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'We have pinpointed you. I will send a fast cutter to pick you up. We cannot keep fighting these fireballs.'

Overhead, even as the faeros in the sky grew brighter, the Adar's warliner swooped, and Yazra'h spotted a tiny craft descending toward them. By the time the cutter landed, she had gotten everyone out of the water and through the reeds on the bank. She and Prime Designate Daro'h, Osira'h and her four siblings, and the two surviving Isix cats scrambled into the rescue craft, frightened, exhausted, and burned. But alive - all of them were alive.

The Solar Navy cutter remained on the ground for less than two minutes before racing back to the flagship, leaving the fires of Ildira behind.

One hundred and thirty-six

Tasia Tamblyn

Even battered, patched, and covered with dirt from the crash, the Osquivel was the most beautiful thing Tasia had ever seen.

After escaping from the Klikiss city, they had raced, bounced, swerved and lurched across the uneven landscape, navigating by starlight, instinct, and nerve. DD had done his best to guide them, while Robb and Tasia struggled with the bizarre controls. Although some Klikiss had given chase, the escapees had gotten some distance ahead.

Robb pulled the groundcar to a stop in the isolated canyon when they saw the ship ahead. With a groan, Tasia climbed out of the utilitarian Klikiss vehicle. Though swift, it was anything but comfortable. 'Everybody, get aboard as fast as you can. We'll have to fly to the caves. I don't look forward to landing there, but I'm not wasting any more time.'

Orli pointed ahead of them. 'Someone's already there. It's Mr Steinman!'

Steinman, Crim Tylar, and three other Roamers stood by the transport ship, holding weapons and shining lights at the vehicle. 'About damned time you got here!' Steinman said. 'What took you so long?'

'A little run-in with the Klikiss,' Robb said. 'We lost Davlin.'

And Margaret Colicos,' DD added.

'Dead?' -

'Who knows?'

The Roamers looked deflated. Nikko's father shook his head. Then we have to go back for them.'

'We've got orders not to,' Tasia said, her voice curt. 'Davlin would kill us himself if he thought we would risk all those people to save him. And to tell you the truth, I'm sure it's too late.'

Robb said, 'We've got to get out of here now. The Klikiss are hunting for us.'

Tasia cocked an ear and thought she heard clicking, skittering. But the insects couldn't have tracked them yet. 'Stay alert, DD. Use your sensors. See if you can give us fair warning.'

'I will do that, Tasia Tamblyn.' She shuddered, reminded of her own compy EA, who had been torn apart by Klikiss robots. She hated the whole damned lot of them - the original race and their robots.

Crim Tylar hugged his son. Nikko's breath hitched. He didn't mention what he thought he had seen in the pale Klikiss hybrid. Nikko could barely deal with the knowledge, and obviously didn't want his father to know. Not yet.

Steinman said, 'When you didn't come back yesterday, we packed up. When we still hadn't heard anything by this afternoon, we decided to come here and wait, in case you needed some rescuing.' He hefted one of the energy-discharge weapons he carried. 'We were ready.'

'In the meantime, I ran a systems check and prepped the engines,' Tylar said. 'I was going to give you another hour before we flew the ship to the caves.' He looked at Nikko. I'm glad you came back.'

DD turned his polymer face toward the starlit sky, his optical sensors glowing. He swivelled his head back toward Tasia. 'I am afraid a great many Klikiss are coming - low-flying ships and some 'v solo flyers.'

Tasia didn't waste time. 'Everyone in. Now!' She rushed the Friendly compy aboard, waited for the others to race up the ramp, and shut the hatch. 'Company's on its way! Get flying - how fast can we load the refugees aboard?'

'A swarm of Klikiss adds considerable incentive.'

Before the bugs could appear, Robb lifted the transport above the lip of