dragon of Kei. A small woman in pure white silks, closely encircled by an honor guard in red, strode into the Great Hall itself and demanded, in the shocked silence. "Queen Sekishi. I would like to speak with your kaikyaku."

"Aviendha Sedai..."began the Queen. "Now, Youko." came the reply. A runner was sent to fetch Master Acoma, who had no troubles in locating Hernandez and delievering him, with no explanation, to the Palace.

Hernandez had been in his room medatating on the information in the scrolls he had been given when the door to his room opened, he moved with a start but seeing it was Acoma he relaxed, "Is it time to go already? Are we going to see Liliris this morning?" but no answers were given, just that they must hurry and that we mustn't keep people waiting.

Hernandez reached the Palace and was rushed in, as he went he saw the changes to the guards, and the presents of many kiki youmas, was it a coup? A takeover in power? He now was courious to what was happening...

Queen Sekishi gazed upon the kaikyaku with the coolest expression imaginable. "There is your kaikyaku, Aviendha Sedai. Take him and go."

Hernandez looked up from his bow to the Queen, what did she me take your kaikyaku and go? He was not anyones kaikyaku. The tone and casualness he expected from the Queen, whom he had not met and had no connection to, but the casual giving him to someone? He was going to have to watch out for his step.

"Wait." the tones came out in a command that made the woman in white pause, in what could have been anger. It was hard to tell with these Sylvanians. "The Kei Taiho will accompany you." Keiki looked as if he wanted to protest but he had no choice. "As you wish" he bowed deeply and descended the dias to join the Tar Valon assembly, if only in appearance.

Hernandez joined the group, still not saying a word, he really was not worried for himself, but what did all this mean for Liliris? He would go with this lady, and he would hear what she had to say... but if it sounded against his final goals then well, he might have to try to change her plans...

Aviendha Sedai didn't seem too concerned with her new companions, and indeed, only seemed aware of their existance when it was time to gather the kikis and fly home. She pointed to the largest of the lot. "Kaikyaku, have you a name?"

He bowed low, "Yes Ma'am, it is Ruban Hernandez."

"Hernandez." she repeated. It was a strange name to her but it didn't matter much what he wanted to be called. "You shall ride with me. Kei Taiho, you may ride your kijyu."

He inclind his head and walked after her to her animal, "Why do they not use flitters?" he thought to himself.

Though the smaller youma was a diferent type than the massive kiki, he too had large wings and was absolutely loyal to Keiki's commands. Soon the party was in the sky, heading for Tar Valon, where a surprise would await them.

He held on where she had directed and wondered if he would ever again be the master of his actions.

The trip to Tar Valon was remarkably subdued. Aviendha Sedai said little, her Warders were a study in quiet and Keiki's entire professional life had been spent perfecting a cool calm mask. The countryside below was mostly farms, with scattered dwellings, though as the White Tower got closer and closer, the forest below grew thicker and more primeval.

Hernandez had tried to find out what was going on but could not get anywere, he soon gave up and consantrated on excape paths and what direction to traval if he had to leave the White Tower in a hurry, and when it was very much closer he started looking at it for how to excape the building itself. It was awe inspiring but up close he could see the block work and seams, he was reasonably sure he could free hand down the side with a little time and no one looking.

[Lupe]

The White Tower

The White Tower, seen from this vantage point, was even more impressive.The roof area was large enough to hold the entire flight of youma with ease. Rokuta stood there, watching impassively. If his presence surprised Aviendha Sedai, she didn't let it show.

Hernandez smiled but only to himself, freinds and allies, or maybe just allies... hope it's allies, are on hand.

"Rokuta!" The Kei Taiho was a bit beyond surprised and let it show, if only for a moment. "Hi, Keiki." the smaller man gave a negligent wave.

Hernandez dismounted the youma and stepped clear of it before bowing low to Rokuta, "Hello, it's nice to see you." was all he said, now was not the time for asking, "What in the World is going on?"

Rokuta was spared a reply by another unexpected arrival. Two, in fact.
Liliris walked out of the shadows, amber gaze narrowed somewhat against the sudden bright sunlight sparkling off of the chalcondy top of the tower. Walking beside her, a gentle grip on her arm to guide her, and sombre in his black formal attire was Shouryuu. If Aviendha Sedai was surprised, it didn't show. She glided regally forward, in that walk that made her look as if she were floating, and accepted the pair's bows.

With out shock or surprise Hernandez asked Liliris, "So your here too? How are you?"

Keiki turned away, fussing with Hankyo's gear, or at least pretending to. The black, dog-like youma gave a whine and ruffled his wings with a hint of displeasure. Not at his treatment, but with the mood his shirei-holder had fallen into. Hankyo was no dumb beast, and his bond with Keiki allowed him to sense the taiho's mood - how else would the youma know when he was needed after all?

Liliris caught her lower lip in her teeth and bit down, turning away after a moment to answer Hernandez' question. Rokuta sighed at them all.

When he got closer to her he asked in an undertone, "So how are we all here, and what's next?"

Liliris smiled thinly. "This is just another move on the gameboard." she answered. "Aviendha Sedai has called in favours all across the board. The next move is up to the opposition."

Aviendha Sedai spoke up. "We can discuss what we need to in the shelter of the inside. Kei Taiho, entrust your shirei to the handlers and join us." It was an order, not a request, and Keiki did as he was bidden, completely expressionless as he followed the rest into the huge aerie of the Tower itself.

Hernandez followed everyone in looking at expressions, and the way people held themselfs, this many together might have a double agent among them, or maybe just someone not wholy on their side.

Men and women in the livery of the White Tower, the White Flame of Tar Valon showing prominently everywhere, strode purposefully about, seemingly all on a mission. But they were very careful to give the dimunitive Aviendha Sedai and the rest of her group a respectful distance, and some rather pointed bows. Aviendha took it all in stride, and the rest had to hurry along to keep up.

Liliris was still in a state of confusion at this new turn of events. Shouryuu had shown up at the cell early in the morning bearing officially marked papers declaring her, not free entirely, but free to make a shozan to the White Tower. Presumably to beg Tentei's forgiveness before her impending doom.

The actions of the Amrilyn herself had been.....refreshingly unexpected. And for Keiki to be here too...She stole a glance in his direction, but he never once looked her way.

Hernandez did not know what to think, he was still ignorent of the political currents on this planet as when he had landed, even though he had been imersed in them from then to now, every time he thought he understood a new slide rule had been added. But he was glad his freind was now being treated with respect, he only wished her sweetheart wouldn't act so distant, Hernandez could see that it distressed her for Keiki to act that way. They worked their way down and into the tower from the roof untill they reached a great room three floors from the top that was the size of the tower itself, a grand room with supporting arches and balconys at the doors facing each direction, the walls of the room were the outside walls of the tower itself and they had been covered in rich tapistrys with pictures of what had to be the history of the planet itself, with great elegance and style the room had been furnished with the taste of less is more, and done so well that it was a little overweming to a person that lives in a Starship were the biggest rooms are the cargobays.

This is were Aviendha Sedai stopped and sat in a chair that had to be called a throne and motioned the others to sit in elabritly carved chairs with rich white ulpolstery.

Aviendha Sedai tapped a long-nailed finger on the arm of her seat. It wasn't a loud sound, but Sylvanians had excellent hearing, by and large. Any murmurs instantly died down, and every face turned expectantly to her. As she looked across the room, she sighed inwardly. These bright faces, which looked so young and untried to her. What would become of them?

"Hernandez." she spoke, surprising everyone, not least of all Liliris. "Step forward." The tone was of one used to being obeyed, yet there was a hint of kindness woven throughout.

Hernandez stood and walked over to the empty area before Sedai, bowing low, so low that his braid fell over his shoulder and to the ground, then as he came up giving his braid a practiced flip to resettle it between his shoulder blades, he said, "Yes Ma'am?" with more of a Texas accent then he would have wished.

Liliris tensed. What was the Amrylin up to now? Keiki glanced at her when he thought no one was watching, and frowned at her expression. Not quite noticably, but one who knew him, as Rokuta did, would have known that the sudden line between his brows meant a frown, before the Kei Taiho turned away, back to the Amyrlin and the kaikyaku Hernandez.

Rokuta sighed inwardly. Keiki was intelligent but at the same time, he could be dense and stubborn as a handful of stones. The man was obviously jealous of the kaikyaku and hadn't figured out exactly why he was here, and he wouldn't likely confront either him or Liliris. No, he would prefer to mull over it and ...mope. And sigh heavily.

He saw Shouryuu reach over and wrap Liliris' small dark hand in his own and felt a rush of affection for him that went past what a Taiho owed his or her ruler, and was a genuine fondness. Sometimes a Taiho would be bonded to a ruler who was a great ruler and could make all the hard decisions, but was not that good a person. Shouryuu, despite his flaws, was on the whole, basically good and thought of others.

Hernandez had his back to Keiki so he could not see the look on his face, but even if it had been written for all to see, Hernandez would not have understood it, he had declared loyalty to Liliris, and he was willing to kill or die for her safety, but as far as love? he had no interest in those things... not since the loss of his beloved, and besides Liliris had not made any sign of it and He had been watching so that he could stop it before she was very deeply hurt.

Hernandez was standing before probable the most important person on this planet, and all he could think of is Liliris back on the shuttle telling him that she was a nobody, no one of importance. He still secretly wished she had taken him up on going somewhere that had no extradition, they could have lived free with out all this politics.

Aviendha gave the ka...human....a measuring look. "Why are you here? Truly?"

"Liliris is an Officer of the USS Texas, as Chief of Security it is my job to escort her and protect her." said Ruban automaticly.

Liliris opened her mouth to speak, outraged at the implication that Ruben was lying, but Shouryuu squuezed her hand -hard- and whispered . let him speak - .

"Well there is more to it then that, see the first time I met Liliris was on an away mission, I was working as Security and she got seperated from the group... we all managed to get back together but I swore at that time that I would watch out for her more so then others. After seeing her going through all of this and still be herself, I even offered her chances of excape, or not even show up... and she held her loyalty even though she knew it would probably end with her death, I have chosen to give her my loyalty, to help her anyway possable even if it cost my life." Ruban explained.

"That was a good answer." Aviendha said. "Do you know why we are here?"

"Politics, you are trying to stop another group from userping the Queen." Hernandez answered

"Close." she agreed. "There will be a struggle for power. It will not be taking place in Kaiko itself though. It shall be here, where it all began, in this forest."

A thought came to Hernandez, "You may have another player on the field soon, a Sovereign class Star Ship, our enemys might find a way of using it as a lever against the Queen. We are overdue for our return, and Commodore Ein might bring her ship here to find out why," then Ruban looks at Liliris, "You or I need to contact Ein, you have known her longer the me. Which of us do you think should do it?"

"Contact your commander?" she echoed. "Perhaps it can be arranged."

Liliris winced. The Commodore - not to mention P'rr and Wels - would be...disturbed by this long silence. "Perhaps it would be better if you contacted the ship."she offered.

OK, I will here in a minute.

"Those who were exiled are behind this attempt." Aviendha Sedai said calmly.

"The Banished Ones are atempting to return from exile?" Rokuta shot to his feet. "But it's never been done before."

"That is what makes it so dangerous. They will attempt to blame it on the taika and the kaikyaku and in some close-mided circles it will be a valid argument." Shoruyuu pointed out.

"But that's just crazy! At no time did either of us do or say anything that could be used in that manner. And no matter the outcome I would not, I admit I might want to if it goes badly, but I promist Liliris that I wouldn't so I won't. How do we defuse this situation?"

Hernandez reset his tricorder and communicator to link with the shuttle's comm system, and turning to the old tech he projected a screen onto a light colored wall, then went about connecting to the Texas.

When the mighty Star Ship connected, there was a Colonel sitting in the center seat, looking like he owned the place.

"This is Lt. Hernandez Chief Tactical Officer for the Texas, may I be connected to Commodore Ein?"

Burton replied, "She is no longer on the ship, and before you ask neither is your XO Savage."

Hernandez thought the chain of command down to the next step, "may I be connected to Captain Wyldrunner?"

"No you may not. Because he is on a mission right now," the Colonel leaned forward and looked apocalyptic, "He is on my mission because your DAMN replacement at Tactical let the CO and XO be beamed off the Bridge!"

Hernandez looked over the Colonel's shoulder to the Tactical Officer and could see the failure on her tanned face, this Colonel was going to ruin all of Hernandez work, she was a fine Officer, she just needed more experience. "Sir, I'm sure she did everything possible, I have utmost confidence in her abilities."

"Well when are you getting done with your gallivanting around with the ACMO and getting back to work?"

"I'm not sure Sir, we are at a delicate point right now and about two days away from you at the shuttle's cruising speed."

"A delicate point." the Colonel sneered, "how genteelly put, quit screwing around and get back here! And you can take that as an order."

The screen went blank.

Hernandez wished he had done that out of Liliris's earshot... out of everyone's earshot but he was still in the Great Room just to one side and out of the circle of people.

There was a sudden quiet in the vast room, as no one seemed to know quite where to look or what to say.

"That man is such an ass." Liliris spoke softly, but her voice carried, and brought smiles.

[Lupe]

Rokuta heard something, and stepped over to one of the tall open windows. Liliris would always remember the way he had paused there, lit by a sudden bright shaft of light, before he gave a sudden cry and stumbled back, clawing at an arrow that appeared in his throat. Everyone reacted differently - the TarValon staff shielding Aviendha, Keiki looking faintly stunned - the only one who didn't move. Shoruyuu acted as if he would dart foreward, only to be shoved back by Liliris, who darted between the barrage of arrows herself to try and help Rokuta. She returned with only his body - he was gone.

Hernandez did not recall crossing the great room, but he had been there to help move the body, (this was action and attack, Ruban understood that) regretting the lack of his phaser III he drew both phaser I's out of their hidden pockets and peeking out of the window he looked for someone to shoot.

Chaos reigned. The Silence, the guardians of Tar Valon, had sprung into action. Everywhere there were screams and cries.

Hernandez wished that it hadn't happened but he also wished that he had time to unmodify his tricorder, but the whole thing was turning into a mute point because once the guardians went to work the atackers broke and disapered into the forest, only losing three of their number. Ruban darted back to his tricorder and started resetting his tricorder even as he went to the wall oppiset of the one Rokuta had died at, it looked clear but he still wanted to scan for a second attack, he moved to another set and checked, his tricorder back to a usable settings by then he scanned, nothing, he moved and scanned coming up with nothing all the way around the tower, he looked at everyone and no one and said, "just a faint to tell us that they can."

As the Silence took up their new defensive positions, there were quiet murmurs around the room. A circle had formed around Rokuta's limp form. Liliris reached ...out...with that other sense of hers, here in the heart of the forest where it should have been strongest, and tried to pull some of all that green life to her, to share with him. It was too late. Unshed tears shimmered in her eyes.But her grief paled when compared to Shouryuu who was staring down at Rokuta, and blaming himself.

Hernandez could not keep still, he walked from one window to another scanning and rescanning the forest beyond. He approved of the defenceive mesures that the guard had taken but also blamed them for being so lacks that an enemy had goten within bow shot of the tower, WITHIN BOW SHOT!! This planet's idiosicracys had finaly wore thin on Hernandez, flying beasts, bow and arrow right next to modern tech... Hernandez couldn't say to much about keeping the old way as a teen he had commanded a Brig with no replacator, com system, refrigeration, etc... but it was by choice and not his normal modern life! There was one other thing keeping him prowling, he felt guilty... he had relaxed his guard, and alowed someone else to keep the watch...

A small boy with long black hair raced into the room. "Taiki." Aviendha Sedai moved to intercept the child, but he'd already seen. "Rokuta...!" he started crying.


Liliris shook her head as she stepped away. "No. Taiki will be....is...the En Taiho now. He was kept here to be safe."

Keiki had turned away and deliberately was standing near one of the windows. Just let someone show thier face below him. Cowards...one and all.

Hernandez walked over to Keiki and gently pushed him out of line with the window, murmuring, "Don't make an easy target of yourself, they may have used a bow that time but next time it could be a phaser rifle at long range. And you don't need to do that to her," nodding at Liliris. Seeing the protest in his face and not wanting to argue about it Hernandez softly said, "It's as plain on both of you as if it were tatooed on your forheads, you can throw it away or go with it... I recomend going with it." then before he could answer Hernandez walked away to resume scanning the forest on all sides.

Keiki stared at the human, and for a moment he felt angry. That moment passed, and he knew what he had to do. He glanced over to where Liliris was trying to comfort Taiki, who was inconsolable. For a moment, what lay under that cold mask of indifference showed through.

Hernandez had stepped over and layed his hand on Taili's shoulder gently squeezing it before going on, that was all he could give at this time, some streangth, show that others are there, Liliris would be able to do more, anyway Hernandez was going to keep watch on those outside, no more suprises.

He stepped over to where Rokuta lay so still, and bowed his head, hiding his face with the fall of ivory hair. Liliris watched and her heart ached for him, even more than it did for Taiki, who was sobbing in her arms.

Keiki looked down at Rokuta, his thoughts a tangle. How could he be so peaceful after what happened to him? He tried to memorize every small detail of that well-loved face, knowing that it would be the last time he would see it. He straightened, and stepped away. He knew what he had to do. He walked from the room, and no one noticed, not even Aviendha Sedai, who missed nothing.

Hernandez saw him go, and disided that he was going to the nessasary room or to grieve in privacy, some men can't show their emotions in public, so he didn't stop him, if he had any notion of what's going on in Keiki's head he would have stunned him and put him in a safe corner before letting him go.

Keiki hadn't been to the White Tower in many years, since he and Liliris were here, guarding Moiraine Sedai, but he had forgotten nothing. He made his way to the youma stables, where Hankyo waited. He freed the big black dog-like youma, and led him to the centre of the aisle. Hankyo stretched and fluttered his dark wings, content to be with Keiki.

Keiki led the youma onto the glistenening stones that formed the top of the tower, where the youma took to the skies. He vaulted to the youma's broad back, pausing for a moment. And then he whispered the word to his shirei, and Hankyo snarled and lept, and spiraled to the ground below, wings spread so that it was a controlled fall.

The massive youma stood there, a dark contrast to both the gleaming White Tower, and the man on his back. Keiki then did something he had sworn never to do. He reached down to Hankyo's side, where, hidden by the wings, rested a weapon. He pulled it free, and held it up. The sunlight shimmered on the ancient blade, and then from the trees strode a line of soldiers in mismatched colors. At the head of them was a tall man on a youma that looked as illtempered as he did. "So the White Flame rides out to protect Tar Valon." he sneered. "How noble."

Hernandez was the first in the room to see him, he was torn between not wanting to distress Liliris farther and the need to know what Keiki was thinking, the need for information won, "What the Hell does he think he's doing out there?" he said while pointing. Then he saw Keiki draw the sword, Hernandez rolled his eyes and groaned, thinking to himself, this is the most messed up planet I've been on.

Keiki glared at the soldiers approaching, but most of his focus was on the man on the scarred youma at their front line. "Shouku. I should have expected you to be such a coward."

"Still trying to get in my way, I see." Shouku wasn't overly bothered by the presence of a single obstacle, even one as formidible as a full grown kiki youma, with a blademaster like the Kei Taiho on his back. He stopped his own youma and smiled cruelly. "Let's see you stop the entire line, Keiki." The soldiers pressed forward, intent on the White Tower.

"He's taking on the whole line of them. The fool." Hernandez said.

Liliris paled. "He is WHAT?" she shoved past Ruben to the window. "Keiki..." she whispered. While below, the soldiers advanced.

Keiki narrowed his blue eyes. "You were warned." he sighed, and mumured to Hankyo. Faster than thought almost, the youma snarled and leapt headon into the line, wreaking havoc with his claws and teeth as much as Keiki did with the sword.

"Silence to the windows!" ordered Aviendha Sedai. The Silence did as she asked. "NO" Liliris thundered. "What about Keiki...?"

"He'll have to... WAIT! Were are you going? Damn!" Hernandez found himself talking to empty air.

Liliris turned and ran, ignoring the calls, pausing only to snatch a bow and quiver full of arrows from the hand of a fallen Silent One.

Hernandez ran after her stopping long enough to grab the sword that she hadn't bothered with.

Liliris shoved her way into the youma stables, freed one of the massive beasts and led it out into the light. There she got a surprise: Shouryuu and....Sekishi. "Your majesty..." Liliris breathed. The Queen was resplendant in her black armour, bright hair hidden under a helm as dark as her youma's wings. "Let's be about it, Liliiris." was all the Queen said.

"Oh for crying out loud! You too?" Hernandez called to them.

Liliris vaulted to her youma's back and whispered a command that sent it racing after the others.

Hernandez might have spent most of his childhood on the sea but not all, he had learned to ride horse, even broncos in a rodeo, he found the youma that might not bite his leg off and brought it out cutting part of the long strap used for guiding it he tied a quick knot to the sword hilt and to his right wrist, this sword was longer and hevier then his short navial saber but it would do, he mounted up and was soon after them.

Keiki had, meanwhile, held off the soldiers so far, but he was by no means unscathed. Both he and Hankyo were wounded and growing tired.
A white youma appeared between him and the soldier swinging a blade up at him, and the soldier disappeared. Liliris had reached out with her lifesense and coaxed a tendril of a vine to grow stronger and trip him.

"Liliris!" he was equal parts upset and glad to see her all the same. "Did you think I'd let you fight alone?" she asked.

"How touching." Shouku sneered.

Hernandez came in like he boards an enemy ship, straight through the center of the group, stearing his youma with his knees with a sword in his right hand and a pistol in his left (Hernandez is left handed). He swung at one man, shot a second through the body and ran down a third his youma picking the man off his beast with it talons and dashing him to the ground, then he was through, they wheeled about and met the soldier that he had tried to cut, Hernandez was the less skilled at fighting on youma back and could never get in a postion to shoot the man. When the chance finally came Hernandez shot him dead but another had tried to run him down to stop him. Hernandez became unseated and fell down, down to the earth.

When he opened his eyes his first thought was Huh I'm alive, then he moved, the liquid fire that ran down the right side of his ribs and back made him wonder if dying wouldn't have been better. He finaly made it to his feet his right arm clutched tight against his body trying to support the ribs, "that scar the Klingon gave me so long ago must have tore, it was never put right," then he rembered that he had refused to allow the doctors to repair it right, "Well it's my own fault." he knew the sword would do no good tied to his right wrist and untied it when he knelt to get it a knifing pain drove him to his knees, so he prayed, he prayed to the Gods of every mariner of the order of The Arcaic Navies of Earth hold dear, Neptune (sometimes called Tridant) Mars (the God of war) and Venis (show me one mariner that doesn't worship her) "please help me!" He picked up the sword and started back to the tower, but then relized he didn't know which way to go, he stabbed the sword in the dirt and reach for his tricorder to find it gone... to stop is to die. He grabbed the sword and struck out, soon he lucked into a path made by people not anamals, people go from one place to another on paths, if he followed it he would wind up in one place or another, either way he had to do it. He walked the path one foot then the other his mind slowly going blank with pain and fatige, with the last of his streangth he saw the white tower, then he fell...

All things seemed to end in much the same way to Liliris. Even a battle such as this one. The Banished Ones had been neutralised, and unfortunately Shouku had been killed as well. Now the true reason for the chaos unleashed would never be known, though Liliris suspected that the motivation had been jealousy and greed.

The Queen and the Amyrlin Seat were making plans in the throne room above, where Rokuta had died, and they'd insisted that Shouryuu attend as well. Liliris suspected that it was as much to keep him busy as anything.

She tucked a strand of ivory hair away from her face as she moved on to the next wounded soldier - Silence or rebel didn't make a difference here in the makeshift medical wing. After treating his injury - a broken bone that needed to be set - she moved on to the last patient. She was shocked. "Hernandez!"

Keiki told of how he had found the human, and while he was as reserved as always, he was no longer as cold. Liliris inspected his injuries, and gave him what medical aid she could from the dwindling supplies. Then, as the Mercy - the White Tower's medics - took over the task of doing rounds, she drew a chair up next to Keiki's, beside Hernandez's bed, and waited.

Keiki took her slim hand in his and pressed a kiss into her hair. "Rest, aijin." he murmured. "I will wake you as soon as he does."

[Lupe]

A bit Later

Hernanadez opened his eyes, he had awoke and done an invatory of his limbs, then damage control inspection of his body, he found that he did not hurt, but suspected most of it was from medication, so much for the inside now navagation needs to find out were he is. He looked at the ceiling for a bit, well I'm in a building, he felt the bed under him, they hadn't thrown me in a corner, then he turned and saw a cute couple, Keiki and Liliris, and felt something well up, jelousy? No, or maybe it was in that Liliris had been seperated from her love had now been reunited, and Hernandez would have to wait for death to reunite with his. The two of them looked worse for wear but asleep in their chairs. Hernandez desided that he was very glad they both survived and were together. He moved slightly and Keiki's eye opened.

Liliris had determined that Hernandez was well enough to be transported back to the Texas.She and Keiki had been replanting trees damaged about the White Tower in the battle, trying to delay the time when they would have to say goodbye again. They were simply waiting for the youma-rider to return from taking Hernandez to the station and their shuttle.

The cry sounded as the youma landed heavily on her back feet, flapping the great wings as she lower to the ground. The slight woman slipped from her back, stroking the muzzle as her mount rested it's head on her shoulder.
"He's back at the shuttle and he's comfortable ma'am," the girl said softly, pale hair only a shade darker than Liliris' own.

Liliris pressed the last of the good dark earth about the tree. She stood, and for a moment she simply looked up at Keiki. "I suppose this is goodbye."she murmured
He stood, his hands still covered in dirt, a stark contrast to his ivory skin, and regarded her, face as though carved from marble. He didn't know what to say, which was rare. It was as likely that she would return now, as it was for the sun to rise in the west.

Liliris brushed a bit of dirt away from his face, but she let her fingers linger. "You truly are the White Flame, Keiki, and your path is here among all things green and alive."
"But yours isn't..." he took her hand in his and used his free one to brush her hair from her face.
"Not yet." she tried to smile. "I have a duty....to a people not my own."

"They won't appreciate you as I would here." He graced her with a smile of his own, though it did not touch the sadness in his eyes. "You should stay."
She brushed her thumb against his mouth. "My heart insists that I do. I cannot, not now. But I promise you, I shall return before these trees have lost thier leaves a second time."
"Perhaps you should take one with you as a reminder," he said, glancing at one of the small sapplings, not yet planted but ready to be placed in the earth.

"I don't know that it would survive the trip." Unable to help herself, she tangled her hand in the moonlight fall of his hair. "Keiki-aijin..."she breathed. "I could never forget."
"Nor I," he said, pulling her close, as if he would never let her go, for the next few seconds or the next several years. "Stay," he said, breathing the word as he rested his head against hers, the hieght difference forgotten.
Liliris closed her eyes and wished she could make this moment last forever. She reached out with her lifesense. Keiki's presence glowed with health and promise. The thought of purposefully distancing herself from him made her ache. A tear slipped down her cheekbone.
"2 times... no more, though less would be more than welcome," he said softly, nuzzling the top of her head as a youma did to show affection to their rider.

"Twice only," she spoke, her silvery tones muffled somewhat. "If I fail in this" here her voice faltered "I release you from the oath we made."
"If you release me, I shall still follow the terms regardless. This you should know."
"I expect nothing less from my other self." she tried to smile. "I will be lost without you."
"As would I be." Reluctantly, he eased his grip, letting her go. It was harder than he would have liked.
She took his face in her hands, as if she were trying to fix exactly how he looked in her mind until she saw him again. "Aijin..."she murmured.
His eyes held hers for only an instant before he surprised her, kissing her gently. It was asif he were telling her what to expect upon returning.


Liliris held him tight - she never, ever wanted to let him go. Suddenly everything about this place and this man were ever so much dearer and she felt a fool for even countenancing the thought of leaving.
Some 10 meters away, the silver youma shifted uneasily, straining and flapping her wings and disturbing the sapplings and hair of all those around. The shrill cry disturbed those around her even as the handler tried to soothe her.
Liliris reluctantly broke the kiss. "I must..."she said helplessly.
He released her and took a small dagger from the sheath at his hip, bringing it up to his ear. With a swift and almost dainty flick of his wrist, a thin but long braid fell away to his fingers. "Do not forget me," he said softly as he pressed it into her hand.

: Liliris curled her hand about it, its silkiness against her skin almost a caress. She blinked away unwanted tears. "I would die first."
"Go... before I refuse to let you leave," he said abruptly, not sure he would be able to soon.
Before she could change her mind, Liliris turned and strode away. She didn't dare look back.
Less than two minutes later, a shadow passed over head, the silver youma and her two passengers blotting out the sun, as Keiki watched her fly away. Two years, a long time for anyone to endure. But he would not forget.

When Liliris climbed into the shuttle she found Hernandez at the Engineering board, moving slow and having to think out loud to get past the muzziness of the painkiller, at her look of disapproval he said, "I'm fine, well I'll be alright, I just need to get this set up for one last thing, Rokuta had gave me permission before... well Shouryuu confirmed it later, we are picking up passengers..." Hernandez smiled at his own wit. When you launch I need two orbits the first high, I need to lighten our load, and the best thing is to let it burn in, I hope you like field rations and water I am going to dump almost all the replicator material, then I need a low orbit over Sunsweep Palace, En Province, were we will pick up our new shipmates..." Hernandez had the determined look in his eye that all but said if you don't do it my way, I will do it for you.

"What are you talking about?" Liliris demanded.

Liliris was reluctant but Hernandez's attitude was that he would do it himself if he had to. He was in no shape to do it all himself.

Liliris could not begin to imagine what he had in mind but she was too saddened by having to leave that she offered no resistance.

On the first orbit Hernandez dumped most anything that was not bolted down and some of that too. Then he started overriding the limiters on the transporters, and routing more energy into them then they should ever need.

"What are you....what if you damage them?" she inquired.

"Well I hope we won't need them again, I need you to go very slow, and be ready for a weight change." he said.

Liliris made the proper adjustments but she still couldn't imagine what this was all about.

On their second orbit the transporters made a long materializing sound and three trees appeared on the platform, or more correctly the roots of three trees (a few years older then the ones Liliris had been planting) were on the small platform the trees were leaning across the cabin, eight foot from root to crown, Hernandez covered the root ball with a little open mesh cloth and wet it down.

Liliris was still staring at the silver memory-trees, in something approaching a state of shock.

"Rokuta, told me that I would have to take three, something about this kind, anything less and they die of loneliness, he was the one that told me that your leaving Sylvania could kill you, and that it has happened before, I... I asked him if taking something from the planet might help, something growing, and he told me trees."

The mention of Rokuta brought tears to her eyes - Keiki, Sekishi and Shouryuu had been planning his funeral-full of ceremony and formality-Rokuta would have hated it but it was necessary when a Taiho died. Also poor Taiki would be growing up fast - that would be his first official function as the new En Taiho. "How did you....I mean...why...?" she brushed a hand against one of the leaves, feeling it with her lifesense as well and being oddly comforted by it.

Starting to feel foolish and a little overprotective he said "Well I didn't want you to die, on our way back to the Castle we saw these three apart from the rest and in a place I could find again, he said they would be the best choice, they were big enough to stand the journey, and the three were already together."

"But....on the ship?" Liliris inquired, already seeing the science teams faces when they realised that three rather good-sized trees would need a home, and all for one small Sylvanian.

"We could put them in the arboretum, not first thing of course, they will have to be kept isolated, and all that till the horticologist knows that they can be safely put near the other plants, then when you think of home you can go and be with your trees."

"You're tired, aren't you....?" she noticed.

The whole time he was talking his voice was getting softer, I think I'm going to lie down now." he staggered to his bunk, lay down, and was almost immediately asleep, or past out.

Liliris set their course for the Texas' last known whereabouts and settled into the long trip. not quite as heartsore as she had been.


As the shuttle neared the USS Texas, Hernandez, who was in the second seat beside the pilot Liliris, called for clearance to land.

<Liliris?>

[minutes later]

As the type 9 shuttle touched down Hernandez was equalising the pressure between the ship and shuttle, when the engines had shut down the hatch opened and Hernandez hurried out of it. He saw the Colonel and Lt. Hardcastle together. He walked up to the Colonel straightening as much as his injured side would allow and saluting he said, "Chief Tactical and Security Officer Lt. Hernandez reporting for duty."

"Good to have you back. How are you holding together?" Alan asked.

Hernandez: Tolerable, been worse.

"Report to sickbay and get checked out. As soon as you are cleared report to the Torpedo Magazine to assist Colonel Burton with a...special project." Alan said.

With Liliris within earshot he couldn't skip the Sickbay part, and in fact he needed to be fixed up, so he started towards the airlock that would take him out of the hanger, but a thought struck him, he turned and said, "Lt. Hardcastle, there are three trees on that shuttle, they need to be turned over to Botany, with instructions that they do not get separated from each other and that Liliris has unrestricted access to them."

With out waiting for a reply he walked through the first doors of the airlock, then the second, and he was on his way to Sickbay.

[A while later]

Burton resisted the urge to scratch his protruding nose ridge for the thousandth time.

"Colonel Burton Sir!" He heard a shout from behind him. He spun around to see Hernandez and two yellowshirts approaching.

"Lieutenant, how are your trees feeling?" Burton mocked the young fleeter.

"Don't know, I'm not the one that understand them when they talk am I? Sir." Let him sit an stew on that, picking on someone for trying to protect their shipmate.

"I'm assigning you to the mission team, I'm going to need you to accompany the torpedo that I will be taking from Texas' magazines...select two of your men to accompany you on the mission and all of you report to sickbay for surgical alteration." Burton pointed at his new nose ridge.

"Aye Sir" Then Hernandez thought, Great now I have to go and look like a Ray gay Bajoran, and thought of the people he had seen in the Floreda Keys and the small islands around back on Earth. Then all I will need is some bangles and a steel drum.

"Briefing will be at 1800 hours today, your men will be beaming down with the weapon from cargo bay 2 so you can get yourselves set up down there."

"Aye Sir, we will be ready."

"Carry on!" Burton ordered as he continued to read Trice's pre-op report.

Hernandez told his people, "Come on, we got a care package to move to the cargo bay and it ain't going to move itself.