Siena looked around worriedly. The other members of the crew were out gathering information. Luckily, Setin had managed to turn them away from the ship. Smart boy. she thought, Poor thing without his mother and father, he treats us like family. A saying her own father had enjoyed saying came to her, 'What is a crew but a large family that you choose?' it went. It couldn't be more true. She only hoped Spike wouldn't decide just to sell them out for the fun of it. No... He's got more honor than that. *** Hayden seethed inwardly and he grabbed his Captain's shoulder as soon as he finished bargaining, "Dragonriders have Spike." he hissed. Fedrin grumbled, "I nue tha' drinkin' pro'lem would be the en' o' 'im." "He hasn't sold us out. Yet." Hayden allowed. "Who'd he say was 'is Captain?" he asked. "Denir." Hayden replied. "Well then, we're safe fer a bit." the other man said, taking out his pipe. "Sir?" "W'might as wull act natrel." his Captain replied, gesturing with the pipe and lighting it. Hayden shrugged, "I guess." he admitted. *** Fedrin thought of his convict-crewman with mixed feelings. Inwardly, he was doubtful of Spike's motives not to give them up yet but he was also hoping that Spike was still on their side. After all, he was not the most loyal of men. He looked at Hayden for what he was thinking and his First Mate gave him a level look. "He fell behind, we should leave." He said honestly. Fedrin shook his head, "E hasn' sold us out yet." He protested, "We cun wait a day." Hayden shook his head in disagreement but kept silent. Fedrin nodded to himself and looked out towards the Hold. Don't disappoint me, lad. He thought. *** Spike looked up at the man. He had learnt he was a whiterider named K'man. Of Falas Weyr. And the two men that kept watching him confusedly were Ph'sey and M'len. Searchriders. "So, Pirate, it seems that you gave us a false name." The man said slowly, "Clever." "Not really, sir." Spike said, flicking a hand dismissively. "Not really a lie or not really clever?" "Both, actually." The blond pirate replied, smirking. Ph'sey opened the door and whispered in his leader's ear. The whiterider nodded and the elf stepped forward. "What if I were to tell you that your entire crew has been officially Searched for the F.G.P.C.?" he asked. Spike snorted, "Then you would know exactly who they are." The elf grinned, "That we do." He said reluctantly, "But we need someone to blame it all on." Spike narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, "Blame it on someone else, I already have enough troubles with trust." The bluerider tilted his head, "Do you, Pirate, accept your Search for the Falas Genetic Program Center at Falas Hold?" he asked. Spike's eyes nearly popped out of his head, "You are joking, I suppose?" The elf shook his head, "Not at all." The pirate stood up, "Then I accept." He replied, "And since you want to Search my entire crew... Sure, blame it all on me." *** Sienilli looked up in surprise. The entire crew had met up and headed to the ship. Now, they were surrounded - once again, from Sietin's point of view - by dragons and their riders. The whiterider was leading them again and he looked rather miffed. A bluerider took the speaker's right this time. "Do you, crewmembers of The Silver Scabbard, accept your Search for the Falas Genetic Program Center at Falas Hold?" he asked. Sienilli stared at him, "What do you mean, Search?" she asked, shocked. "You heard me, your Search for the F.G.P.C.," the bluerider said. Fedrin stepped up, "We all accept." He said, somewhat hesitantly. She smiled to herself, then remembered one member of the crew. She was not alone in doing so. "What about Spike?" Sieng cried out, glaring up at the riders. "Oh, he's been Searched." The bluerider said with a grin, "And he said that this is all his fault." *** Spike looked around him at the entire crew. "I fail to see how you are going to fit all twenty-nine of us on two dragons." He announced to M'len. The bluerider laughed, "Who said we were only using two?" The entire wing landed and the pirates - rather grudgingly - heaved their belongings to their backs. K'man - obviously - wanted nothing to do with them so they all went to other dragons. Spike found himself riding with the not-happy-go-lucky searchrider. Along with Sieng, Stinilli and Stina. They would not go with anyone else. I cannot believe that what I said when drunk is actually coming true... If only I would Impress first of us... Then it would be perfect! He thought brightly. They all rose into the air and went between to Falas Hold. When they reappeared, the wing lowered to the ground. All the crew - for that was how he would always remember them - got off and headed to the barracks. They wandered through the halls and split into male and female groups. Stinilli and Stina were reluctant to leave their father - Loyal little things- and Sieng moved closer to him. They reached their rooms - four to a room, squished - and quickly claimed their rooms. Spike threw a bag on the top bunk of a bed and grinned triumphantly at Sieng who got the bottom bunk. Fedrin and Hayden had the other bunk in the room. Then, a scientist came for the crew. He led them to the eggs - the Sands - and told them that they got to choose a color. The entire group looked at him with smug looks on their faces. Setin spoke for everybody this time, "Something blue, sir, something blue!" back .:.:. continue