"Terran's don't keep slaves??" The excitement in Las'Tai voice was undeniable. "That's amazing, why arent more races like that?" She was practically bouncing on the spot at this point.

"They are??" Eirik offered. This made her stop her bouncing and get a look of serious concentration before she asked "Why do we still have slavery then??"

"You will have to ask someone that knows about it to get an answer Las'Tai. I am just a simple ship's captain" he finished with a small bow. Flicking her tail dismissively she stated "you are anything but simple"

"Why is it such a big thing anyway?? I thought the Kloxna kept slaves out of tradition more than anything else" Eirik added.

"Yes, technically, but one of the main arguments for keeping slavery as that no other race has found a way to live without them. Every single Kloxna believes that all other races have slaves too."

This caused Eirik to pause for a moment. "Las'Tai, we must speak more of this, but not at this moment. We have both been given something to ponder and besides, i wish to spend a little time with my parents before dinner."

The dinner came and went, Las'Tai sitting in awe of the amounts of food the males of this family unit were able to consume. To her great delight, the female caretaker that the captain referred to as *mom* had made sure that Las'Tai had plenty on her plate before allowing the rest of the family to eat.

She had asked why she was receiving special treatment like this, but the female caretaker simply stated that "no guest would find her household lacking" Before she poured Las'Tai a glass of fermented fruit juice they called *Cider*.

After the meal, everyone went to do different things and Las'Tai took the time to try and talk to everyone. They were nice people that treated her with respect but she quickly moved on and tried to find the captain. Having no luck, she found the old man from earlier and asked him where Eirik had gone.

"To the local bar to settle some problems with the other locals. They have been giving his father a hard time because of him, so he wants to see it through himself. Stupid kid always reminded me of myself" The old man said the last part with a satisfied smirk.

"I'm afraid i never caught your name, sir" Las'Tai said, using the same title as Eirik had used.

"Call me Benny." He replied. "So, why did you join my grandson's crew after he imprisoned you?"

"He offered me the one thing i never knew i wanted. Freedom to do what i please and his ship was a way to get to know the universe" Las'Tai replied.

"A surprisingly open minded way of thinking from a high caste member" Benny retorted with a glance at her scales. "I swear, you are practically shining."

Las'Tai was VERY aware that her scales had started to reflect light as of late. She had no idea why it was happening, but she knew that shining scales had not been seen in many generations amongst her people.

"You know about Kloxna culture?" She asked, trying to turn attention away from her scales

"I know a lot more than that Las'Tai. I know how many ships your mother is prepared to send after Eirik, how many troops, how much political power she can bring to bear and most of all. I know just how treacherous she can be." Benny said in a flat voice.

Now visibly shaken she looked the old man in the eyes and managed to ask, "Who are you?"

"Colonel Holm-Hansen, Also known as *The Bulldogg* Colonel" He flashed a predatory grin as he announced himself to her.

Las'Tai looked up at the old, looked around the room and then furrowed her brow in concentration. "So that is why you are such an effective Commander during war times."

"You figured out my secret??" Benny seemed genuinely amused at this point.

"Eiriks tactics, his seemingly insane lust for combat, his large family and finally, his grandfather, the military commander in a place to hire mercenaries to complete insane missions. You have turned your own family into a modern day Viking clan."

His bellowing laughter filled the entire house with enough volume to make everyone else fall silent. "10 years of the greatest military minds in the galaxy trying to outdo one another in an attempt to figure out my success. And im found out by a Kloxna in less than a month!!"

Lowering his voice again, He looked Las'Tai in the eyes. "Eirik did a good thing by denying anyone else entry into his conflict. I can gather over 300 insane Terrans like Eirik under my command, not to mention their crew's. It would have ended very badly for your people, had he not"

"When will he be back??" She asked.

"Soon, i wager. The locals are just angry. They think he is not representing us well. But they have forgot the one thing about Eirik that you should not forget. He does not care what others think. He sees his actions as his own and he answers only to the gods. His family disagrees but supports him. His crew would go to death for him. His friends would kill for him. In return, he would do all of the above for each and every one of them.

But ask him to be the leader and he refuses and spits in your face. He captains that ship because it's HIS ship. He bought it after saving up for years and he has flown that ship ever since. Anyway, listen to me ramble. Expect him back within the hour. If you want to do him a favor, start carrying firewood over to the small hill. He might just let you join him, as a cultural insight"

With nothing better to do, Las'tai did as suggested and by the 15th load of firewood, the old man came around the corner, carrying a small barrel and a large sack. "That should be enough firewood. Thank you" Benny said as he put down the barrel and the sack next to the pile off firewood.

"Let's go inside and wait for him. He will come to me first anyway, so you wont miss when he returns. Oh, and if you want to see it, you have to be silent while it is going on, okay?" He added as he turned back to the house. Las'Tai fell in step behind him and looked back at her work. "What is all this about?? What is going to happen??"

20 minutes Later Eirik returned. He entered the main building and headed straight for his granddad, Before he could speak, Benny raised his hand. "I know what you are going to say, and it is already done. You can thank Las'Tai for the firewood. Why don't you invite her along. She will be most silent, i promise."

With a little sigh, Eirik said, "How could i refuse you granddad. She may come if she wishes."

"I have no idea what is going to happen, but i want to be a part of it." Las'Tai said after a moment of thinking. "I want to learn about as much as i can in this life. Learn about all that has been kept hidden from me."

"Come with me then. We start immediately." Eirik moved towards the front door.