Morrow was already at his post when Koenig entered Main Mission.

"Report," the Commander snapped.

"Life Support systems have failed, Commander. We have no more than three hours of breathable air. Lighting and heating are at a minimum."

"Kano?"

David turned to face Koenig. "Computer has analyzed the system and reports a failure in the carbon dioxide converter."

"Okay, so fix it."

The computer tech stared hard at Koenig. "I'm not sure that we can, Commander."

All commotion in Main Mission ceased.

"What do you mean it can't be fixed? We have technicians, parts, let's get busy."

Kano stepped closer, "Sir, the failure has been caused by an implosion." When the Commander didn't respond, Kano continued, "if the converter just needed maintenance, we could repair it, but there is nothing left of the original converter. It was completely blown apart. We'd have to build a new one, and that will take a lot longer than three hours."

Koenig fought to keep any semblance of a smile from turning his lips. "Well then," he turned to Morrow, "we'd better step up Operation Exodus, whether or not our navigational systems are functioning. At least there's breathable air down on Bintoss."

The commander did not wait for a reply, he walked up the steps to his office and closed the sliding doors behind him. Morrow and Sandra moved over to where Kano was standing, and spoke in hushed tones.

"Kano?"

"Computer can't confirm it, Paul, but sabotage is the most likely answer. Steel parts don't just blowup like that without a fire or some outside help."

"The Commander didn't even ask how it could have happened," Sandra added.

Paul's voice held a tinge of bitterness, "No, he didn't. Nor did he speculate on whether or not we had anyone on Alpha who might be able to concoct an interim converter."

"The only one with that kind of seat-of-his-pants thinking is Professor Bergman," Kano mused.

Sandra's voice belied her sadness, "And the Commander knows he can't help us."

"That," Paul said sternly, "is not Commander Koenig. My God, we can't go down to that planet, it would bring death to everyone on Alpha."

"And if we stay here," Sandra reminded, "we'll be dead in three hours. I'd rather take my chances on the planet, Paul. At least there we might have a fighting chance."

Morrow looked at Kano, who shrugged his shoulders. "Certain death or probable death. I don't like the odds either way, Paul."

"Well, if we do have to evacuate to Bintoss, then we're going to do it on our own terms. Kano, you and Sandra make the preparations to get the Commander and the landing party into the airlock we prepared. I'll meet you there in thirty minutes."

Morrow turned to leave, but Sandra's voice stopped him.

"Where are you going?"

"To see if Professor Bergman can help us one more time."

Paul left Main Mission and Kano turned to Sandra.

"Come on, we've got a charade to stage...."

Carter paced the length of Koenig's desk once more.

"Natarak..... is Zentor planning on taking Koenig's body?"

"Yes. That is why I have not eradicated him, although that would have made my job a thousand times easier. Why?"

Thontal shrugged, "I don't know, wondering... I sort of like this body, and wouldn't mind keeping it."

"I believe that is Zentor's intention. Did he tell you not to rid yourself of the human called Alan Carter?"

"No. I guess I wanted to be sure before I killed him."

"You and Gipara. She has still not destroyed the human Fraser." Natarak eyed him closely. "Are you sure you are not hesitating because you are afraid?"

The man grew indignant, "I am not afraid. Wasn't I the one to suggest eliminating Morrow and Russell?"

Natarak smiled with Koenig's mouth, "Yes, but you didn't offer to do it. Our people have not killed in thousands of years, Thontal, it would not come as a shock if it was a difficult task for some."

He couldn't keep the disapproval from his tone, "Yes, and as natural as thinking to others."

"You make it sound as though I'm killing a Bintossian. These humans are barely above an amoeba on the developmental scale of evolution, Thontal, hardly worth upsetting yourself over. Frankly, I'm not even sure I'm going to take this form when all is said and done. I like traveling as light."

Thontal looked at her through Carter's eyes, "You are still young, Natarak. When we became beings of light, we did not consider what it would be when we grew old. We did not think about the consequences for the future of our race--"

"--Oh yes, woe are we who cannot reproduce ourselves. I just relived the experience of fortification, Thontal, and I'm telling you it's a terrible means to an end."

"You never could see beyond your own pleasures, Natarak. I'm talking about keeping our race from extinction. By taking these forms, we will live again. We can breathe, eat, love, feel happy or sad, feel the warmth of the sun, the touch of a hand, and have families. We can regenerate Bintoss and once more build a society devoted to art, beauty and the study of the universe."

"That is why we abandoned these humanoid forms in the first place, or have you forgotten?"

"We made a mistake, Natarak, we must now rectify it."

"Then why hesitate to kill the one called Carter?"

Thontal looked away. "I have read all his thoughts and touched his memories. He is not evil or unkind.....quite the opposite."

Natarak rolled her eyes, "Thontal, you must choose. Either take Carter's life, or die in your crystal on Bintoss. Frankly, I don't care which, as long as you do what is required to get the Alphans off of this rock."

"I will do what is required."

"Fine. Then get to the Eagle pads and make sure preparations are being made for the evacuation."

Thontal left the office, and Natarak took in a large mouthful of air. The entity within was still gnawing at her in any way he could find, and she could feel her patience with him growing thin. It would be so easy to push him out permanently. But then, she would have to answer to Zentor. It would only be a few more hours, then she could flee the body of John Koenig, and he would become Zentor's problem.

"You've got to try again, Helena."

Her nostrils flared with anger. "I can't, Paul. It will kill him."

"And we'll all be dead within a few hours if you don't."

"You aren't even sure he can help you."

"Are you so sure he can't?"

She looked away, sullen. "No."

"I don't want to be callous, but you said yourself the Professor probably won't make it. A few hours one way or the other......given what's at stake, do you think he'd say no?"

Helena closed her eyes. She knew Victor would be willing to do anything he could to save Alpha, even if it meant sacrificing himself. She just hated to be the one to do it. She took in a deep breath, opened her eyes and wordlessly injected the stimulant into Bergman's arm. After a few moments, he moaned in pain.

Paul leaned forward as Bergman's eyes fluttered. "Professor? Can you hear me?" Victor nodded slightly, so Morrow continued, "Our life support system is down. We have less than three hours of oxygen left. I need to configure a temporary carbon dioxide converter."

Bergman's eyes began to roll up into his head, and Morrow shook his shoulders.

"Professor! I need you. Alpha needs you. Please, you've got to try."

Victor couldn't push past the pain in order to think clearly. Breathing was becoming a chore, and he couldn't remember why he was in this state. The confusion within his mind began to close in, and he felt panic wash over him. His eyes opened slightly and he looked at Helena. The childlike vulnerability in his voice made her throat tighten with emotion.

"Helena...... where's John?"

Paul began to speak, but was silenced by Helena's hand on his arm. Her stern look told him in no uncertain terms, to keep still.

Her voice was sweet, "He's in Main Mission, Victor."

"Please....I want to see him."

"He can't leave there just now, but I'm sure he'll see you soon."

Victor digested the information, and his mind wandered. "A converter....."

Paul pitched his voice soft like Helena's. "Yes, Professor, a carbon dioxide converter. The Commander needs the information."

Russell shot Morrow a disapproving look, but said nothing. Bergman swallowed hard and tried to force his sluggish mind into moving: John needed him.

"Catalytic...."

"Catalytic? Professor, we're talking about Alpha's life support, not an antique car converter."

Bergman shook his head slightly, the effort almost too much for him. "Same basic technology."

"Fine, but we have to build one, and we have," Paul looked at his chronometer, "less than two hours now."

His throat felt like a piece of sandpaper, and Victor swallowed hard. Helena picked up a glass of water from the nearby table, and gently lifted Bergman's head with one hand, giving him a sip of water from the other. She lay his head carefully back on the pillow, and brushed a soft hand over his cheek. He tried to smile at her, but only succeeded in a slight twitch of his lips. Paul tried not to show his impatience, but it was becoming increasingly more difficult.

"Professor.....the converter."

Bergman looked toward Morrow and nodded slightly.

"Catalytic converter...."

"Yes, I believe you already said that...."

"In my quarters."

"What?"

"Old Chevy convertible....only thing left of her...."

"And?"

Victor grimaced in pain, and Helena adjusted the way he was lying on the bed, trying to make him more comfortable. He weakly waved her off.

"Don't worry, Helena. Nothing left to do..." He looked at Paul once again. "You'll have to change the reduction catalyst. It's set up for Nitrogen using platinum.....and rhodium."

He stopped for a moment to catch his breath, and a lump formed in Helena's throat as she realized it would probably be the last time they would be able to speak to him. There was so much left to say, but there would be no time in which to say it. She should have told him long ago what he meant to her. Helena's heart clenched, knowing that Victor's last moments wouldn't be spent comforted by those closest to him, but instead, explaining some damned catalytic theory. It was all so unfair. Helena turned away as Victor pushed himself to get the words out.

"Ethyliodide and hexane should reduce CO2 production...." He swallowed hard again, and then continued, "and create oxelate of C2O4. Second part to turn that into oxygen...."

When Bergman didn't continue, Morrow prompted him, "How?" Victor winced in pain as Paul shook him slightly, "Professor, how?"

"Paul," Helena's voice was sharp, but then softened, "let him go."

Morrow did as he was told, the distress in his eyes, plain. Helena gripped Victor's outstretched hand with hers, and brushed the backs of her fingers against his bruised cheek.

"Rest now, Victor. It's okay for you to just rest."

He let out several ragged breaths, and then tried to speak once more.

"John......"

The tears in Dr. Russell's eyes fell as Victor Bergman drifted from consciousness.

Paul spoke quickly into his commlock, "Kano?"

"Doing it now."

Paul clipped the commlock to his belt and headed toward Airlock 7.

In Main Mission, Kano nodded at Sandra, and she pressed a button on her console.

"Alan, Commander Koenig wants you to meet him at Airlock 7 immediately."

Carter's voice floated over the communications system, "Acknowledged, on my way."

She pressed another button and spoke again.

"Fraser, Carter asked me to have you meet him at Airlock 7, immediately...."

Fraser's face came onto the screen, "Acknowledged."

Kano watched as Benes contacted each member of the landing party, and after each call, David Kano deactivated the communication chip on each person's commlock. He looked at his chronometer; he had exactly four minutes to meet Paul at the airlock. And beyond that, they had less than 90 minutes to save Alpha's life support, or evacuate to Bintoss. Either way, Kano wasn't so sure he'd live to see another day.