When Dokka Tkarro got back to his office, he found he had some visitors. He snapped a salute,"Good morning, Admiral! I didn't know you were coming!" Admiral Kurugi saluted and shook Dokka's hand."I like what you've done with the place. Lots of head room since last time!" Captain Tkarro laughed. "After one emergency after another kept my crew from working on the damned floor--it's finished ,now! Who's your Galactic Human friend?" Admiral Kurugi was lost in thought, looking at the alien image on the wall-screen. He blinked and looked over,"Eh? Oh. This is their Diplomat. I brought him here, so one of the Four Sisters can translate for us. Is THIS the image from that poor Hathor girl's mind? The one from the 'Great Enemy'?" Dokka nodded. "Narchi recorded it while we communed with her mind,via Tall White Lady's telepathy. Measure and some Cyclops are pouring over the recording to glean any other actionable intelligence from it. I'll call Neblae up here." Kurugi lost his smile and sat down. "Dokka--you know...knowledge of you finding a new enemy to fight with, is NOT going over well. It's all so...CO-INCIDENTAL!" Dokka sighed in irritation. "THAT is the POINT of the Four Sisters! They twist probability! If this thing had been somewhere else, millions would have died before we even had a clue what was going on, and never gotten ANY intelligence, just like the rest of the Galactic Species hadn't! Second--" Neblae came in with a wooden halberd over her shoulder. "What's up?" Seeing the Admiral, she cut a quick salute. He returned it and said to Dokka,"We'll finish this later." To Neblae, he said,"We need you to translate." She nodded to the Galactic Human, "That is already done!" He looked startled and asked, "How can I suddenly understand your language as if it were my own?" Neblae explained to him and the Admiral, "I am the Goddess of Water, Neblae Moderaan. Your languages are translated by the power of my grace. I was busy practicing cutting off heads in the shuttlebay, but I can always make time in the name of Inter-Galactic peace! You there! Galactic Human! The legendary impoliteness of your people will NOT be tolerated by me or any of my fellow Goddesses." She pointed the plastic headed halberd at him with a jab. He rocked back in surprise. "Is that understood?" He blinked in respect and bowed deeply. "Yes, my lady! I understand very well! Those men were as commoners. I am a noble! I am held to a much higher standard! I am Lord Rossio Delsyn of the planet Almestris, Home of my species of humans. Also..." She put her halbard on her shoulder, " 'Also'?" "I would NEVER permit myself or any others be rude to a goddess as beautiful as you! On that, you have my oath as a noble of the Human Empire!" He smiled his most dazzling smile. She smiled,"I bet you are QUITE the charmer where you come from! Ladies must swoon by the dozen when you flash those electric blue eyes at them! However I am married to the Crown Prince of the Duergar, who is the smartest, funniest, and most loving of mates that any woman might desire. I appreciate your charm, BUT no more than that." She batted her eyes and said in a casual sounding tone,"Although I can control the tides of this world on whim, or render your body to dust at a thought, please direct your comments to this gentleman. HE is an Admiral named Kajer Kurugi. This man is Captain Dokka Tkarro, the commander who I bend my will to, and to whom I have sworn allegiance to. He is Commander of the space-battleship Nautilus, and when we reach it, the starship, Challenger." He looked at Dokka in awe and bowed deeper than he did to Neblae. Kurugi Looked at Dokka in shock. Dokka looked at Neblae who smiled. She whispered,"It's ALL in the accent! I am trained in diplomacy!" Lord Delsyn stood up. "We have heard of the Challenger! I am honored!" They all looked surprised at that. --TO BE CONTINUED!--