Previously on Warriors of Destiny: After successfully retrieving the swords of Dawn and Dusk from the twin planets Veles and Xawin, the Ettik and her crew were met by a Terran Alliance taskforce. Ordered to surrender, Alexei had his own plan and noted that the Alliance had no authority outside their domain and that altercation could lead to war.
Instead of choosing surrender or combat, they agreed to a meeting with the taskforce leader, Commander Halcyon. During the meeting, Halcyon spoke of other swords becoming active in the galaxy and their prompt disappearance after a rogue fleet under Lady Velarenyssa�s banner visited the locations.
Another sword had been found on Earth, but the Alliance found themselves unable to activate it without a �key�. Wraith, mentioning that the sword was still sleeping, seemed bothered by news that other swords were being taken by the rogue fleet.
Choosing to travel with the Alliance ships to Earth, the Ettik, its offspring and Commander Halcyon�s taskforce entered hyperspace. With a days voyage to the nearest Alliance holding, the crew is given some time to rest, relax and reflect.
*Time passed: some time passed*
The glowing yellow of hyperspace lights up the windowed rooms of the Ettik. In occupied rooms the light dims as a natural shade slides down over the plexa-glass windows. Dull thrumming of Ettik�s engines echoes through the empty holds and corridors.
Alexei studies the readout from the Alliance taskforce, �Interesting�harnessed wormhole tech. Once we�re in the system, it�s only a stone�s throw and we�re in Sol system.�
Valrash watches the window in his room, thinking to himself.
Shadow remains in the galley drinking ale.
Syne carefully holds the skin regenerator to Katie�s back, �Almost done, you feeling better?�
Katie sighs, wincing. �Depends on your definition of �better�.�
�Earth, huh?� Tabris looks over at Claron, then moves back to gazing out the window. �Seems like it�s better off in this dimension�back home Earth was a dump.�
Cara stands next to Clarice laying on the med table, holding her hand and wondering what�s wrong with her.
Luna rolls over panting and smiles. �It just keeps getting better and better.�
�Whichever definition you feel like answering,� Syne says casually, putting the regenerator down. Handing her the blood soaked holed shirt, he sighs. �Gonna need a new one.�
Katie takes the shirt, growling. �Story of my life.�
�So you�ve gone through the years topless with ruined shirts?� Syne smirks at her as he surveys her back.
Kyra sits on her bed, a raging headache taking hold. She grabs her head and whimpers, laying down across the bed.
Eclipse takes a few breaths, �Does it now?� Staring at the ceiling, he unrolls his tail, letting it drape over the edge of the bed.
Katie looks up, a slight twinkle appearing in her eyes. �You wish.�
Claron watches Tabris move back to the window, then slips out of bed and joins him. Slipping her arms around his waist, she lays her cheek against his shoulder. �Do you suppose it�s still the same?�
Syne chuckles, �Need a hand getting back to your quarters or you good?�
Luna giggles as she looks at his profile, �I hope it always gets better. If it was the same it would get boring.�
�Not here�in my own dimension, probably,� Tabris sighs, looking at Claron�s reflection, �there�s no Terran Alliance back home�just Earth and its colonies.�
�I don�t have any etchings to show you.� Katie whispers with a smirk.
�And what happens when it�s the best it can get? Will I becoming boring?� Eclipse looks over at Luna with a half-smirk.
Luna kisses him softly. �I won�t let that happen.�
�Etchings?� Syne sounds perplexed as he glances at Katie.
Katie shakes her head. �Never mind, Rogue.� She slides off the table, clutching the shirt to herself and walks toward the door.
Kabal sits on the edge of a table in the galley, lost in thought, a series of rocks floating about in the air above his outstretched hand. Another joins the set as it expands and breaks from the rock held in his grip.
�I guess that means I shouldn�t expect it to remind me of home then.� Claron whispers. �You�d think I�d be used to being in this dimension, by now.�
Syne turns and follows her toward the door, �Mind if I walk with you then? Not much else to do while we�re zipping around the galaxy.�
Tzaphiel sits cross-legged on the bed beating herself up. �What the hell is wrong with you? Have you lost what little brain you had?�
DracBlue walks to the galley to get something to eat.
�Not at all.� Katie saunters down the hall.
�Some things are the same, but others are different.� Tabris rests his hand on Claron�s, �At least we stay the same no matter what dimension we�re thrust into.�
DracBlue stops at the replicator and grabs a couple of iron bars. Sitting alone and away from everyone else, he eats very slowly.
�So, you ever figure out who that package was from?� Syne questions her, thoughts trying to come up with suitable talk.
Tzaphiel leans her head back and hits the wall behind her. �Ouch, damn it.� She gets up with a growl and paces in front of her window. �I just keep screwing up. I shouldn�t have come here. What was I thinking?�
�No.� Katie shakes her head. �I�ve been wracking my brain and I�m still no closer to a solution.� She shrugs. �Maybe I�m not meant to know.�
�Any sort of note or anything that could be a clue?� Wondering, Syne watches Katie clutching the shirt in front of her.
Claron smiles, �I�m thankful for that. Truly I am,� brushing her warm lips softly against his neck.
Katie stops and looks at him. �Actually, yes�� she scrunches up her face, still trying to figure out why the phrase was so familiar. �Something about �one regulation item, and something new�. I know I�ve heard those words before, but I just can�t place them. Must be from before�� she trails off.
Sniffing the plants in the botanical bay, Skirmir nods, taking it all in. �A garden aboard a starship, another wonder.� Moving over to a flower bed, he crouches to study the various flowers.
�Regulation, sounds military,� Syne rubs his bandana, �Maybe it was somebody you knew or served with?�
Tzaphiel stops and looks at her reflection in the glass. �You came because you were lonely and you can�t go home. Now suck it up and move on, you can�t go back and change what happened. Let it go.�
Clarice glances at Cara through glazed eyes. �Don�t waste your concern on me, Cara. I�m not worth it,� whispers in a weak voice.
�On the contrary�� Wraith�s calm emotionless voice sounds from the door of the med bay, �You are all worth concern.�
�MmmHmm.� Katie looks thoughtful. �But I get a picture in my mind of a stormy-eyed man I barely knew. At least, I THINK I barely knew him.� She sighs again. �It�s hell, only having pieces to go on��
Luna pushes herself up. �I think I need a shower before we get to where ever we�re going.� She crawls carefully over Eclipse to get out of bed.
Alexei shakes his head, looking at Sikozu on the ship-to-ship screen, �Let�s hope our arrangement with Commander Halcyon includes a safe arrival. As memory serves, the Terran Alliance is a fairly xenophobic government, they won�t trust any of the non-humans.�
�Well on behalf of the non-humans, I don�t trust them either,� Sikozu says sternly, giving Alexei a look.
DracBlue finishes eating and heads to his room. After entering, he strips himself down and gets in the shower.
�Sounds like a plan,� Eclipse slides out of bed, cursing himself silently as his tail half drags the covers with him.
Clarice shifts her gaze to Wraith. �That�s debatable��
�Stormy-eyed? Hmm...maybe I could help you out, I mean I am a shape shifter.� Syne looks at her, trying to word it right, �Maybe I could try to replicate him?� Syne raises a brow.
Tzaphiel shrugs at herself and turns away from the window to leave her room. As she enters the hallway, �Ettik, where is Drac?� then she blinks as a map with a red dot appears on the wall next to her. �Thanks,� she sighs as she goes to his room.
�It is not up for debate, it merely is,� Wraith enters the med bay, but stands a distance away from Cara and Clarice.
DracBlue gets out of the shower and wraps a towel around himself as he starts grooming his wings.
Luna runs into the bathroom and turns on the water, adjusting the temperature before she steps into the shower, laughing.
�Suppose we should get dressed, wouldn�t want to shock the Terran with our...tactical equipment,� Tabris smirks. Turning, he scoops Claron up and kisses her as he walks to the two of them to the closet.
�He�s right, Clarice. If you�d just let me tell Va you are here�I�m sure he�d be able to convince you.� Cara squeezes Clarice�s hand gently.
�Hmmm.� Thinking about it, Katie frowns. �I�m not sure. My memories are so fuzzy, sometimes. He had raven black hair, like mine. Stormy blue eyes. Chiseled nose and jaw�� She closes her eyes for a moment, to bring the mental picture into focus.
Tzaphiel stands outside Drac�s door with her hand raised, she takes a deep breath, then knocks softly and waits.
DracBlue lets a grunt come out as he hears a knock at his door. He quickly says, �Come on in.�
Syne nods and replicates the eyes and the hair, though having difficulty with the chiseled features, �So, something like this?�
Katie opens her eyes and cocks her head. �Thinner nose. Sharper angles on the chin, I think. And he had a trim build, but had a lot of lean muscle in his arms, chest, hips and thighs.�
Stepping into the shower with Luna, Eclipse grins at her under the running water.
Tzaphiel steps thru the door as it opens and looks around for him. She walks towards the bathroom and pauses outside the slightly open door. �It�s me,� she says softly. �I wanted to talk to you.�
�No! Don�t even think about it, Cara.� Clarice says a little more sharply then she intended to. There was no way she could face Tewyn right now, nor could she tell Cara why.
�Alright,� Syne�s body ripples as it changes to be trimmer, but with muscle and adjusting the face, �Well�looks closer? I don�t have a mirror, so I�m going on mental image here.�
Luna smiles and offers Eclipse the soap. �You do my back and I�ll do yours,� she winks at him.
DracBlue walks out of the bathroom and looks at her as he continues grooming his wing. �What about?�
Taking the soap with his tail, Eclipse drops it into his hands, his tail nudges Luna to turn as he lathers her back.
�Couldn�t we just lie and tell them that we are from some nudist colony,� Claron smirks.
�Yeah, but that Commander fellow saw us with clothes,� Tabris shrugs as he sets Claron down and picks out a clean shirt and pants.
Luna slaps his tail with her own as she turns her back to him. �See, tail is good.�
Katie gasps and staggers back a few steps in shock. �Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Shayne. His name was Col. Shayne.� She leans her back against the wall as random memories flash past. Their dance, her kidnapping, the very last time she saw him, disappearing in a cloud of grey writhing tentacles.
Noticing Katie�s shock Syne shifts back, watching her as she seems to get lost in thought.
Tzaphiel steps back from the door to let Drac pass. �About what happened earlier.� She crosses her arms in front of her. �I didn�t mean to hurt your feelings.�
Wraith watches Cara and Clarice, the silent wind playing with his hair as it always did, �She is hiding something��
Clarice�s reaction startles Cara. �But�I was only trying to help,� giving Clarice a disheartened look.
Katie stares down at the ring on her hand. �But he�s�dead. They�they killed him when they kidnapped me to try and get to Teel�� Katie�s eyes well up. �Oh God. Even him. And I didn�t even lo�It couldn�t have been him. Someone is trying to mess with my head.�
DracBlue looks into Tza�s eyes, �I think I was just surprised as much as you were, that�s all.�
�You sure they killed him?� Syne says, watching Katie�s reaction.
Tzaphiel nods at Drac and takes a step towards him, �Maybe we can try again?�
�The Commander saw PLENTY of both of us in wet clothes. The look on Katie�s face when you stood up in them wet white pants was priceless.� Claron chuckles as she finishes pulling up her leggings.
Eclipse tosses the soap to Luna as he turns, tail waving idly under the running water.
�I don�t doubt it.� Sliding on his shirt, Tabris shoots a look at himself in the mirror.
Katie�s gaze snaps up. �They kill everyone,� she says with a shiver. She begins walking briskly, twisting the ring off her finger. Reaching her room, she tosses the ring on the dresser, and goes into the closet to change into a tight black sleeveless tunic with a deep v-neck.
Luna catches the soap with a chuckle. She kisses his wet back before running her soapy paws over him quickly.
Syne watches Katie disappear into her quarters and shakes his head. Sighing, he glances either direction down the hallway.
DracBlue steps forward and kisses Tza.
Emerging from the closet, Katie looks over her shoulder at the black dress hanging there. �There�s no way he could have sent these to me. It has to be someone messing with my emotions.� She exits her room and looks at Syne.
�Looking good again,� Syne smiles, noticing her change of shirt. �You sound pretty sure about it, as I recall there were survivors. So this guy may still be around.�
Clarice glares at Wraith. �Just who do you think you are!?! It is of NONE of you business whether I am or not.�
Tzaphiel submits herself to Drac�s kiss. As she steps closer to him, his towel slips and falls to the floor around his ankles. She breaks the kiss, blushing brightly. �Oh my god,� she whispers.
�True, but what you are hiding may become my �business� if it interferes�� Wraith narrows his gaze, though looking no more hostile then before.
Katie remembers the twinkle in his eye when they�d danced. And the way his arms felt. And the way she�d started to feel like� �Doubtful. I�d know if he�� she shakes her head.
�If he what?� Perking a brow Syne questions, wanting to know a little more.
�I don�t know.� Katie�s eyes shimmer with repressed tears. She begins to walk, no particular direction in mind, just wanting the motion.
DracBlue feels the towel slip and watches Tza�s reaction as he lowers his wings around his body to form a cloak.
Sighing, Alexei shifts his hands over the holo-controls preparing for the exit from hyperspace.
Taking a few dashed steps, Syne catches up with Katie, �Sounds like this guy was pretty special.�
Claron smiles as she fastens the laces loosely on her vest, allowing plenty of her cleavage to be exposed. Turning, she faces Tabris, teasingly. �Think this will do?�
�Ah yes, showing just enough to entice, but saying �try it and you�ll regret it',� Tabris grins slyly. �Beautiful, as always.�
Katie nods silently, still holding back the flood. She worries her lower lip between her teeth.
�Maybe if we get some free time on Earth, you could show me where your from.� Syne rubs his head as he walks, attempting to change the subject, �May not be your Earth, but it can�t be that different?�
Seeming to brighten a bit, Katie smiles. �Sure. It would be interesting to see how much different it is in this dimension.�
Tzaphiel reaches out and pushes his wings out of the way carefully. �Don�t,� she murmurs as she moves closer to him again.
Ettik�s engines thrum up enough to be heard louder than usual as the yellow of hyperspace is ripped apart, replaced in strands by star filled space. The Alliance taskforce makes it way to a large mechanical ring in orbit near a large pink gas giant nearby.
�Get out! Leave�BOTH of you, right now!� Clarice shouts, Wraith�s words obviously hitting too close for comfort.
Wraith bows his head to Clarice and leaves the med bay silently, the invisible wind never leaving him as he moves.
DracBlue lets his wings fall to his side, then to his back where they normally rest. He then looks into Tza�s eyes, trying to see what she will do.
Luna�s ears twitch as she hears the engines revving. �Sounds like we�re leaving hyperspace.� She turns and rinses the suds off, then steps out of the shower. Reaching for a towel to dry off with, �I didn�t think we�d get to Earth that fast, even in hyperspace.�
�I don�t think we�re at Earth,� Eclipse says as he turns the shower off and grabs a towel as well.
�Thank you, my love. You look rather dashing yourself.� Claron moves closer to Tabris and kisses him on the cheek. �You do wonders for a girl�s ego.�
�Can�t have mine being the only big one around here,� Tabris sticks his tongue out at Claron as he brushes some hair from his face.
Tzaphiel hesitantly resumes the kiss, leaning against Drac gently.
Luna reaches for the brush and runs it thru her mane. �I wish I had gone to the groomers while I was home.� She grumbles as she pulls at a tangle. �It�s just getting too long to manage.�
Kyra hugs her pillow to her and screws her eyes tight against the waves of pain.
DracBlue�s hands seem to find Tza�s hips as he is getting kissed.
Alexei nods, �Approaching wormhole gate, standing by Alliance control,� Though a giant metal ring, the gateway doubles as a space station and it�s armed to the teeth. A swirling blue glow burrows through the ring creating a pulsating tunnel in space as the Alliance taskforce begins disappearing into it, one ship at a time.
Cara�s eyes widen as Clarice shouts at the two of them. �If that�s what you want.� She moves over to the door, pauses, then glances back over her shoulder, �I was only trying to help,� before continuing out into the corridor.
Wraith looks over at Cara, �It�s better she work around her troubles herself.� Nodding, he turns his gaze back to the hallway, �Something bothers you as well��
�Maybe we should find a good barber while we�re on Earth,� Eclipse says smiling lightly as he watches her struggle with her tangle.
Tzaphiel doesn�t move as she continues the kiss.
Luna sighs and throws the brush on the counter in disgust. �I give up,� running her fingers thru it instead.
Claron laughs. �Think there�s enough time for us to visit our son and get a bite to eat? Although�I can think of a better use for that tongue of yours.�
DracBlue breaks the kiss because he needs air. He looks into Tza�s eyes as he holds her tight to him.
Alexei watches as the Ettik lines up with the open wormhole, �Here we go��
Syne nods, �What was it called again? Your home?� He curses himself for having trouble recalling human names for places.
Tzaphiel searches Drac�s face for a clue of his plans as he grips her hips firmly.
Ettik shudders as it enters the wormhole, causing an internal shaking like a small earthquake. Writhing blue waves rush past the viewports as the ship seems to speed through at incredible speed.
�Scotland.� Katie murmurs, thinking of stormy eyes again.
�Scotland�sounds nice,� Syne sighs. Noticing the shaking, he looks around, �That didn�t feel like hyperspace.�
Katie staggers into the wall, losing her balance. �No, it didn�t.�
�Whoa there�� Tabris glances over his shoulder out the window, �That�s new�.�
In the galley, Kabal loses his concentration, the rocks crashing to the floor as he slides off the table to catch his balance.
Luna moves to the closet and pulls on a pair of purple leather pants and a t-shirt in a lighter shade. She picks up her boots and moves to the bed to sit down. �What is going on?� she yells as the ship shakes.
DracBlue stops momentarily and looks out the window as he feels the shaking. �That�s not right�something�s different.�
�Rough ride, but you�ll make it,� Alexei says to Ettik as he takes hold of the piloting chair. Staring ahead, he watches the blue tunnel of the wormhole continue to zoom by.
Eclipse tilts his head looking out the window, �I�m not sure�we�re definitely traveling faster than usual though.�
Cara looks at Wraith. �Always this blunt�.� Ettik�s shaking causes her to lose her balance, she falls against Wraith.
Tzaphiel stumbles and falls against Drac�s chest. �This feels �bout right to me.�
Claron manipulates their gravity the instant she feels the shaking of Ettik. �Hope that isn�t a sign of trouble.�
Despite having been fallen against, Wraith doesn�t move, looking down at Cara as he helps her up silently.
DracBlue pushes his wings against the floor to keep from falling as Tza stumbles against his chest. �No, not that. The ship is shaking. Look out the window. It�s not normal.�
Tzaphiel chuckles. �I know, it�s actually not as bad as some ships can be.�
Clarice grabs a hold of the sides of the med table, cursing under her breath. �Damn him!�
Arwyn�s eyes grow wide in fear as she feels the ship shake. �It�s not going to fall out of the sky, is it?� as she looks around the galley.
Luna looks at Eclipse and shakes her head. �If Ettik is this bad, how is the baby going to handle it?�
As quickly as the shaking arrived, it disappears. The pulsating blue of the wormhole disappears as Ettik glides out from the wormhole. As the offspring ship follows Ettik out, the wormhole gate closes, this large ring station in orbit around a small grey, pot-marked moon and a blue and green planet it orbits.
�Some minor stress on the outer hull,� Alexei says to himself before glancing at Sikozu in the re-connected vid-link, �How are you two?�
Sikozu nods, �Minor outer hull stress, but the stabilizer�s made for a fairly smooth ride.�
DracBlue looks back at her. �You�ve done this before?�
Tzaphiel shrugs. �Long time ago.� She rests her hands on his chest lightly. �Well?� she asks quietly.
The ship-wide com comes alive, but not with Alexei�s voice, instead Commander Halcyon�s voice booms in, �Welcome to Earth, heart of the Terran Alliance.� The ship-wide cuts out and the commander continues to Alexei, �Follow my ship in, Captain. We�ll be landing at the Marianas Base.�
Shadow looks at his partially spilled mug and sighs. And then answers Arwyn, �Not likely.�
DracBlue sighs as the com comes alive with the commander�s voice. �Looks like we don�t have the time.�
Tzaphiel shivers and steps back. �You�re probably right.� She sighs as she turns her back for him to get dressed.
As Ettik approaches Earth, the most noticeable thing is the large amount of weapon platforms in the orbit of the blue and green world. A space station half the size of the moon is in orbit as well, several thousand ships docked at its equally numerous docking ports.
DracBlue gives an inner sigh of relief and gets dressed. When he finishes, he walks to the door. �And dammit, I have to find Cara now.�
Arwyn glances at Shadow, �I certainly hope you are right.�
�Well you heard the man, folks. This is it, Earth. Population roughly 10 billion, with another 100 million living on the moon,� Alexei says over the ship-wide as they begin to descend into the outer atmosphere of the planet. Though vast areas of the planet�s continents are green, there are also vast reaching cities.
Luna stands and moves to the altar. �No telling what we�ll have to deal with on this Earth.� She picks up her charms and slips their leathers over her head. Adjusting the key to rest under the back of her shirt, and the amulets to rest in the front.
�Not too bad looking for a planet this populated,� Eclipse says as he looks out the viewport.
Tzaphiel follows Drac out the door. �I still don�t understand. She�s a big girl. Why can�t she take care of herself?�
Luna picks up her sword as she looks out the window. �That many people on one planet doesn�t leave much room for anything else.�
�Not much of a talker, are you?� Cara smiles faintly at Wraith.
DracBlue asks Ettik for a map to Cara, then responds to Tza. �It�s not that she can�t. It�s that�she saved my soul. And now, I owe her the same�till she releases me. Or I save her from certain destruction.�
Wraith looks at Cara, �Someone�s looking for you,� he says quietly before heading down the hallway.
Tzaphiel grumbles lowly. �Or you don�t save her from certain destruction.� She falls further and further behind as she follows him.
�Seems they�ve made the room,� Eclipse motions to the large forests and mountains still looking rather untouched.
As Ettik begins entering the clouds, it heads east along the planet�s orbit, heading for the large ocean ahead. Commander Halcyon�s cruiser takes the lead, apparently heading for a large platform suspended above the water in the middle of the ocean.
Cara sighs, then follows after Wraith. �You mean my parasite.�
Luna straps Luciendar on as she watches the changing scenery. �Didn't take long to get here.�
DracBlue turns the corner to spot Cara as she says �parasite�. He sighs and frowns. Shakes his head and looks back, noting that Tza is behind him a ways.
Syne looks at Katie, �You okay? You zoned out for a sec.�
Tzaphiel stops at the corner to wait for him and Cara to move on.
�And there he is.� Cara smiles and waves at him.
Katie nods. �I�m fine. Time to go find out what we�re up against.�
DracBlue turns back to Cara, �It�s not friend, but parasite still, is it?� He smiles at Cara, secretly wondering why Tza is not walking with him.
Cara moves away from Wraith and heads toward her room to retrieve her sword.
�Guess so,� Syne says looking around the hallway. �If we�re gonna be landing, we�ll probably use the ramp, so this way.�
Wraith watches Cara depart to get Elexorian before continuing down the hall.
Tzaphiel looks around the corner, sees Cara moving to her room, and turns the other way instead. �I think I�ll go see who�s in the galley,� she thinks.
As the massive blue ocean spreads into the horizon, the surface platform gets larger. Commander Halcyon�s cruiser sets down onto one of the six large landing pads surrounding the central bulk of the platform like flower petals. Ettik hovers and begins its descent to land on another pad.
�Impressive,� Kabal comments as he looks at the large platform/base as they land.
Cara giggles, �Overheard that, eh? Sorry. I meant no offense by it.�
Valrash leaves his room and heads to the galley.
Katie falls in behind him, glancing over her shoulder. �Where has he gotten to, now, I wonder.� She sighs. �Ettik, please send a message to Shinta that we�re leaving.�
In an empty cargo bay, a scrolling message appears in front of the silent shaman. �All members requested to meet at the ramp.�
Claron reaches in the top drawer and takes Andy out. �I suppose I should bring him.�
DracBlue rolls his eyes at Cara. �It�s like a nickname then, huh? Oh well, I�ve had worse.�
As the Ettik sets down, the low clang of its landing struts sounds. From the underbelly of the ship, a slender section slides away, the long ramp extending to the landing pad�s surface. Off to the side, the offspring ship lands, the two of them together taking up as much space as the Commander�s ship.
~You suppose correctly.~ Andrasil says calmly before going silent again.
Cara nods her head, �You don�t like it do you?� upon reaching her quarters. �It�ll only take me a minute to get Elexorian.�
Syne approaches the ramp with Katie in tow.
Wraith arrives from another hall and glances at the two of them, nodding after he notices Katie has Valdris with her.
Luna pats Eclipse on the shoulder and chuckles. �While I love the view, you might want to put some clothes on before we go.� She moves back to the closet and pulls out some clothes for him and her cloak. �Here.� She lays them on the bed and slips her cloak on.
Eclipse nods, �I knew I forgot something,� smirking, he slips on the clothes, carefully weaving his tail through the pants before pulling them up.
DracBlue stands outside her quarters. �Well, it�s not the nicest thing people have said, but I don�t suppose I mind it.�
Claron glances down at Andy. �Talking swords. I�m gonna have to get used that. Ready when you are, Tab.� She moves over to the door.
Katie looks down at her sword, sighing.
�I�m good to go,� Tabris say as he joins her at the door. �Depends on how much it talks, I�d hate to have competition for your attentions.�
Shadow stands up. �Time to go,� as he wanders down to the ramp.
Valrash looks at Shadow leaving and decides to follow him.
Tzaphiel looks in the galley door, but decides not to go in. She finds her way to the ramp instead.
Clarice leaves the med bay and heads toward the ramp. �I�ll show you�� she grumbles as she nears the group.
Kyra moans and slips into darkness, bathed in sweat and pale as a ghost.
Syne takes the lead and heads down the ramp, noticing Commander Halcyon and a pair of bodyguards approaching on a small hover platform. The hover platform sets down and the commander steps off, �Allow me to welcome you to Marianas Base, scientific research platform for the Pacific ocean.�
Claron smiles. �No worries there, Tab. Nothing could ever take your place. Besides, Andy seems to be a man of few words.�
Arwyn stands and follows Shadow out of the galley.
Luna smiles as she watches Eclipse get dressed. �Ready? We don�t want to miss all the fun, do we?�
Strolling through the halls after the commotion, Skirmir comes across the group at the ramp. �It is easier to get lost in this ship than I thought.�
Sliding Morthoseth in its strap across his shoulder, Eclipse nods, �Good to go.�
Cara returns from her room with Elexorian in hand. �All set.�
~Yes�oh and next time, can you not put me next to your dirty laundry?~ Elexorian asks in its curious child-like tone.
Katie inclines her head regally, but says nothing.
Luna walks with Eclipse to join the others at the ramp. She raises her hood over her ears and adjusts it to shade her eyes as she steps out into the bright sunlight.
DracBlue nods. �Then off we go. The others are probably already there.�
Cara growls mentally. ~If there is dirty laundry under there. It�s not mine.~
�Once you�re all here, we can head inside,� Commander Halcyon folds his arms across his chest and waits. While his bodyguards do not seem bothered by the group, several of the landing pad crew give discontented looks.
DracBlue follows Cara to the ramp.
Tzaphiel stands on the pad near Syne waiting for the group to move on.
Luna looks around at the people working nearby. �They don�t seem happy to see us.�
Stryder lowers his gaze. �Afraid I can�t have you dying on me just yet,� he says as he leans down to Kyra. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he teleports the two of them to the med bay. Looking at the medical bots, he nods. �Begin the nanomeds and put her into recovery stasis.�
�You�ll have to forgive my subordinates,� Commander Halcyon says overhearing Luna. �Very few non-humans live on Earth.�
Luna nods to the Commander, �I see.�
�Alright then�� Commander Halcyon nods and turns, �This way then,� he starts off down the floating walkway that connects the landing pad to the massive spire in the center of the platform.
Luna follows Commander Halcyon from the landing pad with Eclipse. �Is the object located here, or elsewhere?�
Eclipse looks around the base, enjoying the view of the ocean spanning out in every direction.
Shadow looks out at the ocean, following Commander Halcyon.
Halcyon speaks without looking back, �The original ruins were found deep in the Marianas trench, which is beneath this platform, but we moved the entire sword room into an iso lab due to unstable tectonic activity.�
Tzaphiel looks out at the water, fighting the urge to go for a swim as she moves along the walkway.
Valrash�s eyes seem to sparkle as he is around all the humans. �So many fears, and I can�t do a thing with them.�
Skirmir comments as he follows the group, �From a sea of stars to a sea of water,� he takes a breath of the ocean air. �And to think more travels await.�
�It�s not the beach, but close enough I guess,� Tabris motions around, then looks to Claron.
Luna glances at Eclipse as she asks, �And is that iso lab located here? Or elsewhere?�
Kyra dreams of dolphins with blazing red eyes.
Ducking inside the opened doorway, Halcyon and his bodyguards continue down a curved corridor. Large glass windows line the walls, giving views into various labs where scientists are going about various research. As the hall makes a near 90 degree turn, it ends at a large circular elevator.
Halcyon steps on, moving aside to allow the rest of your group on, �The iso lab is on the lower levels, we didn�t risk moving the ruins above the water.�
Katie steps on the elevator, hand on Valdris for reassurance.
Claron looks around and wishes it was her dimension�s Earth.
DracBlue steps on the elevator as Cara does.
Luna steps into the elevator and pushes her hood back. �How far down are you keeping it?�
~It�ll be alright.~ Valdris attempts to sound comforting as she speaks.
Valrash steps into the elevator.
Shadow moves slowly into the elevator.
Wraith boards the elevator as well, glancing at Halcyon and his guards as if noticing something about them.
�Far enough to maintain pressure requirements, or whatever else the scientists want.� Halcyon says as he motions everybody onto the lift.
Tzaphiel follows the others onto the elevator.
Clarice tries to maintain her composure, finds it increasingly more difficult as she sees the various labs.
Tabris gives room for Claron onboard the elevator.
Luna watches Wraith across the crowded elevator. ~Luciendar, can you sense another sword here?~
Halcyon nods to the guard next to the controls, the guard enters a code and the elevator�s doors slide shut and they begin to descend. The elevator is interior for the first few floors, but then the tube gives view to an undersea world, schools of fish glide around the barnacle encrusted hull of the base. Below, another large section floats perfectly above a miles deep trench in the sea floor.
~ Faint, but yes...~ Luciendar says with strained concentration in her voice.
Tzaphiel glances around at the ocean view before her gaze settles on Drac with Cara.
DracBlue looks around, eventually looking at Tza. And when he sees she is looking at him, he smiles.
Katie gives an appreciative gasp.
Syne notes Katie�s gasp and nods, �Phew�nice view.�
Claron�s face lights up, �Oh, look at that view. That reminds me of an aquarium Uncle took me to once when I was a little girl.�
�It�s been awhile since I�ve seen something like this,� Tabris replies to Claron as he enjoys the view.
Katie nods, swaying a bit on her feet as she tries to look all directions at once.
Arwyn shakes her head in bewilderment. �I�ve never see such a magnificent sight.�
Luna avoids looking out at all that water, keeping her focus on Wraith. Her paw grasping Eclipse�s hand tightly.
Cara stands back watching Clarice closely, ignoring the view.
Halcyon smiles faintly at their fascination. Unfortunately, the view soon disappears as the elevator slides into lower section of the base. With a soft chime, the door slides back, a short hallway leading into a large observation room.
Tzaphiel smiles back at Drac briefly before lowering her gaze.
The commander and his guards continue into the observation room, the guards flanking the Commander as he looks out the large glass window at the massive water-worn stone chamber resting in the iso lab.
Scientists in grey and white lab coats are hovering about consoles outside the chamber. Portable spotlights have been setup, the largest ones illuminating a tiered altar, above which is a large black sphere, looking like a black pearl as it hovers a foot above the top tier.
Shadow stares at the black pearl in amazement. �Now this is something I haven�t seen before.�
Luna walks out and looks around. Her chest tightening strangely as she sees the people in white lab coats. She takes a deep breath and squeezes Eclipse�s hand even harder.
Eclipse looks at the chamber. Noticing Luna�s grip, he looks at her.
Clarice feels like her heart is going to burst any second, beads of sweat begin to appear on her forehead.
�There it is�as much of the sword chamber as could be retrieved before tectonic movement collapsed the underwater ruins,� Halcyon says as he moves towards the airlock into the iso lab.
Tzaphiel steps out and moves where she can see around everyone else. �That�s an awfully large stone.�
�Hot damn�must have been one big oyster to make that thing,� Tabris whistles as he notices the giant black pearl.
Luna feels Eclipse�s eyes on her and turns her attention to him. Realizing she's got a death grip on his hand, she releases him with a shudder. �Sorry, flashback.�
Wraith nods, �It is here�� Turning from the window, he looks at Claron and Katie, �You two, come.�
�Must not have been a good one,� Eclipse comments as he flexes his fingers.
�Looks like it�s you and I again, Kat,� Claron glances over at Katie as Wraith motions for them to follow.
Katie nods. �Yeah. We�re getting good at this, again.�
Luna shakes her head. �White coats can hide black hearts.� She takes his hand and raises it to her lips to kiss it softly.
Katie follows Wraith.
As Wraith, with Katie and Claron, enter the airlock the Commander cycles it, the air heavy with the smell of ocean in the iso lab. Wraith walks casually into the stone room, ignoring the complaints of the scientists watching him.
Claron smiles as several of the scientists nod approvingly at Katie and her.
Kneeling down, Wraith sets his hand on a rather unremarkable glyph on the altar�s lowest tier. As if in response, the altar begins to light up, tier by tier, before a ghostly dark light emanates from the black sphere. ~Hold me toward the stone.~ Valdris and Andrasil say to Katie and Claron.
Katie hesitantly holds Valdris toward the indicated stone.
Claron follows suit and holds Andy up next to the stone.
Andrasil and Valdris begin to glow as they are held up, beams of light shooting from them and piercing the floating sphere. As a fiery sun seems to rise and set on the sphere�s reflective surface, it boils away, revealing a silver bladed sword with a hilt as black as midnight spinning in the air.
Shadow looks at the sword and mumbles to himself, �Now that�s a blade.�
�WOW!!� as Claron sees the black hilted sword appear.
Katie blinks at the revealed blade. �Nifty.�
The two beams of light strike the sword and it glows in response. With swift movement, the sword spirals through the air and shatters the observation room window, nearly skewering one of Halcyon�s bodyguards as it comes to rest in front of a surprised Tabris.
The scientists all gasp in amazement at the display.
Tabris blinks as he looks at the sword in front of him, �Well�uh�hello there, crazy flying sword.�
Luna watches the events thru the window. ~And we have another one. What do you think of it?~ she asks Luciendar.
Claron�s eyes follow the sword and she smiles as she sees it land in front of Tabris, then glances back at Katie. �How appropriate� that it would take both of us to unlock Tabris� sword.�
~Valermos, Sword of Midnight.~ Luciendar says quietly to Luna.
~I am Valermos, mortal, and the honor of my blade is now yours.~ A fiery voice booms in Tabris� head, causing him to jump slightly. Tabris eyes the sword, then reaches out and grabs it.
Katie looks at Tab for a long moment, then reluctantly turns her gaze to her best friend. �Uh�I guess so.� She looks at her toes.
Commander Halcyon gives a confused look to Claron and Katie, "What in the...that was unexpected."
Wraith nods in approval as Tabris takes hold of Valermos, �Another has been claimed. We have what we came for.� He turns his gaze to Commander Halcyon, �Allow us to leave and we can be a greater asset then one sword.�
Claron looks at the Commander, waiting to hear his reply to Wraith�s statement.
Luna pushes her cloak back to expose her sword hilt.
Commander Halcyon sighs, �Alliance command will not be happy with that�but apparently you know more than we do about these swords. I will do my best to convince them that letting you keep it would be in the best interests of both parties.�
Luna looks at Commander Halcyon. �The Alliance would be much better off to let us go in peace. They have no idea what we are capable of doing if forced to fight our way out.�
�How long before you know the answer to that, Commander?� Clarice anxiously asks.
�I understand, I do not wish to see a conflict either,� Commander Halcyon paces a bit before looking at your group. �You may have to stay here until I get a reply, here I can assure your safety as this is my command.�
Katie stretches.
Luna glances at Eclipse. �We�ll stay on our ship. Where some of our more noticeable differences won�t cause concern to your people.�
�As you wish,� Halcyon nods as he motions to his bodyguards.
A helpless, trapped feeling begins to overwhelm Clarice, her breathing becomes more rapid, her face pales. �I-I need air. F-Fresh air.�
Luna nods to Halcyon and motions towards the elevator. �Let�s get out of here then.�
Katie paces. �Okay, I think I�d like to see the sunshine again. Dunno that I�m cut out to be a mermaid. Though it was a cool thought.�
Tzaphiel steps back onto the lift and moves back out of the way.
Claron moves over towards Clarice, �Sis, Are you okay? You look like you�ve seen a ghost!�
Luna leads Eclipse back onto the elevator and waits for the rest to join them.
Shadow steps back onto the elevator.
�I-I don�t�feel�so�good.� Clarice manages to get out, just as the room begins to spin and her vision blurs.
Katie wanders to the elevator, looking forward to the sun on her face.
Claron reacts quickly, wrapping her arm around her sister�s waist, lightening Clarice's gravity as she does. She moves them towards the elevator.
Valrash stops and looks at Clarice. �Poor soul.� Then walks to the elevator and gets on.
As Halcyon moves to leave the iso lab, a warning klaxon starts to blare. As the red light flashes through the room, a computerized voice comes over the speakers, �Alert, base lockdown initiated. Hostile forces detected on approach. Repeat, base lockdown initiated, hostile forces detected on approach��
The iso lab shakes violently with the impact of something against the station. From behind the heavy bulkheads you can hear the sound of hulls buckling and water rushing in. The moans of pressure crushed metal are accompanied by a report of damage to structural integrity.
In the center of the chamber, a dark cloud bursts into being, spears of black energy shooting out and spearing at the scientists as a masked figure walks casually out of its dark folds. Pointing a sword at your group, he gives a fanged smirk, mouth being the only visible part of his face as he seems to move with uncanny speed to Katie.
Holding his sword at her throat, he hisses at everyone, a deadly silence taking over the room. �You will regret taking the sword, Warriors�if you wish this one to live you will come�you will find us and you WILL give us the blades. If you do not�� He whispers into Katie�s ears, �A thousands deaths will await you.�
With another fanged smirk, he moves with Katie into the black cloud, a wave of energy tossing everyone off their feet as it collapses in on itself. The silence fades and the harsh sounds of reality return, the speaker voices continues, �All personnel evacuate, critical hull failure, structural integrity failing. All personnel evacuate��