Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Spending another day at port, the crew continued to relax. Though the shore time was relatively peaceful, Stryder�s mental conflict continued to escalate, a darker personality seeming to take control.
Valrash confronted Stryder and his darker side took control, threatening the demon with death should he interfere with what was happening. Afterwards, Stryder returned to the ship, acting as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile: Katie and Clarice decided to relieve some of their troubles by smoking, but they took the enchanted herbs instead of normal ones. The result; Clarice had a conversation with her deceased father. Katie had a conversation with Shaiya, who spoke of plans still in effect.
Wraith, after learning about mysterious spirits visiting both Claron and Katie, notified Alexei that they needed to go to the Strennus system, where something waited for them. However; the Terran Alliance was also searching for something of great power, and noticing the Ettik preparing to leave, ordered them followed.
*Time passed: An hour*
After undocking from the station, the Ettik set a jump course for the Strennus System, located on the edge of the Horsehead nebula. A monstrous set of mechanic pillars mark the main hyperspace gate in the Aegis system.
As space rips apart in a rainbow array of colors, Ettik shoots into the opening, engines leaving a contrail as it disappears into hyperspace. On a nearby Alliance vessel, the nav officer studies his console, �They�ve jumped, sir. Setting sequence to follow them and engaging stealth systems.�
The commander nods, �Good. Notify the rest of the squad to follow us into the gate when we jump.� He sits, watching the curved view screen from under the brim of his hat, �Time to find out where they�re going��
Valrash stays in his room. Holding a ball of fire, he juggles it in his hand. He thinks about what had transpired.
Shadow sits in the galley drinking and muttering something about his wife.
Skirmir looks out the galley windows, still in amazement at hyperspace, �To think travel between distant stars is made possible by this.�
Katie sits quietly in a corner of the galley, writing in a journal of some sort. Kyra wanders the floor, glancing at Katie now and then. She finally gets a drink from the replicator and settles into a seat.
Katie looks up from her writing, staring out the viewport, her distant gaze peaceful, but thoughtful.
Tabris scrolls idly through the musical database on the small console computer in his and Claron�s quarters. �Quite the collection...they�ve got music here that I�ve never heard of.�
Syne skirts Katie�s table, knocking on it to get her attention, �So, I heard you and Clarice went to the botanical bay. Planting flowers or something?�
Luna stares out the window. �We�re in hyperspace, I wonder where we�re going now?� she asks Eclipse softly as she turns back to him.
Katie doesn�t take her eyes off the view. �Or something.�
�Not sure, we could probably ask Alexei,� Eclipse says as he looks down at Luna from his lounging spot on the ceiling.
Luna stands directly under him and tilts her head back. �You seem to enjoy it up there. Have any of your other gifts returned?� she asks as she rests her paws on her hips.
�As far as I can tell, no, but they may,� Eclipse smiles down at Luna, his tail reaching down to caress her cheek.
�Care to elaborate on that?� Syne turns a chair around and sits, resting his arms across the back of it.
DracBlue slowly opens his eyes as he realizes that he was asleep on Tza�s lap. He turns his head to look at her.
Stopping by the replicator himself, Stryder grabs the tall glass as it finishes materializing. Moving to Kyra�s table, he sits near her, �Good to see you out of your room.�
Luna allows him the intimate touch for a moment, then bats his tail away playfully. �We still need to name the baby ship. Can you come down here, you�re making my neck hurt.� She grumbles as she moves back to the window.
Tzaphiel smiles down at Drac. �Did you enjoy your nap, bubba?�
Eclipse chuckles and drops from the ceiling, landing next to Luna and looking out the window. �Come up with any good names?�
Katie sighs, looking down at her diary. She adds another sentence or two, then closes it slowly. �We just went in there to unwind a bit. Ended up not being as relaxing as we�d hoped.� She reaches for a cigarette, shaking her head.
�Then play something you know�� Claron whispers as she brushes back strands of Tabris� hair.
Kyra nods at Stryder, scrutinizing him intently.
DracBlue lays there not quite awake. �Why I believe I did, thank you,� as he sits up.
�Hmm�� Tabris scrolls through the lists and selects some classical music. Glancing over his shoulder at Claron, he smirks, �This work for you?�
Luna shrugs. �I have a few names in mind. Mostly ancient gods, but they may be too much for a child to live up to.�
Wraith silently enters the galley, apparently noticing nobody as he makes his way to the replicator. Glancing at it for a few moments, he selects, a small bowl of blue-colored soup appearing. Quietly, he takes it over to an isolated table near the window, watching hyperspace zoom by.
�What? No rock-n-roll?� Claron feigns disappointment, �Whatever shall I do�� then giggles lightheartedly.
�Heh, if you don't like it I can pick the interesting sounding Cragnoc Gutteral Prayer Chants,� Tabris sticks his tongue out at Claron as he slides from the chair and scoops her up in a hug.
�The child in question being a several megaton living warship,� Eclipse comments to Luna, �let�s hear these ancient god names.�
Claron laughs as Tabris� arms scoop around her. �Oh really...now?� raising a brow as she looks at him, smirking.
Syne watches her, gaze drifting to the diary as he wonders about it, �So, you writing a book or something?�
�You bet, you may even force me to pull out the alien operas.� Chuckling lightly, Tabris leans into Claron and kisses her.
Luna watches the colored streamers passing the window as she thinks about the gods. �Well, my thoughts run toward the male gods for some reason. There is Khensu, he was known as the �Traveller� or the �Navigator�.� She pauses for a moment, �Then I thought about Khepra. He was the god of the rising sun.� Shaking her head, she turns to look at Eclipse, �And last, I remember is Zehuti. He was the judge of the gods.�
Katie nods, caressing the book fondly. �You could say that. It�s a book of memories. As one surfaces, I try to write it down. So I can piece together who and what I was, and who I am to be now.�
On the bridge, Alexei examines the holographic star chart displayed in the center of the bridge, �Blue giant star, bit unusual, and four planets. Looks like binary planets mid-system.� He glances past the hologram at Sikozu�s display on the view screen. �We�ll scan the binaries if you can scan in the inner and outermost planets.�
�So it�s like logs,� Syne listens to her, then glances at the book. �Any particular reason you�re doing it this way and not on a computer?�
Tzaphiel nudges Drac�s shoulder playfully, �You gonna stay there forever? Cause if you are, I�m gonna shift into a pillow.�
DracBlue smiles as he looks at her. He gets up and states, �You�re much more comfortable than some pillow.�
�Interesting, I�ve never heard of any of those,� Eclipse shrugs a bit, �I guess I didn�t pay much attention to which gods were in power during the millennia.�
Tzaphiel shakes her head. �I can be soft as a feather bed or hard as a rock. Depends on my mood.�
�I like hand writing it.� Katie explains, getting up and tucking the book into a pouch at her waist. She goes to the replicator, smiling over at Stryder and Kyra, then gets herself a cup of chocolate, then returns and sits back down. �It�s reminiscent of the way my ancestors recorded things.�
Luna smiles. �Well, those are what the Egyptians called them. All the gods have as many names as there are races of people.�
DracBlue just nods and stands up. Stretching his wings as he looks out the window, he notices that they are not in space dock any longer and he snaps awake. �Well damn, we left suddenly.�
Claron feels herself surrendering to Tabris� warm embracing kiss. �Perfect choice��
Valrash exits his room and heads to the galley.
�Ahh,� Syne eyes the cup of chocolate with curiosity, then shifts his gaze back to Katie. �My people don�t do it that way, genetic memory passes knowledge and experience from parent to child.�
Tzaphiel watches Drac, puzzled by his reaction. �I suppose they were done. He said we had a destination planned.�
�Hard to think of your race having children at all.� Katie muses, sipping the drink. �Hmm. Needs something. Something like rum.�
Valrash steps into the galley and turns his attention to Wraith. Noticing him, he stares for a couple of seconds before walking over to the replicator and ordering himself something half-cooked.
�Well, not in the manner humanoid species do,� Syne shakes his head at Katie�s musing. �More like combining biomasses long enough to replicate.�
�Sounds kinky.� Katie says in a dry voice. Her emerald eyes sparkle.
DracBlue relaxes a little. �So we�re not landing soon, right?�
Wraith�s gaze drifts to the edge of his vision, though he doesn�t move his head. Taking another spoonful of his soup, he mutters to the air around him, �Yes, he was looking, I know.�
Kyra gets an uneasy feeling in her stomach, but tries to mentally shrug it off.
Tzaphiel shrugs at him. �I have no clue, he didn�t say how long the trip would take.�
�Kyra, you feeling alright?� Stryder raises a brow looking at her with some concern.
�Fine. Why?� Kyra says a little too quickly.
Valrash seems to be a little happier with each step he takes closer to Wraith. But he stops and sits at the table with Shadow.
Syne chuckles lightly, �It�s not visually exciting, but it gets the job done.� He sighs and looks at her book again, �And the end result is that I have both my parents� experiences and knowledge.�
�No reason, you just looked off there for a second,� Stryder replies, eyes narrowing a bit at her quick reply.
Shadow eyes Valrash. �Any reason I get the privilege of your company?�
Tabris lowers his hand to Claron�s back, taking her other hand in his, he begins to dance slowly to the music, �We need to do this more...dance. Waiting for the next �you saved the universe� party takes too long.�
DracBlue sighs and makes some barely audible words. �Son of a�� Then he straightens back up and looks into Tza�s eyes, �Care to join me in the galley?�
�Aye, that it does.� Claron smiles as Tabris leads them in dance.
Valrash shrugs, �I just thought you might like some company.�
�How�clinical.� Katie chews her lip. �Guess not everyone goes in for the whole fireplace and bearskin rug thing.� She shifts in her seat, looking out the window again.
Tzaphiel nods at Drac and gets up off the bed. �Is something wrong? You almost seem upset that we left the station so soon.�
�I�m great, really.� Kyra stretches, continuing to look at Stryder, as if measuring something.
�Fireplace and bearskin rug thing?� Syne gives her a confused look, he really needed to study up on human culture.
Shadow looks at Valrash for a moment, then just shrugs it off, drinking quietly.
�Well, alright,� Stryder nods and finishes off his drink.
�No time like the present,� Cara mutters to herself as she nears the galley, bits of Stryder and Kyra�s mental thoughts, compelling her.
DracBlue looks at Tza. �We�re just always on the move and I like taking the time off. And besides�when we land, I have to play bodyguard again.�
�Never mind, Rogue. Tis not important.� Katie runs her fingers absently over the table top, while watching the void outside the viewport.
Valrash looks almost giddy as he continues eating the half cooked meat
�If you say so,� Syne shrugs, reminding himself to study once again. �Any idea where we�re going?�
Luna slips an arm around Eclipse�s waist. �It could be Gidja, the Australian god of dreams and sex.� She kisses him softly, �Or Heimdall, the Norse god of defense against evil.�
Shadow turns his head looks at Wraith. �Who�s the kid? And why are you so happy?�
Valrash smiles. �I have no clue who he is. And as to why I�m so happy, you wouldn�t understand if I told you.�
Tzaphiel steps closer to Drac. �As long as we are in flight, you�re free.�
�Not a clue.� Katie looks back at him. �One minute, we were parked; the next, Alexei was puttin� his foot through the gas pedal.�
�I don�t think Ettik would take to kindly if you named its child after a sex god,� Eclipse smirks after enjoying the kiss.
�Must be important then,� Syne sniffs the air, noticing the scent from Katie�s drink. �That stuff any good, it smells weird.�
DracBlue nods, �And as long as we�re on the ground, I am hers, to do her bidding.�
�MmmHmm.� Katie smiles dreamily. �It�s wonderful. Want to try a sip?� She offers him her glass.
Syne takes the glass carefully and sips it. Making a funny face, he hands it back, �You�re right, it could use that rum.�
Tzaphiel stands toe to toe with Drac and sighs. �Then you should be very happy we are no longer docked.�
DracBlue thinks about it. �I�ve been slacking.� Then he makes an �ugh� sound.
Luna giggles at Eclipse. �I know, but it gets a reaction just the same.�
�I�d stick to names of gods that aren�t involved in reproduction,� Eclipse smiles lightly as he slips his arm around her waist as well.
�Well if we�re both in agreement�� Katie gets up and goes to the replicator again, returning with a small carafe. Pouring the liquid into her glass, she sips gingerly, nods, and pours another healthy dose. Another taste brings a nod of satisfaction, and she takes several larger sips.
Tzaphiel grumbles at Drac, �Damn her, she�s got a brother and a father to take care of her, but who takes care of you?�
As the song finishes, Tabris takes a step back and bows to Claron, �A wonderful dance, m�lady. Might I say, you dance beautifully.�
DracBlue looks at her momentarily. �I don�t suppose anyone does.�
Luna leans against Eclipse and purrs. �What if the ship is a girl? Then we�ve named her all wrong.�
Gazing up at the window, Wraith nods to himself, �Almost there...then they will be told what they need to know.�
DracBlue stops there and thinks for a second, �But you have,� he says kind of surprised.
�Well I�ve heard them say male,� Eclipse thinks about it for a second. �So I�m fairly certain it�s a boy.�
Tzaphiel smirks. �I haven�t done anything except spend time with you.�
Claron�s blue eyes sparkle as she returns Tabris� bow with a regal looking curtsey.
DracBlue nods. �But you don�t ask for anything while you do.�
Luna smiles. �That�s a relief. Maybe we should go see who is stirring, and get their opinions on the matter?�
�Sounds like a plan to me.� Nodding his approval, Eclipse glances at the door.
Cara enters the galley. Pausing just inside, she glances around.
Tzaphiel blushes. �I don�t need anything, but thank you for all the stuff you got me. It was fun shopping with you.�
Raising a brow, Stryder scans the galley, his view settling on Cara as he notices her.
Syne smirks, �Take it easy, Kat. If there�s a scuffle, I�d prefer you able to stand.�
Luna turns and heads for the door to the hall. Pausing, she glances over at the swords leaning in the corner. �Do you think we should take them with us?�
DracBlue nods. �It was fun shopping with you, too.�
�Do tell me, Lord Tabris...is that your way of telling me I am an excellent follower?� Claron jests.
Valrash watches Stryder with some idle amusement playing in his eyes.
�Couldn�t hurt I suppose,� Eclipse grabs up Morthoseth with his tail, slinging its sheath across his shoulder.
Tzaphiel motions towards the door behind Drac. �Shall we then? I�ll follow you.�
�Most excellent, I could not have picked a better if the gods themselves were present,� Tabris takes Claron�s hand and kisses the back of it.
DracBlue heads to the door. �Sure.� As he heads out it, his wing starts to twitch. Then he looks at it. �Damn, I think I need to fly more.�
Cara�s eyes meet Stryder�s gaze, her face remaining expressionless.
Luna laughs as she watches Eclipse. �You�re getting pretty good with that tail.� She holds out her paw and her sheathed sword floats gently to her. �I almost forget I can do that.� She purrs as she buckles her straps into place.
Katie laughs softly. �A lil rum never put me down before, Rogue. Stop worrying like an old woman.�
Alexei makes two points on the star chart with his finger, glancing over his shoulder at Sikozu on the com, �We�ll exit here. You exit here, and after scanning rendezvous near the binaries, here.�
Sikozu nods, punching in commands on her own holo-console, �Understood. This trip better be worth it.�
Arwyn sits quietly by herself in the galley, studying the others.
Kyra looks down at the table, closing her eyes.
Syne shakes his head, �Sorry, bad habit.�
Stryder turns his gaze back to Kyra, noticing her looking down at the table, �Kyra?�
Kyra looks up, forcing a bright smile. �Yes?�
Skirmir pulls a chair back, bowing his head to Arwyn, �Hello, I don�t believe we�ve met, I�m Skirmir.� He notices her pointed ears, but decides to not question, simply regarding her as another non-human.
DracBlue continues on to the galley and enters it. Ordering a couple of iron bars, he sits down at a separate table from the rest of the Warriors.
�Tired? You looked like you were dozing off there,� Stryder questions, his tone curious, but seeming ever so faintly faked.
Cara moves stealthily up behind Stryder, glancing over his shoulder to look down at Kyra. �Don�t suppose the three of us...in the same confined area...has anything to do with it?�
Tzaphiel follows Drac into the galley and sits down at the table with him, watching the group already gathered in the room.
Arwyn nods back at the red haired lion man, �Arwyn, ambassador and Princess of Oussea.�
Luna opens the door and steps into the hall. Glancing over her shoulder at Eclipse, �I do hope the family feud is not still playing out.�
�A princess, this is definitely an interesting group of travelers,� Skirmir nods, remembering her name along with the others.
DracBlue stands up from his seat. Noticing that Cara is so close to Stryder, his claws seem to sneak out of his hands as he stands.
�It may or may not�who knows,� Eclipse shrugs. �Hopefully it will end more...peacefully than mine did.�
~Finally you take me somewhere. Gathering dust is for relics, not for me. And the company could have been better.~ Luciendar�s voice is easing out of annoyance as she speaks to Luna.
Syne glances over at Kyra and Stryder�s table. Noticing Cara near it, he tilts his head, �Wonder what they�re up to over there?�
Luna blinks at the sudden voice in her head. ~Well, you don�t exactly make yourself known. If you want attention, then you should let me know.~
Tzaphiel looks up at Drac standing next to her at the table, and follows his gaze to the scene of teen angst unfolding across the room.
Kyra shrugs and looks out the window. �I suppose I am a bit tired. If you�ll excuse me�� She rises and heads for the door.
~And how should I do that? Bark? Shout? Eat your shoes? I�m a sword for heaven�s sake...~ Luciendar sighs, then seems to mentally shake it off.
Stryder watches Kyra leave, then glances over his shoulder at Cara, �Do you want something, Cara?�
Luna looks over her shoulder at Eclipse, wondering if he�s getting an earful from his weapon as well. ~As for the company, get used to it. He�s not going anywhere anytime soon.~
Eclipse watches Luna, then looks down the hallway as he enters it. ~Next time...put me somewhere else.~ Morthoseth speaks with great annoyance in Eclipse�s mind.
Alexei�s Russian accented English comes over the com, �Entering Strennus system, prepare for jump to normal space.� As the com turns off, the blazing yellow of hyperspace begins peeling back in rainbow waves, revealing star filled space and a large blue giant glowing in the distance.
�What could I possibly want from the one that wanted me dead?� Cara leans down and whispers in Stryder�s ear.
Katie watches Kyra leave and heaves a sigh.
Luna leads the way to the galley. ~Can you only speak to me when you�re in my possession?~ Her tail swings back and forth with each step she takes.
Stryder turns, a dark blaze in his eyes piercing Cara�s, ~Power.~ Stryder�s mental voice, though darker, speaks the word to Cara, then goes silent. Standing, Stryder smirks at her, then heads for the galley�s exit.
~Well, you certainly didn�t hear me when you stuck me in the corner, now did you?~ Luciendar�s tone is slightly bothered, but seems friendly still.
DracBlue�s claws seem to slide back in as Stryder leaves the room. He sits back down and begins eating the metal in front of him.
Luna almost bumps into Stryder as she enters the galley. ~Point taken.~
Wraith rises from his seat, watching the space outside the viewport as the Ettik drifts into range of the two binary planets. Outside, two earth-sized worlds seem to hover next to one another. One a swirl of clouds covering a deep green world. And its twin, a blaze of orange and yellow, in addition two sets of planetary rings circle each world, intersecting in a debris strewn cloud of dust.
Kyra walks and walks, hallways passing in a blur. Tears spring to her eyes as she fights against the sadness clawing at her chest. Stopping in front of the botanical bay, she slips quietly inside, hiding among the plants and giving in to her sobs.
Stryder looks at Luna but quickly dismisses the gaze as he continues past both her and Eclipse into the hallway beyond.
Eclipse watches Stryder pass, then looks ahead into the galley.
Luna steps away from Stryder with a shiver and whispurrs to Eclipse, �Something�s not right with that boy.�
Cara stands stunned, momentarily. Having seen the dark blaze in Stryder�s eyes and heard the increased darkness mentally, she ponders. �Now you are power-hungry?�
�Rannoch.� Katie murmurs absently. �We should name the baby Rannoch.�
A blue-colored crab-bot skitters along, pausing on its way to a small flowering tree to look at Kyra. Studying her, it tilts on its side legs, its body dipping to one side as a result.
Kyra giggles a bit, sniffling. �Funny lil guy.�
�Rannoch? Where�d you come up with that?� Syne questions Katie.
Luna runs her paws over her arms, smoothing down the fur that is standing up.
�Tis the birthplace of me Da.� Katie shakes herself out of her thoughts. �And I do believe one of our laird ancestors carried that name, as well.� She shrugs and goes back to sipping her drink, watching him over the rim.
�Sounds like a good name to me,� Syne shrugs, then idly thinking about human slang and sayings that he still didn�t understand.
Tzaphiel�s gaze follows the boy out of the room, then moves to Syne and Katie. She leans back in her seat and crosses her long legs. Her foot resting against Drac�s calf gently as she watches him eat.
�Yes...I noticed that as well,� Eclipse watches Luna smooth her fur down.
�Well, gentle lady, I suppose this dance must end.� Tabris pulls Claron closer, �We should probably check what�s up. Seeing as we�ve arrived at wherever it was we were going.�
The crab-bot crawls sideways towards Kyra, �blinking� at a spot where her tears had hit the floor.
Luna looks around the room and her ears twitch as she hears Katie mention naming the ship. Stepping over to the table, she asks, �Is anyone sitting here?� resting a paw on the back of a chair.
DracBlue smiles at Tza�s foot resting against his calf and continues eating. He mutters, �Diamond is next.�
Goosebumps raise as Katie�s mind conjures up a black dress�and a cold hand clamping down on her arm, dragging her away from a party. She frowns, trying to remember more. But all she comes up with is a dark haired man struggling in the grasp of several who were not what they seemed. She sighs and rubs her arms.
�Feel free,� Syne extends a hand towards the chairs as he looks at Luna and Eclipse.
�Impeccable timing, as always.� Claron muses as Tab pulls her closer.
Tzaphiel looks at Drac. �Diamond?�
�Always,� Tabris sighs as he looks around their room.
Kyra rubs a forearm across the tear-stained floor. �Sorry, lil fella. Didn�t mean to rain on your garden.� She leans back against a potted tree and wipes her eyes with the back of her other arm.
DracBlue jumps as if someone just heard him thinking. �Oh, I was just thinking aloud, I think.�
Luna pulls out the chair and sits down next to Syne. �I overheard your idea, does Rannoch mean anything?�
The blue crab-bots skitters away, disappearing behind some bushes. A few seconds later it comes back, setting a cut flower next to Kyra, then looking at her. With a light chirp, it skitters off again to continue its duties.
Katie smiles. �It means �Fern� in Gaelic, actually.�
Looking between the planets, Wraith nods, �Yes, we are here. Xawin and Veles. Twin worlds upon which twin souls rest, waiting to rise again.� Wraith turns to face those gathered in the galley, speaking up to be heard, �We have arrived. You must form two groups, if we are to retrieve what we have come for.�
Kyra�s tears start up again as she tucks the flower behind her ear. �Thanks, little guy,� she whispers.
Eclipse glances over at Wraith, �Why two groups? Are we going to be exploring both planets at once?�
Luna watches Katie�s face light up for a change. She glances at Wraith, �And what are we retrieving?�
�Wonder whatever happened to Fern?� Katie blinks a couple of times, then turns to the conversation. �Two groups, huh?�
�What we require,� Wraith glances at those in the galley, seeming to study each. �Katie will be in the first group and Claron the second. Who will accompany who, I leave to you.�
Katie�s eyes widen. �I beg your pardon?�
Luna glances from Wraith to Katie, then back. �What are we looking for in these groups?�
Wraith looks at Katie with a nod. �You heard correctly.� His eyes drift to Luna, �You will know when you find it.�
Katie gives a curt nod, her soldier�s mind taking over. �Well then, I suppose we�d better get our teams together and gear up for departure.� She looks around at those gathered.
Luna rolls her eyes. �I hate that answer. You have no idea how many times I�ve heard that in my lives.�
Alexei perks a brow as he studies the scan, �Identical ruins on both planets, strange.� As his hands drift over the holo-controls, he nods, �Sikozu, scans have picked up ruins on the surface of both the binary planets.�
Sikozu comes over the com, �Nothing on our scans. Whatever we�re here for, must be on those two.�
Wraith walks towards the center of the galley, arms resting idly at his sides as he watches. The invisible wind continues to play around him, his hair blowing faintly with it.
Tzaphiel nudges Drac, �I suppose you have to go where ever Cara goes now.�
DracBlue nods. �Yes, I do.�
�Another adventure, so soon?� Skirmir looks at Arwyn questioningly, but nods. �Well, I�m a part of this group, so I will go where needed, I suppose.�
Katie frowns. �Ettik, please inform Claron and Tabris that they are needed in the galley. And let Kyra know, as well, please.� She finishes her drink and stands, stretching.
Luna shakes her head. �And Stryder?�
The ship-wide com comes up again, �Alright, folks. Looks like we�ve got some unusual ruins on both planets. They seem to be in similar locations, but I can�t get a reading on their condition, or anything about local life forms.�
Katie turns, an odd feeling in her gut. �Yes, he should be informed, as well. Not to mention Clarice. Oh, and someone tell the boys that if they aren�t too busy, we�d appreciate their presence.�
Holographic screens appear on the wall in Claron and Tab�s quarters, in the air in front of Kyra and in the hallway near Stryder. Simple lettering spelling out �Please report to the galley�.
Another screen appears to Clarice, a gentle chime accompanying it to rouse her attention.
�How about that...looks like we�re being summoned,� Tabris points at the holographic message.
Claron startles as she sees the screen appear. �Sure looks that way. Guess we should quit wasting time,� turns toward the door.
Tzaphiel crosses her arms as she waits for the teams to be picked.
Clarice moves down the hallway towards the galley.
Stryder teleports and appears in the galley, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
Luna turns her attention to Cara. �You may want to take your sword, Cara.�
Tabris accompanies Claron out the door and towards the galley.
�Right. I�m going to get my gear. Start thinking about who you want to go with.� Katie exits the galley and heads for her room.
Syne nods watching Katie leave, �Well that was easy...guess I�m ready to go.�
Cara nods to Luna, then excuses herself and heads off to collect Elexorian from her quarters.
Kyra sniffles and rises to her feet, heading for the galley.
Katie gathers her weapons, changing into a steel grey tunic and slate leggings, with thigh-high boots. She twists her hair on top of her head, and looks in the mirror. A lady warrior stares back at her with serious eyes. Nodding, she heads back to the galley.
Kabal watches Cara retrieve her sword, �I assume we�re expecting combat on this little trip?�
�I dunno, Luna suggested I get my sword.� Cara turns to look at Kabal, Elexorian in hand.
�Well, better to be prepared,� Kabal motions down the hall. �If you�ve gotten everything, we should get back.�
Katie passes Kyra in the hall. �Get your sword, dearest. We�re going on a scavenger hunt.� She enters the galley and looks around at her friends.
Katie grins over at Claron. �Feels like old times, Nuffing.�
Cara nods her head at Kabal as they head for the galley. Silently, she debates whether or not to tell Kabal of her and Stryder�s last meeting.
Wraith glances around at those still in the galley, as if he was contemplating abilities and tactics.
Claron smiles at her best friend, �Oh, why�s that, McKinnon?�
Glancing at Claron and Katie, Wraith nods, �Have we decided who will be accompanying you?�
�Sides. What sides?� Claron looks at Wraith, then back at Katie.
�Well I�m going with my wife, no question about it,� Tabris rests his hand on Claron�s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Katie�s green eyes dance. �Because I feel like I�m conquering the world with my very best friend, again.�
Skirmir glances at Katie and Claron, �I will go with which whatever team needs me.�
Tzaphiel waits to see who takes Cara, and effectively snares Drac as well.
Syne nods to Katie, �Like I�ve said before, I�ve got your back, Kat. So count me in.�
DracBlue waits to see who takes Cara.
Claron tilts her head briefly. �Lord help us,� she smirks. Glancing over at Tabris, �I want our son with us. You see him?�
Shadow raises an eyebrow.
Katie nods.
�Here,� Stryder waves from his spot against the wall.
Valrash just sighs.
Kyra speaks softly. �I�m coming with you two.� She moves to stand beside Katie.
�You want me, I�m there,� Stryder nods to Claron and Tabris.
Clarice moves over toward Katie, �I�m with you.�
�Skirmir?� Katie smiles. �Would you be with us?�
�I would be honored,� Skirmir bows his head to Katie and walks over to join her group.
Cara looks over at the DuVallis troupe, then at Kyra. She moves over towards Kyra. �Count me in, too.�
Eclipse looks between the two, then glances at Luna, �I think I will go with Claron.�
DracBlue walks over to Cara. �I go with her.�
Arwyn walks over and joins Katie�s group.
Shadow joins Claron.
Valrash joins Claron.
Luna glances at the group assembled with Katie and sees Arwyn join Katie�s side. �Well, since Katie has a healer in her group�I�ll go with you.� She tells Eclipse.
Tzaphiel shakes her head at Drac. �I can�t watch.� She looks at Claron. �I�ll go with you, if you want me.�
Kabal looks at the group, then nods. �I�ll go with your group, Cara.�
�Glad to have you,� Claron smiles back at Tza.
Wraith looks at the groups, �Then I will take the remaining spot. And we have our teams.�
�Well, Lt. We have our squads. What�s our plan of action?� Claron salutes Katie jokingly.
Katie�s eyes glitter excitedly. �Why, I do believe we�re gonna kick some ass and take some names, just like we�ve always done.�
Wraith walks over to the com unit, �Alexei, we�ve formed our teams. Teleport one team to each of the ruins on the planets. Katie�s group will go to the ruins on Veles, Claron�s to the Xawin ruins.�
Tzaphiel looks across at Drac. �Be careful, please.�
�How we going to keep in contact with the other team?� Claron looks at Katie, then shifts it to Clarice.
Alexei replies on the ship-wide, �Well, you guys are right on top of things. Okay, coordinates will put you guys down near the ruins, scans too foggy over the ruins to find a good spot. So you�ll have to walk.�
DracBlue nods at Tza.
�Hmm. Well, we do have telepaths�� Katie looks thoughtful.
Wraith glances over his shoulder at everyone, �Your com units should work, as well as those of you with telepathic powers may be able to.�
�Okay, I need your teams to split up so that we can teleport the right group,� Alexei says over the com, �Xawin team stand near the port side windows, Veles starboard.�
Katie ushers her team to the appropriate spot.
�You heard the man,� as Claron moves toward the port side windows.
Shadow moves to the port side window.
Valrash moves quickly to the port side window
Tzaphiel stands near the windows, waiting.
Katie hears a whisper from the past brush her mind. � �So, Lieutenant. Come here, often?� � She smiles at the memory, then shudders as she almost feels the cold hand clamp her arm. She shakes herself loose from the memory and clears her throat.
Tabris looks around at Claron�s group, �Okay, blue team. We ready to show that red team who�s best?!�
Tzaphiel chuckles at his joke and looks over at Syne, thinking, �Another adventure, but different partners this time.�
Shadow rolls his eyes at the attempt at humor.
�Alright, initiating transport,� Alexei says over the com. The yellow glow of Ettik�s transport beams begins building up around each group. Giving Tabris time to shout out a good luck to Katie�s team before both teams are teleported.
As the glowing light of the transport beam fades, two different landscapes meet the groups. For Katie�s group, a green jungle with overgrown plants stretches far into the distance. A natural bridge crosses a deep gorge, vine covered ruins towering into the sky from their spot on the cliff�s edge.
Claron�s group sees a rock-strewn plateau, stones varying in size from pebbles to house sized boulders. A dull grey stream flows towards the base of the wind-swept ruins. Looking far from the beauty they may have once been.
To Katie and Claron, a pull, a force of some kind seems to draw them towards the ruins. Beckoning them into its depths. Meanwhile; back in space, Ettik takes up a stationary position in between the two planets, its offspring taking up a similar position nearby.
Near the outer planet of the Strennus system, space writhes as it tears itself apart in several spots. Rainbow colors blazing like a star as a half a dozen Terran Alliance cruisers slide from hyperspace. �We�ve arrived, sir. Long range scans detecting life signs on the 2nd and 3rd planets.� A tech speaks, to his commander�s reply, �Order our covert teams in��
Two sleek black ships break away from the fleet, cloaking as they shoot ahead on near-invisible thrusters. �Covert teams moving into position, hot dropping our teams as soon as we�re in range. Orders?�
The commander narrows his gaze at the com, �Stealth surveillance, if necessary, eliminate them��