Lunar Showdown 1: Statyx Yerah

 

      It was the Skytomb, and it was the first yerin ship capable of faster-than-light travel.

 

      All right, so the Lunatacs cheated.  Months ago, under Luna's orders, Psikaris had disguised herself as Pumyra to get into the Tower of Omens.  From there she sent designs of the Thunderan ships back to Skytomb.  But instead of building a new ship, they modified the old one.

 

      Psikaris was still proud of her handiwork, though.  By her calculations, it would take about a month to reach the Plundarr system; much better than the one thousand, four hundred, seventy-three years it took the Lunatac Fringe to reach Third Earth.

 

      And that month was almost over.  Already, if they stretched the sensors to their limits, they could see New Thundera and her five satellites.

 

* * *

 

      Luna, of course, wanted to go to the Third Moon first.  The medium-sized satellite had been the centre of the yerin government fifteen hundred years ago, and was the most likely place to start looking for other Lunatac activity.  None of the others protested.

 

      When the Skytomb reached the Plundarr system, the Third Moon was in the far point of her orbit.  Swinging by the Second Moon, Mystan looked up from his monitors in surprise.  "Luna, we are receiving a transmission from the surface."

 

      "Patch it through!"

 

      The telekinetic did so.  Instantly, a man's voice came through, "What manner of vessel are you?"

 

      Of course they weren't recognized; the flying fortress was built on Earth.  Luna responded, "This craft is the Skytomb.  I am Princess Luna of the Lunar Clan.  To whom am I speaking?"

 

      There was some chatter in the background, then the first man spoke again.  "I am Tycho Lunar.  We need to talk, but communications can be monitored.  I'll send my co-ordinates."  The transmission ended.

 

      "Why send co-ordinates if transmissions can be tapped?" Red-Eye asked.

 

      "Whoever is doing the tapping likely knows where he is," Chilla replied.  "He just doesn't want to be listened in on."

 

      Luna turned in her saddle to the others in the control room: Mystan, Chilla, and Psychro, the usual suspects.  Psikaris, Alluro, and Red-Eye were rarely seen outside the engine room, while Knave and Tug-Mug were usually stuck on one errand or another for them.  "We're receiving the co-ordinates now, Luna," reported Psychro, from the controls.  "A mountain range on the Second Moon.  Do we go?"

 

      "We go," replied Luna.  "Chilla, anything interesting in the mountains?"

 

      The ice woman played with her controls a few minutes before responding.  "The source of the co-ordinates is a mountain with an unusual energy signature.  Luna, I think it's hollow."

 

      "A fortress?  Any sign of a trap, powered up weapons and such?"

 

      "None at all."

 

      "Good."  Luna prodded Amok into action.  "Chilla, Mystan, you're with me.  Psychro, call Knave and tell him to remain in the control deck, then come with us."

 

* * *

 

      The man who met Luna and the others outside Skytomb was a short, slight fellow with long, dark purple hair.  He was flanked by two ice Lunatacs and a graviton.  He looked rather surprised as the doors opened.  "You are Luna?"

 

      Luna looked huffy.  "Princess Luna of the Lunar Clan, daughter of Artemys, daughter of Luna."

 

      The male ice Lunatac on the short man's left scowled.  "You are nothing like the old royalty."

 

      Chilla and Psychro both shot curious glances at Luna.  Mystan just smiled at the ice guard.  Luna narrowed her eyes and held up one tiny hand.  "Wanna bet?"  A beam of green light shot from that hand, hitting the foot of the ice Lunatac.  He jumped back with a yelp.  Of course, had Skytomb arrived four months earlier, Luna could not have given that demonstration.  She only gained her magic abilities after her grandmother's belt was truely destroyed.

 

      The short man smiled slightly.  "Only those of Yerith's blood have magic.  Welcome, Princess Luna.  I am Tycho Lunar, son of Procelarum, son of Serenitatis."

 

      "Serenitatis was my grandmother's sister.  You are my second cousin?" Luna asked, curious.  "What's this all about?"

 

      "The Moons are in danger.  You may be able to save us."

 

* * *

 

      "What kind of danger?"  Luna had signalled the rest of her crew to come along, though Psikaris hung back to keep an eye on the Skytomb.  Which was just as well.  Luna knew the ice hybrid was less than useless when dealing with people.  In any case, if Tycho wanted to steal the Skytomb, he could easily do so no matter how many of her people she left in it.

 

      Which meant that, for the record, Luna's entourage was Amok ( whom she was, as usual, riding ), Mystan, Alluro, Chilla, Knave, Psychro, Red-Eye, and Tug-Mug.

 

      Tycho's guard had changed as well.  While the graviton and the male ice Lunatac were still present, the female icewalker had subsequently become a male... something.  His form was that of a turquoise-skinned, black-haired Lunatac man, though Tycho had said that this was merely Darius' preferred form.  Psychological advantage, Luna had thought.  Tell those you cannot yet trust that you have the perfect spy to pre-empt any plotting.

 

      A graphic of the New Thundera system appeared on the table.  "After the War, after Lord Yerith's death, the Moons erupted into civil war."  Here Tycho nodded to Mystan.  "You were wise to leave rather than assert your claim as Yerith's second.  You would have been killed by any one of the dozens of Lunatacs trying to seize the throne."

 

      "But, it has been fifteen hundred years," Mystan protested.  "Surely things must have been settled by now."

 

      Tycho gave the telekinetic a sardonic smile.  "You over-estimate our people.  No, there were times that the Moons seemed united, only to be again torn apart by a new 'heir' to the throne.  Which is the problem now.  I had been the Moonking for two years because my grandmother was the sister of Queen Luna.  Then my rival Aristarchus arrived, and he is the grandson of Lord Yerith himself."

 

      "Impossible!" Luna snapped.  "My mother was an only child, as am I!"

 

      "He said 'Yerith's grandson', not 'Queen Luna's," Alluro pointed out.

 

      Luna raised an eyebrow.  "My grandfather remarried?"

 

      Tug-Mug let out a low chuckle.  "No.  Eef he deed, Tycho here would have no case.  Yereeth had another child, but there was no marriage.  Right?"

 

      "Exactly," smiled Tycho.  Then the smile faded, and he pointed to the image on the table.  "Unfortunately, most seem to prefer Aristarchus' direct though illegitimate claim.  This Moon - the Ice Moon - is loyal to me.  The Third, Graviton, and Desert Moons are sided with Aristarchus."

 

      "What about the Dark Moon?" asked Red-Eye, who of course had an interest in that particular satellite.

 

      The shapechanger Darius answered him.  "Unknown.  We lost contact with that Moon eight years ago.  They shoot down any ships that come near, no matter what their loyalties or species are."

 

      "Have the Plundarrans or Thunderans ever taken advantage of the Moons' power divided?" asked Chilla.

 

      "Skip the Thunderans," Knave advised with a snicker.  "Can you see them starting a war?"  Tycho's two Lunatac guards glared.  Knave was half-cheetah himself, and his mere halfbreed presence bothered them.  And the more annoyed they were, the more pleased with himself Knave seemed to be.

 

      "A few times," Tycho admitted.  "Twice by the Thunderans.  They've had savage times in their past, have no doubt.  Of course, outside threats were usually what forced lunar unity in the past.  But now we have you," he said, smiling at Luna.  "The true and legitimate granddaughter of Lord Yerith and Queen Luna."

 

* * *

 

      Meanwhile, Psikaris was having problems of her own.  Well, one problem.  But it was a big one ( about six-and-a-half feet tall ), and she wished someone else was around to deal with it.

 

      On her security monitor was an ice Lunatac.  So if he turned out to be dangerous, her ice-breathing abilities wouldn't be very helpful.  Of course, she had... other powers, but she preferred not to use them on people.  Cellular-level telekinesis could be used for shapeshifting herself and others, but also gave her the ability to inflict extreme pain or death with a thought.

 

      Of course, he might be perfectly harmless.  Psikaris activated the intercom, and to sound more dangerous, used her brother Psychro's voice.  "Identify yourself and explain your purpose in the Skytomb."

 

      She was mildly gratified to see the intruder jump, but he composed himself quickly.  Once he found the security camera, he smiled and said, "Hi.  Sorry for barging in; there didn't seem to be anyone home and I wanted to take a look at the place.  My name's Cameo Mymekon, by the way, general pilot for Tycho."

 

      Psikaris recognized 'Tycho' as the person Luna and the others were meeting.  This one seemed harmless enough.  "Anything in particular you wanted to see?"

 

      The intruder's grin widened.  "I'll take anything that's not classified."

 

* * *

 

      Luna's crew scattered after the meeting to look at the rest of Tycho's hollow-mountain base.  Currently, Mystan was tagging along beside Amok as Luna steered him down an empty hall.  "This is too sudden," Luna was saying.  "He wants me to be the Moonqueen.  It's a huge responsibility.  I'd have no idea where to start."

 

      "Perhaps Tycho is betting on that," Mystan said.  "He would have the experience, thus would be the true ruler, while you were just a figurehead."

 

      "Paranoia-monger."

 

      "Merely because he is your cousin is no reason to trust him," Mystan pointed out.  "What reason have we to join his cause?  Blood?  Aristarchus is your closer relation."

 

      Luna glared at the sandweller.  "I have enough problems, Mystan, without you finding more."

 

      Mystan smiled.  "Of course, I too have experience in ruling the Moons.  Perhaps I am trying to make you distrustful of the others so that I may become the power behind the throne."

 

      "Mystan?"

 

      "Yes, Luna?"

 

      "Shut up."

 

* * *

 

      "Tycho's sucking up to Luna big-time.  It's so obvious."

 

      "Jealous?" Alluro asked mildly, though his deadpan was betrayed by the hint of mockery behind his yellow eyes.

 

      "Try to pretend that you're not a moron."  Psychro leaned back in the mess-hall chair and took another pull of his drink.  "I'm not complaining about the over-spill, though.  Tycho has to treat us nice if he wants Luna on his side."

 

      "I'd check what Aristarchus can offer first, if I was her," Knave added.  "Which, thankfully, I'm not."  Usually Knave avoided Alluro and Psychro on principle, but right now he got along with them better than he did with anyone in Tycho's base.  And, likely feeling outnumbered themselves, they didn't seem to mind his company.

 

      "Luna's not stupid.  She'll want to find out everything she can before making her decision," Alluro reminded him.

 

      "I give the mess-hall three-point-seven-five stars," finished Psychro.  "It would be higher, but the beer isn't that great."

 

* * *

 

      "A thundrillium furnace?  I haven't seen one of these since... well, I've never seen one outside a history book."  Cameo turned back to his guide.  "And you were able to achieve FTL travel with it?"

 

      "Not exactly," replied Psikaris.  Of course, she was currently using her brother's name, voice, and shape ( though with a shirt. )  Way back when Psikaris lived on the Moons, the ice Lunatacs were heavily patriarchical.  If they were still like that, a male form would be more respected.  She was only able to have the high-ranking job she did because a) her father ran the company, and b) he was from the Fourth Moon and thought the icewalkers were crazy, anyway.  "The furnace merely powers the Skytomb.  The actual drive is a piece of Thunderan-based technology called a megacondenser."

 

      Cameo nodded.  "I've heard of such things.  Rather unfair that the cats developed FTL travel before we did.  Hells, we still don't have it."

 

      "Whatever you have now would be ahead of a thundrillium furnace," Psikaris said.  "I would love to be able to inspect the current level of Lunatac technology."

 

      "I'll see what strings I can pull.  Remember, I'm not exactly high-ranking."

 

* * *

 

      "We stick out like sore thumbs here," Chilla hissed.  "Everyone else is in uniform."

 

      "That might be more my fault, Chilla," rumbled Red-Eye.  "You heard what the shapechanger said about the Fifth Moon.  And besides, how many darklings have you seen here?"

 

      That was true, Chilla had to admit.  While ice Lunatacs were in the vast majority, the other races - sandweller, graviton, and elyon ( the race of the Third Moon ) - were represented.  Of darklings, there might have been one or two.  And now that she knew that, her senses were on the alert for more of the dark Lunatacs.

 

      The wanderings of Chilla and Red-Eye soon brought them to the mess-hall, where it appeared the rest of the gang had congregated.  Knave noticed the pair and enthusiastically waved them over.  Which instantly made Chilla suspicious.  "What are you up to?"

 

      "Nothing," Knave replied, blinking his innocence.  "Nothing that wasn't Tug-Mug's idea, anyhow."

 

      "Psychro and Allooro are engaged een thee male-bonding reetual known as 'Thee Dreenkeeng Contest'," Tug-Mug explained.  "Unfortunately, Psychro forgot that ice Loonatac alcohol tolerance ees woefully low."

 

      "Alluro made him forget."

 

      "Come now, sister, it's not like he hasn't had this coming," smirked Knave.  "And aren't you happy that Alluro and I can actually put our differences aside when we have a common goal?"

 

      Chilla thought that Knave probably had one too many himself, but didn't say anything.  And much as she disliked Psychro, she would have preferred that at least Knave could have pretended to be mature.  Men! she thought, Why must I be the only one with any sense around here?  And since when does Alluro participate in drinking contests?

 

      "Is there any point to this?" Red-Eye asked.

 

      "Of course," grinned Tug-Mug.  "Eef he gets drunk enough, Psychro weell happeely speell thee details of hees leettle treest weeth Loona those months ago, and I'll own heem."

 

      Apparently Psychro heard that.  "Innyer dreams, troll.  'Sides, it was Luna's grammother, an' she was tall then."

 

      "As you can see, he eesn't quite there yet."

 

      "Oh, for...  You looked like people I knew, when in fact I have no association with you whatsoever," Chilla announced for anyone who happened to be eavesdropping.  "I am going to sit somewhere else."  With that, she went to a table at the other side of the room.

 

      Red-Eye pulled up a chair next to Knave.  "How did this little contest start, anyway?"

 

      "I told Alluro that Chilla likes her men to be able to hold their liquor," said Knave, smiling through pointed teeth.

 

      "Liar," Alluro retorted.  "It was... it was... I can't rememmer," he finished sullenly.

 

      "Tug-Mug dared him, but he didn't want to try to beat Tug-Mug.  Knave refused stating that ice Lunatac alcohol tolerance is low, and he wasn't going to give Alluro an edge.  So Alluro tried to thrall me into forgetting that little fact," Psychro said, slurring slightly, but still speaking far too clearly.  The others looked at him strangely.  He shrugged.  "There's always exceptions."

 

      "You sssneaking hybrid..." Alluro said, trying to point a long nail at Psychro, and missing by a good four inches.  "You... tricked me."

 

      "Think of it as getting you back for your attempted trick."

 

      Deciding that nothing else interesting was going to happen there, Tug-Mug and Red-Eye started out.  However, Chilla gestured the darkling over to her table.  Tug-Mug looked over at Chilla, back to Red-Eye, and grinned.  Red-Eye replied with a dirty look before heading back into the mess-hall.  Tug-Mug wheeled away chuckling.

 

      The darkling sat down in the chair opposite the ice woman.  "You beckoned?"

 

      Chilla scowled at the tone, but returned to looking pensively at something across the room.  "The Moons were united under Yerith when we last saw them, Red-Eye.  I couldn't quite grasp what Tycho meant when he said they were divided."

 

      Red-Eye followed the ice woman's gaze.  A table in the corner held a lone darkling.  Most of the other Lunatacs seemed to go out of their way to stay clear of him.  Chilla looked back across the table to Red-Eye.  "Things weren't perfect before, but we were all Lunatacs."

 

      The dark Lunatac shook his head.  "I can't believe that Luna's currently our best chance," he said.

 

      "She could never get the Skytomb crew to work together.  How is she going to unite the Moons?"

 

      Red-Eye smiled his toothless grin.  "Maybe she'll do what always seemed to work on us: Threaten them with an Amok-thrashing."

 

* * *

 

      "Hey, Psikarees, who was thee guy?"

 

      Psikaris, still in her brother's form, looked over with some surprise at Tug-Mug.  "Cameo the pilot.  How did you know who I was?" she asked.  Now that Cameo had left, she again used her powers, her cells regrouping back to their normal positions and her voice raising from Psychro's bass to her own light mezzo-soprano.

 

      The graviton smirked.  "Because your brother ees boozeeng eet up weeth Knave and Allooro een Tycho's base.  Besides, seence when does Psychro wear a shirt?"  Then, "What was he doeeng een here, anyway?"

 

      She shrugged.  "He was curious and wanted a tour... no."

 

      "What?"

 

      "I know that look.  Nothing happened, and besides, I looked like a guy."

 

      Tug-Mug chortled.  "Even worse."

 

      "I know where you keep your ever-so-secret printing press, you mud-slinger.  If you invent some story about this, rest assured that Luna will be informed as to its location."

 

      "Spoilsport."

 

* * *

 

      Skytomb remained on the Ice Moon for the next few days, mostly so Luna could raid the historical files.  Tycho took the news that Luna wanted to meet Aristarchus in his fortress, the starcruiser Goliath, before making any decisions quite well considering that Aristarchus was his arch-rival.  Mystan said that was a good sign; combined with the fact that he was very open with his information, it meant that Tycho was absolutely sure of his position.  Luna pointed out that while he may be sure, he may also be wrong.  Mystan had smiled and told her she was learning.

 

      Elsewhere in the Skytomb, other people weren't so happy with the decision, but not for any political reasons.

 

      "We're leaving to meet the Goliath tomorrow morning?  I can't; I promised Cameo I'd look over his ship," Psikaris protested.  As the ice Lunatac had stated, he wasn't very high-ranking, and though he tried, he couldn't allow the newcomers anywhere near the more powerful ships.  However, he could let anyone he darn well wanted look at his ship, the Lunar Star.

 

      "Look, like it or not, we're stuck on a political mission now," Psychro reminded her.  "I know you don't like breaking promises, but Cameo and his ship can wait...  Hang on," Psychro paused suspiciously.  "You haven't fallen for this guy, have you?"

 

      "Of course not," Psikaris replied.  "I've only met him once.  And before you ask, he hasn't acted untoward towards me.  He... um... thinks I'm you."

 

      "He what?.. Oh, I get it.  No, things seem a bit more even now, gender-wise, 'Karis.  You shouldn't have any problems with... wait.  When you were going to meet him tomorrow, what would you look like?"

 

      "I would... oh, drat," swore Psikaris.  "That completely slipped my mind.  I would have confused him terribly."

 

      Psychro considered that for a moment.  "How about I come along with you?  I'm interested in this stuff too, even if you got the brains in the family."  And that way I can keep an eye on you and this pilot guy, he added silently.  He knew full well that his twin was pretty and trusting, a dangerous combination.

 

      He also noted with some interest that in answer to query about her feelings toward the pilot, the response was denial and lack of information.  He had expected an answer like, 'No, and besides, it's Alluro I love.'  Maybe she was getting over her crush, since the hypnotist didn't return it.  But he didn't keep his hopes up.  She just might not have said it because she knew Psychro didn't want to hear it.

 

      The ice hybrid was pulled out of his thoughts by his sister's voice: "... And besides, who knows how long it will be before we can get back here, and what are the chances of finding someone as helpful as him?  Cameo's a local, and even he couldn't gain us access to any ship but his own."

 

      Which was true, Psychro thought grudgingly.  Sure, Psikaris could check an up-to-date technical manual, but he knew it wasn't the same.  He sighed, defeated.  "I'll ask Luna if we can stay behind.  I won't promise anything, though."

 

* * *

 

      Luna, of course, wasn't too pleased about the idea of leaving Psikaris behind, even though Psychro reminded her that Alluro was just as good.  "Look, you're not going that far and you're only bringing the Skytomb because you want to look neutral.  The place won't fall apart without her."  Psychro's remaining behind wasn't important; his skills could be easily covered by the other Lunatacs.  It was Psikaris' abilities that Luna didn't want to lose.

 

      "I admit you have a couple valid points," Luna said, "And much as I want to find out what me may be up against if things get ugly, I don't want to leave her behind.  Why can't you just take notes?"

 

      "Because she's the smart one.  What if I misunderstand something vital and give her the wrong information?"

 

      "There are other reasons, Luna," Mystan interrupted smoothly.  "Political considerations.  Leaving a couple of people behind - especially one you deem important - will make Tycho feel more secure about his position.  If we merely leave, if our stay goes long, even though we intend to return, Tycho may panic and do something rash.  And besides," Mystan smiled, "Leaving them behind sends the message that while we will return, we do not yet trust him completely.  Thus, Tycho must keep working to please us.  And we gain Psikaris' knowledge in the bargain."

 

      Psychro was somewhat impressed by Mystan's speech.  For a non-hypnotist, the man had a way with words.  Probably a lawyer before he got into politics.

 

      For her part, Mystan's admission a few days ago that he might be subtly working against her had put her on edge.  She already couldn't trust Tycho completely, nor Aristarchus, and now her own second?  Chances were Mystan was just trying to be annoying when he said it, but what if he was telling the truth?  Damn him for getting me worked up! she thought angrily.  Now I can hardly look at anyone without wondering what they're plotting!  But I can't just dismiss or do the opposite of what he says or play right into...  If this is his idea of a test, I am going to give him such a crop-lashing!..

 

      Aloud, Luna said, "Fine.  Psychro and Psikaris can stay behind, but only if we can rope Tycho into lending us one of his people.  To answer any last-minute questions we might have about Aristarchus and such."

 

* * *

 

      If his expression was any indication, Tycho took the idea the same as Luna did.  However, after a short talk ( which more than likely went much the same way as Mystan's advice to Luna ), Tycho agreed to send Darius with Skytomb.

 

      Which Luna wasn't too pleased with.  "He sent his shapechanger!" she complained to Mystan after the Skytomb had got underway.  "Dammit, Darius could be anyone in the Skytomb.  He could be you."

 

      A book picked itself up, then hovered in the air between Luna and Mystan.  "I think I've proved my identity," he said as the book obediently floated back to the table.  "No, having Darius here is a good thing.  He seems to be second to Tycho, thus knows all that goes on.  He will be a valuable resource."

 

      "'He'?"

 

      "Well, 'it'."  Darius had decided that for the trip, he would assume the shape of Psikaris, likely because she was closer to his mass than Psychro was.  The reason to travel as one of Luna's crew was obvious; they didn't want Aristarchus to think Luna had already decided she would work with Tycho.  Mystan found it amusing that Tycho's shapechanger was imitating Luna's shapeshifter.

 

      "What is h... Darius, anyway?  Some unknown tribe of Lunatac?"

 

      The telekinetic shrugged.  "Tycho says he just showed up one day soon after he became the Moonking, and declared his loyalty.  Darius calls himself a changeling, and says he's from the wilds of the Third Moon.  The records make no mention of changelings, and his medical record states that he's not even remotely related to the Lunatacs."  Mystan shook his head.  "I've never heard of a 'changeling'.  Not even from a myth.  Of course, I am not from the Third Moon.  I know the Dark, Ice, and Desert Moons all have mutable-form predators, but nothing sentient."

 

      "An alien, perhaps.  Or what the dominant species of the Third Moon would have been, had not Lord Yerith arrived those millennia ago to alter the Moon-creatures into his own image.  He could be anything," Luna said.

 

      "But he is fully loyal to Tycho, have no fear of that."

 

      "That, Mystan, is the least of my worries."

 

* * *

 

      "I brought someone along.  Hope you don't mind."

 

      Depends on who it is, Cameo thought automatically.  While he recognized Psychro's voice, he couldn't see the ice hybrid, given that Cameo was currently on the other side of his ship.  Giving his ratchet one last twist, he was able to remove the side panel on his ship.  "Who'd you bring?"

 

      "Just my sister, Psikaris.  She's the engineering genius.  She won't bite."

 

      "Psychro!"

 

      Cameo snickered slightly at Psikaris' embarrassed admonition.  Ah, sibling rivalry.  It made him glad he was an only child.  "I'm over this way," he called.  "I'm afraid I won't be too much help explaining things, though.  I know how to fix my engine, but I have no idea how it works."

 

      Psychro stepped around the side of the ship.  "Ah, there you are.  Heh, sounds like me: I don't care how it works, so long as it does."  He paused, looked around, and realized his twin was still hanging back.  Giving her a look that reminded her just whose idea this was, he pulled her out from where she was hiding.  "'Karis has higher standards, though."

 

      No, I don't mind, Cameo thought appreciatively, but caught the dangerous flash behind Psychro's eyes.  Hnh.  Protective.  Oh, well.  "Anyway, we don't use thundrillium as a fuel source any more," Cameo explained.  "Even though it's got the highest energy-output of anything we've found.  We just can't get the stuff.  Thundera doesn't want us and Plundarr's afraid we'll take over."

 

      "What do you use instead?"  Psikaris was already crouched by the opening in the Lunar Star's side and was up to her elbows in engine parts.

 

      "Dyskoenium.  It's not quite as powerful as thundrillium, but at least we have access to it.  At first we thought it could only be found here, on the Ice Moon, but then we found more on the Graviton Moon."  Cameo shrugged.  "Which is too bad for us here.  If we were the only ones with the stuff, Aristarchus would have been forced to give up long ago."

 

      "How long has this little civil war been going on?" asked Psychro.

 

      "About eight months."

 

      "I bet that with a few modifications, you could run this thing on thundrillium."  Both of the male Lunatacs looked down to where Psikaris was wiping miscellaneous grease from her hands.  "It wouldn't go faster or anything, but it would be more efficient.  I'll have to run a sample of this dyskoenium stuff past Alluro to determine its exact chemical properties, though."

 

      "We'd have to be able to get a supply of thundrillium first," Cameo reminded her.  Psikaris wrinkled her nose at him, annoyed that he went and ruined her theory with reality.  "Though maybe you could come up with some other engine modification?" he continued, trying to placate her.

 

      "Pfah, are you kidding?  What you've got in your little ship is so insanely beyond I've ever seen that I can hardly begin to make suggestions on it!" Psikaris protested.  "Back when Skytomb was built, thundrillium furnaces were top-of-the-line technology.  Which meant all our space ships were huge, lumbering things.  Anything the size of the Lunar Star simply couldn't generate the power needed to break orbit."

 

      "What about the ship you designed for Mystan?" Psychro asked.  "The one we went to Third Earth in?  That was pretty small."

 

      "That was highly experimental, and even then it was still based on a combustion chamber," she retorted, then to the pilot, "How fast can your ship go?"

 

      "About .82-SoL."

 

      "Point... eight... two?"  Psikaris voice had taken on the tone most women reserved for just after hearing, 'Yes, I will marry you, we can have the honeymoon on the French Riviera, I will give you the Rolls Royce as a wedding present, and your mother can come live with us.'

 

      "Don't get too carried away, 'Karis.  Remember, we calculated that the ship you made for Mystan could go at .8952-SoL," Psychro reminded her.

 

      "But this is so small!"

 

      "Well, I guess size doesn't matter any more."

 

      For his part, Cameo found the conversation funny.  His ship had caught the attention of women in the past, but this was the first one to look under the hood.

 

* * *

 

      After a few preliminary introductions, Skytomb was allowed to dock at the Goliath.  Currently, the great starcruiser was in orbit around the Graviton Moon.  A psi-race guard led Luna, Amok, and Mystan to Aristarchus' office.  He nodded stiffly after the door closed behind them, but didn't get up.  "The long-lost Princess Luna," he said.  "We saw your... ship land on the Ice Moon.  I assume you've already met Tycho."

 

      "Pleasant enough fellow," Luna said.  There wasn't any point in lying.

 

      "And he filled you in on the current... situation?"

 

      "Yes, but I'm interested to hear your version."

 

      Fortunately for the narrator, Aristarchus gave approximately the same account as Tycho, except for pointing out that Aristarchus had the more direct tie to the royal bloodline.  Of course, questions of legitimacy were not raised.  After a short and fairly pleasant chat, Luna and Mystan excused themselves back to the Skytomb.

 

      "Okay, smarty-pants, what are your views on this?  I know if I give my opinion you'll cheerfully mock it," Luna said.

 

      "Ah, but how else are you going to learn?"

 

      Luna scowled at the telekinetic.  "Oh, fine.  Point one: Tycho is less formal than Aristarchus, as evidenced by the fact that he came out to greet us instead of sending a guard.  Of course, he's in the sort of 'rebel leader' position, so he can afford to be casual.  Point two: Aristarchus was trying to make us feel more at ease by leaving his guards outside of his office.  However, he only allowed the three..." ( Luna counted Amok ) "... of us to come in."

 

      Mystan nodded.  "A good start.  Now, tell me of what Aristarchus wants of you."

 

      "He wants my help to unite the Moons."

 

      "And what did Tycho want?"

 

      "The same thing."

 

      "No."  Before Luna had a chance to yell at him, Mystan continued, "They both want the Moons reunited, yes, but they do not want the same thing.  Think of the wording."

 

      The Lunatac princess made an exasperated noise.  "Both of them want me to help them!  It's the exact... no."  Luna paused, then mulled over her meetings with the ex- and current Moonkings.  "Tycho asked me to help the Moons.  Aristarchus asked me to help him.  Tycho is trying to do what's best for the Empire, and Aristarchus is trying to keep his own position."

 

      Mystan nodded again.  "My thoughts exactly."

 

      "Then we go back to the Ice Moon."

 

      "But will Aristarchus let Skytomb go?  You pose a threat to him."

 

      "Then why didn't he blow us out of the sky when he learned who I was?"

 

      "Because you might have been lying, or he might have been able to use you for his own purposes."

 

      Luna considered her options.  "I think we can leave.  Tycho's people know we were here, and likely several others picked up Skytomb on their sensors.  If it gets out that Aristarchus destroyed long-lost Princess Luna, he'll lose his support."

 

      Mystan actually smiled.  "You're catching on to lunar politics, Luna.  Keep this up and you won't even need me any more."

 

* * *

 

      "Prepare to head back for the Ice Moon, Tug-Mug."

 

      "Thee deal weeth Areestarchus fall through, Loona?"

 

      "Let's just say that the majority's not always right."  Luna settled herself more comfortably in Amok's saddle.  Now, what am I supposed to tell Aristarchus?  'Sorry, but I don't trust you and I'm going to side with your arch-rival'?  Mystan says to keep all excuses short.  Long explanations tend to be lies.  "Mystan, open communications."

 

* * *

 

      Commander Taralon, captain of the Goliath, turned in his chair slightly to address the Moonking.  "Why did you let her go?" he asked, though too quiet for any o