Azjah had been running around RhyDin and decided to stop for lunch at Teas n Tomes. The snow had blanketed the city in a deep layer of glistening white, and Azjah was thoroughly enjoying being able to walk in the winter wonderland that the city had become. She entered the small shop and ordered her lunch and a cup of cranberry tea before climbing the stairs to take a table at the balcony railing that overlooked the front windows and the door. As she sat for a moment, she noted that just outside the windows, the local florist was busily decorating the businesses along the street. She wrapped both hands around the cup of tea and realized that she had not yet given Dyson any direction for the upcoming season.

This year she would have something to decorate for, a reason to dress the Palazzo in festive decorations. She and Wil would be spending the holiday together, it would be their first Yule, and that was reason enough to decorate the house. She hadn?t done anything for the two years that Klinton had been absent, but it was time to enjoy the season once more. She decided then to begin holiday preparations.

She finished her lunch, then made her way down the stairs, and headed for the flower shop to begin holiday trimming. It would, she hoped, be a pleasant surprise for Wil. She had no idea if he even celebrated Yule, she had never traveled to Schedar, and that brought her up short. Could she incorporate any of his home-world?s traditions? Did they even have any that matched the season here? That would need to be investigated, but for now, she could begin with the basics.

The flower shop?s owner was behind the counter when she opened the door and stepped inside. The scent of flowers and candles permeated the shop and Azjah closed her eyes briefly to savor the complex atmosphere. Elaine chuckled seeing her reaction, ?Marchioness, what a pleasant surprise, do come in. How may I help you??

Azjah opened her eyes with a smile, ?Good morning Elaine, you can help me prepare for the upcoming Yule season. I am of a mind to decorate this year.? Azjah glanced around at how the shop was decorated, noting the new colors and textures for the year. She had not paid attention until now, and found the shop a source of inspiration.

Elaine?s countenance perked considerably as she motioned for Azjah to follow her into her office, ?What kind of project did you have in mind?? They sat down around a table in her office where her more lucrative business dealings usually took place. What Elaine wanted to ask her was what had motivated her into decorating again, but she held her silence.

Azjah sat down in the comfortable chair across from Elaine, ?I would like to incorporate several themes into decorating the Palazzo this year; some local flavor, some Rigelian, and if I can find anything useful, something reminiscent of Schedar. With that being said, let?s start with trimming the exterior of the Palazzo first. I would like to have the front of the Palazzo trimmed with roping and lights. Amber lights, no white ones. Let?s use a blend of white pine and balsam fir as the exterior roping. Swag the windows and doors, wrap the columns, and run a border along the eaves of the house. Ribbons should be gold and deep, deep burgundy with very long tails. Not a red burgundy, but a dark, almost wine red.? She thought for a bit longer, ?Seventy two inch wreath above the front entry, trimmed with amber lights, and gold trim. The others for the windows and portico should be sixty inch diameter, all trimmed in amber and gold.?

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Elaine was writing as she spoke, already pleased with this order. It was going to be a big project, and she would have to hire someone to begin making the meters of greenery that would be required, but the Marchioness was a good customer, so that did not bother her. ?Would you care for a cup of mulled wine while we work??

Azjah leaned forward, ?Actually, that does sound very good Elaine, thank you.? Azjah gathered her thoughts for inside the Palazzo while the proprietress went to retrieve the mulled wine. Upon her return; Azjah took the cup and glanced at Elaine, ?Do you have time to make custom interior roping??

Elaine lifted a brow, ?Well, that would depend on just how custom you wanted to make it, and how much you are going to require. Why don?t you tell me what you have in mind?? Secretly, she was thrilled, and would do whatever it took to satisfy her requests. Something had put the Marchioness in a good mood for the holidays, and that would translate into a big, big order.

Azjah smiled, ?I would like to hang a combination of Noble Fir and Blue Feather Cedar with a touch of variegated ivy for roping in the Great Room and foyer, the dining room, master suite, and along the edge of the garden roof in the central part of the Palazzo. For the rest of the house; use a blend of white pine, blue cedar and winterberry. Above each mantle, the mix should be simply Noble Fir and Blue Cedar.? She paused, as though counting, ?There are 8 fireplaces that will require swags. Please be certain they almost reach the floor on the ends, and have generous swagging between fixing points.?

Elaine wrote quickly in a form of short hand that Azjah could not make out, but the numbers were clear as she used her experience to draft rough lengths that would be needed to bring Azjah?s descriptions to life.

Azjah paused to consider, ?Let?s keep with the golden amber lights rather than white ones for inside this year as well. Gold and burgundy are such warm, inviting colors. We shall keep the theme throughout the house for this year.? The golden amber lights reminded her of Schedar, which is a spectral class K0 IIIa star, which makes it almost an amber orange color. But orange wasn?t a color normally associated with Yule, so this was her concession to starting to include a blending of Rigelian and Schedarian influences on this first holiday together.

Elaine glanced up from her writing, ?Those are very old fashioned colors Marchioness, are you certain you would like to stick with those? There are some wonderful new colors available this year, and the hot color for this year is sort of a bronzy-purple, that is very distinctive. And I know I can obtain enough to decorate your rooms the way you like them.?

Azjah smiled, ?No, thank you Elaine. This year I want to be traditional.? She sipped the mulled wine thoughtfully, ?Let?s do the garlands for the roping in ivory pearls and gold beads, keep the ornaments to glass in shades of gold this year. I know the velvet and parchments are widely used, but this year we?ll do the colored glass alone.?

Elaine picked up a line and spoke rapidly to someone in the back of the shop before looking once more at Azjah. ?Do you desire a tree for the Great Room?? She had never delivered a tree to the Marchioness, but perhaps since she was doing so much decorating this year, conceivably that would change as well.

Azjah paused, she had not put a tree up since she lived on Rigel and her parents were alive. The last great tree had been a silver fir that Ozeana had decorated in silver and blue. That was a pain that she was not ready to challenge by putting up an indoor tree this year. ?No, I do not believe an inside tree would be appropriate, however, there are several places outside where we could decorate with the lights and ribbons to have that part of tradition accomplished.? The evergreens out on the property would do just as well, and not bring the pain associated with an inside and festively decorated tree would bring.

Elaine nodded and made a note to take her greens manager with her to go to the Palazzo for photos of the property and to obtain the final measurements for the roping. Elaine then asked her, ?Now, what about table decorations or centerpieces? Anything special that you had in mind??

Azjah arrived at the Palazzo about the same time Wil did, and as they entered the house, she linked an arm in his, ?Wil? Since we will be here for Yule, and it is our first holiday together, I have decided to decorate the house and embrace the festivities associated with the holiday, but I find that I do not know if you even celebrate such a holiday. Did you have a winter celebration on Schedar??

She hoped that he did, it would make their enjoyment that much greater. Once they were inside, Dyson met them at the door and Azjah handed him her jacket and requested his presence in the library to put the finishing touches on her plans for Yule. In the mean time, Wil had begun to talk about the winter festivals from his home.

Wil smiled at the thought of their first Yule together. This had been a year filled with firsts, and he was sure there?d be many more to come. He looked at Azjah and shrugged, ?The human sacrifices were a big part of our celebrations. Every year one family from each neighborhood was responsible for the sacrifice for that neighborhood.? He looked at Azjah and saw the shocked look upon her face, and then he broke into laughter and took her into his arms. ?I?m so bad. How do you put up with me? Of course, I?m only joking.? He pulled back to look into her eyes with such admiration. ?Truthfully, I?m afraid Schedar was not very much into winter holidays in the way that many civilizations are. We never had snow or the religious traditions that could be compared to what is the traditional Yule season. However. . .? he paused only briefly, not wanting Azjah to be disappointed, ?I?ve spent considerable time on Rhydin, and some time on Earth and similar planets, and I?ve come to know and appreciate the Yule celebrations. In fact, with the right alcoholic beverages nearby, I think I could do a pretty darn good job with decorating. That is, if you would like any help.? He gave her a wink and kissed those soft lips.

Azjah reigned in her initial shock at his human sacrifice comment and leaned close enough to brush a kiss to his lips, ?Name the right alcoholic beverage and I shall promptly put you to work. I would love to see your handiwork.? At the slight knock on the door, she straightened once more and beckoned Dyson inside.

Azjah sat on a dusty blue moir? settee in front of the fireplace with Wil when Dyson arrived. ?Come in Dyson, we have decided to make this year?s Yule celebration a memorable one, and we shall need your assistance to accomplish.? Azjah slid her hand into Wil?s as they began to discuss the fine points of a proper Yule celebration. ?There will be 8 Yule logs delivered this weekend, but they should remain outside until it is time to light them. The florist will be here this afternoon to measure for roping and arrangements.? She glanced at Wil with an impish grin, ?And, I have a surprise for everyone in the Palazzo.?

Dyson dutifully made his notes, but at her announcement of a surprise, he glanced up at her. ?Ich nehme an, dass Sie nicht uns erkl?ren werden, was die ?berraschung diesmal ist?? He was never fond of surprises, but somehow he suspected that the Marchioness intended to enjoy keeping one, at least for a short time.

Azjah shot Dyson a grin filled with the joy of the season, and the secrets this time of year engendered. ?Nein, werde ich dieses bestimmte Geheimnis bis den Vorabend der Winter-Sonnenwende halten.? She had absolutely no intention of sharing her chocolate surprise just yet. Then she leaned closer to Wil and whispered, ?This surprise is even for you my dear.? Then she kissed him before glancing once again at Dyson. ?There are some specialty foods I would like to make certain that Andre plans to prepare for the holiday. The stolen is a must, and make certain Andre understands the recipe from Rigel and not one from his home world.? She shuddered briefly at the first attempt the Chef had made on one of her favorite holiday breads.

?For Alban Arthan we simply must have Cua Ram Muoi.? Azjah gave Wil a wink, ?crab claws that have been saut?ed in garlic before being rolled in tomato paste and served over baby Bibb lettuce.? Azjah knew Wil had a great love of sea food, so she added Gingered Prawns and Ragout de Homard aux Morilles for the week?s meal list. The Ragout of Lobster with Morels was one of Azjah?s personal favorites. The Chef would insist on something with oysters for New Year, and she chose grilled oysters with ginger lime dressing. The last bit of seafood she chose was Shanghai Velvet Scallops, she knew Wil have a fondness for the oriental rice wines, and the Shaohsing rice wine was the perfect sauce for the scallops.

Azjah felt there was enough seafood in the week long menu and changed to red meat and vegetables. It was the season for parsnips, and she wanted those served with venison. Azjah smiled at Dyson, ?Duck with apricots too, as for the remainder, it shall be up to Andre?s taste.

?And lastly, but not least on the list, we must have Pfeffernuss!? Azjah had a weakness for the small, round gingerbread biscuits that were only available at this season, and she made certain to get her request in early.

?I am not certain what Topaz will desire for something special, but I am certain Lucien can enlighten us on some of her favorite things.? She knew that Lucien and Gabriel, and indeed even Dominik would not eat any of the holiday foods, but Topaz could, and they were all part of the household, which meant finding something special for each and every one of them. She would ask Lucien the next time she saw him about what would be the perfect surprise for Topaz.

Then she looked at Wil, ?What special memories do you have in terms of food that you would like to have prepared this year?? Azjah knew that Wil had never shown a reticence to eat almost anything that she proposed to him, as evidenced by their wager earlier that year. But if he had some fond memory of something special, she wanted to include it for this year?s festivities.

He thought about the question a moment. Her question ultimately brought a melancholy upon him that he had not felt in a good long time. He was beginning to realize more and more that his regimented life had excluded him from many things that most people value highly. ?My father was military and seldom home, and I guess because of that and the general nature of life on Schedar, I have few memories that I would categorize as special.? He shrugged again and gave her a winsome smile, ?Will you help me start to have special memories and traditions? Will you teach me??

Azjah leaned back and rested against Wil?s shoulder as she considered what he had just asked her to do. She reached up to lightly caress his cheek, ?I want us to make our own special traditions and memories,? she smiled then, ?I can teach you mine, but I think the fun will be in making our own.?

Azjah remained comfortably cuddled next to Wil as she thought about the many things she may have missed. Music she would leave to Dyson, but there was one thing she would have to do herself, and her brow furrowed as she thought about it. She had absolutely no idea what to get Wil for Yule. The warmth of his body was a lure that she unconsciously gravitated toward as they sat there, millimeter by millimeter she relaxed into him, as though soaking up the heat he radiated. At length, she turned to look up at him with a hint of mischief, ?There is a tradition whereby an elderly gentleman visits each and every house to leave gifts for the occupants if they were very good the previous year. Do you perhaps think you qualify for such a visit??

Wil loved these quiet times alone with Azjah ? the feel and warmth of her body against his, the fragrance of her hair and neck, the look of her long legs running parallel to his. These were the moments he treasured, and he didn?t take any of them for granted. He held Azjah a little tighter and looked toward the ceiling as if he was really giving her question a well thought-out response. ?Well, to be honest darlin?, I really don?t think you can trust anyone over thirty, except maybe Xenograg, and even him I sometimes wonder. I think that old men are a pretty devious group in and of themselves, but one who wishes to visit each and every house has to be up to no good. It might seem like he?s leaving gifts, but I?m sure there?s a payoff somewhere down the line.?

Wil struggled to keep a serious expression, for he had actually heard about the tradition of a Saint Nicholas who bestowed gifts once a year upon those who were deemed to be deserving. ?As far as being good this year, how exactly are you defining ?good?? Is it good at surviving all the calamities that seem to have targeted me since we met? Or is it good at making drinks and swimming in unusual places?? He paused just a bit and smirked with a raising and lowering of his eyebrows, ?Or is it good in bed?? He cleared his throat and quickly moved on, ?Or is it just good in general, as in avoiding unnecessary terminations and such?? He ran his lips across her temple and pulled back to look at her expression.

Azjah couldn?t help but laugh. If the criteria were being good at any of those things, Wil certainly qualified. It was these times that she loved the most. Wil seemed relaxed and happy, and she wanted this to be a sanctuary for him. He brought completeness to her world.


She glanced at Dyson, ?We have a nice collection of Father Christmas figurines, do we not??

Dyson nodded, ?Ja. Es gibt die Ansammlung, die von Ihrer Gro?mutter angefangen wird und von Ihrer Mutter geweitermacht ist. Sie haben nicht noch der Ansammlung hinzugef?gt. M?glicherweise ist dieses das Jahr, damit Sie Ihre Note addieren?? He had always liked the collection of figures that represented the changing visualization of Father Christmas, Old Man Winter, whatever he had been named around the worlds they had encountered. This year perhaps the Marchioness would make an addition and continue the tradition, although it looked as though such may well end with her even if she made additions to the collection.

Azjah chuckled and glanced up at Wil, ?Does Schedar have a Father Christmas like entity?? He said there was no such reference in his memories, and Azjah knew she would enjoy sharing the rich history of this tradition. Though he knew about RhyDin?s version of Saint Nicholas. She laughed then, he didn?t trust anyone over thirty? She would have to remind him that she was over thirty.

She had listened intently to his description of Schedarian winter festivals. On Rigel we have Alban Arthan rather than Winter Solstice. Allegedly before The Religion grew, the Druids would gather by the oldest Mistletoe clad Oak. They gathered the mistletoe according to long lost rites. The holiday is now observed in a manner that commemorates the death of the Holly King identified with the wren bird (symbolizing the old year and the shortened sun) at the hands of his son and successor, the robin redbreast Oak King (the new year and the new sun that begins to grow). The Battle of the Holly King and Oak King is re-enacted at rituals, both open and closed on an annual basis. The battle is usually in the form of words but it has been known for there to be sword battles. The battle represents the Oak King?s final strike against his brother; The Holly King. The Alban Arthan battle represents the ultimate victory for at least the next six months, when the battle will go the other way.

Wil Savage looked at the two trunks sitting on the marble floor of the main hallway of his home, and he just shook his head and expelled a quick, short breath that attempted to be a laugh. The sum total of his personal effects, at least those he wished to keep, filled only two small trunks. The I.I.S.C. would have said that was one trunk too many, but here on Rhydin even the poorest residents would have had more belongings than this. Wil was not poor. In fact, he was far from it. He had massive bank accounts on several planets that were noted for their high finance dealing, their security and their confidentiality. These were the accounts that the I.I.S.C. would wire his payments to after each completed assignment. Agents usually didn?t live long, but while they were living they were paid well, lived expensively, and ensured a fine existence for their beneficiaries.

?Please have these delivered to the Palazzo,? he said to Kazuhisa, the last of the three employees who had been keeping the mansion in order.

?Right away, sir,? Kazuhisa said with a bow.

?Oh, and Kazu, make sure that the realtors know the place is now vacant and available for rent or purchase.?

?I will see them before noon, sir.? Kazuhisa again bowed and departed to have the trunks shipped down the street.

Wil took a final glance around his home and he couldn?t help but notice the stark contrast between his furnished yet sterile home, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere of Azjah?s Palazzo. There was something about the Yule season and the festivities and traditions that made a home so much more than just a place to sleep and eat. All his life he had avoided such traditions. He had little time for the frivolities of life and since they were never a part of his life, he hadn?t missed them. Now he was discovering that Azjah was changing all that.

He smiled at the thought of last night and his attempts at helping her decorate the Palazzo. It had actually been an enjoyable time, and he didn?t do such a bad job if he had to say so himself. When they had finished decorating they had sat upon the couch in front of the fire and in the glow of all the lights, and cuddled together with seasonal spiced drinks while conversing softly about the future. Her invitation to move into the Palazzo had been a very pleasant surprise, and he wondered if he had been too quick to respond in the affirmative. He hadn?t bothered to even consider her reputation or safety, but who was he kidding. Even if he had, he would have said yes. Leaving Azjah at night was always something he hated to do.

Then his thoughts drifted to their retiring to her bedroom suite together, both intoxicated far more with each other than with the drinks that had been consumed. He made a mental note that during this season of warmth and peace and closeness, they would have to seriously plan their wedding. He raised a brow in humor and mumbled, ?Or elope.?

Wil donned his leather flight jacket and walked out the door, locking it behind him. It was a cold and blustery morning with the threat of more snow, but he didn?t seem to mind at all. In fact, the walk to his new life was really quite pleasant.

Azjah met Wil in the foyer, and she glanced up, a sphere of mistletoe now hung above the center of each doorway and arch inside the Palazzo, each adorned with gold metallic lace and burgundy velvet ribbons. The white berries were in abundance, and she waited with a grin for Wil to step through the doorway. When he did, she stepped into his arms, ?May I introduce you to another Yule tradition?? She reached up and pulled one white berry off the mistletoe before snaking both arms around Wil?s neck, drawing him down to her for a lingering kiss. ?Each kiss stolen beneath the mistletoe must be accompanied by plucking one berry from the greenery. When the berries are gone, so too are the kisses.?

She flashed him a smile, ?Were you able to accomplish everything so quickly?? She peered outside behind him, but saw nothing that had accompanied him from his own home. She knew he kept very few possessions, but knew that he did have some material things.

He told her that his staff was seeing to the delivery of two trunks of belongings, and she nodded, ?I?ll let Dyson know to expect them.? She linked her fingers with his, ?While you were out, they delivered the Yule logs for the fireplaces. Would you like to help set them up?? The Yule logs were already tied and bundled, but the candles had not been set into them, and they needed to be placed inside the fireplaces in preparation. They also needed to have some fir boughs and decorated pine cones laid on them to stage the actual lighting of the logs.

Later in the day, a delivery arrived from the Chocolatier, and Dyson sought them out, ?Your Grace? Master Stradinger has sent samples for your consideration.?

Azjah shot Wil a grin, ?These are another Rigelian tradition: that is, if Master Stradinger has the recipe just right.? She picked up a gold foiled sample and unwrapped it. She studied the mold form he had used before offering the chambord filled bite to Wil. ?You try this one, I?ll try the silver one.? She then unwrapped the silver foil that hid a Grand Marnier center and bit into it. A slow smile curved her lips then, ?Dyson? Tell Master Stradinger that these are just perfect. Please finish the order.? If there were an image in the dictionary of happiness, right now it would be Azjah with Wil beside her and the Rigelian chocolate that melted at precisely body temperature to reveal the liquid interior of the Alban Arthan treat.

She gingerly licked the melted chocolate from her fingertips with a radiant smile, ?These will be hidden all over the Palazzo. Who ever finds one is obligated to close their eyes, make a wish, and consume it on the spot. It?s meant to bring in the new year with sweetness and hope.? She leaned against Wil then, ?So no cheating, if you find one, you are required to make those wishes!?

Azjah laughed merrily at his twisting and confusing the two traditions, ?How about you kiss me for both the mistletoe and the chocolate, and then you have it covered?? She was of course teasing him, but as he held her there in the foyer in his arms, it was a notion that appealed very much. His feather light touch on her cheek brought a warm smile to her lips just as his descended for a melting kiss.

She wrapped both arms around his waist, ?We have had several agree to come for food and drink for Yule, and Dyson is taking care of the open house notices. I sent some of the Rigelian chocolates over to Koy and Matthew, and I took the liberty of signing the card from us both.? She peered up at him, hoping she had not overstepped.

?There is going to be enough food around here for the next week, and unless you wish to test Andre?s skills with a very sharp knife, you might want to eat it.? She gave him an impish smile, ?But I think we can see to it that you get enough of a work out to keep from gaining any weight.?

She reached for his hand then, ?Come, let me show you the transformation in the gardens.? She led Wil through the foyer and Great room out into the enclosed square of the Palazzo?s formal gardens. The snow had been removed from the flag-stoned courtyard, and the central fountain had been lit from beneath the water. Golden lights shimmered in the base of the fountain, and the heated water gave off a steady rise of steam into the late morning air. The Noble fir and holly roping was elegantly swagged around the entire perimeter of the garden, punctuated by burgundy velvet and gold metallic lace ribbons. The lights were the same amber color that was inside the fountain glittered amidst the evergreen boughs, and a light dusting of snow already gave the roping the look of having been dusted with faerie dust.

Beneath the overhang of the house and the courtyard there had been twelve wreathes hung, three per wall, with a large 72? in the center, and each of those flanked by matching 54? wreathes. They were woven of Noble fir, holly and juniper. They were lit as well, and had matching ribbons, but they were also decorated in gold ornaments and burgundy pearls. The giant white snowflakes they had found in the storage area now hung from the ceiling in clusters of six to eight all around the covered walkway.

Azjah leaned against Wil, ?Did you know that the wreaths originated in pagan times for the Winter Solstice? They represented the rebirth for nature, and when the bonfires of the Solstice were lit, the wreaths represented the signs of the approaching light?? She studied Wil a moment, ?And then other belief systems adapted the wreaths, converting them into symbols of spiritual values. The circular shape representing eternal rebirth, and the evergreen also signifies eternal life. But when a cedar is used, it suggests strength and healing, while holly and pine and yew stand for immortality.?

The Solstice circle had been opened the night before, and the candles still remained at the cardinal directions. They would remain there through out the Yule celebrations until Twelfth Night.

Wil had been waiting for this night and for just the right moment to hand Azjah the box that was in his pocket. He had just finished his drink and felt that the moment had come, when Dyson stepped into the room and announced, ?Arturo has brought the horses, Your Grace.? Azjah was always full of surprises ? which he loved about her ? but it did make it a bit difficult to follow through with his own plans. Flexibility! That was the key when one was in the presence of the Lady Caer.

He hesitantly agreed to the ride but once he was in the saddle of the 16 hand Andalusian, he was actually starting to enjoy the idea. A ride at night in the clear, cold air, and feeling the warmth generated by the steed beneath him, was an invigorating experience.

Wil dismounted at the pond, and secured his horse before he walked to Azjah, placing his arm around her. ?A dance under the moon and stars, on a frozen pond, and with the snow reflecting the night?s light, what could be better?? he expressed softly as his eyes took in the beauty of the place. He then watched her pull out a pouch and hand him the Marquess seal. ?Thank you,? he whispered. ?I?m truly honored, and I'll keep it safe.?

He paused a bit and reached into his pocket. ?Now, it?s my turn.? He removed a small box that was covered in the deepest blue velvet. As he opened it, the engagement ring immediately shone brightly in the ambient light. It was a three-stone setting in a gold band. They were round-cut diamonds with the center being the larger and of highest clarity. The diamond on each side was each slightly different in hue, one having the palest blue color and the other a little deeper blue. Wil took it out with his right hand and reached for her left hand with his left. ?I've been wanting to do this since that night in the folly on Rigel. The three diamonds actually come from three different worlds. The center represents our love and life together. The two others represent the twin stars of Rigel which have watched over you throughout your life, and have been witness to the growth of our love.?

He placed it on her finger, and they melted together in that first dance in the moonlight.

Yule had come and gone. They had spent the days between Yule and the eve of the New Year enjoying one another?s company. The thought of returning to work was not as exhilarating as it had been in previous years. Even the promising work on the miniaturization of the TC was not as much of a lure as Wil was.

She sat in front of the computer terminal and pulled up the files on the TC. It was a devastating weapon, usually found in fighters used by humanoid forms. The canon essentially slows down tachyon particles, and once decelerated and forced into a stream, their damage potential was increased monumentally. Naturally occurring tachyons travel at faster than light speeds and were first described by German physicist Arnold Sommerfeld. Harnessing these high energy particles took decades to accomplish. Tachyon?s were initially said to be constrained by the space-like portion of the energy momentum graphs created by physicists who studied the theories, and as such, believed that they could not slow down to subluminal speeds. But when the tachyon condensation process was discovered, it was also discovered how to reach a minimum potential energy states. That discovery led to the first tachyon canons.

Tachyons are a lethal problem because they all involve spontaneous symmetry breaking. When this energy is focused by a tachyon canon, even the heavy shields of capital ships can be successfully damaged or broken with a well aimed strike. But, the downside of tachyon canons is their size. It takes a large fighter to house a tachyon canon. Now they were close to being able to downsize the requirements without sacrificing the power. The physics behind the downsizing were staggering. Overcoming those physics was even more awe inspiring.

They had made use of something called string theory. The D-branes are a class of extended objects where open strings can end with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The black p-brane solutions of super gravity had led to several interesting discoveries, including the Second Superstring Revolution and the Holographic and M-theory dualities. The discovery of instantonic or D(-1)-branes gave rise to localization in both space and time. This discovery allowed the generation chamber to be miniaturized. Localizing space and time in a predictable manner was the key to reducing size.

Dirichlet boundary conditions require that the endpoints of the string be pinned. This pinning also enabled downsizing rather than trying to manage the Neumann boundaries, where the string endpoints are not fixed, but are free to move through space-time at the speed of light. It is nearly impossible to give direction to a tachyon if the strings are not tied down.

The special quantum strings that result are called tachyons. They have some very odd properties, like imaginary mass. But when that ?imaginary mass? is directed, the strings lead to a tachyon field ?living? on the brane?s volume. The lower branes volumes result in large collections of tachyons. This large collection in a small, predictable space is what gives the tachyon canon its devastating power source.

Azjah leaned back as she reviewed the current status. They were close to being ready to show the prototypes, but before that, she had one last surprise for Wil.