Tajlon helped the workers settle into their new quarters and oriented them to the ship. Once Colberton was securely locked away in his prison cell, Jejliard called a meeting with his new crew comprised of the workers who decided to take a chance on the Sora.

"We're taking this one day at a time," he said. "But I'm making plans for our long-term survival on this ship. Our ability to raise food is a priority. We have a hydroponics system, and anyone interested should sign up for a class with Tajlon. I'm passing out these cards and will ask each of you to list any special skills or area of interest. Everyone will be assigned duties accordingly."

"What about our families?" a man asked.

"We've sent a radio message over the airways warning the population to evacuate the entire area. I have no way of knowing who has received the warning or who is acting on that information."

"They have no way of getting out by tomorrow," another man said.

"This ship will only be able to sustain about a hundred people and that number will strain our resources," Jejliard did a quick head count. "There's about twenty-five persons on board. I can allow your wives and children to join you. List the names of your loved ones and we'll attempt to contact them again today. We'll have to find a safe place to arrange a pickup on Novaland."

"I need to speak with you," Widhbo said to Jejliard telepathically,

"Not the best time," he answered.

"Shall I tell Tajlon Soshe has been captured off the coast of Novaland, or do you want to handle this call?"

"On my way," Jejliard turned the meeting over to Tajlon. "Something just came up. Collect the cards, Tajlon, and I'll meet you on the control deck."

Jejliard ran to the control center, cursing and wanting to know how this had happened.

"Tell me this doesn't mean the sub's been taken as well," he said to Widhbo.

"The sub is fine. They should catch up to the Sea Grinder in a few more hours," Widhbo said. "Soshe was upset when Tajlon decided to leave on the Sora, and she refused to stay on the sub. Colberton's men picked her up sailing through the cayes behind Turodey. They want a prisoner exchange."

"You are always teleporting things around. Why can't you just jump over to her holding cell and bring Soshe here?" Jejliard asked.

"I need the coordinates to a place first. One can't simply make a blind leap, hoping to land in the right place," Widhbo explained. "Plus, that would be bringing her on board the Sora without her permission. Demon ship, all that nonsense."

"I should have known something like this would happen," Jejliard blamed himself. "I have to wonder what she's told them."

"She didn't reveal our plans, only that her visit was over at Novaland and she was heading home."

"It still jeopardizes the entire mission."

"They can't read her mind," Widhbo said.

"But you can read Colberton's," Jejliard replied. "I suggest we let the general talk to his men."

"I'll patch him through on the call back."

Jejliard waited as the call was placed to Colberton's battleship. An officer answered on the other end.

"We are offering an exchange," the officer said. "The young lady for General Colberton."

"Put her on. I want to speak to her," Jejliard said.

"Very well."

After a few seconds Soshe came on, her voice was strained with fear. "Hello?"

"Soshe, it's Jejliard. Are you alright? Have they harmed you?"

"No. I'm fine. I'm really sorry to cause all this trouble."

"We'll get you out."

"I was just going back home," she said. "I don't know what's happening."

"Good girl," Jejliard thought. "I know. I'll see to it you get there."

"You've heard enough, let's trade," the officer returned. "This evening at sundown."

"My place or yours?" Jejliard asked, wondering why sundown.

"We'll put her on a skiff and send her alone to you when we see Colberton leaving Turodey on his own,"

"Wait until morning light and you have a deal," Jejliard said.

"Surely you don't want the poor girl to spend the night on our battleship?"

"I want to be able to see more clearly. Why the cover of darkness?"

"It's tonight or nothing."

"Perhaps you'd like to discuss this with Colberton."

"Put him on."

"He's on with us now," Jejliard said. Widhbo had given Colberton a line so he could listen to the conversation.

"What's the matter with you, Jejliard? Don't you know how frightened she must be?" Colberton jumped in.

"What difference does a few hours make?" Jejliard returned. "Unless of course you are trying to get free of a nuclear blast and fallout zone."

"If you think waiting until morning will stop it, think again," Colberton replied. "It will merely cause a delay."

"Exactly. I think the local population would appreciate having a little more time to clear out. I hold the winning hand here," Jejliard reminded them. "Does the general want back or his ship or not?"

Tajlon had finished with the workers and joined Jejliard in time to hear the end of the conversation.

"Fine," Colberton addressed his officer. "Trade the girl in the morning from Turodey."

The call ended and Widbho cut Colberton's line.

"What girl?" Tajlon asked, an uneasy feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. He could tell by the way Jejliard looked at him, "They have Soshe don't they?"

"She got off the sub and tried to sail past them."

"Damn it! She was supposed to be on that sub for her own safety," Tajlon was distraught. " There is no way Soshe can get away in time now."

"Don't worry. I'll get Soshe on the Sora with or without her permission,"Widhbo said.

"That's what I was afraid of," Tajlon replied. "She doesn't want on board the Sora. Ever."

"We don't have a choice," Jejliard said. "It's far too dangerous for her to stay."

"I know, but Soshe is already mad at me for leaving. Now she'll hate me even more for saving her."

* * *

Widhbo canvased the airways of Novaland with evacuation warnings. They had no proof of Colberton's plans and announced it was due to an unstable reactor core on Turodey. It was next to impossible to get in touch with the various family members on an individual basis. Jejliard compiled a list and called out the names of family members belonging to the new Sora crew, asking they meet at the Kalara town square that evening. He planned to send the two aerial transports and would invite them to join their family members on the Sora. It was the best he could do under the circumstances.

Jejliard was preparing to board one of the transports. Tajlon would pilot the other.

"You think you can fly one of these, son?" Jejliard taunted. He was wearing a new flight suit equipped with a built-in parachute.

"How hard can it be?" Tajlon replied as he suited up. He looked at Widhbo who was preoccupied with his keyboard. "Of course, it would be a lot easier if the master programmer took time out of his busy schedule to enlighten us."

Widhbo transmitted the handling instructions to each of their chips without pausing from his endless tapping.

"Amazing. I didn't know you could multitask." Tajlon said with a note of sarcasm.

"I've gotten rusty in that minacaw. Might as well have been living in a shoebox under your bed."

"I'll admit, this is more who you are. What are you programming?" Tajlon asked.

"A live video feed to the transports. The crew will be able to speak directly to their family members. This way they can't blame us if their people don't jump on board the first alien spacecraft to come by and offer a ride out of some unknown calamity."

"Good idea," Jejliard said. "What did you learn from scanning Colberton's mind after the hostage negotiation?"

"They don't have a working bomb. He's planning on using the duds I made for Tajlon."

"Wait. So, there is no bomb coming down tomorrow?" Tajlon asked.

"No."

Jejliard looked at Tajlon in disbelief. "No bomb?"

"Not yet," Widhbo said. He kept typing and cackled to himself. "Not unless he can make those toys of mine blow the top off a mountain."

"So, all of this is for nothing?" Jejliard asked walking over to Widhbo and placed both hands over the keys. "Stop."

Widhbo looked up and stared at him unblinking.

"Not for nothing. I've been monitoring all communication channels. The Theopians do have an arsenal of nuclear weapons thanks to the general, but they decided to attack Agartoon where Colberton's stronghold is located instead of Turodey as planned. When they got wind of Colberton's capture, the little marriage of convenience started to fall apart."

"But we are in no imminent danger on Turodey tomorrow?"

"No. Not tomorrow."

Jejliard wanted to choke the seven-foot bird in front of him, but in a fair fight, Widhbo would win. And on some level, he knew there would be no fair fight with this twisted creature.

"What's wrong with you?" Jejliard demanded.

Widhbo backed up and picked at his feathers. "I'm simply a few steps ahead of you in planning."

"Bring me up to speed," Jejliard commanded. "I'm in charge here and I want to know everything your doing. Starting now."

"Oh, you're in charge?" Widhbo asked.

"I am."

"Hmm." Widhbo walked over to a bench and sat down. He began preening.

"What?" Jejliard asked.

"What what?"

"What are you doing?"

"Waiting for orders. You're in charge."

"What are you trying to accomplish here by letting us cause a general panic and evacuate Novaland when there is no immediate threat?"

"You said to stop. I've stopped."

"Before you stopped. Why?"

"It doesn't matter. You're in charge."

Jejliard was losing his temper. Something he detested and rarely did. "Tajlon, take over here while I get a change of scenery." He left to walk off his anger.

"He doesn't get you, Widhbo," Tajlon said.

"I can see that."

"He will. Give him time. Dad is used to being in control," Tajlon pleaded. "Well, humor him at least."

Widhbo grew restless and continued preening. Tajlon waited for an answer.

"You know very well I don't humor anyone. It's not in my nature."

"At least tell us your plan. What's the point here?"

"The point is you now have a crew. The war may not start tomorrow, but it's inevitable. Just a matter of time. Did you really think Soshe and the others had a chance to make it through the Lost Mountains to the caves? They'd never find their way through the jungle before the fallout cloud reached them. Their skin would be rotting off as they lay dying, surrounded by dead monkeys."

"I asked you what the odds were before I made the decision to leave. You lied to me?"

"I told you what you wanted to hear."

"You lied to me! We should call off the evacuation and take these people home tonight. Not to mention we'll look rather stupid when nothing happens tomorrow."

"Tajlon, listen to me." Widhbo stood up and blocked his exit.

"Oh, am I your prisoner now?"

Widhbo ignored the question. "Colberton thinks we believe him. We can call his bluff and beat him at his own game. Make him admit he has nothing."

"For what purpose? We've torpedoed his ship. He's beaten. All I want is to get Soshe back and let her go home."

"She still needs to get the caves. You don't know the Theopians as well as I do. Agartoon will only be their first target. Our fake explosion may still serve a purpose and buy some time."