Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: After recent events the group found themselves with several hours to spend in reflection. With Eclipse missing and Clarissa beginning to open up to her parents things are changing for the Warriors.
Vin_Da_DM: Due to a hyperdrive engine error the Ettik has been cruising on sub-light engines, slowly heading for the coordinates provided in Gabe�s holographic message, where they will contact Gabe�s associate and retrieve them and their cargo.
Vin_Da_DM: Slowly the dull hum of Ettik�s engines speeds up slightly, the com crackles to life with Alexei�s voice yet again, �Hyperdrive is back up and charging. We should be able to jump soon that will puts us close to our target coordinates.�
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Luna_Faline lazily stretches and opens one eye as Alexei�s voice wakes me up.
Tabris looks out the window at the stars then back at Clarissa and Claron, �We don�t get much time between situations, but I guess it was enough.�
Luna_Faline: �Just a few more minutes,� I beg, turning over to face the wall.
Vin_Da_DM: In the medical bay Vincent hears a tapping on glass, �Still alive in there?�
^Vincent^ opens his eyes and looks, �What in the fricking hell?�
Clarissa sits quietly watching Tabris and Claron.
Vin_Da_DM: Vincent finds himself inside an empty bio-gel tube with a humanoid panda looking at him through the curved glass. Blinking he nods, �Well, that�s good. You�ve been in there for a while.�
Claron: �Even though the time seems never long enough, it has far exceeded my expectations,� glancing over at Clarissa.
^Vincent^: �Umm, am I on the Ettik?�WAITTTT�a talking panda?? Am I dead?�
Clarice sits watching Tewyn sleep and wondering why he seems so restless in his sleep.
^Vincent^ shakes his head, �Yeah, only me would end up in Panda Hell.�
Vin_Da_DM: As the glass of the tube sinks into the floor Kuan shakes his head at Vincent, �You�re not dead. I assume these are your clothes?� He points a folded set of clothing nearby.
^Vincent^ looks down and realizes he is naked, �Umm�yeah�umm�hi.� Grabs the clothes and quickly puts them on.
Luna_Faline snuggles down and tries to recapture the dream, but it�s fading away quickly.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan turns and heads for the med-bay exit shaking his head again, �I�m sure the others would like to know you�re awake.�
Claron: �Anybody hungry? I could use a bite to eat,� looking first at Tabris then Clarissa.
Tabris �Sure, why not?� Tabris grins at Claron then glances at Clarissa.
^Vincent^: �Well, thank ya, buddy,� walks out behind him.
Vin_Da_DM: �He�s been out since we left that other ship,� Stryder speaks up from Clarice�s doorway as he studies the dark elf.
Clarissa looks at them both shaking her head, �I think I will pass.�
^Vincent^ walks over to the mess hall.
Luna_Faline rolls over once again and grumbles as I sit up rubbing my eyes.
Clarice turns to look at Stryder as she hears his voice, �He has and it doesn�t seem to be a restful sleep either. It�s just not like him.��
^Vincent^ enters the mess hall looks around then grabs a cold burger and a coke and sits.
Luna_Faline stands up and goes to take a shower.
Vin_Da_DM: As Vincent enters the mess hall the Guardian turns from his spot by the window and looks at him for a moment.
Claron smiles at Clarissa, �You are certain? We could bring you something back,� slipping her hand into Tabris� hand as she rises up from her seated position.
^Vincent^ looks up, �Hmm, why does this place look a little different?� Shrugs and starts to eat.
Vin_Da_DM: �Perhaps something�s been done to push him into a deep sleep,� Stryder eyes Clarice, �I know of one person who can do that.�
Clarissa: �I�m sure��
^Vincent^ devours the burger then grabs four more and starts to eat again.
Luna_Faline leans against the wall with my eyes closed, letting the hot water run down my body.
Vin_Da_DM: �Things can change while one is removed from the events of the world,� the Guardian adds to Vincent as he continues to watch the space outside.
Clarice looks puzzled at Stryder, �Who? And why would they do that?�
^Vincent^ jumps up a little, �And you are?�
Vin_Da_DM: �You know who, and as for the why�� Stryder shrugs as shifts his position and leans his back against the doorframe.
Luna_Faline sighs heavily, turns to face the water reaching for the soap. I lather up and rinse off.
Claron nods her head as her and Tabris leave Clarissa�s room heading towards the galley, �I have waited for so long for that hug from that daughter of ours.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I am the Guardian and I was the first.� Turning he walks away from the window, his blue cape flowing as he steps, �You are vexing, but I�m sure the reason for your being will be made clear eventually.�
^Vincent^: �Ooo kay, yeah,� continues to eat.
Clarice: �Don�t tell me its Shaiya.�
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian turns and leaves the galley, pausing to give a short bow to Claron and Tabris as he passes them in the hallway.
^Vincent^ stands up and throws away the wrapper and looks out the window.
Tabris nods to the Guardian then looks at Claron, �You�re not the only one.�
Claron nods to the Guardian as they pass.
Vin_Da_DM: Vincent notices typical space and stars as well as noticing the Ettik is picking up speed.
Luna_Faline turns off the water and steps out of the shower wrapping a towel around me. I reach for the brush and begin to tame my mane, �I need a trim, if we ever find a civilized place,� as I look in the mirror.
Tabris: �So, I hope we can expect more from Clarissa now,� Tabris continues as he and Claron enter the mess hall, �So, what are we going to eat...well, look who decided to show up.�
^Vincent^ turns around, �Hey, how ya�ll doing?...Who was that weird guy?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder nods quietly, �What she wants with him now is beyond me, but it can�t be good.� Standing up he turns to the hallway, �Let�s hope he can get himself out of it.�
Clarissa starts pacing back and forth in her room as soon as Claron and Tabris leave. �But�but�I thought this is what I was supposed to do...DON�T be angry with me�� staring intently at thin air in her room.
Luna_Faline brushes my teeth, and finishes drying off. Steps back into the bedroom and goes to the closet for my boots and cloak.
Claron looks surprised, �I�ll be damn.� Nods to Vincent.
Tabris: Walking over the food replicator Tabris eyes Vincent, �Which �weird guy�?�
^Vincent^ nods at Claron, �The fruit with the blue cape.�
Vin_Da_DM: ~I can hear you and if you�re doing what I think you are...it won�t end well for you.~ Stryder�s mental voice pops up in Clarissa�s head in a stern tone.
^Vincent^ plops back down in the chair.
Tabris: �Ahh, the Guardian,� looking at his plate of food Tabris nods, �He�s not a fruit...he can be cryptic at times though.�
Luna_Faline pulls on my boots and pauses in front of the altar. I look at the rose as I light the candles and pray to the Goddess for Eclipse�s safe return.
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei�s voice comes over the com again, �Hyperdrive charged, entering hyperspace now.� Outside Ettik�s windows the rainbow colored blaze of hyperspace appears in a flash and Ettik begins to slide seamlessly into it.
^Vincent^ sits there looking out the window thinking about the weird dream he had involving egg rolls and zombies.
Clarissa starts shaking her head, �Leave me alone, get out of my head�� as she runs over to the corner, crouching down as if she was hiding and the corner would protect her.
Vin_Da_DM: ~Fine...but you�ve been warned, Sister.~ Stryder shakes his head then looks at Clarice, �So what are you going to do while Tewyn�s out cold?�
Claron: �I think I�d like a seafood salad, and a nice cold glass of sweetened iced tea..�
Luna_Faline blows out the candles as I finish my prayers. I put on my cloak and leave to look for company.
^Vincent^: �So how long was I out?�
Tabris sinks a fork into his food, takes a bite then looks over at Vincent, �A while��
Clarice looks over at Tewyn then back at Stryder, �I don�t know, try and figure out how to put a stop to this once and for all...I suppose�What was with that look you had on your face just a few minutes ago?�
^Vincent^: �Hmm, that would explain the panda guy, and the dude in the cape.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Look? Ahh...I�m afraid my sister may have not shed all of her connections to the past after all�� Stryder sighs and gives Clarice another glance.
Vin_Da_DM: As Luna wanders the corridors she passes in front of one of the smaller cargo bays with it�s door open. Inside Kuan is practicing with his katana in-hand.
Luna_Faline stands in the hall watching Kuan for a moment, not wanting to interrupt him.
Clarice: �Oh, no! Are you certain?�
Luna_Faline steps lightly thru the door and waits for him to notice me.
Vin_Da_DM: �Fairly...her thoughts are not as protected from me as she�d like,� Stryder takes a few steps down the hallway.
^Vincent^ stands up and wanders over to the window.
Vin_Da_DM: Mid-swing Luna notices Kuan�s katana flash with a blue aura for a moment. Turning towards the doorway Kuan pauses, �Hello, Luna.�
Clarice: �I mean�just a little while ago in the galley you sounded like things were going so well with the three of them��
Luna_Faline bows, �Hello, Kuan,� takes a step closer, �I thought you were going to find a safer place to practice.�
Clarice: �There has to be something...we can do��
Tabris: �Anything I can catch you up on, Vincent?� Tabris watches him as he eats, looking over at Claron with a food-embedded grin for a second.
^Vincent^: �Yeah�where are we, what are we doing, and how did I get in that tube?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, safer and enough space are in short supply on this vessel,� Kuan turns his blade around, resting the tip against the floor, �So, I�ll make do here. Did you need something?�
Claron sits picking at her food, half giggling at Tabris smile, then reaches for her glass and takes a drink.
Luna_Faline looks around the bay for a moment, �Just prowling, I�m restless.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Understandable, what with your friend disappearing,� Kuan watches Luna as she looks over the relatively empty cargo bay.
Clarissa rocks back and forth in the corner, her arms locked around her knees and her face buried on top of them.
Luna_Faline nods slowly, �Have you seen that dog by any chance?� sniffing the air lightly.
Vin_Da_DM: �I�m not sure�� Stryder pauses and glances over his shoulder at Clarice, �What we can do for either of them.�
Vin_Da_DM: �The dog, yes he�s right over there,� Kuan points his katana to an overturned cargo crate, it�s open face hidden from sight save for a few blankets, �I believe it�s sleeping.�
Clarice rests her forehead in her hand, �This is not good...not good at all��
Luna_Faline moves quietly over to the crate to look at the dog. I study it for a moment then turn back to Kuan, �There is something familiar, in a far off distant sort of way. I can�t put a paw on it.�� crossing my arms.
Vin_Da_DM: Ettik shutters for a moment as it slides out of hyperspace into normal space, a few distant nebulae visible from the windows. The coms follow shortly, �We�ve arrived at the right spot...I�ll start sending out the codes we were given.�
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan watches Luna raising a brow with interest, �Really? What is familiar?�
^Vincent^: �So where are we now?�
Tabris looks at Claron, then answers Vincent�s questions. �Well, we got a message from Gabe asking us to find someone for him who has something of value. Apparently he wants it ASAP.�
Luna_Faline shakes my head, �Sometimes it�s like faded dreams that I can�t catch hold of anymore, I�m just not sure. But I feel a familiarity about the scent.� Shrugging it off, �I don�t know. I don�t get to keep my memories from one incarnation to the next.�
^Vincent^: �Hmm...wonder what it is?�
Luna_Faline: �Unless it�s someone or something the Goddess wants me to know.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I see�� Kuan swings his katana over his back sliding it into it�s sheath.
^Vincent^ steps out of the galley and wanders the ship.
Vin_Da_DM: �That is an interesting weapon you carry, Luna,� Kuan says as he notices the sai tucked into her boot.
^Vincent^: �Well, how ya like that, I forgot where my room was!� shakes his head and laughs a little.
Luna_Faline nods as I pull it out of my boot, �Mistress gave it to me when we were in the temple,� holding it so Kuan can look at it.
Vin_Da_DM: As Vincent speaks a holographic blueprint of the level appears on the wall, a short line traces from a spot in a hallway to a doorway on the map.
^Vincent^ looks around, �Thanks Ettik,� then goes to where the map showed him.
Claron takes a couple bites of her salad then pushes the plate aside, �I just wonder what it is we supposed to be picking up?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Enchanted I see. A capable weapon,� Kuan looks at it in Luna�s hand nodding quietly to himself, �You should be careful, magical weapons can be dangerous.�
^Vincent^ opens the door walks in and looks around.
Tabris: �Guess we�ll find out when we find it,� Tabris adds as he spears some of Claron�s salad with his fork.
Luna_Faline looks down at it, �You can tell it�s enchanted just by looking at it?� turns it over in my paws with awe.
Vin_Da_DM: Vincent finds himself standing in front of a normal quarters with a bed, counter, computer terminal and closet. Several of Vincent�s things are spread about where he left them.
^Vincent^: �Sweet, just as I left them,� runs and hops on the bed and lays back staring at the ceiling.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan nods, then motions slowly to his sword, �Having one yourself helps you to understand them better.�
Luna_Faline looks at Kuan, �I don�t know what it does yet. It just happened.�
Claron chuckles, �Healthy appetite...in more ways then one,� watching Tabris as he takes a bite of her salad.
Vin_Da_DM: �Then perhaps you should find out?� Kuan takes a few steps back and draws his sword again, �Sometimes you can discover things while training.�
Clarissa screams out, �She�s backkkkkkk,� then dashes out from her corner and tries to crawl under her bed.
Luna_Faline takes a step back, startled, �I�m not very good at close fighting. I prefer to fight from a distance.�
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei�s voice comes over the coms again, �Got a reply back from the codes. We�ve got a stealth ship heading for us and it�ll be docking in Cargo Bay One. You guys might want to meet it there.�
^Vincent^ sits up, then hurries to Cargo Bay One.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan lets out a low laugh before pausing and listening to the com, �Perhaps another time then,� sheathing the sword again he looks at Luna.
Clarice walks over and sits on the edge of the bed beside Tewyn, reaching her hand out she runs her fingers through his hair. �Sure would help if I knew what was going through that mind of yours.�
Luna_Faline gives an uneasy laugh as I tuck the dagger back into my boot.
^Vincent^ does a Kramer style slide into Cargo One.
Tabris: Crunching on some lettuce Tabris looks at Claron, �Never fails, does it?�
Luna_Faline looks around the cargo bay we�re standing in, �Which one are we in?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I believe three...but I�m not familiar with the language on the doors,� Kuan nods and heads out into the hallway.
Luna_Faline follows Kuan out into the hall way.
^Vincent^: �Hmm, no one here yet,� leans up against a crate.
Claron: �Right on cue.�� pushing her chair away from the table, �I just hope this ship is what its supposed to be and doesn�t hold any unexpected surprises.�
Vin_Da_DM: Vincent notices the bay alarms begin to sound as the far end of the bay begins to open. Quickly a clear-yellow force field fills the gap created by the opening doors.
^Vincent^: �Interesting.�
Clarice hears Alexei, �Guess we should head for the cargo bay,� rising up from the bed and glancing over at Stryder.
Vin_Da_DM: A silvery ship decloaks in front of the force field and glides through it with a statically-charged ripple. As it sets down Vincent notices several scorch marks on it�s hull.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan tilts his head, �Down this way,� he turns and walks quickly down the corridor toward the sound of the alarms in the cargo bay.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder extends a hand to Clarice, �How about a ride on the express?�
^Vincent^: �Who do we have here?� continues to lean on the crates but ready to fight if need be.
Luna_Faline follows Kuan, picking up my pace to keep up with him.
Vin_Da_DM: The bay doors begin to close slowly as the ship powers down, jets of steam rushing from holes near it�s engines.
Tabris: With Claron in hand, Tabris walks her down the corridors, �Where is Cargo Bay One again?�
^Vincent^ continues to watch the ship carefully.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan enters Cargo Bay One, walking up next to Vincent as he studies the ship. �So, this is our guest?�
^Vincent^: �Apparently so�by the way the name�s Vincent.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Kuan,� Kuan replies as he watches the ship.
Luna_Faline catches up to Kuan and slides to a stop staring at Vincent, �Where the hell have you been?�
^Vincent^: �I have been stuck in a tube, don�t ask me how�that is still kind of fuzzy, Kitty.�
Vin_Da_DM: With a few metal noises a small ladder rungs fold out from the side of the ship as the cockpit shield slides back.
Luna_Faline turns to look at the ship, shaking my head at Vincent, �Yeah, okay.�
Clarissa peeks out from underneath her bed as the sound of Alexei�s voice.
Clarice smiles as she takes Stryder�s hand, �This ought to be fun.�
Vin_Da_DM: A slender person in a space suit climbs out of the cockpit and down the side of the ship. Opening a panel near the wing he removes a metal case, sets it down and grabs a circular container from deeper inside.
Vin_Da_DM: Clarice and Stryder shimmer out of her room and reappear in Cargo Bay One, a few feet away from the others and the ship.
Tabris: �Finally found the right one�� Tabris sticks his head in and looks around, �Yup, everyone�s here, must be right.�
Luna_Faline watches the man closely, waiting for what he�s pulling out.
Vin_Da_DM: Carrying the case the figure walks over to the group and looks at them, �It took him long enough to send someone to find me.�
Luna_Faline looks at the case then the man, �And who are you?�
Vin_Da_DM: Reaching up he slides off his helmet with a hand you now notice is metallic and clawed. With the exception for the red hair and eyes, the man bears a resemblance to Gabe.
Vin_Da_DM: Watching everyone he begins to slide his spacesuit off, revealing some odd clothing and a set of interesting tattoos, �Name�s Zach...I�m guessing y�all know Gabe because you have his codes.�
^Vincent looks at Zach then at his tats.
Luna_Faline reaches over and takes the case, before he drops it. �Zach, yes, we know Gabe.�
Vin_Da_DM: Vincent notices a prominent tattoo on Zach�s stomach in the shape of an eye, �Careful with that thing...my dad wouldn�t like you vaporizing this solar system by mistake.�
Clarissa makes her way out from under the bed and heads for Cargo Bay One.
Tabris: �Your dad? Well...seems someone forgot to mention he had a kid last time we met,� Tabris looks at Claron.
Luna_Faline: �Gabe is your dad?� in shock.
Vin_Da_DM: Zach looks at Luna, �Yea...most people say the resemblance is uncanny,� eyeing the case he nods, �I�ll take that back now.�
Claron looks back at Tabris.
Luna_Faline let�s him have the case back. Shakes my head to clear it. �So, where to now?�
Clarice remembers a conversation she once had with Gabe�
^Vincent^ looks around the group then back at Zach.
Vin_Da_DM: �Back to Gabe until we can figure out what to do with this thing,� Zach secures the case, �So, you guys dying to see what�s in here?�
Clarissa peeks her head into Cargo Bay One.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan eyes the chase then shakes his head, �I do not need to see it, but I imagine it is valuable.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks over his shoulder at Clarissa for a second before looking back at Zach and the others.
Luna_Faline: �Why does everyone assume that curiosity is what killed the cat?� as I turn in time to see Clarissa at the door.
Vin_Da_DM: Grinning Zach walks past the group towards the hallway, pausing halfway, �Because of who I stole it from��
Luna_Faline ears twitch, �And who did you steal it from?� afraid to know the answer.
Clarissa moves slowly into the cargo bay and stands quietly next to Stryder.
Claron: �Stole?�
^Vincent^: �Heh, I like this kid already.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Bang, bang, kitty,� Zach chuckles, �Let�s just say there�s a rather unpleasant set of twins and a man who looks like he fell into a robotic blender after me.�
Clarice: �Well, I�d like to see what it is that is of such importance.�
Luna_Faline shivers, �Twins and a robot man....that could be anyone.�
Vin_Da_DM: Zach turns, walks back into the cargo bay and sets the case down on a cargo container, opening it he removes a thick cylinder with a small purple orb inside it.
Vin_Da_DM: �Ladies and gentleman, the Orbis Exitium, or Orb of Ruin for you common folk. Stolen by yours truly from one of the sinister RD�s battleships!� Zach watches the group.
Clarissa smiles slyly, �Oh, I bet Tewyn will be thrilled�� looking directly at Clarice.
Luna_Faline feels suddenly ill at the mention of RD and quietly leaves the cargo bay.
Clarice looks oddly at Clarissa, then turns her attention towards the orb.
^Vincent^ chuckles to himself, �This will be amusing,� then heads back to his room.
Clarice glances over at the departing Luna when she hears RD�s name.
Vin_Da_DM: Sliding it back into the case Zach closes it and looks at Clarice, then at Clarissa. �I suggest we get to my father post-haste, before we have undesired company.�
Claron: �Do you think they have followed you here?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Not that I know of...but they are persistent,� Zach grabs the case and heads for the door. pausing he turns at grins, �Let�s not hang around to find out, shall we?�
Clarissa looks back at Zach with a gleam in her eyes, �What makes you think they aren�t already here?�
Vin_Da_DM: Zach pauses and eyes Clarissa then turns and continues, �Be careful with that one. She�s trouble.�
Luna_Faline leans against the wall just outside the cargo bay trying to calm down. Listening to them, I wonder if Clarissa knows something.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan exits the cargo bay quietly and heads back towards Cargo Bay Three.
Clarissa zigs and zags around Zach, �Why�I am a perfect little angel,� calls out as she dashes back to her room.
Claron reaches out and grabs Tabris� hand, �She wasn�t acting like that when we left her!�
Vin_Da_DM: Zach watches as Clarissa zips off before leaving the cargo bay himself and commenting to himself, �With a burning halo��
Tabris: �No, she wasn�t�� Tabris looks at Claron concerned.
^Vincent^ lays on his bed and closes his eyes and dreams of egg rolls of death.
Vin_Da_DM: ~You don�t know what you�re doing...if you cross that line you know what will happen.~ Stryder speaks to Clarissa and he sighs heavily and leans into a cargo container.
Luna_Faline pushes away from the wall and returns to my room. Collapsing on the bed, I pull the cloak around me tightly, and pull the dagger from my boot to hold in my paw hidden inside my sleeve. I then close my eyes and try to forget about RD.
Clarice walks slowly out of the cargo bay wondering what Clarissa meant about Tewyn being thrilled when Zach mentioned a set of not so nice twins.
Clarissa: ~I haven�t crossed any line...YET.~
Clarissa: ~Well, maybe just a wee bit.~
Vin_Da_DM: ~You may be my sister...but I will stop you if I have to.~
Vin_Da_DM: With Zach and the Orb of Ruin now in their company the Warriors must return to Gabe before the former owners of the Orb come to get it back. As dark plots begin to unfold the paths ahead of our Warriors steadily become more dangerous�
Vin_Da_DM: $ End