Terri spun her fighter in a tight arc, sliding to the left; dodging the incoming fire. She then cut her engines and flipped the nose of her craft to point behind her. The computer beeped and Terri fired, destroying the last of the enemy. She spun fighter and fired the engines to stop the backwards momentum. Suddenly the screen died and the top of the simulator opened.
Terri stood up, "What happened?"
"I don't know," the sergeant said. He looked back to the controls, "Uh, main power is out. We're on back up power right now."
"You broke it!" Oojoung said as he peered inside of the machine.
"No I didn't," Terri said, looking over at Oojoung. "Sergeant Nelson just said that the main power was out."
"No, no, no, you broke it and the power core!" Oojoung said grinning.
"I did not!"
"Did too."
Sergeant Nelson stifled a laugh.
"I did not!" Terri growled trying to edge closer to Oojoung.
Oojoung bounced back and jumped out of her reach, "Did too, kill too many enemies. Computer had a heart attack and died!"
Terri pretended to check the simulator, still trying to edge closer to Oojoung.
Oojoung watched her move, smiling on the inside; she was learning everything he was teaching her. But he knew he was still faster than her. Oojoung allowed himself to be captured by Terri, who spun around and grabbed him.
Terri wrestled him into a headlock, "Take it back!"
"What? Take back what?" Oojoung said in a fake panic.
"Take back that I broke the simulator," Terri said, tightening the headlock.
"Ok, you no break the simulator," Oojoung said in mock defeat.
Terri grinned and let Oojoung go, "That will teach you to mess with me."
"Yes," Oojoung said, as he backed to the door. "You didn't break simulator..."
Terri grinned at Oojoung.
"Just computer is all you broke, poor Ghost all hurt now," Oojoung blurted out, spinning and running out the door.
Terri gasped and started chasing him, leaving Sergeant Nelson rolling on the ground in laughter. Terri had just got out the door when she got the call.
"Terri I need you in Medical right now, it's an emergency," Andie said
"On my way," Terri reversed directions. "Oojoung we need to get to medical."
Oojoung appeared a few feet in front of Terri, who gasped.
"Hey, no fair!" Terri said. "You were using your stealth unit!"
Oojoung grinned, "All is fair in battle."
Terri stuck her tongue out at him and grinned.
Oojoung stuck his back out in kindness.
They both headed for the lift, Oojoung trailing slightly behind Terri in a protective posture.
Kelly Martin was tending the gardens on deck 65 when she got the call.
"Kelly can you come to medical please, I need to see you," Andie said.
"On my way," Kelly got up and headed for medical.
Gilas was irate, he flipped Bill over and looked at the wound; blood was everywhere.
He looked up at Vors, rage clearly displayed on his face. Then as fast as it started it was over. Eutharan marines from Gilas' command flooded CIC, placing Vors and his men under arrest for attempted murder. Five minutes later a medical team arrived and took Bill to Medical.
Ghost shimmered into being next to Gilas, "I called the back up and medical team."
Gilas nodded, "Thanks." Gilas stood up as the medical team left and faced Vors. "This is unspeakable, you have just destroyed everything I've been working towards here. You and your men are under arrest."
Vors didn't falter, "My orders came from the King and Queen. They told me to secure this station."
"Oh, did they also tell you to execute the commanding officer? Or did you figure that one out on your own?" Gilas said. "Sergeant. Dhure take these men to the brig."
"Yes Sir," Dhure said. "Come on move out." Dhure said shoving Vors from behind.
"You'll regret this Gilas! I had my orders!" Vors shouted as he was led away.
"Gilas," Ghost said quietly.
Gilas turned back to her, "Yes."
"While I appreciate your actions just now, I must mention one thing." Ghost said as she looked him in the eye.
Gilas nodded, "Go ahead."
"If I find out you were a party to this in anyway, shape or form, every one of your people on the Titan will suffer. They will rot there until this Station ceases to exist. Do I make myself clear to you?"
Gilas was shocked, "I promise you, we had nothing to do with this. I had no idea, had I known, Vors wouldn't have made it here."
"Good, just so we understand each other," Ghost said, disappearing from view.
Gilas stood there trying to absorb everything that had just happened and said. He looked around the room and saw everyone looking at him, waiting for him to do something. There wasn't much anyone could really do, all computers were locked out as well as all docks and ships that were docked; no one was going anywhere anytime soon.
Gilas did the only thing he could, "I'm sorry." He then turned and headed for Medical with four marines surrounding him.
Jodeas motioned Jon to sit next to him in his XO's seat. When Jon made no move, Jodeas turned back to look at him.
"Captain Hunter," Jodeas said "we can do this the easy way or the hard way, the choice is really up to you. I respect what little I have heard about you and the Atlantis, Captains should respect each other no matter what side they're on. You can either come sit and talk and we can enjoy each others company or I can have you thrown in the brig for the remainder of the trip."
Jon thought about that for a few seconds then walked over and took the offered seat. Once settled he turned to Jodeas and said, "Option one sounds good to me."
Jodeas smiled, nodding, "Something to drink?"
"No thanks, maybe later," Jon said as he looked around the bridge. He noticed the crew was mixed a Eutharan, Buranis, and a few races he had never seen. When he noticed the Eutharans he was startled, his face showed it.
Jodeas caught the look, "Yes, we have Eutharan crew, does this surprise you?"
"A little, but I know from what I've learned of the fall of the Empire that the Eutharan people were conquered. I guess when I met the few I have that they had some how broke free."
"Not really, the ones you met are the last resistance to the Invaru Collective. They have been fighting the Invaru for almost a century. The Eutharan home world is still in the Invaru's grip as is my home world."
"Why not get together and fight them?"
"How? They control our worlds and now after all this time they have a lot of support from the people they have suppressed."
Jon sat quietly for a moment watching the viewer, "If you could would you?"
Jodeas looked at the man sitting next to him letting his words sink in, "Why take that chance and lose everything?"
"Sometimes you have to take a chance and do what's right. Every being has a right to decide what is or isn't right for themselves. From what I understand of the Invaru they remove that choice and decide for the individual. I won't live that way, I would rather die. That's why I have been fighting them. They attacked my world and enslaved my people and I won't rest until I free my world and people."
"Yes I heard about the fight at your world, you took down a Invaru Titan; very impressive. That's how you came into the light. Now you have the attention of the Invaru emperor. This is why I took you from your ship, I was ordered to leave your ship to the Marudas. It's sad actually, you had a worthy crew, I would have liked to have met them."
Jon paled, "The Atlantis..."
"Is dead, just like your world is dead; burned to nothingness." Jodeas replied
Jon slumped, his eyes started to fill with tears.
Jodeas laughed, turning to one of the marines, "Take him to the brig and post an extra two guards. He's too cunning to have only one guard."
Marc paced the bridge of the Scythe, waiting for them to exit hyperspace. Bish and the marines had gathered up anyone the Captain wasn't sure about and put them in the brig.
The Invaru Captain watched Marc pace, he was intent on making Marc pay; it was a promise to himself. Marc stopped and watched the Hammer fly through hyperspace not more than 2000 feet in front of them.
"What do you know about the Captain of the Hammer?" Marc asked Captain Vaes.
"He's intelligent, hard working, and a great tactician. He would also sell his mother to the Invaru if he thought it would advance his career," Vaes said walking over to Marc.
"Why would he kidnap Jon and leave the Atlantis untouched?"
"Only one reason," Veas said, turning and looking at the Invaru Captain. "orders."
Marc looked over to Vaes and then to where he was staring, "What do you know about this Captain?"
The Captain looked from Vaes to Marc, "My name is Gulis, I'm tired of being referred to as Captain or Invaru. To answer your question, we had orders to detain the Atlantis. Seems she destroyed a Titan in the Sol system," The whole bridge got quiet, all eyes turning to Marc.
"Yeah and so?" Marc said.
"You destroyed an Invaru Titan?" Veas asked in awe.
"We might have had a little scuffle with one and came out on top, so what."
"Are you saying the Atlantis took out the Titan?"
"Yeah, so," Marc said beginning to get frustrated.
"I'm glad we joined up with you guys. It's just amazing, no one has ever taken a Titan out."
"Well don't look at me, the man who did that is on the Hammer. If we don't get him back I don't think we have a chance at this rebellion."
Vaes looked back to where the Hammer was displayed. Word quickly spread through the ship about Captain Hunter and the Atlantis. This was not something that would be forgotten in a long time.
"As I was saying, we got word from the Marudas to delay him. The Emperor changed that order saying to capture him at all costs; but to leave the Atlantis to the Marudas."
Marc turned back to the viewer, "We have to find a way to get him back."
Vaes nodded, "Yes we must."
Atlantis appeared in a flash of light, limping to a nearby planet.
"Establish low orbit and start repairs." Carex said
Carex looked at the eight royal guards stationed around the bridge. The bridge seemed empty without Jon here constantly watching over everything. Carex looked up at the commander of the guards, "Commander, why don't you and your men retire, there's nothing more you can do here."
"I'm sorry we failed Sir," the Commander's head hung low.
"You didn't fail, there wasn't anything that anyone could have done about it."
"Thank you Sir," the Commander motioned his men off the bridge.
Carex sighed and sat back in the Captain's chair. He was thinking about Marc and the Scythe. He sure hoped they pulled something out of their ass, if they didn't get Jon back soon it was going to be his ass.
"Commander Carex, the Princess is asking for you," Carla informed him.
Great, why not, as if he didn't have enough to deal with right now. "Where is she?"
"Captain's Quarters," Carla said
"You have the Bridge," Carex said. "Tell her I'm on my way."
Five minutes later Carex stood outside the door to the Captain's room, the two guards watched him just standing there.
"You need help Sir?" One asked him
"No, just trying to get myself ready," Carex replied frowning.
The guards nodded, they knew what had happened to the Captain and they knew the Princess.
Taking a deep breath he announced himself, seconds later the door opened. One of the Princess' handmaidens answered the door asking him to come in.
"The Princess will be right out," the lady explained. "She's tucking the little one into bed."
A few minutes later the Princess walked in closing the door to Sam's room behind her; she frowned at Carex.
Carex started to get up to kneel, "No, please sit," The Princess said.
The Princess sat down facing Carex motioning for something to drink. Carex started to fidget in anticipation.
"Lieutenant Commander Carex, where is Captain Hunter?" She finally asked.
Carex pulled at his collar, "Uh, he was kidnapped from the bridge by a transporter, your Highness."
"Did I not give instructions he was to be protected at all times?"
"Yes, your Highness, but there was no way we could have prevented this attack on the Atlantis. She doesn't have the dampeners installed yet."
"Why was he not carrying one?"
"He was, it wasn't on, your Highness."
"Why?"
"Uh, we haven't explained all of their uses to them yet, Your Highness."
"So, what you're telling me," the Princess stood up and walked to the window. "Is your negligence allowed him to be taken?"
Carex sighed, "Yes, Your Highness."
"Who's in command of the ship right now?"
Carex paled, "E-ensign Carla, your highness."
"Is she competent?"
"Captain Hunter has been training her for XO."
"Good, one more question." She said turning and boring into him with her eyes.
"Y-yes, your Highness."
"If Captain Hunter is kidnapped, why are we not following his kidnappers?"
"Because you're on board and if anything happened to you I could never forgive myself."
The Princess turned and looked at the planet from the window, "Fine Carex, you are stripped of rank and are confined to quarters to await my decision."
Carex almost passed out, "Yes, your Highness." He reached up and removed his rank insignia, dropped them on the table. Carex then bowed and walked out the door and to him quarters.
The Princess turned to her handmaiden, "Get me the Bridge."
Kelly walked into Medical and into a crowd. She tried to look over them to see what was going on. After deciding that wasn't going to work she started to politely shove her way through the crowd. When she reached the front the gasp was very loud, her legs almost gave out but she managed to stumble forward next to the bed.
Bill was lying on the bed surround by people, his face was very pale. He looked up and saw Ghost and smiled, then Andie was next, and then Kelly; his eyes filled with tears. He had been seeing Kelly ever since they got to the station. Every moment of his off duty hours was spent in the gardens helping her get stuff planted and planned. Their love had blossomed almost over night and grew quickly. He had planned on asking her to marry him in a couple more weeks, now that was all changed.
Bill took Kelly's hand in his, "Hi. I missed you."
Tears started to roll down Kelly's face, "I missed you too."
"There's so many things I wanted to tell you and show you. I had plans for you and me, big plans and big dreams."
Kelly sank to her knees, "It's ok, you can tell me later, we'll do everything you wanted once you get better."
Terri turned and ran through the crowd leaving a very confused Oojoung staring after her.
Andie tried to keep from crying but it wasn't working.
"I don't think we'll get a chance to do those things," Bill said
"Don't say that, you'll be ok." Kelly said, burying her face in his stomach.
Bill smiled and put his hand on the side of her face, "I have something for you."
Kelly raised her head and look at him in the face, "What do you have for me my love?"
Bill reached into a pocket and pulled his hand back out, in the palm was a plain golden ring. "This, will you marry me?"
Kelly started to openly weep as she looked at the ring.
"You can't say no after all the trouble I went through to get production to make it."
"Yes, I'll marry you Bill anything just as long as you promise to get better."
"Good, I didn't want to die without asking you," Bill said with his last breath.
Andie shoved Kelly aside and started to try to bring Bill back. After ten minutes of trying she final gave up.
"Get out," Andie said in a quiet voice.
No one moved.
"GET OUT!" Andie screamed.
Everyone looked at her in shock.
"I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT!" Andie screamed louder.
People started leaving as fast as they could.
"Not you Kelly, I need you to stay." Andie said, stopping Kelly.
Once everyone was out she sealed and locked down Medical.
Ghost glared at the Eutharans around her as she left and disappeared. When she reappeared she stood in front of Vors and glared at him. "I wanted to let you know Commander Hawkins just died."
Vors smiled and stood up, "So? I was doing as ordered."
"You should also know that when Captain Hunter gets back, he will skin you alive. You have completely destroyed any and all trust that Gilas and his crew had established. You did that in less than a day."
"Gilas was a fool, thinking he could befriend these people."
"No, Gilas knew without these people's help the Eutharan people would never have my station. They alone carried the code to unlock me. He had their trust, they helped him in his time of need. In return Gilas helped them where he could. You may have just sealed the fate of this 800 year old rebellion." Ghost said, fading out.
Vors paled and stumbled back to where he was sitting.