“ Well David, it is simply this, the OS or operating system. That is owned by the Wardens. Which ultimately you are in charge of. Actually, the legality is not exactly clear, but I am playing it safe with this one. That is the software, the intangible aspect, for you Azanii. But the physical application...”

John stops and looks at Lounoni to finish.

“ It was an accidental find. Some chunks of crystal left over from when we made the prisoner band. I made them into ornaments for my horns and well...”

Lounoni pointed toward her sister, who was only half paying attention and was deep in customizing her interface. David chuckled at that and picked up the smooth stone.

“ The real question is not if I should try to keep the Silverwing clan from this but could I even do it. I have no doubt that is a resounding no. Oh, we are going to get into the details when we know more about the OS, but for now, I see no harm in letting their clan in on it. With this, we could actually speed up the gateway so their people can go home.”

With those words, Azanii attention was caught.

“ We do not mind not going home. My sister is not the only pregnant one of my clan here, in fact, just the furthest along. We came to your people knowing we very well could have been the only survivors of our clan. But that is details of the past now. The real question is what do the Wardens want for access to this. I am sure you have ways to interface with it without my sister's discovery.”

John nods and taps the table and his laptop appears.

“ True, but it might have taken years to make it as accessible as it is right now with the crystals. And that is with your sister’s help as well. Truth be told, this magic stuff is a little beyond me.”

Lounoni takes his hand and looks happily at John.

“ Don’t let his modesty fool you. Ninety percent of what we do is not directly magic related. Most of the time, I identity cause and effect and he is the one that puts the jigsaw puzzle together, did I get that idiom right?”

John nods.

“ Anyways, the point my sister is trying to make is...”

David finishes for her.

“ What is going to cost?”

David turns his focus back to the crystal under his finger. After thinking about it a second he chuckled and picked up the crystals.

“ Nothing, I am sure Lounoni and the other researchers of her clan will find all kinds of things out about the universe we now live in. At least I believe they will sooner or later. And I am sure the Warden System will help them do it. So maybe when the time comes...”

David gestures to Azanii who was already bobbing her head in agreement.

“ Truth be told, baring more civilizations being on this world...”

“ Which is a real possibility...”

“ Which is possible, and very likely. Then the Silverwing clan has already joined this fledgling... Particracy... I had to definition search for that. We really will need a proper name for this forming country also. That being said. I think it is time for you two to go. You got work to do.”

Lounoni looked her sister in the eye and knew the real reason why she wanted them to leave.

“ You just want to have more sex with him.”

This caused John to choke a laugh and David to smile.

“ Did you really think we are sitting here naked after our breakfast if we were not going to go back for round two? No reason for her to destroy another set of my clothes.”

This time Lounoni snorted fire and it was not a controlled burst that Azanii normally does. This was a full blast to David’s face. Which took a good few minutes to get the thermite-like buggers put out. By then the culprit and her husband were gone.

-----

David laid in his bed exhausted and Azanii sat on the other side looking at him a little unsure.

“ Can I stay the night?”

David gives her a look and chokes on a laugh.

“ What?”

“ I guess I am not the most clueless one about relationships.”

Azanii narrows her eyes and gives him a look and he chuckles while shaking his head.

“ You can stay if you want. But I might fight you over the blanket.”

Instantly a pillow and blanket appeared in her hands and she lays them down on the bed before lying down as well. After about a minute Azanii looks at David.

“ Want to have more sex?”

This time David could not hold his laugh back. Lucky for him Azanii understood why he was laughing.

“ Yea, I am a bit sore already. Not that I don’t enjoy it...”

Azanii trailed off and David picked up her comment for her.

“ Your body is tired but your mind is super active. Why don’t you fiddle with the WS for a while? That will probably put you to sleep pretty quick.”

“ You’re probably right. I need to go through this backlog of quests that I have had since I was a child anyways.”

With that Azanii turned her head again and started to relax.

“ Before I forget, I want to know if you will train me how to fight a little bit.”

Azanii seemed to stiffen at that before a silent four-letter f word left her mouth.

“ Fine, but we are going to start with physical exercises. You have been bedridden for almost seven months now.”

“ Fair enough.”

David waited nearly fifteen minutes after those last words before Azanii’s breathing shallowed and David knew she was asleep. With her out he took the small crystals he had been holding onto this entire time and puts them to his temples before his world turned black.