Mars
Naomi was heading towards the Acheron. Her former teammates stared at her, then turned and looked at each other. No one of them knew quite how to react. It was so unexpected, so inexplicable that she should turn up here, appearing in a position of some authority among these Daxomites.
''Let her in'' Martin said, with a touch of reluctance. Jax moved closer to him.
She disappeared from view. They waited. Footsteps sounded in the corridor and then she came onto the bridge.
''Surprised?'' She was actually grinning in a slightly sardonic manner.
''Certainly, we are'' Martin said heavily.''And I believe we would all like an explanation.''
She looked around, finding things much as she'd expected. Jax was scowling at her. Mick and Joanne were standing shoulder to shoulder. Only Karras - who didn't know her - look genuinely curious.
''It was the way I introduced myself'' she began. ''You did almost as well.'' She glanced at Joanne and Mick. ''I tried to kill Persusis - I would never have succeeded of course, but I didn't know that at the time.''
She saw their disbelieving expressions.
'''Oh, it's quite true. They have a word - quite unpronounceable - in their own language. It means to hunt down those responsible for the death of one's mate. It's a highly honourable thing to do - there are some who understand me at least.''
Martin decided to ignore that not so subtle dig.
''So why are you here?''
''Several reasons. The first is that Vandal Savage, Cassandra Savage and her girlfriend Nikki are here on Mars. So is General Laurel Lance. Oh, they're prisoners at the moment - by my request. But sooner or later they're going to get a chance to talk to King Mallam, just as you will.
Mallam wants Mars for his people, but he doesn't care how he gets it. He'd make an agreement with the U.N. or he'd help Savage take power on Earth or he'd wipe us out if we try to fight him.'' She took a deep breath. ''No matter what we think of each other, I'm human. I want to protect the Earth. We need to work together while you're here.''
X
Martin was being led through the corridors of the Daxomite mothership, in the company of a - not quite - ceremonial guard. They were all tall, muscular individuals with what looked like some impressive weapons. He wondered briefly what those staff-like weapons of theirs did.
Naomi - he had to admit - appeared to be being honest in what she said to them. She had filled them in on all she'd able to glean about Daxomite society, as well as their King. Apparently, it was a very structured, very hierarchical society. The men and women on the mothership were all members of the warrior class, people of some status, but the implication seemed to be that there'd been a large underclass on the home world. That latter fact reflected Saffron and Barry's warning about the enslavement of humanity in their version of the future.
King Mallam, according to Naomi. was arrogant, autocratic, urbane on the surface but in reality totally ruthless. He was also a very competent General, according to the soldiers under his command.
He was surprised when they reached their destination. It wasn't the ceremonial throne room where Naomi had first met the monarch. It appeared to an observation lounge, giving a view down to the surface of Mars. A tall figure was standing, gazing out towards the red planet.
''Go forward'' one of the guards said, giving him a not-too-gentle nudge in the back.
He walked towards the figure by the viewscreen. A quick glance over his shoulder revealed that the guards had taken up positions against the back wall. He was, after all, an academic approaching retirement age. Hardly a match for a skilled warrior - at least without Jax.
He wasn't sure how to greet a King, especially not an alien one. Naomi had warned him against a lot of 'bowing and scarping's she put it. He needed to act as if he had considerable rank on Earth. Which I do - in academic circles, he thought.
He simply said ''Majesty'' and waited.
Mallam slowly turned to face him. He was a handsome man, in his mid-forties, Martin estimated. His dark hair had a touch of grey at the temples. He looked like someone who worked our regularly.
''Welcome to Mars, Professor.''
That greeting gave Martin cause to hope that this was going to be an amiable meeting. Then the King looked beyond him to one of the guards and nodded. The other turned and opened the door, letting someone come in.
It was General Laurel Lance.