Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Heading further into Damascus, the crew continued on the trail of the enemy soldiers. Getting into a firefight with them, they quickly dispatched their enemies and only took minor injuries.
Continuing on, the group ran across a strange group of mutants. Greatly deformed descendants of the city�s original inhabitants, who seemed to dislike the invaders as much as the Warriors did. Attacking them, they allowed most of the crew to pass, but attacked Tza when she accidentally attacked them during the fray.
Further in lay their destination, the sacred sword resting atop its altar. Quantus, the enemy commander, engaged our heroes in battle, seeming to possess the abilities of space-time manipulation. Only with a combined effort were they able to cause him to retreat, but not before he took Cinthoric with him.
Approaching the altar, the sword Avaquar, was claimed by Kyra. Upon its release from the altar, Avaquar also awoke Ryu, a dragon kin warrior chosen to guard the sword during its slumber. As they were leaving, the group got a message from Sikozu that enemy ships had arrived and that Ettik had retreated in order to protect them.
They eventually boarded the offspring ship, which had to fight its way past the enemy in order to enter hyperspace, heading for the rendezvous coordinates where Ettik would be waiting for them.
*Time passed: None*
The offspring�s hum is softer than Ettik�s, its red and black striped interiors similar in design to its mother but with obvious signs of its warship systems. Soft red illumination dots the main hallway, the ship still small enough to have only one accessible deck. The pair of red scorpion bots click to each other as they stroll down the hallway.
The first of the two pauses, giving a general glance around at the six doorways linking off the hallways. The second continues ahead towards the stylized crimson �glass� doors at the end of the hall, but it is too opaque to see what lays beyond them.
Luna looks around the bridge, �Sikozu, how long until we meet up with Ettik?�
Tzaphiel closes her hand tightly around the small sapphire and looks over at Drac sadly.
Ryu looks around at the group and then to his current surroundings, his eyes settling on the walls then the scorpion bots.
�Not too long, we agreed to meet far enough away that the enemy couldn�t find us, but we�re at a good speed,� Sikozu glances over the display panels, chewing on the corner of her lip, �Couple of hours.�
Arwyn looks around at the interior of the small ship. �Hmmm, this must be what I read about back home, the red light district.�
Shadow sighs and then walks around looking for the galley.
DracBlue steps a little to the side, accidentally stepping on Tewyn.
�Hey, hey, watch the doorstop there, bird boy,� Tabris whistles to Drac. Motioning him away, �I�m guessing there�s no med bay, so I�ll just dump blacky here on a bed.�
�Hey! Watch where you step, bird boy!� Clarice growls.
DracBlue looks down, then steps off of Tewyn and walks over to Katie.
Kneeling down, Tabris slings Tewyn across his shoulder, grunting a little, �Heavier than he looks...okay, sis, where you want your boy?� He gives Clarice a sideways glance.
Claron smiles lovingly at Tabris, �I think that would be wise�close quarters and all.�
Stryder and Aurora open up one of the doors off the hall. Glancing inside, he nods, �Bunk rooms, looks like 6 rooms with storage lockers and communal bathrooms.�
Kyra stands close to Cara, watching Katie anxiously.
Shayne stands next to Katie, giving her a look of concern, �Katie, you doing okay?�
�Gives us time to explore the ship,� Eclipse says to Luna, overhearing her and Sikozu.
Looking distant and uninvolved, Wraith heads down the hallway, opening the �glass� doors and continuing into the room beyond them.
Clarice nods her head approvingly at Tabris, her eyes expressing her thanks. Turning to look at Sikozu, �Would you possibly have something I could wear besides this armor jacket. My former clothes didn�t fare so well during our absence.�
Katie looks around, startled. �Hmm?�
Ryu follows behind Wraith and asks, �There seems to be many swords with this group. Are they planning on gathering them all?�
Luna looks over at Eclipse and nods, �Alright.� She wraps an arm around his waist, �Lead the way.�
Sikozu turns and looks at Clarice, giving her a quick up and down survey, �Hmm�close enough in size, in there, black closet on the right.� Sikozu motions over her shoulder at the other door connecting to the bridge besides the hallway.
�It seems likely,� Wraith says to Ryu with no emotion in his voice. He glances around the ship�s small galley and takes a seat near the wall with triangular windows in it.
Eclipse heads out into the hallway, glancing at the six different bunk room doors, then the �glass� doors ahead.
Tzaphiel goes to the galley and sits, staring out into space as she rolls the sapphire around in her fingers.
Kyra sighs. �Katie? Are you hungry? Tired? Do you need to lay down?�
Clarice nods, �Thanks a million, Sikozu.� She heads in the direction Sikozu pointed, takes out a black leather outfit from the closet. Checking to make sure she is out of view of the others, she removes Stryder�s armored jacket, then dresses in the black vested leather pants suit.
Ryu follows Wraith into the galley and sits down. He looks directly at him and says, �How does one prepare food here? Do we hunt it?�
Wraith surveys the room, then motions towards the large rectangular replicator set into the wall. �Over there, it can prepare any food you ask it to.�
Tabris moves into one of the bunk rooms, carefully sliding Tewyn onto one of the lower bunks. Standing up, he looks over Claron with a nod. �Alright, I�m done playin� pack mule, now to get a bite to eat.�
Thorn prowls back and forth, looking restless.
Ryu looks over at it and sighs. �I guess I have been asleep for a long while, changes are to be expected.�
�Thanks again, Sikozu. I�ll make sure to return this once we get back onboard Ettik,� Clarice says upon her return to the bridge area.
Luna walks with Eclipse through the glass doors, �I�m very concerned about the enemy having that sword,� she purrsighs.
�Keep it if you like it, I�ve got others,� Sikozu gives Clarice a friendly smile, �Looks good, not too tight.�
Ryu looks back to Wraith and asks one final question. �Who is the leader of this group? I must inform them of something.�
�I agree, but there�s not much we can do since we do not know where he went,� Eclipse gives a sigh as well, glancing around for a place to sit.
Katie looks up as Clarice returns. Her eyes go from blank to cold, and she turns her gaze away, looking instead at Shayne.
�There is no leader per se�you can inform any of them,� Wraith eyes Ryu, trying to determine what it is he has to say.
�Hello there, finally noticed me?� Shayne smiles at Katie, reaching up he places a hand on her shoulder, �Doing okay?�
Katie�s response is a long shuddering sigh and a shrug.
Luna looks around at what seems to be the systems room, �It concerns me that we may have to fight against it. And can it awaken another sword if they get to it before we do?�
�Oh, and what a fine pack mule you make, my love.� Claron winks. �And I know what I am hungry for�� her eyes run down along Tabris� form.
Stryder slides into a lower bunk in another of the bunkrooms. He watches Aurora pad a circle before laying on the floor nearby. �So, what�s going to happen now I wonder?�
�Besides that, dear,� Tabris shifts a hand to Claron�s chin, lifting her gaze back to his face. �How about some food first?�
Ryu looks at Wraith, �Then I will inform you. If I am seriously injured, I lose control and my power takes control until I heal.�
Wraith nods, then turns to look out the window.
�Spoil sport�� Claron chuckles.
Tzaphiel�s gaze darts over to Ryu, but she doesn�t speak.
�Apparently it�ll be a bit before we meet up with the other ship,� Shayne studies Katie�s eyes with his own. �Want to talk about it?�
Ryu nods and walks over to the thing that Wraith pointed to. �How do you operate this item?�
Katie seems to shrink back into herself. �I�m just cursed.� She whispers.
DracBlue looks at Katie. �I don�t think that you are.�
Tzaphiel sighs and stands up quickly. She moves to Ryu�s side and pushes a button marked voice on the replicator, �Just say what you want, it will do the rest.�
Katie smiles gratefully over at Drac.
A screen lights up on the wall above the replicator alcove showing a list of food types after Tza pushes the button.
Kyra nods and wanders off to explore.
�Now why would you say a thing like that?� Shayne questions Katie with
concern in his voice.
�Think he�ll be okay in here by himself?� Tabris motions to Tewyn as he heads for the doorway, �Probably be grouchy when he wakes up.�
Clarice lowers her eyes after seeing the cold look in Katie�s. �Can you blame her after what you did? That�s the kind of thing your own father would have done. Why, you are no better then he was,� she thinks to herself as the feeling of guilt intensifies.
Ryu looks over at Tza and nods, �Thank you, Miss.�
�Because bad things happen to people who get close to me.� Katie�s eyes look stricken and she wrings her hands unconsciously, her gaze going down to the floor as her misery washes over her once more.
�Good things also happen, it�s not your fault Katie,� Shayne reaches to touch her cheek, �I�m still around, so that�s got to count for something.�
Tzaphiel nods, then returns to her chair facing the window. She stares down at the gem in her hand and watches as an image of Drac standing near Katie appears.
�He�ll be fine, I�m sure. Besides, there is not much else we can do.� Claron smiles as they move towards the door.
DracBlue looks at her and smiles. �It�s not your fault. And if something bad happens, it�s not your fault. It�s the person who it happens to.�
�I�m not the one with the answers,� Eclipse says as he looks around the systems room, noting that human-sized space is limited, though small access shafts are perfect size for the ship�s bots. �I don�t imagine it will be easy, though.�
Shadow sits down in the galley and drinks an ale, thinking to himself deeply.
Ryu orders raw meat and then sighs as there is no private place to eat. He grabs some silverware, begins cutting and eating it.
�So? Eating, no eating? Hot shower?� Tabris winks at Claron as he steps into the hallway.
Luna sighs, �I don�t have the answers either. And the one that does, doesn�t talk much.� Leaning her back against the wall, �Getting information out of some people is harder than pulling teeth.�
Katie stares at Shayne hard. �You�ve only been here a short time. Believe me, sooner or later it�ll get you, too.� Her eyes sparkle with welling tears. She leans her face into his hand and closes her eyes.
�Might as well give a try at least,� Eclipse says to Luna with a shrug.
�Depends on what�s on the menu.� Claron smirks, �Hot shower together�sounds damn good to me.�
Luna grumbles, �I�d rather chase my tail, than play 20 questions right now.�
�It�ll only get us if we give up. I have no intention of doing that,� Shayne moves in to hug Katie gently. �And I hope you won�t either.�
�Then we can get some answers later.� Eclipse glances around again, �Let�s find someplace less cramped.�
�I could use a good scrub,� Tabris smirks as he grabs Claron�s hand and leads her across the hall to the empty bunkroom, then to the bathroom.
Luna nods with a smirk, �Lead the way.�
Clarice glances back up at Katie, �I never meant to hurt him, or you.� She says in a barely audible whisper as she heads into the corridor, carrying Stryder�s jacket. �Now I wonder where that nephew of mine got off to.�
�I knew it! It wasn�t real food that you were hungry for after all�� Claron teases as she feels herself being led by Tabris.
Eclipse leads Luna into the galley again, give a quick look around at everybody already sitting down, �Not much to do around here, it seems.�
Tabris pulls off his shirt and tosses it on the counter next to the pair of sinks nearby, �Oh, I�m hungry for real food too.�
Katie stiffens in his arms. �Don�t�� she pleads. �Don�t get too close to me, Anthony. Don�t set yourself up to be the next to die.� Her voice breaks on a sob.
Shayne steps back and looks at Katie, �I have no intention of dying, Katie.�
Luna follows Eclipse, �We won�t be here that long anyway.�
DracBlue sighs, unsure of what to say to cheer her up.
Kyra wanders into the galley and leans against a wall, closing her eyes and remembering happier times.
Aurora perks her ears up, looking towards the door, �Clarice is looking for you,� she says with a purr, looking over at Stryder.
Stryder stands and moves to the door to open it and look out.
�Might as well sit down and relax then,� Eclipse suggests to Luna, moving over to the third of the four tables in the galley and pulling two chairs out.
Katie stands there with tears streaming unchecked down her face. �None of them did, Anthony. Not one of them.�
Cara watches as Clarice walks into the corridor, then follows after her. �Guess I'll check in on Va,� she thinks to herself as she begins to look into each bunkroom, trying to find her still unconscious father.
Shayne frowns, looking almost lost as to what to do, �I�m still here, Katie; and I�m not going to let anything happen.� He sighs, �When we get some time, I have something you need to hear.�
Luna unbuckles the leather straps holding her sword and lays it on the table. She sits and rubs her shoulders, �I must have been smaller in my previous incarnation.�
�Yes, Kyn. I�m aware our birthday is in a couple days.� Kyra sighs. �Big deal. Eighteen. This is NOT where I thought we�d be by this time in our lives.� Her whisper is shaky.
�A bit,� Eclipse states as he looks over at her sword.
Katie sniffles and looks up at Shayne. �Like what?�
�It�s complicated�� Shayne scratches his head then gives her a nod, �But it can wait. Is there anything I can do to assure you that I won�t be dying on you?�
Removing the last of his clothing, Tabris steps into the shower and turns it on, adjusting the temperature.
Katie shakes her head. �Not really.� She sighs and turns toward the doorway. �And now Rogue has disappeared. Goddess what have I done?� The last said in a frightened whisper as she heads for the galley with a sad look over her shoulder.
�He�s not as lost as you think�� Shayne mutters quietly to himself as he watches her head off. Sighing, he leans against the bulkhead and looks at the bridge screen displaying hyperspace.
DracBlue follows Katie, worried that she will do something to herself and still waiting for her to explain things to him.
Luna stretches then leans back in the chair. �You saw me in my other life?� She asks Eclipse softly.
�Several of them, in passing usually,� Eclipse rests his chin on his hand, elbow propped on the tabletop, �I�ve been around awhile, remember?�
�Sometimes I think it�d be easier if I just showed her, on the spot,� Shayne sighs to himself softly as he pushes off the wall and heads off down the hallway after her.
Claron smiles approvingly as she watches Tabris remove his shirt. Untying the laces of her vest with one hand, she turns toward the shower, tossing her vest back over her shoulder.
�Interesting new addition to the group,� Eclipse comments, his gaze drifting over to the blue-haired Ryu. �What do you make of him?�
Luna leans against Eclipse and chuckles, �In passing?� Her eyes follow his gaze to Ryu and she draws a deep breath, taking in the new members scent. �I�m not sure yet. I�ll have to watch him.�
Thorn turns his head with a feline smirk as he pads after Katie. �If you showed her on the spot, I don�t think she�d handle it too well.� He turns back toward Katie�s retreating form and picks up his pace.
Clarice smiles as she sees Stryder looking out of one of the rooms. �There you are, nephew. Thank you for being my hero and such a gentleman back there.� She kisses him on the cheek when she reaches him, then hands him his armor jacket back.
Back in the bridge, Sikozu glances over at Chorban, the alien scientist from the planet, as he studies the various displays on the bridge.
�Fascinating, truly extraordinary,� Chorban comments as he inputs data into his wrist-holo computer.
�Probably right�� Shayne nods, then pauses giving the panther a look of surprise.
Thorn�s chuckle floats back behind him.
Ryu casually looks over at Luna and Eclipse as he mumbles to himself. �Well, I wonder if I should just show them what I can do now,� as he looks back to his plate and orders another large piece of raw meat. He then sits back down and continues eating.
Arwyn follows Katie quietly to the galley.
�Oh, it�s nothing,� Stryder smiles friendly at her, �can�t have my aunt running around clothes less.�
Katie finds an empty seat and slumps into it, staring out the window sullenly.
Thorn joins her. �Katerina, though I know it�s still a painful subject, it must be approached. Have you given any thought to Shinta�s burial? He can not stay �suspended� forever.�
Katie sighs, another tear sliding silently down her cheek. �I know, Thorn. I-I just can�t�I don�t know what to do with him.�
Luna�s ears twitch as she catches indistinct noises coming from Ryu. She looks at Eclipse with a raised brow and purrs softly, �Maybe I won�t watch that though.�
DracBlue suggests, � A funeral pyre is what my race does.�
�I wouldn�t suggest fire onboard a starship,� Shayne says as he takes a seat across the table from Katie.
Tzaphiel hears Drac�s voice and turns to look at him. �You could just eject him into space.�
Eclipse chuckles, �At least he�s using utensils, it could be worse.�
Katie gives Drac and Tza a sharp look. �That�s a bit cold, don�t you think?�
�Va�� Cara whispers as she finally finds which room he is in. Not seeing any movement or hearing any response from him, she moves into the adjoining bathroom and wets a cloth. Returning back to his bedside, she kneels down beside him and gently bathes the blood away from where the bullet grazed him.
Thorn sighs. �Be realistic, Katerina. We can�t exactly dig a hole on Ettik. And a nice memorial before hand would make it seem a little less��
Tzaphiel shrugs, �Sure it�s cold. But lack of atmosphere would preserve the body very well.�
�Sterile?� Katie says, a wounded look on her face.
DracBlue frowns. �I was being very respectable. A funeral pyre shows a very deep sign of respect for the person.�
Thorn frowns at Tza. �That isn�t what she meant, Shifter. And now is not the time for your insensitive remarks.�
�I�m sure we could do a good ceremony. We could even look for a planet, if you wanted�� Shayne looks over at Katie giving his suggestions, but still sounding concerned.
Katie slumps deeper into her seat. �Maybe. I don�t know. I�ll face it when we get back. Right now I�m just hungry.� She puts her arms on the table and lays her head tiredly on her stretched out limbs.
Tzaphiel tilts her head at the cat and shrugs, �Whatever.� Her gaze moves up to Shayne�s face and she stares at him for a moment before turning her attention back to her gem.
With the water running down his back, Tabris pulls the now fully undressed Claron into the shower with him.
�What can I get you?� Shayne offers as he stands up from his seat.
Ryu grows tired of using the silverware and a small sphere covers him. Completely black, it then shimmers with energy, and then it disappears. Revealing a small dragon, green in color and about as tall as a human. Its wings look small in comparison to its body. In its place, the dragon cracks its neck and then takes a large bite out of the meat.
Eclipse raises a brow at Ryu, �Interesting��
Luna sits up straighter as she watches Ryu�s transformation. �Oh goddess, what have we taken in?�
The smile on Clarice�s face disappears, and is soon replaced by a more serious look. �I should go check on Tewyn,� she turns, then glances back over her shoulder at Stryder. �I�m glad you have returned to us. Be patient with your mother, she�ll come around, sometime. I-It�s just, she�s been through hell��
Katie thinks for a minute, then her muffled voice comes through her folded arms on the table. �I�d really like some eggs and sausage, actually. And some pineapple juice.�
�I think I recall stories about creatures like that,� Eclipse shifts his gaze up, thinking. �Bah�hard to remember several million years worth of knowledge.�
�Growing up with no family and relying on kind strangers to teach you the ropes, ain�t a picnic either,� Stryder says with some frustration about his past.
Ryu finishes eating and raises his head, screeches lightly. It then looks around and notices the looks of surprise. He lowers his head and the sphere raises around him again, then melts away, revealing his human form once more.
Shayne moves over the replicator and orders sausage and eggs, then the juice. Bringing them back to the table he sets them down in front of her folded arms. �There you are, get it while it�s hot.�
�Ooohh!� Claron feels the warmth of the water hitting her flesh, her mouth hungrily seals Tabris� lips in a kiss.
Katie looks up at him for a moment, a comment hovering on her lips. Then she closes her eyes and shakes her head with a small smile, before tucking into the food with more gusto than she�d have thought.
Luna leans against Eclipse once more. �Interesting, is the least of my worries. Where did the other one go?� She glances around the room for the lost scientist.
�Last I saw, he was on the bridge, probably studying every nook and cranny of this ship,� Eclipse shrugs a bit, leaning back in his chair.
Thorn snakes a paw up and steals a sausage, spearing it with a claw.
Ryu looks over at Eclipse. �It�s called a dragon. The one I just brought forth is but a whelp.�
Katie gives a small laugh. �All you had to do was ask.�
Tzaphiel goes back to rolling the rainbow sapphire around in her hand as she watches the colors change.
Thorn�s eyes sparkle. �Stolen goods are so much better,� as he munches on the sausage with a look of pure bliss.
Shayne chuckles, �Guess I�ll need to keep an eye out for my food when you�re around then.�
Clarice turns back around to face Stryder. �I know�god, I know�oh Stryder, none of us knew. Can you imagine what your mother feels�to realize that she couldn�t tell the difference?�
Katie stares out the window. �Where ARE you, Rogue?� she thinks.
Tzaphiel hears Shayne�s joke and snorts softly to herself.
Sikozu shakes her head, then speaks up at Chorban, �Don�t even think about touching that console.�
The scientist turns, his hand hovering above the holo-console nearby. Sikozu sighs, �Go study the rest of the ship, we�ve got things to do.�
Chorban wanders out of the bridge, hand busily inputting data into his computer as he glances around studiously.
Katie nibbles her lip, then turns an innocent gaze on Shayne. �You afraid he might bite your sausage?� Her lips are quivering with the effort of holding the expression.
Luna�s ears twitch toward Tza and she glances over at her. �What have you got there?�
�I know�I wanted to reach you guys, to come back to them,� Stryder leans against the doorframe, �but the time wasn�t right��
Shayne looks at Katie and holds back a chuckle, �Something like that��
�Dragon, but not like the ones I know.� Eclipse looks over at Ryu again, �Where are you from?�
Ryu nods. �I am from Dracovia. I am the last of my race that I know of. Thus, the reason I protected the sword.�
Tzaphiel looks up at Luna and sighs, �It was a gift,� she glances briefly at Drac, �from a loved one.�
Rubbing the soap off Claron�s back with his hand, Tabris caresses her shoulder. Then leans over her, wrapping his arms around her as the water splashes down around them.
�Dracovia�is that a city or a planet?� Eclipse questions him with interest.
Clarice places a comforting hand on Stryder�s shoulder, �You are here now, and that�s what matters.�
Ryu sighs. �It is a city. I suppose the planet would be called Myria.�
�Yup�guess it�ll just take some time, like you said,� Stryder looks back at Clarice with sigh.
Kyra replays in her mind sitting in the park with the imposter, sharing her dreams and her fears, then curses herself for ever trusting him. �Love sucks. Imma be a nun.� She mutters low, under her breath.
�Hmm�never been there,� Eclipse shrugs a bit at the name. �You must have been guarding that sword for a couple centuries, if not more, from the looks of it.�
Ryu responds, �The planet I was on, said it was one thousand years after they began their records. There was no technology like what you have on this ship.�
�I see, �Eclipse nods, still wondering but looking generally satisfied with the answers. �Well then, you�re with us for as long as you see fit.�
Kyra leaves the galley, hot tears running down her cheeks. ~Cara?~
Katie watches Kyra go, her heart sinking. �My poor wee one. I�d spare her this pain if I could.�
Luna nods at Tzaphiel as she looks over at Drac. �I see,� she purrs softly.
�And I�d spare you yours, if I could,� Shayne says to Katie, his gaze settling back to her after watching Kyra leave.
Ryu nods. �Well then, I might spend a few thousand years until I find my way again.�
Eclipse chuckles, �I don�t know if everyone will be around that long.�
A soft moan escapes from Claron�s lips as she feels Tabris� arms wrap around her, his manhood pressing gently against the flesh of her buttocks.
Luna�s attention returns to Eclipse and she laughs softly, �A few of us are already at least that old.�
Chorban wanders into the galley, looking at all the lounging group members, still recording information on his computer as he strolls around slowly.
Katie makes a small sound, staring helplessly.
�And some have stopped counting all together,� Eclipse smirks at Luna, then looks back at Ryu.
Luna�s attention is immediately captured by the scientist and his mini computer. �Mmmhmmm, or just lost track.�
~Yes, Kyra?~ Cara replies back in a soft mental voice.
Ryu nods. �Well, I have yet to lose count. Until I went into hibernation. Before, I was exactly ten thousand years old.�
�Not bad for ten thousand,� Eclipse looks over at Luna, then notices the scientist observing them.
Luna growls softly under her breath, �I don't like that��
~Just needed to hear you.~ Kyra�s mental sigh is full of regret. ~Um�is HE still a telepath, the real him, I mean?~ A worried tone takes over.
�I�ve kept you long enough, you should go check on Tewyn. I think Cara�s with him now,� Stryder tell Clarice, his gaze drifting down the hall momentarily before he steps back into the bunkroom, giving Aurora a look.
~I think so�maybe�I honestly don�t know. Come to think of it, I don�t think I�ve heard him since he showed up.~ Kyra can hear the confusion in Cara�s mental voice.
Kyra wanders blindly into one of the bunkrooms and leans against the door. �Hmm.� She reaches up to wipe her face.
Sikozu looks at the long distance relay on her console and nods, �Yes, I�m seeing it to. A com signal, looks like we�re almost there.�
Reaching around Claron to turn off the water, Tabris plants another kiss on her. �Now that was quite a shower��
Clarice nods her head slowly. �Yes, I should. Stryder�If you need, or want to talk�I�m here for you.�
Seeming satisfied with his information, Chorban turns the holo-computer off and strolls over to the replicator. Ordering a tall glass of something green, he sips and takes a free seat at the table near Wraith.
�I know, thanks,� Stryder gives her a nod before sitting down on his bunk and giving Aurora a scratch behind the ear.
�Mmmhmm, was just what I needed,� Claron whispers.
As the scientist takes a seat with the glass of green liquid, a deep urge to attack him catches Luna by surprise. She doesn�t seem to notice that she has vise like grip on Eclipse�s thigh.
�How�s the food?� Shayne asks Katie, trying to break the silence at the table.
Kyra walks over and sits on the edge of a bunk. She flops back across it, closing her eyes and trying to blank her mind.
DracBlue looks around the room and notices the small gem in Tza�s hand, but then keeps looking around. He then looks back to Katie.
�Luna�Luna,� Eclipse looks at her. �As nice as your claws are, they�re sharp and hurt��
�Stryder? Do you know which room they are in?� Clarice chuckles. �I haven�t a clue where your father put him.�
�Oh!� Katie startles and shakes her head, taking the last bite and pushing the plate away, chewing carefully, then swallowing. �Um. It�s good.�
Stryder tilts his head for a moment, as if thinking, �Two rooms over, this side.�
Tzaphiel feels Drac�s gaze pause on her for a brief moment and she smiles at him. But sighs as he looks away.
�Good to hear,� Shayne stands up and takes her plate back to the replicator. Returning to the table, he sits down again.
Luna looks down and releases her grip on Eclipse, �I�m sorry.� She kisses him on the cheek softly, �I don�t know why I did that.�
�If you�re getting tired of babysitting me, you don�t have to.� Katie says quietly.
�Thanks.� Clarice moves over two doors and enters. �How�s he doing?� as she sees Cara still kneeling beside him.
�Approaching the coordinates,� Sikozu says to the bridge, then pushes a control to activate the ship�s com. �We�re going to be exiting hyperspace soon, the rendezvous will be a few minutes after that.�
�But I�m not babysitting, so I�m not tired at all.� Shayne smiles at Katie softly.
Cara looks up at Clarice, �Still out cold. He�s gonna be alright, isn�t he?� with uncertainty in her voice.
�Sure. Of course he is.� Clarice says reassuringly.
Kyra raises her fingers to her lips, remembering the soft kisses. She gives a shuddering sigh and tries not to think about it, but it keeps coming back.
Tzaphiel closes her hand around the gem and slips it into her pocket once more.
Luna pulls her sword into her lap and holds it there as she goes back to watching Chorban.
�Ready for some real food now, my love?� Claron asks as she finishes dressing.
The offspring slows, its hum changing pitch softly as hyperspace peels away from it like the skin of a fruit. The black and red ship soars into a dull tan nebula with a large grey and white barren world in the distance. Ahead of the ship is Ettik, floating quietly.
�I feel like I need to wash my mouth out with sanitizer, dammit.� Kyra�s eyes well up again.
Tzaphiel looks out the window, �Looks like we�ve arrived.�
Katie shrugs. �I gave you an easy out.� Her smile is small, but warm.
�So much for a bite to eat,� Tabris sighs as he hears the com�s announcement.
Sikozu navigates the offspring closer to Ettik, a curious look crossing her face. �That�s strange�they�re silent.�
Eclipse stands, giving a glance out the window at Ettik, �Something�s wrong��
�I was never one for the easy way out,� Shayne smirks at Katie.
�So I�m noticing. You hadn�t known me an hour and you were risking life and limb to save me from big gooey jackasses who kidnapped me.� The corner of Katie�s mouth turns up.
Luna looks at Eclipse then stands and heads to the bridge. As she enters she asks Sikozu, �Can we dock? Or do we need to jump over?�
�Not to mention,� Katie continues, �running in from Goddess-knows-where to rescue me from that torturous bitch just recently.� She looks thoughtful.
�No damage, getting strange readings from the energy output,� Sikozu steps past the holo-control and looks at the view screen. �Move us to the starboard side airlock. We�re going to investigate.� Turning, Sikozu speaks to the com, �We�re going to be docking with Ettik, something�s amiss, so be on guard, guys. The airlock is next to the galley, off the systems room.�
�I had some help with that last part,� Shayne adds in, then turns his head at the com. �Duty calls once more.�
Luna straps her sword onto her back as she heads to the airlock. ~I have a really bad feeling about this,~ she tells Luciendar.
Katie grumbles. �What a happy homecoming. As if I didn�t have enough weighing on me.�
Kyra sits up. �Oh hell. What�s wrong with Ettik?� She rises and heads for the airlock.
~You�re not the only one.~ Luciendar says, her voice full of suspicion.
Tzaphiel stands and leaves the galley to wait by the airlock.
Shadow stands up and walks to the bridge. �Can I see the readings?�
Katie struggles to her feet, still sore. �Damn!�
Sikozu looks at Shadow, �Just right here. It�s still putting out power, its just not doing anything with it.� She shrugs and grabs a pulse pistol and belt from a hanger on the wall nearby. �Time to go see what�s going on.�
�I promise you a feast fit for a king, Tab, once we have dealt with the current situation.� Claron slips her arm around his waist.
Shadow walks to the airlock.
Ryu follows Tza to the airlock.
The airlock secures against Ettik with a soft clunk and hisses open.
As soon as you board the Ettik, you notice the air is stale, the ship�s ambient noises gone silent and the lights no longer alive with the faint pulse of bioluminescence. Further proof that something is not right can be seen just down the corridor.
One of Ettik�s crab bots, in the middle of repairing a burnt out light, is frozen in place and even the sparks from its repair claw float in the air. The dead quiet of the place echoes to Shadow that temporal interference is taking place, and that its source is above and to the middle, right where the bridge is.
Reaching the bridge, you notice Alexei is also frozen in place, in the middle of sending a com message from the looks of it. Leaning against the wall of the bridge, a white haired man looks over at your group, namely Shadow, and gives a nod. �Sorry it had to come to this, Shadow, but orders from the top. They need to see you, didn�t say why, only that I come get you and your friends and take you back.�
�I�ll warn you guys now, don�t try anything stupid,� the man who Shadow knows as Hephaestus uncrosses his arms and pushes off the wall. A large sword whose blade seems to exist and not exist at the same time shines on his back, �The pilots can stay, everything will unfreeze once we leave. But the rest of you are coming with me. Steady yourselves, the first transport is always the worst.�
Raising both hands, ethereal blue energy flashes out from them and hits each of you, save Sikozu, and you feel as if you�re spinning and falling at the same time. After a few moments and a rather spectacular series of flashes, you find yourselves halfway down a bridge in front of a massive stone citadel in the middle of a snow covered valley, an ominous feeling creeps over you as the man motions you forward�