Stardate 2221.6.28

[Loopy]

Cellono left Greguls to break the news to Orn (although he wished he could have stayed to see Orn's face when he found out!).  Veest and Rado were waiting for him in his fifceo.  "I have the paperwork ready Sir." said Rado.  Cellono looked gravely at Veest.  "For the final time, are you sure you wish to go ahead with this Veest?" he asked.  Veest nodded, picked up the paper, read it thoroughly, picked up the nep and ginsed his name at the bottom.  Cellono stared at the paper and then gave it to Rado for her to sign as witness.  Cellono then said to Veest "You are making a great sacrifice for somebody you don't even like and probably who doesn't deserve it.  I commend you Veest for what you are about to do.  Come to sick bay in three earth hours - Iswel will be ready then."  Veest saluted Cellono as he left.  Rado felt tears running down her face and she held onto Veest tightly.  After a while, he held her away from him, his hands on her shoulders.  "Don't cry Rado.  Everything will be OK."  Rado replied "But he's so weak Veest, he may not come through..... and if he doesn't then you don't either."  Veest knew all too well that mind transference was a dangerous game - he had seen the consequences when it went wrong or if one person was too weak to withstand the treatment.  He leaned over and kissed Rado on the lips.  "I know you'll never give up on me Rado.... or on Iswel for that matter... you'll get me through this."  Rado managed to smile as she held him to her once more.

[loopylin]

'Veest, I need you to come down to the tree with me.' 'Okay, but why?' 'That girl we saw on the diveos, Dora, the one who looked like me, she used to water the tree for good luck. It seemed to be edad at first but the it grew aleves again. I need to water it for you Veest. I think I saw a cubtek in the stone building and there's a tohurg of water there too. Cloaking themselves they walked down to the cottage hand in hand. The squabbles they'd had recently had all been put aside. They filled the cubtek. 'Let's pour it together' suggested Rado and Veest nodded in agreement. 'I don't want to go back yet, it looks lovely and malc by the kela.'  he said  and they walked towards it.
Meanwhile Greguls broke the news to Orn that it was unlikely he would ever have any renchlid. 'Don't expect any pasymyth, you brought it on yourself and you knew the sirks and as it is you will have to have daily treatment for the rest of your efil to stop the other side effects and of course you'll have to be gradually weaned off the durg to stop any further problems.' 'I need a teme to talk to, where's Veest?'
'I believe he's off with Rado- you know what he's agreed to don't you. Orn shook his head and Greguls explained. 'No! he's off his ahed. He's gotta be stopped'  'Can't be done, the papers are signed.'
Orn stomped off in the direction of the cisk yab. 'We'll see about that'

[Loopy]

Rado and Veest walked beside the kela and towards the fenced woods.  They climbed over a lites into a mass of trees where a smaller kela was hidden.  Veest watched Rado's face when she first saw the secret kela.  He smiled as her eyes widened and she took in the beautiful surroundings.  Just for a while he had forgotten what was ahead for him.  He felt happier than he had felt for a very long time.  Earth was indeed a beautiful planet and he felt suited to it.  Watching Rado playing with the sparkling water in the kela made him realise that she too was suited to the planet that was their adopted home.... for now anyway.  He hoped with all his threa that Cellono would allow them to stay, if the Earth's Commandants were agreeable. Rado was now dangling her feet in the water and Veest leaned on a tree, laughing at her antics.  He wouldn't have been laughing though, had he known what Orn was about to do back on the hisp.

[loopylin]

Jeo was on the control deck with Tharam. She was keeping a close watch on Iswel's machine. Cellono was in his office detimating. He had to be totally at one with himself if he was to give Iswel and Veest their best chance of surviving with nimds and ediboes intact. He concentrated on his taraman repeating it over and over until his nimd relaxed.  Orn appeared on the control deck and asked if he could see Iswel not just through the viewing naple, he wanted to go into the room. 'You can't go in alone Orn, no-one can. ' said Tharam. Orn sent a thought message to Zelah and a few minutes later she came onto the hisp. 'I would like to see Iswel' she said. 'There' said Orn. 'I won't be by myself if Zelah comes too.' 'No!'said Tharam.
'It must be a senior who accompanies either of you in there. Zelah was petrified of cemi and Orn sent her a thought picture of the biggest semou he could conjure up. She began screaming hysterically putting Tharam and Jeo momentarily off guard. Orn slipped into the cisk yab, he saw that everything was set up for the procedure involving his two best temas. A flask of green liquid stood by the uchoc
where Veest was soon to lay. Orn picked it up and raised it to his lips.

[Loopy]

"No, Orn, don't drink it." shouted Jeo "Your mind isn't compatible with Iswel's."  Orn stopped with the liquid still at his lips.  He looked at Jeo and at Tharam and Cellono who had now joined Jeo.  Lastly he looked at Zelah who was begging him with her eyes not to drink.  "It's true Orn - your minds are not compatible." repeated Cellono.  Tharam spoke next. "Veest is the only one who can do this.  He is one in a million.  He has a mind that can interact with anybody, whatever state they are in."  Cellono spoke with authority and said "Now put it down Orn - that is an order."  Orn placed the flask back where he had grabbed it from.  He felt miserable at his cowardice.  He had failed his two friends.  Slowly he walked towards the exit, his head hanging in shame.  Tharam and Zelah felt so sorry for him as Jeo escorted him back to his quarters.  "Come on young lady, away with you too.  Veest will be here soon."  Tharam smiled at Zelah "Go and see how Orn is doing - I think he could do with some good company."  Zelah smiled back and ran off to find Orn.

Several moments later Veest and Rado entered the room.  "I'm ready." said Veest.

[loopylin]

Cellono looked at Rado 'Time you were leaving m'dear' he said. 'How long will this take?' she enquired. 'The actual procedure about two hour and then of course there's the recovery period. It will take a lot out of Veest and it will probably be morning before he's regained anything like full strength. For Iswel of course it will be much longer than that. ' 'Why does it have to be now? Why can't we wait s few days when we'll know more about Iswel's chance of survival?' she persisted. 'Tests show this is a good time- now please Rado....' 'I want to stay- I can't bear being all that time without knowing.' Cellono looked enquiringly ar Veest who felt himself torn. Half of him felt that having her there would give him extra courage and strength and her lovely face would fill his last controlled thoughts and the other half did not want her to witness whast could be a very distressing time. 'It cant have any effect on the thought transferrance can it Cellono?' 'Absolutely none!' Rado's small hand had crept into Veest's. 'Then okay I'd like it if you stay but you must promise that you'll leave if things get too distressing for you .' Rado nodded. 'Well just leave us for a few minutes while we we do the final medical checks- we'll call you in before the procedure starts.' Tharam left too . Veest removed his uniform and the health checks were performed. Then he lay down and the sanitiser was passed over his body before he was decently draped. 'Sit up now Veest, we're ready for you to drink the liquid as soon as Rado and Tharam come in.' Rado went forward but Cellono stopped her. 'Sorry- you can't touch him. Everything's been sanitised in case we need to do any emergency procedures. ' 'Can't I even hold his hand? ' 'Let's sanitise your hands then you can and you'd better put on one of these masks. ' Cellono, Jeo and Tharam all sanitised their hands and arms too and everyone masked up. Veest was given the liquid and he drank it pulling a face at the rather revolting taste. As he lay back down and counted back from 10 as instructed Rado grasped and squeezed his hand and received an answering squeeze. As the countback reached three his hand in hers became unresponsive, his eyes remained open and he nodded when Cellono asked if he could hear him. He was told to say 'stop' if anything hurt him. Sensors were attached to him to monitor his vital signs and finally his brain was connected to Iswel's by what looked like a painful procedure but neither of them made any response. It was almost more than Rado could bear to see him lying there looking so vulnerable. She looked round the room listening to whirrs and clicks and beeps. In the corner she recognised the life stabiliser which had the capacity to be used on more than one person at once. She shuddered as Cellono said 'Veest we are initialising thought transferrance procedure- now!' As he pressed a red button Veest's body convulsed once then was still again. Rado covered her mouth with her free hand. 'It's okay' said Tharam. 'That's a natural reaction. All we can do now is wait.' Rado fixed her eyes on Veest's face noticing every little twitch.' 'I'm with you all the way Veest' she whispered.

[Loopy]

An hour passed by without anything untoward happening... in fact everything was going to plan and surprisingly easily.  The hot atmosphere in the room had made Rado tired and she closed her eyes to rest, without actually falling asleep.  Whilst she was in semi-consciousness she suddenly had a feeling of great pressure and then her head felt that it was exploding.  At the same time Iswel's ralam sounded from his uchoc.  Rado opened her eyes but could hardly see due to the pain in her head.  Cellono rushed at her and pulled her hand away from Veest's and the pain left her immediately.  Veest, however, was having some kind of zesurie.  "What's happening? What's gone wrong?" Rado screamed.  "You must leave Rado." Cellono told her."No I will not leave him." she screamed.  Cellono called for Dorkblec to take Rado away.  She fought to stay with Veest but Dorkblec was too rongst for her.  As she left she heard Veest's ralam beginning to sound and Cellono was rushing to his side.

[loopylin]

Greguls sounded a general alarm call and both wercs assembled quickly. Having taken control of Rado Greguls addressed them all.'We have to help both Iswel and Veest- At once now -link' They forrmed a cirrcle arms round each other head touching head. ' Now will life force into Veest and Iswel.' In the cisk yab Cellono had connected both young men to the life machine. With the combined efforts of the werc and the machine Veest's heart resumed its rythm but Iswel's did not. 'Increase concentration' he called and turned up the machine. 'Come on Iswel' said Tharam. Veest's face showed signs of distress and an amber warning light appeared on the life machine. 'Jeo- get Rado and Orn in here stat!' 'No'- said Tharam- 'You can't put them through that!' 'It may be our last chance to save them both.' Jeo did not return with them but took his place in the circle of life. 'Cellono positioned Orn and Rado so that they
held hands then Rado held one of Vees't and Orn one of Iswel's. 'Maximum Power Tharam on my count Tharam and you two concentrate life force 3-2-1 now!' 'Yes!' said Tharam. 'Both hearts are beating!'
'Keep up concentration' said Cellono as Tharam re-positioned the dials. 'Right they are both on a high concentration of genoxy, everyone relax but stand by.. . Everyone held their breath. Cellono looked at the appropriate machine and found that though transferrance had been completed at the point when Veest's alarm went off. He then disconnected their brains from each other. 'Now we can treat them independently.' Veest's heart now beat strongly and Rado breathed a sigh of relief. 'My dear,' said Cellono. 'Iswel did not react as quickly as Veest to the life restoring measures. We cannot tell if his rabin was affected which means.... 'He will be okay- I know it. I'll make him okay.' Cellono was feeling the strain. The main computer had recorded everything that went on and would now analyse everything. If he had made any mistakes everyone would know. He had had health problems himself and Tharam and Rado gasped as he clutched his head and collapsed hitting his head on the life machine as he fell.

[loopylin]

Immediately Tharam attached the portable diagnostic machine to Cellono. 'It's okay,' she announced, he's just fainted.' She called Jeo and together they sat him up and shook him gently to rouse him. 'What happened?' he said dazedly.'You just fainted' said Tharam. It's the heat in here I expect, That cut on your head needs attending to though. ' There were no spare couches so they helped Cellono to a chair where the cut was swiftly attended to. 'Just rest there and I'll get us all a brehal eta. Greguls came in and surveyed all the tenipats. 'Keep an eye on Cellono while I find a medisuit for Veest. Can't have him receiving visitors in the edun! Turn your back for a moment Rado, Orn- come and give us a hand a ces.'
Between them they dressed Veest talking to him all the time but he didn't wake up. Iswel was still on genoxy and attached to a monitor so they did not dress him. Orn went over to Iswel 'Come on me ole tema, fight!.' Rado once again positioned herself at Veest's side taking both his hands in hers and squeezing gently. 'Veest, it's Rado, if you can hear me squeeze my hand back, you needn't try to open your eyes or answer just show me you know I'm here. You're going to be fine.' Tharam came back with the eta. 'Phillsy is  on duty out there and Anan and Leoc  are in charge of the other hisp. Jeo if you can get the terchrest ready we'll get Cellono back to his room and Greguls can stay with him. Soon everything in the cisk yab was tequi again. Tharam was watching Iswel and Orn and Jeo were back at their duties. Suddenly Phillsy sent Jeo back in. 'I'm to relieve you Tharam, earth commandant Davidandnick has sent a message and needs a reply, he wants to come in person .and talk to us about our future. Tharam frowned. 'Okay, I'll talk to him. I want him to see those diveos before he arrives so I'll arrange to have them transmitted to him. Perhaps he can throw some light on why we look like those earth people.' Suddenly Veest sat tlob tighurp and freeing himself from Rado's grasp  put his hand to his mouth, he opened his eyes, turned and looked at her, then at Iswel  and tried to form a word but it would not come. Trembling,he lay back down and closed his eyes. 'Veest it's okay. You know I'm here  for you. There's nothing to be afraid of, it's all over. Iswel's alarm went off again, Veest began tossing and turning as  Tharam rushed in,turned dials and fought to bring Iswel's heart back into rhythm. She managed it and once more Veest was quiet. 'I think it's time for Veest to have the reversal liquid so that he no longer feels linked to Iswel. ' Rather roughly Rado thought Tharam shook Veest. 'Come on nos, time to wake up.' She looked apologetically at Rado. 'I'm sorry, he ought to have come out of the sleep now, we have to give him some help or else every time Iswel feels a pain so will Veest.' 'But I thought...' ' Just this one more thing- Veest will you wake up!' Tharam began patting his face none too gently and pinching his cheek. As soon as she stopped his eyes closed again. Tharam was getting agitated. ' Look, Rado, I'm preparing the yellow reversal liquid we have only a few minutes left get him awake. !' Taking a deep breath Rado took Veest's face in her hands and kissed him. For a moment she thought he was not going to respond but then she felt an answering pressure as he kissed her back and whispered 'Rado'. Veest was back! Tharam thrust the glass of yellow liquid into his hands. 'Drink this, now!' The liquid again tasted revolting and Veest was scared he was going to worth pu but Tharam saved the day by giving him a loop nimt. 'That's tetber.' said Veest, I feel tif as a ledfid. Time I got out of this rega and back into my uniform!' 'Whoa!' said Tharam 'flamse present!' Veest looked at Rado. 'Yeah, don't I know it!' Leaving Jeo in charge of Iswel, Tharam and Rado left the cisk yab. 'Veest is A1' said Tharam. ' Now then you lot- time to get things hisp haspe and Tolbris hasfion. Tomorrow is a very special day!'

[Loopy]

Veest couldn't sleep that night.  He still felt a bit light headed but otherwise he was back to himself.  He felt that he needed some fresh air so he decided to go to the kela.  He put his hand up to Jeo as he left the ship.  It was dark and Veest looked around.  All was very quiet.  He decided not to cloak unless he had to and he walked over to the kela, lifted his head and breathed in the earth's air.  The scent of the night reached his trilsson and made him feel peaceful and relaxed.  He knew he had nearly edid on the uchoc and the thought made him shiver.  He had checked on Iswel before he left the ship and was told by Anan that Iswel was now out of danger and in a deep rejuvenating plees.  Veest was relieved that Iswel was going to viel... no, more than relieved, he was happy - an emotion that he never thought he would feel where Iswel was concerned.  Veest pondered on the, what now seemed trivial, disagreements and arguments he had had with Iswel over the years, culminating in Iswel's incarceration on their home planet.  He wondered how different Iswel was going to be when he finally rejuvinated - after all, he now had a part of Veest's emotional senses inside his brain.  As Veest was lost in his thoughts, a hand gently pressed his shoulder.  He turned around quickly and there was Nait.  "What are you doing here.  I thought you'd still be recovering." she said gently.  Veest smiled.  "I'm fully recovered - in fact, I feel better than I ever did."  "I'm sleeping out again tonight." she said.  "Uhh, Veest?  There's somebody else out tonight too - over by the secret kela.  I think she'd like to see you up and about."  Veest looked over to where Nait was pointing and although he couldn't see her, he knew it was Rado.  He made his way across to her and when she saw him the worried lines left her face and she held tightly around his neck.  "Oh Veest." she said.        

[loopylin]

'It's beautiful out here isn't it Rado, even at this time of night. Nait is going to sleep under the sarts again.' 'That sounds luferdown and so cantriom, I'd love to do it too, what about you?' 'Yeah but we'd need to get permission, Nait has - and a couple of speca tecknalbs would be useful. Let's go see if Cellono's still awake. ' When Veest explained that the secret kela had become special to him and Rado and how after his aren thead experience he felt a special need to be there tonight Cellono gave his permission, he had been doing a final check on Iswel when Rado and Veest went back to the hisp.' I want you both back on board by 7 and make sure you are cloaked in case there are any earth people out for an early morning soltrl. ' This time they cloaked immediately they left the hisp. 'Let's just go to the tree first and water it to say khants' said Rado. Their eyes were able to see through cloaking and they saw Nait sitting wrapped in her tecknalb near the stone cottage. They wished her goodnight and after watering the tree went and found a place among the trees by the secret kela. 'I do hope things go well tomorrow with earth commandant.' said Rado. 'I'd like to live in that little cottage, would you?'
'Yes but it would have to be periread and putadep- and we'd have to find rowk we could do.' He wanyed. 'Sorry- after today's rolead you need to plees. ' They settled down together, Veest with his arm protectively over her. She lifted her face to his for a kiss which he readily gave her. He set the alarm on his belt to wake them. She felt so good close to him like this and both soon fell asleep.
Meanwhile, on the hisp swel was stirring. Orn was dozing by the uchoc but jolted awake when Iswel touched his arm. 'Orn, tema, good to see you.' He looked over at the empty uchoc next to him. 'Where's Veest- I need to see him- and Rado.' 'In the morning me old tema. They've got better things to do at the moment.' Iswel struggled to sit up. 'Steady on- you're still under the influence. You're supposed to be kept sedated for days yet.' 'Dos that. I want to get on with my new feli.' With that he swung his legs round, tried to stand and landed in an untidy heap on the rofol.

[Loopy]

Orn helped Iswel to lie down again.  "Oh tema" said Iswel "I'm not as rongst as I thought I was."  Orn laughed to himself.  Iswel had used the word 'tema' twice now and sounded just like Veest!  "You just need a bit longer rejuvenation." Orn told him. "I'll leave you to ster now."  When Orn had left, Iswel relaxed back onto his lowlip.  He felt like a new male.  All his rangy feelings seemed to have disappeared and he had an inner capee that was alien to him but which he liked.  He decided he couldn't wait for the morning to thank Veest so he sent him a mind message which, try as he might, he could not get through.  Veest obviously had something more important on his mind at that time and Iswel guessed that it may have something to do with a certain female.  He looked up at the small wowind above him where the moonlight shone through; the same moonlight that filtered through the trees at the secret kela where Veest and Rado lay together; not just as friends any more but lovers too.

[loopylin]

Veest lay awake looking down at Rado and wondering what was going to happen next. There was no way they would be able to survive on a few stolen moments away from the prying eyes of their fellow werc members. They needed to be together, he felt sure that Cellono would understand but the capsules on the hisps were only designed for one person to sleep in. His thoughts kept returning to the cottage and what Rado had said about living there. The couple in the diveo had lived there a long time back, perhaps it was their yestind to follow suit. He consulted his timepiece, there was still 30 timeuns before his alarm was due to go off and he knew how he wanted to spend them. His movement woke Rado and she smiled at him. Nait was an early riser but had a feeling that her friends down by the kela would not welcome her company, she tried to send a thought message to say she was on her way back to the hisp but had no more success with Rado than Iswel had had with Veest. There was no-one around so Nait walked slowly towards the hisp singing a song she'd learned from her andromtherg. The hauntingly sweet sound carried on the still air telling Rado and Veest they must prepare to return to their duties. Iswel finally got a message through. Veest could hardly believe that Iswel knew what he had done for him. He had not been conscious before the procedure and yet he knew what had happened. Had Orn or someone told him? ' I need to shenfre pu' said Rado. She waited for Nait to catch up so they could enter Valletrer 2 together. Veest hung back until they were inside for although Jeo, Cellono and Tharam knew they had been sleeping outside he was sure Phillsy did not. He hoped that Rado and Nait could convince her they had been on an early klaw together. He cloaked himself hoping that Phillsy would not look directly at him as he passed and so see through his cloak but she was busy berating Dynew who she had found asleep on watch so Veest made it to his own hisp unobserved. He decided he would just have time to werosh and visit Iswel before reporting to Cellono at 7. When the two former antagonists met they smiled broadly at each other and shared a namghu. Then Veest was amazed to learn that Iswel had sensed him lying on the next couch to him. It appeared to have happened as soon as he had drunk the liquid. 'You know,' said Iswel 'I used to think you were a right kreb, now I 'm glad that from now on I can share some of your way of thinking. We might even be temas!' Veest shook his hand, told him to ekat ti yesa then went to report to Cellono.
'Ah, Veest Davidandnick has already been in touch this morning, he's looked at the diveos and has had his people do some charseer. I sent him some pictures of everyone on board here. He is due to arrive in about 2 hours and I hope he will have some good news for us. From the way you keep smiling to yourself I take it you and Rado spent a good night outside?' 'Yes' replied Veest 'and I wanted to ask you...' their conversation was interrupted by Anan bursting onto the control deck. ' Can you come quickly all lehl has broken out on Valletrer 2 !!!' Calling out to the other werc who had assembled in the chart room Cellono and Veest followed Anan. 'Why today of all days?' complained Cellono.

[loopylin]

Tharam stopped Anan from following the others. 'Stay here with me and leave it to the allefs to sort out.
Outside Ellica, Zelah and Olec were huddled together .'Phillsy's gone mad!' shouted Zelah. She's been lashing out with her porc. She's got Rado, Nait and Dynew pinned in a corner and if they try and move she threatens them. Veest, Phic and  Dorkbelc started forward but Cellono said 'No- I'll handle this.'
He entered Valletrer 2, the others stood behind him. 'Phillsy- put down that porc at once and leave those flamse alone- d'you here?' Phillsy turned round her porc upraised and lunged at Cellono allowing the terrified flamse to escape from their corner. Cellono sidestepped and Phillsy's crop connected only with thin air. As she raised it again Veest and Jeo overpowered and disarmed her and snapped the porc in two. 'Jeo, Greguls, stay here with me. The rest of you go onto the other hisp. Send Tharam here. He sat Phillsy down. 'What on earth brought that on?' 'Undermined my authority, all three of them, no discipline. Dynew sleeping on duty, the other two staying out all night without permission. ' 'Well Nait and Rado did have my permission. I'm sure if we speak to Dynew there's probably a good explanation as to why she fell asleep. There was no reason to attack them like that. This is a very serious matter and I'm afraid I cannot allow you to continue in a position of authority.  Tharam, I'm afraid Phillsy will have to be detained, we cannot allow her to jeopardise our future. ' 'I'd like her to have a health check before we make any rash decisions- she could be ill.' 'Davidandnick is due within the hour. I'm sorry but until then my decision on detention stands. We will have to take her to Valletrer 1, there are no holding facilities here.' Reluctantly Tharam took Phillsy by the arm and Greguls did the same. 'Stay here Jeo and watch the hisp.' Anan  had taken the flamse into the chart room. Rado refused to go and sat on the control deck both her hand held tightly by Veest. Tharam and Greguls settled Phillsy in the holding cell then returned to the control deck where Cellono was staring at the communications screen.'He's here! His transporter has arrived and he's awaiting our permission to board. Leave the young flamse where they are and the rest of you form a ragud of nohrou by the door, Tharam, Greguls and I will hold an audience with him and his meta in my room.' Rado let go of Veest and lined up with the others. A few minutes later an earth official entered the hisp and announced 'His excellency, earth controller Davidandnick.' and the assembled werc  held their arms in front of their bodies, wrists crossed and hands open in a gesture of friendship and salute.

[Loopy]

The flamse stood open-mouthed when they caught a glimpse of their honoured guest.  Davidandnick was tall, dark and handsome and had an air of sophistication about him that they had not seen before.  Ellica swore he smiled at her and Olec curtsied when he passed her.  The visit lasted for three earth hours and everybody was on their best behaviour.  When Davidandnick finally left the hisp, the flamse talked and giggled excitedly about him.  Cellono and Tharam smiled as the laughter grew louder.  It was good to see everybody enjoying themselves.  Tharam turned to Cellono. "That meeting went very well Cellono.  I think he was impressed."  Cellono nodded "Yes, indeed.  He's going to report back to the rest of the Earth's leaders and contact us again with their answer.  I have to say, I'm quietly confident."