He thumbed the data cube in a small side pocket of his single-suita"a talisman to keep his anger, his frustration, at bay. He willed his body back under his control, taking in another lungful of air, forcing himself to glory in it.

She did exist, and when he found her, head snap her neck. He strode forward, marching back into the battle.

8.

Clan Sea Fox CargoShip Talismantia Zenith Jump Point, Remulac System Prefecture VII, The Republic 28 July 3134

OvKhan Sha Clarke stood on the observation deck and gazed back along the eight-hundred-meter length of his ship. The command CargoShip for Beta Aimag of the Spina Khanate.

He was wrapped in quiet contentment.

In another life, another age, this vessel bore the name Nagasawa. During the dark night of the Jihad, it was gutted at the final naval battle of Tukayyid. With the molting of the Diamond Sharks to their original name and a new form, so this vessel gained a new lease on life: transformed into a CargoShip he used to great effect in reaping glory for his Clan.

Through the ferrogla.s.s of the main observation window, he watched as the black flower of the Talismantia furled its petals. On the world of Breukelen in the Lyran Commonwealth, Sha encountered a local flower that closed its petals to a bud by noontime; the life-energy it needed drunk in the early-morning hours, it sealed itself from the killing glare of the systemas blue-white supergiant for the rest of the day. Now Sha watched with fascination as the solar sail (most referred to it as a jump sail, but Sha found more depth and meaning in the word asolara) slowly furled, the molecules-thin, high-strength polymer material folding like that exotic flower; it too had drunk its fill and within the hour the CargoShip would jump from this system. Light flared around the sail like a corona and began to brighten the entire ship as its shadow extinguished, letting Remulacas star bathe the Talismantia in pumpkin-bright light.

aMagnificent, is it not?a Sha said, his soft voice loud in the dead calm of the room.

aIt is a jump sail, quiaff?a Star Colonel Ryn Faulkas tone said it all.

aAff. Of course it is.a Her silence actually felt confused. Sha smiled. aWhat do you see?a aI see the array furling the jump sail. We jump to Savannah within the hour.a aIs that all?a aAff?a His smile grew until mocking laughter threatened. He held it, refusing, as always, to give in. This, after all, was exactly why he brought Ryn here. One of the last significant holdouts in his Aimag. She would see.

aNeg, Star Colonel.a aI do not understand, ovKhan. Is it the K1IV star beyond? The Talismantia itself?a aNeg, Ryn. It is the solar sail and yet it is not.a He raised his right hand and placed the palm flat against the ice-cold pane. Strange how cold burned just like fire; his fingers would quickly grow deadened, but the sensation always fascinated him. Though it mimicked fire, it ultimately lulled you into a false sense of numbness. A numbness that led to a lowering of your guard, to mistakes. To death and, worst of all, failure.

Cold would always beat fire. Always.

He turned to look at his companion. Shockingly, for the second time, used her first name. aRyn, this vessel is three hundred and eighty-four years old. It has unfurled and furled its solar sail untold thousands of times, the act becoming completely mundane. An exercise in mechanical technology that has dropped below the notice of all save the man whose job it is to operate the jump sail array. Even that technician, I would wager, finds the work dull and repet.i.tiousa"a task to be accomplished and forgotten.a aBut ovKhan, you describe reality. The truth.a aYet truth is subjective, is it not? A BattleMech is the supreme military vehicle of the thirty-second century. Has held that place undisputed for nearly seven hundred years. And yet any MechWarrior can tell tales of almost losing their mount to the battle armor squad they ignored, quiaff?a aAff. What does this have to do with the jump sail?a He once more fought the smile at the quizzical look painting her features. He shifted, felt the distant machinery sending tiny vibrations through his slips.

aWhat it represents. It is so fragile, so delicate, it takes well over an hour to unfurl it and twice that long to furl it. If it is damaged, it is almost impossible to repair. Yet upon such a foundation is interstellar travel possible. Such a little thing, yet magnificence is achieved through its careful and methodical use. Each time I see a sail furl, I see the sweep of humanityas victories before me.a He pulled away his hand, knowing almost to the second when to do so before leaving a layer of skin adhered to the surface, and moved to stand directly in front of Ryn. His pale blue eyes stood out unnaturally large in his scarecrow-thin face and blazed with the cool fire that drenched his hand in pain. Nothing showed on his face.

aStar Colonel, all that humanity has accomplished in the centuries since the Pathfinder made that first jump to Alpha Centauri can be tied to the Kearny-Fuchida drive, and that drive is almost entirely dependent upon the solar sail. The colonization of thousands of planets. The foundation of the true Star League. Even the greatness of the Clans, of our Clan, is intrinsically tied to the solar sail, and yet most hardly acknowledge its existence.a aBut, ovKhanaa"the slight hitch in her voice repulsed hima"athere are other ways to charge the drive, quiaff? The reactor. A recharge station?a Pity clouded his vision. Must it always be so difficult for others? aAff, Star Colonel. But they are dangerous, expensive and require support, quiaff?a He continued before she could respond. aThe solar sail, in its simplicity and beauty, is completely self-sufficient. It need depend on nothing but what the universe gives of its own free will. Shouldnat we be the same?a He saw the revulsion in her eyes at his use of a contraction; he hoped the emphasis had been worth the vulgarity.

aClan Sea Fox is independent. What are you saying?a aMany things, Star Colonel, many things.a The flaming pain devolved into the tiny pinp.r.i.c.ks of an almost awakened hand, the last breath of a dying beast he defeated. Once more.

aWhy did you ask me here, ovKhan?a aTo show you the beauty of the solar sail.a aIs that all?a Sha looked carefully at Ryn. Watching the play of muscles across her face, the hint of saliva on her lips and the heave of her chest, he came to a decision. She would not, or could not see.

Discard.

aYes, Star Colonel, you may go.a She saluted smartly and turned to leave. In her haste to depart, she unstuck herself from her magnetic slips and vaulted toward the hatch and the waiting corridor beyond.

He turned back to contemplate the simplicity of the solar sail. She had been useful in the past, despite the need to cast her aside. Her genes, of course, would be useful again in a future generation.

aovKhan.a The electronic voice echoed through the room. He moved toward the comm station at the side of the observation window and touched the flashing b.u.t.ton.

aovKhan here.a aFarstar III has just materialized in-system, ovKhan. She sends word Delta Aimag has been located in the Adhafera system, in deep negotiations for the last week and more.a aThank you.a Sha smiled slowly and casually rested his forehead against the ferrogla.s.s; the cold immediately sank teeth deep into his forehead. The time is coming, ovKhan Petr. We have swum the same currents for too long, too much wounding of flanks and b.u.t.ting of snouts in indecisive displays. Finally, the time has come to meet your fire with ice.

It felt as though the cold was tearing chunks of flesh right from his skin, but Shaas smile broadened.

Cold always wins.

9.

Marik Quarter, Halifax Vanderfox, Adhafera Prefecture VII, The Republic 7 July 3134

Even close to dusk, the yellow-white light beat down like the hand of an unmerciful G.o.d that would see Adhaferaas inhabitants dead before the blessed rains came. Staring up at the cobalt sky totally devoid of even a wispy hint of white, Petr found it hard to believe the locals were already preparing for the savage rainfalls they said would be arriving any day.

Moving into the shade of an eavea"he felt sure the hammer of light targeted his head with brutal and malicious efficiencya"he watched an elderly woman across the street for a moment. She stooped to grasp an apparently light, yet unwieldy sheet, which she then heaved into place with a snap across the front window of her store; head heard it mentioned several times the wind could drive raindrops so hard they would break gla.s.s. The rainy season threatened, which is why the cattle slaughtering normally occurred at this time.

Petr stepped away from the curb and began walking briskly down the street, still hoping to find Snow. And to bleed off anger; his temper flared again as he thought of the local merchantsa most recent behavior. Stupid spheroids. Didnat matter that he moved among their worlds. He was trueborn bred and trained, and the spheroidsa ways might as well be alien intelligences for all he could understand them at times.

They had a deal. How dared they back away at the last minute!

He felt the lightest of brushes against his right elbow and immediately spun to the left, down and around into a defense crouch. Head been downside on worlds that made him feel as though he moved in powered-down battle armor, their crushing gravities making even walking arduous. But on Adhafera, with its .77 standard Terran gravity, he could move almost as lithely as though still on the grav deck of his ship.

The old lady head watched for a moment screeched and took several quick, mincing steps backward. Sha knew many Clansmen, especially those still confined within their occupation zones, who would be revolted by the skein of wrinkles that mapped her life in relief across her bronzed skin; Petr didnat bat an eye, too accustomed to seeing this and worse in ports of call.

Still, he couldnat believe the audacity of this hag to touch his person, and the familiar warmth raced along his blood, setting off the dull thump that would soon soar to a roaring beat, the soft, tickling sensation on his skin that would eventually set him afire.

aYou got no right to frighten me so,a the hag scolded, speaking to him before he could begin to chastise her properly; her face wore the look of a sibko trainer about to berate an errant shiv. The beat in his ears grew by increments.

aShe tells me to tell you, thatas all. She gives me good C-bills, so I donat mind. But I got work to do. With Pappy gone, Iam all the storeas got. So I didnat see ya gawking and suddenly youare walking like h.e.l.las on your tail.a The internal heat grew as the brazen woman stepped a little closer and the musk of fresh soil and age, mixed with good clean sweat, sailed up his nostrils as he breathed deep to keep it under control. She began to shake a finger at him.

aThen I come near to knocking myself offa"ticker not so strong anymorea"and then you leap about like some weasel and look like you gonna hit ola Timma.a She gummed her mouth several times; his lips curled at the dentures.

aDonat matter what that ugly women say to me, taking a message to you offworlders not worth the time to spit.a Frigid waters cascaded across his temper, sublimating it in a flash that almost stunned him; without conscious thought he stepped toward the woman and a.s.sumed his most disarming look, casually slouching his body to appear less threatening. aMy good Timma, I must apologize for my actions. Where I hail from, we simply do not have the great s.p.a.ces you enjoy in which to live. To work. As such, we are accustomed to not touching one another.a He broadened his smile, added a twinkle to his eye. aItas a way to create artificial s.p.a.ce where none really exists. You simply startled me.a Contractions were always a nice touch with spheroids.

She c.o.c.ked her head at him and gummed her upper lip several times; this close, he could see the fine dirt that filled most of her wrinkles; he suddenly felt she was a soil etching in need of a good dousing to reveal the true sculpture beneath. aYou got no right, still, to be surprising me like that. Bang, couldave been dead. Then how sorry you be?a Petr added a hint of sorrow to his features. A warrior on the field needed no such subterfuge, but this was a battlefield, if of a different sort, and like a heavy medium laser from his Tiburon, he would use whatever resources he found at hand. aThen I would hold your spirit on my conscience for all the days of my life. A specter to haunt my CargoShip.a A touch of a smile.

She wrinkled her forehead even morea"if that were possiblea"then burst into loud laughter. aThatas exactly what I be doing to you. You be careful, offworlder, or you have a flock of old women haunting your s.p.a.ceship.a Petr bowed low to accept the rebuke; his eyes flashed once as they were hidden, returned to their charade by the time he finished the flourish. aTimma, you spoke of a message a woman gave you to pa.s.s on to a Sea Fox Clansman, quiaff?a aDonat be knowing nothing about no kiaf, but this wasnat for just any offworlder.a She stabbed a finger at him and almost touched his chest. Glad she didnat; he would hate to slip and ruin what he had wrought.

aShe describe you down to the tip of those fancy s.p.a.ce boot thingies you got. No doubt you the man.a aAnd this message? What is it?a aJust be glad Timma the forgiving type, or I be walking away. Can still feel the ticker a racing.a Please do not walk away. Had to keep this clean, especially after the negotiations became blocked; the coolness began to thaw.

aShe tell me to say to this offworldera"you, oa coursea"to meet this woman (ugly!) at Dipsonas Five and Dime Diner.a Petr simply strode away, knowing exactly where to find the eating establishmenta"calling it such brought a sardonic smile. He didnat look back once to see the gaping mouth of Timma, flabbergasted out of speech by the way Petr simply dropped her presence and sped away like demons from h.e.l.l snapped at his heels.

It took him most of an hour to cross this portion of Halifax. They called it the Marik Quarter, but he could find no distinguishing characteristicsa"neither architecture, nor smella"to tell it apart from any other portion of the city. By the time he reached the diner, full dark quenched the light and cast up its own pale imitations; without the streetlights, he would have found the going difficult.

Opening the door, he stepped in and for a moment wondered if the stench he sought to escape so many times at the Merchant House had found its way into this building as well, waiting to pounce upon him once more.

Dim and dirty. Few occupants. It fit the image he had carefully crafted of Snow over the last few weeks. A c.o.c.kroach would revel here and so would she.

He moved away from the door, weaving in and out of aisles of chairs sitting askew, his boots conveying the squelch and smack of every puddle of liquida"the aroma told him some of them were not just spilled alcohola"and morsels of soggy food. Though several people raised their heads, most were too drunk to give him more than a pa.s.sing glance. The one or two whose eyes actually quickened at the realization a Sea Fox strode among them quickly resumed their previous postures as his blazing eyes swept the room and turned any interest to ash. The anger stirred, roared; he should be glowing, his skin an incandescent covering to the blazing furnace within.

Toward the back, he spotted her and stopped dead. She sat unconcernedly, a stoop to her posture, as she gazed at a wilted and wrinkled menu. Her left hand strayed to her mouth and she bit absentmindedly at a nail and casually spit it out the side of her mouth. Her swarthy skin blended into her short, hacked-off hair, and with a side profile, her bulbous nose appeared to swell out like the snout of an ice h.e.l.lion; would she be as whiny and backbiting as that dead Clan? Her stocky body and shabby clothing (a mix of several shapes and colors Petr felt sure she stripped off some street itinerate) plunged a spike of physical loathing through his rage.

Such an abomination wouldave been terminated by the scientist caste overseeing the birth before the mother carried it to term. He didnat even think of the trueborn possibilities, confident such a creature could never have flowed from the Clanas iron womb program. On the verge of turning away, he remembered the data cube tucked into his pocket. The image of those smoky eyes. She managed to place it on his ship; he must give her credit for such a feat. He could stomach her presence long enough to find out if her message held merit, or whether he could give in to his desire to wrap that stump of a neck with his hands.

He moved to the booth and slid in.

aTook you long enough. Get lost?a Her voice came out deep and husky, not completely unattractive. aHavenat had somebody staring that hard at me since Jack Rilley used to peek in at me when I took a shower.a She casually chewed off another nail, spit it out and then glanced up; the merriment they held almost redded out Petras vision and he gripped his thighs to keep from reaching across the table. aaCourse, I looked a whole lot better back then, so donat know why youare staring. But hey, if youare in to me, you are. Nothing I can do about it. Right?a She is trying to provoke me. The voice came as though stretched and thinned by an endless haze of gore and shimmering heat. He breathed in deeply, hunting for scents, trying to regain his focus. He expected a foul miasma to match the reek of this place and instead detected the scent of flowers. A soft, herbal scent totally incongruous with her appearance. She is playing with you. The voice gained strength and his vision began to clear. It is a facade. If she is good enough to seed a message on your ship, she is good enough to play you like a harp.

aWaiter,a he abruptly called in a loud voice.

She quirked her mouth and leaned back.

His eyes began to pick out details he missed the first time, and the rage began to return, but this time directed inward. She may have been on-world this entire time and simply waited in order to throw you off balance. The first move perhaps went her way, but no more. She slouched against the back of her chair, but did so a little too carefully. As though to keep her right shoulder at just the right anglea"for what? Was she carrying? Did it matter? She did not bring him all this way to kill him.

aSo, with those steaming eyes of yours, I think Iall call you sweetness. Practically got engaged.a She smiled, and her almost-too-white teeth gleamed in the dim light like the dials of his aMechas c.o.c.kpit console glowed at night.

His normal response to any such advances would have been vehement revulsion, but he could not afford that luxury here. It put him off balance. Off guard. He gripped his thighs hard as he tried to roll with it.

aGot something going on under the table, do you?a she said, her voice dropping to a sultry timbre; she leaned forward and tapped her hand on the table several times, her index finger pointing toward his arms. aThose biceps are filling your suit real nice and, well, canat help but wonder if we shouldnat be moving right to the wedding day.a The smoky gray eyes almost gleamed in the darkness, her soft voice and words at total contrast with her repellent physicality. He couldnat seem to pull himself together.

The waiter arrived. A scrawny teenage boy with a runny nose, peach fuzz on his lip that he no doubt doted over, and a greasy ap.r.o.n. aWhat ya ordering?a He didnat look up; head learned to not get involved.

Snow leaned back again, still with the stiffness around her shoulders, and waved a hand in his direction. aYouare the one who thinks weare on a date, so you can order for me.a aI am not hungry,a he responded gracelessly and berated himself again. How did she manage to keep him off his guard? He was surprised in the street by the hag and yet responded instantly with his usual zeal and effectiveness in negotiations. This encounter was quickly shaping up to be a disaster.

aOh, straight to bed, then?a He couldnat help but stare. Was she actually coming on to him? The silence stretched and he could see the skinny brat actually glance up and begin to turn away.

aTwin beers. Anything.a He looked a question at her.

aFine. Sure. If you want to get me drunk, Iam all for it.a She laughed out loud and several people from two and three tables away glanced in their direction.

He spoke immediately once the waiter departed. aYou should not be so loud. Do you wish to draw othersa attention?a aWhy not? Only if we skulk and hide in the corner could we possibly be doing something we shouldnat. Even if it is exceptionally strange for an offworldera"much less a Sea Foxa"to come, at night, to such a seedy bar in his uniform [ no doubt of the sarcasm there ], if sheas loudmouthed and it looks like heas simply got strange taste on local women, why should they care?a She smiled, and for the first time, he caught a glimpse of her real smile; the warmth surprised him, but the wariness remained.

He savagely dug his fingers into his thighs one last time, for the final point he gave up, and moved his hands to the tabletop.

aThatas better,a she said immediately and chewed on another nail. aThis may be a little seedy, but itas a family establishment after all.a aMust you always speak with sarcasm?a aAre you kidding?a She laughed. aIam not sure I could complete a sentence without it.a aPerhaps you should try. Explain why you brought me here.a aDid I bring you here?a The laughing tone of voice fired his ire once more.

The skinny waiter thumped down two beers and Petr gaped as, before the waiter took five steps, Snow slammed back the beer, draining the bottle quicker than the collapse of a compartment to decompression.

aKeep aem coming!a she bellowed, and the waiter partially raised a hand, but continued away.

aHey, Iam a thirsty gal. Workas been hard of late,a she said when she noticed Petras surprise.

aYou did bring me here.a He took out the data cube and carefully placed it on the table. He almost winced when he saw how much his constant rubbing, the nervous tick of his anger, had worn it down.

aMy, my, my,a she said, looking at the cube and then turning those searchlight eyes on him once more. aSeems I shouldave brought a bouquet. You were anxious, werenat you?a Petr ignored the comment. aWhy?a aAh, left at the altar again. Well, Iave come to expect it. Youave got some pretty Foxer youare bedding, right? No place in your life for little ola Snow.a He slapped his hand on the table and ignored the curious looks from around the room at the gunshot sound. aSnow,a he ground out, trying to keep a rein on his temper, aI do not have time for this. You managed to get this cube on my ship, which I am sure you know is the only reason Iam here.a She placed her hand gently on the table, as though to mock his own brutal impact, and laughed quietly. aAh, now youare starting to use vulgarity with me. If youare going to leave me at the altar, the least you could do is not argue with me. Thatas for married folks.a Petr trembled and his eyes flashed red. He closed them; he would not react. Would not!

aOkay, okay,a she said.

He opened his eyes to find her face slightly altered. He could not put a finger on it, but something had changed.

aYeah, I brought you here. Iave got some news I know youall find interesting.a aHow?a aBecause youare Sea Fox. You keep your fingers in every pot you can.a Her right hand dipped below the table and reappeared with a new data cube, which she placed on the table and lightly flicked with her index finger. It sailed smoothly across the surfacea"a testament to the permanent grease ingrained in the fake-wood topa"and Petr closed his hand over it.

He gritted his teeth. aI hope this one provides more information than the last.a aHey, I couldnat tell you everything right off the bat, sweetness. And I did get you here.a He could only nod his head. Too many points to her this round. This round.

aWhat will I find on this?a For once she did lower her voice and casually lift the new beer the waiter had dropped off only moments before. aInformation about the imminent invasion of this part of The Republic of the Sphere by the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth.a Petr stared at her, incredulous. This was her vital message? Head be angry if he didnat find the situation so ludicrous. He laughed out loud. aThis is your urgent news? Please!a Petr slid across the bench to stand.

Snow quickly leaned forward and something flashed through her eyes. aListen, I know why youave come to this Prefecture. And an invasion could either ruin it, or for those who know itas coming, they might just make huge profits off events to come.a He settled back down, not from her urging, but more from her knowledge of why head come to Prefecture VII. Could she know it all? How? He saw pain in her eyes. His gaze caressed her shoulder and returned to find her eyes boring into his. She was wounded. And she knew that he knew. Not that he knew what to do with that information, but he filed it away for possible future use. It did, however, show her in a new light. More information for him to use.

aAnd how could I possibly find it worthwhile?a aYouave a good-sized force at your command. The Republic can be generous to those who help them. Very generous.a Was she asking for aide? Mutual defense? aThe Republic and Clan Sea Fox already have a mutual nonaggression treaty. Why not have your precious exarch try to negotiate a further treaty? You obviously are Republic. Why all this backroom dealing?a She leaned back in the too-casual way that confirmed his find; her right shoulder was wounded.

aMaybe I do work for The Republic, probably not in the way you think, though. But this doesnat have to be something dragged through the light of day. Just a friendly agreement between betrothed. Right?a He finally began to get the mettle of her and smiled in his own, easy fashion; she had scored enough easy marks. No more. aYes, but I have isorla to take from this wedding and it will not be you, I wager. You did not answer my question.a aYouare right. I didnat.a Her gray eyes filled his vision. Though he began to function once more with his usual grace, he found those eyes still pulled him off balance.

Such amazing eyes.

aYou look over the information, then tell me youare not interested. Like I said, The Republic knows its friends and can be very generous.a The meeting had reached its end. He slowly stood, pocketed both data cubes and looked down at Snow. Not once did he ask for her real name; he knew shead not likely divulge it. Though she still could be called nothing but ugly, the complete revulsion of his first impression was gone. As with the data cube on his ship, he couldnat help a begrudging admiration for the way shead manhandled him. Not often did he meet someone his equal at the table. But he would take her in the long run.

aI will think upon it. How will I contact you?a aOh, Iall contact you.a She laughed. aI know us girls are supposed to wait for your call, but I just wonat be able to.a He grimaced despite himself. aI had a feeling you would say that,a he replied; he accepted that she had scored the final point, and walked out.

Her sultry laugh followed him into the night, a companion for many nights to come.

10.

Clan Sea Fox DropShip Ocean of Stars, Halifax Vanderfox, Adhafera Prefecture VII, The Republic 7 July 3134

aThis is what they waited for?a Petr raged at Jesup. aWe had the deal ready to ink and they pulled back because they somehow found out Beta Aimag jumped in-system?a aIt would appear that way.a Immediately upon returning from the unpleasant encounter with Snow, Petr learned the reason for the sudden atroublesa preventing the local merchants from signing the agreement. Could the day get worse? He moved along the corridor of the DropShip toward the bridge, and realized it could. He would have to speak directly with Sha. The arrogant surat.

The record of wins and losses between them was nearly evena except for his last, most humiliating defeat at Shaas hands. Still unsettled by his encounter with Snow, he could not stop the memories that flooded his mind.

By the Founder, why did I not explore that asteroid belt in the Lungdo system further? Can I truly claim it was an honest mistake that my people did not discover the small germanium ore deposit there? Controlling a supply of the rare core component for building K-F drives would have brought Delta Aimag so much honor and wealtha Sha pursued the advantage in the Trial of Possession so aggressively that he must have known of the ore going into the negotiationsa"and I should have realized there was a prize worth any price at stake. Did my hatred for Sha keep me from recognizing the significance of his extravagant offers? If only I had been willing to concede access to our orbital repair facility in the Castor systema Even after two years, the questions still haunted him. As he did every time they surfaced, Petr pushed them down and shut them away.

Petr reached a ladder and began to shimmy up when the voice of Jesup floated up around him; for an instant he thought of the hag Timma and her haunting spirit, and actually smiled despite himself. Anything to distract him from the coming confrontation.

aSo what are the odds he would come to the very world where we first make planetfall? Twenty-six worlds to choose from, and he comes downside here first?a aYou mean twenty-five. After all, our enclave on Castor does not really count, quiaff?a aYou know what I mean, oh great one of infinite wit. Did he throw a dart at a board? I do not think so. We arrived before Beta Aimag in this Prefecture and, considering how long we have been here, he must have come directly to this planet.a Petr climbed the last rung and entered a new pa.s.sage; this one terminated at the main bridge. He knew Star Captain Jotok would already be at his station. He once joked that the man slept there, and Jotokas blank stare in reply actually alarmed Petr slightly, before he acknowledged the man could command his ship how he saw fit.

aCould he have encountered the same information that required us to come here?a Jesup jabbed with his voice once more, hoping to open a crack. Petr ignored it.

aI doubt that very much, Jesup. I doubt it very much.a Yet the idea stuck in his mind. According to what she said (no time to verify her story, beyond a cursory look at the data cube), her plan involved abribinga a Sea Fox Aimag into stopping an invasion of The Republic of the Sphere by the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth. If one Aimag worked well, wouldnat two work even better? Not to mention she seemed to know so much about him. Did she know of his animosity toward Sha? Could she have somehow managed the same trick on the Talismantia, causing Sha to come running with the same urgency? Perhaps she believed using two such adversaries would improve the chances that one would follow her call, if not botha"both afraid the other would reap benefits that would carry him above and beyond the other.

Petr almost stumbled with the myriad questions somersaulting through his mind, a terrible riptide threatening his concentration. Only moments remained before he faced Sha, and this was how he would present himself? Incoherent? Frothing at the mouth? Sha would win before he ever set foot on Adhafera soil.