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Homecomings

A Scarborough Fair Story

by RedFox6

Chapter Ten

Coming Home Part Two

Stellar Regency

Onboard the Regency Frigate RSS Fox

Present Day

Sitting in her command chair on the bridge, with her tail twitching back and forth and a scowl on her muzzle, the Lady Sera Esmé Delaney, Captain of the Regency frigate RSS Fox, glared at her bridge crew as they went about their training. Despite the fierce expression on her face, the snow leopard was actually quite pleased with both her crew and her ship. Though most of them were new, her crew were beginning to work together as a team, and were mastering the training drills she was mercilessly running them through.

She was also pleased with the performance of her ship. She cast her mind back three months ago, when the Fox had been part of an ad hoc task force facing off against a Crusader Worlds' battle fleet. At one point, the Fox had gone toe to toe with the Emperor class battleship Terrible Swift Vengeance. They had pinned that ship there long enough for two Regency battleships to arrive and destroy it, but in the process the Fox had taken extensive damage, with over half of her crew killed or wounded. The damage had been so bad that the Fox had had to be towed back to port for repairs. There had even been discussions about whether it would be better to just scrap her out.

After she had been repaired and recrewed, the Fox had been sent to this remote part of the Regency on a shakedown cruise.

“For something that got shot to pieces three months ago," the Captain thought. “she's doing very well. So far, only minor glitches, easily fixed. I must remember to compliment the repair crews when we return."

Then she went back to running her crew through the next drill, a hull breach near the engine room.

Confederation of Independent Star Systems

Anduela

Present Day

By prearrangement the next morning, the fems woke up before Leu. Working slowly and carefully so as not to wake him up, they carefully nudged Leu until he was lying on his back. Once he was arranged to their satisfaction, they stretched out their muzzles and began licking Leu's cock in unison, one to either side. They were rewarded by the sight of Leu's cock slowly hardening in response.

Leu slowly woke up to the most delicious sensations of the fems' muzzles teasing and caressing his dick. Almost before he knew it, he was groaning with lust and his dick was exploding, spraying cum all over the three of them.

After he finished cumming, Leu pulled them up, hugged them and said, “Still the best alarm clock ever."

Looking down ruefully, he went on, “Of course, now we're going to have to get cleaned up before breakfast."

With a smile, he asked, “Anyone care to join me?"

The others rapidly assented, and they all trooped off to the showers together.

They shared a shower stall, and their activities therein delayed breakfast by almost an hour. At the end, tired but happy and clean, they sat down to a hearty meal.

Discussing the day ahead, Marie informed them of the change in coordinates that had been transmitted.

Looking at them, Leu remarked, “That's one Sheol of a jump. It'll take at least a good hour to recharge the engines after that.

“It's clear out on the fringes, too," he went on. “Marie, do we have any info on what the Regency has out there?"

“No, Leu," she answered. “My databanks have no detailed information on that area of the Regency. The transmission did not state why we are being directed there. There is a high probability that this is merely a random bureaucratic decision."

“Hm," he replied, pensively. “Still, if that's where they want us to go, I guess we'll go there. Showing up somewhere else uninvited could cause a few 'problems'.

“Damned near two weeks in hyper," he said under his breath. “Why couldn't they have picked a closer rendezvous?"

Finally, their launch window came up. The launch itself went well, and as soon as the Fair had traveled far enough from the planet, they sent a final message to the Stellar Regency before activating their jump engines and entering hyperspace.

Safely in hyperspace, the three settled in for the trip.

Despite the assurances of the others, Aoife spent the trip in a mixture of excitement and apprehension, both anticipating and dreading finding out her real identity.

Her lovemaking had a desperate quality to it, as though trying to find something secure to cling to for reassurance. Leu and Tollel gave her all the comfort they could.

The trip went well, and almost before they knew it, they were sitting on the bridge waiting for the transition to realspace.

“See," Leu was saying to a nervous Aoife just before they made the transition, “we're almost there. Soon enough we'll know who you are and everything will be all good."

Of course, as soon as they came out of hyper, things quickly went to Sheol in a bucket.

The first beams hit before their sensors came back online. Marie quickly raised the shields, but the damage had been done.

The Fair's sensors came back online, just in time to identify the swarm of missiles headed towards them. They managed to activate the PDW's before the missiles got too close. While the PDW's were destroying the missiles, Marie was taking evasive maneuvers and firing the beamers at the nearest attackers.

Unaware of the true power of the Fair's weapons, the nearest gunship had their shields at less than half strength. Marie's shots tore through the shields and penetrated the armor, causing catastrophic damage to the vessel. With engines disabled and multiple hull breaches, the ship was out of the fight until they could repair themselves.

When the other ships observed that, they powered up their shields to full, and increased their attacks, launching more missiles and pounding hard at the Fair with their beamers.

Most of the missiles that weren't destroyed by the PDWs were jammed by the Fair's ECM suite, but a few still managed to evade the countermeasures. They detonated against the shields, but, combined with the repeated beamer hits, the explosions weakened the shields, increasing the chances for something to get through.

“Mud puppy," Leu swore, watching the damage reports come in. “Just got this thing fixed."

In the upper corner of the screen was a countdown, 39 minutes, showing time left until the jump engines would be recharged enough to make even a short jump.

“We are taking extensive damage, Leu," Marie reported. “These attackers are using lethal force. I do not believe they are interested in our surrender. I am sending out an SOS, but there is extensive jamming coming from the enemy ships. Coupled with this area's remoteness, it is difficult to determine if anyone can hear us.

“I have launched the HAWKs," she went on. “But even the best case scenario leaves us facing five attackers."

The tactical display showed the locations of the enemy ships. As more data came in, the ship's class was displayed, as well as a readout of their capabilities.

Watching, Leu swore. “Frag! Cobra class gunships!"

He quickly scanned the readout. Each ship was equipped with standard shields, two heavy beamer turrets, and a ridiculous amount of missiles. Despite the amount already launched, the estimated number of missiles each ship still carried was more than enough to wear down the Fair's shields, then blast the ship to pieces.

The remaining ships were so intent on attacking that they completely missed the HAWKs that the Fair had launched. At least, until two of the ships were destroyed by them.

“Yes!" Leu cried, watching the ships blow up. “One disabled, two destroyed."

In an attempt to keep Tollel's and Aoife's spirits up, he neglected to mention that with their HAWKs expended, they were reduced to depending on their beamers. And with five to one odds, it looked bad for them.

“Still," he thought grimly as the next wave of missiles came in. “We'll take as many of the bastards with us as we can, and the survivors will know they've been in one Sheol of a fight."

Onboard the RSS Fox

As her crew was running through the latest training scenario, her communications officer paged her on her headset. At her acknowledgment, he began, “Captain, I am receiving an SOS on long range comms. It is faint, and is apparently being heavily jammed. But based on what I am able to make out, it is a merchant ship being attacked by a small flotilla of gunships."

“I see," the Captain responded. Then, she spoke into the ship's intercom. “Crew, attention. This is the Captain. We are indexing the current scenario and going to the aid of a merchant ship that is being attacked. This is not a drill, I say again, this is not a drill. All hands to action stations. We are moving to intercept and all weapons are going hot. I have full confidence in you. Remember your training, and all will go well."

To her Executive Officer she remarked, “Looks like we're getting our baptism of fire a little early."

“Indeed, ma'am," he said as he switched the weapons from training mode to live fire and raised the shields to full strength.

Glancing around the bridge, watching as the crew performed their assigned tasks, he continued, “I feel confident that they will perform to expectations."

Smiling at his laconic response, Captain Delaney said, “Navigation? Do you have our course laid in?"

“Affirmative, Captain," the Navigator replied with only a trace of nervousness in her voice. “We should come out of hyperspace approximately five to six minutes away from the action, and well within meson lance range."

“Acknowledged," she replied, then, “Helm, take us into hyperspace."

“Affirmative, Captain," came the response. “Going to hyper now."

The viewscreens blanked as the Fox entered hyperspace, taking a green crew into their first combat.

Onboard the Scarborough Fair

The fight was not going well. Enough of the missiles and beams had gotten through the countermeasures to weaken the shields and enable two of the missiles to slip through and strike the Fair itself. They hadn't been able to fully penetrate the armor, but had damaged parts of the ship, including the sublight propulsion system. Marie's drones were desperately attempting to repair the damage while she rerouted all available power to reinforce the shields.

Crippled though she was, the Fair had still managed to heavily damage another gunship, but the rest were moving in closer behind another wave of missiles, maneuvering for better attack angles. It was clear to all involved that this fight was coming to an end. There was nothing Leu and the others could do but watch.

Suddenly, one of the attackers blew up.

“What the Sheol?" Leu said, then, “Marie, what just happened?"

“Meson lances, Leu," she answered. “Fifty ton range. Tracing them back now."

Marie fired her beamers several more times at the remaining enemy ships while her PDW's intercepted the missiles heading their way before she answered, “Another ship has entered the battle. I have made contact with them. It is the RSS Fox, a Regency frigate on patrol in this area. They were able to receive our SOS even through the jamming and have come to help us out. At the rate that they are approaching, they should be in missile range in three minutes."

When they detected the Fox, the raiders made the logical decision. Rather than fight a clearly superior foe, the gunships fired the remainder of their missiles at the frigate, hoping to distract it long enough for them to escape, and then attempted to run, scattering as they went.

Since they refused repeated orders to surrender, the Fox simply blew them all out of space.

With the gunships destroyed, the jamming ceased and the Fair was able to make unimpeded contact with the Fox.

ID's were exchanged, and Captain Delaney hailed them. “SS Scarborough Fair, this is Captain Delaney of the Regency Frigate RSS Fox. Do you require assistance?"

“Roger that," Leu said. “This is Captain Leucidion. We have no casualties or serious injuries, but the ship itself is badly damaged. We would appreciate a tow to the nearest repair facility."

“Affirmative," Captain Delaney responded. Looking at the readouts she was receiving, she went on, “Our scans indicate that parts of your ship are uninhabitable. Would you like to transfer to the Fox for the trip?"

After a quick consultation with Marie on the full status of the Fair, Leu replied, “Roger that. And, in case I forgot to mention it earlier, thank you for the timely rescue."

“Our pleasure," Captain Delaney said. I'm transferring you to my Executive Officer to work out the details."

After doing that, she leaned back in her command chair, and addressed her crew, congratulating them on their performance in the recent action.

Tenders were launched to help the crippled Fair hook up to the Fox. Once they were connected, Leu, Tollel and Aoife moved across carrying overnight bags that Marie's helpful drones had recovered from their cabins.

An ensign was waiting for them at the airlock. “Captain, ladies, welcome to the RSS Fox," the young raccoon morph began. “I am Ensign Gordon Alan, and I am here to help you as well as I can. If you would follow me, we have assigned you a cabin in the guest quarters.

“Is anyone injured?" he went on. On being reassured that they were fine, he went on, “Then we will go to your cabin first. After we get you settled in, I believe the XO will wish to see you for a debriefing."

Reaching the cabin, Ensign Alan said, “I hope this is adequate. I'm afraid we don't have much excess cabin space."

“It'll be fine," Leu replied, smiling, with the others adding their thanks.

“Excellent," he replied. “I'll leave you to get settled in, then. If you need anything, just call and someone will help you out. The XO should be here soon.

“Until then, enjoy your stay." With a last smile, Ensign Alan left them alone.

When the door closed behind the ensign, Leu remarked, “Almost felt like I should have tipped him."

He looked around at the cabin. A double bed took up one wall, with a couch behind a table along the other wall. There was a small but adequate rest room with a single shower just off the entrance. It was slightly smaller than Leu's cabin on the Fair. “Still," he thought. “considering that I didn't think we'd still be alive, this is more than adequate."

Watching the fems check out the room, he began to let himself relax.

A discreet bong sounded from the door, announcing the arrival of the ship's Executive Officer.

An older human male was standing there. He introduced himself as Commander Judoc Pierrick, Executive Officer of the RSS Fox.

After being invited in and sitting down at the table, with Leu and the others on the couch facing him, Commander Pierrick got down to business.

“Right," he began. “I believe you know why I am here. We need a debriefing on the recent action. Specifically what brings you here, and why those gunships were attacking you. We don't often get Confederation ships in this area of Regency space."

As Leu began speaking, there was a moment of faint nausea as the Fox, with the Fair in tow, entered hyperspace.

“Well," he started. “It's simple enough. We're bringing Aoife here back to the Regency, under the Distressed Citizen of the Regency statute. We rescued her from slavery in the Confed, and then discovered that her enslavers had used Brain Bleach and Xombex to suppress her real memories and implant false ones. We want to get her memories unblocked and reunite her with her family. Accordingly, we applied for a Regency visa, and were given these coordinates for entry.

“As for why we were attacked as soon as we came out of hyper," he continued. “I have no idea. It wasn't for simple piracy, for they started with lethal force, attempting to destroy us before we could get our shields up or even get our bearings. We managed to take out a couple of them, but it was only your timely arrival that enabled us to survive."

Commander Pierrick spent a few seconds on his PPC, then responded, “We were not informed of your potential arrival. We have spoken with your AI, and confirmed the coordinates you were given, but they were not forwarded to us.

“That could be merely a communications foul up. But, considering that this area is essentially empty enough to be used for a Naval training area..." He let the statement hang.

“So,"Leu started, a grim expression crossing his face. “It looks like we were sent into a deliberate ambush here."

“Quite," the commander replied. “Fortunately for you, we were on an extended training mission, and our Commtech was able to make out your SOS through the jamming.

“When we drop out of hyper," he went on, “we will be able to get to the bottom of this. Until then, we hope that you will enjoy the hospitality of the Fox.

“Also," with a smile towards Aoife, “we will set you up with Dr. Forscott, our ship's medical officer. A simple DNA test will determine your identity. In fact, I will page the good doctor immediately and see how soon he can schedule you."

A few seconds on his PPC, and he went on, “Dr. Forscott says he will be able to see you in a few minutes. He just has to finish a few reports. An orderly will be here presently to escort you to the medbay.

“With your leave," he said, rising. “I must go and brief the Captain."

Soon enough, there was another bong at the door, announcing the arrival of a medical orderly. “Gentle hom and fems," he began. “I am Ensign Sylvester Bateson, here to escort you to Dr. Forscott in the medbay. If you would follow me please." With a friendly smile on his face, the young squirrel morph discreetly eyed Tollel and Aoife, still dressed in their Scarborough Fair uniforms, with genuine appreciation, barely masked by his professionalism.

Leu shot an amused glance at the other two, all three sharing the same thought, “I bet he wishes he could follow us, instead of the other way around."

Soon enough, they reached the medbay and were shown to the doctor's office. Beside the door was a plaque reading, Dr. Reginald Forscott.

Entering, they saw a red panda sitting behind the desk. “Doctor Forscott?" Leu asked.

With a friendly smile, the red panda said, “Please, just call me Doc Reggie. Everyone does." Gesturing broadly, he went on, “The XO called and filled me in. If you would just have a seat, we can get this straightened out."

As they sat down, he went on, “I was just brewing myself some tea when the recent unpleasantness started." He filled his mug, then took a DNA sample from Aoife while it cooled. He entered the data in the computer, then sat down at his desk to await the results.

Doc Reggie picked up his tea cup and flashed his friendly smile again, saying, “Just wait a tick. There are several hundred billion people in the Regency, so it'll take the database a little while to track you down. In the meantime, we can,.."

The computer binged. “Well," the red panda said, putting down his tea mug. “that was quick." Another of his quick smiles as he checked the readout. “According to this, you're..."

Suddenly his expression changed as he shot out of his chair, knocking it over in his haste. Not sure whether he should stand to attention or bow, he wound up awkwardly trying to do both. He finally settled on standing to attention while saying, “Your Grace, I beg your pardon, I didn't know, please forgive me."

Aoife looked from the doctor to Leu and Tollel in confusion, ears falling, saying “I, I don't understand."

“Doctor," Leu began, “her memory has been blocked, so she doesn't know who she is. Perhaps you could enlighten us?"

“Ah, of course, the Brain Bleach and Xombex," he stammered, before recovering his poise.

“Well," he continued, still at attention. “according to the readout, you are Her Grace, the Flaith Caitriona O'Bradain, eldest daughter of the Regent and heir apparent to the Regency Chair. Agents working for the CRC kidnapped you seven years ago from your boarding school in the Confederation, and you have been held hostage ever since."

“Well," Leu thought, cocking an eyebrow. “that would certainly explain a few things."

“Your recovery will bring much joy to your family and to the Regency as a whole.

“With your permission, Your Grace," he went on, “I must inform the Captain."

With a slightly stunned expression on her face, Aoife nodded her permission. He quickly paged the Captain and sent her the data from the DNA test.

On the bridge, the Captain was sitting back in her command chair, watching as the crew went about their duties and contemplating how she was going to write her report on their recent action. When she read the message from the doctor, her first thought was, “Bloodyel! Why do things like this always happen to the Fox?"

Quickly recovering from her shock, she hastily summoned her key staff to the ready room. While they were assembling, she contacted both the 1st Lieutenant and Senior Sergeant of the Royal Marine platoon on board and tasked them with protecting Aoife. After being reassured that this was not a drill, they swung into action to ensure the safety of the Flaith.

Within minutes of the notification, Senior Sergeant Spear, with two of her most reliable Marines, all armed, were in the medbay, glaring suspiciously at Leu and Tollel.

As the meeting wound up in the ready room, the Captain prepared to go to the medbay. She nervously smoothed down her uniform, wishing she had the time to change into one of her dress uniforms. She took a deep breath to calm herself, then left to greet the Flaith. Behind her, her staff prepared to act on her orders. The Fox would drop out of hyperspace long enough to send heavily coded messages, one to the Royal Family on New Laurentia, seventh planet of the Bast system and the capital of the Stellar Regency, and the other to Fort Callaghan on Cubanda, the nearest Regency military base with the necessary facilities and security to treat the Flaith safely.

Reaching the medbay, the Captain entered and stood before Aoife. Coming to attention, the snow leopard morph began, “Your Grace. I am Lady Sera Esmé Delaney, Captain of the RSS Fox, at your service."

At Aoife's timid nod, the Captain continued. “We are honored to have you on our ship, Your Grace, and we pledge our lives and our honor to guarantee your safety and quick return to your family.

“Already we are making plans to take you to a secure military facility, one that has psychdocs available to begin the retrieval of your memories," she went on. “Until then, you will be given the honors and respect due you, and we will do our best to make your stay with us as comfortable and safe as possible."

Gesturing to the Marines watching, she continued, “We do not have an RSS security contingent onboard, but our Royal Marines will protect you with their lives."

The conversation devolved into a discussion of the details of their stay onboard the ship.

Leu finally had a chance to speak to Captain Delaney privately. Gesturing to the Marines nearby, he said, “Isn't that a bit much? After all, we're on a Regency warship, what could possibly go wrong?"

“I do not know, Captain," she responded carefully. “There has always been some speculation about how the raiders knew where to strike. While it was well known that the Flaith had been sent to the Confederation for further schooling, the exact location was a closely guarded secret. There was a security failure then. There will not be one now. I will not be the one to have recovered the Flaith, only to lose her again because of failure to take basic security precautions."

“Fair enough," Leu responded. “I think that would be a bad thing, too."

Looking at Aoife, he went on softly, “Though maybe not for the same reasons."

During the trip to Cubanda, it didn't take long before Aoife and the others got used to their Marine escort. Everywhere they went on the ship, there were two armed Marines following them, and at night they were stationed outside their cabin door.

Aoife and the others ate their meals in the common mess, along with the rest of the crew. At first, it was rather awkward, with the crew being very subdued around her, ceasing their conversations and responding to her with stiff formality.

The second time they entered the mess hall, and heard the steward's cry of, “Mess, at ease for Her Grace!", Aoife responded by saying, “Please, there is no need to interrupt their meal, not for me." The word got around, and the crew started warming up to her, giving her friendly greetings when she entered, and including her in their conversations. She responded in kind, listening to their stories and laughing at their jokes, especially the ribald ones. They slowly lost the awkwardness of speaking to one of the royal family, and began treating her with less formality, enjoying her company for her, and not for her rank. By the end of the trip, there was not a member of the crew that would not lay down their life to protect her.

Stellar Regency

Cubanda

Regency Military Base Fort Callaghan

Present Day

The trip to Cubanda went swiftly, and almost before they knew it, they were landing at the Fort Callaghan landing field. An honor guard led by the base commander himself was waiting for them. After a quick ceremony, they were placed into an armored limo and taken to their assigned quarters in the Colonel Sonny Tiberius Foster Officer's Barracks.

While they were settling in, the Scarborough Fair was taken across the base to the repair depot, where the mechanics and engineers began assessing the damage. The upgraded armor and weapons raised eyebrows, but they swiftly shrugged that aside and began the necessary repair work. Between their advanced facilities and their experience at rapidly repairing battle damage, the work went smoothly and the Fair quickly became space worthy again.

Their quarters consisted of a large suite of rooms, including a kitchenette, and two bedrooms with attached bathrooms, all opening onto a central lounge area. The entire floor had been evacuated for their security, and it was patrolled by Royal Marine Police troops in full battle dress uniforms carrying loaded weapons. Anytime Aoife left the suite for any reason, she was escorted by RMP troops.

The day after their arrival, the three met with the resident psychdoc, one Katheryne Molloy, for an initial evaluation of Aoife's condition.

At the end of the evaluation, Dr. Molloy sat down with everyone to discuss the prospects. “Well," the mongoose began. “This is definitely one of the most thorough jobs I have ever seen. Your real memories have been completely blocked, and covered by intricate false ones.

“The good news is," she went on. “this type of work can be reversed. It will take time and not be easy, but it can be undone.

“In fact," she said. “its very complexity is an advantage. This type of work takes constant reinforcement, or it starts to wear off. I would imagine that lately you have been having dreams of things that you don't 'remember'?"

At Aoife's nod, the doctor continued. “That is the conditioning wearing off, and your real memories beginning to break through.

“I imagine it has been very confusing," she went on. “As our treatment continues, your memories will begin to come back more quickly. This will lead to confusion, as you reintegrate your true memories next to the false ones. I will recommend that you stay with your friends during the treatment. This will give you a safe place to process what is happening to you.

“And remember," she said with a smile, looking towards the RMP personnel in the lobby. “you are perfectly safe here. There is an entire military base pledged to protect you.

“We will begin the procedures tomorrow," she finished. “Until then, take it easy and rest up. This will be difficult, but we will restore your memories, Your Grace. This I promise you."

After breakfast the next day, the three, with their escort in tow, went to the doctor's office. Sitting down with them in the reception area, Dr. Molloy began, “Your Grace, my team and I await your pleasure. If you are ready, we may begin immediately."

At Aoife's reluctant nod, the doctor escorted her into the medical bay, leaving Leu and Tollel to wait in the reception area.

A few hours later, Dr. Molloy escorted an exhausted looking Aoife back out. Tollel immediately hurried to her side, concern writ large on her face. She helped her to a seat and held her paw.

After sitting down, Aoife looked up, gave a tired smile and said, “It's okay, love. I'm alright. Just, tired."

Dr. Molloy sat down with them and began, “Well, that was more challenging than we expected. There were some hidden defenses. But we will be able to work around them. For now, I recommend rest."

Looking at Aoife, she went on, “There will be some confusion as your mind sorts through the memories, both false and true. But you have your friends to help you.

“If you experience any real difficulties, call at any time. Either I or one of my assistants will come immediately to help.

“For now, Your Grace," she finished. “rest and relax. We will continue this in the morning."

With Leu and Tollel's help, she made it back to their barracks. Once safely inside the suite, Aoife collapsed on the couch. Tollel sat with her while Leu went into the kitchenette. A few minutes later, he returned and handed Aoife a cup of hot chocolate.

He smiled and said, “Drink this. It'll help." He returned to the kitchenette and began working on lunch.

Sipping at the drink, she looked at Tollel and asked, “Is he always this considerate?"

With a small smile, Tollel answered, “He tries his best. Usually he gets it right."

Closing her eyes and leaning back, Aoife said softly, “You're lucky." Within moments, she had fallen into a light sleep. Tollel carefully took the cup out of her hand and placed it on a small end table, then settled back and held Aoife while she slept.

About a half hour later, Tollel gently woke Aoife up. Leu had prepared lunch, and was setting it on the table. Despite her hunger, Aoife was so mentally exhausted that she almost couldn't eat.

After she almost fell asleep at the table, Leu looked at Tollel and suggested, “Maybe a shower and an early bedtime?"

“Yes," she agreed. Then, “Come on love. Shower and bed, and then you'll feel a lot better."

Watching as they entered one of the bedrooms, Leu thought to himself, “Looks like I'm sleeping alone tonight. At least they have two bedrooms here so I won't be sleeping on the couch."

Leu put the dishes in the washer, then, restless, he decided to travel to the mechanic's bay containing the Fair to check on its progress. His natural paranoia kicking in, he attached a knife to his belt and slipped his Kaiser Lawgiver under his jacket.

“Sergeant, privates," he said to the guards outside the door. “Her Grace is sleeping inside. I'm heading down to the mechanic's bay to see how my ship is coming."

“Very good, sir," was the answer. “Will you be needing an escort?"

“Eh, it's not that far," he replied with a small smile. “I'll be OK."

Looking at the door, he went on, “Just, keep them safe, please?"

“Of course sir," the sergeant answered.

Reaching the bay, he was greeted by the chief engineer, a red squirrel morph named Nora McConnell . “Here to check how we're doin' with yer baby?"

“Something like that," Leu replied.

“Well," Chief McConnell began. “It's going well. Your AI is helping us out a lot. I figure by the end of the week, the b'ys and I will have you up and running again." She handed over a pad showing what had been done and what was left.

While Leu looked over the data, she casually remarked, “One of the old Q ships from the Spartacus Revolt, I take it."

“What gave it away?" Leu asked with a small grin, looking up.

“Oh, not much," was the answer. “Just the uprated engines, increased armor and shields, beamers that are at least 50% more powerful than standard, and the concealed missile bay. Nothing too obvious."

“Got it cheap," Leu replied, answering the unspoken question. “It was being scrapped out and we took advantage of that." It was close enough to the truth to pass muster; it wasn't unusual for ships to still be flying fifty or more years after they were built, and the market for used ships was quite extensive. Regardless, it satisfied the Chief Engineer.

When Leu handed the pad back, Nora McConnell went on, “The b'ys were interested in that car you have in there. Nothing too serious wrong with it, a bit banged up here and there. If you wish, they'd be more than happy to fix it up for you. Not often we see one of the old Sportsters."

“Thanks but no thanks," Leu replied with a smile. “That baby's kind of my hobby. It can get pretty boring in transit and working on her keeps me occupied."

“Well, all right," Nora said. “But if you change your mind, just let me know. Me and the b'ys will be more than happy to help out."

“I will," Leu replied, before heading to the bridge.

Reaching the bridge, Leu sat down in the pilot's seat. “Hey, Marie," he said while activating the console before him. He quickly began scrolling through the repair reports.

“The mechs tell me they should be done in a week," he said. “It seems they're a little quicker than the al'Maliks."

“They are optimized to rapidly repair battle damage so as to return warships to active duty as quickly as possible," Marie answered. “In fact, we should be 100% operational in three days or less."

“That's good," he replied, continuing through the repair logs.

“You could have done this from your quarters," Marie observed.

“Nothing like hands on," he replied.

Somehow Marie's silence expressed her skepticism.

“All right," he finally said, leaning back from the console. “It's just that, this would be perfect for her. She'd get her papers, live in a palace as the friend of the Regent, fine food, clothes etc. When you get right down to it, what the Sheol do I have that can compare?"

“You are afraid that Tollel will leave you," Marie said.

“Yeah," Leu replied softly, almost to himself. “Everything good that comes my way goes away eventually."

“I think that you underestimate her," was the answer. “Obviously, I am not human, but I think that her feelings for you are stronger than that. I do not believe that she would leave you any more than you would leave her."

“Yeah, but,..." he trailed off, then, softly, “Thanks."

Feeling better, he quickly finished with the repair logs, logged off and then headed back to their quarters.

Two days after they began the treatments, a contingent of the Royal Security Service, responsible for the security of the royal family, arrived from New Laurentia. After consulting with the RMP command, they took over Aoife's protection, supplemented by the RMP personnel onsite. From then on, anywhere they went, they were escorted by RSS personnel, clad in their trademark dark suits and sunglasses.

The days fell into a routine. After breakfast, the three went to the doctor's office. Aoife went in for her treatments while Leu and Tollel waited in the reception area. Around noon, the treatments would conclude and they would return to their quarters so Aoife could rest and sort through her recovered memories.

The returned memories often confused and sometimes frightened her. At night she sought solace in bed with Leu and Tollel, so someone would be there to comfort her when nightmares got the better of her. She especially clung to Tollel, as a secure anchor to keep her from being overwhelmed by the returning memories.

Soon enough, Dr. Molloy announced, “We are making remarkable progress. After tomorrow's session, your memories should be fully unblocked and reintegrated. You will be yourself again, Your Grace."

To celebrate, that night Leu and Tollel prepared a small feast. The best food available, along with champagne.

While they talked and laughed and toasted each other, celebrating Aoife's good fortune, Leu failed to notice that Tollel seemed rather subdued.

But soon enough it was time for bed, and one last night of sex and comfort. They fell asleep in each other's arms, happy and contented.

The next morning, they prepared for the final session. Aoife insisted on wearing her Scarborough Fair ship suit. “To remind me of all you've done for me," she said with a smile for them both.

Reaching the doctor's office, Aoife was escorted in while Leu and Tollel sat down in the reception area.

While they waited, Tollel worried. “Will she still like me?" she asked Leu.

“Why wouldn't she?" he responded, puzzled.

“But, she's, she's nobility, a princess, and I'm just a, a..." Tollel whispered, head down and ears lowered.

“A very special friend of a princess," Leu interrupted her.

Tollel looked up in surprise, ears perking up.

Looking her in the eyes, he went on, “Aoife doesn't strike me as the type of person to just forget that, especially after all the things we've been through together."

He put his arm around her shoulders and went on. “They suppressed her real memories and covered them with false ones, but the psychdoc says they didn't try to change her personality. That means that she's still the same person as she was before.

“Besides," he went on. “who says important people can't have ex slaves as friends? After all, it's worked out pretty well for me."

Reassured, Tollel smiled, saying, “And who told you that you were important?"

“Ouch," he said with a grin, covering his heart with his hand. “I think you've been talking with Marie too much."

He hugged her, then continued, “Don't you worry, everything will be fine, darlin'. Everything will be just fine."

Inside though, he worried a bit. “This would be perfect for her," he thought, recalling his conversation with Marie. “Even after getting her papers she'd be safe enough. Not even Crakesbones' old org would be stupid enough to take on a royal family. And if she stays, do I? Could I? And what about Marie?"

Surrounded by guards and officers, Aoife came out of the medical bay for the last time. Even though she still wore her Scarborough Fair ship suit, it was obvious that the process had finally succeeded. Every centimeter of her radiated a quiet sense of confidence and authority. With a soft word, she halted her escort and walked towards Leu and Tollel.

As she approached, Tollel, responding to her training, began to kneel, head down and ears and tail lowered. Increasing her pace, Aoife grasped Tollel's shoulders and gently raised her up. “No, Tollel," she began. “you don't kneel to me."

Aoife placed a paw under her chin and raised her head so they met eye to eye. Seeing the forlorn, uncertain expression on Tollel's face, she went on with a smile, “Don't be sad, love. I remember everything. You are still my friend. You will always be my friend. And you will always have a place by my side." She glanced over at Leu and continued with a sly smile, “If you want it, that is."

She suddenly pulled Tollel close and hugged her tightly, whispering softly in her ear, so low that Leu couldn't have heard if he'd wanted to. He watched as Tollel hugged her back, ears rising and tail wagging.

After a long, long moment, she reluctantly released Tollel and moved on to Leu. “Captain," she began formally, with a small grin. “I am afraid that I will be forced to decline your most generous offer of employment. Previous commitments, you understand."

“Of course, Your Grace," Leu answered. “Would one be wrong in assuming that the CRC will have some 'difficulties' operating in Regency space now?"

“Oh no, Captain," she began, a hard edge to her voice. “One would not be wrong in assuming that at all." They shared a nasty smile together.

After a moment, Leu pulled a small datacube out of his pocket and handed it to Aoife, saying, “Marie thought you might like this. It's a copy of our day at the carnival."

Smiling happily, she spoke into Leu's comlink, “Thank you Marie. I will treasure this always."

Then, she surprised him with the Traveler's Blessing, so ancient that no one knew its true origins, “Until we meet again Captain, may you have fair winds and following seas."

“And to you, Your Grace," he responded. “May you rule long and wisely."

“Thank you," she answered. “And Leu," she went on, softly. “She is my friend. Care for her, please?"

“Always and forever," he promised, smiling back.

She returned the smile before returning to her clearly impatient escort and continuing out of the room and back to the life she was born to. In the years to come, her leadership would set the Regency on the long, hard path that would ultimately lead to them outlawing slavery in their realm.

With his arm around Tollel, they both watched her leave.

As Leu and Tollel walked back towards the mechanic's bay where the Scarborough Fair was waiting for them, he shook his head, smiled and then said, “I must admit, darlin', you do have some interesting friends."

She merely tightened her paw around his hand and smiled herself.

Further down the corridor, Leu remarked, “Just think, I was tapping a princess."

There was the sound of a paw hitting an arm, hard, followed by “Ow. What was that for?"