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CHAPTER 8 - PIRATES OF THE VOID, PART 1: ONE GOOD SHIP

The creaking of his ship was the sound that greeted Captain Farris as he awoke. It was the same sound that always greeted him.

He glanced to the figure beside him. Jilena was still fast asleep, curled up among the bed sheets. He smiled. It had been a good night last night.

There was a knock at the door of his cabin. "Captain?" A voice called from outside.

Farris recognised the voice of Octarius. He sighed. It was time to get up. The tone of his lieutenant's voice told him more that any explanation Octarius would give. Something had come up and he was needed.

He gently untangled himself from the sheets, taking care not to disturb his mate. "Wait there, Octarius." He called. "I'm coming."

Standing up, he stretched his big, green-skinned muscular frame for a moment before pulling on his trousers and boots. Then he grabbed his weapon belt and attached it around his waist, making sure the blaster was fully charged.

The captain checked his reflection in the mirror that was hanging on the wall. As he usually did, he recoiled slightly at the sight of his own face.

Like everyone else of his kind, his skin was a deep green and his head was completely bald. His ears were pointed and his fangs and teeth were sharp. But the entire left side of Farris' face and neck were covered in metal and electronics, expertly woven into, and in some places replacing, the flesh and bone. His left eye glowed an artificial red glow.

He allowed himself another sigh. Ten damn years he'd had the bionics now, and he still wasn't used to seeing himself like this.

Farris opened the door of his cabin and stepped out into the corridor, closing the door softly behind him.

Octarius was stood in the corridor, waiting patiently. He was significantly bigger than Farris, with shaggy blue fur all over, wearing only some baggy brown shorts. He looked down at his captain with a pair of red eyes, flecked with yellow.

"Yes, Octarius?" Said Farris, suppressing a yawn.

"Kepis sent me to fetch you, captain." The blue-furred creature told him. "Something unusual has come up."

"Imperial ship?" Farris guessed.

"Nah." Said Octarius. "This is something else."

Farris nodded. Something other than an Imperial ship in the Quarrylands? That was unusual. No one came through here unless they had to.

He led the way through the corridors of the ship up to the main deck, Octarius trailing behind him. They stepped outside into the biting cold wind. Farris immediately found himself regretting not having taken a shirt, but it was too late now, he would just have to endure it.

The pair of them strolled across the ship, bound for the command deck at the other end. As they went, Farris nodded and called out greetings to various crew-members he saw going about their duties.

The command deck was slightly raised above the main deck, accessible by a short ladder. It was covered by a steel canopy that shielded it and the equipment there from the elements.

They arrived to find Kepis and Xorin hunched over the main sensor monitors. They both looked up. Kepis was Farris' second-in-command, and was the same species as him, but taller and gaunter than his captain. Xorin was big and furry, being the same race as Octarius, but her fur was more a dark brown, and she was dressed in her usual shorts and vest. She was the captain's other lieutenant.

"So what is it?" Farris wanted to know.

"I have no idea." Kepis shrugged.

"It's the strangest thing I ever saw." Xorin added.

The captain strolled over and took a look for himself. The monitor was switched to visual scan and was focused on one of the islands a short distance away. He frowned. There were two people there, apparently stranded.

The scans showed no residual energy traces, so no ship had been through here in at least a few weeks. How had they got there? What were two people doing stuck on an island in the middle of the Quarrylands?

It was a mystery. And he didn't like mysteries. Not unless he was solving them.

"Alter course." Farris ordered. "Let's go see who they are."

"Are you sure, captain?" Kepis asked. "We have no idea who they are, what they..."

Farris glanced at him fiercely, the electronics across his bionics glowed briefly. "I said, alter course." He snarled.

Kepis cowered back. "Yes, captain." He hurried off to give out the necessary orders.

The captain turned back to the monitor. As much as he respected his three officers and valued their friendships and their opinions, he would never allow any of them to question his command decisions. Never.

The two beings on the monitor screen grabbed his attention once again.

Who were they?

* * * * * *

"This is all your fault!"

"I know."

"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

"You're right, of course."

"And of course, it's going to be down to me to get us out of this."

"Yes."

"I mean, it's not as if you're going to think of anything useful."

"I agree."

Draig stopped in his tracks, ceasing his pacing back and forth. "I can see what you're doing, you know."

Max looked up from where he sat, back against a tree. "Am I doing anything?"

"You're trying to calm me down by agreeing with everything I say!" The wolf-man growled. "But it's not going to work!"

The human shrugged. "Well, I've always found it difficult to be angry with someone who's agreeing with me."

"Not me." Draig glowered at him.

"Would you rather I was more honest and disagreeing with you?" Said Max.

"Yes!" Draig hissed.

"Okay." Said Max. "It isn't my fault we're stuck on this island. You know I have no control over where the Device takes us."

Draig turned away from him, his anger still boiling. He didn't want to admit that Max was right.

"Besides," said Max, "it isn't too bad here. This is certainly one of the more unusual universes the Device has dumped us in."

The wolf-man said nothing. But if he'd been willing to speak at that moment, he would have to admit that Max was right.

The universe they were in was not so much a universe, more of a... void. They were stranded on an island that was floating through a vast void. Numerous other islands were floating above, below and around them. The far distance was a deep blue in every direction. Max had put forward a number of various explanations as to how the huge lumps of rock that made up the islands were suspended in the air, but Draig just hadn't been bothered enough to listen.

The island they were on was pleasant enough, with various trees and plants and a large lake. They'd been there for nearly a day now.

"This is intolerable!" Draig growled. He turned, and with a snarl of rage, punched the nearest tree, splintering its trunk.

Max frowned. "Well done. That tree was starting to look pretty threatening."

"Just shut up, human!" Draig spat. "You hear me? Just... shut up!" The wolf-man turned his back on him and sat down.

Max cursed himself for not noticing something was up with Draig sooner. But then Draig being angry with things was hardly new. It was no surprise that he'd failed to miss that Draig was angrier than usual.

He sometimes allowed himself to forget that Draig didn't share in his enjoyment of their journey. That the Wolven Knight wasn't here willingly. He really had to stop assuming that Draig was enjoying all this as much as he was.

"I'm sorry, Draig." Max apologised. "What's wrong?"

"Wrong?" Draig looked round at him. "What isn't wrong? We're stuck on this never-ending journey, always getting dragged into one form of trouble or another wherever we go. Never being able to have any true relationships or friendships with anyone we meet because we're always moving on, leaving whoever we meet far behind."

The wolf-man's face fell, the rage draining from his features. "I'm tired of it all, Max. Sick and tired of it."

"Hey," said Max, trying to be reassuring, "we'll get you home eventually."

"When?" Said Draig. "Next week? Next month? Next year? Finding my home again could take decades or even centuries, we both know that. The simple fact is, I'll probably never see home again. It's only now starting to sink in."

As Draig turned away, Max looked into his eyes. He had to stop himself gasping. It was just so shocking to see Draig, the strong-willed knight he'd come to know, having so much despair in his eyes.

Suddenly, he remembered the warning Darist had given him about Draig. That he wouldn't be able to handle the journey. Max forced the thought from his mind. He refused to believe it. Draig was just going through a bad patch right now.

Max wanted to say something reassuring to his companion, but couldn't think of a thing.

They sat in silence for a time, each unable to think of anything to say to the other.

Suddenly, Draig looked up, ears twitching. "Do you hear that?"

He was glad of the change of subject, but Max had to be honest. "Sorry. I can't hear anything."

Draig sighed. "I keep forgetting. You have inferior ears. Believe me. Something's coming."

A second later, a large shape rose up from beneath the edge of the island, directly in front of them. It looked a flying sailing ship, made of a dull grey metal. Large masts sporting glimmering metallic sails of gold extended out from its shape here and there all over. Max read the alien symbols across its hull. They read Skystreamer.

The wolf-man and the human got to their feet, staring up at it. It was one of the most amazing sights Max had ever seen.

He could see beings moving about up on its main deck. They were not human.

A rope ladder was dropped down to them as the ship came to a halt, hovering directly over the edge of their island. Max stepped forward.

"Come on." He said to Draig.

"You do realise it could be dangerous?" Said Draig.

"Yes." Max shrugged. "What's your point?"

Draig sighed. "Sometimes, I really think about giving up on you." He said. "At least I should go first."

Max moved aside. "Be my guest."

The Wolven Knight walked forward and started climbing the ladder, Max following close behind.

It didn't take Draig long to reach the top of the ladder, pulling himself up onto the flat wooden surface of the ship's deck. Max arrived shortly afterwards.

They found themselves surrounded by the ship's crew in a large semi-circle. They were staring at the two of them and whispering among themselves.

From what Max could see, there were two different species of creature making up the crew. The first were large, hulking creatures, covered in fur of various colours, sometimes with bony horns protruding from their heads, sometimes without. The second species were humanoid, but completely hairless and with pointed ears and fangs and skin of a dark green colour. All were dressed in simple clothing.

Suddenly the crowd of creatures parted and a group of four approached. Two were of the big furry species, both without horns, one blue, and one brown. The other two were of the green-skinned variety, one tall and dressed in black. The other seemed to be the leader, from the way everyone was looking to him and the commanding presence he exuded.

This leader certainly stood out from the crowd. He was quite big and muscular, his skin rough and a deeper green than the others of his species. But his most outstanding feature was the cyborg parts that made up a big part of his face. The left side of his head and neck were all metal and electronics, with a glowing red eye.

This cyborg-faced being looked the two of them over. He did not seem overly impressed.

"I'm Captain Farris." He said. "This is my ship." He focused his attention on Max. "And what manner of creature are you? I've sailed from one end of the Voidscape to the other and I've never seen anything like you."

Of course he's most interested in me, Max thought. Draig could easily pass for one of the big furry creatures.

"I'm Max." Said the human. "I'm a human. I don't suppose any of you have ever heard of the legend of the Traveller?"

The blank stares he drew were enough of an answer.

"No, of course." Max mumbled. "That could have actually made this easy."

"What were the two of you doing stranded on that island?" Farris demanded.

"Hoping someone would come by to pick us up?" Max tried. He heard Draig groan under his breath.

"Seriously though," Max said quickly, the suspicious glares the assembled crew were giving him making him nervous, "it's something of a long story."

Captain Farris glanced at his three comrades for their opinions. The green-skinned one in black shrugged. The brown-furred one did likewise. But the blue-furred one had an opinion to express.

"I think it's just too suspicious, captain." He said.

"Really, Octarius?" Farris said.

"Yeah," The one called Octarius said, "I mean..." He stopped, looking at Max. Looking at his hand.

"Hey! Look at that!" Octarius stomped forward and grabbed Max by the wrist, holding it up so that everyone could see the Traveller Device on his hand, and specifically the gemstone at its centre.

There were gasps of amazement from the crew. "That sure is a great gem you got there..." Octarius began.

Suddenly, his hand was pulled away from Max, releasing the human. It was Draig, his own hand clamped on Octarius' arm.

"No one is to touch him." The wolf-man hissed.

"I'll touch him all I want." Octarius retorted.

"I disagree." Draig growled back.

Octarius shrugged. Then he threw a punch.

Draig's instincts and training kicked in and he ducked the punch easily, simultaneously kicking out and planting a boot directly in the big, blur-furred creatures stomach.

As Octarius fell back a few steps, Draig pressed forward his attack. He leapt, colliding with his opponent, the two of them crashing to the deck. The gathered crew of the ship scattered in all directions as the combatants grappled with each other, rolling about.

But it took the crew mere seconds to start calling out words of encouragement to their battling comrade, as they stood watching.

Max found himself watching this fight as well, standing side by side with Captain Farris.

"By the way," said the captain, not taking his gaze away from the fight, "that really is an impressive gemstone you have there. Where did you get it?"

"It's a long story." Said Max.

"I'll bet it is."

They watched the fight for a few more moments, Draig and Octarius completely failing to get the upper hand against each other.

"By the way," Said Max, "this really is an impressive ship you have here."

"Thank you." Said the captain, shooting him a grin.

They returned their attention to the fight. Just in time to see Octarius kick Draig away, and pause to catch his breath, sweat dripping from his fur. But Draig was back up in a split-second. The wolf-man was obviously tired as well, but was not giving up or even pausing. He renewed his attack, launching himself at Octarius.

"I suppose I should break this up." Farris sighed, after another few minutes of watching Draig and Octarius battle it out.

"Hey, I appreciate you letting it go on as long as it has." Said Max. "I think my friend there needed to let off a little steam."

The captain nodded. "Xorin." He called out.

Farris' companion with the brown fur padded over. "Yes, captain?"

"Octarius has had his fun." Farris told her. "Break this up, would you?"

"Of course, captain." Xorin smiled and headed for the fight.

She waded into the battle and, with a few well-aimed blows, separated Max and Draig in an instant. Both of them fell to their knees on the deck, struggling to get their breath back.

"That was good." Octarius said jovially, between gasps of air. "We'll have to go at it again sometime."

"Count on it." Draig growled back at him.

"Alright, fun's over!" Farris called out in a half-growl. "You've all got work to do, so get back to it!"

The crew scattered, scrambling away to their duties, leaving the captain and his comrades to deal with Max and Draig.

"So, what to do with you two." Farris mused. He looked thoughtful for a moment. "How about you tell us your story over breakfast?"

"Sounds good." Said Max. Draig simply nodded in agreement.

"It's decided then." Said Farris. "But first, I think you two should clean yourself up first. We'll talk further at breakfast."

He called a crew-member over to take Max and Draig away to a spare cabin to wash.

As they were led away, Max found himself thinking that they had been lucky this time.

These people seemed friendly enough.

* * * * * *

"Is this really wise, captain?" Kepis asked, watching Max and Draig being led away. "We cannot be sure of their intentions."

"True." Said Farris. "But I want to keep them close for the moment, where I can keep an eye on them." He looked Kepis in the eye. "And that is my decision."

"Understood, captain." Kepis nodded.

"What did you three think of them?" The captain wanted to know.

"Very strange pair." Said Octarius. "We should be cautious. But that big one is a good fighter. Best brawl I've had in ages."

"Yeah," Said Xorin. "The big one caught my eye, too. Very handsome."

Octarius laughed. "You looking for another notch in your belt, Xorin?"

Xorin just grinned. "Maybe."

Captain Farris shook his head with a sigh. "Kepis, how about a level-headed opinion?"

Kepis thought about his answer before responding. "They are definitely strange. We should be careful. And I have no idea what kind of creature that Max is. But my instincts tell me that they are no threat to us."

The other three glared at him. Kepis had always been the most cautious and suspicious of them all by far. This reply from him had been totally unexpected.

"Well," Farris shrugged, "I suppose there's a first time for everything."

"Yeah," Octarius chuckled, "next thing you know, Xorin will be looking to settle down!"

Xorin elbowed him in the ribs, playfully.

"Keep the ship running people," Farris said, strolling away. "I'll see you all at breakfast."

* * * * * *

"Well?" Max asked.

The captain sat back, apparently thinking over what he'd just been told. "I'll grant you this much." He said. "It's certainly a very creative tale."

"Yeah." Octarius agreed.

"But it's all true." Said Max.

They'd just finished breakfast in the large conference room that adjoined the captain's cabin, and Max and Draig had finished telling their hosts the story of how they'd met and how they'd eventually arrived in this strange universe.

Breakfast had consisted of many unusual and exotic dishes. At least, they had been exotic to the two travellers. But they'd both learned from experience to eat whenever they had the chance, since you could never be too sure when you'd get the chance again.

"Says you." Octarius sneered.

"You have to admit," Xorin said, "it is a little difficult to believe."

Max glanced at Draig for help. The wolf-man was smiling.

"You're the Traveller." He said. "You handle this."

Max shrugged and held up his hand, complete with the Traveller Device. "What about this?"

"It is unique." Said the female currently snuggled up against Farris, who had been introduced as Jilena.

"That's not proof." Octarius scoffed. "That's a metal glove with a gem in it. With the right jewel and a bit of metal, any artificer could make one."

"Fine." Said Max. "But would any artificer be able to make one like this?" He reached down and pulled out the central gemstone of the Device. It was several inches long. A second later, he put it back in its place.

Their hosts gave Max gasps and looks of astonishment.

"Now that was impressive." Said Jilena.

"Yeah, nice trick." Said Octarius.

"All that proves," Said Kepis, evenly, "is that you have an unusual thing there. It does not prove that your story is true."

"That's a good point." Said Farris, glancing back at Max, curious to hear his response.

Max decided to give up on trying to convince them. There was just no changing some people's minds.

"Look," he said, "I don't really care whether or not you believe me. We're only going to be here for as long as it takes for the Device to recharge. Then we'll be gone."

"Of course, we only have your word on that." Said Kepis.

"Yes," said Max, simply, "you do."

Captain Farris had been mulling things over for several minutes. He appeared to reach a decision. "Very well. I'll allow to stay on my ship as my guests for now."

Max smiled. "Thank you."

"Of course," Farris added, "you'll be expected to help out here and there wherever necessary."

"Of course." Max nodded. He thought it was only fair, considering they were being given a place to stay.

"Octarius." Said Farris, keeping his eyes on Max. "Give our guests a tour of the ship."

"But, captain..." The blue-furred hulk began to protest.

"Just do it." Farris said, in a half-growl.

Octarius didn't look happy, but stood and led Max and Draig away.

Max was smiling as they went. He had been right. These people seemed to be friendly enough.

* * * * * *

"I don't want to hear it, Kepis." Was the first thing Farris said once their guests had left the room.

"Captain?" Kepis was puzzled.

"You were about to protest at my decision to allow those two to stay on board." Farris explained. "You were going to say how we still had no proof that they're not here to do us any harm."

"Yes, captain." Said Kepis, a little annoyed that he was apparently so predictable. "I was."

"Well, as I said, I don't want to hear it." Farris told him. "My decision has been made."

"Actually, captain," Said Kepis, "I was going to add that I personally feel that these two strangers are no threat. There is something about them, something I can't quite put my finger on, that leads my instincts to tell me they mean us no harm."

"Really?" Said Jilena, shocked.

"Yes." Said Kepis, through gritted teeth. "However, I do believe that their story is a pack of lies."

Farris nodded, turning his attention to Xorin, still seated at the table. She had been amazingly quiet throughout breakfast. And he thought it best to end the current line of conversation with his second. He was looking quite annoyed by now.

"Xorin?" He asked. "Any opinions to add?"

Besides, he had his suspicions regarding why Xorin had been so quiet. He knew the symptoms. But he wanted to check.

"Hmm?" Xorin was distracted, and it took her a moment to realise what had been said. "No captain."

"Are you okay?" He asked, with a frown.

"Of course, captain." She gave him a big grin. "I'm just perfect."

Oh dear. Farris had been right. There was only ever one time during which Xorin would describe herself as 'perfect'. He glanced at Jilena. She was rolling her eyes. She knew the symptoms too.

Xorin stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I have things I should be getting on with."

Kepis also got up. "So do I."

Farris watched them go, sighing.

"I see Xorin has herself a new infatuation." Said Jilena, once they were both gone.

"I noticed." Farris said. "That Draig guy, I believe."

"That's obvious." Jilena laughed. "Didn't you notice her eyeing him up all through breakfast?"

"Actually, no." Farris said. "I was too busy drinking in your great beauty, my love." He pulled her close and kissed her, deeply and passionately.

"That's sweet," Said Jilena, after the kiss, "but I know you too well. You're just trying to cover the fact that you didn't spot Xorin watching Draig."

Farris sighed and shrugged. "Yeah. I can't keep anything from you, can I?"

"Of course you can't!" Jilena said. "After all, I am your mate."

"Something for which I am eternally grateful." A devilish grin crossed Farris' features. He shifted himself closer to Jilena and wrapped his arms around her, revelling in her scent. He nuzzled at her neck. "How about we 'mate' a little more right now?"

Jilena pushed him away gently, returning his grin. "Not right now, Farris." She said, firmly yet playfully. "Later."

"I'm counting the seconds."

"I'm sure you are." Jilena laughed.

"Oh well, I suppose we'd better get to business. The ship won't run itself." Farris got to his feet. A thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

"Oh no." Said Jilena. "I know that look. You're about to ask me for a favour."

"It's about Xorin." Said Farris, coming over all serious. "You know we're in kind of a precarious situation at the moment, what with Lord Krayloch upping the bounty on us and being forced to use the Quarrylands as a shortcut to Port Thranal."

"And you feel this isn't really the time for another of Xorin's romantic escapades..." Jilena nodded, understanding.

"You know they always end in disaster." Said the captain, sadly. "And with the way things are right now, we really can't afford to go through the aftermath. Again."

"I can see where this is going." Said Jilena. "You want me to have a talk with Xorin. Female to female."

"Can you just ask her to try and control herself?" Said Farris, pleadingly. "At least until we reach Port Thranal?"

"You could do it yourself..." Jilena suggested, knowing full well it would be her who'd be talking to Xorin.

"I could." Farris nodded. "But you're so much better at these sorts of things than me."

"I know I am." Said Jilena. "Tell you what. I'll go catch up with her now and talk to her."

Farris hugged her. "I'd be extremely grateful, love."

"And later you'll have a chance to prove just how grateful." Jilena grinned, stroking his cheek.

He gave her a quick farewell kiss. "Oh, I'll prove it alright. Later. I love you."

"I love you." Jilena slipped lithely from his arms and departed.

Captain Farris left the room as well, stepping through a side door into his cabin. He rummaged through his clothes and grabbed a simple blue shirt. Getting a shirt had slipped his mind earlier, when he'd returned to his cabin to wash up for breakfast. Considering that Jilena had been awake and there waiting for him, it was understandable that he had been distracted.

He slipped the shirt on, but left it open. Then he left his cabin, bound for the main deck. He wanted to check how everything was going and how long they had until they reached their destination.

The crew were busying themselves as he arrived on the main deck. He strolled in the direction of the command deck, passing a team that were running maintenance checks on the ship's side-mounted particle cannons. He gave them a nod of approval.

The horizon of the Voidscape had brightened considerably by this point. The day was truly upon them now.

He passed other crew-members moving supply crates around. A few were checking the masts and their vast solar energy collecting sails. Some however were currently off duty, lazing around on deck, talking amongst themselves, or pursuing various hobbies. He took particular note of the number of card games. He knew for a fact that seven of the ten best card players in the whole Voidscape were currently members of his crew. It was something he took a bizarre form of pride in.

As he briefly glanced toward the front of the ship, he saw Octarius concluding his tour. Max and Draig were nodding their thanks to Farris' big lieutenant. Octarius simply stalked away to return to his duties, leaving them to do what they wanted.

Captain Farris changed direction, heading their way.

* * * * * *

"What do you think, Draig?" Max asked, watching Octarius go.

"He's a nasty one." The wolf-man was staring after the departing lieutenant. "With a nasty attitude."

"Well, at least you've got your priorities straight." Max sighed. "I meant, what do you think about our current situation?"

"We're safe." Draig mumbled, staring off into the distance. "That's what matters."

"You sure we're safe, my friend?" Said Max, jokingly. "That big blue guy certainly has his mind set on a re-match..."

The Wolven Knight turned to Max, anger burning in his eyes. "Understand this, human." He snarled. "I am not your friend!"

"But..." Max stammered.

"I keep you alive because I have to." Draig growled. "Because you are my only way home. But I don't want to be here! I have never wanted to be here! You are an annoying, self-important little creature that dragged me off on this journey! Do not try to pretend that we are friends!"

The knight turned his back on Max and stalked away, leaving the human speechless and stunned. Draig was just tired, that was all. He told himself. That was all.

But he knew it wasn't, that Draig really was sick of him and all their...

"Problems?"

Captain Farris' arrival at Max's side threw off his train of thought.

"Huh?" He said, intelligently.

"I noticed you and your companion arguing." Said Farris. "Anything I can help with?"

"No." Max shook his head. This wasn't something he wanted to talk about. He groped for a change of subject.

"Maybe you could help." Said Max. "Fill me in on some of the basics of the Voidscape here." He motioned to the void beyond the ship, with its numerous islands.

"You still maintain you're from another world?" Said Farris, with a grin.

"It's the truth." Max simply shrugged.

"Very well." Farris chose to let it slide. "What is there about the Voidscape that you want to know about?"

"What's at the edge?" Max asked the first question that popped into his head. "What's beyond the edge?"

"At the edge of the Voidscape, the breathable atmosphere disappears." Farris explained. "Making travelling beyond it somewhat difficult. Some attempts have been made, but any ship that has tried it has been crushed by the immense gravitational forces that exist just beyond the edge. In fact, some believe it is those forces that keep the atmosphere inside the Voidscape."

Max mulled this over.

"But to be brutally honest, there's no reason to travel beyond the edge of the Voidscape." The captain added. "People have been watching beyond the edge with all sorts of telescopes and scanning devices for centuries. There is simply nothing out there. At least, nothing within any detectable distance."

"I've never been to a place like this." Max mumbled.

"Really?" Said Farris. "What are most places like then?"

"Not like this." Said Max. "Most universes are space and planets, stuff like that?"

Farris frowned. "Space? Planets? You've lost me."

Max shook his head. "I'll explain it later."

"You really do qualify as a strange one, Max." Farris chuckled.

"I do have other questions." Max went on. "I've noticed there are two different races here."

"Yeah, the Exars and the Karians." The captain nodded.

"Which is which?" Max asked.

Farris shot him a puzzled look. "I and the others of my species are karians. The exars are the big, furry species. You really didn't know."

"Remember, I'm not from around here." Said Max. "So tell me, do the two sentient species of the Voidscape live together in peace?"

"Depends what you mean by peace." Said Farris, with a smile. "Yeah, back in the distant past, there were a few wars between the species, but we stopped fighting each other because of differences in our species long ago. But that doesn't mean the peoples of the Voidscape stopped fighting. There have been plenty of wars and conflicts through history. But there was a period of relative peace and calm that lasted a couple of centuries. Until Lord Krayloch turned up."

The unfamiliar name caught Max's attention, but he wasn't sure why. "Lord Krayloch?"

"He's your basic tyrannical despot." Farris explained. "He raised a massive army, overturned the governments of several of the Voidscape's kingdoms, and set himself up as ruler. These days, he controls most of the Void, and always seems to be moving in on the parts he doesn't have under his power. Some have predicted that he'll have the entire Voidscape under his rule within five years."

"How bad is he?" Max wanted to know.

"Bad." Farris answered. "I've seen massacres of children ordered by Krayloch. Every day there are executions of people who have expressed opinions Krayloch doesn't like. He takes whatever he wants and kills whoever gets in his way. Brutally and with the maximum amount of pain inflicted. Those he doesn't kill, he leaves mutilated and crippled for life."

Max simply stared at the captain, shocked. "And no one's tried to stop him?"

"Of course there have been attempts." Farris shrugged. "But none have been successful. It's as if him and his empire are indestructible."

"Which species is he?" Max was curious.

"You tell me." Said Farris. "Because any guess you make is as good as mine. No one knows what species he is. Whenever he's seen, he wears armour all over. There are a few myths and stories told by people who claim to have seen him out of his armour."

"And?" Max prompted.

"Some say he's an exar." Farris said. "But others say he's some sort of horrific looking mutant. Some others claim he looks like some sort of hybrid between an exar and a karian, even though our two species are genetically incompatible and such a thing would be impossible."

Max looked thoughtful, mulling all this over. "Is there anyone still resisting this Krayloch guy? Trying to bring him down?"

"A few here and there, scattered about." Farris said. "Mostly underground resistance movements. There are very few that are still challenging Krayloch openly. The small kingdom of Galanth down in the lower Void. What few skyships survived the fall of the kingdom of Dorant. My crew and I."

The Traveller gave him an astonished glance. "Really?"

"Oh, yes." Said Farris. "I mean, the kingdom of Dorant didn't have too many skyships, so I can see it's surprising that some managed to survive Krayloch's invasion..."

"You know what I mean." Said Max.

Farris smiled. "Yes, I do. It so happens that Lord Krayloch has put a big price on all of our heads. Luckily, not many are too willing to try and claim it, since most have a strong hatred of Krayloch. They're probably hoping we do find some way to overthrow him."

"If you keep trying," said Max, trying to be reassuring, "you'll find a way eventually."

The captain standing beside him sighed, staring off into the distance. "I hope so."

Their conversation paused as they both feel into their own deep thoughts for a time.

"There's something I really want to ask." Max said, suddenly, looking at Farris, wanting to move things away from the subject of Lord Krayloch.

"It's the face, isn't it?" Said Farris. "Sooner or later, everyone asks about the face."

"As faces go, it does stand out." Said Max.

"It's a simple story." Farris said, with a shrug. "Ten years ago, I was there when Krayloch invaded the Kingdom of Sirias, my home. I did what I could to help defend it, but we were simply overwhelmed by superior forces and firepower. During one of the final battles before the kingdom fell, I somehow found myself facing General Huranith."

"Who?" Max asked.

"He's the commander of Krayloch's armies, and his closest lieutenant." Farris told him. "And one hell of a vicious fighter. I barely survived, and even then, I was left with half my face and neck missing. Thankfully, my friends were able to get to me before my injuries killed me and got me to a doctor. By the time I woke up after the fight, I was back on my ship here, leaving my home, which had fallen to Krayloch, and I had theses bionics implanted throughout my skull. The implants had been the only way to save my life."

So much for moving the conversation away from the subject of Lord Krayloch. Thought Max.

Max's mind was racing. Surely there was something he could do to help Farris and his crew? After all, he was the Traveller...

* * * * * *

"Damn that Traveller!"

Xorin heard the wolf-man's words as she approached him.

She stopped in her tracks for a moment, wondering if this was such a good idea. The Traveller's companion wasn't looking like he was in the best of moods right now.

Then maybe I should cheer him up, another part of her said.

And there'd been the talk with Jilena. What she'd said made sense. With all the troubles they were going through at the moment, her particular brand of romantic entanglements would not help matters.

But then, she couldn't help being who she was. She stepped toward Draig, who was leaning on the railing on the side of the ship, gazing down at the Void below them.

"Hey there." She said, standing beside him.

"Is there something you want?" Draig growled.

Xorin didn't take offence at his tone of voice. "You just looked like you needed someone to talk to."

"And you thought I should talk to you?" Said Draig. "That's damn presumptuous of you."

"That's just me." Xorin smiled.

They stood in silence for a few minutes.

"You're not going to go away, are you?" Draig sighed.

"I've got nowhere else I have to be right now." Xorin shrugged.

"It's just Max." Draig sighed. "No matter what I do, no matter what we go through, he remains the same self-centred, self-righteous, annoying little human."

"I saw the way you jumped to his protection when Octarius tried to put his hands on him." Xorin said. "You must care about him some. He is your friend, isn't he?"

"Yes." Said Draig. "No... maybe... I just don't know anymore. He's always dragging the both of us into danger and I'm always following him, protecting him, playing the loyal sidekick. But I don't want to be his sidekick. The sad thing is, I have to stick with him, he's the only one who can get me back to my home."

"Have you tried talking to him about the way you feel?" Xorin asked.

"I haven't bothered." Said Draig. "That human is incapable of taking anything seriously for more than a few minutes."

"You could still try." Xorin suggested.

"I can see how it would go." Said Draig. "His attitude would make me angry and it would end with him giving me some nonsense about how he's the Traveller, so he's naturally going to get into danger and how I should lighten up, stop being serious about everything."

"This is probably not what you want to hear right now," said Xorin, "but you do seem a little tense. Relaxing and not taking everything too seriously could do you some good."

"You just don't understand!" Draig shook his head. "With all the stuff the two of us go through, someone has to take it seriously, and since Max won't, I have to, every time. Just how someone has to always get us out of danger, and Max doesn't do it, so I have to. It's always down to me. He just spends his time causing his trouble and making sarcastic remarks."

Draig paused before going on. "And it's more than that. This whole life I'm leading is tearing me apart. The constant travelling and danger. Never being able to make any new friends or fully enjoy the places we visit because we're always moving on to the next world. I keep feeling as if I'm about to snap. I wasn't always like this, so full of anger, but this life I'm leading is changing me, and I don't think I like what I'm becoming."

Xorin took a step closer and put a hand on Draig's shoulder. "Hey, if you're having such problems, maybe you should give up the life you're leading."

"But travelling with Max is the only way I'm ever going to get home!" Said Draig.

"Believe it or not, I can sympathise with what you are going through." Said Xorin gently. "I lost my home once. I was a citizen of the Kingdom of Sirias. But it was destroyed. It has been for ten years now. And while a day doesn't go by that I wish it hadn't happened, I have learned something since then."

She looked him in the eye. "I've learned that someone's home, their true home, isn't any one place. It's wherever they are happy. Maybe you should consider finding a new place where you are happy. A new home."

Draig thought about this. "That's very good advice."

"Hey, I'm not just a pretty face." Xorin replied.

"And it is such a pretty face." Draig caught himself smiling. He was a little surprised with himself. He actually meant it.

"You really think so?" Xorin grinned back.

"I'm a knight," said Draig, "and I never lie if I can help it."

"Doesn't mean you're not lying now." Said Xorin, coyly, shifting closer to Draig.

Draig's smile remained. "I'm not lying. What will it take you to convince you of that?"

Xorin leaned in close. "I can think of a few things."

A combination of hormones and instinct took over Draig's actions. He leaned in, bringing his face close to Xorin's, savouring her sweet delicious scent, noticing just how beautiful she looked...

"Captain!"

The loud call sounded across the main deck, taking Xorin and Draig's attention away from each other. A part of the wolf-man mourned the loss of the moment.

The call had come from the command deck nearby and was directed at Captain Farris, standing at the other end of the deck with Max. At the call, he broke into a jog, headed there to see what was going on. Max followed him.

Xorin glanced at who had called. It was Kepis.

"Something's wrong." She said.

"How can you tell?" Asked Draig.

"See that frown on Kepis' face?" She said, pointing to the command deck. "He only uses that particular frown when it's something very serious."

The captain passed them at a run. Max went by as well, avoiding eye contact with Draig.

"C'mon, we'd better go see what's up." Xorin led Draig up to the command deck.

* * * * * *

Captain Farris arrived at the command deck knowing that he wasn't going to be receiving good news. He'd noticed that Kepis had his 'something serious' frown on.

"What is it, Kepis?" He demanded.

"Long range scanners have picked something up." Said Kepis, indicating the scanner monitor. "I think we may be in trouble."

The captain gave the monitor a brief glance. "Energy signatures?"

"Yes, captain." Kepis said. "Three of them. They can only be one thing. Imperial cruisers. And they are already on an intercept course."

Max shot Farris a questioning look. "Imperial cruisers?"

"Krayloch's forces." He explained shortly, his mind doing overtime. Three cruisers. That was not good.

At that moment, Xorin arrived, accompanied by Draig. "What's up captain?"

"We have three incoming hostiles." Farris told her. "I want you to get down to the armoury and make sure the entire crew is armed."

Xorin nodded and grabbed the wolf-man's arm. "C'mon, Draig, you can give me a hand." He went along with her without protest.

"Kepis, sound the alarm, I want the crew on full alert and all weapons systems checked and triple checked."

His second in command jumped to it, sprinting away to give out orders.

Max's expression was serious as he spoke. "My experience in this is pretty much non-existent, captain. How bad is this?"

Farris sighed. "Very bad. Imperial cruisers are the toughest ships in the skies. And we've got three of them incoming."

Max looked like he wanted to ask something further, but the human didn't get the chance as Octarius arrived.

"Something up, captain?" The blue-furred hulk asked.

"Yes." Said Farris. "I want you to take manual control of the helm. Crank all propulsion systems up to maximum and start us on some evasive manoeuvres. We've got enemies on approach."

"I'm on it." Octarius got to work.

Farris felt the sudden burst of acceleration as his lieutenant brought all the engines up to full power. It would buy them time, but would not solve their problems. His implants started to hum quietly as his mind raced, considering and discarding options.

He glanced to Max. The Traveller was stood watching the small islands whiz past the ship as Octarius began the evasive manoeuvres, flying and swooping among the floating islands. He seemed to be looking at them curiously.

The options did not look good to Farris. They could not out-gun three Imperial Cruisers; their weapons just weren't up to it. Thoughts racing, the captain went to join Max.

"We need some other form of weapon." He mumbled, thoughtfully.

"Just what I was thinking." Said Max.

A second later, another island shot past, Octarius steering the ship around it at high speed. It's vast, rocky underside blurred past overhead.

Max and Farris turned to look at each other.

"I've got an idea." Said the human.

"So do I." Farris smiled, his instincts telling him they'd struck upon the same plan.

* * * * * *

"You ever used one of these before?" Asked Xorin.

"No." Said Draig, looking at the energy blaster Xorin was offering. "And I'm not going to start using one now."

"You're joking, right?" Xorin was shocked. "We're about to be attacked and you don't want a gun?"

The Wolven Knight looked at the short-barrelled thing in her hand. He considered it, but shook his head. The whole concept of 'guns' still disgusted him.

"No." He said. "I'll stick with my sword."

"Can it deflect plasma blasts?" Xorin asked, eyeing the weapon strapped to Draig's back.

Draig had never encountered plasma blasts before, so couldn't say. He shrugged. "We'll see."

Xorin sighed. "I suppose we will. Here, help me with these." She dumped a couple of cases of blasters into his arms and took a few for herself.

He spent the following half hour following Xorin through the ship, distributing weapons to those among the crew who weren't already armed. It turned out that most of the crew had their own side-arms of varying sizes and shapes, many custom made.

Their assignment came to an end when the ship around them suddenly lurched to the side. The sound of screeching metal reached Draig's ears. The two of them were deep inside the ship at the time and were thrown against the wall, the cases of weaponry slipping from their grasp and spilling across the floor.

"I think we've been hit." Said Draig.

"I agree." Said Xorin, pulling out here own blaster, a black metal weapon, from a holster at her waist. "Come on. Leave the guns. Let's get up on deck."

She led the way at a run, Draig easily keeping pace. Along the way, the ship lurched again a few times.

They emerged onto the main deck of the Skystreamer to find everything in chaos. Crew-members rushed here and there. The particle cannons mounted on the rear of the ship were blazing away, casting yellowish light across the deck. There were plumes of smoke rising from several spots on the aft of the ship and on the left side. Where it had taken hits.

As they ran to the command deck, Draig was able to see the pursuing ship. It was bigger than the Skystreamer, a hulk of black and grey metal, its hull a dark blotch against the sky behind them. It had three huge cannons mounted on its pointed front. All them were blasting away, sending purple bolts of energy in their direction. Their ship was swerving this way and that, doing its best to avoid them.

Right in the middle of trouble again, thought Draig as he followed Xorin, why am I not surprised?

* * * * * *

Max gripped the nearest control panel as the ship rocked around him, taking another hit.

"Have you found one, Kepis?" He heard Farris call.

He glanced at the captain. He was stood at the main monitor in the centre of the command deck, keeping his eyes fixed on the display. It showed the first of the Imperial Cruisers, the one that had made it within range.

Kepis was at one of the other monitors. "Yes, sir! Got one!"

Max staggered across the command deck, barely managing to stay on his feet as Octarius, at the piloting controls, threw the ship backwards and forwards, doing his best in the way of evasive manoeuvres. Max made it to Kepis' monitor, where he joined Farris.

"That's perfect." Farris grinned. Max was certain he was enjoying the crisis.

"Octarius!" The captain called. "Turn us to a course of 352 by 376 by 245!" He read the co-ordinates from the monitor.

The hulking creature at the controls obeyed and Max felt the ship turn suddenly.

"Hey, captain!" Octarius said, frowning. "This course takes us very close to the underside of that island over there!"

"I know." Said Farris, returning to the main monitor. Max joined him. He watched as the captain hit a switch on the intercom panel before him.

"Aft weapons room here." Came the voice on the intercom.

"This is Farris." Said the captain. "I'm sending you a set of targeting co-ordinates." He tapped out a series of numbers on the panel in front of him. "When I give the word, I want you to change target and fire upon these co-ordinates with as much power as you can muster."

"Understood, sir." Came the reply.

Farris's real eye was gleaming. His artificial one glowed. He grinned at Max.

"Here's hoping this works." He said.

* * * * * *

Xorin halted, staring forward. That's strange...

"What is it?" Asked Draig, stopping beside her.

"We're heading for that island." Xorin pointed. It was a big and ugly chunk of floating rock.

"No." Said Draig. He had narrowed his eyes as he looked. "We'll pass under it. But very close. Why?"

"The wind currents are usually pretty treacherous directly beneath an island." Xorin explained. "I hope the captain knows what he's doing."

* * * * * *

"I hope you know what you're doing, captain." Mumbled Octarius, struggling with the ship's controls.

"I always know what I'm doing, Octarius!" Said Farris, from where he stood, a grin on his face. "I haven't got us killed before, have I?"

The blue-furred lieutenant shot him a quick look. He didn't appreciate the captain's good humour in such dire circumstances.

"Just do what you can to keep us steady." Said Farris response to this. The captain hit the intercom. "Aft weapons room! Standby!"

At the front of the command deck, Max stood, looking out across the main deck, listening to this exchange between Captain Farris and his lieutenant. He spotted Draig and Xorin approaching.

At least Draig had been making himself useful. He thought. The best he'd managed was to come up with an idea the captain had already come up with. Talk about useless.

He looked up. They were fast approaching the huge island. And huge it was, big and rocky, it's underside uneven and crumbling in places.

The _Skystreamer_lurched suddenly, taking another hit. Max wondered just how much punishment this ship could take.

Xorin arrived, closely followed by Draig. She was full of questions. "What's going on, captain?"

Farris simply grinned at her. She just looked at his expression and smiled herself.

"You have a plan, sir?" She said.

"Oh yes." He nodded at the main monitor. Max stepped over to see, joining Xorin and Draig.

The glowing display showed their ship's position as well as their pursuer, and the island their were approaching. The Imperial Cruiser was inching gradually closer, continuing to fire.

The _Skystreamer_reached the island, passing beneath its massive bulk. From the command deck, Max could look up and see it. It was almost close enough to touch.

The ship started to shudder and shake as the wind currents tried to take them. Octarius struggled at the controls, snarling.

"Weapons room!" Farris called into the intercom. "Be ready to switch targeting co-ordinates!"

On the monitor display, Max watched. After a few seconds, the Imperial Cruiser passed underneath the island.

"Weapons room! Now!"

The aft particle cannons switched target, changing their field of fire. They began firing at the island above, with all their power.

The particle blasts ripped through rock and stone, shattering it into millions of fragments, large and small. Then the blasts broke through the bottom of a large deep lake on the island above, and a torrent of water joined the falling rock and stone.

On the command deck, everyone watched the monitor display. The pursuing Cruiser suddenly found itself trying to fly through a shower of falling water and stone. The particle cannons kept on blasting, creating more stony falling fragments.

Farris brought up a scanner readout of the Cruiser. It showed their pursuer was taking heavy damage, propulsion and power systems were failing and short-circuiting, it's hull ripped wide open in several places. It was losing altitude and breaking away, fleeing as best it could.

"One down." Said Farris. "Where are the other two?"

Kepis was already checking his monitors as the captain spoke. "They're flanking us either side. Port side cruiser is about to enter weapons range. They're charging particle cannons."

"Retract port side solar sails and cannons!" Farris ordered. "Octarius! Swerve to port! Let's give them a taste of that new hull armour!"

"Aye, sir!" Octarius was grinning.

Max held on to the nearest control panel as the ship swerved, the deck tilting beneath his feet. He looked out across the deck to see the landscape shifting. The ship was still streaming between the islands, but was also moving sideways at great speed.

He saw as the great golden sails on the port side of the ship folded up and retracted, withdrawing into the hull.

It wasn't long before they were able to see the cruiser, it's hulking shape flying parallel to them. The Skystreamer moved in closer.

Then the cruiser opened fire, energy blasts sweeping across the ever-decreasing distance between the two ships.

"Now, Octarius!" Farris cried.

The blue-furred lieutenant slammed down on his controls. The ship lurched as it swerved sideways, straight into the cruiser.

The sound of metal crunching and screeching filled the air as the two ships collided, each scraping along the others hull. A moment later it was over as the Skystreamer pulled away.

Max saw that the hull of the cruiser was twisted and ripped, its cannons were sparking and smoking.

"Report!" Farris said.

"Negligible damage to the hull armour." Kepis answered from his monitor. "Enemy hull has been weakened and damaged."

"Guess that armour was worth the expense after all." The captain mused for a moment. Then it was back to business. "Get those particle cannons back out and fire!"

The orders were carried out and it was barely a few minutes before the particle cannons were firing again, at the damaged hull of the cruiser. As Max watched, a lucky shot blasted a hole through a weakened section and the shot after it went through. There was an explosion from within the cruiser somewhere.

The cruiser veered away, dropping behind them, out of sight.

"Enemy cruiser has broken off pursuit and is leaving." Kepis said. "They've taken interior damage."

"Good." Farris nodded. "That's two down. Where's the third?"

Kepis checked his monitors. "Coming up behind and above us."

Farris checked his own readouts showing the approaching third cruiser. "Looks like they're going to try boarding cables."

"Agreed, captain." Kepis nodded.

"Xorin, go get the crew ready to propel boarders." Said Farris.

Xorin nodded and was gone from the command deck in an instant.

"Can't we..." Max began, but the ship suddenly lurched.

"Grappling cables have locked on to us!" Said Kepis. "Magnetic clamps have attached to the hull."

"Get some crew onto getting them unclamped!" Farris snarled.

So much for my suggestion. Thought Max. He had been about to suggest that they try to outrun the incoming cruiser.

A shadow passed over the main deck. The cruiser was matching speed and taking up a position directly above. Max took up a position at the front of the command deck to get a good look at it.

He noticed hatches opening up in its rough, uneven underbelly. Suddenly, Captain Farris was beside him, looking up.

"Looks like they're about to launch boarding cables!" He called back to Kepis.

"Boarding cables?" Max asked.

"You'll see." Said Farris.

A moment later, the air was filled with a whistling sound. From the open hatches above, thick cables were being fired downward. Each cable ended in a metal spike that buried itself in the wooden surface of the deck when it hit. There must have been fifteen cables in all.

"Get those cables cut!" Farris yelled across the deck

It seemed like an unnecessary order. Crew-members were already attacking most of the boarding cables with knives and guns. A few of the bigger exars were trying unsuccessfully to rip them with their bare hands. In fact, everyone's efforts were looking to be unsuccessful. The cables were all remaining intact.

"Damn." Farris muttered, watching this display. "I'd heard that they'd found a stronger material for their boarding cables. Never seen it before, though."

"Let me try." Said Draig, stepping forward. The wolf-man vaulted off the command deck and drew his sword as he landed on the main deck.

He swiped at the nearest cable. His blade sliced through it easily and the severed end started flailing about. Draig ducked under it and headed for the next one.

But he wouldn't get them all in time, Max noticed. Above them, troops, mainly exars wearing big armoured uniforms of blue and grey, were heading down the cables, using some sort of abseiling equipment. They were descending quickly.

A hail of energy blasts from the Skystreamer's crew greeted the descending troops, and a few were hit, falling limp, but many were making it through.

Battle erupted across the main deck of the ship. Bright blasts of energy shot back and forth. In many places, the fighting had gone hand-to-hand, with the crew and troops fighting it out with their fists.

From the command deck, Max watched the fight, occasionally ducking as a stray blast came his way. He saw Draig going at it like a madman, deflecting blasts, cutting boarding cables, punching out Imperial troops. Max wanted to do something to help, but doubted he'd be much use in such a savage skirmish as this.

Think! He urged himself. There must be something you can do...

He looked up at the cruiser. Maybe there was something...

Farris stood nearby, his blaster in hand, yelling orders to whoever could hear him in the fighting and taking the occasional shot. He glanced to the others on the bridge. Kepis was busy at his monitors, directing the crew throughout the ship. Octarius was still at the helm. And he had a holstered gun at his side.

Max strolled over. "Mind if a borrow this?" He said, pulling the gun from the big exar's holster. He headed back to the captain.

"Hey!" Octarius called angrily after him, but stayed at his post.

"Captain!" Said Max. "Follow my lead!" Farris gave him a puzzled look, but didn't question him.

Max raised the gun. While to Octarius it was a handgun, Max had to use both hands to lift it and take aim. But he didn't aim into the fight. He aimed for the cruiser.

"Nice thought, Max." Said Farris. "But that weapon will do nothing against their armoured hull."

"I thought as much." Max replied. "But they currently have a number of openings in their hull."

He fired the gun and was somewhat surprised to find that his aim was spot on. The particle blast shot through one of the openings from which a boarding cable was protruding. There was a small explosion inside.

"Interesting idea." The captain smiled. He joined Max in aiming for the openings in the cruiser.

Together, they continued firing at the cruiser. Not all their shots were on target, but more often than not, their blasts went through the openings, setting off small explosions inside.

As they did this, the battle continued across the main deck of the ship. Max took a moment from what he was doing to check on Draig, just in time to see him sever the last of the boarding cables. And the crew were finishing off the last of the troops, between Draig's cutting of the cables, and Max and Farris' barrage of the cruiser, the boarders hadn't been able to get any reinforcements and were overwhelmed by the superior numbers of the crew.

Max pointed this out to the captain.

"Great!" Farris grinned, holstering his weapon. "We may actually get out of this." He padded across the main monitor and hit a switch. "Report! How's it going with those grappling cables?"

"Just got them unclamped, sir!" Came the reply through the intercom.

"Good work." Farris switched off the intercom, turning his attention back to the command deck. "Octarius, get us moving! I want us in a firing position!"

"Aye, sir!" Octarius replied.

The shadow across the main deck disappeared as the Skystreamer moved away from the Imperial Cruiser. The battle was pretty much over now. Max could see a number of crew-members talking to Draig, all smiles and congratulatory handshakes.

Good to see he's made some friends, the human mused.

"Kepis! I want the cannons ready to fire!" Farris was ordering.

"Already done, captain!" Kepis replied. "In position to fire... now!"

"Then fire!"

Max joined Captain Farris at the main monitor to watch as the ship's particle cannons bombarded the Imperial cruiser, shredding one side of it.

"Captain, they're breaking off." Kepis reported, looking up. "They've moved out of firing range and are retreating."

"Good." Farris allowed himself a sigh of relief. "Keep the long range scanners searching for them though. I don't want them to suddenly turn up and surprise us."

"Understood, captain." Kepis got to work

"Octarius, resume our previous course, best possible speed." Said Farris.

"Of course, sir." The exar replied.

As the captain gave out his orders, Max wandered back to the edge of the command deck and let his gaze scan the devastation. The severed ends of the boarding cables were still embedded in the deck. And...

And there were dead bodies scattered everywhere. Most were the imperial troops, but Max saw some of Farris' crew among the corpses. He shook his head, wishing this could have gone some other way.

"It's quite a mess, isn't it?" Said Farris. He'd silently approached Max's side.

"Yeah..." Max didn't feel like saying much.

"It'll get cleaned up." Said Farris.

"And the dead?" Max wanted to know.

The captain bowed his head. "Nothing can be done for them now." He sighed. "They will be mourned. And remembered. But the fight goes on."

"It always does." Max muttered, sadly.

"It could have been worse." Farris shrugged. "Your companion certainly helped see that it wasn't. And so did you."

"I'm the Traveller." Said Max. "It's what I do..."

* * * * * *

The doors swung open on their massive hinges, allowing General Huranith entry into the chamber beyond.

He stopped just inside, glancing about at the opulent, lavishly decorated chambers. He was waiting. Where was...?

"General, this had better be good."

The booming voice made the general's blood run cold, as it always did when he first heard it. But at least he'd learned to suppress the shiver that used to run up his spine whenever he was in his Lord's presence.

Lord Krayloch strolled into the room, in his full armour. Only once had Huranith seen him out of his armour. And that had been a strange terrifying experience he would never speak of to anyone.

Krayloch was big, tall and massively built. His armour was a dull metallic grey under the glowing overhead lights. It covered his whole body. The helmet was smooth and featureless, with glowing red eyes.

He beckoned for the general to approach as he sat himself down in one of the many large chairs about the place.

"I did say I was not to be disturbed, Huranith." Krayloch boomed. "If it were anyone else, they would have been executed by now. But I make it a point not to execute my friends."

"Something for which I am always grateful." Huranith smiled. "And I am sorry to disturb you, but I knew you'd want to see this."

The general placed a small holo-projector on a nearby table of polished wood and activated it. Images began to form in the air above it.

"This footage came from the exterior cameras of a cruiser out in the Quarrylands." Huranith explained. "It was involved in a skirmish with a wanted pirate craft that escaped."

"What pirate craft?" Krayloch asked. "I do have a few bothering me at the moment."

"It was the_Skystreamer_." The general answered.

Krayloch laughed. "That pathetic little sky ship? What could they possibly have that is of interest?"

"This, my lord." He hit a button on the projector and the image froze, and a portion of it was enlarged. "This being was spotted on board."

"That's not a exar or a karian..." Said Krayloch. He stopped, noticing something. "His hand...!"

"Yes, my Lord, it is exactly what you told me to keep a lookout for." The general said.

"A Traveller Device!" Lord Krayloch was on his feet now, laughing with delight. "I knew it was just a matter of time until a Traveller came to the Voidscape!"

"What do you want me to do about it, Lord?" Huranith asked.

"I want that being. Alive." Krayloch told him. "Whatever it takes. See to it, general."

Huranith nodded. "Of course, sir." He bowed and departed, leaving Krayloch alone with the image of the Traveller.

He stared at the image. Beneath his helmet, he was smiling. "I have waited so long for you to come to me, Traveller..."

To Be Continued...