Chapter Twenty-Eight

Sester groaned and cursed his failing legs as his punctured back hit the flight chair. Have to stay conscious. No time to…

The controls on the panel swam dizzyingly into view. He blinked hard, trying to focus. It was a good thing he had a flight and nav processor.

"Computer…engines to full thrust. Take us into orbit and follow…uh…preset navigation coordinates. Maximum speed."

"Acknowledged."

The ship seemed to shiver as the engines came to life.

"Full scanners. Warn me…if anyone is following us," Sester managed to say before he slumped over the controls.

**********

Argus walked with heavy steps and shoulders bent by weariness as he headed back towards the room where they kept Avon. He wasn't physically tired, but it felt as if he hadn't slept in days. Finding Jenna had proved harder than looking for a needle in a haystack, though to be honest, he had no idea what a haystack was or what it would look like if he came across one.

His right hand tightened, muscles tensed to the straining point and he smashed it into a nearby wall, startling several people who immediately drew weapons and pointed them around nervously.

He mumbled with embarrassment, "Sorry." He shuffled off before someone decided to report him for attempted sabotage. Several of the bystanders went to look at the wall he had punched. Bare grey rock that had been hewn out of the asteroid. Tough material. Which was why they all stared after him in astonishment as they saw the indentation he had made in it with his fist.

**********

Jenna stayed well to the side of the corridor as everyone rushed past her on the way to the execution hall. Her feet dragged and she felt physically ill. They all seemed to want get there early, probably to get a good seat. Why were ordinary people so fascinated by the misfortune of others? There should be a law against it.

Avon had asked her to stay away from the trial and she had, though, she'd had to get drunk to do it. When she had woken up this morning, moaning and groaning, Jenna had found herself passed out behind a maintenance cart. Her mouth tasted like bucketfuls of ash and something large and loud was pounding on the inside of her head. Even with a double-dose of pain blockers, she had to cover her eyes because of the glaring overhead lights.

One foot in front of the other. Keep going. It had never seemed so hard before and it didn't help that her heart was so heavy with guilt that it threatened to sink her into the ground.

She had promised to keep away from the trial, but nothing could prevent her from going to the execution. Not out of revenge, but because, even though he might not appreciate it or be able to see her, she wanted to be there for Avon. Even though this was his choice, it was still her fault.

**********

Vila sat by Avon's bed while Cally sat on his other side. He said, "I can break into the storage locker and get our teleport bracelets. We still have time."

Avon turned his head towards him. "Don't."

"Avon, you're the biggest idiot in the universe," said an upset Vila.

"Then after I'm dead, you can lay sole claim to that title again."

Vila was almost crying. "That's not funny."

"It wasn't meant to be."

Vila wasn't sure but Avon's voice seemed slightly warmer than his normal flat tone.

"Avon." Vila stopped for a moment, feeling embarrassed. Even with Kerril, he'd only admitted to liking her a lot. With Corinne, he had taken the plunge and told her how he felt. But this was Avon. Avon had tilted his head in his direction. Vila knew that if he didn't say something soon, Avon would.

"Avon. We're friends, aren't we?"

"Your gift for stating the obvious never ceases to amaze me."

Vila automatically had a sharp retort on his lips but he paused. "Did…you just say that we are friends?"

"Did I?"

"I…think you did."

Cally noted, "He did."

The corner of Avon's lips curled in a smile.

The door to the room opened and a grim-faced Avalon entered. Beside her, the man with the scarred lip from the arrivals hall, limped into the room. Behind them followed a contingent of eight armed rebels.

Cally rose and with arms spread, blocked their way to Avon. "You're not going to take him."

Vila came to stand beside her. "You'll have to go through both of us. But if you want to talk about it first…"

The guards moved towards them but Avalon held out her arms to stop them. "Cally, don't make this difficult."

"How difficult could it be? You're killing an unarmed man." Her tone was scathing. "If you're planning to shoot him, don't forget to tie him to something. Unless you're prepared to kill him while he's lying defenceless on the bed. You don't even have to provide a blind fold. That should make it much easier for you."

Tears were forming at the corner of her eyes but she fought them back and continued her verbal attack. "Or better yet. Prop him up in the middle of the room and let people throw heavy objects at him. They were already doing that in the trial room and you didn't stop them. I believe that in Earth's barbaric past, they called it stoning."

In the face of Cally's wrath, Avalon tried to remain calm and reasonable. "We're not barbarians, Cally. We will try to make this as humane as possible."

The scarred lip man said, "Avalon, they're stalling, don't you see?" He drew his gun and advanced on Cally and Vila.

Avalon grabbed hold of his arm, "Enough, Dev."

Dev said, "What are we waiting for? Blake's blood demands vengeance."

Avalon stared him down. "We're here for justice, not vengeance."

Dev snarled, "Is there a difference? It results in the same thing. One just sounds better."

"We do this the right way."

Dev said, "Yours isn't the only way, Avalon. The Outer Worlds demand justice. It's time you Earthers began to realize you're not the centre of the universe."

Avalon looked annoyed. "We never said we were."

"Oh, you never say it. You just act it."

A voice came from the vicinity of the bed. "While this may be fascinating, in a puerile way, either take this conversation elsewhere or come back tomorrow. I do not wish to have this inane conversation as my last memory." Avon was beginning to wonder if it was worth protecting Blake's memory for rabble like these.

Avalon said, "Sorry, Avon. You're right." She glowered at Dev before asking, "Where's Argus? I was expecting him to be here."

Cally said, "He's looking for the recordings he promised you. He hasn't returned. We need more time, Avalon. Please. What if you're wrong about Avon? What does your justice say then?"

Avalon looked uncertain. Her hand went to the back of her neck and rubbed it as if the tension was starting to give her a headache. "We shouldn't do this without Argus here."

Dev said with a sneer of sarcasm, "How long do you want us to wait? An hour? Two? Should we have lunch first? Or maybe we should cancel it altogether? You'd like that wouldn't you? You Earthers all stick together."

Avalon put her hand down and fixed him with a hard glare. "I said enough, Dev. We'll wait for a few minutes outside. Avon's right, we should not subject him to our arguments. It's not fair to him."

"Not fair to him? That's rich," snarled Dev.

"Outside, now!" Avalon shouted and pointed to the door. They all filed out as Avalon and Dev stared at each other.

When the last guard had exited, Dev said, "This isn't over, Avalon. The Outer Worlds refuse to be pushed around any longer. It's not like the old days. After the Federation ships, we bore the brunt of the alien assault. We lost many good men and women."

Avalon said, "I know that. We would have too if we had been close enough and had faster ships."

"Things are going to change, Avalon."

"That's why we're here!"

Avon asked, "Cally, are they still in here? Or am I hearing an echo?"

Avalon turned to him, "Sorry, Avon. We're leaving now. You have fifteen minutes. I will tell the others that there has been a delay."

Dev appeared to be having a fit. "Fifteen minutes?!"

**********

When the two bickering rebel leaders left, Avon remarked impassively, "The idea that we would be saving Blake's reputation for that…"

Cally said, "They're human."

Avon growled with disgust. "Yes."

"They can't be all bad," said Vila. "Look at me."

"Exactly."

"Now wait a minute…"

"On the other hand, there is a distinct possibility that you're not human."

Vila looked with confusion at Cally. "Was that a compliment? Or did I miss something?"

"You didn't miss anything." Cally touched Avon's chest. "Avon, you sound as if you're reconsidering."

"Argus was right; the recordings need to be shown to the leaders. Blake's reputation was always most effective with the rabble. They would follow him, and he would fight to the last drop of their blood. As long as they never know."

Vila asked, "You mean that Blake went barmy near the end?"

"Perhaps we both did," said Avon, his voice suddenly quiet.

"Yeah, well, there was enough of it to go around that day. Look at ORAC."

Avon said urgently, "Vila, go find Argus. Cally, do you have your medical kit here?"

"Yes, what did you have in mind?"

Vila rushed out.

**********

"Jenna!" bellowed Argus as he spotted her head in the crowd. As a last ditch attempt, he had decided to try the execution hall in case she showed up. He pushed his way to her.

Jenna winced and covered her ears. The incessant noise around her was bad enough already.

Argus said, "I've been looking for you."

Jenna moaned as she held her head in both hands. "If you want to kill me, can you do it now?"

Argus stared into her bloodshot eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

Jenna winced again. "Don't shout."

"I'm not shouting."

"It sounds like you are." She rubbed her temples. Everything behind her eyes was in pain.

Argus lowered his voice, "I need to talk to you." He took her by the elbow and steered her away from the hall.

In a quieter corner, he said, "I want those recordings from Gauda Prime."

Jenna looked sharply at him. "I promised…"

"I know, what you promised Avon."

"He told you?"

"Yes, and he made me promise as well. But we can't let him die, Jenna. Avon's wrong. It would not be a good legacy for Blake. He isn't thinking clearly. You know what Shade does to the mind."

Jenna's eyes scrunched as she tried to think. "We'll have to go back to my room. I hid the recordings there."

Argus groaned. "I should have searched your room."

Jenna said, "We don't have time, the execution is in..." She looked at her chronometer. "Fifteen minutes."

"We have to try! Run!" He took her by the arm and pulled her after him.

**********

Avon cried out in agony and his body arched like a bow pulled tight. He slumped back onto the bed, moaning and his body shuddering violently. Cally placed a hand on his forehead while her other pressed lightly on his chest. "Avalon!" her cry was shrill with panic.

Avalon had rushed into the room. She asked in alarm, "What's wrong with him?"

Dev's scarred lip curled in cynicism, "They're faking it. It's the oldest trick in the book."

Cally's frightened face said otherwise. "He's not. Feel his head!"

Avalon put her hand on Avon's flushed face. "He's burning up. You can't fake that."

Dev looked around the room suspiciously. Cally was glad that Avon had her hide the medical bag under his pillow. She hoped the scarred man didn't remember that it had been sitting on the table.

"What does it matter? We'll be doing him a kindness then. We'll be putting him out of his misery," Dev said harshly.

Avalon said, "We are not putting him up, like that."

"You're getting soft, Avalon."

"And you aren't thinking. How do you think it's going to look if we execute a man in this condition? It will look like Argus was right and we did torture the confession out of him!"

Dev had a defiant look on his face. He wanted this execution under any conditions. Cally did not like this man and not only because he wanted Avon dead. There was something dark about him that came across to her psi perceptions, a devious, chilling deliberation that sent shivers down her spine.

The scarred rebel said, "You've been using Shade on him, haven't you? Flood his system. Then he won't feel anything." He fixed Avalon with the eyes of a predator that would pounce if it detected weakness.

Avalon stood firm, her glaring eyes like hard polished jewels that could flash fire. She snapped her fingers at one of the armed rebel guards. Her voice was brusque, cutting the air like a knife. "Get it from Gamboa."

"Yes, Avalon." The guard raced off.

Cally said, "Avalon, you can't."

Like a gunfighter who dared not take her eyes off her opponent, Avalon kept hers set on the scarred man. She said, "I'm sorry, Cally."

Even though Cally could feel the regret rolling in waves towards her, there was a hard, inflexible expression on Avalon's face.

**********

Sester forced sluggish eyes open and began moaning as the agony from his back greeted his awakening mind. His shirt was slick with blood and stuck uncomfortable in places where it had dried. He was still alive.

His mind told him that the knife couldn't have penetrated his lungs or he'd be dead by now. Servalan hadn't wanted him dead. Or at least she wanted him to survive long enough to deliver the vid recordings. The translucent data crystal winked at him as the cockpit lights reflected off its angled surface.

Have to get this to Argus.

His ears caught a steady, rhythmic beeping sound. "Attention, navigation coordinates reached. Attention, navigation coordinates reached."

Sester groaned loudly in complaint. The computer couldn't possibly expect him to do something in this state? He was about to die. Didn't it have any mercy?

Avon! The memory of his situation caused him to jerk upwards. A thousand sharp knives in his back caused him to cry out as his body and mind were paralyzed by excruciating pain. With gasping, groaning breaths, he began to curl his back to a semblance of normality, as the sensations returned to the previous level of agony. It was almost like an old friend.

Trembling fingers pressed the code sequence and then the comm button.

His voice was strained and he struggled to speak clearly. "This is…Chuck. I'm…" What was he? "…member of…Justice crew on…special mission. Requesting…entrance."

There was a crackle of static and then a woman replied, "You seem to be breaking up but we got your security verification. Should have your comms checked. Welcome to Advance Base. Place your ship under automatics. We will take it from here."

Sester slid his hand over and pressed a large grey button. Maybe he could close his eyes and rest while the docking control took over? His head nodded forward.

Can't sleep. Might not wake up.

His fingers closed firmly around the crystal, feeling its hard edges pressing into his skin. It helped him to focus.

The base interior swam into the view of his bleary eyes. Soon he would have to get up. He was not relishing it.

**********

The pain radiated from Sester's back like an exploding sun, searing his mind. With choking, sobbing breaths, he forced himself to get up, leaving a sticky pool of blood on the seat.

The agony paralyzed his ability to think but he compelled himself.

Think. Breathe. Mind. Body. Focus. The discipline of the Guild asserted itself like an old companion. If I could beat the Chamber, I can do this. This time it wasn't for his master, it was for Avon and the others.

His eyes saw the blood-drenched seat, already drying into darker patches. Can't go out like this. What would the neighbours think?

They'd probably take one look at him, toss him on a stretcher and throw away the key. He shook his head, trying to bring it under control.

Grabbing at various parts of the craft for support, he opened a clothes cupboard. The dark overcoat would do. With further groans of pain, he shrugged it on gingerly.

Tapping his pants pocket to reassure himself that the data crystal was still there and he hadn't imagined himself placing it there, he headed for the exit.

**********

The rebel guards held Cally back as Dev approached Avon with the injector. With a cruel sneer on his lips, made even more sinister by the vertical scar, he turned the settings an extra notch and quickly applied it to groaning man's neck. Avon's body immediately became slack and his eyes glazed over, rolling upwards into his head.

Cally shouted and Avalon had moved forward, but it was too late. The irate rebel leader asked, "What are you doing?"

"Just an extra measure. Wouldn't want him to make any unbecoming sounds, while we kill him, now would we?"

Avalon's voice was tight with anger. "That's triple the normal dose!"

"Why are you worried, Avalon? You think it'll kill him?"

There was clearly a power struggle going on between the two rebel leaders. So far, Avalon was not winning.

"It had better not," said Avalon. "If he dies one minute before the execution, Argus might rip you in two."

Dev unconsciously glanced at the door, expecting the rebel leader to appear. He laughed nervously, "He's too late now, isn't he? His time is up."

Avalon looked apologetically at Cally and Vila. She gestured to the guards. "Take him."

Cally said, "Argus isn't back yet. Avalon…"

"I'm sorry, Cally but I gave him additional time."

Like a funeral procession, two guards carried Avon's limp body while the others arranged themselves in vertical file in front and behind. Dev and Avalon led the way as Cally and Vila lagged behind under the watchful eyes and ready weapons of the rear guards.

**********

A few incoherently muttered questions had given Sester the general direction of the execution hall. His heart had skipped several beats when he heard that the sentence was about to be carried out. He had raced on, staggering like a pale drunken man, holding onto walls that were further than they appeared.

The line of bodies seemed endless as they waited to enter.

"The line's back there!" Someone shoved him as he tried to get past. Sester groaned as he stumbled backwards, crying out in pain as his back hit the wall. He collapsed to the ground.

"Have…to save...ahhh…" He doubled over in pain.

Caring hands rolled him over. Sester yelled in agony as his back touched the ground. "No!" he gasped. He tried reaching into his pocket to pull out the crystal.

A familiar face floated into view. Sester blinked twice. "Argus?"

"What happened to you?" Argus knelt beside him, concern etched on his face. He looked tired. There was a puzzled expression in his eyes as his nose twitched.

Sester could barely speak. "Recording…" He tried to reach into his pocket again but his fingers were no longer cooperating.

Argus's eyes brightened. "You have it?"

Sester nodded and touched his trouser pocket. He tried to tell him to be wary. That the crystal would save Avon but he didn't know what else it would do. The words refused to form on his lips.

Argus reached in and extracted the crystal.

"Argus, he's bleeding!" Jenna's familiar voice was behind Argus.

Argus frowned. He had smelled blood but didn't realize it came from Sester. "Jenna, help him."I'll get this to Avalon." He was about to get up but looked down at Sester for a brief moment. His free hand touched the injured man's arm. "You did well."

Sester's lips formed the semblance of a smile as Argus got up and ran to save Avon. Jenna bent down and asked, "Who did this to you?"

"Beautiful…snake." Sester's eyes closed and he mercifully passed out.

Jenna scowled, wondering if he had been referring to her or the person who had wounded him.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Jenna contacted the Justice and Kirsten was sent down with teleport bracelets. The young woman's face went pale when she saw Sester lying in a pool of blood and rushed over and knelt beside him. It was hard to tell whose face was paler, her fear-filled one or his.

She asked anxiously, "Is he…"

"I think he was stabbed in the back. He's lost a lot of blood. You'd better get him back to the ship," said Jenna, eyeing the stranger.

Kirsten quickly snapped a bracelet on Sester's wrist. Her face lined with worry as she gently touched his damp brow. She raised her own bracelet to her lips.

Jenna realized that a lot must have happened on the ship while she was away. Strange new people. Servalan's psychostrategist aboard the ship. And this woman obviously had a relationship with him. Another one of Servalan's people? Before Kirsten could ask for teleport, she asked suspiciously, "Who are you?"

"I'm Kirsten. Who are you?"

"I'm Jenna."

Kirsten's eyes widened in shock and she suddenly pushed Jenna, sending the startled woman sprawling backwards. "Get away from him! You're not going to hurt him too!"

Jenna groaned and brought her hand to her head. She wished she were still passed out behind the maintenance cart. "I'm trying to help."

"You hurt Avon and Reya."

Sester groaned. Kirsten looked down in concern and then said, "I don't have time for this but I hope you get what you deserve." She pressed her bracelet, "This is Kirsten. Two to teleport."

Jenna watched the teleport energies form and whisk the two of them away. She got up slowly, a thoughtful expression in her eyes.

**********

Argus ground to a halt as he saw the procession led by Avalon and Dev. For a moment, he hesitated. He had both recordings now. Jenna's and Sester's. Could he trust the psychostrategist? The man had come back injured, in no condition to be question, or have the truth shaken out of him.

The distance was closing, he had to decide. Argus faced them squarely.

Argus said, "I have the recording." He held out Sester's data cube.

Dev's scar seemed to take on a life of its own, cutting his face with a deep sneer. He said callously, "Too late."

Argus levelled icy eyes in his direction. Dev swallowed hard, as if Argus had just pointed a gun at him and was prepared to shoot. He straightened his shoulders, unconsciously trying to imitate Argus's solid stance, and said, "You can't fight all of us, Argus. The others may be intimidated by you, but I'm not."

"No?" Argus asked, his voice low with growled menace.

Dev stood his ground.

Argus said, "You've been trying to stir up trouble ever since you got here, Dev. Pitting the Outer Worlds against the Inner Ones."

"I'm just trying to get what's due to us," said Dev defensively. "It's about time."

"Avalon has been trying to unite the alliance. You're trying to cause even more divisions. It makes me wonder why."

Dev's lips pulled back in a snarl. "Are you trying to put suspicion on my devotion to the rebellion? I've been fighting this fight longer than you have, Argus. While you were still a Federation flunky. I fought with Blake. I was with Bran Foster."

A sound of a gasp made them all turn to look at Vila. There was a pale look on his face.

Argus asked, "What is it, Vila?"

The shocked man came forward, approaching Dev with uncertain steps. He asked, "What's your last name?"

Dev asked with outraged anger, "Avalon, they're trying to stall again. Are you going to let them get away with this?"

Avalon looked at Vila, who was staring intently at the scarred man, and then back to Dev. "Why don't you answer the man?"

"This is a waste of time!"

Argus said, "I don't think it is. Tell the man, Dev."

The blond-haired man looked around like a cornered animal but his voice remained calm. "What is this? I'm not the enemy here. You know my last name!"

Argus said, "Yes, but Vila doesn't."

Vila couldn't wait any longer, he was bursting to speak. "His name is Dev Tarrant. He was with Blake in the Freedom Party. He's a Federation spy."

Several guns wavered. Avalon sought the man's eyes. "Is it true?"

Dev's voice rose a tad. "You can't be serious. Vila was with Avon. He's probably guilty too. He's trying to save him."

Argus said, "You're the only one who survived both massacres. Either you're an incredibly lucky man, or…you are a Federation spy."

Everyone seemed to be holding their breaths.

Tiny beads of sweat had formed on Dev's upper lip and his eyes shifted left and right, as if he were measuring something. His hands moved quickly. At the point where thought and intent translated into action… Umph! He was slammed back into the wall with explosive force. His head snapped back, hitting the grey stone with a sickening thud.

Argus's hands, like bands of steel, clamped around his wrists and twisted sharply, revealing a sinister round metal object in Dev's hand.

"Grenade!" shouted one of the rebels as they all backed away.

Argus quickly grabbed the object. "It's alright; he didn't have time to arm it."

Everyone let out a breath they didn't realize they had been holding. All guns were now pointed towards the stunned Dev Tarrant.

Argus turned the grenade over in his hands, studying it with professional detachment. "It's a solium grenade."

Avalon's face turned white as a sheet. "That would have…"

"Yes, it would have taken out a sizeable portion of this base."

Vila looked like he was about to be ill.

Avalon's fear turned to fierce anger. "And killed many of the rebellion's leaders."

Dev spat out furiously, "I would have succeeded too."

Cally had come up and had been concentrating her psi senses on the scarred man. "I don't think so. I don't think it was his intent to destroy this base."

Dev sneered at her.

Argus said, "I don't either. Or you would have used it during the trial, when all of the leaders were gathered together. Instead, you've been trying your best to cause trouble."

Avalon nodded with understanding. "Divide and conquer. You've been pushing me, challenging my authority with the others, and trying to take over leadership of the Outer Worlds. The grenade must have been a back-up plan, in case you failed. If you couldn't control us, you wanted to destroy us."

Argus said urgently, "Avalon. We must get everyone out."

Avalon looked at him sharply. "You're right. He might have more than one contingency." She said to one of the rebels, "Quickly, raise the alarm. Alert port control. Ready all ships for launch immediately!"

The rebel jerked his thumb towards Avon. "What about him?"

"Now is no time for executions. Take him aboard my ship. And Dev too."

The guard rushed off while others secured the Federation spy.

Argus said, "Avalon…"

"I know." She reassured him, "Avon will not be harmed. Cally and Vila can accompany him if you wish. We'll discuss this again when we're all safely away. We will all watch the recordings." She held out her hand and Argus gave her the crystal. "I will give you new coordinates. We'll have to assume that our old ones are compromised."

Avalon directed one of her men to give them back their teleport bracelets.

A claxon began sounding. "Emergency! All rebels back to your ships and prepare for launch. This base has been compromised. Repeat…" The message continued its urgent warning as people poured into the corridors.

Argus snapped on his bracelet. "The Justice will provide cover. Our scanners have longer range than yours do. Cally, Vila. Stay with Avon. Avalon, I'll see you at the new coordinates."

**********

Argus settled into his flight station as the duty soldiers stood ready at theirs. "Zen, extra long range sensors online. I want to know if there are any Federation ships in the vicinity."

"Sensors activated."

There was a short pause. "Scanner beams detect no Federation signatures."

"Good. Keep scanning. The rebel ships will be leaving soon."

Even as he said it, ships were already launching away from the asteroid, going to maximum speed as soon as they were clear.

Jenna stood uncertainly near the flight deck steps. She had followed Argus in but was hesitant what to do next. There were too many new faces on the ship and there didn't seem to be a place for her anymore. They all stared at her curiously. Obviously, no one had told them who she was yet.

Argus turned to her. "Jenna, take the pilot controls."

"Do you trust me?"

"I trust that you want to get out of this alive."

Jenna came down the steps and sat down beside him. Her hands brushed against familiar controls, as she checked the instrument panel. "I'm ready."

**********

The base was cleared without incident and it was decided that only the major rebel leaders would view the Gauda Prime recordings. A few days later, they all convened on the Justice.

A shaky Avon, having recovered from his "illness" and the overdose of Shade, had demanded to be included in the proceedings. No one thought this was a good idea, but Avon refused to have his fate decided when he was not in the room. Everyone reluctantly agreed. There were no objections to Cally and Vila attending with him.

The logistics were a bit trickier as Avon still couldn't stay up on his own. His healing body had not reached that stage yet. As a compromise, they used the main cargo hold for the meeting and set up one of the bio-beds for him, angling it so that he could sit and follow the recordings.

The leaders sat behind a semi-circular table facing a large screen. Serious-faced rebels, some in civilian dress, others in military fatigues. A mixture of people from both the Inner and Outer Worlds, including some ex-military.

Avalon placed the data crystal in front of her. It seemed such a small thing to be the centre of attention but their eyes were all glued to it. Twelve men and women, a jury of sorts.

Argus stood up. "The crystal contains the security logs from the bounty hunter base on Gauda Prime. Blake's base."

Nalini, whose red tan stood out against her pale skin, bent forward. "How do we know it's real?"

Cally stood up. "There is proof. Avon and Vila. The events of that day are locked in their minds."

Rondor, shifting restlessly in his seat, said in a scratchy bitter voice, "People lie."

Cally's eyes flashed but her voice remained reasonable. "Avon and Vila's memories were tampered with during their incarceration by the Federation. They do not know the full truth of what happened either."

Dr. Kendall, who with his level-headed manner had become a respected figure amongst the rebels, had his hand steepled in front of him. "Are there methods to extract the real memories?"

Cally said, "Yes. If you are willing to give us the time. The people of the Tellar Union have advanced methods that can break down memory blocks. We also have machines that will read the memories once they are released and project them on a screen."

Dr. Kendall said, "We'll be able to see their memories?"

"Yes."

"How long will this procedure take?"

Cally answered, "We don't know. It depends on how deeply buried the memories are and the strength of the blocks."

Nalini scowled with displeasure, "But that could take weeks, even months."

Avalon said, "I propose that we watch the recordings first. Then we can decide on the proof. Agreed?"

The rebels consulted each other in murmurs.

Vila whispered to Avon and Cally, "D'you think they'll give us the time?"

Before either of them could answer, Avalon said, "Then we're agreed. We will watch the recordings first."

The scratchy-voiced Rondor said, "And if we don't like what we see…there won't be any need, will there?"

Dr. Kendall said, "We agreed that we would watch this without prejudice."

Rondor said, "You agreed. I think this is a waste of time."

Nalini nodded, "I do too, but we should try to be fair about it. In case we're wrong."

Rondor snorted. "You don't believe it anymore than I do."

Case, a hefty rebel humphed. "I'm with Kendall. And Avalon. This should be about justice."

Rondor said, "Shut up, Case. Of course, you would agree. Your people like to think. You don't like doing anything. You let the rest of us do all the fighting."

Case said, "I resent that. Just because we try to work inside the system…"

Rondor snorted, "Fat lot of good that does."

Case humphed very loudly this time. "I'll let you know that we came closer to a coup than any of you ever did. I was part of Ven Glynd's group. And we didn't blow anyone up to do it!"

Rondor half-rose out of his seat, his voice angry. "Yeah, well, they got wiped out, didn't they? All executed for treason?"

"At least we came close!" This was descending to a shouting match.

Avalon held up her hand. "Gentlemen! Sit down. Remember why we're here."

Rondor sat sullenly and Case said, "Sorry, Avalon. But if that blow-hard says one more…"

Avalon said, "Case…"

"Sorry."

Avalon glared at both of them until they lowered their eyes and stared at the table in front of them. "Now we do what we came to do. We will watch the recordings and then we will decide whether we will wait for the memory blocks to be removed." Her eyes swept from one end of the table to the other as she stressed, "Agreed?"

They all indicated their consent. "Argus, the recordings." She held up the crystal and Argus took it. He crossed over to a projector unit and slipped it in the slot. The crystal lit up as a laser reached into its depth and the images of the GP base were splashed onto the white wall.

Argus said, "This crystal contains the entire security log from all the monitors for the day of the shooting. It might take awhile to search for the footage we're interested in. Bear with me."

The images fast-forwarded, recordings of the normal and abnormal workings of the bounty hunter base that doubled as a rebel base.

Argus scrolled along the timeline until he found one of Blake. Their hero's scarred and roughened image was frozen on the wall. There were also two other figures. A battered young man, his clothes mangled, as if he had just escaped from some great disaster.

Vila exclaimed, "That's Tarrant! He was part of our crew."

Nalini asked, "That's Blake? What happened to him?"

Argus asked, "When was the last time any of you saw Blake?"

There were murmurs of consultation among the rebel leaders.

The hefty Case said, "Well, he kept to himself after Jevron. Don't blame him. He said he'd been betrayed but didn't know who it was. He didn't trust any of the old guard anymore. He wanted to recruit new blood. Last time I saw him was…a month after Jevron."

Paraic, an ex-military man who had been in Federation scout unit, said in a soft, almost hoarse voice, "I was with him on Jevron but I saw him once after that. This must have been…about five months before Gauda Prime. He…didn't look good then. They did quite a number on him on Jevron. You're right. He didn't seem like he wanted much to do with us anymore. And well, to be honest, after Jevron most of us were sort of wary of him. He said he'd found himself a computer expert. Deva, I think his name was. And he was going to go recruit himself some criminals from one of the worst places in the Federation. I told him that was crazy. What would criminals want with a proper rebellion? They only want whatever they could get for themselves." He looked over at Vila and said apologetically. "Not you, of course. But he was lucky with you lot."

Nalini said, "Maybe he thought he could be lucky again."

Avalon said, "Argus, play the recording." The frozen images came to life.

Chapter Thirty

On the screen, the images from Gauda Prime played out.

[The battered-looking Tarrant said to Blake, "What on earth happened to you?"

Blake said, "Oh, most of it wasn't on Earth, Tarrant. Not what happened to me."]

Nalini blurted out, "So Blake knew who Tarrant was? And why does he look like he's been through an industrial blender?"

Argus paused the images as Vila explained, "Well, when we reached GP, we were shot down and had to get out. Most of us escaped by teleport but Tarrant stayed to control the ship. The ship crashed but he survived. Blake found him."

Paraic, the ex-military man said, "Tarrant sounds like a good man. He was rearguard for the others. It's a good thing Blake found him."

Argus continued the recording.

[The unnamed man, a technician from the look of his clothes, said to Blake, "Well, now, bounty hunter, that was a short trip even by your standards."]

Nalini interjected again and Argus hit the pause button. "Bounty hunter? Blake was a bounty hunter?"

Rondor said in his scratchy voice, "Must have been a cover. He couldn't use his own name."

The hefty Case said, "I thought this was Blake's base though."

When no one else said anything Argus un-paused the recording.

[Blake crossed around behind Tarrant. "Short, but profitable." He suddenly grabbed Tarrant's gun. "Even by my standards."

Tarrant put his hands up. "Was it something I said?"

The technician didn't seem surprised by Blake's actions and asked, "Who is he?"

Keeping his pistol trained on the young man's head, Blake said, "His name is Tarrant." He said to Tarrant, "Your flight computer mentioned it whilst you were unconscious."

Tarrant nodded.

The technician crossed over to the computer console. "Tarrant..."

Blake said, "No, I wouldn't run it through the computer just yet, Deva. You see, this one has a very high Federation price on his head."

The technician asked, "Are you sure?"

Tarrant said cynically, "Oh, give the man credit for knowing his trade, dirty though it is."]

Paraic said, "That technician must be Deva, the computer expert Blake said he'd found."

Argus paused the recording.

Case said, "I don't understand what's going on here. Blake doesn't look like he trusts Tarrant. But he knows who he is."

Nalini said, "Maybe Blake was suspicious of Avon already. And his crew. Would make sense."

Dr. Kendall said, "Or perhaps he was wary because of Tarrant's last name. He may have thought that Tarrant could be related to our Tarrant."

Nalini said, "But Tarrant's a common name. I know at least five."

The scratchy-voiced Rondor said, "Well, for Blake it only took one. I mean, if I were him, I might be suspicious."

The hefty Case said, "But Tarrant seems to think that Blake is a bounty hunter. And Blake certainly acts like one."

Several of the others thought this was very strange.

Argus, wondering how he ended up being the projectionist for this event, pressed the button to continue.

[Blake's image said, "He also has several associates with Federation prices, and one of them is particularly valuable."

Tarrant said, "And all of them are particularly dead."

Blake responded, "In which case, that other flyer was merely a coincidence. A coincidence, however, that might just have analyzed a random flight program?"

The technician said, "And the significance of that is...?"

Blake said, "A very useful device called Orac. Why don't you sit down, Tarrant?" The young man went over to sit down, lowering himself gingerly, his teeth clenched, as if he was in pain.

Blake continued, "If it is Avon, we shouldn't have much longer to wait."]

Case said, "Stop the recording."

The images froze.

Avalon turned to him. "What's wrong?"

Case said, "This must be wrong. It has to be a fake. It looks like Blake is holding Tarrant prisoner and waiting for Avon to bring ORAC."

Nalini said, "It just proves I was right. Blake must have known Avon was going there to kill him but he was ready for him. Blake was going to get ORAC away from him so he could use it for the rebellion.

Case said, "I don't know…"

The scratchy-voiced Rondor said, "That must be it. Avon and his crew went to Gauda Prime to kill Blake and betray them to the Federation. Tarrant just lied to Blake. He told him that Avon and the others were dead when they weren't."

Paraic said, "But Tarrant doesn't sound like he trusts Blake. And Vila said that Tarrant sacrificed his life to save the others? He wouldn't have given them up to Blake, not if he thought Blake was a bounty hunter. That's probably why he lied about them being dead."

Nalini scoffed, "That's ridiculous. Who would believe Blake was a bounty hunter?"

Vila spoke up, "Avon had ORAC looking for Blake. ORAC was the one who told us that Blake was a bounty hunter. I didn't believe it. But Tarrant didn't know Blake."

Nalini said, "Then the computer made a mistake. Blake couldn't have been a bounty hunter. "

Case said, "He certainly acts like one there. And supposing, just supposing mind you, that Tarrant was not there to kill Blake, Blake is not giving him any proof that he isn't a bounty hunter. The opposite in fact."

Nalini said, "It's like I said, Blake didn't trust Avon or his people. He must have known how treacherous he was."

Cally put her hand on Avon's arm. Avon shook his head.

Case said, "Yes, but why pretend to be a bounty hunter?"

Kendall had been looking thoughtfully at the images. His steepled fingers pressed tightly together. "Maybe it's a test. Blake is pretending to be a bounty hunter to see how Tarrant will react? If he was afraid Tarrant might be related to Dev, he might want to make certain."

Nalini said, "It doesn't matter why. Blake obviously doesn't trust Tarrant or Avon."

Case said, "There's another reason I don't think this is real. The way Blake is treating Tarrant…The man seems to be in pain but Blake doesn't act as if he cares. Would the real Blake do that, even to an enemy?"

Avalon said, "Continue the recording."

Argus hit the button again.

[Tarrant said to the technician, "Doesn't it occur to you to wonder where he's got all this information from?"

The technician said, "Give the man credit for knowing his trade."

Tarrant sarcastically, "Oh, surely you're not that naive."

Blake said, "You're wasting your breath, Tarrant."

There was the sound of an intercom beeping.

The technician spoke into it, "Yes?"

A woman's voice reported over the intercom, " There's a flyer just put down in the silo. It had all the right signals, but it isn't one of ours."

Blake said, "Let them through."

The technician said into the intercom, "Let them through." The intercom link shut off. "Is that wise?"

Blake said, "We don't want them damaged, do we? Get me one security guard. I'll deal with it."

The technician said, "Send a security guard to my office, will you?"]

Nalini shouted, "Stop the recording."

Rondor said, "Blake's man doesn't seem to think it's a good idea to let Avon and his crew into the base. And Blake wants a security guard with him when he meets Avon. I think you're right Nalini. Blake didn't trust Avon."

Paraic turned to Nalini, "You might have something. Blake said he was going to deal with Avon. You don't say that if you're going to meet with an old friend."

Avalon said, "Continue the recording."

[Tarrant asked, "What on earth happened to you?"

Blake responded, "Oh, most of it wasn't on Earth, Tarrant. Not what happened to me."

A woman entered with a pistol ready in her hand. Blake turned to look at her. Tarrant immediately kicked the gun out of Blake's hand. He shoved the woman into Blake, and bolted out of the room, strong-arming Deva who tried to stop him.

The woman pointed her gun at the fleeing Tarrant's back while Blake held her. She asked, "Do you want him killed?!"

Blake continued holding her, "No, of course not! When he knows as much about this as you do now, he'll join us, like you did."

The woman asked, "He passed the test, then?"

Blake said, "I'm satisfied."

The technician had recovered and was holding a sore elbow. He crossed over to Blake. He seemed angry. "These stupid games you insist on playing, Blake, will get someone killed eventually."

Blake said roughly, "I have to test each one myself."

The technician yelled at Blake, "No, you don't have to! I set up systems for that. I broke the security codes on their central computer. I got us access to official channels, information, everything we could possibly need! You don't need to be involved at all."

Blake said heatedly, "All right, I find it difficult to trust. It's a failing, I admit--!"

The technician's eyes flashed and he gestured angrily. "And any one of our people could select the people you've collected. You don't need to do the bounty hunter routine, either!"

Blake said in a low voice, "Indulge me."

The technician's face became resigned. He asked in a tired voice, "Do I have a choice?"

Blake said, "Oh, there's always a choice, Deva."

Deva, still holding his sore elbow said, "Not for me, there isn't. I said I'd follow you, and I will, until the Federation's finally destroyed." His voice rose again and gestured, "But if you're killed, where does that leave us?!"

Blake stood up, and with a persuasive voice said, "With a base, the beginnings of an army!"

The technician sounded as if he was trying to talk some sense into Blake, almost pleading with him, "All of it useless if you're not there to lead it."

Blake removed his gun and set it on the console. "You worry too much, Deva."

Deva said with frustration, "Somebody has to."

The female security guard who had come in answer to the summons had been standing in the background, she said, "It might be an idea for somebody to start worrying about the one we just lost."

Blake dismissively, "Why? He isn't armed."

The security guard said, "I didn't notice that slowing him up."

Blake said, "That's true. Relax, Deva. Nobody's indispensable."]

Avalon said, "Argus stop the recording."

There were perplexed looks all around.

Kendall said, "It seems I was right. It was all a test by Blake. To see if Tarrant could be trusted. But…it appears to be a poor test."

Paraic said, "I agree with Kendall, doesn't seem like a good test to me. Make someone believe that you're a real bounty hunter who is going to sell you. See if he reacts badly and tries to sell you in return."

Nalini said, "It's not a stupid test. It shows if someone is the kind of person who would sell Blake out."

Case said, "Even his man, Deva, thinks it's stupid. He said so."

Dr. Kendall said, "If I were to look at it from Tarrant's perspective, he is facing a man who is about to sell him for bounty. A person might be upset enough to consider bringing Blake down with him. Then Blake's test would be useless."

Nalini said, "But Tarrant knew it was Blake. He knew he would be selling Blake out."

Dr. Kendall pressed his fingers tighter, "But Tarrant thinks Blake is a bounty hunter. He would be selling out a man he believes is no longer dedicated to the rebellion and is only after profit. He doesn't see him as Blake the rebel because Blake doesn't act like one and Tarrant doesn't know him. So if Tarrant does try to sell his identity to Deva, it's not a good indication of whether he is a good man or not, or if he's only angry at Blake for selling him. Remember, he asked Blake what had happened to him. Tarrant believes Blake has abandoned the rebellion."

Paraic said, "Well, I don't know about any of that but from a tactical viewpoint, it doesn't seem like a smart thing to do. If someone is a good man, like Tarrant is there. Who stayed behind in order to give his crewmates a chance to escape. He'd try to get away and he'd think that Blake and everyone on the base is out to get him. Isn't that dangerous? Especially if he gets free and knows how to fight? Like Tarrant just did? Or gets hold of a weapon? That doesn't make any sense. Someone could be hurt or killed. Tarrant might get it into his head to do a little damage. He was an ex-Federation soldier like me. He'd know how to."

Case said, "That must be why Deva was angry and said it was stupid. Sounds like this isn't the first time that Blake has done this either."

Rondor was troubled, "Blake is taking an awful risk with his own base and his people. And it doesn't sound like he gives a damn. Deva has just warned him that he's going to get someone killed one day with these 'stupid games' and Blake wants to be indulged. I don't get it. Deva is talking about people getting killed, maybe his own people. Why would someone want to be indulged in that? I thought Blake was supposed to be a good leader? Are we sure these recordings are real?"

Nalini said, "I agree. These recordings must be faked. This man couldn't be Blake. He wouldn't be so callous about his own people. And he's too smart to do something as silly as letting someone believe he'd betrayed him and then let him loose on his own base. I mean, that's crazy. No one in his right mind would do that. It can't be Blake."

Paraic looked uncomfortable. "Well, I don't know about the crazy part, but Blake took big risks and his plans, well…they never seemed to be thought through very well. I mean, I've served under many commanders in the Federation and if anyone planned like Blake did, they'd have drummed him out long ago. I was with him on Jevron, his group and two of us ex-military ones. One of our patrols scouting the perimeter was wiped out. I told Blake that we should pull back and let things die down. But he wouldn't have it. He said that…" Paraic's eyes became unfocused. "… 'We still have the element of surprise. Even more so now with the patrol wiped out, security aren't going to expect another assault so soon.' That's what he said. I told him he was nuts. Any installation I ever served in, if there's any sign of trouble, the place goes on full alert and security is doubled for days after. No one goes home for tea and calls it a day. You'd be sent to the punishment cells if you did. I told Blake that he was going to get us all killed but he said that wasn't a good enough reason. I'd had it then. None of us was prepared to commit suicide to make some heroic gesture. I was going to pull my group out right there. But Blake said he was going with our help or without us. And…he just went."

Nalini said, "But you went in with him. You must have believed he was right at least a little."

Paraic said, "We didn't. I definitely didn't. Thought he was suicidal. But we couldn't let him go in alone. So like a bunch of idiots, we went after him." His fists clenched in anguish and his voice tensed. "We…I shouldn't have…Less than half my people got out. The other group, including Blake's…didn't at all. It was a massacre! We thought Blake had been killed…but we found him later. I never had anything to do with him again after that. I couldn't. How could I face my men?"

Rondor said uncertainly, "That…doesn't sound like Blake. At least, not what I've heard."

Case said, "That's not his reputation."

Avalon said, "I don't know what happened on Jevron, Paraic. And I don't doubt what you're saying. You were there and you lost men. Some of that sounds like Blake. Some...is not the Blake I knew. Yes, he was very focused and when he wanted to do something, no one could stop him. Very single-minded in purpose. I'm not unlike that myself."

Several of the others tittered and she glared at them. "You have to be like that sometimes as a leader. Or you'd never get the difficult things done. You need a strong hand and sometimes, we're wrong. We're only human. But the Blake I knew, came to my rescue when I needed him most. The Federation was breathing down my neck and I had to get out. I called the one person I knew I could count on. Someone who would come running if another person was in trouble. Blake came down and...unfortunately I had already been captured by Servalan and Travis. But he never gave up, he came back and found me and forced them to release me. Blake might be hard-headed and he might even break a few heads at times to get his way, but he was essentially a good man. He didn't think he had a choice. And I don't at times either. I don't know about Blake's other planning abilities but he did get me out, despite the Federation's trap. To me that counts for a great deal."

Case said, "Some thought he was a plant by the Federation."

Nalini said, "That's ridiculous! Next thing you'll be saying is that Blake was a spy for the Federation."

Dr. Kendall said, "I've heard those rumours as well but never gave them much credence. But…it is curious. All of the rebel groups that Blake has worked with in the past, they all ended up being destroyed in one way or other. It's very coincidental."

Avalon said, "That's just speculation."

"You're right," said Kendall. "We should not listen to idle rumours."

Avalon had been staring at Avon. "Avon, do you have anything to say?"

He stayed silent.

"Did you know what was on these recordings?"

When Avon still did not reply, Argus said, "He never knew this part. Only the end."

"Then why doesn't he say anything?" asked Avalon.

Avon said, "Argus…"

"I have to say something, Avon. Even if you won't." He addressed the assembled rebel leaders. "Avon knew how it would look for Blake if you saw these recordings. He didn't want to destroy Blake's reputation. He cared about him, even if he won't admit it, and he knew that the alliance needed Blake. He confessed at the trial…"

Avon's voice rose, "Argus!"

"I have to tell them, Avon. You can yell at me later." He continued. "Avon confessed because he didn't want the truth about Gauda Prime to come out."

Dr. Kendall asked with astonishment, "Avon was willing to die in order to save Blake's reputation?"

"That. And as payment for killing Blake. He did kill Blake. He's never denied that."

Nalini said incredulously, "I can't believe this. Are you trying to make Avon into a hero now?"

Argus said, "Avon would be the first one to tell you that he was never a hero and he never wanted to be one."

Silence fell over the room. Soft sighs of air passing through the overhead ventilation ducts were the only sound. If the combined thoughts in the room had been vocalized though, there would have been a cacophony of voices.

Avalon finally said, "I think we should continue with the recordings. That is why we're here. As for the rest, we will discuss them later."

She nodded to Argus.

**********

Argus scrolled through the images from the various security cameras.

Avalon said, "Wait. That's Avon's group coming in. Play it from there."

[Avon, Vila and two women (Vila identified them as Soolin and Dayna) entered the base from the launch area. Their eyes alert. Their weapons, the ones from the Scorpio, still holstered.

Vila asked, "What do you think this place is?"

Avon remarked, "Does it matter? We're here to find Blake. Let's get on with it." He led the way.

Soolin said, "Try to look casual, Vila. They won't suspect us if we act as if we belong here."

"Easy for you to say," said Vila.

A man with several days growth of beard and very little in terms of personal hygiene, walked pass them. He stopped and whirled around, his large, serious-looking rifle pointed at Avon. "I know you." He peered intently into Avon's face.

Avon said, "You must be mistaken."

The man's rifle was steady and pointed in the middle of Avon's chest. "No, I'm not. You're Kerr Avon. The Great Bank Fraud. Must have been…over ten years ago. There's still a price on your head and…" His eyes looked hard at the others. "Hands up, all of you! Some of you were with Blake." The way his eyes lit up, it was clear that he must have been adding up the reward money on all their heads.

Soolin's hand was a blur as she drew and shot in one motion. The man must have still been adding up very slowly when he fell over, an astonished look on his face.

Dayna looked down critically at the sprawled out bounty hunter, her gun also out now. "Nice shooting."

Soolin was sweeping the corridor with her gun. "I told you I was fast."

Avon bent down and picked up the bounty hunter's rifle. "So you did. Shall we go?"

Vila asked, "Are you crazy? The place is crawling with bounty hunters and we've all got big targets on our backs if you hadn't noticed. We should get out of here."

Avon said fiercely, "No! We came for Blake and we're going to get him."

Dayna was also looking around nervously, "Are you sure Blake is here? Would he be crazy enough to be in a place full of bounty hunters who might recognize him?"

"Then that's another reason to find him, isn't it?" said Avon as he continued down the corridor.]

**********

Argus found footage of Tarrant running through the base.

[Tarrant entered the tracking gallery and walked past a woman at the control panel. She spotted him and came around. "Hey, you. Wait a minute!" She reached for Tarrant, pushing him and with her left hand formed a fist. Tarrant did an inside block to push her hand away, reaching with his right for her throat and choking her into unconsciousness. The woman fell to the ground.

A technician had entered and saw them. He took a dive at Tarrant. Tarrant fell backwards but positioned himself so that he could kick the man away. The technician flew backwards and hit the ground. Tarrant tried to run but the technician reached around and put his arms around his neck.

The base alarm started sounding. The man kneed Tarrant in the side and the young man cried out in pain.

There was a shot and the technician fell as they saw Avon's group rush in. Soolin's gun still trailed smoke from shooting the technician. Avon saw the woman on the ground and covered her as he came down the steps. They all bent down and gathered around the injured Tarrant, Dayna helping him to sit up.

Avon said, "I'm glad you made it."

Tarrant said breathlessly as Dayna brushed his head, "So am I. Avon, I think he's here."

Avon and Vila look at each other.

The woman who had been unconscious before, started shouting into the intercom, "Security personnel to main tracking gallery. Security personnel to main tracking --"

Avon stood up and shot her.

Blake rushed in, followed by a woman aiming her gun at them.

Avon raised his own gun and followed Blake's movements as he came down the steps.

Tarrant was standing now and asked, "Is it him?"

Vila had a stunned look on his face and his voice didn't seem happy. "It's him."

Tarrant said, "He sold us, Avon. All of us. Even you."

Vila's eyes narrowed and his brows knitted while Avon lowered his gun and opened up his arms as he approached Blake. There was a look of disbelief on his face and his characteristically flat voice was full of question, "Is it true?" It was as if all of the emotions of pain, anguish and betrayal that had begun with Anna, finally erupted and he could no longer be the emotionless machine.

Blake said, "Avon, it's me, Blake." He moved towards him.

Avon put his hand forward as if to ward him off. He said, "Stand still!"

Blake stopped.

There was a look of pain in Avon's eyes and it was clear that he was considering the possibility that Tarrant had mentioned. That Blake had betrayed them. "Have you betrayed us? Have you betrayed me?!" Every word was filled with anguish and was reflected on his face.

Blake's voice rose forcefully, almost yelling at Avon. "Tarrant doesn't understand!"

Avon said, "Neither do I, Blake!" His face was one of a man who desperately wanted to understand why.

Blake was almost angry. "I set all this up!"

Avon's pained face hardened into anger and he shouted, "Yes!" He brought his hands together to hold the gun but turned it away from Blake. Avon's anger was momentary as his mouth opened and he stared at Blake, a shocked, sickening realization that another person had just betrayed him.

Blake moved forward again, his hand reaching out. "Avon, I was waiting for YOU."

Avon brought the gun around and prepared to fire.

"You're a fool, Blake," the woman accompanying Blake said with disgust.

They all stared at her in surprise.

The woman said, "This man is about to shoot you. Are you blind? It's evident he thinks you betrayed him. How much clearer can it get? All you had to do was say, 'no.' One simple word and you can't even manage that. I really should just shoot you and put you out of your misery before you get any more people killed." She smiled smugly. "But that is the point. We need you for that very quality."

Blake asked suspiciously, "Who is we?"

"The Federation, of course." The Scorpio crew all pointed their guns at her.

Deva rushed in, in a panic, "Blake! They've found us! The base is under --"

The woman shot him before he could finish. Behind him black-uniformed Federation troopers rushed in and pointed their guns at the crew. Deva fell to the ground.

The woman said coolly, "Be so kind as to drop your guns, all of you."

Three Scorpio guns hit the floor in short order but Avon kept his trained on her.

The woman said, "You and this nest of rebels are now prisoners of the Federation."

Blake looked sick. "You're a Federation agent?"

The woman said, "I'm a Federation officer. You told me that you couldn't tell anymore who was Federation and who wasn't. You were right. You haven't been able to in a long time. It made it very easy for us to keep track of your activities and guide them along. Not that we needed to much. You're oblivious, you don't even see that you're death to everyone you touch. Oh, you feel bad about it. But it never stops you. That was what was so perfect about you. You cared and people loved you for that caring. But that quality also made them blind to the fact that it never stopped you from getting more people killed. They're such fools, the rabble." She shook her head. "And so are you. But you're our fool. We made you."

Avon's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean, you made him?"

The Federation agent laughed. "I don't mind telling you."

Avon said dryly, "Since we'll all be dead."

The agent chuckled. "Some of you."

Blake went towards her.

The woman pivoted and shot Dayna. "Dayna!" shouted Soolin, but the young woman fell dead. At the same time, Avon had pointed his rifle to shoot the Federation agent but the troopers all trained their guns at him and he stopped.

The agent said, "One more move like that and I'll shoot another one."

" Alright! Don't kill any more people!" Blake put his hands up in surrender. "What do you want?"

Avon said, "She wants you, Blake!"

The agent smiled. "You always were the smart one, Avon. The only time we couldn't control him was when he was with you. But…even then, we did manage, until he got it into his head to destroy Control and Star One. Foster's destruction was brilliant. You did it twice to him and he never knew. Then Avalon, Kasabi, and Ven Glynd. All of the rebels who tried to unite the alliance. They posed the greatest threats to the Federation. And now your dismal little group here. No one ever suspected it was you. Your bumbling got them all killed. It constantly amazed me how you could think relying on luck was a good substitute for intelligence. But we made you. Of course, you're a bit broken now. We're going to take you back…" She smiled cruelly. "Just like we did at Jevron. A bit of fixing and mending and you'll be ready in no time. Our little puppet. After we're done, you won't be able to remember this delightful little conversation and even if you did, you won't be able to change anything. You're genetically programmed. We own you. Didn't any of you think it was suspicious that Blake had received conditioning to control him? But that we just let him run loose?"

Avon said, "The London."

The agent asked, "What about it?"

"I had always found it curious why someone would put a top technical expert, a talented thief and a first-class pilot on the same ship. Along with someone who has a pathological need to be free of the Federation. My guess is that you had always planned to have Blake escape. It was most likely already arranged before we left Earth. The Liberator coming along was pure chance."

Blake said, "You were controlling me the whole time?"

"Well, not the whole time. As I said, you…" She pointed her gun at Avon. "…were able to disrupt some of our plans. You managed to save Albion."

Blake seemed unsteady on his feet. "I don't understand…"

"Of course you don't. You never could. We encouraged those qualities in you. Just as your aversion to the idea of being a unifying force for the entire rebel alliance. We could never allow that. Not with your ability to persuade. It was the greatest thing you could have done for the rebels and we made certain that you would never do it. You were our finest creation, Blake."

Avon said, "But we broke the conditioning."

The agent scoffed. "That pathetic attempt? You don't understand. It can never be broken. It's part of his genetic makeup."

Blake's voice was tight, "You made me?"

"Well, more correctly, it was the Clonemasters. They created a detailed genetic imprint of you. The original you. And adjusted it for our purposes. Didn't you ever wonder why you can contain two opposite qualities at the same time? Of course, some of those were your very own. The arrogance of thinking that your way is the only way. The need to dominate and control everyone and everything. The inability to think beyond short-term goals. Your indomitable spirit and refusal to give up no matter how impossible the situation. And of course, your brilliant ability to persuade others. You're very convincing. For some people at least. Not the strong ones. But those weren't the ones we were interested in. It was quite beautiful really. You've done very well for us. We really should give you a medal but I doubt if you would appreciate it. You're the last one now. Someone destroyed the Clonemasters and their headquarters. The imprint is gone. You're very valuable to us because you're the last one. We have to keep you alive and safe. We have much more work left for you to do."

Blake's face had become pale. He put his hands to his head and screamed, "No! No! No!" He asked angrily, "How many? How many of me have there been?"

"Including you? And the two created for Servalan? Yes, she had two of you created. Not exactly copies though and they didn't contain your memories or personality. She never knew about those. Every clone created by the Clonemasters has built-in carrier signals on a non-standard frequency. There have been seven." She chuckled. "You do tend to get yourself killed a lot. But all in a good cause. Now it's time to come back to your masters, Blake. Like a good little puppet." The agent lifted her free hand and snapped her fingers. Three shots rang out and Vila, Tarrant and Soolin fell.

Blake shouted, "No!" His legs buckled and he fell back but Avon held him up.

Avon said, "Blake, run! I'll hold them off! They won't hurt you! They can't risk it!"

Blake grabbed him. "No! Avon! They'll kill you!"

Avon pushed him away and prepared to fire on the guards, "They'll kill me anyway! Run, Blake! For once in your irrational life, do as I say!"

Blake stood looking at him. There was sadness in his eyes. "Avon. I want you to know that…no matter what else has happened between us. I did care about you. I know it didn't always seem that way. I…had to complete my goals. I was obsessed. And that meant that I hurt the people around me. I used you. I'd like to believe that if they hadn't tampered with me, that the part of me that cared about you, was the real me. That the real Blake would never have hurt you or betrayed you. That we would have been the partners you always wanted. But…" Blake put his hand to the back of his head. "…I could never do that. I had to be in charge. I had to control everything. Damn them! Avon, if you have any regard for me at all, I want you to do one last thing for me. Of your own free will." He pressed up against Avon and whispered something into his ear.

Avon reeled back in shock, anguish reflected in his eyes. "No! I can't! Blake!"

"Avon, for once I need that icy logic of yours. We can't let them win! I can't."

The Federation agent moved forward, her eyes ripe with suspicion. "What are the two of you up to?" She raised her gun to point at Avon.

Avon raised his gun slowly, pain and shock on his face. "Not for logic, Blake." Suddenly he fired three quick shots point blank at Blake and he winced as if he had been shot himself. Blake's chest seemed to explode with sprays of red. Blake staggered back a little and then he took a few steps forward and fell into Avon's waiting arms. "Avon…" There was a smile on his face. "…my friend." He collapsed dead on the ground. The Federation agent and the troopers people seemed frozen in disbelief by what just happened. Then the agent screamed, "No!" She shot Avon.]

The screen became black. Everyone in the room stared straight ahead, with looks of stunned horror on their faces.

Cally shouted, "Avon!"