The  Shop owners were overly helpful as they worked  with Lizzy , Henry and  Can, looking  at the tanks.

  Val was looking  at, Fur covered Snakes, they and bands of  colored  fur that  seem to  undulate as the  snake  would  move, as pretty as they were, thier  faces  looked  harsh, like some  kind of ancient dragon, though  they were only  a foot long or so.

  The Shop worker  showed  them, the different sized  tanks, some  fish needed very little, others   needed  a lot.   When Can was asked about the color changing Fish, he nodded in big  nods. The shop keeper pointed two tanks out  to them. One  was 2 foot  long 2 foot high  and  2 feet  across. He mentioned that  a Lighted back  round that slowly changes  color, is what is needed  for the fish, because the color changing is part of thier communications, for mating,warning, and telling other creatures ( and humans?)  how they are feeling.

 They are  omnivorous , they  enjoy a good  insect now  and then, something small, that might fall off a leaf   or tree into the water... We have a special algae  that you might be able to grow in a separate  tank, they love to nibble on that... we have a feeding trough that can hang from the  wall of the tank, and they will come   feed....also?..the algae  will try to 'migrate' from the trough? The  fish will 'hunt it down' it is good  sport for them, and  keeps thier  survivor skills up...

  You might be able to get away with the next size  down  , tank?... But the bigger the  tank, the more active they become  as they seem to like to 'patrol' thier territory

This tank  runs 100 creds? the  fish...and  we recommend  3?, so thier
 reproduction is not  stunted...2 of one sex and 1 of the other is a good mix to start...because of that, we  start  selling them at 3'Flash Fish'  for  50 creds. The coloring changing wall, is   50 creds? but you do not really need  it, if you can come up with something  that is  like it?... we sell a  starter  tray of the   migrating   algae  for  50 creds  as well... once you start  the  Algae growing in a seperate container..bowel or bucket, it grows  intensely, which means you need to clean the tank  and least once a week. her eyes shifted to Can, who was  trying to soak all the information in.

 The  Pumps and  such  come in a kit  for 25 creds...you do not need them, if you have something like that aboard your ship... all this  is  our  'hermes Discount..."

 The group could see the Listing  for 'Flash Fish at 100 creds  each, 3 for  250...

   Howe  sat with Fitz, Lona Lake  and Nagy, who was getting some time on the beach before they had to leave, they were  telling  stories of past 'delta  Nights'  with   Lona hanging on every word, since she never has taken part in one, as of yet.

................

Shadow   ( and Roy)  Got COMs saying  the   'transfers' would be  on the way to the Hermes in 15 Minutes.

 Shadow COMed back,Unless the SM overrules me, Or Captain Morris  takes a hand in this... those.....transfers. can wait on the   docking arm until  The SM  and Myself get there...There may be a couple who don't  get 'accepted'.

The Angel Voice  at the other end of the COM said,But  we wil be casting off? Any you leave behind will be stranded?

 Yeah? I would feel real bad  for  someone stranded on a Carrierstation.... any I turn down, will be transferred to   EtnaSEC..that way they will earn their creds...Is that alright with you  SM?

COMing   Shadow  and Roy,  LT HIrr said,I am sorry to be bothering you, but  we have the transfers on the docking arm... i am  of thinking, that we  should  decide   whom we wish to take, after you look them over..is it being Possible for your to return early/

 again, Shadow's  COM Buzzed, he listened  and  Sighed..Yeah?  I'll be there in 10.... Make them sweat it out...

 Shadow stood  and   whistled for LArry..The   bigger larg ran through the  crowed like a Down hill skier, He stopped thumping his tail in the sand..

 ..go get your Buddies....I have to go home, and   its better you all come too...

 Larry snorted  and  took   off    Blurblings  and   snorting  at other LArgs..Tess looked up at Shadow from her spot in the Sand... Thor  was in a  food  coma.

 There was a sigh, and Shadow COMsed Flores...Make sure all my stuff goes up? I'm taking the Largs back, and going to carry Thor, , I'm not going back to the Hotel.. Tell them to send the Bill  at 5:30  station time, and I'll make sure they are paid.

 Shadow  Picked up the  60 pound  Thor..he shook his head,should have  just let you guys  run through the   Stem, you could have eaten  a lifetime supply of  stem rats...

  Shadow carried the   wee Larg over his shoulder  as    Tess  followed  next to him. and other  largs began to  catch up....Tess?...go for a  swim meet us over  at the landing pad....

Tess looked up, excited  and ran to the  water   diving in like a torpedo ... Larry  watched  and  Shadow said,Go down, bring her up  when you see a shuttle coming......Larry took off

 The LC  took his time  to get to the shuttle pad, he  waited  a good  10 minutes after that, so tess  could get  some  swimming in, While Larry  frolicked in the water  with her, and kept looking back for the shuttle.

 10 minutes later,, the shuttle was coming  down. Larry  and  tess  began to  run for the Pad.

Henry was listening intently.

"It seems quite a lot to take on. Can, do you feel up to it? Caring for them, feeding them, cleaning the tank, growing the algae? It's not a one-off thing, it's day-in, day-out. You're going to have to get organised... because YOU have to do it. Val and I have our own work to attend to. We'll help if you have problems with something or if you are ill, naturally. It's a responsibility... do you think you could take it on? Do you want to?"

Caring for a pet was a good way of building responsibility and discipline. Henry remembered a school friend who loved riding, but when her parents offered to buy her a pony of her own she refused on the grounds that she wasn't single-minded enough about horses to take on the care of one for herself.

In reply to beaches (msg # 768):

Zob was there waiting with his bag for the shuttle to arrive when he noticed Shadow, "Heading on back early?" he asked waiting for the shuttle to settle down before boarding.

Sam easily found Steve relaxing, she came over and said," Hello flyboy want some company?" Sam smiled and gave Steve a kiss.

 Lizzy looked at Can and then asked him," Are you ready too take care of your new fish, and if you need help all you have to do is Comm me I will come help or ask Doc Christie for help. But it will be your responsibility to take care fo them are you ready for that Can, if so I will buy everything you need at 3 color changing fish how does that sound?" Lizzy was being friendly but serious taking care of pets was a responsibility and not all fun and games she hoped Can would see that, but also taking care of an animal even fish made Lizzy feel good inside as well.

 Can Listened to the  shop person, Henry  and Lizzy....he looked  Sad. Looking up at Henry,I don't think i can take care of them.... i don't want to 'sert them....

  He Looked at the  Shop Lady,thank Miss shop lady...but i don't  want to kill any of the  fishes....The need bigger people...

 Val  Bit her lip a bit as she patted his head.

....................

 ( shuttle Pad )

    Shadow  shook his head, there was a bit of comic  disgust.Transfers from  the PSN are waiting, so me and  Roy gotta go  bitch them out and see whih ones we need to beat down....there are always a few....

 the Largs gathered around as the shuttle  settled in,I'm taking  the largs back since all the Larg Masters  are on the   Hermes...Did you Hear  Roll got  clawed up pretty god by gregor, because  of a treatment be got in Med tech....I think Thor ODed on Burgers or something

Thor was on his shoulder, snoring.

 Lizzy had to fight back the tears, Can was owning up too not being old enough to properly take care of the fish. That made Lizzy so happy and at the same time so sad he couldnt get too see the beauty of the fishes.

 Lizzy moved next to Doctor Christie and Lizzy whispered into his ear," I will buy them, and they will be mine. I would like too keep them in your lab, and I will come and take care of the big stuff, and ask Can too help me with the easier stuff and then in time they can be Can's fish when he is ready. Is that something that would be ok Doctor Christie?" Lizzy wanted Can too be able to look at the fish whenever he wanted and then in time take care of them. Lizzy was a big softy when it came to kids and everyone knew it.

Henry was getting close to tears.

"That's a very adult choice, Can. Maybe later you'll be ready to take on keeping fish."

Then Lizzy made her offer, and Henry just nodded, quite unable to speak.

 Lizzy smiled and said to Can," Ok Can not sure when we will have another chance like this. I am going to buy the fish and have them kept with you Can. I will help you take care of them until you are old enough to do it on your own. Go ahead and pick out 3 color changing fish." Lizzy smiled at Can and gave him a hug as he looked at the color changing fish. Lizzy hoped this was a good compromise.

  The Shop Lady  smiled she looked to Lizzy and Henry, and began to  gather the  tank , equipment  and the Age  tray.

 As she was packing them all into the   Tank, she looked  from Henry, To Val, to Lizzy.....My First year out from Mars Colony, I spent on a Cap ship, until  it  came here to serve as part of the Etna Fleet... I transferred to Etna, and  got a Job here... Anyway, I know Cap ships have their own farms, to help clean air, and provide food..but there  are insects  that seem to come  along for the ride... You might be able to get 'fresh food' from your  farm? maybe  paying a few creds to kids to 'harvest them' ? We do that here, in the   Farms  below the Main dec... boat places buy some for bait, Shop like this  buy them to help feed the animals.

 Can  looked at the fish, as he said,...Maybe  Doc Daddy's  zoo will have some too?

The woman cocked her head to one side as she heard the term 'Zoo'

 She asked  Can if there  were any of the fish  he wanted in particular... he shrugged,They change colors?.. so it  don't matter much?... But.. that Little one... he is  off by himself? can we get him  and two bigger ones who will take care of him?..Maybe  he was 'serted?

 The  Woman, again, looked between  Henry and Lizzy for conformation.

 Lizzy smiled at the choices Can made, she really liked him. Lizzy nodded to the woman that those fish would be fine. Lizzy was all smiles. She waited for the total, she got everything they needed. She then got scanned to pay fir it all. Lizzy smiked at Can and said, Now we both have fish to enjoy and take care of. Lizzy was still all smiles and bubbly

Henry was looking around the store.

"Do you have any books about these fish? I'm a xenobiologist by trade... that's why I have what they call a 'zoo' on the Hermes with various creatures I've collected on our travels."

  The  Sale  Clerk nodded to Henry, as she said,At the register? You  may punch up the animal on that stand up screen?  when you  get the animal you are interested in, you punch the icon and a list of publications  will appear....we have , almost all books  in Hard Copy  on that big wall over there? Or..you can  have  the book sent to your Vidboard,  and read it off there... Hard copy books  are  2 creds, the scannable  copy is  1 cred...

 meanwhile, Can  watched in excitement  as another   fellow   used a 'collapsible' container to to  put the  first in after   taken water from the  tank.. He smiled  at the Little  fish  going in...he nodded  , and  said , mostly to himself....you won't be 'serted!

 The woman lead  all but Can, over to the register  waiting for  Henry's  choice on the books. She  kept  smilign at Henry, as  Val  cleared her throat,..My ....HUSBAND..and i  are both   Bio-Tech  on The ESN 351  Hermes...we trie to study as many   subjects as we might  gather.

 The woman gave  Val a sly smile , but didn't stop  paying attention to   Henry

"Val, dearest... are there any critters you want books on? Or shall I just get us a complete set of the ebooks? We want to find out about, well, every creature out in the black, a never ending task. And one day I want to figure out why every single habitable planet has 'grass' growing on it!"

He grinned at that last. It had been something that aroused his curiousity right from the beginning of his studies.

The ebook collection would be quite expensive, but could go on the lab budget as part of the reference library he was building.

 Lizzy gets a hard copy book just for herself and Can when he was ready. Once everything was all together and set Lizzy said," Ok Can can you take the fish and I will help with the other stuff and when we get to the Hermes we can set it up how does that sound Can?"

 Lizzy missed Izzy a lot and maybe she was helping Can because she missed Izzy or just because she loves kids. Lizzy stayed with Can and was very happy he was excited about getting the fish.

  Val  said,.. I would be interested in Aqra  books?. We did not get much time to visit there. Roussa books  would be  good  as well, since the Briss are on the ship?.. though they seem , more feline, like the  Worts?..they are more like  Snakes  then they are like Mammals

  Can Followed the   man to the counter  with the  fish, he said off handly,we have a buncha  largs...

The man's eyebrow rose  as he looked at Henry, , Lizzy and Val.

 Can looked at the   fish in the   container  he he started to walk really slow...

 Lizzy stayed with Can and giggled when he said they have a buncha Largs, Lizzy replied," Yes Doctor Christies watches over Sgt. Larry and the Larg trooper group. How many are there now Doctor Christie? Thor the baby one is wonderful and fun to watch." When Can started to walk real slow Lizzy giggled and said to Can," Just walk carefully you dont have too go so slow ok Can." Lizzy was smiling and thought he will be a very good pet keeper he wasnt trying to hurt them as he carried them.

  Can looked up as he walked in measured steps,..i don't want to get them sick, or have them mad  at me.... Some times SEC people would trow us  in a van  and move us somewhere else, and they didn't care if we was  bounced  around...some of us would get sick, or hurted.

 Lizzy had to fight back her tears, Can was so caring and he lived in the Stem but he still cares for others. Can was pulling every heart string Lizzy had, and it took all her will power from loosing control of her emotions. Lizzy replied to Can," That is very thoughtful of you, just go easy and they will know you are not trying to hurt them, you are doing great."

  Can nodded slowy  as he took his measured  Steps.. Val  just  smiled  with a slight  shake of her head,we better get a taxi, or we will miss recall!

  The   Clerk worked out with Henry, which books he wanted hard copy or   Digital.

Henry was happy with digital books, but if Val wanted any hard copy ones he would get them for her.

"We have a larg pack on the Hermes. Larry, who seems to be getting quite famous, is the pack leader and when he goes off - as he quite often does - one called Freddie keeps charge. We have two Nivarian Larg Masters, who've been very helpful, but we are devising our own ways of training and handling them.. and we have a trainee Larg Master, a youngster not much older then Can. Most of the largs are adults, but we have one youngling and a pup who was birthed on the Hermes. They live in BioTech, but get out and about - eat on the Rec Dec, go running in our tunnels, and so on... but they like it best when we visit a station or a planet and they can really get out and about. They love the beach here."

He looked at Val.

"I think you are right. There's a fair bit of kit for those fish. Well done, Can. You are doing a good job with the fish. Come on, Lizzy, can I give you a hand?"

 Lizzy smiled and nodded and they all got all the fish stuff and Can got the fish to the Condo where Lizzy also got her other stuff and her Mom's figure and everything else she bought. Once they where all set and recall was announced Lizzy would head up to the Hermes with Can, Doctor Christie and Val. Lizzy stayed with Can and was so happy he was the way he was.

Mila had found the morning pretty boring. She wasn't sure she liked the idea of a pet shop. She was much happier once they got back to the condo, and after a good use of the facilties she trotted around contentedly until the shuttle came to take them all home.

She even found a scrap of bacon that had been missed under the counter!

-> Hermes