The video screen picked up Frehley as he emerged from the ruins of the air filtration plant. The pilot of the Valois watched him as he approached the craft. He spoke into the ship-wide intercom. "He's on his way. He's carrying a weapon, possibly one of the rifles that Delta lost. He's gotta give that up before we board him. Control out."

Bittner, the Comms Officer acknowledged the call and cycled his carbine. Satisfied with the action he slung it over his shoulder and prepared to activate the ramp. The sounders echoed throughout the personnel bay. "Frehley we're ready to board you. Come around to your left hand side. A hatch will open when you lose that rifle. Step into the lock when it opens. The hatch will close behind you before the second door opens."

Frehley raised a hand in acknowledgement and made his way around the craft, still nervously bobbing up and down looking for a potential threat. Seeing none he headed for the ramp outlet.

"Control, Bittner. Preparing to embark passenger. Iso-lock is ready to go. Opening the hatch now."

"Bittner, Control. All understood. Control out."

The pilot checked his sidearm stun gun was charged and within reach. Standard Operating Procedures mandated it be close to hand. You never could be too careful with these rescued civilians. Desperate times and all that.

The bay speaker echoed again as McSheffrey gave the command. "Frehley, hatch is opening. Drop the weapon and then step on board."

Frehley threw the rifle away and stepped into the lock. Puffing out his cheeks he exhaled slowly, an expression of relief as the hatch closed behind him. Observing him on the monitor Bittner felt some sympathy for him given his ordeal. He pushed the buttons on the control panel and the Iso-lock came to life.

Bittner spoke into a small intercom that sounded inside the chamber. "This is the Iso-lock, You may feel some minor discomfort as it scans you."

Frehley nodded and said nothing. A faint hum came from the all-white chamber as it began the scanning process. Frehley felt a small ache in his stomach, not unlike indigestion as the chamber blasted waves through him. Abruptly it stopped and the lights switched to UV before coming back on.

"Control, Bittner he's clean, over."

"Bittner, Control, acknowledged. Get him away and come on up. Control out."

The door opened in front of him, revealing an armed man. "Step through slowly please colonist. The Iso-lock says you're clear. Before we get underway you still need to be quarantined. Quarters have been set aside for you."

"So I'm swapping hell for a cell?" Frehley said

"Sorry." Said Bittner, "But that's procedure. You know how it is."

Frehley shrugged and gestured to the carbine. "I hope you've got the safety on that! After escaping from that hell hole I don't want you to be shot in the back by accident after escaping from there!"

He noted the wry smile that crossed Bittner's face. Good.

Bittner pointed with the carbine. "Down there please."

Frehley raised his left arm and pointed. "Down there?" he said.

"Down there." Bittner motioned with the carbine moving it away from his body. Frehley lunged and smashed the outstretched arm into Bittner's face. Inertia kept him moving and he coiled the arm around the dazed man's throat, swinging him belly to back behind Bittner.

Surprised at the attack Bittner's first thought was to try to raise the gun again, as Frehley had planned. With his free hand Frehley reached over Bittner's shoulder to grab the gun. Pulling it up unsettled his balance and Frehley took full advantage, exhaling as he threw himself backwards to the deck and taking Bittner down on top of him. It happened so quickly the marine had no chance to respond. The impact knocked the wind out of him, slackening his grip on the weapon. Frehley did not waste the opportunity. His left hand grabbed the barrel of the weapon and pulled tight under Bittner's chin. Frehley wrapped his legs around Bittner's waist and pulled tighter cutting off the air and choking him.

He held on tight as Bittner kicked and thrashed, the struggles slowly becoming weaker. When they stopped Frehley pulled tighter still. A pungent odour filled the air as Bittner died and his bladder emptied. Frehley kicked the corpse away in disgust, and picked up the weapon. One round was already in the chamber, and four more were in the clip. He released the safety and made his way to the control room.


McSheffrey heard the footsteps approaching and called out. "All secured and ready to go?"

"In a manner of speaking."

The voice was not the one he had expected. He spun the chair around calling out as he did so. "You can't be in here." He paused as he saw the carbine. "Where's Bittner?"

"Bittner can't come to the phone right now. He's having breathing difficulties so I came up instead."

"You killed him!"

Frehley shrugged. "Naturally."

McSheffrey's next move surprised him. He grabbed the sidearm and dived out of the chair and rolled across the floor drawing a bead on the Immortal. Frehley quickly squeezed the carbine's trigger following the pilot. Three shots spanged against the back of the chair but a fourth found its mark, striking him in the thigh.

He screamed in pain and the stunner clattered to the floor, forgotten. He clamped his hands over the wound just above his kneecap as Frehley stepped towards him. Frehley smashed the butt behind his ear and a red light flashed on and off in his head.

"It looks like a serious wound, but not a fatal one. That cheers me."

Frehley coughed at the cordite in the air.

"You see some of us need to go on a little trip and we really need a babysitter. Something tells me you'll be great for the little ones."