Title: The Return
Author: Leron S. Magilner
Fandom: Pern
Rating: PG
Archive: Ask First
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Disclaimer: All characters from the Pern series are property of Anne McCaffery. No copyright infringement intended. All original characters as well as the plot are the product of my imagination.
Summery: Ship from earth arrives at Pern.
Part 1: The Arrival
�Captain, we�ve entered the Rukbat system.�
Captain Paul Benden XC glanced up from his log.�
�Thank-you ensign. Continue on course and let me know when we�ve reached Pern.�
�Aye, Captain.�
The Captain turned back to his computer screen.�
�Access files on the last communication with the planet known as Pern, in the Rukbat system.�
The computer hummed for a second and the files appeared. Paul looked over them again for the thousandth time. The last communication was made a little over twenty-nine hundred years ago. No other attempt had been made after the survivors had been rescued. Why should have there been? The survivors had said they were all that made it.
The Benden family believed that. So, for literally the last twenty-nine hundred years they were determined to get another expedition going. Hundreds upon hundreds of court battles, and Benden�s getting themselves into positions of political and industrial power finally paid off. (It also helped that peace and prosperity reigned on Earth finally. All thanks to a wise and benevolent race called the Macafries.)
Now Captain Paul Benden CX was in command of the expedition to return to Pern. In one of the best and newest ships the Macafries helped build. Like all the generations of Bendens' he knew that there had to still be other survivors especially Bendens�!
�Sir, we are now in stationary orbit around Pern, and one-hundred yards from the Yokohama. I�m not detecting the other two ships though.�
�They must have fallen to the surface, don�t concern yourself with it ensign. Commander Arden prepare to dock with the Yokohama and begin the search to see if it�s been accessed. Also see if there is anyway to communicate with the surface, we wouldn�t want to drop in unannounced. You, Commander Kellis, and Professor Celtin will head the teams.�
�Aye Captain.�
�Be careful Commander, and Marcy� good luck.�
Commander Marcy Arden smiled and made her way to the docking bay. She knew how important this mission was to Paul. She had been friends with Paul for twenty-two years and knew of his family�s generations long struggle to return to here to search for survivors. She and Paul joined the Space Corps. together, and worked side-by-side ever since. Some people inevitably asked �Why haven�t you two gotten together?� That was easy since both she and Paul had wives and children waiting back home.
The rest of the team approached the air lock. Three science officers, three security/engineers, three communications officers, followed by Professor Daniel Celtin, and head of security/communications Lt. Commandeer Jacob Kellis.
Professor Celtin was almost giddy with excitement. He always enjoyed new discoveries and even more so if he was the first to make them. Being that he was an expert in every scientific field known to man, this was the experience of a life-time. A planet so long without contact from Earth, teaming with flora and fauna that had adapted to Pern after the transfer from Earth so long ago, not to mention native species that were sure to be in abundance just added to his excitement.
Lt. Commandeer Jacob Kellis was as blank-faced as ever. He was what you would call anal-retentive. He was neat, loyal without question, and utterly boring. He didn�t listen to music, didn�t eat sweets, didn�t drink, didn�t celebrate holidays, and never told one joke. All that he did do was work and read books on security and communications technology. He also was an expert in his fields. Marcy never even saw the man smile, ever! He was always striving to make security and communications on the ship as efficient as possible. The people assigned under him never made mistakes. You did not fail Jacob Kellis or make that man angry in any way, not if you valued keeping your body parts attached to you. He knew everything there was to know about all fighting styles and weaponry, he could kill you with mashed potatoes if he wanted to.
Everyone was excited about boarding the Yokohama, but nervous about going down to the planet. The rescued �survivors� had claimed that a space menace they called �Thread� was what killed the others. The crew read the report about what happens to human flesh when �Thread� got you. And they were more than a little nervous about running into it. Nobody on Earth believed them about �Thread� and just blew it off that the survivors were suffering from shock from the ordeal.
�Everybody check your suits. All checked out? Good. Lt. Commandeer Kellis, open her up.�
�Yes ma�am.�
The air lock opened and the teams entered the ancient Yokohama.
End Part 1.
Part 2: The Yokohama
�Alright everyone listen up! I want you all to be careful, and search every inch of this ship for signs that it�s been used in any way recently. Professor Celtin and his three science officers will go check out the sick bay/science labs, and hydroponics. Lt. Commandeer Kellis will take his team and check out the cargo bay and the engine room. My team will check out the crew quarters and then the bridge. When we arrive there will see about getting life-support and the artificial gravity on. Good luck people.�
Professor Celtin made his way to the sick bay/science lab area with a childlike eagerness. The door opened with ease, and upon closer inspection he saw that it had recently oiled and cleaned. In fact the entire way down he noticed that the ship looked spotless. A good sign if there ever was one. The science lab/sick bay area held nothing out of the ordinary save that it to was clean and everything was in place.
The other members of his team had gone to hydroponics suddenly appeared, moving to fast for the low gravity and collided with the professor. All of them were breathing heavy and obviously excited about something.
�Be more careful next time you could have wrecked something. Now all of you calm down and tell me what happened.�
�Professor you have to come see this, it�s amazing!�
With a sigh the professor followed them to hydroponics. What he saw amazed him to his very core. Hydroponics was teaming with all sorts of plant life!
�Commandeer Arden come in please.�
�Yes Professor, what is it?�
�I�ve made a great discovery! The hydroponics lab is fully operational. And the sick bay/science lab looks as if has been cleaned recently. I think this is proof of survivors.�
�Excellent news Professor, let me know if anything else comes up. Arden out.�
Lt. Commandeer Kellis floated into the engine room and activated the panel to turn on the lights. They came on quickly but were slightly dim. What he saw shocked even him and actually made him feel good. The engine was missing. This of course had to mean that there had been other survivors. The other question on his mind was, what exactly did they do with the engine? It would have done them no good to take it to the surface and even in outer space it would have been extremely difficult to move.
�Sir, the docking bay is clean, no real signs of usage though.�
�Fine ensign, check main power and communications then report back to me.�
�Yes sir!�
�Commandeer Arden come in, this is Lt. Commandeer Kellis.�
�Who else would it be Jacob? Report Lt.�
�Ma�am the docking bay is clean, and we�re checking main power and communications now. We also have an unusual situation in the engine room, the engine is missing.�
�Very interesting Lt. Report to me when you�re done. We�re heading to the main bridge now. Arden out.�
Did Jacob actually sound excited? Well that might help quell the rumor that he was an automaton. Their search of the crew quarters revealed that people had indeed visited the Yokohama. All the bunks were made neatly and not a speck of dust was noticeable.
Commandeer Arden and her crew headed toward the bridge. The door opened easily but only some of the lights turned on. Luckily they were in the front near the controls. And even better the control panel was on!
�Commandeer we have life-support and gravity available. Shall I turn them on?�
�In a second ensign. All teams listen up! Gravity and life-support are about to be turned on. Get ready. Ok ensign hit it.�
�Gravity and life-support are at one-hundred percent ma�am.�
�Good ensign keep an eye on it. Now let�s take a look at communications. Lt. Kellis do we have working communications equipment?�
�Yes ma�am you can contact the Captain.�
�Thank-you Lt. Rukbat II, Rukbat II this is Commandeer Arden on board the Yokohama do you read me Captain, over?�
�Yes Commandeer, I read you. Report.�
�Good news sir, the ship looks like it�s been well kept. And aside from a few shorted lights and the missing engine everything looks fine.�
�Missing engine? I�m sure that mystery can wait. What�s our status on communication with the surface?�
�We are going to attempt that now sir. It does look like the AIVAS terminal is still working.�
�Proceed then. Contact me when you have something else. Good job Marcy.�
�Thanks Paul, Arden out.�
�Alright ensign let�s try this.�
�Yes ma�am.�
�This is Commandeer Marcy Arden of the space vessel Rukbat II calling from on board the Yokohama, I repeat this is Commandeer Marcy Arden of the space vessel Rukbat II calling from on board the Yokohama to anyone who can hear my voice, come in please.�
A sudden noise from the back of the cabin startled Marcy and her team. It sounded like the chirp of a bird. At the top of the cabin, in the back where the lights did not illuminate two small, whirling red-orange circles appeared followed by a louder more startled sounding noise, and then just as suddenly, vanished.
�Commandeer, did you see that?�
�You saw it to ensign? I thought I was going crazy. But I have no idea. We�ll worry about it later, just replay the message again and then every ten minutes until I give the word.�
�Yes ma�am.�
Just as the message ended it�s second repeat a crackle was heard over the receiver.
�He�o?�
�Fix that static ensign!�
�Hello? AIVAS is that you?�
�No, I�m not AIVAS. My name is Commandeer Marcy Arden. What is your name?�
�My name is Piemur. You have got to be what scared the shards out of Farli. How did you get up there? There were no scheduled trips to the Yokohama today. And I don�t recall any Hall with Commandeer as the title. And what is a �space vessel�?
�I�d better let my Captain explain. Hold a second Piemur. Captain?�
�Yes Commandeer I read you. Report.�
�Paul, we have a native on the radio. His name is Piemur.�
�Very good Marcy I�ll be glad to speak to him.�
�Piemur this is Captain Paul Benden of the space vessel Rukbat II. My crew and I have traveled all the way from Earth to see if there were really any others left on Pern. Some of the original colonists had said nobody else had survived but my family the Bendens� never believed that. We fought for a very long time to get back here and I for one am glad to say it has been a success so far.�
�Did you say Benden? Like Admiral Paul Benden?�
�Yes Piemur. He was my ancestor.�
�Well um� welcome to Pern.�
End Part II.
Part III: Landing (AIVAS complex)
Piemur was typing away at one of the many terminals when Farli came in through the window screeching and eyes whirling red-orange. She then quickly grabbed his tunic and roughly started pulling at him.
�Farli!! Shards!! Calm down1 I can�t understand you if you chitter so fast. You�re not making any sense. Alright, I�ll follow you just let go before you ruin my tunic. I just got it and if it gets ruined I�ll get in trouble.�
He followed Farli to the main AIVAS room and as they drew nearer he heard a voice coming from the room. He quickly opened the door thinking AIVAS had turned himself back on. But the voice he heard was a little more feminine than he remembered.
�� Rukbat II calling from the space vessel Yokohama to anyone who can hear my voice, come in please.�
�Hello?�
�Hello? AIVAS is that you?�
�No I am not AIVAS. MY name is Commandeer Marcy Arden What is your name?�
Piemur conversed with Commandeer Marcy Arden, then spoke to a man who said he was a Benden who had come all the way from Earth. While Piemur talked with him he took out a writing stick and paper and then called Farli over.
�Well um�welcome to Pern.�
�Thank-you Piemur I am happy to be here.�
�Um, your welcome sir. Listen there are some people who should know about this. I�m going to send Farli to deliver a message to them.�
�Alright Piemur, we�ll prepare ourselves to land on the surface at your coordinates. Is there a large open field nearby?�
�Yes, about four dragonlengths north of here.�
�Dragonlengths huh? Well thank-you, I�m sure we�ll find it.�
�I�ll contact you as soon as the people I sent for get here. Um, try not to land before then ok? I don�t want to cause a commotion.�
�Very understandable Piemur. We won�t land without permission first. This is a very big day for all of us, I wouldn�t want to ruin it.�
�Ok then. I guess I�ll speak to you later. Piemur, out. Farli take this to Ruth ok?�
Farli gave a happy chirp and went between. She didn�t understand why her friend had been so loud and moved around so much. He was just speaking to another person.
�Commandeer get your teams back here on the double. We need to get ready to land.�
�Yes Captain�
�Marcy?�
�Yes Paul.�
�Is this really happening?�
�Yes it is.�
�Good because if it was a dream or something I might have stated crying. I might cry anyway I�m so happy.�
�What would the crew think if they saw their Captain cry?�
�I don�t care. If they have a problem I�ll sick Jacob on them.�
�Now Paul violence never solved anything.�
�True, and what would Command think of a report about the security officer hitting a crew member for making fun of their crying Captain.�
�You need help Paul.�
�Yes maybe I do but that can wait. Right now we have work to do so get back here on the double.�
�Yes sir!�
End Part III.
Part IV: A Joyous Meeting
Three hours later Piemur was back in the AIVAS room, this time with company. F�lar, Lessa, and F�nor arrived first. Then F�lessen came conveying Sebell and Menolly. And finally Jaxom came flying in on Ruth with Lord Holder Asgenar of Benden. (Thnkfully the Lord holder happened to be at Ruatha Hold on business at the time.) F�lar nodded to Piemur to contect their visitors.
�Um, Captain Benden, this is Piemur, over.�
�Yes Piemur this is Captain Benden.�
�I have some people here to talk with you..�
�I�m glad all of you could come. I�m sure Piemur told you who I am, so I�ll just ask if you would give permission for us to land so we can discuss my orders to re-establish communications with you if you so choose.�
�Captian, this is F�lar Weyrleader of Benden Weyr. We would be honored and happy to receive you and your crew.�
�I�m very glad to hear that F�lar. We�ll be on the surface within an hour. Piemur knows where. See you soon. Benden out.�
A proud smile creeped onto Piemur�s face, and in typical Piemur fashion he tried to hide it. Lessa smacked his left arm just as Menolly smacked his right.
�Ow! What was that for?�
�Get that impudent look off your face! Don�t try to hide it from me young man!� Lessa said with a half smirk.
�Typical Piemur, you would be the first person to make contact with people from Earth. Can�t you let anyone else have a chance at the historically significant events or do you always have to hog them?� Menolly said with a wink.
�What was I supposed to do? Not answer and have them leave thinking they were wrong? Or worse yet, have them land to see why nobody answered and have them scare half the Southern Continent?�
�Don�t mind them Piemur, they�re just jelous, although Lessa has no right to be.� Jaxom gave both Menolly and Lessa a wicked grin.
�C�mon Menolly we have to get a lot of people together to help set up this unplanned party. I�ll go gather cooks, you go get drudges together to set up the tables, chairs, and then we�ll both get them to wash up. I don�t want our visitors coming down to a messy planet. Let the boys finish gloating and then if you all are not too busy you can help out and make sure there are enough dragon�s and riders to keep people from crowding our guests. F�lessen, you should go and take Sebell back to Harper Hall and get the entertainment.�
Lessa and Menolly left the men to gloat and talk.
�Alright gentlemen let�s get to work before they come back and find something disgusting for us to do. We�ve a lot to do before our guests arrive.� F�lar just smiled to himself. This was going to be fun.
About an hour later, three ships landed just north of Landing in an abandoned field. The one closest to the welcoming committee opened and Captain Paul Benden CX stepped out followed by his officers.
�I am Captain Paul Benden CX, this is Lt. Commander Marcy Arden, Commander Jacob Kellis, and Professor Daniel Celtin. You can meet with the rest of my crew personally at anytime you wish. We bring greetings from Earth, and on a personal note, greetings from the entire Benden family. We are very happy you allowed us to land and hope that you will take up the offer to re-establish communications with Earth.�
�Welcome Captain Benden. I am F�lar. I was asked to represent the dragonriders of Pern along with my wife Lessa, my son F�lessen, and my brother F�nor.�
�Captain, my name is Masterharper Sebell and this is my wife Masterjourneyman Menolly. We represent Harperhall.�
�I am Lord Holder Jaxom of Ruatha and this is Piemur sir.�
�I am very happy to meet all of you, especially you Piemur.�
�Thank-you sir.� Piemur said with a braod grin.
�Impudent whelp.� Lessa whispered in Piemur�s ear.
�Captain, I am Lord Holder Asgenar of Benden Hold, direct descendent of Admiral Paul Benden.�
Captain Benden smiled even as tears formed in his eyes. He then proceeded to embrace the Lord Holder in a great bear hug which was returned just as strong and with as many tears of joy.
�My apologizes Lord Holder, it�s just that I�ve dreamed of this day since I was a child. My family will be happy we succeeded. I was over come with emotion, I hope I have not offended you.�
�Nonsense cousin. After all we are family. And please call me Asgenar.�
�Cousin? Asgenar, huh? I guess you are right we are family. Thank-you.�
�F�lar I�ve many questions for you. But the one that is most on the minds of me and my crew right now is this talk of dragons and �firelizards�?�
�Of course Captain. Piemur get Farli, and Jaxom so as we don�t startle our guests too much at first call Ruth.�
Farli came and landed on Piemur�s shoulder and stared quizzically at the new people. Then the crowd parted as Ruth came, startling the Captain by landing right in front of him.
�Hello Benden. It is good that you have come. The dragons of Pern are glad that the Benden�s have survived and returned.�
The Captain put a hand to his head and just blinked.
�Did he just�.? In my head?�
�It�s alright Captain, he just wanted to personally say hi. Give him a scratch just below the eye ridges, don�t worry he won�t bite.�
�I would never bite anyone, especially not a Benden. Why would you even think that?� Ruth said with a slightly sad and indignant look.
�I didn�t mean anything by it Ruth.� The Captain scratched Ruth�s eye ridges and Ruth�s eyes whirled with delight.
�Well F�lar it seems we have a LOT to talk about.�
�Very true Captain. Come this way, we�ve prepared a feast, and entertainment in your honor. There will be plenty of time for talk, now we celebrate and relax.�
�It�s your place F�lar, and I would not wish to insult any of the people who worked hard at this. Crew! Enjoy yourseleves!�
End Part IV.
Part V: A Great Feast
Over the next few hours the Captain and his crew ate, drank wine,(Benden of course) sang, danced,and listened to stories. The harpers told them about the second crossing, Moreta�s ride, Lessa�s ride, the discovery of AIVAS, the demise of Masterharper Robinton,(which although had been at least twenty turns ago still brought many to tears including the firelizards and dragons) and the most recent events, the moving of the Red Star and of course the re-communication with the dolphins and the formation of a Dolphineer Crafthall.
The Captain and Lord Holder Bedar spent most of the night talking. The Lord Holder had many questions for Paul, mostly about leadership since he was only just appointed since his fathers retirement. Lt. Commander Arden spoke at length with F'lar, Lessa and the other Dragonriders. Commander Kellis spoke with Sebell, Menolly and the other harpers and was even persuadded to drink a toast with them.(This turned into several toasts, which had some interesting consequensces, the least of which had Jacob singing loudly some of the bawdier songs. An ensign who asked him about it the next day ended up with a bloddy nose.) The Professor spoke with as many Craftmasters as would stop to speak to him. He also insisted on copies of all their records and their time spent with AIVAS.(When the Captain told him to just relax and enjoy himself, the Professor outright refused to eat, sleep, drink, leave the table he was at let alone the planet until some agreed to his requests.)
Fall was due the day after tommorrow so everyone left a few hours before the sun rose the next day.
"F'lar, can I speak with you before you go?"
"Certainly Paul, what can I do for you?"
"First off I wanted to thank-you for your kindness and hospitality. But the reason I wanted to speak to you was that my crew and I would like to offer any help we can during the next Fall."
"Well Fall has gotten somewhat lighter, but we could always use some help with the groundcrews. And the others can help the Professor with his reasearch. At least that'll keep him from accidently getting caught in the Fall."
"Sound like a good idea."
"When Fall breaks there'll be a Gather at Benden for Ramoths' hatching the day after. Should be in about a week or so. The harpers will want to question you about Earth, plus we've got a special surprise for you and your crew."
"Well that sounds great. We'll be glad to answer any questions for you. Especially since your people have been kind enough to accomidate the Professor."
"Glad to hear it Paul. Well i have to go, I'll see you again soon."
Before Paul could ask about the surprise or say goodbye, F'lar was off with a powerful leap from Mnementh and then went between.
"I wonder what that's like?" Paul thought to himself/
"You'll find out soon enough Paul"
The voice in his head was familiar and he soon saw why. Ruth was looking at him just before he and Jaxom took off for Ruatha.
"I wonder what he meant by that?"
Paul went back to his bed and dreamt of dragons.
Over the next week Paul and his crew helped out the ground crews as much as possible. There were of course some minor injuries to Pual's inexperianced crew, but it was pretty uneventful, with two small exceptions. The Professor had to be treated for cuts and scrapes from trying to determine the sex of two green firelizards. Piemur warned him about the greens sensitive and "never-to-be-touched-by-human-hands-for-a-reason-privates", but being that he was an accomplished scientist "knew" that it was ok.
The other event came when Commander Kellis approached Paul and Marcy before the Gather.
"Captain?"
"Yes Commander, what can I do for you?"
"I would like to tender my resignation sir. I've decided tostay on Pern."
"What? Why Jacob?"
"I'm....happy, here, sir. I've decided that I want to become a Harper. I can learn alot here and there's alot I can teach in return. If you don't accept my resignation sir, I'll go AWOL."
Paul did have the permission and the authority to do this. But what would Command think about losing the best man in the fields Jacob excelled in? Oh, well guess they'll just have to deal with the second best.
"Very well Commander, request for resignation granted. You are hereby relieved of all duties and responsibilities in Star Corps. You are now a civilian and have permission to relocate to Pern."
"Thank-you Cap...I mean Paul. Thank-you very much."
Jacob smiled for the first time since Paul and Marcy have known him.
"Goodbye Marcy. Take care of yourself."
"Goodbye Jacob, you take care too. We'll miss having you around."
"It was an honor to serve with both of you."
Jacob then turned and ran to the dragon and rider who were waiting to transport him back to Harperhall and his new life.
"Do you believe what just happened Paul?"
"Yes and no. But who are we to argue? If he's happy here, as his friends we too should be happy for him."
The Professor asked for an extended leave of absence, to end at his discretion. Lord Holder Jayge agreed to provide the Professor with one of the new houses that had just been built. The Professor asked for all his lab equipment and things from his home be brought back to Pern ASAP. By the end of that day Paul and his creww were exhausted.
"F'lessan told me that one of the surprises was that we would have front row seats at the hatching as guests of honor. But he wouldn't say what the other surprise was."
"Sounds like fun though Paul. Just think, we'll be the first people from Earth to witness this event."
"It is pretty exciting isn't it? Well it starts pretty early in the morning so I'm going to get some sleep Marcy, goodnight."
"Goodnight Paul, pleasent dreams."
Again Paul dreamed of dragons.
End Part V
Part VI: A New Begining
The Gather lasted into late evening. Then everyone rushed off to bed. The Hatching and feast after would take up most of the day, and there would be much to do the next morning. The eggs were expected to hatch by early afternoon. After a hearty breakfast at Benden Hold, Paul and his crew were shown to the Weyr and given the grand tour by F'lar and Lessa. By the time it was over the Hatching was ready to begin. Paul and his crew were escorted to their seats and it began.
The canidates were brought out and at first all eyes were on the nervous boys and girls. But then the dragons all began to hum and the first egg rocked and split neatly in two. The young brown dragon keeled it's coming and started toward the the canidates. Eventaully butting his head against an Isten boy named Corell.
"He says his name is Duranth!" Corell yelled.
Everybody clapped and some riders shed tears of happiness at this first joining. Then the next egg rocked and cracked. A bronze emerged and everyone was in awe at it's beauty. The bronze keeled and just stared at the canidates but did not move. Ramoth gave him a nudge.
The little bronze suddenly made a beeline for a gangly lad from Telger who was standing in front of the stands. He got so scared at the onrushing dragon that he fell to his hands and knees. The dragon who was not aiming for him used his bent boy to leap to into the stands and headed straight for Paul Benden!
"What are you doing Gorth?! I'm not a canidate! I'm not even from Pern! You've made a mistake!"
F'lar laughed out loud. "Paul he told you his name. Which means he has chosen you. He can't Impress with anyone else. You don't have a choice."
"I can't take a dragon on a ship! Gorth are you sure about this?"
"Yes, you are the one I have chosen. We are meant for one another. We shall never be alone and always have each other. I will care for you and you will care for me. But I don't want to talk anymore, I am ever so hungry!"
Pauls' eyes filled with tears of joy. "I guess I really do have no choice. I feel as if I never want to leave him. Marcy, as of this moment I am resigning as Captain and as my last offical duty am promoting you to that rank. Congratulations."
Before Marcy could say anything Paul was lead off to feed his dragon. A gold queen chose a girl from Benden Hold. They ended up with a total of four greens, ten browns, fifteen bronzes, and the gold. After the dragons had been fed and put to bed the new riders came out and the celebration began.
Marcy, Jacob and the Professor came up to greet Paul.
"Congratulations Paul."
"Thanks Jacob."
"Good job Captian."
"Thank-you Professor."
"What's your wife gonna say Paul? She might be a little upset at the sudden relocation."
"I'm sure she'll understand. After I make amends for it for a long time."
"I contacted Earth, and though they were happy about everything that went on they weren't to thrilled about the losss of one of the finest Captains in the Corps. But they weren't upset at your choice of succesor either."
"I'm glad to hear it Marcy."
"Oh here's the other surprise they were talking about. The whole crew got one each." Marcy pulled back her hair to reveil a sleeping green firelizard around her neck. "The Professor got a bronze and Jacob got a gold."
"Very cute. Everyone on Earth is going to want one."
"True. Well I hate to say this Paul but Command has called us immedialty back to Earth to pick up representitives. And I guess I'll be bringing back your wife and kids as well. I'll see you soon Paul."
"Ok Marcy, come back soon. And if you can try to smooth things over with Janice, ok? One more thing too I had to change my name. It's no longer Paul, it's P'den."
"Alright, P'den then. Another thing I guess I'll have to explain to Janice."
"Hey, at least I don't have to explain the green living neckpiece to your wife."
Marcy grimmed a little. "You're right, it might take some serious sucking up to getr her to acceot this little toothy bundle of scales. Well P'den I really have to go. I'll see you when I return."
Paul gave Marcy a big hug. "See you soon Marcy."
As Marcy ran off to the Lord Holders and Weyr Leaders to say goodbye Paul ran off to the waitng crowd. P'den was very happy with all that had transpired here since they came into orbit around Pern. All his family's hard long struugle to return had paid off in more ways than could be imagined. Now he had a new home and new experiances and adventures that awited him and his family. And so began a new era for both Earth and Pern, and a new life for P'den, Dragonrider of Pern.
THE END.