“We're approaching the moon, Lady Colbert-Jiangyin,” the captain announced to Lady Vera.

She looked up from her desk and gave the captain a compliant smile. “Thank you, captain. Once we hit land, I think I'll be taking the shuttle out my self.”

The captain of the Parthenon gave her a pained look. “My lady, General Tsao gave me specific orders to not let any harm come to you. It is the reason why I agreed to take you on as a passenger. We don't usually take on such high ranking citizens as their safety is a high liability.”

“Captain, I rented the shuttle for the next week. You won't be going anywhere until I return it obviously. And for what I am offering to rent it, you shouldn't care whether I paint myself green and dance naked around in it,” she arched a regal brow.

The captain blushed at such a vivid picture. “Be that as it may...” He seemed to be trying to find a way to diplomatically say he didn't think a spoiled, empty-headed noblewoman should be trouncing about unescorted on an outer Rim moon.

“Captain, I'm simply visiting an ailing friend. No one will harm me. If it will make you feel any better, my servant girl there is a master in martial arts,” she pointed to the dainty young woman serving her mistress' tea.

The captain gave her a disbelieving look. Lady Vera sighed. She motioned to the girl who set down her work. She moved to the middle of the spacious room and bowed to both the captain and Lady Colbert-Jiangyin. Then all of a sudden she jumped in the air and somersaulted a few feet in front of the captain and aimed a high kick at his neck, stopping an inch from striking him. She lowered her leg and gave him a courteous bow before returning to serving tea.

The captain, to his credit showed no more surprise than a small gulp and a cough. “I see I do indeed have nothing to worry over. Not many men have had the opportunity to surprise me, I'm embarrassed to admit that such a small young woman did.”

He bowed slightly towards the girl and then lowly to Lady Vera and left her chamb