<br clear="all"><br><br>CHAPTER NINETEEN<br><br>"Tis settled, then?" Ian said, his glance tracing from Dalton to Adric and back again. "We'll all be playing friendly for the interim?" His winged brow shot up, inviting their answer.<br>
<br>Both men remained stubbornly silent and unresponsive.<br><br>"Okay, make that hostile allies. That be doable, all things considered, that's better than nothing. So-o, the next question is, where do we start?" <br>
<br>"By repairing the Hellequin," Paris said.<br><br>"The Hellequin is a wreck," Arissa scoffed. "She was disintegrating before we got to Euzkadi. After the crash, she's nothing but a useless pile of junk."<br>
<br>"That ship has to be repaired," Paris remained adamant. "She's our best bet once we're back in flight."<br><br>"Sure and this be getting to be a bloody habit, but damned if I'm na' going to have to say it again," Ian grumbled, thrusting his hands into the tight pockets of his jeans. "Paris be right, Arissa love. 'Twould be damn hard to duplicate all the adaptations we've worked into Hellequin. You can be backing me up any time, Dal."<br>
<br>Dalton fingered the silver filigree trim that had come loose at his cuff. After a moment, he nodded. "Unless our equipment can be installed in another ship without seriously limiting its usefulness," he said slowly, "the Hellequin must be recommissioned."<br>
<br>"But, surely..."<br><br>"Hear me, Arissa. When we relieved the Coalition of our stardrive, we acquired the sole working model along with the only viable set of plans. Fortunately for us, the designer died during our raid, leaving us with a drive no one can duplicate. Unfortunately, if memory serves me, it can not be removed from Hellequin without major readjustments. Which means the drive may not survive a recomissioning."<br>
<br>"And the teleport," Paris said. "Don't forget the teleport."<br><br>"Absolutely. The modifications to the ship that were required before the teleport could be installed were nothing to scoff at. Transferring just those two adaptations alone would be tantamount to assembling a ship from the shell in."<br>
<br>"I concur," Domani said. "Assuming the equipment is currently operational and the ship can be reconditioned."<br><br>"Let's do it, then," Adric said, slapping his thigh. "Nicki, contact Planet Security. Tell them the bounty hunter will be taking over any investigation concerning the downed ship. They'll kick up the usual protest, but the hunter has clout. We'll get the cooperation we need so long as we're right and the Coalition hasn't figured the bounty hunter and the leader of alpha base are one and the same?"<br>
<br>"According to reports still coming in the link was not uncovered," Nykita assured him. "The bounty hunter should still weld his power."<br><br>"That's settled then. We'll need an assessment of the damage done before we attempt to bring the ship back to the compound, so I'll dispatch a work crew to the crash site immediately we're done here. Once we know the worst, Dalton, I'll see to it you get a full report. Nicki, I want you to coordinate the repairs with him."<br>
<br>"With St Moritz?" She shook her head. "I don't think..."<br><br>"I wouldn't be surprised if Dalton had some intriguing thoughts on what he wants done with the ship, once she's torn down, " Adric interrupted firmly. "In the spirit of our alliance, he must have the full cooperation of our techs."<br>
<br>Her lips thinned rebelliously, but she ground her teeth and nodded. "All right. I'll do it. On one condition."<br><br>"Conditions again," Adric muttered.<br><br>"Yes, my dear." She knelt on one knee at his side. "Conditions again. You've been on your feet for quite long enough. I won't make a fuss if you return to the mediunits."<br>
<br>"I have too much to do."<br><br>"Or barring that, go to your cabin for a lie down," she continued, ignoring his protests. "Let the vest do what it was designed to do."<br><br>"I am healing just fine."<br>
<br>"Admit it or not, your strength is teetering on the edge. As your attending doctor, I insist you do what I ask. I won't be held responsible for your health unless you do."<br><br>Adric pursed his lips, running his fingers over his recently shaved chin. "How long before our personnel are ready to began the evacuation?"<br>
<br>"Another few hours. We don't have an immediate need to run, so we're salvaging as much as possible." She tugged at his hands, gently urging his obedience. "You have time to rest, and you do need the rest. Once we get to the retreat, we're going to need you at your best."<br>
<br>"I must admit to being a little tired," Adric said, letting her entice him to his feet. "So, if rest is the order of the day?"<br><br>"It is."<br><br>Keeping a tight grip on Nykita's wrist, he guided her away from the others. At the door, he paused. "Nykita," he said, watching Dalton closely. "When you get a spare minute, I want you to come to my quarters."<br>
<br>"Is there a problem?"<br><br>"No. Well probably, but it's nothing you can't fix. My arm's gone dead. Cold as a cryogenic lover. I'm afraid the circuits may have overloaded." He hesitated, seeing an angry scowl mar Dalton's lean features, almost as if the man had heard Adric's whispered complaint. But that was impossible. No one's hearing was that good. Was it?<br>
"Come to my cabin when you can, Nicki. And don't mention any of this to Dal. He sure as hell isn't going to want a cripple on his ship."<br><br>"I'll be done here in a few minutes," she told him. "You get to your cabin and wait for me. And Adric, do it this time."<br>
<br>He nodded and stepped through the door before he suddenly turned back into the room. His amber glance moved over the mercenaries, finally settling on Dalton. "You really are welcome here, haurride."<br><br>
"Am I?"<br><br>"Of course you are. We've always been a rather nasty combination. Now we have the opportunity to work together again, we're going to win once and for all. I know we can make this arrangement work. For all of us."<br>
<br>"If you say so," Dalton said. A slow, knowing smile traced his full lips. "Take care of that arm, though. Your of no use without it."<br><br>Adric glanced at his left arm, frowning. "Nothing to concern yourself about."<br>
<br>"I concern myself with anything that might endanger my companions," Dalton said ominously. "And anyone."<br><br><br><br>end part 19<br><br>-- <br>PEJA<br>The wwomb archive <a href="http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php">http://www.squidge.org/~peja/cgi-bin/index.php</a> accepts all fandoms, all genres. Come create your personal page with us<br>
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