Billy sighed Then I shall have to prove it He really didn't want to do this, but it was necessary to save Kim. He would have to show them, in all it's painful detail what he had done to his friend on Phaedos, and the dark thoughts that had nearly consumed him and taken his life. It was something he had hoped to keep private. Skye offered his mute support.

Jamie had drawn a number of looks as she had strode through the camp on her way to the meeting. Purple was not a color worn by many Zarakin, signifying as it did the royalty. But she knew that most of the stares were because even fewer women wore the garb of a warrior.
          Once inside the meeting tent, the Rangers had been shown to a spot where a number of low, boxlike seats had been set out for them. Jamie noticed that hers had been set at Zarador's right, a position that was sure to get her noticed. She raised an eyebrow at him as she took a seat, and he responded with a grin.
          The nobles and their entourages were filing in now, and Jamie listened intently as Zarador explained their identities in low tones.
          An older man, with iron-gray hair and blue eyes was identified as Trath, the lord of a province known as Belara. "He's a little more than half my age and acts twice it," Zarador told her quietly. "He's extremely old-fashioned, believes Rangers are worthy of the highest respect. Unfortunately, he also thinks women should take care of the children and devote themselves to 'non-taxing' pursuits. It'll be interesting to see which way this goes."Justin just laughed. "I didn't bother to change before I left Eltare," he explained, as Storm Blaster stopped idling and shifted into gear. They pulled out of the crosswalk and started crawling through the maze of pedestrians, most of whom didn't seem aware there was anyone else in the road. "I was in a hurry, and this is California, after all."

"Eltare?" Andros repeated, reaching back for his seatbelt. He cast an odd glance over his shoulder before raising an eyebrow at Justin. "No seatbelt laws on Eltare, huh?"

Ashley slapped his shoulder fondly. "Like you should talk, Mr. 'The Power Will Protect Me'!"

He shrugged, giving her a rueful grin. "What can I say, you've got me trained."

"There are seatbelts," Justin interrupted. "Trust me, they're there, and you'll want them soon. Do you guys mind going on a little trip?"

"How little?" Ashley asked suspiciously. "You came all the way from Eltare to take us on a road trip?"

You have all wanted to know what happened to me on Phaedos, to Skye - Now I will show you what I am capable of, and what Skye is capable of accepting...watch and learn. Billy triggered recall of the entire events of that time, echoed by Skye’s version and watched the whole drama replay in graphic detail. There was a hushed silence afterwards and a sense of wonder. Dramatic reassessments were going on in their minds. They could not disbelieve now, and maybe they could understand some more of what had happened.