A week passed. Walter endured more intense questioning by Commander Udensnacht, and worked extra hard to appear a loyal Kaezer youth.

Nyborg threw more propaganda at him, filling his mind with everything he needed to survive as a fully adopted member of his new society.

There was no further insight from Resnakov about the restless troopers, and their plans to fight. But the big man seemed preoccupied, and told him to stay alert and ready for anything, both in the ring and out.

It signified to Walter that something was afoot.

A more disturbing and confusing moment came when he found a reply to his note, attached to Mr. Vincent's collar. It was scrawled on a piece of torn cloth, in what looked to be blood. "I didn't do anything. Leave me alone."

The words bothered him. He didn't know if it was Nathaniel's handwriting or not. Either way, he didn't dare use the cat as a go-between again. Anyone might find out, and it could be dangerous.

The opportunity to see Nathaniel finally came, after he spent a grueling afternoon with Commander Udensnacht.

"You have done well, Hir Marlow," the commander said. "As a reward for your loyalty, I am hereby granting you full entry into the youth corps."

"Thank you, sir," Walter said, saluting. He was truly grateful and relieved to hear it. This would afford him more ability to confer with Resnakov, and watch for opportunities to retaliate. Before he was dismissed, a bold streak compelled him. "May I present a request, Commander?"

Commander Udensnacht's smile was more of a sneer. "Of course, Hir Marlow."

"My friend, Nathaniel, is here. I've long wanted to visit him, but Hir Nyborg doesn't have the authority to allow it. Would it be possible..."

The commander interrupted, with an arrogant lift to his chin. "Possible to see your friend from the resistance? This is questionable. But you have proven to be a reliable young man. And, in truth, I am curious to witness this reunion. You may see him." He turned to the trooper at his side. "Go, fetch the other boy. Bring him before us."

The trooper stomped and saluted. and left to follow orders. He returned a few minutes later, with two driver robots following, and the most wretched person Walter had ever seen bound in restraints between them.

The boy's head was bowed, dark hair hanging low and tangled around his face. His scarred and bruised fists were clenched between the stern, gleaming steel of the restraint.

It was Nathaniel. His brother in all but blood. But the differences between them were undeniable.

Walter's throat tightened.

"Here he is, Hir Marlow," Commander Udensnacht said. "It is good to see old friends again, no?"

Nathaniel looked up, and glanced about at the troopers. Anger lined his face when he saw Hir Nyborg.

And then he saw Walter. "You."

Walter swallowed. He'd wished for this moment, for so long. "Nathaniel. It's good to see you."

Nathaniel's eyes shimmered. "I don't know you anymore. You're one of them now, aren't you?"

Walter turned to Hir Nyborg. He knew he should contain his emotions, but his outrage wouldn't subside. "What have you done to him?"

Hir Nyborg was refined and collected, as always. "The very same that was done to you. As I have mentioned, Walter, you are my best student. Your friend will simply take more time. He will come around. They all do, eventually."

Nathaniel flew into a rage. The robots stopped him from rushing Nyborg. "Shut up. Shut the hell up, you evil bastard. I can't stand to hear you. I won't listen. Go ahead, pull your damn sword on me. Kill me. I don't care."

"This is all leading to no worthwhile end, Hir Marlow," the commander said. "If you have something to say to your friend, do so now. I want him removed from my presence immediately after."

Nathaniel shook, staring at the floor. He mumbled something to himself. At first, Walter couldn't understand what he said.

He took a step closer, then heard what Nathaniel repeated, over and over. "Her blood. So much. So much blood. All hers."

Walter suddenly didn't care that he was surrounded by the enemy, or what they might think. His own voice wavered as he spoke. "She was my sister, Nathaniel. I loved her, too. More than anything. But you have to let her go, now. She's gone."

Nathaniel's lip trembled. "It was so fast. I didn't get to say goodbye."

"That's enough, Hir Marlow." The commander addressed the robots. "Take this contemptible boy away, please."

"Wait," Walter said. He ran to Nathaniel, abandoning all protocol and respect to the Kaezer. He'd been carrying Jocelyn's locket as a good luck charm since he found it.

He slipped the locket into his best friend's palm. "This belongs to you. She wanted you to have it. Don't ever lose it."

"Walter..." Tears escaped Nathaniel's eyes.

Walter held him, and blinked his own tears away. Words, once spoken to him, now came for the brother of his soul. "Stay strong," he said.

Commander Udensnacht cleared his throat. "This paltry display of affection has made me want to skip lunch, Hir Nyborg. Is this the nauseating result of your feeble techniques?"

"No, Commander," Nyborg said, with a tense cough. "The conditioning does not strip away the base emotions of the individual. Traits like this core loyalty are part of what the recipient uses, in the process, to shape and redirect their own mind."

"There is only one loyalty which should be seen, and that is to the Kaezer," said Commander Udensnacht. "I am not entirely convinced that I see it in this case. Hir Marlow, come here. And bring your little friend, please. We have one more test for you, to show us how deep your love is for the great leader."

The robots pushed Nathaniel forward. He stumbled, and stood beside Walter, facing the glowering commander and his two cronies.

Walter saluted.

Nathaniel watched him with pain and disbelief. "You are one of them," he said. "They've killed you inside. How could you let them..."

The commander struck Nathaniel across the face. "Be silent, and learn something of true loyalty now, from your friend."

Walter's heart pounded, jaw firm. It took much effort to stay calm. Not yet, he reminded himself. This isn't the time to act. Don't lose everything you've gained.

Commander Udensnacht drew his pistol from its holster, and handed it to Walter. "There you are, Hir Marlow. And now, show us where your heart lies. The Kaezer demands both your obedience, and your devotion. Let us see it. Kill him."

A river of ice flooded through every vein in Walter's body. "Sir. I..."

"You dare to question my order? I am the voice and will of the Kaezer here. You will obey me, as if the leader himself was before you. Now, shoot him."

Walter tightened his grip around the gun. He found the trigger, that fateful switch which could bring an end to everything he cared about, right now. Just one small movement of his finger, and it would be all over.

"Do it," Nathaniel said. "I won't let them destroy me, Walter. Never. I'd rather die than grovel before these pigs one more day."

Walter slowly raised the weapon.

Nathaniel's eyes were calm, the unashamed green of young leaves in spring.

Commander Udensnacht sighed, and clucked his tongue. He opened a demanding palm to the officer at his side. "Give me your pistol. Why is it that I must continuously reinforce these things to all of you?"

Walter couldn't move, couldn't speak.

The commander pointed the gun at Walter's temple, and cocked the mechanism with a loud click that reverberated through his skull. "Kill him, Hir Marlow. This is the last time I will give the order."

Walter shuddered, and dropped his gun. It fell to the floor with a clatter that echoed through the stunned silence of the room. The commander's firm promise of demise remained against his head, but he knew where his allegiance lay. The game was over. He couldn't play anymore. Not if it meant losing Nathaniel.

"I won't," he said. "Kill me instead."

He heard Nyborg say something, but the world sounded distant at that moment. He closed his eyes, preparing to face the end.

It never came.

The deafening howl of a hundred raid sirens filled the air.

Commander Udensnacht lowered the pistol, alarm contorting his pompous features. "We are under attack," he said. "Alert the troops. I want all to their posts at once." He looked at Nathaniel and Walter with disdain, and turned to the robots. "Place these two disappointments into custody. I will deal with both of them later."

The driver robots seized Walter by the arms, the familiar crush of their vises reminding him that he was still alive. He was disoriented, following the robots weakly.

Troopers rushed past them, the sound of their boots like the clamor of thunder. The sirens wailed on.

He heard what sounded like a distant explosion.

The robots took them to his own room, and removed Nathaniel's restraints.

This was it, he realized. The time to act.

Walter's mind became clear, and he knew what he had to do. He reached into his pocket, and found the cool, smooth cylinder of his deactivation rod. His months of training, and Resnakov's steadfast words of guidance, drove every part of his strength at that moment.

It wasn't much different than being in the ring. He had the advantage of surprise. Grappling the first driver, he ducked behind it with savvy precision.

The other robot sounded its alert, and began to deploy its tasers.

It only took seconds. Walter jammed the rod into the vulnerable joint between the robot's arm and neck, forcing it deep, and activated the charge.

It made a pathetic bleep, and collapsed to the floor.

Nathaniel ducked beneath the bunk as the tasers flew, narrowly missing both himself and Walter.

The second robot backed away when Walter faced it. It swung one twisting, segmented arm.

Walter feinted, stepping aside, and thrust the deactivation rod in with the sharp, unyielding uppercut that he was famous for in the ring.

The hot, synthetic odor of charred circuitry clung to the air.

"Come on," he said to Nathaniel. "We've got to get out of here."

"How did you do that?" Nathaniel asked, emerging from under the bunk with something bundled in his shirt.

"I've learned a lot more from the Kaezer than just saluting and reciting their nonsense slogans."

"Wow. And I thought you were one of them. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."

Walter smiled, and placed a hand on Nathaniel's shoulder. "I'd never abandon you. We're brothers. Nothing will change that."

The lump in Nathaniel's shirt squirmed, and poked its furry head out of his collar.

"This cat saved my life," Nathaniel said. "If it weren't for him, the only friend I've had for months, I would've given up a long time ago."

"So, Mr. Vincent does come to visit you. He's kept me sane, too. Bring him with us. There's someone I want you to meet."