“No,” Vane said. “I am speaking for the Ancients. Will you surrender to me?”

  “Why do you want me?” Maddox said.

  “I have my reasons.”

  “Explain them or lose me,” Maddox said.

  “You pathetic weasel,” Vane said. “Your plan is not going to work. I don’t know how you think to escape your fate, but you’re working on something. Could I have underestimated you?”

  “Why speak through War Master Vane?” Maddox said. “Talk to me directly.”

  “Oh, I shall. Very soon. You will learn to weep then.”

  “Sir,” Galyan said, “I suggest you break off the negotiations.”

  Maddox pointed at the comm officer and chopped his hand.

  The officer cut the connection to the Behemoth.

  “What is it, Galyan?” Maddox asked, swiveling around.

  “Keith,” Galyan said, ignoring the captain’s question. “We will use Plan Four.”

  “Roger that,” Keith said. “I’m starting on it.”

  The starship began another set of violent maneuvers, trying to keep ahead of the hunting maulers closing in from Leviathan.

  -56-

  Becker remained inside the Darter Tarrypin, which was in one of Victory’s hangar bays. The massive mutant had begun to wonder if he had made a huge mistake by coming aboard.

  The maulers had annihilated the task force and were now hunting down the remaining spaceships. The only thing saving Victory, the Hernan Cortes and the last escort vessels was the mass of junk in the Paran System. The maulers were removing much of that or blasting it out of existence. The giant assault vessels had also herded the Star Watch ships like wolves bracketing deer. After much twisting and turning, the end was at most a few minutes away.

  Becker stood because his stomach had become queasy. He ripped off his beach-towel kilt to wipe the sweat dripping from his face. He’d exerted himself tremendously in the past hour. He needed to sleep, no, hog out and sleep and then hog out once he woke up.

  “Becker,” Honey said.

  He accepted a cold mug of milk from her and gulped it down, leaving a milk stain on his chin.

  Honey used a sleeve, arching up on her toes to wipe that from his face.

  “What do you think?” Becker asked her.

  Honey frowned briefly. “I don’t understand.”

  Becker didn’t want to ask her if she thought they would live. That might be too much pressure for her pretty little noggin. He was the man. It was up to him whether his lovely harem survived this or not.

  “Think, Becker,” he told himself.

  “Do you want more milk?” Honey asked.

  Becker looked at her and didn’t understand right away. He nodded a moment later.

  Honey took the empty mug and hurried away.

  Becker loved watching her ass sway as she walked. Honey truly was his favorite. How could he ensure she loved him for who he truly was instead of through telepathic manipulation?

  Becker shook his head. He needed to concentrate on the majors and leave the minors for later. But he couldn’t concentrate on anything, and then Honey returned.

  He took the mug and drained it. That helped his burning maw of a stomach that seemed to need nourishment every second of the day.

  “Make sure the others don’t bother me,” Becker said.

  Honey took the mug, nodded and shooed the other two from the small bridge.

  Becker began to pace, worrying his massive hands over each other. After the second pass, he wrapped the beach towel around his waist and pinned it. He felt more committed when he at least wore something.

  The Seventh Assault Fleet had almost finished off the Star Watch vessels. It had done all this because the fleet could block jump, hyper-spatial tubes and long-range Builder communications. Therefore, in order to survive—

  “Yeah,” Becker whispered. “I should have already seen this.”

  He crammed his broad backside into the command chair and closed his eyes. He roved mentally to the Behemoth and studied the inhibitor. He didn’t understand any of it—

  I can’t shut down all the inhibitors. But maybe I can create the situation that will allow Maddox to make the hyper-spatial tube anyway.

  Or would it be better to use the star-drive jump to get away?

  No. If we don’t get to Earth now, Star Watch will be finished forever.

  It wasn’t that Becker was sentimental about the organization. It was that he was sure Leviathan would make a mess of this region of space. He doubted Leviathan would try to set up shop here for the long haul. That meant wiping everything out around here. That could all too easily include him. Besides, if he was going to be an independent player, he needed civilizations around him so he had people to work with.

  Becker sighed.

  He opened his eyes, cracked his knuckles and then closed his eyes again. He concentrated this time, summoning or gathering his mental powers. It was getting harder because he needed rest, a big one. But this was his final move, as far as he could tell.

  Maddox, Becker thought.

  In a moment, Becker sensed the captain. Maddox couldn’t do telepathy the same way he could, not so directly. But the captain could receive impressions.

  If I get us out of here, will you help me remain free with my women?

  Becker sensed a big time yes from Maddox. The captain was willing to deal because he wanted his daughter and wife to survive. That was the ticket.

  Get ready then, Becker told him telepathically. I’m going to open the hyper-spatial tube to the Barnard’s Star System.

  Maddox didn’t spend time asking if that was possible. He agreed in his non-telepathic way.

  Now, Becker used a combination of telekinetic and telepathic powers. This was a strange blend of mental activity, but he was getting better at it.

  Becker was also aware that Maddox called the Hernan Cortes. The two starships began to work through gases and debris, doubling back without having the maulers spot them. This approach would not last for last long.

  Time was almost up for those two ships. The last Star Watch escort had been annihilated. The battleship and Adok starship were the last two vessels left from the task force.

  Becker groaned aloud as he strove with his mental strength. He almost literally shoved the hyper-spatial tube open to Barnard’s Star. Pain like fire flared in his mind. He couldn’t do this for long or he’d give himself an aneurysm.

  “Please,” Becker pleaded, as tears leaked from his squeezed shut eyes. He strove harder.

  As Becker sat in the chair, he dimly perceived Victory and the Hernan Cortes speeding to the opening. Twelve maulers gave chase, their heavy lasers spearing and hitting the shields of the two vessels. Victory was slightly in the lead.

  “Hurry,” Becker groaned. He couldn’t keep the way open for long. The inhibitors were too powerful, pressing against the opening.

  Becker sensed frustration in War Master Vane. He didn’t know who was frustrated with the cyber—

  BECKER.

  The single word shouted in his mind. That came from Venna, no, it came from something else, something weirdly alien inside Venna.

  DON’T DO THIS, BECKER. I WILL GRANT YOU LIFE IF YOU CLOSE THE WAY AND LEAVE THESE TWO WARSHIPS TO ME.

  Becker had time for a single laugh. Then, Victory plunged through the hyper-spatial tube opening.

  In his mind, Becker saw what was happening.

  The thing in Venna—or was it Venna?—screamed bloody rage at him. It promised vile and strange punishments when next they met.

  In a telepathic way, Becker gave the alien thing from Ector the bird, the middle finger. Man, but that felt good. Then…Becker swooned, or fainted, take your pick, and crashed against the darter deck, unconscious.

  -57-

  War Master Vane swore an angry oath as he watched Victory and one of the Conqueror-class battleships dart into a hyper-spatial tube opening, which should not have been possible. He turned to the inhibitor technician. “What happened? Did the inhibitor cease working?”

  “No, War Master, the inhibitor is working fine.” The tech checked his board before looking up again. “In truth, several inhibitors are in operation. What we witnessed is scientifically impossible.”

  Venna and Mu traded glances from on the dais.

  Senior Dax observed it all, even as he continued to recite mathematical formulas to himself.

  “No,” Venna said in anguish, “no, I sensed, I sensed her aboard Victory.”

  “Her?” Mu whispered.

  “The Iron Lady,” Venna said. “She must die. We must—”

  Venna started coughing. She continued and doubled over, collapsing onto the dais floor as she kept coughing.

  “Quickly,” Mu told Dax, “help me pick her up.”

  Dax hurried to Mu. Together, straining, they lifted the sinister old hag until she stood upright. Venna was much heavier than she appeared. Her skin was unexpectedly rough as well.

  “I must recover, I must feed,” Venna said in a hoarse, evil voice.

  Dax shuddered because he knew what that entailed.

  “Can you go alone to the saucer, or should we all go?” Mu asked.

  Venna raised glowering eyes upon Mu. “No, you must stay and monitor the War Master. We mustn’t let him chase Maddox to the Barnard’s Star System yet; it’s too soon.” Venna panted as the eyes rolled in her head. “Listen, Mu, we must destroy Earth, everything on it. They murdered my family, they destroyed them, my sons, everyone. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” Mu said.

  Dax didn’t, but he was listening and learning.

  “I’ll do this myself.” Venna straightened, starting for the steps that led off the dais. She stopped, turned and glowered sinisterly at Mu.

  Dax heard War Master Vane order his aides to send messages to the other maulers. The fleet would use the hyper-spatial tube—

  In the midst of the orders, the tube opening disintegrated.

  “What caused that?” Vane shouted. “Why did the opening appear and why then did it close just before we could use it? I’m issuing new orders. Cease all inhibitors. We must follow the enemy to the Barnard’s Star System.”

  “War Master,” Mu said, “Great Leviathan wishes for you to consolidate your fleet before you head for Barnard’s Star and then Earth.”

  Vane glared at Mu as if he would order her off the command dais.

  Mu concentrated, likely using her Builder modifications to influence his thinking.

  Almost immediately, Vane’s metallic features smoothed out. “Yes, yes, consolidate. We have achieved a maximum victory. We have smashed the task force, but a few slipped away. They will tell others about this and the inhibitors. We must regroup and then attack.”

  “Yes,” Mu said, “Great Leviathan desires that you regroup first. Afterward, you must wait until the lady returns.”

  The War Master turned. All on the dais did.

  Venna climbed down the dais steps and shuffled across the bridge to the exit.

  Vane nodded. “I will listen to the after-action reports, and give the repair teams time to fix any battle damage to the maulers. We must also prepare in case Star Watch launches a surprise attack on us here. It should not be possible…” He scowled at the inhibitor operator. “Later, we shall have a discussion about your failure.”

  The operator nodded as he began to tremble.

  Vane looked elsewhere and began to issue orders fast and furiously.

  Dax noticed that Mu wasn’t looking at any small screen and therefore wasn’t focused on him. He stopped the math formulas and thought this through. With Venna gone—this was an interesting moment. He should use it.

  “Great Mu,” he said.

  Mu turned suspiciously to him. “I am not great. I am an adept of the Surveyor class. You think I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I do. You’re going to try to worm your way out of the situation. Don’t bother, as it will not work.”

  “I do want to survive,” Dax said. “And I’m glad the battle went so well. But what’s the purpose of prematurely attacking Star Watch like this?”

  Mu hesitated before she said, “Venna has her reasons.”

  “That’s just it,” Dax said. “What are her reasons? What does she hope to achieve? The outburst we heard just before she left, is that any indication of her ultimate goal?”

  “You seek to know more than you should,” Mu chided.

  Dax ignored that. This was the moment. He realized that without a doubt. He needed to exploit it while he could. “Mu, Venna was our tool, but she’s changed horribly. I know something about Ector and the lost Aetharians. They were an ancient race with a sinister reputation. The shards have infected Venna and have granted her awful powers. What happens next? Is this war what the Spacers want? I know this isn’t what Great Leviathan wants, a piecemeal assault. He wants the Commonwealth smashed in one gigantic blow as all the assault fleets attack in tandem.”

  Mu stared at him through her black-tinted goggles.

  “None of this is proceeding according to Great Leviathan’s plan,” Dax said. “Venna has unleashed the Seventh Assault Fleet prematurely. All six assault fleets need to attack at the same time in various star systems. That isn’t happening, which means this single assault is a terrible mistake. What do you Spacers want from all this?”

  Mu became thoughtful then stared at the War Master.

  Dax began to believe he could escape his awful predicament.

  “Do not think it, do not believe it,” Mu said.

  “We have a common cause,” Dax said in as coldly logical voice as he could. “You saw what Venna has done. Do you want to serve the evil hag the rest of your life?”

  Mu stared at him shrewdly, perhaps even angrily. “Speak no more about this. I must think, and you must be ready to serve the Spacers in whatever capacity I deem fit.”

  “I can serve them better if I have the hope of leaving some day,” Dax said.

  Mu made a noise that could have meant anything.

  Dax looked away, longing to be free.

  “You will never be free,” Mu said.

  Dax wondered at her venom, why she was so angry with him. He began reciting the mathematical equations, trying to submerge the hope stirring in him. His words might have struck home with Mu, and he didn’t want anything to interfere with those words having their effect on her.

  -58-

  A little over a half-hour later, Venna ran up the dais steps, rejoining them. Cyber officers watched her, as she moved like the Venna of yore. She even flounced before War Master Vane.

  “Are you ready to commence the attack?” Venna asked in a sultry voice.

  Vane stared at her before saying, “The repair teams need more time to complete their tasks.”

  “No, no,” Venna said. “Surely you realize now is the moment to strike. You must attack before Star Watch can gather its forces.”

  Vane frowned. “I have been thinking.”

  The way the War Master said that alerted Venna, Mu and Dax.

  “I haven’t heard from the other assault fleets,” Vane said. “I am the coordinator of the massed assault against Star Watch. I should have received—”

  “War Master,” Venna said, interrupting him. “You are not the coordinator of the massed assault. I am the coordinator, and I have already launched the other assault fleets.”

  “Can this be so?” Vane asked.

  Venna glanced at Mu.

  Mu stood very still.

  Dax realized that was a sign Mu was using her Builder modifications on the War Master.

  Soon, Vane began to nod. “I realize this is so.”

  “Good,” Venna said. “We must immediately head to the Barnard’s Star System. From there, we will jump to the Solar System and smash Earth. I mean for you to destroy everything on the third planet. That is imperative. I want all the world-burners launched at Earth so it is seared to its bedrock.”

  “I do not understand the logic of your last command,” Vane said. “Surely we must defeat Star Watch’s Grand Fleet first.”

  “That is the secondary goal,” Venna said. “The first is smashing Earth. By doing that we take the heart out of the Commonwealth.”

  Venna gave Mu a secret signal that even Dax recognized.

  Once more, Mu concentrated.

  Dax could actually see the conflict taking place in Vane, as it showed on his cyber face. At last, he exhaled and took a step back.

  “Yes, I understand,” Vane said. “All the assault fleets have launched. We must attack and smash the Grand Fleet. As we do, the world-burners will fall on Earth.”

  “Give your orders, War Master,” Venna said. “Prepare the way to the Barnard’s Star System.”

  Vane turned and began to do just that.

  Venna moved closer to Mu.

  Dax perked up, even as he continued to recite math equations to shield his inner thoughts.

  “Great One,” Mu said. “Is that a wise order? Shouldn’t Vane first destroy the Grand Fleet and then bombard Earth?”

  “Listen,” Venna hissed, “Earth is the key. That is where those who killed my family originated. We must destroy Earth even if the entire Seventh Assault Fleet is destroyed doing it. As long as Earth burns, burns down to the bedrock. That is the answer.”

  “Excuse me, Great One,” Dax said.

  Both women turned and frowned at him.

  “Have all the assault fleets truly been launched?” Dax asked.

  “Why is he speaking?” Venna asked, turning to Mu.

  “I can silence him forever,” Mu said, “if that is your wish, Great One.”

  Venna cocked her head, and shook it a moment later. “No, he may still be of use. We may need to know more, and—never mind. That is for later. First, we must destroy Earth and the Grand Fleet with it.”

  Mu glanced at Dax before regarding Venna. “May I ask, Great One, are the other assault fleets also launching?”

  “What do you think?” Venna said.

  “I don’t know,” Mu said. “I don’t recall that you gave such an order.”

  Venna shook her beautiful locks. “It doesn’t matter. After all these centuries, the ones who destroyed my family are dying. Then we shall awaken the Old Ones. Yes, then we shall awaken the Masters. Then—” Venna laughed with delight. “We shall bring such a turnaround that will spin your head, Mu. You have no idea what it is I’ve planned.”