The Dark Lady

opportunity of obtaining it.”
    “You will obtain money when Tai Chong pays you for the Mallachi painting.”
    He shook his head. “That will barely be enough to refuel the ship.” He paused. “I wasn't raised to mingle with the common herd, Leonardo. It may be unpleasant, but there it is: I require money to maintain the quality of my life.”
    “And what about the quality of her life?” I demanded.
    “She was in a prison cell when we found her,” he said. “What kind of quality was that?”
    “For whatever reason, she was there voluntarily,” I pointed out. “You are doing this against her will.”
    “You're becoming tiresome, Leonardo,” he said. “I liked you much better when you were completely subservient.”
    “I cannot stand by silently and let you do this to a lady. ”
    He arched an eyebrow. “Would it be different if she were a man?”
    “It would still be immoral.”
    “But you wouldn't be as upset?”
    “It is a heinous crime no matter who the victim is,” I said emphatically.
    “But worse if it's a woman?”
    “All females are sacred.”
    “That's a strange world you come from,” he said.
    “It is my world,” I responded. “I believe in it, and I cherish it.”
    “Well, next time we're in this situation, I'll be certain to kidnap a man,” said Heath. “In the meantime, the subject is closed.”
    “The subject is not closed,” I said. “I must make you understand what a terrible crime you are contemplating.”
    “The subject is closed,” he said firmly. “Or am I going to have to put you in the Deepsleep chamber again?”
    I realized that I could be of no service to the Dark Lady were I to continue arguing, so I meekly agreed, and waited until he fell asleep a few hours later. Then I silently entered her compartment to inform her of Heath's intentions.
    It was empty.
    I examined the interior of the small ship and could find no trace of her, and finally I woke Heath.
    “What are you talking about?” he demanded as he got up off his bunk. “People don't just vanish from a spaceship! Where is she?”
    “She is gone,” I said.
    “Gone where?”
    “I do not know.”
    “We'll see about this!” he muttered, walking rapidly to her compartment. He practically tore it apart, even looking beneath the bunk and in the undersized closet. This done, he proceeded to the control room, the storage area, the lavatory, and back to the galley.
    “What the hell is going on here?” he demanded. “Computer— activate!”
    “Activated,” announced the computer. “Waiting... ”
    “How many sentient entities are currently aboard the ship?”
    “Two.”
    “Have any of the hatches been opened since we left Acheron?”
    “No,” answered the computer.
    “Is there any way we could have jettisoned the Dark Lady without our knowing it?”
    “No.”
    “Has she made any effort to leave the ship?”
    “No.”
    “Then what has become of her?” asked Heath.
    “I do not know,” said the computer.

PART 3

    The Man Who Wanted It All

13.
    Heath came in from the wooden deck that overlooked the snow-covered mountains, rubbed his hands together vigorously, and walked over to the bar.
    “Beautiful day!” he enthused. “A bit nippy, but beautiful.”
    “If you find it cold, why do you go out?” I asked without much interest.
    “Do you know what this place cost me?” he said with a laugh. “All the realtor could talk about was the climate and the view. Well, the climate may be lacking from time to time, but the view is positively spectacular.”
    “How much longer must we stay here?”
    “Leonardo, there are people who would give their eyeteeth to have a mountain chalet on Graustark. Just relax and enjoy yourself.”
    “Have you heard from your lawyers yet?” I asked.
    “They've still got another government official or two to enrich,” he explained. “Everything's coming along beautifully. Another day or two, three at the most, and we can go back to Charlemagne.”
    “I do not want to go back to Charlemagne.”
    “Then you can stay here.”
    “It has been nine days since we left Acheron. I must go back to work.”
    “We diverted to Graustark because Tai Chong told you to relax for a few days.”
    “I thought it was because you are hiding from the authorities,” I said.
    “That is another reason,” he agreed wryly. “Still, as long as you're here, why not try to get into the spirit of it?”
    “Must we go through all this again?” I asked wearily.
    “No, of