Part 4 Time for a Plan (818)

They were all seated in the smaller sitting room, the viewscreen open and ready for ORAC's presentation. Vila was pouring drinks for everyone, making sure there was an ample supply of the brandy Avon favored.

"Well, let's get to it, shall we?" Avon said, a grim edge to his voice. "ORAC?"

ORAC automatically dimmed the overhead lights and cued the surveillance tape. It flickered at first then became sharper, the voices distinct, every word clear.

So I have a son, do I? Avon thought, looking over to Vila, seeing the same wide-eyed realization on his mate's face. But why don't I remember? he pondered.

He watched stoically, then cast a sideways glance at Blake whose face had gone white as he once more watched the murder of his wife. Avon stopped the tape and turned to Blake. "If you'd rather not see this, I'll understand."

"No," the man whispered, "I must know all that happened. I must." Avon activated the tape again.

++…well at least we know it still works,++ they all heard Torr's voice from the speaker.

"Damn!" Avon broke out, swearing under his breath, then louder. "Damn her to hell and back!"

The tape came to its conclusion and stopped.

"Well, does anyone wish to view any portion of that again?" Avon asked acerbically. "I, for one, have seen enough and I think our job is clear as it stands." The lights came up without his prompting.

No one contradicted his pronouncement. He turned to ORAC. "I assume you now have information on the approaching ship?"

+Affirmative. It is the independent shuttle NEMESIS, carrying two passengers only. It should be in range to request landing instructions shortly. When it calls, shall I comply?+

"Yes, ORAC, you may most definitely comply. Tell them to land close to the house." Avon's gritty whisper carried to every corner of the room. "I look forward to greeting both its passengers…in person."

B7B7B7B7B7

"I will not leave you, Father!" Serran shouted, her eyes blazing with fury and frustration. "Please don't send me away! Uncle Vila, tell him!" She turned, to find Vila shaking his head sadly.

"I'm afraid I agree with Avon this time. I have to stay here, but I won't have you or any of our people in danger. You're the only one we can trust to take care of them. You must leave," Vila finished, reasonable, if emphatic.

Bowing her head in defeat before the combined force of Avon and Vila, she said, "All right, I'll take our people to safely, but the moment I feel it's safe, I'm coming back! I can follow the events in this house through your mind, Father, without disturbing you in any way, if you'll let me. I'll go, if you'll allow that." She lifted her green eyes to his dark brown ones, seeing the warring emotions there. She knew how he valued the privacy of his own mind, but felt justified in this blackmail and defiantly stood by her demand.

He stared darkly at her for several moments. She's so like her mother, especially when she's angry. And she's just a stubborn. But oh, how I love them both.

"All right, Serran, have it your way, but you must get going now. Use all the vehicles you need, but get everyone safely away from here within the hour." His face softened as he continued, "I hope this won't last long, but there never was much point in second guessing Servalan. Now, go. Vila will help you gather everyone."

Impulsively, Serran threw her arms around Avon's neck and kissed him on the cheek. Before he could react, she turned in a swirl of riding skirts and was gone. Vila, with a quirked eyebrow at Avon, swiftly followed.

Avon sighed and continued his own preparations.

B7B7B7B7B7

"We have received instructions to land on the private holdings of someplace called Avilla," Torr told his mother.

"I'm not surprised. They must know by now exactly what happened, and if my guess is correct, they have all gathered and are awaiting the final players in this game."

"Landing in five minutes, then."

She nodded, her eyes narrowing as she put the finishing touches on the plan that had taken its first roots more than forty standard years earlier. "Oh, yes, Avon, my love," she whispered, not caring if her son heard. "Very soon, it will all be over."

Torr brought the shuttle in a low circle over the estate. Servalan leaned toward the viewport, looking down at the massive structure, almost primitive by her standard, more like a castle from old-calendar Earth. I never realized you were so old-fashioned, Avon, she thought.

As before, the young man piloted the craft to a quiet, easy landing and shut down all the systems.

"Well," he said, "shall we go visit my father?"

"By all means, my son, let's."

She took his arm and they left the ship together.