“Be polite. Your savior may be unwilling.” B. E. S.

Besh followed Aggi and Affe through the hatch and into a clear plastic enclosure. He touched Warrior on his head and the dog sat. Just beyond the enclosure was a stark metallic hallway. Those who stood there wore dark uniforms and expressions that ranged from unbelieving to disappointed. One face registered stern disapproval.

The Brigadier barked loudly, “I did not approve this animal!”

Affe stepped back reflexively and answered, “He wouldn’t leave without it, sir.”

Xander answered implacably, “I want it in a cage.”

Aggi snapped a submissive, “Yes sir!” Then she placed a hand on the old man’s shoulder and said, “Please follow me to quarantine.”

Besh followed the orange pair through a long plastic tube. They stepped into a room with glass doors that locked behind them. A mist immediately enveloped them, and Besh was forced to cover his eyes. The orange female apologized before pulling him through an opposing glass door. It was a larger room with lockers and multiple doors. He and Warrior were led around a corner and into a large apartment. A glass wall lowered to seal them inside.

Aggi removed her helmet and shook out her short blond hair. She smiled through the glass and introduced herself. “I am Private Aggi Berg. This is my brother Affe.”

Besh watched the brother remove his helmet and immediately saw a strong family resemblance. “Swedish?” he asked.

Affe answered, “Possibly. Some, at least.”

Aggi said to Besh, “This is quarantine.”

“It’s very nice,” said Besh with a smile.

Aggi said, “We have to leave now, but our Doctor should be in to see you shortly.”

Affe said, “There is a shower in the next room, clothing in the closet. Please drop your old clothing in the designated bin.”

Besh stood a moment by the glass wall. He was alone again, but this time it was different. He was on a ship filled with people. Actual people. He turned to view the room. It was spacious but not sumptuous. It was stark with white walls, a white floor, a white everything.

Besh looked down at the patient dog and said, “A shower is something out of a dream. I think you’re going to like it.”

Affe and Aggi met the Doctor as they navigated a narrow hall from the quarantine area. He stood at a terminal behind a glass shield. In his fifties, Doctor Samuel Brock had the kind of gray hair and chiseled chin one might see on an actor or politician. His khaki short-sleeved shirt bore only the hash mark of his rank.

“Stand by the wall,” said the Major in a smooth voice.

An arm from the ceiling moved slowly past the pair and returned to its place. Affe asked, “Will we glow in the dark?”

“I think not,” answered the Major. “Surprisingly, I get no reading whatsoever. It would appear you two are good to go.”

Aggi and Affe said together, “Thank you, Major Brock.”

Samuel walked around the corner and switched on the quarantine monitor. The main room was empty. He found the patient singing in the shower with the animal that came with him and switched back to the main room with a grunt of wonder. As he crossed his arms thoughtfully over his chest, Corporal Langley joined him, peering into the monitor with a strained smile.

“Any thoughts?” she asked.

“Ah!” he said, turning. “I’m baffled. The twins were clean. At over a thousand rads, I really cannot imagine the old man singing in the shower with a wild animal.”

Xander stepped up behind Langley and asked in a harsh voice, “Are you a Doctor, now?”

Langley turned, at attention, and answered, “No sir. Please excuse me.”

At the Corporal’s dismissal, the Brigadier faced the Doctor and spoke softly. “Sam, I wish to speak with your patient.”

The Major answered, “The twins came back clean. If you stay behind the white line, I see no problem. He’s in the shower with his animal.”

Xander frowned. “I asked for a cage.”

Samuel answered, “I doubt we have the material to construct one.”

“What do you think it is?” asked the Brigadier.

“No idea,” replied the Major. “Seems tame enough. I could run some tests.”

Xander cleared his throat. “I’ll speak with the old man. Do whatever you need to do.”

Besh walked from the shower with a towel around his waist. A man standing beyond the glass wall startled him. His dark skin was even. His short-cropped hair displayed patches of distinguished gray at the temples. His jaw was set, and his muscular frame, even his stance, spoke of authority.

Besh walked to the glass with a smile. “You must be the man in charge.”

“I am Brigadier Alarie, Commander of the C. C. Thornburg. I have questions,” said Xander.

“I’ll do my best,” answered Besh. “First, let me say you are the most distinguished-looking Brigadier I have ever met. Thank you so much for inviting Warrior and me into your company.”

“First,” parroted Xander sternly, “I am averse to having wild animals on my ship.”

Without turning, Besh said, “Warrior, on the bed.”

The dog jumped on the bed, lay down, and placed its head on its paws. Besh watched the Brigadier narrow his eyes at the dog’s obedience, otherwise, he did not move.

“Who are you?” asked Xander.

“Just an old man,” answered Besh.

“Unacceptable,” said Xander. “I want to know who you are and how you came to be on a radioactive asteroid.”

“About that,” said Besh. “I couldn’t afford the round-trip ticket.”

Xander sighed the military sigh of tried patience and responded in an even voice. “I am not here for games. You are highly irradiated, and you pose a threat to my ship.”

“As you can see,” replied Besh, “you have me standing naked in a cold room. May I at least get dressed?”

The Brigadier turned to leave. “Get dressed,” he said. “When I return, I will expect some straight answers.”

Besh turned to Warrior with a smile, as the Brigadier departed. “I have that effect on people,” he said.

Xander walked into the galley and ordered coffee. He sat across from Corporal Langley, ignoring her. As he held his cup, he stared above it in private contemplation. Heaven sat still in strained anticipation. The Brigadier had seemed to resent her placement in his crew. She liked to keep a low profile, but now he sat across from her in what felt like a silent challenge.

“Sir?” she asked.

He turned and focused his eyes on her. He studied her face briefly and turned away to sip his coffee. Her presence seemed to mean nothing to the Brigadier. He obviously had much on his mind.

“May I help the Brigadier?” she asked.

He replied without turning his head. “No.”

“Should I leave?” she asked.

Xander turned then and answered, “Rest easy, Corporal. It’s just a cup of coffee.”

“If I may say,” offered Heaven, “you seem troubled.”

Xander looked into his cup as he answered, “I could bite that old man’s head off.”

“Is it the animal?” Heaven asked.

He turned and speared her with an angry glance. “The man is flippant. He is deliberately evasive.”

“Perhaps,” said Heaven, “he feels intimidated.”

“Intimidated?” the Brigadier evinced disbelief.

“You are intimidating, sir,” Heaven said calmly.

Xander countered, “Corporal, you represent Pendragon. This mission represents the Consortium. I command a ship; I’ve no time to mince words.”

Heaven answered, “I agree, sir. I’m just saying, the old man might open up if he feels at ease. Let me speak to him.”

Xander turned away with an offended snort. “Fine,” said Xander. He finished his coffee in a gulp and set the cup between them. “I want specifics.” He glared into the Corporal’s eyes. “I want them yesterday.”

“Yes sir,” Heaven answered.

The Brigadier stood and strode from the galley. Heaven was beginning to get a sense of the man. Secretly, she was elated to speak with the wizard. His mere existence seemed paranormal and mysterious. Since the time she had witnessed a man walk through solid rock, no mystery had been too small for her insatiable quest for understanding. She would get the answers the Brigadier, and her heart demanded.