Ezel followed the direction of the ringing sound he heard and found the bunk were Lou had rested. No Lou however. If there was guards, surely they too would have made their way to the alarm sound. If that was Lou, he was here alone. He called out to Lou. Not shouting, still a fear some guard might be lurking. With no reply, he continued his search.

Making his way through level 23. Ezel could he some movement, he just could not place where it was coming from. Walking back and forth in a corridor. He done this several times trying to isolate the noise direction before noticing an access panel slightly askew. Opening the panel wider, identified the direction he needed to go. Exel entered and began his climb to level 24, the opened panel closing behind him.

Lou gathering up supplies and disarming the explosives he found, heard footsteps and dismissed them as imagination. He was the only one onboard. The clash of metal against metal when the panel closed. This was unmistakable and not something he imagined. There was someone else onboard. It was not good enough to isolate and blow me up, An assassin was sent to make sure the job was done too.

Lou made his way back to the climb space he exited when reaching level 24. He would have a minute or two before whoever it was reached the level. Positioning himself out of sight but ready to thwart any attack that might be made. Surprise was on his side now.

The panel on level 24 which was open, Lou had left the panels open, should he need to make a quick retreat. It began to open more. Watching obliquely from a room across the corridor. Lou watched as the shadow exited the panel. He couldn't see a weapon. The shadow became clearer. Lou thought he recognised the man before him. But, unsure which side he was on.

"Lou, Commander Lou" a whisper called out. "Are you here?" "Commander Lou, It's Ezel, Commander?"

Lou came out from his hiding spot. "Ezel, (still not sure of his alliance) Why are you here? You, we need to get of this ship or what is left of it. How did you get onboard? Ushering Ezel toward the pile of explosive he had collected on a hover trolley. He told Ezel about the explosives he had been collecting and the supplies he amassed in one of the loading bays.

Ezel told Lou of the communications break through with the natives. He told about the second planet. That these people were from a second star that orbits 195 degree's, Both planets are never in sight of each other.

Ezel suggested, this had been planned. With all these explosives the separation of the ship. Everything he knew told him this was planned and not just weeks ago. The sealing of from level 25 happened a long time before we arrived in the solar system.

Lou and Ezel continued to search level 23 for more explosives and any supplies they might find useful.

Commander. Do you think this is wise?

Wise, what do you mean?

Well they put all these explosives around. With what you have already. This explosion would be seen all over the solar system if not beyond.

Yes, and us to kingdom come with it.

Exactly, and if the explosion does not happen? What then? If they do not see an explosion. They will know you survive. Maybe we should make them think you are not.

After a long discussion. Lou and Ezel began to put the explosives back and arm them again. On completion they made their way back to the loading bay with the runabout. Here they would discuss the plan among the three of them. Lou Ezel and the additional pilot, Koons.

It had been hours since that alarm went off. Koons thought Ezel should probably have been back by now. Koons had listed all of the items in the loading bay. The only thing of major importance not there is water purification tablets. He had also set the runabout on charge. All of this stuff, would take more than 2 trips.

Koons had the runabout just about loaded with various items when he heard Ezel shout out to him. Poking her head out of the runabout. "Great you found him". We can work on getting off this ship and back to the planet.

Almost replied Ezel. We have a couple of problems.

Problems? you found the commander. We have supplies, mission accomplished.

Lou: Well the ship is set to blow by explosives.

Koons: Well all the more damn reason to get off. Unless... Koons trailed off.

Lou/Ezel. Unless?

TBC...