Chapter Four

Avon's team began exploring the lab and setting up their own equipment while he worked on the computer system. He pulled on the uncomfortable armour as he worked, irritated that he had to wear it and feeling as if he was sporting a large sign indicating to everyone that he needed to be protected. It was as bad as being treated as an invalid. At least the labs were kept at a cool temperature or he would be sweating in the protective gear.

There was a commotion at the door high above on the upper deck. He could barely hear what was being said but it sounded as if one of the Athol soldiers was questioning someone who wanted to enter the lab. Avon recognized the outraged intruder. Jenna.

Her voice was rising in indignant anger, as if she was an ordinary visitor who didn't want to kill him, "I'm the one who gave you the information about these labs."

"I know ma'am." The soldiers were always polite but firm. "But I have my orders. No one enters without Avon's permission. Please wait here."

The soldier came over to the railing while the other two at the door kept their rifles discreetly ready. He called out loudly, "Sir, Jenna Stannis is here to see you. Should I let her in?"

Avon preferred his enemies close. It meant he could keep an eye on them and it might be useful to speak to her. At the moment, she was an unknown quantity. Other than a general desire to see him dead, they had no idea what her state of mind was. "Let her in."

The soldier said to Jenna, "I'll have to take your weapon, ma'am. It will be returned when you leave."

Jenna was about to protest but thought better of it and handed her weapon over to him. Her argument was not with the soldier. She would save her venom for someone more worthy of it.

The soldier said, "Come with me, please." He led her down the stairs.

As she followed him, Jenna remembered speaking to the lead chemist, Finn, before providing the information to take the labs. She had arranged for the majority of them to be offsite during the take down. Mainly the ones who had close contact with her. The rest only knew her as a shadowy presence watching them from the upper deck.

No one would know that she was involved in this Shade operation at all. Of course, she had been the one to sabotage the failsafe to destroy the labs. She knew it would look suspicious, but it couldn't be helped. It was the only part of her plan that might give her away, so she was here to see that nothing was pointing to her involvement, or at the very least she might 'help' them look elsewhere.

Jenna didn't fail to notice that her attentive escort stayed at a discreet distance while she approached Avon. They were being very careful about her access to the traitor. It surprised her when Avon asked the man to stand far enough away that they couldn't be overheard.

She knew that it was useless pretending to be nice to him, the untrusting Avon would expect her to be hostile. Jenna had no problems with that. Hiding how she felt would have been much harder and at least this way she could fool Cally too. Being upfront about her intentions to kill Avon, wouldn't help them to find out that her plans were not as far off as they thought. Jenna said acidly, "Still afraid of me, I see."

Avon was working on the computer but he looked up at her with cool eyes. "If you think that, then you would be wrong."

Jenna bristled. She remembered this tone of voice only too well. It was the well-oiled arrogance that he often directed at Blake. "Brave words for someone who has other people to do your fighting for you. Too much blood on your hands? Or do you reserve them for stabbing people in the back?"

Avon snarled. "If you thought that, then you would be an even bigger fool to underestimate me."

Jenna's eyes swept him from top to bottom in an insulting manner, resting pointedly on the protective vest. "What is that? The latest fashion?"

An icy smile curled Avon's lips. "What angers you more, that you can't touch me in here or that you're alone and I'm not?"

Fire flashed in Jenna's eyes. "How dare you…"

"There are very few things that I wouldn't dare, Jenna. That's what you've been trying to warn the others against, isn't it?"

She said angrily, "One day, Avon…I promise you."

Avon smiled again. "It has been tried. But as you need me more than I need you, let's skip the empty threats, shall we?" It was time for Jenna to learn how precarious her position was and what was in his power to do to her. WIth a few words, he could end her as a threat forever. His voice was icy and his eyes were dark with barely concealed menace. "We both know that you're hiding information from the others. Shall I guess what it is?"

Jenna just managed to stop herself from reacting in guilt. Avon couldn't know of her involvement. It was either his supreme paranoia or he must be bluffing. "You mean that I plan to give you a slow painful death?"

Avon ignored her threats. "I don't believe in coincidence." The signs had been obvious the moment he saw the sabotaged component. It hadn't take him long to deduce that it was Jenna who was responsible. No one on the Justice and certainly not General Reve. None of them would have a reason to both tip the criminals off and to sabotage their efforts to destroy the lab so that it would not be taken intact.

That left Jenna. And it also left the unavoidable conclusion that she had been working with the criminal organization. He also knew how she had come up with this idea. It had all the earmarks of someone they both knew, someone who had not listened to his advice the first time. There had been a reason why Avon did not want this conversation heard.

Jenna obviously thought that she could hide her involvement by making sure those who recognized her would escape. She was wrong. It was typical of those who could not think beyond the obvious.

Jenna was still trying to be aggressive, either refusing to accept that the tables had turned or she didn't realize that there was no point in pretending innocence any longer. She said, "Believe me. It won't be a coincidence when I kill you."

"I find it highly unlikely that the Shade organization would know when we were planning to raid the lab. The only people who had that information were the people on the Justice, General Reve and you."

"What are you trying to insinuate?"

"That you're a fool." Avon had an insulting sneer to his lips. "Are you another one who can't afford to think? I thought you were smarter than that. Our past experience with the Terra Nostra should have shown you the hazards of working with criminals."

Jenna sneered, "You mean blood-thirsty, conscienceless killers like you?"

Avon gave a soft humph of disdain. He might have a weakness where the issue of Blake was concerned but he did not intend to let Jenna gain the upper hand. "I warned Blake that going to the Terra Nostra was a stupid idea. You were a fool to try to do the same thing with this organization. Blake's plans rarely had the benefit of logic. You can't control people like these, they will only turn against you."

Jenna was so angry that it was Avon saying this to her, that she forgot about her own guilt. She said with sharp cynicism, "Unfortunately, Blake learned that too late, didn't he, Avon?"

There was a stab of guilt in Avon's stomach, his jaw tightened as he fought to maintain an impassive face. His throat was dry and tight. "He…"

Avon was at a disadvantage when fighting with Jenna. All she had to do was bring up the name that haunted him. By sheer strength of will, he composed himself and said in a quiet but steely voice, "What I owe to Blake, I will pay. But not to you."

Jenna was taken aback by the tone in his voice. He almost sounded…no, she couldn't think that. She had to be imagining it. Avon was a monster and had to be destroyed. She would never think of him as human.

Avon straightened. "But it's none of your business." His eyes fixed hers. "You will try to kill me and I will stop you." His eyes dropped to the keyboard and he positioned his fingers on it. "But I will not kill you." Avon continued working. "I will help you clean up this mess without informing the others."

Jenna stared at the back of his head. Somehow, Avon had guessed what she had been doing and he wasn't accepting her denials. "Why are you doing this?"

Avon's fingers paused. "Does it matter?"

"I suppose not but don't think this makes any difference."

"I didn't think it would." Avon continued working again.

Jenna asked, "Is that why you suggested to Argus that it might be the aliens at work?"

"It will not divert him for long. He has Reya looking into the inconsistencies."

Jenna grimaced. She knew that Reya was hard to fool. "You have something in mind?"

"I am going to suggest that Olean Rane be moved here."

"You can't do that."

"I'm assuming that you've been giving him Shade injections?"

Jenna hesitated but there was no point in denying it. "Yes."

"Then he should survive for the time being. I will suggest that the Commander arrange for his safe transport and his protection here. That will divert her attentions. For a while at least. Emotional ties are powerful forces."

"What would you know of that?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Avon tilted his head to look up at her and smiled. "Only what I've read."

The guilt finally found its way to Jenna's conscious mind. What do I know of emotional ties? I'm the one who's responsible for what happened to Rane.

She hated the thought but she knew that Avon was right. It had been an insane idea to think that she could use these criminals. Her conscience was finally catching up to her. How many Ranes had she been responsible for?

Jenna asked in a quiet voice, "Can he be saved? Can they all be saved?"

"You can trust my intelligence."

Jenna asked again, "Why are you doing this? You know the easiest way of getting rid of me is to tell the Atholians what I've done. They might kill me or throw me in prison for the rest of my life. Then you would never have to watch your back again."

"I've already told you why."

"You won't kill me?" Despite what she thought of Avon, this was one thing she reluctantly admitted about him, he kept his promises. "But it wouldn't be you killing me."

Avon said, "Are you offering me a technicality? Or yourself an excuse?"

"I don't need an excuse to hate you."

"True. Shall we say that I'm doing it for selfish reasons?"

"What reasons?"

"None that you would believe."

One of the Tellaran doctors had move towards them and was hovering tactfully out of earshot. He seemed to be bursting to tell them something. Avon asked, "Dr. Pike, did you have something for me?"

"I didn't want to disturb you."

Avon looked at Jenna. "We're finished."

Jenna said, "For now."

Dr. Pike said, "I think you might like to see this, Professor Avon. I found some research notes. It appears that the Shade poison was engineered to adapt to the physiology of the host."

Avon and Jenna stared at the man in astonishment. Avon said, "How did you know?"

"It's in the notes."

"No. That's not what I meant."

"Oh, you mean calling you, professor? That is what you are, isn't it? You were the top computer specialist in the Federation."

"I still am." The idea of being the best was something Avon had always accepted as his due. He was usually smarter than most people he ran across. It wasn't arrogance. To him, it was merely a statement of fact. In his spheres of study, it was accepted by others too. Though he had always chafed at the use of artificial titles and never liked people using his. To him, you were either intelligent or not. A title before one's name should have little relevance.

Pike inclined his head in apology. "Of course. As you already know, our people have been following your activities. We know quite a bit about you."

Avon's eyes narrowed. This was something that had always made him uncomfortable. The Tellarans had an inordinate interest in him that he did not like.

Jenna also didn't like the sounds of this, but for different reasons. "Who is this? And why would they be interested in you?" She was very sceptical. "This is the first I've heard of you being a professor. And I thought you were the second best?"

Pike looked at her curiously. "This is one of your former crew members?"

Avon said, "Yes, but I doubt if she would admit to it."

Jenna glowered at him.

The doctor said, "I don't know who told you Avon was the second best but I can assure you that he wasn't. I'm surprised you didn't know after all the time you spent together on the Liberator. One doesn't reach Avon's position without acquiring a few titles along the way."

Avon said, "Jenna has quite a few titles for me. None…" He suppressed a smile. "…pronounceable."

Dr. Pike said, "I believe that you have…"

Avon cleared his throat and said, "Yes, we don't need to go into that."

"I understand that you were quite the p…"

Pike seemed to have the single-mindedness of the academic. Avon cut him off again, "What have you found, doctor?"

"Oh, yes. Of course. Important things first. Come this way."

Avon and Jenna followed him to a part of the lab that was separated by an energy screen. The screen flared green as they passed through. There was another computer terminal here that Avon had not noticed before. He immediately sat down and quickly began familiarizing himself with it. The screen scrolled quickly as he absorbed the information faster than the other two could read it.

Pike said, "The computer was recessed into the desk, that's why we couldn't see it before."

Avon did not like what he was seeing. "It appears you were right. The poison adapts to the genetic template of the host. That's why there is no cure. It's impossible to produce a general one. It would have to be tailored to the specific host."

Jenna said with a shiver, "Host? You make it sound like a virus."

Avon said, "It is." The files were very revealing, if not helpful. "Do you remember Shadow?"

"How could I forget?" said Jenna.

"It was derived from the moon disc found on Zondar."

Jenna's memory went back to the scorching planet. "Yes, I remember that."

"Shade is also derived from a living organism. But this one is a virus. Shade is a by-product of the virus. That was how it was first discovered. The poison that Rane was infected with is the virus itself but it has undergone extensive bioengineering to be used as a coercive weapon."

Dr. Pike said, "That's monstrous."

Avon said dryly, "That's human. It would be best if Rane were transferred here. We will have to study what the virus has done to him. The antidote will have to be tailored to his genetic makeup."

Jenna realized that Avon had just smoothly arranged to do what he had planned. He intended to keep his promise to her. She still hated him and her own plans had not changed, but for now, there would be a temporary truce between them while they worked to save Rane.

**********

Another two days. The meteor storm seemed to go on forever. Diversions with the chess computer, the best the market had to offer, had been highly unsatisfying. There wasn't much of a challenge if he could always beat it.

Sester sighed and put the useless thing away, shoving it back into a compartment along the back wall. He slumped back into the fitted flight chair and tapped his fingers on the control panel. What to do next?

Sleeping was out of the question. There were two beautiful women who waited for him there. That would never do. His master would not be pleased and he'd had enough of punishment for a while. What he needed was thoughts of someone else. Or some coffee might help. He reached behind him to the beverage dispenser. A metal cuff snapped onto his wrist. "Ow!" Sester looked up in alarm. "Argus!" His muscled nemesis (why was he only wearing a pair of trousers?) swung him around and pulled his other arm behind him before he could protest further. The hard snap of the other cuff. "That hurts!"

Argus said in a low rumble, "Good."

The chair swung around again so that they faced each other. Sester was getting dizzy. Argus's smooth sculptured chest heaved with anger and his muscles rippled. He demanded, "I want to know what you've been doing with Reya." A short whip had suddenly appeared in his hand and he was slapping it warningly on Sester's thigh. Slowly he drew it upwards...along the path that dream-Reya's hands had touched him before?

"No!" He could not be having this dream. He had wanted to think about someone else, but NOT like this. Argus lifted the whip.

Sester woke with a start, beads of sweat had formed on his brow and he was hot. The dream had been so real that he instantly checked his wrists. Both were reassuringly free of restraints. He shouted, "Computer, how much longer to Athol Prime?"

"Flight time remaining, fifty hours, twenty-nine minutes."

"What do you mean two days? We were at two days yesterday!"

"The perimeter of the meteoroid storm has expanded. There is a status report waiting for your review."

No!

Sester looked down at the panel, sure enough, there was a red indicator blinking for his attention. The computer would only give an aural alarm if there was danger while he slept, not normal deviations to avoid astral phenomenon. He should have asked it to inform him of any changes to his destination orders. "Show me."

The information screen changed to show a much larger storm front. Sester groaned, this was almost as bad as being in the punishment chamber. "Can't we go any faster?"

Chapter Five

The brown-haired woman on Jenna's comm screen was deceptively small and had the appearance of refinement that characterized a citizen of the Alpha grades. Jenna knew that it was just a façade. Avalon may have been born privileged - something that had instantly connected them - but she was as tough as they came.

This refugee of the upper grades was a hardened resistance leader who spread the Cause with icy resolve and started rebel movements in some of the roughest corners of the Federation. Mining posts mostly and other resource-rich worlds that required heavy manual labour, often little more than glorified penal colonies.

Though at the moment she looked more like a mild-mannered schoolteacher with her hair long and tied up in a severe bun. Every inch an Alpha, closed and remote, but clearly one of the down-on-her-luck variety.

Avalon asked with barely disguised eagerness, "Do you have him?"

Even though this was a secured comm channel, they both avoided mentioning names.

Jenna said without ceremony, "There's been a delay."

"Nothing wrong, I hope?"

Once Jenna had found her, teaching children by day and raising funds in dark corners by night, Avalon had readily agreed to help. She still had a reputation second only to Blake's in the resistance and she felt she owed him a great debt for saving her life.

Jenna said offhandedly, "Nothing like that. Just a timing problem."

Avalon's personal experience with treachery had made her question everything that was unexpected. She leaned forward. "How much of a timing problem?"

"I'll know in a few days." Just long enough for Avon to show if he was useful in finding the antidote or not. If he was, then her plans could wait until Rane was cured. If not… Jenna smiled to herself, then the time for his final judgement and her revenge was near. "But don't worry, I will bring him in."

Avalon said, "No problems with...our friend?"

Jenna knew that she had nearly mentioned Argus but had stopped herself in time. She replied, "None of them know. They won't until I have the traitor and by then it'll be too late."

Avalon said regretfully, "I wished we didn't have to work around him. He's a good man. He's done a great deal for us."

Jenna sighed sadly, "I know. I just hope he'll understand."

"If what you told me is correct, he may not."

"I wish I knew what hold the traitor has over him."

"You plan to ask him?"

"I'll have to do it carefully. If we can get him back on our side, it would be worth it."

Avalon nodded thoughtfully. "It would be. I've contacted most of the leaders. The majority of them are on their way here or are sending representatives."

"You really plan to make this big?"

"It's an opportunity we can't pass up. B's name is still a draw for all the factions, regardless of which side of the political spectrum they fall on. No one else can do that."

Jenna had wanted this to be big, a fitting legacy for Blake's name, but she had not expected it to be a rallying point. Even if she couldn't use the Shade organization to build Blake an army, being able to unite the alliance would be an even greater triumph for his legend. Her heart beat with excitement. This was better than she had hoped. Avon's fall would be Blake's rise. The only other thing that would give her greater joy would be to hear him scream in agony, as Blake must have when the traitor shot him.

Jenna said, "I'm looking forward to it."

"Will you have any problems making him confess?"

Jenna smiled. It was an expression that would send a shiver up even the stiffest of spines. "Leave that to me."

"Are you sure? From what you've told me and the little I remember, he's a hard case."

"There are people who specialize in breaking hard cases."

Avalon was someone who had seen it all. This was no surprise to her. "You don't mean…"

"I do. B used them before."

There was a severe expression on Avalon's face. "Some of us did, including me." Her lips thinned in distaste, she might be ruthless but she didn't have to like everything she had to do. But you couldn't have a rebellion without some compromises. "It's a dirty business. I never liked it."

Jenna said, "It's what he deserves."

"You're right."

"I want it understood that I have full custody of him until he comes to trial. I have some very special hospitality arranged and I wouldn't want him to waste any of it."

"Very well." They were both ruthless women and they understood each other perfectly. "We'd better not make contact again until you're ready to bring him in."

"Agreed."

**********

The inn looked just as Cally remembered it, even though she'd only been here once. It was a bustling place, full of heady aromas of enticing foods and the sharp smell of ale.

Things weren't the same though. It was as packed as ever and there was no lack of smiles or animated chatter, but underneath, there was something missing. She wondered if anyone knew why Lelea had gone, or if they all thought she was taking a well-deserved break on some pleasure planet.

For old time's sake, she ordered a cup of plain water and a bowl of hearty stew. As the server set the items down on the table, there was a sense of melancholy and sadness as her eyes looked at the empty chair across from her. Soon it would no longer be empty, but Cally wondered if it would only be in a literal sense.

She knew that Avon thought he could handle Jenna. He was supremely confident in his own abilities and survival instinct. In a way, it had made her glad because it meant that Avon was growing stronger and the healing was reaching deeper levels. But it also concerned her because he may no longer be as susceptible to being helped.

Cally knew that some of his current vulnerability was only because of the weakened physical and mental condition that had been forced on him. How much of it would remain by choice once he was fully restored? It was something no one knew. She doubted if Avon had thought about it, or even if he recognized it as a choice he could make.

The way he had lived his life had always been in response to conditions outside of his control. Avon had never had a true choice before, despite his efforts to make his own decisions and to have his own life.

He had a chance now. There were no pressures on him except what he wished. No one to make demands. Avon could walk away or he could stay, and he would be loved and accepted either way. And she would stay with him, regardless of his decision.

For the first time in his life, Avon had the security of people who valued him for himself and not what he could do for them or in his potential to be made into someone else's image of what he should be.

What kind of man would he chose to be? In some ways, though others would find it strange to think of him as this, he was an innocent. Not in the treacherous ways of man, but in his need to have everything make sense. But life was rarely ordered and rational and because of that, Avon would always be seeking for something that did not exist and be disappointed and disillusioned.

She enjoyed the Avon he was now, a man rediscovering who he was; one struggling with the sins of the past and the flaws in himself and trying to find something better. He was trying very hard.

Cally's thoughts were interrupted as she spotted Jenna entering the inn and pushing her way past the crowds.

Would Avon continue to have this chance or would it be sacrificed to the demands of others again? Had his past caught up to him? Was there no redemption for those who had been lost?

They all had innocent blood on their hands. Would there be a reckoning for all of them one day?

Jenna sat down and gestured the server to bring her a pint of the local brew. "Sorry, I'm late. I had something to do."

Cally said, "I wasn't sure you would come."

"I like to think that we're still friends." The server dropped down a mug on the table with a preoccupied smile and rushed off.

"So would I."

Jenna studied her former crewmate as she brought the frosted ale up to her lips and took a deep drink. She put it down again. "If this is about Avon then I'm not interested. There is nothing you could say that could change my opinions about him."

Cally frowned. This conversation was ending before it began. "What happened to you, Jenna?"

Jenna snorted and covered up a scowl with another deep drink. "What didn't happen?"

What words could explain what she had lived through in the days after Blake found her again? Hopes of a life lived in peace dashed in the frenetic obsession of a man who needed to destroy those who had taken away his life, his family, and his friends. How could she convey the brokenness and frustration of a man who saw the devil rise again from what he thought were the ashes of the damned?

The days of endless blood and violence. Blake's desperation driving him beyond all reason and to even greater compromises. And no one dared resist him, how could you deny someone who was in such pain, who wanted such great things? He was like a juggernaut, destroying anyone who would stand in his way, whether friend or foe. But it had never achieved anything. What little successes he had were temporary. Anything larger usually ended in disaster, and they barely escaped with their lives.

Blake's luck seemed to have run out and nothing he did, no chances he took would bring it back. He would be haunted by nightmares of Gan reaching out to him, all covered in blood and dirt, asking if they had finally won, if it had all been worth it. Jenna would hold her broken warrior as he dreamt and the tears flowed down his face as he whispered Gan's name.

The emptiness in his eyes scared her at times and in the end, sick of the death and the pointlessness of it all, she had abandoned him. Left him so that the only thing he had left was to scratch out a bare existence in the middle of nowhere, trying to recruit from the dregs of humanity on a planet begging to be let back into the Federation. He must have reached his last legs then and she had not been there to hold him up. And she had not been there to stop Avon from killing him.

If she could not be there for him when he died, at least she could do this one last thing for him in his death. Avon had to die.

Jenna's thoughts returned to the present and the embarrassed realization that she was holding her mug to her lips and was not drinking. How long had she frozen in that position as Cally watched her? "Sorry, I was thinking. Did you say something?"

"It must have been something serious."

"The past, but it doesn't matter now."

"It's the past that's brought us here." Cally wished she could read human minds. The emotions that had played across Jenna's consciousness as she held the mug to her lips, frozen in thought, had been strong and revealing, but not enough to tell her what she had been thinking of.

What she did know now was that Jenna's passion to destroy Avon was deep and full of complex emotions. Most important of all, the hatred and anger were not the primary reasons she wanted Avon dead; they were the end result.

Cally said, "Killing Avon might give you what you want, but will it really give you what you need?"

"Don't use your Auron logic on me," said Jenna.

"I think you and Avon both need something. You both have debts to pay but you can't pay yours by killing him."

"Just watch me."

"It will be an empty victory, Jenna. If you kill Avon, in the end, he will have peace but I doubt that you will ever find yours again."

"I think this conversation is over." Jenna stood up stiffly and walked away.

Cally looked after her with sadness. She had intended to tell Jenna about Avon, to show her that he had changed. To tell her that he had already suffered enough. To try to bring some sense into the tragedy that had occurred on Gauda Prime. But Jenna was beyond reach. She would not rest until Avon was dead.

The only thing they could trust in now, was that as long as Jenna needed Avon to save Rane, he would be safe.

**********

"Is this a private game or can anyone join in?" Corinne's voice came from the doorway.

Vila gave a guilty start as his conscious mind belatedly reminded him that he had agreed to have dinner with her. It was now just past 9 pm. Perhaps the offer of a shared supper might mollify her?

"Corinne I was just going to look for you." Vila smiled weakly, his fingers automatically gathering up the cards as his mouth rattled on. "I...uh...lost track of the time."

"So I see." Corinne crossed the room to the table. She glanced at Lt Dain, Harley and Kenner. They looked from her to Vila. It was clearly an awkward social moment, something none of their military training manuals had prepared them for.

Vila began to shuffle the pack as his fingers sought to release some of his nervous energy. Until now, he had been scrupulous about not neglecting Corinne while he got to know the rest of the Athol soldiers on the Justice. Those whose families were based on Athol Prime were making trips homes when they weren't busy protecting the labs but some, like the three around the table, had to stay onboard.

"Would it be all right if I joined in?" Corinne asked trying to defuse the tension her arrival had created. The four men were acting like guilty school boys caught in some sort of mischief.

"You want to play?" Vila blinked, surprised.

"Yes, if you don't mind. I think I know the rules." Corinne sat next to him and smiled brightly at the other players. Her smiles always had an uplifting effect and the tension eased.

"They play poker on Chandar?" Dain asked curiously. He had spent a lot of time doing surveillance among the Chandarans and hadn't seen any evidence of card games.

"Do they allow the women to play on Chandar?" Kenner asked at the same time and blushed scarlet to the roots of his ash blonde hair. Next to Baxter, he was the next youngest of the Atholians onboard.

"Not usually with the men of course."Corinne smiled slightly.

"Of course." Harley laughed, his teeth flashing white in his dark face. "Wouldn't do for a woman to win, might make them feel inferior."

"Not an attitude we have," Lt. Dain assured her. "You are welcome to join us, isn't she Vila."

"What? Yes, of course." Vila smiled riffling the deck. "I'd be delighted."

"Mother did explain that some of the rules were different on Tellar." Corinne frowned thoughtfully.

"Different how?" the young Kenner asked.

"Queens on Chandar are considered the lowest ranking card."

"Ah of course, which would make the king the highest." Harley nodded. "Macho image and all that."

"Well it's usually called the Champion's card." Corinne laughed. "But yes."

"Well according to standard rules, Aces are high." Dain explained.

"High? Do they go to the top of the deck?" Corinne asked innocently. Vila hid a smile. He recognised that tone but wasn't about to spoil her fun. If Corinne wanted to play the total novice he wasn't about to put his friends on their guard.

"Er, no it means that they are the highest card," Kenner explained smiling at her, evidently taken in.

"Oh yes of course!" She had a delightful laugh. "Well I'll try to remember that." Vila had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing too.

"Are we playing cards or not?" Harley asked glancing at the younger man who flushed again, his eyes had never left Corinne's face. Vila suddenly realised that Kenner was rather attracted to her. He frowned slightly; he wasn't sure what to do about that. A worm of jealousy warred with a genuine wish not to see Kenner hurt. Perhaps if he asked Corinne not to encourage Kenner? Though he might have to explain it to her. He could almost imagine the conversation.

"Uh…Corinne. Can you not encourage Kenner?"

"I don't understand. Shouldn't people be supported?"

"Yes, but, there are some kinds of support that…well…convey a different message."

"What kind of message?"

"I think Kenner likes you."

"I like him too."

If Vila didn't know her, he would have a twinge of jealousy. "Yes, but, he likes you in a different way."

Corinne would look puzzled. She looked adorable when she had that expression. "What way is that?"

Vila knew he would most likely be embarrassed and end up whispering the way in her ear. Then her mouth would form a shocked, "Oh. I didn't mean it that way."

For now, he was looking forward to Corinne's version of card playing. He wondered how much she would win and how confused the soldiers would be by the end of the night. It was a good thing they were playing for single credit stakes. He knew she wouldn't be able to keep it up. She had too good a heart and would never fool them for long.

Chapter Six

Jenna was on Captain Atton's ship, arranging some special details, including appropriating the main cargo hold for her own use and the arrival of four unfriendly-looking individuals.

Atton watched all this activity with measuring eyes and waylaid her as she exited the, now locked, cargo hold. "You're taking over my ship."

Jenna said, "Just the cargo hold."

"I don't suppose it'll do any good asking what you plan to transport in there?"

"You can ask."

Atton gave a short bark of laughter. "But that doesn't mean you'll answer?"

"No."

They were two old smugglers, they both knew the rules but Atton looked as if he was going to make an exception. "I agreed to give you transport back to Earth Sector. I don't think I agreed to have you taking over my ship."

"Just the cargo hold."

"That's part of my ship."

"With the credits I'm giving you, I should own a significant portion of this ship."

"She's not for sale." Atton's voice lowered, "And neither am I."

Jenna was not amused. "I wouldn't be interested, even if you were."

Atton laughed and placed his hand on his chest. "Now, that hurts."

"Are we finished with this delightful conversation? I have some hair to wash."

Atton took a suggestive step towards her. "I think I should come in with you."

Jenna's lips twisted in a snarl. "I wouldn't recommend it."

"Oh, I think you should recommend it." Atton did not back off. "Or shall we discuss your real name, here in the corridor?"

Jenna refused to be intimidated. She said in an icy voice, "We both know that Jen Blade was never my real name."

"People with false names, usually have them for a reason. I think it's time I knew that reason."

"I'm paying you enough that you don't need to know."

Atton took a step back. "Not quite enough."

Jenna's eyes narrowed. "Are you asking for more money?"

"I may be a money-grubbing, ruthless opportunist, but I will not risk my crew. And something tells me that I will be doing just that. Until you tell me what the score is, this ship is not going anywhere and you'll have to find yourself some other transport." He said sarcastically, "Maybe you can buy yourself a ship?"

Jenna scowled in irritation. Why did Atton have to develop a conscience now? Or was this just a play for more money? There was only one way to find out. She opened the door to her cabin. "You're right. This discussion is better in my cabin."

Atton grinned as he entered.

As the door slid closed, Jenna had already decided to tell him part of the truth. She knew Atton would continue to be a problem until he thought he knew what was going on. In a frank voice, she said, "I ran into an old enemy here."

Atton's brows raised, "Oh?"

"He…killed someone that I loved."

"This is a personal vendetta then?" Atton asked as he thought about the implications of what Jenna was saying.

"Yes."

"I knew there was something driving you."

"Well, now you know. Are we fine?"

"You plan to take your revenge on him?"

"What do you think?"

"Oh, I think you have something very nasty planned for him judging by the four gentlemen, and I use that term loosely, that you brought onboard."

She said coldly, "Just be glad that I'm not going to use them on you."

Atton chuckled. "Remind me never to get on your bad side. Alright, I will transport you to Earth Sector and I won't ask any more questions."

"Good."

"After you agree to six times the normal rate. Remember I am a money-grubbing, ruthless opportunist."

"And the extra would be going into your pocket, I presume?"

Atton grinned.

**********

Argus was not happy at the discussion he was having with General Reve in the lab. "We are not drug dealers."

Borel said, "You wouldn't be dealing drugs, you would be supplying them."

Avon asked sceptically, "Is there a difference?"

Reya was the one who had broached the subject. "Yes, we're doing it to save lives, not make a profit."

Argus was still not convinced. "I thought we came to help you stop the spread of Shade."

Borel looked at his sister. "Yes, we are doing that but…for those who already have the addiction…"

Avon's eyes brightened with comprehension. "They need the drug to stay alive."

Reya said, "Yes. Without it, they'll die. Not as fast as Rane, but that is what will happen."

Avon never liked drugs like Shade and Shadow. He always thought it was foolish for anyone to take them. He would never touch the stuff, it impaired mental function. No temporary chemical high was worth that for him. "The only permanent solution is to find a cure for Shade."

Reya nodded. "Yes, but for the time being…"

"We become drug dealers."

Argus frowned. "I still don't like it but it looks like we don't have a choice."

Avon pointed out, "The Shade organization will consider this an attack on their business."

Argus said, "Well, considering we're doing our best to destroy them, that would be the least of their problems."

Avon said, "By cutting into their source of income, we would be backing them into a corner."

Reya asked, "You're thinking that they might fight back even harder?"

"I would. They might not stop with Rane."

Argus looked at him sharply. "You think they might try to poison more people?"

"I wouldn't be surprised."

Reya asked, "Avon, is there a way to detect the poison?"

"That's one of the first things I established but it hasn't been tested yet."

Reya said, "We need it, Avon. Without a way to test for it, no one is safe."

"Give me until tomorrow."

**********

The only way for Sester to wrestle his disobedient mind back into control was to think about his master. At least that was his hope. He ran over the conversation they had right before he left.

The Guildmaster had a stern look on his face. Sester sighed at the memory. His master always seemed to have that face with him. Probably because he always seemed to be in trouble of some kind. He couldn't help it; he couldn't be like the others, no matter how hard he tried. At least he was able to achieve things that they couldn't. His master seemed to like that. As long as he was useful, he would be accepted.

Venner asked, "Is there a question you want to ask me?"

Sester kept a neutral but slightly amused face. This was a significant question and he had not expected it. With other people, it would be a technique to trick them into revealing what they were thinking. But with him, Sester knew that his master expected him to know what he was referring to and it was a special privilege he was extending to him. His master knew something was bothering him.

"Did you know, sir?"

Venner leaned back in his chair, steepled his fingers and studied him. "Would it make a difference?"

This was a loaded question. Where did his loyalties lie? Sester knew it was hard to keep the truth from his master, the man knew him too well. Partial truths were a different matter. He bowed his head. "Not in my loyalties, master."

"Where would it make a difference?"

Venner's unusual directness set off mental alarms in Sester's head. He knew his master's ruthlessness when it came to Guild affairs. If the Guildmaster thought that Sester would betray them, there would be no mercy. The punishment chamber had been a warning as well as a test.

There was one question Sester needed the answer to before he could reply to his master's question. Venner had already identified this. Sester asked, "Did you know about Avon?"

Venner laced his fingers together, the slightest of smiles touching his lips. "Yes and no."

It was a riddle, not an evasion. The master had known something, but was it the knowledge that Servalan was going to use him to break Avon or did he know about Sester's childhood friendship with him?

Even without looking up, Sester could feel the Guildmaster's keen interest. It was like having a hot spotlight shining on him, the kind that could penetrate and seek out his deepest secrets.

The master was saying that he knew one but not the other. But which one did he know?

Would it make a difference? As a psychostrategist, it wasn't supposed to. Everyone else was supposed to be a puppet to them. They weren't meant to have ties to the uninitiated, except superficial ones.

The master knew that he wasn't like the others. It would make a difference to him even though it shouldn't. Sester realized something, the master had not known both facts. He did not know about Sester's past and deliberately send him to torture his childhood friend. His master had known one but not the other.

It still left the troubling idea that Venner might have known about his past, had known that his friends had been ripped from his mind. He might have even been responsible for it, but that was within the Guildmaster's prerogative. One did not join the Guild without some sacrifices. Sester had made that choice and he had to accept the conditions that came with it.

Sester bowed his head again. "Thank you, sir."

"It took you long enough," said Venner lightly.

The master rarely gave answers, and certainly not ones that would explain his actions. For some reason, he wanted Sester to know that he had not deliberately hurt him. It was a thought that filled Sester with hopeful warmth and at the same time, its unexpected nature made him uneasy. This trip back to the Guild was proving to be a strange one. Of course, Venner was the master at keeping him off-balance.

It was obvious that Venner knew both now. That was why they were having this discussion.

The Guildmaster said, "Now let's deal with something less serious."

Sester grinned. He knew what that meant. "You know me, sir."

Venner sighed in shook his head in mock exaggeration. "One of these days, they're all going to come knocking at your door."

Sester reacted in mock horror. "I certainly hope not, sir."

"You like this balancing act, don't you? With the women?"

"I like the challenge."

Venner said with an amused smile, "Even better than chess?"

Sester smiled. "Much better." He felt nothing but a detached satisfaction when he won at chess. It was little more than an intellectual exercise, except when it was with a worthy opponent, and there were few of those. With women, it was a game but not one he had to win or lose, they could both win and that gave him pleasure. They were a delight as well as a challenge.

"Very well but don't forget yourself. Play but do not allow it to become serious. Don't forget that they're puppets."

"I will not forget my loyalties, sir."