Well here we are. Huge things are now in the balance of Deirdre's decisions. The fate of every living thing on the planet, the well-being of the other factions. The possibilities for her ultimate destruction are increasing. Hopefully, for you readers, the suspense is growing. Well, have fun!



"Zakharov has contacted Memory, my Lady, requesting a communication outlet with you. Shall we put him through to here?"

Deirdre nodded almost absently. Why was Zakharov contacting her now? After three years of silence, what was so important about today? Well, she would find out shortly. Sitting up straight in the throne room of Gaia, she asked the aide quietly:

"How long has Channel 9 been dormant?"

That was how they had decided to protect the whereabouts of the Gaian cities. Memory of Earth was the only base that showed up on scanners, and was the only base that could be contacted by a foreign faction.

Communication pathways, as they were called, numbered in their thousands at Memory. These digital pathways spanned out like a web, passing through every city on New Island. In case these pathways were hacked into, the pathway of communication to each city would change every few minutes, erratically, without any discernable pattern. In this way, Deirdre could speak with all other faction leaders from Gaia, without them ever knowing where her city was to be found.

Physical searching was impossible as well. No foreigner was allowed outside of Memory, and the Guard enforced those laws. It made her feel much more secure, knowing that in no way could anyone ever pinpoint the location of her city. Of course, it meant that the beauty of Gaia would never be shared, but in her mind, Deirdre knew this was a small enough price to pay.

"Two weeks, milady. Would you like to begin the sequences from there?"

Nodding, she smiled at the young aide. Thomas was his name, the grandson of Marco. He was like his grandfather in many respects. A level-head, keen insight, and skilled psychic talents made him a prime candidate for Empath Novice. Oonly one citizen of Gaia was chosen for the Empath Guild every year, and to be a member of the potent organisation was an honour.

Other, smaller guilds were found in all cities, but the skill and influence of the Empath Guild was unmatched. Once Thomas had finished his training, Deirdre planned to accept him into her Council. Another able- minded and loyal advisor could never hurt, could it?

She waited three minutes, as the changing of pathways was instigated. Communications ran erratically, and finally, after careful choosing of outlets and inlets, the face of Zakharov appeared on the screen, looking concerned.

"Deirdre is all this necessary? Surely you can trust me. Have I offended you in some way, lady?"

Deirdre shook her head. "Zakharov. These precautions are necessary. You have known about them all the years my faction has remained here. What is different now?" She sighed. "No matter. I will not be changing the communication laws, Provost, no matter what anyone says. Now, my aide has mentioned that you wanted to speak with me about something?"

"Change!"

The voice of the computer ran across the room, and switches were pressed. The change in communication pathways was unnoticeable, but Zakharov shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Deirdre, such an amazing invention, these pathways you have. How I wish I could have thought of them. So...erratic. There is no organisation, no laws, no stability. An academicians nightmare." He attempted to laugh, but had to sigh. "I need to ask you something, my lady, and you will not like it."

Deirdre narrowed her eyes. "Speak on, Provost."

"The times are changing, Deirdre. I know you choose not to interfere in the outside world, but your possession of the Empath Guild allows you to see what goes on within each faction. I for one know that you will not just sit by while vital knowledge of Planet escapes you."

The pathways were changed, and what looked like a flicker of annoyance passed across the face of the Provost. Deirdre shook the thought away. What, was she seeing spectres in the face on an ally, now? Maybe isolation made her more cautious than she needed to be? Maybe...

"I know what occurs outside my faction, if that is what you mean, Zakharov. I have heard of the brief war between you and Yang, and the oath of allegiance he has sworn to you. I have heard of the political clash between you and Lal for the position of Council Leader. I have heard about your mobilisation, and rumours of atrocities committed by the Believers and the Morganites. Other than that, you might say I am completely uninformed."

Zakharov laughed. "Good. You know the situation then. It is true that I and Lal have been struggling for the position of Council Leader, but that is merely so that I can block the attempt of Miriam to abolish the Atrocity Ban. Morgan is firmly in her pocket, and without my support, Lal will just smile at them and let them destroy Planet. He does not want my support though. So I am forced to stand to become Leader. Even that is not working though."

Deirdre shrugged. "And."

She suddenly realised what Zakharov was proposing, and she paled. "No, Provost. Never. I will not stand for the position. I have foresworn my position, and now you want me to go back and stand for leader? No."

Zakharov smiled. "By Planet, I have missed you, my lady. Do you know, you are the only person on Planet who can still guess what I have in mind? It never ceases to amaze me. Sometimes it makes me wish we had not..."

He voice trailed off, and he blushed. "Forgive me, my lady. I should not have said that. Very well, I shall leave you to your own counsel. You, I know, are perfectly safe on New Island. Farewell, Deirdre."

She sighed, and then said. "Zakharov, wait!"

He said: "Yes?"

Deirdre bowed her head, and looked at the floor. "When you said you wished we had not- well- what did you mean?"

Zakharov smiled. "I meant that we should never have called off our relationship. I love you Deirdre. I always have. That time at Lindly's Rest. I can never forget it. I know you are alone in Gaia; there is no-one who understands how you feel. Damn it, there is no-one her in University Base who understands how I feel. I want you, Deirdre. I want to touch you, hold you and kiss you, once again."

Deirdre bit her lip. "Zakharov. I love you too, but that is gone. It is done with."

Zakharov nodded. "I understand. Very well. Goodbye."

Deirdre said: "No! Don't go yet! I need to know. Provost, are you in danger? If I do not do this, where will it leave you?"

Zakharov turned away, and did not speak. Deirdre tried again. "Zakharov?"

He rubbed his forehead as if in turmoil. "Deirdre, I have no wish to change your mind about your stance."

She shouted: "Damn it! Tell me what will happen!"

Zakharov nodded. "Very well. If you stand, Lal will support you. He has to, otherwise he will be stuck in the clash between himself and me. Miriam and Morgan may go either way. I will support you, as will Yang. That is then four factions against two, and we can easily block whatever motions they wish to pass through the Council."

He broke off, and looked around. "If you do not stand, lady, then I will be stuck in this pointless political trouble with Lal. Yang and I could block the motion with Lal, but he will side with the stronger side. In this scenario, it would be Morgan and Miriam. No threat will emerge for many years, but eventually, they will defeat me, then they will eliminate Lal. Then it will be Morgan and Miriam, united, against you, my lady. Against you. And then all your dreams for peace will be shattered as if they have never been."

Deirdre closed her eyes. She had no choice. "Very well, Zakharov, I will stand in the next meeting. It appears this isolationist period is over. The Gaian Faction will once again take a seat in the Council." She looked directly at the screen, into the digital pixels that made up the eyes of Zakharov. "I hope you are right, Provost."

Zakharov said. "I am. If I were you, my lady, I would begin a gradual build-up of your military. Defence of your faction must be your first priority, and although your other cities are hidden, Memory is not."

The screen went blank.