2.

The view screen went black then after a brief burst of static was filled with the image of a young man.

First impressions dictated that he was most probably of a similar age to Captain Jones, his hair was also blond although a little lighter and fell in gentle waves to rest upon his shoulders. He was dressed in a regulation pale blue jumpsuit of the United Nations Space Corp but as ever it was his eyes that drew everyone's attention. An intense deep blue that currently reflected the steely gaze displayed by their own captain.

'Captain Jones,' he said, 'what an unexpected surprise.'

'Captain Hayes,' Daniel replied, 'the pleasure is all mine.' Although his words were polite and civil his tone betrayed a barely suppressed anger.

'You're a long way from home Daniel.' Hayes continued.

'I could say the same for you. What brings you this far out?'

'Routine patrol. The Corp has had reports of smugglers supplying guns to the Valdorian rebels. I have instructions to board and search any vessel found in this sector.' Hayes smiled benignly, a smile that didn't quite reach his determinedly set eyes. 'I take you have no objections to a search party boarding your ship…?'

'None at all. We are a peaceful exploration team but are willing to offer whatever co-operation to the Corp that we can.' The ensign noticed that his captain's fists had recommenced clenching and unclenching themselves of their own free will.

Like everyone else he had heard of the rumours surrounding the captain and this Hayes character. Best friends at the Academy they went up through the ranks together before falling out in spectacular fashion over no-one knew quite what. Daniel had decided to go freelance, acquiring his own ship and crew, taking whatever commissions came his way from deep space exploration and scientific expeditions. Hayes meanwhile had remained with the Space Corp, his exploits growing ever more legendary as his fame rose. He was one of the best, the ensign knew that and right now despite the outwardly friendly exchange he couldn't shake the feeling that what he was witnessing was some kind of stand off between the two men.

'Good. Be ready at 16:00. Myself and a search team will transport over.'

'As you wish.' Daniel's reply was curt and brief. He made a small movement with his hand directed at Novak and the visual link was severed.

'I want them supervised at all times.' Daniel informed Ben as they walked down to greet their unexpected guests.

'No problem Dan,' Ben replied, 'they're Corp. I wouldn't trust them further than I could throw them.'

Ben had been Daniel's second in command for the past four years. He knew his captain and could interpret most of his moods, he also counted as the closest thing Daniel ever got to a confidante and friend and thus was allowed a certain degree of informality not granted to his fellow crewmates.

'What about Hayes?' Ben asked as the landing bay doors hissed open revealing their visitors just alighting from their shuttle craft.

'Leave Darren to me.' Daniel said, the icy tone in his voice indicating that this was not an order he would permit to be questioned.

‘Gentlemen,’ Daniel advanced towards the five man search team, ‘Captain Hayes,’ inclined his head in the direction of his former friend, ‘welcome.’

‘Captain Jones.’ Darren nodded his acknowledgement of Daniel’s greeting. ‘This is Mr Lewis my chief security officer, he’ll be supervising the search.’

Lewis stepped forward, ‘Captain.’ His expression at least seemed to appear slightly more relaxed than Hayes’.

Daniel then introduced Ben, informing them that he would be their escort for the duration of their stay upon his ship.

Formalities dealt with Ben led the team away leaving Daniel and Darren alone.

‘So…’ Daniel said as Darren just stood there, his eyes roaming around the docking bay.

‘So…’ Darren echoed.

‘Would you care for a guided tour. If my ship is to be your home for the next few days permit me to familiarise you with it.’ Or rather permit me to familiarise you with it so that you won’t feel the need to snoop around later Daniel thought.

‘But of course. It would indeed be of interest to look around such a handsome vessel.’

Again with the false politeness but what had Daniel expected? Although he had been the one to walk away Darren had been the one to push him and both men knew it. Time may have passed but some wounds never heal completely.

‘Then I suggest that we start with the bridge.’ Moving to the door Daniel stood back to allow Darren to pass into the corridor before leading the way through his pride and joy.

To Daniel’s surprise Darren appeared to be suitably impressed by the kind of operation that he was now running. Admittedly it may not have been so tight as that demanded by the Corp but the ship ran smoothly and crew were loyal. The respect and esteem that they held their Captain in was self-evident.

After showing Darren where the guest quarters were Daniel suggested that perhaps Darren would care to join him in his quarters for something to eat.

Obviously having relaxed a little in Daniel’s company or maybe just mindful of the need to maintain good relations between his host and the UNSC, Darren agreed.

As had been the case throughout his tour Darren was full of questions for Daniel as they made their way up to senior officers’ level. But as had also been the case the questions were purely of a professional nature. Not once had Darren asked how Daniel was nor had either man spoken of the rift that occurred between them.

'And what's in there.' Darren indicated a door off to the right of Daniel's living quarters.

'Storage facilities.'

'Storage facilities?' Darren raised an eyebrow expressively, 'I don't think so some how. You know that console over there looks awfully like the control panel to a holo suite to me. You have done well for yourself if you can afford to have your own private holo installed. Us mere mortals have to share three between the entire crew.'

Darren moved to the console attempting to gain access.

With a shock Daniel realized that when called away earlier he had merely frozen the program instead of terminating it, fully intending to return to the scenario at the earliest opportunity.

'What's up Daniel? You've gone awfully pale. Something in here you don't want me to see? Some illegal guns perhaps? Well my orders are to search every inch of this ship…' Darren tapped a few commands into the console and then frowned. 'Ah, a security code.' He turned to Daniel with a cold smile on his face. 'Let's see if you are still as predictable as you have always been shall we?' Without a moments hesitation he tapped in a series of digits, repeating them out loud as he did so. 'Zero Eight Zero Five Two Two Seven Two.' The doors beside them slid open. 'Sometimes Danny you just don't present me with a challenge.' Smirking triumphantly Darren stepped into the holo suite.

Pulling himself up to his full height and determined not to let Darren gain the upper hand in what was bound to be an explosive situation Daniel followed him in, noting with glee the look of absolute shock on his companion's face. Whatever Darren may have expected to find in the suite, Daniel would bet his ship and all it's crew that it wasn't this.

Darren meanwhile was slowly pacing round the room, his eyes wide, his jaw slack, all professionalism drained from his body. Daniel watched him as his gaze took in the black drapes hanging in the floor to ceiling windows, the satin sheets upon the bed, the moonlight, the candle light all suspended exactly as there were when Daniel departed earlier that day.

Eventually his gaze returned to the figure lying on the bed, legs and arms akimbo, head thrown back in a vision of ecstasy, the naked body a grotesque parody of recreated passion.

'What the…?' Darren began, whirling round on Daniel, his eyes giving away no clue as to the emotion he was feeling. The words died on his lips and he tried again. 'This is…' he swept an arm out to encompass the room, 'I know this place, this is…'

'Venus.' Daniel supplied carefully, still studying his face for any indication of which way this was going to go. Was Darren angry? amused? The face that once was so open to him now remained resolutely closed.

'Venus,' Darren repeated nodding his head and glancing around once more, 'yes Venus, you've fucking recreated fucking Venus.'

And Daniel held his breath waiting for the inevitable meltdown to occur.