But you are too blind to see it!" I should have spanked your ass when you were a little girl. Then you wouldn't dare even think about talking to me li...e this." He scowled at her and begun to pace furiously up and down the room."Do you think I would have let you, Marshall?" Smeralda's voice cut through the thick tension between Marshall and Rachel.Rachel swallowed roughly. She turned around and gazed at her nanny."I asked you to wait in the car, Bambinaia." I was concerned. As well I should be.. The Empire is not averse to selling technology, it’s just that normally those who want it are part of the Interstellar Credit Economy we’re tied into,” Tret added.“I’m sure we could find something,” Elloson nodded, wondering how far the Technocracy could expand with rapid transit and communications.“Again, that’s not for us to decide,” Hratt noted.“Agreed, but where would we stand if we needed aid?”“We’d do our best to assist, but, we’re only two, soon to be four, Fleets and as your people. The girls continued to talk for another hour or so until Barbara had to get dinner started for her and Tommy. Talking to Connie helped some, but Barbara knew that it was just a temporary reprieve. The problem still existed and the blues would soon return.It was a few days after Barbara and Connie talked when Barbara came home from work and things reached a turning point. Barbara had had an early shift that day, and when she came home Tommy was nowhere to be found. She thought at first he had. . Oh God!“Take not the name of...”I know, I know. Miranda. No. No.I couldn’t put it into words but I knew. I knew that it had to be. Miranda’s continuing pain would be a constant reminder to me of the wolf’s teeth on my throat. I couldn’t have survived.I think I’m dead.“Lord have mercy,” Miranda said aloud. “Excuse me. I must walk alone for a few minutes.” She left the little store and headed for the barn, passing Katie on her way. She simply waved the girl away. When we were behind the barn.