Peg Teal was as good as his boast. It took him just over three minutes to enable the flyer. They climbed in the small flitter less than an hour after the FID team left, Teal in the pilot's seat. He brought up a topographical map on the navigation unit. T'Phol leaned forward to see.

"Where are we going?"

Teal shook his head. "I'm not sure."

T'Phol raised a brow. "You are uncertain about something? That must be a singular event."

"Occasionally it occurs. However, I do have a plan." He pointed to an area on the map. "The FID believes the Orions have their base somewhere in here. It's about one hundred fifty thousand square kilometers. It's all sensor dead."

"A rather large area to search with a flitter."

"Yes. But I think it can be narrowed to this section along in here, roughly five-hundred square kilometers. This is the most rugged terrain. There are more caves and natural fissures, places to hide. Of course, it's also the area the Vince will be searching. It's about two hours away. We'll have a slow flight until daylight." He glanced at the chronometer. "That's less than an hour and a half away."

"Do you think he is still alive?"

Teal hesitated. "By all accounts, Doctor McCoy is a smart man, and a savvy operator. They will keep him around as long as they believe he will be useful."

Teal guided the vehicle out of the shed. Outside a light snow was still falling. The headlights came on automatically, he cut them off. In a few minutes, their eyes adjusted and they found they could see the land shapes well enough to navigate.

"Is he useful because of the birds? How are they involved with drug smuggling?"

Teal climbed in altitude, and set the directional computer before answering. "There are mysteries here surrounding the birds, particularly. No one knew they are sentient. Maybe they are the source of the drug. They are in control at any rate. When it's documented they're sentient, the Federation will have to get permission to be here." He paused, looking at T'Phol for a long minute. "They have a power all their own. I've no doubt they drove everyone off their planet two thousand years ago. How Doctor McCoy figures into their mythology I have no idea. If they're unhappy with the current events, they may be ready to take their planet back again. They also may be the best hope McCoy has."

T'Phol was silent for a long while, thinking about the birds and McCoy's possible role in their society, past and present. Different scenarios ran through her thoughts surrounding his captivity, all unpleasant. She stirred uneasily, drawing a blanket around her shoulders. She turned in her seat to face Teal.

"What will happen to you? Are you in real trouble because of me?"

Teal sighed. "Yes. And I should be. I let my sense of morality be overcome by my desire to solve the Amintian puzzle. I do deeply apologize, my dear. It seemed you were not going to confide in me. I thought if I sent you to a safe place, I could eventually convince you. Plus I had the feeling Arnette was getting ready to make a move. Rest assured, she is behind the abduction of McCoy. In hindsight, that is why she sent your team to Site Three. I wouldn't be surprised if she tries to get rid of Jasso, and Eaggla, too. And me. Although I believe she is unaware that I am also an operative." His expression grew dark. "I am not sure who she is actually working for. One thing is for sure. She adds yet another layer of unpredictability to how events will unfold."

He fell silent and they watched snowflakes hit the front screen and slide across. Underneath them, the landscape was becoming rugged. They could vaguely see the jagged teeth of hillsides protruding from snowy banks, convoluted and twisting this way and that. Those black hills grew taller as they flew further into them. Dawn revealed craggy and furrowed tall hills with passageways etched between them, many with overhangs that covered what was underneath.

Teal put a grid overlay on the map. "This is where we start. We'll fly over in a pattern to cover the greatest amount of land per swipe. Keep your eyes peeled." He handed T'Phol a pair of binoculars. "These are infrared. You should be able to spot a heat source."

So they began. T'Phol found it to be a tedious job, but she stuck with it doggedly. After a couple of hours she put the binoculars down for a minute, rubbing her eyes. They made another pass before she saw something.

"Peg. I have something." She handed the glasses to him, pointing the direction and straining to see with her naked eyes.

"I see them," Teal said. "I think it's birds, in a group."

"Follow them," T'Phol said instantly.

Teal lowered the binoculars slowly, then handed them to her.

He shrugged. "All right. That sounds as good a plan as any. Let's get closer."

He turned the little flyer and they headed west into the twisted hills.