“I had some honey once, sir, just a little. It did something in my mind. I can feel the witches probing and trying to read our thoughts as we speak. I block them a little. I try to fight them. I can’t stand the light. It hurts my eyes now. It really hurts.”

  “All right,” Maddox said. “I appreciate what you’ve told me. You’ve given me what I need. Is there anything else out in the desert we don’t know about?”

  “Yes,” Eddings said. “Rare gems. They’re worth a fortune. Some call them singing gems. They have unique properties. They entertain and do something else I can’t remember. There are very few gems for sale, but those that are bring a fortune. Sometimes the Metamorphs have them, and that seems to increase the gestalt mind power. But that’s all I know, sir. Not too many people know that. I wasn’t supposed to have read what I did. I think the off-worlders that run the library discovered what I read. That’s why they sent me on the raid. Now that I look back, I didn’t volunteer. I was bullied into it. Sir, can I ever stop people from bullying me?”

  “You’ve gone through a horrible experience,” Maddox said. “You know the worst life can give you. Now it’s time to take the broken pieces and reassemble them so you’re the man you want to be.”

  “A man, sir? I can’t be a man anymore. I mean, not when I lost—”

  “It’s not just balls that make a man, though they certainly help,” Maddox said. “You lost something precious to a man. But you were born a man, a man you are, and a man you shall remain, unless you become a coward who utterly runs. I picked you for a reason. Do you know that Eddings?”

  “I’m beginning to understand that sir.”

  “Good. You hang in there. You keep recouping. When I ask for you to do a tough thing, you do it. That will go a long way to rebuilding the confidence that was shattered.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

  Maddox got up. He looked at Eddings hidden under the covers. “You hang in there, son. It’s going to be okay.”

  “You think so?”

  “I do, thanks for what you told me. It’s going to help.”

  “I’m going to keep back the witches for now, sir. They’re excited over what I just said. But I don’t think they’re going to remember as much as they think.”

  “You holler if they give you any guff,” said Maddox.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Maddox pointed at Gricks, nodding his thanks.

  Gricks grinned.

  Maddox stepped into the corridor. That was useful information. Now he needed to think about it and see what kind of plan he could get out of it.

  -48-

  It was during dusk as the bright sun-star sank below the horizon that Maddox received a summons from Ophir.

  Maddox left Dravek and the others in their quarters as he hurried down the long corridor. He wore the heavy pistol in its holster and the monofilament blade in his boot.

  As Maddox neared the forward control cabin, he sensed an intuitive…warning. There was danger ahead, he couldn’t tell from what, though. Maddox inhaled, trying to calm himself. It didn’t work as it usually did. The sense of danger increased.

  Maddox came to a halt in the corridor.

  He felt the dirigible’s steady thrum, a sign that the propellers continued to twirl. In some ways, it was like a spaceship’s thrum during space travel.

  Thinking of space, Maddox missed Galyan, Valerie, Ludendorff and Riker. Should he have brought Dravek along with him tonight? Would an extra gun avert his death if Ophir meant to assassinate him here? Ophir might try assassination to keep Julia from living longer. If Maddox wasn’t alive to trade his secret, Julia might soon die of old age. In such a case, Ophir could conceivably take her position as head of the clan.

  Maddox chewed on his lower lip. The sense of danger built into a nearly overwhelming pressure within.

  I’m being a fool, Maddox realized even as the sense of danger almost drove him to his knees.

  Maddox roved outward with his Balron-trained senses, seeing if he could pinpoint the danger. Vaguely, he was aware the danger came from far below in the desert. That meant Ophir had no part in the danger. Below was the desert, Metamorphs and a possible telepathic gestalt power.

  Abruptly, Maddox raised intuitive defenses like a mind shield. He felt then a questing mind seeking souls to devour.

  Was that the right way to think of it?

  Maddox had no idea. This mind felt like a Ska or a Yon Soth.

  He shuddered, finding both concepts horrible.

  Firming his resolve, seeking a serenity that wasn’t coming, Maddox continued down the corridor until he sought permission to enter the bridge.

  Ophir swiveled around in his seat, granting permission.

  Maddox walked into the control chamber, the dirigible bridge. The lights were dim. The consoles around the room glowed red and blue. The distant desert floor through the low wide window in front glowed with an eerie silver color. Motes of prismatic colors shimmered on the desert surface. Two moons glided in the dark sky, surrounded by stars that were just beginning to glitter.

  “A remarkable sight, eh?” asked Ophir.

  Maddox nodded mutely as the sense of threat grew worse. It felt as if missiles were ready to launch at the airship.

  Mara groaned, shivering, as she stood near Ophir.

  It was only then Maddox grew aware that two men held Mara up, one on either side of her. Sweat dotted her forehead. Her brown hair hung limply from her head as she continued to shiver.

  Ophir cast a nervous glance at her. Abruptly, Ophir stood. “Follow me,” he told Maddox.

  In his red robes, Ophir swirled through a hatch into a ready room. He went to a small desk, sitting behind it.

  The two guards brought Mara, setting her onto a chair before the desk.

  Maddox stepped through the hatch, standing to the side.

  “Care for a drink?” asked Ophir.

  “No thanks,” Maddox said.

  Ophir snapped his fingers at one of the guards. The man hurried to a wet bar, mixing a drink and bringing it to Ophir.

  He took it, sipping gingerly.

  Mara groaned again. Her eyes were screwed shut and she shivered constantly.

  “Close the door,” Ophir said.

  Maddox did.

  “Sit,” Ophir said, indicating another chair.

  Maddox went there, sitting, ill at ease.

  Ophir leaned back in his chair, staring at Mara and sipping his drink.

  The guard had retreated to Mara, standing behind her with the other guard. Both men wore red uniforms and had holsters on their black belts.

  “What’s happening to her?” Ophir asked Maddox.

  “How should I know?”

  “I suspect you of planning this.” Ophir said. “You spoke to the wretch who lies in his bed with the covers pulled over his head. He knew much more than I understood. Mara has been probing his mind from afar. The fool knows about a Metamorph mind fusion in this part of the world. They name themselves the Yun People.”

  Maddox shook his head.

  “Don’t lie to me, Maddox,” Ophir said. “Tell me what you know about the Yun People.”

  Maddox didn’t know if he should keep his eyes on the guards or Ophir. Was this all an excuse to shoot him?

  Ophir must have divined his thoughts. “Wait outside.”

  The two guards hurried out as if they were glad to leave.

  Maddox frowned.

  “You’re too nervous about all this,” Ophir said. “I’m beginning to believe this isn’t your doing.”

  Maddox remained silent.

  “How old do think I am?”

  “Thirty, thirty-five,” Maddox said.

  Ophir barked laughter. “I’m one hundred and twelve. Does that surprise you?”

  “Very.”

  “I’ve made a study of people, their physical reactions, what they unknowingly give away about themselves. You’re good at hiding your intentions, but not perfect.”

  “Meaning what?” Maddox asked.

  “I know you’re afraid whereas before you showed courage. Did you know about the Metamorph mind fusion community?”

  “Not until Sub-Centurion Eddings told me about it.”

  “What do you fear?”

  Maddox stared at Ophir.

  “What has you worried?” Ophir amended.

  “You don’t want your grandma to survive much longer.”

  “Ah. You think I plan to assassinate you in order to forestall her continued rule?”

  “It’s a possibility,” Maddox said.

  “Why should you care? I thought you didn’t want to live anymore.”

  “Not as a slave to a depraved people.”

  “You refer to us Highlanders as being depraved?”

  “Most assuredly,” Maddox said.

  “This is interesting. You’ve suddenly dropped your pretenses. Why is that?”

  From her chair, Mara groaned once more.

  “What’s wrong with her?” Maddox asked.

  “I want you to tell me.”

  Maddox shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “Yet you’ve sensed something to cause you to fear.”

  “That isn’t how I’d say it,” Maddox replied.

  Mara’s eyes snapped open. She raised her head and turned to look at Maddox and then Ophir.

  “Her eyes,” Ophir said, finishing his drink in a gulp.

  Light or brightness shined from Mara’s eyes. At the same time, a terrible sense of wrongness filled the ready room. It radiated from Mara, but Maddox was sure it didn’t originate from her.

  Mara opened her mouth.

  Maddox found that his right hand was on the handle of his holstered pistol. He yearned to draw the gun and shoot Mara. He looked at Ophir. The man had clenched his right fist, aiming the ruby rings at her. He must feel the same thing from her.

  Maddox scowled, and then understanding hit him. “What are you?”

  Mara stared at him.

  “You’re using the woman,” Maddox said. “Well, you have our attention. Tell us what you want and then leave her mind.”

  Mara began to laugh with a dreadful sound.

  -49-

  Maddox understood what Ophir had said a moment ago about Mara’s eyes. They’d become shiny with a luminance, as if an inner fire burned in her.

  Mara’s laughter continued.

  It must have become too much for Ophir. Red rays from his rubies shined upon Mara. The rays stopped the barest fraction before touching her.

  “No!” Mara, or the thing controlling Mara, said abruptly. She raised an arm and pointed at Ophir.

  An eerie power struck Ophir, stopped by his personal force field.

  Mara scowled. “How is that possible?”

  “I’m wondering the same thing about you stopping my rings,” Ophir said.

  “Perhaps we could get down to basics,” Maddox said. “Let’s cease attacking each other, at least for the moment, and talk it over.”

  “Well?” Mara said in an impossibly deep voice as she stared at Ophir.

  “Agreed,” said Ophir.

  Mara lowered her arm. At least she was no longer laughing. “Who is in charge here?”

  “I am,” Ophir said.

  “You have ordered the…?” Mara frowned. Was the mental power that controlled her rifling through her memories? “You have ordered the airships over my territory?”

  “By territory, you mean the desert below?” Ophir asked.

  “And the air over the territory,” Mara said.

  “Before we continue our talk,” Maddox said, “it might be a good idea if we introduce ourselves. I’m Captain Maddox. That is Gallant Ophir. What should we call you?”

  “Mara.”

  “No,” Maddox said. “You’re an outside mental force originating from elsewhere. Mara’s voice is being used, but she isn’t the one speaking to us.”

  “Since you insist, I am the Yun.”

  “As in the Yun People?” asked Ophir.

  Mara turned to him. “I am speaking for the Yun.”

  “Ophir and I are individual entities,” Maddox said. “Are you the combined gestalt power of the Yun People?”

  “I have named myself,” Mara said. “That is enough. I have come seeking the leader of the…airships. I understand very well that you are individuals. And yet, you act for a greater whole. Whom shall I address here?”

  “That would still be me,” Ophir said.

  “Why does he speak then?” Mara asked, pointing at Maddox.

  Ophir made to sip from an empty glass, then set it down, annoyed. “Maddox is an advisor. He is helping me.”

  “I comprehend,” Mara said. “Now, I will know your intentions. Do you plan to land in my territory?”

  “That depends where it lies,” Ophir said. “Are you claiming the entire desert?”

  “This is the equatorial belt. I do claim it.”

  “We had planned on touching down for a few hours,” Ophir said. “Can we come to an accommodation?”

  “Possibly,” Mara said. “Tell me where exactly you wish to land.”

  “I’d tell the Yun People exactly where we plan to land,” Maddox said. “No tricks or dissembling.”

  Ophir studied the captain until he nodded. He gave the precise coordinates for the weapon site.

  “You seek an ancient thing,” Mara said. “Why do you seek it?”

  “We’re historians,” Maddox said. “We seek to learn about the past.”

  Mara’s eyes brightened with power. “You are a practiced deceiver. That was a lie. You seek a weapon. I know. I see it plainly in the woman’s mind.”

  “Do you mind if we take the weapon?” Maddox asked.

  “I would want an extraction fee for it.”

  “Money?” asked Maddox.

  “People,” Mara said. “I would demand…” She touched her fingers as if silently counting. “I would demand one hundred and fifty people.”

  “For what reason?” asked Ophir.

  “For my larder,” Mara said.

  Ophir glanced at Maddox. “What’s it talking about?”

  “The Yun Metamorphs eat humans,” Maddox said.

  “We eat all meat,” Mara said.

  Ophir blanched.

  Maddox expected Ophir to tell the Yun People to go to hell.

  Instead, Ophir said, “Make it seventy people and you have a deal.”

  “I have stated one hundred and fifty,” Mara said. “I am not a merchant to bicker about the price. It is final. How do you say? Take it or leave it.”

  “I’m not authorized to hand over one hundred and fifty Honey Men,” Ophir said smoothly.

  “Then I forbid you to land,” Mara said.

  “How will you stop us?” Ophir asked.

  “I can stop you any time I wish.”

  “Through missiles?” asked Maddox.

  “Or beams,” Mara said. “I have grown more sophisticated since the people of Eddings’ tale.”

  “Was the tale true?” asked Maddox.

  Ophir pressed a switch on his desk.

  “Yes, Gallant,” a woman said over the desk comm.

  “Take the airships higher,” Ophir said, “tell the weapons team to keep a strict watch for missiles launching from the desert. They’re to intercept them as soon as possible.”

  “I understand, Gallant,” the woman said over the desk comm.

  Mara was shaking her head. “That won’t help you.”

  “We’re going to turn around,” Ophir said. “You can keep your ancient weapon. We don’t need it that badly.”

  “I’m going to insist upon the bargain,” Mara said. “If you don’t agree and land, I will launch the missiles. You carry much feast meat. I desire it. Thus, before you leave my range, I will force your airships down. It is either that or you must make a bargain with me.”

  “One hundred and fifty men aren’t that many,” Maddox told Ophir.

  “I’ll give the desert people three of yours,” Ophir said.

  “Done,” Maddox said.

  Ophir frowned.

  Maddox tried to signal him on the sly.

  Suddenly, Ophir’s eyebrows lifted. “Yes. I agree. We will land—”

  “You are attempting to deceive me,” Mara said. “I am the Yun People. I refuse to accept such deception. Prepare to die.”

  “Why?” asked Maddox. “We’re going to land, and you’ll receive one hundred and fifty prime humans. You can fatten them for weeks or months. If you attack with missiles, much of your feast meat will perish in the explosions.”

  “Your airships are attempting to climb out of range,” Mara said.

  A light on Ophir’s desk began to blink. He clicked a switch.

  “Sir,” a woman said over the desk comm, “missiles are launching from the desert. They’re heading straight up for us.”

  “Are the counter-batteries aligned?” asked Ophir.

  “They are, Gallant.”

  Mara groaned, her eyes blinking as the glow from them ceased. At the same time, she slid bonelessly from the chair to the deck.

  Alarms rang in the airship. They were under attack.

  -50-

  Maddox raced out of the ready room with Ophir onto the bridge. The lighting was still dim here. That allowed Maddox to view the pinprick dots on the silvery desert surface far below. Those must be the missile launches.

  Maddox sidled to a weapons console. On the screen, he saw the rising missiles heading for the dirigibles. Counter-missiles were heading down. They were crude missiles and counter-rockets as compared to those on Victory, but they would do the job just the same.

  Maddox didn’t like the idea of resting his fate on the counter-missiles. The airship wasn’t like an armored starship with an electromagnetic shield. Here, thin material held the helium-filled cells.

  Maddox stepped quietly until he spoke to a guard near the exit hatch. “What are the procedures in case the airship is hit?”

  The guard shrugged, either not knowing or caring.

  Maddox stepped to a bridge officer, asking the same thing.

  The man shrugged. “We jump and hope our parachute works. Unfortunately, it’s death to land on the desert.”

  “Why is that?”

  “The sun kills at one hundred and fifty degrees during the middle of the day.”