A/N: It has long bothered me that Wilma's character is so different in season two. This story is in part an attempt to explain and resolve that. It begins some time after the end of season one and then continues with scenes that happen between the season two episodes and continues after season two ends.

Kane entered Ardala's quarters, "The Terran shuttle will be here shortly princess."

Ardala turned to face him. She was dressed one of her typical skimpy outfits with a cape and a large head-dress, "Patience Kane, we don't want to appear too eager, do we? Did they say who is aboard?"

"Captain Rogers is piloting the shuttle as you requested Princess," Ardala smiled and Kane continued, "and Colonel Deering."

Ardala frowned, "I suppose I should have been more specific. These peace talks are going to be tedious enough without having to endure the Colonel's company… You've verified that Buck's shuttle is unarmed?"

"Yes, as agreed, and it will be escorted by two of our fighter pilots and two of theirs."

"And our own unarmed shuttle is on the way to pick up Dr. Huer and Dr. Theopolis?"

"It will arrive at the same time the Terran ship boards the Draconia."

Ardala rolled her eyes, "It all seems so unnecessarily cumbersome. I don't see why we couldn't meet aboard my ship or even on earth rather than all transporting each other to this ridicules planet in the middle of nowhere."

"The Terran's are much more careful than they use to be. They are also in a more powerful position. They've formed strong alliances and the intergalactic council…"

"Yes, yes, I didn't ask for a lecture in intergalactic politics! I'm well aware how financially inconvenient a war in this quadrant would be for my father right now!"

"I still think you should have insisted that Panther-man accompany you Princess."

She gave him a seductive smile, "You'll be with me Kane. Surely you don't doubt your ability to protect me?"

"Certainly not! I simply…"

"I didn't think so. Anyway, I want you by my side."

Kane looked surprised, "You do?"

"Of course I do, I wouldn't dream of leaving you in charge of the Draconia behind my back, and these peace talks will be deadly dull if I have to endure them so do you!"

Wilma glanced at Buck as their shuttle approached the Draconia, "If the peace talks are anything like the arrangements for this meeting we'll end up with a treaty that makes things as inconvenient as possible for all of us!"

"I just wish we were flying escort in the star fighters." Buck answered.

"I'm with you. I never should have agreed to this arrangement. Dr. Huer's always been too casual when it comes to his own safety."

"He didn't give you much choice."

Wilma nodded with a frown and Buck continued, "I know you're worried about him and Theo but it makes sense that he didn't want the three of you in the same place. They'll be OK, Wilma, you have Landers and Danton flying escort for them, they're two your best people."

Wilma looked pointedly at Buck, "Not the best."

Buck grinned, "Careful Colonel you wouldn't want to give me a swelled head."

Wilma didn't smile, "I've been over this a thousand times. These arrangements seem to make the Draconians as vulnerable as they do us."

"But you don't trust them. You think they maneuvered earth into these arrangements for a reason?"

"Trusting the Draconians isn't a mistake I'll make twice… I can't help but wonder if Ardala requested you pilot her shuttle to ensure you wouldn't be flying a fighter."

"Maybe she just wants the pleasure of my company."

Wilma looked at Buck sharply, "Is that supposed to reassure me?"

Buck smiled, "Well, we haven't had any trouble with Ardala since we got back from Pendar. What's it been over a year now?"

"Almost two."

"Time flies when you aren't fighting the Draconians."

"Our intelligence reports say the Draconians are having trouble with insurrections in their own empire. It's seems likely Draco doesn't want to commit any resources to this quadrant."

"But you're still worried."

"It is Ardala. And, earth has come a long way these last couple of years, but if Draco were to commit significant resources to fighting us we could lose everything we've gained."

"We've out-foxed the Draconians before. We can do it again if we have to."

"Yes, but in all three cases it was largely because you managed to sabotage Ardala's plans. Eventually she's going to decide it's a bad idea to let you aboard, Buck, no matter how fond she might be of you."

Buck smiled at this but Wilma didn't. The two of them rode in silence for a while until Wilma said, "Coming up on final approach to the Draconia."

"Let's hope Ardala is ready to play nice."

Kane sat in the co-pilot seat next to Buck. Ardala and Wilma sat next to each other neither of them looked happy.

Ardala leaned forward and smiled at Buck, "Buck… when I suggested Kane be allowed to co-pilot your shuttle I was hoping it would give us a chance to catch up."

Wilma answered before Buck could, "Our agreement with you was that Captain Rodgers would pilot your shuttle. We wouldn't want to go back on our word before the peace talks even start."

Ardala seethed and Kane almost looked as if he might smile.

Buck was about to speak when ten ships showed up on his monitor. He flicked a switch opening communications to both sets of star fighters, "Look alive everyone. We've got company!"

Kane adjusted some dials on the communication equipment, "Attention alien vessels identify your selves!"

The lead ship fired at them. Buck maneuvered out of the way. Wilma and Kane shouted simultaneously to their star fighters:

"Take evasive action and return fire!"

"Return fire and take evasive action!"

Their escorts all fired and so did the enemy ships. One of the unidentified ships was hit and exploded. One of earth ships was also hit and spun away out of control."

Buck, Wilma and Kane all moved as if to fire at the enemy ships before catching themselves and realizing their ship didn't have weapons. Another of the enemy ships went down.

Wilma tried to contact the pilot in the earth fighter, "Norris how bad is you damage! ...Major Norris can you respond!? NORRIS!"

At the same time Kane tried again to contact the enemy ships, "You are attaching Draconian ships on a peaceful mission cease fire immediately or be destroyed!"

Even in the midst of battle Buck seemed to find this statement amusing but he lost his smirk as he performed more evasive maneuvers.

One of the draconian star fighters exploded from a direct hit. Kane shouted again, "Cease fire immediately or be destroyed!"

Another of the enemy ships when down. The remaining Draconian fighter was hit and exploded, the remaining earth fighter exploded a few moments afterward.

The unidentified ships stopped firing, and surrounded the shuttle.

Buck pulled on the throttle, "Our only chance is to out fly…"

A green beam came from each of the remaining ships and engulfed the shuttle.

The lights on the consul went dead; Buck flicked switches and pounded buttons, "They've got us in some kind of tractor beam nothing's responding."

Kane was also trying to get systems to respond.

Ardala looked annoyed, "Kain! Contact the Draconia for help!"

"Communication systems aren't responding either!"

The communications came back on line with an incoming message, "Attention Terrain vessel! You are transporting a Draconian princess. We will take you to our base and relive you of your cargo. We have no argument with the Terrains. Cooperate and you will live. Resist and you will be destroyed."

Ardala looked furious, "Cargo!?"

The communication systems went dead.