"Lie?... What the box of chocolates fir the engineer or actually being hurt part? Both where real. I delivered my own box of chocolates to the technician. As fir the arm... That was real. I also have felt worse and as for the medkit thing.... Yeah that was stupid. I doubt the morphine in it would have helped. Besides until medical supplies cone in its best to save that medkit for a real accident. Like with the doc lead. She needed it more then me. Also,... Dont heal me again. I felt guilty of the whole thing when I saw the blood from your nose." He then eyed her about the arm being outdated. "Of all the things falling apart are you really that surprised... That thing needed a better replacement the dat I got it... and no I have not gotten used to it. Hence the pills." He said tossing the medicine. " I have a lot of owning up to do I know... " He looked to her as he sat down in the couch. "Silvia... Hate to change the subject but... What you think of the Twins?..." He asked.

"When I heard they were on their way up to replace you I hurried to finish those files. I don't trust them at all. With me out of work for being an even bigger idiot... Giving my food away having nothing to do with it... I want someone watching them like a hawk...." He put a finger up to his chin.

"Now that I think about it,... All the transmissions that where blocked... E couldn't have done it alone." He sat back and watched her tinker with his outdated piece of crap. He sighed and looked to the ceiling. "Perhaps you can teach me hiw to heal too. That would have cone in handy.... If only you had arrived 5 years ago I would still have my sister." He said. He closed his eyes as he revisited that day. Gun fire was still heard. He was there franticly trying to get to her. He failed, he could picture her face. Pale and covered in blood. She died in his arms before the empaths could get there. He reopened his eyes and looked at his shoulder where his arm connected to the junk attached to it. "Should have let them use the medkit... Would have been funny to see them try and medicate this with out them knowing how to properly do it... Another good reason to deny it... Only those empaths in the medical wing could have properly healed it... Without it getting infected."

He decided to shut up. He strangely felt exauhsted but was afraid of falling asleep. He stared at the ceiling and he had this weird feeling something wasn't right. He just couldn't place it. "Did you ever think the tower was taken over too easy?... Tristan gave up too easy." He said. He then looked to Silvia. "You may not trust me anymore but let me watch over you as you move around. That sick bastard has something up his sleeves." He asked. His face full of seriousness. "If you have to, read my thoughts. You will see I am pure in my words right now. I dont want you traveling alone until that fucker is gone. Also in the elevator with the Jun'Krama I meant what I said. Dive into my brain if you have to. I never lied... I could have denied the med kit in a better set of words but oh well. If not me,.. Have Craig or someone go with you everywhere." He continued.

Mor Of The Altenia Tower

Craig rose the com to Earth and there was Crisin, the Earth Tower Lead, staring him right in the face. He gulped slightly. Crisin was not the easiest woman to get along with but at least she wasn’t as bad as Tristan and looking back on things he had to admit she couldn’t be that bad to have been the one to raise a woman like Silvia; taking a deep breath before he began. “Afternoon Tower Lead Crisin, I have an urgent request.”

“And just what may that be Craig? I am busy here since you all took my back up T-1,” she said referring to Silvia.

“I know but trust me, she has done more good here in since she arrived than this tower has seen in a decade,” he said quickly.

“I have heard, word gets around quickly but I am not surprised. Silvia has always been good at running a tower, why her ass should be here taking care of things!”

“I, um, yes. Listen, our second in command is out due to injury. Silvia helped but he is going to need time to recover. We are short staffed here, is there anyway you could send someone over on the next transport as a substitute until the he is healed? It, I am hoping will only be a few days,” Craig asked, slightly begging. “I don’t want to go to another Tower, I know Silvia trusts the people in your Tower and with everything going on I feel it would be safest if someone she knew were our temp.”

Crisin leaned back in her seat and thought for a moment. She really didn’t have a lot of free staff right now but Silvia was like a daughter to her, she raised her. Crisin didn’t want with everything going on for someone that might be under Tristans or the Bast’I’s influence to be watching over Silvia. “Very well, a replacement will be there on the next transport,” she said before cutting the com.

“Who?” he tried to ask but the screen had gone blank. “Well shit.”

Silvias Private Quarters

Silvia looked over to Ailen and snapped, striking him upside the back of the head with an open palm. “Stop it! Just stop it!” she snapped as she rested back on the couch. “What the hell has gotten into you? And don’t say me,” she growled as she looked over to him. “The healing didn’t do shit to me, the T&C did,” she said as she looked away. “It’s a mini worm hole. Creating one is no issue for a Lead, going through one is no problem for a passenger but when you have to toss, catch and go through instantaneously is when issues arise. Your mind gets ripped because it is working on the catch while you are in the worm hole. That’s why the blood. I lacerated my frontal lobe you dolt,” she hissed before looking away from him for a minute.

“And no I don’t, you really think I was transferred here because of my attitude?” she asked as she raised a brow. “That it was just a coincidence that I had a camera on my suit when I arrived to catch Tristan attack me?” she asked with a slow growing smirk on her lips. “This has been in the works for years,” she said before turning her attention over to his arm port. “And I know about the Twins, trust me I am prepared for them. I don’t know what they will do or when but something will happen, a lot is going to happen before things get better,” she said as she sighed. “So brace yourself because the shit has yet to hit the fan,” she added before turning to her com and opening a secure frequency with Earth. "And I don't need a body guard, I can take care of myself."

“Angel!” Marx said as it linked in. “Wow, what the hell happened to him?” Marx asked as she panned the com over to Ailens arm port.

“Long story, listen I need you to send on the next transport a base kit with auto attachments, crystal drive and an emergency field install kit. We don’t have that shit here, this arm is the best they had,” she said as she turned the com back over to herself to talk with Marx.

“Sure thing Angel, anything for you, be there shortly, have someone waiting at the docks,” he said before ending the transmission.

“Okay, we’re going to get you fixed up,” she said looking back over to him before reaching into her bag and pulling out a crystal harmonizing tool kit. It wasn’t exactly what she needed but it would have to do for the removal of his current pieces. “We can do this here or in the infirmary. Which do you prefer?”

"I deserved that..." As she smacked him in the back of the head. She explained things and he felt rather embarrassed. That explained things more. He still felt bad seeing as she wouldnt have done that if not for him.... For him. "I am such a fucking idiot..." He said. "Why did you genuinely like me again?... Because I am....whose that?" He said at the guy named Marx..."Angel?... Huh?.. Fitting nickname with the way you come to someones aid. Even to a asswhipe like me." He said. She then popped up the the question. Here or the infirmary. He rise back up and proceed to the elevator. "I already ruined you cloths,... Dont need to decorate your couch either. Plus they might have something string that wont make me scream like a girl." He answered. He then felt kind of jealous. "So who was that guy?..."

Silvia nodded as she kept examining him. "Yup you did and yes you are," she agreed flatly; leaning back and looking up at him. Raising a brow at his question to why she liked him and just shrugged as she got up off the couch and started packing her bag back up, placing the pieces of his broken artificial arm in it as well before slinging it over her shoulder.

"Why does it matter? Can't you just accept that I was attracted to you just for being yourself?" she asked rhetorically before looking down at her t-shirt. "It's just blood, it'll wash," she said as she took a step and grabbed her com, opening a channel to Craig. "Next catch is from Earth there will be a package, grab it and meet me in the infirmary," she said quickly before cutting the com instead of waiting for an answer.

"That's Marx, head of security for Earth Tower," she said matter of factly before making her way over to the door. "He's called me that for years," she added as she waited for him to join her. "Come on, let's get you down to the infirmary and prep you," she said as she waited for the elevator doors to open. "And ass or not, you're a person in pain. Personal animosity aside, I am simply doing what is right," she finished before making her way into the elevator, holding the door open for him.

Up in the Mor, Craig put the same woman on charge and headed down to the docks to await the ship's arrival. He hoped who ever Crisin was sending would be arriving as well. He didn't know what was going on but he had a feeling it had to do with Ailen and if Silvia was having something sent from Earth to help him he would be damned if he left its safety up to anyone else.

He sighed as they took the trip to the nurses office. He went into the elevator and was going to cross his arms and remembered that wouldnt work. His stomach growled again. "So you actually liked me, for me... That explains the screw up then. That was so out of character for me....I think I need to relax at some point. I am not sure if I will be able to... Even if I get back to my own eating schedule and rest.... I dont think I can relax. Not until every trace of Tristan is gone... Then maybe I can go on vacation. Visit this planets many beaches and have fun....oh wait... This planet has no beaches. I blame that on Tristan too." He said. He then figured he would try and eat something more filling when he got to his quarters. "Well at least you got a shirt to change into.... I donated my clothes to the people who needed them. Grew tired that I lived in days of luxury while they couldn't." He had the kindness but he was an idiot when it came to other matters. "Can you imagine me running my own tower?... That would be a disaster. Would liked bulldoze the city and rebuild the homes. Give these people a better life style. Same with the tower. Those below live in worse standards then those at the top. I couldnt sleep in a comfy bed without feeling bad." He said. He remained quiet and stared at his reflection. For a minute he thought he saw his sister standing behind him. He turned around to see no one there and then back at his reflection.

He rose a hand up to his head and rubbed his forehead. Hallucinations?... Side effect of the drug perhaps. Best keep that to yourself. He began to rub his eyes. I hope it aint my crystal. That's all I need right now.

Ashala woke and sat strait up in bed. She looked around to see if she was alone and then checked the time... She sighed. "Still had time to sleep. Well since I'm up." She checked over the cargo roster for the night shift to give her an idea about tomorrow. Then the dock chief looked over the progress she made last shift. She sent a message to tank. "Good work last night I'll be coming late, got some errands to do."

She then sent a message to the new T-1@Afina "Greetings. It has come to my attention that you are the new tower T-1. As the dock chief for section 6 I welcome you. If there is anything you need through unofficial channels don't ask, on the coms. I run everything by the book. So that being said I look forward to working for the person who hit that little prick. Dock chief Ashala, Rough neck section 6."

The final com for the night went to Gaia @Salrynn "Thank you. I haven't seen you around before but I will make a note to stop by. I'm also going to send my crew your way for the annual checkups we may have skipped last year. I'm sorry about when you were in the dock earlier we had a heavy work load couldn't afford to stop. You are a credit to your trade. I was serious about the favor if you get jammed up in official channels then please come see me. On a personal note, I would prefer if you kept what happened in the room between us. I don't need the kids I work with getting wind of that side of me. Very appreciative Ashala Dock chief, rough neck, for section 6." Ashala turned off the com and pulled up the covers.

Docking Bay Six

Craig made his way down to the docks as the Twins brought in the transport from Earth Tower and waited for the bay doors to open. When they did a rather shocked expression came over his features when he laid eyes on who came out. This was not who he was expecting. He actually didn’t know who to expect but it certainly wasn’t this person. A younger man about Silvias age stepped out carrying several small crates and walked over to Craig, setting them down. He stood a little less than six feet tall and was moderately built with sharp facial features and even sharper eyes, the color of amber. He smiled over to Craig and held out his hand to shake it once the crates were set down safely.

“Hey Craig, where do I need to take these to?” Marx asked quickly as he looked around.

“Um, the infirmary,” he said, stuttering over his words slightly, not sure what was going on.

“You okay?” he asked quickly as he picked up the crates once again.

“Ye…yeah, this the stuff Silvia is waiting for?” Craig asked as he watched the man.

“Yup, she told me to get it to her on the next transport, so here I am,” Marx answered as he started to walk towards the elevator. Not waiting for Craig. Craig looked around quickly and then ran off after him.

“What about the replacement I asked for?” he said as he caught up with Marx as he was entering the elevator.

“I’m it,” he stated bluntly as he waited for Craig to push the correct floor. Craig looked at him even more confused as he pressed the button for the floor of the infirmary.

“But you’re head of security for Earth, how in the hell can Crisin spare you?” he asked as the elevator took off to the designated floor.

“Simple, Silvia is her daughter for lack of a better term. Shit is hitting the fan here. She wanted the person Silvia trusted most here. That’s me,” Marx stated flatly. “Don’t worry, I train security on Earth, my staff is more than capable of taking care of things for me for a bit while I am way,” he said as he waited for the elevator stopped on the floor of the infirmary and waited for the doors to open.

The Infirmary

Silvia made her way into the infirmary with Ailen and moved straight to an operating room without a second glance before she put everything down and motioned to the cold table that was in the middle of the bright room. “Yes, I can see you running a tower when your head isn’t up your ass,” she said quickly as she began to unpack what she needed on the rolling tables that were scattered throughout the room and pulling the monitors over to the operating table before walking over to a long table against the wall and dumping out his broken arm pieces onto it. “Don’t worry about the staff anymore; that is my job. I’ll take care of them the same as I take care of you,” she said as she went through the pieces and started to salvage what she could. “Well I’ll be gentler with them, they haven’t pissed me off yet,” she hissed slightly as she worked.

“Now lay down because I am going to have to pull the port out of that arm and replace it completely,” she said without looking over to him. Hearing the elevator doors open she looked up slightly and leaned back a bit before shouting. “In here Craig!” Looking back at what she was doing she didn’t notice Craig and Marx enter the room and Marx setting the crates down on the floor. “Thanks Craig, you can go, I got this,” she said, still not looking over.

“What? No hello from my Angel?” Marx said as he crossed his arms over his chest and faked a pouty lip like he was hurt emotionally. Silvia froze before dropping what she was doing and looking over to him. He just laughed and she ran over to him. Marx continued to laugh as he held his arms out for her and wrapped them around her waist; Silvia burying her head against him as she hugged him tight. “That’s better,” he joked.

Silvia leaned back and smacked him across the face. “What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped.

“I love you to,” he chuckled as he rubbed his cheek. “Craig needed a replacement for his second in command while he is out of commission. Crisin sent me,” he said with a shrug. Looking over at Ailen he smile and held his hand out to shake it. “Hey, that must be you. Marx, HoS of Earth Tower,” he said in a friendly voice.

Silvia felt her personal com connection go off and turned to check the portable, seeing the message from Ashala she smiled and made a mental note to get back to her as soon as she could but right now she had to take care of Ailen before she could do anything else.

Ailen looked down at Marx's hand then gestured to his missing arm. "Wrong hand...." He said. He then offered his other hand to shake with. He then sat himself on the table. He then closed his eyes and let his mind drift off. He even began to sleep for once. Strangely he was rather comfortable. He then wondered if that tech. Ever got those candy bars... He then wondered if the tech ever had a candy bar. He sighed and knew that if he ever took charge again things were going to change. He knew his future with Silvia and this tower was likely over. He did something that could not be fixed. He would have to give his life for this tower to get what ever trust he lost from her. He took a deep breathe and released. The Twins and Tristan what are you up to?... What are you.... Up....to

If there wasn't a sign that Ailen hardly slept it was now. The man's body was so exhausted he fell asleep right there on a operating table. There was one reason he never let himself sleep though. The reason was about to occur in the form of a nightmare.

This nightmare took place five years ago on the day of the incident. Ailen was making his usual rounds about the tower. When suddenly his com link rang out. He heard Craig's voice yell out at him. "Get to gate 3 and quick your men are already mustered outside" He cursed knowing it had happened. They warned Tristan that this would occur if he treated the people like crap and refused them of their supplies. He sprinted towards the stairs believing it would be faster. In truth it was as he jumped from floor to floor. Eventually making it to the bottom floor. He then took a turn to the left and then a right. Gate 3 already open as he stepped out. He saw the people outside. There was a lot of them and he knew right away they didn't have enough. "We will need back up Craig?.."
"I know sending some down with a few empaths if things get heated. " he hear the response. Ailen spat out a curse. He then stepped forward. "Altenians,... Calm yourself, this is not worth it!" He said to the raging crowd. They began throwing rocks. Followed by.."Fuck Tristan and his tower goons"

Ailen was able to stop some of the stones but some got past him nailing his men. Eventually one of his men panicked and opened fire. Then shit hit the fan. The civilians who were armed fired back. He started to see his men as well civilians hiting the ground their bodies. Eventually he himself began firing back. His men were dropping like flies. Where is that damned back up! He thought. Then from a building exited this woman. Tall and blonde. Shit Elaina.. What are you doing here?... I told you to stay in my chambers. He began moving towards he. Then suddenly a bullet ripped through her shoulder. A second going through he stomach and a third through her chest. He screamed. As he did so his crystal glowed and charged. The crystal amplified his speed as he used his sword to cut a path to her. When he got there he saw the blood and the holes. He dropped his sword and continue to fire as he check her. Her bloody right hand raising up to his cheek. He could hear the words "i am sorry" very quiet.

Felt her life slowly leave, He kept tryin to keep her awake. "Don t you die on my...." His words fell on death ears as she slipped away. Her hand falling to the ground. Tears formed both in the real world and in the nightmare.

Infirmary Operating Ward

Marx shook the mans hand and perked a brow at his not introducing himself before looking over to Silvia. Taking a step back from them both, he had seen that look before and he knew what it meant when her hair started to move by itself like it was caught in the wind. Craig looked over and tilted his head slightly, that was very uncharacteristic of Ailen. He was always very polite to people, why in the world he was acting like this. “Jack ass,” she snapped. “Marx is here to help your ass out so you can recover, you could at least have the common fucking decency to give the man your name,” she said as she slammed down a tool on the table next his head. Shaking her head she turned to Marx and apologized for his attitude. “This one can’t seem to keep his head out of his ass for more than five minutes,” she growled.

Craig decided it was a good time to get out of there and made a bee line for the exit. Whatever was going on he did not want to be a witness to it. Marx sighed deeply as he rubbed his face. “It’s okay Sil, just let it go, you have a job to do,” he said as he reached out and rubbed her shoulders slightly. Silvia took a deep breath and shook her head no, she couldn’t do this. Not for someone that would lie to her, who would be this way. What the hell was she doing there she thought to herself. She could take him down to repair and they could fix him there or she could wait for the tech to get back and they could take of things here tomorrow. She didn’t have to do this. “Sil, deep breaths,” Marx as he pulled her close and hugged her again.

“You know you can do this, just push feelings aside and do your job. You’ve done this before in a lot worse conditions. You saved me when the accident happened and built my temporary leg out of a crystal harmonizer in the middle of mine shaft. You can do this,” Marx said in a reassuring voice. He stood there holding her, wondering just what was going on. This was not like Silvia, she had always jumped in head first, never questioned herself and even though she was quick to temper she had always been able to push everything aside to get the job done. It was one of the reasons the staff at the Earth Tower loved her. She never let her personal views get in the way of doing what was right. Now she was hesitating and it killed him to see her like this. Something happened but he wasn’t going to push. He could find out after surgery.

“Come on, I’ll help,” he said as he let her go and walked over to the crate and began to open them. “Let’s get to work, if we are lucky you can curl up with a glass of wine within the next eight hours,” he said as he smiled over to her. Silvia took a few deep breaths and stepped over to Ailens side so she could get a good look once again. Reaching out she touched the port with her fingers a moment before looking over to Ailen.

“You owe me,” she whispered before pulling up the empath crystal enhancement and turning it on. It hummed lowly before she hit a few key strokes and tapped into her Black Crystal. Most empaths used a cool colored crystal but Silvia had a special bond with her unique crystal and she was able to use it for much more than just sending ships into deep space. On Earth she had managed to learn to use her Black Crystal for everything from healing to sedating to weapons and more. She was especially glad she could focus on it and use it to keep her awake. It had already been a long day and it was going to be an even longer night.

Resting her hand on Ailen forehead her eyes glazed over as she accessed the pain control centers through his neuromatrix in his cerebral cortex. Setting up pain blocks to keep the surgery from making him feel anything when it came to pain. Simple touches, pressure and pulling he would feel but his brain would interpret it as a pleasant sensation since the pain centers that actually processed that type of feeling where blocked off; like putting up a temporary wall in a home to section off a new room. The pain would be stopped by the wall. Slowly her eyes shifted back to normal once she was sure the blocks would stay in place during the surgery and would only come down once she released them.

Looking over to Marx she nodded slightly as she held out her hand for Marx, he handed her a pair of pliers and a scalpel. “Time to get this piece of junk out of him,” she muttered as she looked at the port and took a deep breath. This wasn’t going to clean to start. He had damaged tissue reaching down through the skin and into the muscle itself. She worried she would have to replace not only what was lost but take his shoulder as well. Taking a deep breath she leaned in and went to work, first severing the link-up between the outdated mechanical wear and his nervous system. “Marx, take a bone marrow sample and put it through the genetic coding system,” she said as she carefully started working the metal and wires from his flesh.

“Going for Dna Based Bio Wear?” he asked as he picked up a biopsy and pushed it through Ailens hip and into the bone itself; twisting it slightly before pulling it out slowly. Setting the sample off to the side he picked up a pressure bandage and applied it to the point on the mans hip to stop any blood loss.

“Sort of, I want to put a crystal resonance enhancer in and link it through a bio matrix. If I can do that he can circumvent the sensitivity his race has with black crystals by using it through the matrix. It will act as a buffer,” she said as she continued to work; slowly wedging the port out of his arm once she had carefully severed all the links.

“So he will be able to use a Black Crystal then?” Marx asked as he picked up the biopsy needle and headed over to the genetic coding system and hit the plunger on the top of the needle to push the piece of marrow out. “Will he be able to run a tower?” Marx asked intrigued by what she had going through that mind of her.

“He will be able to use shards of Black Crystal but it wouldn’t be enough of a buffer for him to use a larger Black Crystal or to bond with one to be able to handle a Tower,” she said as she tossed the port over shoulder once it was removed and began to cauterize the arteries. “But if he practices he will be able to do a lot more than a T-2 can; tap more of his potential. He would closer to a T-1 without the aid of a crystal for a jump. It’s the best I can do for now,” she grumbled slightly disappointed in herself that she couldn’t just block the sensitivity all together.

“Sil, cut it out. It’s going to be a lot better than what he hand,” he said as he hit a few buttons on the coding system after placing the sample inside and awaited the results. “Okay, what now?” he asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Pull up Ailens files from the infirmary and get the base measurements for his last arm, his real one. I want to make this as close to the real thing as I can, he’s lost enough,” she said in a compassionate voice. Marx perked a brow as an image was beginning to form in his mind to what exactly was going on. She liked him. Smirking he nodded and walked over to the data station and started pulling up the specs of his original arm plus what they had done to create the piece of junk he had.

“How are you going to make his system accept this arm?” Marx asked as he perused the files and got the information that Silvia needed. Silvia moved over to the work table and had begun unloading what Marx had brought from Earth as well as what she had brought down from her personal quarters.

“Why I need to see his genetic coding. I will do grafts from the bone marrow sample once the test is done and fuse it with a neural processing unit based off his Dna’s helix structure,” she said as took the base bio arm that Marx has brought with him and began to rework it and add in the crystal buffer unit into the internal structure.

“Version 2.0 of my leg?” he asked as he kept jotting down notes on what she needed and handing her tools as she worked.

“Bingo, what I couldn’t do for you in the mines I can do here,” she said with a wink. “If my calculations are correct his body should accept the arm as if it was his own without the aid of anti-rejection medications. It will be sore at first but as his brain accepts the programming in the arm it will act like second nature,” she said as she leaned back and wiped the sweat from her brow.

“If you weren’t a T-1 I swear your calling was bio tech medicine,” Marx said as he smiled over to her. “You always had a gift for this stuff. What happens if he transfers out and is damaged?”

Silvia looked over to him and shook her head slightly. “The material itself is strong; the biotech and crystal tech is enclosed in a unoptainium structure. It will be much stronger than the current versions since I am using the housing you brought me from the speeder housing unit,” she said before leaning back over and going back to work.

“And if he transfers and gets damaged Sil? No one will be able to figure out this system, its being spit from that brain of yours directly into action. It is not like it has a handbook,” he said as he raised a brow.

“I’ll write a hand book,” she growled.

“And until that epic bite of educational material is published?” Marx pushed.

“He isn’t going anywhere damn it!” Silvia snapped as she slammed the soldering iron down on the table. “He’s staying right here,” she hissed as she looked over to Marx, worry coming over her features.

“Okay Sil,” Marx said in a comforting voice as he reached out and caressed her cheek. “He isn’t going anywhere,” he whispered. “So let’s get this done. We are already in hour three of this.”

Silvia nodded and went back to work. It was another four hours before Silvia and Marx were done constructing the arm itself and the port she would have to install into his shoulder. There had been a few mishaps and Silvia broke down at one point crying that she couldn’t do this. Marx kept comforting her and getting her head back in the game; reassuring her that if she hadn’t lost him in the mines she wasn’t going to lose Ailen on the table in a sterile environment. After a few moments she would calm down, setting everything down and checking on Ailen, making sure his breathing was okay and that the pain blocks were still intact. The last thing she wanted was to add to the pain this arm had already put him through. She was still mad at him but her basic nature overrode everything else.

Craig kept watch on the Twins in the Mor during all this while he watched the monitor, wondering if there was anything this woman couldn’t do. He had heard that Talents on Earth were highly crossed trained; as he watched Marx and Silvia he knew it was true and wondered if they could implement a similar training policy in the Altenia Tower. It would be good if the techs could handle basic empathic first aide in the field, it could save lives. Same with the infirmary, if they could do basic tech repair when something went down during surgery another life could be saved. Leaning back in his chair he wished that Silvia had come to them years ago.

Pushing her chair over to Ailen, Silvia finished installing the new port system after another two hours of work. Her eyes were glazed over at this point, using her crystal fully to stay awake and focused. Marx just stood by and helped where he could and kept wiping the sweat from her brow. Silvia in the end had to remove a little more flesh from Ailen than she would have wanted and even some bone but it was so damaged from improper fitting that if she didn’t she would just have to do it later. She didn’t want to put him through this again.

“That should do it,” she said as she picked up the arm itself. “Time to see,” she said and Marx held up his hands and crossed his fingers. Slowly Silvia inserted the arm into the port connection and twisted it into place so it locked down, a hiss could be heard and she held her breath. Slowly the arm powered up, being run off the energy of a black crystal shard she had always kept with her that came from her crystal when it was originally cut. After a few moments she lightly ran her finger down the length of his new arm to see if it reacted.

“Not ticklish?” Marx asked as he stood there rocking back and forth on his heels. Silvia shrugged and tried again and then a smile slowly grew on her lips brightly as the glaze cleared from her eyes, his arm reacted and moved. “Alright Angel!” Marx yelled. Silvia slowly collapsed in her chair and rested her hand on Ailens forehead; as she began to remove the blocks she had put up, happy they had remained intact during the entire ordeal. Running her fingers down the length of his arm slowly, and seeing the subconscious reaction was wonderful to her, his fingers curling slightly when hers brushed against them.

“I did it…” she whispered in an exhausted voice as she began to slump in her chair. Marx moved quickly and scooped her small figure up in his arms, her head resting against his chest as she fell asleep. He moved her over quickly to an open table and rested her down before taking off his jacket and covering her up. He wanted to take her to her room and put her to bed but he knew if he moved her out of here before Ailen woke up she would be furious.

“I never doubted you for a second,” he whispered as he ran his fingers through her hair. Pulling up a chair he sat down and kept an eye on Ailen for him to wake up after he powered down Silvias Crystal link. He figured the man would have questions when he woke up fully. Silvia had not put him full out; he knew that, she had just blocked the pain itself. For all he knew Ailen had been awake the entire time listening. Crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair he was half tempted to set up an IV drip of pain killers for the man but he remembered when Silvia took care of his leg and how little pain there was and how quickly he was able to adapt to the change thanks to her. After seeing the concern in her eyes, even past the anger, he knew Silvia had treated Ailen with the same care that she showed him. He just hoped her feelings were not placed in the wrong man. If he was in pain when he woke up it was wouldn't take much to start the drip of pain killers.

Marx sat there and had to marvel slightly a the look of the new arm. She had put a lot of detail into it, down the gel like enhanced bio skin covering that would allow Ailen to feel things more naturally; she had even taken some extra time to ensure if it was damaged it could be easily replaced. Marx had to admit the whole thing looked pretty sweet. It was light grey in color over all on the outside but slightly translucent so the major inner workings could be seen as a cloudy silhouette. It was clearly an artificial limb but it made Marx slightly jealous as he pulled up his pants leg to reveal his artificial leg and look at it. Ailens looked much cooler. Maybe once Silvia got some rest she could upgrade him he thought to himself as he laughed slightly.

As his dream came to its end the tears coming from it not any pain. His mind began coming up with conclusions. You are not fighting around or against Tristan for Silvia or yourself. Your fighting for everyone on this planet. So that no more people will suffer the loss. Your Surgery is over now open your eyes and get up. Ailen opened his eyes. The dream breathed fire into his eyes as he was reminded why he had not given up so far. He rose up whipping the tears from his eyes. He then looked to Marx and rose a fist up towards him to bump. "Sorry for earlier. Wanted this done and over with as soon as I got here. I apologize. My name is Ailen Maeyridith, 1st officer of security under Craig. Pleasure to meet you." He said. Not realizing he was using his new arm to do the fist bump. Once the fist bump occurred he retracted his fist.

Ailen looked at the new arm feeling it down with his fingers. The metal was smooth and soft to the touch. He tapped at it feeling its strength as well. He then began testing it out, moving it around in circles and opening the palm of his hand and closing it. He then noticed something. The arm was powered by a crystal, not by any crystal, a black shard. He looked over to Marx and then back at it. Well she knows what she was doing so if she thinks it will work then it will. He looked to a reflection seeing the full extent of his arm. It reached his shoulder and more. He did not mind though. It kind of made him look more cool ,and possibly intimidating to the right person. He nodded and looked over at the sleeping Silvia,.... he smirked and walked over and moved to a crouching position. He brushed some hair from her face and stared. She looked so beautiful asleep. He wondered what she dreamed about or if she ever dreamed at all. Either way she was more lucky then him. Everytime he closed his eyes that same dream over and over. He didn't reject the dream though. He deserved it. "I have failed to women now,.... first my sister, and now her." He said rising up. He looked down at Silvia. "You deserve a better man Silvia,... you will get a better man." added. She was asleep and then looked back at her handy work.

"You know,...as special as this arm is now, seeing as it was installed and put in place from her sweat and tears, I think it is only fair and even special that she be the only one who operates on it." He said to particularly no one. Wouldn't stop Marx from jumping in though if he had to. He then sighed and bent down and lifted her up softly and carefully. "Let's take her to her room,..." He said and made for the door. He used his artificial arm to pick up her tools and place them in his pocket. He then carefully pulled out the bottle of pills. He could already feel his body harmonizing with the arm. He didn't need these anymore. He tossed them to Marx. The powers he used even for the small things, came less of a strain, more smoother now then anything. He wondered what he could do now with this black shard of hers. His abilities would have increased and his arm as a amplifier for it.... Will have to further test it out later. He thought. He then looked to Marx, "So you will be my replacement for awhile,... I honestly like this better. Well not completely because I don't get to be by her anymore, but right now I get to watch Them..." He said referring to the twins. He shook the thought and waited for Marx to enter the elevator. He then took the elevator up to her quarters. Once they felt the elevator go up, he blocked out the camera, not wanting anyone to see the T1 Silvia in a weak state. Even if it was just her sleeping. When they got to her level, he stepped out and let the camera resume its capture of the elevator and then into her chambers he went. He trekked to where he found her bed. He then placed her down and covered her. He then looked to Marx, "Well you best go up and join Craig up there. With a extra set of eyes watching the twins I will be much happier."

He then sighed, then again those two didn't even have to talk, they could be communicating with Tristan, one turning off the field that prevented powers from being used. The other to speak. Or they both held down the field while he got a transmission sent off. Maybe it was just him being paranoid, but then again Silvia doesn't like them either. He then exited her room and into the living room. He took the couch and then looked around. He wondered if there was someway he could make sure he got up before she did. He then looked to Marx to see if he had left yet. "Hey Marx, if you can wake me up three hours before the normal time for a tower 1 lead would normally." He said,... "Please,.." He then waited for a response, once he heard it, he moved to her couch and laid in it. He stood at the ceiling for only a few seconds before sleeping again.

Gaia finally finished the girl’s hair, she smiled ever so softly as she extended her little hand behind her back, feeling her hair and how un-tatty it was. Sophia simply thanked her and hugged her tightly, even though she was rather much restricted due to her broken leg. All Gaia could do was giggle and hug her back. She finally flew off the bed and helped Sophia get back into her original position.

The rest of the late afternoon was a slow day for the Gaia, but seeing the kids made her very happy. In such a dark world where there was nothing but complete political control over everything the kids didn’t even know what was going to hit them the moment they matured, as Gaia kept thinking about this one of the doctors had to eventually comfort her in the medical room of the children's ward, it was obvious… Gaia couldn’t stand to see these kids used as pawns for GTC, nor could she see them mistreated at all like almost every talent worker that works for GTC.

It was finally the end of her shift, and she had to say goodnight to the kids, but before she did she checked her clipboard to see who got a little story read to them that night, and it was a boy who was recently discharged from the ward, and she only found it fair if the person who was next on the list got it tomorrow night. So with that she decided to return to her quarters.

As she returned to her quarters she got everything ready for an early night, took her cloak off, her uniform off and had a shower, removing all of the remaining glitter off her wings. While in the shower she thought of the day's events, and boy; was it quite an eventful one. But she was happy she could spend time with the kids as she didn’t want to miss them for the world.

As she got out the shower she received a com from Ashala and smiled, happy that she could help Ashala out as an empath and as a doctor, after the com finished Gaia nodded in appreciation, even though she knew Ashala couldn’t see it or anything; finally she went into her bed, ready to sleep.

Somewhere In The Altenia Tower

As much as security tried to keep an eye on every last spot in the tower to make sure things ran smoothly there was only so much that the understaffed division could there. There we areas with broken cameras, some purposefully disabled even. Shadows and dark corners could be found if one looked hard enough. Tristan had let the Tower fall into a horrible state, the Tower was one of the newer ones in the Galaxy and in a strategic point but because of the way Tristan ran things it had quickly fallen into disrepair; this combined with the personality of said former Tower Lead led to most to transfer out. Those that remained were split. The majority that were there were good people that just wanted to help those on the planet and keep the Tower running but with every group of people there were those that enjoyed Tristans tactics, as hard as it was for others to comprehend.

“What do we do now? This completely throws off the plan,” a deep voice whispered in one of the remote areas of the Tower few ever tread and was out of the security divisions monitoring.

“No, we stick to the plan. We knew this could happen, we prepped for this very scenario just in case things went down this way,” another said in a gruff voice.

“What about her? Even with our back up, it was contingent on someone like a classic Lead. This woman is anything but normal. People…. The people like her.”

“Don’t worry, just let it play out. Let her fix things, it will get them to lower their guard and make it easier to finish this. We have direct orders from much higher up than she is, we stick to the plan,” the one who seemed to be in charge said.

“I don’t know, maybe this isn’t right,” the other said with some doubt showing vocally.

“You turning and running?”

“No, no. It is just I wonder if maybe she’ll fix things so we don’t have to follow through with the plans.”

“Doesn’t matter, we stick to our orders, you got that?”

“Yes sir…”

Mor Of The Altenia Tower

The Twins kept working as they always did and even though they were not happy about the extended shift they plastered their usual happy faces on and took care of what was on the lists. During their down time between T&C’s they would relax somewhat, grab a bite to eat and even wander around the Mor talking to various people. They seemed to be asking a lot of questions but few paid them much concern. Questions were flying around the Tower as it was because of Silvia taking over; most of them concerning though her personally not her tactics. The Twins seemed more concerned with what she was actually doing.

”This is going to complicate matters,’ Gemini said to Gemine telepathically.

”It will but we shouldn’t worry. He took care of it, things should go back to normal soon,” Gemine replied.

”So the package has been delivered?” Gemini asked.

”Yes, it was delivered a couple of hours ago. Now we wait, stay busy and make sure to stay on camera,” Gemine answered and smiled at her Twin. Craig watched the Twins, he knew they were up to something but they were good at keeping whatever it was between them. He didn’t trust them; few did, but most figured they didn’t pose a real threat. Craig wasn’t so sure of that.

Crystal Mines on Altenia

The mines on Altenia ran constantly, trying to find new larger crystals that the towers needed for power but even on the best planets they were hard to come by. Very few planets could survive off crystal production alone. Altenia had been lucky having the Brax’Na to help out when they did to be able to locate veins that were solid enough to drill through on the dusty planet. Yet even with their help the large finds were few and far between and with the equipment always breaking down it made the process even slower. Add to that the sand storms that would cause sonic events from the exposed crystals far too many Singers were being driven mad.

An older woman dressed in a Singers mining uniform leaned over the make shift work station going over the mines underground maps and trying to figure out where to dig next. Placing both her hands on the table she sighed deeply and shook her head. Even if she found somewhere to dig the equipment was shot. They have Frankensteined repairs together as best they could but it was getting pointless; after an hour or two things would just break down again.

Hearing heavy footsteps moving quickly through the tunnels she looked up and saw another Singer running towards her with a print out in his hand. He was far younger than she, just a trainee, but he was good and had proven himself valuable to the operation. Stopping in front of her he took a few moments to catch his breath before handing over the paper.

“The contact,” he said as he coughed a bit and spit out some dust onto the ground. “The contact is finally here Singer Gwen.”

Gwen took the paper from him and read over it, a transmission had been able to be made through underground channels from the Tower to the Mines. A smile came to her lips for a moment before it faded. Looking over to him she nodded. “Good work Trevor, from the looks of things we make initial contact tomorrow,” she said before burning the paper to ash.

Infirmary Of Altenia Tower

Marx sat there in his chair rocking his heel back and forth as he waited for Ailen to wake up. He wasn’t exactly sure what to think about what was going on with Silvia. She had acted afraid while she had been working; fear was not one of those words in Silvias vocabulary. Seeing Ailen finally wake up he stood and perked a brow at the fist bump, shrugging slightly as he returned it. “Yeah, good to meet you to man,” he said as he watched Ailen move around and test out the new arm.

“She has a talent for this kind of thing,” he said as he lifted up the leg of his jeans and showed Ailen his own artificial leg. It looked similar to the same design as Ailens arm but it was clear it was a bit older. “I might have to have her upgrade me while I am here,” he said as he looked over to Silvia and smiled. “That Angel right there, I doubt there is anything she can’t do,” he said quietly. He watched Ailen closely as he kneeled down next to Silvia and brushed her hair from her face. Looking slightly confused to his words about failing two women, one of them being Silvia. Then he just couldn’t help himself but laugh when Ailen said that Silvia deserved a better man.

“Yeah, Ailen, no offense but she does deserve better; better than you or anyone else for that matter. Do you really think, even after only knowing her a short time, there is a single person that deserves that angel? But the truth of the matter is that it isn’t anyone’s place to decide who she does or doesn’t deserve. That’s her decision,” he said as he boxed up what was left and picked it up to move out of the infirmary, including Silvias bag she had brought down from her quarters and his own gear bag. Looking over to Ailen to make sure he had a good hold on her and stepping aside from the toss of pills in his direction, simply using his telekinesis to make sure they landed in the trash.

“Nah, that crystal in your arm may have been from her crystal but that is your arm to operate. She made it for you and damn good thing she did. I don’t know how you did anything with the piece of scrape you had as an arm. I’ve seen toys kids on Earth play with that had better construction. For a newer tower you all are really in the shitter when it comes to supplies it seems,” he said as he followed Ailen up to Silvias quarters.

“Replacement, yeah guess that is what I will be looked at as but in truth that isn’t why I am here,” he said before shutting up until they were in Silvias quarters and the door was shut and secured. “I’m here to make sure she stays alive,” he said as he dropped the crates down in a corner and made his way to a free bedroom in Silvias quarters to put his personal belongings in. It seemed that Marx had just moved in with Silvia. Stepping back out he nodded slightly towards Ailen. “Yeah, I have some things to go over with him. He says you need to get your head back in the game but what I am seeing your head is in the game. Guess we will see tomorrow,” he said before making his way to the fridge and grabbing some food to eat, sitting down and taking a bite.

“I got no problem with you watching over her tonight since I have things to take care of but in the morning you will be back working and back sleeping in your own quarters,” he said before taking another bite and rising from his place to go check on Silvia, food still in hand. Stepping into her bedroom he looked down at her and smiled but worry was on his face as he pulled the covers up a bit more. He knew she was going to sleep a while after everything and probably wouldn’t be hungry when she woke up. Kissing her on the forehead before stepping back out and closing her door he looked over at Ailen. “When she wakes up, make sure she eats even if you have to force feed her,” he said as he stepped towards the door. “Yeah man, I’ll be down early to grab you. I’m going to lock down her quarters so no one can get in or out until morning, I need to run a through a few things before I can feel safe with her being here,” he said before unlocking the door and it sliding open. “No offense but as far as this tower is concerned, the only one I trust here is that Angel asleep in the next room,” he said before taking another bite of his food and stepping out the door. It slide back into place and it locked down to keep anyone with bad intensions out. Marx just hoped he left her in safe hands.

Somewhere In Time

The rain had been coming for days, An unrelenting down pour that had soaked the ground soil and caused runoff from the hills above but people thought they were safe. It happened every year during the spring, so while each drop continued to fall from the sky the people of the small remote village outside of the Crystal mine went about their daily lives; sure that it would eventually pass and everything would dry up for another year.

This year was different though and in the hills a chain reaction began as a few Teresa uprooted and fell; causing a domino effect that catalyst for the rock slide that swept over the village. A young couple were in their home taking care of a toddler with dark hair and bright blue eyes when they heard what sounded like a train and felt like an Earth quake. Looking out their back window they saw it coming.

The couple picked up their child and ran out of their home, trying to out run the inevitable. The small one held close to her mother's chest could see it coming closer and closer. Screams were lost in the sound of the raging wave of rock and mud that was on their heels. The ground gave away beneath them, a lime sink caused by far too moisture. Down they tumbled into the nothingness below. The child's eyes began to swirl and around her and her parents a glowing blue sphere surrounded them as they hit the ground.

The debris piled on top, forming a shell to the telekinesic cocoon that surrounded them. The mother and father lay there in the sky tinted glow dead, having used their bodies to break the fall for their child. The child cried, trying to wake them. The cries grew louder and louder until they were desperate screams into the world.

Silvia lay tossing and turning in bed, reliving the nightmare of the night she lost her parents before she suddenly screamed out, blood curdling, before ripping herself from the memory and sitting straight up in bed. Grasping as her sheets as she struggled to catch her breath, beads of sweat clinging to her brow.

Ailen was jolted up by the scream. He got up out of the couch and drew his sword. He wondered about making sure everything outside was okay and then moved to her room. He knocked at the door, "Everything alright?" He asked sheathing his sword. He then stood outside her door to her bedroom. He waited there for her to respond.

Looks like I am not the only one who suffers from night terrors. Looks like she had her fair share too. Wonder what she lost in this life. Oh well none of my business. It is kinda sad.... everyone is in some ways suffering here. The planet of sorrows. In some way or another each person on this tower carries the scars physically or mentally in some way of their greatest ordeals. He does not suffer any worse then anyone of them. This whole planet needs healing. It is suffocating in it's own despair. If you come in good spirits, it ain't long before the planet sucks it out of you.

Silvia gasped for breath as she slowly realized it had all been a dream, then the tears started. Hearing Ailen at her door asking if she was alright she slowly slid out of bed and walked over to the door, trying to wipe them away bit they wouldn't stop coming. Pressing her hand to the panel the door slid open quickly and she looked up at him, sobbing uncontrollably before she began to rise up as she took a step and burying her head against his chest; her arms wrapping around his neck as she continued to weep.

"No.." she whimpered as she tried to control her emotions. She felt weak, broken and helpless right then and was desperately seeking comfort from him. The nightmare did not come often but when it did it shook her to the core, making her feel like she was once again the toddler she had been the day it happened, unable to wake her parents.

It was the main reason she had trained so hard growing up, she swore to herself after years of being plagued by the horror of the night terrors that she would never lose another person she cared about because she was unprepared or weak. She would not let anything stand in her way to ensure that there was never a new nightmare added.

So now, after such a long day and a fear of failing Ailen earlier combined with the horrors she was learning the tower had gone through, that fateful night was triggered while she slept. Clinging to Ailen she sought comfort as she tried to control her emotions.

There was only one thing Ailen could do in this situation. With her face in his chest and her crying. He never saw her like this. He was hesitant at first and then he sucked up the courage to move his arms around her and hold her in place. His real hand massaging her back. He did not exactly know how to comfort someone ,but for her there was always a try. His new artificial armor held onto the back of her head. It's thumb moving side to side. He did not know what to say. He wanted to say. everything will be okay but would it really? He thought. The tough parts of the day were over and they took heir toll on her. It showed that even a tower lead can cry.

"I never have been able to comfort someone, so forgive me. I would tell you everything will be okay, but I don't want to have told you yet another lie. I am not sure if things will be okay. Perhaps being with someone you care about might help though. I am no empath so I will stay here with you as long as you want me to." He said. He was strong in many fields ,but right now he felt weak. He wanted to be strong like her. So he could look after her. He wanted to show that she was not alone on this planet.

Silvia continued to weep yet as she felt his arms wrap around her she slowly stopped using her telekinesis to hold her up where she was and let her body press to his, her legs dangling off the ground as she pulled herself closer to him. "I am... with... someone... I care about," she whispered between the sobbing. She was an emotional mess right then but him holding her was helping her to slowly bring her emotions into manageable state.

Keeping her head buried against his chest, she didn't want to move. She doubted there way anything he or anyone could say to make her feel better right then and she knew she didn't want an empath around her right now. She hated people being around her when she was like this, as rare as it was, and only one other person had ever been allowed to be around her when she was in this state of emotional turmoil. The was Marx but that was only because they had grown up together and he, in her eyes, was her big brother. Big brothers were supposed to protect their little sisters.

Ailen was different though, he wasn't someone she looked at as a brother. She wasn't sure how she felt about him with everything that had happened but it was anything but sibling related. His arms around her brought her comfort in a way she hadn't felt before and all she knew right then is that she needed him. "Just hold me," she said as the tears slowed their creation from her eyes. "Please," she added in a vulnerable plea.

Ailen needed this right now. The last time he held a woman like this she died in his arms. He nodded as she demanded that he just hold her. His head lowering to lay on top of hers. The whole world could come crashing down around him. But he could endure all of it as long as he was with her. They were just two piles of emotional mess that needed the comfort. This would only last one night. It was a shame. A darn shame. He would like to spend every night like this. He did not need any of the other stuff. Just this. Them holding each other. He then closed his eyes. He would do what Marx said. When morning came he would remain in his own quarters.

He tried to collect his own thoughts. Pushing them all away. This was all he needed ever. He pushed everything away. This was his only night... The only night night where she could be his and him hers. He did not want to ruin this moment by talking even more. All he did was hold her. Continuing the movement of his hands. He did not want this moment to end right now. He had a feeling she didn't either.
Once morning came, they would go there sepperate ways. He did not want to leave her side ever ,but in the morning he would be doing so. He was no longer her first officer, he was the Twin's.

He would return to being alone in his own quarters. The silent walls of his, the walls of quite memories that reminded him of how much alone he was. He did not like, he never did. He missed the company of someone,..... of someone special. Tristan stole the last someone from him,.. and he would not be close enough to prevent the next one he feared. For once in his life he was afraid for someone else. Not just his own. He spent five years in that floor of his, alone. He could make do with more years. What he would not be able to take though would be losing the one in his arms. He just hoped Craig and this Marx was enough.

This tower had a lot within it's walls ,but to him it has always been empty. Devoid of anyone willing to stand up for the weak. Ailen and Craig could never had done to Tristan what Silvia did. They were strong in their crystals, but not enough to stand up against him. Then she came into their lives and turned this world all upside down. Then he had to do something stupid and make the tower once more feel all so lonely. His eyes reopened and they where watery with tears. He felt he had already lost her. This moment, this place in time, was all he had left. He would charish this moment until the day he died. Hopefully that day did not come soon.

As the ship came down, kicking up a dust cloud in the process, Srath spotted someone he recognized. Mar'Krul stood to the back of the group, Srath smiled slightly, he was here one shipment earlier than usual. The ship bounced lightly as it landed, unbuckling himself he made his way to the rear of the ship once more, stopping in his quarters to retrieve his weapon from its locked case. Slapping a fresh battery into it he dropped the weighty weapon into the holster strapped to his leg. While there he pulled a small box from his desk, he could hear the liquid sloshing against the glass bottle inside. "I really don't know how you can drink this stuff."

Once in the cargo bay he lowered the ramp to the outside, the box held in his large, clawed hand. They didn't waste any time moving to grab the crates, always looking more than a little uncomfortable when they entered his ship. Srath could never tell what made them more uncomfortable, being in the ship or seeing him. He wasn't new to the concept, he'd been the only Rothian on his adoptive parent world, and children can be cruel. He shook his head clear, old memories had a way of taking root if you let them linger. Bringing up a smile he made his way down the ramp to his acquaintance. "Mar'Krul." He greeted the large man with open arms and a sharp and toothy smile.

"Srath'Thane." He responded with a similarly wide smile, reaching toward Srath with his large arm as he approached. Srath grasped his hand in return. "I was beginning to worry you'd never show."

"Well you know," He held up the box in his other hand. "Couldn't leave without this."

Mar'Kruls eyes widened as he saw the box. "How many of these do you have?" He took the box gingerly. "Every time you leave I fear it will be the last bottle you bring."

"I've told you before, two-dozen cases off-world but it's hard to move. That stuff is illegal on most worlds."

Mar'Krul gave a grumble and nodded. "Though I admit my presence is not for the reasons you assume." He reached for a bag he'd set on the ground, throwing a metallic object to Srath.

Catching it, he knew what it was before even looking at it. "A Cp-4?" He looked between the gun and Mar'Krul, a sour expression replacing the smile from earlier. "What the hell are you doing with a gun?"

Mar'Krul spat on the ground. "Some half fish man. He came at the request of traitors."

"Fish man? A Bast'ian." Srath paused as a he got that little rush when he found a lead on a bounty. "Did he have a scar? A long one along the back of his head?" Srath gestured with his figure, tracing along the back of his head.

"You know of him?"

"Yes, Braka, I ran into him a while back, he got away. How long has he been here?"

"A day. He was hiding in the tavern last I saw. Says the heat doesn't agree with him." He smirked.

Sraths mouth spread into a smile once again. Srath slapped Mar'Krul on the shoulder. "Next time I come back I'll bring you a case."

Srath ran into his ship, grabbing his restraints from his quarters. "Got you now."



Srath entered through the door of the low wooden building, stopping to let his eyes adjust from the bright sun. It always amazed him that no matter where you went in the galaxy, dives always smelled the same. He spotted the Bast'ian sitting at the bar, the scar running from the frill at the top of his head to the base of his scull. Srath looked around the room as he approached the bar, it was early afternoon so there weren't many in the tavern. Seven in total, five at one table that had been drinking for quite some time, two sat in the far corner talking quietly.

Srath pulled a stool from the bar, letting it scrape along the floor before sitting beside him. He could see Braka stiffen as he sat, still towering over him even sitting. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were the dumbest gun runner in the sector." He looked straight at Braka, his skin color had paled, he was afraid. "I mean selling energy weapons to technophobes."

He reached for something on his belt, trying to be quick. Srath grabbed the back of his head, smashing him into the bar several times. He jerked him to the side and grabbed what Braka was reaching for, he pulled the weapon from his belt. "A Cp-4." Srath shoved the weapon into the back of his belt. "You know these things are crap right?" The Bast'ians head lolled to the side, letting out a small groan of pain. "You know I'm starting to think you are the worst gun runner in the sector."

He heard movement from the far corner of the room. He bent his head around to see the two that had been sitting in the corner were now making their way to him, one moving between him and the door. "Well, see you got yourself some local muscle." Braka let out a moaning gurgle, blood running from the corner of his mouth. "Well said. Don't move." He threw the nearly unconscious Bast'ian to the bar floor, the half drunk group of five was watching intently expecting a fight.

The two were holding off, one in front and the other off to his right, waiting to close in together. "Okay." Srath raised his fists and widened his stance, claws digging into he floor. He subtly grabbed the stool behind him with his tail. "Lets do this."

They charged, Srath spun his body whipping the stool at the one blocking the door, it crashed into him and he fell hard. The second came in with a heavy right hook, Srath stepped into the blow, catching it under his left arm and pinning it. Not giving him time to adjust Srath slammed blows into his head keeping him dazed. He shifted his hold to slam him into the bar as hard as he could, there was a dull thud from his head and a sharp crack from the bar as it buckled. The thug fell to the floor completely limp.

The first one had recovered however and crashed into Srath from the side, pinning him to the bar and grabbing him in a bear-hug. Srath hissed as he strained against his hold but the bastard was stronger than he looked, only managing to shift him to his front. He tried pushing against that large man but he was lifted from the ground slightly, keeping his clawed feet from getting a hold on the ground. Srath felt his spine crack as he started squeezing harder. "Ah," He sighed in genuine relief. But it cost him, he couldn't draw in a breath. He vaguely noticed that the group at the table were booing, apparently they thought he wasn't fighting fair.

'Well if we're playing dirty.' He thought as his lungs were starting to burn from the lack of air. He angled his head down slightly, looking into the face of this python of a man, his face was red from the strain of trying to crush him. Srath saw confusion flash across his face before it was replaced by horror, evidently discerning Sraths plan just before he implemented it. Srath snapped his head forward, rotating his head sideways and opening is mouth in one fluid motion before clamping down on the attackers head, mouth filling with the taste of blood and sweat. Though it nauseated Srath it had the desired effect on the victim, he shouted in fear and let go of Srath, trying to pry his mouth from his head.

Srath released him, immediately kicking him away and gasping for air. "That." He spit blood on the floor, trying to expel the taste. "Was not cool." He looked at Srath in disbelief, blood running from the puncture wounds along his head. "Well you started it." He ran back in, trying to tackle Srath, but having had to bite someones face he'd decided that the day had been going on long enough. He sidestepped the charge drawing his weapon and firing from his hip into his side. His charge ran him into the ground as arching blue energy locked up his muscles, spasming on the ground for a few seconds before falling unconscious. The group had stopped booing and had resigned to grumbling in dissatisfaction.

Srath eyed them for a moment, wiping some blood from his chin, before looking for Braka. He'd tried to crawl away during the fight but had only made it a few feet. "Leaving already?" Srath grabbed him by his leg, dragging him to the door. He tried to grab for tables and chairs but he was still very disoriented from Srath slamming his head into the bar.

Once outside Srath picked the bleeding Bast'ian up, placing him on his feet, he swayed but Srath held him upright with one hand. "You need to tell me where your ship is."



Srath pulled in the now deactivated decoy as the autopilot on Brakas ship landed it in the valley, the sun framing the ship as it dropped below the horizon. Hopefully Craig was going to bed helpful and not look to closely at the flight log. He placed the decoy back in its hiding spot under the cargo bays deck plating. Once secured he checked on Braka in his cell. It sat in the corner of the bay, its walls having descended from the ceiling at the push of a few buttons.

"Comfy?"

Braka was hunched over the toilet that had risen from the floor. "Do you always fly drunk or is this a special occasion?" He slurred.

Srath was already on his way back tot he bridge though, taking off from the valley to the tower. Once he was a few kilometers out he hailed the tower. "Tower control this is N-16c requesting permission for landing."

A far more energetic voice answered his return. "Affirmative N-16c, what is your purpose for docking?"

"Refueling and delivery of a class 2 bounty. One Braka Sol. Please contact security and have them ready to take him into custody."

"Uh, okay." He sounded a little nervous and paused for a minute. "Okay, you are authorized for docking in bay twelve. Security should be there when you arrive."

"Roger that tower." The tower was coming into view, the HUD on the console highlighting the hanger he'd left earlier that day. Once in range the autopilot took over the landing in the hangar. As the ship landed alarms began sounding in the bridge, the display showed the intake on the underside of the ship, a 'Foreign Object' warning flashing on the screen. "You have got to be KIDDING ME!"

Silvias Private Quarters

Silvia kept her head buried against Ailens chest; weeping softly as she clung to him desperately in need of comfort. Feeling his head rest over hers and taking in his touch, the tactile sense radiating through the fabric of her shirt as he pulled her closer; the tears slowly subsiding there in his arms. Even though as she was encircled in his embrace and the lamenting over the nightmare was beginning to fade away she did not want to let go; she didn’t want to the moment to end. It was an alleviation from woes of a long ago past; she did not want to succumb to them once again.

“Stay with me tonight,” she whispered gingerly as her fingers trailed from around his shoulders to his cheek; gradually tilting her head back to look up at him as she cupped his features delicately in her palm. “I don’t want to be alone tonight, I can’t. Not after everything,” she continued, gradually rising closer to him, gazing into his eyes; lips brushing his with a feathers touch before kissing him softly. It was unlike the forceful one she had taken earlier in the day in the heat of a moment, this one was soft as a whisper and as delicate as lace. “Please.” A desperate plea escaping her lips into the kiss.

Leaning back slowly, her touch left his cheek; seeking out his hand on her back, lacing her fingers with his as she lowered herself to the ground. Taking a step back towards her room, hoping he would follow her and not leave her in the darkness to fend for herself this evening. “Just hold me tonight,” she whispered as she took another step back. Already being out of his embrace made her feel weak, she knew the nightmare would return once again and she could not bear to go through that again, not now. “Keep the memory away,” she said softly.

“Please,” she said as she looked up at him, towering over her. Right then, she just wanted him to be close to her; to sweep her up in his arms and let her find peaceful slumber in his arms. She stood there waiting, hoping that he would understand this one thing, even if it were just for this night; yet for him to understand she realized he would need to know why she was in such a frightened state of the night. Placing her free hand over his she closed her eyes, she opened her mind to his as if she was going to speak to him telepathically though instead of words she sent a single memory, one that had plagued her since she was small.

Once the memory had passed she looked away from him and took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she felt the emotions threaten to rise up once again. “Please…”

Mor Of the Altenia Tower Earlier In The Evening

“Craig, we have an incoming vessel carrying a class two bounty – Braka Sol,” the security officer sitting at the com said as he motioned over to the monitor showing Sraths ship coming into dock 12 within the depths of the tower. Craig rubbed his chin and nodded slightly.

“Very well, I will go down and retrieve the bounty, make sure a holding cell is prepped on the prison level,” he ordered before making his way to the elevator. Leaning against the wall of the elevator as it went down he crossed his arms over his chest. “That explains what was taking him so long to get back here,” he said to himself before the doors opened to the docks.

Walking out he wandered over to Dock twelves’ port and waited for Srath to emerge with the prisoner. That would make two Bast’ians in lock down in the tower; he wondered if this was the start of a trend. There were not many on Altenia but they all had a similar mentality to Tristan so he was not very surprised that another was about to be put in shackles. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that this was just the beginning.

Just like that,.... Just like that she shared the thing that gave her so much grief tonight. She had lost her parents. He followed into her bedroom. Perhaps she can keep his memory away as well. "For tonight,... I will be yours. Just tell me what you want me to do. " he said as he moved to sit at her bed. He then pulled her in. "I will always be yours,... In this world or the next" he said. He kept pulling her in. He wanted to show her his memory. Perhaps another night. Tonight,... It was her who would get comforted. It was her who would be held. As he pulled her in. He wanted to return that kiss. "You know,... My first kiss was right there in the Mor. The one you gave to me. I never got kissed by anyone. Until earlier today." He said. The confession was a small one. Probably not all that important. The moment she was close enough. His artificial hand touching her cheek. Her face, seemed so small compared to it. He leaned in, hesitating only for a second to see if she would let him. Then he continued. His lips touching hers. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. He pulled away only for a few seconds. "Do what you want with me. Embrace me, or kiss me. Do it now as long as you want. We will likely not get another night like this."

He moved his artificial hand into hers. The smooth metallic fingers moving in between her soft delicate ones. He then spun her around and pulled her back into his chest. He then kept his hand with in hers as he pulled his arms close. His face barring his face into her neck. His lips touching it. "Just tell me what to do and I will do it."