Chapter 7

Sakura stood inside her cabin, watching Li and Eriol through the open door. They had just finished transporting Nathan Long to Eriol's ship. The prisoner had been forcibly dragged away, yelling a string of foul curses and threats. Sakura felt relieved to be free of his odious prescence.

She was just as anxious to be free of Eriol, of his knowing leers and threatening posturing. Hopefully, he would depart imediately, and they could continue on to Star Base Intrepid.

That hope was dispelled a moment later when Eriol said to Li, " I want to go down to Calt with you, Showron. Nakaru always has guards around, and I don't want you walking into a possible trap alone. "

Li started toward the cockpit. " It won't be the first time I've gone after Nakaru without backup. "

" I'm well aware of your abilities. By the fires, you're one of the best shadowers in the quadrant. All the same, I'd like to go along on this one. "

Li shrugged. " Suit yourself. I'm not too proud to accept assistance. Just remember, Nakaru is mine. "

Eriol slapped him on the back. " Good. Then I'll take my ship and meet you planetside. Rendezvous at Giza's, seventeen hundred hours ship time? "

Li checked his watch and agreed. Eriol disappeared through the airlock, leaving Sakura stunned. She'd had no clue they'd altered course, much less traveled anywhere near a planet. With Eriol on ship, she'd remained in her cabin, venturing out only when Li insisted she join them for the midday meal.

She waited to be sure the airlock light went off before entering the cockpit, almost colliding with him as he strode out. He steadied her with a hand on her shoulder.

" There you are. I was just coming for you. Get into the cockpit and strap in. "

His words confirmed what she had just heard. She stepped back from his hand mildly glarring.

" Where are we going? "

" To the planet Calt. We're right outside it's orbital field. "

A wave of despair washed over her. Li had detourted the ship again - and her time was running out. She curled her fists by her side.

" You gave your word Captian. I have to reach Zirak soon, or miss the eclipse. "

His eyes, cold and distant, bored into hers. " I don't have time for dramatics. This ship operates on MY schedule, not on the whims of a passenger. I'm tired of you questioning my authority. Get in the cockpit - now. "

By the Spirit, if she could access the security codes, she might have more options. If not. . . a new posibility suddenly occured to her.

" Captain Showron. "

He frowned, his concentration fully socussed on the controls. " Quiet. We'll talk when we're planetside. "

Exhaling loudly, Li sat back in his chair. " Well, what is it? "

" Is there a transport staion on Calt? If there is, I can catch a transport now. "

He shook his head. " I don't think you understand what Calt is, Sakura. It's the bowels of the quadrant, a haven for criminals of the worst sort. Here they obtain new identities, ships, ansd supplies, anything gold can purchase. "

Surely the Controllers would be aware of such a place, Sakura thought. " Then why don't the Anteks patrol Calt and arrest all the criminals? "

Li smiled bitterly. " The Anteks are just as susceptible to gold as other beings. They can be pursuaded to look the other way. Calt has no commercial transport staion. No decent being would want to visit this hellhole. Those who do arrive secretly, do do in darkness. "

Her brief hope fled, and Sakura pushed back the nagging fear. She still had over two weeks, she reminded herself. She undid the safety harness and watched Li prepare to leave the ship. Once again, he strapped on an array of weapons; a phaser, a stunner, and an evil-looking short saber.

Ready to disembark, he turned to her. As he had done on Saron, he had withdrawn behind a invisible barrier, detaching himself with a frightening intensity. This was not Li she faced, but a fierce, remote warrior, beyond react. A shadower, with no mercy.

A violent shiver passed through her, but he didn't seem to notice. " Don't respond to any hailings or open the hatch for any reason. Be ready to strap in for takeoff the minute I return. Understand? "

" Hai. "

She waited until she certain he was gone and went to the control console and located the PWL file. Her decoding program hadn't worked. Fighting frustration, she reworded the program and exited the PWL file. She knew that it would take days for the decoding program to take effect, and even then, there was no promise that it would work, and in that case, if Li proved to be untrustworthy, she would need to resort to more drastic measures to ensure her travel to Star Base Intrepid.

In view of Eriol's prescence and the uncertainity of what Li might do next, she needed to find transport now. Sakura thought of the bag of coins in her pocket. Gold could buy anything, or so Li had said. Surely, it could buy her transport, even on Calt.

A blast of sweltering air slammed into her. The blazing sun peeked over the horizon blinded her momentarily, forcing her to squint until her eyes became used to the glare. Amazed, she stared at the varied array of ships that stretched as far as the eye could see. Obviously the outcasts of the universe found Calt a popular spot. Surely the owner of one of these ships could be pursuaded to give her a ride to Sonoma.

Turning slowly, Sakura spied the outline of a building in the distance. Slinging her pack onto her back, she began to trek to the settlement. The opressive heat surrounded her, and beneath her heavy tunic, sweat trickled over her skin. The walk to the settlements seemed to take forever, and her leg throbbed by the time she reached the outbuildings.

Sakura gazed around Calt, finding it bare and unimpressive. Debris littered the hard packed sand. Stark, weathere structures were sprawled about haphazardly. Although they had no windows, they had numerous entry panels on each side, plenty of escapt routes, she thought, something she could well understand.

The problem was she didn't know how to go about finding transport. She decided to check each building to find a gathering or eating place, where she might blend in the crowd and find a willing pilot with a ship. But not a single being or living creature of any sort lurked in sight. Nothing stirred except small eddies of sand lifted by the arid wind.

She forced her stiff leg to move and walked around the second building. As she cleaned the structure, she caught sight of a woman suitting on the steps of a third. Hunched over a mug clasped in her hands, the woman stared pensively toward the sunwise. Midnight black waves veiled most of her face and cascaded down her back. She appeared oblivious to Sakura, who moved forward cautiosly, stopping near the steps.

Sensing her prescence, the woman stiffened, swinging her head around. Sakura stared into beautiful, surprise-filled violet eyes. The mug slipped to the sand.

" Oh, my, you startled me. " she rose gracefully, flipping her hair over her shoulders.

" I wasn't expecting anyone this early and I'm afraid you've caught me unprepared. I'm not open yet, actually I rarely have customers before midday. " she rambled on in a low, melodic voice. Tall and slender, she wore a lightweight black leather top and pants.

Sakura had never seen anyone so beautiful, and for a brief moment, she could only stare. But the urgency of her situation soon pushed to the forfront.

" Excuse me, but do you know where I can hire transport? "

The woman studied Sakura, taking in her ragged pilgrim's tunic. " A transport? How on Alta did you get here if you don't have a ship? " she came down the steps. " Why, you're just a child. Are you fleeing from someone who brought you here? " she turned to scan the area, then looked at Sakura again. " Who are you? "

Relief at finding someone who might be able to help her surged through her. " My name is Sakura

Avalon, and I need to find transport to Zirak. Do you know anyone who would take me? "

The woman let out a breath in a sigh.

" Not anyone that could be trusted. Are you in some sort of trouble? " she laughed musically, shaking her head. " What am I saying? Anyone who comes to this abyss is either in trouble or the cause of it. " Taking Sakura's arm, she turned her toward the steps. " And

from the looks of it, you've got a problem. Come inside and I'll get you some tea. "

Disheartened, Sakura followed her up the steps. The woman had to be wrong; surely someone here could help her. The sight that greeted her eyes stopped her dead in her tracks. The room they stepped into was large and surprisingly light and airy, considering the grimness of the settlement outside.

Her hostess nudged her gently toward the back of the room. " Come on. I have a little aclove in the corner. " she led Sakura through a wall of crystal bead strands into an area with a table and chairs and a small solar stove. " Have a seat. "

She put water on to boil and pulled two mugs from a cabinet decorated with inlaid crystal and lavander stone, chatting all th while. " I don't often have company, so I'm afraid I don't have some wonderful caroba from Elysia. The brutes around here wouldn't even begin to appriciate it. Now, where did I put that? Ah, here it is. "

Sakura remained quiet and listened to the woman talk away.

" You're very quiet, aren't you? "

Sakura jumped guiltily.

" Gomen. That room . . . so many wonderful things. " she said looking at the adjacent room.

The woman smiled. " Hai, it is pretty amazing, isn't it? Even on this dismal planet, people have gold and they're willing to spend it. My mercantile is the only place that provides goods other than the usual alcohol, drugs, space rations, weapons, or ship parts. "

She waved a slender hand toward the main chamber. " Saija silk from Verante, Calpernian crystal, Vilana gemstones. You name it, I have it. And they pay dearly for it. By the way, my name is Madison. Pleased to meet you, Sakura. " she extended her hand.

Sakura shook her hand gently and Madison sat back in her chair watching Sakura.

" Now, that formalities are out of the way, why don't you tell me how you got here and why you need transport. "

Sakura plunged into her story.

When she was finished Madison's eyes were wide.

" A Shadower? By the Spirit, you poor thing. It's no wonder you want to get away. "

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. Madison understood her predicament and hopefully would help her.

Her hostess poured more tea into cups.

" How long have you been with this shadower? "

" About seven ship cycles. I must get away from him. If I don't go to Zirak soon, I'll miss the eclipse. "

Madison thought for a moment.

" This Shadower, has he tried to hurt you in anyway? "

Sakura thought about the kiss and blushed a slight pink.

" Iie, apart from a kiss. But I know he cannot be trusted. "

" Why do you think that? " Madison asked sipping her tea.

" Because he promised me to take me to Zirak, and so far he has delayed me every turn and point in the 'verse. He gave me his word, but I should have known he wouldn't keep it, I'm not only unattractive - I have physical defects as well, maybe if I was half as beautiful as you are, maybe then he would have kept his promise. "

Madison snorted.

" I doubt that Sakura. " she scoffed. " But being limp is nothing. Beauty isn't just a surface commodity. Looks can be bought. A good heart can't. "

Sakura didn't bother to tell Madison about the seizures. Nothing Madison said could change the truth. She'd been told often enough by her own people, how undesireable she was.

Madison continued to think, sipping her tea.

" Who is this Shadower? "

Before Sakura could reply, a chime sounded.

" A customer at this hour? " Madison stood and hurriedly gathered her hair and began winding it into a bun.

" I always keep my hair up and wear lose over-robe when I do business, especially with these space scum. I certainly don't want to give them any ideas, if you get what I

mean. "

Sakura looked at her blankly, and the woman paused. " No, I guess you don't. Seven cycles with a Shadower, and you're still innocent. Amazing. "

Sakura watched fascinated, as her hostess deftly tucked her glorious hair into a severe knot.

" Madison? Where are you? " a familar voice called out, and heavy footsteps spproached the alcove.

Sakura's breath caught, the well-known sensation signaling another shielder's prescenece jolting through her. She rose from her chair, pale as Eriol came though the string of crystal beads seperating the alcove from mercantile.

He halted when he saw Sakura. " What are you doing here? " he growled, then strode toward her.

Sakura ducked behind the chair, gripping it tightly as her leg threatened to give out. By the Spirit, would she ever get away from this man?

" Why aren't you with Li? " she managed to ask.

" Why aren't you on the ship, where you belong? " he shot back.

" Wait just a minute here! " Madison interjected. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously, she marched over to Eriol and jabbed him in the chest.

" How do you know Sakura? Do you know the son of an Antek who's dragging this poor girl all over the quadrant instead of taking her where she needs to go? If you do - "

" Madi! Madi! " Eriol took the hand that was stabbing him and lifted it to his lips. " I travel light years through the quadrant to reach you, and I all get for my efforts are harsh words. Aren't you glad to see me? " He kissed her hand.

She pulled it free.

" Iie. Especially if your in cahoots with the shadower mistreating Sakura. I want to know what's going on. "

" I had nothing to do with this, Madi. She's travelling with Showron. "

" Li? " Madison looked incredulously from Eriol to sakura. " Is that true Sakura? "

Sakura nodded, and Madison seemed truly taken aback.

" Li Showron. That explains a lot . . . I think." she tapped her her cheek thoughtfully. " But he kissed you . . ? "

" He kissed her? " Eriol scowled at Sakura. " Why, you little gold digger- Ouch! " he yelped when Madison punched him in the chest.

" This is not Sakura's doing. Li is to blame here, " she stormed. " Not only has he kept her on his ship against her will, but he refuses to take her to Zirak. He neds to be put in his place. "

" And you're just the person to do it Madi. " Eriol rubbed his chest. " So stop taking it out me sweetheart. You like me remember? "

Madison sniffed. " Sometimes. "

" Come on, " Eriol wheedled, pulling her against him. " You're happy to see me. Admit

it. "

She didn't offer much resistance. " Not really. "

Sakura watched them with interest. She sensed an underlying tension between the two that had nothing to do with their conversation. The tension wasn't anger or enmity, really. More like the odd energy she experienced around Li; similar to the sensations that left her breathless and her heart racing.

" Well then, maybe I'll just have to change your mind. " Eriol said huskily.

He lowered his head, but Madison turned away.

" We have an audience. "

His accusing gaze shot to Sakura. " So we do. "

Heaving a sigh, he released Madison. " Have you got anything for me? " he asked, his voice lower, more serious now.

Madison glanced at Sakura. " Hai. It arrived two days ago. I'll get it for you. " she slipped through the entry at the rear of the alcove, leaving Sakura alone with Eriol.

He immediately turned his attention to her and she stiffened. " Just what do you think you're doing, leaving the ship and wandering around Calt by yourself? Stars, this hellhole is dangerous for an armed man, much less a lone woman. Li needs to lock you

up. "

" Li needs to honor his word. " Sakura retorted firercely. " He promised to get me to a transport but shows no signs of doing so. I have to get to Zirak soon. "

" What's your hurry? And don't give me that song and dance about the eclipse and the shrine of Shara. I've never known a Shielder to be a cult member. "

Not giving her a chance to reply, Eriol activated to com link on his wrist.

" Hey, old man. I've got Sakura with me. Found her at Madison's. "

Sakura stood too far away to hear Li's response, but she could well imagine what he might have to say about her leaving the ship against orders.

Eriol shook his head.

" I have no idea. She was just sitting at Madison's table, drinking tea like they were old friends. " he listened for a moment. " Ok. We'll meet you outside Madison's in a five minutes. " He punched off the com. The look he gave Sakura appeared to be sympathetic, but she knew better.

" Well, pilgrim, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when Li gets here. He's not very happy with you right now. "

" I'm not very happy with him, either. " she replied with a bravado she didn't feel. Now she would probably spend the rest of the trip in the rig.

Madison returned just then, and Eriol moved to the end of the alcove with her. She handed him a computer disk and they talked in low voices.

Wondering if she might be able to give Eriol the slip without him knowing, she made her way silently through the beads into the main room.

" Don't even think about it. " Eriol called after her. " Li will be here in just a minute. "

Knowing that it was hopeless, but desperate to try anything, Sakura waited just a bit longer, biding her time. She spotted a Saija silk robe in a deep emerald green. She'd never seen anything like this before. She'd never felt anything so soft.

" Beautiful isn't it? " Madison spoke quietly behind her.

Sakura gave her a small smile.

" I've never seen anything like this before, nor felt anything so soft. "

" It's meant to be touched, so no harm done. " Madison smiled.

" You know Sakura, you really need to go with Li. He's one of the few shadowers who can be trusted to get you safely to your destination. "

That might be true, Sakura thought. If, that is, she wasn't a Shielder. But if Li dicovered the fact, her days were numbered. If she didn't get to Sonoma within the next few weeks, her life was over anyway. No, she couldn't depend on Li for anything. She'd have to find another way, she had no choice.

She gave the robe another glance, then turned back. " Thank you for the tea Madison. "

" Anytime, little friend. " Madison offered her hand once again. " Gambattle. I hope you see you eclipse and that the Goddess smiles upon you. "

Eriol grunted and rolled his eyes. " Fat chance. " he muttered.

He hugged Madison, holding her tightly a long moment. " I don't know how long I'll be. We'll be stirring up the riffraff out there, so there might be some laser action. You be careful, Madi. Stay inside and don't take any unnecessary chance, you understand? "

Sakura took the chance to back towards the door, keeping her eyes on Eriol.

" You worry too much shadower. I can take care of myself. " Madison replied smiling.

" Be careful. " Eriol repeated, his hands lingering on her hips as he released her.

" Later. "

" Promises, promises. Bye Sakura. Sakura? " Madison looked around and Eriol swore.

Sakura shot the building one more glance and bolted best she could with her lame leg. Down the street she ran/limped and turned round to make sure she wasn't being followed. Her only chance now was to find someone that might be able to help her more than Madison could have. Hopefully, this time without Eriol's interference or Li's. She collided with something very hard and she cried out startled as she stumbled back, her shoulders being seized stopping her from falling.

Frightened emerald eyes starred up at cold amber eyes looking down into hers. Her breath caught and she tried to pull away, and stumbled back when Li released her. She was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling, trying to regain her composer.

" Li. " She gulped as Eriol ran up to them. Li looked away from Sakura to Eriol.

" Thanks Hiragizawa. I'll take her back to the ship, but let's get out of view. Follow

me. "

Eriol glarred at Sakura as he grapped her arm in a vice.

" Damn fool thing to do. " he muttered, pulling her along without any reguard for her leg.

" For a Shielder, you don't show much intelligence. I should just leave you alone out here and let you riffraff finish you off. I don't have time to play protector to a cripple runt. "

His words hit home with stinging accuracy. Sakura jerked back.

" Why don't you just leave me, then? I'd rather deal with known criminals than an traitor. " she hissed, greatful that Li was too far ahead to hear them.

Eriol swung around, grabbing her shoulders in a punishing grip.

" Don't tempt me. If you were my responsibility, I'd have washed my hands of you long before now. " he glanced up, and then continued dragging her along after him, catching up to Li seething.

Li looked at Eriol. " Did you make arrangements? "

" Yeah. Meet me at Giza's in thirty minutes. Thorne will be there by then. It should be safe enough. It's way too early for most of these space scum to be up and about. "

" Sounds good. " Li took her arm in a death grip. " I'll take Sakura back to the ship, then meet you there. Be careful. "

Eriol looked offended. " I'm always careful. It's the older ones I worry about. You be careful, old man. "

Li snorted. " You don't know Nakaru like I do, Hiragizawa. Believe me, age and experience help when dealing with that criminal. Again, take great care. "

" I will. " Eriol headed back to the settlement.

Without a word, Li turned toward the landing strip. He too, walked rapidly, without any regard for Sakura's awkward gait. Determined not to complain, she stumbled along beside him.

They had past one building when he froze. Halting, Sakura looked where his gaze was riverted.

" Someone's coming. " he hissed in a low voice. " Quick! We have to get out of sight. " he half-dragged, half-carried her back to the building they'd just passed and hauled her around the corner.

He squatted down, pulling her with him. " Stay close to the building. " he whispered, then crawled forward to peer around the corner, and then pulled back.

" That's Brutus one of Nakaru's henchmen. What in the abyss is he up to? Don't make a sound. "

He pressed against the wall, making Sakura do the same. She could see a cloud of sand, signalling the aproaching villian. The involuntaryu gasp that escaped her when Brutus walked past would have given them away, if Li hadn't clamped his hand over her mouth in the nick of time. She couldn't help herself. An Antek! Hulking and ominous, he lumbered by, unaware of their prescence.

Li leaned close to her ear. " Not another word until I say. " he whispered furiously. Sakura nodded. Releasing her, he peeked around the corner.

" By the fires! He's heading for Giza's. " He sank back against the wall, glaring at her. " From now on, try to control yuourself, before you get us killed. One more screw up like that and I'll gag you. "

Sakura didn't hear him. She was too busy watching the retreating figure of the Antek. Something clicked and she looked at Li.

" Nakaru's a Controller? " she blurted.

" No, Nakaru's a criminal - and far worse than any Controller. " Li slid forward and glanced around the corner again.

" But you said Brutus works for Nakaru. " she said sliding up beside him.

" Brutus is a renegade Antek. Nakaru employs an entire troop of them. " Li tensed.

" He just went insdie Giza'a. Damn. It's too early. Something's wrong. I hope to the Spirit Eriol didn't go straight in there. " he reached back and grabbed Sakura's arm.

" Come on. I don't have time to take you back to the ship. You'll stay at Madison's until Eriol or I come for you. "

Outside the mercantile she stopped and looked at him.

" Where are you going? "

" To go see if my partner just walked into a trap. Now get. "

She started to walk up the steps and then turned, something catching her attention. Two massive Anteks were heading in the same direction that Li had just taken and he hadn't noticed. Terror exploded through her body, trapping her breath. The impulse to flee overpowered her, to flee from the Antek nightmares.

Horrible images flashed through her mind as to what those horrible things could do to Li and Eriol. She needed Li's help to have any chance of getting to Sonoma. She would have to go and try to help!

Reaching the corner, she glanced around and saw light from an open doorway about four meters away. The voices grew louder, although still indistinct, as she inched farther toward the entry. Just outside the door panel, she crouched down.

" Well, Brutus, what say you about our prize? " a female voice asked.

" We pleased, Nakaru. Always to serve you. "

" Clever answer. " the voice purred. " Here, have a reward. "

Sakura fell to all ours and crawled, to the panel frame and edged forward enough to see in.

Six Anteks ringed the room that was dimly lit by solar flares. Massive, thronelike chairs were scattered around like huts in a Shielder colony. The Anteks were focussed on one of the huges chairs were a woman sat.

The woman propped her booted feet up on a crate. Reaching into a bucket beside her, she pulled out a piece of bloody meat.

" And you Brutus, you caught the enemy, you get an extra reward. " She tossed the scrap of meat across the room to the Antek.

She must be Nakaru. The Antek had called her that. Sakura studied the woman. She was dressed in a tight fitting leather flightsuit showing off all her curves, her brown hair tied back in a high ponytail. It was hard for Sakura to determine her age, but she was definetely in the middle twenties.

" My, my, but we do have cause for celebration. " Nakaru laughed, looking to her Sakura's far left.

Eriol. He was slumped over in a chair, unconcious. Electronic shackles bound his wrists together behind the chair, while others secured his ankles. Blood oozed from the cut over his eye and his cloths were torn.

Sakura barely held her gasp of horror. Then she almost gasped again when she spotted Li crouched behind another chair on the opposite side of Eriol. He must have sensed her, for he looked up, shocked, then signalled furiously at her to get away. He crept behind Eriol. Deftly, he snapped a decoder on the shackle lock, then slipped back behind the other chair.

Nakaru continued talking away to the Anreks and soon they were calling for Thorne to bring them drinks. The Anteks continued to harrass the man as he hurried to get drinks. Nakaru looked back to Eriol, and saw the shackles laying on the tiles, the decoder had obviously done it's job.

" What in the Abyss- ? "

" Heads up Eriol. " Li whispered loudly, skidding the phaser across the floor behind Eriol. Eriol grabbed the phaser and jumped out of the chair in one fluid motion.

" Get him! " Nakaru screeched, and the Anteks scrambled forward.

Sakura watched paralysed as Li and Eriol fought the Anteks, tyiny to escape. She clutched her knife and scrambled to her feet. Kero hissed in alarm, but she didn't have time to assure him.

( AN : Yes she did bring him along when she gathered all her stuff back on the ship. )

Three Anteks were down, and Nakaru had fled through the rear exit. Two other Anteks engaged Li and Eriol in crossfire.

" Li! Behind you! " she screamed when she saw Brutus creep up behind Li.

But he couldn't hear over the dim of the phaser battle. Brutus raised his weapon, aiming it at Li's head. Sakura acted on instinct, calling upon skills she's learned seasons ago. She hurled the kife, burying it in Brutus's back. He dropped the phaser and, with a cry of rage, whirled in her direction.

His eyes clouded with pain, he charged at her like a wild animal. Her heart exploded with adrenaline. She barely managed to sidestep the crazed Antek, for her rubbery limbs were uncooperative.

Kero scrambled from her pack, clawing her shoulder in the process. Brutus staggered and hurtled towards her. She leaped back, just as Kero let out a shrill yelp and catapulted himself through the air.

" NO! " Sakura screamed, rushing forward. " KERO, NO! "

Bellowing, Brutus tore off Kero and hurled the lanrax across the room. He hit the wall and fell to the floor with a sickening thudd. He twitched, then stilled.

"KERO! " Sakura tried to go to him, but Brutus grabbed her. He wrenched her arm and she gasped from the pain. He raised his hand to strike her, then froze, his eyes opening wide as a blast sounded behind him. A grunt escaped him, and he fell to the floor, a gaping phaser wound next to the protruding knife in his back. Phaser in hand, Li leapt over him and shoved Sakura toward the entry. Eriol followed.

" Lets get out of here. " Li dragged her through the entry.

" No. I can't leave Kero! " she cried, struggling against his hold. " I can't leave

him! "

" He's gone, Sakura. Come on. "

" You'd better hurry if you're going to catch Nakaru. " Eriol took her other arm.

She bucked and kicked, grief clouding her reason.

" He can't be dead! Not Kero. We can't leave him! We can't. "

" We have to leave - now. " Li didn't attempt to placate her further.

Sweeping her up, he swung her over his shoulder and broke into a run. They bolted towards the ship. Sakura was frozen, her grief wrapping around her. Kero was gone. One of the few lights in her life had been snuffed out.

To Be Continued . . .