"They are called Fragrunts. Prized by the wealthy to turn their homes into fragrance paradises. Also prided for their defensive capability of showering opponents with the foulest of stenches. They good watchdogs. I believe that is the correct phrase in English," Rick noticed for the first time that the Elucidator did not have to translate Burke's words. The stone giant was speaking fluent American English.

"A challenging race." said Burke.

"In what way?" asked Rick, trying to position himself downwind of the sweeter smelling Fragrunt.

"Their language. Languages are my avocation. The Fragrunts communicate by means of olfaction."

"You mean by smells and odors?"

"Exactly."

"Why are they such a challenge?"

"Easy." interrupted Kerr. "Burke has no sense of smell or taste so he has no baseline to begin with to quantify the language so he has to rely wholly on technology. He even was desperate enough to ask for help."

"I must have been desperate to ask from help from the likes of you, Czarrian," said Burke. Turning to Rick he asked "Do you know what Kerr did?" Rick shock his head no.

"I brought him with me on a translation secession and he is little or no help. Kerr becomes bored so without telling me he decides to insult the Fragrunts in their own language. They stormed off in anger, ending the secession."

"Kerr, do you know their language?" asked Rick.

"Not exactly. Just a few phrases and some of their better curses."

"What did you do?" questioned Rick. Kerr smiled and chuckled to himself. Rick turned to Burke who, agitated, answered.

"Kerr released methane from his digestive tract into the immediate atmosphere." Rick thought about the statement and burst out laughing. To Kerr he said

"You broke wind?"

"Yes, and I apparently insulted their mother in the process. But they deserved it. They had just insulted Burke's mother."

"They were demonstrating. Besides I do not have a mother as such. It was no insult."

"That is the thanks I get for defending your family honor."

"You do not even know the language. A difference of four particles per million in the air changes the entire meaning. They could have been complimenting my parentage."

"They were not. I could see it in their eyes."

"Fragrunts do not have eyes."

"Nit picker." With a quiet hum, the transport tube doors opened onto the platform ending the discussion. An exit onto the platform brought the commuters into contact with a group of toughs; there was a group on almost each platform. They never seemed to use the tubes. All the other beings veered out of their way to avoid contact. When they spotted Burke and Kerr however, it was the toughs who quickly stepped aside. One even asked for their autographs, but was hit upside the head by a compatriot and decided not to pursue the matter.

"Why do so many beings look similar to each other?" asked Rick, staring around him.

"Like beings such as mammals, reptiles, beings with similar numbers and types of limbs tend to congregate together here on Liberty. Living conditions are favorable for these types. On other types of worlds other forms of life dwell together." said Burke.

"But why are they so similar to each other? One would think life would evolve differently so far apart." said Rick.

"Some say the creator did not have a very vivid imagination so he used variations on the same themes. Others claim parallel evolution. Still more say worlds were seeded with life millions of years ago by the same gods or beings." answered Kerr.

"Which do you think is true?" asked Rick.

"Do not know. Do not care. Does not make a difference in my life, whatever the answer is." said Kerr sagely. Having finally arrived at their destination, the trio chose to sit in the rear of the auditorium. It was occupied by several hundred aliens, but it was far less traumatic and claustrophobic than the tubes. Each being had his own seat. Burke was seated on Rick's right, the chair straining under his weight. Kerr, having stopped to grab some of the snacks, was on his left. They explained what was happening on the stage.

"The Muridae running the auction is Smed'lee." said Burke.

"Smed'lee? You're kidding, right?" replied Rick.

"No. The other Muridae is Dortew. He is the Muridae high overseer. Smed'lee is his lackey." said Burke explaining the hierarchy. Rick blinked in disbelief. "You mean I've been taken prisoner by a couple of giant space rats?"

"Actually there are thirty six Muridae involved in the games." Burke informed precisely. Refusing to be distracted, Rick asked "How do we find Susie?"

"We wait. The video listing shows a Dirtling is up for auction next." Kerr said, between mouthfuls of food. He was on his third helping. Rick stared at the characters on the screen in vain. No matter how he squinted the screen would not give up its mysteries. "How can you read that? It all looks like gibberish tome. Why doesn't my Elucidator translate it for me?"

"The Elucidator is hooked into your auditory pathways, not your optic tracts. It can only interpret what you hear. To understand the screen you must learn to read Czarrian Common. which is the most utilized language for writing."

"Has been ever since the early days of the Empire. And how it should be." said Kerr with a sense of pride in his heritage.

"Bah," uttered Burke with a sense of disgust. He did not work it into the conversation as naturally as had Dortew. "You are just afraid you will have to use your mind for something besides battle games. It is not that difficult to learn another tongue you know, Czarrian." Kerr dismissed the notion. "Coming from the developer of the Elucidator, the best comprehensive translator on the market. Not everyone speaks thousands of languages, DeTang. How many languages are you eloquent in?"

"More than you can count. With the common usage of the Elucidator the need for a common spoken tongue was eliminated," said Burke with a certain pride tinged with sorrow. Although he accomplished his goal in the creation of the translator, he knew it meant ultimately there would be fewer languages to learn, robbing him of his favorite pastime. "I would be glad to instruct you in reading, Rick."

"I'll think about it," Rick said with half interest. With Susie in danger, his concentration for anything else was lacking. "Thanks for the history and language lessons, but what is the plan for rescuing Susie? How are we going to get her away from the rats?"

"We are not. That would be stealing. She, as well as the rest of the auctionees and yourself, are the property of the Muridae." said Burke, as if stating a well known fact.

"So how do we save her?" asked a hopeful Rick.

"You can purchase her." suggested Kerr, preparing to trip a waiter who had ignored his request for a seventh serving and take the food from him.

"With what? I have no money." said Rick, turning out his pockets to demonstrate. The waiter flew over Kerr's leg as the wolfen warrior caught the serving tray with two of his four arms. Not a morsel was spilled. He paused only to offer Rick a sample. When Rick nodded no, his attention returned to his purloined meal.

"Then I guess they will auction her off to the highest bidder." said Kerr, wiping his mouth on a napkin which was tucked in the neck of his shirt.

"That's not fair." agonized Rick.

"Who ever said life was fair?" asked Kerr, offering by way of demonstration the now empty platter.

"But I can't let them sell her. She is only a child!" blurted Rick, on the brink of frustration. His words captured the attention that his pleas had not.

"What?!" yelled Burke, his former easy going manner fading away as an undeniable anger took its place. The DeTang surged to his feet, obscuring the stage from view. His features took on a hardness that was not present a moment before. Rick cringed in fear. Kerr ordered another plate from the now docile waiter. "Are you telling us that she is only a fledgling of your people?" Finding his voice Rick managed to whisper "Yes. She's just a kid."

"By the great mountain of us all, this time they go too far. Why I'll.." Kerr stood and reaching up, placed a comforting hand on his friend.

"Easy Burke. Anger won't save the child. We must come up with a plan." said Kerr thoughtfully. His roguish demeanor given way to a more solemn and devious one. As the wolfen warrior spoke, an unconscious Susie was bought out upon the stage.

"That's her!" cried Rick, causing heads and other appendages to turn his way. Burke told him to be quiet. Smed'lee called for the bidding to begin and began his sales pitch.

"The Dirtlings are a very strong people able to lift up to one hundred and twenty percent of their own weight in standard gravity. The contract is for ten cycles. Bidding will open at five hundred Czarrian pounds."

"Why is the Dirtling sedated? Is it violent? or dangerous?" questioned a green being seated in the middle of the auditorium.

"No, it is not violent. Dirt is a planet whose general populace has not made its first contact yet. Only the governments of Dirt are aware that they are not alone in the universe. This particular specimen is having a particularly difficult time adjusting to interactions with others not of its species." replied Smed'lee by way of explanation.

"Well wake it up. I won't buy goods that are damaged." demanded the green buyer.

"Me neither." clamored another.

"Yes. Wake it up." yelled a third.

"Very well." said Smed'lee, caving to the pressure. The customer is always right. At least until the final payment is made. He walked toward Susie's sleeping form. He snapped open a capsule and waved it under her nose. Susie began to stretch her arms slowly like a cat. Her eyes opened slowly at first, then wide in terror.

"Arrhhh! Rats! Help me!" she screamed. Laughter arose from the crowd at her fear. Three members of the crowd did not laugh. One, without hesitation, rushed though the crowd and leaped onto the stage before either of his companions could stop him. Overjoyed at seeing the familiar face, Susie ran toward Rick throwing her arms around his neck. She held on for dear life.

"Rick! I'm so glad you are here. I'm so scared. But you'll make everything okay won't you, Rick?" pleaded Susie. Damn, thought Rick. I promised to take care of her but what can I do? The rats may kill me for interfering. Should have thought of that before you ran up here, genius. Probably would have done the same thing anyway.

"Susie, honey I don't know if I can make everything okay, but I'll try my best." Rick said as her carried the little girl away from the stage. His actions were far from unnoticed.

"Stand away from the auctionee now." demanded Smed'lee with a tone of voice reserved for talking to garbage and door to door vacuum cleaner salesmen.

"No. You have no right to do anything with her." Rick answered defiantly. He turned his body to shield Susie from the Muridae.

"We own her. Now, if you cannot produce prior ownership papers stand aside for unless I am greatly mistaken you also are our property." Smed'lee stated, looking fearfully over his shoulder at Dortew who was dispassionately watching the situation.

"We are no one's property. We are free people. We never agreed to any indenture." said Rick. If a soap box was handy, he would have stood atop it.

"No, but your government did." said Smed'lee, his whiskers twitching.

"They haven't the right." said Rick, as if his words alone would halt the sale.

"Ah, but under interstellar law a government has the right to sell or distribute those under its dominion any way it sees fit. Now step down off the stage or you will regret it." Smed'lee countered, with evil intent apparent in his eyes.

"No." said Rick as he protectively placed Susie behind him. Smed'lee produced a small oblong device from beneath his cloak and pressed a button. Suddenly Rick's head exploded with pain and he collapsed to the floor, dropping Susie in the process.

"Rick!" Susie screamed as she bent down to his side, trying to ease his agony with her tiny hands. "Stop it! You're hurting him." she demanded with fire coursing through her veins.

"That is the general idea. Now leave him be and come to the front of the stage so the buyers can see what they will be getting." said Smed'lee as he grabbed Susie's wrist and pulled her, kicking and screaming, away from Rick's fallen form.

"Let go of me! Stop it! You are hurting me!" yelled Susie. Smed'lee, amused at Susie's struggles, made a great effort to cause pain in the tiny body by hitting and squeezing any area that looked tender and vulnerable. He continued to drag her across the stage until a mammoth shadow covered him from behind. A huge stone hand grabbed both his shoulders, lifting him off the stage in the process. The action effectively ended his sadistic amusement. A turn of his head later Smed'lee was looking up at eight feet of angry mountain.

"Let go of the girl, now." boomed Burke's voice, shaking the rafters. Smed'lee seemed to wither in on himself, but he did not let go.

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