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safe distance away.
    As a matter of fact, Jarek did have some memories that were rapidly sharpening into focus as the medications Chase had given him wore off. A pretty, heart-shaped face dominated by vivid blue eyes; a wealth of ebony hair, tangling in his fingers as he explored smooth flesh…
    "He remembers, all right," Chase interjected. "His heart rate just went up."
    "Yeah, that's an interesting expression on your face, Captain," Blake teased.
    Jarek forced his thoughts away from the sensual images of the woman and his shock upon discovering she was a virgin. He could sort out those events later. "Let's stay with issue of me being shot," he suggested. "The being that did it—human? Male?"
    Blake nodded. "Both. I took off the mask before we disposed of the body. And there's something else."
    Jarek already knew, if his recollection was correct. "He was a Shielder," he guessed.
    "Yeah, the bastard was a renegade," Blake growled, fury sparking in his eyes. He hated those Shielders who turned against their race for profit almost as much as Jarek did. "Must have figured to sneak up on you while you were…occupied."
    "I wasn't occupied when the attack came. I was standing near the entry panel, and—" Jarek looked around the group, urgent concern gnawing at him. "I didn't sense the man's presence until he was on me."
    "That can't be right," Sabin protested. "You're the most sensitive Shielder I know. You would have sensed another one of your kind a hundred meters away."
    "I picked up an unusual energy emission twice before that," Jarek mused. "It wasn't Shielder energy, but it threw me. The projection was brief both times. I wonder if it somehow blocked me from sensing the attacker."
    "I don't like the sound of that at all," Blake said grimly. "That could mean the Controllers have found some way to neutralize our mind shields."
    "I'm not sure this had anything to do with the Controllers," Jarek said slowly. "It felt like a natural energy, not a jamming frequency."
    "I still don't like it," Blake persisted.
    "The whole situation is strange," Celie pointed out. "What about the fact Jarek got shot in the gut, and not only survived four hours until we reached Chase, but his wound practically healed itself?"
    They shook their heads in amazement, looking toward Chase, who shrugged. "I have no way of explaining it. I suggest we give thanks to Spirit, the ultimate healer."
    "Jarek," Celie said slowly. "There's something else I need to tell you. I'm wondering if it might be related to that Shielder shooting you."
    Her tone told Jarek he wouldn't like the news. "What is it?"
    "The Controllers have offered a reward of ten thousand miterons for your live capture. Apparently, they want to "talk" with you before they execute you. They've offered five thousand if you're brought in dead. They've posted holograms of you on every major planet and star base, and on all agent downloads."
    Blazing hells. Now every soldier and shadower and renegade Shielder in the quadrant would be looking for him. Jarek battled anger and a sense of futility. This latest development meant he was running out of time. He wasn't afraid of death, but there was so much left to do. And he could never allow himself to be taken alive; he knew too much.
    "How in the Fires did they get your hologram?" Sabin asked.
    "Probably when I was arrested on Intrepid five seasons back. That was the time you bailed me out, Sabin. The Controllers didn't know who I was then, but I'm sure there were plenty of renegades willing to enlighten them. Once they figured it out, they found the hologram in the file. Damn!"
    "What will you do?" Nessa asked, her face pale.
    Chase slid an arm around her and gathered her protectively to his side. It was a gesture Jarek had seen often, a positive reminder that she was well loved. This time, however, it only served to remind him he was utterly alone, despite this circle of family and friends. The suffocating weight of his responsibilities—the fate of