“Play with fire and you can get burned,” Ludendorff said in a hard tone. He paused, and it seemed he brought his anger under control. The stiffness left his features, replaced by a roguish grin. “What happened in the shuttle reveals a little of my…hmm, shall we call them my resources?”
“I’m duly impressed,” Maddox said. “I won’t try something like that again.”
Ludendorff eyed the captain. “I’m going to have to take your gun, of course.”
“I don’t advise that,” Maddox said. “Villars will take advantage of my defenselessness.”
“Cesar is wounded. That will slow him down for a time, making you two even, which is more than I should give you for what you just did.”
Instead of responding, Maddox climbed to his feet. He stood too fast, though, and his vision blurred. He held himself still, with his head down until the grogginess passed. Finally, he fully straightened.
“Your assassination attempt just now reveals several interesting factors about you,” Ludendorff said. “You have a remarkably swift reaction time, and you can act without hesitation. If Villars didn’t understand before how dangerous you are, he does now. That will make him doubly hazardous for you. Before, he underestimated you. I assure you he won’t do that again.”
Maddox said nothing.
“That’s another thing I admire about you,” Ludendorff said. “Sometimes, you know when to keep quiet.”
Maddox continued to wait.
“You don’t have a response to that?” Ludendorff asked.
“What would you like me to say?”
The professor frowned. “What did you and the doctor talk about in the shuttle?”
“You.”
“And…?”
“Dana told me how she admires your resourcefulness.”
“That isn’t what she said,” Ludendorff snapped.
“Actually, it is.”
“Come, come, Captain, you’re trying my patience. That isn’t wise on your part.”
Maddox looked the professor in the eye and gave him a professional smile.
“Do you dare to mock me?” Ludendorff asked in wonder.
“Professor, I’m afraid you’ve done exactly what your sadist did, which was to underestimate me. I salute your genius. It is a rare quality and quite admirable. You have potent toys, and you play the long game. However, the fact of your keeping Villars in your company causes me to doubt your judgment.”
“I don’t care for lectures,” Ludendorff said, “and I like it even less from a hypocrite. You have an assassin and a clone thief in your crew. They were both judged as violently dangerous, enough so Star Watch sent them to a prison planet. Villars—”
“Is a sadist,” Maddox said calmly, interrupting the professor. “Both Dana and Meta acted out of noble sentiments. You cannot compare them to the monster you call a bodyguard. You’re a clever, man, Professor. You’ve shown that more than once. But, as I said, I wonder about your judgment.”
“You can wonder all you like,” Ludendorff said. “But think deeply on this. I presently run the starship. You wouldn’t even possess Victory without my knowledge, and you wouldn’t have a working disruptor cannon. Because of my actions, you were able to save Fletcher’s fleet. And without me, no one will stop the planet-killer.”
“I quite agree, of course,” Maddox said. “Therefore, you don’t need to coerce us. Let us attempt to work together in harmony once again. There’s no need for us to bicker with each other.”
Ludendorff considered the captain for a long moment before nodding in agreement.
“Dana and Meta are still webbed,” Maddox finally pointed out.
“Oh, you’re right,” Ludendorff said. “I was just waiting for you to tell me what the two of you talked about in the shuttle. No doubt you want to do that as a gesture of good will.”
“I would be delighted to tell you,” Maddox said. “As soon as you release Galyan from your compulsion, I shall do so.”
Ludendorff spread his hands. “I see that we’re back where we began. Neither of us sufficiently trusts the other to work together unconditionally. Since I hold the upper hand, I shall continue to wield it.”
“As you wish,” Maddox said.
Ludendorff tapped his right foot several times. “Seriously, Captain, you’re not going to tell me what the two of you plotted?”
“I already did tell you,” Maddox said. “We spoke about you.”
“Very well,” Ludendorff said, as he patted the long-barreled gun tucked at the top of his pants. “I shall keep this then. And I will take Meta with me.”
Maddox’s heart rate increased, although he said pleasantly, “Beg pardon?”
“Meta has memories I need to access for the next stage of operations,” the professor said. “Therefore, I will need to take her with me.”
“There’s no need for that,” Maddox said. “Ask her what you want to know. She’s right here.”
“I’m afraid I can’t risk any duplicity on her part. I shall have to take her.”
Maddox shook his head. “I suppose I should let you know then that my cooperation ends if you take her.”
“Hmmm,” Ludendorff said. “This presents a problem.”
“Why don’t you tell me what memories you’re seeking,” Maddox said. “Dana can question Meta for you.”
“I don’t trust either woman.”
“That’s a futile position,” Maddox said. “You were correct earlier in saying we need each other. Thus, we should strive to cooperate, not find ways to antagonize each other. The stakes are too high for anything else.”
Ludendorff glanced at the two women before regarding Maddox once more. “Yes. That will suffice for now. Later, I may not be able to agree to your stipulation.”
“So far, we’ve been taking one step at a time. Why don’t we continue to operate on that policy?”
“Agreed,” Ludendorff said.
“What memories do you require?” Maddox asked.
“I want to know in precise detail what Kane did when he entered the targeted star system with Meta.”
“I find it interesting you still won’t tell us which system you mean,” Maddox said. “It’s obvious our destination is dangerous. Therefore, given our heading, I’m sure you’re referring to the Xerxes 14C System—the Bermuda Triangle of space.”
Ludendorff was quiet for a time. “I’ve misjudged you, Captain. Yes, this is a surprising development. You should realize I’ve been studying you for a time. Until now, you haven’t exhibited an in-depth knowledge of space. Why let your guard down now and show me you know as much as a regular starship captain should?”
“Call it a gesture of goodwill,” Maddox said. “I’m tired of this pretense.”
“I see,” Ludendorff said. “Yes. We’re heading for the Xerxes System. It will be dangerous, as you’ve suggested. You’ve made this gesture of goodwill. Thus, I will do the same. The doctor may question Meta. If the answers are sufficient, I will let it go at that. If not…I will do my own questioning.”
“The latter would be a bad idea on your part,” Maddox said in a friendly tone.
“Threatening me in any way is the worst idea of all,” Ludendorff said. “I hold the upper hand. Until I relent, I will continue to hold it. You should be grateful, because without my help, you will never defeat the doomsday machine. And if the planet-killer continues its mission, humanity as you know it dies.”
“I think it’s good that we’ve made our positions clear,” Maddox said. “If you could release my two crewmembers, we will continue to prepare for the Xerxes System.”
“One last thing, Captain,” Ludendorff said.
Maddox nodded.
“Meta has one day in which to remember the needed facts. After that, I will probe her.”
“Is your equipment the same as what the teacher used on her in the New Men’s star cruiser?”
“Don’t be absurd.”
“That isn’t an answer,” Maddox pointed out.
“No, it isn’t,” Ludendorff said. “I have no need to tell you the manner of my tools, and you have no lever to force me to show you. Thus, you will have to be content not knowing exactly how I will manage my trick.”