"A what?" The three aborigines asked, confused, though some of them may have heard an Alterran mention it in passing. However, since they didn't know what it was, they really didn't remember much about it.
On the other hand, Troy—who had been watching at the side—stood up and gape. Finally, Hardy was pretty much sparkling at this point and could not contain himself.
"You mean—"
"Seriously?!"
"It'd take a bit more, though," she added, realizing she had jumped the gun (no pun intended). "When we mastered using the Criel in cold weapons, it'd be easier for us to figure out what we need to do for the handgun.
"So…" she looked at the dagger. "Let's figure this out—we'd need a bit more help, time, (funds), and effort… but we should get there in a few years!"
…
Research Center, the next morning
Althea was sitting in her office, studying arrays (she dedicated some hours to study arrays, whichever one they were) when she received a very nice proposal.
