JS saw at once the spaceport hadn't been in use for some time and had been partially looted. There where graffiti against GUNESCO on the walls. "Look if someone is coming." JS told Swamp, handing him a spotting scope. "We're here for your merc mate Drok." Swamp nodded while Prabhu stood loitering beside the Starshuttle. JS entered the tower and turned on a computer "Starting linkup." he mind-told Vickie. "What are you doing?" Lee had followed him. "My job: I'm spying." JS grinned. Rhino, the engineer officer, radioed: "The fuel is very low, sir. The spaceport is going to fall onto the planet." "How long can it last?" JS asked. "Four days at most, sir. I'd suggest to land it gently to the ground in a suitable spot. Alternatively we can supply it with the fuel. Your orders, sir?" "Get ready. I'll play this card with the Dragaliens." "We are here to stop them from raiding the pixies, are we not?" Lee asked. He had heard JS's conversation. "If we fix the spaceport they'll maraud wherever they like." The presence of a doctor could be a trump card, but JS had to reckon with Lee's unquiet soul. "It's always a matter of supply and demand. There are those with a spaceship looking for raiders, and those willing to join them. A guy can decide to be a pirate, but it is unlikely for a whole people. The Dragaliens were minding their own business, they weren't like the RATs, cutthroats for generations. The Dragaliens started up as the poachers and mercenaries shortly after GUNNESCO declared Dragonworld a sanctuary and barred it. Supply and demand. Mercs' demand will always be high, but we can block the Dragaliens' offer, if we understand the causes." Back on the platform Swamp greeted them saying, "There's a little activity around, they're waiting for someone." "For who's in charge here, I guess." JS watched the floating islands and the land below through the scope and saw the fallen columns of the temples and the wretched huts hidden among the vegetation. Even the dragons didn't look well fed at all, but everyone had at least one gun. "They are destitute here." he murmured. Suddenly a dragon perched on the platform. Eve stared at him and smiled. "He wants to make friends!" she said, and walked toward the dragon. "You're a curious guy, aren't you?" JS's first impulse was to stop her, but he felt the dragon was friendly. "Jay, do you feel it too?" Eve mind-asked. "You never told me they were thinking creatures!" The dragon had conscious thoughts, very primitive but conscious, and JS could feel them: "Nobody knew that, Eve. Aside, perhaps, the Dragaliens. GUNESCO classified the dragons as mindless creatures." "Don't you think it's dangerous to leave her to go so close?" asked Swamp. "No, she knows what she's doing." JS said but he saw Prabhu holding the creature at the gunpoint. Eve stretched out her hand and stroked the nose of the dragon. JS came up in turn and the dragon turned his head towards him to get more caresses. "Dragons love you foreigners!" a Dragalien uttered from his jetboat. "This makes you very welcome." The native had spoken basic Rogue and JS replied: "We're honoured. Swamp here came to see his mate Drok." "Do you have a permission from GUNESCO?" asked who seemed to be the boss. "No, but I don't see officials here." JS smiled. "Anyway if you need one, for your sake, I'll forge one." The Dragalien laughed and said: "I like you, Earthener. Let's go to Drok's and away from this place of misery. Follow us with your ship." Drok welcomed them with open arms, or better with one arm because the other was missing. "I could put a prosthesis." Lee offered. "That would be great!" Drok said, "so I could ride the dragons and the jetboats again!" "I would like to offer a feast to celebrate this meeting." JS said. "We'll reciprocate making you tour our country!" the leader countered. "It's so a beautiful place!" Eve was ecstatic. "Yes, but it's ailing." Drok whispered. -- Thanks!