Chapter Thirty-Seven

With polite but firm use of elbows and other assorted body parts, Argus, Vila and the soldiers had made their way through the crowds and were now in position to take control of all of the access points to the Main Hall. Entrance into the Main Hall was by invitation only and only the most privileged received those.

Argus didn’t anticipate any difficulties getting inside. Most people’s eyes were glued to the huge monitor screens lining the walls just above everyone’s heads. The Athol soldiers were trained to act quickly and with as little disturbance as possible. The only thing they could do now was watch and wait and hope. The danger was still to come. It all depended on Reya and the Champions.

**********

Vila was watching Argus surreptitiously as he observed the view screen. He knew that Argus must be worried sick but he didn’t show it. He was always the professional soldier, the leader with the cool head. Vila knew that Argus had not liked this plan and had been opposed to it from the start. It was far too risky. He had been angry that Sester had helped Reya analyze the situation and set up the scenario that was unfolding inside the Main Hall. But he respected Reya and knew that she felt it necessary to do this. He had given her his full backing even though Vila knew that it must have turned his stomach in knots. Vila turned his focus back to what was going on in the Hall.

**********

Argus’s hand rested lightly on his holster as he watched Reya declare, “He is an alien from the Andromeda galaxy.”

All around them the crowds reacted in shock.

On the screen, that reaction was reflected on Thelis’s face and then he laughed. “She’s not only a woman, she’s insane!” The crowds around Argus began roaring with laughter and some not very flattering comments were made about Reya.

Argus pressed his teleport bracelet and whispered evenly, “Take the exits now.”

All of the teams did their jobs well. Amidst the preoccupation with what was going on inside the Main Hall, no one noticed there was a change in guards.

On the view screen, they saw that Reya was unaffected by the crowds’ reaction to what she just said. She put her hand in her pocket and brought out a small grey box. “I have a way to prove what I am saying. All I have to do is...” Reya brought the device up as if to point it.

Thelis immediately drew his gun. He shouted and fired at Reya. “Watch out! It’s a bomb!”

Dannon had his gun out and had fired at Thelis, bringing him down just as Reya dove and rolled to the side to avoid the shot. Unfortunately three of the Champions had also drawn their guns at the same time and fired at Reya as she desperately continued rolling to avoid being killed. Dannon fired in quick succession, bringing two of them down instantly. His title as the best shot in the Chandar Alliance was not an idle one. The third man’s shot hit Reya in the chest.

Dannon shouted, “Reya!” He brought down the final man with a single shot to the head. A smear of blood led to where Reya had stopped rolling. Her body was still. It had all happened so fast that everyone was frozen in shock.

Suddenly, the energy barrier deactivated. The audience inside hesitated for a moment and then they streamed forwards.

**********

Just as Thelis fired his first shot, Argus’s face was grim. Then he saw Dannon lift up his gun to bring down Thelis. Sester had been right. A breath of relief was quickly stifled as he saw three other Champions raise their guns as well. They had not expected so many but they had planned for it. Argus immediately pressed his comm button. “Avon, bring her up now!” He saw Reya dive and roll and hoped that Avon could adjust his coordinates quickly enough.

Argus tried to open the door but the controls wouldn’t respond. “Damn!” The door should not have been locked.

He cursed himself for not allowing Avon to participate on this mission. Avon had been right. They needed someone on the security computers to make sure that something like this couldn’t happen. He could almost imagine Avon’s disapproving gaze and a look that read in bold letters, “I told you so.”

The time for self-recriminations could wait until later. They had to get inside now.

Argus looked up at the screen and could see the beginning of the teleport energies forming around Reya’s rolling body. In horror he shouted just as Dannon did, “Reya!” He saw Reya hit and his heart nearly sank. What was worse of all was that Reya was still in the Main Hall. What happened to the teleport?

Argus saw the privileged crowds seething forward as the energy barrier unexpectedly dropped. He hit the comm button frantically. “Damn it, Avon! Bring her up! They’re going to kill her!”

Avon’s voice responded, “I can’t get a lock on her bracelet. It stopped sending a signal in mid-teleport. It must be damaged.”

The situation was getting worse and worse. What else could go wrong?

Argus pressed his teleport bracelet again. “Avon, bring us up! Teleport us directly into the Hall! I don’t care who sees us use the teleport.”

Avon’s voice responded, “I can’t do that.”

Argus’s face and body were controlled but the tightness in his voice betrayed the feelings he was trying to keep under control. “Why the hell not?”

Avon’s voice responded calmly, “I can’t get a fix on a non-active spot inside the Hall. There are too many people moving around. There isn’t a free location to put you down.”

Argus swore again.

Vila had been paying attention to what was going on. When Avon announced that he couldn’t teleport the Commander up and he couldn’t teleport them into the Hall, Vila immediately opened up his equipment satchel and started working on the locked door. “I can get this open."

Argus saw what he was doing and pressed on his comm. “All teams get into the Main Hall the best way you can! Protect the Commander and control the exits!” He asked, “How long, Vila?”

“Just give me a minute. There’s a security lock on this.” Nervousness tended to make Vila work even faster. He was trying to avoid imagining what was happening to the Commander while they were trapped out here.

**********

Dannon raced over to where Reya lay still. He knelt down even as blood seeped from the wound in her chest. Reya was gasping painfully for air. Dannon pointed his gun at his fellow Champions as they moved towards them. “Don’t move any closer!” With horror he saw the crowds streaming forward and surrounding them. He barely knew where to aim his lone gun. It looked like the end but he was going to go down fighting for both of them.

The crowds stopped almost within touching distance. There were shocked faces and they all seemed to be staring at something behind him.

Dannon followed their gazes and nearly dropped his gun. In the place where Thelis lay was not the body of a man. It was the well-known green residue trace left by the aliens who had invaded their galaxy.

Someone else shouted in shock, “This one too!” The crowds moved and Dannon could just catch a glimpse of another glob of green. It was the other man he had shot.

Dannon said in a loud voice, “She was right! The Champion was right! The aliens are trying to take us over. Reya risked her life trying to warn us.”

There were loud mutterings as the crowd digested this information and the sight of the alien bodies. Reya’s pained breathing could barely be heard.

Dannon challenged, “What are we going to do? How do we treat those who risk their lives for the security of Chandar? She isn’t even one of us. She’s a stranger and a woman. But she considered saving the people of Chandar more important than her own life. She came down unarmed and was willing to face all of us alone. This is a noble and courageous act. Regardless of who or what she is. And now she’s dying. What are we going to do to honour such a noble act?”

Five of the Champions stepped towards them. Dannon tensed and brought his gun up. Without a word, the five Champions turned around and formed a human wall, placing themselves between Reya and everyone else. One of them was the Elder Champion. He said, “The woman, Reya has fulfilled all of the requirements of a Champion of Chandar. I will not see her hurt. You will have to go through us first.”

**********

Outside the Hall, Vila straightened up in triumph. “Got it!”

Argus clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man!” The door slid open and the team rushed inside and began to force their way to Reya.

**********

From his kneeling position, Dannon picked up the small grey device that Reya had dropped. He stood up and addressed the assembled audience and the broadcasting viz cameras. “I know that it is hard for most of us to accept but it doesn’t change the facts. This woman has done a noble thing and she has given us a way to identify and deal with the aliens in our midst.” He held the small device up over his head.

A low masculine voice spoke loudly above the noise of the crowd. “No, she didn’t.”

The crowd reacted in confusion to this.

Dannon saw Argus trying to make his way towards him. He pointed to Argus and ordered, “Let him through.”

The crowd obeyed and Argus made his way to the line of Champions who were standing up to protect Reya. They parted and let him through. Argus kept the reactions from his face as he drew closer and saw the wound in Reya’s chest and heard her struggling painfully to breath.

She looked up at him as he approached. He could barely hear Dannon asking, "What do you mean?"

All Argus wanted to do was to take Reya back to the ship, all thoughts of what they wanted to achieve here was temporarily lost. He bent down and knelt beside her. "Vila, give me your bracelet."

Vila immediately took his off and threw it to him.

Reya gasped out painfully, "No. Not yet. You know what you have to do."

"Reya, we have to get you back. You'll die if we don't." Argus picked up her arm but she tried to push him away saying, "No. Not yet. I promised them that I would stay until they decided what they wanted to do. My life is in their hands."

Argus pleaded with her, "No, Reya. You're not supposed to do this. We can't lose you. Please."

Reya looked at him sadly and putting her hand on his arm, said with difficult and gasping breaths, "You know why we did it this way."

Argus said angrily, "That damned Sester! I'm going to..."

"No, you're not going to. You're just angry because you know he's right. We have to give them a chance. It's the only way. I can't do it now, do it for me." Her eyes held his until he bowed his head and nodded.

Argus stood up and looked at Dannon and then he turned to the crowds. “There is no device that identifies the aliens.”

Dannon said, “But...we all saw it work.”

“All you saw was a light emitter hooked up to an activation switch.”

Dannon reflected the confusion of the audience when he said, “Then I don’t understand.”

Argus’s voice was grim as he explained. “We had no way to identify the aliens but we knew that some of them would have been at the Inauguration. We suspected Thelis from the beginning but we also guessed that some of the Champions would be as well. We...Reya took the chance that if she acted as if she had a device that would reveal them, they might be shocked and desperate enough to try to kill her.”

Dannon said in disbelief, “But that’s suicidal. She’s unarmed. How could you let her do that?”

“She trusted that you would do the right thing and protect her.” He turned to the Champions and said, “I am not here to pass judgment on your society or to demand that you change.”

Argus stopped and looked down at Reya. He desperately wanted to bring her back to the ship but he had made a promise. Reya had done as much as she could and now she was entrusting this responsibility to him. Her sacrifice could not be for nothing. Argus tried to recall what Sester had explained to them as they were planning this scenario.

When Argus looked up, there was hardness in his voice when he addressed the crowds again. “Damn it. I take that back. I do mean to say that. In the past you’ve needed the courage, honour and self-sacrifice of the Champions in order save your society. That’s why you hold them in such high esteem. You recognize that they represent the best things about your own people. But you’ve done yourself a great disservice. Reya has shown you great courage, honour and self-sacrifice today and she’s a woman. I challenge all of you. In keeping the women of Chandar enslaved, are you denying yourselves half of all that is good about Chandar? Have there been other Reya’s in your midst that you’ve thrown away? Reya chose to believe in your people because of your legend of Champions. She is entrusting her life into your hands. She is going to honour her promise to stay here and allow you to chose whether she lives or dies. Whatever you decide, she...” Argus's face reflected the pain of his next words. "She will accept. And I will stay as well. I will not leave her. Whatever fate you chose for her, applies to me as well."

Argus loosened his gun belt and let it drop to the ground. He knelt down beside Reya and took hold of her hand.

**********

Vila didn't know what was happening. None of this had been planned. Reya was not supposed to be lying on the ground dying. She was not supposed to offer to sacrifice herself like this. Argus was not meant to do the same thing.

This was being done for a people Vila had very little liking for. He had seen some not very nice things on this planet. But Sester had pointed out something that showed some promise; it was in their legend of the Champions and in people like Dannon and President Brent and his people. There was hope and Reya was staking her life to call on this hope. Argus was sacrificing his life because he believed in her.

Vila wondered what it meant to him. He had no ties to these people and he still didn't think much of them, definitely not enough to sacrifice his life for them in a hope that they were right.

No. That was wrong. Corinne was half Chandaran. She was worth it. Her mother had given up half her life to stay to help these people. She must have seen something in them as well.

No one had asked Vila to risk his life or make any kind of sacrifice. He was his own man. Free to do whatever he wanted, including chose to live to fight another day.

But he couldn't. Because of Corinne and her mother. Because of Reya and Argus. Because of all the Chandarans he had gotten to know and who were worth it.

Vila slowly took off his gun belt as well and threw it down in front of him. He took a few steps forward, his legs seemed to be shaking so hard that he was sure that everyone could see how afraid he was. "I'm staying too. Whatever you do to them, you can do to me."

Around the room, several gun belts clattered to the ground as the Athol soldiers in the Hall all followed suit and stepped forward.

Dannon said, “Argus is right. Reya has shown all of the best qualities of a Champion today. As have all of the people with her.” He looked pointedly at Gravis. “Can anyone of us truly say that we would have this kind of courage, honour and self-sacrifice for people who hate us? This is what Reya has done despite all that we’ve tried to do to her.”

**********

Up in the Justice's teleport room, Avon and Cally watched with fascination as Argus told the crowds that he was staying. When Vila stepped forward to do the same, Avon's eyes widened in shock and then he looked at Cally.

Cally asked, "What are you thinking?"

"Vila." Avon looked back at the vidscreen as the soldiers also made their stands. "He's chosen to believe in something."

Cally looked at him for a moment. "I'll go and get a med kit ready." She rushed out.

**********

There was shock in the Main Hall as the impact of the actions of the strangers hit everyone. No matter what any of these men believed about women, none of them could close their eyes to what they were witnessing. No one could hear Reya's pained breathing and see the blood that was still seeping from her wound and not realize that she was truly placing her life into their hands.

One by one, the rest of Champions joined the line to protect Reya. The greatest surprise of all was her most violent opponent, Gravis. Gravis was subdued as he said to the crowd, “I’m like you. I can’t see much good in a woman but I’m also a Champion. I’ve never been able to protect Chandar the way this woman has. I cannot ignore such a display of courage or the debt that the entire Alliance owes her. The day we stop honouring this kind of self-sacrifice is the day I will step down as Champion because we would no longer be longer worthy of the concept of a Champion. I can’t say that I would be able to change my mind about women but I can change my mind about this woman and I am willing to listen. We have to let her go. We must allow them to save her.”

Dannon said, “Gravis is right. We owe Reya. The aliens are trying to destroy humanity again. This time they're trying to use everything against us including our own weaknesses. If Reya had not had the courage to defy our traditions and prejudices, the aliens would have won and who knows where Chandar would be in a year from now. Maybe destroyed or all enslaved to the aliens. I think that we must consider a change if we are to survive as a people. We cannot let the aliens win. If it means embracing women like Reya, then I say we should at least talk about it. But we have to save her first.”

The Champions in the line looked at each other. There were nods of consensus as the Elder Champion said, “Dannon is right. We can’t let the aliens win. There is much to be discussed but for now, the Champions will honour the new Champion, Reya with all of the privileges that she has earned many times over. Argus, go. Save her.”

Argus didn't need another invitation. He quickly snapped the bracelet on Reya's wrist and called for teleport. Cally was ready and waiting when she arrived.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Argus hovered anxiously beyond an opaque energy screen that concealed the surgical area where Cally and Marlena were trying to repair the damage to Reya lungs and chest. One of his fists was opening and closing with the tension of feeling helpless. There was nothing he could do except wait. The light reddish tinge to the screen made him uncomfortable. It reminded him of the colour of blood; Reya's blood as it slowly bled out of her injured body. He thought the builders of this ship must be callous sadists to make it a colour that would remind him of his failure and her pain.

Avon entered and watched the preoccupied man for a moment before he said, “Everyone’s back on the ship.”

“What?” Argus belatedly registered what he was saying. “Good. What’s the situation on the planet?”

“Choatic but the Champions are providing leadership.”

Argus turned around and stared at him. “Do you think it’ll work?”

“The Commander staked her life on it.”

Argus flinched at yet another reminder of what was going on behind the screen that hid the person he most wanted to see. With a loud thump, he hit his fist against the frame of the bed next to him. "I know she did. That’s not what I asked.”

What he desperately needed to hear was that Reya's sacrifice was not going to be for nothing. He couldn't bear the thought of that on top of everything else.

Avon paused for a moment. His seemed to stare blankly back at Argus's sudden outburst of emotion. The other man didn't seem phased or uncomfortable with his own emotions, unlike himself.

Avon wondered what it was like to be that much at ease with one's own humanity. He'd never had it himself and it had never occurred to him to ask why that was until now. Why was he different? It wasn't as if he didn't have emotions. To him they had always been forces he battled with until he could wrestle them into the background where they couldn't interfere with the operation of his mind, or they won and made him someone others would consider human. Those emotions that tended to dominate even a mind such as his; anger, fear and the most inexplicable one that others would recognize as caring or the most foolishly optimistic, as love.

As he stared at Argus, he could read the play of emotions across the other man's face as if they were living entities that had taken him over and fought to have expression; fear, guilt, pain, despair, helplessness. Avon felt his own twinge of emotions as Argus's naked feelings stirred up memories of his own from the Detention Centre.

But what the other man was experiencing were only distantly related to his own. Argus was having these because of someone else's pain, not his own. There was one other emotion that he recognized, the most and least understandable of all to Avon, the one that made people do things against all reason.

It didn't take an emotionally conversant man to recognize Argus's need for reassurance. Which was fortunate considering Argus was turning to Avon for that support. “Sester’s assessment was sound. As was his strategy.”

Argus said with self-incriminating bitterness, “It wasn’t sound enough to prevent her from nearly being killed.”

Avon felt ill-equipped to be anyone's support. It required someone more sensitive to the needs of others. What he needed was Cally. Avon played with the idea of reaching out to her with his mind. He knew she always kept an active awareness of him these days. It was irritating at times, comforting at others and could be downright useful in times like this.

He decided to apply his own mind to the problem. He was intelligent, he should be able to manage something. Argus was asking him. He was trusting him. Of course, if it didn't work, he always had the Cally contingency.

He could see that Argus was full of guilt and he was doing something he had a predictable tendency to do, which was to rationalize everything as his own fault. Avon said with the dispassionate tone of a man whose logic was inescapable, “Sester warned us of the dangers but he also gave us the odds of success. Unfortunately one does not preclude the other. There was no way to predict that the Andromedans had taken over so many of the Champions. The Commander knew that and accepted the risk and you honoured her decision.”

Argus's eyes were staring down at the bed. He seemed to withdraw into himself.

Avon wondered if Argus had even heard what he said. Perhaps it was for the best. His attempt at interpreting and giving the other man what was needed was feeble at best, hampered by his own limitations.

Argus had heard what Avon said and recognized that the other man was trying to help. In some ways, Avon's deliberately emotionless presentation of the facts had given him an avenue to look at things more objectively. Reya needed him. She had gotten to him in a way that no one had ever been able to. She was the one person who could disturb his professional calm and the normal discipline that was needed to prevent the uncontrollable side of himself from escaping.

The others needed a leader who didn't fall apart under personal considerations. It was one thing to be moved by emotions, another thing entirely to lose his mind and become someone the others couldn't depend on.

He lifted his head to look at Avon and briefly put a hand on the other man's shoulder, "Thanks. I know you're right but…"

"This is an occasion when knowledge and emotion do not agree?"

Argus said with a momentary wry smile, "I'd be lucky if they didn't start a pitched battle." Another thought caused Argus to barely manage to prevent a snarl from appearing on his face. “I hate it when he’s right.”

Avon didn't need psi abilities to know who he was referring to. In this they were both agreed. Avon’s voice became like the cold of space. “If he wasn’t, we would have no use for him.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Argus turn back to the energy screen, trying in vain to penetrate it with a hard look from his eyes.

Avon leaned back against a tall supplies cabinet and crossed his arms. “They know what they’re doing.”

Argus turned back to look at him. “I know. But it doesn’t help. And before you say there’s no point in worrying, you can save your breath. I can’t believe that you wouldn’t be worried if it was Cally in there.”

Avon tilted his head to regard him as he thought about this. “Perhaps you’re right.”

Argus sat down heavily on chair and expelled a worried and frustrated breath. It didn’t make him feel any more comfortable so he immediately got up again.

Avon watched all of this aggravated activity with an impassive look on his face but with a bit of curiosity in his eyes.

Argus suddenly fixed him with an intense stare and said, “You’re not a machine, Avon.”

A thin curl of amusement formed on Avon’s lips at this unexpected interjection. “Many people would disagree with you.”

“Yes, I know. You’ve said it quite a few times since I’ve met you and I haven’t believed a single one.” Argus released Avon’s eyes and returned to futiley trying to penetrate the energy barrier again with his intense stare.

Avon was about to respond but saw that Argus was no longer thinking about this topic. He wanted to know why was this man so certain about him. But there was no use in trying to engage Argus in any kind of conversation now except ones concerning Reya.

The energy barrier turned from red to light blue and they were finally able to see inside. Cally and Marlena were on either side of the surgical bed, looking at the readings on various monitors. Argus crowded the energy barrier as close as he could.

Reya’s face was pale and her eyes were closed. The band of a machine was extended across her chest. Because of the covering, he couldn’t tell how she was breathing.

Cally and Marlena finished what they were doing and came towards him. As they passed through the energy barrier, it seemed to flash orange and then became blue again.

In an anxious voice, Argus asked, “How is she?”

A tired-faced Cally said with a pleased smile, “She’s going to be fine. The surgery went well. We were able to repair most of the damage.”

“When...can I see her?” Argus looked like a man who had suffered a severe injury as well.

Cally didn’t need her psi abilities to tell her that Argus and Reya were tied closely together. When one was injured, the other felt the pain as well.

She said in gentle voice, “She won’t wake up for a couple of hours but you can go in to see her. The energy screen will remove any contaminants you as you pass through it.”

Argus said in the tone of a man who had just been given a reprieve, “Thank you. Both of you.”

Marlena had a gentle smile on her face. “It’s my pleasure.”

Cally touched her hand to Argus’s arm. “You had better go in and see her. We’ll here if either one of you need anything.”

Argus wasn’t listening anymore, he was already headed towards the bed. The screen flashed for a moment as he passed through the barrier, cleansing him of anything that would harm Reya. He wished there was a device like that to keep all danger away from her.

The sound of breathing could be a wonderful thing when your greatest fear had been no breathing at all. It could produce a calming effect that was more potent than any music. Argus picked up Reya’s hand and closed his eyes and listened.

**********

When you think that time is limited, you don’t want to waste any moment of it. Even if it means doing something that may not seem important to you but does to someone else. If it were up to Avon, he would spend the rest of his time improving the ship and working on technology that would protect Cally after he was gone. But he was aware now that for her as it had been for him at the Detention Centre, being alive wasn’t enough. Cally had to have a reason to live. She needed memories she could hold onto.

After his semi-successful attempt to help Argus, Avon turned his attentions to Cally.

After Cally had emerged from behind the protective screen and Argus had gone in to see Reya, Avon said, “You look tired.”

Cally said, “I feel tired.”

Marlena offered, “I can stay with her. Why don’t you go with Avon?”

Cally said, “Thank you for your help. I couldn’t have done it without you. I’ve never performed surgery of this nature before.”

Marlena smiled, “You did quite well. The advanced medical technology of your ship made it much easier. You should be able to handle it on your own now that you’ve seen it done.”

Cally said wryly, “Having medical texts and vid examples don’t make up for real practical experience. There were some things you showed me that weren’t in the files.”

“As you said, some things can only be learned by experience. I was glad to be of assistance.”

Cally knew that the advanced medical equipment of the ship was only valuable if she knew how to use them. The tissue regenerators, the various scanners and the recognizable drugs were all things they had used but there were many others that she only knew the function of. The ability to use them without killing the patients was another matter altogether. Just as brain surgery belonged to specialists the use of some if this powerful equipment should only be attempted by those who knew what to do with them.

Before she left with Avon, Cally said to Marlena, “It was much appreciated.”

Marlena looked thoughtfully after them.

**********

In the corridor just outside his cabin, Vila had a momentary stunned look on his face. Corinne had come racing towards him, hugged him, thanked him and given him a kiss on the cheek. He could barely remember in which order it had occurred.

He wondered if someone had told her that this was a customary greeting between people from Earth. Vila certainly hoped not.

He asked with amazement, "What was that for?"

"You and your friends are wonderful!" she said breathlessly as if she had raced in from somewhere. "I was watching on a vid monitor one of the engineers was nice enough to set up for me."

That certainly pricked Vila's ears up. "Which engineer?" He thought he should start keeping track of who else was being nice to Corinne other than him. Vila was trying to be realistic. Corinne was a beautiful woman and he didn't want to be ignorant of the competition.

He knew he wasn't the most handsome man on the ship and his physique was hardly anything to boast about. Being a Delta most of his life, he was used to how others viewed him and despite his best efforts, it had determined how he saw himself. So he needed all the advantages he could get.

Corinne reacted in surprise at the unexpected tone in his voice. Her face turned into a worried frown. "Did I do something wrong? I wasn't trying to take up his time."

The suspicion on Vila's face softened. "No no. You didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted to make sure that…never mind. You don't have to thank me. The Commander was the brave one."

"Yes! She was magnificent! And so were you!" There was a radiant smile on her face. "You were all so brave and you care about people."

For a moment Vila thought she was going to kiss him again. Not that he would mind.

Corinne said, "I wish I could be like you."

Vila liked being thought of as brave and wonderful, especially by someone who was beautiful and he liked a lot. But for some reason, he felt he had to be truthful with her. "Well, to be honest, I didn't feel very brave. I was scared the whole time. My knees were knocking so hard, I'm sure everyone saw it."

"But that makes you even more special. You're afraid. It takes a lot more courage to do what you did."

Vila disagreed. He didn't feel that what he did should be compared with what Reya had done. "What the Commander did was much more than I did. She was willing to die to help people who tortured her and wanted her dead. I just…couldn't leave them."

"You did it because they're your friends?"

"Well…yes." Until now, Vila hadn't realized that he was shivering. The stress of what he had done on the planet was finally starting to catch up with him.

Corinne's eyes held warmth and then sharp concern as she asked, "What's wrong, Vila?"

"I…this happens sometimes when I've been too scared or face too much danger. It'll go away after I get some sleep."

Without warning Corinne hugged him again but this time she didn't let go. Her body felt warm and seemed to help somewhat. It was nice to have someone who cared enough to hug him when he needed it. He pushed her away gently. "You'd better go. Before…"

"Did I do something wrong again?" she asked with the uncertainty of an outworlder facing the customs of Earth for the first time.

"No. You do everything right. It's me that might do something…well…something that wouldn't be a good idea right now. I can't really explain." He really hoped that Corinne wouldn't ask for more details.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Vila was getting a strong feeling that something was wrong as he and Avon talked. He had been about to go find Corinne when Avon made an unexpected appearance at his door. Avon wanted to talk about the past. His voice was not quite impassive as it normally was nor was it emotional, in an Avon-since-the-Detention-Centre sort of way, it wasn`t even in between. It was subdued and there seemed to be a measure of urgency in everything he said. He paced Vila's cabin restlessly like someone who couldn't sit still.

They had covered many things tonight, some trivial and some important. There were still many they hadn't gone into and to be honest, Vila really wished he would stop. He could tell that Avon was skirting close to the edge. So far they had avoided anything that would trigger a loss of control and the inevitable collapse that would followed.

Vila was about to say that maybe the rest could wait for another time when Avon remarked, "We've always had an adversarial relationship. I've never…been nice to you."

"I wouldn't say never," said Vila. It was very strange to have Avon in this kind of mood. "A lot of the time. But it's not as if I didn't do the same thing. You're an Alpha, I'm a Delta. We're practically enemies."

"You're not a Delta."

"Well, a pretend-Delta's the same thing to everyone else." Vila's observant eyes had noticed that Avon was incessantly rubbing the heel of his palms together as they talked; an old habit when he was nervous and stressed. Vila watched the anxious activity worriedly, wondering again if he should stop this conversation.

Avon was opening himself up to sharing with someone who wasn't Cally. It must have been something that was making him feel very uncomfortable. They were friends but they hadn't come far enough for chats like this. Vila had almost accepted that there would never be any. Avon just wasn’t that kind of person. Vila had resigned himself to taking whatever he could get.

Not that he was much into close relationships himself. He'd never really shared much about his life with any of the others either. For some reason, none of them ever talked about themselves much. They were colleagues and occasional friends and that was about it.

It was odd. In some ways, after Gan died, Avon was the closest he had to a friend. Avon may have belittled him and was cruel but he was the only one who took him seriously sometimes. To everyone else, he was just a pair of useful hands. The rest of the time, he was just an irritant that everyone told to shut up. No one ever listened to him. Except Avon. No one ever gave him a choice. Avon had sometimes, not often but at least he had. To Vila, it meant something. No one had ever treated him like that before. None of the other Alphas had made the effort to break through the grade-barrier and listen to him like a real person.

"Avon."

Avon stopped his pacing and waited for him to continue.

"When we were on the London, I just saw a chance to bring down an Alpha. Rub your nose in it. It's a favourite game among the Delta-grades. We don't get the chance to do it much. When I saw you, you had nothing, just like the rest of us. Your grade didn't mean anything anymore or your brain or skills. They'd thrown you away like trash just the same as us. But you didn't act like it. You were still the arrogant Alpha. You acted like it still made a difference. I wanted to bring you down a peg, make you feel like the rest of 's why I said what I said about you being second-best."

Avon's eyes were like lasers, boring into him, trying to find the truth. "I was aware of it."

To Vila, it was odd going back to the past. It felt like along time ago and a much younger and more innocent Vila he was remembering. One who hadn't killed anyone yet. "To be honest, I'd always wanted to meet you. I can't disable computer security systems but I always wished I could. It would've been really useful. I've studied it a bit on my own so I'd heard about you. Can't avoid it, you're a big name in computers and you'd almost pulled off the greatest bank fraud in Federation history."

Avon said stiffly, "The operative word being, almost. I achieved nothing as you pointed out."

Vila grimaced as a stab of guilt hit him. Even after all this time, it was a failure that seemed to bother Avon. Avon had always been a man who took his own failures very personally. Vila regretted that he had harped on it at a time when Avon had been the most vulnerable and had lost everything. Including Anna.

Avon said, "If I had been good enough, it would never have happened." His words trailed off and his eyes no longer seemed focused.

Vila looked at him in disbelief. Avon always had a strong sense of superiority about his own intelligence and abilities. It was one of his defining characteristics. And like ORAC, at times it was annoying that he had every reason to be. An Avon who had lost confidence even in his own abilities was a frightening thing. It was like finding out that the sun had suddenly lost its ability to warm the Earth. An immutable fact of life had unexpectedly been turned upside down. This was the last thing Vila expected or wanted to happen.

There was definitely something wrong. Vila wondered if Cally was racing through the corridors towards them right now. He had to get Avon off this topic; he had to reassure him. "No. It wasn't your fault. You said it. You had to rely on other people. It wasn't your computer skills that got you caught."

Avon repeated tonelessly. "I had to rely on other people. I needed other people." He suddenly leaned towards Vila's and said, "If I had been good enough, I wouldn't have needed anyone."

Vila asked in shock, "Avon, what's happening to you?"

Avon said with chilling blankess, "Nothing."

Vila was almost taken aback at the darkness that was in Avon's eyes. It wasn't the kind of darkness that frightened with its black heart, it was the night before the coming end, the deep melancholy of a man who wanted hope but was afraid that it was gone forever.

A shiver went through Vila. Avon had been many people since being rescued from the Detention Centre. Of all of them, this Avon frightened him the most. This Avon had tried to kill himself when he came back.

Vila had to snap him out of it. "Avon, you are the best. You always have been. Everyone knows that. People in your field called you the second Ensor. They said you could do anything. I didn't mean what I said on the London. I'm really sorry, Avon. I guess we got off on the wrong foot and I started it."

Avon stared at him and the hard, defensive look in his eyes faded. The darkness was wrestled back to where he could control it again. "As you said, we were the product of our classes, practically enemies. We're not now."

Vila said vehemently, "No, we're not. Avon, let's not talk about these things anymore. I just want to look to the future. We have a good thing now. It doesn't matter what happened before."

The buried melancholy still tinged Avon's voice. "The future?" His eyes stared into the distance, as if he was trying to see where his lay. Or how much of it he had left.

Vila said fervently, as if with the force in his words, he could work a different magic, one that would give Avon the hope that his mind refused him. "Yes! The future." Unfortunately, magic only worked on children. There was a dull ache in his stomach.

Avon focused his eyes on him again. This time, there was a brief flash of something Vila had never seen before. A gentleness that was shaded with sadness and regret. It was only there for a moment. Avon said, "I've…" Each word seemed to be a struggle, as if each one was wrestled from some place that gave him pain. "…never said that I cared…about you."

Vila's mouth opened in shock and then he closed it. "Well, it's…"

Avon's eyes were steady on his. "I do."

**********

After Avon left his cabin, Vila did some thinking. Instead of going to see Corinne, he headed to the medical unit. He hoped that Avon hadn't gone there ahead of him.

Cally had her back to the door and was reading from a datapad.

"Cally, can I talk to you?"

Cally asked with immediate concern, "What happened, Vila? What just happened to Avon now? I couldn't reach him with my mind. He was too focused. The things I felt…I almost went to find him." There was great worry on her face. She still couldn't reach Avon and she doubted if he was aware of her. His mind was still preoccupied though he seemed to have calmed down.

"I swear, Cally. I didn’t mean to upset him. He just wanted to talk. He wants to do that a lot these days. I thought it'd be more stressful if he didn't. He's sort of…you know the way he gets when he gets it in his head he has to do something?"

"Tell me what happened?" At the same time, she reached out with her psi abilities to locate Avon's consciousness again. He appeared to be tired and stressed but there was none of the deep depression she had sensed earlier.

Vila told her and then he asked, "Why would he do that? It's almost like he thinks he has to get everything off his chest in one go. But it's not as if he doesn't…" Vila stopped and the sickening feeling came over him again as a new understanding joined the other one he had gotten in his cabin.

"Have much time?" Cally's face paled.

"Cally! Why would he think that? I mean, Sester's drugs helped and Marlena said her people could too." Vila felt as if the floor was sinking. "I can't believe he's giving up."

Cally said fiercely, "He hasn't given up."

"But, Cally! He's…"

"He hasn't! He's just a realist and he's preparing for all eventualities." She told herself it had to be that. Avon was the ultimate pragmatist, he would fight to the very end, but he also faced what the facts told him was reality. That explained the intensity of their interactions lately. The talks and the increased intimacy. She realized that she had known but had not wanted to face the truth. She had wanted this Avon for along time, but it was coming at a terrible price. "In the past he's been able to control and suppress emotions. When he couldn't control them, they tended to explode. But now, he can barely keep anything in check. Even the smallest thing can set off an emotional response that spirals out of control. Right now, he's facing the possibility that he won't live much longer. Can you imagine what that's doing to him inside?"

Vila could scarcely swallow the knot that seemed to be choking his throat. "Cally, I saw something in his eyes. Just for a moment. It was the look he had when he came back from the Detention Centre. When he tried to kill himself."

Cally's jaw tightened and something seemed to pierce her heart. "He won't."

Vila nodded. "Because of you."

"Because of all of us, Vila. We have to be strong for him. It costs him great pain to live now but he's doing it for us. He needs hope and love. He's never had much of either one."

"I'll stay close to him."

"Thank you, Vila. You're a good friend. I'll go and find him and we can all take turns watching him."

Vila pointed out worriedly, "He won't like it."

"We don't have a choice, Vila."

Vila mumbled, "He's going to be so embarassed when he comes out of this. Assuming it isn't one of the things he chooses to suppress when he gets his mind back. I mean, I would. Maybe."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, nothing."

**********

For the next few days, the Champions took over the vacuum of leadership. They already commanded great respect in Chandaran society so it wasn't that difficult. The shock of the aliens had shaken everyone throughout the Chandar Alliance. The majority of them had been watching the Inauguration. With a little nudging, the shock had become full-fledged fear and outrage. It wasn't difficult considering the paranoid tendencies already in their society. And Chandaran pride could not ignore the insult of being manipulated by the aliens. It was amazing how collective fear and impending disaster could make people reassess what was really important.

Somewhere between fear and paranoia, some of the sympathetic Champions and with the help of Brent's friends on the planet, were able to slip in a few suggestions and thoughts about improving the conditions of the women in their society. There was still great opposition but also much confusion and conflicting views because the image of Reya's courage and sacrifice was forever burned into their collective consciousnesses.

As Reya recovered in the medical unit, Chandaran society began to slowly, hesitantly and very reluctantly claw its way to a better society for all of its people.

*********

Playing solitaire chess can be relaxing and challenging. There are no inferior opponents that you have to humour and you know you're playing someone who is at least as intelligent as yourself. Well, that was why Sester preferred it. He didn't often find challenging opponents. When there was at least one worthy rival within playing distance, solitaire chess became an isolating and lonely exercise. Sester sighed and made another move against himself. With his other hand, he was nursing a stiff drink of some kind. It was green and resembled whisky in taste. Other than that he had no idea what it was except that it carried a sufficient enough kick to it.

The four walls of his cabin were starting to feel like a prison. But at least here there was no hostility or people trying to avoid him. Well, not most of the time.

Sester unconsciously played with the tracer bracelet on his left wrist. It was amazing how your body remembers pain even when it was no longer present.

Even Vila didn't seem to have time for him anymore. Regardless of what Vila's motivations had been, he had enjoyed interacting with him. But Vila had other more pleasant priorities now. Sester had noticed his interest in Corinne the first time she appeared on the ship. There was no mistaking the constant, surreptitious glances. He was happy for Vila. Everyone needed someone.

Sester sighed again and this time made a vicious attack against his white king. "Check and mate." He pushed the piece over, letting it hit the board and roll away from him. Sester drained the rest of the green liquid.

The buzzer to his door announced a visitor. At last someone to interact with. Sester smiled and went to open it.

"Vi…" He stared at the man who was not Vila. The friendly smile turned into a guarded one. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" he asked Argus as he stepped aside to let him in.

It must have been something important if Argus used the buzzer this time rather than barging right in. The two men stared at each other as they stood in the middle of the room.

Argus seemed to scowl slightly but quickly replaced it with a neutral look, as if he was trying very hard to not be antagonistic. "I came to thank you."

Sester cocked his head speculatively. "You're welcome."

"You…" Each word seemed to be produced with great effort. "…would do anything for her?"

Sester kept his tone neutral but a faint amusement brightened his eyes. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

Argus's chest expanded and collapsed with conscious effort. "Does that extend to Avon?"

Sester's eyes widened slightly and then narrowed. "Why all the questions?"

Argus tried to keep the irritation out of his voice. Psychostrategists seemed to have problems with answering questions before they knew why they were being asked. He said tightly, "Just answer the question."

Sester nodded as he realized what was behind the request. "You don't think that the Tellarans can help Avon?"

Sester always seemed to answer the real questions, not the asked ones. Argus frowned with annoyance but made an effort to be civil. "They're an unknown. We don't know anything about them other than they're a matriarchy and they fall into traps. I'd rather not trust Marlena's claim that they have more advanced science and technology until we see proof."

"And even then, there is no guarantee they can help Avon? That's why you're coming to me? Your enemy?"

Argus's voice was tight. "You're not Avon's enemy."

"Or Reya's."

Argus chose not to dignify that declaration with a response. The two men stared at each other across a distance that seemed like a void that threatened to swallow them both up; a place where they could never be anything other than enemies and rivals.

Sester said, "I've asked you before what price you're willing to pay to have me help Avon."

"You have my answer."

"It's not enough."

Argus tried to keep down a rising anger. Of course Sester would try to squeeze as much out of this as he could get. If the man demanded Reya in return, he wasn't sure if he wouldn't decide to kill him now.

Sester smiled with amusement. The play of thoughts across the other man's face, although slight, were like red flags for a psychostrategist. "Don’t worry, I won't ask that. I do have a very strong instinct for self-preservation."

Argus scowled. "Then what do you want?"

"To help Avon, I have to go to Servalan. Neither one of us have a choice about that. We need her cooperation and she needs incentive for that cooperation. And we know Avon would die before asking her for help."

Argus didn't like where this was going. It was something that his subconscious mind had already realized but his conscious mind had not wanted to face; not after what he had already given to her. "So that leaves me?" Argus knew he should have asked Servalan himself but it was too late now.

"Yes, what price are you willing to pay to Servalan?"

Argus's fists clenched instinctively and there was struggle in his eyes as he thought about this. Every day with that woman hanging over them like a threat was a neverending battle. He was feeling increasingly trapped.

Sester looked at him curiously. "Well?"

Argus's words came out, almost angrily. "Ask her. Then I will decide."

"Very well."

Argus continued to look at Sester without moving.

Sester asked, "Was there something else?"

"Reya…" Argus's jaw tightened. "…wants you to come to a gathering. In cargo bay one. In two hours."

"What's the occasion?"

With reluctance Argus admitted, "Your strategy worked."

"Ahhh, the Chandarans. I’m glad that it did. It's important to her."

Argus just looked at him. He didn't want to discuss Reya with his rival.

Sester grinned. "Very well, I'll be there."

**********

The celebration in the main cargo hold was festive. Chandaran-themed decorations with a military look which wasn't for everyone, but seemed to make the Chandarans feel right at home. The majority of the Champions were there along President Brent and his people. Most of the crew, including the soldiers, were in attendance.

Reya and Argus paused at the doorway just before going inside. She had her hand on Argus's for support but removed it before anyone could see them.

Argus was trying to stop himself from acting overprotective but he had to ask, "Reya, are you sure you're up to this?"

Reya stood up straighter and squared her shoulders. "I'll be fine."

The paleness of her face and the faint tremoring of her hands told him otherwise. But the stubborn set of her told him that it was no use arguing with her. Trying to stop a determined Reya was almost impossible unless he bodily picked her up and carried her back to the medical unit. And doing that would definitely not be a good idea.

Argus grinned wryly and said, "Next time I'm injured, I think I'll remind you of this."

Reya looked as if she was about to say something but changed her mind and said something else. She put her hand back on his arm again. "You're right. I shouldn't be doing this. But...I have to be here. I promise you that I won't stay long. Just long enough."

Argus nodded reluctantly. They both understood about duty and having to finish what they set out to do. "Alright. As long as you don't mind if I stay close to you the whole time."

Reya smiled. "I would like that."

**********

The excited and happy atmosphere in the main cargo hold suddenly faded to stillness as they all turned towards the doorway. Reya entered with Argus at her side. There was a hushed silence as they walked towards the assorted gathering.

Every pair of eyes was intent on staring at Reya, taking in every detail. They all saw how pale she was and though she walked tall and strongly they couldn't help noticing that she was moving slowly. As she neared, those who had sharper eyes noticed the slight tremoring of her fingers. She looked self-conscious at all the eyes trained on her.

Cally caught her eyes and then she nodded imperceptibly. She also understood why Reya was doing this. Reya knew that she would be keeping a careful eye on her physical condition.

Suddenly, everyone began to clap and there was cheering for the new Champion. Reya's face took on a slightly reddish tinge.

The Elder Champion, Trist, stepped forward with a respectful look on his face. It was a big step for him to have this kind of regard for a woman but he was one who recognized honour and courage above all else. In his mind, she wasn't just a woman anymore, at least not a woman as he had always defined them. His voice took on a formal tone as he addressed her, "Reya, this is a celebration of hope for the Chandar Alliance. You are the primary reason why we have this hope. You risked your life for us and though not all of Chandar may recognize you because of your gender, we the Champions do."

If Reya could prevent her face from getting redder, she would have. She was not used to all this praise and attention. She was used to getting the job done with as little fuss and noise as possible and then fade into the background. This was making her distinctly uncomfortable but she recognized that what she had done was a very public act. It had to be one. She had to carry this role on to its conclusion.

Reya said, "You're very kind to say that. But we all had a hand in achieving this, from the members of this crew to President Brent and his people, to all of you. If you had not supported my actions, what I did would never have worked. We all achieved this."

Trist asked, "Both men and women?"

All eyes were focused on Reya and Trist.

Reya said carefully, "We each had our roles to play."

Trist seemed to think on this for a moment. "Yes, we did. I've never thought of women as having an important role in our society before. But if you had not stood up the way you did, Chandar would have been lost." He paused again. This time everyone seemed to think on this. "I'm an old hand. It's hard for me to change. I don't know if I can but Chandar cannot afford not to. It was not one of us who saved the Alliance, it was you. No matter what you say, without your part in this, Thelis...the aliens would be in control now. They may even have manipulated us into helping them destroy the rest of humanity. I see you differently now. In my mind you are a Champion. One of us. Perhaps even more. For the sake of Chandar, and because of you, I am willing to try."

With each word, Reya felt new strength infusing her limbs. It was the energy that came from having hope. She bowed her head in acknowledgement of what he was doing and said to Trist, "Thank you."

Having the most elder of the Champions, their de facto leader, express these thoughts was more than they could have hoped for. Where he led, the others would be more inclined to follow. His opinion carried great weight.

Dannon said, "I know it's not much yet but people are willing to talk. Not about change exactly but a different way of seeing things."

Reya said encouragingly, "It's an important first step."

Brent said, "I never thought we would get even that. Not unless we forced them to. And not for a few more decades at least."

Vila said, "I suppose we did force them, in a way. Well, the aliens did."

There was no hint of melancholy on Avon's face as he stood beside Cally. "They did us a favour. Their exposure and the Commander's actions have achieved something that would never have been possible otherwise."

Argus, who was trying very hard not to put his arm around Reya in order to provide support, said, "And we have another ally who will actively fight any further incursions into this Sector."

Dannon already spoke like a man who carried a great burden. "Yes, we will start to contact the other planets and Alliances."

Gravis said, "That's going to be hard. We're at war with most of them. Where do we even start?"

Brent said, "We have to try. Unfortunately, I doubt if my people will accept me back as their President. They need people who are impartial. They know I'm not."

Marlena said, "The Champions have been providing leadership. They are seen as Guardians of Chandar."

Brent mused, "You mean, let them continue?"

Trist said, "That's not our role." He still felt uncomfortable with the women there but he was trying to adapt. Reya, he could accept, she was already one of the Champions in his eyes. He knew very little about Marlena. The sight of this self-confident and intelligent woman seemed very unnatural. He had resolved to try change but it was still too soon.

Marlena directed a warm and encouraging smile towards him, "No. It's not. But Champions are entrusted with the safety of Chandar. Chandar will not be safe without a leader in these troubled times. The last thing you need is a power vacuum."

Sester spoke up, "Marlena's right. I doubt if the aliens we saw are the only ones."

That produced a flurry of reactions.

Vila wondered how many more shocks his poor stomach could stand today. It wasn't even lunch time yet. A trip to the medical unit and Cally's magical elixirs was in order soon. "You mean there are more?"

Avon said, "It's a logical assumption. You can't take over an entire planet with only a handful of people."

Argus said, "That's true. It doesn't make tactical sense if they only relied on the few we saw."

Sester nodded. "Thelis and the Champions were the keys. Without them, their plans wouldn't work. But that won't stop them. The ones left will think of something else."

Dannon said, "We'll have to watch out for them."

Gravis said, "But how can we if we don't even know who they are? They can be anyone."

Sester said, "You do have one advantage."

They all turned to him.

Sester was in full psychostrategist mode. "In some ways, the position that the women in your Alliance hold..."

Argus said, "You mean the lack of one."

Sester aimed a friendly look towards his rival. "Yes. It will help you identify who the aliens are."

They all looked confused. Brent asked, "How?"

Sester had that look that Avon got when he thought that something should be obvious. "You ignore your women. You speak in front of them as if they don't matter. It doesn't occur to you that they would have any way to damage you because they have no power in your society. No woman would defy a man in your society unless they're off-worlders like Marlena. Do I need to go on?""

Marlena said, "You're saying that all we have to do is ask the women?"

Avon's eyes widened. "The aliens would treat the women the same way? Without regard to discretion?"

Sester smiled. "Yes. And the women would be able to tell if there were any changes in anyone in their households."

The others finally caught up.

Argus admitted reluctantly, "That's clever."

Marlena's brow was furrowed in thought. "The Chandaran women may be too timid and afraid to say anything against their men. It would be something against their natures."

Cally, who had been busy trying to keep her awareness on Avon, said, "It might be easier if a woman approached them. Either myself, Marlena or Corinne. And Reya when she's recovered."

Sester remarked, "That's a good idea but you'll need more than the four of you. You'll have to check everyone who might be a potential target to be used by the Andromedans."

Reya asked him, "You can identify those potential targets as well?"

Sester inclined his head at her understanding of what he could do. "I can give possible profiles of what to look for but you still need more women."

Reya asked Marlena, "Can your people help?"

Trist was resistant. "That's out of the question. We cannot bring more off-worlder women here."

Avon said, "It will have to be done discreetly, of course. Once the Andromedans realize what we're doing, they will kill their women."

Sester said, "Which would be another good indication of alien presence but not our prefered way to identify them."

Vila remarked, "That'd be like taking your shoes off by shooting yourself in the foot."

Argus said, "We'll have to sneak them in and use the same disguises you had before. The teleport will be very useful."

Reya asked, "Marlena?"

Marlena replied, "I know my people will be very be glad to help."

Argus said, "Very well. President Brent, if you would stay here with your people and help the Champions restore order, we'll go to the Tellar Union to recruit some help and bring them back."

Brent said, "My first act would be to officially step down as President and support the Champions fully. Hopefully by the time you come back, order will be reestablished and we can start routing out the aliens in our midst."

Reya said, "And start on changing the status of women on this planet?"

Brent nodded. "We will try. If the women are able to help identify the aliens, it will also help their standing."

Brent turned to his mate and a look passed between them.

Marlena said to Argus, "Corinne and I will go with you to Tellar. I will provide the introductions and I will let my people know what you need. And I'd like Corinne to see my home world."

Vila looked across the room at Corinne. She had been very quiet while everything had been going on. She was looking at him too. They both shared a brief smile.

Argus said to Brent, "We'll provide a secured frequency so we can keep in touch and you can tell us how things are progressing."

Brent nodded in agreement.

Argus picked up a glass from the table and raised it in a toast. Everyone else did the same.

"This is a celebration. Much has been achieved and much is left to be done. But there is something now that wasn't there before. There is new hope for the Chandar Alliance. Both the men and the women. May this be the start of many new and good things for everyone. Cheers!"