Supreme and First
Speaker. I Fleet-Captain Arjen am."

Tarlac was surprised, but Rangers were adaptable; he returned the
Traiti's salutation with a crossed-arm bow of his own and a quiet,
"Fleet-Captain." Then he waited for Arjen's next move.

Arjen felt unwilling respect for the human who remained so calm and
left the initiative to him. "The Supreme and First Speaker ask, that
you them on Homeworld join. I their invitation extend, and
transportation offer."

Tarlac appreciated the sharp irony of the so-courteous invitation,
backed up by the outsized fleet. "They don't leave me much choice, do
they?"

"They truly none you leave, Ranger," Arjen said regretfully. "I do not
these tactics like, but I must my orders follow."

"Mmm. You have orders to destroy this ship if I refuse, don't you?"

Willis swung to face him. "Ranger, no! You can't, you're too--"

"Stop, you," Arjen interrupted. "This must his decision be. And he
right is. If he does not with us come, my fleet will your ship
destroy."

"Why do you want me badly enough to violate that signal?" Tarlac
asked.

Even to the humans, unaccustomed to Traiti expressions, Arjen looked
uncomfortable. "That had I hoped not to say, Ranger. The First
Speaker says it necessary is, a Ranger to Homeworld bring. If I more
say, it may your crew distress." He hesitated, then went on. "The
Supreme's word you have, such a thing will never again done be."

"Damned if I know why," Tarlac said slowly, "but I think you mean that.
All of it. Okay, I won't ask. You'll release the ship if I
surrender?"

"We ask not that," Arjen replied, offended. "As our guest come, and
your ship may freely go."

Willis interrupted their dialogue. "Fleet-Captain."

Arjen turned to her, inclining his head, and despite the discomfort
that had led him to omit it before, addressed her with the formal
honorific proper to an out-clan female. "I you hear, ka'naya
Ship-Captain."

"Ranger Tarlac believes you, so I'm forced to. But I'll also have to
report to the Emperor. Why do you want him?"

Arjen sighed deeply. Females in the human military disturbed him
considerably, though he'd accustomed himself to the fact that they were
included there--even in active combat--with no objection from the males
who should be protecting them. And this one sounded like his Clan
Mother. "Ka'naya Ship-Captain, please. Ask this of me not. It will
you only hurt cause."

"Don't worry abo