A/N: Inexplicably, ExIsle is two chapters ahead of you. I knew they were one ahead because it's more effort to upload stuff here than to simply copy and paste there... but this is odd nonetheless. Oh well. The situation is now remedied! You know what you should do? Read this chapter... and then review it! Doesn't that sound like great fun??

"I've heard that you discovered my ransom demands. Your Tyr Anasazi can be most persuasive. While I congratulate you once again on the continuing success of your investigation, I regret to inform you that you have been the means of this..." Charlemagne's face flickered off, and a vid began to play. It was Beka, accompanied by three burly Nietzscheans. Crude electrodes clung to her skin like leeches, and every time one of them pressed a remote control, she screamed. Charlemagne's voice carried over the pained cries. "I hope this inspires a change of heart, Captain. The closer you come, the more your crewmates are punished. I know it's unfair, but I insist that someone suffer for my troubles. I'll let this run a bit more, to help you clear your mind."

Now Gaheris could see the tears coursing down Beka's face. A female Nietzschean not a foot away from her screamed something not quite decipherable. The third leaned against a table, laughing at the goings-on around him. He turned and waved cheerily at the camera.

Suddenly, the vid clicked off. Rhade's head jerked away. "Andromeda! Turn that back on!"

The ship's avatar entered his quarters just then. "I won't, Captain. There can be nothing productive about seeing Beka tortured. Charlemagne is trying to bait you, to draw you out before you're ready. Don't let him."

Gaheris drew a deep breath. "All right, Rommie. You're right." He sat silently for a moment, and then an idea struck him. "Why did he send only a recording of Beka? I would imagine Harper to drive his captors to violence before her." He sighed. "Not that I could rest easy while they... did that to him."

Rommie nodded and sat on her captain's bed. "I can't say for sure. This business with Bolivar is confusing. I've dealt with kidnappings before, you understand--diplomatic incidents and so on, but I cannot fathom this man." She paused. "There is one possible reason..." Rhade raised an eyebrow, wordlessly urging her to continue. "Of course, you must understand that I am not making a judgment or an opinion but merely relating to you what I believe may be his motivation." She waited for the Captain to say something, and when he didn't, she finished reluctantly. "He may be under the... probably completely erroneous... notion that you have... more than platonic feelings for her."

"That I'm in love with her?!" Gaheris leapt to his feet.

Rommie held up her hands defensively. "That's one theory, yes. It would explain why he exposed you to images of Beka suffering and not Harper. It's just my personal guess."

He sat down heavily. "I know, Rommie. I'm sorry I snapped at you. I already suspected this was happening to her--to both of them." He chuckled bitterly. "He's greatly mistaken if he imagines this will deter me from my efforts. Beka and Harper are both very strong people, and Charlemagne wishes too much to join the renewed Commonwealth to fatally injure them." Gaheris smiled wanly. "I promise that I will not replay the message, but I would appreciate some time alone."

"Yes, sir." Rommie rose and left Rhade alone with his thoughts.