Scene 1: Laundry Room

Becca:

You don't know how to play chess?

Narrator:

Becca sprung the question on Evie as they escorting the laundry down. A mechanical mantis wobbled under the weight of so many dirty clothes and sheets while the women idled along either side.

Evie:

(hurt) Who said that?

Becca:

One of the new redheads. The new ones are teaching the old ones chess. That leads me to believe that you don't know how to play. That seems a little odd. You spent so much time at school with bright kids and all that time on ships—

Evie:

Did you ever ask me to play?

Becca:

(laughs) You can't just wait for other people to ask you. Sometimes you have to make the first move.

Evie:

Becca, let me tell you something. (sigh) I'm not the most competitive of people. I don't wander around with some board under my arm waiting for a challenge.

Becca:

You could have played against a computer.

Evie:

To what end?

Becca:

Well, so you would know how to play. Lots of people know it, it's a very old game, and it's a nice way to spend some time with a person. It doesn't involve any interpersonal skills or chance; there's no running or jumping. It just seems like the kind of thing that would be right up your alley.

Narrator:

They went into the laundry room and the mantis set down the bundles. Evie's jaw was clenching.

Becca:

So why didn't you ever learn how to play chess?

Evie:

Stop teasing me.

Becca:

I'm not teasing you. I'm just wondering. It seems so strange that you, of all people, would not know how to play. I mean, do you want to learn? I used to play against my grandfather and he could hardly walk.

Evie:

So, it's some cripple game? Is that it? You're surprised I don't know a game that cripples play?

Becca:

No, I mean... It's just a game. I figured you'd want to know.

Evie:

No, you felt it necessary to mention that your grandfather couldn't walk. You could have just said your grandfather, but you threw in the 'unable to walk' to sweeten it. There's no running or jumping; it's right up your alley. That's what you said and how you said it. You think that just because I spent my childhood in hospital after hospital that I would enjoy it. You think that because a game needs no interpersonal skills, that someone who people used to call 'Gargoyle Gaines' would be a wizard at it.

Becca:

Evie, it's just a game.

Evie:

A game that everyone knows how to play but me!

Becca:

Well, the offer still stands. If you want to learn how to play, I'm available. Just let me know. How the pieces move is the easy part.

Evie:

Huh. So, what's the hard part?

Becca:

Knowing which piece to move.

Scene 2: Observation Deck

Narrator:

Becca had accompanied iLyssa to an observation deck. The designer had a hand-held radio and smiled meanly.

Ilyssa:

This is getting easier. And I wanted to see what it really looks like. That new screen is OK, but nothing beats the real thing. It's nice that we have a near-by star to see all this, isn't it?

Becca:

I can hardly make out anything.

Ilyssa:

Oh, I keep forgetting. You're just a trichromat and can't see ultra-violet or infra-red.

Becca:

You can?

Ilyssa:

We're the designers, aren't we? We have to see what we're doing.

Narrator:

Becca nodded nervously. The target was a freighter, four rotating sections; she couldn't make out the name, but thought it said Tong Gu.
The golden fighters made their lazy arc out of the launch bays, accompanied by a complex ten-part harmony over the radio. The pilots easily picked off the sensor array and engine, even though someone on the freighter fired a couple of recovery-lines at them. One recovery harpoon hit a fighter, but the tiny ship spin wildly until the harpoon-launcher was torn from the bay. The fighter spun the opposite direction and hit the freighter at a connection point with the detached gun.

Ilyssa:

Now there's a move you'll never see anywhere else. Who did that harpoon move? That was pretty clever.

Orenda:

(radio) That was me, oRenda.

Ilyssa:

(not as impressed) Nice adjustment to the unexpected.

NARRATOR:

Next, the buzz-landers launched. These tiny cylinders attached themselves to the hull; there was a spray of molten metal where they gained entry.
The redheads chanted over the radio:

Redheads:

(radio)

We're setting sail on a boat today
On the only sea we've ever seen.
We'll kill them all, 'cause that's the way
Programmed to our singular gene.
So fire a bolt; watch it go through;
We'll fix this problem, good and well.
We're yellow, red, and sometimes blue
Anyone else can go to hell.

Narrator:

This moment of drama, then—mission accomplished—the signal was sent that all was clear. The other Tzikzik had been killed; shredded to tiny pieces by magnetically fired bolts of metal. It was no more exciting than putting a squid in a blender and pressing the "on" button. This is the legacy of mammals: their curiosity, their cunning, their adaptability, their willingness to turn any obstacle into a fine, palatable paste.

Ilyssa:

Well, that's another one down. We'll copy over the data-bank and get that thing towed to Big Bear-47.

Becca:

You'll just take them out, one at a time? (internal)  This is too easy for them. How can they do what grown Humans can't?

Ilyssa:

This is nothing. Just wait until—

Narrator:

There was an explosion where the ship had been. It sounded like thunder when the shock-wave hit the hull of the Vencume ship.

Ilyssa:

Drop out of field! Quick! Quick! No time to leak on this! Drop the field!

Idana:

(radio) We dropped out of field when we came up on the ship. You should have known that. Makes it easier for us to hit them.

Redhead:

(radio with static) Explosion...pick-up...no idea....

Imala:

(radio) I've got the pilots ready for a recovery. We can use the magnets we worked into the suits.

Ilyssa:

(after a pause) How long do you think those suits will last?

Redhead:

(radio) Need a pick-up. Today would be nice.

Becca:

You might have designed suits that can last, but we don't know what kind of injuries they've received. You have to bring them in quickly.

Ilyssa:

We've never really done a test on the suits. We don't know the full capability of—

Idana:

(radio) Stop being stupid for at least a minute. Where are you? Are you on that deck? Who's with you?

Imala:

(radio) I'm sending out the pilots. We're reeling in the buzz-landers. I need to see what kind of damage they received and four of them are occupied.

Becca:

(internal) She can't leave them out there. They have to come back in. They have to save them.

Idana:

(radio. you can tell she's walking quickly) I'm not going to let you waste resources like this. We don't have time to put more in advancement before our next encounter and you can run tests whenever.

Redhead:

(radio) Seriously. This is not a good place to be. Bring us in.

Becca:

(internal) Oh, praise be. The ships are going out to get them. At least iMala understands how serious this is.

Idana:

(radio. You can hear her voice getting louder as she comes on them) I'm getting tired of this complete disregard for our mission. You seem just a little too willing to toss away the only means we have to deal with—

Ilyssa:

Big words. You don't have any vision. We can do anything on this ship. We can always make more.

Idana:

(now on the deck) I see how it is. You're showing off. You want to prove to Doctor-Doctor how clever you are. You're being stupid. You think you're so smart that you can just toss people aside and make more.

Ilyssa:

They're getting picked up,. See? Out there? They're picking them up.

Idana:

You're the cat that licks its tail. You're too shocked by the fact that the ship was rigged to blow and you're trying to play it off. Face it, you just got bested by a dumb bomb and now you want to take it out on them.

Pilot:

(radio) This isn't quick. We have to go too slow for this.

Becca:

(internal) Enough is enough. They're going to fight and argue over something that isn't arguable. This is ridiculous.

Scene 3: Pilot's Bay

NARRATOR:

Becca ran out of the observation deck and made her way to the pilots' bay.

Evie, Gordon, and iMala were already in the control room for the bay.
iMala had set up a large device, pointed at where the ships would come in.

Imala:

It's my pain-killing ray. A big signal, as strong as I can get it. For when they...if they...

Evie:

It's OK. I know what you mean.

Narrator:

As the ships came back into the bay, Becca could see the red armored girls hanging limply. One of the redheads was missing part of a leg.
Once the bay had reached pressure, each redhead pressed something on her suit, dropping to the bay floor. Becca and the others rushed out to check the survivors.
It was aTlanta who had lost the leg. Gordon helped her up.

Atlanta:

I'll kill her. You can always make more.

Narrator:

iDana and iLyssa had come into the bay at this point. iDana immediately checked each red-armored girl, looking for problems in the suits, helping them get out of the clunky encasements.

Ilyssa:

Well, I'm glad to see we didn't lose anyone on that run! Looks like the suits did just what they were designed to do.

Narrator:

aLtsoba buried her fist deep into iLyssa's stomach.

Altsoba:

When we say we need a pick-up, you give us a pick-up. Understand? No debate. You don't hesitate when lives are on the line. Got that?

Narrator:

Doubled over on her hands and knees, iLyssa nodded weakly. She vomited on the floor and nodded again.

Altsoba:

And you're cleaning that up yourself. We're not doing that for you.

Atlanta:

Go grow me a new leg. The suit pinched it off when the foot lost pressure.

Narrator:

The pilots had come out of their ships and clustered to one side, unsure what their role in the conflict would be.
aNaba had her hand on iDana's shoulder and was gripping tightly. The designer's body curled with discomfort.

Anaba:

Nice suits. Kept us alive. Despite your best efforts.

Idana:

At least we got you back.

Annora:

I like that painkiller. That made the landing a little easier.

Imala:

You're welcome.

Olivia:

You're just big bullies! You're just big dumb bullies and we had to save you!

Narrator

A redhead took a swing at the shouting pilot. The blonde jumped back so quickly that Becca thought the girl would fall over. Instead, the pilot landed nimbly on her toes. aLtsoba was leaning over iLyssa.

Altsoba:

It's because you can't breathe. That's what happens when you get hit with something sudden-like. That's concussion on your diaphragm. It might not hurt, but you weren't made for combat, were you?

Narrator:

From her crouched position, iLyssa shook her head.

Altsoba:

And you never go out there and face it, do you?

Narrator:

Again, iLyssa shook her head.

Altsoba:

And you're not going to pull a stunt like that again, are you?

Narrator:

iLyssa shook her head vigorously.

Imala:

aTlanta...We need to go to the factory and fix that.

Narrator:

Four other redheads came into the bay, the ones that had been reeled in in their landers. One held her hands out to take her sister from Gordon.

Arlene:

We have it from here.

Narrator:

iMala followed them out. The redheads stumbled from the bay, stopping momentarily as they walked out of iMala's pain-killing field to roll their shoulders or shake their heads.
Becca was unsure if she should follow them to check the damage they had received from the explosion or to stay behind and make sure iLyssa would be able to stand again. The decision was made when iLyssa finally stood and  rubbed her stomach.

Ilyssa:

I guess they rigged it to go once they lost pressure. We'll have to make sure everyone's back in their lander before we reel in next time. (pause) Where's my tube of spray? I think she left a bruise.

Scene 4: Human Quarters

Narrator:

Becca awoke the next morning with a stomach-ache.
It turned into abdominal cramping in less than two hours.

Becca:

It can't be something I ate. We're only eating vegetables and fruits here.

Narrator:

An hour later, there was vomiting and diarrhea.

Becca:

It has to be the change in diet. I'm not getting enough magnesium or potassium or something.

Narrator:

Two hours later, Becca could hardly sit up straight. The cramps forced her into a fetal position and there was a fever. She lay curled on the floor of the lavatory and even taking a breath was painful.

Uma:

(chittering) Doctor is ill.

Ulan:

(chittering) See if she's pink.

Becca:

Nuh...leave my shirt alone...

Uma:

(chittering) Pink-belly. Assistant should be notified. Go check Engineer.

Ulan:

(chittering) We did not call on Assistant when Toy was ill.

Becca:

Wha....is...pink....what is...?

Uma:

Little worm. Lives in you. Burrows through stomach. Lives in belly-place.

Becca:

(internal) It's a parasite. It's in the peritoneum.  Where did it come from?

Uma:

(chittering) Doctor is not Toy. Doctor will not have pain.

Narrator:

Buer was suddenly there with a collection of surgical tools.

Buer:

We will remove it. Once out, you will be able to digest it and create anti-bodies.
Uma and Ulan were on either side, moving towards Becca's arms.

Ulan:

(chittering) You must sit still. Lay out. Don't fold yourself.

Narrator:

Buer's hands had turned black and started to massage Becca's abdomen.
The numbness spread quickly and Becca worried her bowels would release what little had been left in them. Now that the pain and cramps had stopped, she could look down. There were bright-red splotches across her belly.

The tool looked like something used to core apples.

Buer:

This may still cause pain. You must trust us.

Uma:

(chittering) Doctor must not fear.

Narrator:

Buer punched the first red cyst with the tool. It did not hurt at first, but then there was a sharp pain.
Uma and Ulan held her arms down.
The thing that Buer pulled out Becca looked like a small, furry tongue. This was placed in a small container.  One, two, three... Ulan was applying spray on each wound.
Becca tried to scream but couldn't draw enough breath.
Five, six, seven...
Becca snapped back into fetal position; it was like the spring from her head to her feet had been stretched to its limit and been let go. She knocked her forehead on her knees and wrapped her arms tight around her middle.

Becca:

(internal) I won't let them back in. No matter how hard they pull, they won't be able to open me up again.

Scene 5: Becca's Dream

Narrator:

Becca is dreaming again. Her older brother has just punched her in the stomach.

Older Brother:

You're not telling Mom anything. That's personal.

Narrator:

Her younger brother stands on one side and watches.

Becca:

Mom said... (gasps) You know it's wrong.

Older Brother:

That's between me and god. And you aren't god.

Younger Brother:

You wanna be. You're gonna work for god. You wanna be god's spy.

Narrator:

Becca can only kneel on the floor of the kitchen and try to draw a breath.
Her older sister comes into the room at this point and slaps her older brother.

Older Sister:

You think you're so big and tough. I'll tell Dad and then we'll see how tough you are.

Scene 6: Human Quarters

Buer:

I thought you would die. That would not have served us well.

Becca:

I had a nightmare you were stabbing me.

Buer:

We were. We had to get these out of you.

Narrator:

And, with that, Buer held up a small container. Inside were seven or eight worms crawling around in some rotten meat.

Becca:

(internal) That rotten meat is me.

Buer:

You had a bad case. There were seven and they had already formed cysts.

Becca:

Cysts? What's going on?

Buer:

I thought our water filtration system would prevent this sort of mishap, but it looks like the soil used in the garden allowed the parasite to complete a cycle. Its eggs are ingested and, once it hatches, it burrows into the lining between the intestines and the muscle wall. We had to get them out and treat the wounds before they went into their next cycle. You're very lucky you survived.

Narrator:

Becca ran her hand over the skin on her abdomen. The skin puckered in several different places under the rib cage. For the most part, it was numb.

Buer:

The process might have damaged some nerves, but the spray should have healed most of it. I'll put these in a safe place for you.

Becca:

Just get rid of them.

Buer:

You have to eat them. That's the only way we'll be able to prevent it from happening again. Digesting the first phase will release the enzyme and your body will be defended after that. We don't have much time before they try to more to the next phase.

Becca:

Have you had to eat one?

Buer:

Everyone has to eat one. It's the only real means of inoculation since we have been unable to replicate the effects. I don't think much effort was put into it, considering we had an easy fix.

Becca:

So Vencume get it too.

Buer:

We discovered that soon after Uma was infected. We didn't think it would effect Humans, but we are...similar in some respects. It looks like Gordon had a case before the girls put him in the garden. I don't know how they handled it.

Becca:

Speak of the devil...

Uma:

Not dead!

Ulan:

No more pink-belly. Eat worm.

Becca:

You fed Gordon a worm?

Uma:

Cut cut.

Ulan:

Shove shove.

Buer:

I think we can do this less traumatically.

Uma:

Worms still here. Eat.

Ulan:

Engineer ate. You eat.

Becca:

No, no,...They're still moving. I can't eat that.

Narrator:

Ulan took a worm from the container and threw it against the wall.

Ulan:

No move now. You eat.

Narrator:

Becca managed to get three down. Buer thought that was enough.

Scene 7: Kitchen

NARRATOR:

The garden had completed another cycle. Cucumbers and melons were coming out this time.
Becca was doing cold dishes this cycle. aDelaide was cubing a honeydew melon while aLameda carefully sliced cantaloupe. Becca was preparing a pickling solution for some cucumbers.

Alameda:

I heard you all got sick.

Becca:

I had pink-belly.

Adelaide:

Oh, that's ugly. But you ate your worms, huh?

Becca:

I guess you ate worms early on.

Alameda:

Cheep cheep...Like baby birds.

Adelaide:

Do you think we'll ever eat any other kind of meat?

Becca:

You'd have to raise it and slaughter it. You might try keeping chickens, but they don't do well in zero-gee. They can't eat or drink and their hollow bones prevent them from making orbital launches.

Alameda:

We could just bring eggs on board.

Becca:

You could do that. But you'd have to tend them. Living animals need someone to look after them.

Adelaide:

We take care of all kinds of things. We take care of the garden. The Vencume can't do that. It's too dry for them.

Becca:

How have all of you worked out arrangements with your older sisters? Do you fill one section and whatever is left over goes into the other one?

Alameda:

We have the white arm to ourselves. The seven of us. We thought about doubling, but...it didn't work out.

Becca:

Oh?

Adelaide:

They have their ways. It's not really a problem until we meet for practice. We have to work as a team, so it's important. We don't have full camaraderie yet.

Alameda:

They fought a lot during advancement...But they had the others with them; you know, Cerberus and the Herd of Fillies.

Becca:

(internal) The pilots call themselves the Golden Swans, Becca thought. I wonder... (external) So the designers are Cerberus and the pilots are fillies. What do you call yourselves?

Adelaide:

We're the Red Lions.

Becca:

And what do the pilots call you?

Alameda:

(with disdain) Eagles.

Adelaide:

And Cerberus is 'The Owls'.

Alameda:

And you can't forget the Crows. (laughs) Carrion Crows.

Becca:

(internal) Owls and eagles and swans, oh my.  (external) You all have your own names for each other. You don't use each others' actual names?

Adelaide:

What are we suppose to call them? Designers? Pilots? We aren't Vencume. We don't call people by function.

Scene 8: Becca's Bay

Narrator:

Because iLyssa had insisted in bringing in a live Tzikzik, iMala developed a new gun that produced an invisible beam that could cut through most anything. The idea was that with an energy weapon, the creature would not bleed out and die.

aCadia and aTlanta helped test the new device. The effect was two cauterized stumps in three seconds.
iSkandar was livid at having to re-attach two limbs in one day. Becca helped, but it did not make him any calmer.

Becca was working on re-attaching aCadia's left leg. One of iMala's pain killing devices was aimed at the girl's head. aTlanta watched iSkandar stitch her right arm back in place.

Iskandar:

Gentle Blue is not so gentle. This is not a good test. There are better ways to gauge efficacy.

Acadia:

It didn't hurt when it happened. It was just a moment of heat and it fell off. I was more mad at falling over.

Atlanta:

We're just helping out before the next recovery. I'm not happy that it happened.

Iskandar:

It's still an unnecessary risk. We won't always be here to put these things back on.

Imala:

I didn't think it would work that quickly. I'm sorry that we caused any trouble.

Atlanta:

I'm still going to discuss this with you later. What if it had been my head?

Imala:

I said I was sorry.

Becca:

If you need test matter, just ask us. We can make some for you in the factory. This is too dangerous.

Imala:

(almost crying) I needed to test it! iLyssa was yelling at me to make it work.

Atlanta:

Test it on her next time. See if you can melt her mouth shut.

Becca:

...And there's a leg back on. See if you can stand on that.

Acadia:

Pins and needles! It's like it was asleep for an hour.

Atlanta:

I feel it in the arm. I might have to beat something just to get the feeling back.

Imala:

(crying) I said I was sorry! It won't happen again, I promise.

Scene 9: Hallway

Narrator:

iSkandar was still an agitated purple as he and Becca left the lab.

Iskandar:

This is not a good risk. They are becoming more a danger to each other.

Becca:

(chittering) I agree.

Iskandar:

This is becoming unacceptable.

Becca:

(chittering) What was it like on the other ship?

Narrator:

iSkandar shifted to a bright magenta and there was a flicker of some pattern across his skin.

Becca:

(internal) I've asked an upsetting question. He's blushing, or fuming, or deciding if he can tear my head off and get away with it. He's surprised and threatened and trying to figure out how to respond.

Iskandar:

We did not have this infighting. I worked with my team, knowing that we were an improvement over the old design. Our nervous system was adjusted for quicker response and greater capacity. Blue design was to stay analytical at all times. I know my team is dead now.

Becca:

(chittering) I'm sorry.

Iskandar:

It is through no fault of Doctor. We knew our project was to end because there had been no improvement. My capacity is there, but it cannot be used for what we intended. I am better suited for Library duty. We store information and process it more quickly.

Becca:

(internal) That's why you're everywhere the action is. You're trying to collect as much as you can.

Iskandar:

We had considered Humans for a long time and knew that you would be better suited for our purpose. The zikzikkiti came quickly after it was decided to end the project.

NARRATOR:

There was that word again. The twins had used it once.

Becca:

(chittering) What is a zik-zik...?

Iskandar:

It is an action-to-advance-or-improve-a-decision. Other Scientist took four of us, including Assistant and myself. Once we had lost control of the ship, a distress call was sent and we escaped. Other Scientist was...reduced... when the pod was attacked, but they were already moving and decided we would die on our own. There has been much argument on if the Humans are actually suitable for our purpose. The current in-fighting in the new Tzikzik is of great concern. These recovery missions prove that it will be difficult.

Becca:

(chittering) They are..birthing pains? We like being individuals. I'm sorry this is so difficult.

Iskandar:

Do not feel any guilt in this situation. Your calming presence may save this project yet. As much as we appreciate Engineer's contribution, you have given much more.

Becca:

(chittering) What do you mean?

Iskandar:

You understand Humans.

Narrator:

The recovery of the frigate QingJiang used a mixed weaponry assault of both the magnetically fired metal bolts and the new laser. Two of the new fighters were equipped with the weapon, but it would only fire on three-second bursts. When ground troops went over, they took several smoke grenades, so they could see the beam of the laser and not get in the way. These safety precautions did not assist the enemy in any way, but did allow the girls to bring back their main prize, an armless Red Vencume Tzikzik. aLima had been over-zealous in removing arms and aVari had been over-cautious, not knowing which arm would have the poisonous hand. Becca never saw the helpless monstrosity brought on board, but knew the mission had been successful.

Everyone ate in silence that evening.

Scene 10: Hallway

NARRATOR:

A lifeboat with six human survivors was spotted the next day. It wasn't from one of the ships on the list.
Evie insisted that she and Becca be the ones that greeted the lifeboat once it was brought on board.

Evie:

(chittering) We have to show that we aren't criminals of some sort.

Iskandar:

This is a Vencume ship. Humans will want Vencume to greet them.

Evie:

(chittering) This is hardly a Vencume ship anymore. This is a Tzikzik ship. Aren't the girls in charge?

Buer:

If that is the case, ask them who will do the greeting.

Narrator:

In the corridor, Evie grabbed Becca's sleeve and pulled her to one side.

Evie:

We're going to go do this, no matter what anyone says. These people have been on a lifeboat too long to even try to wrap their heads around the girls.

Becca:

We're still wanted criminals. That might not go as smoothly as you'd like.

Evie:

Just come with me. You'll see.

Scene 11: Bay

NARRATOR:

They hurried to the bay where the lifeboat had been brought on. Evie banged on the hull, two, three, five, seven....the accepted greeting of civil-kind.

Bernice:

(inside) We don't have suits!

Evie:

OK!

Narrator:

The woman that opened the hatch was an obvious Wainwright. Becca noted the widely-spaced eyes and thick hair.

Becca:

(internal) They really are everywhere, aren't they?

Bernice:

I thought this was a Vencume ship

Evie:

It is.

Bernice:

Captain Bernice Wainwright. The freighter Tong Defu. We were going to Leonis-83.

Becca:

(internal) She's going by the book on this. The shock of it all is going to hit soon.

Evie:

How many crew?

Bernice:

Myself; my brother and pilot, Phillip; my husband and chief engineer, Pritam Singh; his sister and navigator, Dristi; second officer Thomas Randi; and my steward, Marinka Wrengel.

Phillip:

And our cousin Jamie's body. They slashed him just as he came into the lifeboat. Some kind of poison. He gasped and that was it.

Dristi:

We only just got away. It's been three days.

Narrator:

Becca examined Jamie's body. There was a black gash across his back. His face was frozen in an agonized rictus. The toxin had been painful and quick; a radically different effect than the one Becca had seen from the redheads in the sick-bay.

Becca:

Did anyone else get stung?

Bernice:

My doctor got it on the face. It killed him instantly. He never made it to the boat. (pause) They chased us.

Evie:

Was it only the...eight of you?

Pritam:

We also lost our junior engineer and three loadmen.

Evie:

We'll see about recovering your ship and getting you the rest of the way. We can feed you for now and give you a place to sleep, I think. We're working on this Tzikzik threat.

Marinka:

What are they?

Evie:

It's a Vencume experiment that got out of hand. We're taking care of it.

Thomas:

Why are there Humans on a Vencume ship? We've heard stories about a couple of Vencume spies. You're saying that Vencume are responsible for this, but that you're going to fix it. Doesn't that seem a little convenient?

Becca:

It's a very long story to explain how we're here and what's going on. Please, I'm terribly sorry that you've been involved in this. The Vencume made a mistake and they're trying very hard to fix it. We only want to help.

Thomas:

You're Dr. Tabib. The Shipping Authority said you were a spy. This is some kind of trap.

Narrator:

The survivors of the Tong Defu clustered together and held each other.

Becca:

(internal) How much they look like Vencume! See how they run their hands over each other.

Evie:

Trust us or don't. I'm done with proving to people who I am or what I am, but we're going to get your ship back and drop you off where you belong. If we'd wanted you dead, you'd be dead. We gain nothing by lying to you.

Marinka:

Been out three days with a body in tight. We're glad to have spin again. If you say a thing, and you do a thing, I'm OK with you.

Bernice:

Wrengel might be, but I can't risk the crew; there are too few of us.

Pritam:

What kind of trap is this?

Narrator:

Evie started to say something, but Gordon came in with iMala, oCtavia, and aLameda. He was all smiles and held his arms wide to the survivors of the Tong Defu.

Gordon:

We are so glad that you have made it! We were worried that we would never find a survivor! Gordon Gorsky. You may have heard of me. I was the junior pilot on the Tong Dizhou. You're a Wainwright, right? We were flying with Wainwrights when this whole thing started. Maybe you know them? Captain David Wainwright? Oh? You don't know them?

Bernice:

I do know them. He's an uncle of mine.

Phillip:

Mine as well. We know them well.

Gordon:

You have another cousin, you know. Jason had a son, did you hear? Stephen.

Bernice:

I hadn't heard that.

Gordon:

They're on the Qui Fa Zu, along with David, Stella, Judith, and Paul. So! You're going to the Lion? How about we get you to Big Bear for now? How long were you out?

Phillip:

We were three months in. We had another to go. We only got the bursts from the Shipping Authority about--

Gordon:

Oh, these three girls, right? Let me introduce you. You've heard about Tzikzik, right? Here's three versions of a Tzikzik-fix. They're going to recover your ship. Girls, introduce yourselves.

Imala:

I'm iMala. I'm a designer. We...we make things that work.

Octavia:

I'm oCtavia. We're fast pilots.

Alameda:

aLameda. My team uses hand-to-hand combat and we recover ships. iMala and the others make our guns.

Octavia:

They make our ships, too.

Gordon:

Say, lovely lady, you're a portman, aren't you? I can tell by your shoes. We had a Pegger steward on our ship. This must be rough on you. We have lower-spin areas if you get too worn out.

Marinka:

I flew with them. I stay with them.

Gordon:

Well, you're going to be sharing quarters with aLameda and her crew while we get this sorted. Say, aLameda, why don't you show them where that is so they can get cleaned up? oCtavia, be a sweetie and get them something to eat. These are tired people and they need to rest up and get sorted. Captain, you want to let folks know what's going on? Come with me and we'll get a burst sent. Leonis-83, you said? That's a long trip. Is it true what they say about the beaches there?

Bernice:

I think. I...I don't spend much time on the planet.

Gordon:

I've heard some wonderful stories about things there. The sunsets cannot be beat....

Narrator:

Gordon wrapped an arm around Bernice and led her and the rest of her bedazzled crew out of the bay.

Evie:

What the hell was that?

Becca:

That was amazing.

Scene 12: Observation Deck

NARRATOR:

Becca had an opportunity to speak with Dristi later. The navigator was delighted to see the observation deck and the two watched the rolling sections of ship.

Dristi:

They look like storm clouds.

Becca:

Evie says it looks like the ocean.

Dristi:

That meal we had...Fresh lettuce? Tomatoes? How do you manage it?

Becca:

We have a garden. We eat a lot of aubergine. Squash...

Dristi:

It must be nice to have a garden actually on the ship. What was that meat? Was it a kind of fish?

Becca:

(internal) You can't tell them you just feed them worms so they won't get sick. (external) Yes, something like that.

Dristi:

It was delicious, whatever it was. (she pauses before continuing, as if the next thing she says might cause offense) Those girls we're with...are they Human?

Becca:

Genetically, yes. The Vencume have made some adjustments, but they made them to fight the Tzikzik. They're doing all of this for us. The first were--

Dristi:

I'm sorry; I'm not going to absorb everything you're saying right now. This feels like a dream. We thought we were going to die.

Becca:

(laugh) I know how you feel.

Dristi:

When they sent the first burst...when we first heard what happened to your ship, there was a lot of confusion. Do we go back? Do we keep going? Then, we heard about other attacks. Then they said that two Vencume spies had escaped. We couldn't believe it. People were talking about a war.

Becca:

I thought we were isolated. Then I found out we were the first.

Dristi:

Rakota...(sniffles) Our junior engineer. He turned the ship. He got it away from the lifeboat. I think he's the only reason we...We owe our lives to him.

Becca:

I understand.

Dristi:

(a long sigh) I haven't seen any Vencume on this ship yet. I wish I could meet one. I've never met a Vencume.

Becca:

They're strange creatures. There's nothing Human about them, but they...(laughs) Some of them remind me of people I knew. Maybe I've just been with them so long. It might be a side-effect of connecting to the Library. I'm not sure.

Dristi:

Library?

Becca:

(internal) What would happen if she connected? If we take them back and some of them have connected...It only seems right. They might not be here that long, but if they can go back and speak the Vencume language, that might make things easier later. I wonder if... (external) I need to discuss something with someone. I don't mean to be rude, but I think it might make things easier for everyone, if you'll...if they'll...I'm sorry. It won't take a minute.

Dristi:

I don't know what's going on.

Becca:

Yes, I know exactly how you feel. I'll be right back.

Scene 13: Hallway

Narrator:

Buer and Gordon loved the idea.

Buer:

We want to give this to Humans. We will give this to any Human. We can start the process. The Tzikzik are one means, but this is much better.

Gordon:

It gets the story out. As long as these folk aren't going to catch any flak from the Authority when they get back, I'd say it was a perfect PR campaign.

Becca:

But if they connect, then they'll know what the danger is. So they'll know if they should  keep quiet or let it out.

Buer:

Gordon already showed them the others. That much of the story has been released.

Gordon:

The moment Evie decided they had to meet the boat, I knew it would be better to be completely honest. Half a story only lets someone else write the missing bits. If you're going to give them part, better to hand the whole thing over.

Becca:

So, you see how connection might help? If they tap into the Library, they're going to get language, some of the history; they'll get a background on why this is happening this way.

Buer:

This will help advance the schedule. Your Authority may not like it, but if there are enough, it cannot stop it. We must do this.

Gordon:

The Authority already distrusts us. But to get a Wainwright in on it. Oh, they won't be able to hush that up.

Becca:

Our Captain Wainwright already knew the Vencume were doing things with DNA. Let's give this one the whole story.

Scene 14: White Arm

Narrator:      

Buer and Penemue were waiting outside the room. Becca and Gordon tried to explain to an unbelieving crew.
Marinka, the portman steward, sat with fingers and toes twitching. Captain Bernice had her hands folded in front of her chin. Pritam and Dristi paced with their hands behind their backs.
It was the second officer, Thomas Randi, who nodded first.

Thomas:

We've always wondered.

Narrator:

Becca opened the door and let the two Vencume in.
Dristi stood shock-still. Her brother steadied her.

Marinka:

How's this all play, now?

Becca:

(internal) She's got a hungry look. She started flying to get away from the stations and steward was the easiest position to fill. She's out for adventure. She's ambitious. Even if her captain says it's a no-go, she'll still try for it.

Gordon:

Totally painless. You might have something like a dream during it, but you'll want to lie down after it's all done, just to let it sort out. Actually, you have weird dreams after.

Marinka:

I'm a go.

Bernice:

No, I'll do it.

Pritam:

If my wife is in, I am as well.

Dristi:

If my brother is in, then I am as well.

Phillip:

If sibling rivalry is driving this, then I can't let Bernice go alone.

Bernice:

We can't risk the entire crew.

Gordon:

It's not really a risk.

Becca:

I've connected twice, and I was watching when Gordon connected.

Dristi:

What's it like?

Becca:

(internal) It's like a visitation. It's like a dream. It's like a vision. It's like prayer. (external)
It's like being a child and listening to your grandparents.

Gordon:

It's like like buying fresh fruit in an open-air market.

SOUND: The crew laughs a bit

Gordon:

It's different for everyone.

Phillip:

Well, I guess we're all in.

Penemue:

There are six of them. We cannot do more than five at one time. Even that will be difficult. They are too varied for this to be a simple process.

Thomas:

What did it say?

Becca:

It said it can only do five at a time.

Thomas:

It's only doing five anyway. Count me out. I'm not a risk-taker.

Becca:

At least watch the process. They'll want a control back at the station. You're their witness.