Strigwire stood in front of the long line of humans with their hands behind their heads. Behind them, there were several pillars of smoke where the ship's hull had been shot by hoplite guns.

"So who here has the talisman!" in the loudest voice Strigwire could muster. "If I don't get it you are all going to be going for a rather unpleasant ride with us". No one spoke a word. Strigwire walked over to where Drake was standing. He sniffed about a foot from his head and close to his chest as well.

"You're not human" Strigwire said. "It's no wonder you don't want to be around reptilia. What are you, anyways?"

"Lord Strigwire, this one isn't human, either" said a hoplite who was standing with another ostensible human standing next to him.

"At least half of these aren't real humans!" said another hoplite who was even farther away.

"I can take it from here!" shouted a hominid voice from behind them. All of the hoplites turned to point their guns in the direction of the voice, completely startled. The voice belonged to an elf wearing a dark blue and gray royal armada officer uniform with a cape.

"I appreciate your concern" Strigiwre said, "but we did not need your supervision for this one."

"I'm not here to help you" the elfman said, "I assumed you could perform this little operation yourself without making too much of a mess like you said."

"You were not needed here" Strigwire said in a cool, dismissive manner.

"Oh, I assure you that you do" the elfman said, walking over to where Drake and Strigwire were standing. If you think you're going to get what you want from any of these androids with any kind of coercion, you are mistaken." The elfman turned to face Drake.

"I know that's you, Zardin" the elfman said. "You have served the Goddess well keeping the talisman safe from Zorthia and Adella. You will return to the service of the soon-to-be princess, Lady Avistra."

"I'm sorry" Drake said. "But I won't serve just anyone. I will only follow commands of true servants of the goddess."

"Who do you think you're talking to?" Strigwire said. "We are the Fire Flower, the chosen clan of the goddess!"

"I will handle this" the elfman said holding up his hand to silence Strigwire. "Laranga Pintraba Visafagon!" he said in a loud and clear voice.

"Your code phrase has been accepted" said a computerized voice coming from Drake's mouth. He took his left hand and moved it over the bicep of his right arm, and opened a small compartment. Inside the compartment was a large, green gem with a small chain around it and handed it to the eflman. The elf rubbed the gem.

"Does it work?" he asked Drake impatiently.

"No" Drake said. "I have not yet been able to bring it out of its dormant state." The elf's face turned to a disappointed scowl.

"All of you are going to be coming with me" the elf said.

"Excuse me" Strigwire jumped in. "We all came here and risked our lives to get our hands on the talisman, and we will take the spoils!"

"Unless you lizards know how to activate the talisman or use these androids, I suggest you let us have them. Then we'll let the goddess decide who will hold it" Krillik said putting the talisman in his pocket. Strigwire's eyes narrowed at him.

"Very well" Strigwire said. "Go ahead and get them out of here as quickly as you can. We need to pursue that ship that was attempting to flee."

"You let a ship get away?" the elf said angrily.

"Trust me" Strigwire said. "They won't get anywhere if they're not already dead from crashing."

"I hope for the sake of Zenithala, my lady, and you guys that you can get out quickly" the elfman said. "All of you humans and androids, come with me right now!" he said motioning them to follow him.