While Shadow was tearing through sub-space at maximum speed Polaris received another secure transmission from Dorothy: "Polaris, When you get to that colony I'll meet you there; remain in stealth mode, do not land and don't show yourself. Just wait for me ... we may have a problem." As Kronos was being prepped back at a Federation starbase Dorothy secured an audience with the Admiral; "Admiral, you've seen all the reports from Polaris, the colony, and the way Flynt has been acting -- noticed anything strange?" "Okay Dorothy, what are you getting at?" "The colony now insists that everything is great, the Vellari have been wonderful and there's no need for us to be there. Meanwhile, Flynt, who recently had contact with Vellari, now suddenly trusts them completely and continues to insist how wonderful they are. All this while reports show every Vellari-touched world turned to ruins. I think Flynt has already been infected by something, a sort of molecular virus, as have the colonists, and all those other wrecked worlds. I detected it during our first Vellari meeting but wasn't sure what it was." "Interesting," said the Admiral, "So you must be infected also, no?" "I'm immune to such things, as is Polaris and all droids," said Dorothy, "which is why the droids on that planet could resist Vellari and desperately tried to save their people." "Are you saying you're an android?" "Seriously? Do I look like a droid to you?" "Never mind; but I know Flynt trusts you with his life; so what's your plan?" "First we toss Flynt into a med-bay and clean-out his body; then comes the hard part -- some tough decisions will need to be made." ------------------ (AI input, PSP and manual postwork)