I stood in the suite of rooms overlooking the rocky, desert world of Schedar. Two years I'd spent on this inhospitable world' waiting for word on Wil's fate. For two years, my diplomatic status was politely ignored whenever I tried to get information on Wil. As long as I dealt with any other topic, I had all of the cooperation I could ask for from General Morningstar.

It was time to go. I'd wasted too much time waiting. Wil was either dead, or he was gone. In either case, their future was dismantled and I needed to return to my own world and life.

Home. The thought rippled pleasantly through my body as if I were a harp string plucked by an angel. As the idea resonated through my thoughts, a small voice murmured that my departure must not be known to the General or anyone inside the agency.

Escape. The word brought a quick shiver skittering down my spine. My senses all screamed that secrecy was needed if I would ever get off Schedar alive. There hadn't been any over threats, and yet, intuition told me that since we'd arrived, I'd never been truly free. If I tried to leave openly, it was doubtful I'd get very far. I cannot explain it other than to say part of me knew I was a prisoner.

When had she given up on Wil?s return? No tears now threatened to fall. The past two years had somehow managed to deaden the pain she should have felt. She?d loved Wil; that much was certain, but now that seemed a lifetime ago. Her heart was in accord with her brain, and she now accepted that her life was no longer tied to Wil?s life. The realization was hollow, but missing was the acute pain she?d expected to feel.

Azjah?s thoughts whirled. Covering over 970 light years in the ?Dragon? wasn?t possible; however, leaving her behind wasn?t possible either. She studied her surroundings. There was very little she needed to take along. The small amount of travel needs would give the illusion of a short hop or brief visit and not a wholesale abandonment of her accommodations.

She packed a small bag and changed into her flight suit. A couple of day trips first to feel out the climate for her traveling and how closely she was being watched. Azjah smiled, ?a couple of ?trade? flights should tell the tale, and tip the Agency?s hand.?

It felt so good to be doing ?something? again. Her heart beat as quickly as a bird in flight as she headed for the docking bay where her beloved ?Dragon? waited. The ship gleamed in the lighting of the docks. The hull shone with radiance of a polished mirror as Azjah reached out to touch the cold silver just as an Agency man came trotting down the ramp toward her.

?Excuse me, but that?s a private vessel. May I help you?? He was apparently unaware that the intruder into the docking bays was the owner of the ship.

She turned with a smile, ?Oh yes, I know she?s privately owned. I own her.? Azjah wondered if the agent really didn?t know her, or if he was simply playing dumb to put her off guard. The Agency was expert at lies and misinformation. She?d learned that the hard way through Wil.

The Agent paused about a meter in front of her, ?My apologies ma?am, but I?ll need to see your identification and flight orders before I can let you go any further.? His uniform was crisply pressed and not a wrinkle marred the fitted material. His name was pinned over his pocket, and Azjah recognized his rank insignia as the equivalent of a corporal on Rigel.

She set down her travel bags and decided to play along. Two could play at innocence in this game of wits. ?Ah, my apologies, do I require flight orders as a visiting dignitary? Colonel Savage never told me about those you see.? She made a show of patting herself down as though trying to find her orders or identification.

The Agent flinched ever so slightly. ?Ahh, Colonel Savage may not have been aware. Let me see about assisting you with the paperwork.? He murmured briefly into his throat mic before meeting her innocent gaze, ?What is your destination Marchioness??

The flight went smoothly, no need for the General to tip his hand since it was a logged flight. She stuck to the flight itinerary and returned 2 days later.

She decided to do a series of runs, let them get used to her being out and about.....

She worked at it for weeks, testing, checking, following and being followed, and then her opportunity came.... Azjah and the Dragon headed into the inky blackness of space.... Nu Ceti was a memory.