“The future is open to us, and I am open to the future.” Ume.

Besh followed Ume into a small room with a single overhead light. Otherwise empty, the room boasted two chairs and a makeshift shower stall accessed by two steps. Besh turned to Ume with an unspoken question in his eyes.

Ume said, “You will shower; you have a smell about you. The hanging can holds water. Get wet, soap up, and rinse off. We catch the water below the drain and dump it into the river. I'll be back with a towel and some clean clothes.” Having said that, Ume left.

Besh threw his clothing and boots on a chair and stepped into the shower. The can that hung from the ceiling had an attached line. Besh took the flexible line, opened it, and wet himself with cold water. He took a small used bar of soap and lathered up, feeling the deep scar on his chest. He had gotten it in his first battle from shrapnel he could not avoid. Sam would be proud, he thought with a smile. He sensed Ume's return.

Ume sat in the chair beside the discarded clothing holding Shade apparel. She said, “I thought you would scream. Most of us hate the cold water.”

“Oh, no,” replied Besh. “It's nice. In my reconstruction, they added some DNA from the Ajzurbed fireworm. Sort of upped my physical tolerance to cold and heat.”

“I see,” said Ume pleasantly. “So then, you are possessed by an alien worm.”

“Hardly,” said Besh. “But, I am possessed by the pirini that I picked up on a radioactive asteroid.”

“You answer so casually,” said Ume.

“The pirini gives me increased speed and strength,” Besh explained.

“When I looked into your eyes,” said Ume, “I knew you were exceptional. When you are done, I have a towel for you.”

“Just toss in the towel,” said Besh. “Tell me how you'll help me find my son?”

Ume stood and draped the towel over the curtain rod. “Mack is very good,” she said. “Aside from the usual records, she can access military and government archives. We will look at the odd records, such as name changes, unidentified deaths, military deep cover.”

“Sounds like she knows her business,” said Besh, tossing the wet towel where he got it and reaching through the curtain for clothing.

Ume put the clothing in his hand and answered, “She does. I believe in her, as you will.”

Besh stepped from the shower dressed in new black trousers and a gray hooded top. He sat to put his boots on; Ume handed him clean socks and a nod of approval.

Mack worked her console while Lexi, under a hover light, scanned maps at a nearby table. Mack looked up as Ume entered and smiled before turning back to her work. The screen above her showed rapid progress in a script Besh was unfamiliar with. Lexi stood straight to stretch her back and gave Ume a wink.

Ume drew Besh close, saying, “My resident geniuses.” Mack nodded and Lexi smiled. Ume stood behind Mack and placed a hand on her shoulder, who immediately reduced the scrolling script to a window in the upper right of the screen and turned to look up at Ume. Ume said, “We will help our new friend find someone who came to Terra some thirty to thirty-five years ago. Male, name Owain. Sammy exhausted his resources. But I believe you can find places to look he could not. Am I right to believe in you?”

Mack answered, “Absolutely, boss. This world holds no secret I can't find. Of course, it'll take time at the level I'm forced to work.”

Ume said, “We will give you all you need, perhaps even better equipment. I still hold out hope.”

Mack turned back to her console. “Yeah,” she said. “If hope was a puppy. Tell me what you know.”

Ume turned to Besh. “Anything more?” she asked. “Oh, right.” Ume faced Mack and added, “He may have a skin condition.” Ume turned to Lexi. “How's our course?” she asked.

Lexi leaned over the map and pressed a finger in an area only she understood. “Found it,” she said. “It's over in Trestabel. Well, actually in a wooded area northeast of Trestabel. One road in, and guard stations up the wazoo. Fences, guns; it's not looking good.”

“I trust you,” said Ume, smiling. “Even if you lead us down a dark path, you'll get us where we need to go.”

“You know me,” said Lexi.

Ume pulled Besh away, heading back the way they came. “You have some good people,” said Besh.

“The best,” said Ume.

Besh said, letting Ume hold his arm, “My wife's body is in a restricted zone. Can Lexi get us in there?”

“I have no doubts,” answered Ume. “As I said, we will help you find your son and wife. You will help us steal a stela. First, I will put you in a room near mine. You should rest. I have work to do. My people will return; we can talk more at that time. I will answer all your questions then. Tell me, Besh. Do you only have the one name?”

Nodding, Besh answered, “The long name is Benjamin Edward Shuller. I'll answer to Benjamin. My wife called me Ben.” He smiled and said, “I'll even answer to Hey You.”

Ume took Besh to a small room beside her own. She opened the door, reached in, and cut on the light. Her eyes were bright with self-possession as she replied, “I'll call you Besh.”

Ume sat in her chair in command watching Lexi and Mack. It was an hour after she put Besh to bed. Her crew returned with smiles. First came the runners, Elin and Donnelly, the former with a happy thumbs up as they went to their lockers. Next came the fighters, Plume, Raine, and Tor. Plume, with a broad smile, gave a thumbs up with both hands. Then came Tory, Carter, and Kalle. Tory stopped in the door to raise a thumb, then quickly left to open the meeting room for an informal debriefing around the big table. Finally, Audra and Marq entered side by side, Alistair following with daggers in his eyes.

Ume stood and called out, “All to the big table. Marq, a word, please.”

With the crew gone, Marq sidled up to Ume with a wary smile. “Where's Besh?” he asked.

“I'll show you,” answered Ume, her arm extended to the door. As they passed into the hall, Ume asked, “Is there trouble between you and Alistair?”

Looking confused, Marq answered, “No. No.”

Ume said, commanding the moment, “It would be a shame if you came between Alistair and Audra. The Shades operate on mutual respect. Do you hear what I'm saying?”

Marq answered, “I hear you. No trouble here.”

Down the hall, a moan issued from the open room. Ume looked at Marq with questioning eyes. Then came a loud wail; a desperate 'no' that crawled along the hall like a painful wounded soul. Marq ran into the room, Ume followed, bringing up the light. Marq took Besh by the shoulders and raised him.

Besh!” called Marq as he shook his friend. “Rude! You're having the dream. Wake up.”

Ume watched as Besh thrashed, his arms reaching out at random, knocking Marq from the simple cot. Ume stepped forward, uncertain how to proceed. Marq returned to the cot and shook Besh, calling his name. Besh gasped as if he might weep, then without warning, reached out with both arms and screamed the name of his dead wife.

“Heaven!” screamed Besh. His eyes opened as he gasped and looked around. He looked, it seemed to Ume, into her soul, calling the name of his dead wife in a subdued manner, as reason came to him.

Besh pulled his feet from the bed and looked into Marq's face. Marq said, “Man. You get scary when you do that.”

Besh looked about the room, to wrap his thoughts around the present reality. He shook his head and looked at the leader of the Shades. He was in their underground lair; he had come asking for help. Taking a deep breath, Besh steadied himself and studied her worried but lovely face.

Besh apologized meekly. “Sorry.”

Ume shook her head. “No need,” she answered. “You loved her dearly. Come. ”

Besh sat beside Ume at the big table. Mack sat at the console, and Tory leaned against the door frame. Marq sat in a spare seat by the wall. Her hands were flat on the table, and Ume smiled at her crew, looking into each of their faces before she spoke. The room was quiet.

“If there are distractions,” said Ume, looking at Alistair, “set them aside for now. My Shades look happy, so I take it you've done well. I want to hear about it.” She turned to Elin and Donnelly, who sat together, and asked them, “What do my runners report?”

Donnelly stood, still in his hooded top, but with the sleeves pushed up past his elbows. His manner was just short of cocky. “We booked rooms at a lodge on Coolah Lake. All the new identities passed check.”

From her seat at the console, Mack replied, proud of her work, “Well, of course.”

With a smirk for Mack, Donnelly sat, and Plume raised her hand. Ume responded pleasantly, “Yes, Plume.”

Plume, wearing a sheer purple top highlighting small breasts, said, “We have eyes on the road in and the guard stations.”

Elin added, “We have the new equipment.”

“Good,” said Ume. “Both of you.”

Mack said, “I have feelers everywhere. If there's something to find, I'll find it.”

Ume turned to Mack with a smile, saying, “I've no doubt. All of you,” she said to the table, “are so wonderfully talented.” She spread her hands. “I have every confidence.”

Carter spoke into a warm familial silence, “The distractions are set.”

Ume nodded approval, and the Shades soaked in the light of her approval like fat and lazy sunflowers on a sunny day.

Kalle, in a white sleeveless top, said, “Adrian said he can give you five of their best.”

Ume sat back, taking a deep breath, satisfied as plans coalesced. She turned to Besh with an easy smile, indicating her crew with a simple nod. “I have the best,” she said, inviting praise.

Besh returned her smile and said, “I'm impressed.”

Ume turned to Alistair. She asked, “Alistair, did you make the drop? You seem quiet.”

Alistair, dressed in a casual suit, lowered his face in an obvious attempt to compose himself. When he raised it to meet Ume's expectant gaze, he said, “Not to complain, but I must. We made the drop, but the Rados were in the area. We almost got caught because a certain newbie was flirting with my girl.”

Marq replied from his seat, “No. You just need to be clear with your instructions.” He looked to Besh for support and found a blank face. “I can follow orders,” he said. “I've been doing it for four years.”

Audra, embarrassed, looked inward, avoiding eye contact. Ume saw the tension and spoke to diffuse it. “Let's take a well-earned break,” she said. “We've all done our best. We learn from our mistakes, do we not? Go, enjoy a meal. Rest and prepare. New assignments are coming. Now, I want a closed meeting With Besh, Mack, Lexi, and Carter. Audra, could you be a dear, and start the meal?” Audra stood and left with a blush; Alistair followed her from the room.

It impressed Besh that the Shades looked to Ume for guidance; it impressed him doubly that she so fully met their need. He watched the departing people, then looked into Marq's eyes. Marq wore the face of a child called out for wrongdoing; there was shame on his face and hurt. Besh gave him a nod to let him know they were still tight. Marq, seeming relieved, inhaled determination and left the room.

Carter sat near Ume, Mack, and Lexi sat at the far end of the table. Ume sat forward and rested her chin atop laced fingers. The room waited as Ume considered her words. When she sat back and crossed her arms, even Besh was assured a verdict was at hand.

Ume said, “We approach simultaneous projects. Nothing new for the Shades, so, I'm not worried.” She turned to Carter and said, “I would like you to take a trip. Go to the lodge and make sure all is right. Take the card, use what you need, but don't over-spend. Our operation at Coolah Lake is in your hands.”

Carter replied, “You can count on me.”

Ume turned to Lexi and said, “Before Carter leaves, I would like you to pass upcoming assignments to him for inspection. So here is what we put the shoulder to. We go to Trestabel and take the prize. We go to Coolah Lake and breach restriction for our friend's wife. We go into deep mode and search for his son. There is much to do. Please be sure Besh and Marq are equipped for the tasks ahead. All of you know your abilities better than I, and I trust you completely, but if there are questions, please ask them now.”

“I have a question,” said Besh. All eyes turned to him.

“Please,” prompted Ume.

Besh asked, “If I can get Mack better equipment, will that help?”

“Hell yeah,” said Mack.

Ume said with a smile, “Let's make that a goal. If there are no objections, assignments first, stela second.”

The closed meeting broke up, Lexi and Carter leaving in subdued conversation. Mack returned to her console, the scrolling information on the screen a foreign language to Besh. Ume turned in her seat and faced Besh. She did not smile, but her face was bright with an inner calm. She was at ease and self-possessed. She looked into his eyes so deeply, Besh felt overwhelmed. He admired Ume, and perhaps, he would allow himself to like her. He gazed into her green eyes, and smiled, inviting her lead.

Ume said, “There are festivities in Symalton. Would you like to go up? We have time.”

Besh nodded, responding with a straight face, “Lead the way.”