Chapter 19 – Hell In A Hand-Basket, Part Two.

Safe within the ocean's dark, cold embrace, the Leviathans focused on the one who would bring their army together.

They knew things about this servant like they themselves had watched it all and remembered. This one was named Chu'Tak. When the cowardly salarians had fired large doses of sedatives into him, he had fought against the darkness for far longer than his shocked abductors could have imagined. The Leviathans had his memories of waking in a cell to be studied, questioned, and experimented on. They knew the fury inside this one; the intense hate for the salarians at being reduced to a curiosity and then a weapon for this pathetic race.

The yahg were the masters of Parnack, proven by their triumph over everything their world had pitted them against over centuries, and believed those that had come seeking alliance were not worthy of standing beside them.

Now that strength would serve the Leviathans. It was why they had chosen to use this yahg. The current pack's ruler was locked away within the city, far from the outskirts where the Leviathans had limited control through the single fragment they'd left there. But no more.

oOo

The races representatives were all looking at Shepard's raised omnitool, waiting for Edi to explain her findings from Liara's data on the Leviathans' pulses.

"I found a correlation between the readings given to me by Dr T'Soni and the data brought back by General Alenko which detailed the Crucible's power surge, as recorded by the quarians."

"Are you saying they're the same?" Kaidan asked, in disbelief.

"The Crucible's had been altered with an added filter, in order to protect the basic running of our dependant systems whilst still destroying the Reapers, but the programming on which it is built is identical."

"But we built the Cruc-" Shepard froze in mid-sentence, sucking in a breath as understanding dawned, her eyes fixed on Kaidan's. "We built the Crucible."

Kaidan got it, too. "The Leviathans pulse isn't biological. It's tech."

"No wonder they destroyed the Crucible," frowned Hackett. "It was key to working out how to disable their pulses. If not for the quarians…"

Raan stood proud, but Kaidan knew how close they'd come to losing the whole race. They could well have not even known about the data's existence had the geth fought back.

"So some race, somewhere, eons ago, knew about the Leviathans and their ability to kill Reapers," joined Coats.

"The first concept of the Crucible," hushed Liara, in awe. "Astounding. This technology the Leviathans have… It must be integrated within their bodies. That would also explain their apparent ability to breath in the vacuum of space. They must have some kind of internal breathing apparatus."

Hackett felt a new surge of adrenaline. "We have the pulse readings. Regardless that we've lost the Crucible, technology we still have a chance of counter-acting."

"We can do better than that," Kaidan said, with equal enthusiasm. "Like those before us who altered the Leviathans pulse to better suit their needs, Xen had done a similar thing to the Crucible's."

"That is correct," continued Edi. "The admiral removed the organic/Reaper-fusion pre-requisite from the programming, and tailored it to seek out and overload the geths'."

"My point is: it failed on the geth," Kaidan said with a small smile.

Shepard grabbed his arm as it hit home. "They created a counter-measure."

Kaidan grinned. "Which means we also have a starting point for doing the same to the Leviathans pulse."

Shepard swung to the Prime. "Diniel."

"We request permission to download countermeasure to EDI."

"Do it."

"I have it. I shall translate the code into a readable format for organics and transfer it to Dr Cole."

"Unbelievable," murmured Victus, a little dazed by the events.

"Transfer complete," finished Edi.

"Then our tech teams can get to work at once," announced Hackett, clearly energised with this new focus.

"Thank you, Edi." Shepard closed the call and looked around the room, the atmosphere far brighter than when they'd started. Hope had gotten a foothold amongst the mountain of setbacks.

"That still leaves us with a vicious race to deal with," warned Sparatus. "We have no idea what we're facing. With Leviathan interference we can't assume they're less advanced than us anymore."

"Then we need to do a recon," Shepard answered.

"But where would we begin?" Coats wondered.

"Right here." Shepard brought up a holo-map that identified one set of co-ordinates on Parnack. "As referred to in the files, this is where the yahg subject was taken from."

"You think the Leviathans would use the same plan as Linron?"

"It's a sound plan," nodded Kaidan. "He'd get no resistance from entering his own pack's territory. He can walk straight in and take leadership."

"But they have more artifacts now."

"True, but why waste them when they can have one yahg control the whole pack?"

"And indoctrination through the artifacts takes days," reminded Shepard. "Much quicker to use the enhanced yahg as pack leader."

"Then we have the beginnings of a plan," announced Hackett. "Go in silently. See what we're facing. Map it out. Anything that will give us an advantage if we need to make a ground assault."

"Assault?" frowned Shepard. "Wait a minute. You're forgetting that the yahg aren't doing this of their own free will."

"These are strong people who will be used against us. I understand what you're saying, but history has shown that this isn't a race that would be sympathetic to us anyway. We have to do what's best for the rest of the galaxy. We can't let them get off their planet. To the Citadel," he added, pointedly.

"We also can't assume that the Leviathans don't already have a presence on Parnack," added Coats. "We need to do this fast. Before they can use all of that research against us."

"Then let's do it," Victus agreed.

Satisfied, Hackett started to draw up his proposals for the immediate recon mission on Parnack. At last, they were taking steps forward.

oOo

Leaping off the top of the climbing frame into James' waiting arms, Rorie giggled when her tummy grumbled.

"Uh oh," James said. "Not that I'm surprised, but it sounds like you used up all that special energy food I made you."

"Yup. All gone."

"'Bout time," piped up Jack. "Mine was growling an hour ago."

"Grrrr." Rorie wiggled her toy at Jack who just smiled back.

"Why didn't you say anything, Bella? We could have left sooner."

"Ror was having fun. Not the first time I've had to handle a little hunger."

James had the idea that what she really meant was full-out food deprivation, and he didn't like the thought. It saddened and angered him to think of what she'd been through as a child. She'd never been cared for before Lola came along, and he respected the place she was now. Jack had taken a leap of faith that had to have been incredibly difficult for her to make. James wondered if she'd make another…

"Rorie. Come on the slide with us," called a young turian girl from behind them, who was part of the group that had formed around Rorie as she'd traversed the large playground, drawn as they were to her warm smile and encouragement to join her.

"Sorry, Seska. I have to go now. My tummy says so. It's very loud."

There was a unanimous sound of disappointment from the small crowd of little people, who then dispersed in different directions.

James grinned at her. "You're just like your mom. A magnet."

"Uncle Gus says mommy's a mag-et for trouble."

Laughing at that, James set her on her feet. "Let's hope you're not that sort of magnet. Lead the way, Nugget."

Jack fell in beside him, and they followed Rorie who was happily skipping her way to the cabs at the far end of the concourse, swinging Puppy as she went.

"You know, that session at Armax yesterday was a lot of fun," James said while they walked, never taking his eyes off Rorie. He'd been working himself up for this the whole time Rorie had been playing, and he inhaled deeply before launching into his question, trying to sound casual. "Wanna do it again sometime? Or something else? How about a club? Do a bit of dancing, have a drink. Just chill out." Would she let him in? He wanted to show her that she deserved more than being on the outside looking in.

There was a short silence, and he glanced to see her staring at him, mouth slightly open in surprise before she shifted her gaze back to Rorie, as did he.

"If you're looking for someone to rebound with, go find someone else, dumb-ass."

James had expected that defensive retort, and it travelled over him. "I like you, Bella."

"You like me?" Jack frowned back at him in disbelief. "Why? I call you names. I take the piss."

"That's just you keeping me at a distance," James brushed it off, nonchalantly.

"Or maybe it's that you're too stupid to see that's who I am. A fucked-up bitch."

"I don't believe that. I see how you are with Rorie, I hear how you talk about your students - the side you keep hidden because it makes you feel vulnerable. You surround yourself with thorns. I do the same, I just use flirtation. Results the same. Keeping it shallow so no-one can cut you deep." He looked at the profile she offered, jaw clenched and illustrating her tension. "I see you, Bella. And I want to know more. So how about it? Take a chance on me?"

Jack stared straight ahead, fixed on Rorie who was waiting at a cab. She didn't know how she could be so fucking scared of answering a stupid question. His words had crawled inside her and lit up some crazy buried piece of hope of having something real with someone, and she could feel tears building up. She blinked them away. She was no cry-baby – she'd learnt a long time ago they didn't do anything but make you look weak. "Look, if it's sex you're after, you don't need to say all that bullshit. You're a fit guy. I've got no problem hooking up and going our separate ways." It was a lie; a statement that contradicted her earlier one.

"No. I don't want that. I'm prepared to go as slow as you need in order for you to trust me, Bella."

He was saying all the right things. Trust… Shit…. Jack felt on the verge of panic. She was in the dark; she could just stay still and stay safe, or she could take a step - one that could either lead her out of the dark, or send her plummeting off the edge of an abyss. She looked across at him. He was strong, solid, but soft beneath it all. Yet he could potentially destroy her.

James met eyes that shone with emotion she was trying to hide, and he had to admit that he'd be more than a little gutted if she rejected him.

"You'd better not make me regret this... Okay."

Her whispered assent left James momentarily stunned, then exceptionally happy. It was her uncertain face that stopped him from launching into a 'woohoo'. He had to remember how hard this was for her. "I won't let you down," he promised, only allowing a trace of his smile to show – just enough to prove he was pleased, without risk of scaring her away.

Arriving at the cab, Jack opened the driver's side with a shaky breath. "I'm driving."

"Puppy!"

The sudden squeal had them both looking to Rorie, who was running away from them, chasing a human boy who had her toy in his hand.

"Rorie!" James and Jack both yelled out, racing after her.

She disappeared in a side corridor in her attempt to regain her beloved Puppy, a crowd of people crossing between them.

"Move!" boomed James.

Jack was only concerned with one person, not bothering to give them a warning before she barged her way through them, knocking them aside without apology. They entered the corridor to see the boy throw himself into a duct, Rorie right behind, shouting at him to give her Puppy back.

"Ror, NO!" screamed Jack, fear coursing through her as Rorie's determination to rescue the toy she had given her, carried her into that duct and out of sight.

Almost barrelling into the wall itself, James could only watch as Jack didn't hesitate to dive into the duct, her small frame allowing her to do what James couldn't. He looked into the duct to see the biotic aura swallowed up by the darkness as Jack turned off into another duct, following Rorie's own light. He swung away, right fist slamming into his left palm as he paced with agitation that he was useless.

O

The ducts had narrowed. Not a problem for kid-sized people, but Jack was down to her hands and knees, seriously worried, and pissed off to boot.

"Rorie! Stop!"

"He's there, Antie Jack! I can get it back!" came Rorie's echoed response, not near enough for Jack's liking.

"Fu- frigging don't move!" She answered her omnitool with a quick jab, no break in her awkward pace.

"Tell me you got her," James blurted.

"Not yet. The damn ducts got narrower and it slowed me down. But she's right ahead. Looks like this ends at a keeper tunnel. I'll get her."

"I know you will, Bella."

That sounded truly sincere and it made her feel weird, so she ignored it. "Then I'm going to hunt that boy down and wring his scrawny, thieving neck," she vowed.

"Figuratively, no?"

"Believe that if it makes you feel better. I know what I mean." Her voice was full of ominous intent.

Closing in on the end of the duct, she could no longer see Rorie, but the boy stood there in the tunnel, watching her approach, pale-faced, Rorie's toy still clutched in his hand.

"You better damn well stay put, kid, or I'll-" She frowned. Why wasn't Rorie claiming her treasured toy? At the same time as the thought manifested, an over-muscled arm reached in and yanked her out of the duct by her neck, fingers digging mercilessly into her skin. Instinct had her biotics flaring, but the fist that smacked into her cheek came fast and strong, knocking her out instantly.

…

"Jack?" James frowned at Jack's sudden silence. "Speak to me, Bella. What's happening?"

Then the line was cut, and swearing loudly, James ran to find the nearest maintenance corridors, calling Bailey as he went.

…

Kryek lifted his foot off the crushed remains of the woman's omnitool, then dropped her to the floor with a sneer.

"Fucking biotic. Freaks are everywhere. What a waste of tasty flesh. Hey kid?" He looked at the stricken boy he'd 'hired', now frozen to the spot, and laughed. Turning, he checked the Alenko kid was still out. Antella had told him not to give the kid the full-dose in the syringe, originally meant for the Spectre, but he was no damned doctor, so he'd guessed a quarter would do. Retrieving the syringe, he plunged the rest of its contents into the dirty biotic's neck for good measure. Then he set about checking the kid for anything she could be traced with. He pulled out a small ball from a pocket, with no clue what it was, and chucked it at the duct rat who dropped the toy to catch it.

"That's your payment. Now fuck off, and remember what I said. You say anything to anyone and I'll come find you. Then I'll stick my knife into your belly and feed you your insides. Got it?"

The teary-eyed boy just nodded and ran, leaving Kryek laughing behind him.

Lifting the Spectre's brat up by the back of her collar, he shoved her inside a large hold-all he'd brought with him, zipping it up. He'd follow the corridors all the way to the bay, but he was cautious. Occasionally he came across other people, duct-rats mostly. No need to give anyone else a sighting of him with the kid. A shitload of credits were useless if his anonymity was gone.

Kryek smiled to himself as he began a fast-paced run. Easiest job ever.

oOo

Chu'Tak had issued the challenge to the leader, known as Gyr'Tun, and he walked into the arena, bordered by the numerous on-lookers who would document this event and spread the word of the outcome to every part of their territory. Nearby, the small group accompanying him carried a concealed fragment.

Gyr'Tun stood in the centre. There were no weapons. No armour.

Without ceremony, the contender launched himself at the current champion. Usually, competitors would clash in the centre, chest to chest, grappling and pushing, until one of them fell back. It was a test of endurance as much as strength. Yet this time, as they met in the middle, the force Chu'Tak brought was far more than the leader could withstand, and he immediately flew backwards, skidding across the dusty ground on his back.

There was a stunned silence, then murmurs as the crowds watched what would happen next.

Gyr'Tun leapt to his feet, unwilling to be beaten so easily, but Chu'Tak was already there, swatting away the fist that came at him like it was merely a minor irritation. His own landed squarely into the leader's torso, causing him to crumple to his knees.

The next move was Gyr'Tun's and the on-lookers waited, excitement returning to the arena stands at what they were witnessing. Except their leader made no attempt to attack again. The brutally of just two strikes had left him winded and in pain. There was only one thing to be done: concede.

The crowds stood to witness their ruler bend forward, supported from falling face first into the dirt only by one shaky arm. His head bowed at Chu'Tak's feet and there was a sudden crescendo of approval all around them. They had a new champion, without doubt, in what had been a short but spectacular display of power.

If Chu'Tak had been himself he would have thrown his arms up in the air in victory, inviting the cheers of approval and respect; demanding it, for he had earned it. But he was not there, so his body stood in the centre of the arena, vacant eyes surveying the masses, little more than an empty vessel.

The Leviathans were interested in only one thing: the chance to begin amassing their army.

oOo

Zaeed watched with arms folded while the weasel hauled the turian out of the crate, deactivated his omnitool, and bound his wrists and ankles. By the time Weasel had finished, the man was sweating from the effort but grinning stupidly when he realised that Vakarian was stirring. Weasel kicked him onto his back in a pathetic display over someone who couldn't fight back, bending over Vakarian with a mocking grin.

"Where's your precious Shepard, now, Executor?"

Slowly, groggily, Garrus turned onto his front, his face flat against the ground as he shuffled to his knees, instinct telling him to get any advantage he could in order to make himself less vulnerable. It wouldn't get him anywhere of course, the restricted movement he encountered making that clear. Despite his vision still swimming from the sedative, he clocked Massani off to his left. The second human he didn't recognise, but the man was enjoying this, getting back in his face.

"I don't envy what's coming your way, turian."

Garrus met the man's eyes, defiantly. "It'll be nothing compared to what's headed yours."

Chuffing when Weasel's grin faltered slightly, Zaeed wasn't surprised by Vakarian's refusal to be intimidated. Weasel clearly didn't know who he was dealing with. "Well?" he prompted, restless now for what he was due.

"Good job," nodded Antella. "Nice and clean. C-Sec's none the wiser yet."

"Keep your fucking pat on the back. There's only two things I want from you: credits and Vido."

"Of course." Antella raised his omnitool.

"Enjoy your blood money while you can, Massani," gritted out Garrus. "None of you have long to live."

Zaeed just shook his head, unconcerned. "Said the dying man." He fixed on Weasel. "Give me what you owe me so I can get out of this shithole."

That's when Kryek ran into the bay, holdall slung over his shoulder.

Zaeed looked this new player over, getting an impression of someone with military training. He held himself with an easy confidence borne from experience in battle. This man was someone used to winning his fights, and the hard, unforgiving stare said he offered no mercy. The veiny, slightly red skin he could see, and the man's bulging muscles, told Massani that this guy was an addict of the performance-enhancing variety. That made him even more dangerous. Zaeed would bet a large sum of credits that this guy was Category 6.

"Got her," grinned Kryek. "Best get out of here before they lock everything down."

Her? Zaeed didn't like the sound of that, tension working its way inside for the first time, his arms unfolding as he found himself in a strange position. "Wait a minute. You went for Shepard instead?"

"Bastards," snarled Garrus, but they all ignored him.

Antella sent a smirk Zaeed's way. "Don't worry yourself over it, Massani. You wiped your hands of that one, remember?"

Something niggled at Zaeed… Where was she? All this chap had brought was a bag… A soft mew came from inside the hold-all, accompanied by movement. "What's in that?" he directed at CAT6.

"What's it to you?" the large man sneered.

But Weasel wanted to boast. "A fast-track to getting Alenko, of course. Kind of hard to get hold of someone constantly accompanied or in meetings, so we took something worth trading."

"NO!" With an impressive burst of power, Garrus launched himself onto his feet, only to be knocked back down, hard, by a pounding punch from Kryek.

Like Vakarian, Zaeed knew exactly what – who - was in that bag. Hell, if it was anyone else he'd have done the same damn thing to gain advantage.

"What did you do to her?" demanded Garrus, scrambling back to his knees, ignoring the pain from his cheek which moved strangely as he spoke, cracked from that impact which had his vision blurring again.

"Don't worry," patronised Antella. "Parents will want proof of life."

The sounds from the bag were louder now as Rorie started to get frightened at being confined and in the dark.

"Damn you, let her out!" seethed Garrus.

With a laugh, Kryek dropped the bag to the ground, eliciting a cry from the kid and a protest from the turian, then unzipped the bag and hauled the kid to her feet.

Tears streamed down her face, the occasional sob shaking her whole body.

"Uncle Gus!"

Rorie flung herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly round his neck, and it hurt Garrus that he couldn't offer her either the comfort or the protection that she desperately needed.

"You okay?"

"That bad man gave me a jection, and he wasn't nice like Dotor So-us, and I feel all funny inside," she said with disapproval.

"What a fucking lovely moment," derided Kryek. "Shame he's going to die."

Rorie gasped, and glared at Kryek. "You can't hurt Uncle Gus!"

"I can do what the fuck I want."

"You're naughty."

"Yeah," Kryek grinned. "And you're pointless."

"I don't like you."

"Boo hoo." Kryek looked at Antella. "Let's get going before the shit hits the fan here. You take the little rodent and I'll take the turian." He moved forward to grab Garrus.

"Leave him alone!" yelled Rorie, and she lit up, flinging out her hand towards Kryek. The surge of biotic power hit the large man who was slammed back into the wall hard enough to daze him.

Impressed by the little spitfire, Zaeed would have chuckled had it not been for the murderous intent on CAT6's face.

"Massani," pleaded Garrus, seeing the same thing.

"Fucking biotic," gritted out Kryek, hands fisting as he straightened. "I'm going to knock you senseless like I did that other bitch."

"Back off," warned Zaeed, hand reaching back for his rifle.

Kryek's enraged face turned on Zaeed, but the veteran showed no concern, only sending out an assured stony visage.

"Think you can take me, old man?"

"No goddamned idea. Never gone one on one with someone jacked up on drugs. What is it? Steroids? Figure you could take more punishment than most. However, you don't have the time for this bullshit."

"He's right," admitted Antella, emerging from inside the ship, something in his hands. "You really should do your homework. Then you'd have known she was biotic."

"Dirty little freak," Kryek snapped at Rorie.

With the kid distracted by Kryek, Antella snapped the collar around her neck, much to her protest. "There. Biotic suppressor." He watched her try to yank it off, then tiny flickers of blue appearing over her, unable to form into anything. Antella began to pull her away, the still-angry Kryek storming over to grab the turian.

"Massani, please," begged Garrus, Rorie's squeals as she fought against the man were like talons scraping down his heart.

"What's your plan?" asked Zaeed, his eyes lingering on the kid. She even looked like her bloody mother – proof positive that she belonged to Hackett.

Antella paused, having to adjust his hold on the kid who had irritatingly decided to make it as difficult for him as possible by going completely floppy. Flinging her over his shoulder, he clamped down her kicking legs, ignored her thumps on his back, and studied Massani. "Is there a problem? You've done your part."

"Call me soft, but I'm not about to leave a kid in his hands." Zaeed jerked his chin at CAT6.

A slow smile grew across Antella's face. "Is this about a kid, or about Hackett's grandkid in particular? Guess we got your relationship with him wrong. I'm seeing a loyalty there, despite his betrayal." He turned for the ship.

"Massani, for Spirit's sake, don't let them take her!" beseeched Garrus, not understanding this link to Hackett, but working it anyway, as the larger man started dragging him across the floor.

Zaeed didn't give a damn what Vakarian wanted, or even that she was a kid. This was about old loyalty – something Weasel had hit right on the nose. "Give me the kid. I'll make the exchange. And you still get Alenko."

The two men halted and turned to him.

"All right," smirked Antella. He was interested in just how far Massani would go.

CAT6 shifted, in surprise. "I better still get paid for this."

"You'll get what was coming to Massani," smiled Antella. "Something tells me he's become a liability."

Zaeed sneered back at him. "You're playing with me? I did what you hired me for."

"You can still walk away and get paid," reasoned Antella. "Or continue sticking your nose in our business and all you'll get is Santiago."

"Think you're smart, don't you?" Zaeed's clenched jaw ached. "Feeling a whole lot braver with your pal here?"

"This is just business, nothing personal. You'll stay right here, hidden with the kid where my insider can keep an eye on you until we have the Spectre." Antella pointed to a single camera that was now active. "We'll go to a special location, somewhere to rendezvous with the Spectre, somewhere we can detect any ships trying to track us, and send the ransom with certain conditions that will have to be met. My insider will be able to verify the Normandy is still in dock – can't have a stealth ship creeping up on us - and when we have the Spectre in hand, you can send the kid off and disappear."

"Fine."

"I'm not finished. Once the handover's been made, you'll have five minutes to send a deletion record for your omnitool to my watcher– a deletion record that will show you've scrubbed all trace of anything coming back to me." Antella sent the address to Massani. "You don't send it and my watcher won't send those precious files you want so badly. An insurance policy – you understand."

It pissed Zaeed off no end. Was Hackett worth all this? He could just walk away and go finish Vido with a mass of credits to retire on. Except they had a history. Hackett had done more for him than anyone, and had covered his ass a million times over – probably what had made the betrayal all that harder to take – but Zaeed did owe him something, and this would be it.

"Give me the kid and fuck off so we can get this done and I can get on with exacting justice on Vido goddamn Santiago."

"Good." Antella let the kid slide to her feet, where she then threw herself at Vakarian again. "Pleasure doing business with you, Massani."

Kryek carried on dragging the turian effortlessly towards the ship, regardless of the extra baggage.

"Rorie. You have to let go," Garrus said to her, only to receive a definite shake of her head, strands of black hair catching on his jaw. "Rorie. You have to keep safe. Remember?"

"But I love you," came her muffled protest. "I don't want them to take you! The bad man wants to hurt you!"

"I love you, too. But you're safer with Massani." Garrus hoped that was true, but given how things here had developed, he gauged it was right. "Do what you're told and you'll get back to your mom."

Rorie looked up at him. "Mommy and daddy will get the bad mans."

"That's right."

"And save you."

"That's right." Garrus looked past her to Massani. "Take care of her, Massani. Please."

Zaeed swore as he stomped over to retrieve her before CAT6 hauled her into the ship with Vakarian, the engines already starting. He grabbed her arm, tugging her away to a safe distance, ignoring the sniffing. The ship lifted, the hanger door opened, and then it was gone, the hanger sealed once more.

In the ensuing silence Zaeed had time to let things sink in. Releasing the kid, Zaeed swore blue bloody murder, kicked a few empty crates about, stuck his middle finger up at the camera where the weasel's stooge was watching, and then stared at the kid who was watching him with interest, a forlorn look on her face that Zaeed knew was for the turian. He swore again. He wondered how the shitting hell he'd ended up like this. Goddamned past. He was continually trying to deal with it so he could be satisfied and move on. Still, this would be like taking out two birds with one stone. Hackett and Vido. Debt and justice paid.

oOo

James kept trying Jack's omnitool but it couldn't connect. Bailey had given him directions to the nearest maintenance access but he and the closest C-Sec officers had soon discovered that there were numerous ducts that branched off from the one they'd entered, leading onto various tunnel networks. When Bailey had joined them with Kolyat and a large team of officers, James was beyond relieved. He was still clinging on to the hope that Jack had just gone into some frequency dead-zone, and was attempting to make her way out with Rorie in hand.

It was forty-five minutes later when Kolyat discovered Jack, and suddenly this was a lot more serious. While Kolyat called for a medical team, James held her hand, the image of her battered face staying with him as he visually searched the area and spotted Rorie's toy in a shadowed corner. In one swift movement, he gently placed Jack's hand on her stomach and moved to pick up the abandoned toy, gripping it in his two hands, fingers sinking into the material as he stared at the toy Nugget took everywhere.

"Commander?" Bailey prompted, softly.

"It's happened again. I've messed up," James answered, his voice breaking.

When Vega looked up, Bailey saw a man who looked as though he'd lost his own child.

James had to clear his throat before he could speak again, and when it came it was hoarse. "How the hell do I tell her parents?"

oOo