SPECTRUM IS WHITE

Epilogue

Colonel White extended his left arm to put the cup on the low table set next to the wheelchair. Giving a grunt of exasperation, he reached for his right shoulder, and irritably rubbed the bandage covering it, sliding his hand under the pyjama top.

“I wouldn’t touch it if I were you.”

White gave a sideways look toward the man quietly seated in front of him, his legs crossed and himself holding a cup of tea.

“I can’t help it,” the colonel replied grumpily. “It’s itching like mad!”

“Which means it’s healing, right?”

White gave the man a rueful smile, before turning to look thoughtfully through the Promenade Deck window. On the upper runway, down below, he could see the three Angel craft, waiting for take-off, with Angel One and her pilot at the helm. He was wondering which of the girls was there at the moment.

“Penny for your thoughts, sir?”

The colonel’s attention came back to his visitor. Senior Agent Thomas Wade, of Spectrum Intelligence, had made the trip from London to Cloudbase especially to see him, and it wasn’t to pay him a formal visit. White shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and reached again for his bandaged shoulder. Seeing the bemused smile on Wade’s face, he stopped, and lowered his hand, resting it in his lap.

“I don’t think you’d be making a very good investment, Thomas,” he answered to Wade’s comment.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Wade replied, narrowing his eyes at the older man. “I’m sure there’s a lot going on in your mind at the moment…” He shook his head. “I’m glad you’re feeling better now. You didn’t look well at all in that hospital in Newcastle last week.”

Colonel White nodded slowly. He didn’t remember much about his arrival at The Princess Margaret Memorial Hospital in Newcastle, where he had been rushed right after the explosion on the Sir Francis Drake. He was unconscious, having lost a lot of blood. Not so much, he was told, as to put his life in danger, but enough to cause worry. The hospital staff had been wonderful with him – especially considering the fact that Spectrum had practically taken over the place. Everybody going in and out was thoroughly checked out, especially those who had to come into contact with the colonel. Spectrum was concerned about the safety of its commander and was taking no chances. All the while, however, making sure that its presence didn’t disturb the well-being of the other patients – who, White was sure, were certainly wondering what all that activity going on for just one person was all about. There had even been a couple of guards permanently assigned to keep their eyes on him. White was still wondering today – with a certain dry humour – if they had been there to protect him, or to make sure that he wouldn’t get it into his head to escape Spectrum yet again. Most probably for both reasons.

Spectrum didn’t need to worry. From the moment he woke up in that hospital, the memories had started flowing back into his mind, giving him so many migraines in the following days that Doctor Fawn – who had came directly from Cloudbase to consult with the hospital doctors – had to prescribe him a strong daily dose of painkillers. Fortunately, after four days, Fawn determined that White had responded well to this treatment, and he ordered him weaned off the medication. By that time, Colonel White’s memory was back, and the disastrous effects – and side effects – of the Dream Spinner were mercifully gone. But it had left him with a certain bad taste about what he had done. Because he remembered it. There were admittedly a few confused details here and there – mainly about the moments that had been the most hectic in that entire incident – but most of it was clear enough for him not to like what he had recalled.

“How long before you’re back in command, Colonel?”

White came out of his fugue, hearing Wade’s voice addressing him. “At least another week,” he answered. “Maybe two.”

“Always the optimist, aren’t you?”

White gestured toward his left leg, elevated in a brace. “This leg’s keeping me down. I’m still convalescing until it’s healed enough for me to put some weight on it. I can’t wait to be out of this wheelchair, I can tell you!”

“Well, at least you’re out of sickbay now,” Wade remarked.

White gave him a whimsical smile. “Maybe because I escaped?”

“You’re not serious, are you?” Wade answered, laughing softly.

The colonel shook his head. No, of course he wasn’t. Or it would be a sure bet all of Cloudbase would be on alert to find him right now! In reality, Doctor Fawn had thought it wise and healthy to let him be brought to the Promenade Deck. It was certainly a much more agreeable place to recuperate than the four, boring walls of a room in sickbay.

“You know, Colonel, in a way, seeing you like this, it’s kind of a relief.”

Colonel White gave Agent Wade a withering look; the man quickly shrugged his shoulders. “What I mean is, the fact that you’re healing at a normal rate means that you weren’t Mysteronised.”

“Thank you, “ the colonel grumbled. “You’re really too kind.”

“You know that Agent Conners was convinced that you actually had been Mysteronised?”

“Conners,” White repeated, musing. “Yes. I remember he paid me a visit in hospital.”

It was the day after the Spectrum commander had been admitted. Special Agent Conners had arrived at the hospital and had asked – no, ‘demanded’ was more the word – to see him without delay. Captain Blue was already there, with Doctor Fawn. White didn’t feel well enough at the time to receive visitors; he was only just starting to recover from his various wounds and the loss of blood he had suffered, and was right at the height of those awful headaches caused by his returning memory. Due to Conners’ growing insistence, and perhaps to avoid him making a scene right in the middle of the hospital hallway, Fawn had reluctantly agreed that he could see his patient. But he had specifically forbidden him to ask any stressful questions for the moment. Conners was satisfied enough with that, and Blue entered with him, to make sure he would follow the doctor’s orders. At least, that was the official reason.

The encounter was uneventful. To all appearances, anyway. White was still very weak, and was looking pale. He was nearly knocked out from medication and merely acknowledged the man’s presence – probably the most civil encounter the two men had ever had. There was a nurse in there, removing the colonel’s soiled bandages to check on his wounded shoulder. Under Blue’s watchful eye, Conners did nothing more than look on, as the nurse tended to the wound and put a new dressing on it. He merely asked White how he felt now, if he would be so kind as to agree to see him when he recovered, to answer a few questions, and politely wished him a speedy recovery. Then he went quietly out the door. So much for his theory that the Spectrum commander had been taken over by the Mysterons.

White hadn’t seen Conners since that moment. He had learned that Conners had questioned the hospital staff who were there when he had been admitted, and that he had consulted the files regarding his admission and the care he had received. But he hadn’t come back to bother the colonel again. That was intriguing enough, in White’s view. Conners wasn’t the kind of man to let go that easily.

It occurred to White that Conners had been taken off the investigation. The fact that Wade was now in front of him was a good indication that he had been right.

“Sorry he disturbed you there,” Wade said with a rather apologetic smile. “But he was so sure of his theory that he convinced even me.”

White raised an eyebrow. The Intelligence agent shrugged again.

“I’ve got to admit, he had some valid points. That’s why I gave him permission to come to Cloudbase in the first place, while this latest affair with the Mysterons was happening.”

“I trust his suspicions – and yours at the same time – have been laid to rest?” White remarked, eyeing the other man carefully.

“Oh, certainly,” Wade agreed, sipping the last drop of tea from his cup.

“Mister Conners must have been disappointed,” White noted, for he knew the man didn’t like him at all.

Wade seemed surprised by his remark. He shook his head. “Disappointed? No… I wouldn’t say that. Upset that he was wrong, perhaps.”

“I bet.”

Wade poured some more tea into White’s cup and handed it to him. The colonel nodded his thanks.

“Colonel, I know Special Agent Conners didn’t have any real evidence to back up his accusations… But as I said, he had valid points. We couldn’t reach you, nobody had seen you or heard from you in days… And your Cloudbase officers weren’t helping any. They were so secretive about this affair… It was looking suspicious.”

“Enough to warrant an investigation?”

“Enough to look into it, anyway. I’m sorry. If I had been able to actually contact you…”

“But you WEREN’T able to contact me.”

“No. And that’s why I permitted Conners to go on with his investigation.” Wade sighed. “I think he went a bit far. Going to the extent of actually accusing Cloudbase officers…”

“Well, don’t be too hard on him,” White murmured, looking down into his cup. “He could have been right.”

“About you being Mysteronised?”

Colonel White nodded thoughtfully. Senior Agent Thomas Wade didn’t know the entire story. Not the full details, anyway. That was a difficult matter, and White didn’t know yet how to handle it, whether the truth should be brought out or not. Mainly because of Cloudbase officers’ involvement in hiding it in the first place. He realized that they had done this out of a sense of loyalty toward him, and to keep and protect Spectrum’s integrity – or so they said. White had no reason to doubt them. And judging by what Shelby had told him, while he was on the Drake, it had turned out their suspicions about what could happen had been right. Beside, could he be less loyal to them than they had been to him? But keeping all this a secret from Intelligence didn’t seem right to Colonel White. It made him uncomfortable.

At least, part of the truth was out. Wade knew about the real meaning behind the Mysterons’ cryptic threat. He knew about their intention of using retired Admiral Charles Grey and the ship he had commanded twenty-five years ago to strike at a cruise liner full of innocent people. He knew about Colonel White having been kidnapped at some point, that they tried to drug him – but he wasn’t aware of the full extent of what he had had to endure from those who had captured him.

As far as Wade knew, because of his personal involvement in this affair, Colonel White had simply joined in the ground operation to stop the Mysterons. And that it had turned out terribly wrong and nearly had deadly consequences for him.

“They could have done it,” White responded to the Senior Agent’s remark. “They probably would have done it, if their plan had not called for them to use me as a human to enter the Naval Armament Depot in Bristol… And to eventually make me witness the deaths of all those people onboard the de Brus. I suppose I was lucky, even considering… everything that happened.”

“Well, the point is, Colonel, that they didn’t do it. And I guess that’s what really counts. For all of us. And more importantly, for you.”

“Thank you, Thomas.”

Wade frowned. “You didn’t tell me exactly how you managed to convince them you were on their side.”

White shrugged. “They drugged me. They thought they had me under their power.”

“But you weren’t.”

“No.”

“They tried to trick you into doing things for them, but YOU tricked THEM.”

“That’s about it, yes.”

“How did you achieve that, exactly?”

White smiled slightly. “I suppose I proved stronger than they anticipated.”

“I won’t dispute that, Colonel.” Wade stared at the older man for a few seconds. “And Spectrum had this operation under control all the time?”

There was a note of scepticism in Wade’s tone. White grinned again, this time broadly. “Have you ever seen me leaving anything to chance, Thomas?”

“When you’re out of options, sir, I would have to say yes.”

“I knew what I was doing. I was a ground agent once.”

“A LONG time ago.”

“Now, that’s not very tactful, Thomas! I’m still quite capable of handling that kind of situation myself. I’m not that old!”

“Which can only be a comforting thought for me. I turn fifty next week…”

“Happy birthday.”

“…And I’m sure I don’t have half the energy you have yourself.”

And certainly not half the bruises, White mused grimly. His muscles and bones would still be aching for weeks to come, he was sure of that.

“Anyway, Colonel, what I’m saying is: you’re still Spectrum’s supreme commander. We need you. You shouldn’t take unnecessary risks like that.”

“You know, I wasn’t exactly given the choice to get involved or not!” White answered with a forced smile.

Wade gave a smile of his own; he shook his head.

“I do hope this experience will be enough for you and that you’ll stay quiet for a while. You’d better leave that kind of activity to your men.”

“I’ll try to keep that in mind next time I’m kidnapped,” White replied dryly. “Which, hopefully, will NOT happen again!”

“I hope so too, Colonel. But with the Mysterons…”

“I’m not ONLY concerned with the Mysterons, Thomas.” White paused. His stare became cold and somewhat distant. “There’s the Network as well, now. I don’t much fancy the idea of having a group of human collaborators with the Mysterons running around. And who seem to have infiltrated world security organisations.”

Wade nodded grimly

Sounds coming from the access door, a few yards away from them, attracted the two men’s attention, and made them raise their heads in the same instant. They saw Rhapsody and Destiny enter through the sliding door, closely followed by Harmony and Symphony; all of them were in animated conversation, and seemed in a good mood. Having spotted where Colonel White was sitting, they headed toward him. Wade smiled slightly and got to his feet, putting down his empty cup.

“It seems you have important visitors, sir,” he said to White, before consulting his watch. “I should get going, anyway. I must be in London this afternoon.”

“You’re finished with your investigation, then?” White asked quietly.

“What ‘investigation’?” Wade replied with an innocent expression on his face. “Nobody said anything about an investigation. It was just a courtesy visit, sir. To get your news…”

The tone used by Senior Agent Wade was enough for Colonel White to understand that the man knew much more about what had happened than he was letting on. But, for some reason, he was choosing to keep silent about it. The Spectrum commander nodded thoughtfully, thankful that, for his officers’ sake, THIS man was, in any case, more understanding than Martin Conners.

“Do inform me if you have any new developments concerning the investigation into that Network organisation,” White requested of him.

Following standard procedure, Spectrum Intelligence had been handed everything discovered about that organisation during the recent operation. That was Intelligence’s role, anyway, to do that kind of job. To the colonel’s surprise, Wade shook his head.

“Not yet, I won’t.” White addressed him a withering look, but Wade simply smiled again. “Sorry. But I shouldn’t even have bothered you with it today. Doctor Fawn would have my guts if he finds out I mentioned it to you. Says it’s a hazardous subject, as far as you’re concerned. For now, anyway. And remember, you’re convalescent. So no work for you for the time being.” He watched, as the four Angel pilots approached. “I’ll leave you in good company, for now.”

“Have a good trip back home, then. And give my regards to your charming wife.”

“Will do, Colonel. Take care of yourself.”

Senior Agent Wade gave the colonel an encouraging pat on his good shoulder, and then turned away from him. He walked through the group of Angels, exchanging salutations with them in passing, before directing his steps toward the exit. He soon disappeared behind the sliding door.

The four Angel pilots had reached Colonel White and stood quietly in front of him. He stared at them, full of curiosity. Instinctively, he reached again for his itching shoulder, but stopped short. He dropped his hand down again, hoping nobody had noticed. He gave a shy smile around.

“Shouldn’t at least two of you be in the Amber Room right now?”

His tone was civil enough, and very quiet, but the Angels thought they heard a certain note of disapproval in it. They exchanged discomfited glances, obviously unsure how to respond to this remark. White regretted his words right away. That wasn’t very nice of you, Charlie. The girls have obviously come for a social visit. He cleared his throat, uncomfortable, and tried to make amends.

“I’m sorry, ladies. I’m forgetting that I’m still convalescing and off-duty. I can’t order you around for now.” The smile he gave had something singularly malicious about it. “So I suggest you take advantage of the situation while it lasts.”

“We won’t stay long, sir,” Symphony assured him, speaking for them all. “We don’t intend to jeopardize Cloudbase’s security.”

“I’m sure you don’t.” White shook his head, a puzzled twinkle in his eyes. “So, how can I help you?”

“Actually, sir,” Harmony replied, “that should be our line.”

“Sorry?”

“We appointed ourselves the welcoming committee,” Symphony explained.

“Welcoming committee? You sound as if I’d been gone a very long time!”

“Well, you’ve certainly came a long way, sir,” Rhapsody remarked. “And it felt like an eternity before you… er…”

“…came back to normal?” the colonel offered, raising a questioning eyebrow.

Rhapsody nodded. Destiny moved closer to White. “We wanted to welcome you back officially, sir,” she said with her deep, accented voice. “And to tell you how good it is to see you back amongst us… Melody shares the thought too, but as you guess, she’s actually on duty, in Angel One. She asked me to convey her good wishes on her behalf.” She then bent down and kissed White on both cheeks. “Bienvenue, mon Colonel,” she said in a very official tone.

A totally startled White stared at Destiny, then at each of the other girls for a moment, not sure how to act. Then he gave a big, broad smile, one of those the Angels seldom saw from him. He was only known to smile like that when he was in a remarkably good mood, which wasn’t too often.

“That’s really very kind of you, Angels,” he said gently. “Thank you.”

“We really were concerned for you, sir,” Harmony remarked.

“And still are a bit,” Symphony added.

Her tone was betraying her discomfort. Looking around, Colonel White realised instantly that the sentiment was shared by the others.

“Well, there’s no need for that, anymore,” he answered, wanting to reassure them. “The nightmare is over now, and I should be back on duty very soon.” He moved uneasily in his wheelchair, trying to find a more comfortable position, and then ran his good hand over the back of his sore neck, grunting. “I’ll really be glad to be out of this thing. I feel like I’m growing roots in here!”

The Angels exchanged glances again; then, they spread out around their colonel. He watched in perplexity, while Rhapsody took his cup to pour some more tea. Harmony moved behind him; he suddenly felt her small but strong and warm hands on his shoulders, starting to gently rub them. He was too startled to react right away.

“You just have to relax, sir,” he heard the Chinese girl’s quiet voice tell him. “A little massage is just what you need.”

“Massage?” White repeated hesitantly. “I admit it’s tempting but I don’t think…”

“You are all knots in here. Relax. You will feel better afterwards.”

He could already feel the heat through his neck muscles; he had to confess, it wasn’t so bad at all; and he would probably had enjoyed himself much more if he didn’t feel it was somehow unbecoming.

“Harmony, I really do think that you should…”

“Have some more tea, Colonel?” Rhapsody interrupted him, handing him back his cup.

“Would you like to come closer to the window?” Symphony asked in turn. She had firmly taken one handle of the wheelchair, while, at the same time, Destiny had done the same with the other one. White saw the two girls locking eyes with each other, in an almost challenging pose. He rolled his eyes in exasperation. While the girls’ attention was very flattering, it was also becoming too overwhelming – and also quite embarrassing. But he didn’t want to sound ungrateful, or lose patience with them. After all, they were only trying to be nice to him. And considering the recent events, if he were to get angry, there was a good chance that it would alarm them.

“Ladies, please,” he tried with as even a voice he could produce. “I really, REALLY don’t think I need all this fuss. While I find it very flattering, I’m quite capable of fending for myself.”

“We’re NOT fussing!” Destiny protested. She sounded offended at the thought.

“Yes, you are,” Colonel White insisted between his teeth, keeping himself under control.

“But even so, sir,” Symphony then replied, “we don’t get the chance to do it too often.”

White almost snorted hearing that. He considered himself too old to be the centre of such attention from young women… and at the same time, still much too young to accept being treated like an ageing and impotent old man.

The access door a few yards from the spot where they all were slid open, without anybody even noticing it. Captain Scarlet entered the Promenade Deck, a gift-wrapped package in his hands, and stopped in his tracks on seeing Colonel White surrounded by the four Angels. He tilted his head to one side and looked with perplexity at the scene. Then, understanding of what was happening dawned on him, and he smiled with amusement, seeing how unsettled his commander appeared to be.

Swiftly, before his presence became noticed, he slipped into the cover of a copse of high bushes near the door and kept watching what was going on. The old man looks as if he needs some help, he noticed, trying very hard not to laugh. He wondered how long he would be able to keep himself in check. Not long, if he were to bet on it. The best thing would be to intervene discreetly.

Scarlet dropped down his cap mic. “Captain Blue?” he called, almost in a whisper, so nobody would hear him. “Do you feel like mounting another rescue mission today?”

Meanwhile, Colonel White was really starting to get annoyed with all the attention he was getting. Impatiently, he tried to brush away Harmony’s massaging hands, still working on his shoulders.

“Harmony, stop that,” he said with apparent exasperation in his tone. “That will be enough, thank you very much.”

“Are you sure, Colonel?” the Chinese girl asked, obviously disappointed. “You are still a little tense…”

“Yes, yes, I’m sure. Your massage did me a lot of good.” White sighed deeply. “I’m just… tired. I think I’d better go back to my room.”

“Are you feeling all right, sir?” Destiny asked in concern.

“Yes, I’m all right. I’m JUST tired.” White was distraught. He didn’t want to get angry, so he wouldn’t upset and frighten the girls, but if he was to say he was feeling tired, and judging by their worried expressions, he would alarm them all the same, but for a different reason. How could he get away from their attentions?

At about that desperate moment, the Promenade Deck speakers let out a loud whistle, and a stern voice made itself heard through it, startling almost everybody in the room:

“Attention all personnel! Routine exercise for all on-duty personnel. Report to stations immediately. Angel pilots, prepare to take-off for target practice. Off-duty personnel report to the conference room in ten minutes!”

That was the voice of Captain Blue; the Angels looked at each other with dismay upon their faces.

“Oh no!” Harmony murmured.

“Captain Bligh strikes again,” Symphony murmured under her breath.

White gave her a curious look; he had enormous trouble not to let out a sigh of relief. He tried to hide his satisfaction behind a faint, somewhat shy smile. “You’d better go now, ladies. Before you catch hell from your acting commander.”

“Right,” Destiny agreed with a sigh. “Let’s go, girls. You know Captain Blue does not like to wait.”

The others reluctantly nodded their acknowledgment, before moving toward the access door, regretfully leaving the colonel behind. Symphony and Harmony were marching up front, very quickly, and the hidden Scarlet could see the intense dissatisfaction on their faces.

”I will be glad when the colonel is back in command,” Harmony commented with a grumbling tone.

“Tell me about it!” Symphony replied between her teeth. “I’ve had about enough of Blue’s power trips! Wait ‘til I get my hands on him!”

Uh-oh! Adam’s in trouble with his lady friend, Scarlet mused, not without a certain amusement. He wondered how his friend would get out of that one, and find a way to defuse Symphony’s anger.

Not really a problem there, actually.

The two remaining Angels were about to follow their fellow pilots, when Colonel White suddenly caught hold of Rhapsody’s forearm, stopping her in her tracks. She turned back toward him with an inquiring look. He exchanged a glance with her, before looking down, uncharacteristically hesitant when he next spoke:

“I… er… I would like to talk to you for a few minutes, if you please, Rhapsody.”

She hesitated. Destiny was only three feet away from them, wondering if she should wait or go.

“I’m… scheduled for duty in Angel Two, sir, and…”

“Oh, do stay!” Destiny suddenly interrupted. “I’ll cover your shift for you this time, Rhapsody.”

The English pilot shot a withering look at her grinning and departing friend.

“Thanks, Destiny,” she said coolly, keeping herself from frowning. “Leaving me with the monkeys again, are you?”

Rhapsody could almost hear Destiny chuckle mischievously. Scarlet was still hidden behind the bushes, unnoticed. He watched as the French woman strode out through the sliding door to get into the elevator. Then he turned his attention back to Colonel White and Rhapsody. He stayed where he was, and waited. Now was not the moment to show himself, as he had a feeling the colonel had some unfinished business to attend to with the Angel pilot. The latter was standing in front of her commander, waiting to know what he wanted from her. She could see the puzzled expression in his blue eyes, as he was staring at her.

“I hope I’m not the monkey?” he asked, unsure.

Rhapsody chuckled. The confusion in White was understandable, considering the exchange she just had with Destiny, but had absolutely no motivation. She smiled kindly.

“No, sir, that had nothing to do with you. It’s an old story and, as they say: you had to be there.” She paused a second, then cleared her throat. “Now… what can I do for you, sir?”

White was now looking rather sombre. He shook his head. “Sit down, please.”

Rhapsody was really curious to know what this was all about; she obeyed his request, and sat on the chair in front of him. She waited for him to speak. The colonel seemed uncharacteristically shy, right now. He was avoiding looking her straight in the eye, and was staring, without really seeing, at the tip of his slipper, at the end of his injured, elevated leg. It took several seconds before he could bring himself to address the young woman.

“I… hem… I wanted to see you in private, Rhapsody. So I could offer you my most sincere apologies.”

She frowned. “Whatever for?”

“Do you need to ask?” White finally raised his eyes to look at her. “My behaviour towards you… was inexcusable.”

“You weren’t yourself, sir. You don’t need to apologise.”

“Yes, I do. Rhapsody, I can’t even BEGIN to forgive myself. The LEAST I can do now is ask for YOUR forgiveness.” White’s features became hard. “I kidnapped you. Mistreated you… Terrorised you. I… I hit you. And even held a knife against your throat.” He shivered at the mere thought of that moment, and swallowed hard, before clearing his throat. “God knows what could have happened if you hadn’t been able to contact Spectrum. Dear Lord, maybe I could have…”

He stopped; Rhapsody could only imagine what was going through his mind, by seeing the pain in his blue, suddenly distant eyes. She leaned toward him, gently reached for his hand, and smiled warmly.

“I really don’t think you would have hurt me, sir.”

“I wish I could be certain of that,” he replied gloomily. “But I had so little control over myself at the time…” He shook his head, sighing. “I really never meant you to get hurt, Rhapsody. Not willingly, anyway. But… to think that because of me, you were almost raped…”

“Because of you?”

“I feel responsible. If I had not taken you prisoner, that scum Dempsey would NEVER have come near you.”

“You can’t know that. I could have been killed instead – and Captain Ochre with me – in your friend’s house.” White kept silent; apparently, he wasn’t convinced. Rhapsody moved on: “Sir, that’s the kind of risk that comes with our job. I wouldn’t be in Spectrum if I didn’t accept that. Or if I couldn’t take care of myself.”

A faint smile swept across the colonel’s lips, at the memory of how he had found Dempsey, with a broken nose, sprawled at the feet of the young woman he had attempted to assault.

“Yes, I know you can take care of yourself,” he said, nodding thoughtfully. He then pointed to the dressing put on his left temple. “I still have the wound to prove it.”

Rhapsody scowled. “I hope it doesn’t leave a scar.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t. And you’re not the only one responsible for that, you know: I got repeatedly hit over the head, during that dreadful adventure. I wish it would have brought me back to my senses before I made a mess of things!”

That was a pitiful attempt at a joke. Rhapsody shook her head, still feeling bad. “Nevertheless, I’m really sorry I hit you with that bottle.”

“Don’t be. I deserved it. Rhapsody, you were afraid for your life. You thought I was a Mysteron; I had become violent. How could you know I wasn’t going to hurt you?”

“I could have killed you.”

“You didn’t kill me; in fact, I would say that you saved my life after that. I remember. YOU could have been killed when you pushed me away from that bullet. You could have been hit instead of me. But you didn’t hesitate.”

“I knew the truth by then. That you had been drugged, and were not really aware of what you were doing. I couldn’t let you be killed. I HAD to do something.”

“Regardless of everything I had done to you?”

“Really, sir… I can hardly hold that against you.”

“Not even for the way I embarrassed you?”

Rhapsody stared at him; wondering what he could be referring to exactly. White sighed; he looked very uncomfortable. “You know… That question I asked you. About… you and me…”

He watched as understanding then dawned on her. He thought he saw some red coming to her cheeks, but it was just for a moment, as she slowly settled straight on her chair, and nodded thoughtfully.

“Oh, now I see. THAT question.” She cleared her throat. “Well, yes… I must admit it WAS embarrassing.”

“I don’t know what possessed me to ask you that!” White said, with a bashful enough expression on his face. “I… my mind was in complete turmoil at the time. With huge gaps in my memory. I couldn’t even remember most of my past, except through a thick haze. Let alone remember exactly what had happened the day before! I thought for certain that you were involved with… my capture by the enemy. So I…” He stopped, scratching his head in embarrassment. “I rather naturally assumed you had seduced me… in order to…”

The colonel stopped again, seeming at a loss for words. Rhapsody could see how unsettled he was by the whole situation. He had gone through enough, she reflected. No sense in dragging it out.

“I forgive you, sir,” she said gently. “I accept your apologies. For everything.”

White blew a deep sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“…But under ONE condition,” Rhapsody added swiftly.

He stared at her, concern in his eyes, but was quickly reassured when next she spoke: “I still recall that I owe you that bottle of brandy I broke over your head…”

“Rhapsody…”

“I told you I would replace it,” Rhapsody continued, without listening to the colonel’s protests. “So, next time I go to my father’s, I’ll sneak into his cellar… and steal the best bottle of brandy he has, just for you.”

White stared at her with perplexity. He frowned. “From your father’s cellar?” He gave it some deep thought, then nodded slowly. “Would you make it a bottle of Cognac, instead?”

Rhapsody chuckled. “Whatever you want, sir.”

“You’ll drink it with me.”

“Here on Cloudbase?”

That was a joke, of course; and White knew that perfectly well. “Of course not,” he replied, with a frown of fake seriousness. “You know that drinking on duty…”

“…is a most serious offence,” Rhapsody finished for him.

He nodded musingly. “I do tend to repeat myself, don’t I?”

“Not that often, sir.”

“You’re trying to be nice to me, now.” White shrugged. “I was thinking that, I owe you something myself; a musical, next time we’re both in London…”

“That’s not really necessary, Colonel.”

“But I do insist. And I won’t take no for an answer.”

Rhapsody sighed. “All right, then. Since you put it that way.”

“Although I’m not sure Les Misérables will still be on when we’re next able to get down there,” White remarked.

“It doesn’t matter, sir. Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Then it’s settled.” Colonel White gave the young woman pilot a satisfied grin. He was looking as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “Well, that went better than I thought it would,” he noted with a sigh. “I’ve got a lot of amends to make to a lot of people, you know. After all the things I did…”

Rhapsody nodded, understandingly. “That can’t be easy for you,” she noted, knowing her commander’s pride, and how difficult it must be for him to apologise to so many people, even – or rather especially – when he wasn’t really responsible for all that had happened.

“I know my failings, Rhapsody. And, no, it’s not going to be easy. But I have to admit, it’s going really well up so far. People have been so… understanding.”

“They know what you’ve been through, sir. That shouldn’t surprise you.”

“Maybe so, but… I’m still feeling very bad about all this. I put everybody on edge, shot at people, threatened them… Doctor Fawn wasn’t so sure I wouldn’t attack him, the first day he visited me in that civilian hospital. And poor Captain Magenta… what I did to his nose...”

“He’ll survive, sir,” Rhapsody smiled. “You know he’s tough. With his background, it's probably not the first time either.”

“Well that doesn’t minimize the fact that I nearly killed him,” White grumbled. “He DID accept my apologies, quite gracefully, I might add. Despise his rather… chaotic background, he’s also a very decent and nice person.” White looked thoughtful for a moment. “You know, Captain Ochre surprised me most of all.”

“Really?”

“Well, knowing him, I fully expected him to hold a grudge against me, considering I put a bullet in his shoulder.”

“He doesn’t?”

White shook his head. “No, quite the contrary, actually. He was really quite magnanimous. Said we were even, as I’d been shot through the shoulder too.” White frowned, thoughtful. “He even recommended to me the nurse who took personal care of him during his convalescence.”

Rhapsody gave him an odd look. “Nurse Lang?”

“Yes, that’s the name. Ochre says she’s extraordinarily caring. She should start this afternoon. You know her?”

“I’ve… heard of her.” Rhapsody hesitated. She was trying her best not to openly chuckle at Ochre’s far too obvious attempt at a practical joke at the colonel’s expense. That he should even have the nerve to actually do it was disconcerting enough. Obviously, THIS was his way of really getting even with his commander.

Seeing the expression on the young pilot’s face, Colonel White realised something was afoot. He narrowed his eyes at her, curious.

“What? Is something wrong? Or have I said something funny?”

“Funny, sir?” Rhapsody paused, pondering what to do or to say. She didn’t want to blow the whistle on Ochre. On the other hand, keeping silent seemed awfully unfair to White.

“Have you ever read Virgil, sir?”

The colonel stared at her; what an odd question… “A long time ago, yes.”

“Then, you must know what he said about Greeks bearing gifts?”

She didn’t elaborate; not that she would have the time to do so, if she had wanted too. The access door had just opened and they heard footsteps approaching; raising their heads to see who it was, they saw Doctor Fawn, in full uniform, approaching cheerfully, a smile on his face and a medical bag in his hand.

“Still here are you, Colonel?” he said, addressing White. “I thought I wouldn’t have to search for you too long.” He glanced at Rhapsody. “And you’re in charming company, I see.”

“Well, thank you, Doctor,” Rhapsody replied, smiling.

Fawn nodded toward White, still addressing the young woman. “I trust he’s been behaving himself?”

“Of course he has!” Rhapsody scoffed. “What a thing to say!”

“Well, I’ve got my reasons,” Fawn deadpanned. “He’s not the ideal patient, you know. I have all the trouble in the world persuading him to rest in sickbay.”

“So that’s why you sent me here now, is it?” White reflected. “To get some peace and quiet.”

“Nothing gets by you, does it, sir?” Fawn removed his cap and put it on the table, along with his bag. “Mind if I borrow him for a few minutes, Rhapsody? I’ve got a few check-up tests to perform.”

“Not again!” Colonel White moaned with obvious discontent. “I thought I was finished with those tests!”

“Not as long as you are under my responsibility and until I’m fully satisfied that you’re all right,” Fawn replied dryly. “You’ve been through a lot, sir, and I want to make sure you’re completely recovered before I agree to release you from sickbay… and then back to active duty. I don’t want you risking a relapse of any kind.”

White scowled at those words. He didn’t need Doctor Fawn to patronize him at all. But there was little point protesting; the chief medical officer was the one calling the shots in these circumstances, and even White had to follow his orders.

“Just be glad that I don’t need you down in sickbay this time,” Fawn continued, less harshly. “I’ll do some simple routine check-ups right now, and you’ll still be able to admire the view.”

“Small consolation,” White grumbled under his breath. He knew very well that Fawn had heard him, but the doctor acted as if he hadn’t.

“He’s all yours, Doctor,” Rhapsody announced, getting to her feet. “I really must be going now. I should be in the Conference Room. You know Captain Blue doesn’t joke about discipline.”

“Not another one of those dreadful lectures?” Fawn said, lifting an eyebrow. “Well, at least this time, I don’t have to give it.” He smiled gently. “Do tell me what this one is all about.”

“Are you sure you REALLY want to know?” Rhapsody leaned toward the colonel. “Get better soon, PLEASE, sir,” she told him, almost in confidence. “We can’t wait to have you back in command!”

“I’ll do my best,” White promised. “With the doctor’s expert help.”

Rhapsody answered with a smile and then, after nodding her goodbyes to Fawn, took her leave, striding toward the exit. Behind her, she could hear the doctor opening his bag, before asking Colonel White to give him his free arm, so he could to take a blood sample. The grumble she heard coming from her commander told her he was reluctantly agreeing to the demand.

The Angel pilot had reached the door, but didn’t have time to open it before she heard a rustling sound coming from behind the bushes to her right. Glancing that way, she saw Captain Scarlet emerging from them, a bashful and mischievous smile upon his handsome face. She frowned in perplexity.

“How long have you been hiding in there?” she asked, in a falsely accusatory tone.

“Long enough to wonder if I should get jealous,” Scarlet answered with a faint laugh. He gave a quick glance in Colonel White and Doctor Fawn’s direction; too involved with the medical check-up, neither were paying attention to what was going on around them, and hadn’t seen him yet. Scarlet gently took his fiancée by the arm and pulled her behind the bushes, although not as far as he had previously been himself; he then permitted himself to kiss her cheek.

“Careful, now,” she whispered, putting a hand on his chest, as if trying to stop him from going further, but obviously not really wanting to. “You’re taking an enormous risk, here.”

“I spend my entire life taking risks, Angel,” he reminded her with a smile. “This is just one more… And one that’s worth it, might I add.”

“That’s not the risk I was referring to,” Rhapsody replied with a mischievous grin of her own. “If you start spying on me now…”

“What, frustrated that I might actually be better at it than you are?” Scarlet laughed. “Anyway, I wasn’t spying on you.” He glanced once more toward Colonel White, who, at the moment, was giving every appearance of a man who had really had enough, as Doctor Fawn listened to his heart rate with his stethoscope. “I just guessed that the colonel wanted to clear things between the two of you. So I kept out of the way, so he could have the opportunity.”

Rhapsody nodded. “Thank you,” she said. “He wanted to apologise. For the way he acted toward me. It seemed to be important to him.”

“I can relate to that,” Scarlet remarked, his eyes not leaving White. “He seems a lot better, now.”

“He IS a lot better, Paul,” Rhapsody replied with a smile. “It’s really good to see him coming back to his old self.”

“THAT I can also relate to.” Scarlet stared at the young woman with a thoughtful glance. “Did he… mention anything yet about the ring?”

“Not a word as yet,” she answered shaking her head. “Paul, I’m pretty sure that if he had intended to ask me about it, he would have done so just now.”

“Unless Fawn interrupted him.”

“I didn’t get that impression.” Rhapsody thought for a moment. “Could it be that he doesn’t remember?”

“Doctor Fawn did mention him having some confused recollections,” Scarlet nodded, wondering about that himself. “Maybe that’s one of them.” He shrugged. “I expect we’ll find out soon enough.”

Meanwhile, Doctor Fawn was still doing his check-up on a morose Colonel White, who was placidly waiting for him to finish checking his blood pressure – hopefully as soon as possible, as he hated to go through these routines. He was looking about, trying to take his mind off it, and not to look as impatient as he was feeling. It was then that, turning his head in the direction of the door, he noticed that Rhapsody had not yet left. She was still there, standing next to the closed door, talking with Captain Scarlet. White could see both of them well, half hidden behind a copse of bushes. Their conversation seemed to be agreeable enough, judging by the way the young woman was smiling. And Scarlet was smiling back at her. Warmly… affectionately, even…

Seeing them there together reminded White of something. He frowned, searching in his mind for the memory. He knew it was something that had happened recently, when he was under the influence of that Dream Spinner; but it kept eluding him…

And suddenly, he remembered. The ring Rhapsody wore on the chain around her neck, with that small charm he ha