4

Once, long ago, the roughly Terra-sized planet teemed with abundant life and the great civilization it bore was renowned for its arts and sciences and philosophies and culture. Its people grew in knowledge and wisdom, and eventually, when they had learned as much as their world could teach them, they turned their attention towards the stars. They explored the other worlds in their star system, but their desire for knowledge carried them to the distant shores of other worlds in the vast sea of space. Their first ships were fragile, tiny things, but in time they grew in size and power and ability, and carried the people far from their ancestral home where they discovered many things and other civilizations. In time, they learned how to construct gateways that enabled them to select a location and then simply step through a portal, instantly traveling to a distant location--even a distant world. Eventually, though, they remembered their homeworld and returned to it. The people, who were known as the Kær'aûla, had evolved to the point where they were able to manipulate matter and energy with their thoughts. Their world was old by this time and they had helped it along as far as they could. As planets go, it had had a good run, though its time was nearing its end. The Kær'aûla again turned their attention to the stars and they made a choice that would change the nature of their beings for all time. The boundaries between matter, energy, and thought, had become blurred and they took the last step to become beings of living energy. When they made the transition, they discovered that the First Ones were there waiting for them. The Kær'aûla were delighted to know that there was much more they could learn, now that they were free from the constraints of material forms. Through the teachings of the First Ones, the Kær'aûla learned of other realities, other realms of existence, from which they could continue to learn. Where they may have gone to, only the First Ones might know, though before the Kær'aûla departed their homeworld of Chenau-Ri for the final time, they left something behind for the Younger Races to find _if_they were worthy of the knowledge it contained. There were those who went to Chenau-Ri to see what useful things they could find to use or barter with for other things, but they were disappointed, for no matter how they tried, Chenau-Ri would not give up her secrets to them.

One day, over a million years after the Kær'aûla had departed their homeworld for the final time, long after the near mythical planet had become a forgotten relic of a bygone age, a ship came to visit. Unlike others that had visited it before in the distant past, there was something familiar about this particular ship and it was recognized by that which had been left behind. When the first individual stepped foot on the ancient soil, now barren of life, that which guarded the secrets left behind by the Kær'aûla knew the others who had come with him would indeed be worthy of what they might find.

* * * * *

Wednesday, 23 November 2489 CE, Terra, North America, on the outskirts of Lake Forest, Illinois.

( Historian's Note: The following is the true record of the events that took place in the home of Lieutenant (j.g.) Shauna Eriksson's grandparents the last time she was with her brother, Cameron, when she was three years old.)

"Well, this is the place," Cameron said as he approached the house.

"Nervous, you are?" Hauvri'ahn asked.

He looked at her and gave a wry smile.

"You know damn well I am, babe. Granny is gonna throw a fit, I guarantee, but..."

"...But your sister, see her you wish."

"Yeah. I've got the forms ready to file to get custody--I see the lawyer next week and I hope she can get it pushed through. Mom's a mess, dad doesn't care, and granny...I don't trust her one bit," Cameron said.

Hauvri'ahn sat quietly while he found a parking spot.

Turning to her, Cameron said, "I know this is gonna be hard on you, babe, having to be among my messed-up family, but...I'm glad you wanted to come along."

Hauvri'ahn smiled softly and said, "Follow you anywhere, I will. Know that you do."

Cameron leaned over to kiss her.

"Yeah, I know. You going to be warm enough? It's kinda cold out..."

"Fine, I will be," Hauvri'ahn replied, looking up at him with a loving smile, pulling her hood up over her head.

While Cameron got their suitcases out, Hauvri'ahn looked about and thought how beautiful the landscape looked. The snow--something she was not used to seeing on her homeworld of Élendor Prime--blanketed everything. The sky was clear and the low angle of the sun made the recently fallen snow sparkle like tiny diamonds. Hauvri'ahn wore the latest in cold weather clothing designed for Élendorians--while fashionable, in an understated way, it was practical and comfortable. Getting the tail warmer on her took a bit of doing before they left that morning. Cameron had to help by sliding it onto his arm and then taking hold the feather-like appendages on the end of her tail and then he slid the end of the tail warmer off his arm and onto her long tail, holding the far end of it while she pulled it up. The silicone gripper bands on the upper end kept the tail warmer from sliding down as she moved. Once she was suited up with her white snow boots, snug-fitting thick black fleece pants, holiday sweater, white parka, tail warmer, and gloves, Cameron had chuckled and told her that she looked like a "ski bunny"--which he then had to explain what that was.

They walked the short distance from the street to his grandparents' house with Cameron carrying their suitcases. Once on the front porch, he set their things down and reached for the doorbell.

"Please let anyone but Granny answer the door..." Cameron thought to himself as he pushed the button.

Hauvri'ahn sensed his trepidation and hooked her arm around his.

"Get through this, we will, my beloved, planned as we have, yes?" Hauvri'ahn asked quietly, looking up with a smile.

"Yeah, just like we planned, though I wish they could just accept the fact that we got hitched," Cameron said with a measure of sadness.

"C'mon in you two, too damn cold to be standin' out there," Cameron's grandfather said as he let them into the house.

"Hey, Gramps," Cameron said, shaking his hand after bringing the suitcases in and setting them down. "This is Sy'k'rell Hauvri'ahn; Hauvri'ahn, this is my grandfather, Lars Eriksson.

"Ah, you're the young lady Cam told me about, nice to meet you," Lars said, holding his hand out to her.

Remembering the Terran custom, Hauvri'ahn shook his hand and said, "Pleased I am, your acquaintance to make."

"Likewise," Lars said with a grin.

"Which room do you want us in, Gramps?" Cameron asked, picking up the suitcases.

"Oh, you've got the old spare room. C'mon, I'll take you back there," Lars said.

As they made their way through the house, Cameron introduced Hauvri'ahn to his relatives. As expected, his mother was nowhere to be seen, his father hardly said anything, and his grandmother made a snarky comment that made Cameron grit his teeth. The rest of the family--aunts, uncles, and cousins, were cordial enough, though there were some whispered comments made when it was thought no one was looking. The bright moment was when his little sister, Shauna, came running to him.

"Cammie!" she whinnied loudly.

"Heya, squirt!" Cameron said with a laugh, setting the suitcases down and kneeling so that he could hug his three-year-old sister.

"Who dat?" Shauna asked, pointing wide-eyed at the strange female with her brother.

"This is Hauvri'ahn," Cameron replied. Looking up he said, "This is my little sister, Shauna."

Hauvri'ahn knelt down beside Cameron and held her hand out.

"S?'al-wæ kwe's?, s?'al-wæ d'm?-fren, uia Eriksson Shauna,"[1]Hauvri'ahn said formally in her native Élendi. "My people, greet others this way, we do."

Little Shauna cocked her head and furrowed her brow a moment, then she whispered in her brother's ear, "She green--talk funny."

"That's because she's Élendorian. Can you say that with me? EY-len-DOOR-ee-an," Cameron instructed gently.

After a few tries, little Shauna managed to say, "I-land-o-rye-on."

"Well, I guess that's close enough for now, kiddo," Cameron said with a laugh. "We can practice saying it a bit later."

"Okie dokie," little Shauna agreed.

"Good girl. We gotta put our things away now," Cameron said, giving his sister's mane a little ruffle.

"I help!" Little Shauna offered enthusiastically.

"Okay, well, c'mon then, squirt," Cameron said with a grin.

A short while later, Cameron and Hauvri'ahn had their coats off and were getting situated in the old spare bedroom. In addition to the regular bed, a portable bed was brought in and set up. At this point, no one else in the Eriksson family knew yet that Cameron and Hauvri'ahn had been legally married for the past year. They had agreed to hold off announcing it to his family until Cameron could get custody of his little sister and be back home on Mars.

Dinner with the family that evening seemed to go as well as Cameron could expect. Hauvri'ahn was the only omnivore in the house, though she respectfully avoided commenting on her usual dietary requirements. She had come prepared with some Élendorian instant meals that had their own built-in heaters which she could eat in the privacy of the spare bedroom. During the family meal, little Shauna insisted on sitting between her brother and Hauvri'ahn at the dinner table and asked them both a lot of questions, but she also listened, too. Even at such a young age, Shauna was quite intelligent and had an interest in how things worked.

After dinner, when drinks were being served, Hauvri'ahn politely turned down the offer of an alcoholic beverage, asking instead for some tea.

"Aw, a little ain't gonna hurt ya," Cameron's father said, trying to push a glass into her hand.

"Respectfully, thank you, no," Hauvri'ahn said, trying to refuse.

Cameron saw what was happening and grabbed his father's arm at the wrist and looked hard at him.

"Dad, stop it--she said 'no'. Leave her be."

"Whatsamatter, your friend too good to drink like the rest of us?"

Cameron, who was in much better shape than his father--and practically everyone else in the house--tightened his grip.

"She's being considerate," Cameron said in a low, though firm, tone of voice. "Now, leave her be."

"Get your hand off of me, boy, before I..."

"Don't even try," Cameron said, narrowing his eyes.

"Junior! Stop acting the fool and sit your tail down! If the lady said 'no', then that's all there is to it. I'll not tolerate any of your nonsense in my house!" Lars demanded, deftly plucking the glass from his son's hand.

Before he let go, Cameron leaned closer to his father so he could speak quietly in his ear.

"Mess with her again, I'll drop you where you stand, you get me?"

Cameron was fully capable of carrying out his threat for he had served a term in the Fleet Marines before getting his degree in Xeno-Archaeology.

When his father sulked off to sit by the large entertainment display, Cameron relaxed, turned to his wife, and slowly shook his head. Hauvri'ahn smiled softly for she felt his emotions. When Cameron handed her tea to her, she touched his hand, and using the Élendorian ability of touch telepathy, they quickly conveyed their unspoken thoughts.

Lars, not being privy to the silent exchange, said just loud enough for Cameron and Hauvri'ahn to hear, "I don't know what's gotten into him. I know I brought him up better than that."

"I know, Gramps. You did alright by me," Cameron said with a smile.

"Well, at least one person in this herd has a lick of sense," Lars said, giving his grandson a pat on the shoulder.

When Cameron and Hauvri'ahn sat down with his grandfather, little Shauna joined them and snuggled up with her brother.

"So, how's the job at that research place coming along?" Lars asked.

"Well..." Cameron started, casting a quick glance at Hauvri'ahn, "...the survey teams have found some sites out in sector one-four-four that might prove interesting, and another over in sector one-six-two. We've gotten word from a reliable source about a really _old_site that's pretty far out. Hauvri'ahn and I are trying to get on the survey team that's being planned to head out there."

"How far is 'pretty far'?" Lars asked.

"NGC-2244, it is near," Hauvri'ahn replied.

"How far away is that?" Lars asked.

Hauvri'ahn looked at Cameron and asked, "Five, yes?"

"About that, yeah," Cameron agreed.

"Five...what?" Lars asked dubiously.

"About five thousand lightyears. It's out past the spinward edge of...what was the name of those people?" Cameron inquired.

"R'Hinsa, call themselves they do," Hauvri'ahn said.

"Never heard of them," Lars said.

"Not much is known about them. They pretty much keep to themselves, from what I've been told," Cameron said.

"Friendly, they seem not," Hauvri'ahn added.

Lars thought a bit and then said, "Five thousand lightyears...jeezers, that is a long way. So, how are you going to get out there, especially if you have to go past a bunch of folks who might not be the friendly type?"

"The company's working on getting something faster than a standard survey ship," Cameron replied.

"Sounds to me like you need a military ship, or one of those privateer ships I've heard about. At least they'd have a chance at defending themselves against someone spoiling for a fight," Lars suggested.

"Well, the military hasn't been particularly interested in taking part in archaeological digs, and since we'll be well outside of Federation space, they won't come looking for us if we get into trouble, I imagine," Cameron pointed out.

"Many waivers to sign, we had," Hauvri'ahn said, not looking very pleased. "But proof...look for, we do."

"Proof of what?" Lars asked, twitching an ear.

"I'm sure you've heard of civilizations that predate the ones we know about by thousands--if not millions--of years," Cameron began.

"A little. Not exactly something I think about when I don't have anything better to do," Lars said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Other beings, sure of we are, much older than all others. Billions of years, older they are. Elder Races called they are," Hauvri'ahn added.

"And, there are hints of a race that is far older yet which may not even be from our universe," Cameron finished.

"Now, hold up right there--don't tell me you're gonna risk your lives to go off looking for a bunch of mythological beings that never existed outside of storybooks..." Lars said with heavy skepticism.

"Gramps, on Hauvri'ahn's homeworld, there's an alien artifact that has been her family's responsibility for as long as they have records for. Exactly what it is, nobody knows for sure, but given the structure that houses it, the thing predates life on their world. The thing is literally billions of years old, and...it's got a mind. Plus, it gives off some funky energy that still can't be identified and the power level is unbelievable. The Élendorians have been studying it as best as they can for a very long time," Cameron explained.

"Talks to people, calls them to it, it does. Often, no, but if does, allowed to find one is. If allowed to find one is not, never one will," Hauvri'ahn said.

"Then, how do you know for sure it really exists?" Lars asked.

"Seen it, we have," Hauvri'ahn replied, putting a hand on Cameron's forearm for a moment, which Lars noted, but didn't say anything about.

"Yeah, it...was quite an experience," Cameron said, casting a quick glance at Hauvri'ahn.

"Agree, I do. Its voice..."

"I'll always remember it..."

"You're tellin' me the thing _talked_to you? How? Was it some kind of pre-recorded message, like a greeting or something?" Lars asked.

"Yeah, it talked to us...in our minds, and the weird thing was, it knew us--by name," Cameron replied. "As far as anyone has been able to determine, the thing has a mind and a will of its own. It spoke in some language nobody has ever figured out what it is, and also in English--to me, anyway. Hauvri'ahn heard it in her native Élendi at the same time. It showed us things--one of the places we saw, there just aren't any words that could even begin to describe it. It was..."

"...So beautiful..." Hauvri'ahn added softly.

Lars had never known his grandson to wildly exaggerate about anything, and seeing the look in Cameron's eyes, told him that whatever it was he experienced must have been rather profound.

Cameron and Hauvri'ahn said little for several minutes. When he noticed her cup was nearly empty, Cameron asked if she wanted some more. He took the cup from her when she swallowed the last of its contents and went to the kitchen to make more. As soon as he entered the room, Cameron felt a familiar tightening in his gut--his grandmother was there, cutting a sweet potato pie. When she looked up from what she was doing and Cameron saw the glint in her eye, he knew she was going to say something he didn't want to hear. While going about heating some water for the tea, he kept a discrete eye on his grandmother--his military conditioning made him acutely aware of the knife in her hand and what she was doing with it. Even though the chance of her trying to use it on him was practically non-existent, the fact that she had one in her hand and that he didn't trust her, made him wary. Cameron said nothing...until she opened her mouth.

"Rather cozy with that...lizard," his grandmother said with a sneer.

Cameron held off with a comeback until he had the teabag in the small pot.

"Hauvri'ahn is an Élendorian," he corrected.

"Same difference," his grandmother shot back sarcastically.

Cameron folded his arms across his chest and said, "Élendorians are warm-blooded; lizards are not."

"If it's green like a lizard, moves like a lizard, and eats bugs like a lizard, then it's one to me."

Cameron looked hard at his grandmother and demanded, "What the frak is your problem?"

"My problem? You're_the one who just had to bring some bug-eating _lizard slut into this house! Did it bring those fool cheese balls they're notorious for? Do you want a blasted orgy or something?"

Cameron bared his teeth and said in a low voice, "You've got a lot of gall saying that crap about her, you hateful old hag. Hauvri'ahn is a respectable lady from a respectable family, and she does not eat insects. And stop calling her an 'it'--she's not an inanimate object!"

His grandmother turned towards him, still with the knife in her hand.

"Lady my tail! She's..."

"Put...the knife...down. Now," Cameron ordered, moving smoothly into a ready stance.

A deep male voice came from the kitchen doorway, saying, "Are you suicidal, Bonnie, or just plain stupid? Put that damned knife down before you get hurt. You oughta know never to go waving a knife at a Fleet Marine."

"He wouldn't dare..."

"He'd do it without even thinking about it, or have you forgotten that time I kicked the ass of that idiot boyfriend of yours who tried to get stupid with me, fifty-three years ago?"

Cameron's grandmother scowled, tossed the knife into the sink, and stormed off.

"She's three-and-a-third candles shy of a full box, I swear. What was all this about, Cam?"

Cameron relaxed and leaned against the counter.

"Thanks, Uncle Ian. Granny was getting hateful about Hauvri'ahn, calling her a bunch of things that was..."

"I heard some of it. What started it?" Ian asked.

Cameron recounted the entire incident while he finished making Hauvri'ahn's tea.

"If there's any trouble going on in the family, it's usually centered around my sister. Whatever Lars saw in her, I don't know," Ian said, shaking his head. "I'll go talk to her--not that it'll do any good. Once she gets her mind set against something, you might as well be talking to a brick."

"Thanks Uncle Ian. If it wasn't for Shauna, I wouldn't have come," Cameron said.

Ian put a hand on his great nephew's shoulder and said, "Yeah, can't blame you there. By the way, just how _did_you and Hauvri'ahn meet?"

Cameron smiled fondly and said, "College. Summer of '85. Professor Garland's[2]class. We were both assigned to the same plot at a dig in the Ural Mountains."

"I see. You know much about Élendorians?" Ian asked.

"Yeah, why?" Cameron asked, trying not to sound overly cautious.

"Just wondering. Well, I'll go have that talk with your grandmother," Ian said. He started to leave but then paused a moment. "Cam?"

"Yeah?"

"Semper Fi."

"Hoo-rah, Master Sergeant[3]."

A short while later, Ian found his sister Bonnie rummaging around in the walk-in pantry down in the basement.

"Are you done being stupid for the day, or do I need to open a can of whup-ass on your sorry tail?" Ian asked calmly, leaning on the doorframe with his arms crossed. When his younger sister didn't respond, Ian continued. "That little stunt you pulled in the kitchen with Cameron, pointing that knife in his general direction and acting hostile...it doesn't matter who you think you are, become a threat to him and you'll go down. Hard. I guarantee it. And that goes for his lady friend, too. I don't know exactly what kind of relationship they have, but I am sure that he'll not hesitate to protect her by whatever means necessary, so leave her the frak alone. And that includes not spewing a bunch of crap about her. She's been nothing but nice and respectful since she's been here, and no doubt the poor gal is getting bombarded with all of the bad vibes most of this family insists on tossing around--especially you."

"Good!" Bonnie snapped.

"What is your malfunction, sis?! Cameron's friend, or whatever she is to him, hasn't done a damn_thing to you, and you know it! She's no threat to anyone, unless...what, are you _jealous_just because she's young and pretty? Is _that it?" Ian asked incredulously.

"Blow it out your tail hole!" Bonnie shot back caustically, as she tried to get past him.

Ian grabbed her arm and shoved her against the doorframe, making sure he wasn't directly in front of his sister.

"That is it, isn't it...you're so freaking jealous of Cameron's nice-looking lady friend that you have to knock her down! You are one piece of work, Bonnie Shaw-Eriksson! Our parents raised you better than that, but you still insist on being a vile little brat like you've always been. Every time something goes nuclear in the family, you're always at Ground Zero!"

"Leave me alone, or I'll...!"

"You won't do squat, Bonnie, you hear me?! This is supposed to be a nice little family get together, but of course, you just have to be the ruin of it. I think you get some sort of perverse pleasure of screwing things up for everyone. For once_will you knock your crap off and behave like a normal person? Leave Cam and his lady friend alone, I _mean it, sis."

"You don't tell me what to do!"

"When it comes to keeping this herd in some semblance of a family, you will listen and you'll square your crap away! It's bad enough that Junior and Prissy turned into messed up idiots--we don't need your hateful crap on top of theirs! I'd say go apologize to Cameron for what you said about his lady friend, but I doubt you're even capable of it, so just shut your mouth and leave them alone while they're here," Ian lectured his sister.

He let her go and stood there with his arms folded, watching Bonnie storm off.

Later that evening, Cameron saw to getting his little sister ready for bed. He was more of a parent to her than their mother and father were. Hauvri'ahn stayed nearby and watched as her husband tucked little Shauna in for the night.

"Okay, squirt, in ya go," Cameron said with a smile, pulling the covers back on her bed. When she was situated, he pulled the covers up and put her stuffed toy in her arms. Looking at the toy and speaking seriously to it, he said, "Okay, Marine, you've got the watch. Keep my little sis safe from the boogie critters during the night. I'll relieve you at 0800." Cameron saluted the stuffed toy bulldog that was dressed in a Fleet Marine uniform. It had been a gift from a buddy who had served with him when she was born. "Okay, Shauna, time for Lights Out," he said, brushing strands of her auburn-colored mane from her face. Leaning in, Cameron gently kissed little Shauna on the cheek. "Nite-nite, kiddo, see ya in the morning," he said softly.

"Nite Cammie!"

"Don't forget Hauvri'ahn..."

Little Shauna looked past her brother and waved, "Nite!"

Hauvri'ahn knelt down and tenderly stroked little Shauna's thick mane and said, "Dream sweetly, little one."

Hauvri'ahn quietly sang an Élendorian lullaby; by the time she finished it, little Shauna was fast asleep. Giving a little nod to Cameron, they stood and he turned out the light. Cameron turned and paused a moment before shutting the door and smiled at his sister.

A while later in their room, Hauvri'ahn and Cameron changed into their sleepwear, and then she selected one of her instant meals. Popping a tab activated the single-use heater--in under thirty seconds, the meat and vegetable casserole dish was steaming and ready to eat. Before diving into her meal, Hauvri'ahn closed her eyes and silently gave thanks according to Élendorian beliefs.

"Your sister, sweet child she is."

Cameron looked up from cleaning out his brush and smiled.

"Yeah, she is." He thought a few moments and then said, "She's taken a liking to you."

"Noticed, I have. Custody given to you, hope, I do. Good with her you are," Hauvri'ahn said.

"Yeah, I hope the custody hearing gets expedited, and I can get her away from here. I don't think mom and dad will be together much longer. Mom's too messed up to care for Shauna, and dad doesn't give frak about either one of us. Sad to say, they both turned into losers," Cameron said, shaking his head.

Rubbing her tail against his leg, Hauvri'ahn said with a loving smile, "Fine you became, my s'ne'waes[4]."

"You can thank the military for giving me a way out of a messed-up home life so I could make something of myself. But meeting you in college, well, that made everything worthwhile," Cameron said, smiling in return.

"Credit too much, give me, you do," Hauvri'ahn said shyly, the greens of her skin lightening a bit.

"I'm serious, Hauvri, if it wasn't for meeting you, I wouldn't have anyone to come home to," Cameron countered.

"Another found you would, sure I am," Hauvri'ahn said with a coy smile.

Cameron slowly shook his head.

"Doubt it. Because of our size, most of us equines tend to stick with our own kind, and since I had a messed-up home life, I didn't want to chance being miserable. You got me to thinking and seeing things differently. All those long hours we spent, late into the night most times, trying to hash out the significance of some fragment based on where and how we found it, or seeing how excited you got after you found and then teased a bit of pottery out of the dirt--the way your face lit up was priceless. And that time I helped you get that piece of wood wrapped to send back for analysis and our hands touched...and the look in your eyes...that's when I knew," Cameron recounted.

Hauvri'ahn smiled shyly, and said, "Surprised, too, I was, for expecting it I was not. Glad, though, accepted me, you did."

"Me, too, baby," Cameron said, putting his arm around her.

After Hauvri'ahn finished her meal, she went across the hall to the bathroom so she could brush her teeth. When she finished and stepped back out into the hallway, her strong empathic sense made her pause. Looking to her right, where the hallway joined the now darkened living room about twelve meters away, she saw someone standing there, watching motionless. Hauvri'ahn made a low coughing sound and the feather-like appendages at the end of her tail spread. The door to the spare bedroom was open and Cameron heard his wife leave the bathroom, so he looked up--he always enjoyed watching the way she walked. But he recognized the sound she made and instantly became concerned for he knew what it meant. Cameron quickly got up and went to the door where he met Hauvri'ahn who was still looking to her right. At the other end of the hallway, standing in the darkness, was his grandmother. Staring.

Once Hauvri'ahn was back in the bedroom, Cameron quietly shut the door and locked it, and then joined his wife. When he put his arms around her, Hauvri'ahn buried her face against his chest.

"You okay, babe?" Cameron asked quietly.

"So much..." she said as a little shiver ran through her body.

"What's wrong?" Cameron asked gently.

"Hate," Hauvri'ahn nearly whispered. Looking up, she added, "So much...felt, I have not. Never."

She buried her face against his chest again and Cameron rocked slightly as he held her.

"Screw appearances. You're sleeping with me--I'll keep ya safe, baby. I won't let anyone get ya."

Hauvri'ahn looked up and smiled, touching his cheek.

Cameron let her get into bed first, so that she was between him and the wall. Before he turned out the light, Cameron got something out of his coat and slipped it under his pillow.

"Nite, Hauvri," he said lovingly, giving her a kiss and a nuzzle.

"Good night, my Cam," Hauvri'ahn said, returning his kiss.

Feeling safer now that she was snuggled against him, Hauvri'ahn drifted off to contented sleep. Cameron, however, stayed awake for a while, listening. After several minutes had passed, Cameron started to relax, but then, when he thought he had heard something, he was instantly alert. Sliding his hand under the pillow, he felt the cool, familiar shape of the large combat knife that had been issued him. Satisfied, he listened for a while longer, then slowly drifted off to sleep, relying on his training, conditioning, and experience, to instantly bring him fully awake if needed.

Cameron awoke first the next morning. The house was quiet and it was still dark outside. Looking at the clock on the nightstand, it read 05:58 a.m., so he went ahead and got up. After finishing in the bathroom, Cameron quietly checked on his sister, whose room was next to the one he and Hauvri'ahn were in. Little Shauna was still asleep, and she still held the plush toy Fleet Marine bulldog. He smiled and quietly closed her door and headed to the kitchen to make coffee.

His usual morning routine at home on Mars would include going to his apartment complex's gym to work out for forty-five minutes, a shower afterwards, then fix breakfast for himself and Hauvri'ahn. Despite being an herbivore, Cameron didn't mind making his wife's breakfast, which usually included some form of meat. He figured that if she could put up with him, then he could at least fix breakfast for her. Cameron had gotten used to the smell of cooked meat during his time in the military--from the mess hall in boot camp to being on deployment off-world, everyone ate together. Several members of his platoon were carnivores and although they would sometimes joke about "sending the Clydesdale to engage 'hostile bushes'", they respected his abilities--after all, Cameron carried a heavy pulser as if it were nothing more than an assault rifle, and used it as such.

"Mornin', Cam," Ian greeted his great nephew when he made his way into the kitchen after smelling the coffee brewing.

"Yep, it's that," Cameron replied. "Should be ready in a minute," he added, referring to the coffee.

"Hope you made it strong enough."

Cameron smiled and said, "Guaranteed to make you run up and down ol' 'Heave-Your-Guts' in twenty mikes--with full kit."

"Sounds like my kind of brew," Ian said with a grin, reaching for a mug. A short while later after he had his first sip, Ian said, "Not bad, Cam. Just the way I like it."

They sat at the kitchen table, quietly sipping their coffee, for a couple minutes before Cameron spoke up.

"Last night before hitting the rack, Hauvri was coming out of the head[5]after brushing her teeth and I heard her cough low. That's a warning sound Élendorians' make. When I got to her, she had her tail fanned out and was looking towards the living room. Grannie was at the other end of the p-way[6], just standing there, staring. It was creepy. Hauvri told me she had never felt so much hate before. I secured the door before turning in, just in case."

Ian took a careful sip of his coffee, then put his mug down.

"I had my little 'chat' with her after what she said to you last night. There's something seriously messed up going on in her--I'm pretty sure she's got some sort of extreme jealousy thing going on. Lars is getting fed up with her crap, and I think he's going to file on her," Ian said.

Cameron knew that the relationship between his grandparents had been strained for a long time, so the news that his grandfather was likely going to divorce her, didn't come as too much of a shock.

"Speaking of filing...I'm going to try and get custody of Shauna," Cameron stated quietly.

Ian paused a moment after raising his mug to his mouth before taking another sip of his coffee.

"You gonna take care of her alone?" Ian asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Um...no..."

Ian lowered his mug and cocked his head a little.

"You...have someone...?"

Cameron cleared his throat a little and asked, "One Marine to another...?" His great uncle gave a nod of his head. "Hauvri."

Ian arched his eyebrow again.

"When?"

Cameron sighed a little and said, "We got hitched last year on Mars--I knew it would cause a big bruhaha back here, so we kept it quiet until I could get custody of Shauna. I've got the forms filled out and ready to give to the lawyer--I meet with her next week."

Ian was quiet for a bit while he thought about the situation.

"I see your point, and yeah, among these knuckleheads it would. Well, congrats, Cam," Ian clinked his mug against Cameron's and they both took a drink. "As far as I'm concerned, your lady seems pretty nice. I know, Élendorians--as a whole--tend to be nice, but...she seems like a real sweetheart and your sister has taken a liking to her, so that's good. Shauna needs a good home and somebody who'll take care of her--she ain't getting that here, that's for sure."

"Yeah. I doubt mom and dad will be together much longer, and neither one of them gives a crap about her. I know gramps would take good care of her, but..."

"I wouldn't trust my sister with a bent penny, let alone with a kid. We all know how your dad turned out. Well, at least you've done pretty good for yourself, so that's something," Ian said.

"Thanks," Cameron said, smiling at the compliment his great uncle gave him.

After a few moments, Ian said, "Well, I guess I'll top this off and go see if the wife's up yet. We've got the big dinner this evening, so she's going to be taking over in here." Ian got up, topped off his coffee, and started to leave, but paused a moment to say, "UNODIR[7], mum's the word."

"Rodger that," Cameron said with a nod of his head.

Cameron and Hauvri'ahn spent most of the day playing with little Shauna, mostly so that they could see how his sister got along with her. Hauvri'ahn had offered to help in the kitchen with the cooking and such--though she was politely told that there were more people than things to help with, the emotions she felt from some of the females made her a bit uncomfortable. It didn't help matters that even at two-point-three meters in height[8], some of the kids were taller than she was.

Throughout the day, Lars took photos and videos to commemorate the event. One video that he took was of little Shauna sitting on Cameron's knee with Hauvri'ahn sitting beside him on the left while she had her right arm behind him and around his waist. While Cameron held his little sister with his left arm, he and Hauvri'ahn had joined hands--her left and his right--in front of Shauna. This was the last recording Shauna would have of her older brother, though she would not see it until two evenings before Nightwing and Se'nika lifted from the Eielson Military Base on in Terran Standard Year 2514 to begin their journey to Élendor Prime and beyond.

The Eriksson family gathering, while strained at the outset, truly began to devolve during the big evening meal when Cameron's mother, Priscilla, decided to show up. Hauvri'ahn was shocked by the sight of his mother--she was thin, her eyes were bloodshot, her mane and tail were dull and disheveled, and there was a tell-tale dark stain on her lips.

"She's back to sucking on 'wraith sticks' again," Cameron explained to his wife through her touch telepathy. "They're a mineral rod that has been soaked in a liquid drug that really messes a person up. They get into a euphoric state and don't eat or sleep for days at a time. Over time a person on the stuff becomes a wreck, wandering around muttering to themselves, they lose weight, and become delusional. The stained lips are a dead giveaway. I don't know where the stuff comes from--some fringe world, I think. I understand it's tough to get off of that crap."

"Those on drug, help is there for them?" Hauvri'ahn asked with concern.

"From what I've read, the medical people are still trying to nail down an effective treatment--they've never seen anything like this stuff before. I hope they can figure out how to help mom before the stuff kills her," Cameron replied sadly.

It had been a stressful evening for everyone. Priscilla and Junior got into a fight when her delusions flared up. Lars ended up calling a security squad to take his daughter-in-law into custody and insisted that she got treatment for her addiction. Bonnie, Cameron's grandmother, was also in fine form, openly showing her contempt towards Hauvri'ahn whenever any of the kids--and little Shauna in particular--had wanted to include her in their games. Hauvri'ahn was good with the kids and they preferred her company over most of the other adults. When Hauvri'ahn and Cameron were getting ready for bed, their minds were on other things when she turned off the lights. Neither one remembered to lock the bedroom's door.

"So tight you are..." Hauvri'ahn said, massaging Cameron's muscles in the darkened room.

"That feels good, baby," Cameron said. "It's been a hell of a night."

Hauvri'ahn laughed softly and said, "Take you back to Élendor I will, at I'lona'rin Falls very much relaxed you will be."

"Is that the 'health' resort you told me about?" Cameron asked.

"Yes. Enjoy it you will," Hauvri'ahn said lightly, as she worked on a particularly stubborn knot of muscle.

"If it's anything like what you told me about, I'm sure I will," Cameron said, adding a soft whiney.

When she was finished working on his back and shoulders, Cameron rolled over and pulled her close. Hauvri'ahn snuggled against his side with one arm across his chest and a leg over his, draping her long tail across both of his legs, slowly swishing the end.

"Better now you feel?" she asked softly.

"Yeah. How about you?" he asked in return.

"Better, yes, with you I feel. Never with you do I close myself--safe with you I am," Hauvri'ahn replied, feeling content.

Cameron slowly stroked his wife's long, thick, dark leafy green "hair". He was still not quite sure if it really _was_hair or something that looked and felt similar to it; much like the feather-like appendages at the end of her tail were not exactly like bird feathers, though they seemed similar from a distance. They lay quietly together, simply enjoying the quiet and each other's company. Cameron was nearly asleep when his wife made a distinctive soft coughing sound. Just as he was becoming alert, chaos erupted and things quickly went from bad to worse in the space of a few heartbeats when Cameron's grandmother opened the bedroom's door.

The whole house awoke to the sound of Bonnie screaming hatefully at Cameron and Hauvri'ahn. Cameron kept himself between his grandmother and his wife, blocking her blows and kicks. Ian, Bonnie's older brother, muscled his way into the fray and grabbed his sister from behind, putting her into a wrist-lock. Peeking around the door trying to see what was going on was little Shauna, who watched the scene with wide eyes, holding her plush toy bulldog. Although she didn't understand what was going on, little Shauna knew everyone was upset, and it frightened her. Most of the adults were saying angry things; her grandfather Lars and her great uncle Ian were standing with her brother and the three were arguing loudly with the others. Her older cousins pulled her away from the scene and they went into Shauna's bedroom to wait things out.

A while later, Cameron and Hauvri'ahn came into little Shauna's room--they had their coats on and suitcases packed.

"Sorry, kiddo, but Hauvri and I need to leave," Cameron said quietly, sitting down next to his sister, hugging her. "I'm going to come back for you as soon as I can and then you can come live with me and Hauvri. How does that sound?"

Little Shauna tried to keep a brave face, but her tears gave away what she was feeling.

"Don't go, Cammie!" she said, sniffling.

Holding his little sister closely, he said softly, "I don't want to, but...I'm sorry, sis, I really am. Hauvri is, too. We have to go."

"Me go, too!" little Shauna cried.

Cameron looked his sister in the eye and said, "I promise I'll try my best to come back and get you, okay?" Little Shauna tearfully nodded her head. He said in all seriousness to her toy, "Listen up, Marine, you do your best to look after my sister until I come back, you got that? You have the watch until relieved." Cameron saluted the toy and then hugged his sister tightly one more time. "Remember, sis, I'll come back for ya as soon as I can. Love ya!"

He kissed her on the cheek and ruffled her mane between her ears. Before he left his sister's room, Cameron paused to look at her one more time and waved his goodbye.

It was the last time Shauna would see anything of her brother or Hauvri'ahn until her vision in the glade[9]near the old homestead of James' ancestors.

* * * * *

Being the sensitive empath that she was, Hauvri'ahn felt Cameron's carefully restrained anger about what had happened at the home of his grandparents as they headed for the Chicago Starport. She also knew her husband well enough to wait until he was ready to talk about it. Her close proximity helped a lot to keep him calm and relaxed so that they could transport up to the main civilian station in orbit. After obtaining their boarding passes for the "red-eye" flight to Mars, they got as comfortable as possible in the passenger lounge since it would be a couple hours until the Mars Express shuttle arrived.

"I wish Shauna didn't have to be in that mess down there," Cameron said quietly while staring out the large view port they sat next to.

Hauvri'ahn reached out and took a hold of his hands.

"Understand, I do, my s'ne'waes. Be there, she should not." Hauvri'ahn paused a moment and got Cameron to look at her. "Fear for her, I do. Grandmother...dark souled, she is, sorry to say I am."

Cameron sighed and nodded his head.

"I...think I have to agree with you on that, babe. There is something wrong with granny...she's been a hateful old hag as long as I can remember, and she seems to be getting worse. Great uncle Ian said gramps is getting fed up with her crap and might file for a divorce."

Hauvri'ahn frowned sadly and slowly rippled the intensity of her brown stripes, which was a visual cue as to how she felt about what Cameron just said.

"Be with one like her, I could not."

"Yeah...me, neither."

Cameron and Hauvri'ahn dozed off and on until it was near time for their shuttle to arrive. Once in and the inbound passengers and cargo had been transferred off, the shuttle was prepped for the return flight. When the boarding call was given, they went aboard, found their private mini-cabin, and waited for departure. Given the current positions of Terra and Mars in their respective orbits, the flight would take approximately two and a half hours. Departure was on time--after the boarding tube disengaged and retracted, the pilot smoothly pulled the shuttle away from its berth and headed into the black.

/* "Good morning! This is Lieutenant T'lia Arli-n'chon, I am your pilot, and I thank you for flying with us on the Mars Express Shuttle, flight number one-oh-two. We have left Terra-One Station and are beginning our orbital departure maneuver. The flight attendants will be bringing the beverage and food carts around shortly. Blankets and pillows are available for those desiring them. I hope you have a comfortable flight, and again, thank you for flying with us on the Mars Express!" */

After getting a light snack and something to drink, Cameron and Hauvri'ahn had blankets and pillows brought to them. The two full-length loungers in the mini-cabin were reconfigured so that they could stretch out and get a little sleep.

Back on Mars, it was already early afternoon local time when they arrived at their apartment.

"I don't know about you, babe, but I think I'm going to get a little more rack time," Cameron said with a yawn.

"Own bed always better, yes?" Hauvri'ahn asked, smiling slightly as she ran her fingers through his mane.

"Absolutely," he replied, leaning down to give her a kiss.

"Join you shortly, I will," Hauvri'ahn said, kissing him back.

Cameron knew she would attend to household things first, such as unpacking their things, putting the laundry in the hamper, and checking the mail, before coming to join him in bed. Hauvri'ahn was a tidy housekeeper, which he appreciated. Having been in the military, Cameron kept his things fairly organized; Élendorians, as a whole, typically kept their homes neat and clean and decorated in elegant simplicity. The two complimented each other in their lifestyles.

Now that they were home, Hauvri'ahn no longer had to restrain herself as she did when around non-Élendorians. Slipping off her garments and unfastening the clip that held back her long green "hair", she freshened up a bit before sliding into bed with Cameron who was already asleep. In the dim light coming in around the heavy curtains over the bedroom's window, Hauvri'ahn looked at the n'lenda chéwë bracelet that Cameron had given her just a couple of months prior when they were last on her homeworld. Lightly running her fingers over it, she smiled as she recalled the moment when he slipped it over her hand. The anniversary of their first year together was an important celebration among joined couples in Élendorian culture.

"Those who were once one alone, became two, and two became one. One star, one circle, the two now one world, never apart, in light or dark, always seen, always felt, always one."

Hauvri'ahn recited in her mind the words inscribed along the underside of her bracelet and knew they were true. It was quite a surprise for her when she and Cameron recognized each other as their one and true mate. Given the differences in their biological makeup, there was no way she could have any little ones by him, though they had talked about a surrogate. When Cameron suggested the idea of trying to get custody of his little sister, Hauvri'ahn was all for it--she would gladly raise little Shauna as if she were her own. Given the culture and mentality of Élendorians, Cameron knew that his sister would be raised in a loving environment, which she was not in at home. There were other equine G.E.L.F. families on Mars, and in their particular domed city, so his sister would have others of her kind to socialize with there. Now that Hauvri'ahn had a chance to meet little Shauna, she was determined to do all she could to help his sister have a better life--even if it meant taking her with them to digs on far away worlds.

Hauvri'ahn snuggled close to Cameron in bed and fell into contented sleep.

* * * * *

Monday, 28 November 2489 CE, Alba City, Mars.

"It's not often we see this sort of thing on Terra anymore or even on any of the well-established colonies, but in my opinion, your sister definitely needs to be removed from the home if this sort of neglect is happening. It doesn't sound like your grandparents are a viable option from what you've documented. I think you've got a pretty strong case here, Mr. Eriksson. I'll have the petition for custody filed in our local Family Court by this afternoon, and from there, they'll contact the Family Court in Lake Forest and we'll go from there."

Hauvri'ahn smiled and wrapped her arm around her husband's and said, "Concerned for Shauna we are. Good home, give her we will."

Cameron patted his wife's arm and said, "I don't see the situation there getting any better. I've been taking care of my sister as best as I can, but it would be a whole lot easier if she were here with us. Hauvri and I both have good stable jobs and a nice place where Shauna will have her own room and whatever she needs. I love my sis--she's a sweet kid, she's smart, and she needs a chance to grow up where she'll be safe. Here on Mars, she'll be away from the mess back home and still be close enough to visit her cousins."

"I understand, Mr. Eriksson," the lawyer said. "I'll have my office staff get copies of the report filed by the security unit that took your mother into custody as well as her medical evaluation, plus, we'll do a thorough background investigation on both your parents and your grandparents--particularly on your grandmother. I'll keep you informed on what we find."

"Thanks, ma'am. If you need anything else from either one of us, you have our contact info," Cameron said.

A short while after Cameron and Hauvri'ahn left the lawyer's office, one of the paralegals handed a printout to her.

"Whatcha got for me, Tam?"

"That Élendorian lady who was just here...I thought her family name sounded familiar, so I looked it up," Tam replied.

The lawyer leaned back in her chair as she read the printout--when she got to a particular bit of information, her eyes widened.

"Jeezers...!"

"Yeah, they're pretty high up in Élendorian society. If her family gets behind this..." Tam suggested.

"It'll suddenly jump to a high-profile case. We'd better make sure we do everything perfectly," the lawyer finished.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll get those reports requested right away," Tam said.

* * * * *

Tuesday, 29 November 2489, CE, McHenry Research Facility, Mars.

"'Morning, Cam! Enjoy the holiday back home?"

Cameron paused briefly while he was pouring himself a cup of coffee in the employee lounge, and said quietly, "It sucked."

"What happened?"

After Cameron got his coffee, he turned around to face his co-worker, Alicia Wyman, a pleasant little wombat G.E.L.F. who worked in the lab.

"It's more like what _didn't_happen. We ended up leaving Thursday night and caught the Red Eye back to Mars," Cameron replied, taking a sip of his coffee.

"That bad, huh?" Alicia asked.

"Worse. Dad tried to give Hauvri alcohol not long after we got there, then granny had to start her crap; Thursday evening, mom showed up--she and dad got into a fight, so gramps had to call a security squad to take her, then Thursday night...everything went nuclear."

Alicia saw the pained look in Cameron's eyes and regretted having asked.

"Sorry, Cam...I..."

"Just another joyous holiday with the Eriksson herd," Cameron said sarcastically. "Did you have a good time last week?"

"Oh, reckon we had a great time in the Terr'tries. We..." Alicia went on talking about her family's trip back home to Australia for several minutes.

Cameron sipped his coffee and thought, "Well, at least somebody had a good time with their family. Mine doesn't know the meaning."

A while later Cameron went back to the lab to see what was going on. When he walked in, the Assistant Director of Xeno-Archaeology, Dr. Samuel Grant, was there talking to Hauvri'ahn while some of the others were listening in. He had a new guy with him that had short, thick white hair and brown eyes.

"Oh, hey, Cameron, you're just the guy I want to see," Dr. Grant said, waving him over.

"What's up?" Cameron asked when he joined his wife.

"We have a newbie for you. Cam, this is Arlan Schneider, he just transferred from R&D to get some field experience. He'll be wanting to see the artifacts as they're found _in situ_in hopes of better understanding what they might have been used for. Arlan, this is Cameron Eriksson, he'll be your Team Lead," Dr. Grant said, making the introductions.

"Hey, Arlan, nice to meet you. So, you're one of the 'rapple dapple' geeks, eh?" Cameron asked, leaning down a little to shake his hand.

"Yeah, I get to try and figure out what the things you folks bring back do--without blowing something up," Arlan said with a smile.

Cameron noticed the sharper than usual teeth Arlan had when he smiled--that, combined with the odd white hair, he figured Arlan must be a near-human of some kind. Regardless of what he was, Cameron took an instant liking to the newbie as they talked.

"Cam, we're trying to get a fast, private ship to get your team out to the boonies and back. We're negotiating with a fellow now who claims his ship can outrun pretty much anything. He's going to give a demonstration in a few days, so we'll see if his claims check out," Dr. Grant said.

"Yeah, I heard something about that. Who's the pilot of this ship you mentioned?" Cameron asked.

"Let's see...a rather unusual name, as I remember. Ah, here it is...a guy named Nial-sa'fel Nwinaëldan." Noting the confused looks on the faces of Cameron, Hauvri'ahn, and Arlan, Dr. Grant said, "Like I said, a rather unusual name. I'm not sure if I actually pronounced it right or not. He's got an odd accent, too. Our linguists can't figure out where a name like that could be from--it's definitely not in the Sol Federation's language database and doesn't come close to any known language."

"All languages known we do not have," Hauvri'ahn said.

"That's true, there could still be some out there that we just haven't added yet," Dr. Grant agreed.

"So, what does this guy look like?" Arlan asked.

"Well, that's the kicker. For having such an odd name, he certainly looks like he's from Terran stock. Here, I'll show you..."

Dr. Grant pulled up the image on his PAD to show them.

"He looks like a wolf G.E.L.F. to me," Cameron said.

"I dunno, I've grown up around wolf types in Alaska, this guy...his eyes...they're not...they're like a wild wolf. Got that same penetrating stare that will give anyone the willies," Arlan said with a little shiver when he looked.

"Yeah...kinda what I was thinking. I served with some wolf G.E.L.F.s in the Fleet Marines--took me a while to get used to them, but they were alright once they accepted you. When they saw me kick a door completely out of its frame on the first try and send it across the room during a CQC[10]training exercise, they started to show some respect. I was carrying our squad's heavy pulser like they carried their assault rifles--that might have helped, too," Cameron said with a slight smile, thinking back to the time.

"What's a heavy pulser?" Arlan asked.

"Um...I think I have a photo of me suited up for a mission. Just a sec..." Cameron replied, fishing out his personal PAD. He flipped through the images until he found the one he was looking for. "Here it is. I'm wearing heavy powered armor, and that...is what we call a heavy pulser. It fires three thousand pulses of compressed multi-phasic plasma per minute. Guaranteed to do some damage to whatever it hits."

Arlan and Dr. Grant both looked at the image and their jaws dropped. Seeing the big Clydesdale in full heavy combat armor and armed to the teeth was quite a sight. He looked like a walking tank.

Hauvri'ahn rustled the feather-like appendages on her tail. It wasn't often that Cameron would talk about his military past, though when he did, she would feel the strength of the memories and the emotions they aroused. There were a few times she was made privy to what Cameron had experienced during his time in service to the Sol Federation of Worlds and, given her gentle nature, it was shocking to say the least. But she understood better than most the cost he and others like him paid to protect what they all enjoyed. What he was capable of doing scared her, but she knew that he would never hurt her and would not hesitate to put himself between her and danger. The night they had to leave his grandparents' home proved beyond a doubt to Hauvri'ahn that he would keep her safe. She found that she loved him all the more because of it, despite how Élendorians typically felt about violence. She fingered the bracelet he had given her on their one-year anniversary.

"Always a light in your dark for you I will be, my Cam. Always my protector, you will be. None may break this, our bond of love, of light, of life," Hauvri'ahn thought to herself.

At home later that evening, while they were eating their supper, Cameron asked, "What do you think about the new guy?"

Hauvri'ahn thought a moment and said, "Nice, I think. Ideas, plenty he has. Interesting he will be to work with."

Cameron nodded his head a little in agreement.

"Yeah, it might be handy to have a R&D type coming along--he might see things from a different perspective than we would."

"Fully human, he is not. Difference in him, sensed I have," Hauvri'ahn said.

"Yeah, he's a near-human--I looked up his personnel file this afternoon. He's got some skunk G.E.L.F. in him. Not enough to be obvious in his facial features or the rest of his body, though if you look close enough, you can see a little difference. Seems like a nice enough person," Cameron said.

Cameron and Hauvri'ahn spent the next two days getting Arlan caught up on what was current in their department, providing some basic training on digs and how things were done. He seemed to catch on quickly, which pleased them both.

When Friday rolled around, Dr. Grant took Cameron and his team to the facility's landing pad to wait for the ship to arrive. When the scheduled time came, they looked up from the small observation dome towards the west. There was a brief streak of multi-hued light, followed by the fiery trail made by a craft entering the thin Martian air. Terra-forming was still a work in progress on the red planet, so the atmosphere was not yet thick enough to support higher oxygen-breathing lifeforms without an environment suit or an enclosure. The ship came to a halt away from other craft on the parking apron.

"Why did he park way over there?" Cameron asked.

Before Dr. Grant could comment, his comm unit beeped.

"Dr. Grant here. Oh, hello, Mr. Nwinaëldan. I hope I pronounced that right. Oh, all right, then, Nial it is. I have the three individuals I told you about with me. Do you want us to...oh, sure, that would be fine. I'll let everyone know. See you shortly." Dr. Grant put his comm unit back in its belt pouch and said, "He's transporting here. Let's make sure he has plenty of room for his targeting sensors."

No sooner than they had moved to once side of the small observation dome, the ship's pilot appeared in a multi-hued swirl of light. Everyone but Cameron had to look up at Nial-sa'fel Nwinaëldan when his form coalesced, for he was at least two-hundred-thirty centimeters[11]tall. Hauvri'ahn stayed close to Cameron, holding his arm. Arlan also a bit uneasy as the tall wolf G.E.L.F.-like being eyed them up. His demeanor screamed "predator!" even though he made no action that seemed the least bit hostile.

"Greetings, to all. Doctor Grant, I presume?"

"Uh, yes. And you are Nial...?"

"Nial-sa'fel Nwinaëldan, at your service. I come with peace in my heart of being and no ill will towards any. I bear no weapons and do not wish to harm. May I enter?" Nial held his hands out with palms up.

"Of course," Dr. Grant replied to the unusual ritualistic greeting.

It took an awkward moment for Dr. Grant to figure out that he was meant to place his hands on top of Nial's to complete the greeting.

When Nial greeted Hauvri'ahn, he bowed his head and said, "Lady Sy'k'rell Hauvri'ahn, it is an honor to make your acquaintance."

Cameron, of course, knew of his wife's standing in Élendorian society, but the others did not.

"How do you know my wife?" Cameron asked cautiously.

Nial grinned slightly and said, "D'wena Sy'k'rell has had the distinct position as caretakers of The Heart as it exists on Élendor Prime for many generations. I also recognized her te'nwah."

"Been to Élendor, you have?" Hauvri'ahn asked.

"A few times, yes," Nial replied. "And you must be Cameron Eriksson."

"Yes, how do you know..."

"It's not every day that an Élendorian lady is joined with a warrior/scholar from another world. By the way, an interesting occupation the both of you have, literally digging up the past to find useful things for the future. Well, if you wish the chance to find some truly old things, I know some places that might interest you. However, whatever you may discover, it is on you to use the knowledge wisely. If you are looking for ancient weapons to conquer with, well, keep in mind that everything has a price, and ask yourself, is it a price you are willing to pay? There are things out there that will take exception to anyone tinkering with them--my ship happens to be one of those things. Do not go poking fingers into places they are not meant to go. You will likely lose the use of one or more of them--or worse." Nial said the last while looking directly at Arlan. "The deal is, I take you on a short trip so that you will have an idea of how fast I can get you from one place to another. If, after a few days, you still wish to go places no one has set foot for long periods of time, then we will talk further. I will do what I can to keep you safe, so please try to not make things difficult in that regard. So, whenever you are ready..."

Nial started to walk away when Cameron asked, "You mean now?"

"Is there a better time?" Nial asked.

"How long will we be gone?" Cameron asked.

"I will return you in three days' time," Nial said.

"You didn't say anything about being gone for three days!" Cameron said quietly to Dr. Grant. "We need to pack some clothes and some equipment--at least some hand scanners, if nothing else."

"I didn't know he would want to take off after only being here a few minutes," Dr. Grant said apologetically. "How much time do you need?"

Cameron, Hauvri'ahn, and Arlan conferred quickly. "An hour and a half?" Cameron asked.

"Um, Nial...my people would like an hour and a half to run home, pack some clothes, and get a few small items from the lab. Would that be all right with you?" Dr. Grant asked.

"Certainly. I will watch for your return to this place." Nial lifted his right arm, bringing a plain black band near his mouth. He spoke something into it and then shortly after he disappeared in a multi-colored swirl of light.

"Jeezers, I've never seen any kind of transport effect like that before," Arlan said.

"Yeah, me, neither," Cameron agreed.

Approximately ninety minutes later, the four returned to the observation dome next to the facility's landing pad.

"Just in case you get stranded somewhere..." Dr. Grant whispered to Cameron, showing a small subspace transceiver with a locator beacon that he had placed in the equipment bag. "Try not to go too far away so we can have someone pick you up if need be. I put some emergency rations in there, too."

"Thanks, Doc. Hopefully this guy is on the up and up. See you in a few days," Cameron said. Turning to Hauvri'ahn, he asked, "Ready, babe?" She simple nodded her head in the affirmative. "Arlan?"

"I'm good to go," Arlan replied cheerfully.

"Alright, here goes nothing," Cameron said, walking towards the spot Nial was last seen at. Hauvri'ahn and Arlan joined him on either side. Cameron just started to wave at Dr Grant when he felt an unusual sensation envelope his body...and then everything dissolved into a multi-hued swirl of light.

* * * * *

Back on Terra, everything went crazy in the Eriksson family when a letter came announcing Cameron's intention to gain custody of his little sister, Shauna. Well, almost everything. His great uncle Ian and his grandfather Lars, were both for the idea. His grandmother, Bonnie, however, was strangely quiet. Ian noticed this and wondered what she was up to, especially after she made an unannounced trip into Old Chicago. Not long afterwards, Priscilla started demanding that no one was going to take her baby away from her, even though she had admitted in the past that she didn't care what happened to either of her kids. When the initial hearing took place, Bonnie made sure her daughter-in-law was cleaned up and respectable in appearance when they went to Family Court. Bonnie showed up with a lawyer who had a reputation of being underhanded. Cameron's lawyer had ample damning evidence concerning Priscilla's drug addiction and mental health, Lars Junior's past, and also dirt on the grandmother. It was determined that the case would go to trial and a date was set. Cameron and Hauvri'ahn would have to be there in person, along with his parents and grandparents. Word was sent to Hauvri'ahn's D'wena back on Élendor Prime and it was hoped that a family representative would be able to make the trip to the Sol system in time for the trial. If the prestigious D'wena Sy'k'rell formally backed the petition for custody, there would be little stopping Cameron and Hauvri'ahn from gaining it.

* * * * *

Things had long ago been set into motion by the mysterious Heart that once done could not be stopped by any mortal being. Cameron, Hauvri'ahn, and Arlan, were unknowingly on a course that would lead them to a greater destiny; and Shauna would, years later, be placed on the same path as her brother's, as would the crews of Nightwing_and _Se'nika. It would be a difficult path, yes, but a necessary one if they were to become something greater than they imagined.

The First One known as Naoia Anensu'ena, watched as her latest charges began their new path. She would be their Guide on the journey of the heart to The Heart, as she had been to others. One of the First Born of the First Ones, a male by the name of Nial-sa'fel Nwinaëldan, had been recruited by Naoia to help. Nial-sa'fel, also known simply as "Traps", was a capable lad and Naoia was seeing to his education and training in matters of The Heart. Like the other First Born, Nial had grown into his abilities and had become, now being like his First One parents.

Nial had asked Naoia why the little one named Shauna would have to suffer--surely a way could be found to protect her, he argued. Naoia was not unsympathetic--she did not like to see any living thing suffer needlessly. Naoia went to the Eldest, L'saren Fey-sel'ena, and asked if anything could be done.

Among the First Ones, L'saren, who was also known as Starfire, was able to see things long before they happened. Thinking of the trials her own son had faced concerning the one he loved with all of his heart of being, she shared what she had seen concerning the little one named Shauna Eriksson of Terra with Naoia.

"We will make sure her path does not come to an untimely end. Hard as it will be on her and for her, in the end it will give her the understanding she needs to make sure such does not happen to others. Tyranny, on any scale--from the individual to whole civilizations--must be recognized for what it is, and one who has experienced it for themselves, will understand the plight of those who suffer under it. Shauna will become a defender of those unable to defend themselves. She will understand in ways that perhaps others may not. The Heart has also put into her Path a healer who will make her whole. I sympathize with your concerns, my friend--a child should be cared for, not brutalized. Unfortunately, there are those who will be, and who will stand for them? The one named Shauna Eriksson will be their Guardian; she will understand what they need and will not hesitate to protect the innocent. Look..." L'saren showed Naoia an event that would happen. "Even before her healing and gaining in wisdom, she protects the innocent, even if it is one who is a machine entity."

Naoia rubbed her chin in thought.

"The one who will do those things to her--I will deal with him and that sorry excuse of a grandmother," she growled softly.

L'saren placed a hand on Naoia's shoulder and said, "I understand, my friend. When the time is right, you may have your retribution."

As difficult as it was to hold back at times, the Guardian who watched over little Shauna Eriksson made sure that the step-grandfather never got too violent. When the time came, the Guardian showed Shauna the strength buried deep inside to break free from her personal tyrant.

Decades later, the guards and staff at the detainment center never knew why he would wake up screaming in the night, or how the marks appeared on his body, despite round the clock surveillance. As for the grandmother, she would be found crying and cringing in fear during the night for no apparent reason in her assisted living facility. This went on for a period of eight years, exactly how long Shauna had endured her torment.

Fulfilling her promise, Naoia exacted her retribution for what they had done, making sure they fully understood the reason why.

---

[1] Translation: "You are seen, you are felt, Miss Shauna Eriksson."

[2] Cameron and Hauvri'ahn were both students of Dr. Rudyard Garland, PhD, who was the grandfather of Dr. Angelina Garland, PhD, presently a member of the science team on Nightwing.

[3] Cameron's great uncle on his grandmother's side, Ian Shaw, retired from the Fleet Marines at the rank of Master Sergeant.

[4] s'ne'waes - (_pronounced_s?-neh-wa'ees) "one true love".

[5] Head - old naval term for restroom; dates back to the days of wooden sailing ships.

[6] P-way - short for "passageway"; a hallway or corridor on a ship.

[7] UNODIR - "Unless otherwise directed".

[8] Hauvri'ahn is 6 ft 8in tall

[9] See "Daggers of Darkness #1: Into the Black", chapter 8, page 407.

[10] CQC - Close Quarters Combat

[11] 230 centimeters = 7.54 feet