While the Aurora B was being unloaded by many willing hands from Bakari's ship, Aquilla wandered round the battered salvage vessel, headed for the cramped area which passed for the Bridge. As he had hoped, the Captain, Jake Hawkins was there alone, examining some paperwork. "Jake, I need to take a look at the remote control mechanism for the Smart Bullets."

Jake immediately looked up. "Why's that, matey? Somehow I detect treachery or trickery, perhaps you'd better tell me which?"

Aquilla explained about his deal with Livius to protect him from the Smart Bullets he was currently selling Bakari and his associates. Jake grinned. "As it happens, I have the SB's stowed in my quarters, being the safest place. I can let you re-program them now if you like...for fifty percent of the gold you took from that Eden planet."

"Fifty percent! You have SO got to be kidding Jake." Aquilla considered the option of doing nothing. But that would lead to Bakari's untimely end, and something somehow reminded him of Aiko, perhaps when Jake had mentioned the Eden. He felt sure that the woman would expect him to keep his word. So..."OK I'll give you nothing less than thirty percent, you pirate."

"Make it forty?"

"Thirty five that's final."

"OK then. You can let me have the gold shortly, just add it to the payment for the weapons. Now you will just have time to re-program the Smart System before they finish unloading."

As the Captain led the way to his quarters, Aquilla laughed. "I see Meg's chatting to that Bakari! Can't you control her Jake, she's such a flirt!"

"Tell me about it." Jake led the way into his quarters, de-coded a lock on his safe, and handed Aquilla a small remote control with a system box. "Every planet we land on she's off after someone else. I hope Bakari knows how to look after himself!"

Laughing, Aquilla tapped in a few commands which would ultimately save Livius' life, then handed back the remote to the Captain. "OK fine, I'll have your gold sent over right away. What are your plans then?"

"We're outa here, mate." Jake made a knife slashing motion in front of his neck. "You won't find us going anywhere near that Pit, not if we want to return alive!"

Nodding, Aquilla left for Bakari's ship, his thoughts all his own.