Tajlon returned with Anakron to his ship parked in the landing bay of the Moz Lidule. Tajlon had been too distracted the previous day to note the name, Lady Devora, emblazoned on the hull of Anakron's private vessel. It was a sleek design with many personal items in the galley and living areas. There was an abundance of woodwork which lent a warmth to the surroundings in contrast to the cold steel of the battleship.

Tajlon had been given his own cabin. He stopped there first and changed out of his uniform before joining Anakron in the common living area. Tajlon sank into the leather sofa to go over what had taken place during the war council.

"Your ship is really beautiful," Tajlon said. "Is it named after anyone?"

"My betrothed," Anakron said. "She died a long time ago."

"I'm sorry."

"She was a very special person. I was glad to have known her even for the short time we were together."

"I can understand that. It makes me happy to remember the good times I've had with those I love. It's too soon to forget the bad." Tajlon said. "Speaking of, the admiral was rather unhappy with us."

"Predictably so. I knew he would find out soon enough. Bethon doesn’t miss much," Anakron said taking his favorite easy chair. "How are you and Nova doing in such close quarters?"

"Better. He's napping at the moment. It's good having Nova with me again."

"I'm glad it worked," Anakron said and hesitated. "You look worried, Tajlon."

"This has all happened so fast, I'm having trouble dealing with everything; the accusations, my run in with Bethon, I can't stand to think of what my father must have gone through when the demon took him over. It's too horrible."

Anakron sat in contemplation for a moment, before speaking. "At least Jejliard was able to spare you the same fate."

"Yes. He fooled everyone by putting me on trial to have an excuse to lock me away."

"He would be proud of you," Anakron said. "And Bethon, for all his faults, thinks enough of you to petition Balvendro in your behalf. it's really quite an honor."

"Yes, I know and I must say I'm grateful," Tajlon agreed. "But I don't understand him. By nature, he is ruthless killer, yet he seems truly sorry for what he did to me. How can he be so cruel and yet so concerned with my well-being?"

"Bethon was a highly intelligent and ferocious predator on his home planet, the dominate species. An alien creature took refuge on Voldark and introduced a more refined culture. Under her tutelage Bethon became a priest. He fell in love with her. When she was discovered and killed by her own kind, Bethon reverted to his wild nature. He wanted revenge so badly that he chased them to the ends of the galaxy and wiped them out of existence."

"He exterminated an entire species?" Tajlon took a moment to wrap his head around it. "I could see Bethon doing that. Priest... not so much. He certainly doesn't seem stable enough to be given command of such a powerful vessel as the Moz Lidule."

"He has kept the ancients busy sorting him out, but there’s a reason he is in command of this battleship. Stability is apparently overrated when it comes to winning battles," Anakron said. "I have my reservations as well, but I assure you Admiral Bethon can be a loyal and effective ally."

***

Widhbo had followed Cratus down a maze of corridors to the engineering section of the ship. They entered a well-equipped lab with radiation warnings posted. Widhbo supposed they were posted for those occasions when mortals were invited aboard the ship. He had seen no evidence of any living creature since arriving on the Moz Lidule.

"There's not a very good selection here Lieutenant," Widhbo said glancing over the small spherical vessels, many no bigger than a piece of fruit in diameter. "They look like a bunch of ugly little rocks."

"They weren't made for aesthetics," Cratus said. "They are tiny magiton bodies, tough and practically indestructible, unless you fall into a black hole of course."

"What would keep the demon from lunching on my small magiton body?" Widhbo asked. He picked up three of them and started juggling.

"We don't know that he couldn't, but they teleport easily and recharge by absorbing any type of energy at all. They're like driving a tiny little race car, very maneuverable."

"Never heard of one. What's a race car?"

“Right, you wouldn’t know. Beldora jumped from steam to nuclear so fast, the technology effectively skipped the fossil fuel stage. They are small land-based vehicles with wheels and go very fast. Well, not compared to a starship, but fast relative to other vehicles in their class," Cratus explained. "Typically, contests are held to see who can go faster.”

"I like contests. Could be fun I suppose. " Widhbo stopped juggling and examined one of the magiton bodies more closely.

"These craft can be fully customized. You can configure them anyway you like on the inside. The crystalline storage holds an amazing amount of data. You need never be bored,” Cratus explained.

"I wouldn't plan to stay in one long enough to get bored. How does one see what's going on from in there?"

"Surface pores and receptors. Not quite so good as larger sensory array, but it suffices."

"They don't block telepathy?"

"Not at all and this special networking model has a built-in translator to enhance communication. You can connect with you subject telepathically and understand their language.”

"That’s handy in a combat situation. I'll take one of those."

Cratus took the small magiton craft, put it inside a processor on the console and made some data entries.

"I’m checking it out to you now. You must return it when are finished with the mission.”

"How do you get in and get back out again?"

"I just synched it with your identity signifier. You can jump in easily because it recognizes you as its intended host. You're like a parasite with a pass code."

"Oh goody. And what about getting back out again?"

"That's more difficult. It takes a lot of energy to break free and project yourself. The unit can build up a sufficient charge, but that takes time. Ideally you simply teleport to a mega power node on board one of our ships. Poof! You’re out,” Cratus said. He handed the magiton device to Widhbo. “It also has an autopilot feature with a homing device. If you are lost, trigger it at any time and it will bring you back here. There are lots of safe-guards built in."

“Like a race car?”

“Oh, no. Race cars are dangerous. That’s the point. They only have brakes, restraining harnesses and roll bars. You must wear a fireproof suit and helmet to even hope to survive a bad crash. And you will crash!”

“What a shame I’ll never be able to try one. Sounds like my kind of sport,” Widhbo said. "I would love to experience driving one before I take on this demon. It's suicide and we both know it."

Cratus laughed. “Racing happens to be a hobby of mine. I keep a stable of cars in my private leisure center. The simulation is a little overpowered, but I think you can handle it. Follow me.”

***

The big engine roared to life and Widhbo thrilled to rumble of it pulsing through his simulated human body which he had modeled after the Lieutenant. He slicked back his blond hair and donned a bright blue helmet which matched the sleek metallic car adorned with silver streaks and shooting stars. He wore a matching jumpsuit topped off by a sparkling silver jacket, all provided by Cratus.

The lieutenant pulled along-side wearing a bright red jacket and helmet. He revved the big engine of his vehicle, a black car with bold orange flames shooting along the sides.

“How do you like it so far?” Cratus asked, having to shout above the roar of the engine before he took it down to an idle.

“Superb, Lieutenant,” Widhbo replied. “I’ve never been in human form before. Quite a novelty. I understand humanoid is the default form on the ship, but are we human for racing or is it your natural embodiment?”

“I’m of human origin as you may have guessed. Humans are non-threatening compared to the lumbering reptiles and various predators you’ll find here," Cratus said. "Also, we are a more practical size so we can all fit around a table and not take up as much room. No long tails and such. Less energy is required to project us onto the plasma grids.”

“And perfectly suited for these devils,” Widhbo said, petting the seat beside him.

Cratus laughed. “Indeed.” He got out and gave Widhbo a quick run-down of the dials on the dash, steering, brakes and gears.

“I’ve got it. Now what are the rules of of play?”

“Okay. The basic idea is to stay on the track, not crash and make it across the finish line first.” Cratus said. “The curves are murder, and this particular track has an infinity segment with a three-sixty loop on the home stretch. It’s a little advanced for a beginner. I could take it out if you like.”

“Don’t you dare. I won’t be coddled,” Wdhbo said.

“Very good. Let's take the first lap slow, shall we?"

"You go first, and I'll try to keep up, Lieutenant."

Cratus gave him a thumbs up and adjusted his helmet. He pulled out squealing his tires and left a trail of burning rubber. Flames shot from the exhaust pipes and a blast of fumes hit Widhbo square in the face before he could pull down his face shield.

"You sneaky bastard!" Widhbo shouted. He slammed his car into gear and took off. The air rushed past his ears, some getting around his face shield. “I think I’m going to like being human.”

Cratus had a head start and was navigating the curves on the course smoothly. Widhbo stepped on the gas and shot ahead. He saw Cratus in the rear view shaking a fist. Widhbo returned the gesture.

His triumph was short lived. When he entered the figure eight section of track, Cratus cut him off at the first turn. Widhbo’s car ran up against the side barrier and crumpled the front, destroying the wheel well. The car flipped on the driver side, scraped across the pavement and skidded to a stop. Widhbo had to crawl out the passenger window.

Cratus cut back to check on him and got out of his car laughing. “Good show old bird! You need to make a pit stop.”

“What’s that?”

“Pull off the track in a service area to make repairs and get back in the game.”

“I’ve just begun to entertain you, Cratus. Fix my beautiful car and let’s have another go. And I’d like to start at the same time as you.”

“Why don’t we try a straighter track.”

“Nothing too easy. You promise it won’t be boring?” Widhbo asked

“Never boring. This next one does have a special feature. A jump!”

“Oh, goody. I’ve got this one!”

Cratus took the lead and pushed ahead to take the jump first. He ran up at high speed and and sailed over, making a smooth landing. It looked deceptively easy when performed by the more experienced driver.

Widbho picked up speed and tried to duplicate the feat but approached too fast. The air lifted him from below the car and flipped him over backwards. He did a couple of somersaults in midair and landed smash on the car’s nose, shattering the front to pieces.

When Cratus got back around Widhbo was out of the car and laughing. “Again!” He shouted. The second attempt was a success and he landed the jump like a pro.

The next track was in mountainous terrain, a winding track with hairpin curves rounding sheer cliffs. Widhbo managed the first lap but was falling behind. He got too ambitious, took a turn too fast and was propelled off the side of a cliff. He and the car rolled over and over down the mountain, landing a broken heap with only the bare frame of the car intact.

“You had enough?” Cratus asked while running the repair sequence.

“I’ll have enough when I’ve beaten you,” Widbho said. “Let’s go back to the three-sixty track. You cheated the first time.”

“I admit I wasn’t being fair to you, but I thought you might be more experienced than you let on. It’s a killer track. You’re still a beginner and at a distinct disadvantage,” Cratus said.

“Adjust my airfoil to match yours for starters. Then tell me about this infinity thing.”

“It’s a basic figure eight with a loop in the center than takes you upside down. There’s a wimp out feature around the next curve of track so you can go down an off ramp instead of shooting the loop over again.”

“Let’s do it.”

They were on the third lap when Widhbo decided to make his move and cut Cratus off, forcing him down the off ramp. Cratus came up hard and fast and passed on the right to slip around before the curve. They went around a fourth time and Cratus was keeping the lead. Widhbo pushed his gas pedal all the way to the floorboard as they climbed up the back side of the loop and fought to keep control. His back wheels slid to one side and forward, throwing the car into a spin. Widhbo managed to regain control for a moment, but the car skidded and left the track. It crashed into the barrier and burst into flames. Widhbo teleported from the wreck and landed in the seat beside the lieutenant.

“Your repair bill is starting to add up,” Cratus teased while they paused once again for repairs.

“What do I care?” Widhbo replied. “I plan to keep going until I beat you or die.”

“We might be here for a while.”

“That’s the idea.”