"I have to get in there?" Kage asked, looking at the small round vessel that would teleport him to the BakoNaat ship.

"That's the plan,"Tajlon said. "I've been in it. It's painless really and very roomy once you're inside.

"Tell me a little more about the pilot," Kage said.

"He can tell you himself," Tajlon said. "Widhbo?"

"I'm busy, you tell him about me, Tajlon."

Kage looked about for the owner of the voice, his eyes settling on the only possible source, the magiton body.

"What are you doing in there?" Tajlon asked.

"None of your business."

"Since when can you only do one thing at a time?"

"Since now."

"He's contrary at times," Tajlon said and winked at Kage. "Widhbo is from another dimension. I think coming through to ours did some permanent damage. Fortunately, the magiton units can function automatically and are easy to operate. They're essentially idiot proof. You could take over the controls if needed."

"Not true!" Widhbo shouted back. "I've totally redesigned this unit to compliment my energy body. A simpleton from your dimension couldn't find their way to the panic button."

"Who gave you permission to do that?" Tajlon asked.

"I don't need permission. It's mine."

"It was on loan Widhbo."

"I'm the only one with access now. I changed the lock and key."

"First I have to force you to get in this thing with the demon breathing down my neck, and now you don't want to give it up," Tajlon said

"So?"

"See that it's restored to the original design before Admiral Bethon gets it back."

Widhbo teleported the magiton away to a remote area of the ship and cut off communications.

"I apologize for his behavior, Kage. He'll come around in time for the mission."

"I guess I'll have to take your word for that," Kage said.

"I'd be more worried about Queen Etaine to tell the truth."

"Doesn't she want me?"

"She does and we've prepared you to imitate Lotee to the best of our ability, but she's unpredictable. She'll have to agree to give you her personal memory files to complete your transformation. I wouldn't let her talk you into erasing your own identity."

"I can suppress it."

"Don't forget she's empathic and can tell if you're not genuine," Tajlon said.

"I feel as though the weight of the galaxy is on my shoulders."

"I don't envy your situation," Tajlon sympathized. "It could go either way. The BakoNaat are friendly enough and if Etaine accepts you, she's loyal and will cling to you forever."

"If she's as beautiful as her picture, I wouldn't mind that at all."

"She's very beautiful but has developed a habit of becoming whatever she feels is needed to fix things. Who knows what she will try to mend next."

* * *

Greyla awakened to find she had the apartment to herself. She packed a few things in anticipation of the exchange for Hal. She was about to leave for the dining area when a knock came at the door.

Anakron was there with a small cart loaded with food.

"Good morning, Lord Anakron. A few minutes earlier and you would have been serving me breakfast in bed."

"It's the least I could do, but I wanted to discuss my findings with you before you leave," Anakron said.

"Do you have a chef on board?" she asked, looking at the fine assortment of crepes and pastries.

"No, my wife loved to cook and programmed all my favorites into the kitchen board."

"I will never meet her, but I'm certain I would have loved her," Grelya said piling her plate full.

"Did they not feed you?"

"I don't recall. It's all a bit of blur. I had a lot of wine," Grelya said remembering how much she had to drink the evening before. "You must have found something interesting."

"Yes, there were some treasures buried in you of two sorts."

"Okay, now you have my curiosity up."

"First it wasn't only the wine that blurred your memory. Sag wanted you to attribute it to the hangover," Anakron informed her. "Also, I found a lot of hypnotic suggestions predisposing you to look upon Sag favorably should you ever meet again."

"That sounds more self-serving than anything."

"Yes, but that's not all. He has given you a wealth of insight into the BakoNaat to aid in your negotiations. Sag has even more at stake where the demon is concerned. His planet has the richest energy sources to be found. The demon would destroy it all, everything Sag has built over centuries."

"The planet Sagor is effectively a giant pork chop dangling in space, very tempting to a creature who feeds on energy."

"Exactly. The files he gave you will automatically be unlocked as you need them when you encounter the BakoNaat culture. He didn't have knowledge of Etaine, but I'm sure he extracted all that you know about her and more. Your entire history, your relationship with Hal, everything you know is in his possession now."

"Did you know he would do this?"

"I suspected it. But then you didn't ask for my protection or advice at the time. You left our company before I had an opportunity to lock your files away from Sag."

Greyla felt suddenly naive and foolish. "I should have trusted your judgment more. What was I thinking?"

"You were thinking only of getting Hal back. You do love him after all."

"I do."

"And I see you're planning to go with Kage, also without consulting me." Anakron said, noting her packed bag.

"I'm sorry. I'm a little hardheaded at times I suppose."

Anakron laughed aloud. "Just a little?"

"I will try to be more cautious in the future."

"It should work out for the best," Anakron said. "You are now the perfect ambassador to the BakoNaat. That's something we've never managed to have before."

"Give this to Kage as a gift for Etaine," Anakron took the rare fossil from his pocket which he had taken from Bethon's office. "I had planned to give this to Sag in an effort sway him."

Greyla laughed. "If I had only known."

"It was a gift from Etaine to Bethon, and mined on Erizza. I hope it will signal our sincerity to negotiate."

"It may stir up painful memories for her," Greyla said. " Kage and I will be walking through a mine field."

* * *

The Lady Devora had charted a course to the planet Erizza where the BakoNaat ship, Adder had entered a stable orbit to await their arrival.

"We are approaching Erizza now. It's time," Anakron said. "Where's Widhbo?"

"He's pouting because he doesn't want to give back the magiton body to Admiral Bethon," Tajlon said. "He's hiding somewhere on this ship."

"He can have it as payment for his services in fighting the demon. I'll speak to Bethon personally."

There was a whoosh and blur of motion. The small magiton body appeared on the console directly in front of Anakron.

"I accept you offer. Reporting for duty, Lord Anakron."

"Widhbo, I want you to get Hal back before you release Kage to the BakoNaat. No Hal, no Kage, non-negotiable."

"You can depend on me," Widhbo said.

"We're coming out of hyperspace now and approaching the Adder where Hal is being held. They will be responsible for transporting Kage to the planet," Anakron said. "Greyla is going along to negotiate with Etaine"

"I'm not sure that's wise, Greyla" Tajlon said. "What if Etaine decides not to release you?"

"No matter. It's where I need to be. I understand her better than anyone and I'll make sure she holds up her side of this bargain" Greyla said. "We need the BakoNaat fighting again. I can feel the demon growing. He has revived with more focus and hostility."

"I'm letting her go with Kage," Anakron said.

"Etaine can be really difficult to manage at times. I'd be happy to go as well, Lord Anakron," Tajlon offered. "Greyla could use the extra help."

"No, Tajlon. I won't risk you being taken hostage."

"Are you saying I'm more valuable to you than Greyla?"

"No, but you are Balvendro's godling. I can't allow anything to interfere with his plans for you," Anakron said.

"Let me go in place of Tajlon," Nova offered. "I'll see that Greyla gets home safely."

Anakron looked at the leopard, powerful and intelligent. He swept Nova's mind, penetrating the guardchev without resistance. He found the loyalty and courage he expected, but also discovered that Nova had overheard his conversation with Greyla earlier and knew of her encounter with Sag Leggan. Nova was being protective.

"Actually, I like that idea," Anakron said. "Nova, step over here."

He took Nova aside and transferred copies of all the hidden files concerning the BakoNaat to Nova's memory before turning to the others. Two ambassadors were better than one.

"Everyone ready?"

"Ready as I can be," Kage said.

Greyla nodded. "Will this fossil go inside the Magiton?"

"I have enhanced the program and can accept anything I can digitalize," Widhbo answered. "Which is practically anything, so yes."

"The Adder is sending us a communication," Cratus said. "I have the coordinates now and transferring them to Widhbo, Lord Anakron."

"It's time to go then."

Widhbo pulled Kage, Nova and Greyla into the Magiton body. An instant later they were gone.

* * *

Could you merge Nova with me like you did with Tajlon?" Greyla asked.

Widhbo huffed with indignance. "Of course, I could. Why should I, is the question."

"I'm thinking his new guardchev might come in handy. I wouldn't mind a little privacy from Etaine and her adepts. Is that alright with you Nova?"

"Balevendro won't like it, but he didn't prohibit it. You do recall I'm a male leopard, Greyla?"

"I really don't care. Let's do it."

Widhbo merged them. Nova phased out and Greyla wore the guardchev tucked inside her flight suit. The BakoNaat would only see Greyla.

"Okay, I have to admit this is a little weird," Greyla said, adjusting to Nova's presence.

"It's cozy, isn't it? Sort of like cuddling all the time."

"Keep your paws to yourself, Nova. Focus on the mission."

"You should know that Anakron gave me the information hidden in your mind by Sag Leggan," Nova said.

"Okay. What else did he tell you?"

"Nothing. But I overheard your conversation with Anakron when you came back from the planet Sagor and now that we're merged, we won't have conscious secrets."

"Great. You haven't told Tajlon or anyone else?"

"Of course not. And with my new guardchev, your secrets are safe with me."

"Thanks Nova. I've missed you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't hold out against the demon on Sora."

"It's not your fault. Nobody could hold out against this devourer, whatever he is. Not even Jejliard." The memory of Jejliard filled her with grief. Just the mention of his name brought it all back, the anger, the denial. Greyla realized she would never have closure until the demon was destroyed. It would be worth every sacrifice.

Nova stretched and a paw poked out of Greyla's signature.

"Be careful with that. You didn't show up inside Tajlon."

"You're a lot smaller than Tajlon."

"I can't help that. Try to adjust."

"You could wear something with a little roomier than this skin tight suit."

"How did Tajlon put up with you?"

"We got along. Speaking of Tajlon, I probably shouldn't mention it, but I can see you have womanly feelings for him."

"Who wouldn't? He's gorgeous, just like his father. You can stop snooping around in my files anytime now. "

"Sorry. I can't help it. Curiosity runs deep in my nature."

"Don't pull that kitty crap on me. Just stop it. I haven't probed your files."

"I really can't help it. It's so fascinating. You'll have to throw me out."

"Alright, I will."

"I'll be taking the guardchev with me."

"Damn, I forgot why you're in here for a moment. Look, just don't mention anything I don't want to hear."

"And I'm supposed to do that by reading your mind which of course you don't want me to do? Just like a female."

"It's a little late for that. Just figure it out. I have enough to worry about without you bringing up sex all the time."

"Boy leopard. I warned you."

"We have to make this work. I can't be unguarded around the BakoNaat. I don't want Etaine to know what I had to do to get Lotee back."

"Why not? Wouldn't she do the same in your situation?"

"Yes, but she's not emotionally stable. If you think I'm a mess, Etaine is one meltdown away from nuclear disaster."

"Judging by what I find here, you had a lot of fun."

"Nova, stay out of my files or I will ditch you."

"I suppose I could try to nap."

"Bless the ancients, please do."

* * *

Widhbo teleported to the Adder guided by the coordinates he'd been given. They arrived at a power node on the bridge.

"Give us Lotee and then you may have Hal," the BakoNaat officer commanded.

"I'm not allowed to do that," Widhbo answered. "Give me Hal first."

"How do we even know you have what we want?"

Widhbo had learned a lot from broadcasting the fight between Yoeke and himself earlier. He projected an image of Kage to their viewing screen.

"Widhbo, tell them I'm coming down to the planet with Kage and you can toss me out first," Greyla said.

"As a sign of good faith, Etaine's sister, Greyla, wants to go with the new Lotee to help him adjust." Widhbo delivered her to the bridge without waiting for an answer.

Hal was brought in wearing an energy restraint.

"Greyla, what are you doing here?" Hal asked.

"I want to see my sister, Etaine. Don't try to talk me out of it."

"Oh, I know better than that, but I should come with you. I know the BakoNaat better than anyone," Hal said. "I've learned a lot about the way they operate since I've been working with them."

"I don't need your help, Hal. You should get busy on a new attack plan for the demon. Speak with Lord Anakron. He can explain everything."

"Why do I have the feeling you want to get rid of me sometimes?"

"Think what you like. I have a lot invested in this transaction and I won't let it fail."

Widhbo shot an energy stream out, shorted the restraining field and pulled Hal in. Once he had secured Hal inside the magiton body, Widhbo wasted no time in making the trade.

"Sorry, but I have to bring Hal back with me, no exception, orders of Lord Anakron," Widhbo said. He released Kage to the deck of the Adder, "Here's the new Lotee for your crazy queen."

"You're not helping, Widhbo," Hal chided.

"Etaine is the very definition of crazy, Hal. I'm only stating the facts."

"And showing off."

"I love being me."