CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

Mike stood on the lip of the hangar mesa watching the Admiral’s battle cruiser lift off far across the plain.

It was near the end of the day. The lightning in the mountains was still growing farther away.

Joe came up to him. “A visit from Pav. Can’t be good.”

“He’s in love with me.”

“Who wouldn’t be? He has excellent taste.”

“He came out to me.”

“That couldn’t have been easy. What’s he going to do?”

“Take his battle cruiser and go home.”

“Is that helpful or not helpful to us?”

“We’re going to be attacked.”

“Again?”

“By Bex with a mandate to stamp out rebellious prisoners.”

“We’re not rebelling.”

“Part of the universe finds us revolting in general.”

“How’s Bex going to manage it?”

Mike explained.

Joe exhaled a long breath.

“We’ve got you and that lake of zukoh. Let’s talk to Snek. See if he’s got any notions about a defense.”

“We’ve got to do something.”