THE LIGHT FADED.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyoG3eFttA
Weir was no longer on the battle bridge. He, Jay One, Emmagan and Samantha were seated in the prisoner's dock of an immense courtroom. The courtroom was gleaming steel and glass, stark and supremely functional. Spectators were still filing in, and a buzz of excited speculation filled the air. A cadre of soldiers was spotted around the courtroom, armed and uniformly surly. The clothing, hairstyles and facial decorations of the spectators also indicated the time period was the same as the soldiers'. Weir had always enjoyed the study of history, even the unpleasant chapters had their lessons to be learned. She recognized the architecture and tone of this setting in which they had been placed as apparent prisoners.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmADoldWeK
Weir was not sure exactly how it had happened. A time warp? Unlikely. Transport to a carefully prepared setting? Possible, but if so, where were the other bridge officers? Why were only she, Emmagan, Samantha and Jay One here? Had Eye changed the battle bridge somehow? That seemed to be the most likely probability Eye had had no difficulties changing his personal appearance when he appeared on the Atlantis and had ended with a characterization of this time period.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIBAtbvVPc
The bang of a gong drew their attention to a man at the front of a courtroom. An Asian in a long robe appeared, carrying a slim portable viewscreen. From his studies, Weir knew this would be a Mandarin-Bailiff. The man nodded to a court functionary, who once more used an ancient Oriental bell to gain attention.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2tlYERiQt
"The prisoners will now rise," the Mandarin-Bailiff announced. Weir motioned to her officers to remain seated.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUmIdErUKm
Jay One had been studying the room with great curiosity. Weir could almost feel the intensity of analyzation from the android as he catalogued the courtroom, its spectators and appurtenances. "Historically fascinating, Captain," Jay One commented. "Very, very accurate."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpPWyAw4Rq
Weir nodded, his admiration held in abeyance by the feeling that this setting would be used as a weapon against them. "Mid-21st Century, the Blackening Time...." Weir hated the era. It had been a dark, deadly, and depraved era. Still wounded and bleeding from the horrors of nuclear war, humanity had sought answers to its pain and problems through the merciless application of a new form of dictatorial government and law representing neither capitalism nor communism, but taking a few pages from both. It had been the last of the worst Earth governments, for once it had been overthrown, humanity began to grow toward its true potential. Eye, of course, had chosen to ignore later eras that would place humans in a better light.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4avstZaf7F
The court functionary clanged the bell again. "All present, make respectful attention to honored judge!" the bailiff intoned.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijCzBgcgWU
The spectators, still pushing and crowding to get in, dropped into silence and stood. Some had to be prodded to their feet by the heavily armed soldiers. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96mLXS8Ugk
Weir held out her hand, palm down, to Jay One, Emmagan and Samantha, indicating that they should not get up.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKD5NPmjSz
Emmagain shook her head, concerned. "Careful, ma'am. This is not an illusion or a dream."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b3dRYec4v
"These courts happened in our past."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAagFGShAOF
"I don't understand myself, but this is real. I can feel that. If Eye has created a reality here, the soldiers' guns are authentic and we could be shot if we defy them."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59VrJGBHhX
"If we're on trial, Eye won't want us shot right away," Weir pointed out.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr1tHQbTT9
"No, he might give us a minute," Samantha said sourly.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUgbidjKSx
A soldier moved toward them, leveling his weapon at them. "Get to your feet, outlaws!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9nduwyyDL
The Fleet officers ignored him. The court functionary banged the gong again, and the last few whispers from spectators died away. Jay One glanced up and nodded to indicate Weir should look in that direction. "At least we are acquainted with the judge, Captain."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05t5ivIGV6
Weir was not entirely surprised to see the Eye they had met on their bridge seated at a floating judge's bench that lifted into the room. He had seized on Weir's words about prosecution and judgment with a fervor that had surprised Weir at the time. Now Weir saw that Eye had somehow created this situation in order to do just that---prosecute and judge. If humans would not voluntarily return to their own solar system, they would be sentenced to do so.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoPg5nQU8V
Suddenly a nearby officer fired a burst of shots at Weir's feet and advanced on her, screaming angrily. "Attention! On your feet, attention!" Before the captain could react, Samantha had sprung up, pivoted in and wrestled the weapon away from the man. He tried to grab her, but she easily hooked his feet from under him with one quick move of her own leg and set him crashing to the floor on his back.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J6Sh0qjyu
The judge's chair shot forward as Eye shouted, "I declare you out of order!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh8SYFEvx2
"Lieutenant!" Weir snapped.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaef8FENuoH
Two others stepped forward, their weapons raised. But it was not a death sentence for Samantha. Both men fired a burst at the fallen officer. His body jumped as the automatic weapons pumped bullets into him, and the spectators cheered and applauded the performance uninhibitedly.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQBHd0Ayys
"I forbid the prisoners to be harmed," Eye said pleasantly. "Until they're found guilty, that is." He passed an amused glance to Weir, who did not respond to the taunt. Eye flicked his hand negligently toward the dead officer's body. "Dispose of that," he said coldly. "Now then, Captain...."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4NbVY85iv
Weir plucked the automatic weapon from Samantha, staring her down. She hesitated, then sat back down. Satisfied, Weir took a step toward Eye. "'Can we assume you mean this will be a fair trial."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZmKNRHo5i
"It will be.....equitable."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFR1gAl8tP
Weir hesitated and then handed the weapon to one of the soldiers. Eye floated his bench to the front of the courtroom and nodded to the bailiff. "Begin!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR3p5oLe08
The Mandarin-Bailiff consulted his portable viewscreen. "Before this merciful court now appear these prisoners to answer for the multiple and grievous savageries of their species. How plead you, outlaws?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwcJajGYSb
Jay One moved forward slightly. "If I may, Captain..." Weir gave him an abrupt nod. She had a feeling she knew in advance how this was going to go. He could see it...what in historical vernacular would have been called "a setup." 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlnt2wn9q9
Meanwhile, the android had turned to address Eye. "Objection, your Honor. In the year 2047, the new United Nations declared that no Earth citizen could be made to answer for the crimes of their race or forebears."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlwCTMB1HQ
"Overruled!" Eye instantly retorted. The functionary clanged the bell raucously, and the spectators cheered enthusiastically.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIJ2ouMyOl
Weir shook her head tiredly. As she thought, they were labeled as criminals in advance, guilty until proven innocent. Eye had already judged human past, not their present or their promise for the future, in order to brand them as unfit to venture into the galaxy with other "more advanced" races. Eye's next words further proved Weir's theory.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMMpe2LMsn
"This is a court of the year 2080, by which time more 'rapid progress' had caused all that 'One World' nonsense to be abolished." He smiled triumphantly at Weir.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmHMCUPBJp
Samantha angrily sprang up again, poised like a fighter on the balls of her feet. "Why don't you judge what we are now?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqv6VNTv4D
Weir reached out for her. "Lieutenant, don't..."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4DpOBpd2Q
She shrugged the other woman off, for once unmindful of the fact that she was the captain, her superior officer, and a woman she idolized. "I must..." She turned to face Eye. "----because I grew up on a planet that allowed things like this so-called court. And it was people like these," gesturing toward her fellow officers, "who saved me from it. I say this damned court should get down on its knees to what Fleet is, what it represents..."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4FjL9zLJf
"Enough!" Eye roared, and he waved his hand toward her. A fluttering electric blue weave enveloped her, and she instantly went rigid. Jay One jumped forward to catch her frozen body before it fell, then he gently lowered her to the floor.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfa8biPfAf
"She is frozen in a cryogenic state," Jay One said, "As Lieutenant Brezetta was."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9hAfEugeP
Emmagan touched Samantha's cold form and uncharacteristically flared with anger. "You bastard!" she shouted at Eye. "You call yourselves an enlightened race, and all you know how to do is punish anyone who offends you. That woman...."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvmdFvtHVA
Weir gripped her arm, and the dark-skinned Counselor cut off her tirade. She shook her head at Emmagan. Teyla sensed the urgent warning her captain was sending. Gathering her anger, she nodded back at Weir.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBszjkqSVUQ
"Outlaws keep your silence!" the Mandarin-Bailiff chanted.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6imDGu4LSv
"Yes, do," Eye agreed. "I insist on an orderly procedure in my court." He nodded at Samantha. "Civilized beings know how to conduct themselves in the presence of their betters."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uQ2pkVgdx
"You've got a lot to learn about humans if you think you can torture us or frighten us into silence," Weir looked back to Jay One, who was taking pulse and heartbeat readings from Samantha. "What's her condition?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41qMP2bDPi
"Alive---and stable, ma'am. Uncertain as to how long she can survive if left in this state."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI0QCSYIwt
The Mandarin-Bailiff turned to Weir. "You are now charged criminals. How do you plead?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjMjQ5Sa1s
Weir ignored him. Around the courtroom, the spectators grumbled and buzzed in irritation. The spectacle they anticipated was not forthcoming, and they were angry. Eye sensed their discontent and turned on the captain herself.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbUjwfm6gu
"How do you plead? You will answer the charges, outlaws."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2cC6oYYR3
"Just a moment ago, you said you 'forbid the prisoners to be harmed.' We plead nothing so long as you break your own rules.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoMs6rBKnu
A low, irritated mutter swept the spectators again. The criminals were supposed to act as programmed, not in this rebellious manner. What was the matter with them?584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JaqsspKXA
"I suggest you center your attention on this trial, Captain," Eye said coldly. "It may be your last hope."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJeNPtkFRt
"What's the matter, Eye? Having second thoughts about it? You're considering that if you conduct this trial fairly, which was your promise, you'll likely lose."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8u5IroVtP
Eye laughed, a short mirthless bark. "Lose?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniftSouQDF
"Yes," the captain said. "Keep to your agreement, and we agree to abide by your decision." She looked meaningfully at Samantha's frozen body. "Assaulting a prisoner is hardly a fair trial."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FnygS0Eww
Eye considered. "This is a merciful court," he said finally. He waved his hand downward at Samantha, and a ripple of blue light played over her. The young blonde woman stirred, eyelids flickering. She moved stiffly at first, as if the cold had not quite left her. Then she sat up slowly, Jay One assisting her.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiufyVQzEV
The spectators had become disorderly again, shouting protests about this uncharacteristic kindness on the judge's part. Some of them were standing on the benches, shaking their fists at Eye. The judge brought his hovering bench up over their heads and hugely amplified his voice. "Quiet!" he roared. The entire courtroom trembled under the sonic impact of his order. The quarrelsome spectators sank down into their seats again, their heads low, exchanging frightened glances.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBUy8r0oHc
Weir watched Eye's display of power impassively. She had seen bully boys throw their weight around before. And thus far, Eye had not struck her as particularly superior, only more powerful. Superiority, as Weir measured it, was a matter of intelligence, consideration and morality.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTRKQns0vD
In Weir's mind, Eye was coming up very short of mere human standards, much less the exalted superior ones he pretended to.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGCoCRkcSs
Eye lowered his bench to face Weir again. "Continuing these proceedings, I must warn you that legal trickery is forbidden. This is a court of fact."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n4cAy7C58
Weir had seen it coming, and uttered the last words at the same time as Eye. "...court of fact. Yes. We humans know our past, even when we're ashamed of it. I recognize this court system as one which agreed with Shakespeare's suggestion in Henry IV, Part II. The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRfqty6byY
"And so it was done," Eye pointed out equably.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6qY5ZXnjQ
Naturally, Weir thought. "Leading to the rule, guilty until proven innocent."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtkaoF4H6d
"Of course," Eye agreed, still pleasantly. "Bringing the innocent to trial would be unfair." He leaned forward, smiling malevolently; and his voice boomed out once again. "You will now answer to the charge of being a grievously savage race!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegE5RsW8Mp
Weir shook her head and kept her voice neutral. "'Grievously savage?' What does that mean?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlURH3iTsQC
"It means causing harm to fellow creatures, you idiot!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1z5Y1eLup
"Like you did when you froze a member of my bridge crew?" Weir asked defiantly. "Like you did when you did the same to this woman? Will you be joining us in the cell?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7pcTdIrzo
Eye's pudgy face turned ugly. Light crackled and shimmered around him. "Foolish woman! Are you sure you want a full disclosure of human ugliness? So be it." He flicked a hand at the Mandarin-Bailiff. "Present the charges."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITxWvXQRIc
The robed bailiff bowed and referred to his portable viewscreen. Then he stepped forward and presented it for Weir's inspection. "Outlaw, you will read the charges against you to the court."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuGsTdh02O
Weir took the proffered viewscreen and scanned a good portion of it. She looked up at Eye and shrugged her shoulders. "I don't see any charges against us, your honor."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jk6ZeDDAW
The judge pounded his hand on the bench top angrily. "Outlaw, you are out of order!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi8uYIYA3G
As if on cue, soldiers moved in on the prisoners, unslinging their automatic weapons. Two of them pressed gun barrels against Emmagan's and Jay One's heads. Eye looked around pleasantly and his voice was conversational. "Soldiers, you will press those triggers if this outlaw answers with any word other than guilty....." Firing sections were thumbed to full cock, and Eye turned to Weir. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n7rTBNFqQ
"Outlaw, how do you plead?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeOqsVoxZq
Weir took her time, gauging the situation. Jay One, of course, was rock steady, totally without fear. The android didn't know what the word mean as applied to him. Emmagan's eyes were wide with apprehension, but that may have meant she was picking up the aggressive tension in the room. One of the soldiers shifted his weight, anxious, anticipating that Weir's delay meant opposition. Samantha stood by her side, ready as always to fight.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQIBrJgOji
But here, Weir thought, to fight is to die. I'm not ready to do that, not yet.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANrYfpK7Xi
"Your honor," she said slowly, "we plead guilty." The soldiers around her relaxed, the tension in the air lessened. Jay One studied him curiously, 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh8uA4NDzN
Samantha anxiously. Eye leaned back in his chair, a smile of satisfaction on his face.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmt6hO2O8g
"Provisionally so," Weir added.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrE9EFXTeX
The soldiers' grips tightened on their weapons. They looked to Eye for guidance. The alien considered the rebellious, intractable human captain. At last, Eye nodded.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdHeGavRKj
"The court will hear the provision."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOeZq74xkB
"We question whether this court is abiding by its own trial instructions. Do I have permission to have Lieutenant Commander Jay One repeat the record?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDacS925kL9
"I warn you, Captain, there will be no legal trickery!" Eye snapped.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMn9pBv6WC
"Does your superior race resort to those tactics?" Weir asked. "I assure you these will be your own words." The captain pressed ahead immediately before Eye could interrupt. "Jay One, exactly what followed his Honor's statement that the prisoners would not be harmed?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyKnSLWgsQ
Jay One looked inward, reviewing his information banks. Then he straightened up and inclined his head toward Eye. "The captain asked the question......." His voice changed to Weir's. "Can we assume this will be a fair trial?" His voice reverted to his own pleasant tenor. "And in reply, the Judge stated...." His voice shifted to emulate Eye. "Yes, absolutely equitable."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jqbb0h3BV
Eye angrily retorted, "Immaterial testimony, entirely immaterial!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLH6QfYd5q
Weir gestured to Jay One to fall silent. "If it please your Honor, there's an easy way to clear up this disagreement." Eye lifted his gavel again, but Weir raised his voice forcefully. "We can clear up this disagreement."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5LUnIMtrV
Eye paused, studying Weir. The captain rushed forward. "We agree that there's evidence to support the court's contention that humans have been murderous and dangerous. So test us. Test whether this is presently true of humans."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidN0oiCxoH
Eye suddenly snapped alert, maybe sensing danger. "I see." He studied Weir. "Do you petition this court to accept you and your comrades as proof of what humanity has become?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXhDFKLw0Q
"There are many ways we can be tested," Weir pointed out. "We've got a long mission ahead of us...."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRhCaAdaVw
"Yes....yes!" Eye said, an idea forming in his head. "Another brilliant suggestion, Captain. But your test requires a long mission." Eye laughed sardonically, seeming to savor a special bit of knowledge. "Your immediate destination offers more challenge than you can possibly imagine." He smiled even more broadly, nodding his head in satisfaction. "Yes, yes. Jutterdon Station will be an excellent test!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGyKPORdDw
Weir glanced at the others. Jay One wore a slight frown, and the other two women were even more concerned. Eye knew just where they were bound----moreover, he somehow knew exactly what awaited them there. Now the mystery Fleet had given Weir to solve took on an even greater import----and danger. But there was no use asking Eye to enlighten them. It was all part of the game he was playing---by his rules, on his ground. The Atlantis and even Jutterdon Station were just the game pieces. Weir and Eye were the opposing players. Humanity's continuing presence on the board of space was the prize.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3SbaAiihN
The Mandarin-Bailiff stood as Eye nodded in signal to him. "Stand with respect!" he shouted. "All present, stand with respect!" The spectators promptly stood. Weir jerked her head, and the others rose to join her. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQsQbvCjsX
Eye maneuvered his floating bench into position in front of the prisoners and addressed the spectators. "This trial is adjourned to allow the outlaws to be tested."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp3DAuWBF4
The Mandarin-Bailiff signaled to the functionary, who promptly banged the Oriental gong twice. The bailiff's voice resounded over the clanging. "This honorable court is adjourned!"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvfbK7CkNv
Weir looked around, surprised to see the soldiers shoulder their weapons and start to march out with the milling spectators. Apparently they were free. Eye turned toward them, the sardonic smile twisting his mouth again.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh8h84C0Il
"You are a clever human, Captain, but you may find you are not only clever enough to deal with what lies ahead for you. It may have been better to accept sentence here."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ04iyG03OD
"Sentence from you? On your terms? No way! If we're going to be tested, we'd rather it be on even terms."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE58ywYklk
"I'm sure you would. How do you know it will be?" Laughing, Eye waved his hand toward them.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP5YZQnuTq
Weir turned her head away from the fiercely blinding light. As it died away, and she blinked her eyes to clear them of the dancing dots left by the abrupt flash, she became aware of the familiar hum and murmur of computers and bridge instruments. Focusing, she realized she was back on the battle bridge, seated in her command chair. Emmagan, Jay One and Samantha were also at their correct stations, all of them blinking and rubbing their eyes, disoriented by the abrupt change. The rest of the battle bridge complement did not seem to have noticed either the stunningly bright flash or the fact that Weir and the others had reappeared at their stations.584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMG0CcaxAK
Jay One turned to the Ops officers beside him at the forward console and ventured a question. "What is the present course, Conn?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzwAbCExzW
The other officer stared at him in surprise. "Exactly per captain's orders, sir. Direct heading to Jutterdon Station." The man was distinctly puzzled by the question, and even more puzzled when Jay One ran a quick review of his own console and turned to Weir. 584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdoXCPyYJs
"Confirm we are on that heading, Ma'am."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJyeQRmU34
"Of course we are," Conn said. "I told you."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKYCAEmlGF
Weir cleared her throat. "Any sign of the hostile?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCya4ZL6AsY
Conn shot her another puzzled look, clearly wondering what was going on. "Not since they cleared off at top speed ten minutes ago. No explanation, no offensive action after that chase they put us through. I don't understand what it was all about, do you, ma'am?"584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicOhyQ5djy
"Never mind, Lieutenant," Weir said. "I'm sure it'll straighten itself out at Jutterdon Station." He speculated that the "time" they had spent in Eye's court had been subjective, and maybe had never taken place anywhere but in their minds. She, Samantha, Emmagan and Jay One had all been under the same influence---something so strong that even Emmagan had felt it was real. But no one on the bridge had missed them, implying they had never been gone. The only other alternative explanation was that while they were physically removed from the bridge for some time, the crew had been under an illusion they were still there and functioning normally. Whatever the answer, it was clear that Eye had even more powerful abilities than previously suspected. The alien had implied the "test" waiting for them at Jutterdon might be controlled by him. But was it---or was that, too, another carefully calculated trick?584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYULvj2twfu
Conn idly turned to Jay One and asked, "Know anything about Jutterdon Station? It sounds like a pretty dull---hasn't even been broken in by Fleet yet."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBtbEw8a26
Weir leaned forward in her chair before Jay One could reply. "Actually, Conn," she said quietly, "We've heard we may find it rather exciting."584Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhBn12RghF
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