Radu landed hard, on grass of all things. Feeling the prickly tufts beneath his hands, he was reminded of how long it had been since he'd been on a planet's surface.

He pushed himself off the ground, stood up, and began searching for his companions. He found them a short distance away, investigating their landing sight. Harlan Band and Catalina were gazing around at the woodland around them.

Harlan drew near and asked him, "You okay?" At his nod, the Earther ventured again, "Can you still communicate with the Surola?"

Focusing his thoughts, Radu mentally called out, Elmira???

Hearing nothing for several seconds, he was about to try again when he heard Radu?

He sighed with relief, then told the others the good news.

"Ask her where we are," Cat urged. "And when, for that matter." He complied, and Elmira answered, San Francisco, 2225. You should be in some sort of park.

Where is Goddard?

He ought to be around there somewhere. I think I sent you to about...a day before the murder.

You think!?!

It's very difficult to be certain. All I have to go on are vague feelings and intuition.

Though it was only thought-speak, she sounded rather bitter.

The thought occurred Radu that she'd never have doubted herself aloud that way. It struck him then that he'd called her by name earlier. He reminded himself not to get too comfortable. A Spung was still a Spung, no matter who's side she was on. They would not be on a first name basis.

"Seth, young man, you come back here!" echoed a voice from across the park. Radu caught sight of a young boy dashing through the woods.

"Is that him?" Cat asked. When neither of them responded, she remarked, "Then I'm going to find out. We're not going to save the universe by standing here." She started after the boy. "Catch you later!" she called over her shoulder.

"Cat, wait up!" called Harlan as he chased after her.

Radu sighed, mumbled something about 'amateurs', and then set off after them, knotting his hair at the base of his neck to cover his inhuman ears.

He caught up with Harlan fairly swiftly, but Catalina was another matter. They searched for nearly half an hour, before finding her engaged in a lively conversation with the young boy.

"I didn't mean to say those things, I swear I didn't," the boy declared.

"I know you didn't mean it, but your father doesn't," Cat said soothingly. "If you'll just apologize, I'm sure he'd forgive you."

"I can't. I'm never going back. Ever. They'll yell at me."

"Maybe they will, but there are worse things in life than being yelled at." Much worse, she thought. Cat would have given anything for parents to be yelled at by.

As the boys listened, Harlan inadvertently stepped on a twig.

Immediately, she jumped up. "Who's there?"

The two stepped forward, sheepishly.

"Oh, hi guys," said Catalina, completely at ease.

"Who're they?" asked the boy, distrustfully.

"These are my friends," She said, then proceeded to introduce them. "And this is-" she began.

"Seth Goddard," he interrupted. At this, Catalina grinned smugly, then mouthed the word 'bingo' to them.

Harlan pulled her aside. "What's going on?" he asked, anxiously.

"Goddard was on a vacation with his family. Everything was fine, until he got into a little argument with his father. He ran away and now he's determined to make his parents worry themselves sick about him."

Radu joined them as she spoke. "Away from his family, without protection, it'll be easy for Reaver to snatch him."

"We'll protect him," Harlan promised.

"By ourselves? They've got a whole planet behind them. What do we have? An Andromedan and a couple of blasters?" Catalina skepticised. "We have to convince him to go back."

"Are you guys done yet?" came Goddard's voice from beyond their circle.

"Yes!" the three answered simultaneously. They moved over to sit by him.

"Listen kid," Harlan began, "It's been fun, but you should really get back to your parents. I'm sure they're worried about you by now."

"So what. I've argued with my dad about a million times and I'm sick of it. I just need a little time on my own."

"The universe is a dangerous place. You could get hurt out there."

"C'mon, we're on Earth, one of the safest planets in the quadrant. What's going to happen? There hasn't been a murder here in over a decade." Seth waved his hand dismissively.

The three travelers exchanged worried glances. This wasn't looking good.

"Could I hang out with you guys for a while?" Seth questioned.

They agreed wholeheartedly. If the boy wasn't in the protective circle of his family, at least they would be able to guard him.

Then, Seth asked a question which prompted another set of furtive looks. "Where are we going now?"

"Uh...we'll go to where we always go when we're in town," Cat spoke, thinking fast. "Harlan, you know the one."

"Oooh, right, the place, sure. We'll go there."

Radu looked back and forth between them. "What place do you--ohhfft," he broke off painfully, as Harlan discreetly kicked him in the shins. "Oh, that place. Great. Let's just go there. Yeah." He led the small group blindly out of the forest, none of them having any clue where they were going.

---

Rose Ianni paced back and forth across the small ship. It was a very un-Mercurian thing to do. Of course, Rose was not an ordinary Mercurian.

"Why aren't they back yet? Are you sure they're all right? If anything happens to him, I swear, I'll-"

"I assure you, they are fine," Elmira broke into Rose's ramblings. "This will take time though. I talked to your leader a few minutes ago, and they've found Goddard. They also think they have found a safe place to wait out Reaver's attack."

"Sure, they have," came a voice from behind them. Rose turned, to see the Uranian boy. She tried to remember his name, Ben, or Biron or something. He continued, seemingly oblivious to their less- than-friendly greeting.

"Keeping someone safe from a space pirate can't be easy."

"Thank you for your input," Rose glared, coolly. "And in the future, Surola, I'd like you inform me when you communicate with Radu.

Elmira nodded curtly, reminding herself forcefully that she was not in charge here. "I shall endeavor to do so," she replied, just as icily. "I merely wa--." She stopped, suddenly apprehensive. Something was wrong, something with Radu. She felt the familiar tingling of intuition in the back of her mind. Radu? she called mentally. Then, with more urgency, Radu!?! Answer me!!!

But there was none. Her only reply was the cold silence of the room.

---

Radu sat with his companions in the corner of a quiet diner. They'd wandered there absently, making their way out of the park. They had decided that Reaver wouldn't attack them in such a public place. Radu just prayed that it wouldn't backfire on them.

The Andromedan looked around them unceasingly, his eyes roaming the room, constantly in motion. He was determined not to be taken by surprise. It would have been much easier, had he known what the space pirate looked like.

"So...where are you guys from?" The question startled him, before he realized that it had come from Goddard.

"Uhhh...," he started.

"Well...," Catalina said nervously.

"Los Angeles," Harlan interrupted smoothly.

Praising Harlan's knowledge of Earth cities silently, Cat nodded profusely.

"So why are you here?"

"We're on vacation," the Saturnian told him quickly.

"Oh," Seth nodded. "So am I. Or at least, I was. Where are you staying?"

"We haven't decided yet," Harlan answered.

They continued to evade his questions until Harlan felt a hand clamp secure on his shoulder. He heard a raspy voice next to his ear, whispering, "You!?! Meddling kids. What are you doing here?" Harlan tried to turn, but found he could not. The hand held him firmly to his seat. "I suppose it doesn't matter anyway. You're all coming with me."

Harlan stared at the others. Their eyes were practically bulging out of their respective heads. "You must be Reaver," he murmured.

"No kidding," he said sarcastically. "Now get up."

They stood quietly, even Seth, who obviously didn't understand what was happening.

Harlan was finally allowed to turn. In front of him stood a balding, middle aged man with several wicked scars criss-crossing his face. The whole effect was topped off by a derisive smile.

"Who is this guy?" Seth questioned, confused.

"Don't you recognize me, old buddy? Oh, but that's right, we haven't met yet. Well, then, this is your lucky day. C'mon." As he gestured for them to leave, Harlan caught sight of something in his hand. Some form of crude miniature blaster.

Shoot! This would make it much harder to escape him.

They complied with the space pirate's commands, albeit reluctantly. Out of the restaurant and into the street they went, walking rigidly. Harlan searched for people to aid them, but the streets were remarkably empty. Reaver carried the gun openly now. As they passed an alley, the pirate ordered them into it. So that was his game. Harlan had a feeling he knew where this was going. And he knew that he'd do anything to prevent that from happening.

He pretended to stumble, falling into Seth, who was walking ahead of him. Simultaneously, he kicked backward at Reaver, praying that his aim was true. He felt his foot connect with something solid, then struggled to maintain his balance. He righted himself, then turned to land another blow, only to discover that it wasn't necessary. Radu had tackled the pirate as soon as he went down. As they struggled, the Earther grabbed Goddard. "Run!" he told him. " As fast as you can and as far as you can."

"No way! I'm not leaving you here."

"I'll be right behind you, kid." Harlan shoved the boy towards the street.

Taking the older boy at his word, Seth began to run.

"Just as soon as I take care of things here," Harlan murmured after him. He turned to Cat, to find her using her sonic scream on Reaver. The pirate had struggled to his feet and was approaching them. She'd succeeded in stopping him, for the time being, anyway. The pirate lurched backwards, his hands over his ears.

Catalina ran out of air and stopped to draw another breath.

"Cat," he said quickly, "Get out of here!"

"You get out of here, Harlan! Follow Seth. He's the only thing that's important right now. I can't hold Reaver off forever, and I don't know how much help Radu'll be."

Harlan caught a glimpse of the Andromedan's crumpled form in the shadows of the dark alley. He squinted, but couldn't tell whether or not he was breathing.

Cat let out another sonic scream, blasting the pirate back another few feet, then panted, "Go! I'll be all right. Find Goddard. For all our sakes!"

Harlan took one last look at her, pleading with his eyes, then began to run, hating himself for doing what he knew to be the right thing. At the mouth of the alley, he turned one last time and shouted to his love, "I'll find you!"

And then he was gone.


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Time's Arrow, part 3