And so ever after, as long as he livd,

front of her, and Olav was beyond her view. Rather an ignominious departure to all appearances. And yet, a triumphant one, considering what she and Trag and Lars had accomplished. She contented herself with that reflection but it was with considerable relief that she saw the spires of the shuttle port appear, approach, and pass by as the transport was driven to the landing site of the scout ship. It was on its tail fins, ready for take-off; the mobile scout pilot waited for her passengers by the lift on the ground. There is no way I am going up that, and Killashandra pointed to the lift, in this, and she slapped the grav-stretcher Guildmember, you have been Olav began firmly. Dont Guildmember me, medic, she said, raising up on her elbow. Just get me off this thing. Ill leave this planet as I got on it, on my own two feet. The transport stopped and Trag and Olav were quick to get her float out. Chadria, Scout Pilot of the CS 914, said the trim woman in the Scout Service blue, walking forward to lend an unobtrusive hand. My ships name is Samel! A smile lurked in her eyes but fled as Security Officer Blaz hauled Lars unceremoniously out of the transport and roughly propelled him to the lift Where do I stow the prisoner, Scout Pilot Chadria? he said in an ill-tempered growl. Nowhere until the Guildmembers are settled, Chadria replied. She turned to Killashandra. If youre more comfortable on the float I am not! Killashandra swung her legs over the side of the float, and Olav hastily adjusted its height so that she only had to step off it to be erect. Lars moved forward but was hauled back to Blazs side and she could see him tensing in rebellion. Trag! The man supported her around the waist. Permission to come aboard, Chadria, Samel! Permission granted, scout and ship replied simultaneously. The unexpected male voice, apparently issuing about his feet, startled an exclamation out of Blaz. A small, superior smile twitched at Larss lips, hastily erased but reassuring to Killashandra. She let herself be conducted to the lift by Trag and the medic, wondering how Olav would be able to stay if Blaz continued in his officious manner. There was no hint of uncertainty in either mans face so she decided to let them worry about such a minor detail. She remembered to salute the ship as she stepped aboard. Welcome, Killashandra, Trag. And you, gentle medic. The ship spoke in a baritone hp photosmart c500 digital camera voice which rippled with good humor. If you will be seated, Chadria will be up in just a moment. How are we going to get rid of Blaz? And keep Olav? Killashandra whispered urgently to Trag. Watch, Samel said and one of the screens above the pilots console lit up, displaying a view of the lift. Ill take control of this fellow, now, Chadria was saying as she pulled a wicked little hand-weapon from her belt. I was told to secure quarters aboard. And theres nothing he can do to escape a scout ship, Officer. Get on there now, you. The observers could see the conflict in Blazs face but Chadria had pushed Lars onto the lift and stepped on the platform with her back to Blaz so that there was no room for him to accompany them, and no way to dispute the arbitrary decision with someones back. That maneuver confused Blaz just long enough. The lift ascended quickly, Blaz watching uncertainly. Permission to board? Lars said, grinning in at Killashandra. Granted, Lars Dahl! Samel replied, and Chadria stepped beside Lars in the airlock, punching out control sequences. The lift collapsed and secured itself, the airlock door closed, Lars and Chadria stepped into the cabin while the inner door slid shut with a final metallic thunk. An alarm sounded. On the ground, Blaz reacted to the claxon, suddenly aware that the medic was still on board and not quite sure if that was in order. The transport driver shouted at him as the ships drive began to rumble above the noise of the take-off alarm, and Blaz had no recourse but to retreat to safety. Oh, that was well-done! Killashandra cried and, finding her legs a bit unstable in reaction to the final moments of escape, she sank onto the nearby couch. Trag thumbed the bar that released the restraints on Larss wrists and Lars stumbled to enfold Killashandra in his arms. Everyone, take a seat, Chadria warned, sliding into the pilots gimballed chair. We were told to make it a fast exit, she added with a grin. Okay. Sam, theyre secure. Lets shake the dust! Chapter 25 Killashandras complacency about their confrontation with the Federated Council on Regulus Base altered drastically as the CS 914 began its final approach to the landing strip. The building which housed the administrative offices for that sector of the Federated Sentient Planets covered an area