The Blake's 7 Universe was created by Terry Nation. I am not connected with Terry Nation or anybody at the BBC. No profit is being made from this story.
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Part One-Staying Alive
It was a long, black tunnel with a dim light at the end. Unconsciousness was peaceful, oh so quiet and dark. There was nothing to think about or worry about. Something or somebody was calling him back. Back to the unsettling, irritating light of reality which lay at the end of the dark tunnel.
Blinking, it took a long time to focus. When he did, he was looking into a pair of unusually large, shocking turquoise eyes. At each center, the pupils were of a dark forest green shade. The young woman had extremely long pale blonde hair, and her skin was several shades paler than the average human. She was beautiful, with rosebud lips and almost flawless features. Her body looked quite frail from his vantage point, though Avon could tell that she held latent power. She wore a shimmering green jumpsuit of an unusual fabric that seemed to be made especially for her. At her feet were highly shined black leather boots whose tops disapeared up under the legs of the jumpsuit.
"Who are you?" Avon rasped.
"Tsk, tsk. You don't remember me? Have I changed all that much?" The young woman said in a very soothing, soft voice that held dynamic undertones. It seemed to originate from heaven itself.
"Saurina? It can't be you." Avon growled in frustration.
"Oh, it is. I'm all grown up now."
"What are you doing here? And where are we?" Avon rolled off a tattered black leather cot. He took this chance to look about his surroundings. They were in a very long room that seemed to go endlessly down a long tunnel-shaped passage. He couldn't see the end of the room for two reasons-it was too far away, and it was cloaked in shadow. He could see what appeared to be the outlines of some lofted beds. He also sensed the presence of many eyes watching their every movement. The air reeked with a dank, rotting/sewage smell that almost made him gag. The floor was covered with grime.
"This is Federation holding cell, priority execution. I'm here because I was caught, simple as that. The Federation don't tolerate mind readers anymore. And you know I'm the last of my race." Saurina muttered.
"I thought it was the goal of your father, and you, to say alive, to do whatever the Federation asked of you, thus avoiding complication, and nonetheless, death." Avon frowned.
"My father lost that battle. He's dead." Saurina proclaimed softly.
"I am sorry." Avon bit out, not sounding sorry at all. "What happened to him?"
"He committed suicide a year ago. You were wrong though, Avon. I have never shared the sentiment that killed him. I'd rather be free to do the right thing instead of being allied to a totalitarian dictatorship." Saurina choked out, her eyes flashing anger and pain.
Avon swallowed, then walked slowly around the area with the most light. "This doesn't make any sense. If they're going to kill us, why don't they get it over with instead of waiting around? The Federation doesn't work like this."
"You're right. Maybe they have something planned for us." Saurina whispered. "Oh, and Avon...some of your friends are here. They were brought in with you. I have read their minds. They are over there." She pointed toward the shadows.
Avon started to head toward the place where Saurina had pointed. Instead, he turned and looked back at her. "Did you read my mind?"
"I tried to. You think I would pass up an opportunity like that? I've been wanting to get inside your head for a very long time, Avon. I could tell, even though you wouldn't let me get very far, that you have much pain. I could have helped you. You wouldn't let me. You locked me out." Saurina walked up to him and gently touched his cheek.
"Don't!" Avon grated, pushing her hand away. Saurina flinched. "I wasn't trying to...oh, what's the use. You have always been so cynical, so paranoid, mistrustful. Avon, your mind is a mess. You can no longer function like this. If you would only let me help you, you would be able to think clearer...if only let go of the hurt of the past...this guilt and pain, you would.....hell, why do I go on? You won't listen to me. You never did." Saurina turned, arms crossed, and walked over to a corner of the room, her head bent.
Avon continued to the shadowed area. Vila lay on a pile of what looked like furs. Soolin was nearby. There was no sign of Dayna or Tarrant, or Blake for that matter. Avon heard someone cough further in the darkness. He narrowed his eyes and tried to scan the area, but the blackness cloaked everything. The tiny lights near the far-off back of the room barely shed a glow to the surroundings.
He kneeled and knudged Vila. "Vila...can you hear me?" Avon muttered harshly. He felt naked without a weapon at his side. It unnerved him being unprotected in the darkness. "Saurina. Could you help me pull Vila into the light, and Soolin?"
Avon felt a cool, light touch on his nape and started. He whirled around swiftly to find Saurina kneeling at his side. "Damn it, don't come up behind me so quietly! Help me."
As they struggled to drag him into the light, Vila's eyes opened. "Avon, is that you? You killed Blake...." His eyes slid shut again, and he groaned. They laid him in the corner and returned for Soolin. Just as Saurina laid her hand on Soolin's shoulder, she gasped. Avon shot up and looked around, wary. "What is it?" He demanded.
Saurina knelt by Soolin's side. She laid her hand on Soolin's neck. "She's dead....I don't understand...she was alive....the stun must have been too powerful...I'm sorry."
Avon grimaced. "Leave her."
"Ah...Avon...me head....where are we?" Vila groaned.
"Of all the people in our group to survive, it had to be him." Avon frowned.
"You don't know if they all died. They could be somewhere else." Saurina reasurred, brushing off her hands as she returned to the light.
Vila was holding his head, blinking, and moaning. "Gosh, that's some hangover. I thought I was dead. Maybe I'm in hell. That would explain Avon being here."
"Good point." Avon muttered and gave a small, insincere smile.
"But do you really feel this kind of pain when you're dead? What happened to everybody else?" Vila asked as he sat up, rubbing the side of his head.
"Soolin's dead." Avon motioned toward her body barely discernable in the shadows. "As to Dayna and Tarrant, your guess is as good as ours."
Vila turned toward Saurina. "Whoa, and who might you be?" He paused, frowned, and then said, "I've seen you somewhere before...but where?"
"In your head, Vila, in your head. I'm sure you know of the Terapen, don't you? This is the last of their kind. Vila, this is Saurina Thorne, part Terapen, part human, and she has the ability to get into your head." Avon said in a dull voice.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Vila Restal. May I also add that your mind is infinately unique. I've never before witnessed anyone with such a strong stability, and yet such infantile thoughts. It's quite charming." Saurina said as she shook his hand.
Vila grinned cheesily. "The pleasure is all mine. I knew I'd someday impress someone with my mind."
Avon smiled slightly, but the smile seemed to be more of a sign of irritation or impatience. He turned to Saurina and spoke gravely, "Incidently, Saurina, you never completely explained how you happened to be up for execution by the Federation. Why are you here?"
"I knew you wouldn't be satisfied with my explanation. There is a patient of mine on Gauda Prime, I believe. He is in serious need of my capabilities because he is a compulsive killer. He ran away from me on the planet Fultron. I couldn't let him get away to murder helpless people, so I enlisted the help of a smuggler to transport me to Gauda Prime. I've been wanted by the Federation for a very long time, not just because of my abilities and the fact that they want to exterminate all mind-readers and impaths, but for the keen ability I had of clearing away brainwashing techniques used by the Federation. I had to have a secure way of transport. So I enlisted the help of this woman, I believe her name was Jenna-"
"Jenna? Jenna Stannis, by any chance?" Vila's eyes widened.
"Yes. Do you know her?" Saurina asked, curious.
"Of course we know her. Didn't you get to read her mind? I'm sure you would have, given any chance." Avon eyed her, suspicious.
"Right again. I would have, but I never got close enough to touch her. She was pretty tightlipped, wouldn't tell me a thing; only the agreed upon price. When we got to Gauda Prime, there were quite a few Federation people. I don't know if Jenna got away or not, but I was captured. I'd been spotted my a guard I'd known in the past. I was a fool, went out in the open. It cost me." Saurina frowned. "I shot one of the guards. You taught me to keep a weapon with me at all times, Avon. I had a small gun hidden in my boot."
"Bravo." Avon grinned halfheartedly.
"Not bravo. I hate killing, but he was coming on to me. I hate that, and you of all people should know it. Killing that guard was what lead me to be here."
"How did you know that this place was where executable prisoners go?" Avon queried.
"The outside of the door reads, "The Condemned". Quaint, hmm?" Saurina smiled.
"But where exactly are we?" Vila spoke up.
"Try "hell"." Avon scoffed.
"Not quite. This is the planet Altastar. It's the new headquarters for the Federation." Saurina declared.
"What?" Avon shouted.
A dark figure slunk out from the shadows and chuckled evily. "Your Saurina is very bright, indeed. Stand still, don't make any quick moves. It won't do you any good, anyway." Servalan smirked. Two mutoids stood behind her, their guns raised.
"Servalan....you." Avon bit out.
"Yes, Avon. I have you exactly where I want you. I know that you do not want to help me. But I can offer you something a little more satisfying that death. I can put you at a place of great importance within the Federation. You can act as my personal assistant. I have always been in need of a person with a clear head, an intelligence, which would be unmatched in you." Servalan announced.
"It's a pity that won't happen. Haven't you considered that I might want a choice in this?" Avon muttered.
"In fact, Avon, you won't. I know that you are undergoing considerable stress, and that your mind is a bit shaky at this point. Your little friend Saurina was kept alive only because of this fact. She will help us bring your chaotic mind into order. In fact, she has voiced her own intentions of doing so. Although I feel that she had a different objective in mind, I don't think that it will be hard to twist her ideals a bit, and perhaps plant the right ideas into your head." Servalan smiled, satisfied.
"Why you..." Saurina shouted, then came up and to her and was about to slap her in the face. Avon pulled her back to him and said, "I don't think she wants to help you, do you Saurina?" Avon said forcefully and urgently knudged her in the back. She looked past Servalan and saw the outline of someone carrying a gun coming up behind Servalan. She could also feel a very compelling request emanating from Avon's mind to hers. At first, she was shocked because nobody had ever been able to communicate with her in such a way before. After a moment of brief shock, she calmly told herself anything was possible with the man who...
Saurina shook her head and said urgently, "No, I will never help you! You can go ahead and kill me now, because it would be over my dead body!"
"Foolish girl. You could-" Servalan began but never finished. The figure with a gun fired, and the mutoids and Servalan lay on the floor, dead.
"Thank you, Jenna that was perfect timing." Avon smiled at a familiar face. He started to laugh an odd laugh that oddly sounded genuine, as if he was really amused, which was totally unlike him.
Jenna had appeared from the shadows, holding a gun. She smiled and said, "Come on, you three....we have to get out of here. I know how to evade the troops, and my freighter ship is docked in a hidden location. It's fortunate that I had it housed with cloaking capacity...I'm sure they haven't found it yet." She insisted.
Vila picked himself off the floor shakily. "Awk, I still feel a little dizzy. I thought that was probably the end for us..I should have known we'd come out of it. How many times can a man come so close to death and still be alive? Jenna, where have you been all these years?"
"No time to talk now, let's get out!" Jenna shouted.
Avon stood facing the wall now, and he hadn't stopped laughing. Saurina turned swiftly in realization, her brow wrinkled with worry as she approached him. When she laid her hand on his shoulder, he continued laughing deliriously as if someone had said an immensely funny joke.
Jenna and Vila came up behind Saurina and Jenna asked briskly, "What is wrong with him? We have to leave before we're discovered!"
Saurina closed her eyes and placed her hand gently against Avon's temple and focused on his mind. All that she could discern from her brief perusal was that he was far away, in a place of his own. It was the place where his demons were kept. "He is far away now. I think he will come with us without compliant, though. Help me." Saurina said as she released the hold she had on his temple.
"Hmm, I'm wondering what I just stepped into." Jenna muttered ponderingly.
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The surface of the planet was sweltering. There was absolutely no breeze. It was nightime, and even so, the atmosphere was barely habitable. Two large moons shed light nearly as brightly as a dying star would have. The three slowly made their way on a long route past Federation guard stations and posts. A craft was settled far along the terrain in a convenient dip. Inside, it was remarkably cooler, but not as tidy as either the Liberator or Scorpio had been. It looked more lived-in and cozy, but without the niceties of a battleship. It was a rather rough atmosphere.
Jenna led the others into a stark white room that contained sparse medical supplies. Saurina and Vila guided Avon into a comfortable-looking reclining chair. He was making a high, keening whining noise.
Vila and Jenna walked some distance away, out of earshot of Saurina. "That's it, he's finally lost it. I knew it was going to happen for some time now." Vila interpreted.
Jenna sighed. "Well, I suppose there's nothing much we can do for him now."
Vila asked swiftly, "You mean, you don't know about Saurina's abilities?" I thought you were taking her to Gauda Prime. Did you not know what she is?"
"What she is? Vila, what are you talking about?" Jenna asked, puzzled. "Yes, I was taking her to Gauda Prime, but she..."
Saurina walked over to where they were talking and supplied, "I'm a Terapen. Well, yes, I am part human, but-"
"Terapen! Of course! But didn't the Federation exterminate....oh, I'm sorry." Jenna said when she saw the grief written on Saurina's face.
"Yes, they did. That is why I'm glad to see that part of the Federation has been eliminated completely today...the death of Servalan. It's a small taste of revenge. I thank you, Jenna."
Jenna smiled. "I'm happy to oblige you."
Avon moaned. Saurina and the others went to him, and Jenna and Vila realized that Saurina had strapped him down so that he could not move. They looked at each other uneasily.
"Don't worry, it's only for his protection and ours." Saurina said immediately.
"Can you do anything for him?" Jenna asked.
"I think that I am probably one of the best people you should have around right now. Unfortunately, he has to want help. I can't help a mind that blocks me out. It is painful for a Terapen to force themselves into a mind against it. Avon's mind is against a lot, especially me messing around with it. I will have to work with him. It might take some time....I know it will take time to work on his specific pain and help him deal with it. I haven't been officially trained by my ancestors, and my mother died several years after I was born, so most of what I know is what I learned myself....but mind healing has been my profession. Being part human is a great hindrance, since I can also be influenced by the kind of things that trouble the human mind. I've always been sensitive to human pain and emotion. It may be even more difficult, since he is...." Saurina went silent, and looked back at Avon, a far away look in her eyes.
"He's what?" Vila asked.
Saurina turned swiftly to him, a startled look on her face, as if she didn't expect that kind of question. "It is unimportant, and you wouldn't understand." She went back to Avon's side and placed a hand on his forehead.
Jenna and Vila walked to the door and exited to the hallway. Jenna asked softly, "What do you make of her? What do you think?"
"Only that she's known Avon and he's known her in the past. I think she's kind of spooky, to tell you the truth." Vila gave Jenna a fearful grimace.
"Something is going on here, something is between them....something important, I think. I'd like to know exactly how
Saurina played out in his past. I'm curious now." Jenna said confidently.
"So am I." Vila agreed.
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"I've set a course far away from Altastar. I'm going to try to make sure that we stay out of Federation territory while Saurina works on Avon. What is she doing, by the way?" Jenna asked as Vila came into the control room.
"I don't know. It's creepy, really. She keeps putting her hands on his head, closing her eyes, and then jumping back like he's just hit her or something. It's freaking me out. She doesn't look too happy about it, either."
"Let's go watch her, but not go inside. I want to eavesdrop. Do you understand, Vila?"
"Of course. Let's go." Vila complied.
"Quietly, Vila," Jenna said quickly.
"All right, all right!" Vila whispered. They walked silently to the medical section. Jenna opened the door slowly and she and Vila took in the view. Saurina was standing across the room from Avon, shouting at him.
"Avon, I know you can hear me somewhere in there. Let me in! You have never done that before and I know it must be difficult for you....can't you accept my help again?...You did before, but you had no choice...you have no choice now as well! You never thought I was important enough as a child, but, by galaxy, I'm important to you now! Now damn it, let ME HELP YOU!" Her voice suddenly changed into a frightenning, demanding, deep one. She ran up to where he sat, completely unresponsive, and swiftly climbed up on top to crouch over him, her legs bent at each side of him. Her hands clamped visciously onto each cheekbone with the tips of her fingers pushed against each temple. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them they were rolled back into her head and now all that was visible were the whites of her eyes.
"TELL ME, AVON, TELL ME OF YOUR PAIN, GIVE ME YOUR PAIN! LET ME HELP YOU RIGHT NOW!"
Avon's eyes opened up to white globes, as well. Jenna and Vila, from the doorway, looked at each other, shocked, not knowing what to think.
Suddenly, Saurina let out a horrifying scream. Her body shuddered, and it looked like she was in terrible pain. Vila stepped forward into the room, but Jenna pulled him back. They retreated.
"What is she doing to him?" Vila cried out.
"What she said she was going to do. Didn't you imagine this kind of reaction to occur to a person who sees what's in Avon's mind?" Jenna grinned.
"Right. It could kill her, though...couldn't it?" Vila asked, perplexed.
"No, I don't think so. I think our little Saurina is much stronger that meets the eye. She is quite the person I would pit against Avon." Jenna turned around and walked back toward the control room. Vila followed her. "By the way, Jenna, you haven't told me what you've been doing all this time. Why and how did you get involved with Saurina?"
Jenna and Vila entered the control room and they both sat down. Jenna began, "After I escaped from the Liberator in the life pod and was rescued by the hospital ship, I realized it was the perfect oppurtunity to start over again. You see, the reason why I told Zen to give priority to rescue the others was because I didn't want to be rescued. I missed the old days of smuggling, and the idea of Avon taking over the Liberator didn't appeal to me. I didn't like his heavy-handed approach to the matter...he hardly gave Blake a chance. Trekking around with you all in space was exciting, but....I needed a change." Jenna smiled sincerely. "I had to go to the planet Fultron for supplies. Saurina came to me and asked for my help. She said she had been referred to me by a barkeeper I know on Fultron. She offered me a tidy sum to take her to Gauda Prime; she said she was looking for some insane killer. I agreed since the price was very nice. That's how I came to get in this situation. I saw her captured, and followed. As soon as they boarded the prison shuttle, I followed it. I can't let a person go off without paying me."
"It's a good thing that we all know the general layout of Federation instalations." Vila smiled.
"I wasn't expecting to see you and Avon. It was quite a pleasant suprise. You needed my help, apparently."
"You got that right!" Vila wiped his brow.
There was an odd, animal groan and howling scream coming from the vicinity of the medical unit. Jenna and Vila rushed there and went in. Saurina lay on the floor, very still, with her arms splayed out. Avon was still strapped to the chair as before, but how he was awake and alert, and his eyes looked furious. He said nothing, only gave Jenna and Vila looks of intense anger and hatred.
"She's alive. Let's get her out of here. Maybe she'll wake up and tell us what happened." Jenna and Vila grabbed Saurina and dragged her out into the hall and up to the control room.
"Are you sure she's not dead?" Vila asked, concerned.
"She's alive, trust me. I told you she was the one I'd place up against Avon. Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be fine. She won't give up this early."
"You think so. I don't share your opinion of her. She's a frail thing, isn't she?" Vila argued.
Suddenly, Saurina's eyes flickered open. "Oh.....the pain...my head...help me up, please." Her hand went shakily to her forehead. Jenna helped her sit up. "What happened?" Jenna asked.
"There is so much pain in him. It all came at me at once. It was so fast and so strong that I couldn't determine each cause fast enough. I already know some of the sources for his pain." Saurina sighed. "I'm going to have to rest before I go at it again. He needs rest, too. I suggest giving him a sedative so that he can sleep. He is out of touch with reality at this point. I've brought forward all of his emotions. He would be dangerous if he wasn't strapped down."
"Vila, go give Avon a sedative, extra strength." Jenna ordered.
"Why me?" Vila asked, a scared shake in his voice.
"Just do what I say Vila, please?" Jenna grinned sympathetically. As he walked away, she cried out quickly, "You do know how to determine which serum is the sedative, don't you?"
"I know, I know." Vila muttered, then disapeared into the medical unit.
Jenna turned to Saurina. "Saurina, I think it's about time you told me exactly what your relationship with Avon was." She demanded.
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Part One-Staying Alive
It was a long, black tunnel with a dim light at the end. Unconsciousness was peaceful, oh so quiet and dark. There was nothing to think about or worry about. Something or somebody was calling him back. Back to the unsettling, irritating light of reality which lay at the end of the dark tunnel.
Blinking, it took a long time to focus. When he did, he was looking into a pair of unusually large, shocking turquoise eyes. At each center, the pupils were of a dark forest green shade. The young woman had extremely long pale blonde hair, and her skin was several shades paler than the average human. She was beautiful, with rosebud lips and almost flawless features. Her body looked quite frail from his vantage point, though Avon could tell that she held latent power. She wore a shimmering green jumpsuit of an unusual fabric that seemed to be made especially for her. At her feet were highly shined black leather boots whose tops disapeared up under the legs of the jumpsuit.
"Who are you?" Avon rasped.
"Tsk, tsk. You don't remember me? Have I changed all that much?" The young woman said in a very soothing, soft voice that held dynamic undertones. It seemed to originate from heaven itself.
"Saurina? It can't be you." Avon growled in frustration.
"Oh, it is. I'm all grown up now."
"What are you doing here? And where are we?" Avon rolled off a tattered black leather cot. He took this chance to look about his surroundings. They were in a very long room that seemed to go endlessly down a long tunnel-shaped passage. He couldn't see the end of the room for two reasons-it was too far away, and it was cloaked in shadow. He could see what appeared to be the outlines of some lofted beds. He also sensed the presence of many eyes watching their every movement. The air reeked with a dank, rotting/sewage smell that almost made him gag. The floor was covered with grime.
"This is Federation holding cell, priority execution. I'm here because I was caught, simple as that. The Federation don't tolerate mind readers anymore. And you know I'm the last of my race." Saurina muttered.
"I thought it was the goal of your father, and you, to say alive, to do whatever the Federation asked of you, thus avoiding complication, and nonetheless, death." Avon frowned.
"My father lost that battle. He's dead." Saurina proclaimed softly.
"I am sorry." Avon bit out, not sounding sorry at all. "What happened to him?"
"He committed suicide a year ago. You were wrong though, Avon. I have never shared the sentiment that killed him. I'd rather be free to do the right thing instead of being allied to a totalitarian dictatorship." Saurina choked out, her eyes flashing anger and pain.
Avon swallowed, then walked slowly around the area with the most light. "This doesn't make any sense. If they're going to kill us, why don't they get it over with instead of waiting around? The Federation doesn't work like this."
"You're right. Maybe they have something planned for us." Saurina whispered. "Oh, and Avon...some of your friends are here. They were brought in with you. I have read their minds. They are over there." She pointed toward the shadows.
Avon started to head toward the place where Saurina had pointed. Instead, he turned and looked back at her. "Did you read my mind?"
"I tried to. You think I would pass up an opportunity like that? I've been wanting to get inside your head for a very long time, Avon. I could tell, even though you wouldn't let me get very far, that you have much pain. I could have helped you. You wouldn't let me. You locked me out." Saurina walked up to him and gently touched his cheek.
"Don't!" Avon grated, pushing her hand away. Saurina flinched. "I wasn't trying to...oh, what's the use. You have always been so cynical, so paranoid, mistrustful. Avon, your mind is a mess. You can no longer function like this. If you would only let me help you, you would be able to think clearer...if only let go of the hurt of the past...this guilt and pain, you would.....hell, why do I go on? You won't listen to me. You never did." Saurina turned, arms crossed, and walked over to a corner of the room, her head bent.
Avon continued to the shadowed area. Vila lay on a pile of what looked like furs. Soolin was nearby. There was no sign of Dayna or Tarrant, or Blake for that matter. Avon heard someone cough further in the darkness. He narrowed his eyes and tried to scan the area, but the blackness cloaked everything. The tiny lights near the far-off back of the room barely shed a glow to the surroundings.
He kneeled and knudged Vila. "Vila...can you hear me?" Avon muttered harshly. He felt naked without a weapon at his side. It unnerved him being unprotected in the darkness. "Saurina. Could you help me pull Vila into the light, and Soolin?"
Avon felt a cool, light touch on his nape and started. He whirled around swiftly to find Saurina kneeling at his side. "Damn it, don't come up behind me so quietly! Help me."
As they struggled to drag him into the light, Vila's eyes opened. "Avon, is that you? You killed Blake...." His eyes slid shut again, and he groaned. They laid him in the corner and returned for Soolin. Just as Saurina laid her hand on Soolin's shoulder, she gasped. Avon shot up and looked around, wary. "What is it?" He demanded.
Saurina knelt by Soolin's side. She laid her hand on Soolin's neck. "She's dead....I don't understand...she was alive....the stun must have been too powerful...I'm sorry."
Avon grimaced. "Leave her."
"Ah...Avon...me head....where are we?" Vila groaned.
"Of all the people in our group to survive, it had to be him." Avon frowned.
"You don't know if they all died. They could be somewhere else." Saurina reasurred, brushing off her hands as she returned to the light.
Vila was holding his head, blinking, and moaning. "Gosh, that's some hangover. I thought I was dead. Maybe I'm in hell. That would explain Avon being here."
"Good point." Avon muttered and gave a small, insincere smile.
"But do you really feel this kind of pain when you're dead? What happened to everybody else?" Vila asked as he sat up, rubbing the side of his head.
"Soolin's dead." Avon motioned toward her body barely discernable in the shadows. "As to Dayna and Tarrant, your guess is as good as ours."
Vila turned toward Saurina. "Whoa, and who might you be?" He paused, frowned, and then said, "I've seen you somewhere before...but where?"
"In your head, Vila, in your head. I'm sure you know of the Terapen, don't you? This is the last of their kind. Vila, this is Saurina Thorne, part Terapen, part human, and she has the ability to get into your head." Avon said in a dull voice.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Vila Restal. May I also add that your mind is infinately unique. I've never before witnessed anyone with such a strong stability, and yet such infantile thoughts. It's quite charming." Saurina said as she shook his hand.
Vila grinned cheesily. "The pleasure is all mine. I knew I'd someday impress someone with my mind."
Avon smiled slightly, but the smile seemed to be more of a sign of irritation or impatience. He turned to Saurina and spoke gravely, "Incidently, Saurina, you never completely explained how you happened to be up for execution by the Federation. Why are you here?"
"I knew you wouldn't be satisfied with my explanation. There is a patient of mine on Gauda Prime, I believe. He is in serious need of my capabilities because he is a compulsive killer. He ran away from me on the planet Fultron. I couldn't let him get away to murder helpless people, so I enlisted the help of a smuggler to transport me to Gauda Prime. I've been wanted by the Federation for a very long time, not just because of my abilities and the fact that they want to exterminate all mind-readers and impaths, but for the keen ability I had of clearing away brainwashing techniques used by the Federation. I had to have a secure way of transport. So I enlisted the help of this woman, I believe her name was Jenna-"
"Jenna? Jenna Stannis, by any chance?" Vila's eyes widened.
"Yes. Do you know her?" Saurina asked, curious.
"Of course we know her. Didn't you get to read her mind? I'm sure you would have, given any chance." Avon eyed her, suspicious.
"Right again. I would have, but I never got close enough to touch her. She was pretty tightlipped, wouldn't tell me a thing; only the agreed upon price. When we got to Gauda Prime, there were quite a few Federation people. I don't know if Jenna got away or not, but I was captured. I'd been spotted my a guard I'd known in the past. I was a fool, went out in the open. It cost me." Saurina frowned. "I shot one of the guards. You taught me to keep a weapon with me at all times, Avon. I had a small gun hidden in my boot."
"Bravo." Avon grinned halfheartedly.
"Not bravo. I hate killing, but he was coming on to me. I hate that, and you of all people should know it. Killing that guard was what lead me to be here."
"How did you know that this place was where executable prisoners go?" Avon queried.
"The outside of the door reads, "The Condemned". Quaint, hmm?" Saurina smiled.
"But where exactly are we?" Vila spoke up.
"Try "hell"." Avon scoffed.
"Not quite. This is the planet Altastar. It's the new headquarters for the Federation." Saurina declared.
"What?" Avon shouted.
A dark figure slunk out from the shadows and chuckled evily. "Your Saurina is very bright, indeed. Stand still, don't make any quick moves. It won't do you any good, anyway." Servalan smirked. Two mutoids stood behind her, their guns raised.
"Servalan....you." Avon bit out.
"Yes, Avon. I have you exactly where I want you. I know that you do not want to help me. But I can offer you something a little more satisfying that death. I can put you at a place of great importance within the Federation. You can act as my personal assistant. I have always been in need of a person with a clear head, an intelligence, which would be unmatched in you." Servalan announced.
"It's a pity that won't happen. Haven't you considered that I might want a choice in this?" Avon muttered.
"In fact, Avon, you won't. I know that you are undergoing considerable stress, and that your mind is a bit shaky at this point. Your little friend Saurina was kept alive only because of this fact. She will help us bring your chaotic mind into order. In fact, she has voiced her own intentions of doing so. Although I feel that she had a different objective in mind, I don't think that it will be hard to twist her ideals a bit, and perhaps plant the right ideas into your head." Servalan smiled, satisfied.
"Why you..." Saurina shouted, then came up and to her and was about to slap her in the face. Avon pulled her back to him and said, "I don't think she wants to help you, do you Saurina?" Avon said forcefully and urgently knudged her in the back. She looked past Servalan and saw the outline of someone carrying a gun coming up behind Servalan. She could also feel a very compelling request emanating from Avon's mind to hers. At first, she was shocked because nobody had ever been able to communicate with her in such a way before. After a moment of brief shock, she calmly told herself anything was possible with the man who...
Saurina shook her head and said urgently, "No, I will never help you! You can go ahead and kill me now, because it would be over my dead body!"
"Foolish girl. You could-" Servalan began but never finished. The figure with a gun fired, and the mutoids and Servalan lay on the floor, dead.
"Thank you, Jenna that was perfect timing." Avon smiled at a familiar face. He started to laugh an odd laugh that oddly sounded genuine, as if he was really amused, which was totally unlike him.
Jenna had appeared from the shadows, holding a gun. She smiled and said, "Come on, you three....we have to get out of here. I know how to evade the troops, and my freighter ship is docked in a hidden location. It's fortunate that I had it housed with cloaking capacity...I'm sure they haven't found it yet." She insisted.
Vila picked himself off the floor shakily. "Awk, I still feel a little dizzy. I thought that was probably the end for us..I should have known we'd come out of it. How many times can a man come so close to death and still be alive? Jenna, where have you been all these years?"
"No time to talk now, let's get out!" Jenna shouted.
Avon stood facing the wall now, and he hadn't stopped laughing. Saurina turned swiftly in realization, her brow wrinkled with worry as she approached him. When she laid her hand on his shoulder, he continued laughing deliriously as if someone had said an immensely funny joke.
Jenna and Vila came up behind Saurina and Jenna asked briskly, "What is wrong with him? We have to leave before we're discovered!"
Saurina closed her eyes and placed her hand gently against Avon's temple and focused on his mind. All that she could discern from her brief perusal was that he was far away, in a place of his own. It was the place where his demons were kept. "He is far away now. I think he will come with us without compliant, though. Help me." Saurina said as she released the hold she had on his temple.
"Hmm, I'm wondering what I just stepped into." Jenna muttered ponderingly.
*****************
The surface of the planet was sweltering. There was absolutely no breeze. It was nightime, and even so, the atmosphere was barely habitable. Two large moons shed light nearly as brightly as a dying star would have. The three slowly made their way on a long route past Federation guard stations and posts. A craft was settled far along the terrain in a convenient dip. Inside, it was remarkably cooler, but not as tidy as either the Liberator or Scorpio had been. It looked more lived-in and cozy, but without the niceties of a battleship. It was a rather rough atmosphere.
Jenna led the others into a stark white room that contained sparse medical supplies. Saurina and Vila guided Avon into a comfortable-looking reclining chair. He was making a high, keening whining noise.
Vila and Jenna walked some distance away, out of earshot of Saurina. "That's it, he's finally lost it. I knew it was going to happen for some time now." Vila interpreted.
Jenna sighed. "Well, I suppose there's nothing much we can do for him now."
Vila asked swiftly, "You mean, you don't know about Saurina's abilities?" I thought you were taking her to Gauda Prime. Did you not know what she is?"
"What she is? Vila, what are you talking about?" Jenna asked, puzzled. "Yes, I was taking her to Gauda Prime, but she..."
Saurina walked over to where they were talking and supplied, "I'm a Terapen. Well, yes, I am part human, but-"
"Terapen! Of course! But didn't the Federation exterminate....oh, I'm sorry." Jenna said when she saw the grief written on Saurina's face.
"Yes, they did. That is why I'm glad to see that part of the Federation has been eliminated completely today...the death of Servalan. It's a small taste of revenge. I thank you, Jenna."
Jenna smiled. "I'm happy to oblige you."
Avon moaned. Saurina and the others went to him, and Jenna and Vila realized that Saurina had strapped him down so that he could not move. They looked at each other uneasily.
"Don't worry, it's only for his protection and ours." Saurina said immediately.
"Can you do anything for him?" Jenna asked.
"I think that I am probably one of the best people you should have around right now. Unfortunately, he has to want help. I can't help a mind that blocks me out. It is painful for a Terapen to force themselves into a mind against it. Avon's mind is against a lot, especially me messing around with it. I will have to work with him. It might take some time....I know it will take time to work on his specific pain and help him deal with it. I haven't been officially trained by my ancestors, and my mother died several years after I was born, so most of what I know is what I learned myself....but mind healing has been my profession. Being part human is a great hindrance, since I can also be influenced by the kind of things that trouble the human mind. I've always been sensitive to human pain and emotion. It may be even more difficult, since he is...." Saurina went silent, and looked back at Avon, a far away look in her eyes.
"He's what?" Vila asked.
Saurina turned swiftly to him, a startled look on her face, as if she didn't expect that kind of question. "It is unimportant, and you wouldn't understand." She went back to Avon's side and placed a hand on his forehead.
Jenna and Vila walked to the door and exited to the hallway. Jenna asked softly, "What do you make of her? What do you think?"
"Only that she's known Avon and he's known her in the past. I think she's kind of spooky, to tell you the truth." Vila gave Jenna a fearful grimace.
"Something is going on here, something is between them....something important, I think. I'd like to know exactly how
Saurina played out in his past. I'm curious now." Jenna said confidently.
"So am I." Vila agreed.
*****************
"I've set a course far away from Altastar. I'm going to try to make sure that we stay out of Federation territory while Saurina works on Avon. What is she doing, by the way?" Jenna asked as Vila came into the control room.
"I don't know. It's creepy, really. She keeps putting her hands on his head, closing her eyes, and then jumping back like he's just hit her or something. It's freaking me out. She doesn't look too happy about it, either."
"Let's go watch her, but not go inside. I want to eavesdrop. Do you understand, Vila?"
"Of course. Let's go." Vila complied.
"Quietly, Vila," Jenna said quickly.
"All right, all right!" Vila whispered. They walked silently to the medical section. Jenna opened the door slowly and she and Vila took in the view. Saurina was standing across the room from Avon, shouting at him.
"Avon, I know you can hear me somewhere in there. Let me in! You have never done that before and I know it must be difficult for you....can't you accept my help again?...You did before, but you had no choice...you have no choice now as well! You never thought I was important enough as a child, but, by galaxy, I'm important to you now! Now damn it, let ME HELP YOU!" Her voice suddenly changed into a frightenning, demanding, deep one. She ran up to where he sat, completely unresponsive, and swiftly climbed up on top to crouch over him, her legs bent at each side of him. Her hands clamped visciously onto each cheekbone with the tips of her fingers pushed against each temple. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them they were rolled back into her head and now all that was visible were the whites of her eyes.
"TELL ME, AVON, TELL ME OF YOUR PAIN, GIVE ME YOUR PAIN! LET ME HELP YOU RIGHT NOW!"
Avon's eyes opened up to white globes, as well. Jenna and Vila, from the doorway, looked at each other, shocked, not knowing what to think.
Suddenly, Saurina let out a horrifying scream. Her body shuddered, and it looked like she was in terrible pain. Vila stepped forward into the room, but Jenna pulled him back. They retreated.
"What is she doing to him?" Vila cried out.
"What she said she was going to do. Didn't you imagine this kind of reaction to occur to a person who sees what's in Avon's mind?" Jenna grinned.
"Right. It could kill her, though...couldn't it?" Vila asked, perplexed.
"No, I don't think so. I think our little Saurina is much stronger that meets the eye. She is quite the person I would pit against Avon." Jenna turned around and walked back toward the control room. Vila followed her. "By the way, Jenna, you haven't told me what you've been doing all this time. Why and how did you get involved with Saurina?"
Jenna and Vila entered the control room and they both sat down. Jenna began, "After I escaped from the Liberator in the life pod and was rescued by the hospital ship, I realized it was the perfect oppurtunity to start over again. You see, the reason why I told Zen to give priority to rescue the others was because I didn't want to be rescued. I missed the old days of smuggling, and the idea of Avon taking over the Liberator didn't appeal to me. I didn't like his heavy-handed approach to the matter...he hardly gave Blake a chance. Trekking around with you all in space was exciting, but....I needed a change." Jenna smiled sincerely. "I had to go to the planet Fultron for supplies. Saurina came to me and asked for my help. She said she had been referred to me by a barkeeper I know on Fultron. She offered me a tidy sum to take her to Gauda Prime; she said she was looking for some insane killer. I agreed since the price was very nice. That's how I came to get in this situation. I saw her captured, and followed. As soon as they boarded the prison shuttle, I followed it. I can't let a person go off without paying me."
"It's a good thing that we all know the general layout of Federation instalations." Vila smiled.
"I wasn't expecting to see you and Avon. It was quite a pleasant suprise. You needed my help, apparently."
"You got that right!" Vila wiped his brow.
There was an odd, animal groan and howling scream coming from the vicinity of the medical unit. Jenna and Vila rushed there and went in. Saurina lay on the floor, very still, with her arms splayed out. Avon was still strapped to the chair as before, but how he was awake and alert, and his eyes looked furious. He said nothing, only gave Jenna and Vila looks of intense anger and hatred.
"She's alive. Let's get her out of here. Maybe she'll wake up and tell us what happened." Jenna and Vila grabbed Saurina and dragged her out into the hall and up to the control room.
"Are you sure she's not dead?" Vila asked, concerned.
"She's alive, trust me. I told you she was the one I'd place up against Avon. Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be fine. She won't give up this early."
"You think so. I don't share your opinion of her. She's a frail thing, isn't she?" Vila argued.
Suddenly, Saurina's eyes flickered open. "Oh.....the pain...my head...help me up, please." Her hand went shakily to her forehead. Jenna helped her sit up. "What happened?" Jenna asked.
"There is so much pain in him. It all came at me at once. It was so fast and so strong that I couldn't determine each cause fast enough. I already know some of the sources for his pain." Saurina sighed. "I'm going to have to rest before I go at it again. He needs rest, too. I suggest giving him a sedative so that he can sleep. He is out of touch with reality at this point. I've brought forward all of his emotions. He would be dangerous if he wasn't strapped down."
"Vila, go give Avon a sedative, extra strength." Jenna ordered.
"Why me?" Vila asked, a scared shake in his voice.
"Just do what I say Vila, please?" Jenna grinned sympathetically. As he walked away, she cried out quickly, "You do know how to determine which serum is the sedative, don't you?"
"I know, I know." Vila muttered, then disapeared into the medical unit.
Jenna turned to Saurina. "Saurina, I think it's about time you told me exactly what your relationship with Avon was." She demanded.