Insofar_CS21 as_CS22 he_PPHS1 knew_VVD ,_, Flinx_NP1 was_VBDZ the_AT first_MD unofficial_JJ ,_, uninvited_JJ representative_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE species_NN to_TO set_VVI foot_NN1 on_II the_AT AAnn_NP1 homeworld_NN1 of_IO Blasusarr_NN1 ._. 
Very_RG few_DA2 humans_NN2 and_CC even_RR fewer_DAR thranx_NN1 had_VHD ever_RR been_VBN formally_RR accredited_VVN to_TO do_VDI so_RR ._. 
Only_RR the_AT minimum_JJ number_NN1 essential_JJ to_TO facilitate_VVI those_DD2 few_DA2 diplomatic_JJ exchanges_NN2 where_RRQ electronic_JJ representations_NN2 were_VBDR insufficient_JJ and_CC face-to-face_JJ conversation_NN1 was_VBDZ demanded_VVN had_VHD ever_RR been_VBN allowed_VVN actual_JJ physical_JJ access_NN1 ._. 
The_AT idea_NN1 that_CST a_AT1 single_JJ human_NN1 operating_VVG entirely_RR on_II their_APPGE own_DA might_VM somehow_RR succeed_VVI in_II penetrating_VVG the_AT elaborate_JJ and_CC extensive_JJ defenses_NN2 that_CST redundantly_RR englobed_VVD Blasusarr_NP1 was_VBDZ sufficiently_RR ludicrous_JJ to_TO promulgate_VVI all_DB by_II itself_PPX1 entirely_RR new_JJ orders_NN2 of_IO cognitive_JJ absurdity_NN1 ._. 
Everyone_PN1 knew_VVD that_CST no_AT non-AAnn_JJ ship_NN1 could_VM so_RR31 much_RR32 as_RR33 approach_VVI the_AT outskirts_NN2 of_IO the_AT homeworld_NN1 system_NN1 without_IW being_VBG challenged_VVN --_JJ or_CC blown_VVN to_II bits_NN2 ._. 
However_RR ,_, the_AT AAnn_NP1 scientists_NN2 and_CC engineers_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD designed_VVN and_CC built_VVN those_DD2 impressive_JJ planetary_JJ defense_NN1 systems_NN2 had_VHD never_RR envisioned_VVN a_AT1 ship_NN1 like_II the_AT Teacher_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB then_RT ,_, neither_RR had_VHD anyone_PN1 else_RR ._. 
The_AT energetic_JJ and_CC enthusiastic_JJ Ulru-Ujurrians_NN2 ,_, using_VVG all_DB of_IO their_APPGE exponentially_RR developing_JJ skills_NN2 ,_, imbued_VVN the_AT entire_JJ body_NN1 of_IO Flinx_NP1 's_GE vessel_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 chameleonic_JJ ability_NN1 ._. 
The_AT ship_NN1 could_VM so_RR completely_RR transform_VVI its_APPGE appearance_NN1 that_CST one_MC1 moment_NN1 it_PPH1 could_VM present_VVI the_AT perfect_JJ likeness_NN1 and_CC detection_NN1 signature_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 private_JJ passenger_NN1 craft_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT next_MD that_DD1 of_IO a_AT1 heavily_RR armed_JJ military_JJ escort_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT settled_VVN in_II unobtrusive_JJ orbit_NN1 around_II the_AT AAnn_NP1 homeworld_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 displayed_VVD the_AT convincing_JJ aspect_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 minor_JJ clan_NN1 AAnn_NP1 cargo_NN1 vessel_NN1 ._. 
Furthermore_RR ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX the_AT only_JJ persuasive_JJ transformation_NN1 to_TO have_VHI taken_VVN place_NN1 in_II that_DD1 vicinity_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ also_RR the_AT elaborate_JJ and_CC difficult_JJ provisional_JJ makeover_VV0 Flinx_NP1 had_VHD devised_VVN for_IF himself_PPX1 ._. 
So_RR accomplished_VVN was_VBDZ the_AT result_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD been_VBN on_II Blasusarr_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 local_JJ teverravak_NN1 ,_, or_CC sixteen_MC days_NNT2 ,_, without_IW drawing_VVG more_DAR than_CSN the_AT occasional_JJ casual_JJ glance_NN1 ._. 
Perfectly_RR fashioned_VVN though_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, the_AT simsuit_NN1 that_CST enveloped_VVD him_PPHO1 completely_RR would_VM have_VHI been_VBN inadequate_JJ to_TO sustain_VVI the_AT ruse_NN1 had_VHD he_PPHS1 not_XX been_VBN so_RG knowledgeable_JJ in_II the_AT ways_NN2 of_IO the_AT quasi-reptilians_NN2 among_II whom_PNQO he_PPHS1 moved_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 knew_VVD how_RRQ to_TO emulate_VVI the_AT loping_JJ AAnn_NN1 gait_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ involved_VVD bending_VVG slightly_RR at_II the_AT knees_NN2 and_CC invigorating_JJ each_DD1 step_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 slight_JJ hopping_JJ motion_NN1 ;_; was_VBDZ intimately_RR familiar_JJ with_IW their_APPGE eloquent_JJ repertoire_NN1 of_IO communicative_JJ hand_NN1 gestures_NN2 ;_; could_VM eat_VVI their_APPGE food_NN1 (_( though_CS the_AT profoundly_RR carnivorous_JJ diet_NN1 was_VBDZ beginning_VVG to_TO have_VHI adverse_JJ effects_NN2 on_II his_APPGE waistline_NN1 )_) ;_; and_CC ,_, through_II the_AT use_NN1 of_IO tiny_JJ but_CCB powerful_JJ integrated_JJ servos_NN2 lodged_VVN in_II the_AT suit_NN1 's_GE hindquarters_NN2 ,_, was_VBDZ even_RR able_JK to_TO satisfactorily_RR manipulate_VVI its_APPGE integrated_JJ lightweight_JJ tail_NN1 ._. 
Built-in_JJ nanoneuromatics_NN2 operated_VVN the_AT suit_NN1 's_GE double_JJ eyelids_NN2 ._. 
Having_VHG to_TO view_VVI the_AT world_NN1 through_II their_APPGE slitted_JJ pupils_NN2 somewhat_RR restricted_VVN his_APPGE peripheral_JJ vision_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT result_NN1 was_VBDZ more_RRR than_CSN adequate_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 saw_VVD everything_PN1 that_CST threatened_VVD to_TO trip_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
Thus_RR camouflaged_VVD and_CC experienced_VVD ,_, he_PPHS1 passed_VVD freely_RR if_CS cautiously_RR among_II his_APPGE unknowing_JJ hosts_NN2 ,_, the_AT loose_JJ spaces_NN2 and_CC the_AT specially_RR constructed_VVN sleeping_JJ pocket_NN1 within_II the_AT suit_NN1 providing_VVG ample_JJ room_NN1 for_IF Pip_NP1 to_TO both_RR rest_VVI and_CC move_VVI about_RP while_CS retaining_VVG a_AT1 certain_JJ amount_NN1 of_IO freedom_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX even_RR the_AT operators_NN2 of_IO the_AT subsurface_NN1 transient_JJ burrow_NN1 where_CS Flinx_NP1 had_VHD rented_VVN living_JJ space_NN1 suspected_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ anything_RR21 but_RR22 a_AT1 nye_NN1 :_: a_AT1 fully_RR mature_JJ adult_NN1 AAnn_NP1 ._. 
Utilizing_VVG a_AT1 mastery_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE hosts_NN2 '_GE language_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ rare_JJ among_II his_APPGE kind_NN1 ,_, while_CS keeping_VVG conversation_NN1 to_II a_AT1 minimum_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 found_VVD himself_PPX1 accepted_VVN by_II his_APPGE fellow_JJ burrow-dwellers_NN2 as_CSA one_MC1 of_IO their_APPGE own_DA ._. 
He_PPHS1 even_RR took_VVD care_NN1 to_TO make_VVI appropriate_JJ use_NN1 of_IO the_AT sand_NN1 room_NN1 in_II his_APPGE quarters_NN2 ,_, remembering_VVG before_II departing_VVG each_DD1 day_NNT1 to_TO leave_VVI the_AT suitably_RR scaly_JJ impression_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE simsuit_NN1 on_II the_AT heated_JJ surface_NN1 ._. 
Thankfully_RR ,_, the_AT suit_NN1 's_GE thermosensitive_JJ cooling_NN1 system_NN1 was_VBDZ up_II21 to_II22 the_AT task_NN1 of_IO coping_VVG with_IW Blasusarr_NP1 's_GE demanding_JJ climate_NN1 ._. 
The_AT AAnn_NP1 had_VHD evolved_VVN on_II a_AT1 desert_NN1 world_NN1 ._. 
While_CS Flinx_NP1 normally_RR would_VM have_VHI had_VHN no_AT trouble_NN1 tolerating_VVG the_AT dry_JJ forty-degree_JJ heat_NN1 ,_, any_DD other_JJ kind_NN1 of_IO completely_RR enclosed_JJ suit_NN1 would_VM have_VHI rendered_VVN it_PPH1 unbearable_JJ ._. 
Cocooned_VVN within_II its_APPGE technologically_RR advanced_JJ confines_NN2 he_PPHS1 stayed_VVD cool_JJ and_CC reasonably_RR comfortable_JJ ,_, and_CC could_VM do_VDI most_DAT anything_PN1 an_AT1 AAnn_NN1 could_VM do_VDI without_IW revealing_VVG his_APPGE human_JJ identity_NN1 ._. 
Eating_NN1 ,_, drinking_VVG ,_, and_CC voiding_NN1 were_VBDR the_AT chief_JJ exceptions_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 sustained_VVD his_APPGE masquerade_NN1 by_II making_VVG sure_JJ to_TO perform_VVI such_DA necessary_JJ functions_NN2 only_RR in_II private_JJ and_CC under_RG carefully_RR controlled_VVN conditions_NN2 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 the_AT readback_NN1 the_AT call-in_NN1 was_VBDZ coming_VVG from_II Clarity_NN1 's_GE communit_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT visage_NN1 that_CST took_VVD shape_NN1 above_II his_APPGE wrist_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX that_DD1 of_IO Flinx_NP1 's_VBZ beloved_JJ ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 found_VVD himself_PPX1 gazing_VVG back_RP at_II the_AT countenance_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 pleasant-faced_NN1 ,_, slightly_RR rotund_JJ middle-aged_JJ man_NN1 ._. 
Confused_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 switched_VVD the_AT image_NN1 from_II full_JJ dimensional_JJ to_II flat_NN1 ._. 
"_" Who_PNQS are_VBR you_PPY ?_? 
And_CC where_RRQ 's_VBZ Clarity_NN1 Held_VVD ,_, the_AT owner_NN1 of_IO the_AT unit_NN1 you_PPY 're_VBR calling_VVG from_II ?_? "_" 
"_" All_DB will_VM be_VBI explained_VVN ,_, "_" the_AT man_NN1 replied_VVD soothingly_RR ._. 
"_" My_APPGE name_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX important_JJ ._. 
All_DB you_PPY need_VV0 to_TO know_VVI about_II me_PPIO1 is_VBZ that_CST more_DAR than_CSN a_AT1 year_NNT1 ago_RA you_PPY tried_VVD to_TO kill_VVI me_PPIO1 at_II a_AT1 regional_JJ shuttleport_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY did_VDD succeed_VVI in_II killing_NN1 or_CC injuring_VVG several_DA2 of_IO my_APPGE close_JJ friends_NN2 and_CC associates_NN2 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, we_PPIS2 were_VBDR at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 trying_VVG to_TO kill_VVI you_PPY ,_, so_CS it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI futile_JJ to_TO waste_VVI time_NNT1 debating_VVG the_AT situational_JJ ethics_NN ._. 
At_RR21 least_RR22 ,_, we_PPIS2 feel_VV0 so_RR ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR not_XX at_RR21 all_RR22 certain_JJ we_PPIS2 would_VM have_VHI the_AT chance_NN1 to_TO kill_VVI you_PPY again_RT ._. 
We_PPIS2 thank_VV0 you_PPY for_IF returning_VVG to_II New_JJ Riviera_NN1 so_CS21 that_CS22 we_PPIS2 might_VM have_VHI the_AT opportunity_NN1 to_TO realize_VVI our_APPGE earlier_JJR intentions_NN2 ._. "_" 
Delivered_VVN in_II a_AT1 calm_NN1 ,_, all_RR21 but_RR22 tranquil_JJ tone_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 was_VBDZ such_DA a_AT1 dumbfoundingly_RR frank_JJ declaration_NN1 that_CST Flinx_NP1 found_VVD himself_PPX1 momentarily_RR speechless_JJ ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 did_VDD finally_RR manage_VVI to_TO reply_VVI ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ to_TO repeat_VVI the_AT name_NN1 he_PPHS1 had_VHD already_RR spoken_VVN ._. 
"_" Clarity_NN1 ._. "_" 
This_DD1 time_NNT1 his_APPGE tone_NN1 was_VBDZ ominous_JJ instead_II21 of_II22 uncertain_JJ ._. 
"_" Certainly_RR ,_, "_" the_AT man_NN1 responded_VVD briskly_RR ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 is_VBZ implicit_JJ that_CST you_PPY will_VM do_VDI nothing_PN1 in_II the_AT absence_NN1 of_IO confirmation_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT image_NN1 rotated_VVN as_II the_AT other_JJ communit_NN1 's_GE visual_JJ pickup_NN1 was_VBDZ realigned_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ plain_JJ from_II the_AT way_NN1 the_AT viewpoint_NN1 shifted_VVD that_CST the_AT unit_NN1 itself_PPX1 was_VBDZ being_VBG held_VVN loosely_RR and_CC was_VBDZ not_XX presently_RR on_II someone_PN1 's_GE wrist_NN1 ,_, least_DAT of_IO all_DB that_DD1 of_IO the_AT portly_JJ individual_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD greeted_VVN Flinx_NN1 ._. 
Very_RG soon_RR the_AT scene_NN1 steadied_VVD ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ clear_JJ and_CC ,_, as_CSA verified_VVN by_II his_APPGE own_DA unit_NN1 ,_, natural_JJ and_CC unaltered_JJ ._. 
Clarity_NN1 sat_VVD in_II a_AT1 chair_NN1 in_II the_AT center_NN1 of_IO the_AT image_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE arms_NN2 were_VBDR secured_VVN behind_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 looked_VVD --_JJ bad_JJ ._. 
Her_APPGE hair_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 mess_NN1 ,_, the_AT very_RG modest_JJ amount_NN1 of_IO makeup_NN1 she_PPHS1 utilized_VVD daily_RR was_VBDZ blurred_VVN and_CC streaked_VVN in_II31 spite_II32 of_II33 the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST contemporary_JJ cosmetics_NN2 were_VBDR designed_VVN to_TO prevent_VVI such_DA distortions_NN2 ,_, and_CC her_APPGE eyes_NN2 were_VBDR red_JJ and_CC swollen_VVN from_II crying_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE clothes_NN2 were_VBDR distressed_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ obvious_JJ she_PPHS1 had_VHD been_VBN seriously_RR mistreated_VVN ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ no_AT blood_NN1 ,_, no_AT visual_JJ evidence_NN1 of_IO anything_PN1 as_RG primitive_JJ as_CSA breaking_VVG or_CC cutting_NN1 ._. 
Whoever_PNQV had_VHD abused_VVN her_PPHO1 was_VBDZ too_RG subtle_JJ for_IF that_DD1 ._. 
Her_APPGE captors_NN2 '_GE methods_NN2 were_VBDR efficient_JJ ,_, not_XX prehistoric_JJ ._. 
Raising_VVG her_APPGE head_NN1 from_II his_APPGE shoulder_NN1 ,_, Pip_NP1 straightaway_RR began_VVD searching_VVG for_IF the_AT source_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE master_NN1 's_GE sudden_JJ distress_NN1 ._. 
That_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ nowhere_RL to_TO be_VBI sensed_VVN only_RR served_VVN to_TO unsettle_VVI the_AT minidrag_NN1 further_RRR ._. 
"_" You_PPY 're_VBR from_II the_AT Order_NN1 of_IO Null_JJ ._. "_" 
The_AT accusation_NN1 emerged_VVD from_II between_II clenched_JJ teeth_NN2 ._. 
The_AT allusion_NN1 to_II multiple_JJ killings_NN2 and_CC the_AT shuttleport_NN1 location_NN1 also_RR fit_VV0 the_AT time_NNT1 frame_VV0 the_AT caller_NN1 had_VHD cited_VVN ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ no_AT doubt_NN1 in_II Flinx_NP1 's_GE mind_NN1 who_PNQS he_PPHS1 represented_VVD ._. 
The_AT other_JJ man_NN1 proceeded_VVD to_TO confirm_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 are_VBR of_IO the_AT Order_NN1 of_IO Null_JJ ._. "_" 
More_DAR than_CSN a_AT1 touch_NN1 of_IO self-importance_NN1 tinged_VVD the_AT terse_JJ correction_NN1 as_CSA Flinx_NP1 's_GE view_NN1 of_IO Clarity_NN1 was_VBDZ once_RR21 more_RR22 replaced_VVN by_II the_AT face_NN1 of_IO the_AT implacable_JJ speaker_NN1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 have_VH0 neither_RR the_AT need_NN1 nor_CC the_AT desire_NN1 to_TO kill_VVI your_APPGE partner_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE location_NN1 will_VM be_VBI provided_VVN to_II you_PPY ._. 
You_PPY will_VM come_VVI there_RL now_RT ,_, immediately_RR ,_, without_IW detour_NN1 or_CC hesitation_NN1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY bring_VV0 another_DD1 soul_NN1 with_IW you_PPY ,_, if_CS you_PPY attempt_VV0 to_TO contact_VVI anyone_PN1 for_IF misguided_JJ assistance_NN1 ,_, if_CS you_PPY try_VV0 to_TO notify_VVI the_AT authorities_NN2 down_RP to_II and_CC including_II the_AT city_NN1 sanitation_NN1 department_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 will_VM cut_VVI her_APPGE throat_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR as_CSA we_PPIS2 speak_VV0 ,_, you_PPY are_VBR being_VBG watched_VVN and_CC your_APPGE personal_JJ communications_NN2 are_VBR being_VBG monitored_VVN ._. 
You_PPY will_VM not_XX attempt_VVI to_TO utilize_VVI them_PPHO2 in_II any_DD way_NN1 ,_, shape_NN1 ,_, or_CC fashion_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 extends_VVZ to_II and_CC includes_VVZ the_AT need_NN1 for_IF you_PPY to_TO shut_VVI down_RP any_DD emergency_NN1 beacons_NN2 or_CC locators_NN2 ._. "_" 
Flinx_NP1 did_VDD not_XX bother_VVI to_TO look_VVI around_RP ._. 
"_" Your_APPGE subsequent_JJ movements_NN2 and_CC actions_NN2 will_VM be_VBI recorded_VVN to_II the_AT best_JJT of_IO our_APPGE abilities_NN2 ._. 
These_DD2 I_PPIS1 assure_VV0 you_PPY are_VBR extensive_JJ ._. "_" 
Another_DD1 voice_NN1 reached_VVD Flinx_NP1 via_II the_AT remote_JJ aural_JJ pickup_NN1 ._. 
Though_CS dimmed_VVN by_II distance_NN1 ,_, its_APPGE source_NN1 was_VBDZ unmistakable_JJ ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 n't_XX do_VDI it_PPH1 ,_, Flinx_VV0 !_! "_" 
Clarity_NN1 was_VBDZ yelling_VVG ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 'll_VM kill_VVI me_PPIO1 anyway_RR after_CS they_PPHS2 kill_VV0 you_PPY ._. 
Call_VV0 the_AT police_NN2 and_CC &hellip;_... !_! "_" 
Her_APPGE words_NN2 were_VBDR interrupted_VVN by_II a_AT1 sharp_JJ sound_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 fell_VVD silent_JJ ._. 
Flinx_NP1 fought_VVD hard_RR to_TO keep_VVI his_APPGE breathing_NN1 steady_JJ ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ nothing_PN1 he_PPHS1 could_VM do_VDI from_II the_AT opposite_JJ end_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 communications_NN2 link_VV0 ._. 
He_PPHS1 could_VM not_XX reach_VVI through_II the_AT tiny_JJ pickup_NN1 and_CC clutch_VVI the_AT self-righteous_JJ speaker_NN1 by_II the_AT throat_NN1 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 n't_XX hurt_VVI her_PPHO1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 swallowed_VVD ,_, "_" any_DD more_DAR ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM do_VDI whatever_DDQV you_PPY ask_VV0 ._. "_" 
"_" Of_RR21 course_RR22 you_PPY will_VM ._. "_" 
The_AT speaker_NN1 's_GE voice_NN1 brimmed_VVD with_IW confidence_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY 're_VBR a_AT1 young_JJ man_NN1 in_II love_NN1 ._. 
Your_APPGE heart_NN1 and_CC your_APPGE hormones_NN2 command_VV0 your_APPGE brain_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY are_VBR convinced_JJ that_CST you_PPY will_VM somehow_RR rescue_VVI her_PPHO1 and_CC avenge_VVI her_APPGE treatment_NN1 --_NN1 none_PN of_IO which_DDQ ,_, I_PPIS1 assure_VV0 you_PPY ,_, exceeded_VVD that_DD1 which_DDQ was_VBDZ necessary_JJ to_TO advance_VVI the_AT cause_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 conversation_NN1 ._. 
Who_PNQS knows_VVZ ?_? 
Perhaps_RR you_PPY will_VM succeed_VVI ._. 
Perhaps_RR subsequent_II21 to_II22 your_APPGE arrival_NN1 here_RL we_PPIS2 will_VM somehow_RR find_VVI a_AT1 way_NN1 to_TO reach_VVI an_AT1 accommodation_NN1 satisfactory_JJ to_II all_DB ._. "_" 
His_APPGE voice_NN1 dropped_VVD slightly_RR ._. 
As_II a_AT1 fully_RR anointed_JJ padre_NN1 in_II the_AT Security_NN1 Services_NN2 of_IO the_AT United_JJ Church_NN1 ,_, Sylzenzuzex_VV0 never_RR traveled_VVD anywhere_RL without_IW the_AT personal_JJ armaments_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR part_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE private_JJ kit_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 would_VM have_VHI felt_VVN naked_JJ without_IW them_PPHO2 ._. 
Opportunely_RR ,_, though_CS each_DD1 was_VBDZ designed_VVN to_TO be_VBI manipulated_VVN by_II small_JJ ,_, four-digited_JJ thranx_NN1 hands_NN2 ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 one_MC1 of_IO the_AT weapons_NN2 was_VBDZ sufficiently_RR undemanding_JJ that_CST Clarity_NN1 could_VM operate_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
With_IW their_APPGE ordnance_NN1 tuned_VVN for_IF in-ship_JJ combat_NN1 ,_, the_AT two_MC females_NN2 used_VVD the_AT entry_NN1 portal_NN1 for_IF cover_NN1 as_CSA they_PPHS2 fired_VVD repeatedly_RR into_II the_AT control_NN1 chamber_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE fully-charged_JJ shockers_NN2 brought_VVD down_RP several_DA2 members_NN2 of_IO the_AT Order_NN1 of_IO Null_JJ before_II the_AT survivors_NN2 managed_VVD to_TO find_VVI some_DD cover_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE own_DA and_CC return_JJ fire_NN1 ._. 
Adding_VVG to_II the_AT confusion_NN1 ,_, Scrap_NN1 had_VHD launched_VVN herself_PPX1 from_II Clarity_NN1 's_GE shoulder_NN1 ._. 
Streaking_VVG around_II the_AT bridge_NN1 just_RR below_II the_AT ceiling_NN1 ,_, dodging_VVG the_AT panicky_JJ shots_NN2 of_IO increasingly_RR flustered_JJ Order_NN1 members_NN2 ,_, the_AT flying_JJ snake_NN1 spat_VVD death_NN1 at_II those_DD2 attempting_VVG to_TO conceal_VVI themselves_PPX2 ._. 
Holding_VVG herself_PPX1 aloof_JJ from_II and_CC ignoring_VVG the_AT pandemonium_NN1 swirling_VVG around_II her_PPHO1 ,_, Mahnahmi_NP1 's_GE eyes_NN2 narrowed_VVN as_CSA she_PPHS1 sought_VVD the_AT source_NN1 of_IO the_AT unexpected_JJ counterattack_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB dominant_JJ as_CSA she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ no_AT different_JJ from_II her_APPGE brother_NN1 in_II at_RR21 least_RR22 one_MC1 respect_NN1 :_: she_PPHS1 could_VM only_RR concentrate_VVI on_II one_MC1 threat_NN1 at_II a_AT1 time_NNT1 ._. 
As_CSA she_PPHS1 prepared_VVD to_TO squeeze_VVI Clarity_NN1 's_GE mind_NN1 to_II a_AT1 lump_NN1 of_IO enflamed_JJ meat_NN1 incapable_JJ of_IO conscious_JJ thought_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 heavy_JJ male_JJ body_NN1 slammed_VVD into_II her_PPHO1 from_II behind_RL ._. 
Though_CS as_II an_AT1 offensive_JJ strategy_NN1 the_AT primitive_JJ assault_NN1 harkened_VVD back_RP to_II tactics_NN2 that_CST had_VHD been_VBN employed_VVN since_II dawn_NNT1 of_IO humankind_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ still_RR uncompromisingly_RR effective_JJ ._. 
As_CSA chaos_NN1 and_CC death_NN1 filled_VVD the_AT ship_NN1 's_GE control_NN1 chamber_NN1 and_CC raged_VVD around_II them_PPHO2 ,_, Tse-Mallory_JJ and_CC Flinx_NP1 's_GE half_NN1 sister_NN1 went_VVD down_RP in_II a_AT1 heap_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE awareness_NN1 that_CST something_PN1 was_VBDZ amiss_RR having_VHG been_VBN stimulated_VVN by_II the_AT arrival_NN1 and_CC subsequent_JJ actions_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE half_NN1 sister_NN1 ,_, Flinx_NP1 had_VHD little_RR by_II little_RR grown_VVN dimly_RR aware_JJ of_IO the_AT confrontation_NN1 that_CST had_VHD now_RT given_VVN way_NN1 to_TO out-and-out_VVI combat_NN1 onboard_NN1 his_APPGE ship_NN1 ._. 
While_CS a_AT1 small_JJ part_NN1 of_IO him_PPHO1 continued_VVD to_TO agonize_VVI over_II the_AT conflict_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ physically_RR out_II21 of_II22 his_APPGE reach_NN1 ,_, the_AT bulk_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE concentration_NN1 remained_VVD focused_VVN on_II sustaining_VVG the_AT bonds_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR beginning_VVG to_TO stir_VVI the_AT incomprehensibly_RR vast_JJ forces_NN2 swirling_VVG around_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
With_IW Flinx_NP1 and_CC Pip_NP1 at_II its_APPGE core_NN1 ,_, the_AT triangle_NN1 of_IO concentration_NN1 held_VVD firm_JJ and_CC continued_VVD to_TO function_VVI ._. 
On_RL21 board_RL22 the_AT Teacher_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 enraged_JJ Mahnahmi_NN2 let_VV0 loose_RR the_AT full_JJ fury_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ herself_PPX1 ._. 
The_AT uncontrolled_JJ ferocity_NN1 picked_VVD up_RP Tse-Mallory_JJ and_CC tossed_VVD him_PPHO1 aside_RL as_CS21 if_CS22 he_PPHS1 had_VHD been_VBN flicked_VVN away_RL by_II a_AT1 giant_JJ invisible_JJ hand_NN1 ._. 
Reaching_VVG out_RP with_IW her_APPGE misshapen_JJ mind_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 came_VVD down_RP hard_RR on_II Sylzenzuzex_NN1 with_IW the_AT mental_JJ equivalent_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 blow_NN1 from_II a_AT1 hammer_NN1 ._. 
