“We only have one left,” Commander Talon, grumbled with evident impatience. While a month or so had passed for the landing party, clearly our crewmates aboard ship had endured a different sort of adventure, one involving convolutions through time. The hoodie containing Talon’s report still lay folded. But as I transferred it into the inner pouch of my crisp, new, replacement uniform, I overheard hints told in a hushed, tense voice – allusions and referrals to black holes, white holes, teal and even magenta. Suspenseful whispers of Spertin lures and ambushes barely escaped! Plus – did I hear it right? – revelations about emissaries from another galaxy offering up both dire threats and dazzling opportunities? I so wanted to throw the hoodie over my head and wallow in the story –

—but Ohm was right. We must settle matters on this planet, despite Talon’s eagerness to be off. In fact, partly because he was right – the Alliance needed to know what both halves of our expedition had discovered!

“I suppose I can call up and have the Gamble send down our last shuttle for the prisoners,” he conceded. “Perhaps they will reveal more about their plot when questioned at Nebula Base Twelve.”

The captain nodded with approval. “But that leaves us still with the tragedy of this planet. We have to deal with that. If not, then a Spertin cruiser might arrive any time after we depart and use the Leininger toxins to end any hope these poor people have.”

Clearly, this called for a meeting of all stakeholders… though I reminded the captain that he might choose somewhat different wording, given certain local sensitivities.

“Quite right, Advisor. Let’s have a meeting of all… interested parties.”

Fortunately, we had members of the four major castes of Cal’Mari – Standards, Nomorts, Lik’ems and Zooms. But we needed a place to sit and hold our conference. So, Talon called up to the ship and ordered a Round Table Special.

Security guys pushed everyone back from an area twenty meters or so in front of the slurry-transporter’s receiving chamber. Then three dark-robed and cowled priests of Ya-Tze stepped forward to perform a blessing of the chosen site. With faces shrouded, they shook cans of dice, invoking the goddess of luck, while nervously glancing out from under their hoods at the captain. But on this occasion Ohm showed no sign of impatience, Only much-relished anticipation. And for once I agreed completely. A gesture was needed, at this moment. Something to impress the locals with both the power and the friendly hospitality of the Federated Alliance of Worlds.

Finally, the ad-hoc clerics finished and swiveled to hurry away, tossing off their ceremonial gowns and returning to other duties—

—at which point, Lieutenant Commander Nota Taken began intoning with careful timing:

“Many… Many… Many… Many…”

Ping and Katske sidled up next to me, fascinated and curious.

“Who is Manny?” Katske asked. “And why is she calling out to him? Is that another of their gods?”