Londo sat at the cockpit of the Last Pilgrim as the ship finished maneuvering out of the docks.

"Pilgrim" He said "What's the situation?"

A feminine, mellifluous voice resounded through the cockpit.

"We are out of the docks, Londo, but we have incoming sector security ships."

"How many?"

"Twelve so far."

"Freezing hell. Why can't I get one good takeoff now and again? Just… tell me those droids did not scratch the paint."

"I'm sorry, Londo. I'm afraid I can't do that."

The spaceport officer he just bribed sat beside him in the cockpit, just as he ordered.

"Okay" He told her "You will set target priority. Ean, are you in position?"

"Eh…" The boy's voice sounded in the cockpit "I guess so…"

"He's in position, Londo." The ship replied. "I'll help him with the turrets."

"Alright, Pilgrim. But I also want you on engineering and shield support."

"Nothing I can't handle, Londo."

"Wait a minute" Varn, the spaceport officer said, "This is a droid ship?"

"The Pilgrim is an autonomous droid installed on my ship, so she is the ship and also part of the crew."

"Really, Londo" The Pilgrim replied, seeming wounded "Part of the crew? Is that all we are to each other now?"

"Give me a break, Pilgrim, and while you're at it, give Varn a tactical holodisplay. This is going to get hot really fast."

Londo veered the ship up, and with a thruster boost, had it soaring through Nar Shaddaa's skies. No sooner had he done this, blaring alarms sounded on his display as laser shots missed his ship by inches.

Londo rolled to the side, evading a new salvo of shots. Veering the ship down, he flew past Nar Shadaa's towers and between its passageways. The incoming security ships had to spread out not to hit any building or speeder car.

"I can't shoot" Ean's voice sounded "The turrets are not responding."

"That's because the Pilgrim is locking fire while we are in the city" Londo replied while veering left to avoid a building "Once we clear it, you'll be good to go."

The sector ships maneuvered just over the skyscrapers, attempting to gain on him from above. The Pilgrim was much faster, though, she would lose them… if only a new set of ships weren't coming at him straight ahead.

"Varn, have you got a lock in the incoming ships?"

"How can I if you don't level the ship?"

"Have you tried locking in on them?"

"No, but if…"

"Do it."

Londo suddenly dived, avoiding collision with an airway of speeder cars and bikes that scattered right after his maneuver. Another roll and he put the ship upside down, the sky beneath them.

"I hope you are all set, because here I go."

Another dive, and now the Pilgrim shot straight up through Nar Shaddaa's skyline. The incoming sector ships all fired at once as soon as the Pilgrim cleared city space. Londo watched the incoming fire closing in on his ship, put a break on the engines and reversed the ship, heading straight back at the planet. A kick in the thrusters and the Pilgrim accelerated back. All shots missed him and Londo now pulled the ship back up, nearly scraping the top of a building, causing it to speed past through the first wave of sector ships and out into the sky again.

Missiles and lasers fired from the Pilgrim into the sector ships. Half of them circled back while the other half maneuvered to avoid the others.

"Pilgrim, all power to thruster overload. Everyone, hang on."

The ship suddenly accelerated way beyond its capacity to compensate for the inertial thrust. The impulse glued Londo to his chair as the sky shifted from pollution-gray into pitch black. Stars popped up before him.

A grunt of effort came from Varn as she also struggled with the intense burst of speed. Two heartbeats after, the ship returned to normal acceleration, and Londo breathed again.

"Is everyone alright? Pilgrim, is Ean conscious?"

"He is conscious, Londo."

"We have a heavy cruiser closing in on us" Varn said. "At three thousand kilometers."

Londo grinned.

"Three thousand? Way too far. Pilgrim, how's the hyperjump calculations?"

Pilgrim sounded actually pleased as she answered.

"All set, Londo. Leaving planetary gravity zone in four, three, two, one…"

All the stars stretched out before him, forming a blueish tunnel through hyperspace. They had escaped Nar Shaddaa.

Londo jumped out of his chair.

"To the common room, the both of you."

Ean came into the common room just before Londo and Varn.

"Pilgrim" Londo said "Protocol two."

Laser turrets descended from the ceiling, aiming at Varn and Ean. The boy got so scared he took a few moments before raising his hands. Londo turned back at Varn, a crooked smile in his face.

"I hope you think twice before trying to draw on me through the back, officer Varn. Now sit, the both of you."

Varn hesitated, clearly evaluating her chances. She did seem capable with a pistol. She certainly helped them against the droids, but she had to see that even if she could draw quickly enough to fire at Londo, the ship's internal turrets would fry her the next instant. She sat beside Ean.

"Now" Londo crossed his arms "We are going to have a talk and get to the bottom of this, but first, you" pointing at Varn "all weapons on the table."

Varn raised an eyebrow, scowled, and placed her two blasters on the table.

"Really, lady? I said all weapons."

Varn's expression turned to furious as she placed a hidden hand held blaster and a poison dart on the table.

"Last warning. I did mean all weapons."

Varn spread her arms.

"That's all."

Londo sighed.

"Pilgrim?"

"She still carries three knives and one energy weapon, Londo."

Varn's expression was a mix of outrage and awe.

"You scanned me? When did you scan me?"

"As soon as you stepped on the Pilgrim's ramp. Now, weapons on the table."

Reluctantly, taking her time, Varn deposited her weapons on the table. Londo sat across from them and allowed himself to relax, especially because he still had laser turrets pointed at his guests.

"Very well… now… who are you two?"