"How touching and sickening," their captor scoffed from the doorway as it slid open and the two Earthlings turned to face that direction.

"So," Jana said as she eyed the weapon Canissia held in her grasp, "it is you. I suspected as much. What do you want with us, Canissia? What will it take to buy our release?"

"You aren't that rich, not even as Ryker Triloni's widow."

"Then let me purchase Andrea's freedom. The conflict is between us and doesn't involve her. It's me you want to destroy, not Andrea."

"How touching to want to protect your little alien friend. No."

"Just like that? No discussion or bargaining?"

"None. After my men and I have our fun with you two, you're dead," Canissia said with a wicked smile.

"You wouldn't dare harm me."

"I have already, and gotten away with it."

Jana and Andrea listened as the evil woman related news of the decoy and cloaking device. She even told them a search was on for them.

"But you'll never be found where we're heading. Never in an eon."

"You can't just murder us in cold blood."

"Oh, I won't do it myself. I'll leave that up to your new neighbors."

When the redhead halted, Jana couldn't help but ask who she was talking about.

"The most barbaric, l.u.s.tful, and heartless men alive," Canissia explained with glee. "Prisoners on a male penal colony. It's guarded by a force shield, but I happen to know the release code, just like I knew the one for Maal to get through Darkar's defenses. I overheard his grandfather use it. I never forget anything because one never knows when one might need even the tiniest fact. Back to where I was. After you've been sufficiently punished, I'll drop you two off there. I'm sure you'll make new friends very fast." She laughed satanically, then explained it was a prison for the incorrigible male miscreants of Maffei, a place where even the most savage criminal became even more vicious and feral after living like b.e.s.t.i.a.l primitives for a short while. "Why, you'll be too busy to miss Ryker. Of course you'll probably be too sore to walk straight, but that won't matter; you'll be spending all of your time on the ground on your back beneath hundreds or perhaps thousands of creatures who haven't had a woman in ages."

Jana experienced sheer terror at what she knew was a realistic threat from the vindictive female who despised her. Where was Varian when she needed him, off doing his duty for Maffei! If he had kept his word and returned on time, this wouldn't be happening to them. Their situation was perilous and looked hopeless. "You'll be caught and punished, Canissia."

"I think not. If anyone suspects me, the search is on toward Zenufia where I left the Moonwind. We're far from that location, and no one will ever imagine to search for you where you're going."

Get all the clues you can, J.G. "Where did you get this ship?"

"I stole it from the Pyropean commander who was to escort me to mine. I retrieved my loyal androids, got rid of theirs, and prepared for this little trap. It has all the modern instruments and devices. As soon as I learned Varian was on Rigel and out of my way, I put my plan into motion."

Jana faked a look of confusion. "What does Varian Saar have to do with it?"

"I saw him on the news broadcast on Rigel. He was sighted entering a private meeting which included my father. They probably summoned poor Father to dismiss him for spilling secrets to me-valuable secrets, I might add."

"I still don't grasp why Varian Saar figured into your plot. I've only seen him twice since you took me to Ryker's: after that thwarted trap on Luz and when he was the one chosen to escort me and Ryker's body to Kadim Maal. He wasn't expected for another visit, thank goodness."

Canissia laughed for several minutes. "You're such a blind fool. He would have come soon, again and again, until he won you back."

Jana glared at the woman. "It will be a cold day in h.e.l.l first!"

"Even if I told you I kidnapped you last time and Varian never discarded you? That the search mentioned was a real and desperate one to locate you? That he only backed off after he realized Ryker had screwed you? He still yearns for you, and he would have been chasing you again soon."

"You're crazy. Varian gave me to Ryker; he admitted it on a taped message to me and in that interview I witnessed on the telecom."

"All lies and tricks to trap me. He never stopped craving you."

"Even if that's true, it doesn't matter now. Is that what this is about? You're afraid we'll get back together and he'll be lost to you? Don't worry, Canissia, you can have him. After Ryker, Varian Saar doesn't compare; he can't even stand in his brother's shadow. He might not have tossed me away that time, but he did too many other mean things to me for forgiveness, and he would do similar ones if I gave him the chance, which I won't. You might not care how he treats you and you may come crawling back for more, but I'm not like you. I don't want him or need him. Thanks to Ryker, I'm free and powerful and rich. If you're worried about me exposing what you told me, I won't; you have my word no one will ever know you kidnapped me, if you really did."

"Everything was fine until Varian found you and brought you here. You ruined everything with him and with Ryker and with Taemin. I was Ryker's ally until you changed him and turned him against me."

"You were his ally, Canissia, until you and Taemin tried to kill us."

"Ryker told you that?"

"I thought he told me everything, but he obviously left out at least one confession, if what you said about me being kidnapped for him is true. I can see why he wouldn't want me to discover that. Even so, it doesn't matter now; he was the best thing that happened to me in your world. You of all women should know Varian Saar only uses, deceives, and discards exmistresses. Do you think I could return to a man like that even if he said he loved me? I wouldn't trust Varian Saar for two seconds. He did horrible things to me, and you know about plenty of them. Why you continue to want him after the way he's treated you baffles me. A woman, even one as beautiful and rich and powerful as you are, can't win or obtain revenge against a man like him. To attempt such a goal is rash; that's why I would never challenge him. I'll be satisfied if he just forgets I exist."

"That's the trouble, he can't forget you. And he's after me."

"After you? For that alleged kidnapping months ago? If that's all, I can handle your problem by calling it a lie."

"You want me to trust you?"

"Why not?" Jana asked the sarcastic woman. "I have a lot to lose if what you say is true. If you and Ryker kidnapped me, our marriage would be illegal; I wouldn't be his widow. If you think I would press charges against you and risk losing Darkar, you're wrong. We can make a deal, Canissia. I want Trilabs and Darkar, not Varian. You want to be free of charges and have certain products of mine. What do you say to an exchange? A truce?"

"It's too late. You see, that isn't the only charge against me."

Jana faked ignorance. "Maybe I can help get the others dismissed or lightened. I can blackmail them with a cut-off from Trilabs. What are they?"

"Several murders, treason, theft, and so on. I thought Taemin or Maal would grant me. sanctuary in exchange for the truth about Varian playing Ryker, but I was wrong there, one of the few times in my life."

"Why on Earth would you think Ryker was Varian? I mean, you've known them both for so long; how could you get them mixed up?"

"Because of what I thought were slips by Ryker on my last visit."

"My husband was tricking you, Canissia. He was trying to provoke you into revealing secrets for a tape he was making to use as blackmail in case you tried to harm me or expose his past secrets. Ryker changed and we were making a fresh start together. He didn't want trouble. He would never have used the tape if you'd left us alone."

"Did he give it to Varian when they reconciled?"

"Of course not. That would incriminate him, too. After he died, I destroyed it because I didn't want it found. I couldn't risk staining his memory. Those were plots he did or planned long ago. He wasn't like that anymore. Despite what you think of him, he was a good and gentle man,"

"Did he screw anything like Varian does?"

Jana gaped at the crude female. "Not that it's any of your business, but no; they were nothing alike in that area. Do we have a deal?" She watched Canissia lick and stroke the weapon in an erotic manner as she talked.

"No, never."

"How did you lure us off Darkar with such success and cunning? How did you dupe my security chief, or is Kagan working for you?"

"That trick was so easy to accomplish that I can hardly believe it myself. Have you forgotten your protocol lessons? Rulers never deal directly with the lower cla.s.s; one of my androids pretended to be Maal's bodyguard and he spoke with your Kagan. He used Maal's nickname for Ryker. You know, that 'cherished flame of my soul' s.h.i.t. The uniforms, shuttle markings, and insignia were simple for us to make in the work lab aboard."

"What if I convince Maal to give you sanctuary in Androas?"

"Maal isn't in power anymore. I know about the treaty. I also know about the one with Pyropea and about poor Taemin's exile."

"How do you find out such things? You must have powerful contacts."

"My father was my best informer, but that door's closed now. With the help of some of Ryker's best little secrets, all I have to do is whisper a certain sentence into Avatar Kael's ear and he tells me anything, everything."

"But leaders and rulers are immuned to questioning, aren't they?"

"Ryker needed information, so he gave me a chemical that caused the Rendelar not to work. The planetary ruler of Zandia is my mental slave, among other ways I like to use him with the aid of secret formulas. Your late husband certainly was a genius. I'll miss his products."

"You mean Avatar Kael doesn't know he's working for you?"

"That's right. In fact, Kael can't stand me. That's what makes his little enslavement and ch.o.r.es so enjoyable." Canissia licked her lips and told Jana the crude s.e.xual sentence that put Kael in a trance.

"Why can't you use those same chemicals on Varian and enslave him? Then, you and I won't have a problem."

"Ryker only gave me enough to use on Kael; one infusion did it."

"I've been all through his possessions and equipment and I haven't found any mention of such a powerful antidote to Rendelar."

"It exists somewhere, because I've used it and it works. That's how I learned about the treaties and Taemin's fate from Kael a few days ago."

"If you're being hunted like an animal, how could you get to him?"

"Simple. In disguise and after uttering my magic words via telecom, he gave me clearance. This ship has transport markings outside, Trilabs markings to be exact. Supposedly having valuable, secret, and dangerous products aboard explains my weapons and vessel superiority. Symbols for deadly cargo keep anyone from approaching me too closely, and the androids handle all communications for me. You see, I thought of everything. Even Kael can't recall my visit. Too bad I was too rushed to have my last fun with him. I so enjoy humiliating him. Of course, if I have future need of him, all I have to do is whisper my little message in his ear." Jana forced her eyes to widen and sparkle with deceptive excitement. "Do you realize what that formula would be worth? No person in an elite position would be safe from questioning. The secrets they possess would be priceless. What did Ryker call it?"

"Anti-Ren. But it won't profit you anything, nor me."

"We could be rich and powerful beyond our wildest dreams, Ca.s.s." She attempted to ensnare the greedy and conceited creature and used an informal shortening of her name to sound friendly. "With your knowledge and skills combined with mine, we could ... we could gain control of this d.a.m.n galaxy. Just think, two female rulers. If we're in control or if we wipe out their memories, you won't be in any danger. We can be a team, Ca.s.s. We can even get Varian for you."

"You don't want him back?" Ca.s.s asked with open skepticism.

"I was in love with Ryker," Jana stressed. "I'm still in love with Ryker. I do not want Varian Saar. I could never trust him or forgive him."

"Varian loves you more than his own life, even more than his rank and duty or else he would never have taken possession of you during a mission and against orders. He would give anything to get you back. He let Ryker keep you only to save your life, not because Ryker had screwed you. He knew that if he took you back, Ryker would guess he loved you and would kill you. You're blind and naive, my alien temptress. Varian actually loves you."

"How can I convince you that doesn't matter to me? Even if it did, I could never return to him and he would never want me back. I'm carrying Ryker Triloni's child and heir, future ruler of Androas. You know Varian Saar, Ca.s.s; he would not accept Ryker's child. He may have pretended to make peace with Ryker, but I don't believe he meant it, and neither do you. He probably thinks he saved Maffei with his deceitful truce."

"What if the baby is Varian's? You screwed him for ages."

"I was with Varian for only two weeks before my auction and then for just a few days after he s.n.a.t.c.hed me away from Draco and you got me. Think about the timing, Ca.s.s; that's impossible. I'm only two months. All I want is Darkar, Trilabs, my baby, and our freedom-not Varian."

"The answer is no and will remain no!"

Jana tried another tactic to save their lives. "If what you say about Varian loving me is true, then killing me is a big mistake. He will never know I would never marry him, so he'll hunt you forever, no matter where you go. You know him, Ca.s.s, he'll never stop d.o.g.g.i.ng you until he dies; he's very persistent when he wants something. Tell me what it will take to get me and Andrea released and to protect my baby."

"A baby, how sweet. Poor Ryker won't get to see his little seed sprout and grow. How sad. Soon you'll be fat and clumsy and have a whining child clutching at you. Then, my extemptress, you won't be appealing to a man like Varian at all. How sad. You're right, Varian would never want you all plump with Ryker's baby, if this story of yours is the truth. Come with me to the medical bay for a test of your claim."

"You want me to take a pregnancy test?"

"Do you object? You are telling me the truth, aren't you?"

"Lead on, Ca.s.s." She glanced at her friend. "I'll return soon, Andrea."

Jana was escorted back to the holding room by a silent and heartless android with expressionless yellow eyes. She was frustrated and angered at not having a single chance to overpower Canissia. She hadn't seen a single human crewman during her outing, and she knew androids had no feelings to which she could appeal for help. The mechanical creations were controlled by computer chips that were programmed in Canissia's favor, so no a.s.sistance or mercy would ever be forthcoming.

Jana walked to the bed and sat down facing a blank wall. "Andrea, I have something in my eye, perhaps a lash. Can you help me get it out?"

Andrea surmised something was afoot and obeyed. She sat in front of Jana and pretended to do as her friend requested. It was a trick to avoid the hidden camera's eye while Jana used a game they had practiced in cla.s.s many times in the past: mouthing messages. Jana winked at her friend and gave unwitnessed instructions. "I pa.s.sed the test," she finally said aloud.

"I got it, Jana. How does that feel?"

They kept their places on the bed. "Fine. Thanks."

"So what happens now, Jana?"

"If Ca.s.s is smart, she'll accept my deal and offer of help. Despite the bad blood between us, she and I could make a good team. She's in a lot of trouble, but maybe we can work out something to benefit both of us. If Ca.s.s is as smart as I think she is, she didn't leave any evidence behind to incriminate her. All they can have on her are suspicions and maybe light charges. I can't believe she won't call their bluff."

"Do you think she's going to kill us for spite against you?"

"I hope not. If she thinks about it, she really has no motive and it only adds another crime to her list. I told her the truth: I don't want or need Varian Saar. If she wants to save herself, she had better let someone help her, even if it's me. Maybe she'll wise up and realize I'm not her rival or enemy. The best chance to get out of this alive and safe is to be honest with her. To deceive her or attempt to manipulate her would be dangerous. She's far too smart for me to insult her intelligence with lies and tricks."

Jana got off the bed and strolled about as she spoke. "The problem is, Ca.s.s believes I'm the root of her problems and unhappiness when the truth is it's her obsession for Varian and his constant rejections. She should realize that was a painful fact long before I came on the scene, so I can't understand why she blames me for it. Ryker and I thought they were getting married; that's what was reported. I'm afraid to ask her what happened to stop the wedding. If Varian called it off, and I presume he did, she must think it's because of me. I haven't gone after him, Andrea, and I won't go after him; I'm glad he's out of my life and I want it to remain that way. But if he dumped her to romance me to get his hands on Trilabs for Maffei, he's an arrogant and deluded fool."

Andrea continued to allow Jana to do most of the talking in an attempt to dupe the listening Canissia into releasing them. "Maybe she'll let you give her refuge on Darkar. n.o.body would think to look for her there with you. If we help her, she'll release us, won't she?"

Jana gave a loud sigh. "Who are we kidding, Andrea? She'll never believe me or my promises in a thousand years."

"What are we going to do?"

"I don't know. That's up to Ca.s.s."

"What if she really dumps us on that horrible prison planet? We'll never survive, Jana. We'll be attacked day and night by awful men. It's bad enough for us to be treated that way, but your baby ... How can any woman be so cruel as to harm an innocent child?"

"The baby probably doesn't seem real to her because I'm not showing yet, even though she saw the test results. If she loved or wanted children, she would have some by now, with or without a husband. I think we're doomed. I'm sorry, Andrea, for getting you into this bind with me."

"It isn't your fault, Jana. Maybe she'll change her mind."

"No, she won't" came Canissia's response.

Jana and Andrea whirled toward the sound, but no one was there.

"What was that?"

"A hidden communicator, Andrea. She's been watching us and listening to us all along, toying with us. We've been tricked again."

The door opened and Canissia lazed against the side, grinning and armed against a bold attack. "I should warn you, Jana, not to try anything foolish, like taking me for a hostage. My crew are androids: they feel nothing; they only respond to their programming, which is to jettison you into s.p.a.ce if I'm harmed. I've ordered them not to bargain with you for any reason, even for my safety or survival. I don't have to remind you being jettisoned is a b.l.o.o.d.y, slow, and excruciatingly painful death, so none of this threatening to kill me if you aren't released. I a.s.sure you, they will call your bluff, then torture you and kill you. If you want that little baby to live a while longer, behave yourself. Understand?"

"I understand perfectly. I misjudged you, Ca.s.s; I thought you smarter than this. I can't help it if Varian l.u.s.ts for me, or Trilabs through me. If he does love me, killing me won't make him desire you or turn to you. Does taking other people's lives mean nothing to you?"