Tory, however, was distinctly disenchanted. 'My father and Taliesin could be evolving from this existence as we speak?'

'Aye,' Maelgwn stated, grabbing hold of his wife to prevent her from dashing off in a flight of hysterics.

'This is a very special time for them, Tory. Don't spoil it by demanding goodbyes or explanations. If either of them wish to see you, they will come to you.'

Tory stood staring at Maelgwn like a scolded child, wondering whether to cry or rebel.

'We can pull this off on our own.' He placed a hand on each of her shoulders to emphasise the fact. 'You said it yourself, Tory. We don't need higher supervision any more.'

Tory nodded, agreeing to let the matter rest for now.

'Excuse I, Commander.'

'Vanora!' Tory gasped upon sighting her.

'Tory.' Vanora acknowledged her, before looking to Maelgwn to report. 'Cadwaladr is ready to talk. Our place or his?'

As the sound of his name almost incited a riot in the room, Maelgwn decided that Cadwaladr's place might be best.

'There's been a little unexpected development,'

Vanora added. 'It would seem the Khan had the immortal gene in his make-up after all.'

Maelgwn raised both eyebrows, surprised. 'He must have had the immortal gene in his family line, but was bypassed as one of the Chosen at the time of his death.

Not to worry. The elixir Doc has given him will grant him life for only so long as it suits Shamash's purposes.'

'Hey!' Brian alerted everyone to Ethan, who was sitting up in his chair, observing the scene before him with a blank look on his face.

'I seem to be having a flashback.' Ethan cracked a huge smile. Although his mother was of the middle eastern tribes, Ethan had more Anglo-Saxon in him.

His father had been a knight in the Crusades - Neraida had recognised Ethan's father as one of her lost love's reincarnations. Ethan's skin was olive like his mother's, but fairer in colour. His trimmed-short hair was brown and his eyes were hazel-brown.

Neraida and Talynn rushed their patient, showering him with hugs and kisses.

'It's good to see you, man.' Brian held a hand out to shake Ethan's.

'Brockwell,' he mumbled and moved to take the hand of his old comrade, only to realise he was tied up.

'Um, I really don't think you people have anything to fear from me.'

'Sorry about that.' Talynn explained as Neraida cut her son's bonds: 'You got a bit out of hand when we tried to disconnect you from the module.'

'Aw ...' he grabbed hold of his head with both hands. 'Now I remember.'

'Take it easy, lad.' Cadfan came forward to lead Ethan off to a quiet room to recover his strength in peace.

But as they passed by Maelgwn on the way out, Ethan wavered. 'I know the inside of that base like the back of my hand. Don't be going in there without me.'

'You go and rest yourself. Shamash has yet to arrive and we have other matters to attend to. I promise I will seek your counsel if that need arises.' With a slap on the shoulder, Maelgwn sent Ethan to bed.

Everyone else gathered round Maelgwn and Tory to brainstorm the next step in Shamash's downfall.

All the same faces, and a few new ones, graced the circle. Many of them had only met in the last few days and yet a myriad of experiences bonded them together, so that no one was a stranger. These were history's finest warriors, scholars, strategists, technologists, healers - the list went on. If they couldn't pull this mission off successfully, then nobody could.

Maelgwn chose a token band of people to accompany him to a meeting with Cadwaladr. Not so many as to be intimidating, but a suitable force to deal with an ambush should that be Cadwaladr's intention. Except for Tory and Vanora, Maelgwn selected people who were emotionally detached from Cadwaladr: Robin, Boadicea, and Cadwell.

Vanora guided them to the hallway outside the conference room in Cadwaladr's mansion. She knocked and entered ahead of the others to announce their arrival.

Tory closed her eyes to prepare herself for confronting Cadwaladr again. I saw enough good in this man once to ensure his soul was spared. Rejection is what Cadwaladr fears most ... don't feed his fear.

The double doors parted before them. Cadwaladr stood at the far end of the conference table with a couple of bodyguards and Vanora at his side. 'You wished to see me, Dragon?'

As the party entered, Maelgwn couldn't help but stare at their host, who was the identical incarnate of his brother, Caradoc. He and Caradoc hadn't been friendly since they were teenagers, but Maelgwn strived to recall the times they'd been together before the war that changed them from kinsmen to enemies. 'I have come to ask you to unite with us against Shamash, Cadwaladr.'

Behind Maelgwn and his band the doors closed of their own accord.

'It seems we have come full circle, Maelgwn.'

Cadwaladr had to smile at the irony of the situation in which he found himself. 'And, in light of the fact that the last time you gave me such an ultimatum I refused and lost badly ... I figure, it might be wise to cooperate this time.' Then Cadwaladr became more serious. 'It is clear from the evidence Vanora has presented to me that Shamash had planned my plight since before my father was even born. He has kept me in the dark my whole life. I'd like a shot at keeping him in the dark for at least a few days.'

'I would also request that you release all those you hold under the influence of the NERGUZ,' Maelgwn stated firmly.

'Apologies, Commander,' Vanora came forward to present Maelgwn with Doc's master control module. 'I meant to advise you - it has already been done.

Shamash will arrive at his excavated landing base in the Middle East to find it devoid of occupants.'

This came as a shock to Maelgwn. He'd expected an argument at the very least.

'It's strange, isn't it, Dragon,' Cadwaladr commented. 'Endeavouring to trust someone you're used to despising. I know your doubt and hesitation.

Believe me, I know it.'

There was a knock on the conference room doors and Stanley Brennon entered. He was surprised to find strangely-clad visitors therein, and was reluctant to speak in front of them. Instead, he walked all the way to the other end of the room to have a quiet whisper in Doc's ear.

'Well, then,' announced Cadwaladr. 'The moment of truth.'

'Shamash has arrived,' Maelgwn assumed.

'Soon. And he will expect me to be present. So what's the scam?'

Maelgwn closed the distance between himself and Cadwaladr. 'Did you tell Shamash of your intention to dispose of Rhiannon?'

'He wanted it,' Cadwaladr frowned. 'Maybe Utu even put me up to it. But, no, to the best of my knowledge I did not tell him of my intentions. I suspected for some time, though, that Utu was twisting my mind to suit his purpose. I needed someone I could trust, someone Utu was unaware of, who could monitor this for me ... that is why I went in search of Temujin.'

He motioned to his silent partner, now standing behind him. Temujin did not understand the language being spoken, but Cadwaladr would fill him on the outcome of the proceedings after the meeting had adjourned.

Maelgwn looked over the renowned conqueror of the orient who was observing him just as closely. His appearance was of a warrior to be reckoned with, and quite frankly, Maelgwn was relieved that the Khan was now on their side. 'Well, then,' he concluded, sensing Cadwaladr spoke the truth. 'It seems that you have ended up with more allies than you bargained for.'

Cadwaladr shook his head in bafflement. He just couldn't imagine fitting in with the Dragon's kin. 'Half of your flock would see me drawn and quartered.'

Maelgwn shrugged. 'Same old, same old, really,' he said. 'However, as of now you are under my protection.

If anyone wants a piece of you, they'll answer to me.'

'And me.' Tory strode down to join them. 'If Shamash starts manipulating you and gains control of your domain here, we're all stuffed.'

'I can't say how much Shamash already knows about my operations here.' Cadwaladr wanted to make that clear. 'To keep things secret from Rhiannon, I allowed Utu to wash away aspects of our conversations, but then I could never really be sure he didn't do more than that.'

'Then, he most certainly did.' Maelgwn found himself feeling rather sympathetic.

'We must secure the fusion reactor in space and the facility at Farwell,' Tory suggested. 'If Shamash gains control of either of those, he can shut down the world power grid, or blow us all to kingdom come.'

'You know about that?' Cadwaladr was sure he'd kept the glitch under wraps.

'It was us who stole your hard-drive,' Tory explained apologetically.

'I knew it -' Cadwaladr began.

'Later people,' Maelgwn advised. 'We're a little pressed for time. Vanora - assume Rhiannon's form and accompany Doc to greet Shamash.' He looked at Cadwaladr. 'I leave Cadwell, Robin and Boadicea with you also. They can be disguised as your personal bodyguards. Shamash will get himself settled in before causing too much havoc, but should all not go well with his arrival, my people will get you to a safe place.

Meanwhile, Tory and I will arrange for the defence of the power grid, and see if we can't round up an army for you, to replace the one you've lost ... save, having to explain to Shamash what happened to the immortals you have released from the influence of the NERGUZ. Sound good?' Everyone nodded in accord, except Cadwaladr.

'Just one thing.' He seemed reluctant to bring the point up. 'The module? If I am not seen wearing it, I can hardly claim to be controlling the masses. There is only one of its like on the planet.'

Though Maelgwn could see the sense of what he said, he also knew that many of the ICA's abductees would not yet have found their kin, or indeed their own mind. A split-second change of heart on Cadwaladr's behalf and he would be calling on all those that had not yet recovered from the module's influence to follow him.

'You're just going to have to trust me, I'm afraid,'

Cadwaladr prompted.

Maelgwn looked to Tory, who, after a second's consideration, gave the nod.

The band was passed over, and Cadwaladr was dumbfounded by their resolute style. 'You always were too trusting, Maelgwn,' he said, his voice even hoarser than usual.

Maelgwn shook his head at this. 'I never lose, Cadwaladr, because I only ever back a sure thing.' With a confident grin, Maelgwn slapped his hands together to get everybody moving. 'Stay alert, people. At the first sign of trouble head back to the Goddess.'

The two huge cylindrical craft belonging to Shamash finally approached the Earth. One parked itself in orbit, amid the satellites and space stations, while the other proceeded toward the exposed runway in the Middle East.

Pictures of the alien craft were being beamed to Earth via satellite from the Brunanburh Space Station.

This facility was now a permanent attachment of the fusion reactor that supplied power to the moon's bases as well as the Earth's. The Brunanburh was supplying the bulk of the information on the new arrivals because it was the closest space station to the visitors.

The crew members of the Goddess who were watching the broadcast were starting to get a little concerned. Maelgwn and his team were taking longer than expected.

Floyd was especially nervous. He'd only just found Boadicea and his fear of losing her made him braver than usual. 'I think we should go after them.' He attempted to distract everyone from the television.

'Dear Floyd.' Candace placed a hand on his shoulder sensing his personal dilemma. She couldn't help but smile at how little he knew about his love. 'I know Boadicea very well, and I assure you, the only reason we need go after her is if you wish to save her foe.'

'Yo, team.' Tory called everyone to attention.

When Floyd saw that only Maelgwn and Tory had returned, he panicked. 'Where's Boadicea?'

'I left her guarding Cadwaladr, with Vanora, Cadwell and Robin,' Maelgwn informed him.

'What!' Floyd couldn't believe his ears, and moved to confront the huge warrior.

'Now, Tiernan -'

'Floyd.' Tory corrected Maelgwn.

'Floyd,' he continued. 'We have no time to argue. I am told you are a code breaker.'

'Well, yes.' Floyd was overcome by the man's forthright manner and followed an overwhelming instinct to hear him out.

'Then I need you to accompany Rhun, Brian, Season, Candace and Sybil to Farwell.' Maelgwn turned his address to his son. 'Rally the local tribes if you have to, but you must secure the host station for the fusion grid.'

'Aye, aye, Commander.' Rhun grinned, happy with his mission and his team.

Maelgwn looked back to Floyd. 'I need you to override, and then rewrite code for, the security system of the host station and the reactor in space. Can you do that?'

Floyd's eyes boggled at the task. 'What kind of a time frame do I have?'

'Yesterday would be nice, but as soon as immortally possible will do.' Maelgwn gave the hacker a friendly slap on the shoulder, knowing he was asking the impossible of Floyd, but then, where this man was concerned, he was used to getting exactly that in the end.

'Gotcha,' Floyd replied, scratching his head as he considered what he'd need.

'Cadwallon.' Maelgwn motioned him closer. 'It was as Ray Murdock that you designed some of the systems for the fusion reactor.'

'Yes,' Cadwallon replied, anticipating his question.

'I still recall the layout of the Brunanburh and her fusion reactor's electronic monitoring system. What is it you wish me to do?'

'For the present, I just need you to go to the control room, secure it and await further orders.'

Rhiannon stepped forward to accompany Cadwallon. 'Well, as no-one knows that Doc has tried to knock me off, I guess I still have the authority to give orders up there if you have no other mission for me?'

'Good.' Maelgwn gave her the nod. 'You can also act as a messenger. At the first sign of trouble, report back here.' Rhiannon understood his meaning. She was not to wait for Cadwallon in such an event.

'Neraida.' Maelgwn turned to her at the last. 'Take Tom, Hero, Ethan and Talynn and rally as many of the clans as you can to go to the landing platform in the Middle East. Cadwaladr has released all those under the influence of the NERGUZ, so we need the numbers to replace them. Keep an eye on Boadicea and the others, and do not attack unless Cadwaladr or myself order you to do so. You are supposed to be under his influence, so do not blow his cover unnecessarily.'

'I understand,' Neraida advised. 'But are you sure we can trust him?'

'If there is one thing I know about Cadwaladr, it's that he gives his complete devotion to whatever cause he is fighting for. Now that his gripe is with Shamash, he shall not betray his allies.'

Neraida nodded to confirm she would respect his judgement.

'The object of this mission is to defend,' Maelgwn raised his voice for all to hear, 'but mainly to stall.