"But it's a good plan, Eve!" He smiled defiantly: "Sure as hell we aren't going to find it out sitting here. I must connect to Vickie. Only the stars can give us some intel. There's little time left!" Eve started to argue, but the JS put a finger on her lips. "Now we know how it works, hon. We'll stay connected all the time, you, Vickie and me. I'm sure it will work." "If you're so positive, then I'll connect to Vickie." Eve replied. Silencing him with a kiss, she mind-went on: "I'm not able to do even half the things you do. I don't understand one iota of galactic politics, strategy and tactics. If anything goes wrong you'll be able to help our people, I won't. Moreover you're stronger than me now, so it will be easier for you to get me back." "Impossible, you sing melodiously!" "Why this melodramatic mood?" battleship Fierce suddenly boomed. "You are not alone. All of us will mind-join with you and ..." "And there'll be no need for gruesome things like needles," cruiser Blaze interrupted. "So nobody will get enceinte!" she added, grinning ship-way. "Huh, I'd like a sister!" Etta sighed. "We'll think about that later, Etta," JS broke quickly in a discussion which was going off the rails. "No needles, what do you mean?" "The Sword." Vickie said. "You and Eve enter my core. Eve holds the sword and you put your hand on Eve's, so you both will be in touch with the sword. We, the ships, will put you in touch with the stars. Eve is right, you're stronger and you can take her out better, Jay." "It's essential the two of you are physically united." Dart, the auxiliary ship, intervened. A flash-image of the two of them making love sparked in Eve's mind, JS jumped at it saying: "So intimately connected, do you mean?" Eve gave him a shove with a giggle, but Dart said: "It would be perfect!" The starry melody plucked her like a sparkling breeze. Gusts of arpeggios and chords shook her to dizzying harmonic heights. When a star began an aria, Eve couldn't resist a hint of counterpoint. The star was pleased and picked an invitation out with a series of chords. Eve trilled back and soon the aria was turned into a duet. Some stars joined and the ships too, all weaving a polyphony of harmonic sounds and shining colours. Yet Eve could fell JS's warm, strong cuddle. His love was her anchor. "Yeah!" the massive star sang with a deep voice, "I'd like to sing with you again." "We've hooked her!" JS whooped in Eve's mind. "Tell her you have to go, but you'll be back if she tells you ..." The star laughed heartily star-way: "Jay Sea, I've awareness of you. Your thoughts, infinitesimal neural flashes of light, coruscate throughout this dimension. Each single neuron of a living being takes a part in the infinite melody, your bodies sing with us. Yours glows with cunning boldness, Jay Sea, and teases me now like a spurt of notes. Tell me, what do you want to know, you who are giving a gift that will keep on giving?" The white-haired man knocked on the door. Maya, the blonde in charge of the presidential detail, opened cocking an eyebrow. She had carefully inspected the premises and put POTEA to bed. The Rogues had already left Eta 3, but the Big Man had wanted to stay until the following day to discuss privately with the GUN's president. Badu flashed his badge and turned a hologram on. 3TC materialized: "Special Agent Maya, we know from a reliable source the Rogues will try to get into the presidential apartments. Agent Badu is there to help. Do what he says. It's an order." A flash of uncertainty. Opposing 3TC was pure suicide, so she nodded. "I'm replacing one of the eyes of the Rogue statue with this sensor, it will detect any threat." Badu said. "This is the remote." Maya activated it. Done their work, they went out. The moment Maya felt Badu's hands grasping her neck, she was dead. Snap! --- Thanks!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!