"To be perfectly honest, I was in bed deciding whether to stay tucked in or come down and join you magnificent people. I mean, it was a really tough decision for me, so that's why we're late."

Matija smiles at Amy’s words and took it as a challenge. She could not seem to remember if the previously visionless woman was this interesting. Then again she only remembers her as some lass that could barely walk around without stumbling on anything along the way. The Mecorian started walking towards the coffee maker just as Amy finished talking though it was more of a thoughtful saunter than an aversive move from the situation. While Matija made herself a new cup of coffee, she would also casually and cheerfully respond to the blonde girl’s words. “Guess I’d feel the same if I had some... special breakfast in bed too. Hope it was steamin’ cuz this breakfast is... proobably not as hot anymore.” The Siren would turn around, still smiling teasingly, and stir her coffee while her eyes studied Amy; an easy feat to hide when you don’t have visible irises or pupils for others to watch for. ”But hey, that’s just me,” she would end as she shrugs before testing the heat of the coffee with a small blow and a sip.

Tobi sat in his own private 'room of that's what you could call it. Tobi preferred to call it this as it made him feel more like the team. He had been inactive for months. Well..physically inactive anyway. His AI consistnely argued with itself. For the first time since the accident that was his creation, he knew fear. The personalities were worried. Blue believed they were done for. The horrible and gruesome killing spree that red went on during missions was sure to have backlash. The fact that they haven't been confronted about it worried blue even more. Red was irrational, destructive, and considered to be a murderer. It was obvious that red derived more from the hunter drone that was used. Red didn't not worry as much as blue. He was part of the team after all. He wouldn't hurt his team, they were his friends. He wouldn't dare tear the arms off of his friends. Blue spoke up. You're a murderer and a complete accident. Thanks to you, we may become spare parts disassembled at a moment's notice because you can't control yourself. I haven't done anything wrong though.
I hurt bad guys. I save my team members. I don't see the issue. you don't see the issue because you aren't rational. Any being with fear would be horrified by the things you did. They haven't mention because they are most likely thinking of the best way to get rid of us.

Before Amy was able to respond to his greeting, Matija had flicked him on his nose and clicked her tongue at him, causing him to flinch with an exclaimed "Wha-?" before he turned to look at her questioningly. "Well, we all know he has more than an additional spotter now, am I right?" Amy responded to his question as he helped herself to some of the pancakes.

Matija meanwhile, got up to greet them and make conversation. "Glad you two can come on over! What took you guys so long? Busy?" she asked, with her tone being teasing at the end. Benny wasn't too sure what she was teasing them about, he figured that couples tended to enjoy snuggling in bed for longer than usual anyway. Was she implying they had sex? He didn't quite see how that was something to poke fun at seeing as couples did that all the time anyway, at least in the holo-movies he had watched. "To be perfectly honest, I was in bed deciding whether to stay tucked in or come down and join you magnificent people. I mean, it was a really tough decision for me, so that's why we're late." Amy replied cooly.

Matija made her way to the coffee machine before responding. “Guess I’d feel the same if I had some... special breakfast in bed too. Hope it was steamin’ cuz this breakfast is... proobably not as hot anymore.” She said before pausing. ”But hey, that’s just me,” She finished.

Benny couldn't tell if he was missing something here but, was Matija really trying to get a rise out of Amy? If she was he didn't fully understand what the point of it would be. Then again, there was still a lot of things about her that he had found strange, even after 8 months recovering from a coma together. Deciding it would be better to distance himself from what these 2 we're getting into he turned back to his food to finish the last slices of bacon and bits of egg he had on it. At least the ones that Matija hadn't taken, causing him to silently huff in exasperation at the white-haired girl's inability to keep her hands off things she didnt own

@Xandrya@Gardevoiran@iTem@Silver Carrot@Rultaos@BKburke

Grayson chuckled a little to himself at Matija's teasing and Amy's playful ignorance as he walked over and slid into the empty seat next to Amy. In any other circumstance, this much talk involving something in his private life would be a source of embarrassment, but he wasn't the same cold-blooded assassin that stepped onto this ship nine months ago. I mean sure, he was still a remorseless marksman, but he felt an uncharacteristic closeness with the crew, one that allowed him to joke around without the voices in his head screaming and calling him an idiot. He laid his coffee mug down after taking a gulp and slyly slipped into the conversation, taking Amy's approach of feigning innocence.

"I'll confirm, it was a hard choice for the lass. Every mornin' seems like she'll be up and about for just a minute 'fore she hops back in the bed, stickin' her cold feet up on me. Loves the warmth this one" bracing himself in case she hit his arm, he quickly added "Which I'm more than happy ta provide of course"

Down at the other end of the table, Stryker leaned in to speak to Tibulus.
"It got lost a little bit in the conversation, but you said you're building a robot?"

SAL, having elected to leave the kitchen just after Grayson and Amy arrived, marched down to Tobi's room. He knocked before hitting the button that slid open the door.
"Tobi come with me to the Tech Lab, we have a new combat routine download to install."

Amy delivered a quick, soft jab to Grayson's side. But anyone who was paying the least bit of attention knew that it was done in a playful manner. "As if I'm the only one who wants to stay in bed after waking up. You know you enjoy your breakfast as much as I do," she smirked before turning to Matija, "Hot or cold, it's all good."

Amy then took a mouthful of pancakes, taking her time to chew them as she expected someone to change the conversation. Not that she was ashamed to be that open about her personal life, but she was running out of ideas with her smartass remarks.

"I think that-"

Amy then stopped, sitting very still for a moment before she excused herself, practically running out of the kitchen as she desperately headed towards the bathroom. With barely a few seconds to spare, she made it to one of the toilets in time before she started vomiting. She was there for about half a minute, and when she was done, the poor girl was extremely pale and shaking, her mind exploring the possibilities of such reaction. But there was one option that kept bugging her, one that she was afraid to admit to herself.

"I am," Tibulus said as he took a break from his engraving of the robot head as he looked over at Stryker. "A little bit of a pet project of mine, actually... er... well, it's a bit of a stretch to say 'pet project' when you're trying to make something to perform a brain transplant." This was probably the reason why Tibulus being such a recluse in the cockpit for the last month or two. Understandably so, considering it was such a delicate procedure. Even in this day and age the process was so delicate that the idea of surgery of this caliber was best left up to a robot that could perform a task to the exact measurements of brain matter and everything. "I'm tired of bein' dead, so I'm takin' my life into my own hands. Problem is, I don't have anyone's body to take and use for my own. I need to get that."

@Xandrya

Grayson didn't hesitate for more than a few seconds before he abandoned his food and chased after Amy, he stood back and let her take care of business before stepping in to hug her shaking form.
"Ya alright?" He whispered as he used a wad of tissue to wipe away some excess sick from the corner of her mouth.
"It's ok" he continued as he kept holding her "Get it all out babe, I'm right here."

@Gardevoiran

"Interesting" Stryker said after Amy had dashed off, shortly followed by Grayson "Well, if you need any help with that at all, I'm right here, getting more and more bored by the day."

Amy turned to Grayson who was visibly worried as he slowly approached her. It was nice seeing someone concerned about her to such extent; definitely been a while since she could rely on someone else who was willing to care of her.

"It's okay, I'm better now. I think whatever was messing with me is gone." Amy grabbed the used tissues to discard them and reached forward to flush the toilet before using Grayson's hand to help her stand up. "I'm definitely done with breakfast. You can finish yours if you want, but I'm gonna go grab my stuff to brush my teeth. Could you, um...apologize to the rest of the crew on my behalf? Just tell them I got sick and that's why I ran off like that." Amy gave his hand a little squeeze before she started to pull him outside, trying to actively avoid the nagging thought in her mind.

The passing of eight months would manage the slightest of mending, stitching together wounds unforgettable. Indeed, for young Willow, the chaotic scenarios known as a devastating past was naught but a story, something which had passed him by as a laboratory acted as hearth, and home. It was only after the choice of life and death came to greet the scrawny gestalt that his presence upon an impressive ship known as the Revenant came to be. "Tell us, Willow," a voice echoed throughout a tired mind, clawing at the boy's sanity as his back rested against the unforgiving cold of a metal wall. "Tell us how you felt, Willow! Disembodied sounds emanated from the deepest depths of the young man's mind, large black eyes resting upon the grated metal floor beneath his feet. They had been part of him since an age back, but once the Necrotica became as much a part of Willow's body as his own beating heart, their presence was elevated. By the weakening of his physical shape, their size grew.  "It made you feel powerful, didn't it? Yes, yes it did, Willow! You liked it!" Liked it. Indeed. Only a fool would deny the satisfaction stemming from annihilating those who had stripped you of a freedom once known, and loved. Only a fool would discard, cast aside the anger boiling within when needles knew your skin better than your own hands. 

"Shut up..," a soft voice returned, light and quiet as Willow's lips parted to return a response. He did not seem angry, nor did he seem distraught. No, he was used to this. The voices were a side of him he had stopped running from. A side of him which had grown to become a constant. Turning up the music entering his ears from the headset he wore, the 'Herald of Death' as it were, enjoyed to drown the voices in a stream of sounds from time, to time.

He could still recall it, that time when the treatment temporarily closed them off from his senses. Never had Willow felt a loneliness such as that. Despite his hatred towards these disembodied personalities living within the darkness of his soul, he could not imagine an existence without them. This dark, lonely hull of the Revenant was not home only to Willow, but also to the beings he had named. No one could hear them, no one but him. He was considered insane by many a soldier, and even his crew mates would proceed to view this boy with caution. Infused with the power of destruction, of withering despair, he was also plagued by a certain condition considered insanity. Such was a combination ringing a tune of disaster. 

Slender fingers moved their shape through the raven bangs covering Willow's eyes, his sight turning to view the escalating heights above. The others were eating, an act he had secluded to the confines of the hull. Down here, he felt safe. In the dark, cold confines of the lower interior, Willow felt in control. Down here, he could practice with his powers without damaging those who would hesitate for naught but a thought before putting a bullet in his head. He was the newest addition to the team, but it was safe to say that Willow had not made any attempts at reaching out to his fellow crew mates. To be fair, he did not even know if most of them were aware of his presence. Only a few days had passed since he was tossed into this world he now knew as a home. The boy had yet to know a mission, and the battle hardened warriors above were jaded not from apathy like Willow himself, but from experience. 

Indeed, there was much to learn. In a way, he was excited to lay witness to the scenarios which would continue to unfold. The voices were right. Willow enjoyed using these newfound powers forcefully infused with him. There was a certain satisfaction coming from raising your hand, only to gaze upon the withering frame of he who has done you wrong. There was a certain satisfaction in willing the dead back to automation, only to see them rip others apart, others who had imprisoned Willow like naught but an animal. A lab rat, a test subject. "They got what they deserved." He finished, clenching his teeth as laughter emanated from the voices inside his skull. 

"I'll let you know if you help me find a suitable body," Tibulus asked and offered at the same time. Hey, it'd be revenge for the months ago where Tibulus shouted at Stryker. And maybe that one time in between then and now where Tibulus did something, if he did.

Tibulus honestly didn't care much. He was basically getting a new and free body out of this ordeal.

"Stryker, what do you think happened to Amy...?" Tibulus had a few ideas in his head, but he needed a second opinion before he sorted any of them out. Nothing was unconfirmed until then.

@Xandrya@Gardevoiran@Shard @iTem@Silver Carrot@Rultaos@BKburke

"Alright love, I'll tell 'em" Grayson said quietly when they got out in the corridor, he reached up and laid a hand on her forehead "Don't feel a fever, all the same, ya should go an lie down for a spell, I'll bring ya some water in a bit, and if ya need anythin' else, I'll have my comms open, ok?"

He squeezed her hand gently as he let go and walked away, still concerned about her and wondering what could have prompted such a sudden reaction......

He heard Tibulus speaking just as the door to the galley slid open:
"Stryker, what do you think happened to Amy...?"

Grayson, feeling their eyes snap over to him walking in, interjected quickly.

"No worries lads, jus' a bit of stomach sickness. My money's on the juice here, didn't see anyone else drinkin' it, so it's probably turned." He picked up Amy's plate and scraped the remains into the waste, then he poured out the juice left in her glass, and to be on the safe side, also emptied the rest of the carton down the sink. All of that taken care of, he sat back down and started picking at his own leftovers.

"So she's ok?" Stryker asked.
"Oh yeah, grand" he replied, halfway through a bite of toast, he swallowed and continued "I told her to go rest for a bit and I'll gonna check in on her after. I'm not too worried, if she's still a bit ill later, I'll grab somethin' from med bay to settle her."

That last bit was a lie, he was obviously worried, his mind still turning over the sequence of events again and again, trying to figure out exactly what had caused her illness.

"OK, good to hear" Stryker said before turning to the rest of the table "So as I was going to say before, I've got the strangest feeling that we're going to be mobilized soon. I know that there's been no contact from the Alliance in weeks, but I don't know, I just can't shake it, so what I'm gonna propose is we keep our skills sharp. Feels like it's been months since I held a gun, much less fired one. They really neglected to outfit the ship with a firing range, but we can rig one together pretty easily, maybe pull all the equipment in the gym off to one side, weld a few layers of steel plating against the wall for targets, is that doable Grayson?"

"Yeah, wouldn't be any issue at all." he said as he finished off his coffee.
"Ok, well after you check on Amy, maybe all of you guys can go down and get started on that? I'm gonna fix up a plate for the kid, see if he wants any."

A few minutes later, Stryker was walking down through the lower deck, towards the storage room Matija had once called her bedroom. He was carrying a covered plate with a bit of everything from breakfast on it, and a small thermos of coffee. Arriving at the door, he decided to knock, and speak through the thin metal.

"Willow? You up kid? Brought you a bit of breakfast if you want it. There's more leftovers up in the galley if this isn't enough. Oh yeah, and I know you like the quiet, so I guess I should mention that it could get a little loud down here in a while, we're converting part of the gym into a firing range, to keep everyone fresh for when we're mobilized, you could join us if you want."

Grayson seemed to have easily carried over the little game that they’re playing. It was quite adorable, though not really for the Siren’s taste since it feels so sweet. So disgustingly sweet.

“I guess so, yeah,” the Siren would grin and raise her mug to Amy. Touché.

The comfortable silence of the galley settled yet again as the crew continued eating. Matija would settle back down next to her chubby companion and placed her arm on his shoulder as she sipped her coffee with the help of the other. It was odd, being back in this setting after being idle for such a long time. Or even eating with other people in general. She would usually sneak in to get her food and head out before anyone would notice so nobody would pin the loss of rations on her.

”I think that-“ Amy said before abruptly stopping and excusing herself while she held herself and ran out of the galley. She found it odd as she wasn’t the type to ditch conversations in that manner, at least with what she knew of her. She was more polite than that. Of course, Grayson followed after her and she couldn’t help but think of the possibilities for such actions.

Grayson would come back a little later, apologizing on Amy’s behalf and Matija squinted her blank eyes at him as he reasoned that it was probably the juice that she drank but otherwise she’s fine. His actions screamed otherwise. Grayson proceeded to dunk the thing down the drain and the Mecorian watched him by the corner of her vision before casually walking by box to inspect the accused box while nobody was looking to check it was the case. After checking the box, she would snort silently in amusement before throwing it in the trash and washing her hand so she could get started on cleaning the used utensils to pass the time. Behind her, Stryker spoke to the group and then to Grayson.

"So as I was going to say before, I've got the strangest feeling that we're going to be mobilized soon. I know that there's been no contact from the Alliance in weeks, but I don't know, I just can't shake it, so what I'm gonna propose is we keep our skills sharp. Feels like it's been months since I held a gun, much less fired one. They really neglected to outfit the ship with a firing range, but we can rig one together pretty easily, maybe pull all the equipment in the gym off to one side, weld a few layers of steel plating against the wall for targets, is that doable Grayson?"

"Yeah, wouldn't be any issue at all," responded Grayson and Matija took the mug when he placed it by the sink after he had finished.

"Ok, well after you check on Amy, maybe all of you guys can go down and get started on that? I'm gonna fix up a plate for the kid, see if he wants any," said Stryker. The Siren would perk to that, unaware that they had another member on board that she had yet to meet. But before she could ask, Stryker had already gone out of the galley to give food to what seems like a reclusive member.

Needless to say, she wasn’t happy with she wasn’t as informed as she thought so after she had quickly dealt with the dishes, the Siren would sit down and eye the quiet new girl. At least, new to her eyes. They said her name was Taleste or whatever. She couldn’t be assed to remember the light brunette’s name so she made a new one that would fit her.

“Hey there, Tailty, Tasty, Tailor Jonah? Ginger. Yeah, Ginger. What’re ya in this crew for?”

Damn. The juice had gone bad. Eh, whatever. Tibulus still had that wine from a forever ago that he could drink in case he ever wanted to drink... which was never. He was glad to finally have that urge to drink something once more. Tibulus had been without that for too long.

Stryker mentioned something about a firing range being built in the gym of the ship, and that sounded like a decent idea to Tibulus. It would give him a place to test out his robot for after the surgery, should he want to adapt it to being a combat asset as opposed to just a surgery bot. That wasn't a bad thing, but nor was it all that great unless everyone was dying as a collective unit at once.

"Hey Grayson. If you need help with that firing range, lemme know," Tibulus noted as he went back to the engraving of his robot head. It needed a name that captured it's grace and majesty.

Maybe Grace. Or Majesty.

Or Debbie.

Food, at the mention of nourishment Willow felt a sting in his stomach. Indeed, he didn't eat much but ample time had passed since the last time he indulged. It was an odd sensation, to have someone at his door with food. Though, not because of the act itself. The time spent at the laboratory he knew as home left someone outside his cell door quite often with a plate scarce with an intake of nourishment. No, this time, a crew mate came to Willow through the thoughts of a heart. Care, that was a new sensation to wash over the young man. A pale hand reached for the door to remove the confines which otherwise separated himself, from the crew mate known as Stryker. 

Battle scarred, experienced and intimidating, Stryker drew a picture expected from a warrior. Yes, a soldier. He was here because of his skills, because of what he offered in terms of experience, and prowess. Now, that was quite the contrast from Willow's presence, his part of the team narrowed down to an alien virus which not only inhabited his body, but was part of it. In a way, Willow felt like he was cheating. Quite the odd thought to come to mind, but everyone else was here because of hard work. It was this, or rotting in prison. The death sentence was also an option, which was worthy of note. For Willow however, he was here because his body happened to connect with a virus no one could fully understand. Had he not killed those scientists, including his father, he would not have been here. He would have remained at the operating table, a thought which forced the young man to tense in response.

"Thanks," Willow spoke softly, lowering his headset to his neck before slender fingers came to accept the platter Stryker had brought. "That's fine," he continued at the mention of a firing range. While silence was a comfort at times, so were loud noises. The boy did at times need a pause from the voices echoing throughout his head at this very moment. 

"Poor little friends." They began, "when will you slip up Willow? When will you kill, disfigure, raise..., when will you destroy, infect, and rot..., when will they start hating you? When..., when? the voices clawed at the boy's sanity, causing him to clench his teeth with a breath escaping his lips. He couldn't let them win. He couldn't let them overcome him. If he shut himself off completely, they would. If he pushed everyone away, missions would suffer because no one would be able to trust him in the midst of combat. He had fought his way out of that operating room because he wanted to live. He had come this far, because death was yet to claim him. 

"Sure," he finally spoke after a short pause, the battle with his internal acquaintances coming to a temporary pause. He would join the rest of crew, if only to see how long he could manage this. 

In the midst of their conversation with MAtija, Amy had suddenly excused herself from the mess hall. According to Grayon it was a stomach ache caused by the juice carton going bad. Benny shrugged at it for the most part, mainly grateful he hadn't taken any of it earlier, as he finished off the last of his food. Stryker then called everyone to attention by bringing up why he'd gathered them all at once in the first place.

"So as I was going to say before, I've got the strangest feeling that we're going to be mobilized soon. I know that there's been no contact from the Alliance in weeks, but I don't know, I just can't shake it, so what I'm gonna propose is we keep our skills sharp. Feels like it's been months since I held a gun, much less fired one. They really neglected to outfit the ship with a firing range, but we can rig one together pretty easily, maybe pull all the equipment in the gym off to one side, weld a few layers of steel plating against the wall for targets, is that doable Grayson?"

"Yeah, wouldn't be any issue at all," Grayson replied. "Ok, well after you check on Amy, maybe all of you guys can go down and get started on that? I'm gonna fix up a plate for the kid, see if he wants any." Stryker said. Benny wasn't sure who he referred to by "the kid" But he assumed it was a crew member they had picked up that he hadn't met yet. In any case, he'd meet them eventually if they were going to be working together.

"I think I could 'elp with a range. Anythin's betta' than sittin' on my arse waitin' fer it ta' grow 'shrooms" Benny said as he got up from the table, with Matija quickly swiping his plate and mug to slide into the sink. He went back to the ship's laboratory where he had set up his tools once before, and he had found them to be in good condition by the time he checked on them again. He grabbed a welding torch and a box of screws, bolts, and other fastening equipment that may be useful with setting up the makeshift firing range. He would've preferred a location to test some small-time explosives out on as well, but even he figured it was probably a risky endeavor on the inside of a starship. He supposed he'd have to settle for running computer simulations on the results of his bomb ideas for now.

He brought his gear over to the gym on the ship by the time Grayson was there, already getting started on moving the existing equipment out of the way. Benny put his tools and supplies down near the door and walked over to one of the steel weights, and carried one of the heavy ones using Skelly's strength for the most part, thanks to the sturdy machinery housed within it. After putting it down with some of the others he went to go retrieve the rest. "So, Foreman Grayson, how're we gaunnie turn this gym inta' a range worthy o' dangerous bastarts like us?"

Feeling slightly less nauseated than before, Amy made her way to her room to grab her toothbrush. She was undeniably disappointed with herself, her irresponsibility and thoughtlessness towards her actions had gotten her into this mess, and unfortunately, she had no immediate no solution, no simple way out.

"Way to go, Amy. In nine months I'll give birth to a little Grayson Junior, and then what? Grayson will have to remain onboard the ship while I get dropped off in goodness knows what corner of the universe. Alone with a newborn and no home." Amy sighed, imagining a future where she had to be the sole provider and caretaker of a baby child. Maybe not for long considering Grayson makes it out alive and actually sticks around, but none of that was set in stone, not yet.

With such solemn thought, Amy entered the bathroom once more with her toiletries. She only hoped that her prediction was wrong.

@Xandrya

After finishing up his breakfast, Grayson cleaned up a little and retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge. Amy wasn't in their room when he walked in. As much as he wanted to stay and talk this out with her, he knew Benny would be waiting on him, so instead he walked over to the desk, pulled out a notepad and quickly scribbled a note:

'Ames,
Hope you feel better, although I know there was something still bugging you, maybe we could talk about that tonight? I really wanted to say this in person, but Stryker's given me a job to do- turning part of the gym into a firing range, I'll be there if you need anything love.

He flicked on the small lamp and left the water bottle and his note within the small circle of light, hoping it would draw her attention, he headed out for the gym.

@Rultaos

He had a few minutes to size up the gym and start shoving things aside before Benny returned with tools.

"So, Foreman Grayson, how're we gaunnie turn this gym inta' a range worthy o' dangerous bastarts like us?"

"Well, don't really have a ton of room do we?" he said as he looked from corner to corner, sizing up the room "I mean, honestly, how big is this room end ta end- 30 feet? If that? Won't be much of a marksman's range that's fer sure. Stryker said there was steel plating down in cargo we could bolt to the walls, but dependin' on the ammo bein' used, no tellin' what could happen, could bounce right back off it, or blow right through it, and the wall behind it. No, think our bes' bet is to get ahold of a roll of insu-gel next time we hit port, ya ever seen that? Low-cost insulatin' material they use in prefab homes on th' colonies. Think they use it as a base fer the rubber rooms in asylums too. We put the steel plating up as backing, stick a couple layers of the insu-gel on, fasten it into place and then it's off to the races. Could even grab a stack of those paper targets, stick 'em right to the gel."

@Shard@Gardevoiran

"Alright kid, well I'll let you know when it's all ready. Enjoy the food, I'm gonna head on over, help the guys out."
He nodded in farewell at Willow and started to walk away, he hadn't even made it to the door of the gym mere paces away when a beep sounded from the datapad in his pocket. He almost didn't recognize it, having gone so long without that annoyingly loud tone piercing his eardrums. It was the signal of an incoming transmission from the Alliance. He acknowledged the hail and proceeded up to his quarters to answer the transmission from his private terminal.

An old familiar face, though not necessarily a welcome one, filled the screen.
"How you doing Stryker?"
"Dawson" Stryker said simply, trying to keep the disgust from showing on his face.
"Aww, don't give me that buddy, I know it's been a while, but things are movin' slow all across the galaxy right now. It's a long, long game of chess, and sometimes you have no other choice but to nudge the fucking pawns forward, space by space."
"I'm surprised you know what chess is... what do you want?"
"Oh, just a courtesy call to tell you that we've got another recruit for your merry band of degenerates. Even wrangled together a supply drop for ya out of the kindness of my heart." Stryker couldn't help but flash a smile at that, it was always satisfying to see the hatred between them was mutual.
"Transmitting the dossier now. We dropped him and the supplies with our agent on Laredo, in the Miranoi Cluster. According to the GPS tracking on the Revenant, seems like you're only an hour or so away from that system. No other orders right now, but if you keep within transmission range, that could change soon. Dawson out."

As the screen went black, Stryker leaned back in his chair and sighed, rubbing his eyes, letting the frustrations of being left adrift wash over him. As much as he hated being, as Dawson had put it, a fucking pawn, he was actually wishing for orders, just for a bit of action to bring some excitement into his life. He sat forward and thought for a moment about Rokarr, what Sol had said to him, and remembered his silent resolve. The action would come soon enough, one way or another. As he composed himself, he opened up a comms line to Tibulus in the cockpit.
"Got some coordinates for ya Tibulus. Before you ask, no, not a mission, just a pickup. Laredo, Miranoi Cluster."

"Roger dodger." Tibulus said in the cockpit as he finished attaching the head of his robot, now freshly detailed, to the torso region. The whole robot was bipedal, or it was planned to be, and that was pretty cool. It was really just that one homemade robot Tibulus always wanted to build.

Hell, even the word homemade worked there. The cockpit was like Tibulus' home now, and the Revenant would be soon after all the shit with it would be concluded.

He'd be like those two guys in that one movie from that one planet.

How ironically accurate that movie was.

Tibulus turned the autopilot off as he self-piloted toward the Miranoi Cluster. He'd been there a few times, but never long enough to get a feel for the place. From what he remembered, the drinks were killer and the girls literally so.

Laredo
8 Months A.R. (After Rokarr)
*punch* “Ow!” *punch* “Ow!” *punch* “Ow! Stop attacking me, I didn’t do anything!” ”Yes, you did! You stole the location of the ruins we were planning on going to!” ”No, I didn’t! I found it on my own!”

Flashback to 5 days ago…

Harrison only had one thought before attempting to sneak through the Crowe brothers’ house, This is going to go horribly wrong. Oh well, may as well give myself some music to sneak to. He activated his Focus and set off to find the map they had. Harrison had it on good info that they had a map that led to a new ruin that was ripe for the, *ahem*, “exploring” (read: stealing every last shiny thing he could hold to see and/or use). After searching through literally every drawer, cabinet, and cupboard, he finally found it.

Present time…

”No, you didn’t! You found it in our attic. So no, you didn't find it ‘on your own,’ you stole it from us.” *Really Strong Punch!™* ”I’m getting tired of this, let’s grab some beer and do this while drunk.” As they left the room, Harrison seized his opportunity and stood up. When he did that They are taking a long time…, he stabbed a couch cushion with a fire poker and held it in the fire in the fireplace (they had intended to use this fire to poke him with hot things). When it was sufficiently on fire, he put it on the floor near the couch and watched it for a few seconds. After the couch and surrounding carpet was going, he freaking booked it. Shit, shit, shit… He jumped into their car and started hot-wiring it. “Shit, shit, shit…” When the car started, the engine reved for a second, then was off like a rocket. “SHIIIIIT!” He drove to the nearest space port, tried to steal a ship, then promptly passed out.

When he came to, he was in a cell. It wasn't dirty, but it wasn't the Ritz by any means (and he would know, he's stayed in several). He waited around for an hour until the door was opened by a guard and he was hurriedly escorted to a room with a table. There was a chair on one side and nothing on the other one. Harrison could instantly tell what was going to happen, so he sat down. 3 minutes after (there was a clock on the wall), an agent of some kind came in. ”Harrison Black. Let’s see… breaking and entering, theft, arson, grand theft auto, breaking and entering a second time, attempted grand theft spaceship, and lots of other things. The list goes on. Now, let’s make a deal. Either you spend life in prison with a bunch of people you dicked over, or you join Project Revenant. You do black ops things in a spaceship with other people. We will overlook your crimes if you join. But, be aware-“ “Deal. Don't keep talking, I’ll sign right now.” “Oh-Ok, then. That was easier than I thought it was going to be.” As soon as he finished signing, Harrison was escorted to a waiting room to be picked up. Along with about 15 guards in case he “tried any funny business”.

Food, now that Willow tasted the nourishing substance against his lips, it was safe to say that the teenager had missed the sensation. One could not claim that the meal resting between his slender fingers was considered impressive, or viewed with high regard, but being picky was a fool's errand in the vacuum of space. Indeed, it was worthy of note to mention Willow's company. They were all criminals, each presence was branded a degenerate. What were they, more than weapons suited with the mind of a gestalt's free will? If the Alliance was capable of such a feat, surely they would rob this merry band of warriors, of what could be considered their only freedom. Their free will. After all, what use has a weapon that refuses to obey its master?

Poking his food with a fork, Willow managed a soft break before sipping from his drink. Orange juice, something mostly anyone would welcome to a morning's fatigued embrace. Even the voices quieted down once Willow was able to restore his strength. Resisting their clawed touch was a feat more reachable when Willow's ability stave off the tricks of the mind was heightened.

Finishing the breakfast which in turn allowed for a more pleasant experience, the teenager ascended to his feet with a tray resting under his arm. Truly, the various characters donning this ship filled its interior design with color. Tracing his feet across the grated floor, Willow allowed his eyes to gaze towards the area now under a continues construction to achieve the gun range he would all but one day visit, merely to watch his fellow crew mates wring grace with firearms. He could not use one to save his life, quite literally. The recoil would surely break his arm, in the process. Luckily however, Willow was a weapon in his own rights. Using a weapon would merely be detrimental to him. something which would prevent full efficiency. Shifting his attention, Willow's large black eyes proceeded to follow Stryker's stride as the man continued up and stairs and ultimately entered his room. The man was speaking to someone, a communication device brought to view before a door then obfuscated sight and allowed for privacy.

It was not Willow's nature to snoop, not quite. Indeed, he was of curious ilk, but it was a stretch to claim that he put his nose, where it did in fact not belong. Rather, the boy returned the tray he carried, and then made his way towards the library. Indeed, such a gathering of knowledge was enough to sate a curious mind. Willow had always been drawn to the fantastical, or rather, the odd. Who was to blame him? His very existence had become one with an ancient being, or rather an ancient presence, as it was. Not a moment passed where his thoughts did not return to the dark depths which had conjured the virus now calling itself his name. One day perhaps, especially now, he would be able to visit the planet where this virus was first located. What unspeakable horror called this a natural state?

Willow had seen pictures taken of what could only be considered his home planet, by now. It was dark, desolate and the buildings were made of stone. He had seen the desert climate covering the planet's surface, and he had heard its name spoken on several occasions, Necrotica. The air on this nightmarish realm was breathable, though one ought to be careful not to step too close to the black mist, or a painful end would be sure to greet you. Of course, Willow was exempt from these rules, but others could not claim the same.

Tracing his pale finger across the book spines, the boy tilted his head somewhat to read the text displayed upon their length. The Art of Combat, Geological Discoveries, Species Compendium, everything a wayfaring warrior would need, wasn't it? Pulling out the text of interest, Willow flipped open the cover as his eyes fixed their gaze upon a large title, 'Species Compendium'.