Furlow's eyes lit up.

"You bet I'm interested. We could clean up with this little baby."

I decided to sound a note of caution.

"It still needs a little development."

"Sure we can tidy it up, make it nore efficient."

"Er a bit more than that. I need an independent initiator."

"That holo showed an initiation."

"Watch it again carefully."

I replayed the holo, frame by frame."

"What the jenks caused the initial firing then?"

"Me."

"You?"

"It's a characteristic I have."

"Hey now sister, let me get this straight. You can fire energy bursts. You, all on your own, no gismos or anything?"

I nodded.

"Well I'll be a Shagrack's aunt! You're sitting on a goldmine before we start on the hardware."

"I hadn't thought about it. It's just something I can do. Actually it seems to get me into trouble rather than the reverse."

"That's because you ain't using it properly. It need to be marketed, used sparingly. Get their attention, get 'em hooked!"

"Well I've been wrapped up in research until now."

She grinned.

"Sure know the feeling. It grabs you by the collar don't it. What happened?"

"Got tired of doing things for other people. Thought I'd look after myself for a change."

"That's what happened to me. Johhny boy had other ideas though."

"I think he's all for wormholes now."

"It was the dreadnought I think and that insecty type being."

"An Ancient. I'm quite well acqauinted with them!"

"You are? Frell I thought they were a dying race."

"They put information in my head when I was a child. Said it was a gift for our kindness."

"Say where do you come from? You sure ain't Sebbacian. Not with that hair."

I chuckled.

"There are Sebbacians with light hair."

"Well I ain't ever seen none. Let me guess now. Xalona. Am I right?"

I shook my head.

"Vaud."

"Pheweee. That's a closed society isn't it?"

"Only in the priesthood."

"Your family was normal then?"

"Er not exactly. The priesthood was having one of its periods out of favour. My mother and father were pretending not to be priests. Anyway certain traits I displayed worried them so them sent me off to Tech Academy in such a frelling hurry, I've never seen them since."

"What sort of things? Frell it's nosy isn't it, but then I'm a nosy snalkit."

"I saw things before they happened and they came true. Trouble was I broadcast the happenings and people were annoyed."

"And I'll bet you sacred the mivoks off them too?"

"Oh I did. Anyway at the academy, I was a bit more circumspect. Kept my own council."

Whatever Furlow was, she was easy to talk too.

"Always best, don't let the pieori know what you're thinking."

"In hindsight definitely that best course."

She suddenly clapped me on the back. I nearly fell to the floor.

"You eaten yet?"

"No I was too eager to get here, the eateries weren't open."

"You're not in a hotel then?"

"Don't want to be remembered. Slept in my prowler."

"Guess that was none too comfy. Tell you what Sareel, I think you're the goods. I'm gonna take you back to my place. I've got a lab and workshop there. That suit you?"

"Have you anywhere I can hide the prowler?"

She spread her arms.

"My workshop's......huge! Could lose a whole load of prowlers in there."

"Then when I know where it is I'll slip the prowler down this evening."

"Just one question, how did you get a prowler? They're like gold. The Peackeepers are reluctant to let them go."

"I ended up as chief technician to Scorpius. That got me a lot of things."

"That's the Peacekeeper big wheel that Johhny boy loathes?"

"Strangely enough they joined up to fight the Scarrans."

She rolled her eyes.

"The Scarrans. The dirty double crossing bunch of.... Frell it Sareel words fail me."

I looked at her quizically.

"You've done your share of double dealing why are they so bad."

"When it puts yours truly's life in danger then I take it kinda personal. And them Charons were conniving with the Scarrans all the time. Didn't want to pay the going rate."

"Scarran don't pay for anything, they just take. You should see what they did to Crichton's Earth."

"Bad?"

"Very bad. We found survivors and got them working in a community, but they are only in isolated pockets."

"Why did you leave them then?"

"My grudge is against one Scarran in particular. Zip Tok."

"Can't say I ever heard of him."

"I thought he was dead but now I'm not too sure."

"One of their illusion things?"

"It might well have been. He convinced Scorpius though and he's no fool. He was the one who killed him."

"But you ain't too sure?"

"It's a feeling I've got inside."

"How come you didn't see him die if you were there?"

I explained the circumstances. She shook her head.

"Can see why you want his head.How come you're back in one piece now?"

"We all got thrown down a very special wormhole and brought back to life. The other two seem to be fine but I'm having problems."

She looked worried.

"Oh nothing I can't handle, just that I feel different."

"No wonder. Anyway follow me and I'll show you my place."

**************

"I don't care if it could cause a diplomatic problem. There'll be a much greater one if Sareel puts this weapon on the open market."

Scorpius was up against members of the High Command who had finally realised that one didn't talk to the Scarrans and had made a judicious get away. While you were comfortably talking to their representitives, who were past masters at stalling, they were nibbling away successfully at your outer colonies.

What Scorpius was having difficulty in getting through to these dented high fliers, was the fact that they no longer had control of any forces. They refused to realise thatipso factoScorpius was in total control of the remnants of the Outer Ring Fleet. They had tried unsuccessfully giving orders to Braca, Sout and General Kroal. They even had a go at Crichton, who just stared at them and the calmly told them to "Piss off. Go play your war games. Leave the real war to us."

The members were a gaunt, grey haired woman, and a fat man who was perpetually wiping the sweat off his pock marked pudgy face. Scorpius found it extremely distasteful. The woman unsuccessfully tried to dominate Scorpius, a fatal mistake. He was furious at his mistake with Sareel, in trusting her integrity. Consul Cor couldn't have chosen a worse time. Scorpius was considerably taller and his surcoat hadn't been recently oiled, which made his every movement noticeable to say the least. He strode up to her with his easy grace and placed a gloved hand on her shoulder. She flinched.

"Consul Cor, I think we should get our priorities right. The chain of command has changed. You are no longer in control, I am. Commander Crichton is second in command. Do you understand?"

She nodded reluctantly.

"If you have any problems with that fact, there's a little programme I'd like to try out. I've adapted the Aurora Chair to disseminate data and knowledge. Instant learning. I'm sure with a little work I could er.. shall we say make up a programme to persuade you to accept the status quo."

Cor went even greyer and seemed to age ten cycles. Scorpius put his face in hers and hissed, "We do understand each other. Don't we?"

She nodded and backed off to the fat man, an ex star admiral who had risen to power by bribery and trickery.

"I notice you're very quiet Nothan."

The fat man gulped.

"Whatever else I am Scorpius, I'm a realist. I've got a good idea what you're holding on me. Besides in these circumstances, you and your, your command provide the best option."

"Good I'm glad to see you have the sense with which you were born. However bear in mind I shall be watching you extremely carefully. Both of you."

Nothan coughed.

"Er as I'm here, I may be able to help."

"Help is always acceptable."

"I was, when an active soldier, in charge of a logistics group. Procurement and distribution. Perhaps I could do something like that here."

He gave a little smile.

"I'm extremely good at it."

"I'm sure you are. I'll make sure you're put in touch with Elmer Grunge. He will be your civillian counterpart on Earth. I think you will be able to learn from him."

He moved over to the woman.

"And what talents can you contribute to the war effort?"

"Not a great deal. I was never very good at anything."

"Except ordering others to their deaths. Yes I'd agree with your appraisal. I think catering would be suitable. There's always a place for a kitchen assistant!"

"Me!"

"Why not? You's at least be fulfilling a useful position. We've no room for drones in this command."

He walked out of the room leaving her with her mouth wide open.

"Nothar, how dare he?"

"Quite easily I'd say Cor. He's right you know, there aren't that many of us that we can afford to carry any dead wood. There must be something you can do."

She thought a while.

"I was good with plants, did some work on improving strains."

"I'm sure that there's something similar on Earth. From what I've seen they've got the agricultural part well organised. They can provide sufficient food for us and the groups of survivors."

"Are there many?"

"In this area no. I believe in the southern part of the planet there are considerably more. Opening channels of communication with them will be my first priority. See what they have to trade."

"At a profit of course!"

He rolled his eyes.

"In these circumstances, the merest profit. Perhaps it will have to be barter anyway. I understand the currency systems broke down almost immediately. I'm not going to think of myself. For a while anyway. I'll enjoy getting my teeth into something constructive for a change."

"Perhaps I could make good use of my expertise. Yes. Ask your contact if there's plant research facility still running."

"That's my girl. You know I don't think it'll turn out to be too bad after all!"

 ******************

Furlow straightened up from reading the printout.

"Say this, Sareel girl. Ain't never seen anything like this power flow in my experience. And I've seen plenty. Just how do you do it without burning out your cells?"

"Haven't a clue. Just do."

"Does the mass injector have to have a similar surge to initiate it?"

"Again I don't know. I used me becuase it was convenient and because I hadn't had time to do any actual research before I fell out with Scorpius."

Furlow looked serious.

"You never said you'd rubbed him up the wrong way. Could be a problem. From what Johhny said he makes a bad enemy."

"I sort of just slipped away. Woke up one morning. You get lovely mornings on Earth, and asked myself what the frell I was doing putting all my energy into working for others insttead of myself. Scorpius and I were as close as he'll ever let anyone be."

"Yotz! Then he's gonna take it personally. Am I right?"

"I've never known him let personal problems interfere with his work."

"Doesn't answer my question. Is he going to try to get you back?"

"Could be. You can never be certain with him. He'lll probably worry more about the mass injector once he realises its potential. I'll bet he'd even put me in the chair to get details of that!"

"It's a fair bet everyone on is command knows by now. That was a preety convincing display."

"Yes I was rather pleased with it. The Scarrans won't be using that base again!"

"Then we're going to have to get some security."

"I'd have thought after your set to with the Charons, you'd be wary."

"Who said anything about life forms. Said I'd got a thing or two in the pipeline."

She went to a locked door at the back of her lab and opened it.

"Come in and have a gander at these."

I followed her. There were row after row of metal men.

"Robots!"

"Nah, Cyborgs. They use living cells to replicate some functions. They're the best for some purposes. Got them initially from an Inventor. Did you know there's a whole race that does nothing but invent?"

I shook my head.

"Well I did some work for them and said I'd take these in payment. They thought me nuts, they'd just discarded the batch, said there were design flaws, they didn't work."

"So why did you want them?"

She touched her nose.

"I took a look at their research work. Surreptitiously of course, saw where they'd gone wrong. Knew I could fix it."

"So have you?"

"Haven't had time. Now I think I need to make time. The two of us will make light work of it."

I looked around.

"How many are there?"

"Two hundred, but they'll do the work of at least a thousand Peacekeeper troopers. They don't tire, they don't make mistakes and they don't shit!"

"Are they programmed?"

"Nope not yet."

"Want me to start work on that while you do the bis mechanical bit. You've got more idea about that than me."

"You good at programming?"

"Used to do them all for the Aurora Chair. What I don't know about extraction and insertion, well shall we say only Scorpius knows more."

Inside a little voice said, "And you've assimilated a good part of his knowledge yourself."

Furlow grinned.

"What say we got get outselves a night out? Celebration."

I shook my head.

"I don't want to be seen."

"Frell girl, the place I've got in mind, no one ever sees anything!"

"You're sure?"

"Sure I'm sure. Can't afford to take chances myself. You on?"

"I'm on. Let's clean up."

"Not need to bother. If we clean up we'll stand out."

I began to wonder exactly where we were going.

Part 10

Chiana was feeling homesick. Joel and Wayne, even though she knew that they were humans in disguise, brought back old memories and she wondered if her brother was still alive.

"Say look guys, you might need some help, first hand information, say."

Joel and Wayne looked at her inquiringly.

"You trying to say what I think you're trying to say?"

She nodded.

"I'll go with you."

Wayne shook his head.

"Not a good idea."

"Frell it. I'm sick and tired of being bossed about. It's ,'You can't do that Chiana", 'You're just a girl, Pip". I'm sick and tired af being told what I can and can't do!"

She poked Wayne in the chest.

"I'm coming with you agreed?"

"Crichton and d'Argo won't like it."

She stamped her foot.

"I don't give a snalkit's whisker what Crichton and d'Argo won't like. I was taking care of myself long before I met them. I did it well and I know the snags, the ones you can trust and the hidey holes. Face it, you need me. No matter how good the disguise, there are gonna be times when you get your selves into bad situations."

"Oh I think we can manage. Thanks all the same Chiana."

"You don't know the Nebari hierarchy and their minions. The masses are brainwashed to 'Think good thoughts and aid the republic!'. All it means is a few have the power to uses everyone else to further their wishes and dreams and believe me their wish to dominate the galaxy is as great as the Scarrans."

She paused after delivering what for her, were long statments.

"Can't stop you if you really want to."

"It's risky, you're only a little thing."

She punched Rick on the chin and he fell to the ground. Bending over, she offered him a hand to get up.

"Never let my size fool you."

Rick fingered his chin.

"Hell girl you pack quite a punch!"

"Look, I feel useless here. Anyway we've more chance of success together!"

Wayne and Rick grinned.

"We're convinced."

They made a high five and Chiana by this time knew the Earth sign, made five back.

"Partners Chiana."

"Partners. And we'd better sort out some names for you two."

******************

"Crichton, can't you do something? It's too great a risk."

Crichton placed his arm on d'Argo's.

"Agree but she's made her mind up and it has it's good points."

"Tell me one John!"

"Hell Big Man, are you so blind? Pip's a survivor and knows plenty about the parts of Nebari society you really don't want to investigate too closely. They stand a much better chance with her than without."

"I'm going to talk to her again. Make her see sense."

Sout came in.

"Is this a private fight or can I join in."

"Sout, ol' buddy, tell our Luxan warrior how much better our chances of infiltrating the Nebari top brass are, if Chiana goes with Wayne and Joel."

Sout looked at the glowering d'Argo.

"She could worm her way into a Scarran party and get out alive!"

Crichton glanced at the Morgul.

"Scarrans have parties?"

"Really don't know but if they did, she could!"

"Which reminds me. Anything from Ak Ba recently?"

"I used to get updates from Sareel. I think Scorpius forgets we're here half the time. I'll call up Braca. He should know."

"The more Scorpie stays up on the base the better I like it."

"You really have a problem with him John. I think you're being irrational!"

"I don't trust him."

Sout laughed, his crest shimmered in the sunlight.

"You should hear what he says about you."

"I can guess."

Crichton suddenly looked hard at Sout.

"How the blue blazes do you know what Scorpius says about me?"

Sout tapped his nose,

"Contacts!"

"Yeah."

The Morgul breathed a sigh of relief. He'd almost given away Urana's secret. That would never do. She been most insistant it was not revealed. He moved out of the room and made for the communications room. A Peacekeeper lieutenant glanced as he entered.

"Sout! What can we do for you?"

"Well apart from giving me the chance to win back what I lost last night, could you get a line to Braca?"

"Consider it done. And what information can our enigmatic comrade give you?"

"I'm hoping he's heard from one of our sources."

"We could do with more. This place is fine but we're isolated."

Sout laughed.

"Can't have it both ways. It's either isolated and realatively safe or in the thick of things."

"From what I can make out from the comprobes we've sent through the wormhole, things aren't looking too good."

"I heard those of High Command that didn't high tail it, have given up the idea of negotiating with the Scarrans."

"Yes, I heard that too. It's funny what a difference an attack on the vessel you're on can do!"

"I'll bet they're sorry they made Scorpius break away from them."

"My guess is they'll be pleading for his help quite shortly. Here you are Braca's there."

The face of Scorpius's aide appeared on the screen. It twisted into a sneer when he saw Sout.

"Oh it's the Morgul. What do you want?"

"Well civility would be nice but I gave up expecting that from you a long time ago Braca. Any news from Ak Ba?"

"The last we heard the recreational facility was being moved to a more secure area."

"I suppose that means tighter security?"

"Inevitably. It just makes it all the harder to get reliable information."

"I shall just have to try other means."

Braca suddenly looked interested.

"Oh I suppose you wouldn't like to share your source? It would be most useful."

"Braca this is the most secret of secrets and if it wasn't, you are the last person I would share it with. Do I make myself clear?"

Braca's face hardened.

"Scorpius won't like being kept in the dark!"

"On the contrary, I think he fully appreciates the sense in keeping a line of information secret when necessary. I'm sure he doesn't tell you everything."

Sout had hit Braca's Achilles Heel. The Sebbacian wanted desperately to be taken seriously by the main cohorts of the hierarchy and being transferred to Scorpius's personal guard had achieved that in part, but the realisation that Scorpius didn't fully trust him, rankled and he'd tried everything he knew to remedy that. Now Sout had once again reminded him of the fact. He tried to cover his discomfort.

"Well any news is better than no news I suppose. You will inform Scorpius of course?"

He was hoping to be able to deliver any news Sout could obtain personally to his chief, but Sout shot that hope down as well.

"Of course. I shall make it my duty to inform him personally."

Braca clenched his teeth and shut down the comm link. The duty lieutenant grinned at Sout.

"Don't think he likes you very much."

"It's mutual. He can't forget I was Peacekeeper scout. I'd better go and organise my other line of information."

"If you need any help just let me know."

"Thank you for the offer but this really is secret."

"Safer that way I'd say."

"I think so."

Sout strode jauntily out of the centre. His brush with Braca had made him feel more cheerful. Scoring off the xenophobic Peacekeepers always had had that effect on him. He looked in the room Urana shared with Chiana. It was empty. He almost knocked Chiana over as she charged into the room. He grabbed her arms.

"Hey slow down. What's up?"

"Sout you know what's been going on. I'm going to make them take me seriously. Got a chance to do it and I'm not going to frell it up. Sorto and Glaim are in agreement."

Sout stared at her.

"Sorto and Glaim?"

"My two male companions. From now on that's what they are called. They have to eat, sleep and breathe Nebari for the next weeken."

"You really think you can do it?"

"Can't think of a good reason why not. If I can contact the resistance then that would be a bonus."

"Your brother?"

"There are others. Any of them would be a great help."

He gave he a quick kiss on the forehead.

"Well may the goddess be with you. Take care, I'll miss you."

She gave him a twisted grin.

"Wouldn't like to show me how much would you?"

"Can't now, there's something I've got to see to. However I'm free this evening if you.."

"Your room?"

"Of course. Much as I like Urana I don't think we'll want an audience will we?"

"No way."

He left her and went in search of Urana. He was trying not to smirk.

"Oh ho, d'Argo you've got a lot to learn about that young lady. Now where the frell is that little imp?"

He spied Urana cycling into the parade ground on her old bike. She got off and gave him a big grin."

"Hi Sout."

"Earth's rubbing off on you. You sound more like Crichton by the day."

She looked at him innocently.

"Do I? Must be being with Jimmy."

"Been riding again."

She looked coyly at the ground and stirred the dust with her toe.

"I've been giving him some lessons. You know his Pa hadn't told him about procreation."

"You didn't?"

She nodded.

"Showed him too. He's like a dog with two tails."

"You really will have to watch out. Little Earth girls of your age do not do things like that!"

She pouted at him.

"I'm having such fun Sout."

She took him by the arm.

"I don't suppose you'd like a little 'relaxation' this evening?"

"Sorry, I'm spending the evening with your room mate!"

"Pity. There were one or two things I like to show you. Never mind they'll keep."

"I suppose you're still giving Crais the run around?"

She looked up at him, her face full of innocence.

"But he enjoys looking after me so much. Insists on me doing my lessons. He doesn't know that I've probably forgotten more that the rest of you put together know!"

"Talking of Crais where is he? I haven't seen him for a day or two."

"He said he'd heard of a group of survivors and went off with Talyn to look for them."

"Off Earth then."

She frowned.

"Don't think so. Somewhere called Tampa. He wanted something for Talyn's systems."

"So you can do something for me then? Keep you out of mischief."

"Mischief's fun!"

"I can see you think so. Tell me are all your species such meddlers?"

She nodded.

"Mmm, especially the males. Mind you we all change gender from time to time. Living a long life can get boring."

"Down to business. Can you get in touch with Ak Ba for me? He appears to have got himself in a position where he can't communicate freely with us."

"Ak Ba's easy. His brain talks to me without any trouble. There's none of this ' Oh you can't be real, I don't believe you exist, you're just a figment of my imagination!' crap."

"Where did you find that word? A little girl shouldn't use it."

She gave him a surprise by using a earth sign Sout knew to be considered offensive by many. Two fingers said it all.

"Jimmy and his Dad say things are crap and so does Crichton."

"And the other?"

"Wayne and Rick don't mince their words!"

"And I thought you were pure."

She stroked his crest.

"Whatever gave you that idea Sout?"

He threw his hands out.

"I know, I'm just an idealist who believes that youngen should be unsullied."

"Well you know exactly what I am, Sout. You of all people shouldn't be fooled by my exterior. I'll get in touch with Ak Ba this evening."

She looked at him slyly.

"While you're 'communicating' with Chiana. You wouldn't like a little aphrodisiac I suppose?"

Sout's glare convinced her otherwise.

"Perhaps not. Have a good time."

She was about to go, Sout stopped her, laying a hand on her arm.

"I just wondered could you get in touch with Sareel? Find out why she's gone out on a limb?"

"Sareel's one I wouldn't touch with a bargepole!"

"More Earth sayings?"

"Roderick from Britain. He's such a dear. I asked him what he thought of Crichton. Guess what he said?"

"I really can't Urana, but I know you're going to tell me."

"Wouldn't touch him with a bargepole dear. He's an arsehole!"

"I can see your language education's coming on by leaps and bounds. So what's up with Sareel?"

She suddenly looked serious.

"She's an unknown quantity. A product of forces from out of this universe and she frell's my head."

"But I understood that she was Vaud."

"Exactly what do you know about the Vaud?"

Sout shrugged his shoulders.

"What everyone knows really. And that's not very much. A tight society, within the priesthood a closed society."

"As far as it goes that's correct. But what nobody is encouraged to do is read the old texts. The priests are the only ones who regularly do."

"Sareel did say her family were of the priesthood but that religion was out of fashion at the time."

Urana shot him a piercing glance.

"Mivoks! It's never been out of fashion, but if Sareel was brought up in a freer atmosphere it was because they were scared of keeping her confined."

"You're telling me that they play acted the whole thing to ..."

"To stop her reading the old texts. If she'd have been brought up in the normal manner for a family in the priesthood, they would have been obligatory learning. They didn't want her anywhere near them."

"I take it you know what's in them?"

She gave an elfin grin.

"Those and the Delvian Suprema, the Luxan Maul Codex, the Earth bible, and Qu'aran, the Hindu scripts, They do have a a lot of diversity on Earth, the Mindaran Jaim qakar. Oh and a whole load of others. All knowledge gathered over a considerable period of time."

"I don't suppose you like to share the Vaud knowledge with me would you?"

"I'm coming to it Sout. Are you sure you wouldn't like an aphrodisiac for this evening? You look quite tired."

The Morgul gritted his teeth and his eyes took on a dim red glow, Urana looked at him.

"All right, all right. The Vaud Old Libris. Well it's written that the Vaud were once wanderers. Not only in this universe but in others. Ones with differing physical laws, but as they consisted of pure energy they could move freely between them."

"I hate to ask this, but how?"

"Our old friend the wormhole. They created inter universe ones."

She frowned.

"I've a feeling that's what the Eye of Infinity was. I felt strange when Rool and I passed through."

"You never said you'd been there."

"Oh did I forget to tell you. I went to keep an eye on the proceedings. Anyway I've got a feeling that someone from another universe knows something we don't and wants Sareel to once again have free use of the energy body."

"You haven't told me how they took on a solid form."

"Oh well they could have just materialised if they'd have chosen to but instead the the primative females on Vaud, suddenly all found themselves pregnant."

"All at the same time?"

She nodded.

"As you can imagine this was put down to divine intervention, which in this case wasn't far wrong."

"So all the Vaud are hybrids?"

"Well I suppose initially, but they bred true and the Vaud race was born."

"And the rest?"

"Well every five thousand cycles or so there's a Vaud born with special powers. A bit of a throwback and a rarity. What made Sareel different is that she has always had the power to kill if crossed."

"Well what's unusual about that?"

"By just looking at someone? She projected so much energy she literally split them apart. As far as I can make out she was given some treatment by the priesthood to erase those memories and the fact that she had these powers and shipped off pronto to Tech Academy."

"Too hot to handle!"

"Absolutely. As far as they were concerned it was out of sight out of mind and she wouldn't sully their holier than thou life style. I think Scorpius had no idea that he opened Pandora's Box when he started meddling with her genetic material."

"Pandora's Box?"

"An Earth story about a girl who has given a box and told she must never open it."

"Oh that was fatal!"

"Yes. Of course she opened it and set free all the woes of the world."

"And you think that applies to Sareel?"

"I wish I knew Sout, I really do. I've ben trying to get in touch with my wise ones, but our sun's are in perihelion and I can't get anything much more than static. We'll just have to wait and see."