only way we can get back the honor we have taken. Please do not interfere any further."  The Warlock nodded and backed off.  "You have my permission, Lieutenant," the Commander announced.
The officer saluted his Commander once more and returned to his companions, standing face to face with one of them.  The officer beside him did an about face so he, too, faced his companion.  Then each man took a couple of steps backward.
"Ready!"  the Lieutenant cried.  Each man drew his pistol.  "Aim!" the Lieutenant ordered.  Each man brought his weapon level with his companion's head.  "FIRE!"  the Lieutenant ordered.
All four weapons discharged. Three men fell to the ground, instantly lifeless.  One man fell and began to jerk about.  The Commander quickly drew his pistol, crossed the distance and fired a second shot.  The body went limp.  The Commander holstered his pistol and made his way to the Warlock.
"The debt between our ships," he said, "is now paid in full.  By right these bodies are yours, to do with as you please.  But I would request you would return them to us, that they may be taken home.  They have bought back their honor, and that should be enough."
"It is enough,"  the Warlock answered, "MORE than enough."  He gave a sharp salute in the Hume manner and began to depart.
"Warlock Polley," the Commander cried, "Wait!  I owe you a meal. This is not the time or the place, but we will meet again sometime, somewhere, and I would be honored."
"I would be, also," the Warlock answered.  "When we meet again."
After the Hume left the Purist officer approached.  "The matter is settled, also," he said, "as far as we are concerned.  Though we feel the price of Imperial honor is very high. Did he know?"
"Did who know what?" the Commander asked.
"Did the Hume know the Lieutenant was your brother?"
"It was something unnecessary for him to know," the Commander answered, "and it is something very unnecessary for you to inform him of."
"As you wish," the Purist answered.
"Now if you will excuse me," the Commander announced, "as soon as we have secured our dead we must depart. I am late for my patrol."
"May you have a good journey," the Purist bade in parting.
"It is not the journey that bothers me," the Commander answered, looking towards the bodies being carried into his ship.  "It is the arrival home. It is the first time in my life I have not wanted to go home."
Without another word he followed his crewman into his ship and a few minutes later it lifted skyward, arching to the east.  A few minutes later the Hume ship rose and arched west.  The Purist security officer stood on the balcony looking at four stains on the field below.
"The price of honor," he said to himself, "is indeed, high, but is there any race that can long live without honor?"
He gave a sharp salute and he, too, went on his way.

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