Josephine's legs were not nearly as long as Urim's, and she could not stay in a continuous run as he had. It took her much longer to traverse the trail through the mountains than she had anticipated. By morning, she still had a long way to go, but she could hear the close sounds of battle. Unable to pass by without seeing what was happening, she made a slight detour off the path. High above the fighting and hopefully out of the reach of weapons, she spied on the two enemies.

She took encouragement from the sight of three battlebots lying motionless on the ground. Their inner workings were blown to bits and littered the surrounding land. Only two were left to fight, and she could see knights behind each of them carrying explosives. The battlebots would be destroyed very soon. What remained of a hovercraft was plastered to the mountainside directly below her. At first look, it seemed as if the knights were winning. Then she recognized bodies underneath the fallen battlebots. She gasped out loud, realizing some of the Milisarians had sacrificed their lives to stop the monstrous machines. She turned back to the men behind the remaining monsters. They were about to give their lives for the same purpose and, yet they didn't hesitate.

Her eyes searched the landscape for Urim. She feared he was among the dead. He had sworn not to send his knights to do any job that he wouldn't do himself. She fully expected to see his body underneath the battlebots. Movement under the remaining hovercraft drew Josephine's gaze. She would know that regal warrior's profile anywhere. He was after the computer controls. She remembered him saying that the mechanical army had no brains and would be useless without the computers. True to his word, he had taken on the job himself. Though many controllers were safeguarded at the campsite, along with the master computer, the more he destroyed meant that fewer groups of androids could be controlled by the Pura. Urim was a wiser man than she had given him credit for.

Knowing he was safe for now, she returned to the trail. She had to get to the camp and off this mountain before the androids could reach their hiding places. The back side of the mountain was steep, and she lost her footing several times, causing her to slide dangerously down the trail. On her last slide, she was caught by a colonist who had been planting crops. Caught, she realized, was not the right word to describe what had really occurred. She had slid into the back of his legs and knocked him to the ground. They were both fine, but he was very shocked to see her. Josephine had no choice. She had to take the time to explain her sudden appearance or be considered a spy for the Pura. Everyone had heard her argue their case on her negotiation visit. She needed to convince them that she had changed sides. The use of Urim's name and speaking of his trips to the Pura camp went a long way in proving her loyalty.

The colonist went with her to the encampment, so she wouldn't be killed at first sight. Though the battle was raging elsewhere, the work of terraforming continued as usual here. The colonist wasted no time hiding or lazing around. Josephine was amazed by the progress that had been made since her last visit. The Milisarians didn't have the large terrabots to do the digging and yet they were almost as far along as the Pura. They explained to her how they worked in shifts, continuing the digging far into the night. The warriors were doing the same in battle. Fresh troops took the place of the tired and hungry. Urim was using his knowledge of strategy to give his troops as much of an advantage as was possible under the circumstances. He was a true leader regardless of his doubt in himself.

As evening approached, a fresh group of knights set out for the battlegrounds. Josephine was surprised to see colonists, bearing explosives and guns, join the group. She supposed that every able body was needed to do battle against the army that Urim expected to arrive. She knew that even now; the androids were making their way into the mountains to surround and ambush the camp. She hoped Urim came back for rest, so she could give him a heads up on the situation. He would need to change his strategy in order to survive.

Josephine was taken to the ship's infirmary and given access to the medical supplies within. It was well stocked by Valeri and the other human scientist who resided on Milisaria. It would serve her well if she added the extra supplies from her bag to the mix. She prepared the beds and tools she was sure to need when the injured arrived. She hoped Urim would be glad of her presence and her ability to care for his warriors.

Shouts from outside alerted her to the weary warriors return. Soon the injured were being carried into the infirmary and she became extremely busy. She seemed to be needed everywhere at once. It took her a few moments to organize her thoughts, and then she began a method used in Earth's wars called triage. The warriors were divided into groups. Those who needed attention first were placed on the right, those who could wait on the left. Sadly, there was one or two that could not be helped. She asked colonists to sit by their sides and comfort them until they died. It nearly broke her heart.

Josephine worked quickly and precisely to save as many as she could. She examined each face, searching in vain for Urim. Either he was among the dead, or he was uninjured. She prayed for the latter. She continued, nonstop, until every warrior had been treated. She made one last round of her patients to be sure they were resting and out of pain, then went to find Urim.

She found him slumped in a seat in the main control room of the ship. He had washed away the dirt and blood of battle and fallen asleep assessing his losses. Under his large, scarred hand was a list of the men who had given their lives in battle. He had carefully recorded each name so that he could give them the honor of reporting the deaths to their loved ones himself. Underneath the mighty muscles was a heart of gold.

Josephine hated to wake him, but she knew he would never forgive her if she didn't give him time to come up with a plan against Ixia's androids. Before she shook him awake, she planted a soft kiss on his furrowed brow. Even in sleep, he appeared to worry and strategize. She had barely touched his arm when he leaped from the seat. He spun, in search of his sword. "Urim, it's okay. You're in the ship. The battle isn't anywhere close. Calm yourself."

He stopped spinning and stared at her. " How did you get away without Ixia seeing? Did he banish you for warning me about the androids?"

"He doesn't know that I warned you or that you were spying on the camp. When I left the mountain that day, I found him searching my dwelling. He made it clear I was only there as a servant and therefore had no rights. I was treated as a prisoner. My quarters were guarded around the clock. I wasn't allowed to leave without an escort. If I wanted to go to the cove, four of the crew would go as well." She snorted and said, "He claimed it was for my safety, but I knew better. I would rather take my chances here and care for your knights than stay there and die alone. Am I welcome?"

Urim replied, "You will always be welcome aboard any ship I command. Thank you for treating my warriors. They deserve the best of care. You still have not told me how you got away. It must have been difficult."

"I used a surgical knife known as a scalpel to cut through the thin metal at the back of my dwelling. The guards didn't cover the back since there wasn't a doorway. I used the shadows provided by the mountains to slip away unseen. Your trail made the perfect getaway without running into a battle."

"Very clever of you," Urim answered. "It is good you made it safely to the encampment."

"I am afraid I have brought you some grave news," Josephine began. "I passed by a bonfire where Ixia and his crew were making plans. I overheard what he said, and it wasn't good."

"Come and sit down. You have spent hours treating the wounded. Rest while you tell me of Ixia's plans." Urim led her to a long, soft seat by a viewing window in the control room.

Both of them sat and tried to relax.

Josephine outlined Ixia's plan. "He is going to proclaim a cease-fire once the battlebots have all been destroyed. He imagines you will take that time to gather the dead, as do I. He expects that you will lower your defenses during that time. On this, I don't agree. He is already sending groups of androids to many places in the mountains. His plan is to completely surround your camp. While all of your people are gathered together in one place, he will signal an attack. The androids are to swarm in and kill everyone. He wants no witnesses to the slaughter to remain."

Urim was not happy. His concern was reflected in the darkening of his eyes. This information was a game changer. If they were surrounded, there would be no escape route left. If he chose to retreat, there would be nowhere to go. He had one chance to stop a complete slaughter. "I must leave you momentarily to give new instruction to my knights."

"What are you going to tell them? Have you got a new plan already?" Josephine inquired.

"It did not take long to realize I had only one option," Urim explained. "I must send a contingent in each direction. They will lay explosives on the mountain and set them off as the androids arrive. Many will break through, but it will leave fewer to enter the camp and spoil their surprise. I will take some knights and go after the hovercraft to bring down the computers that control the androids. Stay inside the ship. If all goes wrong, we will retreat to the ship and leave this mess behind. The explosions will have ruined all of our hard labor anyway."

"I will meet you back later. I need to make another round in the infirmary. There are some wounded that need almost constant care." She reached up and touched his face. "I am so sorry that you have lost so many. I saw the list you were making. The families will greatly appreciate you remembering every name of those who gave their lives. You're a good and thoughtful man."

He removed her hand and clasped it in his own. "Do not elevate me to such heights. I would have done them a greater service had I left when you requested it. They would still be alive to greet their loved ones. Even now, I should be leaving, yet I stubbornly remain. We all may die due to my stubbornness. Good is not a word that should describe me." He kissed her palm and left to give orders to his troops and Josephine went to see about her patients.