After some discreet messaging to the other Dorarizin, the Claw's bridge was soon filled with a slew of big wolf-like aliens...and one human. The Captain's debriefing on the outcome of the Silken Feathers 'torture' session resulted in groans and a lot of drooping tails from the rest of the crew.

Ngralh rubbed one ear. "[So that's the situation, people. [Sssnnathor] has the Claw, and this gala tomorrow is intended to show it off.]"

"Which still seems dumb to me," said Oscar. "He's kept his nose clean by staying under the Senate's radar. Why make such a provocative gesture? He's gotta know that word will get out that he's got the Claw. Won't the Senate bust his ass for trafficking in stolen goods?"

"[Merely acquiring a 'hot' item wouldn't be sufficient grounds for an invasion force,]" replied the Captain. She tilted her head as she stared off into the distance. "[Pity. If he'd gotten ahold of the Claw through straight-up piracy that might be sufficient. If we can also get evidence of his trafficking in sapients, that would also do it. But he's careful enough to keep all such evidence well away from this particular party.]"

"[Did 'The Silken Feather' provide any details on those claimed cloning experiments?]" asked Bgrarh. "[Depending on what those are, the Senate could use that as pretext for invasion.]"

Oscar shrugged. "Our overly-theatrical guest wouldn't say more, no matter how much I did the 'helpless nestling chick' routine on 'er. All she said was that Snape is 'up to something' involving cloning. She's insistent that we release her before she gives us anything else."

"[The First Pack's claws will go dull before I let that happen,]" growled Rgrarshok. "[We've set up a separate brig for her well away from the rest of the quarters. She's staying in there until we're back in Senate space.]"

Oscar cleared his throat with deliberation. "And then what? Are you going to turn her over to the Inquisition?"

Rgrarshok smiled. "No, [Oscar]. I'm sure we could wear her down with enough questioning, but we just don't have the time. She'll have to stew in isolation until this mission is over. There are plenty in Senate law enforcement who can get the truth out of her using non-violent methods.]"

"[And what exactly is our mission at the moment?]" asked Myyreh. The combat specialist stood next to Oscar with folded arms and an uncertain expression. "[We expected to find this thief and retrieve the Claw without [Sssnnathor's] knowledge. Now it sounds like we need to stage some kind of raid on his compound.]"

The Captain shook her head. "[Ngralh and I have discussed this at length. We cannot risk performing a heist or attack during the party. We only have a day to plan' that's a sure trail to disaster. Our new goals are twofold. First, we'll gather intelligence on the security in [Sssnnathor's] main compound for a possible future break-in. Second, we need to acquire plenty of video and audio evidence that he indeed has the Claw.

"After the party we'll pool our observations and see if a raid is feasible. My guess is that [Sssnnathor's] security will be tight enough to prevent it. In that case, we'll leave and hand off our evidence along with our new guest to the Senate. I believe that with 'The Silken Feather's' information they'll have enough pretext to send in a larger, specialized team.]"

"[The Matriarchs aren't going to be happy about that,]" said Egwreh. "[They'll want us to make a grab for the Claw. They may even insist on trying to steal it during the party itself.]"

Rgrarshok shook her head. "[That's exactly the kind of nonsense we need to avoid. I want everyone to listen to me very carefully. Our Karnakian guests will find out that [Sssnnathor] has [Ta'irrl'qc 's] Claw, especially if he flouts it at the party. So we're going to tell them that we intercepted some [radio] traffic that indicated he's got it.]"

The Captain extended a claw and tapped it into her other, open palm for emphasis. "[But under no circumstances are they to know that this 'Silken Feather' character is in our custody. She's wronged too many of them, and I'm not having the Karnakians pull some vigilante crap before I can turn her feathery ass over for proper questioning.]"

Sssnnathor looked out over the huge atrium of his main pyramid. It was now also decorated with banners proclaiming the glorious [sixtieth] year of his reign. The anniversary of his claim on this world was a nice bit of timing that coincided with his newest material acquisition.

And, of course, this party would also coincide with the final decanting of his greatest creation. The almost-ready specimen was now safely ensconced in the secret and much larger facility deep under Sssnnathor's newest palace. That decanting, of course, would be performed in private, with only Sssnnathor's second-in-command in attendance.

Claws tapped on metal behind him in a rhythm that he knew very well. "" he asked.

"[It looks quite nice, Excellency. This will be a party to remember.]"

""

"[I've checked their transponder ID with our Senate contacts. They seem legitimate. There's a few mentions on some of the news feeds about the crew of the [Long Dance of Fghrealh] putting on shows in various locations, but nothing for the last two [months].]"

""

Nerlharg moved up to stand beside his ruler. "[If they are the former, we do have a prime opportunity. I know how much you've wanted a [warmcuddle], and they have two.]"

"" Sssnnathor felt a thrill in his nethers at the thought of wrapping himself around one of the diminutive aliens, watching those tiny eyes go big and frantic as he squeezed ever tighter...

Sssnnathor blinked, then silently berated himself. A warmcuddle was as rare as a solid gold asteroid, not something to be snuffed out on a whim. "" he said. ""

"[Even if this group is with the Senate, having two [warmcuddles] as hostages would be valuable,]" replied Nerlharg.

""

"[I'm merely stating our options, Excellency.]"

The Jornissian rubbed the edge of his hood as he pondered his options. ""

Nerlargh hesitated a little before replying. "[Are you sure you want them there? What if the [humans] see, well, him?]"

Sssnnnathor hummed a little atonal melody as he looked out over the workers toiling away far below. The feast tables were even more laden than when he'd received the entertainers, and of course the amount of drink provided would be enough to float a dreadnought.

He smiled. "" he said at last. ""

Ck'Trrk'Ka, Most Reverend Beacon-of-Light and Matriarch-of-the-33rd-Path, was in the middle of what a [human] would call an Epic Snit. Her coppery feathers fluffed out in random places as she stalked back and forth in irritation. She didn't have much room to pace, and finally she lashed out with a toe-claw against the nearest wall of her quarters. The attack left a long and ugly scar in the tough metal, the newest of many other similar scrapes beside it.

"|This is intolerable!|" she shrieked.

The equally Most Reverend Yadda Yadda Et Cetera Ma'elge'yk watched her counterpart with amused, half-lidded eyes from the other corner of the small room. She looked around Ck'Trrk'ka's quarters. "|I admit this is small, but I assure you that my room is just as cramped. At least we can't accuse the [Dorarizin] of playing favorites.|"

"|No, they're just guilty of sacrilege!|" With great effort Ck'Trrk'Ka made her feathers smooth back down as she calmed herself. "|I have pled our case to the Captain, but she refuses to listen. All she says is that they'll determine a proper course of action after the party. I fear that when we depart this accursed place that egg-sucking bastard [Sssnnathor] will still have the Claw.|"

The other Matriarch shrugged. "|What can you expect from those who do not have the gifts we've received from the Great Mother? Did not Ta'irrl'qc say in Sutra Nine Hundred and Two that...|"

"|It is the duty of the soul-seers to shepherd those who cannot.|" Ck'Trrk'Ka glared at her counterpart. "|Don't think you can out-quote me on his teachings.|"

Ma'elge'yk raised a placating claw. "|Of course not.|"

"|Then why are you here? Why did you insist on breaking into my mediation?|"

The 34th-Path Matriarch looked pointedly at the multiple scratches along the wall. "|Ah, yes, meditation. Is that what you heretics call it?|"

"|If you have something to say, then say it or begone.|" Ck'Trrk'Ka turned to begin pacing again.

"|I wish to help you recover the Claw.|"

The statement made the copper-colored Karnakian turn around with shock in all four eyes. Then those eyes narrowed. "|Don't play with me. You are scheming to take the Claw for yourself.|"

Ma'elge'yk preened back a few yellow feathers as she replied. "|There's no scheme on my part. True, I'd love to be able to retrieve the Claw for my Path. But you and I are united in a larger mission. The Final Sutra is loose in the galaxy and must be retrieved. I am willing to sacrifice much to achieve that, even stooping to work with you heretics. The question is, what are you willing to sacrifice? Will you likewise put aside your anger so that we can work together?|"

Ck'Trrk'Ka stood in thought for a moment. "|So if the Claw does happen to come into the possession of you or one of your Path, you would turn it over to us? You would ask for nothing in return?|"

Ma'elge'yk stood and formally folded her hands together. "|I swear it, upon my soul and in the sight of Ta'irrl'qc who watches over us all.|"

After another moment, Ck'Trrk'Ka extended her clawed hands. The two Matriarchs clasped forearms in a formal greeting posture.

Ma'elge'yk grinned. "|Of course, after I give you the Claw I'll go right back into making your life miserable.|"

Ck'Trrk'Ka responded with an equal grin. "|I expect nothing less, you soulless heretic. What do we do next?|"

"|We must tally our resources,|" replied Ma'elege'yk. "|Of course, we must not tell the [Dorarizin] of our resolve. We cannot involve the other aliens either.|"

"|Agreed. They'll simply turn around and tell the crew. Including ourselves that gives us six Karnakians to work with...|"

"|Seven. We should include Ter'yeik in this.|"

Cr'Trrk'ka growled and dropped her arms. "|That faithless bastard?|"

"|He wishes to atone, and we have too few personnel as it is. What better path towards redemption than to take back what he helped to steal in the first place?|"

Ck'Trrk'Ka began to pace again, but this time with a more measured and slow tempo. "|True. And he is implanted with a tracker, so there won't be any danger of him escaping. But we're still woefully short on expertise. My guards are capable, but they're not thieves.|"

"|Neither are mine,|" said Ma'elge'yk. Then she gave a small trill of laughter. "It's true Tk'rii'na helped steal the Claw in the first place, but he had inside help. We'll just have to make do with what we have. After all, 'A disciple with true faith can rely on the Great Mother to guide their actions'.|"

"|Sutra Forty-Two,|" said Ck'Trrk'Ka absently. She stopped in mid-step. "|Perhaps we have more expertise available than we think?|" She turned towards her counterpart with a cocked head. "|How exactly did the [Dorarizin] find out that [Sssnnathor] has the Claw in his possession?|"

"|They claim to have intercepted a transmission from him. Do you think they're lying?|"

Ck'Trrk'Ka's toe-claws tapped on the deck. "|From what I've read of [Sssnnathor], he seems too careful to let something like that slip.|"

"|Then how do they know?|" Ma'elge'yk gave a derisive snort. "|Unless the Great Mother saw fit to impart her knowledge to lesser beings...|" The Matriarch trailed off as she saw the triumphant smile on Ck'Trrk'Ka's snout, and her own crest rose as she realized what her counterpart was driving at.

"|They heard it from the tongue of the thief herself,|" said Ck'Trrk'Ka. "|The [Dorarizin] must have captured her. I'll bet you anything that she's on board right now.|"

The team's planet-side lodgings were most decidedly not that of someone on the dole. It was a suite of apartments in one of the pyramids near Sssnnathor's main compound. The apartments were spacious, well-furnished...and the view out their windows gave the team a straight shot at Sssnnathor's pyramid, should such a thing be required.

Myyreh checked her armor and gear for the [hundredth] time. The rest of the performers, minus [Oscar] and Bgrarh, gathered around her. Instead of prepping munitions, they were adjusting and checking each other's clothing.

The four Karnakians stood in the corner nearest Myyreh and argued. But the arguing was not about relgious differences between the two Paths as she'd expected. Instead, each pair of guards went through an endless round of dithering over proper outfit coloration. Every time they seemed to have it settled, they'd look over and see that the other pair had chosen a color that clashed with their own, which set off a fresh round of arguing.

Captain Rgrarshok inspected herself one last time, then turned away and gazed through the nearest window towards the hill-like shape of the distant main compound. "{Where is Bgrarh?}" she muttered.

"{He'll be ready,}" said Myyreh. "{As will [Oscar].}" She slotted the last power cell into place and closed its cover, then stood back for one last examination. Her armor stood before her, its surface nothing but sleek unbroken curves. Myyreh had the armor's camouflage set to the default midnight-black coloration, not for stealth but because it looked intimidating as hell.

Beside her, Resh'skk closed up his own armor as well. With a critical eye he leaned in and brushed a final fleck of lint off of its surface. The Jornissian reached into the open helmet and touched a few controls inside, then stood back as the visor closed and the armor began to compact into itself. Within moments it was a neat lozenge-like shape on the floor. If Myyreh exerted herself, she might be able to carry that armor pod in both arms unaided. But of course, if the time came to carry it she would most definitely be aided.

"[I never thought I'd be wearing one of those again,]" said Resh'skk. He sat on his coiled body and regarded the pod with crossed arms and a distant, somewhat mournful expression on his face. Myyreh wondered if his own service career had been as bloody and traumatic as hers.

"{Neither did I,}" replied Myyreh. "{And if all goes well neither of us will.}"

[Oscar] came bumbling into the room, and Myyreh's heart beat faster at the sight of her little lover.

Resh'skk glanced over at Myyreh and smiled. "[Don't worry, I'll look after him.}"

Myrreh chuckled. "{Somehow I think you'll have your hands full looking after your own tiny-chomper.}" She pointed to the far corner of the room. [Maria] paced back and forth, gesticulating and muttering to herself as she went over and over her lines. Hrathra'sstah slithered close behind her, trying to get errant hairs off of the [human's] clothing like a Dorarizin father chasing after his pup while trying to get the child looking presentable for school.

"{Besides,}" continued Myyreh, "{Even if I'm not at the party, the Captain will be.}" She nodded over at the formidable bulk of Rgrarshok, who stood like a wall as she regarded the assembled performers with a critical eye.

[Oscar] wobbled over and gave her a hug that she returned with greater-than-normal fervor.

"[Hey, woah, it's just a recon mission,]" said [Oscar]. His voice was muffled due to being smashed into her chest. "[No big deal, right?]"

Myyreh released him and smiled. "{You're too much of a troublemaker. Somehow I know you'll need rescuing.}" She reached down and fussed at his clothing, neatening up what wrinkles she'd put into his suit with her hug.

As Myyreh did so she heard the Captain give out a soft, confused little woof. The combat specialist straightened up and saw Bgrarh at the doorway, his suit set to a deep black that matched her armor's coloration. He had one paw clasped on his lapel, and his deep blue eyes were merry as he scanned the room. The big male stood casually, like he'd decided to stop by on a whim.

"{Afternoon, everyone,}" said Bgrarh. "{So glad I didn't miss the party.}" He walked in with a loping gait that looked carefree but also gave a relentless impression. Myyreh cocked her head as Bgrarh sidled up to Rgrarshok. "{How are you, love?}"

For the first time that Myyreh could remember, the Captain looked completely adrift. "{Er, I'm fine...Yes, fine!}" Rgrarshok squared her shoulders. "{I thought we agreed on blue for both of our outfits.}"

"{I think the blue-on-black contrast will make our dance moves stand out better,}" replied Bgrarh. He stepped a little closer, now definitely inside the Captain's private space. "{We can pass off the color choice as a tribute to our gracious host, hmm?}"

Myyreh tilted her head the other way. By the Pale Moon, who was this person and what had they done with the real Bgrarh?

Rgrarshok blinked in surprise, then reached up to automatically neaten Bgrarh's collar. "{Very well. All right, people, Listen up.}"

The performers stopped their preparations and turned as one to face the Captain.

"{This is a simple intelligence-gathering operation,}" said Rgarshok. "{Our low-profile armor has plenty of audio and visual recording built into it, so we'll generate plenty of evidence by simply walking around. We are going in, doing our performance as rehearsed, and then departing while leaving behind many smiles and promises to return. If our suspicions are correct and [Sssnnathor] has [Ta'irrl'qc's] Claw, there will be NO heroic attempts to retrieve it.}"

Rgrarshok gave a purple glare towards the four Karnakians present. "{Is that CLEARLY understood?}"

After a hasty nodding of feathered crests, she continued. "{Now as to contingencies. We have Grawreh ready in the shuttle. Myyreh will be armored-up and waiting here with Egwreh and Kgrashak. They'll be monitoring transmissions among [Sssnnathor's] security forces as well as our own live feed from the party.}" She nodded towards the engineer and doctor. "{If they detect a problem, they'll give the go-signal. Or if something bad happens at the party, one of us will give the go-signal. Either way, upon receiving the go-signal Myyreh will depart from here carrying [Resh'skk's] armor and weaponry. She'll link up with him and hand off his equipment. Together they'll provide perimeter security and deal with any of [Sssnnathor's] guards until Grawreh can come in with the shuttle for extraction.}"

Tk'riii'na raised a cautious hand. "[What about the city's defense grid? Won't they fire on our shuttle as we leave?]"

"[For that matter, what about our Matriarchs?]" asked Irr''kttz. "[They're all alone up there. What if the ship gets attacked?]"

"{The Claw is quite capable of taking evasive action on its own,}" said Rgrarshok. "{Which is actually something we're going to use in the event of an extraction.}"

The Karnakians still looked a bit troubled, but didn't press further.

"[What's the go-signal?]" asked [Oscar]. "[I mean, is it a word or gesture or something?]"

The Captain rocked back a little on her heels as she pondered the question. "{Hmm, perhaps we should let you choose.}" She nodded towards [Oscar]. "{What say you?}"

[Oscar], in turn, looked over towards [Maria]. "[Do you have any suggestions?]"

The smaller [human] grinned, showing teeth that couldn't even break skin. The sight made Myyreh groan inside. It really was unfair that tiny-chompers were so damn cute.

"[Let's make it [Calvinball],]" said [Maria].

[Oscar] gave an equally cute grin. "[Yeah, that fits. I like it.]"

Rgrarshok raised one triangular ear in puzzlement, then shrugged. "{So be it. The go-signal for extraction will be the word...[Calvinball].]"

Once again the Silken Feather started her self-imposed task. That task was to count the number of scratches and other imperfections along one wall of her cell. She'd gotten up to [three hundred and six] the last time before getting distracted. This time, she made it to [two hundred and thirteen] before she heard the whirr of a security drone outside her cell.

"|Meal time already?|" she muttered. The cell door slid open just long enough for the hovering drone to set a tray inside. As it slid shut, the thief automatically noted the time it took to close. She'd be able to dive out of the room with ease...if there wasn't a drone blocking the way, of course.

The Silken Feather sighed and picked up the flimsy tray to regard her repast. It was all pre-processed bricks; there were no utensils or anything that one could fashion into a tool or weapon. She picked up a brick and munched on it. It tasted a little bland for her palate, but at least eating gave her something to do.

She looked down at the tray and her crest rose in curiosity. Under one of the bricks was a slip of paper. With quick fingers she snatched up the note and held it up to her eyes. The paper held three vertical lines of hastily-written glyphs

WE KNOW YOU'RE ON BOARD.

WILL SET YOU FREE IF YOU HELP US GET CLAW BACK.

TEAR THIS NOTE IN TWO IF YOU AGREE.

Without hesitation The Silken Feather bisected the slip of paper in a single claw-swipe. She set the two pieces back on the tray and resumed her meal, this time sporting a large grin on her face. It seemed to take an eternity, but finally the drone returned and spirited away her tray.

The Silken Feather settled herself down and began counting again. At [one hundred and nine] the whirr returned. The door slid open once more to reveal the spherical bulk of a drone...which then gave an odd squawk and fell to the deck with a clang. The door tried to slide shut again, but this time there was a drone in the way. The edge of the door gave a soft thunk against the armored shell, then retracted and tried to close again with the same fruitless result.

As the door kept up its thunking, The Silken Feather stood up, preened herself to look somewhat presentable, and then delicately stepped over the drone. The metal corridor outside was free of any other drones.

But it was very much not free of other Karnakians. Ck'Trrk'Ka's throat feathers stood out in anger as she pointed a small gun at The Silken Feather's midsection. "|Stay right there. No sudden moves.|"

"|Wouldn't dream of it,|" the thief replied. She glanced with amusement at Ma'elge'yk, who stood next to Ck'Trrk'Ka with a gun of her own. "|Well, well, well. I suppose desperation makes for strange allies, eh?|"

"|Silence, thief,|" growled another voice behind her. The Silken Feather slowly tilted her head back just enough to see Ter'yeik standing behind her, also armed.

The Silken Feather grinned. "|Ah, Ter'yeik! It's heartwarming to see you again.|"

"|We do not have time for your nonsense,|" said Ma'elge'yk. "|Everyone else is planet-side. We've deactivated the security drones between here and the hangar deck, but that will only last for a limited time.|"

"|And then what?|" asked The Silken Feather. "|Shall we leap out the airlock, flap our wings, and trust in the Great Mother to catch us as we fall?|"

"|My shuttle is still there,|" replied Ma'elge'yk. "|Come.|" She began trotting away and The Silken Feather followed. The other Matriarch kept her gun trained on the thief while Ter'yeik brought up the rear.

"|If you assist us in retrieving the Claw, we will not press charges,|" said Ck'Trrk'Ka. "|But if you try anything we will not hesitate to kill you.|"

The Silken Feather knew she was fast and competent enough to take out her current captors, even unarmed as she was. But Ma'elge'yk's shuttle was no doubt locked down with a security code, which would take time to hack. That time was not on her side; the Dorarizin would eventually find out about the drone deactivation and lock down the ship.

No, The Silken Feather would go along with these fools for now. She needed to quiz them on the current situation anyway. The thief knew that she was going to need good intel if she was going to steal back her stolen property.