Hasimir confirms that he can read minds and explains that he kept his gifts secret as he felt to do otherwise would put the rest of the cadre at risk. As his power requires touch Lawrence notably starts wearing gloves at all times.
They continue to make preparations to launch the ship, recruiting crew (hiring both Albert and Biggs to share the pilot and navigation responsibilities) and equipping a group of fifteen Muster mercenaries with shotguns and plasteel half-plate to act as ship security and boarding parties. Mort has organised engineers and computechs but he and Biggs have had run ins as the pilot wants access to engineering to check configurations for himself. Biggs asks Lawrence to intervene on his behalf.
During a review of preparations with Arcadia over lunch on the following day Lawrence notices she is wearing a Hawkwood signet ring. He challenges her on it and she simply says she "acquired it" and offers to get him one. He declines but his and Hasimr's suspicions are aroused.
Keolang the Vorox is taking his role of "Security chief" very seriously and has taken to patrolling (prowling) the ship. While padding around near the starboard cargo bay he hears a slight and unusual noise. Investigating he finds that a cell in the brig is occupied. In it is a frail and obviously viciously beaten Hawkwood maiden. She tells him she is Lady Amanda and begs to be freed. She has no idea why she was abducted or by whom.
Above: Beauty & the Beast?
Seeking to understand why "weak woman" is there, Keohlang goes to speak with Sir Hasimir. Hasimir is shocked by the news and visits the Lady. She doesn't trust him but he manages to learn that she was a guest at the function at the Cathedral and was abducted from the reception by Arcadia. The Torenson knight goes straight to find Arcadia who is working out in the sparring room. They argue, with Arcadia dismissing Hasimir as a lackey who has ideas above his station and he retorting by saying that her actions are putting them all at risk. She says that she acted out of revenge but plans to possibly ransom the lady (she is well known as a dancer, performer and much loved philanthropist), Hasimir continues to deride her plan though stating that she has become a liability. He threatens to through her from an airlock when they leave the planet and she suggests that if he wants to kill her he ought to step up and do it now; implying she still sees him as a foppish fool.
Sir Hasimir goes to update and confers with Lawrence. Lawrence is non committal, saying that they should kill "her" but purposefully leaving it ambiguous as to which lady he means. He then leaves the room to try to give himself deniability.
Above: The conspirators plot Arcadia's downfall
Hasimir takes Keohlang off to instruct him in what to do but seems torn and indecisive, at which point Lawrence returns, interrupting and pushing them to action. Lawrence and Hasimir free Lady Amanda, masking her so she doesn't see their faces and abandoning her some way off the ship to be found by others. Meanwhile Keohlang, under Hasimir's orders locates Arcadia, surprises her and with a single charging blow overloads her shield and mortally wounds her. He finishes her and takes an eye from her corpse as a trophy.
Above: Dame Arcadia's final moments
Once he is sure the deed is done Hasimir organises the clean up, taking Arcadia's shield and searching her rooms before incinerating her corpse.
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