Kathy stood on the doorstep with her sister, whom Jake had known about but not met before today, and her father, Gary, whom he had met previously. Jake invited them in; telling them supper was almost ready. Mr. Mangold objected, saying they hadn't come over for a meal, but Judy came in and put an end to his arguments.

It soon became obvious to the visitors that the house had more occupants than just Jake's family. Jake tried to downplay it when Kathy asked, and she quickly dropped the subject, although her look said the conversation wasn't over. After the meal was complete, she asked if Jake and his immediate family could talk privately.

Mark led the way into the den, closing the door after everyone was inside. He took a seat after getting Gary, Jake and himself a beer, and waited for Kathy to start.

"Jake, I know you told me about you and your sisters, could you elaborate on it a little for my Dad and Lydia? I know it's kind of private, but everyone at school has it figured out and well, I have my reasons."

"Well, I'm fine with it," Jake said, shooting a reassuring look at his parents. "It's like this; I scored well enough on my CAP test to volunteer. After talking it over with my parents and sisters, and doing some soul searching on the matter, I decided to offer them spots as my concubines." Jake saw the look on Gary's face and shrugged.

"I could let someone else take them, I mean, they are both beautiful and they wouldn't have any problem getting picked up, granted that they were to get caught in one of the Confederacy pickups. But, how do I know that some guy they've known for about five minutes is going to treat them right. I mean, he could loan them out to his buddies, or even kill them, just because he felt like it. I figured the only way to make sure they were treated right would be to take them as my own."

"Yeah, but doesn't that mean you have to have sex with them," Gary asked.

"Yes it does," Jake said, meeting the man's eye. "Look, the Darjee have the medical technology to make sure that any children we have are ok, and really, isn't that the main reason for the incest laws and taboos." The man still didn't look convinced, but shrugged.

"Yeah, but from what Kathy has said, you guys are sexually active now. I mean, isn't that against the law or something?"

"No, it's not," Mark said, leaning forward. "Current law states that if a volunteer and a potential concubine enter into an agreement, pre-pickup, that the normal laws no longer apply to them, and they fall under the standards set by the Confederacy. As the Confederacy has no rule against incest, they are perfectly legal."

"You mean they have agreed to be his concubines now? But how can anyone guarantee that they will take someone, I mean, what if they aren't together when a pickup takes place?"

"Well, we've got a plan," Judy said, stepping into the conversation. "Do you know what a pre-pack is?"

"Isn't that where the Marines pick up someone who has already made their choices and are all together somewhere?" Lydia said.

"Exactly," Jake responded, smiling at the younger girl. "Once we have all our ducks in a row, we can contact someone and let them know we are ready. They let us know a certain time and place, and if we show up, we all go together."

Gary nodded, looking at his two daughters, his face unreadable.

"So, since you have a plan, and you want your sisters treated right, you think it's ok to have sex with them?"

Jake nodded and the man went silent, thinking it over.

"Gary, look at it this way," Judy said. "What if you had a score good enough to take your daughters and you were all caught in a pickup. Now granted, they could try to attract sponsors, and as pretty as they are, would have a pretty good chance of doing so. However, could you guarantee that they would be treated ok, I mean, not be abused, or hurt?"

Gary met her gaze, and then glanced at his daughters. "No, I see what your saying, but that's not quite the situation here," he said softly. "Look, you've given me a lot to think about, and I thank you for talking with us, but..." He left the rest unsaid and started to rise.

"Wait Dad," Kathy said, coming over to sit on his lap. "What Dad is trying hard not to say is I'm the sponsor in the family, and I want to take him and Lydia, but he's refusing. Oh, he's ok with me taking Lydia, but he doesn't think he can have sex with us and I was hoping you guys could convince him otherwise."

"Honey, maybe it's not a good idea," Judy said, causing Kathy to turn to her in surprise. "Look, if your dad isn't comfortable with the idea, it would probably cause problems, driving a wedge between you all in the long run."

"Gary, this isn't for everyone, and I won't pressure you to accept something that goes against your beliefs. Our family isn't unique, we know of at least one other with a similar arrangement, but it isn't the norm either." Judy met Gary's eye, wanting to make sure he understood her next point.

"You have to decide for yourself, and don't feel guilty if you decide you can't do it. With Jake and his sisters, well, they are similar in age, and that makes a difference. Also, the idea of a child taking a parent as a concubine, well, there could be issues after pickup that could lead to serious problems."

Kathy opened her mouth to object, but closed it without saying anything. She hugged her father, still sitting on his lap, and turned to face Judy.

"Look, I just want to make sure Dad is going to live, that's all. I mean, seriously, the idea of having sex with him is, well, weird. I would do it though, to save him."

"I know you would," Judy said softly, "but would you be happy? I mean, think it over carefully, and if you're in a situation where you're all together at a pickup, and there is very little chance of your father getting picked up, I'd go for it."

"Gary, think it through," she continued when he objected. "Once you're on board the ship, she would have the chance to find you a suitable sponsor, and make a trade. That way you would all be safe."

"What about you guys?" Lydia piped up. "Well, I mean, could we join in your pre-pack or something, and maybe find a sponsor for Dad?"

Jake shared a quick glance with his parents, all three nodding. "Sure," Mark said. "The more the merrier, and we need more sponsor's anyway." He spent the next hour filling the three in on their plan, and issuing them cell phones. It was decided to give Gary one, and hope if nothing else they could take him as an extra. Kathy listened intently, agreeing with everything she heard.

"One thing, I mean, if Dad should get the chance to get picked up somewhere, like Mom did last year, can we come and stay here?" Judy said they wouldn't have a problem with it, and they all agreed to call it a night. Kathy asked if she could talk with Jake's concubines for a minute, and Jake sent her up to his room.

Fifteen minutes later she came down, smiling. Mark stopped her; Jake had reminded him about the written contracts all their concubines had signed. Gary looked it over, telling Kathy and Lydia he thought it was a good idea. Lydia signed it, becoming her sister's concubine, and Mark kept a copy for safekeeping.

Mark and Jake stood on the front porch, watching them drive off. "Dad, have you talked to Harvey in the last few days?" he asked. Something was bothering him, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. "No, but I figured he's busy with Val and Janine. Why do you ask?"

"Something about the way Little Harv acted today is bugging me. He seemed like he knew a lot about our plans, and that worries me."

"I'm sure it's just a bluff," Mark said. "I'll swing by the shop tomorrow and check in with him if you want."

"Yeah, that would work," Jake said. "I'd feel better knowing everything is ok over there." He said his goodnights and headed up to bed.

"Lana, when did you talk to your Dad last?" Jake asked as soon as he walked into the bedroom.

"I'm not sure," she replied, a little startled. "I'd say, probably Friday afternoon. Why, is something wrong?"

"It's probably just me being paranoid, but could you call him?"

"Sure," Lana said, pulling out her cell phone. She listened for a moment, and then hung up. When Jake started to speak she held up a finger and dialed another number. She got no answer there and hung up, puzzled.

"He's not answering, his cell or the shop phone. We don't have a home phone, we just use cells."

"Try Val," Jake said, puzzled and a little worried. Lana got no answer there and he stood, looking thoughtful. "Do you have your brother's number?" he asked. Lana dialed and Jake told her to put it on speaker.

"What?" Little Harv's voice was belligerent when he answered.

"Hey bro, it's me. Listen; do you know where Dad is?" Lana asked.

"Nope, have seen him or Aunt Valerie all night," her brother said.

"Harv, it's Jake, they aren't answering the phones and we really need to talk to them. Do you have any idea where they might be?"

"No," Harvey said, his voice sounding a little off to Jake. "Hey, I've got another call, gotta go," he said, hanging up abruptly.

"Damn, something's not right," Jake said. He grabbed his Glock and headed down stairs.

"Hey wait for me," Lana called. She struggled to pull jeans and a shirt on, grabbing her purse as she stuck her feet into a pair of slip on shoes. She caught Jake as he was backing out of the drive, jumping into the Mustang when he stopped to change gears. Jake saw Bonnie and Della at the door as he peeled out. He opened his phone, hitting his father's speed dial number and telling him where he was headed.

"Dad, I've got a gut feeling something is up over there. I'll let you know what's going on when we get there." He hung up before Mark could answer, concentrating on his driving.