Dragon and Liberator

"Such as several of these rooms, the tween gap areas, and most of the equipment crawl spaces," Draycos said. "They also indicate the ventilation ducts are narrower than they actually are."

"Too narrow for K'da to get through, I suppose," Jack said. "Man, you guys really planned ahead."

"We were traveling to unknown space, to meet peoples we knew little about," Draycos reminded him quietly. "We had to be prepared for attack and betrayal."

Jack felt a shiver run up his back. "I'm glad we're on the same side," he said. "Still, even if they found the actual schematics, I doubt the Brummgas and Valahgua could squeeze in here anyway. I just wish I knew how many humans Frost has aboard."

Draycos was silent a moment. "Actually, no one has to come in here after us," he said reluctantly. "The Death, as you'll recall, can penetrate any thickness of material."

Jack felt his stomach tighten. "That does kind of put a damper on things, doesn't it?"

"Though it's not necessarily as bad as it sounds," Draycos assured him. "For one thing, the weapons below us are long-range models, hardly suitable for lugging around the ship."

"True, but they hardly need to move them, do they?" Jack countered. "All they have to do is get everyone out of the way and sweep the whole hull area right from where they are."

"That is a possibility," Draycos conceded. "However, recall the situation at Iota Klestis. There, according to Alison's theory, each Death weapon was programmed with a limited amount of operational time. If that's still the case, they may hesitate to waste any of that time and energy on us. Certainly not with major combat still lying before them."

"Sure, but who says they've got that same setup here?" Jack asked. "Our theory was that the weapons at Iota Klestis were gimmicked because the Valahgua didn't want Neverlin and Frost double-crossing them and getting hold of functioning Death weapons. Going into full-blown combat is an entirely different scenario."

"Not necessarily," Draycos said. "The Death is their sole advantage over the peoples they've destroyed or conquered. Without it, they would have been victorious over few, if any of their victims."

He lashed his tail contemptuously. "They certainly would never have driven us from our homes without it. No, they can't afford for its secret to escape their control."

"That's good to hear," Jack said. "Paranoia can be useful, as long as it's in the other guy."

"True," Draycos said. "Though that doesn't mean that they might not feel it worthwhile to spend a few seconds of power if they should locate us. We must continue to be quiet and vigilant."

"I'm with you on that," Jack said.

"The other reason not to worry overly much," Draycos continued, "is that I'll be doing everything in my power to destroy the remaining Death weapons as quickly as I can."

"I'm with you there, too," Jack said. "Do bear in mind, though, that they're on to us now. It's not going to be nearly so easy to get access to the blasted things."

"We'll find a way," Draycos promised. "Meanwhile, we need supplies. You stay here while I go find food and water."

"You want some company?"

"Thank you, no," Draycos said. "There are ways about this ship that only a K'da can travel. You just rest. I'll be back soon."

"Fine," Jack said. "But don't get greedy and go after any of the Death weapons alone. I want a piece of them."

"Don't worry," Draycos promised grimly. "You'll have your full share."

He crossed to the door and again listened for a minute. Carefully opening it, he peered outside and then slipped out into the corridor beyond.

Jack took a deep breath, let it out in a long sigh. He was tired, he realized suddenly. Tired, and tense, and worried.

But not worried about himself. He had Draycos at his side, after all, a trained poet-warrior of the K'da.

Instead, to Jack's mild surprise, he discovered he was worried about Alison.

And Taneem, too, of course. But mostly he was worried about Alison.

It was a rather annoying discovery, actually. Alison herself, he knew, was probably not worried about him. And she certainly gave the impression that she knew how to take care of herself, as well as knowing everything else.

Still, he couldn't help feeling some concern.

With an effort, he pushed the thoughts away. They were probably Draycos's fault, he decided, these unwanted feelings about Alison. He'd probably picked them up while the K'da was riding his skin. Draycos worried about everyone, even Alison.

Meanwhile, Jack had more urgent things to spend his mental energy on. Carefully, he laid himself down between two of the cylinders, his shoulders and legs straddling them. It was, he discovered, a more or less comfortable position.

He didn't know the ship like Draycos did. But he had seen the rooms where the Valahgua had set up their precious Death weapons.

And Uncle Virgil had taught him all the best ways of getting into locked and guarded rooms. It was about time he put all those long years of criminal training to some use.