The Star Cruiser was noisy and crowded. The atmosphere was a mixture of music, loud voices, laughter and a heavy blanket of smoke.

A wide variety of people mingled together. Some were off long-haul freighters, eagerly celebrating the end of an eighteen-month run. Then there were the miners--"diggers," as they were called--just in from the asteroids and anxious to set their fantasies into motion, most of which had been months in the making. Still others, like Nick Banner, were there merely to celebrate the payout of a six-week cargo run.

Like so many other freelance cargo pilots, Banner was the owner and sole operator of a small cargo ship. With cargo runs being long and lonely, it was common for some pilots to take a woman aboard. In essence, she needed a lift to his destination, and in exchange offered her companionship with all its connotations. Nick Banner wasn't interested in that kind of arrangement. Six weeks in space can be a big mistake when stuck with someone you don't happen to get along with.

He'd tried it once--shortly after he'd acquired the Victorious. It turned into a disaster and from then on he resolved to limit his women to port only.

Terra Four's port taverns, and the love-starved crewmen who frequented them, were no different now than they were on Earth a little over two centuries ago when the tall sailing ships would come to port. Just as it was then, an easy lay could always be found hanging around the port bars. Banner, however, had never known a time when he wasn't surrounded by women vying for his attention. He had never once paid for a woman's favors, and being with the same one for more than a couple of days didn't happen to be his idea of a good time.

He was barely twenty-one when he fell hopelessly in love with Linnae. So crazy in love, he turned his back on all the others, even walked away from the gaming tables and asked her to marry him. Blind to everything, he closed his mind to the ugly rumors going around about her.

"She's a whore, Nick! Damnit man, open your eyes; she's using you! Why can't you see that?"

More than once Nick's fist had split his older brother's lip for those very words. Even his friend, Zeke, had tried to dissuade him, but to no avail. Stubborn and hardheaded as they come, he had defended Linnae's honor right down to the bitter end, when he'd shown up unannounced one evening. As the door opened, Nick simply stood there in mute shock while a man scrambled about for his clothing. Drunk and giggling, Linnae tried to coax Nick to join the fun, but he turned and walked away. And in many ways was still walking.

He left home shortly thereafter. Setting out for a small, untamed world called Echo, he spent the better part of two years burying his heartache and anger in hard labor and life-threatening assignments. If nothing else, those years had taught him the meaning of being tough and living hard. He also earned damned good credits for his endeavors, and when he returned to civilization it was with a determination to live again.

The first thing he had done was place a hefty down payment on a small cargo ship, already christened the Victorious. Not long after that he formed a partnership with a drinking companion, Quint Kendyl. It was a business venture that entailed using Nick's ship to make short runs for a local courier. Eventually, however, the partnership failed due to conflict of interests between the two men.

Looking for bigger and better brought Nick to Terra Four when, operating under the name of Banner Enterprises, he picked up a variety of freight and mail runs within the sector.

By now he was over Linnae, though the scar of her betrayal ran deep. Vowing no one would ever own his heart again, he regarded women as nothing more than playthings, entertaining diversions to be used and left behind.

Nick Banner had been branded a hard case back then. Come payday he could usually be found bucking roulette at one of the local port dives, where he drank everyone under the table, fought half the security force with his bare fists, and generally wound up passed out in some woman's bed.

But that was then. Miraculously recognizing Nick's ingrained honesty and reputation as a hard worker, a man named Linc Sheldon took Nick under his wing. It was Sheldon who, in time, introduced Nick to Jonathan Loring.

Dan Garrett entered the doors of the dimly lit Star Cruiser. To his left, a brawl had broken out in the corner, and two men seated at a nearby table were taking bets on the winner. To Garrett's right, a group of inebriated coworkers were starting the next game of "Bounty".

"Hey, Garrett, come on over. You wanna get in on this? We've got room for one more." James Cleary had a stupid grin plastered on his face and eyes at half-mast. Four others in the same condition were poured into their chairs around the game table--full mugs of ale within easy reach. One of them absently shuffled a deck of cards while the others had already positioned their pawns on the holograph game board.

"Not tonight, Cleary. I'm looking for Banner. You seen 'im around?"

"Yeah, not more than thirty minutes ago," Cleary answered.

"'Ee's 'ere ... somewhere," one of the other men spoke up. "Lucky devil had two blondes hangin' on 'im." The man grinned, and then added, "Both of 'em clinging to 'im like shateries." With that, the men at the table burst into a round of raucous laughter. It seemed that the shateri was always the brunt of someone's joke. The small fur-bearing animal, found along the southern coastline of Terra Four's main continent, was not only known for its luxurious fur but was also notorious for its enthusiasm for procreation.

Garrett couldn't help but grin; their laughter was contagious. "Thanks, fellas. If you happen to see him again, tell him I'm looking for him."

Dan Garrett continued making his way through the crowd, his eyes intently sifting through a murky sea of smoke and faces. Finally he climbed a set of wide stairs that led to a mezzanine from which he could survey the entire main floor. The mezzanine was an extension of the bar, a balcony furnished with tables and chairs that completely encircled the room.

Garrett found an empty table near the balustrade, claimed it, and began methodically scanning the entire main level from his perch. Behind him several drunk and boisterous crewmen were engaged in singing a bawdy song. All around, people were drinking and laughing, either burying their fears and troubles or celebrating their good fortune.

Banner, who seemed to rarely have fears or troubles to bury, was drinking to his luck when Garrett's eyes finally locked onto him. Seated at a game table on the opposite side of the room, and true to form, Nick Banner was casually sprawled in his chair. All six-foot-four of him. From the smug grin tugging at the corners of his mouth and the stack of game chips at his elbow, there was little doubt who was winning.

There was an unconscious grace about Nick Banner. He always seemed to turn heads. In all honesty, Garrett was envious of Banner's magnetism and innate ability to attract women. Though they were traits he yearned to possess himself, he had resigned himself long ago to the fact that he simply didn't have it and never would.

Even the faded, scarred leathers that Banner wore would have looked shoddy on anyone else. But with his dark hair and hard, lean body the well-worn attire lent a primitively appealing air of danger.

Reaching for his mug of ale, Nick laid the winning cards on the table. He liked winning, but cleaning up on a table of drunken comrades wasn't much of a challenge, not to mention that it grated on his sense of fair play. It was time to call it quits. "Gentlemen, I believe this completes the game, and it looks like I win." He grinned and added, "Again."

A stunning brunette now stood at his back, both hands draped possessively over his shoulders as though she might lose him to another should she dare to let go. Leaning down, she whispered something in his ear that brought forth a crooked grin as he downed his last swallow of brew.

"Fellas, what can I say? I hate to win and run, but worse yet, I hate keeping a lady waiting. Here," he said, separating half of his winnings and tossing the coins back onto the table. "The drinks are on me." With that, the table burst into a round of boisterous cheers and Nick rose to escort his luscious companion to the nearest exit.

He no sooner began guiding her, his hand at the small of her back when ... "Hey Nick! Wait up!"

Banner turned to see Dan Garrett elbowing his way through the crowd.

"Garrett. What's up?"

"Loring wants to see you."

"Tell him I'll drop by first thing in the morning." He turned and resumed guiding his companion toward the exit.

"Nick. He means to see you. Now."

Groaning inwardly, Nick stopped short, turning to Garrett in exasperation. "And it just can't wait until tomorrow."

It was clear, from the look on Garrett's face that he was painfully aware of his ill timing. "Sorry Nick, but no. I wish I could tell you what it's all about, but I'd wager it's important."

With a heavy sigh of regret, Nick turned to the girl. Tightening his hold on her, he drew her near. "Baby..." he began, capturing her chin in a hold that was possessive, and yet gentle.

"Shali," she corrected. "My name's Shali."

Nick grinned. "Shali, honey..." Nuzzling against her ear he whispered something that brought an instant flush to her cheeks. Whatever he'd said was then thoroughly punctuated with a lusty kiss.

At last he turned to Garrett. "Let's get out of here 'fore I change my mind."

A landcraft waited outside the Star Cruiser for the 30-minute ride from Port Ireland to the headquarters of LorTech Equipment. The sleek, low-slung vehicle was a sporty two-seater model. Her shiny black exterior said she was new; the logo on her doors said she belonged to LorTech.

"Well, I see Jonathan finally broke down and replaced a few of those tired vehicles. How long have you had this?" Nick asked, running an appreciative eye over the smart new rig.

"About three months now." Garrett answered, fishing a remote from his pocket and entering a code. In response, both doors disengaged and slid silently backward to disappear into the rear quarter panel on each side.

Emitting a low whistle, Nick climbed in and continued his appraisal from the inside. The complex dash was a mini cockpit, loaded with options ranging from a host of digital readouts to a small rear display monitor. "Nice," he drawled approvingly as the control console snapped to life the instant Garrett's weight settled into the driver's seat.

Owned by Jonathan Loring, LorTech was a fast-growing research equipment company presently booming with a recent contract to supply equipment to Echo, a small and relatively unexplored rim world.

It was nighttime, and traffic was heavy at first, but thinned progressively the farther they traveled from the city. Soon the landcraft picked up speed and the landscape began whisking by in a blur. Patting his pockets, Nick found a thin cigar and lit it. Both men remained silent, each deep in his own thoughts.

The environment was particularly dreary, consisting mainly of processing plants and warehouses. Then the scenery gradually changed. The buildings became taller and seemed to stretch farther apart. Some had tanks attached to them. Others had pipes that ran from one building to the next. Eerie puffs of vapor rose from their stacks, illuminated by the surrounding floodlights.

Terra Four was a Class E planet, located within the Sector Five System. Its distance from Earth measured in time was roughly six weeks. Before Stellardrive, it had taken years to reach the Sector Five System.

First discovered around the turn of the century by an unmanned probe during Earth's so called "Race For Space" era, Terra Four was the fourth of five planets that were named for their likeness to Earth. Colonization didn't occur, however, until almost thirty-five years later.

The first settlement formed was a tiny mining colony, Port New America, nestled high in the Cascades, Terra Four's northernmost mountains. Eventually more colonists arrived; more settlements sprouted up, and with them various forms of livelihood developed. Ultimately, through economic evolution many small mining towns combined to create thriving cities. Port Ireland grew to become the largest and most advanced city on Terra Four.

Pulling up to LorTech's outside gates, Garrett flashed the required credentials to the guard and they were waived on through.

As Nick palmed the security lock at the main entrance to the massive complex, a hidden scanner began crosschecking his palm print, retinal and voice patterns with his stated identity. "Come on ... come on," he muttered, releasing an impatient sigh as they waited. As if prompted by his impatience a green light snapped to life on a small panel and the lock on the door clicked open. Nick wasted no time barging through. Garrett followed at his heels, trying to keep up with Banner's lengthy stride.

Taking the steps three at a time, Nick hastily made his way up a flight of stairs and down a long carpeted hallway until they finally came to a door with "Johnathan T. Loring, President" inscribed on it.

"Hi Lizzy," he muttered, striding through the reception area toward the inner office.

"Nick! Jonathan's been--Wait! I'll let him now you're--"

"Its okay darlin', I know my way in."

"Yes, but--"

Skipping formalities, Nick hit the pressure-plate and barged-in as the door opened into Jonathan's spacious office.

Loring's back was turned as he stood before a floor to ceiling glass wall overlooking the compound.

"Ah, Nick!" he said, whirling around. "Thank God he found you."

"Yeah. Your timing's impeccable."

"Have a seat. Please," Jonathan said, indicating one of two leather chairs in front his desk. At the same time he turned to Garrett, thanking and perfunctorily dismissing him.

Nick sank into a comfortable chair, planting one booted foot across the opposite thigh. "So, what's up?"

Taking his seat, Jonathan lifted an envelope off his desk and wordlessly handed it to Nick

Accepting the note, Nick held eye contact with his friend, assessing the indisputable mixture of terror and anger in the man's eyes. At last he withdrew the note from its envelope and began reading.

Mr. Loring, I overheard part of a conversation that could cost my life as well as those in my family. For that reason, I choose not to reveal myself, but I want you to know that your daughter's life may be in danger. I wish I had heard more, but I strongly suspect "The Leader" is behind this.

Without comment, Nick casually withdrew a slender brown cigar, lit it, and blew a lazy stream of smoke toward the ceiling where it was instantly ushered into the nearest vent. "I seem to be missing a few lines here, Jon. Maybe you'd better take this from the top. And who the devil's The Leader?"

Staring at Nick with blank eyes, Loring began. "That's just it; I'm not sure. There are several possibilities. Rumor has it there are at least two mega-corps that want total possession of Echo."

Maintaining eye contact with Loring, Nick took a slow drag from his cigar. "Just exactly who are these supposed corporations?"

Loring hesitated. "Hell, it's a rumor, Nick. Your guess is as good as mine."

"Then guess, damnit!"

A long moment of silence passed before Loring reluctantly offered a name. "Frontier Enterprises could be one."

"And?"

"These are just guesses, Nick. There's no way of--"

"And?" he persisted.

"Possibly ... Chase Explorations."

Nick examined his cigar intently, deep in thought as he watched smoke curl off the tip. "Chase Explorations," he mused. "Aren't they based out of Paragon?" What the devil are they doing clear out here, messin' around with a small rim world like Echo?"

"Howard Chase has become greedy over the years." Loring explained, dragging his hand through his thick hair. "His company has grown, but at the expense of others."

"So you figure Chase is The Leader?"

Loring shrugged. "It's possible. They've certainly managed to cut down most everyone in their way. It's known they want control of Echo, and LorTech is one of the few left in their path."

"Making you their target now. Right?" Not waiting for an answer, Nick lifted the note for emphasis. "Does she know about this?"

"Hell no. And that's the way it stays ... at least until I can get her out of here. Knowing Tressa, she would refuse to leave."

Reading the note over again, Nick stuck the cigar between his teeth, wincing against the smoke trailing up into his eyes. "So, what is it you want from me?"

Jonathan dragged in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Nick," he began, "I want you to take Tressa off-planet for me. Surely you know of some place where she will be safe until we find out what the hell this is all about."

One dark brow arched. "Me? It's a bit out of my line, wouldn't you say? Sounds like you need a hired gun. Not some randy cargo pilot traipsing all over the galaxy trying to find a safe place to stash--"

"Damnit, Nick, you're a hell of a lot more than just a cargo pilot and we both know it. "Besides," he added, "I don't need a hired gun. I'm not asking you to assassinate anyone. All I'm asking is that you get my daughter out of here until we can get to the bottom of this." Loring's voice eased off, betraying the depth of his feelings. "Believe me, if I thought there was anyone else..." He left the sentence hanging.

Nick calmly leaned forward, depositing a lump of ash into the ashtray on Loring's desk. "I'm not sure I'm your man for this, Jon," he said quietly. "Besides, I still have two deliveries yet to make. I can't just take off."

"I understand your position, Nick. Go ahead and make those deliveries. She wouldn't be a problem. I just need her out of here."

Nick tensed, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. Glancing away, he smiled in polite restraint. "We're talking about a chunk of time here," he said, turning back. "You aware of that?"

Three hellishly long weeks.

A frown creased Loring's brow and his gaze darkened as he slowly rose and moved from behind his desk. There was no misreading the grim look on his face as he came around to settle hip-shot upon the front corner of his desk. "Make no mistake," he began slowly, his tone laden with warning. "I know full well what I'm asking of you. Just as you do."

Loring's grave expression eased. "Besides, you seem to forget, I've always seen more in you than you see in yourself. If I didn't, believe me, I'd never entrust Tressie into your care for even so much as a single minute."

For a long span of silence Nick stared at the smoke trailing up from his cigar.

"Damnit man, it's my daughter!"

"And I'm telling you, you've got the wrong man." With his beautiful daughter, Loring didn't know how wrong.

"But you're the only one I trust. I know what you're thinking," he added, "and it might help to know that she's already spoken for".

Nick's eyes lifted to meet Loring's. "Oh yeah? Anyone I know?"

"He's new around here. Name's Sinclair--Look, I'm not saying it would be easy. You'll need to let her know who's boss right from the start. After that, she'll settle right in for you.

"Oh, and those rumors you've probably heard," he added, "Tressa has not inherited her mother's gift. Thank God."

Nick shot him a puzzled look but said nothing. It had been eight years since he had first walked through the doors of LorTech Equipment. Tressa was just a kid then. With her being away at school most of the time, their initial introduction had never progressed much beyond a nodding acquaintance. It had only been in the last six months that he remembered seeing more of her around the complex. She had definitely grown up. And along with it, her personality had changed from giggly to politely aloof.

He had heard of Jonathan's desire for Tressa to work at his side, so whether her aloof indifference was due to shyness, conceit or professionalism, it was hard to tell. At any rate, he had never lost sleep over it. Spoken for or not, she was Loring's daughter and that made her off limits under any and all circumstances--even if he was interested. Which he wasn't.

Now here he was, doomed to baby-sit this spoiled, liberated woman/child for how ever long it took. Worse yet, he would have to still be on speaking terms with her by the time they arrived at their destination--wherever the hell that was.

"Well?" Jonathan asked with an edge of desperation.

Doubt laced with irritation coursed through Nick. Leaning back, he unconsciously studied Loring, wishing like hell he could come up with some alternative. At last he released a compressed sigh. "So, when do we leave?"

Relief flooded Loring's face. "You'll do it then?"

"Under the circumstances I don't have a hell of a choice. I'll take her to Acacia. It's roughly a three-week voyage from here. That should buy you a little time. Delta will enjoy the company, and after I see Tressa safe, I'll do what I can to help."

"I'm thinking that it might not hurt for you to stay off-planet for a while yourself. If that electro blade had gone much deeper..."

Nick's entire left side still ached, a pain he had successfully been ignoring until Jon brought up the subject. For a brief moment he reflected on the night he'd been attacked. He had just finished loading a shipment into the hold. Turning to key-in the security, he had detected movement in the shadows and a glint off something metallic. He vaguely remembered whirling to ward off the attack, but too late to evade the thrust. Gut-wrenching pain began in his lower back and ripped up his side as he went down.

In that clouded moment, he had recognized one man. His ex-partner, Quint Kendyl.

The pain kept him semiconscious as he lay facedown on the scarred surface of the landing zone. And although he had been unable to distinguish little more than the grating edge of voices, there was no doubting the distinctive boots of the man who stood before him. "Kendyl" was the last thought that registered as he slipped into unconsciousness.

"Are you listening to what I'm saying?" Loring broke in.

Without comment Nick leaned forward to deposit another lump of ash into the ashtray.

"I was saying--that if..."

"Yeah, I heard you," Nick mumbled, shoving the cigar between his teeth. "I'll deal with it in my own way, Jon. I won't hide, if that's what you're suggesting."

Silence passed as Nick contemplated the plan. "I'm going to be up-front with you. No matter how careful we are, there's no guarantee that Acacia's going to be a safe haven. It's not common knowledge I'm from Acacia, but if someone gets to nosing around, it's on the security records. You have no way of knowing how big this operation is, or who's watching who."

"I'm aware of that." Jonathan relaxed. "Look, I know this won't be easy, but I'l see to it you won't regret it. I assure you there will be a double bonus in it for you." A smile tipped the corners of his mouth. "I'll even double your high-risk credits on this one."

"I'm not doing it for the bonus, Jonathan. Besides, you couldn't afford it, even if I were. And as far as regret is concerned," he grimly added ... "I started regretting, the minute I heard Garrett's voice." He fought down the mental image of Shali.

Ignoring Nick's cynicism, Jonathan continued, "Now I figure if you come back to the place with me, we can work out the details on the way. Then we can bring Tressie on back with us. Besides, I know Mary's going to want to meet you. Hell, she'll probably want to speak privately with you."

Oh great. Nick nearly groaned aloud "That ought to be real interesting. I just got into port, Jon. Look at me. I'm not only beat, I'm half-crocked."

Questioning his own sanity, Nick rubbed the back of his neck and tried to sort through his feelings. Having hit port three hours ago from a five-week run, he had spent the first hour and a half overseeing, as well as assisting in the unloading of cargo off his ship. He was tired, and the way he figured it, he should be getting drunk, counting his winnings and getting laid, in roughly that order.

Though past experience had taught Loring that Nick Banner was a man of his word, he looked at him for the first time since he had entered his office. Unshaven; worn leathers; his hair in serious need of a cut; he grimly admitted that Nick Banner looked every bit the rogue. Jonathan was certain Mary would not approve of Tressa leaving with him. In fact, he was tempted to question the wisdom of the plan himself.

Nick's eyebrow arched knowingly. "Second thoughts?"

"I haven't got time for second thoughts! I'll go on back and square things away at home. You, on the other hand, have exactly two hours to make yourself presentable. We'll meet you back at the Victorious at that time."

Swinging his feet down, Nick stood, crushed out his cigar and turned for the door. "You're the only one I'd do this for," he said, pausing briefly at the threshold.

"Yes, I realize I've called in my markers on this one, Nick."

"Damn right you have."