Chapter 2       Shanita opened her eyes. As the world slowly came into focus, she saw the distinct features of a humanoid. After a bit more focusing, Shanita determined it was both male and Eltorian. He was leaning over her, a bowl of food in hand. '(You are awake?)' Shanita sat up. '(Yes.)' '(Eat.)' Shanita took the bowl from him and peered inside. Standard Exofleet rations, which meant wherever she was, it was most likely Exofleet territory. The room was octagonal with one door, located behind the Eltorian that stood before her. The only other features were the small mattress she sat on and a hole in the ground which was obviously meant to serve as a refresher station. Shanita sniffed the contents of the bowel then placed it in front of her. '(Eat.)' commanded the Eltorian. Shanita sized him up. He was considerably taller than she, about six foot six by the look of it. He was also very muscular. A difficult opponent to best in hand to hand combat, even for someone of Shanita's skill. Not that she would consider trying, he held a large two-barreled fusion rifle in one hand. Shanita had little doubt that he knew how to use it. She picked up the bowel and began to spoon the paste-like meat into her mouth. While doing so she noted the uniform he wore. It looked like the uniform of the Eltorian guard, but the color scheme was all wrong. An officer would wear a black jumpsuit with red gloves, boots, and trim. An enlisted member would wear the reverse. This Eltorian wore a deep gray jumpsuit with reddish-orange gloves, boots, and trim. Once Shanita had finished the rations, he took the bowel from her. '(Good.)' As he left the room, Shanita made an attempt at learning more about her situation. "Do you speak English?" The Eltorian made no response as the door sealed behind him. * * *       '(Report.)' An Eltorian clad in body armor stepped forward. '(I shot the shuttle down, as you commanded.)' The shadows of the command chamber effectively concealed the features of the Eltorian being spoken to, though his cloaked outline was plainly visible. '(Did you kill them?)' The smaller Eltorian bowed his head. '(I do not believe so. The shuttle pilot possessed great skill. If I survived, then it is likely they did as well. Perhaps even with the files we sought to destroy.)' The cloaked figure made no immediate response, as if he were waiting for something. '(The files were lost.)' '(Then it was as you predicted, sir.)' '(Yes. Just as I have predicted your next success, Wrath.)' There was a shift in the air. The Eltorian known as Wrath knew who it was even before he turned his head. A larger Eltorian stood silently beside him, his massive mechanical arms gleaming softly off what little light was available. The door to the chamber opened, and in stepped a large Eltorian with a distinctive two-barreled weapon. '(Arsis, come forward.)' He stood next to Wrath. '(Yes sir.)' '(You and Wrath are to go to Venus. There are two targets that may yet be a threat to us. I want them eliminated.)' '(Consider it done, sir.)' answered Wrath. The Eltorian with the bionic arms stared silently at the cloaked figure, his facial expression conveying everything needed. '(I have something else in mind for you.)' A view screen crackled to life, displaying the picture of a human. '(I want this terran eliminated. The time for illusions is past. The terrans must learn we are no longer to be trifled with.)' * * *       Algernon's new lab was located a few miles away from Vesta. It had been hastily constructed, the tools laying about and the unpainted walls were evidence of that. The place was solidly built though and already busy with activity. Kaz watched the reconstruction of the ring system from an office window overlooking the main research area. "Heard you had quite a time getting here." Kaz nodded his head and continued to gaze out the window. Nara Sterling strode up next to him. "Why so glum?" "I got us here, but we lost the files." Nara smiled, "Don't worry about it." Kaz arched an eyebrow. "I thought you needed those files." "We do. Two copies of the files were lost, but you brought us the third. So no time will be lost." Kaz turned his body toward her. "Third copy?" Nara pointed out the window. The line of sight landed on the young woman who had accompanied Kaz to Earth. "She has a photographic memory. And she DID read the hard copies on the way back from Earth." Kaz rubbed his chin. "And she can remember all of that?" Nara nodded. "Amazing isn't she?" Kaz nodded dumbly. There was something in Nara's voice. It seemed to suggest that she was asking more than just the obvious question. Kaz changed the subject. "You starting to let yourself go?" He pointed to her rounded belly. Nara slapped the back of his head. "I'm pregnant, you smartass." "You sure that's all from the kid?" asked Kaz playfully. "Ha, ha." replied Nara, clearly not amused. "Cy never does anything small does he?" needled Kaz. Nara raised her hand as if to strike again. "You want another slap?" Kaz relented. "No, no. So, any idea what it is yet?" "I haven't looked into the gender yet, I've been busy with - well - this." She motioned out the window. "Speaking of which, how long before we see some results?" Nara shrugged. "Some time soon I hope." * * *       '(What type of craft is this?)' asked Arsis. He looked about the cockpit and was thoroughly unimpressed with both the technology on board and the condition in which he found it. '(Class three cargo hauler.)' replied Wrath. '(Are you sure it is wise using such a slow and outdated craft?)' Wrath turned from the pilot's station. '(For the purpose of infiltrating our target location, it is perfect. The terran's will never suspect the threat it represents.)' Arsis seemed skeptical of the choice. '(What if we are discovered and need to flee?)' Wrath turned back to the controls. '(We will not be discovered.)' Arsis did not find the response all that reassuring. But he was a soldier and soldiers followed orders. '(And what of the other?)' '(He will find his own way to his own target.)' * * *       The dropship hanger was quiet with only a few grunts from Charlie Five around. Mathison arrived aboard the Vigilance fifteen minutes ago. After checking in with Lt. Longfeather and settling into his quarters, he had some down time on his hands. So he came to the hanger to tinker with his jumppack again. "Well look who's back!" Vince Pellegrino gave Jared a hearty clap on the shoulder. "How was Earth?" Jared sighed. "All too brief." "Frails make you weak anyway." said a large bald man behind Pellegrino. "Words of wisdom from the great David Poedowski folks!" Pellegrino broke into a vigorous clapping fit. Poedowski wasn't all that amused. "Bite me, Pellegrino." Vince grabbed his cheek and gave it a little shake. "No wonder you're such a lonely boy." Poedowski wiggled free of his pinch. "Oh, you are just a laugh riot today." Jared smiled. "I think you hurt his feelings, Vince." Pellegrino shrugged. "Who knew there were any to hurt? So Jared, up for making me some more money?" "Maybe." replied Jared. "If you want to make some real money, put it all on me." said Poedowski. "Don't think so, big guy." replied Pellegrino. "Not that it isn't a safe investment, mind you. Its just that everyone knows you whip butt, so no one's crazy enough to bet against you." Poedowski laughed lightly. "The price of being unbeatable." Vince motioned to Jared, "Action is in the lounge. You in or out?" "In." * * *       The lounge proved to be very active. A large number of troops had arrived to participate in that night's gambling. Jared had arm wrestled a few times and made about 75 credits with the help of Pellegrino. All in all it was a good night. He wondered over to the bar where he found Anthony Dirk and Thrax conversing on the night's festivities. "He's got no chance." said Dirk. "That is what they have said before, but he's consistently beaten the odds. I see no reason why he would stop now." Jared sat atop a stool next to Dirk. "Who are you talking about?" "You." replied Thrax. Dirk turned to Jared. "Rumor had it you got one more match tonight. Just putting in our two cents about how its going to turn out." "You don't think I can win?" asked Jared. "Nothing against you, Mathison. Its just that we're talking about Poedowski here. The man eats guys like you for breakfast." explained Dirk. Mathison raised his nearly empty glass of juice. "To each his own." He sucked down the rest of it and grabbed the server's attention. "Another pineapple juice, please." The server checked the contents of the bar. "Hang on a sec, there's no more out here. I'll have to check in the back." The server disappeared into a back room. Jared spied Pellegrino in a corner. "Dirk, get my drink for me when it comes? I've got to talk to Vince." Dirk made a dismissive gesture. "Sure, get out of here."       "Pineapple juice." mumbled the server. He knew it was around here somewhere. The store room was only two isles of shelves and when he had taken inventory yesterday he distinctly recalled a whole case of the stuff. A noise in the back of the room attracted his attention. "Hello?" No response. A can of pineapple juice rolled across the floor. It apparently had fallen off a shelf from the next isle over. "Anyone in here?" The server slowly walked towards the can and picked it up. He looked behind him, then ahead. No one was there. On the shelf in front of him was the case of juice he was looking for. He grabbed several cans and turned to leave.       Thrax paused in his conversation with Dirk. "Something wrong?" Thrax held up a finger and waited. A moment later the server came out of the back room with several cans of pineapple juice. "I thought I heard something." He stacked them under the bar, looked about the room, and was about to walk away when Dirk spoke. "Hey don't forget about that drink." The server stopped, stared at Dirk half a second, then opened a can of juice. He filled the empty glass near Dirk then walked around the bar and out of the room. "He's in a hurry." commented Dirk. He picked up the drink and walked it over to Mathison. Thrax remained at the bar.       "Everything set." asked Mathison. "Yup." answered Vince. "Are you sure Poedowski can make it look convincing?" Pellegrino nodded. "Remember our little adventure back on Earth? Trust me, he can make it look convincing." Mathison had to concede the point. But he still felt uneasy. He wasn't used to deceiving people like this. Pellegrino grabbed his shoulder. "Just relax and give it your best. Now shut up about it because here comes Dirk." "Your drink." Jared took it from him. As he sipped it, he took note of what was happening at the bar. "What's Thrax doing?" Dirk wore a perplexed expression as he watched Thrax make his way behind the bar and into the store room. "I don't know." Dirk wandered away from them, intent on finding out what Thrax was up to. He was nearly knocked off his feet as Thrax rushed past him. "Call security! We have an intruder!" * * *       Mandy flopped into a chair, worn out from the day's work. She could have fallen asleep right then and there if not for Nara. "You look exhausted." "What an amazing coincidence, I feel that way to." mumbled Mandy. Nara offered her hand. "Come on, I'll drive you home." She helped Mandy to her feet and walked her out to the parking garage. They got into a white hover car. The sleek two-seater hummed to life as Nara turned the key. Mandy seemed barely awake as they left the garage. The road out went through several security stations. After number four, they reached the gate and pulled out onto the main road. Traffic was light due to the fact their was little development in the area. There were a few trees and occasionally a farm here and there. All in all, a very scenic way to get home. "Do you mind if we stop at the farm first? I want to check my messages." "No problem, boss." Mandy stared lazily off into space, trying hard not to fall asleep. Nara kept checking her rearview mirror, almost obsessively. "Something wrong?" asked Mandy. "It may be nothing." "So it won't hurt to spill." Mandy straightened in her seat and glanced behind them. "Its another hover car." "It has been following us for quite a while." Mandy rubbed her eyes. "Should I be concerned?" "I don't know yet." Nara sped up to see the hovercar's reaction. It matched speed. "You should be worried." Nara glanced to right, it was the northwest field of the Burns Plantation. "Hang on." She spun the wheel to the right, sending their vehicle off the road and through the field. The other car followed. "Okay, they're definitely following us." stated Mandy, now suddenly more alert. In the rearview Nara saw a figure lean out the right window with some sort of weapon. Nara jerked the wheel to the left as an energy blast streaked by. It struck ahead of them, creating a deafening explosion. "Oh my god!" screamed Mandy. "I saw it." replied Nara. "At least he missed." Nara pointed ahead of them. "He wasn't aiming at us." A number of trees had fallen over, blocking their path. "What now!?" "We go over it." Nara pushed the vertical thrusters to maximum. Being a low-level ground transport, the hover car couldn't get more than five feet off the ground. Hopefully that would be enough. The car behind slowed up. "Guess they expect us to stop." said Mandy. "Well, they're wrong." She pushed the excellerator to the floor. As the downed trees neared, Mandy asked in a panic, "Are you sure about this!?" The car just barely zoomed over the debris. The entire underside was raked with branches. The vehicles engine made a sputtering sound before giving out. "That sounds bad." stated Mandy. Nara didn't say anything. She just made sure her harness was fastened. The hover car landed hard and slid into a nearby pond where it stopped with a big - and loud - splash. The doors opened quickly as Mandy and Nara escaped the sinking transport. The water was cold and Nara suddenly regretted wearing her heavy pink running suit. It was weighing her down. Mandy grabbed hold of her and pulled her to the water's edge. As they made they're way out of the water Mandy asked, "You were shot down a lot when you were a pilot, weren't you?" Nara ignored the jib and pointed to the forest. "They'll be after us. Let's go!" On to Chapter 3