Chapter 110 "Getting Real Well Known!"

Captain Irnay wasted no time in getting us back to Vaga IV, It was Hyperdrive back to the rim, then "folding" space from there to Vaga IV if our prisoner thought he was going to the Cassylia, he was in for a surprise, we were given priority clearance to land, where we were met by a sizeable security detachment, Captain Irnay and Ijale went with one group, the raider craft and our prisoner went with another. As for myself and the rest of the crew, we were hustled to a nondescript building where we had to sign non-disclosure forms and warned that bad things could happen to us if we spoke a word about what was found on the Irnanese cruiser. Jason and I were taken to see a man I knew was a friend of Charka's father. Without going into so many words we were told that what I had found was extremely important, I nor Jason really didn't need to know what it was, the fact that we were from earth and really didn't know played in our favor. Jason was given Vagan citizenship on the spot; our security clearances were also upgraded. I explained to Jason that his being made an "instant" citizen and our subsequent security upgrades had more to do with the fact that the government now had more "leverage" over us should either of us say anything about what was found on that ship. We also noticed later on that our bank balances mysteriously jumped up and that people and security types got "real nice" to us whenever we inserted our Identicards into the card reader. Frank told me later he was informed that he was entitled to a rather nice "finders fee" for the raider craft, but to keep that "under his hat" as well. To cap things off the whole crew was invited to a private party given by Charka's parents. Her Fiancé, Janu Ibral was off with the allied expeditionary forces teaching the Llort it wasn't nice to go around abducting people. Charka announced that when Janu returned, they would be getting married. Apparently, Vagan's go through a private ceremony with just the parents and the Vagan equivalent of a priest, then they publicly proclaim their marriage at a party, which always follows. As Cha'Nara explained it to me, this party takes on more meaning than wedding reception families might have on earth. Anyway, it's a pretty big deal; Cha'Nara also hinted that it might be an opportune time to "announce" our "intentions," as well.

Charka's father also spoke to me in private, "Ben, I hope you realize that the Vagan Government as well as the Navy thanks you for finding that "Item" for us, Charka and Ijale swore up and down they looked at that cabinet and didn't see anything, when my daughter says she didn't see it I believe her. All I can tell you is that your sharp eyes may clear up a lot of mysteries and mistaken intentions, as well as things I'm not at liberty to say. Oh yes, the recovery of that raider ship is causing quite a stir as well, I'm telling you that you earth men have really got a lot of people talking, Oh and tell Mr. Hawks thank you for his insights, he's finally put a lot of troubled minds to rest." "I'll do that, and thank you sir," I replied.

When I returned to the party Donna told me Charka, Cha'Nara and Charka's mother were off undergoing some private ritual strictly for Vagan females, and not to talk about it, Wow! That's all we needed, more secrecy. While we waited Frank and Ijale filled Charka's father in on the details of recovering the raider ship, he told us the map we found would be invaluable in locating and destroying the raider bases. Donna told me she had started working on the teddy bear, and would really be putting a lot of love into it. Eventually the three women returned, they refused to say where they went or what they did, but they looked well refreshed. Charka's parents also offered us the use of their place on Alos, which so happens is where we went to next, I joked with Charka about it and she said it was a sort of "thank you" for a job well done. Once on Alos we all sort of went our own ways, Prax headed off somewhere with Frank and Jason, Jerann and Donna went somewhere taking the little boy, Charka went to visit friends and Cha'Nara and I seemed to have the run of the place. Of the three dekken we spent there, most of it seemed to be spent in the spa with no clothes. Cha'Nara and I also re-visited the underground hide-away I first stayed at, as well as inviting her friends up from Vaga to party with us. I renewed my friendship with Ko'Zorr, Na'Kai, Na'Far and Lu'Kor. I remember getting pretty "loaded" and everybody ending up in the spa all at once. While relaxing in the spa with a drink in my hand I kept thinking back to you Deak, "Party hardy and party down!" only in this case, I didn't have a motel to drive back to.