Morning brought sunshine and a sense of relief. Nancy could brush aside her dreams and focus on her duties. The schedule included taking Alexis and the rest of the Milisarian group on a tour of the local protests sights and interviewing the aliens in the D.C. recovery centers. If there was enough time, they would also go to several businesses that employed integrated aliens.

Anticipating a lot of walking, Nancy dressed in a more casual style. Black slacks, a purple long-sleeved blouse, and flats comprised her uniform for the day. She braided her long hair to keep it from flying in her face while out in the wind. Her mother had fulfilled her promise to make pancakes and Nancy enjoyed a stack before she kissed Nexxa and her mom goodbye for the day. Nabvan would retrieve his daughter when the tour ended.

Nancy met the group outside of the spaceship. She was embarrassed to see Srath among them. Remembering her dream caused her to blush when she met his gaze. Not understanding the change in her complexion, he held a puzzled expression. No one else seemed to notice the odd connection between them.

Their first stop was only a few blocks from the capital. A protest here had been long cleared away. The only leftovers were a few crumpled up signs in the trash bins. Businesses were open and undamaged. This spot had been chosen because one of the high rises was controlled by the same lab that had been found in Washington D.C. With very little to see, the group moved on.

As they walked, the streets became narrower and dirtier. The buildings went from looking polished and new to dull and in desperate need of repair. The people were also less clean and dressed in ragged, out-of- fashion clothing. Their stares were hostile toward the Milisarians. Nancy brought the group to a stop in front of an old crumbling structure. She knew its outside appearance was deceiving. "This was one of the experimental labs. On the outside, it looks like it's ready to fall down, but the pictures on the internet show that it is decked out with the latest equipment, sparkling clean, and heavily protected by alarms on the inside. The protest here turned into riot status. Though these businesses were never in great condition, they have been heavily damaged by rocks, bricks, and even gunshots. Going with their usual tenacity, they've boarded up broken windows, swept up the glass, and reopened for business despite the graffiti that you see on the brick."

The crude words sprayed painted on the exterior walls of many buildings brought anger to the knights. They proved how badly some humans wanted the aliens disposed of. A sudden crashing of glass nearby made everyone jump. The four bodyguards they had brought along raised their swords in anticipation of trouble. Two tough-acting men, covered in tattoos and piercings, made their way down the street. They tossed glass bottles at the buildings, making the shattering noises the group had heard. The pair stupidly confronted the knights. "You don't belong here. Get your sorry alien asses out of our neighborhood. Better yet, get off our planet. You're not welcome here."

A growl came from Srath, and he swung his sword into the air. Before it could come down on the head of the offender, Nabvan grabbed Srath's arm and held it in a tight grip. "Do not engage or acknowledge them,” he stated. "We do not want trouble."

The perpetrators began to laugh and said, "Look at that. The big man is afraid of trouble. What is it, big boy? You know we can whip you or do you think you're so superior to us that you needn't bother dealing with us? Too bad, sucker. We're not going away." He turned to Srath and said, "What are you, his lap dog? Do you always follow orders like a good puppy? Come on, man; let's play." He drew a switchblade from his pocket and lurched in Srath's direction. The knight ignored Nabvan's command of, "Stand down!” and sent the knife flying with a flick of his sword. The taunter screamed and held his bleeding hand against his body.

Nabvan's anger with Srath was instant. He commanded, "Hand over your sword! I will not tolerate disobedience, especially on this planet. There is enough trouble brewing without your short temper adding to it. You were warned before we left Milisaria." He repeated, " Give me your sword!" Srath gritted his teeth and surrendered the weapon.

Alexis reached out to the injured human, "Let me see your hand. It may need stitches."

The man gave her a vicious glare and replied, "Get your filthy, alien-loving hands away from me. I'll see to it myself. You better believe we'll be coming for you. Don't think that this is the end." The pair disappeared into a garbage-strewn alley.

Alexis spoke to Nancy, "I think we get the drift of how the riots went. I don't think we need to continue this part of the tour. Can we go to the recovery center now?"

Nancy nodded as she looked at Srath from the corner of her eye. His violent response to the taunter had both frightened and exhilarated her. She would never want to be on the receiving end of his anger, but he made her feel safe and protected, like a fairytale damsel. She understood how badly the perpetrator's words had stung and why he had lashed out. But, she also realized he was embarrassed by his commander's dressing down in front of everyone and the loss of his sword. A Milisarian Knight wasn't complete without his sword.

The recovery center was quiet at this time of day. Breakfast was over, and lunch would not be served for two hours. Without a throng of new arrivals, only one volunteer sat at a desk to greet them. An armed guard stood sentry by the entrance. The need for him was all too apparent. Protesters marched outside the building.

Nancy showed the woman at the desk her ID from the recovery center in San Francisco. She asked, "Would it be possible for us to speak with some of the aliens? We're going to be addressing the president tomorrow, and we want to be able to give her an accurate report."

The woman replied, "It's fine with me, but I'm not sure if they'll answer any questions. They're a little on the jumpy side right now. They really don't trust anyone."

The first floor was empty, so the group climbed the stairs to the next floor. Nancy knocked on a closed door, and a female voice said, "Come in but do not touch me. I do not wish to hurt anyone."

Nabvan's eyebrows raised in question, so Nancy explained, "She must be Voltuni. Touching her bare skin will give you a strong jolt of electricity."

Ohber spoke for the first time that day, "I can verify that. There was a Voltuni female among the aliens in Cavanaugh's lab. One of the experiments was for her to touch me and the scientists would record how badly I was affected. She held back as much of the charge as she could, but it was still extremely painful. I think it caused her pain as well."

Not wishing to overwhelm her with so many visitors, only Alexis and Nabvan entered the room. Alexis asked, "Are they treating you well here? Is there something we can do for you?"

The Voltuni replied, "I have a personal charging station and am left alone. That is all I need. I am on a waiting list to go home. Three years of torture on this planet is enough. I will never come back."

Nabvan answered, "I understand that sentiment, but you should not blame all the humans for what happened to you. We are here to change things for the better. Is there anything you would like us to tell the president?"

"You may tell her that the Voltuni had reservations about dealing with Earth after the first lab was found. After this, our trade may end. We cannot be expected to go where our lives are threatened. Those already integrated into this world may be ordered to return to Voltuni if alien equal rights are not established."

The group went from room to room, hearing more of the same from every species affected by the experiments. Nancy recorded all of the comments to play for the president. The recordings would also be sent to Milisaria for King Siefer to hear. He needed to know exactly what he was up against when he spoke with the leaders of each planet.

The final victim had a completely different attitude and story. It was a Milisarian villager. His eyes lit up when he saw Nabvan and Alexis enter his room. Nabvan exclaimed, "Dayac, we thought you were dead! How did this happen?"

As he waved for everyone to join him in the room, Dayac shamefacedly explained, "It is what I wished you to think. I was assigned to the trading vessel that comes to Earth every season for their fresh foods. I met a human female on one of the trips. We got along very well, and she came to see me each time we landed. I am in love with her. On the last trip, I could not bear to leave her, so I hid among the trees. I intended to place blood-stained clothing where it would be found by our knight guardians. Instead, I was captured for the experiments. The result was the same. I was listed as dead and was left behind. I am ashamed of my actions, though I still wish to stay. My beloved may not want me now. The experiments have left me sterile. That is why I have not contacted her to say I am alive. I have not seen her in a year. She may have found someone else to love."

Srath demanded, "Why would you wish to stay with a species who would do such a terrible thing to you? Do you not wish them destroyed?"

Dayac replied, "I see your quick anger and defiant spirit have not been calmed by growing older and rising in the ranks of the knights, Srath. You always were a hothead. I do not blame the human species for what has been done to me. Only a few bad seeds have made this mess. We did not blame all of Milisaria for King Shene's misdeeds, or all of the villagers for Rowl's uprising. It is the same here. The guilty will be punished. We must not let there be war. I want the right to marry my human love, if she is still in love with me."

Nancy stated, "That's why I had Alexis and Nabvan come here. We need help to stop the fighting and give aliens the same rights as humans. We are to speak with the president tomorrow and share what we have heard today."

Dayac turned to Nabvan once more, "Will you let me remain on Earth? Please, do not force me to return to Milisaria."

Nabvan answered honestly, "It is not my choice. King Siefer must grant your request. We have no Milisarians integrated into Earth's society. If you are allowed to stay, you would be the first and perhaps, only one. I do not know what kind of work they would give you. It may not be pleasant."

Dayac grinned, "I am a lowly villager, not a proud knight. I would do whatever is asked of me."

Srath declared, "I do not understand. How can you lower yourself in this manner?"

"Someday, you will understand. Love can change everything, including your arrogant attitude."

Nancy asked, "Would you like me to reach out to the woman you love? I can explain the situation to her so that you don't have to face her if she rejects you or if she is married now."

"That is a kind offer,” Dayac began. "Her name is Rose Barker. She is a chef in a French restaurant. Tell her that no matter her choice, she still has my heart and always will."

As they left the center, Nancy said, "We have a little time to interview some of the integrated aliens and the people they work for. We can make better use of our time if we split up. Follow me to the most alien-populated businesses, then we can split into pairs and go to several at a time."

Nabvan nodded, "It is a good strategy. Each pair will take a knight to guard them. Alexis will come with me. Valeri and Ohber will go together, as will Josephine and Urim. Srath, I am giving you one last chance to redeem yourself and earn back your sword. You will be paired with Nancy. If you can keep your temper and ask the right questions in a polite manner, I will forgive your former insolence. You cannot lie about what happens. Nancy will be recording every word, and you will have a guard with you as well."

Neither Srath or Alexis was happy with the arrangement. He felt admonished and belittled once again. Alexis didn't want her sister to be alone with Srath while he was still so angry and volatile. She also didn't care for the hungry way they stared at each other. That could be extremely problematic. Yet both Srath and Alexis bowed to Nabvan's command.