The two ships had joined up and Captain Beighur came onto the Warbird. They were all sitting in the Mess when a communication from Ice Walker came in. Huntly had it patched through to the Mess for all to see. There was an image of Devriele and he said,

"Huntly, you are keeping interesting company. Is that not Captain Beighur of the Union of Sol Navy?"

"Why, yes it is Devriele and you should be nice to him. He knows where Ice Walker is." He did not really but Huntly knew how to keep Devriele off guard. Devriele said,

"I have some information for you." Then Graham came onto the screen. He looked for Denise and when he found her he said,

"Ah, there you are. Denise, we have been studying the cybernetic implants to maybe find out where they were from. The thing is no one has ever seen anything like these before. There is some language written on them and we cannot translate it. From this we figure it is from some high tech species that no one knows about. We also think this because the technology all revolves around crystal and glass. It is absolutely fascinating. If you can find out where it is from let me know. I would love to talk to these people - if the are people."

"Doctor, I will keep that in mind but I do not think these people will be talking to us. If you find out anything else let us know."

At that the screen went dead and the group looked at each other. Beighur said,

"Oh great. The Jamaican Syndicate with unknown advanced technology. We have to find out more about this." Huntly looked at him and replied,

"Oh, yeah, we will just go down there and get out heads blown off. Or maybe you go. I am sure all those things the Union has done since the war will make up for deserting them for a hundred years. I can't imagine why they have not told you already." The sarcasm was evident in her tone and choice of words. Beighur looked justly put in his place, but after a second he said,

"What about them?" as he pointed to Denise and Connor.

"Oh good Beighur. You want to send someone to Port Royal who has no idea of what is going on."

"Well, we can help them. Prepare them before they go and with communications while they are there."

"Not bad maybe with a MONTH of preparations! Then we could have them ready."

"No. They only have two weeks or we may as well not go," said Beighur.

"OK Beighur. What are you up to? Why do they have to go so fast?"

"It is not common knowledge but The Lighthouse is coming through the system then. The Concord are the only ones strong enough in the Verge to do anything about this. There is a Magistrate on the Lighthouse and we can present our case right away." The group was silent as they all contemplated that. None could find fault with what he had said. Denise said,

"I should go down alone. We do not want to endanger anyone else." Connor then spoke up.

"I don't think that is a very good idea. If you are found out the whole mission would be in jeopardy. Also more people have more skills to draw on. You do not know what you are going to have to contend with."

"He has a good point," said Beighur. Denise gave Connor a dirty look and said,

"I guess it will have to be my people who I have to choose from?" Connor smiled and nodded yes.

Denise looked at Huntly and then Beighur and said,

"OK. I only see one problem. We need a ship and can't use either one of yours - unless we want to get shot down."

"Well, I may have the answer for that, but it is a serious secret." Everyone in the room looked at him as it to say, `You? You are a goody two shoes. What kind of a secret could you have?' He ignored their looks and continued. "I have a secret ship that I use, for things I can't use the Birmingham for. It can land at the Spoke without a problem." Connor looked questionally at the Beighur and said,

"The Spoke. What is the Spoke?"

"That is the space port just outside of Port Royal. It is a hold in the ground that is about two kilometers wide and about a half a kilometer deep. The sides have bays cut into them that allow ships to land with access to the tunnels to the city."

Denise nodded that she understood then turned to Huntly.

"Do you have any contacts in Port Royal who can give us safe lodging?" Huntly looked frustrated and shook her head no. Then brightened up and said,

"I don't but I am sure Devriele does."

"Well, lets get in touch with him again."

Huntly called Suran over the intercom and told him to get Devriele for them. After a couple of minutes Devriele was on the holodisplay. He said,

"What is it now?"

Huntly said,

"We need a safe house on Penates. Do you have any ideas?"

"Let me make a few calls. I will get right back to you." It only took him about ten minutes and he was back. He said,

"Go to the Weyr-Moraine and ask for room 1313. When the manager comes to tell you there is no room 1313 say it was a mistake and you wanted 1212. He will then help you as much as he can. Now is that it or do you want me to do everything?"

Denise now moved to Beighur and said,

"Good. Now let's go get your ship." Then they moved back to the Birmingham and made their way to Telemachus. Once there they got aboard the Sirocco and everyone checked out their individual stations. As soon as they were familiar with everything Denise said,

"All ashore who are going ashore. We leave in ten minutes." The ship emptied out except for it's new crew. Then they lifted it up and out of the atmosphere and headed back to Penates. During the trip they all changed into comfortable clothing that they figured a pirate would wear as well as weapons they figured pirates would use. When they got to Penates they received landing rights at once and made for the assigned bay. After landing they left the ship and were making their way to the train station when twelve men stepped out in front of them. Denise said, "Excuse me" and made to push through. The men did not move and just laughed at her. She turned to the rest of the party and said,

"Isn't it nice of Basil Turcheyev to send us a welcoming committee so nothing happened to us." One of the men in her way said,

"Anyone can say they know Basil Turcheyev, but how do we know you really do?" Denise spun around with speed that blurred her and when she stopped she had a gun in her hand that was right between the eyes of the man who had just spoken. Denise said,

"Because I have not killed you already."