The rolling thunderous booms and thumps were an ever-present sound now. Julia had become something of an expert on them. Everyone in Falon was these days. The sounds were like a herald that signaled the coming of long lines of mangled flesh that was streaming into the city in ever increasing numbers. The supplies of food that had once been in abundance in the city markets were now all but gone. As the wounded came in no fresh supplies went out like they used too. The only thing leaving the city now were hordes of wagons, elephants, horses, people, all fleeing the unnatural thunder.

The house that Julia was staying in was now a hospital itself. The girls who were living on the bottom floor had disappeared some weeks ago. Tish had told Julia they had all been sold off. Only four of them were left now. That was out of thirty women when Julia first came here. Despite the lower floors being filled with the victims of the battle raging out side of the city, Julia, nor any of her remaining comrades, were allowed to help.

The bark on the Willow tree had long since been exhausted. It had not made anywhere near the quantities of pain reliever that was needed. Even so, Brisily was notably impressed. The pleas of the wounded, for more of this magic liquid, had been all of the convincing he needed. Luckily, Julia had gotten back to the park one last time. The bark was long gone but she could do more. She took clippings from the tree. Julia had found some broken clay pots lying in the streets. They still had some form to them and it was enough to suit her purposes. She planted her clippings and they were now sitting on her window sill.

Zamtha, the young little witch that had been in charge of all the girls in the building, also remained. She was mostly pouting now. She mainly sat on her bed and ignored everyone else. Julia was not sure but it looked like the Bothi had knocked her way off of her high horse. Ever since the aspirin incident, Julia suddenly found herself the favored child. There was little doubt that Zamtha resented this to no end.

The Bothi was staying gone more these days as well. Most of the time, the four girls found themselves alone on the top floor. Julia had considered trying to flee the city herself. The thought of being caught in a war zone was not a pleasant one. The guards at the gates were now around a hundred men or better. They did not seem to be checking people but, it was a sight that shunned Julia from even considering leaving. She remembered the poor souls being carted towards the colonnades.

Gurcia was the other occupant of the third floor. Julia sat with her and Tish passing the time away. Gurcia, unlike her three companions, was actually from Raed. She had a dark cream colored Mulatto skin. Julia had to keep looking at her again and again. The skin color did not match with her oriental eyes and light brown hair. It was just something that offended Julia's Earth grown sense of reality.

Once that was behind Julia she found that the Raed was actually a very bright person. Again, like all of the women that Julia had met on this planet, she was only so in a street wise manner. With polishing and education, Julia had no doubt that the girl could be a doctor of anything she wanted. It was just the way they treated people here. So many bright futures were crushed at the hands of a cruel culture.

"I don't think we're going to be here much longer," said Gurcia.

Almost like it was emphasizing the Raed's point, a loud crack sounded through the windows. It was yet another blast and close enough to rattle the foundations. Julia looked out the window and then sat back down. "What would make you say that Gurcia?"

"What if the Imperials come here," Tish had worked herself up into a frenzy. "I mean, if we're illegal then they'll kill us. Like those girls in the park."

"Ha! They your people white girl," replied Gurcia "Now me, I have no plans on getting caught."

When it came to the squabbling that Tish and Gurcia did, to entertain themselves, Julia had learned to just tune them out. She looked down to the other end of the long hall. "Zam? Why don't you come down here and join us for a change?"

Tish was boasting, "My old man, he taught me how to fight. They let me out the gates and I'll stop the whole army." She just realized what Julia said, "What?"

The young blond headed girl stopped just short of the group that was sitting on the floor. Julia grabbed another pillow from an empty cot and dropped it beside her. She nodded to the little girl. Zamtha cautiously sat down. Julia couldn't help but notice the evil looks she was getting from Tish and Gurcia. Julia gave them nasty looks back. "So Zam, I guess we've never really talked. Where are you from anyway?"

"Nowhere really," the girl was acting very shy at the moment. "I was boarded in the lower peninsular for a while. I was sold across the river to some Caldens. They were good to me. Then the Bothi came and brought me here. He's been real good to me."

Gurcia was at least the first to try and break the ice. As Julia learned from watching Tish in action, that girl could hold a grudge forever. Gurcia asked, "so what's he like anyway. He's cute in that gray suit and round hat. Don't see too many like him out here."

"Hold it," said Julia throwing up her hands. "What do you mean, what's he like?"

Gurcia almost split a seam laughing. "What sun you been hanging out under girl."

That turn of phrase almost made Julia choke the first time she heard it and understood it's meaning. Now she was used to it and it made no impact, "She the Bothi girl. He don't sell her darling. She's his for the taking."

"You've been here how many sun's... " Julia was searching for the word, "years or whatever you call it. Seasons!"

After doing some basic math and taking a basic guess as to the girls age Julia's face turned red, "You were just twelve when he started having sex with you!"

Zamtha did not understand the math. She did understand the implication, "I was ripe before many. I deserved it! I still do! Then you come along and now he's going to get rid of me. Sell me to some Raed bastard..."

"Watch it Girl," warned Gurcia.

"It's your fault." That much Zamtha was very certain of.

Julia was stunned. This little girl, who was probably not even twenty yet, had been continuously raped since she first started puberty! Now the guy was leaving her alone and she felt like she had been jilted! Zamtha was acting just like that too. She had every sign of being a woman whose boy friend had just dumped her. Suddenly any hostility that Julia had felt toward the girl was drowned in a sea of pity. The girl did not even know what was happening to her!

There was a tapping noise. It was accompanied by several footsteps that were of no doubt made by more than one person. Gurcia did it this time. Something that Julia found out all women did whenever men approached. She quieted everyone down. They listened as the steps grew closer. What was that tapping noise?

_____________________

As Pete sat next to the fire he had his nose in the book that Gary had given him before leaving. It had many of the common phrases of Zeat translated into appropriate English equivalents. It also had some grammar in there but Pete had yet to get into that. He had flunked Spanish in High School and had just barely squeezed by it at Annapolis. Zeat was ten times harder to learn. At least there were things in Spanish that sounded like what they should be!

Pete had been studying the book since he left. On the long train ride across the desert he never put it down. As he sat here in camp he continued. The sun was well up now and he could get back to it in earnest. Pete was now wishing he had actually gone with Jack and the others to see that tutor more. He had been afraid. Pete was not like everybody else on the trip. He had no natural talents and was not some genius. He accomplished things by plain old hard work and a stubborn streak a mile long.

One of the first things that Pete noticed about this camp was the difference in the uniforms. They were same as he had seen in the desert but different. The jackets were not buttoned all the way. No two sets of pants matched and there was not the first sign of a single leather helmet. The head gear had been replaced by a wide variety of felt type hats.

This camp was some kind of headquarters. They might be on an alien world but Pete would know one of those anywhere. It was a very busy place for starters. Horses and riders were always coming and going. The riders were always dismounting and running. Many of them had papers in their hands that they waived around like it was the most important thing in the world. Everybody was always hustling to do something. That was with the exception of Pete himself.

He took a moment from his studies and watched the cooks roasting a side of beef over one of the many fires. Pete was not really that interested in what the animal was before they skinned it. He might have to eat some of that later. The boiling pot of water sitting to one side certainly stirred his stomach. It made him crave a cup of coffee which, of course, was nowhere to be found. He did look for something to drink and found out they actually did have some kind of brewed concoction. They drank it hot and made it from some brownish grass stuff. Pete gladly excepted a cup.

"When in Rome," Pete took a sip. He spit the contents in his mouth right back out, "This crap is worst than that Russian Tea stuff Vitosk had."

"Captain Pete," said a man in another black tunic. Pete stood up and the man motioned, "General Joe wants to see you, so come on."

Pete understood that guy well enough. Now to see if all of his cramming paid off. It had gotten him through the academy and he hoped it would here. Pete ducked inside a busy tent. It was much like the one, maybe even the same one, that Joe ZeTan had used back in the desert. It was much worse for wear if it was the same.

The man looked just like Pete remembered him. A face like his was hard to forget. He was a striking man with a lean face that looked beat by the elements but still with that youthful flare. His hair was a sandy gray as well as his mustache which dropped down well below the corners of his mouth. He sat in a small fold out chair, legs crossed, looking over a map. Many other officers were gathered around him and they were all competing for his attention. The whole while the man ignored them and was deep in his own thoughts.

The officer who brought Pete in waived his hand until Joe looked up. His squinting eyes caught sight of Pete. "Bring him on over."

The Ulami, General, invited Pete to sit. He laid his map down and picked up several papers on his desk. He began shuffling through them. "Peter Winston, how do you call your rank there son?"

"Colonel, I was a colonel in my nations Marine Corps."

"I don't know what any of that means Pete. I'm going to call you that because it easier for me to get out.” Joe was then struck by something Pete said. He repeated it to make sure he heard it correctly, “Was? Does that mean you're not anymore?"

"I quit, resigned sir. So I could come out here."

Joe sat the letter back down on the table. He had read it twenty times, or more, since this man arrived. Joe thought it not likely to change again any time soon. "I guess that leads me to my next question. When Lang sent me this letter here he wasn't too clear on it. Why did you want to come out here?"

What was he suppose to say? Pete didn't really know what Lang had said in the letter. It was a sure bet that Lang did know about Julia. "I'm looking for one of our people. She was..."

"She?" interrupted Joe. Pete began to wonder if he got the actual word right. He peeked in his book by his side but there was nothing there to help him. Joe went on asking, "You trying to recover your stolen property or something like that? Lang told me in the letter here about the fight you run into at Jumani."

It was the right word, "No, she's not property General. Our women are free to do as they please."

He raised an eyebrow to that, yet, the general did not go any further. "Well just so you're not out here to spy on us. We been held up in this area for several months now. Damn Raeds, they got more cavalry than you can shake a stick at. Every time we move the bastards come round behind us and smash our supply trains. Can you ride a horse Pete?"

"Uh, I've had a crash course in that. I'm not bad at it."

"Good, cause that's where you're going. My people aren't horse people. You been to my home now. Did you see a lot of good grazing land? We fight on foot Pete. That's what we're famous for. Course, the way the Raeds been keeping us out of Falon you wouldn't think that. I got the Army commander on my butt right now to turn this flank and I'm not going to do it without some decent cavalry. Can you help get that job done If I stick you with one of my troops?"

"Semper Fi."

"I'll take that as a yes Pete. Now that business is over how's my house doing?" Pete thanked the man for the hospitality he had shown the group. He filled Joe in on what few details he did know about the estates they were staying on. Pete had no idea what was important and what was not but Joe seemed satisfied with what he heard.

Pete could also tell that there were far more pressing questions than this. Maybe Joe just considered it an inappropriate time and place to ask them. He did ask one question that only came out after some careful consideration, "How's Finny doing?"

It was not like these people to even mention women's names let alone ask about them. At least they never did with total strangers. From everything Pete had seen, to do so, was as taboo to them as talking about sex organs in public back home. Of course the Zeats seemed to be the rabble rouser types anyway.

"She looked like she was doing just fine General."

He laughed, "She's driving you nuts isn't she? That girl can talk more than anybody I ever seen. I hope your buddy Jack, that is how you say his name right, is taking good care of the girl. I wouldn't have give her to him if I thought otherwise."

"He's been real good to her sir," Pete felt like he was walking in a mine field. Joe on the other hand was less like a mine and more like a guided missile. It was like he was reading Pete's mind.

"You're wondering what interest I have in her don't you?"

"Um... " was about all Pete could manage.

"I'll tell you boy," Joe sat back in his chair. He took a sip of the brew he was drinking. "She's my little girl. Finny's my daughter."

_____________________

There was a white haired, elderly, gentleman who emerged from the stairwell right behind the Bothi. No images of Santa Clause for Julia of course, the man had little on top, no beard, and was pencil thin as well as being short. He tapped his cane as he walked along but more out of habit, it seemed, than of actually needing it. As he talked to the Bothi his voice was most agreeable. He smiled for seemingly no reason and had an equally pleasant demeanor.

The fellow had on a gray hat that looked very similar to that of a stove pipe. He pointed at the girls, "Which one is she?"

"The frizzy dark haired one, Jew Lee Ahh is her name," the Bothi replied.

Hearing her name was enough to make Julia tense up. She nervously slid her hand over and grabbed Tish. The blond headed Dottish girl looked disturbed and that was enough for Julia to figure out this was trouble. Julia only wished she knew what kind! The second opinion, that it was trouble, was from Zamtha. The little teenager had a very big smile. Zam’s reaction made it apparent to Julia that this was a bad thing if it was only aimed at one person, her!

Standing up, Julia walked over to the two men. She bowed her head down, she cupped her hands down in front, as was the custom. "Yes Master Bothi."

The white haired man spoke, "Where are you from girl? You have the most peculiar accent. I was being led to believe that you were Dottish like me."

"She speaks the language well, no," it was the first time Julia ever remembered seeing the Bothi actually nervous.

"Good enough," the old man looked her over. He reached out and gently took Julia by the chin and lifted her head. "Pretty face as well. Now this is the one that you said made this magic liquid from the bark of a tree?"

"Yes mister Whide, she even has some of the tree saplings so she can make more. Over there, on the window sill. You do realize that they are extra of course."

That caused Zam to start wiggling in excitement. She wanted to jump up and down for joy. She let out a whispered but enthusiastic "yes!" This drew a look from Tish who had decided that she was going to slap the girl in the back of the head at the first chance.

"I do realize," said Whide, "that you said no such thing until now. They’re just tree saplings. I can probably find them anywhere." Whide looked over to Julia, "Can I find them anywhere girl?"

If Julia did know the answer to that question, which she did not, she still was not sure that she could respond. Anyway she went here was a bad choice! Thankfully the Bothi put his foot down before that decision had to made. He was perfectly clear on the fact that Julia was still his and she would not answer. His rebuke was aimed at Whide and not Julia though. Whide backed off and apologized to the Bothi.

It was what the old man said next that really surprised Julia. "I am so sorry my dear. I was not thinking to have put you on the spot so. Very well Bothi, I'll pay for the saplings but if that be the case I'm not taking the other girls. I do not have enough money with me. I also find that being swindled in such a manner is quite distasteful."

That soothing smile that the Bothi was so good at returned. It reminded Julia of a used car salesman. "That's not very humanitarian of you. I mean, I'm giving you a real deal on the rest. They are all the brightest ones I had. There of course is Zamtha, she is your basic domestic type, but I assure you, real good at it."

Whide chuckled and ribbed the Bothi, "Oh I'm getting too old for that old boy, I assure you. I tell you what, let's go down to what's left of your office. I think we can work out a package deal of some kind."

They left laughing and jovial. Once the footsteps were gone Zamtha jumped up from the floor. She grabbed an empty cot and turned it over. She began tossing furniture, blankets, pillows, anything she could get her hands on. "YOU BASTARD!!!"

Tish and Gurcia looked at each other and shook their heads in agreement. Gurcia said, "Looks like it's what we said. He's liquidating stock and hauling ass before the Imperials get here."

Tish jumped up off the floor with a grin, "Time to pack. If we're not gone they won't shoot him but they'll still shoot us. You know this new guy Whide sounds all right."

Gurcia poked Tish in the arm, "What are you talking about girl. He's too old."

Tish got a big grin, "Well you just know he's got some good looking sons. He's pretty handsome for an old fart. What do you think Merry Can?"

Julia ignored them. She walked over to Zam instead. The fit was over now. She was on her knees in the debris she had scattered. Her eyes were streaming out tears. Julia knelt down beside the little girl. She put her arm around the child. Zam managed the words, "I thought he loved me. He said he loved me."

_____________________

"OW! SHIT!!!" screamed Red right before he jammed his thumb in his mouth. He dropped the sorry piece of metal that these people here called hammers. The group had two of their own but for the construction going on they were not enough.

Dee was lying up against an old log. How it got in the middle of this field on it's own was beyond her. It made a nice back rest for her break though. When she heard Red she reached over and grabbed her notebook. Dee looked down the column of names until she got to his. She made a horizontal slash across four vertical ones. There were now three groups of five scratches for his name, "Well Red, that's another extra night of doing the dishes."

Red climbed down off his make shift work platform. They had no ladder so he made do with stacked wood and crates. "That's no fair Dee. I mean the boy isn't even around. Not to mention I don't think it should count for people who have these sh... crappy hammers."

Dee tossed the pad back with her things. "Don't talk to me, talk to Jack. His orders, and I for one think he's right. We've all been setting a bad example for Joey. You've heard the way he talks lately."

"Well he's closing in on fourteen Dee. What would you expect? Have you heard the way kids talk these days? We're not going to have any influence like that. Not so long as he can get on line and watch music video‘s."

Harry put his leveler up on a cross beam. Satisfied that it was close enough he climbed down, "He can't do that anymore Red."

Red grunted, "lucky him I got to tell you."

Dee slapped her hands, "What are you two doing? Let's get back to work shall we. We're burning day light here."

Red sat down slowly next to his working platform. "I'm not afraid of hard work. I could lay down and go to sleep right next to it. Shoot fire, this whole idea is crazy anyhow."

Dee stood up. She tied her makeshift nail apron on and picked up her hammer. She had to admit that when Jack told her, it did sound crazy. None the less she could not argue with his reasoning. They were not sure how long they could live off the good graces of their host. They needed their own money, shelter, and resources. Jack talked it over with Lang for a while. They reached an agreement to pay rent on a small unused strip of land that straddled what the Zeats considered a major highway. It was actually little more than a good sized dirt wash out but it saw its share of traffic. It suited what Jack had in mind.

He sold off some of their unused assets. A tent that had long since become excess baggage went first. It was ragged out but, for some reason, the Zeats were hot for it. They were impressed with the light weight but sturdy canvas. There was also a great deal of junk in the miscellaneous crate. Jack saw a great opportunity to go to Lufmot and introduce them to the great American tradition of the yard sale.

Jack had no idea how all of that junk got on board his ship, or even why it was there, in the first place. There was a box of ping pong balls, donated by the city of Greenbriar, Tennessee. He had six pair of air freshener fuzzy dice for your car, donated by the Mexican American Trade Association of Greater Los Angeles. Five of those were now hanging on horse saddles and one from an Elephant's trunk. The amount of garbage was unbelievable! When they finally managed to sell most of it they had enough money to buy some lumber and nails. Both proved relatively cheap in this area.

While this entire process was going on, Jack kept reminding himself of what he had said one day in passing to Dee and Harry. It was actually when the idea started formulating in his mind yet he kept saying to himself over and over, "I can't believe we come all this way just to open a restaurant and Inn."

Dee found no end to her giggles every time he said that. Her normal response was, "Uncle Isaac would be mighty proud of us. He'll probably want his cut when we get home."

There were far more practical concerns to the plan as well. Not only was winter on the way but a baby as well. Jack couldn't see delivering, and keeping an infant, safe and warm in those tents of theirs, so, more permanent shelter seemed needed. Jack still kept reminding himself that they were coming out of summer and it had been cold to him. To add to that, the rain storms here were usually massive when they showed up. Most of the army surplus tents they had were well on their way to rotting. Even the pup tents with the "light weight but heavy duty" exterior were showing signs of wear and tear. All of this was topped by the fact that Jack once and for all wanted a real roof over his head again.

Some remained unconvinced. Red was just that someone mainly due to his cursing fine that he had managed to rack up since starting construction. "I still think this is the stupidest idea I ever heard of. We been out here for three days and I haven't seen a soul come down that... that road."

Suddenly, as if pointing had brought the fellow here, there was actually someone riding by on a horse. Red stood up and walked out front of the buildings skeleton frame. He was stunned to see the man in the dark suit on the brown horse. Harry and Dee joined in watching as the man turned off the road and began trotting his horse towards them. Dee was all smiles, "Our first customer guys! We're not even open yet. That's a good omen any time you start a business."

"I wouldn't know," said Harry. "Only business I ever tried was a lemonade stand when I was a kid."

"What happened?" asked Red.

"Somebody found out why I was doing so well. I had discovered early on that the lemonade sold better with bourbon in it."

"Oh my god!" said Dee. She gaped, "It's Vitosk!"

In seconds everyone was out front greeting the Russian. He gave hugs and handshakes. He congratulated Gina who wondered how he knew since she was not even showing yet. It was at that point, with Vitosk looking at the happy couple of Gina and Saiid, that he leaned over and whispered into Dee's ear, "That boy having sex has got to be the strangest thing I've heard tell of since coming here."

The happy reunion tapered off for a second. Jack was standing back from the group. His arms were crossed and he did not appear happy. Vitosk took his hat off, "Good to see you again Jack."

"Likewise Yurgani, only it should have been sooner."

Vitosk was uncharacteristically humble, "I do realize that Jack. I apologize for my unexcused absence. I had thought it was best for all. I suppose you would not believe that I made a wrong turn and got lost?” There was silence in the field. Jack remained solid and cold in his resolve. The tension mounted for a few more moments but, finally, Jack could not help but smile. He almost laughed, "ah shit, welcome back anyway you old SOB."

Dee pulled out her note pad, "is that one mark or two Jack? I don't know how to handle the abbreviation."

Jack just ignored her. First he took Vitosk’s hand, then he pulled his old friend in for a hug. Vitosk was curious, "You really didn't think I would come back did you?"

"Ahh, I kind of always knew you would come back."

Vitosk got a funny look on his face, "funny you should say that. I've been hearing it a lot lately."