Part 4: Missing

Scott heard the yelling and thought, "Finally." Remembering his part in this, he grabbed Shiana's arm and said, "We have to leave. Now!"

"Rebels. How, by Shiggeru's soul…?" Shiana gasped. Scott didn't have time to talk. He began to usher her quickly off the dais. As he turned, his heart stopped. There were at least fifty rebels running riot down there, and from his position he could see Virgil turning to face one who was charging with a pike straight at his heart. Scott took a step forwards, yelling a warning.

Helena flung herself up, shoved Virgil out of the pike's aim, the blade catching him across one side of his chest. The rebel attacking him overbalanced and tripped forwards in front of him. More angry than hurt, Virgil caught him in an uppercut and the rebel fell, senseless. Virgil rolled from where he'd fallen, looked at Helena,

"You okay?"

"Move!" She yelled. Virgil twisted to avoid another pike and Helena scrambled to her feet. Virgil was forced to keep moving backwards on his back, with the rebel stabbing at him from above. Virgil's head hit one of the seats and he realised he was trapped; he could never get to his feet in time. The rebel raised the pike over him with a yell and he closed his eyes.

Seeing Virgil safe for a second freed Scott to act. He dragged Shiana off the dais and ran onto the ground behind the throne. Still, he was furious. The rebels weren't supposed to be so violent, and they were meant to be after him and Shiana, not the guests. Shiana clung to him as the rebels broke through the thin line of real guards; the ones who had come with him had been merely servants in uniform. Scott looked back, but he was unable to see if Virgil was all right. There was no time to waste. They dived through the opening along from the throne and down the clear corridor until they reached the gardens. Behind them, the sounds of pursuit got louder and closer.

"Where can we hide?" he demanded, "They're right behind us!"

"I, I don't know…" she looked around wildly, "I, the rebels, they c, couldn't have…"

"Come on!" He took her hand and pulled her deeper into the garden, past the statue where he had seen his brothers again, along to a series of taller rocks and barnacles. The place operated on a sort of tide, which refreshed the plants and little rock pool creatures every day. As they rounded the set of pink and green rocks Shiana grabbed his arm, pointing excitedly,

"There! The, the drains, we can hide!" She cried. Scott nodded.

"Okay, let's go!" The drains were set into the biggest rocks; they were holes big enough for them to get inside, and Scott lifted Shiana down into the nearest one as he heard a shout.

"There they are!" Scott looked up. The rebels were there and closing in. Scott let her go. She slipped and vanished down the drain with a squeal. Scott yelled,

"Hang on, Shiana!" He took one last look, and then he jumped after her, and into the deep, watery darkness below.

Virgil opened his eyes, surprised to find himself still alive and unhurt. The rebel lay in a bloodied mess in front of him, his glazed eyes open. Virgil blinked, and saw Helena stood over him, clutching a pike; her tall frame quivering and her face shocked and determined. Virgil scrambled up and stepped over the dead man, taking the pike off her.

"You okay, H…?"

Helena screamed; another rebel charged at the two of them. Virgil parried with the blunt end of the pike he was holding and smashed their attacker's weapon aside. He twisted in time to stop another one. Another flung herself at Helena, and he swung round, cracking her over the head. As the rebel went down he saw Gordon and the WASPs in a circle defending a group of terrified guests by themselves. He moved to help them, but Helena took his arm, and the sound of the trumpets filled the air, deafening him. He glanced around in surprise as the hall went quiet and the rebels appeared to fall back. Helena looked up, her lucid eyes tear-filled and hopeful.

"It's over?"

"I don't know." He saw more guards filling the hall, "Looks like the cavalry's arrived. Wonder what took them so long." The guards rounded up the rebels who were starting to struggle. Then the guards began to cut the rebels down one by one. Virgil looked away, disgusted. Helena buried her face in his chest, shaking. He gently stroked her hair, resting his own head against hers. The attack was over, but where the heck was Scott? He eyed the empty throne curiously. Where had his brother and the brat gone?

The tunnel went down for miles. Scott could hear Shiana in the distance, but there was no time to worry about her as water rushed over him and he was suddenly engulfed in it. He choked as the pressure carried him down into the darkness, then he was aware that he was floating in it and that suddenly the tunnel no longer surrounded him. He was thrown out of the tunnel by the rushing water and landed with a splash in a deep pool. The cloak he was wearing wrapped itself around his body, pulling him under. It took all his self-control not to struggle, to remember what he had been told, to let the water carry him to safety. Scott HHHhHHHH hhhh emerged gasping in a shallow area of the pool. He pulled himself free of the cloak and tore off the buckle at his neck. Discarding the cloth, he swam strongly to the ledge of rock and clung to it before pulling himself out onto the reassuringly solid surface. He spent a second there collecting his breath, then glanced about. Tiny bug-like creatures let out a dim, wavering light as he scanned the high cave, which stretched for a long way beyond him. No sign of her.

"Shiana!" he shouted. Then he spotted her struggling limply in the water, also confined by her clothes. He dived back in, guided her to the side and pushed her up onto the ledge. Her head was bleeding, and he cradled her gently. To his relief she was coming round. Her Atlantic eyes opened.

"Scott?"

"We're okay, Shiana. We got away." He eyed her professionally, "You seem to be in one piece, anyway. How's your head?"

"Terrible. I want to go home…" she moaned. Scott gently traced the wound. A scratch, he decided. She whimpered. Scott lifted her to a sitting position.

"We'll get home, Shiana. First we have to figure out where we are. Any ideas?"

"The, the drains go miles away from the Palace. Oh, Scott, we, we're in the Eerie Caverns!"

"Eerie? So I see…"

"No, it's where the worthless poor live! The starving and the sick…I, I want to go home!" she wailed. Scott nodded reassuringly.

"We will, honey. Just try not to panic."

"Panic?" She drew herself up, some of her old haughtiness returning. "I am not afraid of that scum. We must return to the palace at once so that I can have those who drove us here executed! They will pay for…" she wavered, putting a hand to her forehead. Scott steadied her; she put her arms over his shoulders. The pilot grimaced. Her bloodlust was as strong as ever, despite her fragile state. He let her kiss him, aware that they would have to get moving soon.

"Do you know how to get back?" he asked. She shook her head. "Then we'll have to find someone to help us. We'll leave when you're feeling better."

"Yes, Scott." She said. Her eyes filled with fresh tears. "Oh, they ruined it! They ruined our wedding!" she sobbed furiously and put her arms around him. Scott patted her head gently.

"Uh, yeah, my heart's broken, too…it's a real tragedy." And it had been a close thing, he thought wryly. He hoped Virgil was okay. When this was all over he would get a chance to make him understand. He felt the band of the watch on his cold arm. He lifted her gently to her feet. "We should move. Are you okay now?" she nodded, looking childlike and paler still in the thin light. Scott shivered. "I need to get warm and so do you. Why's it so cold here?"

"How should I know?" she sniffed. "This place is a wasteland. The people existing here are scum. There's nothing I need from them so why should I care?"

"You know, you're really not helping." He said. She scowled, and he took her arm. "Come on, honey. Let's start walking. I know we're gonna find our way home. Both of us." She brightened a little. They started to make their way into the coolness of the cavern. With Scott holding her arm and supporting her, she began to talk; her shrill voice dampened by echoes, asking him,

"Scott, what is honey…?"

Virgil and the Ambassador sat together while Gordon saw to the few cuts and scraped limbs that Marina, Troy and Phones had received during the mêlée. The Ambassador was gradually recovering, and Virgil's own wound needed dressing, but he had refused to leave her side until she came out of shock.

"Any more word on Scott?" Troy asked. Gordon wiped sweat from his face and shook his head.

"I haven't been able to get anything out of anyone. They're ignoring us." They had been escorted back to their quarters and given orders to stay put until someone told them what to do. Which they had done, crammed into one bedroom, for the last half hour. Virgil looked up.

"I saw him take the Empress somewhere. I don't think she's been killed."

"We don't know that, Tracy." Troy muttered, "They probably think that we had something to do with the attack. It's no secret that you didn't approve."

"So, that doesn't prove anything…"

"Oh no, not until they decide that we'd make great scapegoats. Listen, Tracy, I say we grab the next guard and get out of here while we still have the chance. It can't be too hard to escape back to Stingray."

"Don't be ridiculous. We don't have our diving gear, anyway. They've still got it. And Scott must have known that this was going to happen." Virgil frowned, "He didn't want to tell us, though. Probably didn't think want us to interfere."

"Scott knew all along? Why on earth would he keep it to himself?" Troy asked angrily. "Look at us, we could have been killed…"

"Hermes." Helena murmured.

"What did you say, honey?" Virgil asked. Her attractive features were slowly regaining focus. She leaned into him, her supple frame relaxing.

"I think that her aide knows. Hermes knows what's going on. We have to ask him." She smiled thinly, "Scott told me that not much gets past him. He said that Hermes had been..." She frowned at Virgil, "You're bleeding."

"It's nothing. We have to find Hermes…"

"Oh, don't be such a baby." Helena got to her feet, shakily, and took the cloth from Gordon, rinsing it in the bowl of water. She attended to the scratch on Virgil's chest. "I shouldn't think they're in any danger."

"What about us?" Troy muttered.

"You said these people were peaceful. You were right. I don't think they want to provoke an incident." Helena murmured. Virgil stripped off the waistcoat and she wiped the blood from the vicious gash on his side. She smiled more cheerfully, "I'll see what I can do." Virgil watched her curiously. He felt her cool, no-nonsense fingers against his bare skin. She glanced up. Her light blue eyes brushed his. "Scott wanted me to stop you doing anything crazy." She added, thoughtfully.

"Sounds like you and he had quite a chat." He murmured.

"You saw I managed to get him that watch. That was important to you, I know." She pushed a strand of thick blonde hair from her face. "I'm sure he's okay – sorry." She pursed her lips as Virgil flinched. "Well, at least it's stopped bleeding."

"We can't wait here too long, Virgil." Gordon said. "We need to call base and Marineville."

"Gordon's right, we need to get back to Stingray." Troy agreed. "How do you feel now, Ambassador?"

"Well enough to attempt a bit of diplomacy." Helena stood away from Virgil, he stood up too, "Just let me speak to one of the guards."

"This could be tricky. We're locked in." Troy said.

"They'll listen." Helena walked over to the door. "I just hope it won't take too long for them to bring us some food. I'm bloody starving."

"I'm hungry." Shiana repeated. Scott didn't stop walking. The tunnel was evidently used sometimes by the poor wretches who subsisted on the meagre pickings this far from the city. Hermes' words came back to him, that Scott wasn't as important as the good of the people in this half-dead kingdom. Its leader had stopped and was sulking. He called to her behind him.

"Then you'll have to wait until we find someone."

"I'm not moving until you get me some food." She pouted, folding her arms. Scott sighed quietly and walked back. He took her arm, stared down at her patiently.

"If you don't move, I'm gonna have to leave you here."

"Pleeease?" she whined. "Scott, my feet hurt…"

"Listen, Shiana, I can't just magic food out of nowhere…"

"What's magic…?"

"…And if you don't come with me someone else might find you and recognise you. And you aren't the most popular person in this neck of the kingdom."

"Who dares to say that? The people love me!"

"Hermes mentioned something about rebels being from the poor end of town. I've a hunch this is what he meant." He folded his arms, "Now you can take your chances here but I'll tell you…this is one creepy place to hang around in."

"Humph." She put her nose in the air, "I am protected by Shiggeru."

Scott shrugged and turned around.

"Then you don't need me…" he began to walk on. She hissed after him,

"Uh, Scott, I think you should stay with me. For your own protection. You're safer with me…" he heard her feet slap on the black rock floor, but he kept walking, "Scott, wait! Honey?" she wailed. Finally he paused and she caught up with him. She punched him angrily on the chest, he grinned. "You…you lump of crab vomit…" she spluttered.

"Glad to hear you're back, Shiana." He said. She glared at him. Then her whole body stiffened and she turned her head, listening. "What is it?" He asked.

"Voices." She whispered. "Around the tunnel…"

"Okay. Get behind me." Shielding her, Scott cautiously crept around the corner until he heard the voices too. Three voices, coming from a larger cave off-shooting from the cavern they were in. Scott peered around the corner of the rock wall. His heart rose in relief. He brought Shiana closer, "I think we're in luck. Let's go and make some friends…"

"She's been gone a long time, Virgil." Gordon said.

"She's got a lot to ask." Virgil murmured. He glanced over at Troy, fast asleep on one of the beds, while Marina and Phones sat together on the other. Virgil and Gordon had done enough pacing that they hadn't sat down at all yet. Virgil frowned, looking at his brother then glancing once more at the WASPs. He put an arm over Gordon's shoulder, "Hey, have you tried to call Scott on the telecomm yet?"

"No. I didn't get the chance. I'll do it now?"

"Okay." Virgil covered him while Gordon lifted the watch. He whispered into it,

"Gordon calling Virgil. Come in, Virgil…" it was Virgil's telecomm after all. The signal would only respond to that call sign. "It's not working, Virgil." Gordon shook it, and then tried again. He looked at Virgil, concerned, "He doesn't answer."

"Must be ignoring us." Virgil said.

"What's going on?" Tempest asked from the bed.

"Nothing." Virgil sighed. He exchanged glances with Gordon. "Guess that's it."

"Well why would he ignore us?" Gordon exclaimed.

"Scott knows what he's doing. We just have to wait."

"You mean we should just sit here?"

"Yeah. We just sit here." Virgil walked towards the see-through section of the membrane around them. He gazed out. "At least until Helena gets back."

Gordon's reflection clearly wasn't happy.

Scott told Shiana to stay put and walked out around the corner into the wide cave beyond. The three people looked at him curiously. One was a man with dark, almost blue hair a little older than Scott. The other was a thin woman with greenish hair like Shiana's; in her late teens, and on Scott's appearance she called to a little girl of about five or six. They were gathering mussels and seaweed from the little rock pools in the damp cave. Scott stepped forwards and caught the older man's eye.

"Hi. Hi, er…my friend and I are lost and we were wondering if you could help us out. If that's okay. Hello?"

"You're a Terran." The man said. Scott nodded. He was never sure how they knew it, but they always did. The man frowned, "How did you get here?"

"That's a long and exciting story, friend." Scott looked closer at the man. He had a series of markings on one arm, like a shimmering tattoo that ran up in light red and green swirls to his neck. "I hope you're the person I'm looking for." The pilot said.

"I hope I am. Do you have anything you can give me and my sisters?"

"This." Scott removed the gold buckle he had saved from the cloak that had nearly drowned him. The man nodded,

"Then come and join us. I am Lageau. This is my sister, Finn, and my baby sister, Fran. We have shelter in the cavern where you can join us if you wish."

"Thanks. Is it okay if my friend here tags along?" Scott gestured back to Shiana. She walked over using her haughtiest step. She put out her hand.

"My Consort is…." She began. Scott stepped in,

"This is, er, my, er…" his throat suddenly felt tight, "My fiancée, Penelope." It had been the first name he'd thought of. He grinned. Lageau looked at him, Scott shrugged, and Shiana tugged his arm.

"Give me something to eat." She commanded Lageau piercingly.

"First you'll have to help us collect food." Lageau said reasonably.

"Whaaaaat? How dare you…!" Scott covered her mouth and tried to hide his growing smile. She struggled, and then went limp, fuming behind his palm.

"Sounds great." He said. Lageau nodded and tossed him a basket.

"You can start now."

At about the same time, Virgil had called base using the radio brought by the WASPs. As he made his report, Troy was snoozing, and so were Gordon and Marina. Phones was on watch but was actually looking out of the windows. Virgil told Jeff everything that had happened, up to Scott accepting the marriage, feeling some of the worry ease as he explained to his father about Scott's second mysterious disappearance.

"Obviously Scott is in on whatever they're doing. You don't know any more about the situation?" Jeff's gruff voice sounded concerned, but it reassured Virgil all the same.

"Not yet, Father. We're waiting for Helena to return now. She should be able to tell us more."

"Helena?"

"She's the Ambassador who came with us in Stingray."

"I see." Jeff said. Virgil was grateful that he couldn't be seen over the relatively old-fashioned radio. He sensed his face flush guiltily. "How did you find Stingray, anyway? Is it as fast as they say?"

"Oh, it's faster. Could even beat Thunderbird Four. Pity their Captain's a complete jerk." Virgil found himself saying. Jeff chuckled,

"It's not like you to take such a dislike to someone, Virgil. Still, he's meant to be the best there is."

"Yeah." Virgil glanced doubtfully at the snoozing WASP captain. "I still don't know how well he and Phones know Gordon. Didn't he ever do anything interesting in the WASPs?"

"Apart from spending a year underwater? He was about to join the Submarine section of the outfit when I started this idea. Then he had the accident, and…" Jeff paused.

"Oh, I see. I never heard the full story. Anyway, you should have been at the wedding. Scott looked ready to faint!" he heard Jeff laugh and joined in.

"I can't imagine that! Wish I'd been there. Well, keep trying to reach him on the radio, son, but if he's ignoring the calls it must be for a good reason. We'll stand by here if you need anything."

"F-A-B, Father. I'll call you at once if we learn any more."

"I know you will, son. Now get some sleep. Meanwhile, try not to strangle Tempest. You might need his help later on."

"Yeah, and catfish are fighting rock snakes on Mars…"

"I heard that." Troy murmured. Virgil winced.

"Goodnight, son." Jeff said through undisguised laughter. Virgil switched off the radio and turned to Tempest, who was standing behind him.

"Do you have a problem with me, Tracy?" the aquanaut demanded.

"I only have a problem with the chip on your shoulder. Now, I'm gonna get some sleep before Helena gets back…"

"You two seem awful cosy." Tempest said, not budging.

"Meaning?" Virgil flexed his hand thoughtfully.

"I don't think you're including us in your little discussions. Maybe you should keep us more informed about what's going on, or you might put us at risk."

"I don't neglect my duty. I don't know what common practice at Marineville is. Maybe I don't think you're capable of doing anything on this mission. You've done nothing but gripe since we arrived." Virgil drew himself up. "Maybe we should have brought Atlanta along."

"Take that back!" the captain's blue eyes blazed. Virgil set his jaw. He'd had enough of this.

"Make me."

"Okay!"

"If you think you can beat me…"

"I'd like to see you try…!"

They circled each other like caged animals; glaring. Tempest swooped in with a fist just as the mirror door opened behind Virgil. Virgil ducked and the WASP captain careered straight into the person entering the room.

"Ow!" Hermes landed on his butt as Troy fell over him. Virgil stood over them both, and the others, woken by the argument, gathered round. An astonished Gordon grabbed Virgil's arm,

"What the heck did you do?"

"Oh, I'm sure Troy here'll explain everything." Virgil went to help Hermes to his feet. The older man looked surprised but unhurt. He brushed himself down,

"You young fools! What did you think you were doing?"

"Sorry." Virgil said. Tempest nodded, getting up.

"Uh, yeah, yeah, sorry."

"You idiots!" Hermes snapped, "I just hope that your brother isn't as frelling irresponsible!" He glanced at them, "I have a message from Ambassador Brown. She wants you to join her in the gardens. You only." He added, looking at Virgil. Troy rolled his eyes. Gordon frowned.

"How come, Virgil?"

"Because she wants to spend a little quality time with your brother." Troy snorted. Virgil walked past him,

"Shut up, Tempest."

As the door closed Gordon helped Tempest back to his feet. The WASP captain grunted,

"What's his problem?"

Scott dropped another slimy sea-creature into the basket and wrinkled his nose. Shiana gave another squeal and leaped backwards.

"It tried to bite me!"

"They can't bite you." Lageau said. Scott peeled another slithering creature off the wall and held it out; Shiana was sulking for the fourth time and had her arms folded and her back to him. He couldn't resist.

"Aaaaaaargh!!"

Helena's lovely face broke into a bright smile as Virgil entered the gardens. Hermes left them. Virgil smiled back at her, and then she startled him by hugging him tightly. Her face lifted up to his, and for a second they checked, then he relaxed and put his arms around her. She paused, stopped him leaning any closer to her suddenly dry lips.

"Come with me, Virgil." She said. Virgil reluctantly let her go. She took his hand and led him into the garden. "We have to get out of sight."

"Why?" Virgil sensed the ambiguity in her; her hand was smooth as the heat of the gardens swirled around them.

"I called you here because I wanted to get you alone." She said.

"Oh. Really?" Virgil raised an eyebrow and Helena smiled to herself.

"I need to talk to you." She told him, "Let's go over there, where we won't be seen." They walked past the rocks where Scott had taken Shiana, past them to another set of statues, to a bench beneath tall-growing seaweed rising out from a pool. She sat down on it and gestured for him to join her, and Virgil saw that she had renewed the blue sea-orchid in her hair, that her creamy skin was covered in a thin film of sweat. She returned his scrutiny, and tugged at the shoulder sleeve of the loose, shimmering toga she was wearing. "This thing makes me feel like an actor in some crummy Trek fantasy." She complained.

"Women always had the better outfits." He smiled, not really listening to her words, just the sound of her voice. Helena raised an eyebrow.

"You're certainly a case in point. Not that it's a complete loss…"

"Huh?"

"Er, Virgil, listen. I called you here because I want to tell you away from the others. It's important."

"Yes?"

"Virgil, this is the Prince of Calshoom and his aide, Demetri."

Virgil looked up in surprise. The kind-faced man from before was walking over, followed by the most repulsive man he had ever seen. Virgil drew back before he could stop himself. Helena put a warning hand on his leg,

"Don't react too badly, he's royalty…"

"It's just a, a shock, that's all." Virgil glanced at her, Helena moved her hand, and he stood up to meet the ugly man in flowing robes. A little closer Virgil realised that the man was merely extremely old, his dark eyes shone brightly from the withered face, but there was something about it that unsettled him, made him want to check that all his own features was still there. He forced a smile and shook his hand.

"Virgil Tracy? The Ambassador said that I should meet you, to reassure you about your brother. Scott is doing us a great favour, and his actions will save this Kingdom and its people."

"That's very kind but what the hell is he playing at?" Virgil asked angrily.

"Sit down and I shall explain. I am not as young as I was." The Prince sat in the edge of rock beside the pool. Virgil sat opposite, noting that Helena had reclined a professional distance away.

"So, what's the story?"

"Scott was being poisoned by the Empress' aide, Hermes…"

"That's why Scott was so ill? That sonuvabitch…"

"He believed that Scott was a temporary distraction and that if he died she would change her mind and marry me. But even if I did marry her, she had no will to help her people, and any the aide I sent would not be put to its use. The husband of the Empress has no rights in the running of this land, even if I rule my own cities at home." The Prince waited and Virgil nodded,

"So how did Scott help?"

"I decided that your brother must be saved, discovering as I did that he was also a member of the Terran organisation who saved us from the deadly sludge on the rig. I tried to explain this to the Empress, but she would not listen. I protected your brother so that he could aid us in the next part of the plan."

"Which was?"

"To take Shiana on a tour of the less-wonderful parts of her kingdom. To show her how bad it was and how a simple vow could change all that."

"So the attack at the wedding…"

"Was organised with Hermes' assistance. I had no idea that it would be so terrible." The Prince sighed, "But it was the best way to make Shiana trust Scott and to get her to the underworld. They escaped down the drains over there. They were washed out in an expected place, and by now, the palace guard should have joined them. He will protect them both in a prearranged scenario. When Shiana appears to have reached an understanding of her people's plight, we will find her and bring her back."

"And Scott can go home?"

"Yes, Virgil, Scott can go home."

"Are you sure he'll be safe out there?"

"He is not alone, but he will have to be careful. I think that if he has survived this far, he should return alive." At this Virgil frowned, scratching the back of his head. The sweat was tickling his shoulders, his neck.

"That's not the most encouraging reassurance I've ever heard. Isn't the poor area where the rebels came from?"

"The rebels come from everywhere. They do not know about our plans but they have spies everywhere. We must be careful. Just explain the outline to your other brother, but do not tell him everything until tomorrow." The Prince got up and smiled through crumpled features at the pilot. "Then we will begin an official search to draw attention away from the area the Empress and Scott are in."

"So Scott's not in any danger?"

"It'll be dangerous, but it's better than what might have happened. Trust me, Virgil Tracy. I believe your brother is a good man to have around when there is danger."

"Yeah. Yeah, he can handle trouble." Virgil folded his arms, "I still don't like it, but I guess I don't have much of a choice. Scott'll just have to cope for himself."

"The man with them, Lageau, is one of our most dedicated soldiers, Mr Tracy." Demetri told him. "He won't let anything happen to the Empress or Scott."

"Great." Virgil was still unconvinced but looking more resigned. The Prince smiled and patted his arm.

"Your brother is saving a whole Kingdom of people, Virgil. He had no regrets." With another smile, the Prince of Calshoom left and Demetri hurried after him. Virgil stayed where he was, arms folded, thinking. Helena touched his shoulder and he looked up, startled.

"You heard the Prince? Scott will be okay." She said. Virgil took her hand.

"I heard. I just don't like not being able to speak to him. I wish he'd told me."

"I guess he thought you would try and stop him."

"I wouldn't have. I just, I don't know. Scott's more than capable of looking after himself, I just…" Helena knelt beside him and she looked into his eyes. Virgil seemed hesitant and she tilted her head.

"Scott wouldn't want you to worry, Virgil. Oh, Virgil, it's so gorgeous here. Can't you just let yourself enjoy it for a while?"

"Depends on who I'm with." Virgil took her other hand. For a moment they just looked at each other. "I should get back and tell Gordon the news." He said. She could see in his eyes that he didn't want to. Helena wondered at herself, fooling around with a member of International Rescue.

"You know, it really isn't in the manual…" she murmured. Virgil's coffee-coloured eyes widened,

"What's that?"

"I was sent here to help you…"

"You have."

"Not really. This whole thing was set up before we even got here." Helena sighed. Virgil brought his handsome face closer to hers.

"That's okay by me. You didn't do any less than you could have." Virgil's intense dark eyes were suddenly uncertain. Helena lifted a hand to his face and stroked the damp hair from his forehead. The intimacy was finally at the right moment. She lifted her head and kissed him firmly on the mouth. Virgil's arms came around her; it felt as though the music from the throne room had surged into the gardens. His kiss was warm and more forceful than she would have expected. She was lost, and ran her hand across his chest; she felt his fingers run up into her hair. There was no need for words, just standing together in the garden for a time neither of them counted. Virgil nuzzled into her, and Helena smiled through the kiss, blinking to look at him. Sensing this, Virgil looked at her. They parted, he left a hand on her neck and she bit her lip.

"I'm glad we didn't wait any longer." She breathed. His eyes were bright and searched hers with a gleam that turned her legs to fluid.

"I can hear music." He murmured. Helena laughed and so did he. They embraced and then he slid his arm around her waist and they walked like that in the gardens together for what felt nothing like hours.

"Hermes, what a pleasant surprise." The Prince put down the cup he was holding and started to rise.

"No need to move, Prince, this is merely a quick visit. I came to ask why you have told his brother everything. I was under the impression that you would ask him to leave. Too much is at stake for you to tell a Terran all our plans."

"To start, Hermes, may I remind you whom you are speaking to. I'm not your child leader; I am the ruler of Calshoom. Secondly, I told his brother through the Ambassador. The girl clearly has affection for him that should cover any worries he has for at least the next few days. She understands the urgency and the need for this plot to succeed."

"Thank you for that warning, Prince." Hermes replied with a cursory smile. "However, I think that we should have her under constant surveillance from our guards. We need to make sure that idiot doesn't let her get into trouble."

"You really know nothing about International Rescue, do you, Hermes." The Prince sneered.

"I have decided that we will get her back in three days. No less. I will have her tracked down as of now. After that, she will marry you. Even if we have to kill the Terran and his guests as well to persuade her."

"Your Kingdom is as bloodthirsty as ever." The Prince shook his head, "You will pay dearly for condoning this violence. When I marry her things will be very different around here."

"Your idealism is…heartening, Prince. However well this ends, what we really need is for trade to return. New fishing grounds, and work for the people to do. And only you can do that. So the Terran must be disposed of. I've seen her, and she's quite infatuated with him"

"I hate you, Scott Tracy!" Shiana yelled angrily. Scott ducked as the slimy creature whistled past his head and splatted into the wall beside him. Shiana started to thump him on the chest until he gripped her by the forearms and stopped her.

"I never had a little sister. Guess it wouldn't have been all that different." Scott grinned. Shiana screwed her face up and glared at him.

"Why can't we go home?" she asked tearfully.

"We don't know how. These nice people are going to help us."

"Don't patronise me, Scott. Don't forget who…"

"How could I. But keep it to yourself, huh?" Scott released her and noticed she was shivering. He put his arms around her from behind. Shiana sighed and relaxed against him. The two girls had stopped to watch them. Lageau clapped his hands.

"I think we're finished here. We should get back."

"Then we can eat?" Shiana asked. Lageau smiled at her.

"That's right, Penelope - then we can eat." He started to make his way from the caves; carrying the baskets that were each half full with the collected creatures. Scott rocked Shiana gently from side to side.

"Well, Penny, whaddya say?"

"I'm not eating those."

"You're starving, aren't you? It might be all they have."

"But then they'd be…"

"Poor." He whispered. Shiana pulled away and gave him a fierce look.

"Stupid. Like you." She marched away. Scott wiped his face with his arm and breathed deeply, then followed. This was going to be harder than he thought.

"You sure took your time. Did she have anything to say?" Gordon lifted an arm to welcome Virgil back. His brother walked through the door, humming a jazzed up version of Dangerous Game by the Cass Carnaby Five, (or Five, as they now preferred to be known since Cass had gone on to pursue his own career). Gordon exchanged glances with Phones. Someone had scrounged up a pack of cards and the two aquanauts were sitting playing blackjack. Troy was fast asleep on one bed and Marina was watching the fish swim outside.

"Uh, yeah. Scott's being used by the Prince and co in a plot to make the Empress marry the Prince of Calshoom." Virgil landed on the empty bed, practically bouncing up and down on it. Gordon put down his cards and stared at him.

"Sure, that's a good reason to look like you just kissed the Ambassador."

"What?" Virgil went bright red. Gordon laughed in delight,

"I knew it! Troy was right!"

"Yay, Troy." The Captain muttered from the bed. Virgil just grinned.

"So, what happened? You crazy kids!" Gordon got up, genuinely curious. Virgil stretched out with his arms above his head and said,

"We talked, and walked in the garden for a while, and…"

"Yeah, right." Gordon shook his head, "Wow, Virg, I mean, it's been what, five years…"

"Uh, so what's the deal with Scott?" Troy asked, "Even though I can't wait to hear the details of your love life, Tracy, I think we should know what's going on"

"How's that eye, Troy…?"

"Come on, Virg, what did she say?" Gordon asked.

"What I already told you. Scott's being used to teach the Empress about the plight of her people. They're in the underworld." Virgil frowned, "That suddenly sounds a lot worse than I meant it to."

"I don't understand. How?"

"When they escaped the fighting Scott took her somewhere, and right now he's still with her and acting as her conscience."

"You're not telling me you actually like eating this filth." Shiana was finally whispering her insults at him instead of screaming them across the floor.

"My family would probably tell you I'd eat anything and frequently do. Even when I'm not this hungry." Scott gulped down another sea slug and raised an eyebrow, "Eat up, kid, it's good for you."

Shiana pouted, but put one in her mouth. The little girl laughed at the face she made. Shiana glared at her and the little girl just sniggered.

Five others had joined them in a small cave that had been cleared and made to resemble a home. Scott had been met with curiosity and Shiana was put to work helping to prepare the food. The sea people were relatively cheerful, although Scott understood that they had been luckier than most. Lageau kept a wary eye on the two of them even as the food was shared out. Shiana had lost her temper more than once, only to burst into tears and go running to Scott's arms. He would gently encourage her and send her back, even mucking in with the preparation himself. The slimy creatures needed careful slicing to make them edible, leaving only a small sliver of material that nonetheless looked completely repulsive. The other sea slugs were eaten complete, and Scott found them on the whole more filling. When they had all finished, the group began to talk.

"Are you going to ask them to take us home?" Shiana asked. Scott grunted,

"Soon."

"Penelope, come and play with us." Fran called. Shiana looked round. The little girl had a bubble about the size of an English soccer ball. There was another little girl with her and a boy. Shiana put her nose in the air.

"I don't play children's games."

"Ah, come on, Penny. A little exercise never hurt anyone." Scott got up and Fran threw him the 'ball'. He caught it and threw it to Shiana, who fumbled it and then kicked it back at him. She pouted.

"This is a stupid game – ow!" The bubble bounced off her head. Angry now, Shiana raced forwards and tried to grab it. Scott threw it back to Fran, who passed it to the little boy. The bubble shot past Scott and Shiana and hit Lageau on the head. Shiana laughed until it came back at her, and she dodged it with surprising grace and ran after Fran who ran off with it. The chase took them out of the little cave and further away. Scott shouted,

"Wait! Come back!" suddenly he was in a darker section of the tunnels. He stepped forwards, "Hey! Penny? Fran! You there!" he turned around to find his way back. They were probably already in the cave, and he'd let a few turns and a bit of darkness confuse him. Navigation was never his strong point. Scott heard whispering behind him and turned. Something white flashed out of view. Curious, he spun, hearing it behind him. The whispering became a hiss. He glanced as the white shape flashed just out of view. Then the hiss became a more insistent growl. Scott's mouth went dry.

"Shiana? Honey?" he tried to move as quietly as he could, and stepped backwards.

He banged into something white with huge eyes. "Arrrgh!"

"Ha! Ha!" Shiana danced away from him, her silver cloak making her appear ghostly in the poor light. Scott exhaled noisily, and, laughing, said,

"Good one, Penny. Now let's get back to the party…"

"Oh, after I lost you and the kids so cleverly?" she brought the cloak around her and went close to him, bringing her arms up around his neck. Her girlish face was paler still and she eyed him mischievously.

"Shiana, what are you up to?"

"Now we're here, and you're going to marry me, I thought that we could…" She kissed him insistently on the mouth.

"I…No. Absolutely not." Scott pushed her away. Shiana looked crushed.

"Why? I thought…" he silenced her with a guilty kiss and murmured,

"It's, er, against my upbringing." Well at least that wasn't a complete lie, "I was always told to wait. Until I was married." He could already hear Gordon laughing at him. Shiana's expression changed up to disappointed.

"Oh. Really?"

"Yes." He kissed her again, the taste of salt in his mouth, "And now, I need something to drink. Let's go back. We were winning that game."

"I was winning it…" She said as they started to walk back, Shiana on his arm.

"Yeah, right…"

"You were hopeless…"

"Well look who I had on my team…"

"You lump of…"

"…crab…"

"…vomit."

"You little catfish…" Both sniggering, they returned to the light in the caves beyond. When they did, Scott faced a very angry Lageau…