Trasti was speechless as he looked around the room he had been told he would be living in. Las'Tai had not been lying when she said that a Kloxna family could live in here. How could the Terrans afford such luxury?? This was extravagant, bordering on the obscene compared to the living conditions back home. "Would my family be treated just as well if they left our home as well?" He wondered to himself.

Immediately, he was ashamed of himself. "A few luxuries and a big room, and I am already contemplating defecting. But working on this ship, even forced, is that not a defection in and of itself?" He thought to himself, clenching his hands in disgust and anger.

"I know the feeling" Las'Tai noted.

"What feeling," He asked defensively.

"The feeling of betraying your own kind. But after having seen what life can be like, It is a feeling I can happily live with. Give it time and you will find happiness on this ship. If nothing else, you will not be cold again" She added cheerfully.

"How did you know??" He asked, her insight into his thoughts surprising him.

"Because I still feel the same way from time to time. But then I compare my life now to my life before, and I see a great change for the better. I just wish all our people could experience this kind of freedom and security in life. Besides, my bloodline is tainted by my mother's actions. I have nothing that compels me to return at this point." Las'Tai was eager to help Trasti cope with the stress he was under, but their situations were as different as day and night. Where she had joined willingly, Trasti had been forced by Eirik.

She could well understand his confusion as he realized just how different life could be outside the Kloxna sphere of propaganda, and she had noticed that he seemed to be more timid and anxious than other Kloxna males. Of course, he was barely an adult, only recently having reached the age of maturity, so it was not surprising.

"At least I know someone understands how I feel, if only partly." He admitted. "I just wish none of this had happened!! how is he going to convince them he is holding me, prisoner??"

"Well, he convinced you that he held ME, prisoner, didn't he?" Las'Tai retorted with a smirk.

That gave Trasti pause. They HAD fooled him. Him and everyone else back home. "Are you sure he can do it? If he can't, my family will suffer greatly at the claws of the high caste." He said.

"We could go ask him if you want? He generally doesn't mind if you have questions for him, and this is a question I do not have the answer for." She replied.

They started in the cantina but could not find Eirik. Looking around, Las'Tai saw Signe and Jeanette chatting at one of the tables. She led Trasti over there and introduced him.

"So this is the new communications officer the Captain *hired*," Jeanette said with the same gentle smile she always wore.

"Yes, Eirik decided Trasti should work here, as he did with me. I have no idea why, but I welcome another Kloxna on the ship," Las'Tai answered, "But we were wondering where the Captain was. Trasti has a question for him."

Signe and Jeanette exchanged a look before Signe answered, "It's better you wait with that question until tomorrow. we are on our way back to the space around the smuggler station with 2 stops on the way to pick off targets of interest, and the Captain is celebrating with the other soldiers in the packs."

"What are they celebrating??" Las'Tai asked curiously.

"Their possible last evening together," Jeanette answered, "There is an inherent danger to attacking other ships, especially smugglers. As a soldier, I suspect you are aware of this?"

Las'Tai nodded in confirmation., so Jeanette continued, "Well, they are celebrating in case some of them die during our raids, so they have good memories of their time together. It is an ancient custom for the people of Terra, to spend time together, creating new memories on the eve of battle. The day before the fight they would not get drunk, but since the Captain and the boys have some time on their hands, they are partying hard right now, so it is inadvisable to seek them out."

Both Las'Tai and Trasti were confused at the mention of the activity. "What does *drunk* mean?" they both asked simultaneously.

The answer came from a different table as Knud spoke up, "Supposedly controlled self-poisoning with diluted ethanol to lower inhibitions and enhance sensory input. Common Terran practice since our earliest stone age period."

"That is insane!!" Trasti exclaimed. "Why would you do such a thing!!" Las'Tai said at the same time.

Their only answer was a chuckle from the gathered Terrans. "It's just what we do. What can you do?" Said Signe with a smile, "Sit down, and chat with us. There will be snacks." She teased while crinkling a bag of chips under the table. Las'Tai had already learned that sound and quickly sat down, almost dragging Trasti with her.

"Snacks?" Trasti said hopefully. Food was always scarce back home, so the chance to eat was always jumped upon with glee. Signe put the bag of chips in front of the young Kloxna that picked one up and studied it. "What is it??" He asked.

"A slice of potato, a root fruit from Terra, fried in fat and salted," Signe explained. Trasti curiously bit into the chip and was surprised at the crunch. He liked the taste though. The conversation soon flowed at the table as Trasti and Las'Tai quietly ate the chips.

_____________________________

Eirik was having a great time. He and the other members of the packs were in the middle of a rowdy party, mead flowing freely and heavy metal blasting from the speakers of the soundproof party room. The tables had been arranged in a horseshoe formation with the opening facing the 4th table that had been placed separately, facing the 3 others, creating a large space in between them where the barrels were stored to the side. A few of the boys were wrestling on the floor in the middle, being cheered on by the rest while Eirik, David, and Jesper sat at the 4th table, enjoying the spectacle.

"So what's the plan, Eirik?" Jesper slurred, already feeling the effects of his heavy drinking.

"2 raids on Kloxna smugglers on the way back to the station. Quick and clean, minimal killing. Just get the goods and go." Eirik replied, only a slight slurring in his speech.

"Why can't we just let loose and paint the ships in the blood of our enemies?" Jesper grumbled, "I thought this was a war."

"Because, Jesper, we do not want to be the first ones to commit atrocities. By letting as many live as possible, we show that we are not the bad guys in this war. War's are fought in the will, Jesper. Break the will to fight an enemy and you have won the war. Sparing lives will be the opposite of what they expect and will make them question the propaganda from the Kloxna empire. That ember of doubt can be made into a flame of discontent if cared for the right way." Eirik was staring into the air as he spoke as if recalling old memories.

"Your grandfather really taught you and your brothers everything about warfare, even the philosophy," David interjected, "Is that the teaching of Sun Tzu?"

"Indeed it is, David. Nice observation." Eirik grinned and lifted his mead horn to his lips.

"Bloody philosophers. There is nothing deep about war!!" Jesper stated proudly and emptied his own horn, getting up to fill it again.

"NO ONE IS MORE HATED THAN HE WHO SPEAKS THE TRUTH! COURTESY OF PLATO" Eirik called after him, which caused David to spurt his mead all over the table as he started laughing with the horn to his lips.

Eirik joined in on the laughing as he looked around the room. Life was good.