CHAPTER IX


INTO LANDS OF FOG




	Dego Kolmarin did not reappear for his breakfast appointment as, his valet 
informed Trajan, he was engaged in a conference with the Queen and the Regent, but the 
valet brought the map as Dego had promised.  Trajan left a message with the valet to be 
delivered to the Royal Counsel expressing the wish that two of his companions, Deyron 
and Nagus, be brought to the castle.  Later in the morning the adjutant made his 
reappearance with a brand-new dark-green uniform with golden pipings along the trouser 
legs. 

	Trajan could not deny the uniform of the Governor General's Elite Guards was a 
perfectly tailored set of garments than the more casual dark-blue of his Command, but he 
complained it was not comfortable.

	"Why do you have to put so much starch in the material," he grumbled, "and 
everything feels so suffocatingly tight." 

	"It is the Governor General's rule," the adjutant lectured with an expressionless 
face, "that every man in his Guard and in his army makes his best appearance as a 
soldier."

	"Soldiers are for fighting," Trajan lectured back, "not for fashion parades."  He 
strapped on his rephar holster, the poniard, and the satchel containing the microcom, 
multilyzer and other paraphernalia.  "Come on, let's get on with the work." 

	He had arranged for Eirini to meet him down in the park.  Eirini was already 
waiting near a hedge of rosebushes and a joyous smile brightened her face like sunshine 
breaking through clouds when she saw him coming down the stairs.  She melted into his 
arms, and they kissed each other with such unashamed fervour it made the adjutant blush.  

	"I missed you," he breathed into her ear.  

	"And I you," she whispered back yearningly. 

	He looked smilingly into her eyes. "Has the Governor General treated you well?" 

	"He took me to a grand dinner with the Queen and other ministers.  I was the 
guest of honour.  Come to think of it," she said, astonishment replacing her teasing grin, 
"having looked at him last night, and now looking at you, don't you think, there is an 
uncanny--."  

	"You are beautiful," Trajan interrupted, smothering her cogitations with a kiss. 
"Come with me to the airstrip to examine the flycraft.  I may have need of your computer 
expertise."  He took her by the hand but the adjutant disapproved.  "Captain, it is the 
order of the Governor General that no citizens are allowed on the Fly Bay."

	"She is not a citizen," Trajan snarled at him, "I have just made her a Commander."  
Feeling Eirini's reproving pinch in his arm and seeing the adjutant's blanching face, he 
relented. "Forgive me, adjutant, I'm venting my rancour on you and you hardly deserves 
it, but please do not be such an insufferable brick and do not stand on ceremony all the 
time!  What is your name anyway?" 

	"Adjutant Natsu, at your service, Captain," the adjutant replied, his body stiff as a 
rod. 

	"Come along with us, Adjutant," Trajan invited with a sigh. "You may learn 
something from what we are trying to do." 

	They rode on fast horses to undertake the trip to the airstrip which was situated a 
few miles outside the boundaries of Okrane in hilly woodland rising at the edge of the 
grasslands.  At the foot of a slope overgrown with oleander and conifers a cirque had 
been claimed from the encircling wilderness and flattened into a wide bay.  Arriving at 
the rim of the clearing Trajan swept his eyes over the Fly Bay, gleaming like a bowl of 
bluish slate under the brows of green hills in the morning sunshine, and containing two 
hangars, an observation post, and six shining craft on the tarmac. 

	"Is that all you have in the whole of Vespar--six?" 

	"Six Zippercraft are all that we have managed to build so far," the adjutant said 

	"I shouldn't be so pessimistic," Trajan said sardonically.  "This is better than 
nothing."  

	The controllers, navigators and ground crew of this diminutive Fly Bay had been 
informed of their impending arrival and forthcoming inspection.  They were already lined 
up in their neatly pressed uniforms in four straight rows, and Trajan silently counted their 
heads as he went by:  ten to a row, meaning forty personnel, maybe four to a craft and the 
remainder to guard the compound.  The Head Navigator was introduced to him, a squat 
man with crisp, fair hair and brown eyes and a rather good-humoured face, who ogled 
Eirini with unfeigned admiration.  After he dismissed the crew, Trajan asked:  "Which 
one is the best of your craft?" 

	The Head Navigator, who went by the name of St-Jaq, answered him:  "That 
would be the Governor General's personal one, Captain."  He promptly led them to one 
of the six craft which was stationed a little apart from the rest, and Trajan did a little 
round, minutely examining the nose, wings, fuselage and the outboard engines.  

	"They look a bit similar like our rescue spitsoars, don't they," he quietly consulted 
Eirini, "propelled by the same techniques of Vertical Impetus and Parsplit Drive but 
having more the size of an aeromobile."  

	"But look here, Trajan," Eirini pointed to the wings. "They are not rescue but 
rather fighter craft.  They carry what it seemed like plasma spreader launchers."

	"Or a very crude design of what I am used to see.  Let's go into the cabin."  

	Upon entering the interior Trajan made the instantaneous observation that it was a 
far cry from that of his own Patrol Phosphrus.  It contained enough spaces for at least six 
crew in cramped conditions, which was falling behind the capacity of the Phosphri, which 
could easily accommodate thirty strong, sitting, standing or working in more navigable 
elbowroom.  Under the enthralled eyes of the Navigator and the Adjutant Trajan 
proceeded to check out the controls with his microcom and multilyzer and made the 
conclusion the craft was mainly driven manually with a small amount of computerization.  

	"Do you think we can interface and boost up these computer rudiments with our 
microcom?" he asked Eirini, "Or," he took out the Frame which he had hidden under his 
jacket, "with this contraption?"

	"Well now," she said, widening her green eyes in apparent surprise and then 
narrowing them in mischievous contemplation, "I can always try if I had another one of 
those flats, but look here, I do."  And she in turn took out the Frame that Old Moose had 
given her from the inside of her jacket.  

      Trajan sat perplexed.  He grew solemn afterwards.  "I am now wondering how 
many of these Frames are around in circulation.  They can interface with the seekerpulses 
of our microcoms."

	"I'll try to tweak the schematics," she said, concentrating on the analytics of the 
multilyzer, "the Zippercraft have no video viewer, which is a real handicap.  And no optic 
communicators, but they have something like, what is this?" 

	"That is a radio," Navigator St-Jaq said, "and here is the radar."  

	"I see, that's good but we can do better.  What about distant objects on the 
ground?  If this vessel has a scanning rod, at least it would not be so awkwardly near-
sighted." 

	"Try to interface the controls with my range-scanner too," Trajan proposed.  

	Eirini tossed her hair across her shoulders.  "I suppose I can, but I need more time, 
and more space around me." 

	"You heard her, mates, now let's stand back and give the Commander more room.  
Meanwhile," he went into a corner of the cabin, taking the Navigator and the Adjutant 
with him, and spread Dego's map on his knees.  In clear-cut terms he made them 
understand that he wanted to know the exact duration of time for a flight to and back 
from the Zilch Zone bordering the Great Barrier Smaze, and whether the engines have 
enough fuel to carry out the journey.  The Navigator told him that a round trip all the way 
across Geosphere D'Or to the outer rim of the Barrier Smaze, and back again to Okrane, 
would at the most take six hours at top velocity, which the Zippercraft could handle 
without problem.  The other issue was, it was imparted with some trepidation, that to go 
to the Barrier Smaze, and particularly to the spot of the ruined research complex, was an 
absolute taboo, and they needed clearance from the Governor General himself, which 
would at least take a couple of hours more.  

	"The Great Man himself has put me in charge," Trajan resolved, "and I am pulling 
the strings here.  We will go to the Barrier Smaze without delay, as soon as we are ready." 

	He noted their nervous faces and gently suggested they were free to opt out of 
the mission if the dangers were too great, and the Navigator made the observation that if 
they chose to do so, it would be tantamount to a desertion.  He was unable to elaborate 
more what the Governor General had in mind for deserters. 

	Left with no option, the Navigator ordered the Head Zippercraft to be repowered.  
By that time Eirini had completed her task of interconnecting and remodulating the 
various circuitry.  The engines were warmed up, all controls doubled-checked and the 
signal for lift-off given.  The craft ascended on a pillar of smoke and grit, floating for a 
second like a glittering speck under the bars of drifting clouds, before it streaked out on a 
horizontal plane.  

	St-Jaq took control of the navigating while both Trajan and Eirini observed the 
screens of microcom, Frames and multilyzer, and Natsu, the adjutant, was instructed to 
operate the range-scanner.  The flight out of Okrane, the southern tip of Vespar, over a 
narrow strip of inland sea and into Geosphere D'Or proceeded smoothly with all 
instruments working faultlessly, with no hints of trouble.  

	Long before the Age of Devolution, Geosphere of D'Or had already re-
disintegrated into treeless lands and flowing dunes.  Olive-brown parcels of settlements 
spattering the folds of flaxen sand were all that remained of the former Geosphere.  As 
they flew deeper over D'Or, all signs of habitation ceased as the desert fell away into 
stretches of boulders and black shingle baking under the glare of the sun.  Heat and 
hurtful glitter hovered across the wasteland like an undulating sheet.  

	After flying for nearly three hours, they reached the southern edge of No Man's 
Land where along the entire horizon a wall of smoke ascended to the sky.  At this time 
the multilyzer, which had recorded signs of human, animal and plant life beneath them 
during the length of their passage, calibrated its findings to absolute zero.  St-Jaq 
informed them that they had crossed the Zilch Zone and were coming too close to the 
Barrier Smaze itself for comfort.  Trajan instructed him to cruise along the edge of the 
Smaze in an effort to locate the complex. 

	The blackened ruins of the research complex were soon detected by the naked eye 
through the windscreens of the Zippercraft.  With debris strewn over a wide radius it had 
the appearance from above as if was smashed into smithereens by a giant fist.  A tentative 
examination through the multilyzer showed no activity and the range-scanner was not 
able to pick up any movement.

	"Look, Trajan," Eirini said, "There is a strange fluctuation coming through on the 
multilyzer."

	"Where is it coming from?" 

	"From inside the Barrier."  

	St-Jaq paled when Trajan gave the order to take the vessel right into the innards of 
the Smaze, breaching that soaring shield of perpetual turbid fog, and mumbled something 
about the Unliving.  

	"I have seen them," Trajan told him flatly, taking over the navigation of the 
vessel, "and they can do you no harm as long as you do not think of them.  And I order 
you: DO NOT THINK of them!" 

	Natsu made the faltering remark visibility would be reduced to almost nothing 
once they were inside the Smaze and Trajan countered with unconcern that the computer 
would be guiding the craft.  He reduced velocity as the vessel plunged into the Barrier 
like a bullet through a mantle of mist and found out that the adjutant was right in his 
observation:  they could see nothing except smoke and steam engulfing them from all 
sides like the waves of a mercurial sea.  Eirini informed him once more there was a fair 
amount of radiation present but so far not to a degree of life-threatening proportions and 
Natsu complained he could see neither hide nor hair before his eyes, except blankets and 
voids of Smaze.  

	"Activate the range-scanner's Ultramag," Trajan said, looking at the bearings 
pulsing through the miniscreen of the microcom. 

	"There is it again!" Eirini said, coding the multilyzer with rapid fingers. "I have 
the coordinates and, yes, definitely corporeal life forms, and moving about."

	Trajan cut the engines down to minimal glide. "Natsu!  Are you able to see 
anything?" 

	"Nothing!" the adjutant said in a desperate voice, "no, wait, wait.  On the ground 
I can see something moving."  

	"Shadows?" St-Jaq enquired, quivering.

	"No," Natsu replied in a firmer voice, "a company of men!" 

	Trajan said:  "Let me take a look.  St-Jaq, take the controls and keep the vessel 
steady on this bearing which you can see on the screen."  He scrambled over to Natsu, 
and hooked the range-scanner to his eyes, sweeping the ground for prolonged moments.  
Hissing through his teeth, he made the announcement: "Those are Carlomon's men, in 
their black uniforms, unmistakably, setting up their camp.  How many are there?  Looks 
like half a battalion."  Lowering the range-scanner, he contemplated whether he should 
make more detailed observations and decided staying any longer would be tempting 
providence, since the cruising speed of the craft would soon be losing propulsion.  
Inclining his head to the Navigator, he ordered:  "Reverse the vessel but keep the same 
horizontal bearing and take us out of here, as steadily as you can on minimum impulse.  
We don't want them to notice us."  

	"Hang on a minute," Eirini said and grabbing Trajan by his sleeve she drew him to 
her corner.  "Look at those Frames.  They are registering pulses that the microcom is not 
able to snag, pulses from deep within the Smaze."  Trajan observed the blinks on the 
screens across her shoulder without speaking for several moments, moments of 
uncharacteristic indecisiveness that she quickly glanced at him.  Then he turned and said, 
"Let's turn back for now."

	As soon as the craft flew out of the Smaze St-Jaq pushed the speed lever to the 
utmost, which propelled it across the barrenness of the Zilch Zone like a flying silver drop 
of water.  "How could anyone of us guess Old Black Heart would have the nerve to 
intrude into the Smaze to literally stab us in the back," he remarked furiously.  

	"He has gone into the Smaze before, as far as I know," Trajan said, "but his men 
are not advancing, they are simply bivouacking there, waiting for something, maybe more 
troops.  How long will it take for an army on foot to cross the Zilch Zone from Geosphere 
d'Or?"  

	"Almost five days," Natsu replied, "I would think it will give us enough time to 
prepare." 

	Trajan consulted the readings on the microcom.  "What if we want to launch an 
attack," he said, speaking to the screen more than to anyone else, "in the Smaze."  

	The Navigator and Adjutant stared at him with great consternation on their faces.  

* * *

	They arrived back in Okrane in late afternoon.  Trajan only uncoupled the 
microcom for more study and left the other instruments in place.  Arriving back at the 
castle he was told to immediately report to the Governor General.  

	Striding into the meeting hall he soon perceived from the sternness on the 
Governor General's face, and the discomfiture of Dego, who was also present, that a 
report of his daring and unauthorized intrusion into the Smaze had already been brought 
to his attention, but to his credit the Governor General offered no admonitions until he 
heard the full account.

	"You took a tremendous risk with your crew and your craft," he said, tapping his 
finger on the table, "but I have to admit you are a commander after all, used to taking 
risks, although I wonder what has prompted your fascination with the Smaze."  

	"Sire," Dego addressed him, "the most important thing is that we have timely 
discovered the intentions of the Magni-Xandian Paramount.  We now have to decide 
how to counter it."  

	"What are your suggestions, Captain?" the Governor General enquired.  

	"My first impulse is to attack," Trajan told him matter-of-factly, "but on further 
consideration of the case we can perhaps gain a better edge on the Paramount if we 
pretend nothing has been discovered to allow him to show his hand more fully."  

	"On the other hand," Dego quickly analyzed, "a direct assault can also provoke 
him to reveal his true purpose and intent, which would be to our advantage.  It will 
strengthen our hand in the deliberations with the delegates of the Dominion, who will be 
arriving in a couple of days."

	Trajan raised his eyebrows in surprise. "They are?"

	"That is right, Captain," the Governor General replied with something of a wistful 
smile which rarely graced the marble features of his face.  "For once, we are able to bury 
our differences, but I must caution you these are only preliminary discussions.  If we can 
present concrete proof of the Magni-Xandian Paramount's act of aggression on the 
negotiating table, we might convince the delegates of the necessity to enter into a 
mutually beneficial alliance.  Which leads us to the ultimate question that, if we decide to 
attack, how would you propose to carry out this operation?" 

	Trajan flipped open his microcom and spread the map on the table.  Alternating 
between the readings on the screen and the bearings on the map he set out his plan of 
assault: organize a foot army to march across the Zilch Zone to rendezvous with the 
Zippercraft Corps along the rim of the Smaze near the ruins of the old research complex.  
The Zippercraft crew would then take off and guide the task force into the Barrier to 
attack.  

	"Why have you chosen the site of the complex to rendezvous?" the Governor 
General asked with a quizzical look.

	"For the reason that the invading troops are located near its vicinity.  We do not 
know how the Tar-Clad Armies have managed to penetrate so deeply within the Smaze 
but our foot soldiers can do the same, guided by Zippercraft through radio 
communication, that is to say if they are brave enough to enter the Smaze."

	"I realize Carlomon may have means at his disposal to force his armies into the 
Barrier but if they know the enemy is there, our soldiers will have the conviction and the 
courage to confront them in the Smaze if need be.  I am tempted to lead them myself."

	"That would not be wise, Sire," Dego said. "Your wit and wisdom are needed 
here when the Aseuran delegates arrive.  After all, they are motivated to come to Okrane 
only by the anticipation of meeting and talking to you."

	Trajan suggested quietly: "I will take command of the Fly Corps until we land on 
the Zilch Zone.  When the foot army gets there, I will lead them into the Barrier Smaze." 

	"I trust," Dego urged, "that the Captain has the experience and training to carry 
out this mission to a very successful end."  

	"I have no doubt of that whatsoever," the Governor General remarked.  "Very 
well, let us decide on this strategy.  Tomorrow, Captain, you will start preparations."  

	Dego scraped his throat guardedly. "Sire, it is only democratic, shall we say, that 
we reveal this dangerous situation to the ministers and discuss our strategy with them 
before we go into action.  I assure you it will only be a necessary, and tedious, formality 
but nonetheless politic not to tread on anyone's toes."  

	"But in the meantime," Trajan swiftly said, "we can always start getting the men 
ready, and the craft which need a lot of modifications and tuning up."

	"You heard the Captain," he Governor General said, "Let us proceed like he said 
while we brief our ministers."

	Trajan said a bit uncertainly:  "There is one request.  I want more pliable clothing 
while we go on this mission." 

	The Governor General nodded.  "You can stick yourself in battle dress if that is 
what you would like.  Unfortunately for the rest of the evening, the Royal Counsel and I 
will be occupied ironing out matters for the coming summit conference.  You have to 
entertain yourself." 

	'Thank the stars for that', Trajan thought but none of his relief was mirrored on his 
face save for perhaps a slight twist of wickedness on his lips.  "If you don't mind," he 
said with mock humility which he could not entirely disguise, "I would like to take this 
opportunity to go sightseeing in Okrane.  Without the adjutant." 

	Dego's seriousness melted like ice under his beaming smile.  "Of course, have a 
good time!  Okrane is safe enough, wouldn't you agree, Sire?"  

	The Governor General once more nodded with an appearance of faroffness as if 
he was far away in another time.  

* * *

	Upon returning to his chambers Trajan discovered with pleasure that with her 
determination and resourcefulness Assiya had succeeded in persuading the Governing 
Powers of the Castle to grant her permission to take care of his private comforts.  She 
additionally informed him both Deyron and Nagus had also been given lodgings in the 
castle.  Most strangely, Conrad and Jeremy had become inseparable and she had left them 
in each other's company in the guest-house. 

	Leoynar turned up a little later with the news that Ralph had been happily 
reunited with his father.  Over a glass of white wine he also recounted the dark episode 
of his life in the hole of Ostracis and his encounter with the Lady Consort.  He tactfully 
avoided the subject Eugene-Vaco, or that of the Great Lar, as he felt instinctively Trajan 
would be more chagrined than pleased if they were to start talking about Him.  He 
himself had not been able to summon enough courage to approach the Grandfather he 
once adored.  

	In turn Trajan told him Vesparans were in for an uncertain future as the war 
clouds which had been hanging over the Setting Continent were blowing across the Main 
into Aseur.  In deepest confidence he made it clear to Leoynar they ought to remain 
dedicated to finding the IsoMén Equation.  He was killing two birds with one stone in 
taking charge of the strike force against Carlomon's troops in the Smaze: to physically 
examine the ruins of the complex and the nature of the Smaze, which he believed 
privately was the product of Starglory's fury.  He needed all Iucarian technical expertise 
in performing this mission and he wanted Leoynar to participate as an active member of 
his force.  

	Eirini and Maykin joined them after their discussion and the foursome strolled 
into the evening bustle of Okrane and took great delight in the merchandise of the open 
bazaars: scarves and beads of many hues, shirts and blouses of satin and lace, shiny 
jewellery of all kinds.  They stood around food carts, savouring the spicy roasted meat 
and chicken on sticks, enjoying the claret and the citrus wine and breathing in the fragrant 
air of blooming Okrane.  War and bloodshed might be just a stone's throw away, but now 
was the time to forget it, even for just a night of pleasure.  

	The citizens of Okrane had kept their pulse on recent developments, and the city 
streets were abuzz with the tidings of the imminent summit conference.  The hope of an 
alliance with the rest of Aseur heightened their spirits to a fervour of optimism and 
patriotism as folk everywhere, on the open avenues and in eating houses, hooked arms 
and toasted the health of the Regent and the young Queen Fleuridi:  may the Sovereignty 
of Vespar last forever in peace and prosperity. 

	At a late hour in the evening, as the crowd had slowly dwindled to smatterings of 
pedestrians, Leoynar drew Maykin quietly away, leaving Trajan and Eirini together on a 
hanging promenade overlooking a boulevard luxuriant with acacia trees.  

	"My love," Trajan kissed her warmly, "I wish I do not have to drag you further 
into danger.  If only those craft were not so damned unsophisticated, I would be more 
certain of the outcome of this strike.  With Leoynar's spare equipment we will have only 
two Zippercraft that can fully see.  It is like a pair of one-eyed leading a column of 
blind!" 

	Eirini put her fingers gently on his lips. "I do not want to hear anymore of this 
sort!" she scolded.  "We are together at last, and together we shall stay.  I am going on 
this mission, and that is my decision.  And to think that you wanted to leave me behind in 
Iucari-Tres!"

	"In spite of everything," Trajan told her softly, "I am glad things have turned out 
this way.  You are my inspiration, my Taker.  And I wish I could fit you with an Insignia, 
but I have no spares available."  He dipped his hand into a pocket and drew out a little 
pouch.  "This is my medi-kit with a sac of stim-boosters for serious wounds.  Leoynar has 
one but I'm giving mine to you."

	She hugged him in sudden, frightful yearning.  "I do not want to lose you again, 
Trajan, my Giver.  There are still so many dangers, the road ahead is filled with 
treacherous holes.  Promise me, never let me go, keep me in your heart always, no matter 
what happens, until we get back to Iucari-Tres." 

	"Iucari-Tres," Trajan sighed and caressed her face with his lips:  "I promise.  I was 
thinking, maybe if we succeed in establishing peace in Vespar, we could stay here.  I am 
beginning to like Okrane and its people." 

	Eirini lifted her eyes in surprise.  "You would?" 

	He shrugged lightly.  "It's just another hare-and-bat-brained idea of mine.  I've 
fallen to rambling nowadays."

	"You are troubled, Trajan.  What is it?"

	They were startled by a barrage of voices and hurried steps that reached them 
through the quietness of the night.  On the deserted boulevard beneath two figures 
careened like drunks from the shadows into the glow of the streetlights.  They were 
arguing in heated, high-pitched voices.  

	Trajan bent low over the balustrade, exclaiming:  "Nagus!  What is he doing?"  He 
raised his head, looking askance at Eirini.  "I haven't told you yet about Nagus, have I?"  
Leaning over again, he asked in perplexity: "Who is the other one?  Why is Nagus chasing 
him?"

	"I know about Nagus, Leoynar told me," Eirini said, swallowing hard:  "The other 
one is Vaco, or who was once known as Eugene." 

	"WHAT!"

	"He has bestowed on himself the name Vaco, and so you must call him when you 
two should meet," Eirini said with a nervous giggle, thinking how absurd it must all look 
to him. "He has regrafted himself and become a Zeroborn Pagan, or something of that 
sort.  Now we can tell them both apart, can't we?  Vaco arrived in Okrane three days 
after we did with his wounded mate.  They had no choice but to flee; Ostracis' marshalls 
were hot on their heels." 

	Trajan observed the two performing an erratic dance on the boulevard until the 
darkness swallowed them up. 

	"Well," he said, shaking his head, "now that Nagus has identified him, they are 
inseparable once more.  There is nothing we can do for them.  They have to learn to live 
with their curse together."  

	He took her into his arms again, as the moon peered down from the edge of a 
cloud with a sallow face.  "Let's go back to the castle.  Your chambers or mine?" 

	"I prefer yours, they are in the best part of the castle."

	"I love you."

* * *

	The following weeks became a hectic time for the Fly Corps, as they prepared for 
the coming combat.  To facilitate and speed up the refitting of the craft, Leoynar and 
Deyron had moved their quarters to the Fly Bay.  Trajan would have liked to follow their 
example but he was hampered in his movements by the constant demands of the 
Governor General to make a daily report, and he was ordered to stay in the Royal Castle. 

	The factory engineers who had manufactured the Zippercraft were working 
almost day and night to produce the computer components and circuitry and instal all the 
modifications by the deadline date.  Trajan, mindful of the fact the energy of their 
rephars would not last into eternity, instructed his companions to practise and familiarize 
themselves with conventional armory.  

	Trajan knew the Governor General had used the technical knowledge of his 
previous life to construct the Zippercraft, with the limited resources available, along the 
lines of a Rescue EROS since the more intricate design of the Command's Patrol 
Phosphri were unknown to him, but since his departure from Iucari-Tres more 
ameliorations had been designed which made the current controls of the Zippercraft 
obsolete.  For instance, there was no secondary computer backup in the event of failure or 
malfunction, no sensor beamscanning, automatic relay of controls, optic and visual 
communication between craft, or the powerful Reverse Spurt, and the supposedly plasma 
spreaders were just torpedo launchers.  

	He had only one microcom and multilyzer for the main flycraft, the second and 
third craft which Leoynar and Deyron would be commanding had to make do with the 
spare multilyzer and a manual range-scanner, and with the limited automatic sensor 
controls the engineers were installing.  He decided that only Eirini would utilize the two 
Frames and these gadgets would be restricted to pulse monitoring only, since he had 
given her secret instructions to locate the source of the pulses coming from the depths of 
the Smaze. 

	Assiya had been able to persuade the Captain after many sessions of influencing 
to take on Conrad as a recruit, and also Jeremy since the Cougar's mentor, the Elder, had 
mysteriously gone his own way after coming into Okrane and they had not seen him 
again.  Maykin, refusing absolutely to be separated from Eirini, followed her daily into 
the Fly Bay and became the third new recruit despite the displeasure of the two boys.  
Trajan remained adamant however they would remain as ground crew on the airstrip 
throughout the campaign. 

	In the early morning of the eleventh day Trajan reported to the Governor General 
that the Corps was ready.  A company of infantry soldiers had already started marching 
from Geosphere D'Or several days before and were in the course of crossing the Zilch 
Zone.  They would rendezvous with the Fly Corps tomorrow.  

	The Aseuran delegates had arrived and the session was in full swing from early 
morning to late night. The Governor General took leave from the proceedings to consult 
his Captain in a nearby hallway.

	"I expect you back in Okrane in sound body and mind, looking as you are right 
now," he commanded in his severe voice. "Promise me, on your honour as commander 
that you will return."

	Trajan gave his promise and the Governor General regarded him with a face 
unsmiling and austere, although a soft light kindled in his grey eyes that could be likened 
to concern and affection.  

	"You have my permission to commence the assault, Captain."  He added softly as 
an afterthought: "Be careful, my son." 

	"As always, Sire," said Trajan with a respectful bow.  He rushed out from the 
hallway, down the stairs of the castle and leapt on Brightloft's back.  He sped down the 
streets of Okrane, through the wooded hills and arriving at the Fly Bay, he mustered all 
the crew.  Soon afterwards, six dart-shaped vessels levitated into the early morning sky 
on shafts of fire and fumes and zipped southwards in sickle formation.