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Casina"s efficiency and knowledge of the ship astounded not only the crew but herself as well. It was as though Dammen had left part of himself with her after all, and the thought made her glow happily. What would he think of her now? she wondered, recalling how perturbed he had been when she had ordered his men from the bridge after putting the ship on autopilot. Would he still think her weak and helpless, or had he known as well what she was capable of if she just put her mind to something she was forced to do without him?

Within minutes, under her skillful direction, Casina"s crew had launched Le"pra Zh"r into the dark recesses of space. Her knowledge made things go easier for both her and the crew for the ship had lifted off effortlessly, leaving behind a seething, irate band of armed men who were furious at not having been able to break entry into the Kaanig"s prized craft, although they had been given plenty of extra time to try.

"If not to the Omega quadrant, then where, Majesty?" Ganymede had the nerve to ask, his tone now one of mild sarcasm.

"To a place I know."

"Where"s that, if you don"t mind my asking?" Ganymede"s tone of blatant disrespect drew stunned looks from his shipmates and, in particular, Jim Tompkins, who was standing to one side near an engineering monitor he had been trained on. He was curiously watching and listening to everything going on.

"To a place I know," Casina repeated, becoming irritated. "A place Dammen showed me." "Indeed?"

That did it. Casina rose, sorely vexed this time, and stared Ganymede down. She was ruffled by his ceaseless, patronizing remarks and questioning and was also perplexed at the change in the man.

"Kindly refrain from questioning my orders, Ganymede. Dammen may be gone, but I am still here."

"What can a mere Zarcon do?" he persisted foolishly, not understanding the dangerous glint in her violet eyes. "Even the men here are incomparable to Dammen."

"Lord Dammen to you, mister! And friend or not, your next discourteous remark may well land you in the brig. I am not one to make idle threats just because I am a woman. And besides, why should my being in command be any different than that of other female H"San in Valtor who have charge of their own ships?"



Ganymede again opened his mouth to speak, only to be silenced by three of the crewmen who dared leave their posts to stand near their Kaaniga, in her defense. Glaring down at the arrogant warrior, the giants moved to stand protectively around Casina, daring Ganymede to try something stupid. Recognizing the futility of further baiting their mistress, Ganymede closed his mouth and turned his attention to his station.

"I"m sorry, milady," he fawned, pretending remorse for his treatment of her. "I guess I"m upset over His Majesty"s death. I didn"t mean to take it out on you. I should be considerate, more sensitive to your own painful loss. I merely doubted your abilities and was fearful that we might all be captured if Men"s henchmen managed to gain entry to our vessel."

Casina and her three defenders considered his words, not one of them believing a word he said. But Casina did soften somewhat, despite her doubts.

"Tythis," she sighed, aware suddenly of the enormous pressure of the position she was now in.

How ever had Dammen borne it? "Tythis, please lay in a course for—"

"I still think the Omega quadrant is our best option," Ganymede suddenly interrupted, ignoring the shocked looks of all those around him at his rudeness and blatant disrespect toward Casina.

That did it. Casina glared at him but a second before signaling to the two H"San stationed by the turbo unit.

"Security," she said. "Please confine Mr. Remera to his quarters until further notice."

At this, Ganymede whipped his head around to gape at her in surprise, just as the two H"San moved to stand on either side of him. Clamping his mouth shut on a further retort, Ganymede paused in defeat and reluctantly rose to accompany the H"San from the bridge.