Tajlon went with Soshe to the transport deck ahead of Jejliard. The plan was to fly down to the surface, rendezvous with the Solar Wave and return.

"You know this isn't what I wanted, Soshe," Tajlon said. "Colberton double crossed us."

"Yeah. I kind of noticed while spending the night in the brig," she replied. "Look, I don't want to argue. This is the last time we'll be together."

"I know. I was hoping we could prevent this war, but its way past that point." He held her close, knowing he would relive every moment again.

Jejliard came down the stairs to join them.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

"Yes," Tajlon said. "Ready as I'll ever be."

They boarded the transport and strapped in after double checking coordinates with the sub.

"Solar Wave, come in," Jejliard called. "Do you read me?"

Danlea answered. "We do. How long will it take you to meet us?

"Less than twenty minutes away. Surface in five. Prepare to make the transfers in under ten."

"We'll be ready," Danlea replied.

***

Jejliard was watching Tajlon and Soshe. They reached across their seats and held hands through the flight. The transport landed on the sub's top deck and Jejliard lowered the boarding ramp. He could tell Tajlon was having second thoughts. It would have been better if Tajlon hadn't come along but that was out of the question. Tajlon wanted to spend every last moment on Beldora with her. Jejliard steeled himself to deal with the inevitable.

***

As they drew near the sub, Tajlon felt the familiar telepathic connection with Nova. "How's the sub handling?"

"Perfection is mine."

"I hear you have an apprentice. A boy you picked up in Catspaw."

"Yes, Ben," Nova answered. "He's kept me sane. You have no idea what it's like to never have a conversation."

"I hope to never find out. I can't believe Ben's learned enough in such a short time to be able to take over your job."

"Sadly, no. He can barely read much less absorb information on one read through. You've spoiled me, Tajlon. It's going to take a couple of years at this rate."

"I hate leaving you, Nova. I'm sorry it turned out this way."

"Don't worry about me. I'll chose fresh meat and seafood over dry beans and desiccated flesh any day."

The hatch on the sub opened, Mara and Hal emerged carrying Greyla. They brought her to be loaded on the transport first.

Tajlon ran to meet them and gave Mara a hug. "What happened?"

"Explosion knocked her down. She hit her head when the battleship fired the Luca Luna. De'Marc was killed with the next hit, but she didn't have to see that. It's a blessing really."

"This girl has a habit of being unconscious when there's trouble," Hal said recalling her misfortune on the wreck earlier.

Jejliard checked her vital signs. "How long has she been out?"

"Drifting in and out all afternoon," Mara said. "She's stirring more and should be awake again soon."

Jejliard helped Hal with Greyla, careful to support her head as they carried her to a G-force seat inside the transport. Hal made certain she was securely strapped in and went back to help transfer their belongings.

Danlea and Raemolle emerged from the sub loaded with items.

Jejliard relieved Danlea of her bags. "I'm glad you both decided to join us."

"It appears more dangerous to stay on the planet," Raemolle said.

"I agree completely," Jejliard replied.

Ben climbed out of the hatch with some more luggage and put it down. He stayed back from the transport.

"Come on Ben," Danlea urged as they started up the ramp.

"I'm not coming," Ben said. "I have to help pilot the sub."

"You're better off with us, Ben. Mara and Nova can handle the sub," Raemolle said.

"I thought we were going to learn to pilot the sub together," Ben said, biting his lower lip.

"That was plan B, Ben. Plan A was to get rescued."

"You'll have a front row seat to the stars," Danlea said.

"I'm staying with Nova and Mara."

"Don't forget Gengor," Hal said. "He needs to eat. Lots of fish."

"I take good care of him," Ben said. "I promise."

Danlea turned to Hal, "You're not helping. We shouldn't leave this child here."

"Who's to say which is the better choice?" Hal replied. "He's in good hands. At least we know what the sub can do. The Sora is still a gamble if you want my opinion."

"Then why are you leaving?"

"I want that front row seat."

Soshe came down the ramp. "I hope you don't mind my joining you," she said to Ben.

Ben looked at Soshe. "Beautiful lady is coming with us?"

"Yes. We'll be shipmates."

***

It was a moment of truth for Tajlon. His resolve was weakening, and he wanted to stay, not just for Soshe, but for Mara and Nova. In addition, there was a more general guilt which had been growing the back of his mind for days now. They were abandoning Beldora and shirking any responsibility to help it recover from this catastrophe. He was better equipped to help than anyone else. The technology developed on Novaland was instrumental in bringing about the war. Tajlon looked back at his own naivete when he helped solve the detonation problem for Colberton. The Theopians had been stockpiling uranium for years and actively striving to weaponize it. They were poised and ready to strike. All they lacked was the critical piece of information that he had provided.

"Dad, I think I want to stay after all."

Jejliard tossed the last of the bags in the transport. "You're coming back to the Sora, Tajlon."

"I've changed my mind."

"Get on the transport. Now."

Soshe's face paled. "Goodbye Tajlon." She gave Tajlon a quick kiss.

Tajlon had never seen his father in such a foul mood. He could tell by Jejliard's tone of voice his father wasn't backing down. "Why isn't it my choice like everyone else?" he demanded. "I'm needed here more than I am on the Sora."

"I've invested everything in you, Tajlon. The chip sets you apart from the others. If Soshe wasn't involved there'd be no question."

"Leave Soshe out of it. None of this is her fault," Talon replied.

"I'm trying to do just that. Make your decision independent of her choice."

Tajlon realized Jejliard was using the same logic as Widhbo earlier. "I'm staying with the sub. You can make another wonder boy."

"You're leaving on the transport with us and that's an order."

"Why, Because you're in charge?" Tajlon challenged.

Jejliard stared at his son, his eyes narrow slits, filled with displeasure. "Widhbo be damned, I'm in charge of my own son."

"Time's up," Hal said. "Everyone who's not coming get below. I just spotted Colberton's battleship on the horizon."

Mara took Soshe by one hand and Ben in the other. "I vote for Tajlon to stay. No time for goodbyes. Move it." She hurried to get everyone to the hatch.

"You haven't uploaded yet, Tajlon," Jejliard said. "I'm not letting you throw away your one chance at immortality."

Tajlon stared after Soshe disappearing into the sub.

Without warning Jejliard ran across the deck, grabbed Tajlon and forced him back into the transport.

"I can't believe you're really doing this," Tajlon protested. "Tell Soshe I'll be back," he yelled to Mara who was closing the hatch.

"Hal, pull the ramp up and lock us in," Jejliard ordered.

""Sorry, Tajlon. I have to agree with Jejliard. You belong with us on the Sora."" Hal said coming behind them. He raised the ramp and sealed the hatch to the transport.

"Hold him while I take off," Jejliard commanded and transferred Tajlon to Hal in an arm lock.

They were back in the air before Tajlon could wrestle free of Hal.

"I'll repay the favor someday, Hal," Tajlon said between clenched teeth.

"We will try to come back when it's safe," Hal said. " A few thousand years from now, you'll forget all about it,"

"You know I never forget anything"

"Then you can thank us for making you go."

* * *

Soshe was glad to be back on the sub. Her fears of living under water were almost forgotten compared to the wild ride on the Sora and the transport back to the surface. Once in orbit, Beldora was a beautiful sight to behold. She could have gotten used to floating above the clouds, but the unknown of deep space frightened her. The ocean was at least familiar and seemed a safe haven by comparison.

"We rushed our introductions. Soshe, meet Ben," Mara said. "He joined the crew quite by accident when the Sea Grinder was fired upon in Catspaw."

"Hello, Ben," Soshe said and took his hand. It was calloused and rough. She wondered what other misfortunes he'd experienced in his young life.

"Are you really staying with us?" Ben asked.

"Yes. I'm staying with you and Mara all the way."

Ben smiled and led her toward the main deck and controls where Nova was working the controls.

"You have to meet our pilot, Nova," Ben said eagerly.

"Oh, we're old friends. I met Nova back on Turodey." Soshe sat down, put an arm around Nova and gave him a kiss on the side of his nose. "I hear Nova is teaching you to pilot the sub."

Nova nuzzled her neck. He probed Soshe's mind and found a slender thread of connection forming much as he had with Ben. "Hello Soshe. Glad you came to your senses and decided to come along."

"I didn't have much of a choice, Nova, or I wouldn't be here," Soshe replied. "Wait. Nova just talked to me."

Ben gave Soshe a big smile. "Now you can talk to Nova too?"

"Apparently so," Soshe said. "This will make things a lot easier."

"Nova is teaching me to be a pilot. Mr. Raemolle was helping me, but he left."

"l can help you study," Soshe said and squeezed his hand.

"So will I," Mara said. "We can all learn together. Don't be angry. Do you understand why the Raemolles left, Ben?"

"Yes. To see the stars and escape the war."

"Why didn't you go with them to the Sora?" Mara asked. "They really wanted you to come along."

"I have to help Nova. He has to rest sometime," Ben said. "I'll miss them, but I really like it here."

***

The sub was cruising silently at depth. They would not be able to know what was going on at the surface until they planned to surface on reaching their destination.

Mara sighed. The reality of their situation was sinking in. They really did need a back up pilot for the sub. She never expected Ben to assume that responsibility. She couldn't stand the thought of never seeing her grandson again. Part of her wished she had gone with Tajlon on the Sora, in spite of the prophecy.

"I really thought Tajlon would stay," Mara said, knowing Soshe felt the same let down. Soshe and Mara exchanged sympathetic glances.

"Me too," Soshe said. "I suppose leaving was his fate after all."

"I wish the captain was here," Ben said. "He'd know what to do."

"We'll be fine," Mara insisted. "We have everything we need."

***

"Changing the subject, where's Gengor?" Soshe asked.

"In the Nodda bay," Mara replied. "He's too big to get through a normal hatch, so that's where he will have to ride."

"Gengor is very brave soldier," Ben said. "He can swim under water and never come up. He tried to save the captain."

"I'm sick of this Gengor already. A few days ago, he was a demon, now he's a soldier," Nova said. "Brave Gengor. Big Gengor. Did it occur to you he'll eat all our fish?"

"He can catch all the fish we want," Ben replied aloud to Nova.

"Hal assured me he can be a valuable asset," Mara said.

Nova snarled. "But can he pilot the sub?"

"No, but he has torpedoes." Ben said looking at Nova and holding out his hands in exasperation.

"Killer Gengor, good," Nova replied.

"I almost forgot. Hal left these for us." Mara pointed to the helmet, vest and laser gun lying on the floor.

"This must be what he used back at Turodey on the dock." Soshe said. She picked up the weapon gingerly. "I've seen what it can do. Really ugly."

"But good for us?" Ben asked.

"Oh, yeah. I can't wait to try it out," Soshe said. "This thing will come in handy dealing with the wild boars."

"Wild boars?" Ben's eyes grew wide.

"Yes. Very dangerous animals. The Lost Mountains where we're going has a lot of them," Soshe said. "I wonder how they'd tasted charbroiled?"

She studied the weapon. It looked simple enough to operate.

"Ben, ask Nova how long it will take to get through the Wayless Sea, "Mara said. "We only have a short time to find the caves."

Nova spoke to Ben. "It depends. What little I can find on the charts of this area shows a lot of underwater rock formations. It could be treacherous and slow us down."

"He doesn't know does he?" Mara asked when there was no immediate answer.

"He understands you, miss Mara. He is calculating," Ben said. "So how long, Nova?"

"Best time another day and a half. Worst scenario, three days."

Ben related the information.

"Okay. We need to be inside the caves in three days," Mara said. "The soon the better. It will soon be too dangerous to be exposed to the surface."

"Tajlon said there may be subterranean channels leading to the caves," Soshe recalled. "We were going to take a trip and map the area before Colberton showed up."

"We have dive gear and could possibly swim in," Mara said. "But there won't be any food in the caves. If we want to eat, eventually we will have to grow it or kill it."

"We need to lay in some meat, round up those boars smoke them. We can stay on the sub and let our resident sea monster keep us supplied in fish after that," Nova said.

Ben shared with the others. "Nova says to get the boar meat while there is still time. Then Gengor can fish for us while we live on the sub."

"Good idea, Nova." Mara said. "We also have a year of canned goods and a water filtration system."

"I almost forgot," Nova said. "Tajlon said to look in the new supply boxes marked light tubing. Pipes in sunlight he says."

Ben relayed the information.

"I remember," Soshe said. "Widhbo told me about those."

"Well, I've brought seeds," Mara said. "If we can pipe in enough light, we can grow a garden underground to supplement our diet."

"Caves are cold," Nova said. "I want pipe loads of sunshine running straight to my bed. Now that sounds cozy."

"Me too," Ben said in a private conversation.

Soshe was examining the laser weapon and running her hand across the contours of the sleek weapon. "I may never put this down."

"Meet the new Soshe," Nova mused. "We're all killers here."