Previously on Warriors of Destiny: With the Marianas base damaged by the unknown attack, all those in the iso lab started evacuating. Though, before they could escape to the elevator, Katie was kidnapped by a mysterious figure in black.
As the others escaped the base�s lower levels before they imploded, they headed for the Ettik. Lifting off from the damaged base, the crew had to decide what their next step would be. Syne choosing to find Katie on his own left the ship, traveling the space currents in a space-surviving form.
Alexei hearing the news of Katie�s capture thought about their next destination. Meanwhile; Katie�s kidnapper took her to a strange red nebula, where a large fleet was gathering. He also revealed to Katie that he was Stryder; and that an imposter was with the others, pretending to be him.
*Time passed: None*
Sighing, Stryder turns and takes a seat in his piloting chair, giving time for his news to Katie to sink in. Noticing a flashing on his console, he presses a few buttons, a harsh guttural voice questioning in a strange language. Stryder spits out a reply in the same language, which gets a one word rebuttal. The small black ship pulls into formation alongside a larger cruiser.
Meanwhile: Back on the Ettik, Alexei nods finally deciding on a destination. �We need information, I see no better place�� He says to himself in a thick Russian accent as Ettik aligns to the constellation their destination is in. Over the ship-wide, he chimes in, �Alright, we�re heading for
Pegasus Station, it�ll be a while before we get there, so feel free to settle down in the meantime.�
�Pegasus? Ain�t that Gabe�s place?� Tabris questions, giving a glance to Claron.
Valrash looks at the intercom, �Another place to go. How fun.�
Sitting in the galley, Shadow shrugs and tips his mug. �Don�t they ever have fun on this ship? No drunken parties, no stopping, just work.�
Turning away from the bio-tank, Stryder looks at Cara over his shoulder. �As I said, it�ll be a while before she recovers.�
Tewyn nudges Clarice, �Ummmm, so�what do we do now?�
Luna takes off her amulet. Holding it in her open paw, she takes Eclipse�s hand. She looks at him for a moment, �Shall we?�
Eclipse gives Luna a nod, �We shall.�
Claron lifts her head up from Tabris� chest to look at him through her tear filled eyes, �I don�t remember, maybe��
Luna bows her head and purrs softly, �Goddess grant me the vision to see beyond the illusions of this time, grant me the ears to hear beyond the words to the true meaning, and grant me a voice in which I can speak truth, and compassion in your name.�
DracBlue looks deeply into Tza�s eyes, �There�s something you need to know.�
Tzaphiel searches Drac�s face in the darkness, �What?�
DracBlue sighs. �I�ve never done anything like this before.�
Clarice feels the impulse to pull back as Tewyn nudges her, but remains still, instead. �I suppose�gathering my belongings and moving back into our room would be the next step.�
Eclipse bows his head as well. Closing his eyes, he thinks about Aventine and Selenia.
Tewyn nods his head. �Yes, I suppose�Maybe a family meal, since we will have some free time.�
Cara presses her nose up to the glass of the med tank. ~Oh Kyra, you just have to be alright.~
Tzaphiel runs her hand down Drac�s arm and takes his hand in hers. �It�s okay.� She guides his hand to her hip. �Take your time.�
Luna�s amulet flashes brightly, the white light bathes the room around Luna and Eclipse. The room slips away and is replaced by open sky and a railed balcony around them. Selenia stands a few feet away, leaning over the balcony looking at Aventine below. Clearly, this balcony is at the top of one of the castle�s towers.
Clarice nods her head back at Tewyn as she slides off the bed and begins to gather her things. �A family meal would be nice.�
Tewyn sighs, �If we can find those two, that is.�
Luna steps forward, �Misstress?� she calls quietly.
Cara turns back to look at Stryder. �Why did you do it? Did you really want Kyra so much that you�d kill me to have her?�
�I think it is,� Tabris nods in reassurance to himself. �It�ll be good to see him again.� Looking down at Claron, he holds her gently, �She�ll be alright, Katie�s tough.�
DracBlue smiles at her understanding, and feels that he has to kiss her. So he leans down and presses his lips to hers, �Thanks.�
Stryder shakes his head, �I had no intention of killing you. I was,� he pauses, a look of discomfort on his face, ��not myself.�
Tza kisses him gently, �Your welcome.�
�Luna, Eclipse, come join me,� Selenia motions to them with a glance before shifting her gaze back the city. Very little is being rebuilt now, the destruction of the war hardly noticeable in the grand city. �What troubles bring you to me?�
Eclipse glances to Luna, then casually walks over to the railing, giving room between himself and Selenia for Luna to stand.
Claron wipes away a falling tear from her face. Nodding her head, �I know she�s tough. She has made it through things that many would have given up on. Oh, Tab��
Luna moves to look out at Aventine, she inhales slowly before speaking. �Misstress, I�m worried.� Bowing her head to Selenia, �Katie has been taken from us. And I made a mess of Shinta as well.�
Selenia nods, �I see�Katie has slipped beyond my sight,� sighing lightly, she traces a finger along the railing. �Much of the mortal realm is being clouded in darkness. Daegriss is still weak, so another is behind it.�
Tza can feel Drac�s uncertainty in his touch. �You don�t have to,� she sighs softly.
�I believe we know who is behind it, m�lady,� Eclipse glances at Luna and Selenia in turn.
Luna looks up at Eclipse, �We do?�
Cara stares at Stryder with an odd look in her eyes, �You�re telling me!� Backing away from the med tank, she slowly moves closer towards him. �That�s not a good enough answer for me, Stryder. I think you�d better explain yourself!�
After the well rehearsed dance of space and time tearing apart, Ettik glides into hyperspace, bound on course for Pegasus Station.
DracBlue sighs. �Is it really that apparent that I am hesitant?� He can�t help but feel insufficient.
�How should I explain madness? The chaos that tore me apart then, and slowly chips away at who I am,� Stryder turns his head away from Cara. �To give even a glimpse may be more than you could bear.�
Tza runs her hands over his chest. �That�s not it, I just don�t want to push you to do something your not ready to do.�
Tewyn looks around. �Did you move everything in here, dear?�
Elsewhere; Syne watches the rainbow array of hyperspace in the distance. Shifting his wings, he catches the solar winds, bringing him closer to the Alliance ship about to enter the wormhole gate. Attaching to the hull, he brings his wings down over himself, blending into the ship�s grey surface as an irregular bump.
�Guess we�ll just have to ask Ettik to locate them for us.� Clarice reaches under the bed and pulls out the packed duffel bag. �Think that�s everything.�
Valrash walks to the galley, stopping to look in Stryder�s direction. �When shall it happen, I wonder.� Then continues to the galley.
Tewyn chuckles. �Everything but the kitchen sink, I see. And yes, guess we could ask the ship.�
�Yes, that Halcyon fellow mentioned Lady Velarenyssa,� Eclipse replies to Luna�s sudden inquiry. Selenia turns her head at mention of the name, �That would explain the darkness, she once challenged Daegriss for his throne and failed.�
Luna shakes her head. �We failed to stop her being set free. And now, Katie�s paying for it.�
Cara feels her temper flares as she moves closer, �Just who do you think you are Stryder Maxwell DuVallis...trying to tell me what I CAN or CANNOT bear!?! How quickly you seem to forget, I survived the torture from Nightside. And Valrash�s torment�by his having me relive your stabbing embrace, over and over again!�
Tewyn shakes his head, �You pack one hell of a purse there, dear. If we ever pack for a vacation, let me handle the packing,� smirking at Clarice.
�From what I�ve seen so far, you have little time for festivities.� Taking a seat at the table with Shadow, Skirmir looks over his plate piled with freshly cooked meat. Grabbing the first slab with his hands, he tears a piece off and chews it.
Clarice halfheartedly chuckles back. �I don�t think we�ll be having much of a vacation any time soon�not when Katie has been kidnapped.�
Shadow looks at Skirmir, �Every second you�re alive is time enough to celebrate.�
�If Katie was taken by her, Vela will likely try to learn whatever she can about you,� Selenia sighs, her expression melancholy. �Her methods will not be kind��
Tewyn sighs, �Well, maybe not soon. But sometime. We should take the kids to�umm�that place with the mice and a spitting duck?�
�True enough,� Skirmir snarls down another piece of meat. �Back home it is probably nearing harvest, all the villages will be holding fairs.�
Luna sighs. �It feels like there is more going on than just Katie being taken, Misstress.�
�Now I would like to see that. A fair is the perfect place to kick back a nice cold frothy ale.� Shadow chuckles as he drinks down the remainder of his glass.
Stryder nods, �You�ve had your share of torment. You may never forgive me for what I�ve done, I�ll accept that. But we must look beyond it, the real problems are bigger than us.� With a sigh, he turns and trods slowly towards the med bay door.
Valrash walks into the galley, orders a slab of uncooked meat and a metal fork. Sitting down, he cuts the meat with his claw, and then puts it on the fork and cooks it with his fire.
�No doubt,� Selenia nods as she looks deep in thought. �If Vela has returned, she is likely gathering an army. It is likely she is after the same thing as before. With Daegriss weakened, she may succeed.�
�Sounds like fun,� Clarice mutters as she opens the door and they begin to move down towards their room.
�Exactly what we don�t need, another powerful dark god with an army at her beck and call,� Eclipse shakes his head in disgust at the thought.
Tewyn nods, �Yeah, I think we need some fun,� walking out behind her.
Luna leans against the railing, staring out at the horizon. �But who was that man we saw? Where does he fit into her plans?�
�Probably an agent, the mortal realm has many evil beings laying in wait, and with a banner to gather under they become a powerful force,� Selenia turns and sits against the railing, eyes lost somewhere between the tower top and the sky.
�But I have forgiven you, Stryder,� Cara blurts out as she follows Stryder quickly to the med bay door.
�With luck, we�ll find her soon,� Tabris sighs, combing his fingers through Claron�s hair. �We�re looking for her, and it�s only a matter of time before we find her.�
DracBlue looks into Tza�s eyes, �It�s like my body is screaming for one thing and my mind wants another. I�m so confused.�
Valrash looks over to Shadow, �Still drinking, I see.�
Shadow nods at Valrash. �Aye, that I be.�
�Perhaps if we ever return to my home world, we can do that,� Skirmir raises his glass to Shadow for a second before drinking from it.
Clarice watches as Tewyn tosses her duffel on the bed as soon as they reach their quarters. Silently, her mind races with a multitude of thoughts, a gnawing uncertainty, gripping her hard. �Ettik�locate Cara and Kabal, please.�
�You�re worried about her, it�s easy to see,� Stryder glances over at Cara as they exit into the hallway.
Shadow raises his empty glass, and stands up to fill it again before drinking from it.
�I hope so,� Claron whispers, the feel of Tabris� fingers combing through her hair, calming her.
Tza nods, �I understand,� laying her head on his shoulder.
�I�m worried about you as well,� Cara looks back at Stryder, studying him closely.
DracBlue kisses the top of her head, unsure of what else to do.
Tewyn pinches Clarice�s butt. �You remember what fun is, don�t ya?�
Luna glances at Eclipse for a moment, then returns her gaze to Selenia. �What about the rest of our group? Is there more we should know?�
As the ship�s hull shutters in the wormhole, Syne is lost in thought, so he barely notices. His mind continues to play over the events, trying to find anything that he could have done, but failing. He wasn�t able to save her, Syne curses himself. He had distanced himself from his old ways, but if they could bring her back, he would do whatever was necessary.
Tza cuddles up to Drac. �We could just lay here for a while.�
�You have some of the swords,� Selenia nods. �Finding the others will aid you in stopping this new threat. But the more you gather, the bigger a target you will become.� Frowning slightly, she looks at Luna and Eclipse.
DracBlue pauses for a moment. �Show me what to do,� going against what he is thinking, but reacting on what his instincts say. For his instincts had never steered him wrong before.
�I�m fine�I have it under control for the time being,� Stryder replies to Cara, his expression difficult for Cara to read, but seeming distant.
As usual, a small holo-map appears near Clarice, two blinking lights show up a few seconds later. One is moving down a hallway; the other is stationary inside one of the cargo bays.
Luna shrugs lightly, �We�re used to being targets, Misstress. Is our group ready to face this new fight? There are many young ones among us now, and I don�t feel good about most of them.�
Clarice whirls around, her eyes blazing as Tewyn pinches her ass, �Fun�I�ll show you FUN,� as she starts to bring her hand up, then drops it quickly as she realizes it is Tewyn.
Tewyn eyes Clarice wearily. �Umm, you know I like a little pain, honey. But I don�t think you were fixing to give me the pleasurable kind,� watching her drop her hand.
Tza smiles in the darkness, whispers, �Best way to learn is to just do it.� She begins to slowly guide him thru his first time�
Valrash finishes his plate and puts it up. Looking at the replicator�s menu, he scrolls thru the list of drinks that he can take. He decides on a nice ale. He takes it and sits with Shadow and Skirmir. �So what are you all talking about?�
Selenia sighs, �I understand your concerns, but they are a part of this as much as any of you.� Walking away from the railing, Selenia lowers her head.
Clarice draws a deep breath in as she realizes what she almost did, the blinking lights catch her eye. �Looks like we will run into one of the kids in the corridors; and the other is in one of the cargo bays,� trying to bring the conversation back to Cara and Kabal.
Luna watches Selenia walk away. �They�re a part of this, but are they part of us?�
Tewyn still confused from her outburst, �Well, should we go see if they want to join us for some food?�
Shadow looks at Valrash. �Being awfully talkative today, aren�t we? Oh well, I believe we were talking about celebrations.�
�Page them,� Clarice moves quickly out into the corridor, trying to avoid having to explain herself.
Selenia nods, then turns, looking distracted, �There is little more I can do for you. Luna, Eclipse take care.�
A crab-bot skitters down the hallway, stopping in front of Cara and Stryder to chirp at them. After a second, it replays a sound clip of Clarice asking for Cara and Kabal.
Luna realizes she�s being dismissed. She bows her head and purrs, �Yes, Misstress.�
Tewyn teases, �I think we need to switch you to decaf, blondie. You�re jumping more than a toad going after a piece of fly ass.�
Kabal lowers his arms at the noise, the large boulders he was manipulating, floating down gently to the floor. Perking a brow, he glances at the holo-screen on the wall near him, �Clarice�s calling for us, huh?�
Eclipse studies Selenia, wondering as to her apparent distraction. Bowing his head in turn, he looks over at Luna as the white glow brings them back to their quarters.
Cara listens to the sound clip of Clarice, �I better see what she wants. She wasn�t doing so well when we returned back to the ship.�
Luna opens her eyes and throws the amulet down on the altar. �I don�t get it.� She turns to look at Eclipse, �She has always been cryptic, but never has she totally avoided my concerns like that.�
Stryder nods, �You go do that,� he looks down at the crab-bot, then over at Cara.
�Something was bothering her, almost like she was avoiding answering you on purpose,� Eclipse says as he stands and moves to the window.
Luna stands and follows him to the window. �So now what?�
Clarice looks back at Tewyn. �I guess Katie�s disappearance affected me more than I thought,� she lies as Tewyn nears her.
Tewyn rubs his chin. �Yes, I guess so. If your taking it this bad, I don�t even want to see how the monk is holding up.�
�Now�we keep on going. We know they�re out there and what they�re planning.� Eclipse watches the yellow streams shoot by the window, �Once we rescue Katie, we�ve got to get the other swords; and I say, we take the fight to Velarenyssa herself.�
Luna lays a paw on the cold window and growls, �I just feel like I�ve missed something along the way.�
Having regained control of her emotions finally, Claron whispers to Tabris, �My tower of strength, you are.�
�Maybe we should check on him?� Clarice forces herself to slip her hand into Tewyn�s.
�Tower I may be, but I�m nothing without the supports,� Tabris kisses Claron softly, then gives her a smile.
Tewyn shrugs. �Maybe later. Right now, you three are my first priority.�
Kabal notices Cara in the hallway ahead as he turns a corner. Jogging to catch up, he questions, �So, what do you think we�re being called for?�
Clarice nods, �You sure? He might need his friend right now.�
Tewyn shakes off her concern. �He can take care of himself. We can check on him later. What�s the worst he can do, anyway?�
�Are there any festivals on your home world?� Skirmir questions Valrash as he takes his plate over to the replicator and watches it deconstruct once on the pad.
Claron smiles back at Tabris, her heart filled by his love and understanding. �I�m the luckiest woman alive.�
�Oh really?� Tabris smirks, �We�ll see about that the next chance I get at a lottery ticket.�
Valrash says, �There are some for certain days. Like my mother�s birthday, we celebrate. But nothing as vast as a festival, can�t let Hell get to lively.�
�What did you miss?� Eclipse looks over at Luna.
�Birthday?� Skirmir looks puzzled for a moment at the word.
�You could come with me, Stryder�if you�d like?� Cara looks back down at the floor, not wanting him to see her reaction if he should decline.
Shadow says, �It�s a day some places celebrate the day of your birth at the same time of each year.�
Luna sighs, �I don�t know, it�s just a feeling I�ve had since that man took Katie.� She turns from the window, �And I�m not convinced that all these lost and founds are reliable.�
Stryder looks over at Kabal, then to Cara, �It�s probably a family matter. I wouldn�t want to intrude.�
Valrash just looks surprised that he doesn�t know what a birthday is.
�Alright, we�ll check on him later,� Clarice says as they round the corner. �Well, look�there�s Cara with Stryder up ahead.�
Tewyn stops a moment. �Well, there she is indeed.�
�Our group certainly is put together of interesting characters,� Eclipse turns to his side and leans against the window. �As to whether or not they�re reliable...I guess we�ll find out.�
Cara notices an extra pair of feet on the floor. Looking back up, she sees Kabal. �She summoned you, too?� Turning her gaze back to Stryder, �She is part of your family as well...or have you forgotten that?�
Luna steps closer to Eclipse and lays her cheek on his chest. �Maybe I�m just overly sensitive right now.�
�Maybe, but I wouldn�t dismiss your concerns with that reasoning,� Eclipse sighs and caresses Luna�s cheek.
Stryder nods, �I know�but it wasn�t me they called for.� He turns to head down the hallway, leaving Kabal and Cara standing there.
Luna grumbles, �It�s not like we haven�t been made fools of before. Look at how Shaiya tricked us, and Tewyn went along with it.�
Claron smirks, �Then you can buy us a cabin on a nice hillside in the woods, with a stream for fishing and skinny dipping.�
�Not at the same time I hope,� Tabris chuckles lightly.
Claron giggles, �Depends on what one is fishing for,� brushing a kiss on his lips.
Tewyn notices his children, �Well there are our wonder twins,� waving to Cara and Kabal.
Cara�s eyes widen as she sees Clarice and her father walking hand in hand towards them.
�We can stay cautious, but until they prove unreliable, I trust them,� Eclipse closes his eyes with a sigh. �It used to be clear, allies and enemies, black and white. But now, now everything�s grey.�
Tewyn chuckles, �Umm. I think we shocked the princess over there, what do you think?� pointing to Cara.
Kabal crosses his arms, waiting for Tewyn and Clarice as they approach.
Tewyn notices Kabal�s indifference, �The son doesn�t look as happy though��
Luna wraps her arms around Eclipse and chuckles, �Can we not talk about grey things right now?�
DracBlue turns on his side and looks at Tza. Breathing heavily, he asks, �So how did I do for my first time?�
Tzaphiel lays on her back, smiling. �You�re a fast learner.�
DracBlue smiles, still breathing heavily. �I had a great teacher.�
Tzaphiel chuckles softly, �I don�t know about great. But that was just a taste of what you can do.�
�Can�t say I blame either of them for their reactions. It�s not like either one of us have been giving them the attention they deserve.� Clarice tries to push back the gnawing hatred of her own father that has returned to plague her.
DracBlue�s eyes widen, �Only a taste? Man, I�ve got a lot to learn,� as his breathing calms down.
Tewyn nods and sighs, �That is true...We will have to try and resolve some of the things we both have done recently, I suppose.�
�The biggest catch I can find,� Tabris smirks again at Claron, with a hug, he pulls her down onto the bed with him.
Tzaphiel laughs at his shocked expression, �There are millions of variations on the act itself. Not every one likes the same thing.�
�Yes, we will,� Clarice agrees, even though she has serious doubts as to whether or not she is up to the challenge.
Tewyn steps closer towards Cara and Kabal. �Ummm, yeah, so�We were wondering, since we have some free time before we get anywhere, if you two would want to join us for a meal?�
�Then what would you like to talk about?� Eclipse furrows a brow at Luna.
�I don�t eat much anymore,� Kabal says looking between Tewyn and Clarice. �But I�ll come along.�
DracBlue chuckles, �Millions? It�ll take a hundred years to learn them all. Sounds like fun.�
Trying not to laugh, Tewyn asks, �Was it your sister�s cooking?�
Luna steps back and looks up at him. �I don�t care, just not him.�
Tzaphiel nods, �It�s all fun. But I don�t think it will take you that long to learn.�
�I wasn�t talking about anyone in particular,� Eclipse shrugs, then moves to sit on the bed, his tail sliding out to the side as he sits.
�No,� Kabal chuckles lightly. �She�s yet to make anything that bad.�
Tewyn smiles, �Well good, �cause I thought she did pretty well�So, Cara, will you join us?�
Luna watches Eclipse sit down. �I know, again I think I�m just overly sensitive.�
DracBlue nods and cuddles close to Tza.
Tzaphiel sighs contentedly as she curls up with Drac. �Are you tired?�
�No, I�m not. Just was a little out of breath. Why?� DracBlue wraps his wing around him them.
Cara nods her head, �You bet!�
Tzaphiel whispers teasingly, �Because you can do it more than just once at a time, unless you�re tired.�
Tewyn nods approvingly, �Well then, I guess we are having our first Sion family meal.�
DracBlue nods. �Well, before we do, I have something to give you.�
Clarice looks at Tewyn, then at Kabal and Cara. Silently, she thinks, �Sion-Penance family meal.�
Tzaphiel sits up and turns to face Drac. �You already gave me something.�
DracBlue looks confused. �What did I give you?�
Tzaphiel runs her hand over his cheek. �You gave me your first time, that is a very special thing.�
Claron begins to massage her own temples with her fingertips. �Tab, there is something else worrying me besides wanting my best friend back. Have you noticed how scarce Stryder has been making himself?�
Katie chews her lip. �No wonder things were so fucked up back home,� she says quietly. �Poor Kyra. Everything she�s felt has been based off of a lie.�
�So, are we just going to stand in the hall and stare, or go eat?� Tewyn motions towards the galley.
DracBlue gets up and walks over to his gem pouch and picks a very special gem out, a rainbow colored sapphire about the size of a quarter. �I have something else to give you as well.� DracBlue bunches it in his fist and walks over to the bed, holding it out to her.
Then a thought strikes her. Katie closes her eyes and thinks of Claron. And what it is going to do to her when the truth comes out.
�I�m all for getting something to eat. I�ll even cook, if you�d like,� Cara�s eyes light up. Glancing at Clarice, �You feeling better now?�
�Yes�I�d almost say he�s going to lose it again from the way he�s acting,� Tabris shrugs a bit, still confused as to their son�s condition.
Tzaphiel watches him retrieve something. She looks up at him, �You don�t need to give me anything else.�
�It�ll be hard on her,� Stryder says from the ship�s console, looking back at Katie. ��sorry, bad habit.�
Tewyn happily agrees, �How about I help this time? I have some great flamb� recipes.�
Clarice nods her head in Cara�s direction. �At this moment�yes.�
Kyra�s eyes shift restlessly beneath their lids, and she cries out softly in her mind. ~We�ve got to do something. We can�t just let him go like this�we have to make it right, Cara.~
�Oh that would be great, Va! I�d enjoy that very much. The only time Mother was ever in the kitchen was when she gave the cook the weekly meal menus.� Cara smiles at her father.
Katie�s eyes open and she glares at him. �Do you even give a rat�s ass?� she snaps.
�More than you know,� Stryder sighs, shaking his head at Katie�s snapping.
DracBlue holds out his hand and insists, �I won�t take no for an answer,� he smiles.
Kabal turns to head towards the galley, looking over his shoulder at everyone to see if they were coming too.
�Really?� Katie�s brow raises at his tone. �How much do you really know of them�of us? Of what your mother has been through?�
�Oh Tab, we can�t let that happen again. No telling who�d get hurt,� Claron winces, remembering Cara laying on the ground near death because of their son.
Tewyn takes Cara and Clarice�s hands into his. �So, are my two ladies going to join us, or what?�
Tzaphiel tilts her head as she holds out her hand to take Drac�s gift. �Okay, I�ll take it to make you happy.�
�Very little, I�m afraid,� Stryder turns in his chair looking at Katie. �Bits and pieces, some I got telepathically and the rest�the rest is taunting images, like it wants me know it�s breaking them down.�
�It is.� Katie says quietly. �IT is slowly destroying the people I hold more dear than my life.� Then she goes back to glaring defiantly, not wanting to show any cracks in her armor.
DracBlue drops the small gem into her hands and sits on the bed.
�Of course, we are,� Clarice and Cara say in unison.
Tewyn looks over to Cara. �Things are going to get better now. I�we want us all to be a family,� motioning his head over to Clarice.
Tzaphiel reaches over and turns the light on so she can see what he�s given her. �It�s lovely, Drac. I�ve never seen anything like this.� She turns it different ways as she looks at it in the light.
�That�ll change soon�when they come, the truth will get out. And then�� Stryder shifts his gaze, eyes resting on the sword he had used to kidnap Katie with, an unnatural shine flowing down the blade, �I�ll destroy it for taking my life away from me.�
�And your mother will be lucky to survive the shock.� Katie feels a pounding at the base of her skull.
DracBlue looks at Tza�s reaction and smiles. �It does something else too. Watch it closely now,� as he walks into the bathroom to use it.
�And does Clarice want this as much as we do, Va?� Cara whispers as they near the galley.
Luna shakes her head and walks over to the bed. �I�m sorry, Eclipse.�
Tewyn nods, �Yes she does. Your mother took something very precious away from her. You and Kabal will be all she can have.�
�I hope she will. If she didn�t�I don�t know what I�d do,� Stryder turns back to the ship�s control console. �They�ll want to see the prize I collected, Katie. I�ll do what I can to protect you, but I�ll have to keep my cover.�
Tzaphiel watches the stone closely, just like he told her to. �What am I looking for?� she calls out to him.
Katie gives a derisive snort. �Ain�t like it�s the first time I�ve been bait. More than likely won�t be the last. With any luck, this time I�ll STAY dead.�
DracBlue says, �Just think of me and you�ll see something.�
Tzaphiel shrugs and continues to watch the stone as she thinks of him.
Cara ponders this for a moment. �Does that mean you promised marriage to her?� she asks innocently.
DracBlue shows up in the gem doing exactly what he�s doing in the restroom.
�Maybe at some point, Cara�Maybe at some point. But your mother took something far more precious than any love I could give her. She took away any hope of her being a mother naturally,� Tewyn hangs his head.
�You won�t be dying anytime soon, Katie,� Stryder says sternly as the ship moves along a larger vessel to dock. Reaching over, he grabs his mask and slips it back on.
Katie makes a rude noise. �You can�t promise that, kid.�
Tzaphiel�s eyes widen as she sees him in the stone. She blinks, then looks again.
DracBlue is now washing his hands in the gem.
Cara lowers her head as well, feeling ashamed for the first time in her young life for something she never had any control over to begin with. She squeezes her dad�s hand gently.
�Maybe, maybe not. But you�ve got that promise all the same,� Stryder replies, scooping up his sword as a soft clang of metal signals the ship�s docking. Standing, he moves over to Katie, �You ready?�
Tzaphiel looks up at the bathroom door. �This is amazing, but why are you giving it to me?�
�Like I have a choice.� Katie sets her jaw and stares at her lap.
DracBlue stands in the bathroom doorway. �For the times that I won�t be around, and/or guarding Cara.�
Tewyn continues, �So you and Kabal will be all I could offer he. If you both are willing to accept her. Those things she said in the galley�they were from the pain of what happened,� looking over to Clarice as she remains silent through the whole conversation.
�You don�t need to apologize for anything,� Eclipse says, looking up at Luna.
Tzaphiel closes her fingers around it, �I see.�
Kabal nods to Tewyn, watching Cara and him interact. �A family would be nice��
Tewyn nods agreeably at Kabal. �Yes, a family would be very nice. Don�t you agree, Clarice? We could as a family help you with what your struggling with. Though you try and hide it.�
DracBlue nods. �But let�s not think of that for now.� He walks over to the bed and lays down next to her.
Clarice picks up pieces of the conversation Tewyn and Cara are having. Thoughts of her own father mingle in her mind with their conversation. �Just like my own father. He, too, used to say in time your mother and I will wed.�
Luna sighs and sits next to Eclipse on the bed. �I just don�t like losing friends.�
�You�re not alone in that respect,� Eclipse reaches over and takes Luna�s paw in his hand.
Tewyn waves a hand in front of Clarice. �Am I going to have to take you on a trip down the Sion super soaker water ride to get a reaction out of you?�
Tzaphiel sits there staring at Drac. �It�s kinda hard not to think about it since you brought it up.�
Clarice moves her head back as she finally realizes Tewyn�s hand is in front of her face. �Huh? What did you say?�
Stryder reaches down and grabs Katie�s bindings, pulling her to her feet gently. Before moving with her to the ship�s hatch, he sighs, �Here we go��
Tewyn smiles and laughs. �A trip offered on the Sion slip and slide gets her every time!�
Luna nods as she leans against Eclipse, �I know, I�m not alone anymore.�
DracBlue sighs, knowing he did bring it up. �Sorry�I didn�t mean to.�
Cara looks at Kabal. ~There is something very dark Clarice is trying to hide. Maybe you and I need to get into her mind. What do you think?~
~Leave it�you cannot explore everyone�s secrets, Cara.~ Kabal gives a stern look to Cara.
Cara glares back at Kabal.
Tzaphiel shrugs and tucks the stone into her side for safe keeping. �Thank you for the gift.�
DracBlue watches the stone disappear into her side, �That�s amazing.�
As the timeless exchange of reality and hyperspace tears a hole into normal space, the Ettik flies out into the starry void. Pegasus Station hovers in silence ahead, ships coming and going from its many docking ports. Alexei inputs a few commands on his holo-controls as the Ettik drifts towards the spaceport ahead.
�Welcome to Pegasus Station. Your docking request is accepted, please standby for further instructions,� a friendly officer chimes in over the com-link in the bridge. Alexei nods to the faceless voice, �Thank you, control�� His eyes study the station, taking note of a sleek silver battleship parked alongside the station.
Meanwhile: Inside the station�s command office, the desk intercom goes off, �Sir, one of the ships you asked us to look out for has just arrived.� Interlacing his fingers, the green haired station commander nods, then turns sideways in his chair. The wall-sized view screen activates showing a close up of the Ettik, �I was wondering when they�d come back��
Elsewhere; Stryder leads Katie onto the bridge of the command cruiser. A dark skinned woman in a revealing white dress with white hair looks down from her command chair, more a throne then anything else. �What have you brought me, Cyrus?� She studies Katie with a smirk, �Pretty young thing, I can only imagine the secrets we�ll pry from you��