"Transport 1184 from Milky Way galaxy to and all points between has docked in Bay 54."

The announcement blared out from the strategically placed speakers. Dock workers quickly descended on the ship to unload its cargo while the passengers disembarked with groans and exclamations of how glad they were to get off the ship.

"This way, Gwyn."

Murelle GreyMantle turns to her young daughter and holds out her hand. Murelle is a small woman, standing about 5 foot and slender. A little more slender than when she lived in RhyDin years ago. Long dark brown hair gathered into a bun, brown eyes and olive toned skin. Not strikingly pretty but a wholesome face with a mouth ready for a smile or a laugh.

With her is a young girl, at age 10 was almost as tall as her mother. Gwynelleth Patrice is her name for her father's mother and Murelle's grandmother. She looked more like her father than her mother, except for thick red locks that fell like in rivets down her back. This from Murelle's mother, Beatrice. Murelle had a few memories of her mother, but she died when she was young and she was since raised by her grandmother, Patrice.

"Let's go get our trunks."

Gwyn answered by quickly taking her mother's hand and trying to walk as close as possible without tripping her mother.

"Murelle! I heard you were coming!"

A musical and familiar accent greets Mure's ears. She turns to see a blue-skinned officer striding towards her.

"Charlie!"

That wasn't his name, it being unpronounceable. He settled in the Stars End district when he fled from the Pleiades during its wars. His actual name sounds more like tones, beeps, and squeals to those who speak the common tongue. So he was called Charlie. He held his arms out for a hug which Mure was more than happy to give. "It is good to see you, Charlie!"

"And you, Murelle!" He paused and looked at Gwyn. "Who is this little beauty' It can't be Llewyss's girl!"

"Yes! Gwyn, this is Charlie. A good friend of mine."

"Hello," Gwyn replied almost in a whisper.

"Let's go get your trunks. When I heard you were coming, I set a room for you in the hotel near the Star's End Bar."

"So there is a hotel now" Can we get fresh meals there and not replicated?" Mure asks with a grin. "I am sick and tired of replicated food. It always has a taste of plastic."

The two waited for the stowed goods were hauled to the luggage area. They kept their talk light. There was more to be said, but this was neither the time nor place.

"Charlie, I sent a message to Eldicor. Has there been a reply yet?"

"We'll have to check," Charlie answered. "Let's get your stuff first."

Once they gathered the trunks and loaded onto a hovering cart, they set off to the communication shed.

"A message was sent to Teleperien of Eldicor from me. Has there been a reply?"

"And you are...?" The clerk looked up from his computer screen.

"Murelle GreyMantle."

"GreyMantle...GreyMantle...ah...yes here it is. It was delivered and received. There was a signature, a 'Queen Teleperien.'"

"Is there a reply yet?" Mure asked.

"Not yet." The clerk replied.

"Thank you." Murelle looked up at Charlie. "Well, I guess it's to the hotel. Is it far?"

"No, it's right off the tarmac. It's outer walls are soundproofed against the noise of the ships coming and going. As far as food is concerned, there are a few restaurants around here."

As they walked to the hotel Murelle noticed that Gwyn was wide-eyed at the number of species that roamed the concourse. Gwyn had seen a few in Denver when she went with someone from the ranch to pick up supplies, but this was far out-numbered. Murelle noticed it because she had been away for so long, but she remembered the day it didn't even register.

When they reached the hotel Murelle went inside to register. A very familiar voice called out..."Sir! Where can I find the...uh...the...uh...where you send messages?"

Murelle rushed to the door to see Brego and the cook, Irene, on the seat of a wagon full of supplies.

"Brego!?