A/N: we find out more about Xena's betrayal, and we introduce (yet another) original character. This chapter is a shout-out to Nick Morrison and Mike Morrison: without them Nemay Flachar and Boa Fett wouldn't exist.

Chapter 33

Xena shoved hapless workers and crewmembers out of her way as she stalked down the corridors of the Warrior's Fury. "Move, motherfucker!" she ordered the guard outside of Shauna's quarters.

"You don't have authorization-" the male Nietzschean started.

WAM! Xena laid the guard low with a well-placed knee-jab between the legs. "Open the motherfucking door, right now, or I swear on Drago Mousevni's remains that you'll be sterile for the rest of your pitiful life!"

The male was curled on the floor, whining pathetically. Xena growled low in her throat and grabbed the male's hand, bending back the wrist as she slapped it on the fingerprint panel.

With a hiss of hydraulics, the door opened. Xena released her hold on the male, stepping over his as she stalked into Shauna's living room. "Du'lakar!" she yelled. "Get out here, right now!" She slammed a fist on Shauna's desk, scattering flexis everywhere.

Shauna emerged from an adjacent room. "What do you want, Ursa?" she spat out Xena's pride name as if it were an insult.

"I want your ships out of orbit around my homeworld," Xena announced. "You are still blocking all trade. You destroyed our entire military force and are starving our children so I would hand the Rhade over. Remove your ships."

"No," the Dragon replied. "We will not leave orbit of Beros Prime until the Andromeda falls into our trap."

"How will Andromeda enter you trap if you did not send the coordinates?" Xena asked, sure she had detected a flaw.

"The Rhade has a receiver," Shauna replied in a smug tone. "Her brother can track it, and he won't leave her at our mercy."

Xena switched tacks. "What of the pilots? Are you going to get them food and heat, or what? The humans are freezing to death in that cell."

Shauna sat at her desk, looking calmly up at Xena. "So?"

Xena growled. In one lightning fast movement she snatched a sharp metal shuriken from her belt and stabbed it deep into the metal of Shauna's desk. The violent action jarred a glass figurine, which fell and shattered on the floor. Xena ground the shards into dust with her boot heel. "If you won't do anything, I will," she promised darkly.

"Whatever," Shauna replied absently, restacking the flexis Xena had disturbed on her desk.

Xena shoved her way past the door guard to the hall beyond. She hated the Drago-Katsov beyond all reason, like any self-respecting Ursa, and Shauna Du'lakar was a prime example of why Ursa children were reared from birth to hate the Dragons. Her assigned quarters aboard the Fury were really nothing more of a glorified prison cell that was guarded at all times. She gave the guard her death's glare, and was rewarded when the male flinched and opened the door for her as quickly as he could.

Xena removed the hard leather soles from the bottom of her boots, showing that they were actually boots more like what the ninjas of ancient Earth wore. They were soft black leather, shaped rather like mittens in that the big toe was separate from the others. Her feet made no sound as she walked with practiced grace across the room. Xena greatly admired the ninja: get the mission done, no matter the cost. Anyone who falls behind in a team, gets left behind. Xena wouldn't be surprised if she found that Nietzsche had gotten most of his inspiration from the ninja. She sat in the middle of the floor, cross-legged and closed her eyes, clearing her mind in a technique combining Ursa mental philosophy and ninja meditation.

Xena was interrupted by a harsh buzz at the door. "What do you want?" she snapped at the guard, wondering how low his breeding status was that forced him into this job.

"Someone wants to see you," the guard replied, sounding bored.

"Who?"

"Some Ursa."

"Send him in," Xena ordered, rising to her feet in one smooth motion, her hands not touching the floor.

A Nietzschean male entered, and Xena broke into a smile. "Nemay?" she cried incredulously. "What are you doing here?"

Nemay Flachar was a childhood friend. He had brown hair and eyes and an olive complexion. He loved the art of sword craft, and was an expert with both the long sword and scimitar. "Breaking you out, duh," he replied, a smile on his face. "Me and Boa got the Shadowdancer all ready to go."

"Boa's here too?" Xena asked.

"Wanna talk to him?" Not waiting for an answer, Nemay pulled a handheld comm. from his pocket.

"Hi Xena!" Boa Fett, Nemay's younger brother, greeted enthusiastically. "You ready to leave the lair of the Dragons?"

"You have no idea," Xena replied. "Where are you?"

"On board the Shadowdancer," Boa replied. "I'll have it all ready by the time you and Nemay get back."

"See you then," Xena said before Nemay cut the transmission.

"Ready to go?" Nemay asked.

Xena slipped the hard soles over her feet. "I am not working for the dragons anymore," she announced. "We're going to drop by a group of fellow prisoners and get them too," she said. "Shauna's hostages."

"Should we get Boa to help?" Nemay asked, pulling out the comm. again.

Xena placed her hand over it. "If you brought the Shadow have him stay and guard it. I have a feeling we'll be coming back hot," she added grimly.

A/N: what do you think about the new characters? reviews would totally be appreciated for every chapter! thanks again to Nick and Mike!

Preview: Trance's Trial continues.