Chapter 4: Negotiations

The Alphans passed a few quiet days, remaining vigilant and finishing up the remaining tasks to prepare their communities for war, but everyone managed to get a little rest. John Koenig was playing a game of chess with David Kano in the command center at Uzazi, when the call came from medical.

"Another healthy baby girl!" Helena exclaimed joyfully. "Tanya is doing well, Hector is bursting with pride, and we have another beautiful girl!"

The men rushed over to medical, congratulating each other as if they had had everything to do with it. But for their communities it was another huge event, another step into the future, and Koenig reflected that if they ever got through this war, they needed a special celebration. There were now five children on Berg, the three remnant children and two of their very own. It looked so hopeful… if only this sword was not hanging over their heads. He considered for a moment about having a party anyway… perhaps he would speak to Helena, to Victor, Paul, Sandra, David, Angela…

Then he was part of the hugs, back slaps and general revelry in the reception area of the medical unit. There were smiles everywhere, the looming war momentarily forgotten.

"John!" Victor rushed over to him, beaming. "Isn't it just wonderful?"

John hugged his old friend and whispered by his ear. "How long for you and Helena?"

"A little less than two months, John."

"I hope you're ready," John laughed.

"With all this war stuff, John, we've hardly had time to think about it."

"Yes," John agreed sadly. "I can't get past my anger about it: we should be celebrating the new lives, our future."

"We will, John."

Koenig studied the older man's face. "Do you really think so, Victor?"

His friend walked over to a deserted corner, then looked at him. "I have to believe it, John. If I don't, what is left for us? To have survived all that time on Alpha, only for our future to be extinguished here?"

"I know what you're saying, Victor, but what chance do we have against an unknown enemy? If they are anything like those we encountered while on Alpha, common sense tells me we stand no chance!"

"Then we have to use uncommon sense, John. If we lose hope, there is nothing left for our people, our children. Think of that survival ship from earth that found us! It didn't make sense that of all the places in the universe, that ship would end up here. And your friend, Arra. She chose to warn us. She must have had some hope!"

John was surprised at the fervor in his friend's voice.

"And in the end John, the war still might not happen. It's been days since those reconnaissance ships came, and we've had no other contact!"

"I'm just so tired Victor, and so very angry. Not even with those dissidents wanting to take the earth ship was I this angry. Yet I know anger will get me nowhere."

"Come and spend some time with us after our work shifts later, John. We can just relax, talk about old times. We'll whip up something to eat. I have some brandy…," Victor smiled. "Enough brooding on your own in Kukua."

John thought of the long night ahead of him, the period of rest they still called by its earth name, even though Berg had no night. They were still using lunar time, and by 22:00 residential units were blacked out to allow for rest and sleep. Then he thought of Vana, she had been on his mind so often lately… or had she been with him?

"Sounds great, Victor. I'd like that."

"All set then, John! I'll tell Helena."

John Koenig watched his friend walk away, suddenly overcome with an anger so dark, it threatened to overwhelm him. He wanted to throw a chair at Victor's departing back, he wanted to pull his stun gun and fire, he… The intensity of the emotion ripped through him, shaking him to his core. He gripped his head between his hands, suppressing the scream building deep inside of him.

"Commander? Are you OK?" Alan Carter was beside him, his arm around the shoulder of young Kevin McMurry. The boy's electric blue eyes stared up at the Commander.

John blew out a long breath. "Yes, Alan. Yes, thank you. I'm just very, very tired. This waiting is getting to me. Hi, Kevin."

"Kevin, this is our boss, Commander Koenig," Alan smiled. "Remember? I told you before."

The boy's eyes did not waver. "War," he said.

Alan hugged the boy to him. "I'm sorry Commander. He's just fixated on this whole war thing. It's all he says."

"It's what he knows," John whispered. "It's what he grew up with. I hope we can offer him and all the children a better alternative one day."


"Of all the games in the universe, Victor," John Koenig laughed, "you had to bring out this one?"

"It was all I could find," Victor said, scratching his head, "that was not just a two-player game."

The two men looked down at a board filled with red hotels, and the collection of property cards arrayed in front of Helena Russell. She was cleaning them out.

"Well," Victor said. "I'm bankrupt! Wiped out by Boardwalk!"

"John, you still have those yellow properties," Helena laughed. "Ready to get out of jail yet?"

John shook his head. "You own all the properties on that side. No way can I get past it!" He took a sip of the brandy Victor had poured for them earlier.

"That stuff traveled through a black sun, John. No telling how old it really is now!" Victor exclaimed. "That was some trip."

"I never really knew what had happened to you two in that black sun," Helena said. "We saw the moon enter it, and I know we did not, because we were traveling the other way, but then the moon was there again, as if it had never left!"

"I don't know what happened either," John replied as Victor started packing away the Monopoly things. "I remember it getting very cold, and I remember drinking this brandy, and I remember a voice… a friendly voice."

"I remember seeing your thoughts, John" Victor mused. "Seeing them as if they had been written on a big board."

"Can you see them now, Victor?" John laughed.

"Nooo, John. You know I can't. But that was… another dimension of some kind. The dimension Arra and her people must inhabit."

"And Vana," Koenig thought to himself, taking another sip.

"What was the weirdest thing in your opinion John, that we experienced in our journey on Alpha?" Helena asked, leaning back against Victor's shoulder.

"I think," John said after a moment, "that time we came across a future earth, and our future selves… some of us, at least. If only we could come across a future Berg right now…"

"I don't think I'd want to know," Helena sighed. "At the moment we have hope, but if we knew…"

"Gwent does it for me," Victor smiled. "Such a lonely existence. To build a machine to ensure one's immortality. Very sad."

"I wonder what would have happened if we never got out of there?" Helena reflected.

"In the end that machine did have some… humanity left? I suppose we'll always ascribe human emotions to alien behavior?" Victor mused.

"It seems, no matter the entity, the range of experiences… emotions if you want, are similar across the universe," John muttered. "I just hope those coming for us know the meaning of the word mercy."

"Do you think they might negotiate, John?"

"I have no idea, Victor. Those reconnaissance ships didn't give as much as a peep, which leads me to believe that their warships will do the same."

Koenig's commlock suddenly started beeping and he reached for it. "David?"

"Commander? Are you in Kukua?"

"No, David, with the Professor and Doctor Russell."

"Good. Commander, we have a contact on our most distant scanners."

John looked at his two friends. Was this it?

"I'll be right there, David. Don't alert yet, let's see what we have first."

"Yes, Commander."

"Victor, let's go!"

John was outside in a minute, running to the command center in Uzazi, followed by Bergman. Neither of them saw Helena Russell following.

The command center was deserted, only David Kano and two other staff serving the night shift. "We'll have visual in a few minutes, Commander," Kano said. "Radar indicates five large and several smaller objects."

John looked at Victor. "This must be it, David. Get Carter. He needs to get the pilots alerted. Get Lee Oswald in here, and warn Paul. If this is it, those ships are a long way off, but we have no idea of their speed. He needs to be ready to get the people to the bunker."

Kano punched some buttons and sent out the necessary alerts. "Visual coming up, Commander."

All eyes lifted to the big screen. The formation that appeared was like an arrowhead, five large insect-like ships, their cockpits glowing dull silver, their bodies a faded red. And the outer formation, seven of the smaller triangular ships that had visited Berg before, shadowing the bigger war machines.

"It is the Sidons!" Victor exclaimed.

"Commander! Another contact… radar is just picking it up… it's huge!"

"Yellow alert, David. Warn all sections. People are to stay confined to quarters unless they are on the war team."

Alan Carter rushed into the command unit, his eyes immediately jumping to the screen. "The Sidons, Commander! We can handle those!"

"That's not all, Alan. There's something bigger, no visual yet."

"At least they're not moving as fast, Commander. But they have some of those irritating mosquitoes with them."

"At that speed, we have a couple of hours."

"Yes. Hold off on the force fields Victor. Alan, stay here until our main scanners pick them up. Lee, interstellar frequency, let's start trying to make contact."

"Alien vessels, this is planet Berg. You are entering our air space, please acknowledge."

As John turned he noticed Helena for the first time. She had gone to stand by Victor at the console for the force fields.

"Helena? What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see, John. Here is just as safe as the rest of Berg, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes," he relented. "But as soon as we evacuate to the bunker…?"

"Yes, John."

"Visual, Commander," Kano called out just as Paul Morrow rushed in.

"What… is… that?"

The huge battleship drifted onto the screen, looking like some strange yellow lizard.

"Satazius!" Koenig exclaimed. "I thought we blew her up!"

"The Bethans!" Alan shouted. "They're in on it too!"

"I don't think we can have any more doubt. Battle stations people. All non essential personnel to Kukua now! Keep out of sight, but evacuation to the bunker is not yet mandatory. Alan, get those three pilots on their way to the dark side… they need to fly low, stay out of sight. All war eagles to launch positions. Lee, keep trying to make contact. Victor, hold off on the force field a bit longer."

"John, if that is another Satazius, remember their strategy! They landed, to fire at Delta."

"Right, Victor. But this time they have our missiles to deal with before they can land."

"Who speaks for you?" The voice came from everywhere, yet from nowhere at the same time. The Alphans looked around in confusion. "Who speaks for your primitive society?"

Commander Koenig stepped forward, as if facing someone. "I do."

"What is your name?"

"I'm Commander John Koenig, leader on this planet. Who are you?"

"John Koenig. Of course. Murderer of our chief justifier, Aarchon. We prefer to speak to someone else."

"Well, you're not getting someone else! I speak for these people." John was aware of Victor's hand on his arm, but he shook it off.

"I'm no more a murderer than you are! You were going to wipe out my people."

"It was the unanimous judgment of Sidon. Your primitive technology was a danger to life in all galaxies. You escaped that judgment through murder; you will not escape it again."

"And if you murder us, you are no better!" Victor called out.

"Who is that speaking?"

Victor looked at John, who nodded.

"Victor Bergman, chief scientist."

"Are you responsible for the primitive technology that wiped out civilizations in the Federated Worlds of Sidon?"

"You know who was responsible for the Voyager craft," Koenig shouted. "Ernst Queller was, and he died to save us from your war ships. He paid the price!"

"We received the reports before you destroyed the justifier of Sidon. But justice was not carried out. We are here to rectify that error."

"Why do you have the Bethan ship with you?"

"You interfered in a justifiable war. You murdered their operatives by blowing up their ship through an act of deception. They lost their general, and they need their own justice carried out."

"They deceived us first! They broke the ceasefire we negotiated with Delta," Koenig shot back, but then became aware of Victor's hand on his arm again. "What is it?" he snapped.

"May I try, John?"

The command center had filled in the meantime, and Koenig looked at all his people. He realized he was very angry, ready to lose it, and he looked into his friend's gentle eyes. "Yes, OK Victor, go ahead." At least it would give him time to pull himself together.

"This is Victor again," the Professor started, looking around as if to pinpoint the origin of the voice. "What may I call you?"

"I am Karchan, new chief justifier of the Federated Worlds of Sidon."

"And who is with you from Betha?"

"Theia, Chief Commissioner of the Bethan Armed Forces, can hear what is being discussed."

John Koenig wanted to interrupt impatiently, but suddenly, as if a voice was speaking clearly in his head, he heard Arra's words to them on the Atherian ship: "I sent for the three of you, because you will be playing pivotal parts in events soon to unfold." He held his tongue.

"Esteemed Karchan, and Theia, we admit that earth men, and us, made some grave mistakes out of ignorance in the past," Victor continued. "No doubt you are aware that earth was almost completely wiped out by war not long ago. We… on this planet are a small party who was on our moon in September 1999 when it was blasted out of earth's orbit by yet another of mankind's foolish choices. We survived, more by sheer luck, if you will, than anything else. We struggled through unknown galaxies for survival. We found this small, uninhabited solar system and have been trying to build a future here. We also learned that our planet earth is a wasteland now, and we vowed that in building our new future, we would not make the same mistakes again."

"You are earth men. You bear the responsibility for the actions of all your people."

"But earth has paid, don't you see? Earth paid the price for the destructive choices her inhabitants made over the years. Justice has been served, in a way."

There was a long silence. The Alphans waited anxiously; there was not a sound, not a rustle to be heard. John nodded encouragingly to Victor.

"You have not yet paid for your deeds: the murder of our enforcers, and the people of Betha. You are responsible for those actions."

"Those were not acts of deliberate aggression," Victor pleaded. "They were acts of self defense. Surely you would act likewise, were you under threat?"

The Alphans held their collective breaths, but once again there was only silence.

"Victor Bergman, we will receive you in one of our vessels to… negotiate… as you would say. If you can speak for those people."

Victor looked at John, incredulous, but Koenig shook his head. "No Victor. You know you can speak for us, but I'm not letting you go to that ship!"

"It's a chance, John!" Victor implored. "We have to take it!"

"No! No!" John was aware of every eye on him. "It's too dangerous. I can't allow it!"

"But Commander…" David Kano whispered. "They want to negotiate. Surely that's better than war!"

"Can you speak for those people, Victor Bergman?"

"Karchan," Koenig said. "We need just a few moments… to discuss things."

"Commander," Paul whispered. "Alien ships now reaching second band of probes!"

"Karchan! I will come to your ship," Koenig shouted.

"We do not wish to speak to you, John Koenig. If no one else can speak for your people, we will carry out the justice meted out to you without further delay."

"John, please? Let me go. Let me try. For all of us. For our future…"

John was suddenly aware of Helena Russell's eyes on him. She was still over by the force field console, her arms crossed almost protectively around herself, studying him intensely.

"Commander…" David Kano said. "We need to try." Koenig was aware of other whispered voices, but it was as if his brain had stopped functioning.

"Arra! Arra!" he shouted in his heart. "What do I do? What choice do I make?" But there was no reply. "Follow your mind," Vana's voice echoed in his innermost being. "Your mind can overcome your fears…" And as he tried to deal with all these conflicts inside of himself, he realized that he was in no condition to speak for his people at that moment. With his eyes on Helena Russell, he said: "Victor Bergman can speak for the people here."

There was a collective gasp of relief.

"But I want your word that Victor Bergman will not be harmed."

"We will not harm him, John Koenig."

"Thank you, John," Victor whispered by his side.

"Don't thank me, Victor."

"You heard him, John. They want to negotiate! I'll be perfectly fine. We can avoid this war!"

"How do you want to do this?" Koenig addressed the air around him again.

"We are willing to receive one of your craft. With one man."

John turned to his friend. "Victor, you can't fly the eagle alone."

"I'm sure I can John."

Koenig turned to Alan Carter, who merely nodded, his mouth a grim line. "OK, Alan. Get an eagle ready. A normal one. Check it out yourself."

"Karchan. We'll launch the eagle shortly. By the time you get within range, the eagle should join up with you."

"We will wait, John Koenig. Our vessels will not approach your planet until negotiations are concluded."

"Thank you, Karchan," Victor said, and then he was by Helena's side in a few quick strides, wrapping his arms around her.

"Don't go, Victor," she whispered against his shoulder. "I'm scared."

"I am too, Helena," he replied, hugging her tightly. "But they are giving us a chance. We have to take it, for our future, for the future of everyone here on Berg… and our children. I have to go!" He lifted her tear-streaked face, his gentle green eyes holding hers captive, until she finally nodded weakly.

"I love you, Victor. Come back to me, please."

"I'll do my best," he said, and then he was heading for the door, flanked by John Koenig and Alan Carter.


The Alphans in the command unit at Uzazi watched in silence as the lone eagle lifted off. Moments later, John Koenig and Alan Carter returned.

"Paul, get me Jim Haines in here."

"He's in the first bunker group, Commander," Paul said.

"Change his status to war team. Get him now!"

"Yes Commander."

John watched the eagle on the big screen; then looked around for Helena. He found her sitting at the command console for the force fields, looking pale. He rushed over.

"Helena?"

He tried helping her up, but her eyes were filled with pain and she held up her hand. "I'll be OK, John. Just… let me rest a moment."

He was not convinced and got on his commlock. "Bob, get someone to the command unit immediately to take care of Doctor Russell!" Then he turned back to his command group. "David, since Victor is not here, your bunker status is revoked. I need you for Computer. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Commander."

"Paul, you're relieved to go. Get to Kukua and start organizing the bunker groups."

"But Commander, the negotiations…?"

"We don't know what they're going to do, Paul, so we're going ahead here as if the war has started. Get out sight in the dwellings of Kukua while their attention is on other things, so when the order to evacuate to the bunkers come, you are ready."

Bob Mathias and a team of orderlies had arrived, and were busy loading Helena Russell on a gurney.

"She'll stay in medical here for now, Paul. As soon as Bob has checked her, we'll bring her to Kukua."

"What about the force fields, Commander?"

"Victor told me Jim Haines helped him with the force fields and could handle all the basics. That's why I sent for him. But, we don't need them yet. Let's conserve power and play our cards close. How's that eagle doing?"

"Fine, Commander," Alan replied.

"Alright Alan, get me Professor Bergman."

"This is Berg command calling eagle fourteen. Come in, eagle fourteen."

"Reading you, Alan. Everything OK?"

"Everything good, Professor. How do you like the flight?"

"Great, Alan. It's actually quite… fun."

"Victor? Heard anything from Karchan?"

"Nothing, John, you?"

"Not a word. I want you to be careful, Victor. I'm not sure I trust them."

"I will, John."

Koenig looked around him in frustration. "Karchan? Karchan are you there? Our eagle is on the way. We need instructions."

"We are preparing for your craft's arrival, John Koenig. None of our craft can accept a docking vehicle, but your vessel can dock with the Bethan ship. Our information shows that the atmosphere is compatible to your life form."

"Our negotiations are with you, Karchan!" Koenig cried out.

"We can negotiate across the vessels, John Koenig. Your ship needs to dock with the Bethan craft. Those are your instructions."

John sighed, looking at Alan.

"Did you get that, Professor? You'll be docking with Satazius."

"OK, Alan. Still a ways off, but I'm getting them now on radar scanning."

"Just like we practiced, Professor. Slow and easy."

Commander Koenig grabbed Alan's arm, whispering urgently: "Are you sure he can do it, Alan? There's still time to call him back!"

"Yes, Commander," Alan said reassuringly. "He'll never be a fighter pilot, but the Professor is careful and precise. He can dock."

Koenig turned to his people and flipped on his communications console. "OK. We are now in the first stages of war. We don't know what kind of outcome to expect from these… negotiations, but we know the Professor will do his best. Everyone on the war team is now on permanent standby, and if you are in the first bunker group and still in Uzazi, please proceed to Kukua. Alan Carter and all eagle fighter pilots; proceed to your battle eagles and be ready to launch. Ground troop units deploy to intercept positions, and man all surface missile sites. All channels of communication are now reserved for command use and emergencies only. Non-essential personnel not yet ordered to bunker, proceed with your duties. Secure breeding area and hydroponics units as planned. Service department transport emergency rations to command unit in Uzazi."

Jim Haines came running into the command room.

"Good, there you are!" John breathed a sigh of relief. "Until the Professor returns, man the force field console. Do not activate yet. Victor told me you can handle it?"

"Yes Commander."

"Welcome to the war team, Jim."

Eyes strayed back to big screen, where the formation of enemy ships still filled the screen, the v-formation of the Sidon craft, and behind it the much bigger Bethan ship. The Berg eagle was not in that quadrant yet.

"David, I'm going to medical quickly. Let me know if anything changes… immediately!"

"Yes, Commander. I hope the Doctor is ok."

John was grateful, as he rushed into medical, to see Helena resting seemingly comfortably. Mathias was bent over her, the two in deep conversation. Koenig knocked on the Plexiglas divider and Mathias motioned for him to come in.

"How is she?"

"I'm fine, John. Have you heard from Victor?"

"He's nearly there, Helena. Everything is going well. Now what's up with you? Is it… the baby?"

"I… I just had some cramps, John, and some pressure. I'm sure everything is fine. I'll rest here for a while. You'll keep me updated?"

He nodded, then pulled Bob Matthias aside. "Can we send her to the bunker unit, Bob?"

"I prefer we just watch her here for a couple more hours, Commander. If the stress does cause premature labor, we're much better equipped to handle it here, with our neonatal unit."

"You mean… she could have the baby… now?"

"Severe stress has been known to bring on labor prematurely, Commander. We've all been under a lot of stress, and the Professor leaving to that… ship… could have just been the last straw. There are some signs, but rest may resolve it."

"But the baby?"

"30 weeks is very preterm, Commander, but the survival statistics are high. If the baby is otherwise healthy, we are equipped to support and treat it."

"What do I do, Bob? Do I tell Victor?"

"It may just be a false alarm, Commander. We'll take good care of her here. Perhaps the Professor needs to focus on those aliens, and what they want with us."

"Thank you, Bob. You'll let me know…?"

"Yes, Commander. Good luck, Commander. I hope the war can be avoided."

"So do I, Bob, so do I."


"Commander, she's docking."

Everyone in command watched with breath held as the eagle made a slow turn and lined up carefully with the Bethan ship.

"Docking successful," Victor Bergman's voice broke in, and a muted cheer rose.

"Well done, Professor," Alan whispered, relieved.

"Good luck, Victor. You'll probably be out of touch for a while, but let us know as soon as you can."

"Of course, John. Thanks Alan. Bergman out."

"Oh, Victor, please be careful," John whispered to himself, then: "David let Bob know the Professor docked safely."

"What do we do now, Commander?"

"Alan, thank you for staying here in case the Professor needed help. You can report to your duty eagle now. Do not launch yet."

"Got it, Commander."

"Now, we wait. And hope we get a reprieve."

Time dragged by. Service brought in some ready meals, and while the Alphans remained alert, watching the cluster of alien ships in their slow orbit, a chessboard was brought out and a deck of cards. No one felt much like talking, but they could pass the time that way.

"Commander! Look!" Lee Oswald suddenly cried out, and all eyes lifted back to the big screen.

The five Sidon ships made a slow turn in formation, and then started heading back into space. The small reconnaissance craft fell in their wake.

"They're leaving!" David Kano cried out.

"Karchan!" John Koenig shouted, jumping up from his desk. "Where is Victor Bergman? What's going on?"

"Your Victor Bergman is in the Bethan ship, John Koenig. I, chief justifier of the Federated Worlds of Sidon have agreed to give your people temporary clemency. I will report to my Federation council, but any more acts of aggression in our galaxies will result in swift and unannounced retribution. This is my final judgment."

"He did it!" Kano shouted, "The Professor did it! We're saved!"

But John Koenig continued studying the screen, and the slowly moving Bethan ship, where the smaller eagle remained fixed to the docking port. Kano's exuberance was short lived as others picked up on the Commander's silence, and his intent stare at the screen.

"Karchan! Let the Professor return!" John Koenig shouted. "You promised you won't harm him!"

But only silence greeted his request. The Bethan battleship commenced slowly and menacingly, holding on to the eagle.

"David, see if you can raise that eagle?"

"This Berg calling eagle fourteen. Come in, eagle fourteen? Eagle fourteen, do you read?"

"Try the alien ship?"

"Berg calling Bethan ship… do you read? Please acknowledge?"

John groaned in frustration. "What the hell is going on?"

"Berg command to Bethan craft. Please acknowledge our communication."

"They're not turning around," David Kano finally said. "They're heading straight for Berg."

Koenig punched up his console. "Alan, launch battle eagles. The Bethan ship is still coming. The Sidons have turned away. Head to intercept, but do not fire, I repeat, do not fire on that ship. The Professor is still there."

"Eagles lifting off, Commander."

"If you see that eagle undock, Alan, blast that ship with all you have. I'm beginning to think Karchan did not speak for Betha." Koenig then switched to general communications. "Attention all stations, Berg. We are now under red alert. We have a warship approaching our planet. All bunker personnel to evacuate to the bunker immediately." He activated the red alert.

"Anything from eagle fourteen, David?"

"Negative, Commander. It is still docked."

John Koenig started pacing frantically. The absence of the Sidon warships was encouraging, but thoughts were racing through his mind… the Bethans, Dione's deception, their blowing up of the Satazius with the rigged moon buggy. And in his heart he knew: the Bethans were still out for revenge. He closed his eyes. And now, they had Victor. The words of Karchan played over and over in his mind: "We will not harm him…" He had spoken for the Sidons… but not for the Bethans… nor the Alphans.

He reached for his commlock. "Bob?"

"Commander?"

"How is she?"

"Resting, Commander. But we saw the red alert?"

"The Sidon ships have left, Bob, so somehow, Victor convinced them. But the Bethan ship… is still heading our way. And they've not released the Professor."

"Do I tell, her, Commander?"

"I think you have to, Bob. I don't think they're going to release him. She has to know. Tell her we'll do everything in our power…"

"Yes, Commander, I know."

Koenig looked up at the big screen, where the Bethan ship was slowly approaching. He knew he had to make some quick decisions, but it was a stalemate. The Bethans knew… or gambled… that they would not fire on the Satazius while they held Victor Bergman. But what else were they planning? What would their revenge look like?

"Jim, activate force fields. Alan, any news?"

"We'll have the ship in visual contact soon, Commander."

"Watch her, Alan. Shadow her. But hold all fire."

"What if we come under attack, Commander?"

"Evasive action, Alan. Do not fire on that ship while they have Victor. I'm thinking as fast I can."

"We can't let her land, Commander!"

"Alan, we have the force fields. We cannot fire on that ship, even if she lands, until we've made some effort to get Victor back…" John sighed deeply, then added very softly: "Or until we know the situation is… hopeless."

(To be continued...)