Anakron invited Greyla aboard his private starship, the Lady Devora.

"We're going to rendezvous with the Adder to pick up Hal and the others before the BakoNaat leave our sector," Anakron said

Greyla had never been on the Lady Devora before. She noted how the sleek lines of the vessel flowed from one floor to the next. There were smooth contours to all the furnishings, stairs and railings in contrast to the sharp angular grids of the Moz Lidule.

"This is a beautiful ship. It has a woman's touch if I may say so," Greyla said.

"Yes. My wife had a hand in it," Anakron said. "She commissioned it for me when I left for the galactic wars. She wanted me to feel at home."

"I didn't know you were married."

"She was my first wife and died a long time ago," Anakron said. "She rejected this life of immortality,"

"I'm so sorry," Greyla said. She could feel the deep sadness elicited when mentioning Devora. "I could tell Bethon was upset earlier. I could feel his pain, but I dared not speak to him about it. Please, tell me what is going on, Lord Anakron."

"Bethon and Etaine had a lover's spat. She's leaving and taking the BakoNaat with her."

"Lovers spat? I didn't know they even got along."

"It was rather sudden on all accounts," Anakron said.

"Etaine is like that. I can't believe she sprang from me. We're so opposite in every way."

"She's your shadow, Greyla. Don't fret over it. The ancients have accepted her. She has a purpose here. I'm convinced you all do."

When they reached the bridge, the large viewing interface looked out on a field of stars. Lieutenant Cratus had launched the ship free of the Moz Lidule while Anakron was giving Grelya a tour and was busy checking coordinates before warping.

"Lord Anakron." He nodded in greeting. "Welcome aboard, Greyla."

"Thanks. It's nice to have a chair made to fit a human for a change," Greyla said as she sank into one of the comfortable pilot seats.

"I have to agree with you completely on that," Cratus said.

The ship accelerated smoothly. Cratus waited until they were well away from the Moz Lidule before taking them into hyperspace.

"We're technically in a state of war with the BakoNaat by decree of Queen Etaine," Anakron said. "She has graciously allowed us to recover our crew members without hostilities. Widhbo will pick up Hal and teleport everyone to my ship. Etaine is pulling the BakoNaat forces out. We will be fighting the demon alone in the future."

"I assume we aren't going back to the Moz Lidule?" Greyla asked.

"No. We're ambassadors on behalf of Admiral Bethon. We will seek an alliance with Sag Leggan who commands the Tor sector adjacent to us," Anakron explained. "We want to enlist his forces to assist in fighting the demon."

"Surely we can win back the BakoNaat to this cause. It threatens all of us alike," Greyla said.

"Leggan has something Etaine wants badly. He owns Lotee. Bethon was out of line when he allowed Lotee to exist in solid form. Etaine was upset when Bethon retired him and terminated his program."

"Why did Bethon have Lotee's file if he didn't own him?" Greyla asked.

"He hoped to win him back at some future sector game. The hologram files serve as place holders and reminders of what was lost or traded."

"And if we can get him back, what then?"

"Lotee will be permanently transferred to Queen Etaine. We've sent a communication to her ship explaining our plan. We hope to negotiate a new treaty and set things right with the BakoNaat."

"Incoming report, Lord Anakron," Cratus interrupted. "The BakoNaat have lured the demon to the last pod and refueling station near the event horizon. Apparently, he likes it there and is soaking up energy like a sponge. He's transformed again and now appears to actually be building a ship. They fear he's growing even stronger."

"How is that possible?" Anakron asked. "How can the demon build anything out there. He consists of an amorphous metallic condensate and would have to transmute it into various complex substances.

"You have to remember that he has absorbed all the knowledge of those he's assimilated, including the BakoNaat who are known for their alchemy. With the two ships he destroyed, the asteroid and all the pods he's taken, there would be plenty of raw material," Greyla said. "Now he has radiation energy from the black hole as well."

"It's terrifying to imagine," Cratus said. "As soon as we pick can up our friends, we'll head for Leggan's sector. He may have some valuable insight into the matter."

"We're exiting hyperspace near the Adder now," Anakron said.

The shields came down and the BakoNaat ship was clearly visible. The Adder was long, graceful ship that shimmered in the light of a nearby star, reflecting back all colors of the spectrum.

"Widhbo is preparing to teleport now," Cratus reported. "I'm sending him the coordinates for our power node here."

The small magiton body appeared on the bridge a few moments later. It accessed the power port and expelled three digitalized figures that materialized into Tajlon, Nova and Yoeke. They took a few moments to orient themselves.

"Where's Hal?" Greyla asked after giving Tajlon a welcoming hug. Nova rubbed up against Greyla, purring loudly.

"That's a problem," Tajlon answered. "Queen Etaine is holding him hostage on board the Adder until we obtain Lotee for trade."

"I should have seen that one coming," Anakron said, shaking his head. "We're lucky she didn't hold all of you."

"Widhbo is staying in the magiton body. He will transport Lotee to them and bring Hal back when we make the trade," Tajlon said.

"Can't I go home, Lord Anakron?" Yoeke asked.

"You could, but we could use an extra crew member. I'm asking you to stay and assist Lieutenant Cratus."

"I will if Nova merges with Tajlon again," Yoeke said. "Nothing personal, Nova. You're simply too distracting. I'm constantly fighting to stay out of your wild and beastly head."

"Balvendro ordered us apart, Yoeke," Tajlon said. "He said after the mission was over, we were to be separate."

"It's not over really."

"It's aborted. Same as."

"This should solve your problem," Anakron said. He stepped forward and dropped a new guardchev over Nova's head. "Balvendro anticipated the unprotected files would cause trouble. He made this one for you, Nova.”

Nova gave Yoeke a smug look and swaggered across the room, the guardchev nestled in the thick fur of his neck.

"If you stay, Yoeke, you will be here on the bridge and share the officer's lounge with Cratus. I'll find more private quarters for the others," Anakron said. He motioned to them. "Come with me."

"What about Widhbo?" Greyla asked.

"He's in his own world in there," Tajlon said. "He won't even miss us."

* * *

Tajlon fell fast asleep on the leather sofa in the living area with one arm draped over Nova who had curled up beside him.

Greyla discovered a detailed map of the Tor galaxy with the sector layout on the wall. The center of the galaxy seemed so very far away and yet she could feel the demon's presence. She shuddered to think how powerful it had become. She answered a soft knock at the door and found Anakron on the other side of it.

"Shh. They're asleep," she whispered and joined him in the corridor.

'Yes, let them sleep.," Anakron said. "I'm relieved they are safe after such a dangerous mission. It nearly ended in disaster. You and your friends have barely been introduced to our world and are having to face what is perhaps the greatest crisis we've known."

Greyla closed the door behind her. "It's been stressful enough watching from a distance. I can only imagine what they've been through."

"We're approaching the Resnor system and Leggan's home planet of Sagor," Anakron said.

Greyla was wearing her uniform jacket from the Moz Lidule. "Should I be wearing this? I know nothing of protocol."

'I believe Bethon sent you something he felt was more in keeping with our diplomatic mission," Anakron said. "You'll find it in your closet, but wear whatever you like."

"I'm worried." Greyla admitted. "What if he doesn't agree to sell Lotee. What will become of Hal?"

"I'm certain we'll get Lotee. Once Leggan understands the seriousness of the situation he'll cooperate. The demon is the real issue for all of us."

"Leave it to Bethon to mess things up," Greyla complained. "No disrespect to his rank or position, but he's broken."

"I won't argue that point," Anakron said. "Cratus will come with us to meet with Sag Leggan. Yoeke can stay on the bridge and keep an eye on things."

"I'll go change and meet you back on the bridge," Greyla said.

Anakron headed for the bridge and made preparations to leave.

Greyla soon returned wearing an attractive fitted gown of of soft black silk that hugged her figure and flared gently at the bottom. She has loosed her long dark hair which fell in soft waves down her back. The gown was cut tastefully low in front to expose some cleavage. A pair of simple but elegant earrings set off her heart shaped face.

“Good choice,” Anakron said with an admiring look.

She followed Anakron to a transport where Cratus was waiting to take them down to the planet.

"You look very nice, Greyla," Cratus complimented her as she stepped on board.

"Thank you. It's a present from Admiral Bethon," Greyla said. "He left me a note saying I could charm Sag Leggon out of anything I want wearing this."

Anakron laughed. "Bethon knows his rivals well enough. I’ll caution you to keep your distance from them both."