When she returned to the ship Buck was there speaking with an older gentleman. Wilma decided this must be Carson based on Buck's description. She greeted Buck and he introduced her to Carson.
"I am happy to meet you, Buck told me of your kindness. Has he explained about the survey team?" Wilma said.
"Yes, he has explained that you would like to record the story of our people. But that is not a decision I can make on my own. I must consult with the others." Carson told her. "Perhaps you and Buck Rogers would like to come with me to our settlement."
As terrains followed Carson Wilma relayed her conversation with Hart to Buck. "So, I guess he's not coming back with us." Said Buck.
"No but at least we can let Jan Hart know that he is safe and healthy." Wilma replied.
The trip to the Star Colony was short, their settlement was not far from the entrance portal to the other settlement. It was of similar design, most of the buildings low slung and facing into the center of the settlement. But these buildings were obviously erected rapidly. There were signs that the work was continuing. But unlike the Vane colony here the buildings faced inward to a communal area with tables and chairs. Soon most of the inhabitants were gather around the tables and Carson addressed the group.
"This is Buck Rogers and Wilma Deering. They have come from New Chicago seeking someone who is living in the colony, but they are not here to support the colony, merely to speak with one of the inhabitants. They are asking if we would be willing to have a, what did you call it?" as he turned towards Buck.
"A survey team. "said Buck. "They will take down the story of your people and add it to the History of Earth."
Several people had questions which Buck answered. He assured them that they weren't going to be moved out of their settlement, that the primary mission was completing the history. However, if there was something that they needed or wanted, he was sure Dr Janus be happy to help them. After several minutes of back-and-forth Carson spoke.
"I think that having the survey group here will help keep the story of our people which is important. And we can decide on any additional steps later. Everybody in agreement?"
There was general agreement for the others present.
"Terrific, Wilma and I will be returning to New Chicago tomorrow and we'll go see Dr Janus right away."
"You did not find your friend?" asked Carson.
"Yes, I found him and spoke with him. I will be carrying a message back to his family" replied Wilma.
After a few more minutes one of the Star people asked a question about New Chicago. He was very shy but wanted to know if people really lived under a dome. Wilma smiled and said yes, the city was under a dome. And soon there were other questions, were there really monsters in Anarchia, did they really have a ray that would heal. Buck and Wilma did their best to answer them all. Once all of there were no more questions the terrain started to take their leave to return to their ship and prepare to depart. But as they were reaching the edge of the Star compound Jon Hart came running out of the bushes.
"Col Deering you're still here! I came to warn these people that the colonists would attack them at dawn! "He said.
"What?" There was general commotion as everyone started talking at once.
"Hold on, you better explain" Buck told him.
"Vane has been having a general meeting and was agitating everyone to attack the Star people. He was telling them we, uh they needed more space to live, and the Star people were going to attack all kinds of wild stuff and people are believing it!" said Hart.
"What types of weapons do they have? How many phasers etc. do they have?" Wilma asked.
"There aren't many weapons, only a few small phasers and he has them locked up. Mostly they are using spears and shovels and things like that but outnumber you guys."
"But we have time on our side." Said Buck. He looked at Wilma and she nodded her head in agreement.
"Are you going to help us?" asked Carson. "The colonists are terrains like you."
"Of course, we will assist you, the Federation guidelines say we cannot act unilaterally to interfere, but it says nothing about helping you defend yourselves" Wilma told him.
"They don't have vehicles so they will be coming on foot" Buck said as he looked around at the area. "If we can move some of those boulders over a little bit, we can narrow the path they will be taking, that will slow them down." Soon everyone was working under Buck's direction, even Jon Hart. Buck had them dig 2 trenches and cover them with brush to conceal them, then move some boulders to the entrance to the compound to funnel the attackers into a narrow area. They added trip wires just beyond the trenches also covered by brush. The collected rocks to use as projectiles. Buck was everywhere directing the work, pitching in with the digging, moving boulders showing the Star defenders the best places to lay in ambush. Wilma organized others to gather the brushes and wines they needed. The worked through most of the night but before dawn they were ready. That's when Wilma brought up one more issue.
"Carson, I think we will need a secure place to keep any prisoners" she said. So, they set up a holding area.
All of the Star people and their friends had about an hour to rest before the attack.
When the attack came, just as Buck had predicted the Vane colonists came rushing forward to start attacking the Star people, they had to slow down at the restricted entrance to get through and they became what Buck referred to as 'sitting ducks. The Star people pelted them with rocks from several directions. As the attackers tried to rush forward to get away from the barrage the fell into the trenches. The next wave falling on top, making it difficult for anyone to get up. Anybody that made it out of the trench, fell flat from tripping on the vines stretched out. As they fell the Star people would snatch away whatever weapon they were carrying. Soon the battle was over. Many of the Vane colonists gave up quickly, their hearts weren't really into the fight. Carson and his friends were able relieve every one of the weapons they brought and detain just about everyone in the holding area. At this point some one noticed that there were a few of their colony compatriots were missing, they had slipped back out before the assault began.
"They won't get far" said one of the captives, "the fence is still active."
"So, the slaves can't get out. Now what?" asked Buck of Carson
"We will have a full meeting to decide what to do with our, shall we say, visitors. We would like to negotiate for the release of our friends still held in the colony. But first we rest" Carson said.
"Don't worry about negotiating, Wilma and I are going to shut off the fence so your friends can leave anytime. C'mon Wilma lets go" said Buck as he holstered the small phaser both he and Wilma had brought.
The two terrains left the Star peoples compound at a jog and before long they were at the entrance porta for the Vane Colony. The guard, who was out of his hut and trying to see through the tree the status of the battle, didn't see them approach at first. But when he turned around Buck knocked him out with his phaser.
"Poor guy, that is twice his been stunned," said Wilma.
"Boy, is he going to have a headache." Said Buck with a smile.
"This way, I am sure his command center is in that tower at the back of the storehouse. It must have a clear view of the entire community." Said Wilma as she lead the way, circling around the edge of the central area and dodging into doorways.
Once they reached the storehouse, they found the doors partially open, the supply ship was sitting on its platform inside. At the back of the hanger was a door that obviously led to the tower which they approached carefully. The entire area was deserted. Once they reached the door Wilma said, "Oh look it has hinges!"
"And an old-fashioned padlock, it's open so I guess that means Vane's up there now." Replied Buck.
Wilma pulled open the door, luckily the hinges were well oiled and there was no telltale squeak and looked up. There was a spiral stairway leading directly to the top with no door.
"I'll go first" she whispered to Buck and started up the stairs before he could object. She reached nearly the top and was able to see inside the room. Vane was sitting at a long table with a large monitor on it with his back turned to the door. Wilma turned to Buck right behind her and mouthed "weapon on table" and held up her hands to show Buck it was about 4 feet from his hand.
Vane turned around to see Wilma as she reached the top of the stairs and entered the room.
"Well well well, who have we here?" he said. "Oh, yea you're the woman that was with the girl from the low org I saw the other day. I haven't had a chance to talk to that girl yet to find out what you were doing here, but now I won't have to, I can ask you. Have you come to join our colony? I wasn't going to take on anymore folks, but I will make an exception for you."
Wilma maintained eye contact with Vane but was also taking in the details of the room. There wasn't a lot of furniture beside the table but there were monitors and vid screens everywhere. Each apparently showing a different view, interior and exterior of the compound. Buck had reached nearly the top of the stairs as well and Vane hadn't noticed him. He stood poised to enter but waited to see what else Vane had to say.
"I was not looking to stay here," said Wilma.
"Oh but you should, I might even make you, my Empress."
"Empress?" asked Wilma
"Yes, this is my Empire. I am ruler of all that I see. I control everything and once we get rid of those pesky Star people, I can control the entire surface of the moon. And then once the Epsilon quadrant has been opened to trade, I can make a fortune with landing privileges. I've got it all figured out! And you can be part of it!"
While she was listening to Vane, she was moving slowly away from the doorway and closer to the end of the table where the weapon was sitting. Vane would have to lunge to reach the weapon. At this point Buck comes up the rest of the stairs and into the room, his phaser in this hand.
"Who are you?" demanded Vane.
"He is with me" replied Wilma, never taking her eyes away from Vane.
"Well that's a real buzz kill, what's with the weapon? Are you here to kill me?" Vane asked.
"No we are just here to turn off the fence." Said Buck
"So your slaves can return to their own colony." Said Wilma
Vane laughed and shifted his attention to Buck and the weapon. Wilma took the opportunity to reach over a pickup the weapon sitting on the table.
"You mean the helpers? Why would they leave especially since once my people wipe out the rest of those pesky Star people?" he asked?
"Hate to break it to you but that battle is over. You lost," said Buck.
"What?"
"Yes, the Star people have captured all of your colonists, they are currently being held within the Star compound."
"That can't be, we outnumber them"
"Numbers are not always the deciding factor," said Wilma.
"So now what, are you taking me back to New Chicago?" asked Vane.
"Nope" said Buck. "Your fate will be determined by the Star people, to the victor goes the spoils as the saying goes."
"And I am sure that the members of your colony will be interested to learn of your proclivity to watch everyone's every move" put in Wilma.
Vane was looking distressed. His eyes shifted from Buck to Wilma and back again.
"You can't just leave me here; you have to take be back to New Chicago" he whined.
"If we take you back to New Chicago you will have to face the Federation Tribunal." Said Wilma
"No!"
"I am afraid so, and of course there will be witnesses from both colonies on this moon. Are you sure you want to do that?" said Wilma.
Vane was now very pale and began fidgeting with some small items on the table in front of him.
"So while you make up your mind who you want to decide your fate, we will just turn off the fence and leave." Said Buck
"My people have let me down, it's their fault they lost, they didn't fight hard enough, they didn't believe in the dream!"
At this point Vane moved very quickly to remove the cap of the small vial he had been fidgeting with and before Buck or Wilma could stop, he poured the contents into his mouth. He immediately let out a loud grunt, slumped over and slipped out of his chair to the floor.
Wilma leaped over to his body and after a very brief examination "He is dead. Whatever was in that container was lethal" she said.
Buck and Wilma were leaning against the railing in the observation level looking over the arrivals area in the public transport hub of New Chicago below. A ship had just landed that brought passengers from the Moon of Konis where the Vane Colony had been.
"Not many of the colonists have chosen to return to New Chicago," said Wilma.
"No not many at all. I guess once Vane was dead, they were at loose ends and the Star people stepped to help them." Replied Buck.
"Yes, the Star people were very forgiving in their victory. I understand they have completely moved back into their original compound and have invited the colonists to join them. They did remove all of Vane's spying equipment first." Said Wilma.
"Are you surprised that Aubrey isn't leaving the colony to seek her fortune and see the universe?" asked Buck,
"Not sure, it would appear that she was not fully committed to following her dream." She replied.
"Well the hardest part of following a dream is usually that first step."
"Very true"
"But I spoke with Dr. Janus this morning and it seems that Aubrey is a huge help with his work, so I guess maybe she has found something to occupy her."
"Excellent. And I assume that Dr Janus is enjoying the opportunity to work with the Star people. "
"Oh he is happy as a clam" said Buck with a smile. Of course Wilma didn't know what a clam was, but she had heard Buck use the expression in the past and new it meant that Dr Janus was very happy.
About then Jon Hart came through the doors into the arrivals area, and he was immediately met by Jan Hart who rushed out of the crowds at the edge of the room. Jan gave her brother a hug and tugged at his arm as she led him away.
"Will Hart go back to the Defense directorate?" Buck asked.
"No idea, since it is not my responsibility any longer" replied Wilma.
"Well he will be very busy with family for a while I guess," said Buck. "Unlike the two of us"
Wilma turned to face Buck and said with a smile "Well I know somewhere with soft beds, soft music and soft lights."
"I'm in!"