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Only Nodrog and Randy were up and moving around early Sunday morning. The two standing out on the porch with a light fog hanging in the air. Nodrog had a cup of coffee and Randy a large glass of orange juice. "When do you have to head out?"

Randy glanced over at Nodrog. "Some time tomorrow, we already have everything staged. I don't need to hurry, but I can't really drag my feet."

"At least you don't have to hurry up and wait." Nodrog chuckled.

"No, we'll be standin' around out there for a while waiting for them to get that vault out." Randy said and sipped on his juice.

Nodrog took a sip of his coffee. "Something on your mind?"

Randy looked down at his glass. "I guess you could say that. I'm a little concerned about her recent change, and the relationship the two of you have because of it."

"You have nothing to worry about her physical change. The elf that helped her, has been using magic well over ten thousand years. Michaela, only offered to help Stacy, because she could see it was something Stacy really wanted." Nodrog turned so he was facing Randy.

"Stacy only asked to be changed for herself; because it is something she has wanted for a long time. I only helped get her that chance." Nodrog said.

"Okay, Stacy has said that herself. But what about the two of you?" Randy asked.

Nodrog turned back to look out over the beach. "I won't lie to you, and I won't go into details. But yes we have been physical in the past."

"I had thought as much... What about now?" Randy asked.

Nodrog shrugged. "Dragon's are not very good at staying with one partner... I have not actively sought her company, but I have never turned her advances down. Do I like her? Of course I do, I don't know how anyone could dislike her. I can tell you that she thinks the world of you."

"I am not usually the jealous type. It's just." Randy wasn't sure what it was.

"This time you really do care." Nodrog said and turned as he heard someone come out.

Randy turned and was a little embarrassed as Stacy came out, still in her shorts and over sized night shirt.

"That means a lot to me, no one really cared before. I was just a little slut to play with." Stacy had paused half way between the house and them.

"I have never thought that." Randy said.

"Actually I am probably more at fault then Nodrog is. Since I sort of made Stacy let Nodrog screw him, when she was still partly male." Jenny said as she came out, actually dressed.

Now Randy was rather embarrassed. Except he could not help but laugh. "Somehow, that doesn't surprise me."

Jenny put her hands on her hips. "Hey it's not my fault she was so cute even as a trap. Besides, your cousin was the first to do anything with her..."

"I probably did not need to know that." Randy sighed. He was worried for the wrong reasons, but that was a relief. He should have expected certain, fooling around when you added Jenny in.

Jenny took Stacy back inside so she could get dressed and Jenny could start cooking breakfast.

"Do you feel better now?" Nodrog asked with a chuckle.

"I suppose so, does that mean, the four of you have..." Randy asked.

"Yes. You will have to forgive me, I forget some prefer to pick a mate for life. I did spend the greater portion of my life... not in any form of committed relationship." Nodrog said and glanced over at Randy.

Randy leaned on the railing. "It is hard to remember you are not one of us... well a mortal human that is. Stacy told me about the alien attack. I know she wasn't lying, but it's hard to believe."

"I was there and I still have a hard time believing. And I guess I should apologize for sleeping with your girlfriend." Alice said as she and Stacy came back out.

"We should probably change the subject since your parents are up and moving around." Stacy was relieved when Randy pulled her close.

"Yes because I don't want them know that much of my personal life." Alice said and looked into the kitchen window as Jenny hummed a little song while cooking pancakes. They would open presents later in the day, most everyone had to fly out early today so they would be ready for work Monday.

Alice and Jenny sat in one chair, while Stacy sat on Randy's lap in another. Nodrog leaned against the railing as the sun set. Everyone else was on their way home or all ready there. Alice and Jenny had boxed everything up to be sent home with Nodrog and Stacy, Monday.

"So now that your fist day is drawin' to a close, do the two of you feel any different?" Randy asked happy to have Stacy in his arms. He had not considered the cultural difference between them and Nodrog. Like his age, it was easy to forget he was different from them, and saw the world differently.

Alice and Jenny both thought about it. "I don't think so, maybe a little closer." Alice said and rested her head on Jenny's shoulder.

"I feel like I am finally complete, like Alice filled a void I didn't know was there." Jenny said and smiled as they held hands.

Stacy snuggled closer to Randy. "I know how you feel. It's nice to have someone who cares about you."

Nodrog remained outside as the others went inside to head to bed. It was nearly nine and two of them had to be up early. He crushed and ate the beer can before getting another. Leaning back on the deck railing searching the distant ruins. "There are still some cold ones in that cooler. Not too bad for human made stuff."

Dallarth smiled coyly as he pointed to the blue chest. "I am on duty."

Nodrog chuckled. "Suit yourself."

"I just dropped by to keep you up to date on a few things." Dallarth walked over to him as she spoke.

Nodrog sipped at his beer. "Oh, due tell."

"While the monster council has little pull with the mortal races; the grays have lost a few allies in attacking a non deep space reaching race. They have had to back off on a few fronts." Dallarth said and fished a bottle out of the cooler with her tail.

Nodrog smiled as she popped open the bottle. "That is good news. Any word on how the Velopians are faring with the treatment?"

Dallarth took a small drink. "Rather watered down, but tastes alright... They had to make a minor adjustment, but initial tests look very promising. I didn't think you to be the small beach house kind of dragon."

"This is Alice and Jenny's house, they got married here yesterday afternoon. It is not a bad little house, the other houses are a little close for my taste." Nodrog said with a little smile.

"Ah yes, the two young humans you live with. You have a strange fascination with humans." Dallarth gave the beer another taste. About three times more alcohol and it might be decent, this was a girl drink. Of course for her and Nodrog, moonshine might have enough kick for them to notice.

Nodrog laughed. "I guess I do, but those two are the first to have shown any concern for my well being. Why have you stayed with the Velopians so long?"

"I suppose I am intrigued by them. They are very much like elves, but without the all-knowing smugness the elves have. They respect all forces of nature and the elements; even the shadow and void." Dallarth said.

"And the thought of mating with one of them, has not crossed your mind?" Nodrog asked.

"It has, there are a few prime examples of the male Velopian form, that have caught my eye. I am guessing a few of the females caught your eye?" Dallarth asked coyly.

Nodrog smiled. "Of course, Alyvia is quite a lovely young woman. As a friend of mine said, I fancy diamonds in the rough."

"Mianth is not very rough..." Dallarth teased.

"No, but how could anyone say 'no' to her?" Nodrog said and smiled.

Dallarth sighed. "You have me there, even I have a hard time telling her 'no'. Have the humans made any more progress of their own with the illness?"

"I do not know, since it effects them so slowly they are taking their sweet time. It is amusing and frustrating at the things they rush into and just sit on their asses about." Nodrog grumbled.

"That is my one complaint about the Velopians and Perenth, they are slow to get moving." Dallarth said and finished off the beer.

"Nightrunner is the same, neutral, neutrals are aggravating that way." Nodrog said with a smile.

Dallarth laughed. "Yes they are. Do not misunderstand me, I have a great deal of respect for Perenth. She is very wise for her age, and sees things very clearly. We differ in how to react to situations. We children of the shadows tend to be rather short tempered."

"Despite my earthen nature, I am rather short tempered as well. It takes all kinds. After all the slaughter I have caused, it is good that there are those like Mianth. I suppose the universe would be dull if everyone was like her, but that might just be the hunger for flesh talking." Nodrog said and glanced up at the now night sky, the stars glowing brightly.

"She has a very calming nature, I find myself drawn to her side just to feel it. Monsters like us need those like her, to keep our own desires from consuming us." Dallarth said softly.

"Though they know next to zero magic, Jenny and Alice keep my madness at bay. They calm the restlessness that being this abomination causes. Do you find it as amusing as I do? That two of the most powerful monsters, need the weakest of companions to protect us, from ourselves." Nodrog asked and looked Dallarth in her violet eyes.

Dallarth matched his gaze, a smile spreading across her lips. "I find it incredibly amusing. Mianth has a very captivating voice when she sings, and that heavenly aroma that follows her everywhere. I could spend hours listening to her. The others must think I am mad."

"I am glad someone understands. So she can sing, I might just have to see if she will sing for me some time. Since she made me play the piano." Nodrog said.

Dallarth chuckled. "From the way she talked to her steward, I thought you had made her sing."

"Touché. She made several sustained notes, but not an actual song... The next meeting is two weeks or three weeks out?" Nodrog asked.

"Three. I had heard you and that pup would be out in the field playing toy soldier. That is another male I wouldn't mind playing a little rough with." Dallarth said with a toothy smile.

"In a hundred years you might be able too. I noticed you and Perenth have taken an interest in him." Nodrog said.

"For a Halfling to openly insult the council, and to defend Mianth and Lilith in the same stroke. I openly applaud him. He shows remarkable skill as well, I know you posses magic for giving a partner sexual pleasure without touching them. I am sure many a female would thank you for teaching him that form of magic." Dallarth said with a sultry smile.

"I am surprised he has not asked about it. I have been meaning to use one of the cracked philosophers stones to train him quicker, it would not be that hard to include those spells." Nodrog said with a wicked grin.

"Now you are thinking the right idea. I had better head back, I will try and keep you informed as I am allowed to break away." Dallarth said and put her hand on the back of his neck and gave him a kiss.

"You are too kind. I look forward to seeing you again." Nodrog said with a smile. Dallarth vanished as quietly as she had come, instantly crossing the voids of space with nothing more than a simple thought.

Nodrog tossed her beer bottle in the trash and ate his can. Deciding to have a few more as the sky showed the first hints of sunlight creeping into the sky. Randy would give him and Stacy a ride to the airport and then head west to meet up with the other drivers. He hated the commercial flights because they were cramped, even first class. Alice, Jenny, Randy and Lucy insisted he escort the girl back to the main office.

'Oh well' he thought and went inside to change clothes and pack his rather small bag. Jenny and Alice would fly out late Monday night to the staging area where Randy had hauled the little red sports car out to. They were going to spend a few days cruising the coast before they had to head back to actually work.

Alice and Jenny waved goodbye as the three climbed into the rig to take off. "I am so glad everyone made it." Alice said and paused to look back at Jenny who had locked both locks on the front door.

"No, we are not doing 'that' all day." Alice said firmly, but judging from the smile on Jenny's face. She was not going to get very far before she was stripped naked in the now empty house. In fact she made it all of three strides before Jenny had pounced on her.

It was nearly noon when they showered and got dressed, for the second time. In Jenny's defense Alice thought she had been very well behaved while people were around. Having sex in the living room, on the stairs, the bedroom and the shower should have been expected. On the plus side, they both went a few hours feeling really, really good.

They cleaned up the little house quickly and took out all the garbage. Having forced Randy to take the little bit of left overs so they did not have to throw it away. Nodrog and Stacy had taken two large and one medium sized boxes with them to be shipped back home.

Jenny and Alice enjoyed flying, but they fit in the seats and had a little wiggle room. "So where is my little lead footed vixen taking me first?"

"I got a few suggestions from people. Mom and Roslyn recommended a romantic little day spa that had a few rooms. Everything is north of the staging area, so head north was the extent of my planning. Mike and Carly both suggested an out of the way, little seafood place, so I can get my kitten a little fresh fish" Alice said.

"That sounds good to me, but going anywhere with you sounds good to me." Jenny said and laid her head on Alice's shoulder. There was some staff out on site, Samantha and Sherman had left early Sunday. Samantha was going to come pick them up at the airport. They would spend the night, then head out on their little honeymoon.

"Hey there newlyweds." Samantha said as she waved to them.

"Thanks for picking us up." Jenny said as they walked to the baggage claim.

"I forgot how quiet commercial air travel was. I am so used to flying converted military air..." Alice said and snagged her bag as it came around.

"You will get no argument from me." Samantha said while Jenny grabbed her bag. "You and Jenny will have to unload your car. Randy wouldn't let anyone touch it."

"And that is why he is my favorite cousin." Alice said as they walked out to the SUV.

"I thought it was because unlike your other relatives, he is a stud?" Jenny teased.

Samantha laughed. "Well there is something about a cowboy..."

Alice was glad they let it slide, it was embarrassing enough because he was good looking. It was a three hour drive up the coast to get to the bay they were working at. The area had been well fenced off before they started digging. Samantha stopped at the little gate to check them in. She pulled to a stop next to a very familiar RV.

"Home sweet home away from home." Jenny said as they got out.

Alice shouldered her bag. "Anyone else out here yet?"

"Katie and I are your roommates, till the others get out here. She was going to keep dinner warm for the two of you." Samantha said as she opened the door on the RV.

Katie got up and gave them both a hug." Congratulations again. The two of you looked so beautiful. There are a couple burgers staying warm in the oven. It was hard but Samantha and I managed not to eat all of the watermelon and pasta salad."

"Ooo, Katie's special pasta salad." Alice said as she pulled out a rather large bowl of it.

They ate a light dinner since it was a little on the late side. Plus they wanted to get an early start. The four of them went to bed at a reasonable hour, since two of them had to get up and work. Jenny and Katie made a quick breakfast before the four of them set off.

"You two have fun, and I guess we will see you in a couple days." Katie said as she and Samantha got in the flat green SUV.

"See you later." Alice and Jenny said and waved.

Alice had spotted the Lotus sitting on the front of Randy's usual flat bed trailer, when they had come in last night. He was thoughtful enough to lower the ramps, all they had to do was un-strap it from the trailer and back it off.

"That car still makes me jealous." Jenny teased as Alice nearly skipped over to it.

"It's my baby... You're my lover." Alice cooed as Jenny set their bags on the ground next to the trailer. Randy had even gone the extra mile and used the cleanest ratchet straps he had to hold the little car down. They didn't even get their hands dirty freeing the sports car from the trailer.

A quick stop at the gate, then they left a pair of black marks at the gate as they sped off on their little adventure. Even at seven forty in the morning, it was a pleasant sixty four degrees out. They had the windows rolled down and the radio turned up as they zipped up the scenic coastal road. The ruins of the coastal cities doing little to spoil the view. Just like the east coast, the two of them did not know it any other way.

Armed with a map that had points circled in red, they left the planning and schedules behind them. The little V8 singing a cheerful song as Alice opened it up and blew the winter dust off. Despite all the race equipment, the Lotus was still an excellent road trip car. They passed orchards and citrus groves by the dozens. Along with a few sleepy little farming towns, most still not fully opened for tourist season yet.

Jenny and Alice didn't really mind, they had no place to be and just giggled, laughed and talked as they zipped north. Stopping any place that looked cute or interesting. A little open air market providing some fresh fruit for a snack. Alice pulled off at a scenic overlook, having gotten far enough north the coast was no longer ruins.

They had made it over to the actual Pacific Coast Highway, it survived in stretches. The higher elevations or the portions along the more solid rocky coast. Jenny and Alice stood holding hands overlooking the Pacific ocean, just high enough up the rocky cliff; the spray from the crashing waves could not reach them. "I will never get tired of this."

Alice brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face. "Get tired of what?"

"Being with you." Jenny said softly. She put her other hand on Alice's cheek and kissed her. They both blushed as a couple of guys honked and cheered as they drove past. What might have been a cutely romantic moment was not entirely ruined, they laughed it off.

Dinner was at a small cantina, that happened to have both high octane gas and diesel. A very mixed crowd of truckers, bikers and early tourists with screaming little kids. The food was really good. Alice and Jenny were a little nervous when the two biggest and badass looking guys in probably the whole county walked up to the little table they were sitting at.

"I told you it was her." The one said.

"Um, can we help you?" Jenny asked nervously.

Alice and Jenny nearly fainted when the two macho men quickly pulled out a pen and a little note book and asked "Can we have your autograph Alice?"

Alice smiled. "Of course."

Actually a few other people in the restaurant asked for it before the two left. Jenny was surprised how well Alice could talk to her fans, when she was usually so shy. She washed the windows as Alice filled up.

While they had not tried, they more or less stumbled upon the little spa when they were thinking of stopping for the night. They only had a handful of other guests so they got a room with no trouble. When asked the reason for their trip, they got a voucher for free massages. An older married pair of women owned and ran the spa.

"This is a cute little place. We might have to spend two days here." Jenny said and silently cheered as she spotted the hot tub. Oh the naughty things a girl could do in those. They had also been given a complementary bottle of local wine.

Alice squeaked as Jenny quickly grabbed her from behind and put her hands under her shirt. "Can I help you?"

Jenny kissed Alice's neck. "No, but I am going to fill up that tub and help you..."

"mmm... let me pop open the bottle and you can do anything you want to me." Alice said with a sultry little smile.

Jenny was sitting on the edge of the tub with her hand under the faucet to adjust the temp. She nearly fell in when Alice came into view wearing nothing but a naughty little smile. The open bottle of wine and two glasses in her one hand.

"I think it is full enough." Alice teased.

Jenny glanced down and quickly shut the water off. Alice set the wine and glasses down on the side of the tub and walked over to Jenny. Alice helped Jenny remove her clothes, between tender kisses and a little playful fondling.

After getting in the tub, Alice poured them a glass to sit quietly and relax in the warm water. "We should get a tub like this for field work."

"I don't think we would get much work done." Jenny said.

Alice gave the wine a thoughtful glance. "No I suppose not. Oopsy... I spilled my wine."

Jenny set her empty glass down and moved closer to Alice. "Oh you poor girl, let me help."

Alice moaned softly as Jenny lowered her head to lick the wine off of her. She spread her legs as Jenny lightly ran a hand down her abdomen and just brushed over her clit. A good warm soak, a little wine and now a little love, Alice was floating on cloud nine as Jenny kissed her. She laid her head on the edge of the tub as Jenny kissed her neck and slipped two fingers inside of her.

They had left the toys at home, while Alice loved the things Jenny could do with them. She didn't need them and moaned as Jenny nibbled on her nipple. Alice reached over and poured the last little bit of the small bottle of wine on the breast Jenny was sucking on. Causing the kitten to redouble her effort in trying to clean Alice up.

"Oh you are a naughty little mouse..." Jenny cooed and smiled as Alice moaned louder as she teased her clit. She could feel the warming effects of the wine, and moaned as Alice turned on the jets, one of which was aimed right at her uncovered vulva.

Alice smiled and kissed Jenny, then slinking lower in the tube so she could reach between Jenny's legs. There were two jets in that side of the tub and both girls let the machine get them off as they used their hands and mouths other places.

Leaving the constraints of the tub, the pair lay on the tile floor having dripped water everywhere. Where they were a little more playful and tender then before. Jenny was reminded of the night they first had sex. She took her time to explore and make sure no part of her love missed her divine attention.

Chapter.

A phone call in the morning woke them up, a reminder that breakfast was being made. The two stretched and got around fairly quickly. Breakfast was simple, but homemade and very fresh. They ate with four other pairs in the small dining room. After breakfast, the owners gave them a little tour of the facility and introduced them to the rest of the small staff.

Set back from the coast, up on a hill, the small spa was quaint. The most lavish part being the gardens surrounding it. Which was where most of the fruits and vegetables came from for breakfast. Jenny and Alice took a lengthy swim in the large pool before getting their free massages. With so few guests, they all ate together for lunch and dinner.

All of them agreeing, that coming before the usual rush was definitely the way to go. They shared a few other places of interest, and places that should be avoided. Nothing serious, things like lousy service or too expensive. After their second night Jenny and Alice hit the road once again, feeling well rested and relaxed.

It took a while, and several wrong turns. But they did find the more than a little out of the way seafood place; in time for a late lunch or early dinner. Which it was more than worth the trouble trying to find it. Lunch was fantastic, and the waitress was cute. Being her second day, they left her a little bit larger tip than usual. They also found a fantastic little jewelry shop in the process of getting lost trying to find the restaurant.

"I forget you used to work as a waitress back in college." Alice said as they once more zipped along. Hoping they could at least make it to the giant red woods before having to head back.

"People don't know how hard it is some days... I am sure she will have the hang of it before it gets busier. Actually I can't believe the deal we got on matching necklaces." Jenny said and admired hers. She had more jewelry than she ever wore, but aside from expensive electronics it was her only expensive taste.

"You are the only one who buys me any, so I don't really know. You treat me like a princess." Alice said and up shifted as the road straightened out once more. She loved mountain and coastal roads, they were fun to drive. Especially in beautiful weather, like they had.

"That's because you are my princess." Jenny said and checked the map. "The next highway, hang a right and head east. This stretch of road ends sixty miles past this turn, and it does not look like anything is up that way."

Alice spotted the highway sign. "Okay, keep your eye open for a station that has ninety one. We don't need any yet, but it has been harder to find."

"The next town is decent sized, looks like... forty - forty five miles." Jenny said.

"That works, I will probably need to go to the bathroom by then." Alice glanced at Jenny when Jenny picked up her phone after it made a text alert sound.

Jenny flipped open Alice's phone and read over the short text. "Amber was letting us know they have gotten all of the photos sorted and saved on disks. Should I let your mom know she can go and pick them up?"

"I am sure mom cannot wait to see them, so I don't have a problem with it." Alice said as she checked her mirrors and pulled out to pass a truck.

Jenny called Lucy on her phone while she texted Amber on Alice's phone. "Hi mom." Jenny said and Alice giggled.

"Well hello daughter. Are you both enjoying your trip?" Lucy said and waved at Ron, to come over.

"We are having a wonderful time, your other daughter says hello. Amber just told us the photos are ready to be picked up, if you want to go and get them." Jenny said.

"I will go get them tomorrow after class. Ron says hello." Lucy said.

"We just figured you wanted to see them, talk to you later. We love you." Jenny said.

"Love you too." Lucy said.

"Your mom and dad say hello." Jenny said and read another text. "Amber was hoping she could use two pictures in her summer catalog."

"Which two?" Alice asked. Her cop sense tingled and she let off the throttle, slowing down closer to the speed limit. Which the twisty two lane highways out here still had.

"The one of us dancing, and the one with the two of us, Mike and Stacy." Jenny said.

"I don't have a problem with that, but she should ask Stacy and Kenny if that is okay." Alice said and glanced down at the speedometer as they passed a cop going the other way. Force of habit... they were only doing five over... at the moment. Alice smiled and put her foot back in it a little more.

"I will tell her that." Jenny glanced out the window just in time, and hit Alice in the arm. "Slug bug, no slug backs!"

"Owe, not so hard." Alice pouted. It wasn't that hard, but still.

Jenny put Alice's phone back in the little cubby between the seats. "That would be a game we should not teach Nodrog."

"Because it would hurt to slug him?" Alice giggled.

"That too." Jenny laughed. They stopped to top off the fuel tank, use the bathroom and switched positions. This was the second time Jenny got to drive on the trip. Lacking Alice's cop sixth sense, Jenny stayed closer to the speed limit. Even with the instruction, it was Alice's baby.

"I keep expecting one of these texts to be a picture of Joe and Katie's baby." Alice said as she played with her phone.

"Isn't she due next week?" Jenny asked.

Alice stopped and thought about it. "Now I don't remember... I bet a hundred years from now, they will still have trouble telling you when the baby will pop out."

"Don't tell me all of you are betting on the day?" Jenny teased.

"Well yeah... Jim didn't ask you to pick a day?" Alice asked.

"We are so bad..." Jenny said and could only smile.

On the other coast, Nodrog was actually bored. The quiet was rather strange, it was okay for the first day or two, but now it actually bugged him. As he stood on the roof one evening, he could not remember actually missing someone. And not just because they had sex, he actually missed them just being around. He had spent one whole night shooting pool by himself. It didn't help that everything was ready to go out to the recovery, so he even had little work to do.

"You look frustrated. Something on your mind?" Marko asked as he walked over to the large office window after the three ladies left for the night.

"I am, and a little bored and disappointed." Nodrog said.

Marko chuckled. "A little of everything than. I suppose you had hoped to be around for the Velopians next trip here."

"More for the company of dragons. I rarely saw any in the past, most avoided me completely after our alteration. I am sure you understand spending time with your peers." Nodrog glanced at Marko.

"I do, because I have so few. It is nice to interact with people similar to you, in both position and world views. I know they mean a great deal to you, but Alice and Jenny must seem like children in their naïve view of the world. In that regard, the only ones who have lived long enough to share some opinions would be Roslyn or Jim." Marko said and checked his watch as a cargo plane landed.

"You are forgetting someone." Nodrog said.

"Who?" Marko asked.

"Yourself. You are the only one who has held a position of power that comes close to mine. Though we are from different eras... we both have had to make difficult decisions regarding the fates of those below us. You would have made a very noble King had you been alive back then." Nodrog said.

"I am honored you think that. There are stories and myths of dragon kings, are they true? And if they are, why not be king yourself?" Marko asked.

"There have been dragon kings, who ruled over other races. Some with more success than others... I have no inclination to rule, or for that matter to be in command of anything. I have watched Kings and Queens, and of course you. It all seems tedious at best." Nodrog said.

"It does get very tedious at times. Still the rewards greatly offset those times. After all, I have one of the most respected female race car drivers working for me. Along with a few of the greatest research doctors of this time, making incredible strides in medicine. I employ fewer people than my competitors, and they have won more awards and achievements than the top two of my competitors. They also volunteer more time for charity." Marko said as they looked out over the compound.

"Was it always that way?" Nodrog asked.

"It sort of waned under my father, but thankfully it has been on the rise. I personally do more charity work, maybe they are inspired by that." Marko said.

"Could very well be. When do those two books go on display?" Nodrog asked.

Marko picked up his computer tablet. "You will have to forgive me, I cannot recall off the top of my head."

Nodrog chuckled. "It happens to the best of us."

"Ah here we are, the official unveiling is the 24thof this month." Marko said and set the tablet back down. "I had wanted you three to be present, but Kitty and Catlin pointed out, it might anger a few people."

"They have valid reason to think that... Actually doesn't that fall during the Velopians' trip?" Nodrog asked.

"It does, still it cannot be helped. I have already delayed it once, a second time would be bad form. Jade and Dr. Phillips will oversee things that day. I have informed Ambassador Sharn, I had a few things to see to personally." Marko said.

"I had heard you lost the bid to salvage the grays' ships in space." Nodrog said.

Marko sighed. "Unfortunately, the government decided I should not have a monopoly on their tech. Since I kept everything that was on my property. No matter, they will be using equipment my company makes."

"I want to again thank you and the Velopians for conveniently not telling the world about me. I have enough problems dealing with the council about that ability." Nodrog said.

"Considering the amount of interference radiating from the area, not a single security, video, or television camera picked up a thing. Actually it was a total communications black out during that short time. Sherman and Eryk both informed me at one point they had a person running orders." Marko said. He looked at Nodrog when he laughed.

"I shouldn't laugh, but I am relieved. While that form might have saved you in the short term, in the long term, it might not have done anyone any good. They will not like it, but depending on the situation... I might just take Alice and Jenny and leave everyone else behind." Nodrog said and crossed his arms.

"Could you really do that? Leave everyone else behind, knowing it would cause the two of them pain." Marko said.

"Can you afford what happens if word spreads about the monster in your keep? Or what happens if Jenny or Mianth do not know who the enemy is?" Nodrog asked.

Marko gave it some thought. "Fair enough. Thankfully we are more prepared then the last time. We are upgrading the sensors on both the moon base and the space station. Eryk gave us some information regarding the grays' ship drives, the little bastards will not be sneaking up on us again."

"What about the rest of the world?" Nodrog asked.

"Most are chomping at the bit like a rabid dog... Everyone wants a piece, but they don't even know what it is, they want a piece of. Hell I have heard reports of protesters, the idiots do not want aliens of any kind coming here. Of course there are the idiots on the flip side, can't wait for the Velopians to move right in. Everything would probably run much smoother if there were not so many damn fanatics." Marko grumbled.

"I am sure the Velopians had to go through the same problems when they first ventured out. Granted they had a little buffer in that, they interacted with Elves and dragons for centuries before they reached for the stars." Nodrog laughed again.

"Now what do you find funny?" Marko asked.

Nodrog smiled. "The Velopians and two other races had years and years of relations with Elves or other monsters... You get stuck with me, for a year."

Marko smiled and then chuckled. "Keeps me on my toes that is for sure. I hope we can get our own interstellar transmitter working. That was one of the things I was hoping to salvage from the grays' ships. It would make talking to the Mars bases quicker."

"How long have humans been living there?" Nodrog asked.

"Thirty years or so, there is a complete generation of humans born there." Marko said.

"Wouldn't they be Martians now and not humans?" Nodrog asked.

"I suppose so, never gave it much thought. That does raise some other concerns to look into." Marko said and walked back to his desk to jot down a few notes on a paper note pad.

"Such as?" Nodrog asked and turned from the window.

"How the Velopians deal with different gravity on other worlds, as well as atmosphere. Our worlds must be rather close on both counts, but I would not imagine every inhabited world is like this." Marko said.

"Very good points to look into. One of Inilth's duties is to go where the Velopians cannot, though I imagine Alyvia and her power armored warriors can go nearly anywhere. Climate might be another." Nodrog said.

"See you are more help then you think. It is all these little details people forget about. Language is not the biggest hurdle, there are cultural and religious differences to be considered. Dietary issues, and not just the fact they are a race of vegetarians. Their world lacks iron, which we eat in small amounts and is essential for good health." Marko said as he added a few more to the list.

"Judging by Alice and Jenny, it is not a hard thing to overcome. I know Jenny does not mind the little extra work." Nodrog said.

"It just takes a little planning... Seems it is later than I thought. Would you join me for dinner and a drink?" Marko asked.

"I would like that." Nodrog said and followed Marko to the lounge after he locked his office. As it turned out the two sat at the end of the bar till late. It only reinforced his respect of the man he worked for.

Nodrog was one of the last to leave for the recovery operations. He was helping with translations of all the information they still were sifting through. Roslyn was flying the last of the staff and last minute equipment out.

Most of those he traveled with were divers and the medical staff they would have on hand. The mobile emergency hospital being the last of the equipment to be shipped out. They had built a small airfield out on site, along with the road needed to haul the two vaults down to the second staging area. The winch truck and trailer would be too wide, tall and heavy to travel along certain roads in the area.

Nodrog carried Stacy's things with his own over to the RV she was staying in. He would actually have a shared room with Sherman in one of the few permanent buildings onsite. Sherman picked him up near the RV.

"About time you get out here." Sherman said and waited for Nodrog to get in the Jeep.

"I was not sitting around all the time. How are things looking?" Nodrog asked as they headed off.

"The salvage ship has cleared out the few small safes around the two vaults, that way they can continue to work while we get started. Jim and Katie have all of the dive and welding equipment loaded on a barge. Operations begin promptly at seven in the morning." Sherman said.

"Probably with meetings..." Nodrog said and made note of where things were. Everything was either in tight groups or spread out.

"Of course. Let me show you our room, then we need to meet Frank and a few others at the barge for the truck." Sherman said.

It was a squat one story building. Mainly for the few offices and living quarters for some of the higher ranking staff. Sherman introduced him to some of the permanent security for the flooded facility.

A quick trip over to the loading dock built just for this operation. The giant truck was hooked to a mammoth trailer. It looked like a rectangular yellow millipede, twenty four feet wide and a hundred feet long. Jim, Kenny, and Frank were standing with a small group of people.

"Good the two of you are just in time." Jim said and glanced at his watch.

The truck and trailer were sitting on dry land, facing the bay. The group followed Jim, who did the most talking Nodrog had ever heard from him. Two three hundred foot barges had been hooked together to form a single massive floating steel box.

The truck would straddle both barges and sit so once the vaults were loaded the weight would be as dead center as it could be. What could not be seen was the iron and concrete cradle underneath. Once they positioned the floating cube, it would be flooded so it was resting on the cradle, allowing the truck to drive off onto even ground without the deck's position with the ground changing.

The small group was entirely officers in some form. The captain and first mate of each tug, the crane operators and the rigging captains. Nodrog and Sherman were the only ones unfamiliar with this sort of operation. Their presence was mainly to understand, they were to stay out of the way.

It would take a few days to weld the eyelets to the vaults before they could be lifted. The cranes were four days out, but making good time. There was a chance of a storm delaying them, unfortunately that could not be helped.

With that meeting out of the way, each group returned to their posts to relay the information. "Neither of you have problems taking orders from Jim do you?" Frank asked as they stood next to the giant truck.

"No problems at all. We are only keeping a few security on the barge, all of whom will understand what is expected of them." Sherman said.

The little red car's exhaust note got their attention as it zipped over to the RV. "I guess that means we are all here." Nodrog chuckled.