Despite all of his logical instincts, Vitosk actually thought that the Inn idea was a good one, at least the idea of it anyway. Vitosk found Jack's handling of the entire affair somewhat bungled. The location he had picked was ridiculous. Vitosk was a good communist and even he could see that. While the traffic did indeed come up the road no one was going to stop here. It was too close to town. People traveling the road on this world timed their travels carefully so as to always be close to population centers near dark. Twenty miles out of Lufmot was too far to attract the locals and too close to get the travelers.

Red sat across the table from Vitosk. They were the only two people in the entire Inn. Red was thinking along the same lines. He, unlike Vitosk, had nothing else to do at the moment and if they had customers this would not be the case. Vitosk had finally managed to acquire a newspaper. It was all the way from Daltop and the same periodical that he had used to teach himself Dottish. This had been the first copy he had seen since coming into Zeat and he wanted to read in peace. After all, Kenday had gone to the trouble of mailing it to him!

"You know what Vitosk. I think we should turn this place into a casino. You know, we'll call it Las Vegas or Caesar’s Palace. That'll draw the locals out I think." Vitosk only glanced up from his paper. He went back to reading. Red went on, "Come on, what do you think of that idea?"

Now Vitosk lowered his paper realizing Red would not stop till he had his answer, "I think that I am under the impression that if ever we got home and Jack Kelly asked me to go into a business with him I would decline. After hearing your suggestion, I think I would extend, to you, the same answer."

"Oh come on Vitosk, I'm being serious here. Casinos always do real good."

Vitosk went back to browsing the paper, "I was being serious. In order for a Casino to make money, there would have to be a supply for it too draw on. In case haven't noticed Red, this is a currency poor region."

"People look like they're getting enough to eat to me. Seem prosperous enough."

Once again, Vitosk peeped out from behind his paper, "prosperous yes, rich no. The Zeat's wealth lie in their trade goods. Next time you go into town, look and see exactly how much merchandise is on the shelves in the stores."

Gina was walking around behind the high bar counter now. Her stomach had bulged considerably in the last few weeks. She complained almost constantly. She stretched her back, extended her arms, and shook her legs. Nothing seemed to stop the aches and pains.

When she finally came out from behind the bar, "I know guys. How about we do a topless night. We can paint a big pair of lips on Reds belly button then put a big old hat over his shoulders and let him dance around in a G string."

Vitosk did not even dignify that with an answer. Red just replied, "Sounds like fun to me. Long as they don't prohibit putting any money in my string."

Dee slammed the door behind her. She pulled her hood back and leaned up against the door like someone was trying to break it down behind her. After a couple of deep breaths she said, "that wind is kicking it out there."

"Is it snowing again?" asked Red.

Dee felt like her arms and legs were going to fall off. She was so cold that it felt like any little movement was going to cause her to shatter into a thousand pieces, "You better believe it's snowing out there."

Sitting down next to Red, Gina leaned over and propped her head on the table, "Did you break through the ice in Dumbo's water bucket?"

"The whole thing is Ice!"

Red waved to Dee, "well don't just stand there Dee, get over here by the fire and thaw out. Sides, standing at the door like that you might keep some customers from coming in."

Nobody even laughed. Gina just moaned, "I'm worried about Dumbo out there. It's awfully cold."

Vitosk peered over his paper at the girl, "Well you are not bringing that animal inside here with me."

No sooner did Dee move away from the door than a blast of cold air filled the room. The door went wide and a very tall man in an even larger cloak came strolling inside. He pulled his hood down and looked around the room with a very careful eye. His face was brawny, cold, and serious. When he looked satisfied with what he saw he then unfastened the cloak and hung it on a peg by the door.

Vitosk looked at each and every one of his companions who were all just staring at this guy with their jaws on the ground. Vitosk shook his head in sorrow. And the Americans considered themselves good capitalists? What a laugh! He had to do what they should have from the start, "Welcome to our Inn."

The man took his coat off next. He hung it next to the cloak. He reached behind his back, and pulled out a rather shabby looking hat that he placed on his head. When he did this his muscular build became obvious. He was very well shaped and his size was not just the appearance given by the cloak. "I'm hungry. I wish to eat."

The language was Zeat. That didn't keep Vitosk from missing the accent. "You are Dottish?"

Red added, "Your name wouldn't be Arnold would it?"

The man looked at Red and said something in his native tongue. He then sat down at the far table. Red looked at Vitosk, "What did he just say?"

"Something about having intercourse with your rectum."

Red stood up and looked at the man, "Can I have your autograph?"

"Gary," said the man.

Vitosk put down his paper and slung his leg over the bench so he could face the visitor, "pardon me I missed that?"

"I said Gary. I was told that I could find a man by that name here."

Vitosk slid his glasses back up and looked this man over very carefully before replying. "I'm afraid you have missed him by some time. He's been away for several months now."

The man stood without even ordering any food. He retrieved his things, opened the door, and began to leave. Vitosk asked one last thing, "May I say who is calling?"

Once again the man blurted something out in his own language and then left. Vitosk took his glasses off and stared off into space. Red tugged on the Russian’s sleeve, "What was that last thing he said there Vitosk?"

Vitosk was deep in thought but answered anyway, "Oh, he said he would be back later, I think."

Red jumped up out of his seat and started looking for a pen around the bar. Dee sat down in his place. She was very concerned. It had been very odd. In fact it was too odd. Even for something that Gary was obviously messed up in, "Who do you suppose that was?"

Now, Vitosk was biting at the end of his glasses. "I don't know. I just hope Jack, Finny, Joey, and of course you ex husband do not run into that one. I think he might be trouble. I know that we are somewhat stronger than these people due to the gravitational differences but that man's biceps, I believe, would make up the difference in point two gee's."

_____________________

Africa had an abundance of different terrain in a very close proximity. Jack had flown over parts of Africa before but had never actually landed there. The one and only continent of Moe was somewhat larger than Africa. Even so, Jack was amazed at the variety of climates that he saw. Even more amazing was how quickly they changed. When they first began, Lang had insisted they take the southbound rails to the provincial capital of Carbough and then switch to the East bound rails across the Calden provinces. Lang insisted that it was the most efficient way of getting to the East or , at least, at the moment anyway.

Jack was not sure about that. The rails split just up the line from Lufmot, and instead of going north to Ninvey, they headed north East to the Ithanian province. It looked much more direct. It was not until crossing the river whose name translated into, THE GREAT DRAIN, that Jack began to understand what Lang was talking about. Once into Calden, the clickity clack of the Peninsular Rail line, turned into the bumpity jolt of the Calden. Ithan was supposed to be even worse.

The trip across the south was worth the trouble of going the long way around the great inland sea anyway. Carbough and several of the other cities in the south Peninsular Province were far larger and more interesting than the Zeat's communities in the north. The train ran right through the two largest. The real treat came in crossing the Great Drain. It was a wide and deep river and the train cars actually had to be ferried across. From old probe photos Jack recalled that this body of water ran from the inland sea to the south sea. While crossing it, Jack was awe struck by its size. It easily made the Mississippi look like a creek. It was also just as heavily used as a transportation source as well.

The neatest sight, so far, was first spotted by Joey as the train car was being backed down onto its special ferry. Off in the distance near the banks of the river was a set of pyramids! From the looks of them they had to be ancient! They did not look too dissimilar from the Egyptian Pyramids back home on the Giza plateau. They were basic structures with nothing fancy and seemingly ignored by the locals. Jack supposed they might have been a tad larger than the biggest ones in Egypt but that would make sense given the lower gravity on Moe.

The Calden province was less of a thrill. It was a rundown nation that had poverty dripping from every crack and seam. Jack was actually glad to reach the border of the South Coast Province. He found it strange that they passed right over into a nation that was supposedly at war with its neighbor, or in revolt, or something to that affect, and there was nothing but silence. There were no customs agents, soldiers, patrols, no signs of the war that Pete was fighting several hundred miles to the north. The only thing that changed really was that the railroads got better again. There were fewer delays and the land seemed far more prosperous.

After hitting town after town, Jack soon discovered that the good times in this land had a large part to do with its newer inhabitants. The land officially belonged to the Raed's, and there were enough of these dark skinned, Asian, looking types around but, it was obvious they were not running the show. All of the high officials that Jack had met, so far, the rich and wealthier types, even many middle class craftsmen, were Dottish. They had migrated out here in droves a long time before, seeking the year round warm weather, and gentle climate.

Despite the strong Dottish influence, Jack also noted, that these people were very ready to throw off the influence of the government back west. They saw the Imperial regime as no longer serving their interests and were supporting the rebellion in any way they could. Not by any official announcement in the legal sense of course. The people down here were riding the fence just in case. Otherwise they were a hundred percent behind the war, materially, and in every other respect except name.

As the train pulled into the next station along the line, Jack saw evidence of this once again. Uniforms of various types were loitering around the station. Some had bags in their arms and were obviously heading off to the fighting. Others had guns in their hands and were doing a stint of guard duty at a transportation hub.

Jack extended his foot and kicked Gary lightly in the shin. Gary woke from his nap and slid up in his seat. He yawned as he looked out the window, "ah, another lovely train side community."

Finny was dead asleep and hunched over Jacks shoulder. He shook her and she popped right up. Finny looked around in confusion and then slowly her wits returned. "Here now? Where is here?"

Gary shook Joey back to life and then looked out the window to where Jack was pointing. It was a station sign and written in a language Jack did not know, "I can't read it. What about you Gary?"

"Nope, it's the native language," normally the signs around here were written in both Raed, and Dottish. Not this time. Gary suggested, "I guess we get off and find somebody who speaks Zeat or Dott."

Jack stood up and stretched, "English would suit me."

Like all of the stations that they had seen since entering this land it was very busy. People were shuffling past one another left and right. This city even had several factories in it. It looked to be a fairly prosperous area, yet, Jack could not help but notice the poverty that was just as rampant here as back in Calden. Unlike East Calden, you had lively transportation, lots of work, yet a lack of jobs. Beggars were sitting all around the station building. Many of them even looked badly deformed. Not the likes of which you would see in an accident but, more similar to people born with birth defects.

As they stepped down onto the dusty street, several soldiers took quick notice of them. They waded past the crowd until they were standing in front of Jack and his party. Jack started wondering if this was the border check he had been expecting many stops back. These men were Raed's, the dark skin color, the slanted eyes, and uniformed green jackets gave them away. Two carried rifles with bayonets attached and the third had a sword by his side.

The sword man pointed at Jack, "Dott? Calden? Jengshum? Ithan?"

The list sounded like it would go on. So Jack quickly injected, "Zeat."

This apparently caused shock in the Raed officer. Jack wondered if he had said the wrong thing. Gary spoke enough Dottish to get by. These people were at least used to Dott's. Jack had just wanted to announce himself as something that he could pronounce. In retrospect, it was starting to seem like a bad idea. The officer snapped his fingers and one of his men ran down the street. Jack's own nervous condition was only made worse when Finny grabbed his arm and tried to hide behind him.

The little Zeat girl did not like it here anyway. Unlike Joey, who raised hell to come, and so got Red out of making this trip, Finny had been nervous since they left. Initially Jack thought it was more that she had never left home. Then he found this to be very untrue. Finny was well traveled on this planet. She had been everywhere her father had been and that list covered it all. It was another reason to get nervous if she did.

The soldier returned with a scrawny looking fellow. He was some kind of merchant from the looks of it. The man listened intently to the Officer and then said to Jack, "They do not speak Zeat. They ask me to inform you that your woman is in violation of City Ordinances. They say you must correct this or forfeit your property as the law stipulates."

"Exactly how is she violating the law here?"

The merchant did not have to ask the Soldiers, he obviously already knew, "It's the law of the city, and she has to be restrained sir. Everybody knows that."

Finny now buried her head in the back of Jacks coat. Jack was a little at loss for words here. "UH… you don't say. How exactly do I go about taking care of this, this... uh restraining thing?”

The merchant pointed to a line of stores down the street. "First shop." He bowed to the soldiers rather hurriedly and was gone.

The soldiers reiterated the merchant’s words by pointing to the store. Jack nodded and his party walked towards it. It was then that Jack first noted that all of the women here were wearing some kind of restraining device, if you could actually call them that. Some were being led around by the neck while most were just roaming the streets freely, yet, each one of them had on some combination of chain and leather cuff devices. They did not look restrictive and in fact the women seemed to regard them as jewelry.

Stopping just outside the store, Jack pointed at the door. He took some gold coins from his pocket and then put them down into Finny's hands. She was nervous and he practically had to pull her out from behind him, "Go get you something you like. We don't want to make these people mad at us."

"Finny tell you, they no like Zeat here. I tell you that long time." Yes she only reminded Jack on average about once an hour. Lang had given Jack that information some time ago before they left. He would have given them a letter only he knew it would have caused more trouble than it would be worth in this region.

Jack rubbed her head, "It'll be all right girl. Go get you something cheap. Joey go with her and make sure she stays safe."

The boy’s face turned red. While Finny was nothing but a little girl to Jack she was an older woman to Joey. He was fourteen now. She was pretty, and right there in front of him everyday. It was a constant source of embarrassment to him. "Me!"

"All you got to do is make sure nobody messes with her, now both of you get going."

With the kids gone Jack scratched his head. "We've been here for more than a year now. Just when I don't think these people can surprise me they pull another one like this. Sometimes I don't understand these folks Gary."

Gary pointed to the big sign above the door. "I think I do. You know what that sign says."

Jack looked at it. He still could barely read Zeat. The sign must have been Dottish but, Jack wasn't really sure. "What does it say?"

"Loosely translated, it says Factory Outlet Store. Maybe they're more like us than you think. This must be the town where they make those things."

A couple of women were walking out of the store at that instant. Jack watched them as they stopped on the sidewalk. Each woman had a bag in her arm. They put them down and began going through the contents, comparing, and complimenting the other on her choice of loose fitting manacles and collars. It was just like ladies back home would do after going shopping for things that Jack would consider somewhat more normal. They were indeed a lot like people back home in many respects. The major differences, no matter what they were, all seemed to lead back to just one thing, their own peculiar institution.

"Yeah, well maybe so Gary. I just can't wait till we find Julia and get the hell out of this place."

Gary lowered his head. It was a sore point with him, "Yes, It's not so much going home to me. You can understand that I feel somewhat responsible for all that happened."

Jack waved him off, "You got jumped. Nothing you could have done about it."

"I don't think you understand Jack. She was my patient in a manner of speaking. She was going through a lot. I was suppose to be there to listen, to advise, to help. Julia certainly needed it. I know her well you understand. Yet I let myself be overcome by my own open wounds. Had I not done so... well you get my point."

Jack looked at him out of the corner of his eye, "your own open wounds? You mean..."

He was somewhat humbled. Normally Jack would have thought it an act. With Gary it normally was yet, for some reason this time, Jack felt the guy was actually being serious, "are we talking about a tall skinny blond that sometimes wears glasses and used to be married to you?"

He regretfully nodded, "Uh yes. You know when Old Isaac asked me to go on this trip, I was going to tell him no. Dee and I did not break up under the best of circumstances you understand. I thought over the old mans offer though. I had come to find that maybe I really did love her. It burned in me Jack. When I saw that she had taken a certain interest in you. I... I..."

"Yeah," Jack held his hand up once again. Obviously Gary had seen it coming long before Jack did. Even now Jack had to wonder what was going on in Dee's head. They had made love that one time. Since then Jack just didn't know. He wasn't sure if she wanted too, if she even liked him anymore? Jack wasn't sure how he felt either. He worked most of the time. He was tired the rest. Did he want a relationship? Did he want se... well that was not an issue.

"She's a good woman Jack. I wish that I had realized that when I had the chance."

Finny and Joey came walking back out of the store with a bag similar to the one Jack had seen earlier. Jack asked, "Did you get something you liked?"

Finny had a bland look, "oh, thrilled I am."

The one thing a commander hates more about his job than all else is handling the complaints. Jack did so by throwing them back in the complainers face and to his advantage, "You'll live. Now lets start our search. Finny, the faster we get it done, this time, the quicker we can get out of here and you can take those silly things off."

_____________________

The double oak doors swung open. Pete was wearing his Dress Blues. Under the circumstances, Pete Winston could not bring himself to wear anything else. This moment would probably live in history and well beyond Pete's days. He followed Marcus Langford into the conference room. The man wore only simple dress greens like it was another day at the office. There were four others with them, six in all. They carried the Advanced Combat Rifles, magazines inserted, rounds chambered.

The lobby behind them was still busy. Military people from all branches of the service were running like their jobs still meant something. They had seen Pete and his group coming. Most of them wore Kevlar helmets, body armor, and more than a few even had their own weapons sitting near their desks. It was far from the normal duty attire of the Pentagon. These days were far from normal.

Langford placed his cap underneath his arm. He stepped aside as his escort took flanking positions in each corner of the room. Pete stood at the doorway proper not letting anyone in or out. Langford stepped forward to the table. The Speaker of the House stood from his chair. He was still wearing an expensive suit despite all that was going on he refused to believe the situation that existed.

"Commandant Langford," said the Speaker, "What exactly is the meaning of this? You were instructed to report and take charge of the city's defenses."

Langford spoke resolutely, "Mister Speaker, as commander of the defenses of the District of Columbia, it is my duty to inform you that our wisest course of action at this time would be to surrender all armed forces under our direct command, sir."

The Speaker acted too busy to even consider the insane chatter he was hearing. He waived at the Marine Commandant as he sat back down, "You are relieved Langford, now get out of my face."

Langford's cheeks turned red. He slammed his fist straight down on the table, "You ass hole! It's over! So many of us followed you. We've been fighting for you since the beginning. We did it because we thought we were doing the right thing. Maybe we were, I just don't know anymore! I do know that I'm not going to sit by and let you destroy this city on the count that you are a power hungry manipulating bastard! How dare you!"

The speaker's eyes narrowed, "What do you want here Langford?"

It was rhetorical question. Langford stepped back, "Captain!"

Pete and his comrades lowered their weapons and squeezed their triggers.

Pete rocked up from his makeshift cot. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. It was a long time ago. It was a long way away, and yet, that moment lived in his soul no matter how much he wished for it to leave. So many times when he closed his eyes he saw it again.

"You all right?" asked Pascal.

Looking up through the roof of the gutted building, Falon was full of them these days, Pete measured the temperament of the sky. "If that snow holds off I will be. I should be asking you how you're doing?"

Pascal looked down at the stump where his arm used to be. He had the empty sleeve pinned to the side of his shirt. "I would say a sight better if I had not just heard the news."

Like Pete had to ask. "They're going to surrender the city aren't they?"

Pascal tossed his hat aside and sat down on his own bunk. "Not just the city Pete. Stromthoth has offered them the army as well. The entire Imperial Eastern Army!"

The last thing that Pete wanted was to spend the rest of his life in was an alien prisoner of war camp millions of miles from home. The time he had spent in a federal prison after his last war was bad enough. "Did he get terms?"

"We stack arms. All munitions, beasts, women, are to be left behind. The provincials can go home, officers and men. All Imperial Officers are to remain interned until a peace can be made permanent, and the northern provinces of Raed are granted official independence.

Maybe even the south once the politicians are finished with it."

It had to hurt the guy. He had devoted a great deal more time and effort in this war than Pete had. It also must have been a blow to his pride as well. These people had been unified for a long time. Pete thought that a real analogy might be the end of the Roman Empire but they even had that beat. It was certainly the end of Pascal's world and he showed it. There was a part of Pete that felt bad too. Another side of him was happy. Under the terms he would go home or at least by his understanding of the legalities of his rank. His title was honorary at best.

A knock came at the burned out timbers that marked what used to be a doorway. "Unit Leader Pascal, Captain Pete sir," said a courier. "General Joe wants to see you two on the double."

Joe ZeTan had his headquarters tent set up in a city park. At one time there used to be a circular set of colonnades at the park's center. The command tent was strung up on that spot now. Pete noted the architecture, the ruined flowerbeds, and figured that at one time this place must have been beautiful. He imagined Julia must have loved it when she was here.

Inside, a map was unrolled over a field table. Several lamps were hanging from the tent poles for light. Joe stood back and looked at the map. He rubbed at his mustache and examined the faces of the men assembled here. They had been with him for so long now. Their faces were a lot leaner than when they left home. Some were missing limbs. All of them were tired and worn. Joe would still have hated to face them in battle.

"Gentlemen, by now you have all heard what is transpiring from Army Headquarters. I for one have no intentions of surrendering the forces under my direct command. I find the terms unacceptable, as do many of you. It would require that we surrender not just our pride, our arms, but our children and loved ones as well. Those of you that are not from back home, the few foreigners in the outfit. have been with us long enough to know what I'm talking about."

Pete figured that both he and Pascal were two of the "foreigners." Pete most certainly understood though. If Finny had been Joe’s daughter then he might also have other children with him. More than likely, many of the Zeats here were in the same situation. Pete could think of at least three.

Joe went on, "So, I want you to comb out through the other units in the army. Anybody that's Zeat, hell anybody that doesn't want to surrender, you tell them to meet us at the Northwest Gate an hour before sundown. Bring their women folk with them. Have your units assembled a half hour after that. We're going to make a forced march. It's not going to be easy. We'll have the Raed's breathing down our necks the whole way. Even so, I for one would rather die than give in to the likes of those people. Any questions?"

There was silence. Joe put his hat on, "Let's do it. We're going home."

_____________________

"This place kind of reminds me of California," said Julia. "I’ve never been there actually. Well once, but that wasn't the coast. Still I saw enough of it on TV."

During her off time, Julia was doing about the same thing that she had in Falon. She was exploring her surroundings. Slolista was far more interesting and pleasant than anywhere else she had seen, so far. That was maybe with the exception of Tallos but, then she had not really seen it. As a whole, Slolista was cleaner than Falon, it had a gorgeous view of the sea, and the houses were more pleasing to the eye. Best of all, the land here in the south was covered with trees and exotic plants. It was not just the making of an interesting study, it made the entire atmosphere of the place relaxed.

The houses, streets, shrubs, were all placed along the terraced hillside that gently sloped down towards the calm blue waters. The traffic moved along the roads at a leisurely pace. No one seemed to be in a hurry to get anywhere or do anything. Julia enjoyed that pace for a change. Not that she was setting it today. Her guide, Chreelana, was a local girl and had local ways. Even so, the kid was always in a hurry it seemed. Maybe it was just that she was used to climbing the hills around town?

An old man on a cart, that was being pulled by a broken down horse, passed the two girls as they turned a corner onto a level street. Chreelana developed a big smile and ran up and hugged the man. She talked with him for a few minutes and then he continued on his way. Julia stood back and watched. From everything she had learned, so far, women could not talk in public unless spoken to. They were not even supposed to look at any man unless it was their master yet Chreelana did not seem to have the slightest concern about what she just did.

As they continued on Julia just had to ask about it. Chreelana just blew it off, "That's just Master Lee. No problem Julia. He did father me after all."

Another shock, "That was your Dad?" Julia thought about it some more. "He looked real glad to see you?"

"Of course he was. Why wouldn't he be?"

Julia was perplexed, "I mean why did he sell you to Whide if he wanted you around? Seems to me that he could have kept you if..."

Chreelana stopped. She was just a bit agitated by the questions. "Well why did your father sell you when the time came Julia? Why? I'll tell you why? Because my father is a poor man and couldn't afford to keep paying taxes on me every year. That’s why!” The young girl stomped off.

"I'm sorry," said Julia catching up. She grabbed Chreelana by the arm, "I didn't mean to offend you. I told you I'm not from here. I don't understand all of this."

Many times Julia had told the story of how she got here. While the reaction from her companions was mixed, Chreelana was definitely in the camp who did not believe it. Tish and Gurcia seemed not to care and only believed some of it. Ironically, it was Zam who had put total faith in Julia's tale. Not that the child seemed to comprehend it. Julia imagined that to her it was more a case of strong wishful thinking that a place like America actually existed.

One of Chreelana's virtues, and indeed it seemed to be a trait of survival for women here, was a very short memory when it came to insults and injustices. She quickly changed her mood, "Hey, I know what. We've never been out to the rock."

"Where's that at?"

Pointing out the coast toward a cliff side point, "I've been going out there since I was a kid. There's a path where you can go down to the bottom of the cliff. I go there swimming all the time."

It sounded well enough. Julia had really been wanting to get a closer look at this planets ocean anyway. There was a sea wall between the streets and the water though. No one was allowed on the other side due to slippery rocks and Julia was not about to get anywhere near the docks. The fishermen there looked every bit as scummy as the ones back on Earth. None of this seemed to deter Chree who just smiled and nodded towards the water, "Let's go."

The trek took an hour or so. It did not look that far but the pathway to both the point and down to the water were not easy. "The rock," itself was actually several boulders jutting up from a clear blue pool of calm water. There was a hang just overhead that sheltered the place from the wind. As was with the area in general, the place seemed at peace with itself. Julia stepped out onto one of the boulders and sat down. Chreelana jumped over to the next one and sat too.

"What do you think?"

Julia was impressed. She slid her sandals off and dabbed her toe in the water. "It's warm! Wow, after having to take baths in that fountain pool I thought I was going to swear bathing off forever."

Chreelana just giggled, "Oh silly, I wouldn't come out here and swim in water that cold. What did you take me for? A fool?"

"No Chreelana. You're a pretty bright kid actually. All the things I told you about my home. You actually seemed to be the only one who understood some of the stuff I was talking about."

Rolling her eyes Chreelana answered, "Weeellll, I wouldn't go that far. You lost me on a lot of that. Besides, I don't fall for jokes so well."

Julia waived her off, "It's not a joke. I was being serious."

"Ah to be whisked away to a fairy tale land. A place where a woman is equal with a man. Where she could actually boss him, and tell him to look down when she speaks. I would whip him for breaking a curfew, or not getting his chores done well enough. What a place this must be."

Whide actually did none of those things. Julia had experienced more freedom with him than she had seen since that night in the desert. In fact she was probably freer now than she had been working for Texas A&M. Despite this, it was obvious to Julia that no matter how good of a master a girl had she still would not escape what Chree was talking about at some point in her life.

Chreelana had probably never been beaten, or even poorly treated, for her entire life. She had lived in the same town around the same faces since the day she was born. She had men around her that cared for her and looked after her. For a female on this planet, Chreelana could count her blessings. So far the girl had been lucky. How long would that luck hold out?

The hardest concept that even Chreelana could not see, and she was a girl with brains and educated better than some men here, was the concept of equality. Too her, the Earth was just a black and white carbon copy of this place. To hear her talk, she could not fathom such an idea as the two sexes working together. To her it was either one rule or the other. In her mind, there was no in between.

Sliding over to the rock that Julia was sitting on, Chreelana turned her back, "Untie me, I want to go swimming."

Julia started working the strings on Chree’s leather belts without even thinking about it. She and Chreelana had been helping each other do this for some time now. When Julia thought about it, "You're just going to jump right in? I mean you don't use a bathing a suit?"

Chreelana undid the cloth part by herself. She pulled the top off, and then slid out of her pants. "A what? Come on, you're coming too."

"Hey wait a minute. You know I caught my son and some of his buddies doing this skinny dipping thing once." Chreelana pulled until Julia turned around. "They were in this pond out on the backside of my aunts cow pasture. I skinned his little hide too."

Chreelana stopped what she was doing for a moment. When Julia asked her what was wrong the girl went back to undoing the blue leather belts. After that, not waiting for Julia to finish, Chreelana jumped right into the water. She was splashing around as Julia was balled up naked on the rock. "I don't know Chree. I mean there might be animals or something like that down there."

Water started splashing on Julia, wave after wave. Chreelana just kept on splashing until Julia finally gave in, "all right, all right, your getting my hair wet!"

Carefully sliding into the water Julia was careful not to let her head go under. She pushed herself off the rock and then treaded water in the center of the pool. The water was warm and relaxing. So much so that it took a few moments before Julia realized something. She dipped her lips down ever so careful and sipped. "This is fresh water?" I thought you said this was the sea?"

"It is the sea! What other kind of water would it be? Doesn't get any fresher than this." Chreelana flipped over and dove back down under the surface.

Julia could see her swimming around the rocks below. She mumbled to herself, "Well I would tell you but, you don't believe me anyway."

The water broke as Chreelana popped back up. She was holding her arm high out of the water. There was some sort of fish wiggling around in her hand. Chreelana was kicking her legs as hard as she could to keep her head above the surface. She wiggled herself to get over closer to Julia. She was barely keeping her mouth above water since she could only tread with one arm. "Hel... ptthh... me stay up."

Julia reached over and put one arm around the girl so that they both had one free hand treading. Once Chreelana was above water she lowered the animal in her hand. "Gotfin, I've been catching them since I was little. They live in the rocks down there. If you corner one in a cubby hole you can grab them pretty easy."

Julia reached over and felt it's... skin? It had no scales. There were no gills. It looked almost like a miniature dolphin in most respects. "My god, it's a mammal. Chree are all the fish here like this one?"

"Like what," Chree let the animal go about its business. "I mean it lives in the water, it swims, just like every other animal in the sea."

"Do they all come up for air?"

Chreelana was getting agitated again, "Well yeah, I mean how else are they going to breath. Julia, don't tell me on your Earth that you have fish that can breath water. That's pushing it now."

"Ok I won't tell you then," said Julia. She slid her arm out from around Chreelana and went back to treading water on her own again. Chree moved over and got right in Julia's face. The auburn haired Dottish girl moved her hand over. She touched Julia near the belly button. She slid her hand upwards until it rested on Julia's breast.

"Chree, what are you doing?"

"I... what do you mean?" The girl cocked her head puzzled. "I thought you liked me."

Julia pushed her off and got some distance. "Yes I like you Chree. I'm not like that. I like men."

There was more confusion in her face, "Well I do too. What does that have to do with anything?"

"You know," said Julia with some confusion of her own, "I am not gay, or lesbian, or whatever you call it here. I just like men for that?"

"Julia? Don't you ever get feelings? I mean the kind that doesn't go away. It would be nice if men would be there. Like at Master Whide’s, he's the only man. He has no sons and he says he is too old. I mean… I… that's just what women do to help the feelings."

Julia swam over to the rock. She pulled herself halfway out of the water and found a more rounded edge to sit on. She propped her elbows on her knees and laid her head in her hands. She said nothing. Chree cautiously approached her. The girl slowly pulled herself up beside her friend. "Julia. Are you all right? What's wrong?"

Julia buried her head into her knees. Finally an eye peeped up from the mass of tangled dark hair. "Chreelana, do all girls here do this?"

Chree got a very serious look on her face, "You really aren't from here are you? When your boat crashed, people did live didn't they? Just like in the story."

Slowly raising her head Julia looked around for a moment. A tear came to her eye. She scratched at her head and then Julia broke out into a sad laugh, "I can't believe this! I guess Chree, maybe that story of yours was just a little off. Like everything else about this world."

Chreelana quickly stood up out of the water. She climbed back up to the top of the rock. Julia, sensing that something was wrong, followed her up. Chreelana reached down to pick up her things. After several unanswered calls, Julia finally grabbed the kid by the arm and pulled her around, "What's wrong?"

The girl just stood there. She bit her lip and tried to avoid making eye contact with Julia. Julia stopped that by grabbing her cheeks and making Chree look her in the eye, "Something is not right with you now. You think I'm crazy or something?"

"NO!" Chree stamped her foot. "You don't understand. Do you remember that I told you I was Dottish?”

"Yes." Julia just shrugged, “so what?”

"Well I'm not. My father changed his name right before he moved here. Way before I was even born. His real name was ZeTalay. When I was young he would tell me stories. Oh Julia, you have got to promise me you won't tell any of this to anybody?“

Julia promised even though it seemed like something inconsequential to her. “If you say so.”

Judging from Chreelana‘s desperate plea it was no small matter to her, “Zeats aren't liked around here and if people knew..."

Julia still didn't understand but that was not what she told Chree. Instead, she just lowered her arms and took the young girl in giving her a hug. "It's all right. I won't tell a soul. I promise."

Chreelana wondered. It was true that this woman was odd. She said and did things like no other. Chree was in complete confusion. Her body was as well. She closed her eyes and just left the embrace up to Julia. Julia's hand slid down the girls wet backside and began caressing the smooth curves of Chree‘s body.

Chreelana just left her hands at her side as they had been. She spoke softly, "Julia, am I pretty."

"Hush."

Whide was wearing his usual white robes. They were far more comfortable than trousers and the likes. He only wore pants when he went out of town on business usually. Around the house, even walking down the front steps to the road, on official business such as this, Whide preferred to remain comfortable.

The man waiting on him was wearing a green jacket these days. At one time he used to wear Imperial Black but he had always been Raed. His name was Flahust and he was the constable of Slolista. The men shook hands, the western custom for greeting, and then nodded in the Raed tradition. Whide welcomed the man to his home and invited him in.

Flahust declined and got right down to business. "I saw one of your girls talking to another man today Whide. I thought that you might want to know."

Whide simply gave a warm chuckle and waived it off, "You just probably saw Chreelana talking to her father. Was the man Lee the leather tanner fellow with the shop down on second?”

Flahust twirled as his curly mustache. His long stringy hair waived very little in the breeze since most of it was held down by grease. His rotund cheeks winced, "I believe that was the man, yes."

"Oh that was all that was. I have never really objected. You know I almost thought that man was going to pay me to take her off his hands. She was such a bright one though. It would not have been right to take another fellow in such a way."

"Bright," said Flahust, "yes of course. Maybe I should still question this Chreelana girl. I think it would be wise."

Whide chuckled again, "oh you don't have to bother my good fellow. Besides, I don't think she is here at the moment. If you would like though you can come back later perhaps."

The hefty officer began walking down the steps, "I don't think I will bother today." He stopped at the bottom of the stairs, "One thing though Mister Whide. Many have actually applauded what you have done with your women here. I must admit that without some of their skills, the city might not have managed as well as it has. Your donations of their labor have been most generous. I think it only fair to warn you that there are those that dislike what you are doing here. Such a small thing as this morning. Well, just to say that things rather ugly could be made of it."

"Oh I don't bother with those. Without the efforts of people like me this entire region of the world would have fallen in on itself long ago. Imperial law does state that..."

Flahust raised his hand. "I would not bother with Imperial law from now on. I guess that you have not heard. The armies in the north have defeated the East Imperial Army. I would say that this land, returning to the ancient leadership, is not far off. Just a matter of time."

"Well I certainly would think that good news old boy. I donated quite a sum of money to support our armies."

Flahust just shook his head and went about his business.

_____________________

Another scream from upstairs almost made Dee drop her glass and spill the contents all over the bar. Once she was recovered from that she downed the local alcoholic beverage in one shot. Normally Dee wouldn't even touch the stuff. It tasted awful, worse than some real life moonshine that she had tried in rural Massachusetts once. The effects of the alien brew were far more moderate and it did not leave the drinker with a hangover.

Before Dee could say no, Red reached across the bar with a bottle and poured more of the stuff into her glass. He treated his glass afterwards. "Say Dee, aren't you going to go up there and help Pam any?"

It was a very strong, "No. I pass out from seeing a paper cut. Are you kidding? Besides, Vitosk and Saiid are up there. It'll be ok?"

"Maybe we should boil some hot water or something," remarked Red.

Harry downed his own drink slowly, "Red, that's just stuff people say in the movies man."

Dee downed her glass again, "ah, so that's why I've never heard it before."

There was a shout from upstairs. It was Pam, "Guys! Quick! Get up here! Stat!"

They rushed into the makeshift delivery room so fast that they did not take stock of the situation. Red was the first one in looking around and yelling "What you need?! Is Gina OK?! Did the baby make it?!"

Pam had just taken a blanket from Vitosk. She wrapped the new screaming infant with it and began doing the first exam, "Oh she's adorable! Gina I can't see anything wrong with her."

Dee kind of looked away at the yucky stuff, "What in blazes did you need us for?"

Vitosk got a towel for his own hands and began wiping them off. He pointed to the floor. Saiid was sprawled out, apparently unconscious, "For the father. I think he needs a quick bath in that accursed Elephants water bowl."

Pam cleaned the child off. A more thorough exam and cleaning would come in little bit. Right now it was time for mother to meet daughter, face to face, for the first time. Pam gently sat the new little Earthling down next to her mother. Gina was a mess herself. Her hair was sticking to the pillow from one side to the other. Her forehead was covered with sweat. She was still breathing heavy but starting to relax. Her daughter was beautiful. The most gorgeous child she had ever seen with her own eyes. Here was a little baby girl with her whole life in front of her.

Gina stopped breathing all at once. She let out a gasp of air and then closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them she saw Vitosk and Pam doing some cleaning at the foot of the bed. "Doctor Vitosk, could you come here a second please?"

With a nod from Pam, Vitosk excused himself and knelt beside the bed. "You really have a lovely daughter Gina."

"Thank you," said the new mother, "she is a lovely little girl. Doctor Vitosk, you’re a real smart man. You're one of the main ones that got us here. Please promise me something."

"Yes Gina."

She reached out and took his arm. Gina squeezed tight as a tear came to her eye, "Please get us back. I don't want my little girl to have to grow up in a place like this. Please, can you do that? Please?

Vitosk set her hand gently aside. He stroked her hair back from her forehead; "I promise I'm doing everything in my power."

Just outside the door Dee was doing a little heavy breathing of her own. Vitosk stepped out of the room and saw her standing there looking sickly. Pam wanted some time alone with the mother and child so he closed the door to the room behind him.

Yurgani felt a bit disturbed himself. He had to wonder about Dee more, "Are you all right?"

Dee slid her back down the wall till she was sitting on the floor. "It all just makes me squeamish Yurgani. All of the ick, and the fluid and... and... and I'll never have one of my own.”

She sniffled and looked up to Vitosk. He said nothing. She swallowed and then explained, “The doctors told me and Gary that years ago. When I was eleven, my father and I were coming home from school. A guy ran a red light and swiped us. The car rolled over and they had to bring those big pliers things to get me out. Dad… well, he never did come out."

Dee pushed a tear off her cheek, "Anyway, years later they told me that my fallopian tubes had been all scarred up in that wreck. They went ahead and took out my ovaries. Doctor said that I was at high risk of cancer and stuff. Then a few years later this doctor came up with a way to repair that exact same kind of scar tissue.”

Her sorrow suddenly turned to anger, “Men! Men doctors, men drivers, my husband pushing for a kid that I never could have. If he hadn't been so pushy and we had waited for a couple more years. Just a couple! I might have found out after they could have repaired the damage."

Vitosk bowed his head. "I'm very sorry."

Dee stood back up. There were no tears left for that old story. She had used up more than her supply long ago. "It's ok, how's mother and baby?"

Looking at the closed door Vitosk could hear the new infant signaling its displeasure of its new surroundings. "I suppose Dee, that you should not judge men on our world so harsh. The fact is, that the real tragedy of the way these people live here is right in that room. It's a sad day when a mother is crying tears of sorrow because she just looked at her new baby girl."