Alan sat in the back of the transport with at least three guards. It was hard to gauge when they didn't speak much. He sat back as if he was going for a drive in the country. He knew they wouldn't hurt him—aside from a few bruises—because damaged goods brought a lower price.

What little they said, he couldn't use. He didn't bother trying to remove the blindfold or even try to see through the guards' eyes because it wouldn't make a difference. He'd wait until they reached their destination before sending any information back to the others.

[Alan, you okay?]

[Yeah, I'm fine. How's Leiman?]

[Alive. They're moving him back into town to operate.]

[Good. We're still en route so I'll let you know the details later.]

[Can't you give me anything?]

[Blindfolded. I'll contact you later.]

Close to fifteen minutes later, the truck stopped and Alan was pulled to his feet and practically pushed out. He maintained his balance as was taken by both arms and escorted across dusty ground into an enclosed space, most likely a small outbuilding judging by the sound.

He blinked few times after the blindfold was pulled off. He was kept standing. Sitting across from him at a makeshift desk was an older man—perhaps in his 50s—who was just starting to show a little girth. He seemed more the type to be found in a cubicle or middle management job, not running a slave trade ring.

"So, you're the famous Alan Kelly. Not as big as the stories would have us believe. I'll not question the good fortune that brought you to Shadowbrook. When Rafe notified me of the change, I spread the word to my buyers." He took a long drink of water and Alan swallowed reflexively. "The boys will show you to your accommodations."

The blindfold was replaced and Alan was taken across the compound to another building and locked in a room on the first floor. He lay back on the bunk and waited.

Donna stood off to the side on the bridge. She could see everything happening and was still out of the way. Durant was captaining the ship, but could override if necessary. She was thankful that he invited her. It saved everyone the aggro. She still would have liked to have gone down there or even have someone infiltrate the auction, but the risk of being caught was too high. Now they were just waiting for the auction to go down.

"Sir, we've got a new wave of chatter from Karifa," said the communications officer. "There's been a change in the auction. No other details."

Donna knew what happened. "He knows he has Alan and his friends. That's all it can be. And he can't escape because I have this." She held up her wrist. "Can we change the plan now?"

"Donna, we don't know they have the colonel," said Maddie. If we go down there and he's not involved, the man could go free."

"But he's trading in human lives!" Donna took a deep breath. "Even if it's not Alan, there still could be people from Alliance worlds. That should be important enough." Yes, her mouth sometimes got her in trouble, but she couldn't let it go by.

Durant was getting his temper under control—Donna knew the signs well—when there was a "pop" of displaced air and Shannon was standing on the bridge.

"Donna, you made it."

"I made it? What about you?" She wrapped the other woman in a hug. "I can't get them to do anything." Donna realized she sounded like she was working with kids.

"Yeah, well, that's bureaucracy. I do have news to change that. They do have Alan. He traded himself for the other prisoners."

The Doctor was right, that is true hero material.

"This gives you the intel you need to make the raid."

"Everything but a location," muttered Donna.

"We can track the signal back," said Maddie, taking over the comms. "Shouldn't be a problem."

"Right, I've got to get back down there," said Shannon. She looked at Donna. "Coming?"

Donna smiled. "I've been trying to get down there for hours." She took hold of Shannon's arm and they left.