Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Continuing their hyperspace journey to the Outer Rim, the Warriors had time to interact while waiting for news of Stryder and Kyra. The Bane, a vicious slave empire, brought their newest prisoners to Acheron, a slave-prison colony.
After their arrival on Acheron, Stryder, Kyra and Velyn were separated. Kyra and Velyn were taken to a makeshift prison camp set up inside a giant cavern. There, they were attacked by a group of inmates, but were subsequently rescued by a Zalarian named Skorn.
Meanwhile; Stryder was taken to a Bane �doctor� and surgically given a suppressor implant, a small device that dampens any super-human�s abilities and powers. After this, he was taken to a solitary cell and told that when it was time, he would be retrieved.
After arriving in the outer rim system where Stryder and Kyra were last seen, the Ettik did a system-wide scan but found nothing. Choosing to head to Acheron, a prison planet they believed would be a likely destination, the Ettik and its offspring hyper jumped again.
*Time passed: None*
Arriving in the Acheron system, Ettik�s scans detected a dozen Bane ships orbiting the planet. Known for their conquering, the Bane ships would prove a challenge for the living ship, its offspring and their crews.
A warning klaxon sounds through Ettik�s corridors. In the makeshift docking bay, Ettik�s offspring releases its connections and slides out of its spot. Though young, the offspring�s forward arms open at the tips, revealing small but deadly cannon barrels.
Sikozu shows up on Ettik�s viewscreen again, �Weapon systems are armed and ready, countermeasures online and combat scanners linking with your systems now.� Alexei nods to her, �We�re ready over here.�
Meanwhile, a small ruckus can be heard outside Skorn�s cargo-container as the Zalarian brushes the curtain aside. Looking in at Velyn and Kyra, he carries some wrapped food over to them. �Word has it there�s an enemy ship approaching the planet. Word also says a new prisoner in the high-sec cells is causing trouble.�
Shadow wakes up to the com, rises out of bed and walks to the bridge.
DracBlue looks over to Tza. �See, never a dull moment,� he sighs.
The dull red sphere of Acheron fills Ettik�s viewports, parts of it blotted out by the Bane ships, shifting to face the incoming threat. Alexei keeps an eye on the holographic readouts, �Almost within main cannon range of the Bane fleet.�
Valrash walks to the middle of the ship as instructed. Passing Shadow, he smirks, �To the middle of the ship, not the bridge, o� small one.�
Luna covers her ears to the loud sounds filling the Ettik. �Damn�Alexei, is that really necessary?�
Eclipse cringes at the noise, then nods in agreement with Luna.
Alexei presses a control and the klaxon turns off, but the red-lights remain.
Tzaphiel looks at Drac, �So are we supposed to grab a cannon station?�
Shadow walks with Valrash to the middle of the ship. �I didn�t catch that, thanks.�
Velyn raises a brow as he takes a piece of bread from the few choices offered to him by Skorn, �A ship and some trouble��
Claron bolts upright in the bed as the klaxon sounds, then jumps up and scurries hurriedly into the corridor.
DracBlue looks at Tza, �Nope, we�re suppose to head to the middle of the ship as instructed.� He gets up. Walking over to the door, he waits for Tza to move towards him.
Stryder leans his head against the heavy door, sounds of rough confrontation sounding distant through the heavy metal.
Tzaphiel motions to the door, �I�ll follow you then.�
DracBlue heads out into the hallway and asks for the map, trying to find the fastest path to the center of the ship.
Tabris heads into the hallway, taking a semi-jog toward the middle section of the ship.
Luna watches the monitors, �Will our shields hold up to their fire?�
Drac receives a map, a large circular room connecting to several hallways, a small light illuminates a route for Drac.
�They should,� Alexei says with some weariness. �As long as we don�t get too many direct hits.�
DracBlue heads to the middle of the ship, not making any side trips.
Cara grabs Elexorian off the bed at the sound of the klaxon. �Something is happening,� as she moves out into the corridor.
Sikozu stays on the ship-to-ship com, �We�re in range, we�ll assist you with your targets.� On the 360 viewport of the bridge, the offspring ship darts around the Ettik, taking an offensive formation.
Katie looks at the ceiling as the warning bells sound. �Oh hell. Time to duck and cover, methinks.�
Tzaphiel follows closely behind Drac thru the ship. �It�s a good thing maps are so conveniently displayed.�
�Space fighting, well that leaves me out,� Syne says as he moves towards the middle of the ship.
Ettik�s crab bots scurry in small groups through the corridors, heading for the weapons systems and repair stations.
~Well the annoying siren and flashing lights didn�t give that away...Ms. Obvious,~ Elexorian says to Cara with child-like sarcasm.
Luna glances back at Eclipse, �Damn, and me without my sword. I�ll run get it.� She jumps up and runs quickly thru the ship back to her room to retrieve Luciendar.
Clarice shakes her head, then looks at Katie, �There goes the idea of any �sack� time.�
DracBlue stops at the center of the ship and thinks, �I sure hope I don�t have to redecorate after this.� He looks at Tza, �We�re there. I need to go for Cara. Wait here.� He doesn�t even wait for a response and heads to Cara�s room.
Katie grins, �You plannin� on �sackin� somebody, Clarice?� she winks at her best friend�s sister as she turns to make her way to the interior of the ship.
�Firing main cannon, missile systems locking on,� Alexei calls out, two large green pulses build at the tips of Ettik�s forward cannons and shoot out, the lead Bane ship takes both head-on. With a green explosion, the Bane ship�s bridge and half of its forward section break apart like a pi�ata, spilling metal and crew into space.
Arwyn watches as the other Warriors seem to be scurrying about. �What is the meaning of this? And how do I find the middle of the ship?�
Luna�s door opens as she nears it and she quickly grabs her sword. She turns and runs back to meet up with the others.
Syne takes Arwyn by the arm as he passes her, �Come along, your highness, can�t have you turning into space-debris.�
Tzaphiel nods as Drac storms off. She looks around at the others gathering there. �I may be of some assistance in your mission.�
�Impressive,� Eclipse comments as he watches the ship explode. �We�ve got some trying to flank us, over there.� He points to the right section of the viewscreen.
DracBlue stops at Cara�s room and knocks on the door.
�On it!� Sikozu says as the offspring ship flies over the Ettik. Two cyan colored pulse beams shoot from its cannons, boring holes into one of the two ships, causing it to blister in a flowery explosion. The right missile pod of Ettik looses a stream of five missiles, that with fiery grace shatter the other ship.
DracBlue asks the ship to display where Cara is, with its help, he starts to run to Cara. Catching up with her, he starts following her to the middle of the ship.
�I suggest all of you waiting in the safe area, prep for ground combat. Once we clear the ships I�ll be getting as close to the planet as possible to transport you,� Alexei barks out over the com, the heat of battle causing him to sound harsher than usual.
Claron looks around for Tabris as she reaches the middle of the ship.
Tabris waves to Claron, then looks around, �You heard the man, folks. I hope you�re locked and loaded.�
Tewyn picks himself up off the ground and dust off his clothes, wiping blood from his bottom lip. �So we got all our anger and frustration out now, monk?�
Eclipse turns from the viewport, �I�d better join the others, good luck.� He exits the bridge and heads for the middle of the ship as well.
Skorn looks over at Kyra, then glances at Velyn, �Is she asleep?�
^Shinta grumbles and sits up, �For now anyway, I think.�
Tzaphiel holds up her open hand and plays with an energy ball, rolling it around her fingers. �I�m loaded,� she chuckles.
Claron sees Tabris wave, then moves over next to stand quietly next to him.
Furrowing his brow, Stryder continues to listen. Whatever was going on in the hallway, it sounded like the guards were losing. Banging on his door, he shouts as loud as he can, �Hey! In here!�
Tewyn grins through his split lip, �Bout damn time. Damn, thought you were never going to stop fighting. Next time, I�m creating a Buddha statue and smacking some damn non violent tendencies back into your ass.�
Syne lets go of Arwyn as they join the others in the middle room of the ship, �And here we are.�
DracBlue continues following Cara, then asks, �You ready to get Stryder back?�
^Shinta stands and turns away, �Yeah, you do that.�
Stryder steps away from the door when he hears a loud roar; one, then two dents appear in the door in front of him. Soon the entire door is knocked from its latching, a large red lion staring in at him, �We�re getting out of here, human.�
Tewyn watches ^Shinta walk away. �Hmm, guess you didn�t get them all worked out.�
Luna watches Tza�s nimble fingers as she approaches the group. �I just hope you have good aim with those,� she growls teasingly.
Cara glances back at Drac, �Oh, yes...more than ready.� Then adds under her breath, �To make him pay.�
A shudder echoes across Ettik as several shots are absorbed by the shields. Alexei narrows his gaze at the viewscreen, �Sikozu, target the left cruisers, I�m going up the middle!� Both of Ettik�s missile pods fire, the missiles streaking across space like dancer�s movements before they rend metal in flowery blasts.
Stryder follows the giant lion, along with several other prisoners as they head down the hallway. The lion lets out another roar as he tackles and mauls a larger Bane soldier. Looking up with blood dripping from fangs, he shouts, �Get their weapons and follow me!�
Skorn sits next to Velyn, watching the wolf as he eats. He glances over toward Kyra, wondering what the girl could be going through.
Tzaphiel grins at Luna, �I usually hit what I�m aiming at.� She slides a sidelong glance at Syne as she says this.
^Shinta ponders momentarily, �Hmmm, where to now? Not much to do around here.�
Syne catches the glance and shakes his head lightly, �We have any idea where we�re going once we�re down?�
Tewyn continues to walk over the tattered battlefield. �Been a long time since you�ve seen something like this.�
Ettik�s offspring sails around with agility as its cannon beams cut into another ship. Doing a twirl it dodges enemy fire, Sikozu calls out on the com, �Weapon systems are overheating, we�re going to have to fall back in a few more shots, Ettik.�
Tzaphiel shrugs as she catches Syne�s attention, and wiggles her fingers causing the energy ball to dissipate.
Ettik�s interior shakes heavily when an enemy shot breaches the shields and tears into cargo bay 4. The metal clang of damage control shutters, echoes through the halls.
Claron adjusts her gravity as the interior of the ship begins to shake.
Katie falls on her face.
Ettik blasts through another two vessels before veering off towards Acheron. �Almost to transport range. I�m putting you guys down on the biggest structure down there.�
Clarice falls on top of Katie.
Shadow uses his axe to balance himself.
Valrash summons a spear to balance himself.
Luna uses her tail for balance as the ship shakes.
DracBlue flutters a little in the air to stop from falling.
Tzaphiel falls back against the wall behind her.
Arwyn does a funny rendition of a jig, trying to regain her balance.
Tabris steadies himself as Eclipse continues walking toward Luna, despite the shake.
Syne stumbles a bit, but catches himself, �That didn�t sound good.�
Clarice pushes herself up off of Katie, then offers a hand up to her as she stands back up.
Luna nods at Eclipse as she holds her sword ready for the transporting.
Eclipse unsheathes Morthoseth and gives a nod to Luna.
Katie blinks a few times, then grabs Clarice�s hand.
Kyra whimpers in her sleep. �Why? Why are you doing this?�
Luna calls out, �Alexei? Will we be able to contact you when we�re ready for you to pick us up?�
Clarice pulls Katie up to her feet, �Sorry about that...it wasn�t the �sack� I had in mind at all.�
�As long as these are the only ships we have to engage, yes,� Alexei replies, then deals with some controls. �Hope you are all ready, cause you�re going in.�
Tewyn and Shinta hear Selenia�s soft voice whispering in their ears, �Warriors, the others have gone. Return to the castle and we shall speed you on your way to them.�
Katie shrugs. �It�s more action than I�ve seen in years. Who am I to complain?� she giggles, and continues to her destination.
Tewyn rubs his ears. �Thought I got rid of all the voices,� but heads toward the castle.
A yellow flash fills the middle room of the ship, and you find yourselves in a large rusted metal room. A warning siren is whining from its flashing spot on the wall, casting a flashing orange light on the storage room.
^Shinta keeps walking. �Yes, we know they left...Guess I have no choice now,� heading to the castle.
Luna raises one paw to shield her eyes from the orange light flashing as she looks around for the door.
DracBlue steps in front of Cara looking around for any danger.
Claron shakes her head as she closes her eyes against the yellow flash, �Damn, that was trippy.�
Two sets of double doors lead out of the storage room. A harsh and slobbery voice yells out over the coms in an unintelligible language, but whoever it is�is NOT happy.
�Sounds like trouble.� Syne morphs into his black werewolf form and grins, �Good for us.�
Tzaphiel flexes her now glowing fingers, �Did we interrupt something? Or is this our welcome announcement?�
Katie gives Syne a dirty look. �Smartass,� she mutters.
Skorn stands up, the distant siren sounding in the prison yard, �Now I know something�s up. I wonder what�s going on?�
Velyn stands as well, ears perking toward the sounds, �Lots of shouting and fighting, I believe.�
The sound of many heavy booted feet approaches one of the double doors in the storage room.
DracBlue readies himself for a fight.
Shadow raises his axe, ready to throw it towards the door.
�Sounds as if we are �bout to find out�� as Clarice hears the heavy footsteps nearing the doors.
Tabris creates a few obsidian javelins that hover near him, taking one in hand, he aims it towards the door.
Valrash gets ready to throw his spear.
The doors slide open, the small troop of Bane taking aim and spreading out as soon as they notice the room isn�t empty. Their apparent leader shouts and they begin firing.
Tewyn walks back through the castle gates, �So what did they do this time, that they had to call us in?�
Eclipse climbs up a pile of crates and jumps onto the ceiling, dodging a few shots as he runs across it.
Tzaphiel begins throwing energy balls at the Bane fighters quickly. Hitting one in the face.
DracBlue releases feathers that fly into one of them, turning him into a pin cushion.
Luna dodges the gun fire as she charges at the leader with her sword aimed at his chest.
The Bane finds the energy ball tingling, but not after his face melts and he drops to the floor twitching.
Valrash throws his spear, sending a jet of fire directed at the same target.
The leader draws a sword half his size and blocks Luna�s charge. Grinning, a string of drool drips off his fangs.
^Shinta walks in behind Tewyn. �Well, I would guess a fight if they are calling us to join��
Tzaphiel laughs as she moves closer to the Bane holding several energy balls ready to throw.
Shadow throws his axes at the enemy.
Finn and a white-hooded man meet Shinta and Tewyn in front of the castle. Finn looks tired but nods, �I sent them on ahead, time for the two of you to go get moving as well.�
Luna growls as she spins away and brings the sword in an upward swing into his groin.
Luna�s sword meets the leg armor of the Bane with a twang. He chuckles and decks Luna across the face with his free fist.
Eclipse jumps off the ceiling and lands, sword first, onto the back of one of the soldiers.
Claron manipulates the gravity of one of the Banes, lifting him up in the air and tossing him down hard on some of his comrades.
DracBlue charges in after an enemy, biting at his head.
Luna falls back and lands on her tail holding the sword in front of her to meet his next assault.
Tewyn shrugs, �Well, if we must make a appearance�guess the B+ Warriors are on the way.�
Tabris joins Claron�s attack by spearing some of the troopers with his black javelins.
Tzaphiel throws all the energy balls at once, but they veer off in different directions to hit multiple enemies.
Clarice watches closely, waiting for a clear shot at several of the Banes. Then with a tiny flick of her hand, sends a small icy shockwave into them.
Finn closes his eyes and goes translucent again, the white-hooded man begins chanting a spell to assist. A soft blue glow surrounds Tewyn and Shinta, and Aventine begins to fade away around them. Finn stumbles a bit, as the two vanish. Tewyn and Shinta reappear on a rusty catwalk overlooking a vast red desert. The catwalk appears to be part of a huge installation sticking out of the sand.
Luna stands up and growls, �Oh, so that�s how you want to play?� extending the claws on her other paw.
Tewyn looks at ^Shinta. �I think you tapped the wrong red slippers, dumb-ass.�
The leader sizes Luna up, a gun imbedded in his gauntlet warms up with a red glow. He snickers at Luna and motions at her.
Cara uses her free hand to shoot streams of mage-fire into an approaching Bane.
^Shinta smirks, �Hmm, well hope you brought sun block�Gonna be a long walk it seems.�
Luna stands up and begins to circle him, swinging her sword lightly in a circle between them.
In a few more attacks, the rest of the troopers are downed, their blood spreading across the rusted metal flooring.
The leader trails Luna with his gun then fires, a red projectile burning its way toward her.
DracBlue turns. Now aiming at the one still standing, he slashes and bites at him.
Luna runs towards him and falls to the floor, sliding under the fire and raising Luciendar in a swing to cut off the gun arm.
The catwalk beneath Tewyn and Shinta groans, clearly in a bad state from its appearance and the fact that it is beginning to show signs of breaking from the added weight.
�Sounds like we better get off this thing,� as Tewyn looks around.
^Shinta nods, �Agreed.�
The leader�s gun arm is cleaved clean by Luciendar, and Drac�s biting is stopped by the leader�s sword catching him in the shoulder.
Syne watches the projectile hit a cargo container and melt it into a pool of rusted-goo right where it sits, �Phew...we�d better watch out for those.�
Tzaphiel sees one left fighting with the cat-girl and runs up behind him quickly. She grabs the back of his neck and sends an electric charge into him.
Leaving his sword in Drac�s shoulder, the leader stumbles back, howling at the severed limb. With his free hand, he reaches for a small device imbedded in his chest piece.
Tewyn looks for a stairway off the catwalk.
A metal ramp, equally rusty, leads up into a platform on the large structure. A door sits on the wall at the far end, leading inside.
Tewyn grabs ^Shinta, �This way,� heads up the ramp.
Tza�s electricity shocks the leader, but the device on his chest activates and begins buzzing. He chuckles at Tza in a raspy voice as he falls to his side.
DracBlue pulls the sword out and looks at it, groaning.
Tzaphiel looks at the man�s chest, �I think we should get out of here.�
�Bomb! Take cover!� Tabris shouts as he notices the buzzing.
Luna scrambles away on all fours, heading for the doors.
Cara runs as fast as she can out of the room.
Tzaphiel follows Luna towards the doors.
Katie turns and looks horrified, frozen to the spot for a moment.
Shadow grabs Valrash and Katie, teleports all of them out of the room.
Behind Shinta and Tewyn the catwalk moans loudly and breaks apart. Pieces sailing almost fifty stories down before pot-marking the sand. A few moments later a desert worm, the size of a football field, eats a large portion of the catwalk in a single bite.
Claron runs for cover.
Clarice runs after Cara.
Arwyn races out of the room.
Luna reaches the doors and looks back for Eclipse, yelling, �Come on!�
DracBlue turns and starts running out the door to get away from the blast.
Syne and Eclipse vacate the room as quickly as the others do. Tabris exits into the hallway and presses against a wall.
�Umm�ok, we don�t go bury our feet in the sand,� Tewyn muses, heading into the door.
Katie blinks. �What the farding hell?!?�
Tzaphiel pushes Luna out the door, �Damn it, move.�
The buzzing peaks in volume and a spherical blast consumes the body, blows the doors off their latchings, and takes out a good size portion of wall with it.
Shadow sighs, �Sorry, instant reaction. Just save as many as you can.�
Tabris blinks and looks at the smoke, �Everybody intact?�
Katie looks at Tab and shrugs. �I wasn�t intact to start with, but I�m still alive, if that�s what you mean.�
DracBlue looks at the sword and wonders if he should eat it. Then looks back at Cara, making sure she�s ok.
Luna looks around at the group, �Anyone hurt, besides my face?�
A long hallway stretches before Tewyn and Shinta, rusty as everything else in the installation seems to be. Bodies are scattered about the hallway, some gruesome armored alien and few others in drab prison outfits. A particularly large alien is stuck in a doorway, door having closed on him but unsuccessful in it�s attempts to cut the body in half. Gunfire sounds from beyond the door.
Cara smiles at Drac, �I am just fine. No help from you was needed either.�
Eclipse looks either direction down the hallway they are now in, �Okay�which way now?�
^Shinta comments quietly, �Guess we are heading the right way�Now, lets go get shot at.�
DracBlue looks at Cara, �Well, if you don�t need my help�I really don�t need to guard you, now do I?� turning he looks at Luna. He sighs, �I�m hurt.�
Tewyn nods, �Thought you would say that...Lets see what�s behind door number 2.�
Skorn pushes the curtain of his cargo container aside, then jumps as gunfire starts ensuing in the prison camp. �Shit...it�s a riot.� He looks over his shoulder at Velyn, �Grab the girl, we got to get out of here.�
Cara sighs, �You aren�t getting off the hook that easy, parasite��
Luna shrugs, �I have no idea.� She steps over some debris to reach Drac. �You gonna keep that sword or eat it?� she asks as she pushes a paw against his bleeding chest gently, healing it.
Tewyn opens the door and peeks inside.
DracBlue answers by chewing on it.
Elsewhere in the complex, Kabal looks down at the Bane soldier whose neck he just snapped. Glancing up at the bank of monitors, he studies them, �Lovely place...now where are you��
Tzaphiel watches Drac�s healing with interest.
DracBlue turns back to Cara. �If it were that easy, I wouldn�t be here now, would I?� he smiles jokingly.�
The door opens into a large chamber, a better-kept catwalk gives a view down on a machine shop of some sorts. A loud roar marks the giant red lion at the far end, tossing a Bane soldier into the side of a fabricator.
Tewyn groans, �Ah, fuck...another bad kitty.�
Cara giggles along with Drac, �Guess not.�
Syne points down a hallway. �This way is as good as any,� he looks back at everyone and starts heading in the direction he pointed.
DracBlue sticks the last of the sword into his mouth, chomping loudly, snapping the metal many times before swallowing.
Claron and Tabris follow Syne.
Stryder watches the giant lion in the machine shop, then takes a moment to shoot a Bane coming down the hall at him. He looks over the Bane gun in his hands, �Hmm...not bad. I should keep this.�
^Shinta cocks his head, �Well, we don�t know which is the bad guy yet.�
Luna nods at Syne and moves over to Eclipse, running a paw over her jaw. �Damn, he had a powerful right hook.�
�So I noticed, you okay?� Eclipse questions as he looks her over.
DracBlue follows Cara.
Katie grumbles and follows, looking back to make sure Clarice is behind her.
Valrash follows Syne.
�Well, lets go find out,� Tewyn takes a deep breath, heading down the hall. �Here kitty, kitty, kitty.�
Luna smiles at him, �Of course. I should be asking if you�re alright.�
Velyn moves over to Kyra and shakes her shoulder gently, �Kyra, we�ve got to go.�
Clarice smiles at Katie, �I�m right behind ya.�
Shadow grumbles something about needing to sharpen his axes before he follows Valrash.
Arwyn shakes her head, then follows after Clarice and Katie.
^Shinta blinks. �Well, that�s one way to do it, I guess�If it kills you, then I know to help the others.�
Tzaphiel sighs and brings up the rear.
The lion looks at Tewyn and Shinta with a growl, �Who are you?� Stryder hears his question and moves around to see who the lion�s talking to.
Tewyn scratches his head, �Umm�would you believe lost nomads?�
The hallway ahead of Syne leads to another room up ahead. The wide room with banks of consoles and controls has a large window looking out over a prison yard.
�You two? How the hell did you get here?� Stryder questions Tewyn and Shinta.
�Friends of yours, human?� The red lion asks in a growled voice.
Luna enters the room and looks out the window into the yard. �Look at all those prisoners,� as she scans the scene for anyone familiar.
Tewyn�s eyes narrow at the sound of Stryder�s voice.
^Shinta shrugs, �We got beckoned by Selenia to come join the fun...go figure.�
The scene before Luna is chaos, prisoners are rioting. Some taking cover among the tents and boxes exchanging fire with the guards. Others are running away.
�They�re not going to last long against those guards,� Eclipse notes as he looks out the window.
Kyra screams and sits up, throwing off the blanket, her eyes wild from the remnants of her dream.
�Riots, people trying to kill us, isn�t prison grand?� Tabris says sarcastically, �And me without my get out for free card.�
Luna shakes her head as she watches the mayhem below. �I suppose we should do something to help them.�
�Kyra?� Velyn steps back giving her some room, but keeps a look of concern.
Claron jabs her elbow into Tabris� side, �What did I tell you about leaving home without it.�
�Yeah, my bad...next time I�ll bring the pink and gold money, too.� Tabris smirks at Claron.
Kyra�s chest heaves. �I-I�m okay,� she says finally, looking around.
Tzaphiel chuckles. �Did you take a way back trip on the American Express?�
Katie shrugs. �I wouldn�t wanna Park in this Place.�
�Well, if we�re going to do something for them, the quickest way is down,� Syne says looking at the window, then around at the consoles.
Clarice laughs, �No shit, it�s like Grand Central Station.�
Tzaphiel moves over to the windows next to Syne. �Just what did you have in mind, bubba?�
Shadow pipes up, �Quickest would be to teleport.�
�You two have a ship?� Stryder raises a brow as the lion studies Tewyn and Shinta.
�Hurry, human. More Bane come as we speak,� the lion snarls at Stryder.
Tewyn lifts a shoulder nonchalantly, �For you...no.�
Syne rips one of the consoles out of the floor and tosses it through the window.
Tzaphiel smiles, �Now that�s what I�m talkin� �bout!� She leans out the window to see if the console hit any of the Bane guards.
�Figures�� Stryder sighs, then looks at the lion, �We have to head for the yard, then the hangar, in that case.�
The lion nods, then looks at Shinta and Tewyn, �Come with us or go on your own, it matters not to me.�
Tewyn grumbles, �Not like we have anything better to do here.�
Cara moves closer to the now shattered window, raising her blazing fingers of mage fire out it into to the nearest Bane guard.
�Works�� Tabris says as he walks over the broken window.
Cara�s fire scorches a Bane moments before he can lob a grenade. The grenade spins out of his hand, blowing up part of the fence surrounding the yard. A handful of prisoners begin running for the opening.
^Shinta nods, �Guess we are following you then.�
Tzaphiel brings out her wings and looks around, �Anyone want a ride?�
The lion turns and bounds out of the machine shop, heading down the hallway. Stryder turns to follow him, �If you guys are here, that must mean the others are.�
Syne jumps down from the window, rolling after he lands.
�Well I�m sure they are here somewhere.� ^Shinta gestures expansively,
Cara�s eyes scan the crowd looking for any sign of Kyra and Stryder.
Tewyn bites his lip and remains quiet following the others.
DracBlue looks at Cara, �I�ll take you down, so we can look for them.�
Luna climbs out the window and uses her claws to run down the outside of the building to the yard.
Skorn motions Velyn and Kyra to join him outside the container, �Come on, looks like there�s some folks come to break everyone out.�
Cara smiles at Drac, �Thanks, I appreciate that.�
Tzaphiel looks at Katie, �You want quick way down?� holding out her hand.
Eclipse follows Luna down the wall, jumping off to land on his feet.
DracBlue lifts up Cara and glides down.
Tabris slings a javelin down at a guard before his gaze meets Claron, �Mind doing the honors, babe?�
Valrash says, �I�ll take a teleport, thanks,� and stands next to Shadow.
Claron reaches for Tabris� hand, �Sure�.�
Shadow grabs Valrash and teleports down next to some Bane, slices at one with an axe.
DracBlue flaps his wings, sending volleys of feathers at the Bane while flying down.
Luna jumps off the wall, landing softly next to Eclipse. She sniffs the air trying to get a trail to follow. Then motions, �I think I can smell Kyra that way.�
Valrash summons a magma jet below a Bane officer.
A small group of prisoners try to rush the Bane guard tower, but are cut down by the rapid firing laser cannon. Behind the guard towers, a larger Bane climbs into something resembling a giant riot suit.
Clarice makes an ice slide going out of the window. �Come on, Kat...time for a lil slip and slide.�
Valrash�s magma burns the Bane soldier alive and the unfortunate prisoner trying to tackle him.
Tzaphiel looks at Arwyn, �What about you? Care for a lift?�
Arwyn nods her head at Tza. �I should say that I do need a lift.�
The Bane in the guard towers continue to loose rapid-fire lasers into the prison yard. Cutting down prisoners and setting a few tents on fire after repeated shots.
Tzaphiel wraps an arm around Arwyn�s waist and picks up her, then flies out the window. �Hang on, we�ll be down in a flash, your royal highness.�
Katie looks at the ice slide and shudders. �If I have to��
Shadow teleports right behind the Bane officer in the guard tower and slashes at him with an axe.
Arwyn smiles softly at Tza.
Kyra nods and follows Velyn.
Stryder, the lion and a small handful of prisoners fight their way down a hallway towards an elevator room. �The yard should be beyond this eleva�� a prisoner shouts out but gurgles as a laser bolt beheads him.
Tzaphiel sees the fire coming from the towers and does a fly-by, sending volleys of energy blasts into the laser turrets.
The turret overloads from Tza�s attack, blowing the front of the guard tower off and sending Shadow and the now-dead Bane officer flying into the cavern wall.
Tewyn�s eyes widen for a moment, �Guess no one leaves alive.�
The Bane riot suit opens up at the prisoners with a large plasma thrower and the mini-gun that make up its armaments.
�At least there are plenty of targets to keep us covered.� ^Shinta murmurs.
Luna follows what she believes is the trail for Kyra, dodging fighting along the path.
Katie slides down, rolling into a somersault as she lands, then coming up in a crouch.
Stryder turns and lets loose a shot that flies past Shinta and Tewyn, nailing the lead Bane of a group heading down the hallway after them.
Cara scans the crowd while in Drac�s arms. �I don�t see him...do you see him?�
Tzaphiel sees Shadow fly into the wall and swoops down to catch him in her free arm. Lands on the ground and dumps both Arwyn and Shadow on their asses. �I gotta go,� as she lunges back into the air.
Skorn leads Velyn and Kyra through a �back-alley� behind the tents and cargo-containers. At the end of the alley, Skorn points at the guard tower, �Just got to get past that and we can get out.�
Syne tosses aside a limp Bane corpse with a growl, �Kat, heads up!� He shouts out before tossing Katie a Bane rifle.
DracBlue spots Kyra. �Your friend is over there.� He dives towards Kyra.
Arwyn hits the ground. �Well, that�s some fine landing you got there�� she snaps at Tza.
Luna finds the now unoccupied cargo container and growls, �Damn, just missed her.�
Kyra looks up and sees Cara, and tears of relief spring to her eyes. �Oh Goddess! Cara! You�re alive!" she laughs and cries happily, waving.
Clearing the elevator room out, the lion and remaining prisoners turn to attack the Bane following them while the elevator begins its slow ascent.
Cara aims streams of mage fire at guards as they dive closer to Kyra.
Shadow falls down. Unable to stand, he looks at Arwyn, and then around, unable to see straight.
Eclipse�s shoulder is singed by a laser. Narrowing his gaze, he dashes at the Bane who fired at him and rams Morthoseth through his face.
Kyra�s bruised and battered face beams at her friend, and her fellow rescuers.
DracBlue stops diving and lands next to Kyra.
�Kyra?� Katie screams, her eyes darting around. �Stryder?� missing the tossed rifle in her concern.
Velyn and Skorn look at Cara and Drac with caution and confusion.
Tzaphiel circles above the fighting, firing energy blasts at the towers.
DracBlue sets Cara down and looks around, �Where is Stryder?�
A particularly annoying tower guard manages a shot on Tzaphiel, sizzling a hole through her shoulder before his turret goes up in an explosion.
Kyra�s face falls. �I don�t know,� she sobs, �they tazered him or something, and took us away from him.�
Cara looks at Kyra, a mixture of conflicting emotions overwhelming her.
Luna spins and back tracks her way to where she left Eclipse.
The Bane chasing Stryder and the others begin to return fire. Lasers streaking down the hallway. A bolt catches Tewyn in the leg.
DracBlue looks at Cara. �Do you want me to keep looking for him?�
Kyra steps up and touches Cara�s face wonderingly. �I am so glad to see you. I was so afraid.� She embraces her briefly, then realizes Cara is stiff in her arms. She steps back and gives her an apologetic look. �I know you don�t like to be touched. Sorry. I�m just so glad you�re here.�
Cara nods her head, still unable to find her voice.
Tewyn falls to a knee. �Damn, another battle mark, and I wasn�t even fighting this time.�
^Shinta looks to Tewyn, �Are you ok? Or are you going to need some assistance?�
�Oh back off, monk...I will manage.� Tewyn snaps.
Elsewhere: Kabal clutches his shoulder as he runs down the corridor. Aiming his handgun, acquired from a previous kill, he shoots open the lock on the door ahead. Sliding into the hangar bay, he looks around. �Got a lot of people...need something big.�
Tzaphiel lands and looks at her wounded shoulder. �Well hell.� She mumbles as she shifts back to her human form. �And I was having such a good time.�
Kyra remembers what she promised, and her eyes turn sad. �Find him, Cara. He�s been so worried.�
Tewyn struggles back up to his feet and limps behind the others.
�Hate to break up the reunion, but don�t suppose you can help us get out of here?� Skorn looks between Cara and Kyra.
DracBlue takes back to the sky taking Cara�s nod as �ok, go look for him�.
Katie runs screeching for the kids, heedless of the battle around her. �Kyra?!? Stryder?!?�
Cara sees the sadness in Kyra�s eyes, then finally manages to speak. �H-he didn�t hurt you?�
�Damn it, Kat�s gonna get herself killed!� Syne curses to himself as he sprints after her.
�Only my heart.� Kyra thinks, then shakes her head. �No. He�s been too busy beating the shit out of himself for losing control with YOU.�
Turning, Tabris slices an approaching guard across the chest with his obsidian sword. �To your right, babe, behind that box.�
Luna finds a burned Eclipse and lays her paw on his shoulder healing him. �There you go.�
DracBlue looks around the scene of chaos for Stryder. Finding no sign of him, he starts shooting his feathers at guards while he looks.
Katie narrowly misses becoming barbeque, and doesn�t even notice, when a bolt streaks past her ear.
�Thanks,� Eclipse nods before pushing Luna out of the way of a laser barrage.
Valrash shoots another flaming jet at another guard, not really caring if he catches more innocents.
A guard knocks into Katie, and she punches him in the face absently, caving his nose inward, and keeps moving.
The elevator softly *dings* behind Stryder and the others. Backing into it, he continues firing at the Bane; who manage to take out of the last of the other prisoners, leaving Stryder, the lion, Shinta and Tewyn. The lion growls as he presses a paw against the chest piece of a downed Bane and tosses the body down the hall.
�Well let�s see if I can slow them down a bit.� All the while, ^Shinta is moving his hand out in front of him as a group of spirits from the fallen inmates stand in front the guards chasing them.
�Really? Wished I believed that�� Cara mutters, then looks at the strange looking person with Kyra, �Wouldn�t be here otherwise.�
Tzaphiel grabs the guard firing at Luna and Eclipse and sends a charge into him as she grabs the laser rifle out of his hand.
Shinta�s spirits distract the guards so that they don�t notice the bomb at their feet until it goes off. Taking them and half of the hallway with it.
Kyra nods sadly. �The internal healing takes the longest. But there will be time to show you later. Right now we need to get the hell off this rock.�
Tewyn leans back against the wall in the elevator, blood puddling under him from his leg.
Claron tosses guards out of her way as she and Tabris make their way across the field.
Tewyn closes his eyes. �Your ass will be purple at this rate, drow.�
The ratio of prisoners to guards is steadily decreasing, with heavy losses to both sides.
A guard trips Katie, and she lands on her back, staring at the ceiling with a blank look when he points the laser rifle at her head. �Oh blow me.� She sighs, focusing on the rifle.
^Shinta snaps his fingers in Tewyn�s face. �Wake up over there, elf�No time for naps.�
The elevator descends, large glass windows showing metal for several stories, then the chaos of the prison yard as it descends to the guard post below.
Tewyn doesn�t open his eyes. �Just a few more minutes, dear...then we can pokey-pokey again.�
Claron tosses the guard hard into the a wall as she and Tabris near Katie, �I don�t think so!�
The guard makes several cracking noises from impact with the wall before sliding down limp.
DracBlue still sees no sign of Stryder, then he spots him in the elevator.
^Shinta pulls Tewyn off the floor, �Time to wake up from that dream, we have to get going.�
The elevator reaches the prison yard floor and opens. The red lion runs out and jumps onto the back of the riot suit, causing it crash into the ground, and begins ripping it apart to get the Bane inside. Stryder ducks out, shooting a guard climbing up a guard tower.
Luna�s gaze moves over the surrounding battle and spots a movement near a guard post across the way. She points it out to Eclipse. �I think more are joining the fight.�
�Only a few guards left it seems,� Eclipse surveys the battle scene around them, frowning at the amount of humanoid bodies all over the place.
�Ding. Someone answer the door,� as Tewyn goes limping out of the elevator.
^Shinta shakes his head with a smile. �Guess I have to watch over you now�huh, elf?�
Luna shakes her head, �I don�t believe it, is that Tewyn and Shinta with Stryder?�
Meanwhile; Kabal curses the controls of the Bane freighter, �No, no, I want thruster control not fuel readouts! Arg!�
Arwyn steals a weapon from one of the dead guards and fires it at the enemy as she follows after Tza.
DracBlue lands next to Cara. �Stryder is coming out of the elevator.�
�I think so...and a very big friend with them,� Eclipse motions to the large red lion that is in the process of ripping the riot suit pilot in half.
Tewyn staggers, �Pffft, I�m fine, monk...just tired is all. I�m ready to fight!�
Clarice spots Claron, Tab and Katie ahead of her. Sends a small icy shockwave into the guard off to her left side as she races towards them.
Tzaphiel stares at the lion. �He seems to be focused on his goal.�
Syne pounces a guard nearing Claron and Tab from the other side, clawing him, then glancing over his shoulder. �I think that�s the last of them around here.�
Tewyn points down at the ground, �Anyways, I�m just leaving bread crumbs so we can find our way home, see the nice red trail.
Cara turns quickly to look at Drac, �Elevator? How far away is it?�
^Shinta looks at the trail. �That�s not all your leaving, it seems.�
Tzaphiel catches an approaching guard around the throat and zaps him to a crisp. �I�m so glad I came, I would have missed all this fun.�
DracBlue looks at Cara, �It�s not too far from here, it�s over there,� as he points.
Kabal nods, �Finally, good now that I can fly this thing, just need passengers.� Standing up, he looks out the viewport at the hangar bay.
Katie continues her search, still pretty oblivious.
Kyra sees Katie in the distance. �Kat!?!�
At the sound of her name, Katie pauses, looking around frantically. She spots Kyra waving, and her knees buckle. �Oh dear Gods�you�re alive,� she whispers as she collapses.
Claron and Tab follow behind Katie, �Tab! Did you hear that? That sounded like Kyra!�
The red lion roars as the gunfire begins to cease, guards having been killed or otherwise incapacitated. Hopping off the broken riot suit, he transforms into a bulky red haired man with red cat ears, �Prisoners of the Bane, freedom is at hand!�
�YAY!! You did it, kitty,� while Tewyn is trying to clap his hands.
Luna sees that Tewyn seems injured. �It seems they showed up just in time to get hurt.�
Stryder lowers his gun and walks out from the safety of the guard tower to look around.
Tzaphiel smirks as the lion transforms, �We are not alone.�
Kyra sees Katie collapse and starts toward her. �Kat!�
�The time has come to leave this place, come with us!� He roars out, then turns and looks at a large section of metal wall. He looks over at Stryder, �Find some explosives, human. Freedom is beyond this wall.�
Cara looks over in the direction Drac points in, �Then get me there!�
DracBlue takes Cara and flies over to Stryder. He lands about ten feet in front of Stryder and sets her down.
Velyn and Skorn join the gathering group of prisoners near the red-haired man.
Luna shakes her head at Tzaphiel, �Never alone with us.� She looks at Eclipse, �Do you think we may need to intercede in the feud that may be brewing?�
Claron�s eyes widen as she sees Kyra moving toward Kat, �It is her!� her heart pounds in her chest. �Tab, Stryder�s not with her�� she cries out fearfully.
Stryder nods to the man, then blinks as he notices Cara, �Can�t be...Cara?�
�Maybe...let�s see what happens though,� Eclipse says to Luna, his gaze drifting towards Stryder and Cara.
Cara looks directly at Stryder. �Disappointed to see me,
Stryder...alive?�VA!!� as she sees her father behind him. She races over to Tewyn wraps her arms around him. �You�re hurt...let me help you, Va.�
Stryder blinks again, then turns to look at Cara and Tewyn.
Tewyn looks up with glassed over eyes, �Oh hi, daughter...this is only a scratch.�
Luna looks around for the rest of the group. �Katie looks like she needs me. Yell if they get out of hand.� She tells Eclipse, then moves away quickly.
^Shinta snorts. �If you�re getting scratched by laser�then yeah, just a scratch.�
Luna kneels next to Katie and looks for an injury, purring urgently. �Katie?�
Kyra kneels next to Katie, who wraps her arms around herself and stares. �Yer really alive.� Katie whispers over and over.
Shadow gets up and walks like he is drunk over to Luna. �Why is the world sideways?�
�Your eyes are saying otherwise, Va.� Cara positions herself on his left side, wrapping her arm around his waist. �You can lean on me.�
The prisoners begin gathering intact Bane chest pieces to use their explosives on the wall. Beyond it lies the hangar, where Kabal looks around, �Can�t be that hard to blow up a wall...assuming they know the hangar�s beyond it.�
�My eyes have been known to say many things in this life, daughter.� Tewyn starts to stand.
Luna looks up at Shadow. �I wouldn�t know, watcher,� as she wraps her tail around his lower leg, since it�s the only free appendage she has at the moment. �Better?�
DracBlue stiffens as he watches Stryder.
Stryder turns and notices Drac staring at him, �Drac?�
Cara looks at Drac. �Find Luna, or that high light elf, quickly. PLEASE!�
Kyra smiles sadly. �Yeah. I�m really alive. Miss me a bit, didja?�
Tewyn voice wavers. �Just let me close my eyes, will you�Want to see what the monk finds so appealing over there��
Syne watches Kyra and Katie, shifting his stance as he stretches a bit.
^Shinta turns, �The hell you are, drow�I can barely handle one misfit, I don�t need another.�
Cara looks up at Tewyn, �I�m so glad you are here! We didn�t know what happened to you, and Clarice has been strange ever since the dance,� she rambles on.
�Aye.� Katie�s eyes well up, then she throws her arms around her. �Dammit! You had me so scared. I thought I�d never see you again.�
DracBlue takes off for Luna, lands and looks at her. �Tewyn is hurt�I�m suppose to come and get you.�
Tewyn frowns, �I didn�t need to be around. That�s what happened to me...Humans are always strange, can�t fix that.�
Luna looks at Katie, then Kyra. �You alright, Kyra?� holding out her paw to her.
Cara shakes her head, �Well, yeah�they are strange. But you are wrong about not being needed. Kabal and I need ya,� getting a little frightened by how her Va is acting.
Kyra nods. �I�ve been in worse conditions. Sounds like Tewyn could use some of your expertise, though.�
Tewyn closes his eyes, �And here I thought you two only needed each other.�
Stryder moves away from Tewyn and Cara, looking around the camp. �Mom?! Dad?!�
Luna sighs as she stands up and looks over at Eclipse. �Do I have to?� she mutters under her breath as she wipes some dust off her fur.
Katie�s eyes are pleading. �Luna, he may be an ass�but he�s one of us��
�Fire in the hole!� The red-haired man shouts out as the prisoners setting the bombs run to cover. A chain of explosions fill the cavern with echoing booms as the wall is blasted open. Kabal jumps from the noise, but notices the burning hole in the wall.
Cara shakes her head, �You�d be wrong to think that, we need all three of us, four with Clarice.�
�Besides�� Katie continues, �If that sumbitch is gonna die, it�s gonna be at one of OUR hands.� She grins feebly.
^Shinta looks over to Cara. �How�s everyone been?�
Tabris turns his head, listening to the air, �I think I heard Stryder!�
Luna looks down at Katie, �I know, I�m going.� She mutters to herself about stupidity as she walks towards the group by the elevator.
DracBlue walks with Luna. Spotting Stryder along the way, he glowers at him as he passes.
Kyra smiles at Katie. �Yer slippin, Kat. Forgiveness? From you?�
Tewyn smiles faintly. �That almost sounds like a family, daughter...Are you getting all soft inside on me?� still keeping his eyes closed.
�Lick me.� Katie mutters to Kyra, turning away.
As the smoke dims, the remaining prisoners begin flooding through the hole into the hangar. Kabal steps out of the way to avoid being trampled by the mob that is heading up the ramp into the waiting freighter.
Claron shrieks back, �Strrryyyder!!!�
Stryder drops his gun and runs towards the sound of Claron�s voice.
Kyra looks up at Stryder and starts to jump up and run to him. But then she stops, and stands there, looking miserable.
Cara glances at Shinta, �I can�t really say how everyone�s been. I have spent a lot of time alone in my room.�
Luna makes her way to Tewyn and Cara. �Alright you wayward, drow. What did you do?� as she rests the tip of Luciendar on the ground and lays her free hand on Tewyn�s wound.
^Shinta nods, �I see...I will leave you two alone, seems much needs to be discussed,� starts walking out toward the wall.
Toymakers a face. �Oh, who called the kitty?�I liked the red one better...And I didn�t do a damn thing...I got zapped here to get my ass shot at, no one told me I was going to be getting shot at.�
Cara gently squeezes her arm around Tewyn�s waist gently. �Maybe...maybe not. As for the family part�Kabal and I very much want that.�
DracBlue stands next to Cara and sighs.
Eyes brimming with tears, Claron stretches her arms out invitingly as she spots Stryder running towards her.
Luna shakes her head as she heals the minor injury. �You should just assume these things by now.�
Skorn stops in front of Kabal and looks up at the freighter, �Couldn�t do any better? Oh well...I can fly this thing.�
Tewyn shrugs. �Assuming always gets me in trouble...rather stay away from that.�
^Shinta�s eyes glance over the carnage and the reunions while walking along.
�Good luck then,� Kabal nods, then heads for the hole blown in the wall. �Time to get the rest of us off this rock.�
Luna stands up and looks at Tewyn. �Seems to me you�ve been staying away from a lot lately.� She turns and walks away in a huff.
�Well even I get some things right sometimes, kitty.� Tewyn says quietly.
Luna turns back angrily. �If you call abandonment right, then yeah, I guess you do.�
Tewyn nods, �Maybe I do...maybe I don�t. Guess no one knows, but me what I did.�
Cara gasps. �Doesn�t his being here now count for something?�
Kyra helps Katie up, and they stand there, looking at each other. �Where is he?� Katie asks her.
Stryder hugs Claron, nearly in tears. Tabris join them in the family hug. Stryder blinks and nestles Claron�s shoulder, �Mom...I�m sorry��
Kyra pretends to misunderstand. �Where is who?�
Luna tilts her head and looks at Cara. �I don�t know, does it?�
Tewyn lays a hand on his daughter shoulder. �It changes nothing, Cara�I am who I am.�
Clarice stands back watching the DuVallis reunion, a tear sliding down her cheek. �The family is whole again...if only my new family was,� she whispers.
Luna sheaths her sword in disgust. �Well, there�s your answer.� She turns and walks back to Eclipse.
Katie sighs. �The redheaded heartbreaker,� she says quietly.
Kyra�s eyes shimmer. �He�s with his folks.� Pointing to the tearful reunion.
Claron strokes Stryder�s hair softly, �I know...I know you are, son.�
Tzaphiel makes her way over to Syne. �So this is what you�re doing for fun these days?� she chuckles.
Eclipse watches Luna walk up to him, �We should get out of here before more show up.�
�I know that look. A woman who�s prepared to live with a decision, no matter the cost.� Katie opens her arms, and Kyra comes to her, tears streaming.
�Getting into fights with bad guys across the galaxy? Pretty much,� Syne shrugs as he glances past Tza at Katie and Kyra talking.
^Shinta passes by the tearful reunions giving a barely noticeable glance and keeps moving.
Cara ponders both Luna and her Va�s comments for a few moments. �To me it does, Luna.� She then looks at her father, �Where does that leave, Kabal, Clarice and I then?�
Tewyn shrugs, �I do not know�Trying to change didn�t seem to be the best for me, or anyone else.�
�I just want him to be happy. His happiness means everything to me.� Kyra sniffles.
Katie wraps her arms around the young woman and sighs, nodding. �I know, honey. It takes a strong person to set aside their own happiness for that of another. You will get through this. And I�ll always be right there for you, lass.�
The red-haired man walks over to Luna and Eclipse, �You two...the human boy said I could travel with you.� He bows politely, �I am Skirmir. The human said during your travels you may come across my world, since it is far from here.�
Tewyn looks down. �I sorta miss the hole already...and anyway, ask the monk what happens when I try to do the right thing.�
Luna glances at Eclipse quickly, then back to Skirmir. �I�m Luna, this is Eclipse,� motioning to him. �I don�t see why you can�t join us. As long as you know it may be a long time before you�re able to leave our company.�
Cara shakes her head. �Are you saying one shouldn�t change? I am so confused...I guess you are saying if you love someone, then its right to kill them�� she grips Elexorian a little tighter.
�Understood, I am not without my uses as you have seen,� Skirmir nods, then looks around. �How do you intend to leave?�
Tewyn looks genuinely at a loss. �I�m saying I don�t know anymore�I tried changing for Clarice and you, it got me nowhere�I tried to help Shinta, and now he is more lonely and cast aside than ever...But I know you shouldn�t hurt those you say you love...Think I did learn that, finally.�
Luna looks around the group, mentally counting, then tells Skirmir, �We have a ship waiting in orbit, but it was under fire when we left.�
~What kind of logic is that? I love you? Stabbity.~ Elexorian mentally shakes his head.
Cara nods, �Then that�s a start...yes?�
Tewyn sighs. �Is it? Or is just a end? What does it say for what I�ve done to you, Clarice and the others, daughter?�
Tzaphiel follows Syne�s gaze. �I think I�ll enjoy this more than breaking into vaults way back when.�
�Remy you should be nice and cut that out�That family is back together. We should be happy for them.� Watching Remy think a moment then nod, Shinta worries, �oh no.� Remy appears by the DuVallis family, clapping and cheering, and gives himself a big hug.
Kyra sniffles again miserably. �Love sucks,� she murmurs.
Cara huffs, �That we make mistakes�and if we try to make it right, it doesn�t work...so why bother. Is that it?�
�Don�t it, just?� Katie pats Kyra�s back gently. �But it can also be the most soul-completing thing you�ll ever find. It all depends on your luck.�
Tewyn mutters, �Well, it doesn�t work for me it seems...but I�m not everyone...Maybe I have broke this beyond repair.�
Remy�s clapping startles Claron.
^Shinta sighs. �Remy get back over here!! They need time to themselves.�
Cara tilts her head to the side, �Then you have to fix it, Va.�
Tzaphiel moves away from Syne searching for Drac, she sees him hovering near Cara. She closes her eyes for a moment, then decides to join the girls instead, moving toward Katie.
�What if I don�t know how? I was ready to kill two others over you.� Tewyn queries.
^Shinta apologizes to Claron and the others, �I will keep him under control. Again, we are sorry,� walking away.
Kyra snorts. �Tell someone who�ll believe it.�
Tabris shakes his head, then looks at Claron and Stryder, �Got our family back together...now we�re going to keep it that way.�
Tzaphiel steps up to Katie. �Believe what?� responding to Kyra�s statement.
Eclipse looks at Luna, �Do you still have that communicator? We should try to reach Alexei.�
Cara sighs, �Then maybe we can help one another figure it out.�
Luna nods, �Yes, let�s see if Alexei is within range, shall we?� She attempts to com the Ettik, �Alexei, we�re ready to go here. There are 19 of us coming aboard, like it or not.�
Tewyn nods slightly, �Yes, maybe we can.�
Katie sighs. �I wish I could tell you that fairy tales come true, Kyra. That Prince Charming sweeps you off your feet and takes you to live happily ever after in the castle. But sometimes Prince Charming is just a befuddled man who makes lots of mistakes. And sometimes the Princess is just a girl out of luck.�
Alexei�s com is staticy but Luna can hear it well enough, �Roger, Luna..*bzzt* Try to group up *bzzt* make it easier. ETA 5 minutes.�
Tzaphiel nods, �I would agree with that.�
Kyra hiccups. �And sometimes he�s a stuffy know it all?�
Katie blows out a breath. �Amen, sister.�
Luna looks at Eclipse and rolls her eyes, �Group up. Geez, that�s gonna be fun.�
Kabal stands quietly behind Cara and Tewyn, watching their exchange.
Valrash sees a guard twitch and immediately starts burning him to ashes.
Tzaphiel looks around and sees the monk guy wondering around. �Who�s that?�
Katie looks to where Tza�s gaze is. �Well, speak of the devil.�
Eclipse shakes his head, �Come on everyone, if you wanna get out of here�gather round!� He yells out, his voice echoing in the cavern.
Kyra sniffles again. �Let�s go home, Kat.� They begin walking toward Eclipse.
Tewyn scowls. �Guess we better go to the others, or get left behind.�
^Shinta turns his head toward the call. �Guess we are heading out again.� He walks toward the call.
Valrash heads to the group.
Shadow walks to the group.
Tzaphiel follows the girls but is watching for Drac.
Cara nods her head, �Bet Clarice will be surprised to see you,� as they move along to join the others.
Katie watches Shinta approach, and tries to decide whether to smile in relief, or glare.
DracBlue follows Cara to join the others.
Tewyn ponders. �Oh, after she decks me she might�Guess I will find out.�
Luna watches as the group gathers round. �Finally we are one.�
Cara gives Tewyn a funny look. �Is decking part of love, too?�
Tewyn gives a slight smile. �Only when the guy really pisses off the girl, dear�Just make sure she hits my face�my ass is my best side and I don�t want it damaged.�
Luna coms Alexei, �We�re as close together as your ever gonna get us. Ready when you are, Alexei.�
^Shinta stands quietly behind the others.
Cara�s eyes light up, �I guess that means it will be all right for me to deck Stryder then.�
�Coming in hot, prepare for transport!� Alexei calls out, a dull yellow light begins collecting around your feet, slowly engulfing the area around you with a yellow glow.
As the yellow flash of Ettik�s teleport deposits you into the middle chamber of the ship, Ettik rockets away from the planet�s surface. The scanners in the bridge flash as another fleet of Bane ships jump into the system.
�Initiating hyperspace jump. Sikozu, dock now!� Alexei yells into the ship-to-ship. The offspring ship quickly nestles into its makeshift docking bay as several cannon blasts burn through the space it had been moments ago.
The rainbow coloring of a jump-gate tears open a hole in space as Ettik slides into the yellow core of hyperspace, narrowly avoiding a massive barrage of cannon fire. Alexei gives a sigh of relief, then goes on the ship-wide, �Good job, everyone...now on a course to the closest friendly base, Port Aegis. Should be about a day�s ride, so relax, cause you�ve earned it.�