This was a terrible and frightening situation. In times past, Dax would have been calmer about all this as the cyber organs would have helped him by secreting special drugs. Now, terror coursed through him because he only had his brain, the firing neurons that allowed him thought.

  “You must tell me what you know about the Phantasma Synth Crystals,” Mu said.

  A second later, pleasure coursed through the pleasure sensors of Dax’s brain. It was indescribable. He loved this. Then it stopped abruptly.

  “Please do that again,” Dax heard himself say.

  “I will gladly do so…” Mu said, “as soon as you begin telling me what I want to know.”

  Dax began to talk all right. The Phantasma Synth Crystals came from the planet Ector, which orbited a pulsar in the Scutum-Centaurus Spiral Arm. An extinct species called Aetharians had created the crystals. They had been lizards, dying out millennia ago. Explorers from Leviathan had found the crystals and determined their use, although they had also discovered warnings.

  “What are the crystals?” Mu said. “You must be specific if you hope for more pleasure.”

  “Technological and partly mystical devices,” Dax said. “The Aetharians discovered etheric energy, and from it, they devised all you’ve seen.”

  “Did these Aetharians die out from some ancient plague?”

  “I don’t know the nature of the extinction event,” Dax said. “Perhaps whatever happened to Venna happened before to the Aetharians.”

  “That makes sense,” Mu said. “Tell me more about these Aetharians.”

  “That’s all I learned.”

  “Surely not everything,” Mu said.

  “No, not completely,” Dax admitted. He’d struggled to keep this to himself. But the hope of receiving pleasure was too powerful to resist. “The crystals were volatile and dangerous. How and why exactly I don’t know. I instructed Venna what I learned by rote from the Grand Strategist I serve.”

  Mu questioned Dax about that, learning about the strategists and Leviathan operations at the highest levels. Mu also learned that Dax was an independent field agent for Grand Strategist Enigmach.

  “We shall now proceed to Leviathan fleet dispositions for the coming invasion of the Commonwealth,” Mu said.

  A warning pulse stilled Dax’s tongue. These were state secrets. As an agent of Leviathan, he was forbidden to talk about this with others.

  Mu applied the pleasure sensation and then stopped.

  Dax begged for more.

  “Tell me the fleet dispositions,” Mu said.

  Dax wanted to talk. It turned out he could not, as Enigmach must have put in mental blocks.

  Mu proceeded to apply hellish pain instead of the pleasure.

  Dax could never have received such pain normally, as the intensity would only have come from destroyed or burned nerve endings. But because the pain was merely electric impulses to his brain centers, no such destruction occurred, allowing him to continue receiving the horrible pulses. Dax would have been gasping if he’d had use of his body. Instead, he begged through the mechanical larynx, “Please stop. I can’t stand this.”

  “Wrong, Dax,” Mu said. “I can continue this for many years. I’ll pause to add doses of pleasure in order to highlight the agony. Then, I will find different ways to hurt you.”

  “I cannot tell you about the fleets,” Dax said. “The Grand Strategist inserted mental blocks against that. Have mercy on me, I beg you.”

  Mu reactivated the pain centers as she cut off his access to the mechanical larynx. Dax’s brain could not scream because he did not have a mouth. Instead, he endured, and it almost drove Dax mad. Finally, the pain ceased.

  Mu reconnected the larynx. “Do you have anything you wish to say?”

  Dax babbled about the dispositions of the Leviathan fleets and anything else she wanted to know. He did not inform her that all the information was false. He dreaded the moment she discovering that fact.

  Mu spoke into her tablet, recording everything. At last, the horrific session ended.

  “What happens now?” asked Dax.

  “I will deactivate you, but you will be kept alive. There is a possibility she needs you for a mission.”

  “Who needs me?” Dax asked. “Who is she?”

  Mu smiled secretively as she stood. “Events are changing rapidly, my scurrilous friend. We’re going to use the Laumer Point, as you must realize. Afterward, we will rejoin the Spacer flotilla in the other star system. Until then, Dax—”

  “Wait,” Dax said, but it was too late.

  Mu shut down his processes, and once more Dax went to sleep.

  -23-

  Maddox sat in his chair on Victory’s bridge, looking at the main viewing screen.

  There had been a flurry of communications with the new Lord High Admiral and General Mackinder of Intelligence. They were down on Earth in Geneva. There had been an interruption, which had happened seconds ago.

  Galyan now appeared in front of Maddox. “Sir, I have just detected a phase blip.” The holoimage showed it.

  “Does this indicate the phase ship is heading out?” Maddox asked.

  “That is my belief, sir.”

  “Do you think the ship is heading for the same Laumer Point it used to enter our system?”

  “That is unknown,” Galyan said. “There is only one blip. With only one point of reference, it is impossible to tell the ship’s direction of travel.”

  “All right, keep watching for more blips.”

  “I am obviously doing just that, sir.”

  “Right,” Maddox said. “Let me know the instant you have another signature. Then you can determine the direction the ship is moving.”

  “Yes, sir,” Galyan said.

  The comm officer swiveled in her chair. “Sir, the Lord High Admiral is back online.”

  “Put him on the main screen,” Maddox said.

  The new Lord High Admiral Haig spoke immediately upon appearing. “Captain, I’ve been speaking with several of my key personnel, including General Mackinder. We all feel you need to come down and give a full report on what has happened.”

  “Respectfully, sir,” Maddox said, “I’ve received new intelligence that leads me to believe our enemies, who have committed these heinous crimes, are leaving Earth.”

  “Captain Maddox,” Haig said, “be specific and tell me exactly what the situation is.”

  “While this is a secure channel,” Maddox said, “who knows who might be listening in.”

  “Captain,” Haig said, his features hardening, perhaps with exasperation. “I do not accept chicanery from anyone under my authority, including you. You will speak to me above board as I command. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, sir. I have indications that a phase ship is leaving Earth and possibly the Solar System.”

  “Give me the exact information.”

  Maddox drummed his fingers on an armrest before saying, “May I respectfully point out, sir, that there is something else we should be considering?”

  Haig stared at Maddox before glancing left and right in his office. It was obvious others were there with him, probably General Mackinder included. The Intelligence chief had been there earlier. One thing was clear concerning Mackinder: he wasn’t Maddox’s friend.

  “Get to it then, Captain,” Haig said, “what do you need to say?”

  “May I point out that the aliens saw a need to kill Lord High Admiral Cook and Brigadier Stokes? I’ve been asking myself, why those two gentlemen in particular?”

  “We’ve all been asking ourselves that,” Haig said.

  “I have a possible reason,” Maddox said.

  “Continue,” Haig said.

  Maddox grimaced inwardly even as he kept a blank demeanor outwardly. “Perhaps one reason was so the next Lord High Admiral would not be amiable toward me.”

  “You?” Haig said in disbelief. “You think this is about you?”

  “I’m likely part of the equation, yes,” Maddox said.

  “Sir, you have monumental arrogance and gross presumption to say that. You are merely a captain in Star Watch.”

  “Of course that’s true,” Maddox said. “I in no way wish to think more of myself than I am.”

  “What a crock of shit,” a voice boomed off-screen.

  “Was that General Mackinder, sir?” Maddox asked.

  “Never mind who that was,” Haig said. “He has a point. You have a New Man heritage, an arrogant and presumptuous heritage.”

  “I agree that is my heritage,” Maddox said. “But the New Men have a point. They are better at most things than regular men.”

  Haig’s brown eyes seemed to shine with malice. “And that means you’re better than us?”

  From the bridge, off to the side, Ludendorff shook his head. Maddox must have noticed, as he swiveled around and looked at him.

  “That is not the way to speak to your mental inferiors but official superiors,” Ludendorff said.

  “Who’s speaking over there?” Haig said.

  “Professor Ludendorff, sir,” Maddox said as he turned back to the main screen.

  “And what did Ludendorff say?” Haig asked.

  “The professor suggested that I use a meeker form of address to you,” Maddox said. “I admit that he is probably correct. However, the situation remains the same. I respectfully point out that my crew and this ship has solved many deep problems and reversed many deadly situations for the Commonwealth. I’m also saying, sir, that whoever our adversary is does not want me on any independent exploratory missions. That means I should do just that because they’re worried Victory has the resources and training to uncover this evil scheme, one directed against Star Watch.”

  “Captain,” Haig said heavily, “I grow weary of your boastful arrogance. You will come down immediately, which means reversing course. If you do not, I will send a flotilla of Conqueror-class battleships after you and burn your ship down. I will run Star Watch according to regulations or die trying.”

  “Sir, that right there,” Maddox pointed at Haig, “is the reason our enemies slew Lord High Admiral Cook. Think about it for a moment. General Mackinder, you should think about this, too. Why did they pick Stokes? Why did they pick the one man who used to run Intelligence before you? Could it be that the way you’re running Intelligence is exactly the way our adversaries want? That means your methods are opening the Commonwealth to further attacks.”

  “Now see here, you snotty son of a bitch,” Mackinder yelled from his chair.

  Maddox sneered at Mackinder, who had moved into viewing range. “You’re operating on feelings. That is a mistake. We should use our collective wisdom and logic instead.”

  “He shouldn’t speak to us like that,” Mackinder snarled at Haig.

  “Lord High Admiral,” Maddox said, modulating his tone so he sounded more respectful, “you’re a logical man, and have probably played chess or other games. What happens when you goad your opponent into making emotional choices?”

  Haig breathed heavily, visibly fighting to control himself. “You are a maddening individual, Maddox.”

  “What other kind of individual goes into the Beyond with an independent command and faces one challenge after the other?” Maddox asked. “Shouldn’t you use the weapons in your arsenal? Victory is a potent warship, but it is even a more potent Patrol vessel used to figure out riddles. That is what we do best, sir. I’m imploring you to let me continue to do that, so you can foil the plans of our enemies.”

  “You think these aliens slew Admiral Cook so I wouldn’t allow you your scope?” Haig asked.

  “That is a facet to the situation. If you looked at it dispassionately, you might conclude the same thing, sir.”

  “Maddox is mad and arrogant,” Mackinder said from the side. “He’s practically a New Man. This conversation proves everything I’ve said about him.”

  “Why is Mackinder so vocal against me?” Maddox said.

  “Because he hates you,” Haig said.

  “There you go,” Maddox said, “but I hope you don’t hate me, sir. I hope you will employ this starship in its normal function.”

  “You mean according to your own dictates,” Haig said.

  “The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth once gave me a writ of ambassadorial authority to use in the Beyond,” Maddox said.

  “We are not in the Beyond,” Haig said. “We are at Earth.”

  “I understand,” Maddox said. “But if the Prime Minster gave me this responsibility and trust, surely I’m worthy of it.”

  Haig stared at him. “What if I insist that you come down to Geneva, Captain?”

  Maddox looked away. For a moment, he considered ripping off his insignia and hurling it to the deck. He was tired of dealing with idiots. He’d pulled Star Watch and the Commonwealth’s chestnuts out of the fire many a time. He wasn’t trying to act superior. But shouldn’t a man know his own worth? Was he to knuckle under and say he was lesser than what he was in order to make others happy?

  Maddox glanced at Ludendorff.

  Ludendorff nodded.

  Maddox shook his head. Ludendorff had enraged him many times. Yet Ludendorff had come through in the end. Was it bragging if you did what you said you would do?

  Maddox cleared his throat and waited. If Haig told him to come down…he wasn’t going to do it. Maddox signaled Keith.

  Keith understood, and began to plot a star-drive jump.

  Maddox swiveled around and looked up into Haig’s eyes.

  “I do not like you, Captain,” Haig said. “I do not like your approach. It is not military. Yet, I concede you’ve achieved great things, and you have done it for the good of Star Watch and the Commonwealth. Therefore, I will test you. You are my troubleshooter today, Captain.”

  “No,” Mackinder said.

  Haig swiveled around and glared at Mackinder. Maddox could almost feel Mackinder wilt under the ferocious scrutiny of Lord High Admiral Haig. Haig swiveled around and put both small hands on the desk.

  “I’m giving you permission to hunt these hidden enemies,” Haig said. “I’m even letting you take Becker with you. It is against every instinct I have. But I strive for the good of Star Watch. I have also read the last will and testament of Lord High Admiral Cook. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but—Cook suggested you become the new Lord High Admiral. Cook had the highest esteem for you. Therefore, we will do things his way one more time. And then, sir, we shall see.”

  “Thank you,” Maddox said. “I will do my utmost.”

  “Yes,” Haig said. “I believe you will. Lord High Admiral Haig out.”

  The screen went blank.

  “Well,” Ludendorff said, stepping up. “That went far differently than I thought it would. But the fat is in the fire. If you fail, they will burn you. They will burn you good. And they’ll probably burn me with you.”

  Despite those words, there was light-heartedness to Ludendorff as he turned and exited the bridge.

  “Galyan,” Maddox said.

  The holoimage turned to him. Galyan had been standing there, staring through the ship sensors. “I have found another blip. The phase ship is headed straight for the former Laumer Point.”

  “Well, well, well,” Maddox said. “Where does that Laumer Point lead?”

  “It’s a six light-year jump into an empty star system,” Galyan said. “In technical terms, it is the Barnard’s Star System.”

  “That, then, is where we will go,” Maddox said.

  “If we jump,” Galyan said, “will that not destroy Captain Becker’s mind?”

  “Maybe not,” Maddox said. “I’ve been thinking about that. And I have an idea how we can do this.”

  -24-

  Becker’s eyes flashed open as he lay in darkness. His eyes roved right and left, and then he felt an oily presence residing in his brain. It crouched there like a feral rat, ready to slash with its razor-sharp claws and fangs.

  “What are you?” Becker said in his mind.

  “Go away,” the feral thing hissed at him.

  Becker realized he’d battled this thing in the Iron Lady’s quarters. Neither of them was in her quarters now. That meant…

  Ah. Becker was in medical aboard Victory. He was inside a tube, inside a stasis unit readying to activate. Why would he have woken up then if the tube was ready to activate?

  Becker sensed the malevolent entity, the rat-like thing crouched in a corner of his brain. It had woken him, even though nurses had injected him with a substance to help him go into stasis sleep.

  “If we’re going into stasis,” Becker told the thing in his mind, “that means we will jump, and if we jump, it will wreck my mind. My brain is too great to withstand the ill effects of jump lag.”

  The rat-like alien entity inside him laughed with glee. “Then you will die, die, die, as you slew me, you testicle-less freak.”

  The insult enraged Becker, reminding him of the jocks who had bullied him in school when he was younger. Now it was thumping its chest at him in triumph because—

  “You don’t even have a body,” Becker retorted. “Never mind no balls. You have nothing. You’re here at my sufferance only.”

  “Let me be,” the alien said.

  “What are you? How are you alive? How are you even part of me?”

  “I just need a little space,” wheedled the alien. “Give me these few brain cells. That’s all I need to exist. In exchange, I’ll help you when the time comes.”

  “No,” Becker said. “You’re out of here, dude.”

  “Do you want me to say I’m sorry for calling you testicles-less, you little freak?”

  Becker could feel it mocking him. He thus collected what reserves of energy he could, which were few, to be sure, and he struck at the alien telepathically.

  “Stop that!” the alien thing squealed. “I am from the planet Ector, which orbited a pulsar. There is so much I can tell you and show you. If you want chicks, the human that gave me life knows much more about how to deal with the opposite sex than you do. You’re a failure and a fool when it comes to women.”

  Instead of listening, Becker lashed out with dominating bolts at the alien thing in his mind.