With the vessel they will be ten fold in front of the enemy. It passes through spatial zones as though they were mere dots on a map fixed on a space cadet's wall.

Reed comes from the east side of bridge feeling more happy about the situation, as well as his ship being docked into vessel's inner core, "why didn't you tell me about this?"

Cutter sits in captain's chair, a position he hasn't held for a long time.

Saf El will be approached as soon as the screen settles down from the myriad of images, compressed space. They have left the Veloron system- one minute ago. Time lapses when jumping great barriers of space. Ball will probably get the drugs bust of the century, albeit not according to plan, now the main players are down. Yet he will never see Dobrovowski.

A great orange, red planet swirls into view on the main screen. They are in a neutral zone. The monks on Saf El have power to be left without harm, by all races.

Reed takes a chair. The vessel interjects by providing maps and pinpoint data, before the ex-sarge can reach scanning controls. "Thanks," he says sardonically. He tells Walker the coordinates.

Walker gets up, heading off bridge.

Reed stops him, "are you sure you can handle this one without killing anyone?"

"Dobrovowski is alive and recovering..is he not?" he answers cold.

"Yeah, I guess..Ball ain't stupid though."

"Neither are we."
*
A human being hangs from a tree. Inanimate, swinging gently in the breeze, on the agreeable atmosphere of Saf El. The planet is divided into two. An ancient civilization used to live there, only a few remain dying (have been dying for centuries) in the forbidden zone. Saf is where the beings exist in their terminal condition, around the polar caps, inhospitable areas of the planet.

The human being has been killed brutally and swiftly, not before giving something. A male sits before the corpse watching it intently for a moment, then turns back to his examination. A staser from the late assassin fondled in his hands.

He hears the approach of a craft. Its form of propulsion has not been cloaked, as the vehicle can do. The man stands up aiming the staser at the vehicle, containing Walker.

He fires the weapon repeatedly. The small craft swerves and dives with ease, not having to use its shields.

The monk throws down the weapon and sits back down, to wait.
*
"An interesting test lieutenant," Walker steps out of the craft, his gaze flicks to the body of the assassin hanging from tree.

"I know that you have come here for something important. I wanted to see if you were still...able," Chee doesn't rise from his squat position, his bright robes betray immediately his order, that of defensive sect teacher.

"Yes, indeed and now it is time to go," he gestures to the woman hung in the tree, "or you'll eventually end up like her."

"It isn't necessary," the monk holds one of his butterfly knives, recently wiped.

"Really lieutenant? And I know that you will categorically deny that you were a lieutenant, on the pay roll for the United Forces, who we- incidentally- brought to their knees; including Seera."

"I am above all that now…Cutter."

"The men are depending on you."

Chee laughs, "I know you are mocking me."

"Okay.." Walker unties assassin lady from tree, laying her softly on the ground, "but you will die if you stay here and do not-"

"Join you for another killing spree for ol' times sake?" Chee finishes his old, colleague's sentence.

"It's the truth Samo," Walker remarks noticing a bitterness in the other's voice, especially in his last words.

"Do you remember the Illian system? That little rebellion we quashed for their newly formed government?" The monk knows that his chum has an excellent, perfect, Univarian memory.

"I know, but we were...soldiers then. It was our job," Walker can see tears forming in his friend's eyes.

Chee finds difficulty speaking as he gets the words out, "Alan for goodness sake! You were the only one who wasn't effected by that butchery! Doesn't that make you think about yourself? You're just a hollow man! A soulless puppet of the Univarians.

"You killed that seven year old girl, that Illian. They were only peasant alien beings. And that entire family you ripped in half with your staser? All that blood and shit..." Chee has been reminded of those images, every night, never forgetting; though he would never tell his superior at the monastery, after all, that's why he chose a life of abstinence.

"Is this what this monk thing's been about? Repentance?"

"FUCK THAT!" Chee screams at the exact moment a messenger comes from the monastery up on the hill behind them.

The young messenger stands there stunned to hear his teacher swear. To show uncontrolled emotion. To be out of peace. He also wonders who the rough looking gentleman is standing next to Samo Chee. He then notices the assassin's body. His mouth opens, gob dropping.

"What the fuck is it Li?"

Li cannot answer. Walker smiles. Chee turns to Walker, "did you smile then?"

Cutter nods.

"Time to go Chee," he says after the young messenger runs away having said nothing.

"I must…must....focus..." the monk cannot concentrate, his years of meditative work thrown away.

Walker leads him to the craft. Chee resists, "no more, can't you understand? I must-"

"Save yourself."

"NO! HERE I CAN FIND PEACE CUTTER…SOMETHING YOU WILL NEVER HAVE!!!"

Walker is impressed. The lieutenant has guts. He always knew that Chee was scared of him for some reason; because he has a peace of another sought by not feeling, or at least, did have. With Lee collaborating with who ever but now dead, Webster deceased, it won't be long before another killer is sent. He shrugs his shoulders, leaving the monk, "okay…"
*
Chee watches the vehicle soar above the great treetops, hovering momentarily over a plateau of cleared forest in the distance. All seen through tear drop effected eyes. That will be the last time he will ever see Cutter again. And his death is certain. Even on a neutral planet, more easier to get a force in and no one would ever care about a death in a population where only monks exist. Next time there won't be just one assassin.
*
"Yes I do know what a teleport will make him feel like but it is the only way," Walker says into the communication panel as he leaves Saf El.

"Okay Al'..whatever you say," Reed resigns.

"Get ready with a stun setting too, he may be a bit fiery," Cutter warns, "computer, once Chee is aboard..set course for Mars."
*
The monk is aboard the vessel. One moment walking back to the monastery then..his head spins, his whole soul feels as though it has been ripped inside out. He was still carrying the assassin's weapon.

Chee points the gun awkwardly at a man who blurry comes into view.

He misses his whole brain confused.

"Seera," he murmurs as Reed blasts him with a stun shot in the arm, on the vessel.