VanStalker

by DarkBlade the Damned

This is a crossover of Vandread and the DeathStalker novels by Simon R Green. Chapter 9. Tensions amongst the crew reach boiling point causing Hibiki and Tam to flee the Nirvana.

4. VanStalker Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own Vandread or DeathStalker.

Vandread belongs to Studio Gonzo.

DeathStalker belongs to Simon R Green.

As one of my readers pointed out the name of the ship is the "Nirvana" not the Nirvada. An error I have endeavoured to correct in this chapter. My thanks to Mike Silva for pointing this out.

Vanstalker: Part 3)

Space. Cold black, limitless, at least to the human imagination. Although scientists are now prepared to explain to anyone who will listen that space indeed must have limits.

To our imagination the void remains limitless and full of potential and although it is dark it is not without light. The stars shine for us to keep the complete darkness at bay. Like shining jewels but far rarer and more precious. To a watcher in this particular sector of space, had there been any, it would have appeared as if one of those jewels was gradually growing brighter and brighter. Until it would be revealed not to be a star at all, but a ship. The pirate ship Nirvana, a far rarer jewel in the night.

On board the Nirvana things had started to settle down into more of a routine. The female crew were starting to get accustomed if not comfortable to the presence of men on their ship. The three men from Taraaku were getting more and more used to living among those they had considered to be their most hated enemies. Bart had even eventually been convinced that the women's threats to eat their livers were empty, although that was possibly brought on by Tamorasp's seemingly very real threat to eat more than just his liver if he didn't shut up about it. Tamorasp had been introduced to the food pills the men ate and to say he was not happy with the situation was an understatement of truly epic proportions. But being unaware that there was anything else to eat, and lacking both sufficient hunger and provocation to attempt cannibalism, Tam had resigned himself to the tasteless pills. That morning on his way back from the showers he poured a large quantity into his mouth from the nearest container before swallowing them with the assistance of a glass of water. According to Duero each pill was supposed to provide enough nutrients and energy for 3 hours of work time (1). All the other men got by on 3 a day tops, but lately he was eating the stuff like candy. Not that he had developed any liking for the foul tasting capsules, his disgust remained as great as ever, but he felt his body needed it, although he had no idea why.

True he had been expending more energy, both during his morning exercises with Duero and Hibiki and during his shifts in engineering with Parfet. The chief engineer had been both impressed and disappointed with him after his first week. Disappointed because no matter how hard he tried he seemed incapable of learning the workings of the ships reactor. Parfet had spent hours trying to teach him how the plexis reactor worked to power the ship. But in every case after as little as ten minutes he would find himself blindly staring at the great crystalline mass at the centre of the Plexis. It took either a trip to medical, or in the case of the third incident, a slap to the face by Barnette (who was only too happy to help the man in this way) to bring him back to attention. After each session either Duero or Magno had quizzed him about what had happened. To which he had only been able to reply that truthfully he did not know. From the moment he started staring to the moment he was brought round, in each case he could remember nothing of what happened during the time in between. So after the 3rd incident Duero had recommended he be assigned duties elsewhere on the ship since the plexis obviously affected him so badly. Parfet had assigned him a permanent place on the repair and maintenance crew and this was where she had been pleasantly surprised. Tam, as he was now known, seemed to have a talent for maintenance and repair. It appeared that no job was too big, too complex or too dirty for him, as he had already demonstrated with the waste water plant. Restoration of the areas he had been assigned was already ahead of schedule and Magno had approved Parfet's request that he be assigned to engineering on a permanent basis. He had even gotten to know some of the engineering staff, well at least enough to learn their names and work with them. But, Tam thought to himself, when the restoration is completed will they still need me? Heh don't be stupid, he thought, you have much bigger problems than that. From the glances he was now getting from Magno he knew that she suspected that he remembered more of his past than he was letting on. And in that she was right. More of his memories had been returning. Either in dreams or in flashbacks during his work shifts. He knew that he should share what he remembered with these people. But how can I expect them to believe me, when the memories I have make no sense?

Signing Tamorasp turned and grabbed his jacket before heading off for his first shift.

Distracted by his thoughts he didn't see a slim black gloved hand holding a camera disappear behind a crate, or hear a young female voice whisper "Pai check."

In the forward section of the ship subcommander Buzzam leaned over a data terminal and inserted a data disk into a drive, on either side of her, nestled in their launch cradles lay two message pods. Little more than a reactor an engine and a guidance system the pods were relic's from the colonisation era. The men had never bothered to remove them from the old Ikazuchi and only a few still worked. But they were the pirate's best hope of getting a message home warning of the enemy they had encountered. Suddenly a holoscreen lit up behind Buzzum.

"B.C?" asked Magno over the vid link.

Buzzum stood up to answer.

"The communication pods are ready to be fired."

"Why is there another one?"

"Its for Taraaku. We must let Taraaku know about the dangers too. So we should send the communications."

"Well fine, do it."

"Yes, I'll fire them." With that Buzzam pressed the winking green button on the main panel.

Immediately the two pods launched from the Nirvana. Hurtling through space, their much lower mass allowing them an acceleration that the much larger ship could not match. But just as the pods neared the edge of the Nirvanas forward sensors two massive explosions rippled through space directly in the Nirvanas path. The pods were gone, and hovering malignantly over the wreckage where they had been was a familiar and dreaded sight. Cube fighters.

They barely paused before hurling themselves at the oncoming Nirvana.

"Battle stations!" Magno called from the bridge as explosions from incoming fire blanketed the Nirvana's hull. In the cafeteria female crew members barely had time to recover from the initial shock before they were urged to their duty stations.

Meia and Jura hurried to the bay where they're dreads were docked, only to find Dita waiting for them staring down the runway.

"Dita what are you doing? Get to your dread!"

"But Mr Alien already left."

"He what"

"Yes" said the red head spinning on the spot. "Swoosh, he was so fast."

In the space outside the Nirvana Hibiki's vanguard hurtled to meet the oncoming cube fighters. The young man yelled in excitement as he jinxed and twisted to meet the incoming enemy fire. Since he started with Tam and Duero in the mornings he had started to feel more sure of himself. At first he had just felt tired at the seemingly unnecessary exertion, but now each time he felt a little stronger, a little surer, and that had come across in his piloting as well. He flew straight at an approaching cube fighter stopping only to cut it in half with one of his Vanguards blades. The remaining fighters held back and fired their cannons, but Hibiki only continued his charge twisting and spinning to avoid their fire until he came within striking distance of another fighter, and then he was past it leaving only burning wreckage in its wake.

The final two fighters appeared to change tactics. Splitting up they came at the vanguard from two sides. Hibiki stared back and forth between them trying to make up his mind which to engage while the two fighters closed in on him. Then at the last second before they struck he brought the vanguards arms up to shield his body as the two cubes hurled themselves against him erupting in a massive explosion.

When the debris from the blast cleared the bridge crew could see the vanguard flying in the middle of the debris field completely unharmed.

"Did you see that women?" Called out Hibiki over the com link, as managed to somehow make his Vanguard appear to strut arrogantly through open space.

"After all you guys can't do it without me, HAHAHA."

Full of the confidence and arrogance after his victory, Hibiki had no idea the surprise that was to await him when he landed.

Hibiki had barely started to get out of the cock pit of his Vanguard when he saw them. Waiting before the vanguard was the blue haired woman who was the leader of the dread teams. Behind her, looking obviously nervous was Dita.

Still feeling cocky from his victory Hibiki called down.

"What's up? Did you come to say thanks?"

If Hibiki had had any experience with women he may have recognised the cold stare Meia gave him. As he was, he was oblivious until she started to speak.

"Stop showing off! Your solo-play is too dangerous. Next time act according to my orders."

Hibiki jumped down from his vanguard and turned to face her before replying.

"Don't make me laugh. You can't defeat those enemies if you fear danger. Well, don't worry. I'll help you guys out with my great skills!"

Meia closed her eyes in a look that was part exasperation part grimace. Before he could speak again she cut him off.

"You're barking like a weak dog."

Surprised by her words, Hibiki stopped his posing and turned to face the dread leader.

"True. If I am shaking with fear, I wont even be able to speak."

Meia flushed and retorted 'You are not the one who's great. Its that Weapon!"

"What did you say?"

"I just said the truth."

"You think you are so important! What do you want!"

'You are a prisoner!"

"Well, who's getting help from the 'prisoner'!"

During the exchange Dita got visibly more and more nervous as the verbal battle between the two escalated. It finally ended when Hibiki set of in a huff. Meia's barbs had bitten deeper than he was willing to show, but he had decided to do something about it by doing straight to the top.

"You did what?"

Hibiki had found Tam while he was on a break from his first shift of the day. As he hadn't been feeling particularly tired he had moved on to his second assigned duty station to get started on the repairs before the rest of the shift team arrived. Despite the fact that some of the engineering crew were willing to work beside him many were still unwilling to listen to a man's advice, let alone take an order from him. Tam had found a way around this particular problem. By arriving early, setting up the work areas and starting on what he saw as the best way to deal with the problem. When the women on the shift arrived they simply saw when he was doing and pitched in. At first there had been a few complaints, but these had died when then had seen how quickly the work got done. To Tam it made perfect sense. These were women but they were also engineers, they might balk at taking orders from a man but they were too professional to argue with a good plan. By setting up beforehand Tam avoided the need to tell them what to do, and they could pretend they weren't working at a man's direction.

Their behaviour still irked Tam a little but he put up with it. Judging from what he had heard both the men and the women on this ship had grown up in an environment very different from the glimpses he remembered of his own childhood. He accepted their behaviour because he knew that even being willing to work beside him was to them a rebellion against what they had been taught their entire lives. He hoped that in time they might get used to him and let their barriers down further, but he didn't expect it to happen anytime soon. Which was why Hibiki's statement had surprised him so much.

"I said that I convinced that old Hag who leads the other women to give me a better job on this ship!"

"Wait, wait. Settle down for a minute and tell me in detail what happened."

Hibiki sighed at him in exasperation for a moment before finally setting out what had happened that morning. The battle with the cubes, his argument with Meia and finally how he had convinced Magno to give him a place that better suited his talents.

Tam took Hibiki's description of the events with a liberal pinch of salt and tried to hold on to his patience. He forced himself to listen to Hibiki's enthusiastic but completely unbelievable description of the battle. He somehow doubted that the lad had taken out a whole fleet of the cubes by himself. But he held his comments unit after Hibiki had finished.

"You mean the Captain agreed to reassign you just like that?"

"Well yeah, I mean she could hardly refuse after I reminded her about how I had saved everyone on this ship."

"That's a point, but I don't see why the Captain would give in that easily, especially after the way you acted with her and the dread Leader."

"What do you mean after how I acted? She's just jealous of my performance and worried that no one will listen to her anymore, after seeing me. And what's wrong with how I acted. I simply told them how it was."

Tam had to struggle not to wince at the arrogance in the youth's voice.

"You have no concept of diplomacy do you? And I somehow doubt that the dread leader was motivated purely by jealousy. I've seen her and though I doubt she has any liking for us I can't see her letting that get in the way of her professionalism."

"What's diplomacy? And why are you always so respectful when you talk about the women?"

Now it was Tam's turn to look surprised.

"How do you mean?"

"You always call the old hag, Captain. You always obey what the women tell you to do. You talk about them like men on Tarak would talk about the Elite. What's wrong with you?"

With an effort Tam kept control of his temper. Remember, he said to himself, this youth has come from a completely different environment. His prejudices were trained into him. Tam thought carefully before he replied.

"Because that's how my father taught me to behave. It costs nothing to behave with respect and courtesy Hibiki. You should set your own standard for how you behave not lower yourself to the standards of others."

Hibiki stepped back for a moment confused. For a while he looked thoughtful before asking. "You mean you behave that way towards them women because they don't behave that way towards us?"

"There is an element of that. If I treat them with courtesy but they treat me with scorn, who is the better person? There are many ways to fight Hibiki, not all of them are overt."

The youth looked thoughtful again for a moment.

"Ok, I'll except that, but don't expect me to follow suit. I'll show respect for them when they show some for me."

"That's your choice lad. Now other than to tell me your news why else did you come down here?"

"Oh I almost forgot." Hibiki started digging around in his pockets before finally pulling out a small data note. "The old women asked me to give this too you after she gave me the new job. Well I'd better go I start my shift at the register soon."

Hibiki turned and moved away a few steps but stopped before he left the room.

"Tam, earlier you said that your father taught you to behave that way. Does that mean, have your memories returned?"

Tam looked at Hibiki and sighed deeply. "Yes and no. I have some memories now, but most of them are mixed up and confusing. I remember a few things, places, people very clearly. But the rest of it is still disjointed and what little I can recall doesn't make any sense."

"But some of you memories are returning right? So in time you may remember everything?"

"I hope so."

Hibiki gave him a final smile before he waved and walked out the door.

In the room Tam sat back and thought about their conversation. Yes he did remember some things. He remembered the AI's of Shub and learning from them. He remembered the mountains and deep forests of the world on which he had grown up. He remembered serving on another spaceship, wearing a uniform. But he also had other memories. Memories of battles, battles in which he had fought and killed. In which he and his comrades had fought in the defence of others. But the others they had fought to defend had often been aliens. And the ones he had been fighting often wore the same uniform he had.

Tam shook away those memories that he still could not make sense of. Then he turned his attention to the note Hibiki had left him.

It took him a moment to read it, someone had written this with a light pen, not a key pad. Slowly he made out the words that were formed from in a beautiful curved script.

I sent the young one somewhere new in the hope he might learn something.

It occurred to me that if we expect you to be open about your past you should know something of ours. Why don't you join him in the register at fourth watch, Gascognue will expect you.

Magno

Tam smiled to himself. Oh Hibiki, I think you have seriously underestimated your opposition. Then laughing to himself, he set about finishing his preparations before the next shift started.

As the door slid open Hibiki entered eagerly.

"So this is the register, Ahhhhh"

Shock momentarily froze him where he stood. The large room he had entered was dominated by two tables running down its length. On each of the tables were a number of computer terminals and standing behind each terminal in a weird frilly outfit were women.

Hibiki's confusing was further compounded as all the women turned towards him as one and bowed.

"WELCOME" they chanted in unison.

A while later Hibiki found himself dressed in an outfit similar to the women. For the past hour he had been trying to get a feel for what he was supposed to do here.

Finally he had had enough and he exploded.

"I don't get this. What the hell am I supposed to be doing here? What's a Kamikaze set. Why do I have to wear these stupid clothes?"

As he ranted the group of three women who had been trying to teach him clustered together in shock at the anger in his voice. Just as Hibiki looked about to start again a new voice interrupted him.

"It's a load of fuel and bombs. I got the idea from the men."

Hibiki shifted his attention to the newcomer. She was tall and broader than most of the women he had seen. Unlike the others, she was dressed in a paid of dark trousers, with a short sleaved tan shirt with flaring shoulder pads.

"You're the boss of this place. What kind of place is this, all you do is smile."

"We see off our fellow fighters with a smile. It's the most important thing in the register."

"Smile! What's so great about this, Geez." Hibiki stopped suddenly as the woman moved forward to stand in front of him.

"It is a great job. A pilot doesn't fly on their own. They fight first with a lot of help. We are the ones who provide that help behind the scenes.

Mmm you may not be suited for register work, when the other one gets here I'll show you out the back."

"The other one?"

No sooner had Hibiki finished than the doors to the register opened and Tam stepped in.

After one look at Hibiki, Tam had to exercise every shred of willpower he had to stop himself from dropping to the floor and laughing hysterically. As it was he could feel a massive grin passing over his face as he moved forward.

"Hibiki, nice outfit." The youth glared at him but he didn't understand what he found amusing, for which Tam was profoundly thankful. Tam turned to the rooms other occupant.

"Miss Gascognue, I've been told to assign myself to you for a few hours."

Gascognue tilted her head at him surprised. "You got my name right first time. Not many people manage that."

"Just a common courtesy."

'I see so should I return the courtesy?"

"No, just Tam is fine thanks." Gascognue looked at him thoughtfully for a moment.

"There are some people who think shortening a name is an insult."

"I don't see it that way, besides I have been in situations where having a long name can be a liability." At that Gascognue turned towards him her eyes lighting up with interest.

"Have you now? That's interesting."

For a moment Tam cursed inside his head. He wondered if he had given too much away, if she would demand to about the situation of which he spoke. But Gascognue just smiled at him before turning towards the door.

"Well now that you are all here, follow me."

They passed through the door and entered an immense room. The room was filled with immense racks upon which equipment of ever shape and size was stored. The racks were more than seven times a normal human's height. Around the room register staff could be seen walking around with hand held data pads. As they watched sections of the racks detached themselves from the walls and moved around the room, revealing other racks packed in behind them.

Gascognue talked to Hibiki as they walked.

"Let's see how you do at managing equipment stocks. What do you think? You will be in charge of dangerous weapons. Isn't that a great job?"

To emphasis the point she pointed at a rack stacked with missiles, bombs and canisters of ammunition for the Dread.

Hibiki looked around the room with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

"It's not bad but it means going back to the attic."

Tam and Gascognue looked at him questioningly.

"We called the place I worked in on Tarak the attic because it was always dark.

I left because I hated the dark attic, are you telling me to go back to the same place.

Gascognue looked at him with a strange expression on her face.

"What do you know." she murmured "You're one of us too."

Before he could ask what she meant he was interrupted by Tam.

"She's right you know little brother, this is a very important job."

Hibiki turned to face the older man.

"What do you mean?"

Tam stood looking around at the register a faraway look in his eyes.

"There's an old saying that I remember about commanders.

It goes 'Amateurs study Tactics. Professionals study logistics'. Do you know what it means?"

Hibiki shook his head.

"In a war. Fighting is almost the easy part. Anyone with the right equipment can fight. But ensuring that everyone has the equipment to fight with, that people have food to eat, weapons to use and medicine to patch them up. That's difficult. Those that fight would not be able to do so, without those that make and maintain the equipment that lets them."

Tam stopped there and seemed to stare into the distance. His eyes had the puzzled look that seemed to come into them after he had spoken about something from his memories. Hibiki stopped considered what Tam had said. He had newer thought about it that way before but it did make a kind of sense. It was then he noticed that Gascognue was looking at Tam. There was a calculating look in her eyes. Hibiki was about to say something when he heard it.

There was a sudden mind wrenching screech. A sound of metal bending and tearing. They all looked up at the source of the sound. High on one of the racks a crate had somehow come loose from its confines and was falling towards the floor. But directly in its path was one of the girls of the register. They called out to her, yelling at her to run and move, but she was frozen with terror, eyes riveted on the massive object falling towards her. Gascognue started to move forward and Hibiki moved with her, but even as they started they knew it would be too late, that they could never reach her in time. Then something crossed their line of sight. An object, moving so fast it was only a vague blur crossed their vision. It sped towards the girl as the crate hurtled down at her and in the moment before it hit the ground threw itself at her moving her out from under the crates path. The crate hit and disintegrated into a shower of metal parts. Hibiki and Gascognue had to put up their arms to shield themselves as the pasts fell around them. Finally when the shower of debris stopped they turned to look.

What had been a two meter squared crate was now a waist high pile of garbage. Hurriedly they climbed over the debris.

The sight that greeted them shocked them for a second. On the other side of the lying face down on the ground was Tamorasp, underneath his body which was curved protectively around her could be seen the girl from the register. For a few moments the girls eyes were glazed over with shock, then she seemed to come to her self.

And noticed that there was a man lying on top of her. An ear piercing shriek rent the air as the girl cried out. She managed to free one of her hands from under Tams body and started to beat against his shoulder at it.

"Stupid man, what do you think you are doing, let me go!"

Tams body seemed to shiver. Then his arms moved up and began to slowly push himself away from the floor. Hibiki moved forward to help Tam get to his feet as Gascognue moved forward to help the girl. As soon as she appeared, the girl threw herself into Gascognue's arms and began to cry.

Hibiki looked at her curiously for a moment then turned his attention back to Tam. There was something wring with the older man. His breathing was deep and ragged, his movements slow and painful. He looked like he had run a marathon while out of shape. Hibiki puzzled over that, before the sound of running feet distracted him. A group of other register girls had come rushing to the scene.

They looked around, at the smashed crate, the crying girl and then turned dark glances on the two men. Gascognue's voice cut across their building anger.

"That's enough. There was an accident. The crate fell from its storage block, and Tam pushed Elysia out of its path when it fell."

The girls immediately subsided, some of them with contrite looks on their faces. Gascognue stared at the crowd that had assembled, inspecting it.

"Beatrice, Valoria. Elysia's had quite a shock, take her down to the sick bay and ask the doctor to take a look at her."

Two of the girls immediately came forward and reached out to take the Girl from Gascognue's embrace. As them moved away one stood on either side, supporting her and offering words of comfort.

Gascognue turned to one of the remaining register workers. Sarah, find out what happened to that crate, I want to know why it suddenly fell like that. The rest of you get back to work. All bowed and spoke in the affirmative before heading off to their duties.

When they were gone Gascognue turned back to Tam. "Thank you"

He lifted his head and smiled tiredly. "You're welcome." His breathing was still laboured, but its rhythm was regular now. Gascognue stared at him a wondering look on her face.

"Not that I'm complaining, but how did you manage to move that fast?"

Tam shook his head.

"I don't know." He panted out between laboured breaths

"I saw the girl. Saw the crate falling and suddenly it was like the crate was moving in slow motion."

Gascognue looked at him, for a minute Hibiki thought that she was going to question this further. Then she seemed to come to a decision and shrugged.

"Well, come with me. Lets get you a glass of something to settle you down, and I've got something I meant to show the youngster here."

A few minutes later Hibiki and Gascognue were standing in a small room at the back of the register. Tam sat on a crate, sipping slowly from a mug of something that Gascognue had poured for him and getting his breath back.

Mean while Gascognue had picked up a small white sphere.

As the men watched she placed it in mid air in the centre of the room at let it go. To their surprise it remained floating I the air. There interest was further aroused when an image started to form in the space above the sphere. The image showed a blue at white world hovering in space. Two belts of asteroids circled the world, forming an X shape where they intersected.

"That's Majere the woman' country." Blurted out Hibiki.

"Yes" replied Gascognue.

Tam studied the image as it narrowed in on the asteroid belts that circled the planet and focused on a number of structures (2) at were obviously man made. They were beautiful, gently rounded discs of ivory and brightly coloured lights. There were many disc's linked together by slender ivory bridges. Tall ivory towers studded them. The whole effect was surreal, possessing an almost ethereal beauty.

Hibiki had another way to describe it.

"What's this? Looks a little unnecessarily flashy and all." Tam winced at Hibiki's choice of words but Gascognue seemed undisturbed.

"Yes, flashy and pretty and clean. But that's only on the surface. The country Majere is where everyone gets along and has fun. But that's only superficial. Women have what is called "vanity".

The image shifted to close in on the towers showing them to be covered in lights.

"Everyone wants their 'garden' to look better than their neighbours. The elders of the first and second generations most of all. Thanks to that they're wasting energy. It got so bad that they had to shut down one of the residential units to divert the power. "

The lights on the towers died suddenly, leaving them looking cold and dead.

"Our boss was one of those that lost her home. After that happened she started up the pirating business. She gathered up others like her, who had either lost there homes or didn't fit into Majere's society and made a new home for us here."

The image now cut to a vision of the old pirate ship before it merged with the Ikazuchi to become the Nirvana. It showed the ship and its crew going about their violent business.

"There's no Male or Female in piracy. You barely escaped from death you know. If we had been Majere's elite army you would have died before you even had a chance to bark."

Hibiki gulped at the image of floating globules of blood and dismembered limbs.

Suddenly Gascognue pushed him forward through the image and grabbed the sphere out of the air in one easy motion.

"Here. Since you don't have a place to go you're one of us. The rule here is you don't work you don't eat. You can bark all you want but before that work."

"So why me?" Hibiki moved forward crossly only to be halted as a squigymop was waved in his face.

"Smile, smile." said Gascognue.

With a grimace Hibiki reached out to grasp the mop. "Fine" he said and then moved away to start cleaning the other compartment as indicated by Gascognue.

Satisfied Gascognue turned back to the rooms other occupant. "So did you find that interesting?"

Tam smiled at her over the rim of the cup he was holding. "Very, there were a lot of messages tied into that little presentation. Were they all for the lads benefit or partly for me?"

Gascognue smiled back at him. The boss had been right, this one was sharper than he appeared.

"A little of both to be honest. What do you think was the most important one?"

Tam paused before answering. "That all of you, all of the women have already lost one home, and that this ship is your home. Which means that you will defend it as such."

Gascognue closed her eyes and nodded once, slowly. "The boss thought you might be more perceptive than you let on. I guess that means you also know why I showed you some of those other images."

Tam nodded. "To see if it rekindled any other memories."

"Other memories?" Gascognue spoke quickly her tone betraying her interest.

Tam spoke slowly and carefully. "The captain would want to know if I remembered anything of who I was or where I came from. In truth some memories have been returning to me while I have been here. Sometimes its information, knowledge or just sayings. Other times its images of places and people. But as yet they don't seem to make sense. Some of them seem to conflict with others. I didn't want to mention them until I had had a chance to sort them out for myself. I feel I still need more time."

Gascognue looked thoughtful before answering. "Alright if you need more time that's the way it is. But if you do know anything you had better let the Boss know."

"I promise." They smiled at each other briefly, just before alarms started to howl through the ship.

Elsewhere and Earlier:

On the bridge of the Nirvana a red icon suddenly appeared on the long range scanner display. The dark skinned bridge technician reported from her console.

"Enemy detected. Distance 3000GR. They're approaching at great speed. "

From her command chair Magno muttered. "They're not giving us a rest. How many?"

"Just one. Distance 2500GR."

Magno looked down at a communication panel "Hey bro, its your turn."

Down in his quarters Bart was rudely awoken from his slumber by the call. Quickly he made his way to the bridge.

He made it through the doors just in time to here.

"Distance 1800GR"

"Show us what you've got" called Magno

"Don't worry I'm good at running away." Called Bart over his shoulder before he sank into the control pool.

"Indeed" commented Magno dryly.

The Nirvana suddenly increased its speed and curved its trajectory to dodge past the enemy unit, which promptly set off in pursuit.

The Nirvana sped away, Bart pushing the ship to full thrust. Despite this the enemy ship seemed to easily overtake them, and placed itself once again directly in their path.

Bart was forced to stop. He tried to move the ship laterally from side to side, hoping to find a clear way to slip past. But the enemy ship always moved seemingly effortlessly to block them.

They could see the ship now. It was an irregular, purplish sphere, dotted with rounded protrusions.

"Unidentified object is holding its position and relative distance."

Magno barked commands from her chair. "Bart hold the ships course steady. Meia, launch the dreads! Enter combat!"

"Understood"

Below in the dread bays technicians were already preparing the fighters for launch.

Already in her dread Meia issued orders to her squadron "We'll try the formation attack. Everyone keep on your toes.

Back in the register Hibiki surged out of the door to the back room, his register clothes discarded.

"Yosha! We're launching."

His headlong rush was abruptly caught short as a hand grabbed the back of his shirt.

Gascognue held him up before her an exasperated look on her face.

Tam standing at the back was quite impressed. Granted Hibiki was pretty small. But it would still take a fair bit of strength to hold him up by one hand like that.

Meanwhile the register was full of activity as dread pilots placed their orders and register staff rushed to see them filled.

"Helpers, don't fight."

Gascognue dropped Hibiki in a chair and then with a flick of a switch activated a set of restraints to hold him in place.

"What!. What is this? Hibiki protested loudly.

"Why don't you just watch our work today? Got it?"

There was a muffled snort from the door way as Tam struggled to contain his laughter at the sight. Gascognue turned to him with a smile.

"Now are you going to settle down and watch or am I going to have to do the same to you."

Tam smiled. "Tempting, but I was going to ask you if I could return to my repair crew. If there's any damage they might need my help."

Gascognue looked thoughtful. "I suppose that's true, but you'd better make sure you come back, we still have to finish our discussion."

"I wouldn't dream of missing it." Tam said with a smile. Then just as he was about to move away his attention was diverted. Reaching down to a large pile of old equipment near the door he pulled a large object from the pile. It was a sledge hammer. The hammer had a large head made out of dark metal. One head was flat the other sharply pointed. The handle was made out of a lighter metal, with dark grips of some synthetic at the base and the middle of the handle. The whole thing was coated in dust. Tam looked at it thoughtfully for a minute, then turned and showed it to Gascognue.

"Hey! Do you mind if I take this with me when I go?"

Gascognue looked surprised. "What's that? One of the old tools from the men's section. Why do you want it?"

"I don't know, but I have a feeling I might need it soon."

Gascognue paused then shrugged. "Fine take it, but make sure that you don't damage anything with it."

"Nothing that doesn't need damaging." As he moved to leave he called over his shoulder to Hibiki.

"See you later little brother, have fun."

"Tam! Wait. Stop. Get me out of here. Tam. Tam!"

In other sections of the register, dreads were loaded and prepped for launch.

At the bottom of the Nirvana, the hanger doors opened wide to release the ships deadly brood at the enemy ship in their path. Dread fighters swarmed out, deadly jewels in the night.

Out in space the dreads assumed their formations in front of the Nirvana and prepared to close in on the enemy.

"Dread team set up complete"

On the enemy ship there was no sign of activity. But that didn't mean it was any. On board sensors scanned the emerging craft, sorting through each of them. There, three of its primary objectives had been identified. The fourth was not present, but that could be in its favour. Its requirements met, the enemy ship proceeded with its orders and moved to close in on the Nirvana.

Suddenly ass it approached, long purple tentacles emerged from the rounded protrusions that dotted its surface. For a moment they seemed to quiver like living things. Then they hardened, becoming a series of jagged blades that surrounded the sphere.

Some of the female pilots where shocked at the appearance of the craft.

"What! We're supposed to fight that."

In her dread Meia remained impassive.

"Calm down Jura. Team leader to dreads. Check formation. All teams commence attack"

A chorus of affirmative sounded across the net as the dreads dove in to attack. They moved in complex twisting formations designed to make it hard for an enemy to target them. The upon reaching optimum range each dread released its loan of missiles at the enemy.

But this enemy had its own counter. The blades on its surface began to rotate in their sockets. As the missiles homed in each contacted with the blades and exploded prematurely inflicting no damage on the enemy ship.

Confused reports came in from the dread pilots. On the bridge of the Nirvana, Buzzum the subcommander moved to sit at her console.

"Its been observing and analysing us. It must have finally thought of a way it feels it can finish us off."

Suddenly the sphere surged forward at the Nirvana.

"We're coming in contact."

'Hey Bro!"

"I know." Yelled Bart as he desperately tried to swerve the ship to dodge the attack.

He was only partly successful. Although it missed the main portion of the ship it succeeded in striking the rear module at the back of the ship. As it passed it noted that the ships armour had been pierced. Complying with another order of its mission it released a number of cylinders before speeding on its way. These cylinders moved quickly, plunging into the damaged areas of the armour and penetrating through.

But in the confusion of the fight, then went unnoticed.

The bridge was filled with Barts cries. His link to the ship meant that he felt the damage like physical pain.

"Rear armour damaged." Ezera reported

"Closing off each section." Responded Buzzum.

On the display the enemy could be seen as turning to follow the fleeing Nirvana. The dread fighters positioned themselves to intercept it.

"Dread fighters, ammunition 85% left."

In space the dreads proceeded with their strikes. Sending wave after wave of missiles at the attacking sphere. But the sphere just flew straight into their attacks, apparently undamaged. While the dreads were forced to pull away from the sphere and circle back to avoid a collision.

In her cockpit Meia grimaced. This thing was too fast and they weren't even able to touch it with their missiles. Suddenly Ditas face appeared on her cockpit display.

"Leader lets call Mr Alien."

"What! No. Have you forgotten that he's a man and an enemy?"

Dita persisted. "But he's a good Alien."

"Don't depend on another's strengths. One has to get through her own crisis by herself." Said Meia as she sent another volley of missiles at the sphere. But again these were exploded by the blades to seemingly no effect.

The dreads were now running low on ammo. In her dread Barnett noticed that she was almost out of missiles.

"Miss Gasco, delivery please."

In the register operators were once again busily at work. Orders for ammunition and fuel were received from the dread pilots. These were passed to the store room where crates of ammo and fuel were loaded into the delivery ship.

In the register Hibiki had been watching the battle unfold. His frustration building.

"What are they doing… no not like that."

One of the staff reached out to pass Gascognue the deliver list. Just then the entire ship shuddered as the sphere struck again, this time striking the top armour.

The dreads followed after it blazing away with missiles and guns. But they had to be cautious. The sphere was now trying to strike them as they passed by. The blades changing and growing to follow their targets. Several dreads had been disabled by the blades though none had been destroyed, but it was only a matter of time.

In her cockpit Meia tightened in concentration.

"I wont lose. I don't need help from any man."

In the register, Hibiki strained against his restraints.

"Come on. Release me!"

To his great surprise, they restraints suddenly fell away. He looked up as Gascognue held out her hand to him.

"Come on I'll show you the job of a helper."

On the top hull of the Nirvana a section of the hull suddenly moved upwards. With a sudden burst the beetle shaped delivery ship separated itself from the ship and moved into the fray.

Hibiki was forced back in his seat from the G forces. They passed wreckage from crippled dreads as they closed in.

When Gascognue reached the waiting dreads and slowed to a halt.

"Ok guys all at once now."

Massive robotic arms swung out from below the delivery ship, taking hold of the waiting dreads and bringing them in close.

"50 seconds and counting."

Below another series of arms commenced reloading and refuelling the depleted dreads. On board the delivery ship, the green icons representing the dreads quickly filled with red.

"15 seconds now."

"Look Out!" yelled Hibiki

Gascognue swerved the delivery ship managing to bring its heavy top armour in the path of the spheres spinning blades just in time. The sphere spun away, but instead of proceeding to attack the Nirvana, it came back for another pass at the delivery ship.

As the cockpit shook from the second attack Hibiki exclaimed in surprise.

"This is a helper's job!"

Gascognue shrugged and smiled. "Like I said a pilot doesn't fly by herself."

Suddenly the console chimed.

"Delivery complete. Everyone go."

The dreads shot away in separate directions at the sphere started another attack.

It was then that Hibiki noticed another flashing light on the console.

"Hey there's another one left.

"Oh yes that's right. I brought that too. It'd be a waste not to use it."

After a final attack from the sphere on of the cargo bays on the delivery ship yawned open and out stepped Hibiki's ivory and Gold Vanguard. Hibiki wasted no time in punching the thrusters and rushing into the fray.

The dread pilots noticed the new arrival too. Dita reacting with a glad cry. The others with less enthusiasm.

Hibiki brought the vanguard straight at the sphere, determined to charge right at it. The sphere had other ideas. A volley of crystalline bolts suddenly flew at the Vanguard, one impaling it in the shoulder. Hibiki bellowed in outrage and tried to resume its charge. But the vanguard refused to respond, remaining frozen in space.

Dita seeing her chance sped at Hibiki determine to once again cause the two units to unite. But as she approached Meia shouted out a warning as the sphere fired another volley of shots. Desperately Meia dived in their path trying to confuse the sphere's aim. She was partly successful. Dita was able to break away and avoid the spears. But Meia's dread was grazed by the projectiles and she found herself dead in space. Right in the path of Hibiki's Vanguard. At that moment a great rarity occurred. Both these consummate individuals were thinking exactly the same thing. That they would not lose to something like think. So when Hibiki's Vanguard suddenly surged forward it nearly collided with Meia's dread with very surprising results.

Suddenly a panel opened it the top of Meia's dread. The Vanguard dropping into it like it like it belonged their. Once it was in place, two of the wings dropped down becoming long taloned arms. From the central structure another panel emerged becoming an avian head. Where once there had been a slender starfighter, now lay something like a high-tech bird of prey. Vandread Meia.

In space the dread pilots started in amazement as they witnessed another startling transformation. The bridge crew had similar reactions. However not everyone was so impressed with the new situation.

Meia shook herself only to be greeted by the sight of Hibiki sprawled face first in from of her over the control panels.

Hibiki suddenly leaned back, only to rebound against Meia's chest, shocking both pilots.

"What is this?" Hibiki yelled out as Meia attempted to push him away.

"What are you doing here I don't need your help! Get out!"

"I would if I could" protested Hibiki as he attempted to push back.

A sudden series of explosions sent him sprawling again.

Meia was able to just barely swerve to avoid another volley of the crystalline lances from the sphere.

"This is no time for fighting with each other." Panted Hibiki.

The sphere made another slashing run at the Nirvana before setting off to pursue the Vandread. But Meia had a feel for the ship now and dodged with a series of manuvers, the speed of which was incredible to see.

In the cockpit of the Vandread Hibiki looked distinct fully ill.

"My body can't take much more of this" he complained.

"You talk a lot." Shot back Meia

"Leave me alone. Its proof that I'm alive."

"Lets see how long you can talk."

With that Meia sent the Vandread surging forward with a burst of speed that exceeded any previously. It surged towards the sphere. Almost too fast to see.

But the sphere was ready. On its surface its blades quivered and then hardened, before being released in a continuous volley of fire at the approaching Vandread.

Meia spun the Vandread in a series of twist and turns avoiding the incoming projectiles. And then in a sudden burst of light the Vandread was through the fire and behind the sphere. Once again the two pilots thought as one.

"I've waited for this chance."

The Vandread dived at the sphere. As it moved a corona of green energy started to glow around the spike at its head. It pulsed, then flared and the Vandread surged forward. Undeniable irresistible. Too fast to be stopped, it struck the sphere dead on and burst through to the other side leaving an immense shockwave behind it. Then the Vandread came to a halt. The massive blast of the exploding sphere lighting up space behind it.

In the cockpit the two pilots lay sprawled. Panting deeply. Completely exhausted.

"What was that… of all things." Panted Hibiki.

"I didn't think our thoughts would have agreed" responded Meia.

Meia lay breathing deeply for a minute before speaking again.

"You get it now? You couldn't have done it with your Vanguard alone."

"The same goes for you and your dread he responded."

They both lay back to contemplate that.

After the battle back on the ship:

Tam walked easily down the hallway, a bag of engineering tools help in his right hand, the hammer on his left shoulder. He was following a group of the female engineers as they made their way towards the rear portion of the ship. The ships self repair systems had resealed the hull, so Parfet had deemed it safe to send a repair team down to assess the damage. Unfortunately Parfet had put Celeste in charge of the team and unfortunately Celeste appeared to have a dislike of men on par with Barnette's. As soon as they had been out of Parfet's earshot Celeste had let him know in no uncertain terms that she was in charge of this team and that he would obey her orders. Tam had simply responded with a yes and asked her what she would like him to do. Celeste had stepped back looking flustered obviously taken aback at the lack of protest. She had then angrily yelled for him to carry the equipment before stalking down the hallway. Some of the others in the team had looked at him with sympathy or with friendly smiles before following. So now he trotted behind the rest half listening to their talk about the last battle and the new amazing transformation that had taken place. He was only half listening because he probably had a better idea what had happened then they did. Near the end of the battle, right when Meia and Hibiki formed the Vandread he had been aware of it. He had felt them both in the back of his mind. Only vaguely at first but then stronger and stronger he had felt what they were thinking and what they had been doing. He had no idea why he should be able to do this. It awakened no memories of training, like the incident in the waste water plant had awakened the memories of Shub. But it did bring a word to mind. Esper.

Humans with extra sensory perception. People able to read and hear thoughts, or manipulate natural forces and physical objects through will alone. The thought chilled him. People didn't like esper's, they hated the thought of people being able to look into their minds. How would the crew react if he was an esper? But was he?

Esper's were able to read thoughts, so why could he only hear Hibiki and Meia, and why only when they were together. The link had been severed as soon as the Vandread separated, to Tams relief. He pondered the question as they walked.

They were at the final airlock to the rear section when it hit him. For the past few minutes something had been bussing at the back of his brain. He had thought it hight be a headache but he felt that the buzzing was familiar. He almost felt that he could understand it, like a once learned language that hovered just beyond his ability to remember. But it remained gibberish. Then when they were at the door he recognised it. Not the words but the type of communication. Machine code, separate units communicating together. Shub had used it to send commands to its remote units and had taught it to him so he could use it as well. But he had seen no signs of Shub here and the only other machines. Realisation struck his brain at the same moment as Celeste reached the door controls.

"Celeste Stop!"

The engineering crew looked at him in puzzlement as Celeste turned to stare with anger.

"I told you man. I give the orders not you!" And so saying, she hit the door open control.

The screams of the engineering crew caused he to spin round again. In the doorway stood a machine. It had a stubby insect like body, with four short legs. Its central carapace rose up chest like from the body, connecting to a round head with a single large green eye. Attached to the chest were a pair or arms that ended in wicked pincers. It was red. The same shade as freshly spilled blood. Others could be seen in the corridor behind it. Celeste started to scream as the machine reached for her with a pincer arm.

Suddenly a hammer smashed the machine in the chest throwing it back through the doorway. Tam grabbed Celeste and threw her away from the door before slamming down the emergency close control. The heavy bulkhead doors thudded shut.

Tam wearily moved back from the doors watching them carefully.

SLAM

Something heavy hit the doors form the other side. Already there were dents in the door. Some one screamed. Tam turned.

"RUN. BACK TO THE OTHER AIRLOCK"

None of them had a problem obeying this order from a man.

They pelted down the hall to the next bulkhead. As soon as they were through Tam slammed his palm against the door close button. Some of the crew kept going, running back to the main section of the ship. He let them. Others including Celeste stayed behind. Tam turned to one of them passing her the equipment bag.

"Louise, get out the arc wielder and start sealing that door we have to try and slow these things down." The girl wash shaking with shock and fear but she complied.

Tam turned to the others. The rest of you, get back to the main section. Find a communicator and let the bridge know what's happening. Tell them to get a security detail down here with heavy weapons to stop these things. The others nodded and started to move before Celestes angry voice froze them.

"Just a second who the hell do you think you are to give orders? I'm in charge."

SLAM

A massive impact shook the door. Louise stumbled back, the arc welder still in her hands.

"That's enough Louise. Get back to the next bulkhead try to seal that."

"Are you nuts." Yelled Celeste. "We wont have time."

"I will buy you the time."

Celeste looked puzzled "What do you mean." Tam raised his hammer.

Celeste looked at it in disbelief. "Are you insane? How long do you think you are going to last with just that?"

"Probably not that long, but that isn't the point. What's eight bulkheads that way Celeste." She looked puzzled, then her eyes widened.

"Yes." Said Tam. Engineering. If they can get to there they can shut down the entire ship. We'd be helpless. And at their current progress they'd get their before an effective defence could be put together. We need to buy time. That's why you are going to seal and reinforce the bulkheads. And I am going to buy you as much time as I can to do that. NOW GO."

At this Louise and the others ran for the next bulkhead. Celeste stayed behind, a strange look on her face. "Why are you doing this?"

"I'm here."

'That's not an answer."

"It's the only one you are going to get."

"Do you really think you can stop them alone? Are you really that arrogant, man?" Tam stared straight into her eyes. "No but maybe I'll hold them long enough."

Celeste stepped back, till confused. The she nodded and turned to go. She gave him a final glance, then ran up the corridor for the next bulkhead.

Tam stood in the centre of the corridor. Leaning on the haft of the hammer. He didn't know why he was doing this. Oh he knew the machines had to be stopped. He had no idea why he thought he could do something about it alone. He only knew that it felt right. Since he had come here so many things had felt wrong. The men and women being enemies. The food. And himself, not knowing who he was. But for some reason, standing here alone, waiting to battle overwhelming enemies against hopeless odds. That felt right. Tam chuckled to himself. Maybe he had been a lunatic in the place where he came from. It would certainly explain a few things.

He hefted the hammer, feeling its weight and balance in his hands. It did not feel familiar. It was not what he was used to. But it felt right. Strong and well balanced it would serve him well. His breathing was deep and even as the bulkhead door was suddenly torn open and the first of the machines started to come through.

The gap was small. Only one could pass at a time. If he could hold them there he had a chance. He started to move forward. And then another memory struck him.

Suddenly he knew just what to do. There were enemies before him and a weapon in his hands. His lips pulled back. Leaving his face locked in a deaths head grin. And using the memories that had unfolded to him he spoke the code word to consciously use what he had unconsciously used before.

"Boost."

Blood thundered through his head and his heart raced. Buried subliminal messages inserted long ago kicked in. Adrenalin, endorphins and other more potent serums flooded his system from special glands, recently regrown. His muscles swelled and his senses blossomed. He was suddenly faster stronger and more efficient in every way. His thoughts were sharp and lightening fast. He burst forward, moving much faster that a human should be able to. And as he charged to meet his enemies, with a rightness that was a certainty a battle cry burst from his lips.

"SHANDRAKOR"

"What" Magno reacted to disbelief to the panicked voice of the tech over the com line. Magno listened as the message was repeated almost incoherently, but this time she got the gist of it. She held up a hand to stop the flow of words.

"The are enemies on the ship. They are headed for engineering. You have sealed the doors to stop them, but they are still getting through. And you need security to stop them?" The face on the comm. Screen nodded frantically.

'Right. BC, assemble a security team, heavy weapons. Lead them yourself, and take Barnette and her collection it may be useful."

The subcommander nodded, then set off urgently speaking orders into her wrist com.

Magno turned back to the image. "Now was there anything else?"

The face again spoke urgently. This time Magno's eyes went wide with shock.

"What! Tamorasp is trying to slow them down alone?"

The face nodded again.

"That idiot man. Why did he go and do that." Magno shook her head. The man was a mystery and could be a danger. But he had accepted her offer to join her crew, and as the captain she had a responsibility to him.

"BC, double-time it. One of the idiot men is in trouble."

In the rear section Tam dropped out of the boost breathing heavily. The exhaustion he had felt earlier was only a small part of what he felt now. That was the price of the boost. The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long. All that energy had to some from somewhere. All the drugs and subliminal's did was let him draw it from his own body. But he paid for it afterwards. Every muscle and nerve screamed in agony. His body felt like a giant bruise. But it had been worth it. He looked at the smashed remains of the six machines he had dealt with. Initially it had been hard. Even in the boost at first it had seemed like it was all he could do to hold them back. His hammer strikes had staggered them but had been unable to penetrate their armour. Then once again his mind had unfolded as it had that time before in the waste plant. Suddenly it was like he was seeing a cut section of the machines. Showing weaknesses in the armour, vulnerable parts of the joints, and their power plants. After that it had almost been easy. But they had still left their mark. He was bleeding from a dozen minor wounds and long slashes from near misses from the pincers. He felt dead on his feet, but it didn't matter he had won, he had.

Suddenly his head snapped up, the buzzing was back. Louder this time. He looked down the corridor. A Phalanx of the machines were approaching, twenty or thirty strong. Maybe more. He stifled a sobbing gasp. He was already tired. If he used the boost again he might die from it. But then again he would die anyway.

Tam lifted his hammer and sub vocalised the code word. Once again liquid lightening flooded through his veins. He surged towards them hammer spinning in his hands, his battle cry on his lips. "Shandrakor, Shandrakor!"

He struck them full on scattering several with the force of his charge. He was beautify and terrible to watch. He spun and lunged. His hammer spun in his hands as he delivered crushing blows. With his boost enhanced senses he placed the blows just so. Each one crippling or destroying a machine. He was perfectly balanced, he put the full weight of his momentum into each hammer blow, using its force to propel himself onwards. And he weaved between the machines dealing death and destruction. Beautiful and terrible. The machines tried to react, to box him in. But he was in his element now, he was in the dance. And he moved to avoid their blow and their traps even as he beat back against them. But it wasn't enough. Little by little bit by bit blows got through. Each one weakened him slightly. Made him slower more vulnerable. He knew this. He knew he as dying slowly, both from their blows and the fiery hunger of the boost that was eating away at his heat. He knew but it made no difference. Death was also part of the dance, both his enemies and his own. And so he continued. Pulling more and more strength from his weakening body. Refusing to slow down, to give up. Because that was what he was.

Barnette trotted down the corridor. Despite Magno's urging it had taken time, both to assemble the security team and heavy weapons and to reopen the doors that had been sealed. Several of the women including Barnette herself had also complained at going through all this effort for a man. Buzzum had told them to shut up and remember that these were orders from the boss. The women had kept their complaints quieter from that point. But now they were finally there,

Buzzum motioned for the security personnel to take up positions as the doors opened. Barnette crouched down with the others weapon at the ready. Buzzum gave the signal. The doors opened. The security officers tensed and looked out …. Onto a scene of carnage. The floor was littered with smashed machines. Limbs and shattered pieces of armour were everywhere. The larger intact carapaces stood out like islands in a sea.

They looked at each other. "What the hell did this?" someone voiced the thought on everyone's mind. Buzzum waved for quiet and motioned them forwards. Slowly they advanced weapons ready. They moved cautiously around each smashed machine. Looking for signs of activity. But there were none. Finally they came to the ripped bulkhead door and stepped through. One of the officers gasped and raised her weapon, the others followed suit.

Standing in the middle of the corridor was a figure, its back was turned to them. Its clothes were ragged and torn. Their colour could not be determined because everything was deeply stained with blood. Slowly the figure turned to face them. The gasped when they saw it. Its left arm was mangled, crushed and broken. There were deep wounds on its face and hands. The face was covered in blood from a deep scar running from forehead to jaw. It looked dark, terrifying and primal. Then it spoke.

"Hello Barnette, it took you long enough."

Barnette recognised the voice, although it was harsh and dry.

"Tam, what the hell happened to you?"

"Oh, I had a little trouble with our uninvited guests." He said making a sweeping gesture at the broken machines around him.

It was then that Barnette realised something. Whatever these machines were they weren't alive. Which meant they didn't bleed. Which meant that all of that blood was Tam's. Barnette grabbed the communicator at her waist and started yelling for Duero at the same time as Tamorasp collapsed flat on his face.

Later Magno's quarters:

Magno, Buzzum and Gascognue had gathered to review the events of the last few hours.

"So Parfet estimates another week to fully repair the tail section."

Buzzum completed her report and sat back in her chair.

"Thank you BC. Now what about Tam?"

Buzzum sighed. "He's in the medical section. Still in a critical condition. Duero says that he has stabilised him but that it may still be touch and go."

"What's wrong with him?"

"Other than his external injuries and blood loss, which are in themselves fairly severe, he may lose that arm, the doctor says that every muscle in his body is on the point of collapse."

"What! How?"

"Duero says he doesn't know. Normally this shouldn't be possible, a person should be knocked out by the level of pain that much exertion would cause. He also said that there were incredibly high levels of adrenalin, endorphins and other compounds that Duero couldn't even identify in his bloodstream."

"If the doctor cant identify them then where did they come from?"

"That's the question."

"There's something else. Parfet has started analysing some of the machines that attacked us. Based on what she's been able to determine, none of our standard weapons would have been able to penetrate their armour. But somehow he destroyed thirty of those things on his own with a large hammer. It makes me wonder what else he could do."

They thought about that for a minute, Finally Magno turned to Gascognue.

"So did you learn anything from his visit this afternoon?"

"He said his memories are starting to return. But they're incomplete. He says that so far he only recalls bits and pieces. They have confused him more than anything else.

He said he wanted to sort them out or wait for them to become clear before sharing them. He also picked up the subtle message you asked me to deliver.

"Did he now. What about the incident?"

"With the crate? I don't see how anyone could have moved fast enough to save Elysia from that crate. But somehow he did it. So far everything he has done has helped us, he attempted to act against us in any way."

Magno nodded accepting Gascognue's assessment. Then she looked pointedly at Buzzum.

The subcommander nodded. "I agree that so far he has done nothing against us but that may change when his full memories return. The man is like a Pandora's box. We have no idea what will emerge next."

Magno nodded, accepting their statements without commenting on them. Then she slowly reached into the drawer of her desk and withdrew a small box. Instantly Gascognue and Buzzum sat straighter. The Boss rarely brought out her Tarot deck. It was an almost forgotten art on Majere. Using the cards of fate to catch a glimpse of the future. Slowly almost reverently Magno shuffled the cards. When she was finished she dealt out eight cards from the deck face down.

"The first question, what is he?" She turned over the first two cards. The sword and shield, the protector. The black sword inverted the destroyer.

"Both a protector and a destroyer."

'The second question, what will he be to us?" She turned over the second two cards.

A black warrior with sword drawn, the enemy. A figure holding out a hand, the friend.

"An enemy who will become a friend?"

"The third question, how old is he?" Two more cards. The crone inverted and the child inverted.

"Very old yet young? Something old reborn?"

"The final question, who is he?" The final two cards.

A figure with a bow and arrow. A figure in a black robe holding a scythe.

The hunter and Death

Magno turned to Gascognue and Buzzum without commenting on the final cards.

"We'll keep him as he is for now, but keep a watch on him. That will be all."

A little surprised the two nevertheless got up and said they're goodbyes before leaving.

After they were gone Magno sat and stared at the cards for a long time before finally, almost inaudibly saying.

"A Hunter of Death?"

End of Chapter 3:

………………………………………………………………………………………….

(1) I know that in episode 4 it says one pill provides enough for 300 hour of work time (at least the version I have does) but that seemed completely unrealistic to me. I mean one pill provides enough energy for 12 and a half days! Come on.

(2) I'm not sure if it is ever stated in the series but the impression I got was that the Women live on space habitats because their world is still being terraformed. This is why they have a higher level of technology than the men.

Whew. That was a long chapter. Longer than I expected. Well I hope you all enjoy it.

As always comments and criticism are welcomed. If you don't tell me how can I correct mistakes?

email me at

Oh and don't worry. I don't intend to kill Tam off just yet. Its very hard to kill what he is. And it will only get harder as he remembers more and more of who he is and where he came from.

Until next time.