His sister was the first orange-haired Negro I had ever seen. She had freckles on her face and arms, light-colored eyes, and very curly reddish hair, ...ot dark like Ginny's but kind of carrot-colored. Her name was Arabella, but her brother called her "Bell," and she was as slight and dainty a woman as her older brother was big and burly. When I got rations, I almost always took whatever it was to her fire, and she added it to her iron pot and did more and better with that poor food than I could. "Gotti frowned, "Shouldn't we set up mining sites first?"Crews stifled a smirk as well as her reflexive smart remark. Her answer sounded more respectful, "No, sir. The transporters can send the raw materials anywhere, but we can't use transporter pads to send replacement assault craft, or return the damaged craft to the depot here for repair." Of course," Gotti responded. "And thanks for not rubbing it in."The preparations didn't reveal so much as a ripple in the water when the Sa'arm showed up. “Sidra, you look much more presentable now. Welcome to our home, and please regard it as your own home now. The house rules are simple: Do what my wives tell you. That is how I operate as well!” He grinned as he finished, then he added, “Do you mind if I say grace?”Startled, she mumbled, “No, I don’t mind.”Reg bowed his head to pray, “Dear Lord and father, forgive us what we do wrong in small things, but make us pay when we do wrong in large things. Please help us to make Sidra welcome in our. .... I wondered if she meant something else, of course.She mentioned that her dad was away on a plumbing job and wouldn't be back till tonight.Somewhat reassured, I smiled and we headed out to the car.We got to her place, a typical suburban semi, but I could hear faint sounds of electronic gunfire from within. .."Logan, It's me!" she called out, as we entered."I know! I can smell you." a gruff voice responded. "Dad phoned, he's not going to get home till tomorrow. Who's that with you?"I.