Little did Orakio know, but he wasn't the only one contemplating the night sky and the memories it invoked. In the icy winds of Frigidia dome, the fey, beautiful Laya De Cille recalled Lutz's awakening and the orders he had given so long ago…

***                                            ***                                            ***                                           ***   

Laya had waited in excitement for Lutz to awaken once again. She'd been a small child the first time she'd met the Algo's greatest telemental, but she could still remember every detail. She recalled Lutz laying his hands on her and declaring her a child of great destiny. She thought of the gentle touch of the ancient leader and the great power she had sensed coming from him. She remembered his ever-present half-smile and the impossibly ethereal beauty. And the last thing she remembered seeing was another Esper, one she had never seen before, young and dressed in jet-black, talking with Lutz while she had been attending him. Then she had fallen asleep from exhaustion. And now her week-old sister, still without name, would be brought before Lutz for naming.

Laya was startled out of her reverie by the excited shout from Lune, her best friend since childhood. His voice boomed through out the mansion. "Lutz is awake!"

She had gone back to the family quarters to pick up her sister to take to Lutz, and now she might lose her chance.  The senior Espers were speaking with Lutz near his cryogenic chamber. From their facial expressions, she knew it wasn't something pleasant. She glanced around and found Lune's distinctive mane of lime-green hair next to Mia's long red hair and Cilor's blue head. Quickly, she went over to them. Together they walked over to Lutz. She was about to speak, hoping the way her knees were knocking together would not carry over into her voice, when she felt the energy surge that accompanied a Ryuka technique. A green glare appeared, and then faded. All gathered were shocked, especially Laya. In the blink of an eye, the same black-clad Esper from 10 years ago had teleported into their midst!

"Hello, Noah. It's been a long time," the stranger said calmly.

One of the senior Espers sucked in an enraged breath at the stranger's presumption and said, "You will address the Reverent Lutz with respect or not at all!"  He released a fire spell at the stranger.

The stranger gestured casually, dissipated the magic attack, and said, "MINDBLAST."

Everyone present felt a surge of energy-dark energy-and the Esper who had attacked collapsed to the floor. "He still lives. Only unconscious. We were exchanging our usual greetings, Lutz Noah."

Lutz sighed and said, "Hello, Elric. I see you still enjoy making an entrance. Tell me, what brings you to see me so soon? And with the subtlety of a Mastodon stampede? I've only been awake for a few hours."

The darkly handsome Esper raised an eyebrow "The destruction of our home planet has a tendency to give everything a sense of urgency," he said in a wry voice. "Have the Protectors arrived yet? Or should we relive old times and it ourselves?"

A genuine grin crossed Lutz's face but then collapsed. "Sorry, old friend. The Protectors have the nei weapons we spent so much time forging and are on their way to destroy Mother Brain, even as we speak."

Elric shook his head. "That's not what I was speaking of. Didn't you feel it? Dark Force has been beaten, and has escaped the battlefield. He knows of the exodus from Palma. I have Alisa's secret. I have decided to go after it. I will wait onboard the flagship for Dark Force." A grim smile crossed his face. "How ironic that he will be beaten on a ship named for his mortal enemy!"

An appreciative smirk appeared on Lutz's face. "This will be our last meeting, Lutz. I fashioned the Telepathy Orb as you asked of me ten years ago. I now place it in your hands."

As he said this last, he withdrew a Laconian orb from his robes. Six inches in diameter, it veritably glowed with power. He tossed something at Lutz, which was caught in midair by the telemental's mind. Elric spoke again, a little more softly after he had placed the orb on a small pedestal. "I have placed all of my memories in that gem. When you decide to feel my presence, I will be in there. Your memories will go into the larger orb, so that when you are no longer here, you may still guide future generations with your wisdom." He paused again and said even more softly, "Lutz Noah, you have been a teacher, a father, and a friend. Thank you. I will see you in the Neisword."

With a final look at Lutz, he raised his hand and said, "RYUKA!" and was gone. Everyone was speechless, until Lutz noticed the infant cradled in Laya's arms. He smiled and took the baby into his arms. He looked at the rubies that glittered in Laya's forehead and the infant's and spoke. "The ruby marks these two as Handur'im edeva. 'Noble Bringers of Life'. She has great potential as Esper. She should be named Laya, which means 'Cup of Time'."

Lutz glanced at the stunned older Laya. "You are the child of great destiny from ten years ago. Come forward, for I have a gift and a mission for you."

Laya looked at the Reverent One, and approached him with great trepidation. He returned her sister into her arms and went into the Inner Sanctuary. When he returned, he had four weapons in his possession. "These weapons were shaped 400 years ago by my hands. Take them with you, because you will be going to help Elric."

Laya's mouth dropped in astonishment as she looked at the weapons, and then at Lutz in awe. The four weapons were a shot, a bow, a claw, and a slasher, each one seemed to radiate with untapped power. Lutz continued speaking as if he hadn't even noticed. " You will take a group of Espers into the shuttle hidden in what's left of Skure. You will then board the flagship, as Elric has done. Once there, you will wait until you feel Dark Force's Black Energy Wave. Once you do, you will destroy him. Any questions?"

Laya finally recovered herself and shook her head. The Reverent Lutz had given her a command, and she would complete it, or die trying. "I will prepare to leave immediately, Tir'ri."

Several Espers gasped at her use of that term. My Lord. No one but the Farrus, the steward of Esper Mansion while Lutz slept, could call him that. And this impudent child dared…

The Archwizard of Algo frowned at each Esper in deep disapproval, hearing their thoughts and making clear what he thought of them, but to Laya said, "Come forth, child. What is your name?"

Laya smiled shyly as she spoke. " My name, my Lord, is Laya. The infant you named is my little sister."

Lutz laughed lightly at this. "I seemed to have given your mother a small quandary for the future. But I have only given you part of my gift. Place your hand on the Telepathy Ball."

Laya did as she was told, and was startled when Lutz put his hand over hers. He uttered a few words, and at the end of the lengthy spell, she felt a new power awaken within her. She looked at Lutz in wonder, and her eyes asked him what had happened. He spoke to her with his mind, blocking everyone who might be able to listen in. I have granted you my most powerful attack, Megido. It is more powerful and destructive than the painful Megid created by the Nei weapons and won't harm you. Its awesome power comes from the rage of the soul and is quite…effective. The whole speech took less than a second, and the next was spoken aloud. "Now, go, Laya, woman of destiny, and destroy Dark Force!"

***                                            ***                                            ***                                           ***   

Orakio brooded within the control center of his flagship. The escape had gone on without a hitch…almost. Fragments of Palma had hit the Palman Exodus, the Another Chance, the New Camineet, and the Parolit Hope. The Another Chance had been knocked into an orbit around Motavia, with almost no survivors. The 30 who did make it out alive had landed on Motavia to pick up what supplies they could for his Alisa III. The Parolit Hope and New Camineet had been destroyed outright. The Palman Exodus, however, had suffered much lighter casualties in comparison. Even now, he was preparing to board his private shuttle to begin the evacuation of the survivors of the damaged ship onto his own. His father had been among the millions who had died in the initial impact. Feeling the beginnings of guilt and grief coming, he quickly got up and went to his shuttle. As long as he kept moving, the wrenching pain did not catch up to him. "This is Orakio Sa Riik. Launch all spacecraft and prepare to enter the remains of the Palman Exodus. The robots have done their best to create a temporary spaceport, but it is highly unstable. We have to evacuate the ship quickly. It is unknown how many may require medical assistance, but they are our first priority. The Blink drones ought to be able to keep them stable long enough to get them to the Alisa III. Over, and out."

As he guided his ship to the remains of Dome 4 and the temporary spaceport, he tried to forgive himself for not insisting Kirzan come with them, even though it had been his father's quick thinking that had prevented the same disaster that had befallen the Another Chance from occurring to the Palman Exodus. His conscience nagged him about the fact he was missing the birth of his first-born, and how willing he was to trade the lives of everyone on the Palman Exodus to have his father back. Sumire, his wife, had understood his responsibilities and had promised to name the baby boy the way he had wanted; Canaras, a Motavian word the meant 'Successor to the Father'. Finally, he sighed, pushed all thought of the past out of his mind and focused on the present situation. Once inside the air bubble of the spaceport, he landed and opened the hatch. His robots marched out and established a fearsome perimeter under the direction of Deikon, the chief of security for the fleet. Once the perimeter had been built, he had set up checkpoints to admit the evacuees. Orakio glanced at the formidable array of robots. Wren commander androids, Warren, Siren, and Browren combat droids, Whistle, Tracer, and Informant shock troops, Polezi, Poleziax, and Poliziss soldier droids, even a few Dominators and Life Deleters protected the LZ. "Is the com up yet, Deikon?"

The brown-haired young man glanced at Orakio. "Just about, sir. Timothy says you should be able to speak to all the remaining domes from there-" a quick point at the holo generator they had brought with them-"and then we can get out of this place. Navigation says it'll fall into the remains of Palm and be ground up into little pieces in 37 hours."

"Alright. I'll order a general evac begun. And be careful. This place looks like it'll blow up in our faces."

***                                            ***                                            ***                                           ***   

People had started to flow in from Domes 1,2,6, and 7 to the slapdash spaceport. Deikon's grim-faced troopers had kept everyone in line, and away from the unstable power generators that surrounded them. Orakio had watched people herded onto shuttles, the tears of the grief-stricken, the moans of the wounded, so many sounds that could not but force a heart to pity. He allowed the emotion to show on his face, mindful of his long-ago teacher's admonitions about leadership.  The compassionate leader is the beloved leader. But you must rule with eye and claw, the hawk among lesser birds, lest they learn you are not a greater than they, for why would they obey one who is like them? People must believe their leaders are of better stuff  than they themselves are.

Shuttles had been launching for close to 12 hours, and most of the people had been removed from the wreck. A reactor leak had forced Orakio and his men to don zirconian armor to protect against the heat. Even so, it hastened the evacuation considerably. "Sir? The ship is almost empty. Estimate 20 minutes before we leave this hellhole."

A smile appeared on almost everyone's face. Almost done! And without a single shuttle lost! Orakio had begun to leave the hallway to his shuttle, when a youth ran into the spaceport and near one of the dozens of unstable power generators. Irritated, he turned to Deikon and ordered, "Give me three Polezi and a Browren. I'm going to get him and go. Those things could blow at any second!"

Quickly running toward the boy, they had reached him when one of the Polezi said, "Danger! Danger! Reactor critical. Meltdown in 5…4…3…"

"Browren! Command authorization Riik-2630-Alpha! Priority: Activate Barrier!" Orakio snapped.

The Browren obeyed, and not a moment to soon. As soon as the energy shield had gone up, the generator detonated in a single radiated blast, taking out the three hapless Polezi. Orakio had thrown himself and the boy near the Browren, and the shield had just barely survived. Grunting, Orakio pulled himself up and gave the boy a hand. The teenager looked at him in awe and gratitude. "Come on, kid. You can come on my shuttle. And then explain why you're late. Deikon!"

"Yes, sir?"

"Make sure to do a life sign check. I want to be sure this is the last one left. And pull out of here. I don't envy ourselves the task of dealing with the refugees."

Turning, Orakio walked to his shuttle and opened the door. The boy stooped to pick up the wrapped package that he had been running with, and jogged after him. Going through the pre-launch checklist, Orakio evaluated the boy. Black-haired like himself, the boy had shrewd blue eyes and a certain amount of charisma and arrogance shone from them. Tall and broad-shouldered, it was obvious that the he had undergone some physical training. Deikon walked in and sat down next to him. "All set, Orakio. We can leave when you're ready."

"Good. Let's go, before Palma swallows us up too."

Suiting action to words, he pulled out of the wreck, and oriented toward the Alisa III. It would be about 4 months before they left Algo, and 8 months after that they would arrive at Copto. Even now, the world-ships that had decided to land on Motavia and Dezolis would take a month to get there. Recalling the boy behind him, he turned to him and said patiently, "Well, kid. Start explaining. From the beginning."

The youth hesitated for a moment, shrugged and began to speak. "My name is Galen Magus. I used to live in Camineet with mother. My father left us five years ago and never returned. He insisted in training me to use a sword and Techniques."

"You can use Techniques?" Orakio asked in surprise. While Tech-users weren't exactly rare, they weren't very common either, especially in one so young.

The boy nodded and continued to speak, "My father taught me. He told me I was a descendant of the-what are they called in the old tongue again? Oh, yes. Ros'azh'im. That means-"

"Literally, dragon warriors. But used to mean Dragoons. But all the Dragoons' descendants are members of the Elite Guard, due to the breeding program they instituted!" Deikon protested.

A grim smile crossed Galen's face. "I know. When I called him a liar, he showed me this."

And with that, Galen removed the wrapping from the package he had been carrying, revealing a blue sword that seemed speckled by black stars. The hilt was ornate, with a dragonhead at the tip and wings spreading as the guard, with an onyx in the center.

Orakio knew of one type of sword like this and looked at Deikon in wonder. "A Force Sword. Second only to Laconian Swords, and not by much. Better even that silver and plasma swords."

Deikon nodded bewilderedly. "But I thought all knowledge of how to make them was lost during the Dragoon Wars. And not only that, look at the hilt. Dragon wings and an onyx! It has to-"

"Yes. It belonged to the Archdragoon Azhrei, warmaster of the Dragoons. My mother was one of his descendants, and the sword was passed down to for 20 generations. We were assigned to Dome 5, the dome to the left of the engines. She sent me on an errand to Dome 6 right before the disaster. I went back to Dome 5 to recover this. You saved my life, and the only way to repay you is to swear an honor debt. Galen Magus, descendant of the Archdragoon, is at your service."

The boy bowed to Orakio, who stared open-mouthed. He turned a pleading look to Deikon, who shrugged. Orakio had just decided to turn the boy down, but then he remembered 2 details. One, the only people on his ship he trusted were Deikon, Sumire, and Rulakir. An honor debt, however ancient, made the two bound by trust. Two, to refuse an honor debt was a horrible insult, and the boy was within his rights to skewer him. And he was proud enough to do it, too. With a defeated sigh, Orakio said, "Alright, Galen. You win. In the name of the Sa Riik family, I accept the debt, and the honor."

Galen bowed again. "How might I serve you, my lord Sa Riik?"

Orakio frowned and stated flatly, "Drop the formalities, kid. Just call me Orakio. And you can help me by assisting in the organization of where people will go when we land at my flagship in a few more minutes."

"Yes, m---I mean, Orakio. If I may ask, may I continue my sword training? No good being honor bound if I can't protect you," Galen said earnestly.

Deikon and Orakio shared a grin. "Kid, no worries. We'll teach you everything we know."

***                                            ***                                            ***                                           ***   

Laya smiled happily. No sooner had they launched than they received orders form the flagship to rendezvous with a damaged ship and evacuate the survivors to the flagship. They had gone to the coordinates provided and landed. While people were boarding, she had caught sight of a handsome dark-haired man that had set her heart a flutter. Once they were at capacity, they left the wreck for the flagship. Once there, they had quietly changed shifts and entered Aerone, the command and control center of the ship. They had gone to the local inn, and learned the layout of the ship from the computers in their rooms. Gathered now in Laya's rooms, they debated on where to head to next.

"I say Dome 2 and the Capital City," Laya began, obviously the leader in spite of her youth. Such was the obedience and devotion Lutz inspired in all Espers. "Dark Force will start with those in power and manipulate them into doing his work for him. At the capital, we can observe and intervene as necessary."

"And how exactly can we intervene?" Master Teacher Liradi asked curiously.

Laya looked at him, annoyed, and irritably began to speak, "How else? Weave a spell or two here, whisper a word or two there, twist a few arms--" and stopped at the expression on her mother's face. "What?"

Jilain answered for her. "Laya, putting aside the fact that most of you are apprentices and we have children with us, I think Maia wants you to recall your history lessons."

Laya frowned impatiently. "I slept during your lectures. They were always boring."

Jilain laughed good-naturedly. "As you have made readily apparent! But I will bore you some more, nonetheless. Do you remember why we Espers had to leave Palma and Motavia for Dezolis, to go on the Farskon?"

Laya paused to think about it. Farskon meant "silent passage" in Esper, the term they used to refer to their relocation to Dezolis. This had occurred 400 years ago, after the Dragoon Wars.

"Stileco. In spite of the fact it took three Espers to help defeat him, people became prejudiced. And when Mother Brain went online, public opinion was influenced against us even more. So, under the direction of Lord Lutz, we ran away before a second Kazdegla could begin."

At the word Kazdegla, everyone shuddered. "Long killing time" was an accurate name for that time of murder. Two millennia ago, the Esper Medusa had led a band of heroes against Dark Force and beaten him. Taking control to help rebuild Palma after the defeat of Dark Force's legions, she had become infatuated with power, and went from benevolent despot to merciless tyrant. She created monsters through the power of her magic. Her comrades, Perseus, Atreus, and Mieu, had led the people in rebellion against her. Emotionally unable to execute her, they had let her escape. The people had proclaimed Perseus as King of Palma, while Atreus and Mieu married and became his chief advisors. Unfortunately, Perseus and Atreus were both killed in battle against a remnant of Medusa's followers a few years later.  The grief-stricken Mieu, chosen as Regent, then ordered all Espers to be killed on sight. Hundreds died before Zeon, Perseus' son, came of age and ordered the Purge stopped.

"Alright, then what can we do?" Laya asked somberly, her usual fire dimmed.

Just then, Cilor and Jin walked in. "We're going to Dome 6 and the governor's seat. And you-" he said firmly while pointing at Laya-" are going to become Governor of Dome 6."

All jaws dropped at Cilor's presumption, including Laya's. The blush she felt on her cheeks as Cilor gazed at her also exasperated her. She had fallen hard for Cilor since she had been twelve years old. That arrogant, insufferable half-breed is also impossibly blind, she reminded herself angrily. Cilor, like Jin, Ky, and Millia, was not a purebred Esper, but a cross between an Esper and a normal. Physically stronger and faster, his magic was equal to hers as well, despite the dilution of Esper blood. But no matter how angry she got at Cilor, the pure, caring heart he tried to hide under the thick veneer of arrogance, sarcasm, and cynicism still drew her to him like a magnet. Jilain distracted her from her musings. "And how would you--"

"Know? While you've been wasting time chatting, Jin, Inej, Vel, and I have been out on the streets learning all we can. Seems the former governor of Dome 6 killed himself and his wife after he found out she was having an affair. Killed the Vice-Governor, who just so happened to be the lover. The leader of this ship, Orakio Sa Riik, is looking for a replacement. And you, Laya, are going to be that replacement." Cilor stated imperiously.

***                                            ***                                            ***                                           ***   

Frustrated and furious, Orakio paced his expansive office at an erratic pace. Two Warren-286 combat droids, predecessors to the Browren-486, stood guard with a Wren-586 supervising. Those idiots Jano and Tellurian had thrown everything out of loop. They had successfully undermined a great deal of his authority over the fleet, impugned his reputation, and forced him to waste valuable time to find a suitable replacement. If those two incompetents had still been alive, he would have---

"Sir? Security says we have a visitor. He is apparently unarmed, but is wearing a type of armor. He claims to have an urgent need to see you. Shall I let him in?"

Gritting his teeth, he turned around and headed to his desk. The graphite suit he was wearing offered minimal protection, but was better than carbon and fiber suits and less obvious than body armor. It also offered plenty of places for concealed weapons. On his person, he had two Laconian throwing daggers his father had given him in his boots, a plasma dagger in his jacket, and a sonic gun in his pocket. Those weapons would let him hold out long enough if his droids were destroyed to get security in. He sat down in his chair, presented the android with his coldest face and said, "Alright, Siren. Let our mystery guest in."

As he turned his chair around so he couldn't see his visitor, he wondered about his old friend Rolf Atheling. He had heard all about Rolf's "crimes" against Mother Brain, but doubted what he was told. Rolf, Deikon, Rulakir, and Orakio had all grown up together on Motavia, where Kirzan had sent his sons for training under his best friend, the Old Master Ginaz. When Mother Brain had forbidden space travel, Kirzan had contacted the renegade Tyler to bring them back in five years time, when their training would be over. He had unexpectedly gained a daughter-in-law and a nephew when Sumire and Deikon had joined them, Orakio reflected humorously. Besides, even if the accusations were true, the Old Master had ingrained in each of them a deep sense of honor and chivalry. Someone who had trained under the swordmaster of the Dalvel'im had to have a deeper reason than mere chaos…

"Orakio Sa Riik! I see you haven't changed! You go into a combat trance, and come out of it with a victory at your feet!" A familiar voice cut into his musings, merry with mischief.

Orakio whirled in his chair, astonishment contending with delight. "Hawat! What in Algo are you doing here?!"

The armored warrior laughed indulgently. "And as diplomatic as ever! How did you sweet-talk my little cousin into marrying you? Light knows you're nothing to look at!"

A mocking grin crossed Orakio's face. His black hair and eyes made him a rarity among Palmans. His rugged good looks and sharp intelligence made him just as attractive as the green-haired, gray-eyed warrior who looked like a hawk being flown at prey. As he embraced him, Orakio retorted, "And you're as vain as ever! Has your swordsmanship improved, or are you still thrashing about? I thought you were still on Motavia, trying to earn warrior rank! The Old Master must be tired of seeing your clumsiness!"

The laughter and the smile died in Hawat's eyes. "I'm the new swordmaster of the Dalvel'im. My great-uncle was skewered by a Tiya'im. I was chosen to succeed him, and I chose to have us follow you out of Algo."

Orakio hid his emotions behind a steel mask. He had been very fond of the Old Master, and his death hurt. He also concealed a shudder. Tiya'im meant "Lost ones", which was an apt name for those miserable people. The shadowsabers used by the Dalvel'im corrupted the weak-willed and evil people who dared employ it. What was left after the transformation wanted only to kill, and had to be killed before it could escape. Before leaving, one of his training partners had been distorted by it, and he had been forced to kill him in single combat.

Hawat sighed in annoyance before saying, "And you remain skilled at the art of being unreadable. Not even the Old Master could tell what you were thinking unless you told him. Are you this callous when you're with Sumire?"

A small, sarcastic smile curled Orakio's mouth. "You must visit my home, Hawat. I think it's time you met your new cousin, Canaras."

Hawat's jaw dropped in astonishment, but before Orakio could do anything but look smug, Siren addressed him again. "Sir, we have two new visitors. Security says that they are interested in the Dome 6 governorship and are unarmed. Should I let them in?"

Orakio glanced at Hawat. "If I were you, I would disappear. They're expecting to see a harmless bureaucrat, not a fierce warrior."

Hawat considered it, nodded in acquiescence, and walked out the side door, but not completely closing it, Orakio noted. He made himself presentable, sat down once again, and ordered, "Let them in, Siren."

The blonde young woman who walked in seemed was so beautiful that it took all of Orakio's self control not to stare. A ruby glittered in her forehead, and she walked with the self-confidence of a woman with breeding and intelligence who knew her worth. He had to remind himself he was a happily married man with a baby boy to prevent from making a fool of himself. The blue-haired man who walked in with her had the composure of a warrior, and could possibly give even Hawat trouble. Calmly, he gestured for them to sit. Once they did, he caught the blonde's eyes and waited for her to speak. It had been obvious who was in charge, and he would deal with her first. They were an odd blue, which seemed to glow like sapphires. With a hesitant glance at her companion, she began to speak to Orakio.

"Excuse me for the inconvenience, Mr. Sa Riik. But there is a vacancy in the governorship for Dome 6, and I would like to apply for the job. My name is Laya De Cille, and this is my assistant, Cilor Ra Mira."

"Do you have any experience at managing large numbers of people?" Orakio asked.

"Yes, sir. I was in charge of moving people onto the worldships when the whole exodus began, and I also assisted in helping people off the Palman Exodus. I am unsure of how I'll do managing a dome, but I promise to do it the best of my abilities."

"Is that so?" Orakio said in a casual tone belied by the fierce ruthlessness in his eyes. The blonde girl flinched. Orakio continued to gaze at her hard, trying to see beyond the face with all its honesty and innocence. He saw competence and youthful determination. She's no more than 18. And at 24, you're an old man. But there is definitely something about her. Something more than what meets the eye. "Could you please wait outside while I confer with my advisors?" he added politely.

The girl and her associate nodded, and left his office. Orakio counted to ten, turned his seat around to face Hawat and said, "Well? You're supposed to be the one with extrasensory perception, not I. Why do I feel like giving her the job without even bothering to check her credentials on the computer?"

Hawat nodded, his face betraying his unease. "So, you felt it as well. It seemed to be a subtle telepathic influence. I almost didn't detect it. I can assure you that it was not a trained influence. It was more of an instinctive hope beating at your will."

Orakio nodded. "Siren. Bring Deikon here."

The redheaded android nodded once, and walked out. Orakio calmly checked into the personnel logs, and looked up Laya's name. Talking mostly to himself, he recited the data. "Born AW 1268 in Scion…child prodigy completed course requirements in half the time…graduated with degrees in political science, business, public relations and management…assisted in evacuation of Scion and Gothic…It all checks out. Where is Deikon?"

As if summoned by Orakio's statement, Deikon walked in. "Well, what do you need Orakio? I have a lot of work to do. Hawat?! What in Algo are you doing here?! I thought that you were-"

"I'll explain later, Deikon. What do you know of Laya De Cille?" Orakio asked, skipping the usual niceties as well.

"Laya? I met her on the wreck while we were evacuating it. She and I chatted rather quickly, but she had this…presence I guess you'd call it that kept the people that went with her so calm, it was eerie.  She definitely has talent for the management of people. Why? Did she ask for the Governorship?"

"Hmmm…. her credentials certainly makes her the most qualified to lead Dome 6 of all the people I've seen so far. Do you remember the way that idiot Durasta tried to finagle his way into the Governorship?"

"I do. That was before I had him removed to the deepest, darkest holding cell on ship, correct?"

"Indeed. Trying to bribe me when I led the coup that ousted him and his ilk for their corruption…"

Hawat interrupted before Orakio could continue. " It seems wise enough to place her there. She definitely has talent. And her instinctive telepathy would certainly smooth over most political quarrels easily."

"I agree. Siren, ask Ms. De Cille and Mr. Ra Mira to rejoin us."

Quickly flanking him, Deikon and Hawat prepared for any trouble that might occur, a habit Orakio found truly annoying. He was just about to order them to break it up, when Laya reentered the office. She sat down hesitantly, and faced Orakio. He began to speak in a voice that brooked no argument. "Laya De Cille, after due deliberation, it is my opinion, and that of my advisors, that you would be in a position to do great good as Governor of Dome 6. Please do not disappoint our confidence in you, Governor De Cille."

Laya, who had looked nervous in the beginning of his monologue, broke into a wide smile that made it seem like Algo had risen on Palma one last time. It enhanced her beauty so much, that Deikon had to elbow Hawat into something resembling warrior poise. "Thank you, Commander. I promise I won't fail you."

***                                            ***                                            ***                                           ***   

Laya almost fainted as she walked out of the office. Though they differed in age and coloring, those relentless black eyes had forcefully reminded her of Lutz's merciless blue if you did something wrong. She had gone weak-kneed when she recognized Orakio as the man she had seen from the shuttle, and come close to panicking when he had ordered them out. Glad that she had allowed Cilor to…persuade a hacker to falsify records, and even gladder that they had not been caught in their half-truths, she couldn't wait to begin her new life. Cilor interrupted her private musings with a calm, casual tone of voice that was negated by his words.

"You felt it, of course. There was darkness in there."

She looked at him, stunned. She had felt it, yes, but had associated it with her nervousness. Now that they were away from Orakio's hard gaze, she recognized it for what it was. The same thing as what Elric had used on the Esper who had tried to face him. But not identical. She said so to Cilor.

"True," he admitted, surprising her by not arguing. "It felt latent, somehow. Maybe he is facing the darkness in his own soul, and what we felt was that. Either way, Orakio Sa Riik will bear careful watching. Come. We must tell the others. Damn. We might as well look like a couple. That's what they all think right now."

He offered Laya his hand, which she hesitantly took. And with that, the two Espers joined the crowd outside the Capital Tower and became anonymous.

***                                            ***                                            ***                                           ***   

"Laya De Cille. Does she have a husband? Would she like one?"

Orakio laughed cheerfully at Hawat's sincere expression. "You lecher! Even when we were children, you could think of nothing else except seducing every girl on Motavia into your bed!"

Giving Orakio his best innocent look, Hawat said, " You make it sound as if it were a bad thing."

Making a complex noise that was half-laughter, half-snort, Orakio walked toward Hawat. "Best let her be, Hawat. Did you see the way the man, Cilor, hovered over her? He definitely has a prior claim. And I don't doubt that he would give you one Hell of a fight for her. Anyway, since you're here, I'm going to make you in charge of training for military personnel. You might as well earn your keep, you freeloader."

"Quite a good idea. And I will enjoy giving the female students some…extracurricular activities."

"I knew the only reason you agreed was for that, you lascivious bastard."

"I try. It is the obligation of the Ginaz name to--"

"Oh, shut up!" Orakio said amusedly. "You have no shame at all!"

"Would you have it any other way?"