The two old adversaries studied each other carefully.

"Who will lead this combined fleet? The fleet of the Three Kingdoms?" Tarlog asked.

"What about us?" Kyle asked, stepping beside the two leaders. "The human contingent."

The old Hrono grunted acknowledgment, and locked eyes with the First Captain of the Kraaqi.

"The Kraaqi field the largest fleet. The Kraaqi longships are the most powerful warships of all. It is I who will lead this alliance into battle." Rawlon's eyes narrowed.

Growls and movement began from the Kraaqi and Hrono warriors. The two groups moved closer in anger.

"I can lead." Tarlog and Rawlon turned and stared at Kyle, who had just spoken.

"You have no experience leading a war fleet into battle. But we do," Tarlog said.

"The Hrono is right. It must be one of us." Rawlon growled. "But you, our brethren, will fight with our best ships, right alongside the Kraaqi. Your valor in battle is respected and known by the living warship's broadcasts to our people." Rawlon said.

"You are all brethren," Mother said, revealing the secret knowledge that Jysar had shared with her.

"What?" Tarlog and Rawlon said together.

"What I tell you is nothing new. For years, scientists from all of your peoples have discovered and known this truth. "Your leaders have effectively kept it from becoming public knowledge."

"What truth?" Becky asked.

"That even though the Hrono, the Kraaqi and the Mewiis are different, they are also one and the same."

Around the groups of the Three Kingdoms, a buzzing of whispers began.

"You all share a common ancestor. The truth is in your genetic makeup-and in the similarity of your skulls and faces. Your skin may be different, and even different as far as color and shade. Your features, too, may be different. But you are also the same in many ways."

Tarlog's eyes widened as he stared at Rawlon. "I have never heard this!"

"It has been whispered among our people. By those labeled heretics," Rawlon said with doubt in his voice.

Jasus spoke up. "What the living ship says is true. Somewhere back through the ages, we three peoples share a common ancestor." He took a deep breath and continued. "I have even discussed it with the Mewiis leader, Chira, in times past, and the possible consequences if it became general knowledge. I and the leaders of the Hrono Senate had decided our people were not ready for such a revelation."

"But the people should be told," Tarlog said angrily. "The people should know."

Jasus nodded slowly, a deep sadness across his features. "Perhaps we were wrong."

"Then we have more reasons than ever to help each other," Saris exclaimed. "I, too, have heard of this rumor. But only rarely. Our people stay close to their own family groups. The thought that we may be related to Kraaqi..." Saris smiled with embarra.s.sment, realizing she must choose her words carefully...is sometimes difficult for the common people to grasp."

"And accept," Jasus added. "Old prejudices are hard to change."

Rawlon's eyes widened as he looked closely at Tarlog, studying his features with a new and intense scrutiny. "I have already declared the mode of Crisis among my people. This means with war imminent that I, as the First Captain, have absolute command of every Band. In total war, my commands are superior to that of the old Chieftains." He turned with a stern glare at the Chieftains. "If I find that this-thisknowledge-has been discovered by our scientists as well, as I think it has; this knowledge that we are somehow..." Rawlon shook his head. "Brethren?" He rubbed his face in thought. "I must have time to think on this new thing. It is hard to comprehend, to think that the ones I have warred with all my life could be my brethren."

"Yet you have feuds, even wars, between your Bands," Kyle began. "But after the conflict is settled, you are brethren again."

Rawlon's eyes widened. He turned to Rok, who nodded at him and spoke. "One of the oldest of our proverbs says, 'Respect the skill and cunning of your enemy, or else he may conquer you in a single night.'"

"I have always respected you, First Captain Rawlon," Tarlog said with an honest sincerity. "All the Captains of Hrono ships know and respect their Kraaqi counterparts."

"Amazing," Rawlon whispered with awe so that only Curja, Rok and Kyle could hear. He paused a moment, thinking furiously. "I must think this new concept through and verify it. But if it is indeed true, that Hrono and Kraaqi..." he stopped and smiled at Admiral Saris. "...and Mewiis, are all brethren, sharing a common father, then we, too, must rethink our age-old hatreds."

"You have each developed and created your own societies and cultures," Mother said. "There is good in each and there are things you can learn from each other, to your mutual benefit. But there must be communication first. Understanding."

"That is an important point for the coming battle," Kyle chimed in. "You each have different fighting styles. We can aid you with the upgrades to your cruisers and battleships with the hybrid weapon and any necessary engine upgrades. But how can three diverse fleets fight together?"

The old, experienced Hrono turned around and looked at his leader. Jasus nodded silently at him.

Tarlog turned back to Rawlon and stared at him freshly, as if for the first time. He cleared his throat as he brushed his hand over his broken rows of head-scales. "We have a battle plan we would like to present."

Kraaqi growls began, but Rawlon held his hand up for silence.

"A plan with the knowledge that we have never fought together before." Tarlog looked directly at the Kraaqi warriors. "We would fight as one large force, but we strike as separate sections." Tarlog paused, taking a deep breath. "Our plan provides that Rawlon will lead such a combined fleet."

Kyle could almost feel the emotions in the air. Surprise. Shock. Hope. He listened intently along with the rest.

"The more numerous Kraaqi fleet would make up the center, one wing would be the Mewiis ships, and the other wing the Hrono fleet. Under the overall direction of Rawlon, we would fight together in an overall strategy. Tactically, we fight as three fleets, each under the orders of our own Admirals. Hrono commanding Hrono ships, Mewiis commanding Mewiis ships, in the direct attacks."

Rawlon smiled widely, "And Kraaqi commanding Kraaqi warships." Then he took the Hrono's right hand and brought it to his left horn, placing it around the appendage in the traditional greeting of the Kraaqi. Tarlog laughed a moment in surprise at the unexpected gesture. But realizing the importance of this Kraaqi overture, he gently shook the horn in friendship.

"But Rawlon commands the entire, a.s.sembled fleets. His leadership will send us all into the T'kaan battle lines," Tarlog finished.

"We shall fight together, my old adversary." Rawlon smiled as Tarlog released his hold. "And we shall hear more of your plan. I want to consult with you, as well as Admiral Saris, on our combined strategy."

Putting his arm around the older warrior's shoulder, they began marching to Mother's open door.

"Actually, your plan sounds surprisingly like mine."

Tarlog laughed again as Saris joined them.

"Great minds think alike," Saris chuckled with a gleam in her eyes.

Kyle watched as the leaders of the three races entered Mother's door and disappeared inside.

Guardian, under Mother's silent orders, had led the procession. The white robot directed them to the prearranged conference room with his normal stoic silence.

Kyle shook his head even as Saris' words came back into his mind-their children were dying .. Those haunting words sent a chill down his back and once more he was a child, a frightened child. All around him the life he had known was dying. His race was being destroyed, his parents killed, his whole childhood world destroyed before his young eyes.

Helpless, he had watched it all.

Everything was changing again. Once again, it seemed that everything was out of his control and he could only watch in horror as everything he loved was taken away from him by the dreaded T'kaan.

He shivered in the hot desert wind. A moment later, he felt an arm across his shoulder.

"Well," Jaric said with a gleam in his eye. "Our work here is done." Jaric put on his best hero look to match his remarks.

Kyle began laughing at the old joke, like he had so many times before. But once again, the feeling that he didn't belong overwhelmed him. How could he have been so happy just a short time ago when he first saw Mother, and now feel so sad, so depressed? It felt like he was on an emotional roller coaster. He instantly wished he had stayed with the Kraaqi now, instead of being here with Jaric and Becky.

They seemed to be so happy together.

"Excuse me."

Kyle's eyes opened wide with surprise as a Hrono hand-scanner was pushed right into his face. He started to push the impertinent device away when suddenly he felt a sting on his hand as the device was shoved into his oncoming grasp.

"Ouch!"

The Hrono's face registered puzzlement. "The pain was more in your mind, human." "I don't think so," Kyle growled ominously.

Becky stepped between them, alarmed that anincident seemed imminent at the young talks. "Hold on, Kyle." She turned to the alien with a stern look. "Just what is it that you think you're doing?"

The ridge-scales across his head changed hue with sudden embarra.s.sment. "Oh, please. Let me introduce myself," he said with a low bow. He rose slowly, a broad smile across his face. "I am Senior Technologist Jysar. A good friend of the Mother computer-ship."

"Well, that's different," Jaric smiled.

But Becky was not so easily impressed. "You haven't explained what you're doing with that scanner."

She pointed at the device in the Hrono's hands.

"Oh, this. It's a Model VII portable Biological scanner. Comes in handy at times," he laughed. He then began scanning Becky's face and upper body.

"For what?" Becky asked with a solemn tone, eyeing his motions with growing suspicion. But because he had stated he was a friend of Mother's she allowed the alien to continue, for the moment.

Until the device was pressed against her forearm.

"Ouch! That hurt!" Becky rubbed her forearm rapidly as she stepped away from the alien scientist.

Jysar's smile grew wider until it threatened to envelop his scaly green face. "I must learn more about humans, and you three especially. You are the race that created this technological miracle, correct?"

Jaric stepped closer in order to keep the pesky alien away from Becky, but now found himself being scanned. He stopped short, not wanting to make contact and suffer a sting like the others.

"Where we come from, people ask first before they scan them," Jaric stated with firmness.

Jysar pressed a b.u.t.ton and a bolt of blue light leapt out toward Jaric's arm and immediately returned.

"Ouch! How did you do that?!"

Jysar's smile widened again. "I'm done." Without another word, he turned and left.

The three humans, all rubbing the remaining sting out of their arms, watched his retreating form as it seemed to half-skip, half-dance toward Mother's hull.

"Weird little alien," Becky said with a smirk.

The three friends turned around and faced each other again.

But in Kyle's mind, it felt like he no longer knew these two faces. Or that they knew him, or even cared.

"You okay, Big K? You look like you've just seen a ghost or something." Jaric looked at him with a puzzled expression. Becky was also looking at him with concern on her face.

"I'm alright." He turned away. He fought the anger that wanted to lash out at them. He wished that things were like they were before, that Jaric and he were still friends. That Jaric and Becky were still just friends. He looked down with a heavy heart.

"I was thinking of that poor Mewiis world," He half-lied.

"Yeah. It's going to take several weeks to get the Kraaqi capital ships upgraded, provided they use the Hrono shipyards as Mother wants," Becky said.

"The Hrono will be implementing the weapon into their own ships, too. Good thing they have so many shipyards. I know Mother already has the plans for integrating it into each of their systems," Jaric said.

Kyle looked up, but his eyes didn't meet Jaric's. "I think both the Hrono and Kraaqi will be able to refit their fleets in time. I think they'll all be able to do it in short order."

"Is there something else bothering you? You don't seem like the same old Kyle lately. I thought it might be that spicy Kraaqi food." Jaric winked. But when Kyle did not smile back, Jaric became serious. "You sure nothing else is bothering you?"

"Naw, I'm alright," Kyle said halfheartedly.

"You know, I've been thinking. Minstrel is leading the Mewiis with the hybrid weapon upgrades on their battle cruisers, which have now begun in earnest. Why don't you and I convince Rawlon to send the Band of Thunder's ships to the Hrono, and we'll go with them. We can help ease the friction and give their pilots some insights into fighting the T'kaan," Jaric suggested. "Just you and me."

"What about Becky?" Kyle asked.

"She and Mother should go back to the Kraaqi worlds and make sure the main part of 'em stay in line. I think they need Mother's firm hand." Jaric laughed.

"Yeah, after Mother informed us of the Hrono attempt to take her apart in her communique, it's probably better for you two to go back to Hronosium instead," Becky added.

Kyle chuckled momentarily as he thought about Mother's bold escape from the Hrono, and with the thought of being with his life-long friend again-just the two of them.

"Yeah, that might work. We'll get Rok to lead his Band, too. The two Bands will be an example, to help the others cooperate with the Hrono." Kyle's face lit up with interest.

Becky put her arms around both young men and squeezed them in a friendly embrace.

"The next time we see each other, the T'kaan Third fleet is going down!" She said with confidence.

"That's all we have to do now," Kyle mused, a bemused look on his face. "Defeat the terrible T'kaan Third Fleet."

"Is thatall we have to do?" Jaric added, half-joking. But none of them laughed.

Chapter Thirty-Eight.

Two months pa.s.sed, and the leaders of the Three Kingdoms called a special a.s.sembly.

The T'kaan a.s.saults had steadily increased against the Mewiis worlds the last weeks, but the much antic.i.p.ated full attack had still not materialized. Neither had the main part of the T'kaan Third Fleet appeared in force, only strong squadrons that attacked and destroyed their Mewiis targets and then disappeared to prepare their next move.