If he wants us to feel like we owe him, then expensive jewellery can be expected, but if he thinks we don’t matter in any significant way, it will b... the cheaper end of the choices. Some shells can be quite beautiful as well as ornate in a carved design.”“But we might get necklaces with shiny stones?”“Yes, that is possible, but shiny stones in my time were often made out of a hard glass – obsidian is a hard glass - so not real valuable gems.”“So what is the difference?” Numa questioned.Sheila. If it were up to me, I’d simply destroy these things, at a distance.”“I agree. Unfortunately...”“Yeah, some bright spark wants a look at what they’ve got,” I sighed.“Fleet Engineering,” the AI informed us.“Figures. No doubt they’ll be hoping the aliens have found a safe way to use it,” Flinn mused out loud.“Don’t know why, we have mass conversion for energy,” I pointed out.“True, however we need a fusion plant to give the energy needed to do it in the first place. Sounds like Fleet Engineering. Frances said nothing, just laid her head against his chest and held him tighter.After a couple of minutes she released him. "It does rub off on those around them, doesn't it?"Anthony nodded and sniffed. They got on with the washing up.Shortly afterwards they heard the piano. Someone was playing a Chopin nocturne."I didn't know Mark played the piano," said Anthony."Nor did I, darling," said Frances, "but he sounds pretty good. Open the door so we can hear better."They listened. "He plays. "Money," she said, her voice even colder, crueler her eyes set on him in an angry glower."No," he croaked, at once he saw the big steel toed boot rise. His groin exploded in pain as he collapsed to the floor his shoulder landing his vomit. From his left pocket he pulled a large wad of bills, ones, tens, twenties, and a couple of fifties, then he tossed the bundle at her."Take it bitch," he growled."The rest, the big wad in your right pocket, all those smaller bundles in the coat pockets, and.