Some months after Larry's departure, and thanks to his fine job with his show, in the galactic social fora there were millions of fans supporting the "Victory's Fugitives". "We need a planet for us, Eve, or it's over." JS shook his head. "We cannot keep the bandits at bay for much longer and deceive ourselves by thinking we can win against the Rogue fleet." "We'll make it, I'm sure!" Eve tried lovingly to soothe his nerves a bit. A women-only lunch with Vasquez and Ishikawa didn't cheer Eve up. "Sea's right. If we don't find a sanctuary, we are buggered." Ishikawa stated flatly. "There are problems rising even among our own people." Vasquez added thoughtfully. "Some people are starting to suffer from claustrophobia." As if fulfilling these dire predictions, coming out of the hyperspace they had bounced on Rogue frigates twice. Once JS preferred to jump again, the second he gave battle. "Once is an accident, twice means that the noose is tightening." he grumbled. "Vickie, Eve, we must ponder on the ancient S'skash star charts." JS sighted. "Let's figure out where the hell is your native planet, damn it!" Frustrated, JS was even ready to bear that Vickie and Eve sang the songs they knew about it. "Jay, time spans differently in the Nowhere. It's like a perpetual present. There were many ships over there, but now I understand that no ship had been evoked from the Nowhere in a very long time." Vickie ventured. "The stars have moved since my mother's time." "The problem is to know how much time has passed, a million years.. more than that, less.. and where was the observation point. Found that, found our planet." JS made the point. One day Adam came to visit him on the bridge. JS noticed how the man had aged, and looked fragile. "We've problems downtown. Many complain that we continue to wander." "We need our own sanctuary. Atargatis was all water and Bellatrix meant to fight every day as we did on New Mars!" cried Eve. JS nodded. "I'll come to talk to people. We'll organize shifts so that everyone can enjoy Isla Tortuga when we go shopping. That will help." In his attempt to crack the ancient star maps, JS went gruelingly back and forth getting intelligence. Meanwhile at Isla Tortuga, Adam had just entered the store to pick up some supplies when Peter exclaimed: "Look who's here!" "Vlasav, old chap, to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you?" Adam held out a hand. "Good news, I hope." Vlasav smiled. "Where's Sea?" On the Victory, Eve welcomed Vlasav mind-reading him. The man was sincere and had an offer from EA. Three days later JS was back. "You all right, Miki? Been long time.." "Still in the GOD's business, mate. I have an official letter for you." Vlasav was truly happy to see him. EA offer granted them a planet in perpetual legacy. They had only to choose from the attached list. There were no conditions. "I don't trust them, Eve." JS said, weighing up the pros and cons. Two days later GNN prime time news reported the starship Tisiphone had been hastily destroyed and Isla Tortuga quarantined. "Sh*t! Tisiphone was my ship!" Vlasav whistled. He was shivering, his face purplish. "He has a fever." Lee whispered to JS. Soon they knew Vlasav had contracted the SW3 fever, the deadly plague that had racked and killed those on the infamous EAS Pasteur. "Bastards! They infected me so I could act as a Trojan Horse." Vlasav whispered. He knew he had no hope. "I don't want to die rotting. Keep your promise, mate." JS nodded. "Quarantine the ship, Doctor. I must keep an oath." Members of the special forces had long since built their own secret graveyard, the Unnamed Soldiers' Cemetery, on a nameless moon under the Hand of God Nebula. Here they buried their dead, or hang their dog tags. Those unnamed elsewhere, here had a sincere tribute from their comrades. Raising the visor of Vlasav's space suit, a biohazard warning, JS vowed he'd avenge his friend. --- Thanks