The Elder's kitchen overflowed with excited chatter. The Elder sat at the head of the table, with the rest gathered around him. Rosetta and Tuni explained their magnificent discovery to all in attendance.

The Elder looked up just as Farkin filled the doorway, the entire doorway.
"He's gone..." he grumbled to Mandy.

Farkin told her how he had returned to the ship, passing Trid in the hallway. Trid gave him an exaggerated salute and a "Melt ya later, Good Humor Man..." before he turned the corner. Farkin's cabin had been ransacked, and his Ternian travel guides were missing. He had searched the ship and ran the scanners, but Trid and the models were no longer on board.

"That's impossible," cried Tuni, "Carson would never have let him off the ship..."

"Impossible or no, he's not on the ship, he's loose on Tern. I'm going to find him." Farkin grumbled.

At this, Mandy scooted from her seat on the counter. "I'm going with you."

The concerned faces at the table had no Ternly idea....The one and only mission that Farkin and Mandy had with the Federation was in a Mail Order Lingerie Model scam that Trid had dreamed up. Trid had escaped, and Mandy still cringed to think about the thongs....

The twosome walked the streets of Lower Gnagu, the seediest city of Tern. Wharf rats the size of lammbrui covered the piers. The two made the rounds of the taverns, and finally Farkin pointed, "There." Lola's. The tavern was decorated of Lola in her younger days, feathers in her hair, dress cut down to there, she'd been a showgirl.

Trid dozed at a corner, fuggerfruit drool cascading down his chin. The lingerie models scattered at the first sight of the pair. Mandy took a deep breath, and pressed up behind Trid. She exhaled in a throaty growl.
"Trid baby.." she purred as she ran her long fingers up the length of his schleeber, "Long time no see..."

Trid woke with a smile that froze on his face as soon as he turned. Instant sobriety.
"Aw fugggggg..if it ain't the Hydroponic Harlot and her pet Sno-Cone..."

The three sat in stony silence, Trid glaring at the pair across from him. Farkin Finally spoke. "What do you think you're doing Trid, you know you can't get off the planet without us.."
Mandy broke in impatiently, "And just where is Catspaw? You two are nothing but trouble. You might as well tell us, you aren't leaving.."
"And who is working with you? Captain Caitrin would love to know, I'm sure..."

Trid laughed, not a trace of fear. These two were nothing to him. They had no Federation to protect them, and all that resided on Tern were old folks and half-wits. He started to smoke, offering to both Mandy and Farkin. Farkin only crossed his arms and glared. Mandy took the offered 'rillo and lit it. She puffed lazily, sizing up Trid through the smoke.

With this simple gesture, the first trace of concern crossed Trid's face. Mandy twirled the table knife in her free hand.
"You could hold him, Farkin, a little slice and tuck and that schleeber would be a door-stop..."

Trid paled, something told him that she'd have no trouble doing him bodily harm. He should have killed them years ago when he'd had the chance. He watched the two leave his table, and finally Lola's bar. They were protecting something, he knew it, but what? Time for him to call in some favors.