Narchi said, "'Interphase Precipitation Cannon' as a better name. That cannon probably magnifies natural processes to a ridiculous degree! That might be how the Great Enemy got into Sub-space,you know." Neblae said,"That is how it translated! 'Space Transport Cannon' IS a stupid name, but they were probably in shock when they named it!" Malbess walked up behind the arguing pair and asked,"Am I interrupting?" The two of them looked over at her. Narchi asked,"What's the get up for? That's not a uniform I recognize!" She groaned,"Another state dinner with senators on the Military Appropriations committee! They want to know what's going on and I'm trying to get funding for our new projectile cannon. HEY! Is that Jeet coming in on the air-cycle? I was about to post his fuzzy ass AWOL! Where's he been all day? He was supposed to go over to the PX to get a box of 20 pound bond for the printer this morning and never came back!" Neblae shrugged. "No idea" She wandered over to the elevator control console. Narchi said as the twin cycles landed and Jeet and Quillip came over, "I was about to find out. JEET! Where have you been and where did you get that sword?" Quillip cringed and shrank back. Jeet walked up and said,"It's the Madjulla's sword. I stole it. You said we needed Sub-space matter to develop a defense against the Great Enemy. This is made of Sub-space matter!" Malbess glared,"I'M HAVING DINNER WITH THE MADJULLA AND ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE SOLAR SYSTEM IN AN HOUR! YOU STOLE IT?" Narchi asked, "How do you KNOW it's Sub-space matter? DID YOU REALIZE SHE CAN CHANGE INTO A GIANT DRAGON, BY THE WAY! SHE'LL KILL YOU IF SHE CATCHES YOU!" Quillip spoke up,"She already tried that. Jeet stabbed her with the sword." Malbess growled,"GREAT MAKER! It gets worse and worse. Do you have anything to say in your defense before I call the MPs to haul your ass away to the stockade?" Jeet asked calmly,"Have either of you been watching the news today?" Narchi looked at Malbess. Malbess reviewed the news head-lines and almost jumped. She remarked,"No news about attacks on the Madjulla, but Sky-Marshall Zolf Reinz and his family was found murdered in his home today, which was burned to the ground THIS MORNING! Did you have anything to do with this?" He shook his head. He said,"Quillip, play it." She thumbed the play-back on her datastick. A woman said,"Did you SEE the look on old Zolf's face when I killed him? He was like,'We're allies! GUHHHH!' PRICELESS!" That was followed by a woman's titter. A man said,"He did have powerful allies. So we should take care. At least I disguised both of us with my powers and... we have company." The recording ended. Jeet said, "When Odunn Panchetta teleported in with the Madjulla, they had that to say. She grabbed Quillip and I stabbed her in the side. She REMAINED wounded! She could NOT change. The sword is a combination of Nada-Haltuu metal from the Naga, Ma'Urishan metal, and 'the bones of demons forged into a sword in the forge of heaven', the ancient name for Shalmiraine. I had Kella research likely things left over by the Altha-Krommiums. The sword was the best candidate." Malbess made as if to touch it as Narchi ran some tests on it. He said,"It seems to be made of calcium, but masses fifteen kilos. Melting temp is ALL wrong. It affects the blood of Typhon like her...it MUST be Sub-metal. Good thing I wasn't there. I'd have given her a medal for killing the bastard." Malbess said,"He DID try to kill us all, and almost got you! Success is the next thing to forgiveness! I think we are turning into pirates like the captain fears. JEET! You are on report! You go off on another SOLO jaunt like this and you're off the ship! I have a party to go to. Narchi, could you make me a ring from a sample of that sword?" Narchi grinned evilly and nodded. --TO BE CONTINUED!--