Moonbeams and magic by Janelle Taylor Page B

either Sen or Kalfa, contacts Starla had mentioned. Those men must have suppHed the data base password to the Icarian and may have double-checked Dagan Latu's identity and discovered he had a lengthy file, confirming his claims. He had expected to be examined thoroughly, but thanks to precautions, To-char knew only what he wanted the man to learn.
    Dagan pressed a button on the device to block detection of his out-going signal and transmitted a message to the man who had sent him there, though he also had a personal reason for wanting to see Tochar slain. Before he could see to that, he had to earn the trust of the leader and his band; that was the only way he could get close enough with a weapon to carry out that daring feat.
    Dagan didn't need to ask for information about Tochar; he was well acquainted with the man's history and now, thanks to a beautiful pirate, abreast of his present. He requested information on Starla Vedris and Yana of Asisa, as either or both could become complications for him. With the aid of his secret contact and the man's access to the I-GAF computer network, all he needed were their fingerprints to learn everything about them that use of their names didn't provide. Of course, obtaining those prints could be difficult and entertaining, but he was looking forward to it. Until he received replies on the females, Dagan decided, he would study and deceive both women to determine which, if either, unknowingly could help him achieve his goal.
    Eight deegas later as Dagan and Starla awaited the impending raid in the Adika's meeting compartment, Dagan glanced at their attire and down at their hands. "Why were we told to wear I-GAF uniforms and imprint these fake badges on the backs of our hands?" he wondered. "Though I admit, they do look convincing. Even if false markings

    were put on Auken's ship, our target shouldn't halt or allow us to board her without the correct hailing frequency and watchword."
    From the comer's of her eyes, Starla had noticed how appealing Dagan Latu was in that deep-blue uniform which matched the color and potency of his gaze. The snug garment, all-powerfiil badge, and illustrious image of an Inter-Galactic Alliance Force officer suited him perfectly. She found herself aroused and wishing the implication was true; then, he would be someone worthy of taking home to meet her family, someone within reach as a mate, someone she could team up with to defeat Tochar. He wasn't, so she cast those foolish fantasies aside and ventured an answer to his query, "Probably because Tochar knows them; he has ways of acquiring even the most secret and guarded information."
    Dagan sensed her keen study of him, but he couldn't think about how tempting she looked or how he affected her. He had to quell his hunger for her and concentrate on his goal, so he continued questioning. "How? From whom?"
    Starla shrugged. "I have no idea; they don't reveal such things to me."
    "Why were we ordered to stay in here while we approach our target?"
    "I suppose because there are things Tochar doesn't want us to see or hear. Perhaps he's afraid if we learn his secrets, we won't need him."
    "That's logical and wise, but I don't like being kept in the shadows and maybe mistrusted when my life and payment are on the line. It makes me uneasy."
    "Me, too, but if you want to stay in Tochar's hire, don't complain about or question his orders. You were given that advice, correct?"
    He nodded. "How long does it take to be trusted and accepted fully?"
    "I've been with them for over three malees, but I'm sit-

    ting here as ignorant as you, so wouldn't you agree I'm still being tested? For certain, if they promote a newcomer to the inner circle before me when I've earned that rank, I'm gone from Tochara." That should convince you of my alleged identity and my motive for joining and staying in that fiendal^ band.
    Before Dagan could express an opinion, the door slid open and Auken instructed them to go to the transporter room.