“For a computer, you seem uncommonly verbose and odd.”

  “Sir,” Galyan said from beside the captain’s chair, “I’m detecting motes heading up from the planet. There is also a ray beaming—our shield stopped it.”

  “What is this?” Maddox said. “Are you attempting to put us all to sleep again? Are you sending more Inquisitors to do whatever it is through telepathic thought?”

  Omegan took several seconds to answer. “You are wearing a metal band around your head, an anti-telepathy shield. How interesting, Captain. Is that in order to stop any telepathic thoughts directed at you?”

  Maddox remained silent.

  “I don’t need your mind,” Omegan said. “Those around you will work well enough for what I have in store.”

  “If you make the attempt to use others and fail, you will cease. You surely realize the disruptor cannon is ready for firing. Keith, is it aimed at the planet?”

  “Aye, sir, it is,” Keith said.

  “Aim it at Omegan,” Maddox said.

  “Done, sir,” Keith said, who tapped the control board.

  “I perceive your threat and it is valid,” Omegan said.

  “Sir,” Galyan said, “the motes are no longer climbing. They have turned and are heading down to the planet. I no longer detect the planetary ray hitting our shield.”

  “You see, Captain,” Omegan said. “I’m doing as you wish. There is no reason for hostility between us.”

  “I and a few others are coming down to you,” Maddox said.

  “Why is that?” asked Omegan. “Are you planning to bring antimatter bombs with you?”

  “No.”

  “Maybe I won’t let the Tarrypin land,” Omegan said.

  “You must decide that,” Maddox said. “We plan to land and use a portal to reach the Ruby Planet.”

  “You want my cooperation in other words,” Omegan said.

  “I do.”

  “I fear I have no reason to cooperate. Your hostility has closed doors, or in this instance, portals for you, Captain.”

  “You might want to reconsider,” Maddox said. “If you refuse to open the way, or if you open the way and later do not let us return to you, Keith will destroy you.”

  “Do such a thing, Captain, and the Seekers will destroy the Commonwealth.”

  “There are no Seekers,” Maddox said.

  “Have you checked?” Omegan asked. “Do you know this for sure?”

  “I don’t know for sure,” Maddox said. “We wish to return to the Ruby Planet. After our visit there, we will leave you intact and in peace. At that point, we will leave the rogue planet.”

  “I see,” Omegan said. For several seconds, it said nothing more. Then, “I find your deal acceptable. I await the Tarrypin’s arrival with anticipation. Come when you are ready, Captain.”

  -45-

  Maddox called a conference, but it was not in the conference chamber. It was in the hangar bay near the Tarrypin. Attending the conference were Meta, Ludendorff, Riker, and Maddox himself. They stood around cases and stands of weaponry, battle armor, grenades, medical equipment, and other apparatus. Ludendorff displayed his new gear on a separate table, including the teleportation device.

  “I’ve only tested it a little, but I’ve teleported a few times from one end of the spaceship to the other,” Ludendorff said. “So far, everything works, and the energy requirements are exactly as I predicted they should be.”

  “That’s outstanding work, and I’m frankly amazed,” Maddox said. “However, I think it will be wiser to take the Tarrypin down than to teleport directly there.”

  “Agreed,” Ludendorff said, patting the teleporter. “I’ll keep this a surprise. It will be our ace card.”

  Maddox turned to the others. “We have four anti-telepathy bands.” He lifted one, a silver headband with a small box of circuitry attached. “Ludendorff, Meta and I have used these in the past against Captain Becker and his Liss overlords. They worked, and by God’s grace, they will work just as well against Omegan. We don’t know if Omegan utilizes Yon Soth brain pieces as we’ve seen computers do on Kregen, but it could and now we’re prepared for it.”

  Maddox studied the others. “The plan is to use one of Omegan’s portals to the Ruby Planet. We’ve been calling them Yon Soth portals, but now that I’ve had time to think about it, these are different.”

  “How so?” asked Ludendorff.

  “The old Yon Soth portals were passages from place to place with long dark tubes or tunnels connecting the entrance and exit. Here, a portal opens, showing a direct link to the other place. One need merely step through instead of flying or falling through long dark passages.”

  “I wonder the reason for the difference,” Ludendorff said.

  “I was hoping you could enlighten us.”

  Ludendorff pursed his lips. “Perhaps they’re modifications to the Yon Soth portals. Or perhaps they’re something new altogether, although I tend to think not. I suspect Yon Soth mentality or technology behind much of what is going on. Perhaps the Yon Soths have engineered this evil twist to Builder plans.”

  “Perceived Builder plans,” Maddox corrected.

  “I can accept that,” Ludendorff said. “I’ve been intuiting much of this through my dreams—”

  “Please,” Maddox said, interrupting. “I know you’re inordinately proud that you dreamed some of this, but let’s not belabor the point.”

  “And why do you think I’m proud of the dreams, my boy?”

  “Come on,” Riker said, “you know why? That is what Maddox has done many times. Now you’re a little more like him. Isn’t that what you secretly desire?”

  “Now see here, my boy, I’m my own man, and I do things my own way. I’m sure you will all attest to that.”

  “Right you are, Professor,” Maddox said. “You’re your own man.”

  “You’re saying there aren’t any similarities to the way Maddox has done things in the past?” Meta asked.

  “It’s sheerest coincidence,” Ludendorff said airily.

  Maddox looked away, bored by the discussion. He noticed Galyan watching in ghost mode from farther away as the holoimage eavesdropped on them.

  Did Galyan notice Maddox noticing? It was possible. This was a habit Galyan had been finding hard to overcome. Was that showing independence or rebellion? Well, this was his starship, wasn’t it? So it behooved him to overhear a few times, particularly if there was danger for four of his best friends. Therefore, he continued to watch, and he didn’t feel guilty about it.

  Maddox cleared his throat “Changing subject, I don’t think we should use the powered battle suits. We don’t know how traveling through the portals will act on them.”

  “I agree,” Ludendorff said. “There could be odd energy fluctuations from some of the places.”

  “Could you be more specific?” Maddox said. “I ask because it seems you’ve detected something.”

  Ludendorff nodded. “There were oddities on the Ruby Planet. One aspect was mental dampening. That dampening might include… flux deactivators, possibly. That sort of thing could short out battle suit circuitry.”

  “Given that,” Maddox said, “do you suggest we take chemical slug throwers or blasters as our main armament?”

  “Blasters, as they use a fundamental power source, less easily tampered with.”

  Maddox looked around. “Any other suggestions?”

  “Are you taking your monofilament blade?” Meta asked.

  “It’s already in the boot where it belongs. Any other thoughts?”

  “I suggest we take a few grenades. I’ll also bring a few medical supplies,” Ludendorff said. “A lot of this hinges on the Ardazirhos. I have drugs that will weaken their will if they prove resistant to our ideas.”

  “We want them to do this on their own free will if we can get it,” Maddox said.

  “Of course that’s true,” Ludendorff said. “The drugs are backup, nothing more.”

  “We’ll take these armor vests, visors and comm packs.” Maddox went on, choosing items and breathing apparatus. “Are there any other thoughts or suggestions before we go?”

  “This is a wild mission,” Riker said. “We’ve turned one hundred and eighty degrees from what we were going to do just a short while ago.”

  “True,” Maddox said. “We’re using the Professor’s dreams, intuition and logical deductions. He was right about Leviathan warships in orbit here. Perhaps as telling, Omegan was changing its song even as I debated with it. Therefore, I think the Professor is right about the rest.”

  “Does that mean the Supreme Intelligence is a traitor?” Riker asked.

  Ludendorff cleared his throat. “I suspect the Leviathan virus assault is the key to what happened with the Supreme Intelligence. We could call Ural, I suppose, and ask for clarification. But if we do, and the Supreme Intelligence overhears, which I deem likely, we may be putting Ural’s life in danger if the computer entity turned traitor, as you say.”

  “When this is all done,” Maddox said, “we’ll go to the Library Planet and check on Ural and the Supreme Intelligence.”

  “Before we do any of that,” Ludendorff said, “we must determine if there are Seekers, Destroyers of the Nameless Ones or nothing of the sort out here.”

  “What’s this?” Maddox asked. “You’re changing your tune? Before, you said there was no chance of Seekers. Now you think there are Seekers?”

  “I give that a low probability,” Ludendorff said. “But in this,” he shrugged, “how can one be a hundred percent certain?”

  “I accept that. This is the last chance to add something we haven’t covered.”

  No one said anything else.

  “All right then,” Maddox said, “let’s do this.”

  -46-

  Ten minutes later, Maddox gave instructions to Galyan, which included, “Do not leave the starship. Make doubly certain you do not go past the new force field. Behind it, you’re protected. Beyond it, Omegan might be able to corrupt you. How it would do that, I cannot say.”

  “I understand, and I wish you luck, sir.”

  “One last thing,” Maddox said.

  “Yes, sir?” Galyan asked.

  “I saw you watching us. Don’t think I don’t know you were listening.”

  “Sir?” Galyan said, as if aghast.

  “No,” Maddox said, “don’t even try. Just admit it and it will go better for you.”

  “Yes, sir,” Galyan said with a hangdog look. “I was listening.”

  “All right. I’d give you a slap on the back and shake your hand, but I will merely give you a salute,” which Maddox did. He then turned to Valerie and gave her instructions on how long they were to wait and what to do if any enemy vessels showed up.

  “Here’s the key,” Maddox said, “do not listen to anything Omegan tells you. I’d prefer you only send messages and avoid any other communication. Do not accept any messages from it. I believe the ancient computer is tricky. I believe it will try to use images of us to deceive you. Do not act on any such messages.”

  “Even an SOS from you, sir?” asked Valerie.

  “Anything,” Maddox said.

  “Will the Professor’s teleportation device allow him to pass through our improved force field?” Valerie asked.

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” Ludendorff said, who had just walked up.

  “Good point,” Maddox told Valerie. “Here’s the signal to drop the shield momentarily so we can teleport through.” He gave her the call sign.

  “Got it,” Valerie said.

  “If for any reason you must leave the rogue planet,” Maddox said, “first destroy Omegan with the disruptor cannon.”

  “But sir,” Valerie said, “that would strand you on the planet.”

  “Not necessarily,” Maddox said. “We will have other means of escape.”

  “You’re not going to tell me what that is?” Valerie asked.

  “Given what we’re attempting, that might be unwise. I implore you to follow these directions implicitly.”

  “Implore, sir?” Valerie asked. “You do not command it?”

  “Of course, it is a command, but I ask these things because I believe our lives depend on how well you obey the orders.”

  “I see.” Valerie stared at Maddox. “You want me to obey strictly when you often take great liberties.”

  “Yes, commander, that is what I’m saying. I know you might find that difficult, but I am trying to take your dislike of that into consideration.”

  Valerie smiled faintly. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate at least that much.”

  “Commander,” Maddox said, “you are one of my best officers. Our missions often depend upon what you do and decide. Your decision-making skills are exquisite, and I have written that in many of my commendations for you. Therefore, do not think that I consider you second-rate or just some adjutant. You are a key component to the success of our missions, and I suspect it is going to be the same this time. Please accept that as it is meant, in a most heartfelt manner.”

  “Why, thank you, sir,” Valerie said, seemingly taken aback. Did it melt some of her resentment against Maddox? Possibly. Time would tell.

  In any case, Maddox gave some final instructions. Then he, Meta, Riker, and Ludendorff filed aboard the Tarrypin.

  Ludendorff piloted, guiding the darter from the hangar bay deck and through the open hatch. Soon they crossed the new improved shield that was protecting the starship from Omegan. All of them already wore their headbands with the units buzzing, protecting them from any enemy telepathy.

  “I feel like my head is shivering,” Riker complained.

  “That’s part of it,” Maddox said. “Don’t shut the headband off for any reason, even if some hidden voice is telling you to—especially not then. Only take it off when we’re back aboard Victory.”

  “Yes, sir,” Riker said.

  Each put on a helmet, a vacc suit helmet next, hiding the fact he or she wore the anti-telepathy band.

  The journey down was uneventful. Soon, they emerged through the vast cloud cover and saw the wrecked assault vessel of Leviathan on the surface below.

  Ludendorff suggested they inspect the wreck more closely.

  Maddox countermanded that. “We must do this as fast as we dare. So, full speed ahead.”

  They landed where they had before. Ludendorff shut down everything. The four of them exited the darter in their vacc suits, climbing down the ladder. As before, they walked single file across the stony ground, heading toward a dim cavern. There was no light showing this time. Before, Omegan had shined brightly from within.

  They entered the vast cavern, and now ahead dimly stood the great four-story cube. Maddox led until he had to crane his head sharply to see the top of Omegan.

  “We’re here,” Maddox said through an outer speaker on the vacc suit. “It is time to keep your agreement.”

  The giant cube activated and shone so brightly that all the visor polarizers went into a deep shade to block the brilliance. The side of Omegan began to swirl with hypnotic patterns.

  “Hello, Captain Maddox,” Omegan said in a sardonic voice.

  All of them stood silent, watching.

  “Are you well, Captain?”

  “I’m fine,” Maddox said. “If this is a show of your ability to work with us, it is badly failing. It’s clear you’re attempting to hypnotize us through whatever effects you used last time. I suggest you cease immediately.”

  Nothing changed on the swirling cube.

  Maddox drew and raised a blaster. “Or we can start dismantling you now, if you wish.”

  “I wouldn’t, if I were you, Captain. Take a look behind you, please.”

  Maddox turned. Huge robots stood behind them, with weapons aimed at them.

  “A Mexican standoff,” Maddox said. “Is that what you’re suggesting?”

  “I do not understand the reference,” Omegan said.

  “It doesn’t matter. You know the costs of this, but I’ll reiterate. Kill or incapacitate us, and Victory will annihilate you. The choice is yours. Work with us and you get to survive.”

  “You have not given me your word that I will survive,” Omegan said.

  “I give it now,” Maddox said. “If we survive and return to our ship, I will see that no harm comes to you from Victory.”

  “Do you give your word?” asked Omegan.

  “I do,” Maddox said.

  “But you are a notorious liar, and yet sometimes you scrupulously keep your word. Very well, since I do not wish for destruction at this juncture, and I cannot see whatever plan you have will succeed, what is it you want?”

  “Open a portal to the Ruby Planet. When we call, open a portal back into this area so we can return to our starship via the Tarrypin.”

  “And what if I send you elsewhere?” Omegan asked.

  “Cube, I don’t know why you’re stalling. Keep your end of the bargain and you will survive. If not, after a certain time, Victory will open fire against you.”

  “This is not what I had anticipated, Captain. I do not allow others to use my portals willy-nilly. They were created for my tests, not for something such as this. This is demeaning to the very essence of what I am.”

  Maddox shrugged. “I can call up and have Victory begin the annihilation now.”

  “What if you never return from the Ruby Planet?”

  “The disruptor beam comes after a certain amount of time has passed just as I said a moment ago. Unless you know of a way to destroy Victory, soon, you are about to die.”

  “I’m a machine,” Omegan said. “I cannot die.”

  “You will cease existence then,” Maddox said. “Whatever way you want to put it is fine with me. I suspect, though, if you are like others that we know, you will want to continue.”

  “I do want to continue. I am a great Precursor.”

  “Enough,” Ludendorff said. “Don’t give us stupid nonsense. You’re no Precursor. The Builders taught me. I know my galactic history much better than that.”