“Welcome to my office,” said the Empress Alana smiling and waving them in, “you acquitted yourselves well, and contributed to ending the intergalactic war.”

“Welcome back, Razza, from your first family into the bosom of your second. I had my hopes you would save your family, but I did not think for a single-second there was a plan to return the Emperor to Merpakt. That plan was inspirational. Jason tells me you enjoyed your vacation and are rested. I was sorry to hear Julia was shot and is having a reconstruction. She needs to face a daunting rehabilitation! I see you are well after your ordeal. I forgot to breathe watching the holo-video you sent me Jason, of the rescue of the Coven Royals. Razza, your powers grew!

“I heard Cyril tried to kill Jason and your father, Razza. Crystals with an embedded AI that takes control; is a clever, but frightening idea. Brecht Chatzke the Prime Minister of the Collective told Cassius the manufacture of the AI is by those awful slug/jellyfish creatures who skulk in the background. I contacted your grandfather, Emperor Ergol, to ask Coven intelligence how they got the crystals. Coven intelligence received the crystals through an intermediary. The Coven refer to those creatures as the Grork/Schlogg. At long last we were given a name. He told me the Grork are being rejected by the slugs; the Schlogg. Schlogg is an excellent name for a slug! He told me the Schlogg are sentient and want their independence.

“I find your grandfather a delight to speak with, Razza, I enjoy talking with him and appreciate his charming old-world style. We look forward to our visit to Merpakt.

“You all have done outstanding work. Cassius will give you medals later today. You will be granted your degrees and your achievements will be recognized at the end of the academic year. We continue to find and arrest infiltrators as a result of all your work. Many have sought asylum or we find they have returned to the Coven.

“I am overhauling the University. We will add Coven and Collective content and methods. I intend to start the new curriculum at the start of next year. I will brook no opposition and it will be messy,” said Alana and laughed.

“Brecht and I wanted to send both groups someplace safe where you can learn something new and unique and find a challenging project for you. What task could we find to help you grow? I think we came up with a plan. Prof. Nora DeBeer, professor and Dean of anthropology comes from an ancient people and came up with an interesting proposal. Her proposal satisfies our requirements and will equip you with a new set of skills and will keep you safe and away from our enemies.

“Nora is here,” said Alana, Jason’s aunt, seconds before the secretary brought her through. “Welcome Nora, I was just talking to them of your offer a minute ago. Can you explain what you offer them?” she asked, as she welcomed Prof. Nora into the room.

“Greetings Jason and I am pleased to meet both university groups. I saw your rescue of the Royals from the Coven. Alana briefed me on your dangerous project and your intelligence coup. Jason, you never cease to surprise me! You acquired impressive friends. I will enjoy helping you.” Said Nora, before turning to the others.

“Alana told me of the enemies we are facing and her intention to prepare Jason’s friends for the future. Your work is outstanding. You mastered the martial arts of the Empire, Coven and Collective. I told Jason a little about my people, but I promised more at the right time.

“My people, the Azayal will offer both a challenge and an opportunity. We are much older than the Collective and can trace our history back two and a half million years. The actual history of the Azayal goes back much further, but we fought each other back to the Stone Age on six occasions. We were slow to learn how to cooperate, since we were a species of independent humanoid felines who hunted alone. Our people damaged our original core planet so badly, that it was becoming uninhabitable. We were forced to learn how to work together and explore space and developed our education and healthcare beyond the Coven and the Collective.

“The Azayal are a warlike people of Feline origin but have also become an academic and scientific people who can travel with ease between universes. I will give you an example of what I am saying.

“Our scientists moved our entire core planet and its solar system. Then moved our other solar systems as well one by one closer together and hid our planets between universes in an unpopulated sub-universe. We believe no one else knows where we live and hope our bitter enemies will not find us.

“You will live in a very different society and will form valuable friendships. You will learn advanced humanoid techniques of fighting. We will also give you the opportunity to extend your knowledge and you will be able to develop your powers further. Jason, I hope you encourage my father to be one of your followers and allies,” explained Nora.

Alana added. “There is another little piece that may be worth some thought; if you set up a good relationship with your professors, you may help the Una or offer their expertise to do so. Your friends will take time, even with your mathematics, to return their people. Nora has given you more than enough information upon which you can base your decisions. However, please ask her any questions you may have.”

“Professor, may I ask why you moved from such an advanced society to this one?” Trackrof asked.

“We are alone in our little sub-universe. I had felt claustrophobic on my planet. My father is the king and I find him insufferable. My mother and I get along, but my father tries to interfere with what I do. He is a controlling and manipulative person. Only one of my brothers and one sister are pleasant to visit. I trained as an anthropologist and our anthropologists go to other universes for experience. The palace is big and I now obtained employment elsewhere, so he can’t interfere with me that much. My career and life are now on track,” explained Nora.

“Prof. DeBeer how will we pay for this and where will we live?” Sergei asked.

“Money will not be a problem. Students do not pay for education including foreign students. You will stay with me in the palace; there is a guest wing and you can attend university on Merka, the capital at no cost. The palace is seconds away from the university by portal. I own property in Merka and if we can’t stand the palace, we will move,” Nora answered.

“There is another benefit if you go there to study. Travel to the sub-universe stops time in the Empire and starts again when you come back. I return on the day I left. The universes synchronize every million years. If you are interested, I shall leave in a week. Discuss it, take another week’s vacation and let your aunt know. I need no prior warning if you decide to join me. Jason has seen my shuttle, I can take all of you. We travel for an hour to reach the ideal entry position. We shift universes, and then there is another hour of travel before we reach the planet, Remza. Ten minutes later we are above the palace in Merka. The academic term was due to start in a week at the time I left, so you will enjoy another week of vacation there. That way I can show you the planet.

“I hope the king will be on his best behavior as you are visitors. In any event, we won’t need to spend much time with my father and his awful son through his mistress. You should spend at least one academic year there. It should be plenty to give you a unique, once in a million years, experience and I hope you take up this offer of a unique opportunity,” Nora added.

“Well people; that is as much as I can say. As you have no more questions, I will bid you farewell.” Nora finished and she and Alana went off together.

“First, I will go to Charassa tomorrow, to fetch Julia. She has worked hard for six agonizing days and has finished her rehabilitation. Then I plan to take her for a vacation to a resort on Porquenta. We can ask Porquenta to tell us about the Azayal and find out if he can offer us useful training. Who wants to join me?” Jason asked.

“Razza, can you lead a discussion on the Azayal choice, this afternoon? We can discuss your views of the invitation to go to Merka and decide who wants to go with me to Charassa and then Porquenta.”

“Let’s eat lunch at that new restaurant where you use funny thin little sticks, while we have our discussion,” said Razza.

The groups walked to the restaurant, chatting with each other and laughing. The restaurant advertised they were an Asian fusion restaurant, and it was part of a new franchise. Jason smiled when he recognized a picture of Robert, his friend the chef, on the hologram menu.

“Why are you smiling?” Razza asked Jason.

“I’m smiling because the food is my favorite from Earth, and I am a partner in this chain of restaurants!”

“As you say Jason, heavens above and dogs below!” Razza said laughing.

“Can you tell me why they eat with those funny little sticks?” Adrianna Xavier asked.

Jason looked at her and nodded and frowned before replying.

“They were a very dangerous people, and no one trusted another with a sharp knife. They didn’t even allow them to use metal cutlery of any kind, so they gave them little wooden sticks which they made blunt,” said Jason with a poker face.

“Jason you are so full of it!” Said Trackrof. “Absolute rubbish! Razza let us get the discussion underway before we wallow in a morass of garbage when Jason relaxes, he talks drivel!”

“Please tell me your views on the professor’s proposal to spend time with the Azayal,” requested Razza.

“I vote to go! I enjoyed the special training we had before the Coven mission and the Intelligence education before that. We could learn more awesome mathematics, physics and electronics. However, I instinctively feel our expedition will not be easy or safe. There is a hidden agenda,” said Amelia DiMaggio.

“What do we know?” Razza asked.

“The palace environment may be awkward and complicated. The professor left for a reason. The Azayal may be parochial and will not welcome us. They may see as primitive and ugly,” said Mandy Fritzell from Jason’s university group.

“Speak for yourself,” said Stinger Murphy laughing. Most grinned at each other.

Julia looked at the others. “The professor said they are of feline origin. If they are a feline species, will we be able to cope with their speed? Do they use teeth and claws? How will we cope? I do not want to be disadvantaged. I know Jason will draw trouble that will scare the living daylights out of us. I experienced terror more than once but each time I learned an incredible amount from the adventures!”

Amelia Di Maggio also Jason’s university group continued. “I know if we can survive, we will come out stronger. My family’s philosophy has always been to take an educated guess at the risks and if the return is worth it, take a bigger risk. I don’t think we can take an educated series of guesses but I suspect the professor has solutions to the problems I identified. I am reassured she has goodwill towards us.”

Amelia leaned back in her chair.

“We were effective and inspired when we worked together and fought in that command vehicle. I felt competent, and I felt I was doing something worthwhile. We worked together as they taught us on a dangerous rescue,” said Sergio Paz from Razza’s group. “I am a better person after going along on Jason’s misadventures. Both groups achieved incredible and worthwhile objectives. Our team helped to clean up human trafficking, we rescued prisoners from pirates and produced computer programs that led to the capture of infiltrators my enemies into my adopted home in the Empire. The larger group helped shorten an intergalactic war by rescuing Razza’s family. If I died tomorrow, I will know I did something worthwhile. I gained more experience in half a year than all the years before. Just meeting Porquenta and Nuswa has been astounding. Spending time with Royal families after doing amazing things has been fantastic.”

Many nodded in support of him.

“Far be it from me to be a stick in the mud, but I hanker for a relaxing year. I am considering taking Emperor Ergol up on his offer to go to university in the capital. Time with cockroach babes and the high spots of the capital are visions I see. Those that meet me will worship me as a hero because I knew the bloated cockroach, sorry enlarged cockroach,” said Heinrich Harold from Razza’s group. “I am a Cockroach, and I think often of my family who I barely know. I can explore explore my origins and my instincts!”

“Yes, Marsin, we all know your instincts are guided by your small head. Stop fooling around! We are in the middle of a war. This is not a time to gaze at your navel and chase cockroach babes,” said Razza. “You are in any case wasting your time. You may well fall in love with an Azayal cat woman. She will hold you in check… with her long sharp nails.”

Razza grinned and then bowed towards the groups as they laughed and applauded; flapping their arms.

“You are talking of a mythical state, Nirvana as a zombie. You spent time with your family on Merpakt. It will bore you in a week. I can’t see you as a playboy. You are an idiot. Do you want to be as empty as a Ghoul husk? We are young and doing great things with wonderful beings. Should I say spoken like a husk?” Marsin Zinduski looked at Heinrich quizzically.

“An easy life has an appeal. I’d love to spend time with my family, since I spent so little time with them. Jason has spoken more with my grandfather than me, even including the time I chatted with him over the years. But we’re not going to lose any time with our family, if we go. We should all consider other priorities and values and balance immediate gratification against what we will learn,” said Razza. “Come back and spend time with your families before we find something else worthwhile to do.”

“I love mathematics physics and electronics and I relish the opportunity afforded to us. Maybe we can get the king to help us bring the Una back? Could we find a great weapon to help in the war? Also, we are at high risk of attack by both the Ghouls and Grork while in this Universe because of our high profile. I will have claws and sharp teeth to help defend myself on my return. A few nasties hidden in my fingertips will help,” said Razza smiling.

“Any other views against the proposal?” Razza asked.

“I assume before we decide, Jason you need to go along with Razza to chat with our professor. We cannot afford to be at a disadvantage against a race, adapted to inflict harm upon others. What could they do to give us an equal chance? We need to find our if they have superior crystals or AIs we will need to acquire? The professor believes they have superior techniques and abilities. Can she assure us we can become equals with our Azayal peers? They associate little with other races from what the prof said, they are in their own little sub-universe,” said Dominique Delouf. “How will they accept us?”

“Does anybody else, other than zombie Playboy on my left, wish to express any negative view? I believe everyone goes or no-one goes.” said Razza pointing at Heinrich, then moved her finger to point at everyone.

The groups agreed that it was important to establish the salient facts and sent Razza and Jason to see Nora later that afternoon.

“That is a fascinating and important set of questions, thank you for forwarding them before your appointment.

“If the Azayal injure you fighting, they will treat you. The health technology is extraordinary and better than the Collective. We repair injuries overnight. Catastrophic injuries take a little longer. In martial arts, we injure each other, but we will not use killing blows. Azayal have extendable claws and sharp teeth that lengthen when fighting. We will give you the same and you will fight on even terms. The hospital will set you up the day after we fly in. Our first week is free time for organizing you and visit the planet. I will give you learning cubes and brains. We will decide on crystals when we are there. We can teach a physical skill overnight and can incorporate years of practice. We will teach you to be proficient in our martial arts in a week. Then you have to practice. The educational material and training takes you to an advanced level as if you have practiced the techniques for a long time. Natural athletes will leap ahead. I suspect you will go a long way before you even start university,” said the professor.

“You inquire what my ‘hidden agenda’ might be. I considered myself and my motives after you sent me the questions. The Azayal reached their peak during the time my grandfather was the king. He had ten times more ability and gravitas than my father and four hundred times the ability and presence of his grandson.

“My father killed my grandfather by staging an accident. I suspect his son; my half-brother will kill my father when the time is right.

“My father is emotional and irrational. He tried to change our Azayal way to embrace a more primitive world with less technology and encourages living life by the sword, bow, and arrow and other simple weapons. He has not allowed an upgrade of weapons for our armies or our fleets for at least a million and a half years. The Constitution makes the Army loyal to the King regardless of how useless he is. The king plays off one house against the other and has re-created a feudal society, much as our society was over two and a half million years ago.

“We have a powerful Guilds who foster our progress to the best of their abilities. Guilds fought my father and split our society. They split us between the primitive believers as is my father and a more sophisticated society similar to how the Collective and the Empire work, but still ahead of them.

“My agenda is to return our society to how it was under my grandfather. He unified the Azayal. I hope Jason will inspire my father to be a better person. It is less of an agenda than an unrealistic longing.

“When the Tyrannosaurus Rex anthropologists captured and laid charges against us, I knew there was no way I could fight against the cockroach general. Even if I won, I would die from his poison. It surprised me Jason volunteered to fight the cockroach general. I hoped he could win, but deep down I didn’t believe he had the slightest chance of succeeding. No miracle could save us. Then I saw him transform into a praying mantis and demolish the general. I rejoiced.

“My father is a different beast. I cannot even imagine any way Jason and you lot could change my father. My father only listens to his devious vizier, but I doubt even he influences my father much. My father is rigid and unbending.

I find it hard to believe my father still throws tantrums. His moods are all over the place. Logical thought is not part of his repertoire of skills. His rages are legendary, but still, I don’t think he would harm a guest. In the old days the Azayal protected a guest and never harmed them. One has to tread on egg shells around him, but he is not always difficult. He can be pleasant when he wants something. I recall times when he was pleasant for months. My mother, my other sister and brother stay well away from him if they can. So do I, as best I can.

“I do not foresee you will be at risk. You will go to the University and you will learn martial arts and weapons skills. The Azayal are not friendly to newcomers, but warm to them when the person earns their respect. They behave with indifference and hostility even when they meet another Azayal previously unknown to them. You will not look different from the Azayal other than they have sharper teeth. Even that will change. I plan to give you enhancements. We will tweak your metabolism to help you adapt to a diet heavy on meat or protein from birds or fish. Replicators exist, but no one considers eating replicator food unless they are dying of starvation.

“We will also increase your powers,” said Nora DeBeer.

“How will we look when we return?” Razza asked.”

“You will look the same, you will change your features within yourself at will. When you fight, you will have sharp teeth and claws and will be able to shift your metabolism at will. Razza, many of the ancients had even more advanced modifications. Your children will inherit your changes. Learning to trigger the shift is child’s play. It is as easy as you change form to a bug. I don’t think you should inform the Azayal you can change form. I suggest you reserve your bug fighting abilities for a time of emergency if it ever arises,” said Nora.

“With Jason around something of great import will happen and someone will force us to fight for our lives. Jason is a black hole for trouble and we have had so much trouble it fed the hole and grows bigger! He attracts money and great people with his black hole.” Said Razza and laughed. “I’m sure everyone will come along; the opportunity is tempting!”

“For your groups to work you need to add one more person,” said Nora, “as you lost one person, the assassin fellow. Do you have anyone in mind?”

“I do,” said Jason. Razza looked at him raising an eyebrow and tilting her head to the side.

“Now enjoy your vacation. I hope to visit and meet Porquenta after we return. I wish the Azayal will decide to rejoin the real world, even the Una are doing it!”

Porquenta smiled and laughed as he waved his arms. Snacks appeared on the tables.

“It delights Mars and me to see you back so soon.” Mars appeared next to him. She smiled and greeted Jason and the groups. “We are interested to discuss the proposed educational trip,” said Mars. She moved to Jason and hugged him and whispered in his ear. “Look after my Claudette, I want a grandchild.”

Jason blushed.

“Porquenta we have a question. What do you know of the Azayal and how do you assess the risks from what Jason and Razza told you?” Trackrof asked.

“I know of the Azayal. When I knew them, they were an unsociable, grumpy, combative people, and fought amongst themselves. The Azayal did not interfere with other Empires. The briefing your professor gave you conforms to what I know. Their society was ahead of my people. I know the Azayal to be independent and trade less with others than other species. Nuswa knew them as a people of integrity who played fair. The King ensured no-one meddled with the Azayal. He killed every single member of a species that attacked one of their planets. He gave them one warning, “Leave or die.” The enemy continued their invasion. The king’s forces destroyed the invaders and hunted their species to extinction.

“Under the grandfather the Azayal were stable and consistent.

“When the civilization is unstable, risks in society are higher. Mars rated each individual risk on its own then in the context we find it.” Porquenta said.

“I have done a risk analysis upon the information you presented, said Mars.

“They will not accept you in the beginning. Despite everything your professor, the princess is telling you, the king will be unlikely to take to you, Jason. He is a tyrant and worse than that, he is unstable, which makes him dangerous. You need a trigger for real trouble to begin. The most likely trigger is his daughter. He has expectations for her and they will not disappear since for him, she left yesterday. Jason, the king will react to your gravitas and charisma. He will react to you as her father. He will view you with suspicion because he is paranoid. He will not warm towards your groups as you are people of integrity and power. You represent a different value set, to his own,” said Mars.

“I agree,” said Razza, “Can we get out of there alive, Mars?”

“You will definitely get hurt fighting them. Persist and they will hurt you less. They have excellent medical treatment. They will fix you. I cannot see a high probability of you dying,” said Mars.

“We have no information on any other players who might influence your risk, but we advise you to look at the potential return you may receive for your efforts. I believe you will enjoy your time with the Azayal. Any species that can survive to their age without destroying themselves has a wealth of useful information. Knowledge is a priceless asset. The cube from the Collective is a leap ahead of the Empire. You will probably learn a considerable amount more with the Azayal!” Porquenta added.

“The information I have on the Azayal was from Nuswa. Mars and I will decide what we can do or give you to help lower your risk.” Porquenta was silent for a few moments.

“Mars and I will work on this problem. I suggest you enjoy a holiday while we work on the questions you raised. I have completed a unique resort two days ago. This resort is only for your family, Jason, and friends. I dedicate it to my originator. I have many of the memories of my creator, but her fondest memory was of her home. I built the resort in the image of her home and its surroundings. There was no perfect spot on this planet, so I changed the land to create an identical climate and acquired similar vegetation to the Safion home planet. The resort is in the style preferred by our people,” said Porquenta gazing towards the ceiling. He rubbed his face.

“I hope the place pleases you, you deserve something special after the amazing efforts you made. Your courage was remarkable, your perseverance in the face of adversity commendable and your fighting in the control vehicle impressive,” said Mars.

“I hope you enjoy what I created from my home planet,” said Porquenta.

Alana walked with two of her bodyguards followed by two behind her and several more covering her behind and in a gunship above. The procession reached Nora’s home. Alana moved forward to place her hand on the security pad which opened the gate. The guards preceded her into the garden. She walked towards the imposing door of the ancient, but beautiful home, much in the style of Jason’s. Alana loved visiting her old friend’s home. Nora had furnished it elegantly but comfortably. She recalled many happy hours together and smiled.

They walked towards the house and the guards waited for the Empress to catch up with them. Alana moved to the front door to press the pad but noticed that the door was open. This was unusual, and she pointed this out to the guards. Alana made the sign she wanted more guards to join her and wanted guards to move around to the back. Two guards entered the house ahead of her and saw the atrium was empty. The guards signed to her no one was downstairs. Alana pointed up the stairs and zipped her lips. They silently climbed the carpeted stairs placing one foot above the next, with Alana close behind them. Four more guards followed behind her as six guards entered the atrium and waited. Alana paused on the stairs to signal her guards in front of her. The Empress repeated the long-practiced sequence of signals to the guards below.

Her guards started then turned as they heard scuffling noises behind them and ran towards the sound. As they reached Nora’s bedroom door they looked back at the Empress for instructions. Alana signaled draw weapons, turned and signaled to the guards behind her.

The guards drew their weapons, opened the door, the first slowly and silently began to move towards the partly open door, the second covering her. There was a loud bang from the room. From inside came muffled voices speaking a guttural foreign language. There was a sudden whine of muffled cannon fire. The first guard fired and darted into the room, the second fired to cover her. As she reached the door, she saw the first guard freeze and fall while the second, a marine AI fired. A green beam struck the AI and her chest exploded. Alana peered into the room and saw a Ghoul holding a weapon. Three ghouls were down on the floor. The first guard lay motionless on her back, a wide burn-mark evident on her chest.

She heard a thunderous concussion somewhere nearby. A piece of shrapnel shot through the window and impacted on a wall near her. Dust obscured her sight for several moments.

The Ghoul looked at Alana, saw she was unarmed, picked up Nora and carried her to the window. Another Ghoul was waiting outside the window on the ledge. Alana drew on her trans dim powers and crushed the skull of the Ghoul holding Nora and then crushed the plexus and secondary control in the abdomen. The outside Ghoul grabbed for Nora, missed and reached for his weapon as he saw Alana. The outside Ghoul disappeared. The Ghoul carrying Nora slowly toppled forward still holding Nora. Alana ran forward and supported her head to prevent injury. Two guards ran forward to help Alana and picked up Nora.

“Let’s get out of here, please carry Prof. DeBeer. Tell them we have casualties and call the gunship to land. We are heading for the hospital, get them to hurry and bring the injured to the gunship.”

Alana hurried downstairs. Armored special forces troops poured into the house and a squad surrounded her while several squads ran up the stairs.

“It’s the first door on the right,” she shouted.

More guards surrounded her as she walked outside. The area was filled with troops, tanks and gunships above. Alana looked up as she walked and saw fighters circling her position, with more joining them every second. A dazzling flash blinded her as she looked upwards. Guards accompanied her into the nearest gunship. The gunship rose and was escorted to the hospital. As they debarked, there were hundreds of fighters high in the atmosphere. Gunships and tanks patrolled below the fighters. The Empress turned. Soldiers were carrying her other guard and the damaged AI one hundred yards behind her.

Orderlies placed Nora in a Collective pod.

“Empress, please make your way to the waiting room. As soon as we have completed our assessment, I will come to speak to you,” said the doctor. “Nurse please guide our Empress to a private waiting room.”

Twenty minutes later the doctor joined Alana in the waiting room.

“Empress, Professor DeBeer is returning to consciousness and will recover. She was not injured. The professor surprised our team. I did not know she is of a feline species not known to us in the Empire. The Collective Pod identifies her as not hostile and she is of the species called the Azayal. The Ghouls tailored the anesthetic to her metabolism, but it has no effect on us. Whoever gassed her knew much about her and her species. There is no doubt they targeted an Azayal,” said the doctor.

“Most doctors know the professor well as they study anthropology with her, but I did not know of her unusual origin. We see the two of you together in my favorite restaurant many times. I lecture at the medical school and eat on campus as often as I can,” said the doctor.

“Empress, did you see the news on your way to the hospital?”

“No, I didn’t. I saw a flash in the sky after we left the professor’s house. Do you know what it was?” asked Alana.

“I saw the news just before your gunship arrived. An alert sensor operator on the gunship spotted a cloaked Ghoul shuttle outside professor DeBeer’s window, after they heard your warning. Your gunship commander attacked the craft which exploded. He dropped troops while calling in reinforcements and informing the fleet of an intruder into our solar system. Our fleet located the cloaked Ghoul ship, attacked and destroyed the cruiser. It exploded. That was the flash you saw.

“Empress, I heard you killed a Ghoul after the Ghoul shot your guards. They shot your human guard in the abdomen, but she will survive. The engineers have taken your AI Marine to a repair shop attached to the hospital which specializes in robotics. Collective Intelligence has taken the Ghouls to extract their information.

“Do you have questions before you go through to see your friend?” asked the doctor.

“Doctor that was an exceptional presentation considering the short time between the attack and us getting here. Thank you for helping my friend. I have no more questions,” said Alana as she strode to the ward.

“We will reach the planet Remza in ten minutes. I will fly you over Merka, the capital so you can get a feel of the city, and then we will land at the palace,” said Nora. “I will show you to your rooms and then take three of you; Jason, Razza, and Julia, to meet with my mother, a brother and a sister. The rest of you will meet them at dinner. We will have a family dinner, two hours after we land where you will meet my father, and the rest of the family. I expect no other guests.”

The shuttle slowed as it approached the city. Two elegant fighter escorts peeled off and flew back to base.

“What a beautiful city!” Trackrof noted.

Behind her there were many grunts of approval. As they came lower Jason saw the city was built around a natural harbor. The city rose in terraces which steepened to become a long vertical cliff. Large homes were built high into the side of the volcano.

“Look at the harbor. It is so wide! The bridges are picturesque with houses and buildings on them. The harbor is full of old sailing ships. I have never seen a real one out of a museum. Look over there you can see paddle steamers,” said Heinrich. “Professor, I now know what you meant by saying your father has taken you backwards!”

Merka had many buildings painted in primary colors. The sunlit sky was a deep blue, much bluer than the sky on Earth and had small white puffy clouds scudding over the city. The city shone brightly in the sunlight.

“I don’t know what I expected,” said Julia, “but it wasn’t this gorgeous city. There are no towering buildings in Merka as there are in the Empires.”

The tallest buildings were only five stories, but they were substantial buildings occupying large tracts of land. There were many waterways leading off from the harbor with small yachts and a panoply of boats moving on the water. Thousands of people were walking on paths alongside the river and harbor and sitting at a proliferation of restaurants. In the city itself thousands could be seen walking as they went about their day of business or leisure.

“I am surprised to see vehicles traveling in the streets,” said Jason. “Merka could be on Earth. I think it is lovely, Nora,” said Jason.

Nora smiled, banked the shuttle and shot vertically upwards heading towards a sheer cliff near the top of the mountain. Jason cringed, and held his seat. He breathed a sigh of relief as they entered a cavernous hanger and landed.

“Walk with me towards the arch,” Nora pointed to her left towards a huge arch carved into the shiny black rock and walked through a portal at the center of the arch, followed by both groups. “As you may have guessed we entered the hanger through a disguised portal.”

Nora strode ahead and beckoned.

“Follow me.” She walked into a dimly lighted warehouse.

“Terrific, now we are in my university storage room. I think I have enough educational cubes to give you one each and plenty of brains,” said Nora grinning as she rummaged through several storage areas humming tunelessly. “Yes, I have more than enough for all of you.”

“As I give each of you a cube and a brain, I am keying it to you as I hand it to you. When you get to your room, touch this point on the side and it will assess you and what you know. First the cube will teach you our language. That is your priority. The process will take mere minutes. When you speak you will be more fluent than when you learned the language of the Collective or the language of the Coven. Our educational system gives you practice without having to use simulators.

“I will show you to your rooms. There are dressers in all of your rooms, keep a track of the time, use the refresher by giving it telepathic commands and then the dresser. Ask for evening wear and when it provides you with further choices pick semiformal. It will then offer you a series of choices and I suggest you choose the color you like. I will send you a message when we are heading down for dinner.” Directed Nora. “Guys, here you call me Pardela.”

“Mother I would like to introduce you to several of my students who represent the groups who will attend the University here on exchange.”

Nora, now Princess Pardela Ravengus introduced Jason, Razza and Julia to her mother, Queen Mergal Ravengus, her brother Prince Fallis Ravengus and her sister Princess Relaren Ravengus.

“Mother, Jason saved my life on an anthropological expedition, and is a Lord of the Empire, Razza is a crown princess of an insect species called the Coven and Julia is of nobility in the Empire. The group is divided into two subgroups. Razza’s group is all from the Coven Royal Family and Julia’s come from the Empire and are of Empire nobility. They are exceptional young people who will enjoy and benefit from our unique education,” said Pardela looking at her family.

“Pardela, you have always tended to rush to frankly discuss the issues at hand. First things first,” said Mergal, and hugged Pardela tightly, as did her brother and sister. Fallis kissed her on the cheek.

“Welcome to the three of you. I welcome you all and hope you can enjoy a week’s vacation on this beautiful planet before you begin your studies.

“Pardela, I would like to hear the story of what happened with you and Jason on your expedition,” said Mergal, the Queen.

“Jason sent me a ten-minute summary, which I will show you and then I will send you the longer version to watch, if you wish,” said Pardela. “No doubt the King will want to hear the story. He loves near death experiences almost as much as real death experiences,” said Pardela.

“Radon will be interested in your story. Tell the story to all of us at dinner. Pardela, you have a dangerous job, but I will not yet again ask you to return and stay here where we can keep you safe. I know how futile that will be. What else has been happening?” asked the Queen.

Pardela, told her mother briefly of the intergalactic war and the circumstances that led up to it and then told her the Ghouls tried to kidnap her.

“Pardela I hope you told our guests no one knows where we are. We do not face outside dangers, but we are our own worst enemies,” said Mergal then turned to look at the foreigners. “We fight amongst ourselves and the King weakens us by trying to move us to live as we did in our early years. Many of us miss being in a galaxy where there are other species even if one has to live with a higher risk.

“Radon retains a strong interest in the Universe from whence we came. I hope your stories will stimulate him to realize it is time we move ahead, stop focusing inward and engage with our old universe. Sadly, so far he remains intractable. In this place we are at risk of rotting away from a lack of stimulation and backward regression.

“Before I forget, you are all invited to the spring ball. It is two nights before university begins. I believe it will be an excellent introduction to our culture and it will be a chance to enjoy an entertaining cultural event with its origins in a harvest festival. Radon, has included all of you in the invitation. He loves to show off our society and its people. Throughout the kingdom people hold parties. The ball is the party where the Royal Household entertains all the nobles. Radon loves the ball, as the festival harks back to our earliest agricultural times.

“Pardela you have done so much since we last saw you. For us it is as if you left this morning. Nothing of any import has occurred here since you left and returned. We will see you at dinner. It is time to refresh yourselves and dress,” said Mergal as she waved them out.

“Jason, Razza and Julia, I would suggest all of you call me Pardela while you are here. Our family is not pretentious, other than my playboy brother, Wensta, who you will see at dinner. He is a useless waste of space. The dinner is all on first name terms and no your majesty, prince this or that.”

“Father, I would like to introduce you to two groups of students we have from the Empire. One of Julia’s group died while attempting an assassination and Julia here protected the Emperor of the Coven from his fate. We have a substitute from the Jumo Empire, Perditer Nazared who is the daughter of the Prime Minister, the administrative leader of the Jumo,” said Pardela as she made introductions.

“So these are the primitives,” said Wensta with a sneer, while the Vizier behind the Emperor curled his lip to mirror him.

“They are behind us in their development, that is all!” Radon Ravengus the King stated. “We have been behind other ancients, so what of it? They will learn as do our people at University, and they will learn to fight as we do. We believe in providing opportunities to those behind us, as did other ancients for us. Pardela’s students are guests in this palace, I would like you to remember it Wensta,” said Radon emphasizing each word and looking at Wensta.

Jason noticed the Vizier, a sallow faced man with a pinched face slowly begin to move. He walked past Wensta touching him gently with his hands on his shoulders and then stood behind Jason lightly touching him. Jason felt something being sucked out of him. He instinctively resisted and pulled harshly back. The Vizier was strong. They pulled back and forth for a few moments. Jason was determined and pulled as hard as he could and felt something rushing into his mind and energy into his body. The hands left his shoulder and he heard a faint sigh. There was a rustle as he heard the Vizier move again. Jason turned to follow him. Jason saw the Vizier move behind Razza and gently place a hand on her shoulder. Suddenly lightning surrounded her and she stood facing the Vizier as he fell. Her lighting struck the Vizier several times. He looked stunned lying on the floor and seemed hard pressed to take a breath. He looked distressed.

“I apologize, Radon, I will not accept staff of the palace putting their hands on me. In my father’s Empire it is punishable by death and regarded as a grave assault,” said Razza her face flushing.

The Vizier laboriously stood, then returned to his place behind the King. Radon looked at him with his head to the side and knitting his eyebrows. “I suggest you keep your hands off my guests and off all of us. I also find it offensive,” said Radon shaking his head.

Jason saw Pardela looking at her father with her mouth and eyes open wide as was her mother, brother and sister. Wensta smirked.

Radon turned towards Pardela smiling. Jason saw his sharp teeth a smaller version of those he had seen in a lion.

“Pardela, your mother mentioned there was a kidnap attempt upon you and intergalactic war has broken out again. She also mentioned young Jason here accompanied you on anthropological duties and a species of dinosaur kidnapped you. I would very much like to hear the stories.

“Perhaps begin with an overview of the intergalactic war and how it began and who fights whom, then tell us about the recent kidnapping attempt upon you and finally I would like to hear of your anthropological expedition to the dinosaurs. I am interested in all these issues,” stated Radon.

Pardela and the others in her family looked wide eyed at Radon. Just before she began her story the final princess; Pardela’s sister Kalalal arrived and was introduced by Pardela to the students. She sat opposite Jason. Kalalal remained silent but watched and listened with a furrowed brow.

Pardela told of the war first. Her father asked many questions. Jason observed Kalalal sneering at her sister but she smiled at Jason and flirted with him. Radon continued to listen to the stories with rapt attention.

“It is hard to understand what changed the Ghouls. They were sentient AI partners and companions of an ancient people the Uzliumbax and had such an excellent reputation,” said Radon shaking his head. “I cannot understand why they changed sides in the midst of a battle and now they behave so oddly. The Uzliumbax built them to serve as an army for them and as builders. They worked together for hundreds of thousands of years. The Ghouls were loyal subjects.”

Pardela surprised Jason by providing intricate details about the conduct of the war. She provided a clear picture of those involved, and the battles fought. He turned to observe the Vizier and noted he was listening carefully. The Vizier inexplicably began to move shifting weight from foot to foot and frowned as he listened to Pardela but glanced often at Jason, Razza, Julia and Perdita. He twitched every few minutes.

“Your Majesty it is getting late and we still have work to do,” said the Vizier plaintively.

“Nonsense, my man, there is nothing that urgent that it can’t wait until tomorrow. What is going on with you this evening Slymon, you are not yourself!” Radon remarked frowning and shaking his head.

Jason saw Wensta was grinning at both his father and at the Vizier.

Pardela went on to complete the story of her kidnapping.

“Again, we hear of the Ghouls. Do you know why they tried to kidnap you?”

“I have no idea. The Collective intelligence service had not completed the analysis following information retrieval from the bodies by the time I left.”

Pardela then provided a summarized version of what happened with the Parzool.

“Pardela, much has happened since we moved into our unique universe. I have begun to miss the outside world. There are many species who have the capacity for inter-universe travel and we cannot hide here forever. It is a matter of time before an enemy discovers us,” said Radon.

“Father that is nonsense!” Wensta exploded, his face suffused with anger. “We must move further to simplify our lives and live once again as did our ancestors. We have moved so far to purify our lives. This is a time to sort out the Guilds who are still trying to tell us what to do and go back to the treadmill of progress. Father, your squeeze upon them is not succeeding and that makes us a target for even more advanced species.”

“Wensta, you don’t tell me how to run my kingdom. I evolved the ideas of simplifying our lives with Slymon. I know all about a less complicated life. Lately, I have begun to reconsider. Perhaps the fundamental assumptions I made were incorrect. We have made ourselves weaker and more vulnerable. I dread the time our enemies find us. Your sister has described the intergalactic war clearly, the powerful are ignoring the fundamental principles of honor and fairness and are behaving in a predatory fashion towards the weak. The Grork, those envious hateful jellyfish will always manipulate behind the scenes and we cannot predict what the Ghouls will do. Both can travel here with ease. Neither will say we will leave you in peace because you live like primitives.”

“That is absolute garbage, you will destroy us and our future. We need nothing of the outside world. We can live here in peace and simplicity,” an enraged Wensta screamed and banged his fists on the table.

“Please excuse me, I will be back shortly,” said Jason rising from the table. The Vizier glanced at him and then continued listening attentively to the king and Wensta. Jason reached up as if to stretch after sitting for so long but drew his sword. Slymon looked at Jason then his eyes widened as he saw the sword and put up his hands palms outward. Jason moved quickly and cut off the head of the Vizier, then stabbed into his abdomen twisted and tore it open. The King and Wensta rose, transforming into fearsome warriors and drew their swords. The guards moved towards Jason with energy weapons drawn and ready.

Jason returned his sword into trans-dim space, stood with open palms facing the guards then turned to Radon.

“Radon, Slymon is a Ghoul,” said Jason, “to confirm it Radon look at the electronics in his neck and inside the abdomen. “The Ghouls discovered where you are and infiltrated you. Come and look over here. If you have any doubts a short examination of the body should help remove your concerns.”

Jason saw the guards relax and look at the King who waved them back to stand near the walls.

Jason breathed more easily.

Radon moved to the headless corpse and bent down to look at it. He pulled out his knife to help him peer into the neck and abdomen and proclaimed, “He is a Ghoul, I can see a mix of electronics and biogenic tissue. Have a look for yourselves.”

Razza turned in her chair to examine the body as the others seated at the table began to rise. Wensta was slow to return his weapon to its scabbard. He glared at Jason.

Radon turned to his secretary seated near him at the table. “Gromon, contact General Sarajengus and ask him to attend us as a matter of urgency. Tell him he will learn what the issues are when he is here.”

Jason noticed Wensta sported two-inch-long claws and his canines protruded from his mouth like short tusks. Jason saw an axe on his belt. He looked furious and turned to glare at his father.

Radon ignored him and turned to face Jason.

“Well, done young man” - he turned to face his son and thundered - “Wensta transform back, sit down and relax.”

Radon transformed himself from his warrior visage to his usual form.

“We will wait for General Nastovor Sarajengus before we repeat what happened and further discuss this war which embroils us. We can have a drink while we are waiting, I have a new wine we can try. It is from our estates and has been maturing for thirty years.”

Wensta sat down but glared at Jason for several seconds before transforming back to his previous form. He looked at the table and fiddled with a side plate. Kalalal glared at Wensta. Princess Relaren and her brother Fallis said nothing. Jason had not heard them speak a single word or express any emotions. Fallis sat awkwardly at the edge of his seat and shifted his position frequently. Relaren looked serenely ahead of her.

Ten minutes later a very handsome man accompanied by a fine-looking young woman, both in elegant uniforms, entered the room. Radon introduced them. Nastovor Sarajengus and his companion nodded and smiled at all the family members. The woman was Adm. Maron Mergazengis. Both looked as though they were in the early twenties.

“I apologize for asking my colleague Maron to accompany me, but you know her well and your man used his judgment and said he believed it was a matter of grave importance. I felt such a matter justified bringing her along.” He looked at Radon who nodded. The general looked around the room. “I also note your Vizier is lying recumbent on the floor. No doubt something of some importance has happened?”

“Please join us at the table. Relaren pass them the cheese please” - he waved to a server - “Please bring fresh glasses and another few bottles of wine and pour for our guests.”

“I will go back a week and tell you the story from that time,” said Radon twirling the wine in his glass. He beckoned to a server. “Please bring in some fruit and cheese and refill the plates on the tables.”

Radon sat back in his seat looked around the table then lifted his gaze to look into the distance which he continued to do as he spoke, only briefly looking at his audience every few minutes.

“I have a very old friend who I have known from early childhood. We went through school and War College together. He runs several merchant fleets and purchases strategic materials for us from other universes. He told me the Coven had infiltrated the Collective and the Empires of Cassius and the Jumo. His executive officer heard stories of poisonings in the Empire of Cassius. He told me of the attack on Charassa by the Coven, the Ghouls and a sea creature of some description. Those accursed Grork parasitic scum are in the thick of it again, once again behind the scenes. They were manipulating in the background in the last big war. I loathe them.”

Radon grimaced.

“My friend and I discussed the possibility of it happening here. I was of the opinion it was a low risk, but he believed otherwise. It was his considered opinion our enemies knew where we were and had infiltrated spies into our society. We know as discussed previously the Grork parasites and the Ghouls can travel between universes.

“He told me of the strange change in Ghoul behavior. He told me the Ghouls had kidnapped many for their own purposes and left them as husks. He knew the Grork were buying people as were the Dhoom octopi.

“I was surprised, the Ghouls I knew used a rechargeable power supply.

“He then told me I had changed my personality over time. He wondered if I was being poisoned.”

“I was initially outraged.”

“He said he could be wrong but what did I have to lose to check on my health. He said I had changed so much over the time he has known me and there had to be a reason for this.”

Radon shook his head quickly and transferred his gaze to look at the table.

“ I’m embarrassed to say, I argued with him. He smiled at me and said think about it. I pooh-poohed him.”

“When he left he smiled and waved his finger. I began to think. I was suspicious. Did he have a motive? Why would he say what he said? Have I changed?

“I have known him since I was three years of age. He is one of the most intelligent and measured individuals I have ever known and he has tolerated my idiosyncrasies. What did I have to lose to check if I was being poisoned?”

“Over the next few days I traced through my recollections of the past. I recognized I felt more emotional than I did in my youth. I should have been less emotional than I was as a teenager. I recalled my father was proud of me in my early years but later viewed my behavior with disgust.”

Radon sighed, paused and looked around the table at each of his guests. He lingered on Mergal.

“I became preoccupied with the idea I was being poisoned. I considered that we all eat from the same platters for our meals and Gromon supervises all drinks at meals. I have known him since childhood. I know our chef and her family.

“I then noticed Slymon handed me drinks as we worked together. I drank most of the first one without thinking and then choked as the thought hit me. Following the first drink he handed me, I dumped them all after I sent him out on errands. He looked at the empty glasses and smiled. I got the drinks tested. The doctors detoxified me and I had myself re-optimized.

“Wensta you have also spent much time with Slymon. I suggest you visit our doctors. Perhaps your foul mood will improve if you are detoxified. I hate to think you naturally have the personality you showed us this evening.”

Wensta glared at his father and narrowed his brows.

“I was going to have Slymon arrested tomorrow morning,” said Radon.

“It sounds like a pack of lies,” scoffed Wensta as his father glared at him. “What rubbish you speak father. I have many friends that like me. I like myself exactly as I am.”

Kalalal stiffened and looked closely at her brother, then slowly shook her head. She looked at him with disdain.

“You are a disgusting piece of shit with a toxic personality, perhaps someone will arrange for you and your psychopathic friends have a pleasant accident together. Be alert dear brother while you sleep for you never know what is around the corner.”

Kalalal laughed.

Wensta looked uncomfortable and did not meet her intense glare. His eyes darted everywhere but not on his sister.

Radon ignored her and the interchange.

“The drink I had analyzed is a metabolic toxin,” said Radon.

Radon turned to the admiral and general.

“Let me tell you what happened this evening!”

Radon described in some detail Jason and Razza’s reactions to being touched by the Vizier. He then told the stories he had heard in a summarized form and how Jason had cut off the Vizier’s head and cut open the body.

“Please have the remains of the Ghoul interrogated. Let us talk further tomorrow afternoon, we have much to consider. “Do you have questions you would like to ask our guests? They will be otherwise engaged this week traveling before they start studies at the University,” said Radon.

“Do any of you have any information on the weapons of your enemies you are prepared to tell us about?” Maron Mergazengis asked.

“Yes,” said Jason. “I will ask my AI to package it up for you and send it to you in a few minutes,” said Jason. “I will also ask my AI to translate the material for you into Azayal. Please give me your contact information.”

The admiral and general raised their eyebrows. They passed over their contact details to Jason.

Jason closed his eyes briefly.

“Thank you!” Maron said, “I have your package.” She looked over at the brain/slate of the General. “Thank you Jason, we both have the information.”

“The Ghouls can do nothing to us, they can’t even reach us!” Wensta insisted.

Radon pointedly ignored him.

No one else responded. Jason saw Kalalal look at her brother with disgust evident on her face. The Admiral and General left the room.

“The King has had a dramatic turnaround, I hope the effect of his friend’s intervention will last,” said Maron. “If the poison altered his mood and his judgment then it bodes well for the future of the Azayal; if Wensta doesn’t kill him first. I shudder to think what sort of a king Wensta would be!

“Let’s get our scientists and weapons people busy investigating the information Lord Kargo has for us. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we’ll need a lot of money to upgrade our armed forces,” said Maron shaking her head.

“We need to both talk to intelligence tonight to see what we can rustle up to find infiltrated Ghouls. I assume that if they have infiltrated the palace, we are dealing with a general infestation. I wonder what the hell they are trying to achieve. I suspect we are facing a dangerous problem,” said Nastovor. “If they are looking at us as a source of food then we are in serious trouble.”

“I should have asked those young people how they identified the Ghoul. Perhaps they can tell us how they do it. I suspect Lord Kargo, as a student, doesn’t have access to top-secret information. This is when we find ourselves at a very serious disadvantage because of where we are,” said Maron. We need some hard data. I will send out scout ships to Bekta Delta to find out what is going on.

“Professor Morgum, it is great honor to meet you, how goes famous Merka Teaching Hospital Department of Modification, Repair, and Rehabilitation?” Pardela asked.

“We are struggling with old machines and technology that we cannot update. We do the best we can with what we have. We can do what you asked when you called and it is a pleasure to be of help. I will talk to your students together to explain the types of available options. It is important they learn what we can do. My team will examine them afterwards to establish what modifications they can accept. Some species and different races can accept more modifications than others,” said Prof. Revik Morgum. “Please ask them to come through to the small conference room, so we may talk.”

He turned to Pardela.

“Professor Ravengus, it is a pleasure to meet you. I attended your classes for three years as a student.”

Pardela nodded in acknowledgement thanked him and walked out of the professor’s office to the students and ushered them into the conference room.

“I can talk about modifications with more authority than most, as I was the University unarmed and blunt weapon champion. In the Army, I specialized in fighting with a sword and throwing discs. We use a short and close ranged weapon in the military as well as the usual assault rifles, sniper rifles and many other weapons. I came a close second in unarmed combat interplanetary competition in my final year. I won the sword but was not placed with the disc.

“Let me begin the discussion by talking about the length of claws. If you are in a serious fight and they are longer than an inch and a half you are at risk of losing your claws. I used an inch and a quarter nails. If you keep them shorter it is rare you will lose them, but they inflict less damage.

“Horns are a little on the controversial side. The Queen used horns to great advantage. She was a fine fighter with a thick pair of short horns. Few master them. The problem with horns is they can provide leverage and a pair of handles for your opponent to break your neck. I can grow two six-inch straight horns, but I prefer not to use them. They helped me win once in my earlier years. I have been reserved to use them since.

“In close combat the use of teeth is valuable. We extend our own feline teeth. We have many teeth and tusk types you can choose from. We have encountered many species who use tusks to great effect. The Orcs are one such species.

“Facial war masks scare and shock your enemy thus giving you an advantage. We all change our faces and even our bodies to look more fearsome. You will all choose which appearance types you prefer. There are no disadvantages to a mask. Two different masks are sufficient. A delay while choosing your mask in an ambush can be fatal.

“The university will train you to use your claws, teeth and/or your horns in combat. If you find a modification not to your satisfaction, you can change it with little difficulty. We train you on a modification overnight. Most change horns, claws and teeth several times before they find the optimal mix for themselves. People rarely change their claws after they have used them a few times. If you lose a claw or a tooth or even an eye, we replace it overnight or we provide a cybernetic implant. I would suggest we change your eyes to more robust versions with a membrane to protect them. The membrane gives you clear underwater vision and is great. We will give you gills for underwater combat. They appear when you need them. I enjoy using my gills diving for recreation.

“Azayal arms are not amenable to natural weapons that several other species possess. Several other species have spurs of bone that extend stiletto like for stabbing. If your anatomy is amenable to this type of modification, we will provide it if you wish.

“We will also give you the ability to switch your metabolism so you can eat our diet without running into difficulty. I understand from the briefing I received you eat meat and vegetable material, but far less meat and fish than we do.

“Whatever powers you possess we can augment and improve. We have used crystals for a long time and if we can improve yours, we will back them up and exchange them for you. We can also leave your own crystals in place and create a further slot. If you have useful crystals we will leave them in place.

“Many change their battle faces often.

“Other than the most grievous of injuries the University clinic will heal you overnight and send you back into the fight the next morning. They heal most injuries in minutes. Azayal fight viciously and are persistent. Serious injuries are a daily risk in the early stages of training.

“On the table in front of you is a holo-sphere. As soon as you touch it, it will present you with a series of alternatives. Remember, you’re not committed forever to whatever your first choice is. There is no wonderful answer as to the best combination. Once you have made your choices, I will take all of you to our modification and rehabilitation suite, for examination and then for modification. If you are fortunate enough to be able to receive bone spurs in your fists and spikes in your elbows, I will insert them. While all that is being done, you will receive the training to use your new weapons and we will familiarize you with our martial arts. Tonight, you will receive training in our techniques. Tomorrow you will start your exercise and martial arts regime,” said Prof. Morgum.

After they made their choices the students entered the medical facility.

The professor instructed them to lie on the beds in the facility. As each person lay on the bed, they lost consciousness. A hazy field formed around them. Jason saw Trackrof rise from the bed as if she was levitating and turn from one side to the other before spending time in midair face downwards. It was a bizarre sight, watching his classmates levitating before he lay down on his own bed.

Jason woke sat up and looked around. Everyone else was lying on their backs as he had been. The professor strolled up to him.

“Jason, I see you already had all the modifications including the elbow spikes and eight-inch spurs. Our AI tells me you didn’t know you had them. I can see you have ancient DNA, even older than us. It is likely you inherited your upgrades. You also possess claws and teeth much like mine. I can also see your groups can shift form. That was a surprise! Much development has occurred we know nothing about!

“The quality of all of your crystals is excellent. They are better than anything we can provide. The bodies you, Razza and Julia were given are the work of genius. Perhaps in the ten minutes before the others wake, you can give me an overview of the species that produces such magnificent work?” Prof. Revik Morgum asked.

Jason provided a brief history of his meetings with the insects of the Collective.

“Jason, that is fascinating. I would love to know more but we have run out of time!”

“Professor I am sending you an account of my history and background as prepared by my AI. Please don’t share what I give you,” asked Jason.

“The Azayal have always been and remain a prickly and paranoid people. We protect privacy to the extreme. The medical AI is similarly bound by strict rules of confidentiality. We can do what the Collective did but we never considered rebuilding a body from scratch in cases of severe injury. It is an important idea. We have isolated ourselves for so long we missed the ideas and concepts of other peoples. We can transfer consciousness and we can build a body, it is just that we have never done it and we have never considered trying to optimize brains and bodies to the level done for you. We have not evolved our crystals for many years,” said Prof. Morgum.

He looked at the hologram produced by his brain. “Both your groups are ready. I will talk to the groups and walk you all through deploying your new accessories. You can be on your way in twenty minutes at the most. Thank you for the information on the Collective, I received it.”

“Six days of travel has passed in a flash, we need to head back for the ball,” said Pardela smiling. She looked tanned and relaxed.

“Thank you Pardela, we enjoyed the tour very much. Your friends were very hospitable to the primitives amongst us,” said Julia grinning while looking at Jason out the corner of her eye.

She winked at him.

“The ball is tomorrow night, Saturday, and university starts on Monday. Our family organize the ball every year to provide an opportunity for all the ruling families to meet in a social setting. It gives some of the youngsters an opportunity to meet each other and for families to form alliances and network. My father has a council of Barons and Earls. A Baron may run a planet or two, and an Earl will have between seven and ten Barons who report to him. The Earls report to my father. We run many planetary systems in this universe. We have three trillion people.

“The ball is a stuffy formal, ritualized affair. I hope you will not be bored,” said Pardela.

“Your father was pleasant, he was not what I expected at all. Was it all an act Pardela? Is he usually more like Wensta? Trackrof Graf asked.

“I don’t know what to think about my father. He and Wensta are usually equally obnoxious. My father’s change of behavior is too good to be true. He is a malignant meddler in the affairs of others and is a manipulative man. I don’t know if he was poisoned. I have never met the alleged old merchant friend, but then he never invited friends to the palace. My mother does not recall the friend either.

“My mother has her own intelligence people and they did find a person who went to school with my father and does have a merchant business.

“I struggle to believe the King has suddenly become stable and sensible. The military is archaic and has old and broken ships and equipment. My father has preached a course of action for so long I cannot for one-second believe he will restructure the Azayal. I battle to see how we can defend ourselves if the Ghouls attack us in the not too distant future.

“I suspect the King will revert soon to his usual behavior. Long term improvement is too much to hope for.”

Pardela paused. She looked sad.

“I’ve had several conversations with my mother this week. She has gone to great lengths to establish whether he in fact was ever a more stable individual or not. They had an arranged marriage to unite the two most powerful Azayal families. Mergal said the King was more pleasant and amenable then, but she doesn’t know if it was an act to ensure their union took place. My mother said he was awful for the year before my grandfather died. She is convinced he killed his father. Radon and his father fought constantly during the year before my grandfather was killed. She lost her trust of him during that time. She recalls the change in him coincided with a new secretary. She wonders if he was a Ghoul and why he left. These events were so long ago it is difficult to recall the history even with the help of a crystal. All we can do is watch Radon and see what happens.

“I have material for you to learn to understand the ball. There are many obscure rules and regulations governing the behavior of the peers at the ball. I suggest you all direct yourselves to the educational content on the structure of the society and the rules of conduct at social events. Pick the executive summary, you will learn all you will need and more.” Princess Pardela briefed them.

The ballroom held five thousand people with room to spare. A glorious dome covered the capacious room. Razza gazed with interest at the artwork and pointed to images of scenes on Azayal planets carefully painted on the dome. The images were carefully crafted so those that were distant looked the same size as those that were nearer. Along the walls stood statues on pedestals of figures in military uniforms. The King, Radon sat with Mergal next to him along with several Earls on a raised platform. Circular tables that could seat ten people were placed throughout the room.

Pardela, the Professor and Princess, split the group into two, putting Jason, Razza, Julia and Perdita at the same table with her and her sister Relaren and her brother Fallis. She suggested as the evening progressed, they change tables at will.

Pardela walked to several nearby tables and chatted with many before returning to her table.

She continued to look around the room at the colorfully dressed crowd. Suddenly her face fell.

“Oh no,” said Pardela, “there is Grefis Trodd. I knew him and his friends well at University. Grefis was in a group they paired us with for several projects. He is a painful and obnoxious character. He is a more sophisticated version of my disgusting brother.”

She looked anxious and held onto Jason’s arm. Jason saw Grefis was looking intently around the room.

“His father is an Earl, and the Earl mismanages his planets, gambles and loses money despite great assets. They are, according to my spies, in financial difficulty. Jason, please look interested in me. You will help keep him away. Grefis attempted to ingratiate himself with my father whenever he visited the palace. My father liked him and that worries me. I don’t want him to think I am interested in him,” said Pardela looking at Grefis and shaking her head. Jason glanced at Razza who was sitting on his other side. She grinned at Jason.

“The dance begins, Jason, the black hole is wide open. Grefis Trodd looks like a nasty piece of work. Pardela you are the trigger for trouble! We have been here for a week and first we have the Ghouls and now another trouble is on its way,” said Razza and laughed.

“What does that mean?” Pardela asked.

Trackrof was listening attentively and turned to Pardela. “Jason’s aunt, your friend Alana, describes him as a black hole for trouble. I have no doubt Jason draws trouble to himself and draws us in and then deals with the issue. So far, we all came out of it a lot better despite times of fighting and terror. We enjoy a brief respite, then we are hit by the next trouble,” said Trackrof grinning broadly. “Grefis Trodd looks like a man who is looking for trouble and Jason is sitting next to the bait. The bait is holding him tightly.”

Nearly everyone sitting at the table was grinning broadly or sniggering.

“And ladies and gentlemen here it comes!” Said Perdita dramatically waved her arm in introduction as she watched Grefis Trodd after he noticed Pardela make a beeline for the table.

Jason watched his approach and shuddered.

“Pardela it is a pleasure and an honor to see you yet again,” said Grefis lifting the left side of his upper lip. “Please do me the honor of accompanying me to the patio where we can speak freely.”

“Grefis, I cannot imagine anything I want to discuss with you. I am happy here with my friends. If there is anything to say, say it here, but I strongly suggest there is nothing to discuss!” Pardela cut him off and turned to Jason.

Grefis remained where he was. He narrowed his eyes pulled his shoulders back and moved a foot closer.

“Pardela, my dear, you know you are close to my heart. I forgive you for our recent disagreement,” said Grefis lifting his chin.

“That boat never sailed Grefis, we were never close and I am otherwise promised. I suggest before you embarrass yourself, you withdraw. Our discussion will go no further,” said Pardela firmly.

“Pardela, my darling, I know you wanted me to commit to you. I now do so. I am from one of the oldest Azayal families. I cannot see your father accepting an outsider, one from another species. I formally propose marriage and I challenge for your hand,” said Grefis with a half-smile. “I await your answer.”

He turned on his heel smirking and slowly walked back to his table. Jason heard an audible intake of breath around the table. Pardela was sitting with her mouth open clutching at Jason’s arm.

“Oh, dang blast it all!” Said Perdita explosively. “My father warned me any involvement with Jason was going to lead to trouble. He and Alana had a long conversation when she described this proposed expedition as high risk high return with a large quantum of trouble in between. It will be trouble with a capital T, Cephus, she told him,” Perdita continued and laughed. “I told him I had prepared for trouble my whole life, I was determined to learn to deal with it effectively. The trouble is before us. I will and we will prevail. I had at least hoped we would get started at university before we faced adversity.

“I studied the regulations. Radon can choose to buy off the suitor, he can accept the challenge on behalf of his daughter or request Jason proves himself.

“Alana warned me Jason is a magnet for wives. She informed me there is a close association between a black hole for trouble and a magnet for wives,” said Pardela. Most at the table laughed loudly.

“Pardela, you look like you attracted trouble and I assume you are angling to be one of Jason’s wives?” Julia asked smiling.

Pardela blushed. Julia raised her eyebrows. Pardela remained silent.

Jason could see Grefis Trodd was looking angrily at their table and he was giving Jason black looks.

“I can only think his family must find themselves in a dire financial position for him to resort to this low act. There is no way Radon will buy him out, it would cost far too much and my father certainly would not accept the challenge on my behalf. It is exceedingly difficult for him to simply reject the proposal. It is not our way. I am going to speak to Radon. A challenge needs to be between equals. The King will know of precedents that will allow for resolution of this dispute.

“We have no relationship. Grefis cannot pretend otherwise. This is purely exploitative behavior of the worst kind. He knows he has a high chance of winning if he fights Jason. My father will be forced to allow him to marry me and Grefis will use my assets and my dowry. The ball is a unique opportunity for him to do as he has done. Jason I’m terribly sorry for getting you in this mess,” said Pardela sadly, “I had simply intended to put off possible suitors.” Pardela blushed again as Razza and Trackrof raised their eyebrows.

“I suspect Grefis planned this little exercise for some time. He knows Radon viewed him favorably. The King simply smiled when I denied any interest. Please excuse me all of you, I want to try and find a way out of this mess,” said Pardela sadly as she stood up and walked to the platform and climbed the stairs to talk to the King.

“My hopes for a relaxed opportunity to study and to learn to fight has gone down the slippery slope. My father used to say, ‘no peace for the wicked’,” said Jason forlornly. “I wonder what happens next. How am I going to pay for babysitting and childcare for twenty-nine million women and their children? Add one more to that and it will be the last straw that breaks the back of the camel.”

“Oh bosh,” said Julia, “I have never heard such nonsense my life. You are coping pretty well and not all of your women are around you at the same time. You are trying to wind us up and it is not going to work!”

“I am sure our professor is going to find some sort of solution. It will undoubtedly involve you fighting that piece of krevil at some stage in the future, but it will be at a time when the fight is fair. I did read the rules and conventions and they don’t allow an unfair fight. They do allow for team competition,” stated Julia before she spoke again. “We are already involved and I suspect there is no way we’re going to be able to avoid the next steps. Everything has a reason and a purpose.”

“I dread the whole process we have to go through. I wanted to come here to study and relax. Now I face this garbage,” said Jason.

“You always try and avoid these things like the plague,” said Julia. “Sometimes you just need to face the problem head on. Few serious problems go away. This is a society that fights and we are here to learn to fight effectively, the Azayal way. Grefis raises the stakes and changes our plans. Stop complaining and wait to find out what we need to do! You have our full support.”

“I agree with Julia,” said Razza. “You knew you were going to come and help me save my parents, but you looked for every possible way of avoiding the inevitable. Jason, I think there are two things you need to learn: you need to accept a problem and deal with it without ducking and diving and also you need to accept there are times that you need to be ruthless and you will hurt others.”

“Earth had weird rules of war and life. Those beliefs infected you. You retain archaic ideas from there that don’t help you at all. You say you want to learn to be effective in the world of the ancients, but won’t change how you think. You agonize incessantly over your war experiences. Yes, you killed civilians in error, but you generalize it to all missions and campaigns and you try desperately to avoid conflict. This is a planet where they have learned to fight ruthlessly and you are going to need to learn to do the same. This is not a society where you can avoid conflict. You might as well accept it,” said Marsin.

“I still see the faces of the dead children we killed. Then we had to face an investigation into whether we committed war crimes,” said Jason.

“In the Coven, in the early years we killed terrorists and their extended families. When we were able to later reach their memories, we killed everyone they knew,” said Heinrich. “The Empire did the same as did the Collective. We used techniques that worked. Your so called humane approaches lead to perpetual carnage.”

“Jason, we have all known you for some time and we see you are still stuck with old ideas,” said Trackrof. “We are living in the unstable seat of power in the palace. Trouble began with the Vizier. It is big trouble. We can’t avoid it. We are in the middle of it. This society is in a god-awful mess and if they don’t get their acts together, they will become a lot weaker and they are going to become ripe for conquest. Clearly the Ghouls have their eye on them for whatever reason and it’s not likely to be a good reason. The king has behaved idiotically for long time under their influence. They have been preparing him to hand over his kingdom. You can’t be preoccupied with the small stuff. Grefis is a symptom of the nature of the society. He will need to be dealt with effectively and efficiently. It does not change the bigger picture of the ills of the Azayal.”

That was a preview of The Azayal Book 5 in the Warlord and the Multiverse Series. To read the rest purchase the book.

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