Anakron had received a request to meet with Bethon. He was greeted cordially by the Admiral.

"Lord Anakron. Please come in," Bethon said inviting him into his office.

"I have many duties to attend, Admiral, I assume this is in regard to an urgent matter," Anakron replied to keep the meeting as abbreviated as possible. He was not pleased to by in Bethon's company.

"It's a matter of some importance. Please be seated."

Anakron took a chair and waited without comment. The pregnant silence grew between them. Bethon was aware that Anakron would have examined Tajlon and discovered all that had transpired.

"Let's get the matter of Tajlon out of the way first, shall we?" Bethon offered.

"There's nothing you can say to me that will mitigate your actions. I accept that the ancients have dealt with you. It's done," Anakron replied.

"Still, we have to find a common ground to work together. We're at war with two factions."

"Get to the point then. Tell me what you have to say.".

"It’s complicated. You should know two of your subjects from Beldora, Hal and Greyla, were caught snooping about in the vaults while we were in the officer's council meeting earlier today," Bethon said. "I'm giving them the opportunity to buy back their freedom and work off their sentences by helping us fight the demon among other things."

“Seems reasonable," Anakron said and nodded.

"Hal tells me the demon holds a deep hatred for Tajlon’s pet leopard, Nova. I want to use the leopard as bait to lure the demon into a trap. Hate can be a great weapon.”

Anakron gave Bethon a caustic glare. “It can indeed.”

Bethon ignored the animosity between them and continued. “As a matter of courtesy, I wanted to get your input first. I understand Widbho has the leopard’s original files and can regenerate him.”

“Have you spoken to Widhbo and confirmed this?” Anakron asked.

“I have and he has agreed to do so, but only with your blessing.” Bethon cocked one eyebrow. “Widhbo told me he considers himself to be under your jurisdiction as his experiences in this dimension originated on Beldora.”

"I only spoke to him briefly at the conference, but I accept his fealty.” Anakron smiled at Bethon’s irritation in coming to him for permission as protocol demanded. “It would cheer Tajlon up to have Nova back. I’ll speak to him about it. As long the leopard is protected, I see no harm in it.”

Tajlon had been in a melancholy mood at best, homesick for the world he was forced to leave so abruptly. Anakron hoped having Nova by his side might restore some balance to the ill-fated existence Tajlon had thrust upon him.

“You must convince Tajlon to agree. We’ll need full cooperation from the leopard. To be honest, I’m not sure how reliable the plan is." Bethon paced the floor as he talked, making no effort to disguise his concern. “My head is on the block if I fail this venture.”

"I don’t see anyone standing in line for your position, Admiral. I certainly wouldn’t want it,” Anakron spoke in a jesting voice which belied his sincerity. “Killing the demon is a formidable task, but I suspect both Tajlon and Nova will want their revenge if nothing else."

"The war council convenes again this evening to complete our plans. We must have a feasible strategy before presenting to Balevendro at the conference tomorrow. I want the leopard on board by then."

“I’ll see what I can do. What are your thoughts regarding the BakoNaat pirates?”

"As soon as we obtain more fuel, I can take them on. The Sora crew members have promised to help with that as well. They may earn their keep after all."

“I can see they are quite resourceful. The fact they survived thus far is amazing,” Anakron said. “Living as a mortal makes one pragmatic and creative. They are not used to having a safety net. One life lost and the game is over.”

“I appreciate the fight in them. The elders here have lost their taste for danger. Centuries of artifice dulls the mind and blunts the edge of even the sharpest intellect. I think that’s why I do it,” Bethon confessed. “Pain and strife preserve my essence. Reminds me of who I really am. Drinking is simply the means to that end.”

“Then perhaps this demon is the just the cure you need,” Anakron said and took his leave without waiting to be dismissed.

* * *

Anakron returned to his ship straight away to discuss the new development with Tajlon.

"I won’t let them use Nova like that.” Tajlon protested. “Bethon would sacrifice him without a care.”

“We would certainly have to protect him,” Anakron said. ”I don’t trust Bethon either.”

“You know how badly I want Nova back, but I won’t let him do this alone.”

“What are you proposing?” Anakron asked.

“I have the guardchev. I could share its protection with Nova. It may be possible to regenerate him inside of me.”

“Bind you together?”

“Yes, I think Widhbo could do it. He combined with Nova himself or the Sora. It shouldn’t be much different to combine me with Nova, perhaps even easier.”

“This will be dangerous for you, Tajlon," Anakron warned, hesitant to agree to such a risky experiment.

“I’m willing to take the chance. We have to fight the demon sooner or later. The longer we wait, the more powerful he becomes."

“I don’t like it, but our choices are limited.” Anakron relented.

"Nova has the same digitalized memories as I do. If he were to be exposed to the elders unguarded, it would be disastrous at best.”

Anakron moved toward the door. “We don’t have much time. Let’s talk to Widhbo.”

They left Anakron's ship and Tajlon led the way to the guest quarters on the Moz Lidule where the others were staying. Tajlon buzzed the intercom at the door, a recent addition.

Widhbo answered, "Hello? Who is it?"

"Lord Anakron. Tajlon is with me.”

"What a pleasant surprise. Come in, come in."

They found Widhbo lounging on Etaine's green sofa juggling little balls of energy and bouncing them off the walls.

“I’m so glad to have company. Here all alone. I haven't seen anyone in hours.”

“Hal and Greyla were caught in the vaults and are now under the Admiral’s thumb,” Tajlon said.

“I warned them not to go off the guest grid. So fractious." Widhbo stopped juggling and let the balls return to him. They seamlessly absorbed back into his energy being.

Tajlon laughed. “I’ve never seen you do that before.”

“Never was so bored I wanted to.” Widhbo replied with a sideways glance at the hidden monitors. “We’re all about to be annihilated. I know I should be doing something, yet here I am, lolling about in the guest quarters. Even dying is boring here.”

“Well, we have a job for you now. We need your help to regenerate Nova," Anakron said.

“I would love to see him again, but I’m surprised the admiral would allow him on board. When he approached me on the subject, I suspected he really just wanted to know which files I’m sitting on.”

“They plan to bait the demon with the leopard. He wants to use the demon’s hatred of Nova to lead him away from us.” Anakron paused. "It's a dangerous ploy."

"Well that explains Bethon’s interest. I think it’s grand idea. Not so good for Nova. Why does the demon hate Nova?."

"I'm pretty sure he hates me more. Regardless, I want Nova contained inside of my physical signature when he’s restored,” Tajlon said. “Can you do it?”

“I could. It will be a little crowded in there,” Widbho cautioned. “I speak from experience you know. He’s a rowdy roommate.”

“I’ll deal with it. He needs the protection of my guardchev.”

“You will have learn to phase in and out with Nova so he can appear to be a normal leopard when he’s seen by Bethon and his minions, I mean the other elders,” Widbho cautioned. “And don’t forget, it’s Nova. He excels at causing trouble. Be sure to let him run off some energy before he meets with anyone."

“Of course. We’ll figure it out between us,” Tajlon said. “It’ll be like old times.”

"What are the plans to get the demon exactly?" Widhbo asked.

"We're throwing that open to suggestions at the war council tonight. You're invited, Widhbo,” Anakron replied.

“I look forward to any excuse to get out of this room. Tell Bethon I must have use of his best research lab for such an ambitious project. ”

“I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” Anakron said.

"Fun. You know, I've never made a leopard boy before. One more mutant for Bethon to grumble over."

***

That evening Munaci stood outside Anakron’s suite, switched on the intercom and spoke gruffly into the receiver, “Colonel Munaci. Open the door.”

Tajlon paused in his studies, learning the ancient history of Beldora. Anakron had gifted him with a copy of the Holy Book of Serra Luma. The only time he’d seen the sacred text when living on Beldora was in a museum on one of his rare trips to the continents.

Lord Anakron looked up from his own pursuit, perusing a compendium entitled 'Mythology of Demons'. "I’ve been expecting one of Bethon’s team to drop by."

He released the security lock which he had installed for an extra measure of privacy. "Come in, Colonel."

Munaci entered and looked around the apartment. He was back in human form. He appeared to have transformed in a hurry and was even more hirsute than usual, with an abundance of wiry orange fur escaping from his sleeves and collar.

"Where's the leopard?"

“Asleep,” Tajlon said.

"Forgive my manners, please have a seat." Anakron said.

"I’m not here to sit. It's almost time," Munaci said. “You promised to have the leopard. Where is it?”

"We’re not disturbing him now. Assure the Admiral that Nova will be at the council on time."

"See that he is." Munaci turned and left as abruptly as he had arrived.

Tajlon fell to the floor and held his sides laughing. Nova had awakened with Munaci’s loud entrance. He phased in and out with Tajlon, shadowy forms of each could alternately be seen. Nova was wrestling with Tajlon and batting at him playfully with huge paws.

Tajlon and Nova had grown up together on Beldora and were inseparable. They shared a unique telepathic connection which was largely dismissed as a child's imagination by Tajlon's friends and family. It was only after Tajlon taught Nova to pilot a nuclear sub that his father, Jejliard, came to understand Nova's true intellect. Tajlon had barely turned eighteen when disaster struck and his life on Beldora cut short.

"Better get that out of his system before the meeting," Anakron said.

Tajlon regained his composure enough to say, "Stop it, Nova. It’s almost show time.”

"Your guardchev is working. I can’t read Nova any more than I can you with it on," Anakron said. " We don't need to tell Bethon right away. How does Nova feel about all of this?"

"After all that's happened, he wants to kill the demon more than any of us. He'll do it."

“We need to practice again,” Anakron said. “Phase with Nova and let me see him.” After a couple of attempts Nova’s form replaced Tajlon’s completely. A large black leopard stood where Tajlon had been. He sniffed the air and walked about the apartment to get his bearings.

Anakron waited to see if he could sustain the leopard form. “Nova. I appreciate your willingness to assist us in this matter. This is all rather sudden and new. Sure you're up to it?”

Nova took a moment before he answered, still leaning to control his body. Widhbo had programmed Nova to be able to access Tajlon's speech function. “If that big monkey can pull it off, I certainly can.”

Anakron laughed. “You are referring to Colonel Munaci. How do you know his species of origin?”

“Body odor. Very distinctive. I grew up in the jungle.” Nova sighed with nostalgia. “I really miss Beldora, monkeys and all.” He let out a throaty laugh.

“I never imagined Munaci could make one nostalgic," Anakron remarked. "You must really miss your home planet."

"Home is where you find the monkeys, I suppose,” Nova said. "Monkeys always know where to find the best food and water.”

Anakron laughed. “Are you hungry, Nova?”

“Always,” Nova said, licking his chops.

“Let's have some refreshments and then it will be time to go. We can pick up Widhbo on the way and let him know his experiment was a success.”