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what’s the point?”
    “The Tribes couldn’t conquer Dominus, so they destroyed it. They believe that any independence or freedom is a threat to their
     authority.”
    “So if a world isn’t an ally of the Tribes, they’re an enemy?”
    Eyes grim, he nodded. “In one instant, they killed billions.”
    He must have lost family, friends, and coworkers. No wonder he was bitter.
    Resisting his magnetism when she was angry was difficult; resisting when she felt sympathy was almost impossible. “Oh, Jordan.
     I’m so sorry.”
    She wanted to reach out and hold him. Just hold him. Even though they’d been physical in the most intimate sense, this wasn’t
     a relationship. Couldn’t be.
    She couldn’t forget he’d lied to get the job as chief engineer, lied about being Chen. He was good at spinning tales.
    As if sensing her doubts, Jordan actually volunteered information. “I joined Arthur to stop the Tribes. We almost succeeded.”
    “Almost?”
    “There’s an ancient galactic legend that says that when the Ancient Staff and the Holy Grail are united, only then will the
     Tribes fall. By the time Arthur found the Holy Grail on Earth, the Ancient Staff had been stolen from me.”
    “That Staff?” She pointed at the
Draco’
s power source.
    He nodded. “I recovered it on a world the Tribes had enslaved.”
    “Where did the Staff come from originally?”
    “Dominus.”
    “And you needed the
Draco
to unite the Staff with the Grail?”
    He nodded.
    “How did you pay for your half of this ship?”
    “The city of Barcelona runs on solar power. But remember a few months ago when atypical rain caused rolling brownouts?”
    “What of it?”
    “I sold them power.” He jerked his thumb at the Staff.
    That would explain his having the funds, but she still had doubts. “Don’t you think it’s a tad dangerous to bring that Staff
     into Tribe territory? They already have the Grail. According to your legend, if they steal the Staff again, they win.”
    “Uniting the Staff and the Grail is the only way to defeat them.”
    She shook her head. “There’s always another way.”
    “Captain,” Tennison interrupted as he floated around the threshold. “The engines look okay. Sean thinks they just overheated
     but aren’t damaged. Gray said if you restore the power, we can recharge and turn the gravity back on.”
    “Good work.”
    Kneeling, Jordan pressed the crystal at the top of the Ancient Staff and the artifact began to hum and glow. He’d told her
     it didn’t have an off button, but clearly he could adjust the flow of energy. But it was hard to think. Her scales undulated.
     Her breasts ached.
    God, no. Not again. She couldn’t afford to have her mind clouded by lust. Dealing with Jordan was difficult enough without
     the added complications of sex. But her blood stirred. Her pulse kicked up a notch.
    She stared at the Grail. “What’s going on? What is that thing doing to us?” she asked.
    “I’m not sure.” He shot her a piercing look. “You aren’t telepathic, are you?”
    “If I could have read your mind, I would have stopped you from launching the
Draco
.” And she would have avoided ending up in that engine room with him. Avoided this desperate wanting.
    “Turn down the power,” she whispered, trying not to sound as if she was begging.
    “I can’t.” A shadow crossed his face. “We need everything we’ve got to power the
Draco.
”

All that we are is the summation of our experiences and thoughts.
    —K ING A RTHUR P ENDRAGON
4

    L et’s get the hell away from here.” Jordan stalked from the engine room. After over fifteen hundred years of mostly solitary
     endeavors, he now had to become accustomed to working with others. But being around Vi was a major problem.
    For one thing, she was independent and accustomed to doing things her own way. For another, every time he came near her, he
     recalled her vivid memories from her mother’s birthday. Her excitement. Her childish