Episode 19: The Wolf and the Lamb

Masterson kept his feet as the Eratite ship landed a glancing blow. If he couldn't find a window to warn the Eratites toward the satellite so they could hide… they would fall in battle. And if he couldn't save them—

He stopped.

This wasn't about him. He had to trust that Adonai would give opportunity to act and supply Masterson the courage to take it when it came.


Derek took the captain's post and gripped the chair arms until the edges bit his hands.

"Main turret three is gone," said Sandor. "Casualty reports coming in from the gunnery crew."

We can't hope to fight them off out in the open. Derek checked the casualty list on his comm. Two dead, two criticals heading for the infirmary. "Find us a place to get out of the line of fire."

"We can't backtrack," said Nova. "That would put us in the middle of the starflies again. Port is out—that sends us straight at the enemy. Sparse asteroids ahead."

"All ahead full, Venture."

Argo shook from another hit.

At least they haven't swarmed us yet. Maybe we can get away before they do. He didn't want to fight if they didn't have to. Earth was in danger. Delaying their mission—no matter the reason—would only make everything worse.

Mark pushed ahead at top sublight speed.

"Dash, take out some of those escort ships. Take out as many as you can before we hit the asteroids."

"Aye, sir."


Thank Adonai, the Eratites were heading the right direction.

Masterson secreted a glance at David. Perhaps he could draw attention while Masterson contacted the Eratites.

But David wasn't watching the fight. His attention was on the man who'd just stepped onto the bridge.

Morta.

The young Cometine was fixed on Desslok, and he took the distance from the door to the Leader alarmingly fast.

Masterson stayed between Morta and the Leader.

"How kind of you to finally rejoin us," Desslok said without looking at Morta.

"Prince Zordar's business sometimes demands I leave my post." Morta stood so close his breath warmed Masterson's collar.

Even a wilting stare did nothing to make the young man back away.

"My prince demands you return to Gatlantis," Morta said.

"Zordar said that? Or was it Invidia?" Desslok replied.

Morta stiffened. "The wishes of the princess Invidia are her father's wishes. I suggest you obey them or suffer the consequences."

"And what might those be?" Desslok stood and faced Morta. Behind him, the fleet raced after the Eratite ship, pursuing them to an asteroid field. An explosion bloomed as one of their ships died.

Morta stared down the Leader, defiance in his face.

"I have no intention of giving Invidia the satisfaction of using me in her childish plots again." Desslok moved to retake his seat, but Morta whipped out a Gatlantean weapon and pointed it at Desslok.

The Leader grabbed the gun muzzle and shoved it up, snugging it under Morta's chin. He held it there with one gloved hand while Morta squirmed, fingers tangled near the trigger, wrist bent painfully backward.

Morta struck at Desslok with his free hand, only to have the Leader grab it mid-swing.

"Are my words so difficult to understand, Gatlantean?" Desslok's iron stare said Morta shouldn't answer. "Talan, Lysis, take this idiot to the brig. I'll see to him myself once this is over."

As Masterson secured Morta's hands and David confiscated Morta's ceremonial dagger and a second firearm, Desslok took the weapon Morta had intended to shoot him with. "I'll hold onto this—for now." He also took Morta's empty holster and fastened it opposite his own.

It was a foolish move, challenging Desslok on his own bridge, but Morta was no coward. They would have to watch him well, even in the brig.

The entire bridge crew either hid covert glances or openly stared.

"Attend your posts," Desslok said. "We'll send the Eratites one last message before we destroy them. Let them see my face during their last moments in life. Let them know who is responsible for their demise."

This was his chance.

"If there's a solitary cell, put him in it." Masterson passed Morta to David and took David's post near the door. Every step brought more knots in his stomach. How could he let the Eratites know his message wasn't a trap? They would never believe someone from this fleet would help them.

He knew so little about the Eratites. His limited knowledge was because of Starsha, and recollection of their brief conversations on the subject flickered to mind. She'd mentioned meeting a woman—a fellow follower of Adonai. Perhaps she was still part of the crew.

Desslok hailed the Eratite ship, and Masterson clandestinely patched his comm into the outgoing feed.


Derek brought up the radar station on his own screen. Only two thousand megameters to the asteroid field. If only they could hold back their pursuers a little longer, maybe they could buy enough time to come up with an escape plan.

"Wildstar…?" Homer said. "We're being hailed. Video message this time. It's from—it's from… him."

The last time Derek saw Desslok was the day Celestella shot Nova on the return trip from Iscandar. Thinking he would lose her made it the worst day of his life—worse than the bombings, or the battles with the Gamilons, or even the day they'd lost Captain Avatar. The weeks that followed Nova's collapse were a special kind of torment.

Nova had told Derek about her one meeting with Desslok, but she hadn't said much beyond the bare facts. Most of the crew had seen images of Desslok of Gamilon, and a few had even been there the day the man blew a hole in the side of the Argo and boarded her. They all knew his face. Too well.

Derek stood, putting on a face he hoped looked more confident than he felt. "Take the call."

The face of the man who'd almost destroyed Earth appeared on the main video panel angled above them.

The urge to grab his weapon came to Derek. This man's life was a pittance compared to what he owed for his sins. If anyone carried bloodguilt, it was Desslok of Gamilon.

I've killed too… Derek remembered too well that horrific battle on Gamilon that had cost the lives of so many innocents. But images of Earth replaced them, fueling the same sense of revenge that had filled him during the journey to and from Iscandar. But I didn't murder millions in cold blood. If you ever stand on the same bridge as me, Desslok, I'll shoot you, and I won't regret it.

Leader Desslok of Gamilon spoke. His voice filled the bridge, but it wasn't anything like Derek imagined. It was sober, firm, and full of something… sincere, though Derek couldn't immediately understand the man until Homer turned on the translation matrix and subtitles flashed on-screen.

"Look well, Eratites, and remember that I, Desslok of Gamilon, extended you the mercy of a quick kill, though you deserve far worse for the horror you inflicted on my people and my homeworld. You will die for what you've done." His eyes often flickered from Derek to someone closer to the front of the bridge, but Derek couldn't pinpoint who until Desslok addressed Nova. "You once entered the palace on Gamilon under the guise of Astra of Iscandar. I regret that I must kill you along with the rest of this troublesome crew, for I still hold no ill will towards one who so resembles… one whose life I value. But this is war, and for the sake of our peoples, we cannot be our better selves. Farewell, Eratites."

When the screen blanked, the entire bridge crew seemed in shock, especially Nova. Once half-standing, she plopped into her seat looking speechless.

"Wildstar, th-there's something at the end of the transmission," Homer said. "Looks like a coded message."

"Running it now," said Sandor. "It's coordinates." He shared them with Nova. "There's a tubelike satellite at the center of the asteroids. It's the perfect place for us to hide temporarily. We can tether the asteroids, make a shield, hide from their sensors. It's worked before."

"But that was with two-year-old Gamilon tech. We don't know what Gatlantean sensors can do. Besides, why tell us about a potential hiding place?" Derek said.

"We have limited knowledge of Gatlantean sensors—from our run-in with them on the way back from Iscandar, but you're right, we don't know everything they can do, however, if we do nothing, we won't make it out of this." Sandor tapped a few keys. "The message is signed, but I'm not sure—"

"It's from the Torah," Homer said. "A psalm attributed to Moshe—Moses. 'O you who dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the protection of Shaddai—I say of the LORD, my refuge and stronghold, my God in whom I trust, that He will save you from the fowler's trap, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with His pinions; you will find refuge under His wings; His fidelity is an encircling shield. You need not fear the terror by night, or the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in the darkness, or the scourge that ravages at noon. A thousand may fall at your left side, ten thousand at your right, but it shall not reach you. You will see it with your eyes, you will witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you took the LORD—my refuge, the Most High—as your haven, no harm will befall you, no disease touch your tent. For He will order His angels to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their hands lest you hurt your foot on a stone. You will tread on cubs and vipers; you will trample lions and asps.'*"

"That didn't come from Desslok," said Derek as hope rose in his heart. "Someone on the flagship is on our side—or at least sympathetic. Venture, adjust our heading."

"Wildstar, I'm not sure about this. I think it's a trap," Mark said as he dodged another round of fire from two of Desslok's fleet.

"I… do too…" said Eager.

"Same." Dash weighed in.

Another volley shot past them, several shots finding their mark, and the Argo shook from impact.

"We don't have time to debate," said Derek. "And we're out of options. We haven't time to charge the wave gun, and we're outnumbered. Warp is off the table too since the engine's still under repairs from the starfly incident. You all came out here on my word, and I'm going to do my best to keep all of us alive. Now, let's go."

"Adjusting course." Mark reluctantly obeyed.


Masterson kept his tethered comm pocketed until it notified him his message was received. He only hoped they would listen.

"Target is heading into the asteroid field," said radar.

"Follow them," Desslok said. "They've used this trick before."

Dread crept up Masterson's throat. He hadn't been present for the encounters with this ship during the war. Desslok had seen to that when he'd banished Masterson to the outer perimeter along with a ship full of other dissidents—the majority fellow believers in Adonai. What if Desslok outmaneuvered the Eratites before they reached the satellite? Masterson had seen him accomplish unlikelier feats.

He took his post beside the Leader and kept his expression flavorless as the fleet pursued the Eratite ship into the asteroids.


Derek tracked the enemy ships on the radar. "Still following us. Dash, keep firing, but try not to hit the asteroids. We're gonna need as many as we can get."

"Team's doing their best," said Dash. "Just took down another escort. Even got another hit on the flagship."

"Venture, can we lose them?"

"I'll do what I can," said Mark. "But without the engine at a hundred percent, it'll be tough."

"Just get as much rock between them and us as possible."

"Roger that. Harnesses, everyone. It's about to get bumpy."


Each ship they lost piled more guilt on Masterson. Those lives were on his conscience now. If he hadn't given the Eratites an escape plan, those men and women would still be alive.

No. He made himself stop. They are in Adonai's hands. I have done what's right. I'm not responsible for what I can't control.

Still, every second made the weight heavier. It was all he could do to stand by and watch the consequences of his actions play out. This could even cost his own life. But he could accept that. He only prayed no one else would have to die.

"We're getting interference from the asteroids," said radar. "Too much congestion in a small area."

"Sensors are limited too."

Desslok cursed.

There were many things the Gatlanteans had managed to do that Gamilon hadn't, but even technology enhanced so much as the Gatlanteans' still had limitations. The only thing that might feasibly be able to see through the mess outside was Iscandarian tech, which Starsha had wisely withheld from Desslok. If the Eratites were maneuvering through the field unhindered it could only mean Starsha had enhanced their systems when they arrived on Iscandar.

"Send out fighters," Desslok said. "When they find the Eratites, have them drop a sensor trail on the way back. Until we find them, do not advance the fleet. I'll not lose more of our people to a game of hide and seek."

The flagship slowed, stopped.

Masterson prayed Desslok wouldn't ask his opinion on the Eratites' strategy.


Once Mark hid the Argo behind an asteroid, Derek said, "Tag every asteroid you need, Sandor. We're not gonna get another chance."

Thousands of tiny units flooded from the Argo and attached to nearby debris.

Sandor hauled them in, covering the ship with a protective shield of rock. Thanks to Sandor's upgrades and the new connection to the Iscandarian radar unit, they could still see what was happening outside their protective shell.

"Closing in on the satellite's coordinates," said Nova. "Right where the message said it would be."

"Sandor, anything unusual on sensors?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary."

"Take us in." Derek pulled up the specs on the satellite. Three thousand meters wide, ten thousand meters long. Plenty of room for them to use as a temporary dock. "Sandor, can you use the asteroids to seal us in?"

"Sure. It'll be like shutting the underground docks back on Earth."

Once they were inside, Sandor released the asteroids from the ship and closed them in, hiding them from Desslok and his fleet.

"Fire port and starboard rocket anchors," Derek said.

The ship rocked a little when both anchors found purchase, and exterior lights flickered on to illuminate the hollowed rock. They weren't out of danger, but at least they had a little time.

"Orion," Derek called down to Engineering, "when will the engine be completely fixed?"

"Got at least three more hours a work left, Captain. Those bugs did some damage down here. Good thing they didn't eat through the power conduits, or we'd all be floatin' in space right now."

"I need it done in half that time."

"We'll give ya everything we've got."


Masterson had never been one to pace, but he itched to now, if only to keep his mind off what would happen when—if—Desslok found the Eratite ship. He pleaded again with Adonai that they might escape, or avoid a direct confrontation, but in his heart, he knew even if they got away today, there would come a time when they would meet Desslok's fleet again, and that battle would take many lives.

"Incoming call," said communications.

Desslok answered immediately.

Invidia's face appeared on the main video panel for the entire bridge crew to see.

Desslok did not stand.

"You've been avoiding my calls," Invidia said.

"I've been occupied," Desslok replied evenly.

"Chasing that little Original ship around?" She snorted. "How simple."

"No foe is to be underestimated, and no ally taken for granted."

Invidia seemed insulted.

Masterson hadn't known the woman long, but he'd found her prone to dramatization when it suited her—as it seemed to now.

"Are you saying you've renounced your alliance with my father? That he was wrong to let out your leash?"

"I haven't time to match wits with the unarmed."

"Why, you—"

Desslok ended the call.

An uninterrupted hour passed, and Masterson expected Invidia to call again any moment, fuming, railing, perhaps even cursing the Leader to his face in front of his own officers. But she didn't attempt contact.

"Any word from the fighters?" Desslok said.

"Nothing yet, sir," said communications. "They've combed half the field."

Desslok studied their limited sensor data. "Instruct all fighters to blow to bits everything big enough to hide the Eratite ship."

"Sir?" said communications. "Shouldn't we pursue—"

"Give the order," Desslok growled. "They're still here—hiding. They dare not come out, so we must make them. They've had far too much time already. I'll not give them more."

"Yes, sir." Communications relayed the order.

Masterson wanted to urge the Eratite ship into warp—send it somewhere Desslok would not follow. But all he could do was wait and watch. And keep praying.


Smothering tension filled the bridge, and Derek checked the engine status every two minutes. After an hour, he called Orion. "How's it going?"

"Just fine, Wildstar, but we've still got another hour's work. I've seen lotsa miracles in my time, but if we get one today, it won't be my doin'."

"Can we get to warp?"

"No."

"What can we do?"

"Charge the wave gun, for starters," said Orion. "It'll be slow, but it'll work. Four times the charge time—and half the output."

"Not great," Derek muttered.

"But not nothing," said Sandor.

"Where are the Gamilons?" Derek brought up radar.

"Flagship and escort ships are hanging back," Nova said. "Fighters are still scouring the asteroid field. And—"

The ship rocked.

"They're blowing up asteroids," Nova added. "But why?"

"I told you that message was a trap!" said Venture. "They know we're hiding somewhere in here, and the second they find us, it's over."

Derek called Engineering again. "Orion, finish everything you can in the next three minutes. Venture, get ready to run. If they find us, we have to move. Fast."


Sooner than Masterson would have liked, communications reported, "Fighters have destroyed everything between them and us. Squadron 4 reports a large formation capable of housing multiple ships. Sensors are getting anomalous readings, but the composition of the asteroids could be throwing off sensors."

"On screen," Desslok said.

An image of the satellite Masterson found appeared, but it looked different than he expected. Instead of a hollow core, the satellite appeared to be one solid piece of rock.

Perhaps the Eratites weren't here.

Masterson held onto that vague hope.

Desslok studied the image on the panel and then as a holographic projection before checking the sensor readings again for five silent minutes.

Masterson could barely breathe.

The Leader closed the image and opened unfamiliar system controls. Masterson strained to read the system's name without turning his head. Galam ha Derekh*.

Desslok input coordinates. "Ready all escort ships except Krubera for instant transport. We've found the Eratites."

"But, Sire, they could be anywhere—or not even in the field anymore," Masterson protested as panic burned through him.

"Your sympathy toward them does us all a disservice, Talan," Desslok said. "They are here. I've seen them hide in plain sight before."

Masterson swallowed hard.

"You are not to leave my sight for the duration of this encounter," Desslok said. "And Lysis is to remain in the brig with our misguided Cometine friend."

Four security officers loosely surrounded Masterson at Desslok's command, but they did not escort him off the bridge. All faced him, weapons ready.

"I know you helped them, Talan," Desslok said. "And I know you would do it again if given opportunity. If it were anyone else, I'd have shot him myself, but I extend you deference because you have saved my life countless times. When this is over, you'll be escorted to the brig to await my further judgement."

Once, years ago, Desslok had pointed a gun at Masterson, but he hadn't been able to pull the trigger. If it came down to it, was that still true? Could his friend of so many years… kill him? He could have killed Morta mere hours before, but he hadn't. Though that was likely out of political obligation, not mercy. He only hoped he wouldn't be taken back to Gatlantis and left to rot in a Cometine prison.

"We're going to meet the Eratites, and if they don't come out of their hiding place, we'll destroy their refuge along with them." Desslok arranged a group of ships in front of the flagship, and with one word they vanished from sight.


When Desslok's fleet materialized around the satellite, Derek wanted to curse. "They know we're here. Sandor, give us a way out of—"

"Ten more ships," Nova said. "They've cut off all escape routes."

Maybe this really was a trap…

"She's right, Wildstar," said Sandor. "If we go out there, we're done for. Better to stay put. The wave motion shield's not at full power, but I can give you twenty-five percent."

"No," Derek said. "The shield won't do us any good if they all attack at once. Put everything into charging the wave gun."

"Charging now," said Dash.

"Twenty more ships," Nova said. "Flagship just appeared to port."

Derek checked radar. Nearly seventy ships waited for them outside. Steep odds. But they'd beaten worse. The only question was… could they do it again? God, help us get out of here.


Masterson had no good options. He wouldn't draw a weapon on his fellow crew, and he couldn't run. Time was running out for the Eratites.

Krubera transported them to the satellite.

"Charge the prime weapon." Desslok stood, and a minimalistic set of controls rose from beneath the deck.

The power level steadily rose, and Masterson's hope for the Eratites' survival slowly died. If Desslok was this sure the Eratites were here, then they were. He'd seen the Leader track countless enemies during the rebellion on Gamilon. Instincts like that didn't fade. Save them, Adonai! Save them… from us. He looked away as the power level hit maximum, and a ten second countdown began.

Masterson measured every breath leading up to the final three seconds. This was his fault. He shouldn't have intervened like this—tried to send them here. He should have given them a different route, another option, something that wouldn't have resulted in this.

"Call from Prince Zordar himself, Sire," said communications. "It's marked urgent."

Desslok halted the countdown. He kept his face blank, but anger poured from him. "Put it through," he said too calmly.

The face of Zordar filled the video panel, but Desslok gave no sign of surprise. He nodded to Zordar. "How may I be of service?" Each syllable felt razored, but not enough to be considered insubordinate.

"Desslok," the prince said with a flick of his unruly hair. "It has come to my attention that you have refused to obey an order from my daughter, our esteemed princess, Invidia."

Masterson had never met Zordar personally, but the man seemed different from Desslok's accounts, more flippant, conceited.

"The princess has made her wishes well known to me and my crew," Desslok said. "But her petty whims contradict the orders you yourself gave. I have sought to fulfill your wishes instead of hers."

It was risky to insult the princess so publicly.

"Obey the princess at once, or I'll have you thrown in a cell to rot in anonymity for the rest of your days."

To Masterson's shock, Desslok… laughed.

"You thought to deceive me with the same ruse you perpetrated when last you attempted to force your will upon me?" Desslok shook his head. "You are the fool, not I."

Zordar's likeness morphed into Invidia's.

"You have the audacity to harass me, lie to me, and interrupt my every move. You are the center of your own universe, Princess Invidia. If you call me again, I'll make your father aware of your interference and have you blacklisted from contacting my fleet."

Invidia chuckled. "Threatening to tell my father and block my calls. And you label me a simpleton?"

"Do believe me, I would enact harsher measures were I not in your father's debt." One hand hovered near his sidearm, but he didn't pull it. "Good-bye, Invidia."

"Hang up on me again, and I'll destroy your ship and everyone on it."

Desslok motioned for communications to end the call.

"Don't believe me?" She followed the question with a string of Cometine.

The ship jumped as if rammed.

"Explosion in the auxiliary engine room!" said the on-duty engineering officer.

"Now, do I have your attention?"

Desslok looked as if he might rip the dark glee from Invidia's face, but he raised a staying hand to communications, and Invidia remained on screen.

"Good. I see you haven't entirely lost your capacity for reason. My father has ordered your immediate return to Gatlantis. Since you are now much overdue, you will return immediately."

"The good prince will have to wait until I'm finished with the Eratites. Once they are taken care of, I will gladly return."

Invidia spouted another string of Cometine, and this time, the lights dimmed.

"Life support controls are out. Rerouting through emergency backups."

Invidia tapped a manicured finger to her lips. "Seems like waiting isn't a good idea."

Desslok drew his gun and fired straight into Invidia's smug face before ending the call.

The viewscreen went black.

"Take us out of the asteroid field but instruct the fleet to destroy that satellite and anything inside," said Desslok as he reclaimed his seat with a quiet curse. "Escort Talan to the brig, and confiscate his personal comm. I'll not have him interfering again."

The four men watching Masterson shepherded him off the bridge.


When Desslok's flagship stopped charging its prime weapon, Derek dared hope they had a chance, and when the flagship did a one-eighty, he could have whooped for joy, but he kept his attention on the immediate need—getting out of here alive. "What's going on?"

"Not sure," Nova said. "The flagship is leaving, but the rest of the fleet isn't, and they don't look happy."

"Agreed," said Sandor. "They're readying weapons. With that kind of firepower, they could blow this satellite to pieces with a single concentrated burst."

"Is the wave gun ready?" Derek said.

"It'll be as charged as we can get it in ten seconds," Dash replied.

"Orion," Derek called Engineering again.

"Aye, Captain?"

"How long will it take to recover enough power to take us out of here?"

"Two minutes."

"Too long," Derek said under his breath.

"What if we used the wave gun's power to move us instead?" said Sandor. "Disengage the anti-recoil mechanism the instant we fire. The momentum will push us out."

"And straight into a storm of asteroid bits," said Nova.

"Not if I keep back enough power to make us a shield out of half the asteroids we're tethered to," said Sandor.

"Do it. And make it quick." Derek said.

"Wave gun's charged," said Dash.

Derek took his old combat chief post at the front of the bridge as everyone put on protective goggles and rechecked their harnesses.

The target scope flipped out of the console, aimed at the opposite end of the satellite. They had one chance to get out of this.

"Enemy weapons fire incoming. Impact in seven, six—"

Five seconds hung on the clock, winding down to one. When zero hit, Derek prayed Orion had finished disconnecting the recoil dampener and pulled the trigger.


Masterson's entourage took him to a brig cell. When they asked for his comm, he handed it over. No point in making this more difficult.

As he stepped into the cell, and the gate closed behind him, his thoughts were on the Eratite ship. And Desslok. Whatever fragile trust he'd had with the Leader was gone now. He'd promised not to intervene, and he'd broken that promise.

It wasn't five minutes into his incarceration that a trio of guards rushed past Masterson's cell. Then another two followed them.

Masterson strained to see where they went, but the gate, though made of crossed metal bars, obscured his view.

He gave up and sat on the room's simple cot jutting from the wall. Head low, hands folded between his knees, he let out a sigh. This would be a long trip back to Gatlantis.

The cell door rattled.

Masterson looked up, expecting to see one of the guards. "David?" He approached the gate.

"They got out," David said, voice low, as another brig guard passed. "The Eratites made it out! They blasted through the fleet and flung themselves out of that satellite. I thought they'd be pulverized with all the asteroids we blew up, but they had a shield made of rock, and…" David went on for half a minute, sometimes talking so fast Masterson couldn't process everything he was saying. "The fleet's been cut down by a third." David sobered. "They're not pursuing. Leader Desslok called them to follow us back to Gatlantis."

The news hurt. All those lives lost… But a bit of joy was there too. The Eratites had survived.

Adonai, forgive me. And may Your name be praised.

"Lie low until we make it back to Gatlantis," Masterson said. "Perhaps, by then, things will have changed."

"I don't think so," David said. "Leader Desslok said you weren't to be let out of here, even once we get back. I think he's going to keep you holed up until we take down the Eratite ship."

"Then keep me informed."

"They didn't take my comm, but the only thing I can send is an emergency call. All other outbound calls are restricted."

"It's all right. You haven't been barred from seeing me."

"Doesn't look like that's on the Leader's priority list right now. He was pretty angry about Invidia's call. If she hadn't interrupted when she did, the Eratites would be dead."

"Adonai moves in mysterious ways, my friend."

"Mysterious, indeed," David whispered. "I'll be back in a few hours—or sooner, if I learn anything else."

"Thank you—for not leaving me here."

"No sense in coming through a war or two with someone if you're going to desert them at the first sign of trouble," David said. "History carries a lot of weight. Leader Desslok will remember that."

As David left the brig, Masterson returned to his cot. He hoped David was right.


The force of the wave gun blast shot Argo out of the satellite and the asteroid field. Nova had expected Desslok's fleet to pursue, but not even a single ship came after them.

Now, two hours after the incident, her shift was over, and she headed for her quarters for some much-needed sleep. Others from her shift passed her heading directly to quarters as per lockdown protocol. Even meals had to be eaten in everyone's rooms. She'd had to eat dinner last night while on the comm with Feria in order to get some kind of conversation with another person. Thankfully, Feria had been up when Nova's shift ended or she'd have spent another meal alone with a book and her food. There were advantages to not having a bunkmate, but right now, she wished she had one.

She stepped inside her quarters.

When she entered, the lights came on.

Dirt and leaves scattered the floor, and the pot that once stood beside the door was smashed into a hundred pieces, one of which snapped under Nova's boot. The remains of a tattered plant lay in the middle of the floor.

"Silesia!" Nova ran to the brutalized Jeshurunian and picked her from the floor. "Silesia, are you all right?"

No answer.

Nova looked for something to scoop the soil back into and settled on taking the small drawer out of the desk. She lay Silesia on the bed and filled the metal drawer with as much damp earth as she could salvage from the floor.

What remained of the Jeshurunian was a wilted mass of pulp and broken roots, but Nova gently tucked the roots into the soil and patted them into place.

Tears welled in Nova's eyes as she took out her comm. "He's killed her, Derek. Deun broke into my room and murdered Silesia."

The sound of running boots on deck plates filled the receiver. "I'm on my way to my quarters to check on Bahn. Stay there and make sure the door's locked. Is she still intact?"

"No. He's ripped her to shreds." She held the cold drawer and sobbed over it. "There are pieces of her all over the room. It's awful!"

"I'm sorry," Derek said. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Just be careful. He can't have been gone long, some of these rips are fresh." She gingerly touched a still weeping rend in the Jeshurunian's stem.

"I will." Derek hung up.


Episode 19 Notes:

* Psalm 91:1-13, Jewish Publication Society

* Galam ha Derekh – literally "the folding of the way," also known as the S.M.I.T.E. system; a means of instant matter transport

Editing pass, 8/25/2022

The title for this episode is taken from Is. 65:24-25:

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.