Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Using a wormhole to travel through Alliance space at unparalleled speed, Ettik and its offspring accompanied Commander Halcyon�s taskforce to Earth. Once there, they headed for Marianas Base, located over the Marianas Trench.
Setting down at the base, the crew split, a majority of them going with Commander Halcyon to the underwater iso lab that housed the sword ruins. Down in the lab, in what was left of the ruins, lay a mysterious black sphere, in which another of the sacred blades was sealed.
Meanwhile: Back on the ship, Kyra�s condition had worsened and she slipped into a coma. Seeing no other choice, Stryder chose to put Kyra into a bio-med-gel tank to recover, hinting that he did not want her to die just yet.
With instruction from Wraith, Katie and Claron used their recently acquired swords, Valdris and Andrasil, to unlock the sword inside the sphere. Once unleashed, Valermos, the Sword of Midnight, chose Tabris as its wielder.
Shortly after retrieving the sword, Marianas Base was attacked by an unknown enemy. The assault ruptured the base�s structure, causing it to begin to buckle. In the iso lab, a mysterious masked figure appeared from a black cloud. Taking Katie hostage, he made a demand, the swords for her life.
Vanishing with his hostage as soon as he appeared, the figure left the crew to the current crisis - escaping the lower levels of Marianas base before the damage causes implosion.
*Time passed: None*
�All personnel evacuate, critical hull failure, structural integrity failing. All personnel evacuate�� the lab�s com system repeats the message as red lights flash. A crack in the ceiling begins to leak water, causing scientists to go running for emergency exits. Halcyon motions your group to the elevator, �Everybody onto the lift now!�
As the metal around you creaks and groans with the weight of the ocean upon it, it looks as though the iso lab won�t hold out for much longer.
Alexei looks over his readouts, �Whatever the hell happened, it was the fastest attack and withdrawal I�ve seen.�
Tabris backs towards the elevator, �Leaving seems like a great idea�I�d prefer not to be 10,000 leagues under any sea.�
DracBlue looks at Cara, �We have to get on the elevator now!�
Shadow hurriedly steps onto the elevator.
Luna stands against the elevator wall, �COME ON! LET�S GO!�
Valrash looks out to the people that are standing outside the elevator, �Come on. Let�s go, people.�
Tzaphiel watches Drac anxiously, hoping he gets on the lift in time.
Claron glances over to the spot where Katie had been standing, a shiny glimmer catches her eye. Realizing that it is Katie�s sword, she manipulates its gravity. Pulling it towards her, she floats it along in front of her and Clarice. With Clarice and the sword in tow, they head for the lift.
Cara nods her head towards Drac as she moves quickly towards the elevator.
Arwyn follows suit and makes her way to the elevator.
DracBlue follows Cara onto the elevator
Several more cracks open in the ceiling, allowing more water into the iso lab as everyone boards the elevator.
As Halcyon and his bodyguards board the lift, the commander makes a quick visual count on everybody. He slams his hand against the emergency button, the lift seals and shoots upwards.
Claron swears silently in her mind, �Mother of God, am I always destined to lose the ones I love? I�ll find you, Kat. I swear it! I will!�
Clarice mumbles, �Air�I-I need air.�
Tzaphiel glances over at Syne, thinking, �Just like old times.�
�Damn it�Katie. Soon as we�re off this planet, we�ve got go find her!� Syne curses to himself as the elevator ascends. As the elevator clears the lower section you can see its outer hull buckling inward. Several small escape modules jettison out of the lower section, but one disappears in a cloud of bubbles after a very erratic jettison.
Luna see the escape pod disappear, �That didn�t look good. I pray they�re alright.�
Before the view is obscured by the surface levels of the base, you get a grand spectacle of the lower levels imploding, bubbles and metal sinking into the dark depths below.
�Shhh�Everything will be okay�take a deep slow breath with me, Sis,� Claron says in a soft calming voice. �That�s it�� as she breathes in slowly, then releases the breathe along with Clarice.
Halcyon growls in frustration, �Damn it!� The elevator stops at its highest level. At the top of the shaft a small device opens up, a series of white fields pulsing down through the elevator, apparently dealing with the sudden change in pressure.
Luna looks at Katie�s sword as she asks Luciendar, ~Who should take her sword until we find her?~
~The only one who can�~ Luciendar says cryptically,
Luna growls inwardly. ~You are so frustrating. Who is that one?~
Skirmir glances around. Noticing the flashing lights, he furrows a brow, �Trouble?�
Touching the glass of the bio-tank, Stryder looks at Kyra�s floating form, �You will recover in time�the feelings he has for you keep him from doing what he must�� Stryder grins.
After the white fields fade, Halcyon enters a code on the elevator console, the lift unseals giving access to the corridor. With bodyguards in tow, Halcyon strides out. Ignoring the klaxon still going off, and hitting his com badge, he speaks sternly, �This is the commander, ordering a full evacuation of the base immediately.� Glancing over his shoulder, he nods, �You should get back to your ship.�
Luna looks at Eclipse, �Let�s go, before they change their minds.�
Tewyn strolls the halls of the ship totally naked, humming, �Free at last, free at last. God damn, I never should be covering this ass.�
�You�d better take off, Sikozu. Once we�ve got everybody back, we�ll follow you,� Alexei says to the vid-screen of his fellow captain.
�Gladly,� Arwyn nods toward the commander.
Eclipse nods, �Agreed, though I doubt they�re worried about us right now.�
^Shinta peeks out from his door at the sound of the humming. �My bud da elf, just cause we are alone�doesn�t mean you have to scorch my eyes!� then closes the door.
Wraith looks at Claron, then at Valdris, �I will take the blade until it can be returned to its wielder.�
^Shinta rubs his eyes. �No way I�d ever take your soul�You�re worse than Remy ever could be.�
Luna steps off the lift with Eclipse and heads toward the Ettik quickly.
Shadow nods at Luna and heads towards the ship in a hurry.
Valrash hurries off to the ship.
Lost in thought, Syne follows Luna and the others to the ship.
Tzaphiel glances over at Drac and Cara, then follows Syne toward the ship. �I�m sure we�ll find her.�
Claron looks at Wraith with uncertainty in her eyes, �I suppose, wherever it will be the safest is where it should be.�
On the landing pads, most of the scientists and techs head for the Commander cruiser, though a few board small planet-based shuttles.
Wraith nods silently. Extending a hand to Valdris, it floats over to him and hovers next to him as he turns to head for the ship.
Luna walks up the ramp with Eclipse. �I think we should go to the bridge and check with Alexei.�
Cara moves up next to Claron and Clarice, �Need some help?�
DracBlue moves with Cara.
Noticing Luna and the others returning to the ship, Skirmir climbs the ramp as well, ears perking to the side the base shuttles take off.
�Think we�ve got it under control, Cara�just get back to the ship,� Tabris says to her as places his hand on Claron�s shoulder, �We�ll find Katie��
Claron nods her head at Cara. �Thanks,� as the three of them move off the elevator and head for the ramp.
Luna enters the ship and goes to the bridge. Walking in, she looks at Alexei. �Did you get anything on what just happened?� She takes her usual seat.
Tewyn goes in the galley and orders some food, then takes a seat.
�Your back�no not much,� Alexei says and brings up a scanner record on the view screen. �Something came in fast�really fast, and apparently attacked the base, then retreated just as quickly.�
�Okay,� shrugging her shoulders. Cara moves up ahead of them and into the ship.
Luna watches the view screen, �Can you tell where it came from or went?�
Claron turns her gaze to Tabris as she feels his hand on her shoulder, �Damn straight, we will.�
DracBlue follows Cara onto the ship.
^Shinta opens his door and peeks quickly outside, �Whew! Ok, it�s safe to walk about now.� He starts walking through the halls.
Once onboard the ship, Syne leans against the wall opposite the ramp room. Sliding to the floor, he sighs heavily, cursing in several different languages as he pounds his fist on the floor.
Clarice�s breathing becomes calmer as they enter the ship. �I think I can manage on my own now,� pulling away from Claron and walking silently down the corridor of Ettik.
�Just from outside the planet�s orbit, beyond that the signal disappears,� Alexei shakes his head as the engines thrum to life in preparation to takeoff. �That looks to be everybody back on board.�
Tzaphiel stands next to Syne watching him vent. She smiles and shakes her head, thinking to herself. �Haven�t heard some of those tongues for many years, he always used such colorful phrases.�
Claron looks puzzled as Clarice pulls away from her. �Wonder what�s up with her?�
�No idea�� Tabris shrugs as he watches Clarice walk off.
Luna looks up at Alexei and frowns. �No, it�s not. Whoever it was that attacked this base took Katie.�
�What?� Alexei turns to look at Luna now. �And we�re unable to follow the signal��
Having followed Luna to the bridge, Eclipse speaks up, �The kidnapper said we were to find them�so there must be something.�
As the ramp folds back into its room, Ettik rises from the landing pad. Landing struts tuck gently into their holds on the underside of the ship as it soars into the cloudy sky above.
Luna sighs, �I know, but try a general direction? Anything, I don�t know.� She stands up and growls, �And someone will have to tell Shinta that his charge is gone.�
Alexei turns back to the console, several sentences of Russian coming out of him before he finds common again, �We�ll do what we can to determine any possible courses, based on what information we have.�
�Guess that leaves us to be the bearers of bad news,� Eclipse looks at Luna.
�Damn it, Tab. I should have tried to do something�anything�to save Kat.� Claron completely dismisses the fact that she had been busy helping her sister when it happened.
Luna nods at Alexei and turns to Eclipse, �I doubt anyone else is in their right minds to think of him. He�s been in hiding for how long?�
�There wasn�t much we could do�it happened so fast,� Tabris shakes his head with a sigh. �But we�re resourceful, we�ll find her somehow.�
Syne looks over at Tab and Claron, overhearing their conversation.
Luna walks off the bridge as she asks, �Ettik, where is Shinta right now?� She sees the holo-map appear on the wall next to Eclipse. �It looks like he�s roaming the halls.�
Claron sees Syne looking at them out of the corner of her eye, �I�m going to find her if its the last thing I ever do.�
�Then we�ll just have to find somewhere to run into him,� Eclipse says giving the holo-map a studious glance.
Syne stands up, throwing a hand to the side, �Not alone you won�t, we will find her�� Syne pauses as one of Ettik�s crab bots skitters past carrying a white hairclip gently in its claws, bound for the crew quarters.
Luna lays her paw on his arm, �Stay with me. You know how I can get.� She walks thru the hallways with Eclipse. �I think there are more things in play than just Katie getting kidnapped.�
�That, I do not doubt,� Eclipse replies with a nod to Luna, touching her paw with his other hand for a moment.
Tzaphiel looks at Syne, �The guy said we had to bring the swords to him. So he wants us to find them.�
Cara heads toward her quarters. Upon entering, she sets Elexorian down on the desk. The realization that Stryder and Kyra had not been among the group finally dawns on her. �I wonder why the two of them remained on Ettik,� she muses.
Shadow walks to the galley, orders an ale. Sitting down, he begins drinking it.
Claron�s eyes widen as she sees the clip in the crab bot�s claws, �That�s Katie�s clip,� as she rushes over towards Syne.
DracBlue remains outside of Cara�s quarters and stands guard.
�Hey, slow it down there seafood bot,� Tabris whistles out at the crab bot, which turns and �blinks� quizzically.
Valrash walks into the galley, notices Tewyn naked and blurts out, �Is it nudist day out here?�
Tewyn smirks, �Well sure, why not. Been lonely around here.�
Tabris crouches down and takes the clip from the crab bot, patting it on the head as he stands up, �Good robot.� Turning, he moves over to Syne and Claron, �So, this is Katie�s clip?�
Valrash says, �Lonely, but there are so many people here; can�t you entertain yourself on their misery?�
Tewyn shrugs. �Nah, I�ve almost grew out of that stage. But if your volunteering�Have to set good example for my two kids. you know.�
Tzaphiel shakes her head at the group, then quietly walks away. She makes her way down the hall and finds Drac standing his post. �You feel needed here?�
�Looks kinda different? Something is off. It seems kinda dull,� Claron reaches her handout, taking the clip from Tabris.
Valrash grabs something to eat and sits. �Why they�re all a panic because the one they call Katie was kidnapped.�
Elsewhere: After securing bindings on Katie�s arms and legs, the masked figure sends a stream of black energy coursing into them. �Incase you decide to try any magnetism,� he says with a fanged smirk before tossing Katie into an empty chair on the small bridge of his ship.
Tewyn smirks. �Hmm, really? That should really set the monk off. Now there is some misery for you to relish in.�
Cara leaves her room and heads towards Kyra�s quarters and knocks.
Katie spits at her captor. �Kiss my ass, you bastard!�
�She�s not there,� Kabal says as he walks up behind Cara.
Tzaphiel watches Cara exit her room and waits for Drac to follow her.
DracBlue pauses for a moment, not sure of what to do. Since he can�t decide, he just stands there looking confused.
�How do you know she�s not there? Don�t tell me you got the hots for her too?� Cara turns to look at Kabal with a gleam in her eyes.
Luna comes to an intersection in the hall and stops, looking around. �How big is this ship?� she grumbles.
Valrash smiles, �Good. It has been awhile sense I�ve had my fill of misery.�
Chuckling, the man takes a seat at the pilot�s station, �Quite the mouth, though it�s always been like that, hasn�t it?� Aqua control panels lighting up at his touch in the otherwise black interior. A view screen fades into view on the forward cone of the bridge, giving view to strange pulsing red hyperspace instead of the normal yellow.
Tzaphiel crosses her arms and looks at Drac. �Well? Are you on duty or what?�
�Big enough for 100, apparently,� Eclipse glances either direction then motions to the right.
Tewyn nods, �Well, he is full of it. So when you find him you should get plenty.�
Kabal sighs, �Cute�she�s in the med bay.�
�I dunno.� Katie sneers. �You tell me. I haven�t had most of my memories for a long, long time. So maybe you know better than I do.�
Luna nods and walks with Eclipse. �I just wish I knew who that guy was.�
�Oh?� Tabris rubs his head, choosing not to say he hadn�t noticed the hairclip before.
�Not as shiny,� Syne comments about the hairclip, still caught up in thoughts on what to do.
DracBlue turns to Tza. �Apparently, I�m not,� as he walks towards her.
�You know, when it�s in Kat�s hair�there are times it just absolutely looks like it is glowing. But then again, sometimes it doesn�t seem so luminous. I wonder why that is? Don�t you both find that somewhat puzzling?� Claron looks back and forth between Tab and Syne.
Tzaphiel studies Drac. �Well, what do you want to do now then?�
�Oh, you�ll get them back eventually,� the man says as he glances over the consoles. �The real question is whether or not your friends value your life as much as I think.�
�Glowing then not glowing hairclip�� Tabris sighs, �Beats me.�
Valrash finishes his meal. �It was a pleasure to talk with you,� as he gets up and leaves the table, heading for his room.
Syne shrugs, �It could be enchanted or some kind of reaction.�
DracBlue lgrins at Tza, �Well, how �bout we grab some grub together?�
�Med bay?! Oh no! SHE is sick! I knew it!� Without any further hesitation, Cara turns and rushes down the corridor towards Medical.
Katie shrugs, putting on her poker face. �Probably not much. I�m more of a burden than anything.�
�And off she goes�� Kabal says to himself before hurrying after his sister.
Tzaphiel tilts her head, �Grub? I didn�t think bugs where your kind of meal.� She falls into step with him as they go to the galley. �I doubt we�ll see anyone else in there right now.�
Cara glances over her shoulder back at Kabal, �You might want to check on Clarice, too. To see if she�s doing any better.�
DracBlue sighs, �Food. I heard someone say grab some grub, so I used it.�
�Clarice? Alright,� Kabal stops and turns to go find Clarice.
Tzaphiel nudges him in the ribs with her elbow. �I know, I was trying to be funny.�
�You don�t lie very well,� the man says over his shoulder, �you and your friends have caused quite a bit of trouble.�
DracBlue nods as they enter the galley. Looking around, he spots a few people. �Well looks like there are pe�� he falls silent after he sees Tewyn.
Tewyn looks up, �What, a penis?�
�I don�t know, but there was a strange feeling,� Eclipse says with a look of puzzlement.
DracBlue finishes, ��people here.�
Tewyn chuckles. �Well, didn�t know you all would be back so soon. So I was getting some fresh air.�
�I couldn�t be happier to hear you say that.� Katie leans her head back against the chair, willing someone to get her out of this, and thinking about all the things she needed to say before she�
Claron listens to both Tabris and Syne�s explanations. �I suppose.� Standing there quietly, Claron pictures the various times she has seen the clip in Katie�s hair. �If you are right, Syne�and it is enchanted, there must be something that triggers it. Don�t you think? But what?�
Pausing to look at a holo-map, Kabal nods, �Looks like she�s wandering.� Tracing the dot on the map, he looks for connecting corridors.
Tzaphiel steps thru the galley door behind Drac and looks over his shoulder. �What?� She looks at the elf sitting there and laughs. �Fresh air? I think he needs an implant,� she whispers in Drac�s ear.
DracBlue chuckles as he grabs some iron from the replicator.
Arwyn enters the galley and moves over towards the replicator. She punches the appropriate buttons for a fruit salad and hot tea. Taking her tray, she moves over and sits at table away from the others.
Tewyn puts his tray away and exits the galley.
Tzaphiel moves to a table as far away from the naked guy as possible and sits down. She looks at Drac as he sits next to her. �You really gonna eat all that?�
Katie closes her eyes, bringing a picture of those dearest to her into her mind. She begins silently rehearsing what she would say if she could see them, right now.
�Trouble that has made you very unpopular with certain individuals,� the man says glancing over his shoulder at Katie. �I�m not going to kill you, if that�s what you�re thinking.� He turns to face the console, thinking to himself, �You�ll see them again.�
Luna sighs as they continue following empty hallways. �The whole thing seemed vaguely familiar. Almost like a Daegriss plot.�
DracBlue says, �Yes, I basically can eat as much as my body needs. Whether it be just a few bars or a whole crate, it all depends on how hungry I am. My stomach acids dissolve most things on contact.�
Syne looks at the clip and nods, but then looks at Claron, �We shouldn�t be worrying about the hairclip while Katie�s out there! I�m going to find her.�
Tewyn walks back into his room and lays on the bed.
The mental images of Katie and her clip continue in Claron�s mind, her eyes widen, mouth agape. �Oh my�no�that can�t be it,� shaking her head. �You�re right. Finding Kat is more important. I�m going with ya!� Claron looks at Tab, then back at Syne.
�Claron. My brave, beautiful best friend. Hold on to that man of yours so tightly. Don�t ever let love go, no matter how much your world is falling apart. Kyra, my little thief. Keep your ass out of trouble. I�m so proud of how much you've grown. Tab, watch over my Claron. Rogue. Never lose that biting wit. And Shinta�my wing-man and counselor. There aren�t enough words�how I wish you were here to give me your strength. I�m so afraid of what�s going to happen, now.�
Tzaphiel stares at Tewyn�s naked ass when he stands up and exits the galley. �That was a sad display of flesh,� she chuckles.
DracBlue shudders. �It sickens me,� as he finishes a bar of metal.
Cara enters the med bay, stops dead in her tracks when she doesn�t see Kyra laying in one of the beds. Glancing around, she spots Stryder through the glass windows near one of the bio-gel-med tanks.
Skirmir enters the galley with a puzzled look on his face, he points behind him, �Did I just see one of our crewmates�cloth less?�
Shadow agrees, �I�m afraid you did, Skirmir.�
Tzaphiel turns her face into Drac�s shoulder to hide her laughter.
�A racial custom, or�?� Skirmir questions as he moves to the replicator to order raw food to cook.
Shadow shrugs, �I believe he just felt like it.�
Stryder glances out of the corner of his eye at Cara, �She�s in a coma while the tank repairs the damage��
DracBlue looks at Tza and asks quite seriously, but quietly, �Do I look that bad naked?�
Tzaphiel wipes her wet eyes on Drac�s tunic. �He just wanted to be felt,� she mumbles thru her laughter.
Checking one more holo-map, Kabal nods. Turning the corner, he notices Clarice and calls out, �Hey, Clarice, wait up.�
Luna growls in frustration, �I wish we could still use your shadow. It was such a faster way to find lost people.�
�You�re not the only one,� Eclipse sighs. �This is like playing that child�s game...hide and seek, was it?�
Cara moves through the door into the room with the bio tanks, moving closer to Stryder. �Any idea of what is wrong with her?� she asks softly.
Katie eyes her captor. �You think I honestly believe you intend to let me live? You�re not that stupid. IF they choose to come for me, you don�t REALLY want me alive to join the fray��
^Shinta stops and sits by one of the cargo doors, �Ok, Remy. We will sit here till they find us.�
Clarice stops, then turns around to look at Kabal.
Tzaphiel finally sobers and looks at Drac. �No, you�re good.� She turns away, blushing brightly.
�On the contrary�you�re more valuable to me alive,� the man smirks to himself as the ship glides along the red currents.
Katie snorts. �You have GOT to be joking. I�m not worth the bindings you used to tie me.�
Luna nods. �Yes, hide and seek, exactly.� She squeezes Eclipse�s arm, �There are other things I would rather be doing right now, you know.�
DracBlue smiles at hearing that and finishes his meal. �Well I�m done here, and it looks like your not eating. Do you want to go somewhere else?�
�I�m not exactly sure, but whatever it is, it couldn�t be allowed to worsen,� Stryder says, watching Kyra floating in the teal colored gel.
Tzaphiel shrugs. �I don�t care. Whatever you want to do.�
Luna raises one paw and lays it on her amulet. �Like trying to talk to Selena.�
DracBlue smiles. �Well, it�s always nice to spend time alone with you.�
�Some guidance would help, but being a god is a busy task,� Eclipse shrugs, trying to explain the loss of communication.
Tzaphiel smiles at him. �Aww, aren�t you sweet?�
DracBlue blushes a little bit, �Me? Never.�
Luna glances over at Eclipse, �I realize she�s busy. But we may have to invoke her to find our Katie. I don�t want to lose this Warrior.�
�Cara wanted me to see how you�re doing,� Kabal slows to stand next to her. �You look distracted��
�She�ll be alright�� Cara places a hand against the bio tank glass, �Won�t she?�
�Claron�I know you want to go. Hell, I want to go.� Tabris takes hold of Claron�s shoulder, �But what about Stryder? Syne can look for Katie, he doesn�t have a son to worry about, we do.�
�Oh you�re worth it,� the man says, the ship seamlessly exiting the red hyper-currents and sliding into normal space once again. A dark red nebula fills the distance ahead.
�I�m fine now. Nothing for either one of you to concern yourself with.� Clarice lies, obviously still distracted.
Luna pauses and inhales deeply, then points to the next intersection. �He�s close. Isn�t that the way to the cargo bays?�
�Physically, she�ll recover,� Stryder takes a step back, eyeing Cara momentarily, �Mentally, is another question entirely.�
�I think so.� Eclipse looks at the intersection. �Yes, that should be right.�
Shadow continues drinking as he looks at DracBlue and shakes his head. �Rookie,� he says to himself.
�But�she�s my best friend. She wouldn�t let anything stop her if it was me�I know it. You can�t expect me to just sit back and do nothing.� Claron looks at Tab with tears welling up in her eyes, knowing in her heart he is right. Katie would want her family to take priority over anything else.
Luna sighs. �It�s about time,� turning the corner she sees Shinta sitting on the floor ahead. �Shinta, Katie�s been kidnapped.�
^Shinta looks up silently for a moment. �Hmmm, I see�That is not good news, but I am sure the shifter is already on her trail. He has taken my spot quite well, I guess.�
�I know you guys care. You can still look for her with the others, by going alone I can gather more information.� Syne rubs his head looking at Claron and Tab, �Whatever information I find I can pass on to you. Alone I can go to places we can�t as a ship and crew.�
�I am concerned, Clarice.� Kabal notices her lie and dismisses it. �It has to do with my father, doesn�t it?�
Luna�s hackles rise as she hisses, �If he�s taken your spot it was because you gave it up so freely. Your supposed to be her body guard, I see more of that from Drac than you.�
^Shinta huffs, �I didn�t give it up so freely. He pushed his way in, and me out. I cannot ever forgive him for that. I was more than a bodyguard to her, or at least so I thought. But I cannot go looking for her with him. Rather see him die first.�
Luna growls, �He pushed his way in? I never saw you push back. If you wanted to be more than a bodyguard, you should have put out more effort.� Her claws extend slowly. �As for seeing him die, I doubt that will happen in your life time.�
^Shinta shrugs. �I will do what I can in my own way. Not looking for your approval, or any of the others for that matter. That is just the way it is going to be. Somehow, I think she wouldn�t mind that.�
Katie looks out the window, her heart heavy.
^Shinta concedes, �You�re right, it won't. �Cause I couldn�t kill him even if I tried. And you all would stand in my way, anyway.�
Crossing his arms, Eclipse listens to the exchange between Luna and Shinta.
Claron looks back at Tabris, then at Syne. Sighing, and feeling her hopes of going along crushed, �You promise to keep me informed?�
^Shinta pushes his way past Luna. �I was never one of your Warriors, Avatar. Nor will I ever be because of these events. I was only here to watch over her. Like I did long before anyone else remembered her.�
Luna glances at Eclipse briefly. Looking back at Shinta, �You know absolutely nothing about women. She wanted more than she got. You can�t roll over and pout, and think that�s how you get a girl, much less keep her.�
Clarice sighs heavily, nodding her head at Kabal. �Yes, he�s a part of it.�
Luna brushes herself off where Shinta pushed past her. �You�re right, you never will be again.�
�I promise.� Syne extends a hand to Claron, �Whatever I find out, you�ll know.�
^Shinta shrugs. �Never chose to be, remember that much. And with your actions, I will gladly not wear that moniker.�
Claron takes Syne�s hand. �Find her, bring her safely back to us�and kill that bastard.�
Luna growls, �That�s right, you chose to hide behind your robes. Go on, leave and grow some.�
^Shinta turns and bows. �As you wish, one who feels they must be in charge. Right away as you request.�
Claron slips the clip into the palm of his hand. �She�ll be happy to see this, too," then hugs him. �God speed, Syne.�
Luna rests one paw on her sword hilt, waiting.
^Shinta walks away, casting away the petty argument.
Luna looks over at Eclipse. "Typical, he can�t handle a fight. I hope she survives long enough for us to find her. I have no faith in him finding her on his own.�
�I�ve brought her back once, it�s fate that I do so again.� Syne takes the clip from Claron�s hand, gives them both a salute, �And for once, fate and I are in agreement.� Walking into the ramp room, he nods to them before closing the door. Starting to shift forms, he hits the emergency release, opening the ramp into space. Finishing his transformation into a winged dragon-humanoid, Syne sails out into stars, glancing over his shoulder to watch the Ettik as he flies away. Turning his gaze ahead, he closes his eyes, �I�ll find you Katie, and nothing will stop me��
^Shinta enters his room and locks the door. �Not like anyone will check anyway. Only one cared for me, and I am fine with that.� He removes the upper portion of his robe, and rubs at his tattoo until its starts vanishing. �It�s time, emerald eyes. Time to face that challenge you�ve been avoiding since it was put in front of you.�
Tzaphiel catches a movement out the galley window and turns watch. �Oh my god.� She stands up and leans her face against the glass, watching the dragon move away from the ship.
Claron moves into Tabris� arms, burying her face against his chest as Syne shifts his form and flies off. �He better keep that promise.�
DracBlue looks at Tza, then looks out the window. �Holy crap.�
�I know that look, Claron, he�ll keep it.� Tabris says, hugging Claron tightly.
Tzaphiel lays a hand on the window. �I just found him and he�s gone so quick.�
^Shinta holds his now glowing hand out and touches a paper he had scribbled on earlier. �He brought us together once and has tied us together since�If your feelings are there, you will know what to do, and awaken my soul again�.� his eyes now covered in darkness.
�Easy, Luna�� Eclipse touches Luna�s shoulder, looking concerned.
�He better, there�ll be hell to pay if he doesn�t,� Claron whispers.
Luna looks up at Eclipse. �I�m sorry,� as she flexes her tense paws and retracts her claws. �I�m lucky, I have a man that will fight for me.�
DracBlue lays a hand on Tza, �He�ll be back with Katie. I think he fell in love with her.�
Tzaphiel turns and looks Drac. �You think Syne fell in love with her?�
Alexei presses controls and sighs, �I saw it too, Ettik�repressurize the ramp room. They�re free to leave whenever they want, all I can do is wish him luck.�
DracBlue turns to face Tza. �I think so, and I think it�s wonderful. He�s always there for her.�
Tzaphiel nods and takes a deep breath. �I remember how that felt, once upon a time,� she sighs.
Kabal nods, �I can understand, if you ever want to talk, Clarice. I�ll listen.� Giving a small bow, Kabal dismisses himself and heads down the hallway. ~It�s not looking good, Cara.~
Luna wraps her arm around Eclipse�s waist and steps closer to him. �So where do we go from here?�
DracBlue sighs. �You are lucky to have felt it. I wish I could, at least once in all my years.�
Arwyn finishes her meal, leaves the galley and heads back towards her quarters. As she turns the corridor, she spots Clarice as Kabal bows and walks away. Stopping next to Clarice, she eyes her thoughtfully for a few moments.
Tzaphiel smiles at him. �Well right now your busy. But once your free, you might get to feel that way.�
Kyra�s mouth twitches as she hangs suspended in her tank, twisted dreams flickering across her broken mind. ~All I ever wanted was to be loved. To belong somewhere. Why can�t I have that one simple wish granted?~ Her thoughts broadcast randomly in her delirium.
Tewyn lays in bed. �I really miss my pokey pokey lady. Though there are some things I need to try and resolve first.
�We�ll look for her, and pray that she�s alright.� Eclipse looks into Luna�s eyes, �Even after all these millennia, it never changes, always rough seas.�
DracBlue looks out the window. �I seriously hope so.�
Clarice glances at Arwyn, �What do you want?�
Without hesitation and a sly smile on her lips, Arwyn bluntly states, �When are you going to figure it out? Are you that dense? He DOESN�T love you. He never did. You�re just another in a long string of toys. And when you no longer amuse him, he�ll ignore and neglect you. Oh wait�he already does, doesn�t he?�
Tewyn gets dressed, rubbing his eyes. �Man, I miss that visor. Bet the kids would think it was cool,� laughing at the thought. �Right, like there is ever a cool dad at their age.� He exits his room, humming �his free at last tune� again.
Luna nods. �I think she will be alright, at least as much as I was when I being held by RD and Cain.� She lays her head on his chest as she hugs him. �It seems like I live my life praying for something.�
Tewyn wonders, �Hmm, now where could she be?�
Tzaphiel looks out the window with Drac and leans against him. �You may, even if your not free,� she whispers softly.
Clarice stands there dumbfounded. Royalty or not, you are a bitch just the same.� She turns, walking quickly and in a huff to Katie�s quarters.
�I suppose.� Eclipse turns his gaze to the doors, �How about this time I pray with you.�
Arwyn smiles, then calls out, �The only good drow is a dead drow, my dear.�
Tewyn turns the corner, hearing Arwyn�s voice, �Glad to see some things will never change. Have you seen Clarice?�
DracBlue wonders what she means, then says, �How about that alone time?�
�With those sensitive drow ears of yours, I am certain you already know the answer to that question.� Arwyn smirks, then moves ahead to her quarters and enters them.
Luna nods. �Those are the prayers that work the best.� She stands back and wipes her moist cheeks, only just realizing she was crying. �Let�s get away from these cargo bays, before they depressurize and the baby docks.�
Tzaphiel takes his hand and nods, �That would be nice.�
Tewyn chuckles, �Yeah, you�re right. But I just love that tongue lashing you give me. Make it sizzle.� Turns and knocks on Katie�s door, �Clarice?�
Clarice sits on the bed, hugging one of the pillows. �It�s open.�
Tewyn walks in and stands by the door. �Maybe we should talk.�
DracBlue takes Tza�s hand and leads her to her room. He opens the door and bows, �After you, Miss.� He lifts her hand up and kisses it.
Clarice looks up at Tewyn, nodding her head. �Yes, I think it�s long overdue.�
Tewyn steps into the room more. �So about this family thing.�
Clarice cringes slightly, �What about it?�
�I�m sorry I didn�t give you the night you wanted at the dance. But I did not want to end up doing something I would of regretted long term, be it to your nephew or someone else,� Tewyn says thoughtfully.
Tzaphiel feels a heat slowly run from her hand, up her arm and spread thru the rest of her body. �Thank you,� she steps past him and sits on the edge of the bed. �Be sure you lock that door. We don�t want any interruptions.�
Tewyn shakes his head. �I wasn�t going to take that chance. I don�t want to be that man�I mean that elf anymore. We will be torn on that subject till the end of our days, I know. But you have to know something��
Kyra stirs restlessly again. ~But I DID try, I really did. Maybe I just finally realized how hopeless it was to love someone who didn�t have a whole heart to give.~
�I know, I should have realized that then�but I didn�t. I didn�t mean what I called your children either.� Clarice picks at a corner of the pillow.
Eclipse leaves the cargo bays with Luna, wandering down the hall towards their quarters.
DracBlue walks into the room. Closes the door and locks it, then walks over to the bed.
Luna walks with Eclipse back to their room, �You know, he�ll have to have a way off the ship to go after her.�
�What is it I have to know?� Clarice finally looks at Tewyn.
�I suppose he�ll find a way,� Eclipse shrugs, reaching over to take Luna�s paw in his own.
Tewyn sits with his back to her. �Those words hurt more than you would ever know, even for someone like me. I didn�t know what they had done till the monk told me recently, what one of his spirits had heard.�
Tzaphiel looks up at Drac. �Well, we�re alone now.� She wonders what he�s got in mind.
With a heavy heart, Tewyn continues, �If�if I had known. Yes, they are Shaiya�s kids and mine. But there wasn�t a day that went by, that when I heard of them�that I didn�t see it as me and you raising them. I wanted them to learn what you had taught me. Even if I was trying to not own up to it. I didn�t want them corrupted by her and that thing I used to be.�
Tewyn lowers his head. �I didn�t want them to be me�and if anyone could of changed them, it was you and what your heart can give.�
Luna lifts Eclipse�s hand and kisses the back of it just as they reach the door to their room. �Here we are,� opening the door and leading him in.
DracBlue sits down on the bed next to her and takes her hand. �All alone. And it is so great,� not quite sure of what he wants.
�I don�t know, Tewyn...It hurts knowing that I will never be able to experience that one part of a woman�s life. I love your children, but I don�t know if I am the right one for the job.� Clarice reaches a hand out and places it on his shoulder.
Tzaphiel smiles at Drac. �So�Do you want to play a game? Or talk about anything?�
�After all, it�s not like I had the best home life, myself.� Clarice shuts her eyes as she clearly sees her father standing over her.
Tewyn reaches up and touches her hand. �You changed me, not even she could do that. And they care for you, and I think they are trying. That Kabal is a smart one, and I think he knew his mom was bad. There is nothing saying they couldn�t be your kids. If you want them to be. Giving them life doesn�t make one a mother or father. It�s what you give and bring to them all those years after, that they count on the most. And I want you there by our side to show us all the things a family could be.�
DracBlue shakes his head as he reaches his hand out to caress her cheek, smiling. �None of the above.�
Clarice catches herself pulling her hand back as Tewyn touches it, but stops. With tears welling up in her eyes, nodding, �I know they care for me. Both have shown it numerous times. And I believe they want a real family also.�
Tzaphiel leans her cheek against his hand as she stares into Drac�s eyes. �Alright,� she whispers as she reaches over and turns off the lights. The room is lit only by the stars outside the window.
Tewyn turns and wipes away a tear. �Will you be our family, Clarice?�
Luna removes her sword and places it in the corner next to the altar. She takes off her cloak, then sits on the bed to remove her boots. �Even though, I know Misstress knows everything, I still feel the need to tell her,� she sighs.
�If all of you want me, and will have me�yes,� Clarice whispers softly.
�Till the end of our days, till the end of our days.� Tewyn takes her hand in his.
Removing his sword, Eclipse places it by the door. Moving over to the altar, he kneels down to look at it. Glancing over his shoulder at Luna, he nods. �We�ll tell her together then.�
Luna joins Eclipse at the altar. �Thank you.�
Alexei sighs, �Now where�� looking over his star charts. He shakes his head, wondering where their next destination should be. Where they should start the search.
Meanwhile: As the slender black ship slides into the inner reaches of the dark red nebula, a large fleet of black ships is gathering. �And there it is�the staging ground for the universe�s next war,� the man says from his console, glancing over his shoulder at Katie. �I�m sorry, but taking you will bring them here. They need to stop this, stop her, before she destroys it all,� he motions at the fleet gathered there. �I have to keep you here until they come, make it seem like you disappeared.� Standing up, he sighs again, �Growing up alone was harder than I ever thought.� Turning he moves over to Katie, �It took longer than I thought to get to this point, so that I can return to the fold.� Sighing, the man reaches up to remove his mask, a head of familiar red hair and a pair of blue eyes, revealing a mid-20�s Stryder, �So tell me, Katie, what has he done? That�thing, pretending to be me?�