Well, they've gone the whole time without refueling, Kaz. It has to happen in any good space story!



Anyhow, I've got more. Almost done. . .



"Into the Conquerer? I don't know, but I can try."

"You'll help us, then? Against Kroys?"

"Sure. He doesn't want me, so why should I help him? I'm just back to where I began, an assassin and bounty hunter."

"Well, thanks, Shonar," Copper said, rising. "You've been a big help."

"Heh, anytime. Hey, by the way, Kroys is scheduled to leave for Firen at 1200 hours on his Hypernaught. If I were you, I'd face him on there." The good-looking bronze furred rabbit glanced up at her with eyes the color of stormclouds. He grinned cockily.

"I can give you a readout of the Hypernaught, and her location, but that's it. Will that do?"

"Yeah, thanks again. Will you be there?"

"Sure thing. Wouldn't miss it for anything in the world."

"Well, you've been a big help. C'mon, Phoebe, we gotta get back to the Assassin." She glanced back at Shonar. "Seeya later, I guess."

"Yeah, I guess," he echoed, and watched her leave. He'd seen the unspoken question in her eyes: How did a rabbit like you get to be Kroys' top pilot? He sighed and glanced out the window at his Protector, christened as Lessaria 309. Possibly because I had "no loyalties" towards my home planet, he thought cynically. How could I not have any? Being turned away was the last straw. He would stay mercenary this time. It was a lot safer.



"Well, what did you think?"

"About what, Shonar? I think he was telling the truth, or at least, no lies. Don't trust that one too much," Phoebe cautioned. Copper grinned down at the young squirrel.

"Phoebe, I don't trust anyone. Not even. . ." Her eyes darkened with long-remembered pain and anguish.

"Not even?" Phoebe prompted.

"Not even what?" Copper asked innocently. Phoebe sighed.

"Never mind. Are you going to take Shonar's advice about the Hyperness or whatever he called it?"

"The Hypernaught. Yeah, I think he was telling the truth. He'll get us in the Conquerer if anyone can."

They walked on in silence for a while. Suddenly Copper spun, sword in hand, and roughly caught the wrist of a young black rabbit.

"Gotcha!" she hissed. The young rabbit's deep blue eyes blazed, and she wrenched her wrist out of Copper's grip. She siezed one of the many daggers that festooned her, and with the other swung a needle-tipped mace. With one deft movement Copper moved her sword correctly, and the chain wrapped around the blade. With a slight tug, she disarmed her opponent.

"Who are you?" The blue eyes narrowed.

"I am Nightshade."



"You BELIEVE him? Copper, he's from that thrice-cursed Kroys!"

"I know that. Which is why I don't believe him wholly, but if he can get us in the Conquerer I'm willing to go for it."

"Well, next time take Wild Angel. She can read minds, can't she?"

"Yes. Alright, I will, you've convinced me. Take it easy, Claw, it's not like some bounty hunter would be able to even touch me."

"It's not you I'm worried about, mercenary. It's me."

"Oh? And what's he going to do, send some evil spell at you?"

"Well, you never know. . ."

"Don't worry about it. You can take care of yourself."

"Thanks alot," Claw muttered. Copper responded with a sarcastic, "you're so welcome to it."

Then, "Shinyso, set route to. . . five marks off the Belt of Varanhal. How much power have we got?"

"Full on both thrusters. If we charged up any more we'd burst."

"Good. Claw, how about the weaponry?"

"Lasers and ions charged to full, max torpedoes and half heat-seekers."

"Awesome. Got that course planned out?"

"Sure thing."

"Okay. Fire up the thrusters and let's get out of here."

And with a sound like a thunderclap, they did just that.