See Part One for Disclaimers

Galen strode swiftly to his flyer, Dureena still unconscious in his firm grasp.  He laid her gently on the bed and, for the first time that day, let his emotions swamp him.  He shuddered, drawing in a deep breath to calm himself.  He had come up against many terrible adversaries, but never had he come so close to failure.  Many of the Excalibur's fine crew were dead, a blame he laid at his own door though he had done all that was possible.  There was another ship out there, possibly infected, that had to be helped, and yet all he could think of right at that moment was the woman he had so nearly lost.

Shaking himself from his unaccustomed depression he turned to his computer, sending the details required to destroy the last invaders to the Excalibur's own systems before turning his attention to Dureena once more.

With infinite care he soaked away her blood stained garments, easing them away from the many cuts that scored her flesh.  Treating her wounds with healing salves his concern grew at her failure to return to consciousness.  He knew her body to be strong, recovering quickly from injuries that would have kept others in their bed for much longer, this unresponsiveness was atypical of her.  Reluctant to use stimulants yet impatient of her slow recovery he stewed in indecision until a faint groan recalled his attention to her slumbering form.

***

"Galen?"

Her husky voice brought a smile to his eyes as he turned to face her.  She felt better than she had believed was possible.  When she had felt the aliens touch, every part of her being had screamed with panic and she had blacked out, only to revive some minutes later to find herself pinned under the creatures crumpled body.  Gradually though, a strange torpor had started to consume her body, seeping insiduously into ever limb.  Seeing Galen make his way toward her, his fire destroying all in his path, had been the most welcome sight she could have chosen.

Taking in her surroundings she was relieved to find her self back on the flyer.  Right now the last place she wanted to be was on board the Excalibur, and certainly not in Dr Chambers medical facility.  Images flooded her mind; the aliens feeding on a poor medic, the sound of tearing flesh.  The sudden rush of them charging down the corridor, swamping her, the feel of their bite as fresh as the moment it occurred.  A shudder ran through her, and Galen touched her face gently.

"You are safe now.  The creatures are destroyed -- not one survived."  There was a grim satisfaction in his tone that reassured her more than his words.

"The Excalibur?"

"Cleansed inside and out.  The other ship was contacted but, thankfully, they had not been infected.  No one knows where the pilot picked up his unwelcome passenger, as he was one of the victims in the medical bay.  Gideon has put out a warning beacon; hopefully no one else will attract Shelob's attention.  I have informed my order, my brethren will keep watch."

For two more days she recovered though more at Galen's insistence than through physical need.  Now, rested and restored she knew they had to go back to the Excalibur.  The little flyer had held its position next to the giant starship but had not communicated with anyone on board; the ship was probably unaware of their presence.

***

Galen's flyer settled into its usual space in the huge landing area and they exited together, half expecting the Captain to be waiting for them.  The area was empty, only the blackened marks on walls and floor to indicate anything had occurred there.  Walking down empty corridors, Dureena checked in every open doorway; the crew was busy clearing away all signs of the battle fought so desperately just a few hours before.

Entering the bridge Galen, Dureena and Captain Gideon came face to face for the first time since Triama.  The Captain stood, arms folded watching their approach, his face kept carefully neutral.

"Hello, Matthew."  Galen's tone was as casual as if they had parted the best of friends just hours before.  Her eyes darted to Gideon's face, and watched as his mouth twitched as though suppressing a grin.

"Galen, Dureena.  Matheson tells me I have you two to thank for having to redecorate the ship."  His eyes travelled around the charred splashes that highlighted the usually gleaming walls.

The Mage's lips tipped into a half smile.  "It seemed time for a change.  Grey is so drab, don't you agree?"

She watched and waited, expecting one of them to bring up the events on Triama.  After all, Galen had done his best to destroy Matthew, and yet both men seemed to have come down with severe amnesia on the subject!

"Thanks," the Captain finally said, "for what you did here.  The crew was lucky you two were around.  Matheson's report was detailed to say the least.  They were pretty tough odds."

Galen said nothing, a slight nod of acknowledgement all he allowed.

"Buy you two a drink?  My treat."

"A secret hoard, Matthew?  I though your ship was dry . . ."

"It's for medicinal purposes."  The captain's face remained perfectly calm, "and special occasions."

"Well, if you are paying, Matthew, I think we could both use a double!"

As they left the bridge, Dureena walking between the two men, Gideon said, "You two make one hell of a team."

Dureena chanced a look at Galen and encountered his raised brow and the amusement in his clear grey eyes.

"Yes we do," she replied, linking her arms with theirs.

the end

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