Whatever else he may be, our Neral is no fool.

But Neral knew he must not linger here for long.

The rest would be already part of Neral's protective guard.

Neral hesitated just a moment, as though about to argue with her.

He even grinned, a loss of control that made Neral's heart warm to him.

I'll go back with you right after the fu- neral.

Neral's family had been killed by Klingons, and every senator knew it.

Instead, Neral had found the poor beast a new home so that it could live out its remaining years in safety.

Either way, Neral thought grimly, he must live, at the very least to have his revenge.

In this young operative's position, that was a good thing, Neral had to remind himself.

Not that Neral had had anything to do with the "accident."

This place had been in Neral's family since planetfall, and he loved it.

She would say she had been right neither to like nor to trust Neral.

He might even be taking bets with his associates on how long it would take Neral to die.

Blade thought about that all during the four weeks it took the squadron to beat its way back to Neral.

Praetor Neral's voice cut through the noise like a blade.

Neral toyed momentarily with a cold I prefer to stand.

Charvanek, Neral thought grimly, what games have you been playing?

But before he could speak, a too-familiar shimmering took Neral and him together.

Neral's side ached, and it was getting harder to breathe.

Besides, Neral could thoroughly understand the senators' anger and horror.

The reports came flooding in, filling Neral with a renewed chill.

Neral dipped his head to Spock in courtesy, and then continued.

Not waiting for his guards, Neral opened the groundcar's door and stepped out.

That, too, was a sight Neral would have enjoyed.