"25.000" "[DISTANT THUNDER]" "Giroc?" "Giroc, I need you." "You must come here to me now." "All right, all right, I'm coming." "Have a little patience." "We of all people should have learnt patience." "I'm tired, I deserve some peace." "No, we must earn our peace." "I have, Sinofar, I have earned it." "You still came when I summoned you." "I had no choice, you used my power against me." "It is not your power, Giroc." "I know, I know, it's the power of the race, but it's in me." "I never wanted to be the Keeper." "You know that, Sinofar." "Nor I, the Guardian." "You could set us both free." "If I controlled the power, that's what I'd do." "You know that isn't possible." "We must dissipate the power by restoring the balance, then you and I can be at peace." "But first we must atone." " Why us?" " We were chosen." " I didn't ask to be chosen." " One doesn't ask to be chosen." "Are you sure about them, Sinofar?" "Not yet." "This may not be their killing ground." "There!" "Estimate approach speed." "Time Distort Six." "Minimum scan, their sensors mustn't register the beam." " Scan complete." " Analysis?" "Identification confirmed." "Blake." "The other patrols have pushed him into this galaxy" "I knew it, I knew it!" "This time I've got him." "Target vehicle maintaining course and speed." "Set for orbital compensation, we'll use the planet to mask us from his scanners." " Orbital shift computed." " Execute." "Make it random pulse emission, I'm not going to lose him now." "I wonder what the surface conditions are like?" "Jenna?" "Star is G2, planet is Earth type right across the range, Earth level gravity, breathable atmosphere." "There's a lot of static too, the place is alive with electrical storms." "Cally, anything on the star charts or planet listings?" "Nothing in the data banks at all." " What do you think?" " It seems safe enough." "What Jenna thinks is largely academic Blake, we've been running on full power for far too long." "If we had to make a run for it now, we couldn't do better than Standard by Two, and we couldn't hold that for long." " Recharge time?" " Forty eight hours." "All right, we'll hide here for a while." "The planet should give us some protection from the detectors." "Zen, take us into orbit as close as possible to the planet's surface." "As close as possible Zen, the orbit could decay in forty eight hours." "Confirmed." "The parameters were anticipated." "I get the distinct feeling." "I offended Zen's professional pride then." "It's just a machine, Blake." "And he should know." " Well, Avon is the expert." " That's not what I meant." "No, he was calling me a machine, but since he undoubtedly defines himself as a human being," "I shall choose to accept that as more of a compliment than anything else." "Since we've got some time on our hands, we might as well take a look at this planet." "Anybody feel like some exercise?" "I'd be happy to get clear of this lot for a while." " Gan?" " I could do with a change of air I'll get kitted up." " Vila?" " I'll stay here, thanks" "Then you can work the teleport." "Readings show target has assumed a stationary orbit." "Excellent." "Orbit confirmed at one thousand spacials from the planet's surface." "This is hardly the time for that." "Normally I wouldn't do it in the presence of an unmodified." "Forget your coyness, I'm aware of your need for blood serum." "Most are, but few accept it for what it is;" "a functional convenience." "Opponents of mutoid modification call us vampires." "Rather appropriate, isn't it?" "It is immaterial." "I await your orders, Commander." "Attack formation, fifteen hundred spacials trajectory." "Pursuit Ships Two and Three move to flank, fire on my command." "Vila, try and stay alert." "Of course I will, how can you doubt me?" "It isn't easy, but somehow I manage it." "Come on." "Put us down." "[TELEPORTER WHINE]" "We're down safely." "It looks very barren, nothing much else to report." "We'll check with you when we've had a look round." "All right?" "Yes, all right." "What do you think?" "The surface seems to be melted." "It's almost like the effect of a fusion bomb." "Blake!" "Jenna!" "Well, at least we know the planet's inhabited." "Was inhabited." "Look here." "As far as the eye can see." " Grave markers?" " So many." "Blake, we've got company." "They were here!" "Two women, watching us." "There's nowhere they could have gone." "So where are they now?" "I hope my limiter hasn't malfunctioned." "Maybe we've all been on the ship too long." " Blake?" " What is it?" "This broken weapon, could it be a symbol of peace?" "Or defeat." "This whole place is a memorial to the dead." "Maybe they were ghosts you saw." "Those aren't ghosts!" "Pursuit ships, they've got to be." " Where did they come from?" " They must have been waiting for us." "Travis' strategy again." "Vila!" "Pursuit ships closing on you." "Vila!" "Full alert and get us up fast." "Move it!" "They're right on top of you." "[TELEPORTER WHINE]" "Sorry." "See Giroc, the star ships are closing for battle." "The choice is made." " What's going on?" " Pursuit ships." "Zen, can we get past them?" "All possible flight trajectories would require Liberator to cross enemy strike range." "Avon, what's our power reserve?" "Banks five, six, and seven, full power;" "zero on the rest." " Maximum speed and range?" " Standard by four, about eight million spacials." " We can't even outrun them this time." " We've got the neutron blasters." "But there isn't enough power." "Zen, state battle computer tactics." "Pre-emptive action was inhibited by manual overrides." "Strategy options are now reduced to one." "Battle computer suggests surrender." "Logic says we're dead!" "Logic has never explained what dead means." "Sensors report plasma bolt launch." " Direct vision." " On." " Avon, put up the force wall." " No, wait." " Why?" " It's too much of an energy drain" " Blake!" " They're closing fast, Blake." "Come on!" "I said wait!" " Blake!" " Activate!" " Second bolt launched." "[EXPLOSION]" " Deactivate." "Track second bolt." " Tracking." " Power status?" " Seventy percent on bank five" "Third bolt launched." "Second bolt closing." "Activate!" "[EXPLOSION]" "Third bolt closing." "[EXPLOSION]" "Deactivate." "Bank five has forty per cent remaining." "They'll move in closer now and strike again." "Sensors on full alert." "Are we just going to sit here and let them shoot at us?" "Yes!" "While they do they're using power faster than we are." "Might even things up a bit." "Shorten the odds, anyway." " The odds on what?" " Us being able to blast a way through them and run." " Three plasma bolts launched and running." " Bearing directly." "Right." "Hang on everyone, this is going to be rough." "I don't mind rough." "It's fatal I'm not too keen on." "He's low on power!" "He'd have made a run for it otherwise." "Leader to Pursuit Three:" "Continue barrage." "Leader to Two:" "Hold your fire." "We'll make him keep that defence shield in operation, bleed his energy banks." "If Pursuit Three keeps firing, it won't have enough reserve to put up its own defence shield." "Pursuit Three is expendable." "So is Two." "Let Blake destroy them both." "Between them, they can run his reserves down to zero." "This ship will still have full power, and we can move in and finish him." " Deactivate." " Bank five is finished." "Drawing on six." "Zen, power reserves?" "At the present level of discharge, reserves will be exhausted in 2.3 hours." "Which is when they'll move in for the kill." "Yes, and we'll be helpless." "Plasma bolt launched." "Bearing directly." "Avon, Cally Jenna, take command." "Gan, Vila, you help her." "Now watch the screen." "This is the Liberator, surrounded by one, two, three pursuit ships." "They're trying siege tactics." "Our only chance is to break out and run before we're too weak, do you agree?" "Activating." " We know we can't outrun them." " I wasn't planning to try." "Deactivating." "Now, this is the pursuit ship that's done all the firing." "That'll be low on power now, so it won't be a problem." "So we can ignore it." "Right This one hasn't fired at all yet, so this must be Travis." "We're going straight for it." "Not over, under, or around, but right through it." "Plasma bolt launched." "Bearing directly." " Ram it?" " The Liberator should be able to take the impact." " I admire your confidence." " So that would leave only one more to deal with." "That's right, a straight fight, one against one." "I agree." "If any of our control systems are damaged by the impact, we will be helpless." " We're not exactly in a commanding position now." " Activating!" " Have you got any better ideas?" " As a matter of fact, no I haven't" " Does that mean you agree?" " Do I have a choice?" " Yes." " Then I agree." "Deactivating." "Vila, Gan, Jenna, we're going for a ram, take out the command ship." "A ram?" "!" "?" "I can't see that there's any other hope for us." "Neither can I, so let's get on with it." "Jenna, you'll have to fly us on manual." "We'll need to take the impact on the lower hull." "Plasma bolt launched." "Bearing directly." "Right, as soon as this one hits, we move." "Stand by Activate!" " Force wall deactivated." " Right, now, Jenna!" "Pursuit Three reports total power shutdown." "They're incapable of further action." " Pursuit Two, commence firing." " Target ship is underway." "It's turning." "He's running." "There's nowhere to run, Blake!" "Compute course, speed, and lock on." "Time Distort Three and rising." "Course 000 They're coming straight at us." "Stand by plasma bolts." "Holding course." "Computers propose evasive action." "No!" "Hold your position." "Zen, count down to impact." "When Travis realises we're going for a ram, he'll fire a full salvo." " Will the force wall hold at this rate?" " We're about to find out." "Salvo fired, four of them!" "Stand by the force wall." " We're losing power, we're slowing." " Full thrust." "It's not responding." "Blake, we're stopping!" "They're holding course." "They're going to ram us!" "Evasive trajectory, full thrust." "Controls are not responding." "All systems are locked." " Operate boosters!" " Still no response." "Activate the force wall." "Ten, nine, eight, seven" "Force wall activated." "Six, five" "[INCREASING WHINE]" "Grating voice:" "Blake." "Travis." "Blake." "Listen to me, listen to me all of you." "We are Giroc the Keeper, we are Sinofar the Guardian." "Your ship is tethered, held in a stasis beam, it cannot break free." "Only your life support systems will function normally, the rest will remain in our control, until we have completed our task." "You yourselves have been released, so that you may watch, listen and understand." "We are ready, the warriors can be released." "[INCREASING WHINE]" "BLAKE?" "!" "No." "The weapon built into that hand will not work here, primitive." "Nor will brute force, until I allow it." "His impulse to kill is primitive." "As ours was not?" "Who are you?" "I am Sinofar, the Guardian." "This is Giroc, the Keeper." "I am Space Commander Travis, an officer and representative of the Earth Federation." "As an agent of my government, I demand an explanation." "Not only is he primitive, he's pompous as well!" "And you, do you also make demands?" "I'm not a Federation officer, but I would like some answers." "This man is an enemy of the state and a fugitive." "He is my prisoner." "Primitive, pompous, and stupid." "Giroc!" "All right, all right It's just that there's such violence in him, it's exciting." "Old instincts die hard, Sinofar." "I know." "You will lift this force field." "There are things you must understand first" "You do realise that any hostile act against me will be regarded as a hostile act against the Federation?" "Have you any idea of the risk you're running?" "They don't seem very impressed, Travis." "Why don't you try stamping your foot?" "Oh, that's very amusing, Blake." "For a dead man." "Do you intend to keep us prisoners?" "Only for the moment." "You were responsible for what happened to my ship?" "It will be restored when this matter has been settled." "As will yours." "No harm will come to your crews or your ships." "You have seen what we can do." "We are capable of protecting our planet." "Your threats of reprisal are meaningless." "Our powers grew out of a thousand years of war." "Out of hate, and fear and the will to survive." "We built destruction, weapons that your peoples have not yet dreamed of." "Every passing year brought new and more powerful ways to kill, and through the centuries the war raged across our planet." "With each generation there were fewer of us." "The dead vastly outnumbered the living." "And still there was no victory for either side." "How did it end?" "How?" "Another development of another weapon." "We demanded their surrender, they refused, the weapon was used." "Those that we call our enemy were annihilated." "You won, that's all that matters." "It wasn't a victory!" "It was only the end of the war." "We were left with a planet made barren by radiation." "Our children were monsters, or died, or were never born." "This, we won." "How many of you are there now?" "None." "We are a dead race." "We tell you this so that you will understand our reasons for intervening in your dispute." "Tell us, what is your dispute?" "I have told you." "This man is an enemy of the Federation, tried and convicted." "I must bring him back to justice or kill him." "You?" "I am an enemy of the Federation." "But it is corrupt and oppressive." "I will destroy it, if I can." "Irreconcilable viewpoints." "Your differences can only be resolved by the destruction of the other's belief." "The classic pattern for war." "I was about to resolve them when you interfered." "How many are there in your group?" "There are six of us." " And in your ships, Travis?" " Nine." "Fifteen people could die because of your beliefs." "My crew are with me by their own choice." "Really?" "Mine swore allegiance to the Federation." "I'm sure they're all splendidly loyal and dedicated." "I'm sure that you will both find supporters for your cause, and each of you could be backed by a massive army eventually." "But would numbers change the nature of the dispute?" "Probably not." "What do you say?" "Numbers?" "Immaterial." "We understand that men will kill for their beliefs." "Since each of you wishes to destroy the other, we are going to give you the chance." "A duel?" "Is that what you are suggesting?" "A fight to the death." "But this way, there will be a limit to the deaths." "And we will ensure that the loser's ship has an opportunity to get away." "Don't you find that rational?" "No." "When I've killed Blake, I'll simply hunt down the others." "There will be no destruction within our influence, but we cannot control your actions beyond this planet." "I don't think I want to kill for your entertainment." "You have no choice." "We could agree not to fight." "Could we?" "If you trusted one another." "There is another matter, a lesson you must learn about death." "I think we both know enough about that already." "You both know how to kill." "But here you must take a life." "There will be no machines to make the act unreal." "You must touch the life you take." "Shall we get on with it?" "How anxious he is to reach the forest." "Once there, you can only return when it is over." " Weapons?" " Tools for survival." "How long have we got?" "There is no limit, except your physical endurance." "So this is your lesson?" "Pathetic." "Half the lesson the death of an enemy, the other half is the death of a friend." "What does she mean?" "I've seen friends die." "Travis?" "Nothing concerns me but my duty." "I don't give a damn about their lessons." "I shall enjoy taking your life, Blake." "You talk a good fight, Travis." "But now the talking is done." "Learn." "[CHITTERING]" "Blake." "Come on Blake, you don't want to die on your back." "Goodbye, Blake." "Giroc?" "!" "I just wanted to see how vicious he was." "I wouldn't have let him kill yet." "You misuse the power." "Separate them, wipe it from their minds." "Nothing's lost." "How long must I suffer you, Giroc?" "Restart the contest Sinofar, these two show promise." "I don't understand it." "How can we be seeing this?" "We see and hear through the mind of the being called Sinofar." " It doesn't matter." "Blake's in trouble." " It could be just an illusion." "No, it is happening." "It is the truth beyond question." "Jenna?" "How did you get here?" "I don't know." "It seems your weird ladies have picked on me to demonstrate the death of a friend." "You heard all that?" "They beamed it into the ship's main screen." "Everything else is on some sort of stasis beam." "What are we going to do?" " Seen any sign of Travis?" " Have you?" "No." "We'd better make ourselves some weapons." "Finding Travis shouldn't be too difficult." "If he runs true to form, he'll set a trap." "and then try and draw us into it." "Who do you suppose he's got with him?" "His pilot, maybe." "Must present our hosts with something of a problem." "How do you demonstrate the death of a friend to a man who hasn't got any?" " Anything?" " No, Commander." "You've searched thoroughly?" "Your opponent is not yet within this vicinity." "Good, then I have a little plan we can put into operation." "Come." "Not exactly a neutron blaster, but it's better than nothing." "Not much better, though." "He seems to be working to a plan." "I wish we were." "Well?" "Did any of the controls respond?" " Nothing here" " Nothing on mine" "Nothing on these." "That's it, then, I've done everything I can." "Every machine except life support is frozen." " Even Zen?" " Zen is a machine." "Unless he just doesn't want to get involved." "What's Travis doing?" "As Blake said, he's probably preparing a trap." "It could be a mistake." "That sort of war is best fought on the move." "[HOWLING]" "We'd better try and find somewhere safe." "The quicker, the better." "[HOWLING]" "The night hunters are at work." "Come on, let's take shelter." "Bring my knife." "[HOWLING]" " Let's hope those things can't climb trees." " Or fly." "I don't know these star charts well enough to be sure, but I'd say we're still on the same planet." "They must have teleported us to a different part of it." "Do you believe what they told us?" "About themselves, I mean." "With that much power, why bother to lie?" "That's one way to become a hunted man, trust the powerful." "True." "What's your excuse?" "Oh, I wasn't clever enough, none of us were." "The Federation has beaten us all at least once." "At least." "If we get out of this, it still won't be any better." "She's right." "Jenna's right, you know." "Why should it be any different?" "We'll have the Federation after us till the day we die." "Who says?" "We've been lucky up till now." "We'll be lucky again." "You hope." "Have you thought what might happen if those two don't get back?" "I mean, could you operate this ship properly?" "Let's just listen." "Well, could you?" " Right, are you going to go to sleep first, or shall I?" " You can." "Right, wake me when you're tired." "[HOWLING]" "Tell me something, do you remember who you were?" "I don't understand the question, Commander." "Yes you do." "In your previous life before you were modified." "Do you know who you were?" "Of course not." " Aren't you curious about it?" " No." "I find that hard to believe." "Memory is an encumbrance." "All trace of it is removed, and with it all trace of identity." "And it doesn't concern you?" "Why should it?" "That identity doesn't exist, even in the central computers." "Yes it does." "I know who you were." "Your name was Keyeira." "Keyeira." "You were very beautiful, very much admired." "Shall I go on?" "As you wish." "This doesn't interest you at all, does it?" "How could it?" " Keep watch." " Yes, Commander." "[HOWLING]" "Blake!" "Huh?" " Are you all right?" " It's just a small cut, that's all." "I'm sorry." "I went to sleep." "No, it's all right, it was my fault." "We should have both stayed awake." "Have you thought of another plan?" "Yes." "I'm going to get some sleep." "How can you sleep with all this happening?" "With all what happening?" "Blake is sitting up in a tree." "Travis is sitting up in another tree." "Unless they're planning to throw nuts at one another, I don't see much of a fight developing before it gets light." "You're never involved, are you Avon?" "You ever cared for anyone?" "Except yourself?" "I have never understood why it should be necessary to become irrational in order to prove that you care, or, indeed, why it should be necessary to prove it at all." " Was that an insult or did I miss something?" " You missed something." "It's a very big bite, looks inflamed." "Yes, it makes my arm a bit sore." "It's nothing that I can't cope with." "What were these things doing at the foot of the tree, hmm?" "They came in the night." "I trapped them." "You did more than that." "My serum supply is running low, there was a little blood in each of them." "There's a lot of blood in me." "There still is, Commander." "You are a Federation officer, as I am." "Just as long as you remember that." "Do you now believe we mutoids are vampires?" "I believe you're useful." "Get on with it." "My function will be impaired if I don't get further serum soon." "Maybe that can be arranged." "Is that what I think it is?" "I don't imagine that it is a recreational aid." "I can't see Blake throwing himself on it, though." "Can you?" "I can't ever see Blake finding the right place." "How is he supposed to find it?" "I mean, he hasn't got anything to go on, has he?" "I've been watching Blake." "He's quartering the area." "That is the correct search pattern." "If it is the correct area." " Any sign?" " None, Commander." "I've lit a fire, it'll draw Blake to us." "Since I was given you, he must have been given a companion as well." "Whoever it is, I want you to find them, bring them back here." "Dead or alive, it doesn't matter, just bring them." "And Blake?" "No!" "Don't touch Blake." "He belongs to me." "Well, go on, what's the matter with you?" "The blood of those creatures, it was not suitable." "When you've found Blake's companion, there'll be plenty of blood." "We can't even be sure they're in this area." "We have to assume they are." "Well, maybe I can see something from up there." "[THUD]" "Jenna!" "There's some smoke over there." "Jenna?" "Jenna, Jenna!" "No!" "Not yet." "Get to your position." "NOW!" "Blake!" "Blake, can you hear me?" "I know you're there Blake." "I know you're close by." "Hear me Blake, I have your friend." "Your friend will die Blake, unless you give yourself up." "Blake, look out!" "Up there." "NOW!" " You've got him." " Go on!" "Kill him." "You fought well, Blake." "I'm glad you enjoyed it." "Why didn't you kill him?" "Too weak?" "Or maybe I didn't entirely trust your motives." "Besides, as long as he's alive, he'll be the one chasing me." "And I know I can beat him." "At least you're not stupid." "I need time enough to get my ship away and recharge the energy banks." "They have been recharged." "I will see that your ship gets away." "Another reason why I didn't kill Travis:" "I would have enjoyed it." "Perhaps there was nothing for you to learn." " Jenna, what speed?" " Standard by six." "Confirmed." " What was she like?" " Who?" "Sinofar." " Of course, you never saw her." " No." "Thank you." "She was very beautiful, wasn't she, Jenna?" "Yes." "Very." "All we saw was the ugly one." "How is it you get all the fun?" "Oh, I don't know, some of us are born lucky and some..." "Where is Blake?" "He won the right to go." "It was agreed." "It changes nothing." "And what about your friend?" "A mutoid?" "It's little better than a machine." "In any case, she's dead." "Travis, your companion is not dead." "I will heal her." "She is of no further value to me." "I have a fugitive to hunt." "Return me to my ship." "It is good to see a man like Travis again after so long." "You remind her of our people." "He is just like our people, and like them he learnt nothing." "That's why we're prisoners." "You keep us prisoner, Giroc." "Never return to this planet, Travis." "The condemned ate a hearty meal." "Your failure cost me Blake." "I warned you that my function would be impaired, Commander." "Perhaps the court martial will take that into account, but I doubt it." "Tell me, what happens to a mutoid that's dismissed the service?" "We exist only to serve." "Oh?" "Then you'll probably cease to exist." "Ready, Commander." "Follow Blake's course." "We can't match his speed." "We don't have to, just match his course." "You see, he made one fatal error." "He should have killed me."