nner felt the breath catch at his throat. "Am I going to die?"

The doctor shook his head firmly. "No. The disease, though incurable,
need not be fatal. There are some fairly effective medicines, and at
final need, surgery. But until we can reduce the swelling, you must
avoid all further stress."

He started to reply that this was impossible, but checked himself,
fighting off his fears at the unknown malady, and trying to reverse the
negative mind-set in which he found himself immersed. Somehow he must
find a way. If not for himself, then for Ara.

Being Commander of a Battle Group was not the same as commanding a
single vessel. The ship had its own captain as well, and he was not
needed for day-to-day functions. So he thanked the doctor, received
the new medication and withdrew.

He gave temporary command to his Executive Officer, saying he would
return in three days---his doctor had advised two weeks---went to his
quarters and slept, hard as it was, avoiding drugs and self-pity when
possible. He spent time in the library reading, or (on his cabin's
viewscreen) observing quietly and without interference the interaction
of his staff upon the bridge---learning, letting life take its course
as it led them into battle. So effortlessly.

Occasionally he spoke with Joyce, still leader of the Soviet presence,
though he detected a new coolness in the Russian's tone and manner,
which increased as they drew nearer their objective. He thought he had
an idea what this might mean, but it was not for him to act or pass
judgment upon. Four hundred lives were now entrusted to his care, as
well as some small part in the eventual overthrow of the Alliance, and
subsequent liberation of his home. He had no illusions about being on
the side of good, but only being caught up in the insanity of war---the
pinnacle of man's inhumanity to man.

If this overthrow and liberation could be accomplished, if she was
still there on Athena, he would build his life on new foundations. If
only she was there.

And he could survive until then.

..............................................

HEARTS OF FIRE

The battle of Rembrandt/van Gogh saw the most bitter fighting of the
entire war. Even at Schiller, where the Coalition pilots were forced
to continue a battle they could not win, after perhaps the first three
hours came the grim realization, the last human outlet, that death
awaited them. Here there was n