NationStates Jolt Archive

Space, the final frontier? It's not hokey, its true, and there is just so damn much of it, that we can never see or experience it all...but isn't that the thing about the journey, that it's the journey, not the destination?

But enough philosophy. This is about what is supposed to be a short journey, something probably the equivalent of the three hour tour.

But we all know that nothing ever goes as planned.

The ship sailed up from the planets surface looking like nothing more than a slender silver dart, until it rendezvoused with the rest of itself currently waiting on the far side of the moon. Now the Hamadryad (http://www.atddm.com./dryad.gif) was much larger, and much better equipped for the long - distance wise at least, even if the trip would take less than a full day in total - journey home. Once reunited, “With my badder half” as he liked to joke, he was nearly three times the size he had been on Earth, with engines capable of taking the starcraft out to the Frankel Limit so that the first Gate Jump could occur, ‘Dryad did a mental shake down, looked about to see if the coast was clear in a not so metaphorical sense. The Empire had enemies, and some wouldn’t hesitate to strike at the Imperia through the act of bringing harm to the Dowager Empress and her friends. And then there was always the rather mundane problem of pirates. Various groups had tried down though the ages to end the scourge of piracy but pirates, whether planet bound or having the nearly infinite freedom of space, were like roaches – they survived. Fortunately he also had the lastest weapon, shields and armor available - to a ship his size.

Satisfied for the moment that nothing that meant active harm to his charge the ‘Dryad moved out quickly reaching point nine five cee, he’d hold it there for an hour or two. He was equipped to make micro jumps, but they generally weren’t advisable close to inhabited planets.

Michiko, the Dowager Empress made the call, advised the various offices that needed to know such things that she was making a hop home, and to let Midgard know she was coming, but unofficially, so please NO pomp and even less circumstance.

Aeryn, her emerald green eyes alight with good humor and curiosity, led David to the ‘Dryad’s small but state of the art med bay and began taking samples of his various fluids and tissues. He would never feel the prick of a needle however. The sampling was all done with micro aporters, ‘teleporting’ small amounts of blood, pancreatic, hepatic, and kidney fluids, among others, directly from those organs. Blood came directly from his heart and cerebrospinal fluids from the cushion of such that surrounded the brain.
While those were being analyzed, she asked him to make himself comfortable in one of the many ergonomic chairs set about the med bay and to please “Tell me everything you know about the serum, and how you feel internally, how it seems to you, to be altering you” Her slender forest green skinned hands poised over her note padd, ready to capture every nuance that David used in his reply. Aynerianns, a humanoid appearing race from the Andromeda Galaxy, were excellent medics, in part due to their sensitivity to their patients.

When Michiko finished with her various calls, she went to check on how Cindy, Tasha and their children were doing “If there is anything you need just ask. Aeryn should have David back to you shortly. We won’t make the first jump until after we’ve cleared Michaevelli's Station. It’s safest not too jump too close to inner, or inhabited, planets” She explained to the two women.

Michiko, who was required by Imperia mandate to have a minimum of two Cadre with her at all times, smiled as she saw the absolutely lethal pair playing contentedly with the children, keeping them entertained. They'd learned long ago that she wouldn't tolerate them in armor or armed more than discretely. That didn't matter, a Cadre's greatest weapon was never those they carried.

She stayed chatting with the two women, answering any questions they had about their destination, for she wanted to give Carlos time to digest all she had told him. Michiko found that she liked Carlos far too much to want to see him hurt.

"it brings out our animal instincts, super hearing ,smelling, speed,strength healing and eyesight thats the one all males have a small amount in their blood, what i have not said to them all is the Secret police injected a different serum into me then the one use to bring out the animal instincts in our troops" David stops for a min

"what they injected into me brings out all what i said, but all so let who ever had it in them change so they said as they put it into me as i try to get free, oh they only had one needle full of it as i find out later going into their files and then deleted it so no one finds out about it"


-----------------

Carlos takes a seat and thinks on what was said to him
"so what i have feelings for her'he said to himself

-----------------

"this is all odd , but David dose say there more things out there we don't know about"said Tasha

Cindy just sits there watching what was going on

Aeryn took careful notes, often politely asking David for fuller explainations, and finally she asked "By change, do you mean the ability to shift forms?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michiko nodded as she answered Tasha's comment. There was a conspiracy of silence towards many nations that had tech levels below a certain point, or had little to no contact with non-terresterials. "We don't want to give nations things they aren't necessarily ready for, we've learned that interfering can do more harm than good. So when we are around such people we do our best to seem as they are. It's not fair otherwise."

She looked over at Cindy, who had been very quiet, "Are you okay Cindy?"

Aeryn took careful notes, often politely asking David for fuller explainations, and finally she asked "By change, do you mean the ability to shift forms?"

"so they said and what i read, and just after the war end i started to fill my body try to do something which i'v been fighting back and i just hope the kids are not going to end up like this " said David



Michiko nodded as she answered Tasha's comment. There was a conspiracy of silence towards many nations that had tech levels below a certain point, or had little to no contact with non-terresterials. "We don't want to give nations things they aren't necessarily ready for, we've learned that interfering can do more harm than good. So when we are around such people we do our best to seem as they are. It's not fair otherwise."

"we just got cold fusion power plants so we doing ok on tech"said Tasha


She looked over at Cindy, who had been very quiet, "Are you okay Cindy?"

"just thinking about David as us"said Cindy

"we just got cold fusion power plants so we doing ok on tech"said Tasha

"The histrorical cultural science types say that is the breaking point, if you can get there the rest is all gravy. Thats good to know. I hadn't wanted to pry too deeply." Michiko was cheered to hear that.

"just thinking about David as us"said Cindy

"Our medical tech is first rate, the Empire will be able to help him, and we can always ask the Xa, they're ahead of us, but then again they've been around several billion years" Michiko sought to reassure the other woman.

"so they said and what i read, and just after the war end i started to fill my body try to do something which i'v been fighting back and i just hope the kids are not going to end up like this " said David


"Why are you fighting the change, the shift into another form?" Aeryn was honsetly curious. Every form shifter she had ever me, though that wasn't hundereds, had enjoyed their shifting ability.

Else where one of the ships stewards asks Carlos if he'd care for some dinner, as it was nearly that time back on Earth. " I can bring you something here sir, or you might wish to enjoy what is being served in the dining room."

"because you can't change back it a trojan horse weapon change kill get killed when hunted down"said David



--------------------

Cindy nods her head deep down her and Tasha could feel there was more to Davids mood change after the third Imperial Helghan war


--------------------

"as long it's not a MRE just bring what you want"said Carlos

Aeryn looked at the results being displayed on the data padd before her. "Yes I see that it has changed the DNA, but thats not unfixable. I think they can alter it at the University so that you and your children can shape change at will, though I don't know if it will be multiple forms. It may be found that you can just change between one animal form and your human form."

She found herself appaled to hear that the man before her would have been hunted by his people. "You mean your people would hunt you? That's terrible, uncivilized." Then she blushed a deeper shade of green "My aoplogies, I didn't mean to insult your culture"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A soft knock and a young stewardess entered to advise Michiko that dinner was being served. She rose and looked at Cindy and Tasha, her heart going out to them. "Please, have hope. The Empire's scientists will be able to fix everything. I'm sure of that. Would you want to have dinner here or in the dining room? My chef is very good and he loves cooking for new guests so I know where ever you chose to eat it will be delicious." Once they had made their choice she excused herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Carlos is disturbed once again by the sounds of some one setting up a dinner table.

When she was finished Michiko came up to where Carlos was sitting, from behind. "I think you will like this better than MRE's what ever those are."

"it's was a weapon made by evil poeple who want to take over hell they were used kidnap woman as birthing vectors in they'er own evil Birthing Programme to make a army"

at this time David had got up and was standing near a wall

"hell they head of Secret police put his own Wife and Daughter into it hell i killed the first SP commande born from them and end a year hunting down all Secret police " David finish this talk by place his fist into the wall

"look it's not uncivilized they doing it for they safety ,like we fight to keep our lands and keep our love ones safe and i would not want my kid "

David stops talking then turn and looks at her his eye were glowing red not the standed yellow when the men use their animal instincts

"i just can't hold on no longer" he said as his clothes rip as he Change into well a werewolf one would say like his kids would when older


-----------

"dinning room plaese"said Tasha as she picks up her to kid as Ciny picks up hers

---------

"Meal, Ready-to-Eat and one gets sick of living on them at the front"said Carlos

Can North Calaveras join in?

OOC No

Aeryn stood quickly moving away from David, to give him room to move, and to better observ his change. As she stood dhe picked up a hypo speray and dialed it to administer a strong sedative, should David have unpleasant side effects, or lost control. The doors to the medical bay were armored, and he wouldn't be getting out on his own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The dining rooms decor was elegant but not stuffy and the staff was attentive. Tasha and indys children wwere set in a booth and kept happy with small games and easy to eat kid friendly finger foods, while the ladies were presented with a variety of finely prepared dishes to chose from.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michiko shuddered "Oh that sounds terrible. My chef is much better. Please, would you join me,... or would you prefer to eat alone?" Her offer was hesitant, she didn't want to intrude if Carlos didn't want to be around her.

David was stll fighting the Change when he looked at Aeryn

"get out before it's too late" David said as he fights the urge to rip her apart

--------------

"this is something"said Cindy as she joy the meal and watch they kid joy theirs
"indeed "said Tasha


-----------

"Please i would be happy to join you"said Carlos with a smilie

David my Cobber your right i have found myself a Valkyrie though Carlos

Aeryn merely shook her head and backing away, reached out to a control on the wall. A shimmering, but transparent force field sprang up between them. "Now you are safe, and don't have to fight it David. I promise you we will be able to change you back, and fix it so that when you change it won't hurt or make you insane." She held up her data padd, to show him. "I know you aren't really able to understand this, but these latest results show that it is a serum we know of, or close enough to it that it makes no difference. We can alter it. I can't here, but at the university they can." She hoped she was able to make him understand and have hope.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michiko's smile was brilliant and she held out her hand to him. She knew he would know how to escort a lady to dinner. Looking up at him from under her lashes she found herself wanting him to kiss her. "I'd love for you to escort me to dinner." She said demurely.

Carlo takes Michiko by her arm and escort her to the table and pulls out a chair for her to seat on

---------------

David was long gone now, only the beast he now is stands in front of Aeryn and it was thinking on how to get to her

it lets out a howl as it throws the nearest thing at her only to hit the force field

Michiko lets Carlos seat her and watches him as he takes his own seat across from her.

There is a lightly spiced fruit sliced thin over crisp garden greens as the first course. "This is Sago apple, it is supposed to enahance the appetite, it is steamed in wine." Michiko tells Carlos a little bit about each dish.

There were thick filets of Mega- Bison "The Bision aren't related to the Buffalo of Eath, but they taste similar. Mega Bison weigh about two and a half tons and have evil tempers. They'll kill smaller animals seemingly for the fun of it, and when they stampeed they are almost unstopable." Michiko commented as she cut into the perfectly cooked steak. "We tried ranching them but it was just too much trouble. Now they make marvelous 'big game' hunt targets. They're very wiley, and dangerous to track."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aeryn watched David closely, ready to trigger a fast acting gas if it seems necesary.

"hunting been dead for a long time back home and this in a nice meal"said Carlos as he takes another bit of his dinner

------------------

still working out how to get to Aeryn the thing that was David start to work at the walls ripping what it can out and growling and howling as it dose

"It's too bad that there is no hunting in your homeland. We learned to keep large areas wild even before we left Earth." Michiko commented as she sampled the various vegatable that accompanied the rich Biosn filet. She explained a bit of the history of Tanara.

"Two hundred and fiftey thousand of our founders left Earth in 2175. Yes I know thats in the future, but it gets even stranger. This Earth, the one you and I just left, isn't the Earth they left. Their colozination efforts beyond their Earths solor system was in it's infancy, and the technology to use naturally occuring wormholes was very primitive. THey had every one in suspendsleep and the ships rather primitive computers took the ships into the wormhole on automatic. However part way to their destination a rogue black hole started warping the path of the wromhole, and sucked the convoy of six ships through it and into a parallel universe, this one."

She took a sip of the ruby hued wine that went very well with the meat and vegatables "And they also found them selves very far from where thye had intended to esxit the worm hole. One of the ships was destroyed outright, and the other five badly damaged. The crews were woken up and they managed to find a star system with habitable planets and they limped the ships there under sub light drive. That took over two generations. They landed on Midgard, now the capitol planet of the Empire. They were so relieved just to have a wonderfully 'terran' like planet to inhabit that they spent the next five generations doing just that, before looking back out to the stars. They hadn't lost any of their technological capability, and thus it was easy.., OH!" Michiko exclaimed with surprised displeasure as she didn't look as to where she was setting her wine glass doen, and managed to spill wine all over the lovely cream colored summer dress she had changed into after their aborted swim earlier in that day. She jumped up from her chair, away from the remaining trickle of wine, and wiped at the the large stain that had formed.

"Oh rodentia! Carlos, I'll be back in a moment. The one thing tech hasn't managed to overcome are wind stains on cloth." She gave him a blushing look, upset at her clumsiness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Aeryn watched David try to demolish the section of the room he was trapped in and sighed. Toggling another control she watched as the area behind the forcefield silently fill with a colorless, odorless gas. A gas that would gently put David to sleep, but not harm him in any way.

Carlos listens
"sadly Imperials and Helghans play hunt one another at the border and don't think it ever will"said Carlos
-----------------------------

the thing trys to fight the affect of the gas but passed out hitting the floor with a sicking sound


----------------------
when David change the kids had started to play up but went silent when he pass out

"what in hell going on"said Cindyholding both of her kids in her arms

"something happen which they Sense"said Tasha holding her two as well

After Michiko left, Sir Truluck stepped in and regared Carlos sternly. "I'de like to know what your intentions towrds Michiko are. She is laike a daughter to me and all of those how know her love her fierce and will not see her hurt. When Valkai was slain he grieved deeply for a long time. She is not one to give her affections lightly." The Avatar cautioned.

"And we will kill to keep her from being hurt" His eyes were cold and it was obvious that he meant every word.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The instant David had had fallen Aeryn lowered the force field. With the aid of several hastily summoned medical assistants she lifted him on to one of the floating medical beds, fully equipped with medical sensors. "Oh David, I am so sorry this had to happen. We'll get it fixed I promise, and your children as well.

"well i'm in lover with her, and i have not felt like this for a long time fact only my first and only girlfriend have i felt like this" said Carlos sadly

-----------

thing growl as it sleeps dreaming only death of humans as it dose


--------

"think we better put them to bed and hope what ever happen dose not happen again"said Tasha with a worrying tone to her voice

"yes and i like to see David to if he ok as it should not take this long"said Cindy

"Michiko is too special to penned up in some back water country where you have to get the rulers permission to leave." His look let Carlos know what he thought of that,'for their own safety or not" and of special police who had wrought such evils as had been done to David

"I know she has told you much about herself, but there are things not even she remembers." Sir Truluck continued as he handed Carlos a data padd. "And I am sorry for your loss. Many think that A.I.'s can't truly feel emotions, I do have to tell you that that is untrue. I know what it is to love and lose the one you love. Now if you will excuse me." The Avatar gave Carlos a half bow and left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Cadre who had been playing with the children earlier offered to watch over the children if Tasha and Cindy wanted to go see David. Others offered to escort Cindy and Tasha to the medical bay.

"my father was in the middle of shutting them down when David found what was going on and what do you mean evils done to David"said Calos look what was given to him

---------

"yes please do"said Tasha and Cindy together

Sir Trulucked stopped at the door and looked back. "If you really want to know, come with me."

**********

Michiko , returning from changing clothes, and now in a very simple n avy blue wrap dress that showed off her figure perfectly, saw Cindy and Tasha being escorted to the Medical bay. "Oh yes I was wondering how Aeryn and David were coming. Did you enjoy dinner?"

Soon they met up with Sir Truluck and Carlos. She looked questioningly at the data padd in Carlo's hand but said nothing concerning it. "I'm sorry that took so long Carlos. It's good every one has come at this time, Aeryn can make her report just once then."

Outside they all found seats in the waiting area, as Aeryn was still in with David, but was expected to come out any minute with a report.

Carlos,Tasha and Cindy all sit and wait to see whats was happening

"so what going on you think"asked Tasha looking at Carlos

"i don't know"said Carlos as he takes a sip from a canteen of water then starts to read what was given to him

After a few minutes Aeryn came out and looked at the party, her face grave but smiling..

"David is sleeping now. We had to use a sedative gas on him after he had a uncontrolled shift. I have finished all the tests and can assure you that the University of Life Sciences at TerraNova will be able to reverse the undesired shift, or be to alter it so that the shift is consciously chosen"

Michiko listened, her face just as grave, but she was glad to hear that the Empire would be able to do what she had all but promised it could.

"uncontrolled shift"asked the Girls with puzzled looks on they'er faces

"what did they do to him doc"asked Carlos with a odd tone to his voice as he drop the data padd at his feet

Aeryn looked at David's wives, puzzeled for a moment and frowning in confusion, then her face cleared and apology shone in her eyes. She looked over to Carlos, unsure of how much she should say, and these were his subjects.

"The serum he was given is different than the standard one that the men in your military were given. He should never have been given such with out complete disclosure and understanding of the outcome" Aeryns voice was cool, and held an accusatory tone. Scientific and Medical ethics was one of the linchpins of her life, and to have been told of scientists that had done what they had in the 'birthing vectors' and creation of the serum.
Aynerianns might be very dedicated to the priniciples of peace, but their race knew how to fight. And to hear this made the gentle healers blood boil

Michiko went to stand at Carlos's side, picking up the padd he'd dropped.

"so they had two serums,the one we made up our mind to keep and use it to help us then to use it for evil and one which they must of tested on David when he fill into they'er hands when he went and checked out the Jacutan islands after he got wind of something going on there"said Carlos then he let a long list of swears words in Imperial

"can we se him"asked Tasha

Aeryn looked over at Carlos, seeing if he would raise any objection "He's not human looking right now, due to the shift"

She looked back at the two women, she could see their distress. "I don't know if you should" She said uncertainly.

Michiko wasn't paying much attention, she was busy reading the information on the padd.

"girls stay here let me be the one to see"said Carlos looking at them

"ok"said the Two as they hug to comfort one another

"good well doc lead the way"said Carlos

Michiko swallowed hard at what she read, then set the padd aside as Carlos said he should be the one to go in. She moved slwoly over to Cindy and Tasha hoping to bring them some comfort with cheering words. "If Aeryn says David can be set right she means it."

Aeryn nodded encouragingly as she led Carlos through the door and into the Medical Bay. "We have him restrained, just incase his enhanced metabolism kicks the gas sooner that it's rated for." She kept her voice low as she led Carlos to Davids bedside, then withdrew slightly to give Carlos some privacy with his frined.

both look at her not saying much
"we we"Tasha stops she could not say what she want to say


-----------------

"by the Gods and Goddess what the hell they do to him"said Carlos looking that the werewolf David

"Those backwards evil idiots used a incompletely understood experimental serum on him, one that untill we can fix him, will have him trapped in this form and going mad with the need to kill. The people who did this are abominations, and in my society would be executed for such evil." Aeryn took a deep breath and calmed down somewhat "We can fix it to where he does not have the need to kill should he choose to be able to shift when ever he wishes. Or we can take the serum out of his body completely. You are his Lord yes? He is not capable of making the choice himself, so you will have to make it for him."

Outside Michiko urged Cindy and Tasha to sit back down, trying to reassure them "What is it you want Tasha, please don't be afraid to tell me."

"he never told us what they did to him but i know why he all ways there helping when we hunted them down when he could of just left it up to others to do the job"said Carlos with a tear in his eye


"i'm his friend lord but leave it he all way us it to help others like when he saved a baby in burning house in another nation"said Carlos

"mm add a whole new meaning to zhas vith"said Carlos to himself


---------------

"we don't want to lose him ,when he was way at both wars we fear that we would lose him "said Tasha

Aeryn nodded, making a recording of Carlo's request.

"They can take the madness from him, he will be perfectly sane, and able to shift back and forth as he choses, though it will only be the Crinos form, as he is in now, full Lupine and human. The serum has damaged his DNA in a way that will only be alterable into the three phase form shift rather than a full shape shift."

She let Carlos watch over David a bit longer then urged him to go, that David would be in good hands.

Out in the waiting area Michiko hugged Tasha and Cindy "You won't lose him, I promise."

Carlos walks out and look at was going on then goes over to a window
"why" he said as he looks out the window

Space in all its glory hung beyond the view port, the thick, but totally transparent armor dimming not the distant stars fire, and the closer planets more mellow glow, one bit.

"Why what Carlos?" Michiko aked as she gave David's wives another reassureing hug, then moved from Tasha and Cindy to stand beside him.

"why the Gods and Goddess pick David to have that Evil done to him ,oh yes i seen what they did to the Woman and others but what they did to David far more evil and i think he never really going to say what happen to him"asid Carlos with tears running down his face

Her arms went around him with out hesitation as she sought to comfort him. Carlos was nearly seven inches taller than her, and strongly built, but Michiko found that holding him did not feel at all awkward.

" I don't know Carlos, and yes as it is now it is evil, of the worst sort, but evil can be turned to good. David seems to be a strong man, and strong people tend to keep their pain to themselves, and I know how frustrating that can be." She whispered as she looked up at him, her heart going out to him.

She found herself going up on tiptoe to kiss away his tears.

Carlos blinks then hugs her back
"when i place under him in nam i hated him as he out rank me but when he saved my life the first time that change how i felt about him"said Carlos as he feels her lips kissing away his tears

Michiko blushed and settled down from her tiptoes, letting go the hug.

"I'm sorry Carlos. Perhaps I should give you some time with Cindy and Tasha, they are very worried about David, and I think I am intruding." Michiko murmured as she stepped away from him. She'd give them some privacy. She had her own thinking to do. Quietly she picked up the padd and headed out of the waiting arrea.

Carlos sadden with the lose of Michiko body next to his nod and goes over to Tasha and Cindy dose his best in telling them of what happen

"those Monsters those Bloody Monsters"yelled Tasha falling to the floor crying along side Cindy

"why"asked Cindy lifting her head up with tears pouring down her face

Michiko went to her state room, and hurled the padd onto the immense round bed that occupied the center of the room, which itself was round. Concern for David, though she knew, after Aeryns announcement, that he could, for certain, righted, made her dispirited. The information on the padd further added to her dejected discontent.

Even a long soak in water as hot as she could stand left her feeling out of sorts and she climbed out of the tub and threw on a long, figure hugging gown of ivory satin. Determinedly she sat and brushed her long dark hair a full one hundred strokes making it gleam.

Not even that helped and she found herself in the 'Dryad's library looking for a book to read.

Carlos just told the girls he did not know why him or way the SP went down that road before he help them to they'er room to rest


was he fighting the change right through the war or did it just started this month,and they have it too when dose it start for them Carlos thinks to himself as he look in on the Kids before heading on

and Michiko that just eivl too how could he do that Carlos now thinks as he just walks around the ship

Michiko found that a book couldn't hold her interest, and she let it fall closed on her lap as she just sat in one of the library's comfortable chairs. She didn't know what to think, she didn't want to think, and eventually she fell asleep in the chair. Slowly the "Dryad dimmed the lights till the room was mostly shadows and let Michiko sleep.

Carlos had found a spot that out of the way of other and was now in deep meditation and talking to copy of himself

he is strong and caring he well make it

yes he is and all ways there when need

he knows that you fallen in love with Michiko as why would he say you find yourself a Valkyrie

he is right i have fallen in love with her and still do after learning all that stuff

you know he would ask what taking you so long

i don't know why i have not told her yet may be i still have that fear of losing someone again

the copy of Carlos fades and copy of David now show up

thats way of life it happens, like what happen to me but i moved on and not let it stop me with my life and yes i will never tell what fully happen to me

you are right and i guess you never will David

i'am not right all the time i'am some what still human after all what happen

the girls are worrying like hell you know

i can feel it in my heart that they are

you know why yourself

no and we will never know the answers of why

saddy true

Carlos go find her and tell her how you feel

Carlos bring himself out of the meditation gets up and goes off to find Michiko

One of the "Dryads's stewards saw Carlos wandering the ship and approached him " Sir, can I get you some hot khokolat, or cocoa, or coffee? We have some hot from the oven pastries as well if you'd like a late night snack."

The staff hasd been very unsure what to make of these particular guests. The Dowager Empress seldom had visitors aboard, and these were the first from outside Fatal Terrain.They seemed to be very nice people and the children were utterly delightful.

"may be later right i must talk to Michiko and get something off my chest"said Carlos still think on what the copy of David said to him


------------

in they'er room the Girl's toss and turn in their sleep due to dreaming of Daivd who in the mean time just awaken and was trying to get free

David awoke but found that it would take much more than just strength to get free. However the second jump is imminent and for the moment the MedBay suite that he is in is empty.

~~~~~~

Certainly sir, Please feel free to ask for what ever you wish." The steward replied politely then left Carlos to his wanderings.

David just growl and howls try to get free and not caring that he hurts himself
Carlos himself would say David would that if he was his human self as David did not care to locked up

---------------

"thank you i will do"said Carlos as he use his animal instincts to sniff the air to find the one he loved

Braden was the psionic engaged to be part of the Dowager Empress's retinue, and until the last jump had been set had been kept busy making sure that nothing went wrong with those jumps. Now he was free and interested in the troubles one of Michiko's guests was suffering. He listened carefully to Aeryn's explaination and offered his help "He'd hurting himself and thats not right. I'm not very highly rated in redaction, but I've had the basic courses. May be I can help him calm down, so you don't have to sedate him."

Aeryn agreed to let him try.

Quietly Braden Wntered the suite, his mental gifts reaching gently out *Hello David, I'm Braden, I'd like to help you, if you'll let me* He sent telepathically.

Carlos's abilities will lead him to the darkened Library, where Michiko sleeps restlessly.

a tired voice speaks to Braden

"i can give you a hour before i lose my body back to it"

-----------

Carlos can see Michiko sleeping and did not want to wake her so he takes off his letterman jacket and quietly place it over her as she sleep before leaving the Library

*I can help you fight against the madness, the need to kill and destroy. You are still in there, you just need a chance to control it And I don't know if you were able to understand, but when we get to the Empire, in just a few more hours, they will help you , help you so you can change without the madness, the blood lust.* Braden replied mentally. He showed David in his mind what he would be able to do, the three different forms - fully wolf, but a wolf the size of a large pony. Crinos, Half man, half wolf standing nearly ten feet tall, massively muscled but agile. And as himself fully human.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michiko stirred and woke as Carlos laid the warm jacket over her, and her voice was soft with sleep "Carlos?" She looked around but couldn't see Carlos as he was already at the door. "Is that you? Is something wrong?"

"i'm tired i've been fighting this change and the war at the sametime huh but i wil not give, lets regroup and plan"

------

Carlos turns back to face in

"it's me Michiko nothing wrong just want to say i love "said Carlos

*I can sense your tiredness. You fought it for a long time. I can help you if you are willing to trust me.* Braden offered. *However Shift Happens (http://www.atddm.com/shifthappens.jpg) as my university roomie liked to say when he found himself so upset that he inadvertantly shifted. Here let me show you how to control the rage, the need to kill. It's just a short term thing but it whould hold till we get you to the University* Braden showed David, mind to mind, how to lock the rage, the need to kill away. It wasn't easy but it wasn't beyond David strong will.

~

Michiko stood and folded his jacket over her arm as she walked over to him. The ivory satin gown (http://www.atddm.com/wsgown.jpg) flowed like water as it wrapped her figure. She stopped, with their bodies just barely touching and looked up at him from under her thick eyelashes. "What did you say Carlos, I'm not sure I heard you right. I thought you said something about love?

"i've taken the ground and not going to give up the fight of holding it "
the fight for the boby could be clearly seen by those watching

--------------

the fear Carlos had stop him saying i love you to Michiko but this time with her so near him he was going to fight it

"Michiko i love you"said Carlos as he push ahead pushing the fear aside

*Don't fight the shift David, fight the madness, let the body take care of itself. Changing shape doesn't bring on the desire to rend to kill, that is the serum trying to over power you, your goodness, your basic nature* Braden urged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Carlos, we haven't even known each other for a day..and our differences are scarcely conducive to love." Michiko didn't want to hurt him. But she wasn't sure he was sure of what he felt. He had told her so little of himself, while she had openend herself up to him more than she had to any one in a long time. She took a half a step back, the better to see his face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

However as she did so the "Dryad heaved, like a horse bucking and alarms sounded, flashing red throughout the ship.

***We are under attack*** The Dryad's A.I. announced as the crew rushed to their stations. The ship was heavily armed and armored - for it's size - and all it's systems were state of the art military grade but he was not a full fledged warship.

"elgg mina, elgg mina dos zhaun dos ssinssrin ichl ji fridj elgg mina"

"no you can just go to hell this my body not your so get vith out of it"

David mind go silent and body stop moving

--------------------

"we can take our time getting to one another"said Carlos

"vith this where we could use David right" Carlos said listening to the A.I

"I don't know Carlos. The areas of space between jump points is so unstable usually that no ships dare hide there, wait there." She was a little frightened but intended to stay calm.

A hologram of the Dryad's A.I. appeared in the library. "Michiko, there are at least three warships of unknown design closing with us. Some who they are managing to target us depsite the interference of the jump gates. I have sustained damange in my engineering section and I am unsure if the drive is capable of taking us safely though the jump gate." He advised her somberly.

He then added "The capitol ships have lunched some sort of smaller manned vessels, and though over ten of them have been lost, four of them are close enough that they are safely in our shadow. I anticipate a boarding maneuver." The A.I. paused a second and advised that "Two more have imploded due to the stresses they must be barely over coming."

Michiko looked up at Carlos " I think we'd better get to the armory."

Then she gave additional instructions to the ship. "Dryad get Davi's wives, the children and all non combatnats to the secure core area. Every one else armor up and draw weapons. I authorize the release of the Point Singularity Weapon. Take the war ships out Dryad, no mercy." Her voive was stern.

"That will destabilize the jump gate for hours Lady" The A. I. warned.

"I know" Michiko replied as she took Carlo's hand and ran from the library heading for the small armory.

"the girls can fight when the kids were two weeks old and they were with them at IMHQ they kill a number of Helghan Spetsnaz who threatened the kids and themselfs"said Carlos as Michiko leads him

"Good there are weapons in the secureity core that they can use to defend themselves and the others. I didn't bring my full security team with us. There has n't been any threat level updates in months."

They got there quickly "Dryad. how long till they are here?"

"Five to ten minutes, but they lost another one to the grav fluxes. That leaves on but it's large enough to hold twenty four raiders in full armor." The ship replied as it dodged more fire, and other hits ablated against the shields. "Shields down to sixty percent, that first strike damaged the main generatos, we're on back ups."

Michiko just nodded she was throwing open locker doors as her two Carde entered and began armoring up. "Carlos, I have some light power armor that should fit you. Have you ever worn power armor before?"

"er no just the stand Imperial Military Dragon Skin body armor"said Carlos confused about the armor



------------------

"odd feelingt his new body"said David looking up at the roof and feeling what was going on

"Oh we have unpowered soft armor, and it will be a lot easier to fit to you quickly." Michiko nodded and showed him a locker full of Empire soft armor. It was only about the thickness and weight of heavy sweats, but as flexible as a light tee shirt and jeans. It was about five times more effective than Dragon Skin was and could cover Carlos from the neck down, with long sleeves, and gloves were available as well.

"Unless they are just out to kill us, which is unlikely, ransoming back live and mostly unhurt bodies is much more profitable, they'll be using 'soft slugs' - ammo that won't go though bulkheads and such, and will just know out the perso it hist- the round carried a neural charge that when it hits, short circuts your synaptic connections and you pass out. It takes a few rounds to get though that armor though." One of the Cadre explained as he threw on his powered armor.

"I want you two to take the bridge, don't let them take over the Dryad. Carlos and I will take care of ourselves."

"But Lady." The other began to protest.

"The bridge and our bridge crew are very vulnerable, I want them protected with out best and that's you two. Send the other security to the engineering compartments. And make sure that Tasha and Cindy are armed as well."

She tuened to her own locker pulling out her own custom armor, like Carlos's it was soft armor, but she had the hidden benefit of the Paladin nano armor next to her skin. She wished she had some to give Carlos, but the Paladin armor wasn't commonly available, and had to be keyed to the wearer.

Carlos put on the gear then stops

"they want to take our homes and our lands ,but we not going to let them have it, What we will let 'em have is a belly full of lead, and a pool of their own blood to drown in! Am I right, Man" said Carlos as he think's then goes back to finishing gearing up

The two Cadre look at one another and nod. They have orders that come from higher than the Lady they would give their lives to protect.

Michiko who is busy armoring up is unaware that they have bracketed her.

"Lady Michiko?" On asks and as Michiko turns toward him the other slaps a Quik Drop patch on her cheek. Michiko barely had time to curse before she was collapsing bonelessly into the first ones arms.

"Sorry Lady but the Empress told us to keep you safe and joining in a ship holding action is not that." The one who caught her said sternly. He looked over at Carlos.

"We have a special life ship waiting for her. If the ship gets taken her and eight others get boosted out and through the nearest jump gate and to the nearest planet. You with her or with us?"

Carlos saw red at what he saw and throws a knife at the feet of the one who hit Michiko

"you ever do that again next time i wont throw it at your feet it be your leg now get her out of here and free David and lock that area he in "said Carlos

The Cadre han't even really touched Michiko, he'd 'struck' her just hard enough to get the patch to adhere to her face, though he'd had to do it so fast that it looked far worse than it was. He had hit her no harder than one would pat a childs face. But he knew that the young man could not have really seen that, the move had been too fast.

"Prince Carlos, if I'd ever really hurt Lady Michiko..I'd kill myself first." He said as he departed carrying Michiko.

The other one just nodded at Carlos "Good, you care. Now here, this wicked looking thing is a tribarrel. They may want to keep us alive, we're going to kill them without hesitation, right?" It was't a question, but a blunt statement, as she proceeded to show Carlos how to use the devistating weapon."

"you don't have a sword bayonet around do you"asked Carlos holding then odd weapon in his hands

The woman laughed but it was kindly laughter "No but I have a extra pig sticker, for all the good it will do you. Look Kid. I'm in Cadre armor, it will take a plasma weapon, or better to get though it." She searched her memory for something she'd seen back on Earth. Look kid in this I'm first cousin to a main battle tank. no knife save maybe a force blad is gonna get through. and while the wee beasties about to board us aren't in anything near as good - simply 'cause there isn't anything near as good, what they'll be in will be armored enough."

"Thats why you have the Tribarrel. The laser to abalate away some of the armor, the pulsar to shred through the rest and disruptor to finish the target off."

"so i can't slit their throats"asked Carlos looking at her as put the weapon over his shoulder
"guess shooting them it has to be then" Carlos then add

------

Tasha and Cindy look around that those who are with them

"so we are under a attack by thugs and are we going to be safe or what"asked Cindy

"my love we may or may not be, but i'am not going to lay down and die with our a fight"said Tasha

"If you can get the armor off'a them, you're welcome to slit their throats, just don't be thinking they'll stand there and let you either." The Cadre finished sealing her aromor and hefted her own, even more powerful than the tribarrel, weapon.

"Look" She tapped the touch screeen display on the wall, and the deck plans for the 'Dryad came up. "You don't know this ship. Jon and I have drilled through there so much we could do it in our sleep. But right here" She pointed to a spefic place on the diagram, just aways down the hall from where they currently were "This is the last open area before the Security Core where Jon's taken the Lady, and the other non combatants already are. It's got decent places to barricade youself and if it looks like you are going to be overwhelmed you can fall back to the Core - thats the lifeship Jon mentioned - and blast free of the "Dryad. You staying and dying may sound heroic, but dieing doesn't keep the Lady and the others safe. You aren't alone in this. Most of the crew is combat trained , they've been armoring up in the main security locker near where the Tangos have to dock, so those bastards will have a hard time getting to you, but they may end up with the man power to overwhelm us."

Jon reurned from taking the unconscious Michiko to the Security Core where he had left her in the care of Tasha and Cindy. "Die if you have to but don't die stupid. If you all can make it off the Dryad in the lifeship it will take you through the jump point and to the nearest habitable planet. It's got the best rescue beacon there is and eventually some one will come for you. We've gotten off a distress call, it's just we are way outside's anyones borders right now and a response is going to take time we don't have."

Else where in the Dryad the other security personell finished armoring up and headed for their preassigned positions. The enigneers and bridge crew worked hard to repair the damange the ambush ahd down, and to try and evade the ongoing attacks. They mostly manged to evade, but their repairs were minimal, some major systems were close to failing completely.

In the medical bay...

Braden had to pick himself up, after the ship heaved, one handed, the other was at a horridly awkward angle, obviously badly broken. He'd have plenty of bumps and bruises and since he was seeing double he might also have a concussion he thought, as also he'd been unconscious for a few minutes.

"Braden, David we are under attack." Aeryn cried as she forced the door open, the auto opening sytem having failed. Only the emergency lights were on in the medical section. "Hurry we need to get to the Security Core." She looked at David "Your wives and children are already there."

Carlos looks at the map running a finger over the map as he think's on was said to him

"how about laying a trap for them here and here"asid Carlos pointing to two spots on the map
"should cut them down a bit giving better odds" he then add as he still taps the map


In the medical bay David looks at Aeryn,then Braden before he talks

"they are safe but still in danger i fight to keep them safe, i will hold my ground till i can no long hold it or i'am reforcements or order to fall back"said David as he shifted his shape in front of them

"as i have done before as thats how i 'am" David add in his new shape of half man/half wolf


in the Security Core Tasha and Cindy both in messy clothes as they slept in what they were wearing, keep watch over the unconscious Michiko at the same time they can tell by watching the kids that they'er scenes told them their father was up and about

"he must be up but is he still mad"asked Tasha to Cindy
"lets hope not i don't want him hurt because of it"said Cindy back

The two Cadre gave one another a look and in unison nodded approvingly. Jon spoke for them both "you got a good eye kid. Thats were we plant to amubsh the hell outta them. Most of our people will be concentrated in those two areas. More will be there and here" He point4d to two more spots. Beth has the bridge and I'll take engineering. Those two places are the second and third most important places, the Security Core being the first of course."

Aeryn looks at David and shakes her head. "David, these pirates, they will be in armor, armor that your claws can'[t penetrate. And I don't think we have any armor that will fit you. You seem to be in control for now, lets get to the Security Core and you can held defend those who aren't combatants from there. And if you start to lose it I can sedate you to keep you and every one safe." as she speaks she starts gaterhing up packs and filling them with supplies. "The lifeship is well stocked but it never hurts to have more. Braden, I'll fix that once we get to the core."

"Okay, but sling one or two of those packs across my back. I can't hold them, but I can carry them

"we Imperials learned a thing or two from the Vietnamese about body traps in a bloodly war that both sides now know should have not happen"said Carlos as he opens and close his left hand as he talks about it

"dam'it then only small number of years of peace then we were at war for our home soil" Carlos add still thinking

came on Carlos think what plan of attack is need here




David look at Aeryn as he think over plan made up in his head as fast as he could think of them
"right give me what i can carry, once i get hold of a weapon i'am going hunting"said David as he holds out his arm to carry what packs he could carry as he thinks

think David what in two wars have i learn that i can use against a enemy who out class you in ways you never meet before

"We can get you weapons from the arms locker near the Security Core, David. They aren't the most powerful ones on the ship but they are designed to be easy to use, also your companion Carlos may be there if he's not in the life ship with Michiko." Aeryn said as sdhe slung two of the packs across Bradens back and handed four to Daive, keeping three for her self, but not the heaviest ones. No hers had the moer delicate equipment that could be packed up.

She led the way past others of the ships crew who were getting into position. Not a one of them turned a hair at the sight of David in Garou form.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Two minutes till they arrive, and most of my shields are gone. The attacker's main ship is getting close enough not to miss more often than not, but they areusing up missiles at an astonishing rate" The ships AI informed every one.

"Good Hunting Carlos " The Carde wished him as they left at a trot to take up their possitions, one in engineering and the other on the bridge.

Carlos nods his head and takes up his position on the front line of the battle that was about to happen
"bring it on"said Carlos to no one but himself as he stacks some stuff up to shelter behind



-----------

David falls in behind Aeryn carrying the bags she had given him and not paying much note to those around as he answers her back

"he be there as he is imperial and we go down fighting "

David take notes of what the AI said to them as they walk

"Say goodbye, as we dance with the devil tonight,Don't you dare look at him in the eye, as we dance with the devil tonight?" said David which oddly was beening said by the two girls at the sametime as David said it as they keep watch

Aeryn, Braden and David will come upon Carlos, as they have to pass his position to get to the Security Corre.

"They got Michiko in there?" Aeryn asked knowingly of Carlos as they met up with him. She knew of the orders from the Emperess to keep Michiko safe.

Carlos looks at Aeryn
"she in there"he before looking at David

"are you all there"he asked David as he looks him up and and down in his new form
"just holding it back so if i go you know what to do"said David as he points to the middle of his forehead
"don't want but i must if it needs be i will do it"said Carlos as he place a hand on the David shoulder and looking into his friends eyes

Aeryn went on past into the Security Core, and began stowing the equipment she carried. Once doen she went to check on Michiko and the others.

Braden stopped to look back at David. "Look I can put a block in your mind, it wouldn't completely stop you from losing it, but it would make it harder for you to give in."

"ha thats not what he talking about he talking about why he nickname is the Devil"said Carlos with a smile as he looks at Braden

"indeed i am sometime a rifle but to head is need to stop me"said David then goes in with the bags

"a devil in combat feared by those who have faced him and lived"said Carlos as David leaves

Braden looked dubious. "Then be careful and bon chance to both of you. I will keep my thoughts on both of you, and will know how you fare..." he winced as he shifted and his broken arm sent waves of pain racing through him "Look don't die here, I know that Michiko wouldn't want that" He said as he wwaited for David to pass through the security lock, deposit the bags and return.

The 'Dryad shuddered yet again as the boarder blew thei way through the hatch they'd matched up with. The red lights of battle stations was errie and yet in an odd way soothing. The wait was over.

"Phraktos lu' Quar'valsharess belbau udossa Khalith,z'ress lu' xukuth ulu malar wun nindol phor lu' coming xonathull"said Carlos as David show up

"right were are the weapons and better give me some clothes for when i change back"said David knowing well beening naked right now is not a good idea

"well you don't want to die naked in battle do you,you only want to die in bed having vith naked"said Carlos smiling at him

"indeed"said David not smiling back as he could not right now as he had not change back yet

The invaders had come in near the rear, close to the engineering spaces, and the sound of batter were almost un heard nead the security core, but the Dryads A.I provided David and Carlos real time video, as well as verbal commentary. And it wsaz not happy making to lear that the invaders seemed to have no inter3est in capturing the ship itself in any thing resembling a useable condition. Starcraft were incredibly expensive, and even moderately damaged the Dryad would have fetched a price that was more than many nations annual economies. But apparently the pirates didn't care about capturing the ship. The explosives the used to breatch the hatch had done a massive amount of damage- even to the craft they had boarded from.

Sone thirty armoured figures poured out of the craft and Dryad swore as he got a good luck inside the visor of one "Oh Dam!" He swore colorfully and with resignation "You ever heard of space elves? These are their nasty cousins ...Space Drow!...Houston we have a problem" The AI said resignedly.

"h'uena mzild wund l' chathen d' uoi'nota"David said then move out from behind the makeshift barriers moving away from the group towards the figthing hold the gun pointing in front of him with finger near trigger

"shit watch out who you fire at ,he gone to buy us sometime to keep setting up the defences and no i don't have on idea what both are"said Carlos as he watch his friend go off into the unknown

hour later Tasha show up next to Carlos
"where's David"she asks him as she looks about for him
"gone to buy us more time to set up"Carlos said to her looking into her eye's

"he better came back"said Tasha with a tear in her eye she knew she and Cindy married someone who be a soldier for all his life and still care for him as they both love him as he loved them


as David move toward the Battle he sing to himself Sick of Life by Godsmack

"Paralyzed. Nothing's getting through to me.Hypnotized from all my surroundings.
I wanna be something I could never be.I wanna say things that I could never say.
Yeah, I'm gonna do it again!"

It may have felt like it had been an hour since David had gone out but it had only been ten minutes or so when the entire ship bucked like a maddened horse. Everyone was thrown about and knocked out for a few minutes.

Only the battle lighting was on when people regained consciousness, and that was dim, and began flickering intermittently.

"Tha was an explosion caused by a breached containment field down in engineering. All three drives are destroyed." The Dryad's A.I.'s voice was stunned, a flattened sad tone "That means the aft end of my body so to speak is gone. Cadre armor power sources can be very...reactive. I am transfering myslef to the life ship, we will need to abandon ship, I couldn't make it though a jump gate now if I tried. Beth is escorting the surviving bridge personel to your position now, Carlos"

"shit this is not good and where the hell is David "said Carlos looking out for the surviving bridge personel
"here let move it"said David who showed up with his hand on his chest showing blood through his fingers

"your wounded"said Tasha looking at him as he holds it

"not now Tasha we must leave"he said as he pushed her towards the life ship with his free hand

"i'll wait for the others"said Carlos gun covering the front of him

"Tasha, lets get him in here, and I can take a look at that wound." Aeryn had come out to help get the others aboard. She urged David and Tasha on board the ship

"It's going to be tight, but every one on board, I'm not leaving any one behind." Michiko's voice was slightly slurred. She had a goose egg turning purple on her forehead, and a nose bleed had left a trail of fresh blood from one nostril. "That means you too Carlos" She slid an arm around his waist as she peered dow the corridor that lead to the aft engineering sections. The bulkhead was beginning to glow under the energy beams concsntrated on it.

Behind them Beth was helping the bridge crew into strapdowns and then turning her attentioon to loading more supplies.

after Mifhiko had pull Carlos in he looks around and takes it in

one side he see Beth doing his job and on the other side was Cindy taking care of the Kids as Tasha was with David and Aeryn as she takes a look at a wound he got

"why he not been killed yet only those aboves us knows" Carlos said to himself as he now looks at Mifhiko

"mm"he said as he rips a bit off from his shirt, wets it with water from his canteen and puts it up to her nose bleed

Michiko let Carlos tend to her for just a second. "Thank you but we need to get strapped in Carlos. I don't think we have time to get anything more aboard."

That's correct" the A.I. agreed "I need to launch while we're still in the Dryads shadow, so wwe aren't seen on the run up to the jump gate. This lifeship isn't armormed more than minimally.

"Every one park it! We're going to blow free in a ten count." Michiko ordered as she turned to do just that.

Carlos straps himself in as he watchs Tasha and Cindy strap the kids in before they strap themselfs in
"you ok Devil"asked Tasha to David as he strap his Wolf in and then himself
next to Tasha
"not really right now Two worlds are warring in me"said David as he closed his eyes for meditation

Tasha takes his left hand into her hands and holds it as the lifeship launched

"A clouded dream on an earthly night
Hangs upon the crescent moon
A voiceless song in an ageless light
Sings at the coming dawn
Birds in flight are calling there
Where the heart moves the stones
It's there that my heart is longing
All for the love of you"

Tasha sing softly to David and Kids to keep them clam

"A painting hangs on an ivy wall
Nestled in the emerald moss
The eyes declare a truce of trust
Then it draws me far away
Where deep in the desert twilight
Sand melts in pools of the sky
Darkness lays her crimson cloak
Your lamps will call me home"

Cindy sings joining Tasha in the song

"both have beautiful voice as well as sing ones"said Carlos as he listen to them

"Yes they do, and the song is lovely!" Michiko said softly as with a thump - gentle in comparrison to the others that had rumbled though the Dryad - blew them free of the larger ship. The drives lit off speeding thme away from the Dryad as the A.I. began a countdown.

Behind them when the count reached zero the remains of the Dryand blew themselves into component atoms as the mag bottles that held the amtter/ antimatter ruptured and the two met, as cataclymsic a union as ever. Taking his invaders, the Kolinar, with him.

Then while the sensors of the Kolinar parent ships were still blinded the lifeships engines flared to full military power and made for the Gate.

"into the fire and pages of time"said Carlos to death of the ship as they leave
the area

"thank you both and the song called Mystic's dream. "said Tasha still holding Davids hand in hers

"how are the kiids "asked Carlos as he looks over
"bit upset but are fast to sleep now from us sing"said Cindy as she cover the Kids with a blanket
"upset not good,good thing they have very good mums to take care of them and dad who would die to save them"said Carlos

"is he asleep too"asked Cindy to Tasha as she looks at David Face showing some fags sticking down
"no in a very deep meditation as i can hardly feel his pulse"said Tasha

"mm who wining of the Two worlds that are warring inside of him"said Carlos
"let hope it him "said Tasha as she rested her head on his shoulder

Michiko caught Braden's eyes and the Psi gave a single minimal nod.

The Jump though the Gate was disorienting and the stars on the other side weren't what they had been seeing but then again that was to be expected when one has made a nearly six hundred million light year jump in the blink of an eye.

"I got us to the Object Michiko, but we're way off spec, nearly a one eighty from a normal jump to the Lens, and not in an area thats been widely explored. Not much to choose frrom here, but there are inhabitable planets, or so says my initial sensor sweep."

"Any thing to inhibit communications?" Michiko asked.

"No, and I'm already broadcasting. Twenty hours till we get within range and have to decide which planet to land on" The A.I. replied.

"Thank you" Michiko glanced about at the others "You heard - twenty hours of nothing to do but sit, so every one get some sleep" She unlatched her harness to get more comfortable and most of the others did the same.

She looked at Carlos sitting next to her and smiled up at him "Don't worry we'll be rescued."

"that the last thing on my mind Michiko"said Carlos as he looks at beautiful Face before looking into his hand and specks

"We are the chosen ones, we sacrifice our blood,we kill for honour
we are the holy ones our armours stained with blood,Heroes of the day, legends forever"

"a veteran saying"said Cindy lifting her head off Davids other shoulder on hearing those words

"think of David and so many years, too many battles made me think of it "said Carlos still looking into his hands

Michiko took Carlos's hands in her own, as Beth sitting behind them, spoke up loud and clear, her voice filled with pain for the loss of one of her husbands, for she and Jon had long been married.

"And in the fury of this darkest hour,
I will be your light.
A lifetime for this destiny (http://www.atddm.com/Winterborn.mp3)
For I am Warrior born.
And in this moment, I will not run,
It is my place to stand.
We few shall carry hope,
Within our bloodied hands.
And in our Dying, we're more alive-than we have ever been.
I've lived for these few seconds,
For I am Warrior born."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Warning - if you are on dial up that is a link to an MP3

and nor will it be up forever.

"thank you"said Carlos to Michiko

Tasha awake but resting her head on David's shoulder and holding his hand
still ,looked over at Beth and specks to her

"a soldier loves his wife as much as she love him and miss her dearly when they are apart"she said to her


"A Soldier loves his Wife with a passion; for her he'd gladly die.
He'd sell his soul in a moment, just to look inside her eyes.
He was a Soldier, some said she was but his wife.
But she is his strength, the very inspiration of his life.
No matter the distance between them, they were never apart.
He was a Soldier, but she gave him the heart." said David as he opened his eye's

"Beth he be forever in your heart"said David

Beth sighed "Thank you...I know and I feel him there but it's hard. We were married for over a hundred 'n thirty years. People thought we were silly for getting married so young, just out of Cadre training, then they said we'd never stay married." She laughed sadly "We proved them wrong I guess. But it will be hard telling my other husbands and wives. Jon and I were the core of the marriage." Her voice died away as she leaned back in her crsh couch and closed her eyes, obviously just wanting to be left to memories of happier times.

Michiko wanted to slide into Carlo's lap, and nestle against him, take comfort in his strength, but she knew she couldn't. Her crew was looking to her to be their leader. Carlos and his freinds were outsiders, and didn't know and understand the tech or the various dificulties they would face while waiting for rescue. Once again she found herself in a role she didn't particularly care for or want. A role that made such things as seeking solace in anothers arms impossible.

"your weclome Beth "said David pulling out two things from a pocket

"i married lover boy at seventeen on his second R@R home from vietnam, Cindy married him later on during the third IH war"said Tasha
"here is those the photos we sent you when you were in Nam"said Cindy look at David holding them

"yes still have them"said David as he got up and clams one of his daughters

"there there little one mums and dad here"he said softly to her which some would think odd coming from someone like David

Carlos looks at Michiko
"here use my shoulder to sleep on"he say to her as he watchs David

Most everyone was settleing down, heavy eyed - they had all been under terrible stress, which was exhausting. Sleep claimed them rapidly.

Michiko gave Carlos a grateful look and said softly "I'd rather be in your arms but that wouldn't be a good idea." She did raise the arm between their seats and lean up against him, her head on his shoulder.

"i under stand"he said softly back to her before he too was asleep leaving David and Thor the only ones awake and keeping watch

"will boy just you and me" David said in a low voice to his pet as he pats him at which he wags his tail

"easy boy don't bang your tail onto the floor and wake them"said David still in a low
David looks over Tasha,Cindy, the Kids, Michiko and Carlos and thinks to himself

Tasha Cindy and the Kids joy at the end of fires of hell i been throught
Carlos once hated my guts when we first meet as i out rank him now we best Cobbers and like brother to one another, due to me saving his life and him getting to know me better
Michiko stole his heart and if it goes that far and end with bells, well i would put my life on the line to save her too

Nearly ten hours later Sir Truluck woke every one "Lady Michiko, we have something interesting. The sensors of this life ship need to be recalibrated. We do not have three planets to chose from. We have a Ringworld (http://www.atddm.com/rngwrld.jpg).

That woke Michiko up completely. "What? I've never heard of any ...Oh It must be the Panfar's Legacy. Thats the only one ever listed that was determined could possibly have been located here, in the Object." She exclaimed.

"A Ringworld is an artificial ring some one million miles wide and approximately the diameter of on the system's habitable ecosphere- about the diameter of Earth's orbit for example, which makes it about 600 million miles in circumference and placed around a Sol-type star. It rotates, providing an artificial gravity that has been, on all the ones discovered so far just under 1 g- what we humans consider 'normal' -as strong as Earth's gravity through the action of centrifugal force. Ringworld has a habitable flat inner surface equivalent in area to approximately three million Earth-sized planets. Walls 1000 miles tall along the edges retain the atmosphere." Michiko moved up to the front piloting area and peered at the modestly sized view screen intently, excitement evident.

"An author name of Larry Niven first wrote about them on Earth. However his, in his novels had engineeering and physics flaws, but thousands of years ago a race, known as the Panfar, apparently figured out how to fix the problems that a ring world could have and the histories tell us they built five. Panfar's Eden, Panfar's Choice, Panfar's Gift, and this must be the one known as Legacy!"

"so a technologically advanced society made that, hell i hate to think what the security system is like"said David as he went to the only two things that the girls carryed to the life ship

"be something and how do we know we be safe on it who knows what could down there"said Carlos as he watched David open a metal case

"well if they are hostile we have my Anudis Assault Rifle,the girls P90s and all four of our Dragoon Combat Pistols "said David as he pulls out his rifle and checks it

"and don't forget your knife and sword bayonet"said Tasha as she and Cindy take care of the kids

"can we have some water for them please"asked Cindy

One of the ships personell went to the small galley and began heating survival pac's for all on board, and while they were heatinng brought sipper packs of water for the adults and fruit juice for the children. Handing the juice pacs and water to Cindy and Tasha "Here juice for the kids or water if you'd prefer that. Food will be ready shortly."

Beth stood and went to check the arms locker. "We have enough stocked here for all of us to have a hand weapon and those of us qulaified to have a hyper rifle. Lady Michiko we also have two MD's and ten charge cubes."

Michiko nodded. The MD's were keyed only for herself. "None of the three found so far have had active security systems. The knowledge we have available to us says that the Panfar's home system's sun was dieing, and they built the rings to hold their population, but that the sun went nova unexpectedly. The rings had been built, and furnished with plants and animals but the Panfar population never arrived. The few Panfar that had been on the rings as a prehabitation caretaker staff died withing a few years of the nova. Their writings tell us that they werew very group oriented, very highly sensitive and died of sheer psychological shock."

"Lady Michiko is correct. There are security systems in the form of antimeteorite collision systems, but the discovering ships weren't fired upon, and the docking systems were automated. The Panfar were humanoid, just a point nine oh variance off of the human mean. Though a number of the botanicals and fauna have proved hazzardoud to humans. The Panfar designed the ecologogy to be an integrated and well balanced system that matched their planet of origin. It was very Earthlike, though just degree or two on average cooler than Earth.

"oh well i let you lead"said Carlos who was lost at was said

Carlos look sat David who was just standing looking into the box and had not said a thing for a hour
"you are right"asked Carlos who walked over to David as place a hand on a shoulder

Tump as Carlos hit the floor and finds David with one knee on his chest and his knife pointing between his eyes
"David fight it my friend"said Carlos still looking at the kinfe

one of David sons got up and run over toward his dad
"little one no"said Carlos spoting him out the corner of his eye
but by now he was at his dad hitting him and trying to pull him off Carlos

Tasha gets to her son in time to shield him from the blow from Davids free hand as Carlos take hold of the one holding the Knife as Cindy hits David with his own Rifle butt knocking him out

Tasha looks at Cindy now with a black eye "thinking all ok and so he let his guard down a bit and " Tasha stops and leave the last part unsaid

"he fine lets look at your black eye"said Cindy to Tasha as she kneels next to her

"i think next thing he would have done was to kill me" said Carlos looking at Davids Knife in his hand

"i think next thing he would have done was to kill me"

"Look" Braden called for Cindy's, Tasha's, and Carlos's attention "I don't think that David really understood some stuff I tried to tell him earlier. I can help him, help him keep control. It won't be perfect, and it's only temporary, but I can help him construct mental defenses against losing control like he just did. But he has to want my help."

Aeryn had gone to help Tasha and Cindy with Tasha's black eye and she looked up as Braden spoke and nodded, her face serious "I can also give him some neuro blockers that will help for a time."

Michiko had been in the bridge section and had come running at the comotion, and her eyes were sad but her voice was firm.

"If it comes down to it we'll have to put David in suspendsleep. We have a single pod in the medical bay. But I won't let any one jeopardise all of ours survival."

"he has construct mental defenses other wise hell in hell do you think he did not gone nuts at what they did to him ,it only due to been wounded, drugged up for the wound and needing sleep that he lowered it"said Tasha angry before crying

"what they did to him ,Tasha what do you know"asked Carlos looking at her along with Cindy
"what he told you that he has not told me"asked Cindy

"it's not what he told but what i find was enough for me to work out that Helghan torture he once face was nothing to what the ISP did to him"said Tasha

Carlos looks at Michiko, Tasha, Cindy, David and the Kids

Carlos not knowing what to really do right now looks back at Michiko
" Michiko just do what you need to" he said as looks away at them to a spot on the wall


"why are mummys sad and why is daddy sad and hurting and why daddy try to hurt uncle carlos"asked four small voice

"er"Carlos as he turn to face his god children

"your mums are sad at what they see your dad is going through"said Cindy as she sits on floor so she can hug her two

"whats that"ask one

"something that was done to him by people more mean then the helghans "said Tasha taking her two into her arms

"and your dad did not mean to hurt me it was what inside him put there by those mean people that was trying to hurt me"said Carlos

"poor daddy,will he do ok"said Tasha daughter
"we hope so Edony"said Tasha as she hugs her and her brother

"he has construct mental defenses other wise hell in hell do you think he did not gone nuts at what they did to him ,it only due to been wounded, drugged up for the wound and needing sleep that he lowered it

"I know he has Tasha, David is a very strong man. I didn't mean to imply that he hadn't. It's just that I can help him maintain those defenses. with my psionic powers, and Aeryn can help with her medical skill. We like David, we want to help him" Braden said and Aeryn chimed in agreeing.

"Lest's let David come round and see how he is after a nap. We've got a couple of hours yet. And between t he nap and the nanos that are healing his wound I bet he'll be better whn he awakes." Michiko said compassionately. "Now, lets make him comfortable, so his nap will help rest him"

"no when he's told he hit Tasha as she shield his son and pointed a his knife at me he'll be upset"said Carlos as he watch Cindy place David's head on her lap

"it odd watching him sleep as he usely watchs Tasha and i sleep in one another arms as he sleep on and off during the night till he goes to work"said Cindy looking at his face then closed her eye's as she rested her head against Tasha other shoulder as she rested hers on the other

"mm it's getting to them"said Carlos as he looks at they'er faces that was clearly showing the signs that stress was getting to them both

"hey writing back home"
"yur to my girls"

Dear Tasha and Cindy
here i sit in a bunker at Khe Sanh looking at your beautiful faces in your photos missing you more as i wait for the Vietnamese to attack yet again as they have been for the past 12 weeks.

"man the lines here they came"
"shit why don't they just give up"

"mm what battle is it you dream of now"said Carlos as he watch David face change in his sleep

"I'm sorry Carlos, I had no idea that the damned Drow had any idea of the location of that jump point. My people will come looking for us, and while the lifeships boosters are shorter range than the Dryads, we did get off Mayday's from the Dryad." Michiko said softly her words filled with shame for putting her new friends at such risk.

Three hours past as the ringworld drew ever closer.

"It's active, has an atmosphere, flora, and fauna, but nothing is coming up in the sentient life form range. I think it's going to be like the others found. Some dangerous animals and plants, but nothing our weaponry can't handle." Sir Truluck said from his place at the pilots console.

"Michiko may times in the wars something like this hapeen"said Carlos as he watch Tasha kneel next to David

"a Renegade dies but does not surrender " she said Softly but all could still hear what she said to him as she pulls out his four Dog tags which two mean he was married as Imperial males don't wear rings

"mm what that writing that engraved on the back of his normal tag i never seen it before"asked Cindy to Tasha
"me too"said Tasha as she looks close at the writing

"the Renegades does two things well: We hold the line and we die standing, as men..." Tasha reads out


"said by him after battle of hill 215, the same battle he was sent home for R@R and remeet and save you for a second time Tasha"said Carlos

Tasha looks down at Davids face and runs a finger down a scar on the left cheek

"he got this scar from a knife that night and i cryed my eyes out in his arm till i fell asleep back at his hotel room"said Tasha with a tear in her eye
"honey it was all meant to be"said Cindy taking a hand of Tasha

Arriving on the Ringworld had proved to be simple. Sir Truluck simply used the code that the previously discovered ringworlds had responded to. An airlock, large enough to accomodate a starcraft several kilometers long opened and tractor beams drew the lifeship with in and the entry had closed as lights came up chasing darkness from the cavernous bay. THe process had not been quick, David had slept for nearly six hours before they were ready to disembark.

"We need to find the communications facilities, at the very least. And the lifeship is very cramped" Michiko looked at the others gaging their reactions.

"do whats need to be done "said Carlos who was keeping the kids out of the way as Tasha and Cindy care for David

"six hours more sleep he ever had now days and he still out"said Tasha
"doctor you think i hit him too hard"said Cindy looking over at Aeryn

"here his lips are moving he never done that before"said Tasha

"Hinds attcking from the east ,T-90s and troops moving from the north"said Cindy as she read his lips

"sound like he reliving a battle"said Carlos

"mm"said Tasha then looks back down

"negative HQ we not bloodly well falling back it's time to stand and fight back" said Tasha reading his lips then looks up at Cindy

"Rosewood"said Cindy looking into Tasha eyes
"Rosewood"said Tasha looking back into Cindys ones

"arrr"said Carlos

"No Cindy, you didn't hit him too hard. THe body requires a certain amount of rest and if he has been chronologically going short of sleep, then his body has take over and may make him sleep for as much as twenty four hours to make up his sleep deficite" Aeryn smiled reassuringly at Cindy.

"I take it that is not one of his better memories" Michiko said worriedly at the trio's reactions to realizing what David was dreaming about

"I can go in and guide him out of the dream. I won't remove the memories, I'll just help his stand to one side of them, to watch them as if they were just a movie, something he can turn off when he wants. I've helped other veterans." Braden offered.

"He has and he's specially trained" Beth concoured. "War is Hell even when you have all the advanced technology in the world. Braden doesn't mention it but he holds multiple Doctorates in Psychology."

"ok"said Cindy to Aeryn

I take it that is not one of his better memories

Tasha looks that Michiko

"Michiko it was a sad and happy day for him, you see he and a platoon was in Rosewod as forward observation post for the main line when he at last got our letter saying he was now a Dad as we have given birth to those four"said Tasha as she look over at the Kids

the three of them where plaing a game with one another and other one was playing pika a boo with the Wolf

"my mother and father can't stand David and can't stand Thor,every time they see him they go ,you dog is safe to around our grandkids but not that beast you should take it to be destroyed"said Tasha then looks at Braden

"no let him be we all have the nightmares of war when we sleep"

as Tasha talks Cindy had open the back of Davids rifle butt and taken out a Envelope and was reading one of four letters before looking up and reads it out loud

"Can You Hear our Heroes Marching?
Can you hearour heroes marching?
Can you hear them as they march into eternity?
There will never be a greater love
There just couldn't be a greater sacrifice
There just couldn't be
Can you hear our heroes marching?
The ones who fought and gave their all
Can you hear our heroes marching?
Can you hear them as they march into eternity?
There will never be a greater love
There just couldn't be a greater sacrifice
There just couldn't be
Can you hear our heroes marching?
They're marching once again
Across our great land
Can you hear our heroes marching?
Can you hear them as they march into eternity?
There will never be a greater love
There just couldn't be a greater sacrifice
There just couldn't be
Can you hear our heroes marching?*"

Carlos looks at David
"so that what you been working on"



*http://www.users.on.net/~revelation/heroes.htm

OOC: Isa, thanks for the link, that is a beautiful video and song, very powerful!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sir Truluck had been working on the life slips console as they others debated and announed in a quiet voice "I have managed to make connection with the Rings communication aray. It has full FTL Communications ability, so our location is being broadcast even as we speak"


Michiko shook her head sadly at Tasha's comment about how her parents feel about her husband. "I am so sorry for them, that they are against David and Thor, they are missing out on so much. And Thor loves your children, it's obvious even the little bit that I have seenh. He'd keep them safe through anything I think but" She had her own unhappy memories concerning parents, her father specificaaly "Parents are just people and never perfect"

She moved close to Carlos, and slid an arm about his waist. Looking up she searched his eyes, wondering what he was thinking.

" Michiko i was born into a rich family and have mother and father whos mentality that the rich should only mix with the lower class only when need too and i'am not like them and rebelled when ever i could and i all most lost my life for not thinking out what i was doing at one of my rebellings"said Tasha as she pets Thor
"you and Raide are both good boys" Tasha said to him

Thor looks up at Tasha and gives a woof before moving next to David and Cindy
"hey Thor "said Cindy as she pats him on his head then turn to face Michiko so she could speck to her
"David did his best training Thor to know us and the kids when he had time too at the fronts with him"said Cindy
"wooof"said Thor

Carlos was thinking on what David said that had pushed him over the edge at Rosewood as Michiko slid her arm about his waist
"hey" Carlos said as he looks into her beautiful eyes


OOC it mean something to me as i had a great grandfather who was at Gallipoli and the Western Front
Thor
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/zxc_047/Thor.jpg