There was a loud electronic buzz as the two men reappeared in the teleport bay. Blake was kneeling down, bent worriedly over Avon as they materialised, the other man lay stretched out on the ground beside him, utterly still.
Cally leapt forward instantly, joining Blake beside their motionless companion while Vila just frowned, a nervous anxiety clear on his face.
''Blake, what happened?'' he asked, sounding more than a little concerned. ''He's not dead, is he?''
Blake shook his head. '' No, not yet'' he replied, glancing down worriedly at the Telepath as she hurriedly checked Avon's condition. ''Cally?''
It did not take her long to assess what was wrong. Avon had more than a few cuts and bruises, a nasty wound to the head and even a few cracked ribs but none of them were bad enough to cause this. Then she noticed the needle marks on his arms and everything began to fall into place. Her tense, worried expression as she looked up to answer Blake did nothing to quell his unease.
''He is very weak'' she told him, confirming what he already knew. ''I think his body's gone into some form of drug induced shock; it's starting to shut down.'' Her voice was urgent as she spoke, knowing they had very little time. ''we need to get him to the surgical bay, now, we can't afford to wait.''
Sensing the concern in Cally's voice, Blake sprang into action. ''Right, Vila, give me a hand, will you?'' he asked, motioning for the thief to take Avon's legs as they carried him carefully to the medical bay. ''Cally, you go ahead and get everything ready, we'll be as quick as we can.''
''Of course,'' she agreed, hurrying from the room.
Blake and Vila lifted Avon gently between them as they started after her, Vila already flagging.
''He's heavier than he looks, he is'' the thief grumbled crabbily under his breath, almost dropping their burden before Blake hissed at him to be careful.
Once in the surgical unit they lowered him down carefully but gratefully onto the bed and stepped aside, giving Cally space to work. She slipped on a respirator to ease his laboured breathing before activating the medical scanners to get a proper diagnosis.
It was at that moment, as Blake and Vila hovered anxiously in the background that the intercom chimed, Jenna's strained voice audible over the comm.
''They're within range, lining for an attack run, we can't stay any longer. Is there any word from Blake?''
Tearing his mind away from Avon and Cally, Blake turned to the comm. ''I'm here. What's going on?'' he asked.
''Blake?'' Jenna's voice sounded surprised as she spoke. ''How long have you been back on board?''
''Minutes, literally'' he assured her. ''What is it, what's wrong?''
''We were picked up by a federation patrol passing through the sector about twenty minutes ago, but I didn't want to leave station until I had too.''
Suddenly the ship gave a violent lurch causing Vila to cry out in alarm.
''They've started firing. Blake, I need you up here, I can't fight them off on my own.''
Blake hesitated, glancing over at Cally and Avon, somewhat unwilling to leave before he knew weather the computer expert would be ok, but he knew there was not another choice.
Cally seemed to read his mind as she met his gaze levelly. ''I can manage here Blake; you should get to the flight deck. Jenna is right, she cannot fight them alone.''
Reluctantly, Blake agreed. ''Right, Villa, come with me'' he instructed, hurrying to the door as another shockwave battered them. Then he turned back to the telepath. ''Look after him Cally, I'll be back down as soon as we're safe.''
''Of course,'' Cally promised, flashing him a strained smile. ''Now go.''
The Liberator shook again for the third time as Blake and Vila stepped hastily onto the flight deck.
Jenna turned, a look of relief crossing her attractive features. ''Blake, there you are'' she smiled. ''I'm glad to see you're alright, you had us worried.''
''Thank you'' he replied earnestly as he took Avon's normal station at the force wall, Vila slipping nervously behind his own weapons console.
''PLASMA BOLT LAUNCHED'' zen intoned, warning the crew of the latest attack.
''Direct vision'' Blake commanded firmly and the main screen whirred into life. ''Raise the radiation flare shield.''
He turned to Vila. ''Vila, open fire on the lead ship. If that's destroyed it should give us a clear path to blast out of here.''
''But the other ships are still firing!'' the thief protested, his voice predictably uneasy.
The deck shook beneath them as the Plasma bolt struck.
''Just do it, Vila!'' Blake snapped and the thief reluctantly obeyed.
It took two direct hits from the neutron blasters but on the second, the lead pursuit ship exploded, a shower of sparks filling the viewscreen as the Liberator crew watched it happen.
''Now Jenna, take us through that gap, standard by ten'' he instructed but the pilot was already on it, flying the Liberator expertly between the other two pursuit ships with considerable skill.
Then they were away, the other two attacking ships quickly lost behind them as they sped out into open space, away from Deta 8 and the federation. Blake waited impatiently on the flight deck until they were sure they were safe and out of range of any federation scanners before he headed back down to the medical bay, telling Jenna to keep an eye out for any other dangers.
When he arrived, Cally was sitting at the small desk, a hot cup of coffee in one hand as she kept a close watch over Avon. She looked up when he walked in, flashing him a tired smile that he willingly returned.
''How is he?'' Blake asked, gesturing at Avon. He was glad to see the computer expert looked slightly better than when he had last seen him, if only a little. But he could tell Cally was still worried.
''Well, he's stable for now at least, and that is a good sign'' she assured him, checking the medical readout again, just to be sure.
''And?'' He questioned, ''do you know what they did to him?''
Cally nodded, handing Blake the latest readout. ''Yes'' she replied, starting to explain. ''When I activated the medical scanners, they showed a potentially lethal concentration of Sarantax in his blood, a type of drug sometimes used as a poison.''
Blake frowned, recognising the name. ''Yes, I've heard of it,'' he replied, his tone somewhat bitter. ''The federation sometimes use it in interrogations to 'encourage confessions'. It's a particularly nasty form of torture they thought up a few years ago.'' He paused, trying not to think of it being used on Avon. ''But there is a drug to counter the effects, isn't there?''
Again, the telepath nodded. ''Yes, there is, and luckily we did have some on board or else there would have been nothing I could do. But it was administered very late.'' She looked unsure as she spoke, as if she was working mostly from guesswork. ''I have only ever heard of it being used in an earlier stage of poisoning, certainly before shock sets in.''
''But it will work?'' Blake demanded, needing to know.
Cally's answer was unreassuringly noncommittal. ''Avon is strong, he will not give up without a fight'' she told him, glancing over at their silent companion as they spoke, a look of silent determination in her eyes, '' he has proven that already.''
''Yes, I know'' Blake told her, trying to keep the nervous frustration from his voice, ''but that's not what I asked.''
With a sigh, the telepath continued. ''I've controlled the shock and treated his other injuries, and I can help with the outward symptoms a bit, but the next twelve hours are vital. If he survives those, he should recover.''
Blake was silent for a moment before pouring himself a cup of coffee and settling down beside Cally.
''Then I suppose we have a long wait ahead of us'' he said at last, flashing Cally what he hoped was a reassuring smile as they began to wait.
Eighteen hours later
Avon awoke with a start, unsure where he was for a moment as his jumbled memories failed to slot back into place. The base, Tarrat... Blake, their attempted escape. He could not remember how it had ended, if they had got away. He was not even quite sure whether it had happened at all, or whether he was still there, passed out in his cell. He struggled to open his eyes, to see where he was, but they felt heavy, like lead weights.
''Avon. Easy it's just me, Blake'' came the unmistakeable sound of the rebel leader's frustratingly caring voice beside him. ''Your safe, were back on the liberator.''
That was welcome news, at least. Avon relaxed a little at the sound of Blake's voice but only slightly, now, though, he looked more uncomfortable than anything else.
''Blake...'' he managed quietly, finally forcing his eyes open and taking in the familiar room around him. ''I see we made it then'' he remarked after a moment's silence.
Blake nodded. ''Yes. Cally teleported us back up to the liberator just after you passed out. And
not a moment too soon either,'' he replied, knowing much longer, and they would probably not be having this conversation now. ''Anyway, how do you feel?''
Avon shot him a look. ''Sore and tired, how would you imagine?'' he responded flatly as though it had been a rather stupid question, his short answer signalling an end to the discussion.
Blake tried not to. Three weeks under federation torture would not have been a pleasant experience for anyone, even Avon, and he guessed his reply had been a considerable understatement. Still, he did not push the issue.
''Fair enough'' he replied instead, his smile somewhat sympathetic, but not too much. Blake had tried to tone down his instinctive sympathy when it came to Avon, knowing the other man would not appreciate it. ''Cally gave you some painkillers a few hours ago but she didn't want to give you too much until the other drugs had been completely purged from your system, just in case they interacted badly. Now you're awake though, she might be able to give you something stronger.''
''Never mind'' Avon declined, preferring to have as little drugs as possible given recent circumstances.
At that moment Cally walked in. She looked tired, as for that matter did Blake, but her face stretched into a warm, beaming smile when she saw them.
''Avon! Your awake!'' she exclaimed surprised, joyfully relieved. She had only been gone for a short time, getting something to eat with Vila and Jena before coming back down.
The corner of his lips twitched into a slight smile for a second, returning her own. ''So, it would appear'' he returned but his words lacked the cutting edge they had held with Blake.
The telepath strode over brightly, checking the readout on the medical scanner before she spoke again.
''It's good to have you back Avon. We missed you.''
''Yes, I imagine you did'' the computer expert replied, his tone cynical as he looked at Blake. ''My expertise in any case.''
Cally frowned but Blake did not look offended. He doubted Avon really meant it, at least in part.
''That is not what I meant'' Cally protested unhappily. ''We all missed you... even Vila'' she added after a pause, smiling again as she caught site of the thief poking his head round the door.
''Hi everyone. How's...'' he trailed off when he saw Avon was awake, giving him a somewhat disapproving glare. ''Oh Avon! I... I didn't think you'd be awake yet...'' he stammered, trying to think up a good reason for being there that did not include admitting he had been worried about Avon. ''I just came to... you know... see how Cally was,'' he managed, clutching at the first idea that came to mind. ''Check she was alright .''
Avon looked genuinely confused by Vila's words, glancing over at Cally. ''Why, would she not be?''
Vila suddenly looked even more worried as he groped for a response. ''Oh, you know... her and Blake must be exhausted by now after all the time they've spent down here. They've hardly left this place since we left that base, and before then they were getting ready to break you out.''
''And you have never come down here at all'' Cally suggested, her words playfully ironic.
Vila went red, embarrassed. ''Me? Of course not, why would I do a thing like that?''
The room suddenly seemed to be getting incredibly crowded. Almost the entire crew were there, talking animatedly amongst themselves and Avon scowled, in many ways wishing they would all go away and leave him alone, or at least be quiet. His head ached, his body felt exhausted and the last thing he wanted to do right now was listen to some pointless story from Vila about every unimportant thing he had missed for the last three weeks. At least he now knew how long it had been though, he had not been sure before.
He closed his eyes for a moment in annoyance, trying to block them out but very soon he had had enough.
''Now you have all assured yourself that I am still alive I suggest you leave'' he growled, his voice low. ''I would rather be left alone.''
Cally and Vila shared a glance but Blake was hardly surprised. Avon was a private person at the best of times, and this certainly was not that. He could understand his desire for some privacy.
He glanced questioningly over at the telepath. ''Cally?''
She shrugged helplessly as she replied but she did not look happy about the suggestion. ''He should be alright now he's awake but I would have much rathered he was monitored for a while, just to be sure.''
Somehow, as he studied Avon's impassive stair, Blake found himself doubting weather anyone would really want to be on their own after three weeks of solitary confinement and torture at the hands of the federation... even Avon. He would not accept anyone who decided to stay with him out of pity, of course, but Blake found he did have some things he and Avon needed to discuss, and now was as good a time as any.
''All right,'' he said, making up his mind. ''Vila go up to the flight deck and take over from Jena for a while, she can put the ship on automatics and it's about time she had a break. Cally, you go get some rest, you've earned it.'' He turned to Avon, daring him to object. ''There are a few things I need to discuss with Avon, alone, but I'll meet you up on the flight deck as soon as I'm done, ok?''
Cally agreed gratefully, glad for the rest so long as someone was keeping an eye on Avon, and while Vila complained about his given task, he left without protest. Then it was just Blake left and he took a seat beside Avon, the room suddenly very silent.
''So, you wanted to talk to me?'' Avon asked, waiting to hear exactly what Blake had to say.
He nodded, chewing his fingers absently. ''Yes. Once you're back on your feet there's a lot I need you to do around the ship,'' he explained. It was certainly true, if not really what he needed to discuss. ''Starting with repairing the long-range detector screen that's broken down.''
Avon was not fooled. ''That is not what you wanted to say, Blake'' he pointed out simply, his voice matter-of-fact.
''No'' Blake admitted, suddenly uncomfortable.
''Then you might as well get it over with.''
''All right then...'' He paused. ''But first, I need to ask. Did you tell them anything, anything they could use against us?''
He felt awful asking, especially under the circumstances but he needed to know; they all did.
Avon smiled humourlessly at his words. ''you would...'' he replied, looking Blake straight in the eye for a moment as he replied. ''But no.''
His voice was hard and closed but Blake did not doubt his words. Under the circumstances it was not un-understandable.
''I'm sorry Avon, for whatever it's worth'' he began, looking down. ''Sorry for everything you've been through. Going down there was a mistake that never should have happened. We got overconfident, took too great a risk.''
For a moment Blake was taken aback by the cold bitterness in Avon's voice, but then he reminded himself, Avon had every right to be angry. ''We, got over confident?''
He flinched. Avon's words stung, but they were right. ''Alright. I got overconfident; it was my fault'' he agreed. ''I'll admit it if that makes you feel any better.''
Avon looked away; his voice cold as Ice. ''It doesn't.''
His eyes were as unreadable as ever but Blake could guess all too well what they were hiding.
But Blake had had every good reason for taking that risk, their only chance to take down the federation once and for all. ''It's just we were so close!'' he exclaimed, trying to explain, even though a large part of him knew he had been wrong. ''All we had to do was find star one and the federation would have been finished! Everything we've fought for these last few years would have finally meant something.''
''Then all this would have been worth it'' Avon replied, scathingly sarcastic, and Blake snapped.
''Damn it Avon, that's not what I meant and you know it!'' he protested, frustrated at how hard Avon made everything. ''If I'd known how things would turn out I would have listened before, I never would have gone down there, or taken you with me.'' He paused, reigning in his temper before he continued. ''We thought you were dead, Avon, we all did! We buried you on Xenafon. If I'd known, known you were still alive, known what they were doing to you I would have come back, I never would have left you there!''
A heavy silence fell between them for a long moment, before Avon looked away.
''I know'' he admitted quietly, the sarcasm gone from his voice, this time surprisingly honest. ''After all, you came back.''
Blake sighed, darkly. ''Yes, but not soon enough.''
Turning back to him with a look of wry humour, Avon's lips twitched into a smile. ''Well, better late than never I suppose.''
Avon was not one to grant apologies or forgiveness freely, but as far as forgiveness went, that was close enough and Blake suddenly found himself returning the slight smile with a warm grin of his own.
''Thank you'' he replied.
Avon frowned. ''For what?''
Blake looked at him for a moment, grin still in place and shook his head. ''Never mind.''
This was the man he had missed so much these last few weeks, he thought amused, and here they were. Avon had been back on the ship all of five minutes and already they had started fighting.
Another silence descended but this time it was different, almost companionable. It was simply that neither man had anything much to say.
For a while Blake thought Avon had fallen asleep, after all he must have been exhausted, but when he got up to leave and give his friend some peace, Avon's voice stopped him in his tracks.
''Blake, about Star One...''
The rebel spun round at the name, surprised to hear it, especially now.
''What about it?'' he questioned, confused. ''Even after all this we're still no closer to finding it.''
The smug smile that spread across Avon's face spoke for itself. ''Well, I may be able to help you there, at least.''
Blake was suddenly very alert, everything else forgotten for the moment. ''What do you mean?'' he demanded, exited. ''What did you find out?''
''While sending that distress call, I had a chance to search the bases computer banks'' Avon explained, the slight smugness in his voice matching his smile. ''I found a piece of information I thought you might be interested in, if you ever showed up'' he added dryly.
Blake waited impatiently for a few moments but when nothing seemed forthcoming, he decided to ask. ''Well?''
''I found Docholli'' Avon declared and Blake found himself suitably impressed. ''He is staying in Freedom City.''