“True. We need some shows,” Carl agreed. “Once this audition is over, we should play out.”“Yeah, but where?” I asked.“I don’t know. Pa...ties, or something.”I rolled my eyes. “What, in the middle of the woods?”“My drums will work out there,” Carl said, shrugging.“Look, here they come,” Pete exclaimed, pointing out the window.Elaine and Brian had rounded the side of my house and were leisurely strolling toward the cabin, arms around each other.“Didn’t know it was still summer,” Bruno said. He was calling on behalf of the merchants whose ship we recaptured from the pirates.He wants to speak directly to you. He says they found things about the ship that made them think, and say that you are the only one to be able to answer. They ‘request’ that you come and meet with the man, but only after the invader emissary is long gone. He suggested it be in the morning, if you can manage that. I will take back your reply.”John’s frown lessened, but he remained puzzled.“Did the man give any. "Thank you, Mary. I am hoping that this display might deter the other two spheres from attacking. Though, knowing them from the last battle, this will make them more anxious to attack, then retreat." Derrick said."From the analysis I have done of them, now and before, I have to agree, sire," Mary replied.Derrick nodded as he read over the damage that his fleet had suffered. Five of the ships were out of the fight, three of them without trans-warp.Stepping to the open floor of command, Derrick. Wherever we go or whatever we do, there's no shortage of suspicion and anger. We accept it. We hope that in time this world will accept it," Jon'a-ren replied."In such areas as central Africa, where we cannot perform our mission," Dr. Schmidt said, "we face a difficult choice. We could go back and re-open clinics and hospitals. But we could do so only with your protection. And that would expose us to a more general threat. We have always maintained the strictest separation from any side; we.