Bah, who cares 'bout claiming pages. Thanks, Phoebe, I'll get ya in soon as I can. . .



Chapter Twelve-continued



"Alpha!" Shinyso exclaimed. "Never heard of 'em. Is he a Carrotan?" "She. SAM doesn't know, she says that she came from Medivo but wasn't a citizen. I don't know where she came from." Emerald shrugged resignedly. "Well, it I know Copper than we're going to meet this Alpha, like it or not."

And Emerald was right. Copper had full intents to find Alpha, because she suspected that this was the one Shinyso had sensed. The Assassin shuddered and took off. . .



Alpha checked the readings on the small vessel she had stolen. The Silken Swift was just that; speedy and smooth.

Getting off of Carrotus had been easy. Alpha had waited until the Shellian "guards" had been changing, when there was a lot of chaos. Then she had simply slipped through the patrols while they were getting into position and she was home free.

The "escape" had been fueled by her temper, and now she was cooling down. What was she doing? One little messenger-type ship against a huge Star Destroyer? () Perhaps it would be better if she just went back to Medivo, pay her rent and start roaming again.

Then all thoughts of leaving left HER as the Conquerer shuddered and moved slightly. The gargantuan laser cannons receded and, if possible, even bigger torpedoes mounted and aimed straight for the planet! Although Alpha hadn't been there long, her initial impression of Carrotus had been of friendliness and happiness. She did not want her benefactors killed by the scum of the galaxies!

Silken Swift wheeled about, and shot for the Star Destroyer. Alpha could barely belive it as she neared the vessel: the lower bay, which had opened for the troops to leave, was still open! Quick as light, she directed the small ship into the yawning bay.

Now she was confronted by a maze of passage tubes and walkways. Skilfully weaving through the labyrinth, she was enveloped by a large tube, which she followed. An airlock followed that, and closed behind her automatically. Air flowed in, and gravity returned.



"Lord Kroys, the Carrotan defense system has been destroyed. With your permission, we will obliterate the planet." Kroys shook his head pityingly. "Destroy it, Commander, and we will have no trophy. Surround the planet in a pattern of troops, and be certain that none leave the planet. I trust that no one escaped during the blast?" The turtle bowed. "My Lord, the sensors detected a lone messenger leaving the planet. It was small enough to have been a large probe, but we lost track of it five minutes ago."

Kroys pondered the news. Finally he spoke. "One vessel cannot hurt us, Commander. But two can. Be sure that nothing else leaves the planet OR this ship unauthorized." The officer bowed again. "Yes, Milord."



I can't write anymore right now, but there'll be more tomorrow!



(Um, Phoebe, d'you mind being found as a slave in the mines? I mean, a newish one? Thanks.)