"Seems pretty simple," said Rah.  "What kinds of problems are they having?  I mean, besides the actual war."

"There are worries about off planet factions getting involved. We're going to be there to keep an eye out for them. You four will be placed in the city these peace talks are taking place while I patrol the sol system with the ship and keep an eye on you," Solar Flare said.

"I can scan for hostile intent, although that's not always a sure indicator," m-Taa said.

"More than I can do," said Rah.  "I've got good senses of sight and smell, but I doubt that I can do better than a network of cameras and sniffers."

"We have a few hours until we arrive," Solar Flare said. "Feel free to relax until then."

"Sure," said Rah.  She looked for a good perch to revert to her true size on.  She was always very tough, but getting stepped on was no fun.

There were things like arm rests and ledges along the side of the walls.

Rah went for an arm rest.  She'd be closer to the others that way, and besides, they were padded.

m-Taa took a chair.

As did the others.

"Is very nice way to travel," the Fury said.

"Not the worst ship I've been on at all," said Rah, stretching out on the armrest.

"No," m-Taa agreed. "When I was a student I had to take the cheapest options available."

"Yeah," said Rah.  "Troop transports for me, before I passed the test and became a Titan.  If I never have to crowd onto a bench with two dozen other new recruits so close we can all smell each other's breath, that's fine by me."

"I am seeing that the tiny one is very tiny," the Fury said.

"I'm Chiren," said Rah.  "This is how tall we are.  Just like Xophans.  Have you ever met a Xophan?  My size, furry, big ears."

"The Fury has not been meeting them," the Fury said.

"You will if you travel around a bit," said Rah.  "...and look in places someone my size would be, of course."

"Like looking under the rocks?" the Fury asked.

Rah rolled her eyes, a wasted effort if there ever was one.

"Perhaps where you are from, there are rocks littering the floors and corridors," she said.  "Here, things are more civilized.  And neater.  And there are suitable walkways and seats for Xophan and Chiren citizens."

You feel that 987-2 is offering you comfort.

"Thanks, Two," said Rah.  "I'm fine, though."

"My sister looks under rocks all the time," m-Taa said, "but then she's an entomologist."

"Ah, she must be finding the bug peoples all the time," the Fury said.

"Do I make you that insecure, The?" Rah asked.  "You should get over that."

"Sorry, I did not me your peoples, but perhaps actually tiny bug peoples," the Fury said.