This story was first published in the Fanzine Input in 1988.

Disclaimers: I do not own the charaters in Blakes 7 they belong to BBC. i just play with them now and then.

Enigma on Vega

Blind Faith

by Lizzy74656. 1988-90

Takes place after the end of season two. Therefore seasons three and four didn't happen.

Zelda was her own woman, ruthless and cunning like all of her kind; except for her height, no-one could have mistaken her for anything other than the Vegain warrior she was; Jet black hair with a red-dyed front trim, which marked her rank and occupation in life among her people. Pale almost pure white skin – most of which was covered by body-hugging garments (including her hands) – showed off her deep red eyes to good effect. These alien eyes scanned the wreckage that had once been the flight-deck of her wedged-shaped fighter ship – Orion.

With the ship damaged in the battle between the Terran Federation and the Andromedans, she had been forced to order her pilot to land on this barren excuse for a planet; only they had crash instead, with only herself escaping serious injury. A heart-rending cry of pain tore at her, causing her to turn her back abruptly on the ruins and return to the harsh sunlight through the gaping hole in the ship's side. The fair headed male lay badly injured where impact with the rocky ground had thrown him. Zelda had only a badly bruised back and hip where she'd been cruelly crushed up against the unyielding bulkhead, to remind her of their misfortune in answering the call for help against the truly 'alien' invasion fleet.

"Easy, Chad; Lie still," she advised, kneeling beside his twisted form; she gently restrained him from making his injuries even worse. Her rich alien voice was a little cold, yet it effectively hid from the wounded male just what she was feeling about his condition. Zelda knew in her heart of hearts that any help – however quickly it came – would be of little use to Chad Telvan, her companion and half-brother. However her instinct to protect from harm was still functioning perfectly when a slight movement beyond the rise in the ground caught her alert eye. Her hand flew swiftly to the hunting knife at her hip, her senses gearing her body into the correct pattern. She relaxed her stance though when the blonde Terran woman came into full view, her life capsule not far distant – another victim of the war. She carried a small container of life-giving water drawn from a stream that Zelda's ears had heard gurgling in the rocks nearby.

Suddenly Chad moved violently as pain ripped through his shattered body. Screaming in pure agony, his back arched and then with a sigh, he was still; Deathly still.

The blonde Terran watched in stunned silence as Zelda leaned forward over her dead companion. She had heard many a smugglers' tale concerning Vegains and their customs, but contrary to popular belief, the alien female only kissed the male's forehead. She then rose steadily to her feet, her eyes never leaving the face of her companion/pilot, saying:

"He won't need that drink now…" her voice was barely more than a whisper.

The Terran watched the Vegain for several minutes before putting the water container down next to their small campfire and walked over to the grief-stricken female. With Zelda's people to lose one's ship was bad enough, but their companion as well was a damnable insult on the Captain, making them feel unworthy to return home where their fellow Vegains would treat them with open scorn. As she reached the alien's side the Vegain straightened her shoulders, her face set with determination and announced:

"We shall bury him now and then I will contact the Fleet."

"Surely you're not going to return home?!"

"I have no choice. I am First Captain of the Imperial Fleets of Vega. I must return. Now let us get Chad buried."

With that the two women said no-more and set about their grim task.

Later having contacted the main Fleets and been informed that Captain Tarn of Voyager was to be detailed to pick them up, whilst en-route for homeport; the two women watched the dusk gather around them, each lost in their respective thoughts. The Terran decided to voice hers.

"Zelda; Why bury him? Surely you Vegains cremate your dead?"

"Normally, yes; but Chad Telvan was a Terran born on Earth to a very good friend of my father."

"I see – I think," she paused to look at her alien companion; who just stared into the gathering dusk, her eyes dark and distant. Although her body was still, she betrayed her pain-filled thoughts with her hands; which constantly twisted around the hilt and sheathed blade of her short hunting knife. The blonde put out her own hand and covered Zelda's restless ones, eliciting an immediate response of a deadly flashing blade and angry eyes. Red eyes glared at her, reminding her of someone else who'd always had the same habit if anyone touched physically or emotionally.

"Want to talk about it?" the Terran asked, tactfully withdrawing her hand, whilst burying all thoughts of her own recently lost companions. Zelda nodded, returning the knife to its sheath and tucking it into her belt.

"We're not always so ruthless," she smiled at her companion's visible relief.

"I'm sure you're not; but I've heard too many stories about you Vegains to feel that safe."

"I understand."

They fell silent again, each wrapped up in their own thoughts once more. Zelda knew her adopted parents would not take Chad's death lightly – especially when he'd been buried on this barren excuse for a planet; she sighed.

"Well; it's a long story."

"Yes; but its going to be a long night," countered the Terran. They smiled understandingly at each other. The Vegain had an odd feeling that the blonde had recent memories of something – or someone – she wished to forget. Straightening her shoulders, easing the aching muscles and reflecting that one didn't bury a friend every day; she said:

"I suppose I'd better start," Zelda smiled as the blonde head nodded in agreement. "Well it all started with my Grandparents or rather my Grandmother. She fell madly in love with the Vegain Ambassador's son whilst they were on Earth and after a while he with her…"

The Terran found herself listening more to the sound of Zelda's rich alien voice than her words; deep, dark and coldly indifferent; it kept making another's voice – touched with the same cold tones – sound in her ears. When she closed her eyes she could picture the impassive features as well. The cold, if not icy outlook that person had on life in general, had always irritated her; so why think of him she asked herself; picturing him as she'd last seen him. Realising she was losing track of what Zelda was telling her, she quickly pushed all thoughts of the cold, dark-clad man to the back of her mind.

"…now, I'm First Captain of the Imperial Fleets of Vega, dedicated to protecting our home planet in the Lyra constellation, from all comer's and in particular the Terran Federation," Zelda's voice was proud without being vain. "That is not an easy task when you consider that our defences comprise of at least one Battle-craft and two fighter ships constantly in Vega's flight space."

"You mean you've no ground to air scanners?"

"Does that surprise you?" Zelda was amused by her companion's dismay.

"Yes it does. If Avon could hear you he'd demand to know why."

"And this…'Avon', could he do something about it?" the alien was still amused, but had savoured the name, liking the sound of it; rich and dark.

"You bet! Let him loose amongst computers and he'd have something rigged up in no time."

"Really?" The alien woman's remark was sincere, understanding her companion was speaking of someone she wished to forget. The quietly spoken assent confirmed Zelda's thoughts on the matter. "It should have been you doing the talking, not I," said the Vegain; moving to place a protective arm around the Terran. "I don't think you've really taken in anything I've told you about myself; have you?"

"Of course I have," was the snappish reply.

"Really?" enquired Zelda calmly. "When did I join the Academy and why was I accepted despite my Terran blood and upbringing?" the questions stumped the Terran into silence, making her stare at the alien very confused. "I didn't think you'd heard," she said simply. Forestalling the Terran's attempts to say otherwise, she continued: "Your thoughts have been on this man called 'Avon'. Why?"

"I wish I knew for certain, Zelda. I never did like him."

"Yet it was him you were thinking of."

The Terran nodded, seeing again in her mind's eye, the dark, cold man bending over her, checking that all was well before closing the pod with a curt 'Good luck'. Her eyes fastened on the damaged bracelet encircling her wrist.

"May…be… maybe it's because you remind me of him."

"ME? How?" asked the astonished alien. Inwardly she laughed at the thought of being compared to a Terran, even a male Terran.

"Your cold indifference," stated the other woman calmly. Zelda laughed; unable to prevent her mirth for several minutes. Her rich alien voice echoed off the surrounding terrain in joyous peels of delight.

"I'm sorry," she said, finally regaining control of herself. "But for me to be compared with a Terran male is highly amusing."

"I don't think he'd have been too pleased either."

The two of them grinned, each trying to picture 'Avon's' response to the comparison. The Terran was having considerably more success than the Vegain and positively hated herself for the sharp memories it brought. Sensing this, Zelda asked:

"Want to contact this 'Avon'?"

"I don't know. My communicator's damaged," she said, holding up the wrist on which she wore the brown bracelet.

"You could use Orion's com-link. I'll have to do some work on it first; but even so the range will be limited due to the fact that power is low."

"I suppose it's worth a try," conceded the blonde with a hesitant smile.

Zelda stood back from the com-link and surveyed her handiwork. She indicated that the Terran should give it a go.

"I've set the beam on a broad scan. Someone should pick it up even if it's only Tarn," she smiled encouragingly at the blonde as she open the link's only channel.

"LIBERATOR. LIBERATOR. This is Jenna. Come in please." Only static interference answered her. Zelda could only watch her, understanding dawning in her mind as to Jenna's origins and knowing that the ship was no longer there to hear her. The alien felt powerless to help the Terran as she tried over and over again to get a response from the once powerful space ship; LIBERATOR. Her red eyes caught sight of the power indicator; its point dropped rapidly every time the channel was opened.

"Jenna, power is very low. It won't last for much longer."

"I know," the fair woman snapped. Desperate to get a response, she opened the channel again. "LIBERATOR, come in, please. Damn it, Avon answer me!"

Zelda had to call her name twice before the blonde head turned to look at her.

"Power is dead," she informed quietly.

For a moment Jenna could only stare, stunned. No, she thought; turning back to the useless com-link, they couldn't leave her. Hot tears long denied welled in her eyes as she opened the channel; despite knowing there was no way anyone could hear her; even if the ship was still in space somewhere. She vaguely registered Zelda prising her away from the dead com-unit and propelled her across the damaged flight deck to the ship's gapping hole. When they reached it, Jenna halted and tried to return to the dead com-unit. Zelda proved her superior Vegain strength and held her firm, her voice mocking and cajoling her into moving back to their campfire. Once settled back in their respective seats, the Terran unable to hold back the tears any longer, cried against the Vegain's shoulder, of her grief and fear of being left alone.

It was sometime before Jenna, spent and tired, sat upright and wiped her face on her sleeve; smearing dirt and tears across her cheeks. Knowing it was best to face facts; however hurtful they might be; Zelda said quietly:

"It may be they're out of range or that…" she didn't dare to look over her shoulder at the wrecked shape of ORION.

"No; I don't believe that," snapped Jenna, having heard only half of Zelda's statement. "Blake would never leave me. I know he wouldn't," she added stubbornly.

"I thought you called him 'Avon'?" the alien was clearly puzzled.

Jenna smiled mischievously. "Avon and Blake are two very…different people."

"But?" prompted Zelda, noticing the slight hesitance in Jenna's voice.

"Blake did promise the LIBERATOR to Avon."

"And this 'Avon'…would he leave you?"

"If he had found another pilot," she shrugged. "I just don't know; with Avon anything is possible," she concluded with a sad sigh. A few minutes lapsed in silence and then Jenna mystified Zelda completely. "Thank you, Zelda."

"For what?" she asked surprised. Why did these Terrans always throw her off balance with these unusual statements, making her feel unsure of herself and their reactions to her.

"For being here," Jenna said quietly.

"Honestly! TERRANS!" she snorted exasperated.

Jenna laughed, watching the alien woman walk away disgusted. "Now that does remind me of Avon."

Zelda turned back to the firelight to regard her Terran companion quizzically; as this time she cried tears of laughter. I suppose I should be used to this sort of behaviour; she thought. Yet Chad had been brought up on Vega, so therefore he'd been very special. Zelda smiled warmly at Jenna, who'd calmed down somewhat.

"I'd like to meet this…'Avon' of yours," she said quietly.

"If he is still alive," Jenna stated, sobering quickly.

"Perhaps Tarn can tell us more of the battle between the Terran Federation and the Andromedans," the Vegain mused thoughtfully after a few moments of silent reflection.

"And LIBERATOR?" Jenna asked hopefully.

Zelda just smiled reassuringly. "Get some sleep, Jenna. It's only two hours to dawn and Tarn should arrive at about the same time."

"Don't you sleep?" the Terran asked, trying to stifle a yawn as she settled down on the hard ground, whilst Zelda banked up the fire.

"Unlike you Terrans; I don't need it, or at least not so often."

The fire seen to so that it would continue to give heat and warmth; she walked a few feet away from it to stand in the cold darkness. Her red alien eyes reflected the dancing flames, until she turned them to look up at the myriad of stars, winking against the dark velvet of space. Sighing deeply she turned her dark head to daze at the sleeping blonde; seeing all was well she walked deeper into the darkness. Halting at the top of a small knoll, she returned to gazing at the bright, cold, brittle stars, remembering…

"Chad; Altas' vessel ahead. I.D. confirmed as D.V.S.2."

"Sounds like that might be the LIBERATOR. You know the ship that that fellow Blake has," answered the fair headed, blue-eyed Terran male; keeping hands and eyes firmly fixed on the pilot's console in front of him. Zelda brought the alien vessel into full magnification.

"Life pods ejecting," she counted them out and locked onto as many as she could. "One in range of the planet Beta Minor; entering atmosphere now. Three drifting; two in the on-coming path of another Altas' designed ship. Not one I've seen before though." She heard Chad swear as he altered course to miss getting shot at. She adjusted her instruments, checking the ship for any more life pods.

"Fifth pod ejected."

Suddenly ORION shuddered from stem to stern and rolled in the shock-waves of the blast.

"ZELDA?" Chad exclaimed, his hands full as he righted their little ship.

"D.S.V.2…gone. She just blew up!" stunned disbelief coloured her tone as she checked the readings again. "All life pods ejected clear except for the last. It was much too close to the ship to have survived the blast intact. I'd like to start a search for it as soon as possible, Chad." She was moving to check the med-kit even as she spoke.

"It will have to wait, Zelda. We've got troubles of our own right now."

Zelda strapped into her seat as the Andromedan ship – a Federation Pursuit ship on its tail – made an attack run on the small wedged-shaped fighter. ORION might have been larger than a standard life-pod but smaller than a patrol/pursuit ship of Federation design, but she could out-manoeuvre the other two ships in tight situations.

Chad put all his flying skills, plus a few unorthodox moves thrown in for good measure, into dodging their pursuers, but it was not enough to stop them from ploughing into Beta Minor – co-incidentally in the same regional area as the only life-pod from LIBERATOR to make planet fall there.

The Terran male had never had time to strap in, having had his hands full on the flight console panel and thus had been catapulted out of the ship on impact with the rocky ground. He had sustained many internal injuries, in addition to a fracture of his spine, thus his death was assured. Jenna had arrived on the scene only moments later and at Zelda's strong and urgent bidding had switched all main drive power off to prevent any fires or explosions. Only once all the checks had been completed to her satisfaction, would Zelda allow the Terran blonde to get her free from being pinned against the forward bulkhead, still strapped in her console seat. It had been a full hour before they'd been able to check on Chad's condition; only to confirm the Vegain's worst fears.

Breathing deeply Zelda brought her mind back to the present. The bright stars still winked at her; mocking her efforts to be a part of their world as she thought again on the last pod to leave the stricken Altas' vessel. Being that close to the ship when she blew, the pod's flare shields would not have coped with the intense heat, making them buckle, allowing the heat to penetrate inside. The burns its occupant would have received would be very severe and without the proper medical treatment in the next few hours he/she would end up like Chad. She paused to remember the small new mound next to ORION's rocky grave.

"I only hope it wasn't this 'Avon' Jenna spoke of. It would be a great shame," her voice a soft whisper in the cold night.

Standing still and silent, her memories recalled to the forefront of her mind Chad introducing the family to a cold indifferent young student from his college. He and Kerr – the student – were studying together in the same class, reading Computer Technology, and he'd thought that they could both make use of the large study and computer terminal to do their work out of schooling hours. Kerr had just reached his early twenties at the time with Chad a year or two older.

Kerr had proved himself to be a brilliant mathematician and could make the most complex computer programmes look like 'Childs play'; this was the reason for him being in Chad's class rather than one of his own age. Zelda found him to be a sad, shy and lonely man and when she could had got him to play some music for her on the family sound unit; for she had been told many times not to use it. In Terran terms she had been only nine or ten at the time, but he hadn't seemed to mind her distracting him from his studies to sit quietly with her and listen to the music. They had all been disappointed and sad when Telvan – Chad's father – had announced that the family were to return to Vega for all time.

"Earth is no place for the likes of us; even you Kerr," Telvan had said, placing a comforting hand on the young male's shoulder. He had nodded his dark head sadly had said his farewells and left. They never saw him again.

"I wonder… Could they be the same, this 'Avon' and Kerr?" Zelda mused, her senses ever alert to her present surroundings as she turned her red gaze to the stars to await the dawn and Captain Tarn.

Cold brittle stars faded in the warmth of the pale yellow sky as dawn poked its nose over the rough horizon of Beta Minor. With it came the gentle insistent hum of finely tuned engines labouring against the planet's gravity. Pinpointing the sound Zelda smiled at the sight of the huge, black, saucer-shaped battle-craft of the Imperial Vegain Fleet; her red and silver markings naming her as VOYAGER.

Jenna awakened by the sound, joined the alien female as the large craft descended smoothly and slowly; aiming for the clear stretch of ground just beyond ORION's rocky grave.

"I've been thinking. I'd like to come with you to Vega, rather than be dropped off on a neutral planet. If you've no objections, that is."

Zelda looked round at the troubled Terran woman; who relaxed as an assenting smile crept across the pale features before her.

VOYAGER's reverse thrusters screeched their protest, rending the very fabric of the still morning air in tatters, as she continued her slow steady descent. Zelda had to shout Jenna's name twice before she heard a shouted exclamation in reply. Screwing up her eyes against the billowing dust, she herded her companion away from the dust and much of the roaring noise. With the Terran facing her, the Vegain gave voice to her unspoken thoughts of the night before about the fate of D.S.V.2.

When she had finished the Battle-craft had landed and its engines wound down to a quiet, barely audible hum. Jenna felt numb and stunned in the ensuing quietness.

LIBERATOR gone!

"I'm sorry, Jenna."

"It's not your fault, Zelda," she said and turned away as a six foot tall, dark humanoid male strode toward them. Like Zelda his white skin was completely covered except for his face and neck; his short-cropped jet black hair had a broad band of red running through the centre from forehead to nape.

"Captain Tarn," greeted Zelda formally, giving him the customary Vegain salute.

"FIRST Captain Blaze," the male responded, returning the salute smartly.

"Tarn; tell me, did you pick up any messages or calls for the space-ship, LIBERATOR?"

"Yes, First Captain. Two." Zelda merely looked quizzical, yet said nothing, so he continued. "One from this position, and the other; a distress beacon from a drifting life-pod. I ordered that the pod be picked up and taken on board since it was directly in our flight path."

The Vegain woman groaned inwardly. It would never have occurred to Tarn – unless he was given precise instructions to do so – to have changed course; but then again, perhaps in this instant it was just as well he hadn't.

Jenna snapped round and demanded to know who had been inside the pod. The tall Vegain male glared down his nose at the bristling Terran female before him, with open distrust and then proceeded respectfully to Zelda alone.

"A male Terran, we believe. The pod's flare shields had been considerably damaged. I ordered the pod to be opened and its occupant removed to the ship's medi-unit. He is now on a life-support unit as he has suffered serve burns and…"

"…yes, alright, Tarn," Zelda said, halting the man in mid-flow. She'd known the Captain a long time – too long perhaps – for he had this infuriating habit of standing around giving a blow-by-blow account of everything that he'd done or was going to do. "Let's get aboard your ship, Tarn and return home. "

"Er… First Captain?" he questioned, looking puzzled at her.

"The Battle-craft VOYAGER is your ship, is she not?" Tarn nodded. "Then you'll kindly take us home. Now," Zelda snapped. Taking hold of Jenna's wrist, she set off at a brisk pace toward the huge stationary craft. The male stood, perplexed and then hurried after them.

"I had thought that you would be taking command," he said, catching up with them and nearly fell over Zelda, who'd stopped abruptly.

"My ship, ORION lies before you," she said gesturing to the broken craft. "With her companion – Chad Telvan – beside her. Now we'll have no more of this nonsense, Captain."

Jenna had to smile. Poor Tarn looked so pained, for despite her lack of height, Zelda was very much in command of the situation. A few minutes lapsed in stunned silence and then Tarn pulled himself erect, saluted smartly and led the way up VOYAGER's ramp. He knew what Zelda had to face on her return to Vega and he had no wish to change places with her – which would have been the case had she taken command.

In VOYAGER's sick bay, Jenna gazed sadly down at the almost unrecognisable form in the life-support unit as she re-called to mind what the on-board Doctor had told her.

"It is doubtful that he'll survive the journey. We have neither the time nor the right equipment to help him here on VOYAGER. If he does live, he'll be severely crippled and totally blind for the duration of his life." The doctor had sighed deeply, shaking his dark, white-striped head at her stubborn expression.

She started at the sound of Zelda's voice.

"Is it him? 'Avon'?" the alien asked patiently repeating her question. Jenna could only nod, her eyes misting and the hard lump in her throat threatening to choke her completely with suppressed emotion.

"He'll be alright, Jenna," her voice quietly understanding.

"But the doctor here said…"

"I know what Devell said. He is young and doesn't understand that a stubborn mind can win through many odds."

Jenna smiled and then asked: "How can you be so sure?"

"I have been having words with our top surgeon on Vega – Doctor Zac. From the detailed reports that tarn has already sent to HQ, he says that he and his team are confident that your friend has every chance of recovery. So as soon as we arrive at Galashyl, 'Avon' will be taken to the Hospital for a full examination. On the basis of that, Dr. Zac will decide on which treatment to use. He has warned that it is still likely that 'Avon' will lose his sight completely."

"I know he won't take kindly to that."

"Well, he'll have to learn. Won't he?"

"You do sound like Avon," Jenna laughed. The alien smiled, pleased to hear the teasing note in the other's voice. Gazing down at the male in the life-support, a quizzical frown gazed her pale face as she wondered again if this man, 'Avon' and the Kerr she'd known in the past were one and the same. Because of the heavy bandages across his eyes and the length of time that had passed, she couldn't be sure. Zelda smiled at Jenna, noticing the Terran watching her with a puzzled frown on her fair features.

"Tell me, Jenna; is Avon's first name 'Kerr'?"

The puzzled frown disappeared instantly to be replaced by one of complete astonishment.

Her expression soon changed again to one of deep suspicion, so the Vegain decided she'd better explain.

"You have nothing to fear. I only ask because while on Earth, Chad introduced the family to a young student called Kerr. He and Chad were studying Computer Technology together, despite their difference in age. And I was wondering if your 'Avon' and Chad's 'Kerr' were one and the same."

"I knew he got around," Jenna answered, beaming at a very mystified Zelda. "Yes; his full name is Kerr Avon."

Galashyl Vega:

On leaving the Hospital, Jenna found that despite her worries about Avon, she could still enjoy partaking of the scenery around her. All the buildings in Vega's main city/spaceport were white, single story affairs, with plenty of windows to view the rest of the open planned area. Every house had its own stretch of well trimmed, green lawn at the front half and semi-open with walled garden down one side and round the back. Some houses had a room built into the roof over-looking the side garden. These white walled buildings with their dark red-russet tiled roofs and green front lawns gave the city of Galashyl a fresh cool look, even though autumn was well on its way in.

Vegain men and women greeted them politely as they passed. Jenna noted the wide variety of bright hair colours; all of the women's were styled like Zelda's – Egyptian style – only the colours changed. In the spaceport all had been black and red (in varying shades) with dark brown as well. At the Hospital it had been brown with white/cream. Here on the streets she spotted a brown and sandy combination too. She learned later – from Zelda's adoptive parents – all Vegains were born with these varying hair colours, which indicated which profession they would take on later in life. Some didn't even get their true colours until they reached adult age. Jenna thought that unfair; for it had at first looked much like the Terran Federation Caste system; but she soon understood the Vegain's system and its flexibility.

The city on her first walk through it seemed full of activity, with people in the streets, lounging in their gardens where children played or flying over the ground in small flyers. Larger Military flyers flew overhead; yet despite that, there was a sense of quiet peace over everything, blotting out all excessive noise, leaving one at ease and relaxed; which allowed her to smile in response to the greetings of passers-by.

The autumn evening drew in quietly as they walked through the city streets to the house just north of the spaceport.

Jenna found – unlike Zelda – that she just couldn't sit still; knowing that at that moment Avon was undergoing surgery. Dr. Zac had let his patient rest the night after such a long and harrowing journey. After the examination of the injured male, the doctor had said it would take anything from a month to a month and a half on a Vegain; with Avon it would take twice as long, because the patient – if not the medics – would require rest every so often, to recover his strength.

Zelda lounged with a drink to hand on the sofa in her adopted parents home, whilst Jenna paced up and down in front of the large patio doors which looked out onto Vega's landscape of heather clad mountains and moor land. The heather was in full bloom, carpeting everything in a sea of varying shades of purple through to pink and white. The alien woman remembered earlier that morning she'd seen Bel and Telvan off at the Spaceport on board the Battle-craft TROJAN, to visit Chad's grave on Beta Minor. Their grief had been courageously hidden beneath their concern for herself, Avon and Jenna.

"For someone who claims not to like someone else, you appear to be expending a lot of energy in worry on his behalf," she commented coldly.

The blonde halted in mid-stride, turning on her heel to face the alien woman and prepared to vent her pent-up frustration on her; but the expression that greeted her murderous gaze drained her completely.

"Oh, you!" she snapped, trying hard not to laugh; slumping into the nearest seat. "You're as bad – if not worse – than Avon," she sighed. "Oh, I give up."

Zelda smiled; handing her companion a large glass of Red wine; a popular Vegain vintage and not only with the natives.

"He could always take all the fight out of me too," she said, taking a sip of the Red wine. Jenna regarded her hostess, who now stood at the window and sighed deeply. "Something wrong?"

"No, Jenna. I was just thinking," smiling reassuringly at the seated Terran; who was clearly not satisfied. "Chad and I were to have been wed," Zelda said. "The battle diverted us. We were told to report and help where we could."

"I'm sorry. I had no idea. Yet I thought all you Vegains were sterile?"

"Sterilised, Jenna. I would have been; but warriors were in short supply, thus I was given my first post straight after graduation. Besides, I was the only female to graduate."

"I see. So what now?" Jenna asked thoughtfully.

"As soon as Dr. Zac has completed his task on Avon; he'll operate on me."

"Shouldn't you wait a-while? Just to be sure?"

"I have thought of nothing else since we buried Chad. No, Jenna," she said, reading the other's expression. "I've made up my mind."

"It seems such a waste," Jenna commented, savouring the taste of the Red wine.

"We do have Gene Banks. Any warrior woman who wishes to bear a child can still do so. Even a male if necessary."

"It still seems a waste."

Zelda smiled patiently. I don't know, she thought; but then again, perhaps I do; Remembering Bel and Telvan explaining to Chad and herself, all about the ins and outs of reproduction in humanoid life.

"Zelda; How long did you know Avon?" Jenna asked, startling the Vegain by the change in subject matter. The Terran was obviously worried about her male companion; having spent two years of her life dicing with death and all manner of things with him, it was only natural, Zelda thought. Re-taking her seat, she replied:

"Not long. We left Earth for good that same year for the four-year long trip back to Vega. Then I joined the Academy."

"You couldn't have been all that old."

"In Terran terms I was about fourteen. In Vegain, I was eighteen."

Silence wrapped its golden cloak about the two women as they sat deep in thought about the male Terran undergoing surgery at that moment. Even with all the rest periods, he would be exhausted and very sore by the time all the operations were completed.

"And totally blind," Zelda whispered out loud. Jenna said nothing; tight-lipped she held out her glass for a refill. Zelda obliged her; filling up her own glass she nearly spilt its contents on the floor.

"What the devil…?" asked Jenna startled.

"All-right, all-right, I'm coming," snapped Zelda, reaching the small personal com-link set in the wall between kitchen and lounge. She cut the buzzer – which is what had made them both jump – before the caller became too insistent.

"Ah, Zelda. Elder Boric wishes to see you immediately," informed the young male who'd appeared on the small screen. He had a fairly narrow of sandy-yellow running through his nut-brown hair and kind pale red eyes looking out of his handsome featured pale face.

"Ok! You did tell him, I suppose, that I have two guests to see to and that one is still in surgery?"

"Yes; Zelda. I told him that, after I had read Captain Tarn's report."

Zelda shuddered at the thought of reading one of Tarn's reports. "That must have taken you some time!" she commented sourly.

"It did," the male grimaced. "Elder Boric…"

"…I know, I know," she said cutting across him. "He still wants to see me. All-right, I'm on my way. Oh; Pluto, do tell him to keep his hair on; I may be a little late."

The face of the male, Pluto spilt into a wide grin and then the connection was broken. Puzzled by this reaction to Zelda's comment, Jenna asked:

"What was all that about, with the hair?"

The Vegain woman grinned sheepishly at the Terran and informed her:

"Elder Boric is…er…mm…BALD!" Jenna laughed. "It is a long-standing joke. Everyone knows Boric did have hair once; but we believe it all fell out with his constant worrying and panicky-nature," Zelda explained, gathering up her dress of office. Strapping on her cross-belts, her voice took on a serious note.

"I'll stop off at the Hospital to see how things are going. Even with the full empath's help, it's going to be one long hard slog for Avon. I'll contact you with any news after I've seen Zac," she paused, buckling on her sword belt. "Then to put Elder Boric out of his misery."

They grinned at each other and then Zelda was gone.

Knowing the com-link buzzer would sound eventually hadn't calmed Jenna in the least; in fact it had induced the opposite effect. Opening the channel when it finally sounded, she instantly became alert and extremely worried at the sight of Zelda's expression. Even her voice was strained.

"He's not…?" Jenna didn't dare voice her fears.

"No; Jenna, he's not dead " answered the Vegain, making Jenna's heart flip before it resettled into its normal rhythm. "He's slipped into a deep coma and Dr. Zac doesn't want to continue operating until he's pulled round. There is the possibility of pushing him right under beyond all hope of recovery otherwise," the cold indifference in her tone really making itself felt. "I've told Tarn to pick you up and bring you here. It's just possible that your voice will get through to him. Zac tells me that the operations must continue as soon as possible; any lengthy delay could jeopardise Avon's life."

The alien woman turned slightly to speak to someone out of view and pulled her red hair trims, which had the Terran enquire:

"Elder Boric?"

Zelda nodded. "I'll have to go; I shall see you later, here at the Hospital," she paused, took a deep breath and expelled it slowly; her pale alien face smiled with what Jenna could only have described as a very Avon-ish smile. "Best of luck," the alien said and broke the com-link.

Jenna stared at the blank screen trying hard not to panic with the deep emotions that were threatening to overwhelm her. She remembered all the times she and Avon had argued; at one time to the point of threatening to throw him bodily out of the nearest airlock. He hadn't looked surprised and probably would have complied with her request. Now it appeared as if he was about to do just that, although it was not out of a space-ship's airlock, it still amounted to the same thing.

"No Avon. I won't let you. Not this time," she said resolutely. Having made her decision, she drained her glass of its contents and took both it and the other empty glass to the kitchen. As she returned to the main living room, the door chimer sounded, heralding Tarn's arrival. Her troubled eyes swept the room; satisfied that all was in order, she opened the main door and left with Captain Tarn in a ground flyer for the Hospital.

He lay totally still, shrouded in white, making what she could see of his hair darker than usual. He looked so peaceful, Jenna thought. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder; for an instant she froze and then spun round. Whatever she'd been expecting it certainly wasn't this kindly – oldish – Vegain with a jet black streak running through his almost white hair, in true Vegain fashion. The red alien eyes regarded her with a mixture of ill concealed emotions; the main one being concern.

"He's in pretty bad shape," the alien said, motioning with a nod at the male in the room beyond the transparent panel. "Yet there's nothing we can't rectify," he smiled.

It was such a warm reassuring smile, that Jenna found herself warming to this alien man – not having actually met the senior surgeon until that moment.

"Except for his sight," she commented.

Dr. Zac nodded sadly, agreeing with her. "Yet there is a ray of hope."

Jenna frowned puzzled at him. He explained that all Vegains were trained in mental perception, tuning the mental and physical functions of their bodies to correspond with each other, especially in the five physical senses, rather than letting Mother Nature take its natural course. It was this mental agility that made a Vegain warrior – male or female – the most feared in the known galaxy.

"Everyone has mental sight, Jenna. How do you think you dream or recall a perfect image of any given object? Unless you're born blind that is," he could see a partial understanding dawn in the Terran's face. "From the empathy we've discovered that he is psi-sensitive, which will give him an added advantage over a normal Terran, to develop mental sight. This will be based on what he 'feels' around him. He is also very strong-willed and independent; which could turn out to be a problem in some respects – especially in accepting his disability. Without his full acceptance, training his mental sight, won't work effectively," he informed her.

"So a great deal depends on him."

"I'm afraid so," he sighed. The empathy had told him a great deal about Kerr Avon and he knew it would be just as hard a slog to get him to come to terms with his blindness as it was going to be through the operations yet to come, along with the follow-up treatments. An hour had passed since the empathy had announced that she'd lost conscious contact with their patient and time was short.

"Medic; show Jenna how to operate the controls on the sterile unit's door. You are to stay on duty at this observation panel. I want to know immediately, the minute our patient comes to," he ordered. The young medic bowed his white/black head to his superior.

"I'm sorry I have to rush you, Jenna. Time is a vital factor here." She nodded her understanding, trying to hide her worry. "Zelda has kindly offered to take him in, rather than confine him here at the Hospital for his convalescence."

"He's never liked being confined to bed or anywhere else for that matter, even if it is for his own good," Jenna stated, feeling a little more reassured. The senior doctor squeezed her shoulder gently and placed a light kiss on her forehead; then disappeared into the room opposite the observation panel.

Jenna felt as if hours – if not days – had passed since she'd entered the sterile unit to talk to her unconscious 'friend' – for want of a better description, she thought. Her throat was very dry and sore; her mind clouded by doubts as it turned over fruitlessly in an effort to find something to say.

"Oh you stubborn man you," she whispered sharply, angry with him, herself and their present situation. A faint movement from the male on the couch caused her to stare for a while. Bending forward so her ear was close to his mouth she heard her own name being repeated over and over; it was so faint that it was hardly audible, but it was his voice and not her imagination. Her eyes bright with untold relief she said quietly:

"Welcome back to the world of the living, Kerr Avon," letting her tears of relief flow unheeded. Once more she bent close to catch his slightly breathless reply:

"I…didn't…know I'd…left it."

"Oh you!" she responded, shaking her head.

Standing upright, she looked across him at the observation panel to see Zelda beam at her. The young medic was no-where in sight; obviously he'd gone to inform Dr. Zac of their patient's return. Soon the operations on Avon's burn damaged body would start in earnest again, putting him through a twilight world of pain and suffering. Jenna sighed; gently stroking his exposed chin in what she hoped was a comfort to him. A soft feather-like touch brushed her other hand where it rested on the couch. Puzzled she turned her eyes to see his not so badly damaged right hand turn over. Taking it into her own, she gently squeezed it reassuringly. Her gaze travelled back to Zelda as Avon weakly returned the gesture.

The Vegain's expression spoke louder than any words. The Terran nodded in silent acknowledgement, before looking back down at her male companion.

She and Avon, along with the others, had been through many a wild adventure together, escaping death by a hair's breath at times; yet despite the frequent arguments each had helped the other when in a fix. Jenna smiled fondly at Avon, still holding his hand; giving it a final squeeze as two nurses came to usher her away, she thought:

He'll live, because Avon's a fighter who likes to WIN!

To be continued in FAITHFUL BLACK.

- 16 -