"You own a herd?" Eve asked. "All noblemen own herds. Generations ago an EA delegation presented the Blue Mantle paramount chief some horses." Maurr explained. "Soon for the crème de la crème of the ton it became a matter of honour to have a herd of their own. Winning a Grand Prix means for the stud owner being as cheered almost as a winning general." "How many horses do you have?" JS asked. "About 300." "Landing on Regulus 8 and stealing horses? You're crazy!" Vasquez said, giving voice to the thoughts of many of those attending. JS looked at Maurr quizzically. As far as he knew, Maurr wasn't the guy who proposed a sheer folly, therefore, he must have a plan. "They aren't on Regulus 8. A favourite joke among the blue blood blades is rustling each other's horses. It's an initiation test into the most exclusive fraternities and a brutal ritual. Some guys are willing to kill men or horses, rather than being caught red-handed." Maurr darted a you-can-understand-glance to JS. "I've hidden my best horses in an estate my father entrusted me in Larir, Ophiucus-121. It's a meagre planet, just plains, tall grass and harsh climate." "Oph-121, you say?" JS said with the air of one already drafting a plan. "Why do you think the horses could oust the slughs in the ranchers' traditions?" Lee asked. "The slughs had their halcyon days, but here are a whammy." JS replied. "We must rely on indigenous cattle such as the reptorix. I don't know if a reptorix can be tamed, but until we find out, the horse will be the rancher's best friend. Anyway, Lee, you must find xenobiologists willing to move here. We need them." "Why these bloody ranchers can't use the hover bikes to control the herds?" Vasquez burst out. Eve intervened: "You'd blush if you heard my father, should I propose it. He talks about man-animal ties. Metal, he says, is not for us." The plan was simple: go, rustle and run away. "The control tower is a problem. Our heat signature will give us away." Maurr said. "No," JS shook his head, "we'll use the troop-shuttle captured at the Yttrium Mines. What do you think your tenants will do?" "The steward's family has been loyal to my father's for generations. I'm sure they'll help us. Can Kahrr and Rohrr come with us?" "Kahrr is a Red Mantle." Eve pointed out. Maurr nodded: "I guarantee for him. He swore allegiance to JS and hates the GHOULs. Things will be easier if there are more Rasharrians." "They are sincere." Eve noted that evening. JS nodded: "Eve, Vickie, you stay here." He raised a hand to stop their protests. "I'll go with Etta. She and her crew need confidence and a frigate attracts less attention. Eve, I need you to stay here and monitor the situation. You have the authority to do so." Eve nodded with a sigh. Larir was a godforsaken planet. "Prince, you're alive!" exclaimed Sehrr, the estate steward. "My Dahr-ir (honor brother), Jay Sea, saved me." said Maurr nodding at JS. The steward and his sons bowed. "They killed your family, Prince, also the Third Son, even though he was just a toddler. The GHOULs humiliated us taking my beautiful daughter and Sharr's wife for the temple." the old man hissed through his teeth. "You'll have justice!" Maurr swore. "Where are the horses? I need them." "Hidden or the GHOULs'd requisition them." "We need to round them up and take them away." Maurr said. Sehrr and his sons were eager to help. They knew every ravine and canyon. To round the horses up was smooth and fast. JS and Rohrr controlled the herd by hover bike, Maurr and the others on horseback. "Cool!" said one of Sehrr's sons admiring JS's bike. Rounded the horseflesh up, JS ordered: "S-Nikki, make our shuttles land." Then he turned to Maurr and added: "Offer Sehrr and his entire family to come with us." Maurr lit up: "Thanks. They are good people." JS nodded. "Jay, I'm picking up a strong exchange of radio messages." Etta burst out. -- Thanks!