124

By

Kristine Williams

© 2000 All Rights Reserved

Alex was running, working up a good sweat to get his mind off everything. He wanted to rid himself of every thought outside the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other in rapid succession. Sweating out the last several months of frustration and anxiety as he struggled to be free of the lingering mental taste of the alien orb he -- and his entire crew save two -- had become so easily and completely addicted to.

He'd been rid of the thing for three months now. Every hologram, every diagram, every picture. Doctor Zane had assured him his body was no longer addicted, but his mind seemed to be a different story. Why now, after all this time? Why had the last two weeks been the hardest, as they drew closer to Scotian and further from the Pendulum Nebula?

Alex kept running, concentrating on nothing other than the pure act of jogging. He preferred to run the oblong track rather than the holographic treadmills, so he didn't have distractions. This time, he was running alone, which was unusual. On a ship the size of the Ascalon, there were usually at least five or six other people working out on the track at the same time. He reached one arm up and dragged it over his forehead, clearing the sweat before it had a chance to drip into his eyes. When he looked up, he realized he wasn't running the track, he was in the corridor.

"What the hell?" Alex slowed, then stopped, looking around. He wasn't on the track in the ship's gym, he was running in the corridors. Even in the middle of the night, it was rare to make it very far down any corridor without seeing someone. Alarmed, he started jogging again, searching the hallway. He couldn't see any of the markings above the doors, probably too much sweat in his eyes. Roughly he rubbed them while continuing his run and tried again. Now they were blurred.

Absently, Alex jumped over the fuzzy mass he barely saw on the floor and kept running. Where the hell is everyone? He blinked rapidly, clearing his vision just in time to jump over another mass. This time, he saw what it was.

A body.

Startled, Alex knelt down and looked at the face of the crewman, eyes open wide in death. He recognized the man but couldn't think of his name. Panic was creeping in now. Dead crewmen, abandoned corridors . . . Alex got up and ran, faster now, searching for the nearest lift so he could get to the bridge. There were bodies here and there, littering the corridors, just lying there untouched as if they'd simply dropped dead in their tracks.

"Evan?" It was the only name he could remember for some reason, though he had over fifty men and women on board his ship. "Evan?!" Where were the lifts? And why couldn't he read the signs above the doors? There should be lifts in the center of every corridor. And the doors should all be legibly marked. These didn't even have a language, just markings in different colors that meant nothing!

"Evan!" Alex kept running, jumping over bodies. His voice echoed through the ship, mocking him. Suddenly he found himself on the bridge, alone except for three dead crewmen whose names he couldn't place. He hurried to the communications terminal and tried every level and room. No answer.

Frantic, Alex opened up the large view port, hoping to see his home planet in the distance. Instead, he saw nothing but purple gas and an alien looking ship docked beside his own.

He was alone. And nowhere near his home world of Scotian. Alone on a dead ship floating in a sea of purple gases and dead worlds. His nearest neighbor a mining colony of murderous traitors who didn't care if he lived or died.

"Like father, like son."

Alex spun around, his heart pounding. Standing in the doorway, shirt stained red where his chest should have been, was Spencer Marcase.

"NO!" Alex lunged at the door and tripped as his feet tangled in the blanket that had fallen in a pool on the floor beside the bed. He lurched forward, staring in disbelief at the blanket wrapped around his bare feet, then slammed sideways into Evan.

"What's wrong?"

Alex looked up, startled. Evan was there, alive, holding him by both arms to keep him from falling flat on his face in the bedroom. Alex stared at the black eyes searching his with such concern until it started making sense. With a sigh, he nodded and straightened up, pulling his bare feet from the blanket wrapped around them.

"Nightmare." He realized then he'd been holding on to Evan and let go, dragging one hand over his face as he stepped away. "Damn nightmare, that's all."

The Sha'erah stayed where he was but continued to watch Alex as he paced to the large window in the bedroom. "That's the fifth one in two weeks." His dark features looked even darker with concern. "It's time we had Doctor Zane give you a sedative."

Alex shook his head slowly from side to side. His heart was still racing, unwilling to believe it had been a nightmare. He wanted to deny needing anything, and assure his friend he'd be just fine, but it wasn't that easy. Evan's sleep patterns were directly affected by his own. One of them should be getting some rest! "I'll be fine once we get to Scotian." He stopped pacing when he reached the large window and leaned his back against the shielded glass, staring at the floor. "I just -- I don't get it. I should have gotten past all this months ago."

"The orb?" Evan stayed beside the bed and ran a hand over his short, black hair. He'd obviously come crashing out of a good night's sleep himself, still wearing only shorts and blinking hard to focus now that the urgency had passed.

Alex wiped more sweat from his face and nodded. He could picture the thing in his mind so easily! The colors, the patterns that repeated over and over again, calling out for him to decipher their message.

"He hasn't mentioned anyone else complaining about a relapse."

"Zane?" Alex looked up. He'd been half-afraid it wasn't going to be Evan standing there, but it was. "You think that's what this is?"

Evan shrugged. "What else?"

"Yeah," Alex pushed away from the window and walked around the bed, heading for the door. He needed a drink. "What else?"

Evan followed him to the main living area and stopped at the galley counter, pulling out a stool to sit on while Alex dispensed a glass of cold water. "We've been doing nothing more exciting than heading back for several months now. It could be you just don't have anything to focus your attention on, and your mind is wandering back to that orb for something to do."

Alex laughed shortly. "I have nothing to obsess on, you mean?"

"I didn't say that."

"But that's what you meant." Alex carried the glass to the larger window and stood there, staring out at space thankfully void of purple nebula gasses. He heard Evan walking up behind him, then watched his reflection as he sat on the couch, slouching back so he could rest his toes on the edge of the large round table and his head on the back cushions and still see Alex while he spoke.

"You are happiest when you have something on your mind."

Alex couldn't help grinning. He continued to face the window but looked at Evan's reflection. "So are you."

"Happy when you have something on your mind? Yes, I am." He yawned. "Though that doesn't always mean you're getting any sleep."

"True." Alex turned around and leaned on the wall of glass, his face suddenly very serious. "I just need to get that orb out of my mind and everything will be fine."

Evan sat up, looking at Alex intently. "Is that all it is?"

Like father, like son. Nothing about the orb there. Of course, the orb was the reason he and his crew had nearly died investigating the alien ship. And it was the orb they suspected had been the cause of death on that ship, reducing the strange, crystal aliens to fine powder after twenty odd years. A dead ship with a dead crew, save one who had presumably lived alone with his deceased comrades for God knew how long. All that death compounded by the death of Franklin and his crew, at the hands of his own father and several crewmen on the Ascalon.

All of that adding up to the death of his father and the issue of his body in the hold for so long. It was no wonder he'd had such a strange, disjointed nightmare. Thank God they'd dumped that body before leaving the nebula. Spencer Marcase could only haunt Alex in his dreams from now on.

The only saving grace in this entire trip was Evan. The Sha'erah -- who still insisted he was Alex's property -- had been the only one not addicted to the alien artifact that nearly claimed every life aboard the Ascalon. The only one Alex would ever trust with his life, or his ship, again.

He sighed heavily and nodded once. "Yes, that's all it is." He finished the water in one swallow and carried the glass back to the galley. "I just need to get my mind off that damn orb."

"It's only 1 a.m., do you want me to wake Dr. Zane?"

"No, I think I can get back to sleep." He wasn't sure about that, but at least he could avoid another nightmare, even if it meant chanting all night long. "Sorry about that."

Evan shook his head and waved a dismissing hand. "Good night."

"Yeah." Alex walked back to his room and stared at the bed. He felt exhausted, but not in a way that would induce sleep. His fifth nightmare in two weeks, and not even the worst of them. Three nights ago, Evan had been forced to shake him awake, freeing him from the visions plaguing his sleep that he couldn't break free of. It had felt like the hold the orb had maintained on his consciousness, demanding his full and uninterrupted attention.

"Just a dream." Alex walked to the bed and gathered the blanket from the floor, then tossed it back over the mattress. Instead of climbing back into bed, he went to the bathroom to wash the sweat from his face. He stared in the mirror for a long time, halfway expecting his face to morph into that of his dead father, but it never did. They had the same brown hair and green eyes, and when Alex needed a shave there was some resemblance around the chin. Aside from that, he didn't see anything there that spoke of Spencer Marcase. He had to be a good foot shorter than the man. Hell, he was even several inches shorter than Evan. His slight beard growth needed to come off, but that could wait till morning.

"Come on, Alex, it was just a nightmare." He shut off the bathroom light and returned to bed, climbing in before he could avoid it again. If he didn't get some rest, Evan wouldn't sleep, then he'd feel guilty on top of it all.

He should press that issue with Zane, see if there was any way to prevent his problems from waking the Sha'erah up every night. But that was probably no use. He'd already tried bringing that issue up with Evan, and the only way he'd managed to get around it was drugging the guy. He still couldn't believe he'd done that and gotten away with it! Sure, Evan couldn't exactly complain - though Alex still expected him to - but that was right in the thick of the whole orb issue. Alex could always plead temporary insanity.

Which could become permanent if he didn't get this orb out of his mind!

Frustrated, Alex rolled over and pressed his face into the pillow. Something to obsess on. That's what he needed. A new exploration. They had to return to Scotian, make sure the claim for their Turbidium find had been properly credited to Franklin and the victims of the Vision. Then the Ascalon needed some work. The engines had been running rough since they left the nebula and needed an overhaul, providing he had the funds left. Which led to the next phase of exploration - the financing.

I'm right back where I started. The mining profits could have been his, but he'd changed the claim for the sake of his dead rival and the crew of the Vision. No regrets there, not really. It was the right thing to do. The alien ship and its artifacts could have netted him a fortune, but all he was coming home with were documents and holograms. The ship itself had been reclaimed by more aliens. Alex felt lucky to have been ignored long enough to get the hell out of there alive and intact.

There was a chance his information, and proof of alien sentient life, would net him some profit, but nowhere near what he'd need to pay off the lease on the Ascalon. Maybe enough to pay for the overhaul, though. That would put him no worse for wear. With this latest discovery to add to his resume, finding someone to fund his next trip out shouldn't be all that hard.

Now, he just needed something to go looking for.

Sleep came at some point, though the only proof Alex had was the fact that his alarm was waking him up. He dragged himself reluctantly out of bed and into the bathroom, and shaved in the shower while fighting off the image of dead bodies littering the corridors of his ship. It was an image he couldn't seem to shake, that had shaken him to the core. Maybe Evan was right, and he should go see Zane about something to help him sleep dreamlessly for a while.

Alex dressed and walked out to the galley, still barefoot, where Evan had breakfast ready at the small, round table. "Sorry about last night."

"How do you feel this morning?" Evan handed over a cup of steaming coffee, then sat, watching him.

"I'm fine." Alex sipped the hot liquid and shrugged. "I could use a nap, though." He grinned and set the coffee down.

"You need to see Doctor Zane today. There could be more to this than just nightmares."

Alex nodded absently and examined his breakfast with the end of the fork. He never paid much attention to food, or eating for that matter. Somehow Evan managed to take care of everything that needed doing without a second thought. It was something Alex knew he took full advantage of, fair or not. He shouldn't do that. Evan might insist he was Sha'erah, but Alex never wanted to treat him like property. At least, not consciously.

"Yeah, I'll go have a talk with him." Alex stabbed some meat with the fork and meet his friend's gaze.

Evan nodded, satisfied with that answer. "Reilly says there's another ship coming up, the Fleetwood. Should pass by this afternoon."

"More Turbidium miners, no doubt." Alex picked up the coffee cup and instinctively glanced at the window that took up the entire wall of their living quarters. "That's the fourth transport on its way to C-7. They'll be mining that place long after we're dead and gone."

Evan finished his breakfast and carried his plate to the galley. "At least it didn't go to Spencer."

That thought sent a chill down Alex's spine that wasn't dissipated by the last swallow of coffee. "We'll hail the Fleetwood when it gets closer. How far are we from Scotian space?"

"Two days at this speed. We could be there tomorrow, but I don't think the engines can be pushed right now." Evan retrieved Alex's empty plate with a frustrated shake of his head. "I still haven't found the cause of that problem. The engines were working perfectly for so long."

Alex turned and watched Evan shove the plate into the reclamator with some force. "These things happen."

"It shouldn't have." Evan shook his head emphatically. "Those alterations I made improved their efficiency. There's no reason for it."

Alex smiled slightly at the sight of his friend's frustration. He knew full well nothing Evan had done to improve the Ascalon's speed and performance had caused the current conditions, but the Sha'erah wasn't used to accepting anything short of perfection where his work was concerned. And he calls me obsessed! "We were traveling through a nebula. It's not uncommon to get screwed up by the charged particles slamming into the ship all the time. Or it could be as simple as a ruptured line or clogged vents. This ship isn't exactly brand spanking new, you know."

"That shouldn't matter as long as everything's been kept in working condition and properly maintained." Evan refused to be pacified. "I'd like to keep working on it."

Alex waved a hand in the air. "Whatever turns you on." God knows, there's not much else to do around here. "I'm heading to sick bay to see Zane." He went in search of socks and shoes while Evan did the same.

Enduring the escort because it was "on my way to Engineering" was a habit Alex had long since learned to accept. It was easier than insisting he was perfectly safe onboard his own ship, then listening to Evan's list of reasons why he wasn't. He found the doctor in his office, engaged in an ancient card game against his computer.

"Alex, come in." The gray haired doctor smiled in his customary manner and shut down the game.

"Didn't mean to interrupt," Alex nodded at the machine. "Looks like you were winning."

"That, I assure you, was an illusion." Zane stood, pushing the computer to the side of his desk. "I have never actually won a single game, but I keep trying. Now, what can I do for you?"

Alex glanced around the man's office. It used to be Doctor Gorman's, until he'd been found as one of the conspirators working for Spencer. He shrugged. "Probably not much, I just promised Evan I'd drop by."

Zane nodded knowingly. "Which means something's wrong."

"It's nothing, really." Alex spotted a statue on a shelf and walked over to it, touching the smooth surface of the carving. "I've just been having some nightmares lately, keeping him awake."

"Nightmares?" Zane stayed behind the desk, watching Alex.

"Has anyone else been having trouble sleeping? Anyone relapsing from that orb addiction?"

"Is that what you think is happening?"

Alex laughed lightly. "You're asking me?"

"Tell you what, come on out to the exam area and we'll just check you out, all right?" Zane held out an arm, indicating the door to the empty examination rooms. "Couldn't hurt."

Alex sighed, then complied. He stopped at the first table and unbuttoned his shirt while Zane pulled a scanner from the row of drawers nearby.

"To answer your question, no one else has complained about flashbacks or withdrawal." Zane turned on the scanner and vainly attempted to warm the detection plate before he set it against Alex's chest. "A few crewmen have mentioned trouble sleeping, but no word of nightmares." He moved the scanner from side to side. "Then again, not everyone likes to talk about nightmares, even to their doctor."

"If they're anything like these, I don't blame them." Alex turned slightly so the scanner could slide over his back, then slipped his shirt back up over his shoulders while Zane examined the readout. "I don't know if it has anything to do with the orb or not, doc. It just started a couple of weeks ago, and we've been away from that thing for months now."

"Well, addictions hit different people in different ways." Zane continued to scrutinize the results. "Does it bother you during the day?"

Alex shook his head. "Not really." He finished buttoning his shirt and sighed. "Okay, yeah, it does. But it goes away when I find something to concentrate on."

Zane nodded but said nothing.

"In fact, Evan seems to think this is only happening because I have nothing to obsess on right now to take my mind off it."

"That sounds plausible." He put the scanner back into its drawer and turned around to face Alex with both arms crossed in front of his chest. "What do you think?"

Alex laughed shortly. "I don't know what I think." He slid off the exam table and started pacing around the room. He did know, as least partly, but he wasn't sure he was ready to voice it. But, if he didn't talk to Zane - the one person who might understand the problem - who could he talk to? This wasn't something Evan could answer truthfully.

"But you do know something, don't you?" Zane remained where he was, watching Alex wander around the exam room patiently.

Alex nodded slowly, more to himself than Zane. He'd paced to a low, flat counter and used it as a seat, facing the doctor. "It's all winding down, doc. In two days we'll be back at Scotian. Then what?"

Doctor Zane leaned back against the cabinet and creased his eyebrows thoughtfully. "Well, I would assume you'll do what you usually do when you return from an exploration. Relax, get your ship tuned up, then find a new section of the galaxy to explore."

"Yeah, probably." Alex searched the counter top for something he could pick up and fuss with. Failing that, he settled for twisting the silver ring around his finger. "Thing is, when we get back, what do I do with him?"

Zane's eyebrows arched. "By him, I presume you mean Evan?"

"See, I was right in the middle of a rush when I got the call from that damn lawyer. After meeting Evan" -- he refused to use the word inheriting -- "there was that whole Harvey mess. I never had time to think, let alone deal with anything, before we launched." He looked up at the doctor and leaned forward, resting both elbows on his thighs as he continued to twist the ring. "But that was almost a year ago."

"Alex, I've known enough ship captains in my time to realize you never think in weeks, months, or even years. You all tend to think in voyages." Zane reached up and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If I had to hazard a guess at what you're trying so hard not to say, I'd have to assume you're realizing this expedition is nearly over. And that has you suddenly assuming you have to deal with things you didn't have time to think about before. Never mind the fact that you've been together all this time and seem to be getting along just fine."

Alex laughed shortly, shaking his head.

"I can assure you, he's not the least bit worried about this voyage ending. He's going to be perfectly content with whatever you do next. Unless you're actually considering selling him?"

"No," Alex looked up sharply. "I can't do that. I wouldn't do that." He slid off the counter and resumed his pacing. "It's just that . . . Hell, I don't know what it is."

Doctor Zane walked to a pharmacy dispenser and began typing in an order. "Well, I can assure you, if it's Evan you're worried about, and what you think you need to do with him, you're worrying for nothing. He's Sha'erah. He'll be perfectly happy doing whatever it is you choose to do. Your status as his Keeper is the only security he needs."

"Whether that's right or wrong?" Alex had stopped his wandering and stood facing the doctor.

"Yes, as a matter of fact." Zane retrieved the vial from the dispenser and looked at the lid intently. "Unless you want to try and change that."

Alex blinked. "What do you mean?"

Doctor Zane inhaled deeply, then let the breath out slowly and looked at Alex. "As you know, I've spent a good deal of my life studying the Keeper/Sha'erah relationship. And in all that time, as much as I learned, I never did learn the truth of their origins." He shrugged. "Every time I thought I might be coming close, I was quite literally chased away."

"What made you stop trying?"

"Oh, I never really did stop altogether. But my funding was pulled, and no further grants were given to me for any other research. I finally caught on, and realized someone very important was seeing to it I got no closer. I'm just a simple physician really. There was no choice left for me but to quit and return to regular duties." He walked across the room and handed Alex the vial of pills. "Until I met you and Evan, I'd completely given up hope of finding a way."

Alex accepted the bottle without looking at it. "A way to what? Find out where Evan and the others come from?"

Doctor Zane shrugged slightly. "I truly believe if anyone could, it would be you, with Evan's help perhaps."

Alex stared at the doctor, waiting for the punch line. When none was forthcoming, he laughed. "Look, doc, until that bizarre day at VanHolt's office, I didn't even know they existed!" He rolled his eyes. "Granted, I know now I was an idiot, but I have to be the last person in the galaxy who would stand a chance figuring that mystery out."

Zane shook his head, his expression completely serious. "But you see, that's exactly why you would probably succeed."

Alex made a small snort of disbelief and hefted the vial in his hand, looking at it for the first time. The guy was nuts! He still had trouble believing the silver ring on his finger knew enough not to let him remove it, but allowed him to twist it around his finger at will. Grasping the idea that a man honestly believed himself to be Alex's private property, or the fact that people were in the habit of custom-ordering a human being from a source unknown even to them, was still too hard to wrap his brain around. And this guy expected him to manage finding what others couldn't? Others who knew all along what a Sha'erah was, and probably desired one themselves?

"I wouldn't even know where to start." Alex looked at the vial, intending to read the label.

"Finding things no one else has seen is what you do." Zane smiled as if he knew something Alex didn't. "You and Evan share something I've never found in any other Keeper and Sha'erah. It's a respect and mutual understanding that could benefit everyone if they knew how."

"Everyone?" Alex wanted to laugh. It sounded like he was some kind of priest who'd just found the answer and needed to spread the word. Only he still had no clue what that word was. Still, he couldn't help but realize he hadn't thought about the orb, or his father, since they started talking.

"Thanks to you, and Evan, I was able to prove my theory about his own control over that ring," Zane pointed to the silver band around Alex's finger. "It was Evan who put it back."

"And you said I'd just have to get used to his Sha'erah way of thinking and work with it."

"Precisely. And you have, for the most part." Zane leaned forward as if about to make a very important point. "Wouldn't you like to show every Sha'erah the truth? That they're not the slaves they believe they are?"

Alex felt his face flush with a tinge of guilt.

"If you knew this to be fact, and Evan was still your father's possession, wouldn't you want him to know he had a choice?"

"So, these will keep me sleeping through the night?" Alex cleared his throat and looked at the bottle again, blinking until the instructions came into focus.

Zane smiled tolerantly and nodded. "Take two before bed, and you both should get through the night all right." He gave Alex's arm a paternal pat and walked back toward his office. "I'm sure those nightmares will pass very soon, but if they don't, you let me know right away."

"Thanks, doc." Alex nodded as he stuffed the vial into a pocket of his shirt and left the medical bay.

The reality of crowded corridors was a refreshing assurance that the fear of last night had only been a nightmare. Alex made his way slowly to the bridge, enjoying the sight of live crewmen and women going about their business. Most were anxious to reach Scotian and the end of their long journey, ready for a vacation and new job, perhaps with another ship if the Ascalon wasn't due to leave port any time soon. Alex usually enjoyed a few months of downtime before the hectic rush to find financing began. But that was when he had another goal in mind, something to sell to prospective investors.

Not that coming in to port without a fresh idea was out of the ordinary. He had to get back into the swing of things, get a feel for what the big money players wanted and judge how feasible it was to throw his hat into the exploration ring. Zane's proposal was going to have to wait until he had time to digest the notion, implausible as it seemed.

He found the bridge bustling with the usual activity. Reilly was monitoring the approaching transport, waiting until it came into visual range before attempting to make contact as they passed. Scotian space was two days away still, but some of the system's moons were already visible in the distance.

Alex found a tray of food waiting on the desk in his office, along with a message from Evan that he was close to finding the problem in the engines and would be working on them throughout the day unless he was needed.

"At least he has something to do." Alex sat down and idly picked a piece of fruit off the plate. A quiet chime sounded all through the ship, followed by an announcement.

"The Ascalon is now within range of Scotian high level probes. Communication with upper level management, local government and most major banks is now available to all crew members. Thank you."

No, thank you. Alex turned on his small pager and called up the local news reports. Messages began appearing on his private line, but none of them were marked urgent so he ignored them for now. All he was interested in were the headlines, which he scanned easily, looking for any mention of his or Franklin's ship in the last nine months. There were articles about the celebrated departure of the Vision, those he skipped. Then small mention of the Ascalon, which had surprised everyone by bursting ahead of the Vision before leaving Scotian space.

Alex chuckled, remembering how Evan had so easily altered the fuel mixture and gained a much needed lead on Franklin's ship. God, that seemed like years ago! Several months went by with no more mention of the exploration vessels, until he found several weeks' worth of headlines, declaring the Vision lost in space, victims of sabotage. He read the main articles, making sure they'd gotten the facts straight. Satisfied, he went on to search for any other mention of his or Franklin's ship. After a short update explaining how the Ascalon was claiming C-7 on behalf of the Vision and its survivors, nothing else was recorded.

Good deeds don't make for interesting press, apparently. Ah well, he'd never been much of a fan of the media. Alex checked the headers of his messages and found only the usual well wishing and worrying notes from his mother, a few statements from the bank about the Ascalon's lease, an overdue notice for a baggage claim at the shuttle port that wasn't even his, and one note of condolence from Miranda Carpenter, asking if she could meet with him when he returned.

"She's got some balls." Alex erased the message and signed on to his bank account to check the balance. So did her father, apparently. Paulson Carpenter had submitted payment for the Turbidium find, even though his claim on the planet and future mining rights had been denied by the courts twice since Alex's claim registration. He was sorely tempted to return the payment, but held off. It was good money. Enough to pay for the Ascalon's needed repairs and maintenance, and give what crew he had left bonuses for all they'd been through.

Still, it was blood money. Paulson Carpenter had been working for Spencer all along. It was wrong to keep it, no matter how well deserved it might be. But then again, he'd accepted his father's estate, knowing full well how he'd obtained his wealth.

"That's different." Alex picked another slice of fruit from the plate and stared at the small screen, talking to himself. Spencer's estate had been Evan. He couldn't turn that down, it wasn't possible. Not that he'd ever wanted to accept him, but . . . "But I can turn this down." Or he could keep it. It was enough to even pay Evan the salary he deserved as second-in-command of the Ascalon. "Not that he'd accept that." But what Evan didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Of course, keeping a secret from that guy wasn't possible. Alex could maintain an account for the Sha'erah regardless of how he felt about it. After all, he was trying hard to prove to Evan he wasn't property, what better way than to make sure he didn't treat him as such?

But then, that brought him right back to where he'd left Zane. How could he insist Evan be treated like his friend, and not do what he could to insure all Sha'erah were treated the same? What was his selfishness saying about his real motives?

The door opened just as Alex shut off the pager.

"Did Doctor Zane give you something to help you sleep?" Evan entered, carrying a diagnostic unit, and walked straight to the couch.

"Yeah, he did. I shouldn't be waking you up in the middle of the night again."

"It's not me I'm worried about."

It never is, is it? Alex nodded at the unit Evan had carried in. "Any luck?"

"You were right, there was debris in one of the exhaust vent intakes. But not from the nebula, it was dust."

"Dust?" Intrigued, Alex stood and walked around his desk, leaning against the front of it.

Evan nodded and brought up the data, tilting the unit so Alex could see the readout. "Silicon dust."

Alex blinked. "You mean . . . But how?"

"The only thing I can think of is the mobile units." Evan called up a history file and pointed to the small display screen. "We went to extremes decontaminating ourselves and our equipment in the ready room, but the engineers used one of the mobile units to lube the fuel intakes a week after we left. I tracked down that mobile and found a trace amount of silicon dust in its gears."

Alex snorted, shaking his head. "Someone was sloppy." He pushed away from his desk. "That's the unit that raced into the airlock ahead of us when the other alien ship arrived."

"Whoever cleaned the unit was either in a hurry or just an idiot. Either way, there's no excuse."

Alex sighed and rubbed his eyes. They were burning from lack of sleep, and he could feel the slow steady pounding of a headache trying to form. "These things happen."

"What if this had been something deadly, instead of just dust?"

"Then we'd probably all be dead."

Evan gave him a look of disapproval for his casual handling of the situation. "You're tired, you should get some rest."

Alex turned around and looked at his friend. The man hadn't gotten any more sleep than he had in these past two weeks, and it showed. His black eyes were rimmed in red and there was a tired edge to his voice. Alex walked to the door and opened it. "Reilly, when that ship swings by, give me a call. Evan and I will be in our quarters."

"Aye, sir."

He turned back into the office and motioned for Evan to follow him. "Come on, we both need a break."

"I could get the engines cleaned out in -- "

"Later." Alex waved a hand and continued toward the lift. "You've gotta be as tired as I am. There's nothing so urgent that it can't wait until we get back to Scotian." Evan joined him at the lift doors, looking skeptical but not arguing. "Besides, the Ascalon needs a good going over in the ship yards anyway. Let them clean the dust out."

Back in their quarters, Alex felt less like sleeping and more like brooding around the room in a dark, frustrated mood. He kicked off his shoes as soon as they walked inside and headed for the galley to start some coffee.

"I thought you were going to get some rest." Evan stood near the counter and crossed both arms in front of his chest. His expression was not only disapproving, it was decidedly authoritarian.

Alex raised both eyebrows in a shrug and shoved a clean cup under the dispenser. "There's gonna be plenty of time for that coming up soon enough." He retrieved the cup when it was full and carried it out to the main living area. "In two days we'll dock at the ship yards, pay the crew, and pretty much have this place to ourselves."

Evan followed him to the couch. "Until you're ready to hire a full crew and launch again."

"Yeah." Alex sat back, leaning low into the cushions. He hooked his toes on the edge of the large round table the couch bent around and rested the cup on his stomach.

Evan sat on the table, facing Alex, instead of his usual section of the softly cushioned couch. His black eyes, the distinctive tattoos on the side of his neck and back of his hand, and the strange formation of silver in the palm of one hand announced to the universe that he was Sha'erah. Customized in the womb and raised as a slave to anyone wealthy and powerful enough to afford him. Not quite human, or so people thought.

But those were just rumors. Much like the rumors Alex had heard concerning their very existence. Rumors he'd believed were just that, until reality proved otherwise.

Reality hated him.

"Carpenter paid us."

"You had a contract." Evan shrugged. "Whether you managed to win him the claim or not."

"It's not enough to pay off the lease." Alex ran the fingers of his right hand over the rim of the cup, holding it in place on his stomach. "He's still trying to force the courts to overturn the claim we transmitted."

"He won't win."

"Sure he will." Alex swung both feet down with enough force to leverage his body up so he could stand. "Money always wins, eventually." Angrily, he paced back to the galley and dumped the untouched coffee.

"Spencer didn't win."

Alex turned, looking Evan straight in the eye. "He played me like a fool. He and Harvey. They used Franklin, me, our crews. We were nothing to them, just pawns in their deadly little chess game. Spencer won, all right." Alex bit down on his next sentence and tried to change tactics. Failing that, he shook his head. If Spencer's goal was to completely screw with Alex's life, he'd most certainly succeeded.

"That's not what's making you angry."

Alex laughed shortly. "It isn't?" He stepped out of the narrow galley and paced toward the desk at the opposite side of the room. "You're reading minds now?" Damn. Saying that meant telling Evan he was right. He hurried to cover. "What is it, then?"

"This expedition is nearly over." Evan calmly watched Alex pace the room. "In a few days the crew will be gone, the ship will be almost empty."

An image of empty corridors and dead, nameless crew, flashed through Alex's mind. The vision caused a sudden chill to rush up his spine. He shook his head angrily. "This is routine. I lose the majority of my crew every time I come in. Most of them sign back on when I have a new job to offer." He'd reached the edge of the room and turned around, pacing back the other way. "It's nothing new."

"Neither am I."

Alex stopped pacing and stared at Evan, puzzled. "What?"

"I'm the only thing about this trip that's different. But I've been with you nearly nine months now." Evan looked equally puzzled, but sounded sure of his discovery.

"Believe me, you weren't the only thing different about this trip." Alex nearly laughed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"But I'm the only thing you think you haven't dealt with yet. There wasn't time before we left, and now we're coming back in and you're thinking about everything you imagine you left behind."

"That's ridiculous." Alex shook his head and resumed his pacing. "I didn't leave you behind." Hell, even what he'd thought he had left behind ended up following him out there.

"You felt rushed when you brought me back here, with your launch coming up so quickly." Evan continued to watch Alex pace from his vantage point on the large, round table. "No time to think, no time to - as you put it - deal with the situation. Jeff left your ship, the Vision launched. It was all too much for you too fast."

Now that was the understatement of the century. "We just spent nine months on the same ship, sharing the same quarters. I think I've dealt with the situation pretty well." This was crazy. He should be sitting on the couch, enjoying a glass of whiskey as his ship slowly reentered Scotian space, triumphant in its quest. Was that too much to ask? Instead he was pacing around his living quarters, too wound up to relax, and too afraid that everything Evan was saying was true. He didn't want to have something waiting for him, something he still needed to deal with. Hadn't he been through enough lately? Couldn't he just sail through life for a few years, having paid his dues to fate, destiny and their bastard cousins reality and choice?

"Then why are you letting it bother you so much?"

This time, Alex did laugh. He'd reached the other side of the room, so banging his head against the wall was tempting. It couldn't be any more confusing than the average conversation with Evan, but he feared the Sha’erah would feel the need to tear the wall down if he hurt his head on it. "How about a game of chess?"

"Alex, the Fleetwood is coming by."

It took nearly a minute to register what Evan was saying. Alex opened his eyes and saw his friend standing over him, gently shaking his arm. "Man," he forced both eyes open wide and sat up, staring around the room slightly dazed from the deep slumber he'd been enjoying. The holographic table was still glowing as chess pieces hovered in the air above it. "Who won?"

"I don't know, we both fell asleep." Evan turned off the display. "You don't have to speak with the Fleetwood, you know."

"No, I'm awake." Alex dragged himself off the couch and ran both hands through his hair in a vain attempt to straighten it out. "Polite society demands certain things." Hailing a passing ship was just one of the more mundane ones. "At least this is the last one before we dock."

"Do you know the captain?" Evan handed Alex his shoes when it was apparent he couldn't remember where he'd put them.

Alex nodded his thanks and shoved the shoes on. "I'm not sure. The Fleetwood gets sold a lot, for some reason. Used to be a guy named Eldwin. Real short guy, kinda greasy looking."

"And you want to talk to this guy?" Evan followed him down the corridor toward the lifts.

"Want to? No, not really." Alex pushed the button that would call a lift car to their level. He watched the expressions play out on Evan's face and wondered how his actions were comparing to those of his dead father in the Sha'erah's mind. "I know, you don't get it."

"No, I get it." Evan walked into the lift and dialed the bridge level.

"Then why the face?"

Evan shrugged. "I was just trying to figure out if I know that name or not."

Anger colored Alex's face suddenly. "Great. Did Eldwin work for him too?"

"I didn't say he did," Evan quickly asserted. "I said I was reviewing my memory for any mention of his name."

The lift doors opened before Alex could respond, so he stormed out of the car instead. "Reilly, has the Fleetwood hailed us yet?"

"Just saying hello now, Captain."

"Put them on the screen." Alex walked around the upper level, heading to the bow of the bridge deck.

The large screen slid down quickly and quietly, covering one of the many heavily- shielded windows the Ascalon was famous for. As the unit flickered to life, Alex was treated to a face decidedly not that of a short, greasy man.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Alex Marcase."

The familiar face smiling down at him was framed with short, blonde hair and sported sparkling blue eyes.

"Katie." Alex smiled, glancing at Evan in his relief not to be facing a magnified version of Captain Eldwin. "This your ship now?"

"Yep." Captain Katie Dee returned the smile with an added touch of pride. Her gaze shifted slightly and one eyebrow arched. "So, it is true then? I thought your mother was just bragging."

Alex blinked, then realized she'd been looking at Evan. "This is Evan, my second. He took Jeff's place." He knew introducing the Sha'erah was a waste of time, since he'd never speak in the company of a stranger. So he did it out of spite. "Evan, this is Katie Dee, Captain now, apparently."

To her credit, Katie smiled politely at Evan and nodded her head, apparently not offended by his lack of expression. "Listen, we're about to hit full speed, so I'll have to make it short. I wanted to thank you, on behalf of the Vision. You didn't have to make that claim for them."

"Yes, I did." Alex started twisting the silver ring around his finger out of habit. "It would have been done for me, once my ship's logs were made public."

"I'm just making a quick out and back, dumping off a shipload of miners and equipment. Maybe if you're still around, we could get together?"

"We'll see." Alex didn't want to be rude, and say he hoped to have another job lined up sooner than the six months it would take her to get to the nebula and back. "Hey, Katie, whatever happened to Eldwin?"

Before she could answer, someone outside the screen's range drew her attention. She looked back at Alex with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Alex, we're about to kick it into high gear. Hope to see you when we get back."

The screen flicked and went dark, then retracted back into the ceiling.

"The Fleetwood just engaged her main drive engines." Reilly offered. "We can still contact her if you want."

"Forget it." Alex sighed and looked at Evan, then turned and walked back to the lifts, ready to call it a night. Once inside the lift again, he looked at the Sha'erah. "So, did you remember his name, or not?"

"I haven't yet, no."

"Which could mean he worked for my father anyway." Alex couldn't help but remember how much of Spencer's life had been kept from Evan, as impossible as that had seemed.

"Now you're being paranoid," Evan scolded.

The lift stopped and let them out. "I think I have a right to be paranoid, considering."

"That's over. He's dead."

Alex hit the key pad a little too hard, but the door to their quarters opened without argument. "Is he?"

Evan walked straight to the galley counter and picked up the vial of pills Doctor Zane had given Alex. He opened the bottle and retrieved two of them, then dispensed a small glass of water. "Yes, he is." The pills and water were offered by blocking his route to the couch. When Alex didn't accept them immediately, Evan shoved them forward. "We both saw the body, and we both launched him out to space."

Alex took the pills and tossed them into his mouth, then used the water to wash them down and handed the glass back to Evan. "You really think a simple night's sleep is gonna cure everything, don't you?"

"I think you're tired." He returned the empty glass to the galley. "You haven't slept through the night all week, and it's getting to you."

He wanted to argue, but it was true. Either he was brooding and moody because he was exhausted, or he was exhausted because he kept brooding and being moody. "So I'm going to go to bed, sleep through the night, and everything will be fine in the morning, is that it?"

Evan gave him a gentle shove and pointed to the bedroom door. "That's the plan."

Alex couldn't help noticing the Sha'erah's quickly suppressed yawn. "We'll see." He could at least offer him a good night's sleep, providing these pills really did the trick.

When he woke up the next morning with no recollection of any type of dream, and his pants still on, Alex knew Doctor Zane's pills had done the trick. He checked the time as he stumbled toward the bathroom and realized he'd slept through breakfast without the slightest twinge of guilt. Evan must have slept as well, or else he'd be smelling coffee by now.

The first face to greet him in the bathroom nearly scared the crap out of him. "Jeez, Alex, get your act together." He glared at his reflection as if it had done that on purpose, then bent forward to brush his teeth. Enough was enough. He'd slept through the night, with no mind bending visions to blame his attitude on. This ridiculous sense of rushing headlong into chaos had to end. Evan was right, there was no horribly urgent problem waiting for him back on Scotian. He was just being paranoid. After all, he'd been a Keeper for nine months now, and survived, more or less. Why couldn't he just continue on without stopping to figure it all out? He'd accepted the idea, or at least his version of it, and Evan didn't seem to mind. Hell, he couldn't mind.

"Nice, Alex." He spat into the sink and pulled off the sleep-wrinkled pants. The attitude had to go. Spencer wasn't following his every move, he was dead. Jeff couldn't betray him again, he'd left the man orbiting C-7 with the other miners and crewmen who'd screwed him over. Society would praise his decision to voluntarily offer up his claim to the survivors of the Vision's crew, regardless of what the court's final decision might be on the matter.

In fact, this was his second favorite part of exploration. Looking for something new to go looking for. So what if he hadn't gained enough to pay off the lease on his ship? Nothing new there. He was expert at finding funding when he needed it. And with the tweaks and alterations in engine specs and probe delivery Evan had come up with, they could probably market themselves into some profit before long.

"Okay, he's out of the picture." Alex stood under the spray of the shower, willingly allowing waste now that he was about to pull back into port. "No Spencer, no Jeff, no worries." He sighed and lathered his hair. "Now, for mother."

"I over slept." Evan was in the galley when Alex came out of his room, hair still wet from his own shower.

"Don't worry about it, so did I." Alex still felt like he was asleep. He accepted the cup Evan handed him, then waved dismissively at the galley in general. "I'm not really hungry yet, anyway." He took the coffee and sat at the small table, running a hand through his wet hair. "Listen, I wanna . . . " He watched the steam rise from his cup and inhaled deeply. "You were right about me being a little paranoid last night."

"A little?" Evan sat opposite Alex and raised one eyebrow.

"Yes, a little." He petulantly refused to give in completely. "I think that full night of sleep this time really helped."

"Good. Maybe putting an end to this voyage will end the nightmares for good."

Alex nodded, sipping the hot coffee. "I'm going to get everything ready for the media report. They'll be all over us when we dock once word gets out about that ship."

Evan seemed as if he was going to say something, but changed his mind. A moment later, he nodded once. "We're close enough in-system now, I'll schedule a time for the Ascalon's maintenance."

Alex yawned, then blinked several times. He noticed Evan doing the same, though he at least tried to hide it. "You know, two weeks on little sleep doesn't all catch up in one night."

Evan met his gaze questioningly.

"I was just thinking . . . That media report isn't going to take much." Alex looked at the couch. It was large, bending in a gentle semi-circle around the table. Soft cushions promised a comfortable nap, with room enough for the two of them. Evan's height was easily made up for by Alex's shorter stature.

He never did recall Evan agreeing a nap was in order, or even walking to the couch. But they both woke in time for a late lunch. The rest of that day was spent doing busy work, killing time before they pulled into port. Evan scheduled a time for the Ascalon to be checked over a week from that day, and Alex busied himself with the reports documenting their findings and the alien artifacts. They'd debated whether or not to include an explanation and description of the orb that nearly destroyed the crew and stranded the Ascalon beside the dead alien hulk, finally agreeing they could limit the information to a few basics, and leave the rest up to Doctor Zane's medical logs to explain. Alex felt safe enough giving a written description, as long as no colors or patterns were reproduced as a demonstration. He still felt it could be a weapon, and knowing all governments, any chance to manufacture something new and deadly would be an irresistible temptation.

That night another round of pills kept both men sleeping soundly, but this time Alex had no trouble waking to the morning chimes. He joined his partner for breakfast, feeling completely refreshed and surprisingly free of the anxieties the nightmares had brought on.

They reached the bridge in time to watch the Scotian shipyards come into view. Alex requested permission to dock, then talked his bridge crew through a perfect parking maneuver, effectively ending their latest expedition. A party atmosphere erupted throughout the ship immediately after they heard the all-clear.

"Come on, I need a drink." Alex had to raise his voice over the din of triumphant shouts and cheering for Evan to hear, even though the man was standing right beside him. "My least favorite part of being back home is coming up in the morning."

"What's that?" Evan quickly closed the doors to the lift, drowning out the loud celebration instantly.

Alex rubbed his eyes. "My mother."

"Your mother?"

He nodded. "The morning after I dock, I have to go prove to her I survived and explain again why I do this for a living." It sounded about as ridiculous as it always felt, but it was a tradition he couldn't ignore without receiving the full-on wrath of one Madame Clarice Duvia. It would be easier to swim in molten lava. "I need to get drunk."

Evan made a snort of disapproval. "That makes it easier?"

"No," Alex shook his head. "But the incredible headache in the morning gives me something to focus on." He looked at Evan and grinned with evil anticipation. "You'll see."

Chapter 2

Evan sat opposite Alex on the crowded shuttle and stared at his own reflection in the darkly tinted glasses his Keeper was wearing. Madame Clarice Duvia was in residence on the planet itself, instead of the apartment she kept on the orbiting station, so they'd been forced to book the last two seats on the first shuttle of the day, cramming in with another twenty people anxious to get wherever they were going. Evan would have preferred traveling alone, so he and his Keeper could talk, but there were no other available transports. So he sat quietly, and waited.

Just as well. Alex was so hung over, he probably wouldn't have wanted to say much anyway. Why he felt the need to get drunk the night before seeing his mother for the first time in nine months was a mystery Evan wasn't sure he wanted to solve. Mysteries always had reasons, and if meeting his own mother required a hangover, how bad could this be?

It was late morning on Scotian when the shuttle dropped out of the cloud layer and banked toward the city. Bright, orange sunlight slammed into the view ports and bounced off Alex's glasses.

"Damn." Alex made a face and turned his head slightly away from the light.

Evan wanted to comment, but there were too many people too close by. Several of them had given him a second glance when they boarded, obviously realizing what he was, and hadn't been able to stop staring since takeoff. Evan sighed inwardly. Being on the Ascalon for so long had spoiled him. Amazing how a lifetime's worth of routine could be so easily shrugged off in less than a year. On the Ascalon, he was well known, and in a strange way, accepted. A way that both irritated and pleased him, surprisingly. It was different, unusual. A little annoying at times, but for the most part, he'd gotten quite used to it.

Now, he was Sha'erah again. Not the second-in-command of a deep space exploration vessel. Not the partner of one Alex Marcase. He was property again. He was Sha'erah. And he was intimidating everyone else on the shuttle just by sitting there. As normal as that was, it felt strange to him now.

"We'll have to rent a car when we land. Her house is five miles out."

Evan nodded, catching a glimpse of his own dark eyes in his Keeper's lenses.

Alex's eyebrows arched, then he turned his head slightly and looked around the shuttle as if noticing the other passengers for the first time.

"Oh, right. I forgot." He shook his head and sighed, saying nothing more.

A man sitting three seats to Alex's left hadn't taken his eyes off Evan since they boarded. He was quite tall and thin, with long legs folded up uncomfortably in the economy seat he was perched on. Evan had already given him a thorough going over and decided he was no threat, just rude. There were no familiar bulges in clothing where weapons were typically stored, no calluses on his hands indicating frequent gun usage, and from the manner in which his Adam's apple spasmodically bobbed up and down with each swallow, there was no way he could blend into a crowd the way an assassin would require.

Of course, that could all be a ruse. His apparent lack of any danger whatsoever could well be a put-on, designed to cause the experienced observer to pass him over as a non-threat. There could be weapons stashed elsewhere on his person. Smaller, thinner weapons that would show no signs under loosely fitted clothing. Or, he could be the decoy, drawing attention with his nervously bobbing Adam's apple and constant scrutiny.

Or, he could just be rude.

By the time the shuttle landed, Evan had determined he was no threat at all. They all stood well before the light indicating they could unbuckle the safety straps and stand came on, pressing toward the door in precisely the manner the regulation card advised against, anxious to be free of the confining space of the cramped shuttle. Alex waited until several large, middle-aged women bustled by, nearly trampling their toes, before he stood. When he did, the thin man with the Adam's apple stood as well, finally dragging his gaze back to his own business.

Alex started walking by, before the thin man finished gathering his jacket and pack. "He doesn't do any tricks, if that's what you've been wondering."

The thin man's head shot up, eyes darting from Alex to Evan and back again. He stammered something incoherent, then hurried to leave the shuttle ahead of Alex, mumbling some apologies to the women as he pushed by.

Evan sighed and followed his Keeper, waiting until they were away from the crowds. "You know, he'd probably just never seen a Sha'erah before."

"Yeah, well he saw you when we boarded." Alex held up a hand and waved one of the waiting hired cars over. "I'm surprised you didn't take that staring as a threat."

"I evaluated him right away, and if he'd made a move he wouldn't have gotten far." Evan opened the door to the car and glanced inside before letting Alex climb in. "Are you expecting trouble?"

"No, of course not." Alex slid to the other side of the car and gave the driver instructions. "Then again, I never seem to expect trouble, but it's always expecting me."

"I haven't let my guard down, if that's what you're worried about."

"God, my head hurts."

"It was your idea to get drunk last night," Evan scolded.

"I thought you weren't supposed to let me hurt myself."

"What you did last night wasn't dangerous, just stupid." Evan glanced at Alex, seeing only his reflection in the glasses. "You wanted to get drunk."

"I know."

"You wanted to have a headache when you saw your mother."

"I know."

"You never told me to stop you." Evan stopped when Alex held up a hand, nodding.

They drove in silence down a quiet road lined with expensive homes and perfectly manicured lawns. Evan couldn't help but notice every one of the houses was white, with various shades of blue trimming certain aspects of the architecture. Every one had security gates and remote monitors protecting the inhabitants from any unwanted approach. Tethered to the drive posts in every front yard was a private vehicle, typically black in color, immaculately cleaned and waiting to be needed.

It was a stark contrast to the displays of wealth on Cryian II. But it was, ultimately, the same money. Paulson Carpenter presumably lived in a large, white house with perfectly tailored landscaping and a large, black car. There was little difference between the way in which Paulson conducted business and the way Spencer Marcase had. But at least Spencer hadn't pretended to be anything other than what he was.

When the car pulled up one of the private drives, it stopped ahead of the monitor, so Alex could address the unit.

"Alex Marcase to see Madame Duvia." He turned to Evan. "You have to promise me something."

Evan's eyebrows knit with suspicion. He glanced at the driver, but the man wasn't paying them any attention as he drove through the opening gate. "Of course."

"No, I'm serious." Alex reached up and pulled the glasses down the rim of his nose so he could see Evan clearly. "She has this habit of ignoring things that displease her. She'll try to treat you like furniture."

Evan blinked.

"She'll talk about you as if you're not even in the room. Just . . . if she does that, don't take it personally."

Before Evan could explain how it was her every right to do just that, the car had stopped and both doors opened automatically. Alex handed the man the required amount of credit chips and got out, shutting the door behind him. Evan hurried to join him and found himself staring up at a massive, completely white house brimming with excess.

As they approached the double doors, a soft chime sounded, followed by a harried voice, mechanical in nature. One of the doors opened and an automated butler floated out, hovering above the ground at eye level. It wasn't much more than a box the size of a man's head, with optical sensors, audio input and output units, and several small orifices presumably hiding arms.

"Good day to you, Master Alex." The robot dipped slightly in greeting, then spun around to direct its optical sensors at Evan. "And this is . . .?"

"This is Evan, Sylvester." Alex grinned slightly and pointed at the hovering box. "Sylvester here is my mother's butler, guard dog, and social calendar, all rolled into one."

The robot spun back around to face Alex. "I prefer the term Companion, Alex."

"He's been with mother since before I was born." Alex reached out and patted the robot, then walked through the door into the house. "Where's mother, Sylvester?"

Evan ducked as the machine flew by, nearly clipping his shoulder in its rush to get ahead of Alex again. It spun around, floating backwards in order to maintain its lead.

"She's dressing, sir. If you'll just have a seat here, I'll inform her you've arrived." The 'bot hovered a moment, then drew closer to Alex but failed to lower its audio output. "Sir, Madame has requested you wait alone. Should you arrive with . . . anyone else . . . she has instructed me to -- "

"Evan, hold out your arms." Alex shot him a look, then turned back to Sylvester. "Discount."

Instantly, the robot fell from the air into Evan's waiting arms. Startled, he stared at the unit, then put his left hand over the inlet underneath. "He's shut down."

"Completely." Alex grinned. "Just toss him on the couch, he'll power back up in an hour."

Evan complied, setting Sylvester's quiet form on the couch near the large spiral staircase. "What did you do?"

"When I was a kid, mother used to sic that thing on me like a babysitter." Alex was looking around the room as if trying to find something as he spoke. "I got sick of it one day and got a program installed in his mainframe. Any time I say the magic word, he shuts down for an hour, with no memory of what happened."

Evan blinked, surprised. "You got a program?"

Alex shrugged. "Okay, I bribed this kid I knew into doing it for me. She still hasn't figured it out."

"How do you know?"

Alex started pacing around the large room, looking at artwork and figures as if he'd never seen them before in his life. "The magic word is "discount". That's not a word my mother even knows."

Evan glanced around the interior of the house, noticing it himself for the first time. The room they were in was opulently decorated. Heavy, fringed curtains draped over the windows like gilded weights, tiredly forcing out any view from outside with their thick material. Pure white marble coated the floor, then seemed to climb up the walls, blending seamlessly with white shelves and white marble mantles displaying paintings and sculptures that looked vaguely familiar.

In fact, much of what occupied the room, art and furniture alike, seemed vaguely familiar. Evan examined the room more intently without moving from beside the couch Sylvester rested on. It was all designed to fool the eye into thinking the owner was wealthy beyond her means. He'd seen wealth before, and lived with it most of his life. This wasn't the real thing, but a very well-put-together imitation.

Alex was standing at a mantle, staring intently at a sculpture, perched on the marble. He picked up the figurine and began fingering it, choosing that to occupy his hands instead of turning the ring around.

"Alex! Why didn't Sylvester tell me you were here?"

Evan turned in time to see Madame Duvia descend the stairs regally. She was taller than Alex, with pale white skin and artificially colored brown hair. Her eyes were green, but not as vivid as those of her son. When they caught sight of Evan, there was no sparkle, only a dull, lifeless registration.

"Mother." Alex walked only halfway to the stairs, subtly forcing his mother to pass Evan and meet him halfway. They embraced more warmly than he expected, then Alex pointed at Evan, turning his mother with one hand on her shoulder. "This is Evan. Evan, this is my mother, Madame Duvia."

"Really, Alex. I expected you to come alone." Madame Duvia took the slight momentum her son started and turned it into a complete reversal of direction. Instead of looking at Evan, she spun around and walked purposefully into the next room, swirling a long scarf behind her.

Evan watched Alex follow her, then took up position behind as they entered yet another white room. Madame Duvia had marched to the opposite side of the room and was pouring herself a drink when they entered. Alex seemed to hesitate, then wandered to the right side of the large room where a long, expensive table sat unadorned. Ignoring every chair in the room, Alex sat on the table, statue still in hand.

Evan quickly scanned the room and judged there to be only one exit. Deeming it appropriate, he remained where he was, standing just inside the room where he could watch both Alex and his mother without having to get any closer.

"I'm very proud of you, Alex. I heard about your find." Madame Duvia turned to face her son. Her eyelids lowered instantly when she realized where he was sitting, but she said nothing. "But you didn't have to claim it for the Vision's crew."

"Yes, mother, I did." Alex set the statue on the table and started fingering his ring. "If you heard about that, then you heard about the rest of it."

Madame Duvia's face flushed momentarily. Evan got the impression it was the most color the woman usually saw, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

She shot Evan a look. "At least it wasn't a complete loss."

"No, not a complete loss." Alex glanced at Evan, then looked at his mother. "Did you know Spencer faked his death?"

"Certainly not before I heard the rumors." Madame Duvia looked appalled, but quickly recovered. "Alex, your father never could be trusted, even in death, apparently. But that's over now. What are your intentions?"

"My intentions?" Alex straightened, eyebrows arching. "In regards to what, mother? The afternoon? The week?"

"In regards to that!" She pointed a long, manicured finger directly at Evan.

Alex glanced back at Evan. His eyes were red from the hangover, but there was a tired anger flashing in them as well. Evan tensed, confused by the display but ready for anything. This didn't seem like any mother/son relationship he'd witnessed before, but he was no expert on the matter.

"That, is Evan, mother. He has a name. He's a person, not a thing." Alex slid off the table and walked toward his mother, pausing long enough to shoot Evan a glance. "I'd hoped you'd have changed your attitude after all these months."

"He's worth a fortune, Alex. You can't still be thinking of turning him into some kind of friend or something. Not when this much money is at stake." Madame Duvia showed no signs of backing down in the face of her son's anger. "You could pay for your ship! Why, Major Daniels has already called me to see if you'll still entertain his bid."

"Entertaining is what you do, mother. Not me." Alex turned his back on the woman and paced in the other direction. "He's not for sale, never will be."

It was like watching a teenager rebelling against an order not to alter his own body. Evan had witnessed several such displays while on assignment for Spencer off world or onboard a cruise ship filled with wealthy, bored children looking for anything they could find to disrupt their parent's ordered lives. Even physically, Alex was a complete contrast to his mother. Dressed in dark, slightly worn pants and a deep blue shirt with Ascalon insignia coloring the short sleeves and collar, his shorter stature and somewhat unkempt hair made a sharp contradiction to the white walls and marbled floors he was pacing. Evan realized just then how dramatically opposite he must look in these white rooms.

"You mean, you're keeping it?"

"He's my second-in-command, mother! He saved my life out there, and the lives of my crew." Alex turned to Evan and held his gaze for a long, silent moment. "If you could just take a minute and try to see this the way I do, I think you'd really learn some things from him." He turned back to his mother. "I have."

"Really, Alex." Madame Duvia turned dramatically and walked to a small table where she set down her drink. "He's property. He'd do whatever you told him to do. How can he possibly do otherwise?"

Evan glanced at Alex, but his Keeper merely stared back at his mother, clearly too frustrated to speak.

Madame Duvia turned back around to face her son. "I suppose in a way it's very noble of you, taking the moral high ground as it were. But honestly, this . . . He's Sha'erah, Alex. You can pretend all you want. Call him your second-in-command, your partner." She raised both arms into the air in a dramatic shrug. "Call him your friend for all it matters. He's still Sha'erah. Nothing he does will be motivated by anything else."

Evan watched Alex as he listened to Madame Duvia's words. She was right, but in a very wrong way. Couldn't she see how her words were hurting her son by insulting everything he'd done over the past nine months? Whether Evan understood it or not, he did know Alex was like no other Keeper. For the first time in his life, he actually enjoyed being where the ring was. For once security didn't mean sacrificing.

Alex had wandered back to the table while she spoke, his back to his mother. He picked up the statue again and turned slowly. "You know, you're just like him."

"What are you talking about?"

He hefted the statue in one hand and Evan tensed, unsure if Alex would actually attack his own mother or not, or what he would do if he did.

"He wasn't what he seemed, either." Alex continued to stare at the figurine in his hand. "Everything in his apartment was rented. Right down to the art work." He raised the statue higher. "He even had this exact statue." Alex set the figurine on the table. "You're not going to change, are you, mother? I was a fool to come here, wasn't I?"

"Alex, don't be ridiculous."

Alex remained where he was but held his mother's gaze intently. "Evan is not my property, he's my friend. I'm not asking for your approval or consent, I'm just stating facts. Thanks to my father, eighty-six people are dead. I gave the claim to Franklin's crew. That's all over and done with." He shook his head almost sadly. "I was a fool to bring him here, wasn't I? I really hoped you'd change, if you just met him. But you won't even look at him." He looked around the room, still shaking his head. "I'm so sick and tired of everyone pretending to be something they're not."

"Alex, control your temper." Madame Duvia's scold went unheeded as her son turned and walked out the door. "Come back here this instant!" Evan stepped aside, allowing his Keeper to pass through on his way to the main door while keeping his eyes on the woman bearing down on him.

"Just leave me alone, mother. I made a mistake thinking you could really change." Alex stormed outside, slamming the massive doors shut with an unsatisfying, slow thud.

Evan followed his Keeper outside and found him standing several yards down the drive, dialing for another car on his pager. He slowed, squinting in the sun, and stopped a few feet behind Alex. Before he could speak, he heard the doors opening again. He turned and faced Madame Duvia, blocking her path to her son. "Alex doesn't wish to be disturbed."

The look the woman threw at Evan was ice cold, but tinged with a palpable apprehension. Her eyes widened as she stared at the Sha'erah, then searched for her son.

Evan made no move to step aside. They were the same height, so he made no attempt to look down or even disapprovingly at the woman. But he made it perfectly clear that his Keeper's wish not to be disturbed by this woman -- mother or not -- was going to be enforced. With one final huff of indignation, Madame Duvia turned and stormed back into her house, slamming the door with more success.

"Well, that went well." Alex shut off his pager and slid it into thigh pocket. "Car should be here in a minute."

Evan blinked, turning to look at Alex. "You call that going well?"

"Hell yes." Alex slid the darkened glasses into a pocket, apparently over the hangover's effects.

He never had a mother, and as a Sha'erah, it never occurred to him to care. But having seen other people interacting over the years, he'd certainly expected something other than what he just saw.

"I don't think she likes me much." Evan followed Alex in a slow walk toward the end of the long drive as they waited for the car to arrive.

Alex laughed while slipping his tinted glasses back on. "Don't take it personally, Evan. Sometimes she doesn't like me much either." He sighed and glanced back at the house. "Listen, I'm sorry about that. I shouldn't have brought you here. I just -- I actually thought she might change, you know? I thought if she could just meet you . . . Never mind."

The car arrived and Alex got in, giving the driver instructions to a park Evan didn't catch the name of. He slid in after his Keeper and made a mental note of the direction the driver took.

They followed the road leading away from Madame Duvia's large white residence, heading further away from the city. Within minutes, they were surrounded by a large, spacious park complete with decorative pathways and meticulously trimmed grass. Trees of various sizes, shapes, and colors dotted the landscape, but to the west began to grow thicker and closer together, forming a rather thickly wooded area where a wide creek flowed and disappeared in the heavy canopied darkness.

When the car stopped several yards from the beginning of the wooded area, in a small turn-around designed for land vehicles to change their direction, Alex climbed out, then leaned toward the driver.

"We need a ride back in an hour."

"Yes, sir." The driver accepted the credits with a nod of his head and a quick smile, then drove away, back the way they'd come.

Evan glanced around, automatically scanning the area for any feel of danger. There were a few people walking in the park where the trees were more sparsely placed. Lovers out for a stroll, children playing while fretting women called out for them not to get too dirty. The sun was warm on his skin, reminding him how long it had been since he'd even been on a planet, let alone in the sun. Nine months on the Ascalon hadn't seemed like a long time until that very moment.

"What are we doing here?"

Alex was looking around, smiling almost to himself. He slid the lenses off and pocketed them, squinting slightly in the bright sunlight. "I used to play here when I was a kid." He turned and scanned the park, then pointed to the creek that widened as it exited the wooded area. "That was a hell of a lot bigger when I was a kid."

Evan glanced at the creek, then looked back at Alex. "Most things are."

Alex laughed shortly, then started walking toward the edge of the woods. "I used to sneak out of the house and come down here to waste the entire day. Mother would find out Sylvester had no idea where I was and completely lose it, then ground me for a week."

"I don't blame her." Evan was treated to a glance from his Keeper, one eyebrow raised. "You leave without any trace, with no way for her to contact you or know you're safe. I'd ground you, too."

"Hell, you'd lock me in my room."

Evan trusted his "damn right I would" look sufficed for an answer.

They reached the edge of the creek and Alex bent down, gathering several small stones in one hand. One by one, he tossed the rocks into the water, making them skip several times before sinking below the surface.

"What was it about that statue you didn't like?"

Alex looked up, a frustrated expression wrinkling his face, then shrugged. "It just hit me all of a sudden. How much like him she is."

Evan shifted both feet and glanced past the creek, trying to figure this one out. His Keeper had the most annoying tendency to shift the conversation without prior notice. "She didn't seem anything like Spencer to me." She wasn't brutal, except in attitude. She hadn't cheated or killed anyone that he knew of. She was simply . . . impersonal. Okay, so they shared one trait.

Alex stopped skipping rocks and walked up a slight rise, then sat heavily on the ground, facing the park with his back to the wooded area. Evan followed, sitting beside him in the opposite direction. Something was bothering him, he could see that. But until Alex opened up, there wasn't anything Evan could do to help.

"You know, I lived in that house until I was eighteen. I knew most of what she had was designed to look like more than it was, you know? She needed to be around wealth, she's always been like that. And it suits her." He picked up a twig and started peeling the bark absently.

Evan wasn't sure where he was going with the conversation. "Your father liked what money did for him, but he didn't like wealth so much."

Alex glanced at him, his face shielded from the sun by Evan's head. "I'm not sure I see a difference." He looked at the stick in his hands and shrugged. "All I know is, all that time it never struck me quite as wrong as it did this morning." A section of bark was peeled off roughly, then tossed aside. "Looking around that house, I realized how fake it all is." Alex glanced at Evan again. "Everything's either borrowed or rented. It's not hers. Just like his apartment."

Evan sighed and looked at the trees while Alex continued to destroy the stick in his hands. He thought about pointing out how his own ship was only leased, but realized immediately that wasn't the thing to bring up. His second thought -- reminding Alex that he owned something more valuable than his mother's entire façade -- was also not such a good idea, considering how his Keeper seemed to feel about the subject of ownership.

All things considered, he deemed it best to remain silent, and let Alex continue to lead.

After several minutes of calm silence, broken only by the occasional call of an animal scurrying up a tree, Alex tossed what was left of his stick away and leaned back, supporting his weight on the palms of his hands which he set firmly on the grassy ground behind his back.

"You know, I lost my virginity in those woods."

Evan glanced at the thick forest and tried hard not to picture that. "How old were you?"

"Fifteen. What about you?"

He had to search his memory quickly, then try to calculate his age. "Sixteen, I think. Maybe a little sooner."

"You think?" Alex raised one eyebrow dramatically as he glanced at Evan. "How much of your childhood do you remember?"

"Childhood?"

"Yeah, you know, school."

Evan shook his head once. "Sha'erah don't attend school, we're trained until we're five, then given to our Keeper."

Alex glanced away for a moment. "What was that like, then? Do you remember much?"

He shrugged. "I remember a room, a couple of others like me, and constant memorization. We had to learn what we were, and what it meant, until it was a part of us. Then I was given to Spencer and started working."

Alex held his gaze for several seconds without speaking. His face an unreadable mix of anger and disbelief. Finally he shook his head and looked out at the expanse of park again, squinting slightly. "When I was five, the most important things on my mind were collecting bugs and getting dirty."

Evan knew his Keeper didn't quite understand, or didn't want to understand, and there was little hope that he ever would really understand. But it was all so simple. "It's all what you know, that's all."

Alex searched the ground for another bit of the bark to play with, listening.

"You thought nothing of your mother's life while you lived in it. Someone else might have felt differently, looking in at you. But to you, it was just your life."

"But I know better now." Alex spoke to the bark in his hands, not looking up. "I've finally seen it for what it is."

"You've changed. Things aren't the same for you any more." Evan shrugged. Things certainly weren't the same for him any more. He'd spent most of his life doing Spencer's dirty work. Now he was with Alex, doing things that didn't keep him from sleeping at night any longer.

Alex sighed as if he'd just made up his mind about something. He tossed the bark away and watched it tumble along the grass, pushed by a soft summer breeze. "Nothing's the same anymore. And it shouldn't be, ever again."

Now, what did that mean? "I doubt your mother will forget this morning any time soon."

With a frustrated grunt, Alex stood and paced a few feet away, then turned back to Evan. "When she looks at you, all she sees is a price tag."

"That's normal." Evan got up and brushed the grass from his pants.

"Normal?" He took a few steps forward. "And that guy on the shuttle coming down here, the one who couldn't stop staring, that's normal too?"

Evan sighed, watching Alex. Behind him the rented car returned and parked in the turn-around, patiently waiting for them. "What's bothering you?"

Alex just stood there, looking as frustrated as ever. Finally he shook his head once and turned toward the car. "Nothing. Come on, let's get something to eat."

In the nine months since they'd come together, Evan had learned Alex Marcase's version of "nothing", was usually something. And never anything small or insignificant, but something huge and potentially life-altering. The guy was the king of understatement sometimes, but there was no dragging it out of him until he was ready.

The car returned them to the city which was bustling with noon-time activity. Alex picked an outdoor café, crowded with diners, and was shown immediately to the best table under a sun-shade. He rolled his eyes at Evan in regards to the preferential treatment, but declined to make a scene in refusing it.

"Maybe if we got you into something other than black?" Alex spoke to Evan but stared at the patrons at the next table who hadn't been able to take their eyes off the pair since they were seated.

"It's not the clothes they're looking at." Evan ignored the curious as he always had. It was just a fact of his life that could be used to his advantage, or ignored as he saw fit.

Undaunted, Alex pulled out his pager and dialed a few numbers. On the small screen, an image of Evan appeared, dressed in his usual black attire. Within seconds, the pager made the desired connection and a list of options appeared at the bottom of the screen. Using a stylus, Alex began choosing different colors and styles which were displayed over the image.

Evan raised an eyebrow but made no comment. Their lunch orders arrived, so he started eating while his Keeper tried several variations of brightly colored clothes over his image.

"Those reports you sent to the media don't seem to have caused much of a stir." He stabbed a piece of meat with his fork and watched Alex try another loudly colored shirt on the display. "I would have thought they would."

Alex nodded absently. "They will, in time. Right now someone's trying to decide how much of what should be given to the public."

"They'll censor your reports?"

"For the most part. I prefer to call it predigesting." Alex glanced up and shrugged. "Proof of alien sentient life might freak a few people out." He returned his gaze to the pager. "So they'll examine the data, decide what they think is safe to expose and what isn't."

"That doesn't bother you?"

"No, not really. There's plenty the general public isn't privy to."

Evan wasn't sure how wise that was, considering the dangers inherent in the orb. If the general public was aware of the potential should anyone try to recreate the artifact, they might be able to prevent it. Then again, too much information in the wrong hands, and someone would find a way to build one. He was relatively certain they'd excluded enough details to prevent anyone from building another orb, but he knew enough never to let his guard down about anything anymore.

"Damn, I was wrong." Alex shut down the display and put the pager away with a shake of his head. "Black it is, my friend."

Evan sighed quietly to himself, immensely relieved to know he wasn't going to be forced into some of the strange, brightly decorated colors his Keeper had been playing with. "It's not the clothes they see." No amount of brightly colored material could hide the tattoo on his neck, or the one on the back of his hand. Let alone the silver in the palm of his hand, or the black eyes only Sha'erah possessed. The fact that his hair was also black as night and the set of his jaw could intimidate just about everyone wasn't something he could really alter, either.

Alex raised his hands in defeat and picked up his fork. "You win, this time."

"I didn't realize it was a competition."

"Though the darker blues and greens weren't all that bad."

"I already have those colors." And he'd made a point of wearing them, often, while onboard the ship. In public, he was more comfortable completely in black, where he could use the image it projected in his favor.

Before Alex could comment, his pager beeped. He flipped up the lid, then creased both eyebrows in a frown.

"What's wrong?"

"Someone inquired about the Ascalon."

His Keeper's expression and tone alerted Evan more than his words. "Inquired?"

"Dammit!" Alex closed the unit with an angry push on the lid. "The bank automatically informs me any time someone is snooping around."

"You mean, someone who wants to buy the ship? But you have first option on the lease."

"First option doesn't get you very far if you don't have the cash to back it up with."

Evan reached for the pager and turned it on, placing his left hand over the input pad. Within seconds, he'd located the bank and gained access to their public records. A minute later, he was in the highly secured files and private transactions. But what he found didn't make any sense.

"Phillip Zane, MD." Evan blinked, focusing his eyes on the here and now so he could see Alex. "He inquired about the balance on the lease."

"Zane?" Alex looked puzzled, then angry. "What the hell is he doing?"

Evan probed deeper into the files, searching out Doctor Zane's private records. The balance was startling, so he delved deeper until he found the source. "He's officially a member of the Vision, along with the other medical staff we rescued." He pulled himself mentally out of the bank's database and lifted his hand from the pager. "They've given him a share of the claim. Enough to pay off the lease on the Ascalon."

Alex shoved his plate aside and swore under his breath. "Why? Why would he want a ship? And why mine?"

"I'll talk him out of it." Evan set his jaw firmly and closed the pager.

When the waiter returned and quietly informed Alex there was no charge for their meal, his Keeper roughly shoved the proper amount of credits at him anyway and stood, motioning for Evan to follow.

"It doesn't make sense, unless he's one of them!" Alex was so angry, he shoved past the patrons waiting their turn to dine without so much as a passing apologetic nod.

Evan followed close behind, his mind reeling with possible angles the doctor could be playing, none of which made sense. "He can't be." Could he? What was he up to? If he was playing them for fools -- playing Alex for a fool after all he'd done -- Evan vowed it would be the last thing the good doctor did. With the claim of Turbidium registered, and Alex listed as merely the discoverer of dead alien artifacts, and only recorded evidence at that, there was only one way he could possibly afford to pay for the Ascalon if someone else was making a bid on the ship.

The shuttle trip back to the orbital shipyards seemed twice as long as the trip down, even though they were two of only five passengers making the return trip. Alex sat opposite Evan, fuming silently and muttering under his breath now and again. His mood was one of the darkest Evan had yet witnessed, and he couldn't help seeing Spencer in those green eyes. For a shorter, somewhat unassuming man, Alex could look surprisingly dangerous when he was angry. But it was a look he had to feel in order to enact. Unlike his father, Alex obviously felt whatever he was expressing. None of his many facial expressions was void of the emotion behind them, or the sincerity. It was a trait Evan had found surprising, then almost reassuring. There were plenty of times he didn't understand a word his Keeper was saying, or what he was trying to get at by skirting around it, but he never had to guess the man's mood.

It was something he'd come to rely on. Something he wasn't ready to start missing.

"Oh my, well, this is awkward." Doctor Zane stood behind his desk, fidgeting with a stylus as he looked from Alex to Evan and back again. "I had hoped to approach you before you heard any rumors that may have given you any undue worry."

"What do you want with a deep space ship?"

Alex was standing directly in front of the desk, staring at the doctor in confused disbelief while Evan stood several feet behind his Keeper, unsure how far this would go or how much pressure he'd be allowed to use in order to keep the ship. He kept his eyes trained on the doctor, fully aware of the added intimidation that caused.

"Honestly, Captain, I had no intention of actually buying this ship out from under you." Doctor Zane swallowed, shaking his head. "I wouldn't do such a thing."

"Then why the inquiry?"

"I . . . well, actually I was curious. You see, I have a proposition for you, and Evan."

"Proposition?" Alex's tone softened slightly and his posture relaxed.

"Yes, you see, I -- ah -- Well, I'd like to hire you." Zane stopped fidgeting and looked Alex straight in the eye. "Both of you. I thought perhaps, since I find myself unexpectedly in possession of the required funds, that I could hire you to do something for me. In payment, I'd like to purchase the lease option, in your name of course, to the Ascalon."

Evan blinked. He couldn't see Alex's face from where he stood, but he judged by the silence in the room that his Keeper was just as surprised as he was by the change in direction of the conversation.

"Hire us for what?" Alex glanced over his shoulder at Evan, eyebrows creased.

"Well, you're an explorer. You find things no one else knows about." Zane swallowed, looking over at Evan to include him in the conversation. "And the two of you would be particularly suited for this little venture."

Evan took a few steps closer, so Alex wouldn't have to keep looking over his shoulder at him. What the doctor could possibly want to find was beyond him, but somehow he got the impression his Keeper might have a clue.

Doctor Zane cleared his throat and continued. "I've studied the Sha'erah most of my professional life, up until I was strongly persuaded to cease and desist, that is."

"Oh come on, Doc." Alex shook his head once, one hand raised as if to stop him from speaking. "You can't honestly expect -- "

"I don't expect anything," Zane interrupted. "In fact, I'm willing to offer up payment now."

There was something missing in this conversation Evan couldn't quite put a finger on. He looked at Alex, confused. "What's going on here?"

Alex was looking at Zane, jaw firmly set, breathing through his nose as if something in the room smelled offensive. Finally, he addressed Evan, still looking at Zane. "He wants us to find out where you come from."

Evan's mind went completely blank. The words registered, but their meaning was completely lost. "What?" He ignored Zane, looking only at the side of Alex's face.

"Not just you, Evan, but all Sha'erah. I've been studying your people, as many as I've been able to, with the goal of ultimately finding where you come from." Doctor Zane spoke to Evan, while Evan looked at Alex who continued to stare at Doctor Zane. "Every time I came even close, I was forced away. Don't you see, Evan, now that I know my theory about your control over that ring is true . . . Now that I've been able to prove that what you've been taught all your life might not be true . . . " He glanced at Alex, adding more entreaty to his voice. "Now that I've seen proof of the type of partnership that's possible between a Sha'erah and the right Keeper, I feel honor bound to do all I can to go as far as I can. The others, they deserve to know. Life does not have to be the way you were taught."

Evan heard what the man was saying, but he still didn't think he understood. He kept waiting for Alex to explain, but his Keeper was just standing there, listening with that set to his jaw that suggested an internal struggle. Of course he was going to tell Zane he was out of his mind. Any second now. It was foolish to even consider.

"There's nothing wrong with the way I was taught." Evan met Zane's gaze straight on.

"I know this isn't an easy idea to grasp, Evan. But even you have to admit your life with Alex is a far cry from the life you led with Spencer Marcase."

Evan felt his face flush. Only practiced discipline kept him from showing his sudden discomfort. He looked at Alex. "No one can find what he wants to find. It's ridiculous to even try."

Alex looked away for a moment. He took a few steps back away from the desk and started twisting the ring around on his finger. "My father found it."

"Your father found the right contacts, that's all. He placed an order."

"With someone who knew where to find it." Alex continued to pace the small office, twisting his ring as he walked while looking at the floor.

He couldn't possibly be serious! "You're not thinking of doing this, are you?" Evan glanced at Zane. "It can't be done. Even I don't know where I came from." He turned to Alex again. "No one's going to let you get that close. You don't even know where to start looking."

"It could be pretty dangerous." Alex paused in his pacing, but continued to speak to the floor.

"It will be dangerous! You know what I'm worth, what your father paid for me. If they think you're a threat to that, you'll be in serious danger." This was outrageous! What is he thinking? "I can't let you risk yourself for nothing."

Alex stopped pacing and looked at Zane. "Give me the night to think this over."

"It's too dangerous." Evan shook his head sharply.

"Then you'd better make sure nothing happens while we're out there." Alex grinned and gave Evan's arm a pat, then turned and walked toward the door. "'Cause I don't have a will."

"What?" Evan stood there, staring after his Keeper, dumbfounded. When the door closed, blocking his view, he turned and stared at Zane, blinking. "Is he kidding?"

"About the will, or the proposal?"

"Both!" Evan wanted to throw up both hands in complete frustration, but that kind of display in regards to Alex wouldn't be proper in Zane's company. The man was trustworthy, and had proven himself an ally for the most part, but there were limits. "He could no sooner find where I come from than I could. It's ridiculous."

"It's possible."

"It's dangerous." Evan didn't want to address the shocking news that Alex had still failed to rewrite his will now that he was in possession of a Sha'erah. That was too much to think about! His head was spinning from the strange notions being tossed around the room from out of nowhere. "No one's going to let him that close. And if he did, out of some miracle, manage to find out where I come from, what then? You think whoever, or whatever, creates us is going to let you, or anyone else for that matter, change the way things are done?"

Zane shrugged. "I have to try."

"Why?" Evan found himself pacing the room now. "Why fix what isn't broken? There's nothing wrong with my life. I like my life! I've always liked my life."

"But have you always liked the life you were living?" Zane stayed behind his desk, smiling slightly as he watched the Sha'erah pace around the office. "Evan, your life with Spencer . . . It was all you knew, and you liked it. But now . . . Now that you've been with Alex these nine months, can you honestly say they're the same life?"

Evan was shaking his head, denying the words he knew were true, willing them to go away even as they sank in. It was wrong. Wrong to question who your Keeper was, wrong to desire anything for your own life. It was wrong! "I was with Spencer, now I'm with Alex." What was so wrong about that? It was his life, it was normal, natural. He didn't want that to change.

"Yes, but tell me this, Evan . . . If you were still with Spencer when you learned you had a choice -- that you could move that ring on your own -- would you have wanted to stay?"

Evan stopped his pacing. "That would never have happened."

"I know that, considering the circumstances. But things change. You made the choice to put that ring back on Alex's finger, Evan, whether you're willing to acknowledge that or not. And frankly, I think it was a wise decision. I'm not saying we can save the universe here. But I've seen how you and Alex are together. You've managed to reach a potential that I feel all Sha'erah and Keepers would benefit from. If they had Keepers willing to accept them the way Alex has accepted you."

"You mean ignoring the monetary value?" Evan watched Zane nod. "But that will never happen. Keepers pay for Sha'erah. No one just gives up that kind of money." Zane sighed deeply. "Think it over. Alex hasn't made up his mind yet. The two of you should discuss this."

Evan shook his head but said nothing. He left the office and walked back toward their quarters, through corridors now empty of crew since docking. Zane didn't understand. Whatever Alex decided, providing he wasn't going to get himself killed, was what they were going to do. It wouldn't matter what he thought or how he felt about it. Hell, he didn't even know how he felt about it. They were talking about his people as if they were broken, and in need of repairs. But he didn't feel broken. He'd never felt his life was anything he should be angry about.

Sure, there were times he was forced to do things he didn't particularly like. That was just part of life. They didn't reflect back on him, anyway. Sha'erah only did what their Keepers ordered, after all. What better life could there be? He had security, shelter, responsibility. Even if he was ever sold, he knew that security would follow along.

Technically, he knew he controlled the ring. But that hadn't changed anything. He was still Sha'erah!

When he returned to their quarters, he found Alex at the computer, confirming the Ascalon's appointment with the shipyards.

"You're considering it, aren't you?"

Alex shrugged and typed out a few commands, then shut down the computer. He stood and walked to the galley, dialing up an order of coffee. "What do you think?"

"What do I think?" Evan walked to the counter and stopped, facing Alex. "I think it doesn't matter what I think."

"I wouldn't have asked if it didn't matter."

"You mean, if I said I didn't want you to do this, you wouldn't do it?" He knew it couldn't possibly be that easy.

"I didn't say that, exactly." Alex grinned and shoved two cups under the dispenser. "But I wanna know." He handed Evan one of the cups, then leaned against the galley unit, watching him.

Evan lifted the cup and stared at it, wondering if the answer might be in the steam somewhere. When it wasn't forthcoming, he shrugged. "I don't know exactly how I feel about it."

Alex nodded and raised his cup. "Well, I can relate to that."

"You know, until nine months ago, you didn't even believe I could exist." What did they expect from him? They were asking nothing less than for Evan to completely toss out everything he'd ever believed in, everything he knew. What would become of his life then? Did they expect him to change just because they'd found others and taught them something new? The ring hadn't changed anything. He'd put that right back where it belonged.

"Okay, why don't I tell you what I'm thinking?" Alex took his cup and walked to the large window, now sporting a view of the Scotian orbital station and the shipyards beyond. "You're right. Until I met you, I didn't believe Sha'erah were anything but a myth. Hell, even after I met you, I still didn't believe it. And from what I understand, even you don't know the truth about where you come from. Or how," he nodded in the general direction Evan presumed was his left hand, "that's done."

He made a fist self consciously, noticing the familiar feel of the metal interface that was part of his palm.

"See, my life was pretty set in stone before VanHolt called. But ever since that day, on almost a daily basis since then, I've realized everything I thought I knew -- everything I'd always taken for granted in my life and the lives of those around me -- it was all a lie."

Evan took a half step backwards so he could sit on one of the tall stools at the counter and still watch Alex. "Not everything."

"Okay, ninety percent, give or take." Alex waved a hand in the air. "My father, Jeff, Paulson Carpenter. Hell, nearly half my crew! Nothing was what I thought it was." He paused as if thinking of something in the past. "I can't help thinking that there's something, maybe just one thing out there, that I could get to the bottom of."

"And you think that's finding out where my people come from?" Evan shook his head. "Just finding out where and why isn't what Zane has in mind." If he understood the man correctly, he wanted to ultimately disrupt the entire dynamic that made Evan what he was. Where would that leave him?

"Zane has his own agenda." Alex shook his head. "I'm just tired of mysteries and deceit. Maybe if I could figure this one out, just answer the question of your origins once and for all and get past all these rumors and myths, it would be enough."

"Will it?"

"Aren't you curious?"

"No." Evan shook his head sharply and carried his cup around to the reclamator. "We're taught not to be."

"Sure, you're taught not to be, but aren't you just a little curious anyway?" Alex walked to the galley. "God knows, I would be."

Evan shrugged. Of course he was. Who wouldn't be? But fear usually overshadowed curiosity. "It could be dangerous."

"I'll have you to make sure it isn't."

"I won't let you get killed trying to do this, no matter what you say."

Alex grinned and nodded, accepting the limitation. "If we can get Zane to pay off the lease, take this job and go as far as we can with it, that's all we have to do. If it gets too dangerous, or we simply can't get any further than he did, so be it. We tried."

Evan felt as if his Keeper was actually waiting for him to agree. As if he'd reconsider should he put up more resistance. How much did this mean to him? Or more importantly, how much did this mean to Alex? The man had been betrayed by so many trusted people and ideals lately, his entire outlook must be completely shaken. Maybe this wasn't so much about him, as it was about his Keeper. Alex needed something solid, something he could know was fact, instead of fiction. He hated Spencer for what he'd done to his own son.

"I want this ship, Evan." Alex met his gaze, green eyes sparkling. "But not at your expense. You were with me when I shoved dear old dad out into space. If I'd wanted this ship at any cost, I would have kept him around and picked up every reward I could find."

Evan's mind flashed back to that day, and the confusion he'd felt about his Keeper's decision and remarks. Unsure of what to say, he waited for Alex to continue.

"We both profited from him in ways he never could have guessed. None of which involves money, lies, or deceit." Alex's eyes seemed to lose focus, as if he was remembering something only he could see. "I gained a second-in-command I can trust, a friend who's willing to save my ass at any cost." He grinned and looked up at Evan. "And one hell of a verbal sparring partner."

Evan held his Keeper's gaze intently, looking for any sign of the father in his son. He really means this.

Alex cleared his throat, still smiling but more seriously. "What I'm trying to get at here is . . . You're my friend, Evan. I want this ship, and yes, I want to get to the bottom of at least one mystery in my life. But it's not worth trying if you're set against it." He shrugged and waved one hand. "It's just a ship. I could always get another one. So this time, it's your choice."

He really does mean this! Evan had no idea what to do. He'd never been faced with this before in his entire life, or even taught what to do should it ever happen. He swallowed, frantically searching his mind for a clue what to do next. There was only one decision to make.

"Do you even know where to start?"

Chapter 3

Alex's mind was blank. Evan had agreed with him about taking Zane up on the offer, and they'd told the doctor over dinner, working out the details and boundaries of their proposed venture. But now that it was all agreed upon, it was starting to sink in. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring blankly out at the shipyards visible from his bedroom window, hoping his lack of sleep wasn't keeping Evan awake.

It wasn't his intention to be sitting there staring out at space without a single clear thought in his head. He'd planned on working out a strategy, or at least a first move that might begin their new job of finding out where the Sha'erah actually came from. He thought he could sit down, figure out a good place to start and some kind of cover story to work with, should they need one. But he was blank. Totally, completely, and utterly . . . blank.

He forced his eyes into focus and looked at his own reflection in the heavily shielded glass. "Come on, Alex, think." This wasn't any different than any other job, really. He was setting out to find something no one else had found. Sort of. Okay, something very few had ever found. But how hard could this be? He was used to finding things other people considered out of reach. All you had to do was take it one step at a time. Just like mapping out a route through a nebula.

"Right." Alex rolled his eyes and got up to use the bathroom. After washing his hands, he splashed cold water on his face and stared at the dripping reflection in the mirror. "You really don't know where to start, do you?" Not one clue. He splashed more water on his face and watched the drops fall back to the sink. "Okay, one step at a time." At least there was no competition this time. No other ships to beat to some destination. And he had an advantage with Evan right here.

"Okay, so start with what you know." He pulled a towel down and dragged it roughly over his face. What do I know? There was some irony. Until the day he met Evan, he hadn't even believed, let alone known about any Sha'erah. But now he did. So, he had a place to start. Evan must know something of where he came from, even if he didn't realize it. Trouble was, he said he was five when Spencer took possession of him. How much did anyone remember from that long ago?

Zane had researched them for years, so he had to have some information Alex could build on. "It's a start." Alex flipped off the bathroom light and wandered back to the bed. He really should get some sleep, it was after midnight. There hadn't been any nightmares since last week, even without the pills.

In the morning, he'd go over with Zane what he'd learned in his years of research. The doctor was getting his data together for them, full disclosure such as it was. "That'll be a first." Alex pushed the blankets aside and fell onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Could he really trust the man to tell him everything he knew, and not hold anything back? He'd been able to trust him so far, but that inquiry regarding the Ascalon's price had shaken his confidence.

"God, Alex, you've become a real paranoid, you know that?" Evan was right. He was paranoid, plain and simple. Everyone couldn't possibly be out to get him. Could they? After all, he hadn't lost his entire crew, just a large chunk of it. And while his mother was supremely annoying and self-centered, she hadn't betrayed him like his father had. Paulson Carpenter had been lying to him for years, but he knew the truth now. The man couldn't possibly expect anything from him in the future.

As his body tried to relax into sleep, Alex felt a slight chill come over his legs. He kicked both feet under the blanket and dragged it up to his waist, then hammered a fist into the pillow. Zane's sleeping pills were on the small table, along with a glass of water. He sighed, considering the possibility of Evan being kept awake by his inability to shut off his thoughts. Resigned, he opened the bottle and swallowed the required number of small pills, then lay back and waited for the inevitable drifting sensation.

Seconds after he realized he was falling into the soft respite of sleep, the morning chime was insisting it was hours later. Alex rolled over and stared at the chronometer, willing it to be wrong. Damn. From now on, he was going to give Evan the sleeping pills. There was nothing worse than dragging your brain and body out of a drugged sleep that hadn't started until midway through the night.

With a deep sigh and gritted teeth, Alex threw the blanket off and stumbled out of bed, heading for the bathroom. It was like a hangover without the headache, but he knew a shower and coffee would shake it off. He just needed the will to get that far.

After his teeth were clean he felt slightly more human. The shower helped finish off the transformation, so when he faced his reflection in the steamed mirror, it wasn't quite as horrific as he'd expected.

His stomach urged him to hurry, so he shaved quickly and found clean clothes, then headed out to the main living area in search of breakfast. As usual, Evan was there, already setting plates of food onto the table.

"Did you sleep okay last night?" Alex finished buttoning his shirt as he sat down. He couldn't help noticing the slight droop in the Sha'erah's eyelids as he set the last plate on the table.

Evan shrugged. "Not bad. Had a little trouble waking up this morning, though."

Alex wondered how much of that was his fault. "I didn't know if I was keeping you awake last night or not, but around one o'clock I took a couple of those pills." He shook his head and reached for the coffee. "I've had enough of those, I can tell you."

"The nightmares are gone?" Evan didn't seem to care that his own sluggishness was his Keeper's fault.

Alex nodded, swallowing. "Haven't had one in almost a week." He waved his fork in the air. "I was just tired, and couldn't get that orb out of my head, that's all. A couple of good nights' sleep and it was all taken care of."

"You're sure that's all it was?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." Alex concentrated on his breakfast to avoid any mental image of the orb again. Memories of it still sent chills through his body. At night, he could hear the echoes of footsteps in a dead ship, a frozen sentinel alone in space, waiting for alien explorers to plod through the remains of a lifeless crew.

Alex cleared his throat. "You said you remembered a room where you were taught the rules . . . Do you remember anything else back then?" He glanced at Evan and saw the man's jaw clench momentarily. A second later, he relaxed and shook his head.

"No, not really."

"Not really?"

Evan sighed, looking at the steam rising from his cup. "I remember . . . There were a lot of machines around, I think. No teachers, just programs running all the time. Lots of memorization." He looked up and met Alex's gaze. "We were either there in that one room or sleeping." He shrugged. "I think some of what we learned was done then, while we slept."

"Subliminal training?" Alex had heard of that, but it was outlawed. That figures. "I remember reading about something . . . The military tried that once, centuries ago. It worked so well they . . . " he swallowed. He remembered how the military had used subliminal training on a group of soldiers, but it worked so well, they'd ended up creating mindless fighting machines, incapable of thinking on their own, or disobeying any orders given by a superior. "They had to stop, I think, 'cause someone abused the idea. Typical military cover up type stuff." Alex shrugged and kept his eyes on his coffee, hoping Evan didn't read his expression.

"All I know is I was there, then I was with Spencer." Evan started clearing the empty plates. "Even if I could remember a face, or anything about the rooms, it wouldn't lead us to the source. It's a big universe."

"Yeah." Alex finished his coffee, then refilled the cup at the dispenser. He turned around to lean against the wall while Evan shoved the dishes into the receptacle. "Still, there is a source. You came from somewhere, and someone did the teaching. Zane must have some information we can use."

"I've looked at his files, there's not much there."

"He's met other Sha'erah, at least."

"So have I, that doesn't mean much."

"It's more than what I have."

Evan shook his head once and leaned against the counter. "All the Sha'erah he met had been sold at least once."

"Which means what?"

"It means the Keepers Zane knew bought their Sha'erah from other Keepers."

Alex raised one eyebrow in slow understanding. He sighed heavily and fingered the ring while he thought. "So, Zane never knew anyone who ordered a Sha'erah directly?" And he'd killed the only man he knew who had. Still, there had to be someone around who knew how to make contact with a dealer. "Okay, there has to be a logical way to figure this out."

"Does there?"

He ignored the comment and pushed away from the wall so he could pace around the living area. "You guys are expensive. Really expensive. And not exactly illegal."

"Of course not." Evan remained where he was, leaning on the counter with both arms crossed in front of his chest, watching Alex.

"So, if something's only available to the rich elite, you don't go to dark bars on the bad side of town to make a deal."

"You don't find dealers listed in the planetary directories, either."

"Question is, do the buyers make the contact, or the dealers?" Alex kept spinning the ring around his finger.

"Who usually makes deals for the rich?"

Alex looked up. Evan's question seemed as if it wasn't just tossed out, but actually expectant. A slow awareness was beginning to dawn. "Lawyers."

"If you can't find an original buyer, maybe you can find his middle-man."

Something tugged at the back of Alex's mind. Something he didn't think he wanted to pay attention to. "Did Zane do any tracing? Figure out who bought who from who?"

Evan shrugged. "I didn't see where he had, but I didn't read it all yet. We'll have to ask him."

Alex shook his head, dismissing the thought that flashed by. "That's probably no good. These buyers must be worlds away from each other, spread all over the galaxy. They're not likely to have any one person in common."

"Don't look at it that big." Evan unfolded his arms and stepped forward. "It's not the galaxy you're looking at."

Alex blinked, staring at the Sha'erah. He found it hard to keep up with the changes in direction their conversations frequently took, but more often than not, the detours led somewhere.

"If you find one dealer, or one buyer, you'll find a way to get to the source."

"Right, but how do I find one?"

Evan held his gaze for a long, quiet moment. "You know one."

Alex blinked. "Spencer's dead, Evan."

"Paulson Carpenter isn't."

When a slight breeze from the air circulation vents hit Alex in the mouth, he realized it was hanging open. He licked dry lips and swallowed. Miranda's words echoed inside his head. My father had one when I was young. "How do you know he didn't buy from another Keeper?"

Evan shrugged. "I don't, but the signs are there."

"Signs?"

He sighed and walked to the couch, but stopped when he reached one arm and sat on that instead, facing Alex. "I'm not sure if it's true, or just something Spencer made up. But when Harvey's Sha'erah was killed, I heard him saying he could never order another one."

"Order another one? You mean, he couldn't buy another one from wherever it is you all come from?" Alex pondered that idea. "But then, he wouldn't want to, would he? A new Sha'erah would be, what, five years old?"

Evan didn't reply.

"You're telling me, at five years old, you were fully capable of doing whatever Spencer wanted?" His blood grew cold. Harvey had owned an assassin.

"Capable, but not experienced. But Spencer said since Harvey's first Sha'erah was killed, he could never order another. If he wanted another Sha'erah, he'd have to buy one from another Keeper."

Alex felt sick, deep inside. Someone out there not only created human beings that could be bought and sold at will, but they had first-time buyer's rules? And all this went on in full view of anyone willing to see it. Which he hadn't, up until nine months ago. "That doesn't necessarily mean Carpenter bought his directly. He might have run out of money, and that's why he never bought a replacement."

Evan shrugged. "There's only one way to find out."

Carpenter. Alex shook his head and started pacing again, feeling the anger welling up inside. Paulson Carpenter had been in on this from the beginning, working for Spencer all along. He hadn't offered to fund the trip to the nebula because it was a good business venture and Alex stood the best chance of winning. He'd done it because Spencer told him to. Even back on the Terria Rose, when Alex was traveling to Cryian II for the reading of his father's will, Paulson Carpenter had known the plan. Had Miranda been part of it, or was she just as ignorant as Alex had been for so many years?

"Are you going to be okay with this?" Alex walked to the couch. "We don't know what we're going to find, if we're successful. But whatever it is, nothing's going to change."

Evan looked away, shrugging slightly.

"Look, you don't need it, but you have my permission to express an opinion." Alex wasn't sure if he was hoping his friend would ask that they not do this, or agree it was a good idea. He knew finding the answers wasn't going to be worth losing what they'd fought so hard to gain. But he needed to find a way out from under all the mystery. Just this once.

Now it was Evan's turn to pace. He pushed away from the couch arm and walked halfway to the door before turning around. "You watched your own life turn upside down when what you thought was real turned out to be lies." He stopped and looked at Alex, black eyes sparkling in the room's white lights.

"You're right," Alex felt the heavy weight of that reality pressing in on his mind. "Everything I thought was true, was a lie. It wasn't easy, and sometimes I wish I was still ignorant." He shook his head slowly and looked down at the ring on his finger. "But with your help, I got through it." He looked at Evan again. "I'm still getting through it. Knowing the truth, finally, is going to make me a better person." He knew, deep down, that was probably debatable. And if anyone had the balls to debate him on it, it was Evan.

"I'll have to get back to you on that."

Alex laughed shortly. "Perfect."

"So are you going to talk to Carpenter?"

"You're okay with this?"

Evan paused, then nodded very slightly. "With your help."

Alex smiled. It was another small step in the right direction. Though he wasn't at all sure what he'd do if and when Evan stopped thinking like a slave altogether. "I'll talk to Carpenter."

That turned out to be harder than he expected. Finding the man wouldn't be all that hard, but for Alex, finding it in him to look was. He figured the best stall was a visit with Doctor Zane, so he told Evan it would be better to interview the doctor, rather than simply reading his journals.

"People tend to remember different things when they're talking." It was a line, but Evan seemed willing to accept it.

Doctor Zane still resided in the Ascalon's crew quarters, staying on as the ship's physician as long as he was needed. That had changed the day he realized he could afford to purchase the ship out from under Alex, but the contract they'd drawn up would prevent that from happening.

"Did you get the files?" Zane smiled at the men as they sat, then offered them coffee. "I gave Evan full access to my pager, everything I had collected through the years."

Alex raised one eyebrow and glanced at Evan, surprised the doctor had given up all rights to any privacy. "Don't worry, Doc, I believe you." As shocking as it was to find out Zane had investigated the ship's lease, he'd since gotten over any suspicions of the man. "Evan gave them a go-over already. I just wanted to chat a bit, see if there's anything you might know that you didn't think to write down." He caught the glance Evan threw his way and ignored it. "You said you'd met five other Sha'erah over the years, but there's no mention of where their Keepers obtained them?"

Zane shook his head. "Sadly, no. None of the five were the original owners, and they weren't exactly forthcoming about who they'd made the purchase from. Sha'erah aren't exactly like other collections, Alex. There isn't a list of who owns which one, or even which ones there are. People tend to make these transactions very privately, and withhold the names of both parties. I presume due to the amount of money involved."

"Did you ever try to buy one?"

Both Zane and Alex looked at Evan.

"No, unfortunately that wouldn't have worked. You see, I was known. Even on planets I'd never been to before, word of who I was and what I wanted seemed to reach everyone involved before I did."

"The rich know each other well." Alex fingered the ring with his thumb. "And, all things considered, they'd know me, too." He wouldn't be surprised if every Keeper alive today know all about Spencer's little trick. His bet with Signus Harvey must be legendary by now. "Going under cover isn't going to be possible. Evan can't hide who he is, and they'd see me coming a mile away."

"Besides, no Keeper buys a second Sha'erah." Evan shook his head. "Who could afford it?"

"I can say that out of the five pairs I met, I'm relatively sure at least one of them can still be found together." Zane produced his pager and turned the unit on, scrolling through files until he found the one he was looking for. "Regian Kellman, of Murcadia. A very wealthy man, his family founded the planet and now he owns it. His Sha'erah's name is Thomas." He looked at Alex. "I'm sure they're still together, since Regian owns an entire planet. He wouldn't have had need to sell, and I shouldn't imagine their lives are anywhere near as dangerous as the others."

Alex wondered if danger and deceit were some kind of prerequisite for buying a Sha'erah. "That's a start."

"What about Carpenter?"

Alex turned to look at Evan, eyes narrowing. "He doesn't own one now, this guy does."

"Paulson’s right here. Murcadia's two weeks away."

"This Kellman guy's got enough money to have connections Paulson couldn't even touch."

"You're stalling."

"You're pushing." They stared at each other, green eyes meeting black, until finally Alex turned to Zane. The doctor was watching the exchange with a slight smile on his face. "You see what I go through trying to communicate with this guy?" At least Evan spoke in front of Zane, so Alex didn't have to explain what it was like.

Not to be outdone, Evan turned his attention to the doctor. "He's impossible to understand."

Zane shook his head, smiling at them with extreme tolerance. "The two of you communicate perfectly well, if you ask me."

"Yeah, well," Alex stood, glancing down at Evan. "we seem to muddle through. So, first things first." He switched his attention back to Doctor Zane. "Your first assignment is to find us transportation out to Murcadia. Evan and I will see if Carpenter's even on Scotian right now."

Evan stood, arching both eyebrows. "If he is?"

"Then we'll see."

"There's usually a passenger transport headed in that general direction once a week. I'll see what I can book for us." Zane smiled, then winked once at Evan.

Alex just shook his head in resigned frustration and led the way out of Zane's office. Since the doctor was purchasing the Ascalon in payment for his and Evan's investigation, Alex granted him permanent residence on board the ship. Most of his crew came and went with each new job, moving out within weeks of docking as they took on new jobs with other ships, or vacationed on various planets until the money ran out.

Walking through the corridors of the basically empty ship, with only the dull echo of their footsteps on carpeted floors, Alex was vaguely reminded of his nightmare. It was surprising how clinically he could now recall that horrific scene. He hadn't thought about that night in a while, or about the strange sensation of aloneness that had been so strong and painful. They reached a lift and Alex pressed the call button, glancing at Evan standing beside him.

Must be why the memory of that nightmare doesn't bother me now. In the dream, he couldn't find Evan anywhere. He found his crew, all dead, but couldn't recall their names. The only person he'd found before waking in a pool of sweat that night was his father.

That recollection made Alex shudder as he stepped into the lift car.

"What's wrong? Are you cold?"

"No." He punched the docking level and stood, holding a hand pole to maintain his balance during the drop. "Just thinking about Carpenter." Alex stared at the closed lift car doors and felt his jaw muscles tighten. "I grew up thinking he was an honorable, forthright, upstanding man. A pillar of society with enough clout and power to build that company from nothing into the dynasty that it is today." He shook his head abruptly, still looking at the crease where both doors met. "I used to respect that man."

"This is his loss, not yours." The doors opened and Evan stepped out.

Alex stared after him, then hurried to catch up. "His loss? You mean the Turbidium."

"Not just that." Evan continued to walk toward the main hatch where the Ascalon was connected to the massive docking bay. "You're still the best and fastest explorer in this section of the galaxy. He's lost the option to hire you for any other discoveries he wants for his company, insuring his loss from now on. He has to know that."

Alex considered his friend's words as they walked.

"That, and he's lost your respect." Evan shrugged. "It was his choice. He made the wrong one and he'll have to live with it."

"Well, you're a hell of a lot more charitable than I am. I just wanna kill him." They reached the end of the airlock tube and stepped out onto the deck of the Scotian orbital station inside the sealed monolith. Suddenly Alex's own words registered. "I didn't mean that literally."

Evan glanced at him, one eyebrow raised, but said nothing.

"Okay, so I wouldn't exactly be too upset if he met with some unfortunate accident, but I'm not asking you to do anything."

"I know you aren't, you said you wanted to."

"I do, but not literally." Alex sighed and searched the area for the nearest public directory.

"You know, if you don't want to meet with him, you can send me."

Evan's tone was so calmly matter-of-fact, Alex had to stop and look him in the eye to see if he might be hiding something. The black eyes meeting his could have hidden anything and never given a hint of what they knew.

"Tempting." Alex swallowed, then caught a glimpse of what he was looking for and started walking toward it. Sending Evan in his place to get information would certainly put the fear of God into the man, after what he'd done. Unless . . . "You don't think he could have worked for Spencer and not known it, do you?" They reached the kiosk, but Alex paused before calling up the planetary pages.

Evan didn't answer right away, and seemed to be focused on something else for a moment. Finally he gave one shoulder a slight lift. "It's possible."

Alex made a slight snort of disgust. "That's not what I wanted to hear."

"Look what Spencer accomplished, right under our noses." Evan's normally dark expression grew even darker. "I was his Sha'erah, since childhood. And even I didn't know he owned Carpenter's business, let alone even knew the man."

A sudden twinge of guilt tugged at Alex's conscience. He could imagine Evan's guilt simply by the look on his face, and realized the Sha'erah must feel just as guilty and betrayed as he did. Well thanks, Dad, for screwing us both over so thoroughly. To cover his discomfort, Alex pointed to the input pad. "Carpenter's private residence won't be listed."

Evan nodded and placed his left palm over the pad. Within seconds, a number appeared on the screen, with a impetuously blinking warning that they were viewing private information.

"Thanks." Alex copied the number into his pager, then dialed. "It's busy."

"I can cut in," Evan offered.

"No, I'll leave a message. I want the upper hand this time." Alex quickly reviewed possible meeting places in his head, then settled on one he thought would do. When the option opened up on the screen, he accepted and looked into the recorder. "We need to talk. Meet me at the Scotian Arms, in one hour. Don't make me come looking for you." He typed in a time, then added the verbal confirmation. "Deliver message five hours from now."

"Affirmative." The polite, mechanical voice chirp.

"Why so late?"

Alex shoved the pager back into the inside pocket of his jacket and grinned. "Cause right now, we're going to go see Mother again."

Evan's expression was clearly readable this time as astonishment and confusion vied for his face. "Your mother? Why?"

"I want to know all she knows about Carpenter, and everything else, for that matter." Alex nodded toward the shuttle docks, still grinning mischievously. "Besides, if I'm going to rip Paulson a new one, I need to practice being a hardass. Who better to practice on?"

"I think that's debatable."

Evan strode purposefully toward the nearest dock with a shuttle ready to load while Alex once again found himself staring after the man. With a short laugh, he caught up. "It's debatable that I need to practice, or that mother's the best training ground?"

"Have you always been that defiant around her?" Evan neatly avoided answering the question as he boarded the shuttle.

"Defiant?" Alex slipped into the seat opposite the Sha'erah and shrugged. "That wasn't defiance, yesterday morning. I was just frustrated."

The shuttle was only half full, but the passengers onboard had all noticed Evan. Already they were switching between outright stares and embarrassed attempts not to look. It frustrated Alex almost as much as Evan's silence in the company of strangers. He knew he could continue his side of the conversation, and use the Sha'erah's inherent refusal to speak in so much mixed company as his own conversational advantage. But he also knew himself well enough to realize how much that would add to his growing anger.

One businessman accidentally caught Alex's eye as he pretended to be glancing around the passenger compartment for the nearest exit as the recorded safety program droned on. It took every bit of willpower he had not to read the man the riot act. Alex pursed his lips with the effort not to speak, then focused all of his concentration on the silver ring as he twisted it around his finger.

By the time the shuttle landed, he was surprised he hadn't accidentally twisted the silver metal right off.

"How can you stand that?"

Evan glanced around as they exited the transport. "What?"

"Them." Alex waved a hand at the backs of the other passengers as they moved on about their business. "The way they stare at you all the time."

"They don't all do that. Only the ones who know what I am, and just because they've probably never seen one before."

Alex made a face and flagged down a car. "That doesn't make it right."

"I didn't say it was right, but it's normal. I'm used to it."

"And that makes it okay?"

"Is this about people staring, or your mother?"

Alex pulled the back door of the car open and pointed. "Just get in." He hated being so transparent. Was that what made it so easy for other people to take him for a ride? "Driver, we need number twelve Amber Street."

The driver nodded and pulled easily into the light traffic. Alex sat back and stared out the window at the various other vehicles and buildings they passed. The sun was shining, declaring an early summer much to the delight of the residents, promising grand vacation weather for the crewmen and women of the Ascalon who called Scotian home. Alex knew he probably could have negotiated a vacation and still accepted the job for Zane, but he didn't want to put this off. There was an urgency about it he could feel bubbling under the surface, a need to resolve the mystery of the Sha'erah once and for all, before he felt he could do anything else. Including relax.

"Why the Scotian Arms?"

"What?" Alex looked up and realized Evan had raised the privacy screen between the driver and passengers, creating a sound proof environment.

"The Scotian Arms. Is there a reason you picked that as a meeting place?"

Alex shrugged. "It was kind of an unconscious choice, really. It's in the higher class section of town, but right in the middle of a neighborhood owned by a rival company." He glanced out the window to judge their location.

"Good idea." Evan nodded appreciatively. "An atmosphere he's comfortable with but a setting where he'll have few allies. You've given this some thought."

Alex looked up at Evan, surprised. "Actually no, I didn't. But I suppose I should. I'm not even sure I can face him without getting violent."

The Sha'erah's eyes flashed with suppressed anger. "You should let me deal with him. He probably won't be any help anyway, considering."

God, it was tempting. Just let Evan meet up with Carpenter in some back alley somewhere, and give the man his due without having to see him. Or at the very least, let him scare some humility into the double-crosser, put the fear of God into him, maybe scare out the information they were hoping to find.

Okay, so what does that say about you? You're really that willing to ask something like that of Evan, just because you know he would?

"No, I need to do this." Alex swallowed, looking down at the ring around his finger. Evan was the only one who hadn't betrayed him. The only one he trusted, with anything. It didn't matter that he wore the ring of a Keeper, not any more. That wasn't why Evan did what he did, or was the person he was. He couldn't ask Evan to do his dirty-work and still live with himself.

"I'm not letting you meet with him alone, just so you know." Evan's tone was unswerving.

"I know. And I'm counting on that."

The car arrived, pausing at the security monitor where Alex announced himself. With only a slight hesitation, the gates opened and allowed the car access to the long driveway. They climbed out, and Alex asked the driver to return in three hours. He couldn't possibly tolerate his mother longer than that, and they had an appointment in the city.

Alex felt the familiar irritation creeping up the back of his neck as he approached the large, white doors. There was a headache he got every time he was near his mother, a pain between his eyes and in the muscles of his jaw that would linger throughout the day, especially if they had one of their arguments. He hadn't intended for that to happen the other day, but her attitude toward Evan, especially then, set him off into one of his moods.

Before he could reach the large, gilded handle of the door, it opened far enough for Sylvester to glide out. The robot adjusted its height so the two visual inputs were level with Alex's eyes.

"I'm afraid Madame Duvia is not in at this time, Alexander. Shall I record a message for you?"

"No thank you, Sylvester." Alex brushed past the hovering machine and entered the house. "When will she be returning?"

"I'm afraid not until this evening." Sylvester hurried in behind the men, then halted directly in front of Alex in a vain attempt to slow his progress. "She didn't tell me you'd be calling."

"That's because I didn't tell her." Alex glanced around the vast entryway, then held out one hand. "Discount." Sylvester instantly shut down and dropped from the air, landing neatly on Alex's open palm. He tossed the mechanical butler to a couch. "Never did like that thing."

"It's just doing its job," Evan scolded. "Do you want me to call another car?"

Alex shook his head, then heard his stomach growl slightly. "Nah, we might as well hang out here as anyplace. You hungry?" He didn't wait for an answer but noticed Evan hurrying to catch up as he wandered through the large house in the direction of the kitchen.

It was a massive room, cold and uninviting with every cooking surface and storage unit known to mankind. And, as usual, quite well stocked. Evan started for one of the cupboards but Alex waved him away.

"Uh-huh. It's my turn. Just have a seat."

"But . . . " Evan stood there, one hand still raised, unsure of what to do.

"No buts." Alex had to grin at the expression he was being awarded. He put a hand on Evan's arm and pushed him toward a chair at the long, low table used for chopping and mixing when the counters filled. "I'm serious. I don't think I've fixed a meal in, what, nine months?" Actually, it was more like nine years, considering. "I owe you at least one."

"You don't owe me anything." Evan's eyes flashed again and his jaw set defiantly. "I am -- "

"Hungry." Alex interrupted. He pointed to the table. "Sit!" Before the Sha'erah could complain again, he turned his back on the man and began searching the pantry. "You know, my mother hasn't ever set foot in this room. I'm not sure she knows where it is." He found plenty of meats in the refrigerated unit, then went in search of some cheeses. It looked like she'd recently entertained, and the kitchen was still well stocked with prepared leftovers. Just as well, since his cooking left a lot to be desired. Making Evan his first meal without benefit of the catering units onboard the Ascalon would be soured if he had to get too creative. Sandwiches, salads, the occasional slab of animal flesh cooked over a flame. Those were his limitations. He was willing to bet Evan had none.

"Madame Duvia entertains often, but only hires help for those occasions. The rest of her meals are dependent on Sylvester."

"That thing has no arms."

Alex laughed, nodding. "I know. Just a few stylus projections. But that's all he needs for dialing up a delivery. So half this food goes unused if the hired help doesn't help themselves." He found several selections of cheeses and pulled each one out to stack on the large tray he was loading up. "Looks like they didn't get too greedy last time."

"You don't like your mother much, do you?"

Alex's face flushed. He shrugged, his back to Evan. "I dunno. I used to, for the most part. She just has this ability to get under my skin, you know?"

"No, not really." Evan returned to the counter and picked up the large tray Alex had loaded, then carried it to the table while his Keeper searched for the breads. "She's always been like this, hasn't she?"

"All my life." Alex found the breads and condiments, then remembered to look for the leafy greens he enjoyed on all of his sandwiches. "When I was a kid, it didn't seem to bug me."

"But something changed." Evan took the jars and containers from Alex's arms so he could go back for drinks.

"Yeah, I grew up." He found several different brands of beer and picked out four of his favorite, then carried them to the table and sat down. "And she didn't." Alex waved Evan's hands away from the bread and started cutting thick slices. He might only be making sandwiches, but he was determined to be the one making them. "I guess when I was younger, all this pretense didn't bother me so much. Hell, it was fun. I benefited from being in the best circles, going to the best schools." His knife mangled a slice of bread so he started over. "That's how I know Paulson Carpenter."

"He's known you all your life?" Evan held the large loaf steady for the second cut, which was a success. "Did he know Spencer Marcase was your father, even then?"

"Yep." Alex had to concentrate not to let his anger ruin the rest of the loaf. He finished cutting the slices and set the knife down in preference of something less dangerous for the condiments and cheeses. "I used to think he was so cool, knowing who my father was and not holding that against me. Ironic, isn't it?" He handed Evan the first sandwich and began making his own.

"How did he know?"

Alex shrugged. "I dunno, he just always did." He could sense trouble brewing on the edge of his memory, as if the conspiracy went even deeper than he already knew. One quick glance at Evan showed him the Sha'erah was considering the same possibility, but appeared reluctant to voice it.

"It could be that more people than you realize knew." Evan seemed to take a different tone on purpose, as if he willingly wanted to change the subject before they could discover anything more. "Spencer's name was well known, just not mentioned on nicer planets like this one."

It was as good an explanation as any, and one Alex was more than willing to accept. He opened two of the beers and pushed one toward Evan. "I can't drink four of these." It occurred to him he rarely ever saw the Sha'erah drink alcohol of any kind. "They're good brands, not very strong but flavorful."

Evan accepted the beer cautiously and read the label before taking a sip. With a half shrug, he nodded. "It's not bad. But if you like these, there's a brand found on Norwany III you'd like. Rare, expensive, and illegal in a lot of systems. They use it as currency in some places."

"Really?" Alex raised one eyebrow. "I never would have figured you for a connoisseur."

"I'm not," Evan quickly added. "It's just . . . Your father used it sometimes to entertain a guest or impress someone now and again. He sent me out to locate a case or two now and again. There's really no reason for it being so expensive or rare, it's easily manufactured and not complicated at all."

Alex raised his bottle in a toast. "Well here's to supply and demand."

"It's ridiculous economics." Evan made a snort of disgust and returned the toast. "But it seems universal."

"Yep. That's how the rich stay rich and the rest of us work for them."

"Alexander, I wasn't aware you'd come visiting," Sylvester glided into the room, spinning its optical sensors from Alex to Evan and back again. "Madame Duvia is - - "

Alex held out a hand. "Discount." He set the machine on the table when it fell silent again. "Only works for an hour at a time."

They ate lunch and discussed the pros and cons of various planetary economics. It was the best way for Alex to keep his mind off his meeting with Paulson Carpenter and the issue of how he was going to handle himself. Evan seemed perfectly willing to play along, and explained the details of the brewing process of the rare brew Spencer often used, as well as he was able. When they finished, Alex shoved the leftovers back into their proper places, picked up the last of his beer, and offered Evan a tour of the house.

"You grew up here?"

They were walking up the massive, curved staircase to the second level, passing copies of expensive pieces of art along the way.

"Well, I was raised here." Alex looked at a painting as he passed, wondering if it was new or not. "I think the jury's still out on if and when I grew up." He caught a quick flash of Evan's reflection in the surface of the frame and could have sworn he saw a grin being quickly erased. "I used to slide down this banister head first, when mother wasn't home, of course."

They reached the top of the wide stairs and Alex turned to the left. The hallway was equally wide, and almost painfully white from carpet to ceiling. Heavily gilded curtains hung from every window, smothering the light before it could reach inside. Looking around the house now, it was hard for Alex to believe he'd been a kid here. Running around with dirty knees, taking Sylvester apart to see what made him hover. Even living surrounded by all this white and staying sane didn't seem possible to him now. Must have gotten my fill of it back then. Maybe that was one reason he got so irritated with his mother, he couldn't stand her home anymore.

"Which room was yours?" Evan scanned the hallway and the multiple doors on either side, all white.

"This one, to the left." Alex pointed, then opened the door. "It's just a guest room now."

They walked into another white room with gold accents. One large bed dominated the space, lightly canopied with a thin, white netting wrapped elegantly around the four posts rising up from each corner. There were thickly cushioned chairs in every corner, a discrete door on the far side that led to the private washroom, and large, curtained windows with a view of the wooded park in the distance.

Evan walked through the room to the windows and looked outside, then glanced around the room shaking his head. "I thought most parents kept . . . " He looked at Alex. "Things. Stuff from their children."

Alex laughed shortly and sat on one of the chairs. "Most do, I guess. Ever since marriage contracts and child rearing became vogue again a few hundred years ago. But mother never could get the hang of that, no matter how chic it was." He shook his head and looked around. "No, the day after I moved out she had this room remodeled. Not that I minded, though." With one arm, he indicated the entire house. "There's only so much white you can stand."

It occurred to Alex he'd been complaining about something Evan never had the chance to experience. It also occurred to him just how incredibly opposite the Sha'erah looked to him in Madame Duvia's starkly white house. Alex was never one to wear white, leaning typically toward the blues and greens. But Evan, standing there in the white carpeted house with white walls, white furniture, looked so much the opposite of what Alex had known most of his life, it was startling.

The fun they could have had as kids, running around this house causing havoc! Evan was only about three years younger, at the most. Spencer must have ordered him the very year he'd left.

"The car will be here in five minutes."

Alex looked up and realized he'd drifted into a mental fog. "Yeah, right." With a resigned sigh, he stood and left the room. "Paulson’s never seen you before, has he?"

"Alexander! I wasn't aware you'd arrived," Sylvester appeared suddenly, hovering in front of Evan.

Before it could utter another word, Evan held out his hand. "Discount." He set the machine gently on a cushioned chair while Alex chuckled and returned to the conversation without skipping a beat. "Not that I'm aware of. His name never meant anything to me." Evan followed Alex down the winding staircase. "But, he could still know who I am. I don't trust him."

"Well, neither do I." Alex quickly checked to make sure Sylvester was going to return to normal functions in another hour, then headed out the large double doors into the early evening sun.

"I mean tonight. How do you think he's going to react, knowing you know his secret?"

Alex stopped in the driveway and looked up at Evan. He had to squint against the sun streaming in through the trees, but when he did he could see the Sha'erah was seriously concerned. He knew he should be, too. "You mean, will he be angry and vengeful because the Turbidium isn't his?" Alex shrugged. "I don't know."

"That's what has me worried. You're meeting him against your own wishes, because you know how angry you are. But can we predict how angry he is?"

He was right, of course. Alex was thinking in terms of his own indignation and emotions, as usual, and not taking into consideration the other side of the story.

"I'd be happier if you'd let me meet with him, alone. Then bring him to you once I know he came alone."

"And you thought I was paranoid." Alex grinned, but had to hold up a hand quickly to prevent the immediate rebuttal he saw forming on Evan's face. "Before you refuse to even let me go, relax. I don't think he'd be stupid enough to try anything in a public place. And, more importantly, I think he does know you, or about you, well enough to know he'd be dead if he tried anything."

Evan seemed to consider that idea. "He did have a Sha'erah, you said?"

The car arrived, stopping so the passenger door was directly in front of Alex. He climbed in and gave the driver their new destination, then raised the privacy shield so he could continue the conversation and not end up speaking to himself.

"Yes, apparently he did."

"Good." Evan nodded decisively. "Then he'd know it would be suicide to try anything against you."

Alex found that observation both egotistical and reassuring. He could handle himself in almost any decent fight. But if someone simply wanted him dead, they'd probably succeed. "Okay, so why don't we keep you as my ace in the hole? Just hang back somewhere, not too far off, and we'll see how things go. That way Carpenter still won't know you by sight, just in case."

"If I like what I see when we get there, fine."

"This is one of those times you're just going to dictate what I can and can't do, isn't it?"

Evan looked puzzled. "Of course."

"Of course." Alex rolled his eyes and sat back in the seat of the car.

The trip across town took only twenty minutes in light traffic as most of the local residents made the commute home in the opposite direction. Scotian was a pleasant little planet, with a robust industry and strong economy largely supported by a vast ecological tourist network. They came mostly for the water sports and mountain climbing, but more and more people found the heavy forests and lack of any large natural predators to be a great temptation.

But Scotian also had its elite section, with shopping of the highest order, surrounded by restaurants and bars that were written up in all the major cruise line pamphlets. It was to this section of town they headed, into an area dominated by businesses built and operated by the Garnsey family. Paulson Carpenter's most powerful rival. Alex felt keeping the man away from his own section of town would help, but beyond that, he really hadn't given any of this much thought at all.

He wondered if maybe, deep down, he knew he didn't have to.

"If he's going to show on time, he'll be here in thirty minutes." Evan glanced around the area as they climbed out of the car.

The building Alex arranged the meeting in was the top level of a large restaurant, where patrons could sit and drink for social and business reasons in relative privacy. It was dark, an element Evan didn't like, but it also had only one exit, and very few places to hide.

Add to that the fact that it was less than half occupied, and Evan finally relented.

"How about you sit at the bar? That way he won't see you." Alex knew that decision was going to be up to the Sha'erah, since no matter what anyone told him about them following orders blindly, Evan hadn't yet.

"I'll sit at the bar, if you're at this table." Evan pointed to a small table not more than five feet from the corner end of the bar. "He'll have his back to me."

Alex nodded, happy just to have won that much. "Fine. Wish me luck." He started for the table with a slight shrug of his eyebrows.

"You don't need luck, you have me."

He stopped and turned, expecting to see Evan close to laughing, belying the complete seriousness of his statement. But he'd already turned to walk to the bar. "Right." Alex went to the table and sat, facing the bar with his back to a tall planter that was home to a wide palmed fern spreading up and out, offering good privacy for quiet conversations.

If Paulson did know anything, and wasn't keen on sharing, he could always have Evan get the information in his own particular fashion. And if Alex felt the need to pummel the man into the ground, he was confident the Sha'erah would at least keep him from succeeding. So it was true. He had no use for luck at all.

A waitress approached, and Alex ordered a glass of whiskey he had no real intention of drinking. It was either play with the glass and watch the ice move around, or twist the ring around his finger until the friction began to heat the metal. He was antsy and angry at the same time, and couldn't figure out which feeling should win the battle. When the whiskey arrived, he sat forward at the table, resting both elbows on the hard surface so he could stare into his reflection in the ice. It was his father's face again. Every time he got broody or angry, that was the face other people saw. Dark despite his green eyes, and somewhat rough due to the square jaw and slight touch of goatee that constantly developed in the hollow just below his lower lip. Lately he'd taken to keeping it there, since his mood had been just as rough these past several days.

Unlike Evan, Alex had to feel angry in order to look the part. Although, the Sha'erah's appearance seemed less and less strange to him these days. Really all that set him apart to the casual observer were the tattoos. The dark hair and black eyes, and constant use of the color black in every bit of his clothing could be any dark, dangerous man you wouldn't want to meet in any situation. It was only in getting to know him one realized he hardly ever smiled and took life way too seriously.

Alex looked at one cube of ice and saw Evan's distorted reflection. The lack of expression was a misnomer. He'd found the man to be full of feelings, as repressed as they might be. He damn sure had a sense of humor, if irony was your style. And for all the preaching about who was Sha'erah and Keeper, figuring out just which one of them was really in charge was another mystery!

He laughed shortly to himself and raised the glass in a toast. "You're quite the enigma."

"No one's called me that in a while."

Alex looked up, startled, and located the source of the feminine voice. He set the glass down and quickly glanced around the tall, slender woman. With a snort of disgust, he realized she'd come alone. "Just like your father to hide behind his daughter."

"Now, now, Alex." Miranda Carpenter slid gracefully into the empty seat without an invitation, then tossed her head elegantly so the red hair would shift off her shoulder. "It's not like that at all."

Alex could feel his blood boiling beneath the surface. He let his frustration show on his face, unconcerned that a woman of such wealth and breeding might take offense at such a masculine attitude. "Really? Nothing seems to be what I thought it was any more. Why don't you explain it to me?"

Miranda rested a hand delicately on Alex's arm. "But don't you see? Nothing's any different than it was, Alex. Nothing." She looked up, glancing over his shoulder. When she didn't find what she was looking for, her eyes darted around the room from side to side. "Except of course, for him." Still unsuccessful, she returned her attention to Alex and smiled. "Where is he, by the way? Is he here?"

Alex resisted the impulse to look up at Evan, still seated at the bar watching them closely. Miranda had looked everywhere she could without having to turn her head, so she'd missed the Sha'erah seated behind her. "Is that why he sent you?"

Miranda clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "Really, Alex. Didn't you find life a lot simpler before you started wondering about all these little details?"

Little details! "That's all this is to you?" Alex glared at her and tightened his grip on the whiskey glass so she would feel the sudden anger reflected in the tension of his arm. "You knew all along that your father really worked for mine, didn't you?"

Miranda shook her head and for the first time broke eye contact. "No, I didn't, actually. Not until we heard about the accident. I'd found a few files that didn't make sense to me, and then it started adding up."

"It wasn't an accident, Miranda."

"It wasn't Father's fault, either. He worked for the man backing your ship, remember?"

Alex's features tensed with anger, as did his voice. "He worked for the man who caused that explosion. As far as I'm concerned, he's just as guilty."

Miranda fidgeted with the lay of her blouse. "He didn't know, he promised me he didn't know." She looked back up, meeting his eyes. "Look, Alex, I thought my father was the be-all-end-all in the business world. I found out he's really just a high paid employee, and who his boss is. Or was. He's . . . Spencer Marcase is dead, isn't he?"

Alex had to grind his teeth long enough to contain his anger. He looked away and saw the reflection of his father's face in the ice. "He's dead."

"Then, my father is his own man. Now, anyway." She leaned forward, resting her hand on his arm again and smiling as if all was suddenly quite well. "So you see, there's nothing more to worry about."

Alex shook his head sharply and sat back, pulling his arm out from under Miranda's hand. "So that's it for you? It's that easy to just ignore everything your father did, all the lies, and go right back to life as usual?"

"Yes, it is." She sat back as well, setting her arms on the chair's rests. "Don't you see, Alex? Nothing is different. You've respected my father all this time, and all this time he's been working for your father."

Alex started grinding his teeth very slightly again, flexing the muscles of his jaw.

"And all that time, you were happily ignorant. We both were. And now, nothing has changed aside from your perspective."

"So it's only a lie if you find out about it?" This whole situation was so ironic. Every word she was saying was true. It had all being going on for years and years, probably since before he was born, so nothing had changed. Only now, he knew. And now that he knew, he was responsible for that information. And for his own actions regarding it.

"It doesn't change any of the facts, Alex. It doesn't change my father, or his respect for you. Why should it change your respect for him?"

It must be the money. She was raised surrounded by it. And not the false pretense of it like he was, but the real thing. That had to be what was insulating her from a normal, human reaction. Or at least what Alex felt should be a normal, human reaction. "Eighty-six people died, and you think I should still respect your father?" Alex leaned forward again, glaring at Miranda. "If I had known the truth, those people would still be alive!"

"The truth about my father, or the truth about yours?"

The question made Alex blink.

"Are you angry at my father for having known and worked for Spencer Marcase? Or is this all just your own anger against your own father, Alex?"

"That's what this is about?" Of course, he should have known her concerns wouldn't range any further than her own interests. "You're only here to find out how angry I am at your father, aren't you? What my intentions are toward him. Is that it? None of this bothers you at all. The lies, the deceit, nothing? You were happy before you knew, so you figure you can just ignore it and continue along in your happy little life, unaffected by it all."

Miranda sighed. "Yes, Alex, you're right. I'm here to find out what your intentions are toward my father, and to try and talk some sense into you about all this. I think you're over- reacting. What's done is done. And you profited from the entire situation. You have your father's Sha'erah, Alex! He's worth more than the price of your ship and the Vision put together! My father was left with nothing, and he still paid your crew's wages. He's an honorable man."

Disgusted, Alex pushed his chair back and stood. "I came here to talk to Paulson. Where is he?"

Miranda reached up and took hold of Alex's left wrist. "Please, Alex, sit down. He isn't coming, not until I speak with him."

"Then we have nothing more to talk about." Alex glared down at her but didn't pull his hand away. "You tell him I need to see him."

"Why? So you can read him the riot act for doing what he's always done? What do you want with him, Alex?"

"I want information." Alex pulled his hand away then and glanced over her shoulder at Evan. The Sha'erah stood but stayed where he was. "He owes me that much."

Miranda nodded. "I'll tell him. But I can't make any promises."

Alex moved around the table and looked down at her as Evan stepped over to his side. "I'm not going to kill him, Miranda, if that's what you're worried about."

She turned in her chair to look at him in the dark bar, opening her mouth to speak. But her words were forgotten when she caught site of Evan standing there.

Alex tossed a credit chip onto the table to pay for the whiskey. "I don't work for my father."

Chapter 4

Evan didn't trust Miranda Carpenter, any more than he did her father. But ever since she entered the bar and sat down with Alex, there hadn't been a single new patron through the door. No sign of her father or anyone else paying undue attention to Alex. Still, he kept his guard up as he watched and listened to the conversation taking place. His Keeper wasn't taking well to her attitude, even though technically everything she was saying held truth. Still, Evan agreed with Alex. Once your own understanding changed, you could never go back.

Alex was doing a fine job of displaying his true feelings, as usual. The man had to be angry in order to look dangerous, but Evan was finding he liked that about him. You knew the expression you were seeing was the true reflection of Alex's feelings at that time, not a mask he'd put on to hide behind like so many other people. He might not always say what he felt, and often seemed to say exactly the opposite of what he was really thinking, but if you looked into his eyes, you could tell that what was there was genuine.

But now he was angry. Paulson Carpenter hadn't shown, sending his daughter instead, so Alex's confrontation would have to wait, if it was going to happen at all. Evan didn't want to see his Keeper distressed, and would never allow him to be harmed, but he knew that meeting had to take place before he could put an end to it all. That, and the fact that Carpenter might have some minor information that could help Alex with this foolish notion of finding the source of all Sha'erah.

Now you've gone too far. Evan stood when Alex did, but held back. Miranda had crossed the line with the comment about his monetary worth, obviously ignorant of Alex's feelings regarding that subject.

When he pulled his hand away from hers and stepped around the table, Evan approached and stood beside his Keeper, keeping his eyes on Miranda. She looked up, seeing him for the first time, and looked startled.

Alex tossed a credit chip over her shoulder onto the table. "I don't work for my father."

Miranda's expression altered instantly, losing its refined beauty. She said nothing as Alex walked away. Evan followed, still alert to anything or anyone out of the ordinary.

"He used his daughter to test the waters?" Evan held the door open so he could see down the corridor as Alex left the bar.

"Probably thought I was going to ambush him or something," Alex retorted. He was storming down the corridor toward the lift that would take them back down to street level, but his shorter stride allowed Evan to remain by his side. "Like I could, in a public place! I would never stoop to his level, no matter how angry I was."

"I think he knows that." Evan glanced inside the lift, then entered when he was sure it was empty. "He was either offering you his daughter as a buffer, or insulting you by refusing to show up himself."

Alex looked up at him and made a snort of disgust. "Either way is an insult, as far as I'm concerned."

"Do you think he'll meet with you now?"

The elevator stopped and Alex stepped out. "You know, I don't even think I care anymore." They were outside, on the walkway in front of the restaurant. The sun had set, but an orange glow still filled the sky and illuminated the quiet street. "He's not going to be able to tell me what I want to know, and I'm not sure I'd believe anything he said anyway." He shook his head once and started walking.

Evan kept up with his Keeper as they made a brisk pace away from the restaurant. He still wasn't convinced Carpenter might not be nearby, so he kept his eyes open for any unusual activity. He hated the man. For the first time in his life, he actually hated someone for what they'd done to his Keeper. Well, aside from Spencer. Evan considered that man a different category altogether. One he was allowed to hate without making any further association. He didn't owe Spencer or his memory any loyalty.

It wasn't unusual for a Sha'erah to pick up on his Keeper's feelings toward other people, especially anger or fear. It helped him maintain the upper hand. But Evan hadn't heard of any time when they were allowed, or even expected, to honestly hate someone for what they'd done. But Evan hated Paulson Carpenter. He hated what he'd done to Alex, causing so much pain and anger with his secrets. Now, as much for himself as his Keeper, he wanted revenge.

"I can go to him, find out what he knows. You were right back there, you know. He does owe you at least that much." He'd give anything for the chance to get into Paulson Carpenter's private files, see what else the man was hiding.

Alex stopped at the corner and looked at Evan as if he was actually considering the prospect. After a moment he shook his head and raised a hand to hail a ride. "If he won't come to me, then we'll both go find him." A car stopped and he climbed inside, giving the driver directions to the shuttle port. He raised the privacy screen and looked at the silver ring. "Any information he has could just be a dead end anyway."

Evan didn't know how to answer that, so he remained silent, watching Alex twist the ring slowly around his finger. He hadn't tried to remove it since that day on the bridge when Spencer demanded its return. But playing with it on his finger had become a habit he practiced when he was frustrated or confused about something. Evan knew people took great comfort in small, repetitive behaviors during times of stress, so he no longer thought of it as an unconscious desire to have the ring removed. It served as yet another indicator of how his Keeper was really feeling.

"He might have purchased his Sha'erah directly. And if so, he might be able to tell you how," Evan offered after several miles of silence.

Alex sighed. "Maybe. But that was a long time ago. His contact could very well be dead by now. We'll go to Murcadia, see what we can find out there."

Evan accepted that decision and relented. If Alex wanted some sort of closure with Carpenter, he'd seek it out when he was ready. God knew speaking with Miranda hadn't gotten him anywhere, so it was likely conversation with her father would not prove fruitful either. They just didn't see things the way Alex did, and didn't understand his anger. Evan understood it, and it only added to his own sense of guilt. All those years as Spencer's Sha'erah, all those years knowing the man's business and personal issues inside and out, only to find he'd been just as ignorant as Alex when it came to his real motives. Never in a million years would he have believed Spencer Marcase could be keeping secrets from him! Let alone the biggest secret of all . . . his supposed death.

The car dropped them at the shuttle port and ten minutes later Evan had them on a transport heading back to the orbital shipyards. On the flight up, he made sure anyone taking notice of him was quickly dissuaded from staring the entire trip by giving them a look that insured privacy. It didn't bother him one bit, really, to be stared at by people who weren't used to seeing a Sha'erah. But Alex obviously took great offense at it. In his mood, there was no telling what he might do if he found a reason to explode at someone.

"I'm not sure what I expected from Paulson." Alex walked off the shuttle and began making his way through the small crowd to the more open walkways that lined the orbiting station. Foot traffic was light this time of evening, and the rotation brought the planet in full view of the transparent panels that made up the roof. It could be a dizzying sight, to feel as if there was a planet in the sky above you, but it was a sight most residents didn't even take notice of.

"I think you expected an explanation."

"Yeah, but do you think I would have gotten one?"

Evan shrugged slightly as he walked beside his Keeper. "Probably not one you would have wanted to hear. They don't seem to feel any remorse. At least, his daughter didn't. People like that rarely do."

Alex made a snort of disgust. "Any why not? They're rarely the ones hurt by what they do."

They rounded a corner where the ramp that would lead to the Ascalon started, and suddenly found themselves facing a crowd. Evan instinctively pulled Alex behind him and stopped walking, one hand resting on the weapon tucked neatly into his belt underneath the long jacket.

"There he is! Captain Marcase, you're the one who made this discovery, aren't you?" A man pressed through the group and shoved a recording device toward Alex.

Deftly, Evan removed the device and allowed the reporter just enough time to retain the hand that had been holding it.

Alex put a hand on Evan's back and made a vain attempt to step around him. "They're just reporters, Evan."

As one, the group seemed to see and then register who and what Evan was, and took a step backwards together.

Evan didn't move, and didn't allow Alex to step out around him, either. Finally, the reporter who'd foolishly attempted the original assault cleared his voice and tried to make eye contact with the man he'd come to speak with.

"Ah, sorry, Captain, but I . . . That is, we've just been given access to your files. About the alien encounter you had on your voyage." He smiled, glancing at Evan, then quickly away. "I -- We were hoping for an interview. You know, something exclusive."

"You did, after all, just make the discovery of the century." A woman in the back shouted but kept her face hidden from view behind a taller colleague.

"It's all there in the reports, there's nothing new I can tell you." Alex had to settle for speaking around Evan, with just the barest view of the reporters. "I have no other comment to make."

Evan took that as his cue. "Stand aside!" He glared at the man whose recorder he'd knocked away and had the pleasure of seeing him cringe and back away one step. Reluctantly, the entire group flattened themselves against the far rail. Once they did, Evan moved so Alex could walk behind him and along the walkway to the Ascalon.

"It's all in the reports, people." Alex walked quickly, avoiding eye contact, and waved one hand dismissing them all.

Evan kept an eye on them as he entered the connecting walkway behind his Keeper. When no one made a move to try and follow, he closed the gate and set the locks.

"Guess the reports made it to the public after all." Alex had stopped inside the corridor, waiting for Evan.

"Then why do they need to speak with you?" Press wasn't something he'd ever had to contend with while in Spencer's service.

Alex shrugged. "They always think they can pick up something the other guy doesn't have, I guess. I try to avoid them whenever possible and let the reports speak for themselves." He started down the hallway that connected the spaceport to the Ascalon. "I'd almost forgotten about it all, actually."

"The alien ship?" It wasn't something Evan felt he'd ever forget. But he'd just as soon never remember the orb again.

"The ship, the specimens, the Turbidium. All I've been thinking about is Franklin and his ship. And the other stuff."

Was that why he needed so badly to find out where Sha'erah came from? Alex needed something to obsess on in order to keep his mind occupied and off other things. This way he wouldn't have to worry about any down-time between jobs, since Zane had made the offer already.

At least the nightmares had stopped.

They reached the airlock and Evan placed his palm on the keypad to open the door. Out of habit, he checked through the activity report which listed all entrances and exits made and by whom during their absence. When he saw the name listed last, he drew his weapon again.

"Carpenter's here."

They found him on the bridge, waiting there with Doctor Zane and Reilly, who hadn't yet moved off the Ascalon. Evan put his weapon back in its holster on his belt, but didn't allow Alex off the lift until he was convinced nothing was amiss. Paulson Carpenter was standing near the railing, looking nervous, while Zane and Reilly stood opposite him, several feet away, silently watching the man.

"Captain, you have a visitor." Reilly spoke to Alex without taking his eyes off Carpenter. "He wasn't keen on coming back another time."

Evan appreciated the tone of Reilly's voice and the uncharitable way in which he was keeping their visitor standing and confined to the large bridge. He glanced at Doctor Zane and saw a shadow of the same feelings reflected in the older man's eyes. When he looked at Paulson Carpenter, he sized him up quickly. No obvious weapons, a slight nervousness to his movements, and a definite glint of surprise and fear in his eyes when he realized who he was looking at.

Good. The man knows Sha'erah, so he knows what can happen if he steps out of line.

"Thanks, Chief. We'll take it from here." Alex nodded at Reilly and the man immediately took the hint, leaving the bridge with only a quick look back at their visitor. Doctor Zane looked up questioningly, but Alex made no comment.

Carpenter hadn't moved, so Evan maneuvered himself to the point where the upper walkway began, splitting the bridge into two levels. He stopped there, making it clear Alex would be staying below and Paulson above, giving his Keeper easier access to the exit, and the ability to move around and not have to look at Carpenter if he didn't wish to.

If the man made any move, Evan knew he could take him down before he realized what was happening. But even he couldn't be that stupid.

"I understand how you must feel, Alex." Paulson gave Evan one furtive glance, then looked down at Alex as he paced the bridge.

"Do you?"

Paulson swallowed. "You feel I've betrayed you, and that I was somehow a part of what happened to the Vision."

Alex turned suddenly, glaring up at Paulson. "What happened to the Vision was an explosion! Eighty-six people died, thanks to my father and his stupid bet with Harvey!"

"I didn't know! Honestly, I -- "

"You knew!" Alex pointed an accusing finger at the man. "You knew my father wasn't dead! You knew this was all a put-on, to get me out there and him in control!"

Evan watched Paulson flinch. He felt sure now that he'd never seen this man before, with Spencer or anywhere else for that matter. A part of him allowed a small feeling of relief to get through, knowing now that he hadn't missed something along the way, some hint at the secrets Spencer had been keeping.

"Spencer Marcase gave the orders, Alex. I worked for him, that's all." Paulson turned his head and shot a glance at Evan, swallowing. "Just ask him what that's like. No one questions what that man orders. What I did wasn't any different than what I've always done. He didn't tell me he was going to sneak onboard, or that he and Signus Harvey had a bet."

"You weren't on your way to see your wife's aunt that day. You were on that cruise ship because you knew I'd be there." Alex was pacing the bridge, alternating between glaring at Paulson and shaking his head as he stared at the ground. "All that time I was telling you where I was going, you already knew."

Carpenter said nothing, but Evan could see by his body language he was feeling the pressure of the truth bearing down with every word Alex said.

"And Miranda wasn't on that return trip by accident, either. Was she?" Alex stopped pacing and turned to glare at Paulson again, waiting for a reply.

"Yes, it's true." Carpenter looked down momentarily, then squared his jaw and met Alex's gaze. "Look, Alex, I know you're upset. You're finding out your father had more of a hand in your life than you ever expected. But I can assure you his interests were purely business. I had to offer you funding so you wouldn't sell the Sha'erah, but no one counted on Harvey making a move like that. Trying to steal him."

Alex's eyebrows arched. He blinked, looking momentarily at Evan. "That's supposed to make me feel better?"

Paulson shook his head sharply and turned, walking several steps away. Evan didn't move, but tensed, ready to go after the man if he had to. He didn't honestly believe Carpenter would try anything, but he wanted him to know he'd be stopped, should the thought cross his mind.

Paulson stopped pacing after a few steps and turned back to face Alex. "You're acting as if I'm the only one! I was just one of many employees, Alex." He pointed at Evan but never took his eyes off Alex. "What about him? His loyalties have been with Spencer since the moment he was born! How do you know he wasn't in on all of this from the beginning? How do you know he's not still working for Spencer?"

Evan moved his eyes only, so he could see Alex without turning his head away from Carpenter. His Keeper didn't even bat an eye.

"Evan's the only one who hasn't lied to me. He's the only one I've been able to trust since all this began! Spencer lost his claim when he died the first time." Alex looked at Evan then and nodded once, very slightly. "He's the only one I'm going to trust from now on, I can tell you that." He looked back at Paulson. "My father might have faked his death once, but this time it's for real."

Carpenter paused, his eyes darting from Alex to Evan and back again nervously. Sweat was beginning to glint on his upper lip. "Are you sure?"

"He's sure." Evan spoke for the first time, in as dark and unwavering a tone as he could. His sense of purpose and determination had just grown with his Keeper's words of confidence.

Paulson looked at him and nearly jumped. "Are you positive?" He looked at Doctor Zane then, shaking his head. "They were all sure before, too. The doctors, lawyers, even him." A nod of his head indicated the Sha'erah standing behind him. "What makes you so sure he's dead this time?"

"Half his chest was missing!" Alex answered for Zane, taking two steps forward. "And if he wasn't dead when we jettisoned the body, then he's been holding his breath for a really, really long time."

"I wouldn't put anything past that man."

Evan stared at him, trying to judge how strongly the man believed his own words. There was a resigned set to his jaw and a depression to his attitude that suggested he truly believed. It was ridiculous, of course. Spencer Marcase was dead. I should have cut his head off when I had the chance, just to be sure.

"He's dead." Alex dismissed the notion with a shake of his head. "And if he wasn't, I wouldn't care. He has no power over me, or Evan."

A thought seemed to occur to Paulson. He looked at Evan suddenly, blinking in surprise. "Wait a minute . . . If Spencer was here, why is Evan still with you?" He looked at Alex, then Zane. "He wasn't dead. The will . . . He would have had to protect Spencer from you, not the other way around. He was counting on that."

Evan saw the smile form on Alex's face, filled with ironic justice. "My father made a mistake. It was his last."

"If you'll pardon me." Zane cleared his throat and looked questioningly at Alex. "I can verify the fact that Spencer Marcase is extremely dead. As for the transfer of Evan back to Spencer, I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. Sha'erah truly do make that decision of their own accord. Thanks to this pair, and Mr. Marcase's unfortunate attempts, we were able to prove that beyond any doubt."

Paulson laughed shortly. "You're joking!" He looked at Evan and shook his head, giving him no more credit than he would a mobile unit. "They have no power over themselves."

"Just keep thinking that, Paulson, it'll keep you happy." Alex stepped closer. "Right now, I want information."

"Information?"

"You owned a Sha'erah, according to Miranda."

"Well, I . . . I suppose."

"You suppose?" Alex glanced at Evan, confused. "How do you own someone and not quite recall exactly? Did you, or didn't you?"

"Why do you care?" Paulson Carpenter seemed to be returning to a state of self-assurance, his nervousness quickly fading.

Evan didn't like seeing the man relax. "Answer his question."

Carpenter swallowed, moving slightly more forward as if he wanted to step further away. "My second wife owned one, if you must know. She took him with her when she left me. Miranda was young, she doesn't remember the details."

"Dammit." Alex looked away. "So you didn't buy him?"

Paulson laughed. "God no! I couldn't have afforded one. I married her for her money, not the other way around. It wasn't until I started working for Spencer that I finally got my own wealth established." He paused, looking at the doctor. "Why? You can't be thinking of buying another, surely."

Alex turned back to face him. "Do you know how someone contacts the source?"

Paulson’s eyes widened. "Do I know -- ? No, actually, I don't know for sure. But I know who might."

"Who?" Alex took a step forward.

"The same people who take care of all of our business, Alex." Paulson was back to his old self, confident and assured. He ignored Evan completely. "The rich and famous have dirty little secrets, too. But we can't let the details touch us directly, so we have people for that."

Evan looked at Alex, wondering if he was going to be allowed to pummel the answers out of this man. How much more of this tap dancing was Alex going to take?

"Lawyers." Alex made a face when he spoke the word.

"Exactly." Paulson smiled slightly. "I can't say for sure which ones, but I'd bet money on them being the middle men. The contacts, if you will."

Alex looked at Evan and swallowed. "VanHolt?"

He remembered that albino weasel, and how terrified he'd been of the mere sight of him, let alone his legal responsibility during the gap between Spencer's death and Alex's arrival. Slowly, Evan shook his head. "I can't see it. Not him. Maybe someone he knows, though?"

"I don't know who your father used, Alex. But if I had to guess, it would be VanHolt. That little creep isn't all he seems." Paulson cleared his throat and straightened up a bit. "Now, if there's nothing more I can do for you, I do have a business to get back to. I'll see you around, I'm sure."

"Carpenter." Alex looked up, his eyes narrowing. "If I ever see you again, it'll be the last time." He looked at Evan, then back to Paulson. "Get off my ship."

Evan took that as his cue. He stepped forward until he was practically nose to nose with a startled Paulson Carpenter. Then, moving aside very slightly, he made it clear he was about to escort the man to the lift, with no questions asked.

Carpenter looked frustrated, but started walking. "Time will change things, Alex. You'll see. I'm just a businessman, I did what I had to do."

Evan kept the man walking, then pressed the lift button. The doors opened instantly and Carpenter entered without another word. Evan followed him, much to the man's obvious surprise, then shut the doors behind them and pressed the lower level indicator. He wasn't going to risk the man getting off anywhere but the exit, and wandering around the ship before they could find him again. There was a good deal of trouble one man could get into before being stopped.

The ride down was extremely uncomfortable for Paulson Carpenter, but quite enjoyable for Evan. He watched the normally calm, controlled man fidget and try desperately to avoid eye contact.

"You know what it's like, Evan. Working for Spencer. You do what you're told. Right or wrong, there's no questioning that man."

Evan said nothing. He kept his eyes locked on Carpenter, catching his gaze any time the man looked directly at him. He would have loved to have been allowed to take out some of Alex's emotions on Carpenter's face, but his Keeper was more refined than Spencer, and didn't seem likely to ever allow that. At least, not this time.

The lift car slowed, then stopped, and the doors opened to the corridor that would take them directly to the connecting walkway. Evan escorted Paulson the entire length of the corridor, until they reached the Ascalon's main airlock. There, he opened the door and all but pushed Carpenter out the airlock and onto the walkway. He was rewarded with a glimpse of the reporters, still camped on the far end of the walkway, now waiting to snap images of the man exiting the ship.

Carpenter paused when he saw the crowds, apparently realizing they were reporters hoping to catch another shot at the captain who had made the fantastic discoveries. Evan couldn't help but grin at the irony as Paulson Carpenter tried in vain to squeeze past the hordes without having to explain his presence onboard the ship that had denied him the Turbidium claim. He left himself with that visual as he returned to the bridge.

Back on the bridge, he found Alex and Zane in the office.

"Thanks for escorting him out," Alex handed Evan a cup of coffee, then took his own from the small dispenser to his desk. "You didn't have to, but I guess that was a good idea."

"I didn't want him getting around in the ship alone even for a minute." Evan walked to the couch and sat down so he could see Zane at the table and Alex at the desk.

"Yeah, I didn't think of that. I just didn't think I could be near that man again." Alex shook his head, then rubbed his eyes tiredly. "So what do you think? VanHolt was dad's dealer?"

Evan glanced at Zane first, to see if he was going to offer up an opinion. When the doctor merely shrugged, he looked at Alex. "I don't know. That man was terrified of having me in his charge while he waited for you to arrive. I don't think that was faked."

"I know he looked pretty freaked out when I got there." Alex watched the steam rise from his cup. "But the instant that ring went from his legal reader to my finger, it was like he was a completely different man."

"Here's a thought." Zane leaned forward, resting his elbows on both knees. "If he knew your father wasn't dead, could his nervousness have been attributed to that?" He glanced at both men. "I mean, imagine what would have happened to him had something gone wrong, and you hadn't come? Or the ring hadn't transferred? Or, heaven help him, if Evan had learned the truth sooner?"

Evan shook his head but couldn't meet either man's eyes. "If Spencer had shown himself to me then, he would have had the ring again without question." The thought nearly made him shudder. He looked at Alex again. "But he would have killed VanHolt if his plan was ruined because of him."

Alex nodded. "True. But what do we do now? Carpenter's probably going to send word to VanHolt that we're interested in something. He just doesn't know what, exactly."

"I can stop him from sending anything to anyone." Evan really wanted the chance to act against that man. It occurred to him it went beyond what he should normally be feeling, but he didn't care.

"No, no need for that." Alex sighed. "I think it might even work in our favor. If we head to Murcadia first, see what we can learn there, that would give VanHolt time to sweat it out. Maybe even drop his guard, thinking we're not coming out to find him after all."

Evan nodded slowly, seeing the obvious advantages as well as the hindrances. "He could go underground, into hiding. But if he uses any computer terminal anywhere, I could track him down."

"I've never known a lawyer who could go underground and stay there for long," Zane offered. "He'd have to use money, or make money, at some point."

"What would he have to fear from us, anyway?" Alex leaned back in his chair. "For all he knows, we do want to buy another Sha'erah. There has to be a commission in something like that."

Zane whistled through his teeth. "Ten percent of more money than I'll ever see in my lifetime, that's a hefty commission. I'd wager he might stick around long enough to find out what it is you want him for."

Evan still wasn't used to all this speculation, when he could easily ensure Carpenter's transmissions off world never made it to their destinations. "Do you want to make sure you contact him first?"

Alex thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No, let him sweat. We'll go to Murcadia first, see what we can find out there. Visiting VanHolt might not even be necessary."

"I've booked us two adjoining cabins on the Newton III, pulling out in two days. It's a rather nice luxury liner making the rounds through several systems, including Murcadia. We could be there in just under two weeks."

"Good enough." Alex finished his coffee and stood up. "Well, it's been one hell of a day."

Zane took the hint amicably. "Yes, indeed it has. Well, I have some shopping to do while we're here. I haven't left the ship since we docked, believe it or not. Best get things taken care of before we leave." He smiled congenially at Evan, then Alex. "Good night."

They all walked to the lift and traveled down three levels, then Zane headed off for his quarters in the medical lab while Evan and Alex walked the empty corridor to their rooms. Evan found he liked the ship this empty and almost dreaded it being crewed again. That was inevitable, but since it wasn't going to happen any time soon, he let himself enjoy the peace and quiet while he could. The new crew, with perhaps a few exceptions, would cause all new problems adjusting to a Sha'erah as their second-in-command. Evan knew he'd been relatively spoiled by the acceptance of the first crew, regardless of their choice in the matter.

"Are you hungry?" Once inside their quarters, Evan walked to the galley to dial up a light meal.

"Yeah, a little." Alex kicked off his shoes, aiming in the general direction of the computer table. His socks didn't make it very far, even balled up.

Evan dialed up a selection, then walked to the living area and removed his own shoes, setting them under the chair at the table against the far wall. As he walked back toward the galley, he gave his Keeper's shoes a shove, so they were out of the way. "You could have pressed Carpenter for more information, you know. You had every right to."

Alex shrugged. He walked to the back of the couch and sat against it, watching Evan in the galley. "He wasn't worth it. Hell, much of what he said was true, just like Miranda."

Evan stayed in the galley, waiting for the food to arrive, but he faced Alex. "That doesn't make it right."

"I know." Alex sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I'm just tired of being the only one around here without a clue about what's really going on."

Evan clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth slightly, until the urge to go kill someone passed. Spencer was already dead, but Carpenter was still reachable. "I wish you'd have let me smack him around once or twice. If not for you, then for all those who died because of his involvement."

Alex looked at Evan, slightly startled but grinning just a bit. "Hell, Evan, you don't need my permission to beat the crap out of the guy. I halfway expected you might have done that in the lift."

Evan blinked. "You didn't authorize it. I wanted to ask, but you've given me orders not to offer things like that."

"I didn't say it was right," Alex amended. "And I can't order you to hit someone. But I was kinda hoping you would."

Evan briefly wondered if banging his own head against the wall would somehow empower his Keeper with better communication skills. It was doubtful. "I would have, if I'd known it was all right with you." God knew he wanted to.

"It shouldn't matter what's all right with me and what isn't." Alex pushed away from the couch and started walking toward the table. "If you wanted to hit him, you should have felt free to do so." He held up a hand suddenly. "Not that I'm saying I think you should go around hitting people."

Evan sighed, exasperated. The galley delivery bell chimed, so he pulled out two steaming plates of vegetables and noodles and set them on the table. Alex had already retrieved two tall glasses of water and sat down.

"Did you know VanHolt before Spencer's first death?"

"He was Spencer's lawyer, but he didn't use him for all that much." Evan felt a chill run up his spine when he recalled the albino lawyer's stark, frigid office. "He came around once or twice with contracts to be signed. And we visited his office now and again. I think Spencer knew him since before I arrived."

"So, it's possible he had a hand in that."

Evan shrugged and stabbed a noodle with his fork. "It's possible. I just can't see that man doing something like that."

"I know what you mean. He struck me as a real weasel. Why would he know how to contact . . . whoever it is you contact? Or, did they contact him?"

"We don't even know who "they" are. Or even if it's a "they.""

Alex blinked, stopping his fork halfway to his mouth. "You don't think one person could be responsible for all Sha'erah? The science alone would take quite a few pairs of hands, I would think. Not to mention raising, and training."

Visions of one room came back to Evan's mind. Of cold seats and mechanical voices, droning on and on about the rules and regulations governing his life. He remembered the other students, his age, listening in class and learning their individual talents. For some reason, he could also recall another room, where he was alone and learning how to 'speak' with computers. The voices were different there, more excited and encouraging. Almost as if they were taking great pride in his accomplishments.

"I don't know." He wished -- only for Alex's sake -- that he could remember more. A name, a planet even. But there was nothing. "One person, one group." He shrugged. "Maybe more than one. You're assuming there's only one source."

Alex blinked. "Yes, I am. Don't you think for security alone they'd keep it all in one place?"

Evan shrugged again. "I'm just pointing out things we haven't considered."

"Well in that case. . . " Alex stabbed more noodles. "We'll be up all night."

It wasn't all night, but a good portion of it. By the time Evan got into bed, he was exhausted and fighting a headache. Luckily, Alex fell asleep quickly, and didn't experience any nightmares, so Evan was able to get a decent night's sleep. By morning, he felt pretty rested and mostly free of any lingering irritation regarding Paulson Carpenter. With an hour before Alex typically woke, he decided a good long shower was in order.

The Ascalon had been fully restocked with basics, including fresh water, so Evan felt free to linger under the hot spray, letting the moisture bead up and run down his tall frame, pushing foaming clumps of soap along the way. It was easy to imagine all the frustration of the day before sliding out of his thoughts just as easily, circling the drain until the suction pulled it completely away, leaving only a slight dampness on the finely grated floor. He took comfort in the knowledge that he hadn't met Paulson Carpenter before yesterday, and therefore couldn't have possibly figured out what Spencer was up to with him.

Of course, that's what Spencer had in mind. He had to have known when Alex became Evan's Keeper, anything he knew that would cause harm or grief or any upset to his new Keeper, he would reveal. There couldn't be secrets between Sha'erah and Keeper. Which was precisely why Spencer had kept them. He knew, during the time when Evan thought he was dead, that he would have revealed anything Alex needed to know. Even if that meant going against anything Spencer had done in the past.

So how long had he planned that? Evan turned off the shower and stepped out, grabbing a warm towel. Had Spencer known, all those years, that he was going to use Alex in some way? And that in doing so, he'd need to employ his own Sha'erah? No, he couldn't have. There was no way for him to know Alex would make that discovery, let alone that Turbidium would come into such demand as to require the search for more.

Or could he? Spencer was a shrewd man, as well as a thief. It was possible he'd had some kind of idea things would go this way. The other possibility was too hard to think about, yet it was there, drifting around in the back of his thoughts. Could Spencer have been manipulating Alex's life from the start? Pointing him in the direction he could best help -- however unknowingly -- his distant father?

That idea was better left unmentioned! As were all the others. Evan finished drying off and walked back into his room to find clean clothes. It would do no one any good to discuss or even mention any further ideas regarding Spencer or the way he'd operated. In fact, it might just put Alex over the edge.

Evan forced the thoughts from his mind as he pulled on clean pants. There was plenty to think about now that they were on another job. And before they could leave, the Ascalon needed tending to. There were security issues he wanted to work out, before leaving his Keeper's ship in the hands of others, and those reporters had to be dissuaded from any further attempts to get interviews Alex felt no desire to give.

He found a clean shirt, sleeveless with the ship insignia imprinted over the right shoulder, located new socks, and walked out to the living area to get a breakfast order dialed in. Alex wasn't out yet, so he timed it to arrive in another thirty minutes and retrieved a cup of coffee to hold him over. Sounds coming from his Keeper's bedroom suggested he was awake and working his way toward the bathroom, so Evan went to the computer on the table against the far wall and turned the machine on. Within seconds, using his left palm instead of the keyboard, he'd gained access to the local news media's reports.

Alex's discoveries hadn't exactly made the headlines, those were reserved for the conspicuous consumption being enjoyed by the current governmental agencies entertaining visiting dignitaries. Evan had never cared for politics, so he ignored the details after skimming quickly through the main body of the story for any mention of anything that might help or hinder his Keeper in any way. After that, he found several articles regarding the findings of the crew of the Ascalon in regards to alien artifacts, an alien vessel, and possible contact with an alien sentient life form.

The bedroom door opened, revealing Alex dressed in pants and a short sleeved shirt, rubbing his eyes as he walked. Which was the direct cause of him slamming his bare foot into the corner of the table as he made his way to the galley for coffee.

Alex Marcase was not a morning person.

"What are you reading?"

"The articles they've been printing about your discovery." Evan continued to read the papers, conscious now of Alex walking around behind him looking for last night's discarded socks. "There's one here that questions whether or not the evidence is real." He shook his head at such skepticism.

"My own mother probably doesn't think they're real." Alex gave up looking for his socks and leaned against the back of the couch, watching Evan. "Anything interesting in there?"

"They mention how the alien ship is no longer detectable in the nebula." Evan shook his head. "It never was to begin with. But they don't bother saying that."

Alex laughed shortly. "They never do. These reporters have the luxury of all the facts right there, figured out for them, and they don't like that. I think they figure if they couldn't find it themselves, then they have to question whether or not it's really there." He shrugged. "Screw 'em."

Evan pulled his hand away and let the computer power down so he could get breakfast out of the dispenser. "Our findings were verified and registered by all the proper channels and methods used during explorations. How can they question the validity?"

Alex pushed away from the couch and walked to the table. "People tend to question something they can't touch or see themselves. It's natural." He laughed again and shook his head once. "Hell, I didn't believe in you until I had to."

"But that didn't make me any less real." He handed over Alex's plate and sat down with his own.

"No, and what we saw isn't any less real whether they believe us or not."

"Like Spencer's death." Evan repressed a shudder.

"He's dead."

"I know that. But without the evidence, I don't think anyone else believes it."

"Good." Alex stabbed an egg a little harder than he had to. "Let them think he's faking it again. Maybe he can haunt someone else for a while."

Evan found himself staring at his plate. He knew Spencer was dead. They'd jettisoned the body together, and that was weeks after his death had been undeniably confirmed. Alex was right. If people like Carpenter feared he was still alive, it would be their own undoing. The constant threat of a man like Spencer coming back would keep his minions on edge for the rest of their lives. They deserved it.

"We might be able to use that fear to our advantage." Evan idly pushed some meat around his plate with a fork. "I don't know Regian Kellman, but Spencer might have."

Alex nodded slowly. "Or, at the least, maybe Regian knew of Spencer. I just wish I knew how many people outside this planet and his knew he had a son. I could use that to our advantage."

"Or at least know when not to use it," Evan agreed.

"Good point." Alex ran a hand through his still-wet hair. "Well, we've got one day to kill. We'd better go down to the surface and get some new clothes. I don't want to advertise everywhere we go, in case these media reports haven't faded yet. My face isn't recognizable, but this ship is."

Evan glanced down at the Ascalon insignia on his shoulder, matching the one on the sleeve of Alex's shirt. "Are we going to see your mother again while we're there?"

"No." Alex stood and picked up both empty plates. "I think I've had my fill of her for a bit." He carried the dishes to the reclamator and shoved them in. "Besides, she sent me a message last night. She's left to go touring with Commodore Wilcox's wife somewhere in the Adagios system. She'll be gone for weeks."

Evan sighed his relief quietly and nodded. "The ship will be in dry-dock while we're gone, do you have parameters for the repair crews to limit access?"

Alex shrugged. "Not really, no. I've never needed to before." He pursed his lips and walked out of the galley, eyebrows creased. "Then again, I'm usually onboard whenever it's being worked on."

"I'd like to invoke some security this time, then." Evan phrased it politely, but he had no intention of taking no for an answer. "Keep all access confined to Engineering level and the maintenance mainframe files only." There were other, more strict enforcement measures he planned on, but those could be put in place quietly after he'd gained access to the shipyard's crew roster.

"Yeah, that's a good idea." Alex resumed his hunt around the living area, presumably for socks.

"I can do that this evening, if you're in a hurry to get to the surface." Evan stood, heading toward his room. "They're in the laundry chute. You have clean socks in your dresser."

Alex mouthed his thanks and went to retrieve a pair.

It was deceiving, Evan knew. If he wasn't there, Alex would be perfectly capable of taking good care of himself and all the details of life. But, knowing he didn't have to allowed him great leeway. At least, he hoped that was the case.

They'd both changed into clothes that bore no emblems or indications they were from the Ascalon, Alex having put on a deep green short-sleeved shirt while Evan settled for a simple black. He didn't see the need to purchase more clothes, since removing the patches from the clothes he had would be just as easy, but Alex was insistent. Evan couldn't help wondering if that meant another attempt on the part of his Keeper to get him into other colors.

The shuttle that carried them down to Scotian was only half filled, but one of the passengers was the same skinny man with the over-active Adam's apple that Alex had snapped at several days ago. This time, he avoided looking at either of them and was obviously nervous having mistakenly taken the seat next to Alex. Evan tried to ignore the man, but the way his throat bobbed with each nervous swallow was distracting. Luckily, his Keeper was oblivious to the skinny man, and the rest of the travelers who still found looking at a Sha'erah too tempting. Strange how he could be so irritated by something one day, and simply ignore it the next.

Must have been the hangover. Or maybe the trip to visit his mother. Being around that woman seemed to bring out the worst in Alex, turning him into a brat the likes of which even Evan would have been short with, had he not been his Keeper. It was amazing how someone could have such exact opposite parents, and yet turn out like neither of them.

Evan was eternally grateful he had no knowledge of his biological origins, and hoped that wasn't something they were going to try and find out, on top of everything else. He had no desire to know. Especially at his age, when it meant absolutely nothing. Alex knew both of his parents, and what had that gotten him?

"Murcadia is pretty upscale, so we'll need a few things that will help us pass for the rich, if not the famous." Alex stepped out of the hired car that had just deposited them in the center of town on a sunny late morning. "And that cruise liner Zane booked is high scale, too. Glad we're traveling on his ticket."

"This is his idea, after all." Evan wondered how hard it was going to be to convince Alex that black looked very high class, if made correctly. The wild colored patterns his Keeper been trying on that image of him, using his pager in the café, still sent shivers up Evan's spine. He knew mentioning the fact that simply having a Sha'erah would be the most obvious indicator of Alex's wealth, regardless of how he dressed or acted, wasn't something he wanted to hear.

"He can afford it." Alex grinned, then pointed to the shop they were heading for. "He's paying for all expenses, too. I can't believe it never occurred to me Zane was registered as a survivor of the Vision."

"So were the other survivors. They vanished pretty quickly when we docked."

"Probably checked their accounts and went on the shopping spree of a lifetime."

Evan didn't want to point out how wealthy Alex would have been had he made that claim for himself. He agreed with what his Keeper had done.

They entered a shop filled with all manner of clothing in every style and color imaginable, and immediately drew the attention of several delighted shopkeepers. A small argument ensued in the corner over which of them should have the privilege of waiting on the important man and his Sha'erah, which the tallest and oldest man won. He cleared his throat, tugged at his perfectly tailored vest, put his best smile on and sauntered toward Alex, trying very hard not to look at Evan directly.

"Good morning, sir! My name is Serge. How may I be of help to you this fine morning?"

"Just need a few things, Serge." Alex didn't even bother glancing at the man.

Serge took the hint, playing expertly to his customer's mood. He lowered his head in acknowledgment and backed up one step, but remained immediately available.

Evan glanced around the shop. There were two other customers, equally shadowed by salesmen who threw Serge the occasional jealous glance. The shop was definitely high-scale and catered to the upper crust, with samplings of attire from just about every planet and system that produced clothing. What set this shop apart were the physical samplings of each color and pattern, allowing the patrons to get a better idea of what was available and how it might look before they made a purchase. Sizing was a simple matter of being scanned, then waiting the ten or so minutes it took to process the orders, eliminating the pesky need to try items on individually.

Much to Evan's horror, Alex suddenly pulled out a wildly decorated shirt of almost painfully bright colors, and held it up against his Sha'erah's chest.

He can't be serious! This might have to be one of those times his Keeper always told him to assert his own opinion. Evan was sure there was no way in hell he could possibly put that on and be seen in public.

"Ah, if I may, sir." Serge reached over and drew out a dark gray shirt of the same style and draped it over one arm that was held out. "I would suggest with the gentleman's coloring, perhaps the deeper tones?"

Evan really liked Serge.

"He's right." Alex glanced at both men in turn. "I can't argue that." The shirt was put back with a shake of his head. "Well, Serge, I'll just let Evan stick to what he likes best. I never was very good with color."

"If you tell me what occasion you're dressing for, sir, perhaps I could make some suggestions?"

Evan wanted to add how much time that could save them, as well as headaches if Alex was going to keep looking at those colors just to continually prove the point, but he refrained.

"Good idea." Alex nodded, then explained the cruise they were about to take to a very exotic location. "Nothing that will stand out, Serge."

"I understand perfectly, sir." He pointed to the plush seating area near the back of the store. "If you would like to register your body scans, I can make some selections for your approval, and have them ready in no time."

The waiting area was unoccupied, so Alex and Evan had their choice of thick, comfortable seats facing the rest of the store while they waited. The two shoppers had already been joined by another seven, so Evan kept an eye on them as they milled about the store, occasionally shooting them quick, discreet glances.

"Word must be spreading." Alex nodded toward the growing mix of shoppers.

"At least they're not reporters." Evan scrutinized a new arrival. "Now that everyone knows you're here, they're going to want an interview again."

Alex turned and looked at Evan, eyebrows raised. "What makes you think they'll know I'm here? These people are all coming in to catch a glimpse of you."

Evan met his gaze. "They know there's only one Keeper on Scotian. And that man is the captain of the Ascalon. It's not that hard to put together."

Alex blinked. "Right." He sighed and looked at the shoppers. "Well, none of them look like reporters. Besides, they've already decided the reports might be faked, they don't need an interview to print what they want to print."

"It's not right, calling something faked just because they didn't understand what they saw."

"It's typical. I didn't say it was right. But at least it leaves me out of the limelight. I don't care what they believe." He nodded at the people. "We know what we saw, and the scientific community is falling over themselves with joy."

"Why aren't they asking to speak with you?"

"Scientists don't like eyewitness accounts, they get in the way of facts." He shrugged. "Makes life easier, as far as I'm concerned."

Serge returned then, bearing several selections for their approval. Evan's opinion of the man increased as he was shown dress shirts, dusters, jackets and pants all in various textures and materials, and all in black or a very deep, rich blue. For Alex, Serge produced an assortment of darker greens, blues and dark browns. The quality of the clothing was top of the line, even compared to Spencer's standards, and not so overly priced that Alex felt guilty charging them to Zane's expense account. With these new clothes, they could pass for the rich and the famous, if they wanted to. Understated, but undeniably expensive. Alex had a way of appearing perfectly at ease around great wealth, but now at least he could look like he fit in as well as he acted. Evan found basic black did the trick for him just fine. That, and his origins, finished off the appearance of fitting in to any situation, regardless of the assumed dress code the rich attempted to impose on their surroundings.

Delivery arrangements were made, sending the new purchases directly up to the Ascalon via courier, and freeing them up to continue shopping in town or return to the ship as they saw fit. Alex didn't have anything more he needed to purchase, but he felt like walking for a while, so they ignored the hired cars waiting for a fare and started down the wide, quiet sidewalk. The sun was shining brightly, but a cool breeze kept the temperature comfortable and lightly scented by the flowers growing in designated containers.

"So, it doesn't bother you that the media is raising the question about the validity of the reports?"

Alex shrugged one shoulder and squinted against the bright sunlight. "Not really. People tend to believe whatever they want to believe. It rarely matters what the truth is."

Evan considered that as they walked. To Spencer, reputation was everything. But to Alex, for the most part, public opinion meant nothing as long as it didn't get in his way.

"You get used to it, anyway. Nowadays, with technology the way it is, you really can't afford to believe everything you're told." Alex glanced up at Evan and grinned slightly. "Even DNA can be faked, and a few hundred years ago that was the definitive evidence. The scientific end-all."

Evan shook his head in mild disbelief. "It's strange to think the more advanced we get as a race, the more plain, physical evidence we need in order to believe what we're seeing."

"I had a teacher once who predicted mankind was going to reach a point someday where it was all too much. Technology would reach a climax then begin to collapse, and leave societies at a more basic level. He predicted eventually we'd even lose interplanetary communication and travel, and be reduced to little islands of humanity around the universe."

"That might not be a bad idea." Evan hadn't realized he'd said that out loud until his Keeper started laughing.

"I'd agree, as long as I knew it wasn't going to strand me on the same planet as my mother!"

The thought nearly made Evan shudder. "Well, I doubt that's going to happen." He hated to imagine his Keeper having to get drunk that often.

"Come on, let's get home and packed."

Alex hailed a car and they returned to the Ascalon, where they found the clothing orders already delivered with compliments from Serge. Evan could imagine the renewed business that shop would receive, now that a Keeper and Sha'erah had been seen shopping there. It never ceased to amaze him how people could be so persuaded simply by the fact that someone they felt the need to admire had presumably endorsed a product or establishment merely by using or visiting it. People could be such herd animals sometimes. Especially the wealthy ones.

Back on board the ship, Alex set about making final arrangements with the shipyards, as well as the remaining crewmembers still using the Ascalon as home while awaiting another job offer or excursion. While he busied himself with the necessities of captaining a ship, Evan went to work on security.

His first task was to identify the remaining crewmembers who would be allowed to stay on board in Alex's absence, and give them the same complete access to the ship they'd been granted all along. Next, he examined the work that was going to be done and identified all sections of the Ascalon that repairmen would be needing access to, then he limited their admittance to only those areas. After adding an exclusion that would prevent any crewmembers with access to grant passage to shipyard workers, he continued his sweep.

It took a little reprogramming, but Evan managed to set up all internal cameras and data recorders to detect and log all incoming and outgoing calls and visitors, regardless of their security clearance. He realized this might be going a little overboard in Alex's opinion, but his Keeper hadn't limited his permission to secure the ship, so Evan didn't think he'd want to be bothered with the details. Working this far inside the ship's mainframe was good exercise, and something Evan hadn't had to do in a while. With Spencer, hardly a month went by without him having to break into a system or private file directory, so he was glad to know he hadn't lost any of his abilities from lack of practice. It was such a normal part of his thinking, it was good to know how quickly and easily he fell back into it. Even better to realize he was no longer doing so unethically. No more was he required to break the law to serve his Keeper's best interests or do the work expected of him.

Now, with Alex, he felt as if he was finally -- for possibly the first time in his life -- reaching his full potential as a Sha'erah. Serving, protecting, enhancing the life of his Keeper, without being forced to use theft, violence, or extortion. It was refreshing.

And surprising, considering how little Alex was willing to use him properly. Evan finished his tasks and rubbed his left hand absently to relieve the strange tingling sensation that always followed a long computer session. Until now, he hadn't really thought about how much more he enjoyed his duties and unique talents in the months since he'd been given to Alex. But nothing had really changed with the man since they'd met back on Cryian II. He was still confusing, stubborn, frustrating to work with and contradictory as hell.

I must be going soft. Evan realized the time and headed for the galley to prepare something for the evening meal. The minute he starts making sense, I'll know I'm in trouble.

Chapter 5

Alex looked around the room and whistled appreciatively. The cabin he and Evan were sharing on the Newton III was far more luxurious than the small one-room number he'd had on the Terria Rose. This one had an opulent living area, complete with its own full service catering unit should the occupants not wish to dine in one of the multitude of public eating areas onboard. There were two bedrooms, each with a modestly sized washroom, and a full closet where clothing could be neatly arranged, avoiding wrinkles.

That was where the porter was setting their bags, under Evan's tight scrutiny. Alex couldn't help noticing how nervous the man was as he quickly stuttered through his routine explanation of the room and its benefits. After his mild amusement at the spectacle ended, Alex handed the poor man a tip and gave him an out, which he quickly took, backing out of the room with a hastily-mumbled thank you.

"You were scaring the guy half to death." Alex grinned at the closed door and tossed his carry-on to the couch.

Evan shrugged his dismissal. "It's not my fault he's easily intimidated."

I wonder if I looked like that the first day? Alex glanced into the room to his left. "Which one do you want?"

There was another door on the right side of the living area. Evan walked to that and pressed his left palm against the panel set inside the wall. "This is the door to Dr. Zane's suite." He turned and glanced around the room, then nodded to the door Alex had looked in. "You take that room, it's furthest from any entrance."

Alex's mind suddenly flashed back to that frantic rush away from Cryian II. "You can't possibly think we have anything to fear from Zane."

Evan made a small snort of frustration and retrieved the smaller bag he'd set on the floor by the main door. "I didn't say we couldn't trust Zane. It's just another way into this room."

"And who do you think is gonna come in here?" Alex could feel his irritation building unexpectedly. He thought this was going to be a small vacation, more or less, not a repeat of the paranoia that had governed his life that week he and Evan met. Angrily, he grabbed his carry-on pack and walked into the room while the Sha'erah replied.

"I didn't say anyone would, but your safety is -- "

"I know, your main concern." He threw the pack to the bed, then took a deep breath, trying to calm down. The only thing more irrational that Evan's willingness to throw himself in the face of any perceived danger first was Alex's childish reaction to the idea. "We're on vacation here. For a week or two, at least. Can't we just relax and enjoy the cruise?"

"Of course." Evan shrugged. "Why wouldn't you?"

Alex rolled his eyes. It was useless. Either that, or he was making too much out of nothing, which was entirely possible. "I'm gonna unpack."

The room had a large bed in the center, with a smaller open closet next to the washroom where that day's selection could hang in waiting, free from the cramped spaces of the larger filled closet in the main room. A service chute next to the door stood ready to accept any laundry service requirements, promising prompt return delivery within the hour. The shower was spacious, equipped with the latest in water recycling that would even clear out the steam of a hot shower instantly and send it to the reclamator for immediate purification and reuse.

Alex unpacked the contents of his shoulder pack, then sat on the bed to check his pager for messages. He'd left detailed instructions with the shipyard crews, and Reilly, who'd elected to remain on the Ascalon to watch over the ship in his absence. He knew Evan had taken measures beyond simply locking things down, but those details he left to his partner. They were a good team, when they didn't stop to think about it too much.

But something felt different. Being on a cruise ship again was bringing back some strange memories, added to by Evan's insistence that he remain safe and secure at all times. Maybe that was it. They were off the Ascalon, outside of what they'd come to know as routine. Alex fiddled with the pager, then slid it back into his pocket. He almost felt as if he was being faced with the need to get to know this man, as if he'd put that off since they'd started on their Turbidium quest, and now had to deal with it. It was a notion he'd been struggling with for a few weeks now, and still it made little sense.

I've known this guy for nine months! Known him, but as yet hadn't gotten to know him.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed about his overreaction, Alex came out of the bedroom and found Evan reviewing the ship's schematic from the computer inlaid table. The sight of the man, slightly unfocused, flipping through computer files without moving a finger or saying a word, never ceased to amaze him.

He was never sure if he should interrupt or not. "What do you say we wander around and see what this ship has to offer?"

Evan looked up and moved his hand from the input pad. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then nodded. "Doctor Zane left a message, he's visiting the ship's medical personnel. Something about a professional courtesy."

Alex laughed. "Hell, he'll probably find a way to turn this whole thing into some kind of business trip and get it free." He shook his head and opened the door. "I'm just glad to be in a cruise-crowd I don't have to work."

Evan followed him out the door and palmed the lock, securing the room. "The payment Carpenter came through with should take care of you for several months. Even with the repairs."

"I know. And if this job works the way it's supposed to, we'll be set for some time. At least the ship will be ours." Finally. "And it won't have had anything to do with my father, or his money."

"Sort of."

Alex paused at the nearest lift door and looked at Evan, one eyebrow raised. "What do you mean, sort of?" He hit the button and the doors opened instantly.

Evan stepped inside and leaned against the railed side wall, waiting for his Keeper to make a selection from the multiple level buttons. "Directly, it has nothing to do with Spencer, or his money. But indirectly, it has everything to do with it."

Alex sensed one of their very confusing conversations pending, but like an idiot he voluntarily jumped right in. "How so?" He pressed a button, heedless of what level it was since they were out to explore anyway, and leaned back against the opposite wall facing the Sha'erah.

"We're on a job for Zane, to find the source of . . . where I come from."

"Right." Okay, so far. Working for Zane, doing something good. Probably impossible, but that was irrelevant.

"Zane's only able to do this now because of the money he's been awarded as a survivor of the Vision, which was destroyed by Spencer."

Alex knew he was destined to lose this, as usual, but he still thought there was a way around it. He was learning to take a perverse sort of pleasure in these arguments with Evan. "But if Zane had found the funding somewhere else, he would have approached us with the idea anyway. So the money, here, is almost inconsequential." He crossed both arms in front of his chest and looked up into the taller man's black eyes, feeling the slight hint of impending triumph.

Evan didn't even bat an eye. "He never would have returned to his quest if he hadn't met us. And we're together because of Spencer."

Now he did smell victory. Alex held up a finger. "No, we're together because you made that decision. By all rights, Spencer should have had the ring back." There, he'd won! Only, Evan wasn't buying it, by the look on his face.

"That didn't change the facts." Evan shrugged that milestone off as if it hadn't happened. "I would never have known you if you hadn't inherited me in the first place."

Dammit.

"And if I'd been with your father the entire time, we wouldn't be here having his conversation."

It was hardly a conversation. Alex made a snort of disgust and unfolded his arms. "Well, if you want to get that nitpicky." The lift doors opened, offering a chance to change the conversation.

"You asked."

"But you started it."

They stepped out into a wide corridor lined with gilded arrows and politely written directions, pointing to the various indulgences and amenities the Newton III had to offer. Alex randomly picked left and they proceeded, rounding a corner and seemingly falling into space.

"Man, that was unexpected!" Alex swallowed, trying to put his stomach back where it belonged. The walkway that had been nicely carpeted, with the typical wall/ceiling affair, had suddenly become a dark blue pathway through the stars as it snaked along the uppermost level of the cruise ship through a transparent tubing traversing the entire length of the ship. Below them, another tube could be seen carrying joggers enjoying one of many exercise options.

It was dizzying, but once the shock wore off, both men found themselves quite impressed with the sight. The walkway continued past several seating areas for the star gazers and through two "open-space" cafes. It was like the Ascalon's wide use of impractical windows, taken to the extreme.

"I can't believe the power they must use just to shield this." Evan hadn't stopped looking around since they'd entered the unique corridor, awed by the millions of stars visible.

"You know, I used to spend hours as a kid staring up at the stars at night." Alex had to slow down to avoid tripping, since he wasn't watching where he was going any more than Evan was. "It was almost as much fun as people-watching."

"People-watching?"

"Yeah." Alex dragged his gaze from the stars and blinked them back into close focus. He noticed the end of the walkway was nearing, bringing them back into the ship again. "People-watching. You know, when you just sit someplace, usually a café in a public area somewhere, and just watch people."

They were back inside now, traveling a very normal and quite boring corridor that led into a wider open section of the ship.

Evan's eyebrows came together. "Why would you do that?"

"Just for fun." Alex shrugged. They were in a large common area broken up by art work and massive live trees. Seats were arranged in conversational segments, overlooked by a balcony section that sported a large café and more seating. "You never do that?"

"I've observed people, but not for fun." Evan looked dubious.

"Don't knock it till you've tried it." Alex grinned, then slapped Evan on the arm and pointed to the upper level balcony. "Come on, we'll get some coffee and do a little observing."

It wasn't until they had their coffee, and the perfect seats at a bar on the edge of the balcony over looking the common area, that Alex realized how few stares the pair of them had received so far. Correction, the stares Evan received. He wondered if it was just the tattoo that did it, or the whole package. There was still the factor of his attire, all black all the time. But, reluctantly, Alex had to admit those colors he'd been toying with looked awful on the man. Part of him wondered what Evan would have said, had he insisted on the one particularly obnoxious orange print he'd held up back at the shop on Scotian. It was tempting, just for a minute, to let him assume it was going to be an order just to see what he'd do. Probably smack some sense into me.

Alex sipped his coffee and scanned the large crowd for someone interesting. Evan still insisted he was Sha'erah, and all that came with it. But, looking back, it was hard to pick out just what exactly that meant most of the time. Was it because of his treatment of the man, or was it the other way around?

Keep it up, Alex. You'll have a migraine by the end of the day.

From their vantage point he spotted a familiar face below, walking slowly through the open area. "See that woman there, by the sculpted flower thing? Her name is Sadie Rogonian-Cog. Wealthy widow." He glanced at Evan to confirm he'd spotted the right person.

"The older woman with the three very young men around her?"

"Yep," Alex turned his coffee cup around in his hands. "Her husband died, left her a fortune she hasn't bothered to invest anywhere. At least, she hadn't nine months ago."

"Did you offer her the chance to fund your trip?"

Alex nodded and sipped his coffee.

Evan looked back at the woman, watching her and her followers move from one sculpture to another as if they were studying them. "She should have accepted. Those suitors will milk her dry. Soon, too, by the looks of it."

"Check that one out, over there to the left. The guy in the white suit. He's a vampire."

"Vampire?"

"Sucking the money out of people who won't even know it's missing."

Evan nodded. "A thief, you mean?"

"No, worse." Alex shook his head, squinting slightly at the man who was also visually working the room. "He'll weasel his way into someone's confidence, maybe try and sell them something or get them talked into an investment. Sometimes just flat out con them for all they can. It's worse than stealing. They make their victims hand money over willingly, not realizing they've been had until it's too late." He made a snort of disgust and shook his head once. "People like that make the rest of us legitimate types look bad. They can ruin a room, or cruise, if they get to your prospects before you do."

"He's watching the widow." Evan nodded toward the widow Rogonian-Cog. "Waiting for her to send those younger men off on an errand long enough for him to make a move."

Alex felt a grin tug at the corner of his mouth. He looked at Evan. "So you're pretty good at this after all."

"What?" Evan turned his attention back to his Keeper.

"Sizing people up."

"I told you, I've observed." He shrugged and looked back at the crowd below. "To size up potential dangers, evaluate rivals, keep track of changes and personal habits so I can better predict their actions."

"People-watching."

"I don't do it for fun." Evan looked at Alex again. "Neither do you."

Alex raised one eyebrow.

"You might enjoy it, but you're good because you have to be. It's how you know who to approach with your expeditions." Evan shrugged. "You must be good at it, since you've never had trouble finding the funding you need."

Alex laughed lightly, then lifted his coffee cup in a salute. "Touché."

They continued to watch the crowd, occasionally comparing notes. Alex watched the white-suited vampire make his move, but hadn't noticed one of the widow's suitors running interference until the man nearly got physical, insuring his money-well wasn't dipped into by an outside invader. Evan applauded the young man's caution and observation, keeping his prize safe from theft, as it were.

They were both wrong about the man escorting a beautiful woman easily half his age to a circular seating area where they sat and began to speak very closely. Alex thought he was probably treating the mistress to a vacation away from prying eyes, but Evan didn't see the need for a man of such obvious wealth to hide from anyone, regardless of the age of his date. When a woman and younger boy joined them, it became obvious the group was about as average, and innocent, as a family could be.

"Well, you can't win 'em all." Alex sat back in the chair and idly pushed the empty coffee cup back and forth. "What would you have made of me, if I was down there?"

Evan looked at him for a moment. "You mean, if I had never met you before?"

"Yeah. If I was just some guy, down there, and you were scanning the room."

He shrugged, but took a moment to consider before he replied. "I guess, I would have noticed you watching everyone else in the room, most likely. Then I would have wondered why you were doing that, and whether or not it posed a threat to Spencer."

"And if I wasn't, you would have had no further reason to watch."

"No. But, if I did keep watching, just in case, I think I would have figured out what you were doing." Evan shifted in his chair, fidgeting slightly. "I would have . . . Spencer had me keep an eye out sometimes, for potential schemes. If I'd've seen you before, when I was with him, I probably would have mentioned your expedition. As something Spencer might want to invest in. Depending on what it was."

Alex felt his face go cold as the implications of Evan's speculation set in. He inhaled slowly, nodding once. "I probably would have accepted his money, too. If I hadn't known who he was." He couldn't wrap his mind around the idea of meeting Evan under any different circumstances. Whether that was due to what Evan was, or who he was, Alex wasn't quite sure. Not that their first meeting had been in the best of conditions.

"If I'd had a choice, I wouldn't have."

Alex looked up, meeting the Sha'erah's eyes.

"In all the years I was with him, if I'd had a choice, I wouldn't have asked anyone to join in on his ventures. They were always designed to benefit Spencer, no one else."

Alex nodded slowly, accepting that exclusion.

"What about me? If I was down there, what would you have thought?"

At that, he laughed shortly and stared at his empty cup in an attempt to minimize his response. "Well, when I saw you back at VanHolt's building, you looked pretty scary." When he looked up, he could see that revelation had little impact. Evan was probably used to that as a first impression. Alex lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. "I think now, if I was watching you down there, you would have intrigued me."

Evan blinked in surprise. "Really? Why?"

Alex shrugged again, not sure he was prepared to get called on to explain. "Probably because you have the look about you. You're used to being around money. You're definitely not a vampire, or one of those." He nodded toward the widow Rogonian-Cog and her suitors. "But you don't act like you have money."

"I don't. But, you're used to being around money, too."

"Yeah, but I'm more like the money anti-Christ." Alex grinned. "I don't use it to get more, I just use it. Then when I'm out, I go looking for more." He knew what he wanted to say was that -- had they met under different circumstances -- they would have become friends. But he was sure they both knew that wasn't true. Had he met Evan while he was with Spencer, even if he'd known what a Sha'erah was, he would have been intimidated and found no reason to get past it.

Had Evan met him, there would have been no incentive on his part to be curious or even want to get to know someone who wasn't a direct interest of his Keeper at the time.

During the slightly uncomfortable silence that followed Alex's answer, he knew they were both thinking those same thoughts. With an internal shake of his head and quick exhalation, he pushed the cup away.

"I feel like a run. Did you see what level the nearest gym is on?"

Evan stood, clearing his throat. "Two levels down is the one with the track around the ship. It's listed as a ten mile run."

"Perfect." Actually, ten miles was about Alex's limit, but he felt like pushing himself, so they headed down two levels and found the track.

The gym was state-of-the-art, and packed with every make and model of equipment both physical and simulated. Alex never really enjoyed running in place, no matter how well they emulated any scenery you could hope for. When he ran, he liked to know he was getting somewhere, even though it was just a circle. Or in this case, the circumference of the Newton III. The track followed the outline of the ship, and at two points on either side, included a long section of the same transparent tube they'd experienced earlier.

"You know, just because I feel like running myself into exhaustion doesn't mean you have to." Alex retrieved a set of sweats from the dispenser in the locker room and looked at Evan questioningly. "If there's something else you'd rather do, I can meet you back at the rooms."

Evan shook his head and typed in his request for a pair of sweats. "I could use the exercise."

Alex considered saying something, then thought better of it. He didn't need a babysitter. But if Evan wanted to come along of his own accord, he appreciated it. The trouble was, he couldn't tell which it was. And asking the man would only lead to another one of their inconclusive conversations. Jogging ten miles was going to be enough of a workout for now.

"Okay, but with your longer legs you've got a better stride. Don't hang back just to be social."

Evan pulled off his shirt and stuck it in the large locker they were sharing. "If I get ahead of you, we'll meet in here."

At that, Alex smiled. "Yeah, okay." So, maybe this was a mutual enjoyment, and not one of his misguided attempts to keep a paranoid eye on his Keeper. That thought boosted Alex's spirits enough to start his run slightly faster than he usually did.

Five minutes later, he slowed to his normal pace and wasn't surprised to notice Evan pulling out ahead. The man's longer legs allowed him just enough extra inches to eventually take him out of Alex's view. No matter. He was used to using the jog to clear his mind of any pesky thoughts or to concentrate on something he couldn't figure out. This time, he just wanted to let his mind go blank and enjoy the peace and quiet. Occasionally, someone jogged by in the opposite direction, nodding pleasantly but not breaking the code of silent running.

It felt good to think of nothing other than the rhythmic placement of his feet and controlled breathing that would carry him the entire ten miles. Alex glanced up occasionally and spotted Evan, holding steady about twenty yards ahead. He'd just entered the transparent section of the track and apparently slowed his pace. A moment later, when Alex entered the clear tubing, he slowed as well. It was an unconscious reaction to the momentary sensation of suddenly running out into space. Even though he knew it was coming, he didn't feel prepared. The deep blue flooring nearly vanished from his peripheral vision, adding to the illusion he soon adjusted to. Once he was able to convince his brain he wasn't really dashing out into the vacuum, he was able to recover his pace and continue his jog, enjoying the view.

Sweat rolled down his back and chest, and the hair on the back of his neck was starting to stick. It felt good to push the body physically now and again, when most of what he did during his expeditions involved very little effort. The fear of turning into one of those fat, lazy captains who sat in their command chairs barking orders with serious expressions on their faces while their stomachs grow softer and larger kept Alex constantly using the Ascalon's gym during any voyage. It was a habit his short stint in the Scotian military had ingrained, and one he'd hung on to.

After ten minutes inside the transparent strip, he was transported once again into the regular confined area with artificial lighting and solid walls. It was almost a let-down, but the plainness of the surroundings made it easier to concentrate on absolutely nothing other than his movements and breathing. And the sweat dripping down his forehead.

He reached an arm up to wipe the worst of the moisture away before it could drip into his eyes. A man up ahead slowed to a walk, breathing heavily, then stopped altogether and leaned wearily against the wall, tossing Alex an apologetic glance as he was forced to change direction and go around him.

Something flashed quickly in front of Alex, then vanished, leaving behind nothing more than a strange feeling of dread. Must be the halfway mark. He shook it off and continued running. The path hadn't curved around the bow of the Newton III yet, so it wasn't exactly halfway.

Another jogger up ahead had stopped to stretch. Alex maneuvered around her easily, but the image that flashed into his mind nearly caused him to trip. Dammit! It was a crewman, dead on the deck of the Ascalon. For a split second, Alex was back inside his nightmare.

He stumbled once, blinking the vision away, then got back on track. Okay, just a flash, get over it. He was jogging, not dreaming. Alex pushed more sweat from his forehead and tried to ignore the chill racing up his spine. Just a nightmare, nothing more. He was jogging on a cruise ship. The Ascalon was in the shipyards, his crew alive and well.

Just a nightmare.

Around the corner now, halfway for sure. The second transparent section was just ahead, so Alex concentrated on that and nothing else. Images of dead, nameless crewmen and women faded from his thoughts, assisted by the fact that there were no more joggers to step around. This time when he entered the open section, he was prepared for the sensation and didn't lose any speed. Facing the stern of the large ship, he could see the various antenna and satellites poking up from below. It was a little easier on the stomach to keep part of the ship in sight beside the walkway. Give the equilibrium something to hold on to.

Several beacons were spinning and flashing, useless in the depths of space but necessary when the big ship was anywhere near a station where smaller vessels could wander too close and forget where they were going. Right now, the ship was cruising relatively alone, but service 'bots and repair skimmers were always crawling, climbing, or flying around the bulk of such a large vessel.

There, five minutes and not a single thought about dead crewmen. He'd finish this run in his usual hour's time, maybe take a steam, then be relaxed enough to want to take dinner in one of the larger public areas so he and Evan could compare people-watching notes some more.

In the blink of an eye, like some twisted slow-motion replay, Alex felt the floor fall away. His breath caught in his throat as one hand instinctively reached out, touching the transparent wall. The small part of his brain disconnected from the rest took notice of his hand, pressed firmly and unmoving against the clear surface. It knew that wouldn't be possible, had the floor truly fallen away, but the rest of his brain didn't buy it.

There were lights everywhere, screaming at him from space, pulling him into the void from the inside out. He tried to shout but nothing came out of his suddenly dry mouth. Panic threatened to overtake what little of his mind was left as he tried desperately to blink, to move! But he couldn't. He wasn't even sure which way was up until he felt himself truly falling.

"Evan!"

Darkness finally overcame the lights as Alex fell away from the wall. He wasn't sure if he'd finally managed to blink, or if he was actually passing out, but instead of the floor he expected to hit, it was Evan's body he slammed sideways into. An arm came around his back, and his arm was forced around a neck. Everything was blurred, mentally and visually, but Alex knew it was Evan helping him out of the pathway. They stepped through a door he barely saw, then he was eased down to the floor, sitting against the wall. His heart pounded so hard it felt as if it would burst out of his chest.

After several minutes of blinking and deep breathing, he finally focused both eyes and mind. "What the hell happened?"

Evan was kneeling in front of him, holding both of his arms and staring intently into his eyes with a stern look. "You tell me."

Alex sat there on the floor, sweating and breathing hard, waiting for his heart to stop racing a track he was no longer on. "I don't know." The sensation of falling away into space hadn't passed completely and it was shaking him to the core. "I was just jogging, then wham!" He shook his head, unable to meet Evan's black eyes. "I dunno." He leaned back against the wall and looked up, then dragged both hands over his face, pushing his sweat-soaked hair back. After a minute of staring at the ceiling, he realized they were in a service corridor, probably paralleling the jogging path. Evan finally let go of his arms, but he didn't move from where he knelt.

"It was like the nightmare, wasn't it?"

Alex blinked and looked at Evan. "How did you know that?"

"We need to get you back to the rooms, have Zane take a look at you."

He wanted to argue, but that sickening feeling of being back on the Ascalon, alone among a dead crew, was still too fresh in his mind. With a nod, he let Evan help him back to his feet and realized they, too, still felt the strain. An exhaustion had overtaken his entire body that had nothing to do with the aborted ten mile run. Am I losing my mind? It was easier to accept Evan's steadying hand than entertain the thought of madness.

Alex didn't argue the fact that they took a service lift straight down to their quarters, avoiding a return to the locker rooms or any sight of other passengers along the way. He didn't want to be social. He couldn't even bring himself to talk to Evan on the way back to their rooms. The memory of the dead . . . Okay, he could understand that simple association. In his nightmare he'd been jogging and had to step over the dead, nameless crewmen. Then, just now, he'd been jogging, trying to free his mind of any conscious thoughts, and had to move around people he had no name for.

But the rest -- that unexpected shock that came out of nowhere and felt as if he was being sucked through the floor out into space, alone -- what the hell was that? And why couldn't he shake it off, or move? He couldn't even shout, until he finally managed to call out for Evan.

"I'll find Zane." Evan deposited Alex on the couch, then walked to the adjoining door and pressed his hand over the locking plate.

"I'm fine." Alex leaned forward, propping his elbows on both knees, and buried his face in the palms of his hands. He had a headache building now that was effectively pushing out the last of the terror.

"What's wrong? Evan, did something happen?"

Alex looked up and saw Doctor Zane's worried face in front of him, shadowed closely by the Sha'erah.

"He nearly passed out on the jogging path."

Alex shook his head when Zane insisted he move his hands and sit up, but he complied anyway. "I'm fine. It was just . . . I dunno, some kind of flashback to that nightmare I had a while back. No big deal. Maybe I was just pushing it, taking such a long run."

"Evan, could you bring me my . . . Oh, thank you."

Alex hadn't seen the Sha'erah leave the room, but he'd just handed Zane the medical scanner. Babysitter mode again, eh? "I'm fine, I just have a headache." In fact, it was building. Probably just a side effect of nearly passing out.

"Well, aside from a slightly elevated heart rate, which seems to be settling down, I can't find anything wrong." Zane glanced apologetically at Evan, then put the scanner in his shirt pocket.

"I told you, I'm fine."

"Then why did he practically go into shock?" Evan addressed the doctor, ignoring his Keeper.

"How do you know what it felt like?" Alex stared at the Sha'erah through eyes now squinting from the mounting headache. This time they both ignored him.

"It could be exactly what he said, Evan." Zane shrugged. "He might have simply had a flashback to the nightmare that was particularly intense."

Evan shook his head, apparently not convinced. "I'm going to go back there, see if I can find anything. There wasn't anyone around him when it happened, but this was more than just a memory."

"Well, if you're both gonna ignore me, I need a shower." He stood, glad to find his legs steadier now even though his headache was worse. "If you're going back there, get our clothes out of that locker."

"You go ahead, Evan. I'll stay with him."

Great, two babysitters. What makes me so lucky? Alex ignored them both and continued into the bedroom, peeling off the sweats on his way to the shower where he took full advantage of the steaming water luxury. The pounding between his eyes abated slightly in the moist heat, relaxing muscles in his neck he hadn't realized were so tense.

Just a nightmare. He wanted to know how in the hell Evan knew what it had felt like, but he was obviously going to have to ask again. Probably just guessed right. Alex knew his face had gone pale, and he'd obviously been collapsing when Evan got there. How hard could it be to put two and two together?

Thank God Evan had been there, and he hadn't made a fool of himself in front of strangers. Sure, there were worse things. But on a cruise ship of wealthy people, some of which he knew, some who knew him, Alex couldn't really think of any.

With a resigned sigh, he shut off the water. The quiet purr of recycling units replaced the dripping mist as they greedily sucked the last of the moisture from walls, floor and air. By the time Alex stepped out of the shower, he hardly had to towel off. The headache was still there, slamming against the inside of his skull as he dressed. Caffeine, that should do it. He shuffled barefoot out to the living area to dial up some coffee from the dispenser and found Zane sitting on the couch.

"Headache, still?" He stood and held out one hand, palm open, revealing two small white pills. "Take these, they should take care of it."

Alex shook his head and continued to the dispenser. "I don't need to sleep, I'll be fine in a little while."

"They won't put you to sleep, I promise." Zane crossed the room and set the pills on the small counter as the coffee arrived. "Won't even make you drowsy."

Reluctantly, he accepted the pills and washed them down with the first sip of hot coffee. "It's just a headache, no big deal." Alex went to the couch and sat down, hooked his bare toes on the edge of the low table in front of him and leaned back into the cushions to relax and let the caffeine do its trick.

"Probably so." Zane pulled one of the chairs out and sat, facing the couch. "I can understand why you'd flash back on the nightmare, Alex. But I can't picture it affecting you so dramatically. There's no history of this type of episode in your medical files."

How long was he in the shower? Evan wasn't back yet. "Well, I can't remember ever having a nightmare like that before." Alex shifted so he could look at Zane while he spoke and still rest his head against the back of the couch. "It was so paralyzing. I felt like I was falling away from the ship, and the only thing I could get out of my mouth was Evan's name."

Zane nodded paternally while Alex spoke. "Well, that's instinct, luckily. I trust Evan was right there?"

"A few yards ahead of me. He's got a longer stride." He sipped the coffee. "I didn't want him running with me just to baby-sit."

"Did he say he was?"

Alex shrugged. "He said he wanted to go running."

"You say that like you don't believe him."

"I'm never sure if I can. I trust him, no question about that. But I never know if he's going along because he has to or not."

Zane's face morphed into a smile of extreme tolerance, as if he was a father watching his child explore his surroundings, fumbling. "I think trust and belief go hand in hand. If he says he's doing something because he wants to, you should accept that."

Alex raised both eyebrows since it was easier than shrugging again. "Oh, I go along. And sometimes I tell myself he really is doing it because he wants to. It makes me feel better, in a selfish sort of way."

"Then you can believe him. I know it's not an easy concept to grasp, and I'm not in your position, so it's even easier for me to say it. But to a Sha'erah, being with his Keeper and seeing to it he, or she, is happy, ultimately brings them joy. To us, that sounds selfish and single-minded. Even absurd. Sha'erah don't think the way we do. And happiness is, after all, just a state of mind."

Alex made a snort of disgust and straightened up, setting his cup on the low table. "You make them sound like pets, wagging their tails when the master is happy."

Zane raised his hands in defense. "I know, believe me. I realize how that sounds, and I wish it was different. I think, in time, with you and Evan it will be different. Perhaps that process has already begun. I've seen things between the two of you that I've never before witnessed between Sha'erah and Keeper."

Alex got up and walked pointlessly to the other side of the room.

"But, in as much as a pet is happy when its owner is happy, a pet will also devote itself selflessly to a benevolent owner even when given a chance to run free."

This wasn't a very healthy analogy. Alex stopped walking when he realized he was beginning to pace, but the door interrupted his reply. "Evan. Are you satisfied now? It was nothing."

"Actually, it was something." Evan set the clothes he'd recovered on the empty chair beside Zane's and pulled a pager out of his pocket. "Or at least it might have been."

"Is that mine?" Alex realized suddenly that he'd returned from their excursion in the sweats from the gym.

Evan nodded, flipping up the lid. "I needed to make a visual recording and it was in your pocket." He showed the pager to Zane instead of Alex. "I found this." Handing the small machine to the doctor, he looked up at his Keeper. "When you're in that tunnel, facing the stern, you can see the side of the ship below the floor. They have service beacons and identifier lights blinking down there, just visible if you're looking down."

Alex nodded, glancing at the back of Zane's head as the man reviewed the tape Evan had obviously made. "Yeah, so?"

"So." Evan turned to the doctor. "I think that one might have triggered some kind of flashback."

"Yes, I see it." Zane glanced up at Alex. "It's certainly possible, considering the memory of the nightmare you were already struggling with."

Alex blinked, staring from one man to the other. "What are we talking about?" Suddenly it came clear. "The lights . . . You think there was one that made me think of the orb?"

"Just making this quick snap started to give me a headache. It's coincidence, I'm sure. The pattern isn't there, but the colors are."

"Do you still have a headache?"

"No, I was fine as soon as I looked away."

Alex threw his hands in the air. "Great! So, are you telling me, at any given time I might look at some blinking light and freak out?"

"No, I don't believe so." Zane shut off the display and handed the pager back to Evan. "I think in this case, it's an amazing coincidence coupled by the fact that you were, at that very time, recalling something that put the orb back into your subconscious memory."

"When you run, don't you use that to clear your mind?" Evan set the pager on the chair with Alex's clothes. "Blanking out your thoughts, flashing back to that nightmare, then seeing this light flashing just out of the corner of your eye. . . It adds up."

"Perfect." Alex exhaled forcefully and dropped back down onto the couch, thoroughly disgusted. "So, this isn't going to happen again, is it?"

Zane rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I doubt it. Flashbacks aren't unheard of after something as serious as that orb addiction. But they tend to fade away in time. I think you've been quite lucky to go this long without something like this happening. Assuming that nightmare was just a nightmare, and not a reaction triggered by something we didn't notice."

Alex shook his head. "It was just a nightmare." And he was tired of thinking about it.

"Yes, of course." Zane stood and gave Evan's arm a pat. "Well, if you two will excuse me, I have a dinner engagement with the ship's doctor. Fascinating man. He's hosting a medical seminar. I'll have to introduce you before we leave the ship." He smiled at them both and returned to his room through the connecting door.

Evan leaned on the table, looking at Alex. "Do you feel like eating? We can stay in here if you like."

"No," Alex stood and crossed the room, retrieving the pager so he could slip it into the pocket of his clean pants. "Let's go out. If I sit around here I'll keep thinking about that stupid light." He looked up at Evan and raised both eyebrows. "What do you feel like?"

Evan blinked. "I . . . Whatever you want is fine with me."

"Well, what I want is for you to pick a place." Alex pulled a duster out of the closet and slipped it on. Evan was already similarly dressed, but as usual, in black. He chose a deep blue to match the slightly lighter blue of the shirt he'd put on.

Evan looked somewhat skeptical, but he opened the door and waited for Alex to step into the hallway. "Did you have anything specific in mind?"

"No. I want you to pick something you want." Alex waited for the Sha'erah to lock the door, then they started down the wide corridor. "It's not rocket science, Evan. You do it all the time anyway."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You're always making the decision what to eat and when."

"That's because you get so busy you forget to take care of yourself. Someone has to."

Alex shrugged. "So you make decisions all the time. You're only getting angry now because I told you I wanted you to pick something you want, instead of something you think I want."

"I'm not angry." Evan's brow furrowed. "I just don't see the need to make such a distinction. If you want me to find a place for us to eat, that's fine. Why do you have to make a point about whether or not I want the same thing?"

Alex shook his head, resigned to the fact that the conversation was at a dead end. "You know, you are the hardest person to be nice to sometimes."

Evan's reply was too mumbled to distinguish.

"What was that?" Alex had to turn to look at the man now that they'd entered a more public, slightly noisy section of the ship, closer to the dining areas.

"I said will this do?" Evan pointed to the second arched doorway to their left.

Alex looked in the direction he was pointing. It was a nice, airy restaurant with good lighting and a deft arrangement of tables that allowed maximum privacy without hindering anyone's view of the stars visible from the massive transparent wall. He nodded. "Fine with me."

The instant they crossed through the archway, a host appeared beside them, all polite smiles. "Gentlemen, good evening. I'm afraid I don't have any tables near the window right now, but if you don't have a preference . . . ?"

"Frankly, I've seen enough of space for a while." Alex glanced at Evan. "How about you?"

Evan spoke to the host. "Against the left wall is fine."

"Very good, sir. If you'll just follow me?" The host, apparently unaware or unconcerned that he was in the presence of a Sha'erah, smiled and led the way to a nicely situated table snuggled in the corner, looking out over the rest of the room.

Alex couldn't help noticing the lack of looks as they crossed to the table. Was it the caliber of people on this ship? Or was it just a case of Scotian being more back-water than he'd thought? "They don't seem too surprised around here."

"Or they're just not as obvious," Evan shrugged. "That woman in the red dress is staring at you. And she's not being very discreet."

Puzzled, Alex looked for the woman in question. She was at least twice his age, seated with a man her senior by maybe five or six years. When he met her gaze, she fumbled with her menu and spoke to her companion, then laughed a little too loudly at his reply.

"Not my type."

"Not even your century."

The arrival of their waiter curtailed Alex's chuckle.

When the food arrived, almost immediately after they'd placed their orders, Alex nodded with his chin toward the woman in red. "What do you think her story is?"

Evan studied her for a moment, eyes narrowing. "The money's his, no question. Probably married just when he started making it and now she's bored." He looked back at Alex, waiting for his assessment.

"I dunno." Alex idly stabbed a vegetable with his fork, keeping his eyes on the couple in question whenever they weren't looking in his direction. "She keeps laughing at all of his jokes, a little too loudly."

"That necklace she's wearing is real. No one can fake Zenium that perfectly, not yet anyway. I don't see him giving a mistress something that pricey."

Alex nodded. "I agree there. But I'm thinking she's maybe wife number two. Probably just married, though he could have done better."

"He looks happy. Isn't that what matters?"

"I used to think so." Alex reached for his beer glass. Sara had certainly dumped him easily enough, when she hadn't wanted to wait for him to get funding. He wondered what she would have thought if she'd been there when he came back with Evan in tow. Would the idea of owning someone have repulsed her as it had him, or would the illusion of wealth that ownership implied been the deciding factor in keeping her around? And how would he have known the difference? God knew, he'd been fooled by a lot of people about a lot of things lately.

They ate in comfortable silence for a bit, watching the people around them, until the waiter returned with an offer of dessert or a drink with a more serious bite. They declined both and elected for coffee to finish off the evening's meal. The woman in red was still sending him flirtatious glances whenever she felt she could get away with it. Alex didn't quite understand why. Not only was she out of his age range by a mile, but he didn't think he even qualified as someone she'd set her sights on even if she was younger. Now Evan was another matter. He looked exotic, even if you ignored the tattoo on his neck and hand. Alex wondered if half the stares the Sha'erah got weren't just due to his looks.

But he wasn't anything close. Never once had he entertained illusions of his own attractiveness, nor had he cared. He knew he was a bit too scruffy looking for the posh surroundings he often found himself in. Hell, he was too average looking to fit in with the house he'd been raised in. His hair wasn't perfectly contained at all times, his clothes often didn't fit his frame perfectly. God knew his sleeves were almost always too long. Though he did clean up pretty well. And tonight he was clean shaven and wearing some relatively expensive clothes.

Maybe that was it. Sure, that made sense. He was on a cruise that cost a good three months' salary, wearing clothes from one of the best tailors on Scotian. And -- Alex snorted in self-depreciating disgust -- he was sitting with a Sha'erah. She must think I'm worth more than ten of her husbands combined.

"What?"

Alex looked up, suddenly worried he'd just said that out loud. "Oh, nothing. I was just wondering what makes a woman who has everything like she must have, look at other men."

Evan shrugged. "Because she can? Because she sees something about you that doesn't fit in, and she's curious?"

Now Alex was curious. He raised one eyebrow. "You mean, I don't fit in?"

"Look at them." Evan nodded sideways, indicating the occupants of the restaurant in general.

Alex complied, scanning the room with his eyes. "Yeah?"

"They're all sitting quietly, perfectly manicured fingers, hair perfectly set in the latest styles. Even the men are wearing the newest fashions, sporting jewelry that makes them look a bit ridiculous. Point is, they're all very aware of themselves, and their surroundings." Evan was looking at him again, black eyes sparkling in the dimmed lights. "But you . . . You're the exact opposite."

Alex wasn't sure if he was being insulted, or merely observed.

"She can look at you and see you have money, but your attitude suggests you don't care. It's the same back at your mother's house. Her home is pristine, white, elaborately decorated. And you sit on the table."

Alex hitched one shoulder in a shrug. "I just never cared much for things."

"I know. And it shows. I think these rich people, some of them anyway, find it intriguing."

"Most of them find it annoying. I know my mother always did." Alex finished his coffee.

"I think it's honest."

A compliment? "Yeah?"

"At least you never pretend." Evan set his cup down, his expression growing suddenly hard. As quickly as the expression appeared, it was shaken off. "I never realized how much difference that could make. I'd go out with you."

Thankfully, Alex wasn't the type to get red-faced in light of such a heartfelt compliment, but he did feel a sudden wave of appreciation for Evan's honesty. "Let's get out of here before she makes a move on me." He grinned and stood, nodding toward the exit.

The woman in red followed them both with her eyes, but her companion had ordered dessert and was in no hurry to finish. They left her and the other diners behind, stepping out into the open area more brightly lit to emulate natural sunlight at all hours of the day. Individual areas were set with lighting that matched the chronological time of the planet they'd just left, slowly morphing to that of which ever planet they would dock at next, minimizing the effects of travel on internal sleep patterns. Alex had long since lost any sense of day or night, changing instead to standard ship-time from long years of habit.

The Newton III was perfectly designed for strolling and socializing, as well as privacy and luxury. Corridors and hallways wove through common areas and simulated parks, occasionally passing through rows of quiet little alcoves where lovers and families could sit and gaze at the stars in relative seclusion. Artwork and potted vegetation offered sound buffers and provided good room division and chair placement when necessary as the corridors continued on through the depths of the ship and its many levels.

Alex felt frustrated by his interrupted jog, and in need of a good long walk, so they skipped the lifts and quicker access routes that would have returned them to the room straight away, settling instead for another walk through the transparent tubing above the running path. The lights weren't visible from their position, but Alex made a point of looking up and out while they walked.

Which was one reason he didn't see the Commodore approaching.

"Alex Marcase! Fancy meeting you here."

Alex blinked, staring at the man in disbelief. When he remember his manners, he smiled and hastened to accepted the offered hand. "Commodore Wilcox. The universe must be getting smaller." If he saw one more person on this cruise he knew, he'd be sorely tempted to bail out.

"Well, the wife is taking a trip in the opposite direction, so this was the most logical route for me." The Commodore smiled broadly, flashing overly white teeth that matched the color of his short hair. "I believe she's with your mother, as a matter of fact."

Alex nodded. "Yes, sir, she is." Suddenly he noted the Commodore's gaze switching to Evan, who was standing silently beside him. Flushing at his own lack of manners, he set a hand on Evan's arm. "Sir, this is my partner, Evan."

Commodore Wilcox's smile widened slightly as he extended a hand to Evan. "Good to meet you, Evan."

There was an awkward pause as the Sha'erah hesitated, then accepted the hand and shook it but said nothing.

Unconcerned, Wilcox looked at Alex again. "Jeff's not with you any longer?"

"Ah, no, sir, he isn't." Alex's gaze fell momentarily, but he forced it back up. Commodore Wilcox was a jovial man, totally harmless and always polite. He never understood why his mother didn't care for the man. "Evan's my co-pilot now, and business partner."

"Ah." The Commodore nodded knowingly. He looked at Evan again, studying him from head to toe. "Interesting tattoo you have there, lad. Must be a new fad or something, eh?"

Suddenly it occurred to Alex . . . Commodore Wilcox was either more polite than he remembered, or he had no idea what Evan was. He glanced quickly at the Sha'erah, who was looking to him for a clear way out of the situation. Clearly he wasn't going to say a word, as usual. "Evan's, ah, not from Scotian."

"Well, can't say as I'd do something like that myself." The Commodore shook his head and clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "But then, I'm not as young as I used to be." His face erupted in a smile again, accepting Evan's apparently odd choice of personal decoration. "Go with the flow, I always say! Whatever makes you happy, and all that."

Alex laughed lightly, joining in with the Commodore's chuckle. "Yes, sir."

"Well, I hate to run into you like this then have to dash, but I've got a dinner reservation to get to."

Alex shook the older man's hand again, nodding. "No problem, Commodore. It was good to see you again."

"We'll have to get together, have a drink or something. You can tell me all about that Turbidium venture I missed out on." The Commodore smiled widely again, nodded at Evan and took his leave.

They turned to watch him walk away. "He hasn't heard?"

"Commodore Wilcox doesn't really keep up with the news much." Alex shook his head and turned around, continuing their walk through the tunnel. "I don't think he had any idea you were Sha'erah."

"You didn't."

"Yeah, but in retrospect, apparently I was pretty stupid not to." They stepped out of the tunnel and turned left, heading further into the ship toward a bank of lifts.

"I thought so, too."

Alex stopped walking and stared at Evan, his face an exaggerated mask of hurt feelings and surprise. "Oh you did, did you?"

Evan shrugged nonchalantly. "I said "did." I don't anymore." He reached out and hit a button, calling a lift car. "Granted, I'm surprised you didn't know about Sha'erah, but I can understand why now."

Amused, Alex pressed the issue. "Really?" The lift doors opened and they stepped inside. "And why is that?"

Luckily for Alex, they were the only two occupants of the car. "You were too focused on other things. Your mother never discussed it, and I can see why she wouldn't. No one you knew had one, obviously Miranda Carpenter never talked about her father's Sha'erah."

"I didn't associate much with Miranda when we were that young." Alex flashed back on his childhood and realized, in a nutshell, Evan was right. "Guess I was just oblivious."

"But not stupid." The lift stopped and Evan stepped out onto their level, then turned left toward the rooms. The corridors were mostly empty, and the few passengers who did walk buy were too deeply involved in their own conversations to give them much notice. "There's a difference."

"Between ignorance and stupidity? Yeah, I guess so." It was small consolation, considering.

"Of course there is." Evan's voice held a tinge of recrimination. "You're a smart man. A visionary when it comes to exploration. And as long as you have me, there's no need to concern yourself with other things."

Alex laughed shortly to cover his sudden embarrassment. They'd reached the door to their room and Evan was palming the lock open. Alex cleared his throat. "Listen, just so you . . . I mean, whatever we find, you know, about the Sha'erah origins and all that -- assuming of course we do find anything -- I want you to . . . " Dammit, Alex, just spit it out. "I'm not trying to get rid of you."

Evan stood in the doorway, his face completely unreadable as usual. Black eyes sparkling down at him.

"I mean, you're perfectly within your rights to do whatever you want. You know, leave, stay with me, whatever. I just want you to know, no matter what we find out, that won't change. You're still going to be my partner, and second-in-command. 'Cause, we're friends, and all that." Alex knew he couldn't possibly look or feel any stupider than he did right then and there. Evan was just looking at him.

Finally, he blinked. "I'm not leaving, no matter what we find." He turned and walked into the room, leaving Alex standing in the corridor staring in at him.

Yeah, but because you want to, or you still think you have to? "Well, that got you nowhere, Alex." With a sigh, he walked into the room and shut the door.

Chapter 6

Evan sat on the bed, legs crossed, practicing his breathing exercises, trying to focus all of his subconscious energies prior to allowing his conscious to get some rest. Alex's episode on the jogging path had served to bring home just how important it was that he keep his guard up at all times. So many months onboard the Ascalon, traveling home from the Nebula, had lulled him into a false sense of security. His Keeper needed him and he'd been several yards away. What if there had been an assassin? He would have arrived too late, instead of just in time to catch Alex and get him out of that track and into the relative security of the access corridor.

The instant Evan had felt the gut-wrenching sensation of falling away from reality, he had realized it was Alex who was in trouble. A flashback due to a bizarre set of coincidental circumstances wasn't something he would ever have predicted, but being that far away at the time was inexcusable.

He had been enjoying the run. Alex set a good pace, regardless of his shorter stride. Evan knew he could have stayed with him and still enjoyed the exercise. He wasn't there because he had to be, he simply had to be there.

He took another deep, cleansing breath and let it out slowly. Alex was just going to have to get used to it. Maybe on the Ascalon, it was easier for him to adapt. But they weren't on the Ascalon now. He was going to have to get used to the fact that Evan was a permanent fixture in his life, no matter where he went. It was pretty simple. Why Alex still seemed to struggle with it, he didn't know.

Finally sleep began tugging at his mind, tempting him with the fact that his Keeper was already soundly sleeping in the next room. Evan unfolded his legs and slid down on the bed until his head found the pillow. He'd been so sure their new quest was going to be the thing to take Alex's mind off the incidents of the past few months, he'd managed so far to avoid any real thoughts of the matter itself. There was no reason to start now that he could think of.

"We're never going to find it, anyway." Evan mumbled into his pillow as the fog of sleep overtook his awareness.

When his mind returned, urged back to reality by the understanding that Alex was waking up already, it was free of those nagging thoughts altogether. He hurried through the morning's shower, realizing he was running behind when he heard Alex already walking around getting dressed. The set of clothes he'd set out the night before were hanging neatly in the small alcove-like closet outside the washroom, waiting for him when he dried off what little moisture was left after the recycling units sucked it out of the room. Black pants, black short-sleeved pullover completely void of Ascalon insignia.

Evan pulled the pants on, then grabbed the shirt and socks and carried them out to the living area, too warm still from the hot shower to put them on. Alex was already there, dressed in light cream pants and a short-sleeved blue shirt he hadn't yet buttoned, standing barefoot at the catering dispenser waiting for a glass of orange juice to fill up.

"Morning." Alex retrieved the glass and his pager and padded barefoot to the couch. "I ordered breakfast while I was standing there, hope you don't mind."

Evan blinked. "Of course not. I'm sorry I was late, I -- "

"You're not late." Alex sat down and hooked his toes on the edge of the table. "We're on vacation, sorta. There's no time schedule."

Evan glanced at the dispenser, then at Alex, trying to decide what he should do. His routine was just shot to hell, and he was missing his duty yet again, even though his Keeper didn't seem the least bit annoyed by it. With nothing left to do, he retrieved a glass of juice for himself and walked to the table where he could call up some files from the computer embedded there. He flipped idly through the ship's roster, instinctively looking for any names he might recognize as well as ones Alex had mentioned while they were people-watching the day before.

By the time he'd made it through the passenger list and started on the crew's names, the catering bell chimed.

"Breakfast is here." Evan stood to retrieve the plates before Alex could end-run him there, too. As he carried them to the table, his Keeper walked to his seat, still holding the pager.

"Oh, Zane left us a note, he's off on some onboard medical seminar or something." Alex waved a hand, dismissing their current employer. "I think he might have picked this cruise because there are so many doctors onboard."

"At least he has something to do." Evan set the plates on the table and glanced at the pager's screen out of habit. What he saw shocked him. "What are you doing!" He reached for the small unit just as Alex flipped off the screen.

"Relax." Alex held the pager out of the Sha'erah's reach and closed it, then set it on the table. "I just wanted to see if it was coincidence or not."

Evan's face was burning with anger that he had to cool quickly. He should have erased that video! "We didn't know for sure. Looking at that light could have triggered something again," he scolded.

Alex made a face and picked up a fork. "Well it didn't. I'm fine. Besides, if it was going to, I'd just as soon be here in the room with you."

"I'd just as soon you didn't take that kind of chance again, no matter where you are." The man could be such a child sometimes! Defiant, obstinate, even downright pigheaded. He was definitely going to have to keep up his guard, more to keep Alex from hurting himself than anything, apparently.

"I still need a good workout, but I admit I'm not keen on trying that jogging path again any time soon."

Evan felt the need to tell him he wouldn't be allowed to wasn't warranted. "They have several other gyms onboard. And a few things I've never seen on a cruise ship before."

"Yeah, like what?" Alex leaned forward so he could see the computer screen Evan was calling to life. "I haven't even looked around the ship's amenities yet."

Within seconds, Evan had called up a ship schematic, showing all the listed exercise venues available rated by difficulty and exotic appeal. Since jogging was out, he eliminated the various tracks with one thought. "On the exotic scale, they have an excellent mountain climbing range, simulated rain forest."

"Sounds good." Alex pointed to the lower level blinking in an inviting blue with a several star rating. "What's this?"

Evan imagined the lower level and the screen instantly altered, showing him a cross section that included live video feed as well as a description in full detail. "Interesting."

"Perfect." Alex grinned. "Have you ever gone diving?"

"In water? Yes. This isn't water." Evan looked at the description skeptically, then mentally searched for the video feed, finding it easily with one thought. "Simulated coral reef diving, complete with live and holographic sea life from several planets."

"It's huge. Must take up the entire level on that section." Alex whistled in appreciation. "It's a harmless chemical reproduction of water. Lets you use a small mouthpiece to filter air in. No ship could afford to waste that amount of water just for people to swim around in." A wide grin was spreading across his face. "You game?"

While they finished breakfast, Evan read the entire detailed description of the Newton III's special simulated coral reef diving experience. It wasn't water, but a synthetic reproduction, harmless but slightly oily and not recommended for human ingestion on any large scale. While several species of aquatic life had adapted to the new environment, all predatory and poisonous species were -- for the safety of the passengers -- holographic.

When they reached the pools, that safety precaution didn't seem very obvious.

"That must be one of the holograms." He pointed to something large and sinister, swimming slightly open-mouthed to show of several rows of incredibly sharp teeth. If it wasn't a hologram, he wasn't going in and neither was his Keeper.

Alex glanced down at the beast as it swam leisurely beneath the platform they were standing on. "Yeah, must be."

Evan reached a hand down into the clear water just as the tail section was going by. His hand moved through the tail as easily as it did the liquid the fish was cruising through. Satisfied, he straightened up and examined the mouthpiece.

"I don't know who does their holograms, but that's pretty damn realistic." Alex shook his head, still watching the beast pass under them. "I guess part of the thrill is forgetting you're not going to be entering the food chain."

"Just stick close anyway." Evan pulled the strap around the back of his head and tested the mouthpiece for fit.

They both caught sight of the large predatory hologram again and Alex nodded, staring at the massive fish. "Close enough to touch." He gave Evan's back a pat, donned his own mouthpiece, then showed a thumbs up before stepping off the platform into the clear water-substitute.

Evan waited until his Keeper was a few feet ahead, then jumped in himself, adjusting the mouthpiece for a final fit once under the surface. Alex was waiting just ahead, tightening the small flipper on his left foot. Evan kicked forward until they were side by side, then they moved ahead, swimming together toward the first of many large sections of multi-colored coral.

Evan let Alex lead, but the two swam slowly side by side, exploring the colors and variations of coral and fish. He couldn't help noticing his Keeper's exploration habits put to a much smaller scale. Every time Alex came upon something new, he examined it with his eyes, only rarely afterwards reaching out to touch it. He felt relaxed, settled, and knew part of that sensation was a reflection of his Keeper's current happiness. Spencer never gave off that kind of feeling. With him, even when he was happy, it was a selfish, greedy feeling that had little to do with actual emotion. Alex was more real, more honest about his motives than his father ever could have been. And far more intent on sharing those feelings.

Go ahead, admit it. You like the guy. There, the universe didn't come crashing down. The ring was still on his finger, shimmering in the light filtering through the synthetic water. Alex Marcase was a difficult man to understand, sometimes. And he had a way of thinking Evan was still trying to adapt to. But, he could admit this to himself now, he actually liked the man. They worked well together in a way that went beyond his duties as a Sha'erah. He didn't want anything to change his current situation, no matter what, if anything, they learned on this trip.

Alex tapped his shoulder and pointed down, toward the opening of a large coral-lined cave. Evan nodded and kicked away from a rock and swam easily through the liquid beside his Keeper. As one, they entered the cave, illuminated by odd, glowing masses attached to the cave walls.

It was as alien as any strange planet, and twice as fascinating. Ten yards into the cave, it revealed itself to be a tunnel, snaking around the bottom section of the diving pool with several openings along the way. Something caught Evan's attention out of the corner of his eye, something oddly familiar yet totally out of place. He turned his head, still swimming slowly forward beside Alex, and nearly dropped his mouthpiece.

Without taking his eyes from the sight, Evan reached out and grabbed Alex by the arm, pointing with his other hand toward a small section of tunnel off to their right. When he had his Keeper's attention, he swam forward, still staring at the sparkling white lights that had caught his eye.

Once through a small section of tunnel, the area opened up to a sort of pocket lined with red and blue corals and bright green plants that drifted back and forth in the artificial current. It was a beautiful sight, but paled in comparison to the multitude of stars he had seen sparkling back at them from the transparent wall section.

Alex kicked once, bringing himself right up to the glass, but he avoided touching it. Without looking back, he waved Evan to come beside him. From that vantage point, all peripheral sight of the coral and aquatic plant life were obliterated by the blackness of space itself. He wished the breathing apparatus allowed speech, so he could tell Alex how incredible it was even though he knew his Keeper was seeing the same thing he was, but somehow he knew the slightest sound would ruin the illusion.

After what felt like only a few seconds, a muffled beeping noise sounded from the front of Evan's mouthpiece. He glanced down and realized they'd been floating there for a half an hour. They had fifteen minutes left on these filters, before the oxygen level they sucked in would become dangerously decreased. Reluctantly, he put a hand on Alex's shoulder and got his attention, pointing to the breather.

Alex glanced at his own, then nodded, looking once more back at the stars. With a resigned shake of his head, he gave Evan's arm a pat and kicked away from the shielded window, swimming back up through the tunnels toward the surface. When they were out from under any more of the rocks, they both headed straight up, breaking the surface into manufactured sunlight.

Alex pulled his breather down and let the lightweight unit hang around his neck. "Man, that was incredible!"

Evan trod water and spat out the mouthpiece, smiling at his Keeper's pure expression of childlike joy. "There was no mention of that in the ship's listing. It was like floating in space, I nearly forgot I could breathe." He rubbed his nose to relieve the sweat produced by the breathing unit. Something large was swimming up, visible out of the corner of his eye. For an instant, he forgot it was a hologram, but recovered in time to realize what it was about to do. "Don't panic."

"What?" Alex looked down instinctively, and nearly did just that. "Holy -- !"

The massive, menacing shark swam straight through the two men open mouthed, razor sharp teeth glinting in the simulated sunlight. The hologram made no noise, even though the dorsal fin of the creature was above the surface, moving straight in front of Alex's face.

"Man, that's hard to get used to." Alex watched the fish swim away, looking for other tourists to terrorize.

"You know, I could reprogram the settings for those things. Maybe take out the teeth, or put them in swimming trunks so they'd look less menacing."

The comment had been seriously intended, if perhaps a little over the top. So the wall of water Alex shoved into Evan's face took him completely by surprise.

"Swimming trunks?" Alex grinned mischievously while Evan wiped the water substitute from his face. His grin grew wider as he kicked out of the tread and into a gentle swim toward the platform. "You could do that, couldn't you?"

"You know, this water stuff tastes pretty bad," Evan scolded as he started swimming to catch up. The liquid was still running down his face since it didn't wipe off as easily as the real thing. He was sorely tempted to pull his Keeper under momentarily. Spencer would have punished him for such behavior.

"Maybe put those sharks in shaded lenses and flower necklaces?" Alex reached the platform and held onto the edge, waiting for Evan to catch up.

"It's oily. Tastes like something I can't figure out." Alex wasn't Spencer. Well, nothing ventured . . . In a burst of irrationality, Evan grabbed the edge of the platform with one hand, then put the other hand on Alex's head and pushed, shoving his Keeper's head under the surface while at the same time lifting himself up to the platform and out of the liquid.

Alex came up quickly with a shake of his head that failed to clear the synthetic water from his face. He glared at Evan but there wasn't a single spark of anger in his green eyes. Evan knew it was risky to hold out a hand, but he braced himself against the platform, fully prepared, and helped his Keeper out of the water.

Alex dragged a hand over his face, pushing off as much of the oily water as he could. He made a face and flicked the liquid at Evan. "Tastes like fish. That's what it tastes like."

"Right, fish." Evan fought the urge to laugh, in case that was the one step too far, but Alex had no such compunctions.

"I need a shower."

They returned to the dressing area and peeled off soaked swim trunks, then showered with the real thing, adding a special soap designed to cut through the oily residue left behind by the water substitute. No wonder the synthetic wasn't used in place of the more precious real commodity. It would be hard to bathe in something that left you desperately in need of a shower, and smelling like fish.

Evan couldn't help but feel he'd made a significant step toward something, but what exactly it was, he wasn't sure. More importantly, he didn't want to analyze it, just enjoy it. They'd spent a total of three hours in the diving pool, getting more of a physical workout than they realized until it came time to walk back to the lifts and look for a good place to eat lunch. Evan was in good shape, and he knew Alex was also, but the transition from near weightlessness to walking again in normal ship gravity was startling.

"Could be worse." Alex reached the lift first and pressed a call button. "It could be that alien ship's gravity."

Evan's mind flashed back to the alien ship and its equally alien crew. "I wonder if anyone will come into contact with them again." The lift was crowded when they stepped on, but he knew Alex would continue the conversation, regardless.

"Hopefully not in our lifetime." Alex shrugged. "We don't know how long they've been around, but if this was the first time and they weren't overly impressed with what they saw, I think it'll be quite some time before we see them again."

Once again he saw the crystal aliens in his mind's eye, moving as if they were gliding along the smooth floor. Gliding right through the remains of their fallen comrades as if they didn't exist. Evan felt a shudder go through his body with the memory.

When the lift came to a halt, he and Alex were the only two to disembark. They followed the signs to the nearest common area sporting several varieties of cafes and restaurants catering to every specialty and whim any passenger could request. They settled on a light lunch and a table against a railing overlooking another common area one level below that allowed them a return to the people-watching comparisons of the day before.

Evan was pleased to note his Keeper's intuitiveness when it came to figuring people out just by physical observations. He had a keen sight and a knack for identifying the real from the fake, based on clothing and body language as well as attitude. By the end of lunch, he was convinced only the very good, or possibly the very desperate, could carry out a cover-up against him. Spencer had been the very good, and anyone associated with him, the very desperate.

If he hadn't already killed the man, Evan knew he'd be sorely tempted to do so again.

"Isn't that Commodore Wilcox?"

Alex looked where Evan was indicating and nodded. "Yep, that's him." He sipped his coffee and nodded with his chin. "What do you make of him?"

Evan looked more closely at the large, round man laughing at something another man had said. He had white hair and plenty of it, lines around his eyes and the corners of his mouth suggesting a smile or outright laugh would be a normal sight there. His pants were expensive, dark brown, and somewhat wrinkled around the seat. Tucked into them, a lighter brown shirt looked as if it had been slept in from the back, but the front was pristine and loose. Evan put the image together with what little he'd already heard of the man.

"He's rich, but he isn't exactly sure how rich. A happy guy, but not stupid. I'm guessing your mother doesn't like him much." Evan turned to look at Alex and saw humor sparkling in his green eyes.

"You're right, she doesn't." Alex grinned. "She puts up with him because he's disgustingly wealthy. But he doesn't have the manners she prefers."

"Like you."

Alex laughed lightly. "Yeah, like me. He's a nice guy, though. Doesn't like gossip the way his wife does, which is why the woman's not vacationing with him."

He would have been the better financial backer, had Spencer not been in complete control of everything regarding the Pendulum Nebula. But that was then. No sense bringing up old wounds not yet healed.

"Man, I could go for a nap." Alex suppressed a yawn and glanced at the contents of his cup. "Guess that's not gonna happen after two cups of coffee. How about a game of chess?"

There were no battle chess tables in the rooms, but one of the many alcoves in the wide corridors sported gaming tables and afforded the occupants a decent amount of privacy for conversation or deep concentration. The first two games went to Evan, somewhat easily, the third to Alex, but the fourth was bordering on a stalemate after nearly an hour. He found Alex's strategy hard to adapt to, and constantly changing in response to his own moves. The man was his equal in the game, as few people had ever been, and he enjoyed the rounds they'd played passing time on the Ascalon as much as his Keeper had.

Evan made his move after much study, but even so it was becoming apparent Alex was most likely going to win this one. Unless he made a mistake in his concentration, they were going to be tied. Time for another strategy.

"I don't know how you can stand that thing."

"Huh?" Alex refused to look away from the board.

Evan tapped the small hollow on his own lower lip, just above the chin, where Alex consistently sported a small amount of what could barely be described as goatee. "That."

Alex gave him a quick glance. "Doesn't bother me." His attention returned instantly to the board with a slight shrug of one shoulder.

Evan calculated the two moves available, watching his Keeper for any sign of discovery in his eyes or body language. "Makes you look defiant." He paused. It was going to take more than this to distract the man. "Probably why your mother thinks you're a brat."

At that, Alex grinned. "I am a brat." He reached for a piece, then hesitated, considering.

That move would result in a win. Evan reviewed his options, deciding against anything that might stir up bad memories. That's what Spencer would have him do, hurt his opponent in any way possible to insure a win.

He'd rather lose.

"You're gonna have to do better than that." Alex reached out and made the move, then leaned back and smiled in a very smug fashion. "To distract me, that is."

Evan had to suppress a laugh. He shook his head and admitted defeat. "We're tied."

Alex was still grinning. "How about discussing strategy over dinner? Then we can work this tie off."

"You're on."

They stood and walked back out into the corridor, and once again nearly ran headlong into Commodore Wilcox.

"Alex! Perfect timing, I was just heading to your quarters to see if you'd join me for dinner?" The Commodore smiled warmly at them both, eyebrows arched questioningly.

"Commodore, we were just about to head off to dinner, as a matter of fact." Alex gave Evan a look and one raised eyebrow, then turned back to the larger man. "We'd love to join you."

"Wonderful!" Commodore Wilcox's smile widened. He turned, wedging himself between both men, and slapped an arm around each of their shoulders, effectively escorting them back to the dining section.

Since all meals and amenities were included in the price of each passenger's ticket, the notion of someone treating you to a meal was moot. Tickets for a cruise on the Newton III were enough to provide for a family of three for about six months, so it was no surprise when Commodore Wilcox picked the highest quality restaurant the ship had to offer. It wasn't something Alex would have chosen, but Evan couldn't help notice how at ease his Keeper was, regardless of the obvious wealth of the other patrons. He wasn't sure how much of that was Alex, or his growing acceptance of the prestige associated with owning a Sha'erah, but he tended to believe -- based on his knowledge of the man -- that it was the former.

"I caught up on some news reading last night." The Commodore sat back, twirling the brandy around the sides of his glass. "Interesting bit of business you discovered out there."

Evan felt his face go cold. They'd avoided any mention of Spencer, the Vision, even the turncoats left behind after their betrayal had been discovered. So far, the Commodore hadn't asked.

"Nebulas are an interesting phenomenon, Commodore." Alex seemed to be playing along, waiting for him to make direct mention of it.

"Still, alien life? And crystalline at that." He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and shook his head slowly from side to side. "Fascinating! Hard to believe, but as far as I'm concerned the evidence is right there."

Evan relaxed muscles tensed in anticipation.

Alex laughed shortly. "Well, sir, I don't mind the general public ignoring it all. Suits me just fine, really."

"I expect it would." He raised the brandy glass in a toast. "Here's to obscurity! Damn well served me all these years, eh?" His laugh echoed through the quiet dining area and reverberated off the clinking of their glasses. "Take the money and walk away quietly, I always say. The scientists are drooling on their lab coats, I'd expect. Got them going good, you did. Too bad there's not much money in that, but prestige in their league can carry you far if and when you've a need for it."

"Let's just hope I never do." Alex smiled, then finished his drink.

Both of them had chosen beer instead of the headier brandy the Commodore was nursing. If Evan stood any chance at all of winning their tie breaker, he needed a clear head. All hopes of Alex softening his senses was lost when he'd chosen coffee with the meal. Okay, he wanted to play hard ball, win this last game to carry a victory into the next day. Evan was game.

"Well, you two gentlemen have been more than patient, entertaining an old man." The Commodore slapped the table and stood, forcing his chair back and nearly tripping a waiter who hadn't seen the move coming. "I thank you for your company, Alex." He reached out a large hand and pumped Alex's warmly, then turned to Evan and did the same. "Evan, good to know you, man. I have a feeling the two of you are going to go far. Keep me up to date on your adventures, you hear me?"

Alex laughed, nodding. "Yes, sir, we will."

"All right then." With a final smile, Commodore Wilcox began wandering off, as if he'd forgotten why he was standing there in the first place. Suddenly he waved an arm and bellowed toward the far end of the dining room. "Lydia, you old goat! Good to see you up and about."

All eyes were focused on the large, loud man jovially wandering through the dining room toward a startled woman in the back while Alex and Evan left, walking back out to the relative quiet of the common area.

"And that, was Commodore Wilcox," Alex grinned.

They returned to the gaming table in the corridor alcove and worked on breaking the tie for the next hour. All bets were off this time, and each man spent as much time trying to break his opponent's concentration as he did trying to win. In the end, after several comments, quips, and one truly odd mentioning of the pattern of Evan's tattoo, they had to admit to a stalemate.

"Guess we're both just too good for our own good." Alex shrugged and turned off the display, then stretched and stood.

"Or we're both just tired." Evan felt the strain of legs and back when he got off the padded seat. "We did swim for three hours straight this morning." They started back toward their quarters and he could feel the stiffness trying to work itself out.

"Yeah, that's true. Must be off our game or something."

"Not that stalemating isn't a good thing," Evan quickly added, sensing his Keeper's ego edging out.

"Depends on the battle." Alex grinned, then palmed open the door to their rooms. "How are you at rock climbing?"

Evan blinked. He'd actually never done it before in his life, real or simulated. Apparently that's what Alex wanted to do next. "I can hold my own."

"Good." Alex started peeling off his shirt and kicking both shoes off as he headed toward his bedroom. "Wonder what Zane's doing for fun."

Evan walked to the wall where incoming and outgoing messages were stored, placed his palm over the input pad, and put Doctor Zane's name in the forefront of his thoughts. Within seconds, he located two messages telling them he was attending conferences all week long on deck C, and three areas on that deck where the doctor had checked in and ordered meals. He pulled his hand away before the entire menu of items the man had ordered during the last two days could flood his thoughts.

"He's enjoying himself."

"I suppose that's what he considers fun." Alex came out of his room, dressed only in the pants he'd been wearing and carrying his pager.

"A man like him, I'm sure it is." Evan suppressed a yawn and ran a hand through his black hair. As usual, the silvery metal that made up his left palm created a small amount of static electricity, tickling the top of his scalp.

"Yeah, I guess -- Shit!"

Evan reacted to his Keeper's sudden alertness before he even registered the exclamation. "What?" He moved instantly to the couch where Alex was sitting, staring at the small screen of the pager.

"Someone tried to get in." Alex handed the small machine over, pointing to the screen where a small red light blinked. "Remotely, I think. Or while we were swimming. It was in the locker in my pants."

Evan knew there was no one who could have gotten past his security, but he took the cautious approach from the start, in order to avoid accidentally erasing or skipping by a significant piece of evidence. If Alex was still speaking, he couldn't hear him.

With his left palm snugly over the pager's input pad, Evan envisioned the virtual padlocks to see which one showed marks of tampering. There were three that had definitely been hit, protecting Alex's private numbers, his personal itinerary, and his bank statements. The one showing the most damage, was the itinerary. Evan mentally felt over the first two, confirming there were no actual breaches, then altered the configuration. Whoever had tried to get in might have been thwarted, but if they were this good in the first place, they could learn from their mistakes and try again.

Once he was satisfied with his results, he concentrated on the itinerary. That lock hadn't been completely breached, but there was the slightest "hole" off to one side. It was possible, though still highly unlikely, that whoever was trying to get in did manage to see through the crack.

Damn, he was good. Evan was the best. That wasn't ego, that was fact. His Sha'erah adaptations allowed him access and abilities most people, even brilliant computer programming minds, couldn't completely comprehend. Evan had to admit even he didn't fully understand the details, since it was like inhaling to him. But he knew he was that good. For someone to have gotten this far, they had to be as good. They couldn't be better. It wasn't possible. Was it?

Evan mentally walked up to the small hole and looked inside. Visible from there were Alex's check-in times when the Ascalon was brought back from the nebula and booked into the Scotian shipyards. If he looked carefully, he could make out the Newton III, but no times, docks or destinations.

He put the proper thoughts into the forefront of his mind and the locks opened willingly for their master, allowing him full access. From the inside, he "looked" back at the locks, checking the damage pattern.

A cold chill ran down his spine. The markings were familiar. Too familiar. Someone was playing hardball, but who? And why?

Okay, two can play this game. Evan removed the lock entirely, then built another one, using completely different data that would effectively erase any headway the would-be thief had made. By the time he finished triple checking his new locks and searching for any signs of missed tampering, he was sweating.

He blinked, moving his now shaking left hand away from the pager, and focused on a very worried face with bright green eyes and brown hair, staring intently at him from a kneeling position in front of the couch he was sitting on.

"Hey, are you with me? Evan?"

He had to lick lips dried beyond speaking. "Someone tried to get in." His voice cracked with the last word and his hands shook when he tried to wipe the sweat from his face.

Alex lifted a glass of cold water and took Evan's right hand, forcing it around the glass. "You were in there for thirty minutes, I couldn't even get you to respond." He took the pager out of his other hand and set it on the table.

"I was -- "

Alex stopped his reply with a stern order. "Drink!"

Dutifully he took a swallow and noted the slightly flavored additives. Obviously it wasn't just water. After a glance at his Keeper, he finished the glass and felt the restoratives already calming muscles exhausted by stress.

"Whoever it was could have gotten in if he'd kept at it."

Alex looked confused. He took the empty glass from Evan's hand and set it on the table, but stayed where he was, kneeling on the floor. "How? I thought you set up security no one could get by?"

"I did." He still couldn't believe what he'd seen. "They didn't get in, but they were close."

"How close?"

Evan swallowed. "Close enough." He shook his head, frustration and anger beginning to overcome his shocked surprise. "I stopped them with new locks, completely new. If they try again, they'll be back where they started and I can stop them from getting anywhere." God, he was tired! And he was slipping. He should have checked Alex's pager daily. Maybe even more often than that. He just wished there was a way for the pager to tell him directly, from no matter where it was. There should be a way to do that, he'd have to check into it.

Alex stood, then took hold of Evan's left arm. "Come on, you're wasted."

"I should see if I can -- "

"No." Alex ignored his protests, pulling him off the couch. "You're going straight to bed. No arguments!"

The headache hit then, hard and pounding from such intense concentration. Evan hadn't intended to use Alex's supporting hands, but he found his legs a bit too shaky to support his body alone. "I'll be fine in a few minutes."

"You're sleeping in tomorrow, then we can stay here and work on this if we have to." Alex directed the Sha'erah straight into the bedroom, not letting go of his arm until he was sitting on the bed. "Mountain climbing can wait."

Mountain climbing for the first time in his life would seem like a cake-walk after what he'd just done. Evan nodded. "I set audible alarms, let me keep the pager in here, so I'll hear them if he tries again."

"You think he will?" Alex walked back out to retrieve the small unit, then set it on the small table beside the bed. "Never mind, we can talk about this after you get some sleep. You're pale."

"I'm fine, just tired." Actually, the restorative drink was already doing wonders, bringing his muscles back to normal control and eliminating all shakiness.

Alex hesitated, looking down at him from the foot of the bed. "All right, just get some sleep. I mean it. No fussing with that thing unless it beeps, or whatever."

Evan nodded. It was as close to an order as he was likely to get from Alex, but meant as exactly that. And, as if to ensure it was followed, his Keeper remained in the room, helping Evan get undressed and comfortably settled on the bed. When he assured Alex he was beginning to feel the drifting of sleep, his Keeper reluctantly returned to his own room.

Alone, Evan stared up at the ceiling and walked through the memory of what he'd seen inside the pager. And what he'd seen still didn't make sense. There wasn't a reason he could imagine for someone to want to break into the private files of Alex Marcase, let alone his current itinerary or private banking files. Before the expedition, when there was a find as important as Turbidium at stake, he could understand a bit of corporate piracy. When Signus Harvey had made his attempt, it was so clumsy it set off even the meager security Alex had already programmed.

The measures Evan took should have been not only completely tamper proof, but virtually invisible to anyone trying to get inside. Anyone looking for a way in would have found none, but also never found the locks keeping them from sight. Even those well versed in virtual mind/computer interfaces didn't understand how a Sha'erah with his abilities did what he did. When they went inside, they were still thinking like a human and trying to act like a computer.

When Evan went inside, he was the computer.

Whoever had done this, was also Sha'erah. It was the only logical conclusion to come to. But not one he wanted to mention to his Keeper yet. Not until he had more information, or at least more control over his thoughts than he'd had when he came out on that couch, sweating and shaking like a child.

The other thought dancing around in his brain was even more upsetting. If it was a Sha'erah, and logic said it had to be, then he or she was acting on someone's orders. They were on their way to see Regian Kellman, a Keeper, but he didn't know they were coming. In fact, no one did. Not even Paulson Carpenter. He'd known they were interested in locating the source, and that they might visit VanHolt. But neither of them were Keepers, and neither would have known about Kellman.

Could there possibly be another Keeper onboard the cruise ship? He hadn't caught sight of any other Sha'erah, but then again, he hadn't been looking specifically for one. Not that it was easy for them to hide. Unless he didn't want to be seen.

Evan rolled over and shoved a fist angrily into his pillow. If this Sha'erah who tried to break into Alex's files was as good as he was, then he could be in the next room and be hiding as easily as Evan could. But it still didn't answer why. And until he found more information, he knew nothing would.

Morning came eventually, and gave Evan a reason to get out of bed and into the shower. No alarms had gone off indicating another break-in attempt, but he was too restless to spend much time under the hot spray of water. He dressed in black pants and a long sleeved, pull-over shirt and padded barefoot out to the living area, pager in hand. Alex was in the shower, so he dialed up a breakfast order to be delivered in thirty minutes, dispensed a cup of hot coffee and directed more to be standing by at all times.

Their vacation was over. At least until he could get to the bottom of this. With coffee and pager in hand, Evan walked to the couch and sat down. It was all his fault, he knew that. Letting his guard down. First Alex had an episode on the jogging path that he should have been able to prevent. Now this.

You're slipping, Evan. Keep this up and he'll sell you for sure.

With a deep breath and a taste of the hot coffee, Evan flipped open the pager. The status light was green, blinking quietly at him from the lower right corner. Okay so far. He rested his left hand over the unit. Data bytes and flashes of color replaced the room, stretching out before him like a roadmap of misdirection. The sense of hearing that wasn't required during operations such as these picked up Alex coming out of his bedroom, banging against the door on his way out.

Evan focused momentarily on the room around him and saw his Keeper, cursing and rubbing his knee, walk to the dispenser for coffee. Dressed only in sweat pants and a loose-fitting pullover shirt, he looked half asleep.

"Did you get any sleep last night?"

Evan pulled himself out of the pager completely and nodded, sipping his own still hot coffee. "Enough."

Alex grunted some kind of acknowledgment and padded barefoot to the table. "You're not gonna over do it or anything, are you?"

"I need to find out how this happened, and make sure it never happens again."

"Yeah, but you're not gonna over do it again, are you?" Alex blinked several times as if he was still trying to force himself awake. "We can just hang out in here all day and relax, if that's what you're worried about. I need to do a little research anyway." He pointed to the computer embedded in the table.

"Someone came close to breaking through my security, and into your files." Evan felt his anger building again, mixing with internal recrimination. "I never thought anyone could get this far, and I was wrong."

Alex dragged a hand over his face, then pushed his hair back and looked at Evan. "Could it have been some hacker? Maybe some bored kid looking around, who had a few lucky shots?"

"No," Evan shook his head firmly. "The only way someone could have gotten in there would be if . . . " he paused, not sure now if he should have said anything without proof. But what more proof could there be?

"If what?"

He sighed, then met Alex's gaze straight on. "If he was a Sha'erah, with my abilities."

Alex blinked.

"I don't know of any others. Not as good as I am."

His Keeper seemed completely awake now.

"You're sure? That it would have to have been a Sha'erah?"

"Positive. I could explain it to you in detail, if you like . . . ?"

"No, don't bother, I believe you." Alex got up and started pacing the room, twisting the silver ring as he walked. "I just don't understand it. Who would care what we're doing, let alone know what we're doing? Or who we are for that matter?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out all night." Evan set the pager aside for the moment and rubbed his eyes. "It has to be someone who knows who you are and wants to know what you're doing. You, me and Zane are the only ones who know we're going to see Kellman."

"And Zane's had run-ins with people who didn't want him finding out more before. I doubt he told anyone what we're doing."

Evan agreed. "I think we can trust him. He's not stupid, and he's been this route before." He didn't add the obvious fact that Zane of all people knew what would happen to him if he did cross them. "Kellman doesn't know we're coming, doesn't know you or me. Carpenter doesn't own a Sha'erah, neither does VanHolt. No one else has any clue what you might be doing on a cruise ship heading in the general direction of Murcadia. And no one should care."

Alex turned and crossed the room again, still gently twisting the ring. When the quiet chime informed them of their breakfast arrival, he detoured and removed the plates from the shelf.

Evan had to voice the one thought neither of them were mentioning, just to get it out where they could kill it. "The only one who would is the only one who couldn't."

"Dear old dad is dead, remember?" Alex set the plates down, then sat, ending his pacing with a determined shake of his head. "We killed him, froze him, and spit him out. And if by some freaking miracle he wasn't dead when we did it, he sure as hell is now."

"I know." Evan stood and crossed the room, then sat down to pick at a breakfast he no longer had the stomach for. Spencer Marcase was dead, no question. But someone had tried to break in, employing a Sha'erah to do it. The one thing he didn't want to voice was the fear that maybe . . . just maybe . . . he wasn't the best anymore. After all, he'd rolled off the assembly line almost twenty-nine years ago, the best there was. Top of the line, in that particular discipline.

At least, that's what they'd told him, anyway. In all his years working his talent, he'd come to believe that was true. But that was then. Someone new could have come along, maybe even just a few years into his assignment, who was proving that wrong. Someone sporting the latest upgrades to whatever the hell it was that allowed him to do what he did. Maybe if he understood it better, he'd have something closer to an answer.

But then, that's what Alex was trying to find out, wasn't it?

"I need to work, see if our intruder left any kind of trail or signature." Evan looked Alex in the eyes. "I won't let you out of my sight, not with someone taking this kind of interest." He put his best stern expression on and saw by Alex's slight snort of disgust that he'd been effective.

"Don't worry, I've got research to do." Alex pointed at the computer in the table as if it was his idea all along to stay in the rooms all day. "We've got eight days to figure out who this Kellman guy is and how we're going to approach him."

Evan let him believe the day's planning was all his and cleared the table. Delving into the security files and mentally searching every electronic nook and cranny was going to take a lot of concentration, but Alex being Alex, he was going to have to keep some small part of his attention making sure the man didn't take a walk. Sometimes he simply failed to see the seriousness of the situation, and Evan found keeping his Keeper safe more of a challenge than it should be.

So far, so good. And he was damn well going to keep it that way.

With Alex safely ensconced in the comfortable chair at the table, second cup of coffee steaming beside his hands as he typed out commands instead of using the verbal interface -- which could be trying even on a good day -- Evan settled in on the couch, pager in hand, and became the computer.

He was young, no doubt about it. With youth came the arrogance of inexperience, the tell-tale sign of someone wanting not only to succeed, but to show anyone interested just how he'd done it. In this case, whoever had broken Evan's tight security, even that little breech that allowed the smallest glimpse inside, couldn't resist letting him know, Sha'erah to Sha'erah, that he was as good, if not better. It wasn't exactly a calling card, not in the way regular humans hacked. With them, you got a sloppy trail leading you right to their signature, and a detailed description of what they'd done while inside. Rank amateurs who couldn't conceive of the methods a Sha'erah used.

No, this hadn't been a random hacker who got lucky with the first pager number he'd dialed. This was someone who wanted to make a point more than a discovery. And the message was clear. I can. But Evan had a message of his own. Even if there was a new Sha'erah, someone younger and more adept at his craft, he didn't have the experience one gained only from working for Spencer Marcase. And more importantly, he lacked the motivation. No one -- Sha'erah, human, or anything in between -- was going to attack Alex Marcase ever again. Not as long as Evan was alive.

And with a Keeper only a few years his senior, that stood to be a very long time. Unless he totally fucked this up and got himself sold ! No, that wasn't going to happen. He could see now the intruder hadn't stopped short of breaking the locks because he wanted to send a warning instead of actually breaking in. He simply couldn't get through. Evan's padlocks weren't as easy to pick as someone had thought, apparently. Perhaps it wasn't arrogance that left all the dents, but someone too frustrated by what he wasn't finding. Someone who hadn't expected to find it this hard, and couldn't quite deal with what he was running into.

Evan took a closer look at the virtual marks left behind, noting where they'd struck and where they'd missed altogether. He could easily picture someone surprised to find so many locks on something that shouldn't be this highly protected. Finding locks that bent his or her virtual lock-picking tools, leaving them frustrated enough to start banging around at anything in the way, leaving more marks than they realized.

Marks meant a trail. And trails tended to lead somewhere, even if they were intended to travel a circle. Anything that didn't have you running in place was leading somewhere. Evan took a deep breath, trying hard to stay relaxed but focused. He had time, he didn't need to rush anything. Alex was still at the table, legs draped over the second, unused chair as he read files and researched Regian Kellman. It even felt as if his Keeper was contemplating a nap soon. Evan mentally blinked and regrouped his thoughts.

All right, you little shit . . . you were in here. Now, who sent you?

Chapter 7

Alex was bored, and a little frustrated by his own plodding use of a computer keypad after seeing what Evan could do just by thinking. Sure, he could have used the verbal interface and saved himself all that annoying typing. But even the best programs didn't always understand individual inflections, and despite all the promises coming from the programming giants, he didn't expect to see one in his lifetime that worked as well as they were intended. At least the keyboard didn't care if you had a cold, or if you were eating, and it didn't ask you to repeat your last sentence when all you'd done was sneeze.

Besides, talking out loud might distract Evan, who was hard at work on the couch delving into God knew what on the pager. He still found it hard to believe someone was trying to snoop into his private files. There was nothing in there worth looking at. His bank balance wasn't anything to get excited about, and he couldn't think of anyone interested in his itinerary who wouldn't just call him up and ask where he was.

He really tended to believe this was a mistake, maybe a lucky break. But Evan was convinced otherwise, and the Sha'erah was so convinced, he was hard pressed not to believe him. It was a sure bet Alex couldn't find whoever had done it. He was lucky just to find the public records he needed half the time. Normally for him, research was limited to space, finances, or unknown objects that appeared as mere blips or blurred marks on probe data. Finding the virtual trail of some computer-hacking Sha'erah wasn't anywhere near his league. Hell, it wasn't even in the same ball field his league could see from where they were standing.

No, he'd stick to finding out what little they could about one Regian Kellman and leave the security work to Evan. It was what he did best. Alex knew how lucky he was to have the guy around, and wasn't going to risk pissing him off.

But he was bored!

Kellman wasn't the wealthy business tycoon Alex thought, but rather his planet's version of royalty, complete with jealous brothers and feuding union workers. The man's life was the stuff dreams were made of, but only because reading about him had caused Alex to doze off twice. Each time he woke when his chin had started to roll off the back of the hand holding it up.

The way he saw it, he had two choices; keep reading, or take a much needed nap. The third choice -- leave Evan to his work while he went for a workout in one of the Newton III's gyms -- probably wouldn't get him farther than the door. The Sha'erah might look completely and utterly involved in his work, but Alex had seen the occasional black-eyed glance directed his way.

Way to be selfish, Marcase. Alex hit a key and the computer flipped "pages", showing him images of the grounds around the Kellman residence, loosely described as a castle of high order. The guy is working his ass off to keep you safe. There was an image of a man, tall and imposingly large, standing behind a somewhat shorter, rounder man who looked arrogant even in the hologram. And you sit here whining because you lack the ability to help him help you. The next page showed the inside of the mansion, equipped with every manner of security and high-end technical comforts. The taller, imposing man was standing in the shot again, looking directly into the screen as if he was staring at Alex. You don't even know his likes and dislikes, or if he even has any likes or dislikes. The eyes looking up at him were as black and alien as Evan's.

Another image showed a close up of Regian Kellman and the larger man, not identified in the legend. Had to be his Sha'erah. Kellman wasn't much to look at, but there was a look in his eyes of arrogance brought on by wealth and power, and the knowledge that no one could take them away from you. The man standing behind him was the force that kept Kellman together, you could tell. He had the same determined look around his jaw that Evan got when he wasn't going to let Alex do something he felt would be dangerous in some way. Always thinking of me. He could teach me a thing or two about friendship.

Thomas, Kellman's Sha'erah, was again looking into the screen from the image, staring right at Alex with black, shimmering eyes. Wonder what his talent is, mind reading? Was that even possible, or just another one of those stupid myths that had been shot to hell with the rest of Alex's past?

He looked at the image of Thomas again. He was imposing, and not just due to his height and size. There was that look about him, alien and dangerous. The same look that had freaked him out all those months ago, back on Cryian II. Evan still had that look, and still had that ability, too. Especially when he was in one of his moods, arguing about Alex's safety. Or doubting my faith in him. Whoever broke into the pager could have done so from anywhere, any planet in any system. Alex had set the thing on silent, so he didn't hear it ring when the connection was made. He flipped past the images and went back to the reading that was putting him to sleep.

Alex suppressed a yawn, but he didn't know why. He was beginning to wonder why he was even bothering to pretend to be reading these files. If he was tired, he should just give in and take a well deserved nap.

Or get Evan away from that computer for a while. He hadn't looked up to check on him in almost an hour. In fact, he was so involved in whatever it was he was doing, Alex didn't think the man had even blinked. No need, when what you're studying doesn't require eyesight. But he had to be getting exhausted all over again.

Alex stood and stretched. Black eyes focused instantly, like some alien motion detector. Eyes that had probably seen right through him before they even met, right there at VanHolt's office, outside by the grave. Sure, he probably had Alex figured out just from that short glimpse, before he even got that ring on his finger, realizing even then his new Keeper didn't know what he was doing.

Well hell, it was true, wasn't it? I still don't have a clue what I'm doing.

The idea was to treat Evan like a friend, not a possession, and sooner or later the guy would come around and think like a friend. Maybe even grow to appreciate him as a person, instead of some omnipotent Keeper. After all, a friend would stick by you, thick or thin, good times and bad.

Of course, Evan would, too. But would it be out of friendship, or duty? And would Alex ever be able to tell the difference?

Get a grip, idiot. Alex started twisting the ring out of habit. After all they'd been through, in just these past nine months, it was perfectly clear Evan was only doing what he did out of a concern for Alex's health and well being. Clear to anyone with half a brain, that is. No one does that out of duty. Not what Evan had done. Besides, even duty and honor could be bought. Jeff was proof of that.

And if that wasn't proof enough, Alex knew all he had to do was revisit that scene on his bridge, facing Spencer, watching that ring stay affixed so tightly to his finger it wouldn't have come off with a laser torch. Watching Evan refuse the logic he'd so staunchly held onto. Refusing to go back to Spencer. Alex preferred to think it was more a matter of refusing to leave him and the life he was starting to enjoy. But, truth be told, it had felt good to put that gaping hole in his father's chest, just to seal the deal.

And it had felt even better launching his cold body into space, never to plague either of them again.

With a shake of his head, he flipped off the computer and stood "Find anything yet?" He sat on the table, facing Evan.

"Not as much as I hoped," Evan sighed and set the pager on the couch, then rubbed his left palm. "I'm positive it was another Sha'erah, but I don't know who. And I'm convinced it didn't come from this ship. Whoever it was called in by bouncing off several satellites. If he calls again, I could track him."

"Well, that's all I need to know." Alex stood and looked down at his partner. "At least for now. If it came from off the ship, then we're in no immediate danger, yes?"

Evan looked slightly confused, but he slowly nodded. "Yes. At least, not from this attack."

"Come on," Alex reached down and retrieved the pager, still warm from long use, and shoved it into his pocket. "We both need some air and a distraction."

"Air?" Evan got off the couch and quickly located his shoes and some clean socks. "Getting air on a ship is a misnomer, you realize."

"Yeah, yeah." Alex rolled his eyes. "Just come on. We both could use a change of scenery and some exercise. Even climbing a simulated mountain has got to be better than sitting here, trying to find answers we're not going to find."

Evan shrugged his agreement and followed along, pausing long enough to lock the door. "I set the alarms with a louder audible signal."

"Thanks for the warning."

"And I think we should talk to Doctor Zane tonight, make sure he hasn't been talking to anyone on this ship about where we're going and why."

"We can have dinner with him, if he's not busy." Alex stopped at the nearest lift door and checked the location of the Newton III's climbing chambers. "Level four." The doors opened and both men stepped inside. "I don't think he did. Talk to anyone, that is."

Evan glanced around the empty lift car, then rubbed his eyes. "He's been waved off this kind of investigation before. I'm sure he knows the risks if someone were to find out he was trying again. But someone wants to know what you're doing."

"We," Alex corrected. "Someone wants to know what we're doing."

Evan looked up, eyebrows knotting over black eyes.

"Remember, before you came along I was just another unimportant space explorer with bills to pay." Alex let out a snort of air. "I still have bills to pay."

"You're a Keeper. That's not unimportant."

"Sure, now. Which proves my point."

"What point?"

The lift stopped and the doors opened, revealing three passengers waiting to step on as soon as they stepped out.

"That whoever's doing this is checking up on us, not just me." Alex knew he'd get no reply to that, not until they were clear of the passengers patiently waiting for them to get out of the way. It was nasty, but a trick he was starting to appreciate, especially when he wanted the last word in a particular conversation.

By the time they were alone in the corridors again, Evan didn't bother replying to Alex's last statement. The climbing rooms were sectioned off and divided into skill levels, ranging from beginning climbers using ropes and pulleys, to the more advanced skills of free hand open-face cliff climbing. Alex chose the open-face cliff, but one with a moderate skill level. There were safety precautions and each climber wore a panic button that, when pressed, would instantly call up the floor, reducing the fall to a mere four or five feet in seconds. They checked in, attached all the proper gear and safety measures around waists and feet, and were assigned a room to themselves.

The illusion was as good as the diving room, if not better. Above them stretched a huge cliff, topped with scrub brush and greenery and a simulated blue sky. Alex had ordered no wind and perfect climate conditions, to keep the challenges to a minimum. He hadn't done this in a long time, and danger wasn't what he was after. Just some exercise, a nice mental challenge to take his mind off things, and some fun.

"You want me to lead?" He rubbed powder into both palms and glanced at Evan.

"That's fine." Evan looked up, blinking at the height of the rock they were about to climb. "Whoever does these holograms is good."

Alex stepped up to the rock face and found the first hand-hold. "At least this one won't have sharks floating by." God, he hoped it didn't! There shouldn't be any predators simulated in a rock climbing program. The rock was danger enough for anyone.

The hand holds weren't hard to find at first, and Alex was pleased to realize his body hadn't forgotten the tricks after all this time. The simulation included the sound of wind that one would expect in a mountain range, but no breeze actually tugged at his form, trying to pry him away from the face of the rock where it could get a better hold and push him off his precarious position.

It didn't take long to work up a sweat. The hand holds were getting harder and harder to locate, but when he did, he found them sturdy and easy to grip with his finger tips and toes. For a moderate skill level, the cliff was a challenge. One that forced all thoughts not vitally linked to hand-holds and body positioning straight out of his mind. There was room for contemplating his next move, and making sure Evan had seen which crack or knob he'd used.

It occurred to Alex that if his pager, which was neatly strapped to his belt, should happen to ring, he'd fall for sure. But there was no way to reach down and change the setting on it now, unless he thought Evan could reach it. Best to just keep climbing, and hope his concentration would be enough to block out any sudden distractions. For either of them to risk taking a hand off the rock would be too dangerous.

The sound of the wind increased as they gained altitude, but there was no tell-tale tugging on aching arms or sweat-soaked bodies. No coolness, either. Sweat was becoming a slight problem. Alex had to secure his hold twice so he could spare one hand to wipe moisture from his forehead, before it could drip into his eyes and become a more serious problem. A more skilled climber could have spared a hand at any time, and probably even reached the pager and changed some settings. But Alex knew his limits.

Two hours after they started, he felt the top of the cliff. It was smooth, with three neatly arranged grips just at the lip to aid the successful adventurer up and onto the wide expanse of simulated stone. With a final pull, Alex got his upper body over the edge, then pressed both palms onto the rock and heaved the rest of himself up. He offered the holographic scenery the barest glimpse before turning around on his belly and reaching down for Evan's hand.

With his hand as a steadying force, Evan pulled himself up onto the summit easily. He laid there, face down, breathing hard for a moment before turning over and scooting himself to a sitting position beside Alex. Both men were sweating and breathing hard, but smiling slightly with their triumph.

"How many times have you done this?"

Evan was looking out over the holographic scene of a mountain range and valley below. He shrugged, still looking around. "Including this time . . . Once."

Alex blinked. "Once? This was your first time? Why didn't you say something?" A chill chased away the last of the sweat sticking to his body. He looked down, checking out the extent of the fall should this have been a real mountain. "I thought you said -- "

"I needed a challenge." Evan shrugged. He looked at Alex, a serious expression taking over. "Something I could accomplish."

"What?" Alex realized there was more going on here than just mountain climbing. "Why didn't you at least let me know?"

"You would have chosen something easier." Evan stood and looked over the other side of the cliff, unconcerned. "I needed this. Something difficult."

Something difficult! Alex wanted to read the man the riot act, naming everything that could have gone wrong and why. But he knew there really was little danger here. After all, the Newton III didn't want to kill off its passengers. He sighed. If this had been a real cliff somewhere, with real danger attached, Evan wouldn't have done this. He was sure of that.

"Nice place to hang out." Alex looked around, appreciating the holographic scenery. Maybe Evan needed some time away from his thoughts, too.

"Good for meditating."

"Never was good at that."

Evan turned to face Alex. "Have you tried?"

Alex shrugged, remembering his one failed attempt. "Not really, no." He'd wanted to. People who could meditate whenever they wanted, regardless of their surroundings, always looked so calm and relaxed. Not that he experienced that much tension. Okay, maybe he did, but he just couldn't get the hang of meditation.

"I can teach you, it's easy." Evan sat down and waved for Alex to join him.

The cliff top was warmer than it should be, heated for the adventurer's comfort, no doubt. The simulated stone was surprisingly comfortable for sitting, and the sound of rushing wind had died down. Alex wondered idly if there were sensors detecting their movements, and adjusting the scene accordingly.

"Are you comfortable?"

"I'm sitting on a rock."

"You can mediate standing up, as long as you're comfortable. Where you are doesn't matter."

"I'm comfortable, then." He knew this wasn't going to work. He wasn't the meditating kind, no matter how much he thought he'd like to be. But Evan was willing to teach him something, so he was willing to give it a shot.

"Just close your eyes, and count your breaths." Evan demonstrated, closing his eyes and breathing a few times. "Don't alter your breathing or concern yourself with it at all. Just count each time you exhale."

"Okay. Then what?"

"That's it. Do nothing else. If a thought enters your mind, just take note of it and push it aside, and start counting all over again."

Alex opened one eye. "Just count?"

Evan opened both of his. "Just count. You won't get much further than ten, probably. But that's a start."

Alex let out a quick snort of disgust. "Ten? Where's the faith?"

"You're new." Evan's face tried to defy his control and grin. "You'll see."

Ten. Right. All I have to do is count, and . . . Oh, right, that's a thought, not a count. Alex took a breath, then began.

One. Two. This is too easy . . . damn. One. Two. Three. I can't believe he didn't tell me he'd never climbed before. Okay, one. Two. Three. Four. Going down was harder, did he know that? One. Two. Three. This kinda sucks. Alex mentally hit himself in the face. He was supposed to be counting, not thinking. I thought meditation was supposed to help you think. One. Two. Three. Was Evan thinking, or counting? And what was he thinking about? One. Two. Three. Four. He seems quieter than usual, ever since last night. One. Two. Something's bothering him that has more to do with who broke in than why they did. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Another Sha'erah? How many were there? And how many with Evan's special talent? Didn't they all have their own unique method of doing . . . damn . . . One. Two. Three. Four. My ass hurts. One. Two. Three. Come on Alex, you can do this. How many new things has Evan mastered for you? Surely you can sit quietly and count . . . shit! One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Look, you made it up to . . . Dammit! One. Two. Okay, this isn't as easy as he said it was. One. Two. Come on, Alex, concentrate. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven.

Wait a minute . . . If this was another Sha'erah who could do what Evan did, and he didn't know there was one . . . he must be pretty rattled. Is that why he wanted to climb this thing? One. Two. Enough counting! That's it, isn't it? Evan ran into something that scared him. Or at the very least, startled him. That can't be good.

Alex opened one eye and found Evan with both eyes still closed. He opened the other, remaining as still as he could so as not to reveal his meditation cheat, and studied the Sha'erah. He looked relaxed, physically. Sitting cross-legged just a few feet in front of him, his arms were somewhat limp, hands resting on both knees. The silver in his left palm glistened in the simulated sunlight, adding a slightly alien touch to his appearance. Alex had gotten used to the tattoos on Evan's neck and left hand, and his black eyes weren't quite as freakish as they had been in the past. In fact he found them oddly pleasant and reassuring to look at. The man sitting opposite him on top of that simulated mountain had become such a stable, ever-present force in his every day life, he couldn't remember what had felt so wrong about it in the beginning.

But that silver section of his palm was something he was never going to get his brain wrapped around.

He'd already asked Evan once about how it worked, and received very little in the way of explanation. But that was like asking any human being to explain the scientific procedures behind thought. Sure, it could be done, but not many people could do it. It was like . . . Like teaching a Sha'erah how to be a friend. Might be hard, or some would say impossible, but Alex liked to think he was doing it.

Even if he was the only one to be successful.

But it took two. And right now, it was time he started thinking like a friend. Evan appeared calm and relaxed, but Alex could see tension around his face. It couldn't be a fear of more invasions, since he'd set the pager to ring loudly, and set up more security. They were safe onboard the cruise ship, and had no tangible evidence suggesting they had anything to fear anywhere, really. So it had to be something else.

Alex was convinced he'd figured it out. Evan -- probably for the first time in his life -- was up against someone as good as he was. Maybe even better, though Alex doubted that could happen. Which was why he wanted to climb this rock and prove to himself he could take something on and beat it. Okay, so he ran into some competition. That wasn't such a big deal. People come along all the time that are as good, if not better. You just have to find your own way of winning.

And maybe that was all there was to it. Evan probably hadn't even considered that angle, but it made as good an explanation as anything.

"You're supposed to count your breaths, not mine." Evan opened his eyes and a hint of holographic sunlight shimmered against the blackness. "How far did you get?"

Alex cleared his throat and shrugged.

"You didn't reach ten because you had too many thoughts you wouldn't push away."

"How did you know that?"

This time Evan shrugged. "I did too." He unfolded his legs and stretched both arms out in front of him, then pulled them behind.

"Okay, then you won't mind me bringing this up." Alex straightened until his back popped. He moved both legs and leaned back against a synthetic boulder. When Evan stopped stretching and looked at him, he continued. "You're the only Sha'erah you know who can do what you do, as good as you do it, right?"

Evan blinked. "I was told that." His face flushed ever so slightly with his admission.

"So, follow me for a second . . . Even if this is wrong, it's a theory." Alex shifted against his boulder. "It's possible that somewhere down the line, after you, they . . . " he cleared his throat, trying to buy time enough to find a polite way to put this. "Another Sha'erah came along with your talent, only maybe a little newer. A little different. Or, maybe, just the same as you. And maybe, if any of this makes sense, the Keeper who has this new one . . . He's probably heard of you, what you can do, and just wanted to see if he had the best or not."

Evan blinked again, staring at Alex.

"What I'm saying is, maybe this was an attack directed at us, but it has nothing to do with what we're doing. It's just some jerk trying to see if his Sha'erah is better than mine."

After a long silence, Evan let a breath out slowly. "It's possible. I suppose. I did have a sense of youth or inexperience at first." He shook his head. "But then it changed."

"Changed how?"

"It seemed arrogant at first, like a young person would be. But then I took a closer look a the damage and it . . . It looked like someone very powerful, who ran into something he hadn't expected to find."

Alex felt his eyebrows knit together, reflecting his confusion. "What do you mean, it looked like? What does it look like to you, inside?"

Evan shrugged. "Like someone had gotten angry, and was hitting anything and everything in reach. Like they thought they could get inside with the tools they had, and found out they couldn't. But someone strong enough to do some damage when throwing a fit. I can't explain it very well. You'll just have to trust me."

"Oh, I do. Believe me, I do." Alex swallowed, nodding once. Just when he thought he had this figured out, something came along and made it feel wrong. "Well, whatever it was, they haven't tried again."

"Yet."

"You know, I'm really starting to hate mysteries." Alex stood, wiping some simulated dirt from his pants. He understood now what Evan had meant by wanting to face a challenge he could win. "I say we put this one on the shelf for now. If they never try again, we can call my idea right."

"And if they try again?" Evan stood as well.

Alex met the Sha'erah's gaze and held it as they shared a worried moment. When it passed, he sighed heavily. "Then we'll deal with it head on. I trust you, Evan. You'll be on top of this, whatever it is, and together we'll figure it all out." He looked down the side of the cliff they'd climbed. "Now, how do you wanna deal with this?"

They chose the risky alternative and climbed back down the same way they'd come up, ignoring the ropes hidden in one of the synthetic boulders for use should they prefer the quicker, easier descent. Going down that way took almost twice as long as climbing up had, and Alex paid more attention to Evan's technique, giving him pointers now that he knew the facts of the Sha'erah's experience. But when they did reach the bottom, they were glad to have had another several hours of relatively clear thinking. And Alex couldn't help but feel a certain sense of accomplishment, having been able to teach Evan something basic, something he hadn't mastered immediately, and enjoyed the satisfaction of watching him learn quickly and easily. It struck him just then how well they could understand each other when they weren't trying overly hard to do just that.

They turned in the gear and hit the showers, keeping Alex's pager on a hook just outside the stall in case it rang again.

But the unit remained quiet and undisturbed.

"I'm starving." Alex flipped the pager open and dialed Zane's room number. After two rings, the smiling face of the gray-haired doctor appeared on the small screen. "Hey, Doc, how about dinner?"

"Alex! Yes, I got Evan's message."

Alex glanced up at the Sha'erah, wondering when he'd left it.

"As it happens, I'm free tonight. Can I meet you somewhere?"

"Yeah, how about the Zephyr on level sixteen?"

"I'll be right there." Zane signed off and the screen went blank.

"When did you find time to leave him a message?" Alex shoved the pager back into the thigh pocket of his pants and walked out of the dressing area with Evan.

"Before you stopped me from working on the pager and we came here." Evan ran a hand through his black hair, still wet from the shower.

"You set up a dinner meeting with him for tonight, before you mentioned to me you thought it was a good idea?"

"Yes." Evan frowned. "I knew you would agree."

"What if I hadn't?"

"You did."

"Yes, I did, but I'm saying what if I hadn't agreed?"

"Then I wouldn't have done it."

Alex stopped, blinking, then shook his head and continued to walk. The argument was circular, but they would each consider the circle going a different direction, so it was no use even trying.

Luckily the Zephyr sported a casual atmosphere, where patrons took little notice of diners wearing sweat pants and pullover shirts damp around the collars where moisture from recently washed hair had soaked in. They found a table against a back wall and sat down just as Zane entered the diner. He was dressed equally casually, and appeared to have a slight tan.

"You look like you've been enjoying yourself." Alex smiled as the doctor sat down.

"Well, I admit, I've been taking full advantage of finding so many colleagues onboard. Some of us even spent some time in the dermal shading salon. I haven't had a tan in years." He grinned widely. "How about the pair of you? You're both looking fit and healthy."

"This ship has some pretty amazing distractions." Alex wanted to revisit that pool again just once before they left, holographic predators or not. "Listen, Doc, something happened last night that has us a little concerned."

Zane's expression altered, going suddenly serious. "Already?"

Alex let Evan do most of the explaining while they ate, having a tenuous grasp of the situation himself. When the Sha'erah finished, he added his own somewhat futile explanation, hoping Zane would be more agreeable than Evan had been.

"Well, I admit I like your explanation better, Alex." Zane was leaning forward, elbows resting on the table now that their plates had been cleared away. "And I can see how it makes sense. As far as I'm given to understand, Sha'erah are quite individual and react with different levels of skill, even to the task they're . . . well, to put it bluntly . . . designed for."

Alex felt his face flush at the use of the appropriate but uncomfortable word. He shot Evan a glance but the man hadn't so much as blinked.

"I wish I knew more about the methodology." Zane shook his head sadly. "But it stands to reason that at any given time, someone might have a more detailed adaptation. Though, I must say Evan, seeing you work, I can't honestly imagine someone else being any better than you." He glanced at Alex. "There's truly no explaining his talent, which I would venture to label a perfect blending of mind and machine, if you will." Zane's attention returned to Evan. "It's hard to improve such perfection. But, we must allow that if you are possible, then someone else is, too."

"Someone just as good, but not better." Alex preferred that idea, if only for Evan's sake. He didn't care, personally, if Evan was top-of-the-line or not. But knowing his partner, even in the somewhat limited way he did, he knew that wouldn't be good enough.

"So you believe him? That there's another Sha'erah with my talent, and his Keeper just wanted to see if he could go up against me?" Evan looked from Zane to Alex and back again. "But why?"

Zane shrugged. "Same reason you'd want to try to do it. Just to see if you can."

Evan shook his head. "I wouldn't. Not unless Alex wanted me to."

Alex laughed shortly. "Like hell you wouldn't. You'd find some reason you needed to try, blame it on your duty to keep me safe or something equally stupid, and you'd do it." He had the satisfaction of seeing Evan's face flush slightly before he voiced his denial.

"That's ridiculous."

Alex turned to Zane and jabbed one finger toward Evan. "That's Sha'erah for 'Yes, of course'." He and the doctor shared a short laugh at the Sha'erah's expense before they called an end to dinner.

On the walk back to their rooms, Zane explained the main topics he'd been enjoying as a last minute addition to the medical convention. He'd been very careful to avoid any mention of why he was traveling to Murcadia, and explained how his associates in the medical profession had all politely ignored any and all mention of his research of years past. The entire medical community knew about Zane's thwarted attempts to delve deeper into the Sha'erah mythology, though they knew the story more as his failure rather than his unbreachable dissuasion.

Alex relayed what little he'd learned of Regian Kellman, and Evan made the doctor promise a thorough meeting the night before they arrived, to rehash what information they had and re-examine Zane's own files regarding the man. With that agreed to, they all decided to call it a night.

"Here," Alex came out of his bedroom carrying the pager. "I don't need you coming through the walls in the middle of the night if this thing rings." He handed the small unit to Evan, who was double-checking the room's security for the fourth time. "Sleep with it under your pillow, if it makes you feel any better. But you have to promise me you won't just stay up all night long working on it."

"I'm not going to feel better until I find out who it was, and why." Evan accepted the machine, then walked to his own bedroom, pausing at the door.

"And if it never happens again?"

He glanced at the pager in his hand.

"Evan, it wasn't Spencer." Alex knew it, and he knew Evan knew it too, deep down. But it didn't hurt to keep reiterating it.

"I know." Evan looked at him, then raised one eyebrow. "But it was someone."

"And whoever it was didn't get in. And if he tries again, you'll stop him."

Evan nodded, then they said their good nights and retired for the evening, Evan with the pager, and Alex with his thoughts.

He tried again to meditate, lying on his back on the bed, counting his breaths and pushing other thoughts out of his mind, but he never got past nine. It was as if the simple number ten had become an elusive goal dangling in front of his nose that he could never reach. Probably because he mentioned it. If Evan had said, say, thirty, then Alex was sure he'd be reaching twenty-nine.

He gave up an hour later and let himself drift into sleep, counting absently to ten over and over again.

There were no more calls from unknown sources during the night, or the next day, either. Three times the pager rang, causing Evan to lunge for the machine regardless of where it was at the time. The third time, when the unit was in Alex's hip pocket, prompted him to let the Sha'erah carry it.

"There's nothing in there you don't already know about anyway." Alex shook his head in disgust and refastened the pocket. It hadn't been anything more interesting than a call from Reilly to update him on the repairs to the Ascalon, but he'd had enough of Evan's jumpiness. The man was happier when he was in possession of the thing at night, so he might as well carry it around all day, too. Alex had long since abandoned the idea of privacy in his own files, and no longer felt the need to even try keeping anything, even the results of his physical exams or letters from former lovers, from the Sha'erah.

They spent their remaining cruise ship days in the rooms studying the public, and thanks to Evan, some private files on Regian Kellman and the castle and grounds where he resided. There was more to the family history than met the public eye, and quite a bit of disharmony all around. Evenings were spent working up an appetite either climbing or swimming, but no matter how often they visited the pool, Alex still hadn't gotten used to the holographic sharks. He was convinced, after their third swim, that there was something written into the programming that sought out divers who couldn't seem to adjust to their presence, so they could be stalked.

Now and again they broke up their routine with a marathon session of battle chess, proving again they were equally matched in the sport.

The morning of their last day onboard, Alex decided a change in their new routine was in order. Doctor Zane was spending the last day of the conference with some colleagues, but agreed to meet Alex and Evan in the rooms that evening for a final collaboration of the facts, before they arrived at Murcadia. He wasn't sure exactly what they were going to find, even with all the research they'd done, but he knew whatever it was, today was likely to be their last chance for any real vacationing.

"What are you up to?" Alex came out of his room, dressed in sweats that would be shoved into a locker when they reached the pool, and found Evan similarly dressed but deep in concentration over the room's computer.

"Just trying something." Evan continued whatever it was he was doing for a moment, then shut the machine down and stood. "Just to see if I could."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "So, could you?"

"We'll see." Evan's face came as close to a smile as it usually achieved.

"Okay." Alex was skeptical, but not curious enough to delay their swim. He'd been keenly aware of the personal struggle going on behind those black eyes, and as keenly aware of his inability to help. It didn't seem to matter how many times he tried to compliment Evan's talents, or point out how their snooper hadn't actually gotten anywhere important, thanks to his security.

The best he could offer was his support, wanted or not, his constant assurance of his faith in Evan's talents, and the occasional physical distraction such as their last swim in the synthetic water of the Newton III's exotic coral reef pool.

Alex stood on the platform, watching a school of colorful fish swim gently by. "No sign of big ugly yet." He glanced at Evan and thought he caught a glint of something close to humor in his eyes. Instead of an answer, he shoved the breather over his nose and stuffed the mouthpiece in his mouth, giving Alex the thumbs up.

Ah well, it's got my number, but it's not real. Alex bit down on his own mouthpiece, tasting the slight hint of rubberized plastic no amount of chemical treatments could completely erase. In the atmosphere of the ship, breathing through the filters was almost too easy, and caused a diver to hyperventilate if he didn't remove the unit or dive under quickly.

Alex returned the thumbs up and stepped off the platform. The water was warmed, so there was no shock of cold when he hit. As soon as the bubbles cleared away, he looked around, searching for any sign of the holographic denizen that seemed intent on plaguing him. No amount of practice or mental conditioning could ever acclimate him to the sight of a predator twice his length, with several rows of teeth the length of his fingers, swimming directly at him from below. Or above. Or, as had happened three times now, directly through him from behind.

He knew that thing was out to get him.

Evan was leading the way slightly as they drifted toward the tunnel they enjoyed visiting. The plan was to spend no more than twenty minutes gazing at the stars from the view port, then explore the rest of the pool before their filters reached capacity. So far so good. There were other divers, swimming around the brightly colored corals. Maybe the fish was hunting them down this time, leaving him alone.

As the mouth of the tunnel came into view, so did a shadow moving along the rocks. Alex stopped, watching the dark shadow glide slowly over the coral. He glanced at Evan, and saw him pointing above.

Yeah, I know it's up there. Waiting for me to turn around, no doubt. Alex nodded, but didn't look up. The shadow circled and grew darker as the fish lowered its depth. Alex Marcase, deep-space explorer, discoverer of alien life forms, afraid of a holographic fish. Two swimmers at the other side of the pool had stopped and were pointing upward excitedly. Alex mentally sighed, since doing so physically with the breather on wasn't an easy thing, and glanced up.

What he saw nearly made him spit out the mouthpiece.

Cruising a mere three or four yards away was the shark, as big and muscular as ever, sporting large red lips that curved dramatically into a bizarre smile. Dangling from one fin was a bright pink women's bag, matching a strangely bright necklace of beads trailing from the dorsal fin. Alex blinked. The shark circled around, facing him momentarily, and flashed a smile complete with blackened teeth.

The spasm that took hold of him nearly coughed out the breathing unit. He looked at Evan, who looked decidedly pleased with himself, and gave him the thumbs up. Just to see if you could, huh? When the shark passed the swimmers opposite them, it waved happily. People are gonna drown laughing. Alex turned and kicked forward, drifting to Evan where he could see the tunnel opening. He gave his friend a pat on the back and tried hard to smile around the mouthpiece.

The rest of their swim was a challenge to keep their filters in place while laughing. The shark had been joined by others, all equally attired and happily waving at the swimmers as they passed. Several technicians jumped in now and again, trying to determine the cause of the bizarre computer failure from inside pool, while their colleagues no doubt worked madly on the programming to find the fault. Alex enjoyed the scene immensely, if not slightly guiltily. They should fix it, or at least confess, so the technicians responsible for the mechanisms didn't lose their jobs. But he had to admit, Evan's alterations made their last swim memorable and enjoyable, and he was loathe to bring it to an end.

The filters did that. Alex felt a tap on his shoulder and saw Evan pointing up. He nodded, and they drifted to the surface together, coming up a few feet from the platform into a comical bit of chaos. Loudspeakers announced a minor technical glitch that was completely harmless, but seemed to be causing some oddities to appear in the pool. No one should panic. Men and women dashed around, looking serious and very confused as they failed to fix the problem.

Treading water next to Evan, Alex grinned like a school boy. "Call me a delinquent, but that was great!"

"I wasn't sure it would work. Their program is really sophisticated."

So, it was as much a test of Evan's own confidence as a favor for him? Alex could accept that. "You obviously didn't have any trouble."

Evan shrugged, causing little waves of synthetic water to ripple away from his bare shoulders. "It'll revert back to normal in about three more minutes."

Alex caught sight of a bright pink smile swimming happily toward them. "In that case, let's get outta here."

Minutes later, on their way to the showers, the loudspeaker announced the problem was solved. It seemed their predatory holograph had a simple program fault, but their technicians had solved the problem and returned the programming to normal. Everyone was advised to continue to enjoy the pool, and thanked for choosing the Newton III as their cruise line.

Alex and Evan shared a laugh as they dressed. It felt good, and no one had actually been harmed by it, so Alex decided no explanation should be in order. It wasn't going to happen again, after all. And it was fitting retribution for a program that had been hunting him down as if it were real.

Judging by the looks on the faces of swimmers climbing out of the pool, it had been enjoyed by everyone.

Alex draped an arm over Evan's shoulders as they exited the dressing room, still grinning. "I think it's safe to say you're still on top."

"The program was complicated. I wasn't sure I could get it to work on the timer."

Always the perfectionist. "But you did. And I appreciate the touches. I thought I was gonna spit out my mouthpiece when I saw that thing."

Evan's mouth was trying to curve up into another grin, but he was holding it at bay with some effort in the public corridor. When they reached the nearest lift, they were alone.

"You needed that." Alex leaned against the wall of the lift car and pressed the level for their rooms.

Evan nodded slowly, bringing his gaze up from the floor to meet Alex's green eyes. "Yes, I did."

"Feel better?"

The grin finally won over, in the privacy of the empty lift car. "Yeah, I think I do."

Zane met them for dinner an hour later, so they could get their thoughts together on the task at hand. Alex knew it might have been a good idea to have some kind of plan, or at least a marginal notion of what they were going to do. But the more he thought about where they were going, and what they were after, he begin to believe too much planning would only get in the way. They had to be able to change direction based on what they were faced with, like any good exploration into the unknown.

"I don't know what this Sha'erah, Thomas, does." Alex leaned back and cradled his coffee in one hand. They'd finished dinner, cleared the round table of dishes, and were gazing at the data displayed on the computer embedded there. "He's got to be some kind of protection for Kellman, I'd wager."

"That's a given." Evan returned to the table with a glass of water and handed Zane a cup of steaming hot tea. "But there's something else he'll do, and I can't tell just by seeing him."

"I believe, if memory serves, Thomas is somewhat of a mind reader."

Alex blinked. "What?"

"Not in so much as he can hear your every thought, mind you," Zane amended. "He's simply tuned in to any thoughts regarding his Keeper. Comes in handy when you're so wealthy or important that you might have assassination attempts on a regular basis."

"So, he can read your thoughts, but only if you're thinking about killing this Kellman guy?"

"Something like that. They weren't very forthcoming with details," Zane sighed. "I'm hoping when he meets you, being another Keeper and all, things will change."

Alex rolled his eyes. "So I'm part of his club now, or something?"

"In a way, you are."

Evan agreed. "There are few enough Keepers out there. I've only known Signus Harvey, and I'd heard of one other he mentioned now and again, years ago, but he's long since died. I would expect if two Keepers were on the same planet, they'd find a reason to get together and talk."

"So, we just get there tomorrow and look the guy up?" Alex glanced from Evan to Zane. "Just a Keeper on vacation, checking in to compare notes?" There was something really vile about the idea, but he had to admit it was probably their best angle if they hoped to meet with a man who considered himself king of an entire planet.

"And go from there. It sounds reasonable to me." Zane looked at Evan, eyebrows raised.

"Isn't he going to recognize you?" Evan pointed to the pager that contained Zane's old records.

"Well, yes. Once he does, I suspect he'll know why we're there. But you'll need something to get you that close in the first place."

Alex leaned forward and rested his cup on the table. "Who, exactly, was responsible for you being chased off this quest all those years ago?"

Zane cleared his throat. "Well, I couldn't say exactly. My funding was cut off from the University of Valgin. And when I applied to several others, I was turned down flat before I got past introductions. Then there were the threats."

"I saw those." Evan tapped the pager. "Untraceable, now. But you did try, once."

"Yes, I did." Zane's brow furrowed. "I used the last of my grant money and hired one of the best investigative firms around. They traced those messages while they were still fresh."

Alex sensed there was something the man wasn't telling them, and now was not the time to start finding out things that could have had a directly impact on their decision. Especially now that they were already here. "And?"

Zane sighed, shrugging. "And they told me they couldn't precisely determine the source, but what they did find scared them right off the trail. They highly recommended that I drop the issue, took their payment, and promptly quit. I had no more resources or money, so that was the end of it."

Alex looked at Evan. The Sha'erah appeared unimpressed by the news, but was that due to his familiarity with strong-arm tactics, or his way of making light of a dangerous situation? "So, that's all they said?"

"It could have been anything," Evan offered. "If they'd come anywhere near someone like Harvey, they would have been chased off the case, too."

"Well, Kellman doesn't seem to be the type who cares about anything outside his planet's orbit, so there's probably nothing to fear there." He hoped. The two of them had been through enough dangers for a while. "Well, I guess we're as prepared as we're going to be."

"Am I correct in assuming there have been no further attempts to infiltrate your files from outside?" Zane looked from Alex to Evan.

"Not yet."

"Well, Evan, I'm confident if there is, you'll be on top of it."

Alex stood and took his empty cup to the receptacle. "He'll be on it, in it and around its neck, you can be sure of that."

"Yes, I'm sure." Zane smiled and stood. "I'll be off to bed then. See you both in the morning."

"Good night, Doc."

Evan handed Zane his pager and said his good-nights, walking the doctor to the door that led to his own rooms, then checked the locks before turning around. "I examined his, too. No one tried to snoop into his files at all, not even the day they got into yours."

"It still could have been some random hack." Alex didn't believe that any more than Evan did, but he felt the need to express it.

Evan shook his head, then started to unbutton his shirt and prepare for bed. "We'll see."

Alex laughed shortly and flipped off the room's lights. "Good night."

It was their last night on the Newton III, and their swim, complete with unexpected highlights, had been a physically exhausting excursion. But Alex found himself too restless to fall asleep right away. They'd dock at Murcadia in the morning, then see about meeting with Regian Kellman, and with luck, he'd figure out a way to get some information from the man that would lead them in the right direction. If not, then they'd find themselves with even less to go on than when they started. Which hadn't been much of anything to begin with, but at least it had given them a direction to take. Alex didn't relish the idea of flying all over the galaxy trying to find every Keeper and Sha'erah in existence.

Now, if he could just fall asleep so he and Evan weren't red-eyed and grumpy in the morning! Not that Evan was ever grumpy, but he sure as hell had reason to be often enough. Okay, count your breaths, right? It couldn't be all that hard. Meditation could calm his mind and help him drift into sleep. Okay, one. Two. Three. Four. What if Kellman refuses to see us? Stop that! One. Two. Three. Just get there and take it one step at a time. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. You have nothing to lose here. Evan's not going to blame you if this mission doesn't pan out . . . he never cared in the first . . . Come on, Alex, concentrate on one thing, for crying out loud! One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

Ten! I made it to ten! Hey, how about . . . Damn!

One. Two. Three . . .

Chapter 8

Evan didn't know what to expect. He'd only known one other Sha'erah in his life, and not very well. Spencer had no interest in meeting other Keepers, so knowing Signus Harvey had been business, not pleasure. Though he couldn't help sense his former Keeper had, in fact, taken great pleasure in those strange and dangerous liaisons.

He'd seen the images and read all the files about Murcadia and its king, but there was little on the monarch's Sha'erah other than his name and a few images of Thomas standing, as always, behind his Keeper. The man was large and imposing, which probably went far when deterring the casual observer. But Evan knew he possessed certain abilities that went beyond the obvious. Doctor Zane hinted at possible mind reading talents, which made perfect sense considering his job as protector and Sha'erah to Regian Kellman. But he couldn't help sensing there were other talents no one knew about. At least, no one other than his Keeper.

Evan, too, had been custom-ordered to fill a specific purpose. The danger inherent in that was your limited use to other Keepers. But typically, the one ordering the developments had no care to think beyond his own ownership and needs. Not many people shelled out that kind of cash for something they intended to sell. It was just blind luck that allowed him to find a reason to be useful to Alex.

Since Murcadia was a major port, nearly a quarter of the Newton III's passengers were disembarking for vacations or just to have a look around. When they stepped off the shuttle transport and into the brightly lit morning, Alex took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"I told you to ignore them," Evan chastised, setting his pack on the ground by his feet.

"I don't see how you can." Alex let his pack drop to the soft ground and glared at the passengers rushing off the shuttle and past them. "No one on the cruise was that rude!" His voice raised in volume as he directed the last word at the crewman hurrying by.

"These are locals, I presume. Probably so accustomed to seeing only Thomas, they've forgotten other Sha'erah exist." Zane shook his head and looked around, smiling. "I know I'd forgotten how lovely this planet is."

Evan sighed. Since it was him being stared at all the time, he never understood Alex's problem. Sure, it could be irritating, especially when he was trying to keep a low profile for some reason. But for the most part, using the curiosity and intimidation of locals worked to his advantage.

Now they didn't need any real anonymity or secrecy. They needed to find a way to gain an introduction to Kellman, self-proclaimed king of Murcadia and head of the giant mining empire that had made this planet what it was. The other occupants of the shuttle had dispersed, leaving them relatively alone on the grassy section facing the main building where travelers could make arrangements for their stay and gain useful tourist information. Evan was keenly aware of the fact that not one of them had a clue what to do next.

Alex cleared his throat and turned to Evan. Before he could utter his first word, they all noticed a sudden change in the attitudes of the people in the building.

"Something's up." Zane nodded with his chin.

Evan stared into the crowd visible through large windows. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck were standing straight out, tickling his skin. Suddenly the door opened and a large, imposing man strode out heading straight in their direction. Evan eased himself one step in front of Alex and steeled his reflexes.

"Well, maybe we don't have to find a way to contact him after all."

Evan turned his head slightly to acknowledge Alex's words, but quickly turned back to stare as determinedly as he could at the very large Sha'erah only a few yards from them and closing quickly.

Thomas was flanked by men dressed in white jumpsuits sporting insignia and all manner of gold corded decoration. Evan presumed the emblems were royal in nature, some kind of advanced guard. None of them were armed in any visible fashion, but they obviously had prior knowledge of the arrival of another Keeper and had every intention of speaking to him.

When they were several feet away, Thomas stopped and his followers snapped to a sort of attention flanking him. The Sha'erah was a good foot or more taller than Evan, and wider at the shoulders by half. Dark brown hair dramatically short and spiked at the tips added to his look of authority. There was no discernable area one could call a neck, but a general assumption of thick, round muscles appeared to be holding his head to massive shoulders. He awarded Evan a quick glance from head to toe, then gave him a barely perceptible nod before addressing Alex.

"His Highness, Regian Kellman, ruler of all Murcadia, sends his regards and greetings."

Alex remained slightly behind Evan as if he knew -- should he try moving -- Evan would simply move with him. "Ah . . . thanks."

Thomas gave Zane the barest of glances, then returned his attention to Alex. "You are invited to be his guest during your stay." He moved his body slightly and held out one arm, indicating a general direction somewhere back the way he'd come. "I have been sent to offer you transportation and an unencumbered journey to the castle. If you will follow me." His tone suggested the invitation wasn't something anyone could, or would, think to refuse.

Evan didn't wait for Alex's reply. He reached down and picked up his, then his Keeper's, packs from the ground, all the while keeping an eye on Thomas and the other men. A quick glance back gave him a glimpse of a somewhat irritated expression on Alex's face, but there was no time to wonder about it.

Alex looked from Evan to Thomas. "Lead the way, then."

They were led through the large building, crowded now with tourists and the curious who recognized their king's Sha'erah and escorts. Immediately upon their entrance, the crowds had parted to either side. Evan watched the faces of the people as they passed, noting the mixture of awe and pride. He glanced sideways at Alex and caught him examining the crowd as well. Doctor Zane was behind them both, and presumably familiar with this planet and its inhabitants, so Evan didn't bother looking over his shoulder at the man.

Was it the fact that Thomas was Sha'erah? Was it his imposing height and wide shoulders supporting a massively muscled chest and thick neck? Or did the onlookers know full well he could read any thoughts regarding their king and wouldn't think twice about eliminating any and all threats to his Keeper? Only then did Evan fully realize the impact of that type of specialty, and how a king could so easily exploit its use and implications.

He inhaled more deeply and readjusted his grip on the packs. Thomas was Sha'erah, but so was he. They might have different talents, and they certainly varied greatly in size, but he was just as capable of protecting his Keeper in any situation.

The land vehicle they were led to was large and luxurious. Judging by the decoration and surrounding smaller vehicles the white-clad followers mounted, Evan presumed this was the royal vehicle the king himself traveled in. Guards had been posted at either corner of the land cruiser, and snapped to rigid attention when they approached. Without a word, Thomas opened the side door and waved to a guard who took their packs and popped open a storage compartment in the rear.

Evan glanced quickly into the vehicle's enclosed compartment, verifying its emptiness, then stepped aside so Alex and Zane could get in. Thomas would ride up front with the driver, since his Keeper wasn't in the vehicle, and the guard had secured their packs, presumably after having scanned them for weapons, then settled inside one of the trailing vehicles.

With one last glance around the general area for any signs of danger lurking about, Evan ducked into the vehicle and sat beside Alex on the wide, soft seat facing forward. Zane had chosen the opposite side and faced them, smiling contently.

"Well, this is going much easier than I thought."

Alex was leaning back in the seat, twisting the ring around his finger. He shook his head once. "Doesn't it bother you that they knew we were coming? And when?" He turned his head and looked at Evan. "Do you think Thomas could have broken into the pager?"

Evan didn't answer right away. He hadn't seen any flash of silver on Thomas's hands, or anywhere else for that matter. "I doubt it. If his main talent really is mind reading, I can't imagine he could also interface. At least, not to that degree."

"And he's older than you, so even if he could he wouldn't be as good." Alex nodded absently.

"Well, there's something to be said for practice and technique you know. The kind of thing that comes with age and experience." Zane smiled to show he wasn't seriously considering Thomas was better than Evan at something they didn't even know he was capable of.

"I don't like it." Evan let his distrust of the situation show through his sternly set jaw and alert posture.

Alex laughed shortly, though there was little humor in it. "I guess we're all just getting a little too paranoid. He probably knew we were here because someone on that shuttle or in the spaceport recognized you and called ahead." He looked up at Evan again. "It's probably that simple."

Evan glanced through the tinted window at the back of Thomas's head. "Maybe."

The vehicle moved smoothly, hovering a foot above the terrain as they followed a wide, paved path out of the shuttle port and through a small town. Once out of reach of the town, the road began to wind gently over hills covered in bright green grass and flowering plants of all varieties and colors imaginable.

The entourage followed closely behind and at varying levels above the road until they rounded a long, wide corner and faced what appeared to be the only mountain on the planet. As they drew closer, Evan could see it wasn't exactly a mountain, but a huge rocky cliff bordering the edge of a massive lake or possibly an ocean. The road began a steep incline, heading straight for the cliff face and gaining altitude quickly. Eventually it became clear the cliff was carved, with a large stone door guarded by armed men and high tech devices.

"Good grief." Alex leaned forward in his seat to get a better view of the rock-enclosed castle as the car they were in headed toward the large door. "I guess that's the castle."

"The images you found must be the inside." Evan quickly looked around the area, trying to judge how large the cliff could possibly be. "If it's got an inside."

"Funny, he wasn't living here when I met him." Zane frowned. "Of course, he wasn't exactly King then, either."

"Things have changed." Alex watched the door open into the cliff, allowing their car to pass unhindered into a brief tunnel that opened up almost instantly, revealing a bright, sunny bowl.

"That was just the front door." Evan scanned the area as the car proceeded toward a large, stone castle. The grounds were green and opulent, lined with trees and flowering plants showing as much variety and color as the surrounding landscape. Protected on all sides by the massive cliff, the castle backed up against the sea, now several miles below. A perfect fortress.

The car pulled up to stone steps lined in purple carpeting and came to a halt with the passenger doors aligned at the bottom step. Before Evan could slide to the door ahead of Alex, Thomas was there. He opened the door and waited silently.

Alex held out an arm, preventing Evan from getting out first. "Just relax, will you? There's no one to impress here."

Evan felt his face burn, but Alex was too fast, and already climbing out of the car. He pointedly avoided eye contact with Zane as he followed his Keeper, sparing Thomas the quickest of looks. The larger Sha'erah showed no obvious sign of having noticed the breach in protocol. He simply shut the door when the doctor had exited, then motioned with one large, thick arm that they should all follow him up the stairs.

The castle fortress had the look of something ancient and magnificent, but was built and furnished with all the modern amenities. Even the stone walls, as it turned out, weren't actually stone. Monitors set in all the nooks and crannies followed with the utmost paranoia every move any visitor made. When they reached the large, simulated wood door, Thomas placed his palm on a reader. Evan watched him closely. The reader passed a green light over his hand, reading the palm print quickly. Once satisfied, the door opened slowly and elegantly. Too quick to have accessed anything. Even a high security door system would have required more time if Thomas was interfacing with it.

The room they entered was a wide hallway bordered by several connecting doors and corridors. Thomas stopped and turned, facing them. Before he could speak, a man entered the corridor from behind and strode purposefully toward them.

"Greetings all! Welcome to my humble home."

Regian Kellman was larger in person than the images on file. About Alex's height, but he had a gut that suggested many years of a soft life. Dull brown hair and eyes that matched clashed with his black pants and bright lavender shirt that flowed down to his knees, imitating a royal robe complete with fur lined collar and cuffs. Thomas stiffened instantly and took his place immediately behind his Keeper when the man came to a halt within hand-shaking distance.

"I'm Regian Kellman, ruler around these parts." Kellman smiled, showing off a glint of gem-enhanced teeth and held out a hand toward Alex. "I never pass up the opportunity to extend my every courtesy to a fellow Keeper and his, ah, entourage."

Alex glanced at Evan and raised one eyebrow slightly before shaking the offered hand. "Alex Marcase. Nice to meet you." He released the hand and gestured to Evan. "This is Evan, and a friend of ours, Doctor Phillip Zane."

"Ah, yes!" Kellman didn't offer his hand to either Evan or Zane, but he turned to smile triumphantly at Thomas who showed no emotion or acknowledgment. "I knew I recognized Zane." He crossed both arms over his chest and shook his head slowly from side to side, watching the doctor. "I thought you'd gone back to doctoring on some planet somewhere."

"Oh yes, to be sure." Zane nodded. "I've been doing quite a lot of things lately, actually. Most recently working for Captain Marcase, as a matter of fact."

"Captain?" Kellman looked back at Alex. "You wouldn't happen to be the Captain Marcase who just recently submitted reports of a . . . shall we say . . . alien nature?"

Evan's internal alarms dialed up a notch. Zane had assured them Kellman took little interest in outside affairs, and wouldn't likely even know or care who they were or why they came. He hated uncertain situations. He was used to them, but he hated them nevertheless.

"Yeah, that's me," Alex shrugged it off as being completely unimpressive. "It was a long expedition, so we're on vacation."

Evan applauded his casual approach, but said nothing, watching Kellman and Thomas for any revealing body language or change in attitude.

"Listen, we didn't mean to put you out or anything. We'd be just fine staying in some tourist spot for a few weeks."

"Heavens no!" Kellman expressed mock horror at the suggestion, then waved for several servants to pick up their luggage. "You'll stay here as my guests. I rarely get to meet other Keepers, and it wouldn't look right for the king to ignore such honored company. Come, come, they'll take your bags to your rooms. Let me show you around."

Kellman turned in a flourish of purple, waving one hand for Alex to accompany him. Thomas fell into step behind and slightly to the left of his Keeper without missing a beat, so Evan took to Alex's right. That put Zane more between them than the two leading the pack, but he showed no interest in wedging himself any closer to their host.

By his posture, and the short, somewhat irritated glances Alex was shooting his way, Evan could tell his Keeper wasn't thrilled with the situation. Whether it was Kellman he didn't like, or something else, he wasn't sure. Until they were alone somewhere, he couldn't really ask.

Evan steeled his expression to a mask of alertness, taking no obvious interest in the tour of the ultra-modern castle and elaborate grounds. He took mental notations of every hidden camera, listening device and security panel they passed, and counted the armed guards casually walking the edges of the ocean drop-off. Alex wasn't saying much aside from the occasional polite comment, but Zane suddenly spotted something that consumed his full attention.

"You have your own medical research facility?"

Kellman paused and turned to see the doctor. "Yes, I do indeed. A modest building, to be sure, but absolutely state-of-the-art! Can't be too careful, what with the latest in poisons so readily available to any would-be assassin."

"Get that many attempts on your life?" Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, the odd try now and again," Kellman shrugged it off. "Poisons mostly, since they can't get much more than that past my security. Do feel free to poke around, doctor Zane. My physicians love visitors."

"If you don't mind, I would appreciate the chance to pick up a few pointers." Zane smiled at each of them, then walked happily toward the facility.

"Well, he's gone for a few days." Alex shook his head, smiling slightly. "Hope you don't mind, he seems to really enjoy new toys."

"Not at all." Kellman sighed and continued their walk back toward the mansion. "He's an interesting man, Zane. As I recall, last time he was here he was all excited to learn as much as he could about Keepers and their Sha'erah. Is he still on that quest?"

Evan gave Thomas a sideways glance to see if Kellman's question sparked any kind of reaction. If they did know why Alex had come here -- and it really wasn't going to be a stretch to figure that one out -- hey might already have something in mind for him to find.

Thomas was unreadable, as any good Sha'erah would be, and simply continued to stare at the back of his Keeper's head as they walked. Must be able to read his Keeper's thoughts at all times, as well as any others. The talent had more implications than he'd considered. If he could read thoughts pertaining to Kellman, what was his range? And how far did a thought about Kellman go? Was it restricted to negative emotions, or did any passing thought that included the King of Murcadia qualify? And if so, was he reading Alex's mind right now?

Evan swallowed to relieve a suddenly dry mouth. That was something he couldn't protect Alex from. If Thomas could read his thoughts, and relay them to his Keeper, they could have no secrets here. This is too dangerous! They could be forced off their quest before it even began. What was I thinking? Kellman might not care what they'd come for, but he might also be one of the very instigators who'd had Zane stopped the first time. And Alex wasn't one to hide his thoughts! Evan suddenly wished he could at least get a glimpse inside his Keeper's mind before those thoughts were put to words.

His heart was beginning to pound inside his chest by the time the tour led them up a long staircase to their rooms.

"I trust you'll find this sufficient? Better than the tourist hostels, I assure you." Kellman smiled widely as he opened the large door leading to the guest suite.

"I'm sure this will be just fine, thank you." Alex stepped inside, followed by Evan and Thomas.

The main room was opulent and heavily decorated in red and gold, with a gilded door at the far end. This led to a smaller room with a bed on one side and a washroom fit into the wall of the other. Through the other door was a second bedroom, much larger, with a massively wide bed and several dressing closets and a washroom.

"I've got a room next door here for the good doctor." Kellman proudly walked around the rooms, pushing curtains away from windows to reveal a bizarre set of conflicting views. "These are simulated views. The rooms are nestled deep within the rock for security. Your Sha'erah sleeps here, naturally, so even if something did find its way inside, he'll be between it and you."

Alex looked perturbed. "His name's Evan."

Kellman waved the comment aside with a flick of one hand. "Yes, yes, I'd forgotten. Have you had many security problems yourself since you acquired him?"

"No, not a one."

Evan froze his facial features so as not to react to the lie. What was he doing? Testing Thomas's abilities?

"Lucky for you. Have you had him long, then?" Kellman stood beside a tapestry depicting what appeared to be his father discovering a new mine.

"Evan's been my partner for just under a year now." Alex stood next to a chair, his posture taking on the same defiant stance he'd had when visiting his mother.

Kellman's eyebrows arched. He looked at Thomas, laughing shortly, then turned back to Alex. "Partner? Well I suppose technically, that's true, isn't it? I tend to prefer the term Sha'erah, though. Keeps them in their proper place." His smiled turned ice cold, frozen on his face like a weapon.

Had they shared something telepathically? This was going to drive Evan crazy! He had to get Alex out of here, or at the very least alone so they could talk!

"Yeah, well I'm a little different than most, I suppose."

They were sparring! Evan couldn't believe Alex would be this openly hostile so early in the game. They'd only just arrived, and already he was risking his entire mission.

Kellman reacted with a sparkle and a barely audible squeak of pleasure, as if he was enjoying the challenge of speaking with such an arrogant man. "Indeed!" He laughed out loud, shaking his head. "This is going to be a most interesting visit. I'm sure you'd like to relax a bit and freshen up. Feel free to explore the castle and grounds. We dine at eight."

"I'm looking forward to it." Alex bowed his head ever so slightly.

Kellman left still chuckling, with Thomas silently following close behind. Evan waited until the doors had shut, then turned to Alex.

"What in God's name are you doing?" He could feel the anger burning in his face along with all the tension and uncertainty he'd been forced to lock tightly away since arriving on Murcadia.

Alex grinned, green eyes sparkling with juvenile mischief. "What can I say? People like him bring out the worst in me."

Evan blinked. "Do you realize there's every chance Thomas could read your mind? We don't know what his talents really are, or how far they go! For all we know, he could read everything you were thinking, and transmit that to his Keeper without saying a single word!" How could Alex be taking this so lightly?

"I hope he did." Alex walked to the huge bedroom in the far end of their apartment. "It'll save a hell of a lot of time dancing around what we really mean."

"It's also dangerous!" Was he the only one who understood what Thomas was for, and what he could do?

"This room is ridiculously large." Alex opened a closet and found his clothing, all neatly hung and arranged.

"If he can read your thoughts, regardless of how they affect Kellman directly, then anything you say to the contrary is going to make them suspicious."

"Look at that bed, five people could sleep in that thing and never touch each other." Alex walked to the washroom and called for the lights to come on.

"He probably knows exactly why we're here, and he's just going to play along to see what else he can learn. We shouldn't have come."

"How do we even know it's true?" Alex came out of the washroom and stood in the doorway, staring at Evan.

"What?"

"How do we even know Thomas can read minds?"

Evan stared back at him, eyebrows knitting together. "It's what Zane said."

Alex shrugged. "Because it's what he was told. But how do we know it's true? I mean, how can we check it out?"

"We can't. If you think any thoughts about harming Kellman, Thomas will stop you before you get the chance to explain it was a test. Actually, he'd kill me while I try to stop him from stopping you."

Alex looked disgusted again, just as he had earlier while on the walking tour of the castle grounds. "There you go again."

"What?"

Alex stormed out of the bedroom, through the smaller room and out to the living area. "Ever since we landed here and saw that Thomas guy, you've been all . . . Sha'erah on me!"

Evan blinked. That had to be one of the dumbest things Alex had said to date. "What does that mean? I am Sha'erah."

"That's about as important as saying you're male! Or you've got black hair." Alex stood next to a heavily padded, high-back chair, glaring at him. "I though we were partners. Friends. We get down here and you suddenly have to walk behind me? It's bad enough you won't talk in front of other people."

"You're over-reacting." To say the least.

"Who are you trying to impress, Kellman, or Thomas?"

Evan let out a quick snort of disgust and walked to a computer terminal decoratively hidden in a small side table beside one of several couches. "Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not." Alex stayed where he was, watching Evan. "What are you doing?"

"You want to test Thomas's talent?" He pressed his left palm over the input pad and braced himself mentally for the rush of new information.

The first thing to hit him was a security wall, but as elaborate as it was, it took him less than a minute to wind his way through. At least that confirmed the fact that Thomas couldn't interface. Evan concentrated his search, passing financial information and planetary affairs with the barest notice. What he wanted to know was whether or not Kellman kept private records on the public, supposedly secure, system.

Perfect. Just as he suspected, Kellman kept mounds of personal records, behind some of the strongest security money could buy. Evan reached it within minutes. When he'd seen all he needed for the time being, he backed out, covering his electronic tracks out of habit as he did so.

"What did you do?"

He took a deep breath and let his eyes focus once again on Alex and his surroundings. The search hadn't taken more than a few minutes altogether, and was no strain at all on his abilities.

Evan shrugged. "Thomas can read minds. But, like Zane thought, only those thoughts that are focused directly at his Keeper and only in a negative emotion."

"Interesting." Alex started twisting the silver ring around his finger idly. "You'd think if you were a sibling trying to bump yourself up a notch by offing your older brother, thoughts of killing him would be very positive and upbeat."

"Which is probably why he has so many attempts." Evan shook his head. He almost felt sorry for Thomas, Sha'erah to Sha'erah. "He's older, probably ordered before mind reading techniques could be perfected."

Alex made a sound under his breath. "Ordered. You make it sound like . . . Never mind. I can't imagine anyone perfecting something like that anyway. Mind reading is pretty far-fetched."

Evan shrugged. "Would you have imagined what I can do is possible if you hadn't seen it yourself?"

Alex smiled, almost to himself. "I still don't think you're possible, and I've known you for almost a year." His expression changed to one of puzzlement. "How did you do that, anyway? Doesn't the king of a planet have better computer security?"

"He's got what should be the best, but I've come up against it hundreds of times. Once you know how, getting through it is easy."

"So, he keeps his personal diary out there for anyone to see?" Alex shook his head.

"Only someone very good. You thought your files were as safe as they could be, until Harvey tried to get in."

"So, do we tell him he's got security problems he's unaware of, or keep this little bit to ourselves?"

"Are you kidding?" Evan couldn't believe how unafraid his Keeper still was, considering their situation. "Have you noticed how dangerous this place is? Kellman's protection is just as good at keeping us in as it is keeping him safe. We're surrounded by armed guards, in a stone fortress, on a foreign planet, with a Sha'erah who can probably read any thought you've had of Kellman in a bad light. A man I might add who is capable of pounding either of us into the ground with one fist. And we don't know if he knows why we're here or not, or what he would think of it if he did."

Alex grinned. "So you agree, then. We'll keep this little tidbit to ourselves." He pulled the pager out of his thigh pocket and checked it for messages, even though it hadn't beeped once. "I don't think this guy's gonna be much help, but we might as well see what we can get from him while we're here."

Evan sighed and ran a hand through his hair, smoothing back the black strands that had fallen forward. It was obvious to him Alex was adversely affected by wealthy surroundings. How else could he explain his Keeper's strange, irritating behavior whenever he was in the presence of anyone remotely like his mother? Never mind the fact that being a Keeper placed him in the same financial category. That was a subject he refused to accept.

Well, accept it or not, someone had to explain the facts. "Listen to me. I know this isn't something you're used to, so I'll explain it."

Alex lowered his eyelids, prepared to be irritated.

Evan didn't let it affect him in the least. "Thomas is a Sha'erah. Kellman obviously understands and enjoys what being a Keeper means. Do you understand what that can mean? They're not like you. They don't have the same ideas you do."

"That's obvious." Alex let out a snort of derision.

"And what it means, is that you can't address Thomas directly while in Kellman's presence." Evan paused, watching Alex's face for any sign of acceptance or rebellion. "Kellman will never address me directly, either. He will never use my name, and he will expect me never to enter the conversation. And he certainly won't expect you to try and include either of us in your discussions."

Alex's eyes were flashing angry green. "So you're going native on me after all?"

"We don't know this man, or what his motives might be. We don't know who stopped Zane in the first place, and we don't know how far they might go do to it again." Evan's voice threatened to rise to match the anger and frustration he was feeling. "Not to mention that incident on the Newton III. I still don't have any idea who tried to get into your pager. I only know Thomas doesn't personally have that ability."

Alex made a noise under his breath. "I just don't like the way he treats you. Ignoring you like you're one of the servants or something. You're my friend, not some hired luggage carrier!" Frustrated, he turned to pace across the room. When he reached a wall, he stopped and sighed heavily, then turned back to face Evan. The fire behind his eyes was only slightly dimmed. "If you're such an expert here, what do you suggest?"

Evan let out a breath. He appreciated Alex's sentiment, even if he didn't understand it fully. His sincerity served to set him even further apart from his father every day. "If Kellman will go for it, separate him from Thomas. That's the only way I'll be able to speak with him. But he might not speak with me about his Keeper." And he might not know any more than I do. Actually, Evan was almost hoping he didn't.

"Fine. I'll play Keeper, if that's going to make you happy." Alex let out another loud sigh and walked back to the center of the room.

"I would feel more secure here if you would."

"Just don't think for a minute that I'm going to like it."

They left the huge apartment and back-tracked their way down to the main floor, then wandered a few elaborately decorated halls until they found the dining room.

"Ah, perfect timing." Kellman smiled widely as he entered the room from another doorway, waving at Alex to approach the massive table. It was set for four, with Kellman at the head, Alex to his immediate left, Thomas to his right, and Evan at Alex's side. "The good doctor is dining with my medical staff. He's in physician heaven over there, I do believe."

Alex rolled his eyes as he sat down. "He does enjoy his profession. I don't think we saw him for more than twenty minutes the entire trip here."

Evan watched Thomas as the serving people entered the dining room carrying plates of food. He seemed to stare at each one in turn for several seconds, then gave a nod and watched them serve first Kellman, then Alex. After the Keepers were served, the platters were left on the table for Thomas and Evan to serve themselves and the servants left the room quickly and quietly.

Kellman kept the conversation light during the meal, with polite inquiries as to Alex's home world, his explorations and many discoveries. In turn, he educated them on his own family, consisting of several younger siblings anxious for their turn at planetary leadership. He spoke of his father and how the man discovered Murcadia's mining potential, and gained his wealth and stature by being the only colonist interested in purchasing what were then thought to be worthless chunks of land.

Now and again, while Kellman was explaining his own rise to power, Evan caught Thomas scrutinizing Alex.

Great, he's probably thinking what a pompous ass Kellman is. Evan was pretty sure Thomas would be adept enough to know the difference between an evil thought and one that was simply uncomplimentary. Judging by the barely perceptible upper tug at the corner of the Sha'erah's mouth, he was convinced that was true. Nothing says a Sha'erah has to like his own Keeper. Thomas probably had his share of negative emotions regarding Kellman, but he could never act on any of them.

"Would you care for a drink in the sitting room? I have some three hundred year old scotch that might impress you."

Evan blinked. He'd been so wrapped up in his observations, he'd missed the change in conversation.

"I'd love it." Alex stood, then glanced at Thomas and Evan. "Think we can leave these two alone?"

Kellman laughed lightly and pounded Alex's back with a large arm. "Oh I don't think anyone will steal them while we're away."

Slightly confused, Evan watched the two men walk through an adjoining door into another room. Since when had they become so friendly? He did note the signs of strain around Alex's mouth and eyes, suggesting he'd much rather be anywhere but in a room with Kellman alone.

"Don't worry, your Keeper is in no danger here." Thomas stood, pushing his chair back loudly with his legs. "We can go through there to another room and see them through the windows."

Evan stood, nodding. "Yes, that's fine." Thomas was speaking to him. And casually. This wasn't what he expected from a Sha'erah of such discipline, but he hurried to follow the large man through another doorway and down a winding hallway. They entered a smaller room, cozily decorated for comfort with large, overstuffed chairs facing a magnificent view of the ocean on one side, and affording a good glimpse into several rooms of the mansion on the other. One of those rooms held Kellman and Alex, seated in chairs opposite each other, drinks in hand, laughing and talking about God knew what.

"He's new, isn't he?"

"Excuse me?" Evan looked at Thomas, who pulled one of the chairs around so he could see into the other room while seated.

"Your Keeper. He's new, isn't he? Still adjusting to you?"

There was no sense in trying to lie about anything. "Yes, he is." Evan sat and sighed. "He inherited me less than a year ago."

Thomas nodded. "I was sold to his father ten years ago, after being with my original owner for thirty years. Then he died and left me with that twit."

Evan felt his face flush slightly at the surprisingly candid opinion. He wasn't used to speaking with another Sha'erah, having only known one other, and never expected to hear such a thing voiced.

"That's an interesting adaptation." Thomas pointed to Evan's hand, then touched his own palm, indicating the silver. "Harder to hide." He reached up and parted some of his short brown hair, revealing a splash of the metal on his scalp.

Evan tried not to react with more than a simple nod. "Have you met many others?"

Thomas shrugged. "A few. None like you, though." He nodded at Evan's hand again. "What is it? Weapons? Defense? I met one last year whose talent was lie-detecting."

"What did his Keeper do?" Evan didn't want to lie, in case Thomas could somehow detect it, so he tried to avoid the explanation. It was up to Alex to let other people know what he could do, including other Sha'erah.

"Lawgiver."

"That figures."

"He's the only one I know who hadn't ever been sold. At least, not yet."

Evan eyebrows arched. "You mean, he's original?"

"Last I heard." Thomas glanced out the window at the room across the courtyard. "How many have you had?"

"Alex, and one before him. His father." Evan didn't feel like getting into personal specifics, in case Spencer's name was known even here. And now, if he asked any direct questions about Thomas's mind-reading abilities, he'd be forced to admit what he could do, and risk the other Sha'erah making a connection between his talents and his Keeper's privacy.

"Lucky. Adapting to these people isn't easy. If any of his siblings are successful in their assassination attempts, and one day one of them will be, then I get passed down the line."

"Kellman left you to his successor?"

"Kellman's father did." Thomas turned to look Evan in the eyes as he spoke. "His father's will left me to whoever was in control of the estate, not this son specifically." He shrugged. "Regian Kellman can't alter that original will, there were stipulations."

"So, either way, you win?"

They both knew the implications, and restrictions, of such a statement. A Sha'erah could never do anything to cause harm to his Keeper, and was required to protect him without prejudice, regardless of personal feelings he or she wasn't even allowed to have. No outsiders, even Keepers, truly understood that. But as long as there was a will, the Sha'erah would have certain securities. That was something Evan was still struggling with. Alex didn't have a will, or so he said. And technically, he knew he now had options that weren't available to him before. But could he take advantage of that knowledge, if he really had to?

And if so, what was he to do with it? He might be free from the constraints of a will, but if Alex were to die, there would be nothing for him to hold onto. Free or not.

"How did your first die?"

Evan blinked himself back from his thoughts. "He -- He had a weak heart."

Thomas nodded knowingly. "That's what happened to Regian's father. The one thing we're helpless to prevent."

He wasn't really making any progress, was he? Alex probably expected him to grill Thomas about their origins, or home world, or anything he might remember from the time before. But sitting there, actually speaking with another Sha'erah for the first time in so long, he wasn't in the mood to delve into things neither of them were going to care about.

Trouble was, this wasn't about what he wanted.

"Your first . . . What was he like?"

Thomas's eyes took on the faraway look of remembrance. "Jonathan Hill. A good man, but careless with his fortune. He needed me to help him discern between those who meant him harm and those who didn't. Eventually the stress of his wealth was too overpowering. He sold me to Regian's father, gave away his fortunes and found religion somewhere."

"So, he had you specially ordered to keep him out of financial trouble?"

"Mostly. We're all specially designed, so they say."

Evan nodded. "They say a lot of things, but they seldom know what's right and what's just rumor."

"That's what helps us more than anything," Thomas smiled. "If my Keeper knew truth from rumor, my life here would be more difficult than it already is. It was easy to train this one to do as I say. Fear of death keeps him willing to listen to me, which in turn makes it easier for me to keep him close to home where I can keep him alive without too much trouble."

Evan sensed there was more to what Thomas was saying than simple bragging, but he wasn't sure how to press it. "Some are easier to keep control of than others. My first Keeper made all the rules, no exceptions."

"And this one?"

He glanced at the window where Alex and Kellman were visible in the other room. "He's not his father."

"Lucky for you he's at least nearer your age. Not likely to die from bad health any time soon. I met a Sha'erah last year who was kept by a man three times his age, and in ill health."

"Is he still alive?" Evan hated this subject, but he had to keep Thomas on the topic if he hoped to hear anything useful.

"I doubt it, but I haven't heard. We don't leave Murcadia, so my information is restricted to what visitors tell me." He leaned back in the chair and looked at Evan. "Why has he come to see Kellman?"

"Just vacationing." It fleetingly occurred to Evan he might be able to pick up a few tips from Thomas that he could use to keep Alex on a shorter leash. "He's never met another Keeper, aside from his father, so I think he was curious."

Thomas nodded, apparently accepting that explanation. "Understandable. I'm afraid he doesn't like Regian much, though."

Evan's face flushed slightly. "Alex is very . . . opinionated." This was bordering on disrespect. Was Thomas testing him, or did he actually expect to get him to open up about his Keeper's private affairs?

"Kellman's an idiot." Thomas stood suddenly and paced to the windows, glaring at the other room.

Well, if it was a test, Thomas just failed it. Evan stood, warily eyeing the larger man.

As if sensing his failure in protocol, Thomas shook his head and walked toward the door. "They're retiring for the evening."

Dammit. Had the man reacted to something he read in Alex's mind, Kellman's, or was it just an off hand comment that came out without thinking? Evan followed him to the hallway, then backtracked to the dining room, out to the main hall and back up to their rooms where he found Alex, already stripping off his shirt, both shoes and socks discarded to the side of the main living area.

"Well, did you two kids have fun?" Alex tossed his shirt over the back of a chair and ran a hand through his hair, watching Evan.

"Are you drunk?" The smell of whiskey wasn't too strong, but it was there.

"I hope so. That Kellman's quite an ass. It was his idea to declare himself king of all he surveyed the year his father died." Alex collected his shirt and one sock, and carried them through the first room, then into his larger chamber.

Evan followed, carrying the other sock and both forgotten shoes. "No, I didn't. But I do know Thomas belongs to whichever relative is in charge."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "So, Kellman dies, and Thomas just gets passed down the line? Sweet deal for him, then."

"Unless he's sold." Evan tossed his Keeper's shoes to the floor and sat on one of several plush chairs in the room. "I don't see how the original will can prevent Kellman from selling Thomas, if he wanted. But he said it would."

"Probably has some twisted legal angles that prevent it." Alex sat on the end of the huge bed and yawned. "If Thomas knew it was all lies, he could decide for himself."

Evan shook his head. "Not him. I don't think he would even want to know the truth." Sometimes he didn't even like knowing the truth. "He's happy the way things are." At least, he seemed settled. Maybe not happy.

"So were you. That's what you kept saying, anyway."

"I am happy with my life."

"That's what I mean."

"What?"

"You're happy now. With your life."

Evan sighed. It was hard enough to make sense out of Alex when he was sober. "I just said that."

"Right. But I mean you are now. Not like before." Alex pushed himself off the end of the bed and walked, slightly waveringly, toward the bathroom. He had to raise his voice slightly to continue the conversation through the open door. "I mean with me, knowing you have a choice now. It's better than before."

Well that's obvious. "Before I knew any better, I had no complaints." Evan wasn't sure exactly what Alex was getting at, if anything, but he wasn't prepared to admit that the majority of his life thus far had been a complete and utter loss. Knowing his Keeper as he did he didn't think that was the point here. "Thomas has a different situation entirely. I don't think he'd care one way or the other, let alone understand or believe you."

"Kellman would never accept it anyway." Alex came back from the bathroom wearing only his shorts and yawning again. "The guy's nuts." He tossed his pants over the back of a chair and pointed to the gigantic bed. "You wanna sleep in this thing? It's so big it's freaking me out."

Evan shook his head and got out of the chair. "No thank you. I can't imagine what he had in mind having a bed that size built."

Alex shrugged, then pushed back a corner of the blankets. "Same thing they always have on their minds, these rich brats. Extravagance." He made a face and climbed into the bed. "If I remember anything from tonight, I'll go over it during breakfast. Kellman's got business in the morning, so we're on our own."

"Good night." Evan left the room when Alex got into bed, shutting off the lights as he did. His room was the ante-chamber between the main living area and the extravagant bedroom, and just the right size for comfort without going overboard on detail.

The bed was a double, nestled against one wall, while the washroom took up the opposite side, through a sliding wall. It was the perfect setup to protect a Keeper from any unwanted, unannounced visitations during the night. All the windows in the apartment were simulated, with several choices for display that could give guests a dizzying array of confusing images throughout the rooms. Right now, Evan had them all set to a dark, starry night sky to promote meditation and sleep. He'd set a timer in the control box to alter the image to a sunrise, coinciding with the morning alarm.

After checking the room locks, Evan washed up and got into bed, then started a meditation sequence to clear his head. It was almost tempting to sleep in the other bed, to protect Alex that much more closely, but in this unknown atmosphere he wanted to be sure anything coming in hit him first, keeping some room before it made it to Alex.

Today had been very confusing and somewhat overwhelming, and he still felt as if there was something he was missing. Something Thomas knew, perhaps, or something Kellman had in mind. But he couldn't think what it could be.

It was clear to him now that Thomas wasn't their electronic trespasser. And judging by Kellman's computer security, it couldn't be anyone working for him. Could it be a rival? Did one of his siblings own a Sha'erah that he was unaware of? That wasn't very likely. Unless that Sha'erah could block his Keeper's thoughts from Thomas. And if that were his talent, how good could he possibly be at interfacing? Even a Sha'erah had limitations. If too many talents were incorporated, there couldn't be as much devotion given to any particular one over the others. Spread too thin, each specialty would be inherently weakened.

So it was probably someone outside. Someone not associated with Kellman or Murcadia at all.

That's what bothered him.

Chapter 9

Alex groaned as he rolled over, searching for the edge of the bed. When he found it, he slid both legs over and down, then sat up slowly. Three hundred year old scotch tasted about the same as what he was used to, but it packed a hell of a hard punch. It took nearly a minute to get off the bed then stumble into the washroom where he was greeted by a fuzzy image of his face in a gilded mirror.

"Oh yeah, that's attractive." God, what was I thinking? He could hold his liquor most times, and he didn't think he'd actually been drunk, exactly. Good thing Evan would have kept him from doing anything too terribly stupid. It was great mental security, having that guy around all the time.

With a shake of his head and a quick cleansing of the thick slime that seemed to be coating the inside of his mouth, Alex showered and shaved. He was already starting to feel more human when he pulled a shirt down over his head on the way through the bedrooms and out to the larger main living area.

"Good morning."

"Breakfast is being delivered, I just sent the servant away." Evan handed over a short glass of blue liquid. "Drink this."

Alex downed the slightly sweet drink in one swallow, then set the glass on a table and ran a hand through his wet hair. "What was that?"

"Something for your headache." Evan walked to a couch and sat, still buttoning his own shirt. "It's from Zane."

"Where is he, anyway?"

"He was here for a few minutes, now he's gone back down to that medical facility again." Evan looked perturbed. He pushed some damp black hair out of his face and shook his head once. "I don't know if this behavior of his is just coincidence or not."

"Behavior?" Alex blinked as he suddenly realized his headache had vanished. "You mean the way he disappears and only pops his head in now and again to remind us he's still here?"

Evan looked up and nodded. "On the cruise, it was strange but understandable. That medical convention could have been coincidence, or just the deciding factor in the ship he booked for our trip. But here . . . " He let the sentence trail, still eyeing Alex.

"He's just being a scientist, Evan." Alex shrugged off the matter and sat on a chair facing the Sha'erah. "Would you rather have him hovering over us all the time?"

"Maybe he shouldn't have come."

Alex leaned back in the chair and started twisting the ring around his finger. "You're not suggesting Zane's anything but honest, are you?"

Evan seemed to hesitate, then shook his head slightly. "No, I can't see what he'd stand to gain by lying to us about anything. It just seems too . . . easy."

"Getting rid of him so we can be free to move around? Yeah, it's been easy so far." Alex laughed shortly. "We'll see how long it lasts. If we end up jumping around the galaxy hunting down every Keeper there's ever been, and this is the only time we get away from Zane, you'll be looking back at this with fondness."

"Maybe." Evan's tone and facial expression belied his statement. "I'm not sure we were right about Thomas."

"How so?"

"I think he can read Kellman's thoughts." Evan's eyebrows arched, indicating his own uncertainty. "I'm not positive, but it seemed that way to me."

Alex blinked, trying hurriedly to recall the many thoughts that had been floating around inside his mind last night, many of which were anything but flattering. "I thought he could only hear negative ones directed at his Keeper, or something. Are you saying he can read all of our thoughts now?"

Evan shook his head. "No, I don't think so. I'm not sure, but I think with his Keeper, he can actually read all the thoughts. And I don't think Kellman knows that. He would have mentioned something in his private files."

It occurred to Alex just then that they shouldn't have touched the man's personal computer files. Of course, he hadn't exactly asked Evan to look inside the system. And it wasn't like they'd stolen information, or anything. So really, they'd done nothing wrong. Technically speaking. Now, asking Evan to look again would be wrong. Wouldn't it?

"What did the two of you talk about, anyway?"

Alex blinked. "Oh, ah, not a hell of a lot. He told me his life's story, basically. I stuck with the idea we're just vacationing." He yawned.

"I don't think Thomas knows any more than I do about where we came from. He's older, so it's been even longer since he was there. And Kellman's his third Keeper."

Alex let out a sigh and stood. "Well, I don't think we have anything to fear from this guy, unless one of his siblings makes a move and catches us in the middle or something."

There was a quiet knock on the door, followed by a soft announcement over the lock's audio input that breakfast had arrived. Evan let the servants in and stood over them, watching each plate as it was uncovered and placed on the large, round table in a corner of the room. When they'd finished, he escorted them back to the door and locked it behind them. Back at the table, he pulled a small, handheld device from one pocket and scanned the food.

"What's that?" Alex reached for the coffee after Evan passed the device over the pot.

"Zane gave it to me. It's a poison detector the doctors here invented. They use these things in the kitchens at every meal, and Thomas carries one with him wherever they go."

Alex rolled his eyes at the paranoia and the sad state of a man's life that would make it so necessary. "At least he doesn't use Thomas as a taster."

"That wouldn't be very smart, to use your most expensive asset for something a machine can do."

"Makes as much sense as thinking of another human being as your most expensive asset." Alex sat down and stabbed something green with a fork. The way Kellman had referred to Thomas during the evening's conversation turned his stomach. The man was as much a Keeper as anyone could be, and truly enjoyed the role. "To me you're a valuable asset, Evan. But not an expensive one." He bit off the contents of his fork and thought he caught the slightest hint of a flush on the Sha'erah's face. Well, at least he's starting to recognize a compliment, even if it still makes him uncomfortable. "I don't think he even once mentioned Thomas by name." He stabbed another of the green legumes then shoved the mass into his mouth with some frustration.

"That surprised you?"

"No, actually it didn't." That's what surprised him. That, and how easily he was able to keep himself in check and play along. Alex felt his face start to flush in embarrassment and covered the unwanted reaction with another round of chewing.

When they'd first left the room, leaving Thomas and Evan behind, he'd considered coming clean and explaining the real reasons they were here. He even mentally rehearsed it during dinner while Kellman was going on about something uninteresting. He was going to just explain his personal views about Sha'erah's and Keepers and all the morality that was offended by the whole setup. Tell him he wanted to learn more about Evan's past and get to the bottom of all the mysteries he'd grown so sick of. And, if it were possible, find a way to aid his argument that Evan made a better friend than possession.

That was the plan. Let Kellman know about the rings and how they really worked, get any information he was willing to offer up, spend a day or two hanging out just to be polite, then book the first cruiser off this planet and head on to the next dead end.

Only it hadn't worked that way. Kellman was so proud of his accomplishments, Thomas being one of them, Alex soon found he was unable to get a word in edgewise. It was so much easier to play along, agree with the man, nod knowingly now and again, pretend he knew exactly how hard it was keeping a Sha'erah in today's economy. They were, after all, quite rare and hard to come by. And invaluable, to be sure. One couldn't buy a more loyal friend and companion. Which was ironic, since neither of them had actually bought theirs.

Of course the opportunity was right there, and he'd missed it. So wrapped up in playing the good Keeper and struggling with the personal implications of what he was doing, he'd completely missed the right time to ask Kellman if he'd ever considered buying another. That in turn would have lead him easily and directly into the question of how and where, if not why. Instead, he'd just sat there quietly disgusted and played along.

Idiot. Alex stabbed more morsels, unconcerned with exactly what it was he was eating. It was easier to sit there like an ass and agree with him about how hard it was sometimes to get your Sha'erah to accept your plans. And what was it he'd said to Evan? I'll play Keeper, but don't expect me to like it.

He hadn't liked it. Not one bit. But . . . it had been easy to do. A little too easy, maybe. All he'd had to do was sit there, sipping whiskey even Paulson Carpenter couldn't have afforded, in a chair that cost roughly half as much as his ship's last tune-up, and casually discuss the ups and downs of owning another human being.

Way too easy.

" . . . and see what Zane's been doing."

"What?" Alex looked up and realized he hadn't heard a word Evan had been saying for the past ten minutes.

The look on the Sha'erah's face suggested he was fully aware of that fact. "I said, unless you had plans for today, we might want to visit that medical facility and see what Zane has been doing."

Slowly, Alex nodded, trying to determine what else he'd missed. "Okay. Sure. I think Kellman said something about being away from the mansion all morning." In fact, he'd specifically said something about taking Thomas and a few well-armed guards for a tour of one of his brothers factories. "I'm surprised someone that paranoid ever leaves home."

"If there was any real danger, Thomas wouldn't let him."

"So, how did the two of you get along?" Alex set his fork down and pushed the empty plate away, leaning back with coffee cup in hand.

Evan shrugged, pushing something orange around his mostly empty plate with a spoon.

The reaction, or lack of one, surprised Alex. "Didn't he say much?" He expected more from two members of a group so rare they didn't even know where they came from and hardly ever met another one. "I thought for a while there you actually admired the guy or something."

Evan looked up and set the spoon down. "He's a good Sha'erah. Knows the proper ways. And he's treated like we're taught to be by his Keeper."

Alex suppressed a laugh. "As opposed to me, you mean?"

"No. I mean, yes." Evan let out a sigh and stood so he could fuss with the empty plates needlessly. "I do admire him, in a way. But I don't envy him for a minute."

"Well, he's got security, that's for sure."

Evan shook his head, looking somewhat irritated. "There's just something . . . " He stopped fussing with the plates and stood beside the table, looking at Alex. "He's not like I expected. He has no respect."

"Respect for Kellman, you mean?" Alex set his cup down and sat up straighter. He wasn't completely sure what kind of etiquette Sha'erah were expected to adhere to away from their Keepers, but he sensed maybe none of them really did, either. "What did he say that makes you think that?"

"I don't know, exactly." Evan shrugged and turned away, waving the idea off. "It was just a general sense. Maybe I was wrong."

There was something more here, something Evan wasn't voicing. He'd started pacing the room slowly, as if he was checking security for the hundredth time. Alex stood, watching his friend carefully.

"Look, Evan, I realize Thomas is only the second Sha'erah you've ever met. If Harvey's was someone you looked up to," -- damn, what was his name?-- "then don't use Thomas as a good comparison. Look who this poor guy lives with, after all. A pompous ass who declared himself king and became his family's worst nightmare."

"And I once lived with Spencer." Evan turned and faced him. "Never once would I have spoken ill of my Keeper to anyone. Not even another Sha'erah."

Alex shrugged slightly, feeling somewhat helpless all of a sudden. "Well, you're a better man than he is."

Evan shook his head sharply. "He's Sha'erah. He was taught the same as I was."

A sudden thought occurred to Alex then. "Just out of curiosity, how old was Harvey's . . . assassin?"

"Seven years older than I am."

Alex nodded as if that answered his question. Thomas was quite a bit older, and no doubt jaded and sick of his lot in life. Until now, it never occurred to him to wonder if there were any older Sha'erah. Even the best training and mental conditioning had to start wearing off at some point, didn't it?

"Well, I wouldn't worry about it, Evan. You're better than he is. And I appreciate knowing you have standards he's lacking in." Alex had the pleasure of seeing a slight reaction of surprise, quickly suppressed, in the Sha'erah's black eyes. "Let's go for a walk."

The medical facility wasn't attached to the castle, but reachable via a covered walkway through the west wing. Evan quietly pointed out all the cameras, obvious and hidden, watching them as they traveled through the castle corridors.

"If we had to make a quick exit, we'd have half the planet watching our every move." Alex eyed one small device poorly hidden in a painting as they passed through a corridor.

"If we have to get out of here, I can make sure no one sees us unless we want them to."

He glanced at Evan, one eyebrow arching. "His security's really that easy to get in?"

Evan shrugged. "For me, it is."

Was that bragging? Probably not. Alex nodded slowly, considering the information. It was tempting to ask Evan to go ahead and probe through Kellman's files all he wanted, find out if the man had any information or not, and be done with it. But that was wrong. And more importantly, Thomas might somehow be able to detect it. Alex knew he wasn't all that good at holding his tongue around people who really irritated him. He'd never even imagined he'd have to guard his thoughts, too.

"Do you think Thomas has to try to read minds, or do thoughts about his Keeper just . . . float to him or something?"

Evan made a face. "I don't know. I should have asked. I should have done something to get answers out of him, but I didn't."

The Sha'erah's tone sounded completely off. Alex stopped in the hallway and put a hand on Evan's arm. "What's going on? You seem really pissed at something."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I have every right to be ridiculous if I want to be." Alex stared up at the black eyes flashing at him. Sometimes seeing those eyes reminded him just how alien Evan could be. But just how alien was he, really? "I know you weren't at all thrilled with this whole idea, but you humored me."

"You needed to own your ship and this is how you could do it."

Alex felt his anger boil to the surface irrationally and without warning. "Dammit, Evan, you have a choice in this! If you think I'm being a selfish jackass here, just say so."

Evan pulled back, then reached behind Alex and touched a panel slightly hidden behind a decorative curtain.

"What are you doing?" The distraction added to Alex's irritation.

"Shutting down the audio pickup in this corridor." He pulled his hand away from the wall and glared at Alex. "Unless you wanted Kellman and his security people to hear everything you're saying?"

And he calls me a smart-ass! "Look, we came out here because I wanted to. I asked you if you were going to be okay with this."

"We came here because you needed to find some truth."

Alex blinked, unable to find a quick reply.

Evan looked away for a moment. "I didn't want to, and I don't want to. But for those reasons, I didn't try to stop you."

His face flushed slightly with selfish embarrassment. "You agreed for my sake?"

"I was there. I saw what Spencer's lies did to you, how they stole everything you thought was real all those years." Evan shrugged. "You deserve to find something you can believe, so you can get back to your life."

Alex sighed deeply and dragged a hand over his face. He could probably trace it all back to his mother. Being spoiled the way he was must be the reason for his completely selfish outlook on life. "Not much of a friend, am I?"

"What?" Now Evan looked surprised.

No wonder he still leans toward being a Sha'erah, when I'm asking him to be a friend and giving him this kind of example. Alex stared at the wall behind Evan, unable to look him in the eye at the moment. "Forget it. The whole thing. We'll go talk to Zane, maybe spend a few days here vacationing, then go home."

"What are you talking about?"

Alex pushed away from the wall he'd been leaning on and started to walk down the corridor again. "I have my truth, Evan. I have everything I could possibly need in life and then some. I've been an idiot not to realize that." He shook his head. "Let's call it quits and go home, it's not worth it."

"Wait a minute," This time Evan grabbed Alex's arm. He pulled him around, staring into his eyes, but faltered for a moment.

"Look, I've been selfish. I can admit it." Alex tried to smile but no humor came through. "My entire life has been completely fucked up. I need to just get over it and move on. There's no need to ruin your ideals, too."

Evan was shaking his head, but not saying a word. The look on his face seemed to be an odd mixture of anger and something close to regret, but it was hard to tell.

"I thought you were curious?"

Alex started twisting the ring on his finger and leaned against the wall again. "I was. And I am." He looked up at Evan. Friends were supposed to come clean with each other, right? Open up, share. "My life was all happy and settled, you know? Great job, good people." His face was burning, he could feel it. One thing he'd never been very good at was saying what should be said when it needed saying. "Then all of that went to hell and took me with it." He paused, looking down at the ring he was still turning around and around. It helped him think, to find a center point which he could anchor on to. A tangible reminder that he was no longer alone, no matter how badly he screwed things up. "It's over and done. Nothing's going to change any of it."

"You knew this wouldn't change anything."

Alex shrugged. "Not for me, no. I was too selfish to stop and think what it could do to you." All thoughts of security cameras and hidden listening devices were gone. The entire planet could have been listening right then, and he wouldn't have cared. He half expected Evan to beat the self-centered crap out of him any minute. Or at the very least, smack some sense into his brain. "You . . . " He cleared his throat. "Your life hasn't been all that different, really. You say being a Sha'erah kept you secure and happy."

"Of course."

Alex nodded, almost nervously. With a quick laugh and a shrug of one shoulder, he continued. "Well, maybe I was jealous."

Evan blinked. "Jealous? That doesn't make sense."

"Hell, nothing does anymore." He shook his head and let out a sigh. "If we succeed here, and find what we're looking for -- or rather, what I'm looking for -- it's entirely possible your whole belief system -- what you consider your past and all that security you take comfort in -- might very well be shot to hell." There, he'd said it! Yes, he was exactly the jerk everyone thought he was. So jealous of Evan he was willing to risk ruining his past just to make himself feel better about his own. "I swear, that's not what I set out to do. Not consciously." He was back-pedaling now, nervously trying to put a verbal bandage on it. Why wasn't Evan saying anything? Why isn't he pissed? "That's why I think we should stop now, before we do find out anything that ruins your memories. We have things to do, after all. We have a ship to run, exploring to do." He still wasn't speaking. What does he want, blood? Alex swallowed. "I'm . . . sorry. I've been a selfish, self-centered brat, too busy feeling sorry for myself to look beyond it. And I'm sorry. We can just tell Zane we quit and go home." The lack of response was beginning to scare him. Evan could, if he so chose, take him out without breaking a sweat. "Can you forgive me for being such a jerk?"

Evan was standing in the middle of the corridor, looking at him. His face had lost all expression, but he seemed to be thinking something over. Finally, he took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes."

The answer, simple as it was, wasn't what Alex expected. He hadn't told him to stop being ridiculous, or explained to him how stupid it was to ask forgiveness from a Sha'erah. Or reached one hand out quicker than lightning and ripped out his throat.

Alex let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding, feeling a month's worth of repressed tension finally releasing. Progress! After all this time, and all my ignorant attempts to see around what was staring me in the face. Deep down he knew, his real fear was Evan learning what kind of person he really was, and taking that ring back. He straightened up and smiled sheepishly. "I suppose I'm just like my father."

"No," Evan shook his head once. "Spencer would never have apologized."

Both men stood in the corridor, facing each other in silence. Finally Alex nodded, feeling somewhat uncomfortable again. The Sha'erah was so unreadable sometimes, he wasn't sure if he could even risk a handshake. Evan could be pissed, and just hiding it well. "Thanks, that means a lot." He smiled and gave the Sha'erah's shoulder a heartfelt squeeze, judging that to be the least dangerous move if the man was still angry, then turned to continue the trek toward the medical facility. A hand on his arm stopped him before he could start walking.

"Yeah?"

This time it was Evan's turn to look uncomfortable. "I could have stopped you."

Alex looked at him.

"Before we left Scotian, I could have stopped you a hundred different ways." Evan shrugged and ran a hand through his black hair, catching a shimmer of light from the ceiling as the silver in his palm sparkled through. "It's not safe, and that incident on the cruise here proves it. But I didn't even try."

Alex laughed. "As I recall, you did try. I just wasn't listening."

"No," Evan shook his head once, sharply. "I wanted to prove to you that it couldn't be done. I told myself I was going along with it because it was something you needed. And it is." He swallowed, shrugging one shoulder. "But I only did because I didn't believe anything would change. I saw what losing your past did to you."

"And you didn't want it to happen to you?" Black eyes aside, Evan was sounding more human than anything just then.

"It already has. Spencer was my past. All that I can remember is life with him, and it wasn't all open to me the way I thought it was. I never believed he could keep secrets from me, but he did. Lots of them. So my past has been thrown away already, just like yours."

"God, Evan, I'm sorry. I -- As usual, I didn't even think how . . . " Alex knew he was a short man, but standing in that hallway, realizing for the first time how his problems had overshadowed Evan's, he felt about two feet tall. And he was pretty sure most of that height could be attributed to his shoes. Until now he'd never stopped to think what Spencer's lies had done to the Sha'erah, but seeing his face just now brought it all home loud, clear, and painfully.

Suddenly the absurdity of the situation was too much. Here they were, stumbling through some bizarre true confession in the middle of the highly monitored hallway of a pompous, self appointed King. Both of them just now admitting things that could have saved them a long trip and some hard self examination. And all because they were struggling to find something they already had. They were each other's truth and security.

"Timing is everything, huh?" Alex grinned lopsidedly and pointed to a camera in the wall.

Evan glanced around as if seeing the corridor for the first time. "You started it."

"No, you did. All this crap about Thomas and how he's not the perfect Sha'erah you were expecting him to be." Alex shook his head. "You don't think Zane's gonna be pissed, do you? We did come out here on his ticket, after all."

"We're here in good faith. He knew we might not find answers from Kellman."

Alex nodded. "So we're agreed, then?"

"Of course." Evan started down the corridor again beside Alex, who was still grinning. "We keep going."

"What? Hold it, hang on." Alex stopped again, grabbing Evan's arm. All these twists and turns were starting to make him a bit dizzy, but he didn't remember missing such a major point. He'd thought they'd just come to a quietly amicable understanding. "What do you mean, keep going?"

"It's the only way either of us is going to get to the truth." Evan shrugged, matter-of-factly.

Alex closed his eyes and shook his head very carefully. He was sure something had worked loose in there somewhere. Something vital that would explain the whole situation to him. Maybe the scotch had been stronger than he thought?

"You know what I think it is? I think we got off balance somewhere down the line." He opened his eyes and looked at Evan. "I think you should just go ahead and hit me."

Evan blinked, incredulous. "What?"

"Yeah, that's it. I hit you back in the nebula that time, and things kinda got off balance. I think if you go ahead and hit me, maybe we'll start making sense."

Evan rolled his eyes and started again down the corridor. "You're being ridiculous . . . as usual!"

"It couldn't hurt, figuratively speaking." Alex hurried to catch up.

"You're assuming we understood each other before then."

Alex shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you're right." At least I'm starting to understand myself a bit more. Maybe.

They continued down the corridor in a surprisingly comfortable silence, walking side by side as Alex always preferred. He couldn't help but feel a real sense of accomplishment in his own newfound ability to be honest and open, even if he still had to work on his timing.

It was near the exit where they heard the voices. Shouts coming through the large, wooden door to their left. Alex stopped outside the door, listening. The words were muffled, but one voice was unmistakable.

"Kellman." He glanced at Evan, then reached for the handle on the door and pulled it open.

"What are you doing?"

Alex hauled the door all the way open. The large room was filled floor to ceiling with dead, mounted creatures and hunting weapons, proudly displaying the prowess of the great white hunter. Animals Alex had never seen before, and some he had, stared at him with lifeless, imitation eyes. They were all posed in ferocious leaps, claws, teeth and talons exposed to demonstrate the bravery of the man who had cut them down.

Alex's stomach turned. The creatures were probably sleeping or minding their own business when they were taken, offering no risk to the hunter who then had to pose them in such obscene ways because if he had encountered them in this pose, it would be the hunter who was stuffed and mounted. They might as well have been in display cases on some alien ship.

The voices brought him back to reality, tearing his gaze off the sickening display. Kellman was standing in the center of the room, a whip in hand, shouting at Thomas who stood a few feet away, head bowed. So far the pair hadn't noticed their entrance.

Alex started to approach, trying hard to stop seeing what else was in the room. What he did see didn't sit any better.

"I heard shouting." Alex glanced at Thomas and saw the red welts on his neck and forearms. Anger flared, blocking out any and all reason. Kellman was beating him, and Thomas was standing there taking it without argument.

Regian Kellman glanced at Alex, taking note of his arrival with a shake of his head. "They can be so hard to train sometimes, don't you agree?"

All Alex saw was that whip being raised again. All he thought was to stop it. His conscious thinking hadn't progressed beyond that point. He reached up and grabbed Kellman's arm before he could land another blow to the man so willingly accepting it.

"Alex!"

He registered Evan's shout as he was forcing Kellman's arm down and balling his own hand into a fist, ready to strike the pompous ass in the jaw. He didn't see the other fist, or really even register the hit until he slammed into the floor and found himself sprawled, staring up through a throbbing eye at Evan.

"It's over!" Evan was hovering over Alex's prone body, arms held out to ward off Thomas, who was glaring menacingly at him.

Alex blinked, then the pain started. He hit me! Not Kellman, or even Thomas, but Evan! He'd taken a fist to the hard, bony part of his cheek just beside the right eye and already it was swelling up, threatening to close in protest. Alex struggled to a sitting position on the floor, still reeling from the idea that Evan had taken him down.

"All right, Marcase. You've shown me yours, I've shown you mine." Kellman was glaring down at him, a slightly confrontational smile on his face. He looked up at Evan, still staring Thomas down. "We don't need to turn this into a fight only I can possibly win, do we?"

The implications of what he'd done and what exactly was going on in that room at that moment were trying to make themselves clear, but Alex wasn't listening. All he could think about was the throbbing pain in his face and the all too recent physical memory of the power behind the fist that had brought him down.

"Call him off, Alex, or this is going to turn ugly."

Alex glared up at Kellman, then reached up and grabbed Evan by the belt, using that to pull himself back up to his feet since no one seemed interested in giving him a hand.

Finally Kellman let out a sort of chuckle and patted Thomas's arm. "Come now, Thomas. I don't think our friend here really understood what he was doing." He smiled at Alex. "I hope you'll feel well enough to join us for dinner tonight. We'll have guests." With that he gave Thomas another smile and left the room through a different door.

Alex stood there, still holding on to Evan's waist, staring after the pair. When they were alone, he pulled on the leather belt to get the Sha'erah to face him. "What the hell was that all about?" His face was throbbing violently, and painfully tender when he reached up to touch the swelling beside his eye.

The look of concern he'd expected to find must have been hidden somewhere behind all that black eyed, flashing anger staring him down.

"Were you trying to get us both killed?" Evan's tone was barely in check, and his face reddened in anger. "What in the hell were you thinking?"

"What was I thinking?" Alex pointed to his face. "Who hit who here?"

"You were attacking Kellman! I had to stop you." Evan's anger showed no signs of cooling any time soon. "If I hadn't, then Thomas would have attacked you, and I would have been forced to go after Thomas. Who do you think would have won?"

"Did you see what he was doing?" Shouting was making his face throb even more. "The man's sick!"

"I'm not saying he isn't, but you could have gotten us both killed!"

They stared at each other, neither one willing to back down. Alex knew Evan was right, that what he'd done was just about as stupid as anything he'd ever tried. He realized now that an attack on Kellman would have invited a retaliation, if not a completely preemptive strike from Thomas, and in turn Evan would have felt it necessary to jump in and stop him. Sure, he knew it now. It was amazing how clearly one could see the stupidity of one's actions when given the time to think them through.

Evan grabbed Alex's chin and took closer look at his face. "It's already swelling."

"I'm a big boy, you know." Alex pulled his chin out of Evan's grip. "I can take care of myself."

"Well you sure as hell don't act like it sometimes," Evan retorted.

Alex touched his face again, gingerly feeling how far the swelling was going to go. The force behind the blow had been just as much of a shock as the hit itself. Evan was stronger than he thought, and a hell of a lot better at pulling a punch when needed. He was sure, had the Sha'erah been truly pissed, he'd be staring blankly up at a med-lab ceiling right about now unable to repeat his own name. Never mind tearing out his throat, Evan could take his head off and hand it to him, should he ever feel inclined.

"We're even now, right?"

Evan blinked as some of the anger began fading from his face. "Even?"

"I hit you, you hit me. We're even now." Though I doubt I hit him with anything like the force he slammed me with. "Right?"

Evan let out a snort of disgust and made a face. "That's not why I hit you."

"Yeah, whatever." Alex tried to smile, but it hurt to move his face that much. "Come on, let's go see Zane. I need some ice."

"Well he's right, you know." Zane dabbed Alex's bruised cheek with some ointment and made a clicking sound with his tongue. "If you had managed to hit Kellman, I'm afraid Thomas wouldn't have held his punch the way Evan did." He straightened up and scrutinized Alex's face. "At the very least, you'd be dead and Evan would have had to attempt killing Thomas. And, had he been successful, I expect he would have gone after Kellman."

"Come on, people," Alex rolled his eyes. "It was a stupid move, I admit that now, okay? I'm sorry I was an idiot. Let's not over-dramatize the whole affair."

Evan and Zane shared a look. "Well, I apologize for not being there myself. But this facility is truly amazing." The doctor was smiling now as he put the jar of ointment away in a drawer. "They've got a set up here that can determine the source and precise chemical structure of any poison entering the human body, whether it's known or new. Then find a cure almost immediately."

"Kellman's enemies probably try poison most often, since a chemical is the only thing they could possibly get past all that security." Evan nodded in the general direction of the castle. "Thomas's talent is limited, if someone could discipline their thoughts."

"Well, that leaves me out." Alex looked through the windows of the medical laboratory toward the castle. "But if I was that creep's brother, I can't say I wouldn't wish him dead."

Zane sighed. "I don't remember Regian being such a difficult man when I was here before."

"Difficult hardly does him justice."

"Still, that was years ago." Zane seemed to ignore Alex's remark. "And Thomas has changed."

Alex glanced at Evan, then the doctor. "Really? How so?"

Zane shrugged. "I can't really put a finger on it exactly. He seems more . . . closed off."

"More closed off?" Alex's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean he used to actually speak to you before?"

Evan took a step closer. "He was pretty open with me last night. More than he should have been."

"How so?"

Alex eyed his friend as well.

"He was openly disrespectful." Evan looked at Zane, then Alex. "When we first arrived, I saw him behaving exactly as I would have expected. But when he and I were alone, he was more than willing to share his opinion of Kellman as a Keeper and a human being." Clearly upset, Evan looked at Zane again. "That's not proper, even to another Sha'erah."

Alex looked at Zane too, realizing he was as close as an authority on these matters as either of them were ever going to get.

"No, you're right." Zane nodded, rubbing his chin in a thoughtful manner. "That does surprise me. No Sha'erah would ever speak ill of his Keeper, to anyone."

"Well, look what he's stuck with day in and day out." Alex gingerly touched his bruised face again, pleased to find the swelling reduced already. "If you were desperate for someone intelligent to talk to, and you knew another Sha'erah would never repeat what you'd said, who better to unload on?"

"Alex has a good point, Evan." Zane nodded. "Regian has become so paranoid since I met him. He wasn't a king then, remember. The man's not easy to talk to, and obviously prone to violent outbursts. Thomas must look forward to any visiting Sha'erah as a small release for all the frustrations he's unable to express."

Alex grinned and gave Evan's arm a pat. "See, you're just spoiled, having a Keeper you can actually hit whenever you get pissed."

"I did not hit you because I was angry!" Evan looked frustrated, like a man trying to explain something extremely simple to a deaf blind child. "But if I thought hitting you would knock some sense into your head, I might have tried it sooner."

"Ha! You wish it was that easy." Alex grinned at Evan's sudden stunned reaction, then turned to Zane. "Okay, Doc, the way I see it, things being the way they are around here, we've got a decision to make."

"Oh?" Zane looked from Alex to Evan and back again, eyebrows raised. "Something that might further our investigation after all?"

Alex paced to the window and turned around, facing both the doctor and Evan. "An hour ago I wouldn't have even entertained this idea. But now I think it's something the three of us need to consider." He looked at Evan, pointedly including him in the decision-making aspects of his statement. "Kellman's personal files aren't as secure as he thinks. And he seems to be anal enough to keep records on everything."

"Ah," Zane nodded his understanding. "And Evan could easily read his documents, is that it?"

Alex watched his friend, waiting for him to express some sort of opinion.

"Interesting dilemma." Zane was still nodding, almost talking to himself more than anything. "Morally shaky ground. Regian Kellman seems to have lost much of his morals. But does that make it right for us to break in to his personal files? Even if there is something there we could use, is it really considered stealing when it's only information?"

Evan wasn't saying anything, but he was meeting Alex's gaze dead on. They two of them were trying to read each others minds, and having to settle for body language and expressions. He didn't want his friend thinking he'd just tossed out all the moral ground he'd so highly touted all these months. Then again . . .

Zane continued as if he was alone in the room. "On the one hand, we'd only be looking at information that he could have willingly told us to begin with. Information that would in no way harm or reflect back on him. And technically it's information his late father may or may not have obtained when he purchased Thomas, so Kellman's almost right out of that loop altogether."

Alex was going to get an opinion out of the Sha'erah if it was the last thing he did. And he wasn't going to have him simply say what he thought he was supposed to say. Not this time. Not anymore.

"On the other hand, Regian's lack of morality shouldn't change our own ideals. And as a physician, I'm sworn never to cause harm. But then again, what harm is this causing?" Zane shook his head. "This is one I'll have to stew over for a few hours, I'm afraid. What about you two?"

Alex reluctantly dragged his gaze off the black eyes that seemed to be trying to read his thoughts and looked at Zane. "I'm with you, Doc. I gotta think this over for a few hours." He looked at Evan again. "What about you?"

"Yes, Evan, considering what's at stake here, what are your views?" Zane arched both eyebrows and turned to face Evan.

"There's every chance we'll find nothing, even if we do look. But we can decide that later."

Perfect. The guy's full of opinions when he's mad at me, but ask him for one and this is what you get. "Fine, we'll meet after this dinner thing tonight and decide what we want to do." Alex sighed. "The sooner we leave this place, the better."

"Sadly I'll have to agree there. But in the meantime, let me show you around this facility." Zane started beaming with excitement. "The medical advancements here are astounding!"

Alex adjusted his collar and checked himself in the large mirror in the bedroom. The bruise on his face matched the deep purple of his duster, black pants and dark gray shirt. He and Evan were nearly identically decked out, but the Sha'erah's choice in color was much more monotone. A quick glimpse of the man, clothed totally in black, with black hair and eyes adding to the look, and a shimmering of silver visible now and again from his palm, reminded Alex once again how mysterious Evan's origins were. The tattoos on his neck and the back of one hand seemed to stand out more dramatically when he was dressed up like they both were now. If he didn't know him, Alex was sure that sight would intimidate him just as much as it did everyone else.

"You still pissed at me?" Alex gave up trying to fix his collar and accepted it the way it was.

Evan pulled on his black duster, only slightly different in style and length, and glanced at him. "Are you going to confront Kellman again?"

Alex made a face and walked out to the living area. "He was beating Thomas just because he could."

"And you were about to get us both killed, just because you didn't stop to think it through."

"I'm not going to confront him, okay?" Alex roughly shoved his foot into a shoe. "I'll make nice, get through this dinner, then tomorrow we're outta here." He found the other shoe. "I think I've made up my mind about his computer files."

"What did you decide?"

Alex laughed shortly, shaking his head. "I wanna hear your opinion first. I'll tell you what I think later, after Zane puts his vote in."

Evan rolled his eyes but said nothing.

"All right, let's get this evening over with." Alex opened the door and started down the long corridor. Already they could hear voices and laughter drifting up from downstairs. "I'm surprised he ever invites his brothers over, if they're all supposedly gunning for him."

"He's survived this long. Must enjoy watching them try." Evan reached out and stopped Alex before they started down the stairs. With one hand, he fixed the collar that wouldn't behave. "I'll be staying right beside you, so don't even think about wandering off or getting into an argument with that man."

Alex tugged at his collar again, surprised to find it fitting more comfortably now, and gave Evan a look of exaggerated frustration. "Yes, mother."

The entire lower floor of the castle seemed to be crawling with guests, but after a closer look, Alex realized the majority of the people milling about were the armed guards he'd seen patrolling the grounds. It quickly became apparent who was a weapon-carrying resident and who was a guest when he began to notice people staring in fascination at the pair of them, then whispering frantically to each other as they passed.

"Ah, Captain Marcase," Kellman suddenly appeared, flanked by two younger men who looked surprisingly like him. Instead of introductions, he raised an arm and waved it dismissively. Both men flashed him a look of pure hatred, glanced at Alex, then moved away.

"Relatives?" Alex kept his voice even, trying hard to ignore the hatred building up inside. Thomas was standing directly behind his Keeper, watching him closely.

"Brothers, as a matter of fact." Kellman reached out and took two tall glasses from a servant's tray and handed one to Alex. "There are several of them here tonight for our annual celebration."

"Celebration?" Alex accepted the glass and glanced around the room.

"Founders Day. This is the anniversary of our father's first discovery of Murcadia." He raised the glass in a toast. "To Father!"

The toast was instantly echoed through the room, startling Alex. He glanced over his shoulder at Evan and raised an eyebrow, but not his glass. After the toast, everyone seemed to go back to their individual conversations, paying them little mind. Kellman nodded with his chin and started walking slowly toward the far wall, so Alex followed, smiling benignly at the faces watching him when he passed by.

"This was Father." Kellman pointed to a massive painting hanging from the wall. "Bless his dead soul."

"You don't look anything like him." Alex set his untouched glass back on a tray as a servant walked by.

Kellman laughed, then glanced at Thomas who nodded and walked several yards away. He turned back to Alex and raised one eyebrow, shooting Evan a look. When Alex ignored the implied expectation, he cleared his throat and took another swallow of the wine.

That's right, bastard, he's with me. Alex felt both possessive and defiant as he watched his host try to ignore the fact that he wasn't sending Evan away.

"You've been a Keeper for how long, again? Ten, eleven months?"

"Evan's been with me for about ten months now." Alex smiled casually, fully prepared to spar with the man. After all, it was conversation, not confrontation.

Another servant approached, this time carrying a tray that sported several glasses of different beers. He stopped in front of Alex, who took one glass and held it toward Evan questioningly. The Sha'erah shook his head once, so Alex kept the beer for himself with a slight shrug.

When Kellman raised his wine glass for another swallow, Alex caught sight of the Keeper's ring around his finger. It was silver, like his, but where his ring was elaborately shaped with a carved design, Kellman's was nothing more than a broad, plain band. He glanced up at the painting again.

"That's interesting."

"Excuse me?"

Alex pointed to the ring, painted in exacting detail on the portrait of Kellman's father. "That is the same ring, isn't it?"

Kellman looked at the painting, eyebrows creased.

"I was just noticing how it seems to have had a pattern when your father wore it." Alex looked at the ring Kellman was sporting. "But yours is just a plain band of silver." Without even looking, he could sense Evan's growing irritation with his attitude.

Kellman glanced at his ring, then looked for Alex's, his scowl deepening. Suddenly his expression altered, and a slight, humorless smile curled his mouth. "You have . . . different ideas, don't you?"

"Different?" Alex casually raised his glass and took a drink, eyebrows arched.

Kellman's eyelids lowered. "You don't seem to fully appreciate what it means to be in your position. To be a Keeper." He began walking slowly along the wall of paintings and portraits as they spoke.

Alex followed along. He would have preferred to have Evan walk beside him, but he was too close to the wall to make that practical unless Kellman moved aside, and he wasn't budging an inch, probably for that same reason.

"On the contrary, I think I appreciate it more than most." He fingered the ring with his thumb. "I'm curious, though. This ring was almost as plain as yours when the original owner had it. Just a few notches and curves in it, if I remember correctly." He was lying like a dog, having never seen the ring on his father's finger, but no one seemed willing to call him on it.

"Curious, but hardly important." Kellman dismissed the thought. "It's not the ring, but the wearer."

"I think you're exactly right." Alex countered.

Kellman's smile lost much of its size. "You're a rebel, aren't you, Marcase?"

Alex shrugged, completely enjoying the situation. "Some call me a rebel, I suppose. Evan thinks I'm a brat."

"Hmm." Kellman stopped, raising his wine glass. "Bright man."

From the corner of his eye, Alex caught a sudden movement through the crowd. Suddenly Thomas was there, pulling Kellman backwards without a word. Someone in the room cried out. Just as the larger Sha'erah's body moved, pulling his Keeper with him, Alex caught sight of something very small and thin flying through the air directly at the space Kellman had been occupying. Directly at him.

His body demanded movement even as his mind convinced him he wasn't going to be faster than the dart aimed at his chest. Everything happened in slow motion, just enough for his brain to realize someone out to kill the King was about to kill him instead, thanks to Thomas being one step ahead.

Only the dart never made it that far.

"Evan!"

Shouts filled the room now as women screamed, guards barked orders and chaos ensued. But all of it took place in another world somewhere. Alex had caught Evan, first in an attempt to prevent him from being hit by the dart, then to keep him from crashing to the floor after it struck him in the shoulder.

"Get Zane in here, now!" Alex shouted to anyone close enough to hear as he lowered Evan's unconscious body to the floor. When no one acknowledge his command, he looked up, anger flaring out of control. "I said NOW!" He felt as if a part of his brain was exploding, blanking out in a white-hot flash of extreme panic.

Kellman waved an arm and five guards took off running. "He'll probably live, I wouldn't worry too much."

Alex ignored him. In the back of his mind, he made a commitment to do his best to kill the man, but not right now. There were more pressing problems at hand.

"Evan." He'd lowered the Sha'erah to the ground and got himself on the floor, sitting with his friend's body propped against his legs. Oh God! Alex gently cradled Evan's shoulders and head in both arms. Gingerly he felt for a pulse, terrified there wouldn't be one. It was there, but irregular. Or was that his own heart racing? "Come on, partner, don't do this." Fear and uncertainty was chilling his face and hands as he looked at Evan's closed, unresponsive eyes. There was a tiny dart in his shoulder that left a small hole trickling blood when Alex carefully tugged it out. His skin was cold, but there was sweat beading up on the Sha'erah's face and neck that he tried vainly to wipe away with a hand. It was too quick. He had to have lost consciousness the instant the dart hit, which meant whatever poison it was acted instantly. How long would it take to . . .

Come on, Evan, don't do this to me! He looked up at Kellman and found Thomas standing beside his Keeper, looking down at them both. It was the Sha'erah he addressed. "What's taking them so long?!" Hadn't it been an hour already?

"He's coming now," Kellman pointed to the opposite end of the large banquet hall where several white-coated men were rushing in.

Alex looked back at the unconscious form in his arms and pulled his friend closer, willing the poison out of his body. "Hang on, Evan, they're here." Before he could even look up again, hands were pulling at him, trying to separate him from the injured man. He refused to let go.

"Alex, let us work, it's all right."

He registered Zane's voice, then stopped pushing the hands away and gently lowered Evan onto the floating gurney resting on the polished wood floor. Evan was instantly surrounded by white coats and medical gear in a crowd that forced him back a few steps, ignoring his attempts to remain beside his friend.

"It was poison, some kind of dart or something." Alex looked at Zane, his voice shaking. A sinking feeling of complete and utter helplessness washed over him suddenly, leaving him nauseated and slightly weak in the legs. "It was aimed at Kellman, but it was going to hit me. Evan jumped in the way. I couldn't stop him."

Zane was nodding and patting Alex's arm. "It's all right, Alex. These doctors are experts at this."

"It happened too fast." Alex shook his head. Didn't Zane understand how serious this was? "He was unconscious too fast!"

"Alex, calm down."

In a blur of white he realized they were raising the gurney and moving through the room. "Wait, where are they taking him?" Alex didn't wait for an answer. He rushed after the doctors, Zane close behind.

"Take him upstairs!" Zane called out when the group reached the corridor. "Third door to the left!"

Alex shook his head. That wasn't the way to the medical facility. "Wait!"

"Alex, they have their equipment with them. The medical facility actually has no patient area." Zane grabbed Alex's arm to slow his mad dash up the stairs immediately following the gurney. "They'll have all the information they need by the time we reach the room."

It was a dream. Or a repeat of one of his nightmares. That's what it had to be. Alex felt himself drifting strangely away from the reality of the chaos around him. He was sure he and Evan were really just sleeping, maybe still on the Newton III, cruising through space without a care in the world.

Someone was speaking directly to him out of this dream state, the voice urging him to pay attention. Alex blinked, and Zane's face came into focus.

"They've got an antidote to try. We should know in a couple of hours."

Hours? Hadn't it already been days? Numbly, Alex nodded, then looked around. He was in the smaller bedroom, the one Evan had slept in last night, sitting on the edge of the double bed. The larger room, with the ridiculously massive bed, was filled with doctors and other medical staff working with equipment Alex didn't remember seeing them bring into the apartment. The duster his friend had been wearing was in his lap, fabric tightly intertwined between his fingers. He looked out toward the living area and caught sight of Kellman and Thomas, standing in the middle of the room looking mostly unconcerned.

A rage seeped up from deep inside like nothing Alex had ever felt before. It wasn't a flaming, hot need for action, but more of a settled, deep understanding of what had to be done. In Kellman he saw the culmination of everything that had gone wrong since they'd arrived. If Evan died, it was all over. Zane should probably be told, in case he wanted to get far enough away to get off-world.

He nodded at the doctor and stood, glancing into the room where they'd taken Evan. The bed was so completely surrounded by doctors and equipment, he couldn't even glimpse his partner. Just as well. He'd take care of some things, then go into that room and stay there until it was decided.

Kellman straightened up somewhat when Alex walked into the room. "Well, that was interesting. I usually expect one or two attempts during the year, but they're not usually this bold in my own home."

Alex glared at him. Regian Kellman was a fat, pompous man who hadn't earned his wealth, his title, or the man whose life was dedicated to preserving his worthless hide. He knew, rationally, this man wasn't the one who had fired the dart. But right now, he needed someone to target, and no one deserved that more right then.

"I shouldn't worry too much. Your Sha'erah is in the best hands possible. They've never lost a patient."

"Evan is my friend." Alex was slightly surprised to hear the evenness of his voice. The register was a tone or two lower than normal, and he knew his face had to be brimming with the complete and utter hatred he was feeling, but Thomas wasn't making any moves to stop him. He was quite sure in his current state of justified fury, nothing could. "He might be Sha'erah, but he is my friend."

Kellman let his disgust show openly now. He let out a snort of derision and shook his head. "You honestly believe that Sha'erah is your friend?"

Alex blinked, holding himself in check until he could be sure his voice was still under control.

"It's a lie, you know," Kellman continued. "Even if he pretends to understand the concept, he can't honestly feel the same as you do. He's Sha'erah. I've seen this before."

"He's my friend, and my partner." Alex had to look up to meet Kellman's gaze and pictured tearing his throat out with bare hands.

Thomas merely watched, quietly.

"If you truly believe that -- if you really believe he's with you because he honestly wants to be -- then sell him." Kellman looked down at Alex, his face full of challenge. "Sell him and see if he protests."

Alex felt his upper lip curling in utter disgust. He stared Kellman down, wondering if it was even worth the effort of explaining. "No."

"You don't trust his feelings, then? You don't truly believe he'd want to stay with you?"

"I promised him I'd never do that." Alex nearly spat his words. "I won't go back on my word to him for anything. Not even to prove you wrong!" He turned, intending to storm back toward the bedrooms.

"Too bad they don't come with a warranty, eh?"

Alex spun back around, his vision almost blurring with the anger. "Let me spare Thomas the trouble of reading my mind." As quickly as he could, he launched at Kellman, grabbed him by the shirt collar and shoved him backwards. The action knocked Thomas off balance momentarily, giving him just enough time to press Kellman against the wall. He brought his face in close, expecting to feel the larger Sha'erah's hands around his throat any second.

"If Evan dies, you die!" Alex registered the look of utter shock on Kellman's face even as the small civilized voice inside called him irrational and over-reactive, then realized he wasn't dead yet, either. Where was Thomas? He let go of Kellman then, pushing him away as he turned to walk to the bedrooms.

Thomas was standing near his Keeper, watching silently.

From behind, Alex heard the Sha'erah assuring his Keeper that he would have prevented any real action, should he have been truly in danger. Yeah, right. He probably wants that ass dead as much as the rest of us.

Alex walked into the first room where Zane was still standing, watching the display from the doorway. "Why didn't he just let the dart hit Kellman? He hates the guy as much as anyone. He would have been passed down, and maybe this whole planet would have been better off for it."

Zane sighed. "Thomas is too much the Sha'erah. Regardless of how he feels, he'll never act on it. Evan is unique, Alex. You've helped him begin to realize that."

"And I may have just gotten him killed."

The room felt even larger than before, with all the doctors and equipment gone. Alex had dragged a large chair to the side of the bed and sat there, staring at Evan as he slept on the massive bed. There was room enough on the silly thing for him and five others, but Alex didn't want to disturb him. He couldn't sit still, even in the chair, and kept jumping up to pace the room every half hour.

Zane and the other doctors predicted a full recovery by morning, but they all refused, in typical medical fashion, to offer any guarantees. Alex hadn't wanted to talk to anyone, or continue to listen to Doctor Zane's assurances, so he'd sent them all out after they said they'd done all they could.

Now he was alone with thoughts that scared him too much and a friend who couldn't tell him how ridiculous he was being.

"You would have been pretty pissed at me." Alex faced Evan. He looked pale lying there on the dark blue sheets, with a slight fever dampening the black hairs on his neck and forehead. "Thomas didn't make a move, though." Alex snorted slightly and shook his head. "I think he almost wanted me to kill the jerk."

Evan made no reply. His only motion was the slow, steady breathing that brought a slight rise and fall to his chest.

Alex leaned back in the chair and propped his feet up against the frame of the bed. From there he could clearly see the tattoo on the side of the Sha'erah's neck, sparkling slightly from sweat. He blinked, and caught sight of a small bowl of water and a cloth compress that had been left on the nightstand. Using that, he carefully wiped the sweat from Evan's face and neck with slightly shaking hands. This was a fear like none he'd known before, and he didn't like it one bit.

"That must have been hell." Alex eyed the tattoo, taking note of the intricacy of the pattern. "Unless they've invented a less painful way of doing these things." He remember the matching pattern on Evan's hand and looked at it. "That's funny." Alex picked up his friend's hand and held it, looking intently at the tattooed pattern that matched the one on his neck identically.

Holding Evan's hand in his, Alex could hold his ringed finger beside the tattoo. The pattern in black, permanently stained in the skin on the back of Evan's left hand and the side of his neck, matched the etched pattern in his ring identically.

"How come I never noticed this before?" Alex set Evan's hand down gently, then rinsed the compress out and wiped more sweat from his neck and chest. It occurred to him, somewhere in the rational part of his brain, that he was really just talking to himself out loud, but it didn't matter. If Evan woke up, no harm done.

If Evan died, then it wouldn't matter what he was doing, it would all end here.

"One way or the other." Alex finished with the compress resting on Evan's forehead and left it there to absorb any more sweat and provide some cooling action. He couldn't accept the thought of going back to the Ascalon alone. One year ago, if someone had suggested he would soon inherit a Sha'erah, and be saddled with the responsibility of owning another human being for the rest of his life, he would have thought them mad.

Now the idea of going back to the life he'd always revered as perfect, alone just the way he'd always liked it, felt completely alien and unacceptable. He didn't care what Evan was. He didn't care where Sha'erah's came from or how they became what they were. It didn't matter to him that human beings were being bought, sold, and created to order somewhere in the galaxy for huge profits. He didn't even care that a system so morally offensive to him would someday cause the death of people like Thomas who blindly gave their lives in defense of people not even worthy of paid protection.

All he cared about was the fact that Evan, his friend and partner, was fighting for his life in a battle he couldn't help with. He couldn't do anything more than sit there and wait, while Evan's life and his future hung in the balance.

Alex leaned forward in the chair, pressing his elbows into the bed, and rested his hand over Evan's, silver ring glittering on top of a matching black tattoo. "I know why you're doing this. You just want to hear me say it out loud, don't you?" Alex glanced up at Evan's closed eyes. "You want me to admit that deep down inside, I'm glad my father bought you. That I'm actually thankful he started this whole mess, because if he hadn't, we never would have been put together."

Evan continued breathing quietly.

"Well, there. I said it." Alex looked at the ring on his finger again, and the tattoo on the back of the hand he was holding. "What kind of morally twisted jerk does that make me, huh?" He glanced back at his friend's unresponsive face. "Can't answer that one, can you?"

Chapter 10

Evan looked around the room, taking note of the slight fog lining the floor and far reaches of the dimly lit chamber. He knew this was a dream. He was fully aware of that fact. But he had no clue how he was supposed to get out other than waiting to wake up. And who knew when that was going to happen? Was he sleeping, or sick? For some reason he remembered doctors, but that could all be part of the dream.

With a mental sigh and shrug of his shoulders, he accepted the fact that he was where he was, and started looking around. Might as well check the dream out, while he was there. See what there was to see, since it was really all just inside his head.

The chamber was large and dark, lit only by a few lights hanging a great distance above. Evan walked through the mist until he reached a row of chairs, stepped in a rising pattern, all facing a huge screen that flashed various sequences and formulas.

School. Evan glanced to the left and saw a doorway. I've been here. He walked to the doorway, reaching it too quickly for the distance he'd had to cross. The dream world was working its own form of physics. They do that, don't they? That's how you knew it was a dream, he was sure of it. Well that, and the mist. Why did his dreams always have that silly white fog? What was it for, anyway?

When he stepped through the doorway, he suddenly found himself in a sparkling white room with metal instruments and multiple computer screens, all busily displaying graphs and status reports. Evan felt a strange, tingling sensation coursing up his spine as he looked around the room. How long was this dream going to last?

Reluctantly, he stepped further into the room. A cold breeze hit his skin, instantly raising a multitude of tiny dermal bumps. Something caught his eye, pale and white, but when he turned his head all he saw was a wall. The flash of white had vanished, out of the corner of his eye.

How do you wake yourself from a dream? Or was this Alex's dream, and he was just caught up in it?

"No, it's not Alex's dream."

Evan spun around, seeing nothing other than computer screens and metallic machinery. "I'm just dreaming, aren't I?" He caught sight of his own face reflected back in the polished wall.

The face had no response to offer up.

"Is this where I'm from?" Evan asked, looking around the room. He knew the answer. He recognized the room from somewhere deep inside his mind. Recognized the training equipment, the computer where he'd first discovered what he could do. Echoes of delighted, artificial voices filled his ears as his mechanical teachers praised his accomplishments. This wasn't a dream, it was a memory. One so old and forgotten, he'd been unaware of its existence.

How do I get out of here?

He started back through the door and found himself in a long corridor lined with multiple doors on either side. There wouldn't be an answer to any of his questions, since he was the only one here. It was odd, in a way, having a conscious awareness of the fact that he was totally unconscious!

The first door to his left was locked, which was strange considering he'd invented it. Evan shrugged and moved on to the next door, but skipped it and reached for the one on the opposite side of the hall instead. This one opened, so he stepped inside, beginning to feel amused by the situation.

This room was brightly lit and furnished. And occupied!

Evan stared in shocked fascination. Inside the room was a small boy, a pale, albino man looking nervously around the room, and Alex Marcase.

No, Evan shook himself. That wasn't Alex. It was Spencer. And the young boy was him, age five, being handed over to the man who'd been responsible for his creation and design. He was watching from the doorway as if he'd been swept back in time and allowed to witness his own sale. But it wasn't a sale, really. Spencer had already placed the order, five years and nine months ago. They were just sealing the deal with his delivery.

And the man witnessing the legal proceedings, was none other than Lewis VanHolt.

When Evan stepped into the room, the figures vanished. Frustrated and a little shaken, he ran a hand through his hair. "How do I get out of this dream and go home?"

"You are home."

This time the voice didn't startle him. He knew deep down he was the only one there. Wasn't he?

"This isn't home, this is where I come from." Wherever the hell that was. He walked out of the room and continued down the corridor. One of these doors had to lead out.

"Where is home, then?"

The voice was following him, floating disembodied down the hallway.

"Home is . . . Not here." Evan continued walking, ignoring the doors.

"Is home with Spencer?"

Now it was being ridiculous! Even his subconscious knew Spencer Marcase was dead. Evan didn't bother replying. There had to be an end to this hallway.

"Is home the Ascalon?"

"The Ascalon is a ship!" Evan shot back at the voice.

"Is home where you started from, or where you're going?"

The voice was a persistent bugger. And not at all winded by the pace Evan was trying to set as he sought out the end of the seemingly endless corridor.

"Is home where you are now?"

"Don't you have someplace to go?" How long was this hallway?

"Where is home, Evan?"

Great. Now it's getting personal. The corridor had to have an ending somewhere. It couldn't go on forever.

"Is home where you want to be, or where you have to be?"

Finally, a door! He'd reached the end of the impossibly long corridor and found a larger door, with a big metal handle. Triumphant, he grabbed hold of the knob and started turning it.

"Where is home, Evan? Where do you belong?"

"Alex!"

"Hey, I'm right here."

Evan blinked. He was lying in bed, looking up at Alex's green eyes sparkling with emotion.

"You've been in and out all day."

"I have?" Confused, he tried to sit up and found he couldn't, so he settled for the second pillow Alex was currently stuffing under his shoulders to raise him up slightly. "I don't remember."

"I'm not surprised." Alex sat down on the edge of the bed. "Are you hungry at all? I can have some soup sent up here."

A flash of memory -- white-clad strangers, and an uncomfortable, hot feeling in his head -- "Where's Zane?"

"In the other room, the one you slept in our first night here. Do you want me to get him?" Alex started to get up, pausing for Evan's reply.

"No, I'm fine." He inhaled deeply and let the air out slowly, feeling some minor clearing of the fog filling his thoughts. He recognized where he was now, it was the overly large room Alex had been in, with the bed that could fit seven fully grown men.

Alex put a hand to his forehead. "Fever's gone now. I should get you some soup."

Before he could argue, his Keeper had left the room. Just as well, he had to use the bathroom and wasn't entirely sure what he was going to find when he tossed the blanket aside.

What he found were long, black silk pajama bottoms, and legs that were more steady than he expected. After using the washroom, he felt much better, but completely wasted. He'd just made it back to the bed when Alex returned, carrying a tray with a steaming bowl and two tall glasses filled with an orange liquid.

"You need to eat something." Alex set the tray on the nightstand, then shoved more pillows behind Evan, propping him up better. "Zane says you'll be fine. A day's rest and we can get the hell off this planet."

Evan accepted the bowl. He had no real desire to eat anything, but the smell wasn't unpleasant. Maybe if he just held it for a while. It was Alex who looked as if he hadn't eaten or slept in three weeks. His eyes were bloodshot, his skin looked drawn and his hands seemed to be shaking.

"You look awful."

"I'm fine." Alex shrugged and sat down, holding one of the liquid-filled glasses. "I could kill Thomas, though. How hard would it have been for him to say something? Give us both time to get out of the way?"

Evan saw a deep anger flash in Alex's green eyes. He didn't think it was directed at him. Alex looked more upset than anything. Scared, almost. "Thomas did what he had to do, he isn't in the habit of thinking of anyone else."

"Yeah? Well that's no excuse." Alex stood suddenly and set the glass down. He paced away from the bed to the wall and stared at the imitation window, now displaying a far-off view of an ocean not of this planet. Evan could see then how badly his Keeper's hands were shaking.

"I didn't say it was an excuse, I said it was the reason." Just how long have I been out? And more importantly, what did he do while I was? "Kellman didn't fire that dart."

"He might as well have."

"Alex, you didn't . . . "

Alex turned, hitching one shoulder in a shrug. "I came close."

"Are you crazy?" Evan nearly spilled the soup.

"Crazy? No, I'm pissed!" Alex paced back to the chair. He pressed both hands on the back of the seat and leaned forward. "I was flat-out angry, and I still am!"

"Did you attack Kellman, or Thomas?" Even as he asked, Evan knew Alex couldn't have done either, he was still alive. So what had he done, exactly? "Do you know what can happen if you even think about killing Kellman?"

"Dammit, Evan, you're my friend!" Alex pushed away from the chair and paced again, toward the foot of the large bed this time. "You're not just my friend . . . you're my only friend. The only real . . . You're the only person I can really trust."

Evan watched his Keeper, surprised by the seriousness of his tone. If this had been Spencer, he'd be in serious trouble for having come so close to being killed. But Alex . . . Alex was genuinely and deeply upset. Seeing the emotion in those green eyes and the deep inflections of his tone brought an unexpected flush to Evan's face. As well as the sudden need to assure his Keeper he was all right, just to get that fear to fade from his eyes.

"Okay, I admit, sometimes I have to realize I hardly know you, really." Alex had reached the end of the room, so he turned around to pace back the way he'd come. His gaze alternated between looking at Evan and searching the floor for something important while his expression reflected an inner struggle. "And, there are times, honestly, when you kinda scare me."

Evan's face flushed again, but he had no comment to make that could have assured his friend just then of the fact that he couldn't ever actually intend him harm. The still-purple bruise on the side of Alex's face would have made that comment rather moot.

Alex continued, undaunted but hesitatingly. "We've been through things together. Things that go way beyond our bizarre, convoluted pasts. Things that, in their own twisted way, made me realize more about myself than I thought possible." Alex had reached the head of the bed again where the chair stood waiting, so he turned around and paced again, unable or unwilling to sit still for more than two seconds.

Evan blinked, watching him turn around. He had no words for what his Keeper was saying. No training or experience in the matter that would suggest what he was required to say. Spencer had never spoken to him like this. No one had.

"What I'm saying is you're my friend. . . The thought of you . . . Thinking that you could have actually died because of some stupid . . . " Alex stopped pacing and turned back to face Evan from the foot of the bed. "Yes, I got a little crazy. I directly threatened Kellman with Thomas standing right there." He stared at Evan as if expecting to be reprimanded. "Just don't hold your breath waiting for me to apologize for it."

His mind was oddly blank. There were no trained responses, no clear words he could find in his catalog of replies that would fit. Evan knew his face was slightly red, but he couldn't seem to get that under control just then. The meaning behind what Alex had so uncomfortably but honestly stammered out had never in his life been directed at him before. It wasn't done. He was valuable, to be sure, but never truly valued.

It was clear Alex deserved to have something said in response. He'd just expressed genuine affection for who Evan was, instead of what he was. But he had no idea what or how to reply.

Evan cleared his throat, his mind racing through his emotions in search of the right thing to say. As he stared at the hands holding the steaming bowl of soup on his lap, he noticed his own tattoo, starkly black against his slightly pale skin. The pattern there looked even more intricate and clear than usual, dramatically black against pale skin.

Suddenly his reply became as clear as the pattern on his hand. An opinion. His opinion. Something his Keeper had been asking for, and hoping for. Something Evan finally felt he could give. He looked up and met Alex's gaze.

"I vote we take what we need from his private files and leave."

Alex's face broke slowly into a smile that cleared away much of the exhaustion and worry around his eyes. "I second that." He pointed to the soup in Evan's lap. "Now, eat!"

Evan obeyed, eating the soup that tasted even better than it smelled. It sat comfortably in his stomach and caused no nausea, but something about a full stomach and the last vestiges of the fever had him sleeping soundly again in minutes. It wasn't until he woke again, this time curled up facing the chair his Keeper was sound asleep in, that he realized he'd had no dreams this time.

Whether it was the soup, or the medications the doctors had given him to fight the poison, Evan felt one hundred and ten percent better. He sat up, careful not to wake Alex, and slid out from under the blankets to use the washroom. With the windows set to the timer he'd established, it appeared to be somewhere near midnight or later. A simulated full moon was peering through the curtains, filling the room with a soft, white light he could see by. Evan washed up in the darkened, moon-lit room, glad to find no residual headache or dizziness lingering after the poisoned fever. There was a slight aching in the shoulder where the dart hit, but it was tolerable.

The dream he'd had earlier and the vision of the long, seemingly endless corridor had faded, replaced by the memory of Alex's unusual, deeply-felt confession and his own uncertain reaction. Alex often said he wanted Evan to consider them friends, rather than Keeper and Sha'erah. But until now, he'd never understood how deeply Alex felt that way or how badly he needed Evan to understand it. The man had a tendency to say one thing and mean another. And he rarely ever actually told you how he felt unless he was angry or disgusted. But all that had begun to change, back in the hallway. Back before they happened upon Kellman beating Thomas.

When Evan came out of the washroom, feeling quite refreshed and awake, he decided to use the time alone to get some of the less pleasant tasks taken care of. Alex may have agreed to let him get into Kellman's files and take what they wanted, but he knew deep down the morality of what they'd agreed on would bother him. If he waited too long to get it done, his Keeper might have a change of heart. He was a good man, but that only got you so far sometimes.

Evan pulled one of the spare blankets from the bed and draped it over Alex's sleeping form. He'd have to wake him soon, before the position he was in could cause a painful injury to his neck, but that could wait a few minutes. He slipped the pager out of the thigh pocket it usually resided in and took it with him. Doctor Zane was sleeping in the next room, soundly snoring in the double bed. Evan walked quietly by and out to the living area.

The computer was situated at the far end of the room, well out of any hearing range. Evan sat on the couch, cross-legged, and pulled the computer around in front of him.

Okay, Kellman, what do you know?

Evan placed his hand over the input pad and imagined Regian Kellman's personal files. He quickly and easily found his way back through the security that hadn't even detected his first entry, back to the personal files where he'd seen the information one Keeper fastidiously took down in regards to his Sha'erah. This time he ignored the electronic bragging designed for God knew who to see, and went in search of more important issues.

With Regian's father in his mind, Evan found files referring back to his name and examined them. Soon, he found records kept by the elder Kellman himself. Notations concerning mining, off-planet marketing and mineral rates. Farther back in time he discovered mention of Thomas, and a figure that was several thousand less than the amount Spencer had paid listed as the purchase price for what he deemed a High Security Investment.

The files he wanted were here. Without taking himself out of the computer, he used his free hand to flip open Alex's pager and turn the unit on. Transferring the files was as simple as a thought, but Evan took great care to make sure he'd sent them all and left no tracks behind to be discovered. It was clear no one on Murcadia was good enough to find what he'd done or how he'd done it, but he enjoyed making sure everything was left in order, with no trace of his having been anywhere. Besides, it was good practice. And if their mystery hacker showed up again, Evan knew he'd need to be in top form to keep whoever it was at bay, then find a way to trace the violator.

He'd only spent an hour at the task, but even that had used up his energy reserves. Evan shoved the machine aside, picked up the pager, and slowly walked back to the bedroom on slightly shaking legs. Sweat was beginning to build up on his face and chest with the effort. When he passed through the room Zane was sleeping in, Alex appeared in the doorway.

"What are you doing up?" He kept his voice to a harsh whisper as he reached out and took Evan by the arm, alarm coloring his green eyes.

"Just getting something done." Evan didn't protest the assistance, but he slipped the pager back into Alex's pocket when he turned around to walk back to the bed.

"What? The files?"

"All I did was download. We can go over them later."

"That could have waited," Alex admonished.

They reached the side of the bed where the chair had been pushed out of the way. Evan sat on the edge and took a deep breath. The shakes had subsided, so obviously he was improving, just not very quickly. He glanced up at Alex who was shoving blankets aside. His Keeper looked exhausted and in desperate need of a shave.

"You need some rest."

Alex shook his head. "I'm fine, just get back into bed."

"You're going to get a sore neck sleeping in that chair." Evan pulled his legs up and under the blanket, then pointed to the opposite side of the bed, ridiculously far away. "Like you said, there's room for five people in here."

"I'm not tired. Zane said you're sleeping because of the medication, so I'm not keeping you awake."

"You will now that I know you're sleeping in that chair." Now it was Evan's turn to scold. "Just lie down, at least. Practice your meditation."

Alex rolled his eyes, looking down at Evan from beside the bed. Finally he shrugged. "Okay, for a few minutes maybe." He walked around the large bed to the other side and peeled off his shirt. "But I'm not tired."

Evan watched Alex climb into the bed. The mattress was so huge, he couldn't even feel the movement from his side.

"If you're feeling better in the morning, we can get out of this place and back to the town, then find a ride off this planet." Alex yawned. "Get some rest."

Within minutes he was sound asleep.

Evan would have laughed out loud but he didn't want to wake him. For a long while, he sat there on the bed, watching Alex sleep. Most of the lines around his face had softened as soon as he drifted off, removing almost all of the resemblance to Spencer he seemed to gain when he was angry or exhausted. That's how Evan could tell how badly Alex needed sleep. His normal expression could be rough, until he smiled or said something to make you realize he wasn't the angry, brooding man he sometimes appeared to be. Which was exactly the opposite of his father. Spencer had appeared kind and friendly, but there was always deceit or contempt working behind the facade that didn't always come out when he spoke.

Definitely not like your father. Spencer Marcase never spent a minute worrying about Evan's health outside his own financial losses. He was convinced -- though he had no proof aside from experience of the man -- that had he died, Spencer would have demanded a refund. He wasn't at all sure what Alex would have done. Aside from get himself killed. That thought both was both frightening, and flattering.

Evan wasn't sure exactly when he'd fallen asleep, but the familiar feeling that woke him in the morning was a welcome one. He opened both eyes, knowing Alex would still be relatively asleep but close to waking, and found his Keeper right where he'd left him, sprawled out on top of the blankets, still in his pants from the night before. He slid out from under the covers, trying not to disturb the sleeping man, and walked to the washroom. Zane was still in the other room, so Evan decided a quick shower in Alex's bathroom would be prudent. He didn't know how deeply asleep Zane might still be, and didn't need to wake the man needlessly.

Whatever poison the dart had contained had left a mark larger than the small needle warranted. Evan noticed for the first time the large, purple bruise spread over the entire span of his left shoulder where the impact had been. In the center of the bruise was a small puncture wound, hardly noticeable in the mass of red and purple skin. He gingerly flexed the arm, wondering why the bruise hadn't bothered him until now. Of course, these things always hurt more the day after, and looked worse than they felt.

He tested the range of motion and was pleased to find it only slightly hampered by stiffness. The worst of the pain was only if the shoulder was touched, which probably explained Alex having assisted him from the right side. It did look impressive, he had to admit, and must have added to his Keeper's concern and anxiety. Well, he was fine now, wasn't he? Thanks to the doctors and their specialty in poisons. Handy thing, to have your own fleet of doctors and a research facility basically designed for the sole purpose of keeping you alive. Not to mention Thomas. It was hard to imagine anyone making it past that Sha'erah.

Evan stepped into the shower, careful to keep the spray from hitting his shoulder dead-on, and let the hot steam push the last of a headache away.

Considering Thomas's talent and abilities, it was harder still to fathom why -- if he truly had threatened Kellman while Evan was ill -- Alex was still alive? He could just picture it, too. Without stopping to think of the ramifications of his actions, Alex would have simply attacked the man, like he had when they found him disciplining Thomas. Alex wasn't one to hold back, or to think things through completely every time.

So why was he still alive? Had Thomas sensed he wasn't truly a threat at the time? That wasn't likely. Alex was small, but he could be a powerhouse when he was angry. Someone with Thomas's skill and experience wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating him. There had to be something else, but without more information, he couldn't hazard a guess. Well, he could, but he didn't think any of them were feasible.

Evan shut off the shower and got out, toweling off quickly so he could get dressed and out to the living area before --

"Good morning." Alex had just entered the large washroom, suppressing a yawn as Evan was reaching for a towel to wrap around his waist. "Sorry, were you done in here?"

"Yes, I am." Evan stepped aside so they could trade places, with Alex inside the room and him in the doorway. "I should have used the other one, but Zane's still -- "

Alex waved a hand, dismissing the idea. "You feeling okay? How's the shoulder?" He put a hand on Evan's left arm, just below the shoulder, and looked closely at the injury.

"I'm fine." Evan nodded once, glancing at the bruise. "It's not bad, really. Just looks ugly."

"You're sure? Kellman hasn't been up here since it happened, so we can hang out if you need another day."

"No." Evan shook his head emphatically. He wanted off Murcadia and to get his Keeper as far away from Kellman as he could, as quickly as he could. "I'll be fine. We have the files, we can leave this morning."

Alex nodded, smiling slightly. "Deal."

He left his friend to wash up and walked to his room, carrying the pajama bottoms he'd been sleeping in and the towel he was still rubbing over his hair. Zane was in the smaller washroom taking a shower, so he dressed and sent an order down to the servants to deliver breakfast for three to their rooms in half an hour. The request was accepted immediately and without argument, making him wonder where their host was and what orders he'd given regarding their continued stay.

"Ah, Evan, good morning. How are you feeling?" Zane stepped out of the bathroom already dressed, and smiled in his typical fatherly fashion.

"I'm fine, thank you." Evan pulled open a drawer in the wall and retrieved his pack so he could start stuffing clothes inside, taking a minute to dress first. "And thank you for looking after Alex while I was sick." He'd meant that slightly sarcastically, even knowing Zane would have been powerless to stop Alex from doing anything he really wanted to do, but he kept his tone serious so the doctor wouldn't take much offense.

"Well I only wish I could have, actually." Zane shook his head, admonishing himself. "The two of you are quite a matched pair, I must say."

Evan stopped what he was doing and looked at the older man, eyebrows knitting together.

"From the moment he could muscle his way into that room until . . . well, right now, actually . . . he hasn't left your side." Zane made a slight clicking sound with his tongue. "I couldn't get him to eat once. Not even after you'd been up and taken that soup, proving you were recovering."

Evan's face flushed. "How long was I sick?" What in the hell had Alex been thinking? I was right there, he could have taken a meal, gotten some sleep, I was just right there.

"Oh, about thirty-six hours or so, give or take." Zane tossed the towel he'd been holding over the back of a chair and walked to the living area. "Don't get all upset with him, Evan. It's no worse than what you did when he was ill back on the ship."

"That's different." Evan followed the man, feeling irritated and flattered at the same time.

"Why is it different?" Zane pulled out a chair at the round table and sat, facing Evan. "You sat with him, beside that bed, ignoring the dangerous situation still going on all around us, because you cared." He held up a hand, stopping any protest before it could start. "I know, you feel you did that because Alex is your Keeper. But we both know it goes farther than that. Alex cares for you just as deeply."

Evan stared at him, searching his mind for a comeback.

"You wouldn't have done that for Spencer. And it's the same thing that put him beside your bed for thirty six hours without a break, scared to death and in danger of his anger getting the better of him." Zane was smiling, as usual. "Evan, I'm not in search of a way to figure out how to make a Sha'erah and Keeper better understand and appreciate one another. The two of you have already proven it's possible. That kind of thing can't really be taught or found."

Zane seemed to be developing Alex's odd tendency to take a simple conversation and twist it into something completely out of left field. And he hasn't even been around him that much! "Then what are you looking for?"

The doctor shrugged. "I'm curious, more than anything. And I'd like to see if there is something that can be done to . . . alter the nature in which Sha'erah are taught and treated. I think it would serve both Sha'erah and Keeper well to have a more mutual relationship."

Evan knew there was something more he wasn't voicing, probably out of courtesy. He was fully aware the fact that he had been genetically and mechanically manipulated before birth, specially ordered for a specific purpose, was upsetting to most people. He wasn't entirely sure why, but he realized it was, nevertheless.

"Hey." Alex nodded to them both as he came out of the bedroom, still pulling on a shirt. "Any clue how we get a ride out of this fortress?"

"I was just getting ready to look into it." Evan walked to the couch and pulled out the computer again. Before he could even turn the machine on, they heard a loud rapping on the door.

Seconds later, it opened, allowing Thomas and Kellman to step inside.

"Gentlemen, I'm glad to see things are in order once again." Kellman stood in the doorway, smiling at Alex and sparing Zane the barest of glances.

Alex stepped forward and Thomas moved slightly ahead, blocking his direct access. Evan tensed and moved away from the furniture, so he would have a clear shot straight at the Sha'erah if he made a move. The sight in any other circumstance would have been humorous. Alex was like an insect next to Thomas. Attacking him outright would be as effective as that insect trying to push a tree over. Trouble was, the insect in this case wouldn't hesitate to try and wouldn't quit until he was stopped.

"We're leaving right after breakfast." Alex's tone was dark, but the volume was in check and he made no attempts to get any closer. In fact, it appeared he was addressing Thomas instead of Kellman.

"That's too bad." Kellman shook his head sadly. "I was hoping to take you out hunting during your stay."

"You mean stand safely in a shelter while a group of well-armed people scare some poor creature into running for its life so you can shoot it before it even sees you?" Alex's posture belied the anger Evan could see hiding behind his green eyes. "No thanks, I'm not the hunting type."

Kellman looked disgusted. "Thomas will drive you back to the shuttle port. Just come downstairs when you're ready to leave, he'll be waiting." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and stormed out of the room, Thomas following close behind.

"This planet could do better than having him as king." Alex turned back to Evan and Zane, shaking his head.

"Well, Thomas notwithstanding, I expect if the entire planet wanted a change, one Sha'erah wouldn't be able to stop them." Zane sat back down at the table. "I'm only sorry he wasn't able to help us. This whole trip could have been avoided."

"We don't know that yet, Doc. Evan has what we need, we just need time to go over it."

"I'd rather look into his files after we leave here." Evan walked to the table, then had to detour to the door when the servants brought breakfast. He waited until they had set up the dishes and left, then watched while Zane scanned every item with the detector before he returned to the conversation. "I made sure to download everything that had any mention of Sha'erah, Thomas, lawyers, contracts, the works. I'm sure if he has anything we can use, I copied it."

"Good. I just want off this planet and outta here." Alex tasted the coffee, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I don't care what transportation we find, since we don't know where we're going anyway."

Evan sighed. "We should have an idea, at least, before we just get on the first ship that comes along." As usual, Alex was acting first, thinking later. He just wanted to get his Keeper out of the castle and away from Kellman before he found another reason to risk getting himself killed. It wasn't clear how he'd gotten away with threatening the man earlier, or how much further Thomas would let him go, but Evan didn't want to chance finding out.

"Well, we'll check the transports and get something general, at least to the next system. That's only a day away, then we can always transfer." Alex shrugged. "At this point, unless we find something different in those files, our only other lead is VanHolt."

Zane raised one eyebrow. "Do you think Paulson Carpenter contacted him?"

Evan was watching Alex, studying his face. "You mean to go back to Cryian III?"

"If that's where he is."

"It's a dangerous place."

"But one you're familiar with. Besides, Harvey's dead and gone."

They both seemed to have forgotten the doctor's question, so he sat quietly and watched the exchange without interruption.

Evan looked at his plate, thinking it over. When he left that place the last time, he'd truly thought it was the last time. It had been a mad, desperate run from danger with a new Keeper he -- at the time -- despised. Was it really just ten months ago? But now Alex was right. All the dangers he'd known there were dead and gone.

"We should make sure he's there first."

Alex shrugged. "You can find that out, can't you? Without letting him know we're coming?"

Evan nodded once. "Yes, probably." His Keeper looked at him intently for a moment, then he seemed to remember Zane was there.

Alex cleared his throat. "Well, he's a starting place, anyway. We'll get off this planet, check through the files Evan has and go from there, but in the general direction of VanHolt."

"Providing he's where he should be." Zane nodded, happily accepting the notion. "Well, I'd best finish packing. Meet you downstairs in, say, thirty minutes?"

"Yeah, that's fine, Doc." Alex finished his coffee and pushed the rest of his breakfast aside.

"Is that all you're eating?" Evan's own appetite had surprised him, but he was keenly aware of how little his Keeper had eaten.

"Yeah, I'm not hungry." Alex stood and set his cup down. "I just want out of this place."

Evan turned around to protest, but he faced a raised hand and stern expression.

"I'm not the one who was sick here, remember? I'm fine, now that you're okay. And I'll be even better when we're gone. Just relax and eat, I'll get our stuff packed." Alex turned and walked back to the bedrooms, ignoring all attempts at protest.

Evan was quite sure he'd never met anyone as single-mindedly stubborn as Alex Marcase. When he got his mind on something, he was like a scent animal, hunting that one idea down to the exclusion of all else, until he was victorious. And failure was not an option he considered. If he had died from that poison, he was quite convinced Alex would have been killed trying to kill Regian Kellman. Unless Thomas had allowed him to succeed, which didn't seem possible.

With a sigh of resignation, Evan stopped trying to find a good argument to persuade Alex to sit down and eat. He finished his own plate and left the dishes where they were. Let the servants earn their keep. After what had happened, he wasn't feeling very charitable toward anyone with a choice who stayed with the King of Murcadia. Thomas, he understood. He was Sha'erah. But people had choices all the time, and rarely did they make the right ones.

By the time he returned to the bedroom, Alex had nearly finished packing. And as packing, Evan realized he'd simply shoved clothing and toiletries into their respective packs with little care. Luckily their new clothes were of a fabric that maintained its appearance, regardless of how it was stored.

"You know, we don't really have to rush." As much as his Keeper wanted to appear calm, he could tell Alex was working on some latent anger.

"The sooner, the better." Alex looked up suddenly. "Are you feeling okay? We can stay in the city somewhere if you want to take a few more days."

"No, I'm fine." Evan felt his face flush slightly in response to the renewed concern his Keeper so honestly and unselfishly displayed. "I just . . . I don't get it."

Alex laughed shortly, shoving another shirt into his pack. "Don't get what? Why Thomas didn't pound me into dirt when I went for Kellman's throat?"

Evan blinked. "You went for his throat?"

"Yeah, actually, I did." Alex grinned like a school boy.

He was stunned speechless as all the blood left his face. The fact that Alex was still alive suggested that he'd simply verbally threatened Kellman. But to have him by the throat - and Thomas nearby -- "You're crazy."

"Nah, just pissed," Alex shrugged.

"With you that's one and the same." Evan blocked out any mental image trying to take shape of Alex Marcase physically accosting Regian Kellman, and the ramifications of that action. "Where was Thomas exactly?"

Alex hefted the filled pack and carried it out to the living area. "Standing right beside him, believe it or not. He never made a move." He set the pack by the door and glanced around the room. "I guess he didn't believe I meant it."

Evan shook his head, shoving the last of his clothes into his own pack. Thomas wasn't blind, or stupid. Alex might not always say what he meant, but he always meant what he said, especially when he was angry.

"I've got that." Alex took the pack from his hand before he'd even lifted it off the bed.

"I can manage my own pack." Evan protested, following him out to the door.

"So can I." Alex picked up his own, slinging the strap over his shoulder, picked up Evan's in his other hand and opened the door. "Let's go."

Evan hesitated. It was ridiculous, considering the fact that his shoulder really didn't hurt all that much, and he had another shoulder! But it was no use arguing, judging by the look on Alex's face, so he proceeded out the door and down the hall, following his Keeper down the long stairway. They found Zane waiting near the entrance, and several servants hovering to take their luggage and put it in one of several waiting vehicles.

Thomas said nothing when they approached. He simply waved one hand directing the servants to carry the packs outside, then turned and opened the door, leading the way out of the castle and toward the transportation.

Evan was surprised to find the same elaborate motorcade waiting to escort them back to the shuttle port in the city. Probably for public relations. Couldn't have your people see you welcome a VIP to your castle, then send him off in a rented car a week later.

What surprised him even more, was finding Kellman seated in the car after he'd climbed in.

"I wasn't there to great you when you arrived, so I thought the least I could do was see you back to the city." Kellman smiled widely, showing teeth that glittered in the sunlight filtering through tinted windows.

Evan tensed, watching Alex as he got in and saw Kellman. He paused for a moment, then sat down facing the man, his jaw rigid with control. Zane got in and took the space beside Kellman with a tolerant sigh.

"I think your driver can find the way." Alex leaned back in the seat and fixed his gaze on the king.

Thomas hadn't gotten in with them, and instead returned to his position with the driver, completely walled off from any access to his Keeper.

Evan didn't trust the situation. Of course, he'd keep Alex from doing anything stupid, but what possessed Kellman to push the issue, knowing how he felt?

"Yes, but you weren't afforded a verbal tour of my fine planet on your ride here. I'm going to remedy that." Kellman tapped on the plate separating the driver and Sha'erah from the passengers. Immediately the car hummed into gear and began floating down the drive toward the massive stone gate.

Evan kept an eye on Alex. If Kellman was going to give them a verbally guided tour, he knew his Keeper's smart mouth was going to be unable to remain as tightly closed as it was now.

"You know, my people were mortified to learn that a guest had been assaulted."

"Evan wasn't assaulted, you were." Alex's tone was held in check and a slight smile of defiance tugged at the corners of his mouth. "He just got in the way saving me from something aimed at you."

"Yes, well, like I said, attempts such as those rarely take place inside my own home." Kellman shrugged it off as if the entire incident had been nothing more than a simple banged knee. "Ah, you see that?" He pointed out the window, drawing attention to a brightly colored, oddly shaped animal floating six feet from the ground, moving through the air by flapping feather-covered fins like some bizarre cross between a fish and bird. "Helium bladders in their bodies keep them floating, while they regulate the temperature internally, adjusting their height."

Evan barely glanced at the creature, but he saw Alex faking an interest as they drove by.

"Beautiful, but dangerous. If you happen to be petting one when it's hit by a ignition laser."

"Happen often?" Alex's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Now and again." Kellman countered with a smile.

By the time this is over, I'll be exhausted! At least he didn't have Thomas to worry about. He just had to keep Alex in his seat, let him fight with words and keep his hands to himself.

"So tell me, Kellman, why king? What kind of life are you living when you're too paranoid to walk down the city streets and your brothers all want you dead? President of the company wasn't enough?"

Kellman's eyelids lowered. "Why not? I had the money, the power, and the ingenuity to do it before they did."

"And you had Thomas."

"Yes, I have Thomas." Kellman's smile returned.

"For how long?"

"Excuse me?" Kellman blinked and shot Evan a quick glance. He regained his composure almost instantly and looked Alex square in the eye. "He's my Sha'erah, inherited from my father on his deathbed. I have no need to sell."

Alex shrugged casually. "I'm not talking about selling. I'm just thinking that one of these days he might figure it all out."

What is he doing? Evan kept his face expressionless, hiding his desire to clamp a hand over Alex's mouth until they reached the shuttle port.

"Figure what out, exactly?"

Alex held up his hand, moving the finger that held his ring. "That this is just a ring."

Kellman stared blankly at Alex while Zane just looked uncomfortably at both of them. Evan felt a throbbing in his bruised shoulder, protesting the tension in every muscle of his body. He knew his expression was properly schooled, but if Thomas was reading his Keeper's mind, he must be getting nervous.

Alex looked at his ring. "It's meaningless if you take it. Only valuable if they give it to you."

Kellman began to sputter, but no actual words were coming out. Finally he composed himself, glaring at Alex. "You wear one." It was an accusation, proving his point.

Alex shrugged one shoulder and started slowly turning the ring around his finger. "Evan gave me this ring."

Evan couldn't resist watching Kellman's face for his reaction to the news. The man shot him a look, confused and angry, then turned back to face Alex, who was continuing his statement.

"He's not my property. Oh, he's still Sha'erah, there's no mistaking that. But he does what he does for different reasons." Alex was smiling still, his green eyes sparkling with a razor's edge. "We both do. But Thomas there, he hasn't figured it out yet. Either that, or he's just biding his time."

"You're out of your mind, Marcase." Kellman's tone dripped acid. He shifted in his seat and threw Zane a look, expecting the doctor to agree with what he knew was right and logical. "Thomas is Sha'erah. He protects me because I'm his Keeper, it's that simple."

"Is it?" Alex stopped turning the ring and his smile vanished instantly. "If you die, he gets passed on. He'll do the same thing for your brother, whichever one of them finally gets in power. He's got nothing to lose, either way."

Evan tried to keep both Alex and Kellman in his line of vision, but it was easier to watch the king's reactions play out over his face as he struggled with what he heard.

"I know I can trust Evan completely. And not because he thinks he's obligated." Alex narrowed his gaze, watching Kellman. "I had my hands around your throat."

Kellman coughed once as small beads of sweat began forming on his upper lip. "Thomas would have stopped you if he truly believed you were serious."

The car came to a stop beside the entrance to the shuttle port, but Thomas remained where he was, doors closed, sitting with the driver. Evan glanced around, noting the complete lack of armed guards anywhere. Their escorts were still in their vehicles, but the servants were unloading the luggage, placing it on a cart near the door. He looked back at Alex. How far is he going to go? Another glance toward the front of the car showed Thomas still sitting quietly. And why isn't he reacting to what I know Alex is thinking?

"Believe me, Kellman," Alex leaned forward, preparing to get out of the car but bringing his face very close to the king's. "I've never been more serious."

At that, he climbed out of the car and stood by the open door, waiting for Zane and Evan to join him. Zane hurried out next, through the opposite side, without saying a word. Kellman was staring at him now, the last occupant of the car.

Evan knew he wouldn't say anything, not to him. But the look he flashed was filled with anger and fear. It only lasted a moment, then the man turned away and Evan left the vehicle, joining Alex and Zane at the doors leading in to the shuttle port. There was a small crowd inside, all staring out at the important visitors who'd just arrived in the king's personal land cruiser, but the men ignored them all.

"What were you doing?" Evan kept his voice low, but there wasn't anyone other than Doctor Zane close enough to hear him.

Alex shrugged. "Putting the fear of God into a man who really needed it." He put a hand on Evan's uninjured shoulder and smiled. "Come on, let's find something to take us outta here."

They found a ship due to dock in five hours that was cruising through the system on its way to a major way station where other ships came and went on a daily basis. Alex decided that was their best option, so Evan booked them three seats on the first shuttle up, with a destination of the way station, and placed an order for their luggage to be taken care of. Alex insisted Evan get comfortable in the waiting area and relax while he made sure their bags were sent to the correct terminal. Zane wandered off to find them some refreshments and a download of the local news reports to occupy his mind during the six hour wait they had to fill.

Evan found he wasn't actually comfortable until Alex returned. "I could have handled that, I'm fine now."

"Yeah, and so am I." Alex sat in the large, soft couch next to him. They had a seating area all to themselves, with some minor privacy thanks to several potted plants and a sculpture of a local animal. "I'm just as able to handle our luggage as you are."

"I didn't say you weren't."

"Good."

Evan let out a sigh. Doctor Zane had once told him he just needed to accept Alex's odd traits and learn to work with them, and as Sha'erah, he was accustomed to the idea of having to adjust himself to a new Keeper. But that meant adjusting himself to someone who knew what it meant to be a Keeper. Learning how to be with Alex was a completely alien concept. Oddly enough, though, it was one he was beginning to get used to. And damn if he wasn't enjoying it.

Doctor Zane returned then, carrying a tray of drinks and an assortment of edibles to tide them over during their wait. He settled happily in a chair facing them and set the tray on a table between their seats.

"I do apologize for Kellman's behavior. He's not the same man I knew when I first visited Murcadia."

"People change, Doc." Alex shrugged, but there was an expression still shading his face that gave Evan the impression of a lingering anger or frustration. "We didn't have to come out here, but maybe what Evan downloaded will be helpful after all."

"I can start reading through it while we're here."

Alex shook his head. "No, it can wait a few hours."

"We're not doing anything else right now."

"Just hours ago you were lying in bed close to death," Alex scolded, green eyes flashing at him. "I think a few hours of rest isn't too much to ask."

Evan made a face and reached into Alex's pocket, pulling out the pager he'd put there during the night. "Try thirty-six hours. I'm fine now."

"Look, I've seen how involved you get when you're doing this." Alex took the pager away from him. "A few hours of sitting here relaxing isn't going to kill you."

"I've been sleeping for two days straight. You're the one who needs a rest." And a shave, before I accidentally call you Spencer. "And some food before you fall over."

"I wasn't the one who got poisoned."

Both men turned to Zane, ready to have the doctor solve their argument and declare a winner.

"He's asleep." Evan stared at the older man. His ever-present smile wasn't even drooped in slumber, but his eyes were closed and a slow, quiet snoring was the only sound he made.

"Or faking it." Alex sighed dramatically and handed Evan the pager. "All right, but make it show on the screen so I can see what you're reading."

Evan took the machine and flipped it open. He felt bad, in a way, arguing with a man who had so been so honestly concerned with his health. But obviously the man couldn't see how tired he looked! Maybe a few hours of dry reading would ease some of that exhaustion brought on by a serious lack of sleep.

He moved closer so Alex could see the small screen while he kept his palm over the input pad and delved into the small computer. Before opening the files, he did a routine check of his security and found no second attempt to breach it. Satisfied, he went to the first of the files and adjusted his thoughts so the information he was seeing was being displayed on the screen at the same time.

"Whoa, hang on, not so fast."

Evan blinked and focused on Alex, then the screen. "Oh, sorry." The mind could process information in bundles, absorbing it straight into memory as if it had already been read and digested. But the eyes didn't have that luxury. What Alex was seeing was racing over the screen too fast for any human to read. He took a breath and closed his eyes, seeing the files again, and tried very hard to slow it all down. A moment later, a snort of disgust brought him once again back out to reality.

Alex shook his head. "Never mind, you made your point. Just don't overdo it or anything."

Evan looked at the screen, puzzled. What he'd considered slowing down was still more of a blur than actual words. He looked at Alex, ready to offer up an apology, but his Keeper was scrunching down on the couch. He leaned his head back to rest on the cushions, and closed his eyes.

"Maybe Zane had the right idea after all."

"I'll wake you before the shuttle lands."

Alex merely nodded in reply, and was asleep in minutes.

"About time." Evan watched him for a moment, making sure he was truly sleeping. Slowly the lines around his eyes and mouth smoothed out, and his face lost some of the darkness that had clouded it since the morning. It never ceased to amaze him how Alex could be so like, and yet so unlike, his father. Both were stubborn, both had unwavering ideals and the ability to focus on one thing to the exclusion of all else. Yet the very ideals they held to so strongly were exactly opposite in nature. Their focus was motivated by completely different goals.

He had to admit, Alex had changed since they first met. Either that, or his perception of the man had. He was still stubborn, still totally clueless as to how to be a Keeper and completely ignorant of the honor it brought. But in a way, he was glad. Granted, if someone had told him a year ago that he'd be saddled with a Keeper who hadn't even known Sha'erah existed, and one who would so constantly and consistently refer to him as a friend and partner, and treat him as such, he would have told them they were mad.

Three hours later, Evan let go of the pager and flexed tired fingers. He hadn't found much, and what he'd found hadn't been as much of a surprise as he thought, but there was no use continuing. All that was left were financial records and a diary that would have put the entire planet to sleep after ten minutes. He glanced at Alex, still sleeping beside him on the couch, and decided to let him stay that way. They had another two hours to go before the shuttle would arrive to take them up to the waiting ship, and Alex could use as much sleep as he could get. His head had drifted to the side, and was resting up against Evan's right shoulder. Careful not to wake him, he slid the closed pager back into the thigh pocket of his Keeper's pants and settled back to rest his head against the cushions of the couch.

Alex's quip in the land cruiser to Kellman about Thomas's loyalty being called into question was nagging at the back of Evan's mind. Something about it rang true, but the idea that a Sha'erah -- especially one of Thomas's years and training -- would ever willingly allow his Keeper to be killed simply to instigate his own transfer, was unthinkable. Yet somehow Thomas had allowed Alex to get so far as to have his hands around Kellman's throat.

How far would he have let it go? Was it possible he truly didn't believe Alex was a threat, and was letting him blow off steam? That didn't seem likely at all, considering how quickly he'd been ready to attack when Alex had grabbed Kellman in the trophy room. And that had been just one of Alex's impulsive reactions. Even he knew his Keeper wasn't about to kill the man, but his actions had come close to causing both of their deaths.

So, if Thomas stopped him then, when he was simply trying to stop Kellman from being so brutal . . . why didn't he intervene when Alex truly wanted to kill the man?

Evan swallowed, staring up at the ceiling of the waiting area. There was only one explanation, but it didn't make a lot of sense. To stand by and do nothing while your Keeper was murdered was no different than murdering him yourself. Which couldn't be done.

But I did it, didn't I? Technically speaking, Spencer Marcase was still his Keeper when he killed him. Although that was a point he still didn't like dwelling on. Alex was his Keeper. The ring hadn't left his . . . Well, the ring had been all his doing, hadn't it? But at the time, it wasn't a conscious decision. He just knew he had to stay with Alex. That's where he belonged. That's where he'd always belonged. Spencer had given up all rights to him when he staged his death back on Cryian III. So really he hadn't helped to kill his Keeper. Regardless of the fact that he didn't understand why at the time the ring had stayed with Alex. So in point of fact, he didn't . . .

Have a clue what I'm thinking. Evan sighed. It was no use, it simply didn't make sense and it wasn't going to. All he was accomplishing was a headache and an argument that had no answer. If Thomas did kill or allow the death of Regian Kellman, it was his concern. There was certainly no chance in hell he'd ever harm Alex. Sure, there were times he really wanted to pound some sense into him. And days when he thought he'd go insane trying to figure his Keeper out. But what it boiled down to was a respect and mutual affection and appreciation he could never find with another Keeper, or anyone else for that matter.

A soft chime announced the approach of the transport shuttle. Evan reached over and gently shook Alex. "The shuttle's on the way down."

Alex opened his eyes and blinked, then slowly dragged himself back to a sitting position, rubbing at the imprint of Evan's shirt that creased the side of his face. The movement and noise woke Zane, who yawned and smiled at them both.

"Shuttle's coming, Doc." Alex stretched and looked at Evan. "Did you get some rest?"

"A few hours," Evan lied. "There wasn't much in the files, but I did find a name I recognized."

Alex tensed, still blinking away the sleep from his eyes. "Who?"

"The lawyer Kellman's father used to draw up the will that leaves Thomas with whoever heads the estate." Evan glanced at Zane, then looked at Alex again. "Lewis VanHolt."

Chapter 11

Alex stared at his reflection for a long time. He hadn't shaved before they left Murcadia, and the stubble was beginning to show dramatically, blending with the look of a bruised eye. The ship they booked was much smaller than the Newton II, and relatively amenity-free. But it was available when they needed it, and had two economy cabins open. It meant he and Evan were sharing a one-room suite with two beds, a small couch and one washroom, but after everything they'd been through in the past few days, he liked the feeling of seclusion. Zane's cabin was one level up and at the opposite end of the ship, but the trip was a short hop to the station and they all planned on using it to catch up on some sleep.

Finally tired of staring at his chin, Alex started shaving. He was angry. At Kellman for being such a prick, at Thomas for putting up with it as if he had no choice, at Evan for putting himself into such danger keeping him safe. But most of his anger was directed right where it belonged - at himself.

Typical thinking. Or more to the point, not thinking. Just jump right in, head out to Murcadia for a look. He nearly nicked his jaw with the laser-accurate shaving scanner. Ignore the most obvious connection and go blundering into a situation that could have gotten us all killed. Once Evan had recovered enough to actually sit up and talk to him for a few minutes, Alex had taken time out to mentally kick himself in the teeth often and with great force. He could have saved them all the trouble by agreeing to go visit VanHolt straight away, right when they decided he very possibly could have some vital information. Regardless of what Paulson Carpenter may or may not have told the lawyer in advance.

Hell, if I had half the brain I thought I did, I would have let Evan block Carpenter's off-planet communications and gone straight after that albino blood sucker! Of course the lawyer knew more than he'd let on. Didn't they always? What possessed him to want to avoid it and take this useless trip instead? Probably the same irrationality that had him always focusing his anger on other people. Blaming Kellman, VanHolt, even Paulson Carpenter was a hell of a lot easier than blaming himself.

A knock on the small washroom door interrupted his self-recriminations.

"Yeah?" Alex opened the door. He was finished anyway, and ready to get some decent sleep.

"You finished yet?" Evan stood in the doorway, eyebrows raised in the desperate plea of a man who'd been in line far too long.

"Jeez, yeah." Alex hurried out so his friend could get inside the small room. "Why didn't you say something?"

"I just did." Evan hurried inside and let the door swing closed. The room was too small to share, unless one occupant was standing in the tiny shower, so Alex taking his time shaving had brought the Sha'erah to the brink.

"Sorry," Alex called through the closed door. He walked the short distance to one of the beds and sat down, mentally and physically exhausted despite the four hour nap on the shuttle-port couch. In three days they would reach Seb-Five, a major port station where transports of all sizes docked to refurbish supplies, pick up new passengers and drop off crew members for welcome R&R.

The ship they were on had pulled away from Murcadian space over an hour ago, leaving behind a man who hopefully wouldn't sleep soundly at night ever again. Alex knew Kellman refused on principle to believe his suggestion that Thomas might not be all he thought he was, but the seed of doubt had been planted. And as brutal as he saw the man be when beating his Sha'erah, it was hard to fathom the larger man not calling an end to it at some point. After all, Thomas could easily pound Kellman into dirt with one fist and not even break into a sweat. He had to realize, consciously or not, there was nothing preventing him from doing just that.

Evan stepped out of the bathroom wearing a towel, still damp from a shower that had two broken recycling vents and couldn't suck all the moisture back as greedily as it should. The bruise on his shoulder seemed to have spread, taking up the entire area from his chest to his arm, but the color was slowly starting to fade.

"How's the shoulder?" Alex stood and started to undress before he got so tired he couldn't manage it.

"It's fine, really. Just looks bad." Evan flexed his arm and shrugged. "How's your eye?"

Alex laughed shortly, tossing his pants over the foot of the bed. "I've had worse." It was a bold-faced lie, but one his friend seemed to accept. If my mother could see me now. He'd never explained to her exactly what happened on their expedition. Never told her the details of his being in danger of being killed on more than one occasion, the least of which resulted in him killing his father. Madame Duvia disliked hearing dirty details about her own life or that of her son. She preferred to hear all the dirt and gossip about the people in her little circle of friends. No doubt they, in turn, enjoyed hearing about her misfortunes and mistakes just as much.

"Do you want me to show you what I found in the files?" Evan sat on the other bed, which was separated from Alex's by a small night table.

"Tomorrow. I'm beat." Alex lay back on the bed and pushed his legs under the light blanket. "And you should get some more rest."

Moments later the lights shut off and a quiet chime informed them their morning alarm was set. Alex closed his eyes and considered trying to meditate again, but almost immediately he could feel the soft tug of sleep pulling him down. While Evan was sick, he hadn't appeared to be affected by the fact that Alex wasn't sleeping. Doctor Zane had explained that was due to the poison and the medications fighting it, and that as soon as Evan was well, the habit would return. Now that he was well, and no doubt their sleep patterns were once again linked, he wanted to make sure he wasn't keeping his friend awake when he so badly needed his rest. Memories of Evan looking pale and sweat-soaked, close to death, sent shivers down his spine.

In what felt like two minutes, he realized he'd been no burden to Evan's sleep patterns whatsoever.

"Good morning." Alex dragged a hand over his face as he sat up.

"Breakfast should be here in a half hour." Evan was on the couch, only a few yards away from the beds in their small cabin, still buttoning his shirt. His black hair was damp from a recent shower.

Alex forced himself off the bed, nodding as he made his way to the washroom. A quick shower woke him up sufficiently, and a shave finished it off. He left only the small growth of hair he'd grown used to just below his lower lip. Evan might think it was silly, but he'd noticed the Sha'erah's own hair had grown longer over the months. It was still relatively short, but not as strictly cropped as it had been the day they'd met. Alex liked to think that was some small indication Evan was beginning to express his own personality. Not that the man was shy about saying what he thought!

By the time he finished getting dressed, breakfast had arrived via mechanical courier.

"I assume Zane's eating in his room?" Alex sat down and reached for the coffee first.

"He hasn't called, maybe he's sleeping in." Evan set the plates on the small table, pushing the pager out of the way. "I checked for messages while you were showering."

"No more break-ins?"

Evan shook his head. "Not yet, anyway."

"You almost sound disappointed." Alex grinned, watching his friend.

"Disappointed? No, of course not." He shrugged. "Surprised, maybe. I still want to know who it was, and why. And how they got as far as they did."

"You said they didn't get in."

"No, but they might have if they'd kept trying. Or if they'd come back before I found out and fixed it."

"Well don't worry, I still think my files are safe in your hands."

Evan looked at him as if he was an idiot. "They wouldn't have been, if I hadn't found out when I did."

"Relax, Evan." Alex chuckled lightly at his partner's attitude. It was impossible to compliment the man. "Who knows, you might get a second chance to track the hacker down."

Evan pushed his breakfast around the plate for a minute, staring at it but obviously not seeing it. Finally he looked up at Alex again. "That stuff you told Kellman, about Thomas . . . Do you really believe it's true?"

Alex shrugged one shoulder and stabbed a piece of egg with his fork. "I believe it's possible. There has to be some explanation for why Thomas didn't break my neck when I had his Keeper by the throat. That time in his trophy room, I wasn't gonna kill the guy, just stop him. But after you . . . I wanted to kill someone."

Evan nodded slowly, looking at his plate again. "You know, I would never do that."

Alex stopped chewing and looked at his friend.

"I don't know what would have happened if I'd been with Spencer for another twenty years. Maybe . . . I couldn't have imagined it before, but maybe after that long, I would have thought differently about him. About my position."

"You think there's a chance you could have refused his orders? Left him, maybe?"

Evan shrugged. "I don't know. I think -- now that things are different -- I think I can't be positive about that anymore."

"Fair enough." Alex sipped the coffee, watching Evan's face. It was a milestone, considering, but not one he wanted to ruin or depreciate by saying the wrong thing, as he so often did. For Evan to even consider the possibility that he could have asserted himself against Spencer Marcase was something Alex never thought he'd live to hear.

"I don't want you to think I could ever do that to you."

Alex blinked.

"Or that I would ever do that to you." Evan was looking straight at him, black eyes sparkling with the seriousness of his tone. "It's like you said we're . . . "

"Friends," Alex supplied, smiling. His heart was jumping around a bit, sensing victory in a major direction.

Evan nodded. "Yeah, friends."

"Even though you don't really understand it?" Kellman's words were echoing in the back of Alex's mind, taunting him with the doubt that any Sha'erah could ever truly understand the concept. But Evan wasn't just any Sha'erah.

"I think I do." Evan's gaze dropped back to his plate. He shrugged a little. "In as much as I understand anything you do or say."

Alex laughed then, feeling the true humor of irony for the first time in a long while. He raised his coffee cup. "Touché."

They ate breakfast in the quiet relaxation of understanding, interrupted only by the occasional ship-wide announcement telling them when and where they could enjoy any number of meals or views of passing moons. Afterwards, Alex looked over the files Evan had found mentioning Lewis VanHolt and the senior Kellman's elaborate will designed to leave Thomas with whichever of Kellman's offspring was currently in control of the business. There were provisions up one side and down the other, preventing any alterations of the will. Evan pointed out several sections that seemed familiar to him, reminiscent of work VanHolt had done for Spencer several years ago.

After an hour studying what Evan was showing him, Alex got up to order more coffee. "Just out of curiosity, did you find any evidence of that same break-in we had when you were looking at Kellman's stuff?"

Evan shook his head. "No, and I looked around for signs while I was there, as much as I was able. But . . . "

Alex turned around and faced his partner when he heard the sentence trail into uncertainty. "But what?"

Evan's black eyebrows were knitted together, darkening the expression of his whole face. "I just realized, with his security so pathetic, anyone good enough to get as close as they did to mine could have walked around inside Kellman's without leaving any more trace than I did."

Alex leaned against the dispenser. "But that doesn't mean they did. I can't see anyone being all that interested in Kellman. Then again, I can't see anyone being all that interested in us, either."

"I guess you're right," Evan tossed the pager to the couch. "I do wish they'd try again, so I could catch them in the act and figure this all out."

"Well, maybe -- "

Alex's sentence was interrupted by an urgent beep from the room's message center. He turned around and flipped it on, glancing at Evan who quickly approached to see the message.

In an instant Doctor Zane's face appeared on the small screen, looking anxious, almost pale. "Alex, good, you're in. I've found something. Something very urgent you both need to see."

"What is it, doc?"

"Not here. It can't be broadcast over a ship's channels. Meet me in pod seven, level two. We'll be safe there. We can talk there."

Before Alex could comment, the image vanished, replaced by the slowly spinning ship's logo. He turned to Evan. "That was odd."

"I don't like it." Evan shook his head emphatically. "He knows I can secure any channel."

"Yeah, well maybe what he found has him so rattled he forgot." Alex didn't like it either, but it was Zane. They'd both seen him, looking paler than normal and obviously upset. "Maybe it has something to do with our mystery hacker?" He found his shoes and started pulling them on.

"How? Who on this ship could possibly have known anything? I haven't even started looking for VanHolt yet." Evan reluctantly put his shoes on, then reached into one of their bags and produced two hand guns. He slipped both into his belt, hidden by his black jacket.

Alex gave a resigned sigh and retrieved two small weapons of his own. He put one in his belt and the other in an inside pocket of his own jacket. "I guess we'll find out."

Evan stopped him with a hand on his chest. "Uh-huh. I'll find out."

Irritated, Alex reached up and pried Evan's hand away. "Yeah, you'll find out the same time I do."

"I told you if this got dangerous I wouldn't let you risk yourself!"

Alex had managed to push through the door, and now strode purposefully toward the lift, Evan on his heels. "I'm not letting you take any more hits for me. If it gets risky, we'll both bail out. Right now it's just questionable." He reached the lift and punched the button, calling a car. "Zane said he needed to see us both."

"If that was Zane." The car arrived and Evan forced his way in first, but was unable to prevent Alex from following.

"The way I see it, we can look like a couple of dorks and argue right up to the front door, or we can just get there and find out what's going on, and deal with it." Alex found the proper level and touched the indicator. The lift obeyed instantly with a slight jump and a purr of well-tuned gears.

"I was right about one thing." Evan stared at the level indicators as the lights flashed by. "You are a brat."

Alex grinned, pulling the gun from his belt to check it again. "I love you too, Evan."

They reached level two in minutes, stepping out into an empty corridor. Most of the ship's passengers were enjoying lunch or the view of several moons coming into range as the ship left the Murcadian system and drew closer to the large, dead planet Seb-Five orbited. Beside him, Alex could practically feel the tension keeping Evan alert to every sound and motion. The fact that there were none was putting him on edge.

"There's pod seven, at the end of the corridor." Alex glanced around the hallway. "No sign of Zane."

"Maybe he's inside." Evan reached out and pulled Alex behind him. "At least stay behind me."

"Sure." Alex rolled his eyes but complied. "That way I can take the hit from behind, give you plenty of warning." He was sure he heard Evan mumble something, but the exact words were incoherent. They arrived at the hatch to escape pod number seven at the same time and found it empty. The spacious survival unit was nestled snugly into the belly of the cruise ship, complete with the latest in rescue equipment, rations for ten that could last up to two months, sophisticated monitoring and signaling equipment, and in case of last-ditch desperation, four cryogenic suspension units. But no doctor Zane.

"Either he's not here yet . . . "

"Or he's not coming." Evan turned around in the pod, having searched for any note or sign the doctor had been there and gone.

"All right, let's get out of here." Alex gripped his weapon and moved toward the hatch. Inches from the opening, the familiar whoosh of movement startled him into pulling back just in time. Both inner and outer hull doors rapidly closed, locking them in with a resounding thud. "Now it might be getting dangerous." Alex turned, immediately realizing the mistake, and found Evan already accessing the emergency controls.

"Dammit!"

"What? Don't tell me you can't override this!" Alex felt his tension mounting suddenly. The only thing keeping it in check had been his certainty that the Sha'erah could quickly and easily open the doors again.

Evan stood beside the access panel, left palm pressed over the keypad. His face was reflecting his struggle. "Someone else is in here!"

Alex stepped closer, his gun forgotten. He put a hand on Evan's arm. "What do you mean, someone else is in here?"

"It's him." Evan's eyes remained unfocused, and the information flashing across the screen was too fast for even the monitor to keep up with. "He's in here, right now!"

Alex blinked. "The hacker?" His mind was racing. Had Zane set them up, after all this? No, he couldn't have. Maybe that wasn't Zane, or he'd been forced to lure them down here. But for what? Were they to be killed? "Can't you get these doors open?"

Sweat was building on Evan's face and neck, evidence of the struggle taking place inside his mind and the computer's mainframe. A struggle with an unknown assailant that Alex was completely helpless to assist with.

"He's two steps ahead of me!"

"Just don't let him -- "

The burst of power between the two airlocks ended Alex's plea, and the need for it. He fell backwards as the blast shoved pod seven violently away from the cruise ship. Dislodged from the access panel, Evan landed on top of him, then rolled to the side as the momentum shifted back to null. An instant later, escape engines kicked in and the pod stabilized with its own artificially-generated gravity.

"Dammit!" Evan launched himself back to his feet, then turned around and offered Alex a hand up.

"First things first." Alex adjusted the gun in his belt. It had jabbed into his gut when Evan landed on him, but thankfully the safety had held. "We're alive."

"He was in there! Whoever it was, he was in there with me! Countering every move I made like he knew exactly what I was going to do!" Evan's face was filled with a rage the escape pod wasn't big enough to contain.

Alex swallowed, his mind still reeling with what had happened. But, they were alive. Now all he had to do was survive being stuck in a pod with a very outraged Sha'erah.

"It's my fault, Evan. I insisted we come in here and see what was going on." As usual, act first, regret it later. Evan spun around to face him, black eyes sparkling with anger. The look forced Alex back two steps until he was pressed up against the curved wall.

"I'm Sha'erah! No one can do what they did unless they were too!" Evan's anger seemed directly aimed at Alex, being the only other occupant in the small pod. "No one's as good as that!"

"Evan! Calm down!" Alex wanted to reach out, grab his friend by both arms and talk some sense into him, bring him down from this violent rage, but he didn't think he could risk it. What if, in this black mood, Evan started following his lead of acting first, thinking later?

"We've been launched!" Evan glared at him as if he couldn't see the situation they were in. "And we're being steered, in case you hadn't noticed."

Alex hadn't noticed. He stared at the controls, disbelieving what he was seeing. They were being steered. Instead of simply falling away from the ship and floating harmlessly until the captain realized one of his pods had launched and sent a retriever for it, they were actually traveling somewhere!

"Then calm down and let's figure out where we're going." Alex pushed past Evan, risking a backlash, and sat in front of the main controls. "Is he still in here?" When there was no reaction, he turned and looked up at his friend. Evan was staring blankly down at him as if in shock. "Evan! Is he still in control of the pod?"

The Sha'erah made a noise, then hurried over to the panel. He raised his left palm to place it over the main unit, but as the metal made contact, a brilliant flash of blue light erupted from the wall-mounted unit, throwing Evan to the other side of the pod like a child's stuffed toy.

"Evan!" Alex rushed to where his friend had landed, dazed and semiconscious, on the floor. He fell to his knees and put both hands on either side of Evan's face. The Sha'erah's eyes were open, but they weren't focusing on him. "Are you all right?" Alex let the fingers of one hand slide down to the Sha'erah's throat. His pulse was strong and steady.

"I'm okay." Evan's voice had little volume, but he struggled to sit up.

"What happened?" Alex helped him to a sitting position and leaned him against the cushions of the bench behind him. Without waiting for a reply, he reached down and took Evan's left hand in his. The silver metal felt hot to the touch, and where it met the hand his skin was red and angry looking. "Damn." Alex glanced around quickly, then found what he was looking for tucked under the very bench Evan was leaning on. He pulled out the first aid kit and found a compress designed to sooth the pain of electrical burns.

"I didn't even touch it. That thing was in some kind of defensive mode or something." Evan winced as Alex applied the compress to the palm of his hand and held it there.

"It's just an access panel, how can it act in a defensive mode?" Nothing made sense. Zane's apparently forged message, the pod's launch, them being steered in an unknown direction by an unseen force that could attack using a simple computer command interface module. Alex kept one hand on the compress, holding it in place over Evan's palm, and fished around inside the kit for something he could wrap around it.

"I don't know." Evan shook his head. He had to hold his wrist with his other hand to keep the palm in place while Alex wrapped a thick, soft bandage around it. His former black rage had been replaced almost completely with a confused anxiety matched by his Keeper's.

Alex checked his handiwork. "How's that?"

Evan nodded. "I'll live, thanks." He smiled sheepishly, then let Alex help him off the floor and onto the bench. "Now what?"

Alex sighed. "Good question." He sat next to his friend on the padded bench and tried not to look out the view ports. The pod wasn't capable of much in the way of travel, having only stabilizers and engines designed for quick bursts to navigate out of trouble. Wherever they were being taken couldn't be very far, but there weren't any habitable planets close by.

"Gentlemen, please get comfortable."

The strange voice startled both men. Evan's right hand was on the butt of a gun in a split second while Alex tried to get his heart swallowed back down where it belonged. Before they could speak, the voice continued.

"You've a long journey ahead, but it will pass in no time."

When Alex registered the hissing sound, the gas was already blurring his vision. He heard Evan's shout, and thought he saw the Sha'erah move forward, but then he was inexplicably staring up at the ceiling lights of pod seven. From several fuzzy miles away he realized they'd been drugged, and vaguely hoped he'd fallen in a comfortable position as he drifted into what promised to be a long, deep sleep.

Alex heard moaning and turned his head to try and determine the source. When he moved, the sound stopped but the headache started. He opened both eyes and realized the moaning was his.

"Damn." Gingerly, he rolled to his side and sat up, blinking to focus vision that had been blurred by a drug-induced sleep. When he could see, he searched the small bare room and found Evan lying on a crude bed beside him. "Evan." Alex shifted from his bed to his partner's, trying not to move so much that the headache would worsen. "Evan, wake up."

They were alone in the small room, furnished with two bunks and an old-fashioned bare bulb hanging from a high ceiling that offered just enough light to see by. Evan was still unconscious, but a quick check of his pulse settled Alex's nerves.

"Well, we're alive. Now what?" Alex rubbed his temples, then reached down and took Evan's left hand in his. The bandage he'd wrapped around the burn was still in place, so he carefully unwrapped it and held the palm up toward the light. The redness around Evan's silver implant was gone. He touched the strange metal and felt no residual sensation of heat in either the silver or the skin. Yeah, but how long would that take to heal? He set the hand back on the bunk and unbuttoned Evan's shirt. It was impossible to tell how long they'd been asleep, and Alex was beginning to feel twinges of fear. The escape pod had cryogenic chambers, but that science was still so iffy a person had to be desperate to risk it. Seven out of ten attempts ended in death or permanent limb damage.

Okay, so his shoulder's still bruised. Alex sat back, blinking. But does that mean we haven't been gone long, or we've been frozen? Frustrated and nervous, he stood and paced to the door. The access panel next to the door was lit but not red. Could I be so lucky? Alex pressed his hand into the panel and the door opened obediently with a quiet whoosh. Startled, he stood in the doorway, expecting someone to come rushing in, preventing him from going anywhere. He glanced back at Evan, then stepped halfway through the door to have a look.

There was no one. In either direction the hallway stretched on indefinitely, lined with similar doors and lit by single unit lights hanging from a ceiling he couldn't see. Alex moved back inside the room and leaned against the side of the door, twisting the ring around his finger. Okay, what do we know?

There was no way of knowing if he and Evan had been put in cryogenic freeze, but then again there hadn't been anyone else in the escape pod with them. So it could have been retrieved, and then they'd been frozen. But that still didn't seem all that likely. Unless their captors didn't mind taking such a chance, risking their deaths in transit. Their weapons were gone, that was a given. Alex didn't want to chance the door closing and not opening again, so he moved back inside the room and let it shut when it sensed the path was clear.

He walked back to where Evan was still lying and sat on the edge of the bed just as his friend began to move. The second his eyes opened, he shot up to a sitting position.

"Hang on!" Alex pushed him back down. "That first step is hell."

"God!" Evan pressed a hand against his forehead and closed both eyes tight.

"Yeah, great hangover. Just take a minute, it clears up." Alex stayed on the bed, facing his friend.

"Where are we?" Evan opened eyes that were watering slightly and blinked several times, looking up at Alex, then around the room. "What happened?"

Alex shrugged. "We were drugged in that pod, that's all I know. Where we are, how long we've been out, who brought us here . . . I don't have a clue."

More slowly this time, Evan raised himself to a sitting position. He glanced at his left hand. "We couldn't have been out too long."

"Does that still hurt?"

"Just a little."

"I checked the bruise on your shoulder, it's the same as it was yesterday. If it's still yesterday."

Evan looked at him. "If we were on ice nothing would have healed."

"Yeah, but we'd most likely be dead." Alex stood with a frustrated sigh. "The door's not locked, and there's no one out there."

"You didn't you go looking around, did you?" Evan got up then, looking alarmed and worried, and followed Alex to the door.

"I was waiting for you." Alex palmed the keypad again and the door slid open with the same quiet movement of air. They both stepped out and looked down the corridor in both directions. "Maybe this is just a dream."

Without warning, Evan took hold of Alex's arm just above the elbow and pinched the skin as hard as he could.

"Ouch!" Alex pulled back, glaring at the Sha'erah. "What did you do that for?"

"You're not dreaming."

"Well thank you very much!" Alex rubbed his elbow and let out a snort of air, but Evan wasn't paying attention. He'd stepped farther into the hallway and was staring off in the distance.

"It's not your dream, it's mine."

"What?"

Evan looked at him, a worried expression darkening his face. "I had this dream when I was sick. It was this very corridor."

Alex stepped closer, looking into his friend's black eyes. There was something in his expression that was giving him a chill. "What is this place?"

His reply was a slow shaking of his head as both eyebrows knit more tightly. Finally he seemed to resign himself to the answer. "It's home."

"Home? As in where you came from?" Somehow Alex knew he was going to say that. "So, I'd hazard a guess our mystery hacker is here."

"Someone knew what we were doing from the start. They followed us, then brought us here."

"Yeah, but why? It's not like we were getting close to anything." Alex shook his head, then let out a sigh. "Well, I guess our hosts are waiting for us to take a look around." He turned and started down the corridor.

"Where are you going?" Evan reached out and grabbed Alex's shirt sleeve, pulling him back.

Alex shrugged. "I just picked a direction. Should we go that way?" He pointed in the opposite direction and raised both eyebrows. "Looks to me like it hardly matters."

Evan hesitated.

"Look, we don't have much choice. Wherever we are, someone brought us here. We're alive, unharmed, and not exactly locked up and under guard. We're not going to find a way out sitting in here waiting." He stood there, looking at Evan. It dawned on him they were totally and completely screwed, having no idea even what part of the galaxy they might be in, let alone on what planet or moon, or even if they were on a planet or moon. They had no weapons, and the forces that had brought them here were obviously two steps ahead.

"Evan, if this is where you came from, then we were brought here. We might as well look around." He put a hand on Evan's arm, fully aware of how upsetting this could be for his friend, but still unable to think of anything more comforting to say. "We'll be fine if we just stick together."

Evan's expression changed to one of resigned certainty. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."

Alex grinned and gave his arm a pat. "I'm counting on it."

They started down the empty corridor side by side, ignoring all the doors until it became apparent the hallway seemed to have no end or intersection to offer them. Alex looked at each door as they passed, but found no markings to indicate what they'd find if they opened them.

"Well, obviously we're supposed to wander around on our own." Alex stopped in front of one door and glanced at Evan. "This is as good as any."

Evan placed his hand over the keypad and the door opened without hesitation. They both stood in the doorway, waiting for something to happen. When nothing did, Alex shrugged and stepped carefully inside, looking around as he did.

As far as rooms went, it was unimpressive. Four walls, one bunk and a row of computers and unfamiliar equipment set in the headboard of the bed. There were linens, freshly made and perfectly tucked in.

Alex glanced at Evan. "Bedroom?"

The Sha'erah's jaw was clenched, sending ripples through his skin as the muscles clamped down.

Alex felt his face flush with a mixture of anger and embarrassment.

"Yes." The word barely made it through the clamped jaw.

"Okay, let's try another one." Alex left the room without investigating further. He tried the door directly opposite the bedroom, hoping it would be something different, and was rewarded with a larger room filled with equipment, computers, two chairs facing each other, and a medical exam bed against the far wall.

"Don't." Evan grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the entrance.

Alex didn't argue, allowing the door to close again. Well what the hell did I expect? He knew any facility that created human beings to order wasn't going to be an esthetically pleasing place to visit. It just never occurred to him until that moment he'd be seeing where Evan had been created. Made to order thanks to the specifications of one Spencer Marcase.

"Since this is your dream, how about you pick the next one?" He tried to smile but it didn't work.

With a quiet sigh, Evan led the way further down the long corridor.

"Do you remember this place? I mean, this hallway? Is there an end somewhere or a lift or something?" Alex watched his friend's face for any sign of a changing emotion, anything other than the mix of dread and anger he was seeing now.

"I know those are bedrooms." He pointed to the doors on their left without looking at them. "And those are training rooms. That's where we learned to be Sha'erah."

Alex nodded, letting an uncomfortable silence fall as he followed his friend down the corridor. There had to be someone around, probably watching. Were they observing them, seeing what they would do or how they investigated their surroundings? What did they hope to learn by just watching? They'd been brought here for a reason, accelerating a discovery they very well might never have made otherwise. Not a very smart move, considering.

He looked up at Evan again. The look of anger seemed to be altering to one of determined resignation, as if he was remembering something from long ago, following that memory until it led him somewhere. Alex had no choice but to follow.

They stopped at another door, exactly the same as all the others they'd passed. Evan paused, his hand hovering over the access panel as he looked at Alex.

"This should be the main study room. Where we learned everything else." He pressed the panel and the door opened instantly and silently.

Alex stepped inside what appeared to be an anteroom of sorts. It was large enough to fit three or four people with the door shut, holding them between the exit and another door that led into a large lecture hall they could see through a soundproofed glass window. The viewing area was behind and to the left of a large video screen spanning a good thirty feet by sixty. Facing that were two rows of five seats, occupied by children of the same age, Alex assumed about seven years old, maybe eight. Each child sported a delicate tattoo on his neck, and a matching symbol on the back of one hand. There was no instructor, just the video screen and images flashing across it almost too fast to focus on. He had to assume there was narration, since their viewing room was soundproofed, he couldn't hear a thing coming from the room. So far, none of the students had so much as glanced their way.

On closer inspection, Alex realized the children were all wearing small headsets as they stared unblinking at the screen. "This is school, then?" He looked at Evan and received only a curt nod in reply. His friend was looking around the room, apparently seeing more in his memory than what was actually in the lecture hall.

Alex swallowed, unsure what to do next. This was what they'd been looking for -- or rather, what he'd been looking for -- but now that he'd found it he had no clue what to do.

Before either of them could decide what their next move should be, the screen flashed and went dark. A speaker above their heads crackled to life, allowing them to hear the same voice the children were listening to. Alex recognized it immediately as the voice from the escape pod.

"Sha'erah, we have visitors." The voice boomed with a resonance of benevolent authority, reaching every corner of the room without having to raise its volume.

Evan looked at the speaker, then at Alex. "It's the Maker."

"The what?" Alex stared at him.

All of the children had removed their headsets and turned to stare at the pair of them.

"These visitors are a fine example of what life holds in store for you, once you join with your Keepers."

"Who is the Maker?" Alex stopped looking at the children who were still staring expressionlessly at them from their seats.

Evan looked at him, black eyes catching a shimmer of light from the other room. "He is the one who created us all." He turned and looked back at the children. "I remember it now like it was a dream, or a story." He looked at Alex again, confusion clouding his face. "But it doesn't feel real."

"Sha'erah, you are dismissed."

Alex glanced back at the room and watched the children silently leave their seats, then line up single file and walk quickly and quietly out of the lecture hall through a back door. Not one word was spoken among them. He glanced back at Evan. This was a far cry from his school days. A far cry from anyone's.

"Gentlemen, feel free to continue your tour." The voice was directed at them now, and was followed by an immediate unlocking of the door that would lead into the lecture hall.

"Who are you?" Alex directed his voice toward the speaker but looked around the room for any sign of movement or monitoring. Evan followed silently.

"I am the Maker. I am the one you've come to see."

Alex proceeded cautiously. "The maker of what?"

"The maker of all Sha'erah," the voice said in a decidedly proud tone.

The seats in the lecture hall were wired to all manner of equipment Alex recognized as nerve stimulation and sensory input monitors. He assumed they were used to accelerate the learning process, allowing six-year-olds to absorb the information it would take the rest of the human population fourteen or fifteen years to get around to. Add to that the possibility of subliminal sleep training and you got a perfectly educated, aptly trained slave completely lacking in any will of his or her own.

Alex felt nauseated. "You brought us here?" He suddenly wanted to be anywhere but here. The notion that he'd had no business going on this quest in the first place had never felt so profoundly sure. Now he just wanted to get himself and his friend as far away from there as he possibly could. Forget all ideas of finding answers or ending riddles, and live the life they'd grown to enjoy over the past ten months.

"You were searching for me." The voice followed them through the room without losing any volume. "Evan is one of my best, you know." The Maker's tone was again dripping with pride. "He's always been my favorite of the adaptations, and so perfectly in tune with his abilities. I've never come that close before, and haven't yet again."

Alex suddenly felt extremely possessive. He ignored the look Evan was directing his way and let his voice convey his emotions. "This isn't a recall. You're not getting him back."

The Maker laughed. "I am the only one who could reclaim him, you realize."

"But you're not." Alex felt his mind prepare for a fight. Verbal sparring was becoming a hobby with him, but he was more than willing to turn this into something more physical. If he could find something physical to attack, that is.

A door at the far end of the room opened. "Please, continue your tour. I shall remain at hand to answer any of your questions."

Alex ignored the door and looked at Evan. The look of trepidation on the Sha'erah's face was even more alien than the tattoos or silver embedded in his palm. Alex wasn't sure what frightened him more . . . the look of anger and hate he'd seen on Evan's face that day on Cryian II, or the fear he saw there now.

"He can't hurt you, Evan." Alex waited until the Sha'erah blinked, focusing on him. "Trust me. Whoever this Maker is, he has no power over you. Not any more."

Evan swallowed. "I don't know the way out of here. Or where we are. Or how we can get away."

Alex knew Maker was listening, and perhaps the entire planet was listening, but it didn't matter. Evan was right, they had no way out, and could easily be killed at any moment and would probably be helpless to stop it. "I know. But that doesn't change anything. He can kill us any time he wants, and could have by now if that's what he wanted to do. But no matter what happens, he has no power over you." And he'll have to go through me to try and get any.

Evan was shaking his head slowly from side to side, his expression changing to resignation. "But he does. He's the Maker. I'm Sha'erah."

"And I'm your Keeper!" Alex held up his hand, flashing the sliver ring in the light. "Nobody's taking this away from me. I don't care what he calls himself, Evan. Maker, Master or the Muffin Man! We're a team, and nothing's going to change that. Understand?"

Evan seemed to snap out of a trance. He looked at Alex, eyebrows creased as he seemed momentarily confused. Finally he nodded. "I understand."

Alex let out a slight sigh of relief. "Okay, let's look around."

They entered the next room and found three doors to choose from. Before Alex could ask the speaker in the wall which way they were expected to go, the third door to the left opened. This room was more chilling than anything Alex could have anticipated.

Facing them, set slightly into the wall, were ten circular pods pulsing red and green. Each pod had dozens of tubes running into and out of equipment and computers set in the walls, floors and ceiling of the sterile room. Monitors above each one showed the status of each pod labeled as heart rate, pressure, temperature and adaptation implant level.

"Our newest batch." Maker's voice emanated from a wall speaker. "You've come at a most special time. Ten graduates will be delivered to their Keepers this week, followed by the delivery of our newest group."

Alex couldn't even swallow. His stomach had knotted into a ball that wanted badly to bounce right straight out of his gut, and he was sorely tempted to let it. In a minute or two, when the shock wore off, he was sure anger and disgust would take over and smooth things out, but until they did he was afraid to even glance at Evan. If there was any sign of the horror he was experiencing showing on his face, he couldn't risk his friend seeing it.

"Here they are grown, developed outside the womb so implantation can begin during development. It's a delicate balance of biology, genetics and a technology I'm afraid would go beyond your comprehension. Each child is designed per their future Keeper's orders. Mostly standard, but on occasion I'm given the challenge to produce someone like Evan, with a talent very rarely successful. But in him, I achieved absolute perfection!" Maker's voice practically beamed with pride. "I've tried to reproduce the results several times, but I've never succeed to his degree of mastery. Which makes Spencer Marcase's order one of a kind. You see, we produce ten at a time, devote our entire energies to their care and training. Ten Sha'erah, delivered every seven years, keeps the population down."

"And the prices up." Alex felt his upper lip curling with disgust as he spoke.

"Precisely."

He forced himself to step closer to the nearest pod, but couldn't look directly at it. Instead he focused on the computers busily working away. "But I thought they left here when they were five?"

Evan hadn't moved from the doorway, but kept his eyes locked on Alex's every move.

"Evan left us when he was five." The voice moved from one speaker to another, closer to where Alex was standing, giving the impression of having followed him. "He was an extreme example. Smart, perfectly adapted. I've never been able to duplicate him."

Alex shot his friend a look, but spoke to the voice calling itself Maker. "You keep saying 'we', but I haven't seen anyone other than the children."

"I use the omnipotent term." Master switched to using all the speakers in the room. "When I speak of "We", I am referring to my machines."

There was movement in the far corner of the room. Slowly, three wheeled constructs pulled away from the wall where they'd appeared as complex mechanical arrays. Now Alex could see them for the robots they were, complete with multiple arm extensions, audio and visual inputs and sensory arrays.

"I remember them," Evan whispered at Alex. He'd stepped closer, pressing into his Keeper's side as they watched the robots wheel closer. "They're the teachers."

Alex glanced at him, then looked at the machines. They rolled to a halt several feet away and looked at him with blank mechanical faces. "These things were your teachers?"

"I find humans so difficult to deal with," Maker continued.

"Aren't you human?" Alex was afraid of the answer, but it was what he'd come to learn.

"I'll answer all of your questions at dinner. You and Evan will join me after your tour. But right now, I have business to attend to. My workers will show you the way."

Alex heard the faint click as the speakers powered down. The three robots turned on spinning wheels and slowly rolled toward an open door. Alex moved to follow them but Evan grabbed his arm.

"I've never seen Maker before." His voice was still an urgent whisper, even though the robots gave no indication of listening.

"You've never seen him?" Alex looked at his partner. "You mean, never?"

Evan shook his head and released his Keeper's arm. They both started to follow the robots out of the room and down a long corridor. "I don't even know what species he could be."

Alex's mind was beginning to feel a bit numb from it all. Too much information. He wished Zane was there, maybe he could shine some light on the whole situation. But he didn't even know where they were. They could be at the opposite end of the galaxy for all he knew, with no way back.

"Sha'erah have been around for what . . . a few hundred years?"

"Seven hundred, I was told."

"Okay, seven hundred. This Maker guy, he claims to be the creator of all Sha'erah. So either he's just one in a line of humans responsible for all this, or he's not human." He started spinning the ring around his finger as they continued down the hallway behind the slowly rolling robots. "He could be lying. He could just be representing a group." It was hard to believe what they'd seen so far could be the work of one man. "Do you remember seeing anyone else when you were here? Any humans?"

"No. Just the other children, and them." Evan nodded toward the robots leading them into another room. "All I remember is learning and being taught."

And I was whining about my childhood? Alex couldn't remember a time when he'd felt more like a jerk. They followed the machines into another room filled with equipment and work benches strewn with tools and diagrams. The tour continued, showing them room after room filled with monitors, equipment, testing apparatus and things even Evan couldn't identify.

"What do you remember about leaving here? When Spencer came and got you?"

Evan shrugged. "Not much. I was . . . " He glanced around, even though they were the only ones in the room. Neither of the robots so much as turned toward him. "I was nervous. I remember that."

"Anyone would be," Alex smiled slightly. "Do you remember a ship? Did it take long to get from here to Cryian II?"

Evan sighed as his gaze drifted away. "A few days, maybe a week, I think."

Alex nodded. "Okay, good. At least we're not completely out in the middle of nowhere."

"If you consider Cryian II as being somewhere."

"Good point." Alex's smiled widened. That was the first hint since they came to in this strange place of the Evan he'd grown close to all these months. Maybe once the shock wore off, the Sha'erah would feel more like himself. More in control of the both of them. Until that time, Alex knew it was his turn to be the anchor that kept them centered.

One of the robots beeped and the other two responded, then started rolling out the door and back in the direction they'd come. The first one chirped at them, spun around, and led the way through another door, down a short hallway, then into a room that looked decidedly more human.

"Must be dinner time." Alex glanced around the room, warmly lit by lamps set on tables neatly situated beside comfortable chairs spread about in small conversational groupings. He noticed the floor was void of any carpeting or texture, probably for the sake of the wheeled 'bots.

"Make yourselves comfortable, gentlemen. I'll be with you momentarily." Maker's voice seemed to float around the room from hidden speakers. "Help yourself to refreshments, I'm sure you're both in need of fluids by now."

A panel in one wall slid up, revealing an old fashioned wet bar, glasses and ice dispenser.

Alex immediately registered his own dire thirst. He walked to the unit and filled two glasses with water, ignoring the assortment of alcohol and other liquids. Evan hesitated when he handed one glass over.

"If he wanted us dead, he had plenty of time already." Alex held the glass higher, insisting his partner accept it. They were both dehydrated.

Reluctantly Evan took the glass, then carefully sipped the water. When nothing happened, he downed it as quickly as Alex did. "I've never seen this room before." He set the empty glass on a table and looked around the room, shaking his head slightly.

"You wouldn't." Maker's voice didn't come from the speakers this time. Both men turned, trying to locate the source. "No Sha'erah has been in my private rooms before."

Alex caught sight of a curtain being pulled aside by unseen strings. He turned to face their host, waiting for him to step out of the shadows, and reveal who, or what, it was. What he saw coming through the parted curtain definitely wasn't human. Or at least, hadn't been in a very long time. He froze, mentally and physically, with Evan so close beside him he could hear the Sha'erah breathe.

Maker wheeled out from behind the curtain on a base of wheels, shimmering silver metal starkly contrasted in sections by human flesh. A half-crown of blond hair shared space on a skull made mostly of silver, with a human face sporting one decidedly mechanical eye. From forehead to neck, he was human. But his chest split into two sections, metal meeting flesh, which widened until his entire abdomen was a mesh of mechanical parts and blinking lights. Both shoulders were metal, but his left arm was human, down to the hand which sported metal fingers. A silver waist gave way to two human legs down to the knee, where they both melded into a solid box of silver metal supported by multiple wheels that moved with a quiet, gentle whir.

"Welcome to my home." Maker wheeled into the room, smiling grotesquely at Alex, then Evan in turn. He extended the more human of his arms and moved further into the room, nearer the chairs. "Please, be comfortable."

Alex swallowed back the nausea threatening from deep inside. His brain couldn't seem to function, couldn't wrap itself around the sight before him, or the fact that it was even speaking. Somewhere deep inside he realized he wasn't exactly being the pillar of strength Evan might need at that very moment, but the rest of him couldn't decide if it should stand there staring until reality asserted itself, or demand a release from this nightmare.

He cleared his throat, forcing the gears back into motion. "You're . . . "

"I am Maker." Maker wheeled to a stop a few feet in front of Alex, still smiling. His teeth were silver metal, but the tongue was as pink as any human's. He cocked his head toward Evan. "I am so glad to see you again! I've watched you grow with great pride."

Alex's possessiveness kicked out the stupor keeping him in place. He moved slightly so that he was closer to the . . . thing . . . calling itself Maker, with Evan neatly tucked in a little behind his shoulder. "Why did you bring us here?"

Maker blinked his one human eye while the mechanical one swirled to alter focus. He smiled a tolerant smile. "You were trying to find your way to me, weren't you?"

"You assaulted us and brought us here against our will." Alex tried to sound forceful, but the sight of the half human, half machine was both horrific and disgustingly fascinating. It made sense now, why the rumors had Sha'erah as being not quite human. But Evan sure as hell wasn't one of these monsters!

"You would have found me eventually." Maker shrugged, his silver shoulders sparkling in the light. He turned and wheeled toward the bar. "Evan is that good. And you're an amazing explorer yourself, Captain Marcase. The two of you together could find anything you set out to, I believe." He turned completely around at the waist, facing them while his lower half was still facing the bar. "Can I interest you in some scotch? I understand it's your preferred drink."

Alex blinked, trying not to be sick at the sight of Maker's body turned in half against itself. What kind of monster is he? "That was you, then?"

"You were hacking into the files?" Evan spoke for the first time, his voice a mixture of awe and disgust.

Maker smiled, bowing his head in humility. "I admit it, I'm not as good as you. When I find an adaptation that works that well, I can't resist adding it to my own repertoire. While I have your talent, Evan, I still lack your ability. I was forced to use surprise in my favor, then preprogram much of what happened in the pod."

"You mean, you . . . "

"Yes, Captain. I incorporate the very enhancements I create into my own being. But only those I deem appropriate. So far, I'm the only adult human to be enhanced. The Sha'erah are treated before birth." Maker poured a glass of whiskey and wheeled closer to Alex, holding the glass out. When it wasn't accepted, he merely shrugged and placed it on a table, then wheeled a few feet away again and looked at Alex. "That's what has kept me going all these years."

Alex swallowed, trying hard to keep his eyes on the one human eye Maker had. "All these years? Sha'erah have been around for seven hundred years."

Maker smiled. "Seven hundred and twenty, to be precise. I started out working for the military. Research and Development, they called it." He wheeled away and began slowly moving about the room as he spoke, occasionally reaching out to straighten a painting or adjust a lamp. "I created a process in which soldiers were trained for specific tasks. It was a complete success."

Alex glanced at Evan to make sure his friend hadn't mentally shut himself off. The Sha'erah was watching Maker with the same mix of fascinated disgust he felt himself. He started fingering his ring. "You mean the subliminal training that turned soldiers into mindless fighting machines?"

"Yes, that one." Maker's smile never faltered. "When that project was terminated, I was on the verge of a new discovery, and was forced to pursue it on my own. Over the years I managed to perfect my technique. Eventually, I took to preserving myself so I could continue the work in secret. Though I must admit, I never could have predicted the profits involved." Maker sighed, shaking his head. "Still, this kind of work takes a great deal of money."

"You've been alive for seven hundred years?" Alex knew it had to be true, but it was as hard to accept as the monster telling the story.

"Seven hundred forty eight, exactly." Maker wheeled closer. "I've used my enhancements to prolong my life, communicate with my machines, and develop my techniques, perfecting them until I'd invented the Sha'erah. Now I find challenge in the special orders. Orders which occasionally produce such rare finds as Evan here."

Alex felt the ring on his finger tightened inexplicably. He knew he hadn't pulled it near the knuckle, he never did that. A blue light on Maker's chest panel was blinking, distracting him. "Are you . . . genetically speaking, where do the children come from?"

Maker sighed, holding Alex's gaze. "I'm not their father, if that's what you're asking. Not genetically. That varies from child to child, of course. And they are quite human. Just . . . enhanced." Maker's mechanical eye spun around, altering lenses. "You know, as a deep space explorer, I could easily suggest a Sha'erah with different talents than the ones Evan has. Talents that could better aid you in your work."

There was a glint of something in Maker's one human eye that Alex didn't like the look of. He shook his head. "Evan helps me more than anyone could." He let his own lids lower, showing the creature before him he knew something was going on. "I have no interest in all in someone else."

"You realize, of course, that as the Maker I still have final say in the fate of all my children."

"Evan decides his own fate." The thing was hinting at something and Alex didn't want to play. The light was blinking more insistently now. He tried not to stare at it, wondering what it did for the half-man before him. His finger was beginning to throb now as the silver continued to tighten.

"Evan, ease up." He grabbed the ring and looked at his friend.

"What?"

The metal was biting down now, threatening to break into the skin of his finger. "Ease up!" Alex held his hand so Evan could see it. The silver was heating up, as if trying to melt into him.

"I'm not doing that." Evan grabbed Alex's hand and looked at Maker. "He is!"

Confused, Alex stared at the creature. The blue light on his chest panel was blinking wildly, coinciding with the pulsing pain gripping his ring finger. Anger raged inside as he realized what Maker was trying to do. "You're gonna have to kill me first."

Maker's neck was mostly human flesh, so Alex assumed there'd be some kind of pulse there, some sort of artery he could crush. His mind barely had time to register the feeling of a combination metal/flesh beneath his hands before the world went white, then vanished altogether.

Chapter 12

Evan fought his way through the fog, blinking madly to clear away the blurred world so he could see where he was. He remembered Alex making a lunge at Maker's throat, then there was an explosion of electricity, then nothing.

"Alex?" Slowly the world began to clarify. He was sitting in a chair, alone in an unfamiliar room. Both wrists were secured to the arms of the chair by silver metal bands, matching restraints around his ankles that held him in place. A quick, frantic search of the room showed no signs of Alex, or Maker.

Evan swallowed back on the panic and anger surging up. Deep down, he knew his Keeper was still alive, and still in possession of the ring Maker had tried to remove. As long as Alex was alive, he had time to figure out how to get to him.

When the last of the mental fog lifted, Evan looked around the room more carefully. He was in the only chair, facing a wall filled with monitors and equipment. There were connections leading from the metal restraints around his left wrist down to the floor, where they vanished into a small opening, presumably trailing under the floor to one of the computers in the wall. He tested the strength of the retraining metal and found it solid. Both hands were held so securely to the chair he couldn't even turn his wrists.

So where is Alex? If he was here, tied to a chair unable to move, where had Maker taken Alex? And what was he doing? Evan felt angry enough to tear the chair apart with his bare hands to get some answers, but he couldn't even shift his palms up.

"Ah, Evan, I see you're awake." Maker wheeled into the room from behind the chair, smiling calmly.

"Where is Alex?" Evan glared at the thing that had created him, no longer struggling with the conflicting emotions of awe and fear that had gripped him earlier. "What have you done to him?"

"I assure you, he's unharmed." Maker wheeled to a stop a few feet in front of Evan and waved one silver arm toward the monitors behind him. "I'm sure your senses tell you that much about your Keeper."

"They tell me he's alive. But not why he's not here!"

"Relax, please," Maker waved a hand. "Your Keeper is still resting. I'll show you in a moment." He wheeled closer, lowering himself slightly so his face was only a few feet higher than Evan. "But first, I want to get to know you better."

Evan tried not to show his disgust when he looked at Maker. The mechanical eye was spinning, trying to find the best focus. "How can you know me better? You made me."

Maker straightened up with a whir of gears. "And gave you up all too soon. Spencer Marcase was in a hurry, and your development had gone so perfectly, I was in a position to oblige him." He wheeled around and began a rolling pace of the room in front of Evan's chair. "There is so much more I could have done with you. So many more talents you could have included to enhance your performance." He spun half his body around to look at Evan. "I really should have kept you for myself, you know."

Evan's stomach reeled.

"Try as I might, I could never produce another with your perfect blending." Maker wheeled himself along the banks of computers. "And your talent has only gotten stronger."

"I want to see Alex." Evan glared at the thing before him, willing himself to ignore what was being said.

"If that will calm your nerves." Maker touched a monitor and it flicked to life, showing the image of a small room viewed from the upper corner.

Evan stared intently at the image there. From the angle of the camera, he could see Alex sitting on the edge of a bare bunk, rubbing his temples with the fingers of both hands. Occasionally his hands moved and rubbed fiercely at his eyes. The silver ring on his finger glinting slightly in the white light. A moment later Alex stood and walked to the door, pounding on it and shouting something Evan couldn't hear. The image hadn't included sound, but he could imagine what his Keeper was shouting.

"Let him out."

"He's just fine where he is, Evan." Maker turned to face him. "As you can see, he's unharmed. And except for a temper that will get him nowhere, he's just fine. I assure you, as long as you cooperate, he'll remain that way."

Evan dragged his gaze from the monitor back to Maker. "Cooperate?"

"A simple matter, I promise. And one you might even thank me for."

"Thank you?" Evan wanted to laugh but he couldn't even fake it. "Release these restraints, let us go, and I might consider it."

"Yes, all in good time." Maker waved his mostly human hand in dismissal. "First explain to me how he kept that ring on his finger?"

Evan blinked.

Maker wheeled over and leaned forward, drawing his face closer to the Sha'erah's. "I have never failed to remove a ring. I created them, I created you. I hold the ultimate rights to all my children! Any time I deem it appropriate, I can remove a ring from the Keeper." Anger flashed in his human eye as he straightened up again, glaring down at Evan. "How did he defy me?"

It was a trick. It had to be. How could he not know? "Alex doesn't control the ring." He proceeded cautiously. "I do."

Maker's mechanical eye spun wildly in apparent surprise.

"But you knew that." Evan watched him, repulsed by what he saw but trying hard to find a way to read Maker's expressions. "You made us, you made the rings and the rules."

Anger flashed in Maker's human eye. He spun around, facing the monitors, and looked up at the screen that showed him Alex.

Evan looked up also, preferring to look at the image of his Keeper on a wall rather than the grotesque mix of flesh and silver standing before him. Alex was working the access panel cover off, obviously trying to find a way to force the door to his room open. He wished he could speak with him, at least tell him he was all right, or hear what his friend was saying when he occasionally glanced up at the camera monitoring him and shouted at it.

"You are Sha'erah, Evan, not an individual. You have no will of your own outside that of your Keeper. I created you this way. Years of perfect training have made you what you are."

Evan watched the mechanical man's back. "Then why am I restrained?"

"Eleven months with this Keeper have nearly ruined all of my work." Maker looked up at the monitor showing Alex. "I don't understand how one man could have done that, but I can see that he has. He was the wrong man to inherit you from Spencer."

"Alex is more of a man than you ever were." Evan watched the monitor and saw his Keeper make an obscene gesture toward the camera watching him. Seeing that defiance gave him the courage he needed to continue.

"This man is not what he seems." Maker shook his head, ignoring Evan's words. "Alex Marcase killed his father to keep you." His entire body pivoted on the many wheels supporting it so he could face Evan again.

"Alex killed his father to prevent him from killing me." Evan kept his tone even, trying to force all emotion out. "And I killed him to keep him from hurting Alex."

Maker rolled closer, eyebrow wrinkling. "Explain."

Evan glanced at the monitor, at Alex, then looked at Maker. "You wouldn't understand."

A panel set in Maker's side opened up and an appendage snaked out, latching itself with a suction end to Evan's temple so fast, he saw it as a blur. "Explain."

Evan started to pull away when a shot of lightning burst through his temple. Minute fingers of heat probed around inside his brain as if searching for something, sparking blasts of pain with each movement. Somewhere far away a voice that sounded like his cried out against the painful intrusion, but he couldn't seem to find control of his vocal cords to stop it. Lights flashed in front of his eyes, blinding him with their intensity, but they seemed to be coming from inside his head!

As suddenly as it had begun, the pain stopped. Evan gasped for air, dizzy despite the fact that he was still sitting, still restrained in the chair. Sweat ran down his neck, and his temple throbbed where the appendage had already pulled away.

Slowly the fingers of pain subsided. Evan fought to control his breathing and get his heart rate slowed before his chest could explode. "What . . . did . . . "

"Fascinating!" Maker moved around the room again, his mechanical eye spinning. "I've just accessed your specific memory of the event, no harm done."

No harm! Had he done this to Alex? Evan glared at Maker's back as he slowly regained control of his breathing. Little explosions of residual lightning were still flashing through his skull like a backwash of charges, stabbing pain off and on.

"You see, Evan, your ring -- as it is with all Sha'erah -- is a piece of you. The same material used in your implants. It is . . . a part of what you are." Maker continued to roll around the room, passing behind Evan's chair as he slowly paced. "I had not intended that any of my children manage the control of their own ring, so the fact that you managed that very feat is somewhat of a surprise. It must have something to do with Captain Marcase."

Evan kept his eyes on the monitor so he could see Alex instead of the creature referring to him as his child, but his words were making an impact. Zane had suggested Evan could control the ring himself. It never occurred to him that the one who made him might not have all the answers. That he might not be in complete control after all. If that were true, and it obviously was, then there was a way out of here. He just had to find it.

"Your Keeper is a surprise, as well. I've already offered him three times your worth, as well as a replacement. But you can see by his attitude, he's not willing to part with you. With each reasonable offer I make, he refuses even more heatedly." Maker pointed to the monitor and they both watched Alex turn and shout something obviously obscene at the camera. "I've spared you his audio. The man knows some colorful language."

Evan found it ironic that Maker could be offended by anything. "He'll never sell me. And I'll never leave him. Nothing you say or do can change that."

"I'm beginning to believe you." Maker shook his head. "But that's no matter. If Alex can learn to behave, he can stay with us as long as he likes. I'd bring him in here, but he tends to express himself physically when upset. I'm afraid if I had to shock him too many more times, it could cause damage."

"What do you want?" Evan swallowed in a desperate attempt to moisten a dry throat.

Maker stopped moving and faced Evan. His body began to lower into the silver base, both legs descending into the metal, then came to rest when his waist met the top of the box. There was a click and his body jostled very slightly. At that level, he could easily look Evan in the eyes.

"You are my single greatest creation. Had I been able to take you farther, there's no telling where we could have gone together."

Evan felt his throat tighten with revulsion.

"You met Thomas. His mind-reading talents fell short of what I had hoped to accomplish, but he serves his Keeper well."

Evan felt a strange need to prove Maker wrong on as many points as he could, bolstering the growing notion that he wasn't as infallible as Sha'erah were trained to believe. Some of Alex's attitude must be rubbing off on him. "Thomas is Sha'erah."

"And a fine one!" Maker smiled, his silver teeth reflecting back the lights of the room. "Properly treated, perfectly trained."

"He allowed Alex to jeopardize his Keeper's life."

Maker spun his mechanical eye, single human eyebrow arched. "You are lying."

Evan shook his head slowly. "Alex was angry, and had Kellman by the throat, threatening to kill him. Thomas stood by and did nothing."

"Thomas is Sha'erah! You are Sha'erah! You cannot defy me!"

"Then why am I restrained? Why did the ring stay with Alex?" Evan swallowed back the fear ingrained into him by years of conditioning. "Why does the ring match my markings now, with Alex, when it never even came close with the one I was created for?"

"A trick!" Maker waved the idea away with one hand. "Something Captain Marcase has found a way to alter, no doubt. He is more of a threat than I expected, to all of my children." He raised back up to his full height, then started a rolling pace of the room. After a long silence, he turned back to face the chair.

"Imagine, Evan, if someone with your ability could project himself into a computer database from anywhere."

Evan blinked. The change in subject startled him. "I'd heard some could."

"No, no." Maker shook his head, irritated by the statement. "That's rumor. I've never managed to combine the two adequately. But with your strength, I'm beginning to wonder if that was necessary."

The monitor showing Alex could be seen just over Maker's left shoulder. Evan watched as Alex began trying to hotwire the controls that would unlock his door. He had to know he'd be seen, but he didn't seem to care.

"I can't project." Evan glanced at Maker and tried to hold up his palm to remind him of his creation's limitations.

"You have the potential." Maker reached out with his human hand and tapped Evan's forehead.

Evan pulled away, but strapped to the chair he couldn't get far. He glared at Maker. "I'm fine the way I am!"

"Yes, you are. But you could be so much more!" Maker lowered back down to his base again and leaned back as if he was sitting in a chair, folding his arms in front of his metallic chest. "Imagine what you could accomplish, Evan, if you could simply think of a system and enter it. Control entire stations, banking systems, space and air traffic. Look into the private files of anyone, anywhere, anytime."

"Why would I want to? That talent wouldn't serve Alex, so I'm not interested."

"I wasn't talking about serving Alex." Maker leaned forward. "What will it take to convince you that ring belongs to me?"

Evan shook his head sharply. "It will never belong anywhere except where it is. You created me and every belief I had. You convinced me of the rules and proved how unbending they are. But you were wrong." He felt his upper lip curling in justified disgust and imagined he must look quite a bit like his Keeper just then.

Maker inhaled deeply and set off a display of blinking lights on his chest. "Perhaps I misjudged how simple this would be." His body began to lift up, out of the seated stance. "But, I'm nothing if not prepared."

Evan watched Maker roll away, then around his chair until he'd passed behind and out of sight. A moment later he heard a door open and close, and found himself alone in the room once again. "Dammit!" He pulled against the restraints, futilely trying to break free. A flash on the monitor above him caught his attention, stopping his useless struggling.

The screen monitoring Alex's room had gone dark.

"No!" Fear washed over him, sinking into his gut like a gravity booster. Evan gritted his teeth against the pain and began pulling as hard as he could, trying to force his right hand under the restraining band. The skin tore against the edge, but the metal tightened with his effort, clamping down even harder until it felt as if his hand was being cut off.

"Do not attempt to injure yourself."

The voice came from behind, but so did the pressure from the hypo spray that plunged Evan instantly into a soft, semi-conscious state. He watched through blurry eyes as three robotic units removed the restraints holding him to the chair, but he had no strength or control and couldn't put up even the slightest fight. He faded in and out, feeling movement and motion around him, until finally the fog began to lift once again.

This time Evan found himself in a metal chair, restrained at wrists and feet again, but with an added metal band around his neck, not tight enough to choke but easily preventing him from much in the way of movement. There were multiple leads attached to his temples, and his shirt had been opened where wires snaked back and forth, held to points of his chest by monitoring and input devices.

The room was bare except for several stacks of computers and monitors, all blinking and showing various levels and indicators. When he tried to move his head to see further around the empty room, the wall directly in front of him began to slide back.

Evan blinked, disbelieving what he saw. The wall had moved to reveal a larger area where Maker was securing a metal restraining band around Alex with a final snap. Every muscle in his body tensed, but he could feel the responding strength of the metal straps holding him securely in place. He was helpless!

Maker wheeled to the side and Evan could see Alex more clearly. He was strapped in a standing position to the wall behind him a mere four yards away from Evan's chair. His arms were stretched out to either side, shoulder height and secured at both wrists by the same metal bands holding Evan in place. He was similarly held by ankles and waist, but seemingly unharmed, thought his eyes were rimmed in red, almost as if they'd been coated in blood and then poorly rinsed. Evan's heart raced, trying to get a step ahead, but he couldn't think.

"Please do relax, gentlemen. I am a professional, after all." Maker smiled as he rolled to the far corner of the room where a table held all manner of glistening silver tools. "Rest assured Captain Marcase, I would never cause harm to one of my children." His upper torso twisted so he could smile at the pair of them. "I'm simply trying to allow Evan to reach his full potential."

"So you're doing this for his benefit?" Alex practically snarled at Maker, then looked at Evan. "Funny, but it doesn't look that way to me."

"You are not Sha'erah," Maker smiled at him, unaffected by Alex's tone. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then explain it to me."

Of all the times to try and provoke someone! Evan wanted desperately to believe his Keeper had a plan, some way to get out of this that he hadn't thought of, but it was hard enough just to figure out what he was saying, let alone thinking. He certainly appeared just as helpless as Evan at the moment.

Maker turned completely around, both halves of his body in line, and slowly rolled closer to Evan as he spoke. "You see, Evan has abilities I've been unable to duplicate, even with his genetic blueprint. But I was rushed in producing him, and had to hurry through his training."

"He seems to get along just fine the way he is."

Maker laughed at Alex's comment, nodding his head. "Yes, he does. But imagine him even more powerful! Imagine him being able to connect with just a thought, just the desire to find a computer or system!" His mechanical eye twirled in response to his excitement.

Evan realized Maker was holding several more of the same type of suction devices that had shot through his brain earlier. His heart skipped a beat and he shot Alex a look. At least his Keeper couldn't get himself killed trying to stop whatever was about to happen. But why does he have to see it?

"I believe he can. His training was cut short, but his implants have the capacity. I'm convinced of it."

"What are you doing?" Alex strained against the metal holding him in place, his face full of rage.

Maker had stopped beside the chair and Evan felt his face go cold. There was nothing he could do, no way to break free or get Alex out of the room. The only thing he was sure of wasn't much of a help. He stared at his Keeper, willing him to meet his gaze. When he finally did, he saw such a profound expression of helplessness in those green eyes his own uncertainty resolved itself.

"He won't kill me." Evan held Alex's gaze with his own as strongly as he would have held him with both hands. "Believe that."

"It's true, Captain." Maker began attaching the suction ends to the leads connected to Evan's temples. "I will do nothing at all to harm Evan." When he finished, he rolled to a computer set in the wall just to the left of the chair. "Trust me."

There was no lightning this time. No flash of pain or searing hot fingers probing through his brain. The first thing Evan felt was a profound sense of falling through blackness. His head felt tight, as though it was gripped in a vise, and the world had gone completely dark. Slowly, a ringing filled his ears, growing louder until it threatened to block out all thought. He fought it, trying to push it away, and searched desperately for something to hold onto, something he could see or hear or touch.

After what felt like an eternity the sound began to fade, but the tightening in his head continued to press as if trying to squeeze out the very thoughts from inside. Just when he thought his head was going to explode, the pressure suddenly vanished, leaving behind an almost euphoric sense of relief.

Evan became aware of his own breathing, a moisture running in rivulets down his neck, chest and back. It was then he realized he could feel his own body again. He blinked and a faint light poured into his mind. Sweat dripped into his eyes, blurring the light, and had to be blinked away before he could focus again. He was still in the chair, still in the room, alive but so completely spent it felt as if he'd just run a marathon and fought ten men.

When he'd blinked the last of the sweat from his vision, he focused on Alex. His friend was still there, held in place against the wall facing him, but now he had something tied through his mouth, effectively gagging his every sound. His face was burning with rage, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Maker wheeled into view and Evan tried to swallow, keeping his focus on his Keeper.

"I'm afraid your Keeper has trouble maintaining his composure. I found his language a bit offensive and very distracting." Maker waved a metallic hand toward Alex, who tried to shout around the gag but failed to make more than a muffled noise.

"Just try and relax, Evan. It's a shock at first, having your implants tuned while conscious, but it wears off quickly."

Evan's mind reeled, matching the movement of his stomach. It was all too much to take in! "Im . . . implants?" His hand hadn't been touched, had it?

"Yes, the ones in here." Maker tapped his own head, the human half. "The main controlling units that allow you and all my children to do what they do. The perfect blending of mind and machine. To a much smaller degree than myself, you understand."

Evan wanted to retch! He'd never thought about how he did what he did, but he'd been raised to accept and appreciate the silver embedded in his palm, the one adaptation he'd been specially designed with. It never occurred to him . . . Zane, none of the doctors had ever told him there was more . . . that inside a part of him resembled . . .

God! He couldn't retch, and probably didn't have anything in his stomach to bring up, but he horror was overwhelming, and mixing with a sudden overpowering sense of shame and disgust. Evan looked away, desperate not to see Alex or the look that might be in those green eyes if he did. Just how much of this monster was a reflection of him?

"Now, in a few moments I'll want you to test yourself." Maker continued undaunted. "Nothing major at first, just a simple test." He turned and wheeled back to the table filled with tools, setting down the leads Evan hadn't felt him remove, and picked up another device. This one was a small metal ball with razor sharp spikes.

Evan tried to tense, but his muscles weren't responding. He didn't even have the energy to argue.

"Now, this is a very simple device with two settings." Maker stopped a few feet in front of Evan, holding the silver ball in his metal hand so the spikes didn't tear his flesh. "On," he flipped a control on his chest and the ball's spikes slowly began to twist. "And off." He flipped the button again and the spikes retracted completely inside the ball, leaving a smooth, round surface. "It has a light touch, and will respond the instant you feel you've made contact."

The idea that something inside his brain had been altered was still occupying too much of Evan's thoughts. He wasn't registering why the silver device should matter to him in the least. He couldn't control any object unless he had physical contact, or at least contact with a system in some way connected to the object. Maker knew that, he'd made him that way.

"Now, I want you to just relax." Maker raised his human hand and he noticed the damp cloth in one hand. With great care, he used the cloth to wipe sweat from Evan's face and neck.

Evan tried to pull away from the touch, but he didn't have enough strength. Maker was blocking his view of Alex, which was just as well. He'd been Sha'erah all his life, and felt no qualms about it. But now . . . seeing the one who made him, knowing Maker was trying to change him to become more in tune with his own designs . . . He'd never felt more alien in his life. For the first time, Evan was ashamed of what he was.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Maker stopped wiping the sweat from Evan's face and looked at him. "Why am I doing this, you mean?" He wheeled back a step. "You are Sha'erah. You do not ask why." A puzzled expression crossed the human part of his face. "I have been lenient in dealing with your questions and defiance because you have been with a new Keeper. One who fails to understand exactly what you are and appreciate what that means." Maker wheeled backwards then spun partially around so he could see Alex. "A Keeper who has begun to spoil all that I have created in you."

Alex couldn't speak around the gag, but the look on his face sufficed as a remark.

"In light of your failures dealing with the honor of owning Evan, I have every right to perform a recall and take him back as my own." Maker's head shook back and forth slowly to the sound of moving gears. "I have done all I'm required by decency to do. I have offered you twice the price of Evan, as well as a replacement suited to your personal needs. I have even offered to recall the Sha'erah of your choice, so that you may have an adult in place of what you would lose. And still you refuse me!" Maker moved angrily back toward his workbench and began to do something Evan couldn't see. "I have been more than generous. But I'm afraid your Keeper has failed to see that."

"We didn't come here to -- "

"To what?" Maker spun his upper half suddenly, facing Evan. "To try and stop my work? Of course you did. Why else would you have been seeking me out against your training?" His bottom half joined the upper and he started rolling back toward Evan. "But I don't blame you. My children do nothing that their Keepers didn't order. My children are perfect!" He smiled, glancing at Alex. "And with you by my side, Evan, they shall only get better."

"I can't help you." Evan's heart was racing. He and Alex were trapped and it was all his fault.

"You are my creation, of course you can help me." Maker continued rolling along, passing Evan and moving up and around toward Alex. The silver ball was in one hand, and a laser cutter in the other. "We can easily get past the time wasted with this Keeper, and get you back on track. Soon the ring will be mine, and you will return to your training, and be the best Sha'erah I've created. Conditioning begins now."

Evan tensed, forcing both hands into fists as the only action he could manage. Maker wheeled to a stop in front of Alex and held the laser cutter up. From his base, two more arms extended out and up, pushing back Alex's shirt and pressing into his chest to keep him still.

"What are you doing?" Evan strained against the metal holding him tightly to the chair. Maker was blocking much of his view. "Leave him alone!"

"I'll need you to remain absolutely still, Captain Marcase." Maker turned on the laser cutter and moved closer.

"No! Leave him out of this!"

"Evan, I am your Keeper now. There is no need to feel concern for this man. Your emotional connection must be terminated, there is no place for that here."

It was impossible to see around Maker's large form. Evan pulled against the restraints, heedless of the band around his neck that dug into his flesh. The laser cutter moved and Alex cried out in pain, his voice muffled by the gag. Evan felt a ghost reaction in his side. A throbbing, dull ache mirroring the pain his Keeper was experiencing. Dark flashes exploded in his vision, threatening unconsciousness as the restraining band around his throat impeded circulation and breathing.

When the semi-blackout faded, Maker was wheeling backwards, watching Alex fall to the floor. Evan blinked madly and tried to see around the silver monster. His Keeper's restraints had been removed, allowing him to collapse on the smooth floor. A slight trickle of blood stained his shirt to the right of his abdomen.

"The bleeding will seal momentarily." Maker wheeled calmly back to the work bench and set down the laser cutter. The silver ball was nowhere to be seen. "Evan is not familiar with this aspect of Sha'erah training. He never entered the assassination program. This is how conditioning begins, dulling the human instinct against killing." Maker wheeled back to the center of the room, addressing Alex. "I am his Keeper now, Captain Marcase. I will have his ring!"

"What did you do?" Evan's heart was lurching out of his chest. Alex was on the floor, motionless. The gag had somehow been pulled from his mouth, but he was made no attempts at all to stand or even raise himself up.

Maker turned to him and smiled. If he hadn't been half machine, he would have looked almost paternal. "Evan, this man is no longer your Keeper."

"Yes he is!"

"Listen to me," Maker moved closer. "I am at a critical point with my new children. If I can succeed here, with you, then there is still time to make additions before their birth." He glanced down at Alex. "This man is no longer connected to you. Your lingering feelings of loyalty are admirable, but they will only get in the way. You belong to me now."

Evan looked at Alex. "What did he do? Are you all right?" Why wasn't he getting up? He was free now, he could find a way to stop this monster and get them out of there. The ring was still where it belonged, nothing had changed that.

Alex managed weakly to raise himself to one elbow. The look he directed up at Maker was so filled with hate and disgust, it took Evan by surprise.

"Evan doesn't belong to you." Alex's voice was rough and slightly weakened. "And this," he rasped as he raised his hand, silver ring catching the light, "belongs to me!"

Maker ignored him. He moved closer to Evan and leaned forward. "Close your eyes and concentrate. Picture the silver ball in your mind. We'll work on the ring after you've managed this."

Evan glared at him. "I can't! It doesn't work that way."

"It does now." Maker straightened up and touched a button on his chest.

Alex's sudden cry of pain startled Evan. He was clutching his right side, writhing in obvious agony on the floor. The tiny trickle of blood increased until the side of his shirt blossomed red.

For a moment, Evan's mind went blank. He watched his Keeper fighting against the pain, suddenly realizing where the silver ball had been placed, but unable to accept what was happening. Alex's cries of pain continued as he fought the metal blades tearing his muscles apart from the inside.

"Picture the ball in your mind, Evan, and turn it off." Maker's voice was calm, a stark contrast to Alex's screams of excruciating pain. "Just close your eyes and concentrate."

"Turn it off!" Evan dragged his horrified gaze from Alex to Maker as he pulled violently against the metal restraints. "Turn it off!"

Maker sighed and touched his chest panel. Instantly Alex stopped writhing. He lay on the floor gasping for breath, holding his side while blood stained the smooth surface of the floor.

"You can do this, Evan."

"Let him go!" Evan was desperate now, pleading with the creature who had made him. "Please, just let him go. He has nothing to do with this!"

"He wanted to stop me, put an end to my work!"

"No, he just wanted answers." Evan couldn't bring himself to look at Alex, but his terrible concern for his friend couldn't be ignored. He looked down long enough to be sure his Keeper was still breathing, then looked back up at Maker. "It's my fault we're here."

"Admirable, Evan, but not necessary." Maker shook his head sadly, making a clucking sound with his tongue. "You've been away from tradition only eleven months, but his influence has done much to change you. I never liked Spencer's methods, but he knew what a Sha'erah was."

"You knew what he was doing?"

"I know everything about my children!" Maker smiled and made a grand sweeping gesture with one arm. "But you I've kept particularly close watch on. When you got close enough in your search for me, I could not resist bringing you back."

"You can't have him." Alex's voice cracked moistly with the effort of speaking.

"Ah, but I already do." Maker spun around so he could move closer to Alex. He bent over, his mechanical eye extending out several inches for a closer view. "Now, Evan, concentrate." Maker straightened up. "Picture the silver ball in your mind."

Evan's heart skipped a beat. "Wait!"

Maker's hand stopped, one finger on the button that would send Alex back into writhing agony.

"I will! I'll try, just leave him out of this, please!"

Maker dipped his head slightly and his hand moved away. "Very good, Evan. I'll leave it to you then. Close your eyes."

Evan looked at Alex. Everything he needed to say was impossible to convey without words. The best he could manage was a helpless, apologetic arch of his eyebrows before he closed his eyes.

"Picture the silver ball."

Evan's mind raced through any and all possible outs, searching for any chance, however slight, to buy some time if nothing else.

"When you have the ball in your mind's eye, Evan, turn it on."

"No!" Evan opened his eyes.

"It's your choice, Evan." Maker rested a finger on the button again. "You can turn it on, or you can turn it off." To prove his point, he hit the button again.

Alex's cries of pain filled Evan's ears and set off every nerve in his body. He frantically forced both eyes shut, desperate to find a way to bring an end to his friend's pain. He could picture the silver ball easily, but try as he might, he couldn't achieve the kind of connection required to effect any change on the object. Alex was dying, and it was all his fault! He couldn't find a way to project! He couldn't find a way to control the torture tearing his friend apart from the inside out. It wasn't possible! He could not do this! Maker had to know he could not do this! Just when he thought his brain would explode with the effort, the screams stopped.

Evan opened his eyes, blurred by tears, and frantically searched for Alex. He was semi-conscious, lying in a heap on the floor near Maker's base gasping desperately for air. Blood covered his shirt, running over the hand clutching futilely at his side. His face and chest were soaked in sweat, and damp hair clung wetly to his neck.

Maker was shaking his head. "You're not concentrating, Evan." He moved, almost angrily, and slid up beside Evan's chair. "You have to project."

"I can't!" Evan couldn't take his eyes off his friend for fear he'd stop breathing if he did. His own heart was beating so quickly, he doubted much blood was being moved around. If he'd thought Maker was a monster, he knew now they were all in hell.

"You need to practice." Maker moved forward, scraping his metal base against the side of Evan's chair.

When he moved away, Evan felt the wire from one of the input leads touch his fingers. He grabbed it quickly and pulled until the lead itself disengaged from the metal band around his wrist and fell easily into his hand. The movement had gone unnoticed as Maker wheeled around behind Alex's prone form.

"He can take more, but perhaps not much more."

"You don't have to do this. I'm trying!" Evan fingered the lead until the input pad was directly over the metal of his palm. "Just, please, give me a minute to think! I can't concentrate when he's in pain like that."

Maker cocked his head to one side. "Very well then." He looked down at Alex. "He has time. The coagulant will stop the bleeding shortly."

Evan had been created for a specific purpose, designed from a blueprint that blended biology and chemistry in a way nature never intended. Trained from birth to be Sha'erah and follow the orders of his Keeper without question. The stories told of their creator were few, but all held the same sense of awe and respect. Meeting the creator wasn't possible. Thoughts against the creator weren't possible. Defying the creator could not be done.

He closed his eyes and took a breath, forcing out thoughts of Alex's pain that filled his mind and emotions. With his thoughts, he made the connection through the palm of his hand, unseen by Maker. He followed diodes and electronic impulses as if they were roadways. With practiced skill, he found what he was looking for within seconds of having started. A mass of silver metal, very simply built, designed to fulfill one specific function and no other.

There would only be one chance.

"I can feel it." Evan kept his eyes closed, but he heard Maker's slight gasp of pleasure. With one quick thought, he ripped the mass apart.

Maker screamed, a stomach-churning mixture of human voice and mechanical gears. He clutched at his chest with both hands and spun his upper half around wildly. The mechanical eye was turning and extending, sparks flying in all directions. Several computer monitors on the wall exploded in a shower of blue lightning and screaming metal.

Evan's restraints suddenly released. He threw them aside and jumped from the chair, hitting the ground and covering his head as more explosions sent showers of sparks raining down where he'd just been sitting.

"YOU . . . CANNOT . . . DEFY ME!" Maker reached out for Evan, knocking himself off balance when his wheels slammed up against charged cables that hissed and spat on the floor. In a burst of white light and sparks, he toppled over.

When Maker hit the floor, the explosions stopped. Slowly the room fell into a sputtering silence as machines accepted their destruction and electricity ceased to flow freely through fractured cables. The rain of sparks slowed, losing force as it was reduced to simple background lighting.

Evan didn't hesitate. He scrambled across the floor and scooped Alex up in his arms. "Alex!"

"I'm alive," Alex smiled weakly, looking up at him. "How did you do that?"

"It doesn't matter." Evan held his friend's face still so he could look in his eyes, judging his pain. He didn't like what he saw. "I have to get you out of here."

Alex nodded, swallowing. "I'll be okay, just let me catch my breath."

Evan examined the wound with one hand, supporting his Keeper's head with the other. The incision had been almost surgical in precision, implanting the silver ball into the muscle mass of Alex's right side. But the spikes had torn flesh indiscriminately each time they were activated, ripping great tears into tissue that bled freely. Something dark was oozing from the inside of the wound, clogging up the blood and preventing any further loss.

"Is he dead?" Alex looked at Maker's prone mechanical form.

"I burst his heart." Evan felt for his friend's pulse, then put a hand on his forehead, smoothing back the sweat soaked hair. "I think he took out a lot of this complex when he died."

"He probably controlled it all from that body of his." Alex tried to sit up, supported by Evan. "We have to get those kids and get out of here."

"All right, I'll do it, just rest." Evan forced his friend back down to the floor. He'd saved him. He'd be damned if he was going to risk losing him after all this! Alex opened his mouth to protest but Evan shook his head sharply. He put a hand on his Keeper's chin and stared at him. "Just lie still! I can't lose you, not now. Do you understand?"

Alex blinked, green eyes dulled from pain still sparkling slightly as a smile slowly tried to form. "Yeah, I understand."

Evan nodded. He gave his friend one final quick going over, pulling his shirt over the wound, then touched his face lightly with one hand and turned to get up. Maker had fallen across the center of the floor, blocking the quickest route back to the wall of computers.

"We'll need a map out of here. I still don't know what planet we're on." He stepped around the large metal base, walked around the far side of the wall, then had to step over Maker's sprawled arms to reach the computers.

"Evan!"

Alex's shout reached his ears the instant he caught the flash of silver out of the corner of his eye. Before Evan could pull back, Maker's mechanical hand whipped out and caught him in the right leg. Four of the five metal fingers plunged with razor sharpness into the muscle of his thigh, sliding deep before they curled down, pulling Evan down in a blinding flash of agony.

He hit the floor hard, knocking the air out of his lungs. The stun momentarily dulled the pain, giving Evan enough time to struggle up supported by his arms. Maker's fingers were inside his leg, pinning him down as they cut deeper toward the bone.

"You are Sha'erah!" Maker snarled at him. "You cannot defy me!"

Evan watched in horror as Maker's bottom section released. The two human legs that disappeared into the metal base pulled themselves out and struggled to get the upper half upright. The legs ended not far beyond the knee in silver metal cups. He cried out in pain and collapsed back on the floor as Maker stood, his hand still inside the muscle of Evan's right leg. Blood flowed freely down his leg, staining his black pants in moist darkness.

"I CREATED you!" Maker stood over him, his fingers curled. "Now you will watch your Keeper die!" He reached up with the human hand and touched his chest panel, turning on the silver ball.

"No!" Evan heard a cry of pain mix with his own, then saw a flash of movement and Maker's sudden stunned expression as his head disengaged from his body and fell to the floor.

Shocked, Evan stared at the face looking up at him, mouth still open in surprised denial. A mixture of red blood and blue hydraulic fluid leaked from the severed neck. He turned and saw Alex lunging toward him, half supported by the axe he'd used to separate Maker's head from his upper body. With one hand clutching his injured side, Alex raised the axe again and brought it down over the silver mechanical arm, severing it in half.

Evan cried out, clutching at the hand still inside his leg to keep it from moving. He realized once the shock wore off, he'd be unable to move. Alex fell to the floor beside him, trying to catch his breath through pain-clenched teeth.

They both looked at Maker. The head was staring at them, human eye open in death.

Evan turned to look at Alex, still too stunned to speak.

"That's the thing with fathers." Alex shook his head once, breathing heavily. "Sometimes you have to take their heads off, just to be sure."

Evan blinked. He wanted to laugh, cry, scream and throw up all at the same time. The only trouble was it hurt too much just thinking. "We have to get out of here."

Alex nodded and moved, wincing, until he could reach Evan's leg and the silver hand sticking out of it. "We will." He gingerly touched the severed hand. "It's in deep."

Evan nodded, biting back against the pain. "The fingers are curled down." Alex would have to pull it out, he knew that. Moving with those razor sharp fingers inside would shred what was left of his leg.

Alex clutched his side in pain again. "Dammit!" An explosion in the distance shook the room, showering them with minute particles of dust.

Confused, Evan grabbed his friend's arm. "The complex, it's going to explode!" Maker probably held the entire system together through his own central nervous system. Or he had fail-safes built in, ensuring the destruction of all his work should anything happen to him.

"Hang on!"

Alex was so fast, Evan still had hold of his arm when the hand suddenly came up and out of his leg, ripping flesh as it did. He cried out, then bit down hard to keep from screaming as he clutched his friend's arm, digging fingers into flesh. When the hand was out, the pain eased slightly but a wave of nausea kept him from speaking for a moment.

Another computer exploded, showering the room with bright sparks. Down the hall more machines were blowing their circuits, overloading the entire system. Alex collapsed to the floor, grabbing for Evan's arm.

"Your turn!" He grimaced in pain, then pushed his shirt aside and forced Evan's hand over the gaping wound.

Evan felt the silver ball, its spikes extending halfway then retracting again as the unit responded to failing systems. There was no time to hesitate. He forced two fingers into the wound, wrapped them around the silver ball as quickly as he could, and pulled. Alex blacked out.

"We're not going to die here." Evan dragged himself to the far side of the room, then pulled himself up to the counter and began frantically searching for something he could use. The compress Maker had used to cool the sweat from his face was floating in a basin of cold water. Evan grabbed the cloth and unwrapped it, then tied it around his bleeding leg, wincing as he tightened it enough to slow the bleeding. Black spots danced before him but he shook them off desperately.

At the far side of the counter, he found what he needed. A first aid kit, sparsely equipped, held more of the white bandaging. Grabbing as much as he could, Evan hobbled back to where Alex lay, now semi-conscious. Explosions rocked the room from a distance, threatening the all-out destruction of everything Maker had built. There wasn't time to be gentle, so Evan took advantage of his Keeper's semi-conscious state and wrapped his side, tying a wad of bandaging around the wound.

Alex moaned and came to as Evan finished off the bandaging.

"We have to get out of here!" There was little chance of their survival, considering neither one could support the other or themselves, they didn't know where they were or how to get out, and the world they were in was beginning to shake at its very foundations. But Evan knew they had to try.

Alex nodded numbly and struggled to his feet, pressing his left hand over the bandaged wound. Evan took his friend's right arm and wrapped it around his neck in an effort to help him, then felt his own left arm get pulled around Alex's neck, offering as much help as he could manage.

"We're quite a pair, you know that?"

"We were made for each other." Evan started hobbling toward the door, trying hard not to put any weight on his right leg while supporting his weak Keeper.

"What?" Alex had to raise his voice over the din of constant explosions.

"Even Maker didn't know that." It wasn't the time to bring it up, and they'd probably die before he could figure it out himself, but it needed to be said.

They made it out to the hallway, and Evan turned left. It was slow going, and could well be the wrong direction, but he was going on instinct now. Pain filled his every step and explosions rang in his ears. Smoke was beginning to fill the corridor.

"If this is a ship, we're dead!" Alex couldn't put much weight down on his right side, but he managed to support Evan with every other step. "We have to get the children."

"In there!" Evan nodded with his chin to a door on Alex's side of the corridor.

Alex pushed the door open and smoke billowed out of the embryonic chamber. When the worst of it cleared, they could see the pods holding the newest batch of unborn Sha'erah. Each unit had burst and caught on fire, leaving nothing but smoke and a nauseating acrid odor.

"The other kids, where are they?" Alex pushed away from the door and had to clutch his side as pain wracked his body again.

Before Evan could reply, they heard coughing in the hallway ahead of them. As the smoke parted, five children appeared, looking up at them with frightened, confused faces.

"Where are the others?"

"We're all that's left." One of the children looked up at Alex. "The others . . . Their Keepers arrived yesterday."

"Do you know the way out of here?"

The boy nodded, then turned and the others followed. Evan and Alex struggled to keep up, each man supporting the other as best as he could between waves of pain and dizzying blood loss.

"Evan, in case . . . If we don't get out of here --"

"We will!" Evan shook his head and adjusted his grip on his friend. They'd come this far, there was no reason to start giving up now.

Alex gripped Evan's shirt. "Good, 'cause there's a lot we need to talk about!"

A door opened at the end of the corridor. One of the children shouted for the others to hurry as a massive quake seemed to grip the building. Evan reached for the edge of the door just as the world exploded in a blast of heat and rushing wind that ripped everything out of his hands and sent him tumbling through the air.

Chapter 13

Alex moaned and rolled to his right, clutching his injured side. The smell of smoke was heavy in the air, stinging his throat with every breath. There was smoking debris strewn about, but not as much as he expected considering the size of the blast. Frantically, he raised his right hand, searching for the ring. His finger was caked in dirt and blood, so he wiped it on the grass, sure he'd felt the metal band still there but not relieved until he saw it, glistening in the sunlight.

"Evan?" Carefully, Alex raised himself up on one hand, holding the other against his side, and looked around as best as he could. They'd been together coming through the door, but there was an explosion, and a shock wave that hit them in the back with enough force to knock them clear of the building. "Evan?" He was surrounded by trees, lying on thick, soft grass. Obviously wherever they were they had breathable atmosphere, save for the acrid smell of smoke. Alex looked up and realized he'd not only been thrown clear of the building, he'd been thrown down a steep embankment. The smoldering remains of Maker's complex were a good fifty yards above him.

He coughed, then regretted it instantly as pain shot through his side. So, if we were together coming out the door, where is Evan? Gingerly, he took a breath and glanced at his wounded side. The bleeding seemed to have stopped, but it was joined now by the occasional red scratch and cut on both arms from the tumble downhill. His shoulders, arms and back felt bruised and sore, and his face stung from tiny scratches.

"Evan!" Dammit, where are you? Alex held his breath and forced himself to his feet, using a tree for support. By the time he got to his feet, he was sweating. The pain was bad, but he wasn't coughing blood, and he wasn't dead yet, so the likelihood of dying within the next hour or so was pretty remote. He just had to find Evan, see if those kids made it, figure out where the hell they were and get a ride home.

Sure, no problem. Only to start with, he couldn't find Evan!

He made it shakily to his feet and had to wait for a wave of dizziness to pass, then looked around again, trying to figure out which way to search. "Evan!" Come on, man, don't do this to me. I can't do it alone!

"I'm here!"

Alex turned and saw his friend hobbling toward him through some thick brush, face and arms as equally bruised and scratched as his own, but alive. There were children following, but he didn't bother to count them.

Relief washed over him like a wave. "Thank God!" With a push away from the tree for momentum, Alex threw himself into his partner as Evan hurried toward him. Neither was able to support the other, but they managed to lean sideways into a large tree to keep from falling over.

Evan wrapped his arms around Alex and held on. "I came to and couldn't find you anywhere, just these kids."

"I know, me too."

They stood there, leaning sideways against the tree, and held each other wordlessly for a long time. Alex had his face pressed into the top of Evan's shoulder, exhaustion and relief keeping him from saying more. As long as he stood there, Evan couldn't vanish into thin air like the nightmare he thought this was. He felt Evan's hands clutching the back of his shirt, strong despite his own injuries and blood loss. For those few moments, nothing else was real.

Finally confident his friend was alive, and not going to vanish into the smoke and leave him alone to die on an unknown planet, Alex straightened up as best as he could and looked at him. Evan's black eyes reflected his physical pain, but relief sparkled faintly through the fog.

"I didn't think we were going to make it." Alex still held Evan by the shoulders, and his friend hadn't let go of him yet either. He was pretty sure they'd both collapse to the ground if they did.

"We have to get you to a doctor." Evan looked into Alex's eyes, then glanced down at his injured side.

"You're not looking too good yourself." Alex noticed the children again, all standing a few feet away, looking dirty and frightened but otherwise unharmed. "Do either of you know where exactly we are?"

All five children looked up at Evan.

"It's all right, he's my Keeper, you can talk to him." Evan nodded.

The taller of the five looked at Alex. "No, we don't."

Alex sighed. "Okay, great." Now what? He had Evan standing there bleeding and unable to walk, five children all staring up at him like he had all the answers, and nothing around them but smoldering chunks of black metal. "You, what's your name?"

The taller child looked at Evan again.

"They don't have names yet," Evan explained. "The Keeper gives them their name."

Alex blinked. There was so much about Evan he still didn't know. Basic things. Things he should have found out during their first few months together. "Okay, for my sanity then, you'll be Eddie for now, kid." He addressed the taller of the five again. "I need you to scout around, see if you can find fresh water. But be careful, don't wander too far." He really had no idea how experienced these kids were. They were all about seven years old, but they acted more like sixteen. The one he'd just dubbed Eddie nodded once and scampered off without a second thought. Alex looked at the next pair in line. "Frik and Frak, see if you can find anything clean we could use for bandaging. But don't go back into those buildings. Just check around some of the debris."

Frik and Frak nodded once and ran off together, confident in their errand.

A wave of dizziness washed over Alex suddenly. He felt Evan's hands take his arms, then felt himself being gently lowered to the soft ground. When he shook it off, he was propped up against the large tree. Evan was on the grass facing him, injured leg stretched out in the opposite direction.

"The bleeding's stopped."

Alex nodded while Evan gently checked the bandage he'd wrapped around his side. "I'm okay, the worst is over." It hurt like hell, but the feeling of someone inside him with a hand full of razor-sharp blades trying to hack their way out was gone. He swallowed away the last of the dizzy spell and reached for his friend's leg. "How about you?"

Evan winced when Alex tried to see under the bandage. "It's okay, I think."

"It's not okay, but I think it stopped bleeding." He looked at his friend and shook his head. "We're both pretty messed up."

"We'll get out of this." Evan's weak tone belied his confidence. "We made it this far."

Alex heard a rustling in the brush and turned to see Eddie hurrying back to them.

"Sir, I found a fresh water stream, and several of these branches that are naturally hollow." He held out his offering, a thick, short branch filled with clear water. "It's safe, I tasted it."

Alex took the branch, ignoring the fact that he really should admonish the child for taking such a risk. They had little choice, after all. He handed the water filled branch to Evan and turned back to Eddie. "Are there more of these?"

"Yes, sir. Several. More than I could carry."

"Okay, take the twins here," Alex nodded with his chin to the remaining two children. "Get as much as you can."

The boys ran off without a single protest, leaving Alex and Evan alone on the grass.

"Here," Evan handed over the branch, still half full of water. "You're really good under pressure, you know that?"

Alex laughed, choking on some of the water he'd been drinking.

"I'm serious."

"You have a fever." Alex set the empty branch down and grinned.

"No worse than you do." Evan admonished.

Alex leaned his head against the tree supporting him and looked at his friend. "I'm not the one who found a way inside that thing and stopped its heart." He had a hard time thinking of Maker as a man, even half a man. The last thing he wanted to think about was its connection to his friend.

Evan's face went white and he looked away.

"Hey, I'm sorry," Alex realized his mistake immediately. There was no way to make light of what the Sha'erah been through, and must still be going through. His own confrontation with his father paled dramatically in comparison. At least that monster was human. "Listen, no matter what happened, no matter what we saw in there, nothing's changed."

Evan looked up just as Frik and Frak returned. They'd found several shreds of blankets, three useable containers to hold and boil water, and one badly charred aid kit with its seals still intact. Alex took that and ordered Evan to change places with him, moving away from the tree before the Sha'erah could argue. The wound on his leg was slowly oozing blood, and there was no telling how long they'd be waiting for rescue.

He cleaned Evan's wound, apologizing every three minutes for the pain it was causing, then rebandaged it with great care. Maker's metallic fingers had gone in deep, tearing up muscle clear to the bone. How Evan had managed to walk as much as he had was a mystery, let alone with HIM hanging off his shoulder.

After giving the children the task of gathering branches for bedding and starting a fire, he used a section of blanket as a compress and cleaned as much sweat and dirt off Evan's face, arms and chest as he could manage.

"We have to keep it from getting infected." The reality of the situation was nagging at the back of Alex's mind. His own medical abilities were sadly limited, having had no need to do the job of his ship's physicians in the past. But he could tell a serious injury when he saw one. Evan's face was warm, and the sweat beading up wasn't all due to the strange planet's humidity. He dipped the cloth in water again and tried to use both hands to wring it out. When he did, his right side stabbed in protest of the action.

"Enough," Evan took him by the shoulders, dropping the cloth back into the hollowed branch. He adjusted his position, sitting up slightly straighter, and pulled Alex down onto his lap. "You'll start bleeding again yourself."

Alex tried to protest, but Evan's hands held him firmly down, pressing his head and shoulders onto his lap, well away from the wounded leg. He relented, closing his eyes, and braced himself for his friends ministrations.

His own injury hadn't begun bleeding again, probably due to the residual amount of coagulant the silver ball had oozed, so the bandage simply needed to be changed and readjusted carefully. That done, Evan cleaned the cuts on Alex's arms and chest from the tumble down the embankment, and wiped as much dirt and grime from his hands and face as would come off. His eyes were burning, probably from the smoke, so he rinsed some water through them to clear out any specks of dirt that might have accumulated.

When he finished, Evan laid a hand over Alex's chest, keeping him where he was to rest. The children had successfully built a fire and found enough soft branches to make adequate beds for themselves for the night.

Alex hoped the shock of their situation was enough to carry them all through the night before they realized there was no food. Being Sha'erah, he didn't know if the boys would complain about anything. But being seven year old boys, how could they not? It might be days, weeks, even months before they figured out where they were and found a ride out of there. And that depended on there being other people on the planet. If Maker was the only occupant, and wasn't expecting visitors, it could be years. They might have to salvage equipment, build a transmitter . . . who knew what else?

Then again, the boys had Keepers due to pick them up, didn't they? So there was a chance a ship or vehicle would be by within the next day or so. Not that they'd be willing to help once they saw what had happened.

And there was the slight problem of what he'd do if and when a Keeper did come, expecting to claim one of the boys. Technically, money had already been paid. But, these were children, not property.

"I'm sorry about all of this, Evan. It's my fault." Alex looked up at his friend, too weak to offer to get off his lap, regardless of the arm still resting on his chest designed to keep him there.

Evan met his gaze with black eyes that reflected the fire light. "No, it isn't."

The boys were sleeping around the warmth of the fire now that the sun had set, bringing out millions of stars in a clear night sky. Animals cried out in the distance, singing to each other from the tops of the trees.

"Yes, it is." Alex sighed and looked up at the myriad of stars. "I'm an explorer. I should be out there, finding things no one has seen before. Blazing trails through the uncharted . . . Well, you know." He shook his head. "I had no business taking on this job for Zane. And no right to drag you into it."

Evan leaned back, glancing up at the night sky. "If you remember, you left the decision up to me, and I agreed."

"No, you humored me. Or felt sorry for me."

"I did not."

Alex glanced at him and grinned. "Whatever." He looked back at the stars and had to swallow against a wave of pain. When it subsided, he studied the white specks blinking down at him. "I know that cluster." Weakly he raised a hand and pointed to a constellation to the left of the open night canvass. "And that one, to the right."

"You can tell where we are?" Evan looked where Alex was pointing.

"I think . . . " He squinted, turning his head to see more stars. It didn't seem possible. All this time he'd assumed the Sha'erah home world must be on the far edges of known space. Surely it couldn't be . . . "We're right in the middle of everywhere."

"Are you sure?"

Alex wanted to laugh, but he knew that would hurt too much. "Yeah, I'm sure. I don't know what planet this could be, though. Maybe we're on a moon. But we're either in or real close to the Allesandro system."

"That's a major commerce section." Evan blinked in surprise, then his eyebrows came together as he struggled with something. Finally he shook his head slowly. "I suppose it makes sense. Rich people stop here all the time, no one would wonder where exactly someone was going if they came here, or what they'd purchased. Hiding in plain sight."

"And Maker would have had access to any supplies or equipment he needed." Alex swallowed, wondering what kind of trading the half man, half machine could possibly have been involved with. He must have had deliveries made by remote. Or maybe VanHolt -- if he was in fact connected -- played a larger role than just salesman. But how did he keep his own complex secret, if this planet was so openly visible? Unless it was a privately-held moon or small satellite.

Alex moved slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position for his legs. The motion sent a stab of pain through his side, enough to make him gasp for air. The hand on his chest pressed down slightly.

"You should rest."

"So should you." Alex heard his voice crack slightly as he looked up at Evan. The Sha'erah looked as pale and white as he felt. "Listen," He pulled his right hand up and glanced quickly at the silver ring. "I know this is just a band of silver. But . . . knowing you had control of it . . . the fact you gave it to me, and you let me keep it with all I've put you through over these months, it . . . " He swallowed, struggling through an awkward moment of depth. "I couldn't let him have it."

"You're not going to die."

Alex snorted and rolled his eyes, grateful for his friend's sensitivity to his own stumbling ways. "What's the matter? Am I getting too deep for you all of a sudden?"

"Me, no." Evan shook his head, smiling weakly down at Alex. "You, maybe. But that's okay. Emotions suit you, you know. Even if you do wear them on your face."

Alex would have laughed if he could. "It's just too much trouble to hide them all the time."

Evan shrugged one shoulder. "You don't seem to have a problem hiding them from everyone else."

"Yeah, but they don't know me like you do." Alex let his right hand rest over Evan's, still positioned his chest. With a sigh, he closed his eyes. They could take turns sleeping, maybe just rest their eyes, in case the animals singing to each other in the night got too close. He wanted to ask Evan what he'd meant about them having been made for each other, and why Maker hadn't known who controlled the ring. But that could wait. He was so tired!

An oddly familiar roar in the distance startled Alex awake. Evan's hand was on his chest, holding him still.

"It's all right." He pointed to a moving light in the late night sky. "That's the second one tonight."

Alex blinked madly, trying to clear his vision. "A ship?"

"Probably their Keepers, coming to pick them up." He nodded toward the sleeping children. "I didn't think it would be wise to try and make contact, considering."

"Yeah," Alex nodded. His throat was dry, but there was a small container of water beside him, so he took a long drink, then offered it up to Evan. "Considering we've pretty much brought an end to the market, and could be accused of stealing their property."

"Which we did."

"They're kids." Alex turned his head to look at the sleeping children. "One look at that building and I'm sure everyone assumes they're dead."

"But they're not," Evan sighed. "What are we going to do with them?"

Alex shrugged, an action that pressed his shoulders into Evan's side. "We're not keeping them, I can tell you that. Let's just worry about getting our asses out of here first, and worry about them later."

Suddenly Eddie jumped to his feet. He stared off in the distance, then scrambled over to Alex. "Someone's coming!"

"What?" Alex and Evan both tensed.

"How do you know?" Alex forced himself up on both elbows, supported now by the hand that had been holding him down all night.

"I can hear them. Voices of people walking around the building, looking for survivors."

For the first time, Alex noticed the hint of silver shimmering from the boy's ears. He craned his neck so he could see Evan. "I take it he can hear things we can't?"

Evan looked at Eddie. "What's your range?"

"Five miles, in perfect conditions. Two in crowds." Eddie shrugged. "I can hear what they're saying." He looked at Alex. "One of them is called Doctor Zane."

Alex wasn't sure if he was dreaming, or if the dream had been Evan finding him in the woods. He was hot, and his side hurt badly, but only in waves. He looked around, breathing heavily, and realized he was back in the room, back in the complex, watching Maker torment Evan as he sat bound to the chair. He tried to move but couldn't. The smooth floor felt cool on his face, and his arms were lead weights, refusing to answer his commands.

He heard Maker shouting, demanding Evan obey his orders instantly and without question. Alex looked up and had to blink through the sweat dripping into his eyes, burning them. Maker was standing there, silver and flesh supported by a metal base. He blinked again, and Maker turned to face him, laughing down at him with Spencer's face.

The monster had Spencer's head, and was moving toward him now with a menacing snarl. Alex tried to pull back in fear, but the pain overwhelmed him and kept him pinned to the floor, helpless and gasping for air. With mechanical whirs and the sound of gears shifting weight loads, the monster lowered itself on its base, staring into Alex's eyes.

Spencer's mouth curled in a smile and there was no show of metal in the teeth. "You should have taken my head off when you had the chance!"

"NO!" Alex summoned the last of his energy and pulled back, desperate to get away from the monster or die trying.

"Alex, lie still!"

"Wha . . . " Alex blinked, bringing the room into focus. He wasn't on the floor, staring up at a sickening mixture of Maker and his father. He was lying on a bed, injured side snugly bandaged, and a medical band strapped firmly around his left arm dispensing fluids and all manner of medications, staring up at --

"Mother?"

"Lie still." Madame Duvia was seated beside the bed, holding a small compress that dripped gently onto the bed. "It's always hard coming out of surgery, but you'll be fine in no time."

"What?" Confused, he tried looking around the room. There was only one other bed that he could see, and Evan was sleeping on it.

"He's fine. Just relax."

Alex let his head fall back on the pillow when he realized he could see his friend from there. "Is this a dream, or what?"

His mother rolled her eyes and set the compress back in a bowl on the small table between the beds. She wiped her hands on a towel. "It's the medical ward of a cruise ship, as a matter of fact. Doctor Zane operated on the two of you personally, and you're resting while we travel back to Scotian." She glanced around the room and shrugged. "No reason why we shouldn't travel back in style, is there?"

"Zane? He picked us up?" Alex closed his eyes and licked dry lips, trying hard to put the puzzle together with missing pieces. It wasn't easy to go from bleeding to death with Evan in the woods to lying in a bed looking up at your mother.

"An interesting man, that doctor Zane." Madame Duvia pushed at the cloth of her shimmering skirt, smoothing down the expensive fabric. "Our cruise ship happened to be passing by when he hailed it for a ride."

"How did he find us?"

She shrugged. "I'll leave the details up to him, dear."

"How's Evan?" He opened his eyes, wondering how far his mother would push issues with him as weak and defenseless as he was. It was a dirty trick, but often worked.

She looked at the Sha'erah and pursed her lips for a moment. "Doctor Zane says he'll be just fine. He's sleeping."

Alex breathed a sigh of relief. "Where's Zane?"

"You need rest, Alex. Doctor Zane will explain everything after you've rested."

"What about the kids?" Alex had no intention of resting until he could talk to Evan, make sure he really was fine. Then he wanted to know how he got from the forest to a cruise ship's medical facility without a single memory of it.

"They're fine." His mother reached out and smoothed back some of the hair that had fallen over Alex's forehead. "As I said, that doctor friend of yours is a very interesting man. He and I had a long talk after the two of you were out of surgery."

Alex blinked and glanced around the room again, trying to understand how long he'd been there and whether or not he should remember anything about it. "How long have we been here?"

Madame Duvia shrugged one delicate shoulder. "A few days. He was awake for an hour this morning." She nodded toward Evan. "You've both been heavily sedated and need your rest."

"You talked to him?" Incredulous, Alex raised his head off the pillow, staring at his mother.

"Really, Alex." She made a face. "I'm not the monster you think I am."

"I didn't say you were a -- "

His mother waved a manicured hand, dismissing Alex's denial. "I admit, I might have had certain prejudices. But as I said, Doctor Zane and I have been getting to know each other." She looked away, glancing at Evan for a moment. When she looked back, Alex was surprised to see so much emotion in her face. "Those children . . . They're so young."

Alex pressed his head back against the pillow and watched his mother. There were only so many shocks a man could take in one lifetime. But this one was something he didn't want to miss. "Evan was that young once."

His mother sniffed, smoothing her skirt again. "It's not an easy thing for a mother to admit to her son she might have been wrong about something." She fussed with the light blanket covering him. "But I suppose even mothers can change."

"Yes, they can." Alex smiled. He couldn't help wondering just what Zane had said to his mother that could bring about a change he'd been unable to effect. Maybe it had something to do with being her son, instead of a generational peer. Well, better late than never.

"Enough of that." She gave his blanket a final tuck. "You need to rest. We'll be back on Scotian in five days. Until then the two of you are confined to this medical unit, understand?"

Alex laughed shortly at his mother's sudden authoritarian attitude. He watched her get up and return the chair to the end of the room. "Thank you, mother."

"Sleep!" She scolded, then left the room, closing the door quietly.

Sleeping was the last thing on his mind. First, he had to get to the small bathroom on the far side of the room. It took a few minutes to get into a sitting position. While the pain in his side had been reduced to a dull, deep ache thanks to the constant flow of medication traveling into his left arm, he still had little strength and had to take each movement slowly.

When he finally did make it to his feet, the need to use the bathroom overrode his desire to check on Evan. The medical arm unit had a reserve allowing patients quick trips to the washroom and the occasional stroll around the hallways, beeping quietly when it required reattachment to the wall. Alex came out of the bathroom and walked to Evan's bed. The status chart above the bed was encoded for standard patient privacy, so he couldn't find any facts that way. Not that he would have understood many of them. He settled for touching his friend's forehead, glad not to feel any undue warmth. Evan's skin was a decent color, not the pale white he remembered from the forest, and his breathing was the calm, steady motion of a sleeper. A band attaching his right arm to the wall beside him was administering the same sedatives and medication.

Satisfied, Alex returned to his own bed and hooked his arm band back into the wall before the unit could send an alarm to the duty nurse. He still wasn't interested in sleep, so he raised the top portion of the bed slightly. It felt odd, knowing he was awake and Evan wasn't, but he knew that was due to the drugs. He needed the rest, after all. What he'd been through . . .

Alex looked over at Evan and watched him sleep. Maker, the children, the unborn that were destroyed . . . It was hard to wrap his brain around. But the worst of it was the knowledge that Evan had to face it thanks to something he wanted. Thanks to his curiosity and self pity regarding his own situation, he'd put his one and only best friend through a hell neither of them was going to get over any time soon. It was obvious Evan had agreed because he thought Alex wanted him to, and for a while, it was easy to pretend that wasn't true. But he knew better. He'd taken advantage, believing Evan agreed of his own free will because he wanted to believe that. What kind of friend was he?

What was it they said? That which does not kill you makes you stronger? If that was true, Alex figured he and Evan were going to come out of this the two strongest men around. At least they had each other. And a situation that -- if it hadn't ruined everything by now -- would bring them closer still. He was grateful his mother hadn't asked any questions about what they'd done or seen. It was hard enough to have the memory, he didn't feel like sharing it with anyone. Ever. Some things were better left unshared outside the pair of them, and Alex was positive this was one of them. At least together they wouldn't have to go through any long explanation or details. They knew what had happened, what they'd seen. It wasn't anyone else's business.

Sleep began tugging at Alex's thoughts, so he lowered the top of the bed back down and got as comfortable as his injury and the bandaging would allow. He'd have to think about the sudden change in his mother's attitude later, when the more pressing issues had been dealt with. Right now he'd get some sleep and wait for Evan to wake up.

Spencer had other plans. He was there, standing over Alex again, his head on top of Maker's body, laughing down at him. Evan was strapped to a chair in the center of the room, forced to keep turning on the colored orb that hovered over their heads. Alex struggled not to look at it, not to fall victim to the hypnotic hold the orb would have over his mind and body should he see the softly blinking colors, but each time he tried to look away his body was wracked with pain.

"Alex, wake up."

The hand he suddenly saw touching his shoulder wasn't silver or mechanical in any way. Alex blinked and realized Evan was sitting on the edge of his bed, gently shaking him awake.

"You were having a nightmare." The Sha'erah looked into his eyes, concerned.

"Sorry," Alex cleared his throat and pushed some hair away from his forehead. "Did I wake you?"

"No, I was having one too." Evan let go of Alex's shoulders and sat up, looking down at him with tired eyes. "It wasn't pleasant."

"Nightmares rarely are."

Evan nodded. "It was Maker, but with Spencer's face."

"What?" Alex blinked, then fumbled for the control unit that would raise the bed so he could sit up.

"In my nightmare, I kept seeing Maker, only he had Spencer's face and voice." Evan shrugged. "Just a nightmare."

"Yeah, but whose?"

The Sha'erah looked at him, black eyes sparkling. "What?"

"Whose nightmare was it, yours or mine?" It couldn't possibly be coincidence, could it? "I saw the same thing."

Evan's face flushed slightly. "You have to believe me, what Maker said I could do . . . I couldn't do it. I couldn't stop that . . . that thing he put inside you."

Alex blinked, shifting gears. He was still grappling with the idea that he and Evan might have shared a nightmare. "I know you couldn't. Maker was mad."

"He said he . . . " Evan swallowed. "Changed things. But he couldn't have, nothing's different."

"Like I said, it was all madness." Alex put a hand on his friend's arm, conscious of the internal struggle Evan was going through. "What happened there . . . That was all his doing, Evan. Neither of us could do anything to stop it." The Sha'erah was looking at him, black eyes searching his as he spoke as if they were looking for truth. "It wasn't even about you, it was all him. He was over seven hundred years old, and barely half human after all he'd done to himself. Don't think for a minute anything he was or did reflects on you just because he -- was in charge."

"He was the equivalent of my father."

Alex shook his head. "No. He might have had something to do with your creation, but he wasn't your father. As much as I hate to admit it, Spencer was more of a father to you than anyone." He dragged a hand through his hair and sighed, breathing carefully against the bandaging. "Not that he was much better."

"He wasn't the man you met on the ship, not all the time."

The two of them sat together, silent for a long while. The feeling they were sharing something that required no words was strong and odd, but comfortable. Finally Alex began to see through the mess that had become of their lives recently. They were alive, after all. Safe, relatively sane, and still together. He started to grin.

"We're quite a pair, eh?" He looked up at Evan, still smiling. "Nobody's gonna believe what we've seen or done."

"No one will understand it."

"I doubt anyone can relate, either."

They looked at each other.

"I guess it's just you and me." Alex flicked the ring with his thumb, enjoying the familiar feel of the metal on his finger. "We'd better stick together, then."

Evan looked shocked. "Of course we will. Zane paid for your ship, that's all taken care of."

"Yeah, but that doesn't have anything to do with it."

"You don't need a large amount of money anymore." Evan shrugged. "So nothing's really changed."

Alex blinked. "You mean, there's no reason for me to sell you?" He stared at the Sha'erah, disbelieving what he was hearing. "God, Evan, of course not! I could never . . . There's nothing that . . ." he sighed, exasperated. Nothing he said or did or put this man through was ever going to convince him he was anything but Sha'erah. He acted like a friend, talked like a friend, even wasn't afraid to tell Alex off like a friend. Maybe being sold was to him simply the Sha'erah equivalent of being put aside, of being no longer wanted or needed. "No, Evan, nothing's changed. We have a ship to get back to, and something new to go find." Alex sighed slightly, breathing carefully against the bandage. It was just semantics, after all. Selling, leaving, what was the difference? "I don't know what yet, but that's the best part."

Evan nodded, satisfied with the answer.

"You'd better get back into bed, keep that leg elevated." Alex looked around the room, still unable to locate anything that would tell him how long they'd been on the ship. "Have you seen Zane?"

Evan hobbled the few feet to his bed and eased his injured leg up. "He was in for a few minutes yesterday, while you were sleeping."

"God, how long have I been sleeping?"

"We've both been in and out for a few days, I think. Your mother was here."

"I know. That was a surprise. Did she talk to you?"

"Some," Evan shrugged. "She told me Zane was taking care of the children. They're safe and doing fine."

"Good," Alex nodded, looking at his ring. He desperately wanted to know what his mother had said to Evan, and what her attitude had been when she did, but he couldn't find an appropriate way to ask. If she'd been rude, the Sha'erah wouldn't think she was, so it would be impossible to judge. "He'll know what to do with them."

"They'll have to be kept somewhere secret, or their Keepers will want them. They can't hide what they are, and they can't be left alone."

Alex chewed his bottom lip for a moment. Evan was right, of course. With the tattoos and black eyes, everyone would know the children were Sha'erah. Zane would have to find homes for them with people who wouldn't treat them that way, or take advantage of having something they felt they could sell for large fortunes. And if the Keepers who had already paid for them realized they were alive and living somewhere, there was no telling what they'd do to regain what they felt was their property.

"He'll have to find homes for them until they're at least old enough to manage on their own."

Evan shook his head. "But they never will."

"What do you mean?"

He sighed as if he was trying to be patient. "They're Sha'erah. They've been trained since before birth to have a Keeper, someone who will control their lives. It's security. You still don't understand, do you?"

"No." Alex made a face. "But I'm learning." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Okay, so he'll have to find people willing to make that commitment, and keep the kids safe."

"Oh believe me, Alex, I'll be keeping them safe." They turned to see Zane enter the room, smiling at them both. "Although I have a lot to learn about watching what I say." He held up his right hand and waggled his fingers. There was a silver ring on each one.

"What happened?" Alex stared at the rings, then looked at Evan.

"Well, in order to get them to trust me, I told them to think of me as their Keeper. I didn't realize what that meant to them."

"Finally getting a small taste of what it's like, are you?" Alex raised an eyebrow. He didn't remember seeing the kids with any rings, but he did remember seeing something silver glinting from under Eddie's shirt. "Where do the rings come from?"

"Right here." Evan held up his palm. "They're a part of our implants, then transferred when the Keeper takes possession."

Add that to the list of stuff you haven't bothered wondering about, jerk. Alex looked back at Zane. "So, what now?"

"Well, first things first. I've had to rename some of them." Doctor Zane gave Alex a scolding look. "Eddie is fine, but two of them seem to believe their names are Frik and Frak, and the other two insist they are both referred to as The Twins."

"Oh for crying out loud, I was improvising." Alex rolled his eyes to hide the shock he felt hearing how seriously those kids had taken him. "So they think you're the Keeper of all of them now?"

Zane sighed, nodding. "Temporarily, it's easier for them to understand. They realize their original Keepers are going to be looking for them, and we'll need to keep them somewhere secret. At least for a few years." He shook his head sadly. "For children, they're amazingly intelligent."

Alex glanced at Evan. He knew his friend was, and must have been since early on. It didn't surprise him, really, to find out Sha'erah that young were well ahead of their years in intelligence and maturity. "I understand you met my mother?"

"Yes, I did. Interesting woman." Zane sat on the edge of Alex's bed so he could easily speak to both of them. "When I realized the two of you were onboard that escape pod that ejected, I was able to talk the captain of the cruise ship into giving me a search party and a ship. We followed your chloratic trail, then found a signal and the pod floating empty in space." He shook his head. "I don't mind telling you, that had me pretty upset. But the pilot found another trail from a larger vessel, intercepting the pod's, so we followed that. When it entered the Gordian cluster, and we had five privately-owned and highly restricted moons to choose from, things got a little confusing."

"That's where we were, then? A privately-owned moon?"

"Within easy travel distance to and from the Allesandro system. Some of the most populated commerce planets in the known galaxy."

"So how did you pick the right one?"

"A small ship passed by, launched from the third moon. The navigator on the rescue ship traced the registry and found it had been leased by Lewis VanHolt. Coincidences like that simply don't occur."

Alex looked at Evan. "We didn't see him while we were there."

"He must have been present when the first five boys were given to their Keepers." Evan looked at Zane. "There were ten when we first arrived."

"Well, I have to apologize to the both of you," Zane's expression turned serious. "Everything that happened was my fault. I talked you into this venture, never realizing it would turn out this way. Granted, I didn't think far enough ahead to wonder what I would do if I ever found the source. Though I had contemplated finding a way to put an end to it." He shook his head sadly. "I definitely wanted to save as many children as I could find and give them the opportunity of a life more like what Evan has with you."

Alex felt his face flush at the compliment. "We're grown men, doc. You didn't talk us into anything." He shook his head. "Besides, we weren't even close. We didn't find what we were looking for, it found us. And used a computer-generated likeness of you to lure us there."

Evan agreed. "I'm sure that message was created. He used your image, but there was something not quite right with it. I should have noticed sooner."

"I take it you found the people in charge?"

Alex glanced at Evan. He didn't really want to go into it with anyone, even though Zane of all people would be the most sensitive to the information. He knew no matter what he told his friend, Evan was always going to think of Maker as a father of sorts. The man responsible for his creation. And the creature who'd put him through hell for his own selfish motives. Right now, he just wanted to keep the entire experience between the two of them, and not let anyone else inside. They both deserved that much.

"There was one person in charge." Alex shrugged one shoulder. "He wasn't . . . sane. We didn't get to see much, actually, before the explosions destroyed the place."

Zane nodded slowly. A look on his face suggested he understood what Alex wasn't saying as well as what he was. "Well, you both survived. That's all that's important. And," he said as he pulled a chart recorder from his lab coat pocket, "I expect a full recovery from both of you. Serious injuries, but no permanent damage."

"Good." Alex settled for mentally sighing in relief. "Now, what were you saying about my mother?"

"Interesting woman, that one." Zane smiled. "After we found you and got off that moon, this cruise ship was passing by, so we hailed a ride. I was surprised when she came into the medical unit here and declared she was your mother."

"How did she know we were here?"

"She was meeting the head physician for lunch, I believe, and saw your names on the surgical roster. We had an interesting talk about the children."

Alex glanced at Evan. "Sounds to me like you were able to get somewhere I couldn't."

"Well, sometimes it just takes a different perspective." Zane patted Alex's leg paternally. "She and I are from the same generation, more or less. It's easier for us to relate on certain levels. Besides, you're her son."

"Yeah, well, whatever you did, I'm glad you did it." Alex suppressed a yawn. He could see Evan's eyes drooping as well, but he was fighting it.

"Now, the pair of you get some rest." Zane stood decisively. "We're on the way back to Scotian. That gives me time to figure out what to do with these children." He waved his ring-laden hand again. "Meantime, I'm keeping them under wraps in my suite. No one on board knows who or what they are, so we're hopefully leaving no trail for anyone to follow."

"Was there anything left, after the explosion?"

Both Alex and Zane looked at Evan.

"Not much, I dare say. Some destroyed equipment, a few sections of rooms with nothing in them." Zane glanced back at Alex. "I'd go so far as to say anyone stumbling upon that place will assume there were no survivors."

Evan nodded. "As long as no one sees the children, that's probably what they'll think."

"Yes, I think you're right." Zane smiled, then turned for the door. "If either of you need anything, press your call buttons and the nurse will send for me. I'll be back this evening to see how things are going and change those bandages."

Alex wanted to quiz the doctor about any chance he and Evan could have shared a nightmare, but he suddenly didn't want to share that with anyone else, either. "Thanks, Doc." He waited until Zane left, then allowed himself to yawn fully. Maybe it was just coincidence. Certainly with what they'd both been through, it wasn't a stretch to come up with the combination and share the same general dream.

"You doing okay?"

Evan looked up. "I'm fine." He nodded and looked at his hands, fidgeting with the edge of the blanket for a moment. "Thank you, for not telling him about Maker."

Alex watched his friend's face for a moment. "It wouldn't have done him any good to know, anyway. Now that it's all gone, no one really needs to know what we saw or did. Right?"

Evan nodded slowly, then looked toward the far wall, his eyes very distantly focused. "Most people come from love, or understanding. I come from madness."

"No, Evan," Alex shifted his position and sat up more, turning to his friend. "Most people come from convenience, or selfishness, or just plain accident." Evan wasn't looking at him, but he continued, hoping he was getting through. This was one kind of pain he could at least try to help heal. "You think where I came from was perfect?" Finally the Sha'erah turned and met his gaze. "Listen, it's not where you come from that matters. It's what you do with yourself that does. It's who you are, not who they are. How many times have you told me I'm not my father? And Maker . . . He wasn't even your father."

Evan shrugged.

"My opinion of you hasn't changed. That's all that matters, isn't it?" Alex grinned to emphasize the humor in that statement.

"Of course."

He nearly laughed. "I was joking, mostly."

"I wasn't."

They looked at each other, equally serious in their opinions. Finally they both yawned in unison.

"Okay, I think we both won that round. Get some sleep." Alex eased the bed back down and watched Evan get situated.

It was impossible to tell which of them fell asleep sooner.

The next five days passed in a blur, delineated only by the routine visits of nurses, Doctor Zane and Alex's mother. Madame Duvia made a habit out of visiting every evening to check on her son's health and discuss anything that didn't involved delving too deeply into what Alex and Evan had been doing. There was a look in her eyes that suggested she knew more than Alex had previously assumed, but he didn't want to ask. Her visits had become a pleasant distraction, now that she was actually making an effort to accept Evan for who, if not what, he was.

Alex noticed her previous disinterest had morphed into an embarrassment that kept her from looking at Evan for very long, or speaking too directly to him, but she no longer avoided it completely, and hadn't once referred to him as if he wasn't in the room. The change was startling, and moving. And, Alex knew, was completely due to Doctor Zane and those five children. His mother had her cold moments, but she'd always had a soft spot for children.

Just knowing she would never again insist Alex sell Evan, or think of him as property again, was more than he could have asked for. Whatever Zane had said, he was grateful for it.

The children stayed in the doctor's quarters on the ship, hidden from all passengers and crew for safety's sake. Zane had become so involved in their care and future, he seemed perfectly happy despite Alex's lack of disclosure concerning what he and Evan had found or been through, accepting the explanation of their injuries as shrapnel from the explosion. Regardless of the fact that he'd wanted confirmation of his own theories, and answers to so many questions, he asked none. Alex assured him there was nothing alien about Sha'erah, and left it at that, glad to see Zane accept it without pressing the issue. He came in several times a day to change bandages and check up on his patients as well as give them both status reports on the children in his care.

"Clarice has been spending time with them every morning." Zane's smile held a glint of something that startled Alex.

Clarice? "You're kidding." Alex glanced at Evan, eyebrows raised in silent question of the doctor's expression.

"She seems to be enjoying them. Granted, she's understandably confused by their Sha'erah attitude, but we've been discussing it over dinner and I believe she's making great strides." Zane finished recording their health in his hand-held and clicked it shut. "Must be where you get your sensitivity, Alex."

My God. "Gee, Doc, I didn't realize she was your type."

Zane blushed slightly. "She's a very interesting woman. We're enjoying each other's company, as we older folks are wont to do, nothing more."

Alex glanced at his partner again. "I don't know if I can take many more of these surprises."

Evan looked at Zane. "Does she understand the need to keep the children secret?"

"Oh yes, completely." Zane gave Alex's leg a pat and stood, smiling. "She's offered to help me find a suitable secluded spot to keep them. Ah, which brings me to another important issue, Alex." His expression turned more serious. "I'll need to be with these children until I can find suitable homes, which could take years. And frankly, while the Ascalon might not be a bad place to keep them out of sight, I'm not convinced it would be the safest."

Alex nodded and held up a hand. "Don't worry, Doc. I understand. An exploration vessel isn't the safest place for kids. Even Sha'erah. Besides, I think one is about all I can handle." He grinned and noticed Evan out of the corner of his eye shooting him a look. "We can find another physician for the next expedition."

"Good." Zane's smile returned. "Though I must say, I enjoyed it. And if I can find homes for these children before I'm too old to work, I'd love to come back."

"And we'd love to have you, right Evan?"

"Of course," Evan agreed. "I think it's the right decision. You're the best one to raise the children to understand what their lives can be, instead of what they're expected to be." He looked at Alex. "They should have the opportunity to learn what I have."

"Without going through someone like Spencer first," Alex added.

"Yes, of course." Zane nodded once, satisfied. "Well, we're landing tomorrow. I'll have a walking-cane delivered here this afternoon for you to practice with, Evan. You'll have to use that for a week or so, until you can walk without any discomfort." He turned to Alex. "And as for you, you need to take things slowly and stay off your feet as much as you can."

Both men agreed, if somewhat reluctantly. They'd grown bored in the medical facility, but neither one could walk for more than a few minutes at a time without feeling the need to rest. Alex assured his friend that by the time they got home, they could spend their new-found leisure time scouring the exploration grapevine for something new to go in search of. They'd have to refit the Ascalon with another crew, and now a new physician. Evan insisted he pick out the new crew if they needed to replace any that didn't sign back on from the nebula excursion. Alex agreed, and unhesitatingly gave him complete control of the staffing. Losing so much of his crew at the Turbidium mines because they'd been working for his father all along effectively jaded him to any new personnel.

When the ship they were on finally docked at the Scotian orbital station, they were more than ready for a change in scenery. It was agreed Doctor Zane and Madame Duvia should get the children off as quickly and quietly as possible, and take them temporarily to the apartment she kept on the station. Evan and Alex managed themselves easily enough, since they were technically handicapped at the moment and allowed to exit the massive cruise vessel from a special airlock that saw no other traffic.

Evan walked with the aid of a cane, to prevent any undue pressure on his healing leg, while Alex felt most comfortable with his right arm tucked protectively close to his injured side. Together they made their way steadily but somewhat slowly off the ship and to the more gently moving sidewalks that would lead them straight into the residential district with no stops.

Alex walked up to the apartment his mother kept, conscious of the last time he'd been there and what it had felt like. Evan was a new and frightening experience for him then, and his mother hadn't taken to the idea one bit. Now, he felt more comfortable with the Sha'erah than without him, and his mother had shocked them all by insisting she be allowed to take the five children in until Zane found a more permanent safe house.

"I thought it would be white." Evan glanced around the large main room of the apartment in surprise.

"Yeah, this place is easier on the eyes. She doesn't have anyone to impress up here." Alex glanced around, appreciating the soft mix of colors and comfortable furniture. Normally when his mother was spending much time in the apartment, she had Sylvester with her, but since she'd planned to return home after her vacation, he assumed she'd left him on the planet.

"You know, Zane's right, your mother is an interesting woman."

Alex laughed shortly, an action that was easier now that it didn't hurt so much. "Sure, you can say that now that she's speaking to you instead of treating you like a new couch."

Evan shrugged. "She had every right to, it wouldn't change the fact that she's an interesting woman."

"Well, you're right about that at least," Alex relented. "She can be pretty interesting, and she's very well educated, if maybe a bit old fashioned." He shook his head and found a comfortable chair he wouldn't sink too low in. "I can't quite wrap my brain around her and Zane, though."

"I don't know, I think they could be perfect together." Evan crossed the room and sat on the couch, facing him. "At least if she stays in touch with him, we'll be able to find out how the children are doing when we're in port."

"Yeah, I guess." Alex had every intention of staying in touch, he just hadn't planned on his mother playing such a role in it all.

Further discussion on the subject was interrupted by the arrival of the subjects of their conversation. Alex's mother busied herself with settling the children into the many guest rooms upstairs, fussing over their comfort even though they would have happily settled for sleeping on the floor. It amused him somewhat to see someone else going through what he'd experienced so many months ago, but on a much lesser and tamer scale. At least his mother hadn't been completely ignorant about Sha'erah existing. And although they all acted and thought like Evan, they were thankfully void of his experience and anger.

And no one was chasing them down with an offer they couldn't refuse, backed up by guns and assassins.

Alex enjoyed the sight, amused by the fact that his mother was learning the hard way to watch what she said around people who would take her literally and respond without question. By the time she'd found them all beds and lunch, and left them happily discussing details with Zane, she joined them downstairs, completely exhausted.

"More than you bargained for, Mother?"

Madame Duvia sat beside her son and let out a heavy sigh. It was the only display of exhaustion she ever allowed herself to express, even in the company of her son.

"I'm amazed by them, I must admit." She shook her head and repositioned a lock of artificially tinted hair. "It's so easy to forget they're only seven year old children. And Phillip, he's told them to listen to me as seriously as they would him. I never realized they'd take things so literally."

Alex chuckled lightly. "Phillip?"

His mother waved a hand, dismissing the implication. "We'll keep the children here until he can secure a more permanent place. I've told him about the island Commodore Wilcox has for sale. It would be perfect, in these conditions."

"Commodore Wilcox is selling the island?" Alex glanced at Evan. "He owns an estate on Bellus Island, real secluded. The only other occupant is a religious group that practice silence at all times." He turned back to his mother. "That would be perfect, considering."

"Yes, I believe so. I'll contact the Commodore tomorrow and see if it's still for sale."

"I suppose Zane can afford it."

"Between the two of us, we can offer Commodore Wilcox his asking price."

Alex's eyebrows arched. "The two of you?"

"Of course." Madame Duvia shifted on the couch. "I've offered what help I can. It's what you do for a friend, Alex. You know that."

He grinned and gave Evan a quick wink. The change in his mother was astounding, but not one he wanted to question or threaten in any way. Even if it did mean she was getting romantically involved with Zane. He was a good man, at least.

"Well, the two of you need to relax. You can stay here, if you don't mind sharing the one guest room I have left." She stood, sparing Evan a quick nod and slight smile. "Or you're welcome to go down to the house. I'll tell Sylvester to expect you." She started walking away, then paused, glancing back. "He seems to be having slight lapses in memory lately, I might have to have him looked at."

"Oh?" Alex blinked innocently. "If you like, Evan can take a look at him for you."

"Yes, perhaps that would be a good idea." She smiled at the Sha'erah again, briefly, then nodded at her son. "I'll tell him to expect you."

Alex watched his mother walk back up the stairs, his features a perfect mask of innocence. The look of tolerant disapproval he saw on Evan's face nearly made him laugh. He shrugged. "I suppose we should at least change that trigger word. With Zane around, the word "discount" might actually be spoken in her presence."

Evan rolled his eyes but said nothing.

Chapter 14

Evan sighed and lay back on the grass, closing his eyes against the bright afternoon sun. It was the first time in what seemed like a long time that he'd felt truly secure and relaxed again. It was two weeks after they'd returned to Scotian, and one week since he'd been free from the walking aid Doctor Zane had insisted he use. His limp was nearly gone, and the leg only mildly sore when he walked too much. Alex no longer felt the need to protect his side with an arm, but he still couldn't manage much lifting or heavy exercise.

They'd spent the time alone in Madame Duvia's house, recuperating quietly amidst the starkly white decor. Zane and the children -- along with Alex's mother temporarily -- had just recently moved to the island purchased from Commodore Wilcox and were settling in where they'd be least likely to be noticed. The doctor had been so completely absorbed by the children and the responsibility he insisted upon accepting, he'd accepted their minimal descriptions of what they'd found when they saw his home willingly and without much questioning.

Evan was grateful his Keeper hadn't told anyone what they'd found when they met Maker, or what he had forced upon them. The guilt still weighed heavily on his mind, despite Alex's efforts to assume the responsibility. That creature had made him, and all Sha'erah, then assumed he could claim him back from Alex as if he'd had the exclusive rights all along. And when that hadn't worked, he'd forced him to take part in Alex's torture, just to prove a point that couldn't be proven. Maker was wrong. Evan couldn't project, no matter what he thought. And whatever he'd done inside his head had been a lie. Or a trick, designed to make him assume something was different.

Alex was right. Maker was mad. He'd altered his own body, keeping himself alive for over eight hundred years, until there was nothing human left in him. And that was a Sha'erah's proud heritage! All he'd held true was nothing but madness.

But it was over. Maker was dead, and there would be no more Sha'erah. Alex's kindness in keeping it between them had served to further strengthen Evan's commitment and devotion to him as Keeper, and friend. He may not be allowed to shoulder all the guilt for what had happened, but he sure as hell could see to it nothing like it happened again.

They'd spent the last few days reviewing possibilities for a new exploration, checking out the latest public obsessions and human interests. Alex was still enjoying the fact that he now owned the Ascalon, free and clear of all but the daily operating expenses needed to maintain and staff a deep space exploration vessel. Any future trips could now be made for his own profit and to pay the crew they hired. It wasn't wealth, but finally the security he'd always wanted.

"This is the life, eh?"

Evan turned his head sideways and opened one eye to see Alex. They were lying side by side on the grass in the park he'd shown him after meeting his mother for the first time. "You mean, lying around here in the sun doing nothing?"

"Yeah." Alex smiled but didn't open his eyes. He inhaled deeply. "Gets boring after a while, though. A guy can only take so much of doing nothing, before he gets restless."

"Especially you." Evan closed his eye again and inhaled the sweet, fresh air deeply. They'd both discarded their shirts to enjoy the sun's warmth on their skin, tingling like a heated massage. "If you're not chasing after something no one knows about you get crazy."

Alex laughed softly. "Hell, I get crazy even when I am chasing after something."

Evan decided silence was the best reply.

They could hear children playing in the distance and the shouts of babysitters chasing after their charges before they could reach the woods. In the distance, the brook babbled gently, occasionally accented by the sound of fish jumping.

"Most of the new exploration seems to center around the nebula."

"I noticed that." Alex sighed.

"We don't have to go back. There must be more to space than that one section."

"I know. Trouble is, we opened that can of worms. Now that we've been inside, and you made probing through the gasses easier, they're finding more and more planets in the nebula that can be explored. Very promising ones, at that."

Evan folded both hands behind his head and opened his eyes, shaded now that the sun was hiding behind a small cloud. "Is there profit in that?"

Alex opened his eyes and looked at Evan, grinning. "Profit? Sure. You find someone who wants a planet, and go claim it for him. Or, you can get to a planet before anyone else, do the evaluation and exploration, and sell it to the highest bidder."

"And there's been no sign of the aliens again?"

"Not in the news or reports from the mines." Alex plucked a tall strand of grass and started chewing on it. "I think they were visiting the nebula themselves and had no desire to stay. At least, not the second one. They were probably there just to salvage their dead comrade's ship."

"Surely if they were still out there, it couldn't be kept secret." Evan knew that wasn't necessarily true, but it sounded good.

"Nah, how could it? People would be in danger, and with that many miners working the Turbidium on C-4, news would leak back." Alex stretched his arms and folded them behind his head so he was sitting up slightly. "So tell me, what was her name?"

Evan blinked. "Who?"

"Your first." Alex looked at him, grinning. "What was her name?"

"My first what?"

"Your first." Alex laughed shortly. "Woman, Evan. Your first woman. Or girl, I guess." He shrugged. "Mine was Erika. She was sixteen and experienced, I was fourteen and stupid. It was true love for, oh, about five minutes. Including foreplay."

"Oh." Evan shrugged. "Her name was Roma Mathews. She was thirty-six and won the bid."

Alex sat up, blinking. "Thirty-six and won the bid? What do you mean, the bid? And how did you get a thirty-six year old when you were, what, fifteen?"

Evan sighed and sat up. There were grass strands stuck to the bare skin of his back that tickled. "There was a party Spencer was throwing. One of the women asked permission to be with me, and another woman heard her so she asked. Spencer saw an opportunity to make some money, and started a bidding war between all the women interested."

Alex looked both shocked and disgusted.

Evan shrugged. "Roma won the bid and took me into the next room."

Alex swallowed. "So . . . How was it?"

"All right, I suppose." Evan reached over one shoulder to wipe off some of the grass strands. "Spencer told me to make it last, and I didn't know what I was doing at the time. She seemed to enjoy it, but I wasn't allowed to speak with her and she just left when it was over."

"Damn." Alex ran a hand through his hair and shook his head slowly. "So, my father pimped you out to the highest bidder for your first time, and didn't even let you talk to her about it? Or anyone?"

"He decided who I was with all the time." Evan couldn't believe Alex didn't know that, it was basic Sha'erah/Keeper information. "Normally there was money involved, unless he needed me to do someone to seal a deal or make a client happy. Whatever."

"So, you've never been with a woman you wanted to be with?"

"That's not important."

Alex shook his head, eyes wide in surprise. "It's the only thing that is important."

Evan shrugged. "I've enjoyed many of the women I have been with. We're not allowed to form relationships, that would get in the way of our duties."

"All right, listen." Alex held up a hand. "Just promise me one thing . . . If you ever meet a woman in the crew, or wherever, and you want to be with her, feel free to pursue it."

Evan considered that for a moment, wondering why Alex didn't understand the basic things. He could explain to him how Sha'erah didn't need sexual relationships like that on any regular or committed basis. He could tell him his devotion to his Keeper was the only thing that mattered, and the rest was nothing more than a physical impulse that could be controlled or indulged with no strings attached at any time. He could try and explain how he had a sex drive, but one that was under his control at all times. But, considering Alex, it was easier to simply agree.

He nodded and his Keeper seemed relieved.

"So, are we going to go back to the nebula?"

Alex sighed, chewing on the blade of grass. "I think so. It's the surest bet for a discovery that might pay off. At least right now. Plenty of planets in there to choose from. I think I could handle going back in now." He turned to look at Evan. "What about you?"

His first impulse was to say of course, that anything his Keeper wanted was what they would do, but he hesitated. Alex always wanted his opinion when he asked these questions. Evan wanted to be sure and give his Keeper what he wanted. No matter how hard it was to get used to.

Finally he nodded. "I'm fine with it. We'll have a good crew, and no outside people involved."

Alex grinned. "Right. A crew I want you to hand pick. Check their backgrounds, personalities, the works."

"Of course." There was no way he'd let anyone even remotely attached to Spencer or Carpenter anywhere near the ship without them knowing.

"We should come at the nebula from a different angle, try a section no one's gone near yet."

"According to the reports, everyone's following your path straight in at the nearest arm of gas." It was stupid, considering they were going in to try and find something they could claim first, but a testament to Alex's reputation among his peers. "I saw your route being published as the way into the Pendulum Nebula."

Alex's grin widened. "Good. If they're all going in that way, we'll sneak in by the side door." He turned his head and spat out the strand of grass. "We'll need more of your probes. Why don't you give our local distributor your specs for the double engine, so we can order them straight that way. Then you won't have to bother scavenging parts."

Evan shrugged. "I didn't mind."

"I know, but we'll need your multiple talents for other things, I'm sure. Once we get there, who knows what we'll find or need." Alex sat up and started flicking grass from his back. "You're my ace in the hole. Even if every explorer going out there has the same double engine probe design, they don't have you." He stretched until his back popped. "I'll have to check out some evaluation and exploration equipment, see if I can get a deal on some new stuff."

Evan didn't know how to reply to such a compliment. "I'll send the specs to the designer first thing. When are we going back to the ship?"

Alex inhaled deeply and glanced around the park. "I was thinking tonight. I've about had my fill of mother's white house."

Thank God! There really was only so much white a man could take, after all. "I can start contacting the crew tomorrow, then."

"Good." Alex smiled, squinting against the sun. "It'll be good to get back out there again, back to what we should be doing." He stood and picked up his shirt, draping it over one arm. "Now, how about dinner before we pack up?"

Evan nodded and got up, stretching. He retrieved his shirt and flicked at more of the grass strands still clinging to his skin. Alex reached over and wiped them off, then Evan did the same for his Keeper, freeing him of the green strands. When they were both sufficiently dusted off, they put their shirts back on and hailed a ride back to the house.

"Alexander, Evan, may I start something for the evening meal?" Sylvester greeted them happily at the front door, hovering just at eye level.

"Thank you, Sylvester. We'll eat in the kitchen again, if you don't mind." Alex started up the winding staircase.

"Certainly, sir. Madame Duvia left word she'll be returning from the resort in three days."

Evan followed his Keeper up the stairs, glad they'd be eating in the one room that had some color to it.

"That's fine, Sylvester. We'll be returning to the Ascalon tonight."

"Very good, sir." The 'bot busily hovered away, humming to itself on the way to the kitchen.

"It's nice not to have to turn him off anymore." Evan walked to the large closet in the room they'd been sharing and found their packs.

"Yeah, Sylvester's not a bad guy. Especially now that you fixed him." Alex grinned.

"That program was pretty crude," Evan admonished. "If you'd used it too many more times, it could have done serious damage."

"Well, it was a long time ago. And I hadn't needed to use it for years." Alex started stuffing his clothes into the pack. "Besides, no harm done. You fixed him up, made a better program, and he has no idea anything was amiss."

"You were lucky."

"I was young." He shrugged and stuffed another shirt into the pack. "Just being a kid, I guess. But I don't suppose you ever did anything like it?"

Evan shook his head. "Of course not. When I was given to Spencer, I had a job to do. Sha'erah don't play. There's no time for that during training and no call for it afterwards." He glanced up at Alex and caught a look of frustration coloring his face. "What?"

Alex made a snort and shook his head. "Nothing." He stuffed more clothes into the pack. "I just . . . Evan." He dropped the pack and looked up. "Tell me something, honestly."

Evan blinked, looking Alex in the eyes as he waited for him to continue.

"Do you take any pleasure in life? I mean, outside what you consider your duty or a job well done?"

Evan blinked again, not sure what he meant.

"Is there anything you enjoy, just for the sake of it?"

What exactly does he mean? "Of course I do." His eyebrows creased in slight confusion. "You don't understand. Being your Sha'erah, exploring with you and finding ways to help, that is what I enjoy."

Alex shook his head, apparently not happy with that answer. "Never mind." He turned back to the closet.

Evan reached out and took his Keeper by the arm. Suddenly he felt the need to make sure Alex understood him, completely. "No, I'm serious."

Alex turned and met his gaze.

"I do enjoy helping you." He released his Keeper's arm when he was certain Alex was listening to him. "With Spencer, it was what I had to do. I was his Sha'erah, and in return I had security and purpose. But with you . . . " He faltered unexpectedly, but pushed himself forward. "I enjoy what I'm doing. Really."

Alex seemed to consider that answer. Finally he smiled and gave Evan's arm a gentle pat. "Thanks."

Evan wasn't sure if it was his answer Alex appreciated, or just the fact that he had answered, but he didn't think it mattered.

They finished packing, then went back downstairs to the kitchen where Sylvester had a nice meal prepared and ready at the long, low table. It was the best room in the house, decorated in the warmer tones of natural stone and wood. During the two weeks they'd stayed here, both men had spent most of their time in the kitchen or out at the park resting in the sun.

"We'll need exploration gear this time out." Alex leaned back in his chair and turned the beer bottle around in his hands. "I don't usually bother going planet-side. Most of the time I have a team of geologists onboard to make sure I've found exactly what I contracted for. But this time we'll be looking for something worth claiming and putting on the market. Either for mining or inhabiting."

"It seems odd, to claim an entire planet and sell it to the highest bidder." Evan pushed his own beer bottle back and forth on the table, watching the liquid roll around inside. "It seems like planets shouldn't belong to anyone."

"I know." Alex nodded. "It's strange, but they're all like that. No one person owns a planet, but anyone living or working pays a tax to the owners. We just don't give it that much thought."

Evan considered what little he bothered to know about politics. "I guess I never did think about it much." Of course, it wasn't something a Sha'erah would care about. While Alex was putting large amounts of money into an account, calling it Evan's pay, he didn't seem to realize the money was always going to be his anyway, regardless of where he put it or what he called it. Sha'erah didn't keep money of their own, so anything Alex was paying him was still, ultimately, his money. But Evan said nothing. It seemed to be important to his Keeper that he was earning pay like anyone else.

"What kind of planet sells?"

Alex finished his beer and shrugged one shoulder. "Something with good potential for mining, or settling. If it has a breathable atmosphere and workable landscape you can find hundreds of interested parties. As long as there are no predators that can't be easily avoided or major structural problems like frequent quakes or weather conditions. Nowadays just about anything goes, though. Have you ever been to Aquataine?"

"No. That's the all-water world, right?"

"Mostly water. The land masses are actually floating clumps of vegetation and dirt that grew tightly together. Tight enough to build on, but they still float and occasionally break apart and drift." Alex stood and cleared the dishes. "They've got a huge export of seafood that keeps the citizens in the upper income bracket year round."

"I guess if that planet did well, we shouldn't have too much trouble." Evan helped clear the table. "So the trick to this must be finding one first."

"That would be the trick." Alex wiped his hands on a towel then handed it to Evan, grinning. "Planets are what everyone usually goes after, so I tend to look for other things. Turbidium, Casium, things people specifically need. They're usually in asteroid belts or on inhospitable moons no one wants to live on or near."

Evan nodded and followed Alex out of the kitchen. "And the nebula is so huge and hard to navigate, there could be hundreds of perfectly usable planets inside."

"And plenty of chances for other ships to miss them completely."

Sylvester had their packs gathered at the front door. "Sirs, I've ordered a car to take you to the shuttle port."

"Thank you, Sylvester." Alex glanced around the foyer. "We're not forgetting anything, are we?"

"No, sir. You're bags are packed and I've scanned the rooms to be sure." Sylvester tipped his body slightly toward Alex. "I have informed Madame Duvia of your return to the Ascalon. She wishes to inform you . . . both of you . . . that Doctor Zane and the children are doing just fine. You are to contact her before you attempt to leave the system."

Alex nodded. "We'll be a while yet. It takes a few weeks at least to get a new crew, let alone everything else."

Evan heard the car arrive outside. He picked up Alex's pack and handed it to Sylvester, hooking the strap around one of the machine's few arm extensions. With his pack slung over one shoulder, he opened the door and let Alex precede him into the cool early evening air. The sun had set, leaving the sky a deep bluish lavender with streaks of orange lingering at the horizon. Scotian was a nice planet, attractive and well maintained. A far cry from the planet he'd grown up on with Spencer.

They climbed into the car and gave the driver instructions, then Evan pulled up the privacy screen.

"You made sure Sylvester can't accidentally mention those kids, right?"

"I programmed him against saying anything about Zane or the children in the presence of anyone other than your mother, Zane, or the two of us." Evan shrugged and watched the scenery speed by. "He's a very simple unit, easy to program. He could be upgraded, though."

"Probably, but I doubt mother ever will. She likes him the way he is."

Evan nodded and continued to look out the window of the land vehicle. The children and Zane were safely ensconced on a secluded island resort, away from curious eyes. No mention had been made in any news reports about the small, private moon that had experienced an explosion and subsequent death of the owner. No stories had been printed up about the complete destruction of the source of Sha'erah, or the loss of five young children already bought and paid for by Keepers who would now be without recourse for refund or delivery.

God help them if those buyers ever suspected their property was still alive somewhere.

They returned to the shuttle port and found the last ride up to the orbital ship yard nearly empty. No one in the passenger area took notice of either man, much to Evan's relief. He'd grown used to being stared at, ever since they returned from the nebula and he was once again the mysterious Sha'erah few people had ever seen. Now he could return to the one place he considered a physical home, the Ascalon, and settle back in to the unusual life he'd learned to enjoy as the second-in-command of a large deep space exploration vessel.

He doubted they'd get the exact same crew they'd had before, with a few notable exceptions, but it shouldn't take long for the new recruits to accept his presence on the ship and learn how to deal with their own reactions to it. He was looking forward to getting back to something he could call routine. But what surprised him most was his own anticipation of the sheer adventure. There was a sparkle in Alex's eyes whenever he talked about exploration, a sparkle that had returned full force since they'd decided to head back into the nebula and see what they could find. Evan understood that sparkle now. He felt it, too.

Back on the ship, Alex exhaled a great sigh of relief. "It's good to be home."

"It's good to see color." Evan set his pack on the carpeted floor. The blues and greens of the Ascalon's carpet and walls was a welcome change from cold, stark white.

Alex laughed. "Well, maybe Zane can influence her there, too. I'm still struggling with the mental image of her with those kids."

Evan walked to couch and sat down. "She handled you all right when you were young."

"Sure, but I was just one kid." Alex followed him to the couch and fell back into the soft cushions.

"Yeah, but compared to you, I think five eight year old Sha'erah will be a walk in the park." He leaned back and rested his head against the cushions, catching a glimpse of his Keeper's look of surprised amusement out of the corner of one eye. He saw the pillow coming at his face just in time to block it with one hand.

"Thanks," Alex chuckled.

Evan made a face and set the pillow on the couch. "Those children won't sneak off without permission, sabotage Companion 'bots or disobey orders."

"Well hell, when you put it that way you make me sound like a brat." Alex's grin belied any hurt feelings.

What was it they said? If it looks like a laser, feels like a laser and cuts like a laser . . . "I'm just repeating what you said you did." Evan shrugged. "I didn't call you a brat."

Alex laughed shortly. "Right." He relaxed against the couch and looked at the ring around his finger. "One thing I've been meaning to ask you. Back when we were running out of that place, you said something."

Evan turned his head so he was looking at his Keeper directly, instead of watching his reflection in the glass in front of the couch.

"You said we were made for each other." Alex turned to look at him. "What did you mean by that?"

Evan let his gaze drop to the couch cushions. He remembered saying it, and what he'd meant, but he still wasn't sure he understood it completely himself. Finally he shrugged. "I always thought Maker would know everything. He created me, and everything I am. But when we were there, I realized he didn't even know about the rings." His own surprise and confusion flashed back, bringing a slight warm flush to his face. "He was supposed to have all the answers, and he didn't even know that." Evan glanced up at Alex again. "I don't understand how he couldn't know."

"I wish I could tell you." Alex shrugged one shoulder.

Evan sighed. "Sitting there in that . . . " He swallowed. "I can't explain it, really. I just knew, right then, why the ring is the same pattern as this." He held up the tattooed hand and gazed at the black pattern. "It was never that way with Spencer, because I wasn't made for him. I was made for you."

Alex blinked. "You've lost me."

"I know." Evan shrugged again. "I can't explain it to myself either, but still it makes perfect sense."

"But, if that was something my father specified, Maker would have known." Alex looked at his ring again.

"I know."

"So . . . what? Maker was so crazy he forgot?"

Evan looked back at the reflection in the glass, then switched his focus to see space beyond the window. "Or something else was in control." He saw Alex looking at him in the window. "Some higher force even Maker didn't know about."

Alex sighed deeply and looked at the window. "Maybe Fate and Destiny don't hate me after all."

"What?" Evan turned to look at his Keeper.

"Never mind." Alex's smile returned. "What do you say we stop questioning things. Start accepting them at face value."

Evan's eyebrows creased together. "Do you think you can?"

Alex's smile erupted into an all out laugh. "I tell you what . . . I'll accept the idea that we were meant to be stuck with each other from the beginning, and not question how or why. If," and he held a finger up, pointed at Evan, "you'll accept the fact that we're friends, and everything that comes with it. Deal?"

Evan stared at his Keeper for a long while. Maker hadn't known everything. He hadn't been the omnipotent creator he'd been taught to fear and obey. All the rules, the teachings, his entire Sha'erah way of life had been based on nothing. Evan felt both freed and terrified by that revelation, and hadn't wanted to even contemplate it yet. He was Sha'erah . . . but what did that mean now? He didn't feel any different, but nothing was the same and never would be again.

There was only one thing he could still be sure of. He looked up and saw Alex's sparkling green eyes waiting patiently for his reply. A slow smile began to tug with unfamiliarity at the corners of his mouth. Finally, he let it have a slight leeway.

"Deal."

End